USA > New York > Dutchess County > Poughkeepsie > The records of Christ church, Poughkeepsie, New York, Vol I > Part 27
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3. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 50.
1783, Nov. 5, Jacobus Ostrom produced to the Vestry a Bond given by Rev'd John Beardsley and Peter Harris in favour of his mother, each to pay her four pounds yearly during her life, he acknowledged Mr. Beardsley's part had Constantly been paid by him while residing here, and, Since his removal, agreeable to his request, by Vestry here. Which payments, at our desire, was indorsed on Said Bond by Richard Snedeker, Who was present. Ostrom alledged that there was Due from Harris £32, and was urgent that Vestry take upon them to account for Harris's part in this Obligation.
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Mr. Richard Davis then made a Motion that a letter from Rev'd John Beardsley be read to the Board which may throw light upon this Matter. Which was read and is as Follows:
[Here is entered a copy of Mr. Beardsley's letter among the vestry minutes; see No. 4.]
4. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 4. .
Original letter from the Rev'd John Beardsley. Addressed on the outside to "Mr. Will'm Emott at Poughkeepsie, per Mr. Ostrum." Reads as follows:
New York 2d June 1783
Dear Sir
Jacobus Ostrum calls on me in your name to request in writing what I know of his mother's claim on Capt. Harris of four pound per annum. You doubtless recolect that She of her own accord gave up her claim to that part of her husband's Estate secured to her by his will, in consideration of her children severally or some one in their steads paying her four pounds per annum each during her life, for the sake of removing the incumbrance which on her account lay on the Parsonage. I became bound to pay the four pounds that fell to her daughters part, Capt Harris for her son John, and Andrew, Henry & Jacobus Stood ingaged, Each one for himself; this Settlement she chose and accepted of in preferrence to that made in her husband's will.
How far, those bound in her favour have fulfilled their obligations is a matter I have no right to enquire after, and with respect to the part I have ingaged for, I took care of that when I left Poughkeepsie, by a promise from Capt John Davis who succeeded me in the possession of the parsonage, that he would pay or cause to be paid to Mrs. Ostrum on my account foure pounds currency per annum, which Jacobus Ostrum acknowledges to have been done by the said Capt Davis, and others of the Vestry or Corporation. If Mrs. Ostrum hath trusted her Support in the Hands of those who are unable to pay her, it might surely be very unhappy in its consequences to her, Especially as she is far advanced in age, and her son with whom she lives in low circum- stances.
Was I in possession of the parsonage I should then, perhaps, be able to relieve her as a deed of Charity, as I would another person in want. But under my present circumstances, I must consider myself (in point of Equity) free in the Sight of heaven and earth from all claims made by her, unless for the single four pounds per annum, and even of that, but as it is paid through the same Chanell that it hath hitherto been
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paid since my Banishment on account of my Loyalty. I wish with all my heart that the Vestry, if able, would, as an act of Charity, assist the Old Lady.
I have taken the Liberty of directing this to you as Ostrum makes use of no other name but yours in his application; which I beg you would be so good as to present to the Gentlemen, Church Wardens, and Vestry, with my best Respects to them and their Families; and permit me by your advocation to remain with great esteem, their most affectionate Friend and Humble Servant,
John Beardsley.
To The Gentlemen Church Wardens & Vestry of Christs Church at Poughkeepsie.
5. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 52.
1783, Nov. 5, [Minutes continued], Vestry after hearing the foregoing letter read Resolved to postpone this matter no Evidence appearing that they are liable to pay the Bond in question-The presumption therefore is that it is merely a private Contract, till Ostrom shall bring proof of its being Otherwise.
6. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 83.
1786, March 16, Ordered that Richard Davis and Robert Noxon be a Committee to enquire into the affair of Ostrom's bond and Report.
7. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 84.
1786, April 18, Ordered that Richard Davis and Robert Noxon be continued a committee to enquire into the affair of Ostrom and report next quarterly meeting of vestry.
8. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 5.
Original letter from the Rev. John Beardsley, addressed to Mr. John Davis.
Maugerville, New Brunswick, 9th September 1788
Dear Sir
Your favour of ye 16th ult. I have now before me, & wish it was in my power to answer it to your satisfaction.
But having no written memorandums to direct me am much at a loss how to state what I always supposed ye Church Book of records would fully enable ye Vestry to do.
It must be known to many of you, that two thirds of ye Ostrum farm was purchased for ye use and benefit of ye parson
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who should serve at ye Churches of Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, and that ye other third was purchased by me.
And that ye two hundred acres of new land was designed for ye use and Benefit of Christs Church at Poughkeepsie, ye Charter & Grant will fully Evince.
That Mr. Crannell advanced a principal part of Poughkeep- sie's share, as well in payment for ye old Glebe as for finishing ye house, must be known by all ye leading Characters, mem- bers of ye Church, who were there at ye time these tran- sactions happened.
With respect to my part of ye Ostrum farm, my Deed that I have in possession shows my title.
And I cannot doubt you and others will remember that ye reason of procuring a grant of ye old farm with the new, and including my part of it in ye grant, was to prevent ye cost of taking out two grants; and yt ye Wardens & Vestry did en- gage on their part to reconvey to me in a legal manner my share of ye old farm; which not being yet done exposes me to ye loss of it, unless the Vestry now being are pleased to do it.
The justice of my claim on this head, you, your Brother, Doctor Noxon, Mr. Emott, Mr. Isaac Balding, I am well as- sured can testify.
You also know that I built a Barn on ye glebe near ye house, and that in case I should be removed, ye Vestry were to allow me ye value of it. That Barn cost me not less than £60 York currency.
You may recolect yt I procured a grant of the Lands above mentioned; and in doing yt, I hereby declare it cost me not less than £60 currency of New York, £14 of which is all yt I ever had reimbursed me; so yt there remains-£46 in my favour on yt score; which I think is more than falls to my share, as in justice I had only to pay what cost might arise in procuring a grant for one third of ye old farm.
Things thus circumstanced when I came to this Country, relying on ye good faith & honour of my Brethren at Pough- keepsie to do me justice in yt part, I thought it not right to send my claims upon Government for yt which, I had every reason to believe, would be made good to me by yt Congrega- tion who had it in possession & received a rent for it.
And I appeal to heaven & to every good Being if I have not a right to expect it from them.
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I have further to inform you, yt ye Bond which Capt Harris and I gave for ye payment of £8 to Mrs. Ostrum per year is deficient on his part, but yt my part to it, one half, is paid by me & my order to ye time of her death.
If therefore you will be pleased to shew this Letter to the Vestry, & State what you know (which I should think might be more than any other, having long acted as Secretary to ye Corporation), it may be a means of puting it in my power to Satisfy Mrs. Ostrum's heirs, as well as help me to what you can declare to be my just right.
For the Sums due to me for past services, I must refer to your records, as I cannot exactly recolect, but I am sensable it is upwards of one year. Allowing it one year it is £30. As to the use of my thirds of ye old farm, I cannot consider £4 per year by any means a sufficient rent.
I know these things must be submitted to my friends. But when I consider them as Christian Brethren, who cannot, as such, wish to support ye Church of God by undue means, I will not doubt but yt they intend to do me justice.
Which I wish may be done in a way yt may best suit ye con- gregation.
My third of ye old farm must be much more valuable than when I purchased, on sundry accounts.
The manuring & fencing, the Lands rising in value for more than 20 years, so near ye heart of ye capital of ye county, & ye Barn I built on it, will support this remark.
Whenever anything can be done to Effect in my favour, I wish to have Ostrum's heirs paid; for which purpose Mr. Gil- bert Livingston is applied to by Jacobus Ostrum.
Please to let me hear from you on this or any other Subject yt may be of advantage for me to know.
As we have no Great Bible in our Church, & the people un- able to buy, I must request you to send me the one I left in ye Church-you know it was given to me by ye free masons-and not to ye Church.
Mr. Gilbert Livingston will be impowered to act for me in yt part of ye world.
As my children are desirous to have my old picture I must request you to Send it, with ye maps, if they can be con- veniently put up in a Box together. The maps are at Mr. Livingston's who will take charge of anything yt is to be Sent to me.
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With my best Respects to your Lady & to all my friends I am Dear Sir your most affectionate Friend & most humble Servant John Beardsley.
9. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 105.
1789, June first Tuesday, Resolved that the Vestry cannot: at present undertake the payment of Jacobus Ostrom's Acc't in behalf of Mr. Beardsley.
10. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 113.
1790, Feb. 19, Mr. Emott, from the Committee appointed to answer the Letter received from Mr. Beardsley, dated 9th Sept'r 1788, reported an Answer as follows:
Sir
Mr. John Davis by order of the Vestry Wrote for your Acc't Current & a Statement of all other demands from you against this Corporation.
Your answer of 9th Sept'r 1788 Contains not the regular Statement of an Acc't.
The Land you claim as your Property was Located by Doctr Cook as such, and nothing short of Expensive exertions & producing a clear Title of the Land being Vested in the Church prevented their falling a Sacrifice with the rest of your Proper- ty.
If Vestry were mistaken, and the Land were in fact yours at that period, we see no reason why the State will not hold it as Confiscated property.
It really places the Church in a delicate Situation, after hav- ing Solemnly declared to the Governor and Commissioners that the Property was in the Corporation, now to Confess it was a piece of deceit. We are assured that is not the case.
Our religious character demands that we give Equity to you, Sir, in this & every other transaction.
We beg leave to suggest whither the better way of Compro- mise will not be to draw out your Acc't of the payments made by you towards ye Purchase of the Glebe, together with all other your Acc'ts, and have them transmitted to your Attor- ney, with full powers for a final Settlement,-which, when ad- justed, the poverty of the Church may probably induce them to make payment in those or the New Lands as may be
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agreed to. We do assure you that Lands are now as low as when the Glebe was purchased. You can have no conception in what a reduced State the late war has left our Church. Taking that into Consideration, you, no doubt, as one of Our Founders, will be moderate in your demands and expec- tations.
With the utmost tenderness we shall remark that some of of them, in the Letter now before us, require a reconsideration.
Ist. The barn, near the house, you charge at £60; it ap- pears from the Minutes of Vestry that you procured a Vote enabling you to build it on the Glebe, with liberty to remove it at your discression, unless Vestry chose to purchase it.1
2d. The charge, in your agency respecting the Grant, of a ballance of £46, appears rather extraordinary & new.
3dly. Your demand of £30 Sallary from the Church of Poughkeepsie is founded on a Simple Contract between indi- viduals & your self, many of whom are on your side the water; the Corporation are not holden, your Attorney may have their Names to Collect.
4th. The Church Bible we believe was not the intention of the Donors should be sent out of the Country. You will wave that request we presume.
We can undertake no payments to Mr. Ostrom's heirs on your Acc't subsequent to a General Settlement had with you.
Your detaining the Surpluss & the Missions Library is, in our Opinion, withholding so much of our Property which we expect will be returned.
One hundred acres of the New Land will probably be given up to Fishkill; we can make peace upon no other terms; they stand ready with a number of witnesses to make appear your positive engagements to them in this affair.
It is related by some of the old Vestry that, after the surren- dery of the lands you mention as having a deed for, the Charter, Grant, & Confirmation being obtained, you at that time made a similar Claim for a Conveyance from the Church.
Mr. Crannell made a spirited opposition, &, to the best of their remembrance, some of his objections were that you in- cluded more than a due proportion both as to Quantity and Quality, which extended so far in front as Greatly to unjure
1 See Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 32, Jan. 17th, 1776.
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the remainder, it being a narrow strip of near one half mile in length.
How these matters were concluded in the first instance, you and Mr. Crannell can best explain.
But certain it is that the Old Glebe, if separated from the piece of Land on the west, would be highly unfavorable to the former.
The place occupied by Seabury we have no thoughts at present of obtaining.
The plain but friendly manner in which we have expressed our Sentiments on this Occasion, we hope will be accepted as a fresh proof of our sincerity.
We are Rev'd Sir
Affectionately yours
by Order of Vestry
Eben'r Badger Secret'y.
N.B.
Gideon Ostrander calls on us for the Bonds he gave Ostrom, amounting to five hundred Pounds; please to send them, if they are lodged with Mr. Crannell or yourself, and explain the purchase of the Glebe, and the repairs, minutely.
Nov'r 1789-
To Rev'd John Beardsley
Maugerville New Brunswick.
Which, being approved of by Vestry, Ordered that the Secretary transmit a Copy thereof by the first Conveyance.
11. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 165.
1792, Oct. 12, A Letter was laid before Vestry from the Rev'd John Beardsley.
[Here is entered a copy of Mr. Beardsley's letter among the vestry minutes.]
12. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 6.
Original letter from the Rev. John Beardsley.
Addressed on the outside to "The Church Wardens and Vestry of the Episcopal Church at Poughkeepsie, New York State. Honoured by Mr. Hake." Reads as follows:
Maugerville in New Brunswick 20 August 1792.
Gentlemen
I beg leave to inform you, that Mr. Hayke who honours this, has lately called on me with an unsettled affair between
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me, the late Capt Peter Harris and the old Ostrum Estate, on account of the property which you, as a corporation, at present cover by possession.
You will therefore permit me on that ground to request that you would be pleased to Settle with Mr. J. Ostrum, and place the Same to your credit, against your most humble
Servant
John Beardsley.
To the Gentlemen Church Wardens and Vestry of the Episcopal Church at Poughkeepsie.
13. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 166.
1792, Oct. 12, [minutes continued], Resolved that we Cannot at Present Consent to assume any payment on account of Mr. Beardsley unto Jacobus Ostrom.
14. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 194.
1796, July 20, Copy of a Letter To the Rev'd John Beardsley Maugerville, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia.
Rev'd Sir
It has been proposed by the Members of Christ Church in Poughkeepsie-That I should without delay write to you ex- pressing their earnest desire of a speedy and final Settelment ---
For which purpose they wish you to appoint an agent (who shall not be inimical to the Episcopal church) with ample powers under your hand and Seal to treat with-The Rector and inhabitants of Poughkeepsie in Communion with the Protestant Episcopal church in the state of New York-Which is the Legal name or Stile of our Corporation.
As you no doubt feel an interest for that Church, of which you would still have been Rector, had it not been for the removal of the Mission,-A detail of what has taken place since that event may not be unpleasing.
During the war a Violent attack was made to wrest the New Glebe from us by Myndert Van Kleeck and others, which terminated in favour of the Church after a tedious and ex- pensive Law suit in 1784.
About that period the settelment of the Rev'd Mr. Van Dyck was Contemplated, and, unable to Effect it without the Fishkill congregation, They oblidged us to submit to
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Arbitration what they styled their equitable claim to one Moiety of the Church lands, on a promise made to them by Mr. Beardsley. The unjust issue of which was an Award declaring them the rightful proprietors of one half of the old and New Glebes, &c.
We next set about repairing and Pewing the Church and purchased a Bell.
In the year 1790 the Rev'd Vandyck removed to Amboy.
And now the Fishkill people became clamorous for the sale of the Glebe, as they wanted the money to discharge their debts.
Not long after, a New adjectment was brought against the Glebe, when, after a Spirited defence, and again expending upwards of £50, we were Relieved by a Non Suit in the Supream court.
Finally, the Glebe was sold last January, all excepting about Twenty odd acres. Our part of the money being £500-0-0, we immediately applyed £349-0-0 to the payment of a Debt incurred for Building the Church, and for which Mesrs Crannel & Davis were bound.
Mr. Vandyck was succeeded by the Rev'd Mr. Spierin, who removed to Virginia in December, 1795. On the 25th day of that month the Rev'd John J. Sayre, our present Clergyman, succeeded to the Rectorship.
Thus you will perceive our Church is paid for, but we are destitute of a parsonage house. The Vestry are disposed to erect one on the remaining Lands, which Doctor Cooke attempted to locate as Forfeited property, supposing the title to have been vested in you.
This was Averted (as you have been previously informed by our letter of Nov'r 1789) By our personal appearance before the Governor, Attorney General, and board of Commissioners, Where our title was duly examined, And your Agency mani- fested by the Records remaining in the Secretary's office, whereby you obtained the title and Confirmation for the Cor- poration without any reservation, expressly declairing that the Church were the sole proprietors of the said lands.
I have been the more particular, As some evil minded Per- sons have spread a Report that there was a Collusion in this Business, And that the land at that time was and still is Vested in the people of the State of New York.
But, my friend, I pledge myself to use my utmost influence,
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if you now come forward, to procure you an equitable settel- ment of all such demands as can with propriety be made.
The church, tho in reduced circumstances from the falling off of the Fishkill congregation, which is nearly extinct, Manifests a laudable disposition to do you Justice.
And I entertain a full confidence from your former candour that, in stating your demands, they will be accompanyed with that moderation which may render this transaction pleasing and expeditious. Delays may prove prejudicial; the present Crisis is therefore the most favourable that may happen.
Few, very Few, of your old flock remain here; a new set of men Supply their places, And if two or three more should be removed insuperable difficultys may arise.
A duplicate of this will be transmitted, and, if you should deem it expedient to return me an answer by way of prelim- inary to this Negotiation, it shall be duly attended to. It may be the more necessary as several of our former Letters are un- answered, and of course may have miscarried.
I want to know the sum total you will accept, in full of all claims and demands whatsoever.
Accept the best wishes of myself, family, and your old Parishioners.
July 20th, 1796.
Wm. Emott.
15. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 7.
Original letter from the Rev. John Beardsley.
Addressed on the outside to "Mr. William Emott at Poughkeepsie, New York State Favoured by Thomas Barker Esqr." Reads as follows:
Maugerville New Brunswick 29th August 1796
Dear Sir
I yesterday received your Favour of the 20th ult. in which you write me that the people, Members of the protestant Episcopal church, are earnestly desirous of coming to a speedy and final Settlement with me.
I am happy to be confirmed in what I have ever thought of my old friends there, which is, that they ever had, and still have, too high a sense of Honour and Equity to do injustice to one who had been about twelve years their faithful Servant in an important calling.
In answer to the wish of my Friends among you, I will as
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speedily as possible prepare a Statement of my little matters, which shall (please God) be brought to you by one duly authorized to compleat the Settlement you mention.
In that way, you may expect to hear from me within the Term of the insuing Fall.
My affectionate respects and good wishes wait on you, your Family, and all my Friends; and I am dear Sir your most obedient and
Most humble Servant
Mr. Emott.
John Beardsley.
N.B.
This letter will be handed to you by my Friend and Neighbor, Mr. Thomas Barker.
16. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 8.
Original memorandum from the Rev. John Beardsley.
Endorsed outside, in writing of William Emott, "Beardsley Acc't, Received in Jan'r 1797."
A Memorandum of what is due to me from the Rector and Inhab- itants of Poughkeepsie in Communion with the protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New York, for my assisting them in purchasing Lands, and procuring a Grant of the said Lands, for the use of the above said protestant Episcopal Church at Poughkeepsie; and for Buildings which I put on those Lands; together with one years Ser- vice that I did in their Church.
To cash paid toward the purchase of the
Land called the old Glebe. £130-0-0
To building a Barn near the
dwelling House ;. 60-0-0
To building one do. nigh the
main road, on the western division 40-0-0
of the above said old Glebe;
To cash Spent in procuring a
Grant of the Lands for the Said Church
over and above what was repaid me. 46-0-0
To one years service £30, which I
will put down at. 15-0-0
£291-0-0
Spanish Dollars at 8/ per Dollar.)
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N. B. That, as the people, Members of the before named Church, avail themselves of a Title to the Lands within mentioned, I consider myself free from all claims, of any person or persons whoever, respecting those lands; and what I have charged, to be justly due me, exclusive of interest; which I leave to be considered in the Settlement to take place between those con- cerned, and my son B. Crannell Beardsley, whom I send as my Lawful Attorney, for that, as well as other, Business. 17th October 1796 John Beardsley.
I wish further to note, that all the Missionarys from the Venerable Society, when called out of the States to settle among us, were directed to bring with them their Librarys; and further, that the Linen, put into the Surplice which I brought with me, was a gift of Capt Harris to me, and it was made by my wife.
The Great Bible, which I left in the Church at Pough- keepsie, was a gift to me personally, for Services rendered on a day when my parish did not want me for any other duty. But on due consideration, I bestow it on Christs Church, where I suppose it now is, for the use it has heretofore been put to.
John Beardsley.
17. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 9.
Memorandum of testimony taken by the vestry in connection with the claims of Mr. Beardsley.
Endorsed on outside, "Gideon Ostrander. Sale of the Glebe &c. Memo. Emott & Badger 1797."
Kline Esopus 25th January 1797.
Gideon Ostrander gave the following narrative of the Sale of the Glebe at the Request of William Emott and Ebenezer Badger, Viz-
That he purchased the farm of old Hendrick Ostrom for six hundred pounds.
One hundred pounds he paid down and Gave a Mortgage & Bonds for five hundred, with interest at 5 12 per Cent, payable to the Executors, Administrators or Assigns of Hendrick Ostrom after the decease of himself and wife, by installments &c.
That he sold it afterwards for the use of a parsonage. The whole of which transaction was conducted between himself
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and Bartholomew Crannell, and Received one hundred pounds of him and gave an indemnifying Bond to discharge one hundred pound on the mortgage.
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