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HISTOET
OF THE
First teforniecl DutGh (Shmck
OF JAMAICA, N. I.
^^'•^^--^^-^'■^
iicn^iiueu i7ULCj:j I iiurcn ot .ijimaicaJ -- '^S^c ■•x'"^) •-'^ •
1702-1884. By H.-nry Onderdouk, Jr., -^^ .'Iji^t* ^, .jM-^'^^ -^ C-^
M-ith appoudix by Win. H. De Hart. Nu- .V^ -:■ '//?5ll:- IVVV ■ ''^ ^^-': /'/ii'^k: V morons portraits and views. 8vo. clotli. v. ""• ■-'vW^V*^'''' ~ V? /TS,^' ^V /J^\ pp.207. Jamaica. 1884 PiT^r^TTTr-TT-zr ^='K2:>J%- vi^. '•
' NEW YORK. History of tlie First Reformed Dutcli Cliurch of .Tamaica
vM"^'^^^
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FIRST REFOHMED ( DUTCH ) CHURCH,
Fronting on the Main Street, Jamaica ; intended for tlie Congregation spread through all Queens County. Erected ITK! ; tar:en down 1P33. It was of octagon shape. In front are poplar trees, and on the west an old-fashioned ha,y scales.
HISTORY
IRST lEFORMED lUTCH IHURCH
Ids
OF JAMAICA, L. L,
HENRY ONDERDONK, JR.,
A. B. University of Cambridge: A. M. Columbia College.
A\riTH Aisr appejstdix:
REV. WM. H. DeHART,
The Pastor.
pubijIShed by THE CONSISTORY.
1884.
ft 2^1
PASTOR: WILLIAM HENRY DeHART.
Elders : Isaac Snedeker, John A. Hegeman, Samuel G. Cozine, p?,ancis f gulick,
Deacons :
Thomas H. Fkedeeicks. David Baylis, John Hendeiokson, Ditmaes Eldeet.
Treasurer : Isaac Amberman.
Chorister : William Foeman Wyckoff,
Organist : Maetha Ellen Phbaneb.
Sexton : Benjamin F. Evekitt.
^Jt^fz/lL.
CHARLES WELLING.
Printer,
Jamaica, L. I.
PREFACE.
This History is compiled from such of' the Church docu- ments as have survived the ravages of time and carelessness of man. The Deacons had an alms-chest in which they kept not only the money but the books, memoranda and loose papers belonging to the Church, Besides these, the Journals of the Coetus and Conferentie, and the Acts and Pro- ceedings of the General and Particular Synods, published in 1859, have been consulted, as well as the manuscript minutes of the Classes of New York and Long Island. All these afford scanty materials, but they are supplemented by let- ters sent before 1772 to the Classis of Amsterdam and since, about 1845, returned to our General Synod.
At the building of the first church, 1717, a book was pur- chased in which were entered fully and clearly the names of contributors and the allotment of seats ; but thereafter the entries were few and far between, so that for years we have no account of the proceedings of the congregation. This prevents our giving a continuous record and makes our His- tory rather a Book of Chronicles. Many transactions, doubt- less, were not reduced to writing, and we may suppose that nine-tenths of the writings have been lost, or destroyed, as not worth preserving.
The Consistory in early times do not appear to have kept a record of their proceedings ; and in later times we have only one or two odd volumes.
There are no records of marriages before 1802. The en- tries of baptisms seem regular from 1702 to 1742 ; thence onward there are interruptions till 1785. There is not a single entry during the Revolutionary War. In the other Dutch Churches of Queens county the baptisms are record- ed with seeming regularity from 1741 to the present time.
For the latter part of our History we have made free use of newspaper notices of the less important incidents of our Church and Sunday School.
HISTORY
First Reformed Dutch Church
OF JAMAICA, L. 1.
fHE organization of the Reformed Dutch Church of Jamaica is veiled in obscurity. It was probably by or before 1702, for the record of the first baptism is dated June 1, of that year. But the Dutch had gradually been emigrating from Kings county into the western part of Queens county loog before this date ; for in 1695 twenty- two Dutchmen (to escape an enforced assessment) had joined with their English townsmen in a "free gift" to the Rev. Geo. Phillips, Presbyterian minister of Jamaica, promising to pay quarterly as follows :
d.
John Hansen [Bergen] 12
Hendriek Lot 12
Dowe Jansen 6
Garret Lubertsen 8
Jacob Jansen 6
Eidert Lucas 12
John Cockef er 12
Hendrick Aresen 6
Stephen Coevert , 5
Theodoras Polhemus 12
John Lambertse 6
2
|
d. |
|
|
Peter Hendrickse |
... 7 |
|
Johannes Williamsen |
... 4 |
|
John Snedeker |
... 5 |
|
David Loisee |
... 6 |
|
John Brewer. |
... 5 |
|
John Oakey |
... 10 |
|
Jan Monf ort |
... 7 |
|
Gerret Jansen |
... c |
|
Gerret Clasen |
10 |
|
Hendrick [illegible] |
... 10 |
|
Hendrick Hegeman |
... 10 |
6 HISTORY OF THE
But when by law and town vote* the Dutch were taxed for the building of the Presbyterian Church in 1699, they, or some of them, refused to pay ; and the matter was re- ferred to John Coe, judge, and Samuel Edsallt and Content Titus, justices ; and this is their award:
"Whereas, there have been several differences had, moven, and de- pending within the town of Jamaica, concerning the building a meeting- house or church within said town; and also the accounts, demands and charges thereunto appertaining, which, with all controversies anyway- relating thereto, being, this loth of April, 1701, mutually referre 1 to us by the parties on behalf of themselves and others concerned ; we, hear- ing both parties, do give our award as follows :
"That William Creed and Robert Reade, and all those of the west of Jamaica, that is, the Dutchmen, viz : Frederick Hendricksen, John Oakey, Hendrtck Lott, Theodorus Polhemus, and Elderl Lucas, who have not per- fectly and wholly paid their rates assessed for building the church or meeting-house, shall pay their parts unpaid within two weeks, and acquit each other of all fornjer controversies ; and we desire that they may amicably, agree and live in love together." — Town Records, II, 360.
"Know all men bj' these presents, that we, Daniel Whitehead, Joseph Smith, Edward Burroughs, and Jonas Wood, Esquires, have received, this 28th of April, 1701, of William Creed, Robert Reade, and all of the Dutchmen living westward of the town of Jamaica, full satisfaction and payment for building of the church lately built in said town. Therefore we discharge and acquit them and their heirs forever, according to the award."
The Dutch were soon settled at Springfield ; and Foster's Meadow even in 1657. There were also scattered settle- ments on the north side, extending along through Newtown, Flushing, Black Stump, Success, Little Neck, Great Neck, Cow Neck, Cedar Swamp and Wolver Hollow, and a few at a later date got as far east as Huntington.
The Dutch having relations and friends in Kings county, at first went thither for worship, marriages, and christenings. It wao a long and tedious ride ; but sometimes Dutch min-
* On the passage of Ibo Church Building Act, they laid aside the prosecution of building according to the town vote, and took hold of said act, by virtue of which the church was built and distress made on Churchmen, Qua'iers and Baptists, people of the Dutch c/in, gregation, etc., promiscuously for payment of the rates. Documentary History.
t Edsall came from England in 1G43; and intermirried with the Dutch families.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 7
isters from Kiags county and New York came out to Jamaica* and held services in the Court house or stone church, which being town property, was probably open to all comers.
About the time of the organization of the church the Min- ister of Kings county, Wilhelmus Lupardus, had died, and the people there were divided in the choice of a successor. A part of the congregation made a call on Bernardus Free- man, pastor of Schenectady. After some hesitation and considerable negotiation he accepted the call and removed to Flatbush. Meanwhile the other party had applied to the Classis of Amsterdam for a minister, and they sent over Vincentius Antonides, who arrived in Flatbush Jan. 1, 1706; so that there were two ministers on hand where only one was wanted. Hence arose an angry struggle for the posses- sion of the church property, which lasted through nine troublous years.
Lord Cornbury claimed the privilege of tolerating minis- ters. Here follows his license to Domine Freeman :
COMMISSION TO MK. FREEMAN TO BE MINISTER OF KINGS CO.
By His Excellency Edward Viscount Cornbury, Captain General and Govemor-iu-cliief of the Province of New York, New Jersey, &c., &c.
To Mr. Bernardus Freeman, greeting:
You are hereby licensed, tolerated and allowed to be minister of the Dutch congregation at New Utrecht, Flatbush, Brooklyn and Bushwick, and to have and exercise the free liberty and use of your religion accord- ing to the laws in such case made and provided, for and during so long a time as to me shall seem meet ; and all persons are hereby required to take notice hereof accordingly.
Given under my hand and seal at Fort. Anne, in New York, December 26, 1705. ,—>.—.
Cornbury. -j seal. [
The church of Jamaica caught the factious spirit from
* 1681. Some of the inhabitants of Jamaica earnestly petitioned Governor Stuyvesant that he would send one of the Dutch ministers of New Amsterdam to preach for them and baptize their children. In compliance with this request he sent Rev. Samuel Drisius, who could preach in Dutch, French or English, as occasion required, to Jamaica on Satur- day, January 8th, and on the next day he preached two sermons and baptized eight children and two women.— Dm^cA MSS., IX, 486.
8 HISTORY OF THE
Kings county and took the side of Domine Freeman against Antonides, as may be seen by the following petition :
PETITION OF THE ELDEKS OF DOMINE FREEMAN'S CONGRE- GATION.
To the Hon. Richard Ingoldsby, Esq., Lieut. Gov. and Commander-in-chief of the Province of Neiv York, New Jersey, &c.
The most humble petition of Dorus Polhemus, John Hansen [Bergen], Christian Snedeker and John Snedeker, Elders of the Dutch congrega- tion of Queens Co. Showeth :
Whereas, Mr. Freeman by orders from our late Governor, the Lord Cornbury, was to be minister of this congregation — and none else : which also was confirmed by the Lord Lovelace, according to which we Your Honor's petitioners were chosen and constituted elders of the church and now continue to be so.
Nevertheless Mr. Antonides being very well apprised hereof, but mind- ing to make a division and disturbance in the church here (as we are told he has done in Kings Co.) has lately, as we are informed, taken upon himself, in concert with some few others to make choice of other elders of the said congregation and does design to publish them as such at the church or[Presbyterian] meeting house at Jamaica to-morrow and also then to preach to the said congregation, for the doing of which, as we hnmbly conceive, he has no manner of power or authority from Your Honor. We therefore humbly pray for the preventing of the ill consequences which such practices by him will inevitably produce, that Your Honor will be pleased, as has been usual, to order that no Dutch minister shall preach or exercise his ministerial function in this county besides Mr. Freeman, till further orders from Your Honor; and Your Honor's potitioneers shall ever pray. Theodokus PoiiHEMUs.
John Hansen, f
Sep. 19, 17011. Jan Snedekek.
1711. February 4:. — Col Heathcote writes that "the Church of England * at Jamaica, is of late very much strengthened by a violent division, which hath for a considerable time been raging among the Dutch in some of the neighboiiug towns concerning their minister, of whom they have two, and their heats being grown to that degree that there is now no
* The Episcopal church of Jamaica, the oldest ou the Island, was started about the same time with the Dutch Church. The first rector, Patrick Gordon, took sick at Jamaica the day before he designed to preach, and died eight days after. He was buried July as, 17112.
• tl6Sl— John Hansen, John Tuncsen and Jerome Rapelye buy laud of the Indians at Rockaway. Ifi85— Jamaica allows John Hansen to set up a corn and fulling mill on Foster's river.
STONE CHURCH,
Erected by (lie town of Jamaica WM\ in which the Dntch Congregation occa- sionally worshipijed before 1710.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 9
hopes of a reconciliation, many of those people have joined Mr. Foyer's church."
1714. December 27. — The people of Kings and Queens counties, having got tired of disputing about the claims of the rival ministers, at length agreed to forget all past ani- mosities, provide two parsonages at Flatbush, and unite in support of both, as may be seen by the following document:
SUBSTANCE OF AN AGREEMENT WITH DOMINES ANTONIDES AND FREEMAN, DONE AT FLATLANDS DEC. 27, 1714.
The undersigned for the churches of Flatbush, Brooklyn, Flatlands, New Utrecht, Bushwick and New Jamaica, agree to pay (in New York money) half-yearly, to Domines Antonides and Freeman for preaching as follows :
IS ew Utrecht £34*
New Jamaica 40
Flatbush £40
Brooklyn 40
Flatlands 30 '
They also agree to furnish the domines with firewood to be brought to their doors, and to keep in repair th<eir dwellings and garden fences.
The domines agree to perform all the duties of their office, to preach twice a day on Sundays f. The sacraments to be administered by both ministers in their turn as follows: Busliwick, Brooklyn and Flatbush together as the first; Flatlands, Gravesend and New Utrecht together as the second, and New Jamaica by itself.
In drawin:^ lots it was decided that Flatlands should supply the wood the first year, Brooklyn the second year, Bushwick the third, Flatbush the fourth. New Utrecht the fifth, and New Jamaica the sixth year. The preaching turns to be as follows :
1st. Bushwick and New Utrecht. 2d. Flatbush and New Jamaica. J 3d. Brooklyn and Flatlands. (Signed.) CoBNKLius Sebring. John Terhunen.
Jeronimus Remsen. Garret Hansen.
Peter Stryker. Peter Cortelyou.
John Vanderveer. Theodortjs Polhemus.
Johannes Schenck. Cornelius Van Brunt.
J. Van Zandt. Theodorus Van Wyck.§
* 1715. Jan. 15. New Utrecht let Gravesend have and pay for a third of the preaching.
t Sunday, not Sabbath, is the word mostly used in the old Dutch records. In the Heidelberg catechism the translator has substituted Lords Day for Sondag, the Dutch word for Sunday.
t The origin of the name Jamaica is in dispute. It may have been so named from Jamaica in the West Indies, which was captured from Spain May 10, 1655. Hence often called New Jamaica.
§ His ancestor, Cornelius Barentz Van Wyck, from Wyck, in Holland, was settled in Flatbush in 1660.
3
10
HISTORY OF THE
Subscription lists for both ministers were now put in cir- culation. Two of which (coutaining mostlj Flushing and Foster's Meadow names) have been preserved and are here printed :*
Jamaica, Queens Co., Jan. 10, 1715.
We the underwritteu of the Nether Dutch Ref. churcJi in Queens Co. on the Island Nassau promise to pay yearly to the Consistory ami their successors for the m;iintenance of both the ministers as their salary. I promise truly and honestly to pay without guile or trickery the half thereof in 6 months and the other half at the end of the year, as signed with my hand.
s. d.
Marten Wiltse 10
Johannes Van Wyck , 12
Adriaen Onderdonek 7
Teunis Snedeker 8
Derick De Meet 6
Jurian Haff . 6
Joseph Van Kief 8
Margrietie Ganon 5
Wyntie Wright 3
John Marston 3
Anthony Glean 3
Thomas Eckisen 6
Johannes Noerstraent 6
Dirck Brinckerhoff. 13
Abm. Schenck 5
Anna Haptonstell 1
Pieter Monfort. 9
s. d.
Abm. Dela Montanye 6
Karol Dorlandt 6
Jolianiies Demot . 8
Christej-an Snedeker 20
Willem Gritman 6
Thos. Hendrickson 5
Jaen Hendrickson 15
Johannes Eld(!rsen 12
Hendrick Hendrickseu 6
Willem Jaense. 20
Frans Masten. . . Barent Bloem . . Peier Huf ... John Haviland.
s. 6
10 9 3
Jan Montfoort 10
Peter Montfort 5
Theodorus Van Wyck .... 13
•Cornelius Wiltse. 3
Cornelius Hoogel-iend 9
Tuenes Coevert 5
Jan Dorlandt 2
Stephen Ryder. 12
Lourens Hof. 8
Rem Adreanse 6
Jan Boutse 4
John Van Leuwe 8
Adam Smith. 8
s. d.
Haen Jaensen 20
Jan Hagewout . 10
(^oi'nelius Barns 6
Hendrick Aeten 6
Johannes Coerten 14
Jaen Baerisen. 12
Benjamin Hegeman 14
Aerent V. Noerstraen 15
Jem Bortes 7
Hendrick Doesenburgh IG
* The spelling of names varies greatly. We mostly follow the original. Thus we have Haff, Hofl', Hufl'; Cockefer, Koc'ievaer ; Nostrand, Noorstraut, etc. :Jome are written iix Dutch and some in English, as Jan, Hance or Johannes for John; Jores or Joris for George - Magiel for Michael.
FIRST EEFORMED DUTCH CHURCH.
11
s.
Hendrick Baerisen 10
Jan Bortus 10
Jonathan Shaw 4
Nath'l Monse 5
Jacop Pietersen 6
Hendrick Bfooher 22
Jaen Doesbuerch. 6
After Burtus 7
Jaen Lenden. 6
d.
10
s. d.
Aiitonie Demoet 15
Alaegiel Deraoet 15
Jaen Eemsen 10
Rem Remsen 18
Andries Onderdonck 18
Elbert Monf ort 14
Stevie Jaense 12
Jo res Springsteen 6
Magdalena Baird 12
Peace beiDg now restored to pastors and people the Dutch congregation became desirous of having a house of worship nearer home. The consistory accordingly drew up and pre- sented to the people the followiug proposals :
THE ARTICLES OF THE CHURCH MADE APRIL 29, 1715.
We the Consistory of New Jamaica in Queens Co. on the Island Nassau, composed of the elders and deacons of the Reformed Nether Dutch con- gregation throughout the whole of Queens Co. are unanimously resolved on a proposition to tlie congregation to build a church unto the glory of the true G-od and our Lord Jesus Christ to honor his name.
God hath richly blessed us and enabled us to build houses for our families; but we are also bound to show our gratitude to God by build- ing a house for the Lord and for the family of God ; for all that we have and possess :s given us by a good God ; and that we may induce him to grant us greater blessings we out of our own means ought from motives of piety to build a house to the glory and honor of his name, for thus saith the Lonl : "in all places where I record ray name I will come unto ihee and bless thee." We are therefore assured that whoever giveth to the Lord for the building of His house the Lord will bless him with rich returns.
We are therefore resolved to further the building of a house for the Dutch congregation ; and to prove the love of God's children not only in word but in very deed, we propose to the good-hearted brethren and sis- tei's, the following conditions in order that every one may be regulated by them :
1. Those who are not able to give money toward the building of the church, but are inclined to work certain days to the building thereof, this service shall be received the same as money subscribed.
2. If it should ultimately be found that thez-e is not a sufficient sum subscribed for building a house for the Lord (which we hope maj' not be the ease), then the subscribers shall not be bound to pay what they have subscribed ; because the failure of the good design is not to be at- tributed to them, but to those unwilling to give.
12
HISTORY OF THE
3. It shall be the privilege of the congregation to choose superintend- ents of the building into whoso hands the money subscribed shall be lodged.
4. The congregation shall choose 2 men to whom the superintendents shall render an account of the receipts and expenditures when the church is finished.
5. The congregation shall choose church-masters [Kerk-meesters] for the first time to regulate the seats in the church.
6. The highest subscriber shall have the privilege of choosing the first seat for himself and wife.
7. Those who subscribe an equal sum shall decide by lot which shall have the first choice, that there may be no misunierstanding or dispute.
8. Further, the holders of seats shall be obliged to pay the expense at any time necessary to keep the building in good repair, so that God's house fall not into decay, which business shall be directed and ordered by the church-masters.
9. Finally it is understood that those who give no money, but their labor, or who give a little, shall have the same right by lot in the wages of their day's work at an appointed price.
This signing is attested the 29th of April, 1715 :
£ s.
Adrianse, Eem 2
Atten, Hendrick 1
Bas, Abm 1
Beekman, Wm 5
Berrien, Peter 5
Bergen, Jan Hansen ...... 3
Bergen, Johannes, Jr 2 10
Bergen, Tunis 2
Berrien, Nicholas 4
Blaw, Jiin 1
Burtis, James. 1 10
Blom, Simon 2
Bras, Hendrick 1 10
Barentse, Johannes 1
Brinckerhoff, Gerret 4
Brinckerhoff, Altie, widow . 3
Brinckei-hoff, Jores 8
Brinckerhoff, Derick 6
Carpenter, Sarah. 6
Cornell, Peter 1
Covert, Tunis 1
Crankhyd, Jacobus 6
Demott, Antony 4
Deraott, Derick 2
£ 5
2 3 1 10
10
Ditmarsen, Douwe
Dorland, Ante
Dorland. Gerret
Doosenburgh, Hendrick...
Demott, Johannes 2 4
Demott, Magiel 1 10
Drack, Johannes 10
Forest, Johannes 3
Glien, Antony 1 10
Gennon, Margrietie 1
Gerretsen, Peter 2 10
Golder, Wm 1 10
Hegeman, Adrian 2
Hardenberg, Jan 4
Hof, Jurien 1 10
Hof, Laurens 3
Hof, Peter 3
Hoegeland, Cornelius 3
Hagewout, Jan 1
Hegeman, Hend'k 4
Hegeman, Joseph 1
Hegeman, Benj 2
Jansen, Stephen 1
Jansen, Harmen ... 610
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH.
13
£ S.
Kip, Jesse 3 10
Lott, Johannes 2
Lott, Abm 3
Loise, Jan 1
Larabertse, Nicholas 6
Luyster, Peter 8
Luyster, Cornelius 5
Marsten, Frans 1 10
Marsten, Jan 6
Monfort, Jan 5
Monfort, Peter 3
Nostrand, Rem 1
Nostrand, Peter 3
Ondenionck, Adrian 2 10
Onderdonc't, Andries .... 2 10
Polhemus, Theo Jorus 5
Probaseo, Jan 3
Renisen, Abm 4
Remsen, Rem 2 10
Remsen, Jores 2 10
Remsen, Jan 2 10
Remsen, Jacob 3
Ryder, Albert 1
Ryder, Jurian 2
£ s.
Ryder, Stephen 5
Schenek, Abm 2 10
Snedeker, Christian 8
Snedek^r, Tunis. 2 10
Springsteen, Derick 3
Springsteen, Casper 2
Springsteen, Jost 1
Snedeker, Jan.. 2 10
Stevense, Ste|.)hen 3
Teller, Benj * 1
Van Nostrand, Aaron 3
Van Leuwen, Dina 2 10
Van Leuwen, Johannes 2
Van Derbilt, Jacob 2
Van Hoek, Isaac 1
Van Kleef, Joseph 2
Van Lettingen Gerret .... 5
Van Nostrand, Johannes... 2 10
Van Wicklen, Gerret. 3 10
Van Wyck, Theodorus.. 8
Van Wyck. Johannes 8
Wilsen, Martin 3
Willemsen, Johannes 1 10
The after following have promised to give toward the building of our Dutch church as follows :
Aniberman, Paulus. ....
Bras, Jan
Blora, Barent.
Cockefer, Janf
Douwe, Alntta, widow. .
Edsall, Janetie
Elderse, Hendrick.,.. Fin, The widow[AnatIe] Haviland, Sarah
|
£ s. 1 1 3 3 |
Hoff, Jacob Jansen, Wm Kolyer, Catharina, widow.. Loise, Jacobus. |
£ s. 10 1 10 10 1 |
|
5 2 2 |
Lukasen, Eldert Monfort, Elbert Rapelye, Jores |
4 2 3 15 |
|
2 10 |
Ricke, Abm |
2 |
|
10 |
Wilsen, Cornelis |
1 10 |
Hendricksen, Jan 1 7^
* Adriana, wife of Benj. Taylor, from L. I., joined the Dutch Church in N. Y., 1741.
t 1765, Nov. 23. — Died, at Jamaica, last week, John Cockefer who was born so long ago that for many years past he has forgot his age. He often said he was a soldier in the Fort at New York, in Gov. Leisler's time (whi was here during tha civil war in 1689) and had been a man grown several years before he enlisted, and that when a young man he had often shot quails and squirrels on or near Pot baker's hill, in John street. New York, which was then a wilderne>ss. [He and his wifa Tryntie owned a house and farm of 150 acres, at the village of Springfield.— irei//)ia«'« ;V^. K. Gazette.
4
14
HISTORY or THE
1715, Nov. 18. We the underwritten promise by these to paj- for the buildinor of our church the sums hereunder set :
|
£ |
|
|
Adriansen, Rem |
.. 1 |
|
Aten, Ht^nd'k |
..» 5 |
|
Antony, Elizabeth |
.. 1 |
|
Baird, Magdalen* |
|
|
Boorem, Johannes |
1 |
|
Bloodgood, Wm |
.. 2 |
|
Barensen, Cornelis |
1 |
|
Biirensen, Ilend'k |
1 |
|
Blom, Simon |
|
|
Bras, Hend'lc |
|
|
Bras, Jan |
|
|
Berrien, Clas |
|
|
Berrien, Peter |
1 |
|
Boog, Hester |
|
|
Bergen, Peter |
1 |
|
Brinckerhoff, Derick |
2 |
|
Brinekerhoff, Jores |
|
|
Cockefer, Jan |
1 |
|
Demott, Magiel |
|
|
Demott, Antony.. |
1 |
|
Ditmarsen, Do i .ve |
9! |
|
Demott, Derick |
|
|
Dorland, Gerret . . ... |
.. 1 |
|
Dorland, Ante |
|
|
Forhiesen, Johannes |
|
|
Gennon, Margiietie.-f- ... |
|
|
Gerritsen, Peter |
|
|
Hendricksen, Thos |
|
|
Hendrieksea, Jan |
. 1 |
|
Hardenberg, Jan. |
1 |
|
Hegeman, Hend'k ... . |
1 |
|
Hof, Jurian |
|
|
Hogeland, Cornelius |
1 |
|
Hof, Pjter |
.. 1 |
|
Hof, Jacob. |
, , |
|
Janse.i, Harmen |
.. 2 |
11
15
10
10
Jansen, Wm
Lettingen, Gerret . . . .
Lott, Johannes
Liiyster, Peter
Luyster, Cornelis
Lott, Abm
Marsten, Jan
Monfort, Elbert
Monfort, Jan
Monfort, Peter, Jr
Montanye, Abm
Oaderdonck, Adrian, . . . . Onderdonck, Andries . . . Polhemus, Johannes. ...
Polhemus, Tunis
Probasco, Jan..
Rapelye, Jores. . . . .j.
Kemsen, Rem
Remsen, Jacob :.
Remsen, Abm
Remsen, Jores
Ryder, Jurian
Ryder, Stephen
Robertson, Maria
Schenck, Abm
Springsteen, Casper
Smith, Alida
Snedeker, Tunis...
Stiedeker, Jan
Snedeker, Jan
Vanderbilt, Jacob
Van Nostrand, Johannes
Van Leu wen, Din a
Van Wicklea, Gerret
Van Wyck, Theodorus...
Wilsen, Martin
Willemsen, Johannes . . . .
8 10
6 10
10 10
11
10
5
5
10 10
10 10 10 11 10
11
10
10 10
11
10
The lirst church stood nearer the road than the present one. A lot was bought (May 13, 1715) at the nominal price
♦Widow Magdalen Kip, 1701, married Alexander Baird, a young Scotchman. In 170 i he ■was BChoolmaster at Foster's Meadow. la 1712 he wa< Sheriff of Queens Co.
t Margretie, wife of Jean Guenon, a Frjnchm.iu, liveJ in Flushiag in IGSO. She died 1722, leaviag children : John Jeremiih, born 1671 ; Hianah, who married Joseph Hedger and Susanna, who married a Louereer.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 15
of 5 shilliugs. The deed, written on parchment, (but not recorded) reads as follows :
This Indenture, marie the 13th day of May in the first year of the reign of our sovereiga Lord Gaorge, by the grace of God over Great Britain, France and Ireland King, Defender of the faith, &c., and in the year of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesu^ Christ 1715, between Benj. Woolsey of Oysterbay in Queens Go. on L. I., wlthia the Province of New York, Gent, and Abigail his wife of the one part, and Nicholas Berrien of Newlown, in the Co. aforesaid, Gent., and Abraham Schenck of Flushing, in the same county, G^rit. on the other part; Whereas Daniel Whitehead, Esq., late of Jamxica in Queens Cj. afore- said, did by his last will and testament dated the 13th day of Nov'r anno domini 1703, give and devise unto his daughter Mary Burroughs, then the widow and relict of Thoma^ Burroughs late of the city of New York, merchant, and her heirs and assigns forever, a certain lot of land situate and being in the town of Jamaica aforesaid, containing about two acres lying next to the lot which did formerly belong to Henry Filkin, now in the possession of the execu ors of Samuel Denton dee'd ; of which said two acres of land the said Daniel Whitehead, died, seized ; and whereas the said Mary Burroughs, (who afterwards intermarried with "Wm. Urquharfc, rector of Jamaica, aforesaid, deceased) dieQ intestate, leaving no other children behind her but two daughters, to wit, the said Abigail Woolsey, wife of said Benjamin, and Mary Burroughs a minor, by which her death and the testamentary disposition aforesaid, the said two acres of land became the right of the said Abigail and Mary as her lawful descendants, and by representation ; now this Indenture wit- NESSETH that the said Bjnj. Woolsey and Abigail his wife, for and in consideration of the sum of 5 shillings lawful m )ney of New York to them in hand paid at and before the ensealing and delivery of these pres- ents by the said Nicholas Berrien and Abraham Schenck the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge, and thereof and of every part and parcel thereof do fully, clearly and absolutely acquit, exonerate and dis- charge the said Nicholas Berrien and Abraham Schenck, their and every of their executors and a Iministrators by these presents and for other good and lawful considerations them thereunto moving, for the use, in- tent and purpose hereafter mentioned, have granted, bargained, sold, aliened, enfeoffed and confirmed and by these presents they, the said Benj. Woolsey and Abigail his wife do grant, bargain, sell, alien, enfeoff and confirm unto them the said Nicholas Berrien and Abraham Schenck and their heirs and assigns forever a small tract of land, part of the said above recited two acres of land situate in the town of Jamaica aforesaid, beginning at the N. E. corner of the said two acres of land and to run southerly along the land late in the possession of Samuel Danton afore- said 5 English rods, thence forming a ri^^ht angle westerly 5 rods, thence in the same maimer northerly 5 rods and thence easterly the same length to the first station, to be bounded easterly by the land late-
16 HISTORY OF THE
ly belonging to the said Samuel Denton, northerly by the main street in Jamaica, southerly and westerly by the rest of the said two acres of land ; a-id all and singular rights, easments, privileges and hereditaments with the appurtenances to the same in any ways appertaining, and also the rever- sion and reversions, remainder and remainders, right, estate, title, inter- est, possession, benefit, claim and demand whatsoever of them the said Benj. Woolsey and Abigail his wife or either of them, of, in or to, all and singular the above granted small tract of land and premises with the appurtenances : To have and to hold the said above granted small tract of land and premises with the appurtenances unto them the said Nicliolas Berrien and Abraham Schenck and their heirs and assigns forever, to the use, intent and purpose hereafter mentioned, and for and to no other use, intent or purpose whatsoever : That is to say, to the intent and purpose that tlie said Nicholas Berrien and Ahraham Schenck and every their heirs and assigns sliall at all times hereafter permit and suf- fer the congre,'ation of the Netlier Dutch Reformed Church in Queens Co. abovesaid, or such other person or persons as by them or the major part of them shall be nominated and appointed, to erect and build for the sole use and benefit of the said congregation and their successors for- ever a church or public edifice for the worship of Almighty God, and further to the intent that the said Nicholas Berrien and Abraham Schenck and either of them and all and every of their or either of their heirs and assigns shall at all time and times hereafter, when required, assign, release and maiie over unto the said congregation of the Nether Dutch Reformed church in Queens Co. or body politique incorporated representing them, or any such succeeding congregation, or to any other person or persons as by them or their successors shall be for that end nominated and appointed, all the said small tract of land above mentioned to be hereby granted, with all edifices thereon, rights and privileges afore- said with the appurtenances to the same belonging to the use and purpose aforesaid, by such instruments and conveyances in the law at tlie cost of the said grantees as by their counsel learned in the law shall be devised. And the said Benj. Woolsey for himself and his heirs, executors and ad- ministrators doth hereby covenant, promise, grant and agree to clear the tract of land and premises from all manner of incumbrances whatsoever, and that he t'-e said Benj. and Abigail his said wife are or one of them is the sole owner or owners of the said small tra<;t of land and premises and have in them, ium or herself full power and lawful authority to grant and convey away the same in fee simple as above said. And further tliat the said Mary Burroughs the minor or her lieir.s or assigns shall within the space of six months next after her arrival at the age of 21 years, execute unto the said Nicholas Be^rrien and Abraham Schenck or such other per- son or persons as by the congregation abovesaid or their successors shall be nominated or appointed, (but at their proper charge) a release or other inslrument in the law as by their counsel shall be advised, for the further vesting or sure making of the said tract of land and premises unto them the said Nicholas and Abraham or such other person or persons
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 17
as shall be nominated and appointed as aforesaid to the use, intent and purposes above mentioned. And hxstly that he the said Benj.Woolsey and his heirs the same above hereby granted small tract of land and premises with the a[)purtenance3 unto the said Nicholas Berrien and Abraham Sehenck and their heirs and assigns forever to the use aforesaid, against all manner of persons lawfully claiming the same or any part, parcel or member thereof, shall and will warrant and bj' these presents forever de- fend. In testimony whereof the said parties to these present indentures have hereunto interchangeably put their hands and seals the day and year above herein first written.
Benjamin Woolsey. ] seal, l Abigail, Woolsey. ] seal. [
Sealed and delivered in the presence of us;
Gabkiel, Luff, S. CLowes.
Memorandum, That full and peaceable possession and seizen of and in the small tract of land and other the premises within written with the appurtenances was delivered by the within named Benj. Woolsey* and Abigail his wife to the within named Nicholas Berrien and Abraham Sehenck to the use and behoof within limited according to the tenor, intent and effect of this present writing this 22d day of June anno Domini 1715, in the presence of the witnesses hereunder written :
S. Clowes, Gabeiel Luff.
ALLOTMENT OF SEATS.
171G, June 15. We the Nether Dutch congregation of Queens County, on the Island of Nassau are gathered and met in our new church at Ja- maica in order, according to the 5th article thereof made, to value and carry into effect our right and to choose church-masters for the first time. So we chose Jan Sne(,*eker, Joris Remsen, Pieter Montfort and Bern Remsen in order to see that the sitting places of the men and women shall beregulated and appoiute I after the highest subscription according to our 6th and 7th articles; and the seats which overrun, when the builders [i. e. subscribers] shall ha- e their own, shall be disposed of according to right reison and equity. And further if our church at any time shall have need of repairs, then those that have free seats shall pay equally to the repair thereof; and when any of the builders or owners of said church shall die, then their next heirs shall enter into
* Benj. Woolsey a Christian gentleman and Presbyterian divine was born in Ja- maica in 1687. He officiated at Southold 16 years and then retired to his wife's estate at Dosoris preaching gratuitously till his death in 1756. — Gabriel Luff was an inn holder. Samuel Clowes who drew up this deed was a lawyer, an 1 land surveyor. He came to Jamaica in 1782 and died here 1760.
18 HISTORY OF THE
possession. Further if any of the owners and builders shall remiv-e out of the county then they may sell or make ovpr their seats to any one of said church within the time of G months after removal, or otherwise they shall totally forfeit their right. Lastly, the right of an election of 2 new church masters everj' year shall I'emain to l^^e congregation, and al" waj'S 2 of the old ones shall remain in their plaqps.
The church was eight sided or an octagon witlr a steep roof from the centre of which rose a cupola with a bell cast at Amsterdam. Instead of pews it had 14 long benches for the men and 13 for the women. Bench No. 1 was called " de Heere bank" or magistrates' bench reserved for digni- taries or men in office. Nos. 2 and 3 had each 7 sittings. Two shorter benches had each 4 sittings. The women sat apart, 8 or 10 on a bench. In later times they had ru&h bottomed chairs with the initials of their names marked on the back. Pews were introduced long afterward.
There were 253 sittings sold (132 for the men and 121 for the women) besides the free seats. After the choice of sit- tings by the subscribers the following places were appointed and sold by the church masters : bench No. 13 to Alexander Baird, Tunis and Johannes Polhemus, Johannes Boerum, Molly Robertsen, Jacob Remsen, Peter Ditmarseu, Barbara Freest, Sarali Carpenter and Elizabeth Anton}'. Cornelius Van Wyck; Hendrick, Jan and Cornelius Cornelise also bought sittings. Two sittings on bench No. 3 were set apart for the two " Madams" (jufifrouwes) or wives of the two ministers.
The pulpit was high, eight sided, and ascended by 6 steps with a banister. It was surmounted by a sounding board to reflect the preacher's voice throughout the church. On the wall back of the pulpit were two pegs for the minister's hat and overcoat. A wooden tablet or Psalm board was suspended conspicuously, inscribed with " Ps.\lm " and "Pause." In it were groves in which could be slidden moveable blocks with figures thereon to indicate to the congregation the psalm and part thereof to be sung at the opening services.
The Psalms with musical notes were bound up in a thick 16mo volume, with the Articles of faith, the Canons of the
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 19
Sj'nod of Dort, the Liturgy aud Chatecbism. It also con- tained the Decalogue, Nunc Dimittis, Magnificat, Benedic- tus, Lord's Prayer, Creed and a short prayer before sermon, all set to music. It was the ambition of young ladies to have this gilt edged book (the covers protected with orna- mental silver corner plates and clasps) hanging from the arm by a silver chain, as they went to church.
For Sunday collections the deacons had little silk bags [sacjes] attached to the end of a black rod 4 or 5 feet long. These hung from 2 pegs on the wall by the deacons' seat. These bags were supeiseded by pewter plates and these again by baskets as now in use."
Tlie space under and before the pulpit between the elders' aud deacons' seats where stood the Lord's Table was railed- off, and was sometimes called the altar. In Dutch it was also called doophuisje or baptisterj', because the minister stood there to christen children.
For a centui'y the chureh was not heated ; but the women had foot stoves and thin haired men often wore woollen caps or wigs. There were no horse sheds. The horses must have been tied under tavern sheds or to trees and fences along the highway. For years it was usual for the men to take a drink (and in winter warm themslves) in the taverns before divine service. The inn keeper was usually paid to have his best room open on Sunday mornings for the wo- men to sit awhile, rest and converse till church time. In winter they could here replenish their foot stoves with hickory coals from a blazing fire.
People came to church on horse back or in their farm wag- ons washed and cleaned up for Sunday use. The harness was often made of tow^'arn. Some well-to-do people had a one horse chair with or without a top. It was not till about 1820 that one horse wagons were coming into use, and still
* As wampum was found in the old alms chest, it is supposed contributions were anciently male in that currency. In latter times each grown person was expected to put in a cent, a younger person a half cent. There was a great accumulation of cop- pers which had to be sold at a discount.
20
HISTOEY OF THE
later that covered two horse wagons and the present light buggy were driven to church instead of the heavy farm wagons.
In 1717 a church masters' book was bought for 8 shillings. In it were entered the articles for building the church, the names of subscribers, the buyers and sellers of sittings, etc. The following expenditures are
noted :
£. s. d. 1717. Oct. 16. To Gerret Dorlant for the seal* [het seel] of the
church 20
For lead 15 16
" a bell 8
" plank 1 5
To Abua. Lot for carting the plank 3
For soldering the lead on the church 1 10
" cleaning the church 5
" carting the lead 6
More 3 5 6
More, expenses 5 6
More, for paint 4
More, 18 guldens and 11 stuivers f
More, to the carpenter and smith, 18 guldens..
At the ferry, 2 gulden and 10 stuivers
More, 42 gulden to Lot and 3 gulden to the
smith
More, 5 gulden
More, 6 gulden for the knob [de Knope] X and 2 s. to Pieter Haff
1719. June 18. Joel Borres § for tarring [het picken] the
steeple 12
Rec. for 2 ropes 12s., for plank 8s. 3d., for nails 2s. 7d
1720. June 25. To Thos. Antony for painting the church .... 15 10
Gave to the poor 13
Gerret Dorrelant for whitewashing and cleaning
the church 12
Gave to the poor 12
* As the reoordnrs were unlettered men, they often misspelled names and corrupted their Dutch by introducing English words. Thus sele may mean ceiling and picken the iron rod of the vane. The coiling of the church was of boards, leaving a space of many feet between it and the peak of the roof. There was an inner passage to the bell- fry [tooben]. The bell-rope hung down in the centre of the church.
t 20 stuivers or pennies make a gulden or florin, worth, as is said, 41 or 42 cents.
t This gilded nob adorned the under centre of the sounding board. It is yet preserved.
§ Joel Burroughs was a silversmith living in Jamaica,
FIRST EEFOEMED DUTCH CHURCH. 21
£ s. d. 172'J. Oct. 1.5. For soldering the lead of the steeple and paint- ing the columns 116 6
1730. Nov. 10. Tueiies Covert for making the fence [hej'nung] 7
1735. July 2G. Wm. Stead, carpenter, by order of church
masters 5
173G. July 30. Lent from the deacons' chest, to pay church ex- penses , 4
More, there is a bell to be sold ...
To Cornelius Ryersen for glazing 3
4 pounds lead sold for Is. lOd.
1737. Aug. 13. For cleaning the church 1 3
1738. June 15. '• " " 13
Aug. " " " 1 3
Oct. 3. To Is lac Lot for labor at the church 3
A FEW OF THE TRANSFERS OF SITTINGS.
1717, Alexr. Baird to Dr. Wm. Beekman.
1719, Jan Blauw to Tice Laning.
" Thos. Ecker to Peter Monfort.
1720, Wm. Beekman to Johannes V. Solingen.
1721, Jan Drake, fell to the church. Molly Robertson to Abm. Monfort.
1723, Matys Laning to Barent Blom.
1724, Johannes V. Solen to Johannes Coerten.
" The corner behind the elders to Aaron Van Nostrand. " The corner behind the deacons to Joris Beniiet.
1727, Wm. Bloodgood to Theodorus Van Wyck, Jr. " Anatie Fin, fell to the church.
1728, Margaret Genong to Stephen Ryder.
1729, S ira Carpenter to Abm. Montanye. 1731, Casper Spring.steen to Wm. Moleuaar. 1733, Besse Stillwell to Jan Simeson.
" Christian Lupardus to Jan Wyckofif. —
" Douwe Ditmars to Wm. Van Duyne.
1736, Maria Smith to Styntie Humphreys.*
1736, Adam Smith to Jan Van Arsdalen.
1737, Barbara Freest to Tunis Covert, her .=ion. " Hendrick Doesenborg f to Jos. Golder.
1738, Gerrit Dorland to Samuel Grix.
* 1732, March '2". —Last week Elizabeth Wiltse the wife of William Humphreys, of Hempstead, wa.s brought to bed of a daughter, which child's grandfather hath a grand- moth«'r yet living, being of that age that she can say : " Grandson, send me your grand- daughter, that I may have the i>leasure to see of my issue one of the fifth generation." The child was baptized in the Jamaica church, .June 3. — y.T. Gazette. t He in 1663 received 25s. for killing a wolf at Foster's Meadow.
6
22 HISTORY OF THE
1838 Benj. Taj'^lor to Isaac Van Hook.
1740 Jacob Half to Lucas Bergen.
1711, Peter Gerritsen to Abm. Probasco.
1742, Johannes Van Wyck, f fell to the church.
1742, Antony Glean, % fell to the church.
1743, Jan Hegeman to Phillip Ried.
1744, Albert Ryder to Jos Oldflela.
1746, Adrian Onderdonck to I-^aac Onderdonck.
1748, Derick Brinckerhoff || to Derlck Amberman.
1749, Jan Vorhesen to John Lewkur, (Luqueer.) 1750 Marten Wiltse to Andris Stockholm 1753 Isaac Van Hook to Jan Jansen. §
1774, Molly Sherlock «[ to Jores Van Brunt.
CHURCH MASTERS OR WARDENS.
1716 Jan Snedeker, Peter Monfort. Joris Remsen, Rem Remsen.
1717 Abm. Lot, Joris Rapelye.
1718 Barent Bloom, Elbert Monfort.
1719 Jesse Kip, Garret Dorlant. — £11. 16s. 6d. in the alms chest.
1720 Cornelius Hogelant, Andries Onderdonck. *
1721 Nicholas Berrien, Paulus Amerman.
1722 Johannes Nostrand, Teunis Snedeker.
1723 John Schenck, Joseph Hegeman.
1724 Johannes Van Lewen, Adrian Onderdonck.
1725 Jan Prooasco, Abm. Brinckeihoff. — 9s. in cheat.
1 1727, Miy 16. Adam Smith is fined 20 shillings for scandalizing Justice Johannes Van Wyck.— 1750 Sept. 28.— The account of John Van Wyck, Sheriff of Queens County for receiving, lodging and victualling sixty-three French and Spanish prisoners of war, from Juue 11th, 1748, to July 10th: and for transporting them from Flashing to New York, July 11th, was £94,4.— ^ss. Joui-nal,2 : 300.
t 16B7. Nov. 21. — Antony Glean, drummer of His Royal Highness' garrison of Fort James sells his title to a home lot (formerly Wm. Comptou's of Gravessnd) for one cow and 400 of good msrchantable brandwo3d. — 1715 Aug. 12. Antony Glean, blacksmith, of Flush- ing, desires to administer on the estate of Jas. Bettersby, schoolmaster, who owes him- for lodging and funeral expenses. He left some g lods and chattels, but no relatives.
II 1747, Nov. IG.— Derick Brinckerhoff offers for sale, a very good plantation of two hun- dred and forty acres, on the road from Flushing to Jamaica, three miles from Flushing town landing, and two miles from Jamaica. The house has two rooms on the floor, with a leanto and kitchen thereto annexed, a new barn, cedar shingled, wagon house sheep- house, a good orchard of two hundred and fifty" trees of divers sorts of fruits, pretty gar- den spot — all in stone fence. A spot of ground in the rear produces forty loads of hay. — Poslboi/.
§ He was great grandfather of Martin G. Johnsen, and came from Flatbush 1744.
H She was widow of Wm. Sherlock, schoolmaster.
* He was grand son of Adrian Andrewso Onderdonck who was living in Flatbush in 1672, and great grandfather of the two Bishops. Houry U. an i Benj . T. Onderdonk.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 23
1726 Peter Monfort, Theodoras Van Wyck, Jr.
17 gulden and 10 stuivers in chest.
1727 Isaac Amerman, Peter Luyster. — £2 19s. in chest.
1728 Frans Marston, Cornelius Wiltse.— £2, 19s. in chest.
1729 Tunis Covert, Tunis Brinckerhoff.— £4, 19s. in chest.
1730 Abni. Schenck, Cornelius Van Wyck.— £2, 13s. 6d, in chest.
1731 Wm. Golder, Abm. Rike.— £1, 7s. in chest.
1732 Jan Lefferts, Jeronimus Rapelye. — £1, 7s. in chest.
1733 Jurian Eyder, Daniel Rapelye.
1734 Cornelius Ryerse, Dirck Brinckerhoff. — £2, 12s. in chest.
1735 Wm. Van Duyn, Douw Ditmars.
1736 Antony Deinott, Elbert Hogelant. — 19s. 9d. in chest.
1737 Abm. Polheinus, Rem Remsen. — £5, 5s. 4d.
1738 Adrian Onderdonck, Rem Monfoort. — -£3, 19s. 4d. in chest.
1739 Abm. Lent, Isaac Van Hook. — 7s. 5d. in chest.
1740 Deriek Wortman, Martin Wiltse. — 8s. in chest.
Hardly ten years had passed since the erection of the church before the people of Qaeens County wished to with- draw from Kings County and have a pastor to themselves, as we see by the following proposition :
To the Members and Elders of the Church m Kings Co.:
1727, June 7. We Douwe Ditmars, Dirk Brinckerhoff, Theodorus Van Wyck and Nicholas Berrien ruling elders of the church of Jesus Christ at Jamaica having taken greatly to heart the state of our church over which we are placed as overseers, conclude it would be more advanta- geous for us to have the entire services of a Pastor to ourselves. To this end we propose that both the present ministers may remain in Kings Co. and we be freed from them so that we may call a preacher for Ja- maica. Our reasons are :
1. Because we through the blessing of God feel able to maintain a minister.
2. In our opinion our congregation should be fed every Sabbath day with God's word.
3. The members of our congregation dwelling 20 or 25 miles apart from each other, makes it necessary that God's word should be preached in more places than one in our county.
4. Provision should be made for catechising the children and larger persons.
5. Visiting the congregation from house to house for spiritual purpo- ses and consoling the sick could be better attended to.
6. As we reside among Quakers, * Anabaptists and others it is more
* The Baptists kejit up a meeting at Oyster Bay. The more emotional became Separate Anabaptists or New Lights. Friends were then numerous and influential. Their traveling
24 HISTORY OF THE
necessary for our congregation to have a watchman or shepherd of their own to keep the flocli together.
7. Our children are apt to intermarrj' with the English, whereby they are in danger of becoming estranged from the nether Dutch worship and used to that of other churches. While their fathers yet live they should willingly for the benefit of the lives of their children provide for them a Netherland preacher so as to keep them steadfast in following the example of their fathers from generation to generation, in the sup- port of the Netherland church.
We hope, worthy brethren, that our arguments may so fall on your venerable body as to give satisfaction and that you will be willing to take unto yourselves the services of both the present preachers, and allow us to call a minister for ourselves, which will tend to the extension of the Eeformed Divine service among us. Our intention is the welfare of the church ; and we therefore write with the expectation of a friendly answer.
This petition had no result, for in the call of 1730 we find the two ministers spoken of as yet to preach in Jamaica till their death.
1728, June 14, The writings of the church were give n to Stephen Eyder for safe-keeping,
1730, Aug. 20. Authorized call for a minister, sent to the care of the Kev. Domines De La Moraisiere, Vos, Bakker and Noordtbeek of the classis of Amsterdam.
As in general through God's never fully praised goodness, under the blessed reign of His Princely Majesty of Great Britain, George the 2d, the Word of the Lord now has its free course in this remotely situated country of the northern part of America, and the Nether Dutch Re- formed congregations are very much augmented and have spread them- selves far and wide ; so we have also particular reason to thank the Lord for his goodness to us here planted in a healthy climate and dwelling at 40 degrees of latiturle, in the county of Queens, on the Island Nassau and Colony of New York, as we have an especial growth of the congre- gation around us.
At last on the 20th of August 1730 there was a great church gatherhig in the church at Jamaica composed of the Consistory and a great num- ber of members, after that on the IGth ot the same month previously on the Lord's day it was openly published from the pulpit by one of our preachers that such a general church gathering would be held for the
preachers, many coining from Great Britain, were eloquent and held meetings in every part of Queens Co. and gained many converts. The names of Francis Bloodgood and Cors. Van Wyck, Jr. in 173i and Wm. Van Wyck and his son John in 17.5S and John Rider in 1704 are mentioned in Friends' Records.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. ^5
purpose of this weighty matter, inviting the metiibers of the congrega- tion to appear at the appointed place on that day with the Consistory.
In this great church gathering (after calling on the name of the Lord and mature deliberation) they agreed in love and peace and have de- cided and determined to call a minister out of Holland; and the then ruling Consistory were charged and authorized to promote this whole- some work and to go round (each in his own neighboriiood) to the mem- bers of the congregation to ask of each help and consent, so that our congregation might be provided and supplied with a sufficient orthodox and pious Keformed Netlier Dutch preacher or minister out of Holland, according to the direction and order of the High Reverend Classis of Amsterdam, after the same church constitution, orders and church government or discipline according to the decree of the Synod of Dort * holden in the j^ears 1618 and 1G19. This was done and after the going around to all and each individually, there was not only a satisfactory consent but a content-giving encouragement and a pressing charge for promoting the work, with the addition of what each might be able to bring thereto, pledged with their signatures.
These necessary subscriptions being obtained the work is at once made practicable ; and we the underwritten, being the Consistorj' authorized and empowered to forward the business, and first of all to dispatch and transmit an authorized call through our Rev. pastors and ministers Domine Vincentius Antonides and Domine Bernardus Freeman (named at oar request) to the care of the very Rev. Domines De La Moraisiere,
* The Synod of Dort in Holland was composed of delegates from the Netherland church- es, also from neighboring countries especially Switzerland, parts of Germany and Transyl- vania. The king of Great Britain James I. who had urged the calling of the synod sent to it with the approval of the archbishop of Canterbury six of his clergy who took an active part in the proceedings, agreed to the canons, acquiesced in the condemnation of Arminianism and affixed their signatures and official titles thereto as follows :
George. Bishop of Laadaff.
John Davenant, Presbyter, Doctor and Public Professor of Sacred Theology in the University of Cambridge and President of Queen's College.
Samuel Ward, Pre.sbyter. S. T. D.. .\rchdeieon of Taunton and Rsgent of Sydney Col- lege in the University of Cambridge.
Thomas Good, Presbyter, S. T. D., Prascentor of St. Paul's Cathedral church, London.
Walter Balcanqual of the church of Scotland, Presbyter. S. T. B.
Dr. Joseph Hall (afterwards bishop of Exeter and Norwich in succession) preached a con- ciliatory sermon to the Synod from Eccles vii, 16 ; but being forced to retire from ill health, King James sent Thos. Good chiplain to the archbishop of Canterbury in his stead. — £10 sterling per day was allowed by the Dutch to the English commissioners that they might live in a style suitable to the dignity of the church they represented; and £203 was given them to bear their charges on their return home and a gold medal of good value to each, representing the sitting of the Synod. They also visited several Dutch cities. — They were complimented by the President of the Synod with " an aciuowledgement of the excellency of the constitution of the church of England and that the Dutch regretted that the convenience of their own State did not admit of the same system of subordina- tion." (See Lingard's England and Fuller's church History.)
The King of France, Louis XIII forbid his Protestant clergy attending this Synod, but they ratified the Acts at the Synod of Alez 1619. The Ref . Dutch Church in common with the church of England yet retains the Athanasian creed.
26 HISTORY OP THE
Vos, Bakker and Nordbeek preachers at Amsterdam. So we the under- written elders and deacons of the 4 united congregations of Jamaica, Hempstead (Success , Oysterbay (Wolver Hollow) and Newtown take the liberty to beseech your Reverences earnestly, and authorize you by these presents fully to call in our behalf an orthodox, sufficient and edi- fying Nether Dutch Reformed pastor and minister, a person of whose learning and piety and other laudable virtues you are satisfactorily assured (and with full qualifications to send us) to preach the word of the Lord, pure, plain and powerful, with thorough and familiar catechis- ing to exercise those disposed to learn, in the treating of the Heidelberg catechism, to administer the Holy Sacraments faithfully according to Christ's institution, to exercise christian discipline in conjunction with the overseers of the congregation diligently and prudently, to visit the sick, and further to do all things in a christian and peaceable way as the office of a faithful servant of Christ Jesus according to God's word and as the good order of the church requires, after the way of the Synod of Dort in the year 1618, 1619, and as is usual in the Nether Dutch Re- formed churches in this land.
Besides with mutual respect we make it known to you that our congre- gations bj' and around here have many residents who are free thinkers, Quakers and Anabaptists who moreover are without God's service, whereto our pastor must needs watch to look after the congregations so that the Lord Jesus Christ may triumph in his person, honor and love. Whereto gifts, earnest preaching, zealous application, appropriate cate- chising and further, to edify with a Godly life are necessary. So also your Reverences are requested to give heed that his gifts of speech are clear and intelligible so that the whole congregation may be edified, and that many members may have a desire to fill up the church.
But under this head we must make a more particular descrip- tion of the service required according to the coastitutioa of our congregation :
1. The called minister must preach at 4 different places viz. : Jamaica, Hempstead (Success), Oysterbay (Wolver Hollow) and Newtown.
2. He shall for himself choose his place of residence. If he chooses that of Jamaica, he must understand that the church of Newtown is IJ Dutch miles from his residence, the church of (Success in) Hempstead 2 miles and the church of (Wolver Hollow in) Oysterbay 4 miles.
3. The preaching turns on each Lord's day shall go round, beginning at Jamaica, and so through each congregation, till the turn comes round again to Jamaica.
4. When the turn of going round comes to Jamaica at the time when it is the turn for the preaching of our present ministers, he shall then per- form service in Oysterbay or Hanpjtoal, as it s'.iall seam best; or the 2 encountering domincs may both bo present at Jamaica to hear each Other for their own edification, but with consent of the Consistory there- unto consulted.
FIEST EEFOEMED DUTCH CHURCH. 27
5. In consideration of tl:ese continual changes of preacliing places lying far off from one anotlier tiie congregation wish to find a person who is sound and stron-j; in body so as to endure the fatigue of serving the con- gregations ; and tlaen the limitation of his age is fixed, that he shall not exceed 35 years.
6. He shall in the best way he can, go to the places where the preach- ing turn shall be.
7. He shall preach twice every Lord's day, and in the afternoon shall handle the subject of catechism according to the Heidelberg catechism; and with advice of his Consistory shall catechise.
8. In the 3 Winter months he shall preach but once on the Lord's day, as also on Christmas, on the 1st and 2d days of the New year, and As- cension day as also on the 2 days of Paas (Easter) and Pinxter (Whit- sunday). *
At least 6 months in the year shall his Reverence catechise each week that part of the congregation where he preaches on Sunday, at such time and place as shall best suit him, but with advice of the Con- sistory.
10. Four times a year shall the Lord's Supper go round (the churches) by turns. Where the service of the Lord's Supper shall be, there shall as often in the week be made a visitation of the members, and there shall the Friday's preparatory service and the Sunday afternoon's thanksgiv- ing sermon be given.
For an encouragement to accept this call, the person called will be recompensed as follows :
I. A salary of £S3, New York money, yearly during his service with us, which is, 640 guilders. We doubt not, if his Reverence's gifts edify the congregation, that his salary would be raise i up to £100 ; and on the death of our present ministers it shall by the courtesy of the congregation con- tinue.
11. These sums shall be paid to his Reverence by the elders or dea- cons or their order, each half year, the just half promptly.
III. The salary shall begin with his first preaching before his congre- gations, but his Reverence shall at once at his coming and first preach- ing here receive a half year's salary being £40.
IV. For the cost of his coming over it is provided that his Reverence may be unconcerned. Thereto £40 are set over, so that he shall be held
* Though the church inculcated the observance of Christmas, Paas (Easter) and Pinx- ter (Whitsuntide) yet with the negro slaves it was high holiday. They roamed about the neighborhood, calling at every house for a drink, and late at night returned home reel- ing, noisy, and quarrelsome, disobedient to the mistress and sulky to the master. The good housewife usually made a keeler full of doughnuts for Christmas, and gave 2 or 3 with a mug of cider to every caller. It required another day or two to get the negroes in working order No wonder our ancestors dreaded the recurrence of holy days whose observance and significance were perverted to licentiousness little worse perhaps than the pai-ading, target shooting and hog guessing of our modern Thanksgiving dajr.
28 HISTORY OF THE
free from his congregation in traveling to liis congregation liither, in case that £J0 shall not equal the cost.
V. A suitable dwelling for a preacher shall be built for his Reverence at his coming and after the choice of residence shall be made by him, either by the church of Jamaica or by the church of Hempstead, or be- tween the two, having by it some land sufficient for a suitable orchard and pasture ground for 2 cows and a horse.
VI. Also his Eeverence shall be provided with sufficient fire-wood for Winter and Summer and to be brought before his door.
"VII. Also shall his Reverence at his coming be presented with an able horse with his equipments. Yet thereafter shall he always provide him- self with a horse in order to perform his duties everywhere in the con- gregation, as they shall be required.— It shall depend on the courtesy of his* congre.?ation to provide their minister with horses.
VIII. Also entertainment and charges shall be provided for the time whenever he preaches or does any service in another congregation where he does not dwell.
All which extraordinary advantages for the use and support of this temporal life should in some measure make the person called willing to accept, in that Long Island is above measure fruitful in all sorts of the means of living, but especially are we hoping that the person called through the grace of the Holy Spirit will be prevailed on to give up him- self and his fatherland in order to do service here to the church of Jesus.
Very Revd. Domines and fathers Morai^iere, Vos, Bakker and Noord- beek, we pray you for Christ's sake to do this service for us and our congregation, to send us soon a minister, as is above expressed. The Jehovah shall provide this, to find a person sooner or 1-ater, and so with full church qualifications to send us. We shall be thankful to your Reverences our life long for your pains and labor; and we will ratify all this as if we in person had done there what you have done for us, and the person sent to us shall be received in honor and love by us ; and there upon we subscribe this authorized instrument affectionately with our hands and remain with respect and esteem your Reverences' servants and brothers in the Lord. Amen.
Signed for greater faith in presence of our present ministers.
Deacons: Tunis Covert, Elders: Peter Berrien,
JoosT Springsteen, Johannes Van VVyck,
Francis Marston, Abram Lot,
Abraham Monfoort, Cornelis Reyerse,
Jacobus Monfoort, Symen Loyse,
Adriaen Onderdonck.
After calling on the Holy name of the Lord we the underwritten minis- ters have with our eyes seen the signing of the above written elders and
deacons this 26th of Jan. 1731.
Barnardus Freeman,
Vincentius Antonides.
REV. BERNARD US FREEMAN.
FROM AN ENGRAVING PREFiyED TO HIS WORK DE WEECSCHAALE DER GENAOE COD' plJIi IN AM^TEROAM 1721.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 29
SALARY FOR THE MINISTER TO BE CALLED RAISED TO £100.
These proceedings have we the present ruling elders according to our office ordered from a sense of dutj', not without consultation with many- intelligent and well meaning members and also with hearty approval of both our present ministers, to undertake for another going round and soliciting a new subscription from the respective members for increasing the salary to £100 a year for the preacher to be called, and so on the old footing by and according to the foregoing friendly agreement and reso- lution, that all 4 united congregations should have like service so that the unity of love should not be weakened, in that each should freely out of a christian love contribute something to God's service.
This is a cause that concerns us all and the welfare of the congrega- tion which we all with one heart and zeal in unity of love must promote. We all are therefore pledged. The necessitj- of the cause demands it. Oh that we unanimously might join hands with one another and without any selfish aim seek the welfare of the congregations and provide that at the death of our ministers, who both are come to old age, the congrega- tions which are now so sweetly united may not, by being without any teacher, be split up and the members themselves be as scattered sheep who have no shepherd.
We underwritten who have with our hands written or caused to be written, promise then for this proposal and re^iuest of the Consistory above mentioned, yearly and each year so long as the called minister shall be in actual service with us to pay over and above the foregoing (with our signatures pledged for the filling up of the salary of £100 for the called minister) such sums in cash as with our name is expressed. — The Lord grant prosperity and success to this our work.
Baknakdus Fkeeman,
ViNCENTius Antonides, '' ^itnesses.
ES, I
Additions to former subscriptions, to raise £100 for two ministers, Aug. 20 1730. The other lists are lost.
s. d.
Minne Schenck 6 8
Cornelius Polhemus 7 8
Adriaen Onder Jonck 7
Marten Wiltse... 3 9
MartynWiltse 3 9
Daniel Hegeman 5
Jan Vauderbilt 5
s.
Andries Onderdonck 5
Andries Oaderdonck 6
Jacobus Monfoort 9
Eida Monfoort 3
Theodorus Van Wyck 4
Abraham Monfoort 4
Roelof Schenck 6
Proposition of the Consistories of the 4 united congregations of Jamai- ca, Flushing, Hempstead, Oysterbay and Newtown to the subordinate members of the same and all well meaning christians :
30 HISTORY OF THE
It is known how on the 20th of August 1730 a great general church gathenng was held in the church at Jamaica, composed of the Consis- tory and a great number of the members ; and how they in this great church gathering after calling on the name of the Lord and after mature deliberation in love and peace agreed and resolved to call a preacher out of Holland in such a way and terms which by one another were fixed on and established, viz. : that each of the 4 united congregations should have like service : that the preacher called should have £80 for salary, and that the members each according to his ability should out of a true christian love contribute and bring something thereto ; and the then gov- erning Consistory were authorized and commanded to go round and en- quire what each would be willing to bring. So it has been done. Each has by his signature promised and declared what he is willing to bring freely to the above named design. In pursuance of this determination and resolution the then ruling Consistory after obtaining the signatures had dis- patched an authorized call to the domines preachers in the very Reverend classis of Amsterdam (mentioned in the authorized letter). And these domines according to their letter have used all diligence and means to find a suitable preacher, but they have not yet met with any one inclined to ac- cept the call and they declare their hearts' grief that they cannot ac- complish their desire of doing the congregations a service and complain of being very much distressed with this commission ; and they write that beside the burdensomeness of the call and the weight of the service on account of the distance of the places which must be served, and especi- ally the smallness of the salary, — these all hold them back. This last ob- jection we especially take into consideration, as in the authorize;! letter is also mentioned, that the salary (if the pr^^acher callel with his endow- ments should give edification to the congregations) should well mount up to £100, and order that we should establish the salary from £S0, to £100, so that we may advance with some moderation to the relieving of his service without much prejudice of the congregations.
1732, Sept. 9. The Dutch people of Ojsterbay met and agreed to go on with the buihling of a church and appoint- ed Adrian Hegeman, Jarian Hatf, Jacob Van Nostraud and Barent Van Wjck a building coimuittee who bought of Ed- mond Wright for £6, an acre of ground at Wolver Hollow on the road from Jericho to Matinecock. They met in the new church April 25, 1734, and chose Peter Lujster and Cornelius Hoogland church masters to arrange the sittings. The record of baptisms does not begin till Oct. 21, 1711, after the settlement of Goetschius.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH.
31
SUBSCEIBEKS' NAMES.
£. s.
Albertson, Nicholas 1 5
Amerman, Johannis 2 5
Bennet, Jeromus 2 5
Brinckerhoff, Abm 2 5
Couwenhoven, Jan 4 10
Cusyou (Cashow), Johannes. 2 5
Durland, Jan 2 5
Ditmarse, Douwe 4 10
Garretsen, Abm 4 10
Haff, Jacob 4 10
Haff, Jurian* 5 10
Haff, Jan 2 5
Hardenberg, Hendrickus ... 25
Hegenian, Petrus 4 10
Hoogland, Cornelius 2 5
Hoogland, William 2 5
Janse, Steven 4 10
Koole, Barent 3 5
Loyse, Simen 8
Luyster, Peterf 6 15
Lickquier, Jan 2 5
Monfoort, Jacobus 6 15
Millear, Jo.st 2 5
Monfoort, Eidae 2 5
Monfoort, Jacobus 2 5
Monfoort, Peter 2 5
Noorstrant, Daniel 2 5
Onderdonck, Adriaen 2 5
£. s.
Onderdonck, Andries. 1 5
Polheraus, Cornelius 2 5
Euland, Jan 2 5
Kyerse, Cornelius 1 5
Bemsen, Isaac 2 5
Reyder, Steven 2 10
Eemsen, Jan 1 5
Snedeker, Gerret 2 10
Symense, Johannis 2 5
Symense, Frederick 2 5
Symense, Mouris 2 5
Snedeker, Gerret 2 5
Schenck, Minne 2 5
Schenck, Eoelof 1 5
Van Nostrand, Jacob 2 5
Van Nostrand, Albert 2 5
Van Wyck, Barent, 5 15
Van Vores, Lucas 2 5
Van Vores, Abm 2 5
Van Vores Willem 2 5
Voorhis, Daniel 2 5
Van Wyck, Theodorus " 2 5
Van Wyck, Theodorus 2 5
Van Wyck, Johannes 1 5
Walters, William 2 5
Woertman, Jan 3 5
Wiltse, Martin 1 5
Wiltse, Martin 1 5
The Building Committee of the Reformed Dutch Churcb, Success, April 14, 1731, were Aaron Van Nostrand, Martin "Wiltsie, Theodorus Van Wjck, Antony De Mott, Michael De Mott, Andries Onderdonck and Cornelius Van Wjck. The congregation met in the new church, Aug. 11, 1732, and chose Cornelius Eyersen and Adrian Onderdonck church masters. I
* Uriah or Jurian Haff of Flushing bought land in 1721 near Sucksoos' wigwam.
t Peter Luyster of Flushing for £300 bought 82 acres of land of Dickinson, near Littla Plains.
t In 1731 Martin Wiltse for 25 shillings sold to Adrian Onderdonck and Cornelius Ryer- sen a half acre of ground at Success Pond for a chvirch for the Reformed Dutch Congre- gation of Hempstsad to worship Almighty God in, His name was cut on the comer stone.
3(5 HISTORY OF THE
land, agents and trustees appointed by the 4 Dutch Ke- formed congregations of Queens Co. The site is now occu- pied by Aaron A. Degrauw. It was then bounded south by the Main street, west by Samuel Dean, north by Dean and Amos Smith and east by Amos Smith. Q. Co. Records, D. 80.
PARSONAGE REPAIEED.
1742, April 17. We the Consistory of the 4 united congregations of the Nether Dutch Reformed Churches of Newtown, Jamaica, Hempstead and Oysterbaj' have met ; and we the deacons with consent of the elders have made over the sum of £162, 13s. 7d. to the 8 authorized persons of the 4 above named congregations in order to further repair the Domi- ne's dwelling, in compliance with the requirements of the call. Ac- cording to the foregoing agreement and when that is accomplished, then shall the 8 above named persons return the overshot of the money to the 4 above named Consistories, to Newtown its 4th part to it^ deacoas, to Jamaica its 4th part to its deacons ; to Hempstead its 4th part to its dea- cons ; to Oysterbay its 4th part to its deacons.
"We the underwritten promise to fulfill the above named agreement:
Witnesses :
Hans Bergen, Abraham Lent,
Moses Van Noerstrand, Adriaen Onderdonck,
CORNELIS EEYERSE,
Jacobus Monfoort, Abraham Polhemius,* Jan Wyckoff, Cornelius Hoogland. We appoint Jan Hegeman as our treasurer.
1742. August 22. — Domine Goetschius preached a ser- mon at Newtown, on the Unknown God,t which gave great offeace. This interrupted his ministry, and was the begin- ning of a long and painful series of dissensions in the churches of Queens County.J The quarrel raged six years
* Polheym is the original spelling ; but it was Latinized, as many other Dutch names were.
t This sermon was reprinted in Dutch, in Holland, Michigan, in 1871. It was also translated by Rev. John Y. De Baun and printed in the Banner of Truth in 1867.
t Rev. Thomas Colgan, the English missionary (1744). thus writes: " The several churches belonging to my cure, as those of Jamaica, Newtown and Flushing, are in a peaceable and growing state, whilst other separate assemblies in this parish are in the utmost confusion. Independency, which has been triumphant in Jamaica for forty years past«is now, by the providence of God, in a faint and declining condition."
FIRST EEFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 37
ere it could be brought to a settlement before any ecclesiasti- cal assembly in this country. It was not till April 26, 1748, that the Cetus (having been approved by the Classis of Amsterdam) took up the affairs of Queens County, required Goetschius to submit to their authority, and then promoted his call to Hackensack.
1746, Oct. 9. A deacons' book is made. The deacons agreed that no money is to be paid out without the consent of all. £6, 18s. 6d. now in the alms-chest.
TITLE PAGE OF GOETSCHIUS' SERMON.
The unknown God, or a short and plain advice how many who have the name of living in all their duties and piety, honor and serve a God whom they neither know nor love ; shown in a truthful explanation and application of Acts xvii ; 23 : " For as I passed by, and beheld your de- votions, I found an altar with this inscription : To the unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you." — Preached the 22d of Au^just 17'12 in the church of Newtown, by John Henry Goetschius preacher there.
Here follows the introduction by Frelinghuysen.
To the reader health and salvation.
God-seeking souls to whom the promise is fulfilled. "They all shall know the Lord."
Tbis church-discourse on Acts xvii :23, composed and delivered by the Reverend and very learned Domine John Henry Goetschius, pastor at Jamaica, on Long Island, we have read through with satisfaction and found nothing therein repugnant to the received doctrine of the Re- formed Nether Dutch church nor with the formularies of unity, but on the contrary we perceive that the explanation is well made according to the force of the original tongue in conformity with the aim of the Spirit, and the application is distinctive, pathetic and right earnest. Where- fore we fear not to recommend it as useful to pious christians : "Prove all things," following the faithful of Berea who were more noble than those of Thessalonica, searching daily the scriptures. We call to mind the earnest zeal and fidelity with the well grounded and solid learning of this our young brother, the more as we intimately knew his Reverence, having often met him in our house, so that we love him as a son, his Reverence being as a young Timothy and not as a brother highly es- teemed, since we thereby know that his ministry is blessed, and we pre- sent him a well proven seeker of God as a laborer who is not ashamed, and rightly dividing the word and giving to each his appointed part.
38 HISTORY OF THE
It causes us no wonder that his Eeverence meets opposition and con- tradiction, so that he may in some measure say: "There is a great door opened to me and tliere are many opposers," insomuch that his enemies have already sliut one church upon him (the usual way of those who are driven bj' the spirit of antichrist) ; but his Reverence can preach as well in barns or under the pure sky as in the church, as divers of his brethren in this land have done already before him. Also his Reverence is decried as an enthusiast, an old thread-bare slander against faithful ministers who for inward piety urge the necessity of be- ing born again from water and Spirit and for a pious life and conversa- tion in and through the Spirit. But what most strengthens the hands of the wicked is that a meeting of ministers with their respective Consis- tories is now being held deliberating on the lawfulness of his ordination and other charges against him wherein it is decided that these gentle- men cannot see that his ordination was lawful, etc. But it don't amount to mucii what their high Reverences can see or not see. But this is not the time nor the place to discuss that. Otherwise I am prepared and willing to prove not only the orthodoxy of his Reverence but also the lawfulness of his ordination, the more, as the Rev. Domine Dorsius is thereto competent. We therefore pass this over to his Reverence. Yet it seems something strange that so long as father Freaman lived, Domi- ne Goetschius was a lawful minister, for that reverend man had not only endorsed his call but also inducted Domine Goetschius in the church at Jamaica with these words: "I am with you always to the end of the world." Shortly after his death they disturbed the congregation. Mean- time may our partner in suffering console himself with this saying of God ; all instruments directed against you shall not prosper. The Lord shed more blessings and lustre on his Reverence's ministry and instruc- tion which he imparts in the languages and theology to the pious and gifted youth in order to prepare them as young Nazarites for the minis- try.
T. J. Fkielinghuysen,
New Jersey, Jan. 12, 1743.
We extract from the long, able and readable sermon of Domine Goetschius some of the more pungent passages that gave offence and made the old folks cry out : "Shall this young stripling come here and tell us that we have so long served an unknown God?"
" Worthy and beloved hearers. My only desire is that I maybe en- abled, through Divine aid, to unfold this notable text, so suitable to the circumstances of tlie present times, so plain and intelligible; and so to press it upon heart and conscience that many who are yet destitute of an experimental l^nowlodge and worsliip of God, may be convicted and have tlieir real state of soul laid open to their view." * * *
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 39
"0 that the conduct of this faithful teacher, who spared no trouble, might shame so many easy and lazy ministers, etc., whom we may well compare to oxen."
" St. Paul did not look at these idolatrous things at Athens from mo- tives of a sinful curiosity, merely to gratify his senses with these heathen fables, as many gospel ministers who are so much taken with such things. It was not with a design that he might wit^i such stuff embellish his sermons, and so only please or tickle the ears of his hearers."
"How much more noble is our Apostle than many nowadays who come to the church ! He flndeth something in an Heathen church that is profitable for the soul, going but once and beholding, whereas now many go often, and that too, to a Christian church, but what do they take home with "them?"
" How desirable that we had such preachers as St. Paul in these times."
"If this faithful Apostle was to come into our New Netherland and pass through our city and country searching closely, would not also his spirit be stirred within him? For he certaml}' would find many devo- tions, temples, houses of worship, excellent congregations, respectable Consistories, etc. He would find altars enough, viz : religious persons, both preachers and church-members, exhibiting many specious evidences of zeal, knowledge, labor and duties, etc., having yet a desire to draw near to God (Isa. 56.2). Seek God daily after their manner, speaking of and hearing his word, are baptized, partakers of the Lord's Supper, ob- serve a particular religious and moral conduct, know how to speak much of the church and church affairs, prophesy, knowing languages and sciences, remove mountains, give over their all to the poor and their bodies to be burned. Yea, so much that if one did not look into their conduct with an enlightened eye he would be captivated, yea surprised at its mighty glittering appearance which in reality is only a great name and a shining formality. But then if the Apostle should cast his eye on the inscription which puts such persons and virtues in the balances of the Sanctuary, oh ! how soon would he inscribe TEKEii on their fore- heads ! and the inscription of the Athenian altar on their religious de- votions and exercises. How plain would it appear that with many per- sons their devotions and altars were not dedicated to the honor of the true God but rather to strange Gods, viz: to self-honor, self-love, self- praise and self-profit."
"And although with some there is an appearance of seriousness, as if they wish to do something for the service of the true God, yet this inscrip- tion is on them : ' To the unknown God.' But do you ask who these are? I answer they are so many ignorant persons, living under a rich or abund- ant administration of the means of Grace, and at the same time are more stupid than an ox or an ass, for one knoweth his owner and the other his master's crib. There are so many that are easy and secure, and from their youth have been settled on their less, who live on securely without any serious concern about their immortal souls, willing to risk their souls on a vain, groundless hope and lifeless worship, for an eternal
42 HISTORY OF THE
We have uot been able to find any ecclesiastical records in Queens County, that shed light on the history of the churches from 1742 to 1743, the period of Goetschius' troubles. After his exclusion from the church at Newtown, he may have remained in Queens County, waiting the course of events, teaching students, and performing religious servi- ces as he had opportunity. A statement had been made affecting his moral character. To counteract this he pro- cured, October 16, 1744, ample testimonials of his good standing, and January 13, 1746, an affidavit made before Justice Andries Onderdonck that his accuser had (Dec. 1 1743) retracted the charge, was signed by Abm. Lott, John Van Arsdalen, Johannes Kolver, Bernardus Van Zaudt, Jacobus Monfort and Adrian Onderdonck.
CERTIFICATE OF GOETSCHIUS' CHARACTER.
To all persons to whom these presents shall or inay come.
Know ye that I have been personally acquainted with the Rev. John Henry Goetschius now a minister to tlie Dutch churches in Queens Co. some years past. Daring the whole time, so far as I have had any knowledge of him he has conducted himself not only as becomes a Christian, but also a faithful minister of tlie gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; and I tlierefore, commend him to tlie great Head of the Church, and pray that he may be made eminently serviceable in promoting the interests of religion in any part of tlie Master's vineyard where he may be employed.
As witness \ny hand in Dosoris in Queens County, this IGth of Oc- tober IT-ii. Benjamin Woolsey, V. D. M.
And we also the minister and elders of the Presbyterian congregation of Jamaica do certify the same, as above written, as witness our hand.
David Bostwick, V. D. M. Samuel. Smith, Justice of the Peace. EiiiAS Baylis, Samuel Smith, Ji-,
He added to these an able defense, written by himself, which, with all the other documents, was sent to thn Classis of Amsterdam, who were satisfied with his explanations, but advised that he be released from Queens county, and sent to another field of labor. The gist of the charges against
FIRST EEFOEMED DUTCH CHUECH. 43
Goetscbius, were the irregularity of his ordination and that of his Consistories, his pulpit declarations and private con- versations, his sitting in judgment on the piety of other ministers and professors, etc. *
It was during these troubles (in 1745 and 1747) that Whitefield visited and preached on Long Island, and pro- duced such revivals.
1748, April 26. — Goetschius exhibited in Cetus a letter from the classis of Amsterdam to him, saying : 1. That he should be released from the congregations of Queens county and they from him. 2. That he should be recognized as a candidate in the Netherlandish church and should be taken in hand in his pious undertaking. Whereupon the Cetus recognized and received him, on his certifying a will- ingness to become subordinate. — In September he received a call from Hackensack, and Cetus gave him a written testi- monial as a minister.
After Goetschius had removed from the scene of action, it yet required all the prudence of Cetus to reconcile the angry differences in the four congregations. In order to give some idea of their delicate and wearisome labors to bring about peace and unity in the churches, it will be necessary to give extracts from the journal of Cetus and the church book of Jamaica.
1748, September 27. — A committee deputed by Jamaica, Success and Newtown appeared before Cetus who promise to assist them in every proper way, to consider the affairs of the congregations, and write to the dissentients at Success and Jamaica, recommending the choosing of a Consistory from among those who had once been in office, and then for the opponents of Goetschius to join the Cetus as the others had done.
1748, September 29. — The Jamaica church book says : The New York Ring, f after long and fruitless labors to
* These documents have been translated into English and are now deposited in the Gardner Sage Library, New Brunswick.
t This Ring or circle was an assembly of ministers from New York, Long Island, and Pouglikeepsie. It was subordinate to tlie Cetus. The records, I suppose, are lost.
44 HISTOEY OF THE
unite the separatists with the others, resolved, for the good of the congregation, to choose a Consistory by means of the remaining members at Jamaica ; and Domine Ritzema, who had charge of the churches of Cetus in Queens county, was thereto commissioned ; and in his presence were chosen (De- cember 26) for elders, Tunis Covert, Elbert Hoogelaud and Jost Durye ; * for deacons, Jeromus Rapelye, Rem Nostrand and Claas Latten. A protest against the last was handed in by the dissentients. The others were ordained (February 1, 1749) by Domine Ritzema in presence of the congregation.
Dpmine Arondeus (being countenanced by Domine Boel one of the Collegiate ministers in New York and an oppon- ent of the Cetus) presided at the election of another Con- sistory at Jamaica and confirmed them in office the same day, which the Cetus declared unlawful.
Sep. 3Q. — Cetus write to the Classis of Amsterdam that " Domine Boel on Aug. 16, caused a new Consistory to be chosen by some persons at Newtown (for they who formerly were dissatisfied with Goetschius still corresponded with Boel only) and to ordain them the same day ; particularly that he (Sept. 28) baptized anew 4 or 5 children who had al- ready been baptized by Goetschius ; and Cornelius Rapelye an elder said that Boel told him he did it by order of the Classis of Amsterdam." t
1748, Dec. 6, — The outgoing deacons Simon Nortvvick, Daniel Durye and Rem Moufort accounted to the new dea- cons, Isaac Van Hook, Aaron Van Nostrand, Ares Remsen and Elbert Adriance and found in the alms chest ^6, 5s, 4d. Dec. 12, Jan Hegeman delivered to them the alms-chest con- taining a bond of X116 and money £11 7s, 3d. — Dec. 12,
* 1775. Oct. 16.— Jacob Duryee and Albert Terhunen, Executors, offer for sale the home- stead of Jost Diiryea, near Old Neck, at Jamaica South, containing seventy two acres, on ■which is a gristmill of one pair of stones, mill-house, bolting-house. Also a fine healthy negro boy ten years old.
t The strife between the fWends of Van Sinderen and Arondeus in Kings county was still more violout tiian any act in Queens county. One Sunday in Oct. 1748, the lock of the cliurch door in Flatbush was bi-okou off by violence and possession of the church for Divine worship was thus obtained by Arondeus' party. On Sunday, Jan. 21, 1750, the lock of the church door at Flatlauds was broken off ; and an Elder and deacons in oppo.sitioa to Van Siuderen's Consistory led Domine Ai'ondeus into the pulptt there.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 45
Rem Monfort and Daniel Durye are chosen church-masters ; and an accounting made by Isaac Van Hook and Derick Woertman. 10s, lid, was found in the alms chest.
1749, Sep. 12. — The young man Thos. Romeyn appeared before Cetus and requested to be recommended to the Classis of Amsterdam in order that if found qualified by his studies under Domine Goetschius he may be admitted to the holy ministry. He is put off for the present.
1749, September 14. — Peter Luyster and John Cosjou (Cashow) from Oyster Bay, are received as members of Cetus, and report that Goetschius had revisited their con- gregation. Cetus decided that Goetschius is not competent to choose and ordain a Consistory there, and that he must abstain from doing any ministerial services there ; but the dissentients may choose from their own party one elder and deacon to be added to the three of each already chosen by Goetschius, and to be ordained by a minister of the Cetus, so that thus the whole Consistory may become legitimate and the two parties united for the welfare and continuance of the congregation,
Cetus had written conciliatory letters to the dissentients ; and on November 7, 1749, Justus Durye and Elbert Hoogeland, elders from Jamaica appeared in Cetus, and re- port that they had received a letter from Cetus, but the dis- sentients would not take it, saying that they had a minister and Consistory of their own and had nothing to do with Cetus. Johannes Colver, elder from Newtown, reports that he had given the letter to the dissentients, who read it and desired a copy. Andries Ouderdonck, from Success, * re- ports that he had given the letter to the dissentients, who approved of it, and hoped it would work well.
Jacobus Monfort, Cornelius Hoogland, and Simon Losie, from Oyster Bay, for the one party promise to submit to Cetus, and bring about the same with their friends, and say the reason they did not- submit before was the non-paj'ment
* Dr. John Onderdonls father of the two bishops was baptized in the Dutch church at Success, Dec. 8, 1764.
12
46 HISTORY OF THE
of Goetschiiis' salai-y, and the calumnies against him as heterodox. On the other side Luyster and Cosjou promise t9 try to bring up the arrears of sahiry, and to give a caution to their friends against accusing him of heterodoxy.
17J:9, November 9. — A letter was read from Laurens Haff, of Oyster Bay, not a member of the church, slandering the Cetus who declared that he should not be received into any Dutch Church until he repented and that the Presbyterian minister should be cautioned against receiving him, till he had made satisfaction to Cetus.
1749, November 14. — Cetus resolve that Arondeus (the troubler of our Israel) must be stopped from preaching in Queens county, and exclaim : " How sad is the condition of the Church of God on Long Island, in all the congrega- tions of both counties ! and, alas ! growing worse and worse."
1750, September 11. — Simon Losey and Cornelius Hoog- land from Oysterbay appeared in Cetus. 1. Inquiring whether they and their associates ordained by Goetschius, were not recognized as a lawful Consistory. 2. Signifying their inclination to come under the Cetus upon condition that they should have liberty to get the assistance of a preacher of the Cetus so long as the union was not estab- lished through the whole county. — Domine Eitzema un- dertook to write to the other party a caution not to slander as unlawful the Consistorj' chosen by Goetschius. — Elbert Hooglaud from Jamaica asks for and is granted the service of a Cetus minister.
1750, September 14. — Cetus write to tlie CLissis of Amster- dam that "Queens county remains the longer divided, and all our efforts are fruitless."
1751, April 19. — The new deacons Cornelias Monfort and Jan Jansen received the alms-chest (containing £S, L0.7|) from Isaac Van Hook and Ares Rerasen, outgoing deacons.
1751, September 11.— Letters are received in Cetus from both parties at Oyster Bay.
1752, April 14. — -Tost Durye, a delegate from Jamaica, seeks counsel and aid from Cetus against xArondeus, who hindei-s their union by continuing to preach there.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 47
1752, Sept. 19. — Simon Losie and Jost Darje, a committee from Oj'ster Bay and Jamaica, presented a paper in Cetus asking counsel and aid (against Arondeus.) Cetus declare the Consistory of Jamaica lawful, and Oyster Bay is allowed to have a new one chosen and confirmed. Both congrega- tions are awakened to the calling of a pastor ; and Domine De Ronde is named as cousulent or advisory minister thereto.
1752, September 21. — Cetus write to Holland that the long-desired peace and quiet of the congregations on Long Island are not yet established, since Arondeus resists the sentence upon him, and disturbs the congregations by ad- ministering the Word and the sacrament of baptism ; and is confirmed in his obstinacy by his followers.
1752. — The church book says : "Ares Remsen commenced singing, November 21. Domine Frelinghuysen preached, and Thomas Romeyn- for the first time." This was Romeyn's trial-sermon, and proved satisfactory.
1752, November 27. — The congregations of Oyster Bay and Jamaica unite in proceeding to a call, at £100 per year, on Thomas Romeyn, student of divinity, which he accepts, on condition that he go to Holland for qualification.
1753, January 9. — The new deacons, Johannes Willemse and Rem Remsen, received the alms-chest from Aaron Van Nostrand and Elbert Adriance, and found in it a bond of X135 and money X20.17.
1753, April 10. — The church book says : "Domine Van Sinderen preached and Thomas Romeyn gave his departing discourse at Jamaica." This was on the eve of his going to Holland for ordination.
1753, September 1. — Ritzema made an explanation to Cetus concerning the election and ordination of a Consistory at Jamaica, which Cetus declared lawful.
* students were not then allowed to preach in church, baru, or house, unless under their ijreceptors, nor use any other than the Lord's Prayer before and after sermon, nor pronounce the benediction. It must also be on a week day, and without singing or ring- lug of the bell. The cost of preparatory examination was £.8 — half paid in advance by the student ; the cost of the final examination (to be paid by the congregation who called the minister) was £20, New York currency.
48 HISTORY OF THE
1753, September 13. — There were now two Consistor- ies at Jamaica. Daniel Durje, Simon Nordwick, Abm. Scheuck and Aaron Yan Nostrand appear in Cetus as a committee from Jamaica, and insist that their Consistory, chosen by Arondeus* (though protested against in church by the elder, Abm. Lott) is lawful and that the one chosen by Kitzema unlawful, and therefore also the call made by them on Romeyn is void, and they laid upon the table a request for redress ; and if that is not granted, that then they pro- test against Eitzema, Frelinghuysen and Goetschius being allowed to sit on their case, on account of their partisanship. The Cetus refuse the last request as groundless. The com- mittee then agree with the Cetus to let everything rest for the present till further advices be had from the Classis of Amsterdam.
1753, September 14. — A letter is received in Cetus from the. lawful Consistory of Jamaica,
1753, September 20. — Cetus wrote to Holland that Aron- deus keeps the flames of discord blazing in Queens county.
1751, April 9. — Romeyn had gone over to Holland and was now back again.
1751, July 27. — Tiie Jamaica church book says : "Romeya is unwell. August 9. — We yet made an offer of peace to the dissentients, but Avere repelled."
1754, September 18. — Two elders from Jamaica, who had uuited in a call on Romeyu, appear in Cetus, and request information on their matters.
1754, Sept. 19. — Daniel Durye and others present papers against those who called Eomeyn, stating that they cannot conform to the scheme of Cetus for uniting the congregation unless Romeyn be given up, and another minister be called in his place. Cetus decide that things should remain as at present ; the persons who called Romeyn were prevented by
* Johannes Arondeus was a minister in Kings county, but was invited by the dissftn- tients to visit Queens county and perform ministerial services for them. His last bap- tism at Jamaica is dated April 18, 1754. He had been deposed September 12, 1753. Hence- forth he disappears from iiubUc view. What became of him I know not. It is said he died iu 1751.
FIRST EEFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 49
lawful hindrances from being present her© and answering the statements of the other party ; and if Romejn (who now lies in a critical condition, struggling with a dangerous fever and more likely to die than live) should be restored (which may God grant), he shall be installed over those who called him as well at Jamaica as at Oyster Bay. Liberty is granted those congregations to install Do. Romeyn, if they choose, yet not without the action of Cetus. Daniel Durye and his friends, on hearing this, replied that they could not help matters, and could only go home.
1754, October 5. — The widow (of Jeromus) Rapelye de- livered the alms-chest containing a bond for £30 and =£12 in money to Rem Nostrand, in presence of us Tuenis Coevert, Elbert Hogeland and Jost Durye.
175i, October 9, is the last date in the regular baptism- book till 1766, February 16, a period of nearly 12 years. A few baptisms from 1753 to 1757 were recorded on loose sheets by one of the parties.
1754, November 10. — The church book says Eomeyn was inducted at Jamaica by Domiue Yerbryck according to order of Classis and Cetus. His first discourse was from Psalm 119 : 9 : " "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?"
1755, January 1. — Abm. Lott is chosen elder in place of Tunis Covert, whose time is out ; and for deacon, Jan Dor- land, in place of Jeromus Rapelye, deceased. Both were ordained by Romeyn, January 12.
1755, February 12. — Cor. Hoogland and Abm. Lott, elders from Oyster Bay and Jamaica, as authorized, put Domine Romeyn in possession of the parsonage-house and land. In the last week of March Romeyn made pastoral visitation from house to house throughout all Jamaica and met with rough handling from the dissentients.
1755, April 6. — The Lord's Supper was served for the first
time by Do. Romeyn. Members received : Derrick Woert-
man, Abm. Hendricksen and wife, Jos. Golder and wife,
Rem Lott and wife, Jan Lammerse, Christoffel Emmons and
13
50 HISTORY OF THE
wife, Evert Vaa Wicklen, Gertie Durje, Nicholas Van Ars- dalen and wife, Jacob Lott and wife.
1755, July 27. — Romeyn gave notice of an election of church masters, and invited thereto all the heads of families of the whole congregation. August 2. — Two were chosen for Jamaica, viz: Dirk Woertrnan old church-master in Domine Goetschius' time, and Jos. Golder in place of Isaac Vander Hook who had gone over to the church of England. At the same time were Abm. I^ott and Elbert Hoogland, elders, sent after Daniel Durye to demand the church book and the remaining church property.- Yet he refused, in presence of Laurens Masten and Jan Rapelye as witnesses. That the things are done as above stated, we are witnesses : Tunis Coevert, Jost Darye, Rem Nostrand, Elbert Hoogland, Abm. Lott.
1755, September 30. — On the proposal of some ministers to change the Cetus into a regular Classis, Domines Ritze- ma, DeRonde, Van Siuderen, Rabell and others withdrew and united in another assembly called the Conferentie or Conference. Hence the feud was more and more embitter- ed, and in 175G or 1757, we find DeRonde coming into Qaeeus county, and presiding at a meeting of a part of the congregations of Success and Oyster Buy and all of New- town to call another minister — while Romeyn was yet law- fully settled there ; which caused Romeyn to write the fol- lowing Protest, in behalf of the Elders of Success :
To the worlh;i Brethren, the Ruling Consistory of the Congregation of Jesus Christ at New York.
Esteemed FEiiLOW Brethren.— We the elders of the congregation of Jesus Christ at Success having understood that Domine DeRonde your Honors' minister has assisted in tlie making of a call (on a minister) for a portion of Jamaica, a portion of Success and for Newtown ; and since it is a part of the worthy Consistory's duty to take notice of the conduct of their minister, so we earnesUy beseech your honors to prevail on his Rever- ence to undo this proceeding or through some means to render it fruit- less, because of many forthcoming difficulties.
Our reasons are (1.) that without the concurrence of the whole Con- sistory no minister can perform service in our congregation, according to the 15th Article of Church Order (of the Synod of Dort) ; (2.) that the
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 51
bond of union will hereby be rent asunder and our congregation mani- festly scattered in violation of the 80th Article of Church Order. The many reasons why we cannot in this matter agree with them we shall show at a proper time and place. In conclusion wishing you salvation and blessing, subscribed by us, your Keverences' grateful and obedient servants. Success, Jan. 24, 1757. The Eldebs.
1755, November 9, the Lord's Supper was served for the second time; 1756, April 18, third time ; November 21, fourth time. Members received : — Isaac Leffersen and wife.
1756, January 2. — RemNostrand delivered the alms-chest containing £46, 15s, 2d, to Jan Dorland, Christoffel Emmons and Nicholas Van Arsdalen in presence of us, Abm. Lott, Abm. Hendricksen and Derrick Wortman.
1756, June 29. — Domine Romeyn was married to Mar- garita Frelinghujsen. She died at Jamaica on December 23, 1757, leaving an infant, Theodore F., only 25 days old, who also was cut off by an early death at Somerville, N. J'., in 1785, having served his congregation but 10 months.
1757, April 10. — I acknowledge to have received from the Elders of the congregation of Jesus Christ at Jamaica the sum of £12, 10s, in full for a half year's salary.
By me Thom. Romeyn,
V. D. M. ibidem. 1757. — I Jos Golder have bought 78 pounds of nails at lOd a pound, which comes to £3, 5s, 4d, and lent that sum to the Congregation.
1757, May 3. — In our church gathering it was found good by the elders and deacons of Oysterbay and Jamaica unitedly to repair the house standing in Jamaica where Cors. Smith now dwells, for Domine Komeyn. So we the elders and deacons of Jamaica and Oyster Bay promise as we have subscribed each to pay equally one half of the cost.
COKNELIS HOOGLANP, HaNS BeKGEN,
Nyoklaes Van AksdaIiEn, Deekyck Woebtman,
Jan Lammekse, Joseph Goldeb,
Joseph Hegeman, Joost Dueye,
Daniel Dueyib, (One name illegible,)
Gakeet Nooesteant, Petee Luistee.
1757, May 23. — The Consistory of Jamaica, by Domine Romeyn, paid to the Consistory of Oyster Bay the full sum that they asked of as (for repairs of parsonage).
52 HISTORY OF THE
1757, May 23.— Jau Dorland and Christoffel Emmons de- livered the alms-chest containing £43, 13s, 6d, to Jau Lam- merse and Nicholas Van Arsdalen in presence of us, Jost Durye and Jos. Golder.
1757, June 5. — The Lord's Supper was served for the 5th time.
1757, June 7. Ares Kemse and Elbert Hogelant agreed with Peter
Luyster and Daniel Voox*hees of Oyster Bay to make up the Domine's
house for £30, in ray presence, as witness.
JoasT Durye.*
1757, October 26. — The present Deacons Cors. Monfort, Johannes Wil- lemse and Rem Eemsen overlooked the alms-chest and found in it a bond and note for £100 6s, and money £13, 7s. April 2.4, 1767 paid out £55, 6s.
1758, January 15. — Domine Komeyn gave notice from the pulpit of an election of Church Masters. — January 20. — Jan Lammerse and Jacob Lott were chosen by the congregation of Jamaica, It was resolved bj Congregation and Consis- tory that the two oldest deacons should from ^ear to year be Church-masters. On these conditions we Derick Wortman and Jos. Golder give over the Church-book this 20th of January, 1758.
1758, January 23. — Nicholas Van Arsdalen delivered the alms-chest containing £40, 4s, 3d, to Jan Lammerse, Jacob Lott and Isaac Leffersen in presence of us, Jost Durye, Der- rick Wortman and Jos, Golder.
1758, -March 26.— The Lord's Supper for the 6th time ; members received : — Beruardus Ryder t and wife, Gerret Nostrand and wife.
1758', June 5. — Kec'd of Mr. John Lamberson the sum of eleven shillings and tliree pence for the rates of the Dutch parsonage — I say received by me. £0, 11.3 Nicholas Smith, Collector.
1758, October 22, the Lord's Supper the 7th time ; 1759,
* 1758. — We, Ares Kemseii and Elbert Hogelandt, the builders have received £8 from Nicholas Van Arsdalen.— 1760, JaJiiiary 30. received from the congregation of Jamaica £6, 8s, 9d, in full. Elbekt Hogelandt:
t 1756. — Id a gust of wind, Sunday, May IR, a negro the property of Beruardus Ryder ■was in a boat fishing in Flushing Bay and being, overset was drownad.
FIRST EEFOEMED DUTCH CHUKCH. 53
June 17, 8th time ; December 16, 9th time ; 1760, June 1, 10th time.
1758, December 8. — Jan Lammerse bj consent delivered the church-book and alms-chest containing X41.7 to Jacob Lott, Gerret Van Nostrand and Isaac Lefferse, churcli- masters, in presence of Joost Durye and Elbert Hogelandt.
1760, January 30. — By consent of Isaac Lefierse and Jacob Lott I deliver this church-book to Gerret Van Nos- trand and Jan Lammerse, church-masters.
1760, January 30. — Jacob Lott delivered the alms-chest containing £35.12 to Rem Lott, Jan Lammerse and Gerret Van Nostrand, in presence of us, Bernardus Ryder, Jan Dorland, Ares Remsen and Elbert Hogelandt.
1760, November 30. — Says the Jamaica church book : "Domiue Romeyn took his departure from us. He preached from these words (Eph. 6:24): 'Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.' "
1762, February 25. — The journal of Conferentie says : Queens county is excited about a minister ; with what result time will show.
1763, April 28.— The church paid Rev. Abm. Keteltas* a Presbyterian minister without a charge, living in Jamaica, (who could preach in Dutch, French or English) X16 5s. as half year's salary for his services.
1764, February 1. — John Lamberson and Rem Lott paid Benj. Waldron the half of what he demanded of us, 14s, 9d.
1764, March 1. — The Consistory of the four united con- gregations met at the house of Rem Remsen at the "Fly" or meadow to divide the contents of the alms-chest, and have
found to distribute :
£. s. d.
For Success, from Kem Remsen 12 18 9
" Rem Lett 12 10 0
Interest from Rem Remsen 16 9
£26 5 6
* 1799, March 18.— On Thursday last the dwelling-house of the late Rov. Abm. Keteltas, at Jamaica, took fire by accident and was entirely consumed. The house was old and out of repair and of no great value, but the loss is principally felt in discommoding a large family at a season of the year not easy to procure a habitation.
14
54 HISTORY OF THE
1764, May 17. — Kem Lott, deacon of Jamaica, paid £12.10 to Michael Demott and Harman Hendrickson, deacons of Success church.
1764, July 2. — Jeromus Remsen and Samuel Waldron received of Eem Lott £12.10 for the Dutch congregation of Newtown.
1765, May 9. — The alms-chest was delivered to Jan Lam- merse in presence of Elbert Hogeland and Bernardus Ryder*.
"1765, October 22. — The minister, Boelen, who has been called to Queens county, still fails to appear, much to our sorrow ; and we, with the congregations who expected him, are much perplexed, not knowing how to quiet them." — {Journal of Con/erentie.)
1766. — The church book says : Domine Vander Boelen, from Holland, arrived in port February 2d ; on the 4th he came to Jamaica, and on the 16th he gave his introductory discourse from Ps. 34: 12. He was inducted by Van Sin- deren from Heb. 13: 7 : "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God." Seven children were baptized.
1766, June 1. — Boelen had his first communion. His text was from Is. 66:2. In the afternoon he gave the usual Thanksgiving sermon after the Holy Supper, from Ps. 5: 12 : "For thou. Lord, wilt bless the righteous."
1766, June 23. —Elbert Hogeland and Stephanus Lott are deacons.
1767, May 17. — Domine Boelen had his second com- munion, Martin Schenck t and wife from Fishkill with an attestation communed with us for the first time. 1768, June 19. — Boelen's third communion.
1767. — Collections received toward building or repairing
* 1760, April 14.— Kan away from Bernardus Ryder, Flushing a negro man Ceesar, aged twenty-five, this country born, not a right black, has a little of the yellowish cast, a pretty lusty fellow, talks good English, if frightened stutters very much, has lost one of his front teeth ; had on a light-colored Devonshire kersey coat, a soldier's red jacket, breeches and hat, and a pair of old shoes. 408. reward if taken on the Island ; or £3 if taken off the Island. — Postboy.
t 1769 Ajiril 10.— Martin Schenck offers for sale his farm of one hundred and fifty acre.?, two miles from Jamaica, on the eastern road to Flushing.
A PULPIT AND SOUNDING BOARD OF THE OLDEN TIME.
THE ALMS-CHEST,
Made of cherrj- wood and strapped with iron, supposed
to be at least 167 years old, and still in use.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 55
the church and lent to Martin Scheuck, March 21, 8s, 7d. April 19, 12s, lOd. May 13, 3s, 7d. May 17, XI, Is, lOd.
1767, June 18.— Eem Kemsen, outgoing deacon, rendered an account of his expenditures, delivered up the alms-chest with X45, 10s, 7d, in it, and is thanked for his faithful service.
1767, August 10 — Jan Lammerse in presence of the greater part of Consistory delivered up to Isaac Lefferse deacon, the alms-chest containing X38, 13s, 3d, consisting of a bond of X18, bills, silver and coppers. We the under- written bear witness to it with our signatures : Hermanns L. Boelen, Minister, Joost Durye, Nycklaes Van Arsdalen, Marten Schenck, Isaac Lefferse, Jacob Lott.
1767, October 7. — The Conferentie write to the Classis of Amsterdam : " Domiue Boelen* still remains apart from us with his congregations. He has many of his people who would cordially unite with us, and if the minister was of one mind with them the thing could be easily brought about. We desire, therefore, that your body would take the trouble to stir up the minister with his congregations to this end t ."
1768, June 19. — Communion third time. Paid for bread and wine 9s, 2d.
1768, October 23. — Domine Boelen had the communion at Newtown, Douwej and Abm. Ditmars with their wives communicated for the first time.
* The close of Boelen's pastorate in 1772, as well as his whole life before and after, is veiled in obsenrity. We kno\T not why he left or whither he went. He officiated occa- sionally at Newtown from 1777 to 1780. Riker says he resided awhile at Flatlands, and finally returned with his daughter to Holland.
He was a small man, of a powerful voice, but his langiiage was not simple enough to be easily understood by common jieoijle.
t The dissensions of the Church having continued for nearly 30 years were brought to a happy close in October, 1771, when on the conciliatory invitation of the Consistory of the Collegiate Church in New York, the Cetus and Conferentie parties met in the Garden street Church and agreed on a plan for the reunion of brethren at variance ; which hav- ing been approved by the Classis of Amsterdam the Articles were (June 18, 1772) accept- ed and signed by Nycholaes Van Arsdalen, Cornelius Hoogland, Jacob and Joris Rapelye, Elders at Jamaica, Oysterbay, Newtown and Success ; Queens County, then being with- out a minister.
t 1760, September 18. — Run away from Dow Ditm.ars Sd, Jamaica a negro fellow, Tony, of a yellowish complexion, spealis Dutch and English, had on a brown camblet coat and waistcoat plush breeches and tiowsers; 20s, reward. N. B. — All ijersons are fore- w.arnod not to couce.al or carry away said nogi'o.
56 HISTORY OF THE
TKEASURER'S ACCOUNT.
£. s. d.
1739, Oct. 3. — Paid Isaac Bloom for an iron window hinge for
the church 6
1740, Jan. 12. — Paid for sweeping the church 1 3
1741, June, 1. — " Isaac Bloom foran iron bolt on the church
door G
Sweepingthe church 1 3
Half a bushel of sand for church floor 4
To Wm. Stead, carpenter * 4
' ' Jas. Sebrant 9
" John Carman 6
" Widow Stillwell 1
" the glazier or glass-maker ' 5
1746, Dec. G.— For paper 1 6
1747, — Paid to two poor women 10
1750, May 6. — Gave a poor woman 1 0 3
1751, Apr. 19.— Gave to the elders 4 G G
" 30. — Gave to two high dutehers for a church . 18
1752, Oct. 14.— Gave the Elders 4 10
1753, Feb. 1].— Gave to the high-dutcher 7 4
1755, — Paid Theodore Frelinghuysen for Holland 2
1 758, July 1. — Gave a poor man and woman 3 6
1766, Dec. 9. — Gave Lena Stine cash for bread 2s, a shift 9s, 4| yards durant 14s, 3d, a yard of cheek 2s, lOd, making up all her goods 5s. . . , 1 13 1
Sometimes a person made over his property to another party on condition of his being supported in his old age. We don't know how it was in the case of Peter Bennewe ; but give the treasurer's expenditures in his behalf,
£. s. d.
1747, Jan. — Paid for a pair of leather breeches 10
— More, for making a coat, in all 2 7 2
1748, Dec. 26.- For a pair of stockings 5 9
1749, Feb. 1 —Pair of leather breeches for P. B., a poor man . 10
" Mar. 30.— A shirt 11 3
" June 2. — Paid to Samuel Lawrence on acct. of his board 2 10
" July 11. — Lent him 1
1750, Mar. 17.— Gave him 2
1750-1, January 5. — Received by a vendue of the estate of Peter Bena-
way deceased £7, 2s, 4d, for the Dutch Church. I paid out expenses £G, 9s, 5d. There remains in my hands 128, lid, which I have put in our church stock. Jeronemus Rapelye.
* William Stead indicted (May 18, 1773) for au assault ou Sarah Eapolye, on oflVring proof in mitigation is fined 10s.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH.
57
It was found May 23, 1757 by receipts that £71, 12s, 3d, was at differ- ent times paid out of tiio Dutcli Church for Binnewe's suppoi't.
COLLECTIONS IN CHURCH.
17G7 April 19, Paas Sunday. . .
" 20, " Monday...
May 13, Wednesday
May 17 1
" " paid for bread and
wine
Aug. 30
Sept. 27
Oct. 25
Nov. 22
Dec. 20
1768
Feb. 7
Mar. 6
Paas Sunday
" Monday
May 1, Sunday
Pinkster Sunday and Mon- day
June 15, Wednesday,
preadiing
June 19, Sunday 1
July 17. Sunday
Aug. 14, "
Sep. 11, "
Oct. 9, "
Dec. 4,
1769 Jan. 1, New Year's Day. .
|
s. d. |
|
8 7 |
|
12 10 |
|
3 7 |
|
1 10 |
|
13 2 |
|
10 |
|
11 |
|
6 6 |
|
1 |
|
3 3 |
|
8 6 |
|
4 2 |
|
6 10 |
|
2 |
|
9 |
|
9 11 |
|
2 11 |
|
8 6 |
|
10 9i |
|
11 8 |
|
9 91 |
|
9 10 |
|
3 3 |
|
5 4 |
£. s. d.
Feb. 26 1 3
Paas Sunday and Monday 15 4
April 19, Wednesday 2
April 23 1 1 0
Took out for bread & wine 8 8
May 14, Pinkster Sunday. 10
May 15, " Monday 4 4
July 9 10 1
Aug. 6 11 i
1770
July 29 8 11
Aug. 26 8 6
Sep. 23 12 7
Oct. 21 6
Nov. 18 6 8
Dec. 16 6 9
1771
Jan. 1 Tuesday 3 11
Jan. 27 3 5
Feb. 24 3
Mar. 4, Monday 7
April 21 9
May 12 9
June 5, Wednesday 2
June 9 14
Took out for bread &wine 13
July 7 • 3
Aug. 4 11
1769, April 29. — In presence of the greater part of Con- sistory who met at the house of Isaac Lefferse, there was found in the alms-chest X44, 6s, 9d.
1769, May 3. — The Consistory met and found it good to take the money in the chest for up-building (or repairing) th6 church ; and to begin the chest anew.
1769, May 14. — Barnardus Eyder, Elbert Hogeland, Stephen Lott and Douwe Ditmars are deacons. 15
58 HISTORY OF THE
1769, May 29.— Paid X16, 10s, cost of making np or re- pairing the Domine's dwelling.
1769, August 12. — Jacob Lott and Douwe Ditmars made a reckoning and found in the alms-chest XI, 15s, 5d.
1770, June 7. — Gerret Nostrand and Stephen Lott out- going deacons left in the alms-chest ifj, 6s, lOd.
1770. — Abm Ditmars paid for bread and wine 13s, 2d, The preaching was once a month this year.
1770, April 14.— £11, 7s, was paid by Albert Hoogland to Bernardus Ryder for sashes for the church. Before this, prob- ably, the upper half of the windows had glass, the lower part had shutters which were opened in warm weather to admit fresh air.
1771, August 12. — Douwe and Abm. Ditmars left in the alms-chest XI 2, Is, 9d.
1772, June 13. — " Paid out for Domine Boeleu's salary X7, Ms." This year he left.
1773, December 13. — A call it is said was made on Rynier Van Nest, who declined.
1773, September 21. — Particular Synod met in New York ; Jacob Rapelye and Abraham Hoogland present from Queens County. On the proposal of Jacob Rapelye in behalf of the vacant congregation of Queens County; the preachers of this Synod decide to preach there by tui-ns in order of age, every four weeks, so long as they are shepherdless. — -1771, Septem- ber 20. — Present Peter Onderdouck and Jacob Rapelye from Queens County. The request of Queens County was re- newed and agreed to in the same way as last year.
1774, October 4-7.— Rynier V. Nest, Jr., M. C.,* appeared and having given a specimen of his sermonizing, upon Zach. 13:7 withdrew ; and Sol. Froeligh, student of Theology, hav- ing been invited in and afforded an opportunity of showing his faculty for preaching by a discourse upon 1st John 5: 7, likewise withdrew. Having given satisfaction to the Rever- end Synod, they were admitted to examination, Mr. V. Nest to the final and Mr Froeligh to the preparatory ; and
* M. C, means candidate for the ministry.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 59
•
having been afterwards carefully examined by the Deputati, both iu the Greek and Hebrew languages, and on the vari- ous points of Sacred Theology, they so far afforded satis- faction to the Reverend Synod that they did not in the least hesitate to admit Mr. Van Nest to the proclamation of the Holy Gospel and tlie administration of the Holy Sacra- ments, and to receive Mr. Froeligh among the Licentiates. The Moderators, were directed to furnish them with testi- monials.
SOLOMON FROELIGH CALLED.
1775, April 25.— Sol. Froeligh, M. C, presented himself to Synod, exhibiting a call made upon him by the four united congregations of Jamaica, Newtown, Success and Oyster Bay, and requesting to be admitted to the final examination. After the approval of the call the time for the examination was fixed at day after to-morrow at 10 o'clock iu the fore- noon.— He was accordingly admitted to his examination, and after having afforded a specimen of his gift of preaching, from Proverbs xv: 3, he was subsequently carefully examined both in the Hebrew^ upon Psalm xxiii, and in Greek upon Philippians iii, and especially upon the prominent points of Sacred Theology, and afforded such satisfaction that with- out the slightest hesitation he Avas admitted to the procla- mation of the Holy Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments ; wherefore the Reverend Moderators were directed to furnish him with a suitable testimonial. The Reverend President Lambertus De Ronde, with the ministers in Kings County was appointed to solemnly install Mr. Froeligh with laying on of hands on the second Tuesday of June next.
At the session of Synod, September 19, 1775, present Solomon Froeligh and Jacob Rapelye from Jamaica. Domine De Ronde reported to the Reverend Synod that according to the order and appointment of the last held General As- sembly extraordinary he was present at the installation of Domine Solomon Froeligh, taking his text from 1 Thess. v: 12, 13, after which by the laying on of hands of the Ordainer
60 HISTORY OF THE
•
and other Reverend brethren present, the candidate was duly invested who afterwards in the afternoon gave his in- troductory sermon from Isaiah Ixii : 1 ; whereon may the Lord grant his blessing.*
Froeligh says that after preaching the Gospel to the four congregations of Queens County with little visible success for 15 months and amid much conflict of mind arising from their disajffection to our Independence, I fled to Jersey and narrowly escaped being taken prisoner by the British army. In this flight I lost all my cattle, furniture, books and cloth- ing, in which consisted my little all of earthly things. I can never reflect without emotions of gratitude on the goodness of God in favoring my escape. t
Froeligh wore the cocked hat, Geneva cloak and bands for a while, but at length discarded them. — He had bought a silver watch of Major Lefferts just before the British landed on Long Island and was prevented from paying for it by his sudden flight and the continuance of the war till the peace of 1783 when he revisited the Islaud and made pay- ment. There is a strange discrepancy in this story as vari- iously told by Froeligh's friends and enemies. Tunis Hoog- land of East Woods, Oyster Bay, told the Rev. William P. Kuypers that Froeligh bought the watch of Abm SchenckJ of Great Neck before the war. After the war he returned and preached at Success when Schenck asked him for the money.
* After service De Ronde enquired of Eev. Abm. Keteltas : "Who is this Froeligh? What is the occupation of his father?" Keteltas replied: "His father lives in the North and is a farmer." De Ronde exclaimed: "Ah, these farmer ministers have no dignity." Keteltas replied: "I am surprised at you. This morning you told us in your sermon that it was immaterial whether a minister was son of a farmer (boor) or of a burgomaster." " I said so indeed iu the pulpit," replied De Ronde, '• I must say some- thing for the ears of the peox^le, but I think otherwise."— Pemaresrs Life of Froeligh.
t 1780, October 3.— Froeligh having accepted a call to New Millstone, Synod appointed a committee to approve the same ; and thereupon in this very unusual case, to dismiss him from his former congregations on Long Island, from which having been driven by the enemy in these disturbed times he can obtain no regular ecclesiastical discharge; Synod being fully satisfied of his blameless, profitable and edifying conversation in those congregations.
} 1797, June 14.— $20 Reward.— Ran away from Abraham Schenck, Great Neck, a negro man, Jake, much addicted to liquor, very impertinent when intoxicated, wore a high- crowned hat, hair shortish and tied behind. He is something of a fiddler, very active, and values himself much on jumping over fences.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 61
Froeligli said he hadn't any but oifered back the watch. Mrs. Schenck said : Let him keep the watch. He will pay for it sometime or other. Schenck said he could live with- out the watch, etc., etc. At a meeting of Classis at Hacken- sack, 1796, in an angry moment Kuypers charged Froeligh with stealing this watch. Froeligh sued him for slander and many witnesses were summoned, Major Lefferts* among others. The trial lasted three days.
1775, May 17th, was observed as a day of Fasting and Prayer by the congregations of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Churches, in this and the Province of New Jersey. — N. Y. Journal, on account of the Revolution.
1776, June 1. — Douwe Ditmars and Isaac Lefferts reck- oned and found in the alms-chest £22, 17s, 7d.
1776, August 27, was a day of Fasting, Humiliation and prayer appointed by the Continental Congress.
REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENTS.
In 1776, the British took possession of Long Island. Froe- ligh had been an ardent Whig, and in his public ministra- tions had often prayed the Almighty to strike the fleets of our enemies with his bolts, and sink their soldiers in the sea, so that they might not set hostile foot on our shores. Be- fore the enemy could lay liands on him he had fled to New- town, and lay concealed one night in the house of a Mr. Rapelye, at Hellgate, who set him over to the main.t The parsonage was occupied by the Rev. Mr. Bowden. The church was taken possession of by the soldiers, and used as a store-house for provisions. The pulpit was left, but the seats and floor were ripped up, and taken out, and used for build- ing huts and barracks for the soldiers who lay at Jamaica
* 1819, May 12.— Burglary.— The house of Mr. Isaac Lefferts near Jamaica, Long Island. was broken open on the night of the 8tli inst., and robbed of a small chest, containing fifteen hundred dollars in bank bills, three hundred and fifty dollars In silver, twenty eagles, a gold watch, chain, key and seals, and a number of valuable papers. Two hun- dred dollars reward is offered for the detection of the robber and the recovery of the property. George Ellis Eyerson had broken open the late Major Lefferts' house.
t He did not floe as precipitately as is generally supposed, for he officiated at Success. October 13, 1770, six or seven weeks after the British had possession of the Island.
G2 HISTORY OF THE
almost every Winter. Here, every Sunday, wagons repaired to draw the weekly allowance of rum, pork, flour and peas. The deacons' chest, with its money, was kept out of their hands, and, it is said, buried by Isaiah Doxey, in a sheep pen, and covered with litter. The people were permitted to worship in the Episcopal church occasionally. Doraines Rubell* and Schoonmaker, from Kings County visited the congregations of Queens county at distant intervals, marry- ing, christening and performing other religious services, but there is no record preserved of any church services at Ja- maica during the Revolution ; but in Newtown, Success and Oyster Bay some baptisms are recorded, those churches having been only now and then occupied by soldiers.
When a British officer sent a farmer on an errand he usu- ally gave him a pass in order to prevent his being stopped by some other official, as the following permit shows :
J Jamaica, 29 Aug.. 1776.
Permit Isaac Bonnet to pass and repass without molestation.
Will. Ekskine, Brig. Gen.
Among the hardships of the British occupation was that of the farmers having their teams taken at any time to cart provisions, baggage and munitions of war for army use, as the following order shows :
Flushing, 2fith Sept. 1776. To Luke Bergen :
Press two wagons for the Service of the Light Dragoons.
S. BiECH, Lt. Col.
Judge Thomas Jones in his History of- the Revolution, says :
" I have seen a conductor of wagons, upon a foraging party, turn fifty horses into a loyal farmer's orchard, (one
* When Domine Rubell preached he evinced his loyalty by the fervency of his prayers for " King George in, Queen Charlotte, the Princes and Pi'incesses of the Royal family and the upper and lower houses of Parliament." If the minister omitted this i^rayer he could hardly descend from the pulpit before receiving a reprimand from some one of his hearers.
When the services of a minister could not be procui-ed the Dtitch went to gebedt, a re- ligious meeting at private houses where they sang, road prayers and a sermon.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 63
Isaac Lefferts, near Jamaica), where his apples were gathered and put into heaps ready for making cider, and though the farmer earnestly begged the conductor to put them into a field where the pasture was better, the request was insulting- ly refused, and the apples — which turned into cider, would have produced £200— were totally destroyed. Mr. Lef- ferts, upon remonstrating with the conductor against so extraordinary a conduct, was called a ' damned old rebel.' He had, it is true, been a Committee-man, but upon General Howe's first proclamation, in November, 1776, he came in, submitted, and renewed his oath of allegiance. What confi- dence could be put in the proclamations of Generals, when they were so flagrantly, unjustly and openly violated? And yet the proclamation, in consequence of which the farmers surrendered, pledged the faith and honor of the Crown that every person availing himself of it should be protected by His Majesty in his life, liberty and property."
The sufferings of the people daring the armed occupation of our Island by the British were beyond description. Be- sides having their fat creatures and farm produce taken from them for army use, (and if paid for, it was at a price fixed by their conquerors), their wagons and teams were often impressed so that they had not animals sufficient to do their plowing and carting. Hence they raised scant crops and were straitened in provisions. They were also forced to share their scanty fare with soldiers billeted on them by British authority, and with no certainty of payment. Col. Graydon thus describes his living in a well-to-do farmer's family :
"The houses and beds of the Dutch we found clean, but their living extremely poor. A sorry wash made up of a sprinkling of bohea- and the darkest sugar, with slack- baked bread and a little butter constituted our breakfast. At our first coming, a small piece of pickled beef was occa-
* Bohea was the kind of tea most in use. But tea was so seldom drank even in well-to-do families that a physician ordered tea to be purchased and drank as a cordial for a sick woman. In 1814, when tea was high-priced, some farmers substituted burnt crusts of bread instead of the China herb.
64 HISTORY OF THE
sionally boiled for dinner, but to the beef which was soon consumed, succeeded clippers or clams, and our unvaried supper was supon or mush, sometimes with skimmed milk but more generally with butter-milk blended with molasses, which was kept for weeks in a churn. I found it, however, after a little use, very eatable, and supper soon became mj best meal. A black boy too was generally in the room, who walked about or took post in the chimney corner with his hat on, and occasionally joined in the conversation."
" The Dutch were quiet and inoffensive. Their religious, like their other habits, were unostentatious and plain ; and a silent grace before meat prevailed at table. When we were all seated our host clapped his hands together, threw his head on one side, closed his eyes, and remained mute and motionless for about a minute."
"The principal person in a Dutch village appears to be the Domine or minister ; and Flatbush (1777) revered her Domine Rubell, a rotund, jolly- looking man, a follower of Luther and a Tory. At Flatlands there was also a Domine Van Sinderen, a disciple of C ilvin and a Whig. He was in person as well as principles a perfect contrast to Mr. Rubell, being a lean and shrivelled little man, with silver flowing locks under his triangular sharp pointed hat, which streamed like a meteor to the troubled air, as he whisked along with great velocity in his chair through Flatbush. — Grat/dons Memoirs.
The negroes became insubordinate and often left their masters. Here follow two advertisements :
1780, Juno 4. — Ran away from .John Amberniin a negro man, Will, thick lips and had on corduroy breeches. Two guineas reward for his re- covery.
1782, June 12. — SIO Reward. — Ran away from Douwe Ditmars, a negro boy, Frank, took'a pale blun cloth coat aud jacket and a now castor hat. It is imagined he intends going on board some privateer.
1777, November '24. — Douwe Ditmars and J(>hn Lamber- son were two of a Committee appointed by town meeting to provide fire wood and other necessary articles for the use of the hospital and guard house in Jamaica. All wlio have
. FTEST EEFOEilED DUTCH CHURCH. 65
soldiers billeted^ on tbem will be excused from contributing.
As there were no Banks of deposit, the fiirmers hid their money, but were often tortured till they revealed the hidiog place. We give two instaoces out of many :
Isaac Henirickson was tied to a bed-post and robbdd.
John Williamson was robbed of £300 which was hidden under the hearth stone.
In the Fall of 1780 Derick Amberman, a miller at the lower end of Foster's Meadow, demanded pay for flour of a British officer, Crowe, quartered at John Montanye's. This so angered Crowe that he beat the miller on the head with a loaded whip, and Major Stockton ran him through with a sword. Neither was punished, though a court martial was held.
As a captain of Militia Albert Hoogland had to distrain the property of Friends who refused to do any military ser- vice or to pay for guarding the Fort at Whitestone, taking from one and another, a watch, a looking glass, linen goods, wheat, turkeys, boots, a geography, pewter plates, tongs, andirons, sauce pan, silver tea-spoons, etc.
During the latter part of the war when things became more settled, the farmers could attend to agriculture and found a ready market for their produce which was greatly needed by the officers and soldiers of the army and paid for in British gold and silver. The officers, especially, were fond of good living and would gladly pay almost any price for setting out a luxurious table.
Of course farmers were liable to have their hen-roosts robbed at night, and subject to all kinds of theft, when soldiers were in their neighborhood.
1777, September 1. — The inhabitants were expected to show their fidelity by contributing in every way to the sup- port of the British arms, otherwise their loyalty might be
* When The British army was uot ia active service the m^n wire distributed in such farmers' houses as had two fire places, soldiers lu the kitchen of one house and officers in the best room of another. A Serjeant previously visited each house and chalked on the door the number to be taken in. U iless a big woodpile was at the door the soldiers would cut up the fences for fusl. An offljsr always had a guard picing before his quarters.
17
66
HISTORY OF THE
suspected. The following Dutch names appear in a list of contributors for raising a new regiment to be called " Fan- ning's Corps," at the request of Governor Trjon :
£. s.
Ambarman, Nicholas 8
'^ Derick 16
" Isaac 8
Paul 2
John 8
Bennet, John 1 4
" Cornelius 16
" Isaac 8
Bergen, Derick g
Tunis 16
John 8
" Jacob 1 8
" Abraham 10
" Johannes 1 4
Luke 16
Boerum, Aury 10
Covert, Tunis. 16
Ditmars, Garret 8
" John 12
" Isaac 1 16
" Abraham. 1 4
Dow 3 4
" Dow, Jr 4
" Mary, wid. of Dow — —
Duryea, John, Jr 2 8
" RuleE 16
Dorland, Garret.. 16
Eldert, Samuel 16
" Hendriek 1 4
" Luke 1 17^
Emmons, Hendriek 1 12
Frederick, Jonas. 12
Golder, "Wm 16
" Joseph 8
Hendrickson, Isaac 8
" Bernardus 16
Wm 16
Hendriek ... 16
" Abraham 10
Johnson, Martin 8
Lamberson, Bernardus. .... 8
" John 1 4
£. s.
Lamberson, Tunis 8
Waters 8
" Nicholas 1 4
" Simon 8
Lefferts, Isaac. 1 12
Agnes, wife of I. . 8
Losee, John 8
" Cornelius 8
Lott, Stephen 1
" JohnH 2
" Abraham 8
Nostrand, John 1
Garret 16
Eemsen, Aury 1 4
" Jacob 16
" John 1 »4
" Rem 16
Daniel 16
Ryder, Urias 8
" Bernardus 8
Christopher 8
Snedeker, Garret . . 8
" Johannes 1 17;^
" Abraham 8
" Rem 16
John 10
Van Brunt, John 8
Jost 2
Van Dam, Nicholas 8
Van Liew, John (pond) 16
John, Sr 16
Van Nostrand, Peter 8
Van Arsdale, Isaac 8
" Abraham ... 8
Voorhies, John 8
Van Wicklen, Johannes. ... 16
Garret 8
Evert. 16
Williamson, Mary, widow
of John 8
Williamson, John 2 13^
Wyekoff, Jacob 1 12
RESIDENCE AT FLATBUSH OF REV. BERNARDUS FREEMAN.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 67
BIOGEAPHY OF DUTCH MINISTERS.
Bernardus Freeman* was born in Gilhuis, Holland. He was called to Schenectady (1700) at a cost of near upon XSO. He also learned the Mohawk language and instructed and converted the Indians.f He was inducted in the church of New Utrecht, November, 1705, by Domine Dubois. He married an heiress Margretia Van Schaick, 1705, and died at Flatbush, August, 1743, aged 83, leaving a daughter Anna Margaretta, who married her cousin David Clarkson, son of the Secretary of the Province.
Freeman was the means of settling Frelinghuysen at the Raritans where the people (in the pastor's view) were become too lax in their notions of christian duty and indulged in horse racing and kindred amusements. When the domine tightened the reins and refused the communion to the more notorious offenders, his Consistory with the aid of the pen of Henricus Boel put forth a pamphlet entitled their " com- plaint," Klagte. Freeman having espoused the cause of Fre- linghuysen, had drawn ofi the fire upon himself and at length (1726) was forced to issue his " defence," Verdeediging. Van Santford also published a tract on these difficulties en- titled Samenspraak, "a Talking-together or Conference." The misunderstanding between the Consistory and Freeman came up for adjudication before a church court at Jamaica July 25, 1725.1
Vincentius Antonides was born 1670 at Bergen, in the
* The name is variously spelled Bernhardus, Barent, Freerman, Vreeman.
t He was apijointed to preach to the Indians and instruct them in the Protestant faith in order to eounteract the instruction of the Prench Jesuits from Canada.
t Freeman had printed (1721) at Amsterdam a volume of thirty sermons (containing expositions of the Lord's Prayer, Creed and Ten Commandments) entitled the "Balance of God's mercy," prefaced with an address to the beloved supporters of the church, being the respected and much beloved brethren his colleagues; the elders and deacons of the congregation of Jesus Christ at Flatbush, Brooklyn, Bushwick; New Jamaica, Flatlands. Gravesend and New Utrecht, as also to the Elders and Deacons at Schenectady and the members of the same, being my first congregation ministered unto in these regions, with the numerous and increasing members of the congregations here in each forenamed village.
He was also the author of '• The mirror of self-knowledge " (1720), a small volume of moral precepts, which he translated {rem the ancient philosophers.
68 HISTOEY OF THE
Netherlands. He came to Flatbush 1706, and died July 18, 1741, after a lingering illness, leaving children and a good name. He was more of a formalist than the evangelical Freeman.
Thomas Roraejn was born at Pompton, N. J., March 20, 1729, and died at Fonda, October 22, 1791, and was buried under the church. He studied divinity under Goetschius and T. Frelinghuysen. In 1765 he received the degree of A. M. from Priuceton College.
Ulpianus Van Sinderen born in Holland was called to suc- ceed Antonides and to be a colleague of Arondeus, 1717 ; but they did not well agree. He married Cornelia Schenck (171:3), who was thrown out of a chaise and fell down a bank at New Utrecht, and died a few days after, at Mr. Cortelyou's. He was declared empritus in 1786 and died at Flatlands, July 23, 1796, in his eighty-ninth year, leaving children.
Johannes Casparus Rubell, born 1719, was called (1757) from Rhinebeck as colleague to Van Sinderen. He became too fond of drink and was deposed in 1781. The rest of his life he spent in preparing quack medicines, styling himself chiinicus. He died at Flatbush, May 19, 1797, leaving pos- terity. He was President of General Synod, October, 1773.
Johannes Henricus Goetschius was born in Switzerland., Coming to this country with his father a minister, he studied under Rev. G. H. Dorstius, a German, who took it upon himself to ordain him, which act was disallowed by the Cetus, and caused much trouble afterwards, though he re- ceived his examinations preparatory and peremptory, pre- ceding his incluction into the church of Jamaica . He died at Hackensack, November 14, 1774, aged fifty-seven. He had three wives and sixteen children.
Martinus Schoon maker was born at Rochester, Ulster county, 1737. Studied the languages under Goetschiiis aud theology under Mariuus. Preached at Gravesend and Har- lem 1765-84; and occasionally in Queens county during the Revolution ; served the combined Churches of Kings county from 1784 till his death, May 20, 1824. He married Mary
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 69
Basset at Aquackanonck, 1761. He preached only in Dutch and spoke English with hesitation. A funeral service of his at Flatbush is thus described : " In 1819 I was present at a funeral. As I entered the room I observed the coffin eleva- ted on a table in one corner. The Domine, abstracted and grave, was seated at the upper end. All was still, a simple recognition or half-audible enquiry, as one after another arrived, was all that passed. Directly the sexton, followed by a negro, made his appearance with glasses and decanter, and wine was handed to each. Some declined, others drank a solitary glass. This ended, again the sexton appeared with pipes and tobacco. The Domine smoked his pipe and a few followed his example. When the whiffs had ceased to curl around the head of the Domine, he arose with evident feeling and in a quiet and subdued tone made a short but apparently impressive address in Dutch. A short prayer concluded the service, and then the sexton taking the lead was followed by the Domine, the doctor and the pall-bearers with white scarfs and black gloves. The corpse was taken to the church-yard, followed b}' a long procession of rela- tives, friends and neighbors. No bustle, no confusion, no indecent haste attended that funeral. No rattling of car- riages, no tramping of horses, no cracking of whips to disturb the proprieties of so solemn an occasion."
Solomon Froeligh, D. D., was born near Red Hook, May 29, 1750, and died at Schraalenburgh, N. J., October 8, 1827. He studied awhile under Romeyn, and thence entered the academy at Hackensack, supporting himself by teaching school. He studied theology under Goetschius. In 1774 he received the degree of A. M. from Princeton College, and in 1811 that of S. T. P. from Queens College. * In 1797 he
* We.tbe iinderwritten Consistory of the NetherDutch Reformed congregations of Queens county (after calling on the name of tlie Lord) with our Pastor. Sol. Froeligh, have deputed our brother. Elder Jacob Rapelye, to the Particular Synod of ministers and elders, to be held at New York, the 19th of this month, for the upbuilding of our Nether Dutch Zion, to represent us there, praying that God through His Spirit may guide the worthy Synod in all matters of importance that may come before them. Thus done at our meeting in Jamaica, September 18th, anno 1775.
Jeromus Remsen, Daniel Luyster, Peter Monfort.
i8
70 HISTORY OF THE
was appointed professor of theology, and instructed thirty persons for the ministry. Being dissatisfied with some pro- ceedings of the Reformed Church he seceded and organized the True Reformed Dutch Church of which a few congrega- tions yet survive. He was suspended (1823) but persisted in preaching till August 5, 1827. He married Rachel Van- derbeck who died fifteen years before him.
CHRISTENING AND COMMUNION.
The first time a mother left home after the birth of her child was to cany it to Church to be baptized. In early times there were sponsors or witnesses (in Dutch getuygen ) who undertook or stood for the child. They were usually relatives. In 1753-7 they were called in our records compere and peet, or godfather and godmother. The woman after whom a child was named, sometimes claimed the privilege of presenting and holding it for baptism. *
At the Lord's Supper it was the custom of the minister to invite and even urge the communicants to approach the holy table, who seemed reluctant to come. Such was then the fashion. After a long exhortation some more prominent member rose and moved. He was gradually followed by the rest. After the men had been served, then the women were in like manner exhorted. As the people came to the table they laid their offerings thereon, and standing around the table received from the minister'^s hands. The first Com- munion vessels were of pewter.
After the new Church was built in 1833 the communicants leceived at their seats in the body of the Church, the dea- cons passing the elements. Formerly the communion ser- vice was too often read hurriedly. Latterly the ceremony has been made more interesting and impressive by distinct
* Baptism was then performed by trine aspersion, that is, the minister dipped hi» fingers three times in the basin of water, and at each sprinkling rejjeated the name of one of the persons of the Trinity. When a young couple married they usually left off their youthful frivolity, entered on the serioiis business of life, became staid and sober, and had their children regularly baptised, as their parents had done before them. Some- times English parents who did not understand a word of the Dutch formula had chil- dren baijtised.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 71
and emphatic reading and by the body of communicants rising to the recitation of the Creed
Our Dutch ancestors generally kept their religion in their hearts rather than on their lips ; though Avith some, their con- versation easily and readily ran into a religious channel. Few, probably, erected a family altar or made extemporan- eous prayer in public. In some families the Bible " was read at evening by way of devotion, and on Sundays especi- ally, the chapter from which the minister took his text, t The preaching was then expository. The preacher often an- nounced his text and the outline of his sermon ( called in Latin, exordium remotum) and then made the long prayer. He then took up his sermon and stuck to his text all the way through. The church had, however, provided printed prayers for such as chose to read them, in a manual corres- ponding to the New England Primer. It contained the alpha- bet, spelling lessons and easy reading. Then came the Lord's Prayer, Creed and Ten Commandments, morning and evening prayers, grace before and after meat. In every well-ordered family the children were made to learn by heart the Lord's Prayer, Creed and Decalogue. In religious mat- ters the Dutch were not aggressive, though adhering stiffly to their own Church, they were not given to proselyting- The long internal dissensions, the scanty preaching on account of the widely scattered population and the long per- sistence in the use of the Dutch language in public worship must be among the the causes of our finding so many Dutch names in other religious denominations.
We have no mention of the church owning a bier or funeral pall, till December, 1839 ; nor of burials under the
* Almost everj' family had the Dutch folio Bible weighing from sixteen to eighteen pounds, so heavy that it could hardly be read without its being laid on a table. In it were usually recorded the births, deaths and marriages of the family.
t The Dutch Sunday was not a dull day, it was rather a festival than a fast day. It was a day of enjoyment as well as of Divine worship. The family then had a better repast, the best the house could afford. The children read in the Testament, and learned by heart the Lord's Prayer, the Creed and Ten Commandments. Having attended Church in the morning, the old folks usually spent the afternoon at home, reading good books, while the young men, singly or in numbers, '• went to see the girls."
72 HISTORY OF THE
church, as was often the custom formerly, at the death of distinguished persons. The tolling or funeral bell could be had in anj of the churches, on paying the sexton.*
CHUEOH EEPAIRED.
Martin Johnson, Stephen Lott, Isaac Hendrickson and William Golder were chosen to repair the church. There is no account of the expenditures, preserved. We have, only the heading of a subscription list without the names, as fol- lows :
We the undersigned promise to pay to the builders chosen, May 28, 1785, the different sums annexed to. our names; and that for sittings that shall fall to our lot.
1786, November 21. — Cornelius Monfort and Stephen Lott reckoned and found in the alms-chest £49, 15s, 4d.
1787, January 8. — Paid to the Widow Codwise X2.
1789, June 1.— Jacob Adriance and John Dui'ye, Jr., ac- counted, c£29, 19s, 8d, in the chest.
1791, August 5. — Elbert Hoogland and Martin Johnson
accounted, £16, 10s. 6d, in the chest, and a note of Rem and
Ares Remsen for .£14, besides a parcel of coppers and old
silver.
CALL OF MR. VAN NEST,
1785, March 10. — At an extra meeting of Classis a calif
* 1773, July 24, Mrs.Rapelye paid five shillings each to the Dutch and Episcopal Churches for a funeral bell for her husband John. — 1775, January 10, the executors of Garret Laton paid for bell and use of pall of the Episcopal church. — 1775, August 26, Mrs. Ditmars paid Eijiscopal Church for grave, pall and bell for her husband.— 177G, October 29, Abraham Ditmars paid for use of pall. — 1781, October 9, Douwe Ditmars paid for
pall. 1784, October 12, John Williamson paid for pall and bell. — 1814, February 9, the
executors of Jost Van Brunt, Sr., paid Episcopal Church for his grave twelve shillings, use of pall six shillings, funeral bell four shillings. — 181 'i, June 4, twelve shillings wag paid for John Williamson's grave in the Episcopal Church yard.
In 1749-50. — Jacob Vanderbilt and Laurens Half paid £3, 9s, ;<d, for a funeral pall (dood- kleed) for the use of the congregation of Oysterbay alone and not for those of Jamaica, Newtown and Hempstead. It was to be under the control of Simon Losee aud Peter Luyster. When two lay dead and unbiu-ied at the same time, the older was to have the preference in its use.
t His salary was £125 per year with a parsonage, as appears by his receipts :
October 16, 1792. — Received from the Consistory of the congregation at Jamaica the- sum of £15, 12s, Gd, in full for a half years salary for the congregation.
■ By me Rynieb Van Nest.
PLAN OF PEWS AND NAMES OF PEW HOLDERS IN FIRST CHURCH, 1785.
Garret Van Nostrand. Luke Bergeu JohanneB Snedeker.
Isaac Lefferts
20
21
|
IG |
1 |
|
15 |
2 |
|
14 |
3 |
|
13 |
4 |
|
12 |
5 |
|
II |
6 |
|
10 |
7 |
|
9 |
8 |
|
\\\ 1 |
|
|
w |
\ |
Minister's Pew. John Suydam. Hendrick Eldert. Isaac Lett'erts. Abraham Polhemus. Benjamin He{<eman. Isaac Hendrickson. Stephen Lott. Abraham Lott. Eibert Adriance. John Amberman. Martin Johnson. Johannis Wyckoff. Garret Van Wicklen. Hendrick Emmons. Tunis Covert. Casparus Springsteen. William Monfort. John Duryea. John Suydam. Abraham Suydam. William Hendrickson. Ares Remsen.
Dowe. John & Roelef Duryea. Garret Durland. Elbert Snedeker.
Daniel Remsen and Daniel Lent.
*Martin John- son.
24 Stephen Lott.
t "Fore-Singer." Jost Van Brunt. Barnet Bennet. Hendrick Brinckerhoff. Isaac Amberman. Abraham Golder. Dow Duryea. Maretie Ditmars. Isaac Brinckerhoff. Jacobus Ryder. William Golder. Jacob Adriance. Cornelius Monfort. Johannis Remsen. Maria Dilmars. Abraham Ditmars. EJbert Hooglaud. Ares Remsen. Martin Schenck. Johannis H. Lott. Hendrick S. Lott. Abraham Van Arsdalen.
Cornelius Bennett. John Williamson.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 73
from the four united cougregations of Queens, county on the Rev, Reynier Van Nest, minister at Shawangunk, was pro- duced, dated March 7, and laid on the table for the appro- bation of this Reverened assembly, which call in its entirety being conformable to the sincere aim or design of the congre- gations and being found sufficiently formal is approved and confirmed and the Lord's blessing thereon invoked. Ordered that he be installed at Success by M. Schoonmaker. — March 25, the Rev. Reynier Van Nest* called and lately invested as preacher in the four united congregations of Queens county exhibited his dismission and satisfactory certificate from his former congregation and also a like attestation from the Rev. Classis of Kingston, by which his Reverence, in a christian and brotherly manner, is commended and given in charge to this Rev. Classis. September 20, Mr. Van Nest, having taken his seat in this Classis, he and his elder, Isaac Lefferts, have signed the articles according to the Synod's resolution of October, 1772t.
1788, June 11. — The Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church set apart this day as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer that the members of the State Convention may be inspired with wisdom from on High, and that their decisions may perpetuate our civil and religious privileges.
1789. — Wednesday, January 28th, is to be observed as a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer, by all the Dutch and Presbyterian Churches in New York and New Jersey, that God would put a stop to the progress of the destroying in- sect (the Hessian fly) winch is cutting off the fruits of the earth in the Middle States ; for the establishment of wise, efficient, united and permanent civil government, &c.
In early times the Dutch were averse to having ministers of other denominations occupy their pulpits. In 1786, the
* Kynier Van Nest was born in New Jersey in 1739 near Somerville, and died there, July 9, 1813. He was educated by his pastor John Frelinghuysen and called to Shawan- gunk in 1774 where he married his predecessor's widow. He preached usually in Dutch, and when (by vote of Consistory) he preached in English '■ he made but a poor fist of it," as people said.
t Up to 1791, the records of the Classis are in Dutch.
19
74
HISTORY OF THE
congregation of Success voted that no service of any other
rehgion ( that is contrary to the doctrines of the Reformed
Dutch Church ) should be performed in the Church without
the consent and agreement of the Consistory and a majority
of the true members of the Church.
In 1811, the Classis cautioned the Consistory of Oysterbay
against having the services of Rev. Bradford Marcy, a Con-
gregationalist. In 1828, a complaint was made to Classis
that a Methodist Minister and a Presbyterian Missionary
also had been allowed to preach in the vacant Church at
Success.
UNION HALL ACADEMY.
1791, March 1. — A meeting was held in Jamaica for build- ing an academy". Rev. Rynier Van Nest was chairman. The following Dutch names occur in the list of subscribers :
£
Amberman, John 2
Bennet, Bernardus, 4
Bogart, Cor's (Fos. Mead) . . 2
Boerura, Aury 1
Dewitt, John 5
Ditmars, Abi^ahamf 5
Ditmars, Abraham Jr 5
Duryea, John 2
Duryea, Aaron 1
Eldert, Samuel 1
Eldert, Hendrick 1
Hendrickson, Bernardus.. . 5
Hendrickson, Hendrick ... 5
Hendrickson, Wm 1
Hoogland, Albert — three loads of timber ....
Johnson, Martin 5
Lefforts, Jacobus 1
Lefferts, Isaac Jr 5
£ s.
Lamberson, Waters 3
Lamberson, Bernardus 10
Lett, Hendrick 1
Snedeker Rem 1
Sprong, David 5
Suydam, Femetie 2
Totten, Joseph 5
Van Arsdale, Abraham 2
Van Brunt, Jost 3
Van Dam, Richard 5
Van Dyne, John 10
Van Lew, John 1
Van Lew, James . . 10
Van Lew, John 5
Van Nest, Rynier 5
Vandei'bilt, John 2
Williamson, John 10
Wyckoff, John -4
* On November 3, 1832, I became Principal of this academy, and retired from the situ/- ation of classical teacher in April, 18G5, with John N. Brinckerhoff. then Principal.
Jamaica, June 13, 177fi.
t To Capt. Abm. Ditmaes, Esq.: You are hereby required and commauded to meet with the company of militia of foot under your command, completely equipped according to. law, on Monday, 17th inst.. at 10 o'clock in the morniug, at the Green, at Beaver Pond, at Jamaica, in order to join the First Battalion of this county then and there to be mus- tered and exercised. Jkromus Remskn, Col.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 75
1792, Oct. 17. — It was decided to have the services in Church, half the time in English. Hitherto they had been wholly in Dutch, and hardly intelligible to the young. An English pulpit Bible had to be bought {£2, 14s.) and an English Psalm-book (6s.).* Simeon Marston (1798) and John Bremner, Jr. (1801) were in succession fore-singers in Eng- lish ; and Isaac Brinckerhoff from 1799 to 1805, and his son Hendrick, in Dutch, from 1806 to 1823. Their salaries varied from $2 to |8 per year. They at first sat in one end of the deacons' pew bj^ a high-raised book-board. They used a pitch-pipe and afterwards a tuningfork, on giving out the tuue. The bellringer was paid $4 a year.
CALL OF MR. COOPER.
1794, March 12. — At an extra meeting of Classis a call of the four combined congregations of Queens county, on Zacharias H. Kuypers (or Cooper, in English) was presented for approbation ; after reading which the Classis found it to be regular, approved the same and resolved that it might be put in the hands of the candidate. The members of Classis could not refrain from expressing their surprise at the small and inadequate sum (£150) mentioned in the call as the annual salary promised to their minister. They wish to im- press on the minds of the people the obligation of supporting the Gospel in a decent and honorable manner, and of ren- dering the annual incomes of their ministers proportional to the increased prices of the necessaries of life.
1794, April 29. — Rev. Z. H. Cooper, a candidate licensed by the Classis of Hackensack, having received a call from Queens county, applied for trial in order to his ordination. He produced a dismission and recommendation, and was admitted to trial. He gave a discourse from Galatians, v. i.;
* In 1788 Synod, with a view of introducing uniformity of English Psalmody in the Chui'ch, ordered a Psalm and Hymnbook to be compiled from Tate and Brady, Dr. Watts and a book used in the Collegiate Church, N. Y. This book with revisions and alterations to it in 1813, 1837 and l>v47, was used in Church till Easter Sunday, April 9. 1871, when the present Hymnal superseded it.
76 HISTORY OF THE
and the Classis proceeded to examine liim as to bis skill in the original languages of the Holy Scriptures, and his acquaintance with natural and revealed religion, in all which they obtained satisfaction, as well as of his own attachment to Divine truths, and agreed to admit him to ordination for the ministry.
Classis appointed the Rev. Messrs. Van Nest, Livingston, Lowe, Stryker and Jackson to attend at Success, on the second Sabbath of July, solemnly to set him apart for the sacred ministry, with such forms as are used in this Church. Dr. Livingston or Mr. Lowe to preach the ordination sermon.
ORDINATION OF MR. COOPER.
On Sunday, July 13, the Church at Success ( now Lake- ville), the largest in the county, was crowded to its utmost capacity by people eager to witness the novel and interest- ing ceremony. Those that could not get inside the Church took seats out of their wagons to stand upon, peering in and listening at the windows, if so be, they might hear or see something ■" The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston on a text from St. Matthew, xxviii : 18, 19, 20 — "And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, 'all power is given unto me, &c. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,' " &o.
DIVISIONS OF THE DISCOURSE.
First — The authority and ability with which the Redeemer is invested ; Second — The commission and work of the Apostles ; Third — A gracious promise of support and help. In the application he addressed the candidate who is to be ordained. First— Upon the work of the Ministry ; Second — Upon the encouragement and promises here given ; Third —
* That the ceremony of ordination might be seen of all the people, it was usual t» have a staging erected before the pulpit, and partlj- resting on the pews, whereon sat the ministers and candidate, who kneeled at the laying on of hands. This was so done at the- ordination of Rev. Henry Heermance, at Manhasset, September 20, 18 6. Sometimes ordination is perform.ed at the foot of the pulpit, and can be seen by a few only.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 77
Upon the duty of professing people, that they must learn, become disciples, attend the ordinances, keep the commands of Christ, (fee.
He then addressed the people on the duties they owe : first, to Christ; second, to themselves; and third, to their pastors. Next he addressed Van Nest, the colleague of the new pastor, the Consistory, the whole body of the people, and thus closed : " Now may it be Amen to you." Amen.'-"
1796, November 6. — The treasurer paid for cleaning the Church for the Communion, three shillings and nine pence; for three loaves of bread, three shillings ; for a gallon of wine, ten shillings.
VAN NEST LEAVES.
L797, June 8. — At an extra session of the Classis, Mr. Van Nest produced a call from the Church of Schoharie, and gave several important reasons for accepting it, with which the Classis were fully satisfied ; while they sincerely regret tlxe removal of a brother from their body, much endeared to them by his worth and usefulness. Mr. Van Nest attending on Synod could not get his regular dismission from his con- gregation. As soon as it may be obtained, the president is authorized to furnish him with ample recommendations and dismission from this Board. Mr. Cooper was now sole pas- tor of the four congregations.
1809, September 2. — The Classis find the congregations of Queens county have delayed for several years to call an additional minister. Resolved, That Mr. Kuypers and an elder from each of his congregations be notified by the clerk to attend at the next extra meeting of Classis (11th inst.) to explain why such delay has happened, and to receive such direction as Classis may think proper upon the subject. September 11. — Three of the elders appeared and told Classis that as soon as they could effect the sale of the par-
* As it was in harvest time. Dr. Livingstou improved the occasion and flattered the farmers by saying : " the harvest truly is great hut the laborers are few, &c.
20
78 HISTORY OF THE
sonage (which is the common property of the four congrega- tions) they would form other combinations and call another minister. Whereupon the Classis recommended to them to agree as soon as possible in the division of their common property, that the new combination may be formed, and they proceed to the call of another minister.
1801, September 1. — Elder John De Witt, from Newtown, informed Classis that at a late meeting of the Consistories of the four Churches of Queens county, it was resolved to appoint four commissioners to report to Classis the incon- venience of their present connection and request Classis to dissolve it, and unite Jamaica with Newtown, and Oyster- bay with Success, for the purpose of making separate calls in those new congregations. Only one commissioner was present, and the subject was postponed 'till next session. 1802, April 20. — John De Witt and Albert Hoogland appear before Classis and say they were last year appcunted by the united Consistories of Jamaica, Newtown, Success and Oysterbay, with Abm. Monfort and Daniel Bogart to request Classis to dissolve the combination of those Churches and unite Jamaica and Newtown into one, to enable them to call a separate minister. Classis enquired of Mr. Cooper who assented to the statement as true, and that Success and Oysterbay had no objection. Though Cogart and Monfort were absent, it must be from some other cause. Classis grant the request and hope the two other Churches will do the same ; but not to interfere with their present engagement to Mr. Cooper.* A call from Jamaica and Newtown on the candidate, Jacob Schoonmaker was presented and approved. September 14, Mr. Schoonmaker preached before Classis from I Peter, i : 9. He tvas then examined in the original languages of the Old and New Testaments, on didactic and polemic theology. Agreed that he be ordained in Newtown, on the fourth Sabbath of October, and that Rev'ds G. A. Kuypers, P. Lowe, John F. Jackson and Z. H. Kuypers with
* Classis ordered that preaching on the Heidelberg Catechism be recommenced iu Queens county, that the children be catechised and families visited.
80
HISTORY OF THE
Eeformed Dutch Churches of Jamaica and Newtown, seven acres of hind for a parsonage, bounded north-east by Monson Hoyt, south by John Mottley (both lands late of Edward Bardin), south-west by Isaac Clason and north by the Ferry road. — Queens county records, X., p. 162.
1805, March 4. — We, the subscribers promise to pay the sums annexed to our names, for buying a parsonage for the minister who now and henceforth may serve the Dutch congregations of Jamaica and Newtown.
Kem Snedeker. , 10
Hendrick S. Lott, 8
Isaac Lefferts 8
John Wyckoff. 8
Barnet Bennett 8
Stephen Lott. 10
Hend'k Emans 6
Johannes S. Lott, . 6
Stephen Lott, Jr 5
Barnet V. Suydam 6
Abm. Snedeker 1
John Williamson 4
Abm. Lott 2
Jost V. Brunt 2
Hend'k Hendrickson. 20
Eem Remsen 4
10
12
£.
Isaac Brinckerhoff. ... 6
Albert Hoogland 10
Isaac Hendrickson 10
Albert Snedeker 5
Mary Monfort 2
Aletta Monfort 1
David Sprong 2
Aaron Duryea 1
Jacob Conk lin 4
Jacobus Ryder
Nicholas Ryder
Paul Duryea
Rulef Duryea
Garret Snedeker
Douwe Duryea
Garret Van Wicklen
10
10
The other subscription papers are lost. 1810, October 31.— List of Pewholders
No. Pew.
1 Rem Snedeker. Rulef Duryea. 4 Johannes S. Lott. 6 Abm. Rapelye. 8 Hendrick S. Lott. 13
14 Rem Snedeker.
15 Jacobus Ryder.
16 Michael Golder.
17 Jos. Hendrickson.
18 Aletta Monfort.
19 John Duryea.
22 Daniel Hitchcock.
No. Pew.
25 Jas. Hendrickson.
26 Tunis Van Brunt.
27 Abm. Hendrickson.
28 Hendrick Hendrickson.
29 Rem Snedeker.
30 Isaac Brinckerhoff.
31 Albert Hoogland, sold to Crin-
yonce Sutphin.
32 Johannes Lott, Jr.
33 John and Bernardus Bennet.
35 Jas. L. Rapelye.
36 Aaron Duryea.
37 Stephen Lott.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 81
No. Pew.
55 St. Lott.
57 Wm. Hendrickson, Jr.
59 Hendrick Suydam.
No. Pew.
38 Isaac Hendrickson.
39 Wm. Totteu.
40 Stephen Lott.
42 Johannes H. Eldert. 60 John Duryea.
43 John D. Suydam, deceased. 61 Aaron Duryea.
44 Minister's pew. 62 John V. Nostrand.
51 Abm. Snedeker, sold to Wilhel- , 68 Rev. Jacob Schoonraaker.
mus Stoolhoff. 69 Bernardus Lamberson.
53 Isaac and Abra. B. Selover. 70 Albert Hoogland.
54 Johannes S. Lott, sold to Luke 71 Wm. Rhodes and Fred. Smith.
Covert. 72 Johannes Wycoif.
1812, August 26. — Chosen trustees of the Church : Rem Snedeker, Aaron Durjea, John I. Duryea, Abm. Hendrickson.
The whole expense of painting and repairing the Church was X290, 3s., lOd., which was paid in 1815.
£ s. d.
Jacob Sherred's* bills 172 4 3
David Lamberson 1 10 11
John Dunn 11 8
Stephen Hicks 1 8
Gold leaf 2 9
Wright & Herriman 17 1 8
Wyckoff & Van Dine = 10 8
Isaac Peck, joist and planks 9 17
Wm. Sales, " 1 3
Parcel's bill 14 9 4
Mr. Baruum 27 4
Wm. Hendrickson, for scaffolding steeple. 10
Jonathan Jones 8 6
Crinyonce Sutphin's bill .... 18 18 6
11 1
£290 3 10
1813, June 7. — John Rider, carpenter, laid the corner- stone, of the Presbyterian church. While it was building the congregation met for worship in the Reformed Dutch Church.
1814, August 3. — The British being expected to attack New York, a part of the Militia of Queens county was ordered to Brooklyn, and the farmers were invited to cart
* Sherred, a painter aud glazier of New York, left a legacy of $60,000, by which "Sher- red Hall" was built. 21
FTKST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 79
Elders Chas. Duryea, Robert Manley, Isaac Mead and David Waldron be a committee to attend to it. Lowe to preach the ordination sermon in English, and Jackson to preside.
At his first coming, Mr. Schoonmaker being unmarried, boarded at Mr. Saedeker's, Mr. Lott's and Mr. Conklin's. Haviog married Catharine Ludlow he occupied the parson- age, now owned by Jos. P. Disbrow.
1802, May 20. — Builders of the Church chosen, viz : Hen- drick Hendricksou, Jost Van Brunt, Stephen Lott, Isaac Hendrickson.
1801, April 17. — The first record is made of a contribution ($2.50) to the Missionary Society.*
1801, March 31. — An act passed the Legislature for the sale by auction of the parsonage. Half the proceeds to be paid to the congregations of Oysterbay and Success to buy another for themselves, and the other half to Jamaica and Newtown. The advertisement of sale was published six weeks in a Brooklyn Newspaper. The commissioners to sell it were Abm. P.)lhemus, Jr., of Newtown, Abm. Ditmars, of Jamaica, Abm. Scheuck, of Great Neck, and Jacob Van Wicklen, of 0\sterbay. The parsonage (now belonging to Aaron A. Degrauw) was sold, May 6, 1801, to Zebediah and Dorothy Story, for $2,277.50. Deed signed by Abm. (and Charity) Polhemus, heir of Abm. Polhemus, one of the orig- inal purchasers. — Queens conniy records, 0., p. 192.
A PARSONAGE BOUGHT.
1805, April 13.— Isaac Clason, an India merchant of New York, for $3,000 sold to Albert Hoogland,t Johannes S. Lott, Johannes Dewitt and Hem Hegeman, as trustees of the
♦Probably there were many collections taken up in Church for charitable purposes, of which no record was made. In 1751 the new Church at Kakiat, or New Hempstead, built by Dutch emigrants from Queens county, applied to their mother Church for aid ; and iu 17."i.5, .£2, 10s. was given as an alms to Kakiat or Tappan.
t 1792, Feb. 6.— Albert Hoogland, Flushing, offers for sale cheap, for no fault but only for want of employ, a negro wench, aged thirty, who understands all kinds of country house-work, with her two children, a girl aged eighteen, and a boy aged six.— /AiiVy Adoertiser.
82
HISTORY OF THE
timber for the constraction of Fort Greene. There were one hiinclred and twenty loads of fascines, (twenty-five bundles each) brought from Jamaica to Brooklyn. The Rev. Jacob Schoonmaker headed the procession, Mr. Eigenbrodt and the pupils of the Academy assisted the people in cutting the fascines.
1814, September 7. — There are one thousand two hundred of General Johnson's brigade of infantry, from Kings and Queens counties, now encamped on Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The Jamaica Militia marched to Brooklyn September 2.
1811. — Statistics of the Churches of Queens county :
Jamaica 107 families, 56 communicants,
Newtown ' 79 " 76 "
Success, 54 " 49
Oysterbay 66 " 50
THE CHUKCH KEPAIRED.
1815. — The expense of painting and repairing the church was .£290, 3s., lOd., which was paid by the trustees elected August 26, 1812, viz.: Rem Snedeker, Aaron Duryea, John I. Duryea, Abm. Hendrickson, and assessed on the pews as follows :
1 Albert Hoogland $10 50
2 Garret Dorland , 3 00
Paul Duryea 6 00
3 Williamson Ryder 3 75
Garret Dorland 3 75
4 Albert Snedeker 4 50
5 Nelly Lott 9 GO
6 Rem Remsen. 6 OO
7 John Bennett 6 00
8 Jacobus Lott 6 00
9 Hend'k S. Lott. 6 00
10 Abm. V. Arsdalen 0 00
11 Ruth Golder 6 00
12 Bernardus Bennet 6 00
13 Nicholas Williamson. $ 6 00
15 Hend'k S. Lott 3 00
16 Rem Snedeker 6 00
17 Nicholas Ryder 7 50
18 Michael Golder 7 50
20 Aletta Monfort. 7 50
21 John I. Duryea 7 50
22 John D. Ditmis ... 7 50
23 Abm. Ditmnrs 7 50
24 Dr. Daniel Hitchcock 7 50
25 Bernardus Lamberson 7 50
26 Tunis Van Brunt* 7 50
27 Barnet Bennett 7 50
28 Jas. Hendrickson 7 50
* John Eider and Luke Cavert received, May 29, 1821. of Jas. Foster $33, for pew No. 26,
that did belong to Tunis Van Brunt's estate.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH.
83
29 Isaac and John Amberman. $7 50
30 Abm. Hendrickson 7 50
31 Hend'k Hendrickson 7 50
32 Rem Snedeker 7 50
33 Hendrick Brinckerhoff . . 7 50
34 Crinyonce Zutplien, 7 50
35 Johannes Lott* 7 50
36 John Bennett 7 50
37 Joshua Mills 7 50
38 Jas. L. Rapelyet 7 50
39 Aaron Duryea 7 50
40 Stephen Lott 7 50
41 A bra. I. Hendrickson .... 7 50
42 Wm. Totten 7 50
43 Stephen Lott, 7 50
44 Isaac and Jas. Lefferts ... 7 50
45 Johannes H. Eldert ..... 7 50
46 Hendrick S. Lott and Bar- 7 50
net V. Suydam 7 50
47 James Van Siclen and
Cor's Eldert 7 50
48 Eev. Jacob Schoonmaker.
49 Tunis Covert and Catha-
rine Covert 7 50
50 Hend'k Emans 7 50
51 Garret, Tunie, Evert, Der-
rick and John V. Wick-
len $ 7 50
52 John Wj^ckoff 7 50
53 Phebe Johnson 9 00
54 Derick Amberman 4 50
John Hegeman 3 00
55 Abm. Snedeker 7 50
57 Isaac and Abm. B. Selover 7 50
58 Lucas Coevert 3 00
59 John Wyckoff 4 50
60 Stephen Lott 6 00
61 Aury Eemsen 6 00
62 Wm. Hendrickson, Jr ... 6 00
63 Abm. Lott 6 00
64 Rem. Suydam 3 00
Abm. Hegeman 3 00
65 Wm. Willis 6 00
66 Aaron Duryea 6 00
67 David Springsteen 6 00
68 Isaac and Jas. Lefferts ... 9 00
69 Wm. Stoothoff 4 50
70 Ann Bergen 7 50
71 Rem Nostrant andNath'l
Nostrant 6 00
72 Nicholas Wyckoff. 10 50
MONEY PAID OUT.
£ s.
1787, Jan. 8. — Given to a stranger 12
1788, June 14.— Abm. Probasco (carpenter ?) 4 13
1791, Jan. 24,— " " " 3 7
" " — Isaac Rikeman 4
Dec. 21 — Abm Probasco 17
1794, May 19 — For expenses of Domine Cooper 3 15
Aug. 19 — Cost of Mr. Cooper's procurance 3 17
1795, Ap'l 21.— Gave the fore-singer and bell-ringer 3 0
1798, May 1. — Simeon Marston, fore-singer in English 3 4
" Oct. 27. — Wra. P Kuypers, one Sunday's preaching 1 12
" " — Received in exchange for the old coppers 7
1799, May 1, — John Amberman, bell-ringer, one year 1 12
" " — Isaac Brinckerhoff, Dutch fore-singer 2 8
* 176.5, February 22.— Jolianues and Petrus Lott offer for sale the farm of Hendrick Lott. deceased, three miles west of Jamaica, on the road to the Ferry. It has a house, barn, orchard, stone well, a watering place for cattle and one hundred and fifty acres of land.
t Sold, October 29, 1825, to Nicholas Williamson and John Van Brunt.
84
HISTORY OF THE
1800, Ap'l 27. — Phillip H. Durj-ea, proponent, or candidate 2
1802, Jan. 3. — Sundaj^ — Isaac Van Doren, preaching 2
" Feb. 17. — "Wednesday, and March 28, Sunday, Jacob
Schoonmaker, preaching 4
" Ap'l 19.— Mr. Cooper, for writing Schoonmaker's call 16
" May 24.— Stephen Lott, for repairing the Church ,50
1804, May 1, — John Bremner, Jr., English singer 4 4
1805, May 14, and 1806, June 13 (Fridays).— Rev. Van Nest 2
1808, May 20.— To the worthy Domine Van Nest 2
1809, Sep. 21. — Cor's R. Duryea, for leveling the road by the
Church 6
1810, Feb. 27. — John D. Ditmis, for moving fence 1 15
1810, Mar. 7. — Hendrick Hendrickson, posts and rails for par- sonage 15
1812, Jan. 1.— For cleaning the Church 3
1819, July 6. — Money taken out of the alms-chest, for Jack ; 14 lbs. rye flour 3s. ; quart of molasses Is. ; 1 lb. butter 2s. ; loaf of bread Is. ; load of walnut wood £1, 48 Ill
STATE OF CHURCHES IIN QUEENS COUNTY, 1813.
Families. 51
Success
Oysterbay • 61
Newtown 80
Jamaica 107
Communicants. Total,
61 261
50 315
67 450
56 550
The salary of both pastors was made np by voluntary subscriptions. The Deacons went around to each house and collected in their respective districts. Most of these lists have been lost. We give one as a specimen of the rest.
March, 1816 — Half year's salary for Schoonmaker and and Kuypers, jointly :
£
Isaac and Jas. Lefferts 1
Rem Snedeker 1
Johannes Wyckoff 1
Widow Mary Bennet
Baniet Bennet 1
Phebe Suydam
Bamet V. Suydam
Hendrick S. Lott 1
Stephen Lott, Sr 1
Peter Lott
George Lott
Nicholas Lott
Johannes H. Eldert. Hendrick Emmons..
Luke Emmons
James L. Rapelye. ,
Jacobus Ryder
Henry PuUis
6
4 12 8 6 4
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH.
85
£ s.
Wm. Bennett (1809) 1 3
Johannes S. Lott (1809) 1 5
Widow Nelly Lott 1 6
Garret Van Wlcklen 8
Abm. Snedeker ...... 4
Evert and -John V. Wicklen 4
Wm. Raymond 4
Stephen H. Lott 6
Paul Duryea 6
Abm. Duryea 2
Abm. Hegeman 8
St. W. Williamson 4
|
Williamson Ryder |
6 |
|
Theodorus Snedeker |
4 |
|
James Cortelyou |
10 |
|
Wm. Van Dine |
Ifi |
|
Wilhelmus Stoothoof |
16 |
|
John Remsea |
2 |
|
Peter Williamson (1817). . . . |
4 |
|
Widow Cornelia Eldert(1809) |
8 |
|
Widow Ida Stryker (1809) . . |
8 |
|
Dow D. Duryea (1809) |
4 |
|
Rulef Duryea (1809) |
12 |
|
Richolas Ryder . . |
14 |
1815, May 17. — Bernardus Lamberson, Nicholas Ryder, Hendrick Brinckerboff and Baruet Y. Siiydam, account to Jas. Hendricksou and Jas. Van Siclen and find £59, 19s. in the chest.
1818, October 11. — Domine Froeligh preached at New- town.
Received from the Jamaica Consistory, forty-five pounds, the full sum of a half year's salary, ending November 1, 1804; as witness my hand this second of November, 1804.
Jacob Schoonmakek, V. D. M.
Received from the Consistory of Jamaica, the sum of fifteen pounds in full, being my half year's salary.
Zach. H. Kuypebs. Jamaica, April 21, 1818.
1819, August 12. — Thursday was a Fast day on account of the drought.
182]. — An auxiliary to the United Foreign Missionary Society was organized in the Eeformed Dutch Church on the evening of January 1, Its object was to civilize and evangelize our western Indians. 150 members were ob- tained. The officers from the Dutch congregation were : Eev. Jacob Schoon maker, President ; John Bennet, Vice- President ; Managers, Abm. and James Hendricksou, Johan- nes Lott.
1820, May 27. -John Bennet, and Johannes H. Eldert, Aury Eemsen Jr. and George Johnson account to John
22
86 HISTORY OF THE
Bergen, and Wilhelmus Stoothoff, aad find $129.62 ia the chest.
STATE OF RELIGION AS REPORTED TO CLASSIS.
1827, April 11. — In two sections of tlie congregation of Jamaica, tliere appears a considerable religious excitement, and an earnest seeking of the Lord. Their pastor, Rev. Jacob Schoonmaker, who has labored among them for nearly twenty-six years, feels his heart greatly encour- aged and his hands strengthened. For some time back prayer-meetings and lectures in the week have been thronged, and a good number seem deeply affected. The last Sabbath when the Lord's Supper was admin- istered the assembly was unusually large and solemn. Many appeared to be under great exercises of mind ; many tears of joy and of Godly sorrow were shed ; and there was an addition of ten members, making in the whole twenty-six, who have been admitted to the Church within a year. Not only have new subjects been awakened, but aged professors have experienced a new impulse in the Divine life, have had their strength renewed, and taken an active part in devotional exercises at prayer meetings."
1825, Easter, April 3. — A dreadful storm, deep snow, cold.
1825. — Simeon Marston, on the morning of April 12, fell down his well, accidentally, and instantly expired.
INCORPORATION.
1827, June 9. — The minister Jacob Schoonmaker, Hend'k S. Lott, Jas. Van Siclen, Jas. Hendrickson and John Ber- gen, elders ; Abiu. I. Hendrickson, Abrn. Hegeman, John A. Ditmars and John I. Bennet, deacons, of the Reformed Dutch Church, of Jamaica, do declare that we have this day assembled in our Church and do hereby certify that we and our successors in office (according to Act of Legislature of April 5, 1813) shall be known by the name of "The First Reformed Dutch Church of Jamaica." — Queens County Records, W., p. 165.
PARSONAGE SOLD TO THE PASTOR.
1828, May 16.— For $2,500, Francis Duryea, President, and Abm. Remsen, Clerk, of the Consistory of Newtown ;
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 87
and Jas. Hendrickson, President, and John A, Ditmars, Clerk of the Consistory of Jamaica conveyed seven acres of hind, being the parsonage, to Rev. Jacob Schoonmaker.* — Queens County Records, X., p. 162.
1829, October 6.— The Church at Success (having twelve to twenty families) was disbanded by Chassis. The members residing at Hinsdale and Foster's Meadows joined the Church at Jamaica.
1829. — General Synod unanimously appointed Thursday, January 22, as a day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, on account of the sin of intemperance ; and earnestly advise a total abstinence from the use of ardent spirits, except as a medicine. Ministers are requested, by example and pre- cept, to promote the cause of temperance by the formation of societies, or other measures adapted to that end.
1829, June. — " A goodly number have been received in full communion, and considerable seriousness and seeking of God prevails."
1831, July 15. — Timothy Rhodes and George I. Lott ac- counted to Theodorus Snedeker and John Simonson, and found in the chest $189.74. 1832, June 16,— They accounted to Luke Covert and John I Benuet, and found in the chest $6.26.
1831, September 25— Dr. Schoonmaker preached for the last time in the old Church at Newtown, which was taken down October 4, and the new Church dedicated, July 29, 1832.
1832. — -Thursday, July 26, was set apart by the Reformed Dutch and Episcopal Churches of Jamaica and Newtown, as a Fast day on account of the cholera in New York.
1832, August 23. — Money and clothing to the amount of $150 was sent to the sufferers by cholera in New York, from the Dutch Reformed and Presbyterian Churches of Jamaica,
* Mr. S-liooamaker gave a mortgage for $2 500, to be without interest as long as he was pastor of the two congregations. When the Classis released him from Newtown, in
1850, that Consistory released to him their part of the mortgage. After his death, in
1851, his executors paid $1,250 to the Jamaica Consistory.
88 HISTORY OF THE
Whole yearly expenses of the church : 1829, $28.G2 ; 1830, $44,84 ; 1831, $31.46; 1832, $38.32; 1835, $75.94; 1837, S75.60.
BIOGKAPHY.
Zacharias Hoffman Kuvpers ( or Cooper ) was born at Rhinebeck, February 19, 1771, and died, unmarried, October 4, 1850. His father, Warmoldus, came from Holland to Curacoa and thence (about 1769) to New York. He had five sons, Elias, Gerardus, Zacharias, William and Peter, all ministers except Peter. Elias became an Episcopalian. Zacharias was probably educated at Hackensack Academy by Peter Wilson. It was intended he should reside in the eastern part of the county, but he preferred Jamaica, and at one time boarded with John Williamson.* He was fond of his pipe and entertained children with witch stories. From 1797 to 1802 he was sole pastor of the four churches. When visiting the distant churches he usually set out from home with horse and sulkey on Friday or Saturday, and returned on Monday or Tuesday. On these occasions he availed himself of the hospitality of the people, and also made pas- toral visits. He was of a mild temper, unsuspicious, and lacked energy and worldly wisdom. He bought a farm at Jamaica which involved him in difficulties, and the Sheriff levied on his effects. In the pulpit he gave good sermons — his enemies said they were his father's. They were com- mitted to memory and his mind, absorbed in recalling the words, was not enough at leisure to give emphasis to them, so that his delivery was monotonous and mechanical. To
* On April 17, 1810, Classis took notice of the low state of religion in IVIr. Cooper's con- • gregations at Wolver Hollow and Success. The people complained that the pastor did not catechise and make family and religious visitations, and only i^reached once a month. On hearing both parties {for one denied what the other aflirmed) Classis censured both pastor and people. — Minutes ofClasnis, p. 205- 30.
1821, December 27. — At an extra session of Classis at Jamaica, charges were made against Mr. Kuypers : First— That he is not a man of veracity ; Second — Not honest in his dealings. The witnesses were Timothy Nostrand, Eliphalet Wickes and John Bergen. After hearing the evidence, Classi.i vote that the chirges are not substantiated, because : First— Not brought forward within the time prescribed by the Constitution ; Second — Not established by the mouth of two or tliree witnesses to the same fact.
Cooper was dismissed from Newtown Aprils, 1822; from Jamaica and Oysterbay, April 13, 1821 ; from Success, April 12, 1825, and went to New Jersey.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 89
prevent distraction of mind he fixed his eyes on some dis- tant object and allowed his arms to hang down bj his sides and thus stood almost motionless. In politics lie was a Federalist and had he acted in the Revolution would have been a Torj. On one occasion, just before the war of 1812 he brought his politics into the pulpit and uttered his sen- timents on public afi'airs. Once, at Wolver Hollow, in wind- ing up his discourse he exclaimed " our blessed Federal Government." This was too much for the hot-headed Re- publicans to bear ; and one or two rose from their seats and left the Church. He was a great stickler for old usages and was opposed to Hopkinsianisra and all innovations. He used to saj : " if we begin to reform, where shall we stop ?" He spent his last days with a relative in New York.
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
The precise date of starting the Sunday school is not known. John Simonson with Miss Phebe Covert and others were the first teachers. The school was held in the old octagon church.
The minute book begins July 10, 1831, with prayer by Rev. John Mulligan, Principal of Union Hall Academy, with 7 male and 7 female teachers, 28 male and 22 female schol- ars ; and closed with singing.
School was opened with prayer by the following among other persons :
1831, July 17, by Elder Jas. Hendrickson. " July 24, by Rev. Mr. Schoonmaker.* " July 31, by Rev. Mr. Mulligan. " Aug. 7, by Rev. R. C. Sbimeall. " Aug. 14, by Mr. John Amberman. " Aug. 21, by Rev. Mr. Schoonmaker. " Aug. 28, by Mr. Richard L. Schoonmaker. " Oct. 9, by Mr. Jeremiah Fowler. " Dec. 4, Reading by Mr. Cornelius Amberman.
* Dec. 25, 1831, the Pastor visited the school and examined the classes ; and again on Feb. 19, 1832.
90 HISTORY OF THE
1832, Jan. 15, Prayer by Mr. Isaac Siinonson.
1833, Ap. 7, " by Mr. Johannes Lott. 1833, Sep. 21, " by Mr. Elkanah Bartow.
Isaac Siraonson seems to have become Superintendent, Dec. 16, 1832, when there were 7 teachers and 27 scholars in attendance, and 10 teachers and 86 scbohirs absent. Among other books Hellenbroek's Catechism was used. Simonson ended his services, Dec. 29, 1833, with 6 teachers and 15 scholars present. There are no further minutes of the school 'till June 15, 1834, when Henry Ooderdonk, Jr. acted as superintendent with 8 teachers and 34 scholars present. The school was held Sunday mornings before ser- vice, in the basement of the new church ; and the old octagon pulpit was removed and put up there. Aug. 3, 1834. — Dr. Schoonmaker addressed the scholars on the importance of religion and piety, hoped they would refrain from swearing and Sabbath-breaking. Oct. 5, 1834. — Mr. O. left, when there were 12 teachers and 57 scholars present and 6 teach- ers and 38 scholars absent.
MONEY PAID OUT.
1819, April 11.— Black Tom, for ringing the b«ll $ 3 00
1821, Mar. i. —Wood, $3 ; Tom, for cutting it up, .62* 3 62
" June 23. — Expense of Classis at Jamaica 6 30
" July 8, Sunday. — Rev. P. H. Duryea, sermon 1 75
" Dec. 12. — Abm. Hendrickson, load of wood 2 50
1822, Jan. 15. — Expense of Classis at Jamaica 12 50
" April 26. — Expenses of Synod and Classis 3 00
" June 15. — Expenses of the parsonage 27 36
" Nov. 17. — VVm. Puutine, 2 elbows for the stove 1 75
" " 30. — Abm. Hendrickson, load of wood and cutting it. . . 3 50
1824, May 10.— John Bennet, singing H 00
" Oct. 21:. — Tom, for sanding the walk 38
" — Fixing stove-pipe, and a ladder for the church. . . 3 71
1825, May 3. — Tom, for scouring the collection plates 25
" " — A necessary house 20 25
" " — li gallons wine 1 50
1826, April 17.— Wra. Smith, sand for tiie ciiurch. 05
1827, April, — 1| bushels sand 23
' ' June 30. — John Bergen, for a record book 2 25
* In the winter of 1820-1, as I suppose, a stove was first set up in the church.
'=^
REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH, JAMAICA,
Standing near the site of the first one. Corner stone laid July 4th, 1832; con- sumed by fire Nov. lilth, 1857.
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 91
1827, Nov. —Supplies to Domine Schoonmaker $ 4 50
" — Jas. Hendrickson, for a seal 4 50
—Paid Mr. Van Hook for his labor 100
1829, Contribution to the Missionai-y Society of R. D. Church 14 22
1830, Contribution to the Missionary Society of R. D. Church. . . . 10 00 1834, May 5 and June 8. — Rev. G. J. Garretson, preaching 10 00
" " 12. — Schoonmaker's expenses in exchanging with Gar- retson 4 00
" Aug. 1. — John Rhodes, for making rings and staples 1 00
" Dec. 10. — Richard Brush, for wood and coal 12 66
1836, Nov. 26.— Broom, 1 lb. candles and sand in the church 58
1837, April 8.— A broom, 1| bushels of sand 69
1839, Oct. 15. — George Crane, sexton 15 00
" Dec. 9. — Isaac Si'nonson, making a bier 10 00
" " 15. — Justus Noll, making a pall 2 00
1840, Feb. 6. —Squire Thos. Bradlee, singing 10 00
1841, Jan. 2C.—Brush & Phraner, for candles 33
Mar. 3-28 — " " oil and candles 143
1842, Feb. 14.— Geo. Crane, for pine wood 4 00
" Feb. 8. — Thos. Bradlee, repairing in.strument. 1 50
" April — 1 lb. candles 15
" Aug. 17. — Rev. J. Schoonmaker, for a church book 75
Dec. 30. — Geo. Crane, for oil and wicks 1 12^
1843, May 21. — Geo. Crane, sawing cord nut wood 1 00
1846, May 23.— J. A. Herriman, for carpet got in 1841 4 00
1847, May 13. — Elias B. Hendrickson, sexton one year. 35 00
" May 5. — Thos. Bradlee, chorister one year 30 00
1832. — Notice. — We are requested to mention that the annual Fair of the "Fragment Society" of the R. D. Church, will take place April 9, at one o'clock in the afternoon, and continue in the evening, at the hotel of John Hunter. — L. I. Farmer.
NOTICE TO BUILDERS.
1832, Mar. 20. — Sealed proposals for building by contract, the ensuing summer, in the town of Jamaica, a frame church, 82 feet in length and 62 feet in width, will be received by the Trustees of the First Reformed Dutch Church of Jamaica. Plan and specifications of the building may be known by applying to Mr. Crineyonce Sutphin, Jamaica, to whom proposals must he handed, on or before the 1st day of May ensuing. — L. I. Farmer, Ap. 5.
CORNER STONE.
1832. — On Wednesday, July 4th, the corner stone of a new Reformed Dutch Church was laid. The ceremony was attended by a very large con- course of people, who were addressed in a very appropriate manner by Dr.
92 HISTOKY OF THE
J. Janeway, of N. Y., and Dr. Jacob Schoonmaker, the pastor of the church. The ceremony of laying the corner stone was performed by Dr. Janeway, the introductory prayer was offered by the Rev. Eli Bald- win, D. D., and the concluding prayer by the Rev. Dr. Westbrook, both of N. Y. The age of the old church, which has been standing 117 years, and the growth of the congregation, render it necessary to erect a new building. The change will, however, no doubt occasion some regret, inasmuch as it will deprive our village of one of its most venerable and striking features. — L. I. Farmer.
CONTENTS OF THE CORNER STONE.
Besides the historical sketch, or memoranda of the church in the hand-writing of Dr. Schoonmaker, there were several numbers of the Christian Intelligencer, a copy of the Consti- tution of the Reformed Dutch Sunday School Union, a por- trait of Rev. Dr. Livingston, a copy of the Hellenbroek Catechism, and a copy of the Long Island Farmer.
MEMORANDA
Of the First Reformed Dutch Church of Jamaica, (Long Island), made
the 4th day of July, A. D., 1832, when the corner stone of the new or
second Dutch Church was laid, viz :
The First Reformed Dutch Church, in the town of Jamaica, Long Island, was built in the years 1715 and 1716, and cost about 360 pounds or 900 dollars.
The first Trustees or Church Wardens were John Snedeker, George Remsen, Peter Monfort and Rem Remsen.
The Ministers and the time of their settlement in said Church as Pastors were :
Rev'd John Henry Goetschius in the year 1741.
Rev'd Thomas Romeyn, " " 1752.
Rev'd Hermanus L. Boelen " " 1766.
Rev'd Solomon Froeligh, " " 1775.
Rev'd Rynier Van Nest, " " 1785.
Rev'd Zacharias H. Kuypers, " " 1794.
Rev'd Jacob Schoonmaker, " " 1802.
The first named minister who was the first settled Pastor of this Church, was the grandfather of the last by his mother's side.
The present or second Dutch Church was built in the year of our Lord, 1832.
The Cornerstone was laid on the 4th of July, 1832, by the Rev'd Jacob J. Janeway, D. D., who also delivered an eloquent address on the occa- sion. The Minister or Pastor is the Rev'd Jacob Schoonmaker, D. D.,
FIRST REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 93
who also delivered an appropriate address on the occasion. The Elders and Deacons, being the Trustees, at present in office, are James Hen- drickson, Nicholas Ryder, Timothy Rhodes and George Johnson, Elders ; Luke Covert, John I. Beunet, Abm. Hegemau, Albert Amberman, Deacons.
The Building Committee are Nicholas WyckoiT, Nicholas Williamson, Abm. Bergen, Crineyonce Sutphin, John Van Nostrand, James Van Siclen, Isaac Hendrickson and James Bogart.
The Committee to superintend the building of the Church are James Hendrickson, George Johnson and Crineyonce Sutphin.
The Builders are Charles Fosdick, Jeremiah Fowler, carpenters ; and Gasper Phraner, mason ; with whom the Trustees have convenanted to build the Church for the sum of 8,430 dollars; the builders to find all the materials and do all the work complete, and the congregatiorPto cart all the materials.
The building is to be completed on or before the 15th day of Jan- uary, 1833.
Jamaica, July -ith, 1832.
Jacob Schoonmakee, Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Churches of Jamaica and Newtown, Long Lsland. Soli Deo Gloria.
1833, Jan. 7, was a day of Fasting and