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II I S 'i' () I M
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n|- TliK
COUNTY OF llll)>u.\.
NKW .Ii:i{SKV,
FROM ITS EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESEST TIME
Bv CHARLES H. WIXFIKLD.
C0trN3ELLOR-AT I..V\V, AITICOU OP " IIISTilKV l)F THE I.AXP TITLE* IM III DHJv
"Ask now of the dnys that arc p»»t."— /WW*.
•Forsan ct hxc oUm ine.iiiaisse juvabit."— H/vW.
" 'Gainst the tooth of time
And razure of oblivion."— ^<i*««/>"'"'.
NEW VOKK
KKX.NAIU) A: HAY STATIDNKKY MKO AND IT.
No. 89 LiBEUTY Street.
THE KBW^Oftk
PUBLIC UBRAlKs?
284883H
I3UMM twHuaiwa
B nil *b
{
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by
CHARLEkS H. WINFIELD,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
1 M M-: i^' xV C K
In the suinmer of 1809, wliik> the author was in\ ;iij:
the title to the land now owned by the X:itit>iml Stoni^u i «iin«
pail}', near Coniniuni})aw, lu- liad occasion to cxaMiitie 80ino olil
records. These awakened an interest in the i)ast <»t' tiiis vicinity,
which has increased with the subsequent }*ear3 of research and
toil. The following pages are the result. Whatever may be il«
imperfections, the candid reader may safely credit the author
with considerable " work and labor done and jK'rfornjed," a» the
lawyers say, and an honest endeavor truthfully and impartiiilly
to reproduce the past and perpetuate the present, for the pleji.">nre
or profit of the future.
Not a statement has been made without authority for its jiwti-
tication ; not a fact which could throw light upon or add i:
to whatever has happe?ied within the County has becti oniittt-d,
so far as the same came to his knowledge.
The records at Albany, Trenton, Uackeiisack, AmUn- ami
New York, besides many books, i)ai)er3 and private niatuwripl*,
have been consulted. These have been depended on in prefer-
ence to memories a[)proaching the '' forgetfulnes^s of all thin|r».^
The County was no inconsiderable part of New Nethcrland, and
its history is contemporary and its government one with New
Amsterdam. This suggested the starting iM>int for investiga-
tion. It has been carried from that point until the present time.
There cannot be much doubt but many interesting facta have
44X 10
IV PKEFACE.
escaped discovery; yet, it is believed, somewhat has been found
and recorded new and interesting to the reader.
As, until a few years ago, the residents in the County were
mostly comprised in a few families, the genealogies of these
families ai'e here inserted. In their preparation much assistance
has been obtained from the records of the old churches. These
in that early day were kept in a manner which should make the
keepers of modern church records ashamed of their carelessness.
The sketches of some of the churches would have been more
complete, had not persons who might be supposed to be inter-
ested therein been quite so indifferent.
To those who have by their subscriptions encouraged the au-
thor to publish this work he is profoundly grateful, and trusts
they may have no cause to regret their part in its publication.
C. H. W.
Jersey Crrr, Fehr\iary^ 1S74.
TABLE OF CON'I'KN'l-r
CHAl'TKIt I.— l(!n!t-H;:{S.
Claims of the onrly discovertrs— Arrival «>f Henry Umlson— Tin- ..bj.rt -.f hJn
expfdition— Discovery of Xt'wiirk Hny — Its hcvithI name's — Attarki-d by
the Indians — Names of Hudfon's river — He anrliont in Wi'i'linwkfn C'ovp
— Description of the country— The Dutch West India Cnniimny chart^Tinl
— Plans of the Company to settle tlie country — Michael Pauw |>iirrhnji>*ii
of the natives, Hoboken, Ahasimus, Aressick and Sfaten Islaml - Nain«ii
the colonic Pavonia — First settlement in the County— Arrival of Fiout—
Arrival of Van Voorst — Feast at his house in Ahasimiis — Contewt be-
tween Pauw and the directors — He sells Pnvonia, - - - 1 2-'»
CHAPTER II.— l(j:3S-l(!4ti.
Arrival of Kieft — Settlement in the County — DitFicuItips with the Indians —
Murder of Smitz — The people assemble — The twelve chosen — Van Vomt
killed by an Indian Chief — Tht; river Indians tlee to Manhattan — Tlienco
to Pavonia — Description of the settlements in the County — The Iniiiann
enciunp near Communipaw — Kieft orders their destruction — Af ' i'»d
slain by the Dutch — Communipaw Massacre — Terrible reventf ia
a desolation — Treaty of Peace — Savages again on the W'ar|)ath— Van
Vorst taken prisoner — Peace declared, - ■2»»-4r»
CHAPTER III.— 104(5-1 ft-iS.
Arrival of Stuyvesant — Murder of Simon Walingea at Paulua Hoerk — Con-
ference with the Indians — Tracts of land taken up in the County— War
again breaks out — Pavonia destroyed — All the settlers flee— !• ' re-
turn their prisoners to I'aulus Hoeck — Detached settlement* ! —
Persecution of the Quakers, i7 rtl
CHAPTER IV.— IGJg-lOei.
Deed from the Indians for all the land in the County between ihi- Harken<»«rk
and the Hudson— The Refugees desire to return to Pavonia— Forc.-d to
concentrate — Petition to found a village on the Hill — Tho villaxv of
Bergen begun — Its founders and nam«' — Its manner of -^ l and
defence — Its first charter and court — Names of officer*- 1 ;.tr« or-
dered to take out patents — A well ordered to be dug in the villm^re— Com-
munipaw fortified, GJ-90
vi CONTENTS.
CHAPTER v.— 16(54-1673.
New Netherland captured by the Eaglisli— Sir Edmund Ployden's claim to
Now Jersey— Governor Carteret reortranizes the court at Bergen— Speci-
mens of suits in this court— Names of officers— People of Bergen take
the oath of allegiance- First tavern license— Assemblymen elected—
Carteret's charter to Bergen— Why he granted the land to the Free-
holders. ----------- 91-11*
CHAPTER VI.— 1673-1764.
Tlie country recaptured by the Dutch— Bergen summoned to surrender— The
people comply and take the oath of allegiance— The military power of
Bergen organized— Controversy between Bergen and its dependent ham-
lets^Pembrepogh and Minkakwa— Bergen sends her soldiers to New
Orange— The country surrendered to the English— Condition of the
Counly in 1680— Its villages and farms— Queen Anne's charter— Pro-
vision for the care of the common land— Its final i)artition, - 115-136
CHAPTER VII.
The Revolutionary War— How it affected Hudson County— Incidents of the
war in the county— Fort Delancey— Capture of Paulus Hoeck— Block
House Point— The Cow Chase— Desertion of Sergeant Champe, &c.,
&c., -.--.------ 137-199
CHAPTER VIII.
The Duel Ground at Weehawken — Duels between Aaron Burr and John B.
(jhurch— George 1. Backer and Price— George I. Eacker and Philip
Hamilton— John Langstaff and Oliver Waldron— Augustus Smith and
Archibald M. Cock— De Witt Clinton and John Svvartwout— Richard
Riker and Robert Swartwout — Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton —
Isaac Gouverneur and William H. Maxwell — Benjamin Price and Major
Green — Stephen Price and Captain Wilson — Commodore Perry and
Captain Heath — William G. Graham and Mr. Barton — Henry Aitken and
Thomas Sherman, ----- - - - - 200-331
CHAPTER IX.— Frrries.
Communipaw ferry— Weehawken ferry — Jersey City ferry — Bergen Point
ferry — Hoboken ferry — Brown's ferry — Douw's ferry^Pavonia ferry —
Budd's , ferry — Bull's ferry — De Klyn's ferry — Elizabethtown Point
ferry, ---.-•----- 233-277
CHAPTER X.
History of Jersey City — Paulus Hoeck — Paulus Hoeck race course — Early lot-
teries — British graveyard — Names of city officials — Consolidation with
Van Vorst township — With Bergen and Hudson City — Asa port of entry
CONTKNTS. \ii
— Water works — Post oHicf^ Bull luiitinjf— Kloatiii^r llumlrr- Tin- old
wlndiiull — Ilidtory of Ber^fon — Its otUcerB — IltHtory of HiirriHon— Cnptnin
William Sandfonl — Petersboroujjh — ilintory of AhaHiniuH— Wi*hi Indin
C'i)inii!iny's farm — Th« Duko's farm History of Hohokm -Itn (Irstt imtii-
j>ant — Math' into a city — ItsotlkuTs — Hir<tory of Norili HiTj^i-n -Sfi-jniruH
— Three Pigeons — The Fn'ncliinaii'H garden — History of lltidm>n City-
Its officials — Beacon race course — Horses running aiul lime luaile,
•JT'^:{:!1
CHAPTER XI.
Organization of the County — Its olRcers — Vote for location of court liou8<i —
Laying corner stone — Address of Chief Justice IIornblf)\ver — Repn-st-ntn-
tives in the Legislature — List of Freeholders— List of .Iiidges, IW-i-U-lft
CHAPTER Xll.
Roads, traveling facilities and trallic — Banks — Newspapers — Churciies and
their pastors — Statistics of population, schools, taxes and crime, :j.'j7-423
CHAPTER Xlll.— (ii;N.;.vLO(;ii:s.
Van Vorst Family — Vreehmd Famil v^an Winkle Family- \ an \S agenen
Family — Van Buskiik Family- — Van Ripen Family — Van IIi>rn Family
— Newkirk Family — Garrabrant Family — Sip Family — Brinkerhot!'Fani
ily — Schuyler Family — Kingsland Family — (lautier Family — Cadmus
Family, - 424-.")«!l
ILLTSTRATIONS.
Conamunipaw — Jan de Lacher's Hoeck, or Mill Creek Point — Columbia Acad-
emy — Prior's Mill near Point of Rocks— Fortifications on Paulus Hoeck
— The Lee Medals — Duel Ground at Weehawken — Tablet in Hamilton's
Monument — Views of the ferry boat Jersey, &c. — Paulus Hoeck — Corner
of Newark avenue and Grove street — The Van Vorst Mansion at Ahnsi.
mus — Castle Point and Elysian Fields — Octagonal Church. KWO — He.
formed Church of 177;! — The Van Vorst Mansion, corner of Jersey avenue
and Wayne street — The Schuyler Coat of Arms— Retirement Hall.
PORTRAITS.
The Founders of Jersey City — Col. John Stevens and Edwin A. Stevens — lacob
M. Merseles— Robert Gilchrist— Benjamin C. Taylor. D. D.— Rev. John
Kelly — Stephen Vreeland— Jane Vreeland— Hartnu\n Vreelaml and wife
— Colonel Peter Schuyler.
MAPS.
Bergen and Buyten Tuyn in KJtiO- Part of New .lersey Roads to Newark-
Part of Hudson County— Bergen and the S.1ii:\ l,r Mines.
IIISTOKY OF III DSO.N (UlMV.
C II A I'T !•: K I . 1 COD — 16 38.
Claims ot the t-arly I'iscDvtTL'rs — Arrival ol' Ilcury ilu'lson — The object of his
expedition — Discovery of Newark Bay — Its several names — Attacked
by the Indians — Names of Hudson's river — lie Anchors in VVeehawken
Cove — Description of the country — The Dutch West Inilia Comjiany
chartered — Plans of the Company to settle the country — Micha<'l
Pauw purchases of the natives, Hoboken, Ahasimus, Aressick and Staten
Island — Names the colonie, Pavouia — First settlement in the County —
Arrival of Bout — Arrival of Van Voorst — Feast at his house in Ilarsimus
— Contest between Pauw and the Directors — lie sells Pavonia.
CoNCKRNixo the discovery of the luirlwr <>t" New York Jitid the
adjacent countrv much hasheeii written, and ditiVrent conclusion.s
reached. It may, liuwever, be safely asserted that the honor of
its discovery does not belong- to the distinguished commander ot
" de Halve Maan." In IIDT, Jean and Sebastian Cabot, imder
commission of Henry VII. of Kngland. sailed along the coast of
Nortii Aiiiei-ica, and claiuicd tor tlieir master the entire country,
the shore nf wliidi they occasionally saw at a distance.*
In 1524, Jean de Verrazzano, a Florentine, in tlie service ot
Francis I., King of France, is supposed to have visited the bay of
New York.'- Governor Stiiyvesant, in his '' Manifesto *' to the
Governor of Maryland, says: "The French were, in the year ot
our Lord God Almighty 15:24, the second followei-s of the (h's-
covery in these northern parts of this America by Johan de
Verrazzano."'
' O'Cal.. N. N., t.,2(3. ' BnncrojX. U. S., i.. 17
3 Col. Hist, of N. y.,i., 149.
2 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
In 1525, Estevan Gomez, a Portuguese in the service of the
Emperor, Charles V., who had fitted out the expedition for the
purpose of discovering a shorter passage to the Mohiccas,^ visited
the bay of New York, How thorougli his explorations were is
not known. As late as 1679 there was a tradition among the
Indians that the Spanish were here before the Dutch, and that
from them the natives obtained the maize or Spanish wheat."' On
Ribero's map, which embodies the outlines of the map of Gomez,
the whole country, from New Jersey to Ehode Island, is called
the land of Estevan Gomez?
In 1598, some Dutch in the employ of the Greenland Com-
pany came into the bay of New York, and, intending to use it
for winter shelter, erected a " little fort " against the incursions
of the Indians.*
By virtue of the discoveries of Yerrazzano, Henry lY. of
France, in 1603, gave to Des Monts that portion of the country
lying between the fortieth and forty-sixth degrees of north lati-
tude. This included the greater part of New Jersey. But the
1 Biddle's Life of Cabot, 271.
2 Long Isl. Hist. Soc, i., 373. ^ Hudson's Sailing Diiections, 45.
•> Col. Hist, of N. T., i., 149. In a letter (now in my possession) written by
Robert Morris of New York to Abraham Ogden of New Jersey, dated Nov. 4,
1785, occurs tlie following passage : " The only valuable property at Pavonia
was within a fort which continued necessary for its original purposes, to wit :
a defence against the Indians," etc. Where Mr. Morris obtained his authority
for the statement it would be difficult to tell.
It is proper to bear in mind that the Dutch generally denied all discoveries
of the Hudson river prior to 1609 ; at least they denied that the natives recol-
lected, or even had a tradition, that the bay had ever been visited by white men.
Van Der Donck, who arrived in New Amsterdam in 1643 and wrote a descrip-
tii)n of the country in 1653, says : " The Indians, many of whom are still living,
and with whom I have conversed, declare freely that before the arrival of the
Low Land ship, the Half Moon, in the year 1609, they did not know that there
were any other people in the world than those who were like themselves, much
less any people who differed so much in appearance from them as we did." iV.
Y. Hist. Soc, N. S., 137. The poetical account of the first arrival of Euro-
peans at York Island which the Rev. John Heckewelder, a Moravian missionary
in Pennsylvania, received from the Indians, bears out the same belief, that
Hudson was the first white arrival. Ibid, 71. The weight of evidence, how-
ever, seems to be against the position.
<
HKNRV HUDSON. 3
ji;riint i»t the Frciuli Ivinu' \v;is ii^iiorcil hy .liiiiu'.-. I. nf Kii;^lan<l,
who, in 1006, granted t(» Edwanl Maria Wiii^'tieliP ami his
associates, under tlie name of the So'tf/i Yinjhiia or Lnmlou
Compaiuj, tlu- land Ketweeii the tlnrty-fourth and forty-fii-st de-
grees of nortli hititude, and to the jVori/i Vinjinia Comjxunj he
irave tlie land Iviniz: l)etweeii tlie tliirtv-ei<;litli and fortv-tit'th do-
grees of north latitude.^
While these buhl naviijators were facinj]^ tlic dan<;ers of un-
known seas, and iiionarehs were elated at the prospect of extend-
iiif their swav over a new and wonderfid land, events were trans-
pirini; in Europe which were destined to plant an enij>ire on tia-
banks of the Hudson. Notwithstanding the severe measures
adopted by Charles Y. and Philiji II. to destroy the freedom an<l
enterprise of Holland, that indomitable people not only baffled
their foes in the field, but, in the midst of their cruel oppressions
and the tires of long years of wars, kept alive a keen appetite
for trade and adventure, and extended their commerce to every
sea. The Spaniards had attempted to destroy the Dutch trade to
the Indies, and the Xetherland merchants now boldly sought
a route to that EI Dorado by the way of the northwest.
To accomplish this, Henry Hudson, whom the Dutch writers
call ''the bold Englishman," was induced to enter the service
of the Dutch East India Company, He was an experienced
navigator, had already, under the patronage of some London
merchants, made two attempts (in 1007 and It'.OS) to discover
his favorite passage, and still had unshaken faith in final success.
The Company put him in command of a yacht or " VI ie l)oat"'
called the Half Moon,^ of thirty lasts^ burden, and manned by a
1 Wingfield was one of the Councillors of the Virginia Company of London,
and chosen its first president. He was a grandson of Sir Robert \Vingfi«'ld of
Huntingdonshire, and son of Thomas Maria Wingfield, so .-hristrncd hy liufon
Mary and Cardinal Pole. Camden iioc. Pub., 3'c'. 43. He invested I'HS in tiu«
venture. Force's Coll., Hi.
2 It will be observed that the two grants lap between th.- Ustli and ll.^t de-
grees. Why this was so, unless to reduce the prior grant, I do not know.
3 So called from being built to navigate the Vlie, or Texel. The name i.-* now
corrupted into " Fly Boat." * t>e Halve Maan.
5 A last is nearlv two tons— zirmtrtc can 4,000 pond.
V.
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY,
crew of twenty, partly Dutch and partly English. By his agree-
ment with the Company, dated January 8, 1609, he was to sail
about the first of April in search of a passage by the north side
of Nova Zembla, and to continue along that parallel until he was
able to sail south to the latitude of sixty degrees, and then hasten
Ijack to report to his employers. For this service he was to
receive eight hundred guilders, and in case he did not come back
within a year, then tliey were to give his wife two hundred
guilders more. In case he found the passage, then the Comijany
were to reward him " for his dangers, trouble and knowledge in
their discretion." He was ordered " to think of discovering no
other routes or passages except the route around by the north and
northeast above Nova Zembla ;" but if this could not be accom-
plished at that time, " another route would be the subject of con-
sideration for another voyage."^ Bound by his instructions not
to go south of the sixtieth degree of north latitude, he sailed
from the Texel, April 6, 1609. Disregarding his instructions,
however, in his anxiety to discover his favorite object, he coasted
along from Newfoundland as far south as the Chesapeake, and,
returning, cast anchor inside of Sandy Hook, on the third of
September. Before him rose the Highlands of the Navesinck,
while upon his left lay the shores of Monmouth. He pronounced
the surrounding country " a very good land to tall in with, and
a pleasant land to see.'' Here he lay for a few days, cultivating
an acquaintance with tlie Indians, who seemed highly pleased
with the pale face. " The people of the country came aboard of
us, seeming very glad of our coming, and brought green tobacco,
and gave us of it for knives and beads. They go in deer-skins
loose, well dressed. They have yellow copper. They desire
clothes, and are very civil."^ On the morning of the sixth,
John Colman, with four men, was sent to sound the river
opening to the north. Passing through the Narrows, they found
' Henry Hudson in Holland, by H. C. Murphy.
2 Called by the Indians, Naosh, i. c, a point surpassing all others.
3 Juet's Journal of Hudson's Voyage. N. T. Hist. Coll., N. S., i., 323.
NKNVAUK i;.\V HISCOVEREI).
*' a very good riding for ships, "^ iiiid "a narrow river t<» the west-
ward between two islands.''- 'I'hcv found the shores on hotli
sides " as pleasant with (irasse, and Mowers, and goodly Trees, as
ever they had scene, and very sweet smells came from them.
So they went in two leagues and saw an open sea.'" On their
return they were attacked hv twenty-six Indians in two canoes,
and Coliiiaii was killed.' His remains were interred at Sandy
Hook, and the s})ot was named Colman's Point.'* ( )n the eleventh
Hudson passed through the Narrows and anchored near the month
of the Kill Van Ivull, "and saw that it was a very good harbor
for all winds." The next afternoon he went up the bay six miles
— about opposite Comiuunipaw. The surrounding country im-
pressed him with being '' as pleasant a land as one need tread
upon." At seven o'clock the next morning he hoisted anchor
for the exploration of the lordly river, which he hoped would
lea<l liim to the Indies; but whicli, instead of bearing his trusty
ship to the shores of the Orient, will, as long as its waters roll on
' Hudson's Jonrnal. This was the upper bay, or " Great Bay," as Van Der
Donck calls it, J/bw^tort, i., 214, or quasi per excellentiam, '• The Bay." N. T.
Hist. Soc, N. S., %., 140.
* This wag the Kill van Kull, or Het Kill van het Cull, i. e., the creek of
the bay. A /dll may be eltlur an inlet or an outlet. The name is now applied
to the outlet of Newark Bay. At one time the same name was applied to Pin
home's Creek, which is an inlet. At times it has been called After Skull River
and Kill ran Corlr.
This was Newark Bay, afterward called Het Achtcr Cull, \. i\, the back
bay, to distinguish it from " The Bay," or New York Bay. By the Dutch it
was also written Aghter and Achter Coll, N. Y. Hist. Soc, 2d, S., »., 93 : and by
the English Aftrr Coll, Col. Hist, of iV. T., ii.. oTO, and applied to the territory
bordering on the Kills, between Elizabeth and Amboy, as well as to the bay
itself. It was afterward corrupted into Arthur Cull and After Kull.
< This attack was probably made at tlw; mouth of the Kill van Kull. It is
also probable that the canoes were from Manhattan, for the Indian."* on the .Jer-
sey shore visited the shii) the next day, and seemed to be ignorant of what hail
happened. This, I think, would not have been the case had the attack b<»en
made by any of their neighbors on the west side of the bay. It must rI!*<i !>«•
borne in mind that there was no intercourse between the tribes on the opposite
sides of the river. They were infe.msn>ni hostrs. Moulton, i., 219.
5 aCal., N. N., L, :J6 ." .Y. T. Hist. Col , i.. 324.
6 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
to the sea, bear his name down to posterity.^ He did not return
until the second of October, when, having been attacked by the
Indians at the head of Manhattan Island, he bore gradually across
the river, and anchored in Weehawken Cove, just above Castle
Point.- On the fourth, witli fair weather and a northwest wind,
he weighed anchor, and, bidding a final adieu to the river he had
explored, passed through the Kills to Amboy, and thence stood
out to sea.^
' The Hudson River has had many names, some of them striking and beau-
tiful. The Iroquois called it CohoMtatea, i. e., " the great river having
mountains beyond the Cohoh." The Mohegans called it the Shatemiic, i. e.,
"the place of the pelicans." The Delawares named it MaMcan-ittuck, i. e.,
■' the River of the Mohegans." By the Spaniards it was named Rio St. Antonio,
in honor of St. Anthony ; Eio de Montaigne, from the mountains through
which it flows. Dr. Asher thinks they also called it Rio de Oomez, in honor of
the navigator. Hudson's Sailing Directions, 47. The French called it Reviere
des Montaignes. The Dutch named it De Oroote Rivier, because of its magni-
tude ; Noordt Rivier, i. e.. North River, to distinguish it from De Zuydt Rivier,
i. e., South River, or Delaware ; De Groote Noordt Rivier van Nieiiio Neder-
landt, i. e., The Great North River of New Netherland; Mauritius, in honor of
Prince Maurice (Watson, Historic Tales, 21, and Schoolcraft, Proc. N. Y. Hist-
Soc, 1844, 94, say that this last name was not applied until 1623, but Broadhead,
i., 45., says it was already thus known in 1611) ; Riviere van den Vorst Mauri-
tius. Col. Hist, of N. Y.,i., 13. It was also called The River of Pavonia, IMd,
151, and The River of Manahata. The people of New England called it The
Mohegan River. It was reserved for the English to honor their brave country-
man by naming it Hudson's Riv r.
2 Juet's language is this : " Within a while after we got down two leagues
beyond that place, and anchored in a bay clear from all danger of them on the
other side of the river, where we saw a very good piece of ground ; and hard
i y it there was a cliff that looked of the color of white green, as though it were
either a copper or silver mine ; and I think it to be one of them by the trees
that grow upon it ; for they be all burned, and the other places are as green as
grass." iV. Y. Hist. Vol., N. S., i., 331. The description answers to Hoboken in
every particular. The only ditficulty about it is, he says, " It is on that side of
the river that is called Manna-hata." One of two things I think is certain,
either he intended this last remark to apply to the place where the Indians at-
tacked the vessel, or the translator is in error.
3 It was during this visit that the whites introduced to the Indians the most
deadly enemy of their race. They were not slow to learn that wine tastes bet-
ter than water., and the wild joy of one debauch gave strong invitation to an-
other. While they were a free people, unaccustomed to servitude, and therefore
i)p:scKii''noN »tK Till-: coixtkv. i
A lrliimij,li lludadU failed in the cliroct ul)juft ot liis amltition,
to liiii) mu^t be accorded the lionur of making known to Kumpe
the finest liarhor of tlie western worM and the ii;reat river which
is an endnriiiu' iiinnunu'Ut to his memory. He had incidentally
opened to the old world the lo\eliest and richest part of the
new. where nature ^eeineil to have scattered her trifts from a full
h;ini|. The forests ahonnded in all kinds of nsefnl and orna-
mental trees, many of them bearinijj tielicious fruit. Vines i^rew
everywhere, yieldini;- in abundance. Plants of nearly every
variety grew in great profusion, useful for food and for medicine.
Through the forests i-oamed innumerable l)urtaloes, panthers,
bears, deer, elk, foxes, wildcats, wolves, raccoons, beavers, otters,
musks, hares, rabbits, squirrels and ground-hogs. These invited
the Indian to the chase, for they supplied him with both food and
clothing. The fowls of the air were numerous and of great
variety. In the waters of the bay and i-iver life was not less
active and varied. At tiines the bay appeareil to be alive with
water fowl. The swans, similar to those in the Netherlands and
'" full as large,"' were so numerous that the water and shores where
they resorted aj)pearcd " as if dressed in white drapery.'"' There
were three kinds of wild geese, so numerous that sixteen were
killed at a shot ; ducks, widgeons, teal, brant, blue-bills, whistlers,
coots, eel-shovelers, and pelicans,'^ with many strange fowls, .some
liad ni)t in tluMr language a word to express " subjection," so, being a temper-
ate people, unused to •' hot and rebellious liquors,'" tUey had no word in their
language to express " drunkenness.." It was left to the pale face to name the
monster they had brought to the red man.
» N. y. Hist. CoL, iV. S., i., 174. Tiie upland which lay in the vicinity of
the intersection of Grand strt^et and Hudson avcnuo was known by the Dutch
from the earliest times as Swane Punt, i. e., Swan's Point. It is probable that
the place received its name from the fact that it was the resort of the swans in
the brooding season.
- Watson, in his Historic Tales of the Olden I'iinis, and Schoolcraft, Pr<h-. y.
V. Hint. Soc, 1841, 94, say it is not known that jx-licans ever visited the waters of
New York. Van Der Donck speaks of them as common. The Mohegans who lived
on the banks of the Hudson named the rivi-r Sh'iteinif, from Shuitii. a |H'lican.
and lie, denoting locality or place, hence the name showed it to be the p'lve <>/ the
pelican. From the fact that they imposed their name upon the river which
they frequented. I conclude that th^y mu.-<t have been very numerous.
8 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
of which were nameless. Many of these have long since forsaken
the neighboring waters. The river and bay were rich in many
kinds of fish, among which were whales.^ Among the shell-fish
were lobsters, some of them " being from five to six feet in
length," and oysters, some of which were " fit to be eaten raw,"
others were " proper for roasting and stewing,'' each of which
Avould " fill a spoon and make a good bite."^
It was natural that such an abundance and variety of food
should have atti'acted to the neighboring shores numerous tribes
of Indians. Many were settled in the vicinity at the time of
Hudson's visit. Those inhabiting the present State of New Jersey
and the neighboring parts of New York were of the general stock
of the Delawares, or Lenni Lennape,^ but were divided into two
branches, called by the English Mohegans and Mincees, or Mon-
seys, and by the Dutch Manhikans and Sanliikans.^ The Mo-
hegans dwelt on the east side of the river, and were the heredi-
tary enemies of the Mincees or Sanhikans, who dwelt on the west
side.^ These were divided into numerous tribes, and these again
into clans. On New York Island dwelt the fierce Manhattans."
De Laet says they were " a wicked nation," " a bad race of sav-
' In 1647 two whales ascended the Hudson as far as Cohoh, N. Y. Hist. Soc,
N. S., i., 143, possibly, like their enterprising predecessor, seeking a northwest
passage to the Indies ! In the Weekly Post Boy of Dec. 11, 1752, is the follow-
ing item : " Last Saturday a whale 45 feet long run ashore at Van Buskirk's
Point, at the entrance of the Kills from our Bay ; where, being discovered by
people from Staten Island, a number of them went otf and killed him, and may
now be seen at Mr. John Watson's, at the ferry house on Staten Island."
2 Van Der Douck's " New Netherlands." JSf. Y. Hist. Col, N. S., i., 177.
3 Original or unmixed race ; manly men.
4 This word, according to Heckewelder, is derived from " sankhican,"' which
signifies fire icorks, and means the fire workers, or fire work people.
5 Broadhead, i., 73. The Sanhikans were sometimes also known as the Wa-
bingi, or Wuppinges. This latter name is derived from the Delaware word Wa-
ping, signifying Opossum. They inhabited the western shore from the mouth
of the river to the Catskill. They were divided into tribes, which hereabouts
■were the Raritans. Hackingsacks, Pomptons, and Tappaens.
6 Mon-ah-tun-nk, place of the dangerous river, i. e., Hell Gate, and applied to
the inhabitants of the adjoining island. They were the people of the whirlpool.
THE EFFECT OF hudson's voyaoe. 9
ages," " enemies of tlie Dntoli." On Lom^r Ishmd' wore tlie siiivape
Metouwacl-!^, ^'ub(livi(k'd iiit(.> nuiiu'nuis tril>t's. The Iiulijiiis on
the west side ut" the Hudson were a better ])eo|)le than the ^f)ln-
hattans. They carried on considerable traflic with the Diitrh,
exclian<i::in<; corn, beans and squashes- for trifles. Ainonp tlie
Sanhikans some have sujiposed Hudson landed.^ If he landccl
at all during his stay in the upper bay, of which, however, there
is no record, it was, beyond a doubt, on the west shore. There
the natives were friendly, while on the opposite shore they were
])Ositive enemies. Every iiulucement which could have ]>er-
suaded him to land existed in favor of tlie Jersey shore. The
natives between Beriijen Point and Weehawken had extended to
him many acts of kindness, and were neifjhbors and relatives of
those in the vicinity of Sandy Hook, with whom Hudson lield
intercourse for some days.
The report of Hudson's voyaj^je, on his return in the summer
of 1010, awakened among the merchants of Holland a great de-
' Called by the natives Seican-hacky , i. e., " the land of ehells " — the place
where the Indians coined their money.
AKtittnsquash, i.f.,"viiie apple." jy. Y. Hist. Soc.N. S., i.. ISI!. Van Der I'onck
speaking of the pumpkin, says : " It grows here with little or no labor, and
need not yield to the apple for sweetness, so that the English, who generally
love whatever tastes street, use it in their ]iies."
3 Rt'V. Mr. Abeel, whose MS. is quoted iu Moiilton. i., 21i^, says that on tlip
point where New York is now built, Hudson found "a very hostile people.
But those living on the western shore from the Kills upward cnme daily on
board the vessel while she lay at anchor in the river, bringing witli them to
barter, furs, the largest and finest oysters, Indian corn, beans, pumi'kins.
squashes, grapes, and some apples, all which they exchanged for trifles : Ilert
Hudson landed."
At the time of Hudson's visit there were four islands near the .lersey shore,
viz.: Ellis Island, or Bucking l.«land, called by the Indians Kio»hk, "Gull
Island;" Bedlow's or Kennedy's li^land (from its owners, Ii<aac Bedlow and
Archibald Kennedy, also known as Love Islanil before its conv»>yance to Bt-d
low, iy. V. Jlist. Soc. iVof., 1S44, !)H). named by the Indiana ,Vjh'.m<ii'». " The
Lesser Island" (from which it would appear that at onetime it wa." smnlltT than
Ellis Island); Oyster Island, which lay a short distancf southwest, and Robin's
Reef, or Robyn's Rift, that is, " E"al leef," for in the Dutcli robyn signifiep a
seal. In 106i), by request of Mr. Bedlow, the island now bearing his name was
made a place of privilege from warrant of arrest. Dunlap's y. I'., ii'., (Jrii.
10 HISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
sire to engage in and even to secure a monopoly of the trade thus
suddenly opened to their euterprise, A new vessel was fitted
out and freio-hted for De Oroote Rlvier. The venture was sue-
cessful, but whether any settlement was made is not known. It
has been said, however, on the authority of Heckewelder, that the
Dutch made a settlement on the Jersey shore in that year.^ Of
this fact there does not exist the slightest proof, and it may well
be doubted, when we reflect that there were but four huts on
Manhattan Island in 1614. in that year Sir Samuel Argall, of
Virginia, sailed into the harbor, subjugated the " settlement," and
placed it under tribute to the Governor of Virginia.^ This sub-
jection M'as, however, soon thrown off", fortifications were pro-
jected, and the Dutch were supreme for the next half century.
The merchants who had sent out vessels had been so successful
that they sought, and in October, 161-4, obtained from the States
General of the United Netherlands a monopoly of the trade of
the country between New France and (now for the first time
called) New Netherland for four voyages within three years from
January 1, 1615.^ This monopoly was protected by threats of
confiscation of vessel and cargo, " besides a fine of fifty thousand
Netherland ducats,"' upon any intruder. The merchants thus
secured for three years assumed the name of " The United New
Netherland Company,"* and made preparations to reap all the
advantages now placed exclusively in their hands. Ealkins
established a trading post near Albany ; Block, in the " Restless,"
explored the coast of Scheyielibv' and the Lennapewih'dtucW as
far as the Schuylkil]. Treaties were made with the Indians,
trading posts established at several points," and wealth poured
into the treasury of the Company.
' O'Cal, N. N., i., 68, n. 2 j^,^^^ 335^
3 Col. Hist, of .V. T., l, 10.
■4 Beekman's address, N. Y. Hist. Soc. Proc, 1847, 88 ; Broadhead, i., 137.
5 The Indian name of what i? now New Jersey.
6 Sii?nifying the Indian River, now Delaware.
7 There is no evidence that at this time a trading post was established with-
in this county. Such probably was the fact, for two reasons : First, the Indians
on this side of the river were friendly ; Second, Harsimus was looked upon as
the natural outlet for the commerce of the interior. .The subsequent purchase
FIRST 8ETTI.EMKN I A Tl K^rrn•:I>. 1 1
This exclusive cliartcr cxpiivtl ny its own limitiition on the tiriit
of Janniiry, IHIS. Its renewal was ret'iise<l, and on tlic thinl of
June, l()21,the " ^reat armed coinniercial association," the Dutch
West India C()ni])any, was chartered.' The cliarter <;ave them
exclusive jurisdiction over New Xetherhuul for twenty-one yeiirs,
power to luake contracts with tliCMiative priiu*es, l)uihl forts, ad-
minister justice and appoint Governors. The a^overnnient of the
Company ^vas vested in five chamhers, and the executive
powers in a board of nineteen delegates from tiie five chamhers,
including one to represent the States General. The nineteen
gave to the Amsterdam chamber tlie management of the atl'airs
of Xew Netlierland, which, in June, 1023, was erected into a
province.^ Among the mcnd)ers of that chamlter was Michael
Pauw.
In the spring of this year an expedition was fitted <>ut ami
thirty families sent over in the ship '" New Xetherland," to
begin a permanent settlement. It was placed in charge of
Cornelis Jacobseu May (or Mey), who was to be the first direct-
or of the colony. Ilis administration over this infant colony
was a very simple affair, and histed but one year. He was
succeeded by William Verhulst, as the second Director of Xew
Xetherland, in iG2-lr, and he by Peter Minuit, in 1G26.
It having l)een determinerl to establish the colonial heail-
(juarters on Manhattan Island, Minuit ])urehased it of the
natives for sixty guilders,^ aud staked out a fort.^ While this
fort was being built a crime was committed, the result ot which
a few years afterward bore heavily on the settlements within
the territory now comprising Hudson County. .\ Weckquaes-
geck^ Indian, with his nephew, then a sm ill l» >\\ and another
of Pauw was opposed by his associates, <>h tlir jfrouiul that to this j)oint came
all the native commerce, which oujrht ni>t to be rontrnUed l>y one man. The
high commercial importance of our shore pat upon it thus early has not in the
least depreciated.
' A copy of this charter, in extenso, may be found in O'dd., X. X, ».. 399.
■i Bromlhmff, i., 14s.
3 Ibid, 104. * Valcittine's lli^t. of .V. I' . 25.
5 Now Westchester County in tin- State of New York.
12 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
relative, came from his home to sell beaver skins to the Dutch.
Before he readied the fort he was met by three of Miniiit's
servants, who robbed him of his peltries and murdered him.
The nephew, who witnessed the outrage, swore to revenge his
uncle's murder, and most terribly did he keep his word.^
In 1629 the condition of ^ew Netherland did not meet the
expectations of the Company. The population around Fort
Amsterdam was small and dependent ; the trading at Fort
Orange and on the South River was very insignificant. No
land was cultivated, save enough to supply the scanty wants
of those attached to the Forts, and the only exports were furs
and peltries. Plans were now devised to improve the condition
of the Province. The Assembly of the XIX, on the Tth of
June, 1629, granted " to all such as should plant any colonies in
New Netherland " certain " freedoms and exemptions," con-
sisting of thirty-one articles. Concerning them Mr. Broadhead
remarks : " Reserving to themselves the Island of Manhattan,
which the Company declared it was their intention to people
first, they designated it as the emporium of their trade, and
required all fruits and wares ' that arise on the North River and
lands lying thereabouts,' should be first brought there. To pri-
vate persons, disposed to settle themselves in any other part of
New Netherland, the Company offered the absolute property of
as much land as the emigrants might be able ' properly to im-
prove.' To tempt the ambition of capitalists, peculiar privileges
were offered to them. These privileges, nevertheless, were care-
fully confined to members of the West India Company.''^ Any
member who should, within four years, plant a colony of fifty
adults, in any part of New Netherland, excepting the Island of
Manhattan, should be acknowledged as a " Patroon," or feudal
chief of the territory thus colonized. Each colony might have
lands sixteen miles in length on one side of a navigable river, or,
if both banks were occupied, eight miles on each side, extending
as far back into the country " as the situation of the occupiers
will permit." Each patroon was promised a full title, upon con-
1 O'Cal, N. N., i., 105. 2 Broadhead, i., 194.
PAUW I'URCIIASKS HOHoKEN. i'.i
ditioTi tli;it he slioiild satisfy tlu' Iiidiiuis tor tlic land taken l»v
him. It" he establislied a city, he was to liavc " power and
autliority to establish olKcers and tnagistrates tliere." The Com-
pany were to protect and defend the colonists, finish the fort on
^[anhattan, and import " as niatiy Idacks as tliey conveniently
Cnllld."'
Till' members of the Company were not slow to avail them-
selves of the "privileges.'' (rodyii and I>lommaert took a tract
of land on the ''South corner of the B.ay of South River,*' and
Van Rensselaer seize(l upon the reirions adjacent to Fort Oramje,
called by the Indians, Skmmksseck. Michael Pauw, Ihirtjo-
master of Amsterdam, and Lord of Achtienhoven, near I'trecht,
finding the region on the west shore, opposite ^^aIdlattan Island,
yet unappropriated, obtained, through the Director and Council-
lors of Xew Netherland, on the Tith ot July and 22d of No-
vember, 1(530, the following deeds from the Iiulians for laml
lying within this county. They are the first conveyances, by
deed, of any land in East Jersey, and the following deed is the
first of record in New Netherlaiul :
'• HVc, 5i*'fftov and Council of Mcu* ^\rthcrlalul. residing on the
if^Uuul t>f ittiinahata'j and the Fort Amsterdam, under the author-
ity of their 'iunli ^UinUtinco'.^CO' the Lords Statcs-( General of this
Wn'xUA iUthcvlaiul.0 and tlic ifucovpovatcil WcA ^JwiUa Company.
at their Chambers at Amsterdam, do hereby witness and declare
that on this day, the date hereof underwritten, before us in their
proper persons appeared and showed themselves, to wit : ^roni
mcauu'. o'chuappo, and %achu"Omfch. iidial)itants and joint .iwn-
crs of the land called i\oboran 'liarhinnh. lying over against
(opposite) the aforesaid jfcilantl iUanahata.d, who both for them-
selves and, nito cavern, for the remaining joint owners of the
same land, declared that for and in consideration of a certain
(piantity of merchandize, which they acknowledged to have
received into their own hands, power and possession, before the
passing of these presents in a right, true, aiul free ownership,
have sold, transported, ceded, conveyed, and made over, and by
' Vide Charter of Freedom and Esenii)tions at lenjjth in O'C-tl., .V. .V . i'., 1 1'2.
1-i HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
these presents tliej do transport, cede, and convey to and for the
behoof of |Hv. |Hichiel |?auiv, absent, and for whom we, ex-
officio, accept under suitable stipulations, viz, : the aforesaid
lands by us named 'ftaUoran ^uukinglt, extending on the South
side, Ahasimus ; Eastward, the ^XKtX |Hauvitiu^, and on the
West side surrounded by a valley (marsh) and morass, through
which the boundaries of said land can be seen with sufficient
clearness, and be distinguished ; and that, with all the jurisdic-
tion, right, and equity, to them, the grantors, in their quality
aforesaid, belonging: Constituting and putting in their place
and stead the alread}^ mentioned ^r. ^auw, in the real and
actual possession thereof, and at the same time giving full and
irrevocable power, authority, and special command to the said
Mr. Pauw peaceably to enjoy, occupy, cultivate, have and hold
the aforesaid land tanquam actor et j^^ocuratov in rem suam
acpropriara • and also to do with and dispose of the same as he
mio;ht do with his own lands to which he has a good and lawful
title ; without their, the grantors, in their quality aforesaid,
saving. or reserving any part, right, action, or authority thereto
in the least, either of ownership or jurisdiction ; but altogether
to the behoof as aforesaid, henceforth, forever, wholly and
finally desisting, renouncing, and quit-claiming ; promising here-
by, moreover, not only to keep, maintain, and fulfill this, their
grant, and whatever shall be done by virtue thereof, inviolable
and irrevocable forever, but also to keep and maintain the same
land against all persons free from any claim, challenge, or in-
cumbrance to be made thereon by any person ; as also to cause
this sale and grant to be approved of and held valid by the re-
maining joint owners as they are by right obligated to do ; all
in good faith without fraud or deceit.
In witness whereof these presents are confirmed with our
usual signature and with our seal thereto affixed.
Done at the aforesaid Island of Manahatas, in Fort Am-
sterdam, this 12th July, ]630."i
"Wf, the Uivfttov and CDomml of ^lew Itethcrlantl, residing on
' Land Papers {Albany), G. G., 1 ; WinfieMs Land Titles, '6. This is the
PURCHASE OF AlIASIMl'S AND .\UI>slrK. 1 ."•
tlie if.slantl of ^Hanahata.$, uikIlt the jurisdiction "f tlicir IliL'li
Miii^litiiiesses the Lords, the StJites-Goneral of the Hluitril .^Irthcr
lancl.si, and the 6cncval ihirovpoiatril HVc.ct M\u\\:\ tl'ompany, do,
by these presents, pnhlisli and declare, that on this day, the date
nnderwritten, before us in theii- i>\vii proper persons, eanie and ap-
peared, 'i\ihitoauiv and ^iavouu". Virninianc. iidiabitants and jnint
owners of the hmd named Jiha&imu.'i and tlic pt-ninsnhi ^rrooirh.
as well for themselves as, r<(to car, rcnde^ for ^Minnm, XVathhath
and (Tauu'in.si, joint ])roprietors of the same i)arei-ls of land, and
declared in the same <[uality that for and in consideration of cer-
tain parcels of goods, which they, the appearers, acknowledged
before the passing of these presents to their fnll gratitnde and
satisfaction to have received into their })Ossession, hands, and
power in their right and free (unincnmbered) ownershij), and by
virtue ot the title and article of sale, they have sold, transported,
ceded, and delivered, and by these presents they do transport,
cede, and deliver to and for the behoof of the |"loblc ^ord J^Urhirl
^auiv (absent), and for whom we, ex-oj/ieio, accept the same
with suitable sti|>ulations, namely, the aforesaid land ^Vha-iimu^'
first time tht- uiime of Hobokeu is met with. It is au Indian wonl, ami i.s saiil
to mean tobacco pipe. The name, as {riven in the above <leeil, with its suffix,
" Hackingli, " signifying land, jrives us the land of the tobacco pipe. Here the
natives were accustomed to procure a stone, out of which they carv«Hl jiipes.
" As tobacco was a natural production of the country, the natives were jrrent
smokers. Tobacco jiouches huntf at tlieir backs, and pipas were their insepara-
ble companiona." Trumbull's Hi-it. IT. S., i., 24. Judge Benson thought that
Eobokeii was a Dutch name. X F. Ili.sf. Sor.. 2<I Serie.^. ii., 112. The name i»
spelled in various ways, as: llubocan-Udckimj, JLibocnn, lloboken, II<>}i„<-k,n,
Hobucken, Hobokina, Iloboquin, Ilobuk, Hoebuck, Uobock, lloirbnck, Ilouboek,
Uooboiik, Uooboockeit .
I This name is probably Indian. It was applied to that portion of tin- upland
of Jersey City which lies east of the hill, excepting Paulus Iloeck, which
was separated from Ahasimus by the salt marsh extending from C'nmmuni-
paw Cove to Ilarsimus Cove, and generally from Warrm to r.e ir (Jrove street.
The name has received many spellings, viz. : Ahu.-./ /nn-i, Ah<i.*ymuii. Ahtn$i
mus, Ahasymes, Ahsi/mes, Achassenici, IlfirsimHM, Ilurncmim, Ilor^imug. Ilor-
anmuH, ILu8em», Uasimn-i. Hiix-iiinin, IlanHemes, Ilminscmug, IIo.^snn'in. IIi>rrf»9i-
mege.
16 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
and ^»;cisi,$icJi,^ by us named the WUoj^cSi <S>axntx,^ extending
along the river Pauvitiu.5' and the ^^^knrt of tlie |rtaualataiSi on
the east side, and the ^i&UlUtl ^Ubohi^tt liJUhittflU on the north
side, surrounded bj swamps, which are sufficiently distinct
boundaries, and tliat with all the action, right, and equity to
tiiem in their quality aforesaid appertaining, constituting and
substituting the said grantee as the attorne}'' for the said ^t.
^auw, in their stead and state, in the real and actual possession
of the same, and at the same time giving him full and irrevocable
power, authority, and special license, to the said ^ttv. ^tUtlU ; and
to his successors, tamiuam in rem sitam, the aforesaid land and
its appni'tenances peaceably to enter upon, possess, inhabit, farm,
occupy, use, and to do therewith and thereon, trade and dispose
as he the cedentee may do with his own lands and domains
honestly and legally obtained, without their, the ^vantar.si, in
their aforesaid quality, having thereto or any part thereof, any
part, right, action, or jnrisdiction in tiie least, without reserving
or saving any ownership, command, or jurisdiction, but to the
behoof aforesaid from henceforth and forever, wholly and abso-
lutely desisting, relinquishing, and renouncing by these ^Vf,$'CHt,'Si.
Promoting, moreover, not only this their conveyance, and all
that may be done by virtue thereof, to keep forever firm, invio-
lable, and irrevocable, but also the said land to deliver and keep
from all demands, challenge, or incumbrances, any and every
one that may thereto make any pretense ; and, moreover, this
purchase and conveyance to cause to be apj^roved and nnide
valid by the other joint owners,- as in equity they are bound to
do, standing thereto in all good faith without fraud or deceit.
Witue.S'Si our several signatures and confirmed by our seal ap-
pended thereto.
' This was the Indian name of Paul us Hoeck, and is said to signify burying
ground. It was applied to the circular piece of upland lying east of Warren
street, on which Jersey City had its beginning in 1804.
2 Hoeren Hoeck, so called from a well-known custom of the natives in enter-
taining strangers, and with which they welcomed the Dutch when they first
came to this vicinity. JV. 7. Hist. Soc, 2d Series, ii., 281, n. ; Col. Hist, of N.
Y., Hi., 842.
PAUW's ITRCHASK INPOPILAR. 17
Done at Panahattao in tlu* -f ovt ^Vmotcvrtam this -JlM .lay of
Nov., in the year h;;5i»;"'
Preccdinii" tliis la^t i\vv<\, and on Aui^ust l<»tli, U\'.U), Paiiw
obtained u decil from the Indians I'ur IStatcn Island, ''on the
west shore of llaniers llooftden."-
The purchase of November 22d, 1<n'>(\ was one of vast im-
portance. Tlien, as now, thi' >hore lutween Comnuinijiaw and
Weeliawken was of icreat commercial vafne. The Indians liehl
it in high estimation as a place of resort, from which they con-
veyed their peltries directly across to the fort. Pauw, latinizing
his name, bestowed it upon the district, and thenceforth it was
called Pavonia."' The purchase was unpopular with the Com-
pany, l^auw's ownershi}) of the tract '' occasioned much (piarrel-
ing; and jealousy, and prevented the colonies prospering as they
would have done." Those of the Directors of the Dutch West
India Company who had failed to obtain a share of the newly
acquired spoils looked with a jealous eye upon those who, l)y
reason of their large and well selected possessions, had become
patroons. This strife between the "ins and outs'' waxed warm
and warmer, until finally the fortunate Directors (except the
patroon of Pavonia), prefei-ring peace to their wild acres in New
Netherland, divided with their clamorous associates.
Fp to this time there is no evidence that a settlement had
been made on the west side of the river. 8ome writers
have supposed that buildings were erected within this county as
early as 1618.' It is, however, mere supposition. It will be
borne in mind that in 1G23 there were only a few bark huts
erected on the U»wer end of Manhattan Island, and it is not at
all likely that the very few whites then in the country would
have weakened their power of defence by separate settlements.
' Land Papers {Albany), O. G., 8 ; Winfidd's Land Titha. S.
■J Land Papers {Albany), O. O., ti. Tbua the first civilized ownorebip of
Stateii Island connects it with New Jersey. Carteret once uiado an unsucwas-
ful claim for it.
aPauwonia. N. Y. IlUt. Soc, X. S., i., '20}; Broadhcad, i.,20-2. Panw in
the Dutch, as pavo in the Latin, signifies a peacock.
< Broadhead, t , 89 ; Whitehead's East Jersey, IG.
2
18 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
After the arrival of the immigrants, consisting of thirty families,
possessed of domestic animals and other conveniences for a per-
manent settlement, who in this year came out from the father-
land with Captain May, it is very probable that the inviting
shore on this side of " De Groote E-ivier " would not long escape
the eye of such practical agriculturists.^ Tlie attention of
traders being attracted to our shore by its many advantages for
traffic with the Indians, and the farmer invited hither by the
fertility of the soil, it may well be, when the number of the
colonists permitted, that some venturesome pioneer erected his
cabin within the bounds of this county. But wdiere, when, and
by whom such first cabin was erected it is now impossible to
tell. Yet it is certain that before 1633 some sort of settlement
had been made in Pavonia. How much of a settlement this
may have been is not known. Pauw made his purchase in the
summer and fall of 1630. By the third article of the " Freedoms
and Exemptions " he was obliged, within four years next after
he gave notice to any Chamber of the Company in Holland, or
to the Commander or Council here, that he had taken up any
land, to plant a Colony of fifty souls, upward of fifteen years old,
within the bounds of his purchase, one fourth part within one
year, and the balance within the three remaining years.' If the
patroon of Pavonia complied with this requirement, there must
have been within the bounds of this county, in 1633, at least
thirteen persons above the age of fifteen years. But the patroon
did not comply M-ith the law" respecting the settlement of his
colonic, and this, as will be shown hereafter, was one of the
causes of difi'erence between him and the Directors, and finally
forced him to transfer to the Company all of his interest in
Pavonia.^ Whether lie failed to comply with the conditions
the first year or afterward is not known. Hence the impossi-
bility of ascertaining the extent of the settlement. But whatever
it was, and whether established by himself in pursuance of some
regular plan in compliance with the " Freedoms and Exemp-
1 Broadhead, i., 150. i O'Cal.N. y., i., 112.
3 Wiiifield's Land Titles, 5.
FIRST lUir.DlXGS EKKCIKU I.N I'.WO.MA. 10
tions," or \>y iii(li\ iiliials uttraclod liitluT tor private «;aiii or
conveiueiicc, Mit-luvi'l I'iiuliiseii, an otKcer of thv ("umpaiiy, was
in charge of the colonic in 1«).'J."3. On the at'tern(»(>n of the
tvventietli ctt" May in that year, Captain De Vries visited him,
and has left this ciiti'v in hi> joiinial : *' Coniitig ti» the boat
on Loni'- Ishmd, niyht came on and tiic tide hc'^an to tnrn,
so that we rowed to Pavonia. We were tliere received hy
Michiel Ponhiz, (in officer in the service of' the Comjuunjy^
The hitter part of this entry seems to indicate tliat Panhissen,
or Panluszoon, was not in charge at Pavonia as an otHccr of
the patroon. Being in the cnipk)y of the Company, he prob-
ably occnpied a hut on Paulus lloeck, and, for ids employei's,
purchased peltries from the Indians. In the latter part of
this year the Company gave orders for the erection of two
houses in Pavonia."'^ This, so far as evidence can be found, was
the first step taken to erect regular l)uildings within this county.
They were shortly afterward built. They were constructed and
paid for by the Company, although Pauw may have furnished
the means. One was built at Communij)aw, afterward owned
by Jan Evertse Bout, and the other at Ahasimus, afterwani
occupied by Cornells Yau \'oorst.
' jy. Y. Hist. Soc, N, S., i., 257. It is probable that Poulaz was the first
Dutch resident in Paulus Hoeck, and left his name to the place. Brondlitad,
i., 22o. Judge Benson intimates that this place received its name from Paulus
Schrick, who at one time lived in the " Town of Bergen." X. Y. IIi«t. Stc., 2d
Series, ii.. 111. It is true there was such a man, and he may have lived in Ber-
gen, but what has his residence in one place to do with the name of another?
It was called " Pouwels Hoeck" before May, 1(538. I have not been able to find
Schrick's name in the records prior to l(j.")2. The following are ilie difterent
ways of spelling this name, adding in each instance its suttix of Hoeck, or
Hook, viz. : Paulus, Paules, Poules, Ponlus, Poircln, Poichis, Poirla»»'»,
Powlen, Powlcss, Powlin, Poirlei/'s. Dr. O'Callaghan, \nc Xtth. Rrg., \\i<,
puts Poulusen down as a clergyman of the Reformed Churrh. residing in
Pavonia in K!:':}. I very much doubt that he was a clergyman. .After
1633 no more is heard of him in Pavonia. He returned to New .Amster-
dam, where he received a grant for a piece of land, .Ian. 21, 1*547. L<ind
Papers {Albany), G. G., 1G3. He was admitted to the rights of a small burgher
April 13, 16o7. New Xeth. Reff..l71. He matle his mark thus: /J i
2 O'Cal., y. X., i., 156. Broadhnnf, i., 244. \. Y. ( W. MSH., i., »1 . l^
20 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Paulnsen was succeeded by Jan Evertse Bout, who arrived in *
New Netherland June 17, 1634, commissioned by Pauw to be
his superintendent. He established his headquarters at Commu-
nipaw, which thus became the capital of the colonic of Pavonia.*
He Avas succeeded in June, 1636, by Cornelis Van Yorst, who
came out as Pauw's " head commander," and took up his
residence at Ahasiraus, in one of the two houses erected in ICSS.'^
tie had no sooner become settled in his new " mansion,"
1 Bout was a man of considerable importance in the early history of New
Netlierland. He was born in 1601, Valentine's Manual, 1863, 611, came from
Barneveldt, If. T. Col. M8S., in., 58, and arrived here in the ship " Eendracht"
in 1634. He was in the employ of the Dutch West India Company in Holland,
whence he was sent by patroon Pauw to superintend his colonic at Pavonia.
Valentine's Hist. ofJSf. 7., 94 ; O'Cal., N. N., i., 167. His wife's name was Tryntje
Simons De Witt. N. T. Col. MSS., Hi., 58. He held the position of superinten-
dent at Pavonia until the summer of 1636, when he was succeeded by Cornelis
Van Vorst. Broadhead, i., 363 ; N. Y. Hist. Soc, N. S., i., 259. He continued,
however, to reside at Communipaw. In 1638 his wayward affections brought
him into more than doubtful relations with a daughter of Ham, in his service.
This coming to the notice of the authorities in New Amsterdam, Schout Lupolt,
in his official capacity, visited the jolly Jan to remonstrate with him about the
cause of the scandalum magnatum. But Bout was in no humor to endure for-
eign intermeddling with the internal economy of the sovereignty of Pavonia.
He flew into a passion, told the Schout in plain Dutch that he was een hand,
een dief, een schohbejak (a dog, a thief, a rascal), snapped his defiant fingers in
the face of the oSicial, and said, " If you or any one belonging to you come to
Pavonia, I will shoot you or them." JT. Y. Col. MSS., i., 41. This blast was
sufficient; the Schout beat a hasty retreat, and for the first time "State's
Rights" were vindicated in New Jersey ! Bout was probably the first white
settler at Communipaw, and was presented with the Bouwerie there after Pauw
had parted with his interest in Pavonia. Col. Hist, of JV. Y., i., 432. In 1641
he was one of the " Twelve," one of the " Eight" in 1643, and one of the " Nine"
in 1647 and 1650. Shortly after the war of 1643 he became a resident in
" Breucklen," where he was appointed Schepen in 1646. N. Y. Col. MSS., iv.,
259 ; jSfew Neth. Reg., 73. He soon arrayed himself in opposition to the gov-
ernment, and signed the " bold memorial to the government of the fatherland."
Col. Hist, of N. Y.,i.,%ll. In 1654 he was reappointed Schepen. He refused
to accept, whereupon he was " directed to hold himself in readiness to return
to Holland by the ship ' King Solomon.' " All>. Bee. ix., 118. Threats of ban-
ishment are no longer necessary to induce men to hold office ! He died at Qow-
anus in 1670. Valentine's Hist, of N. Y.. 95.
- For the history of Van Vorst, tide " Van Vorst Family."
ENTEKTAINMK.VT AT \ AN' VoKSt's. 21
which was a frame house thatelied witli cat-tail, tliaii the diijiii-
tarics of New Ainstenhuii, reprcseiitiiii; both church and state,
resolved to pay liim a visit, as well to assure him of their dis-
tiriij^uishcd consideration as to "sample'' ids newly arrived
Bordeaux. On the 2.")tli of June, 1030, Wouter Van Twillcr, who
was always " iijlad to taste i:jood wine," hut on whose shoulders
rested the wei<rlity cares of the Xcw Xcthcrland state, and Domi-
nie Everardus Bogardus, the bold Dutch jjreacher and liushand of
Annoko Jans, accompanied by Captain De Vrics, came over to
Pavonia. Van A Orst entertained tlicm with princely hospitality
from his newly tilled wine collar. As time passed on and the
sampling of the wine was repeated, the (tovernor and the Dominie
grew warm and disputatious, if not angry with their host. Tiie
modest entrv in De Yries' iournal, that thev '* had some words with
the Patroon's Commissary," plainly means that they quarreled with
him. The subject of the dispute was a murder which had been
recentlv committed in Pavonia. Although the discussion ran high
and bad blood for a while threatened the peace of the occasion,
yet another bumper or two was like oil on the troubled waters,
for " they eventually parted good friends.'' Leaving their host
and his good Yrouiotje^ they entered their boat and started for
Fort Amsterdam. Van Vorst, determined to deepen their im-
pression how royally the representative of the patroon of
Pavonia could entertain such distinguished guests, fired a salute
from a swiveP mounted on a pile'- in front of his house. How
the reverberations of that primal salute must have rolled over
the hills of Ahasimus I and what a brilliant illumination fol-
lowed to light the way of his parting guests. "A spark utitor-
tunately flying on the roof, which was thatched with reeds, set it
in a blaze, and in half an hour the whole building was burned
down."^ Thus ended the first recorded entertainment in
Pavonia.
In the mean time the dissatisfaction existing among the direc-
' Steenstuk, a etone gun.
2 " Stood on a pillar" ia the language of De Vries.
3 ^. T. Hist. Soc, N. S., i., 259. Broadhead, i., 263.
22 • HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
tors of tlie Company that a few of their associates had seized upon
the best and most desirable portions of the country was increas-
ing, and they became divided into two parties. They were at
variance as to the interpretation to be given to the articles of the
" Freedoms and Exemptions." The Company, through those di-
rectors who had not become patroons, claimed a monopoly of the
fur trade, and would restrict the patroons and their retainers to
agricultural pursuits. On the other hand, the patroons claimed
an unrestricted trade along the coast and in the rivers, and exclu-
sive commerce and jurisdiction within their colonies, within
which they would not suffer any exercise of authority by the
officers of the Company. This condition of affairs could not
long exist without producing trouble.
On the 17th of December, 1633, the Assembly of the XIX
resolved that Pauw, with the other patroons, should give to
that body an account of their purchases. On Monday, the nine-
teenth of the same month, the patroons appeared according to
the resolution and defended their rights. It was easy enough to
satisfy themselves that their position was impregnable, but to
satisfy those wdio felt themselves aggrieved by the condition of
things in New Netherland, and especially in Pavonia, was no
light task. These were not convinced, and therefore appointed a
committee of live to negotiate with the patroons and to defend
the claims of the Company ; and in case no agreement concern-
ing the points in dispute could be arrived at between them, then
they resolved that the subject should be referred to a " Commit-
tee of their high Mightinesses, or one of the high courts of
Justice."^ The committee and patroons failed to agree upon a
compromise, and the whole matter in dispute was, by resolution
of the Assembly of the XIX, adopted March 27, 1631:,^ referred
to their High Mightinesses, who appointed a committee of six
to examine carefully into the cause of the dispute, and at the
same time issued the following summons to Pauw, and, mutatis
mutandis^io the other patroons :
' Moulton, I., 421. ■ 2 N. Y. Col. Hist., i., 00.
PAI W SLMMONED Tt) ACCOUNT VOli IMS I'lHCII A.HK. 23
'' 7cv J//', JUic/u'el l\nni.\ Lord of Ac/itienliovi n,
Co-Patroon in New Netherlands the VMh M<nj^ \<V.\A.
TiiK States.
'• Whereas we have this day (Icimted .some J.ords I'nMii our
Assembly, to hear and examine 3'()U and the other interested
patroons, planters in the Colonies in New Netherland, on the one
j»art, and the delegated Directors of the West India Company
and the authorized stockholders on the other part, relative to tiie
differences which have arisen, with power afterwards to deter-
mine the said differences, as by plurality of votes they shall find
equitable; and the 23d instant havinc; been fixed and a])pointed
l)y the said Lords, our Deputies, as the day for the business ; we
have therefore resolved to notify you thereof, commandin<jjyou to
attend here at the Hague, dulj- provided in all things, as the case
requires, on the evening of the 21st instant, in order to appear
on the next day, for the purposes aforesaid, before the above
mentioned Lords, our Deputies, wild will then ])roceed to busi-
ness. "Wherein fail not ; giving notice hereof to the other
patroons, planters who are also interested in the aforesaid ditier-
ences. Done 13 May, lG34."i
The investigation was postponed until the l-tth of June. On
the sixteenth the patroons put in their defence. It was in
writing, of considerable length, and its demands for themselves
and charges against the Company of an extraordinary charac-
ter.^ Neither their claims nor their charges could be passed in
silence by the Company. On the twenty-second iA the same
month they exhibited their replication ''to and against the pre-
tension and claim of ?.[ichael Pauw, Kiliaen Van Kensselaar, and
Samuel Blommaert, Patroons in New Netherland, handed in and
delivered to their High Mightinesses' deputies," in which they
protested against the joint action of the patroons and claimed
that as the right of each depended on its own peculiar merits.
' Col. Hist, of N. Y.. L, 70.
•-' Ibid, i., 83. Here also may be found a copy in ertenso of their pointu ot
defence.
24 HISTORr OF HUDSON COUNTY.
their defence should be several.^ The patroons forthwith re-
joined, asking their High Mightinesses to construe the " Free-
doms and Exemptions " that it might be known which party was
in fault, and declared that the continuation or abandonment of
their colonies depended on their Lordships' judgment.^ On the
2ith of June the deputies resolved to postpone their decision for
twelve days, in order that the parties might amicably settle
their diflerences.^ In Auo-ust followino; the Assemblv of the
XIX commissioned some of their directors " to treat and trans-
act with all the Patroons and colonists in New Netherland"
for the purchase of their rights.* Shortl}^ afterward (in either
1634 or 1635, for the same is without date), a new "project of
, Freedoms and Exemptions " was pronailgated by the States
General.^ The fifth article contained the following language :
" But every one is notified that the Company reserves unto itself
the Island of Manhates, Fort Orange, with the lands and islands
appertaining thereto, Staten Island^ the land of Achassemes,
Arasich and Holjokinar The domains of Pauw were included
in this reservation, on condition tliat the Company should make
the reservation good. The Company continued the negotiations
with the patroon, and finally succeeded in purchasing the
colonie. They paid Pauw 26,000 florins" for his interest in
Pavonia. Thus he ceased to be a patroon in New Netherland,
and the annoyance which his colonie had caused no longer ex-
isted.'''
During these long and bitter contentions between the Com-
' Col. Hist, of N. Y., i., 89. 2 lUd, i., 90. 3 ibid, i., 91.
< Broadhead, i., 349. 5 CoL Hist, of N. Y., i., 96.
* Ibid, I., 423. A florin is equivalent to forty cents.
7 Dr. Koenen says the colony was in Pauw's name at the time of his death,
and that his son, Dr. Isaac Pauw, having removed his residence in 1652, and
thereby lost the privileges of citizenship in Amsterdam, afterward lost his in-
terest in the colony of his father. N. Y. Hist. Soe. Proc, 1860, 35. This is a
great error.
In accordance with the " Freedoms," etc., Harsimus (in part) was reserved,
and became known as the West India Company's Farm, but Aressick and Ho-
boken were disposed of at an early date, without regard to the reservation.
BACKWARD STATE OF TlIK I'KOVINCK. 25
patiy and patrouiis, Pavoiiiu, in coiniuou with thu rest of the
country, was retr(igra<.liii«^ instead of advancini;. Dissensions
within had been productive of difficulties witiiout. The charac-
ter of those who had cotne hither to seek their forttmes was not
in all cases of the best. I )isref:;ardiniz: the exclusive priviU'<;es of
the Conipany/niany of them, prompted by a desire of i,Min, had
imlawfuUy entered into trade with the Indians, exchanf^iui; «rung,
powder and lead for peltries. The savages were not slow to
learn that these weapons were more deadly than the bow and
arrow, and a "general feelini' of uneasiness and alarm beiran to
spread amonui: the settlers.
CHAPTER II. — 1638-1646.
Arrival of Kieft— Settlement in the County— Difficulties with the Indians-
Murder of Smitz— The people assemble— The twelve chosen— Van Vorst
killed by an Indian Chief — The river Indians flee to Manhattan — Thence
to Pavonia— Description of the settlements in the County— The Indians
encamp near Communipaw — Kieft orders their destruction — Attacked
and slain by the Dutch — Communipaw Massacre — Terrible revenge —
Pavonia a desolation — Treaty of Peace — Savages again on the Warpath
— Van Vorst taken prisoner — Peace declared.
William Kieft arrived here as Director-General on the 28th
of March, 1638, At that time there were in all New Nether-
land only seven bouweries and two or three plantations.^ This
backward state of the province may be attributed to the unfortunate
disagreements between the Company and the patroons, and the
many irregularities which in consequence grew up among tlie
settlers. Kieft reformed the government in many respects, and
put a stop to certain wrongs which some of the Dutch were prac-
tising toward each other and toward the Indians.'^ Under the
new order of things prosperity seemed to revive. Abraham
Isaacsen Planck purchased Paulus Hoeck on the first of May,
1638, for two hundred and fifty guilders.^ Jan Evertsen Bout
took a lease of the " Company's fiirm in Pavonia,"^ and De Vries
took Staten Island and established a colonic there. Other parts
of New Netherland were active and thriving. And yet of all
men who ever ruled over the country Kieft knew the least of
Indian character, or how to tame the wild natures of the sons of
' A bomcerie was the home farm on which the farmer resided ; a plantation
was an out-farm, tilled, but not occupied.
' O'Cal., N. N., l, 183 ; Broadhead, i., 277.
3 JSr. Y. Col. MSS., i., 13, 14, 23.
i iV. Y. Col. MSS., i., 53 ; Winfield's Land Titles, 48. Afterward known as
" Gamoenepaen."
26
KIEtT DKMANDS rUIUl'TE. 27
the forest. They hclieltl the thrit't ;m<l eiiterprisc of tlio whites
with jealoiisj, looked uj)()ii thi'ir i^rowiii^; powur with dread, and
ho])e(l for the time when thev niiirht ;rlut their revcnire for tlie
wrongs they IkuI endured. This feeling was not without cause.
For in their social intercourse they had been scorned, in their
commercial transactions they li;id hccii cheated, and without law
or justice they had been plundered and >l,iiii by the luifi-d
Swannekins.' Well niiirht thev live in fear of the cominir time
when, unless they defended themselves now, while their enemie.'^
were yet few, they should be driven from their homes an«l the
graves of their fathers. Regardless of the situation of affairs.
Kieft put a match to the train and hastened the explosion. < )n
the 15th of September, 1639, he resolved to exact a tribute of
maize, furs, and wampum from the Indians, and in case of their
unwillingness to pay, he proposed to em])li>y all necessary force
to remove their reluctance.'- These wild men of the forest, who
were born freemen and had never been taught in the school of
subjection, were filled with indignation at such an unjust meas-
ure. "' He must be a mean fellow," said they, for '' he has not
invited us to live here, that he should take away our corn.""
Thoy had extended freely their simple, yet hearty hospitality
to the strangers who had come from an unknown land, and
now their guests would impose upon them a degrading tribute.
They had endured many rel)uffs, and suffered many inexcusable
encroachments from the domineering and grasping disposition
of the whites, and now they were to be foreed to contribute what
before they had willingly given or sold.
To meet the impending danger and resist the threatened im})osi-
tion, the Indians were not wholly unprepared. Commercial in-
tercourse, social familiarity, and domestic service among the set-
tlers had acquainted them with the habits, disjjositions, and
numbers of the whites. Their skill in the use of tiic guns they
' From Seliironnark, " the salt pooplf," becanso tlnv « muf ain>^.-* tho Milt wa-
ter. MouHoit, i., 2.55. At (irat the Indians called the Diitcli Woiijmd Lennapjif .
that is, " the white people."
■i N. y. Col. }fSS., ir.. 40. ' Valenlinet JIu>t. of iV. )'.. 41.
28 HISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
had obtained in exchange for peltries made them confident in
their strength, and their sense of right convinced them of the
justice of their cause.^ Hence they were not in a mood to sub-
mit to every indignity and outrage which the impolitic Kieft
would heap upon them.
Added to the general sense of wrongs endured, the Weckqua-
esgeck boy, whose uncle had been robbed and murdered by
Minuit's servants in 1626, had now (16il) become a man. The
o-reat outrao-e done to his relative had not been forgotten. Dnr-
ing all these long years he had kept the fire alive in his heart.
The time had come for it to burst forth with the destructive-
ness of a " consuming fire." " An eye for an eye and a tooth for
a tooth" was the law of his race. The deep damnation of his
uncle's taking oif demanded a just and full atonement. Its ob-
lio-ations could not be avoided, neither could it be satisfied with
a slight retaliation. In the execution of this law he was " right
resolute to die."
" What dotli the Indian love ? Revenge.
What doth he fiorht for "? Revenge.
What doth he pray for ? Revenge.
It is sweet as the tlesh of a young bear ;
For this he goes hungry, roaming the desert.
Living on berries, or chewing the rough bark
Of the oak, and drinking the slimy pool."
The perturbed spirit of the slain was not at rest, for his mur-
der was unavenged. The voice of the dead was heard in the
moaning of the sea, in the rattling of the thunder, in the roar-
ing of the storm, in the rustle of the leaves, in the sighing of
the wind, chiding the tardy soul of the living. Many moons
had come and gone since the old man was sent to join his
fathers ; many winters had whitened and springs and summers
adorned his rude resting place, and yet the heaven that he had
hoped for was not his, for his nephew's duty was unperformed.
The one must satisfy vengeance, or the other could never enter
the hunting grounds which lie in the Hereafter. Urged onward
by this feeling, the young man sought his victim, indifferent as
• Broadhead, i., 308.
SMITS, TIIK KAADMAKKK, KIl.r.KD. '^'J
to whom it niiglit be. It liapponcd to hu an inollensive old nuin,
C'laes Cornelisz Siiiits, u '• liaadiiiiikcM-,'' liviiii^ in the vicinity of
Canal street. Pi-etendinir a desii-r to Itartrr some heavers for
diitlels/ he watched his opportunity, killed Smits, robhed tlie
house, and escaped with the booty." Satisfaction and tiie sur-
render of the savage were prom])tly dciuanded. Jiut as he had
only acted in accordance with the custom of liis race, the Sachem
refused to surrender him. Kieft wished to seize upon this occa-
sion to punish the natives, but feared the people, whose interest lay
in maintaining- peace with the savages. lie called them together
for consultation. After deliberation they came to the conclusion
that the murderer should be punished, " but sul»ject to Go<l and
opportunity,'' after making all necessary preparations.' I'Ik-'V
then chose " Twelve Select Men," and " empowered them to re-
solve on everything with the Director and Council.'' This was
the first representative V)ody in Xew Netherland. In it were
Maryn Adriaensen, Jacob StoHelsen, and Ai)raham Isaacsen
Planck, three men who were prominent in the early history of
Pavonia. The *' Twelve " were true to the views of their con-
stituents, and counseled delay .^ They gave their opinions sejta-
rately, but were unanimous in advising the Director to consult
•• time and opportunity" in executing any measure that might be
resolved upon, and that before any action should be begun the
Twelve were to be notified. Thus peace was for the ])resent
maintained, but confidence was not restored. Yet a little longer
the fires which were soon to burst forth in a consuming confla-
gration smouldered.
The year 104:2 closed gloomily. Universal uneasiness mani-
fested itself. Wild stories were circulated and beliovetl. Captain
De Vries, who had estaldished anew colonic called Vriesendael,
at Tappaen, in passing through the woods toward "Ackensack,"^
' A coarse kind of cloth. ^ Broadhead, i.. 318.
3 X. Y. Hist. Soc, N. 8.. i., 277. « Hro,tdh,ad. i.. ;V29.
' An Indian word and said to signify low land. UiH. Mu'j'izine. Hi.. 8.1. It
is written in many ways: Ackensack, Ackingstuk, Ackinghsitck, Akk\ng*>ikkt.
Ackenkcshacky, Ackinkes'iacky , ILigensack, Uaghkinsnck, Ilackenmcky. Hack
30 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
met an Indian who said the whites had " sold to him brandy
mixed with water'' and had stolen his beaverskin coat. He said
he was going home for his bow and arrows, and would shoot one
of the " roguish Swannekins.'"^ He kept his word and shot
Garret Jansen Van Yorst, who was roofing a house in "Acliter
Col."^ Another account is, that one of the " Hacquinsacq "
chiefs, a sort of shiftless fellow, being drunk, was taunted by the
Dutch and asked if he could make good use of his bow and
arrows when in that condition. He answered the question by
killino; Van Yorst with his arrow, and then asked if he was able
or not.^ The chiefs were alarmed at what had been done, and
hastened to their friend De Yries for advice. They oftered to
pay two hundred fathoms of wampum to Yan Yorst's widow, in
order to purchase their peace.* Kieft would accept of nothing
less than the murderer. Him the chiefs could not, or would not
surrender. Their excuse was that he had gone two days' journey
off among the Tankitekes, " and besides, he was the son of a
chief."^
The year 1643 opened as the last year had closed — full of
doubt and gloom. In the depths of the winter the fierce Mo-
hawks came down upon the Weckquaesgecks, Tankitekes and
ingkeshacky , Hackinkasacky , Hackensack, Hackinsack, Ilackquinsack, Hacquin-
sacq, Hackinsagh, HacJdngsack, Haghkingsack, Hakkensak.
1 N. Y. Hist. Soc, iV". S., l, 266.
2 The name here seems to be applied to the country lying between Newark
Bay and Tappaen. It was the colonie of Myndert Myndertsen van der Horst^
the headquarters of which were at Hackensack, " an hour's walk from Vries-
endael." Broadhead, i., 313.
3 Bredeii Raedt, Doc. Hist, of N. Y. iv., 102. Vide Van Vorst Family.
* O'Cal., N. N., i., 264. The Greeks and Indians seem to have entertained
similar ideas of atonement.
" A son's or brother's death,
By payment of a fine, may be atoned;
The slayermay remain in peace at home,
The debt discharg'd ; the other will forego,
The forfeiture receiv'd, his just revenge."
Derby's Iliad, Book IX., lines 731-5
5 O'Cal., N. N., i., 263. The Tankitekes were the Haverstraw Indians, of whom
Pacham was chief.
TIIK INDIANS FLKK TO I'AVOMA. 31
Tiippaeiis, uliuiu tlu'V wi.sliL'il to placi' uihIit trilmle.' ScVfiitt'cii
of them were slain, siml inaiiy wumun und cliiMrcn inadt-
prisoners, *' the reiuuiiider tied thronii;h a (h,'i'p snow to tin;
christians" liouses on and aronnd tlie Ishind of Manhattan.
They were liiiiiiunely received, beinj;: half dead of" cold and
huns^er, and supported for fourteen days; even some of tlu'
Directors' corn was sent to them/' Soon another panic seized
them, and a<j;ain they lied, ])art of them to Pavonia, where the
Ilackiui^sacks bivouacked one thousand strong.* They came
over to this side of the river on the 23d of Fel)rnary, I^UIJ, and
encamped on the westerly edge of Jan de Lacher's Iloeek,'' he-
hind the settlement of Egbert Wouterssen' and adjoining the
bouwerie of Jan Evertsen Bout.' Here it may be proper to let
the poor frightened savages rest for two days, and in the mean
while take a glance at the condition of Pavouia, and learn what
was taking place in New Amsterdam.
Up to this time, February, 164:3, no settlement had been made
north of Iloboken. At this place a farmdiouse and brew-house
had been built and a bouwerie cleared and planted. Here Aert
Teunissen Van Patten and his family resided.''
' N. T. lliit. Soc, N. S., i., 267. * 0-Cal. -V. N., ».. 2(55.
3 Tlie encampment was a few blocks east of the Lafayette Reformed Church,
and near the corner of Pine and Walnut streets, in Jersey City.
* Col. Hist, of N. r., i., 209 ; Broadhend, i., 351. Wouterssen, from Yselstein,
was the first occupant of the present Mill Creek Point, or Jan de Lacher's Hm-ck.
He held it under a lease from Bout, June 20. 1040. X. Y. Co'. .tf5.S., i., 201.
On September 1, 1041, he married Engeltje Jans van Bresteede. widow.
Valentine X Manual, 1802, 650. On May 10, 1647, he obtained a patent for a
" tract of land called in the Indian Ai)opcalyck, extendinjf from Direk Straat-
maker's Kil to Gemoenepaen or Jan Evertz Kii, northeast by east and south-
west by west, behind the kil which runs through betwixt the upland and the
marsh, extendinjr west northwest to tiie woods." Land Papers (Albany), O-
O., 216. This included all the land south of the Abattoir and east of Sycan's
Creek. WinfichVs Land TUle>^. 50. He was an Adf'Uorstn-. or gentleman s.)l-
dier. in the army in 1653. He removed from Pavonia and went t.. New Am
sterdam, where he died in 1680.
5 Bout's farm included all of the upland lyinjr between Commuuipaw Creek,
where the .Vbattoir now stands, on the south, and the meadow where the engine
house of the Central Railroad now stands, or Maple street, on the north.
« Van Putten was the first white resident of Iloboken. He leased the farm
32 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
At Ahasimus was the family of Cornelis Van Yorst, now de-
ceased, at the head of which was Jacob Stoffelsen, who had
married Van Vorst's widow.
At Panlus Hoeck were Abraham Isaacsen PLanck^ and his
tenants, Gerrit Dircksen Blauw,^ Claes Jansen Van Purraerendt
alias Jan Potagie,^ and Cornelis Arissen.*
At Jan de Lacher's Hoeck, or Mill Creek Point, as an nnder
tenant of Bout, resided Egbert Wonterssen with his family.
At Comraunipaw lived Jan Evertsen Bout. After his arrival
in 1634, he held this land as Pauw's representative until the pa-
troon sold to the Company, Then, July 20, 1G38, he leased the
bouwerie for a term of six years for one quarter of the crops.^
He afterward received, as a gift, a patent for the farm. The
following is a copy of this grant :
February 15, 1640, for twelve years from January 1, 1641. N. Y. Col. MSS., i.,
187. Kieft was to erect a small house, and Van Putten was to give as rent
" the fourth sheaf with which God Almighty shall favor the field." He cleared
the land, fenced the fields, erected the first brew-house in the county, stocked
the place with twenty-eight head of large cattle, besides hogs, goats, and
sheep, and planted a number of fruit trees. Col. Hist, of N. T., i., 328.
1 Ibid, i., 194, 195.
'^ Blauw occupied one morgen of land for a "tobacco plantation," underlease
dated October 21, 1638, for twelve years from the first of the month, at twenty-
five carolus guilders annually, "with express condition that Gerrit Dircksen shall
not keep for himself more than six goats and hogs for slaughter, and one sow
big with young." JSf. Y. Col. ITSS., i., 55.
3 Jan Potagie, or " Soup Johnny," also occupied one morgen for the raising of
tobacco. Ibid, 60. Vide Van Vorst Family.
■* Lease dated April 20, 1643, to run for six years from May 1, 1644, for the
whole of Paulus Hoeck, with house and garden of Planck ; " on which Paulus
Hoeck Abraham Planck shall cause a barn to be built at his expense, which
barn and house Cornelis Arissen must keep water tight ; said lessee shall pay
as rent for the first year 100 guilders, for the remaining five years 160 guilders
annually, if Jan Potagie continues to reside on the Hoeck, but if said Potagie
shall leave, the lessee shall pay for the aforesaid five years 180 guilders." N.
Y. Col. MSS., a., 53.
5 This land must have been very productive. Van Der Donck says that Bout
laid a wager that he could raise a crop of barley on a field containing seven
morgens, which would grow so tall in every part of the field that the ears
could easily be tied together above his head. Van Der Donck went to see the
field of barley, and found that the straw was from six to seven feet high, and
very little of it any shorter. N. Y. Hist. Soc, JY. S., i., 159.
3
(;r.vnt of commlnii'aw lo bout. 33
'' We, Willciu Iviet't, Govi'i-uor (jciu'ral, iiiul Council uinlcr tliu
lii;4li ami Mighty Lords States General of the t'nited Xetlierlantls,
lliiih ^[iJ;•htines!5 of Orange and the Honorable Directors of
the authorized West India Company, residing in Xew Xether-
land, make known and declare that on this day hereunder written,
we have given ami granted to Jan Evcrse Bout a piece of land
lyin"' on the North River, westward from Fort Amsterdam, heforo
these pastured and tilled by Jan Everse, named (iamoenepacni
and Jan de Laclier's lioeck,'- with the meadows, as the same lay
within the post and rail fence, containing eighty-four nujrgens"
" In testimony whereof are these presents by us signed, and
with our seal contirmed, in Fort Amsterdam, in Xew
Netherland, the which land Jan Everse took possession
of in Anno 163S, and began then to plough and sow it.
WiLI.EM KlEFT.
" By order of the Honorable Governor General and
Council of New Netherland.
" CoRNELis Van Tienhoven, Sec'y."*
' This is the first time the names of these two places are met with. It has
been said that " Gamoenepaen" received its name from being the settlement of
Pauw. Danlap's Hist, of y. T., i., 50. Oemeente, " community or commons."
It is a possible origin rendered plausible by the modern orthography of the
word, which is not older than the present century. But Pauw had sold out his
interest some time previous, and it was the land, not the settlement, that was so
named. Up to this time the place had been included in tlie general name of Pa-
vonia. Now it was applied to the upland east of the hill and south of the mead-
ow between Comiuunipaw avenue and Walnut street. The orthograjdiy, and
especially the final syllable of the word', precludes the idea of its being derived
from Pauw. It is, I think, beyond doul)t an Indian word. It has been written iu
many ways, c. y.: Getneeue Pus (coniiuon way '.'), Giimoeiupucn, Oiimoinipan, O'e-
moenapu, Gamoenepa, Gemoeaepa, Gemeenapa, Gemoenepaen, Ghmocnepatn.Ge-
meenepaen, Gmoenepnen, Commampa, Commcnnpa, Communcpnh, Communipntc.
■^ That is, Johii, the LrtiKjher'.^ Point. It was a circular piece of upland at tho
mouth of Mill Creek, surrounded on three sides by salt marsh and on the east
by CommuDipaw Cove. It is probable that this name immortalizes the jovial
disposition of Jan Evertsen Bout, who was its first occupant, and. afti-r Pauw
parted with his interest therein, held it under a lease (.dated July 20, l"i;!^i from
the Company.
3 For an explanation of this measure, tide Winfidd's Land Titles. '2(5.
4 The original is now in possession of John C. Van Horn, in good preservB
34 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
On the blufF immediately in the rear of Cavan Point, and just
where the Central Kailroad crosses the Morris Canal, lived Dirck
Straatmaker.^ It is possible there might have been a few other
families than those above named, living along the shore between
Hoboken and^ Cavan Point, but if so the fact has not survived.
There was no building on the Heights, and, as far as known,
none other in the county.
As soon as the Indians had fled to the Dutch for protection
from the wild warriors of the north, Kieft saw the opportunity
for which he had waited since the murder of the " Eaadmaker,"
and intimated the same to De Tries. He had dissolved the
representative " Twelve," and yet he feared the people, should
he attack the Indians. Well he might, for besides the retaliation
which would fall upon the scattered w^iites and outlying planta-
tions, the savages were the guests of the Dutch, " strong both
against the deed." Violent and unscrupulous men, however,
soon opened a way for the slaughter of the savages. Among the
former "Twelve" were Jan Jansen Dam (or Damen), Maryn
Adriaensen, and Abraham Isaacsen Planck, " three inconsiderate
boors."^ Kieft's secretary, Cornelis Tan Tienhoven, was a
crafty, subtle, intelligent, sharp-witted man. " He was an adept
in dissembling. AVhere he laughed heartiest, he bit worst ;
where he hated most, he pretended the warmest friendship. In
words and dealings he was loose, false, deceitful and lying ;
promising every one, but when they came to the point ' he was
not at hoijie.' " He and Planck were brothers-in-law, and sons-in-
law of Dam. Planck, Dam and Adriaensen were the cronies
of Kieft. As Kieft w^as dining with Dam at Shrovetide, on the
night of Februarv 24, 1643, and had become mellow with drink-
ing " mysterious toasts," and so open to the approach of evil
counsel, the host, with Planck and Adriaensen, assuming to
tion. It is without date, but Van Tienlioven says the farm was given to Bout
" long after the house was burnt." Col. Hist, of N. T., i., 433. The house was
destroyed in 1643.
I Wmfieli's Laud Titles, 58. This bluff took the name of Straatmaker's
Point.
- Breeden Raedt, Doc. Hist, of N. Y., ii\, 102.
PETITION TO ATTACK llIK INDIANS. 85
speak for the people, presented ti) Kit-ft the tolluwin^ cniel
petition druwii up by A'an Tieiihnveii, t'm- the iimiiediiite
shiiighter of the iinsiispeetiii<^ Indians:'
" To the Ilonorahle Willia7fi Kieft^ Director General of ^iew
Netherlands and his Honorable Council.
" The whole of the freoincn respectfully represent, that thuu^^h
heretofore much innocent blood was spilled by the savai^cs with-
out having had any reason or cause therefor, yet your Honors made
peace on condition that the Chiefs should deliver the murderer into
your hands (either dead or alive), wherein they have faile<l, up to
the present time; the rei)utation of which i»ur natinii hath in
other countries, has thus been diminished, even, notwithstanding
innocent blood calleth aloud to God for vengeance : we therefore
request your Honors to be pleased to authorize us to attack the
Indians as enemies, whilst God hath fully delivered them into
our hands, for which purpose we offer our persons. This can be
effected, ar the one place by the freemen, and at the other l»y
the soldiers.
Your llono''*' sul)jects,
Maryn Ai)RIaensp:x,
Jan Jansen Dames,
Abkaham Plamk.
By their authority,
CORNELIS VAN TlENUOVEN,
Secretary.''"*
Although the "Twelve" had been dissolved by Kieft himself,
and he therefore well knew that no one could speak for them,
,he was weak enou2;h to heed the voice of three men who falselv
spoke in the name of '' the whole of the freemen." In his an.x-
iety to perform what he thought a great and heroic deed, he
yielded to their counsel, and resolved to*' make the savages wipe
their chops."^ On the following day Van Tienhoven and Hans
Stein, at one time a deputy jailor in New Amsterdam, came
' Col. Hist, of K. Y., i.. ;34o. « ^^««^. »•. 1«3.
3 N. T. Hist. Hoc., N.S.,i., 269.
36 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
over to Pavonia to reconnoitre the camp of the Indians.-^ Cap-
tain De Vries and Dominie Bogardus, having been informed of
what was going on, remonstrated against the whole proceeding,
but in vain. Kieft was ambitious '* to perform a feat worthy of
the ancient heroes of Rome."^ He immediately issued the fol-
lowing order :
" Sergeant Eodolf is commanded and authorized to take under
his command a troop of soldiers and lead them to Pavonia, and
drive away and destroy the savages being behind Jan Evertsen's,^
but to spare as much as it is possible their wives and children,
and to take the savages prisoners. He may watch there for the
proper opportunity to make his assault successful ; for which end
Hans Stein, who is well acquainted with every spot on which the
savages are skulking, accompanies him. He, therefore, shall
consult with the aforesaid Haus Stein and the corporals. The ex-
ploit ought to be executed at night, with the greatest caution and
prudence. Our God may hless the expedition.
" Done 25 February, 1643."*
With such revolting blasphemy did the weak Director end
such a cruel order ! A similar order was given to Adriaensen to
attack the Indians at Corlaer's Hoeck. Most wicked and inop-
portune were both. The settlers were scattered and entirely
without notice of the impending blow. Their position and want
of preparation for defence rendered them an easy prey to the
savage. Under these circumstances the Dutch authorities were
entering upon a course the end of which was destruction.
The light of the 25th of February, 1643, was fading, and the
shadows of the black winter night were drawing over the beau-
1 iV". Y. Hist. Soc, N. S, l, 345 ; Doc. Hist, of N. Y., iv., 103,
2 N. Y. Hist. Soc, N. S., i., 269.
3 De Vries says they encamped at Pavonia, " near the Oyster Bank." Ibid, i.,
268. " On Jan de Lacher's Hoeck, near Jan Evertsen's bouwerie." Col. Hist.
ofN. Y., i., 209. " By the bouwerie- of Jan Evertzoon." Ibid, i., 195. " Near
Jan Evertsen Bout's bouwerie." Ibid, i., 199. " Behind the settlement of
Egbert Wouterssen, and adjoining the bouwerie of Jan Evertsen Bout." O'Cal.,
N. I^., i., 267.
4 ^V. Y. Hist. Soc, K S., i; 278.
5
COM>r['Ml' AW MASSACHK. 37
titiil bay. JIu(ldle<l and -liivt'rin<i^ on tliu western slope of Jan
de Lacher's lloeck, under the ])roteetion of the Dutch, fhe umbus-
pectino: Indians thouixht themselves safe from the lierce Mo-
hawks. P>nl- wliile they drew arniiinl fhe camp fires and talked
or dreamed of their forsaken wii.,'wams, Manhattan was all astir
with the movement of troops and citizens. The nobledieartcd
De Yries stood l)eside tlio Director as the soldiers under Sertreant
Rodplf passed by the fort oii their way to Pavonia. ''Let this
work alone," said lie ; " you will go to break the Indians' heads,
but it is our nation vou are iroinj; to murder." " The order has
gone forth ; it shall not be recalled," was Kieft's dogged reply.'
The sergeant, with liis eighty soldiers armed for the slaughter,
marclied down to tlie river, and, end)arking in boats prepared for
the purpose, silently rowed toward the shores of J*avonia. Hound-
ing the southerly point of Paulus Iloeck, under the guidance of
Hans Stein, they pulled foi- the high ]xnnt at the mouth of Mill
Creek. Here they landed. Climbing the bank, they passed
close to the house of Egl)ert Wouterssen, and cautiously ap-
proached their sleeping victims. Suddenly the sound of nins-
ketrv and the Avild shrieks of the Indians raniir out in tlie mid-
nifflit. Even at tliis distance of time, " the horrors of that
night cause the flesh to creep as we ponder over them.'' Captain
De Vries, who, in contemplating the consequences of the expedi-
tion, could not sleep, says, " I remained that night at the Govern-
or's, and took a seat in the kitchen near the fire, and at mid-
night I lieard loud shrieks. I went out to the parapets of the
fort and looked toward l*avonia. I saw nothing but the flash of
the guns, and lieard nothing more of the yells and clamor of the
Indians, who were butchered during their sleep."" Neither age
nor sex could stav the hand of the unrelentiu'' Dutcli. Suck-
lings were torn from their mothers' breasts, butchered in the pres-
ence of their parents, and their mangled limbs thrown into the
fire or water. Others, "while fastened to little boards" — the
rude cradle of the papoose — were cut through, stabbed, and mis-
erablv massacred. Some were thrown alive into the river, and
' 0-Cal.. i^. If., l, 267. « JV. T. ffUt. Soe.. K S., i.. 2C9.
38 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
when their fathers, obeying the promptings of nature, rushed in
to save them, the soldiers prevented their coming to shore, and
thus parents and chiklren perished. The babe and the decrepid
old man shared the same fate. Some succeeded in hiding among
the bushes from their destroyers, but the next morning, driven
out by hnnger to beg for bread, were cut down in cold blood and
thrown into the fire or river. De Yries says, " Some came run-
ning to us from the country having their hands off, some, who
had their legs cut off, were supporting their entrails with their
arms, while others were mangled in other horrid ways, in part
too shocking to be conceived ; and these miserable wretches did
not know, as well as some of our people' did not know, but
they had been attacked by the Mohawks.'' Isaac Abrahamsen, a
captain of one of the vessels which had brought over the soldiers,
and was waiting for their return, saved a little boy and hid him
under the sails ; but toward morning the poor child, overcome
with cold and hunger, made some noise. Instantly he was
" heard by the soldiers ; eighteen Dutch tigers dragged him from
under the sails in spite of the endeavors of the skipper, who was
alone against eighteen, cut in two and thrown overboard."^
Eighty Indians were slaughtered at Pavonia during that night,
and this, says De Yries, was " the feat worthy of the heroes of
old Eome."
Great was the rejoicing on Manhattan when the soldiers re-
turned bearing the ghastly heads of some of the victims as- the
trophies of their brilliant exploit. Planck's mother-in-law went
so far as to kick these heads in her yet unappeased rage ! But,
closer than they knew, sorrow and mourning were following
upon the heels of their unhallowed rejoicing. How could it be
otherwise ? What though the slayers were " Christians " and
the slain savages ? " Hath not a Jew eyes ? hath not a Jew
hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions ? fed with
the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same
diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the
' Breeden Raedt, Doc. Hist, of N. Y., iv., 104.
2 O'Cal, N. N., i., 269.
KKIAI.rAlIoN UK TMK INPIANo. 39
same winter ami summer, as a Christiiin is ^ It" a .lew wrong a
Christian, what is his humility i revenge ; it" a Christian wrong a
Jew, what .-hould liis sutierancc be by Christian example ? why,
revenge. 77ie villdimj you tedc/i mr I loill execute ; nnil if
s/idJl (JO Juird hut I mill better the inxtruction.''^
Uow suddenly had briars sj)rung up in the trail I' Whijr
yet the liendish orgies were being enaeted, the work of
retaliation had begun. Direk Straatmaker, in company witli
some Englishmen and his wife, who had a baby- in her arms,
eame at an early luuir upMii the bloody field tbr the purpose of
l)lunder. The surviving Indians, who now saw the soldiers filing
off toward their boats, while the others tarried, fired upon Straat-
maker's party, with what result the following eertificate will
show :
" We, the undersigned, sergeant, eorporal, and soldiers, at the
request of the Attorney Gen eral, attest that on the — February,
1043, in the morning, after we had beaten a party of savages at
Pavonia, behind Egbert Wouterssen's, the wife of Direk SStraat-
maker, with a few Englishmen, arrived on the spot where the
slain were lying, with a view to plunder maize or any other arti-
cle. We declare solemnly we warned said Direk Straatmaker
and his wife and told them to go home, to which Direk replied,
' There is no danger. If there were a hundred savages, none of
them would hurt us/ Fpoii which the undersigned left the
spot, according to their orders, to go to the house of Egbert.
When they arrived there they heard a shriek ; then the sergeant
ordered some of his soldiers toward the spot, where they found
' " There are briars in the trail between us." An Indian proverb, Hignifjinpr
that trouble exists between the tribes.
^ This child was saved, lie was named Jan Dircksen Straatmaker. Shortly
afterward he was bound by the authorities in New Amsterdam to ('iaes Tea-
nissen, with whom he had, on Feb. 28, IGoi), been livinjj for sixteen yean<. Ho
was then in his seventeenth year. Minutrs of the Orphnn's Court, y<ir .im*t.,
96. He must, therefore, have been very youn^r at the time of the mai««acn>.
It is probable that from him came the family of that name which for a lonjr
time lived in Hoboken. He married Oeesje Gerrits, Jan. 14, 166.'>. WinJitUi't
Land Titles, 58.
40 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Dirck, aforesaid, wounded (who died a while after of his wounds),
and his wife dead. The soldiers saved the English, who had
only one gun amongst them all.
" Thomas Willet declared that Dirck aforesaid, being asked,
' Why did you not come with us when we warned V answered,
' I might have well escaped by running, but I did not wish to
leave my poor wife.'
"All which the undersigned declare to be true. Done 18th
May, 1643, in New Netherlands.
" JuRiAEN RoDOLF, Sergeant,
" Peter Petersen, Corporal.
"Thomas Willet."^
So unsuspecting were the Indians of the treachery of the
Dutch, that some of them fled from Pavonia to the fort in New
Amsterdam for protection, believing for a time that they had been
attacked by the Mohawks.^ They were soon undeceived, how-
ever, and forthwith entered upon a relentless war. Eleven
tribes resolved upon the work of destruction. They murdered
all the men they could And, dragged the women and children
into captivity, burnt houses, barns, grain, haystacks, and laid
waste the farms of the whites. From the Raritan to the Con-
necticut not a white person was safe from the tomahawk and
scalping knife, except those who clustered around Fort Amster-
dam. Says Roger Williams, " Mine eyes saw the flames of their
towns, the flights and hurries of men, women, and children, and
the present removal of all that could to Holland."^
The people laid the fearful responsiljility of their present ca-
lamities upon Kief t. Pie tried to shift it upon the shoulders of the
three who had urged him to the great wrong. " I have," said
he to Bout, " wherewith to defend my conscience, namely, Maryn
Adriaensen, Jan Damen, and the man over there, your neigh-
bor," meaning Planck. " You have done fine work," said Jacob
Stoffelsen. " You must blame the freemen," responded Ivieft.
"You have now done fine work, in causing the murder of
1 Valentine's Manual, 1863, 541. 2 ]Sf, y. Hist. Soc, N. S., i., 269.
3 Rhode Island Hist. Soc, Hi., 159.
INDIGNATION A(JAINST KIKfT. 41
Christian blood,'" said l>lainv of Puidus llocck, alludiriir to his
stepson, who liud hern kilhd. " You must put tho blame on
the frecuu'i), nf whom ymii' neiijhbor, Abraham IMauck, is one,"
rejilicil the I )irc'('t«)r.' Aihi.K iiscu bccamo in<li<;nant at tlie at-
tempt to place llie responsibility of tlic \\:ir u|iou him and his
associates. It was more than be chose to bear, liushinir upon
the Director with cutlass and jiistol, he demanded, '* Wliat dev-
ilish lies are these you have been tellinii; of me ;" Ife was
seized, disarmed, and committed to prison. II is attack was the
signal for a general rising, M'liich was, however, readily subdued.
and Adriaenscn was shortly after sent in chains to Holland for
trial.
Kieft, goaded by the stings of conscience and the taimts of
those who had suffered, attem})ted to conipier a jieace, but was
unsuccessful. lie then turned with sup])liant voice to the same
God whom he had mocked in his infamous order to Serjeant
RodolF : '"Whereas, we continue to suffer much trouble and
loss from these heatlien, ami many of the inhabitants find their
lives and property in jeoj^ardy, which no doubt is the conse-
quence of our manifold sins ; therefore the Director and Council
have deemed it prujter that next Wednesday, being the fourth of
March, shall be holdcn a general fast and prayer, for which every
individual is solicited to prepare himself, that we may all. with
true and incessant prayer, seek God's blessed mercy, and not give
occasion through our iniquities that God's holy name may be
contemned by the heathen.'"" Xeither his attempt to lay the
blame upon others, nor his attejnpt to force the natives into sub-
mission, nor his humbling himself before God could screen him
from the tempest of indignatittn that burst upon him. To such
a pitch were the people aroused that the ])roposition was made
to depose him from his office and ship him to IIoHand.^
> Col ni»t. of X. T., i., 195. -^ Valcnliiif-s M'lnwil, lHfi:i. .'>40.
3 Hendrick Kip was licard to say : " The Kivit (meaning tlu' director) DUjjlit
to be packed off to Holland in the Peacock, with a letter of recommendation to
Master Gerrit (the public executioner) and a povyid flemish, so that he may jjire
him a nobleman's death." X. Y. Col. MSS., ii., 53.
42 HISTORY OF HUDSON COFNTY.
It was now approacliing the latter part of Marcli. The season
of the year was near when the Indians must prepare for the
maintenance of themselves and families by planting. This could
not be done in the midst of a war. Advances were therefore
made by Pennawitz, chief of the Canarsees, for the re-establish-
ment of peace. This resulted in a " talk '' on Long Island, fol-
lowed by a treaty of "solid peace" on the 25tli of March.^
Some of the Long Island sachems then went to Hackensack and
Tappaen to persuade those tribes to send to the fort and make
peace with the Dutch. Nearly a month passed before they
could be induced to put any faitli in the Director. At length
Oritany, sachem of the Hackensacks, invested with full power by
the neighboring tribes, repaired to Fort Amsterdam, and entered
into the following compact :
" This day. the twenty-second of April, 1G43, between "VVil-
lem Kieft, Director-General, and the Council of the New Neth-
erlands, on the one side, and Oratatin, Sachem of the savages
residing at Ack-kin-kashacky,^ who declared that he was dele-
gated by and for those at Tappaen, Reckgawawanc, Kictawanc,
and Sintsinck, on the other side, is a Peace concluded in the
following manner, to wit :
"All injustices committed by said nations against the Nether-
landers, or by the Netherlanders against said nations, shall be
forgiven and forgotten forever ; reciprocally promising, one the
other, to cause no trouble, the one the other ; but whenever the
savages understand that any nation, not mentioned in this treaty,
may be plotting mischief against the Christians, then they will
give to them a timely warning, and not admit such a nation
within their own limits."^
To impress the savages with the solemnity and honesty of this
compact, presents were mutually exchanged. But these savages,
untutored in the elaborate deceptions of diplomacy, did not feel
that the presents received were commensurate with the great
' Valentine's Manual, 1863, 540. 2 Hackensack.
3 Alb. Bee, a., 220 ; O'Cal., X. N., i., 277.
THE WORTv OK nESTRUCTION CONTINIKD. 48
wrono-s tliev liiid snft'ercd, ivnd tlicv went uwav I'niinhlini'.
Hence the peace thus eonchuled was only apparent and did not
last lonc^. The river tiihes were not at ease. The i^reat injuries
inflietcil iipon them l»y the hated 8wannekins were uiuivenged
or uiiatoned, and notliinij hut hlood or a full satisfaction could
extiuiruish the lierce liatred which thev nursed. Early in An-
jT^ust the war w]iO(»p was sounded ahovc the Iliifhiands, and thence
rolled southward. In some instances hy stealth, in others hy
open violence, the savages waged a relentless war. Seven differ-
ent trihes joined the coalition, which spread terror on every side.
In this hour of ]ieril Kicft called upon the peoj)le whom he had
previously slighted to come to his assistance. They selected
EiGUT representatives to confer and advise with the Director and
Council. In this body was Jan Jansen Damcn, hut, for the
part he had taken in bringing about the February massacre, lie
was expelled, and Jan Evertsen Bout of Communipaw chosen in
his stead. The Eight resolved on war, and Kieft proceeded to
arm the people, and stationed them in small companies to pro-
tect the outlying settlements. Ihit the savages were alert and
gave the Dutch but little time for preparation. The force
detailed to defend Lord Xederhoi-st's colonic were routed on the
night of September 17th, and the house in which they took ref-
uge was burned. Jacob Stoffelsen, then living near the i>resent
corner of Henderson and Third streets in Jersey City, fearing
his place might be injured, had three or four soldiers detailed for
its protection. On the 1st of October nine Indians came to
his house. They were kindly disposed toward him, and did not
desire to injure his person. Under some pretence they induced him
to cross over to the fort. They then approached the soldiers as
friends. These, being thrown off their guard by this show of
friendship, gave no attention to their muskets, were attacked and
killed, and the buildings burned. The savages took young Ide
Van Yorst prisoner and carried him off to Tappacn.' -Vert
Teunissen of Iloboken, out on a trading excui-sion, was killed
1 ^V. Y.Hist. Soc, N. S.,i., 272. The next day, at the re<|ue8t ..I Ku-li ami
Stofifelsen, De Vries went to Tappacn and ransomed the " boy."
44: HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
near Sandy Hook,^ and afterward his farm was laid waste and
his cattle were destroyed. The four bonweries in Pavonia —
Bout's at Gamoenepaen, AYouterssen's at Jan de Lacher's Hoeck,
StofFelsen's at Ahasimus, and Teunissen's at Hoboken — were
laid waste and the buildings destroyed, not generally by open
force, but by creeping through the bush and setting fire to the
roofs, which were constructed either of reeds or straw.^ Before
leaving, they burned every house in Pavonia, except the brew
house in Hoboken,^ and destroyed every bouwerie and planta-
tion, with twenty-five lasts* of corn and other produce, and killed
or drove away the cattle.'"' Pavonia and adjoining districts suf-
fered more than any other section. So thoroughly was their de-
struction accomplished that from Tappaen to the Highlands of
the Navesinck the country was once more in possession of its ori-
ginal masters.^ All was desolation. In the language of the
Eight to the States General : " Every place almost is abandoned.
We, wretched people, must skulk, with wives and little ones, that
still are left, in poverty together, by and around the fort on the
Manhattes, where we are not one hour safe. . . . These
heathen are strong in might. They have formed an alliance
with seven other nations ; are well provided with guns, powder,
and ball, in exchange for beaver by private traders, who have
had for a long time free course here. The rest they take from
our brethren whom they murder.""
These troubles produced much discontent among the colonists.
Poverty followed in the wake of the war. The comj^any's treas-
ury was depleted, and Kieft attempted to replenish it by heavier
taxation. This, added to the M\ar, kept the country in an almost
disorganized condition until the spring of 1645. Then a number
of tribes concluded a treaty of peace with the Dutch. In honor
of this event, a " grand salute of three guns'' was fired by Jacob
Jacobsen Poy, gunner in Fort Amsterdam. Unfortunately, one
of the pieces — a brass six-pounder — exploded, and poor Roy was
1 Valentine's Hist, of If. T., 47. "- Ibid, 46 ; Col. Hist, of N. Y., i.. 185.
3 Col. Hist, of If. Y., l, 339. < Ibid, l, 190. s Broadhead, i., 369.
6 O'Cal, N. N., i., 389. 7 ibid, i., 393.
TKEATY uK I'KAi K IN ltJ45. 45
badly wounded in tlie rii^lit arm.' It was in)t, however, until the
thirtietli of August, that the river Indians consented to lay down
their arms, and enter into tlie following treaty :
'•This day, being the .'><itli of August, \i'A:'>, appeared in the
Fort Amsterdam, before the Director and Council, in the pres-
ence of the whole Commonalty, the sachems or chiefs of the sav-
ages, as well in their own behalf as being authori/c(l b}' the neif^h-
boring savages, namely: Ouataxkv, Chief oi Ai'k'nths-harktj;
Sessekenk K and Wif-liam, Chiefs of 'VapiKien and Rirhjairu-
icank ; Packam and Pennewink (who were here yesterday and
gave their power of attorney to the former, and also took upon
themselves to answer for those of Omintnj and the vicinitv of
Majanicetinneinin , of Marecliowick\ u^ N>/ack and its neighbor-
hood), and Aepjen, who personally ap})eared, speaking in behalf
of Waj)j)in,r^ WiquaesJcecJcii, Shitsnicls and Ku-htcnrimx.
'" First. They agree to conclude with us a solid and durable
peace, which they promise to keep faithfully, as we also obligate
oui*selves to do on our part.
"Second. If it ha])pcu (which God in his mercy avert) that
there arise some difficulty between us and them, no warfare sliall
ensue in consequence, but they shall complain to our Oovcruor,
and we shall complain to their sachems.
" If any person shall be killed or murdered, justice shall be
directly administered upon the murderer, that we may henceforth
live in peace and amity.
" TiiiKi). They are not to come on Manhattan Island, nor in the
neighborhood of Christian dwellings with tlicir arms; neither will
we approach their villages with i»ui- guns, except we are con-
ducted thither by a savage to give them warning,
" Foi'RTH. And whereas, there is yet among them an Engli.-.h
girl, whom they promised to conduct to the Knglit-h at Stamford,
they still engage, if she is not already conducted there, to bring
lier there in safety, and we proniise in return to pay them the
ransom \vhich has been promised by the English.
X. v. Col. Ji.Ss'., jr., '221.
46 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
" All wliicli is promised to be i-eligiouslj performed tlirougliout
the whole of New JSTetherlands.
" Done in Fort Amsterdam, in the open air, by the Director
and Council in 'New Netherland, and the whole commonalty,
called together for this purpose, in the presence of the Maquas
ambassadors, who are solicited to assist in this negotiation as
arbitrators, and Cornelius Anthonissen, their interpreter, and an
arbitrator with them in this solemn aifair. Done as above."
This treaty was signed by Sisendogo, Claes jS'orman, Orataney,
Sessekemis, William of Tappaeu, Jacob Stoffelsen, Aepjen,
sachem of the Mohicans, and Cornells Teunissen, all of whom
affixed their mark ; and by Willem Kieft, La Montague, Jan
Underhill, Francis Doughty, George Baxter, Richard Smith,
Gysbert Opdyke, Jan Evertsen Bout, Oloif Stevensen and Cor-
nells Haykens.^
Thus closed the first Indian war. It had been carried on for
eighteen months with but slight intermission. On the return of
peace, the owners and tenants of farms on the west side of the
river came back to and rebuilt their desolated bouweries.^
' Valentine's Manual, 1863, 544.
2 Bout was among the number who returned. Before he had reconstructed
his dwelling-, however, he sold the " farm and a poor, unfinished house, with
some few cattle, for 8,000 florins," to Michael Jansen. Col. Hist, of N. Y., i , 482.
Vide Vreeland Family. It is probable that Jansen purchased this farm in 1646.
Certainly he was residing there in September, 1647. The farm sold to Jansen
was only part of the tract given to Bout by the Company. The other part he
sold to Claes Comptah, alias Claes Pietersen Cos, for 1,444 florins, 3 stivers.
]^eio Amst. Rec, Hi., 143. Winfield's Land Titles, 48.
ClIAPTEi: 111.^1046—1658.
Arrival of Stay vesant — Murder of Simon Walinjrrs at Paulus Hocrk — Confer
ence with tin- Indians — Tracts of land taken up in the County — War
again breaks out — Pavouia destroyed — All the settlers tlec — Indians
return their prisoners to Paulus Hoeck — Detached settlements forbidden
— Persecution of the Quakers.
On the 28th of July, irt46, Petriis Stuyvesaiit was commis-
sioned Direotor General, and arrived at Maidiattan (111 the 11th
of May, 1047. Shortly after his arrival the Indians hc^^'an t<»
complain that the presents promised to them when they entered
into the treaty of peace had not been received. Being without
money and without goods, he Avas imable to satisfy their demands,
and yet knew that if a war should break out, he would be cen-
sured by the fickle multitude. In this dilemma the cominunalty
were called upon to select eighteen representatives, from whom
the Director and Council selected Nine to advise the Govern-
ment when requested. Manhattan, Brcuckclen, Amersfoort and
Pavonia made the necessary selections from their best citi-
zens.^ From Pavonia appeared Michiel J^msen, the farmer,
• The merchants, burghers and farmers were represented in this Board. It.-*
duties were— i''i/•s^ To promote the honor of (Jud, the welfare of the coiintrj-.
and the i)reservation of the Reformed Religion, according to the discipline of
the Dutch Church. Second. To give their opinion on matters submitted to them
by the Director and Council. Third. Three of the nine, viz. : One merchant,
one burgher, and one fanner, were to attend for a month in rotation on the
weekly court, as long as civil cases were before it. and to act 8ub8e<iuently as
referees or arbitrators on cases referred to them. If. in case of sickness or ab-
sence, either of these three could not attend, his place was t<> be filled by an
other of the NiNK of the same class. Six retired from oHice annually, to be
replaced by an e<iual number selected from twelve name* sent in by the whole
board. They held their sessions in David Provoost's school room, and were the
immediate precursors of the Burgomasters and Schepens. and of a municipal
form of government in the city of New Amsterdam, yeic ycth. Reg., 55.
47
•iS HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
who held a seat in the same body in the years 1649 and
1650.1
Stuy vesant profited by the experience of his predecessor in his
intercourse with the Indians. His manner toward them was
conciliatory, and it was nearly two years after his arrival before
any difficulty arose on this side of the Hudson, and even this was
seized upon by the Director to prove the mildness of his govern-
ment toward the natives. Tiie following resolution of the
Council, passed March 11, 1649, and the subsequent conference
with the Indians, throw all the light upon this incident which
can now be obtained :
" Whereas, on the 9tli of March last, at Pavonia, about Paulus
Hoeck, one Simon Walinges^ was found dead, having been, as is
supposed from the arrows and wounds in his head, killed by the
Indians, although it cannot be ascertained to what tribe they
belonged ; yet thus far it is the general opinion that it was done
by strangers, either from the Earitan or from the south, lured to
this crime by their avarice, because they took from the house in
which the murdered man resided about three hundred oruilders
in strung sewant, four beavers and five otters, with some cloth
and friezes, which theft, no doubt, drew the man from his house,
as he was discovered a pistol shot from the door in the path,
lying dead on the ground, with a small ladder in his hand,^ a!id
as the murdered man, without knowledge of the court, and
against common usage, was carried, by some individuals, away
from the spot where he was killed, and brought to this side of the
river on the Manhattans before this city ; so the transaction has
occasioned much commotion among the inhabitants and Indians
— more so as some of our people took hold of the Indians and
denounced them as guilty of the crime, which was then followed
1 Mw JSTeth. Beg., 56.
2 His surname was Van der Bilt. Broadhead, i., 509. He came to this country
in 1636, and settled in Rensselaerwyck.
3 The meaning of this I do not comprehend, unless he lived in a sort of block-
house, which rendered a ladder necessary for entrance and exit, and which, in
the excitement of the moment, he carried with him after emerging from the
house in pursuit of the thieves.
MURDER OF AV.Vr.INGES AT I'AILUS HoKcK. 49
by a general llii:;lit of tlio Indians from tin- Manhattans, ami
accounts of the transaction were spread tar and wide.
" "Wherefore, to prevent its spreading turthi'r, tiif Director
General and Council have deenu'd it advisable — tirst, to make no
further stir about this murder, atid do our best to appease both
Christians and Indians, and reconcile them again to one another,
to bury the corpse, and urge the Christians carefully to al)staiii
from betravins: any desire of revenue."*
The Indians, fearing that the Director would seek revenge
after the manner of liis predecessor, sent some of their leading
men to New Amsterdam to ask forgiveness ami renew the cov-
enant of friendship. On the 10th of Jidy the Sachems Seyse-
gekkunes, Oratamus (Orataney?), AVillem <»f Ta[)paen, and Pen-
nekek of Acliter Col (Elizabethtown), met the Council at the
fort. Pennekek made a speech to the effect that the Min(|uas of
the south desired to live with the Dutch in friendship, and, to
signify their wish, he laid down a present for the Director ; that
one Indian of Meckgackhanic had latelv, without the knowledire
of his people, done some mischief at Paulus Iloeck, and asked
that it might be excused ; that the Raritans, residing formerly at
Wickquakeck, had a sachem, and wished him to intercede for
them ; that Meyternaek, Sachem of Xyack, with his tribe, was
desirous to be included in the treaty, and would continue and
remain friends to the Dutch ; that he proclaimed the same for
the Indians of Remahennonk ; that their heart was upright, and
they wished to live with the Dutch in friendship, ami that all the
past might be forgotten, and .said : '' Could you see my heart,
then you would be convinced that my words an- sincere and
true."
Governor Stuyvesant readied in a conciliatory speech, and j>re-
sented the Indians with about twenty florins, and some tobacco
and a gun to Oratamus. The Indians were delighted, reaffirnn-d
the treaty of peace, and returned to their homes.*
From this time until the year 1055 the settlers on tiic west
side of the Hudson pursued the even tenor of their way without
' N. Y. Col. MSS.. iv., 428. « VnUntine's Manuai, 1868, 648.
4
50 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
much disturbance from any source. They joined in the general
crusade against the hard-headed Peter, very much as the masses
now do against officials, but beyond this they were occupied in
improving their farms. The favorable situation of the land had
attracted notice, and nun)erous grants had been made by the
company to individuals since the devastating war of 1643. The
wounds of that terrible contest were healed, and health and
prosperity were everywhere visible. Jacob Jacobsen Roy, the
gunner of Fort Amsterdam, had received a grant for one hun-
dred and hfteen morgens of land at Constapel's Hoeck.^ Claas
Carstensen, the Norman, sometimes called Yan Sandt, had taken
up fifty morgens, extending from bay to bay, and including the
central part of the recent township of Greenville, then called
Minkakwa.^ Maryn Adriaenseu had received a plantation ot
1 Land Papers {Albany), G. G., 141. Winfield's Land Titles, 73. The Dutch
word for gunner is konstapel; hence Konstapel's Hoeck, or Gunner's Point. It
derived its name from the occupation of its first European owner. It lies east
of Bergen Point, at the mouth of the Kill van Kull. It is a rolling piece of
sandy land, separated from the main by salt marsh. Different parts of it are
known as Bird's Point, Van Buskirk's Point, and Mitchell's Point. On account
of its distance from populous settlements, it is being extensively devoted to
those kinds of pursuits which require isolation. Its Indian name was Nip-
nichsen. Roy received the patent in March, 1G46. His wife's name was
Fokeltje Willems. JSf. Y. Col. MSB., ii., 29.
2 Land Papers {Al'yany), G. G., 197. Winfield's Land Titles, 59. The map
of the county will show that Cavan Point is about opposite Droyer's Point —
the former in New York bay, the latter in Newark bay. The two points stretch
out like wings. Above them are meadows, below them is a good shore, and
only about one-half the distance across, By rowing around either of these points
the natives had a short and easy portage from one bay to the other, and a good
landing upon either side. Heape they named the place Minkakwa (corrupted
by the Dutch into Min,gackque), " the place of the good crossing" — from mino,
or min, " good," and kakiwe, " to cross over a point of land on foot." It in-
cluded that part of the county which lies between the Morris canal, or Fiddler's
Elbow, on the south, and the bluff where the Central Railroad crosses the Morris
canal on the north.
Prior to 1644 Carstensen lived on Long Island. He married Hilletje Hen-
dricks, April 1.5, 1646 ; was admitted to the rights of a small burgher, April 13,
1657, JVew Neth. Reg., 173, and appointed interpreter of the Algonquin language
in 1658. Tbid, 133.
TRACTS OF I,ANI> TAKKN IN THK ('i)INTV. 51
fifty morgens at Awieliaken.' J)irc-k Ziokeii (or Sycsm) ha«l oli-
tained a patciit tor a ]>lantatioii bel<»\v (leinoeuepaL'ii, aiul bju-k
of Kewan.- Sycan's Crock, wimliiii^ through the meadows, l)e-
tween C'a\!m Point aii'l tlic u|>l.iiii|, still perpetuates tlie name of
WinfieUVs Land Titles, 36. Adriaensun was born in 1000. N. 7. Col. MSS..
i., 249. Came from Wre to this country in \iVM, and sfjttlcd in Rfn».'«dR<Twvrk.
O'Cal., N. X., L, A''i\. lie shortly afterward came to New AniHterdam, wa«
chosen one of the " Twelve," August 29, 1641, and bore a prominent jiart in
the trouV)les of l(i43. He was a bad man, a noted freebooter ; O'Cal., y. N., i.,
434 : a drunkard, JV. Y. Col. MSS., i., 200, and a slanderer. Ibid, if., 94. His
wife's name was Lysbet Tysen. She survived him, and married Ueerlief Mich-
ielsen, May 3, 1G54. New Amst. Bee, i., 448.
The name of this place is now corrupted into Wcihuirki'ii, formerly also writ-
ten Whehockcn, Weehaick and Wtchauk-, but the true mime is as given in the
text.
It still retains much of its primitive attractiveness, ilalleck has sung its
beauty :
Weehawken ! In thy mountain scenery yet.
All we adoro of nature, iu Ikt wild
And frolic hour of infancy, is met;
And never has a summer's morning smUcd
Upon a lovelier scene. ♦ « »
Tall spire, and glittering roof, and battlement;
And banners floating in the sunny air.
And white sails o'er the calm blue waters bend,
firecn isle and circling shore— are blended there,
In wild reality. When life is old
And many a scene forgot, the heart will hold
Its memory of this.
The word is Indian, and several attempts have been ma<le at its definition.
Weeh-ruh-ink, the termination in auk, meaning " tree," suspected to apply to
the rock which in its structure resembles trees. JV. }'. Hist. Soc. Proc, 1844.
106. The modern orthography gives a sound similar to Yehaickans, signify-
ing "houses." Macanli/'s X. Y., ii., 26!. Iu a letter received frum Hon. J.
Hammond Trumbull, of Connecticut, he says: "The last syllable of Weehatr-
ken appears to represent the location affix, ing or ink. I am inclined to believe
that Wehoak denotes ' the end' (of the Palisades), corresponding to the Massa-
chusetts Wehque, 'ending at,' or wohkocw (Eliot), 'at the end of.' This
definition seems to me to be the most probable."
2 The ujiland along the shore, between the Abattoir and Cavan Point, was
granted to Egbert W'outerssen, May 10, 1647, by the Indian name of Apo|>ca-
lyck. Winfield's Land Titles, 36. The northerly part is known as Ritrcx-iu,
formerly Ihgpokes, Rightpokus, Right-pocquct and Right-Coakkus. The lower
part was Kewiin, now known as Cavan Point, sometimes as Hreat Kaywan.
Kewan is Indian, and signifies i\ point of/'iiid. On a map in .U'lr.i/nili* M'i/.«A-
52 ■ HISTOEY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
this owner of the land on its western bank.^ In 1654 patents
were issued for land in the southerly part of Jersey City and in
Bayonne, down to near the present First Eeformed Church. The
tracts were designated by this general description, " between
Gemoenepaen and the Kil van Kol." Most of them lie within
the district afterward known as Pembrepogh, but as that name
is not mentioned in the patents, it would seem fair to infer that
the same was not then known to the Dutch, or, at least, not ap-
plied to this portion of the county. The grants were as follows :
October 23, to Jacob Wallingen, from Hoorn,'^ - 25 morgens.
December 4, to Jan Cornelissen Buys,^ - - - 25 "
" 5, to Jan Lubbertsen," - - - 25 "
" 5, to Jan Gerritsen Van Immen,^ - - 25 "
" 5, to Jan Cornelissen Schoeumaker," - 25 "
" 5, to GerritPietersen,'^- - - - 25 "
" 5, to Lubbert Gysbertsen,« - - 50 "
ington. Vol. V., dated August 27, 1776, Kewan is named " Gallows Point." In
the olden time this point extended into New York bay much further than it
now does. In the last seventy years the water has encroached upon it at least
two hundred feet. A cherry orchard once stood where fishermen now stake
their nets.
1 This is the creek through which the water of the OfiF-fall (which stream
took its rise in Tuers' pond, near the Bergen Reformed Church) forced its way
to the bay. From Straatmaker's Point to the bay it is yet in existence ; above
that point it was destroyed by the construction of the Morris canal.
2 Winfield's Land Titles, 71. It is probable he came to this country with
Captain De Vries in 1635 or 1636. W. Y. Col. MSS., i., 64.
3 Winfield's Land Titles, 64. Buys was admitted to the rights of a small
burgher, April 14, 1657. He was living in Midwout in 1663. He was known as
•' Jan, the Soldier."
■4 Ihid, 65. Lubbertsen was appointed clerk of the Company, September 8,
1654, but on the 19th of March, 1658, the same position was refused him. On
the 13th of August, 1658, he was licensed to keep school in New Amsterdam,
" to teach reading and cyphering ;" was admitted to the rights of a small
burgher, April 14, 1657, and appointed one of the commissioners to fortify
Bergen in 1663.
5 Ibid, 66. ® 1^^'^' ^^-^
7 Ihid, 65. Pietersen was admitted to the rights of a small burgher in 1657.
« Ihid, 62. Gysbertsen was a wheelwright by trade ; came over in 1634, and
settled in Rensselaerswyck.
MORE TROUBLE WITH THE INDIANS. u3
December 5, to Jan Cornelisscn C/ryiuieii/ - - 25 niorj^cns.
" 5, to Gysbert Luhbcrtsen,* - - 25 "
*' 5, to Tleiulrick Jjuiscn Vuii Schalek\vyck/25 "
Mic'liiel Jansen liad also received a patent for twenty-six an<l
a lialt" inori!;ens, and lii> bi-otlicriii law. (Jlaes Jansen, the baker,
a patent tni- forty nior<2;ens lyin<; at ami near Coininnnipaw. At
Ilobokeii, Aliasimns, I'aulus Ijocck,' and ('uiuintniipaw were
flouribhinu- farms. ^
Ten years had passed since the treaty with Kiet't had secnred
peace to the conntry. We have now reached the month of Sep-
tember, 1055. Stnyvesaiit, in cDnnuand of a sqnadruii of seven
vessels, liivini;- on board between six an<l seven luimh-ed men,
had departed on tlie fifth tor the South river to ex|)el tlie Swe<lcs.
who had made a settlement tliere.'' In his absence troul)les
arose wliidi l)ore disastrously upon the settlements on the west
side of the river. They i^rew out of such a trithiiLj fact that one
almost fails to aj'iprcciato the wonderful stupidity which jirecipi-
tated them.
Ilendrick Van l\vck, the sehout-fiscal, had a farm in New Am-
sterdam south of Trinitv Church, extendinir from T.roadwav to
the x^orth river. He had with much care planted a peach or-
chard M'ith trees imported from Holland. This fruit was a rarity
in those days, and to the Indians it was a novelty. The sij^ht
of the blushing peach was a sore temptation to the poor savages.
so irresistible, indeed, that they were not loth to venture their
lives in the dark nights to sail arouiul in their canoes, and, by a
stealthy march and scaling of fences, to appropriate the fruit.
The wrath of Van Dyck's wife upon discovering these raids upon
' Winfidd's Land Titles, 68. ' ^»<'. ««•
3 Ihid, 70. The inost of these ])atPntoo>t were soldiers.
< This place was, during this year, called on to furnish its (juota of trwipa to
exterminate the pirates on Long Island Sound. It furnished one man of the
forty required for that purpose. O'CaL, N. N., ii., O")"^.
5 Mr. Whitehead, a scholar of accurate learning, says that the several planta
tions on this side of the river were ahandoned in lf>."jl. Whitehead's E<i»t Jtr»ey.
20. This is a mistake. They were not abandoned until Ifrj-').
6 Broadhead, i., 604.
54 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
her orchard knew no bounds. A watch was set for the thieving
savage, but in the chase the wild rover was too nimble for the
heavy-bottomed Dutchmen. As capture was impossible, nothing
remained but to give the rogues a dose of shot, and Yan Dyck
was assigned to the duty. At midnight he secreted himself in
the orchard and waited for the intruder. A dim figure soon
scaled the fence and began to pluck the forbidden fruit. Van
Dyck fired ; the victim fell. It was an Indian girl, and she was
dead. The news of the outrage soon spread, and the Indians de-
liberately resolved upon signal vengeance. Giving no warning of
their purpose, on the night of the 15th of September sixty-four
canoes, carrying five hundred warriors, all armed/ landed at New
Amsterdam and scattered themselves throuo-h the streets. Yan
Dyck, for whom they were searching, fled to the house of his
neighbor, Yandiegrist.^ They attacked the house, and in the
affray Yan Dyck was wounded in the breast by an arrow, and
Yandiegrist was cut down with a tomahawk. The town was
quickly aroused ; the guard attacked the savages and drove them
to their canoes. They then crossed over to the west side of the
river, and " in the twinkle of an eye" a house at Hoboken^ was
in flames, and all Pavonia was soon on fire. From one end of
the settlement to the other the torch and tlie tomahawk did their
work. Excepting the family of Michiel Jansen at Communipaw,
every man who did not seek safety in flight was killed. All the
cattle were destroyed, and everything burned. From Pavonia
they passed over to Staten Island, and laid that waste.* The at-
1 Fourteen hundred men belonging to the same expedition arrived shortly
afterward. Valentine'i< Manual, 1863, 552.
^ This Vandiegrist was subsequently one of the owners of Slaugh's Meadow.
Winfield's Land Titles, 138.
3 Vanderkemp translates this " Harbol." Alb. Bee., xiii., 327.
* Captain Adrian Post, his wife, five children, one servant and one girl, were
saved, Alb. Bee, viii., 158, but captured. O'Cal., JY. iV., ii., 293. He afterward
acted for the Dutch Government in redeeming captives taken by the Indians.
He settled in Bergen, where he became ensign, Sept. 6, 1665 ; representative,
June 10, 1673 ; the first prison-keeper in East .Jersey, July 19, 1673, and lieu-
tenant, July 15, 1675. He was a man of considerable influence, and the founder
of the Post family. He resided in the town on lot 164 ; Winfield's Land Titles,
81 ; and died Feb. 28, 1677.
PAVONIA KNTIREr.Y DESTROY tlD. .»a
tiic'k raided for three days with all tin- t'ury of savai^c wartarc.
The Dutch lost one linndred in killed, uuv hundred and lit'tv
were carried into captivity, and over three hundred were de-
priNed of their lidiius. I'wenty-eitjht houweries and a nund)er
of plantations were destroyed, besides a lari^e amount of fjrain
and a nund^cr of cattle,^ The savages of Ahasinius, Ackiiike-
shacky, Ta]>paen, and others were j)resent in this contlict, an<l
were guilty of shocking cruelties, against their solemn promise,
contirmed by an oath, which they never took hrfore, viz. : " May
God, wlio resides above, take vengeance on us if we do not keep
our engagements and promises."'
For tl\e second time Pavonia was a desohation. The settlei*s
on this side of tlie river, in common witli those of otlier places,
took wing and fled to Xevv Amsterdam for protection.^ Here
the most of them remained for the next five years, until better
days returned. As soon as Stuyvesant, then on the Delaware,
heard of tlie attack by the savages, he hastened his return. Im-
mediately on liis arrival he adopted plans for the defence of the
Province. The Indians, being encund^ered with the prisoners
they had taken, sent in Captain Post with a proposal of ransotn.
On the 13th of October Pieter Kock* conducted Captain Post
back to Paulus Iloeck, where he met the Indians. They were
displeased that the captain had not returned at the tinie speci-
fied, and gave expression to their feelings by saying, '' Ye Dutch-
men lie so fast that we cannot trust you." They promised, how-
ever, that all the prisoners should be at Paulus Iloeck within
two days. " Come and see it.'-''
Although they had invited negotiation and accused the Dutcii
of falsehood, they prevaricated and delayed to release the cap-
tives. Stuyvesant soon lost all patience with them, and is^sued
the following order :
' O'CcU., N. N., a., 291. 2 -4^6. Rtc. x., 16.5.
3 Valentine's Manual, 1860, 616.
* Pieter was accustomed to come to the shores of Pavonia under more favor-
able circumstances. It was here, but a few years before, that he wooed but
failed to win Annetje Van Vorst.
5 AW. Rec. .riii., 6o.
56 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
. " Captain Post. — Whereas, the savages appear studiously to
delay the pending negotiations, which were begun with mutual
consent, and with a prospect of satisfactory arrangement, and as
they appear, by their repeated excursions, to endeavor to dis-
courage our soldiers, by keeping them constantly on the move,
and being ferried over time and time again, meantime no deci-
sion is come to respecting the prisoners in their hands ;
" Therefore, we desire you, or any other person familiar with
the Indian language, to demand in our name of the Sachems
Pennekek, Orataney, and others, wliat is their final intention,
and whether they have concluded to deliver over our prisoners
or not, and if so, when. And we also require that they will not
keep us longer in suspense or tell lis lies.
"Done in Fort Amsterdam, October 16, 1655."^
On the followino; dav the Sachem of Achter Col brought to
Paulus Hoeck a number of his captives, as appears by the fol-
lowing action of October IStli :
" Whereas, Pennekek, a chief of the savages, did yesterday,
being the ITtli of October, bring in fourteen persons of the Dutch
nation, males and females, who had been taken captive by his
nation, and placed them again under the protection of the Dutch
government, and at the same time, as a further token of his
good will, brought in Captain Post, he also a prisoner, and there-
npon solicited the Director to reciprocate his courtesy in present-
ing him with some poNvder and balls ;
"The Director-General and Council judge the request of Pen-
nekek a matter of considerable importance, and having mature-
ly considered it, resolved to send him, as a proof of their good
will, two Indians who were taken captive by our men, as a free
gift of the Director-General, with a small quantity of powder
and ball, in the hope that by these means the remaining Chris-
tians may obtain their liberty.""^
The fact that a body of savages with prisoners were gathered
at Paulus Hoeck caused quite a commotion in New Amsterdam
' W. Y. Col. MSS., vL, 153. 2 Valentine's Manual, 18fi3. 557.
THE INDIANS SURRENDER TItEIU CAITIVKS. 57
The curious rowed over to Puvuiiia and jiruwled jiround the
camp. Those wlio were indiijnant over the f:i|»ti\ity of rela-
tives insulted the Indians if tliey landtMl <>n >r:irdi:ittan. The
authorities, feariiiT^ the natural result of such conduct, made a
general order on the 18th oi' October that no pei-son should pre-
sume to go over to Paulus Iloerk, hy boat, canoe, or other ves-
sel, nor should any one converse with tlie Indians, under penalty
of correction, Xo person, whoever he might be, should, on the
arrival or departure of any boat, or when the Indians should ar-
rive, crowd to the landing, or indulge in clamor or noise, under
penalty of imprisonment, whether young or old. If any per-
son crossed the river without showing a token (or permit) from
the authorities, the Indians w'ere authorized to arrest and hold
him for ransom,^ On the IDth Post, Claes Jansen de Iluyter.
and Peter AVolfertsen van Couwenhoven broutrht over the above
views of the government, with some presents for the Indians,
and returned on the 21st with twenty-eight ransomed captives.
The savages also sent a messao-e that twentv or twentv-four
others would be sent in on receipt of a proper quantity of friezes,
guns, wampum, and ammunition. The Director then wished to
know how much they would take for the '"' prisoners en maxse,
or for each.'' They replied, seventy-eight pounds of powder and
forty staves of lead fa- twenty-eight persons.'* The otler was ac-
cepted, and additional presents made. This seems to haveen<led
the second general Indian war.
At this time it does not appear that there was one white resi-
dent remaining within the limits of this countv. The savage
was again the undisturbed lord of the soil. Even Michiel Jan-
sen, who escaped the slaughter of September, had tied to New
Amsterdam M'ith his numerous family. Stuyvesant, being a
practical man, attempted not only to conciliate the Indians for
the present, but to provide for the safety of settlers in the fu-
ture, lie had long before this, and on several occasions, made
known his views as to the impropriety of detached or isolated
settlements, whicli exposed the people to destruction. lie now
' N. Y. Col. MSS., ri., 107. « O'Cnl, X. X.. ii.. 294.
58 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
put those views into definite and authoritative shape by the fol-
lowing
" Ordinance
Of the Director-General and Council of New JSTetherland for
the formation of villages, and prohibiting straw roofs and wooden
chimneys. Passed January l^th, 1656.
"Whereas, sad experience hath from time to time proved
that, in consequence of the separate dwellings of the country peo-
ple located on the Flatland in divers hooks and places, in com-
plete opposition to the Order and good intention of the Hon^'®
Company and its government here, many murders of People,
killing and destruction of Cattle, and burning of Houses, have
been committed and perpetrated by the Indians, natives of this
Country, the most of which might have been, with God's help,
prevented and avoided, if the good Inhabitants of this Province had
settled themselves together in the form of Towns, Villages, and
Hamlets, like our neighbors oi New England, who, because of their
combination and compact residences, have never been subject to
such, at least not to so many and such general disasters, which
have been caused, next to God's righteous chastisement, on ac-
count of our sins, by tempting the Savage Barbarians thereto
by the separate residences of the Country people ; the one not
being able, in time of need, to come to the assistance of the
other, in consequence of the distance of the places, and the im-
possibility of the Director-General and Council to provide each
separate country house with a guard. To this, then, besides the
Murders, Damages, and destruction of divers People, Bouwer-
ies, and Plantations already suflfered, is owing also the last, to
the serious loss and hindrance of this country and the people
thereof, the recurrence of which is to be apprehended and ex-
pected hereafter no less than now and heretofore, unless the
good Inhabitants are taught by their losses and those of others
to be wiser and more prudent, and to allow themselves to be in-
fluenced by good law, as they are bound to be, to foi*m compact
dwellings in suitable places in form and manner as will be laid
down to the Inhabitants by the Director-General and Council,
or their Commissioners, when the Director-General and Council
DETACHED SETTLEMENTS FitRBIDDKN, 59
will 1)C ahli' to assist aiul luaiiitaiii their suhjucts, with the jxnvcr
intrusted to them by God and tlie Supreme government.
"In order that this may l>c tiie better executi'd und oln'vcd in
future, the Direetor-General and Cotmcil atbresHid do hereby not
only warn their good subjects, Imt likewise (;li!irLC(? and eommand
tliem to concentrate themselves, by next Sprini:^, in tlm t'Mrm of
Towns, Villa<;es and Hamlets, so that tliev may be the more
effectually protected, maintained and defended a<xainst all assaults
and attacks of the Barbarians, by i-ach other and Ity the military
intrusted to the Director-Cieiu'ral and ('(^uiu'il ; Wariuni; all
those wlio will, contrary hereunto, remain hereafter on their
isolated plantations, that they will do so at their peril, without
obtainini;, in time of need, any assistance from the Director-Gen-
eral and Council. They shall, moreover, be fined annually in
the sum of 25 guilders for the behoof of the i)u])lic.'
" Furthermore, the Director-General and Council, in order to
prevent a too sudden conflagration, do Ordain tliat from now
henceforth no Houses shall be covered with Straw or Keed, nor
any more Chimneys be constructed of Cla])boards or Wood.
•'Thus done, resolved, resumed and enacted in the Assembly of
the Direetor-General and Council, holden in Fort Amsterdam
in Xevj Netherland. Dated as above."^
During the following summer the authorities, on intormatiuii
' In the latter part of this year .Tacoh StofftOsen asked for permission to re-
turn to his farm at Harsiiuus. In his petition he set fortli that ht- linil Ween
twice driven away by tlie Indians, that he was an old man. and was willing to
build a small house and barn. The authorities insisted upon their i)laeard of
.lanuary 18th. They claimed that imperious neeessity required that separated
settlements should be discouraged. Yet they jiermitted Stoffelsen to continue
the cultivation of his farm at his own risk during the following year. This on
December 21, 16')0. N. Y. Col. MSS., riii.. .'?i:?.
■i X. T. Col. MSS., pi.,22G. On the sul)jert of the prectnling ordinance, the
Directors in Amsterdam wrote as follows, December 19, lfw6:
" We are well pleased with the Edict your Honors have enact.-*! r««specttng
the separate habitations of the outside people, provided it apply to the HuiUler*
of new dwellings, and not to those whose houses are already erecte*! and con-
structed, for we do not think it fair to constrain the latter thereto." N. Y. Col
M8S.,xii., i'i.
60 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
that a few Tappaen Indians were contemplating mischief against
the whites, reaffirmed the above ordinance, and commanded the
people to concentrate in villages.^
This ordinance was perhaps the principal cause which pre-
vented the repeopling of Pavonia for several years. The people
could not make up their minds to abandon their separate settle-
ments and concentrate in villages. Therefore they quietly re-
mained in exile upon the Island of Manhattan. Neither they nor
the authorities would abandon their positions ; hence the fields
of Pavonia remained desolate.
During the next two years the attention of the authorities and
people was largely engrossed with religious matters. A persecu-
tion of "]Sr on- Conformists''' began, and Dominies Megapolensis
and Drisius held the garments of those who stoned the saints.
Whatever doctrine they preached, they practiced this : " Stand
by thyself, come not near to me ; for I am holier than thou."
They demanded that Dominie Goetwater, a Lutheran minister,
who had presumed to come to New Amsterdam to instruct the
people in his way of belief, should be sent l)ack in the same ship
in which he came. The " Friends,"" who had been expelled from
Boston, came within the bounds of New Netherland, and pro-
claimed their simple, comprehensive creed. They were imme-
diately pursued with pains and penalties. If they demanded to
be informed what law they had broken, and called for their
accusers, that they might know their transgression, tortures fol-
lowed, such as would rival those of the Inquisition. Even those
who entertained the persecuted, or showed them sympathy, were
accused of treating with contempt all ecclesiastical and political
authority. If one whose soul thirsted for the water of life waited
upon the ministrations of any other than a duly authorized ex-
pounder of Heidelburgh, he or she was instantly accused of being
absent from worship and profaning the Lord's Day. So soon
and so completely had Netherlanders forgotten the great lesson
of the Low Land "War, in which William the Silent laid his life
upon the altar, and whole hecatombs of their countrymen had
' ISr. T. Col. M88., via., 56.
PERSECUTION OF THE QUAKKKS. 61
been sacrificed, that cvitv ni;iii iiiii^lit i>i:iy tn (u<(\ in liis own
language and worship lliin in what form lie iiiii,'lit, personally
responsible to Ilini only for the honesty and i^enuinencss of that
prayer and worsliip. Alas, for human weaknrss which natural-
izes tvi'annv in cNcrv heart; which makes every niairs credo a
Procrustean bed upon which he would lengthen or shorten every
other man's credo until it litte<l with exactness.
" Alus for the rarity
Uf Christian cliarity
Under the sun."
It is some satisfaction, however, to know that these persecutions
were mostly confined to the east side of Hudson's river. It is vcrv
doubtful if any such cruelties for opinion's sake were indidged
in within the hounds of this county. On Monday, the •2;kl of
September, 1658, three persons — Tomas Christen, Tomas Cliaj)-
man and John Cook — were carried before the Council, suspected
" to be of the sect called Quakers, which they unrpiestionably
proved, entering the room without paying any mark of respect
their heads covered." They had come from "GemeenePas"
(Cominunipaw), and requested permission to pass on to New
England. This was denied. The sheriff conducted them back
to Communipaw, and they were warned not to come again, under
the penalty of corporal punishment^
• N. T. Col. MSS., viiL, 091.
CHAPTER IV.— 16 5 8— 16 64.
Deed from the Indians for all the land in the County, between Hackensack and
Hudson — The Refugees desire to return to Pavonia — Forced to concen-
trate — Petition to found a village on the Hill — The village of Bergen
begun — Its Founders and Name — Its manner of settlement and defence
— Its first Charter and Court — Names of Officers — Lot owners ordered to
take out Patents — A Well ordered to be dug in the Village — Communi-
paw fortified.
We have now reached a state of peace in thehistory of Hudson
County which is not again to be bn)ken in upon by an Indian
war. With considerable accuracy Stuy vesant comprehended the
policy to be pursued toward the savages, and skillfull}^ seized
every occasion to temper their wild dispositions. Feeling that
possibly their title to the land in Pavonia had not been satisfac-
torily extinguished, and that this might be one cause of complaint
with them, and urged thereto by the great desire of the refugees
to return, he entered into negotiations for its purchase. On the
30th of January, 1658, he received from them a deed, of which
the following is a translation :
" This day, the date hereunder written, appeared before the
Honorable Director-General, Petrus Stuyvesant, and the gentle-
men of the Council of New Netherlandt, at the Council Chamber,
in the Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherlandt, Therincques,
Wawapehack, Saghkins, Kogkhennigh, Bomokan, Memiwokan,
Sanies, Wewenatokwee, for themselves and in the name of Moi-
kopes, Pepoghon, Parsoihques, and others, partners of the lands
hereafter mentioned. Who declare to be the right owners of the
lands lying on the West side of the ISTorth Eiver, in New Netlier-
landt, beginning by the great Rock above Wiehacken, and from
thence across through the lands, till above the Islandt Siskakes,^
1 Siskakes, Sikakes, Secaucus, is an Indian word, and signifies the place where
the snake hides. It must have retained its peculiarity down to the times of the
63
INDIAN IJKKI) TO STl.YVESANT. ♦5'i
aiul frniu tlioncc aloni; the Clianncl side till Consttihle's Ilook.
And from ( -onstahlc's Hook aL'aiii, till the atoreinentionecl Unck,
above Wiehacken, with all the lands, islands, channels, valleys,
therein comprehended, in such manner as the aforementioned
parcel of lands are surrounded and encompassed by the Xortli
Iliver, the Kill van KoU,' and the aforesaid direct line from the
Rock above AViehacken, till above Siskakes, where it is divided
by the Channel. Which lands they offer a])solutely to sell unto
the Director-General and Council, ui)on which the (ieneral and
Council on the oik- side, and tlie aforesaid Indians, for themselves
and them that are absent, have accorded and ai^reed in the man-
ner foUowini;, in the presence ot the hereinafter mentioned Chris-
tian and Indian witnesses : The aforesaid Indians do acknowledj^e
to have sold, resinjued, and transported, as they do by these pres-
ents, all the lands heretofore mentioned, to the aforesaid Director-
General and Council and their successors, for eighty fathom of
wamjnim, twenty fathom of cloth, twelve kettles, six guns, two
blankets, one double kettle, and one half-barrel of strong beer.
Which effects they hereby acknowledge to have enjoyed and
received before the passing and signing of this.
" Wherefore they do declare, for themselves and them which are
absent, to resign and transport the lands before mentioned, to tlic
abovementioned General and Council, in full, free and perfect
pro])erty, desisting of all actions and claims which they could or
might pretend to the lands before mentioned — the transporters
promise now or hereafter, not to make any pretensions thereon :
but to keep and hold this transport tirm. sure, and inviolal)le.
PromisiuiT also to the said Director and Council, to free and war-
rant the said lands against all claims any other Indians might
pretend to. and if it should happen that in future times any of
Dutch, for thov named it " SlanghenlK-rtrli, " whicli in EnK'l'sli >>» Snake Hill.
It is a hijrh rock rising outot tlie salt marsh on tht- east sick- of the Hackonwick
river. It's name was transferred to all of tlu- upland lying betwetjn the river
and Pinhornc crrck.
I Tiie Kill van KuU included Pinhdrn.- cnck as well as the channel betwin-n
Bergen Point and Staten Island.
64 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
the Dutch, by any Indians, should be damaged on pretension
they were not fully paid for the lands aforesaid, they, the sellers,
do promise to repair and satisfy the damages. It is also stipula-
ted and agreed, the aforesaid Indians shall depart and remove by
the first convenient opportunity, off the lands aforesaid ; and
that none of their nation shall come and continue to dwell
upon it, without knowledge and consent of the Director-
General and Council. Thus done at the fort Amsterdam, and
signed with the marks of the Indians, after the cargoes were
delivered to their hands, on the 30th day of January, Anno
Domini 1658.
( the mark of ^ \ the mark of
T, - Therincques -^ ' | Bomokan.
( made by himself. ( the mark of
^
the mark of ' \ Wewenatokwee.
1 Seghkow. i the mark of
( beglilvow. j the mark of
y, the mark of Sames. •^' ( Memirvokan.
( the mark of ( the mark of Sames,
/, < Koghkenningh. y, -| as witness,
( Wairimus Couwee. ( otherwise called Job.
\ the mark of
■^' ( Wawapehack.
" We, the Subscribers, witnesses hereunto, desired by the Di-
rector-General and Council, do certifye and declare, by this pre-
sent, that the above bai-gain for the lands before mentioned, is so
made before us, and the lands, by the sellers transported to the
Director- General and Council ; on the conditions and terms com-
prehended in the bill of sale, the conditions and substance plain-
ly told, acquainted and declared to the sellers by the interpreters
Govert Loocquermans, Peter Wolphertson van Cowenhoven, and
Claas Carstensen, and also by AVharimes van Couwe, formerly an
owner of the lands aforesaid ; and whereupon, the sellers have
consented to the bargain, transported the lands, and received the
mentioned cargoes and wampum, signed the conditions, with the
above marks.
" In witness hereof, have we subscribed this, the day and yciii-
I'AVUMANS DKSIKK l<> ICiniUN. Qo
aforesaid, at the f(»rt Ainsterclam, in Xcw Xethcilaud, in tlu*
Council Chamber.
" Joir. Mkgai'omcnsis, Pctrus Stlyvi-mant,
" SaMIEL DkISHS, NiCASIlS DK SiLLK,
" Oloff IIekexsin, PrrKk Tounkman,
" GoVERT L0O( IH'ERMANS, PiPnEIi CoWKMIoVKN,
"Machiel Yansen, Jan Evektsen Bolt,
" y, the mark of Claas,
" Carstexsen Noorman,
" T' Present,
" Cornelius Van Rcyven, Serr.""^
This deed conveyed all that jiart of Hudson County whicii
lies east of the Ilackensack river and Newark Bav, and com-
prised the territory of the old township of Perfjen. Tlie farm-
el's of " Gomoenepa/' who hail been <1 riven from their homes in
1655, had, on the 22d of the same January (1058), ex]>ressed a
desire to return to their deserted bouweries. For this purpose
they petitioned as follows :
"7(> the Director-General and Council in New Ntiherland :
" Shows with all due reverence the interested farmers, wiio
have been driven away by the Savacjes from their farms in Pa-
vonia, Gemoenepaen, and other neighboriiiiij places, hdw that
they, supplicants, should incliue tu reoccupy their former spot*>
' N. Y. Col. MSS., tin., 707 ; Taylor's Annals, 46. It may be well to note here
that the Indians, in the conference held at Easton, October 2;l, 1758, jfave to
Governor Bernard two deeds, by which they released all their rijjlit and title to
the soil of New Jersey, for which they received £1,000. Smith's Jft.it. of X. J., 419.
These deeds were, at the request of Governor Franklin, ratifieil by the Six Na-
tions at a conference held at Fort Stanwix (Rome), October 24. 17GS. C"l. Hist,
of X.T., via., ir2. Not only the Dutch, but also the En>{li»h, always dealt with
the New Jersey Indians with {^reat fairness, and extinjjuished their titles by ac-
ceptable compensation. This fair treatment was traditional amonj; them , and
to show their appreciation of it, at the latter conference, after a six-cial meetinj;
upon the subject, the Six Nations conferred upon the jjovemor, as representa-
tive of the people, the euphonius name of Sagouioiiwevogiista — " The Gn»«t
Arbiter, or Doer of Justice.'' Il/id, viii., 117. I am quite ?ure the reader will l»e
delighted with such a pet name, and beguile his leisure hours with it.s fre«]uent
repetition.
6G HISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
of residence, to restore their buildings, and cultivate their for-
mer fields ; but as they have been greatly injured and suffered
immense losses by the incursions of said savages, by which it
will be highly diificult for them to renew their former business
of farming, so they now, in their present situation, should ear-
nestly solicit that they might be favored by your Hon, with
some privileges, to assist them in this arduous task, so as bj an
exemption of tithes and other similar burthens, during a few
years, as your Hon. in their discretion may deem proper for their
relief. Expecting your favorable apostil,^ they remain,
" Your Hon, humble Servants,
" MicHiEL Jansen,^
" Claes Jansen Backer,^
" Claes Petersen Yos (Cos),*
" Jans Captain,
" DiRCK Seiken,^
" DiRCK Claesen,^
" Lysbet Tysen."^
Upon this petition the following order was made on the same
day:
" The supplicants are perjnitted, in consideration of the rea-
sons explained in their petition, the privilege of exemption from
the payment of tithes and the burthens attached to these during
six years, provided that they, in conformity to the ordei-s and
placards of the Director-General and Council, concentrate them-
selves in the form of a village, at least of ten or twelve families to-
gether, to become in future more secure and easier to receive aid
for their defence in similar disastrous occurrences; without
which the Director-General and Council deem the reoccupation
of the deserted fields too perilous, which, if it might neverthe-
less happen, contrary to their order and placard, the Director-
1 A note in the margin of a book or writing ; hie, an order.
■^ Vide Vreeland Family. s Winfield's Land Titles, 50.
* Ibid.Al. Ftde Garkabrant Family. '" Ibid, Go.
" Vide Vreeland Family, note.
■" She was the widow of Adriaeusen, patentee of Weehawken.
TIIK PEOPLK COMMAN'DKI) TO CONCENTKATK. I^T
General and Council consider tijcniselves not only excused, Imt
declare that the aforesaid concession or exemption during six
years shall he null ami Noid."'
The })etitioners accepted the conditions imposed and returned
to their farms, for they Ionised to escape from the city and the
pursuits thev were obliged to follow there.'- They were rehict-
ant, however, to forsake tiieir bouweries or to erect a viMa<^e for
the protection it might all" in 1. Nearly two years passed after
they received permission to return,' and yet no village was
formed, no provision made against the attacks of the Indians,
This delay obliged the authorities to enforce i)enalties for <liso-
bedience of previous orders upon the subject of detached settle-
ments. On the 9th of Februarv, 1660, thev did ordain, inter
alias, as follows :
" In order to prevent, and in future put a stop, as much as
possible, to such Massacres, Murders, and Burnings, by cruel
Barbarians, at the separate dwellings, the Director-General and
Council of jYew Netherlaml do, therefore, hereby notify and Or-
der all isolated Farmers in general, and each in ])articular,
wherever they may reside, without any distinction of }>ersons, to
remove their houses, goods, and cattle before the last of March,
or at latest the middle of April, and convey them to the Tillage
or settlement, nearest and most convenient to them ; or, with the
previous knowledge and approval of the Director-General and
Council, to a favorably situated and defensible spot in a new
palisaded Village to be hereafter formed, where all those who
apply shall be shown and granted suitable lots, by the Director-
General and Council or their Agents, so that the Director-Gen-
eral and Council, in case of any difficulty with the cruel Bar-
barians, would be better able to assist, maintain, and protect
their good Subjects with the force intrusted to them by God and
the Supreme authority. Expressly warning and commanding all
' Alh. Rec, xiv., 27.
• Many of the Pavonians, includinj; Michael .Tansen and Casper Steinmete.
kept tap-rooms in the rity during their exile. Xetr Amst. liic, ii., 133.
" The exact date of their return is not known.
68 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
and every whom these may concern, to transport their property,
previons to the time aforesaid, into Tillages or Hamlets, on pain
of confiscation of all such goods as shall be found, after the
aforesaid time, in separate dwelling and farm-houses."^
Following closely upon the promulgation of this enactment,
and on March 1, 1660, Tielman Yan Yleck^
and Peter Rudolphus, with the commendable ambition to be the
founders of a village, sought permission " to settle on the maize
land behind Gemoenepaen."^ They were unsuccessful ; why, is
not now known. Undiscouraged, however, Yan Yleck, on April
12, 166u, sent in another petition, numerously signed, for per-
mission to settle a village and some bouweries " on the maize
land behind Gemoenepaen.''^ This request was also refused.^
This second refusal put a stop to all efforts to found a village in
this county until the 16th of August following, when several
"inhabitants of this ]>rovince," that is, of New Netherland,
whose names, unfortunately, have not been preserved, petitioned
for permission to " begin" to cultivate farms and plantations on
the west side of the river, " behind Communepah," and " to
make there a village or concentration." On the same day the
authorities gave the following decision upon the subject :
" The petition is granted to the supplicants, provided that the
village shall be formed and placed on a convenient spot, which
may be defended with ease, which shall be selected by the Di-
rector-General and Council or their commissioners.
" Secondly. That all persons who apply and shall share with
1 N. Y. Col. MS8., ix., 53.
- Van Vleck may j ustly be regarded' as the founder of Bergen. He came
originally from Bremen, studied under a notary in Amsterdam, came to this
country about 1G58, and was admitted to practice the same year. N. Y. Col.
MSS., via., 932. He was made the first Schout and President of the Court at
Bergen, September 5, 1661. JYew Neth. Reg., 100. After the capture of the
country by the English he returned to New York and resided there in 1671.
3 N. Y. Col. MSS., ix., 117. ^ Ibid, ii:, 143. ' Ibid, ix , 146.
BERGEN LAID UlT. 69
otliers by lot, shall be obiiu-ed to iiuikc a bei;iniiini,' within
the time of six weeks alter tht- (b-awiiijj^ (»f lots, and to send
hither at least one person able to bear and handle arms, and to
keep him there upon a penalty of forfeitini; their ri^^ht, Ije^^ides
an amende of 2<» lh)rins, in behalf of the villa^'e, and to pay be-
sides others his share in all the village taxes, whieh, dnri?i;; his
absence, have been decreed and levied."
The reqnirements and directions of the al>ov(' a])ostille are
sufficiently plain. Whoever will look at the topotrraphv of the
village, which was shortly afterward be«jjun on the'* Hill," will
come to the conclusion that it must have been laid out in strict
conformity to these requirements, and it is hii^hly probable that
it was laid out by Governor Stuyvcsant hitii-df. When the vil-
lao;e shoiild be located, the lots within its bounds were to be dis-
tributed among settlers by lottery, without change, and within
six weeks thereafter the erection of buiidiui^s upon the lot.s was
to be beijun.
Up to the date of the above petition it is manifest tiiat thr
present " Jersey City TTeifjlits" were without a mime and without
a white inhabitant. The place was described as '' behind Gemoc-
nepaen." There was a small clearino; about where Montgomery
street crosses Bergen avenue, but it is probable that it had
been made by the savages, as it was known as the '* Indian corn
field," or "Maize land," and, after the village was establishe<l. a-
the '*old Maize land." If the reader will keej) in mind the date
of the petition and permission to form a village — August !•!,
lOGti — we will get very close to the date of the foundation of the
village of Bergen. In a survey of a lot for Douwe llarmensen
in November, 1(560 (the day of the month is not given in the
return of the survey), the land is described as being "omtrent
het dorp Berghen in't nieuwe maiz Laiit" — nrar the villntje of
Ber(jen in the new Maize laml } This particular lot, in the de-
scription of which tlie naiuf first occurs, lay '• in the rear i«f
Christian Pieterse's land, in breadth twenty rods alom; from the
' N. Y. Col. MSS., Hi., 142. As late as August 4, 1681, it was railed Xumi^
dorp op't maislant.
70 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
creupple bush to the Kill," and is lot numbered seventy-nine on
the Field Map, and is now, in part at least, owned by the Marion
Building Company at West Eud.^ This survey is conclusive
proof that the village then existed and had a name, and beyond
all doubt its position was selected, the village surveyed and laid
out, and a name given to it between the sixteenth of August
and some time in I^ovember, 1660.^ Beautiful for situation.
' Winfield's Land Titles, 110.
' Many conjectures have been indulged in and somewhat has been written as
to when and by whom Bergen was founded, and as to the origin of the name.
Writers have generally followed Smith in his suppositions. This author
thought the Danes had assisted the Dutch in its settlement, and that its name
was in honor of the capital of Norway. Smith's N. /., 61. Mr. Whitehead,
East Jersey, 16, says it was commenced about 1618, and endorses Smith's origin
of the name. Dr. Taylor, in his Annals, 45, holds the same opinion, except as
to the derivation of the name. Being more of a Dutchman than a Dane, he
holds to the probability that the name comes from Bergen op Zoom, a town in
Holland. In the N. J. Historical Collection, 226, it is said that Bergen is the
oldest village in New Jersey, " presumed to have been founded about 1616,"
and to have "received its name from Bergen in Norway." Gordon, in his
History of New Jersey, 7, presumes that between 1617 and 1620 a settlement
was made at Bergen, and the name taken from the capital of Norway. Mul-
ford's History of Meic Jersey, 41, endorses this view. Sypher and Apgar,
History of New Jersey, 10, with a bold if not ingenious originality, say that
Hudson's men (!) made small settlements at Bergen as early as 1617, clearly
showing that the authors did not know what they were writing about. Yet
this work is designed for a text-book in our schools ! Now,
1st. By whom was it settled '' From a careful examination of the names of
the original settlers, not only of the village of Bergen, but of the Colonie of
Pavonia, and after an earnest endeavor to ascertain whence they came, I have
concluded that the settlement was made by Hollanders (or perhaps more prop-
erly speaking, Netherlanders), Danes, Swedes and Norwegians. Of these there
were more Netherlanders than of all the others combined. Oldmixon, while
intimating a probability that the Danes settled it, admits that " the Dutch,
always industrious in trade, worked them so far out of it that Berghen, the
northern part of New Jersey, was almost entirely planted by Hollanders."
British Empire, i., 283.
It may be proper to mention here a statement which I find in Pictures of
New York, 10 : " It was the custom of the Dutch W'est India Company to grant
land to those who had served out the time they had contracted for with the
Company. Hence Bergen and Communipaw and several other places were
settled by disbanded soldiers; and it is remarkable that the inhabitants
of those places retain their ancient manner of living, and the very disposition
im:k(;i:.\ rvMSADKi). 71
easily defended, and surrounded l»y ^ood farni hind:*, tlie new
vilhiiire was soon in a tlourisliinj' condition. It was laid out in u
square, the sides of wliiili were eii;lit liun<lred feet lon^, with
two streets crossini:; each other at rij^dit an^h-s in the centre,' and
a street around the wliole ph)t. Ah)iii^ the exterior ot" this sur-
ronndiiii^ street palisades were erected before Ajtril, HWtl, to se-
cure the phice from the attacks of the Indians. In the centn'
of the plot wliere the streets intersected was a ]>id)lic ])lot of
about one hundred and sixty by two hundred ami twenty-five
of soldiers, especially the old mon still living and tlu-ir descendants, seem most
of them to follow tlioir footsteps." Carrying the idea of the military settlement
still furthor, it is said that among the soldier.^ of Stuyvcsant, who were trans
planted to HiTgen, were sunic of tiie Moorish race, wliose peculiar complexion,
physiognomy and characteristics are, it is alleged, yet to be traced in their de-
scendants — the swarthy complexion, the shar[>, dark eye and curling hlack
hair, so opposite to the ruddy color, the light eye and fair hair of the Hollander.
.V. J. Hist. Soc. Proc, \M~)-i\, 48.
2d. As to the name. Bergen in Norway received its name from the hills
which almost surrounded it. Bergen op Zoom, eighteen miles north of Ant-
werp, stands on a hill surrounded by low marshy ground, which, witii its forti-
fications, afiForded great security. Thus it will be seen that the two supposed
godfathers of our Bergen received their names from local circumstances. Are
not the same circumstances existing here to give the same name to the new
village ? On two sides of the hill was marsh, and the only other place for set-
tlement was along the river. To the eye of the Hollander, accustomed to look
upon marshes or low land redeemed from the sea, the ridge growing in height
as it extended north from the Kill van KuU, was no mean atlivir. To him it
was Bergen, the Hill, and, like the places of the same name in Europe, it took
its name from the hill ou which it was built. This I believe to bo the tnie
origin of the name.
There is another possible derivation, which it is proper to mention, without
adopting it. Stuyvcsant directed the village to be located on some sjwt easy
of defence. The motive— in fact, the primary thought— which nec<-ssity sug
gested in the formation of the village, was sufetii. The settlers were driven to
it as to a city of refuge from the savage foe. In the Dutch language, the verb
hergen means " to save," probably derived homherg.a. hill, which in case of
attack is a place of safety. If the verb be used as a substantive, we would then
have Bergen, a " place of safety." Very appropriate and very beautiful !
3d. When Bergen was settled is sufficiently shown in the text.
■' These streets were originally straight, but owing to encroachments by ad-
joining property owners, at least the one running north and 8<iuth is 'luite
crooked.
UISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
feet. These streets quartered the town, and each quarter was
divided into eight building plots.^ On the sides of the town,
where the cross streets came to the palisades, were gates, called
N
X110.
Jf^ JOS.
Jf. 10d>,
J/: loy.
15^
fSS.
ISli.
JS6.
/6S.
/sz.
/-
'i9.
zss:
/S3.
/^^.
J/6.
ISO.
/6f.
Jf.t/^.
JT.flS.
jr.zz^
166.
^
,63.
fSz.
(6i.
/60.
Jr.97.
Jf. 96.
J^9S.
^.9^.
BERGEN AND BUYTEN TUYN IN 1660.
the northeast gate, northwest gate, etc., through which were
roads leading into the woods.
The beaitt}^ and general desirableness of its situation, the fear
of the Indians, the stringent orders of the Director-General, and
the advantages of the new settlement, caused the village to grow
so rapidly that in May, 1661, not an unoccupied lot remained
' By some manipulation the southwest quarter is made to contain, in 1764,
nine lots, and the southeast quarter only seven lots. The map inserted in the
text is copied from the Field Map made in 1764. I have no doubt that it correct-
ly shows the town plot, as originally laid out, the shape of the lots and the gen-
eral features of Buyten Tuyn.
BERGEN AND IJLVTKN M Y.N. 78
inside of the fortiiication?.' The l)>iil<liii<^s first erected were of
logs, and, at least the harns, covered with reeds, in spite ()f the
Director's order.'- The land within the vilhi<;c plot was hiid out
in lots ])y Jacques Cortelyou, the sworn surveyor,'' and num-
bered. In the saine manner the hind surronndiiiif the town
was laid out in iariicr plots, to l»c used as i>lantations hy
those whose house lots were within the vlHai^c. The.-^e lots ad-
joining the town were called '* I'.uytcii 'i'liyu," OutMifJe Garrhnu,
a name which they ret;i in tn this day. hi like manner the salt
meadow on tlic Ilackensack, when it did not pass with the up-
land as one lot. was mapped and nnnihci-cd. Ihit few of these
nund)ors have been discovered, yet enouirh to inake one regret
that the map, the disti-ibution and ownership of the lots in I'er
gen and Buyten Tuyn, liavc not been found. An old historian
says, " The manner o^ laying out originally is singular, I>ut
small lots where their dwellings are, and these contiiruous in the
town of Bergen. Theii- plantations, which they occupy for a
livelihood, are at a distance ; the reason of ti.xing thus is said to
' iV'. T. Col.MSS,i.r.,bQ^.
• Powers of Atty. Xeie Amst., 65. In a lease here rerorded, dated .\pril 1.
1G61, from Gaert Coerten to Jacob Luby, of a "lot at Oweykonrk. otlnTwiae
called tlie maize land, being No. KJ," we learn that the town had already pa.nse*!
an ordinance or made an order that the lots should be fenced. The lease pro-
vided for the construction of a house thirty feet long an<l a barn fifty feet long,
to be built along the palisades of the village. The lessee was to rut and
smooth the timber and haul it, as also the reeds to corer it. In March the
lessor was to deliver on the land a plow and "a wagon against the harvest fol-
lowing," for their joint use. He was also to provide the lessee on halves with
two young cows, and two three-year old oxen on half risk, and in tlie following
spring two more young cows and two oxen. The lease was for six years. Rent
for the first two years, fifteen pounds of butter from each cow : for the last four
years, two hundred guilders in coin or good wampum. This was the first lease
of a lot within the town of Bergen, and it shows the currency then in use.
Cornelius C. Van Rypen now resides upon this lot.
' Cortelyou was the first surveyor in New .\msterdam.and ma<le the first map
of that city in 1()50. I have no doul)t that he laid out tlie town of Bergen
and surveyed the adjoining plantations. He was the town surveyor alter the
country was in possession of the Knglisli. He died in \*'>'Xi, l<-aving three .sons
and two daughters. His descendants are (juite numerous, some of them living
in New Jersev.
74: HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
be through fear of the numerous Indians in the early times of
their settlement."^
The village grew rapidly. In one year it became of sufficient
importance to merit a local government. Up to this time the
court of Burgomasters and Schepens in New Amsterdam had,
since its organization in 1652, exercised legal jurisdiction on the
west side of the river. Henceforward matters in controvei'sy
here were to be decided by a local court, su])ject to the right of
appeal to the Director-General and CounciL On the 4th of
August, 1661, Tielman Van Yleck, at his own request, was
appointed Schout of the JVieuw dorp opH maislant^ though he was
not commissioned until the 5th of the followino; month. ^ On
this latter date was adopted the following
" Okdinance
of the Director-General and Council of New Netlierland erecting
a Court of Justice at Bergen :
" Petrus Stuyvesant, on behalf of the High and Mighty Lords
States General of the United Netherlands^ the Hon^'*^ Dii-ectors
' BmitKs Hist, of N. J., 61. - N. Y. Col. MSS., ix., 705.
^ Ibid, i.e., 703. The following is a copy of liis commission, as translated by
Vanderkerap :
" Whereas, it is requisite to preserve justice in tlie village of Bergen, situated
to the west side of the North River, in New Netherland, that a well qualified
person officiates there as sherift', for which office being recommended to us the
person of Tielman Van Vleck, Notary Publick within this city ; So is it that we,
having a full confidence in his abilities, virtue and talents, commissioned and
appointed him, so as we do by this, as sheriff of the aforesaid village, to officiate
in that capacity in the aforesaid place and its districts, in conformity with the
instruction which he has already received, or which he may receive in future,
and in consequence of it to bring to justice every transgressor of any political,
civil or criminal laws, ordinances and placards, and to have them mulcted, ex-
ecuted and punished with the penalty comprehended in these, to promote that
by his directions and denunciations all criminal cases and misconducts may be
brought to light, decided with speed, and all j udgraents executed without de-
lay ; and further, to act in this respect in such manner as a good and faithful
sheriff is in duty bound to do on the oath which he hath taken. We therefore
command the Schepens and all the inhabitants within the district of the afore-
said village to acknowledge the aforesaid Tielman Van Vleck for our officer and
sheriff, and to procure him in the exercise of his office all possible aid whenever
FIKST ciiAUiiac oK i;i:K(ii:\, 75
of the Ineor])orate(l AVest India ( 'otiipaiiN , Diiector-Cioneriil of
jVcio Netherlands Curacao, Bonniri, Aruha and their drjiernh-n-
cies, together with tlie Council,
" To all those who shall sci- these Prest-nts. nv hear theiii read,
Greetinji;, make known :
''That their Honors di) not hope or wi-^h ti>r anything cbe tiiaii
tlie j)rosperity and welfare of their good Iidiahitants in general,
and in particular of the People residing in the Village of I'crgen,
situate on the "West side of the North IJiver, and in order that
>ueh may be eflected and preserved with greater love, peace and
unity, and to manifest and to prove in deed to every Inhahitant
of the above-mentioned \ illage the effect thereof, the Director-
General and Council aforesaid, considering the increase and pop-
ulation of said Tillage, have therefore resolved to favor its
Inhabitants with an Inferior Court of Justice, and to constitute
it as much as possible, and as the circumstances of the Country
permit, according to the laudable custom of the city o^ AjntiUr-
dam in Holland, but so that all judgments shall be subject to
reversal by and an appeal to the Director General and Council
oi New Netherlands to be l»y their Honors tinally disposed of
•■In order that all things there may be ])erformed with pro])er
Order and respect, it is necessary to choose, as Judges, honest,
intelligent persons, owners of real estate, who are lovers of j)eace
and well affected subjects of their Lords and Patroons, and of
their Supreme government established here, promoters and ])ro-
fessors of the Reformed Religion, as it is at ]»resent taught in the
Churches of the United Netherlands ^'m conformity to the Word
of God and the Order of the Synod of Dordrecht. Which Court
of Justice, for the present time, until it shall be herein otherwise
Ordained by the said Lords Patroons, or their Deputy, shall con-
sist of one Schout,^ being on the spot, who shall, in the name of
it is required, as we deem this beneficial to the service of the country and ser
viceable to the promotion of justice." Alb. liec, xix., 221.
This commission was issued September 5, KUJl.the same day tluit the vilU«P
jTovernment and court were organized.
' Schout or Sheriff. Tlie word is derived from Schuld. According to (Jrotin*
the name is an abreviation of " Schuld-rechter," or criminal judge. His func-
76
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
the Director-General and Council, convoke the appointed Sclie-
pens^ and preside at the Meeting ; and with hira, of three Schepens,
to whicli Office are, for the present time and ensuing year, com-
mencing the 20th of this month, elected by the Director-
General and Council, Michael Jansen, Harman Smeeman^^ and
Caspar Stynmets?
tions were somewhat analogous to those of bailiff or county sheriff; combining,
however, with them the duties of a prosecuting attorney. Brondhead, i., 453.
The " Schout-Fiscal " instituted all suits before the Council. O'Cal, N. N., i., 101.
' Magistrates, somewhat like justices or aldermen.
- Smeeman was born in 1G24 at Iserlow, a town in the county of Mark. West-
phalia. His arrival here was at an early date. In 1G45 he married Elizabeth
Everts, and she dying, he married Barent Dircksen's widow. In 1657 he pur-
chased of Michael Jansen a farm at " Gemoenepa " for 900 florins, but where
the same was situated has not been ascertained. In the same year he was ad-
mitted to the rights of a small burgher. When the settlers were permitted to
return to Pavonia, he settled on his farm. In 1663 he was one of three commis
sioners to fortify " Gemoenepa," and received fifty pounds of powder for its
defence. When, in 1664. Governor Stuyvesant summoned a " Landtag" to con-
sider the state of the Provinces, Smeeman and Englebert Steenhuysen were
selected to represent Bergen. He was reappointed Schepen in December, 1663.
He seems to have been fond of the sports of the day, and with but little rever-
ence for Sunday. For on that day, February 8, 1654, he engaged in the sport
of Pulling the Goose. N. T. Col. MS8., v., 217. Yanderkemp says that this
was a game among the farmers in Gelderland and on the borders of the Rhine.
A goose was fastened by a rope between two poles, the neck and head greased
with oil or soap. They who entered the lists drove on a full gallop, and
usually fell when they missed their aim. He who carried off the goose was
called king for that festival. Alh. Rec, ix., 84.
■' At what time Steinmets came to this country does not appear. In the spring
of 1652, having lost his first wife, he married Jannekin Gerrits, of Zutphen,
probably living at Harsimus at that time. For his third wife he married
Tryntje, the widow of Jacob Stoffelsen, and former widow of Jacob Walingen
Van Horn. Winjield's Land Titles, 71. He resided at Harsimus, and was
driven out by the Indians in 1655. He went to New Amsterdam, where, on
February 22, 1656, he was licensed to tap beer and wine for the " accommodation
of the Burghery and Strangers." mw Avist. Rec , ii., 85. He was admitted to
the rights of a small burgher, April 11, 1657. J^ew Neth. Reg., 175. On the 21st
of June he was appointed lieutenant of the Bergen militia. N. T. Col. MSS.,
.v., 149 ; and on the 4th of September, 1673, was made captain. Col. Hist, of JS'.
Y., a, 597. In 1674 he was a deputy from Bergen in the Council of New
Orange, Ibid, 702 ; and a representative from Bergen in the first and second
General Assembly in New Jersey. Learning & Spicer, 77, 85. After his mar-
riage with Stoffelsen's widow he took possession of the West India Company's
I'lUsT Cll.\IiTi;U OK UKIMiKN. 77
"Before whom all matters tinicliiiii;- civil atl;lir^, security ami
peace of tlie Inliabitiints of Benjcn^ also justice Wetween Man an<l
Man, shall he broujjht, heard and examined, and deti-rniined liv
definitive Judgment to the amount of Fifty i^uilders and under,
without api)eai ; when the sum is luri^er, the am^rieVed party shall
he at liberty to a{)])eal to the Direetor-CJeneral and Council
aforesaid, pro\ided that he enters the appeal within the jirojx'r
time, and tjives security, according to law, for the principal and
costs of >\\\\.
'* In ease of disparity of votes and opinions on any occurring;
eases, the minority shall coincide with the majority, without any
contradiction. But those who are of a different advice and
opinion can cause their advice and opinion to be entered on the
roll or record : but in no wise make public their rendered advice
outside the court, nor mdce it known to parties, under arl)itrary
correction, at the discretion of the couit itself.
"The Sellout shall, pursuant to the first Article. preside at the
meeting and collect the Votes ; also act as Secretary until further
(^rder and increase of |)opulation. But if he have to act for him-
self as a l)arty, or in behalf of the right of the Lords Patroons, or
in behalf of justice for the right of the Fiscal, in .--uch case he
shall rise up and absent liimself from the Bench, and then have
no advisory, much less a casting vote; hut one of the senior
Schepens shall, in such case, preside in his place.
" What is set forth in the preceding Article of the Schout shall
also apply to the Schei)ens, whenever any cases or questions arise
in the aforesaid Court between themselves as parties, or between
others related by consanguinity to the appointed Schepens, such
as brothers, brothers-in-law and cousins in the first or direct line.
" All Inhabitants of Bergen shall, until further Order, either of
farm at Harsimus, and, as was always the case with the possessore of that farm.
becaiuu involvuil in trouble with hit* uelylibors, Van Vorst ami otln-rs. Coi.
Hist, of N. Y., ii., 704, 7 Hi. lie died in 1702. His descendants, at one tinw.
were quite numerous in this county, but they have long since died out.
^^^ ^..S^^— viMis-
78 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
the Lords Patroons or their Supreme government, be amenable
to and subject to be cited before said Schout and Commissaries,
wlio shall hold their Session and Court meeting in the A'illage
aforesaid every 1-i days, harvest time excepted, unless necessity
and circumstances require.
" In order to provide the good Inhabitants of Bergen with
clieap and inoppressive justice, the Schout, as president, and
the Schepens of the Court must, for the convenience of parties,
appear on the Court day, and at the place appointed, on pain of
forfeiting Twenty stivers, at the disposition of the Board ; they
being notified, at least twenty-four hours before the Court day, to
appear, by the Court messenger to be appointed by the Director-
General and Council; and double as much for the President,
unless excused by sickness or absence. If appearing too late,
and after the appointed hour, the fine to be Six stivers.
" No extraordinary Court shall be Ordered at the cost and
charges of parties, except on the application of botli parties, un-
der submission to costs on loss of suit, which costs shall previously
be deposited by the applicant or appellant, to wit: For each
Schepen, Fifty stivers ; for the President, Three guilders, be-
sides the fee for the Clerk and Court messenger to be hereafter
appointed, and other Ordinary costs according to law.
" All cases of Crime shall be referred to the Director-General
and Council oi Neto Netherland ; saving that those of the Court
may and are bound to apprehend, arrest, and to detain and hold
in confinement all Criminal delinquents until they can send them
under proper guard to the Su])reme government, and, in the
mean time, take good and correct Information touching the crime
committed, at the cost of the Criminal, or the Treasury, and
such transmit at the same time with the delinquent.
" Minor offences, such as Brawls, Slanders, Scolding, Striking
with the fist. Threats, simple Drawing of a knife or sword with-
out assault or bloodshed, are left to the adjudication and de-
cision of the Court aforesaid, in which cases the Schout there
shall have power to act before the Court as Prosecutor, saving,
nevertheless, the clause of Appeal, in case the condemned may
find himself aggrieved by the sentence of the Court.
FIRST CIIAIMKK oK Hl.liiiKN. 1 1»
"All cast's of ^^ai(•^ crimes jviid Deliutiuonts cimr^ud with
Woundiiii;- and lUttudslicddiiiir, W liurcdniii, Adultery, j)nl>lic
jiiid notorious Tliett, ltt)l>l)orics, Siiiu<;i;liii;^ ot" coutrahand arti-
cles, IMasnhcinv and Pi'otanatioii of (Jod's Jloly name and
reli<i;ion, Slandcriiii;- and Calumniatini;- the Suiireme (iovernment
or its Ivepresentatives, shall, after the information, atlidavits and
testimony have been taken, be referred to tlie Director-General
and Council of JVe^c NetherlaiKl.
"Should the situation of afiairs so require that the President
and Schepens consider it necessary, for the c^reater security of the
peace and (piietof the Iidiabitants, to enact, in the absence of the
Director-General and Council, some Ordinances tor the ijreater
advantaire and contentment of the aforesaid Villaire and Court
in the above-named District, rcsi)ectin<; Surveys, Iliiihways, Out-
lets, Posts and Fences of lands, laying; out of Gardens, Orchards,
and such like matters, that may most concern the Flat country
and agriculture; also in regard to the building of Cluirches,
Schools and similar public AVorks, and the means how ami by
which the same are to be eftected, they are to commit to writing
their opinions thereupon, anil deliver them to the Director-Gen-
eral and Council, with the reasons ujjon which they are founded
annexed, in order, if such be deemed necessary and useful, that
they may be confirmed, ap))i-oved and ordered by the Director-
General and Council.
" Said Sellout and appointed Schepens shall also be particular-
ly careful, and be bound strictly to observe, and cause to be ob-
served, the Law of our Fatherland, and the Ordinances and Edicts
of the Ilon**^^ Director-General and Council heretofore Ordained
and pul)lished, or hereafter to be ordained and published, and
not to sufter anything to be done contrary thereto, but to see
that the contraveners may be proceeded against according to
Law.
"Said Sellout and Court shall not have i)owcr to enact, j>ul>-
lish, much less to post up, any Ordinances, Edicts, or such like
Acts, except with the previous knowledge and consent of the
Director-General and Counril.
"The Schout and Schepens shall also be particularly careful,
80 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
and be bound to assist the Hon^'^ Directors, as Lords and Pa-
troons of this Province of New Netherland, under the Sovereign-
ty of their Higli Mightinesses, the Lords States General of the
United Netherlands, and them to help to maintain in their Su-
preme Jurisdiction, Eight and Domains, and all other their Pre-
rogatives.
" Whereas, it is customary in our Fatherland and other well
regulated Governments that some change be made annually in
the Magistracy, so that some new come in, and a few continue, in
order to inform the new, the Schepens now appointed shall pay
due attention to the Conversation, Demeanor and Fitness of hon-
est persons, inhabitants of their respective Villages, in order to
be able, about the time of changing or election, to furnish tlie
Director-General and Council with correct information as to who
may be found fit, so that some may be then elected by the
Director-General and Council.
" Thus done and given at the Meeting of the Hon^'° Director-
General and Council, holden in Fort Amsterdam, in New Netli-
erland, the 5 September, 1661."^
The magistrates, before they could enter upon the duties of
their office, were obliged to take the following oath : " We prom-
ise and swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that we will be
faithful to the sovereignty of the high and mighty Lords, the
States General, the Lords Directors of the privileo-ed West
India Company, Department of Amsterdam, as our Lords and
Patroons, the Director-General and Council now placed over us
or hereafter to l)e appointed, that we will respect and execute
their commands, that we will exercise good justice to our best
knowledge, repell all mutiny, troubles and disorders to our best
abilities, maintain the Eeformed Eeligion, and no other, and sup-
port the same, and conduct ourselves punctually in conformity to
the instruction which we already received or may yet receive
and further act as good and faithful magistrates are in duty bound
to do. So help us God Almighty."^
N. Y. Col. JISS., ix., 765. -^ Alb. Rec. xix., 282.
OFFICKKS i)F TlfK NKW V t I.I.Ac. K, 81
Thus was established the lir^t miiiiicipal j^ovcrnment and the
first court witliiu the present State of New Jei-sev, unless ''the
existence of tlic suuicwliat niMx-rvphal tribunal of IIospatin<^,
near HacUensack, be admitted.'" And it may not be inappm-
priate to insert here the iiatnos of the members of thij* cojirt
while under the Dutch rule, so far as the e.xistitii^ records reveal
them.
S( iioiTs, I'kesidknt.
Names. Date of Appointnu-nt.
Tielman Van Yleck. - - . . September 5, lOr.l.
l^althazar Bayard,'- March 17, U\G4.
Claes Arentse Toers/' - - . . Au_i,'ust 18, 107:3.
^ OTul., N. JV., a , A2H. Hospatinfj:, Espatingh, Espatiii, •ii hill." In l<;.-,7.
Van (le ('apellen, tliroujrli his afroiu Van Dincklapcn, cnncliKled with tlic In-
diana atiTsity " with submission to the courts of justice at Ilospatinjjf.ncar Hack-
insack, on Waerkimins-Connic, in New Nothcrlands." Broadhcad,i., G41. Mnt-
tenow was chief at this place. ()'l'iil.,N. X.,iL,~u~i. In IGT-t it was derided to
be without the bounds of the Indian ^rant to Stuyvesant, CjL Hist, of N. Y , it..
707 ; and therefore not within Hudson County, though it must be clo.so to the
northern boundary.
- Bayard's grandfatlier vvaa a jirofessor of theoUigy in Paris, whence lie was
driven i)y religious persecution to Holland. Here his son Samuel marrittl Anna,
a sister of Governor Stuyvesant, by whom he had throe children— Balthazar,
Nicholas and Petues. Balthazar was a brewer ; in 16G t married Maritje, daugh-
ter of Govert Loockermans ; was clerk in the Secretary s otHce from 1(m4 to
IGGO; represented Bergen in the first and second General Assembly in Kast
Jersey in 1GG8. Shortly after this he returned to New York. He was ap-
pointed schepen in New Orange, August lii. 107:i, assistant alderman in l(iMG-.S7,
and alderman in l(i!)l.
■' Winfield's Land Titles, dl. It was at Toers' house in Bergen that Knat-
sciosan, an Indian, attempted to murder his brother, Jan .Vrentso Tix^rs, by
"giving him several dangerous wounds," on the 11th of .Vpril, 1G78. The
Governor and Council met at Bergen on the '24th, with the Sakamakers of tho
Hackensacks, viz. : Manoky, Mandenark, Ilamahem, Tanteguas and Capete-
ham. They acknowledged that the otVender deserved " corporall punishment,"
but, as Toers was mending, asked for his reliase, and promised that if he ever
again attempted the like, they vkould deliver him up " for justice without mercy
to be done upon him." The Indians bound themselves to pay one hundnKl
fathoms of white wami)um,or an eciuivalent in skins. within twentydays. Jlifok
3 of Dicds {Trenton) 144. Claes was the second coroner for the county of Ber-
gen, appointed December G, lG8il
(\
82
HISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Town Clerks.
Names.
The Schout,
Balthazar Bayard, -
Claes Arentse Toers,
Micliiel Jansen,
Harman Smeemaii,
Caspar Steinmets,
Caspar Steinmets,
Engelbert Steenhuysen,' >■
Gerrit Gerritseii, )
SCHEPENS.
.(
Date of Appointment.
September 5, 1661.
March 17, 1664.
August 18, 1.673.
September 5, 1661.
October 16, 1662.
Steenbuysen was a tailor by trade, and came from Soest, tbe second city in
Westpbalia ; arrived at New Amsterdam in tbe sbip Mocsman, of wbicb Jacob
Jansen was sliipper, April 25, 1659, paying for bis fare and freigbt 3G florins. Alb.
Rcc, «m., 434. Witb Herman Smeeman be represented Bergen in tbe " Landtag "
in 16G4. Broadhead, i., 729. He has tbe honor of being tbe first schoolmaster in
Bergen, having been licensed October 6, 1663. New Neth. Reg., 133. Tbe follow-
ing memorial of tbe authorities of Bergen, dated December 17, 1G63, reveals some
unpleasantness in that relation : " Shew reverently tbe sheriff and commissaries
of tbe village of Bergen, wbicb they presume is known to your Honors, that
before the election of the new commissaries ye were solicited for Michael Jan-
sen, deceased, to be favored witb tbe appointment of a clerk (voorleser) who
should at the same time keep school, to instruct the youth, the person of En-
gelbert Steenbuysen, who possessed the required abilities, so is that the sberifl'
and commissaries, now a year past, proposed it to tbe community, who then
approved it, and resolved to engage him not only as clerk (voorleser), but with
the express stipulation that he, besides this function, was to keep school, which
the aforesaid Steenbuysen agreed to do, and did so during five quarters of a
year, for which was allowed bim/250 in sea want annually, besides some other
stipulations besides the school money, so as reason and equity shall demand.
Now, so it is that tbe aforesaid Engelbert Steenbuysen, whereas he has a lot
and house and a double farm, situated in tbe jurisdiction of tbe village of Ber-
gen, is, by the complaints of a majority of the community, obliged, with the
other inhabitants, to provide for the sustenance of a soldier, by which tbe afore-
said Engelbert Steenbuysen considers himself highly aggrieved, and so re-
signed his office, pretending that a schoolmaster and clerk ought to be exempt-
OP'FICERS or Till': NKW Vir.I.AGi;.
88
Naiues.
Balthazar IJayard, \
Adolph llanloiibruuk, -
Ilaniiau Smeeiiiaii, )
Dato of Appointnii-nt.
Dcceial)crl7, 1«W;3.
ed from liU taxes iiiul burt1l(■n^* of tlu' villiijjc, wliicli lii< MiyH Ih llif coiniiion
pr^ctict! tlirou;j;li the wliok^ cliriistiaii worlil, which by tho HhiTitl" ami coiniiii»-
earius is understood that only tliat can taku ]>hic« when auch a clerk or Hchool
master docs not possi'ss anything else but the school-wharf, but by no nii-ann
when a schoolinartter is in possession of a house and lot and double farm, that
he in such a case should pay nothin<; from his lot and lands, and the commu-
nity at larjjf is of the same opinion, as he receives his salary as clerk, and not
only is ()i)li«rt'(l to act well in his cui)acity as clerk (voorleser), but even t<» look
out and procure himself a {)roper and convenient place to keep school, which
he thus fur neglected, and pretends that the community must etVect this, so that
he may keep his school in it. They cannot perceive how Engelbert Steenhuy-
sen can be perniitted to resign his otlice when he neglected to notify his inten-
tion a half a year before; wherefore the supplicants address themselves to your
Honors, humbly soliciting them to insinuate to the aforesaid Engelbert Steen-
huysen to continue in his service this second year, and to declare if the afore-
said Engelbert Steeuhuysen is or is not obliged by his possession of a lot and
farm to provide in the maintenance of a soldier, so well as the other inhabi-
tants." Alb. Bee, .r.ii., 439.
v*vM*v.>K.-s.'^.-:
CUl.f.Min.\ .VCAUEMV.
August 18, 16Y3.
84 HISTORY OF HUDSON COTJNTY.
Names. Date of Appointment.
Gerrit Gerritse, 1
Thomas Fredericks,' j
Elias Micliielse,^
Peter Marcellissen,^
Corn el is Abramse,
Walinck Jacobse,'* ]
Eno-elbert Steenhuys, i ^ »^ ' ^^ w^*,- ,-
T7 1 nr- 1 • 1 }\ ah - Auffust 31, 1674.''
Jinocli JNlicnielse, G&moenejyas, ° '
Claes Jaiiseii, A/iasymus,^ I
The parties interested in tlie above memorial were summoned before the
Council and heard at length, and Steenhuysen was commanded to serve his time
according to his contract.
From this communication it appears that the school house was not yet built.
One was, however, shortly afterward constructed on the lot where the school
house now is. It was built of logs. The Columbia Academy was erected on
the same lot in 1790, and taken down in 1857 to [make room for the present
structure.
1 Thomas Frederick De Cuyper. Winfield's Land Titles, 94. He is said to
have been a woodsawyer, and was admitted to the rights of a small burgher,
April 12, 1657.
- Vide Vreeland Family.
3 He came from Brest in the ship Beaver; arrived May 9, 16G1, with his
wife, four children and two servants. His children were aged respectively 13,
6, 4 and 2 years. His servants were male and female. The passage cost him
as follows : For self, 36 florins ; wife, 36 florins ; children, 90 florins ; servants,
70 florins. He was the founder of the Merseles family in this county and
vicinity.
^ Vide Van Winkle Family. s y^f^^ y^j^ Vorst Family.
^ The appointments for this year were selected by the authorities from the
following nominations by the people of Bergen, on the 15th of August, as ap-
pears by the following extract from the Court Register in Bergen, which is
preserved :
" To the meeting a nomination of Schepens was made to be presented to the
Director-General and Council, by a majority of the votes, as follows :
r Adrian Post.
"For the Village of Bergen, -' Walinck Jacobze,
I Engelbert Steenhuys,
[^Douwe Hartmanse.
" For Gemoenepa, .^ ^°°^^ Michielse,
/ Hartmau Michielse.
LOT OWNERS COMMANDKO To TAKE DEEDS. 85
Names. Date of Ap|)oinlmcnl.
Jan Dircksen Selckcn, Minrlvaquc and Pemcrjtoch^^
August ;>1, 1<»74.
Court Messengers.*
Jan Tibout, lOr.l.
Claes Arentse Toers, I()«i3.
Under the necessity laid upon them, as before observed, the
people had liuckcd to tlio now villai!;(> and taken lots (for they
were free) in the i^eneral distribution, but had nei^lcrted to take
patents for them. This neijlect made confusion and caused the
enactment of the following ordinance:
"All Inhabitants of Xew XetJierland, and especially those of
the Village of Bergen, on the AVest side of the North liiver; also
all others who have or claim any Lands thereabout, are Ordered
and commanded that they, within the space of three months after
the date hereof, at latest, before the first of January next, shall
have all the cultivated and uncultivated Laiuls which they claim,
surveyed by the sworn Surveyor, ami set off and designated by
,, t:, • V ( Ide Cornelisse "Van Vorst,
For Ahasymus, ' , ^
C Claes Jansen.
" For Minckaque and \ Jan Dirckse Seicken,
Pemrepock, ) Hessel Weigertsen.
" From which nominations his Hon. shall be pleased to make the election.
" Agrees with the Register. Quod attestor.
" Claes Arentse Toeus.
•' Secretary."
Alb. lice. Txii.. 440.
This was in accordance with the practice in Holland, where the StudtholJer
appointed the magistrates out of double their number presonte<l to him.
' This name was applied to that part of the county which lies bctwi-en the
Morris canal and the First lli-formed Church in Bayonne. The following are
some of the ways of writing the word : Pembrej^ogh, Peml)repock, Penierpogh,
Pemrcpogh, Pemerapogh, Penuncrapngh. Peinmerapock. Pfinman-pocii. Pem-
morpogh, Pemrepogh, Pamrepogh, Pamropogh, Pamreiwck, Pamrapaw, Pam-
arapogh, Pamperpogh, Pinibrepow.
- The duties of court messenger seem to have been to read in the cliuroh on
Sunday, to sing with the school, to assist in burying the dead, to attend to the
tolling of the bell, and to summon parties to court.
86 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
proper marks, and on exhibition of the Eetnrn of survey thereof,
apply for and obtain a regular Patent as proof of property, on
pain of being deprived of their right, to the end that the Direc-
tor-General and Council may dispose, as they may deem proper,
of the remaining Lands which, after the survey, may happen to
fall outside the Patents, for the accommodation of others. All
are hereby warned against loss and after complaints.
" Thus done in Fort Amsterdam in JSfew Netlierland^ the 15
September, 1661."^
As the village had been palisaded for protection from outside
attack, the people were anxious to get the full benefit of these for-
tifications. But the cattle must be watered, and since tliere
were no means within the defences for that purpose, the gates
must be opened and the cattle driven to water. AYhile thus en-
gaged, both cattle and people were liable to annoyance from the
Indians. To obviate this danger, the court of Bergen ordained
as follows :
"Whereas, the Schout and Schepens have reflected and duly
considered that some persons drive their Cattle to water outside
the Land gate and Fence now provided and erected, they have
deemed it advisable and highly necessary that a Public Well be
constructed for the public accommodation, on the Square, to water
the Cattle,
" They hereby Ordain, on the ratification of the Hon^^® Direc-
tor-General and Council of New Netherlands that every one of
the Inhabitants of Bergen^ after having been notified by Jan
Tibout, the messenger, shall be and appear, on the day prefixed,
personally, or by substitute, on pain of arbitrary correction by the
Officer.
" Done at the Court of the Village of Bergen, and signed by
the Schout and Schepens, the 28 January, 1662.
" TiELMAN VAN Yleck, president,
" Herman Smeeman,
" Caspar Steynmets,
" Michael Jans."
^ N. T. Col. M8S., ix., 788. Several of the lots were abandoned and passed
A WKF.r, Off; IN- THK SQrARE. 87
Katification.
'' Tlic Director-General and Council of Xcm Xtthcrhuul ap-
]>r(>ve and ratify the above resolution of the Sellout and Cotninirt-
saries of J^crr/en; they, therefore, Order all and every whom it
may concern, on notification of the messeni^er, to appear, or to
send a proper person in their stead, at the appointed time atid
place, on a penalty of 5 guilders for each day, to he forfeited hy
such as absents himself, to be applied for the benefit of the \'il-
lao^e in i^eneral. Dated February, l»!r.2."'
Tender this law a well was dun; iu the centre of the square.
Troughs were placed around it for the cattle, and a long sweep
used for raising the water. The well contiimeil in use •until
witliin the present century, when it was covered over and a lil)-
erty pole placed in it. This pole was taken down in the fall
of ISTO, when the square was paved and all traces of the well
destroyed. ~
Amon<T; other annoyances which arose in the frovcmment of
the village, was the lack of men necessar}- for its protection. It
was laid out in the ^yoods and surrounded by unreliable Indians.
Several of the lots in the t(nvn had been taken by people living
in Kew^ Amsterdam, who neither came here to resiile, nor sent
men to do their part in the defence of the place, as was required
by the charter. In all communities where one member shirks a
duty, the other members are forced to bear unjust burdens.
Those who resided in the town were obliired to contribute to its
defence for their own safety, and thus protected the property of
non-residents while securing their own. They felt this to be im-
I'ust, and their complaints to the authorities called f<trth the fol-
lowing ordinance, passed Xovember 1."), lG»'»o:
" On the repeated complaints of the majority of the Inhabit-
in Carteret's grant to the freeholders, and berame common property. These
abandoned lots may be seen on the Field Map, and were allotteil aa common
land. " ' \. v. Col. MSS , x., .V).
- The destruction of this well was almost a sacrilege. Its associations and
its memories should have ])leaded " like angels trum]>(>t tongued against the
deep damnation f)f its " filling up. Perhaps in no other country would surh an
outrage have been attempted.
88
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
ants of the Tillage of Bergen, that some continue to neglect to
occupy the Lots they obtained in said Village and to keep there-
on a man fit to bear arms ; also, that some absent themselves
without providing their Watch, whereby the people of said Til-
lage are so much fatigued that they cannot any longer stand at
their posts, and are unwilling to go any longer on guard, unless
the others M'ho have vacant Lots keep for the guard one man
with them for each Lot; the Director-General and Council, in
order to prevent this confusion, resolve that all those who claim
any Lots in the aforesaid Tillage shall, witliin 24 hours after the
service hereof, furnish and continually maintain for each Lot, one
man able to bear arms and to keep watch and ward, on pain of
having the Lots with the Lands thereunto appertaining, as sur-
veyed by the Surveyor, immediately given and granted in pro-
priety to others. Let every one be hereby warned for the last
time."^
Communipaw was exempt from the general order that the peo-
ple should remove to the new village of Bergen. It was the in-
tention to establish a village at that place also. On the eighth of
September, 1660, Jacques Cortelyou was ordered to survey " Ge-
meenepa" and lay it out into village lots.- The lots thus sur-
veyed fronted on the bay and had a depth of about 200 feet.
They extended from Communipaw avenue on the north to tlie
Bay Shore House on the south. Within this small territory the
village was erected and defences set up against the attack of the
Lidians. But the settlers did not all lend a willing hand to erect
these defences. Some of them were too willing that the others
should do all the work and bear all the expense, satisfied that
their individual interests would be secured in the general protec-
tion. To this those who were willing to perform their duty
would not submit, and on the tenth of February, 1661, Tielman
Tan Tleck, for himself and in the name of Michiel Jansen, Cas-
par Steinmets, and Harman Smeeman, presented a petition "that
it might please the Director-General and Council to issue their
' N. Y. Col. MSS., X., Part il, 389.
-Alb. Bee, x.riv., 398. Winfield's Land Titles, o4.
•A
'■J
O
25
TT,
<
2;
COMMUNIPAW KOiaiMKK. 89
orders with rc<i^ar(l to tlie palisadoiiii; i>l' the new villar^c on (Jc-
nioencpa, so that it nia}' be uiiaiiirnuusly iiii(h'rtaken ;" and tliatyt
all persons be commanded to make use of the newly LrfiJf^it
waifon road, and not of any other.
On this petition the apostille was : " Tlu- pers(»ns namrd in
this petition are antliorized to promote as well the palisadoinf; of
t\\v vilianje as that of the land, so, as they considered the sitinition
of tlic place and time. ^Imll (Uhiii proper, carefnlly observing;
tliat the palisades which are used are of a due length and thi<-k-
ness, viz. : between six and seven feet above the irround, and to
communicate this to the inhabitants of the village by atti.xed bil-
lets, C(Mnmandino; them, upon an amende of two £ llanders, to be
jiaid in l)ehalf of tlie villaL!;e by each one who, at the determined
dav, shall be I'uund to have neii^lected the one or the other ])art
of his dutv. What regards the waijijon road,* this mav be de-
layed t.i a more favorable opportunity. On the day as above."'
' The road rofprred to in tliis proceeding was the way from Comniunipaw to
Ber^'en, ruuniuff by tlie " Ofl'-tall."
'■' iV. Y. Col. MSS.,i.r , 521. Such proceedings, looking to a mutual protection,
seem to have encouraged settlers. On the 9th of May following Egbert San-
derson and Jan Thcunissen. inhabitants of Midwout and Amersfoort, Ixng
Island, petitioned lor leave to erect a saw-mill on a stream at " <tenu>enepae,"
and move their families there, and for a lot of land for each. The request wai*
granted. 3'. Y. Col. M^S., ir., oOO. I have no doubt that they jjroceeded to
erect a mill, probably on the site where Prior's mill subsequently stood, near
Point of Kocks. In ,the patent to Claes Pietersen Cos, dated June 3, ItJTl, the
" Mill of Ilossemus 'Yis mentioned. Wiiijield's Land Titles, 48. It was a land
mark at that early date. From this mill the stream took its name of " Mill
Creek." It was also called "Creek of the Woods " and " Creek of the High-
woodlands," from the fact that it wound around the foot of the hill then
crowned with trees.
Sandersen, in company with oue Bartel Lott, on October COth, IGtJl, ju'litioned
again for permission to erect a saw-mill in " the newly commenced village of
Bergen," and, inasmuch as there were no unoccupied lots, they asked for jht-
mission to negotiate with Jan Everse Karsebnom for one. They were refernil to
the schepens of Bergen. This points to Showhauk brook as the stream on
which they desired to erect the mill. Karseboom owned the land there. Win-
field's Land Titles, Vil.
This stream took its rise in an Indian spring in West Hoboken. and ran s<>uth
till it came to where New York avenue crosses Palisade avenue. Tliere it
turned down the hill through a wild ravine and emptied into Mill I'reek. .\ftor
90 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
The good work of palisading the village does not seem to have
been well done, if it was done at all, for on the 18th of June,
1663, Gerrit Gerritsen, Harman Smeeraan and Dirck Claessen
were appointed commissioners to fortify Gemoenepa.^ All this
precaution was necessary, for the savages yet prowled hereabouts,
though their depredations were not so frequent as formerly. Yet
in a journal of tiie Esopus war (1663), kept by Martin Ivrygier,
it is reported that two Dutchmen were killed between " Gemoe-
napa " and the " Maize Land " (Bergen), but who they were or
why they were killed is not known.
this land came into the possession of the Van Vorst family there was a saw-mill
on this stream at the foot of the hill. It was destroyed bv fire, December 13th,
1835.
' jY. r. Col. MSS., X., Part iL, 133.
CTIAPTK i: v.— Pit; 4 It;;:;.
New Xotlicrltinil captured by the Enj^liah — Sir Edmund Plnydj-n'a claim to
New Jcrsoy — Govi'rnnr Carteret reorrriini/es the court at Herj,'en— Siht!-
mens of suits in tliia court — Nanit s of (jflicers — Peop'e of Beryi-n take
the oatli tA' allegiance — First tavern license — Assemhlymen elwlwl —
Carteret "s charter to Bergen — Why he granted the land to thf Freo
hoUlers.
We now approacli the downtiill of the Dutch |)()\ver in Now
XotheHand. Events pass rapiilly, and soon hiinix iihont the
closing scenes. For more than lifty years the Industrious Dutch
had labored to establish a colony which would insure wealtli to
individual enterprise and be a source of strength ami glory to
the Fatherland. Xature, in its untamed wildness, had been to
a laudable extent subdued ; the savage, reluctant to forsake his
old hunting-grounds and the graves of his fathers, had yieldcil to
purchase, or been mollified by judicious treatment. In the midst
of the unfavorable circumstances of their brief possession, they
hatl succeeded in planting the seeds of what may now be
considered a grand empire. The city which they founded has
become the commercial centre of the continent, and after the
lapse of two centuries since they yielded to another power. l)cars
yet upon its face many of the features of the original settlement.
In this county the language is still used among the old inhabi-
tants, and in a few cosy nooks and quaint old families the customs
of the Fatherland are still held in reverence. A'7'.<f^//V/ (Christ-
mas), with its merrymakings, good dinners and niany gifts, still
makes its annual visit to gladden the hearts of old and young;
Sieuic Jar (New Year), with its cakes, wine and punch, yet opens
the door of almost every house, and all day long visitors come
and go, smiling and greeting. I^aas (Easter) ever brings abun-
dance of eggs, which, like Joseph's coat, are "of many colors,"
and wonderfully mysterious to the youngsters. Santa Clans, laden
with gifts, makes his regular calls upon all devout believers. The
91
^2 HISTOEY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
footprints of his tiny reindeers are still seen in the snow, and the
chimney shows marks of his descent. He comes, however, only
to those who sleep in the faith that he will come, and who have
called npon him in the following devout prayer :
Sint Nicliolaas, good lieilig man,
Trekt uw' besten Tabbard an,
En reist daarmee naar Amsterdam,
Van Amsterdam naar Spanje,
Waar appellen van Oranje,
En appellen van Granaten,
Rollen door de straten.
Sint Nicliolaas, myn goden vriend,
Ik lieb u altyd wel gediend,
Als gy my nu wat wilt geben
Fal ik u dieneu als myn leven.'
On the 12th of March, 1664, Charles II. granted to his brother
James, Dnke of York, inter alias, all that part of New Nether-
land lying east of Delaware bay. On the 25th of May an expe-
dition sailed from Portsmouth, England, to perfect the Duke's
parchment title by reducing the country to his possession. Stuy-
vesant seems to have been informed of the intended expedition.^
Seeing the danger approaching, the people of Eergen took meas-
ures to put their village in a better state of defence. At their
request, on the 21st of February, 1664, Arent Laurens, Jacob
Luby, Harman Edwards, Laurens Andriessen, Paulus Pietersen,
Jan Swaen and Jan Lubbertsen were appointed commissioners to
erect block-houses for the protection of the town.^ Whether thev
1 Saint Nicholas, good holy man.
Put your best tabbard on you can,
And in it go to Amsterdam,
From Amsterdam to Hispanie,
Where apples bright of Oranje,
And likewise those pomegranates named,
Roll through the streets all unreclaimed.
Saint Nicholas, my dear good friend.
To serve you ever was my end ;
If something you will now me give
Serve you I will long as I live.
- Broadhead, ii.,2\.
■" N. Y. Col. MSS., a'., Part Hi., 73. Neic Neth. Reg., 158.
Tin: DIKK OK Yi>UK CONVKYS NKW .IKUSIV. 93
were ever bci^nm or completed before the capture liy the Eii^'li.sh,
or wliere located, is not known.
The Duke's sciuadron was vet on the Atlantic, and the country
yet in possession of the Dutch, when he, by deeds (»f lease and
release, dated the 23d and 24th of -Inne, conveyed to .John, Lord
Berkeley, a brother of the (lovernor of \'iri;inia, and Sir (Jeor;^e
Carteret,* the tract 'of land lyin<;- between the Hudson and Dela-
ware rivers; " which said Tract of Land is hereafter to be called
b}' the Name or Names of New Coisarea oy Ncuj Jivseyy^ On
the Sth of September his forces, under command of Colonel
Richard Nicolls, captured New Amsterdam. Tliis wis ilone
without a pretence of England ami Holland beini^ at war. but
simply by way of reclaiming his own ! Ignorant of the fact that
his master had already conveyed and named the territory in-
cluded in the ijcrant to JJcrkelev and Carteret, Colonel Nicolls
"•ave it the name of Alhania. in honor of the Duke.^
'^Learning and Spiccr, 10. Berkley is described aa a "bold and insolent
man, weak, not incorrupt, and very arbitrary." Carteret was " the most imsisinn-
ate man in the world" Broadlund, it., 81.
- This is the first time the name was applied to this Statr. It was jrivt-n in
honor of iSir tieorge Carteret, who was born in the Island of Jersey in LVJ'J. In
162G he was appointed Ctovernor of Jersey, in 1040 comptroller of His Majesty's
ships, and in 1G45 was created a baronet. He stood by the Kin^ in tin- civil
war, followed the Prince of Wales to France in 1G5'3, was thrown into the HaH-
tile in 1057, and afterward banished from France. He entered London with
Charles II., in 1000, was appointed Vice-Charaberlain, member of the Privj
Council, and Treasurer of the Navy. In 1008 he was appointed one of the
Board of Trade, and in 100!) expelled the House of Commons on ii char^je »)f
embezzlement. In 1073 he became one of the Lords of the Admiralty, and died
January 14, 107'.). His remains were interred at Hawnes, in the county of ]ie^\-
ford. Col. Hid. ofN. Y., ii.. 410.
^ Brondhead,i.,145. Col. IIi.st.of 2i. Y.. Hi.. lu:5. It is said that for some
time the territory was called JVric Qinan/. These are not the only names which
the State has borne. Sir Edmund Ployden, an impecunious ditrnitary, wiiile
in prison for debt, apj.lied to Charles I. f<ir a jtatent to .settle the river Delaware.
Beln<r unsuccessful, he api)ealed to StafVord, Viceroy of In-land. and obtained
the patent of June 21, 1034. The extent of the grant wa."* " four hundred and
four score miles in compass or circuit of the mainland and country of America
adjoining and lyinj; near Delaware Bay, between Virginia and New Knjrland."
This included New Jersey. The territory was erected into a ' free county pala-
94 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Articles of capitulation were agreed upon between Stujvesant
and ]Sricolls, two of which were as follows :
" III. All people shall continue free denizens, and shall enjuv
their lands, houses, goods, wheresoever thej are w^ithin this coun-
try, and dispose of them as they please.
" XI. The Dutch here shall enjoy their own customs concern-
ing their inheritances."^
On the 10th of February, 1664-5, Berkeley and Carteret com-
missioned Philip Carteret, a brother of Sir George, to be Gover-
nor.^ He arrived in the latter part of July, 1665, and early in
August assumed control of the Province. A few days afterward
he reorganized the court at Bergen, and issued the following
commission :
"By Virtue of the Power and Authority Given to me by the
Lords Proprietors ot New Jersey, I doe hereby Nominate and
appoint you, Cap't Nicholas Yerlett, to constitute and appoint a
Court of Judicature for the Inhabitants of Bero;en, Gemoene-
paen, Ahasymes and Hooboocken, to be held and kept as often
as Occasion shall Require in the aforesaid towne of Bergen, where
you, the said Capt" Yerlett, Is by Yertue of these P'sents to be
President of the said court, And thei-e to hear and Determine all
Causes of Difference between party and party according to Jus-
tine," numeiNew Albion, over which Sir Edmund became Earl palatine. For
the settlement of this province a company was formed of forty-four lords, bar-
ons, baronets, knights, gentlemen and adventurers, in the name of " The Albion
Knights for the conversion of the twenty-three Kings " of Charles River. In
1643 the Earl came to New Amsterdam and claimed his rights, but soon
retired, " for he would not quarrel with the Dutch." He esteemed the province
a paradise, and when speaking of it in England said : " The spring waters
there are as good as small beere heere." This Irish patent seems to have been
given without the royal authority or consent, and was void. By his will, dated
July 29, 1655, proved July 27, 1659, he gave Hew Albion to his son Thomas for
life, and then to his heirs male, with the income of certain lands in England
for the " planting, fortifying, peopling and stocking " of New Albion. Andrew
Wall, son-in-law of Thomas, afterward obtained possession of the letters patent
and refused to surrender them. Thomas willed them to his son Francis, May
16, 1698, but it is doubtful if the devisee ever obtained them.
' These articles may be found in extenso in O'C'al., N. N., ii., 532.
- Learning and Spicer, 26. Whitehead's East Jersey, 36.
CAKTKUirr KKOK(iANl/,K.S TlIK l!KKOKX CUL'KT. ^5
tice unci Ki^Iit. W the sidvice and Assistance of Ilernian
Snieenian, Casper Steynniets of r<eri,a'n and Elyas Micliiula of
Gemoenepacn. AVliop arc hereby appointed Ma<;istrate8 to sett in
the said Court as yo"" Assistants, And you have herel)y Likewise
Powci'to njioint a Rcijister or Clark of the said Court, "NVhoe is
to keepe a Kecorde of all Actions and causes that are hrou^dit
before you. And a iSerjant or Statesboadc to Execute all Such
Acts and Warrants as shall ])roceed from you as occasion shall
Kcquire, Provided that all Writs, Warrants and Sutes arc to be
in his Ma*'^^ Kame, And -what you w^ the advice of your Assist-
ants sJutU act by Vertue of this Power given you, shall be Etl'ect-
luiU and good in Lawe, And that Noe Apeale shall be made to
the Governor and his Council!, Tiid' the some of tenn Pounds
sterling. And this Commission to continue till Wee shall other-
wise provide for the settlement of those affaii-cs and no Lonirer.
•* Given uiul"" my hand and scale of the Province of New Jersev
aforesaid the thirtieth day of August, 16G5, and in the 17th veare
of his Ma''"=^ Ptaigne."^
' Liber 'S Deeds (Trenton) 1. The records of this court which wouhl liave
thrown so much li<rht on the early history of Bergen and the manners and
customs of the jieopii", unfortunately are lost. After diligent scnrcli I have
found the record of only two suits, both of which were appealed, and, strange
to say, both were about hogs. I will here insert them for the curious reader:
Extract from the Register of the Minutes of the Court of Bergen, dated 11
November, 167;J :
The Schout, Ci,.\es .Vrentse Toers, PVt'ff.^
contra
Captain John Beuuy, Deft.
'•Pl't'ff proceeds against the Deft on a complaint made by (apt. Sandford to
the lit. Hon'''' the Oovernor-General in regard to the removal from Major
Kingsland of some hogs without the knowledge of any «)tricer. Whereupon
the Schout prosecutes for the value thereof. Deft, acknowle.lges having car-
ried oft' the hogs to his house, but on the Statement of Sandford "s negro. Tjirk
* * * Deft, claims that they were hia.
"The Schout, acting on behalf of justice, maintains that no one .an be lux
own judge on the naked saying of a negro. He proceeds therefore i-n a chnrffe
of Theft.
96 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Tlie judges of this court under tlie English rule were as fol-
lows :
Nicholas Yerlet, President.
Commissioned.
Harman Smeeman, 1
Casper Steinmets, ..^^ . .o-^-././.k
^,. Tr- 1 • 1 ^Assistants, - - August 30, 1665.
Elias Michielse, '
Ide Yan Yorst, j
" The magistrates demand of deft, if he hath anything further to produce as
his answer.
" Deft, answers — Nothing else than that I claim that they are my own hogs.
" The Schout demands that deft, be condemned criminally, and demands a
fine of 500 guilders, and that the hogs be put back in the place from which they
were taken.
" The magistrates condemn the deft, in a fine of 250 guilders, one-half for the
otEcer, one-third of the other half for the church, and one-third for the poor,
and oue-third for the Court of Bergen, and in case the Deft, cannot furnish fur-
ther proof that tliey are his own hogs, he is ordered to deliver up the hogs into
the hands of the officer of the jurisdiction of Bergen, and pay, moreover, the
costs incurred herein.
" Agrees with the aforesaid Register, quod attestor." N. Y. Col. MSS., xiii.,
386.
The appeal from this judgment is unique, and throws additional light upon
several customs of that day :
" Capt. John Berry humbly informs your Honor that, on the 11th January,
1670, new style, I departed hence from my plantation (situate a short English
mile from Captain Sandford), leaving 13 sows, one boar and 2 barrow hogs. I
returned here again in July, 1670, expecting to have found at least 100 hogs,
but instead of an increase they were diminished (according to Captain Sand-
ford's statement) to one sow and six barrows, which were not forthcoming. But
very early on the subsequent morning my upper servant brought me word that
some of the hogs had come back from Milfort, whereupon I answered him they
may carry them back there ; and about an hour after that Capt. Sandford's
negro came there. So seeing the aforesaid hogs, he said to me, ' Here is a
sow belonging to my master, and the old sow.' I asked him, ' What old sow ?'
He answered, ' One of the sows which you left here when you went to Barba-
does.' I asked him if she had had no increase, to which he gave me a vague
reply, only saying that they had last winter 7 shoats. Whereupon I said :
' There are six young pigs with her about the same age, and for the most part
of the color of the sow, according to all appearance they are six of the seven.'
• InllN KKKKV Al'I'llAI.S KIMM I III i.iIIm '.IJ
T\ iiiiiiit'iit (Ticliiiiui i) Vau \'1l'cI<, 'rouM Clerk, < -.. , . ,.
w -ii- < u- 1 i> • 1 . ( March s, l«;»;o
Saiiuiol Kdsall, < either to act )
Lunrens Atidriesen, ) as Presidoi.t, ( ' '''^''"•'lary i:., l.;74.
To which 111' answered, ' I believe so." Tina I saiil to liiiii. ' f,.i m, -.■ ntur liv
and see if they do not belong to your master.' Which wr did, and when we had
taken a ^ood h)ok at them, he said, ' No, they are not my master's ; tliev havn
not any hoh-s in their ears" (wliich was the distinctive mark betweene ('apt.
Sandford and Mr. Kinj^sland's). Then saitl I to him, ' One of the younjf pijfH hait
a lame foot,' whereupon he answered that one of my sows had a broken kn»*e.
Then said I ajrain, 'Beyond a doubt these six barrows are the priMluct •>f mv
sow.' The ne<rro replied, ' I think so.' He earnestly re(|iieRted me not tf> h-t it
be known that he had disclosed to me, for if his master came to know it, lie
should be very angry with him. 'Well,' I said, 'from all ap{>earance they
justly belong to me ; I shall provisionally convey them to my plantation." But
two or three' days after I had reached home, I went to the i)lantation. Shortly
afterward I had some conversation with Captain Sandford respectinjj theae
hogs. I said to him, ' They do not belonj; to you, for you have told mys«-lf that
all your hogs had holes cut in their ears, but to all appearance they belonjf to
me.' He answered, ' All do not belong to me ; there istme at the plantation to
which I shall lay claim, as it appears.' For when I retiirne<l to my i)lantation,
my upper servant told me that Cai)tain Sandfonl's housekeeper had b»-rn there
to look them up, saying that they belonged to them, inasmuch as the aforesaid
sow did not belong to me, but that I had given her to Capt. Sandford, as well
as the Boar, for the wintering of 2 oxen ; which is untrue. (These words are in
tacit acknowledgment that they were the progeny of the sow.) But that pre-
tense is now out of doors, for he recovered 120 from me for the wintering of the
aforesaid oxen, and he has been allowed by the arbitrators between us as much
as is customary for th<; wintering of oxen, and the sow and Boar remain tnine.
But I should trust and hope more, had I to do with people who professed the
fear of the Lord and had an upright heart.
" When the aforesaid hogs came back to the house I had tliem caught, and
went immediately to ('apt. Sandford, but he not being at home, the housekeeper
and I had some sharp talk on this matter. She said to me that she had had the
greatest trouble to bring them up, and therefore ought to have them.in pn-fer-
ence to any other person. I answere<l they were not hers on that account, but
to all appearance they were the increase of my sow, and therefore belonged to
me. She replied that they belonged to her. Then said I, ' How ; if all your
hogs have holes in their ears?' ' See well to it/ she said, ' you will find holes
in the ears of some, and I warn you, sir, that you will not meet with success.'
^ Well,' said I, 'send one of your Negroes with me ; they are now in the Stone
•house, and let him see ; if there are holes in the ears, I shall let them go, unless
such are of recent date.' But she refused to send any one. Next morning
7
98 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Commissioned.
John Berry, President.
Samuel Edsall,
Lourens Andriesen, )>.... March 13, 1676.
Ehas Michielsen,
Engelbcrt Steenhuysen,
when we examined the hogs by daylight we found that they had holes in the
ears, but the scab was yet on the holes, and matter under the scab, and they
had a stinking smell, whence it clearly appears that the holes were recently
made, but the mark of the plantation was of old, and 1 congratulate her there-
on, and believe it was done when they were shoats, long before they strayed
away. Whence it is clearly manifest that such was done to deceive the Honble
Governor or me. For they do not belong to me. If they are of the plantation
it is mine. The cause being small, I carried only four away from there, and
left two to run at large there vintil my return ; but where they landed I believe
Capt. Saudford or his housekeeper knows best, for they could not have any
previous knowledge of my journey. Thereupon Captain Sandford craftily
made his complaint to the Honble Governor that I had carried oft' from
there some hogs which belonged to him or some one else ; for he knows that
they are neither his nor his liousekeeper's.
" On this complaint the Schout came to me and asked me if I had taken any
hogs away from there. I answered him right out,' Yes.' He inquired how
many. I said, ' Four.' ' Why did you do so V I answered, ' Because they ap-
parently belonged to me.' Then said he to me I must appear before the next
court at Bergen to justify such act. I said to him, ' It shall be done, and very
eifectually.' I repaired thither, as your honor can see by the copy of their judg-
ment hereunto annexed.
" 1st. And in case I am blamed for having done so without the knowledge of
the Schout, I answer thereto, had I known, as I did not, that the Dutch law re-
quired me to do so, I had justly deserved censure; but not knowing that, I
knew no better than that I might carry these hogs home, as I presumed they
justly belonged to me, finding them so near my land and the place to which I
had carried so many, communicating my intention therein to the person who
set up a claim to them.
" 3d. Had I let them run about, they would have perhaps fared no better than
the other two which I left loose, as well as my sow that has not turned up, but
apparently has gone the same road as the rest of my hogs and their oftspring
have gone ; there being some people in the world who consider all as fish that
comes into their net.
" Right Honorable, this is the real truth of this matter, whereby I hope your
honor will clearly see my innocence in this instance. That I carried them
silently away, without informing any one ; and when the Schout questioned me ^
thereupon, denied the deed, or acted evasively, which I could have done had I
had a dishonest intention, it might have created some presumption, and had I
couins II 1,1.1) IN i;i:k(;kn. •••♦
These same persons wcrt' icapixiintt'il. Fi-oniaiv 1«',. ir.77.
The foUowiiiij: wore appciiiicil, .luiu' I.;, I*'.?;'., iiiemltci-s t»f tin-
Special Coiirr of ()\cr and 'I'cnniiuT, 1«> lie lu-hi at I^T'tii. .Iijtir
2-i:, 1073, with \H)\\vv t(i tiv all causes hrouirlif Ix-torc theiii : Wil-
liam Saiidtord, President; .Inlm Pike, .I..I111 lJisIn.p, Suinm-l
p]dsall and (ialifiel I\Iinvielle. Tiu- (icnoral Assemhiv IiavitiL'
provided fur holdini;- a t.enii-aniiual cnurt in each countv, the ful-
lowing; ])ersons were appointed, Fehrnarv !•!. ICTC. to hold
a court in Bergen on tlie first Tuesday in the f(.l!oui?i._'
an intention to perpetrate dirty net ions, tUeri- wen- opportunitifs i-nniiyli witli
out any one boinff knowing of thcin, before the liogs had been driven away an<i
their number known. Hut, on the contrary, I strictly charjjed my nejfroes not
to touch anytliinjr, but it is evident that tliey did not viobite my order therein,
insomuch that Capt. Sandford liiniself said tluit he thoujrht tlie occurrence tfiok
place lately.
'• My most earnest desire is that your Honor would please to take these |)oint>«
into consideration and to annul the aforesaid judgment, so that sudi an unde-
served stain may not remain on me and my posterity. I i)ray forgiveness for
having troubled your Honor with this long narrative. The liighly prized jdedge
of an honorable name, which I esteem far more than all riches, hath caused me
to do so. I conclude it with my prayer that the Divine Wisdom may be jdeased
to endue your Honor with intelligence and understanding not to justify the
guilty and not to condemn the innocent, both of which are an abomination in
the eyes of a righteous God. 17 Proverbs, v 15.
" I would only inform your Honor that, according to the Engli-h law. it is
usual to do as I have done in this case, and by that law I might take these hogs
away with me, and incase any one lay claim to them, he should summon me b*--
fore the public court of Justice and the Jury of 1"2 men had to decide thereu[)on.
and if the ownershij) was found in me, then tlie Plaintitf iscondemnc«l to pay all
my costs ; and in case they found forthe Plaintit!', then I was conilemne<l to
restore the jiroperty and to make good his costs and damage ; that is, what the
Defendant hath appropriated and converted to his own use. This is called an
action of Trover and Conversion. But were an accusation of Theft made, a seri-
ous action would be against the complainant. Had I been aware that the Dutch
Law denumded otherwise,! would have conformed thereto. The Word of (tod
declares that where there is no law there is no Transgression. At least, a mis-
conception ought not to be viewed through a magni tying glass, as the Schont
ot Bergen tried to do in the avaricious craving for a tine.
" Your honor will i)lease to reflect that Theft is a deed of darkness and ftileoce
and shuns the light, and confesses only on compulsion ; whereas my actions in
this case were in every stej* the contrary."
It is proper to state that tlie penalty in this case was. on ai<p<'al. reduci*d to
100 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
March, viz. : John Ben-j, President ; Samuel Edsall, Lourens
Andriesen, Elias Michielsen and Engelbert Steenhnysen. To
liold the same court at the same place on the first Tuesday in
March, 1679, the following persons were appointed Febru-
ary 18, 1679, viz. : John Berry, President ; Lourens Andriesen,
Elias Michielsen, and Epke Jacobs. Ide Cornelisen Yan Vorst,
Gerrit Gerritse (Van Wagenen), Dirck Claes Braecke, and Elias
Michielse (Vreeland) were chosen July 27, 1680. Lourens An-
100 guilders, on condition tliat defendant return the hogs, or prove them to be
his within six months. Col. Hist, of N. Y., ii., 739.
The following record may be found in N. Y. Col. M8S., x'a;w\,218 :
" At a Court of Sessions held at Berghen, in New Jersey, Sept. lo, 1G80.
" The Court opened by Harry Newton.
" A Jury empannelled & sworne.
" The Triale betweene Mr. William Lawrence, PltfF.
" Mr. Michael Smith, Deft.
" The Decl. upon an action of trespasse upon the case about a parcell of Hoggs
said to be stolen by the defts. negroes from the plttf. The deft, offers to come
to agreemt.
" The Court adjourned.
" Afternoone.
" The negroes of Mr. Smith examined. Righto confest that hee and his 3
comrads had killed 11 hoggs in the woods and brought two home on Saturday
night, and told his mr. of it in the morning, who was very angry, and told
them they would bee hanged, &c. The rest were brought home after to the
num. of 9.
" Harman RoelofF relates his finding 2 hoggs dead in the woods the Sunday
morning, & went and acquainted Mr. Smith.
" The two were wounded, small holes like swan shot.
" The negroes deny to have had any gun. The negro Jeremy confesses, also
doth Harman. Mr. Baker's negroe confesses to have killed one hog unmarked,
about the same time.
" Ordered all 4 to bee secured by the court. Their masters engaging they
should bee forthcoming, were sett at liberty.
" Afterwards the arbitrators employed to reconcile the matter in difference
between Mr. Lawrence «& Mr. Smith being sent to, returning answer that they
could not bring in their report conveniently till the morning. Court adjourned
till morning.
" Thursday, Sept. 16, 1680.
" In the morning
" Mr. William Lawrence
" Mr. Michael Smith
"The Arbitrato", come into Co''' & declare their incapacity of ending their
^'AMI•:s «>K mi,mi!i:ks ok riii ( .>i i:r. \tt\
ilriesen, President ; Saimul Kdsall. Kimcli Midiielx' and (territ
Gerritse, Au<2;iist ;^)1, l^iSl : nml l,(Hirrii> Andriorn, I'rcsidcnt;
Saniiu'l Edsall, ]"ji(M-li ^^i(•lli^l>(■ .•md <irn-it ( iri-rit-cii, An::ii>t
31, ItiM'; Chves Aivntsu Toeis, llan> 1 )iedrieksaud Knucli Mich-
ielse, Di'cenibor ;■), ITiS.'^ William I)MUM;la> \vasa]i]M.inted (!|crk,
Maivh 2S, iOS'S:
iirbitratiDii, liuvino- iint liburty to rhusu an L'liipirc. '1'Im' (••>" iilli>\v tUem
liberty & grave tliem thret' hours time.
"The court in iiieane time adjourned.
" Afternoone.
•'The Arbitrate" with their unii>ire brinpf in tlit-ir report.
•' Mr. Loureuf* Andries, / ,, , ..
,, •„, . , ^, , - named bv v i>lttl.
" Mr. Claes Arents. the Clarke, \ "
" Mr. John Baker, ) ,
'- bv v« deft
" Mr. William Doufrlas, ) ' • '
" John Ward, Umpire.
" The award £32 10s Od Losseof Stock : £2 lOs. Od towards hi.s bill of charjres,
to be p^' in (i m. One halfe in o^ood winter Wheate \ lialle in specie of the
produce of y country.
" Judfrment accordintr to y" award, & upon default at the time, Execution.
" Two of Mr. Smith's Negroes, vizt., Jeremy and Hannan. condemned to In-
whipt 20 Lashes apiece, & Will, Mr. Baker's Nejrroe, the like. Hiplito, f<>r his
engagement for the future to amend, & reveale his knowledge of any thieving
or &c., done by other Negroes, & to be Executioner to the above three, is
remitted.
"Execution was done accordingly in sight f)f the court.
" After which the court dissolved."
Mr. Smith was a son-in-law of Capt. John Berry, and probably the ancestor
of the Smith family at Secaucus. lie was sheriff of Bergen county in 16>'3, and
hence was tlie first sheriff of the county.
' The following commission {Book '■] of Deeds, Trenton) was sent to the court
one week after Sandford's appointment :
"WheredS, Emanuell, a Negro belonging to the family of Capt. Nicola.-* ^ fr
le" , deceased, hath Maliciously and by the Instigation of the divill sett on fire
a barne in the towne of Berggen belonging to the said family, and l>eing proveil
against him by General Circumstances, and more perticularly by liis owne Con-
fession to the Consumation of the said barne and divers cattle that were ther"-
in, to y Great loss and Impoverishing of the said family, whii-h Is death accord
to the Lawes for any person that shall comit wilfully any such abominable
Crime, These are therefore to give full power and Authority to the Justice and
Magistrates of the said towne and corporation of Bergen to bring the said
Emanuel to a tryall before them, and according to the Lawes of England iff he
102 HISTORY OF ilUDSON COUNTY.
In due time, after the surrender, the oatli of allegiance to the
British crown was administered to the inhabitants of Beriren.
The following is a true copy of the oath, to which is added the
names of those wlio subscribed to it :
'' The Oath of A Legeance taken by the Inhabitants Bergen
alias and in the Jurisdiction thereof, Beginning the 20 Novem-
ber, 1665:
" You doe sware by the holy Evangelists Contayned in this
book to bare true faith and A Legeance to our Gov"" Lord King
Charles the Second and his lawfull Successors, and to be true and
faithful to the Lords Propryeto" and their Successors and the
Government of this Province of iSTew Jarsey as long as you sliall
continue a freeholder and Inhabitant Vud"" the same Without
any Equivocation or mentall reseruation Whatsoeuer, and so helpe
you God.
" Captt. Nicholas Yer Let, Justice, Paulus Pietersen,
" Herman Smeeman, Magis*"", Ilendrick Tunisen,
" Gasper Steinmets, ditto xidolph Hardenbrook,
" Elyas Michielsen, ditto Geurt Garetsen,
" Ider Cornellissen, ditto Bartliel Lott,
" Hans Diedrect, Constable,^ Christian Pietersen,
" Tynemant Yan Ylickt, towne Thomas Fredericksen,
Clarke, Cornel is Abrahams,
" Captt. Adrian Post, Ensigne, Herman Edwarts,
be found Guilty by a Jury of tlie fact to passe Sentence of death upon him,
which they are to execute in such forme and manner as they in theire Judg-
ments and Wisdomes shall think fitt'for the terror and Example of others, and
for their so doing this shall be to them and Every of them a sufficient Authority,
provided that this Commission shall be of no longer power and force but for
this present occasion. Given under my hand and seal of the province the 15th
day of March, 1669."
How long Bergen continued to be the seat of the principal courts of the county
I am unable, with the information at hand, to state. But on the 20th of August,
1703, tiie courts for Bergen county were appointed to be held at Bergen. Per-
haps the facts upon this subject will be more fully known when the records
now being obtained from the colonial office in England shall have been pub-
lished.
' Diedrlcks was a representative of Bergen in the General Assembly in 1686.
V\n<T TAVKIJN I,|( 1,.N>|; i.U.Wil.i.. 1(>3
".Tacol) Lul)y, Ilenimn Cuiirt,
" Arent Lawrence, lieiiicr Van (iie.seti,
" J:m Tilx.iit, ,1.111 Kiicisfii ('usalx.u.
" lMii;vll»ert Stet'iiliuis, .loarf \'aii<l' Lyinle,
" Pieter Janseii, (Jarret (iarretseii,
" LanreiU'O Andries, Claes Areiitson,
'" Derrick Tuniseii, Lanreiute Areiitscn,
" Douwe Ilarinenseii, I.-aak Vati Vlcclc."
The village of Bergen M-as now four years old, ami it is alto-
gether likely contained, within its bounds many droughty hurirhers
t(> whom a tavern could administer great co?isolation. There is
no evidence that such an institution existed in the villatre hv
permission of the Dutch authorities. Hence it is jiroltahle tliat
the following is the tirst license to keep a hotel in tliat ])lacc:
" W/iereffs, the inhabitants of Bergen have tlioutrlit titt to Imve an
()idiiiaiy or puMick \'ictualing House settled in their towne for
the accommodation of Strangers and passengers and to lietaile
all sorts of drink and other Licquers, for the Effecting Wliereof
the Magistrates have pitched upon (hristian Pietersen,an iidiab-
itant of the said towne, as the most tittest p''son for that Employ-
ment, and fur Which tliey have rerpiested my Lvci'nce : These
are therefore to perniitt and Lycence the aforesaid Christian
Pietersen to sett up and keep the aforesaid (,)rdinary or ^'ietuall-
ing hows for Entertainment of all Strangers and passeng""' and to
Retaile all sorts of diiidv and Other Licq" to all p'"sons Except-
ing Indians, provided he keep good ( )vd'^ in his hows ami titt ac-
commodation for strangers an<l not to exceed the rates that siiall
bf appointed upon all sorts of ilriidv and li(iuers' by the ^^agis-
trates of the said towne, hereby i)rohibiting all other p''sons
whomsoever to sell any sorts of drink or Licouers by wav of re-
taile in their bowses upon the penalty of paying to the use of tlic
])ul)li(d< tiftie shillings for Every such offence for their contempt,
Which said Lycence is to continuf^ for on<> Whole veare fntm the
' I'litil (juito a recent date the Judges fixed the rate of rJiarjres which might
104
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
first clay of January next Insuiii": tlie date liereof, and so to l^e
renewed by tlie Secretary jeai-ly.^
be demanded by tavern-keepers. The following were the rates at one time
established in this county :
"A LIST of rates to be taken by every Licensed Innkeeper, as settled Ijy the
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County aforesaid, assem-
bled June Term, 1844 :
FOR MAN. $
For Breakfast,
Dinner in Common, - . . - . .
Ditto extraordinary, ..-.---
Supper, .-..-.-..
Lodging per night, --------
Madeira Wine per quart, - - - - - - " 1
Claret per ditto, ...-...-
Lisbon, Fayal and Teneriffe Wine per ditto, - - 1
Fresh Lime Punch per quart, ------
Toddy per ditto, .......
Grog per ditto, --------
West India Rum per gill, - - - - -
Geneva per ditto, --.-....
Brandy per ditto, -
Whiskey and Cider Spirits i)er ditto, ....
Cider per quart, --------
Cider Royal or Bottle Cider per quart, - - - -
Strong Beer per ditto,
Ship Beer per ditto, --------
Porter per bottle, -------
Metheglin, ---------
Champaigne Wine per bottle, 2
And so in proportion for a larger or smaller quantity.
FOR HORSE.
For Oats per quart, --------
Indian Corn per ditto, -------
Stabling a Horse per night on English Hay, - '
Ditto for twenty-four hours, - - - • -
Stabling a Horse per night on Salt Hay,
Ditto for twenty-four hours, - . - - -
Pasture per night, -
Ditto for twenty-four hours, - - - - -
And so in proportion for a longer or shorter time."
' Christian and his good wife, Tryntje, continued to j^ass the pewter mug to
him that was athirst, until Feb. 13, 1670, when his license was revoked, and
Hans Diedricks reigned in his stead. Hendrick Cornelisen seems to have re-
ceived a license March 10, 1669.
cts.
37
37
50
O *
2o
50
75
00
75
37
25
12
12
12
12
25
8
4
37
37
00
4
25
37
12
18
12
16
CAKIKkKI .- ( IIAUl I K. lO.'
*' (Tiveii I'ihI' my hand aixl seal ot'tlic province, 14 X'", iniWI,
ami in 18 yeare of his ^^a"' ' IJaiLrnc.**'
( )n tilt' 7th of A})ri], ir>r».S, tlie i»coi)k' were caMeil npoti t<»
elect representatives to an assenihly to ho hehl at Eli/.ahethtown
on the t25th of ^fay followiim-. l-'or I>er<j;en, Ca.-par Steininet»
and J*)althazai" Bayard were chosen.^
From this time until the recapture of the country hy the I )utcli,
the only thiiiLr of imi)ortance which occurred within the hounds
of this county, save a few irrants of land, was a charter to the
town." Tliis chai'ter Avas <;raiited hy Carteret. The follnwiiiir is
a copy :
'• This Deede Witnesseth of Charter i;rantcd to the Towne and
Freeholders of I'erijen, and to the A'illaues and J'lantatious there-
unto hcloniiini::, cituated and heinj; in the ]>rovinceof New Cesarea
or New .lersey : By Ilonhle Capt. Phillip Carteret, Es(|^, (tov-
ernour of the said Province, and his Counsil, under the lli<:ht
Ilonble John Lord Berkley, Barron of Stratton, and Sr. (Tcorije
Carteret, Knt. and Baronet, the absolute Lords Proprietors of
the same, Containing the Limitts and hounds of the Jurisdiction
of the said Towne, together with the immunities and Pri\ilcdged
thereunto belonging and appertaining, as followeth : Imprms.
The Bounds and Limitts of the aforesaid Towne and Cor]»oration
of" Bergen is to i>egin at the North end thereof, from a jilace
called Mordavis Meadow, lying upon the west side of lIud>on's
river, from thence to run upon a N. W. lyne by a Three rail
fence that is now standing to a place called Espatin, and from
thence to a little Creek surrounding N, N. W .. till it comes into
Hackinsack river, containing in Bre<lth from the top of the Hill,
lA miles or I'iO chains, from thence it runs along tiie said Hack-
insack river u])on 8. S. W. lyne till it comes to the ])oint or neck
of r.and that is over against Statten Lsland and Shooter's Island
in Arthur Cull Bav, containiiiir in h-nirth ab..ut twchc miles.
' Liber 3 of Deeds (Trenton), 10.
• Lenminy and Spicer, 17, Ho-
■ For information concerning tliese grants f*i*f WinJxcUi'a Lund 'Jit'r.^.
106
HISTOEY OF IRTDSON COUNTY.
from thence to run Eastward alonoj the River called Kill van Cull
that parts Statten Island from the Maine to a point or neck of
Land called Constable's Point or Constable's honck, and from
thence to run up Northward all along the Bay up into Hudson's
river till it comes to Mordavis Meadow aforesaid ; So that the
whole tract of upland and Meadow property belonging to the
Jurisdiction of the said Town and Corporation of Bergen is
bounded at the jS"orth end by a tract of Land belonging to Captn.
N-ichs. Verlett and Mr. Samuel Edsall. On the East side by
Hudson's river, on the South end by the Kill van Cull, that parts
Statten Island and the Maine, and on the West by Arthur Cull
Bay and Hackensack river, as it is more plainer demonstrated by
a draught thereof, made by the Surveyor-General, hereunto an-
nexed : The whole, both of upland and Meadows and Waist land,
containing according to the survey 1 1,520 Acres English measure :
Wliich said Limitts and bounds, together with all the Rivers,
Ponds, Creeks, Islands, Inlets, Bays, Fishing, Hawking, Hunt-
ing, and all other appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belongino-
and appertaining. The half part of Golde and Silver Mynes^
and the Royaltie of the Lords Proprietors only Excepted, to con-
tinue and remain within the Jurisdiction, Corporation or Town-
ship of the said Towne of Bergen, from the day of the date
hereof and forever: The said Corporation submitting themselves
to the Authority of the Lords Proprietors and the Government
of this Province. To Le hoklen bv them, the said Corporation
or Townsliip, their heirs and Successors, as of the manner of East
Greenwich, in free and common Socage.
" 2dly. That all the Freeholders of the said Corporation or
Township are hereby jointly and severally obliged to Pay or
Cause to be paid to the said Lords Proprietors, their heirs and
Successors, or to their Receivers-General, within the said Prov-
ince, on every 25th day of March,^ according to the English
Accompt, the sum of fifteen Pounds Sterling, of good and Law-
' The beffiuning of the new yeai\ old style. In 1752 the new style was adopted.
That year began on the first of January, and on the tliird of September follow-
ing, the old style ended, the next day being considered the 14th, new HtyU.
CAIMKUKT S ( IIAIMKK. I'»,
fill nioiiev (»t' Eiiirland, 111- tlio Viiliu' tliereot", in pjcxl and ( 'iir-
rent ]m' of the ('i)iiiirrv, a> a <Jiiit rent <lue to tlicm, tlio wiiolo
said tract of F.and almxc nifiitiniici!, in Ijcii of tin- Ad. I'r. acre,
ineiiti<)iu'<I in the ( 'niii-ession?, which I'aymciit is to Ix'i^in on th(?
25th (hiy ut' March, wliich shall he in the Vear of Lord H'.TO,
and so to continne forever, withont any chanire to the ?Jiid Lonlji
Proprietors or their A<j:ent; and that all I'attetit.s for land here-
before (xranted, oi- to he Granted within the said Liniitts, are to
be aeconiptod u[)on the aforesaid Rent of Fifteen Pounds Sterlin<;
]ir. aiimiin.
•* 3dly. That all Freeholders livini; and Iidiabitini^ within f In-
said Jurisdiction, Corporation or 'rowiic^liip, wether within the
said Towne of Bergen, Coniunipaw, Ahassiinus, Arinkac(pie, Pcni-
brepock, or upon any other Plantation within the said I.iniitts,
shall he deemed and acconipted for Freemen of the said Corpo-
ration or Townshi}), and having taken the oath of Aleagance to
the King, and Fidelity to the Lords Proprietors, are to have a
Free Voice in Election, and to enjoy All the Rights, Innniitieft
and Privileges hereby (Granted unto the said Corporation or
Towneship.
"4thly. That the Freeholders aforesaid, or the Major Part of
them, are upon the Governor's Summons to make Choice of two
Deputies to Join with the (Tcneral Assembly for the making of
Laws and Carrying on the Public Affairs of the whole Province.
'Tithly. That the Freeholders aforesaid, or the Major part of
them, have Power to chuse their own Magistrates to be assistants
to the President or Judge of the Court, and for the ordering of
all Public Affaires within the said Jurisdiction. Provided that
one of the said ^Magistrates is to be chosen out of the Freeholders
nf Minkai-qiie oi- IV'inbi'epock. They have Power likewise to
nominate their Justice or Justices of the Peace and their ^[ilitary
Officers, Provided that the Justices of the Peace and the Military
(^tticers are to I)ea])proved of and comtnissioned by the (Tovernor.
*• Hthly. That the Freeholders af»resaid, or the Major j>art of
them, have Power to chuse their own ^linister for the preaching
of the word of God, and the Administering His Holy Sacra-
ments, and being so chosen, all persons, as well the Freeholders
108
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
as the Inhabitants, are to contril)ute aeeordinu' to their estates and
proportions of Land for his maintenance, or Lay ont such a pro-
portion of Land for the Minister, and tlie keepino; of a Free
School for the Education of Youth, as they shall think fit, which
land being once laid out is not to be alienated, but to Eemaine
and continue forever from one incombant to another, Free from
Paying of any hye Rent, or any other Rate or Taxes whatsoever,
notwithstanding it shall and may l)e lawful for any particular
person or persones to keep and Maintain any other Minister at
their own Proper Cost and Charges.
" Ttlily. That in Religious Concerns and the Way of Worship-
ping of God there is liberty of conscience Granted to all Persons
in Generall, as well ti> tlio freeholders as to others that are or
shall be admitted Lihabitants within the said Corporation or
Towneship, they taking or Subscribing the Oath of Allegiance to
the King, and fidelity to the Lords Proprietors and their Suc-
cessors, and that no Person whatsoever shall be Injured, Molested
or Trouljled for his or her difference in opinion in matters of
Religion. Provided that this Liberty Granted shall not extend
to Licentiousness or the Disturbance of others and the Public
Peace.
" 8thly. That the Freeholders aforesaid, or the Major part of
them, Iiave power to admit of tlieir own Inhabitants, and to
divide all Proportions of Land as are within their Bounds and
Limitts aforesaid, that are not already appropriated and Pattent-
cd by particular persons before the day of the date hereof. Ac-
cording to their Allotments and estates, as the Justices and
Magistrates shall in their AVisdoms and Discretions think fit,
which Lands being so divided, every man's proportion is to be
surveyed, butted and bounded by the Surveyor, and the same to
be recorded l)y the Secretarie and Recorder-General of the
Province, or by Eyther of them, which Propositions and Allot-
ments being so Surveyed and Recorded after two years In posses-
sion, shall not be subject to any resurvey nor Alterations of
Bounds, but shall remain according to the first survey for ever.
And for the better avoiding of all Frauds and Sutes at Law, all
Mortages, Transports, Sales and Leases for above the Terme of
» Ai:ri;KKi's i iiauikk. 1"'»
One Yeare, aii<l all utlicr (•■>iicri-iiiii:i- Houses ami Lands aiv to Ih'
recorded by the Seeretarv as atoresaul, tor the Xej^iectinj; thereof"
all such coiiti'acts as at'ui'esaid, are to be void, and of no efVcrt in
Law.
'' Uthly. That all Lands and Meadows that are appropriated and
l)attented by particidar persons l)i't"ore the day of ye date of these
presents sliall continue and remain unto them withoiit any alter-
ation, unless tlie Proprietors thereof will'give tlieir Consent to the
Contrary.
"lOthly. That the Freeholders au«l lidiabitants of the said
Corporation shall have a Free Trade allowed them, and that no
tax of Custome, Excise or any Imposition whatever shall be im-
posed on them but such as shall be levied l)y the Governor and
Council and General A5send)ly, for the defrayini; of the I*idtlic
Charges and the Maintenance of the Government.' .\nd that all
Rates and .Vssessments relating to the said Cor[>oratioM or Towne-
ship shall be rated and levied by their Justices and Magistrates
or whom they shall appoint.
"llthly. That in case of Invasion or Insurrection by the In-
dians or others, they are mutually, as well the Freeholders as all
other Inhabitants, to Join with all other Townes and Plantations
within the said Province, for the defence an safety of the same,
but no AV^arr to be levied without the consent of the Governor,
Councill and General Assembly.
•' I2thly. That all Freeholders aforesaid, or the Major i)art of
them, liave power annually on every first day of January, or at
any other set tyme as they shall appoint, to chuse one or more
' This privilege (extended also to East Jersey) was tin- source of nmch un-
easiness on the part of New York, and the cause of many eflbrts for the anm-x-
ation of East Jersey to that province. The following extract will show the
general argument used by New York : " East Jersey is scituate on HudsoD'.H
River over against Long Island, Stutcn Island and New Yorke. and they pre-
tend by the aforementioned grant to be a free place and to have frf«« j.orts to
trade as they please, which if admitted must certainly destroy yo' Mnj"" in-
terest and revenue here ; for what merchant will come to New York and trade
and pay to Yo' Maj'>' 2 and 10 p' cent with the excise and Yo' .Mnj'" dutys
settled here, if they can at 2 or 3 miles distance over against the same place go
and be free from any duty or imposition whatever." ( '•>l. llitt. of N. Y., Hi., 79H.
110 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Constables for tlie Public Service, which said Constable or Con-
stables are to be sworne in their office l)y the Justice of the Peace
according to the oath prescribed.
" ISthly. That all the Freeholders and others, the Inhabitants
aforesaid, are to submit themselves to the Laws and Government
of the Province, and to swear or subscribe to the Oath of Alea-
gence to the King and Fidelity to the Lords Proprietors. Aaid
in case they or any of them have a desire to remove or Transport
themselves to any other place, they have liberty so to do, and to
dispose of their Lands and Estates to their best Advantages.
" 14thly. That the said Corporation or Towneship have power
to Errect and Ordaine a Court of judicature within their own
Jurisdiction", and for the Limitts thereof for the Tryall of all
causes Actionable between party and party, from whence there
shall be no Appeal under the sum of Five Pounds Sterling, and
also for the Tryall of all Criminal and causes of Misdemeanor,
and to inflict such Fines and Punishments as the Meritt of the
cause shall require, as by Imprisonment, Stocking, Piloring,
Ducking, Branding, Whipping^ not exceeding twenty stripes, and
the like, Which Court is to consist of a President, who is to be a
Justice of the Peace, and the Magistrates, or any two of them
at the least, a Clarke, and such other officers as they shall appoint,
which said Magistrates and Clarke are to be sworne in their
offices, and the Clarke to be appi'oved of by the Secretary Gen-
eral of the Province, who is to keep an Exact Record of all
actions that shall be brought in and tryed in said Court, and to
give an account thereof unto him when thereunto required by
the Governor and his Councill. No Freeholder is to be arrested
or detained a Prisoner for debt until Judgment be passed and
Execution granted, unless it can be made to appear that the party
lias an Intent to defraud his Creditors by' running out of the
' In the olden time there was a lock-up on the easterly side of the Square,
near the site of the present school-house. Within the last fifty years the stocks
were in use on the westerly side of the Square, and but one generation has
passed since the whipping-post was a wholesome antidote to petty oftences and
a terror to evil doers. Many an old person still living has seen the victim
writhe under the lash, laid on with a skillful flourish by the old constable.
CAIiTKICI.I S ( IIAKI l.l;. 1 I I
Coniitrv. That all iici-ffoiis, as well FivdioMcrs as olhcr Inliahi-
taiits, in Case of Ai)|»fal. tlir Apyt-llaiit .-liall j^ivf in fi-cnritv to
pruscciitu his Appeal, nv stand to the .ludi^MiicTit <»t' the Court. All
causes accord in:;- to the Laws of Kn^dand phall he tried hv a .liirv
of six or twelve nun, and whomsoever shall trouble and u)ole>t
his neiii-hhor, beini;' of the same Corporation, by arrestini; of hini
and <xoini; to Law in another . I nrisdiction, .-hall be liable to a Kino
according:; to the discretion of the ( ourt. The Justice or .lusticw*
of the Peace beiiiir Coniniissioned and sworne in their otHce, have
power to Administer the oath of Aleajrauce and Fidel itie, and all
other Oaths that are re(]uin'(l liy the law, and to issue out in Ilis
Majestie's name, or in whose name or names It shall or may here-
after be appointed l)y the Lawes, their AVarrants of Summons,
and arrest within the limitts and Jurisdiction of the said Corpo-
ration or Towneshiji, directiiii; the same to the Constable, Mar-
.-hall, or what other Otficer or OtHccrs the said Corporation shall
in their discretion think tit to appoint for that Service, who are to
l)ut the same in Execution accordinuly. and also to Issue out their
Warrants for the apprehendino; of all Malefactors and Runaways,
anl to prosecute them by way of IIn<;li and Cry, ami to do all
tjucli thing and things by their authority according toLaw and Jus-
tice as may conduce to the Peace and well Governnu'iit of the >aid
Province, Corporation and Towneship. Provided that all Fyne>
are to be disi)osed of for Charita])le or pid)li(' usi-s. It is to
be noted that whereas it is said in the Eight articles' that all
Mortgages, Transports, Sales and Leases of Land are to 1)6 record-
ed by the Secretary, they are first to lie acknowle<lged before
the Governor or a Justice of the Peace liy the (Tranter, or by
two good Sufficient Witnesses, Attested on the backside of the
aforesaid deed, wliicli is a Warrant for the Secretary to record the
same.
" In Confirmation of the premises, AVee the said Covernor ami
the Coiincill have hereunto set oin- hamls the 2"Jd day of Septem-
ber, 1668, and the 2iith year of the Reign of our J^ovn. Lord
Charles the Second of England, Scotland, France and Ireland,
' The eighth article of this Charter.
112 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY,
King, Defender of the Faith, ifec. : and the Scale was placed by
consent before signing.
" Ph. Carteret.
" Eobert Yanguellen, Ni. Varlett, Samuel Edsall, Kobert Bond,
" William Pardon.
"James Bollen, Secretary and of the Conncill.''
What caused the granting of this Charter is not now known.
The following certificate of Governor Stuyvesant may throw some
light upon it:
" We, underwritten, the late Director-General and Council of
New Ketherlaudt, hereby certify and declare that in the year one
thousand six hundred and sixty-one, by us underwritten, in quality
as aforesaid, have given and granted to the inhabitants of the vil-
lage of Bergen, the lands with the meadows thereunto armexed,
situate on the West side of the North Eiver in Pavonia, in the
same manner as the same was by us underwritten, purchased of
the Indians, and as the same was to us delivered, by the said In-
dians, pursuant to an instrument of sale and delivery thereof,
l)eing under the date of the 30th of January, A. D. one thousand
six hundred and fifty-eight ; wnth this express condition and
promise, that the aforesaid inhabitants of the before named village
shall not be prejudiced in their outdrift, by means of any private
collective dwellings (saving only the right of the then already
cidtivated farms at Gemoenepan). But that all such who have
any lands within the district of the before named village, and
especially at Pemrepogh, and Mingackque, all such owners shall
1)0 obliged to remove their dwellings and place them in the vil-
lage or town of Bergen, or by or about the neighborhood of Ge-
moenepan before named. Conditioned, however, that the afore-
said owners (in case they should desire the same) should be
permitted to share and divide with the inhabitants of the before
named village or town, in the common lands of the said town,
and in the place and stead of their lands lying at Pemrepogh and
Mingackquie before named. (And especially that the meadows
laying near the village or town of Bergen, where the same begins,
GOVKKNoK .STLVVKSAN I S < KIM !!■ KATK. 1 1 ;;
at the West side aluii^- Kill \:m l\ol, .-liouM \>v niu\ Ix-loii;^ to niul
for tlie use of the hutore iiiumMl iiiliuhitaiits of I>er<;en).
" And tiirtlicr, \vc the underwritten, eertify and declare, tlinf
Micliael .Icinsciu deceased (hefore or about the time that the
aforesaid villai^o or town was hiid out), tor himself, as also fur
and in behalf of his brother-indaw, Xicholas .lansen IJarker,' did
in our presence, renounce all the ri^ht they had to the pasture
ground layini;' behind Geinoeneiian, for a common outdrift and
pasture between the aforesaid village or town, and the neighbor-
hood of (rcmoenepan, before named.
" And lastly, that no more lands were given or granted to
Dii'ck Clausen, than Right])oc(jues, with the meadows thereunto
belonging, as by the grountl-brief thereof may further appear.
" In testimony of the truth, we have signed these with our owii
hands, in Xew'York, the 2<'.th of October, A. D.
"P. Stlyvksant,
"NlCASIUS DE SlLLK."^
By what in>truniciit the lands herein rctci-red to were granted
' Backer. Winjicld's Land Tillts, 50.
- Taylor's Annals, 50. " Tlu' year when tliis certificate wn.s given is* nut iii
telligible in the ori»rinal instrument. But as they certify a.s former Ciovermir
and Council, it must have been after August, 1004, when tiie English conciuered
the country. New York, February 20th, 1704. Translat<<l from the Dutch, l>y
Abm. Lott, .lun'r."
The last two i)aragraphs of the lertiticate seem to refer to the meadow
through which the Morris canal now passes, between the Cavan Point road and
Hudson avenue. Tliere was a fierce controversy between the village of Menken
and the people of C'ommunipaw, Haccocas and Minkakwa, relating to some land
and the fences thereon, which was referred to arbitrators, and finally carried
before the Governor of New Orange in July. lf>74. X. Y. Col MSS , xriii ,
:'.64, ■), 0. In their appeal the inhabitants of Bergen show that their deputies
—Hans Diedricks and Engelbert Steenhuysen— had yielded their claim, i>y
which they were " cut off" from the lowermost meadow," and a fence was
erected by which they were " separated from (lemonei)a so that we cannot have
access to the water side except by a roundabout way. " Thi.s leaves but little
doubt as to the land in controversy, and it is the sann referred to by Governor
Stuyvesant as having been renounced by Michael .Jan.^en. .lansen died in 10<W.
the Dutch surrendered in 1004, Stuyvesant died in 1071 ; hence the alwve cer-
tificate must have been dated betwei-n 1004 and 1071. It is quite probable that
it was dated prior to Carteret's charter of Bergen.
8
114 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
to the inhabitants of Bei-gen we do not know. Such grant is not
to be found in the Ordinance of September 5, 1661, and it is
worthy of notice that many grants from the Dutch Government
to individuals are to be found bearing a later date ; yet the
Governor must have understood the Ordinance of 1661 to contain
such a grant, or else the grant to which he refers has been lost.
Whatever the fact about the grant may be, it is quite probable
that this certificate went far toward satisfving Governor Carteret
that the freeholders of Bergen were entitled to all the unpatented
lands. In this light the Charter of 1668 was only a confirmation
of the rights which the " Freeholders, Inhabitants of Bergen,"
possessed under the Dutch Government.
cii A P'l'K i: V 1 .-1 1;;;; i :•; i.
The country recaptured by the Dutch — Borfjen auinniotK'd to HurrcniliT^Thc
people coini)ly and take oath of allej^iaiict' — The inilitury power of Ber-
gen offjanized — Controversy between Ber;jen and its dependent hanilctx.
Penibrepogh and Minkakwa — Bergen Hends her soldiers to New Orange
— The country surrendered to tlie English — Condition of the country in
1(580 — Its villages and farms — Provision for the cari! of the common land
— Its final partition.
The war which fuUuwed the seizure (»f Xew Xetherhiiid eiultMl
in the trcatv of Breda, July 31, KiGT, by wliich eacli jmrty was to
hold what had been ca]>tured duriii<; the contest. Thiscontirnied
New Netherhind to the English. In March, 1(J7'2, war ai^ain
broke out between England and the States. The Dutcli des-
patched a small squadron to cruise on the American coast and
destroy the English shipping. Cornelis Evertsen and Jacob
Binckes, joining their forces at Martinico, sailed with tlieir five
vessels for the Chesapeake. Capturing some vessels there and ob-
taining information as to the state of the defences at New York,
they sailed for that place. On the :^Oth of July, KJTS, the fleet,
now consisting of twenty-three vessels, carrj-ing si.xteen hundred
men, anchored in the bay. The land forces of the Dutch were
under Captain Anthony Colve, who took possessio?! of the city
on the following day.^ Three days afterward (August 12th, X.
S.) the following summons was sent to Bergen, one of the villages
in the '' Province of New Yarsey," which had not yet sent dele-
gates to the Dutch connnanders to treat concerning surrender :
" To the Inhabitants of the Vdlafje of Bergen, and the Ilatnletn
and Bonweries thereon depending :
" You are hereby ordered and instructed to despatch Delegates
from your Village here to us, to treat with us on ne.xt Tuesday.
respecting the surrender of your town to the obedience of their
' Broadhead, ii., 207. Valentiue'ti Hist, of iV. T., 170.
116 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
High Mightinesses, the Lords States-General of the United Neth-
erlands, his Serene Highness the Prince of Orange, or on refusal
so to do, we shall be obliged to constrain you thereunto by force
of arms.
" Dated at the City Hall of the city of New Orange, the
12th of August, Anno 1673.
" CoRNELis EvERTSE, Junior,
" Jacob Benckes.
" By their order.
".N. Bayard, Secret^'."^
The good burghers of Bergen did not wait to be " constrained
thereunto," but, influenced, by a national sympathy, surrendered
most graciously. On the 18th they sent in a list of the names of
some of their most prominent citizens, from which the authori-
ties in New York, now called New Orange, might make selection
of magistrates. This being done, as hereinbefore stated, a certifi-
cate of their election was sent to them, and they were required
to appear in New Orange to be sworn into ofiice.~ On the 21st
they appeared, in accordance with the requisition, and took the
followino; oath :
o
" We, the Sellout, Schepens and Secretary of the Yillage of
Bergen, qualified by the Hon^^® Council of War, do promise and
swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that we, each in his
quality, will, according to the best of our knowledge and without
passion, administer good law and justice between parties in eases
brought before ns ; that w^e will promote the welfare of this vil-
lage and its inhabitants ; in all things defend the upright and
true Christian Religion agreeably to the Word of God and the
order of the Svnod of Dordrecht taught in the Netherland church ;
in all circumstances obey, maintain and help to maintain the
Supreme Government placed, or hereafter yet to be appointed
over us, in the name of their High Mightinesses the Lords States-
General of the United Netherlands and his Highness of Orange,
1 Col. Hist, of N. Y., a., 571. -' Ibid, ii., 571.
BEROENERS TAKE OATM OF ALLKOIANCK. 117
and prevent, as far as in our ])o\ver lies, everything that may
conflict with it. So truly help us God.'"
At the time of taking the oath the ma<;istrates were notified
that the commanders would visit I>c'r''cii on the followintr " Sun-
day after the sermon, in order to administer the oath of allegi-
ance to all theii" ]>eoj)le." On the 2Tth the commanders and
Council of AVar of IS^ew Orange came over as they had ])romiscd.
They foniid the mimber of the bm-ghcrs of I'ergen and sur-
rounding dependencies to be seventij-c'niht^ sixty-nine of whom
ai)peared at the tap of the drum and took the oath of allegiance.
The magistrates were ordered to forward the oaths of those who
were absent. The oath taken by the Dutch inhabitants was dif-
ferent from that taken by the English, :in<l was as follows :
" We do promise and swear, in the ])resence of the Almighty
God, to be loyal and faithful to their Tligh ^rightinesses the
Lords States-General of the United Xetherlands, and his Serene
Tlighness the Prince of Orange, and their governor, already, or
hereafter to be, appointed here, and to comport ourselves on all
occasions as loyal and faithful subjects are bound to do. So truly
help me Almighty God."^ On the 4th of September, the town
of Bergen having sent in names for that purpose, the authorities
in New Orange selected the following militia oflicers:
Caspar Steynjiets, Captain.
Hans Diedericks, Lieutenant} Adriaen Post, Fn.n>/n.
« Col. Hist. ofN. T., ii., 574, 578, 580. The Schout waa afterward aiithorizi-.l
" to fill and execute the office of Auctioneer." This position ^ave him iiw jMiw^r
to sell i)roperty on judfjraents pronounced by the court. Ordinarily, this rijjhl
belon^'-ed, ex-officio, to the Provincial Secretary. Xeir Ndh. Il>g., 114. This court
had power not only to hear and determine causes brought before them, but to
pass ordinances for the government of the people. In October, lt!7:?. this court
[)a3sed an ordinance respecting the observance of Sunday, etc., which was a|>-
proved by the council in New Orange. Col. Ilist. of X. Y., ii., 1>4;J. iV. >*.
Col. MSS., x.viii., V.y.}. This ordinance is missing.
- This I presume shows the number of white males above the age of twenty,
one years.
• Col. Jlist. ofN. Y., ii., ."iB'J. Mr. Whitehead, Entt Jersey, 61. says the inhab-
itants of Bergen were " probably considered too much in their interest to re
(|uiri' the binding influence of an oath."
* Ihi(l,ii.,!i07. Diedricks was one of the grantees of " Hatpuvjuenunck."
118 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
This provision for military organization was but keeping up
what liad been practised before tlie English took possession of
the country, and what they continued when the Dutch rule had
passed away. In less than two years after the foundation of Ber-
gen, officers were appointed to marshall the growing powers of
the ambitious village and its belligerent dependencies.
For ( Adriaen Vo,^ Ensign, | ^ j^^ed June 30, 1663.
Bergen. ( John Swaen, ^bergeant. )
For \ Harman Sraeeraan, Ensign, ] ^ u ui
Gemoenepa. ( Gerrit Gerritsen, Sergeant. \
As officers of a foot company to be enlisted in Bergen, (.Temoene-
paen, Ahasymus and Hooboocken, the following appointments
were made :
Nicholas Yerlett, Captain, \
Caspar Steinmets, Lieiiienant, > Appointed September 0, 1665."'
Adrian Post, Ensign. )
John Berry ,^ Captain, \
Adrian Post, Lieutenant, > Appointed July 15, 1675.'*
Elias Michielsen, Ensign. )■
William Laurence, Captain, \
Jacob Lubert, Lieutenant, \- Appointed July -l, 1681.
Enoch Michielsen, Ensign.
Gerbrand Claesen, Captain,
Gerrit Gerritsen, Lieutenant, )- Appointed Nov. 10, 1692.
Jan Adrianse Sip, Ensign.
March 28, 1679. Whitehead's East Jersey, 49. It is doubtful, however, if he
ever settled there, for on " Thursday, the 2nd off May, 16S9, the .Justices off the
peace off Bero^en County and East Yarsey came and mett the Governor, vizt.,
Coll. Hamilton, Coll. Townly, Capt. Berry, Capt. Bowne, and Magistrates of
Bero'en, all promisinof that they would be aiding and assisting to reprias any
comon enemy, and because there are noe militairy officers in commission in the
County or Corporation off Bergen, Hans Diedrick was appointed Capt., .Juriaen
Thomas Leftenant, and Claes Teers (Toers) Ensigne of said Corporation, and
Commissions given accordingly." N. T. Hist. Soc, 1868, 247.
' W. Y. Col. 3ISS., .!■., Part ii., 168. 2 Liber 3 of Deeds {Trenton), 1.
•' Berry's house in Bergen was, on the 19th of July, 167.3, made the " prison
for ye province," until a house could be built for that purpose, and Adrian Post,
constable, was made keeper. Book 3 of Deeds {Trenton), 93.
^ Ibid, 117. Michael Smith was appointed Lieutenant in this company June
2,1677. Ibid,\U. ^ j bid, 18d.
CONTKNlloN AUol'l' I'lU-XKN'n >I£ AM) SCIttx >I.MA<rKK. 11'.'
SluirUy i>i'cvi(>iis to tlu' ri'-occu[);ition l>y tlie Dutch, a contro-
versy arose between the autlioritios of the town ot' Hereon arnl
tlie i)eo])le residing- in the " Villages of Prnirepo^^h and Min-
ga>i;nuo," tlu-n consitleri'cl as dependent hamlets. It sccidh t(»
have been the rnle that all tlu^ iidiabitants should, without rci^ard
to creed, contribute to the; supjiort of the Preei-ntor' and School-
master at HerL;en. To this the independent citizens objected.
Thereupon, on the iSth of December, ir.T'J, the Schout and
Majjistrates of Bergen ordered that all should pay. Tins being
•lisregarded, they called upon the authorities in New Orange to
compel the inhabitants of all the settlements, of what religious
persuasion soever they might be, to pay their share toward the
support of the Precentor and Schoolmaster.- Upon this appeal,
it was, upon the 24:th of December, hu'o, ordered : " That all
the said inhabitants, without exception, shall, pursuant to the
resolution of the Magistrates of the town of Bergen, dated iSth
Xber, 1672, and subsequent confirmation, pay their share for the
support of said Precentor and Schoolmaster." Over tliis deci-
sion there was doubtless great rejoicing in Bergen an<l B>i>/lrn
Tuijn. The Schoolmaster confided to his whip a more artistic
flourish, and the Precentor chanted with a clearer voice. But
his triumphant cadences were soon turned into the doleful minor
by the nnregenerate stubbornness of '' ^[ingagque and Pemre-
pogh." These " uncircumelsed in heart" thought Old Hundred
and Windham, piping out from under the ])ulpit, very good
music for those who were educated up to that standard, and were
willing to i)ay for the luxury. The Schoolmaster, " with eye>
severe," piloting the bewildered urchin through the mazes of the
' The precentor, or cliorister, was i,^tMu>rally tlie voorleozer or reader of the
service ])receding the sermon. Dr. Taylor says he was also for many yi-ars the
schoolmaster, duly appointed by the consistory of the churcii. T<ti/h>r'» An-
nals, HI. When, therefore, as in the text, precentor and schoolmaster an-
spoken of, it is highly probable that they refer to one and the same jwrson. In
the case of Steenhuysen, hereinbefore spoken of, he seems to have Wen ap-
pointed by the Governor and Council, after approval by the peopl,\ his name
having been submitted to th.' "community" by the town authorities, the con-
sistory having nothing to do with him.
- Col. Hist, of y. Y., a., 672.
120 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
multiplication table by the aid of the birch, was very good in his
wa}' to those who lived near enough to enjoy the blessing of his
wisdom. But they resolutely refused to be thus edified or in-
structed, and declined to contribute to the general expense of
such benefactions. On the 24th of May, 1674, the Schout and
Schepens again complained that some of the inhabitants of those
"independent liamlets," in utter contempt of the previous order,
obstinately refused to pay their quota to the support of the Pre-
centor and Schoolmaster. This persistent disobedience aroused
the representatives of their High Mightinesses. They resolved
to adhere to their previous order, and, to give it force by wielding
over the heads of the disobedient direful threats of pains and
penalties, ordered the " Schout to proceed to immediate execution
against all unwilling debtors."^ Thus circumstanced, the '* un-
willino; debtors" must either hsrht or remonstrate ao-ainst what
they considered an oppression. They wisely chose the latter
course. Lourens Andriesen, of Mingagque, and Joost van der
Linde, of Pemrepogh, were appointed agents to submit the cause
of the people to the authorities in New Orange. This was faith-
fully done, but, alas, " after due enquiry," it was formally ad-
judged, "that the iidiabitauts of Pemrepogh and Mingagh(juy,
shall promptly pay their share for the support aforesaid, on pain
of proceeding against them with immediate execution."^
This was the end of the controversy. Judgment had been en-
tered for Bergen in the court of final resort, and nothing remained
better tlian submission. But contention upon one subject
soon produced difference in views, and controversy upon another.
The lands in the township that were not covered by grants were
considered common for the use of all. A certain common fence
had been constructed to separate the heifers and steers from the
milch cows and oxen. A question then arose between the town of
Bergen and the "dependent hamlets" Gemoenepa, Mingagque and
Pemrepogh, respecting the making and maintenance of this
fence. The cause of dispute was an old one, and had been re-
ferred by Governor Carteret and Council to four arbitrators cho-
' Col. Hist. ofN. T., a., 716. 2 ibid, it., 730.
KERGEN CALLED TO TIIK FfKLD. 1 J 1
sen by botli sides. Those arbitrators, on the 10th of April, 1672.
submitted thi'ir award, wliich the ])eople of I>eri;en wore willing;
to ol)e_v. but it was rqjeeted by tlie others. l>erijen now apjteale*!
to the Governor and council of war to compel the other partie.-
to perform the award. On the 24th of "^[ay, lilTJ.thc inhabi-
tants of the three '"dependent liaTulcts" were ordered to regu-
late themselves aeeordinij to the deeision of the arbitrators, or
M'ithin fourteen days to submit any objectioii which they could
])roduce aii:ainst the award.' It does not aj)i)ear that any objec-
tions were ever tiled or that they obtained anv moditication of
the award.
From the tirst of the Dutch reoccupat ion it had been the care
of the authorities in New Oranrje to prej)are for the return of the
Eni!:lisli. The fortifications in the city were enlar«;ed and
strengthened. The people of the neighboring towns promised to
rejiair to the city on the approach of the enemy. On the •22d
of Decern! )er, 1673, the people of Bergen were ordered to repair
to New Orange, according to their plighted duty. A literal com-
pliance with the order was at first dispensed with, and the same
was modified so as to permit some men to remain at liomc. The
captain, lieutenant and ensign were ordered to appear with
their company fully armed, on Friday, the 2l'th of December.
1673, in front of Fort William Ilendrick, leaving six men in th
town. This being done, one-third of the company was furloughed
and ])ermitted to return liome, there to remain until they were
relieved on the third day. The officers and magistrates were
authorized to give orders respecting the threshing the grain
and the ''foddering the cattle," but above all to keep ])roper
•ruard day and ni";ht, so as not to be surprised and cut oti' froni
the city .2 Afterward, on the loth of March, lt:74, a positive
order was issued, commanding " all out ]>cople of the Dutch Na-
' Col. Hist, of X. v., a, 714. From the above it would seem tliat .Minkakwa
was the abode of strife and contention at a very early day. If the antii|uary will
inform himself as to the present locality of that ancient district, he will be some-
what imi)ressed with the theory that localities have much to do in the fonn»-
tion of certain traits of character. I but. n.. 673.
122 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
tion " to repair to New Orange without delay, witli tlieir arms,
on the first news of the enemy's approach, or on the coming of
more than one ship at the same time. All who failed to obey
this order were to be declared traitors and perjurers, and were to
be proceeded against as enemies, or punished with death and
confiscation. This order was to be made known by the proper
officers, that none might plead ignorance.-^ On March 22d, 1674,
the Sellout of Bergen was notified to request the people to com-
mission a militia officer and magistrate, with whom he was to at-
tend a general conference at Fort William Ilendrick on the 26th.
The Schout, Claas Arentse Toers and Captain Caspar Steinmets
appeared in the assembly as deputies from Bergen. They pledged
themselves for the loyalty of their constituents, and promised
that on the first notice of danger the people of Bergen would
" observe their honor and oath " in repairing to New Orange.
They only asked that some boats be sent over to convey the peo-
ple thither.^ All these precautions, however, went for nothing,
for on the 9th of February, 1674, peace was established between
England and Holland by the treaty of Westminster. By the
sixth article of that treaty the country was restored to the Eng-
lish.^ It was not, however, until the 10th of November follow-
ing that the final surrender took place, when the Dutch rule in
New Netherland passed away forever, and the English entered
into possession, which they held for the next century.
While the war was in progress, and on March 18, 1673, Lord
Berkley sold his interest in the Province to John Fenwiek, in
trust for Edward Billinge, for £1,000, Billinge had failed in
business ; Berkley was his particular friend and advised him to
invest in New Jersey lands for the purpose of retrieving his for-
tune. He was pleased with the proposition, borrowed the money
from his friends, and purchased the land in the name of John
Fenwiek, who was to have one-tenth of the same. Fenwiek
managed the purchase so well that, it is said, he would soon have
stripped the other of all, but means were employed to compel him
1 Col. Hist, of ]V. Y., a., 696. a Ibid, ii., 702.
-' Whitehead's East Jersey, 62.
Di Ki: oi' y()i;k and siu (jkoki.k cAUTKUirr. 123
to be satisfied with Iii> tentli.' ISilliiii^e a.ssi<;iio(l liis interest, les*<
Fenwick's tentli, to William I'cmi, (Jawii Laurie and XicholaK
Lucas, Februarv 9 aiul !•', h'TK in trust tor his creditors. Fen-
wick sold liis interest to .lolm FJdridi^e and E<lninn 1 Warren,
who sold to Penn, Laurie and Lucas.*
To clear up any shallow wliirli tlie i-occnt occupation I>y the
Dutch might have cast upon former grants, Charles IL made a
second grant to tlio Duke, .Iun(> '2'.K I'iTL" This was foHowed
1)V the Dnke, 'Inly :.".•, Iti74, with a grant to Sir (Jeorgr ( 'arteret
ot" what was afterward known as East Jersey. < )n didy I, lO"*!.
by tlie "Quintipartite Deed," the State was divided and Sir
George received the eastern ])ortion in severalty.' Sir (ieorge,
by will dated Deceinber 5, ir>7S, appointed his wife, Klizabetii,
sole executrix, and Earl Sandwich, Earl Bath. Lonl Grenville.
Sir Thomas Crew, Sir Robert Atkins and Edward Atkins trus-
tees, to whom he devised his interest in Xew Jersey, to be sold
for the payment of his debts."' On the 5th and Gth of "Nfanrh,
1680, East Jersey was conveyed to Thomas Cremer and Thomas
Pocock, but the transfer docs not seem to have been completed.
On the Oth of the following August, the Duke indulged in a .sec-
ond grant to Penn and his associates of West Jersey, and Gordon
says he also gave one to the representatives of Carteret on March
14, 1682. This has not been discovered, but the following war-
rant therefor exists :
" These are to direct and require you to prepare for my signa-
ture a Deed or fitting Instrument (agreeable to yt I havi- already
executed unto Edward r)illing and others) whereby I may release
and confirm unto Sir (reorge Carteret, ye heire of Sir (reorgc
Carteret, (lately deceased,) his moyty of New Jersey (called East
Xew Jersey) in Ameri(^a. For w'^*' y* shal be yo"" Warr', Provirl-
ed it be entred w' my Auditor Gen" w"'in two months of its date.
Given und"" my hand at Windsor ye Gth day of Septemlior (f^O).
' Lonrj Tsl. TTist. Soc, i., 243. - Gordon's TTiH. of y. ./.. 72. / "", il.
^ Lcamingand Spicer,%\. This division was contlrintHl l)y tli«« (Jen.Tnl .\i«-
sembly in 1719. For a history of this line see WhiUhead't EtiM Jersi-y, 67.
Gordon's N. J., 71-5. Smith's JV. ./.. 1!>5. .",4«-r).-)7.
3 Vide Will, Perth Amboi/, Liber C'S, 17.
124 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
" To Sir John Clnirchill Kn* my Attnrney Gen^^ or to S"'
George Jeffreys Kn' my Sollict^ Gen"."i
These releases were given in consequence of an opinion of Sir
William Jones, dated July 28, 1680. The Duke's Governor of
New York had claimed jurisdiction over both of the Jerseys, and
insisted on his right, in behalf of the Duke, to collect duties upon
importations therein. These pretensions were resisted with much
spirit, until finally the Duke referred the subject to Sir "William
Jones for an opinion. His decision was that the Duke could not
legally demand any duty from the inhabitants of the Jerseys.
The Duke gracefully yielded, and gave his third and final re-
lease of East Jersey.
On the 20th of February, 1681, Earl Sandwich released his in-
terest in East Jersey to his associate trustees, and they again sought
to negotiate a sale of the province. Failing to find a purchaser at
even the sum of five or six thousand pounds, it was sold at public
sale to William Penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Samuel
Broome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Ambrose Riggs, John
Haywood, Hngh Plartshorne, Clement Plumstead, and Thomas
Cooper, all Quakers. The lease and release were dated Febru-
ary 1 and 2, 1682, and the consideration was £3,400. To
avoid any doubt which might arise by reason of the prior sale to
Cremer and Pocock, they joined in the conveyance. The asso-
ciates then (June 1, 1682) executed a declaration that there
should be no benefit of survivorship among themselves. They
held the Province for nearly a year, but they were Quakers, and
therefore unpopular. To quiet opposition on this ground, they
severally conveyed, in 1683, an undivided moiety of their respec-
tive interest to twelve others, viz. : Robert Barclay, Edward
Billinge, Robei t Turner, James Braine, Arent Sonmans, William
Gibson, Gawn Laurie, Thomas Barker, Tliomas Warne, James,
Earl of Perth, Robert Gordon and John Drummond. These as-
sociates were afterward known as the " Twenty -four Proprie-
tors.'"^ On the 14th of March, 1683, the Duke confirmed the
' Col. Hist. ofJSr. Y., m.,285.
- Learning and Spicer, 73. For a sketch of these proprietors, vide White-
Jiead's East Jersey, 199, &c.
Qfrr-IvKM OF BERGEN. 125
sale of the Province to the twenty-fuur projirietorrt.' ('mlcr all
of these ditfereiit owiirrs df the soil of the Province, the riirhtn
and powersof Govcnmicnt Imd idways attached to the o\vnorshi|).
Many patents for hiiid in this county, east of tlir llackcnsack,
had been taken out before the fall of the Dutch power. Hv tlur
third article in the capitulation, " all people were perinittod to
enjoy their lands, houses and t;-oods, and dispose of them at i)lea3-
ure." Pnder this article tiiey felt secure until the treaty of
Breda, dated July 25, l<)t)T. Then the freeholders in this countv
took out confirmatory i;i;uit.> from the proprietors, subject to ji
<|uit-rent of half-penny per acre.- To this l»iu-deii much of the
lands in East Jersey is yet subject, thoUi:li years have f^one by
since its collection was enforced. Whetlier it was to avoid the
i:;rantini^ of particular tracts to individuals, or because the Dutch
•ii;overnnient had already i^ranted to the town and freeholders all
(jf the unapproju'iated lands in the old township, we do not know,
but it is worthy of notice that the jtroprietors never i^ave to an
individual an original patent for land in the township of I>eri;en.
By the second article of Carteret's Charter the (piit-rent of
half-penny per acre, so far as the township of P)er<Tcn was con-
cerned, was compounded for i'l."" sterlini; per annum. In the
course of time the payment of this was neglected, and finally
refused. Hereupon a controversy arose between the proprietoi-s
and the freeholders of Bergen. Finally, Cornelius Van Ripen, a
freeholder in the township, was arrested for the debt. .V com-
promise was then agreed upon, and the freeholders of jJergcii
received a general release upon paying $1,500. This relea.>^e was
dated October 5, 1 SOO.
The condition of this county in ITiSo is nu'nutely, tlioiigji not
in all respects accurately, described by Creorge Scott^ in a hvr.-
' Lcdmiiifj ami Spicer, 88.
■' The fact tluit all of the water front from Wi'fluiwkrn to the Kill van Kiill
had been granted by the Dutch before the laws of En;.claud applied, may be
interesting to those who grow disputatious over ripartaa rights. Should not
these rights be construed by Dutch law rather than by English law".'
' Colonel Nicols says that Captain Scott " was borne to worke niischiefe ft.^
f irre as he is credited or his parts serve him." It is also said that he aimed to
126 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
chure entitled " The Model of the Government of the Province
of East Jersey in America," published in Edinburgh in 1685, and
reprinted in East Jersey under the Proprietors. He says : " Near
unto Snake hill is a brave Plantation, on a piece of Land
almost an Island, containing 1,000 or 1,200 Acres, belonging
to Mr. Pinhorne,^ a Merchant at New York, and one Edward
get from the Duke the territory which Berkeley and Carteret obtained. Col.
Hist, of N. Y., in., 105. Quaere : was he related to Thomas Scott, who m.
Caroline, dau. of Sir George Carteret ?
' William Pinhorne left England in the ship Blossom, May 27th, and arrived
at New York August 7th, 1678. Col. Hist, of N. Y., ii., 741. He was a mer-
chant, and a man of more than ordinary ability. On the 2Gth of March, 1679,
he purchased of Edward Earle, Jr., one-half of the Secaucus tract and " one-half
of the Stock, christian and negro servants." Liber 1 of Deeds {T'renton), 144.
Winfield's Land Titles, 130. On the 15th of September, 1683, he was placed on
a commission "to inquire into any piracies, felonies, &c., committed by Capt.
Nicholas Clough." JSI'. Y. Col. MSS., .rx.viv., 3. He was commissioned Alderman
of New York by Governor Dongan on the 24th of November, 1683, Ibid, 9 ; re-
ceived a captain's commission on the 16th of September, 1684 ; was chosen
Speaker of the New York Assembly in October, 1685, Col. Hist, of N. Y., Hi.,
716 ; appointed one of the Council of Governor Sloughter on the 31st of Jan-
uary, 1689. Ibid, 685. He remained in this position under Governors Ingolds
by and Fletcher. Valentine's Manual, 1864, 541. In the troubles of the period
lie took a prominent part, and finally became one of Leisler's judges. Col.
Hist, of N. Y.,iv., 325. In March, 1691, he was at his own request appointed
Recorder of New York City, Ibid, Hi., 767, which position he held until Sep-
tember, 1692, Valentine's Manual, 1864, 560, and on the 5th of the following May
Fourth Justice of the Supreme Court of New York. Col. Hist, of N. Y., Hi., 716.
On the 10th of September, 1692, having removed to his plantation in New Jer-
sey, he lost the Recordership and his place in the Council of Governor Fletcher,
in whose " humble thoughts those who bear no part burthen should eat no
share of our bread." Ibid, 847. Early in 1693 he returned to New York, was
restored to the Council and raised to the position of second Justice of the Su-
preme Court, with a salary of €100 per annum. Ibid, ic, 25, 37. Governor
Bellomont afterward charged him with having secured these positions by pre-
senting Governor Fletcher " with some plate." Ibid, iv., 321. On the 17th of
July, 1693, he was appointed on a special commission to determine the propriety
of establishing a permanent Court of Exchequer in New York. ]^. Y. Col.
MSS., .vxxi.v., 39, 79. The auti-Leisler party coming into power, June 7, 1698,
he was suspended from his official positions. Col. Hist, of J^. Y., it., 321, and
charged with being a " scandalous character," and with having cheated a wool
merchant in London out of £4.000, with a part of which he purchased his farm
in New Jersey. He now retired to Secaucus. But by direction of the Queen he
SfO'lT S DKSfKIl'lIU.N Oh- TlIK CdUNTY IN It'.NU. I'JT
Eickbe.^ Its well improved and Stockt.'- Mi-. I'lnhonir jniyeil
for his half 5U0 lib. * * *
'• To goe back to the South part of lienjhen neck, that is oppo-
was in 1702 taken into tlio Coiiiuil of Lord Cornbury. l.ntming und SpUtr,
619. Then the foUowinjf commisaions came to him in quick HU('c«>H8ion :
OctolxT 2, 1704, Second .Tudjfe of the Supreme Court of New Jersi-y.
May 22, 1705, Judii^o of the Herpron ("oninion Pleas.
Novi'raber C, 170.1, Second Judgt' and Aw.tistant to the Cliief .JuHtice.
(>, 1705, Judjje of the Bergen Common Pleas jointly with Edward
Earle.
June 8, 1708. Second .Judije of the Supreme Court.
January 23, 1709. Judjje of the Berpren Common Pleas.
" Judge of the Bergen Oyer and Terminer. Rook of Com-
missions (Trenton), AAA. On the removal of Lieutenant (iovernor Ingold.sby,
Judge Pinhorne, who had married Ingoldsby's dauglitt-r .Mary, as Prt-sidi-nt of
the Council, became Commander-in-Chief of New Jersey. Tliis |>08ition he ht- Id
until Governor Hunter, who arrived May 7,1711, demanded Ids n-moval and
claimed that without it there could be " noe hopes of peace or (juiet." Col.
HUt of N. F., tJ,204. He was dismissed from all official position in the early
part of 1715. Ibid, v , 361. He is described as " a very sensible, honest gen-
tleman, who is a true member of the Church of England." [hid, r., 335. He
died in the latter part of the year 1719. Ibid, Hi., 716. Piuhornea creek (now
written by Jersey City officials Pen Horn), on the easterly bounds of his old
jdantation, still jierpetuates his naiuf. He left a widow and four cliildren .
John, wiio was appointed clerk of Bergen county November 6, 1705, and ad-
mitted to the bar June 6, 1707 ; Mori/, who married Edward Kingsland, of New
Barbadoes Neck ; Martha, who married Roger Mompesson, /6/</, c, 423, who at
one time was Chief Justice of New Yorlv, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. I'/i/-
fn^i/it's ^l/i^</iw<;/, 1H64, 597 (after his death she married Kicliard Warnian). and
I'JHzabeth, who married Timothy Bagley. Winfeld's Land Title*, 131.
' This is an error. Edicnrd Earle, Junior, was tlie name. He came from
Maryland, and on the 13th February, 1688, married El.-<je Vreeland, of (JennH'ne-
pa. He purchased the island of Secaucus April 24, 1676, and sold to Pinhorne one
undivided half of it. In 1693 lie was appointed tax commissioner for Berjfen,
and in 1694 a coniniissioucr of the liighways. Learning and Spicer, 3:15, 316.
He was a member of the House of Deputies in 1695. Record of dor. and Coim
cil. East Jersey, i., 17G. He was the founder of the Earle family in Hudson and
Bergen counties, and was yet living in 1716.
- Tlie following schedule will give some idea how the place was " atockt" :
" One dwtdling house containing two lower rooms anil a lean-to below Btair«
and a loft above, five tobacco bouses, one hors, one mare antl two coults, eijfht
oxen, ten cows, one bull, foure yearlings and seven calves : between thirty and
forty hoggs, foure negro men, live chri.-^tian Servant."^." Liber 1 Deeds [ Trentou\
144.
128
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
site Staten Island, where is but a narrow passage of water, wliich
ebbs and flows between the said Island and Bergheii PoinU called
Constable's Hook} There is a considerable Plantation on that
side of Constahle IIool', Extending in Land above a mile over,
from the Bay on the East side of the neck that leads to ]^ev:>
York, to that on the west that goes to Ilachensack and Snahe-
hlll ; the neck running np between both from the Sontli to
the north of Iludsoii's liiver to the ontraost extent of their
bounds. There belongs to that Plantation about 12 or 1500
Acre?, and its well stockt and improved : it was settled first by
Samuel Edsall in Colonel NicolW time, and by him sold 3 years
ago for 600 : lib.
"' There are other small Plantations along that neck to the
East between it and a Little villao-e of 20 families called bv the
Indians or Penelipe,^ then further one to another
cottage.^ There are more where Laurence the Draper lives, a
Dutchman ;^ there may be 16 or 18 Families ; then one [on ^] to
George TJmpane \Gemoeunepan }\ which is over against 3"6W
York, where there is about 10 Families, within which, about the
middle of the neck, which is here about 3 myles over, stands the
Town of Berghen, which gives its name to that neck ; then again
Northward to the water side going up Htidson''s River, there
lyes out a point of Land, wherein is a Plantation and a loater
[mill V] belonging to a merchant in New York.^
' This place seems to have been a port of piratical enterprises. la the Post
Boy, August 8, 1757, 1 find the following commercial advertisement:
•TO BE SOLD
At Van Buskirk's, at Kil van KuU, A Parcel of likely Negro Slaves, Men,
Women, Boys and Girls, just arrived from Guinea in the Sloop Williams,
David Griffiths, Commander. Apply to Rice Williams, or the said David
Griffiths."
- The place here referred to, I have no doubt, is Pembrepogh. But as to there
being twenty families there I have grave doubts. The author must have drawn
heavily on his imagination, as he did iu the population of Communipaw.
" Probably the present homestead of the Currie family.
* This was Laurens Andriesen, the founder of the Van Buskirk family. Win-
field's Land Titles, 60. He lived on the shore about where Linden avenue
strikes New York bay, in (late) Greenville.
•■ This I take to be Weehawken. On the 10th of June, 1678, Nicholas Bay-
UK8CRIP1 ION or ini-; county in lOso. l'j«j
'■'■ Southward tlieiv is ii ftmdil villatji' ulmiit .'> or »; Fitmil'uj/i^
wliicli is eoinmonlij (.•;ilk'(l tlic Duhi's Juirm>\^ ami liatli always
paid a small annual rent to tiio (TOvern(.)r of New York, wlio Hrnt
granted it out for two lives, but is leased out now tor some vearn.
yet is under the Jurisdiction of New Je /'><*• y tor (tovernnicnt ;
further up is a i^ood Plantation in a neck of F/md almost an
Island, called Ilohnl-. It did l)eIon«; to a Ihifrh Merrhant^ who
forntn'lif in. the Indian war had his HV/'t', Childrin and SereantA
murdered hij the Indians, and his house, cattle and xtoeh dentnnjed
hi) them'} Its noio settled again and a mill ereeted there hy ane
dwelling at New York."
As to Bergen he says : " Here is a Town Court held Ity Select
Men or Overseers, who used to be 4 or more as they please t<»
choose O/nmialhj to try small causes, as in (dl the rest of the.
Toivns ; and two Courts of Sessions in the year, from xchieh
if the Cause exceed 2t) lib, they may appeal to the Governor and
Council, and Court of deputies in their Assembly, who meet once
a year. The Town is compact and hath Ik'cu fortified apiinst
the IndUuis. Tliere are not above 7i> Families in it.^ The
acres taken up by the Town may be about 10,000, and for the
Out Plantations 50,000, and the number of Inhaltitants are
computed to be 350,' but many more abroad. The greatest part
of the Inhabitants which are in this Jurisdiction are Dutch, of
whicli some have settled here uj)wards of 40 years agoe."^
ard had obtained tho Proprietors' consent to U8e the water nm nt Wichakcn
for a saw and con mill. The CorporatJon "t" Bergen had given consent Ix-fore
this.
' Known also as the West India Company's Farm and Ilar.'^imurt. WinfifUi'a
Land litlen, 1^2. ■ This was Aert T.-unisw-n.
^ There were only thirty-two lots in the town, some of wliich w«ti> rouimon
land and not occupied. It is (piite certain that not more tlian one family wn.«
xipon any one lot. His several estimates are overestimated in about the same
proportion.
•» According to these figures and the number of families previously given, li.«
makes the number in each family average but a fraction over two 1
* It will be noticed that the above extract is a little confused and in some
places greatly exaggerated. But it is well to renii-mber that Smtt was writing
what we call a pinf, for which he received his reward. W/iitthfad'a Eo*t
•i
130 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
From the final surrender to the English until the Revolution-
ary War — a whole century — but few incidents appear in the
history of this county requiring notice. The people were quiet,
domestic, unambitious, passed along through life adhering to
truth, honesty and fair dealing, cultivating their farms and rear-
ino; their families in the fear of God and the doctrines of the old
church of their fathers. The most of their troubles grew out of
their lands, two-thirds of which lay in common.
As might have been expected, the Government of the Propri-
etors was a failure. In the year IToO the inhabitants of the
Province represented to King William " that there did not re-
main among them the shadow of law and Government," and
requested him to take from the Proprietors a power of which they
were unworthy. The colonic, in fact, became reduced to such a
deplorable state by factions that it was represented " as being
without law or gospel, having neither judge nor priest."^ The
Proprietors surrendered the Government of ]S[ew Jersey to the
crown on the 15th, and the Queen accepted the same on the 17th
of April, 1702. They were glad to lay oiF a burden which was
pecuniarily unprofitable and very productive of discord.
By this time the people of Bergen began to feel that the Char-
ter of 1668 was not sufliciently comprehensive for the govern-
ment of themselves and the protection of their property. They
soon after this petitioned for a new Charter. On the 14th of Jan-
uary, 1714, the Queen granted what has since been known as
Queen Anne's Charter.
^'Anne, by y® Grace of God of Great Britain, France & Ireland,
Queen Defender of y® Faith &c. To all to whome these presents
shall come or may in any wise concern, Greeting : Whereas our
loving Subjects, Andreas Yan Buskirk, Barnett Christian, Enoch
Freeland, Eutt Van Home, Frederick Culper, Wonder Deder-
icks and John Dedericks, Fi-eeholders, Inhabitants of y® town of
Jersey, 236. The work was written from what was told Mm, what he had of his
own knowledge, and what he guessed at. Ibid, 277.
' Chalmer's Hist. Am. Colonies, i., 293, 376.
IH KK-N A.NNi;> (llAKll.l:. l.;i
Bei-i^cii in y' County of BiTi^nMi. In our I'roviiicc of New Jewey,
oil behalib of tlieinsdvos ct y'' rest (»f y" FreelioMcrs cf tlie .s'* town,
by their Humble Petition to(»ur trusty iind well IJeloViMJ Ijoberf
Hunter. Es(j'', our Cnp^ (ieiierull :in(l ( Jovernour in Cliiefe of .uir
Provinee of New Jersey, have sett forth that their A ncestors iVr
Predecessors. Freeholders of y" s"' town, have itoaseSMid, held iV
enjoyed diver- lands, tenein"' ^V- llrreditani'*, Ar used iV: re-
ceived Divers i*iivile_i;-es vV Iniinunities by virtue ot" a (irant or
Pattent seale<l with v'^ seal of v'' Province ot" New .lersey tfc siirned
by Phillip Cartaret, Esq'', Late (rovernoui- of tiii> Province, <V:
his C'ouncill, under y"" \{\^^\d Honorable .loim. Lord I'erklev,
Barron of Stratton, 6c iS'' George Carterett, Knight iV Paronett,
then absolute L(»rds Proi)rietors of y" s'' Provinei-. bearing date
y*^ twenty-second day of Sep' Anno Doni. one thousand six hun-
dred sixty tfc Eight, w*^'' s'' Lands were butted ct bounded as Fol-
loweth, viz.'" {/le/'e folio tv.s the detscrijjtlon <is In Curt4'ri't''s C/iar-
ter)^ "ct whereas divers of y*' s** lands remain in common tV un-
divided for y*^ generall good ifc Penefitt of y*^ Freeholders A: In-
habitants of s** town, on w*^'' s'' Lands y*^ neighbouring townes »fc
settled Do coinmitt great waste and >i)oil> in Cutting Down vV
carrying away great (Quantities of theii- timber, who cannot be
relieved In y*^ ])remises in y*^ ordinary course of Law or Ecjuity
through some Defects in y^ (Ti-ant of Incorporation afore.v', w*^'' to
Prevent fory'^ F'uture they have prayed our Charter or Pattent of
Incorporation, w*^'' request we being willing to grant, know ye that
of our Especial! Grace, certain knowledge A: mere motion, we have
given, granted, Katified A: confirmed, and Do by these presents
for us, our heirs & successors forever, Give, Grant, ratitie A: coii-
firnie unto Andreas Van Buskirk, Barnett Christian, Enoch
Freeland, Putt Van Ilorne, Henry Culper. Wender Dedreicks,
John Dedreicks, in trust to A: for themselves A: y** rest of y' Free-
holders, Inhabitants of y*^ s*^ town and their successors forever
witliin v*^ Limits A: bounds afores'' v® l^*eeLibertv A' Privilidije
of beinir a township. ^V: th(»v A: their successors forever hereafter
are A: shall be by virtue Hereof a comunity or township, or
body Corporate, or Politick in deed <Sc in name by y' name of y*
Trustees of the Freeholders inhabitants of y" township of Bergen,
132 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
ife that they & their successors forever hereafter shall & may have
a perpetuall succession of y^ nuniBer of seven of y^ principall free-
holders & inhabitants of y® s*^ township of Bergen, who shall^.be
y® trustees of y® Freeholders inhabitants of y® township of Ber-
gen, that is to say, that upon y® Death or other avoidance of any
one or more of y® s^ trustees, it shall & may be lawful! for y®
Freeholders of y® s*^ township for y® time being, being there-
unto Sumoned or "Warned by y® Constable or Constables of y® s*^
township for y*^ time being by order of y** surviving trustees of
y^ s*^ township of Bergen, or y® major part of them to assemble
& meet together at such time & place within y® s*^ township as
y® s^ surviving trustees for y® time Being or y^ major part of
them, from time to time as need shall be, shall think fitt to nom-
inate & appoint & there by majority of votes of y® s*^ Freehold-
ers to Elect & chuse so many of y® Principal Freeholders of y^
s** township residing within y® bounds of y® s*^ township as may
make y® number of y® s'^ trustees to be seaven^ w'^*' trustees so cho-
sen & elected as afores*^ together with y® surviving trustees for y^
time being shall be trustees of y® s'* township to all intents and
purposes as much as if they had been particularly nominated &
expressed in this our s** Grant, it we do further Give & Grant un-
to y® s^ trustees of y® Freeholders inhabitants of y® town of Ber-
gen & their successors forever that it shall & may be lawfull to
& for y® s"^ trustees & their Successors forever by y® name of y*^
trustees of y^ Freeholders Inhabitants of y® Township of Bergen
in any of our Courts within our s*^ province of New Jerse}^ to
Sue and be Sued, answer & be Answered unto. Implead & be
Impleaded, Defend <Sz be Defended. And we do further Give
& Grant unto y® s'^ trustees of y^ Freeholders Inhabitants of y®
township of Bergen & their Successors forever Hereafter full
Power and Lawfull Authority as Often as there shall be occasion
at their Discretion or y® Discretion of the Major Part of them to
Sumons ifc call together y^ Freeholders of y*^ s^ township & for
V® s*^ Freeholders & their Successors so sumoned and called tu-
' \'kle Pamphlet Lmra, 1804, p. 410. This charter was amended so as to make
the office of trustee annual.
QUEEN ANNK's CUARTIU. 133
getlier to Assemble <Sc meet tu;^etlu;r sit such certain Djiys & at
such Place Hsy® s** trustees for y" time l)eini;, or the m.ijor part
of them shall appoint to make ct Enter in a iJook for that pur-
pose to be kept all such ])ru(lentiall rules and orders fur y* Im-
provem' preservation Sc Defence of their s** Coinons as they or
y® Major part of them shall ai;:ree upon, as also to appoint a Clerk
& Ke<;ister for y° Doin<; thereof, vfc to ('ontrii)ute iV He*; amongs
themselves such sum or sums as are absolutely necessary for y'
doing thereof from time to time as need shall be Sc not otherwise,
& further, We do for us, ourselves & Successors Give Sc CJrant
unto y" s"* trustees of y® Freeholders Inhabitants of y" township
of Bergen & their Successors forever, that they S: their Success-
ors by y® name afores*^ be forever hereafter one body corpo-
rate &Politickall ifc Capable in y*^ Law to Purchase, have, take&
receive & enjoy to them A: their Successors forever y" use of
y® Freeholders Inhabitants of y" township of Bergen, Lands,
Tenem'% Messuages, Rents, Privilidges & other Ilereditam"
whatsoever, of whatsoever ^'ature. Kind ife (Quality they be
in fee & perpetuity as also to Give, Grant, Bargain, allott,
Lett, Dispose of any of tiie Land belonging or appertain-
ing to y* s*^ Comunity & as yett unappropriated, either for one.
two or three Lives, for term of years, or in fee, >Sc also that y"
s"* Corporation shall & may forever hereafter have A: Tsc a
comon seal for y'^ Business of them & their Successors w"* full
])ower to alter, break <Sz unmake y" same at their Discretion, iV'
we do further Give ct Grant to y" s'' trustees of y*^ Freeholdi-r.-.
Inhabitants of y° township of Bergen ct their Successoix forever,
that it shall 6: may be Lawfull for y^ Freeholders Iiduibitants of
y'' s*^ town Annually A: once in Every Year to Assemble ik meet
together on y^ first Tuesday in May anmially to choose two
Constables, one Overseer of y® ]>oor, and two (Overseers of y"
Highways by y'^ Majority of y"' Voters of y" s'' Freeholders In-
habitants of y® town of Bergen, w'^'' Constables vk Overseers s«.»
chosen as afores^ shall serve in their Respective Otiices in y" 9*
town untill y*^ next Anuall Election If they so Long shall Live
or pay y*' sum of two pounds each Person refusing to serve for
y^ Use of the poor of y^ s"* Town <k That in case of y'' Death or
134: HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Refusall of any of y'^ s'^ Officers ; As often as y^ same shall
happen out of y® Usnall anniversary Time of Election that it
shall ik may be Lawfull for y® Freeholders Inhabitants at any
other time & place to Assemble & meet together to Clmse others
in their Room 6c place & that it shall & may be Lawfull for
any Trustees of y® place w*''in The s^ Township to administer
an Oath to v^ s"^ Officers of v® s*^ Towm for v® true & Faithful
Discharge of their Respectiv^e Offices to have, hold & enjoy all
and singular y" s'* privilidges, Ilights, Liberties & immunities
afores'^ to y** s*^ Andreas Yan Buskirk, Barnett Christian, Enoch
Freeland, Rutt Yan Hoover, Hendrick Culper, Wonder
Dedericks, John Dedericks, Freeholders Lihabitants of y" town-
ship of Bergen A: their Successors forever, yielding. Rendering
ik paying unto us, ourselves & Successors, or to our or their
Collector & Receiver Generall of our s'^ province for y® time
being yearly & every Year Five Shillings in Lieu & stead of all
other Rents, Services, Dues, Duties & Demands whatsoever for
y^ same.
"In Testimony whereof we have Caused these our Letters to
be made Pattent & y'^ Seal of our Province of New Jersey to be
affixed, & y" same to be Entered of Record in our Secretary's
Office of Our s" province. "Witness our trusty & well beloved
Robert Hunter, Esq""., our Cap* Generall »fc Governor in Chiefe
in & over our Province of 'New Jersey, Xew Yorke (fee. This
Fourteenth Da}^ of January in y*" twelfth year of our Reigne &c.
" Bass, Secretaryr^
This charter was confirmed by the Council on the loth of
March, 1714.
The principal motive in requesting this Charter was to get
power to protect and take care of the common lands. These
comprised about two-thirds of all the lands in the township of
Bergen, and were used by the freeholders for common pasture.
To avoid the difficulty and confusion which would naturally
arise from the cattle running together in the commons, the Legis-
Book of Coinmissions {Trenton), 154.
m\i;ki.S(; (Aiti.k and advkkti.sin*; kstravs. 13r>
latiii'c, (111 the Ttli (li Nmvc'iiiIx r, lt')ti>, jtrovideil ftir the niurkiii;;
of cattk',' ami (lirectod a description ot'siidi iiiark^ t«> he entere<l
in a hook to he kept tor that piii'iM.-,.'. |.aui-i-ii- A mlrie^eii ^vn^
made ixH'i'r(h'r aii<l luurkcr, A|>i'il t'>th, ItiT". This practice ot'
inarkiiii;- tlius instituted outlived the coiiiniiin hinds an«l catne
down even into tlie present centin'v. Tin; t'«>Uo\vini; entries,
taken from a fraynient of tlie ohl town hook now preserved in
the eoiintv clerk's ofUce, will j-ive a ijood idea of the wav such
entries were made, ami ol the novelty of some of the marks :
" Hendriek van Winkel sevn merk Een ijaffel uvt het ent van
hct sliidvcn oor en seyn brant o[) de slinken hil. II."
" Mejudert ger brantse seyn merk Ken i^alfcl nyt het slinken
oor En Een slip in het ent van het righter oor en seyn brant op
de liooren, M. G."
" Pieter Boskerck syn merk Men half maentie ondcr nyt het
slinken oor."
The law also provided that whenever an estray came upon
one's premises it was a duty to record a description of tlie saiiu'
with the Town Clerk, to enable tlie owner to recover his projierty.-
The followino; are a few speeimens of stich recorded notices,
literally copied, and they afford ample proof that the Town
Clerk and the Schoolmaster were ni)t the same person at that
day :
"Strayed on the premises of John Stevens IToboken a brown
horse supposed to be three years old no artificial mark with a
star in the forehead and left hind foot white about twelve hand-
high."
"A stray "Muel at the House of Garret van Derhoof Ueing a
Dark I>rown Couller Marked on the left shoulder with the Letters
N. A."
" A Red Bull with a Wite Streek on the P.uttok with no mark
at the House of Moses van Amen at liergin Point the Creator
will Be two years old this Spring."
Witli all tlic precaution the authorities could take, peace and
^Leamlny and Spirer. SC. ^yecill's Latin, i. 357.
136 HISTOfiY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
harmony were but uncertain tenants in the township. Some
encroached upon the common lands, cleared and fenced beyond
the bounds of their respective patents. Others imposed upon
them undue burdens, cut and carried away the timber.^ To settle
all these difficulties the freeholders mutually entered into an
agreement that they would employ a surveyor to run out the
bounds of their respective land, and that each one would aban-
don whatever of the commons might have been appropriated,
until the same should be properly and fairly partitioned.'^
It is not now known that this agreement was ever carried out.
The probabilities are that it %vas not ; at all events it did not
prevent the difficulties which it was intended to provide against.
Matters continued to grow worse until, finally, on the 7th of
December, 1763, the Legislature passed the act providing for a
survey of the patented lands and allotment of the commons
among the freeholders.^ This act was of vast importance in the
history of this county.''
The commissioners named in it appointed George Clinton of
New York and Jonathan Hampton of Elizabeth surveyors (the
latter did not act), and entered upon their work on the 6th of
March, 1764, at the house of Stephen Bourdett at " Wiehaken,"
to which place all land owners were requested to bring their pat
ents and title papers. Notwithstanding the extent and accuracy
of their labors, the work was finished on the first day of March,
1765. Owing to uncertainty in the ownership of Secaucus, the
commons allotted to that tract was not finally allotted until the
15th of June, 1785.
1 Nevill's Laws, i., 285.
- A copy of this agreement may be found, in extenso, in Winfield's Land Titles,
10. ^Alinson's Laics,26d.
•* The reader who may be interested in looking at this act and at the survey
and map made in pursuance thereof, is respectfully referred to Winfield's History
of the Land Titles in Hudson County, New Jersey. In that work has been in-
serted many facts which throw light upon the titles to land in the county from
1609 to 1871. The publication of that work relieves me from tracing out the
history of the land in this volume.
CHAPTKi; VII.
The Revolutionary War— How it atlfctt'd lliidflon County— Inridi-ntM of thi;
war ill this County— Fort Delancey— Capture of Paulus Hiwck— Blork Houim;
Point — The Cow-Cliase — Desertion of Serjeant Champe, &c., ic.
l)ri;iN(. the lii'vulutioiiary \v;ir that pin-tiijii of I>er<;en Count v
now known as Hudson (/ounty was important territory. Early
in that contest it became manifest that wliichever party lichl the
citv of New York must <;reatlv <lepen<l on Bt-riren as the irate to
New Jersey. Hence, eacli party uliilr in possession was care-
ful to strengthen it against the assaults of the otlier.
As soon as it was understood that the British were preparinir
to leave Boston for New York, Lord Sterlino;, then in command
of the American forces in this vicinity, took measures to place
Bergen in a condition of defence, and to open means of commu-
nication with the interior of the State. On the ISth of March,
ITTti, he proposed, ^f^rst, to make a good and broad road fmm
Brown's ferry to Paulus Hoeck ferry, which lie considered of
great importance to the city of New York ; second^ to make a
good road from Weehawken to the Hackensack ferry. ^ He de-
signed to place the Bergen militia at these works; two hundred
men on the former, and one hundred men on the latter.' He
devised the works on Paulus Hoeck and Bergen Neck ; the for-
mer to prevent approach from the city of New York, and the
latter to prevent inroads from Staten Island. For the location and
design of them, he personally examined the ground on the 'J-^d
of March, and proposed to have them constructed by the militia
of Bergen, Essex and Middlesex counties.' On the arrival of
Washinfjton orders were given for the immediate construction
of the works at Paulus Hoeck, as they were consi<lere<l "of im-
' This was afterward Itnown as Dow's (or Douw's) ferry.
- Am. ArcfUves. 4th Series, v., 402. ^Life of Lord Stirling. 157.
1?7
138 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
portance/'^ These works were soon completed, and troops sta-
tioned in them. Of such importance were the works on Pauhis
Hoeck considered, that one of tlie objects of the great Hickey
conspiracy was to seize and hold them in the name of the King.^
On the 29th of June the look-out on Staten Island announced
the approach of forty sail. It proved to be the advance of Ad-
miral Howe's fleet, bringing a portion of the British forces under
General Howe. In tw^o days other arrivals swelled the number
of men-of-w%ar and transports to one hundred and thirty. The
troops landed on Staten Island, and the fleet cast anchor oft' the
mouth of the Kill Yan Kull. The tories in the vicinity now has-
tened to take sides against the colonies and for the king. The
people of Staten Island led off and took the oath of allegiance to
the British crown. On both sides of the Hudson the anti-revolu-
tionists in great numbers repudiated further resistance to his
majesty.^ Many who had taken an active part with the patriots,
now, looking upon the freedom of the colonies as a "lost cause,"
forsook their first love and, with the apostate's zeal, joined their
former foes. Prominent among such were William Bayard, the
owner of Hoboken, and Abraham Yan Buskirk of Saddle liivei-,
who afterward became lieutenant-colonel in the British service.^
At this time General Hugh Mercer, the veteran of Culloden
* Am. Ai'cJiives, 4:th Series, «i.,534. -Irving's Washington, ii., 34G.
° Knight's Hist, of England, i., 371.
^ The following sworn statement, found at Albany among the papers of the
Committee on Conspiracies, is worthy of insertion here :
" [Miscel. Pap. 34 ■.'"A30.]
" To Coll° William Allison.
" Whereas it is represented to us that David Baulding of Bergen County in
New Jersey, but now in the City of New York, can give very useful and im-
portant intelligence respecting the late discovered Conspiracy against the
Rights and Liberties of America,
" We do therefore in Pursuance of a Resolve of the Congress of this Colony,
authorize and request you to bring the said David Baulding forthwith before
us. That he may be examined touching the said Conspiracy.
" Given under our Hand this 2i) .Tune 1776.
"PHIL LIVINGSTON,
"JOHN JAY."
OENKKAI. MKK( Klv- Al I'MIl'S IIOKCK, 1 .".'.»
and Dii (^iK'.>iu', who at'tcrwaid fell, citvcrcMl with "Inrv. at
I'l'iiicctDii, \va> ill coiiiiiiaiKl in New .lciSf\, witli his Hviii:x ''imM*
at Bcrct'ii. He had hceii sent hy Washitiirtoii to I'auhjr. Ilneck
to make arrangemoiits fc.r the I'cimsylviiiiia militia a- they
shouhl rumc in. Fearinf]; an attack tVnm Statcn I^Iaml, <fcru'nil
Mercer was ordered on the 4th of .Inly to j)hit'e a ijiiard «>t' live
hinuh-ed men at l>eri;en Neck. He was also recommended hy
tlie cominander-in-chii'f to place a ^iiard at the terries over the
Hackensack and Passaic rivers, and was promixMl that on the
next day an en:;ineer shonld I)e sent over from .\ew "^'ork to
erect some works for the security of those places.' .\fter making
an examination of the Neck and the i;eneral condition of thiii<j:s
tliere, he reported that the cattle had not all lieen removed, that
some families on the Point held intercourse with the enemy (at
that time between eiu^ht and nine thousand stronj; on the Island*,
that Colonel Ford's force tliere anioiinted to not more than thre«'
hundred and fifty men, and that he could not reinforce them to
"[Miscel. Pap. M : 403.J
" The Information of M"^ David Baldin. Saitli he has liad Kfaaons lor some
time past to believe there was a Corrcspondance kpi)t up by tin- peoph- of Raiiipo
and the men of war as well from the temper of tlie people as from n»any
Words Dropt from time to time he says that about the 17th Inst he told that
Lawrence Van Bushkirk the Miller at Rampo, abraham Van Iwskerk and n
Schoolmaster & Thoinas Van Boskirk at Saddle River was point; on Board tin-
Man of War that something prevented all but the School Master wlio \\>-
veryly Beleives did go & that there is one Peter Van Bushkirk Livinir at or near
the hook or mouth of the Kills in Barijain County who its frequently ."aid has
followed tradinjj with the men of war who he has Reasf>n to believe ('nrrys
people on Board when Ever Requested, and has a sutficient Craft for that pur-
pose, and that this Informant Came to New York on purjioso to let it b^• known
that on his way he stoped at P>lses in Baruaiu \voods where he was Drinkinir
todfly in Company with Francis Steepheiis Late a liesident of this City who t.Kik
him the said baldin to be freindly to the tory side when said Stepliens told
Baldin that there was .50 Sale of King's Shii)S near the hiM)k and that there
would soon be l.")0 Sail to New York that Kris said that kn<>w9 I'ame from on
l)oard the Man of War this Week that Stephens Char>?ed the Informant not
to mention it to some certain freind f)f his in New York.
" Sworn the 29 .June ITTC Before us :
" PlIII. LiVtSfJSTON,
•' John Jay."
' Am. Archirtx, it/i Series, c/., \'2i>'-i.
140
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
five biindred after placing proper guards at the ferries. He pro-
posed, therefore, to send the Pennsylvania militia to Bergen JSTeck
as they arrived.^ The different "passes in Bergen Neck" and on
the Jersey shore opposite Staten Island were to be fortified by
the chief engineer of the American forces to prevent the enemy
coming over.
To meet the crisis that was approaching, in the
early part of July General Wadsworth's brigade was sent over
to Bergen, where it was joined by a battalion of Jersey troops.^
General Mercer now feeling that he was in a fair state of prep-
aration for the enemy, who showed no disposition to enter New
^Am. ArcJiives, 5th Series, i., 120. This post, afterward known as Fort Delancey,
was situated on the rising ground, bounded by Forty-fourth and Forty-fifth
streets and Avenues B and C, in Bayonne, about a quarter of a mile below the
canal. It was held by the refugees under Captain Tom Ward for some years.
'^ Ibid, 5th Series, i., 174. ■rbid, 5th Scries, i., 328.
HIS I'l.AN TO AriACK llli: ItlCHISII. 141
Jersey, Ion iK'(l a plan to iittaek him i>ii Stftteii IsIhihI. Ilisplaiih
were all laid tor the cvoiuiii!; of the isth ot' .Inly. (Jreut cuiition
was required in his nioveineuts, tor jjeri^cu waa filled with
tories.^ The sixth point in liis plan of attack was as t'ollowg:
" Sixth. A party to attempt to surprise the ouemy's guard on
BusJdrk\s I*oi/it,' which is on the southeast corner of llergeu
Point \ this party, or i;uai'd, does not seem to be larfje, hut it is
said they are possessed of two six-pounders. The party that
makes the attack must not attempt to '^^ over the causeway or
road over the meadow, the cannon heini:- in all pi-ol)al)ility ap-
pointed to command that pass, hut should hepro\ided with some
hoards, and proceed in two oi' three columns over the nu-adow,
where they will meet with no other ohstruetion than a small
creek or ditch, which they will easily pass with the help of the
hoards. If this place is carried, a cannonade and hond)ardinent
shoidd, a.'^ soon as possible, conimeiu-e on the ships, a i^reat num-
ber of which now lie within reach of the place. A cannonade
should also commence on Bcniin Point, opposite the church
and Z^(?('A'«?''.v, where it is said about six linndre<l men are posted ;
this cannonade, with inund and ^ra]>r >liot, woidd confuse the
troops in fol•minL^ and {)revent their succorini; the cjuard at
Elizahethtown Pointy or opposini:; our party who make their
descent near Shufter^s Island. The cannonade should also be
kept up on such parts of the shore of Stufoi IshintI wiiere any
boats are collected or may asseud)le. The party tor these several
matters on Bergen Nech should be about seven hundred men, be-
sides the rillemen."^ His plans faile<l, however, on account of
the bad weather, which prevented his forces crossing the Kill
Yan Kull.
Carrying out the instructions he had received, General Mercer
stationed at the ferries over the Ilackensack and Passaic rivers
' To show how alarinin;:ly (lisartection had spread ainonjr the peopio of lt«T-
<:('n, I have been told by old i)eople that only fourteen whiffs .-ould !>.• found
in tile wliole townsiiiii.
■ A part of Constapel's lloeek. on whirli the enemy liad ian<ted .xbortly ntt.T
liis arrival in tlie harbor. It was the tirst landing place of the British forcf«
in New Jersey. Mm. Archirxt, 5th .'y-riet, 1, 4-13.
142 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
two captains and one hundred and twenty-two rank and file.^
About this time the troops on Bergen Point practiced occasion-
ally on the fleet of the enemy. The following shows how ill-
naturedly these little attentions were received :
" New York, July 25, 1776.
" Our troops stationed on Bergen Point give the Ministerial
fleet and army some uneasiness, by firing at the tenders, boats,
*fec. It so galls and provokes them, that they return the tire
with great fury, but have not done the least damage to our peo-
ple. Last Lord's Day a great many shot were heard in this city
and at Bergen Point. The occasion was this : A barge from
the fleet, full of men, landed on the Point, but were opposed and
driven ofi' with precipitation by our troops ; a smart flre ensued
from a tender for a considerable time, without doing any
injury. '^
"While General Mercer had been putting the shore of East
Jersey in a state of defence, the forces of the enemy bad been
augmented by arrivals, until, in the harbor and on Staten Island,
they numbered thirty thousand men.^ The harbor was filled
with their shipping. On the afternoon of the 12th of July —
eight days after the Declaration of Independence — the Phoenix,
carrying forty guns, under command of Captain Parker, and the
Rose, carrying twenty guns, under command of Captain Wal-
lace, came sweeping up the bay, having the advantage of both
wind and tide. Then for the first time the thunders of civil-
ized warfare burst from the sand-hills of Paulus Hoeck ; then
for the first time its batteries were trained upon an enemy.
They opened on the ships with a spirited fire, which was re-
turned with broadsides as they passed. The vessels sufiered but
little damage, their decks being protected by ramparts of sand-
bags.* On the same evening Lord Howe sailed up the harbor,
irreeted bv the boomins; of cannon and the huzzas of the British.
On the first of August Colonel Bradley's regiment was at
^Am. Archives, 5t7i, Series, i., 575. -Ibid, 5th Series, i., 578.
^Irving's Washington, ii, 300. *Ihid, it., 260.
ASSEMBLES HIS FORCES AT UKROKN. 1 |."?
Ber<2^en, wliile the enemy still liekl Cuiistapels Iloeck.' With
Bi'fulley's force, General JMcrccr liail in Kast Jersey a e()n8idoral)lc
bdily of iiit'ii. Washiiiutoii was anxious tor rcintorcciiients in
New York, and made known his wants to (uMieral Mercer.
That otiicer replied as follows :
" PowLEs IIooK, ^•l?/7//.v/ ir., 177*;.
"Sir: [was at Elizabethtown when your letters of the 1:5th
and 14th reached me. The men who had been prepared to join
the army at Neio Yorh lay at Keirark. The jiosts aloni; the
Jei'sey shore opposite to Staien IxJavd are sntliciently i;uarded,
and more troops are daily arrivin<^. If yon a|>j>rove of it, a body
of four hnndred men, well accoutred, from the Ihhiirare coun-
ties, may be stationed at Powlrs Hool', and four hundred of the
Jersey men for the Flying-Camp at Ber(jen-Tov;n^ besides what
we may spare to be ready in case of emergency at Newark.
Eight hnndred men will cross to-day to join 3'ou. If more are nec-
essary, please to inform me. I shall be to-night at Neionrk.
"I have the honor to be. Sir, your Excellency's most obedient
servant, II. Mekokk."'
Again upon this subject he wroti' to the President of Congress :
"Newark, AiiguM 28, 1776, 5 o'clofk A. M.
"Sir: General AYashini]:;ton had wrote me that some rt'in-
forcements would be necessary tit Nevj York and Poivles ffi>t>k.
* * On the way yesterday evening. General Wooster'^n Aid-de-
Camp met me, with a few lines from the General, signifying that
it was General Washingtotts orders that I should march, with
all our army imder my command, immediately to Powh'M Ihwk.
The necessary orders were sent to Atuhmj^ Woi»U>ri(hje and Kliza-
leth-Town, last night, and I hope to have on Bergen, ready to
pass over to New York, if required, from three to four tlionsand
men. Our whole force, including the iV^<??<J ./(p/vw/ militia, from
Poxoles Hook to Shrewsbury, amounts to eight thousand and
three hundred. * * * * GeneranVashington, with the greater
part of the Army, was on Long Island yesterday ; and the ac-
Mm. Archives, 5lh Series. »., 713. 'iWd. 5//* Serits. i.. 964.
144 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
tion was continued at two o'clock. * * Considerable firino: has-
been heard this morning, which still continues. What troops
are here I am pushing on to Be7'ge7i, and shall be with them im-
mediately."^
At the time he wrote this letter, the battle of Long Island
was raging, and the patriots were being driven before the
veterans of Europe. General Mercer promised assistance, and
the following extract of a letter will show how well he kept his
promise.
" In obedience to those orders from General Washington, be-
tween three and four thousand of the militia of Pennsylvania and
New Jersey assembled at Bei'gen, ready to pass on to New York,
but were countermanded on the retreat of the Army from Long
IslaJid. We have, however, strengthened the posts at Powles''s
Hook and Bergen Neck to the complement of twenty-five hun-
dred men."^
The post at Paulus Hoeck was shortly afterward treated to
another little skirmish with the enemy. On the IStli of Septem-
ber the British captured New York City. In the morning of
that day three ships-of-war — the Roebuck and Phoenix, each of
forty guns, and the Tartar, of twenty guns — stood up the Hud-
son, " causing a most tremendous firing."^ The raw troops on
the Jersey shore were little prepared for the peltings of such a
pitiless storm. In a letter dated September 17, 1770, to Wash-
ington, General Mercer says :
"Sm: I received just now the favor of Colonel Graysori's
letter of yesterday, and in consequence shall send oif a detach-
ment of the men inlisted for the Flying Camp to Paulus Hook.
The militia o^ Pennsylvania and New Jersey, stationed on Ber-
gen and at Paulus Hook, have behaved in a scandalous manner,
running off from their posts on the first cannonade from the
ships of the enemy. "^
It is, however, stated in the FreeinarCs Journal of October 5th,
^Am. Archives, 5t7i Series, i., 1193. '^Ihid, 5th Series, ii., 158.
mining's Washington, ii., 352, 367. "^Am. Archkes, 5th Scries, ii., 367.
TllK HKITISII CArrLRE rAl'LlS noK( K. 145
1 TT'i, tlmt the vt'ssels '•were roui^hly greottMl l»y the Americim
l)atterv :it I'aulus Hook." This certainly iiiiikrs lui \nn\io of
veracity between tlie kM i-oldici- ami tlic newspaper. ( )nf
cannot h(\-~itatc, liowcvci-, in cnniini: tn a ilecihi<tn un such an
issue.
For H sliort time after the ciii)ture of New York, I'aiilus
Ilocck i-einained in posses.sion of the Ainericaiis un<h'r conunan*!
of Colonel JJurkie.' Dni'ini;- this time Washini^ton wouhl occa-
sionally leave his camp at llarlaem, cross over to the .lerscv
shore, and. in com])any with General Greene, who had succeeded
General Mercer in command on the Jersey shore, reconnoitre,
sometimes as far down as Paulus lloeck, to observe wlnit was
going on in the city and among tln' .--hipping.'- It was manifest,
iiowever, that this position could not be held. New York being
in possession of tlie enemy. Preparations were made for its
evacuation. The following is (4eneral Ciroeiie's report >>f this
event :
'' (\\Mi' Fort CoNSTniTiox,'' AVy>^^7///yt'y 23, ITTtl.
•' 1)i:ai; Siii : The enemy are landed at Poirlet/'x Hook ; they
came up this afternoon and began a cannonade on the batteries,
and after cannonading for half an hour oi- a little more, tiiev
lamled a party finm the shi])s. General Mercer had ordered
off from the Hook all the troops except a small guard, who had
orders to evacuate the place fntm the tirst a]>proach of the
enemy, (-ieneral Mercer mentions no troo})s but those lamh'd
from tlie ships : but C'olonel JjhII, and many others that were
along the river ujton the heights, saw twenty boats go over from
YofJi to Powlcifs Hook. This movement must have happened
since General Mercer wrote. I i)urpose to visit Bergen to-night,
as General Mer<-<'r thinks of going to his post at Amboy to-
morrow.''^
This li.xes the date when the place was caj)tnred. Two days
' Valentine's Manual, 180(5, 7G8. 'Irrim/s Waa/iington. ii., :J07.
•' Changed to Fort Lee, in honor of General Charles Lee, who arrived in camp
at Harlaom, October 14, 1776.
' Am. ^[n-hices, -ith .Series, ii., 494.
10
146 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
afterward in a letter from lieadqnarters is a further account of
the event :
" Gen. Greene informs us that General Mercer^ seeing the
enemy were determined to possess themselves by a stronger
force of ships and men than we could oppose, removed all the
stores and useful cannon, so that nothing fell into the enemy's
hands but the guns that had been rendered unfit for further
service. Our Army is posted at the town of Bergen, and our
advanced party has possession of the mill just Ijack of Powle's
Hook."i
The Americans remained in possession of Bergen until Wash-
ington found it necessary to collect his forces preparatory to his
retreat to the Delaware. By an extract from a letter dated
October 4, 1770, written at headquarters, which was then at
Bergen, we learn the time when and reason for its evacuation :
" To-morrow we evacuate Bergen, a measure which will at first
be condemned, and afterwards be approved of. For my own
part, I am sorry that the enemy should possess another inch of
American ground, but prudence requires another sacrifice. The
reasons of leaving this place I take to be these : Bergen is a
narrow neck of land, accessible on three sides by water, and ex-
posed to a variety of attacks in different places at one and the
same time. A large body of the enemy might infallibly take
possession of the place whenever they pleased, unless we kept a
stronger force than our numbers will allow. The spot itself is
not an object of our arms : if they attacked, it would be to cut
off those who defended it, and secure the grain and military
stores. These have been removed ; and when we are gone, a
naked spot is all they will find. lS<o other damage will follow,
except a depression of some people's spirits, who, unacquainted
Avith places, circumstances, and the secret reasons of such relin-
quishments, are apt to despond as if everything was lost. "We go
^Am. Archices, 5ih Series, ii., 523. The mill here spoken of was Jacob Prior's
mill, near the point of rocks. It was frequently visited by both parties during
the war, and on one occasion from its window a British picket at Fort Putnam
(now Putnam street) was shot.
BKKOEN EVACDATEI). I \ 7
to Fort Coiistitutinii as soon as \vv have seen the troops inarehc<l
oif. We sliall leave a ijuartl of ohservatioii hehiml us: this mav
prevent the ciitiuy's dij^covering oiu" removal for a day or t\v<j.'''
The design of General Greene was to " keep a f^ood, intelligent
officer at l*>er<;'en, to watch the motions of the ship>."' A> <>ut
guards at liergen, IIoei)U('k, Uull's Ferry, Ilackensack and oppo-
site Spyt-den-Duivcl, ho had jxisted one hundrrd ;md sixty-eight
officers and men.^
On the 20th of November, Fort Lee was evacuated, the army
retreated to Ilackensack and on through to the Delaware, and
East Jersey was abandoned to the enemy. While, in 1777. tin
conflict w^as raging above the Highlands, among the hills of
Saratoga and on the banks of the Brandywine, Bergen was left
in the undisinited possession of the British. They stationed a
considerable body of troops at Paulns Iloeck and strengthened
the works. In command of this post they ]daced Lieutenant-
Colonel Abraham Van Buskirk of Saddle liiver, who had de-
serted the patriot cause and gone over to the enemy. They also
occupied the works on Bergen Xeck, which they named Fort
Delancey, in honor of Oliver Delancey, the great tory of AVest-
chester. These two places were garrisoned princijially by t(»ries,
or '* refugees," as thev called themselves. These partisans were
active and unscrupulous in the cause of the king. Their /.ral,
however, exhibited itself more in plundering and murdering
their old neijjhbors than in honorable warfare. The followiuir
extracts from newspapers, both whig and tory, will show how
the people of the county suffered from trieml and foe, and what
generally was going on hereabouts during the greater part of
the war :
" A party of 300 or 4n0 rebels, returning to X'ew England
trom Morristown to Capt. Ivennedy's House at Newark, plun-
dered it." — JS'eio York Mercunj^ Jem. 20, 1777.*
" The Rebels came down to Secancus last Wednesday, and
' Am. Archives, 5th Scries, ii., 867. »/Wd, 5lh Serin, Hi.. 630.
" Ibid. Wi Series, Hi., 063.
^ This house was on the east bank of the Paaaaic, at East Newark.
148 HISTOKT OF HUDSON COUNTY.
carried away all the grain, horses, cows and sheep they could
get together, which they were obliged to swim over the Hacken-
sack River, for want of Boats." — Ihid, April 7, 1777.
" On Monday, May 12th, 300 British under command of Lt.-
Cols. Barton and Dougan marched from Bero-en Town via Para-
nms, to attack some rebels under Gen. Heard at Pompton."
—lUd, May 19, 1777.
" A party of about 40 Rebels came down to Col. Bayard's
Mills last Friday morning near Hoebuck Ferry and carried oif
some cattle, but being pursued by a few of the 57tli Regiment,
now stationed at Powles Hook, they took to their heels and
made o^P—IUd. June 30, 1777.
" The rebels were as low down in Bergen last Friday night as
Mr. Van Ripen's, the Blacksmith, and carried off from thence
some horses." — llid^ Nov 24, 1777.
About this time the sufferings of the troops for want of clothing
were very severe, and created much comment. Among the sug-
gestions for relief was the following by Governor Livingston,
which, while it points out a novel store-house of relief for the
Yalley Forge sufferers, also incidentally describes an old time
custom among the women in this vicinity at that period :
" I am afraid that while we are employed in furnishing our
battalions with clothing, we forget the county of Bergen, which
alone is sufRcient amply to provide them with winter waistcoats
and breeches, from the redundance and superfluity of certain
woollen habits, which are at present applied to no kind of use
whatsoever. It is well known that the rural ladies in that part
of Xew Jersey pride themselves in an incredible number of
petticoats ; which, like house furniture, are displayed by way of
ostentation for many years before they are decreed to invest the
fair bodies of the proprietors. Till that period they are never
worn, but neatly piled up on each side of an immense escritoire,
the top of which is decorated with a most capacious brass-clasped
Bible, seldom read. "What I would, therefore, humbly propose
to our superiors, is to make prize of these future female habili-
ments, and, after proper transformation, immediately applj' them
KXTUA( Ttj FROM N KWSrAl'KK-S. 141'
to screen from the inclemencies of the wcsitiu-r those iralhint
males wlio are now fightinjji; for the liberties of their countrv.
And to clear this measure from every imputation of injustice, I
have only to observe that the ^^'uerality of the wonu-n in that
county, havinjj^ for above a century ironi tfi^ hrt>rfits, it is iii;_'hly
reasonable that the men should now, and es[)ecially u|M)n so in»
portant an occasion, make booty of the petticoats." — X. J.
Gazette, Der. lM, 1T77.
"On Thursday afternoon Captain .Inhii Kiehards, of New P.ar-
badoes Xeck, on his wav to see some member of his family who
was sick of the small-pox, was captured on the road between
'Three Pidgeons' and Bergen by two professed ])atriots, and
was shot dead by one (Brouwer) as he was preventing the other
(Lozier) robbing him of his watch."' — Ihld^ F<h. 2, 17TS.
" On Sunday, the 22d of March, 1778, a party of rebels came a.->
near Powles Hook as Prior's Mill, and attemj)ted to carry oft'
some cattle. They are under comnuind of one Johnson, and act
on their own hook." — IJnd, March 30, 1778.
" On Sunday night. May 10th, a small party of rebels were as
far down as Prior's Mills, and carried ofi' two Xegro men who
were coming to Market with eggs and butter." — IhiJ, May 18.
17T8.
The daring patriots went as far as the same place on Friday
and Saturday nights (May 15th and 16th) and carried off more
neo-roes. A detachment from the Paulus Iloeck tjarrison frnve
them chase, but they escaped.
In September, 1777, Sir Henry Clinton, then in cotnnjand at
New York, planned a raid into New Jersey. He divided his
force into foui- columns. The general point of rendezvous was
the New Bridge, above Hackensack. One column, under (Tcnernl
Campl)ell, entered New Jersey by the way of Elizabethtown ; one,
under Captain Drunimond, by way of Schuyler's ferry;' one,
' Brouwer was arrested by the British, Feb. 15, 1778, and locked up in New
York. Lozier was caught at the English Nuigliborhood, March 27. 1778, at th»>
house of one De (iroote. Richard's watch was found in his pocket. — X. Y.
Mercury, March 30, 1778.
'•' This was afterward known a.** Dow's ferry. It was on the Hackensuick
150 HISTORY OF HUDSON OOUXTY.
under General Vaughn, by way of Fort Lee, and the otlier, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, byway of Tappaen. On the 12th
the expedition set out. Clinton himself followed, passing up
Newark bay to Schuyler's landing on the Hackensack (Dow's
ferry). From this point he marched over the Belleville turnpike to
Schuyler's House, wliere he found Captain Drummond with two
hundred and fifty men. During the night General Campbell
arrived with his detachment and the cattle he had collected en
route. The different columns met as designed on the 15th.
On the follownng day General Campbell marched his force from
English Neighborhood to Bergen Point, whence he passed over
to Staten Island. The result of the raid was the capture of four
hundred cattle, four hundred sheep and a few horses, taken from
the people of Essex and Bergen. In exchange, they had eight
men killed, eighteen wounded, ten missing, and five taken pris-
oners.^ As an offset to this raid, we find the following account of
an expedition by the opposite party over part of the same ground :
" A party of rebel light Horse came down as far as Bergen
Point last Tuesday night (July 28th), and returned next morning
toward Hackensack. They visited Hoebuck on their way and
carried off a great number of Cattle from the Inhabitants." — N.
Y. Mercury^ Aug. 3, 1778.
Smythe, in liis diary, November 8th, says : " This afternoon a
party of our horse brought in two rebel privates from Powles
Hook. One of them is very intelligent and communicative ; but
the other is the most whimsical tony I ever have seen. Wherever
he goes he carries with him a large gray cat, which he says came
into the rebel camp on the night after the battle at Freehold
Meeting House, and which he first discovered lapping a spot of
dry blood on his sleeve, as he lay on his arms expecting another
dash at the British. His affection for the cat is wonderful, a&
hers is for him, for they are inseparable. He sa^'s if we don't
allow him extra rations for his cat he shall be obliged to allow
them out of his own."^
river at the foot of Cherry Lane, a little above the bridge of the New Jersey
Railroad. ^Remeiiobrancer, 1777, v., 420.
- Carver, ii., 31, cited in Moore's Diary, ii., 70.
JUnOE FKLL A I'UISONKK. 151
III 1777 r.ieiit.-C\)I..iiel Van Uiiskirk, tlu- torv, hud lii.s liirmi-
quartri'^ at raiilus Ilueck. Fruin tlio time of his dotei-tion iti
177t) until mar tho close of the wjir, when he sailed for Nov:i
St'otia, he had used this ])ost as a base for his |»redatory excur-
sions. Duriiiii' t he davs ot' his pat riotic. inipulses he had )>ecti
intimate with dolin l-'ell, of Paraniiis, the chairman of tho I>erj^eii
Committee of Safety, and \>y him cut rusted with many imju.rtant
messai^es and duties. In the year 1777 .hid^e Fell was arrested
at his home and brought to Paulus Iloi-ck as a prisoner. lie wa.s
recoijni/ed by tlie torv Colonel.
" Times are altered since we last met," said the Colonel.
" So I perceive," the Judge coolly replied, looking at the Col-
onel's uniform.
" AVell, vou are a prisoner and irninir over to NCw York, where
you will 1)0 presented to General linbertson, with whom I have
the honor to be acquainted. I will give you a letter of intro-
duction to him," said the Colonel.
The Judge thaid-ced him and accepted the letter, which he
afterward presented to Ctcii. Iiol)ertson. It so happened that the
Judge and General were friends at Pensacola after the old
French war in 1763. The ])urport of Van Buskirk's letter of in-
troduction was that John Fdl was a nottn^iouif rehcl antl ra-iralf
and advising that due .care should be taken of him. (teneral
Robertson handed the letter to the Judge and said: "My old
friend, John Fell, you must be a very altered man ami a very
great rascal, indeed, if you equal this (Colonel Buskirk."'
It is said in the JVeiv Jerseu Gazette of October 28, 177s,
that the only place then held by the P>ritish in the State of New
Jersey was Paid us Iloeck. It is probable, therefore, tiiat uj> to
this time the post at Bergen Neck ha<l not been oecupied since
its abandonment by the Americans. The exact date of the ocru-
^Onderdonk's Prison Ships. Notwitbstandinjf this expro-ssion of fri«>nd»hij>,
Fell was treated with such severity during his captivitj that the Council of
Safety in New Jersey, Miautcs, p. KU.ou Nov. 17. 1777, ordered .Innies Parker
iuul Walter Rutherfurd to be confined in the jail at .Murristown uoV>l Fell and
Wynant Van Zant should be exchanjred or released from confinement i^ New
York.
152 HISTOEY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
pancy of the latter post by the British is not known, but probably
during the winter of 1778-9. The post at Panlus Hoeck was
held by them with great tenacity. It was the only point at
wliich they conld with safety land their troops for incnrsions.
Here, on the night of February 2-1, 1779, landed portions of the
Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth Eegiments of the British, under
Lieut.-Colonel Sterling, on their way to attempt the capture of
Governor Livingston at Elizabethtown. They marched across
the hill to Brown's ferry, whence they were taken in boats sent
for that purpose from New York around by the Kill van Ivull.^
" On Sunday morning, March 14th, 1779, Colonel Yan Bus-
kirk received intelligence that a Captain and Lieutenant, with a
party of Carolina troops, were at the Three Pigeons in Bergen
\Yoods.~ He despatched Lieutenant Haselop, of the Fourth Bat-
talion of N. J. Yolunteers, and a party of Befugees, in quest of
them ; but the Bebels, being apprized of his approach, took to
their Heels, when, after pursuing them twelve miles into the
country, came up with the party, and firing a few shot, made two
of them prisoners, one of whom was wounded ; the rest, with the
advantage of sleighs and their wonted precipitancy, escaped."
—Rivin<jton?s Gazette^ March 17, 1779,
" On Friday night, April 2d, 1779, Lieut. Paul, of Colonel
Shreve's Begiment, with twelve privates, were captured on Ber-
gen Neck by a detachment of the Olth Begiment, which lay at
Bowles YiQoVP—lUd, April 7, 1779.^
" On Saturday (April 17th, 1779), two of the Bergen County
Militia, who with others had been out reconnoitering, suspecting,
from the conduct of a boy the}' saw running in great haste to-
wards a house on the bank of the Hudson Eiver, about a mile
above Wiehawk, that some of the infamous gang of robbers that
have for some time infested this and neighboring parts of the
' HatfieMs History of Elizabeth, 472.
- Bergen Woods extended from the Fort Lee road on the north to the Hack-
ensack turnpike at Union Hill on the south.
^ Israel Shreve at this time commanded the Second New Jersey Regiment.
He was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, November 8, 1775, and Colonel Jan-
uary 1, 1777. Liher G2of Commissions (Trenton), IG.
EXTKACTS KIJOM N I:\VS1V\ PKKS. 15.",
State of New York, were concealed there, jKlvaiiced as ia«t as
possible to flu' house; one of them entered ininiediiitrly and dis-
covered five or six in the house, several of whom had aniM, and
with admiral. It' j.resence of mind eallinn; aloud to his companion
as if a lar<;f party had accompanied him, dischari^cd his musket
and killed the chief of the g-ani;- on the spot. liL'tirin^ to load hi.«^
piece, the rest of the villain.s took to their hecW—yewJrrM,,/
Gazette, Aj>ril 2S, 17 7'.K
"On Sunday niiiht, 2Sth ult., a party of about thirty men be-
lono;in<:; to Lieut. -( 'ol. Van lluskirk's corps of tories and end)odied
I\efuo;ees stationed at IIoel)Uck, in the County of Bergen, went out
as far as Clostei- on a horse stealiiiii; .ind thievinj;; expedition."—
Same Paper.
" Last Wednesday (Jan. 18th) a Mr. Allen, ensiirn in the rebel
Army, with three Jersey militiamen, were apprehended on Her-
gen Point, by a party fro. n Capt. Anstruther's company of the
26th Regiment." — TUvinijtonh Gazette, Jannarii 20, 1770.
" Last Saturday, four privates of the Ilebel Army were brought
to Tloebuck by a detachment of Col. Buskirk's Ilegiment. They
consisted of one of Baylers Light-Horse, one continental, and
two miliriaiiicn." — Rleliujton^s Gazette, March 31, 177D.
'•Earlv yesterdav morning a partv of the 4th T^>attalion, N. J.
volunteers, were ordered out by their Lieut.-Col. Buskirk, under
Capt. Yan Allen, to intercept a gang of Rebels who paint them-
selves black and commit rmwdi rs anel thefts in Bergen County.
Three of them were met a small distance from the T(»wn of I'er-
gen, carrying oti' an inhabitant, but being briskly ])ursued, one
named David Ritzema Bogert, the other, the noted John Loshier,
who was concerned in the murder of honest Capt. John Rich-
ards, and whose repeated instances of villainy had rendered him
among the Rebels deserving their earliest attention for exchange,
when lately taken by a party of the same Battalion, who have a
xeeoniJ time spared /i/.v /{*/'<?.'' — /*/rhit/fot>'s Gazette, Jiiti/ 24.
177it.
"A [)arty ot Rel)els came down last Thursday as far as Prior'.x
Mills, within a mile of Powlis Hook, and tired some sliot at the
sentry at that i)ost, but a few jnen being ordered out after tliem,
154 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
they soon took to their heels and made the best of their Way into
the Bush." — N. Y. Mercury^ June 21, 1779.
"We now come to a brilliant episode in the history of Paulus
Hoeck. Major Henry Lee — Light Horse Harry — an active and
dashing otticer, had frequently been employed by "Washington in
scouring the west bank of the Hudson and collecting informa-
tion. In the course of his reconnoitering, and from information
derived from other sources, he had discovered that the British
post at Paulus Hoeck was negligently guarded. General
Wayne's recent brilliant exploit at Stony Point had piqued his
emulation, and he intimated to the commander-in-chief that an
opportunity offered for an enterprise quite as daring. When
first proposed, Washington did not favor the project. Writing
on August 10th, 1779, he says that, considering the position of
the enemy, he deems the attempt too hazardous, and unwarranted
by the magnitude of the object. He thought the cause would
lose more in case of failure than it could gain in case of success.
He thought it best, therefore, to postpone the attempt.^ Major
Lee, however, was so sanguine of success that he had a personal
interview with Washington, and received the desired consent
and verbal instructions. These enjoined upon him to lose no
time, in case of success, in attempting to bring off cannon, stores,
or any other articles, as a few moments' delay might expose the
party to great risk from the enemy on York Island ; and if the
post could not be carried by surprise the attempt was to be
abandoned.'^ The position was a strong one, and it was almost
rashness to attempt to carry it. Yet its very strength ftivored
its capture by rendering its garrison negligent and unwatchful.
On the north was Harsimus cove, on the east the North River,
on the south Communipaw cove, and on the west a marsh in
which was a creek running near the westerly edge of the upland
from near Montgomery street southwesterly into the southerly
cove near the foot of "Van Yorst street. This creek had been con-
nected with the Harsimus cove by a ditch about on the line of
Warren street, made a few years previously by Major David
' Spark's Washington, vL, 317. '^Jbid., ti, 3.
MA.IOK f.KK S CAI'llKK i >K I'AI MS ItnKfK.
i:,:.
riunt. Ovei- this ditch, mi tlic hiic nt' Ncwurk iivi'iuic, was »
(lr!i\vl)ri(li::;c witli a haricMl i^ati-. Tliirty |iaces inside ot* thf (litcli
;in<l crock was a row of abattis extoiidiii<; into the river. < )n the
lloeck were stroni' niilitarv Murks, first constructed hv tlio
Americans, and aftcrwai-d strengthened ]>y the I>riti>h.' The
main works were in the line of Sussex street, extendini,' from
about St. ^fatthew's churcli easterly to rrreene street. Tlie bar-
racks were at the intersection of Essex and Warren streets. From
the main fort a redoubt extended soutlierly ah»n^ Washin^^ton
street to a half-moon furt <in the southerly side of Essex street.
There was one fort on the northwest corner i4' Wa>hin^ton and
Orand streets. Some block-houses had been constructed north
of the main works, and one of them north of the road leadinj^ to
the ferry. The burvin<ji;round was on the west of Washintrton
street, extendino- from Sussex street to a short distance south of
Morris street."- The accomj)anying illus-
tration from Lossinrc's Field liook, though
not entirely accurate, will <;ive a general
^{^ '" '.. " """^^sssl^^X idea of the situation of the Works. One
" ' '"'" "' " ■' (A) redoubt was circular in fi»rni, and
mounted six heavy guns. It hatl a ditch
and abattis. The other (R), a little south-
east of it, was of oblong form, and had
three twelve-pounders and one eighteen-
pounder; (( a were block-houses; hbhhh, l)reastworks front-
ing the bay ; (\ part of the 5Tth regiment, of five hundre<l men,
under Major Sutherland ; '/, pioneers; t\ carpenters;/'/"/', bar-
lacks ; y, bridge built by the British.' Lee was stationed near
the New Bridge, about fourteen miles from the Iloeck. Fear-
ing the treachery of the inhabitants, he carefully kept Ills own
counsel, but gave out that he was about to go with a few troops
' Cd. Hist, of y. Y., viii., 792.
'' When Washington street was graded many bones and a few military relics*
were dug up. Mr. George Dummer placed the bones in a hogsheacl and burietl
them at the intersection of Morris and Washington streets.
■ Marshall, in his Life (f Wnxhington, ir., V-W, nays there were one fort, three
block-houses, and some redoubts.
156 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
on a fbraging expedition. This effectually disarmed suspicion,
for such parties were frequent, and occasionally quite as large
as his proposed force. He had taken the precaution to provide
boats, which for the purpose had been brought from Plucki-
min, and which were to be at Dow's Ferry at a certain hour in
the night, under the command of Captain Peyton, for the pur-
pose of taking his troops over the Hackensack ; for it was his
intention after the attack to retreat by this ferry and the Belle-
ville turnpike across the meadows to the high ground on the
east bank of the Passaic, on his way to the New Bridge. To
hold the place with the enemy in New York was impossible,
and did not enter into the plans of Washington or Lee. The
object was to swoop down upon the post, strike an unexpected
blow, and retreat, thus giving eclat to the continental arms.
He had four hundred infantry and a troop of dismounted dra-
goons for the enterprise. Lord Sterling moved down to the
New Bridge, to be in a position to cover the retreat if neces-
sary. Lee moved from his encampment about four o'clock
in the afternoon of August IS, 1779. He detached patrols of
horse to watch the communication with the North Paver, and
stationed parties of infantry at the different roads leading tu
Pauhis Hoeck. He followed what was known as the lower
road, which came into the present Hackensack road near the
English Neighborhood church. When reaching the vicinity of
Union Hill he filed into the woods. Here the guide, through
timidity or treachery, prolonged the march to three hours ; the
troops became harassed and discouraged, and in endeavoring to
regain the proper route some parties in the rear became separated
from the main body. As singular as it may seem, with all this
marching and floundering in the woods, with detachments
stationed at difterent points and patrols along the river, they
were not discovered. This is the more wonderful since it is well
known that at about the time Major Lee started for Paulus Hoeck,
Colonel Van Buskirk left that place, with a force of one hundred
and thirtv men, on a raid to the English Neighborhood,^ and
'^ Ritin (/ton's Gazette, August 21, 1779.
MA.KiK I.KK's ( A1"HI{K OK I'Ari.IS IIOKCK. 157
vet the two t'oi'ces missed cadi other in the «hirknc'.H.s. A colli-
sion between them would h;i\f put an end to thi- ciiterpisc! upon
which Lee liad set his licart, and wliicdi for its extent nin<ruji
among- tlie most heroic actions of tlu' wai-.'
Notwithstandinir all the didavs incident to a ni«rht marcli and
iunorance or treachery of the ,i:;nide, Major Lee reached I'rior's
Mill at throe o'clock on the moriiiiiLr of the lUth. The duv was
near at hand, and the tide, whicli wonld fill the ditch and ovur-
tlow the road between Warren and ( imve streets, was risini;.
Not a moment was to be lo>t. The punctilios of rank and
honor were disregarded, and the troops ordered to advance in
the positions thej' then In Id. Lieutenant lindolph, who had
been sent forward to reconnoitre the passages of the ditch, now
reported to ^[ajor Lee tliat all Avas silent within the works, tliat
he had fathomed the canal and found the passage possible. This
intelligence was passed along the lines, and the troops pushed
forward with resolution, order and coolness. Lieutenants
M'Callister and Rudolph led the forlorn hope, who marched,
with ti-ailed arms, in silence. They reached the ditch at the
intersection of Newark avenue and W'airen street at half-past
three o'clock on Thursday morning. The guards were either
asleep or took the approaching force to be Colonel Van Bus-
kirk's men returning from their raid. They were not undeceived
until the advance plunged into the ditch. Immediately a tiring
benan. The blockhouse iruards ran out to see what was the
matter and were seized. The forlorn hope, supported by Major
Clarke, broke through all opposition, and soon became niastei*s
of the main work, with the cannon. &c. So raj»id were they in
their movements tliat the fort was gained before a piece of artil-
h'ry wa> tireil. riie troops came pouring througli the al)attis,
and in a few moments were victorious. Unfortunately, in cros.**-
imr the ditch the anununition was destroyed, and thus their tire-
arms were useless. As soon as Major Sutherland, then in com-
mand of this post, comprehended the situation, he threw himsell
into a small redoubt, with a captain, subaltern and forty He.-.-
Gordon's Jlist. Am. Recolution, Hi., 283.
15S HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
sians. Major Lee had no time to dislodge him or remove or
destroy property. Daylight was at hand, and he had some
anxiety about the boats at Dow's Ferry. Besides this, the firing
had aroused the British in New York, who could in a few
minutes throw a large body of troops across the river. He
therefore ordered an immediate retreat, and sent Captain Forsyth
to Prior's Mill to collect such men as were most fit for action,
and take a jiosition on Bergen Heights to cover the retreat.
Major Clarke ^vas in the advance, with most of the prisoners ;
Lieutenants Armstrong and Reed formed the rear guard. Lee
now rode forward to look after the boats at the ferry. To his
dismay, not a boat was there to receive them. Captain Peyton,
owing to the lateness of the hour, had removed them to Newark.
He immediately countermarched his troops to the Bergen road
en route for the New Bridge, communicated with Lord Sterling,
and returned to the rear guard at Prior's Mill. His prospects
were now discouraging. With troops worn down, ammunition
destroyed, encumbered M-ith prisoners, fourteen miles of retreat
before him, on a route liable to be intercepted by troops from
Xew York, with no way of escape to tlie left, he could only
depend on the invincible courage of his men. On reaching the
heights opposite " Weehock," Captain Handy moved on the
mountain road to facilitate the retreat. Here Captain Catlett
came up, with fifty men and good ammunition. One part}' was
then detached in the rear of Major Clarke on the Bergen road, and
one to move alono^ the bank of the river. In this manner a
sudden attack was prevented. At the Fort Lee road Colonel
Ball, who had been forwarded to Lee's assistance, met him with
two hundred fresh men. Shortly afterward a body of the enemy
appeared upon the right and opened fire on tlie retreating
Americans. Lieutenant Reed immediately faced them, and
Lieutenant Rudolph threw himself into a stone house which com-
manded the road. This disposition checked the enemy, and
gave the force time to cross the English Neighborhood creek,
at the Liberty Pole, now Englewood. Just at that moment,
Major Sutherland, who had followed Lee, came up, but halted,
and finally fell back without venturing an attack. Major Lee
MAJOR I.Ee'8 C'AI>'iri;K oK I'AII.l'S HDKCK. 151)
arrived safely at New Hridfje al)Oiit one o'clock in fho uftcniMnn,
He had ca])tured <>iic liundrfil .iinl lit'ty-niiic of the •,'anisnn, iii-
clndin<; otlicerf;, and h)st two kiUccl anil three wounded.
In his report of the enterprise, he says : •• Anioiif^ the many
unfortunate circumstances which crossed our wishes, noiu? was
more so than the accidental ahsence of (Jolonel J>uskirk, and
the c:reatcst ])art of liis rcijinient. * * A conijtany of vit;ilant
Hessians had taken their place in the fort, which rendered the
secrecy of api^roach more precarious, and, at the same time,
diminished tlu' object of tlie enteri)rise by a reduction of the
number of the garrison. .Major Sutherland fortunately saved
himself by a soldier's counterfeiting his person. This imposition
was not discovered until too late.
" I intended to have burnt the barracks; but on findinir a
number of sick soldiers and women with voung children in
them, humanity forbade the execution of my intention. The
key of the maii-azine^ could not be found, nor coidd it be broken
open in the little time we had to spare, many attempts having
been made to that purpose by the Lieutenants M'Callister and
Keed."2
' The location of this majja/.ine was in the vicinity of the present almshouse,
at the foot of Washington stri-et, near the canal.
- In the Anecdotes of the Revolution, ii, 41:3, may be found a curious story
concerning this attack. It appears that one Van Skiver, a native of New York,
and a private in Col. Van Buskirk's regiment, was an unexceptionable rxnniplr
of original sin. For some cause, then unknown to the AnuTii-ans, he d«'.-*erte*l
the tories He then joine.-i the Americans, and showed so much zeal and such
inveterate and deadly animosity against his former friends, niid siH>ke with such
confidence of the feasibility of injuring them Ijy an attack on their outposts,
that Major Lee listened to his plans and finally acceded to the proposal to at
tempt the capture of Paulus Iloeck. Entire confidence, however, was not
placed in Van Skiver. Armed with an axe, he was placed at the head of the
advancing column, a file of men with fixed bayonets following imme«iintely in
his rear to do speedy execution upon him should he either falter or show the
slightest symi)toms of treachery. lie was eiiual to the emergency, and renily
to boldly attem|)t what he had |)roposed. With steady .step and undaunted
resolution he advanced and actually cut down two barriers in succession, giving
free admission to the troops into the body of the place.
It might naturally be supi)osed that such a display of hostility to the British
would have caused Van Skiver to be ranked among the most determined of the
160 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
This brilliant affair nnder the gnus of Xew York was very
galling to the British and tories. Sir Henry Clinton, in a letter
to Lord Gerniaine, dated Angnst 21, 1779, says : " On the 19th
instant, the garrison at Powle's Hook being reinforced, Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Bnskirk was detached with part of the troops to cut
off some small parties who interrupted the supplies of provision ;
a considerable body of rebels availed themselves of that oppor-
tunity to attempt the post. At three in the morning they ad-
vanced to the gate of the works, and being taken for Buskirk's
corps returning, entered without opposition. I fear they found
the garrison so scandalously absorbed, in consequence of their
security, that they made themselves masters of a block-house
and two redoubts with scarcely any difficulty."
The tory newspapers in New York say that " early in the
raorninor.a detachment from the Brigade of the Guards, under
command of Colonel Gordon, and the Hessians landed at raulus
Hoeck, and with the light infantry under Captain Maynard pur-
sued Lee. The pursuit was continued for fifteen miles, and
two of the prisoners recaptured. Ensign Barrett of the Seven-
tieth Eegiment, with a small detachment, captured Captain Meals
at the Three Pigeons. L^pon his person were found the orders
and dispositions of Lee, relating to the march and attack on
Paulus Hoeck. Barrett also destroyed at the English Neigh-
borhood a rebel armory, gunsmith's implements, and a great
quantity of musket locks, bayonets, tk;c."^
While the British and tories were galled, the Americans were
overjoyed at the covp cle main. Washington sent his congratu-
lations to Lord Sterling, and, in a letter to Congress, said :
" The Major displayed a remarkable degree of prudence, address
king's enemies. But even at that moment his appearance of zeal was merely
intended as a lure to gain respect and confidence, for lie had scarcely returned
to camp when it was discovered that he was in treaty, and actually far advanced
in a plan, to deliver Lee and his Legion into the hands of the enemy. Severe
was the penalty which he paid. Sentenced to five hundred lashes, he had the
greater part of them inflicted, and was then drummed out of the army. He re-
turned to New Yorlv, and was heard of no more.
' Ricington's Gazette, August 21, 1779.
(•|)N(;i:i>> ( OMIM.IM I.NTS MA.Kii: I.KK. I'll
;m(l hravciv u|niii this occasion, which does tin* highest honor t<»
liiiUM'lf ami to all the utHcers {ind men under his coniinjind. 'i'lie
situation ut the post rondcrcil the iittenipt critieal ami the sui--
(•;'ss brilliiint."
Fnder date of lSei)tcnil)er l", 177'.', .lames Dujuu-, in a letter
to Alexander Ilaniilton, speaks of it a> "* ( )ne of the mo>t daring
and insolent assaults that is to he t'ound in the re(*ord> of chiv
ah"}'; an achievement so brilliant in itself, >o romantic in tin-
scale of British admiration, that none l»ut a hero, inspired by the
fortitude, instructed by the wisdom, and ijuided by the planet of
Washington, could, by the exploit at Paulu> Hook, have fur-
nished materials in the page of history to give it a parallel.'"
On the 24tli of Sei)teml)er Congress passed the following reso-
lutions respecting the atfair :
^^/ieaolvi'd, That the thanks of C(»ngress be given to jus Excel-
lency General AVashingt(»n for ordering, with so much wisdom,
the late attack on the enemy's fort and woi'ks at Powli's Hook.
'^li'esoh'e//, That the thanks of Congress be given to Majur-( Gen-
eral J.ord Sterling for the ju<licious measures taken by him to
forward the enterprise and to secure the retreat of the party.
"y*V6'o/iV(7, That the thaid'CS of Congress be given to Major Lee
for the remarkable pnidtiice, address and bi-avery displaye<l by
him on the occasion ; and that they approve the humanity >iiown
in circumstances prompting to severity as honoral)le to the
arms of the United States, and correspondent to the noble prin-
ciples on which they were assumed.
'^Jiesolced, That Congress entertain a high sense of the disci-
piine, fortitude and spirit manifested b}' the otKcers and .-ioldien*
under the connnand of Major Lee in the march, action and re-
treat ; and while with singular satisfaction they acknowledge the
merit of these irallant men. thcv feel an additional i)leasurehv con-
sidering them as part of an army in which vei"y many brave otticci>
and soldiers have proved, by their cheerful performance of every
duty under every ditiiculty, that they ardently wish to give the
truly gloi-ious examples they now receive.
' Jlamilton's Works, »., 86, 87.
11
162
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY,
^^ Resolved ,, That Congress justly esteem the military caution
so happily combined \vith daring activity by Lieutenants M'Cal-
lister and Rudolph, in leading on the forlorn hope.
'•''Resolved^ That a medal of gold, emblematical of this aifair,
be struck, under the direction of the Board of Treasury, and pre-
sented to Major Lee.
^'■Resolved, That the brevet and the pay and subsistence of
Captain be given to Lieutenant M'Callister and to Lieutenant
Rudolph respectively."
Congress also placed in the hands of Major Lee $15,000 to be
distributed among the soldiers engaged in the attack.^
MEDAL AWARDED TO LEE.
On one side is a bust of the hero, with the words Heneico Lee,
Legionis Equit. pr^fecto. Comitia Americana. " The Ameri-
can Congress to Henry Lee, Colonel of Cavalry."" On the re-
verse : NoN obstantib. fluminibus vallis astutia & yirtute bel-
LICA PARYA MANU IIOSTES YICIT YICTOSQ. ARMIS HUAIANITATE DEYINXIT.
In mem. pugn. ad Paulus Hook, die xix Aug., 1779. "Not-
witlistanding rivers and intrenchments, he with a small band
conquered the foe by warlike skill and prowess, and firmly
bound by his humanity those who had been conquered by his
arras. In memory of the conflict at Paulus Hook, nineteenth of
August, 1779."^
' Journal of Congress, v., 368.
- The joy does not seem, however, to have been universal. There is and al-
MIDAI. STKt CK IN IIi>Ni>l: ( )I I.KK. lll.'J
From this tiiiu' until the opeiiiiii; <>! the cainpiui^n in tin; b|iriiij;
of lT8(t,ltut little ut ;t i;(.'ii(.'i;iU'liiiriictiT tr;iii.>i>iri'(l ill iJer^eii. Iti
Deeeiuher tullowini:; tlie attack <iii Paiilus llot'ck, (leiKTal Wayiu-
moved down (Vmu the vicinity of TapiJaeii and ciicaiii|>('d at I'cr-
^cn. l''iir ;L>lii'it time he kept a vigilant eve on I'auliis Iloeck,
and then niovetl i)aek to Westtield into winter <jiiarfers.' The
raids hy hoth parties were kept up on the ])eoph' of this vicinity.
Money ami valuables were buried and hiibh-n, l>ut now and tlieii
ways will he un uudertow coutiminlly w^rkinpf to tU'stroy jfnat rfputation.x
Jealousy is all-sufficient iu small minds to justify the meanest action. The fol-
lowinjr letter indicates an undertow to tlif popular wave:
"Camp Noutii ok Smith's Ci.ovb.)
" August '2>MT7!i. f
" Deau Siu :
" I suppose you Lave had a variety of accounts of the sackinjr of Powel's Hook.
which was taken by surprise about :5 o'clock the mornin;r'>f the l!lth inst., and
instantly evacuated again by us, after doing no greater damage tlian taking 7
officers and about IGO Rank and File prisoners, and killing aliout 20 in the Gar-
rison. We have about 7 privates missing. Had not the officer who commanded
— Major Lee — been in so great a hurry from the (iarrisim, mui-h more execution
might have been done, as they did not take time to carry otf all the prisoners,
or even to take a Major and party of men who were then in their power. Not
the least damage whatever was done to the Oarrison. The Magazine was not
blown up, the Barricks not sett on fire, the Cannon not spiked, no article of
Stores, Clothing, &c., &c., of which a great plenty were there, was the leart
damaged ; in fact, nothing further was done than rushing into the (Jarrison in
confusion and driving out the i>risoners, mostly without their clothet*. Perhaps
there will be an incjuiry into the reason of the confusion and great ha-^te the
party made to get out of the fort without destroying so many valuable stonw as
were in their possession. Several officers have been much injured in tlie Vir-
ginia line, on account of giving Major Lee the command of :JLM) of our men to
reduce Powel's Hook, and unjust methods taken by him to liave the command,
by telling one of our Majors, wlio marched with the :jOO men. that his commit
sion was older than it really is— otherwise he would not have had th.' command
over him. I believe Major Lee will l)e arrested. I marched with a covering
party, but did not go near the garrison. Lord Sterling, who commanda bore.
is very uneasy at our complaints on this aflfair. Several letters have paM«d
between his lordship and the officers of our line concerning his ordering 300
of our men viuder Major Lee. * * *
" W ('K(>(iH.\N.
"Mr. Barnard (« rat/,, Phila."
nist. Mag., 180. ' N. T. Mfrcury. Jan. 10. 1780.
164 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
the secret places of these treasures would be revealed by the tory
neighbors. In the house of the late Captain Howe, near Cavan
Point, lived George and Garret Vreeland, father and son. One
night the tories came to the house, locked them in the kitchen
cellar (the kitchen is yet standing), and robbed the house of a
large number of silver dollars. The next morning they were set
free by their faithful old slave.
In these times, for the accommodation of the British, the people
of Bergen were permitted to take provisions over the river. On
these occasions they would take the opportunity to purchase
what things were needed l)y their families. This fact was soon
found out by the tories, who, whenever they could, would rob
these Bergen merchants of their return cargoes. The strategists
of Communipaw were equal to the emergency. There was a
barn just south of Communipaw avenue, tlie doors of which they
used for a code of signals. These doors were then made in two
parts, and if, on the return of the skiffs Irom iS^ew York, the men
in them saw the upper part of the door open, then they knew that
all was right and their freight safe. But if, on the contrary, it
was closed, then the}' might know that the tories were about, and
they must tarry at Ellis Island. The tories finally found out the
secret, but were uncertain if the door should be open or shut to
signify a " welcome liome " to the voyagers across the river. At
one time, when they were waiting for the return of the richly
laden argosies, a contention arose among them whether the do(U'
should be open or shut to signify that the coast was clear. . Be-
tween the two the door was opened and shut and shut and opened
in such rapid succession that the men in the boats, doubting as
to the condition of things on shore, gave themselves the benefit
of the doubt, pulled back to the island, and left the ''gude vrouws"
to fight it out with the tories.
It is said that one day the British sent a fiag trom Paulus
Hoeck to General Wayne, then on New Barbadoes Neck, which
''Hop" Jerolamon, of the latter place, in his mistaken zeal, cap-
tured, and took the saddle and bridle as lawful prize. Mad
Anthony, in tnrn, captured the indiscreet " Hop," put the saddle
on his back (tradition puts the bridle in his mouth, vide Proverbs,
I'AIMlrii Ai; 1N( II)KNT8. in.*!
x.wi., ;i), and >(.'iit liiui to I'aiilus Iloi-ck \,, 1m- i»mii>ht'd at tlio
discretion of the JJritisli. " Hop'' keenly felt the mortification,
hut a " military necessity'' pushed him aloiii^ <»ver the meadows
and liill until lie (•aiiic ti) Pi-ioi"- Mill. Here lu; encountered the
enemy's })ickets and wished to lay down his hurden, thinkini; he
had carried the joke far enough. Xotso thoui^ht his captors, ami
he was forced to trudge uloiii:: to headcpiarters '' uccuutred as he
was."
Jacol) \ an Wagenen, liviui; at JJer<:jen, had everythinj; stolen
tVoni him hy the tories and Hritisli. One day they were driving
off twelve of his cattle toward tlicir ltar<:;e, which lay in the
llackensack, just ahove the present hridi^c of the New Jersey
Railroad. One of his faithful ne<]jroes endeavored to jjrevent
them. They seized the coura<:;eous fellow, and hung him to a
tree until he was willing to withdraw all opposition to the de-
]>arture of his master's property.
The winter of 1770-80 was of unu.-ual severity.' The British
in New York were in great want of fuel. It hecanie so scarce
' 'I'hf liver between Paulas Hoeck and New York was frozen over. Six per-
sons, in atteniiitinji to cross over, were carried into the East river. " and provi-
dentially got on shore by the ice lod<ring on Blnckwell's Istami." — /i/c. Gm.,
Jan. 15, 1780. Governor Tryon caused the river between Paulua Hoeck and
New York to be measured, and found it to be 2,000 yards wide.— VuUntine'*
Manual, 1853, 4G4. The river has since been filled in to some extent on l>oth
sides. Imitating Governor Tryon, two inhabitants of Communipaw measuretl
the distance from that place to Ellis Island, and found it to l)e 82 chains. Th»*y
left the following record of their exploit :
• Januauy 'i4th. 17^«).
"De winter heel hart /.yndo die Rivier all over Gevrosen Wy die jwrsonen
Genamt Cornelius Garrabrants en Giliam Out water had der (iedooht om to
meeten hoc veer het was van de oost hoeck van Hendrick Hlinkerhofleen buys
tot het Klin Ilant is 82 Kettings." A ketting is one chain.
It is worthy of notice that during the last IW years the river has been pass-
able on the ice only four times, viz.. 1740-1, 1TG4-."), 1770-80, an.l 1S20-1. In
January of the latter year an enterprising vender of wliiskey opened shop in
the middle of the river. A " drouty crony," going from Jersey City for a glaso.
broke through the ice. A wag standing at the door of the saloon said to tlie
proprietor : " Sir, there has a man just n/ipprd down cdlar—yoxi had lietter look
after him, or your li(iuors will be in danger." Ceutintl of Frnilom. Jan. 30.
1821.
166 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
that the commandant was obliged to limit the maximum price to
fourj)onnds sterling per cord! The high price for wood was a
great temptation to the tories. At that time the hill from Fort
Lee to Bergen Point, except what had been cleared for the farms,
was covered with a fine growth of thrifty timber. This they de-
termined to cut off and sell to the shivering British. To make it
safe for them to enter upon the business, it was necessary to
have redoubts, breastworks or block-houses into which they could
retire at night, and to which they might fly in case of attack by
day. They therefore constructed the block-house at a place
since called Block- House Point, near Bull's Ferry. They also
threw up earthworks on the old Bergen road, just below Wood-
lawn avenue. They also had earthworks at Bergen, east of the
town, near Blakeley Wilson's residence. Besides these, they had
the fortifications on Paulus Hoeck, and at Fort Delancey, on Ber-
gen xS^eck. At the latter place Captain Tom Ward held com-
mand.^ His force consisted of negroes and vile characters of his
own race. They became as notorious as himself. They were a
band of plunderers, thieving and raiding by night over to Eliza-
bethtown, Kewark, New Barbadoes Neck, and along Bergen Hill
as far up as Closter and New Bridge. He is represented as having
been a terriljle wretch. It is said that he once hired three ne-
groes to kill a man in Bero;en to whom he was indebted. " Little
Will," owned by Yan Ripen, was one of the three. Tom Cad-
mus, another tory, was sergeant, and ordered tlie fire. The ne-
groes were afterward caught and hung in the swamp north of
Bro^v1l's Ferry road, near the present Glendale House, and the
bodies left hanging for weeks.
The block-house near Bull's Ferry was occupied by refugees
' He is said to have been a native of Newark, and a deserter. Remembrancer,
xi., 165. The latter part of the assertion may be true ; the former part is not
only denied, but met by the avowal that Tom Ward of Newark was a well
known and active patriot. In the N. Y. Mercury, Avgust 4, 1760, I find a
paragraph that Thomas Ward, of Bergen County, had lost a son, who became
mad from the bite of a wild cat. It is very probable that the father of that boy
is identical with the notorious Captain Tom Ward, of Fort Delancey, and imitat-
ed Colonel Van Bu^kirk in deserting the cause of his countrv.
ATTACK O.N THK UI.UCK- IIUlSK. 167
ami wood-cutters, iimlcr eoininand of Colcmcl Cuv1»t, It whh lo-
cated I'll till' liiuh I'oiiit ul)ove tlie ravine wliicli exteiidn hack
from the river, on the north side <if (iutteidicr;;. It \va» pn*-
tected on two sides by perpondicuhvp rucks which rise tr«>ni the
sliore and the ravine, and surntuiKh'il on the othtr ^idert by
abattis and stockades, with a ditch and parapet. The only en-
trance to the block-house was a covered way laffjo enoufxh to ad-
mit but a single person/ Colonel Cuyler being temporarily absent
from this post, Captain Tom A\ anl was in command of the
seventy men stationed there. Washington, then near Sutrenis,
havins: been informed that there were a lunnber of cattle on
Bergen Neck exposed to the enemy, gent General Wayne to
bring tliem off, and destroy the block-house at the same time. In
the afternoon of the 20th of July, 17S<i, the first and second
Pennsylvania regiments, with four pieces of Proctor's artillery
and Moylan's drago<^s, in all about one thousand men, started
from their camp on the erf)edition. They arrived at New
Bridije about nine o'clock in the evening. Here they rested
four or five hours, and then piishcil forward for Bull's Fen-y.
Major Lee, the hero of Paulus lloeck, was sent to ]>ergen with
his cavalry to bring off the cattle, while the remainder of the
force marched against the block-house. General Irvine with a
l)art of his brigade proceeded along the summit of the ridge, and
the first brigade, under Colonel Hampton, with the artillery of
Moylan's horse, by the direct road. About ten o'clock on the
morning of the 21st, part of the first brigade reached the post.
Moylan's horse and part of the infantry remained at the fork of the
roads leading to Paulus Iloeck and l^ergen, i)repared to receive
the enemy should he approach from that (juarter. (ieneral Irvine
was posted so as to prevent the enemy landing, should he ap-
proach by vessel. Near Fort Lee two regiments were concealed,
prepared for the enemy. One regiment was p<isted in a hollow
way on the north side of the block-house, and another on the
south side, with orders to keep up a constant fire into the port-
holes to favor the advance of the artillery. When the tield-
Pennsyltnnia Packet, July 25, 1780.
168 iriSTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
pieces arrived they were placed sixty yards distant, and a can-
nonade commenced, which continued from eleven o'clock until
noon, without intermission. Up to that time but little im-
pression had been made on the block-house, and orders were
given to retire. Just at that moment one regiment burst through
the^abattis, and advanced to the stockades. They were received
with such a galling fire from the tories that they were com-
pelled to withdraw.^ Boats were now beginning to move up and
down the river, but no attempt was made to land. The sloops
and M^ood-boats at the landing were destroyed, and three or four
prisoners taken. The cattle were driven off as originally in-
tended, l)ut the other part of the expedition was a failure. Gen-
eral Wayne says that he lost fifteen killed and fifteen wounded.'-
The enemy claimed that " the brave Captain Ward pursued the
i-ear upwards of four miles, retook twenty cattle, killed one
rebel and took two prisoners.'" The refu|^es admitted the loss
of four killed and eight wounded." Among the latter were
George and Absalom Bull, residents of the immediate neighbor-
hood. General Wayne was chagrined at his failure, and on wit-
nessing the slaughter of his men, shed tears. Washington deeply
regretted the misfortune, and hastened to explain away the bad
effect which the failure of the attack upon the Block-House
might have upon Congress. Among other things he said,
" Wayne for some time tried the effect of his field-pieces upon
it, but though the fire was kept up for an hour, they were found
too light to penetrate the logs of which it was constructed.
The troops during this time being galled by a constant fire from
the loop-holes of the house, and seeing no chance of making a
breach with cannon, those of the first and second regiments —
notwithstanding the utmost efforts of the officers to restrain
them — rushed through the abattis to the foot of the stockade,
with a view of forcing an entrance, which was found impractica-
ble. This act of intemperate valor was the cause of the loss we
' Tradition says when the attacking party withdrew the tories had but one
round of ammunition left.
* Spark.s' WasJtuigton, tii., 116. ^Bixington's Gazette, July 22, 1780.
RK.ioi(iN(; or riiK i:nkmv. 10'.'
sustained, iiiid whidi aniDuiitid in the wljolc to *'. otHccrH
wouiiiU'd, 1 .') lum-cdiumissioned ofHcrrs mill |>rivHtcs killed, :md
4H non-t'<jinnussiono<.l ofticers and privates wounded."
To add a keener ]>anuj to the inurtification of failure, the
eneniv indul<rcd in i'reat exultation. Sir Ilmrv Clinton com-
pliinente(l tlic refugees in the following tcnii>:
" SiK : The ( 'oiiiinandir-in-iliii'f, a(hnirin<.j the<,'allantry of the
Tlefup;ees, who in such small numbers defended their post against
so very oonsiderahle a eorps, and withstood both tlu'ir cannonade
and assault, desires his very particulni- acknowledi^nu-nt of their
merit may be testified to tlieni.
''His E.xcellency requests that you will ji;ivt,' in a return of the
numbers present at this spirited defence, that lie may give direc-
tions for uniform, clothing and hats being given them from the
Inspector General's office.
"In future you?' re*iisition of ammunition will be valid with
the Ordinance.
" I liave the honor to be,
" Sir, your nu)St f>bedient
''and most lunnble servant,
"John Anokk, D. A. D."'
The following sarcastic suggestion appeared in print :
" A lady presents her compliments to the Sir Clement of the
Philadelphia Ball Room, and desires the next country dances
may coinmencc with a new movement, called,
A TKII' TO THE BLOCK-HOUSE ;
OR, THE
WOOnCUTTER's TRIIMIMI ;
in com})liment to a certain General, who (emulating his brother
Arnold) was lately checked on the North Kiver, by a vxilhrv-
revse event, and his glories (now on the Wane) threatene«l ^vith
an insuperable mortification."''
' Ritinff ton's Gazette, July 22, ITSO. ' I hid, July 28. ITW.
170 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Even the King of Great Britain sang the praises of the block-
house defenders in the following strains :
" The very extraordinary instance of courage shown by the
Loyal Refugees, in the affair of Bull's Ferry, of which you make
such honorable mention, is a pleasing proof of the spirit and res-
olution with which men in their circumstances will act against
tlieir oppressors, and how great advantages the King's troops
may derive from employing those of approved fidelity. And his
Majesty, to encourage such exertions, commands me to desire that
you will acquaint the survivors of the brave Seventy that their
behavior is approved of by their Sovereign."^
The expedition was very neatly caricatured in a mock heroic
poem written by Major Andre, on the model of Chevy Chase.
The whole is in three cantos. The first was published in Riv-
ingtorCs Gazette^ August 16, 1780 ; the second, August 30,
and the third, September 23. The last canto was sent to the
paper the day before Andre left New York to meet Arnold, and
published the very day he was captured at Tarrytown. Its com-
position may have been suggested by the fact tliat Andre had
boarded with John Thompson, the Wood-cutting Agent at New
York. It was written at headquarters, number one Broadway,
except the first canto, which was written at Elizabeth-Town. Its
title was " The Cow Chase, in three Cantos ; Published on oc-
casion of the Kebel General Wayne's attack of* the Eefugees'
Block-house on Hudson's Kiver, on Friday, the 21st of July,
1780.'' The following is an exact copy of the poem as it ap-
peared in the Gazette ;
Rivington's Gazette, Dec. 13, 1780.
ANDIvK S ( ()\V ( MASK. | 71
Kt,iZAi!i;rii-''l"o\\ N, A'/'/. I, ITSn.
T 11 1-: COW (HAS V. .
liV
Major Andre.
Canto I.
To drive the Kiiie one summer's morn,
The Tanner^ took liis way,
The Calf shall rue that is unhorn
The jumbling of that day.
And Waylfe descending Steers shall kimw,
And tauntingly deride,
And call to mind in ev'ry Low,
The tanning of his hide.
Yet Bergen Cows shall ruminate
Unconscious in the stall,
What mighty means were used to got.
And lose them after all.
For many Heroes bold and brave
From I^ew-Bridge and Tapaan
And those that drink Passaick's wave.
And those that eat Soupaan,-
' Wayne's occupation.
* An Indian dish of erround corn boiled in water — written »)tpaen. Irvinp-
says : "Tlic Van Bruniinels were the first inventors of sujipawn, or mush and
milk." It has liad many names.
'* Thee the soft nntion!< roiinil the warm Ix'vant
I'olania call ; the Krcnrh, of conrKr, PiJanf'.
E'en in thy native reirions" how I hlii!«h
To hear the I'enncylvnniaus call thee .Vnn/i .'"
- ffarptr'n .Vn/ftiHn', Jw'y, IsSii. Hi.
Modern fastidiousness dubs it hasty pudding !
172 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Aud Sons of distant Delaware
And still remoter Shannon/
And Major Lee with Horses rare,
And Proctor with his cannon.
All wond'rons proud in arms they came
What hero could refuse ?
To tread the rugged path to fame
Who had a pair of shoes.
At six the Host with sweating biiif,
Arriv'd at Freedom's Pole,"^
Wlien Wayne who thought he'd time enough
Thus spechified the whole.
O ye whom glory doth unite
Who Freedom's cause espouse
Whether the wing that's doom'd to fight
Or that to drive the cows.
Ere yet you tempt your further way
Or into action come,
Hear soldiers what I have to say
And take a pint of Rum.
Intemp'rate valor then will string,
Each nervous arm the better
So all the land shall 10 sing
And read the Gen'ral's letter.^
' The number of Irish in the Pennsylvania line often caused it to be called
the line of Ireland.
- Liberty Pole, a small hamlet, now the beautiful village of Englewood,
where stood a hickory pole.
•^ The letter here referred to is probably the same printed in Almon's lieinem-
brancer, x., 290. It is from Washington to the President of Congress, July 26,
1780. After narrating the story of the expedition, the failure of the attack on
tlie block-house by reason of the cannon being " too light to penetrate the logs
of which it was constructed," and the " intemperate valor" of the men causing
such great loss to themselves, he concludes : " I have been thus particular lest
the account of this affair should have reached Philadelphia much exaggerated,
as is commonly the case upon such occasions." Supra.
ANDJCK S Cow I MASK. 1 7;j
Know tliiit sonic piiltrv Rcl'iii^'ees
Whom \'\{> ;i mind to tii;lit.
Arc phiyiii;^; li — 1 anionfifst the trees,
Th:it irrow on yonder liei^ht.'
Tlicir Fort and P>luck-I louses we'll level,
And deal a lioiriil slani^hter ;
We'll drive the Scoundrels to the Drvil,
And ravish wife and daui^hter.
I under cover ot' th' attack
Whilst you arc all at hlow.-.
Fnun Eui^dish Xei^hh'rhood and Tinack
Will di-ivc away the ( 'ows.
l'\»r well y(Ui know the lattei- is
The serious operation
And tii:;htini' with the Refuijees
Is only denion^tratioii.
' More truth than poetry, for to such an extent did the \vo<Mlcutteni jday
■' h — 1 amonff the trees" in this county that, it is said, from Bull's Ferry to Ber-
iSrn Point, they did not leave a stick larfje enoujtjli for a whipstock. At onf
time the growth of timber on the ridge was fine and heavy. In the early dayi*
New York city depended upon our forests for the defence of the city. When
I'ornbury feared the approach of the French, he wrote as follows:
• Np:w Yokk, May the Kith. ITOi.
" (iKNTI-E.MKN :
' Having had intelligence lately from the West Indies that a French Squad
run of Men-of-Warr, with Land forces on board them, intend to attack this place,
I ;im taking the best methods I can to put the place into a i)nsturf of defence.
tor svhich purpose I shall want a c<)nsidenii)lf number i>f Stockades, and bi-ing
informed that there are a great number of trees growing ujwn lx>rgen |Miint fit
tor that i>urpose, I send this therefore to desire that you will allnw some j>er
sons who shall be sent from hence to cut the Stockades we want, and likewis*"
that some of your people may help with their Carts to bring them to the water
side, for which they shall be paid.
" I am,
'• (ientlemen,
■ Your assured friend.
■ ("OUMU uv
*• To the Inhabitants of the Town of Bergen, in the Eastern nivision ■ f Xew
Jersey."— /Vof. of y. ,/. IIi»t. Sk-.. L, V24.
174 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
His daring words from all the crowd
Such great applause did gain
That every man declar'd aloud
For serious work with Wayne.
Then from the cask of Kum once more
They took a heady jill,
When one and all they loudly swore
They'd fight upon the hill.
But here — the Mnse has not a strain
Befitting such great deeds,
Huzza they cried, huzza for Wayne
And shoutino; — did their Needs.
Canto II.
Near his meridian pomp, the Sun
Had journey'd from the horz'n,
When fierce the dusky Tribe mov'd on
Of Heroes drunk as poison.
The sounds confus'd of boasting Oaths,
Re-echoed thro' the Wood,
Some vow'd to sleep in dead Men's Cloaths,
And some to swim in blood.
At Irvine's !Nod, 'twas fine to see,
The left prepare to fight,
The while the Drovers, Wayne and Lee,
Drew ofi' upon the Right.
Which Irvine 'twas. Fame don't relate.
Nor can the Muse assist her.
Whether 'twas he that cocks a Hat,
Or he that gives a Glister.
t
i
i
ANDKK.-' (tiW t;ilA>K. I T.'i
For greatlv one was sijjnalizM,
That tbut,'ht at ( 'hesniit-IIill,
And Canada ininiortali/.M,
The A^endcroftlu' Till.
Yet the Attendance upon Proctor,
They both niii^lit liave to boast of;
For there was Business for the Doctor,
And hatts to l)c disposed of.'
Let none uncandidly infer.
That Stirlin<; wanted Spunk,
The self-made Peer liad sure been there,
P)Ut that the I'ecr was drunk.
But turn we to the Hudson's Banks,
AVhere stood the modest Train,
With Purpose firm, tlio' slender Ranks,
Nor ear'd a T*in for AVayne.
l'\)r then the unrelenting Uand
Of rebel Fury drove,
And tore from ev'ry genial Baud,
Of Friendship and of Love.
And some' within a Dungeon's Gloom,
By mock Tribunals laid,
Had waited long a cruel Doom,
Impending o'er their heads.
Here one bewails a Brother's Fate,
There one a Sire demands.
Cut off alas I before their Date
By ignominious Hand.
And silver'd Grandsires here appear'd,
Li deep Distress serene,
Of reverend Manners that declared.
The better days tliey'd seen.
' One of the Irvines waa a hatter, the other a physician. I>r. Wm. Irrine.
176 HISTORY OF HUDSON (OUNTi.
Oh cnrs'd Kebellioii these are thine,
Tliine are these Tales of Woe,
Shall at thy dire insatiate Shrine
Blood never cease to How 'i
And now the Foe began to lead,
His Forces to tli' Attack ;
Ball wliistling unto balls sncceed,
And make the Block-House crack.
No shot could pass, if you will take
The Gen'raFs Word for true ;
But 'tis a d — ble Mistake,
For every Shot went tliro'.^
The Hriner as the Kebels pressed,
The royal Heroes stand ;
Virtue had nerv'd each honest Breast,
And Industry each Hand,
" In Valour's Phrenz}','- Hamilton
" Rode like a Soldier big,
" And Secretary Harrison,
"With Pen stuck in his Wig."
after two years' captivity in Canada, now commanded the Second Pennsylvania
Regiment. He died August 2, 1804. Brigadier James Irvine, of the militia,
was taken prisoner at Chestnut Hill, near Germantown, in December, 1777.
' Wayne attributed his failure to the lightness of his guns, which he thought
made no impression on the walls of the house. In this he was mistaken.
Sparku' Waslungton, vii., 117.
- Vide Lee's trial. " When General Washington asked me if I would remain
in front and retain the command, or he should take it, and I had answered that
I undoubtedly would, and that he would see that I myself should be of the last
to leave the field ; Colonel Hamilton, flourishing his sword, immediately ex-
claimed : ' That's right, my dear General, and I will stay, and we will all die
here in this spot.' * * * l could not but be surprised at his expression,
but observing him much flustered and in a sort of ■pltremy of valor, I calmly
requested him," &c., «Sic. Harrison, mentioned in this verse, had mot Andn' at
Ambov.
ANUKK S COW (MASK.
" But U'st the ('liic'ttiiiii Wasliiiii;t..n,
"Should mourn tlu'iii in tlio Mumps,'
" Tlit^ Frtti' of \Vithriii:,'tou to shun,
'* Tlicv fouifht I)cliin<l the Stumps."*
I5ut ah, Thaihious Posset, why
Should thy l*oor Soul olope,
And why shoidd Titus Hooper'' die,
Ah die without a rope.
Apostate ^[urphy, thou to whom
Fair Shela ne'er vva.s cruel,
L) deaths xhaVt hear her mourn tiiy J)ooni,
Auch wou'd you die, my Jewel i*
' A disorder prt.-valfnt iu the Aiuoricaii liiu-s.
- For Witherington needs must 1 wayle,
As one in doleful dumps ;
P^or wlien his leggs were smitten oft'
He fought upon his stumps.
The l)atth' of Chevy Cliase, or Otterbourne, on the borders of Scotland, wa.-<
fougiit August 5, 1388, between the families of Percy and Douglass. The song
was probably written much after that time, tliougli long before 1588. as Hearne
supposes. In ihe old copy of tlie ballad the lines run thus :
For Wetharryngton my harte was wo
That ever he slayne shulde be,
For when both his leggis weare hewync in to
He knyled and fought upon bis kne.
' This name should be written n<)|)i)er. His house was at Wagraw, above
Aquackanonck, on the east side of the Passaic, near Hopper's mill. He wa.«i a
miller, and the tories under John Van de Roder, a neighbor, oni- night t<K)k
possession of the mill. Hopper's wife, hearing the noise, awoke her husband,
and told him that some persons were in the mill. He arose, went to the door
and demanded to know who was there, and was shot through the hand. They
then rushed into the house, seized him, and compelled his wife to hold a candle
while they thrust nineteen bayonets into him. At the time of this cruel murder
Van de Roder exclaimed, " This is for an old grudge."
*Vide Irish song, " Smollett's Rehearsal "
12
178 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Thee Nathan Pumpkin I lament,
Of melanclioly Fate,
The Grey Goose stolen as he went,
In his Heart's Blood was wet.^
Now as the Fio-ht was further fouo;ht,
And Balls began to thicken,
The Fray assum'd, the Gen'ral's thought,
The Colour of a licking.
Yet nndismay'd the Chiefs Command,
And, to redeem the Day,
Cry, Soldiers charge ! they hear, they stand,
Thev turn and run away.
Canto III.
Not all delights the bloody spear,
Or horrid din of battle,
There are, I'm sure, who'd like to hear
A word about the Cattle.
The Chief whom we beheld of late,
Near Schralenberg haranguing,
At Yan Yan Poop's'^ unconscious sat,
Of Irving's hearty banging.
Whilst valiant Lee, with courage wild.
Most bravely did ojipose
The tears of woman and of child,
Who begg'd he'd leave the Cows.
'Against Sir Hugli Montgomery
So right the shaft he sett,
The gray goose wing that was thereon
In his heart's blood was wett.
■■^ He kept a dram-shop.
A.N'DKk's cow (MASK. 1 7'.>
lliit Wivyne, of 8yiiij)atliiziii^ lu'iirt,
Required :i rcliet'
Not all the l)lessiii<^s eoiild iiiij)!irt
Of battle ..!• of l.eef ;
For now a prey to female eharins.
His soul took more deliixht in
A lovi'ly Ilaiiiadrvad's' arms,
Than eow drixinu- or fiirlitinir :
A nymph, tlie lietuf^ees had drove
Far from her native tree,
Just happen'd to be on the nu)Vf,
When up came Wayne and Lee.
She in mad Anthony's fierce eye
The hero saw pourtray'd,
And all in tears she took him by
The bridle of his Jade.
Hear, said the nymph, O great Commander !
No human lamentations ;
The trees you see them cutting yonder
Are all ray near j-elations.
And I, forlorn ! implore thine aid.
To free the sacred grove ;
!So shall thy prowess be repaid
With an immortal's love.
Now some, to prove she was a Goddess,
Said this enchanting Fair
Had late retired from the Bodies,^
In all the ])oni]> of war :
' A deity of tin* woods.
2 A cant ai)i)i'llation given among the soldiery to the corps that had the honor
to guard liis majesty's person.
180 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
That drums and merry fifes had play'd
To honour her retreat,
And Cunningham^ himself convey'd
The lady thro' the street.
Great Wayne, by soft compassion sway'd,
To no inquiry stoops,
But takes the fair afflicted maid
Rigid into Yan Yan Poop's.
So Koman iVnthony, they say,
Disgrac'd th' imperial banner,
And for a gipsy lost a day,
Like xVnthony the Tanner.
The Hamadryad had but half
deceived redress from Wayne,
When drums and Colours cow and calf,
Came down the road amain.
All in a cloud of dust were seen
The sheep, the horse, the goat,
The gentle heifer, ass obscene ;
The Yearling and the shoat,
The pack-horses with fowls came by,
Befeather'd on each side.
Like Pegasus, the horse that I
And other poets ride.
Sublime upon his stirrups rose
The mighty Lee behind,
And drove the terror-smitten cows.
Like chaff before the wind.
But sudden see the woods above
Pour down another corps.
All helter skelter in a drove,
Like that I sung before.
Cunningham was Provost-Marshal in New York.
andrk's cow chase. hi
Irving and tcrn>r in the van,
(^ame flying all abroud,
And caniidii, colours, JKirst' and man
Kan tiiiid)]inii: t<> the mad.
Still as lie lied, 'twas Irving's cry,
And his example too,
" Run on, my merry men all — Fur why '. "
The shot will not go thro'.*
As when two kt-nnels in the street.
SwellM with a recent rain,
In gushing streams together meet,
And seek the neighbouring drain.
So meet these dung-born tribes- in one,
As swift in their career.
And so to Xewl)ridge they ran on, —
l>ut all the cows got clear.
Poor I'arson Caldwell,'* all in wnnder.
Saw the returning train,
And niournM to "Wayne the lack cf i>lunder.
For them to steal again.
' Five Ilefugees ('tis true) were found
Stiff on the block-house floor,
But tlien 'tis thought the shot went round
Anil in at the back door.
- Under Andre's signature to a MS. cojiy of " Tiie Cow Cliase " are enilorsed
these lines :
" When the epic strain was sunjr
The poet by the neck was hunjr,
And to his cost he fiudf< too late
The dung-born tribes decide his fate."
= Rev. James Caldwell, of New Jersey. His wife was shot by one of Knyp
hausen's men. When Knyphausen made his excursion to Springfield, .NIr ('.
collected the hymn books of his church for wadding. " Put a little Walts into
them," said he to the soldiers. He was shot l)y James Morgan, one of the
twelvemonths men, at Elizabethtown Point, on the 24th of Novemb«T. 17f<l
He had gone down to the Point to meet a Miss Murray, who had come tip fmni
New York. He had placed her in his carriage, and nturn.-d to the Iwint for a
182 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
For 'twas his right to seize the spoil, and
To share with each commander
As he had done at Staten Island
With frost-bit Alexander.^
In his dismay the frantic priest
Began to grow prophetic,
You had swore, to see his lab'ring breast,
He'd taken an emetic.
I view a future day, said he.
Brighter than this day dark is,
And you si i all see what you shall see,
Ha ! ha ! one pretty Marquis f
And he shall come to Panlus Hook,
And great atchievements think on.
And make a bow and take a look,
Like Satan over Lincoln.
And all the land around shall glory
To see the Frenchman caper,
And pretty Susan tell the story
In the next Chatham paper.^
parcel containing tea, pins and mustard, when the shooting occurred. Morgan
was not on duty at the time, and was supposed to have been bribed to do
the act. He had previously threatened to " pop him over." Morgan was ar-
rested and handed over to the civil authorities. The coroner's jury rendered a
verdict against him, and he was committed by Mayor Isaac Woodruff, of Eliza-
bethtown. He was tried at Westfield, in the January term, 1783, John Cleves
Symmes, presiding Judge, found guilty, and executed by Xoah Marsh, sheriff
of Essex county, January 29, 1782. The trial was had in the church, and Col-
onel De Hart, of Morristown, was assigned to defend him.
' Lord Sterling. He led a foray into Staten Island, in January, 1780. in
which 500 of his men were frost-bitten.
* La Fayette.
^ The JSfeiP Jersey Gazette was published at that place during the war. Su-
sannah, the daughter of Gov. Livingston, wrote occasionally for that paper. She
married John Cleaves Symmes, and became the mofher of President Harrison's
wife.
t-AFAYKTIK A IM'KA KS NKAIC I'AUMS lIitKCK. 1 fi'^
Tliis solciiiii ]ir()j)Iicey, of coiirsc,
Gave all much consolation,
Except to Wayne, who lost his jiorse
Upon the great occasion.
His horse that ciirrieJ all his prog,
His military speeches,
Ilis corn-stalk whiskey for his grog.
Blue stockings, and brown breeches.
And now I've clos'd my epic ntrain,
I tremble as I show it.
Lest this same warrio-drover, Wayne,
Should ever catch the poet.
In the followins November the Block-house at Bull's Ferry
was deserted, and its tory inmates went to Fort Uelancey on
Bergen Neck.^ But the wood cutters did not cease their work.
A good story is told of Garret Vreeland, who had a tine growth
of timber where the Xew York Bay Cemetery now is. In this
the wood-cutters were fiercely at work. One day he went to
New York ami obtained an order from the proper authorities,
that no more of his trees should be cut. This order was duly
presented to a burly knight of the axe, just as he was iibouf
felling a stately white oak. He leaned upon his helve, looked
at the order and then at the tree. lie was obliged to obey the
one, yet greatly coveted the other. " Well," said he, " we can't
cut any more, that's sure, l)ut we can [I'lnlU them ami ijit fh-'in
ready for ne.rt year ! " And so he did.
On the 24th of August, lT8i», the light camp, under command
of La Fayette, marched from the vicinity of Fort Lee down tin*
road toward Bergen. About one o'clock the next morning tlu-y
arrived near the town, where they halted, and threw out picket**
and patrols. Colonel Stuart, with his regiment, took post within
musket shot of Paulus Iloeck. In the morning the whole camp
was on the brow of the hill, east of the town, in full view of the
' Ricington's Gazfittf. Xov. '25, 1780.
184 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
enemy.^ The infantry spent the whole of that day in foraging,
as low down as Bergen Point. Here they were fired npon by
the enemy on Staten Island. But they unconcernedly loaded
their wagons with grain, and drove off the cattle. The people,
who were thus deprived of their property, received therefor cer-
tificates, which might " procure for them, at some future day,
compensation." Besides this, they were reminded that they had
" contributed heretofore very little to the support of this war,
and that what was taken * * * * does not amount to the value
of their taxes, "' * * * * which they could have paid in
no other manner, owing to their particular situation." But the
party did not confine themselves to foraging for the use of the
army. They used the occasion to pilfer from the people. For
this one of the soldiers was hung. This bold appearance, in
sight of the enemy, was considered by the Americans as an offer
of battle to the enemy, and they taunted him for not accepting
it. '^ We have done the same thing, precisely, as a man in
private life who has been injured, and who twits the felled w by
the nose, or shakes a cudgel over his shoulders, who abused him.
Clinton has behaved like the fellow who quietly submits to the
chastisement."^
The following jeti cVesjJrit. supposed to have been written
by Susannah Livingston, daughter of the Governor, shortly after-
ward appeared. It refers to this expedition of La Fayette, and
is a fair offset to Andre's " Cow Chase" :
" To THE Printer.
" Sir :
'' As the inclosed letter, which was intercepted coming from
New York, may possibly entertain some of your readers, it is
sent to you for publication. The writer will perceive that
proper care has been taken to conceal her name. I have only to
ask the lady's pardon for the few comments that are added.
—Atigust 30, 1780."
' The exact position was on the hill, immediately over the Jersey City cem-
etery, and around the " oude boom," or old tree, which stood between Magnolia
avenue and Henry street. This tree was cut down Dec. 20, 1871.
- N. J. Gazette, Sept. 6, 1780.
roFrrioAL account ok tmk k\ii>. 185
"Ni:\\ Vi.KK, Antjiixt'll, 1780.
•" We've {iliMost, sweet sister, Keen t'li^liteiied to dciitli.
Nor have we, as yet, quite reeuvered our l)reatli.
An Aiiiiy of rebels caiiie down t'other ni'dit.
Expecting no douKt tliat flie liritish would fi<;lit.
Next mornini; we saw tliem parade at the Hook,'
And thought, to he sure, tins was too nmch to hrook ;
That soon would the river be crowded with boats.
With Hessian and Eni^dish, to cut all their throats:
So we dressM in hiiih taste to see them end»ark,
Not thinking Sir Ilarrv would go in the dark :
To light a retreat, as seen in his letter-
He once used the moon — for want of a better ;
Much less, having sworn, that the rebels he'd maul.
Could it enter our heads, — he'd not go at all.
Tho' now T think (>n't. ere since Greene beat old Knyp,^
Not <^ne of lii> heroes have opened a lip.
Except to abuse them for fighting so well
AA'itli rirccne at tlieii" head — to find <[uarter> in h — 11.
— Ah ! Tabitha, these men can swear with such grace,
One can't 1)6 offended, tho' done to one's face.
All day I was hurried without knowing why.
Each moment exi)ecting to see them pass l)y.
The otHcers bowing, the drums in a clatter,
Their heads rising up, like ducks out of water.
Then glancing on nic w ith a ])assionate air,
Turn round to their men iV: most charmingly swear.
But why should they thus our soft bosoms alarm.
Should they <lo like their masters — where is the harm ?
' Paulus Hoeck.
■' The battle of Monmouth, where Sir Harry Clinton says that he tookadran-
(age of the moon. I .suppose that is wliat th«> lady allmles to It may Iw w»>n
enough, however, to set her right by .seying that he did not begin his retreat
till the moon had gone down, which, vulgarly speaking. wa.«» really to take ad-
vantage of the moon.
^ Knyphausen, comtnaiider of the He.it*ian8 at the battle of Springfield, near
Newark, June 23, 1780.
186 HISTORY OF HUDS02^ COUNTY.
Bat this was all vision, Tabitha, to nie,
Not an officer came, so ranch as to tea.
The Major himself, wlio has always some story
To lessen the worth of American glory,
Or ashamed to be seen, or else of the day,
Would not venture to cross me, tho' just in the way ;
But stopp'd, like one shot at, then whisked up a lane :
I'm sure the poor man felt a great deal of pain.
At length came the night, overloaded with fears.
And shew'd us on what we had leaned for live years.
The men who had wished for occasions for blows,
Now suffered themselves to be pulled by the nose.
Sir Harry it seems, was more sullen than ever.
And Andre, complain'd of much bile on the liver.
The Generals all met, as grave as magicians,
The magii of law, or the sagest physicians :
But all that was done, tho' they sat till near night,
Was to keep at their bottle — and not go to fight.
Pray tell me, what think you of these men in York,
Who formerly cross'd like a bit of dry cork,
When nothing was nedr but a regiment or troop.
As easily drove as a boy drives a hoop ;
But when that the rebels come close to their eyes,
Pretend not to see them, tho' thicker than flies ;
Let Washington's army do just what they please,
While they in their cliolic, would seem at their ease.
For my part, dear sister, I hate all conceit,
You know I love something that's solid to eat.
* * * -;•:- ****-;•£■ -k-
Seest thou, my good sister, where you are, these rogues,
Who fight us to death, without stockings or brogues.
They say a French Marquis commands, my dear girl.
Is it not the same, would have cudgeled an Earl ?'
* * * ^v- vf vf ■;■!• * * *
Lord Carlisle.
I
A'rrEMIT TO SKri'RK AKNor.I). 18i
But stop with this chittcr, what, wliat (h) I sav '.
Here's news tliat the rehels have all ^onc away;
At least they have inarchM to a j)lace called Fort Lee,
Twelve miles from the Alajor, and twelve miles trnm mr.'
* * * x- * -x- * * * *
From the time that Major Andn- was captured (Si-pt. '2'-i) un-
til he was executed (Oct. 1), Washinjjton was anxious to spare
his life. This could not he done, however, without some suita-
ble substitute. The people were clamorous; but he thouf^ht if
he could secure Arnold, and oflf'cr /rim as a sacrifice, the people
would be satisfied. He devised a plan to sound the British (Jen-
eral as to his willingness to exchange Arnohl for Andrr.
After the conviction of Andre, Washington sent to Sir Hmry
Clinton a letter, stating the finding of the court, together with a
letter from the prisoner. (Japtain Aaron Ogden,' a worthy ofli-
cer of the Xew Jersey line, was selected to bear these dispatches
to the enemy's post at Paulus Hoeck. He was requested to call
on the Marquis de La Fayette before his departure. The Mar-
quis instructed him to sound the commanding otticer at that
post (who was Ayres) whether Sir Henry Clinton might
not be willing to deliver up Arnold in exchange for .Vixin'-.
Ogden arrived at Paulus Hoeck on the same evening, Sejitcmlier
30, and made the suggestion as if accidentally, in the course of
conversation with the officer. He was immediately asked if
he had any authority from Washington for such an intimatit>n.
'* I have no such assurance from (General Washington," he re-
plied, " but I am prepared to say that if such a proposititm were
made, I believe it would be accepted, and Major Atidri' set at
liberty." Full of hope, the officer crossed the river during the
night and coramunieate<l the matter to Clinton ; Imt the |>rojM)si-
' N. J. Oazette, Sept. 6, ITW.
-' Subsequently Governor of New Jersey. He was the father of the late Judjjn
E. B. D. Ogden, who for a numlier of years presiiled at tlie <'irruit Court in this*
county, and the grandfatlier of Frederick B. Ogden, now of Hoboken.
188 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
tion was instantly rejected as incompatible with honor and mili-
tary principle.^
After Andre's execution Washington matured a plan to seize
the person of Arnold and bring him to the Jersey shore. The
object was twofold ; fird,^ to bring the traitor to punishment,
and second, to clear up suspicions of treachery which rested on
one of his generals.-
To get a man to carry out the delicate and dangerous enter-
prise, Major Lee suggested the name of John Champe, of Lou-
don County, Virginia, a sergeant-major in his command, full
of bone and muscle, with a saturnine countenance, grave and
thoughtful, full of courage and perseverance. Washington was
pleased with the qualifications of the man, and intimated that he
should be amply rewarded. The Major pictured to Champe the
consequences of success ; that he would be hailed as the avenger
of the people, and would bring to light new guilt, or relieve the
innocent. Champe's objections being finally overcome by the
ai'guments of Major Lee, he entered into the enterjirise, on condi-
tion that he should be protected if unfortunate in the attempt.
The first difficulty which lay before him was a successful de-
sertion. The patrols in the vicinity were numerous, and occa-
sionally extended southward beyond the Liberty Pole. Besides
these there were many irregulars, who sometimes scouted after
booty as far south as Paulus Hoeck. To make his desertion ap-
parently genuine, he could not receive any noticeable assistance.
Tiie only thing which Major Lee could promise was, in case his
departure should be discovered before morning, to delaj' pursuit
as long as practicable.
It was now nearly eleven o'clock in the evening of October
20, 1780. His course would be devious, in order to avoid the pa-
trols, and, comparing his watch with Major Lee's, he begged him
to delay pursuit, which he was convinced would take place. The
Sergeant returned to camp from his interview with Major Lee,
took his cloak, valise and orderly book, drew his horse from the
picket, and mounting him, pushed out into the darkness, trusting
^Irving's Washington, in., 148. " St. Clair.
JOHN (iiAMi-Ks i»Ksii:ri()\. Ih;»
to furtuiR". Within half an h..ui- Captain ( 'iinies iiifonncMl
Major Lee that one of his patrol ha.l fallen in with a dra^^'f.on,
who, beinf^ challen^'od, pnt spnrs to his h..r.s(! iiiul escaped. Lee
pretended not to nnderstand what had hcen said, and the cap-
tain was ol)lii,red to re})eat it. ** Who can the fellow 1m- i" >aid
the Alajur ; " a conntrvnian prol)ai)l\ ." •* \o," rcplie<l the eait-
tain, '* a dragoon sure; prohahly one from the arinv, if not one
of our own/' Lee ridienled the idea as quite impossible; for
durinn; the whole war hut one drap;oon liad deserted from the
legion. The eaptain withdrew and assend)led his s<puidron.
He soon returned. The scoundrel was known, and he was none
other tlian tlie sergeant-major, wlio had left with his horse, hag-
gage, arms and orderly book. The captain ordered a party to
prepare for pursuit, and then requested the Major's written
orders. Lee made numerous inquiries and suggestions during the
captain's remarks. I*resently the pursuing party was read v.
Major Lee directed a change in the eonnnanding otHeer. He
would liave particular t)usiness for the lieutenant in the morn-
ing. Cornet Middleton must command the J^arty. This caused
further delay. When the cornet appeared the ^lajor gave in'ni
instructions : •" Pursue so far as you can w ith safety Seigeant
Champe, who is suspected of deserting to the enemy, and has
taken the road leading to Paulus Iloeck. Ihing him alive, tiiat
he may suffer in the presence of the army ; but kill him if he re-
sists, or escapes after being taken." Detaining the cornet yet a
few minutes, advising him what course to pursjie, enjoining him
to look for the enemy, he dismissed him and wisiied him sucees.-*.
It was now a few minutes after twelve o'clock, and Champe
was over an hour in advance. The pursuing party was occasion-
ally delayed by examining the roads to find the tracks of Clmmpe's
horse. This was rendered the more easy, as a sh(»wer had falli-ii
soon after Champe's dei)arture. When the day broke Middleton
pressed on rapidly. Reaching the smnmit of the hill north of
the "Three Pigeons,'" he saw the fugitive not more than half a
mile in front. At the same time Cliamj)e saw his pursuers. Thi*
gave new wings to his flight, and a race ensued, like the ride of
Tam o' Shanter. From where Union Hill now is there was a
190 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
sliort route through the woods to the bridge over Mill Creek.
Here Middleton divided his force, some taking the near cut,
while the others followed the track of Cliampe. The fugitive
was not forgetful of the short cut, but avoided it, fearing he might
meet scouts returning from their nightly expeditions near the
enemy. Satisfied that Middleton would attempt to intercept his
fiiglit to Paulus Hoeck, he resolved to flee to the British galleys
lying in Newark bay, near Brown's ferry. These were there as pa-
trol boats to protect Bergen Neck. Entering the village of Bergen,
Champe followed the beaten streets, and took the road leading
to Bro.wn's ferry. Here Middleton lost track of him, but has-
tened on to the bridge over Mill Creek at Prior's mill. Reaching
the bridge, he found that the fugitive had slipped through his
fingers. AV^ithout delay he returned to Bergen, and inquired ot
the villagers if they had seen a dragoon that morning. They had
seen him, but could not tell with certainty whither he went.
Middleton then spread his party through the village to find the
tracks of Champe's horse. They soon found it, and with renewed
vigor started in pursuit. They descried Champe in the distance,
and he, with a Parthian look, beheld his pursuers. As he dashed
on he prepared himself for the final act. He lashed his valise to
his shoulders and threw away unnecessary inipedimenta. His
pursuers were gaining upon him, and by the time he got abreast
of the galle_ys were within two or three hundred yards of him.
Then quickly dismounting, he ran across the meadow, plunged
into the bay and swam for the boats, calling for help. This was
)-eadily given. The British fired upon Middleton, and sent a
boat to meet Champe. Thus he was safel}^ within the enemy's
lines, and they were fully satisfied of the genuineness of his de-
sertion.
Champe enlisted in Arnold's American Legion. He soon dis-
covered that the suspicions of other ofiicers being connected with
Arnold's treason were groundless. After much delay and prep-
aration he sent word to Major Lee to meet him with a party of
dragoons at Hoboken on a certain night, when he would deliver
up Arnold. The day named arrived. Lee, with three dragoons
and three led horses, was at the place appointed. The long.
KXri.'.\( 'Is lUii.M NK\V,->rAl'KKS. 1 '.» 1
anxious Iioui\s after iiiidni^^lit caiiic and wi-iil, l»iit hnnii^'lit no
Chaiiipe. no Arnold. Tlir ]ilans hail niiricarricd. On tlic pru-
cedini; dav Arnold had niovetl Ids hcadcjuartcrs to another part of
tlie city. Pool- Chanipecndnr-cd many hardships hefort* he could
I'ctnrn to his old conii'adcs. He tinally escaj)cd while sci-vinir
undci" Jjord Curnwallis at Petersburg-, Virfijiina.'
In connection with Ai-nold, it is said tliat one day Mrs. 'I'uors.
of I>cr<;cn. while attending market in New York, went into
'' l^)lack SauTs" liotel. Sam, under ])lcdi;e.s of secrecy as to the
source of her information, told her that a conspiracy existed some-
where in the Anicrican camp, foi- lie liad overheard the P»ritish
officers talkinp; about it. She tolil hci- brother, Cornelius \'an
Ivipen (t;;randfather of the present Cornelius C.) lie went to
Ilackensack and told General Wayne, M'ho sent the infoi-mation
to Washiufijton. The General ofiered to reward Van liipcn, l)ut
he said, '' No, I do not serve my countrv for money ; but 1 woidd
like, if I am captured, that General "Washington would protect
me.'' P>ut a few days afterward the treason of Ai-nold was dis-
covered.
" On Satui-day morning last the Itefu<;ce Post at Pjertren Point,
under command of Captain Thomas Ward, was attacked by a
pai-ty of i-ebel infantry and horse, consisting of about 200 men.
After receiving a smart fire from the artillery and muski'trv of
the Refugees, assisted by a cannonade from the gallics, they were
foi'ced to retreat.
"On the preceding night, as Caj^tain Frederick Ilauser, in the
Refugee gun-boat, was rowing guard, he met, near lirown's ferry,
with a detachment of the i-ebels in live boats, which it seems were
intended for the purpose of making good a retreat for tlie abovi-
mentioned party, in case they should hapjien to be prevented
from reti'cating by the way of ]>ergcn. Ij^on being hailed and
refusing to give an account of themselves, Caj>tain Ilauser im-
mediately fired upon them, when two of the boats struck, in
\vhich were made ]>risoners four (»f the Continental light infantry ;
the others on board had iuni]ied ashore and made their csca{)e.
* Lee's Memoirs, ii., 15!>.
192 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
One other boat was sunk, having, it is said, one killed and two
wounded left on board by the crew who deserted it,
"Mr. Charles Homfray, with two others and a boy belonging
to the Refugee party, who had landed some time before the rebels
were discovered, were taken by some rebel horse ; they were im-
mediately pinioned, and otherwise cruelly treated, according 'to
the usual custom of the rebels, when American Loyalists are so
unfortunate as to fall in their hands, in which cruelties they
are likely to persevere until a full and spirited retaliation shall
take place.
" An inhabitant of Bergen, named Yan Waggener, was taken
by the Refugees on his return from the rebels. He had gone,
after reconnoitering the Refugee Post, to give intelligence of the
situation. It is also said that the rebels have carried off Mr. John
Phillips, a quiet inhabitant, on a suspicion of his having been
friendly to our people."— A'. Y. Gazette and Weekly Messenger^
Oct. 16, 1780.
" The rebels on Satui-day burnt Colonel William Bayard's
New House and Barn at Castile, on the Noi'th end of Hoebuck,
and destroyed all the forage and timber to be found there to a
very large amount." — N, Y. Mermiry^ Aug. 28, 1780.
" Generals Washington, La Fayette, Greene and Wayne, with
many other officers and large bodies of Rebels, have been in the
vicinity of Bergen for some days past. They have taken all the
forage from the Inhabitants of that place. Their officers were
down to Prior's Mill last Friday, but did not seem inclined to
make any attack." — Same Paper}
1 In one of these visits to Bergen, Washington and La Fayette dined under
an apple tree in the orchard back of Hartman Van Wagenen's house, close by
the Bergen Square. This was blown down by the great gale of Sept. 3, 1821.
A pleasing reference was made to this incident when the Marquis visited this
country in 1824. On Thursday, the 23d of September in that year, he landed
in Jersey City. At Lyon's Hotel he was introduced to Governor Williamson
and others. Accompanied by a large retinue, he moved on toward Newark. At
the Five Corners the Bergen people had gathered in large numbers to do him
honor. He was presented with a superb cane, made of the apple tree under
which he and his chief had dined, elegantly mounted with gold, with this in-
scription : " Shaded the hero and his friend Washington in 1779 ; presented
CAITIKK AMI KXKriTIoN OV SIKI'IIKN IIAI.I.. 1HJ3
"Four Uot'uiieus that went itvcr to Socacus last Satunlay touk
three llehel otKeors, ami hroui^ht them to town yesterilay morn-
ing.*' — y. )'. }F' ri'iifij, S, j>f. Is, 17S0,
•• Ar.i,
"• Lo^ Ai. Ukki (JKEs
TiiAT aie in want ol enipluynuMit, and can Itiin;^ |)in|.L'r rertiti-
cates of their loyalty, and are willing to enter thenipelvi-s under
Captain Thomas Ward, now eommanding the imi)ortant post at
Bergen Point, will meet witii the I'reatest eneonragemcnt, hv
applying to Ca[)tain 1 Iomkk.w at the sign ot" the Ship, corner of
P^iir Street, Broadway." — Rivhujtoiin GazeW', J)e<.'. 2.'^, 1780.
On the 25th of Jannarv, 1781, six or seven tories, under com-
mand of Cornelius llattield, and known as Hafp'iiiVx p<ii'tij,
perpetrated a great outrage in the execution of^Stephen F>all, of
Railway. The unfortunate man had heen deluded l>y a declara-
tion of Sir Henry Clinton, then on Staten Island, that all per-
sons who would bring provisions to the Island should have
liberty to sell the same and return unmolested. Ball carried
over several quarters of beef, expecting to I'eturn undiscovered
1)V his neijxhbors. Soon after landinii; ou the Island, he wa.-
captured by Hatfield, plundered of his beef, ami taken l)efore
General Pattei'son. This officer refused to call a court-martial
by the Corporation of Bergen in 1824." It was accompiinitd by the follnwinir
address from Dominie Cornelison :
" Geneual : In behalf of my fellow citizens, I bid you u hearty and cordial
welcome to the town of Bergen, a place through which you traveled during our
revolutionary struggles for liberty and independence. .Associated with our
illustrious Washington, your example ins|)ired couragi' and patriotism in the
heart of every true American.
•'You, sir, left your abode of ease, aHluence and happiness, to endure the
hardships and privations of the camp. To enumerate your martiardintls is at
this time unnecessary ; yet they awaken and call forth our warmi>8t gratitudo.
As a tribute of esteem and veneration, permit me, sir, to ask the favor of your
acceptance of this small token of respect, taken from an apple tree under
wliich you once dined, and which once atfordt-d you a shelter from the piercing
rays of noonday ; and, although it possesses no healing virtue, may it still b*- a
support. And may you, sir, after ending a lift' of usefulness and piety, be ad-
mitted into the regions of everlasting joy and felicity." — >kntin<l of Freedom.
Sept. 28, 1824.
13
194 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
to try him, on tlie ground that he had not coniniitted ott'ence.
He was then taken before General Skinner, who also refused to
try a man who had brought them relief. Then Hatfield held a
raoek trial over him, under the pretence that he had injured one
of his party. The accounts of his treatment previous to execu-
tion greatly differ. The following account of the whole affair is
supposed to have been written by the Rev. James Caldwell, " the
rousing gospel preacher" :
"Then Hetfield and his party robbed Ball of what prop-
erty he had with him, took him to Bergen Point, and without
the form even of a trial, immediately told him he had but ten
minutes to live. Ball urged that he only went over with pro-
visions under the declaration ; and when he found they were
determined to take his life, he begged for a few minutes longer,
but his request was refused ; but if he had a desire tliat any
person should pray with him, one of their party should officiate.
When he was near expiring, James Hetfield, one of the banditti,
put a knife in his hand, and swore that he should not go into
the other world unarmed. His executioners were, Cornelius
Hetfield, John Smith Hetfield, Job Hetfield, James Hetfield,
sen., James Hetfield, jr., Elias Mann and Samuel Mann, all of
Elizabethtown, and Job Smith of Secaucus.
'" Ball's father obtained a flag to get the corpse of his son, but
was not suffered to land."'^
The refugees claimed the following to be a true statement of
the case, and which, without doubt, should be taken cum grano
■salis :
" He was taken to Bird's Point, and indulged with a fair
hciu-ing and regular trial before a court-martial, consisting of
Eleven members appointed for the purpose. Without hesitation
he confessed himself to be a spy, and that he came out of the
rebel lines under Col. Dayton's pass. It also appeared that Ball
had acted a principal part in the late tragedy of Thomas Long's
sufferings and death, and that he stripped Long of his boots and
'N. Y. Packet, March 1, 1781.
KXIKACIS IK(>M Nl:\VSf.\|-KU>. 1 '.>')
stockings, when he \\;i> wniiiidnl. |;,ill took piijior steepnl in
spirits, :ui<l dressed the woumls :m»l then set the jmper <»ii tire.
Jjonjj^ wti8 then driven a Innir distanee (his toes haviii;^ heen
c*rashcd with the butt eiul of a musket), put into a lio<j pen and
fed on corn. He was then put to death hy Uall and othei-s, as a
8]>v. Upon this state of facts he was coiuhMnned and exeented
as a sj)y.'"l
He is said to iiave been huiii:: on a small persimmon tree near
the tide mill on Constapel's Hoeck. After his death the rope
was ent and he fell into his <!;rave. His remains were afterward
removed to Newark.
At tlie close of the war, Cornelius Hatfield tied tn \ova
Scotia. In ISO", he returned, and was arrested for the crime.
He was broup;ht liefore .ludge Pennington on JIa1)eaH Corpnn,
and discharged on the 13th of October, 1807, on the ground that,
by virtue of the sixth article of tlie treaty of 17^;', he was not
answerable. '
'' A party of rebels came to, ami plundered Bergen last
Friday." — .V, }'. Mercvrij, Aj'fil 2, 1761.
" Last Friday night a party went from Newark and captured
two sloops lying near the Refugee Post on Pergen sliore, out of
which they took 8 prisoners, who were sent to Morristown." —
xV. Y. Packet, Aiuj. 30, 1781.
" On the 21st of August, 1780, Captain William Harding with
about 40 men of the Refugee post on Bergen Neck, went out as
far as Newark, and took four pris<mers and about 30 cattle,
whicli lie brought to Fort De Lancey.'' — Iil>'in</f(>n''f< (rn^ftte,
xYo. 511.
" Last "Wednesday night a party of Ward's plunderers fmm
Uergen Neck, came to the Neighborhood of Hackensack, where
they collected a number of cattle, which the inhabitants retook,
' N. y. }ferriirii, March 5, 1781. Tlie probability is stronjr tliiit tluTi" i» not
a word of truth in ibis atteini)tt'(l jii.ititicatidn. Lonp was a Ni-w .Ifn^r torr.
who was put to death in 1779.
■ Centind of Freedom, Oct. 21, 1H07. Counsel for the jirL-Jonor. Col. t)i;d.'n.
Mr. Chetwood and I. H. Williamson ; for the prosecution, Messrs. McNVliorter.
Van Arsdale and Ilalscv.
196 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
and killed and wounded several of the miscreants." — -iV^. -/.
Journal^ Sept. 5, 1781.
" On Wednesday evening last a party of eleven men under
Captain William Harding went from Fort De Lancey on Bergen
Neck to Closter, and captured a Rebel Guard of six men, and
fifteen cattle, and took them safely to the Fort." — N. Y. Mer-
cury^ Sept. 17, 1781.
In September, 1781, Prince William Henry, the third son of
George III., afterward William lY., then a midshipman under
Admiral Digby, arrived in New York. Among the British and
tories he was the lion of the day. The Refugees on Bergen
Neck, on the first of October, laid at his feet the following sub-
missive address :
" To His Royal Highness Pbince William Henry.
" We, his Majesty's dutiful and Loyal Subjects, the Refugees
stationed on Bergen Neck, beg leave to address your Royal
Highness (through the channel of our commanding ofiicer) on
your safe arrival in America. It is impossible for us to express
the satisfaction, that is visible in the face of every individual,
belonging to our small party, at so distinguished an honor, paid
to the loyal inhabitants of this continent, by the arrival of so
amiable and distinguished a character as the son of our Roval
Sovereign.
" The measures pursued by a designing, base set of men, early
in this unnatural contest, obliged us to leave our habitations, and
fly for safety to his Majesty's troops ; since which we have let
our persecutors (who meant our destruction) feel the effects of
our resentment ; and convinced them that we contended for
that, which every man at the risk of his life ought to defend.
" Therefore we flatter ourselves that your Royal Highness is
convinced of our sincerity, of our attachment to their Majesties,
and the Royal Progeny ; (which we are always ready to give
fresh proofs of,) praying for that day when rebellion may be
crushed, and peace established throughout this continent, and
his Majesty's Standard displayed triumphant by land and sea.
May Heaven protect your Royal Highness in time of danger.
i:\Ti; AC IS FUOM NKWSI'AI'KICS. ]?t7
and pciniit vou to rctiiiii crowiu^d with the hiurels of vii'turvt<>
your Tloyal Parents.
^^ Fort De Lancey on Berrjen Xcrh^ \}<t Octoh'r, IT^^l."
Thiri acKlic'ss \va>s iirenciitcd to the I'riiicf hy Major 'r..iii Wanl
and his officers. Through Admiral Digby, the I'riiiee replii-d :
" Comm.\nd.\nt's IIousk,
'• .\<>r York, Od. 3, 17.S1,
''The liumble aihlrcss of liis Majesty's dutiful and loyal Suh-
jeets, the liefuuees stationed on Uergcn Xeek, has heen received
bv his Royal Iliiihncss.
" His Royal Highness has seen with jilcasnre the loyal Senti-
ments contained in the address, ami lit ar Admiral Digby will
take care to make them known to his Majesty.
"Robert T)I(;i!Y.
" To the CommandlrKj Ojficer of thr Loi/nJ
Refugees stationed on Bergen ^?«"/'."'
"Last Thursday sennight Captain I'aker Hendricks with a
party of mou in whale-boats went down Newark r>ay lU'ar the
Kills, where he boarded and stripped two wood-boats and took
one prisoner; and on Thursday night last, he landed a small
party of men on Bergen Neck, near the Refugee Post, where he
took two prisoners; and on his return took three noted villains."
—K. J. Journal, Dee. 12, 1781.
" Last Thursday morning a detachment of tiie Jersey Brigade,
under Captain Bowmay, who were joined by a party of Militia,
went across the sound on the ice to the Refugee Post on I'ergen
Neck, where they captured three of the miscreants, one of whom
was of a sable hue ; they bayonetted the negro, who refused to
surrender.'^ No artifice could induce them to sally out ; therefore
no other trophies were obtained than those above mentioned."
— X.J. Journal, Feb. 13, 1782.
The following is a tory account of the same atiair :
' liiciiigton's Gazette, Oct. 6, 1781.
■' Jaspi-r Zabriskie saw this nr^rro three days afterwanl (Toinf; over the river to
New York, apparently all right.
198 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
" On Thursday morning before sunrise, two hundred Rebels
from a New Jersey Brigade, attacked Fort De Lancey, com-
manded by Major Ward. They had meditated the attack for
some time and lay for two nights upon their arms. The ad-
vanced sentinel, a negro, was bayonetted. They were driven
off. They then formed in three columns on the ice, were again
attacked and fled."— iV^. V. Mercury, Feb. 11, 1782.
" Fort De Lancey, If arch 31, 1782.
" The night of the 29th instant, a party of rebels came down
from Newark and landed at Bergen Neck, took seven prisoners
who lodged in houses along the shore. The commanding officer
sent a party to intercept them, and coming to the whale-boat
almost simultaneously, the party hailed the rebels and were
tired upon, and at that time not knowing that they had any of
our men along with them, returned the fire, killed two of our
own men that were prisoners and wounded two others. One
rebel was killed and two mortally wounded." — Rivington^s
Gazette, No. 573.
" April 20, 1782.
" We are informed that it was Lieut. John Buskirk of Lieut. -
Col. Buskirk's Battalion of the New Jersey volunteers, who went
from Staten Island to Second River, and at Schuyler's House,
captured Sir James Jay."^ — Ihld, No. 580.
About the first of September, 1782, Fort Delancey on Bergen
Neck was evacuated and burned f and on Saturday, October 5,
Major Ward with his despised and motley crew of Refugees
embarked for Nova Scotia, carrying with them implements of
husbandry, one year's provisions, and the undying hatred of all
Americans.'^ From this time until the close of the war, Paulus
' A brother of John Jay, and a member of the State Senate of New York.
■^ N. J. Journal, Sept. 11, 1782.
^ Ibid, Oct. 9, 1783. The patriots who had suffered at the hands of their tnry
neighbors rejoiced at their exile, and in song sneered at their future home :
" Nova Scotia, that cold, barren land,
Where they live upon shellfish and dig in the sand."
r.MI.lS nOKCK KVACUATEI). V.VJ
Iloec'k was tin* nuly t'ootliold which the Hritish hiid in Xrw
Jersey. From this iM.iut tliey contimicd to torugc over tho
county and i-aid into adjacent parts.
Tlie enemy evacuated Paidus Iloeck on the 'Jiid (hiy (»f Xo-
veniber, 178i5.' On the 25th tliey evaeuateil Xcw York, and u
few days afterward Wasliin<i;ton passed throu<;h the Iloeck on
his way to liis home at ^[ount Vernon. Peaci; once more
smiled upon an atllicted hind.
'Jroing's Washington, ic, 4.38.
CHAPTER YIII.— DiELs.
The Duel ground at Weeliawken — Duels between Aaron Burr and Jolin B.
Church — Goerge 1. Eacker and Price — George I. Backer and Philip
Hamilton — John Langstaff and Oliver Waldron — Augustus Smith and
Archibald M. Cock — De Witt Clinton and John Swartwout — Richard
Riker and Robert Swartwout — Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton —
Isaac Gouverneur and William H. Maxwell — Benjamin Price and
Major Green — Stephen Price and Captain Wilson — Commodore Perry
and Captain Heath — William G. Graham and Mr. Barton — Henry Aitken
and Thomas Sherman.
Perhaps the most interesting spot in the County of Hudson,
around whicli, in spite of its horrors, fancy loves to linger, is the
Duel Ground at Weehawken. Before the iconoclastic hand of
enterprise had touched it, tlie whole region round about was
charming beyond description. Just south of the bloody ground
was the wild ravine adown which leaped and laughed the Awie-
haken.^ Immediately above was King's Point, or " Highwood,"
boldly looking down upon the Hudson. From this height still
opens as fair, as varied, as beautiful a scene as mortal could wish
to behold. The haze-crowned city, the bright, broad, tranquil
river ; the long reach of waters down to the Narrows and beyond ;
the vessels at anchor, or flitting around the harbor ; misty, blue
Staten Island — the Hamels Ilooftden of the Dutch — swelling up
from the lower bay ; the opposite shore lined with a forest of
masts, while over and beyond the restless city, sparkles and
widens the East Eiver. This beautiful but fatal spot, in the
early part of the century, strangers coming to New York were
sure to visit. It is now partly destroyed by the construction of
the Fort Lee Railroad. Its location was two and a half miles
above Hoboken. The rocks here rise almost perpendicularly
' This creek took its rise in the swampy ground near Guttenbergh, flowed
southwardly to Union Hill, thence down to the Hudson. At an early day
Nicholas Bayard had a mill on this stream. Winfield's Land Titles, 37.
200
i>ii:i.s Ai \vi;i;iiA\vKKN. 201
to OIK' liundrctl and liltv feet ahovc tliu ri\cr. I inlrr tlieso
liei^lits, ahoiit twenty feet above the water, (»n a ;;ras.sy shelf
about six feet wide, and eleven i>aces loni;, reache<l by an alniosit
inaccessible flii;:lit of steps, was the dark and blotjdy i;n»nn(l.
The old cedar which sheltered tlic jilatcau when Hamilton fon<:ht
was there until about tV'ur years a<^o. 'Jhe sandstone boulder
aii'ainst which he fell was about the same time removed tn the
ti>]) (if the hill, where it n<iw lies. The ground was singularly
siThiilc(1 fi-oiii inquisitive neiijhbors and mediUesome ofhcial>.
A\'itli no jiatli loadini; to it alonji; the river or from the heijxhts,
its only ap{)roach was by boat. About oni'third of a mile below
stood a little tavern, where occasionally the cond)atants would
breakfast on their way to the i^round. In the early ])art of this
century Captain Deas owned the ])roperty, and resided on the
hill immediately over the fatal s})ot. lie was a ])eace man.
Whenever he scented a duel, he wouM hurry to the ground,
rush in between the parties, and by his fiuaviter in modo or for-
i'lter in re, heal their wounded honor and establish jieaco.
An account of some of these duels in their order will be inter-
estiui; to the general reader, who, it cannot be doubtctl, will re-
gret that the challenged party had not the courage to say of the
challenger, what Ctesar said of Anthony :
" Let the old rufSan know
I have many other wavs to die."
Aako.n JUuk and Juu.n J5. Ciiikcii.
Colonel Burr fought his tir.-t duel on the 2d of September,
1700. There was a bit of scandal afloat throughout the State of
iS'ew York that, for legislative services rendered, the Holland
Company had canceled a bond held against Burr for s-Jo.noO.
Mr. Church,' who was a brother-in-law of General Hamilton,
and sympathized with that eminent man in liis dislike of Burr,
spoke at a private table in New York, with much freedom of the
' Church lived in Robinson street. N. Y. The funeral ot Hamilton was from
his house.
202 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
existing rumor, and apparent belief in the truth of the charge.
This was reported to the victim of the slander.
Condemn the practice of dueling as we may, there are offences
against personal reputation for which society has not furnished
a remedy. The good name, dearly earned and prized above
rubies, may be lost without deserving by the foul breath of the
backbiter and slanderer ; and where is the remedy ? It is not
necessary that he render himself open to an action at law ; a
shrug of the shoulder is sufficient to start on its career the lie
that shall bowl down a dozen reputations. Contradict it, do you
say ? Why, the strongest proof of the total depravity of the
human race is found in the fact that nine-tenths— is it put too
high ? — of the community would believe a lie rather than the
truth. Let the slander go, say you; it cannot liurt a solid reputa-
tion. Why, the brighest steel may be tarnislied with a breath.
Upon this subject, one can readily believe that an intelligent
man might soon argue himself into a belief that dueling, under
certain circumstances, would not be such a Imd thing after all.
Certainly one effectual method of silencing slanderous tongues
would be to subject the head in which it rudely wags to the dam-
affing: effects of a well-aimed minie.
For this slander Burr sought about the only redress which
such a vile crime affords — he challenged the slanderer. The
challenge was accepted ; Mr. Hammond acting as the second of
Mr. Church, and Judge Burke of South Carolina as the second
of Colonel Burr. The parties, attended b}^ their seconds and a
surgeon, met on the duel ground at Weehawken on Monday
evening about sunset. Mr. Barton says that connected with
this duel was an incident which furnished the town-gossip with
a joke and a by-word for many a day. Before leaving home
Colonel Burr had been particular to explain to his second that
the balls were cast too small for his pistols, and that chamois
leather, cut to the proper size, must be greased and put
around them to make them tit. Leather and grease were put
in the case with the pistols. After the principals had been
placed at ten paces apart. Burr noticed his second vainly endeav-
oring to drive in the ramrod with a stone, and at once suspected
l»li;i,S AT W K.KIIAWKKN. 20;i
tliat the ijroasc had been fuvirotteii. A moinent iift<»r, thr i»i8ti>l
\v;i> liunded to liiiii. With that siti'jular coolness which he wnn
wt>nt to exhibit at critical inoinents, he dit-w the raiiimd, felt
the ball, and t.>ld the jiidi^e it \va> not home.
'* 1 know it," r..|)lied the second, wipiiii^ the perspinitiun troni
his face. "'I for<jjC)t to jj^rease the leather; but you .hih", your
man i> ready; don't keep liini waitini;. dust take a crack as it
IS, and I'll i^rease the next."
At the word, shots were cxchaiii^ed, without any othei- efiect
than that the bail tVoiu ^[r. C'hurch's pistol passed through
Burr's coat. The pistols were about beinf^ reloaded for a second
shot, when Mr. Church made an apolo<;y which was acceptai)le
to Burr's second, whereupon the i>rincipals shook hands, and
returned to the city.*
Eackek and Price — Eacker and 11 amhion.
George I. p]acker was born at Palatine, in the State of New
York. At the time of the following event lie was twentv-seven
vears of age, a promising member of the Xew ^ ork Par, and in
politics a sympathizer with Colonel Burr. Price, a friend of
Mr. Hamilton, is supposed to have been a son of Stephen Price,
lessee of the Park Theatre. Philip Hamilton was the eldest
son of Alexander Hamilton, and in the twentieth year of his age.
On the 4th of July, 1801, Eacker had pronounced an oration in
the city of New York, which was commended by nearly every-
body, and would have been by all, only for the party spirit,
which at that time was very bitter, and blinded one to every
virtue in an opponent. On Friday evening, November l'o,
I8t)l, Mr. Eacker. in company with Miss Livingston and othei-s,
occupied a box in the Park Theatre. In an adjoining box were
voun<r Price ami Hamilton. Thev made some ironical remarks
about Eacker's Fourth of July oration, which seemed to l>e in-
tended for the ear of the voung huly. Eacker looked Jinmnd,
^Pmton't Life of Burr, 240. CeiUinel of Freedom, Sept. 10, ilM.
204 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
and saw Price and Hamilton lano-hing'. The foUowino; account
of what happened between this time and the meeting at Wee-
hawken was written by Mr. Lawrence, a young gentleman who
went to the theatre with Mr. Eacker, and accompanied him
through every stage of the controversy :
" He took no further notice of their conduct, but joined im-
mediately in conversation with his party, and made use of every
means to prevent its being observed by them that he was the
subject of ridicule to the gentlemen behind. Immediately pre-
ceding the pantomime, the box being full, Messrs. Hamilton and
Price, leaving the opposite side of the house, again intruded into
the box occupied by Mr. Eacker and his party. At the moment
of entrance, they commenced a loud conversation, replete with
the most sarcastic remarks upon Mr. Eacker. Their manner
was more indecent, if possible, than their conversation. Mr.
Eacker himself, thus pointedly the object of contempt and ridi-
cule, and his name being mentioned aknid, could no longer sus-
tain the painful sensation resulting from his situation. He
determined to leave the box, and remonstrate with Mr. Hamilton
privately, in the lobby. As he stepped into the lobby with his
back toward Messrs. Hamilton and Pi-ice, covered with agitation
and shame to be thus treated, he exclaimed, ' It is too abomina-
ble to l)e publicly insulted by a set of rascals I ' ' Who do you
call danmed rascals ? ' was the immediate inquiry, repeated again
and again. Mr. Eacker felt anxious to avoid a brawl in a theatre,
and observed to the gentleman that he lived at No. 50 Wall
street, where he was always to be found. ' Your place of residence
has nothing to do with it,' was the reply. Upon this, some per-
sons observing an intention, as they supposed, to assault Mr.
Eacker, and desirous to prevent a disturbance in the theatre,
stepped before the gentlemen, and with difficulty prevented
their approaching Mr. Eacker. Mr. Eacker then requested them
to make less noise, and proposed retiring to some private place.
On the way to the tavern, Messrs. Price and Hamilton peremp-
torily insisted upon Mr. Eacker's particularizing the person to
whom he had applied the appellation of rascal. Mr. Eacker
DlKt.S Al W KIIIAW KI:N. SO'i
demaiulecl of theiii, ' w/iet/wr thcij fK/nf hitit the hoj' nu pnrpnse
to Insult hlrn." 'That is nothimj to the pnrpose^^ wa.s the rt-plv.
' W>' insist upon ijour pat'ticnlarizinij the person yon jneant to
tHstin(juish by the uppeUittion of rascal. ' '/>/'/ ijttu mean to
insult me f again rL'[)eatcd Mr. I'^ackcr. ' W'c insist upon ;i
direct answer,' was reiterated. ' Wril then, vcii an- both rascals.'
Upon leaving the lumse, ^^e^srs. Price and Hamilton ciinductrd
tiieinsclves in sncli a maiuuT as would inevitaMy, if continned.
have drawn the attention of persons in the street. Nfr. Kacker
said, ' (rentleinen, you had better make less noi>e ; I shall ex-
pect to hear from you.' " I'liat you shall/ was the inimediate
reply. Mr. Backer returned to the theatre, and had not been
there long before he received a message from ^[r. Price, request-
ing him, in very laconic terms, to appoint his time and iilacc of
meeting." — -Am. Citizen <{; A<h\ Xo. o'iO, enl. ii.
Mr. liumilton, on the same Friday night, called on Mr. I )avid S.
Jones, who consulted John B. Church, the uncle of young Ham-
ilton. They framed a message to .Mr. Eacker, re(juiring an ex-
planation of the offensive expressions he had used to Hamilton.
This was delivered to Eacker about half-{)ast eleven o'clock on
I'Viday night, in the presence of Mr. Lawrence. No explana-
tion was given, but Mr. Eacker said that after tiie affair with
Price was over, he would receive any communication froin
Hamilton.
On Sunday, Novend^er 22, 1801, at twelve o\-lock, noon,
Eacker and Price, accompanied l)y their seconds, Mr. Lawrence
and James Lynch, met at Weehawken. They exciianged tiiree
shots, without effect, when tiie seconds interposed. The parties,
however, wished anotlier shot, and agreed that after that they
would shake hands. The fourth shot was had without etl'ect,
and a reconciliation ensued. Price remarking that Eaekei- was
such a damned lath of a fellow that he might shoot all day to
no purpose !
As soon as young Hamilton ascertained that the atl'air with
Price was over, between one and two t»'clock on Sunday after-
noon, he renewed his commuiucation to Mr. Eacker. On Mon-
day, November 23, ISOl, about tiiree o'clock in the afternoon.
206 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
tlie parties, accompanied by their seconds, Mr. Cooper, tlie actor,
in behalf of Eacker, and David S. Jones in behalf of Hamilton,
met at Weehawken. After the word had been given, a pause
of a minute, perhaps more, ensued, before Mr. Eacker dis-
charged his pistol. He had determined to wait for Hamilton's
fire, and Hamilton, it is said, reserved his fire, in obedience to the
commands of his father. Eacker then leveled his pistol with
more accuracy, and at the same instant Hamilton did the same.
Eacker fired first, but almost simultaneously with Hamilton.
The latter's fire, it is said, was unintentional, and in the air.
The ball from Eacker's pistol entered Hamilton's right side, just
above the hip, passed through his body, and lodged in his left
arm. He was immediately taken over to the city, where he
died the next moi-ning at five o'clock.
Eacker died of consumption in 1804, and was buried in St.
Paul's churchyard, near Yesey street.
Langstaff and Waldron. — SMrrn and Cock.
These duels were fought on the I25th of December, 1801, at
Weehawken, though the papers of that da}' speak of Powles
Hook. This place and Hoboken were spoken of indiscriminatel}'^
in the Eacker and Hamilton duel, when we know that it was
fought at the regular dueling ground. From the Daily Adver-
tiser of Monday, Dec. 28, 1801, the following is taken :
" In consequence of a difterence arising between Mr. John
Langstafi'and Mr. Oliver Waldron, Jun., of this city, they met
on Friday afternoon at Powles Hook, accompanied by their
seconds, when, after exchanging two shots, the matter was ami-
cably settled ; but the seconds, Mr. Augustus Smith and Mr.
Archibald M. Cock, having some dispute on account of the
ground, they exchanged shots, when the latter received a slight
wound in the face." These parties were mere striplings, not
over twenty years of age.
On the same day the following leading questions were put to
the young duelists in the Spectator :
I
Dl Kl.S Al WKJ.IIAWKK.N. I'n7
" Ist. What was tlie caut^e that i^ave rise to no serious a mode
of settliii*,' a (litVereiice^ Is this the new and fasliionalde wav of
honor; or wh\ could it not have been setth-d without ex(dum;;inp
shots ^
•' 2d. What wa^ tlie dilhrence lii'tween the .-eeond.^ re^jteetin^
the «:;roiind ; and <lid the eaijer and ti<^htin^' appetites of the
prineij)als insist oji tightiiiii- without having the ground settled?
" 'Si\. Did von not tight at 7 n'clock in the evening — and was
not tlie niglit so dark you could not see eacli other at ten vards'
distanced A. W."
From the ahovc it will ho noticed that the information respect
ing the innuediate facts and circumstances of the duels were
meagre even at the time. It is the same, to a greater or less
extent, witli all the duels of which an account will l)e jriven
The reason is that they were in violation of a positive law, al-
though sanctioned aiul demanded l)v society. Thouirh under
this demand the law was dead, yet it had sufficient terrors to
induce the covering up of facts connected with this mode of heal-
iniT wounded honor.
r>
Cr.INTON AND SWAKTWOUT.
John Swartwout was a })olitical friend ot Colonel Uurr, and
De AV^itt Clinton of (reneral Ilannlton. Around these last two
names seemed to cluster all the ])i)litical likes and dislikes of that
day. In a nioment of forgctlulness ^Ir. Clinton had usi-d certain
language concerning Mr. Swartwout, which called forth the fol-
lowing letter :
'•Mi:w YoKK, 25/// Ju/i/, l3ni>.
''Sik: I am infoiMued that you have lately, in a conversation
held at Mr. Ezekiel liohins's, taken very unwarrantable liberties
with my character, permitting yourself to use expressions rela-
tive to me too gross to be repeated. From your character aiul
standing in Micicty, I [>resume you will not hesitate to recognize
or disavow these charges, and if true, to make me a prompt and
suitable reparation.
208 IIISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
" I have made uiy friend Col. Smith acquainted with my feel-
ings and expectations on this subject ; at my particuhir request he
does me the lionor to present this. He will receive your answer,
and act accordingly.
" I have tlie honor to be, Sir, yours, &g.,
*' John Swartwout.
" The Hon. De Witt Clinton, Esq."
Colonel Smith delivered this letter on the morning of the 26tli.
Mr. Clinton asked what the expressions were to which objection
was taken. Colonel Smith replied, Llai\ Scoundrel and Ylllaln.
Mr. Clinton said he recollected having applied the first two to
Mr. Swartwout, explained how he came to use them, but refused
any apology. The following is his letter :
" New York, Juhj 26, 1802.
" Sir : Having understood that you have, on various occasions
and in relation to the controversy respecting Mr. Burr, represent-
ed me as being governed by unworthy motives, I liave, without
hesitation, affixed to such suggestions such epithets as I thought
they merited.
" With regard to the conversation that took place at Mr.
Robins's, it was predicated upon a full conviction that this s^'S-
tem of conduct had been adopted by you. As you have not
thought proper to detail, in your letter, the expressions attributed
to me, but have referred me to Col. Smith for them, he will in
the same way inform you of those which my recollection recog-
nizes.
" I have only to add that any further arrangements you may
think proper to make will be attended to by me, with all the
promptitude which a regard to the circumstances of the case may
require.
" I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
" De Witt Clinton.
" John Swartwout, Esq."
On the same (Monday) night Mr. Clinton sent for Richard
Riker, who called the next morning and consented to act as Mr.
Clinton's friend. Mr. Riktr called upon Colonel Smith on Wed-
hi i:i.> A I w i;i II \\\ KIN. •_()'.;
nesdiiv iiiMiniiio; at ten .I'l-lock. Tlu'V a;^rci'(l that the 'Miiisim'sn
lui^hr !»(.' uiiiicalilv adjnstfii."' Mr. IJikcr wrote out tlif fnllou-
" If Mr. Swartwoiit will lU'chire that In- lias rmt represeiitc'd
Mr. Ciintttii, in relati<»ii to tlu? i-untruMTsv rospcctiii<r Mr. Hiirr,
as beiii<^ ^overne<l \>y iiiiworthy inotivcs, Mr. ('lintoii will declare
that housed the e[>ithots with respect t<» Mr. Swartwout, t>n/i/ in
coiise<|ueiu'o <»t" this supposed imputation, which heiiif; disavowed
by Mr. Swartwoiit, he (^Fr. CMiuton) readily withdraws the epi-
thets coiiiplaiiit'd ot, and as a i^^entleinan ajioloj^izes for the use of
theui. These mutual declarations to be made in the j)reseiice of
Col. Smith and Mr. Hiker, and a written statement, signed by
Col. Smith and Mr. Riker, to be exchanged."
This proposition was submitted to ^Ir. Swartwoiit, and by him
rejected, and tlie following was declared to be the only apoloL'y
acceptable. It was sent to ^fr. (iiiiton for his signature : *
'' navin<^% in the course of a conversation, ma(.le use of e.\{>res-
sions reflecting on John Swartwout, Esq., I do fully and freely
withdraw those expressions as intemperate aiul unfouiuled, and
request Mr. Swartwout to accept this apology from me for having
used them."
Mr. Clintoti peremptorily refused to sign anything of this kind,
and nothing remained but to settle preliminaries for a meeting of
the parties. At one o'clock on AVednesday, July 28, 1802, Col-
onel Smith and Mr. Riker met at Mr. Little's, on the 2l)tli select-
ed the place of meeting, and on the 30th agreed upon the follow-
ing
" x\KIiAN(;EMKNT.
" 1. To leave this Island from different points in two boats
l)recisely at 5 o'clock on Saturday P. M., and to jn-oreed to the
place proposed. The party first arriving will wait the landing
of the other : each boat shall be rowed by four contidential per-
sons onli/, who shall remain in their respective boats until called
for. These persons are not to be armed in any manner whatever.
There will be but seven persons in each boat, viz., the Principal,
1 (
210 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
his Second, one Surgeon, and four Oarsmen. The Surgeons may
attend in silence on the ground.
'" 2d. The distance between tlie parties to be ten yards, measured
by tlie seconds, and the i;)ositions shall be distinctly marked.
" 3d. The seconds shall determine by lot the choice of position.
" 4th, The pistols are not to exceed eleven inches in the barrel.
They are to be smooth bores, and to be loaded by the seconds in
each other's presence, showing a smooth ball.
" 5th. The gentlemen will stand with their backs to each other
at their respective stations, and in this position shall each receive
a pistol, and the seconds having determined by lot who gives the
-word, he to whom the lot falls shall take his position in the centre,
retired from the line of fire, and shall distinctly say : ' Attention,
gentlemen — To the right face'' — upon which the}' shall face to the
right and fire with promptitude; if one fires before the other, the
opposite second shall say, 'One, two, three, fire,' and he shall fire.
" 6th. The left hand shall not be brought in support of the riglit
arm, nor be placed on the right breast or side.
" 7th. If either should be wounded before he has fired, and
means to fire, he shall, if he can stand unsujjjwrted, be entitled
to his shot, and not otherwise. If either has fired, is wounded
and means to proceed, he shall receive no assistance ; his second
will only exchange the pistol. If he falls forward the second
will repost him.
" 8th. At the exchange of pistols correct positions are to be
resumed, and the words given as in Article 5.
'' 9th. A snap or flash to be considered a fire. The pistol must
not be recovered.
" 10th. Neither party to quit his station without the order or
consent of the two seconds.
"R. RiKEU,
"W. S. SMrrn.
" New York, July 30, 1802."
With such positive and strict rules and regulations did the
parties solemnly proceed in their innocent way of adjudicating
the difference " 'Twixt tweedledum and tweedledee."
DUEr.S AT WKKIIAWKKN. 211
At the time agreed u]><>ii tlic |)arti<'s, :iee<)iii|)iiiiic(| liy I)«icturs
John II. DouLjhiss iiml Isaac Ledyanl, left t'<>i- tli<- Jersey .shore.
There the seeoncls tos.^ed n\) tor ])ositioii ami wlm should ^ivetiie
word. I'oth were won by C(»IoiieI Smith. There i.s some ditier-
enee between the seconds as to what occurred after this, and
therefore both of their statements are given. Mi'. liikerRays:
"The ])arties havinir theii- ]iositions, (^ol. Smith gave the
worils distinctly, as he did iireceding each succeeding tire. They
tired without eti'ect. ^fr. Clinton then requested me to ask Mr.
Swartwout — which I did tlnoiigh Col. Smith — whether he was
satisfied, declaring at the same time that he bore him no resent-
ment, and would lie willinu' to meet Idm on terms of their oriir-
inal friendship. Mr. Swartwout declared he was not satisfied.
The pistols were again loaded and delivered to the gentlemen.
They turned at the word and tired, as before, without etiect. The
same declarations were made by Mr. Clinton, and the same ques-
tion j)ut, the answer being as l)efore. The pistols were a third
time loaded, and upon the words, \[/te/)f'ofi, <ientbm<n^ ])eing
pronounced by Col. Smith, I observed Mr. Swartwout turning,
and he was nearly round l)efore Col. Smith had pronounced the
words, ^to the rif/htface^" upon which I >aid, ' stop.'' He paused
a moment, and tired a little before Mr. Clinton. I remon>trated
against it immediately after, and requested Col. Smith to inform
Mr. Swartwout that it must not he repeat*'^!. I observed that
Mr. Clinton had been shot through the coat, and then said to
Mr. Swartwout through Col. Smith, and by request of Mr. Clin-
ton as before, ' Mi-. Clinton has no ennn'ty to Mr. Swartwout ; he
is sorry that this disagreement has happened, and is willing to
bury all in oblivion : that he was shooting at a man whom he did
not wish to injure.' < )n asking whether he was satisfie<l, the an-
s>ver was no, nor wouM he be until the apology was made which
had been demanded A certificate was then ]>resented to Mr. C.
by Col. S. Mr. C. read it, handed it back, .saying he wouhl
sooner fire all night than ask his pardon. The parties again took
their stations, with noticeable coolness. The word was given, tiie
gentlemen fired with more deliberation than usual, Mr. C. rather
after Mr. S. His ball took effect, upon wliich Mr. S. immediately
212 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
called for another pistol. While the pistols were being reloaded
the blood flowed profusely from the wound in Mr. S.'s leg, and
he looked pale. His snrgeon, Dr. Douglass, went to him, and it
is said quietly extracted the ball from the other side of his leg.
This was contrary to the 7th article of the code adopted by them,
and unbeknownto Mr. Riker. When the parties were again ready,
Mr. S.'s looks prompted one of the surgeons to remark, ' Mr.
Swartwout requires a surgeon,' whereupon Mr. Riker begged
Col. S. to repeat to Mr. S., ' Sir, are you satisfied ? Mr. Clinton
bears you no resentment. He is sorry for what has passed, and
will meet you on the score of original friendship.' Mr. S.,
standing in his place, replied, ' I am not ; it is useless to repeat
the question.' Then said M;-. C, ' I beg you all to bear witness,
I have no enmity to Mr. Swartwout, and I am compelled to shoot
at a man whom I do not wish to hurt ; but I will sign no paper
— I will not dishonor myself.' The word was then again given,
the parties fired, and Mr. C.'s ball again took effect. Mr. S.
coolly said he was ready to take another shot. Preparations were
being made to load the pistols, when Dr. Ledyard, calling from
the bank, said: 'J//\ Clinton. donHjire again ; Mr. Swavticout
loants our assistance.'' Whereupon Mr. C. stepped toward the
bank and asked, ' Will it be right to fire again ?' Dr. L. said,
' No, by no means.' Mr. C. then asked Mr. Riker what he ought
to do. His second, reflecting a moment, said to Col. S. : ' Mr.
Clinton shall not fire again.' Mr. S. was then assisted into the
boat, Mr. Riker supporting him on the right side and Dr. Ledyard
on the left."
Colonel Smith's statement is as follows :
" The ground being correctly measured and intermediate ques-
tions adjusted, the gentlemen took their stations, were each pre-
sented with a pistol, and, by order, facdd to the right and fired,
ineftectually. At the request of Mr. Riker I asked Mr. Swart-
wout: 'Are you satisfied, sir V He answered, ' I am not.' The
pistols then being exchanged, and their positions resumed by
order, the gentlemen faced to the right, and fired a second shot
without eft'ect. At the request of Mr. Riker, I again addressed
DUELS AT WKKIIAWKKN. 213
Mr. Swartvvoiit : ' Are V(Hi siitislicil, sir?' Ilr :iiiswcre(l stroiu'lv
in the iioi^^iitivi'. We pmcceded, and a tliiid shut was oxehaii^^ed
without injury. At the request of Mi-. Kiker, I a^'ain asked Mr.
Swartwout : ' Arc you satisfied, sir T lie answered : ' I am not ;
iieitlior shall 1 he until that apology is nuide which T have de-
manded. I'ntil then wc must j)rocecd.' I then presented a paper
to Ml'. Rikcr (•ontainin^• the apujofjy demanded for Mi". Clinton's
si<i-iiariirc, ohserviuii; that we eouhl not spend i>ur time in e..nver-
sation ; that this ))a})er must he siorned ^r pinci'ed. ^Ir. ("jinton
declare*! he would not sin;n any jiapcr <>n that subject; that ho
liad no anim<jsity against Mr. Swartwout ; would williuijly shake
hands, and ao;ree to meet on the score of formei- friendship,
"Mr. Swartwout insisting on his sigiuiture to the apolo<ry, and
Mr. Clinton declinintr, they stood at their posts, and fired a
fourth shot. Mr. Clinton's ball struck Mr. Swartwout's left leg
about five inches below the knee ; he stood ready and collected.
At the request of Mr. Kiker, I again addressed Mr. Swartwout :
' Arc you satisfied, sir i ' lie answered. ' It is useless to rej)eat
the (juestiou ; my determination is fixed, and I beg we m&y
proceed.' Mr. Clinton repeated that he had no animosity
against ^Ir. Swartwout; was sorry for what had })assed ; pro-
posed to advance, shake hands, and bury the circumstance in
oblivion. During this conversation, ^Ir. Swartwout's surgeon,
kneeling by his side, extracted a ball from the ojjposite side of
his leg.^ Mr. Swartwout standing erect on his i)ost, and posi-
tively declining anything short of an ample apology, they tired
the fifth shot, and Mr, Swartwout received the ball in the left leg,
about five inches above the ankle; still, however, standing
steadily on his post, perfectly conijiosed. .\t the request of Mr.
Riker, I again addressed Mr. Swai-twout : "Arc you sati.sfied,
sir?' lie forcibly answered, '1 am nut, sir; ]n-oceed.' ^Ii-.
Clinton then quit his station, declined the combat, and declared
he would fire no more. ^Ir. Swartwout expi'essed himself sur-
' While Dr. Douglass was performing tliis oix-nition, the .second.'* wrre at tho
pistol cases. Colonel Smith turned around and paid, " Doctor Dou^jiass. what
do you do there, sir V go away, or you will be shot."
214 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
prised that Mr. Clinton would neither apologize nor give hiin
the satisfaction required ; and addressing me, said, ' What shall
I do, ray friend ? ' I answered, ' Mr. Clinton declines making
the apology required, refuses taking his position, and posi-
tively declares he will fight no more ; and his second appearing
to acquiesce in the disposition of his principal, there is nothing
further left for you note but to have your wounds dressed.' The
surgeons attended, dressed Mr. Swartwout's wounds, and the
gentlemen, in their respective barges, returned to the city.'''
It was said that after the last shot, and while Mr. Swartwout
was sitting on a stone bleeding, Mr. Clinton approached him,
offered him his hand, and said, " I am sorry I have hurt you so
much." Then turning to Colonel Smith, he said, " I don't want
to hurt him, but I wish I had the principal here. I will meet
him when he pleases." He had reference to Aaron Burr.
Hiker and Swartwout.
Richard Hiker, at the time Deputy Attorney-General of the
State of New York, afterward liecorder of the city, and known
as Dickey Riker, and Robert Swartwout, a brother of Samuel,
Collector of the Port under General Jackson, fought a duel at
AVeehawken, on Monday, JSTovember 21, 1803. The cause lay
in a political quarrel — Riker being a firm adherent of De "Witt
Clinton, and Swartwout a strong personal and political friend of
Colonel Burr. Riker fell at the first fire, from a severe wound
in the right leg. The wits who subsequently edited " The
Croakers " refer to this combat in the following irreverent
lines :
" The Riker. like Bob Acres, stood
Edge-ways upon a field of blood,
The where and wherefore Swartwout knows,
Pulled trigger, as a brave man should,
And shot, God bless them — his own toes."
These two parties were indicted in New York for duelings
Novem.ber, 1804.
IXKI.S Ar UKKIIAU Ki:.\.
r>\ \iU AM) II WIll.rnN.
Ar last [hv two political rl,i,.ftain> ..f N.-w V,,i-k aiv ahoiit \,,
meet in mortal eoiiil)at. 'rinir full., wits, at iiitrrvais fm- the
past five years, juul met and f..n-Iit to settle [...litical aii.l jter-
sonal (litreri'iicej;. N.,\v Weeliawken is to witness the last meet-
iii<j of the riwil leader^, aii-l on lirr m.-ky shore tliey part
-one
DUEL <iKOUND.
to liis ^n-ave, the other to he a fui^itive on the earth. The duel
was fought on the mornini:^ of July 1 1, 1S(I4. It arose, or rather
a pretext for it was found, in what may he ealled the tattliiii; of
one Dr. Cliarles D. Cooper. For political purposes, he had re-
ported that he "could detail a st/// tnore dexpir^hh opinion
which General Hamilton had crp/'i's-f't/ of Mr. I»urr." What-
216 HISTOKY OF IIUDSOX COUNTY.
ever this silly remark may have meant, it was the cause of the
controversy which followed, and which ended in the untimely
death of a truly great man.
As soon as this expression of Cooper was brought to Burr's
attention, he, ripe for a quarrel with his great rival, called upon
General Hamilton for " a prompt and unqualified acknowledg-
ment or denial of the use of any expression which would war-
rant the assertion of Dr. Cooper," and selected William P. Yan
Ness as In's friend, to deliver liis letter. Hamilton replied on the
20tli of June, but it is manifest that he could not be held
responsible for Dr. Cooper's inferences. On the 21st, Bui-r
rejoined as follows :
" Siii : Your letter of the 20th instant has been this day
received. Having considered it attentively, I regret to find in
it nothing of that sincerity and delicacy which you profess to
value.
" Political opposition can never absolve gentlemen from the
necessity of a rigid adherence to the laws of honor and the rules
of decorum. T neither claim such privilege nor indulge it in
others.
''The common sense of mankind affixes to the epithet adopted
by Dr. Cooper the idea of dishonor. It has been publicly applied
to me under the sanction of your name. The question is not
whether he has understood the meaning of the word, or has used
it according to syntax, and with grammatical accuracy ; but
whether you have authorized this application, either directly or
by uttering expressions or opinions derogatorj' to my honor. The
time 'when' is in your own knowledge, but no way material to
me, as the calumny has now first been disclosed, so as to become
the subject of my notice, and as the effect is present and
palpable.
" Your letter has furnished me with new reasons for requiring
a definite reply."
Mr. Yan Xess delivered this letter. Hamilton told him that
he considered it rude and offensive, and unless it were recalled,
tlie only answer which it was possible for him to make was that
DUELS A I WKICllANVKKN. 217
J//', /ii/r)' )iiiist tiiki' Niif/i sttjtN Its III m'nj/it thiiik j)r(>ji*'r.
^^('vortliclcss, lie i'c|)li((l in writing as follows;
'* Sii: : "^'oui- tii^t letter, in a style j)ereiii])torv. iiijuU- a «le-
iiiaiid. ill my opiiii'iii. iiiipreut'dciitcd and imwarraiitahlf. My
answer, point ini; out the emban-assnicnt, <^ave you an o|ijior-
tunity to take a less excoptit>nal)le course. You have not clioscn
to do it ; hut by youi- last li'ttcr received this day. (•(Hitainin'r
e.\i>ressions indecoroiis and iinjirojier, you have iMcreascil the
ditficiilties to explanation intrinsically incident to the tiaturc of
your ai>plication.
"If by a 'definite iv])ly' you mean the ilireet avowal or dis-
avowal I'eijuired in youi' first letter, I have no nthei' answer to
give than that which has already been given. If you mean any-
thing <liflerent, admitting of greater latitude, it is recjuisite yon
should e\i>lain."
This letter was delivered to his friend, Judge Nathaniel Pen-
dleton, who had been Aid-de-Camp of General < li'cene, on the 22d
of June, but by reason of certain conversations l)etwcen him aiul
Mr. \'an Xess it was not delivered until the 25th. P>efore the de-
livery of this letter ^fr. Van Ness had addressed a note to (Tcneral
Hamilton asking him •' when and where it would be most con-
venient to receive a communication.'' It will be seen, therefore,
that Colonel lUirrhad resolved on extreme measures before Gen-
eral Hamilton's second note was delivered to him.
Pending the negotiations previous to the delivery of the letter
of the 22d, Judge Pendleton submitted to ^^r. Van Ness tlie fol-
lowing paper, whif'li shows how far(ieneral Hamilton was williiiLT
to concede :
" General Hamilton says he cannot imagine to what Or. Cooper
may liave alluded, unless it were to a conversation at Mr. Taylor's,
in Albany, last winter (at which he and General Hamilton were
present). General Hamilton cannot recollect distinctly the par-
ticulars of that conversation, so as to undertake t«^ rcjieat them,
without running the risk of varying or omitting what might be
deemed important circumstances. The expressions arc entirely
forgotten, and the specific ideas imperfectly remembere<l ; but to
218 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
the best of his recollection it consisted of comments on the politi-
cal principles and views of Colonel Burr, and the results that
might be expected from them in the event of his election as Gov-
ernor, without reference to any particular instance of past conduct
or to private character."
After tlie delivery of Hamilton's second letter, Judge Pendle-
ton submitted another paper, dictated by the same kindly spirit :
" In answer to a letter properly adapted to obtain from General
Hamilton a declaration whether he had charged Colonel Burr
witli any particular instance of dishonorable conduct, or had
impeached his private character, either in the conversation alluded
to by Dr. Cooper, or in any other particular instance to be specified,
he would be able to answer consistently with his honor and tlie
truth in substance, that the conv^ersation to which Dr. Cooper
alluded turned wholly on political topics, and did not attribute
to Colonel Burr any instance of dishonorable conduct, nor relate
to his private character ; and in relation to any other language
or conversation of General Hamilton wliich Colonel Burr will
specify, a prompt and frank avowal or denial will be given."
These propositions being unacceptable to Colonel Burr, a cor-
respondence between the seconds followed. Finally the formal
challenge was given by Burr and accepted by Hamilton. The
parties prepared for the meeting, which was to be on the 11th of
July. Hamilton executed his will, and signed cogent reasons why
he should not light a duel. His own good judgment, his keen
sense of moral right, his obligations to his family, his duty to his
country and to the requirements of the law, all united to convince
him that he had no right to jeopard his life to the demands of a
false sentiment. But louder than all these the public voice called
upon him to meet his foe in mortal combat, and he, wdio had
faced death on the battle field, had not the courage to refuse.
Burr, on tlie night of the 10th, wrote several letters — one to his
Theodosia, the pride of his heart — and then lay down and slept
till morning. Better for him had that sleep been his last — better
for him had that morning never dawned. At daybreak a few of
his friends gathered around him. Shortly afterward they pro-
DI KI.S AT WIKIIAU KK.N. -I!'
ceedcd from Burr's lioiisc. No. ;>'> I'.ntitiun, now l-'iiltmi street, to
the shore, where Burr, Viui Niss, Matthew I,. I)avis {i!nl aimthii-
(probably Swartwout) etnl)arkc(l, and wert- rowcil over to Wce-
hawkrn.' They arrived on the sjjround about halt"-j»ast six o'clock,
for it had been previously aj^reed that he shoidd arrive tirst.
]>urr and Van Ness, with coats utl", were leisurely renioviui; tlu-
underbrush from the "ground, " so as to make a fair opening;,"
when Hamilton and his second, accompanied liy I )r. llosack,
who had been mutually ai^reed ui)oii as the surgeon, arrived a few
minutes before seven o'clock. Thr jirincipals and their secoiuls
exchanged salutations, and the seconds proceeded with the usual
preparations. They measured tlie distance, ten full paces, then
cast lots for the choice of position and to decide who shoidd give
the word. The lot in both cases fell to General Hamilton's
second, who chose the upper end of the ledge for his principal.
The pistols were then loade<l in each other's presence and the
principals placed, Hamilton looking over the river toward the
city, and Burr toward the heij^hts under which they stood, d udgc
Pendleton gave Hamilton his pistol, and a>ked :
'' Will you have the hair-spring set ?"
*'xVb^ this time,"' was the quiet reply.
Judge Pendleton then explained to the parties the rules which
were to o-overn them in Urini;-. which were as follows :
•' The parties being placed at their stations, the second who
gives the word shall ask them whether they are ready : being
answered in the affirmative, he shall say Present ; after this the
parties shall i>resent and fire when, the;/ please. If om* tires before
the other, the ()i)posite second shall say, ' One, two, three, tire.*
and he shall then tire or lose his fire."
He then asked if they were prepared. Being answered in tlie
atlirmative, lie gave the word Pres<nf, as had been agreed on,
and both parties presented and tired in succession. The inter-
vening time is not expressed, as the seconds do not precisely
agree on that point. The tire of Colonel Burr took efl'ect, and
' Wilson was one of the rowers.
!^20 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
General Hamilton almost instantly fell, his pistol going off invol-
nntaril}'. Colonel Bnrr then advanced toward Hamilton with
a manner and gesture which to Judge Pendleton seemed to be
expressive of regret,^ but, without speaking, turned about and
withdrew, being urged from the field by his friend, shielded, as
it is stated, by an umbrella, with a view to prevent his being-
recognized by the surgeon and bargemen, who were tlien ap-
proaching. Colonel Burr entered his barge and returned to the
city to hreahfast !
When Hamilton fell his second immediately sprang forward
and lifted him to a sitting posture. The ball had struck the
second or third false rib, and fractured it about in the middle ;
it then passed through the liver and diaphragm and lodged in
the iirst or second lumbar vertebra. Dr. Hosack says: "His
countenance of death I shall never fors^et. He had at that instant
just strength to saj^, ' This is a mortal wound, doctor,' when he
sank away and became to all appearance lifeless. His pulses
were not to be felt, his respiration was entirely suspended, and
upon hiying my hand upon his heart and perceiving no motion
there, I considered him as irrevocably gone. I, however, observed
to Mr. Pendleton that the only chance for his reviving was imme-
diately to get him upon the water. We therefore lifted him up
and carried him out of the wood to the margin of the bank,
where the bargemen aided us in conveying him into the boat,
which immediately put off." Before they reached the opposite
shore he revived. He survived until the next day about two
' Burr was considered a good shot, and he is said to have remarked on the
afternoon of the same day, by way of apology for firing a little below the
breast, that had it not been forsmol^e or a rising momentary mist, or something
of that nature, which intercepted his vision, he should have lodged the ball
exactly in the centre of Hamilton's heart. N. Y. Spectator, July 38, 1824.
When in England, in 1808, he gave Jeremy Bentham an account of the duel,
and said he was sure of being able to kill him ; and " So," records Bentham, "/
thought it little better than a 7nurder." Sabine on Dueling, 212. Such was the
view held by the grand jury of Bergen county. That body indicted him in
November, 1804, for murder. On November 20, 1807, this indictment was
quashed by the Supreme Court, on motion of Colonel Ogden. Centinel of Free-
dom, Nac. 24, 1807.
DfEI.S AT \VI' r.lI.WVKKN. Z_ I
o'clock in the at'teninoii, wlicn lir died, in ihr t'orty-i'i.i;litli year of
his age.
Iiuinediately after tlio duel :i (|iu'sti»>n arose as to llamilton's
firiiiiT — whi'tlu'i' it was intent ional i>r nut. 'I'he next dav Jndi'e
Pendleton and a friend went ovei- to the ground to see if they
could discover sonic traces of the course of the hall from Hamil-
ton's pistol. They ascertained that the i)all passed thniu<^h the
limh of a cedar tree^ at an elevation of about twelve and a half
feet from the ground, hetween thirteen and t'ourteeii teet ti-om
where Hamilton stood, and about four feet wide ol the direct
line between him and ("ol.mel Burr on the right side.
A few months after the duel the St. .\ndrew's Society, of
wdiich Hamilton was president, erected a monument to his mem-
ory on the ground where he fell. It was surrounded with an
iron railing, and while it stood was visited by thousan«ls every
summer.
It was intentionally dc.-^troyed abuut the year 1820. The
monument seemed to arouse in the people of New York a spirit
of emulation. A writer in Tlie CoJumhlan, o\\ ■\\\\y 13, 1>>1.'»,
who signed himself '' IIohokkn," wrote of the existence of Hamil-
ton's monument, and said. " It is a .-ubject of complaint to the
citizens in the vicinity, and a standing absurdity and outrage
on the morals, manners and feelings of society. Wy the perni-
cious effect of a conspicui>us example, the young and chivalrous
are invited to combat and feel a degree of vain glory in measur-
iiiir firround on the snot where that great man fell from all his
glory and usefulness, and furnished a bloody beacon to posterity,
which should be at least shrouded from the light of day. Now-
adays the boats arrive from your island in bn.ad daylight,
the combatants take their stand on each side of the (»minous
iiiomnnent, and before the inhabitants can reach the sjHit the
mischief is done, and the xnfortiniaie survivors hurried otV, too
soon to ba arrested by the gathering neighborhood. Such is the
sensation, I understand, excited by the use of this nioUeru
' This tree was destroyed when tin- Nlw York and Fort Ia-o Kailroad was con-
structed.
222
HISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Aceldama, that it is not to be expected tlie pillar will lono- retain
its station, it being considered as a baleful nuisance, not a ves-
tige of which should be suffered to remain on the earth. But
for the eminent cause of its origin, I should be almost as willing
to have a gallows near my house."
With such a feeling growing in the community, it could not be
expected that the m.onument would long survive. Stansbury,
who visited the place August 20, 1821,i says, " The monument
Al
ifff^L!'
T'-'MjII
-F" E L L , '^iiiililS;ii*;^5SK,
Julv 11- IS o^*>l|»#f$i|?
EXAJv D E R Ham iltoSt!
^'Of their affectionate Regard !l©ll''!M,i,,;
to bis AIeiTiory__^ ^ '
and of tlieir cleep rej^ret
i:^^:^:.,.. u
LI
11/
.'i!i:i ;'vi„
-"^
^ the ,jSp^j<j ^JVett YORIC,
■■""''''' have erectea y:^Mi^'.-. !i , ii\,
FAC-SIMILE OF THE TABLET IN HAMILTON'S MONUMENT.
that was erected here to the memory of General Hamilton is
now taken to pieces by the proprietor of the soil and conveyed
to his house, under pretence of its having been too much resorted
to for purposes of dueling." From this language it is inferable
that the removal was then compai-atively recent. Captain James
Deas was the OM'uer of the property at the time, and Avas the
person who removed the monument. By some means the slab
^Pedestrian Tour, 14.
Dl i:i> AT W I'lll.WVKKN. -J'J."?
which hure the inscri])tioii was takt'ii trum (Captain Di-as's i«>s-
i?essioli. About tlic vt-ar 1838 ]Vri-. Ilui^h ^^axw('ll, President of
the St. Andrew's Society, h ;niic(l tliat it had heen seen in a junk
shop in New Ymk. Tie traced it iiji, rcdct'im-d it fmni its iijno-
ble positinii and pri'si'UttMJ it \i> the late .lanic- <i. K'iiitr. who
abont that time iiad hecoiiii' the (»wiier of the property on winch
tlie inonuMient had been erected. The tabk't still remains in
possession of his family at IIit(hwood. It is thirty-fonr inches in
lenijth by twenty-six and a halt inches in width and two and a
half inches in tlnckness.
(tOUVERXEUK AM) M A XWKLI,.
(h\ Monday, duly 10, 1815, tlie xsew York papers announced
the death, "after a short illness,'' ttf Isaac <4ouverneur, the second
son of Nicliolas (Tonverneur. This death, followiiii; a " >hort ill-
ness," was caused by a duel between him and William 11. Max-
well on Saturday, the 8th of Jidy, about seven o'clock in the
evening. It was fought with ])istols, " near the monument of
Hamilton, a beacon which shoidd dissuade and <leter, like the
pillar of salt, from folly and madness, rather than allm'e, like an
if/nis fatuiis, to rashness, error ami destruction." (Tcorge
Watts and Doctor Worthiuijton wi-re the seconds in the duel.
Price anmi (trken.
Benjamin Price was a grocer at lihinebeck, a brother of Wil-
liam M. Price, who lived in Ilackensack, and of Stephen Price,
of the Park Theatre. Green was a major in the Pritish army,
serving in Canada. Price was at the theatre one evening with a
beautiful woman, when (Jrecn, in an adjoining box, took the
liberty of turning around and staring her full in the face. She
coniplained to Price, and, on a repetition of the oti'ence, lie turned
and seized the nose of the gallant othcer full between his finger
and thumb and wrunir it most ertectuallv. The otheer left the
224 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
theatre, and soon after a knock was heard at the door of Price's
box. He opened it, and there stood tlie officer, who, with a
refreshing simplicity, asked Price what he meant by snch beha-
viour, at the same time remarking that he had not meant to insult
the lady by what he had done. " Oh, very well," replied Price,
"neither did I mean to insult you by what I did." Upon this
they shook hands as sworn brothers. Some time after this
Green went to Canada to join his regiment. The facts of the
afi'air, however, had reached Canada before him, and were soon
the subject of discussion among his comrades. The officers of
his regiment brought it to the notice of his brother officers, one
of whom, a Captain Wilson, insisted that Green should be sent
to Coventry unless he returned to Xew York and challenged
Price. Green, thus goaded, set to work and practiced for five
hours a day until he could hit a dollar at ten paces nine times
out of ten. He then came to New York and challeuffed Price.
They fought at Weehawken on Sunday, May 12, 1816, Price
was killed at the first fire. The ball crashed into his head and
the blood streamed from the wound as he fell. Numerous boats
lined the shore, a number of spectators viewed the transaction
from the neighboring rocks, and a more horrible sight could not
have been imagined. The seconds ran off, and Green took a
small boat, crossed the river and boarded a vessel in the bay just
about to sail for England. The body of Price was found at
Weehawken, with a piece of paper attached to his breast, on
which were inscribed the following words : " This is Benjamin
Price, boarding in Yesey street. New York ; take care of him."
The body was taken to the city quietly and buried.
As a sequel to the foregoing duel, Millingen, in his History of
Dueling^ relates the following :
"Some years afterwards, Captain Wilson of the British army,
whom we have mentioned above, arrived in this city, from
England, on his way to Canada, and put up at the Washington
Hotel. One day, at dinner, the conversation turned on the
death of Benjamin Price, and the manner thereof. Captain
Wilson remarked that he had been mainly instrumental in
DUKI.S Al' U KKIIAW KK.N. 2'jr»
hriiii!;!!!^;- aliotit the diit'l. ami detuiled tlii' (;ireiimstjincort con-
nected tlierewitli. This stjitenu-nt was ciirried iinnicdiiitidy to
Steplit'ii I'ricc, will) was Iviiiij,- ill of the ^unt, at hoinr : hit;
tViends say tiiat he hcncetortli implicitly oheyed the instructions
of the physician, obtained tlierehy a short cessation of the j^'out,
and was enabled to liohMe out of doors, Ids U)Wer extrendties
swaddled in tlaiuiel His first course whs to seek the Washin^'-
ton Hotel, and his first in([uiry was, 'Is Captain Wilson within '/
' He is,' said the waiter. * Show nie to his room,' said Stej»hen.
and he was shown ac('ordini;-ly. He hol)l)led up >tair:' with<:;reat
ditticulty, cursing at intervals the gout and the captain with
ec^ual veiiemence. Uc at last entered the ca|)tain's mom, hi>
feet cased in moccassins, and his Invnd grasping a stick. Captain
Wilson rose to receive him, when lie said, 'Are you (Japtaiii
Wilson ( ' • That is my name," replied the gallant captain.
•Then, sir, my name is Ste})hen Trice. Vou see, sir, I can
scarcely put one foot before the other ; I am attlicted with tiie
gout. My object in coming here is to insult you. Shall I have
to knock you down, or will you consider what 1 have said a
sufficient insult, and act accordingly ^ ■ N'o, sir,' replie<l the
captain, smiling, '1 shall considei' what you have said tjuite
.-ufHcient, and shall act accordingly. Vou shall hear from nu-.'
" In ilue time, there came a message from the (Japtain to
Stephen Price; time, place and weapons wi-re appointed, and
early one morning a barge left New York, in which were .seated,
face to face, Stephen Price and Captain Wilson, and two friends ;
they all landed at Bedlow's Island, the principals took their posi-
tions, and Captain Wilson fell dead at the first shot. The cap-
tain was buried in the vault there, and Price ami the two .seconds
nturtied to New York ; but his friends (Wilson's) thought that
he had gone suddenly to Canada, and always thought that he
had died suddenly, or had been killed on iiis way to England to
join his regiment."
PeKRV AM) Hk.vth,
Oliver H. Perry, the hero of Lake Erie, was post-captain in
1.")
22G HISTORY OF Hudson county.
the navy of the United States, and John Heath was captain of
marines. While on duty in the Meditterranean, in 1815, a quar-
rel arose between them. In the moment of excitement Perry
struck Heath. A court-martial followed the difficulty, tind both
were privately reprimanded by Commodore Cliauncey, who
commanded the American squadron in that sea. After their
return to the United States, Heath sent a challenge to Perry.
The communication was received in Ehode Island, where the
civil authorities would not permit the duello. Commodore Perry,
as early as January, had secured the services of Commodore
Decatur as his friend, in anticipation of the challenge. On the
lOtli of October he went to Washington, to give Captain Heath
the satisfaction he demanded. The absence of Commodore
Decatur rendered it necessary that he should have another
friend for a time, that Captain Heath might be informed of his
arrival, and for what purpose he had come. -This was done, and
the following preliminary arrangements agreed u])on between
Major Hamilton, on the part of Commodore Perry, and Lieu-
tenant Desha on the part of Captain Heath :
" 1st. It is understood that Commodore Perry is to proceed to
Philadelphia, or its vicinity, by the route of Baltimore, where
he is to remain until the arrival of Captain Heath's friend.
" 2d. That Captain Heath is to proceed by the way of Freder-
ick and York to Philadelphia, and to I'emain in the suburbs
until the arrangements are made for a meeting between himself
and Commodore Perry — his name not to be on the stage bills.
" 3d, Lieutenant Desha and Major Hamilton are to meet at
Kenshaw's, on Wednesday, after the arrival of the Newcastle
boat.
" -tth. The meeting between Commodore Perry and Captain
Heath is to take place on Saturday morning, or as soon after as
practicable.
" Washingt07i City, Oct. 12, 1818."
Endorsed on this preliminary arrangement was the following
note:
" Captain Perry desires it expressly to be understood, that in
DUKL.S AT WKKIIAWKK.N. *227
uccurdinj^ to Captain 1 Ii-atli tin; pcrsnnal ,>iiti.sf"iiilii)ii hi- lia.-> *\v-
mandc'd, he has bL'i'ii iiitluLMiL-ud ciitiri'ly hy a (sense of what he
considers ihie from hiiu as an atonement to the violated rides of
the service, and in it hy any consideration of the (daims which
Captain Heath may have for making such a (Usmand, which he
totally denies, as such claims have been forfeited hy the measures
of a public character which Captain Ibatli has adopted towards
him. If, therefore, the civil authority should produce an impos-
sibility of a meeting at the time and ])lace designated, of which
he will take every ])recaution to prevent, he will consider him-
self absolutely exonerated from any responsibility to Captain
Heath, touching their present cause of ditt'erenco.
" J. IIamii,ton, Jun.
" (For Caj)tahi Pernj),
" AlM'KOVEI)
Pi. M. Dkmia."
In consequence of the foregoing, the parties assembled at
Philadelphia, and Major Hamilton then transferred the above
memorandum to Commodore Decatur, introducing to him at the
same time Lieutenant Desha as the friend of Captain Heath,
when the followini; arrangements were made :
'' 1st. It is understood that Captain Perry and his friend are to
proceed to New York, or its vicinity, where he is to remain untd
the arrival of Ca]>tain Heath, or until the period which is named
in^tliis paper for their meeting.
'• 2(1. That Captain Heath, with his friend, are to follow and
remain at some convenient point on the Jersey shore, near the
city of Xew York, and to give information after their arrival to
Captain Perry's friend, where such arrangements will bo made as
may be deemed necessary.
" 3d. The parties to be on the point specified, and the notifica-
tion required by the 2d article given, prior to the approaching
Monday, the 19th.
" The parties accordingly met at Weehawken on Monday, Octo-
ber 19, 1818, at 12 o'clock. Captain Perry received the tire of
Captain Pleath without returning it. when Commodore Decatur
22S IJISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
immediately stej^ped forward and declared that Commodore
Perry had come to the ground with a determination not to return
the lire of Captain Heath, in proof of which he read a letter from
Commodore Perry to him, which he had written (and which is
herewith subjoined), soliciting him to become his friend, and,
therefoi-e, he presumed the party aggrieved was satisfied. Cap-
tain Heath having expressed his acquiescence in this opinion,
and that the injury be bad received from Captain Perry was
atoned for, the parties returned to the city.
" We do hereby certify the foregoing is a correct statement.
" Stephen Decatur,
" K. M. Desha."
LErrER OF COMMODORE PERRY.
" Washington, January 18, 1818.
" My Dear Commodore : You are already acquainted with the
unfortunate aflair which has taken place between Capt. Heath
and myself. Although I consider, from the course he has thought
proper to pursue, that I am absolved from all accountability to
him, yet, as I did, in a moment of irritation produced by strong
provocation, raise ray hand against a person honored with a com-
mission, I have determined, upon mature reflection, to give him
a meeting should he call on me ; declaring, at the same time, that
I cannot consent to return his fire, as the meeting, on my part,
will be entirely as an atonement for the violated rules of the ser-
vice. I request, therefore, my dear sir, that you will act as my
friend on this occasion.
" Yery truly your friend,
" O. H. Perry.
" Com. Stephen Decatur."
Thus fortunately terminated this unfortunate quarrel between
these two worthy officers.
Graham and Barton.
William G. Graham was associate editor of the New York
DUELS AT WEKIIAWKEN. 22fJ
Courier and Inquirer, and a native of Catskill. Mr. I5:irtnii \va>
a son of the celebrated Di-. Hartoi), of I'liiladolpliia. Tlie duel
was fought at AVceluiwken on Wednesday, Xoveinber 28, 1S27.
It is said that a dispute arose hctwecn them while at the canl
tal)le at a friend's house, in the course of which (Irahaiii stru<-k
I'arton. A challenge was the coTise(iuence, Lewis Ashury and
W. McLeod acting as seconds, and J)ocr(»r R. Pcniiell as surgeon.
The night before the meeting Mr. (ii-aham wrote the followiui;
letter to his associate, Major Xoah :
'■ 1 1 o'clock.
" Dkak SiK : What may he the result of the uuhai)iiy rairantri
which is to take place in the morning between Mr. l'»arton and
myself cannot, of course, be predicted by tne. In the supposition
that it will he fatal, I bid y on fareirell, in the only language that
is now left to me. I am perfectly inditl'erent as to my.self, but I
trust most earnestly that Mr. Barton (toward whom I have not
the faintest enmity oiany kind) may escape. / admit that I ant
in the wrong — that, by giving him <i blow, I have forced him into
the condition of a challenge ; and by not doing what he has he
would have blasted his character as a gentleman forever. In com-
mon justice I am bound thus to al>solve him from all suspicions
of unbecoming conduct respecting the challenge. The provcx'a-
tion, though xlight^ was still a provocation which I could not over-
look. It is out of the question for me to explain, retract or a|>ol-
ogize. I will not hear of any settlement short of some abject and
craven submission from him.^
"Mr. Barton is a talking. man, who dwells very complacently
on his own skill as a marksman, on his ex|)erience as a duelist,
and on his accuracy as a person of ton. I ]>retend to none of
these, and therefore must oppose the mo.st inflexible obstinacy.
After he i8^;t'7;A't'r^/// .sv///.s//'<y/, I may, perhaps, apologize — that is,
in case I am fatally wounded. It is needless for me to say I
heartily despise and detest this absurd mode of settling disputes
' It is probable that Mr. (trahain intPiidod to say. " lb- will not iu'arot any
settlemt'ut sliort of some abject ami cravt-n submission from ute."
230 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
and salving the wounds of honor. But what can a poor devil do
except bow to the supremacy of custom ?
* * * * * * *
" God bless you.
"W. G. Graham."
Here we see a nian of fine genius and noble impulses, who,
like the talented Hamilton and the gallant Perry, could coolly
stand before the cannon's mouth, yet yielded like a child to the
omnipotence of public sentiment. How perverted must be that
society which, while it condemns dueling, yet shuns and spurns
the man who refuses to acc€i)t or send a challenge when he is in-
sulted. And how weak and ineffectual are laws for the preven-
tion of crime, when those crimes are approved by public senti-
ment.
On the fatal day Graham arose at four o'clock in the morning,
and both parties were on the ground at twenty minutes before six-
o'clock. The principals took their positions, and at the word
exchanged shots without effect. Mr. Graham's second proposed
that the parties each advance one step. At the second fire Gra-
ham said, " I arii shot — I am a dead man — Barton, I forgive you,"
and fell. He was immediately conveyed to the boat in waiting.
When laid down, the only words he uttered were, " I am in great
pain," and died a few minutes afterward. The ball had entered
the right side, about two inches from the umbilicus, and passed
obliquely through the body, injuring in its passage several im-
portant organs, and coming out on the left side about four inches
from the spine.
The certificate of the cause of death, which Dr. Pennell gave
the next day, is quite unique : " I hereby certify that William
Graham, aged 34 years, died on the 28th inst. of vulnus."
AlTKEN AND S HERMAN.
On Monday, the 19th of October, 1835, Henry Aitken and
Thomas Sherman met on the ground at Weehawken. On the Sun-
day evening previous they had a difficulty in New York respecting
DUKLS Al \VKi;ilA\\KKN, 231
a female, which resulted in a chalieni^e on the part of Sheniiaii.
Tills was accepted hy AitUeii, .ind ten ci'd.ick on the folluwiiiir
morning was Hxed upon as the hour to decide the matter in dif-
ference. Mutual friends endeavored to reconcile the «litHcultv,
hut in vain. On >[ondav morniiiir they crossed the Ilohoken
ferry and went to the ground. Hefore the i)reliminaries were
settled, Andrew Boyd, a constahle, arrived and arrested them.
They were hrought before Stjuire Paradise, in Jersey City, who
committed them to the Hackensack jail to await the action of the
grand jury.
On Tuesday I*. ^[., ^[av 10, 1837, a duel was fou<;ht at this
place between a Spaniard from Guatemala and a l'"renchman
living in New York, in which the former was slightly wounded.
Some ])ecuniary transaction was the subject of disj)ute.
Without being able to discover the particulars, I liave met the
general fact that a duel was here fought at quite a late period,
and that one of the jiarties, named Bird, was shot through the
heart, sprang up nearly ten feet, and fell dead.
So far as I can learn, the last duel fV>ught on this ground was
on Sept. 28, 1845. Without the knowledge of the prinel])als, tlie
seconds loaded the ])istols with cork. The performance was
solemnly gone through with as if in mockery of the many trage-
dies which had there been enacted. The heroes of this afalre
rVhonneu)' are not known, but with their farce the curtain dro])s
upon the stage at Weehawken. But as we read its sad history
may we not quote from Dr. Nott's funeral oration over Hamil-
ton : '• Ah ! ye tragic shores of Hobokeil, crimsoned with the
richest blood, I tremble at the crimes you record against us, the
annual register of murders which you keep and send up to God I
Place of inhuman cruelty I beyond the limits of reason, of duty,
and of rellorion, where man assumes a more barbarous nature and
ceases to be man. What poignant, lingering sorrows do thy law-
less combats occasion to survivini; relatives."
CHAPTEE IX. — Ferries,
Communipavv ferry — Weebawken ferry— Jersey City ferry — Bergen Point
ferry — Hoboken ferry — Brown's ferry — Douw's ferry — Pavonia ferry —
Budd'sferrj^ — Bull's ferry — De Klynn's ferry — Elizabetbtown Point ferry.
The Common Council of New York have always claimed and
occasionally exercised the right of establishing the rates of fer-
riage. New Jersey has always claimed and frequently exercised
the same right. It is not to be supposed, however, that either
jurisdiction ever claimed greater authority than to regulate the
fare to be demanded on its own side of the river. On the 6th of
February, 1709, the State of New Jersey transferred this right to
the Board of Chosen Freeholders in the several counties in whicli
the fenies were.^ The Chosen Freeholders of Bergen, so far as as-
certained, never attempted to exercise the power so given to them.
But the Chosen Freeholders of Hudson took hold of the subject
with more zeal than discretion. The proprietors of the ferries
denied their power under the law to establish the rates of fare on
ferries not wholly within the county. The contest waxed warmer,
until finally an appeal was made to the courts, and then the ferry
companies went to the Legislature for relief. That body again
took the subject into their own hands, and on the 10th of March,
1853, established the rates of ferriao-e as they now are.^
The Communipaw Ferry.
The first ferry legally established on the North Eiver, connect-
ing our shore with Manhattan Island, was the Communipaw feny.
' Patei son's Laws, 3.51 .
- Tbroughout tbis cbapter, wben tbe lease of a ferry is spoken of, it generally
refers to tbe lease of tbe slip and ferry privileges on tbe New York side, by tbe
Common Council of tbat city.
232
THE COMMrNII'AW KKlMtV. 23.'?
It was erected in Kird, alxmt the tiiiic that the new villaire <>f
Berfijen received its first cliarter, at the foot of ('()iininiiiii)aw uve-
mie. AVilliain Jaiiseii was licensed to takci cliarfjc of it, and 80
became the first le<xali/ed ferryman on thf North river.' He hehl
the position for about (M^j^ht years, hut it (hies not seem to havi;
been a peaceable one. On the '2iM of Deceinbei-, 10»»1, at his
request, the G(»vernor-General and Council fixed the rates of
ferriaije, wliich. it may betaken for i:;ranted, Jansen was not sh»w
in demandiui;.'' Whetther tiiese rates were exorbitant whether
he was too exact in enforciiiij: i>ayment, whether he failed to pro-
vide proper accommodations, or whether tlirouj^h the pcnurious-
ness of the burii-hers of Beri^en, troul)le soon lie«;an to thicken
around him. and the ])eople sou<^ht to get to and from New Am-
sterdam by some other route. Jansen, under his license, chiimed
the exclusive riirht to transport people over the river, and evi-n
insisted that the inhabitants could not lawfully ferry themselvi'S
over, but must patronize liis ferry — the first monopoly in the State
of New Jersey. This claim the people resisted, and were clam-
orous for the right of each one to keep his boat. The authorities
took the popular side in the controversy. Tielman Van Vleck,
sheritl', and Engelbert Steenhuysen, commissary of I'.ergen, ad-
vised the people that each one had the right to keep his '' schuyt,"
and ferry over whom he pleased. Thus the issue was fairly ma<lc.
Jansen aj^peared before the authorities in New Amsterdam and
entered his complaint against Tielman Van Vleck and Engelbert
Steenhuysen. Upon this complaint they were, on the 28th of
December, 16f)'2, commanded to appear before the Governor-
General and Council and put in their defence.^ This they did.
and, carrying the war into Africa, they charged that Jansen had
not done his duty, and had refused to ferry over certain parties.
Jansen replied that he had never refused to ferry over those who
would pay.' Upon this state of the case judgment seems to
' Neir Neth. Reg.. 117. « JV. F. Cd. MSiy.. is.. 'J'^l.
■Iln(f,x.,Parti.,--m.
* This original Cliaron of Communipaw muat have learnod his rijrhts from the
robust son of Erebus fttid Xox, who would not ferry the shades of the dead over
Acheron without the customary obulus.
234 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
have been given against both parties, for it was, on the 4th of
January, 1663, decided that the sheriff must assist the ferryman
"in getting his pay," and that he must do his duty or be dis-
missed."
Whether Jansen departed this life previous to June, 1669, or
whether he was dismissed, is not known, but certain it is that
another was chosen in liis place, as appears by the folloM'ing :
" By the Hon'^'^ Phillip Carteret, Esq'', Gouernor of the Pro-
vince of Nova Cesarea, or New Jersey, under the Right Hon'''®
John Lord Berkeley, &c., &q.
" ^Yhereas the Inhabitants of Bergen and Communipaw have
made choice of Pieter Hetfelsen to be their ferryman betweene
Communipaw and New Yorke for the constant transporting to
and againe their persons, goods and Cattle, for which they have
Requested my Ly cense. These are therefore to Ly cense and
appoint the said Pieter Pletfelsen to be the only and constant
ferryman between the saide Communipaw and the Citty of New
Yorke, for and during the time of three yeares from the day of
the date hereof, and to be continued for a longer time, unless y® In-
habitants of the townes aforesaid have any just Exceptions against
him. AVhicli said Ferry the said Pieter Hetfelsen is to liave and
to hold to his own proper use and Benefit, Upon the conditions
hereafter mentioned hereby prohibiting all persons whatsoever
to transport or Carry over any person, goods, corne or cattle
without ye consent or license of tlie said ferryman upon the pen-
alty of paying to the use of the ferryman aforesaid the sum of
tenn shillings sterling for every such default, being first convinced
thereof by the Justices or Magistrates of the place, and shall
notwithstanding pay to the ferryman the fraiglit for such per-
sons, corn or cattle as shall be so Illegally transported to the
prejudice of the said ferryman. Notwithstanding it shall and
may be lawful for any person to keep a canoe or boate of his
owne for the transporting and carrying over of such goods, corne
and cattle as properly belong unto himselfe and the persons of
his own family and no other upon the penalty aforesaid.
W. Y. Col. MS8, Part ii , 4.
llli; (OMMl'Ml'.WV Kl.KUV. 235
"' Coiiclitioiis, The ferryman aturesaid is ti) iiiaintHiii <»nc ^mkI
sufficient boat m- nioi-e t'nr tlie convenicMt transporting of all
])assengers to and a^ain tVoiii ('ninMinni|»a\v tn New York, to-
i!;ctlier with their iroods, corno an<l ('attk' at all tynics and Mn all
occasions, l»nt more particularly he is herehy nl»lii;ed to attt-nd
upon the said Inhabitants of Ijci'i^en and Communipaw three
dayt's in the week unless some other Extraordinary ()c<ui»ions
does hinder him, viz. : Mondayes, Wednesdayes and Fridayes, or
ujioii such other dayes as they shall unanimously aj^ree ujKtn, on
wliicli dayes tlie said Itdiabitants are to attend with their goodri
and cattle at the hoiu r and tyme a])pointed, and punctually to
pay and satisfie the saitl terryman t<>r his fraight according to
these following rates, Wlioe is to Recover the same, For case of
Delay or Kefusall, by ord"" of Jtistice without any charge or
forme of process ; Always provided that the (iouerno"" and his
family are to be freed from paying of anything for their ])t'rsons
transporting as aforesaid.
There shall be paid to the ferryman six stuivers a head
Wam])um for every passenger, - - - - »i ;>t.
For his fraiirht Extraordinary at all other tvmes itf Imt
one man 4 Guilders in Wampum, but iif by night
and unseasonable weather as the parties cann agree, 4 gl.
For every Scheppell of corns 2 stiv. in "Wampum, - - '2 stiv.
For .V a barrell or ^ a fatt of beere lo stiv. in Wampum,
for a whole barrell 20 Stivers for all other goods vfe
Lieg^in cash proportionalde, 2<>stiv.
For a horse or Mare 4 Gl. in Wani]Mim, - - - - 4 irl.
For a cow 3 guilders, for an o\ 4 guilders in Wam]>um.
For a hogg or sow 15 Stivers in Wami>um, - l."> stiv.
For sheep 15 Stivers a head in Wanijium, - - - 15 stiv.
" Secondly the ferryman is hereby obliged on all occasions to
ferry over any person for the sum of four guilders in wamptim
excepting what is before excepted.
" Thirdly, the said ferryman is at all tymes an«l on all occa
sions for the publicq service when thereunto IJciuired by the
Governor or those Authorized by him to carry over any pers4.n.
236
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
letter, packett or message gratis, but if it be upon any business
that concernes any particular man's interest, although com-
manded by the Governor, he is to be satisfied and paid according
to the rates above mentioned.
" Given under the seal of the Province the day and year above
written.
" June 25, 1669."^
Hetfelsen continued to manage the ferry until the 18th of
January, 1672, when John Tymensen was commissioned to take
charge of it, upon the same conditions, and with power to receive
the same fare.
From this latter date no mention is made of this ferry for more
than a century. It is probable, however, that it continued in
operation until swallowed by its more successful and pretentious
rival at Paulus Hoeck. Attention is attracted to it ao-ain in
1783. After the war was over and peace declared, but while the
British were yet in possession of New York and Paulus Hoeck,
an advertisement appeared by which Aaron Longstreet & Co.
made it known that " constant attendance was given bv the
boats at the Ferry Stairs, near the Exchange, at 3 P. M., to
bring Passengers to Communipaw, where the Newark Stage "
would be ready to convey them to Newark, and thence by " The
Excellent New York and Philadelphia Running Machines," in
one day to Philadelphia.^
When the enemy evacuated Paulus Hoeck, the line of travel
turned again in that direction, and the Communipaw Ferry again
slept for nearly another century. When it awoke the old sail
boats and periaugers^ were no more, and it was honored with the
finest ferry boats on the Hudson. When the extension of the
Central Railroad of New Jersey from Elizabethport to Jersey
City was completed, the ferry was revived and now runs from
' E. J. Eec. Lib., in., 27. '^Rivington's Gazette, August 20, 1783.
^ A periauger was the old Spanish pirogue, which had found its way into
Dutch waters. It was pointed at both ends, had two masts, but no bowsprit.
When horses and carriages were to be transported they were detached and
lifted into the boat.
Tin: WKKIIAWKKN KKUUV. 237
tlie Central Kailroiul deput in Jersey City t<» the toot of Lihorty
street in New York.
\ames of hoiit-a, (tnd w/uti jilaod iij>nn tin t> I'l;/.
Central, ...---- Ani^nst 1, 18(;4.
Coinniunipaw, ..---. ISi'.').
i:iizal)etli, .Tune 25, isf',:.
Plaintieltl, June iJ, l60U.
Names of Sujjerintcndents.
George W. Howe, - - - - A].iil, 1863, to 186«;.
.lames J. Winant, - - October 17, l^'It;, to OctolK-r 1. I87-_'.
•laccl) Winant, ------ October 1, ls72.
W Ki:n A W K IN VVM K Y .
The exact date of the commencement of this ferry is not
known. The first record concerning it is an act passed in tlie
third year of the reign of George the First (Jan. 2»!, 171'^), by
which the rates of ferriage were established as foHows :
Man and horse to or from Xexo York, - Fiiglitein l^if. .
Sin<de Person, - - - - - One ShiUhuj.
If above three Persons, per piece, - - T/tree reno\
Hvcrything per liusliel, - - - - Onf Penny.
Hogs, Sheep, <!i:c., per head, - - - Tico Pence.
Beef per Qnarter, - - - - - Three Peive.
Barrels, - - Four Penee.
Hogsheads, One i<hUrnoj.
Pipes, E'Kjhteen Pen,;}
The ferry was erected, liowever, before i\\v year 170(», as
appears by the petition of Samuel Bayard, which seems to have
been prompted by a desire to destroy an opposition ferry. There
is no date to the petition, but (Tovernor Hunter, to whom it is
addressed, was not Governor of New York after 171U, and as
^NeviU'8 Laws, i., 60.
238 HISTORY OF iiudson county.
the petition alleges that the ferry then had been in operation for
upward of twenty years, it is clear that it must have been in
operation prior to the date above mentioned.^ Bayard was then
owner of Weehawken.^ His petition was as follows :
'' To His Excellency Robert Hunter, Esq., Cap' Generall &
Govern'" in Chief of the Province of New York, &c., & Yize-
Admiral of the same :
" The Humble Petition of Samuel Bayard humbly showeth :
That your petitioner having a small parcell of land called
Wiehake in Bergen County in the Eastern Division of the Prov-
ince of Nova Cesarea, most convenient for a ferry of any between
New Yorke Island and the southermost clifts of Tappaen and
Ahasimes, w*^'' place hath been the accustomed ierry for trans-
portation of passengers, cattle, horses and country produce in
these limmits for upward of twenty yearcs, and as such hath
been assessed & taxed by the Assembly of the said Province,
as by the printed acts to w'=" your petitioner refers may appear.
Notwithstanding seaverall persons and places bounding upon the
River within said limmits not assessed or taxed by the Assembly,
nor permitted by the Crownes grantes have for some time made it
theire Buysenesse to transport passengers, cattle, horses tfe coun-
try produce to and from New Yorke Island at the same rates as
the ferry at Wiehake, and do keep and suffer other people have-
ing no propertys npon the Riverside to keep Boats and Canowes
for transpoi'tation to and from New Yorke Island to the greate
prejudice of the ferry at Wiehake.
"Wherefore your petitioner humbly prayes that y"" Exce'^
would be pleased to faevour your petitioner with her maj'^^
grant under the seal of the Province whereby the ferry between
the southermost clifts of Tappaen and Ahasimus might be lim-
niited to be keep at said place called Wiehaken, only upon the
usuall and accostomed ferridge, and that no person or persons in
said linimits haveing a property upon the River might be per-
mitted to transport to or from New Yorke Island any passen-
' This petition is bound up between two papers, dated respectively, Sept. 29,
and Oct. 19, 1710. - Witifield's Land Titles, 38.
1111. W 1.1 HAW KKN KKKkV. 2.IU
n;er.s, horses, t-attlc or coiiiitrv prudiicc l.ui wlmt propi-rlv l»clii»ip»
to themselves, nor siitlrr :iiiy nth.r jicrson whatrtot-viT that hnvp
not any i^n-pi'ity iijiLn thi- Kivor tn keep any vcjwcU tor tniii*
portiitiiiii t(i thi' pnjiidiee of saiM tm-y at Wirhakc. Ami fui in
duty 1x11111(1 ,>Iiall I'vcr prav. vVrc.
■•>\M111 II.V^ AKIi."'
Xotliini;- further is heard ..f the ferry until Octohpr '2\i, 1742.
when Francis Covenhovi-n and Samuel l>ayard join in a petition
to the (ntviM-iior and Council of New York fur a ferrv to •* Wv
liawk."' The petition was <rranted. Tntil the Ilohuken ferry
was elected, this was the po|)ular, and. in fact, oidy n-i^ular forrv
to New Yoi'k for the farmers in the upper [>art of i'lfri^m
County, and even for half a century after its jMjwerful rival
started upon its career, it continued to l)e patronized. Its Innd*
in.U' i>lace on the Jersey side was at or near the mouth of the
Weehawken Creek, just below Kini^'s Point.
On the 0th of July, ITs.^. the privilege of landini; on the
Kew York side for the " Weehaack'' ferry was ^'rante«l by the
common conncil to Joseph Smith for three yeai*s for £20 jwr
annum.'' .lohn Stevens bein^^, at that time, owner of the IIoIm»-
ken ferry, made an efibrt to secure the control of this ferry.
but failed.'
On the 5th of August, 1802, Charles and Phihp Earle 1k'-
came the lessees for £50 per annum."' Shortly after this a
" new AVeehank ferry" was put in operation. On the 15th of
April, 1 S05, the '* old ferry'' was leascil to Garret Net'tie. and
the ''new ferry" to Charles Earle. each at i'50 per anniun.*
iSeetie soon gave up his lease, and Lewis Concklin took charge
of the "old ferry."' From this time nothing is heard of it until
June, ISIO, when Charles Watts, of New York. JH-came it.*
lessee. It is then pronounced a '' very ancient ferry." gn^wn
into disuse by the improvements in Powles II(:>ok and IloUiken
LV. Y. Col. MSS. (Land Papers), v.. 69. *N. T. litrordt. t.. 51.
Hhid,ix., 101. ^Ihid.U.. 197.
•/Wrf, j-m.. 383. *Ibid. rr tTrt
' fbid, XV., 518.
240 HISTORV OF HUDSON COUNT!'.
ferries. "Watts took a lease of it for fifteen years from the 1st
of May, 1819, on the following terms : For the first five years,
rent free ; for the second five years, 850, and for the third five
years, ^200. The landing place on the Xew York side was to
be between the north bounds of the Hoboken ferry lease and
Christopher street. On the Jersey side it was to be within one
quarter of a mile on each side of " Wehawk." By the terms of
the lease, he was bound to keep a " team boat."^ He found the
expense too heavy for the income, and at the expiration of five
months abandoned the " team boat." For this the Common
Council of New York annulled his lease, and let the ferry to
Philip Howe, on condition that he should, on or before the fii'st
of May, 1821, put on the ferry two good sail boats, and one
horse boat.^ But the days of sail boats and horse boats had
passed. A mightier agent had come and supplanted them. And
already, even in so short a time, the " AYehawk '' ferry is
almost forgotten. It was, however, spoken of as a "present
ferry " in the charter of the Paterson and Hudson River Rail-
road, approved Jan. 21, 1831.
The present WeeJiawken Ferry Company was incorporated
March 25, 1852, and the ferry revived on the 1st of January, 1859.
Its present landing place on the Jersey side is at Slaugh's
Meadow, and on the New York side at Forty-second street. This
Company bought of the Union Ferry Company two steamboats,
the " Lydia " and " Abbie," used on the East River. The name of
the " Lydia" was changed to " \Veehawken," and the "Abbie"
to " Ilackensack." Owing to the navigation laws, however, the
old names were soon restored. The " Abbie " was afterward
sold and taken to Albany, where it is yet in use as a ferry boat,
under the double name of " Abbie " and ." Eli Perry," and plies
between that city and Greenbush. The " Roslyn " was placed
on the ferry in the summer of 1 870, and the " Midland " on the
1st of August, 1872.
It is proper in this connection to produce the grant of George
'i\r. T. Records, xxxviii., 367. 27 bid, xli., 249.
{
TM K W K K 1 1 A W K UN H i: K K J ^ 1
the Second to Stephen 15ayiinl in 17.".J. It covcn* tin- grotind
now nsed by the feny. It is us follows :
"Geoi-fje the Second, \>y the j^'raee of God of (In-at nritiiin,
France and Inland, \\\]\<j:. I >( fender of the Fnilh, I'tc. : Whornii*
onr lovinjj; snbject, Stephen Hiiyiird, by his huinblo iH'titioii pre-
sented unto Jonathiin I*elelu'r, Ks([^, (':ij»tain-(fcneral tind <
nianderdn-Chief of onr Province of New Jersey, hnth sri lortJj
that a ferry over the Xorth Iliver, from the irovj'rrwnent of New
Jersey to the opj)osite shore, within the Uoinids hereafter de-
scribed, would be of great advantage to his Majesty's sid»j«<-t<.
who liave occasion to ijjo to New York, especially in the winter
Season when the Ice renders the Pnssajxe from the usual Ferry .■»
very dangerous, and therefore Praying our letters Patent to hini,
his Heirs and assigns for keeitinir the said Ferrv under such eon-
ditions as are usual in like C'ases. Know Yk that the taking the
Premises into our Royal Consideration, and being desirou?. to
facilitate the Passages of all our loving S»d)jects over the said
North Kiver, and also to encourage the said Stephen P»ayard to
the Expenses & Trouble he has and may be at for the Publie
benefit. Have, of our special Grace, certain knowle<Ige and mecr
motion for us and for our Successors, given, granted, ratified and
confirmed, and by these Presents Do give, (irant. Ratify and
Confirm unto the said Stephen Bayard, his Ileire ami assigns the
Sole keeping of the said Ferry over the North Tliver, IVginning
at Bergen North line and so along the Sliore half a nnle below or
to the Southward of a Place called the Great Slaugh,' Hereby
iriviuir and jxrantini; exclusive of all otheiv, unto the said Stephen
Bayard, his heirs and assigns, our Royal License and Authority
to Transport Passengers, Horses, Cattle and Goo<ls over the said
North Kiver within tiie Bounds aforesaid, for so long a time h»
he, the said Stephen Bayard, his heirs and assigns shall sutficiently
attend and keep, or cause to be attended and kept, one or nion*
ferries within the Bounds afores'' for the Transporting of Pa-
gers, Horses, Cattle and Goods over the said North River wituiu
the Bounds aforesaid. And We by these Pro- ' T* ♦•■".
' Once the property of Jacob Slanjrl>. from whom it rrrdvwl It* n»ro»>
16
242 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Grant, ratify and Confinn unto tlie said Stephen Bayard, his
heirs and assigns, Power and Authority to ask. Demand & re-
ceive from all and every the Passengers for Transporting- or
Ferrying over of them, their Horses, Carriages, Cattle and Goods,
all Rewards, benefits and advantages whatsoever, as are already
Legally established, or hereafter may be within our Province of
New Jersey, for performing the Services aforesaid. To Have
a?id TO Hold the keeping of the said Ferry ov Ferries over the
North River within the Bounds aforesaid, with all the benefits,
perquisites and advantages whatsoever, unto him, the said Ste-
phen Bayard, his heirs and assigns, to the Sole use, benefit and
behoof of the said Stephen Bayard, his heirs and assigns, for so
long time as he and they shall Avell and sufiiciently attend and
keep, or cause to be attended and kept, the Ferry aforesaid,
Yielding and paying therefor yearly and every yeai- during the
Term aforesaid unto us, our Heirs and Successors, at the City
Hall of Amboy, on every twenty-fifth day of March, the sum of
Two Shillings lawful money of America, if the same be lawfully
Demanded. In Testimony* whereof we have caused the Great
Seal of our said Province to l)e hereunto afiixed, and these our
Letters to be made Patent. Witness our Trusty and Well be-
loved Jonathan Belcher, Esq""., our Captain-General and Com-
jnander-in-Chief in and over our Province of Nova Caesaria or
New Jersey in America, Chancellor and Vice Admiral in the
same, at the Borough of Elizabeth, in our said Province, the
Seventh day of February, in the Twenty-Sixth year of our
Reiffn."
•f?"
The Jersey City Ferry
was established June 18, 1764.^ In the JVevj York Mercury of
July 2, 1764, we find
" Good News for the Public.
" The long wished for Ferry is now established and kept across
the North River, from the Place called Powless's Hook to the
^Diinlap's History of N. Y., n., cxci.
[
Tin; .IKliSKV IITY FKICICV. 'M"
City of New York ; :mi| Itoat- i>n»j)t'rly consiructfil, an well for
tlieConveniciu'v of Pas.st'nj^i'is a.s f«)r tlH'cjirrvin;; (ivur of II
and carriaf^C's, dd now (H)iistaiitly ply rn>iii oiu; .nlioru to tin* oHht.
Tlie landiniz; mi the New V«)rk Side is tix«'d ut tlio I)«M.'k
nionly i-alled Mesier's Dot-k, and at I*owIrr»-.*s Hook i(* mIh...
nearly 0{)p(>site to the said Dock, the di>tamT ln'twireii thu two
Places hein<^ ahont tliree t^nartei-a of a Mile, and i\» thu Umt.H
may pass and repass, at all Times of the Tide, with alnn»«t iMjual
Despatch, it is tlmn^ht by far the most convenient I'hiee for u
Ferry <>f any yet establislied, or that i-an he estahlisheil, from the
Province of New Jersey to the dity of New York ; and what
will ijjive it the Preference l>y far of all the other ferries in the
Winter Season, is that rarely a Day hajipetis l)ut that P»t»at.H nuiy
pass at this Ferry without hcini; obstructed or cndanirtTcd by lee.
Constant attendance is i,dven at Powless's Hook by Michael C'or-
nelisse, where the best of Stabling and Pasture is provided for
Plorses."
It was started as an important ]»art of the new route to Phila-
delphia v/« Bergen Point and Staten Island. Abraliam Mesier
and Michael Cornelissen were its founders. They made arrange-
ments with Cornelius Van Vorst for a landing place at Paidns
Hook. Cornelissen then built the house afterward known ha
Major Hunt's tavern. The landing place on the New York side
was fixed at Mesiers Dock, at the foot of Cortlamit street. The
two periangers first on the ferry were the *' Liberty "and '* Prop-
erty.'" The projectors of the ferry did not consult the autht»ritics
in New York as to the propriety or necessity of the same.
Thereupon the Aldermen, on the 10th of September, 17»54, «!►•
pointed a committee to take the opinion of counsel whether the
people of " that part of Jersey called Powle.** Hoi»k have any
right of ferriage to and from this city."'' What the opinion of
the counsel was, or that he gave any, or that anything further wa*
done, does not appear. At that time Van Vorst was ..wner .>f all
the land between the road leading to Bergen on the north, the
Hndscii River >>u the east, Communipaw ('..v.- ■iu,\ tho i'nvk of
'^V. )'. Records, vi.,2\-i.
24:4: HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
the Woods on the south and west. The route to Philadelphia by
boat to Amboy was about to be superseded by a more certain
means of conveyance. Transportation was to be by stage. Tliis
nmst be reached by means of a ferry, and there was no point so
convenient for that purpose as Paulus Hoeck. And, what was
more to the purjsose, Yan Vorst saw that it was an enterprise
which in the end would pay. The millions who annually pour
across that ferry, and the thriving city built on his old tarm, more
than realize his utmost expectations.
Others were not slow to see what a harvest would be realized
from this ferry, and could not forego an attempt to reap it for
themselves. Van Yorst's hereditary enemy of the Duke's Farm
— Captain Archibald Kennedy — anticipating trouble between
Yan Yorst and the Common Council of New York, joined one
William McAdams in a petition to that body on the third of
May, 1765, for an exclusive right of ferry between New York
and the Jersey shore. This, if granted, would take the ferry
from Paulus Hoeck to Ahasimus, whei*e the Pavonia Ferry now
is. Yan Yorst was not slow to head off this movement by a
counter petition on the 14th of October in the same year. He
set forth that he liad been to a very considerable expense in erect-
ing his ferry " at a place called Powles Hook, lying in the county
of Bergen," and that he was obliged to maintain a causeway half
a mile long and a lane nearly twice as long ; he therefore desired
the board to establish and regulate the ferry on such reasonable
terms as would be for the public good. In consideration of the
expense he had been put to, he requested the privilege of receiv-
ing for some time the benefits of both sides of the ferry. ^ On
the 31st of January, 1766, these petitions for an " exclusive
grant of the right of ferriage " across to " their respective lands
on the Jersey shore " were taken into consideration by the Com-
mon Council of New York. That body saw the necessity and
advantage to their city of a ferry to the Jersey shore, and
appointed a committee to make the best arrangements they could
get.^ To that committee Yan Yorst proposed that he would give
'N. Y. Records, vi., 286. •'Ibid, vi., 306.
TIIK .IKICSKY rllV KKKKY. '24.'»
to tlie City of New York i!4(> a year tor 8ovon ycan», niul ihc
corjioration should huvf tlic |m»\vci- to tix thu mtoH of fori
tliat after said term ho would j^ive thr corporation a frw hiinliii^
on his side for the |)urj)oses of a ferry, j>rnr'nlt'«l he nhnuM have
the same priviU>i;e of landiiit; in New ^"ork. lie stated that he
had three hir^e and two -mall hoats for the ferry, whirh he in
tended to keep in repair ami ready for use. Ih* eouitentiMl tliat
the corporati()n miijht decide upon tin' iandini; plae«' (»n tlu* New
Yolk side, though lie iccoiiimended that it should ho at the
place then used for that purpose. These propositioriH were
accepted, and the lan<lin«; ]dace fixed at the " i;round or pier of
Nicholas Roosevelt, Esqr., at the lower end ot Thonui.H stix»et."'
it seems, liowever, that these arranixement> were never eon»-
plcted, for on the 2.'kl of March, 17«'>T, tlu* ferry \v.i.s let at public
outcry to Jacoh Van Yoorhis, a nu-rchant in New ^ ork, for
£810 per annum for four years from the first of M.iy, 17»»7.'
Abrahani Mesier, Abraham liussing and Peter ^lesier, jr.. were
at the time, or shortly afterward became associattnl with Van
Voorhis. They soon found that then- were other ex|)cnHO»
tliaii those of the ferry properly connected with the enteq>ri»e.
The causeway between Paulus Iloeck and the upland of Aha*i-
mus was occasionally overflowed by the tides. This inconven-
ienced travelers and diminished the lessee's revenue. lie then*-
npon sought and obtained an abatement of half a year's rent, for
the puri)Ose of repairing the causeway.^ Long before the e.xpini-
tion of his lease he found that his exj>enses and heavy rent ren-
dered the business unprofitable, lie therefore abandoned the
lease, and on the first of March, 177 1, the ferry wa.H let to Abra-
ham Mesier for three years for the sum of l*l*2i> |>or annum.
Thus was saved to the " firm '' £180 a year for the balaneo ..f
the term.' The unpaid rent of Van Voorhis was acquitted for
the reason that from May 1, 1707, to May 1, 1771, his di.Hbur»e-
ments and rent paid equaled his receii)ts. lie ha<l lost l»i« ialior,
and it was thought unjust that he should ]>ay the balance of mnt
LV. T. Records, ti., lil 1. '^^'*- ** • ^^
Hbid, vi., 381, 466. *^'^''- "' • ^
246 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
and thus lose money along with his labor.^ On the first ot
March, 1774, Abraham Mesier obtained a new lease of the ferry
for three years from the first of May following at a rent of £-210
per annnm.^ Shortly afterward Mesier died, and the Hoboken
Ferry coming into existence, his executors obtained an abate-
ment of £50 on the last year's rent. The probability is that
Mesier's widow remained in charge of the ferry during the war,
subject to military control. Soon after the war her name is
again connected with the ferry, and in 1786 she petitioned for
repairs to the ferry stairs on the New York side.^ The ferry
was now but poorly appreciated. The Legislature of this State
had imposed upon it a tax of £50, which had not been paid.
The rent had fallen off from £310 a year in 1767 until on tbe
15th of April, 1789, John Holdron obtained a three years' lease
for £50 per annum.'* But under his management the ferry be-
came so prosperous that at the end of his term in 1792 he was
obliged to give £380 a year for a three years' lease, and in addi-
tion provide ferry stairs and all other conveniences.^ Whether
this sum was drawn out of him by auction puffers or not is im-
possible to tell. One thing is certain, he soon found the load too
heavy to carry, and called for an abatement of rent. It was
agreed on the 5th of May, 1794, that upon his paying £250 the
balance of the rent should be remitted. At this rent he held it
up to the first of May, 1796.^ On this date he took a new lease
for three years at £300 a year. He agreed (and this is the first
regulation looking to the accommodation of the public) to pro-
vide two large boats for horses, cattle, carriages, etc., and two row
boats for passengers. He also agreed to run the boats from sun-
rise till 9 o'clock P. M. from May 1st to Oct. 1st, reserving the
privilege of charging double ferriage after sunset.''
On the 11th of March, 1799, the Common Council of Kew
York City established the following rates of ferriage for this
ferry, viz. :
'N. Y. Bee , mi., 244. -Ibid, tii., 297. ""Ihid, mil., 480.
'Ibid, i.i'., 186, 199, 206. 'Ibid, .c, 200. 'Ibid, xi., 120, 222.
'■ Ibid, ai., 3Q5.
■IirK JKKSKV (in I KKIJV. ' 17
A Pussenjjor,
A Coach, Cluiriot, Coiichet', or covernl VVapm,
A Phaeton, - - - - " .
A Chaise or top chair, - . . .
A Chair, ....
A iSlcigli, - .....
Horses and Cattle, ....
A Sheep, Calf or IIo<j:, ....
A larije trunk or chest,
A >inall do do -
A Pipe or iro<^shead of Wine, Spirits or Molasses,
A Ixirrel of do - - -
A Barrel of Beef, Pork, Flour or Fish,
Plank of every kind, each,
l^xiards do
A side of sole Leather, ....
do upper do -
A Raw Hide, .....
Iron, Steel, Lead, &c., per cwt.,
A Desk, ..--..
A large table, .....
A small do . . , . .
A mahogany Chair, ....
A common do -
Basket or Bag of Fruit of 2 Busliels,
Bag of Grain do -
Bag of Flour or Meal, ... -
A Crate of Earthen "Ware,
A Tierce of Earthen Ware,
A Feather Bed, . . . . -
A Clock Case, - - - - -
A chest of Tea, . . . - -
Dye Wood, per cwt., ....
Indigo and Copperas, per cwt..
Gunpowder, per cwt., . - - -
A large Bale of Cotton, ....
An empty Hogshead or Pipe, -
iO
U
>»
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a
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r.
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14
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248 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
An empty Barrel, - - - - - £0 3
Shad, per hundred, - - - ' - 2
Cabbages, per hundred, - - - - 1 6
And all other articles and things in like proportion.^
These rates, in the light of the present day. j-eem somewhat
exorbitant. They appeared the same to the people on this side
of the river at that time. How could they exist and \)i\j ferriage
on their cabbages at the exorbitant rate o^ one sh'dliiKj and six-
2^ence per hundred. Hates must come down, or the Knicker-
bockers must go unfed of cabbage, and pine in want for their
hohl slaugh .' But cabbages beget sixpences, and sooner than such
a shining progeny should be untimely cut off, and their ghosts
left to haunt the unplanted gardens, the people M'ould make
km iwn their grievances. This they did. They held a public meet-
ing, and, in true modern style, passed sundry " "Whereases" and
" Kesolves" upoa the subject. Over this meeting Isaac Nichols
presided with a dignity becoming the occasion. After the solemn
deliberations were ended, good old " Isaac " was chosen to pro-
ceed to New York, and there make known their grievances, to-
gether with their views expressed " in public meeting assem-
bled." This he did in a becoming manner. It is sad to relate,
however, that the whole effort was wasted. Mr. Nichols and the
resolutions were duly received, the former bowed out, tlie latter
laid upon the table, and no attention paid to either.
At this time, colored Abraham — Brom for short — the most
skillful master of a sail boat in his day, was the man of this
ferry.
On the 5tli of August, 1802, Holdron took another tliree years"
lease at $2,125 per annum. As usual, in 1803 he sought an
abatement of rent, and alleged as a reason that a new ferry had
been erected for ten months past, which had injured his business.
It is probable that this was Budd's ferry at Ahasimus. If so,
Budd had erected his ferry and put it in operation before he
asked for permission to land on the New York side, as may be
seen by reference to the remarks on that ferry. But his request
^N. T. Records, xii., 458.
TitK .irKSKY crvy vv.nux. i-l:»
was refused. Nevertheless, hy reiiewjils i.t ilu- Ictiso, he hcM on
to \hv t'cirv. On tin- 22(1 of Fohniai v. l*^ns_ )„. (,M»k a now
ieiise fur twc years and nine months.'
From the commencement of the terry u|» to 1>U4, rorncliuft
\ an A'orst was its owner, as he was of the ailjoinitii; huiil. On
the 2(1 of I'Vltruai'v, |S(»4, he contractftl with Anthony Drv to
•^ell Powles Hook and the ferry, suhject to a h-ase which Major
David Hunt held, to ex])ire in ISO.'.. I )(>y received a deed for
the satne on the 2t;tli of March, Isi'l. On the h'.th of April.
1S(I4, Dey agreed to lease to Hunt the ri^jht of ferriaj^e for two
years after tlir Ist of ^fay, 1805. The Major continuiij in
charge of the ferry for a numlter ot' year>. In l^^oj "The
Associates ot' the Jersey Company " were ineuijidiated, when
the land and terry were conveyed to them. After Major Hunt
tame Joseph Lyon, of Kli/ahethtown, as ferrymaster. IIe«M-cu-
})ied the (»ld tavern. His stables were in the rear, and to acconi-
modate him the ferrv landing was movetl from the foot ot'CinuMl
street (a little west of Hudson), to opposite the gate (»f hi.-* yanl
l)etween Grand and York streets, so tliat people coming from
Xew York could signal the hostlei to have their earriagi>
loady.
T]) to thi> time the accommodations for the terry had been a
few row boats, each with two oarsmen, with a few spare oan^,
which the passengers were expected to use if they wished to cnw--
in o-ood time; and a couple of open ])oats with sails, used when
the wind suited, or when it was required to take a horse ami
carriage over. When the wind was favorabU- the passage could
be made in half an hour, but sometimes three hours were con-
sumed in crossing.
About this time the success of steamboats on the Hudson
attracted the attention of ^Mr. Durand. Elisha r.oudinot, (iencrai
Cummings and others of Newark to the possibility of steam
ferryboats. In the autumn of ISOl), they .-ub.>*cr i bed #oO,(>)i»
to carry the i)lan into etVect. Robert Fulton was re<|ue^te^l to
construct sucli a boat as, in his judgment, would answer the piir-
LV. Y. Records, j-mii., 181.
250 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
poses of a ferry. Application was then made for a lease of the
Jersey City ferry. Immediately a competitor in the person of
Daniel French arose. He had obtained a patent for an improve-
ment in the use of steam in propelling boats. Elisha Monell
and Levi Kendall claimed that they had an invention which was
superior to all others.-^ All of these rival interests strove to get
control of this ferry. The Jerseymen incorporated February 7,
1818, in the name of the Yorh and Jersey Steam Boat Ferry
Company were successful.^ In March, 1811, they obtained a
lease of the ferry, and of the right of landing on the New York
side.
In December, 1810, the New YorJc Evening Post announced
that arrangements had been made with Fulton for the construc-
tion of steamboats for this ferry. In May, 1811, two boats were
being built by Charles Brown, and were 80 feet in length and
30 feet in width. " One peculiarity is, they never put about."
On July 2, 1812, one of them, the "' Jersey," was finished, and
put in operation, but owing to some needed alteration was taken
off for a few days. On Friday, July IT, 1812, it began its
regular trips. A writer, on the following day, says : " I crossed
the ISTorth River yesterday in the Steam Boat with my family
in my carriage, without alighting therefrom, in fourteen minutes,
with an immense crowd of passengers. I cannot express to you
how much the public mind appeared to be gratified at finding
so large and so safe a machine going so well. On both shores
were thousands of people viewing this pleasing object."^
On this occasion a grand entertainment was given at Joseph
Lyon's tavern in Jersey City to the Mayor and Common Council
of New York and others. The followino- illustration will ffive a
correct idea of this boat, if the reader will imagine two cigar-
shaped fioats fastened ten feet apart, with the paddle-wheel work-
ing between them.
Fulton's description will explain it fully :
" She is built of two boats, each ten feet beam, eighty feet long
W. T. Records, .vxi , 1. Ubid, xxxiii., 159.
^Centinel of Freedom, July 21, 1812.
I in: .IKKSKV rlTY KKKItV.
•J.M
and five feet tlecp in tlu* liuM ; wliicli bouts un- <li»taiit from i
titlicrten feet, confined l>v stmni; tnmsverse hviuu knecnaiHl di >,-
onal traces, fornHn<:j a deck thirty t<'ct wide ami «'ii;lity fi-ft long
s
Si
s
«
The propellini; water-wheel is placed between the »>.«t« to prermt
it from injury from ice and shocks on entering or nppn^aching
the dock. The whole of tlie inftchinery being placed Ix-lwccn
252 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
the two boats, leaves ten feet on the deck of each boat for car-
riages, liorses and cattle, &c., the other, having neat benches and
covered with an awning, is for passengers, and there is also a
passage and stairway to a neat cabin, which is fifty feet long and
five feet clear from the floor to the beams, fnrnished with benches
and provided with a stove in winter. Although the two boats
and space between them give thirty feet beam, yet they present
sharp bows to the water, and have only the resistance in the
water of one boat of twentv feet beam. Both ends beinir alike,
and each having a rudder, she never puts about.
" Of the dock, he savs it ' is one hundred and eidity feet lono-,
seventy wide ; the bridge is fastened to the middle of the bulk-
head. The boat, being only thirty feet wide and the dock sev-
enty, leaves twenty feet vacant on each of her sides : in each of
these twenty feet spans and in the water are floating stages, made
of pine logs, which lie favorable to the boat for thirty feet, and
these run diagonally to the extreme end of the wharves, so that
the boat, when coming in, hits within the seventy feet, and the
stages guide her direct to the bridge.' "
She was in service for many years, and ended her career as
material for the construction of a stable in Greene street built
for the elder Isaac Edge.
In 1813 the '"York," built on tlie model of the "Jersey," was
completed and placed on the fen-y. It is said that these boats
were " slow coaches"— that they would ordinarily take an hour
and a half to make a trip— that when they met in the river pas-
sengers could hold quite a conversation before they got beyond
talking distance ; in fact they were
" Like fat green turtles fast asleep.
On the still surface of the deep."
They started on their daily duties every morning at sunrise
from each side of the river, and ran all day every half hour by
" St. Paul's Church clock.''^
But the experience of the ferry company was similar to that of
Centinel of Freedom, June 20, 1815.
TIIK .IKUSKV riTV KKKkV. 2.*»3
prior les.sees. Ip to tlii" I'Tth ..f May, IbHJ, tlicy IukI iiimlu l-ul
one (lividuiid of live per cent. Vm- this ri-arioii thcv rri|iii-»lv<l
that tlie Common Couiuil of New York wouhl either piirehnM;
the ferry, retluee the rent or increase thr rates of ferrinjje. Tlic
only relief oi)tainecl was an inereaseof personal toll to 12^ eeiit*,*
In those (lays the fare was collectc<l on the boat <iurin^ the |»n>»
sage over. On the 1st of May, 1823, the cuniiKiny took a lenm;
of the ri<j:ht of ferry from New York to so nuu-h of thr Jerx-jr
shore as lies between a point " immediately sonth of llolxtkrn mu\
a point due west from the Uattery ( 'astle." l!ut their ex|»iTienii'
was not a success. They sank all of their capital, one of thrir ImwiIh
blew up in the sli}t, and the year 1S24 found them unable to con-
tinue. In September, 1825, they assii^ne<l their lea.-se to I'>anci«
B. Ogden, Cadwallader I). C/olden and Samuel Swartwout. The
Common Council of New \ovk consented to the assignment, and
gave the assignees a tu'W lease for fifteen years and six months
from the first of November, 1^2."). The lessees were to provide
twogi»od steamboats, but in tlie place of one of these were after-
ward ])eriiiitted to use a team l)oat. They were also to provide
the ferrv with row boats. They boui^it and idaced on the tVrr>"
the " Washington." In October, 1820, Ogden and Swnrtw«>nt
transferred their interest in the lease to Mr. Golden. He faile<I
to make the ferry remunei'ative, and surrendered it to tlie owners,
'' The Associates of the Jersey Company." (^n the tir>t of Jan-
uary, 1831, the " Associates" leased it to the New Jersey Hail-
road and Transportation Company for 12.^ years. By renewal*
the latter company continued to hold until 18.'>:{, when the les.-t'e*
bought up the stock of the " Associates," and thus became the
owners of the ferry. It continues to be nonunally operntiHl
under the old lease of the ''Associates," and the latter company,
which has become a nomimil body, nominally receive an annual
rent of S1S,000 from nominal lessees.
The line to the foot of Desbrosses street wais .started in 1865.
These ferries were transterre<l to the Pennsylvania Kailruad
Company in 1871.
'if. Y. Records, xxxi., 482.
254 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
In 1849 the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Hudson County
fixed and attempted to force upon the ferry the following :
" Rates of Ferriage to be takex by the Jersey' City Ferry,
AS fixed by the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Hud-
son County.
Every person on foot, above ten years old, - - 3c
Under ten years and above five years old, - - 2
Man and horse or horse only, - ... 9
Ordinary fourwheeled trucks, loaded, two horses and one
person, --.... 371
Ordinai-y fourwheeled trucks, light, two horses and one
person, - - - - - . - 25
Ordinary wagons, or market wagons, including loads of
green clover or grass, two horses and one person, - 25
For ever}' additional person, - - . _ 3
Ordinary wagons or market wagons, including loads of
green clover or grass, one horse and one person, - 12^
For every additional person, - - . . 3
A coach, coachee, chariot, barouche, phaeton, pleasure
wagon or sleigh with more tJian one seat, two horses,
one person, ------ 30
For every additional person, - . - . 3
A light pleasure carriage, barouche or pleasure wagon,
two horses, one person, . - - - . 25
For every additional person, - - - .3
A light pleasure carriage, barouche or pleasure wagon, one
horse, one person, - - - . . 1S|
For eveiy additional person, - - . . 3
A cart with driver, one horse, loaded or empty, - 12^
A wagon load of hay or straw, with two horses and one
person, ---.... 50
Wagon or cart load of hay or straw, with one horse and one
person, ...... 37^
Any kind of carriage or sleigh, without horse, half price.
A wheelbarrow and one person, loaded or empty, - 6
A hand cart and one person, loaded or empty, - 8
I UK .IKKSKY (MIY KKICUV. ^5
Cattle, siiiglt' iir ill ilroves — cueli, -
Calves and Imgs, (.lead di- alive,
Sheep, lainhs and slioat-s, dead or alivi-,
Suckiiio; pitrs, do,
IJaw hides, .... ;;
Skins, --.-... 0^
Drv hides, ... j
P)iin(llt's ot" sole and u|i|'ri- h-athrr, pfi- side, 1
lliindles of hay, - . . m
Paper, per ream, in l)nndlt'>, - . - ii^
Wheat, corn and other <;rain, jxi- bushel, - nl
C) Its, irreen peas and beans, \>vy bushel, I
J'otatoes, per bushel, . - . - 1 1,
Parrels eontainin^ apples and vegetables — each, »;J
Pdxes of oranges and lemons — each,
P>askets containing fruits or vegetables,
Oysters, per bushel, - - ••
Ilnrse i'cci], do. - - - - 1
Meal, tliiur or i-otiee, in bags — each, - '.\
Large boxes containing live fowls tor market— each, l*Ji
Small boxes and large baskets, containing live fowls, in
proportion.
Salt in bags, per bushel, ...
Sugar, per cwt., - - - •"•
Pi|)e, hogshead of spirits or wine, each, 5n
When empty, . . - s
Tierces of sj)irits or wine, - '''^
When empty — each, ''i
Barrels of sjtirits or wine — each. l**f
When empty — each.
Hogsheads of molasses or sugar, - - - 37^
When empty, - - ■ ■ ''\
Tierces of molasses or sugar — each. -•'»
When empty, do. .»
Parrels of molasses, sugar, beer, beef, jmrk and oil. !•»
Piarrels of Hour and lime, - - - - •**
When empty, two cents each, except tiour barrels. I
256 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Baskets of wine, - - ... . - G^
Crate, hogshead, tierce, &c., containing earthenware or
glass — eacli, - - - - - - 12i
And when empty, tierce or erate-^each, - 4
Large size firkins, do, - - 5
Second do do, - - - 3
Pails of butter, do, - - 1
Cheese, ham, codfish, &c., per cwt., - - - 5
Chests of tea — each, ----- 4
Half chests of tea, do, - - - - - 2
Tobacco in kegs, do, ----- 4
Churns containing milk, - - - - ' ^i
Iron, steel, lead-paints and other metals, per cwt., - 5
Boxes of window-glass — each, - - - . 2
Boxes of soap and candles — each, - - . 3
Kegs of nails, do, - - - - 5
Specie in large kegs or boxes — each, - - - 25
For less size, and for every §1,000, . - . 12^
For fancy chairs — each, _ _ _ _ 2
For common do do, - - - - - 1
Sofas and pianos — each, - - - - 25
Bureaus, ------- 12^
Bedsteads, beds, tables,writing desks and small bureaus — each, 6^
Tool chests, ploughs and corn machines — each, - - 6^
Stoves and grates, large size, - - - - 12|-
Small size in proportion.
Joists and boards — each, ----- 1
Lumber and timber, per thousand feet, - - $1 00
" And all animals and things not herein enumerated shall be
charged proportion ably to the foregoing rates. A true copy from
the minutes of the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Hudson
Connty, in the State of J^ew Jersey. August 7, 1849.
" H. Yan WactEnen, Clerk
" Of the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Hudson County.
" 1^^ The above Bates are to take eifect on and after the 1st
day of Sept., 1849."
nil. .IKKSKV < IIV KH;i;V. O'J
Tliev wore never eiiforccil. I'lic Ijiudinj^ \Anrc >n\ t\ni Sew
York side is at the foot of Cortlaiult strert. ( )t« tin* New .Iit>h>v
sidc it was at first at the font i.f (}raiiti street, alxMit oiii* hliti<lri'<|
ttt't \\('>r i>\' Hudson strei't. It was afterward phirc*! hrtwi'cn
<ii:iui| and York streets, with thi- slip upiMiiiii; diaj;i»nallv up th«>
river.' Thence it was rcinoved to the foot of York street. On
the tirst of April, IS.'jl*, it was chan^'ed to the corner of Mtint-
ii;;omerv and IFmlson streets. In ISiiCt the hlock east of MndiHin
street was tilled in, and the landin:,' place chan;^tMl to its prej»ent
h)cation. < 'n May .">, 1S.">1, the (-oininon Coinn-il of New York
gave their pernnssion for the Desbrosses street ferry.
The Ixiats on this ferry, since the introduction of stcntn, hjivo
been
Jersey, - - - - - - - - I•^l:i.
York,' - lsl:l.
New Jersey,^ .... . .
Itichard \'ariek,' - Novcmhcr, 1*<-J»I.
George Washington/' April. \>-2»i.
' Between the landing and the hotel waa a smii <irriilar plot, nrouinl wKirh
the staijes wouUl run to unh)atl their pa.Hsentfera In thf r»'ntr»' of thin pli>i
was a wiUow tree, whicli was sometimes used as a whippinjf |M»t H<>r«. ««
late as 1814, a white-headed old man received thirty-two loAhe*.
- Coldi'n's Life of Fulton, -274.
• The boiler of this boat exploded while lyinsr in the slip, j^hortly iift«T hi-r
(•ompletion, killing a Miss Nelson, who was making her home with X\w Van
Vorst family, while she attende<l srhool in New York. Hilly West, h«T •
.il.-^o HMoived injuries from whirh he afterward died . and u ro|ori>«l
n:unf<l Knoih Doi-son, was badly sealded, but recovered. The fourth Ixiat.
a tailur.', was always known as " Tom Vermilye's folly." She w«* flinali. w»ti
!i (liiiiinutive engine and boiler, and it is saiil that in rrt>»««inir •'
would have to stop to get up steam. She was the «-nus«' ot much h ••
the river men ; and her flues being very sniall, the story jrotw that, in order to
clean them, they would put a live cat -in at the bottom ami th.-n \y
when the rat would travel throuirh in a lively niannt-r t- ' ">•-' ■ . , ,.
elean the flues
^ This boat was i)uiit for an eight-horse boat, but w«» changed into a atrani.
er with two engines. It was first desigiu'd to name her " (<<'ner»' ' ~ i '
This boat was built for the Catharine stre.T ferry. F.a«t river, i i**.-.!
for the Jersey City ferry in .\pril. !««, durinjr the lew**' of Swartwout k <o It
became the first night boat in .Tune. IM^Io.
i:
258 HISTORY OF hudson county.
Sussex, ... - (launchec
1) September G, 1833.
Essex, -------
- March 31, 1835.
Bergen,^ ------
-
New Jersey,' ------
- May 25, 1836.
Mouse of the Mountain,^
-
Aresseoh, ------
- 1841.
Hudson, ------
November 12, 1849.
Golden, -------
October — , 1851.
Philadelphia,^ _ . - - -
1852.
D, S. Gregory, . . - - .
- June 16, 1853.
John S. Darey, -----
1857.
John P, Jackson,^ -----
- 1860.
Jersey City, -----
1862.
New York, ------
- 1863.
Newark, ------
1864.
New Brunswick, -----
- 1866.
Hudson City, -----
1867.
The ferry masters or agents have been
Michael Cornelisse, from
- 1764 to 1769.
Yerdine Elsworth, from
- 1769 to 1776.
Major David Hunt, until
- 1805.
Joseph Lyon, - . - . .
-
C. Rhina, in ----- -
- 1822.
Benjamin Greaves, - - - .
- . -
Jonathan B. Jenkins, - - - .
-
William Woolsey, - . . -
- - _
Superintendents.
John Clews, ------
1833 to 1835.
Darwin F. Rockwell, - - - -
- 1835 to 1845.
Charles A. Woolsey, ....
1845 to .
' I have not ascertained when this boat was put upon the ferry. In 1838 it
was repaired at a cost of $10,000, and put on as a night boat. It was sold and
taken to the Albany and Greenbush ferry March 15, 1847.
■-' The New Jersey, Washington, Sussex, and Essex were sold to the New Jer-
sey Railroad Company January 1, 1839, for $70,000, and the ferry improvements
for $18,224.99.
•' This was a toy steamer, and ran occasionally for passengers only.
■* Sold to the fnited States in 1861, and turned into a transport
'"• Sold to the United States in 1861, and turned into a gunboat.
TlIK I!KK(!1:N I'i.INT KKKItV. 259
TiiK BKU(iKN Point I'kukv.
On the ir.tli of Septonihor, 17r>0, JhcoI) (\>r.4en |»i>titioiu><l tliv
Goverimieiit of New V^ik tor letters |>.iteiit to orrct hin ferrv,
between Staten Isliui«l ;iiel I'.ei-cM r«»int, into ii i-nhlic ferrv,
and also fof a arrant of the ><<\\ between lii<;l» and li»w water
murk wiihin a mile and a halt on each siije of his land. In an-
swer to his jtetitiun he received tile Kiiii^'s i;rant in accordance
M-ith liis petition, execpt that he received the ri;;lit to the shore
in front of his own land oidy.' I'rom this petition it is manifi'st
that Corsen had been operatin<^ his ferrv prior to 17.'»(). Nearly
fourteen years afterward it received, in conne«'tion with the
Panhis Iloeek ferry, the foUowiniij notice :
" A Ferry is established and kept across the Kill van Kull,
and that Boats constantly attend for that Purpose, at a Place
l>elonijinp; to John Beck, and commonly called Moodds«.'s, situate
near tlie Dutch Church on Staten Island, from whence Pa."*don-
^ers are transported directly across to Bergen Point, from which
place there is a line Road leading directly to the saitl Powh*!*j*'*
Ilook ; so that a short, safe, easy and convenient Way is fixed
by Means of these two Ferries, for all Travelh'rs passing to the
City of New York, fiom any of the Southern (lovenimiiif-'"'
From this notice it wouhl seem that this ferry was then t.-r the
lirst time used as a part of the new stage route to Philadelpliia
and the South. On the l'.>th of July, ITr.4, Anthony White JM'Ut
his petition to Lieutenant-Crovernor ("olden of New '^ ork for n
ferry or ferries across the *• Kill van Corle," from the north side
of Staten Island to Bergen Point.' In this petition he 9et»
forth that in the twentieth year of the reign of Georjfi* II.
(1747) he had obtained letters patent under the seal of New Jer
sey granting him the sole right of keeping a ferry acrosn the
" Kill van Corle " from Bergen Point to Staten Island. He
then petitioned Governor Clinton of New York for a like excln-
sive right, which he failed to get. llib pre-"-' ".•':';■•" 1.".l.».l
'N. r. Col. MSS., xxi, '.m. 'y- y ifrrcurj,. Julg 2. 17M.
^N. T. Col. MSS.,.rcii, 121 : Winjield'a Land TitUt, 136, 141. 144.
260 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
toward a monopoly. Whether he was then the owner of Cur-
sen's ferry or whether he was raising an opposition does not
appear. He was tlien the owner of the land where the La Tou-
rette House now stands, and near which the ferry landing then
was. Michael Van Tuyl was the proprietor of the ferry in 1705.
As we have seen, the stages on their way to and from Phila-
delphia passed over this ferry. A serious accident occurred here
in 1767. The scow was taking over one of the stages, in which
some of the passengers retained their seats. On apjiroaching the
shore the stage by some mishap was overturned into the river.
By this accident Mrs. Morris and her maid were drowned. She
was an actress,^ and at the time her husband was performing the
part of King Henry in Richard III. in the Old Play House in
John street, New York.
After the travel to the South was turned to the route which
was made over the meadows on or near the present line of the
Newark Plank Road, this ferry gradually declined. It was in
operation yet in 1786, and in November of that year was as-
sessed bv the Legislature of this State tlie sura of £5. This the
owner was unable or not inclined to pay. To persuade him
thereto, on the 7th of June, 1787, a supplement was passed which
declared that if the proprietor should persevere to keep up the
ferry after the first of the following August without taking (»ut
a license, for which such assessment was made, he should forfeit
and pay £10.
When it suspended operations is not known. Several attempts
to resuscitate it have been made, but without success. A horse
boat was plying on it between 1840 and 1850, but only for a
short time. In 1S6- a slip was built at the foot of Avenue C
on the Kills, and a boat put upon the ferry. It continued in
operation for a few months, and was then destroyed by fire. In
March, 1868, " The Bergen Point and Staten Island Ferry Com-
pany " was incorporated, but never gave any signs of life. On
the 15th of June, 1869, Walter H. Frazee attempted to revive
it. He placed thereon a small steam yacht called '' Jennie."
^N T. Mercury, December 14, 1767.
TlIK llDiiOKKN KKItUV. 2<J|
After twelve (hiys' cxj>erienc(' lie \v;is eonviticiMl nf tin- iinprofitA-
bleness of the oiitcriirisi' ;iiitl iihiunloiuMl it. Tlio l<N:ntiun in w
out of the line of travel that its revival is douhtful.
TiiK lIi>i!(>Ki:\ Fi:ui:v.
Early in the year 1771 this terry was (MtiihlishtMl to connf«'t
the eorporation dock at the Hear ^[arket in New York with H...
hokeii. It was leased t.. H. Tallinan fur two yonr^ ni £50 a
year.' It {h>v> not seem to have heeii jnu into fietivo (>]>cniti(>n,
however, until May i-f thi' followini^ yt-'Jii*, «s appears fri»in the
folliiwinir notiee :
"■ CoKNi:r.n> 11 Mct.vc;
I')I;gs leave to present his most respectful compliments to the
Pultlic, and to infoi-m them that he intends, on .Mond.»y, the tirst
of ^[ay next, to oj)en the Nkw Esr.vni.isMKO Fkkkv, fnun the
remarkable pleasant and convenient situate place of William
liayard, Esq., at the Kind's Arms Inn; from whieii plaw all
gentlemen Travellers and otlu-rs who have occasion to «to«w that
ferry will he accommodated with the best of Inrnts, of every
kind, suitable to the winds, weather and tides, to convey tliem
from thence to the New Market near the new ('orporation Pier
at the North lliver, opposite Vesey Street, in New York, at
which place a suital)le house will be kept for the recepti'
travellers passini]^ to and from his house, and will havi- his 1. ■. -
in good order.
" Said nAKiN(. takes this public method to inforni all gentle-
men travellers and others that he has a most elegant and conven-
ient house, suital)le for the purpose, where they will l>c providi**!
with lodging, eatables and li<iuoi*s of the best kind ; and particu-
lar attention will be given to the clean feeding and doing strict
justice to all travellers' horses. The elegance of the situation,
as well as its affording many amusements, such as fishing and
fowling, added to these, its l)eing stocked with tin' i»n>ate!*t vari-
ety of tlie best English fruits, will m ik.- it :in ^..'n^.iil.le pl.i<H^
'i\r. F. Records, Hi.
262 HISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
for the entertainment of lai-ge companies ; having besides a
number of convenient rooms, one of fifty feet in length, by
which means (as he will have the best cooks, particularly for the
dressing of Turtle and every other dish fit to set before either
Gentlemen or Ladies), he hopes to be honored with their com-
pany ; assuring them there shall be nothing wanting on his part
to make it convenient and agreeable, as well to entitle him to
the honor of their countenance as custom. And as his boats
will always be ready to attend travellers and those Gentlemen
and Ladies from the City of New York as well as those of the
Province he lives in, at a minute's warning, flatters himself he
will make it so convenient that during the summer season such
as do not choose to come over to dine may always be provided
with tea, &c., &c., pass the afternoon, have the best of fruit the
different seasons afibrd, and return to town again before night,
or honor him with their ctistom longer, as he will be strict with
having good beds for the accommodation of Gentlemen and La-
dies that are going to any part of the Jersies, Philadelphia or the
northern country, and choose to have their horses and carriages
l)rought over that night, and set out early the next morning ; or
such as are coming from Philadelphia or elsewhere, that choose
to stay at his Inn that night, and the next morning go over to
the City of New York. He has one of the best wharfs for land-
ing horses and carriages at all times of the tide ; and he may say
the completest causeway in this country, between the island he
lives on and the main ocean.
" 1^^ The boats are to be distinguished by the name The
Iloobook Ferry, painted on the stern. "^
During the war which shortly followed, this ferry, like its
neighbor at Paulus Hoeck, was subject to the control of the
army occupying New York. On the 7th of August, 17T6, orders
were issued from headquarters, in the city, that a subaltern and
twenty men should be placed at the Hoebuck ferry to examine
the passengers crossing there.^ This was done to prevent dis-
afi"ected persons passing into New Jersey, as also to prevent the
'Eivington's Gazette, April 27, 1775. '^Am. Archives, 5th Series, i., 912.
I UK IIolloKKN KKKKV. MS
desertion of the i-oiiliiieiitiil troops, whii-li iit tluit liinr wm of
frequent Dccurreiice.' No inentiun i^ i\\:u\v of the ferrv fr..ii;
this time until 1784, wheii .lolm AUfii. on the ^tli of ()■
secured a lease i>t' it tor three years at a rent of i;r»7 n ycnr.'
Uv soon grumbled al)init the terms, and at hi« own rcrjuoul wjin,
on the 20th of" August, ITS;"), released from his contrnct,* ami
Sylvamis Lawrence took the lea^e for three years at a rrnl of
£37 a year.^ In June, 17S7, he sold out his inten-st in th '
to Charles A. Wiessenfels,' who, on the i>th of July, IT"-', "i'
taiiu'd a lease from the city for three years from the IUmI of
Aui;iist, 1 VSS, at a rent of £5 a year." This arrangement w>«>n fell
through, and the ('(tmmon Council asked fi>r projHMals for thn
ferrv lease. On Wediu'sday, the l."»th of April, 178l>, the hid-
were openid. -lohn Stevens, the owner of Ilol>oken,' otfen**!
£10 a year, ami was the highest hidder." This is the Hrst tim««
the name of that gentleman appears in connection with this ferry,
thouo-h there can he no doubt that he was at this time its owner.
He held the lease until the 12th of December, I7'.U, when J.w.»p!i
Smith obtained it for three yeai-s at the rent of l".>l a yrar. Tin-
was pr()bai)ly in the interest of Mr. Stevens. \U various renew-
als, Smith held the lease until the -Jt'.th of March, 17i)'.>, when th.-
same was obtained by Z;ulock IIe«lden.'^ In the niean time the
ferry had improved, and the rent increased. At tliis time KI i-
Ilaynes was in charge of the ferry on the New Yi>rk »ido, nn.j
John Town on the Jersey side. Town aimoimced that he '
" no expense to render Ilobuckin House and Ferry eoinmo»uou?,
iind that "he had the best boats on the river."'"
On the llth ..f March, 1 709, the Common Council of New
York established the following rates of ferriage for " FIoNkm-.
ken : "
A Passenger,
£0 «•
e>'
K'im. Arcluren, oth Series, L. 886. 'S. i li'mr.U. r.u . 1*4.
Hbul, viii.. :309. '^'"'''. "••■• •^"•
^ibid. inii., rm. */'"■<'. •'•• ^01.
^Winfield'8 Land Titles, iO. »y. Y. Reo>nh. ir. m.
UUd xii., 470. '^Ctntitul of fy^fdom. April 13. ITT
26 i IlISTOEV OF HUDSON COUKTY.
A Coach, Chariot, Coachee'or covered Wagon,
A Phaeton, .----..
A Chaise or top Chair, -----
A Cliair, --------
A Sleigh, --...--
Horses and Cattle, - - - ' -
A Sheep, Calf or Hog, - - - . .
A large Trunk or Chest, - - - . -
A small do . . - -
A Bnshel of Salt, ------
A Pipe or Hogshead of Wine, Spirits or Molasses,
A Barrel of do - -
A Barrel of Beef, Pork, Flonr or Fish,
Plank of every kind, -----
Boards do - - . - -
A Side of Sole Leather, -----
Do of Upi)er do -
A Raw liide, -------
Iron, Steel, Lead, &c., per cwt., - - - -
A Desk, ------..
A large Table, -------
A small do --_._-
A Mahogany Chair, ------
A common do - . - . _
A Basket or Bag of Frnit of 2 Bushels
A Bag of Grain of do - -
A Crate of Earthenware, - - . - -
A Tierce of do . - . .
A Feather Bed, -------
A Clock Case, ------
A Chest of Tea, -------
Dye Wood, per cwt., - -
Gunpowder, per cwt.,- - . - . .
A large Bale of Cotton, -----
An empty Hogshead or Pipe, _ - - .
Do do Barrel,
Cabbages, per hundred, - - - - -
£0
8
6
5
6
3
6
2
6
3
fi
1
9
()
(1
(1
1
3
<)
(1
2tL
(»
8
1
1
3
2
1
2
1
f»
3
'0
♦;
3
1
6
(1
2
1
4
(1
3
.
2
2
o
O
6
1
2
6
1
()
2
1
3
1
(]
TIIK IlonOKKN KKKI£\
9<t&
II
Shad, \>vv liiiiulrL'tl, .... ri,
And all otlit'i' :iitirK'.> and things in likr pro|M.iti->ri.
II"lilin held tlic leiuso only tor ii ft-w iMi»iit)i!«. E\|HTii'ncv
had taught t hr ( 'oninion ( 'ouncil that a |>i'oiiiis<> to |mv niid tlir
payment ot rt-nt tor terry leases were two very difVemit •'
■^rn make sure of" the rent, they demanded sertirity Irom II
lie wa.xed width at the donht ot" his honesty which the (h .........
seemed to imply, threw np the lease, ami retustoil to liavc miy-
thiiii; more to do with the terry." Krom thi?* time until it wii«»
leased to (iarret Covenlioven, the ferry was l>ailly inniinf;e<|, an«l
caused miieh eomj>laint from the jieoph'.' Covciihoven timk it
in .\u<:;iist, 180*2, for three years, at a rent of JJ^'JoO u year. At
the termination of his lease, Peti'r Voorhis took tlie h-ui^e, at a
rent ot" §3r>(> a year. His man.ii^ement was no more nppr>
than that ot" (^)veni»oven.' Then David (ioflwin desirt-d t<> iii\<
the ferry, thinkin<; he eoidd meet the demands of the j- ..•.'.•
Beiny encoiiraired hy the lVri;en Turnpike Company,^ li-
ceeded on the 4th of Jaimary, 1808, in securing; a lease forthn-©
vears at a rent of s3.^0 a year.*' Durini; all these year*, sine©
the 26th dav o\' duly, 17>+, John Stevens had l>een the owner »»f
Hoboken, hut remained quiet, with only an ocen^Hional renion
strance airainst the manai,'ement of the ferry. Xow. Detfni-
ber n, 18<»1', he eame forward as the dise<»verer of a new
poAver in uavi^.itlon, lie claimed to he the first man in the
eountrv who had successfully applied steam ns a pro|Kdlinjr
power. At the same time, he claiTued to he the proprietor i>f
this ferry, and earnestly remoiistJ-ated aijainst the pr«»p«witi<»n »••
o-ive to Elisha l>oudinot and his associates the exclusive r .
ferry bv steam between New York and New Jersey. In Sej>-
tember, IS 10, he asked for a lease of the Hoboken ferry, anil
promised to place a steamboat thereon." On the 13tli of
April, ISU, he obtained the lease for the Ijimlini; on the Now
York side," and immediately set to work to eomph »-' • .......
^N. Y. Records, xii., 458.
*Ibid, TV., 435.
'•Ibid, .rxii., 2G3.
«/Wd. rii.. 554.
■'fhid.xni..4'i'2.
'Ibid, xiii . 60.
*Ihid, tviii , 7.
266 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
ferry-boat. This was completed about the middle of September,
1811, and shortly afterward was made the trial trip of the first
steam ferry-boat in the world. At this time a Mr. Godwin, of
Hoboken, had charge of the ferry, and he employed the steam-
boat. It was immediately put into use, and on the 23d of Sep-
tember, 1811, made sixteen trips, with an average of one hundred
passengers each trip.^ At this time, the landing place on the
New York side was at the foot of Vesey street. On the 21:th
of May, 1813, Colonel Stevens secured the lease of the Spring
street ferry.^ On the Yesey (now Barclay) street ferry, he soon
abandoned the use of steam, and returned to horse boats as more
profitable, and he claimed that this movement " promised to be
highly valuable in facilitating the intercourse between New
York and the Jersey shore. "^ He continued to operate both the
Yesey street and Spring street ferries until January, 1817, when
he sold to John, Robert and Samuel Swartwout the exchisive
right of ferriage from Hoboken to New York. The Swartwouts
proposed to have on the two ferries, by the first of the folk)wing
May, " two horse boats and other craft for the accommodation
of the public."^ On the 7th of April, 1817, the Common Coun-
cil consented to the transfer of the ferr}' leases and an extension
thereof for ten years, on condition that the Swartwouts would
give to the city $516.25 a year for the Yesey street ferry, and
within six months from the first of the following May place
thereon " two good horse boats of not less than eight horses to a
boat ; " and for the Spring street ferry to give $25 a year, and
place thereon " as many sail or ferry boats as the corporation
may deem proper."^ About this time the landing on the New
York side was changed to Murray street. But that location was
found to be too " remote from the market to accommodate the
country people," and as Yesey street was " too much covered
with carts, &c.," Barclay street was selected as the landing place
on the 8th of June, 1818. At this place it has remained ever
^Centinel of Freedom, October 1, 1811. Mr. Valentine fixes the date of the trial
trip, October 11, 1811. Valentine's Manual, 1859, 604.
^N. T. Records, xxxvii.,1. ^Ibid,xxxmii.,22\.
*Ibid, xxxiL, 109. ^Ibid, xxxii., 331.
I UK IIDIIOKKN KKKUY. 2'»T
since. The Swiirtuouts hcM those terries l)Ut little DVer one
year. They assiy;iie(l them to Philip Ilnno, of New York. Tlio
Coiiiiiiini (\)iiiicil consiMitcil to the transfer. They pivf him n
lease for twelve years, and priinitteil him t(i " Huhntitiito n j;o«m|
substantial team boat in tlif phice of a st«>aml)OHt."' Alxxit tho
1st of ^[arch, 1S21, an ejectment suit was he^nn aifainst Hone to
take from him the ferry.' I'eforc this suit canio to trinl the
parties comi>romise(l, and the two ferries reverted to tlic Stmen*
family. In ^lay, IS'il, John ('. and Ilohcrt L. Stevens purelumed
the interest which Hone had in them.'' Tln-v now proposed to
l)lace on the ]^»arclay street ferry "asnperior >teanilM»;it, from
ninety to a hundred feet on deck, and forty-two feet l>cam, hiiilt
of tlie best cedar and oak," and ]iromised to pnt on more than
one if necessary. I'or the Sprinj; street ferry tliey pro|)o8e<l nn
eiijht-horse team boat. The Common Council consented that J<»hn
C. Stevens slionld have the lease of the I'arday street tV-rry for nine
years from May 1, 1821, at a rent of >^:>*M^ a year, and that he
and his brother Robert L. shonld haw the Sprint; street ferry
for fourteen years, payini; tlu'refor. ft)r the lij*st four years one
cent a vear : for the ne.xt tive vears ^.'>tt ji vear, and tor the next
tive years, $200 a year. It was further a«;re»'d tlint the iJarclny
street lease should be extended for tive years at a rent of ;?>»H)
a year,^ The Ilohoken St^amhoat Femj Company wa« inci>rj»o-
rated November 3, 1821.
On the 22d of April, 1822, the Messrs. Stevens made n trial
trip of the first steamboat placed on the ferry since ISH.^ Thi^
was the '' Iloboken." Thereafter it made trips " every h<»ur by
St. Paul's Church clock." On the 21.>t of July, 1^2.1. they re-
ceived permission to start the Canal street ferry and nse steam-
boats thereon.^ On the first Friday in September, IH-J.'J, the
" Pioneer " made its trial trip." In these boats the ladies' cHbin
was below deck, carpeted and warmed In- open tire-places. Fr.«m
1821 until the present time these ferries have been tinder the
'iV. T. Records, XXXV., ^-n. -Ibid, xUi., 2A9. Hbui.itiii.l.
*lbid, xliii., ;3;3r.. Ibid, ilc, 211. VW. ririii. 316.
'Ibid, xlciu., 44r,.
268 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
control of the Stevens family or of the Hoboken Land and Ini-
prov^enient Compan)-. The Christopher street ferry was started
in July, 1836.
List of hoats on the HohoJcen Ferry.
Hoboken, ------_• April 22, 1822.
Pioneer, -----.. September, 1823.
Fairy Qneen,i -----._ April, 1828.
Xewark, ---.-..- April, 1828.
Passaic,^ ------___ 1844.
John Fitch, ------__ 1840.
James Rumsey,^ - - - - - - . _ 1846.
Phffinix, -------_. 1851.
James Watt,^ ---.--__ 1851.
Chancellor Livingston," -.---__ 1853.
Paterson, ---.--___ 1854.
Hoboken," - - - - - . . _ _ 1861.
Hoboken, ----.-.._ 1863.
Morristown, - - . - . . _ _ 1864.
James Pumsey, - - - - - _ _ - 18<'»7.
Wiehawken, ----.-__ 1868.
Secaucus, ---.-._ March 10, 1873.
The Pavonia Ferry.
Standing out boldly on the first page of this ferry's history is
an exclusive right of ferriage, the King's Patent for which is as
follows :
' This boat was rebuilt in 1851, and then named the Phoenix. It was the night
boat in the summer of 1856.
- This boat was taken from the line to Xewark.
'■' Destroyed by fire in 1853 while lying in the Barclay street slip. Her ma-
chinery was afterward put in the Paterson.
" Destroyed by fire August 2, 1870.
•'' Chartered by the United States Government in 1861 for a transport. It was
in the service about one year.
" Chartered by the United States Government in 1861 for a transport. It was
lost in the Burnside expedition to North Carolina in 1863.
IIIK I'AVoMA IKUUV.
" CTeorf]:;(' tlic ScchikI, by the ^rnc«^ of (io<l, of (iri-.it liriium.
Iraiict' iuid Iiclaiul, Iviii;^, Di-fcMuler of the Kuith, tVr.
'• Tu sill to wlumi those |»res(Mits sliall CDine, {^ivetiii;;. When-n*.
the convenient, speedy ami sjife carridj^e, transportiitiuii ari<l
conveyance of passeiiiijers, hoi'ses, j^oods, wares niul iiicrchiin
ili/.('> tViiiii oiir [rhuT 111- one |in>vinecto another is the life of
trade and conuiu'rce ; aii<l whereas it hii.H been huniMy n*pri'-
sented unto us hy nur loviiii; snliji'ct Arehihald Kenru-dv, K**
i[uire, one of our Council of the nei^hhorintc province o( New
Vork, that the County of lierijen is a <;rowin<; eounty uml yearly
increases in its innnher of inhabitants and productions (»f all
.-^orts of necessaries, and that it lies the most contiguous to our
city of New York, in our said province of New York; and
whereas there hath not liithcrto been anv rei;ular ferrv or vha
sa2;e boats, except from <>ur -aid dersey shore to our sjiid City of
New York, so as to transport or set over any passengers, ^kmI*
or merchandizes, with any safety or certainty, to the j;reat inron-
veniency and detriment of all our lovin;; subjects, the inhnbi
tants of both our said provinces And whereas tlie said Archi-
l)ald Kennedy hath proposeil and undertaken, thou;^h at very
i^reat expense and trouble and without any pn»l)aibility of !ui\.
present advanta<i|;e, to build a boat or boats, scow or scows, « ,
a wharf or wharves, and do everything necessary and coinnuMli-
ous for the keeping up and employing a regular ferry or ferries,
for the transporting of passengers and horses, poo<ls, wares and
merchandizes as aforesaid, providing he might olttain our letter-*
patent, granting to him, his heirs and assigns, the sole liberty
and privilege of keeping and em[>loying a ferry or ferries, at
such place or places, and in such manner and under such pnv
visoes as hereafter mentioned. And we, having always at heart
the benefit, ease and safety of all our loving subjects, and Iwing
ready and willing to give proper encouragement to all thosv who
shall undertake to contril)ute to the s;ime, we have thought fit to
give and grant, and wc do hereby, of our sjK'cial grace and men-
motion, give and grant unto the said Archibald Kennedy, hi*
heirs and" assigns, the sole liberty and privilege of keeping, using
and employing a ferry or ferries, at a place called Pavoiiia, ali.-i*
270 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Aliasimus, situate on Hudson's, or the North river, in our said
province of New Jersey, and at a certain distance on each side
of the said place along the shore, that is to say, from the said
place called Pavonia or Ahasinius, to the most southerly part of
a place called Communipaw, down the said river, and up the said
river from the said place, Pavonia or Ahasimus," a quarter of a
mile beyond for above Weehawk, for transporting and carrying
of passengers, goods, wares and merchandizes, with the liberty
of taking and receiving such sum and sums of money, ferriages
and hire for the same, as hath been usually taken and received
in such cases, or now is, or at any time hereafter shall be legally
established or appointed for that purpose. To have and to hold
tlie sole liberty and privilege, ferriages and hire aforesaid, to the
said Archibald Kennedy, his heirs and assigns, to the sole
and only proper use, benefit and behoof of the said Archibald
Kennedy, his heirs and assigns forever. And we do strictly for-
bid all our loving subjects to carry any passengers, horses, goods,
wares or merchandizes, contrary to the liberty and privilege afore-
said, under the pain of our displeasure and the highest penalties
the law can inflict, provided always, and these presents are upon
this condition aud limitation, that the said Archibald Kennedy,
with all convenient speed, shall provide a sufiicient boat or boats,
scow or scows, and sufficient persons or hands for the transport-
ing, carrying and ferrying of passengers, liorses, goods, wares and
merchandizes as aforesaid, and the same being so provided shall
from time to time and at all times hereafter, continue to keep, or
cause to be kept such boat or boats, scow or scows, in good and
sufficient repair, with good and sufficient persons or hands to
give due attendance for the transporting, carrying and ferrying
of passengers, horses, goods, wares and merchandizes as afore-
said, according to the true intent and meaning hereof, otherwise
this present grant, and every matter and thing contained herein,
shall cease, determine and be utterly void to all intents and pur-
poses whatsoever.
"In testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be
made patent and the seal of our province of Nova Cesarea, or
New Jersey, to be affixed. Witness our trusty and well-beloved
TlIK TAVUNIA !■ KIMCV. L'Tl
William Cosby, Escj., Cai)tiiiii-General and Govoruor-in-Chief in
ami over t>nr provinces of New Jersey and New Vurk, and ter
rituries depeiidiiii; thereon in America, \'icc-Admir.il of the
same, and Colonel in our army, ^Vc. At I'ort (Jeorj^e, in the
city of New York, this ISeventh day of .January, in the seventh
year of oiir reiijn, and in the year of our Lord One Thousand
Seven Hundred and Thirty-three.'''
It is (juite certain that ("aptain Kennedy did not fidtill the
conditions of the above patent, and so forfeited all the ritijht- in-
tended to be ;^ranted thereby. The next notice of this ferry is a
l»etition to the Common Council of New "^'nrk b>r a ferry from
the "west end of Pearl street" to llarsimus, on the '2'M of
March, 1753.'- Nothiui; came of this movement. On May .'1,
1705, Archibald Kennedy and AVilliam McAdam made an at-
tempt to secure for tliemselves the exclusive rii^ht <d' ferriage
from New York to tlie Jersey shore.^ This was a blow at the
Pauius Iloeck ferry, but it fell short. P^xcejtting Budd's ferry,
the next tliat is lieard of a ferry from Ilai-simus is on the 13th of
April, 1818, when a number of j)ersons petitioned for a ferry
from the foot of Chandjers street to llarsimus.' Notldng mon- is
hcnrd of this ferry until on the completion of the P>ergen Tunnel
l)y the Long Dock Company in 1801. The Erie Railway Com-
pany, lessees of the Long Dock Company, revived the Pavotua
Ferrv.^ It began business May 1, 1801, with three old boats —
Niagara, Onalaslxi and Onala — from tlie J>rooklyn ferries.
The Erie Railway Company have since put upon the ferry the
Pavonia, binit in - - .- - - - 1801.
Susquehanna, built in . _ _ . 1804.
Delaware, built in . _ . - - 1S05.
The Twenty-tliird street ferry was established in May. 1^0^.
Boats.
Jay Gould, built in - - - - I'^O'i.
James Fisk, Jr.. l)uilt in - - - - 1^»'>1>.
Erie, built in ----- - 1^73.
Liber C 3 of Deeds {Trenton), 224. «.V. Y. Rrrortit, r.. 829.
Ibid, ci., 269. *If>i(i. rTxr.. 149.
The Pavonia Ferry Company waa incorporated February ".IS. 1841*.
272 history of hudson county.
Brown's Ferry.
The Commissioners who were appointed on the 20th of June,
1765, to lay out a road from Newark to intersect the road leading
from Bergen Point to Paulus Hoeck, were authorized to erect
ferries over the Passaic and Hackensack rivers, together with all
necessary ferrv buildings.^ Bv the same act the owners of the
land where the ferries were to be erected were permitted to oper-
ate the same for their own benelit, on condition that they would
equip the ferries and keep in repair the causeway over their
land. Thomas Brown, of Bergen, was one of the commissioners,
and owner of the land on the east l)ank of the Hackensack where
the ferry was erected.'^ From a supplement to said act, passed
June 28, 1766,^ it would seem that the ferry was erected before
the latter date. Then arose a dispute between Captain Brown
and Garret Newkirk concerning the title to the hinds on the east
side of tlie Hackensack, and the right to the ferry. It was decided
in favor of the former, and from that time until the Revolution
the ferry was known as " Brown's Ferry." For nearly thirty
years this was the only thoroughfare between Paulus Hoeck and
Newark and the extensive country beyond. It may well be sup-
posed that it did a thriving business with its row boats and scows.
A horn hanging to a tree served the traveler to summon the fer-
ryman to his duty and reward.^ The safety of the ferries over
the Passaic and Hackensack rivers was an early care of the
xlmericans in the Pevolution. On August 7, 1776, Richard
Stockton, a delegate in Congress from New Jersey, sent to the
New Jersey State Convention, then in session at Burlington, cer-
tain resolutions of Congress requesting the Convention to make
such provision for keeping open these ferries as would be effect-
ual. They were accompanied by a Congressional promise to
reimburse such expenses to the State. So prompt was the Con-
vention in carrying out the wishes of Congress that on August
they passed an ordinance for keeping open the communica-
tion between New Jersey and New York by way of these ferries.
^Allinson's Laios, 276. - See the genealogy of the Gautier family.
^AUinson's Laws, 289. * Booth's Hist, of jf. Y., 399.
Dol W S FEKKY. 21'->
Tlie preamldt' ut" tlir oidinancc (lecliires tlie ferries jxtorlv
cquippt'd jviid the i)n»j)rietor.s iR'<;lii;eiit. The act took them out
of the proprietor's hands and put them in the hands of William
( anij) and Joseph Jledden until the Hrst of Deeemher followiii",'.
They were to provide four scows to each ferry, supply a sutlieient
number of hands, and stretch ropes across the rivers. 8oldicr>
were to be ferried over for one-third of the rcf^ular rates.' .\fter
the capture of New York the ferry was susj»ended. When tin-
war closed the ferries were rej)aired, and continued in use
until the bridi^es were built on the turni)ike. Thev then fell
into disuse until 1805, when they were again repaire<l. They
remained in use until supplanted by the bridges built after the
old road across the meadows was made into a ])]ank road.
Douw's Ft:KKY.
Tliis ferry was located at the westerly end of Chwrry lane, about
175 feet nortli of the present l)ridge of the New .Jersey Railroad
over the llackensack river. It was jirobably set up about the
time that Colonel John Schuyler constructed the Belleville turn-
pike during the French war, and remained in operation imtil
suj)erseded by the bridge erected in 1TV»4. It received its name
from John Douw, a friend of Colonel Schuyler. Ilr had for-
merly operated the fen-y over the Passaic at Belleville. The ferry
house was on the west side of the llackensack. Dojiw used it
also as a public house, where he entertained travelers ami guests.
Bangs says that here, June 27, 177G, l)y him and Schuyler, " many
Decanters of Wine sutfered shipwreck, and many Bowles of
Grog were poured down. - * Xor was Egg I'op forgot among
our Dainties."- It was at this ferry that boats had been provided
on the night of Lee's attack on I'uuln- ll-n'ck to carry over the
troops on their retreat. Their delay induced those in charge to
believe that the forces had retreated along the hill, and there-
'Am. Archives, Ath Series, vi.. 1659. '/Vex-. X ./. Hist. Soc.. riii.. 122.
18
274r HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
fore the boats were taken away. Lee's advance, passing down
Cherry Lane, reached the ferry only to find it deserted.
13 udd's Fekry.
In the year 1802, Nathaniel Budd, without any license, built
or extended a dock in the Harsinins Cove, afterward known as
Budd's Dock, and erected a ferry to New York. The western
end of this dock was in Eighth street, about the middle of the
block east of Provost street, and thence extended southeasterly
between one hundred and two liundred feet. The exact date
when this ferry was erected is not known ; though, from a peti-
tion of John Holdron, dated in May, 18U3,nhat the Jersey City
Ferry had been injured by a " new ferry " which had been in
existence for ten months, the proxinuite date is ascertained. On
the 22d of November, 1802, the Legislature appointed commis-
sioners with power to lay out a road from the *' Great Iload
leading from Newark to Paulus Hook '' to Budd's Dock. The
act also authorized Budd to erect a ferry from said dock to the
city of New York. It would seem from the preamble to the
act that he had been operating the ferry for some time, for therein
it is said the ferry " liatli acquired a great share of public patron-
age." lie had landed on the New York side without the per
mission or even knowledge of the authorities there ; for, in their
report on Iloldron's petition, on the Kith of May, 1803, tlie
committee expressly say " the corporation was not aware of " any
ferry as complained of by Holdron, and they recommended that
unauthorized ferries be restrained. Just previous to this report,
and immediately after the petition of Holdron, on the 9th of May,
1803, Budd petitioned the Common Council of New York " for
liberty to establish a new ferry from the Barclay street wharf across
the North Eiver.''~ There seems to be a conflict between this
petition and the act of 1 802, explained probably by the fact that
hitherto he had run it without authority. The request of the
petition was refused on the 16th of the same month, for the rea-
'Proc. K J. Hist. Soc, xiii., 713. -^IMd, mil., 694.
nui)i)'s i-KUK\- hill's kkuu^ . 275
Sun that the terries existiiii; on the North Iliver were then under
lease for tliree years, .•md it wnuld Kc iniproj)er tor the corpora-
tion to lease other terries duriiii^ that time, and, in the ((pinion of
the eonimittee, "the puhlic interest woidd not i»c promoted by
erectinj; anotlier ferrv on the Xoi'th River.'''
2s\»t\vithstan(lin<;- this, lie advertises as foll(»\v>:
" III l)l)'> I'KIJin .
'* The snbserilier itit'orms his friends and the ))nhlic tiiat he
has erected a Feriy hetween Powles Hook and Ilohooken Fer-
ries, ha> also proviiU'd <j;iun\ Iloats and earefnl Ferrymen tor
carrying Passengei's, Horses, Cattle, Cai-ria»^es, (iuods, Wares and
Merchandize to and from the City of X»'\v York, as he hath
obtained liberty from the Corporation of ^«'e\v York to land and
take ott' from the same Dock and Ferry Stairs as the Powles
Hook Boats do at the foot (»f Courtland Street, in the City of
New York — and also entertainment for them and Horses, and
hath erected convenient Stables adjacent to the sai<l Ferry for
those who wonld wish to bring with them their own forage for
teams or without.
" Oct. 24, 1803." —Centinel of Freedom. Oct. 25, 1803.
There is no record in the minutes of the Common Council of
New Y'ork, \\\) to 1S24, that Budd ever received permission to
land his ferry boats on that side of the river; yet, from Hol-
dron's petition, there can be no doubt that his boats were running
in 1802, and from the evidence in Gourjh vs. Bdl'^ that " for
some years after " 1804, he had a ferry and kept a ferry house.
Bull's Fekkv.
When and by whom this ferry was erected has not been
discovered. The name was well known at the time of the
Revolution. At that time there lived a family by the name of
^ProcUn-'s N. J. IUkI. Soc.xiii., 711. •' 1 Zab. Hep., 1G4.
276 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Bull, at the place now known as Bull's Ferry, and the probability
is that it took its name from that family, who then owned the
land on the Jersey shore and ei-ected the ferry. Nothing par-
ticular concerning it is to be found in the New York JRecords.
The following named persons have been lessees, and probably
managed the ferry, or had an interest in it :
Cornelius Huyler, - - - - - - 1788 to 1792.
Theodoras Brower, ----- 1792 " 1805.
Garret Neefie, ----_. _ _ 1805.
Lewis Concklin, _---_-. 1806.
Abraham Huyler, - - - 1808.
De Klyn's Ferry.
On the 14:th of October, 1799, John Towne and Barent De
Klyn erected a ferry from the new wharf '' south and north " of
the State Prison to Hoboken.^ In March, 1806, the location of
it was referred to a committee of the New York Common Coun-
cil,^ but nothing more has been learned eoncernino; it.
The following attempts were made to erect other ferries across
the North River. There is no evidence, however, that either of
them were successful.
On the 19th of May, 1805, Anthony Lispenard and others
petitioned the Common Council of New York for " a new Feri-y
across Hudson River, between De Klyn's Ferry and the Market."^
On the 2d of September, 1805, Joseph Watkins and others
petitioned for a " new ferry trom the Market in Greenwich
street," and Gabriel Y. Ludlow and others petitioned for a
" ferry from the foot of Duane street."^
The Elizabethtown Point Ferry.
This ferry is only incidentally connected with Jersey City.
About the year 1808, it was purchased by Colonel Aaron Ogden,
W. Y. Records, xil, 548. ^Ibid, xv., 518.
'^Jbid, XV., 328. ^Ibid, xv., 349.
rilK KIJ/AUKIinoWN I'niM 11;i;KV. -it
and l>y him lujiscd to John \l. ami Kolicft .1. Liviii::;.stnii, win)
ctwiied ;i monopoly of ii;ivi<x:itiiijj; Nuw \ oik wiitcrs hy stciiiii.
Tlit'v placed on this tV'iTv thu /iifn'fun, the first stcjiincrlu'twri-n
Xew York and Eli/.:il)othto\vn l'<»int. It was not lon*:^, liowcvcr,
before Colonel Oirden had hiiilt, hv Cornelius Joralenion, of
Belleville, a hoat, tonrtcen feet beam and seventy-five feet keel,
in which Danit'l Dod, of Mendham, put a twelve-horse en«:inc.
It was called the Sea-IJonte. This boat the ('(donel placed on
this feny, luit, to avoid seizure under the New York navijjation
laws, ran her to .lersey City. On the 18th of >ray, 1S1,*5, she
was advertised as " an oleijjant steand)oat provided to run between
Elizabethtown Point and Paulus Hook: fare four shillin:,'s." She
made two trips a day. The fare was afterward reduced to
three shillings and sixpence. On the 2 1st of June, 1814, she
was advertised to meet the team l)oat Snhstitvtion^ at Paulus
Hook, which would eari-y the passengers to New York.
" The Bellona, owned by Gibbons, ran from Klizabethtown t.i
Jersey City, fare \^h cents. In the advertisement was flung to
the breeze a banner inscribed with the motto, ' Xew Jersey must
he ivQQy'—Sentind of Freedom, Jnh/ :',!. 1821.
I'owLKs Hook and Brooklyn.
Durino- the Eaces at the Union Course on Long IslaiuK in
October, 1822, a Brooklyn ferry boat made four trijts a day
between that city and Jersey City.
CHAPTER X.
History of Jersey City — Paulus Hoeck — Paul us Hoeck race course — Early lot-
teries — British graveyard — Names of city officials — Consolidation -witli
Van Vorst township — With Bergen and Hudson City — As a port of entry
— Water works — Post-office — Bull-baiting — Floating theatre — The old
wind mill — History of Bergen — Its officers — History of Harrison — Captain
William Sandford — Petersborough — History of Harsimus — West India
Company's farm — The Duke's farm — History of Hoboken — Its first occu-
pant — Made into a city — Its officers — History of North Bergen — Secaucus
— Three Pigeons — The Frenchman's garden — History of Hudson City —
Its officials — Beacon race course — Horses running and time made.
As WILL be seen hereafter, the territory comprised within the
county of Hudson includes all the land within the limits of the
old township of Bergen, and that part of New Barbadoes Neck
now within the bounds of the townships of Harrison and Kear-
ney. This territory has, since the erection of the county, been
cut up into several municipalities, a brief sketch of some of
which we now propose to give.
Jersey City was incorporated January 28, 1820, l)ut remained
a part of the township of Bergen. It was then bounded on the
west by a creek and ditch between the lands of the "Associates
of the Jersey Company " and Cornelius Yan Yorst (Warren
street nearly) ; east by the middle of Hudson's river; north by
Harsimus Cove (First street), and south by Communipaw Cove
(South street). This territory was the old Paulus Hoeck of the
Dutch and Aressick of the Indians. It was sold by the West
India Company to Abraham Isaacsen Planck, May 1, 1638, for
the sum of four hundred and fifty guilders, calculated at twenty
stivers to the guilder.^ It remained in the Planck family until
August 2, 1699, when it was sold to Cornelius Yan Yorst for
£300, " current money of New York."^ From this time until
'N. Y. Col. MSS., L, 14. '■ Winfield's Land Titles, 45.
2T8
JKRSKY CITY
279
1764 it was used as t'ann laiul, as most of it (•(iritiiiiu'<l tolx- until
1S04-. In 17t)4 the terrv was estahlished, and Micliutd Curnelison
l)uilt, just north of (Ti-and street, near tlic water, a low trame
house about forty teet in l('ii^;th, with a [)ia/./.a in tVi.nt and an
extensive Dutch roof which projeeted over the pia/./.a. In 1*^00
tliis liouse, used as a tavern and tV-rry house, and several spacious
barns and stables and a store house were the oidy buildiiii^s on
the TToeck. Here, when passen<2;ers arrived by sta<;«' and no
boat was at hand to take them to New York, they could ^ct
both food and drink. In addition to this, the host woidd resale
them with an inexhaustible fund of anecdote, for he was well ac-
(|uainted with the world ; had seen much of it ; had taken part
in the War of the Revolution, and was a shrewd observer. Such
was the Rtrai<:;ht, stout, jolly ^[ajor David Hunt.
Late in 1800, f>r early in isoi, u small shanty was put up aloni;
the turnpike, a little way from the ferry house, and occupied, as
is now supposed, by John Afurphy. The portentous si^i,
Ovt;n-STOKS for sale heak, put on the side of the establishment,
indicated to the hunirry traveler <,n)o(l cheer within and incipient
opposition to the sirloins of the Major.'
The old tavern, at least as much of it as could be moved, was
iinally taken to a lot of Colonel Dod, so well known as the vet-
eran post-office man, who for so many yeai-s buffeted the storm
and plouirhed his way throui,di fields of ice in performance of
the laudable duty of transporting; the Tnited States mail over
the river in a row boat I
Tlu' Tlot'ck was nnide up of a number of sand hills, some of
them of consitlerable height. Around these, and iijenerally alonsr
the edo-e of the ujJand, Cornelius Van Vorst, in the summer of
1709, made a track for horse racin<;. It was one mile in length.
Here the lovers of fast horses and good sport gatliered from the
' I find the following in a paper of tliat date : " The Steer fattentKl by Major
Hunt and killed by Aaron Munn & Co. weighed
The Quarters, ■ ^•^''
Hide and fat. J^
Total, '''■'^•"
280 HISTOKV OF HUDSON COUNTY.
iiei^liboring city and surrounding country, until the Eevolution
broke out and war put a stop to fun. Tlie first notice met with
relating to this course is as follows:
" FowLEs Hook Haces.
" On Monday, the 9th day of October next, will l)e run for
over the 'New Course at Powles Hook, a Purse of Fefty
Pounds, New York Currency, by any Horse, Mare or Gelding,
not more than three Quarters Blood ; and those less than three
Quarters Blood to be allowed 5 lb. The best of three 3 Mile
Heats ; thi-ee Years old carrying seven Stone ; four Years old
seven Stone, eight pounds ; five Years old eight Stone, two
Pounds; six years old eight stone, eleven Pounds ; and aged
Horses 9 Stone, seven Pounds, Saddle and Bridle included ; Fil-
lies to be allowed three Pounds. Any Horse, ifec, running two
Heats shall not be obliged to start a third to save his Distance.
To run according to the King's Plate Articles.
" Tuesday, the loth, the beaten Horses to run the best of three
Heats for the Stakes.
" Wednesday, the lltli, there will be a Fox Hunt in Bergen
Woods,^ and on Tuesday, the 12th, there will be a Purse of
' This sport was continued until quite recently. Some are yet living who
took part in the chase through Bergen Woods. The following receipt for din-
ners shows that some of our best citizens belonged to the hunt, and that when
the fierce delight of the chase was over they knew how to quiet their over-
strained nerves :
"Jersey City, February 18, 1831.
"Gentlemen Fox Chasers,
To Freeman Anderson, Dr.
Colonel Ogden, to 1 Dinner, $1 00
Doctor Gotier, " « ....... i 00
" Cornelison, " '■ ........ l 00
Henderson, '< <« I qq
HughMcCutcheon,2 " - - - 2 00
Gilchrist, 1 " ....... I 00
Mr. Miller, .. .< - 1 00
Mr. James, .< .. j qq
Mr. Freeland, ■■ " I 00
.ii:ksi;\ ( nv. 281
Twenty Pouiuis, free for uiiy TIoi-sc, M.ii-c or (JcIiliiiL; not iiioro
than (^narter Blood, Wei^'ht tor A^r^c as al)()\i'. Tlii* Ilorni'S,
vV;c'., to he sliown and entered at thr Sfartini; Post, the Siiturday
hefore running, between the llonrs of ;i and .') in tlio afternoon,
in presence of the .Indices, who will he present payini; .'0-..
Entrance for eadi Horse, vfec, that starts for the Plate of .'.n|.,
and 20s. for every Horse, I'irc, that starts fur the 201. Plate,
Any Dispute that may arise to ho determined hy a Majority of
the Subscribers present.
"No Quarter Blood that ever won the value of 4(»s. can start
for the Purse of 201.
" Good Crafts will he ready at each lerry t<» convey over all
Persons who may incline to seethe Paces; jrood Stables, with
I'xcellent Hay and oats, will be provided for the Horses, and
ijood Accommodations for the Grooms. To start at 2 o'( 'lock
precisely each Day ; Certificates of the Acjes of the Horses, ikr.,
to be produced at Entrance, from under the hands of tlu' Breed-
ers.'"
The race came off at the time named. Four horses started fi>r
the £'.50 purse. It was won by Anthony Ilut<;er's horse Liiijijx.
Mr. Morris' horse PaHner had the misfortune to run over a
doir. The cur threw the horse and the horse threw tlie rider,
wdio was very much hurt. I'p to the time of this mishaj* the
7 Bottles of Charapaijrne. - - 14 00
3 " Port. - . . . :{ (K)
1 " Madrira. 2 00
0) 29 00
3 22i
" April 20. IKH.
" Received by the hands i>f .). D. Miller thr.-.- Dollars 22 100 from Doctor Oau-
tier, Dr. Cornelison, David HonderHoii. Uohert (iilchrist an 1 .1. D. .Miller, n-s-jx-ct-
ively, being their (juota of amount on the above bill, and acrt. in full for the
game Frkeman Anderson."
•' Received, Jersey City, December 4th. 1830. of Ilonry Lyon. Twenty IVilIani.
in full, for the Use of the Ilminds and myself attendintr the Club of the Jerwy
Hunt, which is full satisfaction to me.
"$20.00. .FoiiN Ban<»iikh "
'N. Y. Mircury, Auf/ust 14, 17fi!>.
282 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
race " in doubtful balance hung," as Luggs had won the first
heat and Partner the second.^
The proprietor of the course was anxious to keep the races in
good repute. One of the rules was : " No persons to be con-
cerned in a confederacy in running their Horses together or in
dividing the Plate."^ Thus it would appear that it was whole-
some for horsemen to be subjected to a little watching even in
those days of honesty.
On the 27th of August, 1771, a purse of £100, and on the
following day a purse of £50, was run for. For the first purse,
Captain De Lancey's chestnut colt Sultan^ Mr. Perkins' black
horse Steady^ Mr. Dick's gray horse Vitriol and Israel Waters'
bay mare Xettle started. Xettle won without difticulty. For
the second purse, Whitehead Cornell's horse Booby ^ Armstrong's
horse Ilero^ Elsworth's gray colt Quiehsilver^ Butler's bay horse
Bastardy Timothy Cornell's black horse Richmond^ Dick's gray
horse Vitriol, Perkins' black horse Steady and Van Home's
gray mare Dove started. The race was won by Booby in three
straight heats, hard running.^
On the 31st of May, 1773, a fine race was run with the fol-
lowing result :
Heats.
Elsworth's bay horse, Cyrus, _ . . .
Jackson's gray horse. Quicksilver,
Tallman's gray mare. Dove, . - . _
Wickoffs Ijlack horse, Richmond,
Patterson's black horse, Gimcrach, -
Waters' horse, Valiant (5 years old),
On the following day the four-year-olds ran for a purse of
£50, with the following result :
Anthony Rutger's bay colt. Macaroni,^ - - - 1 1
- 5
1
1
1
3
3
- 4
4
2
3
2
- 2
dr
6
dr
()
W. Y. Mercury, October 16, 1771. "^lUd, April 15. 1771.
^Ibid, Seineniber 2, 1771.
* This was a beautiful horse. His dam was out of Ariel, by Old Spark. His
sire was Wildair, he out of Old Cade, and he out of Lord Godolphin's Arabian.
Wildair's dam was Roxana, daughter of Bald Galloway, and granddaughter of
Old Spark:
1
1 :'.
2
1 -1
5
■1 1
8
:; .li
4
:» (Ir
I'AUI.rS IlOKi K KAlKiS. 283
Ilcatfl.
Patterson's bay iiuire, V'/i(/li)^ .'i 'J
Waters' l)rown horse, Xanthi'H^ - - - 2 'A <>
Cornell's bay hoi*se, Jias/iaw, - - - . | | o'
On the 23d of May, 1774, a race was run for a £'")<• purse, :i>
follows :
Corneirs bhuk iiorse, Strady^ - - -
Ilutt^ers' bay horse, J/a(Y//y>>(/, - - - -
"Waters' bay horse, Aiicfioneer, . . .
Elsworth's bay horse, Ci/ru.'i, . _ . .
Jackson's i^ray horse, Quirhsilver,
At this rare the sjK'ctators were numerous, the weatlu'r line,
the sport excellent, but the most contitlent in the liettin^ branch
were grievously disappointed.*
Immediately after the I'ace Elsworth (" Dine '' Elsworth, of the
Panlns IToeck Ferry) boui^dit the horse Macat'oni, and entered
him tor the race on June 7, at Centre Course, near Philadel-
phia.' Sometimes the programme was changed from a race of
blooded horses to a scrub race of Dutch horses, in which the
steeds of P>ergen and Communi]i:iw had an op])ortunity to show
the metal of their ]>asture.'
These are the particulars of a tew ot" the races run on this
course. It was not used during the Mar, but revived afterward,
and continued until the Associates graded down the sand hills
and began a new city. A track was then laid out at Ilarsiinus,
about where Henderson street crosses the Erie Railway tracks.
Tin's was in successful operatii»n in 180S and 1809.
About a century ago lotteries were much in vogue and veiy
]iopular. Churches, colleges, schools, road.-^ and prisons wi-re
built, and many charitable institutions sustaineil by them. Patdus
Iloeck was a favorite place for this enterprise. The tii-st lotti-ry
drawn here was in the summer of 177'». It was noticed as fol-
lows :
^liinngtoii's (iitzrtte, June 'i, 1778. ^Ihid. Mnii Jt;. 1774.
'Ihid, June 2, 1774. ^Y )'. M>reHry, Mnjj U. 1774.
284 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
" PowLES Hook Cash Lottery.
" Subject to a deduction of 15 per cent, on the Prizes to be
given for Purses to be run for at Powles Hook.
1 Prize of 400 Doll, is - - - - 400
- 200
200
- 300
300
- 310
345
- 945
1
200
2
100
6
50
12
25
31
10
69
5
378
U
500 Prizes.
1 ,000 Blanks.
1, 500 Tickets at 2 Dollars each, . - . _ 3,000
" The Lottery has two blanks to a prize ; will be drawn as
soon as full After the drawing, printed handbills with the for-
tunate numbers will be distributed among the adventurers, and
the prizes regularly paid at Powles Hook."^
During the lirst quarter of this century Yates and Mclntyre
conducted the lottery business in Jersey City, and in March, 1824,
advertised a " Queen's College Literature Lottery."
During the British occupancy of the Hoeck there was a bury-
ing ground south of Sussex street and west of Washington street.
In this ground many of the enemy were buried, among whom
was Major John Smith. Connected with his grave is an interest-
ing fact. The equestrian statue of George III., which was set
up in 1770, in the centre of Bowling Green, New York, was torn
down on the 9th of July, 1776. It is said to have contained four
thousand pounds of lead, covered with gold leaf.^ The slab upon
which the statue was placed now lies in the sidewalk in front of
Cornelius Van Yorst's residence, on the south side of Wayne
street, near Jersey avenue. It is a coarse marble, and is said to
' Rivington's Gazette, June 3, 1773. -Proc. If. J. Hist. Soc, mil. 125.
•iKKSEY ( irv. 285
have been bruuglit from Eii^laiul. The holes in wliieli three
of the hoofs of the leaden ehari^i-r wi-re fa>tene(l arc yet to be
seen. During the war it was brought to Paulus Ilueck -when,
bv whom or for what purpose (unless for the purpose to which it
was afterward put) is not known. ( )ii IViday cxcning, Jnlv 23,
1788, ^lajor John Smith, stationed at Paulii;^ lloeck, died, and
was buried on the following SinKhiy with military honors.' Tlii.>
slab was i)lace(l ovci- his grave, with the following inscrij)tion
engraved upon it :
In Memory of
Major John Smith,
of the
XLIIiid or Royal Highland Reg't,
Who died 25 July, 1783,
In the 48th Year of his Age,
This Stone is erected
Bv the Officeks of that licir't.
His
lira very, Genenjsity A: Humanity
During an honorable service
of 2;» Years
Endeared him to the Soldiers,
To his Acipiaintancc ik Friends.
AVhen this part of Jersey City was graded, Mr. Van \'orst
(" Faddy '') took the slab to his house in Harsimus, where, from
supporting the charger of a king, it became the stepping-stone of
a republican. That building was torn down in 1818, when the
stone was taken to the residence of his grandson, on the north-
east corner of Wayne street and Jersey avenue. It there b^ame
a step at the kitchen door. When this building was torn down,
in (about) 1854:, the slab was placeil where it now i.-«. In 1828
an English gentleman offered Afi-. \':in \'or>f i\\i' hundred dol-
lars for it.
The Hoeck remained in |io3session of the \ an \ orst family
until the 2(ith of March, 1804, when, with the ferry rights, it was
'Ritdngton'aGmctte, July 30, 1783.
286. HISTORY (»F HUDSON county.
conveyed to Anthony Dey. of New York, for an annuity of six
thousand Spanish milled dollars. On the 18tli of April, 1804,
Dey conveyed it to Abraham Yarick, who, on the 20th of the
same month, conveyed it to Richard Yarick, Jacob Radcliif and
Anthony Dey.^ These three men were the founders of Jersey
' The founders of Jersey City were three eminent and successful lawyers.
RrCHAKD Varick was born in 1752: licensed to practice law, Oct. 22,1774;
appointed Military Secretary-General in June, 1775, with the rank of Captain ;
in February, 1770, appointed by Congress Deputy Commissary-CTeneral of Mus-
ters for the northern army, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He was pres-
ent at the battles of Stillwater and Saratoga. After Burgoyne's surrender.
Colonel Varick was stationed at West Point until after the treason of Arnold,
to whose family he was for some time attached as aide-de-camp. Shortly after-
ward he became a member of Washington's military family, and was by him
appointed his Recording Secretary. After the evacuation of the city of New
York by the British in 1783, Varick was appointed Recorder of the city, which
office he held until 1788. In 1789 he held the office of Attorney-General of the
State of New York, and in the same year was appointed Mayor of the city,
which office he held for twelve years. He was President of the Cincinnati for
nearly thirty years. He died in Jersey City, July ;30, 1831.
Jacob Radcliff was the eldest son of William Radclifif, a Captain and
Brigadier-General of Militia in the Revolution. By profession he was a lawyer ;
began practice in Poughkeepsie, and was soon raised to the bench of the Su-
preme Court. He then removed to the city of New York, and in a short time
resigned his judicial office and resumed the practice of his profession. He was
xMayor of that city in 1810, '15, '16, '17.
Anthony Dey was born at Preakness, Bergen County, N. J., in the month of
February, 177G. His father. General Richard Dey, and his grandfather, Colonel
Tunis Dey, were both of them officers in the Revolutionary army. He was a
lineal descendant (the oldest son of the oldest son) of one Derrick Dey, who
came to New York city from Holland in 1640, and established a mill and ferry
at the foot of Dey street in that city. He resided on Broadway, at the head of
that street. The mother of Richard Varick was a Miss Dey, and sister of An-
thony Dey's grandfather. At the age of sixteen years Anthony came to the city
and studied law in the office of his cousin, Colonel Richard Varick, to whose
influence and connection he probably owed his early success in the practice of
his profession, for he became a very successful and wealthy lawyer. He was
also a very energetic, industrious and persevering man. He made it a rule
through life to ignore political preferment, and never held any office, but was,
nevertheless, foremost in everything that could be called a public improvement,
especially in Bergen County, or that part of it now called Hudson County. He
was the owner of large tracts of meadow land lying between the Hackensack
and Passaic rivers, and during a long life made their improvement his particular
interest and hobby. He was a Director for many years of the New Jersey Rail-
U^'U^
THE FOUNDKRS oK JERSEY tTTY.
.IER6EV CITV. 287
City. Tlioy divided their }>nrcliaso into one thousand feliares,
and assofiiitcd other persons with themselves.' The whole plot
was mapped by Joseph F. Manikin, and the map, dated April 15,
1804, entitled, "A Map of that part of the Town of .lei-sev coni-
monly ealU'd rn\\l.> llnnk." Aiiticipatinu' the completion of
this map, the owners, on the li'th of April, advertised a sale of
lots for the KJth, afterward postponed until the ir)th of Mav. If
is proliahlc that thi> sale was preeipitated I»y the advertisenu'nt
of John Stevens for a sale of lots in Ilohoken. The |>arties in-
terested now agreed upon a name for their future corporation,
and ijave notice of an application for an act of incorporation.
The reciuired act was passed by. the Le<i;islature on the Itith of
Xovembcr. 1:S04, and the ''Associates of the Jersey Company"
became not only a body, but a power in the State. For fifteen
years, like an nnjxrlinn in Iviperlo, it possessed the «;overnment
and shaped the destiny of the infant city."' To this corporate body
Varick, Radclitf and Dey conveyed Paulus Iloeck, Feb. 1, 1805.
The title of the act of incorporation of 1820 reads, "An .\et to
incorporate tlie city of Jersey, in the county of 13eri;en," while
the body of the act reads "■ Jersey City."-' Hy this act the '' ta.\-
able inhabitants" were authorized to elect aiinually live free-
holders to conduct the atfairs of the city, and to be known as
" Tlie Board of Selectmen of Jersey City." The act named
Doctor John Condit, Samuel Cassedy, Joseph Lyon, J(din K.
Goodman and JdIhi Seaman a> the first board.
road, the owner, iit one time, of tlie entire tract of land now known a» Ea«t
Newarii, and for many years expended larure sums of money in the introduction
and improvement of l)looded stock, hotli liorses and cattle. He died in lH."iO.
at his residence, in wliat i.-< now a part of Jersey City, at a jf<>otl (dd a;re.
' In noticing this new enterprise, a pai»er of that date says ; " Wlio knows
but tliat a very few years will make it the emporium <»f trade and commerce of
the State of New .Jersey V" Ccntinel of Firedoiii , }f<iirh l;j, ISOJ.
■ By this act of incorporation the Clerk of Berjfen County was re<|uire<l to
appoint a Deputy Clerk for Powles Hook, to keep the records and record the
deeds, &c., in that i)lace, Samuel Cassedy wa.-< appointed.
" It is said that tiie Board of Selectmen, who prepared this hill, were desirous
to have the place named " The City of Jersey," hut it was altertnl as in the text
by the representative of Bergen county.
288 IIISTOKY OF JIUDSON COUNTY.
On the 23d of January, 1829, the corporate name was changed
to " The Board of Selectmen and Inhabitants of Jersey City,"
although the old name " City of Jersey " was still retained in
the title.
On the 22d of February, L838, the name was changed to the
" Mayor and Common Council of Jersey City." Up to this
time the place liad remained a part of the township of Bergen.
It now became a separate municipality.
On the 8th of March, 1839, its boundaries were extended
westerly along the northerly side of First street to the centre of
Grov^e street, thence southerly into Comraunipaw bay to the line
of South street extended.
On the 18tli of March, 1851, the city received a new charter,
which extended its boundaries so as to include the township of
Van Yorst. The act was not to take effect until a majority of the
electors in each municipality voted in favor of annexation. The
vote was taken on the 27th of March, with the following result :
'to
Vote in Jersey City.
Whole number of votes, 495
"Charter," - - 489
"No Charter," - - 3
Rejected, - - - 3
Vote in Van Vorst..
Whole number of votes, 426
"Charter," - - 377
"No Charter," - - 47
Rejected, - - - 2
By this charter the city was divided into four wards, each
entitled to four aldermen.
On the 28th of February, 1861, the Mfth and sixth wards were
erected; on the 21st of March, 1867, the seventh ward, and on
the 17th of March, 1870, the eighth ward.
From 1820 to 1838, the ofHcers of the " Board of Selectmen "
were as follows :
Prenldents.
Joseph Lyon,^ 1820-3.
William Lyon, 1824.
Joseph Kissam, 1825.
George Dummer, 1826-30.
ClerJi/i.
Joseph Kissam, 1820.
Philip R. Earle, 1821^.
A. Ogden Dayton, 1825.
Robert Gilchrist, 1826-8.
1 Died at Lyon's Farms, March 21, 1839, aged 65.
.IKKSKV niv.
•JS!»
/'n.s/'(/< /its.
Diivid ('. ('..Idoii, ls:ii-L>.
Williiiiu Ghvze, ls:W.
Jnliii F. Kllis, 1834.
Iu>l)ert (ulehrist, 1885.
Willi:iin (ila/.e, 188«; 7.
iVr.r MrM.iitiii, is-j'.t :;•_'.
Potor JK'iitlcy, 18.").';.
Kilimiiid I). I'.arry, jr., l8.'{4.
Williuiii \\ . .Nronrn, 1 s.'5."..
lIiMirv 1). Ilult, I8;{t; 7.
Since 18.'?s. the ntliciM> liavf lu'cii :
J/ 1 1 I/O /■■'<.
DiRJk'V 8. (Iivouiv. is.ls, '30,
'41, '58, '59/
Peter McMaitiii, 1S40.
Tiioniiis A. Ale.xaiuler. I84:i.
Peter P>entle.v, 1S4:'..
Phine!is('. Diinimer, ls44-7.
Henry J. Taylor, 1848-9.
K(.l)ert (iiieiirist, ls.5()-l.
David S. ^[aIlncrs, 185"J «!.
Sanniel We8cott, 1857.
Cornelius \'an Voi-st, ISOO |.
.luhn P. Roniar, 18«)i> :;.
()re6te> (Meveland, 1864 ♦).
.lames (iopsill. lsri7.
CliarU's H.O'Neil, is^is.-;.. 4.'
William Clark-r. 1809.-
Henry I). Ilult, 1838, '40 4. | Geurp^ W. ( assedy, ls"»n 64.
Thomas AV. James, 1839. .lohn E. Seott, 18<:4 until tin-
Edii^ar P. Wukeman, 1845-7. present time
Joiiii H. Voorhis, 1S48-50. |
Un till" "Jil ot April, l8t)9, an act was approved providing' tor
a vote by the electors of the several cities and townships in tlu'
county, east of the Hackensack river, to decide in»on c<>nsolidat-
ini; the several municipalities into one, under the name of .rei*sey
Citv. The electi<»n was held on the ."ith of October, with tin-
followin*; i-esult :
' In 1868 an act was passed by tin- FA'jri.xlaturi- (»\t«'nilinjr tli»' Mayor's t»Tni
of ottirt^ to twr) vears. Mr. ONeil. who liad Ixnn i-lfctfd a tew day.s Iwfori' its
past'ajic, ret used to hold the otWci- ln-yond tin- time for whicli h»» had lK>vn
fleeted.
•' Appointfd by the Common Council.
19
290
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Charter.
No Chartei
2,220
911
1,320
220
815
108
176
893
100
250
24
174
44
123
J 05
95
256
80
225
140
65
Jersey City,
Hudson City, -
Bergen,
Hoboken,
Bayonne,
Greenville,
Weeliawken,
Town of Union,
West Hoboken,
Xorth Berg-en.
T^niun Township,
Thus Jersey City, Bei-gen and Hudson City became one. On
tin- ITtli of March, 1870, the Legislature made provision for the
government of the consolidated city. The territory was divided
into sixteen wards, the eight wards of Jersey City numbering
from one to eight inclusive ; the wards of Hudson City, begin-
ning with the first, numbering from nine to twelve inclusive,
and the w'ards of Bergen, beginning with the first, numbering
from thirteen to sixteen inclusive. In 1871 the local govern-
ment was reorganized, the wards abolished and six aldermanic
districts erected in their stead, each district being entitled to
two aldermen. In 1873, the township of Greenville was an-
nexed to the city by legislative act, and became part of the sixth
district.
Captain s of th e ^Y(lt( 7/ . ^
Benjamin F. Charapney,
1851-2.
John Ft. Benedict, 1852-3.
Charles J. Farley, 1854.
Thomas B. Kissam, 1854-5.
Hiram H. Fenn, 1854
Chiefs of Day Police.
I Charles J. Farley, 1855.
' September 19, 1845, the city watchmen were directed at each hour, from
the " setting of the watch until the hour of calling off arrive," to call the
hour.
JKKHKY (JITV. 291
( hicfn of I'oli<-t'.
Tlioiniis B. Kissaiii, 1S5«;-T. i Joseph McMhiius, 1805-8.
Bc'iijaiuin IIaiiu'.>, jr., 1857 8. Nathan R. Fowler, 1808-71.
.lacoh Z. Marimis, 1855) r.l. Edward McWilliains, 1871-2.
Kdwanl I >. liiley, 18(:2-4. Benjamin F. Chanipney, 1873.
Patrick .lordan, 1N>)4.
( 'nhiiubia College Scholarshijf.
On the 13th of flulv, 184ri!, the Trubtees of Cohimbia Culletre
:^tive " to the Corixu atidu of .lersey City '' the privilege of liaving
one student educated in the college free of charges for tuition.
The gift was accepted on the 1 7th. On the L^Gth of March, 1847,
the Ciininiun Council passed " an ordinance concerning the aj)-
puintnient of a student tu the scholarship in Columhia College."
The fiilldwing have had the benetit of this scholarship :
William T. Van Ri])er, appointed August 3, 1852.
William K. Ilillyer, '' December 2, 1850.
(diaries \'. Uillyer, " October 4, 1864.
William lluldane, " 1868.
S. T. S. Henry, " June 24, 1872.
Jeksey CiTV AS A Fort of Entry. — By Act of Congi-ess,
March 2, 17l>0, Hudson County Avas i)laced within the district
(.f Perth Amboy. This district included all of East Jersey,
e.\cei)t such parts as were within the district of Little Egg
Harbor.
March >, IbUG, •' The town oi' landing place of Jersc}', in the
State of New -Jersey," was made a port of delivery, within the
district <»f Perth Amboy.
March 2. 1811, the whole county was annexed to the district
of New York.
.lune 30, 1834, the westerly part of the county was annexed
to tlie district of Newark.
From 1811, Colonel Aaron Og<len was Assistant Collector,
residing in Jersey City. In 1845 the otiice was abolished.
Feb. 21, 1863, the M'liole county was annexed to the district o:
292 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
New York. This act provided for an Assistant Collector to
reside in Jersey City, with power to enter and clear vessels, but
subject to sncli rules and regulations as the Collector of New
York might establish. Phineas C. Dunimer was appointed.
Feb. 25, 1865, the Assistant Collector was empowered to enroll
and license vessels engaged in the coasting trade and fisheries,
owned in whole or in part by residents of the Counties of
Hudson and Bergen.
Water Works. — The territory east of Bergen Hill, lying but
little above tide water, and the most of it salt-meadow, was
poorly supplied with water. The yield of the wells was, as a
general thing, of an inferior quality. To supply this deficiency
quite a business was, at one time, can-ied on in carting watei'
from the hill, and selling it by the pail from door to door. As
the city grew, the necessity for good water became more urgent.
As early as March 1,1839, the ''Jersey City and Harsimus
Aqueduct Company" was incorporated, with an autliorized
capital of »4U,00<t, and authority to " search and bore for water"
in Jersey ( 'ity and Bergen, make reservoirs for the collection of
water and lay pipes for its distribution through the city. Nothing,
however, came from this company.
On the 1st of November, 1847, Clerk & Bacot, City Surveyors,
recommended the taking of water from a small reservoir near
the New Jersey Railroad, on the west side of the hill. But the
supply to be had from that place M'as too insignificant to merit
serious attention.
On the 18th of March, 1851, Edwin A. Stevens, Edward Coles,
Dudley S. Cregory, Abraham J. Yan Boskerck and John D.
Ward were constituted a Board of Water ( ommissioners to sup-
ply the t(jwnships of Hoboken and Yan Yorst and Jersey City
with pure and wholesome water. This Board selected William
S. Whitwell, then late of the Boston Water Works, as engineer,
lie began his labors near Belleville, August 26, 1851.
Besides the plans already referred to several other> were
suo-crested to the Commissioners. One was, to dam the Jlacken-
sack Biver near the Newark turnpike bridge and thus keep out
.ii:ksi:v (mv.
205
the suit water. uimI |iiiiii]i troui altuve the <iaiii ; another, to brin«2;
the water from Kucklaiul Lake; and another was t<» use the west-
ern sh)pe of l^eri^en liill for a leathering j^round, and, by a system
of nnderdraininij. collect the water at the foot of tlie sloj>e and
then juimi" it u|>. Another plan was to bring it from tlie Passaic
river above the falls : another to take it from the Passaic above
the Dundee ilaiu ; another to take it from the Morris canal on
tiie level between Little Falls and I'loomfield. All these plans
were, however, laid aside for the one now in operation. The
Commissionei'S pronounced this the best plan. They had also
received a report from l*rofess(U- Ilorsford of New Haven, dated
Novend)cr 20, 1851, as to the quality of the water taken from
the Passaic at I5elleville. The followinor table exhibited its
relative ipiality M'hen compared with the water supply of other
cities:
In one hundred thousand parts in
Solid nsiduc
Inorganic . .
Oriranic . . .
Passaic.
12.7r)03
7.8500
4.9000
Schuyl-
kill.
Groton.
9.4170 1M.7100
7.2938 I ll.:52fi5
2.1232 7.373J
Cochit-
uate.
5.3400
2.9000
2.4400
I
Jamaica,
Albany.
Troy.
5.3500 ' 18.4800 11.8600
3.05(i0 14.5200 8.2400
2.3000 3.9G00 2.6400
The engineer submitted his jdan on the 9th of December
1851. On the 25tli of the following March legislative authority
was given to construct the works. The enterprise was so far
completed on the :^)Oth of June, 1854, that water was let into the
pi])es from Belleville, and on the 15th of August distributed
through the city. The cost of the works up to that time was
s652,h95.7'1 a grand water celebration was had Oct. 3, 1854.
Connected with the water works a general plan of sewerage
was adopted. It was based on the plan of a tidal canal, extend-
ing from ConnnunipawCove to Harsimus Cove, generally on the
line of Mill Creek and Iloboken Creek, M'hicli, when filled by the
tide, was to be emptied through the sewers at low water. The
canal is yet unbuilt, and every year adds to the difficulty and
cost of its construction. Besides the benefit to sewerage which
it would give to the city, proper locks would <»i>en it for naviga-
294: HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
tion, and on its banks would grow up lumber, coal and stone
yards, besides foundries and factories. The dullest eye can see
the benefits of such an enterprise.
Post Office. — -Previous to the establishment of a post office
in Jersey City, the residents here received their letters througli
the post office of New York or Newark. The post office in Jer-
sey City was set up in 1831. The post-masters have been
William Lyon, - - 1831-35 ; Samuel Bridgart, - 1846-4i)
William Pv. Taylor, 1835-37 David Smith, - - - 1849-53
Samuel Bridgart, - - 1837-41 ' Samuel M. Chambers, 1853-^1
David Smith, - - 1841-45 Henry A. Green, - - 1861-
John Ogden (resigned),l 845-46
Bdll-Baiting. — About the year 1825, there was constructed
on the south side of Sussex street, between Hudson and Greene
streets, a large amphitheatre, capable of seating three thousand
people. Here, for about two months, on every Friday, large
numbers, mostly from New York, would gather to see the sport
affi^rded by bulls, bears, buffaloes and dogs fighting. The price
of admission was fifty cents.
Floating Theatre. — About the year 1842 an attempt was
made to introduce upon the Hudson and Connecticut rivers what
had proved a profitable enterprise upon the Mississippi — a float-
ing theatre. It was constructed on the hull of a large barge,
and would hold an audience of one thousand people. This thea-
tre, in the summer of 1842, had been up the Hudson, and in
February, 1848, was brought to Jersey City and moored in the
Morris canal basin, in the rear of Judge Lynch's Thatched Cot-
tage Garden, which was on the south side of Essex street,
between Washington and Greene streets.^ The actors, during
this " season," were mostly amateurs of Jersey City, well known
for wit and humor. The audience, composed of the <'lite of the
town, crowded the theatre from " pit to dome." The pieces
' Samuel S. I>ynch, then late of Castle Garden.
.IKUSKY CITY. 205
{»erfoniR'(l were, ''The lioiit Day,*' "Three l!ruthL'r.s "' an<l
'• IJoiubastos Furioso." The casts in the several plays were as
follows :
Luke Wurrliiirto!!, - - - Mr. William A. Towiir^eiid.
Cornelius Crinij), a lawyer, - - - Mr. William Penny.
Old Grasp, Mr. John (\ M(»r«i;an.
Frank, - Mr. Charles A. Ileckman.^
P>olt, a /v>j/<', Mr. Joseph (J. Ed^-e.
Harry Markham, his friend, - - ^^^. AVilliaiu Sanderson.
Arnold Ileadly, ------ Mr. David Seott.'
AEary Warrini^ton, ------ Mrs. Scoville.
Susan, - - - Mrs. Sharpe.
Three Brothers.
Philip, . - - . - Mr. William A. Townscnd.
Reginald, ------ Mr. .lohn Pruce.
Stewardof the Castle, eighty years old, - Mr. William i'enny.
Giles, a servant, . . - - - Mr. David Scott.
Fanny, - - - Mrs. Sharpe.
Boiuhasies Furioso.
Kin<r Arta.xomines, - - • - - - Mr. Daviil Seott.
(icncral Pomhastes, ----- ^U. William Penny.
Fresbos, - - - - - - - ^fi'. John Pruee.
Distatina, - ------- >rrs. Sharpe.
It is said the parts " were rendered in a manner that actors
of a lifetime might have envied." Petween the play and farce
a sons: was iriven l)y General Edwin R. V. Wright, James S.
Gamble and William Penny. Mr. Penny, in order to render
the soii<; more etiective, l)orrowed the black tights of the trajjc-
dian Townscnd. After the song, he found the •" heavy man "'
sitting in the cold, with bare limbs, waiting for his tights. "Ah,
my boy," said Penny, " do you hear the applause '. how did my
' .\cw General Heckman. * Died Oct. 14. 1870.
296 IlISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
song go ? " " Oh, cnrse your song,'' said the irate tragedian ;
" give nie my tights, I am ahnost frozen/ '
The entertainment was repeated in 1845 by the same company,
many of whom are well known ; some of them have gone behind
the scenes, Avhile the others are yet before the foot-lio-hts. The
stage manager on the occasion was Gabriel Harrison, afterward
manager of the Park Theatre, Brooklyn. The orchestra was
com^Dosed of residents of Jersey City, the leader being William
Robertson, the hardware merchant of Newark avenue, popularly
known as '' Po]) '" Pobertson. The ])erformance was nominally
for the benefit of tlie poor, but, though the " house *' was full at
fifty cents a ticket, not a cent found its legitimate destination.
It is yet a question among the old patrons of the " Floating-
Theatre "' what became of the funds. Plato might mention the
proverl), " One may see a great deal of money carried into Lace-
dsemon, but one never sees any of it brought out again.'' On
this last occasion the proprietor was subjected to a fine of fifty
dollars for exhibiting without license from the city. He
attempted to defend under a coasting license from the United
States. The hull of the theatre afterward found its way to
Coney Island, where, in the summer season, it was used for the
more substantial purposes of a restaurant.
Wind Mill. — This old landmark was built in 1815 by Isaac
Edge, who for a lono- time was miller and baker for and distribu-
tor of bread to the ])eople of Jersey City. Burmley and Oakes
were the contractors and millwrights who built it. It was con-
structed in all particulars like the inill of Mr. Edge's father
in Derbyshire, England. Its location was about seventy-five
feet north of Montgomery street and fifty feet east of Greene
street. It was a prominent feature on the Jersey shore. At
first the fans on the wings were of canvas, but the severe
storm of September o. 1821, tore them to pieces and broke
one of the fans. Then Mr. Edge put in iron fans. When the
track of the New Jersev Railroad was changed from the south
side of Montgomery street to its present location, in 1839, the
mill was taken down, its material put on vessels and conveyed to
il'Irltf'A
.ILK8KV i\[\.
207
Town Ilurlioi', l.oiii;- I>l:iii»l, wliL'iici- it w a.-^ taken to Mill Hill, in
the town uf Soutlioid. Here its walls were reared ai^aiii, and it
starti'd anew n|)i>n its <>ld cai'ecr of usefulness. It was there
kni>\\ii a> 77i' Great Wt'ste/-/i I'lournKj Mill. At (»ne time a
steam euii-inc \\a> put in. luit it was soon i-cinoved and the nld
inachinerv restored. It \va> in use until hetween one and two
o'clock on Saturda\ m.>riiiii<:-, dune i!."). I'^Th. when it, with s2.'>0
worth iif i:i-ain. wa> consunuMl hy tire. R. ^''illcfcn' wa.- then
ownci-.
In 18.") 7 there were
Dwelliuir- in Jersey City,
Stay-es and earriasjes, "
Horses, "
( ^attle.
Doss, "
'l\'-j\ in \ an \ Orst,
145; "
U; "
In 1841, in dersey City, they were
86 houses.^
9 eoaelies and >tages.
58 chaises and waijons.
1«; cattle.
Of scholars there were in tlie
(Trammar Department
Boys, - - - l» I ; Uoys,
Girls, - - - - 83; Girls,
In 1842 there were
450 dwellings.
1 lyceum.
1 classical .>ciiool.-
100.
0.
71.
100.
33.
71 doii's.
943 vacant lots.
206 single men.
2<> merchants.
829 polls.
Primary Department
- ■- - - 73.
56.
1 bank.
5 taverns.
2 foundries.-'
' I iiave no d<)ul)t tliat this is an error. It plioiild ]<rol)ahly bo oSfi. But tluia
I find it in a newspaper of the day.
'i'lie old academy adjoining St. Matthew's Church wag the first schoolhou.so
oa Piuiliis Hoerli. It was in modern times used for a city prison. Aliout fifty
feet west of it was an Indian spring in tlie ohie.n time.
■• One of these was Fulton's foundry, located on the corner of Morgan and
Greene streets. It was erected in tsl2, and managed l)y Fulton until hi8 death,
on the '24th of Fehrunrv. 18]."). Here he also erected a drv dock.
298 nisTOEY OF Hudson county.
40 stores. 1 candle factory.
1 glass house.^ ' 1 firework factory.
1 pottery.^
The first cartman in Jersey City was Fortunatus Stone, in
1812.
Street lamps were first used in 1843.
Streets were lighted with gas for the first time on tlie 4th of
December, 1852 ; one hundred and seventy -four lamps being the
number then required. Gas was first used to light houses in
Jersey City, Dec. 1, 1852.
The first vessel built expressly for the Jersey City trade was
the Dudley S. Gregory, launched at Burlington, on the Dela-
ware; made her trial trip on the Hudson, July 11, 1845. She
was of 180 tons burden, and cost §8,000.
Bergen.
The bounds of the township of Bergen were fixed by the grant
of Governor Stuyvesant in ir>»U, confirmed by Governor Carteret
in 1668, and reconfirmed by the Charter of Queen Anne in 171-1.
It then conformed to the lines of the present county east of the
Hackensack. By the erection of cities and other townships its
territory had been greatly reduced, until on the 24th of March,
1855, its boundaries were the New Jersey Kailroad on the north,
Mill Creek and the bay on the east, the Morris Canal on the south,
and Newark bay and Hackensack river on the west. It was
then erected into " the Town of Bergen,*' with slight powers
vested in a board of five councilmen. On the lltli of March,
1862, its charter was amended, its territory divided into three
wards {Columbian, Frcmliln and L'ominunipaid), and further
' This was established in 1824 by George Dummer and others. Its location
is now occupied by the New Jersey Sugar Refining Company.
■' The original name of this establishment was The Jersey Porcelain and
Earthenware Company. It was started by George Dummer and others in 1825,
for the manufacture of Staffordshire earthenware. Its location was between
Morris, Essex and Warren streets.
IJKItCJKN.
290
|»i>\\'ers vested in a, hoard of seven couiiciliueii. On the 2'.Hh ot
Mareh, IStiO, the ehurter was still further anieiidcd. '' The City
(»f Heri^en " was incorporated on the 11th of Mareh, 1S*>8, divid-
eil into four wards, and the powers of mmiicipal j^ovcnnnent vest-
ed in a ^rayor and (bnneil. ft was consolidated witli Jersey
City in 1870.
Mdijofs.
llcnry Fiteli, iStlC.
.Iohn-(J. Cornelison, 1807.
John Hilton, 1868.
Stephen D. Harrison, 1809.
Clerks.
Ilemv- II. Xewkirk, 1800-7.
Sanmel MeBurney, 1808-0.
Wlien this was the only niunici[)ality i)etween the llutlson
and Ilackensack rivers its affairs were managed by trustees
chosen at first for life, afterward annually by a plnrality of voices.
.Vt this annual town meeting the freeholders were accustomed to
gather and decide questions of general interest which were con-
sidered too weighty for tlu' trustees. This meeting was presided
over by a moderator chosen for the purpose. The town clerk
was clerk of this meeting.
The township was divided into road districts for the better
regulation of the highways, and an overseer a|)i)ointed for each.
They were known by the names of Bergen, (Tcmonepa, Peni-
erahpogh, Sekakes, Weliauk, Maisland (now New Durham >,
Bergen Woods, Bull's Ferry and Bergen Point.
For the accommodation of the people at elections, the polls
Would be opened in one part of the township for one day and
then in another part for one day ; •". y., in 1803 the polls were
opened at Widow \'an Horn's, Bergen Woods, and closed at
Peter Stuyvesant's. The latter place was a tavern, on the south-
west corner of Bergen and Glenwood avenues. In 1801: the ]iolls
opened at the Three Pigeons, and closed at Peter Stuyvesant's;
ditto in 1805 and 1806.
IIaukison
Townslii]i was. In* the act creating the county of Hudson, set
:300 HISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
off from the township of Lodi. It embraced all of the county
Ivinir west of the Hackensaclc rirer ; also the township of Union,
in Bergen county. In 1867 the tow^nship of Kearney was set off
from the northeily part of it.
The neck of land lying between the Passaic^ and Hackensack
rivers, and extending from their junction to the Boiling
Spring (now Kutherfurd Park), was known among the Indians
by the name of MUjhgeci/icock. It was estimated to contain
5,308 acres of upland and 10,000 acres of meadow.' Captain
WilHam Sandford^ bought it of the Proprietors, July 4, 1668, for
4'20 sterling yearly, in lieu of the halfpenny per acre quit rent,
and on condition that he should settle on the tract six or eight fam-
ilies within three years. On the 2<>th of the same month, with
the consent of the Lords Proprietors, he bought of Tantaqua,^
' Passaic, Paclisajerk. Pachsaick, Pechiesse, Pishawack, is an Indian word,
and signifies "valley;" also called the northwest Kill, to distinguish it from
the Hackensack or north Kill. Loiuj Isl. Hist. Soc, i., 156, 266.
- Winp eld's Land Titles. 324.
'• Captain William Sandford came from the West Indies ; resided in Newark
in 1675 ; was member of the Council in the years 1681, '82, '84. In his domestic
relations he seems to have loved " not wisely." In a deed to Mrs. Sarah
Whartman, dated April 24, 1677, he acknowledges that four of his children
were naturally born of her, and yet in his will, dated Jan. 2, 1690, he acknowl-
edges her to lie his lawful wife, " formerly Sarah W^hartman, while some con-
siderable reasons engaged us to cpnsaile our marriage," and annexes thereto
a certificate, which sets forth that the two were married " on board the Pink
Susannah, in the river Surinam, March 27, 1667." He raquested to be buried on
his own plantation, and implored some of his friends " to assist and favour the
concerns of a jioor Ignorant Widdow and five Innocent Children with their best
advice, hel{) and Councill, to preserve them from those Vultures and harpies w'''
prays on the Carkasses of Widdows and fatten with the Blood of Orphans."
He died in 1002. His children weve.JVedimah, married Richard Berry (Consta-
ble of A(]uackanonck and New Barbadoes in 1695) ; Catharine, married Dr.Van
Imburgh : Peregrine, married Fytje, daughter of Enoch Michielse Vreeland :
William, ffrace, and Eliznhetli married Captain James Davis.
^ Tantaqua, known also as Jasper, lived at Hackensack, and was a great
friend of the whites. Once, in a time of scarcity of food, he fished for and re-
lieved the necessities of the Dutch. When asked why he was so kind to the
whites, he replied : '• I have always been inclined from my youth up to do
good. I took the fish to them because Manito said to me, ' You must take fish
to these people,' whispering ever in my ear, ' You must take fish to them.' I had
to do it, or Manito would have killed me." Lonfi Isl. Hist. Soc.,i., 149.
IIAKKISON ToWNSIllI'. 301
T;iiii;ik, AiKiivii, llaiivaliaiii, 1 1 . ( ioxjiic and W's. k'ciiurciuiWitok,
representatives of the Iiitliaiis claiiniiii;- an interest in the saiiu:
tract, all tlieir ri^'ht and title. In this (hc{\ the tract is ([eseril»e«l
as Ivinii; between the *' Ilackensack and I'asawack *' rivers, l»e-
irinniii"'- at the niniitli "I the >aiil two ri\ers, then 'Mo L;oe u]>
Xorthward into the countrey about seaven Miles till it lonies to
a certain Brook or Sj)i-in<:: i"'^^' called Sanford's Sprinii." I'"'"
their interest he paid to the Indians •• IT<» fathoms (d' J'.laok
wanii)uni, 'JOO fathoms While wampum, !'.• hlaek ( "oate>, !•>
(iuns, ♦iO double hand.- ut powder, li> paire of Hreetches, »»<>
knives, «•" Barrs of Lead, one Anker of Brandy, three half Fats
of Beer, Eleven Blankets, :!i» .\.\es, 2ii Uowes, and two eo(.kes
of dozens."'
From this time until the division of the province into coun-
ties New Barhadoes Neck was under the jurisdiction of New-
ark." From the latter date until the 21st of January, 1710. it
was within the county of Essex.'' Shortly after this .\rcnt
Schuyler purchased a plantation ojjposite l>ellcville, and in 171'.',
through a negro slave, discovered the copper mine. Thi> mine
was not worked much in the days (jf Arent 8(;huyler, but his
son, Oolonel John, worked it profitably. The ore was sent to
England. In 1753 the first steam engine brought to this coun-
try was set up at this mine, at a cost of t'o,000 sterling. It was
capable of throwing about eighty hogsheads of water y>vv min-
' Probably "coats of duffels." Proc.N.J. Hut. Hoc.,vL,^. DuflFels was a
coarse <;lotb.
•' Whitehead' n EaKt JcrMi/, d->.
'■'■ In 1CS2 East .Jersey was divided iuto four cuiinties for the ' Ijetler j^overn
irifj: and settling courts in the same. " Bergen County contained " all the Set
tlements between Jfudson's lliver and Hackensack River, beginninfr at Constti-
hlei* Hook, and so t<« extend to the u]ii>ermost bound of the Province Xorthwanl
between the .-^aid Rivers."' Leoiuiiiij ami Sjiirev. 2'2!i. The territory l)etwren
the Hackensack antl Passaic; rivers was included in the county of Essex.
In 109:5 the counties were divided into townships. Tlie townsliip of Ifacken-
saik included all the land in the county of Rergen north of the bounds of tin-
corporation of Bergen. Barhadoes Neik was included in the township of
Aiiuickanick and New Barhadoes in the county of Essex, beaming and iSpifer .
:52!l. The bounds of Bergen county were extended on the 31st of .Fanuary. 1710.
so as to include New Barhndofs Nrck.
302 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
iite.^ It was destroyed by tire about 1772, and lay in ruins dur-
ing the Revolution.
The faru) opposite Newark owned by Colonel Peter Schuyler
was known as Petersborough. It was afterward owned by
Archibald Kennedy, who had married Colonel Schuyler's only
child. In 1768 he had it in a flourishing condition. It contained
006 acres, 26^) of which were covered with timber, 393 nnder
cultivation ; the rest was salt meadow. On it was a two-story
brick dwelling house, a green house seventy feet long, coach
house, stables, barn, overseer's house, cider house, ice and root
house, an excellent garden, an orchard capable of yielding two
hundred barrels <tf cider, a large quantity of cedar timber and a
shad tishery.-
This farm was also graced with a deer park. In 1800 the
orchard produced three luuulred barrels of cider. There were
on tlie place two dwelling houses, a green house containing a
large number of orange, lemon, lime and other West India fruit
trees. In the early part of 1802 the land was laid out into
ninety building lots of at least one acre each, and advertised as
a JVew Town.
At the close of the celebration of the Fourth of July, 1815,
the people of the j)lace resolved that they '* would henceforth
<listinffuish the small district of country formerly known as Ken-
nedy's Farm, and to the extent of one mile north of the north-
erly bounds thereof, by the name of ' The Village of Lodi.' "
In the early part of 1776 a com])any of continental troops
was formed on New Barbadoes Neck ; Jacobus Jerolamon, Caj'-
tain ; Peter Sanford, Flrd Lieutenant ; Elijah Sanford, Second.
Lieutenant ; John Jerolamon, Ensign.
The Township of Yan Yokst
Was set otf from the township of Bergen March 11, 1841. Its
1 Whitehead's East Jersey, x., 37. Joseph C. Hornblower, father of the late
Chief Justice, came with it as engineer.
- Wood's Neicark Gazette, December 28, 1796.
VAN \(>1{S1 'Ki\VN'>nil'.
303
territory iueliidt'd iieiirly the wlioli' of wliiit was at one time
known as Aliasiinus. Its name wa^ in lienor of tlie family,
wliieli had hecii .-o closely identified with its history since 1GJ^6.
The West India Company's Farm, Van Vorst's patent and a few
small patents comprised the whole district. The farm, after tak-
rORNEK OK NEWARK AVENUE AND fJROVK STIiEKT.
imr out the private grants, included three hiindre(l and eighty-
three acres. As this farm has a i)ecnliarly interesting history,
some particularity of detail will be ])ardoned.
In 10:)() Cornells Van Vorst lived here near the water, hctween
Fourth and Fifth streets, in a frame house thatched with reeds.
304 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
This house was burned on the 2oth oi June in that year. After
the Company had j)urchased the interest of Pauvv in Pavonia,
Ahasinius was reserved f<jr their own use. Van Vorst remained
in possession of it until Ins death, before which event he liad put
up another house. On the 31st of March, 1039, his wiih)w took
a lease of the " Company's l^ouwerie at Ahasimus " for twenty
years, agreeing to buihl a new frame iiouse and keep those
already built in repair.' She married Jacob Stoffelsen shortly
afterward, and, dying in 1641, left him in possession. Tie held
it as tenant of the Company until February 19, 1647, when he
took a lease of it until the 1st of May, 1661. During the war
of 1643 he was driven from his home, his buildings burned and
the farm laid waste. Shortly before the expiration of his lease
he appeared before the Director and Council and said '' that he
two times had been expelled from there by tlie savages, all his
property burned," and asked for an extension of Ins lease. This
was granted for five years, at a rent of one (piarter of the pro-
duce ; house and buildings at the expiration of Ids lease to
belong to the Company. '
In 1655 the buildings were again burned by the Indians and
the bouwerie laid waste. lu consideration of this fact the farm
was granted tf) him on the 21st of December, 1656, without rent
for one year.^ In the latter part of 1658 a new house was built
on the place.'* In 1661 he obtained a lease for a year,'' which
was renewed in February, 1662." Next door to him lived his
step-son, Ide Van Yorst, in a house built shortly after the war of
1655. Van Vorst returned to his home sooner than most of his
neighbors, and probably without the sanction of the Govern-
ment, which now did all in their power to discourage isolated
settlements. His position placed him in great risk from the
savages, who ])rowled about watching for an opportunity to
strike a IjIow.'
Jacob Stoffelsen. who had married Tryntje, the widow of
'N. T. iJol. MS8., i., 93. ''■Albany Records, .rir., 90.
■W. Y. Col. MSB., via., 313. ^Ibid, nU., 1044.
''Ibid, I.V., 572. ''Ibid, x., part i., 40.
''New Amst. liec, ie., 68.
uwwn-rww
K\ ni\\i\r'mm\
^ ^
3 >"
a —
S. I:
•*! -
Si d
ft ^
^ H
^te^
'J+h'',
I in; i>i kk's lAivM. 305
Jiicol) \\ ;iliiii;cii \ ail lluorii, on the iTth n] Auy;iidt, ltl.">7, was
in possession ol tlir houwcrie when tlif country was surrendered
to the English in lOiU. Ife remained in possession as the tenant
of the West India ('oni|)any, wliose proj)erty the farm remained
h_v \irtiif ot the first of the •' Articles of Capitulation:" *• "NVc
consent that the States-( ieneral, or West India ( 'ompany, shall
freely injoy all farms and houses (except .-iicli as arc in the
forts), itc."' Stottelsen, heing" in possession, moved t.> improve
the farm. This hein^- in derogation of the rii;lits of the L'>r<U
I'roprictoi's, they served liiin with the followiui;' notice:
*• Whereas I am informed that dacoh Stottelsen Is ahout the
fencing and taking In a Certainc ])arcell of Land In and about
hasseuius to the great jirejudice of the other Iidial)itant> there
and wMiout any order ov Authority from me, these are therefore
to Require the said Stotfelsen to forl)are the fencing and Manur-
ing of the said Land till farther Order. Given und"" my hand
the 5th March, 16(55. Pu. CARTKUKri."'
This notice was not served. It was hiinu'd at the house of
Samuel Edsall, and renewed -Inly IS, 1672.
War between England and Holland havini>- been declared,
(rovernor Nicolls, by proclamation in Xew York on the L")th of
dune, 1665, " at the ringing of the bell," declared the real ami
personal property of the Com[>any confiscated to the Iving.'-
From this time the Duke's governor> in New York claimed the
same for their nuister, and leased it in his name. By the treaty
of Breda, -Inly 1, 1667, each power was to keep the territory
then held. This confirmed Xew Netherlamls to the English.
At the time of the surrender only tin- \'an N'orst family, viz..
Stott'elsen and wife, Ide \'an \'oi->t and lii> brother-in-law.
Claes Jansen \ an I'linncrcndt. were living at .Vhasimiis. ( )ii
the 1st of March, IMI, '"in consideration i)\' the (ireat Paines
Sc Changes in buildiuii- as well as clearins: and manuriuii- a (rood
part of the land belonging to the said ffarme," Stott'elsen and
wife received from (rovernor Nicolls a lease of "the bouwerie or
llanne aforesaid w"' the Dwelling House, Barnes, Stables, SUdls,''
' O'Cal, y. y., a., 532. -Neic Am^t. Rec.
•20
306 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
etc., from the first day of January, 1()67, " during all the termeor
ternies of y'^ Naturall life or lives of the said Jacob Stoffel
and Trintje his wife or the longest liver of them, Yielding &
Paying therefore Yearly and every Yeare duering the said
Terme the Sutne of two lunidred & fiftv Guilders sewant, or
one & forty Schepels' of winter Wlieate or the Yallue in other
Goods Pay to the Governo'' of this his Royall Highness his Col-
ony or his Order."^ Stoffelsen died before the expiration of the
year, leaving his wife in possession. She married Michael Tades
June 17, 1668. Tades died shortly afterward, leaving his widow
still in possession. She then married Caspar Steinmets, and with
him retained possession of the farm. Acting upon the terms of
Governor Nicolls' lease to Stoffelsen and wife, and claiming that
it inclnded all the " Land w'^'^ he, the said Jacob Stoffells, hath
cleared, or which he and Trientje his wife or either of them shall
cause to be cleared," Steinmets enclosed some of the land adjoin-
Ina. In 1671 Governor Carteret ordered him to take down his fence
and abandon L.iese lands. With this order he complied. When
the Dntch re-established their authority in the country, Ide Yan
Yorst and his brother-in-law, Claes Jansen Yan Purmerendt,
[)rotested against Steinmets having any greater privileges than
he had under Governor Stu^'vesant.' Steinmets then asked for
a confirmation of the lease of the bouwerie granted to his wife
and her former husband by the English government. This was
granted, and he obtained a lease on the 12th of April, 1674.-'
This stirred up Yan Yorst and Yan Purmerendt. They laid
their grievances before the authorities in New Orange, charging
that the lessee of " the public Bouwerie situate at Ahasymus "
was appropriating too large a share of the " valleys and pasture
lands.'" Steinmets was, however, permitted " to fence in all
the ungranted valley appei'taining to Ahasymus," and Yan Yorst
and Yan Purmerendt to fence in "all the tillage and valley
lands belonging to them in lawful property."* It will be observed
that all the ungranted land at Ahasymus was held to belong to
the public bouwerie or West India Company's farm.
'Book of Patents (Albany), U., 177. K'ol. Hist, of N. T., ii., 598.
UUd a., 704, '^liid, ii, 716.
Til !•; i)i Ki;"- I ARM. 307
When the English returned, Steiiimet.s wjis yet in po.ssessicjn.
Shortly after (iovernor Carteret had reorganized tlie ^^uverninent,
he oi'dered the [trosecution of Steininets, hefore the court at
IJer^eii, for the rerit whieli he chiinied to he due to the Pi-opric-
turs. 'I'liis l)n(l\- laid claiiii tn the lai'in. on the ground that tht;
tract (Ud Hot |>ar-s to the {'"rceholdcrs of I^ergen by the charter of
lOtJS. The people of Bergen insisted that it did so pass, and
hence helonujed to thcni, while the (iovernor of New York
claimed it for the Duke on the ground that, by the tenns of tlie
surrender to the Englisli, this farm remained the pro{)erty of the
West India C\>inpany, and as the same was not confiscated until
after the grant to IJerkley and Carteret, it could not have passed
hy that grant. Under this claim for the Duke, Governor
Amlross, on the Hth of March, 1675, sent George Cook to Hergen
to defend the suit which Governor Carteret had instituted against
Steinmets.' What became of this suit is not known. On the
17th of August, 1<)7S, Governor Andross, '• in regard of the long
])ossession of the >'' Bowery oi- fi'arme by the s'' Jacob Stoffells "
and wife, *' together with the good deportment of Casper Sty-
metts the Survivo'"," leased tt» Steinmets the " Certaine Bowery
or ffarnie at Hassems near Communipon," except what had been
granted out of the same by the "* Authority of the s*^ Com])any
unto Ide Cornelissen, Claes Jansen, Arc," "for and During the
Terme and Time of his Xaturall Life and one Entire Veare
after," " Yieldhu/ and paying therefore yearly and every Years
tlie sume of ffourc hundred Guild" Sewant '' to the (iovernor of
New York.^ This lease was rej)udiated by the authorities in
New Jersey, and Steinmets was, on the 25th of October, 1G78,
again summoned to appear before the court in Bergen, at its next
sitting, and show his authority for occupying the farm, and was
commanded to ])ay no more rent in the mean time. He did not
obey the sununons until the 2;id of November, when he gave as
an excuse for not appearing sooner, that he could not read the
summons, and did not know what it was until the constable told
him. < )n the same day he was directed by Governor Andross
^Oeneral Entries {Albany), iv., 177. *Book of Patents {Albany), it., 144
308 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
to continue in possession.^ It is not known that Governor Car-
teret exercised liimself any further about the farm, but in I680
Samuel Groom, one of the East Jersey Proj^rietors, demanded
rent from Steinmets. Governor Dongan of New York sent him
a threatening letter, which eftectually silenced this neM' enemy of
the Duke's lessee.
While the Proprietors were thus seeking uii acknowledgment
of their claim, the people of Bergen were a continuing source of
trouble to the Governor of New York, by annoying his tenant
and preventing the collection of rent. To avoid further trouble
with the " farm at East Jersey belonging to his Majesty," I)on-
gan gave to Judge John Palmer- a lease of the reversion for
ninety-nine years, " from the feast of St. Michael the Archangel
next ensuing after the determination of the estate " of Stein-
mets. This lease was dated August 13, lt)85, and was uium
condition that Judge Palmer should pay " as a tine the summ of
Sixty pounds to the King, in case hee should not think lit to for-
give it, and the rent of twenty shillings p'' annum and to defend
the title."^
Steinmets was now getting old, and his two sons, John and
Garret, managed the farm. On the 5th of February, 1686, they
bought of Judge Palmer his lease for £i'A). After the death of
their father, in 1702, they divided the farm between them, John
taking the southerly half and Garret the northerly half. On the
24th of February, 1708, John Steinmets conveyed all of his
}>roperty to his wife for life, and, after her death, to the children
of his sister Hannah Prior, his nephew, Jacob Prior, to have his
interest in the farm. After the death of .lohn Steinmets, his-
widow married Peter Van Wooglem. These two, with Jacob
Prior and Lea, his wife, assigned to David Union, aliasDaniel-
son, the remainder of the term under the Palmer lease for £675.
Danielson entered into possession of the southerly half of the
farm about 1715, and remained there during the nine years fol-
' General Entries (Albany), xxxii., 78.
• Palmer was a member of tlie Council in East Jersey for several years.
Whitehead's East Jersey, 96. He was a man of influence.
^ Book of Entries {Albany), nl, 170 ; Col. Hist, of N. Y., Hi., 411, 494.
/
Tin-; dike's kai:m. '^>'>"-)
lowiiiu'. At tliis time till' only huildiii-s in 1 lar-imus were the
lirtusc, l»:irii and hrcwlioiKSO of" Daiiiclsoii ; the lioiix-, l)iii-ii ami
cow -lioiisf I'f lleiidrick Ciaes Kiivpcr; tlic house: and barn ot
Ide \'aii \'orst, and the lioux', harn and an "Id huiirio (l)uilt in
ItiTtS), (.(■ (iai-ret Steiiimets. All theric were (jiiite close together
aloniij the shore, now the line ol Henderson street, between Sec-
ond and I'it'th >treets.
In tlie earl V part of the year 1 Tli4, Ai'chihald Kennedy, the
Kinij's Jieceiver-Cienerai in Xew York, fixed his eve on tlie
Dtike's fai'in. The title eanie to him as follows : Ilohert West,
on the l>t and 2d of April, lOS-t, conveyed liis interest in Kast
Jersey to Tlionias Cox. Cox conveyed to Sir Engenius Cameron
of Lochiel ];;(>fhis interest of 5', on tlie 2d and ^)d of April,
1«!S5, Sir Kngeniiis conveyed to Donald Caiueron, -Inly '^>",
i 71t">. who conveyed to Evan Drunmiond' on the ITth n\' Xoveni-
ber, 1 TiM . I >nininiond conveyed one-half of the nnappropriated
land of said .[-j to dames Alexander on the 17th and 18th of Jnly,
1722, and the remaining half on the ."ith and 6th of April, 1723.
.Vlexanderi-econveyod to Drmnmond 3S3acres of nna))i)ropriated
lands on the 22d and 23d of February, 1725. On the 2Gtii of
the same month this amount (^f land was surveyed to JJrummond
by the Sin"veyor-(Teneral, " u\>i>\\ a tract of land formerly called
the West India Company's l-'arni."' This survey was endorsed
with the approval of i[; of the Proprietors. The money for the
purchase of the land and the cost of the location was furnished
by Kennedy. On tlie I3tli of T'ebruary, 172-t, Drmnmond exe-
cuted a declaration of trust'^ that he held the land for the benefit
aiul use of Kennedy. In 1725 Drmnmond filed a bill in Chan-
eery against Daiuelsoii for the possession of that part of the farm
occupied by him. Oovernor ihirnet made a decree, according
to the prayer in the bill, August 17, 1727. On the 18th of
the following mourh 1 )anielson accepted from K'ennedy a lease
of the southerlv half of the farm until the 1st of the followinjr
May.^ On the 10th of October, 1727, Garret Steinmets, who
' Drummond was appointed Hijfli Sheriff of Middlesex County in September,
1729.
• Liber F2 [Amhoi/), 509. 'LUter 112 (Aniboy), 7U.
31U HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
held the northerly half of tlie farm under the Palmer lease, sur-
rendered to Kennedy and accepted a lease for life at the rent of
one ear of Indian cornyAxQw demanded, and a proper propor-
tion of the Qnit Rents reserved to the Proprietors.^ His interest
in this lease he assigned to Mattjs De Mott, February 20, 1729.
On the expiration of Danielson's lease, Kennedy took possession
of the southerly half of the farm and began to improve and
stock it. In a letter of James Alexander to (xovernor Hunter,
dated May 20, 1731, is the following notice of this farm :
" Though there be no place near Inians Ferry,' tit for a settle-
ment, to be purchased, yet I beg leave to mention one much
better situated and that is the place called Horsamus, over
against New York, where you used to meet the Jersey Council.^
It contains about 400 acres, but out of this there's two small
pieces, one of 20 acres and another of 6 acres, belonging to other
persons. It has on it a pretty good country house and barn,
about 500 apple trees ; there's of stock, 27 black cattle, 72 sheep,
some hoi'ses, hogs and other country stock, all Ijolonging to Mr.
Kennedy, which lands, stock and all together he M'ould sell now
for £3,000, which is a moderate price when it is considered that
the lands thereabouts sell very commonly for £20 per acre."
Garret Steinmets died in 1733. This gave Kennedy posses-
sion of the northerly half of the farm. Drummond's will was
dated December 13, 1736.'' Andrew Johnson, his surviving
executor, transferred the title to Kennedy, April 24, 1747.^ Thus
his possession was complete, and his title as perfect as the pro-
prietors could make it.*^
The residents at Ilarsimus feeling that the farm belonged tu
the freeholders of the township in common, and that they were
kept out of their rights by power rather than justice, gave them-
selves up to the annoyance of its possessor. Mattys De Mott
was especially active. When he was obliged to give up ])0sses-
' Liber 772 (Amhoy), 77. - Now Xew Brunswick.
•■* The Council met here April 17, 1714. It had l)een arranged to hold this
meeting at Communipaw, but was changed to " Horsimus " by the Governor.
•* Book C of Wills {Amhoy], 1 40. '•Liber F 2 (Amhoy), 522.
'■ WinfeliVs Land Titles, 182.
riu; i»iKK s fai:m.
311
siuii ill 17-!-"5, at'Ct)r(.liii^ to tlie terms of the lease under wliidi lie
held, he pulled up seventy-one youui; apple trees. On another
occasion, six of Kennedy's hest ai)ple trees were girdled ; a fine
hull, worth I'lO, was pushed intu his well ; a stallion, worth £40,
j)ushed into a salt hole and killed, and a steer had a pitchfork
stuck into him. De jVfott used to threaten to knock out the
hrains of Kennedy's servants, and Xnu Vorst wnuld heat his
negroes, and on one occasion knocked over Black I'etcr with a
stone, for driving Van \'orst's cows out of Kennedy's cahbagc
garden, lii 1738 Van \'orst committed a ti'espass upon the farm,
that he might he prosecuted, and so have the question of title
settled. Kennedy did bring suit, hut <lid not press it to trial.
In 174-4 the trespass was repeated for a like object, but no suit
followed. In 1753 he repeated the experiment. Self respect
now forced Kennedy to sue him for trespa.ss. The case was
tried at the bar of the Supreme Court at Amboy, in August,
1753, Van Vorst set up his right to enter as a freeholder of
P,12 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
the corporation of Bergen. A verdict was rendered in his
favor. Things noM' looked serious for Kennedy. On the 12th
of December" following, he filed a bill in chancery to restrain
Van Yorst from further proceedings, and threatened to appeal to
England in case of failure. This threat had more restraining
influence on Yan Yorst than the injunction. The plain people of
Bergen could not think of contending with a crown officer in
English courts, and they remained quiet until a successful rebel-
lion destroyed an appeal to tlie courts of the mother country.
Then they renewed the controversy.
In 1 776, by permission of the Earl of Casselis (son of Archi-
bald Kennedy, who died June 14, 1763), Thomas McDonald
built a small cottage on the farm, and occupied it, with a quarter
of an acre of ground adjoining, until his death in 1770. Jacob
Brill, as tenant, lived on the farm in 1776. When the conti-
nental forces gathered at Paulus Iloeck, they destroyed certain
property, for which a claim was rendered as follows :
Ten acres of corn, and three bushels sowing of
Buckwheat, .------ £36
Six empty hogsheads and one empty pipe, - 18
Sixteen hogs, large and small, - - - - 10
During the Bevolution, the British destroyed all the fences and
buildings except McDonald's cottage. In 1779 Kennedy^ re-
' Archibald Kennedy Cid) became a captain in the Royal Navy, April 4, 175^.
In 1700 he was in command of the Flarnhor'iUfjh at Lisbon, where he attacked
and defeated a French iricrate. For this valiant behavior he was put in com-
mand of a frijjate of thirty-six .ffuns. JV. Y. Mircury, October "20, 17G0. He was
afterward in command of the Blonde. When the Revolution broke ont he was
in command of the Cocentry, lying in New York harbor. To save his extensive
estates which he had received by his first wife, he took up a residence on his
farm at Petersborough, at present East Newark. But his friendliness to the
colonics was susi)ected. lie was arrested and brought before the Council of
Safety, January 13, 1778. He was permitted to return home, to appear again
in fourteen days. At that time the Council concluded that his residence at
East Newark was dangerous to the State, and Ordered, " That he remove within
eight days from the date hereof, into the county of Sussex, and there remain
within one mile of the Court House at Newton till the further orders of the
Board resp.cting him." On Mry 7. 1778, the Counc'l released him on his parole
'iiii: DCKi;'- I'AKM. •■'il:'>
moved tri>iii ^Si-w .Iit^cv. l(';i\ iiii;' .Inliii and .lacnl) n_vrc. Iii.-
tenaiits, in possossioii. uihUt the care nt Ilohcrf Watts, liis
attoniev ami liri>tli('i--iii-law. Slidrtly at'tci'waiil. William <'i'ay
becunie tenant, and licld until 1 ?>>;!. Tlien came Philij) Dowers
jis tenant for one ycivr. and he was snccceilcd by one Ilcid. (in
tlielst of .\|>iii, I T>^4, tlic Tiustees of tlic c'or|ioniti<»n of Hcriicn,
dcsiriiiiT to ii'et possession of the farm, indncod the widow of
McDonahl, who was tlien a tenant npon cliaritv, \o remove from
the eottaiio built bv her linsband. No sooner liad she done tlii-
than the trustees i)ut Barnt Kverson into the eottaii;e as tlu-ir
tenant. This act was followed by a notice published in the Xetr
}'<>rk (razetteer and Coiintr;/ Jounidf^ warn imr all persons not
to purchase or hire any portion of tlie farm, ^\^ltts being in-
tbrmetl of these facts, on the l.^th of ^lay. 1784, got together
materials to build a house on the farm, and was putting U]i the
frame, when the ti-ustees. at the head of a multitude, swooped
<lown upon him, demolished the frame, and carried off the ma-
terials in trium]ili. They then ])roeured about thirty teams,
j»loughcd up a pait of the farm and sowed it with l)uckwheat.
For the part he bore in this roup (VHat, Daniel Van Uipen wa.>
indicted for forcible entry and detainer. Tie was tried at ?Iack-
ensack, Chief Justice Brearly j>residing, in the October term,
17S4, and convicted. The case was taken into the Supreme
( 'oiirt. the verdict set aside, and the indictment quashed in Sep-
teml)er, 178"). Ivennedy also sued \ an Ripen and John Deyfor
the frame and building materials carried ofl". They justified in
the name of the corporation of l^ergen. The trustees now
o])ened a cross fire by in>tituting suits in ejectment against
Kennedy's tenants. i\eiine<ly i(>plied by bill for injunction and
for liis jrood licliavior, unci pcriiiittcil liim to return to liis larni on New Barlia-
(loef Neck. He succeeded liis great <ifran<lfather as eleventh Earl of Casselis,
in till- Scots Peerufrc. His first wife was the only child of Colonel Peter
Srhnvler. of New Barhiidoes Neck. His secoivl wife was Anne, daughter of
.lohn Watts, of New York, whom Ik- married April "27, ITfiO. He died Decem-
ber "21), 17!)4. leavingf two sons, John ami Hnlicrt. wlio, l)y his will, dated January
1(1, 1704, inherited all his property in America. In ISO;; tliey made Robert
Watts their attorney to si-Il tluir lands.
314 IIISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
quiet possession, filed on the 8tli of September, 1786. After a
lono; contest, Chancellor Patterson dismissed this bill on the 6th
of March, 1793. On the lOtli of July following, a petition was
filed before Governor Howell to open the decree of dismissal,
and for a rehearing. This was granted, and the cause reargued
on the 11th of February, 1794. On the 20th of the same month,
the Chancellor ordered that the trustees should give up possession
to Kennedy and then bring an ejectment suit in the Supreme
Court, t(» be tried before a special jury from the county of
Somerset, at the bar in Trenton, the verdict to be certified to the
Chancellor. Kennedy dying in 1794, Robert Watts was put
upon the record in his place on the 26th of April, 1796. The
trial began on Thursday, the 25th of February, 1800, and con-
cluded on Saturday evening. On Monday morning a verdict
was rendered in favor of the plaintiffs.^
Notwithstanding this defeat, Watts held on to the farm. Then
the trustees tiled a bill asking tlie Court of Chancery to give
effect to the verdict, but before the court decided what should
be done, a compromise between the parties was effected, and the
trustees were virtually the losers. Both parties disposed of their
interest in the farm to John B. Coles,^ of New York, on the 4th
of Februar}^, 1804. Kennedy received for his interest §20,000,
and Bergen received §14,285.75, out of which were to be paid
the expenses of law suits, &c., amounting to s3,057.50.^ Thus
was the magniticent farm of the West India Company, which
' Aaron Ogden and Mr. McWhorter were tlie counsel for the plaintiffs, and
Richard Stockton and Mr. Lake for tlie defendant. — Sentinel of Freedom , ilarrh
11, 1800.
- John B. Coles was born on Long Island, December 81 , 1760. He married
Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Underbill, September 22, 1781, and died
January 2, 1827. He resided in the city of New York from 1780 until hisdeath.
He was Alderman of the First Ward and State Senator.
•* The items of this bill were as follows :
A. McWhorter's lawyer's bill, ------ |400 13
C. Van Vorst for money advanced, - . . . 134 27
Sundry bills in connection with suit, - . - - 2,523 10
$3,057 50
?:
z
<
o
<
IIOBOKEN. ^il.")
liad l)eeii tlio ])ri(]e <'t the IiKliaiis iuul the Diitdi, rritttTcd
away.
■ There oust was two cats in Kilkenny,
And aicli thought then- was one cat too miiny :
So they <|iiarrfiled and lit,
And they jjou^ed and they bit,
Till, exrciitini: their nales
And the tip of tiieir tails.
Instead of two cats there wasn't any."
'i'he i)e(»j)le in Jlarsiiiius, \>vinv to tlic introduction of tlic Ta.—
sale watei', depended on well.s. Many of these were sunk and
kt'j)t in ivpair bv assessment on property l)enefited. Tliose wliich
had been sunk b}' individuals prior to 1841 were surrendered to
the townsliip.
The first street lainj) put uj) Ity ])ublic authority was on the
corner of Grove street and Raih'oad avenue. This was on tlie
3d of December, 184'), Lamps were put up only where a ma-
jority of the owners of lots li<i;lited ]>etitioned for them.
The followinij is taken from the Wt'plJt/ Post Bo;/, January 27,
1746:
'' AVe are credibly informed that some days ai^o a ti>h was
found dead, asliore, near Ilorsimus, in Ncm- Jersey, opposite the
back of this city, having a head nearly resembling- that of a man.
with hair on it." In a few days the crows carried off the bod v.
except the bones, " wdiich, 'tis said, about the breast and rib>,
verv much resembled the human anatomv, but as it draws toward
the tail, entirely in fish. This strange j)h<'noinenon has occa-
sioned no small speculation all over that part of the country, as
well as in some parts of this city. However, we are told it has
since been discovered, or at lea.st thought to be, only a ]K)rjK)ise
with his snout cut off I"
HOBOKKN.
The first white oc('U})ant of Iloboken was Ilendrick Cornelissen
Van Yorst, eldest son of Pauw's Commissary at Ahasimus. AVhon
he first occupied this bouwerie is not known, but on the 12tli of
ol() HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Mai'cli, 1630, he took a lease of it for twenty years from the 1st
of January, 1040. In the lease tiie place is said to have been
" heretofore occupied by him." lie agreed to give as rent " the
i part of the crops which God may vouchsafe to the soil, either
in sheaves on the field or as shall be considered best, and twelve
capons every year," and to deliver back the land unsown.^ In
the summer of 1630 he returned to Holland, and there died. On
the 15th of February, 1640, Governor Kieft leased the place to
Aert Teunissen Van Putten for twelve years from the 1st of Jan-
nary, 1 6-1:1. Xieft agreed to erect a small house on the place,
and Teunissen agreed to yield as rent " the fourth sheaf with
which God Almighty shall favor the Held."' There is no doubt
that the house which Kieft built for Teunissen was the first build-
ing in Hoboken. Van Vorst, the former occupant, was mimar-
ried, and most likely lived at his father's in Harsimus.
Teunissen forthwith began to improve his leasehold. He
fenced the lands, cleared the fields and erected a brew-house.
Thus he became the first brewer within the county, if not within
the State. He stocked his bouwerie with twenty-eight head of
large cattle, besides various small stock, su(;h as swine, goats,
sheep, &c., together with many fruit trees. With a true Dutch
farmer's pride, Teunissen continued to improve the place until
the war of 1643 broke out, when he, having gone out on a trading
expedition, was killed near Sandy Hook.'^ His cattle and other
stock were destroyed, his dwelling house, barns and stacks of
grain burnt, the brew-house alone remainino;.' On the 12th of
March, 1645, his widow, Susanna Jans, married Sybout Claesen,
a house carpenter in :^rew Amsterdam. He shortly afterward
claimed a riglit to the possession of the bouwerie in the name of
his wife ; but Kieft leased it to Dirck Claesen, from Bremen.''
This lessee soon aI)andoned the place, after which it remained
nn<iccupied for some time.
At what time JS'icholas Verlet (Varlet, Varleth) came into pos-
'.V. V. Col. MSS., L, 70. Ubid, L, 187.
■* Vak'iitme's Hist, of JST. Y., 47. ^Col. Hist. JV. Y., i., 328.
^ Wliif eld's Land 'Titles, 5(5.
MOIIOKKN. .".17
session ut tlu' lioiiw uric i> ni>l kiniwn, liuL in Miircli, 1 ••.")»!, ho
sold the franu' of ii house at lluhokcn to Michiol J.inseiuand <u
the :i8th of that month rei|uested of the <^ovenmient six oi- cii^nt
soldiers to aid him in ijettin^ it away. I>nt the Indians claiin-
ini:- fli«' Iranie (except the nails), his re(|nest was refused, on the
grouiui that tiu' Indians iniujht coniinence a ti^ht, which it was
feared nii<j;ht heconie <j;eueral.'
On the return of the ])lanters t(^ their farms in Pavoiiia, there
is no douht hut Vorh't canu' with them. Ihit it was not until the
ath of Fchruary, l(!Go, that he ohtained from Stuvvesant ajtatent
for the land. This was confirmed bv (Tovernor Carteret on the
liith of May, \(\C)S. Niclnjlas Bayard (whose widow \'frlet had
married) Mas his partner in the Secaucus ti'act, hut it i> not
known that he was ever interested in Kol)oken. On the It'th of
>runc, 1711, however, it came by purchase to the IJayardfann'Jy.-
who used it for a summer residence. The farm was worked
hv tenants, and greatly improved through the liberality of its
owners. In 1700 there was on it a garden of ti\e acres tilled with
a choice collection of English truit,such as ]>eaches. pears, plum-.
<]iei'ries, nectarines and aprict)ts ; a large dwelling house, which
I5ayard occupied as his summer residence, and another adjoining
under the same roof used as a farmdiouse, with convenient cellars
and an "extraordinary icitchen ;" out houses, a new smoke house.
fowl house, a large stable, with stalls for ten horses on one side,.
ii\er which was a (j;ranarv and hav loft, which would h ild twentv
loads of hay. Upon the farm were thirty milcii (vtwsand thirty
young cattle, twenty fat hogs, six fat cattle and a i)air of oxen.
Besides an old orchard capable of |)roducing eighty barrels of
cider a year, there were about one thousand young trees, all
grafted with the best of fruit. It was considered that scarcely
anything in America could equal its ccnvenience for marketing,
as in good weather one might ''cross, take one time with another,
in half an hour."*
'iV. }'. Col. MSS., vi., 347.
■■' Winjield's Land Titles, 3i), wlierealso seo a sketch of Verlet. Altlioupli th<
owner of Hobokcn, lie lived in Berj^en. Ibid, 108.
iV. Y. Meixury, Dccembn- H,nGO.
818
HISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
The Bayard mansion was on Castle Point, or " Castile,"^ and
A^-as burned l>y tlie patriots on Saturday, the 24th of August, 1780,
and tlie farm laid waste. The owner at this time was William
Bayard.~ This gentleman being a loyalist, his property was con-
fiscated, and, on the 16th of March, 1784, sold to John Stevens.
In 1804 the place was laid out upon a map, which was entitled,
'N. Y. Mvrcuti/, August 38, 17.S0.
' William Bayard was associated with Jay, Lewis, etc., the Committee of
Fifty Whi<T sympathizers at tlu- begiuuingof the war. lu 177^ Mr. Quincy,of
Massachusetts, in passing on his way from the South, recorded in his journal :
" Dined with Col. William Bayard, at his seat on the North River." In 1775
the Massachusetts delegates to the Continental Congress were his guests at the
«ime place. The capture of New York by the British in 1776 induced him to
believe that they would succeed in the contest. Hence he forsook the pa-
triot cause and became a loyalist, active and zealous as new converts generally
are. The tories in this vicinity were indebted to him for the watch-boats fur-
nished to the Jersey volunteers. N. T. Mercury, February 3, 1778. At the
close of the war he went to England, where he lived to be a very old man. He
died in 1804, at his seat, Greenwich House, Southampton.
ii(ii;iiKi;.\. :il'.>
-AMupot till- iii-w City llohukeii." On the -JOtli uf March. 18<>4,
( 'oloiiel Stevens advertised » fonr days' side of eh^\\\ hundred
lots at Ilohokcn. Tins saU' was to he at puhlic auction, on Mon-
day, April 1>, at the Tontine Cottre House, New York ; on Tues-
day at llohoken, on Wednesday at the Tontine ( 'ollee House,
and on Tlmr-day at Ilohoken. Ten per cent, of the purchase
price was to he paid within ten days, the balance in four annual
payments, the deed to be ij^iven on inakinu- the first annual pay-
ment. I)a\ id Dixon was the auctioneer. The purchasers wei'c
requested to meet at the Tontine on Saturday, the 1-tth of April,
to give names to the streets, each person to have as many votes
as he liad lots on the streets to be named.
The Iloboken Land and Improvement Company was incorpo-
rated February 21, 1838, and tlie heirs of John Stevens* conveyed
to it the unsold property. May (>, 1839.
The township of Iloboken was set off from the township of
North Heri^en on the 1st of March, 18-il> ; organized April !<!,
1841>. It was incorporated as a city on the 28th of March, 1855,
in the name of " the Mayor aiul ('ouncil of the (.'it}' of Iloboken."
The acceptance of the chartei' was left to the j)eop]e. The vote
thereon was taken on the 2ltth of March, and stood : " Charter,"
:}87 ; " No Charter," 185.
Cornelius \'. Clickener, 1855-7' Frederick B, Ugden, 1805-7.
Franklin 13. Carpenter, Frederick W. Bohnstedt,
1857-8, 185<)-61. 1867-9.
George ^Y. Morton, 1858-9. Ilazen Kindjall, 1869-71.
John K. Johnston, 1861-3. l''rederick L. Schmersahl,
Lorenzo W. Elder, 1863-4. 1871-3.
Charles T. Terry, 1864-5. , Peter McGavisk, 1873.
' Colonel .lohn Stevens was the fouiulcr of Hobnken. He was horn in New
York in 1749, and died in 18'38. His frrandt'ather, .lohn. was a native of l'3ng-
land, and came to New York as one of tlie law olDcers of the crown. His father.
John, became a resident of New Jersey, and married Elizabeth Alexander. He
was at one time Vire-I'rcsideiit of the f'oiincil. Colonel .John married Rachel,
daughter of John Cox, of Bloomsburjj, N..). He was for several years Treasurer
of the State. His sister married Robert U. Livingston. Chancellor of the State
of New York.
820 HISTOliY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
(Jlevhs.
Samuel W. Carey, 1855-T.
Henry M. Brandis, 1857-8.
Augustus O. Evans, 1858-9.
William R. Harrison, 1859-Gl.
John Kennedy, 1861-70.
Frederick E. Rowald, 1870-2.
John R. McCUilloch, 1872-
On the 15th of April, 1814, Samuel Swartwout and his brother
Robert purchased a large tract of land at Hoboken, They im-
mediately commenced to reclaim the land by erecting permanent
dikes and opening ditches. Part of the land drained came under
successful cultivation. About one hundred cows were, in 1819,
fed upon these reclaimed marshes, and their milk sent to Xew
York market. Grain of various kinds, and vegetables in abun-
dance, were also raised. In 1819 their funds gave out. They
apjilied to the Corporation of l^ew York for ai<l. They were
not successful, and the project was abandoned.^
Water was introduced in October, 185!S.
North Rkkgen.
On the 10th of Februarj^, 1843, all that portion of the county
lying north of the New Jersey Railroad and the Mill Creek was
set off from the township of Bergen, and named the township of
North Bergen. It has been, from time to time, despoiled of ter-
ritory for cities and township,s. until at jn-esent it is confined to
Secaucus and that part of the county lying north of the Paterson
plank road and west of Dallytown road. Secaucus is an island,
lying between Pinhorne creek and the Hackensack river. It is
mentioned in the deed of the Indians to Stuyvesant by the name
of Sickakes.-^ On the southerly end of the island is a bold blutf
rising out of the salt marsh, known as '• Slangen Bergh ''-^ and
" Snake Hill." It is now owned by the county, and the Alms
1 N. T. Evening Post, July 34, 1819.
^ For a minute history of this island, cide Winfield's Land Titles, 130.
" Loiirj. Id. Hist. Soc, i., 156. " And is so named on account of the numeroui*
snakes which infest it."
NOinil BKKGKN TOWNSHII'.
321
Ilont^e, i.un.itic Asvlum ami PeiiiU-iitiiiry jire tiierc. Jutjt north
(»f Snake Hill is an flevated piece of npland, once known as
"Mount I'inliorne." This hitter place, in all probahility, was
the residence of -Iudy;e Piidiorne. In 1729 tlie plantation was
said to contain "(KM) acres of timber, 200 cleared land, 1,000
meadow, new honse and barn, two orciiards of about 1,200 bear-
ing apjde trees."^ Three hundred acres of this phmtation now
constitute the " Poor House Farm."" The purchase of this farm
for county puriwses was Hrst agitated in November, 1845. It
was not, however, nntil December, 1855, that the Board of
(./hosen Freeholders resolved to buy it. Several townsliips and
cities liad been set off from Bergen, withont reserving their right
to tlie farm, so that at tliis time it was owned by Bergen, North
Bergen, ITobokcn, and Hudson City. On March 7, 1801, the
Legislature named Commissioners from these f<iui' municipalities,
with power to convey the same to the count}'. The purchase was
completed, and in February, 18(»2, the title passed to the county
at a cost of !^12,000. Pi-eparations were immediately made for
the erection of the Alms House." dames McLoughlin contracted
for the carpenter's work at Sl4,<)00, and William C. "White for
the mason work at §12,50<>. The building was completed in
1863, and the first person received as an inmate was Andrew Don-
ohoe, August 25, 1863, The building now (1873) has accommo-
dation for five hundred inmates. There are in the institution
427 persons, and the cost of maintaining it is §1.71^ per inmate,
weekly. Up to November 19, 1873, 2,840 persons had been in-
mates of the Alms TTouse. whoso average age and nationalitv are
as follows :
Total
Average
age.
Nativity.
Males.
No. of
Inmates.
Ireland.
1,154
England
Germany.
U.S.
Females.
2,840
vra. m.
":J0 ()
104
••
310
1,242
i.roo
1,14(»
' J^. Y. Gazette, July 7, 1729, and May 18, 1730.
'' In the olden timt; the poor were cared for by selling thcintothe lowest
bidder. The following extract will give a clear idea u]>on this subject : " At
21
322
HISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
The contract for tlie Penitentiary was awarded to Peter Doyle
and David Ewling, August 9, 1866, for ,§83,456. It was com-
pleted in 1870, Patrick Warren api)ointed its first keeper, and
Michael Kinney, convicted of breaking and entering and larceny,
admitted its first inmate, September 19, 1870. The building has
accommodation for 180 persons. On November 19, 1873, ninety-
four males and nineteen females were prisoners therein. The
following table shows the number of commitments :
i*bisoners commtted to the hudson countt penitentiary fbom september 19, 1870, to
November 20, 1873.
Total
number
committed.
Com-
mitted.
Com-
mitted.
Nativity
M
13
201
no
257
641
.2
:-.
t«
oj
^'
i
12
1.32
87
141
372
Educa-
tion.
Occupa-
tion.
Com-
mitted
Religion.
What
Year.
ID
"5
22
258
196
310
786
"3
a
1
o to
•°c
OJ o
> S
S p,
2
156
113
198
492
c
19
2.33
182
270
704
02 >»
^ o
(■
100
75:
128|
.309
i 21
218
191
273
703
g
=> _■
"o s
o o
4
115
66
125
310
a)
s .
13
94
95
131
i £33
<o
c
o
12
239
162
267
680
by 1
Co
m
1
25
75
77
78
255
wnat
urt.
.at
§1
258
180
320
758
(D
_o
O
.a
o
16
251
187
288
742
m
-*A
fl
(S
■*->
03
O
o
Ph
9
81
70
107
267
1-5
1870
1871
1872
1873
25
333
257
398
3 —
75 177
61 ! 144
88j; 200
1
3
Total
1,013
227
521
4
The Lunatic Asylum was completed in 1873. Tlie first
patients were received March 8, 1873. The building has accom-
modation for one hundred and forty patients. Since its comple-
tion, up to November 19, 1873, one hundred and two patients
have been received therein, of whom fifteen have been discharged
cured.
New Durham, which up to 1803 was known as the Maisland,
lies within this township. In this village is the tavern named
" Three Pigeons," a name well known prior to the Revolution.
Here also, near where Macpelah cemetery now is, was the once
Bergen town meeting, December 15th, 1784, at a public Outcry is sold Enoch
Earle to the Lowest Bidder for the sum of seven pounds, ten shillings ; the
conditions are as follows, the Byer is to find the said Enoch Earle a Good Bed,
Washing, Lodging and Victuals and Mending his Close ; the Overseers of the
Poor are to find all the New Close and then the said Enoch Earle is to work for
the Byer as much as he is able to do until the years End." Until the comple-
tion of the present Alms House, the old red building north of the Boonton
Branch Railroad was used for that purpose.
THE fkenchman's garden. I^>2H
celebrati-d *" Freiu-liniaii'.s Gardt'ii."' Conct'iniiig thi» i^iuxk-n I
have met. with the folh)\vin<i: poetic and somewhat boiiorous ae-
comits :
•* III ii wild and nmiantic situation on Bergen Creek, nearly op-
posite the City of New York, thirty acres of Land were purchased
for a garden and fruitery by the unfortunate Louis XVI., who as
proprietor became a natin-aiized citizen by act of tlie Legishiture."-
This statement of AVarden seems to have been based on a notice
rehiting to this garden in the Xew Jersey Journal, June 27, 1787,
in wliich it is said, " Part of this space is at present enclosing
witii a stone wall, ami a universal collection of exotic, as well jls
d.omestic plants, trees and flowers, are already begun to be intro-
duced to this elegant spot, which in time must rival, if not excel
the most celebrated gardens of Europe. The situation is natu-
rally wild and romantic, between two considerable rivers, in view
of the main ocean, the city of New York, the heights of Staten
Island and a vast extent of distant mountains on the western
side of the landscape.'' As '' tall oaks from little acorns grow,"
so these exaggerated statements had their origin in the following
simple fact. On March 3, 1780, Andre Michaux, in his petition
to the Legislature of this State, set forth that the King of France
had commissioned him as his botanist to travel through the
United States, that he had power to import from P>ance any
tree, plant or vegetable that might be wanting in this country,
that he wished to establish near Bergen a botanical garden of
about thirty acres, to experiment in agriculture and g.irdening,
and which he intended to stock with French and American
plants, as also with ))lants from all over the world. The Legis-
lature granted his petition, and permitted him as an alien to
hold not exceeding two hundred acres of land in this State.
He came to this country fortified with a flattering letter of in-
troduction, dated at Vienna, September 3, 1785, from the Mar-
quis de La Fayette to Washington.^ He was attached to the
' Winfield s Land Titles. :502.
^ Warden's History of the United States, ii., 53.
^Correspondence of the American lictolution, ir., IIG.
324: HISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Jardin des Plants in Paris. He brought with him the gardener,
Paul Saunier, who took the title to the ground bought for the
garden. The place was stocked witli many plants and trees, among
which was the Lombard poplar. From this garden tliis once
celebrated tree was spread abroad througli the country and pro-
nounced an exotic of priceless value.^
Hudson City.
On the 4th of March, 1852, the territoi-v within this city was
taken from the township of I^orth Bergen and incorporated as
"The Town of PLudson in the County *>f Hudson." Certain
powers were invested in five supervisors, but for all general pur-
poses the place remained a part of the township of IS^orth Ber-
gen. On the 11th of April, 1855, it was incorporated " The
City of Hudson," with powers of government vested in a Mayor
and Common Council. The charter was left to the acceptance or
rejection of the people. At an election held on the 12th of April,
1855, a majority of 120 votes was cast for the charter. The
Mayor and Common Council were sworn into office by Judge
Haines at the court house on the 7th of Mav. It consolidated
with Jersey City in 1870.
Mayors. ( 'le/'ks.
Edwin K. Y. Wright, 1855. Alexander Watson, May, 1855
Garret D. Yan Ripen, 1856, ' -Sept., 1855.
'61-8. Thomas Harrison, Sept., 1855
Edmund T. Carpenter, 1857-8, i -May, 1856.
'60-1.2 I Charles J. Roe, May, 1856-
Abraham Collerd, 1859. May, 1870.
Benjamin F. Sawyer, 1869. !
Within the bounds of this city, and partly on the southerly
end of the new reservoir, and extending easterly, was the Beacon
' Old New York,2'i.
' Died in otfice in 1861, and was succeeded by Garret D. Van Ripen.
HEACOX RACK CODRSE. '^25
liace Coiirso. It was owned by ('ynis S. Hrowiiing, wlio was
lu're killed bv beiii<^ fliiv»wii from his Canadian horse "Hops,"
November 5, 184r», in a hurdle race. The followinj^ list of
faces over this once popular track will be interesting to " whom
it may concern " :
Bkacon TIace (\)DRSK.
Ajax, Rattier, May !'(», 1844; 3 miles ; dis., 8:02.
Americ'iis, Ilipton, to wajjjon, Sept. 20, 1842 ; 2 miles ; 5:17, 5:20.
Dutcliitiaii. Ripton, Sept. 21. 184:'); :} miles; 8:04,
^:I1. 8:20, <):40.
" Lady Suliblk, Columbus, June 27, 1844; 3 miles;
' 7:524, 8:01.
Amina, Coliiinbus, Doctor (3 dr.). May U, 1844; 1 mile; 2:3Ti,
2:38, 2:37.
Awful. Lady Suffolk. Oct. 8,1838; 2 miles; 5:28, 5:21^.
" Dutchman, to wagon, Oct. 28, 1839 ; 1 mile ; 2:41^, 2:40,
2:44i
Beppo, Tndepeiulence, June 25, 1843 : 1 mile ; 2:32^, 2:3U, 2:33,
2:38, 2:35.
Rilly, Seneca Chief, pacers, duly 14, 1841 ; 1 mile; 2:32.
Brandywine, Vern(jn Maid, Mingo Princess, June 15, 1841 ; 2
miles ; 5:24, 5:24.
Brooklyn Maid, Mingo, Rattler, June 7, 1841 ; 3 miles ; S::iT,
8:24.'
" Snartle, Don Juan, May 5, 1842 ; 2 miles ; 5:22.
Cayuga Chief. Aaron Burr, June 12, I S41 : 1 nule ; 2:38,2:38,
2:4f;, 2:37.
" AVashington, Americus, June 19. 1844; 1 mile;
2:35^, 2:35^, 2:40, 2:42, 2:45.
Celeste, Henry. Americus, Oct. 4,1839; 2 miles; 5:22, 5:32^,
5:2(;.
Colund)Us. Ajax, Oct. 21, 1843 ; 2 miles ; 5:24^, 5:32, 5:36.
Confidence, ^Washington, June 10, 1841 ; 2 miles; 5:24, 5:28.
" " June 28, 1841 : 1 mile ; 2:35, 2:37, 2:30.
" Riptoii. Awful, Oct. 4, 1841 : 2 miles; 5:13, 5:17.
Don Juan,AVashington, July 12, 1841 ; 2 miles; 5:21, 5:39, 5:22.V.
326 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Duchess, Cayuga Chief, Pleasure Boy, Sept. 19, 1842 ; 2 miles ;
5:15i, 5:25, 5:35.
" Hector, May 20, 1843 ; 2 miles ; 5:28, 5:22.
Snaffle, Hector, June 15, 1843 ; 2 miles ; 5:26^, 5:20. ^
" Lady Suffolk, Oct. 8, 1845 ; 1 mile ; 2:37, 2:35^, 2:35f,
2:39.
Dutchman, Eattler, Oct. 8, 1838; 3 miles; 7:45^, 7:50, 8:02,
8:24^.
Kattler (dis.), Oct. 15, 1838 ; 3 miles ; 8.0U.
Lady Suffolk, April 27, 1839 ; 2 miles ; 5:16, 5:19.
Awful (dis.), July 4, 1839 ; 3 miles ; 7:41.
" " July 11, 1839 ; 3 miles ; 8:18, 7:59.
" July 18, 1839 ; 1 mile ; 2:35, 2:32, 2:35.
against time, Aug. 1, 1839 ; 3 miles; 7:32^.^
Awful, Oct. 4, 1839 ; 2 miles ; 5:11, 5:16.
a
a
u
a
' This remarkable speed and endurance made Dutchman king of the turf,
which position he held for thirty-three years. The following- is an account of
the race as told by Hiram Woodruff himself, who rode Dutchman, in his valua-
bli! work on the trotting horse in America :
" The 1st of August came. The course was firm, a large concourse of people
were in attendance, and the odds were two to one on Dutchman when we
brought him out and stripped him. At six o'clock in the evening he was sad-
dled, and I mounted, feeling fully confident that the feat set would be done with
much ease. We were allowed a running horse to keep company, and I had a
nice blood-like mare, she being under my brother Isaac. We went off at a
moderate jog, gradually increasing the pace, but conversing part of the way at
our ease. The mile was accomplished in 2:34i, and Dutchman never was really
extended. Now occurred a circumstance which must be related, because it was
curious in itself and had its effect on time. Mr. Harrison, the backer of Dutch-
man, had sent his watch to a friend and was not keeping time of the horses
himself as they went round. As we came by the stand some bystander, who
had a mistake in timing, told him that the time of the mile was 2:38, which
was a losing average. He therefore called out to me as I passed him to go
along, and go along I did. Dutchman struck a great pace on the back stretch,
and established such a fine stroke that the running mare was no longer &h\e to
live with him. My Ijrotlier Isaac got alarmed and sung out to me that I was
going too fast. I replied that I had been told to go along. It was not my con-
viction that the horse was going too fast even then, for if ever tliore was one
that I could feel of and that felt all over strong and ca])able of maintaining the
rate, Dutchman did then. Nevertheless I took a pull for Isaac, and allowed
him to come up and keep company for the balance of the mile. It was per-
BEACON K.\("E COURSE. 327
DutchiiKin, \V;i^hiii.i;tuii, Sci)t. 2U, 1S40 ; 2 inilc:^: :>:\7i, rrA7,
5:2i.
" I-inly Sutlulk, Americus, Oct. 5, 1848 ; 2 miles ; r):19,
^ 5:20, 5:22, 5:29.
Fairy t^iieen, Oayn<ra Chief, May 6, 1844 ; 1 mile ; 2:30, 2:80.
Calhotni. .luly s, 1844: 1 mile; 2:84, 2:81.
(Greenwich Maid, Dutcliiuan, June 21, 1888 ; 2 miles ; 5:2<>, 5:22.
Hector, Kate Horn, May 14, ls42 ; 1 mile; 2:41, 2:41, 2:42, 2:30.
" Snatiie, Pleasure JW, Sept. l'1. 1842; 2 miles: 5:18i,
5:14i.
J..I111 ('. (Calhoun, Fairy (^leeii, ( )et. 81, 1S44 ; I i.iilr ; 2:82. 2:3C>.
I-.iidy Clinton, Chancellor, J-lrooklyn Maid, lirandywine, Ijiick-
skin. Hector (1 dis.\ Sept. 20, 1841 : 1 mile; 2:41, 2:4'-',
2:4U, 2:41.
Lady Suffolk, Lady Victory, l^laek Hawk 1 1 dis.), Cato (1 dis.),
Sarah Paff (1 dis.), June 22, 1888 ; 2 miles ; 5:15, 5:17.
Apollo (1 dis.), April 26, F^89 ; 2 miles ; 5:21.
Cato (1 dis.), July 8, 1830 : 2 miles ; 5:30.
Henry, Celeste, Cato (8 dis.), Oct. 8, 1830 ; 2 miles ;
5:28, 5:28, 5:26.
formed in 2:"3S very handily. Tlic third mile we kept tlie same relative posi-
tions, Diitchnian beings under jjfood pull all the way, and able to have left the
ninninjcr niaie had he been called upon so to do. The rate was now very even,
and it was maintained until we were within about two hundred yards of the
stand, when I was notified to check n\> and come home at a more moderate gait-
I therefore crossed tlie score at a J<)<rtr()t, and Dutchman was at a walk within
fifteen yards of it. The last mile was ::2:30, the whole bein^ 7::52i. Great as
this [)erformance was thought at the time, long as it has stood unequaled. and
great and deserved as has been and is the fame of those who have endeavored
to surpass it, I declare that it is not by any means all that Dutchman could have
done that day. 1 am positiv(> that if I had bei'n called u])on to do so. he could
have trotted the three milesin 7:27 or better. This is no light opinion of mine,
taken U[) years afterward on inadi'<|U!ite grounds, and whiai those who might be
opposed to it iiave gone Irom among us. It was the Judgment of those who
saw him in the; feat, observed him all through and noticed how he finished. It
has always been my conviction, and will remain so to my dying day, that Dutch
man could have done the last mile in 2:26, and I even hold to the ojiinion that
he cuuld have done it in 2:25. The people who witnessed the race thought so
too."
Dutchman's time was beaten by Huntress at Prospect Park Sept. 21,1872.
328 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Lady Suffolk, Don Jnan, Oct. 23,1839; 2 miles; 5:16, 5:24.
"" Aaron JBnrr, Sept. 21, 1840; 2 miles; 5:22, 5:21,
5:35.
" Kipton, Jnly 6, 1841 ; 1 mile ; 2:35, 2:37^.
" Awful, July 22, 1841 ; 2 miles; 5:26^, 5:23, 5:24.
« Oneida Chief (1 dis.), Jnly 27, 1841 ; 2 miles ; 5:05.
" Beppo, Independence, July 4, 1843 ; 1 mile; 2:28^,
2:28, 2:28, 2:29, 2:32.
" Beppo, Oneida Chief, July 12, 1843 ; 1 mile ; 2:26^,
2:27, 2:27.
" Beppo, July 25, 1843 ; 1 mile ; 2:30^, 2:42^, 2:28.
" Confidence, Sept. 14, 1843 ; 1 mile ; 2:38, 2:39, 2:41.
" Americus, Ripton, May 21 ; 1844; 2 miles; 5:17,
5:19, 5:18.
" Duehess,Washington, Sept. 9, 1844; 1 mile; 2,38,
2:33i, 2:34, 2:37.
" John C. Calhoun, Fairy Queen (4 dis,), Oct. 7,
1844; 1 mile ; 2:39, 2:31, 2:28, 2:29, 2:30.
" Moscow, Oct. 13, 1845 ; 1 mile ; 2:34, 2:29^, 2:31,
2:34, 2:36.
Lady Tompkins, Amina, Oct. 17, 1844 : 1 mile ; 2:37, 2:36, 2:39,
2:38.
Moscow, Reality, Oct. 6, 1845 ; 1 mile ; 2:39^, 2:44.
" Lady Suffolk, Ofct. 16, 1845 ; 1 mile ; 2:33^, 2:3H, 2:40,
2:35.
Oneida Chief, Miss Saratoga, June 19, 1838 ; 2 miles ; 5:14, 5:09^.
" Awful, June 17, 1840; 3 miles ; 8:17, 8:20|^.
Lady Suffolk, Nov. 1, 1841 ; 3 miles ; 7:50, 8:04.
Aug. 14, 1843 ; 3 miles ; 7:44, 7:52.
Rattler, " (3 dis.), July 4, 1838 ; 2 miles ; 5:29,
5:17, 5:40.
" Dutchman, Lady Suffolk (1 dis.), Oct. 1, 1838; 2 miles;
5:17, 5: 13^1 .
Ripton, Brandywine, Don Juan, June 22, 1841; 2 miles; 5:21,
5:iU.
" " Post Boy, Sept. 21, 1841 ; 2 miles ; 5:32, 5:24.
" Quaker, Duchess, Nov. 1, 1841 ; 2 miles ; 5:13, 5,20.
UKACON RACK COUKSK. :»29
Kil'toii, l.nily Surtclk. Coiitideiic-i'. A ii<;-. I, ls42; •". miles; 8:00,
7:r)k.
Ainericns, Oct. 2(i, \S4'2: :". miles; 8:03, 8:01, 8:04.
Lady Siiflulk, Coiitidenee, May 7. 1842; 2 miles ; 5:10^,
:.:12i.
Amerieiis. May l."., 1843; 3 miles; 7:53, 8:03.
" May 22. 1843; 2 miles; 5:12, 5:12, 5:17.
('uiifidenec.Jnnoi:.. 1S44: 1 mile : 2:40, 2:41, 2:38, 2:42^
Sii' Willjiim. Aja.x. Jersey iJlue (3 (lis.), Oct. 8, 1844; 3 miles;
S:04A, 8:(>lt, S:(iOi.
" Heotcr, Oct. 31, 1S44 ; '2 miles; 5:20, 5:27.
SnatHe, IJruoklyn Maid, Hector. ( )ct. 1 7. 1842 ; 2 miles ; 5:26, 5:27.
'' Ritle, Tom Benton, Sorrel P.illy (2 dis.), May 16, 1844 ;
2 miles: 5:23A, 5:20.
Soldier V.oh. Span<;le, ( 'ayui,'a Chief, Awful, Oct. 18,1843; 1
mile ; 2:35^, 2:38, 2:39^, 2:41, 2:46, 2:47.
Unkn()wn, Fairy Queen (1 dis.), Aut;. 2, 1844; 1 mile; 2:23.
Volcano, Stranirer, Watei-man (1 dis.). June 28,1841; 1 mile;
2:3!>, :>:3H, 2:34^, 2:38A.
N\)lcano, Drover, Waterman (1 dis.), Seneca (.'liiet' (1 dis.), 'luly
5, 1841 ; 1 mile; 2:32, 2:35, 2:38.
Washington. Green wicli Maid, Dutcliman, Rattler, June 22,
1838; 2 miles; 5:19, 5:17.
" Dutchman, Greenwich Maid, July 4, 1838 ; 2 miles ;
5:22,5:17.
( 'ayun-a ( 'hief (2 dis. ), T\"ov. 2, 1 840 ; 2 miles ; 5:37,
5:11U.
Dnchos. Ilitlc. >ray 23. 1S44 : 2 miles : 5:17A. 5:2(t.
The iietipie in the vicinity i;i-e\v weary of the races an<l the
character of the visitors. It was presented by the grand jury as
a "nuisance to the i)ublie"* in 1845. It was shortly afterward
abandoned.
In 186- the Hudson County .\gi"icultural Society, for the pur-
pose of developing a superior species of pumpkin, constructed a
race course on Secaucus. It was kept up for some time with
330 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
great spirit, but after the lapse of two or three years the racing
was abandoned. The land belonging to the company was sold
to Bishop Bayley, Dec. 14, 1870. It is not yet tnrned to relig-
ions nses. It has in part relapsed to its former condition ; per--
haps it would be proper to say its last state is worse than the first,
for it is now devoted to " scrub " racing, Indian exhibitions and
otlier amusements of an equally inferior character,
Toivnshqj of Weehawhen was set off from the city of Hoboken
March 15, 1859.
Townshij) of Union was set off from the township of North
Bergen Feb. 28, 1861.
Townshij) of West Hohoken was set off from the township of
North Bergen Feb. 28, 1861.
ToiLmshlp of Bayonne was set off from the town of Bergen
March 15, 1861, and incorporated as a city March 10, 1869.
Toionship of Greenville was set oft' from the town of Bergen
March 18, 1863, and consolidated with Jersey City in 1873.
Town of Union was set off from the township of Union
March 29, 1864.
Township of Kearney was set off from the township of Harri-
son March 14, 1867.
Considering the rapid absorption of adjacent territory by Jer-
sey City, it is perhaps proper that the names and location of vil-
lages and hamlets, as they have existed and do now exist, should
be given for preservation. Beginning at Bergen Point, we go
northward.
CentreviUe is a small village about two miles north of Bero-en
Point.
Bayonne is a small village about three-quarters of a mile north
of (Jentreville.
Pamrepo is a village in the northerly part of the city of Bay-
onne, formerly known as Salterville. All of these places are
within the city of Bayonne, and the Xew Jersey Central Rail-
road Company has a station at each place.
Greenville was a small, poorly constructed village about three
miles from the Jersey City ferry, on the old road leading to Ber-
NAMES AND LOCAI.I'IV OF SETrLKMKNTS. •»'>1
gen Point, settled mostly by CTerniiiiis, It fiiuilly ^ave its n;mir
to a township, wliicli \v;is annexed to Jersey City in 187'>.
Claremont was a name i^ivcii nioif to a tract of land that was
mapped out for sale than to a village. It lies (Hi tlu- heiirhts,
north and south of" the Newark and New York liaili'oad.
LafaijHti- was the name «jiven l»y the owners ot the land to
tliat portion ot" Jersey City which lies south ot'tlie iSforris canal,
in the vicinity ot" Pacific and (ommnnipaw avenues.
Centre IIIJI^ like Claremont and J^afayette, was a name which
grew out of a land speculation. It is now quite thickly settled.
It lies in the upper part of Jersey City, a little south of the Pat-
erson plank n^ad.
West Hoboken is a thriving village which has given its name
to a township. It lies upon the heights, adjoining the north
])oundarv of Jersey City.
Union Hill is quite a large town on the heights, east of the
Ilackensack plank road, and about two miles north of lloboken.
It was settled an<l built up almost exclusively by (Tcrmans.
JVV'?r Durliani, is a small handet lying at the northerly foot of
Weehawken hill, on the Ilackensack plank road.
Giittenherg \& a small village on the heights, a little south of
Bull's Ferry, settled and built up l»y ixermans. The name
was applied to a tract of land mapped for sale. Incorporated
March 9, 1859.
West Nev) York lies on the westerly brow of the hill back of
Cruttenberg.
CHAPTEE XI.
Organization of the county — Its officers — Vote for location of Court House —
Laying corner stone — Address of Chief Justice Hornblower — Represent -
atives in tlie Legislature — List of Freeholders — List of Judges.
The act to set off the county of Hudson from ]3ergen county
passed tlie Legislature February 22, 1840, by a vote of twenty-
iieven to twenty-three in tlie Assembly, and nine to seven in the
Council. This large negative vote was the result of political
considerations. The county then comprised the town of Jersey
and townships of Bergen and ilarrison. East of the Hacken-
sack its boundaries were identical with the old township of
Bergen. West of the Ilackensack it included not only the
present townships of Harrison and Kearney, but the township
of Union in the county of Bergen. This last named township
was then included within the township of Harrison, and was set
off into Bergen county February 19, 1852.
At a joint meeting of the Legislature, February 27, 1840, the
following appointments of county officers were made :
Kobert (lilchrist. Clerk.
Edmund W. Kingsland, Surrogate.
Lewis D. Hardenbero;, Prosecutor of the Pleas.
Stephen Garretson, Cornelius Y. Y. Kingsland, Judges.
The first term of the County Court began April 14, 1840, at
Lyceum Hall, in Grand street, Jersey City.
Joseph C. Hornblower, Chief Justice., j^residing.
Cornelius Yan Winkle, Henry Southmayd, Stephen Garretson,
ixeorge C. De Kay, Judges.
George H. Brinkerhoff, Sheriff.
Archer G. Welsh,i Abraham' Yan Winkle, Oliver H. P. Kil-
burne, Thomas Marin ns, Con-stalAets.
Nathaniel Ellis, Marshal.
Crier of the Court from this time until October Term, 1870; died November
3S2
Tin: t'OL'KTS oK«ANi/.i;i). 'S'.y.l
Grand -I nni.
-lohn l^ovett, (Tiirret (1. Newkirk, .lolm I. Spt'L-r, \>a\\v K^.
riulorliill, ^[icliael Fisher, Bonjuiniii Mills, .loiiii 15iiiic(', Lorenzo
Jac({uiiis, Conielins \'^an Vorst, Charles F. Durant, Uodmaii M.
Price, .loliiiF. Ellis, John (Jrithth, .lames Drake, .lames Devoe,
.lohii (.'. Mori^an, Afcrselis Parks, .John l>rinkerhoft", .Toshna .1.
Benson, .Jacob N'reeland, Jacob D. Van Winkle, .lulm (i. Speer,'
Ilichard Outwater,' ^\'illiam Seeley.^
Petit '/aror-s.
Morris Smith. .Facob M. Vreeland, Henry \'an Horn, -lohn
Garrctson, Nathaniel II. ( arpentei', ( 'alviii 'r.>;ii[)kins, Creorjije
De Mott, Charles (iartlner, Henry ^^sborn, .lames \\\ IIi^<2;ins.
Haniel Crane. Henry Drayton, .rohn P. Hill. Afindert \'reeland.
Albert ^f. Zal)riskie, P. N'anSchaick. (iarret Ackerman, Willium
C. Kingsland. .lohn (i. McLonghlin, Walter Woods, Charles P.
C. Pacot, .Tose)>li Danielson, (reorge W. E(li::e. .Iose])h Stone^
Abraham ( '. \ an Poskerck, .Jacob Yan Horn. ,l(.|in (iilbcrt,
.lames Lott, Smith Penedict, Peter Yan Horn, .lames ^[alone.
.foshua Ilenstis, .Tames Talman, Garret Yan \'orst, Dudley S.
Gregory, .Tohn P. Nforgan, Henry \'aii Fmbergh, Paul Salter.
Garret Newkirk, Arent H. Schuyler.
The courts continued to be held in the Lyceum Hall from that
time until September 19, 1843, when the Poanl of Chosen Free-
holders having accepted the "Newkirk House,"* at the Five
Corners, as a Court House, the courts were o[)ened there Sep-
tember 2<>, 184:>. Here the courts were held until March 11.
1845, when the })resent Court House was completed.
The location of the Court House was a subject of considerable
interest to the people. Each district was offered as the desirable
spot. The following places were put wi nniiiination :
1. Washington si|uaiv in Jersey (ity.
7, 1870. He was succeeded by his nephew, Jolin Wesley Welsh, who yvX " cri«»
aloud."
Did not appear.
334 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
2. The Public Grounds in Harsimus.
3. Bergen square.
4. Public Grounds in Hoboken.
5. West Hoboken.
6. East Newark.
7. The Five Corners.
8. Near Depot, Paterson Railroad (West End).
9. Bergen Ilidge, from road to (^ommunipaw to West
Hoboken.
10. (^oniniunipaw.
11. Secaucus.
12. Bero-en Point.
13. New Durliam,
14. AVeehawken.
J^^^ Centre nf the county, Poudrette Company, on Hacken-
Htick ri ver !
As an inducement to have the Court House located in Jerse}'^
City, that municipality offered to donate to the county land worth
$10,(10(1 and $8,000 in money.
The vote upon the question was taken June 2, 1840, with the
following result :
Vote in Bergen.
For Bergen, --------- 506
Rejected, ---------- 2
Whole number of votes. ------ 508
Vote in Jersey City.
For Bei-gen, - - - - - - - - - 20
" Jersey City, -------- 281
" Harrison, --------- 2
Rejected, _ - - - 2
Whole No. of votes, - - 304
Vote in Harrison.
For Bergen, --------- .5-1:
" Jersey City, 2
Whole No. of votes, - - - - . . _ 5^;
CURXER STONE <tF THE COURT HOUSE LAID. ^i;^>5
After the above vote tlierc was nineli delay in decidiiiii; on the
localitv lor the biiildhiir, and it was not until December 5, 1843,
that tlie contract for thebuildini; of the Court House was given
to Tlionuis Thomas, Carpenter, and William l>rown. Mason, for
$14,o(Mi, whJL-h was the lowest bid. (inninil was broken for the
buildin<; May I, 1S44, and the corner stone laid October 17,
1844, with ijreat ceremony. A procession was formed at Dray-
ton's Hotel, at the Five Corners, in the followin<r order:
1. Architect, Su]»erintcndent and Builder.
2. Mechanics and laborers employed on the building, about
1<>0 in number.
.'i. A noble band of music from the U. S. Ship North
Carolina.
4. Comnuttee of Arrani'ements.
5. Board of Chosen Freeholders.
6. Clergy.
7. Chief Justice of the State of New Jersev.
8. Mendiers of the Bar.
9. .ludges and Justices of the county.
1(>. Clerk and Surrogate.
11. Sheriff and Constables.
12. Mayor and Common Council of Jersey City.
13. Trustees of the Freeholders Inhabitants of the Township
vi Bergen.
14. Strangers.
15. Citizens on foot.
16. Citizens on horseback and in carriaijes.
Prayer by liev. B. C. Taylor, D.D. ; corner stone laid by
John Tonele. jr.. Director of the Board of Chosen Freeholders.
In the stone were deposited the news[)apers of the day, pub-
lished in Xew York, Jersey City, Newark, Trenton, iVc, Reports
on Education, School Fund and Finances of the State and county,
several coins, a parchment roll containing a list of all the countv
officers, the (rovernor. State officers, the President of the Fnited
States, and other officers of the General Government.
336 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Chief Justice Hornblower made an address, and llev. Mr.
Ballard pi-onoiinced the Benediction.
The following is a copy of a paper on file in the clerk's office,
which shows the situation of the Court House :
"Latitude and ]^ongitu<le of Hudson County Court House,
North Bergen, New Jersey :
" Latitude, - - - . 40° 48' 50" N.
" Longitude ill time, - - -1-'' 5r)"i \P^'- T
3
14 48 44 1
5
74 03 4<i 5
"West from Greenwich.
" Variation of compass in 1841, 5° 52'.
" W. C. Wetmoke,
" U. S. Navy.
"July 7, 1840.'
The first session in the new Court House was opened March
11, 1845, with Prayer by Rev. B. C. Taylor, I ).!)., and the fol-
lowing address by the Chief Justice :
" Gentlemen^ Members of the Board of Chosen FreehMers^
of the Grand Jury, and my Fellow C'iHzens at hir(/e of the
County of Hudson :
" Assembled, as we are, for the first time within this beautiful
building, which has Ijeen erected by 3'our patriotism and liber-
ality, whose corner stone was laid in prayer, and in ])rayer
fervent, appropriate and eloquent, has just been dedicated to the
administration of justice, I feel it my pleasure, my privilege, to
address you in words of congratulation as well as in the language
of official advice and judicial instruction. Since the frailty, not
to say the depravity of our nature, renders it necessary to estab-
I'll III \ 111 )N oi' I'orur iiorsE. •'^>''i
lish ;iml iiuiiiilaiii i'i>iiil> ni Justici'. to st'ttlc tlu- riulit> .>t indi-
viduals, to jiutiisli the j^iiilty and pi-ottct the innocent, it i.-
(K-riiral)lt' and liccuinini; that the |inl)lie should pn.vide convenient
and snitahlc hnildinu-s in which to discliar<j;c that hii;-li and
rcsponsihic dut\. Voii, mv t'cllow citi/.fn>. have met that
ilcniand with ;i noMc and generous spii-it. In the (.Trction o|
this edifice yon have nniint'estcd your attachment to the in>titu-
tions of vouf counti'v, and voni- I'cadiness to sustain thr adniini,--
trators of public ju>tic»' in the execution and di^chai'i;c ol their
dut\. Accept, tiieretni'e, I |>i-ay you. iVoui nie, in belialf of
)nyself and (^f c\ci-y iiicnd)ei' of the coui't, atu/ <>f flmsc who via;/
soon succeed nic and luy associates iti the seats we now occujty,
unfeigned thanks for the convenient and eleujant apartments you
have provided for the acconimodation of coui-fs and their otticer.-.
When you first conceived the plan of being erected into a sepa-
rate county, it met with my approbation and secured my support,
from no sinister motive. I renu'mbered tlie old town of I'orii-cn,
when it had very few inhabitants except old-fashioned, honest
Dutchmen, and \cry tew houses except those not l)uilt for show,
but for domestic comfort and convenience; long, low and unju-e-
tending in appearance, but durable in materials, and o})em'nij.-
upon the streets some two or tlnee hos|Mtal)le door>. into which
the friend and stranger might enter and find a welcome, and
from which thev miicht retire and leave a blessini,^ behind them.
lioboken then consisted of little else besides a well-kept jmblic
house, and a beautiful retreat from the noise and bustle of the
neighboring metropolis. Xo Jersey City tlien adorned your
shores — nothinu' but a large, long ferry h(»ii>e. occu[)ied succes-
sively by an Ellsworth, a Smith, and a Hunt, with liore and there
a l)oatman's or a fishernnin's cabin, stood uj^in the ln'(ij> <>f sund
called Powles' Hook: your settlements were s])arse. your occu-
pations agricultnial and indn.-trial. and your population snudl,
but healthy, peaceful and honest : you needed, for many years
within my recollection, but oiu' ])hysiciaji to adnunister to your
])hvsical necessities, but one man of (rod to supply your s])iritual
want, and not even onr l<(ici/,?,' to satisfy your litigious propensi-
ties, for von had none to be satisfied. Peace reiirned throughout
338 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUKTY.
voiir borders — simplicity of life and manners and honesty of pur-
pose were the prevailing characteiistics of tlie good old Dutch,
who almost exclusively occupied the soil of your county in the
days of my boyhood. A court at Hackensack and a fcAv Dutch
justices at home were all you wanted to punish the few offenders
and settle the few lawsuits that troubled you in those days. But,
alas ! we fear those good old days have gone by, never to return !
The rapidly increasing population of our country, the vast im-
provements in science and the arts, and the enterprising spirit of
the age in which we live, have wrought a mighty change within
the period even of m}^ memory. The facilities of steamboats and
railroad cars, and the increasing spirit of trade and commerce
and manufactures and the arts, have brought the good old town
of Bergen into contact with the world, cut up her territory into
small localities, studded her shores with splendid buildings,
turned her farms into pleasure seats, her cabbage ground into
]»leasure gardens, and her dwelling places into workshops and
manufactories. Such, in fact, has been the change in appearance
and po])ulation of that part of the old county of Bergen which
now constitutes the county of Hudson, that I can scarcely retrace
the footsteps of my boylutod when, in my visits to friends here
or in the city of New York, I used to traverse these hills.
When, therefore, you first contemplated the formation of a new
connty, I favored the ol)ject, because I was satisfied that, if not
then absolutely necessary, the time was ra])idly approaching
when the increased number of inhabitants, the diversified charac-
ter of your population, the rapidly extending trade and commerce
with the city of New York and other places, the consequent in-
crease of bargains and contracts, of litigation and of crime, would
call for a stronger police, for increased vigilance on the part of
magistrates and peace officers, and for a seat of justice nearer
your own doors. I i-ejoiced, therefore, in the consummation of
your wishes, and was the more gratified from the reflection that
your courts would be held within my judicial district, and thus
give me an opportunity of meeting more frequentl}^ than I other-
wise should with my respected friends and fellow citizens of the
county of Hudson. T have long since inarkcd it down in the
OKDIUATIO.N OK l-orUT HOUSE, •■;■"-".•
eliroiiit'le of those events, the meinory of which I i-hcri:-h. uixl
which 1 (h'sirc ti« l»e transmitted ttj and remembered 1»\ my chil-
dren, that I had the lionor of i)i-esidinii- at the tii-st court evei-
hehl ill Hudson C'ounty. To that 1 have since been permitted to
add the interesting fact that I was privileged to act a conspicuous
part in the solemn and imposing ceremony of hiying the founda-
tion stone of this edifice, and now shall have tlie pleasure of
adding to this history the gratifying circumstance that I have
been spared by a kind Providence to pi-eside at the first court
and address the first Grand Jury tluit ever assembled within
these walls. For this privilege I feel thankful, and 1 invite vou
all to unite witli mc in rendering thanksgiving and praise to
IliM who is Judge over all, and in whose hands our lives are, that
throui^h His kind and protecting care this edilice has been reared
from its foundation to its superstructure without any fatal acci-
dent or the slightest injury to any of the worthy and industrious
mechanics and laborers who have been employed in its erection.
•■ Mav the same all-wise and merciful Providence ever preside
over the councils and the deliberations of judges and jurors
within these walls : may the ermine of justice, by whomsoever it
mav be worn after we shall have gone to our final account, ever
be kept pmv and unspotted here, and this sanctuary of justice
never be desecrated by bribery or corruption — never be an arena
for the indulgence of prejudice, i)artiality or uidiallowed passions
of anv sort ; but mav the unadulterated -stream of public and
|)rivate justice ever tiow from this sacred hall, and from the
pure fountain of eternal truth and righteousness."
The Chief Justice then addressed the Grand Jurors upon their
duties.
The following Justices of the Supreme Court have presided over
the courts in 1 1 udson ( 'ounty, being regularly assigned to this circuit:
Chief Justice Josiah Ilornblower.
" " Henry W. Green.
Associate Justice Elias J>. D. 0<;den.'
" " Joseph D. Bedle.
Died Feb. 24, 18U5.
340 IIISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Sheriffs.
George H. Brinkerlioff, ISin, appointed by Joint Meeting;
Henry Newkirk, 1840-2; Jolm Garretson, 1843; Abraham
Van Winkle, 1844-6; Lorenzo Jaqnins, 1847-9 ; Jacob M. Mer-
.JAC0J5 M. MERSELES.
seles/ 1850-2; .lasper Garretson, 18r)3-5 ; Henry B. Beaty.
1856-8; Jolm M. Francis,- 1850-61 ; Bernard Mc Anally, 1862
-4 ; Jacob M. Merseles, 1 865-6 ; Jolm H. Midmer,^ 1 86T-S ;
Andrew Monnt, 1869-70 ; Jolm Eeinliardt, 1 871-4.
Died Jau. '2/lS6o.
•2 Died June 10, 1873.
- Died Sept. 17, 1872.
Koliert Gik'lirist,
COUMV dKKH IM,S.
Countij t '/rr/.-.s.
341
l.S-iH t!5
George W. Cassedy, - 1865-7(t | John Iveniiedv, - - 1870-75
Surro(/afe.s.
Edmuiul W. Kingsland, 1840-55; James O'Neil/ 1855-70;
Tiiibcrt ^[cCagiie. Fcl).. 1870, present incumbent.
Prnsccntorf< of t lie Pleas.
Lewis D. Ilai'denbergli, 184ti-5; Isaac W. SciuMer, 1845-50;
Edwin R. V. Wright, 1850-5; J. Dunn Littell,^ 1855-60; Isaac
^\. Scudder, 1860-0 ; Richard D. McClelhind/ 1865-8 ; J. Har-
vey Lyon, 1868-0 ; Abrani Q. Garretson, 186'»-74.
Mkmuers of iMK LKfiisLATURE lunder the old Constitution).
Council.
Abraham Yan Santvuord, 1840; Joliii S. Condit, 1841-2 ;
Edwin R. V. Wriglit,' 1843.
Died in oflBce.
Died .Ian. 00. 1871.
342 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Assembly.
John S. Condit, 1840; Abraham L. Van Boskerck, 1841-2 ;
Benjamin F. Welsh, 1843.
Members of the Legislature (under the neM' Constitution).
Senators.
Richard Outwater, 1845-8; John Tonelc/ 1848-50; Jolm
Cassedy, 1850-1; Abraham O. Zabriskie,~ 1851-4; Moses B.
Bramhall, 1854-7; Cornelius Y. Cliekener, 1857-60; Samuel
Wcscott,-" 1860-2; Theodore F. Eandolph, 1862-6 ; Charles H.
Winfield, 1866-9; Noah T). Taylor, 1860-72; John B. McPher-
son, 1872-5.
Assewhly.
Hartman Van Wagenen, 1845-7 ; Benjamin F. Welsh, 1848 ;
Oliver S. Strong, 1849 ; James J. Yan Boskerck, 1850 ; Edmund
T. Carpenter, 1851 ; John Yan Yorst, 1852.
1853 — John Yan Yorst, Edmund T. Carpenter, Joseph W.
Ilancox.
1854 — Jolm Dunn Littell, James S. Davenport, Jacob M.
Yreeland.
1855 — Albert Augustus Hardenbergh, Clement M. Hancox,
Jacob M. Merseles.
1856— John M. Board, Dudley S. Gregory, jr., Jacob M. Mer-
seles.
1857 — Bobert C. Bacot, Eobert Gilchrist, jr., George Y. De
Mott.
1858— Robert C. Bacot, William Yoorhis, (rarret Yan
Horn.
1859 — William TI. Hemenover, Samuel A. French, Garret
Yan Horn.
I860— Garret Yan Horn, Nathaniel C. Slaight, William H.
Beckham.
1861 — Franklin B. Carpenter, Theodore F. Randolph, Michael
J. Yreeland.
' Resigned ; died Nov. 3(5, 18)?. - Died June 27, 1873. 3 Resigned.
mi:mi;i:ks ok iiii: i,i:(;i>i.ArfKK. JH'>
1802— Echvar.l I). liilcy, (n'orire McL()ii<,'liliii, .l.-lm I'.. I'.tiv,
Josluia .1. Ueiison, Josiali Couley, Michael J. VrccIaiKi.
1863 — James Lynch, Georii^e McLoughlin, John U. I*cii-y,
Joshua J. Hensoii, Joshih (Donley, (Jarret D. Van liijx'ii.
1804 — James Lynch. Jolm II. Drayton, John V:u\ \'(»rst,
Josluia J. Benson, Abram W. Diirvea, Garret D. \ an liipen.
1805 — Delos E. (^ilvi'r, William L. Broking, John \'an V'orst,
Leon Ahbett, Ahrani W . nurvca, Hiram \'an B>uskirk.
1800 — Xoah 1). Taylor, John Ramsey, Obadiah D. Falkcn-
bnry, Leon Al.bett, Charles F. Knh, DcWitt ('. Morris.
18«;7— Noah D.Taylor, llosca F. (Mark, ( )l)acliah I ). Falken-
bury, Augustus ( ). l-^vans. John Dwycr. DeWitt C. Morris.
1868— Xoah 1). Taylor, IJo.sca V. (lark, John \'an Voorst,
Augustus ( ). F\an>. John Dwyer, Ileni'v (lay Smith.
1809 — Leon .Vhhctt, Sidney B. Bevaiis. .lauK-s B. Dorcmus,
Flhridge V. S. Besson, ^lichael Coogan, Henry Clay Smith.
187"' — Leon Abbett, Sidney B. Bovans, James B. Dorcmus,
Herman D. Busch, Abel L Smith, William Brinkerhoft'.
1871 — James F. Fielder, John Aiiness, Herman D. Busch,
Michael Coogan, Josiah Ilornblovver.
1872 — George H. Fai-rier, Dennis Ileardc)n, George S. L'lymp-
ton, llcmy Gaede, Jasper Wandle, James Stevens, John A.
(VXeil, Anthony II. Ryder.
1873 — George II. I'ai-riei", Dennis Rcardon, George S. Plymp-
toii, Hem-y Gaede, Jasper Wandlc. Bichai'd C. Washhiini. John
Lee, Anthony H. Ryder.
1S74 — Alexander T. McGill, Patrick Shceran, John D. Cars-
callen, Alexander McDonnell, Henry Combs, Richard C. ^Vash-
burn, Rudolph F. Rabe, James K. Sclleck.
Board of ('iiosen Frkeholdkrs.
•
The first meeting of this Board was held May BJ, 1840, in
Drayton's Hotel, at the Fivi" Corners. The following is a list of
the members since the erection of the county. Thi.s list also in-
cidentally shows when municipalities were formed or <livided into
wards.
344 HISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
1840.
Bergen— Garret Sip, Abel I. Smith. Jersey CrrY — John
Griffith, Abraham Yaii Santvoord. Harrison — Joseph Biidd,
William (\ Kingsland.
1841.
Jersey City — John Dows, Jonathan Jenkins. Van Vorst —
Henry M. Traphagen, David Jones. Bergen — Garret Sip, Abel
T. Smith. Harrison — Joseph Budd, William C. Kingsland.
1842.
Jersey City— John Dows, Phineas C. Dummer. Bergen —
Cornelius Yan Winkle, Edwin B. Y. Wright. Yan Yorst —
David Jones, Henry M. Traphagen. Harrison— Joseph Bndd,
William C. Kingsland.
1843.
Jersey City — John Dows,^ Phineas C. Dummer. Bergen —
William C. Yreeland, Garret G. Newkirk. Yan Yorst — Cor-
nelius Yan Yorst, Selah Hill. Harrison — ^George Kingsland,
Peter W. Kipp. North Bergen — Edwin E. Y. Wright, John
Tonele, Jr.
1844.
Jersey City — Henry Southraayd, Job Male. Bergen — Wil-
liam C. Yreeland, Garret G. Newkirk. Yan Yorst — Cornelius
Yan Yorst, Selah Hill. Harrison — George Kingsland, Peter
W. Ki]ip. North Bergen — John Tonele, John Yan Boskerck.
1845.
Jersey City — Phineas C. Dummer, .Joseph W. Morgan.
Bergen — Jacob D. Yan Winkle, Jacob Yreeland. Yan Yorst —
Cornelius Yan Yorst, Selah Hill. Harrison — John S. Condit,
George Jvingsland. North T5ergen — John Yan Boskerck, Dan-
iel Yan "Ripen.
' Kesigued in Pre, 1843. Henry Sontlimayd appointed.
tup: ciioskn kkkkiiih.dkks. 345
ks4»;.
.Ikkskv ( riv- Pliiiu'as ('. Duiniiier. ( "nnicliiis Kaiioust'. Ukk-
<;EN — Al)r!ili;ini Ucckcr, Jacol) I). \iui Winkle. \'an Voksi
(.'orni'lius \';in \ Orst, llenrj M. Trapliai;-eii. IIariuson — .loliii
S. Cuiulit, ( oiiiulins C. Jerolomnii. Nouiii IJKKfJKN — John
Tonele, Midiael Fisher.
is-tT.
.Ikkskv Cnv David 11. Wakenian, Peter McMartiii. J>i;u(;k5
— Ahrahaiii Txi-kei-, (Teorp;e Thonia>. V.\n Yokst — Erastus
llamlall. pKMijainiii ^^ills. Harrison — loliii S. (!ondit, Corneliu.s
('. .leroleiiidii. Xoirni I>krgkx — lolin 'i'dnelc. Michael Fisher.
184S.
Jersev Citv — 1 )avi(l B. AVakenian. Peter McMartin. Bkkgen
— (Garret Sip, Jacolt M. Yreclaiid. Van Vorst — ]>enjainin
Mills, TIenrv M. Traphaijeri. Harrison — George Ivingsland,
Arent IF. Sehuylei'. Xortii Bergkn — John J. Newkirk, John
Shields.
1849.
Jkrskv City — David P. Wakeman, James Fleming. Bergen
— John l)rinkerhofF, Jacob M. Yreeland. Van Vorst — Mat-
thias B.Wai'd, TIenrv M. Trapliagan. Harrison — George Kings-
land, Arent H. Scliuyler. Xorth 1)Ergen — James Harrison,
John J. Newkirk. TToboken — Garret Benson. William FTersee.
1850.
Jkrskv < '(IV — David P. Wakenian, duhiiM. Cornclison. Pkr-
gen — John Priid-cerhuir, Garret AVaters. Van Vorst — Matthias
B. Ward, John Van Vorst. Harrison — George Kingsland.
Arent IT. Schuyler. Xorth Bkrgen — John Shields, John
Hague. IIonoKKN — J. Dunn l.ittell. Charles T. Perry.
1851.
Jersey City — J')'/'st 11 a/v/. (Tenrgc Dummer, P. W. A. Dur-
fec; Semutl If '/^y/, George W. Fdge. Robert B. Farle ; Third
ir^/v/, Pobert Mchoiighlin. IP nry E. Inslev ; Fourth Ward,
34() HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
John Van Yorst, John Boyce. Bergen — John Brinkerhoft,
Jasper Gavretson. Harrison — Stephen Kingsland, Thomas
Watkins. North Bergen — Edmund T. Carpenter, Abram
W. Dnryea. IIoboken — Gilliam Yan Honten, Denniston B,
Wood.
1852.
Jersey City — First n^^/v/, George Dunimer, Benton \\. Grin-
nell ; Second Ward., Jacob J. Banta, William dimming ; Third
Ward, Robert McLoughlin, Henry E. Insley ; Fourth Ward,
John Yan Yorst, William Dugan. Bergen — Mindert Yan
Horn, Hartman Yreeland. Harrison — Arent H. Scliuyler,
Jabez B. Pennington. North Bergen — Edmund T. Carpenter,
Abram W. Dnryea. Hoboken— Charles Chamberlain, Peter
Powless.
1853.
Jersey City — First Ward, Minot C. Morgan, David Smith ;
Second Ward, Jacob J. Yan Buskirk, Jacob J. Banta ; Third
Weird, Nehemiali Knapp, John S. March ; Fourth Ward, Clem-
ent Hancox, Hervey M. Soule. Bergen — Hartman Yreeland,
Mindert Yan Horn. Harrison — Thomas Lang, Cornelius
Shepherd. North Bergen — Edmund T. Carpenter, Abram W.
Duryea. Hoboken — Charles Chamberlain, Peter Powless.
1854.
Jersey City — First Ward, Minot C. Morgan, David Smith ;
Second' Ward, Jacob J. Banta, Samuel A. French; Third
IFarc?, Nehemiah Knapp, James Gopsill. Fourth Ward, Her-
vey M. Soule, Jacob 13. Schenck. Bergen — Mindert Yan Horn,
(reorge Yreeland. Harrison — Cornelius Shepherd, William S.
Ogden. North Bergen — Edmund T. Carpenter, Abram W.
Duryea. Hoboken — Benjamin S. Taylor, William C. Arthur.
1855.
Jersey City — First Ward, David Henderson, Berryan R.
Wakeman ; Second Ward, Francis Jenkins, Hugh McComb ;
Third Ward, Nehemiah Knapp, Charles M. Holmes ; Fourth
TiiK ( iK.sKN i-Ki:i;ii()i.i>i;i{s. ;14T
Wa/-i/, llvvwy ^^. SmiiIc, .);ici>l) \'>. Sdieiiek. 1)KK<;kn — Mindcrt
Villi I loin, .l;ici)l) A. \ an Horn. IIakkison — Cornelius Slie|i
herd, Williiun S. Oi^jden. N'ourn r>i:K(JKN--Jolin Sturf^es, Alinini
W. Duryea. Hohoken-- /'//■v/' U'l//-'/, .lolni W . llarny, L()\ii>
Iluseman; S>ofu/ HV/r//, Tlieodore Nan Tassel, Khcnezer Mon-
tague; /'////v/ ir^/zv/. .lames II. 1 )ewey, Charles W. Fisher. Ihi-
s()\ City — Jolin II. Piatt, (iilliani \'an Ildutcii.
185t;.
Jkkskv (Jity — Firsf ll'/zv/, Minot C. Morgan, .leremiali
Mulford ; Second ^V(lr<l, l"'rancis Jenkins, Henry French :
Third Ward^ Charles M. Holmes, Ge(M-n;e "^^cLouglllin ; Fourth
Ward, Hervey M. Soule, Erastus llandall. Bekoex — Mindert
Van Horn, Jacob A. Van Horn. IIakkison — William S. Og-
den, Jabez I>. Pennington. Nortif Bergkn — Abrani W. Durvea.
.lohn Sturges. Hoboken — First Ward, John W. Harny, John
Walker; Second Ward, David Pollock, Julius G. (larvelle :
Third Wan/, James 11. Dewey, William Ilersee. IIidson
C^iTY— John H. Piatt, P.aily P>. Brown.
1857.
•Iersey City — First IH/zv/, Ai Fiteli ; S,rnud Ward,\\ii\\v\
French ; Third Ward, George McLoughlin ; Fonrtli Ward, John
Doyle (in January, 1858, Ephraini Pray). Hudson Crry — Jacob
.1. Xewkirk. Bergen— ^lindert Yan Horn. Haurison — lliram
Gilbert. Noktu Bekcjen — Abram W. Durvea. IIohoken —
First Ward, John Mather; Second Ward, Peter J. Powless (in
January, 1858, John Dcmpsey) ; Third Ward, William Ilersee.
1858.
Jersey City — First \Viir<L Ai Fitch ; Second Ward, Alexander
Wilson ; Third Wan/, Georije McLouirhlin ; Fourf/i Wmd.
Kphraim Pray. North Bergen — Abram AV. Durvea. Hidson
(JiTY — Jacol) J. Newkirk. IIohokex — First WnnL -bthn M.
Francis; Second Ward, AVilliam P. Harrison; Third WanK
William Hashing. HEK(iE.\ — George Vreeland. Harrison —
Hiram W. Davis,
34:S IIISTOUV OK HUDSON COUNTY.
]859.
Jersey City — J^/'rst Wa/'d, Ai Fitch ; Seco7idWard, Alexander
Wilson ; T/iird Ward, James F. Fielder ; Fourth Ward, Hervey
M. Soule. Harrison — Hiram W. Davis. FIudson City — Jacob
J. Newkirk. Hoboken — I^^irst Ward, James Stevenson ; Second
Ward, Lonis Kanfman ; Third Ward, William Hartung. Bkr-
GEN — George Vreeland. North Bergen — Al»ram W. Duryea.
Weihawken — Denning Dner.
18(50.
Jersey City — First Ward, Ai Fitch ; Second Ward, James
Lynch ; Third Ward, James F. Fielder ; Fourth Ward, Elliston
Duncan. Bergen — (George Yreeland. Harrison — Hiram W,
Davis. HonoKEN — First Ward, James Stevenson ; Seco7id
Ward, William Hartung; Third Ward, James H, Dewey.
Hudson (-ity — Charles Luxton. North Bergen — Abram W.
Duryea. Wkkhaavken — Denning Duer.
1861.
Jersey City — First Ward, Ai Fitch ; Second Ward, James
Lynch; Third Ward, John Pringle ; Fourth Ward, Charles IL
O'Neill; Fifth TFar^/, Patrick Keiley ; SixthWard, Hohny^he-
man. Bergen — Hartman Van Wagenen. Bayonne — Albert
M. Zabriskie. Hoboken — First Ward, James Stevenson ;
Second Ward, Hoyt Sandford ; Tfiird Ward, James H. Dewey.
North Bergen — Abram W. Duryea. Harrison — Hiram W,
Davis. Hudson City — Charles Luxton. Weehawken — Den-
ning Duer. Union — Jacob Sweitzer. West Hoboken — Daniel
Lake.
1862.
Jersey City — First Ward, Ai Fitch ; Second Ward, James
Lynch; Third Ward, Patrick H. Nngent ; Fourth Ward,
Charles H. O'Neill ; Fifth Ward, Patrick Keiley ; Sixth Ward,
Patrick DufF. Hoboken — First Ward, James Stevenson;
Secojid Ward, Hoyt Sandford ; Third Ward, James H. Dewey.
Bergen— Jacob J. Newkirk. Harrison— Hiram W. Davis.
N'mkiii liKKiJEN — Ahiaiii \\ . I'lirvca. lli i son Cnv- .lames l{.
I)i\. Hayonnk— .loscpli I!. (ln>f. Cmon- .lacol) SweitztT (in
Dt'cemhci' .Ii>liii (iardiici" took \\'\> jihicci. W i si I Iiii:i >ki.;m-
I);mit'l Laki'. Wi:i;iiawkkn — Denninc: I )ut'r.
1 8(53.
.Ikksk\ Citv — /''//'.v/ II (//v/, I'VaiK-is St(i\c'krii ; Sro/n/ \\i//,/.
.laiiios LyiU'li ; Tliird Wt(}v/, yte|>lioii (^)nait"e; Foui'th Wnrd,
Charlo II. O'Xrill; /•'/>/// \\>iril. Ilciirv l''iiick ; S'l.rlh W.inl^
.l.'liii Mc(-iuii;aii. I I(iI!(iki;n- I'n'st Ih/zv/, Jaiiies Stevenson;
S('('onil 11 '//v/, Jloyt Sandturd ; Third W ii rd ^ .\\\\\\v> II. I)c\\cv.
lliDsox City — Georcie \'. DelSfntt. Xourn Ukhgen — .Muain
\\. Diirvra. IIaurl-^on — Ilirani \V. Davis. Bekoen — .Vbraliam
Spt'cr. li.vvo.NXE — Peter Vrecland. Tnion — Cornelius Van
\()rst. ^^ isi IIor-oKEN — John Ilao-ne. WEKnAWKEN — Donniii"-
I )uer. (Jki;i;.\\ H.r.i; — Henry D. Vaii Xostrand.
18()4.
Jersey City — Jurst AVard, Francis Stoveken ; Second Ward,
•lames Lynch; Third Ward, Thomas Gross; Fourth Ward,
Charles II. O'Neill (resigned in October, Christ(»pher Mills ap-
pointed); F^ffh }\'a/'d, John Lowrey ; /Sixth H'/z/v/, John
McOnigan. IIouoken — Tirst 11 rtyr/, .lames Stevenson; Secoiu/
Ward, James T. Ilatticld; Third Ward, James H. Dewey.
Weeuaavkkn — Denning Duer. IIavonne — Peter Vreeland.
Hudson CrPY' — First HV//'(/, llurman ^\ . ^loller ; Scrond Ward,
George V. DeMott ; Third Ward, John M. Wilson; Fourth
Ward, George Glaubrecht. 1>ergkn — Cornelius Vreeland lin
< )ctober Mindcrt Van Horn took his place). IIakkison — Josiah
Conley. Moktu Bergen — Abram W. Duryea. Unton — .lohn
Dvvyer. West Houoken — .lolm Hague. Greenville — Henry
I). Van Nostrand. Town di I'nion— .Tohn Gardner.
18r,.5.
.Ikksey CriY — Firxf ]\<ird, Peter ( luley ; Second W,ird.
■ lames Lynch; Ihird Wirrd, Thomas Gross; I'ovrth Waril,
•lohn II. Smyth; Fifth W<ird, .Tohn Lowrey; Si.rth Wu'id,
o50 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
John McGriiigan. Hoboken — First ^Yard^ Lafayette Tomp-
kins; Second Tr«T<^, James T. Hattield ; Third Ward^ James
li. Dewey. Union — Francis Pollock. Town of Union — John
Gai'dner." JSTorth Bkrgen — John Stiirges. Bergen— C6»ZwwzJ/«
Ward, Jacob J. Newkirk ; Communipaw Ward, Mindert Van
Horn ; Franldin Ward, Garret Vreeland. Hudson City' —
First W<ird^ John H. Piatt ; Second Ward, Michael C. Brown ;
Third WanL John M. Wilson ; Fourth Ward, George Glau-
brecht. Harrison — Josiah Conley. Bay'onne — De Witt C.
Morris. Green\ille — Henrj' D. Van Nostrand. ^\'I•:sT Hono-
KEN — lohn Hague. Weemawken — Denning Duer.
1866.
Jersey City — First Ward, Peter Curley ; Second Ward,
James Lyneii ; Third Ward, iS'. H. Coykendall ; Fourth Ward,
John H. Smyth ; Fifth Wanl. John Lowrey ; Sixth Ward, John
McGuigan. Hudson City — First Ward, John H, Piatt ; Second
Ward, Michael C. Bruwn ; Third Ward, John M. Wilson;
Fourth Ward. George Glaubrecht. Hoboken — First Ward,
Solomon Middleton ; Second War'd, John p]. McWhorter; Third'
Ward. James H. Dewev. Bergen — First Ward, -Jacob J.
Newkirk ; Second Ward, Edgar B. Wakeman ; Tliird Ward,
Mindert Van Horn ; Fourth H'a/Y/, Garret Vreeland. Bayonne
— De Witt C. Morris, Greenville — Henry D. Van Nostrand.
NoRTn Bergen — John Sturges. Harrison — Charles L. Gilbert.
West Hoboken — John tlague. Union — HngliMooney. Town
OF Union — Frederick Etzold. Weehawken — Joshua J. Benson.
186T.
Jersey* ( 'ity — First Ward, Peter Curley ; Second- Ward,
James Lynch ; Third Ward, N. H. Coykendall ; Fourth Ward,
Adolph Kirsten : Fifth Ward, Moses K. Kellum ; Siu-th Ward,
John Lennon ; Seventh Ward, John Fleming. Hudson City —
First Ward, John H. Piatt ; Second Wa?'</, John W. Smith ;
Third Ward, John W. Wilson ; Fourth Ward, George Glau-
brecht. PIoBOKEN — First Ward, S. S. Middleton ; Second Ward,
John E. McAYliorter; Third Ward, James H. Dewey. Bergen
IIIK CIIOSKN KKKKIIOI.DKRS. •••»1
— First irr//7/,.laci.li ,1. Ncwkirk ; Seroml HV//v/, John I'.iinkcr-
hntl'; 7'////v/ ll'^//v/, Miii<K'rt N'aii Iloni: I'^mrlh Il'^^/v/. Samiirl
A. liessoii. II \i;i;i^oN— liiraiii ^\■. I>avis. Uayonne— Ilenrv
('. Siiiitli. (iiJKK.w ii.i.K Henry I >. \aii Nusfraiid. Wi-rllo-
i:.>I\i:n .loliii Ila<^iic. Xoii'iii I'l aa.KN — .John Stur^o. I .\U).\
— F. W. IltM-Hiann. Town of I'mon— Fre<lerick Kt/uld. Wkk-
II AW KKN— Joshua .1. Benson. Kkaknky — AVilliain E. Skinner
t^resiirnod in October; N. Norris Ilalstead took his jdacei.
186S.
.Ikkskv City — FiM HV//v/, Teter Curley ; St'<-i)U<l Wan/,
.lames Lyneh : Third ]V<ir<l, N. II. Co.vkendall ; Fourth Wan/,
( ieori;e Wari-in ; Fifth ^Var(^, Patrick Keiley ; Si.cth Ward, John
l.ennon; Serrntl, Ward, John Fleming. IIudso.n City— First
Ward, Joliii II. Piatt; Second Ward, Clinton W. Conger;
Fhir(/ ir^/y/, William E. P.enjamin : 7un/r/h HV//v/, James K
Tate. IhmoKEti— First Ward, Herman \). i'.useh ; Second Ward,
.John E. MeWliorter; Third Ward, Timothy Foley. Bekgk.n
—First Wan/, Cornelius C. Van Ripen : Second Ward, John
Hrinkerhoff; T/iin/ Ward, Jerenuah P.. Cleveland; Fourth
Ward, (iarret Yreeland. Hakrison— Hiram AV. Davis. Wkst
HoHoKKN— Charles (ialbraith (in January, 1869, resigned, and
William II. Alcorn api>ointed). Noinii P.ekoen— John Sturges.
l>AVo.\.M-;—Henrv C.Smith. Ctkek.wii.i.k— Henry D. \'aii Nos-
trand. I'mon— Henry Meyer. Town of Union— Frederick
Etzold. Weeiiaw KEN— Joshua J. Benson. Kearney— IS". Norris
Ilalstead.
1869.
Jerskv City — First Wa>t/, Franc-is Stoveken ; Second Ward,
John Barrv : Third W.m/, N. II. Coykendall ; Fourth Ward.
George Warrin : Fi^fth War(/, Charles D. Throckmorton ; Si.rth
HV;/v/. John Lennon ; .Vr^/J^// Ila/Y/, Edward Murpliy. Hidson
City— /V/'.sY ir.//v/, John II. IMatt; Scconf/ Wan/, John F. Pode-
felt; Thin/ W<(n/, John M. Wilson ; Fourth Ward, James Mont-
gomerv. West Hoboken — William II. Ah-orn. Uni )N —
Frederick W. Hermann. AVekiiawken — John Frost. Ho-
352 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
BOKEN — First ]Var<l, Herman D. Buseli ; Secoyid Ward.
John E. McWhorter ; Third Ward, John A. O'Xeill ;
Fourth Ward, Michael Healy. Bergen — ?lrsit Ward. Jacob
J. Newkirk; Second Ward, John Brinkerhott'; Third Ward,
Jeremiali B. Clevehind ; Fourth If't^r^, Garret Vreehmd. Hak-
RisoN — Abraham Phelps. North Behgen — John Sturjjfet^.
Battonne — James W. Trask. Greenville — Henry I). \-aw
Nostrand. Town ok Union — Henry Bridges (resigned in July :
John Morgan appointed). Kearney — N. Norris llalstead.
1S7(>.
Jersey City — Fir^t Ward, Michael Doyle; Second Ward.
John Barry ; 77w'/y/ ir^/zv/, Patrick H. Xngent ; Fourth Ward.
George S. Plympton ; FiftJt M\ird, Charles I). Throckmorton ;
Sixtli Ward, John Lennon ; Seventh Ward, Daniel Hartigan ;
Fi(/hth Ward, Andrew J. Ditniar : ^^inth ]]'a/-d. .John H. !*latt;
Tenth Ward, John P. Rodefelt ; Llewndh Ward. John M. Wil-
son; Twelfth Ward, James Coj-le ; Thirteenth Ward, Jacob
J. ISFewkirk ; Foarteenth Ward, John Brinkerliott'; Fifteenth
Ward, Jeremiah B. Cleveland; Sixteenth Ward. Garret Yree-
land. HoBOKEN — Frrst Ward, Frederick Agatz ; Second Ward,
Richard Burbank ; Third Ward, John A. O'Xeill; Fourth
Ward, James Kilduff. ]S"ortu ]]ekgi:n — John Sturges. Har-
rison — Abraham Phelps. Bayonne — William C. Hamilton.
Union — P. W. Hermann. Town of Union — John Bernhard.
West Hoboken — William H. Alcorn. Weeiiawken — John
Frost. Greenville — Henry D. Van X(»strand. Ivearney—
N. Norris Halstead.
1871.
Jersey City — First Ward, Matthew Doyle ; Second Ward,
John Barry ; Third Ward, Patrick H. Nngent ; F^oxirth Ward,
G. F. Plympton : Fifth Ward, C. D. Throckmorton ; Sivth
Ward, John Lennon ; Seventh Ward, Daniel Hartigan ; Fighth
Ward, Adam J. Ditmar; Ninth Ward, John H. Piatt; Tenth
Ward, John F. Eodefelt : F/erenth Ward, John M, Wilson :
Ttve/fth Ward, James Coyle ; Thirteenth ^Vtrrd, Jacob J. Xew-
kirk; Fourteenth Ward, John Brinkerhoft'; Fifteenth Wa,'d.
rm: ciiosi.n kui:i:iioi.i)i:i:s. '.io->
.1. I J. ( '1(_'\ chiiid ; Sij-tecnt/i II r//v/. < Jaiirt Vreohuul. IIohokkn
— I'iisf Wiiril. IVc(l. Aij^atz ; Sirinid Wiirtl. William Stulir;
Tlunl ll'.////, J..I111 A. O'Xuill : /-'nurth ll'^^/v/. .liiiiics Ivikluff.
XoKiii IJkkmjkn- -IkIui Stiu'i^es. Hakkison — Ahruliaiii Pliel|).s.
IIavoxm: — William ('. Hamilton. I'nion— AVolt/t' Kamt'iia.
Town of Fnton — John Uernliard. ^\' Ksr IIobokkn — Alex. X.
Sliarpi'. \\'i::;n.\\VKi;N — Albert I!. I)nil(]. Gkkknvii.i.e — II. I).
\'an Nobti'and. Kkaknky — Jolm I'ovd, ji'.
\\y till' act to ri'ory;anize the local i;-ovoninient of Jersey City,
a|>|>roveil April 1. 1^71. the \\ar(l> in Jerocy City were alx-l-
i>hed and aldernianic distrietvS erected in their stead, each disti"ict
heinu:; entitled to three chosen freeholders. Candidates were
chosen under the old as well as the new law. Those elected un-
tler the old law were admitted into the Board ; those elected
under the new law were excluded. The latter then instituted
proceedings in the SujU'eme (vourt to compel the Board to admit
them to their seats. In this they were successful at the Novem-
her term, •> I'/w^/z/.v h^jto/iK^ 2<)li. and took their seats Dec. 1,
1871, as representatives in the Board from Jersey City :
First Df'sO-ict, Wm. B. Rankin, James L. Love, J. \l. Par-
sons; Second District. Daniel JIartigan, John Jiarry, John Len-
non ; Third District, John E. Cronham, H. M. Sonle, Wm. R.
Clayton; Fntirfh District, Andrew Leicht, Martin llanley.
Charles Kost ; Fifth District, Jacob J. Newkirk, John Brinker-
holf', Geo. A. Toffey ; SiuiJi District, Jnmcs II. Startup, r4arrct
Vi'eeland, J 15. Cleveland.
1872.
Jkrskv Crrv — First District, William A. Lewis, Jabez R.
Parsons, John II. (xarretson ; Second District, 'hdmos Harper.
Thomas Harmon, Daniel nartigan : Third District, Hervey ^f.
Sonle, John K. Cronham, J. C. I )e La \ er<j:;ne ; Fourth District,
James Coyle, Mai-tin Ilaidey, KmilStii^er: Fiftli District. A -.{{.-.oh
.1. Newkirk, (Teori.fe Tott'ey. .lohn Prinkerhotf ; Si.rth District,
James H. Startup, Ilenr}- D. \ ww Xostrand, John V, R. Vree-
land. IIoisoKKx — First Ward, William Winges; Second \V(frd.
354
UISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTV,
AYilliam Stnhr ; ThirdWai'd, John E.. AViggins ; Fourth W(t/'<1,
John Gaffney. Bayonne — AVilliam C llamilton. Harrison —
John Kohan. North Ber(;en — William J. Danielson. West
HoBOKEN — Daniel Lake. AVeehawken — John Frost. Town of
Union — Jacob Hofmeister. Union — M. Klein. Kearney — N.
Norris Ilalstead. -. o^o
Jersey City — First District, William A. Lewis, Jabez E.
Parsons, John H. Garretson ; Second District, David C, Jones,
John O'Rourke, Michael O'Grady; Third District, Hervej M.
Sonle, John K Cronham, Paul Schober ; Fourth District, Jacob
Newkirk, Henry Meinken, Emil Stiger; Fifth District, Jacob
J. Newkirk, AVillard E. Dndley, William Frost ; Sixth District,
James H. Startup, Henry D. Van Nostrand, John A-^. E.. A^ree-
land. HoiJOKEN— i^«V«^ TUar^Z, William AVinges ; SecondWard,
AVilliam Stnhr; 7'hirdWard, John R. AViggins; Fourth Ward,
John (xafthey. Bayonne, William C. Hamilton. Harrison —
John Rohan. North Bergen — William J. Danielson. AVest
IIoBOKEN — William Roseman. AVeehawken — John Frost.
Town of Union — Jacob Hofmeister, Union— F. W. Hermann.
Kearney — Alexander Jacobus.
Directors of the Board.
Abraham A"an Santvoord,
1840.
John Dows, 1841-3.
,loiin Tonele, 1843-4.
John S. Coudit, 1845-7.
Garret Sij), 1848.
David B. AVakeman, 1849-50
Robert McLoiighlin, 1851-2.
Edmund T. Carpenter, 1853.
AVilliam ('. Arthur, 1854.
(rilliam \'an Houten, 1855.^
Abram AV. Dnryea, 185r)-6i>.
Charles H. O'Neill, 1863-4.
Directors of the Board.
James Lynch, 1864-8.^
John Brinkerhoff, 1869, '70, '72.
John A. O'Neil, 1871.
James. H. Startup, 1873.
Clerks of the Board.
Hartman A^an Wagenen,
1840-54.
Garret L Van Horn, 1855-64.
Cliarles J. Roe, 1864-
County Collectors.
Jacob D. A"an AVinkle, 1840-2.
Edmund AV. Kingsland, 1843
until the present time.
Killed at the liattle of Chancellorsvillc.
•-' Died June 21, 1869.
.lUIMJES itK TIIK COMMON I'LKAS. j^55
Jlldijis iif the ('ollUliOll /'/{'U.S.
Fobniavy -J", 1S40 — John .1. Van Piiiskirk, Cornelius V. \'.
Kin<;slaii(l,' Sti-pliun (larretson/ Petor II.
Kipj),' .Io.sc[)Ii Claik.'
Novcinlicr l-'., 1S4<» — liichard Outwater.'
Xovember 'i, 1841— (Tilbert Meiritt,' Richard Outwater.
November !<», 1S4I — Stephen 11. I.iitkins.'
(^etobci- '2~, 1843 — Cornelius \ an \V inkle.' John G. Speer,'
Michael Saunier,' James Striker, James J.
McDonald.
November 10, 1843 — John (rriftith/ George C. De Kay,' Jabez
Wakeman.
March 3, ls4T — Stephen (Tarrctson.
March 2, 1848 — Thomas A. Alexander.
Fel)rnarv 28, 1849 — Cornelius Van Winkle.
" John (TrilHtli, /.vVv Alexander.
March ♦;, 1850 — George Thoinas.
February 21, 1851 — Edmund T. (Jarpenter.-
February B, 1852 — Samuel M. Chambers.-
'• Samuel Browning, y/ceCarpenter.
March 4, 1853 — John (iriffith.
'" Richard Kidney, Jr., y/ce Van ^V inkle, dec'd.
Marcii 8, 1854 — Edmund T. Carpenter.
" Selah Hill, cice Chambers (resigned Sept. 20.
1854).
February 8, 1856 — Samuel Browning.
February 18, 1850 — Edmund Charles.
" Charles Fink, vice Browning, dec'd.
March 17, 1859 — Jacob M. Merseles.
March 15, 1860 — James Pope, vice (Jharles, dec'd.
April 9, 1861 — Wm. C.Morris (commissioned by the Governor).
March 5, 1862 — Samuel M. Chanil)crs.
March II, 1863— John Sturges.
April 1, 1863 — William (_". Mori-is, rice Merseles.
March 2, 1864— Frederick W. Bohnstedt.
J udgf and Justice. 'Resigned.
356 HISTORY t)F HUDSON COUNTY.
February 27, 1867— Stephen Q naif e (resigned April 1. 1870).
March 11, 1868— John Sturges.
April 9, ] 868— Bennington F. Eandolph, Law Judge.
March 25, 1869— Frederick W. Bohnstedt.
March 16, 1870— John Brinkerhuif, vice Quaife.
1S72 — James M. Newkirk.
187?)— William T. Hoftiuan, Law Judge.
1873 — James Wiggins.
By the apportionment under the census of 1870 Hudson Coun-
ty became a Congressional District, and Isaac W. Scudder was
chosen its first representative in 1872.
Hudson County may be credited with the following:
November 8, 1858— Eodman M. Price, elected Governor.
May 1, 1866 — Abraham O. Zabriskie, commissioned Chancellor.
June 29, 1869— Kobert Gilchrist, appointed Attorney-General.
Jan. 19, 1870 — Robert Gilchrist, appointed Attorney-General.
CHAPTKi: XII.
Roadp, trnvflinij facilitifsaiul tniflic — Hanks — NewHimpors — Churches and their
i'astors — Statistics of population, taxca and crime.
Pkkvioi'S to the st'ttleineiit of Pliiladelpliia. in I0S2, coiii-
munication between ^ranliartan Island and the South rivei- whs
by water. Occasionally niessaoes were sent overland by means
"t" Indian runners bearing them from tril)e to tribe. The first
post route seems to have been establislied about tiie year 169-'>.
It was yet a loni;- while after tins, however, before any road was
laid out forthrouo'h travel.
The first road in the county of Hudson was the one leading
from Communipaw to the village of Bergen. This was over the
present Communipaw avenue to Palisade avenue, thence north-
erly along Palisade avenue to Academy street, thence westerly
to the village. It was probably laid out in the latter part of the
year 1060, by authority. In KITO it was described as " a fine,
broad wagon road."'
It was not until Scptendjer In, 1 T'!.'), that ('umniuni[)a\v avenue
was extended from the IJergen Point plank road to IJergen ave-
nue, although there was an old private road on nearly the same
line, connecting the king's highway with Communipaw avenue.
In Kis-j, by act of the General Assembly, . I ohn Berry, Law-
rence Andries (Van Boskerck), Enoch ^lichielsen (Vreelandi,
Hans Diedricks, Michael Smith, llendrick Van Ostrum and
Claes Jansen \'an Purmerendt wen- a{)pointed commissioners of
highways for Bergen County, with full power to lay out, con-
Long Id. Hist. Sor., i., I.")."). The old people were accustomed to sjji-ak of
this road as the " offfall road." This nann^ was derived from a stream of water
which, takinff its rise in Tuers' pond, near the intersection of Mont^omi-ry
street and Palisade avenue, jiassed southerly, tumbled over a ledge of rock at
the intersection of Grand street and Communipaw avenue, and emptied into
Syran's Creek, near the canal bridge.
357
358 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
struct and repair roads at the expense of the county. This was
the first " street commission " in the State of New Jersey ! In
1694 Gerbrand Claesen was appointed in the place of Van Pur-
merendt.
On September 9, 1704, the General Assembly " Eesolved,
That y^ Grand Jury of each & every Eespective County shall
yearly in y*" February and March Court, w"' y* Approba'on of
y^ Bench, appoint two persons in Each County, precinct, district
or Township to lay out all other necessary cross Roads & by
Roads w'^'" are to Consist of y® Width of four Rods, & also settle
what is proper to be allow'd to those who shall be appointed, for
their Service in Laying out y*^ said Roads."
On the 3d of June, 1718, a road was laid from "• Crom-kill to
AVhehocken " ferry. What place was then known as Crom-kill
is not certain, but probably it was the English Neighborhood.
The road then laid must be in part the present Hackensack
turnpike.
At an early day the dwellers at Ilarsimus laid out a road by
the way of Prior's mill to Bergen. The following return, with-
out date, when compared with the Field Map, will give a general
idea of its course, as well as show that some of the residents pre-
ferred the war path to a highway : " By y'' Surveyors of y^
Highways for y'' County of Bergen. Application having been
made to us by Archibald Kennedy, Esq'"., of some hardships A:
trespasses he meets with from his Neighbor Mattys De Mot for
want of particular fences, and We having heard the Allegations
of both parties, & having Viewed the Premises, doe order that
])artition fences be forthwith put up round y® six acres belonging
to Mattys De Mot, as it is now marked out by us, y^ North
Easterly one half to be fenced & Kept up by y*^ said Archi-
bald Kennedy, and y° South Westerly other half to be fenced
and Kept by y^ said Mattj^s De Mot.
" As also that y*^ Rhoad for y'^ Use of y" plantations at Pavonia
or Ahasiraus to y^ Mill A: Church shall l)e for y*^ future to begin
at y® North East Corner of y*^ barn belonging to y*^ said Archi-
bald Kennedy, and to run through y° said Six Acres one Rodd
and a half wide, to be sup])orted and fenced of by said Archibald
iiii': (H.i> KoAns. ;»')!>
Ivciiiicdy, where, if lie |>leases, tlu^y may li.i\e Swini^iiig (ijite?,
:ill()win<r to v"^ said de Mot So mudi niit ot' liis hind as is taken
out of y" Six Acres of y'' Rlioud, all u liirh we have Determined
and Stalked out, of which you are to take Notice as you will
Answer y® contrary. We have, accordiiii; to tlu; hest <tf our
• iudi^nients, allowed y"" said de Mot an Equivalent for y" lilu>ad
ui»on y" South Side of his Six Acres out of land hchiniritiL;; to y'"
said Archibald ivennedy."
On January 12, 175o, the above road w^as widcm-d to four rod.-.
It came to the shore just south of Kennedy's orchard, at about
the corner of Second aii<l Henderson streets, thence passed up by
\'an Vorst's to a place ou Keiine(ly's land called " Sand Point.''
\t what time the road fi-om Deriren to Beriren Point was laid
it is now (litHcult to tell. < )n the 2d of November, 174^i, James
Alexandei-, of the Council, repoi'ted a bill "for continuinfij the
Kinti's Iliijhwav, which leads from ISeriren Point to IkMmMi
Town, to some convenient place on Hudson's River, for crossing
that River to New York." The bill " ]>a.ssed in the negative.''
On October U\ 1 T<)4, a King's Highway was laid out froui Hen-
drick Sickles' barn to a point opposite the Dutch (church on
Staten Island, and the old road was vacated. The reasons for
this vacation were that in ])art it was through a swamp, and if
laid along the bay it would be over sandy soil. This road then
became a pai-t of the great stage route between New York and
Philadelphia. It is probable that this road w^as not then con-
structed in such manner as to meet the reipiirements of travel.
On June 28, ITtJG, an act passed the Legislature providing for a
I'oad four rods wide from " the most convetuent and suitable
Place from the Southwest Point of Bei'(jtnh aforesaid along uji
Xewai'l- Ba;/,'"^ and from thence over to Paul us Hoeck. This
road was laid September 12, 1766. The causeway between Hai--
simus and Paldus Hoeck, at present Newark avenue, w^as to be
'' cleared and imvintained " by the owner of the ferry.
' Allison's Laws, 288. Ori(rinally tlu^ road at Berpfen Point was on the wi^st
side of t!ie "Ferry Lot." It was c'.ianfjod Fcbniiiry 17, ISOl. to unite this lot
with land belon<;injr to the same owner on the west side.
360 XIISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
The road from the intersection of Waverly avenue and the
New Bersreii road to Bero;en Point, and recently l^nown as the
Beri^en Point plank road, from CurrieV Woods southwardly,
was laid June 29, 1796.
On June 20, 1765, on petition of the people of Morris and
Essex counties, an act was passed by the Legislature providing
for the construction of a road from " the lower end of the Great
Neck belonging to Newark '' to the public road leading from
Bero-en Point to Panlus Iloeck. Nine men were named as The
Tpustees of the road and Ferries from Xetvarh to the Road
leading from Bergen Point to Paulus Hoeck. It was soon
afterward constructed on the ground now occupied by the New-
ark plank road,^ except east of the Hackensack, where it lay
further to the south. This part of it was known as Broion's
Ferry Road. It was vacated April 29, 1799, and the road laid
in its present position.
On the 24tli of November, 1790, the Legislature provided for
locating and l)uilding bridges over the Hackensack and Passaic
rivers and laying out a road four rods wide from the court house
in Newark to Paulus Hoeck. On the meadows the width was
afterward changed to six rods. By the act five commissioneis
were appointed and authorized to raise by lottery £4,000, after-
ward increased to £27,000, part of which was to aid in complet-
ing the road, part in building a bridge over the Raritan and
part ill providing suitable buildings for the Legislature.
Surveys were then made to ascertain the most practicable
route. The map of these surve_ys, a reduced copy of which is here
inserted, is taken from the JSfi'io York Magazine, vol. ii., 367
(July, 1791), as also the explanations :
•' The courses described in the map are the several routes pro-
posed to lead to different stations on the rivers, at one of which
it may be judged most advantageous to erect the bridges. The
distance from Newark court house to Powles Hook, by the se\ -
eral routes, is as follows:
' This Company was incorporated as The Newark Pleink Road and Ferry
Cempiiny, February 134, 1840.
TIIK OI.T> UOADS.
361
Nu. I Ciinn)'s I)oc1<
Route, -
It i;;
N(..
101
Iden*
8(?
18 41
Dock lioiite, - 7 •';"»
No. :! Beet- I'oi lit
Route, - - 8
No. 4 Prefieiit Ruatl. 8
No. 5
<h(trtene<l, - 7
•• The leiiu'tli ot caiisewuv re-
([uireii over tlie meadows is as
follows :
Miles. Chains. Links.
No. 1 Camp's Dock
Route, - - 4
No. - lleddeii's
Dock lioute, - o
No. ?, Beef-Point
Route, - :3
No. 4 Present Road, l'
No. :. " '•
sliortened, _ 44 77
NO ^ T V\
BERGEN >
1 02
.55 40
•it; 75
"The breadth and depth of tlio
rivers is as follows :
Hdckensarh- River.
1 At the place where the ])resent
ferry is estahlislied.
Feet. Inches.
P>readth.- - 1,448
Depth at eastern shore, 8 8
•' western - x 11 \
Greatest Dei>th in the
channel, - - '^5 4
.NEWARI^
362 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Feet. Inches.
2 At the place more northerly, called Douw's Ferry,
Breadth, ------- 846
Depth at eastern shore, - - - - - 19 10
" western " . _ _ . 12
Greatest depth in channel, - - - - 35 S
Passaic River.
1 At the place where the present ferry is established,
Breadth, ----- 1 -
Depth at eastern shore, - - - - .
" western "
Greatest depth in channel, - _ - -
2 At a place more northerly, called Beef-Point,
Breadth, -------
Depth at eastern shore, - _ - -
" western " - - - - .
Greatest depth in channel, - - -
3 At a place more northerly, called liedden's Dock
in the town of Newark,
Breadth, -------
Depth at eastern shore, - _ - -
" western "
Greatest depth in channel, - - - _
On February ID, 171)3, the commissioners contracted with
Sanmel Ogden and thirty-six others to build the l)rido;es, and
gave them a lease thereof for ninety-seven years from Nov. 24-,
17H2. On March 7, 1797, the stockholders under the lease were
incorporated The Proprietors of the Bridges over the Rivers
Passaic and Harkemaclc. The bridges were completed in the
summer of 1795. The company thenceforth cUiimed a monopoly
of the right to erect bridges over these rivers. Their claim was
adjudicated in The Bridge Go. vs. The Ilobohen Land and Im-
provement Co., 13 JSr.J. Chancery Reports, 81, 503.
" The Newark Turnpike Company " was incorporated Decem-
ber 1, 1804. The State took two hundred and fifty shares of
676
8
f>
9
«>
17
799
11
4
5
13
4
526
4
5
10
8
15
U"
iiii: i>r.i> iioADs. :U>'-\
tlu' ('ii}>ital stock. Tlie eoiniiaiiy \\;is autliuri/cd to cuii.-.tnict a
road from the Avestcrlj line of tlic .Icisry Associates" land (now
Warren street, .Fersey City i to tlic cast side of tlic I lackcn.-ack
river. It was coii.-tiucfetl in 1^0"). 'riiidiiL;Ii IIaivinni> tlic
company was re(|nii'c(| to make tlicir inad contonn to the line ol
the streets laid down on ( 'olo' Ma]). 'riii> i'c<|uircnH'nt wa> dis-
rci:^arded, the i-oad laid diii<j;onally aci'os> the lilock.-. and Newark'
avenue hi-i-amc a pcrnianent nni.-ancc.
The road from the l'i\e ( 'orner.> to lloliokcn I'crry was anthoi--
i/ed February 17 and laid April 1», I7*.»4. On the loth of diinc
folh)win<; the commissioners were authorized to eonstrnct an em-
bankment alonjx the road over the lioliojxi'ii meadow, and lay
the road six rods wide at the same place. l''roiii (cntral avenue
to the brow of the hill the I'oad bore to the east more than now. or
took a strai(:;ht line from the ( 'orners to the hill on the line of
the present Hoboken avenue, west of CJentral avenue. From
Central avenue eastward the road was chano;e<l to its pi-esent
position March ?>(>, I S4s.
The JJer^-en Turnpike Company was incor[)oratcd Movend)er
30, 1802, for the purpose of constructiiii;' a road "from the t(^wn
of ITackensack to Hoboken." It was constructed in 1804, and
is known as tlu^ JFackensack turnpike.
Durini;- the last French war, Colonel John Schuyler con-
structed the causeway from the ii])land near Ilelleville to the
ITackensack river at Douw's Ferry, '• at a very great expense."
It was at first a corduroy road. In April, 1774, an act was ap-
j)r(»ved to enable certain persons to erect and draw a lottery for
raising £1.050 to cover this causeway with gravel. The cause-
way is said to have been made by sailors, whose vessels were
blockaded in the harbor of New York. In 1784 Arent J.
Schuyler complained that too much of the rei)air of this cause-
way fell upon him. Thereupon the Legislature enacted that lu'
should keep in repair the causeway thirty-three chains and thirty-
eight links east from tlie Passaic river, and also the fen-y stairs,
and that Archibald Kennedy should keej) in repair the balance
of the causeway to the ITackensack river and the ferry stairs
there.
364 HISTORY OF IIUnSON COUNTY.
Prior to ls4S all travel from Bergen and the lower part of the
county to Panhis Hoeck was around by the Five Corners and
Newark avenue, or by the Mill road via Prior's mill. Even the
residents at Communipaw were obliged to take this roundabout
way. Put in 1S4S Grand street was extended from Jersey City
across the meadows.
The foregoing list includes the principal roads in the county
of ancient date. There were others, as the Middle road, which
was approached through the northwest gate of the village of
Bergen, and the Bergen Woods road, which opened into the
woods through the northeast gate. There are also the Daily-
town and Buirs Ferry roads. But the dates of their laying out
or construction have not been ascertained. For convenience in
keeping the roads in rei)air the township was divided into dis-
tricts, which bore the following names, viz. : Bergen Town.
Gomunipa, Pamerpugh, Bergen Point, Wehawk, Maisland,
Bull's Ferry, Sekakes, and Bergen AYoods.
Traveling Facilities.
In 17<!-t stages were lirst "'set up"' to start from Paulus
Hoeck for Philadelphia, via Bergen Point and Blazing Star
ferries. The vehicle used was a covered Jersey wagon without
springs. Three days were consumed in dragging it to Phila-
<lelphia. It was modestly called a " Flying Machine I "
In the fall of the same year Sovereign Sj'brant gave notice
that he had fitted up and completed in the neatest manner a new
and genteel stage wagon, which was to set out from Philadelphia
on Monday, and get to Trenton that day ; the next day to Sy-
brant's house, " known by the sign of the Roebuck," two miles
and a half from Elizabethtown, where, with a good assortment
of wnnes and liquors, and by ''Assiduity, Care and Despatch,"
he hoped for the " Favour and Esteem of the Public." On
Wednesday the stage reached " Powless's Hook," by the new post
road (tver Bergen and return to the i Roebuck. Thence it would
start 'in Thursday, and reach its destination on Friday.
TKAVKi.iN(i i!v si.\t,i>. ;{«;5
III 177-i.I(ilin MrrsiTi'au ;ij)j»i'.iii'(l with lli.-^ '" Machiiie.s."' Jk-
left Paiilu.N llitei'k tlii-ec times u week, aiid went tliroii;;]i to
l'hila(U'l|)lii:i in a ilav ami a lialt. In \1~'-) \\r e>t:il)li>lic(l a liiu.'
of stai^e couches wliicli left I'aiilus llocck om riuxlay ami
I"'ri(lay, ''at or liefore >unrise,"" and went hs tar as '■ J'riiice-town "'
the same iiii;ht. Ilei'e they e.\chani;-e(l ])a»eiiifer> with the coach
troiii Phihi(lel]ihia, and returned the next (hiv. Iii>i(h' passeii-
Ui'i-s paid thirty shillings tare; outside passengers twiMity shil-
liuiTS. l"]ach pussen:;er \\a> alk)\\ed tuurtcen pounds of hai^j^Jii^e :
Ix'Vond that weiijlit the eharue was two-pence a })uun(i.
In 17i''.i a new route from Paulu> llocck to Philadelphia was
selected \>\ .loscj)h ( 'ranc and .l()^ia!l 1'. davenport, rn/ Xewark,
l'!li/alicth, 1 Miiiiidhrook and the nui'th luanch ot the Karitan. to
( orrielTs ferry on the Delaware. They ju-uposed tu leave the
Iloeck every 'J'uesday moining ity sunrise. Passengers were re-
'juested to cross over from New York the night before. The
-tages met at the South Praueh. exchanged jtassengers and n-
turned.
In 1771 Abraham iSkillmau started his " Plying Machine'" to
Philadel})hia. via Newark, l->lizabeth, W(»odbridge, New Bruns-
wick, Princeton, Trenton and Pristol. Time, one day and a
half; fare, twenty shillings imtclamation money; '* a good wagon,
sober drivers and able horses/*
In I7t*>7 Matthias Wai'd informed the public that he had for
Some time kept a stage wagon from Newark to '* Powdas Hook."*
Having met with some encouragement, he |)ro])osed tt) make tlu'
lound trip each day, leaving Xewaik at sunrise and I'auhis
IJoeck ''sun "J hours higli.'' All persons might expect the
" best Usage at 1*. 6 each for coming and goinii;. or ;] 8hillin<rs
for I)oth."
In 17<>S Andrew Van Puskirk gave notice that he would
erect a " Staije Waijon "' in IIacken>aek at the New P>ridi>e, to
set out for Paulus Iloeck on September 17. to go twici- a week;
fare, 28. in/. In 177."> he changed the terminus from Paulus
Iloeck to Hoboken, ami named his vehicle a " Mying ^[achine.*"
In the same year and year following, some proprietoi's a<Iopted
the system of having their stages on each side of the Ilackcn-
366 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
sack river, where they would exchange passengers, " which en-
tirely takes oft' the Inconveniency of detaining Passengers by
ferrying of the Wagon over said River."
For some years prior to 1774, Peter Stuyvesant ran a stage
from the Hoeck to Brown's ferry, where he met Josiah Crane
with a stage from Newark, and exchanged passengers.
In 1770 a stage was run from Morristown to the Hoeck by
Daniel and Silas Barnet,and from Hanover in 177.''> bv (^onstant
Cooper.
In 177") Abraham Goodwin ran a stage from the (ireat Falls
(Paterson) to the Hoeck twice a week. In May of the same
year Thomas Douglas erected his stage to run from Haeketstown
once a week, via Flanders, Black Iliver, Mendham and Morris-
town, consuming two days en route.
In the same year Verdine Elsworth brought out his '' new
caravan'' betweei the Hoeck and New Bridge. He informed
the public that his horses were " very quiet, and the caravan
new and in excellent order."
In 1783 Adam Boyd '• established a stage waggon to run be-
tween Hackinsack and Hoebuck ferry." He boasted that the
roads were very good, his wagon and horses in prime order, and
hoped that such a useful institution would be encouraged.
From almost every direction in the interior part of the State
stage lines were organized, and all sorts of vehicles started to-
ward Paulus Hoeck to accommodate the public. To such an
extent did this system of travel increase, that before the construc-
tion of the New Jersey Railroad, as many as twenty regulai-
stages would daily leave the ferry for dift'erent parts.
The Morris Canal. — The Morris Canal and Banking
(Company was incorporated December :51, 182-1. Banking
privileges were not in the charter. It was authorized to con-
struct a canal from the Delaware to the Passaic. The canal was
completed in 1831. On January 28, 1828, authority was given
to extend the canal to Hudson^s River at or near Jersey City.
This extension was completed in 1836. The canal and its appur-
tenances, with the chartered rights of the company, were sold
under a decree of the Court of Chancery, October 21, 1844. By
TRAVELING 1!V UAILUOAD.
IWI
an act of the LouMslaturi', l-Y-hriiary it, 1^4'.», the haiikiiii!; ])rivi-
leijes wt'iv takt'ii t"r(jin the C()iii])any. The lullowiiij; tal)h.'
fxliihits the extent of the trntlic on tliis cumil sinee the or<^aiii/.a-
ticin of tiie new coinjnuiy :
Ytar
Tons.
1845
.-)8,2:)!l
1846
109 />()")
1847
ir)5,.")!»
1848
204.082
1849
234,:305
1850
2;?!i.(;s2
1851
281.707
1852
;W8.797
1853
4()7,28s
1854
.•■>4:!.2('.!t
Year.
Tons.
1
Year.
1855
1
r)r.:5.204
1805
1856
r)(i:i,413
1866
1857
.■);5(;,:5G2
1867
1858
554.0;}4 '
1868
1859
C:{8.01!l
1860
1860
707.(;:;i
1870
1861
(il!),:!0!i
1871
1862
(112.018
1872
1863
718,510
1864
723,5(27 1
Tons.
71«,r).s7
880,220
822,741
744,412
050,200
707.r.72
020,041
685,101
77ie J-'aferwn mid Ifudson Jilver lla'droad Company wa.s
incorporated Jamiarv iM. is:51. The road went into operation
hetween Patersoii and Aqnackanonck (now Passaic) Jnne 22,
ls;',i>. The I'ollin^ stock at that time consisted of " tliree s])leii-
(h"d and conunodions cars, each ca]>al)le of accomnio(hiting thirty
passengers." which were drawn hy '' fleet and gentle horses.''
It was thought to he a ** rapid and delightfnl mode of traveling."
The trial trip over that part of the road was June 7, 1<S8'2. It
connected with the New Jersey Kailroad at West End. The
road was leased to the Union Kailroad Company September '.».
1 ^.■)2. This lease was assigned to and the road now forms part of
the main line of the Erie liailwav. Ildtli the lease and assignment
were conlirmed liy the I^'gislature Mai'di 14, \'^W,^.
The Xi'w 'Ji rse>i Itaih-oiiiJ mid Tnutsportntlon ('oiiijxoii/ was
incor])oratcd ^fai-ch 7. 1>^.">l'. The tii'st excursion over the road
was on Septenilicr 1. 1>;'>4. in the '• passciigci car Washington,"
'• a S])lendid and licautiful speciuu'n of workmanship, containing
three ajtartments, besides seats on to|>." ivcgulai- trips began
Se]>tember I •'., 1 ^^U. Kight trips a ilay were made. The cars were
drawn by horses, stopped at the hotels to receive passengers, and
ran from Newark to Jersey City in one hour and a half. At that
time, ami up to January 1. 1n3s, when the Bergen cut was com-
308
HISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
pleted, tlic cars were drawn over the hill. The first engine
passed ovei- the road from Jersey City to NeM'ark December 2,
1885. " Newark " was the name of this ])i()neer locomotive.
This road consolidated with the Camden and Amboy Railroad,
nnder authority given by the Legislature, February i^T, 1S67,
and the consolidation was leased to the Pennsylvania Hailroad
Company in 1870.
The following table will show the growth (»f Ijusiness upon
this road. It is to be regretted that more com[)lete statistics
could not be obtained :
Passengers. •
1835
102,359 1
1860
2,833,113
183G
293,559 '
1861
2,322,598i
1852
1,592,070
1862
2,394,625
1853
2,170,243
1863
2,989,r77i
1854
2,433,715^
1864
3,310,940,t
1855
2,164,471
1865
3,684,992 i
185(5
2,278,913^
1866
3,568,191
1857
2,238,130
1867
2,674,722
1858
2,110.993
1872
5,153,543
185!)
2,501,124
Freight — [tons).
Tlw Morris and Essex Railroad Company was incorporated
January 29, 1835. At first this was connected with the New
Jersey Kailroad at Newark. It was extended to Hoboken
November 19, 1802, by the completion of the NfU^arlc and Hoho-
Ti'eiiBdih'oad; leased to the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western
Railroad Company December 10, 1808.
' 464,087 tons of frciglit were moved /rom New York in 1872. It is e.stimated
that 30 per cent, of this was taken via Amboy.
TKAVKMNi. HV KA I r.lMA I>.
;{f;y
The following t;il)le shows the iminbcr of passengers curricl
over this road from 1^.");J until it \v;is loused:
185:5
•2:5S/.»01 h
IHiil
155,107
1H54
•JtiT.'.Ml
lS(;-2
17: '.,205
1855
•2(!<i,S5()
is(i:!
5!)() 77:i
185(5
•i!)S.!C,>-2
Ihtit
1 ,0:i2,!i7:{
1857
•28!), 75 1
1 S(i5
1 ,025,4!)8
ISiS
245.18(i
lS()(j
l,()(;f),179
185!)
■J04,!):5(J
18(17
l,17:i,:5!)8
1800
4!)0.871
1H(!8
1.444,54!)
27i>' Erie Railirmj Company was iirst recognized l»y the laws
of New Jersey March 14,' 1858, as the Xew York and Erie Bail-
road Companij^ then as the Erie Railioay Company. After
leasinir the Paterson uml Jlutlson River Railroad and the
Paterson and Rafnajfo Railroad, wliich two roads formed a
direct line from Jersey City to Sutterns, Piennont was aban-
doned as a terminus, and the cars were run to the dejjot of
the New Jersey Ilailroad Company in Jersey City, until May.
IS61. "The Long Dock Company," incorporated February '2i>,
1850, in tlie interest of the Erie Railway, completed the Bergen
tunnel January 28, 1801, The first passenger train passed
through it May 1, 1801. Then the Erie traffic was transferred
to its present terminus at the Long Dock,
T/w Central Railroad of JVew Jersey for many years
terminated at Elizabethport. Li 1800 an act was passed
authorizing the company to bridge Newark Bay and extend the
road to Jersey City. This extension was completed and opened
for travel August 1, l^O-t. ISince its termination in this county,
its traffic has been as follows :
370
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY,
Table showing the live stock brought to and slaughtered at the Abattoir,
Communipaw.
Cattle.
Hogs.
Sheep.
Arrived.
Slaugh-
tered.
470
16,791
12,379
20,084
29,398
33,379
29,532
34,596
Arrived.
Slaugh-
tered.
59,333
423,512
490,319
452,335
400,282
474,737
085,614
697,712
Arrived.
Slaugh-
tered.
1866'
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873-^
4,707
79,829
75,226
134,229
93,257
160,487
, 246,323
231,138
65,798
456,939
500,546
453,508
404,242
514,980
701,025
709,168
29,871
160,247
267,315
444,706
480,758
439,563
401,476
263,638
11,061
143,639
266,293
438,114
470 717
395,567
400,660
262,110
Total
1,025,1 'J 6
176,629
3,806,206
3,683,844
2,487,574
2,388,161
Besides the foregoing;, this company are bringing over their
road to the National Storage Oil Yards about 1 ,500,000 barrels
of petroleum annually.
The Norther7i Railroad Company of New Jersey was incor-
porated February 9, 1854; completed October 1, 1859. It was
leased to the Erie Railway Company in 1869. The following
table shows the amount of business done from 1861 to 1869 :
Year.
No. of Passen-
gers.
1
Tons 1
of freight.
i
Year.
No. of Passen-
gers.
Tons
of freight.
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
131,867+
119,221
142,799+
190,516J
224,568"
10,425
12,508
13,453
13,230
15,946
1866
1867
1868
1869
450,401
511,882
541,830
606,849
17,687
20,240
24,054
29,345
Besides the foregoing, the following named railroads are in
active operation, many of them doing a thriving business, viz. :
"(Tf:
' Tbe '^^%^x was opened for business October 17, 1866. Nearly all of
the s.tocl|yJilogght to this place was carried over the Central Railroad of
New-Jeifify.f'^f'f; .c- i
■■' The above figures^ for the year 1873 include receipts up to December 17.
OCKAN STKAM-'llir LINKS. 371
llie Neimirk nml .\ i m York' L'd'il rmul^ iiicurporatcil March I,
I >(>(»; went into {ictivo upiTatioii August 2, Isc'.t; uikIlt ihf
Control of tlif Ciiifnil lid'iJ roiid. Its terminus i> at the depot
of the hist named companv. /'/// Nfin Jersey M'kIIhikI h'liil-
•<0<ty, ineorporati'd March 1^, l^tlT, and The Xnr }'<)rl,- mnl Os-
wtgo M'lilliiinl Rallwai/, projected in Isfir); incorporated danu-
aiv 1, istlt!; construction begun dune l".'. ImIs; first train run
over the western end of tlie road jS'oveinl»er 5, ISdJt ; first thruugli
train, August IS, ls7-".. 7Vi> Jirsti/ (^Ifij <ni(J Alhtm;/ llnili'oad^
opened to Taj)paen duly ;5t», 1S7:;. The present terminus of
these three roads is the Peniisjlvania Railroad depot in Jersey
("ity. The Ilacly'ensack ((nd New York RtiUiuxul , incorporated
March II. is.")*;, completed December -'+, isoi^ and The Pat-
erson^ Nevxirh and New York RnUroad terminate at the depot
of the Erie Railway Company in Jersey City. The Boonton
liranch of 2'he Morris and Essex Railroad connects with tlie
main line at the west approach of the Bergen tunnel. The New
York and Eort Lee liallroad^ incorporated March o, lsf)2, is
completed as far north as Guttenberg ; is under lease to the Erie
Railway Company^ and used exclusively for oil, coal, and live
stock.
OcKAN Steamers.
The Canard Line was the first to terminate in Hudson Coun-
ty. On the 14th of October, 1S46, Samuel Cunard communi-
cated to the Common (\nmcil of Jersey City the fact that he had
made arrangements to bring the ships of that line to Jersey City.
He desired their approval, which was given December 20, 184(5.
The Uihcrnia, Captain Ryrie, arrived in December, 1847, as
pioneer of the line. At first the trips were monthly. They
have increased until now two ships leave weekly. For some
time this line had ships plying between Jersey City and liler-
muda and St. Thomas. Besides the Cunard Line there are now
the Ilamhu)'<jh Line, the Bremen Line, tho White Star Line and
the Cardiff lAne. The business on these linos has grown to
immense propoi-tions. On the Cunard Line alone it amounted
372 HISTOBY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
ill the year 1872 to 94-,535 tons of in freight ; 143,620 tons of out
freight; 32,017 in passengers, and 10,559 out passengers.
Banks.
On November 13, ISOl:, The N'eioark Banhing and Insurance
CoTTipany were authorized to establish a branch at Paulus Hoeck,
witli the consent of the Associates. The State reserved the right
to subscribe $50,000 to the stock of this branch bank. This
privilege was afterward sold to Colonel Aaron Ogden for $4,00(>.
The branch was established under the name of The Jersey Banl.,
and books opened for subscription January 24, 1805 ; directors
elected April 2, 1805. The bank building, on the southwest
corner of Greene and Grand streets, was erected in the summer
of 1805. The Legislature laid a tax of one-half of one per cent,
on the capital of the Jersey Bank, jSTovember 2, 1810. The
directors attempted to evade the payment of this tax, and sold
their bank building. The sheriff, however, levied upon and sold
it at public auction, the State being the purchaser, February 23,
1811. In March, 1811, the directors procured a charter in New
York in the name of the Union BanJc ; removed to that city, and
began business at No. 17 Wall street, April 11, 1811.
The Jersey Bank (No. 2) was incorporated February 6, 1818,
under the name of The President^ Directors and Company of the
Jersey Bank ; capital $100,000. The condition of the charter
was that the company should purchase of the State the banking
liouse formerl}^ owned by the old Jersey Bank, for $5,000. It
failed on Thursday, July 6, 1826. This caused a " run " on the
Weehawk and Franklin Banks. On the 24tli of November
following three commissioners were appointed by the Legislature
to inquire into its affairs.
John, Bobert and Samuel Swartwout having beconje the
owners of the meadows lying between Hoboken and the
hill, and on the Hackensack, and desiring to improve the
same, obtained a charter for The New Jersey Salt Marsh
Com-ijany, January 2S, 1820, with a capital of $3O|^00. It
BANKS. 373
received power to '" drain, ditrli, dykt-, einlijink, cidtivate iind
improve'' the inarslies. On November 15, IS'22, this company
were autliorized to erect a hanking house in Ihihoken, and
use onedialt" of their hankinj; ca|)ital \\>v haid<in;Lr purposes
for fifteen years, in tht' name of 77it' Ilolxikm Banking and
Grazing Company. They forthwith erected the bniMin<^ on the
southwest corner of Washington and Second streets. On No-
vcmber 24-, lS2t», a commission was appointed to examine into its
att'airs, to inquire if the capital had l)een subscribed and paid,
and whether one-half of the stock had been employed as directed
in the act incorporatiui; the Salt Marsh Company.
The New Jersey Mamifacturing and Banking Company was
incorporated December'.', is^.']; raj)ital sl,")0,000. It went into
operation in March. 1S24. On February 4, 182S, the Legislature
required it to make a full report of its affairs. It suspended
payment in March, 1S2!>, and then the Chancellor enjoined it.
The Franklin Bank of New Jersey was incorporated Decem-
ber 28, 1824: ; capital s;;()0,000 ; bonus to the State, S2r,,000. Its
whole capital was subscribed ]\Iarch 22, lS2r); directors elected
April 8, 1825. It did not live through its appointed time, but
suspended in 1826. On the 24:tli of November in that year com-
missioners were appointed to examine into its aliairs. Proceed-
ings in court were also instituted against it. These were discon-
tinued, and it resumed payment April 2, 1827. It again sus-
pended July 14, 1827. It resumed once more, and was enjoined
May 29, 1828. Its charter was repealed February 22, 184:'., and
so its spasmodic existence ended.
77ie Weehawk Banking Company was incorporated December
28, 1824; capital, $125,000; bonus to the State, S5,000. On
November 30, 1825, the company received authority to change
the name to The Washington lJajiki?ig Company, and locate the
bank at Ilackensack. Its charter was repealed February 22.
1843.
The President and Directors of the New Jersey Protection
and Lmnhard Bank\\QYe incorporated December 20, 1824 ; cap-
ital, $400,000 ; charter limited to twenty-one years ; bonus to the
State, 1^,000. A " run '' was made upon the bank November
374 HISTORY or HUDSON county.
17, 1825, and on the next day it failed. Its charter was re-
pealed November 23, 1825, and trustees appointed to take charge
of its property. Its bills fell to 37i cents on the dollar.
The more recent banks, some of which endnre, while the
others had a brief and profitless existence, are as follows :
Name. Incorporated .
Hudson County Bank, ----- July 7, 1851.
Mechanics' and Traders' Bank (First Nat.), - - 1853.
Jersey City Bank (Second Nat.), - - - June 25, 185G.
Hoboken City Bank, - - - - March 18, 1857.
Marine Bank, . - . - - September 21, 1857.
Hudson Kiver Bank, . - - - March 24, 1862.
Bank of America, ...--_ July 4, 1862.
City Bank of Jersey City, - - - - September 0, 1862.
United States Stock Bank, - - - - October 17, 1862.
Highland Bank, ----- December 4, 1S62.
North Kiver Bank, - - - - December 10, 1862.
Union Bank, January 2, 1870.
Newspapers.
The Bergen County Gazette and Jersey City Advertiser,
weekly, was established in 1830 by E. B. Spooner, son of the
editor of the Long Island Star. It was printed in Hackensack.
He soon abandoned the enterprise, and his brother George, after-
ward of the Saratoga Whig, took it in charge. It existed but a
few months.
The Bergen County Courier, weekly, was first issued Feb. 1,
1832. It was printed in Jersey City by John Post and Joseph
E. Handley. They not only furnished the matter, but printed
and distributed the paper. Enterprise and economy were not,
however, equal to the occasion, and the paper died Nov. 14,
1832, with the forty-second number. Part of its material went
to the outfit of the Philadelphia Ledger.
The Jersey City Gazette and. Bergen ( 'otinty Courier, serai-
weekly, was first issued Feb. 11, 1835, l)y Kobert W. Lang, son
NEWSPAI'KKS. STf)
of the editor of" the iV<3ir }'<)/-k iiazettc. Tlie paper was printe<i
at No. 2 lliiriover sijimre, New York (^ity, and was l)iiriit out in
tlie great fire of Decenil)er, 1S35.
The Jersey Bine and Bo'gen County Democrat^ weekly, was
established in July, 1835; burnt out Aug. 8, 1838. It was puli-
lished in IIol)oken by Childs v'v: Devoe.
The Jersey City Adrertiser and Bergen Jiepuhlican^ seini-
weekl}', was first issued Dec. 2,1837; Henry I). Holt, editoi*.
It became a weekly Dec. 14, 1838. When Hudson (Jounty
was set oft" from Bergen, its name was changed to the Jersey
City and Hudson Jiipuhliran. It united with i\ni Sentinel in 184s.
The Jersey City Democrat^ weekly, was first issued May 14,
1842; M. Cully, editor. It suspended Jan. 1.5, 1848.
The Morning Sentinel., daily, was first issued Aug. 23, 1845 ;
Mr. Reynolds and Luther A. Pratt, editors. It united with the
Jersey City Advertiser and Hudson Jiepuhlican in 1848, and
was thence known as the Sentinel and Advertiser.
Tlw Daily Evening Sentinel was established in December,
1844; Luther A. and William W. Pratt, Publishers.
The Jersey City Telegraphy semi-weekly, was first issued
March IT), 1847: John PI. Yoorhis, editor. It became a daily :
suspended June 25, 1S51>; John A. Ryerson, editor. Its ma-
terials went to the outfit of the American Standard.
The Hudson i-ounty Union., weekly, was first issued Aug. 12.
1852; A. R. Speer, editor ; became a daily Jan. 24, 1854; S.
P. Hull and William T. Rodgers, jr., editors ; suspended in June,
185+. Its materials went to the outfit of the Hudson County
Democrat.
The Hohohen Gazette., weekh% was first issued Sept. 12, 1853:
Thomas W. Whitley, editor. Became a semi-weekly in Feb..
1S55 ; a daily in Aug., 1S55, and suspended in Oct., 1^55.
The Hudson County Democrat, weekly, was established in
September, 1854 ; Augustus O. Evans, editor ; published in
Hoboken ; became a daily in 18<59.
l^he Jersey (^ity ('Ourier, weekly, was first issued Aug. 1.
1855; William B. Dunning and II. F. Milligan, editors. In a
short time it became a daily ; merged with the Sentinel and
370 HISTORY (,)F HUDSON COUNTY.
Advertiser in Jan., 1856 ; tlience known as the Courier and Ad-
vertiser : suspended in May, 1861. In connection with this
paper was a weekly, the Hudson (Jounty Courier and Adver-
tiser : suspended in 1861.
The Citij Gazetti- (tnd Hudson County Ghronide and Culti-
vator^ Thomas W. Whitley, editor, was issued for a short time
after the suspension of the Hobohen Gazette. When this paper
suspended, the same editor, havini;- been elected a justice of the
peace, brought out a few numbers of the Circuit Judge.
The HolKiken City Standard, weekl}^, was iirst issued Oct. 9,
1856 ; P. M. Reynolds, editor.
The American Standard., daily, arose from the ashes of the
Daily Telegraph, and was first issued Aug. 8, 1859, by Metz
c% Brother. John H. Lyon became proprietor Oct. 14, 1859. Tt
is ]»ublished in Jei'sey City.
TJte People's Advocate, daily, was established by John C.
Clarke & Co. It was published in Jersey City, and merged in
the Jersey City Times.
The Jersey City iVd-Jo^^, weekly, was established in 1854 by
Daniel E. Gavitt. It existed about one year.
The Jrrsey City Herald, weekly, was Urst issued July 19, 1864,
by Hugh McDermott. It merged with the Iludsoi) City Ga-
zette.
Jersey City Times, daily, was Iirst issued Sept. 14, 1S64 ; Z.
K. Pangborn, editor; changed to a weekly ^o\. 8, 1873.
The Evening Journal, daily, was first issued May 2, 1867. It
is published in Jersey City by Z. K. Pangborn, Wm. B. Dun-
ning and Joseph A. Dear.
The Hudson City Gazette was established in March, 1867;
William D. McGregor, editor. It merged with the Jersey City
Herald.
Jersey City Chronicle, semi- weekly, was first issued Feb. 14,
1863, by Davidson & Colston; discontinued Aug. 24, 1864, and
merged in the Jersey City Times.
The Hudson Count/y Volhshlatt, weekly, was established in
1868; published in Hudson City by Dietz & Timm.
The Bayonne Herald and Greenville Register^ Aveekly, was
NEVVSI'Al'KKS. 377
first issued Doc. ^."i, ISO!*; lioswcll ( li-avcs, editor. It is ynh-
lit^liod !Vt l)('rtj;t'n I'oint.
77" IladKon Countii '^<'i"'""l, weekly (fTonnaii), was lir.st
issued Dee. 11', 1808; |)ul»lislie<l in Iloboken by Kabe &
Haver, now l»y l'»ayer and KautHiaiin.
Jersey (^itij !!< raid and Oazetti\ weekly, was established in
I'^T*' bv McDerniott ^ McGrei'or. It was the result of the
meriijini; of the Ji nfvy City Herald and Hudson City Gasettc.
Hudson County Register^ weekly, was first issued July '.io,
1870, at West Tloboken, by Peter Y. Everett, editor.
Palisade News, weekly, was first issued Aug. 0, INTO, ;it West
lloboken, by Alfred E. (Tregory, editor.
Hudson County Times, weekly, was established in August,
1870; published at Bergen Point by the Times Printing Com-
pany of Jersey City, now by Edward Gardner.
Die Wac/it am Hudson, weekly, was established in 1871 ;
published in Jersey City by tiie Hudson County German Pul)-
lishing Association.
Hiijhland Sentinel, weekly, was first issued March 29, 1873,
at West Hoboken ; Joseph Paul Pugie, editoi-.
Hudson County Independent, weekly, was fii'st issued May 3,
1873, at Hoboken, by Augustus C). Evans, editor. It had but a
brief existence.
Dif^patch, weekly, was established in 1873; published at East
Newark by Trelease, Simmonds & Co.
The Evening Ptdisades, daily, was first issued June 30, 1873,
at West ITob.ikeu, by the Palisades Publishing Society.
a78
history of hudson county.
Sketches of the Churches in the County.
BA"'
ri9T.
1 REFORMED.
EPISCOPAi.
^
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t>
1850.. .
1,375
$13,100
2,770
$54,000
2
772
$26,000
1860. . . .
6
2,900
60,800
8
4,800
185,000
10
4,150
109.500
1870....
9
3,450
15
8.615
13
4,500
METHODIST.
PRESBYTERIAN.
ROMAN CATHOLIC.
1850....
8
3,150
$37,500
1
1,000
$35,000
1
1,000
$7,500
1800
11
4,630
85,100
8
4,450
136,000
6
3,500
104.500
1870....
14
6.300
9
5.000
15
9,000
GERMAN Rl
>
BFORMED. j
LUTHERAN.
6WEDENBORGIAII.
1850. . . .
1860. . . .
1
275
$3,000 i
1
300
$3,000
1
150
$750
1870....
i
UNITAl
^lAN.
To
tal value
of property
for
1870.... S
1850....
]
11,849,700
1800....
1
450
$8,000
1870....
The foreffoino; table is made from the United States Census
for the years named.
The Reformed (Dutch) Churches.
The Bergen Reformed Church is the oldest church in tlie
county, and probably the oldest in the State. It was organized
about the time, or at least very soon after, the village of Bergen
was settled. In December, 1662, the schout and schepens of the
village petitioned the Governor-General and Council of New
Netherland for a minister, as follows :
" Shew with all reverence the schepens of the village of Ber-
gen, how that they supplicants, having observed and weighed
your Honor's fatherly care and direction, the building of churches
and schools, they deem it expedient and highly desirable to pos-
rilK UKKOKMKl) ClUKt IlKS. 87'*
sess a pious niiin :is miiiistiT, wlio may instnutt, edify and learn
them to fear (Jod. This wouhl he a desiral)]c ()l)jeet for the
eoninmnity of IJcr^en and its district ; on wliicli the seliepcn.-
have deemed it j^roper and highly desirable to pro])ose a similar
plan to each individual to inform themselves what sum each of tl)e
inhahitants shoidd he willini:; to contrihute, annnally, moved hy
the imj)ulse of a f^ood heart, by pure afi'ectioTi and an ardent love
for God's holy and i)lessed name with the view to ol)tain a j^ood
minister till that time when the Noble Directors of the Privi-
Icijed West Indian ('om])anv. after the custom of this country
shall receive the tythes.
" When this was pro{)osetl hy tlic >chcj)cns, the following- per-
sons, (goodly minded, declared to he willin<j; to pay annually,
which sum of similar voluntary ])romissor?, amounted, as it was*
calculated nearly to 417 i;l. in scawant, however, there arc yet
amonp^ them a few who i^ivc to understand that, if the Lord om*
(ioi\ did bless them, and their pi'operty increased, that then
they would perform, in pn)porti()n to their abilities, what mirjht
be in their power. The second class, by whose names no sums
are annexed, contains yet some who are willini;, but many very
stupid, but as the numl)er of those willinei; to contribute is the
greatest majority, and declare that Avhen a minister should be
called, that in such case they would join others to the utmost of
their abilities, and wlicrcas the supplicant> ai'c not informed if
those of Stacr Simens^ are included in it, it is not in the suppli-
cants' power to give a correct account <>( it, neither can ascertain
what they would be willing to contrihute. Tli(> schepens deem
it advisable and highly necessary that the village should be pro-
vided with a gospel minister, and therefore they submit it, with-
out hesitation, toyour Honor's mature consideration and decision,
which then might be cijuimunicated to the Lords Patrons with
the vessels now ready to sail. Your llonoi's know with what
couraije the settlint'- and concentration of the village Bergen
' I am unable to jrivcany clue to tin; whereabouts of this pliice. Wearkimins-
Connie was somewlu-re in this vicinity, but I have not been able to locate it.
'Pile two names may refer to the same place.
880
HISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
was undertaken by its inhabitants without any burthen to the
Lords Directors. The community, therefore, is of opinion, that
this by the patrons shall be taken in consideration to support in
their discretion the village of Bergen, and to provide them with
a minister during one or two years at their own expense, about
which time tlie country, no doubt, under God's blessing shall
liave arrived at a higher prosperity, to which then might be
added what this liberal minded community would contribute for
its assistance.
" Specification of the Avell intentioned Promissors with the
quantity of the pronnse of each individual."
The following is a copy of the subscription referred to in the
body of the petition :
Tielman Van Yleck, - fi.
Michiel Jansen,
Ilarman Smeeman,
(Jasper Steynmets, -
Jan Schulten,
Michiel Tunisen,
Dirck Gerritson, -
Jan Lubbertsen,
Jacob Laenderse, -
Jan d'Engelsnian,
Paulus Pietersen, -
William Jansen,
Adriance Post,
Douwe Harmanse, -
At this time, and until 1680, the people used the log school-
60
Jacob Sergeant, -
fl. 8
25
Arent Lau reuse,
10
25
Jan Cornelis,
3
25
Cornells Abrahams, -
6
25
Claes Pietersen, of Gemen
-
6
epa, - - - -
50
20
Geurt Coerten,
13
6
Dirck Claeszen, -
10
25
Jan Losercht, -
6
6
Gerrit Gerritsen, -
6
25
Claes Arentsen,
8
10
Joost Yan Linden,
10
20
6
41 7^
' iV. T. Col. MSS., X., pt. i., 277. 279, 281. A singular error concerning this
subscription has been made by Dr. Taylor in his Annals of the Classis of Bergen,
llO. Not having seen the original manuscript, but depending on information
received from the late J. Romeyn Broadhead, he says : " As early as 1662 * *
four hundred and .seventeen guilders * * were raised by tax, in the town-
skip of Bergen, towards the erection of a church."' It was raised, not by t(i.r,
but hj subscriplion ; not for the erection of a church, but for the support of a
miiuiter. I am happy to be able to make this correction.
TlIK KKFOK.MKI* CIlUUCllKfJ.
3M
house fur a pliicH- ot wursliij). This wns on the site of the [.reM-iit.
scliool-honse frontiiii; the s(iu;irr.' In the spriiiir of the ye;ir
Ifiso, the first chiireh biiihl-
iuij: in r.ergeii was bei^fuii.'^
Willein Day was the biiihl-
er. Its form was octagonal,
with the wimliiws i[uite
liii^h from the Lri"<'Uiid,.
probably as much for a
protection against the In-
(Hans as to prevent the
youngsters looking out
(liirin<r the services. The
accompanying illustration,
enlarged, is taken from the
I'^ield Map. It was located
in the old graveyard west
of Bergen avenue, and
south of Vroom street, and
was vet standingr in IH'A.
In 1773 a new building was placed on the site of the old
Octagonal. Over- the frunt door was a stone, with this inscrip-
tion :
" Kerk Gebouwt in llet Yaer
IGSO. Her Bouwt in Het
Yaer 1773."
The bricks in the windows and arch over the door were brought
i.-om llolland. The corner stone of the present building was
laid August 20, 1841. The building was dedicated July 14.
1S42.
Previous to the arrival of Rev. Henricns Selvns, Dominie
van Nieuwenhuysen did most of the preaching at Bergen —
statedly from 1072 to 1080. lie preaclunl and administereil the
Lord's Supper three ti'nes a year, for which he received " thirty
bushels or fifteen bags of wheat."^ He preached in Bergen on
OCTAdONAI, ellURCU, 1680.
' Winfield's Land Titles, 10.").
■A. r. Hist. Sor..i., I.j7.
J bid, (., 15!S.
382
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
week days. He is represented as a tliick, corpulent person,
with a red and bloated face. There can be no doubt, however,
that previous to tlie services of Yan Nieuwenhuysen, Dominies
.Johannis and Samuel Megapolenses preached in Bergen. The
village in its corporate capacity seems to have been responsible
for the pay of these clergymen.
BERGEN KEFORMED CHURCH, 1773.
Their salaries were not fully paid, and on May 21, 1674, the
authorities were informed that there was yet due from the town
of Bergen tp,.,efi|gh, oi^ them fl. 100, " for earned salary," which
tlie magistrates were recommended to pay forthwith.^ On Mr.
Selyns' jirr|;*f^],j;iii l.|]§^„,he found at Bergen a new church, and
134 n].^j|ib|ers,,|j-,,]g:je.3.j9piljt/nued the previous arrangement of
l)i-eacl)^i3g,j^1|jij,9rg;9^_ ^W-^i times a year. He died on Saturday,
PM.i Jiiay,il:^;,JTj9^4fS^^^**' Kev. Gualtherius Du Bois be-
cam.fe^gfg^eif'^fe§y^^yt]\,,^;t ^^It^s, and served the church in
^isd.mwbf N. r.74i„m.:b j^m .i a
"'N. Y. Hist. Soc, i., 390.
THK REFOKMKI) CHUKCHES. 38'J
I'.ergeii until Septfiiilifr, 17.')1. He \\;is horn in 1 1',7 1 , at Struct
Kerf, Holland, wliere his father, Petnis dii Txiis, was tlie Dutch
pastor. He was educated at the University of Leyden, h'censed
ill lt)l)7, preached until Septeinher, 21», IT;")!, and died on Wed-
nesday, Octoher '.', 17r»l, in the eighty-tirst year of his age.' The
following eloquent tribute tn his memory is from the 11 'v/;///
/' .v/- lioij^ October U, IT.")! :
A Gentleman of a spotless Character
and undissembled Goodness;
Amiable in his Temper, and in all Points exemj)lary :
Of a benevolent Disposition, a diffusive Charity,
and for his engaging Manners,
and for the sanctity of his Morals,
Beloved by all but the Foes of Virtue.
Great was his Knowledge in sacred Literature ;
Nor was he ordinarily skillM in the liberal Sciences:
But for human Prudence, and the Knowledge of Men,
To most superior
and surpassed by none.
Of a catholic Disposition, aiid a christian Charity,
He never usurp'd the Province of God,
Nor thundered his Anathemas against those of different Sects,
whose lives were irreprehensible.
On controversial Points, and polemic Theology,
often destructive to vital Piety,
He scorn'd to emj)loy his ])recious Moments:
Yet stripping an Argument of its specious Glare,
He had an admirable Talent to expose
its Disguise and SophistiT.
The awful Majesty, and the liigour of lleligicm.
He soften'd by the winning Mildness of his Converse :
And those Virtues which appear stern and forbidding in others,
Shone in him with attractive Beauty,
and inetfal)le Lustre.
Doc. Hist. ofN. r, Hi., 537.
384 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
His Deportment was grave, venerable and solemn.
yet open, unaffected and familiar.
His Discourses remarkable for a pleasing Variety,
of the Natural and Sublime,
Yet intelligible to the most illiterate :
His style was nervous and emphatic,
Yet neither destitute of flowing Periods,
Nor the Flowers of Ehetoric.
To ecclesiastical Dominion, and spiritual Bondage,
To blind Superstition, and frantic Enthusiasm ;
with every species
of ghostly Tyrann}^ and Priest-craft,
He was a resolute and irreconcileable Foe :
But for primitive Christianity, and the Gospel of Christ
(unadulterate with human Inventions
or the Iloguery of Priests),
Together with a Freedom of Enquiry and the Liberty of Man,
A Triumphant Defender.
Unambitious of Power, Affluence, or Honors,
He consecrated his literary Acquirements,
to inculcate Peligion
in its Evangelical Purity :
And looking on the glittering Toys of mortal Life
with a wise Lidiffierence,
He laid up Treasures in the Regions above,
Where he now p^artakes, as the Reward of his Toils,
Pleasures immortal
and everlasting Repose.
By his Doctrine, his Prayers, and his Life,
He liv'd the Blessing and Ornament of his People,
for above the Space of Fifty-two years ;
And longing for Heaven, and for Heaven mature.
He departed this Life with Serenity and Joy,
or rather Acclamation and Triumph ;
Bequeathing to his Church Lamentation and AYoe,
And to his Followers a bright and shining Example.
rilK UKKUUMKI) ( IIIKCIIKS. 385
His ri'iiiaiiis wen- iiitrirM in the <)lil 1 )iiteli^( liureli,
where they sleep in Expei tatioii
ut' :i glorious Resurrection.
Ma\ hi.-- ( ■(.iigrey.iitiuii ]);iss rnmi tlie \\'t;iktiess n[' rej:;rettiiii,^ him.
To the (Jontcniplatinii of his N'irtues ;
And rather adorn his Memory with deathle.-.-^ Traises
I5y iniitatinii^ his Pattern,
and adopting- his Excellencies.
In 1750 I'etrus De AVint was chosen Pastor, hut turning out
to 1)0 a i-(^gue, though carrying a shepherd's crook, was not
installed.
On June 2"2, 17.");5, AVilliani Jackson was selected. He then
went to Holland, finished his studies, returned, and was installed
September 10, IT.")?. On account of mental infirmities, he was
relieved froin duty in Decend)er, 1789. He died July 25, Isi:;,
and was buried in Bergen.
T.v
^[e>[okv of
the Rev. Willia>[ Jackson
who departed this life
July 25!!', 1813
Aged 81 years
He faithfully fulfilled the pastoral
charge of the united Congregations
of Bergen and Staten Island, for
32 years, until bowed down
under grievous afflictions.
He was esteemed for his piety.
" Be ye followers of them who
through faith and patience inherit
the promises." Heb. 6, 12.
He was an uncompromising whig among the uncertain patriots
of Bergen during the trying times of the Revolution. Tradition
says that he preached for the Refugees once at Fort Delancey.
His text was : W/iat will ije give me, <nu1 I ir'dl deliver him
386 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
unto you f And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of
silver. Matt. 2b', 15. His sermon was a caustic application of
the text to his tory hearers — some of them of his own congrega-
tion. For this he was arrested and taken before the commanding
General in JS^ew York. He was asked why he preached against
his Majesty. He confessed the fact and justified it as the per-
formance of his duty. He was forgiven and permitted to return
home, where he continued to thunder against the enemies of his
country. One day old Helmagh Van Houten found fault with
the political complexion of his sermon. The dominie replied,
" Lord Howe has forgiven me ; can't you? "
Rev. John Cornelison became pastor of this church May 2t5,
1793. Up to this time the preaching had been in Dutch. He
died March 20, 1828, and was buried in Bergen.
Commemorative
of the
Kev. John Cornelison, A. M.,
who died
March 20, A. D. 1828,
In the 59th year of his age,
and 35th of his ministry
as Pastor of this church.
In life
Active, amiable, judicious and pious.
He was useful, respected and beloved.
In death
He triumphed, tlirough faith in Jesus,
As the Eternal God.
"Remember them who have spoken unto you the
WORD of God." Heb. 13, 7.
Rev. Benjamin C. Taylor was installed July 2J:, 1828. De-
clared by the Classis Emeritus Pastor September 22, 1870.
James L. Ammerman was installed May 7, 1871, and is the
present pastor.
li
TlIK KKKORMED ( IHIiCIIES. 387
Tin: F'l I'fit lii funned C/iurc/i dt /itn/n/uie w&s organized Jjin-
iiarv U, 1820, as tlie Ret'oniied J^utch Churcli of 15ur<ren Neck.
First building was erected in 1S28 ; dedicated January 10, 1^29 ;
abandoned February 10, 1867. The second building, the corner
stone of which was laid September 4, 1866, was dedicated March
31, 1867. It is on the north corner of Avenue C and Bayonne
avenue.
Pastors.
K.v. Ira C. Boyce, from Sept. 15, 1820, to Jan. 22, 1844.
•• .lames Komcyn, from INlay 28, 1844, to May !.">, 1850.
•' Jacob C. Uutcher, from Oct. 8, 18.50, to May 2."), 1S54.
•• Aaron L. Stillwell, Oct. 4, 1854; (died) June 24, 1864.
" Theodore W. Wells, from June 22, 1865 to Sept. 4, 1873.
The First Reformed Chnrch of Jersey City was organized
December 15, 1825, as The First Presbyterian Church <f Jer-
sey City. February 16, 1830, the congregation resolved them-
selves into a Dutch Church. First building was on the site of
the present one ; the corner stone was laid by Colonel Varick,
May IS, 1826. It was moved across the street in 1853, where it
became " Park Hall," and was destroyed by tire December 12,
l^t!4. The second building, the corner stone of which was laid
September 22, 1853, was dedicated April 5, 1857. It is on the
south side of Grand, between "Washington and Warren streets.
Pastors.
Rev. Stephen 11. Meeker, from May 9, 1830, to Oct. 20, 1830.
. *' James E. Talmadge, from Feb. 8, 1831, to Jan. 30, 1833.
" Matthias Lusk, from Nov. 19, 1833, to Oct. 26, 1848.
•' John Austin Yates (called), July 31,1849; (died) Aug.
26, 1849.
'• Daniel Lord, fnjrn June 16, 1850, to May 5, 1851.
" Alexander W. McClure, from May 19, 1852, to April 18,
1855.
•' David II. Ptiddle, from April l:*, 1857, to Dec. 22, 1862.
" Henry M. Scudder, from Dec. 5, 1864, to May 23, 1865.
" George H. Peeke, from Aug. 1, 1865, to Dec. <!, ls69.
•' William AV. Ilallowny, jr., June 11, IsTl.
388 HISTOEY OF HUDSON COUiMTY.
The Reformed Church at New Durham was organized April
12, 1843. The building known as " The Grove Church " is lo-
cated on the west side of the old Dallytown road at Union Hill,
" overlooking the region it was appointed to guard." Dedicated
September 27, 1847. Enlarged to double its capacity in 1862, at
a cost of $12,000. A parsonage is attached.
Pastors.
Rev. Philip Duryee, of English Neighborhood, acting until
1844.
" Wilham J. R. Taylor, from Oct. 6, 1844, to Sept. 8, 1846.
" William Y. Y. Mabon, from Oct. 4, 1846.
Second Reformed Church of Jersey City was organized March
15, 1846, as the First Reformed Dutch Church in the Township
of Yan Yorst. The building is on the south side of Wayne,
between Grove and Barrow streets. The corner stone was laid
August 24, 1847 ; building dedicated May 28, 1848.
Pastors.
Rev. William J, R. Taylor, from Sept. 27, 1846, to Oct. 4, 1849.
" Paul D. Yan Cleef, from Dec. 30, 1849.
The First Reforined Church of llohoken was organized Octo-
ber 27, 1850. The building is on the west side of Hudson, be-
tween Fifth and Sixth streets; corner stone laid July 12, 1852 ;
dedicated August 27, 1855.
Pastors.
Rev. Charles Parker, from April 1, 1855, to Jan. 18, 1858.
" Alexander M. Mann, from March 23, 1858, to March 25,
1861.
" Matthew B. Riddle, from April 15, 1S62, to Feb. 26, 1865.
" W. H. Yroom, from June — , 1865, to April — , 1867.
" J. K. Allen, from June 18, 1868, to April 19, 1870.
" Charles D. Buck, from Dec. 21, 1870.
The Third Reformed Church of Jersey City was organized
May 7, 1852. The first building— the '• Tabernacle," on the
THK Kl KuU.MKl) ( ' II C UCII KS. 3^0
sontlieast corner of Erie and Sixtli streets — was dediratcd A]>ril
10, 1.S54. The seoond ImildiiiLi- is nn tlic corner of Eightli street,
and front ini:; on TIaniilton scpiarc; cornoi' stone laid September
'20, l.s:)l) ; dedicatc.l May 0, isGo.
Pastors.
Kev. William .1. R.Tajl.-r. fnmi Ani^. 10,1852, to Nov. 14, 1854.
'' J. Paschal Stroni;, tr..ni .Ian. '21, 1S55, to Nov. 25, 1856.
" Calvin Soldcn, from May 10, 1S5T, to Oct. 5, 1857.
" Cornelius L. Wells, from June 13, 1858, to March 5, 1863.
" .1. liMineyn P.erry. from Nov. 25, 18()3, to Nov. 1, 1868.
" , I. Howard Snvdani, from .Tan. ;!1, 1869.
77/ «' Gerinan Evangelical CJiurch of North Bergen was or-
ganized October 4, 1853. The building stands on Columbia
street ; was dedicated March 28, 1854 ; enlarged and rebuilt in
1868-9.
Pastors.
Kiv. Leopold Molm, from August 5, 1855, to April 21, 1857.
'' Charles Becker, from Dec. — , 1857, to Sept. 12, I860.
" John Justin, June 25, 1865.
The Reformed Church of Hudson City was organized Decem-
ber 14, 1853. The congregation worshiped in a room connected
with Miss Graves' female seminary. Rev. Aaron Lloyd was
missionary from September 15, l.s54, to July 19, 1855, and Rev.
I'l-ederick L. King from October 16, 1855, to October, 1857. The
church was afterward disbanded.
The Reformed Church of Bergen Point was organized May
16, 1854. The l)uilding is on the west side of Avenue T, be-
tween Second and Third streets; dedicated August 21, 1853.
Pastors.
Rev. Jacob C. Dutcher, from June I 1, 1 ^.■)4, to June 30, 1857.
'' Charles Parker, from Feb. s, 1S5S, to Dee. 13, 1859.
" Henry W. F. Jones, from August 7, I860, to .
390 flISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
The German Evangelical Church of Jersey City was organ-
ized August lY, 1856 ; occupied Franklin Hall, on the southeast
corner of Montgomery and Warren streets; disbanded in May,
1866.
Pastors.
Kev. C. Doeppenschmidt, from Aug. IT, 1856, to April 14, 1865.
" Charles Meyer, from April — , 1865, to May, 1866.
The Bef armed Church of Lafayette was organized May '^^
1863 ; incorporated June 1, 1863. The building is located on
the northwest corner of Communipaw avenue and Pine street ;
was dedicated ISTovember 25, 1866.
Pastor — Rev. William Eankin Duryee, from July 31, 1861,
to .
The Second Reformed Church of Hudson City (German) was
organized November 6, 1859 ; served by Rev. C. Doeppen-
schmidt, as missionary in connection with Jersey City ; united
with a mission at Washington Village, April 12, 1863, under the
care of Rev. Leopold Molin. The church building is located on
Central avenue, near Franklin street. The Pastor of the United
Church, Rev. C. Doeppenschmidt, was installed December 1 1,
1864. Hammond installed July 23, 1871.
Beformed Church of West End was organized November 7,
1869. The chapel stands on the corner of Academy street and
Broadway ; dedicated November 8, 1868.
Rev. Alexander Shaw was appointed missionary in 1868.
Rev. William H. Yan Doren, pastor, installed July 23, 1871.
Reformed Church of Greenville was organized February 19,
1871, and supplied by neighboring ministers until January 19,
1873, when Rev. Alexander H. Young was installed pastor.
Free Reformed Church, Jersey City. The Morgan street
(afterward called the Bethel) Sunday School, from which this
cliurch sprang, was begun March 1, 1861, under the care of the
TIIK Kl'lSCol'AI, (III K('lll>. 391
tliree Reformed Cliiin-lu's ofJcrsey City. Tlir first chapel stood
on Morgan street. Tlie present one is on the sontii side ot" First
street, east ot"(ii-ovo, and \v;i> dedicated October 2, ls7o.
Rev. Alexander Shaw was niissionai-y nntll Octoher, \X7'2.
Rev. Andrew .1. Pai-k, pastor, instalh'd Jannary 12, 1873.
Gentian Evaniji'l'ictO ('kurch, Iloltoken^ was organized Sej)-
teinber 10, 1850. Tlie cliurch bnihh'ng stands on the corner of
Garden and Sixth streets.
Pastor — Rev. J.eopold Mohn, from April 21, 1857, to .
Reformed Church of Gutteiiherg was organized November,
1868. The chapel is located on Hndson avenue, and was dedi-
cated in Jannarv, 1808.' This cono-resration <:;rew ont ot" a Sun-
day school established in 1804 by Rev. W. V. V. Mabon, D.D.,
who, assisted by others, kept up regular ])reaching until August,
1872, wlien Rev. Peter B. Crolius was installed pastor.
&fkt
itral Avenue Reformed Church was organized .Inly lo.
1872. The chajiel is on Central avenue, corner of Bowers street ;
dedicated J )ecember 31, 1871. The church was supplied with
preaching by neighboring ministers until September, 1872, when
Rev. G. II. Pool was installed. lie continued until April 21,
1873.
The Third lieformed Church of Bay o tine 6'/Yy (German) was
organized May 3 and 20, 1S72. The church building is, located
on the corner ot" Avenue T and Fourth street; corner stone
laid October 12, 1^73.
Platik Road Chapel. — A Sabbath school was organized in
this locality by Rev. AV. \. \. Malx.n in 185S. In ISOO, by the
liberality of ^Ir. .lames Brown, a chapel was (>rccted. This
chapel is connected with the Grove Church, and tlie services are
maintained ])y the ])astiir, Rev. AV. V. Y. ^labon.
EpiscorAi. Churches.
St. Matthi'urti^ Jerf-ej City, was organized August 21, 1808,
392 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
The trustees were elected December 8 in the same year. At
first the services were held in the " Jersey Academy," built by
the town authorities, and completed in February, 1807. The
buildinir is located on the north side of Sussex, between Wash-
ington and Warren streets ; corner stone was laid October
22. 1831; building was consecrated E'ovember 26, 1835; de-
stroyed by lire December 4, 1869 ; rebuilt and opened for service
October 15, 1870.
Pastors.
Eev. Timothy Clowes, from organization until May 1, 1809.
" Edmund D. Barry, from May 5, 1809, to 1816.
" Cave Jones, from 1816 to 1824.
" Edmund D. Barry, from 1824 ; became rector May 13,
1831; died April 20, 1852.
" A. C. Patterson, assistant pastor from June, 1844, to May
12, 1847.
" Charles Aldis, assistant pastor from July, 1847, to Maj-ch,
1849. ,^ .j
" James J, Bowden, assistant pastor from Juiie-, 1849, to Ma}-
4, 1852.
'' James J. Bowden, rector from May 4, 1852, to June, 1859.
" J. Brinton Smith,i from Nov., 1859, to Dec. 31, 1865.
" William A. Matson, from Sept. 1, 1866, to .
" Bichard Abercrombie, from Jan. 7, 1872, to .
' Raleigh, N. C, November 13, 1872. — The coroner's jury rendered a verdict
today in the case of Rev. Ur. J. Brinton Smith, supposed to have been poisoned
l>y members of his family on the 1st of Octoljer : That the deceased, J. Brinton
Smith, came to his death on the morninof of the 1st day of October, 1872, from
tlie effects of strychnine mixed in a dose of seidlitz powders, administered by
Francis L. Mann, and that Mary E. Smitli was the custodian of the key of a
closet in which was found a vial of said poi.sonous drug.
Mrs. Mann is the daughter and Mrs. Smith, the wife of deceased. Dr. Smith
was an Episcopal clerg-yman, and President of the Augustine College of this
cit}'. The affair has caused great excitement, as all parties held high social
position. Mrs. Smith and Mann were committed to the county jail this morn-
ing. Applications will be made by counsel for their release on a writ of habeas
corpus. The sentiments of the community are divided as to the guilt of the
parties. The stomach and brains of deceased were examined by Dr. Genth, of
Philadelphia, upon whose professional opinion the jury rendered a verdict.
THE Kl'ISCOI'AI. < lit RCIIES. 393
In 1832 Episc'Oj><il services wei-e for the first time held in
Iloboken, Kev. AVilli.iin Tryon ofliciatinir. For about a year
the district selioolhouse was used. 'I lien -lohn and Abraham L.
Van Iloskerck built a schoolhousc, in which services were held
for two (»r three years.
*SV. PiiuVs, Hohohn^ was orn^anizod ^larch 2, 1835 ; incorpo-
rated !^^arch IG, 1835. The first bnildinc; was on the northwest
corner of Hudson and Third streets : corner stone laid ^fay 27,
1830; buildini:: consecrated Novend)er 1, 1S3G ; enlarged in
1851 ; sold in 1869. The ])rcsent building is on the east side of
Hudson, between Eighth and Ninth streets. The chapel was
opene<l for service June 12, 1870, and the church September 4,
1870.
Pastors.
Eev. John M. Ward, from April 4, 1835, to Oetol)er, 1830.
''C.'F. Cruise, to 1844.
'^Richard H. Burnham, to July, 1851.
" Van de Wort Bruce, from 1853 to 1866.
'' N. Sayre Harris, from 1866.
" — Hartung, from 1873.
Grace, Jersey Citij, was organized April 26, 1847, under the
care of Bev. A. L. Patterson, missionary for the whole county.
The first building was on the west side of Grove street, a little
to the Rnrtli of Newark avenue. This building is now in
Morgan street, occupied as an Africaii church. The present
building is on the northwest corner of Erie and Second streets;
corner stone laid December 6, 1850 ; building consecrated ^fay
18, 1853.
Pastors.
Bevs. A. L. J*atterson, from May 5, 1847, to Se]it. 20, 1848;
Milo Mahan, from Nov. 26, 1848, to ; David H. Macurdy ;
Charles Arey ; Spencer M. Bice.
Holy Trinity, late Hudson City, was organized September
10. 1851. The building is on the north side of St. Paul's avenue,
894 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
a little to the west of Central avenue. The corner stone was
laid December 10, 1851 ; the building was consecrated May 19,
1853.
Pastors.
llev. AYilliam R. Gries, from 1851 to 1855.
" Norman W. Camp, from May 17, 1855, to 1858.
" Louis L. Noble, from Nov., 1858, to 1872.
" James Chrystal, from July, 1872, to .
Trinity, Hohoken, was organized September 16, 1853. At
first the services were held in an engine house near the Napoleon
Hotel, then called the Town hall. On May 1, 1851, the place of
meeting was transferred to Odd Fellows' Hall. The building is
on the northeast corner of Washington and Seventh streets.
The corner stone was laid December 18, 1855; building com-
pleted in November, 1856. Grace chapel, on Seventllbj. street,
adjoining the church, was erectecl and preseft|;ed to the parish by
William P. Wright, as a meiiiitaiiivl- of his daughter, Grace^ It
was consecrated November 9, 1850.
Pastors.
Rev. Norman W. Camp, from Sept. 16, 1853, td\Aug. 29, 1855.
" John W. Clark, from Oct. 7, 1855, to May, 1856.
" N. Sayre Harris, from 1856, to Sept., 1865.
" Frederick Fitzgerald, from Sept., 1865, to Apg. 31, 1867.
" Reuben W. Howes, jr., from Dec. 2, 1867, to .
Trinity Free, Jersey City, was organized in September, 1854.
The first building was on the north side of York, between Grove
and Barrow streets; was opened for service June 10, 1855. It
is now occupied as a livery stable. It was abandoned by the
parish in 1862, and the Unitarian church building, on the south-
east corner of Grove and Montgomery streets, secured until 18()S,
when the church collapsed, and St. Mark's entered upon the
inheritance.
Pastors.
Rev. Stephen Douglas, from June, 1854; died Jan. 21, 1857.
" Charles H. Canfield, from 1857 to April, 1859.
1/
THE KJ'ISlXJi'AL HJLKCIIES. 39."»
Rev. Rohert R Travis, ji., fn.in May, 1859 ; died Oct. 20, ISfifi.
" Thomas Coleman, to An--. I. 1S<)8.
C/irlsf ('hiif<'h, B<)'<ien, was organizod in 1858; iiicorpoi"atc'<i
May 21, 1851>. Thelmildinc; is on the northeast corner of Clare-
iiiont avenue and Clerk street, and was consecrated in Auijust,
1 SCT.
Pastors.
Revs. Orlando llarrinian, Charles Ritter, Stephen 11. IJattin.
Trlniti/, Bergen Pointy was organized in August, 1859. The
building is on the southwest corner of Avenue E and Fifth
street ; consecrated Sept. 4, 1862.
Pastors.
Rev. Franklin S. Rising, from Aug., 1860, to Jan. 20, 1802.
" ■ Thomas A. Jaggar, from xMaj 1, 1862, to Sept. 26, 1864.
" George Zal)riskie Gray, from Feb. 12, 1865, to .
St. PauVs^ Bergen, was organized August 1, 1S60. The
chapel,. on the north side of Duncan, between ]>ergen and Grand
avenues.Was built in the spring of 1861, and opened for service
May 20, 186JL.
PASTORr^Rev^Ternando C. Putnam, from October, I860, to
the present t^liie.
Graee (late Greenville) was organized January 14, 1864. The
first building, on the west side of the old Bergen road, between
Danforth and Linden avenues, and formerly a whalebone fac-
tory, was opened for service June 12, 1864. The present build-
ing, on the corner of Ocean and Pearsall avenues, was opened
for service December 25, 1872.
Pastors.
Rev. AVilliam G. Hughes, from Oct. 22, 1864, to Nov. 1, 1867.
" John R. Matthews, from April 20, 1868, to Oct. 20, 1869.
" Frederick M. Gray, , to June 29, 1873.
3dG HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY,
Calvary^ Bayonne, was organized March 22, 1867. Occasional
services liad been held in the neigliborhood from August 24,
1 SSQ, by Kev. Robert F. Travis, jr., of Jersey City, and Eev. Wil-
liam G. Hughes, of Greenville. In May, 1865, Trinity Parish
of Bergen Point assumed charge of the enterprise. It then be-
came known as St. Bartholomew Mission. From this time until
November 19, 1865, Rev. William G. Hughes had charge of it,
and was then succeeded by Rev. Frederick M. Gray. The build-
ing is on the southw^est side of street, between Avenues C
and D ; corner-stone laid ISTovember 3, 1866 ; building opened
for service June 29, 1867.
Pastors.
Rev. Frederick M')Gray, from July 30, 1867, to Sept. 6, 1868.
" Samuel G. Appleton, from March 28, 1869, to .
St. Paul's, Jersey City, was organized February 14, 1868.
The first service was held February 5, J 868, in Luxton's Hall.
The building is on the northeast corner of New York avenue
and South street ; corner stone laid February 19, 1871 ; building
opened for service May 28, 1871.
Pastors.
Rev. Thomas M. Thorpe, from Feb. 24, 1868, to July 1, 1868.
" William Wardlaw, from Oct. 1, 1868, to Sept. 9, 1872.
" David G. Gunn, from Oct. 10, 1872, to Aug. — , 1873.
St. Maria's, Jersey City, was incorporated December 8, 1868.
The building occupied is on the southeast corner of Grove and
Montgomery streets, built by the Unitarians in 1856.
Pastors.
Rev. David H.Macurdy, from March 4, 1869, to April 30, 1871.
" John F. Butterworth, from June, 1871, to .
St. John's Free, Jersey City, was organized March 4, 1869, as
Zion Free Church. The building is on the east side of Palisade
avenue, opposite Gardner avenue ; ground broken for the foun-
dation November 30, 1870 ; corner stone laid May 7, 1871 ; base-
Till-; IIAITIST CHL'KCUKS. 307
inent opened for service Noveiiilx-r 2."), l^^TI ; liuiMiiii,' <litt<>,
February 2, IST'J.
Pastor — N. S. Kulisoii, Iroiii l^tll* to tliu present tiiiic.
jSt. John^n, West Hobokeii, was incorporated .lune 1'.', 184<J.
The cliurch building is on the iiortlieast corner ot" Warren street
and Chnton avenue; completed in October, ISV.K
Pastoks.
licvs. Orlando llurrinian ; T. M. Thorpe; Wni. T. Jarvis; —
Maturen; C. V. Jones; W. C. Cooley, lSTO-3; George Cham-
bers, from Nov., 1873, to .
East Neicai'k- /'. A'. Church was organized about 1843. The
church buildinir is on the corner of Tliinl and Warren streets.
The following are a few of the
Pastors :
Ilev. ;Messrs, Mycr, Hooper, AVcbb, Orr, Webb.
!>t. JoluCs^ liayonne, was organized in 1872 ; incor])orated
March 12, 1872. This church was organized as a mission of Trin-
ity, of Bergen Point.
Pastor — Tiev. AVashington Rodman, from 1872 to the ])resent
time.
ISt. L^ikes^ Jersey City, was organized in August, 1873. The
place of worship is on the corner of iSouth street and Central
avenue.
Pastor — liev. David (i. (iunn.
Cliurch tpfthe Ato/ie/nent, Hoboken, was incorporated May VJ,
180U.
I'.AiTl^r CUURCHES.
7 he Particular liapt'i'<i Church af Jcns'ij Citij and Jlartn-
//^v.y was organized March 11, ls30. The building occu[)iod is
398 HISTORY OF hudson county.
vet stauding- on the west side of Barrow street, between ]S"ewark
and Railroad avenues.
Pastors.
Rev. Joseph Houghwout, from 1838 to 1841.
" John O. Edmunds, from 1841 to 1842.
" ■ Arus Haynes, from 1842 to 1844.
" William Smith, from 1844 to 1847.
The Jersey City Baptist Church was organized March 11,
1844.
Pastors.
Rev. William Rollinson, from May to Nov., 1843.
" Silas C. James, from March to Sept., 1844.
" Joseph M. Morris, from April 1, 1845, to Feb. 26, 1846.
" William Gooding, from Aug. 11, 1846, to Feb. 15, 1847.
The Grand Street Baptist Churchy Jersey City, was organized
ill 1844.
Pastor — Rev, Arus Haynes, from 1844 to 1847.
The Union Baptist Church, which, by legislative act in 1868,
was changed to The First Baptist Church of Jersey City, was
organized March 1, 1848, out of the material composing the
other Baptist churches. The building is on the east side of
Grove, between Wayne and Mercer streets. The basement was
opened for service April 11, 1852 ; the building was dedicated
July 17, 1853.
Pastors.
Rev. O. C. Wheeler, from April 6, 1848, to :N'ov. 21, 1848.
" William Yerrinder, from Dec. 1, 1849, to April 1, 1854.
'' Wheelock H. Parmly, from Se})t. 1, 1854, to .
The First Baptist Church of New Durham was organized in
1837. The first building was on the Secaucus road, at the foot
of Weehawken hill. The present building is on the east side of
the Hackensack turnpike ; erected in 1854.
Pastors — Rev. George F. Hendrickson, Joseph Perry, George
IIIK IJAI'lIST CIIUKCHES. J^91)
P. Martin, Julin Gibbs, Win. I)onii:iii Wriulit, Jiiiiies A. Met/.,
Jolin E, Perrino, and Thomas F. Clancy (present pastor).
The First Baptist Churc/i, Hudson City, was organized in 1857.
Tlio buildinjz: is on the west side of I>er£^en avenue, near tlu' Five
Corners.
Pastors.
Kev. Marvin Eastwood, from 1858 to 1860.
*' Jiev. Halsey J. Knapj^, from 1860 to 1864.
'' .1. W. Custis, from 1865 to 1867.
" Charles E. Cordo, from 1867 to .
" T. K. Howlett, from 1861» to 1872.
" W. r.. Harris, from Feb. 6. 1872, to .
The Bethesda Bajdtst Church, Jersey City, was recognized
July 11, 1858. The building was located on the north side of
Fifth street, between Erie street and Jersey avenue. The church
was disbanded in 1863.
Pastors.
Rev. Mr. Paymond, at tlie time of recognition.
" Matthew C. Kempsey, from Sept. 30, 1858, to I860.
'^ George A. Post, from 1861 to 1863.
The First Baptist Church, Hoboken, was organized in 1845.
The first building, on the northeast corner of Washington and
Third streets, was sold to the First Presbyterian Church in 1851.
The present building is on the northwest corner of Bloomfield
and Tliird streets ; dedicated November 4, 1852.
Pastors.
Revs. Aaron S. Patton ; Josiah llatt, from 1846 to 1855; A.
Harris, from 1860 to 1870 ; — Maull, 1873.
The West IFoloken Baptist Church was organized in 1854.
The first building, on the northeast corner of De Mott street and
Clinton avenue, was built by John Syms in about 1856. The
])resent building is on the corner of C^linton avenue and Serrell
street; begun in 1866; to be dedicated January 15, 1874.
4:00 HISTORY OF HUDSON COU«TY.
Pastoes. ^
Kev. C. A. Buckbee, - — • James, Eobert McGonigle/-^U2^ A
Devan, William Gilkes, 1870, present pastor.
The F'lrnt Bajjiht CJmrch, Bergen, was orgiinized Feb. 7,
1859 ; recognized June 17, 1860. The building is on the north-
west corner of Clinton place and Madison avenue. The chapel
was dedicated in September, 1860. The corner stone of the
building was laid May 8, 1871; the building dedicated March
31, 1872.
Pastors.
Kev. W. B. Shrope, from Sept., 1859, to Aug., 1860.
" G. W. Pendleton, from Nov., i860, to Sept., 1862.
" J. S. Ladd, from Oct., 1862, to March, 1864.
" William Bollinson, from Oct., 1865.
" Walter W. Hammond, present pastor.
The Noi-th Baptist Church, Jersey City, was organized Sept.
28, 1865. The building is on the east side of Jersey avenue, be-
tween Fourth and Fifth streets; dedicated in April, 1867.
Pastor — Be v. Henry A. Cordo, from Oct. 1, 1866, to Nov.
26, 1871, when he resigned. In 1872 he was recalled, theie
having been no intermediate pastor,
lite First Baptist Church of the Town of Union was or-
ganized in 1864; incorporated Jan. 19, 1865. The building,
erected in 1866, is on the northeast corner of Bergen Line avenue
and Franklin street.
Pastors — Rev. Washington Wicks, James Metz, Edwin Shaf-
fer, George F. Hendrickson, who resigned in August, 1873.
The German Pilgrim Baptist Church, Hudson City, was in-
corporated June 1, 1866.
The First German Regular Baptist Churchy West Hoboken,
was organized in November, 1868 ; incorporated February 15,
1869. The building at present occupied is in Hoboken avenue,
TIIK I>KI>I!V1KI{I.\.N ('III'KCUKS. 401
near Clinton uveniit'. Tlu' huildini; of the I'irst liiiptist (JlinrQli
will be occupied \\\ivu that body occupies their new building.
Pastous.
Revs. ('. Frederick Bluinenberg, Au.sternielil, (ieorge
Knablach, ^[ichael Jliitlin.
The Hamilton /'(///,■ Ji'i^itlxt Chiir<h was recognized May 21>,
1^73.
Pastor — Rev. Aaron S. Patton.
ThK PRESJiYTEKIAN CnUKOnESi
In ISOIJ a society was organized in Jersey City under the care
of Rev. Dr. ]\riller. In April, 1813, this society obtained the
privilege of holding service in the " Jersey Academy," alternat-
ing the Sundays with St. Matthew's P. E. Clinrcli. A Presby-
tciian ('liurch was organized December 15, 1825. A frame
building was erected on the site of the present First Reformed
( litircli in (iraiid street. The corner stone was laid by Coltjiid
Richard Yarick, ]\Iay 18, 182^). Rev. James S. Olcott was pas-
tor until 1829. On February ir», 1830, the church, by action of
the congregation, diss(jlved its connection with the Presbyterians,
and became the F'irst Reformed ( 'hurcli.
2 he Flnt Preshi/terlan CA^y-cA, Jersey City, was organized
April 22, 184-1-, the services being held in the First Reformed
Church. The buildiny; is on the northeast corner of AVashiiiiiton
and Sussex streets ; cui'uer stone laid October 4, 1844 ; dedicated
May 25, 1845. This building was brought from Xew York city,
where it stood un tln' north side of Wall street. It was known
as the " stone-steepled Meeting House ; '' built in 1718 ; enlarged
in 17(58 ; rebuilt in 181(> ; destroyed by fire in the fall of 1^34.
and immediately rebuilt. It was the only church in the city in
which Whitfield could obtain a hearing. He preached in it
many times. Its sizeand shajjc are now what they were prior
to its removal to Jersey City, only the basement has been added
and the pews and pul]»it have been reconstructed.
Pastoks.
Rev. John Joliii.-ton, from May 20, l.s44, to May 27, 1850.
•21 i
402 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Rev. Lewis H. Lee, Associate, from Nov. 15, 1848, to Jan., 1850.
" David King,i from Jmie 12, 1850, to Oct. 12, 1851.
" Charles K. Imbrie, from Feb. 11, 1852, to present time.
The Second Freshjterian Church, Jerse)^ City, was organized
September 9, 1851. The building is on the north side of Third
street, between Erie street and Jersey avenue ; dedicated Janu-
ary IT, 1858, and, after enlargement, March 21, 1869.
Pastors.
Rev. Charles Hoover, from June 30, 1852, to 1850.
" George C. Lucas, from May 31, 1860, to 1863.
" James M. Stevenson,^ from Oct. 15, 1864, to 1871.
" Hiram Eddy, from May 30, 1871, to present time.
The Scotch Presbyterian ChurcJi, now known as The Third
Preshyterian Church, Jersey City, was organized May 29, 1856.
At first the old building in Barrow street, between Newark and
Railroad avenues, was occupied ; then a building in Grove street.
In October, 1862, the congregation secured the " Tabernacle," a
frame building on the southeast corner of Erie and Fifth streets.
A building, nearly completed, is now being erected in Mercer
near Yarick street.
Pastors.
Rev. James Petrie, from Nov. 5, 1856, to 1858.
" AVilliam Cochrane, from June 7, 1859, to March 28, 1862.
" James Harkness, from Oct. 21, 1862, to present time.
The Third Preshyterian Church, Jersey CHty, was organized
May 13, 1859 ; Rev, James Cubby, jjastor. Union Hall, on the
southwest corner of Grove and Fourth streets, was, for a while,
occupied as a place of worship. Though a '' feeble folk," the
'organization was very zealous in committing harl-harl. It was
altogether too militant. Its existence was turbulent, happily
brief, and its nunc diinittis applauded by all who believe that a
church should lift its members above the level of the hei'o of
Donnybrook Fair.
The Presbyterian Chiirch, Hoboken, was organized June 9,
1 Died May 15, 1853. -^ Died October 18, 1871.
THE PRK.SBYTEKIAN CIILKCIIE.S. 403
1852. A moveiiiuiit tor such .ui ur^Miiizutiou was luado as early
as October, IS.")!, and in Novetnber of tliat year the building of
the Baptist Church, on the southwest corner of Washington and
Third streets, was purchased. The present building is on the
southeast corner of Sixth and Hudson streets; dedicated Feb-
ruary 23, 1865.
Kev. Isaac 1'. Stryker, from June 11, 185-1-.
'' William 11. Babbitt, from 1859 to 1864.
" E. P. Gardner, from 1865 to 187<».
'' James ^Farshall, present past(»r.
The Fii'.st Pre.sljijti rill n Churcli, Hcrgen, was organized Oc-
tober 24, 1855. The building is on the north side of Emory
street, between Bergen and Montieello avenues ; was dedicated
October 28, 1858.
Kev. Edward W. French tlie only pastor.
Prospect Amuir J*r< shi/ferian Churchy Jersey City, was or-
ganized June 13, 1871, although regular services had been main-
tained in a hall on Xewark avenue from December 11, 1870.
Pastor — Kev, John Glendenning, from Oct. 26, 1871, to pres-
ent time.
The First Presbyterian Churchy AVest Iloboken, was organ-
ized June 12, 1850. The building is on Clinton avenue; corner
stone laid September 4, 1850 ; dedicated June 25, 1851.
Kev. James C. Egbert, from June 13, 1855, is the first and
oidy pastor.
The Claremont Preshyterian Churchy Jersey City, was organ-
ized in February, 1868. The building is on the south side of
Claremont avenue, between Ocean avenue and Clerk street ; cor-
ner stone laid August 8, 1869; opened for service December 30,
1S69. -D
Pastors.
Kev. Samuel W. Duffield, from May 8, 1870.
" J. McNulty,from 1872 to August, 1873.
TheWeehawTcen Pre-shyterlon Church was organized in Octo-
404 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
ber, 1868, The church building is located at Weehawken, on the
west side of Park avenue extended, and north of Nineteenth
street; begun in August, 1870; dedicated in May, 1871.
Pastors.
Revs. Robert Pror.dlit ; George P. Noble, from Feb., 1870, to
April 1, 1871 ; Robert R. Townsend, from Aug. 1, 1871, to the
present time.
The First United Preshyter'ian Chtirch, Hoboken, was organ-
ized November 29, 1854, as The First Associate Fresbyterlan
Church j took its present name in 1858, when the union between
the Associate and the Associate Reformed churches was consum-
mated. The church building is on the southeast corner of Bloom-
tield and Seventh streets ; erected 1856; opened for service on
the last Sunday in November, 1856.
Pastors.
Rev. Wm. G. McElhany, from May 10, 1855, to May 20, 1860.^
" Samuel C. Marshall, from July 16, 1861, to April 1, 1863.
" Henry Allen, from April 3, 1867, to Dec. 26, 1867.^
" Robert Armstrong, from Dec. 2, 1868.
The First United Presbyterian Church, Jersey City, was or-
ganized October 15, 1862; incorporated August 1, 1863. The
society occupies the old church building in Barrow street, between
Newark and Railroad avenues.
Pastors.
Rev. Robert A. Hill, from Nov. ~, 1864, to Nov. — , 1870.
" Thomas W. Pollock, from May 17, 1871, to present time.
The Second United F I'eshyterian Church, Jersey City, was or-
ganized in April, 1871. The building is on Hancock avenue,
south of Bowers street.
Rev. Robert Armstrong, tirst and only pastor.
Methodist Episcopal Churches.
As early as 1811 an ettbrt was made to establish an M. E. church
' Died in charffe.
TIIK MKTHODIST CIIUUCHES. 405
in \]uA county. Tlie uppointmetits were made to " Berp^cn/'
which in.iv inivin the Coiuitv <>f Bertreii. Thcv were as follows:
lievs. ,Iolm Kohertson, 1811-12; Daniel Fidler, 1812-13;
.l()se])h Totten, isl;',-14; Stei^lien Martiiidalo, 1S14-15 ; David
Host, ISI.VIO; dulm Fiiilev, 1810-17; Peter Van Ness, 1817-18;
Jos. Sybrand, 1818-11) ; John Potts, 1810-20 : George Banghart,
1820-2; Manning Force, 1822-3; Bcnjaniin (Vdlins, 1823-4;
P.artholotnew Weed, 182-l-2(;; David P.artine, 1820-27.
At tliis date the ap{)uintrnents seoin to ha\e hroken off.
January 20, 1820, Antliony Cathlin, Archer G. Welsh, Iliram
L. Meeker, James J. Seaman and Josiali llornhlovver certified to
their election as trustees of ^^T/ie Fimt Metliodist Society of the
7o)vn and Covntij of Bergen P It is prol)able that this referred
to the " Berfjen Mission," which afterward revived and became
the Simpson (Jhurch.
The next effort was at Bergen Neck, where a mission was
started, to whicli appointments were made as follows :
Revs. Thomas G. Stewart, 1831-2; John H. McFarland,
1832-3; John N. Crane, 1833-4; John Nicholson, 1834-5.
This mission terminated in the Bergen Neck (now Mattison)
Church.
Trimfii M. E. Church, Jersev Citv, was oro-anized in 1835.
The first building was a frame structure, and stood on "legs " —
Methodism was more itinerant then than now. The present
building is on the south side of York street, between Washing-
ton and Warren streets ; corner stone laid May 5, 1843; dedi-
cated December 25, 1843.
Pastors.
Revs. John McClintock, 1835-6; Wesley C. Hudson, 1830-7;
Benjamin Day, 1838-9 ; Charles H.Whitecar, 1835>-41 ; James M.
Tuttle, 1841-2 ; Vincent Shepherd, 1842-4; AVilliam Roberts,
1844-6 ; Francis A. Morrell, 1846-8 ; Joseph B. Wakely, 1848-
50 ; James M. Tuttle, 1850-51 ; Israel S. Corbit, 1851-3; James
Ayars, 1853-5 ; Charles IF. AVhitecar. 1855-7 ; Isaac W. AViley/
' Mr. Wiley left in August, 1853, and was succeeded by Mr. Monroe for the
n-mainder of the year.
406 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
1857-9; Jonathan T. Crane, 1859-60; James Ayars, 1860-1;
William P. Corbit, 1861-2 ; Kobert L. Dashiel, 1862-4; Isaac W.
Wiley, 1864-5; Samuel Y. Monroe, 1865-6; Hiram Mattison,
1866-8 ; George H. Whitney,^ 1868-70 ; David W. Bartine, 1870
-3 ; John Atkinson, 1873-
The Simpson M. E. Church, Jersey City, was organized in
1841, the first service being held in a schoolhonse near the Five
Corners. Previous to 1844 it was known as the " Bergen Mis-
sion." The first building was the present police station in Oak-
land, between Newark and Hoboken avenues. The present build-
ing is on the west side of Central avenue, near St. Paul's avenue ;
basement dedicated in 1857 ; building dedicated in 1858.
Pastors.
Kevs. Benj. N. Keed, 1839-40 ; Lewis T. Maps, 1840-41 ;
Wm. M. Burroughs, 1841-2 ; Abraham T. Palmer, 1842-3 ; Wm.
E. Perry, 1843-4; Aaron E. Ballard, 1844-5; David Graves,
1845-6; John W. Barrett, 1846-7; Garner R.Snyder, 1847-8;
Wm. M. Burroughs, 1848-9 ; F. Bobbins, 1849-50; F. S. Hoyt,
1850-1 ; John Dean, 1851-2 ; Edwin A. Day, 1852-4; Edward
A. Adams, 1854-6; Alex. H. Mead, 1856-8; A. L. Price,
1858-60 ; John O. Winner, 18(50-2 ; Thomas H. Smith, 1862-4 ;
Michael E.Ellison, 1864-7; Ralph S. Arnt, 1867-70; Robert
B. Lockwood, 1870-3; Wm. Tunison, 1873-
The Mattison M. E. Vhiirch, Bayonne, was incorporated June
22, 1844, as The Bergen Neck Chtirch. The name was changed
by Legislative act, February 26, 1868. The building was erected
on the east side of Avenue D, near Twenty-ninth street; corner
stone laid in 1854 ; dedicated in 1855. In 1808 or '69 it was
moved to the southwest corner of Oakland avenue and Avenue I).
Pastors."^
Revs. Waters Burrows, 1857-8; James H. Dandy, 1861-3;
' Mr. Whitney was elected President of the Seminary at Hacketstown in Au-
gust, 18(59.
'^ The Pastors of the Greenville Church were in chargre of this church until
1865, except the years 1857-8 and 18(51-3. During these three years it at-
tempted to stand alone, l)ut was too feeble.
Till'; MICrilODIST CHUKCMKS. 407
Steplieii K. liu^sell, isiw; 8; Kiioc-li \'. K'iii<r, 1868-1) ; A. C>ai<r,
l86!>-70; .1. Kmi.rv, lsTO-1 ; Ahiu. .1. I'lilmcr, ls71-2; W. L.
Hoaghuul, 1S72-4.
*S^;^. /'(tid'n JI. 1'.. C/ku'c/i^ Jersey City, was ()r<»;imize(l in July,
1848, as the J/. I'l. ihiin-h at I*inu)n}ii. The buildiiii;- is on the
north side oF Third, hctwecn Grove and Erie streets ; corner
stone hii<l I)ecend)er 25, 184'.> ; l)aseinent opened for service June
80, 1850; dedicated November 27, 1850.
Pastors.
Revs. Dayton F. Reed, 1849-50; John Parker, 1850-1 ; Rol)-
ert Given, 1851-2; George Iluglies, 1852-4 ; Michael E. Ellison,
1854-»;: Richard Van Horn, 1850-8 ; Wm. Tiinison, 1858-60;
Lewis \l. Uunn, 18t;0-2; Ricliard Van Horn, 1862-4; Wni.
Tunison, 1864-7; Lewis R. Dunn, 1867-70; Charles Larew,
1870-3; Daniel R. L.wrie, 1873-
The Greenville M. E. Church was incorporated July 20, 1845.
The building is on the south side of Linden avenue, between
Ocean avenue and Bergen road; dedicated January 6, 1846.
This society was connected with Bergen until 1S51.
Pastors.
Revs. Waters Burrows, 1851-3 ; David Waters, 1853-4; Ben-
jamin F. Woolston,^ 1854-5 ; Edwin A. Day, 1855-6 ; William
C. Nelson, 1656-7; Waters Burrows, 1857-8; Isaac W. Ilaff,
1858-6i>; Thomas E. Gordon, 1860-1 ; S. L. Baldwin, 1861-2 ;
Richard Johns, 1862-3; William (t. Hughes, 1863-4; Bront
Slaight, 1864-5 ; Ambrose S. Compton, 1865-7 ; Fletcher Lum-
mis, 1867-70 ; Egbert Clement, 1870-3 ; Charles R. Barnes,' 1873.
The Ifohol'cn M. ?J. Churrh was incorporated June 24, 1846.
The Urst building was (»n the corner of Fourth and Garden
streets; cornerstone laid Octol)er 1, 1846; dedicated April 12,
1848. This was upon property belonging to the city. A new
buildino; was erected ^n the east side of Washington, between
Seventh and Eighth streets ; cornci' .^tnnc laid 0('ti)l)er 15,1869;
dedicated Februarv 25. 1872.
' Mr. Woolston left in September, 18")4. mid .Mr. Day took his place.
408 history of hudson county.
Pastors.
Kevs. David Graves, 1846-8 ; G. K. Snyder, 1848-9 ; William
W. Christine, 1849-50 ; Michael E. Ellison, 1850-2 ; Joseph B.
Dobbins, 1852-4 ; Charles S. Coit, 1854-5 ; J6nathan K. Burr,
1855-7; Joseph K. Knowles, 1857-9; J. O. Kogers, 1859-60;
Alexander L. Brice, 1860-2 ; John O. Winner, 1862-4 ; Jona-
than Iv. Burr, 1864-7; Michael E. Ellison, 1867-70; William
Tunison, 1870-3 ; Jonathan K. Burr, 1873.
The Redding M. E. Church, Jersey City, was organized
March 20, 1855; incorporated May 10, 1855. The building is
on the north side of Montgomery, between Grove and Barrow
streets ; corner stone laid August 15, 1855 ; lecture room dedi-
cated January 20, 1856; building dedicated April 11, 1858.
Pastors.
Eevs.Waters Burrows, to April, 1855 ; Kobert B. Yard, 1855-7 :
William Day, 1857-9 ; Charles Larew, 1859-61 ; James E.
Bryan, 1861-3 ; William Day, 1863-6 ; John Hanlon, 1866-9 ;
James M. Freeman, 1869-72 ; Robert B. Yard, 1872-4.
The Coinminiipaio M. E. CJturcJi was incorporated April 14,
1853. The building is on the south side of Communipaw avenue,
near ]^ew York bay ; corner stone laid June 8, 1854 ; dedicated
October 15, 1854. At the time of this dedication, Bev. T. C.
Carman was pastor. He is the only pastor the society ever had
exclusively. Since then it has been connected with Greenville,
Trinity oi' Emory.
The Emory M. E. Church, Jersey City, was incorporated
July 8, 1862. The first building was on the corner of Mill road
and Colden place. It is now occupied by the First ITniversalist
Church. The second building is on the north side of Belmont,
between Bergen and Westside avenues ; corner stone laid June
18, 1871; dedicated in 1872.
Pastors.
Bevs. Charles E. Winans, 1863-4; John J. Morrow, 1864-7 ;
Daniel E. Lowrie, 1867-70 ; John Atkinson, 1870-3; S. Van
Benschoten, 1873-
iiir; MKTiiODiS'r ciirui iiks. 401)
Tlte r<iHxa<li' j\I. v.. Cfmrch^ Jerscij ^ V^^, was incorporated
May 20, lSr)S. Tlii' l)uil(liiiii: i?^ nn the west side of Pjilisade
Mveinie. a little soiitli nt tiiu I'atersoii l'l;mk rojid.
P.\sn ti;s.
Ke\>. 'rii(iiiia> I", (iiiidoii, lst;i 2: Henry ^I. Siniprioii,
ls»*.!> ;', : .lames .1. r.nswell, lS()3-4 : .James N. Fitzgerald,
ls»;4 7: IJenjamiii (). Parviji, 1S67-70 ; John S. Porter, 1870-8;
(reortxe Winsoii. 1^78-
'J'/ir CrnhiKiri/ M. /:'. (Inirr/i^ Jersey City, was ori^anized
April 17. 1S07, in('or])urated September 27, 1807. The huildiiii:-
i> oil the nortli side of J*avonia avenue, between Cole and Mon-
mouth streets ; corner stone laid Se])teniber 26, 1S70 ; basement
dedicated >\piil 30, 1871. J*rior to this latter date, services
were lit'ld in Pnion Hall, on the southwest corner of Grove and
Fourth streets.
1 ASTOKS.
Pevs. David (h-aves, 1807-8: Hamilton C. McBride, 1868-9 ;
James P.. Faulks, 1809-72; Edson W. Purr, 1872-4.
The Wext Etui M. E. Church, Jersey City, was organized
September 1, 180S. The]building is on the east side of Toncle
avenue, between St. Paul's and Tuers avenues.
Past(^rs.
Revs, lleiuy M. Simpson, 1869-71 ; Charles R.Parnes, 1871-3 ;
Thomas II. .lacobus, 1873.
lltf Lafai/ctte M. E. Church, Jersey City, was incorporated
April 21, 1873. The building is on the west side of Pine street,
between Communipaw avenue and Lafayette street.
Pastors.
Pvevs. AV. L. Iloagland, 1809-72 ; A. IT. Tuttle, 1872-3.
The W<ir<:rlij M. E. Clivrvh i liock Jiidiic Cha})il), Jersey
City, was incorporated December 20, 187<». The building is on
the corner of Palisade and New York avenues ; begun in De-
cember, 1870; dedicated November 19, 1871.
Pastors.
Revs. Henry Baker, 1870-3; Abraham .1. Palmer, 1873.
410 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
The Janes M. E. Chui^ch was incorporated March 10, 1870.
Pastors.
Revs. Thomas Hall, 1870-3 ; J. F. Dodd, 1873.
The Porter M. E. Church, Bonnville, in West Hoboken town-
ship, was incorporated November 14, 1870. It was a mission, and
had no pastor until 1873, when Rev. John Campbell was ap-
pointed. The building is on the east side of Bergen Line avenue,
and a little south of the Hackensack turnpike ; dedicated Sep-
tember 19, 1870.
The Arlington M. E. Church, Kearney. The corner stone
of the building was laid (as per newspaper) November 23, 1873.
Pastor — Rev. Mr. Blaine.
The East Newark Wesley M. E. Church was organized some
years ago. A second building is now being erected ; corner
stoue laid July 2, 1873 ; dedicated January 4, 1874.
Pastor — ^Rev. J. L. Hayes.
St. Johan^ie's M. E. Church ; building in Central, near New
York avenue.
Pastor — Rev, C. Brockmeyer.
There are several colored churclies in the county of the M. E.
persuasion.
Roman Catholic Churches.
The Roman Catholics of New Jersey were under the jurisdic-
tion of the diocese of New York until October 30, 1853, when
the diocese of New Jersey was created, and James Rosevelt
Bayley consecrated bishop.
St. Peter'' s R. C. Church, Jersey City. The first building
erected for this congregation was on the north side of Grand, be-
tween Washington and Warren streets ; begun in 1831 ; opened
for service in 1837 ; consecrated in 1839, by Bishop Hughes,
assisted by Bishop Fenwick, of Boston. The present building
is on the northeast corner of Grand and Van Yorst streets :
/
KOKMKKI.Y PASTOK oK ST. I'PITKK S.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHUKCHK8. 41 I
(;orner stone laid in August, 1865 ; opened for service Deccniber
ir», ISO"). The .Jesuit Fatliers took possession of tliis parish
April i:^., 1871.
i ASTOUS.
Rev. Fathers Burns, Molian, (Quarter, Ro<^ers, Heiiney, Reilc\ .
John Ivelly, from Noveniher 1-J, l'^4-l-, to ISfW; ; Patrick (yorii-
^r;in, tioiii 18«5»5 to 1871 ; Victor Raudcvin, from 1871.
St. Mni'if>i li. ( '. ( '/nn-c/i, -lersey City, dates from April, 1S.")'.».
The lMiiUlin<^is on the northeast corner of Erie and Third streets ;
corner stone laid in June, 18t')l ; consecrated in May, 1808.
Pastor — Rev. Dominick Senez, from A})ril 1, LS.Mt.
St. Mdi'ifs Ii. C (7iur(7i,Wetit IToboken. The l)uildinor is on
the northeast corner of High street and Clinton avenue ; erected
in 1851 ; consecrated November 23, 1851. In this church is a
copy of an oil painting of " Our Lady of Mercy," presented by
Cardinal Brignole, of Rome, who received it from Paci Typoliti,
of Rimini, as an e.c-voto for his preservation from death.
Pastor — Rev. Anthony Cauvin, from 'Fuly, 1851, to Ai)ril 21.
iMll. On this latter date the t-hurch was placed in charge of
the Passionist Fathers of the Monastery.
St. Mni'iji< li. ('. C/^?^/'t?/', Iloboken. Services were first held
in Ploboken in June, 1841, by Father Mohan, of St. Peter's, Jer-
sey City. On December (!, Ib44, Rev. John Rogers read mass
in Plueni.x Hotel, and continued in charge of the enterprise until
April 1, 1845. In July, 1851, Rev. Anthony Cauvin took
charge of that parr of the county which lies north of the Five
(■orners. The church building is on the corner of Willow ami
I'ifth streets ; corner stone laid Sei>tember 3, 1854 : consecrateil
•lune 24, 185"). The large i>ainting in this church is a co])y of
the Madonna of I'oliguo, by Raphael, executed by order i>f
Charles Felix, King of Sardinia, by him be(pieathed to the Duke
of Genoa, brother of the Kingcjf Italy, and by him presented ti>
I'ather Cauvin in 1S54. It was crowned by P)ishoi) IJayley Jum-
20, 1858. The crown was presented by the Duchess of Oenoa.
In a side altar repose the " Relies of St. Quietus, Martyr," de-
l)0sited June 1, 185(5 ; found in the Catacombs January 2i>, 1840 ;
412 niSTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
presented by Pope Pius IX. The chalice and sanctuary lamp
were presented by the Emperor Napoleon III. ; the silver osten-
i?orium by Victor Emmanuel, and the painting of the Crucifixion
l)y Henry Hoguet, of New York.
Pastok— Eev. Anthony Caiivin, from July 1851, to Aug., 1873.
St. Josephh R. C. Church, Jersey City, was organized as St.
Bridgefs in June, 1856. The first church building was a frame
structure on Hopkins avenue, erected in 1850. The second
church buiidino; was on the southeast corner of Baldwin and
Pavonia avenues ; corner stone laid in August, 1857 ; opened
for service December 25, 1857 ; consecrated October 17, 1858.
The third church l)uilding is on the site of the second ; corner
stone laid July 19, 1869 ; basement opened for service June 8,
1871; building consecrated September 14, 187.3.
Pastors — Eev. James Coyle, 1856-7 ; Aloysius Vanuta, 1857.
St. Mart/ 8 Star of the Sea R. C. Church.^ Bergen Point. The
church building was consecrated March 18, 1860.
Pastors — Fathers Callan, Vincent, Timothy, Neilass and
Neiderhauser
St. Patrick'' s R. C. Church, Jersey City, organized May 1,
1S70. The church building is on the northeast corner of Ocean
and Bramhall avenues; corner stone laid November 13, 1870;
chapel opened for service November 10, 1872.
St. MichaeVs R. C. Church, Jersey City, was established as
St. Mary's. The first building was on the southwest corner of
Erie and Tenth streets ; erected in 1855 ; opened for service Oct.
21, 1855. The present church building is on the north side of
Hamilton square ; corner stone laid Septembers, 1872; dedicat-
ed August 17, 1873.
Pastor — Father Da Concilio.
St. Boniface R. C. Church, Jersey City, was organized in 1862.
The church building is on the north side of First street, between
Erie street and Jerse}' avenue ; corner stone laid in June, 1864 ;
]>asement opened for service in November, 1864.
Pastor — Rev. Dominick Kraus.
rilK KOMAN CAriloMC CM I liC II KS. 4l'i
Our l.aihj of (jvace li. ('. <'/i'in-fi, .Iciscv City, wf.s iiicorjto-
rated September 2<>, 1S04.
St. Paurn li. ('. Churchy (rreenvillc, was iiK.'orporated Octo-
ber 1-i, l^t'.4.
('/mrr/i i>f fli, IIdIi/ 1'\i mil ij.^ ("iiicii Ilill, was iu(ror|)urate<l
FebriKiry 28, 18(»'.'. The chureli buildini; is uii the north side of
-lellersoii street, l)etw(,'en I')ert:;eii Wuoil and Ber^eii IJiic avenue^.
Pastok — liev. Vincent Xagler.
St. PauVs of the Cross Ji. ( '. ('/mrr/t.^ -Jersey City, was ineor-
l)orated September 15, 1867. The church buihlinii; is on Han-
cock avenue, near Bowers aveiine : corner stone hiid in ISTn;
opened for service in 1871.
Pastor — Rev. P. Bandiiu-lli.
St. Bi-ohjefs li. ('. CAw/'fA, Jersey City. The church buihlinij
is in Mercer street; consecrated .June 5, 1870. A new building
is nearly completed.
St. Pius R. ( '. Churc/i, Hoboken.was incorporated June *J, 1801.
Pastor — Rev. James J. McCjahan.
St. I'u'fl'.s R. ('. i'/iurch. Jersey Citv. The church is on the
corner of Manners and Bergen avenues ; corner stone laid in
May, 18t!l); basement opened for service January 1, 1870.
St. J*aars German R. ('. C/mrch^ Ilnbuken, was organized
in October, 1871.
Pastor — Rev. Angelus Kempcn.
St. JosepKs R. ('. C/titrr/i. (-ruttenberg, was incorporated
March PJ, 1860.
Pastor — Rev. Tiiuutliy Pacitti.
R. ( '. ( 'hurch, East Xewark, corner stone laid August 13, 1871.^
R. C. Church on Washington avenue, near Van Yorst avenue;
corner stone hiid in 1869; consecrated October Itl, 1^70.'
Of these two cliurdn-s I havf no n-liablc iuJ'onualion.
414 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
St. MichaeVs Monastery, West Hoboken, founded in 1863 ;
corner stone laid July 18, 1864.
Congregational Churches.
The First Congregational Church, Jersey City, was incor-
porated September 10, 1841. It did not thrive.
The Tahernacle Church, Jersey City, was organized April 14,
1858; incorporated April 13, 1859. The building is on the
southeast corner of Henderson and York streets ; dedicated in
May, 1862. In 1858 services were held in Franklin Hall ; in
18<il in the Lyceum in Grand street ; from 1861 to 1862 in the
Unitarian church on the corner of Montgomery and Grove
streets.
Pastors.
Eev. William C. Bartlett in 1858 ; Eev. John Milton Holmes,^
from May 23, 1861, to May, 1869; Kev. Giles B. Wilcox, from
December 8, 1869, to the present time.
The Second ( Congregational ('hureh, Jersey City, was organized
June 9, 1869 ; recognized October 13, 1869. The building is on
the southwest corner of Summit and St. Paul's avenues ; dedi-
cated May 8, 1870.
Pastors.
Eev. Leavitt Bartlett, from June, 1869, to July, 1871 ; Rev.
George Lewis, from August, 1871.
German Churches.
The German Evangelical Lutheran St. PauVs Church, in
Harsimus, was incorporated October 24, 1850 ; Rev. A. Geissen-
heimer, pastor. Its existence was brief.
The German Evangelical Lutheran St. Matthias Church,
Jersey City, was organized in 1860. The society purchased the
Bethesda Baptist Church building in 1862.
' Died September 20, 1871.
TIIK (JKK'MAN < 111 i;( lll>. 41.
ASKH;.-,.
Revs, ('arl iM. Wiissidlo, tmiii NoVfuilicr, iStiO, tu l^'chruarv,
1802; Julius Augustus I>;ini:;eroth, tVom Fcbrusirv, 1SM2, to Miiy
28, 18l'>*'> ; (Teuri^e Ewli, from -luiie 17, 186f), to the present time.
The (rirman h'i:<(n<f> Ileal Lntlicran. SI. Mattlinni i'lnireh,
Ilobokeii, was or<!;aiiize(l November 23, lSr)<;. Tlie church ])uihl-
inijj is on the southwest corner of AVashini:;ton and Third strect>.
purchased of the First Presbyterian ('hiircli, Aj)ril 10, 18»>4.
Pastor — Rev. Carl M. AVassidlo, from the ori^anization to the
j>resent time.
I nitiiamuT f< ('hnrch of flu KediKjelicnl A-s-soctntlna, Union
Hill, was organized in 1805; incorporated June 27, 18(55. The
bnildini^ is on the west side of New York avenue, between
I'nion and Lewis streets; erected in 1865.
Pastors.
Revs, (.'hristiun Meyer, 1865-7; Adam Ciatchel, J8<i7-1>:
(instav Sharp, 18()0-70; Nicholas Gable, 1870-3; T. A. Plat-
tenberg, 1873.
Zion Cliurch of tin EcaiujeUcal AnaooiatUm, Greenville, was
organized AEay 30, 1866. The building is on tlic south side of
Waverly avenue, near Bergen avenue; begun in IStWI; com-
pleted in lS<i7. The name was afterward clianged to Eccuujeli-
cal Lutheran Zion Church.
Pastors.
Revs. Ryaha. Kuhn, Shuner.
Salein ('hur<-h of the Ecahijelival Atinociation^ Greenville, was
incorporated June 3, l.sr.9. Tlie building is on the west side of
Bergen avenue, between Pearsall avenue and Factory lane;
erected iu 1870.
Pastors.
Revs. Nicholas Goebel ; Emanuel Glazer.
The German Independent Congregation, IIol)oken, was incor-
porated April 3, 1867.
416 history of hudson county.
Unitakians.
The Unitarian (Jhwrch, Jersey City, was organized in 1853,
The building (now St. Mark's) is on the southeast corner of
Grove and Montgomery streets; dedicated September 19, 1S5».
Pastor — Rev. O. B. Frothinoham, until 1858. The oro-aniza-
tion shortly afterward disbanded.
Universalists.
As early as 1852 an attempt was made to organize a church of
this faith. Services were held in a schoolhouse near the Five
Corners. The effort did not succeed. The attempt was renewed
December 10, 1871. This resulted in an organization in Janu-
ary, 1872, which was incorporated as The First Cfniversalist
Church of Jersey City, March 13, 1872. It purchased the old
Emory M. E. Church building on the northeast corner of Mill
road and Colden place; opening services October 20, 1872.
\
s^TATI.^lIi S < K l'< ri [.AllMX.
PtUMl, \TioN of Hfrir''ii ('niint\-. iiiclmiinj; llmlsMn t'ounty
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422 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Table showing assessed valuation of property within the county
1860 $*5,101,925
1861 ?..'... 33,319,413
1862 40,698.056
1863 40,318,884
1864 49,837,349
1865 |54,fK)5,r55
1866 63,K;W,913
1867 72,3tJ0.17(>
1868 78,849,212
1869 85,133,272
1870.
1871 .
1872.
1873
.$88,670,950
101,049,284
. 97,478,477
. 95,064,5StO
Table showing the bonded indebtedness of the county :
>W
1862 $81,-500 00
1863 14.5,421 87
1864 140,421 87
1865 1,182,921 87
1866 $1,308,121 87
1867 1.287,121 87
1868 1,280,221 87
1869 1,298.421 87
1870 $1,1:38,421 87
]«71 l,i:«,421 87
1872 1,128,000 00
1873 l,12;3,0t)i> 00
Tablk showing the coub
ty and city
taxes :
Year.
County.
Jersey City.
Bergen.
Hudson City.
Hobokcn. Baj
•onne.
1825
$100 OO
....
1826
100 00
....
....
1827
100 00
...
1828
100 00
1829
m) 00
18;30
....
300 00
...
ia31
....
300 00
1832
■ > . >
300 (XI
183;}
300 00
1834
300 (Ml
1835
300 00
1836
300 OO
1837
m) 00
....
18.38
> • • .
2,. 500 (XI
1S39
3.165 28
1S40
$.3,000 00
3.180 24
1841
3,000 00
3.000 00
....
1M2
3,00(1 00
3,200 00
1843
2,000 00
4.,500 00
si.-iio (K)
1844
4.(X)0 00
5.395 13
8.50 (K)
1845
4.000 00
(1.000 00
■ 8.50 m
1846
4.(X)0 (H)
S..3(X) (Kl
1.1.50 m
. ..
1847
S.IKX) 00
12.000 (HI
1.275 (X)
1848
5,(M) m
13,.500 00
1,6.50 (X)
1849
6.000 00
1.5,000 m
1,490 (Xt
$1,625 (X)
1850
6,000 00
15.000 00
3,l(iO (X)
....
2,725 (X)
1851
10,0(K) 00
35.000 00
2.6.50 (XI
2.075 (X)
1852
10,(KX) M
:3S,000 00
2.7(X) (X)
2.8.50 (X) 1
...
18.53
20,000 (10
.55,800 00
3.700 (X)
3.1INI (Ml
18.54
^^.(KK) 00
lill.SOO (Kl
4.(XK) (XI
3.. 505 (XI 1
1855
20,(HX) (10
r9,.")O0 00
4,2.50 (XI
§7.(Xi2 (X)
11,.S(MI (Ml
1856
20,(.K.>0 IK.I
Sl,f».30 00
-!.7(XI tXI
8,925 (X)
14. 7 "Ml (X)
1857
2(J,000 00
S7.2.50 00
.5.500 (X)
1.5,188 (Ml
1.5,7(MI 00
1858
20.(K)0 00
88.200 00
(i.SOO (XI
13,923 25
l(i.375 (X)
...
1859
■.'(1,(100 00
87,310 00
7,9(X1 (XJ
17.181 (X1
20.805 (Ml
1S60
•.'.").( H HI (X)
105.788 28
7.i»25 (X)
18..575 (X>
22,012 20
ISHl
:-!(l.(KK) (.10
94,188 17
().(XX) (HI
l(i (XX) (X)
2:3.495 00 1
18H2
:^(l,il()0 (XI
107.794 28
l).(XXI (XI
18,;-i(N) (XI
23,495 1X1
1863
.")(),( KM) (XT
124,7.52 30
22,(X)0 (X)
21.260 (XI
24,495 00
1864
(iO,(!00 00
194,253 78
26.271 25
40.2(NI (X)
:3:3,(i95 (Ml
1865
1(J0,(XX) IX)
267,000 00
70,371 08
41.125 00
55,795 00
If 66
200,000 00
310.220 40
75.iK>2 00
44,.5(X) 00
70.510 00
1867
270.' -*^,
404.270 (14
81.405 00
.58,4<X) (X)
103.3(i6 00 ;
1868
;330
-»iai,579 4:3
106,525 IX)
s«,8(X) m
108.031 00
1869
:»' ..
-^75
1.54,141 67
IKi.l.^O (XI
142..54.3 .50 «3
,620 00
1870
425,000 00
1,110,.-
160,0:35 .50 .5)
3,!X)6 00
1871
4;«,ooo 00
1,103,456 (i5
Con solid
ited with
lKi.1.55 .50 a
\tm 00
1872
485,(XX) 00
1,445.882 81
Jerse\
• Citv.
131.:329 0() 6'
4.975 (X)
1873
500,000 00
1,231.111 20
151.1:35 00 7'
M'3 62
STA'JISTICS OK TAXES.
Taim.k sliowing Hudson County's quota of State tax:*
423
1840
IKll
$4U) no
(115 00
lair
18lil
18(12
18<a
?tl() IH)
11, rw (»H
(«.H.-)2 Mi
isnr
IHtW
184)11
. ... $V.t,XA 19
1842
S20 (H)
8-J) (K)
'A !M)3 88
1843
1870
ih;i
IS72
B.'i 135 27
1844
820 U)
820 00
830 00
1804
2!t.2»0 00
. 88 ti70 !)5
1845
18^5
1806
;is,2r.o IK)
51,914 OO
101,(M9 28
1840
1873
146,217 71
* From 1848 to 18()0 inclusive, no State tax was levied.
Stiite school tax paid by the county uiuler the present law —
1871, ^177,341.90; 1872,'$202,00S.5(i ; 1^73, .^194,950.95.
Amount received by the county from tlie State under the
l>rosent law— 1872, 'lt),052.88 ; 1873, 8172,034.2(; ; 1874,
$193,247.18.
CHAPTEE XIII. — Genealogies.
Van Vorst Family— Vreeland Family— Van Winkle Family— Van Wagenen
Family— Van Buskirk Family — Van Kipen Family— Van Horn Family—
Newkirk Family— Garrabrant Family— Sip Family — Brinkerlioff Family
— Scliuyler Family — Kingsland Family — Gaiitier Family — Cadmus
Family.
Mich labor has been expended in writing np the following
brief genealogies, and yet the result is confessedly imperfect.
All tliat can be said in its favor is, the author has done the best
he could in the face of difficulties and discouragements which
need not be described. One who has not undertaken a similar
task is not prepared to comprehend how difficult it is to trace
out the genealogies of the old Dutch families. There was not
among those who originally settled within the limits of this
county, more than one family which had a name. That single
one was Van Voorst^ now Van Vorst; and even this sat so
loosely, by reason of its novelty, tliat Icle, of the second genei-a-
tion, was as often called Ide Co/'nc/isscn, i. e., Ide, the son of
Cor?} eh' 8, as Ide Van Vo7'st. iS'early all of the early settlers
here were of the peasantry, who came out as farm servants or
soldiers in the service of the Dutch AY est India Company. This
class of settlers had no surname, for they had not earned one.
They were known from each other of the same name by using
^ote. — The figures in parentheses (56) point forward to that number in the
family name. The figures in brackets [3] point backward to that number in
the family name. The figures in parentheses (35) following the second name
of parties married refer to the number of that person in his or her respective
family name. The figures 1,2, 3, etc, indicate position in the family genealogy,
while the numerals XII. denote the nimiber of the child in the particular fam-
ily. For illustration :
Enoch [o] had ch. :
21. XII. Joris (56), b. Sept. 25, 1710 : m. 2d. Annetje Van Wagenen (35).
This reads as follows : Enoch, who stands third in the Vreeland genealogy,
had children, the twelfth of whom stands the twenty-first in the same genealo-
gy : that this son, Joris, had for his second wife Annetje Van Wagenen, who
stands thirty-fifth in the genealogy of that family : and that the first child of
Joris stands fifty-sixth in the Vreeland genealogy.
Abbreviations. — b., born; m., married: d., died; s., son; dau., daughter;
unm., unmarried : ch.. child or children: s. p., without issue; bap., baptized;
inf , infancy ; mos., months ; yrs., years : wid., widow : set., age.
421
THE VAN SDUSl IA.MI1.\. 42.">
the lather's chiistiaii iiiiino as a siii-iiaiiie tnr tliciiisclvos. For
L-\aiii}>le. 'lun had a t^oii naiiiod M'nhiiil. He would he known
as Mir/tad JaiiS'n, i. e., Mnlanl, the son of Jan. If M'lrJmel
had a son named Picti r, 1m' would be known sis Pider ]\fl<-fiarl-
■^"/i, i. e.. P'nti i\ son of Mi<J,iii}. 15ut if the fathers hm-o the
>anie ('hi'istian name, of course the sons would heai' IIk; same
surname: and thus difficulties and uncertainties were multiplied.
I?i some eases it was not until the second i;-eneration that family
names were chosen. These were i!;enerally (especially those hav-
ini,' the j)reti\ '* Yan "') derived from the business, occupation,
place of emigration, or some peculiar trait of the founder of the
family.
The S,-/i If ///>,- and Gnidnr families were not among the ear-
liest settlers. The other families herein mentioned were. As a
nde, the hounds of the county and the names of the families
limit the extent of the ffenealoii-ies. <)iilv in a few instances has
there been a trespass beyond.
Tax Voorst — Van A^orst.
This -name is snjtposed to be derived from a small ])lace in
(relderland. near the river Yssel, called Yoorfif. There was an-
other place in P.eli:ium. in the jirovince of Antwerp, called
How many of this name came to this country prior to the mid-
dle of the seventeenth century is not known. In 1638 a suit
was pending before the council in New Amsterdam against Coi--
nelis and .Ian \'an Vorst.^ It is quite certain that the second
defendant in that .-nit named was not the son of Cornelis, for he
was yet a minor in lO-tl.^ Iii 16.30 the AYest India ConqiaTiy's
'"•nwerie Xo. 0, on Manhattan, was leased to a Jan Van Voor.st,
\vh-» is probably the one named in the above suit. It is also
pr<:»bable that he was a brother of Cornelis. That he could not
liav»; been the son is strengthened by the fact that in 1642 one
(rarret, son of dan A'an \'or.>t. was of sufficient age to be em-
ployed in the construction of buildings,^ and to have a family.
.l,i!i (ii-rit^en \ an Vorst is presumed to liave been his son, and
quite young when his father was killed. He m. Sara AValdron,
T. )'. C.l .1/-SS.. a-.. 11.
■ llild, ic, N9. It is well to hi-iir in niind, however, that under the Dutch Inw
ehihlren did not attiiin their niajority uutil they reached the age of twenty-five
yearn.
"> tiiotnlhend, i., o4T. He was sliot by an Indian while thatching a roof near
Hacktnsack.
426 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
July 9, 1662; had cli. Joliannis, bap. June 29, 1663. This son
lived in New York; m. Anneke TIei-eks, Aug. 26, 1685 ; liad cli.
I. Sara, bap. May 24, 1686; II. lierek, bap. Jan. 1, 1688; III.
AVyntje,bap. Jan.' 19, 169(i; lY. Sibout, bap. Aug. 12, 1692; Y.
Annetje, bap. Sept. 19, 1694,
Cornelis Yan Yoorst came to this country at an early date.
Wliile the Lord of Achtienliuven was yet Patroon of Pavonia,
and Walter the Doubter was Director-General of Xew Nether-
land, Yan Yoorst settled at Ahasinius as superintendent of the
colonic. The date of his arrival has been set doM-n as 1036.
This is probably an error. In X. Y. ( 'ol. 21 SS., i., 127, is a certi-
fied copy of a note, dated Sept. 8, 1634, made by \'an Yoorst in
favor of Peter Cock, for the price of two-thirds of a sloop.
From this it is inferable that he was in this country at that time.
If this be so, it is probal)le tliathe returned to llclland in 1635,
was appointed by Pauw to superintend his colonic, returned and
settled in Pavonia prior to June 25, 1636.^ His second wife was
Yrouwtje Ides. lie died in the summer of 1638; she died in
March or April, 1641.' She was an energetic wt>man, not easily
overcome by difficulties. After the death of her husband she
leased the farm at Ahasimns for a term of twenty years, agree-
ing to pay therefor one quarter of the produce, to build a new
frame house, and keep those already l)uilt in repair — the Director
agreeing to furnish the necessary brick for the chimney.^ She
also hired from the Director-txeneral thi-ee eNves and two rams,
yielding therefor one-half of the milk and of the increase.* In
the latter part of the year 1639 she married Jacob St(»ifel&en.''
' N. Y. Hist. Soc. Iv. 8., i., 259. -X. Y. Col. 3/,s;S., /.. 238, 241.
•' Ihid, L, 92. Bricks were brought from Holland at that time.
■* Ibid, i., 117.
^ StofiFelsen was born in 1601, Col. Hist, of N. Y., /., 194 ; came from Zirickzee,
the chief city of the island of Schowen, and the oldest city of Zeeland, to this
country at an early date. Power.^ of Atty. New Amst., 09. In 1033 he was
" Commissary of Stores,"' New Xeth. Reg., 30, and overseer of the Company's ne-
groes, N. Y. Col. MSS., i., 84; chosen one of the '• Twelve " in 1641, Col.
Hist, of If. Y., i., 415 ; one of the " Eight " in 16 1") : in the same year one of
the Directors' Council, pro har vice, to consult on Indian affairs. Xrw Xi'tlt. RffJ-,
15. In 1656 he hired the Company "s Bouwerie at Ahasinius, where he contin-
ued to reside until his death in 1077. In 1639 he married the widow of Cornelis
Van Voorst, and in 1657, being a widower, married Tryntje, the widow of Jacob
Walingen Van 'Roovn, Vale nt in e' fi Mamcal, 1S61, 048, by whom he had two chil-
dren, viz., StofFel and .Jacobus. /^«V/, 1863, 813. In tlie same year he was ad-
mitted to the rights of a small burgher, Xein Xeth. Reg., 183. He was an un-
educated man, but greatly resjiected, and of considerable influence with the In-
dians. That he was a man of integrity appears from the fact that on the ex-
piration of his term of service he was re-hired at increased wages, the direc-
tor saying, " No more industrious and faithful workman as overseer could be
emploj-ed in the Company's service." Alb. Rcc, vL, 14.
f
THE VAX VOKST FAMILY.
427
Iininediately after hor deatli dominie P,.>«2;:inlus arid Tynien Jsm-
seii, fis ii'uardians of her children, canic forward and chiiined her
property. An inventory ^vas nnuU- A])ril 15, K'.-il, a copy of
wliieh IS hero inserted for the ])nri»ose of sho^ving the personal
etfects of a \yell-to-do family in those days:
" Inventory of goods belonging to dame Ides and Jacob Stof-
felsen, which, in presence of^Everardns Bogardus and Tyinen
Janson, guardians of Anna and Ide Van Vorst, surviving chil-
dren of (lame Ides, were found in Pavonia at her house •}
."! Jacobuses a 12 florins each, - - - - fl. 36
i;U Holland shillings, 38
i;]Rix dollars ^r 50 stivers, - 32 10
In double and single stivers, . . - - - 15
2 pieces a 10^ stivers, 1 i
In English gold, ^
1 croUriioop ring; 1 silver medal and chain; 1 ditto undergn-dle
with ring to hang kevs ; 3 silver spoons ; 2 small silver brandy
cups ; r silver goblet ; 2 ells black wampum ; 2 two-year-old
oxen ; 3 yearling heifers ; 4 old ewes ; 2 ewe lambs and 3 rams
of this year; 5 cows ; 2 mares : 1 yearling stallion ; 1 bull and 1
heifer of this year; 4 yearling hogs ; 1 boat with its apparel; 1
old yawl ; 1 old-fashiuncd clock'; 2 ]iairs of old stockings ; 1
damask furred jacket, half worn ; 1 new blue kersey petticoat,
unmade; 1 new'red bodice : 3 ells of red camlet ; 1 white waist-
coat ; 2 table cloths, colored, of English manufacture ; 1 pair of
new and one pair of old pattens ; 1 black camlet jacket, lined ;
1 borst of woolen yarn ; 1 pair of damask sleeves, half worn ; 1
black coarse camlet jacket ; 1 Avoman's steel gray lined petticoat;
1 'black coarse camlet petticoat, lined, half worn ; 1 reddish
morning gown, not lined ; I white waistcoat of Harlem stuft ; 1
l)air of spectacles Avith case ; 1 pair of Spanish leather pattens ;
1 new purple apron; 19 cambric caps; 4 linen ditto; I half
worn red ])etticoat; 2 old black skirts; 1 old iron gray doublet ;
1 new black kersey doublet ; I fur cap trimmed up with beaver;
1 little black vest with two sleeves ; 4 pair of sheets, good and
bad ; 4 new blue cotton aprons; 9 linen handkerchiefs with lace ;
1 do without lace; 2 pillow slips; 3 shifts, half worn ; I old table
cloth; 4 napkins; 5 bear skins; 40 ells of duflels ; 2 beds ; 4
blankets, old and new ; pieces of mink; 10 pewter platters,^
large and small ; 1 pewter basin ; 1 tankard and two cups of
pewter; 4 tin funnels ; 1 little goblet; 2 English salt cellars ; L
'Alb. Rec, L, 2;3S, 241.
428 HISTORY or Hudson county.
pewter mug ; 1 wooden mortar and pestle ; 1^ pewter mutsje ;^ 3
little pewter enps ; 1 pewter mustard pot ; 1 small tin can with
screwed cover ; 1 brass warming pan ; '2 brass candlesticks ; 2
brass snuifers ; 2 little brass scales and one balance ; 9 pewter
plates ; 1 iron tongs ; 1 iron gridiron ; 1 old wagon ; 1 good foot
plow witli ] coulter ; 1 old wheel plow ; 2 harrows, 1 M'ith iron
and 1 with wooden teeth ; 2 pine boxes ; 7 copper stove kettles,
one partiaBy old among them ; 4 milk pails ; 1 churn ; 6 scythes;
2 new spades ; 4 old geese ; 2 ganders ; 1 iron pan ; 2 snap-
haunce f 1 broken ditto ; 4 pistols ; 2 silver spoons ; 1 English
shilling; 4 old goats; 2 young ditto; 1 yearling sow.
In shillings, double and single stivers <fe English money, 11. 19
1 Jacobus a - - - - 12
17 Eix dollars a 50 stivers, - - - - - 42 10
1 single dollar a 30 stivers, - - - - - - 1 11
" All the preceding is thus foimd at the house of Jacob Stof-
felsen, at Ahasimus, who on his manly troth declares that he has
not and does not know of any more chattels than are hereinbe-
fore mentioned belonging to the aforesaid estate.
" Done in Pavonia the" 15th April, A° 1641, New Netherland.
" This is the — j— , mark of
" Jacob Stoffelsen."
Second Generation.
Cornelius had ch. :
2. I, Hendrick, b. in Holland. So far as appears he was
the first white person who cultivated the bouwerie
at lloboken. He went to Holland in the summer
of 1639, and d. unm. shortly after his arrival there.
3. II, Jan, b. in Holland about 1616. On arriving at his
majority in 1641, he took possession of his inherit-
ance,^ but so far as appears did not reside in this
county.
4. III. Annetje, m. Claes Jansen Yan Purmerendt, Nov. 11,
1656. In the marriage record she is named "An-
neken Cornelissen of Voorst." Her husband was
a tobacco planter on Paulus Hoeck. In 1650 she
was engaged to be married to Pieter Kock, her
father's former partner in the sloop. He was a
man of some note, a sergeant in the war of 1643,
'A gill measure. - Snaphaans, a firelock, fusee. ^Alb. Bee., i., 270.
IIIK \ A.N \()KST KAMII.V. 42i>
and (.'imdlcd as a small l»iiri::lior in \\'>'>4:. Diin'nu- tlieso liappv
(lays many pi-uscnts were made to her l)y I'ieter. Wlieii she was
wooed and won by the tobaeco ])lanter, Pieter brought suit ''in
the matter of matrimony " before the r>ur^t)masters and Sche])en8
ill New Amster<hiin to recover tlie ]ire?ents. Tlie snit was jxMid-
in^ for more than a year, tiie record in the mean wliile havinj^
been sent up to tlieir *' High and ^[ighty Lordships, the Uireetor-
General and Councillors, to obtain thereon a verdiet."' The judj^-
ment was : " Whereas a eertain process has been moved before the
court of the city of New Amsterdam by I'ietei- Kock, single man,
a burgher and inhabitant of the said city, as plaintitfat and against
Anna Van Vorst, single woman, living at Ahasimus, defendant,
respecting a marriage contract or a verl)al ])romise of marriage
between the said I'ieter Kock and Anna \'an Vorst, mutually
entered into, and in eonfirnuition thereof certain gifts and pres-
ents were made by the plaintitf to the aforesaid defeiulant, iiow-
ever, it appears by certain documents exhibited by the parties
to the defendant and bride of the plaintiit" in conse<iuence of cer-
tain misgivings is in no way disposed to be mariied to the said
I'ieter Ivock, and it is also proved by two witnesses on the 24th
of Decend^er, 1()5;', testifying that Pict(U- Kock had given her up
with a promise of a written acijuitlal, therefore the Burgomaf-ters
and Sehei)ens of the city having perused the documents exhibit-
ed by the parties, and having examined, do by these presents de-
cide that, as the ju-omisc of marriage has been made l)efore the
Ominscient (iod, it shall renuiin in force, so that neither the j)lain-
tiif nor the defendant, without the kiu)wledge and approbation of
their Lordships, the Alagistrates, and the other one of the regis-
tered parties shall be itermitted to enter matrimony with any
other person, whether single num or single wonuin, provided, how-
ever, that all the presents made in confirmation of the marriagi'
contract shall remain in the possession of the defendant," while
'Alb. Jin-., v., 2r)0.
-' Tliis was no misfortune to Pieter, for what of liis worldly goods the jjcntle
Annctje had not received, a thievinj; fellow named Marten \'an Waert, son-in-
law of Abraham Isaacscn Planck, in j)art appropriated. For this he was sen-
tenced to " be severely scoarjied with rods in a closed chamber, banislied ten
years out of this jurisdiction, and further in tin; costs and ///m« of Justice." His
father-in law secured his pardon. Valentiiu'K }[(in\i<il. 1S4!>, 400. On the oc-
casion of liis luarriajre with Susanna Planck. I)ecember 4, IGfiO, Marten at-
tempted to cheat the jrovernment out of the excise on a half barrel of beer.
Occasionally he " committed jj;reat insolence, noise and uproar by iiifrht, and at
unseasonable hours, as well at Obe's house as in the street ; yes, so much
that many sprunjf out of bed, opened doors and windows, not knowinjj what
was i,^i)in<f <in." He finally came to grief, for " Pieier, the negro," executed
sentence upon him. fhul, 18'il, .")41. A likely heir to Paulus Hoeck 1
430 HISTORY OF HUDSOX COUNTY.
the parties remain together in good will and con-
tentment M'ith each other, or lawful marriage or
until the consent of one another, thej shall be ex-
empted from the contract. Furthermore, both the
plaintiff and the defendant are condemned equal-
ly in the costs of this suit."
This sentence was pronounced May 18, 1654.'
From it Annetje appealed, but it was confirmed.
She united with the church in Bergen, Feb. 19,
1672 ; d. Jan. 12, 1725 ; her husband d. Nov. 30,
1688. Their cli. were known bj the name of
Kuyper.-
5. IV. Ide (6) is said to have been the first white male child
born and married in New Netherland.^ In the
war of 1013 the " little boy " was captured by the
Indians and taken to Tappaen. Captain de Tries
and a couple of friendly natives, a few days after-
ward, went up and ransomed him. Hem. Hilletje
Jans, of Oldenburgh,-' Oct. 18, 1652. That he had
a good time at his wedding is learned incidentally
from the record of a law suit between him and his
stepfather about two years afterward. It appears
that Stoffelsen had some time previous given a
dinner to Captain Geurt Tysen and his friends,
and" in return the captain had presented Stoffelsen
with a negro. Two sheep were rec^uired for the
entertainment, and these being taken from the
common Hock, Ide claimed to own one-half of
them, and therefore one-half of the negro. Stof-
felsen replied that Ide had two sheep at his wed-
ding, and these having also come out of the com-
mon flock balanced accounts, leaving the negro to
him.^
He continued to reside at Ahasimus as a farmer,
accumulating wealth which was to enable him to
become the owner of not an inconsiderable part of
the domains of Pauw.® He braved the dangers of
border hfe, and exposed his property and family to
' New Amst. Rec, i., 463. - Winfield's Land Titles, 42.
'■^Valentine's Manual, 1862, 768.
* Oldenburgh was a place of considerable importance in Holstein,on the river
Brockaw. It was at one time the capital of the Wagri and Venedi, two warlike
nations.
■rind, 1849, 383. New Amsf. Bee. « Winfield's Land Titles, 40, 44, 131.
TllK \ AN V()i:>T IA.MII.\. 481
tlie uttiick of the sti-altl.y s;iv;iir<' riitlici- than ahaii-
ilnii liis home. l)iiriiiii' the war of \ij't'> he took
ivfiige ill New Aiiistenhiiii, hut returned to his
farm when peace was cstahlished. ^'et Ik* was in
<hinijei', and occasionally i>l»lii;od to tly t'i>r liis life.
One (.hiv in ( )ctoher, lO.")*.*, tlie fndians came down
ni»un him as lie was enijai^i'd in (h-essin<^ some
meat near his house. Seizinj;- the meat, lie tied to
]i\> l)oat, and ]>u11ed across the river to New Am-
sterdam. The iSolons who ailministered justice in
that great city could not wink at such u gross
hreach of the law, and they solemnly fined him
twenty ^•^Iil(lers and costs. "" for lu-iiiiiing meat
t(» thecitv without takinii; out exci.-e license.'*^
In illustration of the strictness with which the
laws were enforced in his day, the followiui!; is in-
sorted : " CDrnelis Aersen, Ide Van \ orst and their
.servants, complained of, for that their servants
raced on Sunday evening after sermon, with horses
and wagons, and much noise and singing, from
which great damage and disaster might have
arisen."" Each master was fined three guilders,
and they were ordered to watch thejnselves, so
tliat all daiigers and irregularities might be ])re-
vented.
Jlis name, Ide, was probably the name of his
mother's father, as her name was Ides. Ilis wife
survived him. and d. .lulv is, 17<.'5.
Til I I'll lii nerotvni.
Ide [5 I had ch. :
♦i. I. Vronwtje, ba)). Aug. '1\. \y\W.\ \ m. Andries Aleyer, of
New York, Nov. ."), 1671.
7. II. Annetje, b. in l(i55: m. John Meyer, of New York.
J line l:>, 1<)77.
N. III. Coi'iielius, bap. Aug. 2i'>, It>."»7: d. in inf.
9. I\. Pietertje, bap. Nov. !♦, 16.50; m. Merselis Pieterse in
If.sO; d. Sept. ;'.. 1744.
1". ^^ ('orncliu> (1-Ji. haj). duly ;5n, 1<;(;2; m. Fitje (ierritse
\'an Wagenen (4», of C'ommunipaw, April 6, It'.S.") ;
d. .lulv — , 17."t;5.
'JV«tr Amst. Rec, if., i>M.
-t32 IlISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNJ'V.
11. VI. Joanna, bap. April K!, 1G<)(3; ni. Jan Adrianse Sip (3),
April 22, 1084.
Fourth Generation.
Cornelius [10] liad eli. :
12. I. Ide, bap. July 1(», 1<;87 ; d. Dec. T, 1()81».
13. II. Jannetje, b. June 5, IGSS; d. unra.
14. III. (Territ(23), bap. May 1, 1080; ra. Sarah Yan Winkle
(19), May 22, 1714; lie removed to New Barba-
does Neck, near Aquaekanonck ; his will, dated
June 13, 1T*)4. was proved June 15. 1785. Some
of his descendants returned, and settled near West
Hoboken and Union Hill.
15. lY. Ilillegond, b. March 2, 1()82: d. Jan. 31. Ulo.
16. Y. Annetje, bap. Jan. 28, 1»)1»4; m. Martin Winue, Dec.
9, 1713.
17. YI. Ide, b. Dec. 4, KV.to ; d. iimii. ; A'll. Juhauuis, b. Mav
7, 1697.
18. YIII. Hendrick, b. Jan. 29, 1691>; d. num.
19. IX. Cornelius (31), b. March 8, 17<iO; m. Claesje, dau. «.f
Mattys De Mott, Nov. 26, 1726 ; d. Dec. 5. 17<iU.
He represented Bergen in the 18th Provincial As-
sembly, in 1751.
20. X. Jacob, b. July 7, 1702. His luime does not a[»pear in
his father's will, hence it is inferred that he was
then dead, s. p.
21. XI. .1 annetje, b. March 7,1704; ni. Walter Ileyer, Auij'.
8, 1723.
22. XII. Maritje, b. May 22, 1706 ; m. Isaac Hennion, in 1726.
Fifth (reneration.
Gerrit [14] had ch. :
23. I. Fitje, m. Gerrebrand Jurrianse Yan lli]ien (32), Jan.
6, 1742.
24. II. Annetje, m. Frederick Yan Ri])en (34), Dec. 2, 1742.
25. III. Jenneke, m. Johannis Yreeland.
26. lY. Cornelius (34), m. 1st, Annetje Toers, Dec. — , 1752 :
2d, Annatje Outwater, wid. of Abraham Berj-v.
July 2, 1778.
27. Y. Waling, b. April 5, 1729 ; d. in inf.
28. YI. Waling (37), b. March 30, 1731 ; m. Catrina Yan Eyd-
estyn, Sept. — , 1755.
2!». YII. Maritje: IX. Hilletje.
Ill
\ AN \ uli-l I AMI I. V. 438
'MK \'III. Cutiiiia lia.l cli. : f. (\itriii;i. 1>. lice. :.':;. IT.".* ; vader
i)iil)ekciit.
( 'unieliiis [li> I hiid cli. :
81. I. Corticlius (4:^), b. Nov. 25, 172s; ni. .\iiiietjt; V^m
Horn (S), April 21, IT."):;; d. St'pf. 8<i, (sfs. He
was ])Opiilarly known as " Faddy ;" was one of the
wcaltliiest men in the county, full of fiiii and
jn-actical jokes. He was fond of fast horses, and
drove the best team in th(^ vicinity. He estal)-
lished the race course on Paulus Iloeck in IT").",,
and was the lion of that " Derby." I'ut wliile he
loved the genial side of life, he did nc^t forget its
weii!;htier duties. lie established the Jersey City
ferrv in 17(54. When the Revolution l)roke out
he took decided <;r(»und on the side of his C(»untry.
At a meetiiif^of the inhabitants of Jjci'gen county,
lield at Ilackensack, June 25, 1774, he was ap-
pointed one of a " committee for corresponding
with the committec.'s of the other counties in this
]>rovince, and particularly to meet with the other
county connnittees at New Brunswick, " * *
in order to elect delegates to attend a general
Congress t>f Delegates of the Ainericcni Colonies.'''^
On June 2i>, 177<i, the Provincial Congress ap-
pointed him lieutenant-colonel of the battalion of
foot militia in the county of Bergen.'- It is doubt-
ful, however, if he ever was in actual service.
Shortly after the capture of New York by the
British, and the fall of Paulus Iloeck, his house
at Ilarsimus was occupied by the otlicers of a de-
tachment of cavalry. He and his family were
crowded into the kitchen.^ The fact that he con-
tinued to reside on his i)lace while in possession of
the enemy aroused suspicion that he had become a
tory. On Nov. 10, 177G, he was charged before
the court with having joined the British. After
a thorough investigation he was honorably ac-
quitted.
During this occu]>ancy of his house by the enemy
^ the otticers were in the practice, for their own
' Am. Archives, 4th Scries, i., 450. -Ibid, ri., 1633.
'' Part of this kitchen is yet standing.
28
43i IIISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
amusenient, of discharging muskets np the chimney. One day,
liis niotlier being sick^ he requested theui to desist. This they
haughtily refused to do. Being a powerful man, he proceeded
to vindicate his rights by administering a drubbing to the insolent
soldiers. Incarceration in the old sugar house was the conse-
quence of attempting to administer justice inter arma. Sir Henry
Clinton, then in command at New York, was an old school com-
panion of Yan Yorst,^ and released him with the admonition not
to let such a thing happen again. But being impetuous as well
as powerful, he was soon in another diliiculty — by taking up the
cause of a cobbler. An otiicer refused to pay for the repair of
his boots, whereupon Yan Yorst satisfied the shoemaker by thrash-
ing the officer. For this he was again locked up in New York,
and again discharged with a like admonition.
The presence of the enemy, always oifensive to the sturdy
patriot, finally became unendurable. They not only lived in his
house, but seized his horses and confiscated his cattle. Deter-
mined to separate from their company, which he loathed, he
took his family to Pompton and there resided with Philip
Schuyler. On his return he went to Paulus Hoeck, and lived in
the ferry house until the close of the war.
Like his opulent neighbors, " Faddy " was a practical believer
in the patriarchal institution, and kept his spacious kitchen well
stocked with slaves. Among the number was a character known
as " Half Indian Jack," who died at Ilarsimus February 2, 1831,
at the age of 103 yeai-s, and was buried on what is now the rear
of lot No. 153 Wayne street. Jack ran away from Yan Yorst
during the Revolutionary war, and became a spy for the British.
He was generally in the company of a white sp}', named Meyers.
Both did their work for i)ay — Jack for whiskey, Meyers for
gold. Meyers deposited his money in a box, which he kept
buried. Whenever he was in a condition to add to the deposit,
he and Jack would unearth the treasure. When uncovered,
Jack would be dismissed, and Meyers buried the money in a
different place. The story, as told by Ja(dv, was that, as often
as he had helped Meyers dig up the box, he had never seen
it buried, nor was it ever buried twice in the same place. At
last the patriots entrapped and shot Meyers, but Jack was too
wary and escaped. After Meyers' death great efforts were made
to discover his treasure. His widow, ever looking for the end of
the rainbow where rests the pot of gold, every sprin"^when the
1 Clinton liad probably met Van Vorst at school in the city while his father,
Admiral Clinton, was (iovernor of New York.
TIIK VAN \iii:<l 1\MII.\. 435
irroiind was soft, would iro over wliiit was roccntlv
tliu I'Oui'tli and I'^it'tli wards of" .lerscy ('Itv, ])ros-
pectitii; with an iron roil, wliiili she pushed into
the i^round, hopirii;- to strike the box. She lu^versuc-
<ree(h'(l. thouti^h she worked and hoped while slie
live(h It is i)ossihle that the old spy's hox of IJrit-
ish u^oltl yet lies l)ui-i<Ml in that ])art of the city,
awaitiiii:' its resurrection bv the si)ade of some luckv
iiniler.
-lack pretended anions;- the slaves to be an Indian
doctor. Jle induced them to believe that he was a
]>articular favorite of the devil, and <ijave them to
understand that, nnless they helped him to a few
pennies, old "clootie" would come for them some
day. In time this mode of raisino; the wind failed
Jack, and he was left to sufter from his chronic
drought. But, fortunately for him, one day a man
came to Jersey City with a horse nineteen hand>
high. He could be mounted only by means of a
ladder, and his foot was like a peck measure. He
was put up at Holmes' stable, near the corner of
AVashington and ^Montgomery streets, .lack saw
the " huge, earth-shaking beast " ]mss down the
avenue. Hastening to the slaves, he reminded them
of his frequent wai-nings that the devil would come
for them and how they had disl)elieved him ; but
now he was at hand and had put his horse in
Holmes' stable. The poor creatures wondered, yet
doubted, and resolved to see for themselves. ]>ut
when they came to Newark avenue and saw the
jn-ints of the horse's feet, they fled in wild dismay.
From that day till he died the devil would come at
Jack's bidding, coppers were not wanting for his
whiskey, and he was prophet and king in Faddy's
kitchen.
32. II. John, is said to have been m. and had a family.
•>.'). Ill, llcliMia, m. Ilenrv Kiiii^sland. IV . Kli-anor.
/S/xf/i Goici'atHm.
r
Cornelius [20] had eh. :
34. I. Arie, 1). April 20, 17r>0 ; m. Lena 1 '.eny, Jan. ."), I 777 ;
removed to the west.
436 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
35. II. Gerrit (46), b. Xov. 21, 175S ; in. Mary Yan Evde-
styn, Aug. 5, 1786 ; d. April 2, 1834.'
36. III. Annatje, b. Aug. 25, 1764; d. in inf.
AYaling [28] had ch. :
37. I. Gerrit, b. April 30, 1756; d. in inf.
38. II. Sarah, b. April 14, 1761 ; m. Casparus Yan Eydestyn,
Feb. 1, 1784.
39. III. Gerrit (51), b. June 22,1764; m. Elizabeth Biljn, of
Staten Island, Ang. 19, 1786.
40. IV. Casparus (54), b. Sept. 3, 1769 ; m. Margrietje Yan
Buskirk, June 9, 1799.
41. Y. Hendrick (55), in. Annatje Fiekston, Dec. 7, 1800.
Cornelius [31] had ch. :
42. I. Johannis (56), b. March 3, 1761 ; m. Sarah, dan. of
Jean Francois Yasher,^ June 20, 1816 ; d. Jan. 13,
1832 ; she' d. Feb. 23, 1851, get. 64 yrs., 1 mu.,
20 days.
43. II. Cornelius (60), b. Sept. 6, 1763 ; ni. Hannah Gilbert.
44. III. Claesje, b. Aug. 31, 1765 ; d. Oct. 9, 1773.
45. lY. Neeltje, b. Sept. 16, 1768; m. Ilenrv Traphagen,
Jan. 25, 1803 ; d. March 4, 1824.
Seventh Generatioji.
Gerrit [35] had ch. :
46. I. Ann, b. Feb. 24, 1787 ; m. Daniel Smith.
47. II. Catharine, b. Oct. 17, 1789 ; m. John K. Holmes. |
48. III. Annatje, b. Nov. 28, 1793; m. Benjamin McCollum. i
49. IV. Cornelius (63), b. Dec. 14, 1799 ; ra. Letitia, dau. of "
James Warner, Jan. 1, 1826.
Gerrit [39] had ch. :
50. I. Waling, m. Maria Kip ; had ch. : I, Hendrick and
II. Garret, twins, b. Jan. 21,1814; III. Joanna,
b. Dec. 6, 1816; lY. Catharine, b. Sept. 1, 1819 ;
Y. Jacob, b. Aug. 28, 1821 ; YI. John, b. July 25,
1825; YII. Christian, b. Oct. 11, 1828; YIII.
William Oscar, b. Nov. 13, 1831.
' Vasher was a Frenchman. He came to tliis country durinj? tlie Revolution-
ary war ; was a surgeon in the fourth New York regiment ; an intimate friend
of Washington and a member of the Cincinnati. He m. Miss Potter of Madison,
N. J. His ch. were, I., Sarah, m. John Van Vorst ; II., Eliza ; III., Frances, m .
Robert Gilchrist, Oct. 1, 1812 ; her son Robert is now Attoruey-Cfeneral of N. J. ;
IV., Frank, d. in inf.
O ^
— ■»
o I
< V
o
«
TIIK \AN \(>HST lA.MlI.^. -t^M
.">1. n. JmcoI) (t)7), li. .lul.v 17, ITSS; 111. Cliristinji Eversoii,
.l:iM. Ml, lMi:>; (l. July 4, I.S57.
iy2. nr. OerritiTU), h. .Iimr 2*'., ITiX); ni.('vnthi:i llciinioii,
Dec. 25, IS 10; (1. M.ii-ch 25, 1852; slie b. Dec.
24, I7S!> ; <1. All--. 11. 1S52.
53. IV. .loliii. I). Xnv. 18, I7;>:..
Ca.<parus |4i>| luul eh. :
54. T. rathariiia, 1). April 12, l^<»<'; 11. Thomas, 1). Sept.
11, 1802.
Tlendnck |411 liad eh.:
55. I. Catharina, 1.. Sept. 17, ISO]; H. Isaac, b. Auir. 23,
180;; ; III. Waiiii- 1). Oct. 16, 1805, d. in inf.;
IV. Walincr. b. Sept. 22, 1806; Y. Antje, b.
March 7, 1801); VI. Saartje, b. Fel>. 12, 1S13;
VH. Oarret, b. March 5. iS21 ; VIII. Eliza Jane,
1). April 7, 1823.
Tohannis [42] had cli. :
56. I, Ann Eliza, b. June 2, 1817; ni. J. Dickinson Miller,
Feb. ll», 1835. He was a prominent la\v}'er in
Jersey City, and, for several years, Alderman.
57. II. Cornelia, b. Nov. 15, 1810; m. Ilenry Augustus Boo-
raem.
58. III. Sarali Frances, b. Sept. 12, 1820; m., 1st, Charles B.
C. liacot; 2d, Michael Lienau, March 17, 1859.
5'.t. IV. John (73), b. Sept. 25, 1823; m. Emily H., dau. of
Peter Bacot, of Charleston S. C, Jan. 10, 1850.
He was Alderman of Jersey City and a member
of the General Assemblv of N. J. for several years
Cornelius [43| had ch. :
6t». 1. Cornelius (74), b. Aiii,^ •;, 171>4: m. 1st, Sarah S., dau.
of AVilliam l>rower, Dec. — , 1816; she d. Aug.
12. 1835 ; 2tl, Antoinette, dau. of Cornelius Roose-
velt, Oct. 10, 1836 ; d. Jan. 23, 1852 ; she d. Sept.
14, 1840.
61. II. Susanna, b. March 15, 1708; d. March 26, 1815.
^>2. III. Anna, 1). March 26,1803; m. Joseph Cooper, March
11, 1830; d. Jan. 1, 1865.
^')//i th (.iene ration .
Cornelius [49] had ch. :
\
438 IIISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
63. I. Garret, b. Oct. 30, 1826 ; m. Abigail Hazard ; had cli.,
I. Garret ; II. Lena.
64. II. Letitia, b. June 26, 1828; in. Charles W. Ward.
65. III. Cornelius (85), b. May 25, 1830; m. Phebe Jane, dan.
of Tlionias Gardner.
66. TV. Jane Ann, b. Sept. 18, 1832 ; m. William II. Tise ; d.
Dec. 6, 1870.
Jacob [51] had ch. :
67. I. Elizabeth, b. Auej. 4, 1809 ; m. Henry Spier, Dec. 19,
1830.
68. II. John, b. in 1820 ; d. in 1824.
69. III. Sarah, b. Feb. 22, 1822 ; m. Isaac Ilalenbeck, Jnly 8,
1850.
Gerrit [52] had ch. :
70. I. Elizabetli, b. ^ov. 6, 1812; ni. Abraham Shotwell.
71. II. David (86), b. Feb. 20, 1823; m. Fanny, dan. of
Charles Heritage, Jnne 1, 1851.
72. III. Garret (87), b. Jnne 21, 1826 ; m., 1st, Sarah, dan. of
John Everson ; 2d, Marv, dan. of John Spier, Jan.
10, 1861.
John [59] had ch. :
73. I. John, b. Oct. 18, 1850; 11. Dickinson M., b. May 15,
1854 ; III. Engene C, b. March 2, 1856 ; lY. Emily
H., b. Dec. 1, 1857; Y. Sarah, b. Oct. 24, 1860
YI. Henry H., b. Dec. 3, 1865 ; d. Jnly 14, 1866
A"II. Harriet B., b. Feb. 10, 1870 ; d. July 15, 1870
A^II. Mary S., b. Sept. 11, 1872.
Cornelins [60] had ch. :
74. I. Elizal)eth B., b. Nov. 3, 1817 ; II. Snsan, b. Ang-
22, 1819 ; d. in inf.
75. III. Cornelins (88), b. March 7, 1822; m. Sophia A.,
dan. of Edward Phillips of Providence, K. I., Jnne
16, 1846. He was Alderman and Mayor of Jersey
City for several years.
76. lY. Mary' B., b. Feb.'l, 1824 ; m. William P. Powers,
Aiig. 14, 1851.
77. Y. Snsan, b. April 17, 1825; d. in inf.
78. YI. Sarah, b. Feb. 25, 1831 ; m. Ptobert Sewell, April
24, 1860.
TIIK VKKKr.AMi 1 A.Mll.V
4:^9
::>. \'II. AtiiiH (;.. 1.. April L'.'), 1S:>.2: \'1 1 1. .1 iiliet J.. Au<,'.
:», is;u.
i.\. .iiiiia, I). Oct. 27, 18;;:.
X. Susan, I), ^^:llvl^ 30, ls;','.t; in. Louis Do/. Arniaiild,
Xn\. 17, l^*>'-).
\I. Antoinette, 1). Nov. li-t, 1841 : «1. in inf.
\II. William 15., b. Doc. «», 1842; ni. Katie, dan. ..t' S.
E. Swain, Mav 31, 1871 : slie d. Ani;. :'.l, 1872.
84. .\'1II. .Vntoinette, I). Jan. 27, 184(; : in. Ihi'-h Toler Boo-
raein, Mav 14, 1n«!7.
80
81
82
83
A'i'}} th Gen >' ration .
Cornulius [ t)5 | had cli, :
85. I. (vurneliufe ; II. Charles : III. Garret Thomas ; I\'. Har-
rison; y. Howard; YI. William; VII. William;
\ 111. llrwin ; IX. Letitia,
David I 71 | had ch. :
86. T. Maria Frances, h. Oct. 7, 1852 ; II. Garret F., b. Nov.
Kl, 1n:.4: 111. Fill Louisa, b. May 17, 18(U.
(Jarret [72] had ch. :
87. I. Sarah Ann, b. Sept. 18, 1851 ; 11. Cvnthia, b. May 19,
1854; III. (4arret, b. Julv 23, (863; IV. George,
b. May 10, 1807.
Cornelius | 75 | had ch. :
88. I. :NLirv U. ; II. Cornelius P., b. March 2!), ls40; 111.
" Edward P., b. Jan. 19, 1852; d. iu inf.; IV. Eliza
P., b. Jan. 20, 1853.
\'kKKI,.VNI) — VkEE[,.\XI)T — FUEEI.AM).
There was iu Holland a place named Vreelandt^ but whether a
handet. parish or manor has not beeu ascertained.' The family in
this county now bearing the name is descended from Mlclutl
■/an.'<<ii, who canjjit'rom Proeckhuysen (North Prabant).^ He
left Holland Octoberul, 1(>3G, in the shij) Peui^selaerwyck,^ with
his wife and two chiydreu. He settled at what is now Green-
' Col. Hist, of-^fr-^, Uy. 18:3.
» O'Cnl., N. N., i, 437.
-■ Valentidc's Hist, of N. Y., 138.
Aj-r
440 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
bush, opposite Albany, as a hoerehiecJit, or farm servant.* It
Avas not long befoi'e he f^rew weaiy of agi-ieultural pursuits and
the narrow road thereby opened to weafth, and engaged in the
fur trade, in which " he made his fortune in two years." Such
])rivate speculation being prohibited by law, soon brought him into
difficulty with the authorities. He thereupon abandoned his farm,
and came to Manhattan. The date of this change is not known,
but he was a resident in Kew Amsterdam November 4, 1G44, on
which date he empowered Arent Yan Curler to settle with Pa-
troon Van Rensselaer all accounts and difterences. In 104«) he
came over to Communipaw, and settled on the bouwerie owned
by Jan Evertsen Bout. In the years 1647, '49 and '50, lie repre-
sented Pavonia in the Council of " Nine,"- and joined his asso-
ciates in their crusade against Governor Stuyvesant.^ It was at
his house that the journal of Yan der Donck was seized, and it
was suspected upon information furnished l)y himself.* He was
a signer of tlie ap]>lication for the first municipal government in
New Netherland, July 26, 1649.^
The following record of June 15, 1654, shows that he had not
yet overcome his reluctance to farming :
"Michiel Jansen, residing at Pavonia, belonging to the juris-
diction of New Amsterdam, appeared before the Court of Bur-
gomasters and Schepens of this city aforesaid, and stated that he
intended, for the accommodation of the inhabitants of the place,
to brew some beer, and, as it was very inconvenient to give in the
same every time, and to procure the excise certificate, wished
therefore to make an agreement with the Burgomasters and
Schepens about the excise ; which being granted to him, tlie
Burgomasters and Schepens have made an agreement with
Michiel Jansen for one year, that for all the beer he shall brew
and sell at the aforesaid place, he shall pay 50 guilders, each half
year the half, and it is hereby allowed to him to sell beer by the
small measure also, to persons coming over to that place.''" Thus
he has the honor of being the first licensed tapster in the State of
New Jersey.^
During the troubles of 1655, the Indians drove him from his
home, wlien, on September 15, they made a raid on Pavonia and
killed every man there, except the family of Jansen.^ From the
' Col. Hist, of N. Y., i., 4B1. 'New Neth. Reg., 55.
■■' Col. HUt. of N. Y..i., 275. *Ibid, i., 344.
' Valentine's Manual, 1851, 407. ''iV^w Amst. Bee, i.,A92.
'' Aert Teunissen, of Hobokeu, who was killed in 1043, was the first brewer in
New Jersey. Contra Valentine's Manual, 1800, (512.
■" Albany Rccovds, xiii., 327.
THK \Ki;i;i..\.M» I AMii ,^ . \ 1 1
daiifjers and uiu'crtiiinties nf holder life :it "■ Gimioonepa,"' lie
took I'ct'iii^ff! on ^Nfaidiattaii, where, because lie was an ''old man
with a hi'avv fanuly," and had lost his all, he was, Xo\eMil>er 'J2,
Hi.")."), permitted to keep a tap room.' Like many niodei'ii tap-
sters, he soon leai'ned how to kei')) the letter of the law while he
violated its spirit. An oi-chiiance j>r(_»liil)ited tappiiin- alter bell-
riiii;, and on October l'."!. IiIo*!, the schout prosecuted Jansen tor
its \i()Iatiou. The di-tendant confessed that two soldiers were
l>la_vini;- at back->j;ammon and three sailors M'aitin^- tor tlieir skip-
per; denied that he had tai>ped after bell-rin<i; : ailmitted that his
quests" had their cans by them and <>:ot ehattinii-,"' but shrewdly
omitted to state that lie had tilled their cans against the time
when he could not lawfully tap.-
For the .sime reason that he was pernntted to tap he received
'//■i(fis\ in February, 1(">.')<», a lot of ground in the city."' (^n Feb-
ruary 21, l<>r)7. he was a))pointed one of the Measurers of J Ame
iind Grain} On .\pril l-'J, H).")?, his name was placed on tlie
roll of small bui'ghei's."' Much to his credit, he soon grew weary
of tap ro(jm life, and longed to return to his wheat])roducing
bouwerie. During the war he had not ]iarted with the title to
all the land which he had previously bought of Bout^ for 8,000
florins.'' In IH.^S he sold ]»ai't of it to Harman Sujeeman.*^ On
danuarv 22. Hir)8, he asked for jK'rmissioii to return to Pavonia,
and to be relieved from certain tithes." In September, lOGl, lie
had become a man of "competence,'"" living on liis bouwerie at
<Temoene|)a. He was one of the first magistrates of the new
court at ilergen.'^ In December, ir>02, he joined his neighbors
in asking the Governor for a nunister of the gosjiel, and for
whose sup]>ort he subscribed twentv-five florins.'- He die<l in
Kir,.",.
His wife was I'itje Haitnians. In 1670 she was living at
•' (ihmoenepaen," and had *' many gi-andchildi-en, all of whom
were not unjust." The fai'in owned by hei- is marked on the
' New Amst. Rec, ii., 275. - Thid. ii., 603.
s iV. Y. Col. MSS., vi., 269. ■* New Neth. ller,., 1 IG.
■* lipid. 176. " Powira of Aftornei/, Xcir Amst., 1.V2.
' Col. IliHt. ofN. Y.. i., 4:!'2. •* lYew Amsf. Rec, i'ii., 20.
* iV. r. Col. MSS., riii.. (i4». '" Valentine:* Mmiunl, 186:1, .-)6n.
" Neir Neth. Ii>:g., IdO. '■ .V. }'. Vol. MSS.. j-., fart i.. 277. 279.
44:2 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
field map as lots numbered 14 ai'd 15/ The Lal)adists, in Octo-
ber, 1679, dined with her. An old lady in Brooklyn told them
that Fitje came from Cologne. Thej have left this quaint
record concerning her : " A\^e found her a little pious, after the
manner of the country, and you could discover that there was
something of the Lord in her, but very much covered up and
defiled."'^ This is no light testimony to the old lady's religious
attainments, considering that it is given by two men who seem
to have looked upon all mankind, except that small portion
which accepted their own ])eculiar views, as destined fuel for the
everlasting bonfire. She was a member of the Bergen church
in 1661:; d. September 21, 1697.
If tn^s^n^^Jjj-'^^^ ■
Second Generatton
Michiel Jansen had ch. : 5 \J^"
1. I. Claas came to this country withiiis father ; m. Annetje
Maria Gerbrants, of Norden, April J 4, 1657.
2 II. Elias (9), was a carpenter by trade ; m. Grietje Jacobs
«^
Yan Winckel, of " Hazymus," Aug. 30, 1665;
took the oath of allegiance to the kino; Nov.
22, 1(565 ; was commissioned xVssoeiate Judge of the
Court of Bergen in ir)73, '74, '77 and 1680 ; en-
. sign in Captain John Berry's company at Bergen,
July 15, 1675 ; was representative in the General
Assembly in 1683, '93, '95, '99 and 1708. During
the year 1683 he was commissioned one of the
Judges of the County of Essex. In March, 1684,
he united with his brothers Hartman, Johannis and
Cornelis (and others) in the jnircliase from the Pro-
prietors of " Haquequenunck."^ They had pre-
' Wiiifield's Land 'Titles, 51. -Loncj hi. Hist. Soc, i., 155.
^Tni/lor's Annals, Ij9.
TlIK VKKKI.ANK lAMH.'S. 44.'^.
viously ]turcliase»l the Indiiui title, ami lie was an
actual resident there in \(\S'A. In Mi'.C^ Ik; was ap-
]»()int('<l to raise revenue t'nr the war between Kn<^-
land and France.'
:;. III. Enocli (10), bap. Oct. 26, HUD ; in. 1st, Direksje Meyers,
of Amsterdam, June 20, l»;7t» ; .she d. ( )et. T), 1088 ;
2d, (irietje Wessels, witl. of Jan Janse Jvanii^edyck,
Oct. 23, 1693; slie d. Nov. 20, 1697; 3d,^Aagtie
Van Ilooren, Jan. 13, 1704 ; d. Aug. 17, 1714. lie
was a member of the (General Assembly of the
Trovince in 167.')- 88, 17<>7, "OS and '09.'" In the
last year lie was not prompt in his attendance, and
the sergeant-at-ai'tns was directed to ])ring him
fortliwith before the House. He was commissioned
ensign of the militia of Bergen, July 4, 1G81 ; As-
sociate Judge of the Court at Bergen in 1673, '74,
'81, '82, and '83 ; Comniissione;? of Higliways for
the County in 1(!82 and '02 ; and Assistant Judge
of the Bergen Conniion Pleas, May 22, 17'»5. He
lived on the bluff where the Central Railroad
crosses the Morris Canal, Jiear Cavan Point. ^ /)
4. I\'. Ilartman (22), bap. Oct. 1, KuA ; ni. Met;je,' 'dau. of
JJirek Claase Braecke, in lt')72.' He was a wheel-
wright by trade ; lived at Rechpokus on part of his
wife's inheritance ; purchased of Sachem Ca])ta-
hem and Christoi)her Iloagland (who was the first
])urchaser, July 1."), 1678), 27<» acres of land, in-
cluding ''Stoffel's Point" (so named from Hoag-
land), and an islaml in the Passaic river near
Arpiackanonck. named by the Indians M< inhiU-
ivkv., by the English " Hartman's Island." In 1693
' Lemninrj and !>picei\ 'd'-i-i. -Ibid, 346.
" Braecke, or, as he was jrenerally known, Dirck C'laeson, was patentee of
<"avan Point and Stony Point, liavini; purchased the former place from Efjberi
Woutcrsen. He held a lease of Iloljokcn for a short time about the year 1640,
Col. Hist, of N. Y.. /., :{2!( : was skipper of the sloop Union, from which he was
dismissed, April, 20, IClIS, for disobedience of orders, Tl'id, riii , S,")! ; and was
one of the <omniissioners to fortifv Comninni])aw in 11)6:5, yew Netli. Reg.. 15!),
He d. March 26, l(it»:i ; his wife.'Neesje .Jacobs, d, Dec. 2:5, lOdM. His three
daughters m. three l)rothers, and amon^ them liis pro])erty was divided.
444 IIISTOKY OF HL'DSOX COUNTY.
lie was Receiver of Taxes in Bergen ;^ d. Jan. 18,
1707.
5, Y. Joliannis(35), bap. Oct. 1, 1650 ; m. Claesje, dau. of Dirck
Claase Braecke, May 14, 1(;82; d. June 1>G, 1713.
0. VI. Cornelins(44),b. Jnne3,i660; m.l,st,Metje, dau. of Dirck
Claase Braecke, May 11, 1091 ; 2d, Lysbet Jacobs,
wid., April 17, 1692. On Mareb 17, 1696, be pur-
cbased of William Douglas'- land at Pembrepogli
(noAv Pamrapo, in Bayonne), on wbich be afterward
lived ; d- May — , 1727 ; sbc d. Aug. 17, 1724.
7. YII. Jannetje, m. Dirck Teunissen A"an Vechten, wbose
fatber succeeded Miebiel Jansen as occupant of
tbe farm at Greenbusb, in 1646. He settled on
tbe Baritan, not far from Somerville, and some of
bis descendants still live tbereabouts.
8. VIII. Pryntje, m. Andries Claesen, Marcb 25, 1688; d. April
21, 1711 ; be d. Aug. 7, 1710, leaving tbree sons,
wbo became tbe progenitors of tbe iVndersons in
tbis county. Tbis generation was known indiffer-
ently as Vreeland and Micbielse. Tliey wrote the
name Michielse, as Knock Michielse, &c.
Th Ird Gen e ration .
Elias [2] bad cb. :
9. I. Micbael, bap. April 7, 1666; II. Jacobus, bap. April 8,
1688; III. Fitje, bap. Dec. 25, 1669; m. Jolm
Tbomas, of Elizabetbtown ; IV. Trintje, bap.
Marcb — , 1672 ; m. Lourens Van Galen, June 15,
' Learning and Spicer, 337.
- William Doug-las (Doeckles, Douckles) lived at Pembrepogh, and was elect-
ed to represent Bergen in the General Assembly of N. J., in 1G80, but was ruled
out of that body bec/tuse he was a Roman Catholic, Alb. Bee, xxi.r, 110. This
is the first, and I believe is the only instance, of such jiersecution for religious
opinions in the State of New Jersey.
riiK \ ki;ki,aM) ia.mikv. 44.')
ITOo (she h;i<l five cli. Ijup. in the Uer^eii Cliurcli);
V. Ua-cl, 1.. MhivIi S, 1(;7<; ; VI. .liicnh, 1». An- U,
liiTS; 111. Aiitjc LoiircMisu Toers, Sept. - , ITi'^!.
Eiiucli [;}| had eh. :
10. I. Klsje, hap. X.»v. 12, h'.TI ; iii. K<l\\ai<l Knvlv, jr.," Feh.
■ i:;, If.SS.
11. II. Catliariiia, hap. ^[av I.">, 1(!T'>; in. .Vert Alhert.se, of
X. v., Juno 2«;,' l<;i>L\
l-^. ill. Alichael, hap. -Jan. '27, 1<''7.') ; d. iinin. He was noit rn)ii-
jjos meyitis.
I.".. \\ . Johaiuiis (52), hap. April 7, 1<;77; ni. ^laria JJerijjer,
June s, 1701.
14. V. Alii-aliain (53), h. June 22, 107S ; m. ^[ai'grietje \'an
Winkle (5), Oet. 28, IC.DO; his will, dated L)ee. 10,
I 734, was proved Jan. 8, 1748. Jle was a meniher
of the church at Aqnackanonck in 1725.
15. \1. Fitje, hap. Feh. 28, U't80 ; m. Peregrine Sauford, of
New l^arhadoes.
U). VII. Isaac, h. July 4, 1G83; in. Tryntje Newkirk (25),
March 2;', 170<i: was a nienihcr of the church at
Aquackanonck in 1 725.
17. VIII. Knoch (55), hap. Aug. 4, 1<)87; in. Maria St. Leger,
Oct. 22, 17"!-); was commissioned captain in Col-
onel Parker's regiment in 1724.
18. IX. Benjamin, h. MarclHt, 17<»5 ; d. Oct. 17, 1725.
n>. X. Elias, resided at " Peniinerepogh ;'' d. April 2, 1747, s. p.
20. XI. Jacoh, hap. Oct. 18, 17o8 ; d. March 0, 1732, nnin.
21. XII. Juris (5(;), h. Sept. 25, 171<>; m. 1st, Annetje Van
Winkle; 2d, Annetje \'an Wagenen i^35i, of
Aquackanonck; d. June 21, 1795. He owned and
resided in the house now owned by the heirs of
Captain William I lowe, west of Cavan Point. With
Rynier \;\\\ Ciesen, he represented Pergen in the
ll»tii Provincial Assembly of N. J. in 1754.
Ilurtman [4] had ch. :
' Earle came from Marylafid. On A])iil 24, 1076, he purchased the Sccaucus
Patent. Wirijield'n Lund 2'itlis, l:>(). He was Commissioner of Revenue in Ber-
gen during the English and French war, Leniniiifi <nid Spirer. :j;55 ; constable
in Ui!)4-'95, and Assistant Judge of the Hergen ('omm(m Pleas in 170."). On
.Inly 2!t, 1702, he purchased of tlif Indians a tract of land on Hechawack river,
in West Jersey, I'tvc. of X. J. lUM. f^oc, i., 1!)8. He was the founder of the
Earle fanuly in Hfrgtn and Hudson Counties; d. Dec. 15, 1711. In 1701 Earle,
Judge Pinhorne and W'illiaiii Sandford were considered "Persons of y* Best
Estates in East Jersie."
446 ■ HISTOKY OF IIUnSON COUNTY,
22. I. ClaaSj.b. April <i, I<i75; in. 1st, Annetje, dan. of
Hans Harmanse, tiien of New Utrecht, Long Island,
afterward of Coustaples Hoeck, May 24, 1697 ; she
d. Nov. 26, 1698, leaving one ch., Hartman, b.
March — , 169S, who by his grandfather's will re-
ceived one-half of the Hoeck ; 2d, Elsje Pieters,
Aug. 19, 1699. He was a member of the clmrch
at Aquackanonck in 1725.
23. IT. Aeltje, bap. Oct. 8, 1677.
24. III. Michael, b. Dec. 31, 1678; d. Jan. 14, 1692.
25. IV. Dirck [66), b. April 3, 1681 ; m. Margrietje Diedricks
Banta, of Hackensack, Oct. 20, 1702 ; resided at
Aquackanonck. His will, dated Nov. 8, 1769, was
proved Dec. 9, 1773.
26. y. Fitje, b. Feb. 21, 1683 ; m. Dirck Paulusen of Gemoe-
nepa, Aug, 19, 1699 ; resided at Aquackanonck,
27. YI, Styntje, b. Feb.'21, 1683,
28. YII. Aagtje, b. Oct. 28, 1684 ; m. Cornells Blinkerhoff (8),
then of Midwout, L. L, May 24, 1708; d. Feb. 20,
1761.
29. YIIL Dedricksje, b. Nov, 27, 1685,
30. IX. Marietje,' b. Nov. 23, l<i:?7 ; m. Thomas Fredericks,
alias De Cuyper, April 27, 1711.
31. X. Jannetje, b. July 22, 1691 ; m. Gerrit Yan Ripen (11),
June 19, 1718.
32. XI. Michael (67), b. Dec. 26, 1694; m. Elvsabet Yan
Ptipen (21), May 30, 1719 ; d. April 6,'l766.
33. XII. Arriantje, b. July 19, 1698; m. Zacliarias Sickles,
Nov. 7, 1719 ; d. Dec. 2, 1731.
34. XIII. Enoch, m, Jannetje Yan Blerkum ; had ch. : I.
Michael, b. May 23, 173(i.
Johannis [5] had ch, :
35. I. Michael, b. Sept. 14, 1684; d. Jan. 27, 1710.
36. II. Dirck, bap. Oct. 11, 1686 ; m. Fitje Direkse Banta,
May — , 1716 ; was a member of the church at
Aquackanonck in 1725.
37. HI. Fitje, bap. Oct. 28, 1688 ; d. Jan. 27, 1710, unm.
38. lY. Enoch, bap. Oct. 28, 1688 ; m, Mercy ; among
his ch. was Abraham, who lived in Elizabeth, and
whose will, dated March 22, 1768, was proved
April 6, 1771. In it his ch. are named : Enoch,
James, Abraham, Aaron, Hannah, Elizabeth,
Rachel, Sarah and Mercy.
riiK \ i;i:i;i,AM) iamii.v, 447
;',0. y. A:in;tjt', l.ap. April I'-J, IC'.tO; m. Cunirli^ I IcliniL'scii
\';iii II..iitL'ii, April I'.', 1711.
40. \ I. I l('lcii;i. III. .loliaiiiii.-- I IcliiiiLCScii \ an lloiitt'ii, .luiio
17, 171".'; '\, March 15, 1771.
tl. \'II. .laiiiictje. 111. Martin AViiiiif, Doc. '2\, 171''..
}•_'. N'lil. Mlias 111. ^Maritje Van llooren (.">i. May 11. 1 7i':! ;
(]. .\pril •_', 174^; had eh.: .lohunnis, i». Aug.
:'.", I 7:'>" ; )-c'sickHl at Aqujickationck.
4:5. \X. .loliaiinis, 1». .Inly 1, 1705; ni. Antjo Dicdricks in
1 7-2ti ; d. Fel). 1 i, 1 7S;5 ; slie d. So[)t. !'.•, 1 7.sO ; had
c'h. : Johannis. I>. July i^)^, 1781 ; d. Jan. 25, 1758.
There were sevi'ral more rji. than those here named;
the l-".tli ell. and Cth dan. was h. July l!*, ICHS.
Cornelius [(I | had eh. :
44. 1. Aa^tje, 1). .\pril Is, 1»'>S'2; ni. Tioeluf Ilelniigse Van
Ilouteii, April iM, 17nl ; d. Any-. 14, 170S.
45. II. Fitje, hap. duly 22, HiS3 ; m. Laui-ence A'an Ihis-
kirk (S), Sept. 18, 170!»: d. Oct. 1'.', 1756.
4t). III. ]\[irhael, haj). Aui;-. 2, 1<;n5: d. in inf.
47. I\ . Michael, bap. Feb. 2:>, 1<>S7; d. in inf.
48 V. Jannetje, ba|). Nov. 28, 1(588 ; m. Daniel \'an AN'inkle
(<»), Sept. a, 17011; d. Ajn-il 12, I7»;:t.
49. Vr. IS'eeltje, bap. July 23, lf!!»0.
50. VII. Michael i71), b. Sept. 18, 1»;'.»4; ni. Jenneke, dau.
(»f Ilelnius \'an Ilouten, Oct. 28, 1713.
51. VIIT. Metje, b. Oct. 3, K'.DS.
FniiiiJi Generation.
Juhanuis 1 13J had ch. :
52. 1. Maria, bap. Nov. 2'.t, I7i»2: 11. Catharina, bap. Nov.
I'.t, 17<>4; III. Fnoch, bap. Jan. 22, 1707; IV.
Martinus, bap. April 3, 1700. Tiiese were all ban.
in N. Y.
Abraham [14] had ch. :
53. I. Enoch, 1). :\rarcli 14, 1700; his will, dated May 14,
1777, i)roved June24, 1777, names his wife Rachel
ami son Daniel, who had a son John.
54. II. Jaeoli: III. .lohannis; IV. Simeon; \. Isaac, d. in
175(); VI. .\])rahani; VII. Ilendrick;' VIII.
Derrick; L\. Lea; X. Anna. ()ne(»f these dau.
m. Robert Ra^-ley. Simeon m. liachel ,
and removed to I'erijen (V»uutv. IIi> will, dated
448 IJISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
May 29, 17^1, was proved Feb. U. 1T<;5. At its
(late his wife was enceinte.
P^nocli 1 17J had ch. :
55. 1. Enoch, bap. Oct. 4, 171»>; II. Helena, bap. Jan. 14.
1713; III. Elias, bap. March 4, IV15 : IV. Ben-
jamin, bap. Dec. 11, 1717, d. Aug. 2t;, 173r>. These
were all bap. in N. Y.
Joris [21] had eh. :
56. I. Aagtje, b. Sept. 18, 1738; ni. Helniig Van Honten ;
marriage bond dated May 4, 1753.
57. II. Enoch, b. Sept. 22, 1737 ; d. in inf. III. Garret, b.
May 17, 173U ; d. Jan. 26, 1751.
58. lY. Enoch, b. Feb. 18, 1741 ; m. Cornelia Kip in 1764;
removed to New Barbadoes.
51>. Y. Jacob, m. Jenneke Cadmus (13) ; removed to Staten
Island.
60. YI. Juhannis, b. Sept. 21, 1719; m. Helena Garra-
brant (33), June 21, 1778; d. Oct. 27, 1824,
s. p. ; his only ch., Joris, b. Jan. 10, 1779 ; d. in inf.
61. N\V. Garret (80), b. Nov. 1, 1751; m. Jannetje Cadmus
(9) ; d. Feb. 13, 1825.
T)2. YIII. Effie, m. 1st, Jacob Yan Wagenen (34) ; 2d, John Yree-
land.
63. IX. Lena, b. May 20, 1756 ; m. Garret Yan Ripen (^53);
d. March 7, 1846.
64. X. Jenneke, b. Dec, 1, 1758 ; m. 1st, Henry Kewkirk (17);
2d, Joseph Yan Winkle (46), Mav 26, 1798 ; d. J une
28, 1847.
65. XI. Annatje, ni. Michael Yreeland (78) ; d. Feb. 23, 1803.
Dirck [25] had ch. ;
'o'o. I. Hartman, b. Jan. 24, 1704; II. liachel, b. July 16,
1707 ; III. Marritje, b. April 7, 1709 ; lY. Hester,
b. Feb. 25, 1712 ; Y. Dirck, b. Nov. Itl, 1716 ; YI.
Johannis, b. Oct. 12, 1719; VII. Antje, b. July
4, 1722. Besides these, his will mentions Claesje^
Michael and Marcji^'ietje.
Michael [32] had ch. :
67. I. Hartman, m. Marritje Garrabrant ( 15), Nov. 20, 1739 ;
removed to Wesel, near Aquackanonck ; his will,
dated Nov. 4, 1776, proved April 14, 1785, names
his ch. : I. Michael, II. Cornelius, III. Jennie, lY.
Elizabeth, Y. Beelitje, b. Jan. 5, 1757.
THE VKEELANI) I AMIl.V. 44'l
r.8. II. <iarrct, lived ;it rnimiiuni|>,i\v : '1. Fcl). S, 17.^4, tinin.
«;•.). ill. Claas (SC), hap. March oO, 17l'4; in. 1st, Catlyntje Sip
(18), May 1-"., 1757; -Jd, Aiitje, flan. uF Steplicii Bas-
set, D.'c* I.'!, 17»;(i; tl. Feh. 'O, lS()-_>; she h. March
•29, 17:^«>; d. March 1. 1S1!». Tiio foilowini!: is a
cupy of his Ijuiid in this s:ecuiul niarria^t- :
'* Know all men l)y these presents. That ^Vc,
Nicholas Yri'clandt, of the ('onnty of JJeriren and
Province of New Jersey, iSc Michael Vreelandt, of
Essex County «fe Province af, are holden and do
stand justly indebted unto his Kxcellency Thomas
IJoone, Es(f, (Toveriior-in-riiief of New Jersey af,
in the sum of Five Hundred Pounds, of (Mirrent
lawful Money of New Jersei/ ; to be paid to his
vsaid Kxcellency, Thomas Boone, Esq"", liis Succes-
sors or Assigns ; For which l*ayuient well and
truly, to be made and done, We do bind ourselves,
our Heirs, Executors and Administrators, and
every of them, jointly & severall}', lirmly by these
l^resents. Sealed with our Seals; dated this Sec-
ond Day of J)ecem]jer, Annoque Domini One
Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty.
" The condition of this Obligation is sucli, That
whereas the above l)ounden Nicholas A^reelandt
hath obtained License of Marriage for himself of
the one Party, and for Nancy IJassett, of Essex
County af, of the other Party; Now, if it shall
not hereafter apjiear that they, the said Nicholas
Vreelandt A: Nancy Jiassett, have any lawful Let
or Lnpediment, of Pre-Contract, AtKnity or Con-
sanguinitv, to hinder their being joined in the Holy
P>ar.ds of Matrimony, and afterwai'ds their living
together as Man and Wife ; then this Obligation
to be void, or else to stand and remain in full
F^orce and Virtue.
liis
"Nicholas X YuEEi.AMrr
mark.
"Michael VKEELANnx.
" Sealed and Delivered /
in the Presence of |
•• Liw I- ( )i;i)EN."
•2!)
450 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
70. IV. Beelitje. b. March 19, 1733; m. Cornelius Sip (16)
July 4, 1701 ; d. Oct. 20, 1789 ; Y. Maritje.
Michael [50] had ch. :
71. I. Metje, b. Dec. 28, 1720 ; m. Abraham Yan Tnyl,
Dec. 8, 1738.
72. II. Jannetje, b. Nov. — , 1722 ; m. Joris Cadmus (6) ; d.
Nov. 12, 1766.
73. III. Cornelius (93), b. Jan. — , 1726; m. Cartrintje Cad-
mus (5) ; removed to English Neighborhood.
74. lY. Helmagh (94), b. Feb. 20, 1728 : m. 1st, Neeltje Yan
Horn (7) ; marriage bond dated April 1, 1752 ; 2d,
Jannetje !Sip (20) ; removed to Staten Island ; his
ch. returned and settled at Centreville, near Bergen
Point.
75. Y. Aagtje, b. Feb. 14, 1732 ; YI. Abraham, b. Aug.
10, 1734.
76. YII. Dirck (97), b. March 11, 1737 ; m. and removed to
English Neighborhood. Durino; the Ilevolutionary
war he was accused of disaftection, and Major
Hayes ordered to arrest him, July 11, 1777 ; he
was confined in the jail at Morristown ; John Mead
became his bail, and he was released Aug. 20, 1778.
77. YIII. Jacob, b. March 11, 1737 ; removed to Fort Lee.
78. IX. Michael (98j, b. June 24, 1739 ; m. Annatje Yree-
land (64) ; d. Dec. 5, 1804.
79. X. Johannis (102), b. March 2, 1742; m. Iveetje Hoog-
landt, April 29, 1767; d. July 30, 1823; she b.
Nov. 13, 1747; d. Sept. 24, 1819.
Fifth Generation.
Garret [61] had ch. :
80. I. Joris, d. Nov. 7, 1786, in inf.
81. n. Jacob (106), b. June 25, 1781 ; m. Catlvntje Brinker-
hoff (37), Jan. 21, 1801 ; d. in 1866." Previous to
his death he removed to Rocky Hill, N. J.
82. III. Annatje, b. Feb. 15, 1784 ; d. NoV. 14, 1786.
83. lY. George (112), b. July 12, 1787; m. 1st, Catharine
Newkirk (31), June 17, 1809 ; 2d, Maria, dan. of
Moses Schoonmaker and wid. of xVbraham Collerd,
Dec. — , 1857 ; 3d, Josephine Griffith, Dec. 8, 1872.
84. Y. Jannetje, b. March 14, 1790 ; m. George De Mott, Oct.
1, 1808 ; d. July 14, 1826.
/ \
IIIK VRKKI.ANl) I A.MII.V
i.-.l
8:.. \\. Kicliiir.l (PJ2i. I.. .Iiilv -Jl, 17'.>-J; ni. Miir«,'aret, dan. of
Mirliacl Dc M.-tt', 1 )(.'(-. ;♦, 1S15.
Claas I <;;» I had cli. :
8G. I. Michael (i:;.".), h. .1 iilv ;)!, IT-'.s; m. (ieertjc, dau. of
Daniel Sickles, Sept. 10, 17S1 ; d. March 10, lS2;"i:
she (1. .Iidy2, ISl.j. By his uncle Garret's will,
dated .June Hi, HOC, j^roved ^larch 2."!, I7s4, he
received land at A(juaci<anonck,
87. 11. .\ntje, 1>. Feb. 28, 17G2; ni. Jiirrio Van llipen, of Slot-
terdam ; marriage bond dated June 2(i, 17>>7.
8.^. III. Elisabet, b.. May :'.'', 1704; ni. Cornelius Van Ripen
(7;>); uuu'riai];e bund dated -Ian. 20, 1787 ; d, April
8, 1788.
8it. lY. Sarah, b. Oct. 7, 1 7(;(! ; d. in inf.
9U. V. Sallv, b. Sei)t. 14, 170'.*; in. Jacobus A^an JUiskirk
(V.Si, Dee. IC, 1787: <1. .\ug. 12, 18;-!2.
I'l. \'I. Beelitje, b. April 17, 1774; ni. John Westervelt, of
Teaneck.
02. VIl. Stephen (142),
b. Alay ;;i, 1778 ; m.
1st, Jenneke Vree-
land (104), Dec. 10,
17!t7: 2(1, Elizabeth
\'an Kipen(^l>3), (Jet.
14, 1817; 3d, Altje
Van Winkle (83),
wid. of John Afande-
ville. Xov. 2i.«, 1S2S;
4tli, Ellen Schoon-
niaker, of Flatbush,
L. I. ; she d. Feb.
14, 1840; 5th, Ra-
chel Van AVinkle,
wid, of Thomas \'an
,Cy//'' ■ •-••--V. ^.')
r^^
Ripen <80); she d. >_X^,^^ , ^ /^-r.rCcc^y'i^
Jan. 20, ls.^1; Gth. ^ ^ '
Hannah W. Gross, widow ; d. Aug. 31, 1805.
Cornelius [73 J iiad eh. :
93. I. Michael, b. Xov. 24, 1757; II. Direk, b. May 25, 1700;
III. Cornelius, b. Sept. 20, 1702, m. Oct. 5, 1788.
Ifelmagh [ 74 1 had ch. :
94. I. ^Liehael, b. Jan. 14, 1759.
452
IIISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
95. II. William (153), m. 1st, Rachel Yan Biiskirk (37); 2d,
Catharine Sickles, wid. of Leonard Johnson, Oct.
12, 1822 ; d. May 2, 1854, set. 84 yrs. ; she d. June .
28, 1847, »t. 58'yrs.
90. III. Cornelius (159), h. in 1769 ; m. Elizabeth Van Bus-
kirk (36) ; d. Sept. 2, 1824.
Dirck [76] had ch. :
97. I. Fitje, b. Aug. 16, 1751 ; II. Metje, b. Oct. 31, 1754;
III. Leya, b. Sept. 17, 1758.'
Michael [78] had ch, :
98. I. George (167),
b. Jan. 31, 1762;
m. Jane Brinker-
hoff (30), Oct. 21,
1780; d. July 19,
1824.
99. II. Annatje, b.
July 19, 1764; m.
Jasper Zabriskie,
Au<r. 17, 1781.
100. lil. Jenneke, b.
in 1775 ; m. Dirck
A^an Eipen (74),
Oct. 1792 ; d. July
1, 1S48.
101. IV. John,b. May
1, 1780; m. Aegi'e
Cadmus (15), March
17, 1804; d. April 1, 1832, s. p.
Johannis [79] had ch. :
102. I. Michael (178), b. April 18, 1768; m. Annatje Garra-
brant (39), Nov. 5, 1789; d.Nov. 29, 1827.
103. 11. Jannetje, b. Oct. 22,1772; m. Aaron Newkirk (25),
Nov. — , 1791 ; d. June 4, 1830.
104. III. Jenneke, b. Jan. 23, 1774 ; m. Stephen Vreeland (92),
Dec. 16, 1797 ; d. Aug. 16, 1816.
105. IV. Cornelia, b. in 1782; m. Garret Van Winkle (96),
Oct. 3, 1801 ; d. July 26, 1826.
\.y{im
Sixth Generation,
Jacob [81] had ch. :
THE VREEr.AND FAMILY. 458
lOt;. I. CJan-et {l^-^}, 1>. Nov. 2i), 1801; m. .lane Vrcclaml
(16:^), Dec. lU, 1822; removed \n li.-cky Hill.
107. II. TIciirv (IS.-)), 1,. Mill-ell 2.'{, 1S04- ; in. .Margaret V'ree-
laiul (Iti-I), Dec 24, lS2r); ri'inuved to Delaware.
H»S. HI. (ieorire (18<»)5 I'- Auor, 3^ IsOT; in. Ann \'reelan<I
(251)), Dec. 81, 18*31; removed t^ Lisbon, 111.;
d. isT.'V
ItHi. 1\'. .I(.lin OMt, I). ,l:in. 4, 1>U); 111. Eli/.a, dau. of Corne-
lins Van Ri[)en, Aug. 18, 1886 ; removed to
Trenton.
110. V. Crnelius (ISS), h. Auj^. 20, 1812; m. 1st, Catharine,
dau. of Ilenrv Van Horn, Dec. 25,1884; she d.
March 12, 1842; 2d, Maria, dau. of Henry Vree-
laiid, of A(juackanonck, April 18, 1843 ; d. Aug. 4,
1S48.
111. VI. Jacob, I). Sept. 21>, 1817; m. (iitty \'reeland (227j,
Dec. 20, 1838 ; removed to Rocky Hill, X. J.
George [88 | had ch. :
112. I. Garret (l!t4), 1). Oct. 30, 18<)'J; 111. Catharine, dau.
of Merselis J. Merselis, Feb. 23, 1884.
li;i. II. Jane, b, A})ril 7, 1812; m. 1st, Andrew Cadmus
(30), May 29, 1830; 2d. Oliver P. Sinitli, Xov. 2t^
1S35.
114. III. Maria, 1). Jan. 28, 1814; m. William Smith, Dec.
14, 1833.
115. IV. Geor«,n' (105), b. Oct. 8, 1816 ; m. Cathalina New-
kirk' (64), Feb. 23, 1837.
116. \". Marn-aret, b. Julv 28, 1818 ; m. ^Merselis M. Parks,
Nov. 26, 1835 ;'d. May 25, 1861.
117. VI. Hannah, b. Jan. 1<>, 1820; m. John Meyers, Feb.
22, 1887.
118. VII. Henry {20)i). b. Dec. 28,1821 ; 111. Julia Ann Pharo,
June 28, 184C ; d. ^[ay 15, 1865.
]1<». A'in. Helen, b. Dec. 22, ls28; in. Jasper Cadmus (40),
Dec. 26, 1844.
120. IX. Jacob, b. July 17. 182»;; 111. 1st, Ellen M., dau. of
Moses Schoonmaker, of Rochester, N^. Y., Nov. 5,
1857; 2d, Anne, dan. of Henrv Uosencamp, Julv
11,1867.
121. X. Catharine, b. March 15, 1829; d. Sept. 16, 1832.
Richard [85] had ch. :
122. I. Garret (208\ b. Sei)t. 20, ISit): m. 1st, Elizaborh
454 HISTORY OF Hudson county.
dan. of Stephen Terlmne, Sept. 27, 1838; she d.
July 7, 185S; 2d, Phebe Ellen, dau. of Andrew
Eapp, Aug. 23, 1862 ; she d. Feb. 2, 1868 ; 3d,
Mary Anna Van Kipen (155), March 5, 1869.
123. 11. Michael D. M. (205), b. Nov. 21, 1818; ra. 1st,
Ann, dau. of Henry Yan Horn, Nov. 22, 1838 ; she
d April 20, 1852; 2d, Ann Elizabeth, dau. of
Archer G. Welsh, April 1, 1854.
124. III. Eichard C. (208), b. Dec. 14, 1820 ; m. Margaret
Ann, dau. of David Demarest, May 27, 1846 ; re-
moved to Lodi, Bergen Co.
125 IT. Henrv (210), b. Oct. 19, 1822; m. Elizabeth Jane,
dau.-of Charles Musk, Feb. 25, 1852.
126. V. Catherine C, b. Mav 17, 1825 ; m. Watts Burrows,
M. D.
127. VI. George (212), b. Nov. 3, 1827 ; m. Susan M. Yree-
land^(194).
128. VII. John, b. March 23, 1830; m. Jane, dau. of Albert
Ackerinan, Oct. 12, 1859; had ch. : I.Albert, b.
April 19, 1866.
129. YIII. Jane, b. July 11, 1832 ; d. Dec. 5, 1837.
130. IX. Mary Anna,' b. Nov. 11, 1834; d. , 1861, unm.
131. X. Jacob B. (213), b. May 11, 1837 ; m. Kate Ann, dau.
of Archer G. Welsli, Dec. 15, 1863.
132. XL Peter, b. Nov. 24, 1839 ; d. May 18, 1844.
Michael [86] had ch. :
133. I. Catlynti'e, b. Aug. 28, 1782 ; d. in inf.
134. II. Catlyntie. b. Jan. 9, 1785 ; m. Henry Van Horn,
Dec. 17, 1809; d. March 24, 1848.
135. III. Antje, b. Dec. 14, 1786 ; ni. Jacob D. Van Winkle
(84), Dec. 31, 1812; d. Feb. 19, 1866.
136. IV. Nicholas (214), b. Feb. 20, 1789; m. 1st, Annatje,
dau. of Edo Winne, March 15, 1814 ; she b. Nov.
3, 1794, d. July 5. 1832; 2d, Eh'zabeth, dau. of
John Van Pipeii, of Wesel. Sept. 21, 1834 ; d. Dec.
23, 1873.
137. V. Daniel (218), b. Feb. 27, 1791; m. Cornelia New-
kirk (46), Jan. 23, 1813 ; d. Aug. 22, 1867.
13^. VI. Garret (225), b. Jan. 31, 1793 ; m. Jannetje, dau. of
Edo Winne, July 21, 1814; d. Oct. 1, 1858 ; she
b. June 8, 1797, d. Sept. 27, 1858.
139. VII. Abraham (231), b. June 27, 1795; m. Annatje Van
Kipen (101), Nov. 30, 1816; d. July 23, 1868.
I UK VRKELAXn FAMILY. 455
140. VIII. Corncliu.- M. (241), b. in 1 T'.''^ ; in. Catliiirine Ncw-
kirk (48), Nov. 2S. 1S22; removed to Lisbon, 111.
141. iX. (ieiTtniv. I.. Fd.. '2.S, 1S()5, d. Oct.—, isof); X.
(iuilliaiiu d. March .MO, 1S()7.
StoplicTi \\)-2\ had eh. :
142. I. .Xiitjc, 1). I'Vl). 4, 1700; 111. Peter V. li. Vreeland
(K'.IM, March 1«J, iSlC; (h dniie 15, 1850.
14:i II. (Cornelia, b. Nov. 10, 1801 ; d. May 28, 1802.
144. III. Kli/abeth, b. March 2S, ISO.H; d. Feb. 21, 1816.
145. I\'. Cornelia, I). Julv 2, 1800; in. Garret Wautcrs,Ja!i.
2!), 1S25.
146- A'. Maria, b. Dec. 10, 1809; ni. Peter Van Ptipen, of
Aqiiackanonck, Dec. 13, 1828.
147. VT. Isabella, b. Jan 2(5, 1813; ni. Leonard Johnson,
Dec. 15, 1832 ; d. July 21, 1830. She had ch. : L
Gertrude, who in. Theodore F. Morris, M. D., of
Jersev City.
148. VII. Eliza, 'b. Fel). 18, 1810; ni. Cornelius Cadmus of
Sldtterdain.
149. \III. Nicholas S. (247). b. Nov. 21, 1818; m. Ellen Jane,
dau. of" Stephen Van Ripen, Oct. 1, 1840.
150. IX. Fannv G., b. Feb. 27, 1821 ; X. Janet, b. Sei>t. 2,
1823, d. Sept. 18, 1823.
151. XI. Stephen B. (248), b. Dec. 21, 1824; in. Mary, dau.
of Merselis J. Merselis, Dec. 25, 1845.
152. XII. Helen, I.. \n<^. 18, 1820; d. Sept. — , 1820.
William [95] had ch.:
153. I. Elizabetli, b. Dec. 10, 1704; in. John Cadmus (22),
Dec. 3, 1814.
154. TI. Mar<;aret, in. Jasper Cadmus, Dec. 17, 1817.
155. III. Wiliiam (249), b. Dec. 2, 1801 ; in. Maria Jane, dau.
of Cornelius Van Horn, April 25, 1822.
156. IV. Peter V. B. (255), b. Aug. 30, 1811; m. Jane Van
Horn (44), Feb. 27, 1840.
157. V. Cornelius, m. Caroline, dau. of James Simonson, June 2,
18:',S ; ,1. Feb. 13, 1840, ;vt. 25 yrs., 2 mos., 22 days.
158. VI. .lane Maria, b. Sept. 23,1823; m. Samuel Meyers of
Oranii;e county, N. Y., May 31, 1843; VII. Rachel
V. B., b. Oct! 30, 1826.
Cornelius [90] had ch. :
150. I. William C. (259), in. Cornelia A^reeland (180), Nov.
:'.ii. 1M4; renmved to Middiebu^li, N. J.
456 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
160. II. Peter Y. B. (262), 1). Aug. 27, 1795 ; m. Antje
Vreeland (142), March 16, 1816 ; d. Dec. 12, 1867.
161. III. Eliza, b. June 18, 1798; in. Stephen Terhnne,
Jnne 1, 1815; d. March 21, 1848.^
162. lY. Cornelius C. (270), 1). Xov. 26, 1800 ; m. Catharine,
dan. of John Outwater, Dec. 23, 1824; d. Dec. 17,
1873.
163. Y. Jane, m. Garret Yreeland (106), Dec. 19, 1822.
164. YI. Marcfaret, m. Henry Yreeland (107), Dec. 24, 1825.
165. YII. Kachel, m. Henry J. Mandeville, Dec. 19, 1831.
166. YIII. Ann, m. Michael M. Yreeland (183), May 1, 1830.
George [98] had ch. :
167. I. Michael (274), b. Oct. 31, 1781 ; rn. Aeltje, dau. of
Gnilliam Outwater, Nov. 30, 1801 ; d. April 10,
1828 ; she b. Dec. 11, 1781, d. in 1846.
168. II. Hartman (282), b. March 15, 1784; ni. Eliza B.,
ELIZA B. YREELAND.
i^ i^/^c^/mi^t^T. ■ ^T^< ^-
>/ t
dau. of Andrew Gautier, Dec. 17, 1808; d. Feb.
6, 1868, s. p., but had adopted his wife's nephew,
' As to Terliune, ride Genealogy of the Bergen Family, lOG.
rilK VKKELAND lAMHV. 4.i(
IlaitiiKiii, SOU of Garret \ .in Horn {-il), wlioso
name was changed to Yreelaiid.
]♦;»). III. Aiiiietji', 1>. March iiO, 1780 ; iii. Tlinmas McDoiiaM.
17<». 1\. Cornelius, h. Fch. 25, 17S1>; d. Jan. IC, 1 Si :',, urini.
171. \. -lolin (t. (2S;I), 1). Jan. 3, 17!>2; ni. Catharine, (hm.
of Ilelinii^h \'an Ilonten, I'^oh. I, Isl7: d. Jul\
17, 18;i2; she d. Oct. !(», ls4l>.
172. VI. Clao?.jr, )). Doc. 20, 171)4; in. (ieor<j:;c \'an liipcn
(71),'of Slotterdain, July 2:!, ISU.
17.:. Vir. Jacoh, h. Oct. 1 1, 17l>7 ;"d. Dec. 'J, 1707.
174. \III. ITenry (287), h. Oct. 11, 17!>7; ni. Lucinda, dan. of
Cornelius .ferolainon, ^fay 28, 1820.
17^). IX. Jacob, h. July 5, 1800; d. in inf.
17('>. X. Garret (296), b. June 26, 18(»3; m. Marv, dan. of
Baker Smith, May 15, 1824 : d. Feb. 10," 1852.
177. XI. dacol), h. ]\[arch 9, 1809; d. Feb. 1, 1811.
Michael [102) had ch. :
178. I.- Lvbertje, b. Aucr. 14^ 1700; m. George Cadmus (21),
"^Noy. 14, 1812.
179. 11. John :N[. (:'.01), h. Sept. 30, 1792; m. 1st, Kachel,
dan. of Nicholas Mandeville, Nov. 19, 1818; she
d. Aug. 23, 1853, ii't. 53 yrs,, 9 mos., 6 days; 2d,
Fllen Sclnvab; d. July 18, 1864.
18<>. III. Cornelia, b. Dec. 24, 1794; m. William 0. Vreeland
(159), Nov. 30, 1814.
181. IV. Annatje, b. March 4,1797; m. Nich(das C. Prior,
Dec. 30, 1818; d. Feb. 6, 1866.
182. V. Myndert (3(»5), b. .luly 1,1800; m. 1st, Catliarine,
"dau. of Jasper Cadmns (29), Jan. 18, 1823 ; 2d,
Annatje Van Ripen (110), Nov. 24, 1836 ; removed
to Pu. ckv Hill.
183. VI. Michael (311), 1). Dec. 3, lSo7 ; ni. .\nn Yreeknd
(166), May 1, 1830 ; removed to Pocky Plill. ■
i
Seventh Generation.
Garret [106] had ch. :
184. I. Jacob, b. Dec. 25, 1828; II. Elizabeth Catharine, b.
Nov. 7, 1831 ; III. Jacob Henry, b. Oct. 11, 1834,
d. March 8, 1855; I\', Margaret Amelia, b. Jan.
19, 1836.
Henry [107] had eh.:
458 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
185. I. William Henry, b. Nov. 19, 1830; II. Catharine Jane,
b. Feb. 3, 1839.
George [108] had ch. :
186. I. Jacob, b. Dec. 11, 1832 ; II. Cornelia Elizabeth, b.
July 23, 1835 ; III. William Henry, b. Feb. 15,
1838 ; lY. Catharina, b. x\ug. 29, 1842 ; Y. Anna, b.
Feb. 10, 1845, m. Jacob M. Yan Winkle (163),
Feb. 26, 1862; YI. Cornelius, b. Aug. 12, 1849;
YII. Martin L., b. Nov. 18, 1852.
John [109] had ch. :
187. I. John Henry, b. Aug. 7, 1839 ; II. Hannah Y. B., b.
Nov. 29, 1841 ; III. Cornelius Y. R., b. Dec. 20,
1843.
Cornelius [110] had ch. :
188. I. Jacob, b. Nov. 7, 1836 ; m. Mary Jane Yoorhis, Dec.
29, 1858 ; removed to Princeton.
189. II. Cathalina, b. March 8, 1838; m. Robert B. String-
ham.
190. III. Henrv Y. II., b. Jan. 1, 1840; removed to Brooklyn.
191. lY. Cornelius, b. May 16, 1844 ; d. July 25, 1845.
192. Y. Amelia Ann, b. Jan. 16, 1846 ; d. March 15, 1867.
193. YI. Eliza Jane, b. May 13, 1848 ; m. Theodore R. Cad-
mus (86), Dec. 3i, 1865.
Garret [112] had ch;:
194. I. Susan M., b. Jan. 25, 1840 ; m. George R. Yreeland
(127).
George [115] had ch. :
195. I. Sophia Jane, b. Dec. 7, 1837; m. Andrew Cadmus
(71), Oct. 28, 1859.
196. II. Cathalina, b. Aug. 26, 1839 ; m. Peter S. YanWinkle
(157), Dec. 26, 1861.
197. III. George W., b. June 3, 1842; m. Helen G., dau.
of Oliver P. Smith, Jan. 15, 1868; had ch. : I.
Jennie, d. in inf ; II. Catharine.
198. lY. Rachel Emma, b. July 13, 1844.
199. Y. Mary Frances, b. Sept. 4^ 1847 ; m. Peter C. Yree-
land (353), June 28, 1870.
200. YI. Francis N., b. Sept. 17, 1849 ; d. in inf.
201. YII. Jefierson, b. Sept. 12, 1851 ; YIII. Oliver P., b.
IIIK NK'KKI.ANI) lAMII.V.
4r>9
Oct. 10. In.").".; IX. l\nliii;iii.l, 1>. March 14,
ISar,.
Henry [ llS] liad cli. :
i^i'-j. L Miirv ('., 1). Oct. 21, is.M ; II. .luli;, A.. 1.. Fcl,. l'.»,
'1854; II[. Annie W., 1.. An- Ls, 18r,(;; IV.
Goortrc II.. 1.. Dec. 15, 1851) ; V'. Helen J., 1). Dec.
24, ISC I ; VI. Henry (1., h. .Inne '2:i, \S*k>.
(iarret Tt. 1122] liad ch. :
208. T. Eliza Jane, I). Dec. 28, 188'.); in. ,](>lin D. Roniaine,
Dec. IS, is«;o.
204. II. Steplien T., d. in inf.
.Michael I). M. 11281 1>:^<1 ^'J'- :
205. I. Catharine Jane, b. Nov. 22, 1843; ni. .Inhn H. Car-
rafjan, Sept. — , 186'.>.
20n. IT. Peter, b. April 11, 1845; m. Hannah, dan. of
Arclier G. AVelsli, Dec. 14, lS«;it; had cli. : I.
Reuben C. b. :Mav 11,1872.
207. III. .\braham P.., b. Jan.'21. 1848; lY. Margaret Louisa,
b. Nov. 22, 1851 ; Y. Lvcenia D. M.^ b. Nov. 11,
1855; VI. Joseph W.,b. Nov. 16, 1858; YII.
Henrv P., b. Dec. 25, 1800, d. Aug. 17,1807;
VIII." William P., b. Au£r. 11, 1802; IX. Wallace,
b. March 20, 1865; X. Ella, b. March 31. 1867;
XI. Matthew, b. April 20, 1870.
Richard C. [124] had ch. :
208. I. James C. b. May 7, 1847; m. Mary Elizabeth,
dan of Henry Norman, of Englewood, Sept. 28,
1870.
200. IT. Henry P.. b. June 1, 1850; HI. David D., b. Oct.
2l", 1858; IV. Marfraret P., b. June S. IS.50;
V. George W., b. Aucr. 21, 1858; VI. Lavinia,
b. Jan. 1, 1801; VII. William P., b. Julv 0,
1808.
Henry [125 ) had ch. :
210. I. Mary Marirretta, b. Mav 20, 1S58: m. Garret Van
Horn i08), Aj^ril 22, 1878.
211. II. Kate C, b. duly 2, 1S55, d. X..v. :!, 1>.^7; III.
Emma Elizabeth, b. A]>ril 8, 1857 ; W. Hamilton,
b. Manli 28, 1851); V. Anna P... b. Feb. 27, ISOl ;
\'I. Kirh.ird. 1,. Sept. 21, 1S(U, .1. Oct. 18, isi^,-, ;
400 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
YII. Cliarles M., b. Jan. 1(\, 1867 ; YIII. Henry,
b. March 18, 1870.
George [127] had ch. :
212. I. Catharine Anna, b. Aug. 5, 1802 ; II. George B., 1).
Oct. 10, 1870, d. May 21, 1871.
Jacob B. 1 181] had ch. :
218. Edgar, b. Jan. 4, 1865 ; II. Lena, b. Dec. 22, 1808; III.
Charles Winlield, b. Jan. 20, 1870.
Nicholas [186] had ch. :
214. I. Nicholas, b. Aug. 7, 1810 : d. Aug. 14, 1817.
215. II. Nicholas,' b. April 3, 1886; d. March 18, 1887.
210. III. John Y. K. (320), b. Dec. 8, J 887; m. Anna Mariu
Newldrk (107), Oct. 16, 1861.
217. lY. Gitty Ann, h. March 14, 1841 ; m. Samuel D. Tomp-
kins, Jan. 2, 1808.
Daniel [137] had ch. :
218. I. Jane, b. Nov. 15, 1813 ; m. Cornelius Brinkerhoff (41),
Dec. 16, 1830.
219. II. Michael D. (321), b. Jan. 31, 1817; m. Eachel, dau.
of John Sturge, Dec. 8, 1885.
220. III. Aaron N. (320), b. Dec. 4, 1819 ; m. Eliza, dau. of
Isaac Pow, Dec. 12, 1844.
221. lY. Gitty S., b. April 17, 1822 ; m. John B. Welsh, June
29, 1843.
222. Y. Cornelius Y. E. l330), b. July 24, 1825 ; m. Susannah
Jane, dau. of Henry Smith. Dec. 31, 1849.
223. YI. Nicholas D. (331), b." Feb. 20,1828; m. Catharine,
dau. of John Zabriskie, Sept. 20, 1848.
224. YII. Daniel S., b. Nov. 1, 1831 ; m. Sarah Catliarine, dau.
of Thomas Anderson.
Garret [138] had ch. :
225. I. Garret (332), b. Nov. 26, 1814 ; m. Catharine Yan
Buskirk (Ol), Oct. 22, 1834.
220. II. Jane, b. July 9, 1818 ; d. Sept. 0, 1818.
227. III. Gitty, b. Jan. 7, 1820 ; m. Jacob J. Yreeland(lll),
Dec. 20, 1888.
228. lY. Anna Jane, b. Jan. 27, 1822 ; m. Michael J. Yreeland
(801), Dec. 17, 1840.
TIIK VRKKI.AM) lAMII.V. 461
'J'J'.K \' . .\i('li()l;i>, 1). l-'.'l). 1, IS-jKI; <1. Sept. H',, iS47, uniii.
ii;;<). \-i. Al.i';ili;iiii, 1.. .Iiin(> in. is;;:. : .1. July 2!t, 1S:55.
Al)r:iliaiii i l.".!*! li;
Hi eh.
L';;i. I. Ilichard, 1). .liiii. IC, IMS; .1. Sept :;, IMs.
'j:i-2. 11. Michiu'i i;U(t), 1). April;], 1S1'.»; m. Kacliel ('adiiius
(48i. .laii. :!1, 1S3'.>; d. March !'.», 1S4U.
'j:V.\. III. Ricliani, 1). .Inly 'J'.*, IS-jo; m. Kleaiior P.. -lau. of
,I(.jiii S. Winner, Dec -JO, 1S41 : she d. Mav IT,
1S4;'. ; had di. : I. Eleanor P. W., I.. Apri'l ;M,
1S4:>; d. ill inf.
*284. TY. Abraham (;i4t;), h. Jan. L"., 1^2i';in. Eachel, dau.
of John Vreeland (285), Oct. 18, 1845.
285. \'. Nicholas, h. Aug. 2<;, 1825 ; d. Feb. l-'>, 184T,
iiiun. •
2;;t;. VI. Cornelius (847), b. Feb. 16, 1828 ; ni. Marv, dau. of
(Garret Newkirk i80), Sept. 19, 1841) ; reinoved to
Wvckoff, Bergen Co.
L':)T. A'll. Kli/a .lane, l).'()ct. 21, 1820; iii. IFenrv N. Van
\Va--encn (4l»i, Mav 12, 184!»; d. Oct. 22, 1806.
L':'.8. \' 1 1 1 . ( iarret, b 1 )ec. 22, 'l 8:U.
L'-i'.t. IX. (rittv, b. Mav21,18;>3; ni. George ]S"ewkirk (54),
Dec. :•>, 1S54.
240. .\'. Hannah, b. May 20, 1830: ni. Garret Vreeland
1:5:5:'.), Xov. :5, 1850.
Cornelius M. [140 J had ch. :
241. 1. Jane N.. b. Oct. 2s, ls24 ; in. John A^an Pelt.
242. II. ( iitty Ann, b. June 0, 1827 ; ni. Abraham \^an Kipcn,
ot'X. v., Oct. 1, 1851.
24:j. 111. Caroline, b. Sept. 13, 1820 ; m. Isaac Van Uipcn, of
X. Y.
244. \y. Hannah W., b. dune 1, 18:52; m. Richard V. Van
15uskii-k (76), Dec. ;^1, 1840.
245. \'. Cornelius, b. July 4, 18:34; ni. Rebecca Bro\yn.
24f). y\. (Garret: VII. Cornelia; YIII. Sardi Catharine.
Nicholas S. L14!»l had ch. :
247. I. Sophia Klizabeth, i). Nov. 23, 1843; II. Stephen, b.
March 17. 1846. d. Oct. :!1. 1851; 111. .Vnn
Maria. 1.. -Ian. 20, 1848, d. Ai^'il 26, I.^.M; 1\'.
P.enjamin F., b. Nov. 14, 1850, d. Ajn-il 20, 18.54;
v. Stephen J]., b. Jan. 22, 1853; W. .\iin Hel-
ena, b. Mav !>. 1855; VII. Allie Teresa, b. Dec.
462 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
24, 1S5T; VIII. Jennie, b. Auo;. 5, 1S03, d. Aug.
15, 1803.
Stephen B. [1.51J had ch. :
248. I. Elizabeth C, b. Feb. 16, 1847, d. Dec-. 28, 1860 ; II.
Susanna, b. May 6, 1851 ; III. Stephen S., b. Nov.
22, 1854 ; lY. Fanny G., b. Oct. 17, 1856.
William [155] had ch. :
249. I. William (349), b. Jan. 5, 1823; m. Euphemia B.
Vreeland (298), Nov. 26, 1846.
250. II. Cornelius V.~ H. (350), b. Oct. 27, 1824; m. liachel
Jane, dau. of Nicholas Ackerman, Jan. 27, 1853.
253. III. Sarah, b. Dec. 7, 1826 ; m. Anthony Dougherty, June
4, 1846; d. Aug. 23, 1855.
252. lY. Ira C. B., b. Nov. 22, 1829 ; d. Dec. 21, 1858, unm.
He and his brother Jacob were drowned in New-
ark Bay.
253. Y. Eachel Catharine, b. April 22, 1832 ; m. Richard C.
Yan Eipen (^150), May 27, 1852.
254. YI. Jacob C. D., b. Aug. 6, 1835, d. Dec. 21, 1858, unm.
Peter Y. B. [156] had ch. :
255. I. Ann E., b. March 11, 1841 ; d. July 16, 1850.
256. II. Eachel Jane, b. Oct. 13, 1842.
257. III. Cornelius, b. Aug. 21, 1844; m. Alice L., dau. of
Alonzo Nutt, Nov. 18, 1868; had ch. : I. Jennie
Louise, b. Nov. 2, 1872.
258. lY. Agnes Y. H., b. Sept. 6, 1848; Y. Anna, b. Dec. 12,
1851 ; YI. AYashington, b. Aug. 13, 1856.
William C. [159] had ch. :
259. I. Ann, b. April 21, 1815; m. George Yreeland (108),
Dec. 31, 1831.
260. II. Michael (351); m. Jane D., dau. of Walter Woods,
March 7, 1839 ; removed to Middlebush, N. J.
261. III. Cornelius, b. July 22, 1816; d. July 1, 1828.
Peter Y. B. [160] had ch. :
262. I. Cornelius (352), b. June 28. 1821; m. Ann Eliza-
beth Yan Buskirk ((U), Dec. 3, 1841.
263. II. Jennet, b. July 31, 1823 ; m. 1st, Freeman Atkins,
Dec. 11, 1840; 2d, Anderson.
264. III. Elizabeth, b. June 10, 1825 ; m. Nicholas Yan Bus-
kirk (56), March 16, 1843.
THK VKKKLANI) lAMII.Y. 4fi3
265. l\'. Miun^Hict Ann, h. Au^^ lil, iM^T ; ni. Henry C. Post,
Nov. 4, 1S47.
2(5<;. V. Cornelia 11., h. Oct. 25, 182!i ; \I. Marv Jane,!).
Ft'l). 23, 18;'.2.
207. \'JI. liachel Aletta, 1.. J\Iareh 1^7, l^.'.l; ni. William
Klswortli, Jan. 20, 18(54; d. jyiarch 18, 1869.
26S. VIII. ( ;ittv (^itharinc, h. Mav 2S, 18;'>6 ; d. Nov. 2(», 1889.
2«;".>. I.\. William P.. 1.. O.-t. i:.", 1S40; d. Sept. 12, 1S41>.
Cornelius [ Iti-j | lia<l di. :
270. I. Cornelius, b. Dec. 6, 1825; d. Jan. 23, 1826.
271. 11. Kllen, h. Xov. 26, 182S; d. Aui;. II. 1840, unm.
272. ill. Elizabeth \. P., b. Oct. 20, 1834 ; m. Amos Harrison,
March 6, 1852.
273. ly. John ()., b. Sept. 27, 1845 ; m. Maria E., dau. of Geo.
Cozine, May 2, 186S; had ch. : I. Ellen, b. Sept.
24, 1860.
Michael [167J liad ch. :
274. r. George, b. Jan. 25, 1S02 ; m. Hannah Tisc.
275. II. Anna, b, Feb. 17, 1805; m. Tennis \'an Pelt, Sept.
21, 1S26.
276. III. Gilliam, b. Feb. 10, 1807; d. in inf.
277. IV. Jacob M. (355), b. June 8, 1808 ; m. Jane, dau. of
John Van Clief, May 8, 1830 ; she b. Oct. 8, 1808.
278. V. Jane, b. Aug. 22, 1810; m. John Ilousman, Dec.
31, 1820.
270. VI. Matilda, b. Jan. ♦',, 1S13 ; m. Andrew P. Simonson,
June 11,1^31.
280. \'ll. ('ornclius, b. June 25, 1816; m. Susan, dau. of
Paul Salter, Sept. 7, 1830 ; removed to Young
America, 111.
281. N'lll. llartman (364), b. Nov. 8, 1823; m. Seny, dau. of
Clayton Cranmer, of Egg Harbor, Jan. 2(3, 1844.
Hart man [16S] had ch. (by adoption) :
2S2. I. llartman (368), b. Dec. 7, 1S26; m. Margaret Cadmus
(65), June 1, 1853. Vide Van Horn family (41).
•lohn Ci. [171J had ch. :
283. I. Jane B., b, June 14, l8lb; m. Michael Terhune,
March 11>, 1835.
2S4. II. Catharine, b. Mav 14, JSiH; ni. Jasper Cubberlv,
June 3. 1840 ; !l. April 2, 1^^41.
464
285.
Ill
286.
IV
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Eacliel, h. March 18,1827; m. Abraham Vreeland
(234), Oct. 18, 1845.
Eliza Ann, b. Oct. 19, 1829 ; m. Michael Yreeland
(306), Feb. 2, 1848 ; d. March 24, 1861.
Henry [174] had ch. :
287. ' I. Jane, b. Oct. 17, 1821 ; m. John Salter, Oct. 19,
1839.
288. II. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 28, 1824; m. Cornelius La Tou-
rette, May 29, 1841.
289. III. Cornelius, b. Dec. 24, 1827 ; m. Catharine Ann, dau.
of Israel Decker, June 10, 1857.
290. IV. John, b. May 12, 1830; ni. Jane B., dau. of
Thomas McDonald, March 27, 1850; had ch. : I.
Thomas McD., b. March 1, 1857 ; d. March 1, 1860.
291. V. George, b. Aug. 17, 1832 ; m. Eleanor Ann, dau.
of John Corsen, of Staten Island, June 27, 1855 ;
had ch.: I. Irwin, b. Dec. 22, 1861.
292. VI. Mary Ann, b. Sept. 6, 1834 ; d. Feb. 21, 1861, unm.
293. VIT. Garret (369), b. Oct. 21, 1836 ; m. 1st, Isabella Dar-
ling, March 2, 1858 ; 2d, Rebecca Jane, dau. of
Stewart H. McFarlane, March 9, 1861.
294. VIII. Hartman, b. Jan. 27, 1839 ; d. July 22, 1842.
295. IX. Sarah Catharine, b. May 2, 1841 ; m. Addis Eino,
Aug. 12, 1860; d. March 27, 1869.
Garret [176] had ch. :
296. I. Elizabeth, b. April 7, 1825, m. John Post, May — ,
1845.
297. II. John, b. July 22, 1826 ; d. July 28, 1826.
298. III. Euphemia B", b. Aug. 12, 1827'; m. William W. Vree-
land (249), Nov. 26, 1846.
299. IV. Phebe Ann, b. Sept. 15, 1829; m. David Pollock,
Nov. 11, 1869.
300. y. George (370\ b. Sept. 6, 1831 ; m. 1st, Cornelia Vree-
land (323), March 24, 1858 ; 2d, Pachel, dau. of
Amos Salter, and wid. of George Malcolm, March
26, 1868.
John M. [179] had ch. :
301. I. Michael J., b. Sept. 3, 1819 ; m. Anna Jane Vreeland
(228), Dec. 17, 1840 ; removed to Rocky Hill ; was
a member of the Assembly of N. J., from Hudson
Countv.
THE VKKKI.ANI) KAMILY. 4tt.")
302. II. Eliziibeth, 1). May 14, 1S22; in. Wiiitield Stringlmin,
]\Iarcli 4, \Mi.
303. III. Ilaiinali, 1). Oct. I'.t, 1824; in. (Garret P.iisli, Dec. 3,
i>4t;.
304. IV. Nicholas (371 i, 1.. April 8, 1S2T; m. Martha (^a<l-
niiis (47), Nov. 8, 1848; d. April 20, l.s:,7.
Miiulert [182] lia.l eh.:
.•505. I. (\itharino, b. June 12, 1824 : d. Oct. 12, 184(>.
30(). 11. .Michael, h. Nov. 19, 182(; ; in. Eliza Ann Vrcoland
(2S(;), Feb. 2, 1848.
307. III. Hannah, b. Jan. 13, 1829; ni. Andrew Van Horn,
Feb. 3, 1848.
30*^. IV. JasjKM-, b. Auf?. 1, 1832; m. Ann Maria, dan. of
Tennis Van Pelt, April T), 1854.
309. V. John, b. Jan. 13, 1834; m. Sophia Van Cleef ; re-
moved to ^Millstone, N. J.
31'"). \\. .la(!ob, b. Aui^. 2, 1839; in. Louisa, dan. of Jeremiah
W, Updyke ; removed to liucky Hill.
Micliael [183] had ch. :
311. 1. Michael (373), b. Sept. 28, 1831; m. Catherine
Sarali, dan. of Jeremiah Skillman, Nov. 18, 1863.
312. II. Elizabeth, b. Oct. 24, 1833; m. Henry H. Brinker-
hoff (53), June 0, 1855.
313. III. ('(.melius, b. Sept. 8, 1835; d. in inf.
314. IV. William, b. March 19, 1837; d. in inf.
315. V. Cornelius, b. June 1, 1838; ni. Emma N., dan. of
Weslev Morris, Oct. 8, 1802; had ch. : I. Emma
M., b. July 14, 18(;«;.
3Hi. VI. John Ilenrv, b. Oct. 31, 1840; d. Aug. 2H, 1841.
317. Vil. Mindert, b." Nov. 11, 1842; m. Elizabeth, dan. of
Garret Mandeville, Nov. 18, 1866; had ch. : 1.
Gittv Ann, b. June 24, 1870.
318. VIII. Stephen T., b. July 15, 1846; d. July 6, 1865.
31!>. IX. .Vnnetta, b. Feb. 26, 1854.
KlijldJi Geno'iitioii.
John \'. K. [216] had ch. :
320. I. Anna Louisa, b. Aui;. 6,1862; II. John Edwin, b.
Sept. 14, 1864 ; III. Frank, b. Aug. 5, 1870.
Michael D. [21'.»] had ch. :
321. I. Jane P., b. Aug. 21, 1836 ; d. in inf.
:50
466 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
322. II. Abigail P., b. Nov. 13, 1837 ; m. John G. Wanters,
Dec. 13, 1854 ; previous to her marriage her name
was changed to Post, by act of the Legislature.
323. III. Cornelia, b. Oct. 11, 1840 ;' m. George Yreeland (300),
March 24, 1858 ; d. March 26, 1863.
324 IV. Kachel Ann S., b. March 3, 1843 ; ra. George V. N.
YanDuyn, Oct. 11, 1871.
325. V. Jane, b. Oct. 26, 1844, d. in inf. ; YI. Eunice, b.
Oct. 19, 1846, d. Nov. 16, 1863 ; YII. Daniel, b.
Dec. 2, 1848, d. in inf. ; YIII. Susan Jane, b. July
1, 1854.
Aaron N. [220] had ch. :
326. I. Sarah Jane, b. July 26, 1845 ; m. Augustus Jackson.
327 II. Cornelia Ann, b. Jan. 13, 1847; m. Frederick Y. L.
Yoorhis, Feb. 1, 1865.
328. III. Gitty Catharine, b. Jan. 4, 1840 ; m. Nicholas P.
Allen, Aug. 10, 1869.
329. lY. Daniel A., d.^Dec. 3, 1870, aet. 18 years 2 nios. ; Y.
Rachel G. ; YI. Susan.
Cornelius Y. R. [222] had ch. :
330. I. Cornelia Ann; II. Matilda; III. Garret; lY. Corne-
lius ; Y. Cornelia.
Nicholas D. [223] had ch. :
331. I. Mary Lavinia, b. Aug. 22, 1850; 11. Jane; III. Cath-
arine ; lY. John.
Garret [225] hadch.:
332. I. Catharine Jane, b, Oct. 8, 1835 ; m. Andrew A.
Rapp, April 6, 1853.
333. II. Garret (374), b. Dec. 19, 1837; m. Hannah Yree-
land (240), Nov. 3, 1859.
334. III. Sarah Arabella, b. Dec. 10, 1840 ; d. June 16, 1843.
335. lY. Anna Elizabeth, b. July 28, 1843.
336. Y. John Y. B. (375), b. Sept. 6, 1845 ; m. 1st, Lilla
H.,dau. of Ira H. Taylor, April 16, 1868; shed.
June 5, 1870 ; 2d, Mary, sister of his first wife,
Jan. 16, 1872.
337. YI. Lawrence M., b. June 21, 1849 ; d. July 29, 1850.
338. YII. Nicholas G., b. June 21, 1849 ; m. Catharine Yan
Wagenen (54), April 12, 1871 ; had ch. : I. Henry
Garret, b. Oct. 4, 1873, d. Dec. 25, 1873.
339. YIII. Edward W., b. Feb. 22,1855.
TlIK VKKKLANl) FAMILY. 407
Miclmel | 23-_>| h.ul di. :
340. I. Ann, I). Oct. 29, 1840.
341. II. .Mtraliaiii, tii. Elcaimr F., chiii. of Al)i-aliaiii Kajt]),
April ;5, lS(i:..
342. III. .la>|HT ('., 1.. \[av 15, 184;'.; ni. Ist, I'lllcn K., <laii. of
llciiry .MaiulJvillo, Nov. !!•, isC", ; she <1. July 16,
1867; 2(1. NIary E. LewLs .liilv lU, 1871 ; <1. Xov.
;5, 1873, s. i>.
343. IV. Jane, d. Dec. 10, 1845, a't. 10 ino.^^., 1>« days.
344. V. Mai'^-aret, b. Oct. 5, 1845; m. George Carra<^an, Aug.
15, 1860.
345. \]. Tlachel, b. May :!1, 1848.
Abraham [ 2.">4 ] had ch. :
340. I. Ilartniaii, b. Dec. 1, 1848 ; m. Letty J., dau. of John
V. 11. C'lendennv, April 8, 1872 ; had cli. : I. .
b. Oct. 20, 1870'.'
Cornelius [230] had ch. :
347. I. ruichel, b. Marcli 5, 1851 ; ni. Joliii D. P,oard, Sept.
4, J 872.
348. 11. Marv Catharine, b. Jan. 21, 1853; III. Lewis, b.
March !'.», 1850; IV. E<lgar, b. Feb. 11, 1800.
William [249] liad cli. :
349. I. Cornelius V. II., b. Sept. 6, 1847; II. Mary Elizabeth,
b. March 12. 1849, d. Oct. 25, 1851 ; III. Garret
G., b. April 7, 1850; IV. George, b. March 5,
1853 ; Y. Ira C. B., b. April 28, 1850 ; YI. Jacob
C. D., b. Aug. 29, 1859 ; YII. William, b. Feb. 2,
1802; YIII. Phebe Ann, b. Dec. 31, 1804; IX.
Ilartiiian, b. Oct. 24, 1807.
Cornelius V. II. [250] had ch. :
350. I. William Henry, b. July 14, 1858; II. John Jacob, b.
Oct. 14, 1802 ; III. Bertha Celesta, b. Nov. 11, 1868.
Michael [260] had ch. :
351. 1. William, b. Feb. 25, 1840; II. Sarah Ann, b. April 10,
1841 ; III. Eliza Jane, b. May 23, 1842: lY.
Sarah, b. May 1, 1844; Y. Eleanor Ann, b. July
20, 1840 ; Yi. Cornelia, b. Dec. 23, 1848 ; Yll.
Mary Frances, b. Oct. 15, 1850; A'lII. Puth Al-
mira. b. Feb. 9, 1853 ; d. Oct. 10. ls.-.4.
468 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Cornelius [262] had ch. :
352. I. John Henry (377), b. Sept. 14, 1841 ; m. Anne E.,
dau. of liavid L. Van Horn, Dec. 24, 1863.
353. II. Peter C, b. March 16, 1847 ; m. Mary Frances Yree-
land (199), June 28, 1870; had ch. : I. George
Francis, h. Oct. 30, 1872.
354. III. William P., b. Jan. 1, 1850; IV. Sarah Arabella, b.
Dec. 2, 1853.
Jacob M. [277] had ch. :
355. I. Gertrude Ann, b. Dec. 8, 1830; m. 1st, Jasper
Garretson, Nov. 6, 1850; 2d, Horace H. Driggs ;
he d. Feb. 3, 1865.
356. II. Eliza Jane, b. Nov. 8, 1832; m. Henry Iv. Van
Horn, Dec. 25, 1850.
357. III. Michael G., b. May 23, 1835 ; m. Joanna, dau. of
John N. Van Buskirk (98), March 25, 1869.
358. IV. Mary, b. Nov. 30, 1837; m. John Huddleston.
359. V. John, b. Nov. 25, 1839 ; ni, Anna, dau, of Abraham
Simmons, Nov. 11, 1863.
360. VI. Sarah, b. Sept. 29, 1842; ra. William Hageman.
361. Vll. Jacob M., b. Ang. 11, 1844; m. Fanny Eichards.
362. VIII. Cornelius, b. March 28, 1847 ; d. July — , 1850.
363. IX. William Henry, b. March 18, 1850.
Ilartman [281] had ch. :
364. I. Ezra C, b. July 23, 1845; d. Sept. 14, 1846.
365. II. Ann Matilda, b. Jan. 20, 1847 ; m. William Sand-
ford, Oct. 10, 1867.
366. III. Garadata A., b. March 29, 1849 ; lA^ Edwin P., b.
Nov. 4, 1851, d. in inf.
367. V. Jane E., b. Aug. 23, 1855 ; VI. Hartman M., b. Nov.
23, 1858.
Ilartman [282] had ch. :
368. I. Crossfield G., b. Oct. 20, 1855 ; II. Philip E., b. Sept.
27, 1857; III. Eichard E., b. Nov. — , 1859.
Garret [293] had ch. :
369. I. Thomas G., b. Feb. 23, 1862 ; II. Charles S., b. Jan.
14, 1864; III. Madeline, b. June 8, 186*6.
George [300] had ch. :
570. I. Eachel Ann, b. March 30, 1859, d. Feb. 25, 1861 ; II.
Garret, b. Oct. 24, 1860.
o
THK VAN WINKr.p: l-AMII.V. 4C9
Nicholas [3(»41 luid ch. :
371. I. Itiieliel Elizabetli, b. Nov. 2r,, 1850; m. George He-ruv
Cadmus (100), Oct. 20, 1870.
372. II. Catliariiic Ann. h. Juiu' 2, l>^r.:'. : \\\. Xicholas, b.
.\j)i-il f), IS.') 7.
Michael |311J had ch. :
373. I. Marv Annetta, 1). Feb. 22, 18G5; IT. Conx-lius, b. Mav
"31, 1870.
Ninth Generation.
Garret [333] liad ch. :
374. I. Anna Jane, b. Nov, 10, ISO 1 : d. Aui;. 4, 1802; II.
Edwin, 1). Aui,^ 10, 1864; d. Jnly'^26, 1805 ; III.
Garret, b. Julv 21, 1808; d. Nov. 0, 1871; IV.
John II., 1). .Ian. 10, 1870; V. Charles Ilenrv, b.
Sept. 2, 1873 ; d. Dec. 31, 1873.
John V. n. [336 I had ch. :
375. I. Jolin P., b. May 19, 1870; d. July 11, 1870.
John Henry [352] had ch. :
376. I. Anna, b. June 6, 1865; 11. Cornelius Peter, b. March
4, 1868; III. Arabella, b. Feb. 10, 1870; IV.
David L., b. Sept. 30, 1872.
Van Winckel — Van Winkel — Van Winkle.
This name is derived from winkel, a corner, square, shop.
Winl'elifr was a shopkeeper. The ancestor was a shop or store-
keeper. Its present urthogra])hy is comparatively Tnodern. The
family settled in Ilarsimus shortly after their arrival in this
Country. They came from ^[iddleburgh, the cajMtal of Zealand,
one of the United Provinces. The city was on the island Wal-
cheren, about forty miles S.W. of Kotterdam, well built and
populous, witli a tine harbor and a profitable trade.
I have not ascertained the names of the parents of the three
boys and two girls who seem to have made up this family. Their
names were Jacob, AValing, Symon, Annetje and Grietje : their
patronymic being Jacobse — child rni i.f Jacob. Jacob was the
founder of the family in the county of Hudson. Waling and
kSymon were of the company from Bergen wh(», in 167'.', i»ui"-
470 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
chased and afterward settled " Haqnequenuiick," Aqnackanonck,
now Passaic. They were the founders of the family at that
place. The name was formerly written Van Winckel.
1. Jacob (4), m. 1st, Aeltje Daniels, wid., Dee. 15, 1675 ; she
d. Jnne 2, 1692; 2d, Grietje Hendricks Hollinge,
March 26, 1695; d. Nov. 20, 1724; shed. Sept.
20, 1732.
2. Waling (14), ra. Catharina Michielse, March 15, 1671. His
wife was yet living at the date of his will, Nov. 1,
1717.
8. Symon (21), m. Annetje Sip (4), Dec. 15, 1675. His will,
dated June 19, 1722, was proved Feb. 24, 1732.
His wife was living at the date of the will.
Annetje, m. Johannis Steynmets, Dec. 1, 1676.
Grietje, m. Elias Michielse Yreeland (2), of " Gemoenepa,"
Aug. 30, 1665.
Second Generation .
Jacob Jacobse [1] had eh, :
4. I. Jacob, b. Sept. 19, 1676; m. Fitje Poulis, March 6,
1703.
5. 11. Margrietje, b. Oct. 22, 1678 ; m. Abraham Yreeland
(14), Oct. 28, 1699.
6. III. Daniel (33), b. July 28, 1681 ; m. 1st, Eachel Straat-
maker, May 11, 1707 ; she d. March 12, 1708 ; 2d,
Jannetje Yreeland (48), Sept. 3, 1709; d. Jan. 10,
1757. ■
7. lY. Johannis (38), b. June 25, 1686 ; m. Fitje Hendrickse
Banta, April 19, 1713 ; moved to Belleville.
8. Y. Simeon, b. Jan. 22, 1689 ; m. Jannetje Alger, of
Hackensack, May 27, 1710.
9. YI. (Son), b. April 10,' 1692; d. in inf.
10. YII. Hendrick (41), b. Jan. 20, 1696; m. Catrintje AVal-
^ dron. May 26, 1726 ; d. May 28, 1767.
11. YIII. Triiitje, b. Jan. 14, 1697; m. Myndert Gerbrantse
(10), May 7, 1715; d. Julv 21, 1753.
12. IX. Tennis, b. Dec. 21, 1698 ; d. in inf.
13. X. Samuel, b. Jan. 5, 1705 ; d. May 2, 1754.
Waling Jacobse [2] had ch. :
14. I. Annetje, m. Hermanus G. Yan Wagenen (5), Oct. 6,
1690.
TlIK VAN WINKI-K I'AMII-Y. 471
15. II. Jacnl), iti. Ocortruyt T>riekor.-^, of Alhaiiy, Oct. 30,
lt;;t7 ; had c-li. : "l. Wviitjc
It!. III. A[i('liael, biip. A[)ril '27, 1077; <i. iiiiiii. ; his will was
dated May 21, 1 74.S.
17. 1\'. 'rriiitjc, ha]). Mairii li."), ItlSO; m. I*]irl)ert Saiiderse, of
Stateii Ishuid, Sei)t. IG, 17<>!».
is. V. .loliannis (47), m. liilU'<:;ont Sip (7), Sejit. 30, 1710,
1!». Vr. Sarah, in. (Garret Van Vorst (14), May 2*2, 1714.
20. VII. .Vhraham, bap. April 22, 1(5 ',H) ; his name is not men-
tioned in ids father's will of Nov. 1, 1717.
Symon .Tacobse [3] had cli. :
21. I. Margrietje, bap, 1070 ; m. Martin Winnc, Oct. 30,
1097. lie was b. in Albany in 1085; d. at Ber-
gen, .July 8, 1737. He was the son of Levinus
AV inne,and founder of the Winner family in Hud-
son County.
22. II. Jacob, bap. Aug. 1>, 1 07S ; a member of the church
at Aquackanonck in 1725; m. Jacomyntje Mat-
tlieuse Van Nieuwkerck (4\ April 21, 1701.
23. HI, duhannis (50), b. Aug. 18, 1082; m. Magdalena
Spier. His will was dated at Elizabethtown, June
13, 1759.
24. IV. Simon, ba}>. Aug. 0, 1(>86; m. 1st, Pryntje Van
Giesen ; 2d, Antje l^ieterse, wid., Marcli 3, 1734 ;
had ch. : I. Jenneke, b. Oct. 9, 1728 ; II. Helena,
b. Feb. 24, 1730.
25. Y. Trintje, b. April 2, 1088 ; m. Isaac E. Vreeland (16),
March 23, 1700.
26. VI. Rachel, bap. Oct. — ,1090; m. Johannis Koeiman,
of Albany, March 13, 1708.
27. Xn. Arie, b. at Constable's Hoeck; m. Annetje, dan. of
Tades Michielse, Oct. 27, 1705; had ch.": I. Tades,
m. Catharina Bord. Dec. 17, 17;>0; II. Antje, m.
Joris Bord, Jan. 10, 1730.
28. Vni. Acltje, m. Jurian Tomasse Van Ripen (12), June 12,
1714.
29. IX. Gideon, m. Jannetje Koeiman. In his will, dated
Nov. 8, 1704, he names his ch., viz.: I. Annatje,
m. Casparus Van AViid<l(' ; IT. ^Maritje ; III.
Ariantje ; IV. J.,ydia, m. Samuel Stivers, and V.
Rachel, 1). 1727, m. Jedediah Dean.
30. X. Abraham, m. Maritje Van Dyke, of Second River,
Jan. — , 17-".;5. In his will, "dated .\pril 11,1743,
472 IIISTOEY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
he names his ch., viz. : I. Simeon ; II. Fransois
(who m. 1st, Susanna, dau. of John Forester, Oct.
3, 1777 ; 2d, Elizabeth Douwe, wid., Feb. 5, 1785 ;
had ch. : I. Abraham, b. Dec. 26, 1779 ; II. John
F., b. Nov. 6, 1781) ; III. Fitje ; lY. Antje ; his
wife being then enceinte.
31. XL Leah.
32. XII. Marinus, m. Geesje Van Wagenen (7), Sept. 2, 1721 ;
had ch. : I. Annatje, b. Feb. 20, 1730 ; m. Hen-
drick G. Yan "Wagenen (28) ; II. Margrietje, b.
Feb. 7, 1735, m. Michael V^reeland ; lit. Kachel,
m. Jacob Van Wagenen ; IV. Jannetje, m. Michael
E. Vreeland, Dec. 28, 1755 ; V. Catrintje, m.
Abraham Van Eipen, Nov. 16, 1763. His will,
dated May 10, 1762, was proved Sept. 28, 1767.
Third Generation.
Daniel [6] had ch. :
33. I. Metje, b. Dec. 31, 1710.
34. II. Aeltje, b. April 13, 1712 ; m. Cornelius Van Ripen
(27), June 29, 1728 ; d. July 19, 1776.
35. III. Jannetje, m. Jacob Diedricks, Nov. 26, 1738.
36. IV. Margaret, m. Johaimis Van Ripen (28), Sept. 5, 1742 ;
d. Sept. 18, 1754.
37. V. Fitje ; VI. Rachel, wife of Sickles, and VII. Antje.
He also had a son, bap. Dec. 12, 1714 ; d. in inf.
Johannis [7] had ch. :
38. I. Hendrick, b. March 20, 1714 ; m. Maritje Jurianse, Aug.
22, 1739 ; iiad ch. : I. Jurian, b. April 22, 1740.
39. II. Jacob, b. March — , 1716 ; III. Johannis, b. July 3, 1719.
40. IV. Agnietje, b. Dec. 16, 1723 ; V. Daniel, b. Dec. 16,
1723 ; VI. Aeltje, b. Nov. 25, 1726.
Hendrick [10] had ch. :
41. I. Jacob (59), ra. Rachel Commgear, April 8, 1753 ; d.
Dec. 17, 1778 ; she d. Sept. 18, 1772.
42. II. Joseph, d. in inf., Nov. 22, 1738.
43. III. Daniel (64), b. Jan. 1, 1735; m. Aeltje Van Ripen
(54); d. Dec. 19, 1823.
44. IV. Hendrick (67), b. Jan. 23, 1736; m. 1st, Jannetje
Brower, May 18, 1759 ; 2d, Sarah Speer ; d. Dec.
19, 1827.
THK VAN WINKI.K lAMII.V. 47?>
45. V. Joli.annis, 1». Miiy 0, IT.'"!!^; d. Ix'fore lii.s fatlicr, s. p.
46. VI. J(is(.'i)li, 1». .lime 4, 174(i; in. .Iciuu'kf! Vret'lund ('13),
wi.l. of Ilciirv Newkirk (17), "Sl-.iy 2<;, 1708; <l.
A 11^'. 4, lS(i!>,"s. p.
.Tuliunnis [18] had di. :
47. I. Catrina, m. 1st, Pieter IF. Pieter.se, Oct 31, 173;;: 2d,
Jchaiinis (i. Post, Oct. 20, 17r.O.
4S. II. AiHiatje, in. Johaiiiiis Sip, Dec. 12, 1744.
4".t. Til. Waiiuii; (71), in. daiinetje A'an iloutcii, .June 8, 1743.
His will, dated ]\[av 2l>, 1774, was proved Marcli
23, 1784.
Joliaiinis [23] had cli. :
5(J. I. Simeon, in. Aniiatje Bosch, Oct. 10, 1738, and had
ch. : 1. Joliannis, b. Nov. 7, 1740 ; TT. Peniainin,
b. Dec. 1, 1750.
51. II. Alexander, ni. Antje Van Winkle, and had ch. : I.
AV'vntje, b. Sept. 11, 1741; II. Jacob, b. May 1,
1748.
52. III. Jacob, m. Annatje Van Noostrand ; d. Aug. 5, 1834,
set. 86 yrs., 4 inos., 24 days; she d. Feb. 18, 1820,
vet. 75 yrs., 2 nios.
53. IV. Abraham (80), m. Jacomyntje Newkirk, June 0,
173!> ; d. Jan. 23, 1706, in li'is 85th year.
54. V. Marinus (SI), m. Maria Evertson, Jan. 15, 1742; d.
April 28, 1802, xt. SG yrs. ; she d. June 20, 1820,
jpt. 102 yrs. He was a private in Major McDon-
ald's company in tlie French war of 1761.
55. VI. Jolni, who died before his father, leaving issue.
56. VII. Catharine, who m. !Marsh.
57. VIII. Hannali ; IX. Mary ; X. Leah ; XI. Rachel.
58. XII. Sarah, b. July 14, 1735 ; ni. Daly.
7v) ?/ 7i/i G^n ernt ion .
Jacob [41] had ch. :
50. I. Daniel (S2), b. ,Iul\- 21, 1758; in. Antje, dau. of Jo-
hannis Winne,' Oct. 26,1802; d.'Junc 13,1830:
she d. Aug. 25, 1843.
60. II. Abraham (88), m. Antje Clendennv. Sept. 6, 1780; <1.
X.n-. 24, 1823.
61. III. (^atrintje, b. June 1, 1763; d. Sept. s, 1703, unm.
62. J V. Joseph," 1). Mav 18, 1768 ; d. Jan. 27, 1775.
63. V. Leah, b. Nov."7, 1770 : d. Sept. 18. 1772.
-(.74 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Daniel [43] had ch. :
64. I. Jurriaen (96), b. Fel). 22, 1761 ; m. Antje Sip (23) ; d.
May 3, 1837.
65. II. Catriiitie, b. Jan. 30, 1765 ; ni. Jacob Mersehs.
66 III. Hendrick (98), b. '^ov. 27, 1774 ; m. Oatlyntje Yan
Wagenen (51), Jan. 10, 1801 ; d. Dec. 13, 1848.
Hendrick [44] had ch. :
67. I. Catrina, b. Jan. 26, 1772 ; II. Eae,gol, b. March 29,
1775, d. in inf.
68. III. Kaegel, b. Feb. 13, 1777 ; ni. Martin Winne, April 1,
1797.
69. IV. Johannis ( 101 ), b. Xov. 7, 1778 ; ra. Gertrude, dau. of
John Diedrieks.
70. V. Jacob H. (107), b. Feb. 20, 1789 ; m. Mary Smith.
Waling [49] had ch. :
71. I. John (110), m. Eva Kip, Oct. 25, 1747.
72. II. Hillegont, b. Feb. 25, 1749 ; m. Hendrick Van Wag-
enen ; had ch. : I. Jannetje, b. Dec. 19, 1774 ; II.
Johannis, b. March 2, 1784.
73. III. Jacob, m. Elsie, dau. of Henry Kip ; had ch. : I. Wal-
ing, who m. 1st, Trintje, dau. of Dirck Paulnsen;
2d, Anne Herring, and' had ch. : I. Elsie, ni. Henry
Yreeland; IE Eliza, m. — Kichards ; III. Jane;
IV. Jacob.
74. IV. Cornelius, m. ; removed to Paterson ; had ch. : I. Chris-
tina, m. Adrian Van Houten ; II. Jane, m. — Baker.
75. V. Waling (111), b. Sept. 22, 1753 ; m. Pietertje, dau. of
Den-ick Van Ripen, Feb. 23, 1783; d. Jan. 17,
1832; she, b. Nov. 16, 1758 ; d. Jan. 4, 1846.
76. VI. Maritje, b. Sept. 11,1757; m. 1st, Isaac Housraan ;
2d, Christian Zabriskie.
77. VII. Helmich (115), b. June 22, 1761 ; m. Maritje, dau. of
Adrian Post, Jan. 24, 1784 ; d. May 5, 1822; she
d. April 13, 1821, set. 61 yrs., 8 mos., 1 day.
Jacob [52] had ch. :
78. I. Johannis, b. Sept. 1, 1772 ; II. Jacob, b. Oct. 17, 1774.
79. III. Jannetje, b. March 6, 1782 ; IV. Isaac, April 30, 1786.
Abraham [53] had ch. :
80. I. Geertruy, b. Feb. 15, 1747 ; II. Jacob, b. June 9, 1751 ;
III. Simeon, b. Dec. 22, 1756; IV. Helena, b.
Feb. 28, 1758.
TlIK VAX WIN'KI.K lAMII.V. 475
.Vfariims [ 54-) had eh. :
^1. 1. Arie (122), in. Mar<,'ari-t Van Waix.-ncn : .1. Ot'c. 3, 1S28,
a't. 84 yrs.
Fifth (rcncration.
Daniel [5!>| had ch. :
S2. I. Cornelius (127), 1). Auii;. 6, 1783; m. Marii;rietje Van
Uipeii (^7!>), Auu'. li;, 1S()7 ; d. Au,<,^ 4," lsr)2.
83. 11. Aeltje', h. April II, 17S(>; ni. 1st, John Mandcville,
Mardi 2!>, 1807; he d. March 28, 1815; 2d, Ste-
phen Vreeland (1>2), Xov. 21t. 1828; d. March 4,
1 840.
84. 111. Jacob D. (135), b. Oct. 8,1788; in. Aiitje Vreeland
(135\ Dec. 31, 1812 ; d. Dec. 6, 1864.
85. IV. Rachel, b. Jan. 25, 17!U : d. Oct. 20, 1821, unin.
86. A'. John. b. Jan. 10, 1705 ; d. Ani;, 1, 1801.
87. \1. Daniel, b. May 18, 1708 ; d. April 23, 1818.
Al)raham [60J had ch. :
88. 1. Joseph, ni. Ann Cubl)erly, Nov. 23,1805; d. Xov.
28, 1827, s. p., ciet. 46 yrs., 3 mos., 21 days.
80. II. Jacob (141), 111, Sarah, dau. of Jasper Cadmus (20),
Feb. 7, 1808 ; d. Sept. 7, 1869, fpt. 86 yrs.
00. III. Walter, b. March 26, 1787 ; ni. Phebe Tue'rs, May 21,
1807; d. Feb. 7, 1868; had cli. : I. Cornelius, b.
Marcli 1!>, 180!«.
01. I V. Abraham (142), b. Fel). 18, 1780 ; m. Mary Gordon.
92. V. Eleanor, b. Feb. 6, 1701 ; m. 1st, Abraham Tuers,
Jan. 20, 1S09; 2d, Benjamin F. Welsh; d. Feb.
17,1850.
93. VI. Pvachel, b. Julv 22, 1703; m. Peter Prine, Fel). 11,
1810.
04. \'II. Nancy, b. July 16, 1705; m. 1st, Peter Garrabrant
(37), Feb. I'o, 1814; 2d, John Metz^er.
05. VIII. Catharine, b. Jan. 11, 1708; m. Daniel Welsh, Feb.
13, 1815.
Jurriaen [64] had ch. :
06. I. Garret (143), b. Dec H',, 17S;5; m. Cornelia Vreeland
(1(>5), Oct. 3, 1801 ; (1. Aujr. 30. 1814.
07. II. Daniel, b. Mav 13, 17^7; d. Jiilv 3, 1 T'.ts.
476 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Hendrick D. [m-] had cli. :
98 I Aeltie, b. March 21, 1805 ; m. John M. Cornelison,
M.D., May 22, 1826 ; d. Dec. 16, 1869.
99 II. Jacob, b. Sept. 27, 1806 ; d. Au.cr. 15, 1819.
100. III. Effie, b. Sept. 11, 1818 ; m. William Thomas.
Johannis [69] had ch. :
101. 1. Antje, b. March 2, 1801. .
102. II. Hendrick, b. Feb. 26, 1802 ; removed to Morris
County.
103. III. Sally, b. April 27, 1805 ; d. Dec. 6, 1827, unm.
104. IV. Geertje, b. March 29. 1807 ; V. John D., b. March
7, 1810.
105. VI. Jacob, b. Feb. 26, 1815 ; VII. Abraham, b. April 6,
1818.
106. VIII. Eachel, b. July 30, 1820.
Jacob H. [70] had ch. :
107. I. Sarah Ann, b. Feb. 3, 1816 ; m. Jasper Wandle, May
23, 1833. He was a member of the N. J. General
Assembly in 1872-'3.
108. II. Fanny, b. Aug. 5, 1817.
109. III. Gloriana, b. Feb. 20, 1824; m. Charles W. Romain,
May 6, 1843.
John [71] had ch. :
110. I. Isaac, bap. Dec. 25, 1753, d. in inf. ; II. Catrina, b.
May 16, 1759 ; III. Antje, b. Sept. 15, 1761, d.
in i'nf . ; IV. Antje, b. Feb. 6, 1765 ; V. Isaac, b.
Dec. 7, 1767 ; m. Helena Schoonmaker, Aug. 21,
1796 ; had ch. : I. Johannis W.,b. March 4, 1797 ;
II. Eva, b. Oct. 11, 1772; VI. Waling, b. July 2,
1784; m. Sally Garrabrant ; had ch. : I. John;
II. Peggy, m. John Jerolamon ; III. Jennie, m.
Garret jurianse.
Waling [75] had ch. :
111. I. Waling (148), b. Dec. 30, 1783 ; m. 1st, Catharina
Van Voorhees ; she d. April 28, 1826 ; 2d, Eunice
Lingford ; d. Sept. 29, 1832.
112. II. Claasje, b. Nov. 25, 1785 ; m. John M. Ryerse, March
2, 1806.
113. III. Jannetie, b. Oct. 5, 1790 ; m. John Kip, Dec. 22, 1811.
114.
III. Jannetje, b. Oct. 5, 1790 ; m. John Kip, Dec. 22,
IV. Fitje, b. Jan. 26, 1793 ; d. Dec. 17, 1793.
TlIK VAN WINKLE FAMILY. 477
irelinicli I 77] li:ul cli. :
\lo. I. Waliiij;, 1). .Inly L', I7s[ ; m. Mari^rictj't- Ackeniiiin,
S("i)t. ♦;. ISO'i; had cli. : 1. Ilolinij,']), h, Feb. 0,
18(»<;.
llf). IT. (u-ertjr, b. Sept. :5<), 1 78(> ; iii. Jnlm Sip; d. April
lit, i.sos.
117. III. .latmotie, 1). Murcli 11>, 17S1I; m. Saiuiicl 11. Berry.
118. lY. Elizabeth, b. April 7, 1792; d. Aug. 27, 1818.
Il!>. V. .\. Irian, b. Oct. 4, 17!)4; d. Oct. 2n, 1818, iiiiin.
120. VI. .lolm, b. Aug. 17, 1707; iii. Rachel Ann, dan.
of liev. Peter D. Frueligh.
I-M. Vll. Michael (141V), b. Oct. 13,"lS0(); ni. Agnes, daii. of
Henry I. Kipp, June 20, 1822.
.\ri.' [81] hadch. :
122. I. Marinus, b. Fel). 1, ; ni. Grietje, dan. of Jurie
Jurianse ; had eh.: I. Jurie, <1. unin; II. Marv
Ann, ni. 1st, John Snyder; 2d, liicharcl llikcr.
123. II. Jacobus (153), b. Feb. 7, 1776; in. 1st, Janiietje Van
AVinkle, Dec. 25, 1799; 2d, Maria Deniarest,
March 20, 1834.
124. III. John, 1). April 29, 1780, d. in inf. ; lY. Helena, b.
Jan. 23, 1782.
125. Y. John, b. April 30, 1784; ni. ; had ch. : 1. Jacob; II.
Benjamin ; III. Hannah.
126. YI. Maria, b. Oct. 17, 1793; in. Edo ^^lerselis, Aug. 5,
1829.
Sir-t/i Ge)ieration.
Cornelius [82] had ch. :
127. I. Garret Y. R. (154), b. Dec. 3<>. 1807; m. Ann
Westervelt; d. Jan. 18, 1857.
128 II. Ann. b. Dec. 24,1809; m. John G. Yan Winkle
(144), April 6, 1S20.
129. III. John (155), b. July 3, 1812; in. Sarah, dau. of
George Tise, Nov. 27, 1834.
130. lY. Daniel, b. A]>ril 19, 1817; d. Aug. 31, 1868.
131. V. Cornelius, b. Dec. 25, 1819; d. Oct. 7, 1821.
132. VI. Catharine Y. R., b. Jan. 22, 1823; m. Chand-
ler.
133. \'I1. Rachel, b. Jan. 12. 1826; in. Lewis Chandler. Aug.
22, 1848.
478 HISTOKY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
134. YIII. Margaret V. 11., b. Feb. 12, 1832; in. William
Genimel, Dec. 25, 1850.
Jacob D. [84] had ch.:
135. I. Rachel, b. Dee. 1, 1813; d. Jan. 12, 1815.
136. II. Jacob (156), b. Oct. 6, 1815 ; m. Maria Sip (30), Nov.
6, 1834.
137. III. Michael (163), b. March 27, 1817 ; m. Ann Eobinson,
Oct. — , 1838.
138. lY. Ann W., b. March 7, 1820; m. Peter Sip (31), April
25, 1839.
139. V. Daniel (169), b. June 27,1822; ni. Effie Newkirk
(69), Jnne 22, 1847.
140. YI. Gittj, b. Oct. 15, 1823.
Jacob A. [89] had ch. :
141. I. Abraham, b. June 11, 1808 ; m. Harriet, daii. of
Joseph Budd ; d. April 2, 1870 ; had ch. : I. Asa
T., b. Oct. 22, 1830 ; d. Nov. 7, 1834. He was
the fourth Sheriff of Hudson County.
II. Catharine, b. Feb. 22, 1810 ; m. James Holmes, Oct.
6, 1827.
III. Jasper, b. May 24, 1812.
lY. Rachel Ann, b. Feb. 2, 1814 ; m. 1st, Henry Doremns,
Dec. 25, 1832 ; 2d, Dyer Williams, June 18, 1837.
Abraham [90] bad ch. :
142. I. Joseph, b. July 9, 1810 ; II. Hannah, b. July 29, 1811
III. William G., b. Jan. 27, 1815.
Garret [96] had ch. :
143. I. Daniel G. (170), b. Feb. 14, 1802; m. Rachel, dan.
of Jacob r. Roome, April 26, 1824; resides in
Plainfield, N. J.
144. II. John G. (180), b. Nov. 25, 1804; m. xVnn Yan Win-
kle (128), April 6, 1826 ; d. Jan. T, 1846.
145. III. Garret G. (184), b. Jnne 4, 1807 ; m. Sarah, dan. of
Abraham Yan Ripen, of Aquackanonck, Dec. 13,
1827.
146. lY. Michael, b. Jan, 16, 1810 ; d. July 1, 1828.
147. Y. Stephen, b. Jnne 15, 1813; d. Sept. 17, 1813.
Waling [111] had ch. :
148. I. Dirck, b. March 28, 1805, d. April 10, 1815; II. Jan-
netje, b. Sept. 11, 1807, d. May 5, 1824; III.
TIIK VAN WINKI.K lAMII.V. 479
Sophia, 1). Im-I). <;, l^l<»; I\'. X icliul,i>. 1». Nov. IT,
ISlii; \'. liichunl, 1.. Oct. !<;, isIC; \'I. Petriiia,
b. Nov. fi, 1S17; \li. Ilachel Ann, h. Jiiiic 20,
IslD: A'lir. Clarissa, b. Jan. N, Is-Jl, <1. in inf.;
IX. Clarissa, 1). June 14, is-j:?; X. Catliariiio
Jant", I). April 1, 1S26; XI. -lohn, 1.. Julv 12,
1831.
Michael Ll'-^IJ had .-h. :
149. I. Maria, b. Dec. 21, 1S22; m. Henry ()ut\vater, Mav
4, 1843.
150. IF. Marinus, b. Dee. 21, I s23 ; d. in inf.
1.51. ill. Clai'issa, b. Nov. 27, 1S24; ni. llenrv II. Jurianse.
152. IV. Wilhehuus, b. Aug. 24, 1828.
Jacobus [123] had cli. :
153. I. Jacob (18()), b. May 6, 1 802 ; ni. Ann Van P.lareom,
June 4, 1823.
Seventh Generation.
Garret V. li. [127] had ch. :
154. I. Maria, b. March 37, 1834; W. Cornelius, b. Dee. 6,
1835.
John [129J had ch. :
155. I. Sarah Jane, b Aug. 6, 1830; m. Robert P. Percy, Dee.
(
1858.
Jacob [130] had ch. :
i:.*;. I. Klizabeth Ann, b. Oct. 4, 1833; m. Lewis A. Ih-ig-
hain, Nov. 6, 1855.
157. II. Peter S., b. March 10, 1837 ; ni. Cathalina, dan. of
George Yreeland (190), Dec. 26, 1861 ; had ch. : I.
Gorge v., b. Sept. 19, 1864.
158. III. Daniel\l87), b. Oct. 3, 1839; ni. Enuua, dau. of
William J. B. Smith, Dec. 12, 1801.
159. IV. Garret S., b. Oct. 14, 1841 ; d. April 0, 1843.
100. V. Margaret Jane, b. :\rarch 24, 1844 ; d. N..v. 28, 1870
unin.
161. VI. Edward, b. Feb. 2, IMO; m. Mary Jane, dau. of
Jasper Wandle, Sept. 24, 1868.
102. Vn. AVilliatn (\, b. Sept. 13, 1855 ; d. Juno 7, 1873.
480 HISTOBY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
Michael [137] had ch. :
163 I. Jacob M. (188), b. July 19, ISKi ; m. Anna Vreeland
(186), Feb. 26, 1862.
164 II. Anna Maria, b. Oct. 19, 1841.
165. III. Eliza, b. April 27, 1843 ; d. May 10, 1843.
166. IV. Edwin, b. Sept. 27, 1844 ; d. Dec. 16, 1844.
167. y. Gertrude, b. JS'ov. 16, 1846 ; m. Henry Fitch.
168. YI. Harriet Eliza, b. June 20, 1848 ; m. Thomas P. King,
June 4, 1873.
Daniel [139] had ch. :
169 I. Alfred, b. June 28, 1848 ; II. Franklin, b. Sept. 19,
1849, d. Dec. 2, 1866 ; III. Theodore K, b. Sept.
15, 1851 ; IV. John Edwin, b. May 10, 1853 ; V.
Clara, b. Jan. 3, 1855, d. Jan. 18, 1856; VI.
Howard, b. March 18, 1857, d. July 25, 1857;
VII. Anna Gertrude, b. June 10, 1858; VIII.
Joseph, b. April 29, i860, d. March 3, 1861 ; IX.
Adeline Sophia, b. Aug. 9, 1865.
Daniel G. [143] had. ch. :
170 I. Jeremiah (189), b. March 7, 1825 ; m. 1st, Isa-
bella, dau. of Elisha Pvunyon, Oct. 23, 1850 ; 2d,
Violet, sister of his first wife, May 11, 1857.
171. II. Susan K., b. Jan. 4, 1827.
172. III. Jacob E. (190), b. Dec. 22, 1828 ; m. Edith, dau.
of Aaron Dunn, Dec. 31, 1863.
173. IV. Peter S., b. Aug. 30, 1831; d. June 1, 1832.
174. V. Cornelia Ann, b. June 26, 1833; m. William C.
Conover, May 19, 1859.
175. VI. Nellie, b. Feb. 20, 1836; d. Nov. 12, 1836.
176. VII. Garret, b. Oct. 7, 1837 ; m. Jennie Jukes, Dec. 12,
1859 ; had ch. : I. Elizabeth ; II. Jennie.
177. VIII. William H., b. Feb. 8, 1840 ; m. Mary Ann, dau.
of Aaron Dunn, Nov. 23, 1864 ; had ch. : I. Wil-
liam, b. Sept. 9, 1868.
178. TX. John Henry, b. Dec. 4, 1842 ; m. Adelia S., dau.
of Jerome B. Pack, Nov. 13, 1867.
179. X. Daniel, b. Sept. 13, 1845.
John G. [144] had ch. :
180. I. Jeremiah, b. Sept. 5, 1831 ; d. Sept. 15, 1832.
IIIK \ AN WAi.K.NKN IAMII.^. 481
181. II. Aim 8., 1). .luiu' 27, is:!:;; in. .'ulm A. Van Il(.rn.
-Jan. 1, 18.-)1>.
18l>. III. Coniclius, h. Feb. 8, 18:3(1; .1. ,Ian. -J^. ls37.
18:}. I\'. (iurret S., b. Nov. 21, 18:37.
Garret (i. [145 1 had ch. :
184. I. Garret, b. Jiil.v 11, 18:31 ; d. imm.
185. II. Jane S., b. Aug. '28, 183:3; ni. Ilenrv D\incaii.
•laeob [15:3 1 had ch. :
18<i. r. CathariiU", l». Julv ;3, 1825 : ni. Tlcnrv Marselus, \ov.
!». 184:).
KUlhth Generatum .
Daniel [158 J had eh. :
187. I. Florence, b. Sept. 28, 1802; II. Grace, b. .Vpril 10,
1804, d. Aug. 11, 1804; III. Jessie, b. May 4,
1805; IV. Clara S., b. .Ian. 15, 1807. d. Aug. 8,
18<!7; V. Marv, b. Jan. 7, 1871, d. June 28, 1871 ;
VI. Nellie, b.'Dec. 30, 1871.
Jacob M. [103 I had cli. :
188. r. Annie Gertrude, b. Dec-. 12, ls03: II. Fraid<, b. Feb.
24, 1865; III. Clara, b. Aug. 14. 1809.
Jeremiah | 1 7"| had eh. :
18<). r. William,b. Nov.4, 185S, d. Aui>-. 0, lS5'.i ; II. Charles,
b. Oct. 2, 1800; III. Jeremiah, b. Nov. 20, 1802:
lY. Francis, b. Julv 2, 1805 ; V. Nelson, b. Aui:-.
'J, 1808: YI. Isabella, b. Aug. 11, 1801t.
Jacob K. [ 172 1 had eh. :
r.»0. I. Kdward T., b. Jan. 21, 1S05; II. Su.^an K., b. Jan. :•.
1870.
Van Wa<.k.mn(;k.n — \ a.\ ^VAGfc;^"E^' — Yan \Va<.t<>m k.
This family derives its name from Wayenliujen, an ancient
town near the Rhine, about ten miles west of Aridieim, in Gel-
derland. It stood in marshy ground, was walled, and a place <)f
consideralde strength. From this town came (ierrit (Tcrritsen,
with his wife, Annetje Hermansse, and child Gerrit, then two
years old. They arrived at New Amsterdam Dec. 23. 1 <'•<!(». m
482 HISTORY OF uudson county.
the ship Faith, of which Jan Bestevaer was captain. The fare
for the three was 90 florins.^ He was the founder of tlie family,
wliich is now spread over Hudson, Bergen, Passaic and Essex
Counties. He brought with him a eertilieate, now in possession
of his descendant Hartman, of whicli the following is a transla-
tion :
" We, burgomasters, schepens aud counsellors of the city of
Wagoning, declare by these presents that there appeared before
us HendrTck Elissen and Jordiz Spiers, citizens of this city, at
the request of Gerrit Gerritsen and Annetje Hermansse, his wife.
They liave testified and certified, as they do by these presents,
that they have good knowledge of the above named Gerrit Ger-
ritsen and Annetje Hermanss'e, his wife, as to their life and con-
versation, and that they have always been considered and es-
teemed as pious and honest people, and that no complaint of any
evil or disorderly conduct has ever reached their ears ; on the
contrary, they have alw^ays led quiet, pious and honest lives, as it
becomes pious and hones*^t persons. They especially testify that
they govern their fanaily well, and bring up their children in the
fear of God, and in all modesty and respectability.
" As the above named persons have resolved to i-emove and
proceed to New Netherland, in order to find greatei- convenience,
they give this attestation, grounded on their knowledge of them,
having known them intimately, and having been in continual in-
tercourse with them for many years, living in the same neighbor-
hood.
" In testimony of the truth, we, the burgomasters of the city,
liave caused the private seal of the city to be hereto affixed.
" Done at Wagoning, 2Tth November, 1660.
" By the ordinance of the same.
"J. Aquelin."
Soon after his arrival Gerritsen settled in this county, and re-
ceived several parcels of land.~ He resided at Communipaw ; d.
ect;-4r,-449^-;. she died Sept. 7, 161)(i.
Second Generation.
Gerrit Gerritse had ch. :
•1. I. Gerrit (9), b. in L658 ; m. Neesje Pieterse, of Best, in
Gelderland, May 11, 1681. " He settled at Pembre-
1 Boc Hist. ofN. Y., il'., 55 ; Alb. Rec, mi., 45G.
'' Win-field's Land Titles, r,0.
n.
II
4.
III
,(.
l\'
♦ "..
V.
TIIK \AN VVAl.KNKN lA.MH-V. 483
pock; WHS iippoiiitcd Associate . I usticc ut tiic (Juurt
at J'>eri;eii, Aiii;. 31, lOSl, and lieutenant in Ger-
hrandVMaesen's Company, Nov. 10, IG'.'i'; d. Aj)i-il
♦ ;, 1703; she d. Oct. !>, \7S)i.
.laiinetje, Itap. March I'.*, UMi'2.
Fitjc, liap. Dec. 30, Kw;,", ; ni. Cornelius Van Vorst ( 10),
Nov. L>7, 105»3; d. iMay 10, 1734.
irennanus ( l«i), bap. ]\[arch 10, ir>f;7; ni. Annetje Van
Winkle (14), and resided at Anuackanonek.
Aeltje, bap. April 14, 1072; ni. Wander Diedrick^,
'Nov. '21, 1(;!>3 ; d. Dec. 22, 1754.
7. \'l. ITendrick, bap. Oct. '2:>, KHi'f, ni. Mar^n-ietji! Straat-
niaker, Aj)ril :', 17ol ; removed to Aquackanonck.
His will, dated Sept. 1>, 1743, was proved Dec. 20,
1758. He bad ten cb., viz. : Garret, John, Corne-
lius, Ilenrv, Abraham, Gesie, m. Marinns Van
Winkle (}\2), Sept. 2, 1721 ; Antje, wife of Jurrie
Pieterse, Jannetje, wife of Adrian Post, Margaret,
and Lena, wife of Thomas Jurianse Van Kii)en.
s. \ II. .iuhiinnis (17), b. Jan. 11, 1678; m. Catlyntje Ilel-
l^W^-^' ' .J'ligseV Nov. •!' 1703; d. Sept. 30, 175G.
Some oi" this generation took the name of Vcm Wagenen, while
others retained Gerritsen, the name of the father, for a family
name, which name or its equivalent, Garretson, many of them yet
retain.
77/ //v/ Ge n eration .
Gerrit [2] had cli. :
9. I. Elizabeth, b, March 3, 1«;82 ; d. Jan. 24. 1707.
10. II. Pieter(25), b.Oct.4, 1684 ; m. 1st, Vrouwtjellesselse,
]\rarch 20, 1 7o!» ; 2d, Antje . He was born in
llohoken, but at the time of his marriage lived at
Pembre]iock; afterward removed to A([uacka-
nonck.
11. III. (ierrit (2»i), baj). Marc^li 20, 16S7; m. ^Maritje Ger-
brants (8); removed tu Aquackanonck; d. .Ian. J,
1737.
12. IV. Annetje, bap. Nov. 13, 1081); m. Johannis Neesje, ot
Staten Island, Oct. !>, 1710.
13. \'. Johannis (27), bap. Feb. 22, 1603; m. Margrietje
Sip(O), May 22, 1713.
14. VI. Abraham (28), b. Feb. 2, 1605 ; m. Racliel Ilesselse,
March 14, 1717: removed to Aquackanonck.
484 HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
15. Vir. Jacob (30), bap. Nov. 19, 1799; m. Lea Van Ripen
(22), May 2, 1719 ; d. Sept. 23, 1775.
Hermanns [5] had ch. :
16. I. Gen-it (35), m. Anuetje Sip (10), Oct. 3, 1713.
Johannis [8] had ch. :
17. I. Aeltje, b. Sept. 6, 1705.
1-8 II. Helmich (39), b. Feb. IS, 1708 ; m. Maritje Ih-ink-
erhoff (12), Sept. 26, 1736 ; d. July 19, 1747.
19. III. Gerrit, b. Oct. 7, 1710 ; d. Auo^. 21, 1738.
20. IV. Cornelius, m. 1st, Catrina Sickels, Oct. 17, 1742;
2d, Helena Prior; d. before Sept., 1768. By his
father's will he received a farm at " Wenaghke,"
on which he was living in 1752 ; had ch. : I. Ja-
cob ; II. Annetje, b. Dec. 25, 1750.
21. y. John.
22. VI. Jacob (44), m. Jannetje Van Houten, Oct. 17, 1742.
23. VII. Antje, m. Ide Sip (11), May 23, 1725; d. Jan. 25,
1749.
24. VIII. Jannetje, b. Feb. 22^ 1721 : ni. Hendrick De Mott,
Oct. 30, 1740.
Fourth Generation.
Pieter [10] had ch. :
25. I. Gerrit, b. Nov. 7, 1711; II. Elizabeth, b. Aug. 5,1713;
III. Hessel, b. Dec. 11, 1715 ; m. Catrina Bon,
and had ch. : I. Johannis, b. May 27, 1753 ; II. Hes-
sel, b. Jan. 25, 1760 ; IV. Peter, b. March 29, 1719 ;
V. Johannis, b. Nov. 14, 1721 ; YI. Neesje, b.
March 11, 1724 ; VII. Vrouwtje, b. Feb. 6, 1727,
m. Jacob Van Winkle ; VIII. Lea, and IX. Hele-
na, twins, b. Aug. 10, 1729.
Gerrit [11] had ch. :
26. L Maritje, b. April 17, 1715; II. Leeja, b. Jan. 8, 1720;
'III. Gerrebrant, b. Sept. 21, 1723 ; IV. Neesi'e, b.
April 17, 1728 ; V. Metje, b. March 2, 1732. ^
Johannis [13] had ch. :
27. I. Gerrit, b. June 29, 1714 ; II. Johannis, b. Feb. 27, 1721 ;
HI. Cornelius, b. July 2, 1723 ; m. Claasje Pie-
terse; had ch. : Claasje, b. April 13, 1755 ; IV. Ja-
TUK \A\ WAUKNK.N I AMI I. V. 485
cobus, Ii. A)»ril l'7, 17:^.".; \'. Ileiidric'k, h. Aug. 17,
1727; Ml. C/utliivi'iiie I'inilusscii, Dec. ."», 1747; IukI
ch. : Joliamiis, 1). Nov. It, 17r.ti ; VJ. Ahnihain, 1..
Julv 2«;, I72!i; \'II. lleniijinus,]). March 14, 17;:i.
.\l)ralitiin [14) had ch. :
i.'>^. I. ireiulrick. li. "Nfarcli 5, 1729; iii. Aiuiatjo Van Winkle
(32), ])ec. — , 1751; had ch. : I. (iarret, h. Jan.
14, 1753; II. Maiinus, b. Dec. 19. 1754; III.
Abraham, b. Sept. 26, 1762.
■J'K ir. Xeesje. b. Sej.t. 1:5. 17;il.
Jacob [1.')) had ch. :
30. I. (it-rrit, b. Mav — , J720; ni. Margrietje Van Winkle,
A])ril 24, 1746 ; d. Dec. 4. 1803.
31. 11. Neesje, b. Sej)t. 2. 1724; ni. Johannis A'an Wagenen
(42), N<.v. s, 17:)0; d. May 24. ISIO.
3l'. III. Johannis. I). March 11,1727; ni. Aeltje Vreeland,
Oct. 17, 1748 ; liad ch. ; I. Lea, b. Dec. 4, 1759.
3:'.. IV. Beelitje, b. March 11.1727: ni. John Merselis, Aug.
30,1755.
34. V. Jacob, b. March 8, 1736: in. .Vagtje A'reeland (62); d.
Jan. 27, 1783; hadch.: I. A nnati'e. b. Dec. 31,1757,
d. March 20, 1778.
Gerrit | 161 bad cli. :
35. I. Annetje, b. Sept. 12, 1714: m. Joris E. Vreeland (21) ;
d. Feb. 28, 1782.
36. II. ]Iornlann^ (45), b. Feb. 4. 1717: m. r4certruv ^'a^
llouten,Dec. 29, 1741.
37. III. Lena, b. Dec. 3, 1720; m. Arent Schuvler (20i, Oct.
1,1741.
3>. \\. iatrina. b. Dec. 28. 1722: X. Jenneke. b. Sept. 12,
1725 : \' I. Joliannis.
IFelinich [18] had cli. :
3!t. I. Effie,b. Aug. <t, 173V ; II. Catlyntie, b. Dec. 25, 1738.
4(». III. Maritje. b. April 7, 1741 ; ni. Jacob Kip, Dec. 4, 1775.
41. IV, Antje. b. April 7, 1741 ; m. Joliannis Diedrick;^. Dec.
17, 1768.
"42. V. Joliannis (46), ni. Neesje Van AVagenen (31), Nov. 8,
1750; d. Marcli 29, 1797.
43. NT. Jacob, settled at Kinderkeniack.
486 HISTORY OF IIUDSOX COUNTY.
Jacob [22] had ch. :
44. T. Jacobus, bap. March 8, 1736; II. Catlyntje, b. July 23,
1744, d. Aug. 11, 1748; III. Helena, b. April 22.
1747.
Fifth Generation .
Hermanns [36] had ch. :
45. T. Tloelof, b. March 17, 1750; II. Johannis, bap. Dee. 14,
1755.
Johannis [42] had ch. :
46. I. Jacob (50), b. Oct. 7, 1751 ; ra. Aegie BrinkerhoU (31) ;
d. June 14, 1839.
47. II. Catlyntje, b. Jan. 2, 1754; ni. Garret Yan Ripen (60);
d. Oct. 27, 1775.
48. III. Lea, b. Dec. 17, 1756 ; m. Hendrick BrinkerliofF(33),
June 19, 1779 ; d. July 7, 1821. .
49. lY. Antje, b. Sept. 26, 1757.
Sixth Generation.
Jacob [46] had ch. .
50. I. Claesje, b. March 17, 1778 ; ra. Peter Westervelt. of
T'l^eck, Oct. 30, 1796.
51. II. Catlyntje, b. Aug. 3, 1782 ; m. Henry D. Yan Winkle
{^Q), Jan. 10, 1801 ; died July 20, 1847.
52. III. Johannis (54), b. July 27, 1785 ; m. Ann, dan. of Cor-
nelius Dorenius. of I^ew Durham, Dec. 31, 1812;
d. Sept. 7, 1827.'
53. lY. Hartman, (55), b. Nov. 15, 1790 ; m. Catharine New-
kirk (29), Aug. 16, 1812.
Seventh Generation.
Johannis 1 52] had ch. :
54. I. Cornelius D., b. Feb. 5, 1814: II. Jacob, b. Sept. 4,
1815; III. Christiana, b. Sept. 20, 1817. This
family removed to the city of New York.
Hartman [53] had ch. :
55. I. Effie, b. April 8, 1813 ; m. Henry P. Kip, jr., of Ludi,
Nov. 5, 1835.
56. II. Jane, b. Sept. 28, 1814 ; m. Edo Sip, of Aquackanonck,
Nov. 2, 1833.
IIIK VAN lUSklKK lAMIl,^
4S7
57. TIT. .Tiicol) I ;")!»), 1.. M-.in-h ;;i. 1^10; m. JaiK! \';ui liuskirk
((;4), Dec. 2S>, 1S42.
58. I \'. lleiirv N. (iVA), h. Oct. 1?., 182:5 ; in. Kliza .luiiu Vrcc-
l!UKl(237), May 12, 1841).
AVj/// /// (icii < ' /'af/'o7i .
Jacob [57] had di. :
:.;). r. ratharine Arabella, b. Oct. 2. 184:;; iii. Jobn K. Wil-
SDii, Doc. 2."), 181) 1,
CO. II. Ilartinan. b. June 28, 1845; d. April 14, 1853.
r.l. III. Sarali Eli/.abotb, 1). April 16, 1847; m. Alfred AVr.i.
Crbin, Nov. 10, ISCO.
r.2. IV. .b'liii V. 1!., 1). May 21>, 1.840; V. Corneliub; VJ. .lane,
I). Mav 14, 1851, d. Sept. 20, 1852; YII. Jacob;
\'III."Ciiristian.
Henry N. [58] had eh. :
r.S. T. (Catharine, b. Oct. 7, 1850; ni. Nicholas G. Vreehmd
(838), April 12, 1871.
H4. II. Hannah Elizabeth, b. Jan. 14, 1853; III. Ilartman. b.
Sept. i), 1 858 : IV. Eliza Jane Y. L., b. Sept. 21>,
18(10.
Vax Boskkrck — Van Ijuskirk — Boskerk — IJuskikk.
This name is from I/os and kf'?'ck, and with the van signities
from the church in the looods. The founder of the family in this
country was Lourens ^Vndriessen, who sometimes added to his
name " A''an Boskerck." lie came from llolstein, in Denmark,
in the snnmierof 1055. His name first a])pears in the records <>!
New Amsterdam June 20, 1()5('), in a deed for a lot on Broad
street. lie was then unmarried, and l)y trade a turner^ but af-
terward became a draper? Sliortly after the settlemen 
