CHAPTER VI.
After Domine Selyns' return to Holland, in 1664, the church at Breuckelen came again under the pastoral charge of Domine Polhemus, the minister of the associated churches of the four Dutch towns of the county. The labors of this venerable and faithful servant of God ceased only with his life; and his death, on the 9th of June, 1676, is commemorated on the records of the church at Breuckelen in the following respectful and affectionate terms:
"It has pleased the Almighty God to remove from this world of care and trouble our worthy and beloved pastor, Johannes Polhemus, to the abode of peace and happiness in His heavenly kingdom; by which our church is deprived of his pious instructions, godly example, and evangelical ministrations, particularly in the administration of the holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper."
During his ministry, in the year 1666, the first church edifice in Breuckelen was erected in the middle of the highway, now Fulton avenue, near Lawrence street. Tradition says that it was built on the walls of a stone fort, constructed in the early days of the settlement for protection against the savages. This first church remained in existence just a century, being pulled down in the year 1766.
By the death of Domiue Polbemus, the churches of Kings County were deprived of the regular preaching of the Gospel, and the Breuckelen church invited the Rev. Mr. Nieuwenhausen, of New Amsterdam, to supply their pulpit, which he did until the year 1677. In that year the collegiate churches of the county extended a call to the Rev. Casparus Van Zuren, from Holland, who was installed on the 6th of September at Flatbush, and of whom little is known, except that he was an industrious and systematic man. [1] When the pulpit of the church in New York was vacant, he preached there every Wednesday by invitation, without failure on account of weather; for which he received compensation and a vote of thanks from the New York Consistory. He also preached (1680-2) for the Dutch church at Bergen. In 1685 he returned to Holland, where he resumed his former charge over the church at Gonderac. [2]
The records of the church at Flatbush during Van Zuren's pastorate present the following minutes, which may not be uninteresting to our readers:
"Respecting another difficulty, touching the preaching at Flatbush beyond the usual turn. It was asked, inasmuch as this (i. e., a similar case) bad occurred at a previous meeting, on the 15th November, 1679, whether, when the town which has the turn shall neglect to fetch the minister, or be hindered by foul weather, such ought to pass for a turn for Flatbush – which appeared improper, because in such case the minister would then (only) sit still. After some debate between Flatbush and the other towns, the minister observed that the service on the Lord's day might not be neglected; for it could not injure the other towns that Flatbush had an extra turn, for the other towns thereafter again took their course (i. e., their respective turns). That the minister not being fetched by anybody, evidently belonged no more to the one than to the other, and in such a case he stood free on his own feet to give the extra turn to whom he pleased; that Flatbush received profit, but the other towns no injury, (and) that this was unjust no one could pretend ; and that Flatbush was not obligated to the other towns, but to the minister whom they remunerated, which was evident, inasmuch as they bad purchased a piece of land 16 rods long and 12 broad, adjoining the parsonage; and this ought to be duly considered, although no person ought to be a judge in his own case; therefore the minister advised that this difference be referred and submitted to the Honorable the Consistory of New York." [3]
On the 14th of October, 1680, the following was agreed to, being article 7 of a new agreement with the minister, viz.:
"Those of Flatbush shall provide that the minister's field be enlarged two morgen, in order that the minister may keep a horse and suitably attend to the service of the Church, and also make all necessary repairs to the fences, dwelling, kitchens, well, and appurtenances, with earnest desire and integrity of heart."
The interference of the British authorities, who then held the Dutch colonies in subjection, with the concerns of the Reformed Dutch churches, produced much uneasiness and a considerable show of opposition among the inhabitants of the four towns. And in 1680 the Church Council, assembled in synod at Flatbush, formally resolved that the charge and management of church lands and property belonged to the Church Council, and was secured to them by the Charter of Freedoms; and furthermore, that the English officials were, by their oaths of office, bound to protect and not to abridge the rights of the church. [4] They also chose church masters, to take charge of the church property; and these officers were reappointed for several successive years.
In a MS. of the Rev. Peter Lowe, quoted by some writers, "a Mr. Clark" is mentioned as the immediate successor of Domine Van Zuren. But of him nothing is known, and if such a person existed, it is quite probable that he was merely a temporary supply. At all. events, in the carefully prepared "History of the Reformed Dutch Church in North America," by the Rev. Dr. DeWitt, which we may safely assume to be the highest authority on these points, we find the name of the Rev. Rudolphus Van Varick as minister of Kings County from 1685 to 1694. During the Leislerian troubles, in 1689, Mr. Varick, as well as the other Dutch ministers, stood out against the authority of Leisler, and was treated with much harshness, being dragged from his home, cast into the jail, deposed from his ministerial functions, and fined heavily. These severities, which were heaped upon him for alleged treasonable utterances against Leisler, undoubtedly hastened his death. [5] His congregation, also, were divided, and many of them refused to pay his salary according to the terms upon which they called him from Holland, –– especially, as he says, in a petition to the Governor, Sept. 11th, 1691, for the six months of his imprisonment. The Court ordered the arrears of salary due him by his congregation to be collected, by distress,. if necessary. [ 6 ] Mr. Varick was naturalized on the 29th of July, 1686, and his posterity are to be found on the island. [7]
He was succeeded by the Rev. Wilhelmus Lupardus, whose ministry was terminated by death in 1701 or 2.
Being thus again deprived of a regular ministry, the people of the four towns empowered the elders of the churches within said towns to procure a minister, " either out of the province or out of Holland," and the elders, after much deliberation, determined upon the Rev. Bernardus Freeman, of Schenectady, and applied to the Governor, Lord Cornbury, for permission to call him. Their action, however, well-meant as it undoubtedly was, gave rise to a contention which was destined to distract and agitate the inhabitants of Kings County for many succeeding years. The people, always jealous of the English power, to which they were unwilling subjects, and particularly sensitive to any interference of that power with their ecclesiastical affairs, were highly indignant because the elders had seen fit to ask the Governor's permission to call Mr. Freeman. In Flatbush, the disaffected even went so far as to convene a town meeting, whereat the regular elders of that church were deposed from office and new ones elected in their stead, who were instructed forthwith to send for Mr. Freeman; while at Breuckelen certain busybodies went around endeavoring to gain signatures to a petition or call to the said Freeman, and also for the choosing of three new elders from that town, as had been done at Flatbush. [8] Their discontent was undoubtedly encouraged by some inconsiderate acts of Domine Freeman, and his evident desire to come among themalthough in direct opposition to the expressed desire of his own church at Schenectady. [9]
The legal examination of the contending parties before the Council, resulted in the following order from Governor Cornbury:
"I having duly Considered the Within petition, and having been well Informed that Mr. Bar. ffreeman has misbehaved himself by promoting and Encouraging the unhappy divisions among the people of this province, do not think it Consistent with her Majestie's Service that the sd ffreeman should be admitted to be called, as is prayed by the sd petition, And the petitioners are hereby required not to call or receive the sd ffreeman. But they are hereby left at Liberty to send for such Minister as they shall think fitt, from holland or any other place, as hath been customary." [10]
The opposition which Mr. Freeman met with from the Governor, the people of his charge at Schenectady, and the disaffected minority in Flatbush and Breuckelen, although it retarded, did not defeat his settlement in Kings County. Late in the year 1705, he received the following commission as minister there:
"By his Excellency Edward Viscount Cornbury Capt Genll & Govr in Cheife of ye Provinces of New York, New Jersey, & of all The Territories and Tracts of Land Depending Thereon in America & Vice Admirale of ye same, &c.
"To Mr Bernardusus Freeman Greeting ––
" You are hereby Licenced, Tollerated, and allowed to be Ministr of the Dutch Congregation at New Uytrecht, Flackbush, Bruyckland, and Buswick, in Kings County, upon The Island of Nassaw, in the sd Province of New York, and to have & Exercise the free Liberty and Use of yor Religion, according to ye Laws in such case made and Provided for, & During So Long Time as to me shall Seem meet, & all P'sons are hereby Required to Take Notice hereof accordingly. GIVEN under my hand & seal at Fort Anne, in New York, This 26th day of Decemr, in the fourth year of her Maties Reigne Annoq: Dm 1705. "Cornbury. [11]
By his Excellns command.
"William Anderson. Dy Secy."
In compliance with this order, Mr. Freeman's installation ceremonies took place at New Utrecht; [12] but his troubles were not yet ended, While his adherents had been foisting him into the pastorate, his opponents had made formal application to the Classis at Amsterdam for a minister, and in response to their request the Rev. Vincentius Antonides arrived from the Fatherland on the first of January, 1705-6 [13] and was duly installed at Flatbush, assuming the charge of the four churches, to which, in 1702, had been added the newly formed church of Jamaica.
The controversy between the two parties rapidly increased in bitterness and extent. Freeman's adherents, conscious of the protection of the Governor and Council, formally demanded that the church books, lands, and stock should be delivered into their keeping; to which the "original" church party very naturally demurred. On petition of Domine Freeman's party, the Governor then issued a warrant to the authorities of the Flatbush and Breuckelen churches, to deliver up said property and books to Mr. Freeman. [14]
To this the elders of the churches of Breuckelen, Flatbush, and Flatlands replied by a counter petition, in which they recite the circumstances attending Domine Antonides' settlement; assert that Mr. Freeman was "only called minister for the town of New Utrecht," and "has entered upon two of the said churches without any lawful call, and has continually obstructed their minister," etc., and conclude by requesting that a council may be called, composed of some of her Majesty's Council and the Deputies of the Dutch churches of the province, by whom the matter may be fully examined and decided. [15] The council was granted, to which were forthwith presented various and divers petitions from both of the contending parties, as well as the following documents, which we copy verbatim:
PROPOSALS
"Offered by Cornelius Seabring, Ingelbert Lot, and Cornelius Van Brant, in behalf of themselves and others, Members of ye Dutch Churches of Flatbusb, Brookland, and New Utrecht, in Kings County, on the Island of Nassau (who have hitherto adhered to the Interest of Domine Bernardus Freeman, their Minister) pursuant to a due authority to them the sd Seabring, Lot, & Van Brunt, for that purpose given; for the more perfect and effectuall accommodation of the Difference between ye said Members, and others, Members of ye sd Churches, who have hitherto adhered to the Interest of Domine Vincentius Antonides, in the articles following:
"1. First, that all differences and Animosities between the sd Members which have hitherto hapend, be on either side no further talked of, but entirely buryed in Oblivion.
"2dly. That Domine Bernardus Freeman, from the time the agreemt intended shall take effect, may in all things relating to the three Dutch Churches of Flatbush, Brookland, and New Utrecht, or any other Neighboring Churches, be admitted and put into equal State and Condition wth Domine Vincentius Antonides (to wit) in Service, in Sallary, in House Land, and all other Proffits.
"3. That in order to put an End to ye Dispute concerning the present Consistory of Flatbush & Brookland, those persons wch Mr. Freeman now Deems to be a Consistory, & those persons wch Mr. Antonides now Deems to be a Consistory, Do severally Elect two Elders and Deacons of each part, in the presence & wth the concurance of one or both Ministers, if they both please to attend, and that those Eight Elders & Deacons so to be elected, shall from thence forth be and remain Elders and Deacons for the sd two Churches of fflat Bush & Brookland for the first ensuing year & that at the end of ye sd year to comence from the sd election, half of them Shall be removed & four others chosen in their stead, and at the end of two years after sd first election, the other half shall be removed, & other four shall be chosen in their stead, & so successively every year according to ye usuall custom, the said Elections to be made by the votes of both the sd Ministers and the Consistory for the time being: and that whenever the sd Ministers shall meet upon any such or other Publick Service, the one shall preside one time and ye other the next time, & so alternately.
"4. That to the time of ye Election of ye sd New Consistory, so to be made by both parties as aforesaid, each party shall, of their own parts respectively bear pay and discharge the Sallary, Perquisites, and other things due to ye respective Ministers, vizt, Those who have hitherto sided with Mr. Freeman shall clear all arrears to him: & those who have hitherto sided with Mr. Antonides, all arrears to him.
"New York March 5th 1708. "Cornelis Seberingh,
"Endorsed, 'Proposals on the part of "Engelbardt Lotte,
Mr Freeman's friends. 1708.' Cornelis Van Brunt."
ARTICLES
"Exhibited by the Elders & Deacons of the Dutch Reformed Protestant Church of the Towns of Brookland, fflatbush, and fflatlands, on the Island of Nassau, for the Reconciling the differences wch have of late been amongst the Dutch Churches on the said Island.
"1st That all parties do consent that Mr Antonides, according to the rules of the said Church, is the duely called Minister of Brookland, flatbush and flatlands, and that the Elders & Deacons wch were lately chosen by Mr Antonides with the assistance and consent of those Elders Deacons wch he formed there at his arrivall are yet still the true Elders Deacons, and that what ever has been acted to the contrary by Mr. Freeman & others was always null & void & is So still; That therefore the collections gathered in the Churches of Brookland & flatbush by the friends of Mr. Freerman be delivered to the Consistory of Mr. Antonides to be disposed of according to the rules of the Church.
"2dly That all parties do consent that the Call made for Mr Freerman by those of New Utrecht does Emit him to the Congregation of that Town only.
"3dly That all parties do consent, that no such lycence, or the other orders wch the Lord Cornbury has granted to Mr. Freeman whereby the Effects of the sd Churches at his pleasure were to be delivered up to Mr Freeman, never were nor yet are of any force or validity in the Dutch Churches of this Province, but Tended to the ruin of the liberty of the said Churches in this Country; That they do allso reject this Position, That all the Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiccon of the Dutch Churches in this Province is wholly in the Power of the Govr according to his will & pleasure, That yet nevertheless all parties do firmly own that the Dutch Churches in this Province are accountable to the Govt for their peaceable & good behaviour in their Doctrin, Disciplin, and Church Government; that is to say, as farr as it does consist with the Rules & Constitugons of their own nationall Church always enjoyed at New York, As well as they have the right and Priviledge to be protected by the Civill Govt in the free exercise of their Religion according to their own Constitution.
"4thly That all parties consent to subscribe the Church Orders of the Classis of Amsterdam, & those practiced on the Island of Nassauw not being contradictory thereto, & that in case any matter in difference cannot be decided amongst themselves the same be referred to the other Dutch Churches of this Province.& if not by them decided the same to be submitted to the Classis of Amsterdam, whose decision is to be binding.
"5thly That all parties reject the expression made by Mr. Freerman at a certain time, vizt that when the Church Orders were for his advantadge he observed them, but if they were against him he went round about the same, & could tread them under his feet.
"6tly That then Mr Freeman shall be in a condicon to be called to those congregacons on the sd Island where he is not yet called according to the rules of the Church, and shall be called accordingly, Provided Mr Freerman's friends do first find out sufficient means thereto and a dwelling house and do perswade the Congregacons aforesaid to desire the Consis. tory to call him in an Ecclesiasticall manner.
"7thly To the end that there may be a perfect peace in all the Dutch Churches on the said Island all parties together with the freinds of Mr. Freerman at Jamaica are to consent that the Elders & Deacons that were there when Mr Du Bois preached there the last time are yet the true Elders and Deacons & that then both Ministers may be called there.
"8thly That all parties consent that these articles being interchangeably signed be read to the respective Congregations from the Pulpit & anthentiq copies thereof sent to the other Dutch Churches in this Province to be by them kept & that notice hereof be given to the Classis of Amsterdam with the request of both parties for their approbacon.
"Lastly. If Mr. Freerman & his friends should not be pleased to consent to the above articles that then CW Joanues De Peyster be desired to produce the resolucon of the Classis of Amsterdam, whereby Peace is said to be recommended according to the order of the said Classis, as Mr Freerman intimates in his letter without date to Mr. Antonides that Capt De Peyster aforesaid had shewn the same to him, together with the means to attain such a Peace.
"New-York 4th March 1708/9.
"By order of the said Elders and Deacons,
Abrah: Gouverneur,
"Joseph Hegeman,
"Goeronemus Remsen,
"Endorsed, " Pieter Melijus.
"'Proposals on the part of Mr Antonides's friends. 1708." [16]
After a full and patient hearing of all the testimony in the case, the Council sent in majority and minority reports to the Governor. The former, signed by Messrs. Rip Van tam, A. D. Philipse, J. V. Courtlandt, and Leendert Hugyen De Kley, finds " that Mr. Antonides is duly and regularly called minister of the said towns of Brookland, Flatbush, and Flatlands, according to the discipline, practice, aud constitution of the Dutch churches of the towns aforesaid, and that Mr. Freeman is duly called minister of New Utrecht, on the said island, and we behove is likewise minister of Bushwick, though it has not been proved before us." [17] The minority report, by Messrs. D. Provoost, A. D. Peyster, and Jo. D. Peyster, finds that " Mr. Freeman is justly and legally called and entitled to the ministry of the churches of Breukland, Flatbush, Now Utrecht, and Boswyck." [18] The majority report, however, in favor of Mr. Antonides, was accepted by the Governor and Council, [19] and Governor Lovelace thereupon promulgated an order to the effect that 11 His Honor having considered the said report and the matters therein contained, does think fit to order and direct, and does hereby order and direct, that from this time forward Mr. Freeman and Mr. Antonides shall preach at all the said churches in Kings County alternately, and divide all the profits equally, share and share alike; and to avoid all further disputes between the said ministers, Mr. Freeman shall preach next Sunday at Flatbush, and the Sunday following Mr. Antonides shall preach at Flatbush, and so on in the other churches, turn by turn; if either of them refuses to comply with this order, to be dismissed." [20]
The doughty Domine Antonides, however, was not so easily satisfied, and firmly but courteously refused to obey the order, saying that " to the end that he may not be wanting in his duty to God, his said Churches, nor give any Just cause to incur his honour's displeasure, he humbly beggs leave to Represent that he cannot comply with the said Order unless he breaks thro' the Rules &
Discipline of the Dutch Reformed Protestant Churches, the Constitucon whereof not admitting any minister to assume a right to any Church but where he is Regularly called to, which the said order seems to Direct." [21]
The only reply which the intractable domino received, was notice that the Governor " had already determined the matter, and would hear nothing further." [22] Still, he and his friends continued to worry the Governor with petition after petition, and finally (April 18, 1710), in the interval between Gov. Lovelace's term and the arrival of the now Governor, Robert Hunter, the question was again brought up in the Council, of which the Hon. Gerardus Beekman was president pro tem. It was then and there determined that the majority report rendered to the Council in 1709, in favor of Mr. Antonides, should be confirmed. Mr. Antonides had at length triumphed; but a few days thereafter Mr. Freeman surreptitiously obtained an order from Mr. Beekman, the President of the Board, authorizing him to preach Is alternately with Mr. Antonides, in Flatbush and Brookland churches." This outside movement on the part of Mr. Beekman gave great umbrage to the adherents of Mr. Antonides, who earnestly protested against it, and requested that the order thus illegally granted might be recalled. [23] The Council also felt insulted by the unwarrantable act of their President, and on his refusing, at their next sitting, to recall his order to Domino Freeman, 11 they declared they would not meet in council till it was done; telling the President, if he could do what he had done as aforesaid without them, he might do all other acts of government without them, and that then they saw no business they had to convene in council. And thereupon the Council broke up." [24]
The difficulty being laid before Governor Hunter, as soon as possible after his arrival, occasioned the following kindly and prudent communication from him to the Justices of Kings County:
"New York 15th Septr 1710.
"Gentlemen
"The Controversy between Mr ffreeman and Mr. Antonides concerning the Churches in your County looking now with a fairer aspect towards a Reconciliation than hitherto they have; to the end that nothing may be done to impede so good a work, I desire you to permit Mr ffreeman and Mr. Antonides to preach to-morrow in the Respective Churches wherein in Course it is their Turn to preach and that no molestation be given to either of them therein, having good hopes that before the next Sunday everything will be so disposed that this unhappy dispute will be accommodated to the Satisfaction of both those Gentlemen, and to the generall approbation of all their Congregations, whereby their present devisions may be healed, and the disagreing partys united into one mind. And that no misinterpretations may be made hereof on either hand, I desire you to let each party and their respective Congregations know that I am so farr from determining any one point in dispute, that the Right of either of them is as entirely reserved to them as it was before and that after to-morrow no farther use be made hereof.
"I desire you to tell Mr Antonides and Mr ffreeman that I would speak with them here on Monday next.
"I am sincerely, Gentlemen,
"Your very humble Servr
" Ro. Hunter." [25]
The "good hopes" of the worthy Governor were not destined to be realized —— dissension still prevailed, and on the 27th of November his Excellency desired the members of the Council to favor him with their opinions as to what should be done in the case. The members of the Council, with but one dissenting voice, advised that "the order made in Council in this matter on the 18th of April last, be confirmed, whereby Mr. Antonides was to be protected in the free exercise of his ministerial functions in the towns of Flatbush, Flatlands, and Brookland," etc. On the 30th of April, 1711, in consequence of a complaint that Domino Freeman had "lately preached in the churches of Kings County to which Mr. Antonides is called, and that many violent proceedings are taken, to the great disturbance of the public peace of the said churches and county;" and, furthermore, that the town of Flatbush had lately elected Church-Masters, "after a new and unprecedented manner," etc., a Council order was issued, ordering "that Mr. Freeman does not presume to preach in any of the churches to which Mr. Antonides is called, and that none of the said Church-Masters so newly elected presume to intermeddle in the affairs of the said church, or in any lands, houses, or other effects, thereto belonging." [26]
The next item recorded, is an application of Antonides and his Consistory for a charter, as follows:
To his Excellency Robert Hunter Esqr Captn Genll & Govr in Chief in and over her Maties Province of New York &c &c &c.
"The humble Peticon of Vincentius Antonides Minister of the Reformed Protestant Datch Churches of Flatbush Brookland & flatlands in Kings County on the Island of Nassau in the Province of New York Joannes Cornel Rynier Aarsen, & Henry Filkin Elders of the said Church at Flatbush Benjamin Hegeman Cornelis Cornel & Jan Bennet Deacons thereof - Michiel Hansen Jan Dorlant & Cornelis Van Dayn Elders of the said Church at Brookland Nicolas Van Dyk Isaak Remse & Jan Rapalie Deacons thereof, Jan alberts ter heunen Lucas Stevense H Gerrit Stoothof Elders of the said Church in Flatlands, Harman Hooglant Alexander Simson, & Jan Amerman Deacons of the same.
"Most Humbly Sheweth,
"That for many years last past at the charge of sundry of the Inhabitants of the sad Towns & of other Pious persons there bath been erected in each of the said Towns a Church for the Publicq worship of Almighty God and other Divine Service to be celebrated therein after the manner of the Dutch nationall Churches of the Provinces of the United Netherlands acording to their Profession and Discipline Established by the nationaIl Synod of Dort held in the year 1618 & 1619 which said three Churches since the settlement have always Joyned together in the calling & paying of one Minister for them all.
"And whereas the said Minister Elders & Deacons respectively for the use of their said churches by virtue of sundry mean conveyances in the Law are possessed of sundry parcells of Lands & Tenements respectively for every particular Church aforesaid That is to say for the Church of Flatbush two Lotts of land situate lying and being in the said Town on the north side of Col. Gerardus Beekman Jacob Hendrickse & Roelof van Kerek on the south of the lane that leads to Gouwanes conteining one hundred & eighteen acres as allso two Lotts of meadow the (whole) being in the bounds of the said Town over the fresh creek broad 7 Road laid out by No 19 and the other over the Second Creek broad 12 Rod No 15 both Stretching from the woods to the Sea ALuo oneother Lot of Land in the said Town to the north of Peter Stryker and to the South of the highway that Leads to the New Lotts Containing fourty eight acres ALLso one other Lot to the South of Peter Stryker & matty Luyster and to the North of the Lane that leads to the New Lotts conteining fourty eight acres Allso two Lotts of meadow the one over the fresh creek broad 7 Road NO. 20 and the other over the Second creek broad 13 Rodd No 11 Allso one Lot of Land lying amongst the new Lotts of the said Towns to the west side Of Rem Remsen to the East of Elsie Snediker conteining thirty four acres as Allso the Church and ministers Dwelling howse in the said Town together with the orchard gardens and yard adjoyning conteining ten acres, Auso, one howse & Lot of ground in the said Town called the School howse con. teining Eight acres, together with the Lands and meadows in right thereof kid out for the use of the said Church out of the comons of the said Town.
"And for the Church of Brookland one Lot of Land in the said Town in breadth Eight Rodd Long thirteen Rodd & a half bounden on the South West by the highway on the north west by Jacobus Beavois and on the south east by Charles Beavois Awzo one church yard elleaven Rodd square bounded on the north east by the highway on the South east by a Small Lane to the South West by Joris Hanssen & to the north west by Albertie Barents and the Church in the mad Town Standing in the middle of the highway.
"And for the Church of Flatland, One Lot of Land at a place called. Amesfoorts Neck containing Twenty Acres laid out by No 10 And Allso the Church in sd Town & one howse called the School howse with the Land adjoyning Containing two acres or thereabouts therefore for the advanceing of Piety & Religion and that the said Lands may be the better administered and the Revenue thereof duly applyed for the Maintenance of the minister or ministers for the time being & other Pious Charitable uses ——
"They do most humbly Pray that the said Minister Elders & Deacons & their Successors may be by her Majesties Grant or Charter under the Seal of this Province Made One body Politick and Corporate in the same, and in like manner and as near as may be to the Charter heretofore granted to the Minister Elders & Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the City of New York, save only that the severall Lands & Tenemens aforesaid now in their Possession be therein reserved to the use of Each respective Church aforesaid paying to her Matie her heirs and successors the Proporoon of the Quitrents they now pay in each respective Town aforesaid
And yor Petionre as in Duty bound shall ever Pray &c
Luycas Smteuens, "V. Antonides,
"Gerrit Stoothof, "Reynier Aertsen,
"Claes Van Dyck, "Johannes Cornell,
"Hermanus Hooglandt, "Hen: Ffilkin,
"Jan Amearman, "Alexander Simpson (mark),
"Migguel Hansen, "Benjamin Hegeman
"John Dorland (mark), "Cornelis Cornel,
"Cornelis Van Duyn, "Dit is het
"Isaack Remsen, handt merk van
"Jan Rapale, "Jan Bennit.
Kings County the 1 Augst 1711.
"Read in Council 8 Aug 1711. & referred."
Contrary to the order of April 18th, 1710, and the subsequent confirmatory orders, Mr. Freeman once more intruded his ministrations upon the congregation at Flatbush, in September, 1713; [27] but this is the last recorded belligerent act of the controversy which had now agitated the churches of Rings County for upwards of thirteen years, and vexed the souls of four royal governors and their councils. Near the close of the year 1714 the long contest was happily terminated by a convention of delegates from the several congregations, who mutually agreed to lay aside their ancient differences, and acknowledge Messrs. Freeman and Antonides as their mini isters. [28] Breuckelen, Bushwick, Flatbush, Flatlands, New Utrecht, and even Jamaica, were all included within the charge, and both the domines resided at Flatbush, in the pleasant and harmonious discharge of their duties. They were esteemed as men of respectable talents and acquirements.
During their ministry the Reformed Dutch Churches of New Netherlands were sadly agitated by the question concerning the organization of a Coetus, or assembly of ministers and elders, in this country, subordinate to the Classis of Amsterdam. [29]
Freeman was born at Gilhius, Holland ; received a call to Schenectady, to which charge he was ordained by the Classis of Linge, March 16,1700. He first officiated at Schenectady, July 28th. of that year, learned the Mohawk language, and made many Indian converts. On the 25th of August, 1705, he married Magretia Van Schaick of Now York, who died January 18th, 1738, leaving him a handsome fortune. In 1721 he published a volume of sermons in Dutch, entitled " The Balances of God's Grace," which was printed in Amsterdam, and another entitled "De Spiegel der Selfkennis" (or Mirror of Self-knowledge), being a collection, in the Dutch language, of ancient moral and philosophical maxims, which was subsequently translated by General Jeremiah Johnson, and which is described as displaying a great amount of learning and research. In 1735 he purchased seven acres of land at Flatbush, and built a house, which is still standing, although altered; and died in the year 1741. His only child, Anna Margaretta, married her cousin, David Clarkson, a son of the Secretary of the Province, and left numerous descendants.
Freeman's successor, in 1742, was the Rev. Johnannes ARoNDzus, from Rotterdam, who seems to have possessed a contumacious spirit, and to have led an irregular life. He quarrelled with his new colleague, Van Sinderen, very soon after the latter's arrival; and, in May, 1747, he went off secretly, as was alleged, to the Raritan, where he was installed as minister; returning, however, July 31, 1748, to Kings County, where he resumed his functions, especially at Brookland and New Utrecht. His outraged parishioners brought charges against him (September 27, 1748) before the Coetus. These he refused to, notice whereupon he was declared to be an unlawful minister of Kings County, but replied that he should continue to perform service there. On appeal to the Classis of Amsterdam (January 12, 1751), the action of the Coetus was confirmed, and the latter, on 16th April, 1752, passed sentence upon Arondeus ——(1), that his Consistory was unlawful; (2), that he should not administer the word of sacraments; and (3), that the church property should be restored to Van Sinderen. Their action was, however, totally disregarded by Arondeus. Proposals of peace for Long Island were offered (December 5, 1752) by the Classis of Amsterdam. On the 20th of September, 1753, the Coetus confirmed anew their former sentence, averring, in reply to his appeals, that (1), he misbehaved to his servant-maid; (2), that he was a drunkard; and (3), that he kept alive the flames of discord. The last time he baptized a child, in Queen's County, was at Jamaica, in April, 1754. He probably remained on the island, leading the same dissolute life, for some time; for, in October, 1772, the Synod cautioned the people against " one Johannes Arondeus, who claims to be a minister of the Church, but has no ecclesiastical attestation."
Mr. Antonides died in 1744. In a New York paper of that date we find his death thus noticed: "On the 18th of July, 1744, died at his house at Flatbush, the Rev. Mr. Vincentius Antonides, in the 74th year of his age. He was a gentleman of extensive learning; of an easy, condescending behavior and conversation, and of a regular, exemplary piety, endeavoring to practise, himself, what he preached to others ; was kind, benevolent, and charitable to all, according to his abilities ; meek, humble, patriotic, and resigned under all afflictions, losses, calamities, and misfortunes which be fell him in his own person and family, which were not a few; and after a lingering disease, fall of hopes of a blessed immortality, departed this life, to the great and irreparable loss of his relations and friends, and to the great grief of his congregation and friends." He was succeeded by the Rev. Ulpianus Van Sinderen, [30] a native of Holland. in the year 1746. He began to preach at Flatbush, April 19, 1747. In October of the following year he married (his first wife) Cornelia Schenck, who was subsequently killed by being thrown out of a wagon.
Upon the deposition from the ministerial office of the Rev. Mr. Arondeus, his place was filled by the Rev. Antonius Curtenius, [31] from Hackensack, N. J., where he had preached since 1730, and was installed as Van Sinderin's colleague, May 2, 1755. He died in October, 1756, at the age of fifty-eight years. In a newspaper of the day we find the following notice of this gentleman: "On Tuesday, the 19th ultimo, the Reverend Mr. Anthony CuiaTEms departed this transitory life, at Flat-Bush, Long Island, in the 59th Year of his Age, after an Illness of about four Weeks, being Pastor of the five Dutch Reformed Churches in Kings County, on Long Island. He was a Gentleman regularly educated, and remarkable for his indefatigable Diligence in the Ministration of his Function. His Actions in all the Affairs of Life have ever been accompanied with the strictest Rules of Justice; so that none could with more Propriety claim the Title of a Preacher and a sincere Christian, which not only his Morals manifested, but his Glorious Resolutions to launch into endless Eternity, saying with St. Paul, 0 Death I when is thy Sting? 0 Grave I where is thy Victory? His Remains were decently interred on Thursday following, in the Church of the above-named place. His Death is universally lamented by his Relations, and all those that knew him, particularly his Congregation, who are highly sensible of the Loss of So inestimable a Shepard, whose every Action displayed the Christian." [32]
His place was supplied by the Rev. Johannes Caspurus Rubel, a native of Hesse Cassel, in Germany, who had been settled at Red Hook, Dutchess County, from 1755 to August, 1757, when he was called to be colleague pastor with Domino Van Sinderen, over the churches of Rings County. He was educated in Germany, and came to this country (1751), with others of the German Reformed Church, under the auspices of the Classis of Amsterdam, from which body he received an annual salary of X15, while settled over the German Church at Philadelphia. Even then he was so insubordinate to his superiors, that the German Coetus styled him " the rebellious Rubel," and voted, April 9, 1755, that he ought to withdraw from his charge. He, at first, desired to avail himself of the six months' notice; but finally gave his farewell discourse, April, 1755, left Pennsylvania, and settled at Rhinebeck. He was naturalized on the 23d of December, 1765; and in June, 1769, styled himself "Ecclesiastes in Kings County and in the Manor of Cortland;" and in August, 1770, "Minister of Clarkstown"- probably on the strength of his -having occasionally filled a pulpit there.
Both of these gentlemen continued in the work of the ministry until after the close of the Revolutionary war. In politics they differed extremely, Mr. Van Sinderen being a firm Whig, while Mr. Rubel was as decided a loyalist. [33] In Colonel Graydon's Memoirs we find the following brief but spirited picture of the two pastors:
"The principal person in a Low Dutch village appears to be the Domine or minister, and Flatbush, at this time, revered her domino, Rubel, a rotund, jolly-looking man, a follower of Luther, and a Tory. [34] . . . . . At Flatlands there was also a domine, Van Zinder(en), a disciple of Calvin, and a Whig. He was, in person and principle, a perfect contrast to Mr. Rubel, being a lean and shrivelled little man, with a triangular sharp-pointed hat, and Silver locks which 'streamed like a meteor flowing to the troubled air,' as he whisked along with great velocity in his chaise through Flatbush. He was distinguished by a species of pulpit eloquence which might be truly said to I bring matters home to men's business and bosoms.' Mr. Bache assured me that, in once descanting on the wily arts of the devil, he likened him to my landlord, sneaking and ,skulking about to get a shot at a flock of Snipes,' in shooting of which, it seems, Jacob was eminently skilful." [35]
In the minutes of the Particular Synod at Now York, May 14, 1784, we find a complaint from the Consistory of Flatbush and the other churches of Kings County, concerning the unchristian conduct of both of their ministers, Van Sinderen and Rubel, and requesting to be released from them; one (Van Sinderen) being useless from advanced age, and the other (Rubel) being of notoriously bad habits. Several witnesses testified to the unchristian and intemperate language used by Rubel, both in and out of the pulpit, in regard to Americans who opposed the King of Great Britain, calling them "Satan's soldiers," and saying "that they were accursed, and many were already in hell, and those who were not dead would go there, and that he could prove it by the Bible," etc. Also, that he quarrelled frequently with his wife, towards whom he not unfrequently used personal violence; that he drank freely, and led a bad life, keeping much company with the Hessian officers quartered in the town of Flatbush, who were great swearers and drunkards. All the witnesses, however, agreed that they bad nothing against Van Sinderen except his age, and that the breach between him and Rubel had gone so far that the old domino could not control his temper whenever he met the latter. The matter was referred to the General Synod, before whom Rubel was cited to appear, but replied only by an angry letter. He was, therefore, deposed in May, 1784. In May, 1788, he appeared before the Synod, desiring to be reinstated, but evincing no spirit of contrition. He continued to reside at Flatbush, devoting his time to the preparation of quack medicines, and in his advertisements styles himself " Minister of the Gospel and Chymicus." [36] In 1788 he published a pamphlet, in Dutch and English, showing, as he pretended, how be had been defrauded of his living by a wicked man in New York. He had a daughter, who was seduced by a Hessian officer during the war; and the old man's unhappy life ended in 1797, his solitary tombstone still existing in the Flatbush churchyard. [37]
Mr. Van Sinderen, at the request of the Consistory, resigned his pastoral charge in June, 1784, although he received a stated salary until his death, at Flatlands, on 23d of July, 1796, in his 89th year. He was a learned but eccentric man, and for this reason, perhaps, was sometimes considered "deficient in sound judgment." [38]
With Messrs. Van Sinderen and Rubel, the European Dutch ministry in Kings County ceased. [39]
In 1785, the Rev. Martinus Schoonmaker, who was then officiating at Harlem and Gravesend, accepted a call to take charge of the collegiate churches of the county, to which the church at Gravesend was then added; and, on the 28th of October, 1787, the Rev. Peter Lowe, was ordained at Now Utrecht as his colleague. The former officiated in the Dutch language until his death, in 1824; and the latter, in the English tongue. In their regular rotation through the county, four churches would be closed, and two open, for divine worship on the Sabbath. Such, however, is the peculiar position of the county, and the easy communication between the several towns, that, with the exception of Bushwick and ravesend, each of the others could quite conveniently follow the mimisters, who consequently preached to full and crowded houses.
The Rev. Martinus Schoonmaker, second son of Joachim and Lydia Schoonmaker, was bom at Rochester, Ulster County, N. Y., March 1, 1737; commenced his classical studies with Domino Goetchius, of Schraalenburgh, N. J., 1753 and his theological, with the Rev. Mr. Marenus, of Aquackanock, in 1759. On the 27th of June, 1761, he married Mary (daughter of Stephen and Ann) Basset, of that place; and was licensed to preach in 1763, first accepting a call from the congregations of Harlem and Gravesend. In 1781, he accepted a call from the particular churches of Gravesend, Success, and Wolver Hollow, which charge he retained until 1784, when he was elected to the pastorate of the six collegiate churches of Kings County, at a salary of Y150 per annum. 'He fixed his residence at Flatbush, where he spent the remainder of his life in the faithful discharge of his labors as a minister of God. "His labors in the ministry," says his successor, " for sixty-one years, were arduous, yet was he never known to faint in his Master's cause; and few men have gone to the grave with a character more unblemished, or one more universally respected and beloved."
Mr. Schoonmaker left six sons and five daughters, nine of whom arrived to mature age, and seven of them survived their father. He had, at the time of his death, fifty-nine grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren. His wife died in 1819, aged eighty years.
For the following very interesting sketch of Domino Schoonmaker, and some of the customs and manners of the people during his pastorate, we are indebted to an article in the Christian Intelligencer of October 23, 1858, by the Rev. Peter Van Pelt :
"Domine Schoonmaker resided at Flatbush, central and convenient for his other churches. He was a man of reserved and retiring habits; more so, perhaps, from the circumstance that it was exceedingly difficult for him to hold even a common conversation without man-ling most horribly the English language. Fluent and ready in the language in which he was educated, he displayed, by his manner and gestures, all the dignity and sincerity applicable to his position and functions. Courteous and polite, he was a relic of the old school, and universally respected. Indeed, it may be questioned whether the venerable old minister had a solitary enemy. An anecdote has been related, and many years ago was in common circulation, which some may consider a slander upon his abilities and acquirements. I would rather regard it as an innocent and harmless witticism of some wag, and probably one of his best friends. Having celebrated a marriage, at the close of the ceremony, for the benefit of the spectators, he attempted to terminate it in English with the sentence, "I pronounce you man and wife, and one flesh; whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.
His English failed him; yet conscious of perfect rectitude, and the propriety of a shorter translation, with much solemnity and emphasis, and an appropriate congee, he exclaimed, 'I pronounce. you two to be one beef!'
"It was in 1819 that I last heard, or recollect to have seen, the venerable old domine. It was at the funeral of one of his old friends and associates. A custom had very generally prevailed, which, though then very rarely observed, yet in this instance was literally adhered to. The deceased had, many years before, provided and laid away the materials for his own coffin. This one was of the best seasoned and smoothest boards, and beautifully grained. Other customs and ceremonies then existed, now almost forgotten. As I entered the room, I observed the coffin elevated on a table in one comer. The Domine, abstracted and grave, was seated at the upper end; and around, in solemn silence, the venerable and hoary-headed friends of the deceased. All was still and serious. A simple recognition, or a half-audible inquiry, as one after another arrived, was all that passed. Directly, the sexton, followed by a servant, made his appearance, with glasses and decanters. Wine was handed to each. Some declined; others drank a solitary glass. This ended, and again the sexton presented himself, with pipes and tobacco. The Domino smoked his pipe, and a few followed his example. The custom has become obsolete, and it is well that it has. When the whiffs of smoke had ceased to curl around the head of the Domine, he arose with evident feeling, and in a quiet, subdued tone, made a short but apparently impressive address. I judged solely by his appearance and manner; for although boasting a Holland descent, it was to me 'speaking in an unknown tongue.' A short prayer concluded the service ; and then the sexton taking the lead, was followed by the Domino, the doctor, and the pall-bearers, with white scarfs and black gloves. The corpse and a long procession of friends and neighbors proceeded to the churchyard, where all that was mortal was committed to the earth, till the last trump shall sound and the grave shall give up the dead. No bustle, no confusion, no noise nor indecent haste, attended that funeral."
Domine Schoonmaker died on the 20th of May, 1824, aged eighty-seven years, and with him ceased the regular public and official use of the Dutch language in all the pulpits of the Dutch Reformed churches. [40]
The Rev. Peter LowE was born April 30th, 1764, at Esopus (now Kingston), N. Y., where he received his academic education. He pursued his theological studies with Rev. Dr. Livingston, of Now York; and, soon after his licensure, received several calls, finally giving the preference to that from the six churches of Kings County. In this relation he faithfully discharged the functions of the holy ministry for twenty-one years; until, the collegiate connection between the six churches being dissolved, by mutual consent, for the sake of a more frequent supply- of the word and ordinances, he accepted the call from Flatbush and Flatlands, where he continued to labor more than nine years, with increasing usefulness, until his death, from cancer, in June, 1818, and in the fifty-fifth year of his age. He was frank, generous and affectionate in disposition ; cheerful in his religion, modest and peaceful in temper, agreeable in conversation; sound and solid in his ministerial advice and public preaching. He was industrious, systematic, and active in habit, and had learned the art of book binding, which he turned to good account in collecting and binding up all the church records which he could find. He built two dwellings, in succession, at Flatbush, and ornamented the grounds with shrubbery, trees, and flowers, of which he was extremely fond. His garden was his favorite place of meditation, from which he was wont to go to his lecture.
The old Brooklyn church was a large, square edifice, with solid and very thick walls, plastered and whitewashed on every side up to the eaves ; the roof, as usual, ascending to a peak in the centre, capped with an open belfry, in which hung a small, sharp-toned bell, brought from Holland shortly after its erection. [41] Its interior was plain, dark, and very gloomy; so that, in summer, one could not see to read in it after four o'clock in the afternoon, by reason of its small windows. These were six or eight feet above the floor, and filled with stained-glass lights from Holland, representing vines loaded with flowers. [42] This church, the second which had occupied the same site, was built in 1766, in the middle of the road leading from the Ferry into the country, which road is now known as Fulton avenue, and immediately opposite to a burying-ground yet remaining on the west side of that avenue and between Bridge and Lawrence streets. [43] It was unprotected by fence or enclosure. The road was spacious, and a carriage and wagon-track passed around each end, forming an oblong circle, remitting at either end. [44]
The old town, it will be remembered, comprised, at this time, several divisions or settlements, each possessing local names which yet cling to them, in spite of the streets, squares, and avenues of the new city of Brooklyn- Gowanus, Red Rook, Bedford, Cripplebush, WalZabout-and for all these the old church occupied a very central position.
"The Collegiate Domines," says Mr. Van Pelt, "had many pious people and firm friends in Brooklyn. Almost every house was as open to them as their own homes, and one in particular, opposite the church, was especially designated 'The Domine's House.' This was convenient for rest between services on the Sabbath; for receiving applications for baptism, membership, etc ; for meeting the Consistory, Church-Masters, and others; and for attending generally to official duties."
The collegiate connection between the Dutch churches of the county, so far as related to the service in English, was gradually given up after the commencement of the present century. The Rev. John B. Johnson was called to Brooklyn in 1802; Dr. Bassett to Bushwick, in 1811; and Mr. Beattle, in 1809, to New Utrecht: while Domine Schoonmaker remained at Flatbush, continuing the Dutch service alternately among the six towns; but on the day that he preached at Bushwick, Dr. Bassett supplied Gravesend, which place, as to amount of service, remained precisely the same.
The new pastor of the Brooklyn church, John Barent Johnson, was a native of this town, where he was born, March 3, 1769, his father, Barent Johnson, being a prosperous farmer, of Dutch descent, and his mother, Maria, the daughter of Captain John Guest, of New Brunswick, who commanded a vessel which sailed between New York and Antigua. Having lost both parents before his ninth year, he was brought up by a cousin, who was also his father's executor. In his seventeenth year, while at school in Flatbush, he became acquainted with the Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston, who was Spending the summer there. Discovering in him more than ordinary talents, the Doctor encouraged him to undertake a course of liberal studies, offering him, at the same time, a residence in his own family and the superintendence of his education. The offer, thus kindly made, was gratefully accepted by young Johnson, who was shortly prepared to enter college. In 1788 he matriculated at Columbia College, and in the same year became a communicant in the Reformed Dutch Church. After his graduation he pursued a course of theological studies with his old friend, Dr. Livingston; was licensed by the Classis of New York, April 21, 1795 ; and preached his first sermon on the succeeding Sabbath, in that city, for the Rev. Dr. Kuypers. On the 5th of June, 1796, Mr. Johnson was ordained to the work of the ministry, and settled as colleague pastor with Mr. Bassett (who preached the ordination sermon) over the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Albany'. In 1802 he was called to the Reformed Dutch Church of Schenectady, and also to that in Brooklyn. Deciding in favor of the latter, he preached his farewell sermon to the Albany church on the 26th of September, 1802, and on the 24th of the ensuing October was duly installed over his new charge at Brooklyn. [45] "Among other marked features of this sermon —— which was a very able, earnest, and eloquent discourse-is a fine tribute to the Heidelberg Catechism, and a plea for its faithful and regular exposition in our churches." His health, somewhat impaired before his removal from Albany, now began to fail rapidly; and the loss of his wife, in March, 1803, undoubtedly contributed to hasten his own death. He died at the house of his brother-in-law, Peter Roosevelt, Esq., in Newtown, August 29th, 1803, leaving three children, two of whom still survive in the ministry of the Episcopal Church- one at Jamaica, L. I., and another as a professor in the Episcopal Theological Seminary in New York.
From a sketch of Mr. Johnson, from the pen of Hon. Teunis Van Vechten, for Rev. Dr. Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit, we learn that he was a man of unusually prepossessing personal appearance, and easy and graceful manners. "His countenance had an expression of great benignity, united with high intelligence. His manners were bland and courteous, and predisposed every one who saw him to be his friend; and his countenance and manners were a faithful index to his disposition. He was acknowledged, on all bands, to possess an uncommonly amiable and generous spirit. He had the reputation of an excellent pastor. He mingled freely, and to great acceptance, with all classes of people. He was particularly attentive to the young, and had the faculty of making himself exceedingly pleasant to them. This I know from personal experience.
"As a preacher he was undoubtedly one of the most popular in the Dutch Church at that day. Of his manner in the pulpit I retain a very distinct recollection. His -voice was a melodious one, and though not of remarkable compass, yet loud enough to be heard with ease in a large church. His gesture was natural and effective, and sometimes he reached what I should think a high pitch of pulpit oratory."
At the death of General Washington, the Legislature of the State, then in session, requested of the Consistory the use of this church (the Albany church) for the celebration of appropriate funeral services, and invited Mr. Johnson to deliver the eulogy on that occasion. The service was accordingly held, February 22d, 1800, and, as might be supposed, was one of universal interest and solemnity. The church was hung with black, and crowded by a mourning people. The oration by Mr. Johnson was a masterly effort, and produced a great sensation. It was published by vote of both Houses; Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer being then president of the Senate, and Ron. Dirck Ten Broeck, speaker of the House. Mr. Van Vechten says of it: " The exordium was spoken of at the time as a rare specimen of eloquence, and the whole performance was of a very high order. I speak with confidence concerning this, as it was published, and I have had an opportunity of reading it since I have been more competent to judge of its merits than I was when it was delivered." Mr. Van Vechten closes his sketch of Mr. Johnson in these words: "He left an excellent name behind him, and the few who still remember him cherish gratefully the recollections of both his gifts and his graces." [46]
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[1 ]As evidenced by the very copious minutes which he has left upon the Flatbush Church Records, of the services which he performed, lists of baptisms, marriages, oleo. tions of officers, etc. See Strong's Hist. of Flatlinsli, p. 80. BACK
[2] The two self-righteous Labadist travellers, whose journal forms the first volume of the Collections of the L. I. Hist. Society, have left us a brief glimpse of Van Zuren: " While we were Witting there, Do. Van Suren came up, to whom the farmers called out as uncivilly and rudely as if he had been a boy. He had a chatting time with all of them. As Jan Theimissen had mid to us in the house, that if the Domine only had a chance ever to talk to us, Oh, how he would talk to no I that we avoided him, and therefore could not be very good people; now, as we were there, we sat near him and the boors and those with whom he wag conversing. He spoke to us, but not a word of that fell from him. Indeed, he sat prating and gossiping with the boors, who talked foully and otherwise, not only without giving them a single word of reproof, but even without speaking a word about God, or spiritual matters. It was all about horses, and cattle, and swine, and grain, and then he went away." BACK
[3] Translation of the second resolution of the session of the four towns, held at Flat, bush the lot of February, 1680. BACK
[4] Translation. " In Synedrio Midwoudano. The following was done on the lot of February, 1679 (-80):
"Whereas the Church Consistory judged that the charge of the goods and lands of the Low Dutch Church ought to be Intrusted to the Hon. the Church Council, because it accords with the freedoms granted to us irk this land,
"Therefore, the said Consistory provide (as it may not accord with their service in the church) that the right of choosing Church Masters should be given to them, in connection with the Hon. Constables and Overseers, not because they judged that the English officers had any power over the church, or church property, as that would be contrary to the Dutch freedom, but simply to cause the aforesaid officers faithfully to maintain and protect the church and church property, which is not contrary to their oath or trust, etc.
" Whereupon, collectively with the Hon. Magistrate and Church Council, Joseph Regeman, Adriaen Reijersz, Direk Jausz Vander Vliet, were appointed an Church Council in the place of the retiring officers."
This action was continued in 1680, 1681, 1683. BACK
[5] This Is Secretary Clarkson's statement (Doc. Hist. N. Y., ii. 431, 432), but another party, not so favorably inclined, says that Varick was, at first, in favor of the revolution of Leider, and influenced Kings County to act unanimously in its favor; but that, afterwards, he was won over to a contrary opinion, and created a diversion in the popular mind. The same authority says that he was suspected by the people of conBpIring to seize the fort in New York, was arrested, and released, after a time, upon his submission to Leisler ; that he favored the execution of the latter, "made intolerable sermons" against him, and cherished animosity even to his dying day. BACK
[6] Council minutes, vi. 55. BACK
[7] May 19, 1690, in an address to William and Mary, he styles himself "Pastor Eccledie Belgica In Insula Longa." BACK
[8] Doc. Hist. N.Y., iii. 139, 140, 141, 142.
[9] Ibid., iii. 143, 144. BACK
[10] The above order is on a scrap of paper without date. Dr. Strong (Hist. Flatbush) states that it was made on 28d Oct., 1702. BACK
[11]N. Y. Doe. Hist., ill. 145. BACK
[12] Ibid., iii. 147. BACK
[13] Prime says, "in Nov., 1705," which does not agree well with the date of the above commission. BACK
[14] N. Y. Doe. Hist, iii. 140,147. BACK
[15] N. Y. Do.-- Hist., iii. 148, date January 27,1708-9. BACK
[16] N. Y. Doe. Hist., 111. 151-154. BACK
[17] Ibid., W. 159. BACK
[18] N. Y. Doe. Hist., ifl. 160, 161, date Oct. 6,1709 and that the said Mr. Antonides is not Legally called thereto, for the Reasons Following ––
"FIRST, that the Persons whoe pretend to haue Called My Antouldes were not at that time the Elders & Deacons of the said Churches according to ye Rules & Methode prescribed by the Sined. of Dort for the Governmt: of the Dutch Reformed Churches, they having Continued as Such Some three years, Some four years, whereas by the Constitution of the said Sinod they could haue continued but two years
" SECONDLY, that the call on which Mr Antonides came over to Expressed to bee made by a Generall towne meeting (which appears to have been the usuall way In Such Cases) and that spears utterly false by the Examinations, for that the pretended authority for making that call apears not to be given in a publiq meeting, but to be obtained Privatly & Clandestinely by Procuring Subscriptions in Going from house to house & there using false Insinuations concerning Mr Freeman.
" THIRDLY, that the mid pretended call mentions the having obtained the Govrs License, & &probation for making the said call, whereas it appears by the oath of the Lord Cornbury Govr & thire own confession that the Lord Cornbury, did not give any License to make that call,
" FOURTHLY, that on the contrary it apears that Mr Freeman was called by a generall Towne Meeting Publiqly assembled (as has alwaies been Customary) for which the Express License & aprobation of the Lord Cornbury then Governour had bein first obtained.
" FIFTHLY, that the having a License from the Govr was Esteemed necessary even by Mr Antonides himselfe & those that aided with him, Since both he & they frequently aplyed to obtain Such a License; as appears by Seaverall letters to the Late Lady Cornbury, & Mrs Peartree, under the hand of the add Antonides & of the Said pretended Elders for the truth of which wee the Subscribers refer our Selves to the Examinations & the Respective papers produced at the taking thereof." BACK
[19] Council Minutes, N. Y. Doc. Hist., iii. 162, date Oct. 20, 1709. BACK
[20]N. Y. Doe. Hist., 111. 165. BACK
[21] N. Y. Doe. Hist., W. 166. BACK
[22] Ibid., 111. 167. BACK
[23] Ibid., iii. 172 —— date June 12, 1710. BACK
[24] Council Minutes, x.; N. Y. Doc. Hist., 111. 178. The following document relative to the above is taken from Doc. Hist. N. Y., 111. 174, 175:
"R. Feilkin to Secretary (Clarke) Explanatory of the quarrel between him and Lt. Gov. Beekmen.
"Sir —— I am in expectation of a complaint coming to his Excellency by Coll. Beeckman against me, and that his Excellency may be rightly informed of the matter, my humble request to you is, that if such a thing happen, be pleased to give his Excellency an account thereof, which to as follows: A frriday night last, the Justices of the County and I came from his Exoellency's; Coll. Beeckman happened to come over in the fferry boat along with no, and as we came over the fferry, Coll. Beeckman and we went into the fferry house to drink a glue of wine, and being soe in company, there happened a dispute between Coll. Beeckman and myself, about his particular order that he lately made to Mr ffreeman, when he was President of the Councill, without the consent of the Councill: Coll. Beeckman stood to affirm there, before most of the Justices of Kings County, that said order that he made then to Mr. ffreeman as President only, was still in force, and that Mr ffreeman should preach at Brooeklomd next Sunday according to that order -. whereupon I mid it was not in fforce, but void and of noe effect, and he had not in this County any more power now than I had, being equall in commission with him in the general commission of the peace and one of the quorum as well as he; upon which he gave me affronting words, giving me the lie and calling me pittifull follow, dog, rogue, rascall, &c., which caused me, being overcome with passion, to tell him that I had a good mind to -knock him off his horse, we being both at that time getting upon our horses to goe home, but that I would not goe, I would fight him at any time with a sword. I could wish that these last words had been kept in, and I am troubled that I was we overcome with passion and Infl-ed with wine. The works of these Dutch ministers to the occasion of all our quarrels. And this in the truth of the matter, there were no blows offered, nor nos more done. Mr ffreeman has preached at Broockland yesterday accordingly, and the Church doore was broke open, by whom to not yet knowne. Soe I beg your pardon ffor this trouble, crave your favour In this matter, and shall always remains,
" Sir, your fflaithful. and humble servant,
"(June, 1710.) " H. Filkin." BACK
[25] Doc. Hist. N. Y. iii. 175. BACK
[26] Ibid., iii. 177. BACK
[27] Strong's Hist. Flatbush, p. 46. BACK
[28] This Convention agreed upon the proportion of salary to be raised by the different churches for the support of the ministers, and the times and places of preaching and of communion. It was arranged that one minister should preach on one Sabbath in Bushwick, and the other in Now Utrecht; the next Sabbath, one in Brooklyn, and the other In Flatlands; on the third Sabbath, one in Flatbush, the other in Jamaica; and so on, In regular rotation. As to communions, Bushwick, Brooklyn, and Flatbush were to commune together; Flatlands, Gravesend, and New Utrecht, together; and the congregations of Queens County should form another communion. BACK
[29] The movement towards the formation of a Coestus was initiated in 1737, by a convention of ministers at New York, at which Domine Freeman attended on behalf of the Dutch churches of Long Island. A plan was formed, and having been generally adopted by the churches, was ratified by a second convention, held in April, 1788, at which Freeman again appeared as delegate. The approval of the Classis of Amsterdam did not, however, reach this country until 1746, being brought over by Rev. Mr. Van Sinderen and the first meeting of the new Coestus was held in September, 1747, at the city of New York, being the first judicial organization, higher than a Consistory, established in the American Dutch Church. The Coestus plan, however, met with opposition from several churches and ministers, and gave rise to differences which seriously agitated the Reformed Dutch denomination for many years thereafter. The contest related principally to the question of the right of ordination, and the exercise of church authority: the "Coetus party" claiming that, in view of the increase of churches in this country, and the inconvenience of importing all their ministers from Holland, It would be better to have a regular organization into classes and synods, similar in all respects to those of the mother country ; and the "Conferentie party," as they were called, that all ministers should be ordained by, or under the authority of, the Claaaia at Amsterdam. This unhappy controversy continued until 1772; and so alienated and embittered were the opposing parties, that many would not worship together with, or even speak to, those of the other party. "Sometimes" (says Strong, Hist. Flatbush) they would not turn out when they met on the road. On one common, it is said that two of these redoubtable opponents, belonging to Flatbush, meeting in their wagons, and both refusing to give the road, they each deliberately took out their pipes and began to smoke! How long they continued at this very pacific employment is not stated, not is it said whether the difficulty between them was lost sight of by the cloud of smoke obscuring their vision, or whether their pipes were ever turned into the calumet of peace." BACK
[30] His great-grandson, Adriaen Van Sinderen, a prominent and highly respected citizen of Brooklyn, was the founder and first president of the Long Island Bible Society. BACK
[31] So named from Curten, a town of Holland. BACK
[32] His funeral eulogy was printed, in Dutch, at New York, by H. Goelet ; price, three coppers. BACK
[33] On a fast-day appointed by the Provincial Congress, It is mad that he took occasion to preach, at Flatbush, from the text, "Honor the king;" and, among other things, remarked that " people could do as well without a head an without a king." Strong's Hist. Flatbush, 93.) When the famous privateer boatsman, Captain Marriner, made a descent on Flatbush and captured several noted British officers, Domino Rubel gave the slam by ringing the church bell. (See Onderdonk, Kings County, section 845, p. 179.) BACK
[34] See Strong's Flatbush for particulars. BACK
[35] See Strong's Flatbush, which relates that he was " too much in the habit of introducing the occurrences of the week previous in his sermons on the Sabbath, and often would allude to very trifling circumstances. On one occasion, a good elder, who had borne with the Domino in this particular till his patience was exhausted, very injudiciously, under the excitement of We feelings, rose in his seat daring divine service, and interrupted Mr. Van Sinderen by saying that they had called him to preach the gospel, and not to detail to them each matters The Domine, Indignant at being stopped in his discourse, leaned over the pulpit and replied: 'You, Philip Nagle, if you can preach the gospel better than I can, come up here and try!' " BACK
[36] March 28, 1778. It has pleased Almighty God to give me the wisdom to find out the GWden Mother Andure, and such a Universal PQ as will cure most diseases. I have studied European physicians in four different languages. I don't take much money, as I want no more than a small living, whereto God will give his blessingJOHANim QuwAuus RuBim, Minister of the Gospel and Chymicus."
[37] "Tot gedachtenis van Joh's Casp's Rubel. V. A M. —— Geboren den Ode March, 0. S., 1719 —— Overladen den 19de Maii, 1707." (Translation) To the memory of John Caspar Rubel, minister of God's word. Born, March 6th, 1719, 0. S. Died, May 19th, 1797. BACK
[38] The following is the inscription on his gravestone at Flatbush : "Hier leyt het Liechwem van den Wel-Ehwaede Heer Ulpianus Van Sinderen, in zyn leeven Predicant in Kings County. Overleeden den 28 July, 1796, oud Zynde 88 Zaeren 7 Maanden an 12 daegen." (TRANSLATION): Here lies the body of the very worthy Mr. Ulpianus Van Sinderen, in his lifetime preacher in Kings County. Died, July 23, 1796, aged 88 years 7 months and 12 days. BACK
[39] During the pastorship of Rubel and Van Sinderen, " the seats in churches were all numbered in the pews or ranges. Men and women sat separately, and it rarely happened that two persons of the same family sat together. In several churches women sat in their own chairs, in the ranges of chairs. Every church had a free pew for justices and judges." BACK
[40] "In 1792, it was resolved that divine service, which had heretofore been maintained in the Dutch language, should be thereafter performed in English, in the afternoon, whenever Mr. Lowe should preach at Brooklyn, Flatbush, and New Utrecht. But Mr. Schoonmaker continued to preach In Dutch to the time of his death, having never attempted to preach in English but once (in 1788)." —— Prime, 328. BACK
[41] This bell was afterwards (1840) in the belfry of the district schoolhouse in Middagh street, Third Ward of Brooklyn. See, also, page 143. BACK
42] Furman's MSS. BACK
[43] Ante, p. 166. BACK
[44] And a miserable road it was, filled with mud-holes and large rocks."- Furman's MSS. BACK
[45] On this occasion the Rev. Dr. Linn presided, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Schoonmaker, In the afternoon Mr. Johnson preached from 2d Timothy, iv. 2. BACK
[46] See Rev. Dr. E. P. Rogers' Hist. Discourse on the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Albany, 1858 BACK