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Porro #0727
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
The
Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
' . '
At Home 1 arid' in Society
., V ' , ,,.'<-
/ " -,
v '
1609-1760. ',,,,
'"
.
BY
, .,
Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer
^
New York
Charles Scribner's Sons
li
HS:
COPYRIGHT, 1898, BY
CHAKL2S SCRIBNER'S SONS
TROW DIRECTORY
MINTING AND BOOKBINOINQ COMPANV
NEW YORK
V
NEW YORK Cl
Vs
Preface
e * ' " ,
i
x
m the preface *to the Lives of the
Lindsays that " Every family should ^ave a record of
its own. Each has its peculiar spirit running through
" *
the whole line> and in more or less development, percepti-
ble in every generation. We do not love our. kindred for
their glory or -tJceir genius, but for their, .domestic affec-
tions and private 'virtues. An affectienate regard to
their memory is natural -to' the heart.: it : is an emotion
totally distinct from -pride an ideaL love. Our ances-
tors, it is true, are denied to oiir 'personal acquaintance,
but the light they shed during their lives survives within
their tombs, and will reward our search if we explore
them:'
Encouraged by these wise ivords, I am emboldened to
lay before the public the results of my researches into
the lives of the women who, by their industry, their cour-
age, and their piety, helped to create a colony in the
New World, and I have followed out the history (as far
as was possible) to their descendants of the third and
fourth generation. The information contained in this
volume was culled from various sources, many of them
not open to the public, such as private family papers to
whicJi I have fortunately had access, and some of which
"**' v-,,,,,
PARK B ir r H AVENUE SOUT(f
r *
~
Preface 4
I had inherited, they having been lain aside by an older
member of the family with the view of compiling a
family history, which was never accomplished. Family
traditions have been u*ed which have always been given
for what they are worth and always noted, histories
were consulted that have been long out of print, and are
now to be found only on the back shelves of some old-
fashioned library, as well as those that are commonly
known and often consulted by the public. All of these I
have woven into a web. If the pattern is not clear, or
the colors are not properly assorted, li must be excused,
as being the work of a woman, done in a womanly way,
from a woman s point of view. '
History is generally 'written by men, ivho dwell on
politics, wars, and the exploits of their sex. Household
affairs, women s influence, social customs and manners,
are seldom chronicled, and are only to be discovered
underlying what are deemed the important events of
life, more by inference than from any tJ Ling that is
actually written about them.
This conglomerate Jiistory of the lives of the dames of
Mana-ha-ta has been compiled with infinite difficulty,
owing to the scanty data that have been preserved con-
cerning them. It was customary to destroy all letters
that dealt with family life, particularly anything con-
cerning the women of the family, as if in their lives and
daily occupations there was something to be ashamed of.
vi
Preface
Volumes of letters and trunks full of bundles of old
papers have been preserved in many families, but in all
those that I have laboriously studied, I have not foimd
more than about a dozen written by women ; b^lt those
were filled with interesting details, and were far more
valuable to the historian than those of the men of the
day, wJiich were on dry business affairs that might have
been of importance at the time, but are of no value now,
and make one wonder why they were preserved. Among
them are sometimes provoking references to family af-
fairs that excite the curiosity without gratifying it, al-
though there vmst have been as much to say of the women
of the past as there is of the women of the present or of
the future. The life of the " Goede Vrouw of Mana-
ha-ta " was written between the lines of contemporaneous
history ; I have merely taken the liberty of placing her in
the foreground, with the men of the day in shadow as
her background, thereby throwing her into strong relief,
instead of (as is usually done) reversing the process.
The books that I have consulted are : Puritans in
England, Holland, and America; Macaulay s Essays,
Walpole 's Letters to Sir Horace Mann, Documents
Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New
York, Life of Bishop Berkeley, Diary of William
Pynchon, Settlement of the Jews in North America,
Early Maryland, Queens of A merican Society, Old New
England Town, Impressions of A merica, Memoir of an
Vll
Preface
American Lady, Historic Tale of Olden Times, Klam's
Travels, Voyages of de Vries, Five Indian Nations,
Letters on Smith ' s History of New York, Calendar of
Dutch Manuscript, Calendar of Wills, New York, Old
New York, Old New York and Trinity Church, New
York Genealogical Record, Manual of the Common Coun-
cil of New York, the histories of Ne^v York, viz. : Val-
entine's, Dunlops, BrodJieads, Boot/is, Lamb's, Hunt's,
Francis s, Denton s, Watsorfs, KnigJif s, local histories of
Putnam County, DutcJiess County, Westchester County,
Norwalk, Fairfield, Pennsylvania, Rhinebeck, Long Isl-
and, Newtoivn, Flushing; Flat bush, Staten Island, Al-
bany ; Documents of Colonial History, Records of North
America, Family Records and Events, Huguenot Fam-
ily, Biography of the Lewis Family, The Van Rensse-
laers of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck, Annals of the
Family of the Van Rensselaers, Historical Gleanings,
Lion Gardiner and His Descendants, Winthrop's History
of His Time, The Family of Bolton, Registers of the Old
DutcJi Church at Kingston, Records of the Old Dutch
Cliurch,New York ; Records of the Frencli Church, New
York ; Original Lists, Me Kean Family ; Cutt" s Genealogy,
Todd Family, History of Harlem, New Jersey Archives,
Newspaper Extracts, New York as It Was, Journal of a
Voyage to New York, i6jy ; Memoir of Sir William A l-
exander, Life of Lord Stirling, Life of Major-General
William A lexander, Sixth Earl of Stirling, etc.
viii
Contents
i
Two Dutch Colonies in America
Hendrick Hudson and the Wilde Menschen The First Traders
at Mana-ha-ta Indian Castle of Laap-haw-ach-king Giovani da
Verrazzano Fort Orange Der Heer Van Rensselaer College of
XIX. The Patroons The Laws Regulating Purchase The Col-
onization of Mana-ha-ta in 1624 Purchase of the Island Erection
of a Fort Derivation of the Name Dr. Denton, the English
Author, and Diedrich Knickerbocker Provision for the Comforts
of the Settlers The Midwife and the Kranck-besoeckers . Page i
II
Women of the Seventeenth Century
Education of the Dutch Women Queen Elizabeth and the
Hollanders Industries of the Housewife New Flowers in Amer-
ica Pioneer Women The Servants of the West India Company
Serving-maids Mesdames Van der Donck and Varleth . Page 10
III
Prominent Pioneer Women
Peculiarities of the Names Marriage of Annekje Jans " An
nekje Jans's Land " Dominie Bogartus Tryntje Jans Dr. Kier-
stede The First Market The Wilden's Gift The Old Dutch
Bible --The Nickname of Stone Street A Slaap-bauck The
Kraeg Labbadist Missionaries The Phillipse Manor Cornelia
Lubbetse The Two Governors .... Page 18
ix
Contents
IV
The First Settlement on Mana-ha-ta
The Wilden's Castle Canoe Place Kloch-Hoeck Indian In-
dustries Wampum and Sewant Oyster-shells and Lime The
First Tide-mill -- The Catiemuts Windmill Negro Cemetery
Earthen-ware Windmill Sails as Signals Flax and Its Prepara-
tion Der Halle Weather Predictions Iphetonga The Great
Dock The First Exchange Imported Cattle The " Tea-
water Pump " Page 39
V
Homes of the Settlers
Birth and Christening Customs Caudle-parties Christening-
gifts Izer-cookies Folk-lore Lullabies and Fireside Tales The
Aanspreecker Pall- bearers and Their Presents Funeral and
Marriage Ceremonies Brides and Their Quaint Costumes
Dress Page 54
VI
Habits, Amusements, and Laws
The Dutch Learn from the Wilden Samp-Mortar Rock The
Wilden's Industries Houses and Furniture Education of Chil-
dren Strange Laws and Punishments The Kermiss The First
Clubs Games The First Hospital and Orphan Asylum
The Rattle-watch Brant The Fire Brigade Light in the
City Page 72
VII
Rensselaers of the Manor
The First Patroon Prince Maurice in Amsterdam Governor
Wouter Van Twiller The First Gold Thimble Arent Van Cor-
lear Colonization of Rensselaerswyck The Dorp of Beverswyck
Size of the Manor Signatures of Sachems Jealousy of English,
Contents
French, and Dutch Piety of the Patroon Map of the Manor
Death and Will of the First Patroon Successors to the Title Der
Groot Director Charles Stuart and the Dominie . Page 83
VIII
Der Colonie Nieu Nederlands
The Second Governor Nutten Island The Murder of Brinck-
erhoff Arrival of Governor Stuyvesant The Accomplished Mrs.
Bayard Wreck of Dominie Bogartus and Governor Kieft The
White Hall The Wilden Swedes, French, and English En-
croachments of the Massachusetts Colony Governor Stuyvesant
and His Council Lady Moody The Quakers Imprisonment of
Director Van Slechtenhorst Jeremias Van Rensselaer Assumes
the Directorship Page zoo
IX
New York vs. New Amsterdam
Alarming News Visit of Governor Stuyvesant to Rensselaers-
'wyck Indian Outbreak The Brave Governor The English Fleet
The Earls of Stirling and Their Property in America The Birth
of New York Feast Days and Holidays The Predicament of
Governor Nicoll Colonel Lovelace's Reception at Rensselaerswyck
Refinement of the Dutch Families Anecdote of the Ambassador
of the Court of St. James Recapture of Mana-ha-ta Sunday
Observances New York and Its Cosmopolitan Inhabitants The
First Assemblies Page nj
X
Passing of the Pioneers
Death of Governor Stuyvesant, and His Epitaph Death of Mr.
and Mrs. Van Cortlandt Their Children Purchase of the Van
Cortlandt Manor The Marriage and Home of Dominie Selyns
Death of Annekje Jans The Varleth Family Madame de Peyster
and Her Children Marriage of Maria de Peyster and Death of Her
xi
Contents
Bridegroom The Second Marriage The Spratts and the " White
Ladye of Baldoon " The Food of the Early Colonists Introduc-
tion of Vegetables into the Colony The Wilden's Names for
Fish, etc. Patriotic Crabs Manufactory of " Sout " Poems
on Fish ......... Page 143
XI
The Dutch and Their Neighbors
Boers and Yankees Threatened Amalgamation of the Colonies
The Naming of New England Its Delegate to the King Re-
volt of New England Confusion in New York Train Bands
Jacob Leisler Colonel Bayard's Arrest Judith Varleth's Roman-
tic History John Spratt, the Speaker of the Assembly Persecu-
tion of the Van Cortlandts ..... Page i6j
XII
New York in Infancy
Robert Livingston, First Lord of the Manor His Scotch An--
cestors The " Queen's Mary " The Rev. John Livingston His
Retreat to Holland His Marriage to Mary Fleming Her Piety
and Benevolence Plans for Emigration Robert Livingston Ar-
rives in 1674 The Patent of the Manor The Price Paid to the
Indians The Marriage of Robert Livingston His Eldest Son
Mrs. Philip Livingston's Wedding-gifts The Marriage-chest
Guysbert Livingston Robert " Second " and Clermont John
Spratt Mary Leisler's Marriage Arrival of Governor Slaughter
Leisler and Milborn Hanged De Smit's Vlye and the New City
HallThe First Dutch Church and Its Bell . . Page
XIII
The Pirate and His Escapades
Governor Bellomont and " My Lady " Captain Kidd Money
Pond on Montock The Quidder Merchant The Isle of " Wight "
xii
Contents
Captain Lion Gardiner Kidd's Visit to the Lord of the Isle
The Treasure Unearthed Kidd Hung in Chains Lord Bello-
mont's Coffin-plate Page 200
XIV
Society Under the English Rule
Death of John Spratt Marriage of His Widow Colonel Pro-
voost Made Mayor of the City Death of Mrs. Spratt-Provoost
Colonel Provoost's Troubles Madame Knight's Journey to New
York Lord and Lady Cornbury The Court of Their Excellencies
Miss Van Cortlandt as Maid of Honor Escapades of the Gov-
ernor Mr. Bedlow and His Island .... Page 213
XV
Wedding-bells and Caudle-cups
Neltje and Polly Spratt The Weddings in the de Peyster Fam-
ily The Children's " Companies " The Marriage of Miss Spratt
to Samuel Provoost His Death Mrs. Provoost Lays the First
Sidewalk in New York Lord Cornbury and His Visit to Jamaica
A New Way of Erecting a Church Weddings in the Van Dam
Family Recall of Lord Cornbury Lord Lovelace and His Sudden
Death Governor Hunter Change in the Government at Rensse-
laerswyck Kiliaen, the Fourth Patroon, and " Quidder " The Gov-
ernor's Visit to the Manor of Livingston He Stands Sponsor to
Robert Hunter Morris The Indian's Summary of Governor Hun-
ter's Character Page 228
XVI
James Alexander
Alexander's Family in Scotland His Mathematical Instruments
and Library The Official Position Occupied by James Alexander
Governor Burnet His Godfather Prince William of Orange and
the Christening-gift Tastes and Occupations of the New Governor
xiii
Contents
His Silver-gilt Tea Equipage The Marriage of the Governor to
an American Dr. Golden and His Family Page 246
XVII
My Lady of " Petticoat Lane "
The Assemblies Prominent Families James Alexander Weds
the Widow Provoost Petes and Gossips Emigration of Mr. Alex-
ander's Nephew Petticoat Lane Tea-parties Supper-parties
Bogart's Biscuits Death of David Provoost Death of Madame
de Peyster, and Her Will Birth of William Alexander Death of
Governor and Mrs. Burnet Colonel Montgomerie The First
Public Library Trinity Church and St. Paul's Chapel Page 260
XVIII
Petticoats and Politics
James Alexander Made "Freeman of the City" Van Dam,
Governor His Successor, Colonel Cosby His Bad Character
Precedes Him He Insults Colonel Morris Disputes with Van
Dam Mrs. Cosby The Governor's Ball Lawsuit Against Van
Dam Miss Euphemia Morris The Family Coach Miss Cosby 's
Elopement Colonel Morris Leaves for England . Page 276
XIX
New York in 1732
Trouble Between the Governor and His Council The Anony-
mous Letter The Prosecution of Zenger " The Ladies, God Bless
Them " The " Weekly Journal " Ordered Burned The Attorneys
Disbarred Mrs. Alexander's Common-sense Her Trip to Phila-
delphia The Zenger Trial Andrew Hamilton Balls and Dinners
Death of Cosby The Successor The Attorneys Restored to
the Bar The Servant Question Horace Walpole on the Slave
Trade Page 2go
xiv
Contents
XX
Matches, Batches, and Despatches
Perth Amboy The Hamlet of Greenwich Death of the Fifth
Earl of Stirling William Alexander now Successor to the Title
Mary Alexander's Engagement to Peter Van Brugh Livingston
The Children's " Companies " Again Birth of " Gentleman Phil "
Captain David Provoost John Provoost's Marriage The Ne-
groes " Major Drum " Fires and Robberies Father Ury The
GRAND Grand Jury Cuffie and His Kind-hearted Mistress
Pag 63 21
XXI
New York " in the Forties "
The Gout and Its Remedies Bishop Berkeley The Wilden
Visit the Town Their Wares, their Manners, and Pursuits The
Kindness of Mrs. Alexander Different Methods of Spinning
Evening Amusements Newspaper Advertisements The Jersey
Boundaries Iron Furnaces Earthquakes Death of Dr. William
Alexander Marriages of William, Betsey, and Kitty Alexander
Troubles with Army and Navy Lady Carteret Her Grand-
daughter Captain Digby Fires on Colonel Ricketts's Yacht
Marriage of "the Widow Parker" Sir Danvers Osborne His
Reception and Suicide Page 347
XXII
The Last of the Dutch Matrons
Chief-Justice de Lancey as Governor Social Evening Amuse-
ments Society Library King's College Braddock's Expedition
Governor Shirley William Alexander Appointed Major and Pri-
vate Secretary to the Governor The Acadians The Young Part-
ners Sir Charles Hardy The Earthquake Death of Mrs. Liv-
ingston Death of James Alexander Major Alexander Sails for
England Lord Stirling Death of Mrs. Alexander, the Last of the
Dutch Matrons ....... Page 380
xv
THE PIONEEE WOMEN OF MANA-HA-TA
THE CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN OF
CORNELIA LUBBETSE
ANNEKJE LOCKERMANS
ANNEKJE JANS
ARIENTJE JANS
MARGARET HARDENBROECK
CATRINA VAN DE BOURGH
XTtt
Der Heer Abraham de
Peyster, b. 1657; m.,
April 5, 1687, Cath-
arine de Peyster,
dau . of I s a a c de
Peyster and Maria
Ranleuac.
Maria de Peyster, m.,
1680,
Paulus Shriek, 0.
, m.
John Spratt,
, m., Angust 26,
1687.
David Provoost, 0.
Johannes de Peyster.
Catharine de Peyeter, m.,
1710, Philip Van Cort-
landt, son of Stephanus
Van Cortlandt.
Elizabeth de Peyeter, 0,
m., November 3, 1759,
John Hamilton, Gov-
ernor of New Jersey.
r
Abraham de Peyster, m.,
July 1, 1772. Margaret I
Van Cortlandt, dau. of "*
Jacobus Van Cortlandt.
Mary de Peyster, 0.
Joanna de Peyster, 0,
m. Isaac de Peyster.
Pierre Q. de Peyster, m.,
December 19, 1733, Cath-
arine Schuyler, dau. of
Arent Schuyler.
Cornelia Spratt, 0.
John Spratt, 0.
Mary Spratt, m., October
15, 1711, Samuel Pro- -\
VOOBt.
Stephen Van Cortlandt, m.
Mary W. Ricketts.
Pierre Van Cortlandt, m.
Joanna Livingston.
Catharine Van Cortlandt, 0.
Abraham de Peyster, 0.
Catharine de Peyster, m.,
1745, John Livingston.
Frederic de Peysier (called
"the Marquis").
James A. de Peyster, m.,
February 6, 1747, Sarah
Reade, dau. of Joseph
Reade.
-, m., 1721, James .,
Alexander.
Frederick de Peyeter.
Areiit Schuyler de Peyster.
Swanthia de Peyster.
Pierre G. de Peyeter, m.,
May 29 1771, Bert hick
Hall.
Maria Provoost. 0.
John Provoost, m., 1741, Eva
Rutgers.
David Provooet, 0.
Mary Alexander, m., No-
vember 3, 1739, P. Van
Brugh Livingston.
James Alexander, 0.
William Alexander, m., 1748,
Sarah Livingston.
Elizabeth Alexander, m.,
1748, Johi: Stevens.
Catharine Alexander, m.,
1748, Elieha Parker, m.,
December 21, 1758, Walter
Rutherfurd.
Ann Alexander, 0.
Susanna Alexander, m.,
1762, John Reid.
NOTE. A zero (0) indicates that the person left no descendants.
XVlll
!
CD
1C
1
a
a
c
&
CQ
Q]
fl
.a
Isaac de Peyster, m.,
December 21, 1687,0,
Llaria Van Balen.
Jacobus de Peyster, 0.
Johannes de Peyeter,
m., October 10, 1688,
Anna Bancker.
Elizabeth de Peyster, m.,
1715, Jacobus Beekman.
,m. Abraham Boler.
Johannes de Peyster, m., I
November 24, 1715, {
Anna Schuyler.
Cornelia de Peyster,
m. Matthew Clarkson ;
m. Gilbert Tennant.
Cornelius de Peyster, 0,
m., September 20,
1694, Maria Baucker.
1. Cornelia de Peyster, 0.
Annetje Beekman.
Gerardus Beekman.
John Beekman.
Jacobus Beekman.
, Boler.
, Boler.
Annade Peyster, m. Volkert
Peterse Douw.
Rachel de Peyster, m. Tobi-
as Ten Eyck ; m. Myndert
de Peyster.
Gerard de Peyster,
Mary Octabe.
m. M. Gates.
m.
Maria de Peyster, m., Oc-
tober 31, 1731,
Gerardus Bancker.
m. Joseph Ogdcn, 0.
William de Peyster, m.
1730, Maria Kenuock.
Catherine de Peyster, m.,
John de Peyster.
Anna de Peyster.
Anna Bancker.
Evert Bancker.
Elizabeth Bancker.
Johannes Bancker.
f John de Peyster.
I William de Peyster.
| Gerard de Peyster.
\ Nicholas de Peyster.
| Abraham de Peyster.
| James de Peyster.
Anna de Peyster.
[ Margaret de Peyster.
f Catharine Rutgers.
I Anna Rutgers.
lathenne de Peyster, m., I Elizabeth Rutgers.
1730, Hendnck Rutgers. 1 Henry Eutge r8.
Mary Rutgers.
NOTK. A zero (0) indicates that the person left no descendants.
xix
Ann Lockermans, m.,
February 26, 1642,
Oloff Van Cortlandt.
Stephanus Van Cortlandt,
obtained Patent of Manor
from Governor Dongan,
1685, m., September 10,
1671, Gertrude Schuyier.
Maria Van Cortlandt, m.,
Iuu2, Jeremius Van Rens-
se':KT "der Groot Direc-
tor," Putroon of the Manor
of Rensselaerswyck.
John Van Cortlaudt,
Sophia Van Cortlandt, in.
Andrew Teller.
Catharine Van Cortlandt, m.
John Duval ; m. Fred-
erick Phir.ipse.
Jacobus Van Cortlandt, m.
Eva Phillipse.
m.
John Van Cortlandt, m. Ann
Sophia Van Schaick.
Ann Van Cortlandt, m. Stephen
de Lancey.
Margaret Van Cortlandt, m.,
March 12, 1692, Samuel Bay-
ard.
Oliver Van Cortlandt, 0.
Maria Van Cortlandt, in., Octo-
ber 15, 1702, K i 1 i a e n Van
Rensselaer, fourth Patroon of
the Manor of Rensselaere-
wyck.
Gertrude Van Cortlandt, 0.
Philip Van Cortlandt, m. Cath-
arine de Peyster.
Stephanus Van Cortlandt,
Catharine Staats.
Gertrude Van Cortlandt, 0,
in. Col. Henry Beekman.
Guysbert Van Cortlandt, 0.
Elizabeth Van Cortlandt, 0.
Elizabeth Van Cortlandt,
Rev. William Shinier.
Catharine Van Cortlandt,
Andrew Johnson.
Cornelia Van Cortlandt, m. Col.
John Schuyier.
Klliaen Van Rensselaer, fourth
Patroon, m. Maria Van Cort-
landt.
Johannes Van Rensselaer, 0.
Anna Van Rensselaer, m. Kili-
aen Van Rensselaer ; m. Will-
iam Nicoll.
Hendrick Van Rensselaer, m.,
May, 1689, Catharine Van
Bruggen.
Maria Van Rensselaer, m. Peter
Schuyier.
m.
m.
Margaret Van Cortlandt, m.
Abraham de Peyster, Jr.
Anne Van Cortlandt, m. John
Chambers.
Mary Van Cortlandt, m. Peter
Jay.
Frederick Van Cortlandt, m.
Frances Jay.
NOTE. A zero (0) indicates that the person left no descendants
1
=
a
03
-s
"3
-3
S
00 S
fl
a
Sara Jansen, m. , June 29,
Dr. Hans Kierstede;
m., September 1, 1669,
Cornelius Van Borsen ;
m., July 18, 1683, Elbert
Elbertsen.
Tryntje Jansen, m. Lucas
Rodenburg ; m., March
29, 1658,
Brugh.
Hans Kierstede, m. Janetje
Lockermans.
Roelof Kierstede, m., 16TO,
Eike Alberts Roosa.
Blandina Kierstede, m. Pet-
rus Bayard.
Lucas Kierstede, m. Rachel
Kip.
Catharine Kiersstede, m. Jo-
hannes Kip.
Rachel Kierstede, m. Will-
iam Teller.
Jacobus Kierstede, m.
Rachel .
( Helena Van Brugh, m., May
26, 1680, Tunis de Kay.
Anna Van Brugh, m. An-
dreas Grevenraet.
Catharine Van Brugh, m.
Hendrick Van Rensselaer.
; m., March j JdenoricK van uensse
ohannes Van 1 Johannes Van Brugh, 0.
m. Saraj
Maria Van Brugh, m, Steph-
en Richard.
Peter Van Brugh,
Cuyler.
ston(" the Signer").
Tytje Jansen, m. Peter
Van Wen.
Jan Jansen.
I Annekje Jansen.
g, ( William Bogart, m., Au-
o
M
o
t*
3
M
00
l-H
M
S
f Blandina Bogart.
Everardus Bogart.
Tytje Bogart.
g U8 f t 29 > V 689 ' . Wap J Cornelia Sogart.
T^B?AJ-' Anna Bogart,
Francis Creiger.
gart
Brown.
Maria Bogart.
I Lucretia Bogart.
m. Jacob
Cornelius Bogart, m. He- / Cornelius Bogart, m. Rachel
lena Teller. I de Wint.
Jonas Bogart, 0.
Peter Bogart, m. Wyntia f Anthony Bogart,
I Bosch. ) m. A. Knickerbocker.
NOTE. A zero (0) indicates that the person left no descendants.
xxi
Go vert Lockermans, m.,
February, 1641, Ariaentie
Jans ; m., July, 1641, Ma-
ryje Jans, 0, widow succes-
eively of Tymen Jansen
and Dirck Cornell sen van
Wenveen.
Maria Lockermana,
m., 1664, Balthazar Bay-
ard.
Janetj e Lockermans, m.,
February 12, 1667, Dr.
Hans Kierstede, Jr.
Samuel Bayard, 0.
Annekje Bayard, m. Samuel
Verplanck.
Anna Maria Bayard, m., Oc-
tober 28, 1697, Augustus
Jay.
Jacobus Bayard, m. Hilde-
gonda de Kay ; m. Hele-
na Van Brugh.
Judith Bayard, m. Gerardus
Stuyvesant.
Margaret Hardenbroeck, m.
Peter Rudolphus de Vries.
, m., 1662, Frederick
Phillipse.
Eva de Vrles, TO., May 7,
1691, Jacobus Van Cort-
landt.
Philip Phillipse, m. Maria
Sparks, dau. of Gov-
ernor Sparks of Barba-
does.
Margaret Van Cortlandt, m.
Abraham de Peyster, Jr .
Anne Van Cortlandt, m.
John Chambers.
Mary Van Cortlandt, m.
Peter Jay.
Frederick Van Cortlandt,
m. Frances Jay.
Frederick Phillipse, m.,
1726, Joanna Brockholst.
Annekje Phillipse, m. ( Anna French, m. David
Philip French. | Van Home.
Adolphus Phillipse, 0.
Rombout Phillipse, 0.
il
: si
t>
Henry Beekman, m.
Jane de Loper.
Col. Henry Beekman, m.
Janet Livingston ; m.
Gertrude Van Cortlandt.
Gerard Beekman ( William Beekman, m., pe-
rn. Magdalena j tober 11, 1707, Catharine
Abeel. ( Peters de la Noy.
Johannes Beekman,
m. A b j e Law-
rence.
( Margaret Beekman, m.
) Robert Livingston, Jr.
f Cornelia Beekman, m.
William Walton.
Gerard Beekman, m., 1751,
Mary Duyckinck.
James Beekman, m., Octo-
ber, 1752, Jane Keteltas.
NOTB. A zero (0) indicates that the person left no descendants.
xxn
PROPERTY OF THE
CITY OF NEW YORK
. I
- * " "
Two Dutch Colonies in America
..."'' o
Hendrick Hudson and the Wi'de Menschen The First Traders at Mana-
ha-ta Indian Castle of Laap-haw-ach-king Giovani da Verrazzano
Fort Orange Der Heer Van Rensselaer Colle.ge.oi XIX. The
Patroons The Laws Regulating Purchase The Colonization of
Mana-ha-ta in 1624 "Purchase of the Island Ere J ct?on' of a Fort
Derivation of the Name-^-Dr.Denton, the English Author, and Died-
rich Knickerbocker Provision for he .Comforts of ,the Settlers
The Midwife and the Krcmck-Vecoeckers.
' * ,
EARLY in the seventeenth century two Dutch colo-
nies were planted in America that were destined to
become the corner-stones of a great, free, and indepen-
dent country. One of them was founded with but little
encouragement or support from any established govern-
ment, notwithstanding which a rich and extensive plan-
tation was created, that was soon self-supporting, and
owed its birth and prosperity to the bounty of a gentle-
man of Holland; the other plantation was founded by
a rich corporation, and the two were bound by ties of
common interests. These two settlements were the
colony of Rensselaerswyck, at the head-waters of the
Hudson River, and that of the West India Company, on
the island of Mana-ha-ta. The sun that rose on Janu-
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
ary 1, 1609, and peeped over the island of Sewan-ha-ka
at that of Mana-ha-ta, and sank behind the " Great
Rocks of Wiehocken," beamed on a peaceful scene of
forests, river, and streams, in strong contrast to the
piles of stone and brick that now entomb those once
lovely islands.
"When Ueiidriot Hudson, an adventurous captain in
the employ ilHiit of the Dutch 'Eist India Company of
Holland, sailed into the beautiful bay into which emp-
tied the waters of three great rivers- that were after-
ward nanxeld the Hudson, Hackensack, and Passaic, he
t
found tribes of red men, quietly pursuing their voca-
tions of Irjmtmg and fishing. The' " Wilde Menschen '
(as the voyagers called the -inhabitants) welcomed the
new-comers, while regardirg them with awe, as they
believed them to be gods from another world, and, eager
to be rid of their unwelcome visitors, hastened to point
out the channels of the Mohicanehuck Eiver to the ad-
venturous navigator of de Halve Maen, who explored
the great stream as far as tide-water, and satisfied him-
self that it was not the passage to Asia, of which he
was in search. He therefore returned to Holland, with
a cargo of skins received in barter with the Wilden, and
reported to his employers his discovery of a mighty
land, inhabited by red men, where the rivers teemed
with fish and the forests with beasts covered with furs
of uncommon beauty and richness.
These peltries were valuable commodities in the
eyes of the directors of the great East India Com-
Two Dutch Colonies in America
pany of Holland, and although not as highly prized
as the spices, teas, and coffees of Asia, where their
store-houses or trading-posts were already firmly es-
tablished, they were by no means loath to extend
their possessions to the new-found world, if by so do-
ing they could enrich the coffers of the company. Un-
der their auspices a handful of hardy traders were soon
settled on the pile of rocks that terminated the island
of Mana-ha-ta. Eude huts were hastily built on a point
of land that the adventurous settlers believed was pro-
tected from surprises from the savages, as it was nearly
surrounded by water ; and that also was convenient for
the vessels of the company to ride at anchor, and load
or discharge their cargoes close to the little settlement.
The value and quantity of the furs obtained on the
first venture of the company encouraged a further ex-
penditure on its part, and in 1621 it was determined to
push farther into the interior, directly into the heart of
the country, where the natives had already established
for themselves a convenient trading-post, and erected
a " castle " named Laap-haw-ach-king, or " Place of ex-
changing wampum." The Dutch threw up a rude forti-
fication of wood and stone on the site of an ancient pile
of earth, that they found in a convenient situation for
defence. This most antique pile is stated by some
writers to have been built in 1524 by Giovanni da Ver-
razzano, who, it is claimed, discovered the river, and
sailed to its head-waters on La Dauphine and there
planted the flag of France, and claimed the territory for
3
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
his master, the French king. The Dutch were quite
unconscious of this fact, and established themselves
quietly on the site of the present city of Albany and
called their tiny embankment Fort Orange.
This post was established at the instance of one of
the principal directors of the Dutch East India Com-
pany, der Heer Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, who also advo-
cated the formation of a new " College," as a branch of
the original company, that should be charged with the
control of affairs in the western continent. The East
India Company therefore instituted the College of XIX.,
and Kiliaen Yan Bensselaer became a member of it
and by the college was appointed one of nine com-
missioners to manage the corporation. These coun-
cillors were members of the original company, assumed
the title of the West India Company, and were clothed
with full authority to undertake the plantation of colo-
nies on the western continent, not only by the East
India society, but also by the government of the States
General of Holland, as had already been done by their
association in the East.
Only men of wealth and of the highest known integ-
rity and burghers in their own right were eligible for
this trust, which carried the grave responsibility of
creating a government in the New World, and it is to
them that we owe the original of all the best and wis-
est laws of this country that, after the Dutch colonies
were annexed by the English, were permitted to survive.
These laws were culled from those of Holland, at that
4
Two Dutch Colonies in America
time the most enlightened and cultivated country of
Europe.
The College of XIX. provided for a landed and baro-
nial aristocracy in the New World, thereby following the
custom of the day, when a title was borne by all per-
sons owning important estates, the proprietors of which
took their surname from the land they owned. Under
this provision all purchasers of large tracts of land
were granted the title of patroou, a title which was
analogous to that of the old feudal barons ; but the
patroons of America were, in fact, to be reigning naon-
archs, with full power over the lives of their subjects,
with armies under their command, fighting under their
banner, and bearing their arms, colors, and insignia.
Courts of justice were to be held in the name of the
patroon, from whose dictates there was no appeal.
It was decreed by the College of XIX. that, as the
patroon was bound by the terms of purchase to colo-
nize in America at his own expense, the people sent
across the ocean, under these terms, should acknowl-
edge themselves as his subjects, and they were to be re-
quired to take an oath of fealty and allegiance to him ;
while the patroon was called on to acknowledge fealty
to none but the States General of Holland.
The college also determined to colonize on their own
account and place a plantation at the most advantage-
ous spot they could select, and their choice fell on the
island of Mana-ha-ta, for which a code of laws was also
framed similar to those governing the patroonships.
5
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
As soon as these measures were complete, manors were
offered for sale, but only to members of their own so-
ciety.
A number of their manors were sold, but only two
members of the confederacy fufilled the conditions of
the purchase, and the rights of governing the property
therefore reverted to the company, and only one of the
original patroons, der Heer Kiliaen Van Bensselaer,
founded a family in the New World, and was created
Patroon of the Manor of Bensselaerswyck by patent
dated June 7, 1629.
The first shipload of settlers came to America in
1624, commanded by Captain May. Eight men and one
woman, named Catelina de Trico, landed on Mana-ha-
ta, while the rest of the voyagers proceeded to Fort
Orange. Two years afterward, on May 6, 1626, Peter
Minuit, the governor sent by the West India Company
to take charge of the colony, purchased the island from
the tribe of Mana-ha-ta, and at once proceeded to erect
a block-house, surrounded by red cedar palisadoes, close
to the traders' huts, and on the point of the island called
by the Wilden " Capsey," or " The place of safe-land-
ing." These rocks have long since disappeared under
what is now known as the Battery Park of New York,
and the Whitehall, Bowling Green, Bridge, and State
Streets pass over the site. The ground occupied by the
fort is now covered by a row of houses facing north
and overlooking the Bowling Green.
There has been a strange misapprehension on the
6
Two Dutch Colonies in America
part of historians, who have blindly followed a mistake
made by an English writer of little authority, who de-
clared that the word Mana-ha-ta signified an orgie, and
that it had been given by the savage inhabitants to the
island to commemorate a grand revel held there by the
sailors of de Halve Maen, overlooking the fact that
the tribe which lived on the island was known to its
neighbors by that title long before de Halve Maen
sailed into the harbor.
As early as 1670 a native of the colony, a student
and minister of the Gospel, by the name of Daniel Den-
ton, wrote "A Brief Relation of New York," and pointed
out the mistake into which his brother historian had
fallen. Dr. Denton had lived among the wild men
from childhood, and was well acquainted with the Al-
gonquin dialect, and he scoffs at the statement made by
the superficial foreigner, that Mana-ha-ta or Manhattoes
or Manhattan, as the word was variously spelled, bore
the interpretation given to it, and states, " in that lan-
guage drunkenness or orgie is termed kee-wash-kwa-
bee," and points out the impossibility of deriving Mana-
ha-ta from that word. Dr. Denton also declares that
there was no evidence to support the assertion that the
name was intended to refer to any feast or drunken
revel, and no historical proof that the aborigines and
the sailors held a feast together on the island. There
is more than a shrewd suspicion that the scribbling
traveller was deceived by a jocose remark made by a
townsman to mislead him, and that he recorded impres-
7
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
sions without taking the trouble to verify them. This
is the more to be regretted, as other historians have
blindly copied the tale which has given the name of
Mana-ha-ta an unworthy signification. They might
have followed, with as much reason, the statements of
Diedrich Knickerbocker, who was convinced that the
name originated in a custom among the squaws, of wear-
ing their husbands' hats, and " hence arose the appella-
tion of Man -hat -on, first given to the Indians and
afterward to the island ; " and this odd derivation
for the name is rather more pleasing than the inter-
pretation other writers have given it, and quite as
authentic.
Immediately after the erection of the fort, a line of
palisadoes was thrown across the island from the East
to the Hudson River, a horse-mill was located on what
is now South William Street, near Pearl, and its loft
was arranged as a place of worship. Brick-kilns and
lime-kilns were established, saw-mills erected, and the
company made every provision in its power for the well-
being of its subjects. A midwife by the name of Maryje
Jans (or Jonas) was sent to the colony, and also two
men, by name Sebastian Jansen Crol and Jan Huyck,
the "Kranck-besoeckers," or "Sick Men's Comforters,"
who were ordered to nurse and doctor the injured, and
also conduct prayer-meetings, read the^ Bible, and look
after the welfare and morals of the community.
Under these wise provisions the lands inside the
stockades were soon occupied by sturdy Dutchmen and
Two Dutch Colonies in America
their vrouwen, and thus the nucleus of a thriving settle-
ment was planted on one of the most beautiful spots in
the world, and which went by the name of the Colonie
of the New Netherlands.
II
Women of the Seventeenth Century
Education of the Dutch Women Queen Elizabeth and the Hollanders
Industries of the Housewife New Flowers in America Pioneer
Women The Servants of the West India Company Serving-
maids Mesdames Van der Donck and Varleth.
T TISTOBIANS chronicle the valor and hardihood of
I 1 the settlers of a new country, and dwell on the
exploits of the male sex, but they seldom refer to the
stoical endurance and capability of the female emi-
grants, although, without the gentle sex, the life of a
pioneer would be almost unendurable.
To the heroism and thrift of the Dutch women who
ventured to America, the wealth and prosperity of the
colony were largely due. It has often been said that
the position occupied by the wife and mother throws
the most light on the civilization of a people, and it is
a well-authenticated fact that the women of the Dutch
Netherlands of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries
were more highly educated, better protected by the
laws of the country, and held a more prominent posi-
tion, than any of their contemporaries.
Holland was the only country in which girls received
10
Women of the Seventeenth Century
the same education as boys, and shared their studies ;
until the latter were old enough to select a trade or
profession for themselves, when the former were with-
drawn from school and carefully trained in household
duties. While England, France, Spain, Germany, and
Italy restrained their girls and treated them as toys;
denied them education and prevented their indepen-
dence, the men of the Dutch Republic of two centuries
and a half ago recognized the equality of their women,
educated them to fill responsible positions, and encour-
aged them to cultivate a love for literature, painting,
and music, a course which made the women of that
day quite equal in intelligence and refinement to those
of the nineteenth century.
The comforts and adornments of the homes in Hol-
land far exceeded those of any other country. They
were filled with handsome furniture and pictures. The
burghers and their wives wore rich silks, satins, and
other stuffs, trimmed with fur and lace. They loved
books and knew their value, and had them handsomely
bound in wood and leather, clasped with silver and
gold.
Queen Elizabeth despised the sturdy Dutch burghers,
and called them " base mechanicals," and would not
credit the reports that reached her ears of the luxuries
and refinements of their homes, which far exceeded her
own surroundings. It was not until the accession of
Charles II. to the throne of England that the palaces of
the king wore a comfortable, home-like air, and this was
ii
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
due to his having lived the greater part of his life in
Holland, whence he imported the luxuries that he had
been accustomed to have when residing in that country.
The housewife was the manufacturer of the day, and
under her own roof produced all the necessaries for
family use, such as clothing and food.
Placed on a desert island, a Dutch woman of the
seventeenth century was capable of making for herself
everything needful to support life. All ordinary cook-
ing was done under her immediate superintendence, but
it was her hand alone that prepared delicious dainties
of pastry, preserves, and pickles. She drew perfumes
from the flowers of her garden by aid of her still ; she
saw the hops planted, gathered, dried, and brewed.
She culled herbs and simples, and concocted medica-
ments, and was always prepared to act as an amateur
doctor to her household. She instructed her maids in
carding and weaving the woollen goods for her own and
her good-man's clothes, and herself spun the fine thread
of flax that had been grown in her private garden, for
linen shirts, towels, etc., or knit the stockings of the
family.
This concentration of industries rendered a Dutch
woman self-dependent, industrious, and thrifty. On her
judgment, prudence, and foresight everything hinged,
and the men of the family were entirely dependent
on their wives for clothes, drink, medicine, and food.
Even in mercantile pursuits the women had a voice,
and their opinions were sought and valued.
12
Women of the Seventeenth Century
The sensible education bestowed on the women of
Holland quickened their judgment, and the enlight-
ened laws that permitted her to hold real estate, or
carry on business in her own name, whether single,
married, or wido'wed, gave her confidence and indepen-
dence, and it was no uncommon thing to find women
venturing their own savings in mercantile pursuits,
quite independent of the men of the family, who never
questioned the right and propriety of such proceedings.
The pioneers of Mana-ha-ta were a few hardy traders
who emigrated under the auspices of the West India
Company of Holland, but they did not come alone.
They were accompanied by their wives, who bravely
undertook to create homes in the New World. These
courageous women were wisely encouraged to emigrate
by the company, who looked after the interests of their
colony in a truly patriarchal way.
The pioneers of Mana-ha-ta were never called upon
to struggle with want and privation, as was the case in
the rest of the American colonies, the first plantations
of which were failures, the colonists generally being
swept away by starvation. The Dutch were accustomed
to colonize, and already had plantations on the eastern
hemisphere when they turned their attention to Amer-
ica ; so that the " India " companies understood how to
organize and establish settlements, considered the wel-
fare and prosperity of their servants, and arranged for
their comfort and health with particular care.
The officers of the society selected competent per-
is
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
sons to govern the colonies, and under their superin-
tendence country people and farmers were chosen as
emigrants and induced to cross the ocean ; and one of
the first shiploads included six families, numbering
forty-five persons, who brought ploughs and other agri-
cultural tools with them, bricks for building chimneys,
and mechanics' tools, and two skilled workmen, one a
carpenter and the other a bricklayer. They provided
mill-hoppers, grindstones, wheels, and sails, and also
several houses, which were shipped in sections all ready
to be put together. The company selected workmen
and craftsmen, sailors and soldiers ; everything was
wisely planned for, and done with method, and in con-
sequence the colony of the New Netherlands that was
planted at the mouth of the Hudson River was a model
of its kind.
The houses of the emigrants were not bare log huts,
but were at once brightened by the touch of facile fem-
inine fingers, and converted into pleasant homes. The
goede vrouw hung her neat lattice of leaden-sashed
windows, with snowy curtains, made by her own hands,
stuck a beau-pot of flowers on the ledge, set her spin-
ning-wheel or distaff by the hearth-stone and her huge
loom under the sloping roof of the "bock stoep." She
also planted before her house a garden of flowers and
herbs, the seeds of which had probably been brought
from Holland in one of her own capacious pockets ; and
these soon made a material change and improvement in
the flora of North America, as the garden strays wan-
14
Women of the Seventeenth Century
dered over the country ; and the women even changed
the landscape by planting rows of Lombardy pop-
lars in front of every stoep, which stand like sentinels
to point out the houses of the first Dutch settlers, and
these stamped the character of the inhabitants and
betrayed their love of Patria.
The English vessels began to visit the colony of the
New Netherlands, and their owners were surprised and
dismayed to find it so independent and prosperous.
They hoped to find a people who would be large im-
porters of English goods, and after the English occupa-
tion Governor Moore wrote, as late as 1767, an official
letter to the Lords of Trade on the subject, in which he
states that " every family makes a coarse cloth called
lindsey - woolsey, the warp being of linen and the
woof of wool. The custom prevails through the whole
province, and a sufficient quantity is manufactured for
the use of the family. Every house swarms with chil-
dren, who are set to work as soon as they are able to
spin and card, and as every family is furnished with a
loom, the itinerant weavers who travel about the coun-
try put a finishing-hand to the work."
Needless to say this independence was discouraged
and the English government endeavored to prevent
the manufacture of American goods by taxing them,
a course of proceeding that was successfully resisted
by the local legislatures.
The families that emigrated to America under the
auspices of the West India Company were of different
15
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
stations of life. While farmers were necessary to till
the soil, overseers were required to superintend these
laborers. Soldiers required officers, and trading-houses
needed properly educated merchants, and as the heads
of each department were generally relations or friends
of the rich Amsterdam merchants who composed the
West India Company, they naturally were cultivated
persons of good standing in their own country.
The wives who accompanied their husbands to the
New World were always attended by their maids, who
were bound to render service for a given term of years
in return for their free passage to the New World. But
buxom females were at a premium in the colony, not
only as servants but as wives ; for it was not every man
who had emigrated with a helpmate, and one of the
chief trials of the colonists' wives was the loss of their
carefully trained maids, who were enticed from their
service before the term contracted for had expired.
This circumstance is amusingly shown in the official
documents of the colony. In a record dated Monday,
September 15, 1653, Hans Fromer demanded that
" Mme. Anna Van der Donck shall give lawful reason
why she forbid the bond of matrimony between him and
Maeyken Huybertsen." The defendant's son, Guysbert
Van der Donck, appeared before the burgomasters and
schepen in the place of his mother, and exhibited the
contracts between mistress and maid, which provided
for a free passage to the New World, in return for ser-
vice for a stated term of years.
16
Women of the Seventeenth Century
The authorities released the maid from her service
and permitted her to marry, which encouraged all the
other maid-servants in the province to rebel ; and in
consequence the next victim was Madame Judith Yar-
leth, who was compelled by the council to release her
maid from the bond, and required to pay her many
"belts of wampum" and several "ells of linen," and
permit her to set up house-keeping on her own account.
These rulings of the councillors, who seem to have been
carried away by sentiment for the love-lorn damsels,
caused dismay in their own households, and their wives
rose in rebellion at their governmental decrees ; and the
storm that broke over their devoted heads was not al-
layed until they made arrangements for importing ship-
loads of young women from Holland, who should take
the places of the delinquents, and who were bound to
serve out their time by rigid contracts, which the coun-
cillors had pledged their wives in private should not be
again abrogated.
Ill
Prominent Pioneer Women
Peculiarities of the Names Marriage of Annekje Jans " Annekje Jans's
Land" Dominie Bogartus Tryntje Jans Dr. Kierstede The First
Market The Wilden's Gift The Old Dutch Bible The Nickname
of Stone Street A Slaap-bauck The Kraeg Labbadist Missionaries
The Phillipse Manor Cornelia Lubbetse The Two Governors.
AMONG the first settlers of the island of Mana-ha-
ta were several remarkable women, who are the
ancestresses of the principal families of the colony, and
who, by their influence and connections, largely con-
trolled all the affairs political, social, and domestic of
the province.
Annekje Jans, Annekje Lockermans, Cornelia Lub-
betse, Margaret Hardenbroeck, and Catarina de Boorgh
were the principal women of this group of pioneers, and
although their names may be unfamiliar to the ears of
their descendants, it must be remembered that they
were merged in those of their husbands and that only
the latter were transmitted to posterity.
It has been mentioned that one of the first women to
reach the plantation was Maryje Jans, or Jonas. She
was sent to the colony at the expense of the company,
18
Prominent Pioneer Women
and arrived with the first emigrants. She was accom-
panied by her son, who was called Wolfert Webber,
and two young and handsome daughters. It is stated
that these young people were the grandchildren of
William IX., Prince of Orange, and with the peculiar
fashion of the day the last name of the family is spelled
and rendered capriciously, sometimes being written
Jans, at other times Jonas, while the son of Maryje
Jans is called by the name of Webber.
The Christian name was, at that time, usually fol-
lowed by the baptismal name of the father, and gener-
ally with the addition of "se," thus, Mary, the daughter
of John, would call herself Maryje Janse, and perhaps
add the name of the place or town of her birth, or that
of her husband. The nobility alone had surnames,
and these were affixed to the Christian name as in
modern days, and were inherited by the whole family,
as at present. Notwithstanding the confusion in the
names it is a well-authenticated fact that Annekje Web-
ber (Jans) was the daughter of Maryje Jonas, and that
soon after she reached the shores of Mana-ha-ta she
was wooed by and wedded to a young fellow who called
himself Roelof Janse Van Maesterlandt, or Boelof the
son of James from Maesterlandt, who was sent by the
Patroon Van Rensselaer to act as assistant bouwmees-
ter (farmer) at the colony of Bensselaerswyck. The
prudence and frugality of the wife soon enabled the
couple to move to Mana-ha-ta, where they joined the
rest of the family, and Roelof resigned his office on the
19
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
manor and purchased a farm on that island of sixty-two
acres of land, situated on high ground overlooking the
Hudson River, which has since become the centre of
many disputes in the city of New York, and has led to
innumerable lawsuits. The site is variously known as
the Bogartus Farm, or Annekje Jans's land, and is now
held by the trustees of Trinity Church.
Four children were born of this marriage three
daughters, who survived, married, and left descendants,
and an only son, who was killed at Schenectady by the
Indians in 1690. Annekje Jans (as she is usually
called) was a small woman with bright, sparkling eyes
and quick, energetic movements. Very soon after her
arrival at Mana-ha-ta she lost her husband ; but she
speedily consoled herself by marrying one of the most
important persons of the community, which raised her
from the grade of a farmer's wife to that of a govern-
ment official's. Her second choice was Dominie Bo-
gartus, a minister in the Dutch Church, who had been
sent to the plantation by the "West India Company to
take charge of the spiritual affairs of the community,
and who succeeded the two " Comforters of the Sick "
who had arrived with the first settlers.
The first governor of the Dutch plantation on the
Hudson River had been Peter Minuit. He was suc-
ceeded by the nephew of the first patroon, Kiliaen Van
Rensselaer Wouter Van Twiller who arrived at Mana-
ha-ta in the spring of 1633, in the Zoutberg, bringing
with him his chaplain, Dominie Bogartus. The long
20
Prominent Pioneer Women
voyage cemented a friendship between the two men, and
the cleric obtained a great influence over the governor,
that stood both of them in good stead during their
subsequent careers in the colony as directors of spirit-
ual and mundane affairs.
Dominie Bogartus was a very large man, with a quick
temper and fond of the good things of life. A comfort-
able home and the devoted care of a wife, in a com-
munity where everything depended upon the house-
wifely qualities of the woman, were essential to his
well-being, and very shortly after his arrival he courted
the brisk, wealthy little widow, who was by no means
unwilling to exchange her money for the social position
that the dominie could offer her. The company pro-
vided a parsonage for their clergyman, which overlooked
the river and was close to the little peaked-roof church
that had been erected for the use of the colonists. The
new house was one of the most attractive places on the
island, and was noted for the beautiful vines that
clambered over the low-pitched roof and the beds of
gay flowers that surrounded it, all of which were due
to the housewife's love of plants and her faith in the
virtues of herbs and simples; and while the dominie
cured the souls of his parishioners, it was to his wife
that all turned for aid in sickness.
The descendants of Annekje Jans by her two husbands
number so many hundreds of persons, that it has been
calculated that if her farm were now sold for their bene-
fit, and the proceeds equally distributed among the le-
21
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
gal heirs, granting the great value of the land, no one
person would receive more than a cent.
The daughters of Annekje Jans and Boelof Janse Yan
Maesterlandt were named Sara, Tryntje, and Tytje.
These girls were carefully educated by their mother,
"after the fashion of Patria," and in consequence they
were notable housewives. They spoke Dutch and Eng-
lish, and having been born and brought up among the
Wilclen they had learned the Algonquin language, which
they understood and spoke with fluency. When a
very young girl Tryntje married Lucas Bodenburg,
who, dying shortly after the marriage, left her a childless
widow ; and she followed the example of her mother and
accepted the hand of a prosperous young merchant
of the community who was a commissary in the em-
ployment of the West India Company, and had reached
the colony in 1640. Johannes Pieterse Van Brugh was
a fine-looking, clever, conscientious young fellow whose
sterling worth was recognized by his fellow-tow r nsmen,
and it was only a few years after settling on Mana-ha-ta
that he was called upon to successively fill the positions
of alderman, burgomaster, and schepen. Among the
wedding-presents received by the young couple was a
consignment of " preserved lemons, parrots, and paro-
quets " sent them from Curayao by the correspondents
of the groom. The bill of lading is duly entered in
the town records, dated September 13, 1659.
Van Brugh built for his bride a large and, for the
times, a handsome and commodious house in the Hoogh
22
Prominent Pioneer Women
Straat, now Pearl Street, adjoining the premises of ms
most intimate friend, Govert Lockermans, and near the
corner of the present William Street. The burghers of
Mana-ha-ta were seldom without their bouwerie (or
farm), to which they could retire in summer and from
which they could be supplied with country produce.
Madame Van Brugh's bouwerie was at "Dominies'
Hoeck," on the Hudson River, and was probably in-
herited from her mother ; and there she superintended
the manufacture of her linen and overlooked the dairy
and farm when not engaged in her hospitable duties
in her town-house, where the position of her husband
in the government called upon her to entertain every
acquaintance that came to the place either on business
or pleasure.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Van Brugh were : Helena,
who married, May 26, 1680, Tunis de Key ; Anna, who
married Andrew Grevenerat; Catharine, who married
Hendrick Van Rensselaer ; Johannes, of whom there is
no record ; Peter, who married Sara Cuyler, and Maria,
who became the wife of Stephen Richards.
The second daughter of Annekje Jans was Tytje,
who married Peter Hartgers Van Wen, a magistrate of
Beverwyck, the Patroon Van Rensselaer's village, on
what is now the site of the city of Albany ; and the
eldest daughter, Sara, married a young doctor, who was
an official in the employment of the company. The
marriage of this couple was duly recorded in Der
Trouw-Boeck or marriage-register. That was carefully
23
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
kept by the dominies of the Established Church. This
book was begun in 1639, and is still well preserved.
The entry reads as follows :
" den 29 dicto (February 1642)
" Mr. Hans Kierstede, Chiriirgyn, J. M. Yan Maeg-
denburg en Sara Roelofs J.d. Yan Amsterdam, beyde
wonende tot N. Amsterdam." *
This celebrated doctor was nearly as prominent a
person in the little settlement as was the dominie, or
the governor. He had been selected by the governors
of the West India Company on account of his peculiar
qualifications for the office, and he had been requested
to emigrate at their expense and was assured by them of
a regular salary. He was also allowed many perquisites,
and presented with a piece of land on the company's
reservation that lay close to the banks of the East River,
near their fort, and on what was called the Strand. A
house was erected for the doctor on this beautiful spot,
and here he and his wife settled contentedly to raise
a family of eight children, beloved and respected by
all around them.
If the governor was bedecked in official robes, the
fashion of the times decreed that the dominie and the
doctor should also wear peculiarly cut coats as insignia
of their offices, and that of the latter was marked and
original. His pictures represent him in a huge hat,
wide-tailed black coat with enormous cuffs, dainty lace
frills at sleeves and neck, black small-clothes, silk
* Both living at New Amsterdam.
24
Prominent Pioneer Women
stockings, square-toed shoes, and great gold buckles,
and last but not least a thick and heavy ebony cane,
surmounted with a massive gold top, that tradition says
was bestowed upon the doctor by the great company as
a mark of esteem and a staff of office.
Before coming to New Amsterdam the goede vrouwen
of Mana-ha-ta had been accustomed to visit the markets
in the towns and villages of Holland, where the coun-
try people were wont to gather at stated intervals, to
dispose of their farm products. Poultry, eggs, butter,
pigs, geese, etc., were part of the marketable wares,
but the articles manufactured by the women often
were more valuable than the products of the soil,
and at these gatherings, laces, flax, linen, lindsey
woolsey, duffles, etc., were exposed for sale and brought
considerable revenue to the farmer's wife. It was,
therefore, very early in the settlement of the island
that the women petitioned the councillors of New
Netherlands to arrange for markets to be held "after
the manner of Patria." An order from council was
issued September 12, 1656, commanding that Saturday
should be kept as market-day and that the sale should
be held in the burgh, "on the Strand, near the house of
Master Hans Kierstede." All the neighboring farmers
and their wives were invited to attend and exchange
their products for sewant and wampum, the legalized
currency of the colony. The tribes of Wilden were
encouraged to bring their simple wares, which were
bought freely by the colonists.
25
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
By this time the Dutch women had become well
acquainted with the wild people who surrounded them
and were on friendly terms with them. Madame Kier-
stede was particularly kind to them, and as she spoke
their language fluently she was a great favorite among
them, and it was owing to her encouragement that the
savages ventured within the city walls to barter their
wares. For their better accommodation and protection,
Madame Kierstede had a large shed erected in her
back-yard, and under its shelter there was always a
number of squaws who came and went as if in their
own village, and plied their industries of basket and
broom making, stringing wampum and sewant, and
spinning after their primitive mode ; and on market-
days they were able to dispose of their products, pro-
tected by their benefactress, Madame Kierstede. The
Wilde Menschen proved not unmindful of the kindness
shown to them, and several of the Mana-ha-ta family
combined with their kindred beyond the Hudson
River and showed their gratitude by presenting Madame
Kierstede with a large tract of land on the Hackensack
River.
Annekje Jans had emigrated to America in very
humble circumstances, but by her thrift and industry
had raised herself to one of the influential positions in
the community, and, as the wife of the dominie, was an
important person, and she now found herself and her
children among the most respected in the colony. Her
three daughters were married to esteemed citizens, and
26
Prominent Pioneer Women
her three sons by her second husband held places
under the government and had wives who were as well
connected as themselves. The influence exercised by
the women of this family has left its stamp on colonial
affairs, although at the time it was barely acknowledged.
Annekje Jans had a younger sister named Maryje,
who married three times and had one child by each
husband. The eldest was Elsie, the daughter of Tymen
Jansen, who became the unhappy wife of Jacob Leisler.
The son by the second husband was Cornelius Yan
"Wevereen, named after his father; and Jacob Locker-
mans was the child of the third husband, Govert
Lockermans. The last named boy studied medicine
and removed to Maryland, where his descendants still
bear the name of Lockermans, which has died out in
New York. Maryje Jans's third husband, Govert
Lockermans, lived in William Street, next to her niece,
Madame Johannes Yan Brugh. She was a tender mother
to the two little daughters of her husband's first wife,
Maryje and Jennetje Lockermans. The former married
Balthazar Bayard and the latter Dr. Hans Kierstede de
Jonge.
Govert Lockermans was a Dutchman of gentle birth
who came to America soon after its first settlement.
From what can be gathered of the family history it
seems that two brothers and one sister, having lost their
parents, determined to emigrate together to the New
World. Before leaving Holland Govert Lockermans
persuaded a handsome young girl to marry him and
27
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
share his fortunes. Among the presents to the couple
was a Bible printed in German type by Paulus Yan
Ravensleyn at Amsterdam, 1623. It was handsomely
bound in black shagreen, tooled ; with clasps and corner-
pieces of silver, on which angels' heads were engraved.
The first entry in the Bible is translated as follows :
" Laus Deo, in Amsterdam @ 1641. Tuesday 24 Feb-
ruary is married Go vert Lockermans with Ariantie
Jans."
and is followed by the notice :
" 1641, 3d November, Tuesday morning at 3 o'clock is
born Maria Lockermans in the ship Coninick Davit on
the voyage to St. Christopher and New Amsterdam."
This Bible was presented to the American Bible So-
ciety by one of the descendants, and is carefully pre-
served, and is under the charge of the Lenox Library.
Another wedding-gift received by Govert Lockermans's
bride was a heavy gold chatelaine, from which several
chains depended to hold keys, tablets, needle-case, etc.,
after the custom of the day. Several of these curious
chatelaines, belonging to the Dutch pioneer women,
are in possession of their descendants, and one of them
matches very closely that belonging to Madame Locker-
mans, and was probably owned by Madame Johannes
Yan Brugh.
There was an unwritten law among the Dutch wom-
en, that some member of the family should be acknowl-
edged as a leader, whose influence was unbounded and
whose dictates were obeyed without question. The sis-
28
Prominent Pioneer Women
ter of Govert Lockerraans was one of these autocrats,
and it was mainly due to her energy that her entire
family emigrated to America.
Annekje Lockermans was betrothed in Holland to a
young man from Guelderland, and before the arrange-
ments for the marriage could be completed, he received
the command of a military company from the College of
XIX., and was ordered to Mana-ha-ta in 1637. As the
" braudt " determined to follow her lover across the sea,
she persuaded her sister and two brothers to accompany
her, and we find on one of the first pages of the Trouw-
Boeck, immediately preceding that of Dr. Kierstede's,
the following notice :
" den 26th dicto (February, 1642)
" Oloft Stephenzen J M Van "Wyck tot Duiirstede en
Anneken Loockermans J. D. Van Turuhout."
The initials J. M. and J. D. signify " young man '
and " maiden." The captain was registered in the name
by which he was commonly known at the time and for
many years after, but the family cognomen was Van
Cortlandt, and by that name his descendants are known.
The influence of his wife induced Oloff Stevenzen to
resign his military position in 1648 and embark in the
brewing business, and he consequently built a large
brew- house near the fort, on what is now Stone Street,
but which was at first called Brower Street, after the
great brewery. This street lies between Whitehall and
Broad and was one of the first lanes laid out by the
settlers, and was commonly known as " the Koad." In
29
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
1657 it was paved with small round cobble-stones, and
the circumstance created such a sensation that the
country -people visited it as a curiosity, and it was one
of the sights of the little dorp. The burghers laugh-
ingly nicknamed it Stone Street, which name it still
retains. The improvement was effected by Madame
Van Cortlandt, as she could not endure the dust that
filled her tidy house caused by the heavy brewer's wains
that were constantly passing her door.
The first step of Oloff Van Cortlandt had been to
build a suitable house for his bride, the contract for
which is still preserved. Each detail of the house is
mentioned, but one thing in particular was stipulated,
namely, a" peculiar kind of closet, called a " slaap-
bauck." This was to be built into the side-walls of the
main sitting-room, and was to be provided with a shelf
on which a mattress could be laid ; folding-doors, that
could be closed during the day, and were thrown open
only at night, were hung in front of the shelf, on which
a large bed piled with duvets and pillows was spread.
This was a hospitable provision for travellers, who could
thus be provided with a bed at a moment's notice ; the
family-rooms being in another part of the house and
furnished with the customary bedsteads of sassafras-
wood, the odor of which was supposed to prevent ver-
min from lodging in them. The custom of making beds
of this wood was a very early one, and was learned from
the Wilden, but when it was discovered that the notion
was a fallacy, bedsteads were painted green ; the color
Prominent Pioneer Women
of the paint or its composition being credited with the
same virtue ; after this also had been found worthless,
the housewives resorted to other remedies, and about
1700, when mahogany was introduced into the colony in
large quantities, the " four-posters " were made of this
wood.
Madame Van Cortlandt furnished her house with
handsome furniture that she had brought with her
from Holland which was part of her dower. And as
soon as the home was completed the young couple gave
a kraeg or house-warming. The first guests were the
work-people, who were entertained at a feast of cookies,
cakes, etc., washed down by large quantities of wine,
beer, and brandy. This kraeg was a customary thing,
and was entered in the contract as part-payment of the
building. The young people also gave a more elaborate
entertainment to their friends, relations, and the mem-
bers of the government, and this function was one of
the first social amusements mentioned in the history of
Mana-ha-ta. The quaint-looking house was built after
the custom of Patria, with glazed bricks imported from
Amsterdam. The roof was sloping, with the gable end
to the street, a fashion that struck all foreigners with
astonishment, as the English and French of the day
built their houses so that the snow that fell from the
roofs descended in avalanches into the streets, while
the Dutch built their houses so that the roofs sloped
over their own enclosures, and the drippings from them
were caught in hogsheads, and thus provided the house
31
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
wife with a constant supply of sweet soft water. The
roof was also built in steps, so that the chimneys were
accessible from the outside, and could be easily cleaned
by a small boy, who was able to climb up or down its
capacious throat, inside of which a regular series of
steps was always provided for this contingency in ad-
dition to those on the roof. A little stoep was built on the
front of the house, with commodious benches on either
side of the railing, which led to a door that opened in
half, the upper part of which was decorated with an
enormous brass knocker. This house of the Yan Cort-
landts became one of the centres of the petticoat gov-
ernment that so often controlled tlie affairs of the col-
ony and overturned the best-laid plans of its officials,
who would have scorned to acknowledge the influence
that Madame Van Cortlandt and Madame Bogartus
possessed by reason of their dominant characters and
family connections.
Not satisfied with her pleasant town-house, Madame
Van Cortlandt longed for her own farm, where, like her
friend, Madame Van Brugh, she could superintend the
various processes of pickling, preserving, spinning, and
weaving, that were so necessary for the comfort of her
family. She therefore influenced her husband to pur-
chase thirty morgens * of land on the Hudson River,
overlooking the outlet of the Kloch, at Canoe Place.
The northern boundary of the place was the Bestevaars
Killitje (Grandfather's Creek) or Minetta Water. It
* A morgen was about thirty acres.
32
Prominent Pioneer Women
was near the wagon-road to Sapocanichan, and when
purchased, March 12, 1646, was a beautiful rural retreat,
with a magnificent view of the harbor and Hudson
Kiver.
Perhaps the most enterprising of all the Dutch
colonists, male or female, was Margaret Hardenbroeck.
She had married early in life Peter Rudolphus de Vries,
and followed her husband to America, where he bought
a plantation from the West India Company, on Staten
Island, and began a settlement there. De Vries left an
account of some of his voyages from Europe to Amer-
ica, that shows him to have been an intelligent, thought-
ful man ; but he had a quick and domineering temper
and was always fighting with the Wilden, his neigh-
bors, or the authorities. As he failed to carry out the
terms of his agreement with the company and establish
a colony at his own expense, his manorial rights re-
verted to the government, and after his death his
widow sold the property and invested the money in
ships, in which she traded between the two continents,
establishing what was probably the first line of packets
that crossed the Atlantic Ocean. De Vries left an only
daughter, Eva, who married Jacobus Van Cortlandt.
During one of the first voyages that Madame Harden-
broeck made as owner of a vessel she fell in love with
one of her passengers, named Frederick Phillipse, a
young trader who was carrying a large stock of furs to
Europe. They were married in 1662.
A very interesting account of this notable Dutch
33
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
vrouw is to be found in a diary called " A Voyage to
New York," written by the Labbadist missionaries, who
came to America in search of homes for their co-
religionists. These men sailed from Holland on Sun-
day, June 25, 1679, " in a small flute ship " called the
Charles, " of which Thomas Singleton was Master, but
the superior authority over both ship and cargo was in
Margaret Filipse, who was the owner of both, and with
whom we agreed for our passage from Amsterdam to
New York, in New Netherland, at 75 guelders for
each person, payable in Holland." The ship sailed
without the owner, who overtook it in " her yacht and
came on board," says the missionary, " with her hus-
band and daughter (Eva de Vries) and a Westphalian
woman (who was a widow) and a girl, both of whom
were in Margaret's service."
The passengers suffered many hardships on the voy-
age from overcrowding, filth, and improper food, and
the missionary charged the owner of the vessel with un-
blushing avarice.
The wrath of the passengers was aroused when the
ship lay in an English port, before starting on the long
voyage across the Atlantic, when Madame Phillipse
"sold to the captain of an English ship a hogshead of
beer, for which her little daughter was honoured with
a good lump of gold and Margaret was presented with
some good apples." The passengers had nearly finished
their own provisions, as they had not foreseen and pro-
vided for the detention in the English ports, and they
34
Prominent Pioneer Women
saw before them, with dismay, the prospect of a long
voyage with little to eat, and they were indignant that
Madame Phillipse should sell any of the provender on
board of her ship (although it was her own property),
fearing that they would fall short of provisions before
they reached America.
The thrift of husband and wife enabled them to pur-
chase large tracts of land in the New Netherlands that
was subsequently " erected into a manor, with grants of
fisheries, mines, hunting, and tenorial rights," under the
English rule. This is the well-known Phillipse Manor,
where a comfortable house was erected, which now
stands in the city of Yonkers. They also owned a
house on Mana-ha-ta, near the White Hall, or gov-
ernor's mansion, and close to Madame Van Cortlandt,
on the opposite side of Brower (Stone) Street. The build-
ing now occupied by the North British and Mercantile
Insurance Company, No. 54 William Street, the corner
of Pine Street, was part of the property purchased by
Madame Phillipse, and is owned by her descendants to
this day. Madame Phillipse died about 1690, and her
husband married, within two years, the young and
handsome widow of John Duval, the daughter of his
opposite neighbor, Oloff Yan Cortlandt, and by her
had two sons and a daughter, Annekje, who, by her
marriage with Philip French, became the ancestress of
many prominent colonial women.
There were other women who were as brave and as
constant as Annekje Lockermans and who followed
35
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
their lovers to the New World. Among them was Cor-
nelia Lubbetse, a native of Amsterdam, who had fallen in
love with a son of one of the French refugee families
by the name of Johannes de Peyster, who was educated
in her native city. This young man was a merchant of
wealth and respectability, who saw an opening in the
New World for a man of his energy and integrity, and
by the advice of the Patroon Van Rensselaer, who was a
friend of the family, de Peyster determined to emigrate
and found a family in the New World.
It was with a heavy heart that he left his betrothed
in Amsterdam, but with the courage of her fellow-
citizens and the example of her girl friends before her,
Cornelia Lubbetse, under the charge of her two brothers,
followed her lover to the New Netherlands. Although
only a short time in the colony, Johannes de Peyster
had provided a comfortable home for his expected bride
in Winckel (Store) Street, which ran parallel with White-
hall, close under the shelter of the fort and leading to
the West India Company storehouse. The street has
disappeared from the maps of New York, and the
Produce Exchange probably covers the site of Johannes
de Peyster's house.
The wedding of the young couple took place Decem-
ber 17, 1651, and was a gay and noteworthy function in
the annals of the community. Their house was fur-
nished with ponderous chairs and tables imported from
Holland, and the silver service that was among their
possessions was the most beautiful in the colony. The
36
Prominent Pioneer Women
little house soon became too small to accommodate the
rapidly increasing family, and as der Heer de Peyster
was a merchant in good circumstances, he became
closely connected with the government and was called
upon by his fellow-burghers to hold many important
municipal positions. But he found that he could not
entertain his friends with the lavish hospitality that
he desired, and he therefore built a larger house on
Broad Street, above the present South William, which
was one of the most comfortable and commodious
houses on the island. Madame de Peyster was noted
for being one of the most warm-hearted and hospitable
women, who exercised an unbounded influence over
her husband and children. The eldest son, der Heer
Abraham de Peyster, became a prominent citizen, while
her beautiful daughters, Maria and Cornelia, attracted
attention from every marriageable man in the colony.
The elder married three times, but the younger sister
(whose lover was killed by the savages) refused all
offers, and was one of the few women of the com-
munity who died unmarried. The husband of Cath-
arine de Boorgh was William Beekman ; he was born
at Hasselt, Germany, in 1623, and came to America in
1647, in the same ship with Governor Stuyvesant, who
was accompanied by his devoted wife and widowed
sister. The tedious voyage cemented a life-long inti-
macy between the two families. Beekman was a quiet,
wise, prudent man, whose opinions soon obtained great
weight in the colony, and he was called upon to act as
37
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
its lieutenant-governor and also as "governor of the
Swedes colony on the South (Delaware) River." Gov-
ernor Beekman bought what was known as " Corlear
Hoeck " from its original owner, Jacob Corlear, the city
trumpeter, and he also purchased a country seat on the
East River, over Cripplebush Swamp, the site of which
is still commemorated by the name of Beekman Street.
IV
The First Settlement on Mana-ha-ta
The Wilden's Castle Canoe Place Kloch-Hoeck Indian Industries-
Wampum and Sewant Oyster-shells and Lime The First Tide-
mill The Catiemuts Windmill Negro Cemetery Earthen-ware
Windmill Sails as Signals Flax and its Preparation Der Halle
Weather Predictions Iphetonga The Great Dock The First Ex-
change Imported Cattle The " Tea-water Pump."
r I ^HE first settlers perched their huts on the tip end
1 of Mana-ha-ta, just where the river that they
named the Hudson joined the waters of the estuary
they called the East Kiver, and they imagined that
they were in a safe and advantageous situation, as they
did not realize that the natives could use the rivers as
highways, as well as themselves. The tribe of Wilden,
from whom the locality inherited its name of Mana-
ha-ta, were too wary to live on an exposed situation like
the pile of rocks selected by the Dutch, which was
washed by two rivers and easily approached by the
canoes of neighboring tribes, and had placed their chief
castle on a hill called Catiemuts, which overlooked a
charming little fresh-water lake that was surrounded by
high lands and shrouded in a forest of locust and nut
39
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
trees, about two miles from the south end of the island
and well-sheltered from surprise by hostile tribes.
What was afterward named Mt. Pleasant or Bunker
Hill lay to the south, while Cowfoot Hill overlooked
the sheet of water from the northern side. The outlet
of this lake emptied into the Hudson River. It was a
deep, slow-running stream, and flowed westward, about
on the line of Canal Street ; and the great war-canoes
of the Indians were kept close under the shelter of its
banks, near the river, and from this circumstance it re-
ceived the name of Canoe Place. The lake was limpid,
sparkling, and deep, with tiny bays and inlets, and great
trees hanging over its banks, through whose gnarled
and twisted roots trout and other fish darted back and
forth.
To add to the beauties of the lake there was a well-
wooded island, nearly in its centre, which afforded a safe
retreat for the children and squaws in time of war, and
in after years was used as a hiding-place for the con-
tents of the Hall of Records, as the colonial govern-
ment, during the war of 1728, believed it to be a safe
place of concealment. The city powder-house was also
erected here where it was protected by the natural envi-
ronments. The lake stretched to the southeast and
lost itself in a swamp that was infested by mosquitoes.
The island was particularly used by the Indians as a
fish-drying encampment, as on it there was little danger
of the preserves being stolen by marauding savages or
thieving animals.
40
The First Settlement on Mana-ha-ta
The Mana-ha-tas were industrious and the most
wealthy of any of the river-tribes. One source of their
riches was the money manufactured by the squaws, with
infinite patience and diligence, from the blue part of the
clam-shells, which was broken into bits and punctured
with holes ; this was called sewant, and was more val-
uable than wampum, which was the twisted end of the
periwinkle-shell. The two " shells " were strung on grass,
hair, or hemp, and braided into "belts" and served as
currency. As the manufacture of money from shells
was confined to the sea-coast, the Mana-ha-tas and their
tributary tribes on Sewan-ha-ka (the Island of Shells)
and the Baritans, Hoboken-Hackingach, etc., on the
western side of the Hudson, were the richest red men
on the continent.
Coining was not the only source of the Mana-ha-tas'
wealth, however. The fish that came into the waters
surrounding this island at stated seasons of the year,
gave the tribe occupation and a steady income. Quan-
tities of fish were captured in nets by the men, who gen-
erally fished together and owned shares in the nets,
canoes, etc., and these spoils were consigned to the
squaws, who spread the flesh, roes, and entrails on
bark, or hung them on poles, to be sun-scorched. The
Mana-ha-tas were celebrated for their dexterity in pre-
serving fish, and this delicacy they bartered with the
inland tribes, who were dependent on such food in win-
ter, and unable to prepare it for themselves. Shad,
cod, herring, and sturgeon were the principal dainties
41
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
preserved for winter consumption, but oysters and clams
were the favorite dish of the Wilden, and were prized
most highly, not only for their shells but for their
flesh, which was strung on reeds and sea-grass and
dried with the fish.
The site of the Mana-ha-ta village was called by the
Dutch Kloch-Hoeck, or Shell Point, from the quantities
of bits of clam and oyster shells heaped near the
encampment, that had been discarded as worthless by
the squaws, who were greatly astonished to find they
were still valuable, after their own money had been
made from them. The thrifty Dutchmen soon con-
verted the shells into lime, with which they plastered
the inside and exterior of their houses, much pleased at
getting it so readily and cheaply. The lavish use of
this shell-lime was, however, as speedily discarded as
it had been adopted, as it was found to act in a very
peculiar way. Two or three days before a storm, the
walls would exude great drops of moisture, and thus
became almost as good as a hygrometer to the in-
mates. This absorbent quality of the shell-lime made
the houses so unbearably damp, both winter and
summer, that after a few years' trial its use was aban-
doned.
The name of Kloch finally became identified with the
lake itself, and was corrupted into the word Collect,
by which name this lovely sheet of water was called,
until it was filled in, by throwing into it the greater
part of the neighboring hill of Catiemuts ; streets,
4?
The First Settlement on Mana-ha-ta
parks, and houses now cover its site. The Mana-ha-
tas soon disappeared before the inroads of civilization ;
the tribe was partly absorbed into the Dutch settlement
and partly distributed among the neighboring bands of
Wilden, and the site of their castle and village was
appropriated by the new-comers.
A tide-mill was erected at Canoe Place, the wheel
of which was undershot, and worked by the rising
and falling tide, much to the bewilderment of the sav-
ages, who imputed its movement to Manitou, the great
spirit.
The Dutch placed a windmill on Catiemuts, over-
looking the Collect, beside the road that led north and
was called the Boston Highway, on the line of Will-
iam Street. The negro burying-ground was here, as
it was convenient to cut holes in the side of the hill
and poke the bodies into the shallow graves ; and in
later years a kiln for baking earthen-ware, of the soil
found hard by, was built close to this lake.
The finest and the fattest fish were always to be
caught in the " race " between the mill and the lake, and
Indian and Dutch urchins who had succeeded in play-
ing " hoekies " from school, would sociably congregate
side by side on its banks and angle successfully with
home-manufactured hooks, made of birds' -claws, locust-
thorns, or chicken-bones, and the girls would swim or
paddle in the water in summer, or follow their brothers
over the ice in winter, on their home-made " sluys," or
beef -bone skates.
43
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
The lake was popularly reported to be fathomless,
but it was successfully drained and filled in about the
end of the eighteenth century, to the disgrace of the
greedy municipal authorities, who wantonly destroyed
one of the most beautiful features of the island, which
was filled with historic reminiscences and memories of
the aborigines. Its locality may still be traced under the
city courts and prison, and Baxter, White, Elm, Duane,
and Park Streets cross and recross it. The head- waters
were in Leonard Street, and the main spring is in the
cellar of a house close to the beautiful building of the
New York Life Insurance Company, which is situated
about on the site of the old Indian fort on the Catiemuts
hill.
Some traveller has called New York the city of hills.
This was no uncalled-for cognomen, as the land rose
and fell all along the centre of the island, forming an
almost continuous ridge, that sloped gently on either
side to the Hudson and East Rivers. Little brooks
trickled down their sides, and great trees covered them
and made bosky shelters for foxes, deer, wolves, bears,
and other game, all of which were found on the island
of Mana-ha-ta up to the middle of the eighteenth cen-
tury.
The Dutch settlers perched their windmills on so
many of the hill-tops that they formed a prominent
feature of the landscape. They had been among the
first edifices erected after the arrival of the Dutch on
the western continent, as the Hollanders, true to their
44
The First Settlement on Mana-ha-ta
time-honored customs, always made every arrangement
to make themselves independent of outside assistance,
and by their prudence and foresight provided for every
emergency within their own borders.
The first town-mill was built on a high hill between
Liberty and Cortlandt Streets. It was hastily con-
structed, and the original building was soon blown
away, and a new and more substantial one substituted
in 1662, which remained as a landmark for nearly a
century. "When the sails of the mill were not twirling
around with the wind, to grind the corn in the hopper,
they were sometimes used as signals, and a code was
established that was easily understood by those who
held the key. To announce an invasion from hostile
foes the sails could be set square, one arm pointing to
the sky, and the opposite one to the earth. The sails
set in this way, with the upper half of the mill door
open, was another signal ; the sails half-clothed and set
askew, was a third, and the combinations were more
varied and conveyed more information than the unin-
itiated would credit. A code of signals established
between Gardiner's Island and the mainland is still in
existence at the manor house.
The island of Mana-ha-ta was endowed with many
rills and streams, and there was a particularly fresh
and sparkling rill (as the Dutch called it) which was
closer to their hamlet than that of the Kloch. This
little brook was speedily appropriated by the women of
the settlement, as its waters were claimed to have espe-
45
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
cial virtues. It was usually filled with flax-stalks, which
were tied in bundles and thrown into it to soak and
soften, so that they could be prepared for the domestic
distaff, which the women who first settled Mana-ha-ta
used instead of the spinning-wheel, as they clung to
the traditional mode of manufacture of linen thread,
looking askance at the then novel invention of the
wheel.
The hill-side that sloped toward the deep, clear
spring which was the head-waters of the rill, was covered
with fine grass especially suited for a bleaching-ground.
It was called " De claver Waytie," and as soon as the
Dutch settlement was firmly established, merry parties
of young girls flocked to it daily, to soak their flax or
spread their rolls of linen to bleach on the clover-patch,
and they wore a narrow winding path for themselves,
which was dubbed " T'Maadge Paatje " and is known to-
day as Maiden Lane.
A very large, handsome, wide-spreading elm-tree
grew on the corner of Wall and Broad Streets. Its
drooping limbs sheltered a favorite tavern named " Der
Halle." The huge bole of the famous tree could only
be spanned by six men with arms outstretched, and it
was encircled by rustic benches, before which were
placed tables. Under the shade of " der groot " tree
all the Dutch worthies would gather on a summer
afternoon, after their mid-day meal, and there they
would sit and dreamily puff at their long-stemmed
pipes and lazily watch the passers-by. These old
46
The First Settlement on Mana-ha-ta
Dutchmen were " weather-wise," in their own conceit,
and, by constantly studying the clouds and sky, could
generally predict a coming storm when they saw fleecy
little clouds gather in the sky like a flock of sheep and
roll toward the wisps of thin vapor that always ap-
peared at the same time, and the clouds looked as if
they were the famous flock that belonged to Bo-Peep
and were in search of their discarded tails. The Dutch
called these clouds " mackerel and mares' tails." When
after a storm the heavy clouds broke and parted, they
would say : "It will clear if there is enough blue
sky to make a Dutchman a pair of breeches." On a
hot summer afternoon, if the thunder-clouds banked
up black and threatening behind the " Great Kocks of
Wiehocken," on the Hudson River, opposite the little
burgh, the Dutch worthies would sit calmly under
their beloved tree and declare that the storm would not
sweep their way, unless " it came up against the wind,"
and not even then if the tide was running out strongly
in the Hackensack River, on the western side of the
Wiehocken Cliff, for they knew that the " Great Rocks "
would catch the storm and hurl it backward, to be
attracted by the river, and by some mysterious means
(supposed by the burghers to be supernatural, and not
unconnected with departed Indian spirits) the storm
would be carried to sea and the muttering thunder-
clouds would roll away, leaving Mana-ha-ta undisturbed.
With these and other old-time theories the burgo-
masters and schepen of the town, and those who had
47
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
the " Burgher reicht," amused themselves, when clus-
tered in their cosey nook, under the shade of " der
groot " tree, from which nearly every movement in the
burgh could be watched.
This spot was dedicated to the business of the place,
and has ever since been its centre. Seated in front of
" Der Halle," the pipe-puffing worthies could watch the
comely Dutch farm-women, who, in close-fitting caps,
without hats or bonnets, and invariably in couples,
would row across the East River from under the Iphe-
tonga Cliff (as the Wilden called the high sandy bank
on the opposite shore of Long Island). The farm prod-
uce was piled in the stern of the flat-bottomed, un-
wieldy " battoe," with perhaps a sturdy urchin perched
in the bow, with a fat porker squeaking at his feet ;
and the two women would steadily row against tide
or wind and deftly guide their " scow " to the ferry land-
ing.
The market-place on the Strand was hard by this
favorite tavern, and to the north, in the foreground,
could be seen a tiny, crescent-shaped fort called a
Rondel, which was part of the town's defence against
invaders. The Exchange could be reached in a moment
by the worthies under " der groot " tree, as it was directly
in front of them and was only an open space used as a
convenient meeting-place, where merchants could con-
gregate to barter and sell their goods.
The pride of the burgher's heart, and his chief remi-
niscence of the beloved Patria, with its watery highways,
48
The First Settlement on Mana-ha-ta
canals, dykes, and vlys, was the great dock, which was
one of the first improvements made by the Dutch, very
soon after the settlement of the colony, and which lay in
front of the Stadt-Huys. Beyond the dock was a covered
bridge, crossing the " Graft," as the ditch was called,
that flowed through what is now Broad Street and
emptied into the great dock. This bridge was on the
site of the present Exchange Place, and on it the mer-
chants congregated daily, and would lean on its wooden
railings while haggling over their sales. The site had
been carelessly chosen, simply on account of its con-
venient position, which was close to the official build-
ings of the burgh, as well as to the great scales and the
shipping ; and as early in the history of the colony as
March, 1670, the governor and council saw its im-
portance, and therefore decreed that the spot should be
recognized as an official mart or exchange, " after the
manner of Patria," and ordered that regular meetings
should be held there every Friday morning between
eleven and twelve o'clock.
But although the bridge was such a favorite and con-
venient rally ing-place for the merchants, it was a dan-
gerous spot on which to linger on a cold winter's day,
when the ground was covered with snow and ice, as a
steep hill rose above it, and down its slippery sides the
children of the burgh delighted to slide, and more than
one staid burgher, standing on the bridge, and quite un-
conscious of his danger, was knocked off his sturdy legs
into the Graft by a terrified youngster, whose " sluy " had
49
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
run away with him when coasting " belyguthers " clown
the steep sides and around the sharp turns of Flaten-
barack hill. To prevent such mischances, the governor
issued a decree and commanded the city watch to
" prevent and forbid " sliding or coasting down the hill
when the exchange was in session. At other times the
children were free to do as they pleased, and the mer-
chants might look out for themselves.
The ferry to Long Island lay a little north of the
Exchange and yet partly in view of the patrons of "Der
Halle," and a blacksmith's forgo was established at tlie
top of the bank overlooking the landing-stage. It was
owned by Cornelius Clopper, and the spot was known
as "De Smits Ylye." It was a convenient stopping-
place for teams crossing from one island to the other ;
although when Mana-ha-ta was first settled it was not
the custom to shoe horses or provide the wheels of the
carts with tires.
The burghers who were seated around " der groot " tree
always considered it the crowning pleasure of their tran-
quil afternoon, to watch their cattle slowly wend their
way homeward at sunset from the common, on which
they had been grazing all day under the charge of the
licensed town-herdsman, Gabriel Carpsey. The herd was
collected at sunrise by the official guardian, who blew a
few melodious notes on a twisted cow's horn fitted with
a mouth-piece, which he wore suspended by a green
cord across his shoulders; and this horn served as a
recognized badge of office. The old herdsman was a
50
The First Settlement on Mana-ha-ta
quaint figure, with his steeple-crowned hat and long
staff, as he shuffled along in his low-heeled shoes, brass
buckles, and gray stockings, preceded by the sleek
kine, who seemed indifferent to his presence but who
obeyed the lowest notes of the horn, and seemed to
recognize the different calls that Carpsey blew to direct
their movements.
The " Ylacke " to which the cows were driven was
the property of the burgh and set aside as the grazing-
ground, for the use of its inhabitants, and covers the site
of the common, or City Hall Park, and was beyond the
palisades or city wall.
" De Schaape Way tie," or sheep's pasture, was the
common now covered by Broad Street, above Exchange
Place. The official guardians of this flock were Claes
Groen and Pieter Lieresen, who herded the sheep and
goats of the community at one guilden per head a year.
All the animals in the town were officially examined
annually, and branded, and the signs and marks were
recorded in a book kept for the purpose.
The West India Company imported cattle in the first
ship that arrived at Mana-ha-ta with the first emigrants
who were sent under the auspices of the company,
which was in April, 1625, when one hundred and three
head arrived at the " Plantation." Stallions, mares,
bulls, cows, sheep, etc., were carefully selected in Holland,
with a view " to their breeding and multiplying." The
increase of the herd were rented, on June 20, 1640, to
various settlers, and the lease of fifteen cows, eight
51
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
mares, and two stallions was duly recorded in the official
register. The breed was, however, a poor one, and the
animals small and weak, but they increased so rapidly
that at one time they threatened to become a nuisance
to the settlers. The Dutch traders pitched their tents
on Capsey's rocks, without duly considering the im-
portant question of drinking-water. There were a few
springs at the end of the island, but the water was
brackish and, as the community grew in size, the supply
was insufficient for their needs. There w r ere wells inside
of the fort, and others in neighboring localities that
belonged to private individuals. The water was not
sweet, and the vrouws complained that " it furred inside
of their kettles," and the cattle sometimes refused to
drink it. It was several years after the settlement of
the island before sweet and wholesome water was found
about Chambers Street, and this well fortunately af-
forded an unlimited supply. It was called the " tea-
water pump," and servants were sent to it daily to fetch
water for the evening brew for the good vrouw's tea- table.
Pedlers also carried the water from house to house in
pails suspended from yokes hung around their necks,
or in barrels called "ankers," that were hung on
wheels, to which dogs were hitched and driven through
the streets.
Later a city ordinance was put in force by Governor
Stuyvesant to prevent hogs running through the streets,
"as they rooted up the wall of the fort." The disposi-
tion of swill and garbage became a serious question with
52
The First Settlement on Mana-ha-ta
householders, and the dog-carts were called into play
again, and were driven from door to door to collect the
refuse from each house. This industry continued until
about 1870, when a city ordinance prohibited the use of
dogs for carting purposes.
S3
Homes of the Settlers
Birth and Christening Customs Caudle-parties Christening-gifts
Izer-cookies Folk-lore Lullabies and Fireside Tales The Aan-
spreecker Pall-bearers and their Presents Funeral and Marriage
Ceremonies Brides and their Quaint Costumes Dress.
THE manners and customs of the first settlers of
Mana-ha-ta were naturally founded upon those of
Patria, and they were piously observed and closely fol-
lowed by the expatriated ladies, who cherished the tra-
ditions of their forefathers and despised all innovations.
Among the most solemnly observed of the household
ceremonies were those attending the birth of a child,
and each time-honored custom was followed with un-
deviating regularity. The infant was wrapped in swad-
dling-clothes and put into an elaborately embroidered
pocket, which was trimmed with frills of ribbon, the
color of which indicated the sex of the child. A tiny
ruffled cap confined its ears closely to its head, and the
baby was wrapped so tightly in its bands that it could
move neither hand nor foot, and was laid in a cradle, or
hung suspended from a nail in the wall, without fear of its
stirring from any position in which it might be placed.
54
Homes of the Settlers
The birth of an infant was announced to the neigh-
bors by hanging an elaborately trimmed pin-cushion on
the knocker of the front door, the color of which denoted
the sex, blue indicating a boy and white a girl. This
cushion was usually provided by the grandmother, and
was generally made of such handsome materials that it
was handed down as an heirloom from one generation
to another, to serve for similar occasions. In families
where this was the custom, the name and birthday
of each child (whose arrival it had heralded) were
elaborately embroidered on either white or blue rib-
bons and sewn to the cushion, so that this peculiar
fashion became the birth-record kept by the women of
the family, while the head of the house kept a record of
the name, age, sex, and god-parents of his child in his
family Bible, which each householder possessed. The
church registers were also carefully kept, and those
of the Dutch and French congregations are accurate
chronicles of the day.
A very formal ceremony followed the birth and bap-
tism of a child, and this was the grand reception held
by the proud mother as soon as she was strong enough
to see her female friends. Elaborate preparations were
always made for these caudle -parties, as they were
called, and " achterlingen," cookies, krullers, and " oly
koecks " were provided for the feast. The first of these
cakes is a sweetened bread, cut in slices and dried, and
is sometimes called rusk. The last-named delicacy
is often called a dough-nut, which is a base imitation
55
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
of the true " oly koeck," that always had a iiut or a
raisin embedded in its centre, which added greatly to its
flavor.
The particular dainty that was the inseparable accom-
paniment of the reception, and gave it the name, was the
drink that was brewed and served piping-hot to the vis-
itors. It was called caudle, and its concoction was
a secret carefully preserved in certain families, who al-
ways prepared it and sent it to the house of " the lady
in the straw " as an especial mark of their favor. A
family receipt that has been handed down from mother
to daughter, through the descendants of Cornelia Lub-
betse (Mrs. Johannes de Peyster) calls for three gallons
of water, seven pounds of sugar, oatmeal by the pound,
spice, raisins, and lemons by the quart, and two gallons
of the very best Madeira wine.
Such a rich compound was seductive to the last de-
gree, and the good ladies would sip and gossip, and nod
their capped heads together over it with great enjoy-
ment. Caudle was always served in huge silver bowls,
around which were hung quaint little spoons, so that
each guest might ladle out a portion for herself into
the tiny china cups when she was handed the bowl
by the servants, and dip out a fat raisin or bit of citron
to flavor her " dish of caudle."
The spoons that hung around the bowls were often
gifts to the baby from its god-parents. This bowl was
round, and had some scriptural scene stamped on it, and
about its edge were engraved the name and birthday of
56
Homes of the Settlers
the child. The handle was short, curved, and sharply
crooked on the end, so that it could be hung on the
outside f the caudle-bowl, and it was generally orna-
mented by a heart, on which was perched a beautifully
modelled little bird, which in heraldic parlance is termed
"acockcantant," that is, with head uplifted and open
beak. Why this peculiar emblem was selected to
adorn a christening-gift, is not apparent. It is true
that it was symbolic of St. Peter, but the connection
with a baptismal ceremony cannot be inducted. The
cock was a favorite emblem with the ancients on ac-
count of its courage and endurance, and Pliny devotes
some sonorous and well-rounded sentences in praise of
" its proud, commanding gait and stately stride," and
wrote that "a cock, with his curved and graceful tail,
inspired terror even in the lion himself, that most
intrepid animal." The emblem may have been selected
in order to inspirit the infant, and encourage it to be
brave, although the parents could scarcely have desired
that it should emulate the noise of the emblematic
"cock cantant." There are many of these spoons to be
found among the descendants of the Dutch settlers, and
the caudle-party is not obsolete, and is still held by
members of old New York families.
There was another dainty that always accompanied the
caudle. These were "izer-cookies," which were tooth-
some cakes, made of pastry, and put into an " izer " and
squeezed flat, and then pushed into hot ashes and
baked. The receipt of the Dutch vrouws for these
57
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
cookies was copied in various localities, but, strange to
say, the cake received a new name in each place. In
New Jersey they were called split-cakes, in Philadel-
phia squeeze-cakes, and among the English settlers
in New York they became known as wafers or hard
waffles.
The izer, or wafer-irons, were favorite wedding-
presents, and were often decorated with the coat-of-
arms of the groom, together with his initials and those
of his bride, and the date of their marriage. The izer
consisted of two iron plates, each one about eighteen
inches in circumference, and fitting exactly into each oth-
er, and two long handles hinged them together. The
carving on the inside of the plates was pressed into
the dough, which when baked had the design printed on
the cake. A " Social History of Flatbush " records an
advertisement in a local paper of March 16, 1772,
which shows how universal was the use of these irons.
The notice was as follows :
" Hard and soft waffle-irons for sale by Peter Goelet,
at the Golden Key, Hanover Square, New York."
The care of the baby never devolved upon a servant ;
the Dutch ladies set a good example to the women of
their day by nursing and tending their own children,
who grew up straight, strong, handsome lads and lasses
who loved their mothers beyond everything.
The tender " mutter " found time, amid the countless
occupations of the day, to croon over her little ones,
and sing them the ditties learned at her own mother's
58
Homes of the Settlers
knee. The favorite song was one that is still fondly
remembered, and is as follows :
V-
" Trip a trop a tronjes,
De varken in de boonjes,
De koejes in de klaver,
De paaden in de haver,
De eenjes in de water plass,
De klaf in de long grass,
So goot mine kinder popetje was ; "
which may be freely translated as follows :
From your throne on ray knee,
The pigs in the bean-patch see,
The cows in the clover meet,
The horses in the oat-field eat,
The ducks in the water pass,
The calves scamper through the grass,
They love the baby on my knee,
And none there are as sweet as she.
There was another favorite ditty of the day which
has been orally handed down to the present generation,
and may have become slightly altered from the original.
It was
"Dwnr zat een aapje op-een stokje,
Achter myn moeders keuken deur,
Hy had een gaatje ie syn rokje,
Duur stok dat schelmje syn kopje deur ; "
which means that "a tiny ape sat on a stool behind
my mother's kitchen door ; he made a hole in his little
59
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
jacket through which the rogue pokes his head." The
rest of the jingle has become so confused that the
Dutch words are jumbled inextricably together and
defy spelling or translation.
But if the mother sang her lullabies to her babies the
father was by no means silent and had his own folk-
lore to teach to his children, who would sit beside him
on the stoop during the long summer evenings, or cling
to him lovingly on the settee in front of the wide-
throated fireplace in winter. These great chimneys
were characteristic of Patria. The sides were finished
with pink, blue, or purple tiles, on which were painted
quaintly dressed figures, over which was the number of
a text which was the key to the scriptural subjects
represented. The Good Samaritan, Balaam's Ass, and
Lazarus were favorite pictures. Sunday evening was
always devoted to singing hymns and reading the
church catechism, after which the father would take one
of the pictures on the tiles as a theme for a little
biblical instruction, and no well-brought-up Dutch
maiden or urchin could have been shaken in their belief
in the legendary whale that swallowed the prophet
Jonah. Even though in after life they could find no
authority for the whale, when they searched the Script-
ures for themselves, the graphic scene of the spouting
fish was too firmly impressed on their minds to allow
them to fancy that any other monster was capable of
performing the miracle. Theatrical performances were
unknown in the colonies, and a dramatic exhibition,
60
Homes of the Settlers
after the manner of the Italian Punch-and-Judy, was
the nearest approach that the children of the early
Dutch settlers ever caine to seeing a play. This was
also a fireside pastime and was only enacted as a great
treat. It was rendered by the father of the family,
whose broad-tipped, spatulated fingers were decorated
with eyes, nose, and mouth, painted on the ends with
red pokeberry juice, which served the first settlers in
place of ink. The thumb of the left hand was wrapped
in a kerchief to make it look like an old lady in a cap,
and the play began. It had three performers
A Dame. The thumb.
A Friar. The middle finger.
A Maid-servant. The little finger.
Dame Thumb was supposed to be seated in her best
parlor, cap on head and " specs " on nose, and a visiting
Friar was supposed to be standing on the stoop outside
the front door, which was formed by the ring and fore-
fingers that touched their tips together in front of the
Friar, who opened the ceremonies by rapping on the
fingers before him, and the parts of the three dramatis
personce were rendered in different tones of voice. The
Friar gave his part in a deep growl, the Dame delivered
hers with a simpering lisp, and the little Maid-servant
squeaked her words out in a high nasal key. The play
began with the rapping of the Friar on the knocker, and
the father would say, in a deep sonorous voice :
" Tap, tap at the door ! "
61
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
This call was answered in a small wee voice, as if by
the little Maid :
Servant " Somebody knocks, mam ! somebody knocks ! "
Dame " See who it is ; see who it is."
Servant " Who's at the door, there ? who's at the door ? "
Friar " A friar ; a friar ! "
Servant " A friar, good dame ; a friar, good dame! "
Dame " See what he wants ; see what he wants."
Servant "What do you want, sir; what do you want?"
Friar " I want to come in ; I want to come in."
Servant " He wants to come in, dame ; he wants to come in."
Dame " Bid him come in, then ; bid him come in."
Servant "You may come in, sir ! you may come in ! "
Friar " Thank you, good dame ; " and so he popped in.
This was done by ducking the middle finger tinder
the tips of the ones in front, as if passing through a
doorway, and this denouement was always anxiously
looked for by the youngsters, and the tiny act raptur-
ously applauded.
There was another finger-play that was reserved en-
tirely for little children, and a well-brought-up Dutch
baby would consider itself defrauded of its rights if it
were put into the cradle without having its own baby-
entertainment, which consisted in twisting and turning
a hand back and forth before its face, keeping time to
a droning tune, and the following words, which are ren-
dered phonetically just as they have been transmitted
from generation to generation, without an idea of their
62
Homes of the Settlers
meaning beyond their having some connection with hot
buttered waffles :
"Ter roorches, ter roorches,
She Marneche bucleche, borche
Ter roorches, ter roorches,
As me mither le waffles she boxes,
De butter la door de groches,
Ter roorches, ter roorches
She mameche buckle che boo."
The lullaby is still sung by the descendants of the
first Dutch settlers.
The funeral services of the day were lengthy, solemn
functions attended only by men, and the grief of the
mourners seems to have been exhausted by the attend-
ant ceremonies, judging by the celerity with which all
widows and widowers remarried during the early colo-
nial days.
A death was usually announced by the slow tolling
of a bell, which struck a number of times to correspond
with the age of the departed. The professional con-
ductor of ceremonies was a duly licensed official and
was called an " aanspreecker ; " he went the rounds from
house to house, dressed in a long black coat and mantle,
and carrying a watchman's staff, which he struck loudly
on the ground as he walked. His hat was decorated with
heavy folds of black stuff, that fell down his back nearly
to his heels. His duty was to inform each member of
the family of the death of their relative, and invite them
63
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha ta
to the funeral, which generally took place three or four
days after the death. The aanspreecker superintended
this important and often very expensive ceremony,
when the friends and relatives met at the house of the
deceased, where he received and ushered them into the
different rooms set apart for the reception. The best
parlor was seldom opened or used except for funerals,
and was furnished with quaint high -backed chairs, with
rush bottoms. These were called the " dead chairs."
After a few prayers, the procession was marshalled,
and twelve of the most distinguished men of the
town were selected to bear the coffin to the burying-
ground. A black cloth, with heavy tassels, called a
" dood kleed," was thrown over it. This pall was owned
by the church, which always had two or more ; the
worst one being loaned to the poorer members of the
congregation, while the newest one was reserved for the
funerals of the distinguished members of the com-
munity.
The twelve pall-bearers literally carried the coffin
from the house to the grave. They were distinguished
by small white cushions, that were put on the shoulder
and held in place by bands that passed across the back
and chest, and fastened under the opposite arm. This
was the origin of the pall-bearers' scarfs, a custom that
has survived to the present time.
After the interment, the procession returned to the
house in the order in which it had gone, and cakes,
spiced wine, pipes, and tobacco were liberally distrib-
64
Homes of the Settlers
uted, and the assembly was often the occasion of more
festivity than was decorous under the circumstances.
"Containing lots of fun,
Like mourning-coaches when the funeral's done."
At some funerals, a spoon was given to each of the
pall-bearers, as commemorative of the occasion. The
handle terminated in what was popularly called a
"monkey," and the spoons were called "monkey
spoons." The figure was probably intended for one
of the Twelve Apostles, but was so crudely executed
that it resembled an animal more closely than it did
a man.
A " mourning-ring " was usually presented to all the
female relations, and inside the circle was inscribed the
age, name, and date of death of the deceased ; or else
they received a tiny brooch, made of a rim of gold hold-
ing in place a little glass lid surrounded with pearls and
enclosing a tiny snip of hair. These rings and brooches
were always worn conspicuously by the relatives and
were most grewsome ornaments.
A widow usually bound a piece of velvet ribbon
around her head, in front of the cap, and pinned the
ends with the mourning-brooch commemorative of her
husband's death and her own loss.
Catilina de Peyster's funeral was said to be peculiarly
"edifying and solemn." Six young ladies were re-
quested to attend as pall-bearers, who were dressed in
white sarcenet jackets and petticoats, with their heads
65
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
uncovered and their hair powdered and done up with
white ribbon. The funeral attracted great attention, as
it was unusual for women to attend them, and when the
procession started from Mr. de Peyster's house in King
Street, headed by the six young ladies and followed by
the white coffin, over which a white embroidered pall
was thrown, the w r hole city hurried out to watch it
march up to Trinity Church. The following Sunday
Dr. Vesey preached a funeral sermon, and all the young
damsels who had officiated as pall-bearers sat together
in a front pew in the church, close to the parents of the
dead girl.
Marriages were merry festivals. The groom w r as
required by law to take out a license, and for many
years it w r as only possible to obtain one at Albany,
Esopus, or Mana-ha-ta. The official records, there-
fore, of these three places are pretty accurate family
histories of the Dutch settlers. The marriage-cere-
mony, or " iuzegeening," was usually performed at the
house of the bride's parents, and all the friends and re-
lations gathered to witness it and enjoy the feast that
followed.
Among the lower classes much rough play was in-
dulged in, and the bridegroom's house was sometimes
mischievously decorated with May-poles propped in
front of his door, on which were hung ragged stockings,
and they were not removed until he paid his tormentors
to carry them away.
It was customary to have a poor-box conspicuously
66
Homes of the Settlers
displayed before the door of the bride, and the guests
and passers-by were expected to contribute to it, and
sometimes a goodly sum was collected.
On one occasion, money was solicited for building a
church, and enough was subscribed to erect the Dutch
Church. Some of the guests tried to evade payment of
the money, declaring their signatures to the document
had been obtained " when in their cups," and that the
dominie had rilled in the sums opposite their names ;
but the excuse availed them nothing, and they were
obliged to pay the full sum recorded against them.
One of the first newspapers published in New York
contains the following verses :
"A Receipt for all young Ladies that are going to be married,' 1
to make a
SACK POSSET.
" From famed Barbadoes on the Western Main,
Fetch sugar half a pound, fetch Sack from Spain
A pint ; and from the Eastern Indian coast
Nutmeg, the glory of our Northern toast ;
O'er flaming coals together let them heat,
' Till the all-conquoring Sack dissolves the sweet.
O'er such another fire let eggs, twice ten,
New-born from foot of Cock and rump of hen ;
Stir them with steady hand, and conscience pricking,
To see the untimely fate of twenty chickens ;
From shining shelf take down your brazen Skillet :
A quart of milk from gentle cow will fill it ;
When boiled and cooled put milk and Sack to egg,
Unite them firmly, like the Triple League ;
67
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
Then covered close, together let them dwell
'Till Miss twice sings, ' You Must Not Kiss and Tell.'
Each lad and lass snatch up their murderous spoon,
And fall on fiercely like a starved Dragoon."
The dress of the bride was a peculiar one. She
always wore as many petticoats as she could carry^
as these were a part of her dower and a sign of pros-
perity, but sometimes a bride would appear scantily
clothed, and with "a shift" over her dress. This was
in the case of a widow whose first husband had left
debts that she had been unable to discharge, and she
was married the second time in this curious apparel,
so as to signify that she went penniless into her hus-
band's hands, and he accepted her without dower, and
was not to be held responsible for his predecessor's lia-
bilities. The minister of the parish when entering the
marriage in der Trouw Boeck, would place in the mar-
gin some such notice as the following : "In the presence
of A. B. C., etc., was Rachel Pier, with her chemise over
her clothes, married to Albert Hendrickse Ploeg, by me
Dominie Micella, April 30, 1699."
A maiden bride wore a peculiarly shaped crown, that
was generally an heirloom in the family and kept for
such occasions. It was sometimes of metal, and adorned
with precious stones 3 but more usually was of paste-
board covered with silk, handsomely embroidered in
gold and silver. The bride's women also wore an em-
blematic head-gear. They were not often maidens, but
68
Homes of the Settlers
were matrons, who admonished the bride and taught
her the various duties to be performed during the ser-
vices, and had general charge of the ceremonies.
The staid burghers of Mana-ha-ta were visited in the
council-room, December 17, 1658, by an irate woman
by the name of Madame Abraham Yosbochs, from whom
Annekje Leevens, the wife of Goosen Gerritse Yan
Schaick, had borrowed two coronets, one for herself and
one for Maria Wesselsen, which had not been returned
after they had been worn by the bride's women at a
marriage-ceremony. The council passed an order, re-
quiring Mesdames Yan Schaick and Wesselsen " to make
restitution of the same."
Sumptuary laws regarding dress were not required in
the colony, but there was an unwritten law that was
obeyed without hesitation. Each official had his dis-
tinctive costume. The maiden's hair was not covered
by the matron's coif. Laborers wore a dress that did
not impede them in their work. They never wore long
coats those were reserved for the upper classes ; but
every workman and craftsman donned long leathern
aprons, both in the house and in the street. One corner
of it was invariably tucked under the belt when the
wearer was not working, but otherwise it fell nearly to
his feet. The leather was often dyed red with the bark
of the chestnut or oak tree.
The peasantry pushed their hair straight back, and
covered it with a close-fitting cap. The usual dress was
" a short gown and petticoat," and it was the pride of the
69
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
thrifty housewife to have spun and woven the stuff for
these skirts herself. They were generally of linsey-
woolsey of the natural gray color, but were sometimes
dyed blue with a mixture of red-maple bark and cop-
peras, or the stuff was colored red with alder-bark.
These dyes had been taught to the Dutch women by
the squaws. By these distinctive dresses each class
could be distinguished. Even the crafts could be noted,
and the married women were recognized at a glance
from the maidens.
From the side of the matron always hung a chate-
laine, sometimes of gold and handsomely ornamented,
but more frequently of brass with steel chains, from which
dangled keys, scissors, pin-cushions, and a tiny case
called a house-wife (and pronounced hussuf), containing
thimble, needles, and bodkin. The church-book, with
corners and clasps of gold "and silver, also hung by
long chains to match, from the chatelaine or girdle.
In the " History of Flatbush " there is a curious ac-
count of one of the Lefferts family, who, during the Rev-
olutionary War, changed all her money into gold pieces,
which she sewed into a round pin-cushion and hung
by her side. A party of English soldiers once en-
tered her house, and after destroying many of the good
lady's valuables, slashed at her cushion with a sword, and
" cut the ribbon by which it hung, and the whole party
had a boisterous game of ball with the pin-cushion, which
once or twice fell into the fire-place." It was finally
tossed on one side, when the poor woman eagerly and
70
Homes of the Settlers
quietly seized it and hid it away, and the soldiers never
discovered its precious contents.
Contemporaneous portraits show that when the good
people put on their best clothes, they could be very
fine, and the stuffs of which they were made were of
the handsomest and richest materials. The portraits
at the manor houses of Rensselaerswyck, Livingston,
Van Cortlandt, etc., are those of fine-looking men and
bweet-faced women. The coats of the former are of
velvet, silk, or satin, trimmed with handsome lace, dia-
mond buttons and buckles, and sometimes with rare furs.
Around the throats of the men were wrapped yards of
fine muslin trimmed with lace, which were called " Stein-
wicks," after the gallant soldier of that name ; and the
ladies were by no means behind their husbands in the
richness of their apparel.
VI
Habits, Amusements, and Laws
The Dutch Learn from the Wilden Samp-Mortar Rock The Wilden's
Industries Houses and Furniture Education of Children Strange
Laws and Punishments The Kermiss The First Clubs Games
The First Hospital and Orphan Asylum The Rattle-watch Brant
The Fire Brigade Light in the City.
THE first settlers on Mana-ha-ta adapted themselves
to their surroundings in a remarkable way. They
studied the habits of their wild neighbors and were not
too proud to learn from them their secrets of dyeing,
preparing tobacco, or planting maize. The time for
this, according to the Wilden's doctrine, was " when the
birch-tree leaf was the size of a mouse's ear." The
savages taught the settlers their fashion of pounding
corn into "hominy," which was the "Wilden's name for
cracked corn. It was done by making a hole in the
stump of a tree, or in a rock, into which the kernels
were thrown and then beaten with a heavy pestle. A
round excavation in a promontory overlooking Fair-
field, Connecticut, is still called Samp-Mortar Eock,
samp being another name for the ground corn ; and
tradition declares that the spot was always resorted to,
Habits, Amusements, and Laws
in the autumn, by the squaws, for the purpose of pound-
ing their corn, which was done to a musical croon that
kept time to the thud of the pestle.
The leaves of the corn were woven into mats or tied
into brooms, when not used for fodder for the cattle.
The breakfast of the first Dutch settlers was gen-
erally prepared at sunrise, and was of " suppone," which
was mush mixed with milk, buttermilk, or " strop," as
they called molasses, and if they had tea they drank
it without milk. The noonday meal was buttermilk
and bread, and the supper consisted of flat cakes baked
in the ashes, and sometimes a bit of bacon. Sugar was
made from the sap of the maple-trees, and Mr. Knicker-
bocker, in his amusing, but not always veracious, ac-
count of Dutch customs, declares that a large lump of
sugar was always suspended by a string over the table
in a Dutch kitchen, and each one would sip his tea,
chocolate, or coffee, and bite a bit off the suspended
lump of sugar, which was swung from one to the other.
The Wilden were, at most times, freely admitted in
small companies within the " palisadoes " of the little
burgh, and they brought many commodities to barter.
They were cunning weavers of baskets that were water-
proof, made of a species of dogsbane, and could make
candles and soap of bayberries, or brushes from a
block of oak, which they ingeniously split into thou-
sands of bristles.
The wild people were not pleasant companions, as
they followed a native custom and, according to the
73
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
history of the Rev. Charles Wolley, it was their habit
to " rub oyl of Fishes, Fat of Eagles, and Grease of Rac-
koons" on their skin to keep it from blistering and
repel the attacks of gnats and mosquitoes. They sel-
dom washed their bodies or even their faces and hands,
and in consequence the Dutch vrouwen, who were neat-
ness personified, thought they were irreclaimable sav-
ages, and, although invariably kind to them, did not
encourage them to take up their abode within the
settlement, except under certain restraints.
The Algonquin name for the Dutch was " Swan
Nak Wak," but the Indians also called them " Assyre-
oni," i.e., cloth-weavers; " Charistonin," or iron-work-
ers ; sometimes " Sauk-hi-canin," or fire-makers ; while
the contemptuous epithet of " Materiooty," or coward,
was sometimes bestowed on the planters.
The "Wilden taught the settlers to look for the great
annual flight of pigeons, which, early in April, always
flew north to eat the wild carrot. This flight invariably
took place at dawn and never after ten o'clock in the
morning. It was so heavy as to darken the sun, and so
low that stones, clubs, and like missiles were thrown at
the birds, which were slaughtered by thousands.
The Indians had many medicines made from plants,
roots, barks, and herbs. They understood the virtues
of stramonium, smut-wheat, golden-rod, elderberry, etc.
They would brew catnip-tea for the sick or strengthen
an invalid with a decoction of strawberry-leaves. An
Indian, if ill, eschewed meat, unless it were that of a
74
Habits, Amusements, and Laws
female animal, and he understood the virtues of vapor-
baths. Their great remedy for cuts and bruises was
Seneca-oil, which we now use in the form of vaseline or
cosmoline.
As time went on and the savages became more do-
mesticated, almost every household had one or more of
the wild men or women hanging around the kitchen-fire.
They never made good servants, but would do " chores "
for the vrouwen, such as cutting and piling the kindling-
wood, or lifting heavy kettles on the great swinging
cranes, in return for food and a lodging in the barn or
under the back stoep.
The houses were built with long, sloping roofs, and
if possible, on a side-hill, so that the front stoep was
approached by a few steps, but the kitchen-door at the
back of the house was always flush with the ground. It
was wide and high, and was built in this way to allow
of a horse being driven in every morning, hauling, by
means of a long iron chain, a huge bock-log, which made
the foundation of the fire that was never allowed to die
out entirely. Everyone went in and out of the kitchen-
door, except on occasions of ceremony. The front par-
lor was a sacred apartment that was kept tightly closed
except on gala days, and woe to the mouse or the " kack-
erlack" (cockroach) that entered it. On the opposite
side of the hall, that always ran from the front to the rear
of the house, was the family sitting-room. The bed-
rooms were large and filled with ponderous mahogany
bureaus and four-post bedsteads, under which was " een
75
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
slaapbauck op rollen," or trundle-bed, which was pulled
out at night, and into which were tucked from two to
four children. The lower classes used great boxes
with boarded bottoms for beds, which were filled with
sacks of hay, corn-silk, or dried leaves. A great brass
warming-pan usually hung on the walls.
The children of the first settlers were well trained in
household duties, as was needful in a place where there
were few servants, and each woman undertook much of
her own house-work. The boys were made to carry wa-
ter from the well or run errands to the wood-house, the
smoke-house, and the brine-barrel in the cellar. The
girls had their daily " stint" inside of the house, and, as
there was always " a stretch " on the loom, an idler was
often " set to do a yard " as a punishment. As time
went on and better servants were to be obtained in the
colony, the arduous duties of the house- wife fell on
them, but every maiden, whatever her station in life,
was thoroughly instructed in the details of house-keep-
ing, and she was not considered eligible for matrimony
until she could show her " kos " full of linen, spun and
woven by herself, and daintily marked with her initials
in cross-stitch.
The Dutch councillors were wise men whose rules
were simple and hardly amounted to laws. They met
in solemn conclave at least once a week, and any person
might appear before them without ceremony, and state
his grievance or complaint. The defendant was sum-
moned, and both parties were usually requested to make
76
Habits, Amusements, and Laws
their plea and defence in writing. This was often
handed to a third party, with a request that he would
try to make the two persons agree, but if this were
impossible, the councillors again took up the case and
pronounced judgment, from which there was no appeal.
Crimes were few in the peace-loving community; the
principal cases were the charges of the " Schout "
against persons caught tapping (i.e., drawing beer for
sale) after lawful hours or on Sunday ; delinquent
debtors, etc.
On May 12, 1664, Jan Willemsen Van Iselstyn, " for
expressing abusive language and writing an insolent
letter to the magistrates of Bushwyck," was fastened to
a stake at the place of public execution, with a bridle
in his mouth, rods under his arms, and a paper on his
breast with the inscription, " Lampoon writer, false
accuser, and defamer of its magistrates," and after-
ward banished, with costs. One man was put into a
sack and thrown into the river for committing a horrible
crime a punishment that he richly deserved ; and his
fate prevented the recurrence of such deeds for many a
long day.
On April 12, 1658, Nicolas Albertsen, for "desert-
ing his ship and his betrothed bride after publication
of banns," was sentenced " to have his head shaven,
then to be flogged and have his ears bored with
red-hot irons, and work two years with the negroes."
Other men were banished from the colony ; but there
were comparatively few crimes, and, with these ex-
77
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
ceptions, the punishments were generally of a mild
character.
The worthy Dutchmen and their vrouwen were in-
tensely practical in all arrangements for their horne-
couiforts and the proper maintenance of their families,
but they by no means neglected social duties and were
noted for their hospitality. Besides fireside amuse-
ments, they desired more public gatherings, and, look-
ing backward to the pleasures of Patria, they recalled
its yearly festival, or Kermiss ; the great open-air
market that attracted the country-people from far and
near. The burghers of Mana-ha-ta therefore yielded to
the entreaties of their wives and determined to inaugu-
rate a similar function, at which cattle could be exhib-
ited, farm-implements sold, and the fruit of the loom,
the distaff, and the needle of the house-wife might be
exposed for sale ; and in connection with the market,
dances, trials of skill, and other amusements might be
indulged in by the lads and lassies, so that all the farm-
ers and their wives might be attracted to the burgh, to
spend their money for the profit of its denizens.
Wisely laid plans were therefore adopted by a com-
mittee, which, under the sanction of the government,
arranged that the first kermiss should be held on
Mana-ha-ta, October 20, 1659. The council com-
manded " that for all fat cattle brought to the market
not slaughtered," posts should " be placed by the side
of the church, att the market-house and plaine afore
the fort," which was therefore arranged for the accom-
78
Habits, Amusements, and Laws
modation of the public, and in nowise interfered with
the weekly market held at the Strand, by the house of
Master Hans Kierstede. The keriniss lasted six weeks,
and became an institution ; and from that day to this a
yearly industrial exhibition has been held on " the
island by the sea," sometimes under one name and
sometimes under another, but always with the same
general purpose.
The kermiss was first held on the spot that the gov-
ernor used as a parade-ground, an open space directly
north of the government enclosure, on one side of
which was the church and on the other the official
buildings. The spot soon became known as " D'Marck
Yelt." Booths were ranged on one side of the open
space, and the cattle were tied to the posts by the
fence of the first church-yard (a tiny enclosure that
had, early in the history of the colony, become too
small for its needs and was abandoned for other bury-
ing-grounds on the island). The kermiss became the
great social festival of the year, and was enjoyed with
zest by old and young. The goede vrouwen of the
community lent their aid by inviting all their country
cousins and friends to stay with them in their cheery,
comfortable homes, and a round of merry-making en-
sued.
Unfortunately, as the reins of government relaxed,
this kermiss, which at first had been so decorously con-
ducted and widely enjoyed, degenerated into a gather-
ing of town-loafers and rude country-boors, who seized
79
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
on the chance of indulging in rough games or coarse
plays, that soon made the function a saturnalia ; and
then those of the families whose homes overlooked the
green importuned the government to interfere, and
demanded to have a stop put to such excesses, declar-
ing that they demoralized the community and were
particularly hurtful to their carefully trained domestics
and young people. The kermiss was therefore reorgan-
ized, all rough games were prohibited, and the meet-
ing-place was removed to the common, which is now
the City Hall Park.
" D'Marck Yelt," being thus deserted, became a weed-
grown and unsightly lot, and it was not until 1732
that several citizens found a use for it, and formed
themselves into the first organized club of the city,
and petitioned the governor and council to permit
them to sod the little triangle and use it for a bowl-
ing green. The founders of the bowling club were
John Chambers,* Peter Bayard,f and Peter Jay, and
the spot was a favorite rallying-place for many years.
The club received a regular lease of the ground for
eleven years from the city authorities, on the payment
of "one peppercorn per annum." In a garden belong-
ing to a tavern near Canoe Place there had been a
bowling green for many years, but it was considered
* John Chambers and Peter Jay married daughters of Jacobus
Van Cortlandt and Eva de Vries.
t Peter Bayard married Blandina Kierstede, daughter of Dr. Hans
Kierstede.
80
Habits, Amusements, and Laws
too far out of town to be convenient ; and the new bowl-
ing green was well patronized, much to the disgust of
the innkeeper, who had been frequently reproved and
fined by the authorities for permitting his patrons to
play the game on Sundays, but who paid the fine
without protest, and encouraged the use of his grounds
on account of the large revenue he received.
Backgammon was a favorite game among the early
settlers, and there is a minute in the town records re-
garding the arrest of some sailors, who were at play
in Jan Backus's tavern, August 4, 1660, after the inn
should have been closed for the night. The " schout "
of the town also arrested people for " playing golf in
the streets," and an ordinance was passed December 10,
1659, to prevent such a recurrence.
As a general rule, backgammon, chess, dominoes, and
checkers were played only in taverns, and the better
class of Dutch colonists seldom permitted such games
in their own homes. Billiards were also played, but
young men who indulged in the game were looked upon
as dissipated and depraved. Cards were sometimes
seen, but the games played with them in those days
were games of chance, or gambling games, such as lans-
quenet ; and the pack itself was of German manufacture,
with seventy-three cards, on which were painted gro-
tesque, emblematical figures, that were rudely sketched
on cardboard and colored by hand. There was no
queen in the pack, her place being filled by a cavalier,
who, with a knecht, or hired-man, attended the king.
81
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
The pips resembled those used in German cards of the
present day, and were acorns, cups, leaves, and hearts.
The pack contained, besides the suit-cards, twenty-one
" Atouts," that resembled those in the Italian decks, and
they had their own significance and use in the game.
Whist was not invented for nearly a hundred years
after the colonization of America. The children of
the day played marbles, but their favorite game was
"knuckle- bones," which were made from sheep-knuc-
kles, and their rules were similar to those of the chil-
dren of our times in their game of jack-stones.
The people of Holland were noted for their care of
the aged, sick, orphans, and prisoners, and the human-
ity shown to the unfortunate and oppressed was greater
in the Netherlands than was the custom in any other
of the partly civilized European countries of that day.
The Dutch in the New World were not behind Patria
in these respects ; and as early as 1658 a hospital was
provided " in a clean house, with fires of wood, and a
nurse was engaged to look after the sick," and the es-
tablishment was put under the superintendence of Dr.
Jacob Hendricksen Yarravanger, who was the city phy-
sician, with the famous Dr. Hans Kierstede as the chief
in authority ; and our present New York Hospital can
- point proudly to the fact that its organization is older
than any other of the kind on this side of the Atlantic
Ocean. There were few paupers in the burgh, but in
1685 "Topknot Betty" was given three shillings a week
from " the chest." Soon after the middle of the seven-
82
Habits, Amusements, and Laws
teenth century, the council made the necessary arrange-
ments to take charge of, and provide for, all the orphans
of the community at the public expense, and certain rev-
enues were set apart for this purpose.
In the same year, a Rattle Watch consisting of four
men was established, which was uniformed in blue dap-
ple, turned up with orange facings. These officers were
armed with lanterns, rattles, and long staffs, and their
duty was to patrol the burgh by day and night, and call
out the state of the weather, the hour, and any news of
great importance that had been received at the city
gates. This custom was continued until the beginning
of the nineteenth century ; and old people remembered
hearing the news of Burgoyne's surrender being called
out mournfully by the British sentries, who had, for the
time being, taken the place of the city watch.
In case of fire, the watchman sprung his rattle, and
called " Brant ! Brant ! ' This cry was in use all through
the time that the English governed the colony, and un-
til the town watch was superseded by the city police,
although it was the Dutch word for fire. It happened
that a famous Indian chief had adopted the name of
Brant. He was a great warrior and frequently on the
war-path, and the worthy denizens of town or country
never slept peaceably, as they dreaded being scalped at
night by the savage and his tribe. Nurses used the
name of Brant to terrify their charges into submission,
and the same old lady who remembered hearing the
watch report the defeat of the British and surrender of
83
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
their bragging general, also recalled how she would
cower and bury her head under the clothes of the trun-
dle-bed when she heard the watch run through the
streets shouting "Brant! Brant! rouse ye ! rouse ye!"
and saw her father spring from the high-post bedstead
beside her, to run to the fire ; as she believed most
firmly that Brant, the Indian sachem, was coming to
claim her in punishment for some childish peccadillo.
As early as August 15, 1658, according to the minutes
of the council, two hundred and fifty buckets, with lad-
ders and hooks, were ordered from Holland. These
were hung beside the Stadt-Huys, but in addition to
these public arrangements, each householder was re-
quired to keep a number of leather buckets always
hanging in a row under the " bock stoep." They were
marked with the owner's name, and at the call of " Brant ! "
each man would seize a long pole and string his buckets
on it. They were filled at the nearest pump and passed
from hand to hand to the burning building. After the
fire was extinguished, the buckets were thrown in a heap,
and returned by the servants the following day. One
of these buckets has lately been presented to the New
York Historical Society; it was marked Kufus King,
and had seen service as lately as 1815.
The streets of the dorp were irregularly lighted on
dark nights by lanterns hung out on a pole from an upper
window of every seventh house, and the town was not
lighted by the authorities until 1762, and even then on
moonlight nights the lamplighter did not go his rounds.
84
VII
Rensselaers of the Manor
The First Patroon Prince Maurice in Amsterdam Governor Wouter
Van Twiller The First Gold Thimble Arent Van Corlear Colo-
nization of Rensselaerswyck The Dorp of Beverswyck Size of the
Manor Signatures of Sachems Jealousy of English, French, and
Dutch Piety of the Patroon Map of the Manor Death and Will
of the First Patroon Successors to the Title Der Groot Director
Charles Stuart and the Dominie.
WHILE the little colony on Mana-ha-ta was being
settled under the wise superintendence of the
great West India Company, a principality was founded
at the head- waters of the Hudson River by one of the
members of the society.
Kiliaen Van Rensselaer was a governor in the East
India Company, of Holland, and had advocated its ex-
tending its plantations to America, as well as the forma-
tion of a branch of the original society to look after its
affairs, and had become one of its principal stockholders*
He belonged to a powerful family in Holland whose an-
cestors had fought in the wars of the Crusades, and for
their bravery in battle they had been granted an aug-
mentation of arms by the Knights of St. John, the
cross of which community was placed on the shield of
85
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
the Van Rensselaers. It is silver on a red ground, and
was used with the motto, " Niemand Zonder " (no man
without a cross).
The family were noted for their bravery in battle and
their wisdom in council. History relates that after the
victories of Prince Maurice he made a triumphal entry
into the city of Amsterdam, which was magnificently
illuminated in his honor. One of the most gorgeous of
the decorations was on the estate of the Van Rensselaer
family, which was on the principal street of the city,
surrounded by high stone walls, which, together with
the roof of the house, was closely set with large iron bas-
kets called " cressets," that were filled with inflammable
materials and set on fire. The brilliant effect produced
by this illumination astonished Prince Maurice, who was
pleased at this opportunity of showing his gratitude to
a family who had lavished money in his behalf and for
the honor of their country. So he summoned the Heer
Van Rensselaer from the crowd of mounted gentlemen
who were escorting their prince in his triumphal pro-
cession through the town and congratulated the grati-
fied heer on the novelty and beauty of the decorations,
and said that the family should adopt the motto of
" Omnibus Effulgeo," " I outshine all," and take for their
crest the flaming cresset. The motto and crest were
accordingly at once adopted by the head of the family,
as, at that time, an augmentation of arms was more
highly prized than any other reward.
The family estates of the Van Rensselaers are in
86
Rensselaers of the Manor
Holland, three miles southeast of Nykerk, in the prov-
ince of Guelderland. It was a " Eeddergoed," or large
tract of land sublet to vassals, the terms of whose lease
required all males to follow their lord to war, and the
possession of which conferred nobility. The estates
were called Eensselaerswyck, the significance of which
was deer's-park or deer's-lair, and the property retains
the name to the present time. Numbers of build-
ings cover the demesne, and their quaint gable roofs
are surmounted by numerous weathercocks of the arms
and crest of the family. The graveyard beside the
church is filled with stones, on which are the names of
many of the young men of the family who were killed
in the service of their country.
Der Heer Kiliaen Van Eensselaer, the founder of the
Dutch patroonship in America, was a man of strong
character and considerable wealth. He had inherited
the family estates called the " Eensselaerswyck Eedder-
goed " in Guelderland and also the beautiful house and
grounds in Amsterdam. He married twice ; first, Hille-
gonda Van Bylant, by whom he had one son, Johannes ;
and secondly, Anna, the daughter of Johannes Yan
Weely. The only sister of the first patroon was named
Maria. She married Eikert Van Twiller, and became
the mother of Elizabeth, who married her cousin Jo-
hannes Van Bensselaer, and of the celebrated Wouter
Van Twiller, the second governor of the New Nether-
land colony.
Kiliaen Van Eensselaer, a son of Johannes, had four
87
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
daughters, Maria, Hillegonda, and Elenora, who died
unmarried ; and the youngest one, Susanna, who married
Jan de la Court. Der Heer Van Rensselaer also had
four sons by his second marriage. They were Jan
Baptist, who married his cousin Susanna Yan Weely ;
Jeremias, born 1662, married Maria Van Cortlandt
(from whom all the family in America are descended) ;
the Rev. Nicolaus Van Eeusselaer, who married Alida
Schuyler, and Rikert Van Rensselaer, treasurer and
staadtholder of the North Viaeuen estates, from whom
are descended the Holland members of the family ; but
the name died out in that country early in the present
century, and is only continued on this side of the At-
lantic.
Madame Kiliaen Van Kensselaer was noted for her
beautiful needle- work, and has been immortalized by a
curious honor that was bestowed upon her. According
to the Dutch chronicles Madame Van Rensselaer was in
the habit of sitting at her window to sew, and attracted
the attention of a young goldsmith whose shop was
opposite her house. The young man was indebted to
the old lady for many slight deeds of kindness, and was
anxious to prove his appreciation and gratitude by pre-
senting her with some article of his own manufacture.
He noticed that she used a clumsy ivory thimble with-
out a top, which was like those now used by tailors, and
he therefore made one of gold, which he presented to his
benefactress on her birthday, with the wish that " she
would wear the finger hat as a covering to her diligent and
83
Rensselaers of the Manor
beautiful finger." This invention of a metal thimble with
a crown on it has not been forgotten in Amsterdam, the
native city of the industrious lady, as is proved by the
following extract from the " Pall Mall Gazette," Novem-
ber, 1884, in which was the translation from a Dutch
paper of the day, as follows : " A bi-centenary of a cur-
ious kind has recently been celebrated at Amsterdam,
being nothing less than the invention of the thimble. It
is just two centuries since, last October, that the first
European (gold) thimble was made by Nicolas Yan
Benschoten, a goldsmith, who devised the article for the
protection of the finger of Madame Yan Rensselaer."
In order to colonize in America, Kiliaen Yan
Rensselaer selected Arent Yan Corlear to superintend
his affairs and gave him the title of " Director of the
Colonie," and caused him to emigrate in 1630.
The choice could not have fallen upon a better man.
The new governor proceeded at once to collect a
number of families who were qualified to make good
colonists, and all sailed for the western continent in
vessels belonging to Heer Yan Eensselaer, and bearing
his pennant. It is stated that the first company arrived
in the ship Goede Yrouw. The settlers were accom-
panied by a company of soldiers under a competent
leader, and the ships were filled with all the necessaries
for the foundation of a colouv, and returned laden with
v *
furs for der Heer Yan Rensselaer, which encouraged him
to proceed with his venture. The new-comers estab-
lished themselves at the Manor of Bensselaerswyck, a
8 9
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
property that had been selected by the agents of the
patroon. It was at the head-waters of the Hudson
River, and surrounded the site of the Indian castle of
Laap-haw-ach-king, a place where the Wilden of the
North were accustomed to gather yearly to exchange
their furs for the clams, fish, and wampum offered by
the members of the ocean tribes.
This "castle" had been purchased from its owners
previous to the " erection of the manor " * by the West
India Company, and the site became the cause of much
contention between the governors of Mana-ha-ta and
the directors of Rensselaerswyck, as the settlers built
close to the walls of Fort Orange and called their village
Beverswyck (or the " house of the beaver ") ; and as
the property of the patroon included the village and
many miles on either side of the river, its owner-
ship was always a cause for dispute. This was of no
consequence so long as der Heer Van Rensselaer was the
guiding-star of the Amsterdam Chamber, but after his
death it led to many vexatious squabbles, that were only
settled on the usurpation of the English, who cut the
Gordian knot after their invariable custom, by claiming
ownership of the entire territory, and requiring the
patroon to sue for new manorial rights. By this pro-
ceeding and its consequent fees they reaped great
advantages for the home-government. The Manor of
* "Erection of the manor" signifies the purchase of the land and
the granting by the government of manorial rights to the proprietor
with the title of patroon.
90
Rensselaers of the Manor
Kensselaerswyck covered what is now divided into the
counties of Albany, Eensselaer, and part of Columbia,
in the State of New York. The tract of land was
twenty-four miles in breadth by forty-eight miles in
length, and it contained over 700,000 acres. A beautiful
range of hills bounded the demesne to the east and west,
which was watered by between thirty and forty streams
emptying into the Hudson River, which flowed through
the centre of the territory.
The agent of the patroon called upon the Indian
owners to name their own price for the land selected,
and formally bound them to the sale of their property,
by requiring the sachems of the tribes to place their
marks or signatures on a legally drawn deed of sale,
which was fully and carefully explained to the vendors.
This deed is still in existence ; it contains the names of
Kottomack, Nawanemit, Abantzeeme, Sagiskwa, Kana-
omeek, and the villages they sold were called Semes-
sarse, Petanock, and Negagvnse, together with the Ind-
ian castle of Moeneminues.
After purchasing the lands from the savages, the
patroon completed his bargain, first with the College of
XIX., and then with the West India Company, and re-
ceived from them the patent of the manorial rights, the
original of which is dated August 13, 1630, and is de-
posited in the royal archives at The Hague.
It was in this quiet way that a principality was
created in the New World, independent of all other
plantations, and subject to no government but its own,
91
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
and widely separated by untrodden forests and deep
streams from any of the European settlements.
To the north, beyond the River St. Lawrence, there
was a French colony. An English settlement was far
to the eastward, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, and
at the mouth of the river, nearly two hundred miles to
the south, was the New Netherland plantation of the
West India Company, while westward was a wilderness
sparsely inhabited by wild men.
There seemed every reason that the Europeans
should live in harmony and strengthen their positions
in their new homes by supporting each other in their
self-imposed exile, but each one of the three colonies
looked with envious eyes on the central manor, which,
however, throve and prospered under the wise man-
agement of its directors, with provoking indifference
to the encroachments of French, Puritans, and Dutch,
who were always ready to be aggressive, in the hope
of obtaining control over the rich and independent
principality settled so quietly and contentedly in their
midst.
The first years after the purchase of the manor saw
one hundred and fifty adults settled at Eensselaers-
wyck, as the new purchase was named, after the estate
in Holland. The head of each family was permitted
to select a tract of land on which a house was built for
him, and he was encouraged to clear and cultivate a
portion of the ground, after having signed a lease for
a term of years and renewed the vows of fealty and
92
Rensselaers of the Manor
allegiance to the patroon that had been taken before
the departure from Patria. One of the few stipulations
made by the directors in their leases was the wise one
that the emigrants should settle close to each other, not
only for their better protection from the Wilden, but
also that each community might be near a chapel
in which religious services were conducted by dom-
inies selected by the patroon and paid for by himself.
The leases of the settlers were granted on very low
terms, and sometimes with peculiar conditions. One
of them, dated January 14, 1649, for "the old Indian
maize lands at Catskills," was rented to Jan Dircksen,
of Bremen, and is translated as follows : " The tenant is
to read a sermon or portion of the Scriptures every
Sunday and high festival to the Christians in the neigh-
borhood, and to sing one or more Psalms before and
after prayers agreeable to the customs of the Church of
Holland."
Owing to the energy of the directors and the liber-
ality of the patroon, the " Colonie of Rensselaerswyck "
was planted within four years after the land had been
purchased from the savages, and the men were as busy
at their ploughs and the women at distaff and loom, as
if they had never been transplanted but had been born
and bred amid their new surroundings, which at once
assumed a home-like, comfortable appearance. In the
archive-house of the manor is a map drawn by John E.
Bleeker in 1767 ; the names of the manor tenants are
recorded on it.
Q3
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
" Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, Patroon of the Manor called
Rensselaerswyck," petitioned their High Mightinesses
the States General of Holland, on February 5, 1641, for
a veniam testandi, in order " to enable him to dispose
by last will, according to his pleasure, of the aforesaid
Manor or feudal estate." This petition was granted
the day it was received, and the will disposing of the
American estates was accordingly at once drawn up.
In it the colonial property was devised to the sons on
whom and to whose male heirs the estate was strictly
entailed. As the children were minors, the patroon
appointed as their guardians, his wife's brother, Johan
Van Wely, and also his nephew, Governor Wouter Van
Twiller, who were soon called upon to administer to the
estate, as Kiliaen Van Reusselaer died in 1645, very
soon after executing the instrument.
It is doubtful if the great American estates were ever
visited by the first owner, the Patroon Kiliaen Van Rens-
selaer. But, as has been mentioned, he was at first
represented at Rensselaerswyck in the management of
affairs by Arent Van Corlear, a man whose gentle man-
ners and keen sense of justice made him beloved by all
who knew him. The savages revered him, and adopted
his name as a term of respect which they afterward
bestowed on each governor in turn. He was a public-
spirited man, and encouraged the settlers to push their
plantations beyond the bounds of the Rensselaerswyck
principality, and helped to found Schenectady in 1661.
He married Antonia Slagboone, the widow of Jonas
94
Rensselaers of the Manor
Bronck, who left his name to a little stream in "West-
chester County, New York. Yan Corlear was drowned
in a squall on Lake Champlain, and was succeeded in
the directorship by Brant Arentse (the Eagle's son) Yan
Slechtenhorst, and after the patroon's death, one son after
another, as he became of age, was sent to the colony to
look after the interests of the family and assume the
title of " Director of the Colonie of Renaselaerswyck."
Johannes Yan Rensselaer, the eldest son, made one
trip of inspection to America after succeeding to the
estates, but returned to Holland, where he died, leaving
an infant son named Kiliaen to succeed to the title of
patroon. This boy died unmarried, and was succeeded
by his uncle, Jan Baptist Yan Rensselaer, who had
emigrated as early as 1651, and was director of the
colony for many years during the non-age of the youth-
ful heir.
A quaint little church was erected at Beverswyck at
the expense of the patroon. This was decorated with
stained-glass windows on which were the arms of the
family and the name of the director, Jan Baptist Yan
Rensselaer. His only child died in infancy, and on his
own death the title and estates passed to the third
son of Kiliaen, the first patroon. This was Der Groot
Director Jeremias Yan Rensselaer, who was born in
Amsterdam, and had moved to America when very
young, where he married an accomplished and charm-
ing wife. She was a native of Mana-ha-ta, of Dutch
parents, and was a beautiful, tall, black-haired woman,
95
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
with sparkling eyes and a neck and arms of dazzling
whiteness. Maria Van Cortlandt was the daughter
of Oloff Stevenzon and his wife, the energetic pioneer
Annekje Lockermans. The wife of der groot director
was born in New Amsterdam while that place was yet
in its infancy, and she was closely connected with all
the rulers of the colony. Jeremias Van Rensselaer was
devoted to his American beauty, and must have pre-
sented her with pride to his mother and relatives in
Holland.
The handsome oil-paintings that hung in the manor-
house represent der groot director in a magnificent
velvet coat, lavishly embroidered and decorated with
gold lace. Madame Van Rensselaer wears a satin gown
trimmed with lace, and the turn of her head and her
cast of features show her strong character. She was
unfortunately injured after the birth of her eldest child,
and was so crippled that she limped in her walk for
many years, and finally was confined to her arm-chair,
from which she directed the affairs of her household
with consummate ability.
Jeremias Van Kensselaer was the last director of the
colony, as he inherited from his brother the manor and
patroonship, and the estate was thenceforth governed
by the owners themselves, who became residents of the
New "World.
The title of patroon was borne by his heirs in the
male line in direct descent down to the breaking out of
the War of the Revolution, when the eighth patroon,
96
Rensselaers of the Manor
Stephen III., who was under age, resigned his title and
manorial rights, that had been held by his family for over
one hundred and fifty years, to become a plain Ameri-
can citizen.
Dominie Nicolaus Van Bensselaer, the younger brother
of Jeremias, emigrated to America in 1674, and speedily
fell in love with pretty Alida Schuyler, an American-
born maiden of only seventeen summers, the grand-
daughter of the brave Van Slechtenhorst, whose two
daughters had accompanied their father to the Ameri-
can wilderness and settled with him in the heart of the
savages' country.
It was while presiding over the director's hospitable
board that Margretta Van Slechtenhorst was wooed and
won by one of her countrymen who had emigrated from
Guelderland at the request of the Patroon Van Rensse-
laer, as he wished to have the son of a neighbor, in whom
he could have implicit confidence, to represent some of
his vast interests in the manorial estate. This was der
Heer Philip Pieterse Schuyler, who, with his lovely wife,
settled near Beverwyck and brought up a family of ten
children, and there are but few of their descendants
who have not left their mark on each decade of colonial
history.
Charles Stuart, afterward Charles II., king of Eng-
land, had spent many months of his young life in
Amsterdam, where he was surrounded by a crowd of
English cavaliers who were always striving and con-
triving to place him on the throne of his native land.
97
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
There was very little ready money among the exiles,
who were often indebted to the " base mechanicals of
Holland," as Queen Elizabeth termed them, for food
and lodging. Among those who extended their hospi-
tality to the young prince were the Van Rensselaer fam-
ily, and Nicolaus became intimate with Charles and his
courtiers. This son of the first patroon was destined
for the church, and was a dreamy, studious youth. Nic-
olaus was noted for his soothsaying, but could seldom
be prevailed upon to reveal his dreams or prophesy for
his friends. Prince Charles heard of the predictions of
the young Dutchman, which so often were fulfilled, and
sent for him and begged to know his own fate. At that
time England was in the turmoil of the Revolution, and
yet Van Rensselaer promptly told the prince that the
misfortunes which had surrounded him from childhood
were nearly at an end, and that he would soon be called
upon to take his seat on the English throne. Prince
Charles was of course delighted with the prediction, and
presented the prophet with a handsome silver snuff-box,
which is still in possession of the family, and also told
his Dutch friend to call upon the king of England for
recognition. The dominie did not forget this royal
command, but followed the king to London on his acces-
sion. Charles most graciously recognized the young
man and caused him to be made chaplain of St. Marga-
ret's, Westminster. This prophecy of Nicolaus Van
Rensselaer's was so celebrated that one of the clergy of
Mana-ha-ta, the revered Dominie Selyns, many years
08
Rensselaers of the Manor
after considered it noteworthy, and addressed the fol-
lowing lines to the picture of his brother divine :
Op t'Conterfeytsel,
van D. Nicolaus Eensselaer, Propheet van
CABEL II., Konick van Englandt.
Is't Eensselaer, opt neit ?
Die Neerlandt onderrecht heft
Van zeegen en verdrict,
En CAREi/s-croon verseght heeft
Zeer lang voor zyn gebiedt.
The verses were translated by the Hon. H. Murphy
in his work on Dominie Selyns's poetry :
On the Portrait of Dominie Nicolaus Eensselaer, Prophet to
Charles II., King of England.
Is it Eensselaer or no ?
Who Netheiiand informed has
Of blessings and of woe,
And Charles's crown forewarned has,
Long ere he came thereto.
It is remarkable that the two most celebrated proph-
ecies of the dominie were fulfilled, and it is certain that
his contemporaries devoutly believed in his soothsay-
ing qualities, and he was consulted by high and low on
all important occasions. Dominie Van Kensselaer was
the owner of a watch which is noted as being the first
one imported to America. The case was of brass, and
it was regarded as a great curiosity, for even as late as
the beginning of the nineteenth century watches were
rare in the colonies.
99
VIII
Der Colonie Nieu Nederlands
The Second Governor Nutten Island The Murder of Brinckerhoff
Arrival of Governor Stuyvesant The Accomplished Mrs. Bayard
Wreck of Dominie Bogartus and Governor Kieft The White Hall
The Wilden Swedes, French, and English Encroachments of the
Massachusetts Colony Governor Stuyvesant and his Council Lady
Moody The Quakers Imprisonment of Director Van Slechtenhorst
Jeremias Van Rensselaer Assumes the Directorship.
OWING to the influence of the Patroon Yan Kensse-
laer among his associates in the College of XIX.,
his nephew Wouter Van T wilier was appointed governor
of the colony on Mana-ha-ta to succeed Peter Minuit.
The new governor sailed for America in the Zoutberg
(Salt Mountain), and arrived at the mouth of the Hud-
son Kiver in the spring of 1633. He was attended by
one hundred and four soldiers, the first regiment that
ever reached these shores.
The appointment of Yan Twiller was important for
the well-being of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, as it
insured harmonious terms between it and that of Mana-
ha-ta, as the latter held the key of the gateway to the
Atlantic Ocean, the only road to Europe.
The colonies throve under the management of Yau
100
Der Colonie Nieu Nederlands
T wilier, who determined to settle permanently in
America, and he therefore purchased several different
plantations from the Indians, among others the beauti-
ful island that lay south of Mana-ha-ta, called by the
first settlers Nutten Island, but now known as Gov-
ernor's Island, after its first Dutch owner, Wouter
Van T wilier. The little isle was covered with shell-
bark hickory-trees, which were highly prized by the
Wilden, as from their nuts the natives concocted a
drink which was the only brew they were acquainted
with before the arrival of the Europeans, by whom
alcoholic drinks were introduced. One of the few as-
saults made on the Dutch at Mana-ha-ta took place on
this spot in 1640, when several boys from Mana-ha-ta,
attracted by the fame of Nutten Island, waded across
Buttermilk Channel, which divided it from Nassau (or
Long Island), and began to gather the nuts. The
savages resented this intrusion, and fell on the party
and drove them away, but not before one of them, Dirck
Brinckerhoff, was killed by a poisoned arrow. He was
the son of Abram Brinckerhoff, who had lately emigrated
from Drautilandt, with a wife and four children, all
of whom lived to become good colonial subjects, with
the exception of the unfortunate youth who lost his life
for the sake of a few hickory and chestnuts.
After the death of the first patroon in 1645, the inter-
ests of the two Dutch colonies became more and more
identical, although the process of consolidation was not
without friction. .
IOI
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
Governor Yan Twiller was succeeded by William
Kieft, a testy, quarrelsome little man, who was always
squabbling with someone, and he in turn was followed
by the great governor, Peter Stuyvesant.
The belief that the New World was overlaid with gold,
silver, and precious stones was its chief attraction in
the eyes of Europeans, and it was supposed that these
minerals were to be scraped from the surface of the
land. Fabulous tales of the wealth reaped by Span-
iards in the conquests of the southern continent were
fully credited, and adventurers from every country
were eager to grow rich in the same way. In con-
sequence all deeds and grants of lands were carefully
drawn, so that the purchaser might have entire control
of metals or precious stones found on them. Governor
Kieft steadily pursued this fallacy, and imagined that
he was about to make his fortune by discovering gold
on the island of Mana-ha-ta. He also encouraged the
sachems of the different tribes on Sewan-ha-ka and New
Jersey to bring him specimens of ore, and fancied that
he had realized his dreams of wealth when he purchased
specimens of copper from mines that had been worked,
time out of mind, by the savages, and from wliich they
made pipe-bowls, arrow-heads, and a few simple house-
hold necessities. These mines were at Belleville, on
Second Kiver, and at Bound Brook, New Jersey. The
governor was soon recalled to Holland, and he carried
off with him a quantity of quartz and other minerals,
intending to return to America with a staff of laborers
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Der Colonie Nieu Nederlands
and work the mines on the best-known European
methods. He sailed for Europe in the Princess, in
which was also Dominie Bogartus, and the first news of
the travellers that was received by the colonists was
that the vessel had been wrecked on the Welsh coast,
and that the governor, dominie, and eighty-two other
persons had been miserably drowned, and the precious
ora dropped to the bottom of the ocean.
Governor Petrus Stuyvesant was a brave, noteworthy
personage, who had lost a leg in his services for his
country. He had been governor of the island of Cu-
racoa, which post he resigned in order to return to Eu-
rope, in hopes that the superior surgical knowledge of
the men of his own country might alleviate the suffer-
ing caused by his wound. He was too valuable a man
to be allowed to remain quietly at home, and the gov-
ernment of the States General of Holland urged his ac-
ceptance of the government of the colony on Mana-ha-ta.
Governor Stuyvesant was accompanied to the New
World by his wife and a widowed sister, Anna Mrs.
Samuel Bayard. No one could know the accomplished
sister of Governor Stuyvesant without admiring her.
She had lost a devoted husband in Bayard, and, having
few ties in Holland, determined to follow the fortunes
of her brother when he was appointed governor of the
New Netherlands, and make a home for herself and her
little family in America. She brought a tutor with
her, for she wished her children to be accomplished and
well-educated, but the tutor fell in love with a young
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
woman after lie reached the colony, and, as he became
useless as a teacher, Madame Bayard released him from
the bond that bound him in her service for a term of
years, and herself undertook the education of her chil-
dren. In this she succeeded so well that her eldest
son was soon called upon to become clerk of the coun-
cil, being one of the few young men in the colony who
thoroughly understood Latin, French, Dutch, and Eng-
lish.
The first governors had been content to live in a
small house, next to the chapel inside of the fort. This
was now turned over to the chief secretary, and Gov-
ernor Stuyvesant selected a beautiful site at the point
of Mana-ha-ta, and ordered a large stone house built
for the gubernatorial use. It was constructed of a gray
stone, and from its color was named "The White Hall."
The ladies of the family planned the lovely gardens
that surrounded the mansion. They laid out prim,
straight walks, bordered with box, behind which were
beds of lavender, peonies, roses, tulips, and other
flowers. Bows of fruit-trees surrounded a vegetable
garden. To the north an imposing gateway opened on
" The Broad Way." The governor's periagua and
yacht lay south of the house at the Indians' " safe land-
ing place," Capsey's rocks, and on this spot took place
all the official receptions of visitors from foreign shores.
When Governor Stuyvesant assumed his office, the
two Dutch plantations had been colonized little more
than fifty years. They had gone through many thrilling
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Der Colonie Nieu Nederlands
experiences, for notwithstanding the good intentions of
the officials, and the benevolence of the pioneer women
to the Wilden, who encompassed them on every side,
there were always causes for complaint against unruly
adventurers, who defied authority and pushed their
way into the wilderness in search of game, etc., and
who often treated the aborigines with great brutality.
It was not to be expected that the savages could distin-
guish between the various colonies from Europe which
had settled so unexpectedly in America, with their dif-
ferent languages and different creeds. Dutch, English,
French, Swedes, all were alike to them, nor could the
wild men always be pacified after they had received
some insult from a European, even though they recog-
nized the fact that one colony was not responsible for
the misdeeds of another. They brooded over their
wrongs, and outbreaks were always imminent, although
the Dutch were always conciliatory in their treatment
of their wild neighbors, and constantly called the tribes
together and tried to keep them in good humor by
making them handsome presents.
Besides the mutterings of an Indian war, always to be
heard near the Dutch settlements, the Swedes on the
South (i.e., Delaware) River quarrelled with the people
of Mana-ha-ta ; and even as early as 1627 Governor Brad-
ford, of the Plymouth colony, wrote to the Dutch gov-
ernor and questioned his right to assume control over
the settlement of the New Netherlands, and declared
that the property belonged to the king of England.
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The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
The log of the Mayflower records the fact that the
emigrants were bitterly disappointed that at the end of
their long voyage they had not struck the inouth of the
Hudson River, instead of Cape Cod; and they wouiu
willingly have continued their trip until they reached
the Dutch settlement, had not the captain and owner of
the vessel refused to carry them any farther, and hur
riedly placed the discontented passengers "on the
stern and rock-bound coast," and departed for Europe,
leaving the Pilgrims to grumble on their desolate situ-
ation and struggle for life itself, in the wilderness that
surrounded them ; opposed by such foes as savages,
cold, hunger, and poverty, and with no hope of aid from
any mortal.
The Pilgrims were in a plight indeed, exiles from
their mother-country, outcasts from its established re-
ligion, scorned by the government, who were glad tc
see such turbulent persons pass out of their jurisdic-
tion. They had wandered to Holland in search of
homes, and then restlessly turned their faces toward
the New World, where they hoped to be autocrats and
autonomous.
Unlike the Dutch settlement, which was planned with
prudence and judgment, with all wants foreseen and pro-
vided for, the Pilgrim settlors emigrated with few of
the requisite tools, and were unprovided with materials
or workmen to provide them with homes. The greater
number were villagers or towns-people, and had no idea
of how to cultivate the soil or provide for the necessaries
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Der Colonie Nieu Nederlands
of life in a wilderness. A more hap-hazard, foolhardy
undertaking was never conceived, and it was not sur-
prising that all but a handful of the most hardy of the
emigrants died during the first few years after the
settlement was planted on the rocky coast of New Eng-
land. The women were not helpful housewives, like
those of Holland. They had learned much from their
hosts during the sojourn of the congregation among
the Dutch, but they were not capable of providing for
their family food, clothes, etc., as the Dutch women
had been trained to do. It was no wonder that the
whole community cast envious eyes on the thriving
Dutch plantation, and longed to oust the possessors
from the comfortable homes they had established and
fill them with their own families ; and, with the dom-
ineering disposition they always displayed, the Massa-
chusetts colonists tried to wrest the lands on Mana-
ha-ta from the Dutch, who had discovered the territory,
and lawfully purchased it from the aborigines, and, failing
in the attempt, pioneers from Massachusetts encroached
on the Dutch possessions wherever it was possible, and,
when once settled within its confines, it was impossible
to drive them away.
Between the turbulent Swedes to the left, the en-
croaching English to the right, the marauding Indians
and French on the north, the dread of invasion by
way of the sea, and the squabbles and dissensions
within the precincts of Mana-ha-ta, Governor Stuyve-
sant had a busy life,
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The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
Tlio chronicles of the day record his journeying to
Connecticut to repel some English settlers who had
built on the Dutch possessions, or sailing to the
"South " River to conquer the Swedes; and the records
of the " Honorable Council " are filled with his letters
to that board of municipal governors describing his
adventures. When at home he was constantly called
upon for the decisive vote in the council, and intricate
law cases were submitted to him for jurisdiction.
A close study of the records of New Amsterdam throws
some light on the domestic and political life in the
colony. The council was composed of the most note-
worthy or esteemed men of the place Beekman, Yan
Teenhoven, Johannes de Peyster, Charles Brown (a rene-
gade Englishman who afterward left the colony. In
the records his name is given as Carel Yan Brugh, but
he seems to have been no relation to Johannes Yan
Bru^h), Govert Lockerrnans, Jacobus Kip, etc., with
Governor Stuyvesant as presiding officer. All affairs,
great and small, were brought before the council, who
were forced to enact city ordinances one of which was
against the hogs of the East India Company, as these
hogs wandered at will through the streets and preferred
to uproot the walls of the fort to disposing of the gar-
bage, as they should have done. The question of bakers'
bread was a serious one, that took much of the time of
the councilmen, as complaints were loud and frequent
from the towns-people that the bread was under-weight,
or not made of properly bolted flour.
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Der Colonie Nieu Nederlands
The question of the proper quality of sewant and
wampum was frequently a source of contention, as the
pious settlers of the Massachusetts colony were not
above mingling the native currency of shells with beads
of glass, wood, and iron, and passing the worthless coin-
age as the true currency.
One amusing case came before the council when
Madame Geues accused Goody Huybert of stealing
linen napkins that were bleaching on the former's lawn.
The Goody was brought into the court-room and loudly
protested her innocence, and, on being remanded with-
out bail, tried to steal off in a boat to Beverwyck. The
schout (sheriff) was too quick for her, and arrested her
and brought her again to the Stadt-Huys, where the
whole council governor, schepens, burgomasters,
schout, fiscal, etc. were assembled to try the case.
The napkins in question were brought into court and
identified by Madame Geues, and after some discus-
sion, as the lady was by no means implacable, and
only demanded that the napkins be restored to her,
Goody Huybert was ordered to depart to Beverswyck,
never to return to Mana-ha-ta on pain of imprison-
ment.
Among the peculiar persons who were attracted to
the Dutch colony was an Englishwoman by the name
of Lady Moody. She had been driven from the Mas-
sachusetts settlement, as Roger Williams and so many
other worthies were, and she was forced to seek refuge
at Gravesend, or Nassau, on Long Island, where the
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The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
modest house that she had erected for herself over-
looked the harbor and was opposite the plantation
of Margaret Hardenbrook de Vries, on Meta Kooseka
(Staten Island).
The religious views of Lady Moody are incompre-
hensible in these days, but she held them with tenacity,
and was contented to expatriate herself in order to be
allowed to believe them in peace. She was a studious
woman, and surrounded herself in her isolated home
with a collection of books which at that time was the
most valuable on the continent. Mrs. Stuyvesant per-
suaded her husband to pay with her an official visit to
the recluse and extend to her his gubernatorial protec-
tion. The governor and his wife were charmed with
the learning of Lady Moody, and the aegis of their
friendship enabled her to live in peace and contentedly
to the end of her life in her lonely home.
But the governor was not equally lenient to the
Quakers, who flocked to his settlement from that of
Massachusetts, and he ordered them away and treated
them with great harshness. One of them was ordered
to be whipped, and " endured the lash until he faint-
ed, for several days in succession, and was thought to
be near his end." He was then ordered to " work at
the wheel-barrow," which he refused to do. It was
then that Madame Anna Bayard, who was a woman of
very enlightened views, interfered in behalf of the
unfortunate man. She implored her brother to re-
lease him, and importuned him so persistently and
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Der Colonie Nieu Nederlands
effectually that at last the governor was induced to
liberate him.
Director-General Stuyvesant's harshness to the Quak-
ers was reported to the States General of Holland, and
the governor was reproved for his severity and com-
manded to tolerate all religious beliefs, after the manner
of Patria, to whose shielding arms Huguenots, Labba-
dists, Quakers, Puritans, etc., were wont to flock, sure
of finding protection and tolerance within the borders
of Holland.
The governor, balked of his little amusement of fry-
ing and boring holes in the Quakers, after the example
of his English friends in Massachusetts, turned his
attention to Fort Orange, and brewed a quarrel with
Brant Van Slechtenhorst, the director of Rensselaers-
wyck. The dispute arose over the boundary-line be-
tween Fort Orange and the surrounding hamlet of
Beverswyck, which was undoubtedly on the manor
lands. There were two wrongs and no right to the dis-
cussion, which waxed hot and fierce, and Governor
Stuyvesant started for Bensselaerswyck in his yacht.
He had a stormy voyage up the Hudson that lasted a
fortnight before he could land his army of about twenty
men at the Fuyck, * as the Dutch called the disputed
territory. Director Yan Slechtenhorst was seized and
* Fuyck is the name of a fishing-net that is very large at one end
and tapers to a point at the other. The disputed property was of this
shape, and hence the nickname. At one time the city of Albany
was always called DP Fuyck.
in
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
imprisoned for refusing to strike the flag of the patroon
to the governor's signal, and also for defending the
manorial rights of his master, and was carried off to
Mana-ha-ta by the orders of Governor Stuyvesant,
where he was imprisoned. During his absence, Jeremias
Van Rensselaer, the son of the patroon, was ordered
to assume the directorship of the manor. Governor
Stuyvesant always meant well, but generally allowed
his hot temper to lead him to do wrong, and this high-
handed deed led to much confusion, which took time
and trouble to set straight, and it was not until the
colonies passed into the hands of the English that com-
missioners were appointed by their new owner, the
Duke of York, to decide on the title of the patroon and
the rights of the director of the colony of Eensselaers-
wyck, with the result that the fee of all the land seized
by Stuyvesant was restored to the manor, and Van
Slechtenhorst was honorably acquitted, although not
compensated for his unwarrantable arrest and imprison-
ment. Among the commissioners that arbitrated this
dispute, was John Churchill, afterward the celebrated
Duke of Marlborough, and it was said that the fees that
he received on this occasion laid the foundation of his
fortune.
112
IX
New York vs. New Amsterdam
Alarming News Visit of Governor Stuyvesant to Rensselaerswyck Ind-
ian Outbreak The Brave Governor The English Fleet The Earls
of Stirling- and their Property in America The Birth of New York
Feast Days and Holidays The Predicament of Governor Nicoll
Colonel Lovelace's Reception at Rensselaerswyck Refinement of the
Dutch Families Anecdote of the Ambassador of the Court of St.
James Recapture of Mana-ha-ta Sunday Observances New York
and Its Cosmopolitan Inhabitants The First Assemblies.
THE la-dies of Mana-ha-ta exerted all their influence
over the governor and his council to persuade
them to rest at peace with the other colonies, even at
the risk of losing some territory, and they gained the
consent of the authorities to allow all persons to
exercise their religious beliefs in freedom and quiet,
after the manner of Holland, which was the most
enlightened country of the day in those matters,
where each person might follow his own religious
convictions without question from neighbors or
government; and it was with a sense of relief that
the women of Mana-ha-ta discovered that their hus-
bands and fathers had yielded to these entreaties, and
were busily employed in a new and quite harmless
pursuit, and that the meetings of the council were
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The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
now occupied in selecting a device for a flag for the
colony. In this the women were only too glad to aid
them, and did so, by making a silk banner embroidered
with the selected device, which was the arms of the
New Netherland Company, and they presented it to the
governor for his own use, while a less elaborate ban-
ner was made by a milliner, under the direction of
the council, which was to flaunt from the flag- pole in
the fort.
Up to the middle of the seventeenth century the
colony on Mana-ha-ta had received no official cogno-
men ; even the spelling of the Wilden's name was ec-
centric and changeable. The place w r as at first such
an unimportant trading-post that it was hardly worthy
of the honor of a title. Then as it grew in importance
and was regularly colonized by the West India Com-
pany, all the country at the mouth of the Hudson
River was vaguely designated as The New Nether-
lands. But as time wore on, and the company was
rent with internal dissensions, the States General of
Holland gradually assumed protection over the planta-
tion, and they determined to encourage the settlement
on the island of Mana-ha-ta by taking it publicly under
their care and bestowing on it a more distinctive name
than the Towne of Mannados, as it had sometimes been
called. It was therefore arranged by the governor and
council, under instructions from the home government,
to hold a grand and formal function on oiae of the feasts
of the Church, and accordingly, on Candlemas, February
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New York vs. New Amsterdam
2, 1653, amid firing of guns and general feasting at
White Hall, and rejoicing among the towns-people, the
new silk banner was unfurled on the governor's house,
and the seals of the town (which had been carefully
arranged by the best heraldic authorities in the col-
ony) were duly impressed on the parchment which pro-
claimed that the tiny " dorp " had developed into a
"burgh," with properly authorized officials, and that
the name of the new city was to be henceforth and for-
ever New Amsterdam.
The good people flattered themselves that the name
would be as imperishable as the government that they
instituted, and indeed for eleven years all went fairly
well, and the town throve and grew in importance ; but,
even during this time of seeming prosperity, the Dutch
burghers were troubled by rumors from Europe that
warned them that the English government (egged on by
the envious settlers at Massachusetts) were arranging
to invade their settlement and annex it to the other
British possessions in America.
New Amsterdam was in no condition to repel an in-
vasion. Its fort was a wretched structure that could
not even withstand the attacks of the city hogs, but was
crumbling under their daily onslaughts. Nor had the
town any money to repair it, or throw up new defences,
or even to pay an army to occupy and defend it, much
less provision it against a siege.
Governor Stuyvesant did what he could to put the
city in a proper condition. He ordered the breeches in
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
the fort to be filled with earth ; he sent to the neigh-
boring farmers, and commanded them to hasten to New
Amsterdam with all the provender that they could spare,
and set his own servants to work to gather his crops,
intending to take them inside the walls, and devote the
products of his farms to the welfare of his subjects, and
so provision them against a siege. But the governor
needed money, and was forced to turn for help to the
rich and prosperous principality that adjoined his set-
tlement, and write to the colony of Rensselaerswyck for
assistance ; and although, after the high-handed treat-
ment received by Director Van Slechteuhorst, there was
little cordiality between the two governments, Stuy-
vesant was forced to eat humble-pie and beg the present
director (Jerernias Van Rensselaer) to aid him in the
dilemma.
A landsdaght, or diet, was convened in New Am-
sterdam in the early part of 16G4, over w r hich "der Groot
Director " was requested to preside. The members were
called on to deliberate on the unprotected state of the
colony, and the Manor of Rensselaerswyck was asked to
loan money to erect proper fortifications on Mana-ha-ta.
The modest sum requested was 5,000 or 6,000 guelders,
and Stuyvesant urgently demanded this in a letter dated
July 8, 1664, addressed to his " Honorable and dear
Heer Van Rensselaer." The director positively refused
to advance the sum required without security, and the
irate governor was forced to board his yacht and brave
the perils of a voyage up the Hudson River to Kensse-
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New York vs. New Amsterdam
laerswyck, hoping to soften the heart of the director
and persuade him that it was to his own advantage to
defend New Amsterdam from the English, not only by
giving money, but also by ordering oat the reserves of
the colony in its defence. This the director was quite
able to do ; he had a large sum of money at his com-
mand from the resources of the colony, and he also had
a good private fortune. Madame Van Rensselaer was also
rich and the daughter of one of the wealthiest citizens
of New Amsterdam. The governor was received on his
arrival at Rensselaerswyck with all the honors befitting
his office, and der Heer Yan Rensselaer and his wife
gave a grand entertainment for him, but the weighty
errand on which Stuyvesant had come was politely
put aside and ignored.
The director could have called out a goodly troop to
rally under his flag had he been so disposed, as every
tenant on the manor was bound by his oath of alle-
giance to the patroon to obey a call to arms at the shortest
notice ; but Madame Van Cortlandt in New Amsterdam,
and Madame Van Rensselaer, her daughter, at Rensse-
laerswyck, threw all their womanly influence into the
scale to prevent calling out the troops, or advancing
money. The ladies dreaded a war beyond all things,
and they seemed to imagine that they could avert it if
they could prevent the defensive preparations for it. As
things turned out, perhaps they were wise in stopping
warlike demonstrations that would have been insuffi-
cient and ineffectual, and they certainly prevented blood-
117
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
shed. Their argument was " that they cared nothing
about who were called the lawgivers or rulers in Europe,
as long as they commanded at home," and while they
were disputing the weighty question with their lords,
armed only with their womanly weapon, the tongue,
they conquered before their lords and masters realized
what was going on.
It was no wonder that the ladies wanted peace at any
price ; they had only lately recovered from the terrors
of an Indian outbreak, and hardly yet slept comfortably
in their beds. The Masquaas, on the west side of the
Hudson, and the Machicaus, on its east, had gone on the
war-path to revenge the murder of a young brave who
had been wantonly killed by a drunken, worthless scamp,
who had wandered to Mana-ha-ta from another colony.
The Wilden did not separate the unauthorized deeds of
an outcast from organized attacks of a government, and
they simply revenged their wrongs on the first defence-
less person that they could find, and, after murdering
several trappers who were quietly pursuing their work
in the forests, the savages finally fell on the scattered
settlements on Staten Island, Pavonia, and Hoboken,
and murdered men, women, and children in their sleep.
The "up-river" tribes joined in what they determined
should be a war of extermination, and the massacres ex-
tended to Esopus, a settlement on the Hudson River,
half-way between Mana-ha-ta and Eensselaerswyck, the
inhabitants of which were murdered in cold blood,
while a terrific encounter took place on Nutten Island ;
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New York vs. New Amsterdam
and although the Indians were driven to their canoes,
it was not without considerable loss of life among
the colonists, who, while defending the Mana-ha-ta
settlement on the south, learned, to their consterna-
tion, that Madame Stuyvesant, with her children and a
few attendants, were at their " bouwerie," some miles
north of the city walls, and with no adequate means of
defence. The governor was absent on one of his many
missions, but the brave lady sent word to the burghers
that they need feel no alarm on her account, and quietly
sent for a number of Frenchmen who had lately come to
the colony in search of work, and engaged them to de-
fend her house, which she prepared for a siege. The
savages fortunately did not attack her, and gradually
returned to the interior without doing any further dam-
age, and the community settled shudderingly down to
something approaching repose, and prayed that they
might be left in peace by Indians and Europeans.
But their tranquillity was of short duration, and thu
people of New Amsterdam were startled from their beds
early in the morning of August 22, 1664, by the boom-
ing of guns which they knew could not come from their
ruined fort, and they were terrified when they learned
that their foes were upon them, and that four English
war-vessels were in the lower bay, just below " the
Narrows."
Governor Stuyvesant was again away enjoying the
hospitalities of his kind hosts at Rensselaerswyck, and
the few troops that were at his command were either in
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The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
attendance on him or were supine and without a leader
in the worthless fortifications.
This English marauding expedition was commanded
by Colonel Richard Nicolls, a groom of the bed-chamber
to James, Duke of York, lord high admiral of Eng-
land and brother of Charles II., king of Great Britain,
Ireland and Wales. The Stuarts were always impe-
cunious, extravagant, and unscrupulous, and they lost
no opportunity of enriching themselves at other persons'
expense. When one of the common herd took other
persons' property in those days, he was punished by
death or transportation, and his crime was called
" theft," but when the same deed was committed by
royalty, particularly if it was done by English royalty,
it was commended as an honorable action by the loyal
subjects and the historians, however the victims might
protest and nations remonstrate. An iron arm silenced
all objections, and the "king ruled by divine right."
The enterprise against the Dutch colony was quietly
planned. The English had no real dispute with them,
although at war with Holland, a country which was at
that date "masters of the sea." So, after the fashion
of England, it turned its arms against the little Dutch
settlement at Mana-ha-ta rather than the well -de-
feuded ports of Holland, and the small English fleet
slipped past the Dutch men-of-war in the European
waters and sailed across the ocean to take possession of
a colony that had not the power and scarcely the will to
defend itself.
120
New York vs. New Amsterdam
The Duke of York, in his position of lord high
' *- O
admiral of England, was able to direct naval expedi-
tions and turn them to his own advantage. The diary
of Samuel Pepys, who was one of the naval board at
that time, shows the corrupt condition of all the govern-
ment departments under the misguidance of Charles
Stuart, and particularly that of the naval, which was
controlled by the brother of the king. The Duke of
York determined to make a kingdom for himself in the
New World ; he had seen how his servant William Penn
was becoming rich and independent ; he was well ac-
quainted with the success of the colony at Bensselaers-
wyck, and had looked with envy at the growth and
increase of the Mana-ha-ta plantation. By a curious
and ingenious process of reasoning, the Duke of York
considered that the island of Stirling, Nassau, or Long
Island, as it was variously termed, belonged to himself,
together with what are now known as the States of New
York and New Jersey. It is true that the duke had
bought the land from Henry, the third Earl of Stirling,
but, with characteristic forgetfulness, he had omitted to
pay any part of the purchase-money, and had acquired
no title whatever to the lands in question ; but that
was of no consequence in the eyes of his royal highness.
In order to arrive at any understanding of the ques-
tion, it is necessary to revert to the ancestors of the
earls of Stirling and their early connection with the
house of Stuart.
The family of Alexander traces its descent from Alex-
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The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
ander McDonald, a younger son of John, Lord of the
Isles, by his marriage with Margaret, daughter of Robert
IT. of Scotland. The clans of McDonald, McAllister,
etc., are of this descent. The seat of the ancient barons
is at Meustrie, five miles east of Stirling, in Scotland, at
the base of the Ochiel Hills, on a small stream in the
shire of Olackmannon. It had been occupied since
1485. Alexander Alexander (which name was a corrup-
tion or variation of McAllister) was fifth Baron Meu-
strie. He died February 10, 1580, leaving a brother,
John Alexander, who inherited the estates of Gogur,
and a son, William Alexander, who inherited the estates
of Meustrie, and was created, in 1633, Earl of Stirling,
Yiscount Canada, and Lord Alexander of Tullibordie.
William Alexander, sixth Baron and Laird of Meu-
'strie, was a man of education and accomplishments
far in advance of most of the Scotchmen of his time.
When a young man, he had made the tour of Europe
with his cousin, the Earl of Argyle. It was an unpar-
alleled journey to make in those days, and conferred an
air of distinction and breeding on the young traveller
that could not have been acquired in the fastnesses of
his native land. William Alexander had also acquired
a reputation as a scholar and a poet, and as he was " a
sprightly youth and possessed of elegant manners," he
was soon introduced into the highest court circles,
where he became a general favorite and the intimate
friend of King James VI. of Scotland. The young
men had met by chance on a sporting expedition
122
New York vs. New Amsterdam
among the cliffs of Ben Cleugli, and the king invited
Alexander to Stirling Castle, with the result that the
boyish acquaintance ripened into a well-cemented
friendship.
James consulted his friend on all occasions, and
implicitly followed his advice. It is said that "he
esteemed him greatly as a wise and learned man,"
ard his majesty was pleased to prefer him to the
" Master of the Bequests," and made him a knight.
In one of the king's letters, he calls Sir "William Alex-
ander " my well-beloved companion and philosophical
friend." The king was somewhat of a pedant, and loved
to be considered wise, and he found it convenient to
have always at his elbow a well-informed person on
whose accuracy and learning he could depend ; and his
majesty often quoted Sir "William Alexander's opinions
as if they were his own, greatly to the amusement of
the scholar, who, while recognizing the source of some
of the wise sayings of his king, only bowed in humble
admiration of the learning of his master, as a good
courtier should do.
In 1621 the Laird of Meustrie became greatly inter-
ested in the exploration and discoveries on the Ameri-
can continent, and he succeeded in inflaming the king's
curiosity about the New World. After some debate,
the laird and his master concluded to colonize, and con-
cocted a scheme by which they might enrich themselves
with little trouble or expense. By quietly ignoring the
claims of other nations of prior discovery, and overlook-
123
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
ing as worthless the ownership of the aborigines, they
decided that the king of England was sovereign of all
of America above the fortieth degree of latitude and
below the St. Lawrence River. Under these conditions,
James granted to his " well-beloved friend ' a royal
charter under the great seal, dated at Windsor Castle,
September 10, 1621, which gave to the laird of Meu-
strie all the territory lying to the east of the River St.
Croix and south of the St. Lawrence River. Sir Will-
iam, in return for this large grant of land, undertook
to colonize it at his own expense, and accordingly, in
March, 1622, the first expedition of settlers left England
for the New World. The vessel in which they set sail
only succeeded in reaching the shores of Newfoundland,
and, after the emigrants had suffered incredible hard-
ships, the enterprise was abandoned. But Alexander
by no means relinquished his project, into which the
king entered most heartily, and between them they
arranged a new plan of colonization, which would ac-
complish the purpose at no expense to themselves.
This was, to divide the country into large tracts that
should carry with each estate a title, after the fashion
of Holland, where certain demesnes were called " Red-
dergoeds," the owners of which bore as a title the name
of the land. The purchasers of the estates were re-
quired to pledge themselves to colonize at their own
expense, within a certain period, under pain of the for-
feiture of the property, and were to be permitted to
select an appropriate title for themselves and their
124
New York vs. New Amsterdam
purchase, on the payment of a certain sum of money to
Sir William Alexander.
It was under this arrangement that the knights baro-
nets of England were created in April, 1625, by Sir
William Alexander, and all the patents were signed by
him ; and one hundred and fifty baronets were thus
created under his own patent, which proves how
greedily the bait was seized by the wealthy men of
England, who gladly purchased a title that carried with
it large grants of land on what they fancied were easy
terms. It proved so indeed, as none of the baronets
carried out the provisions of the purchase, which were
to colonize the new country as soon as possible, and, in
consequence, the estates in Nova Scotia reverted to the
original grantor, while the gentlemen retained their
titles, which was all that they desired to have, and re-
mained residents of their native laud. The king and
his " philosophical friend " found themselves enriched
by the sale of these titles and the land that they had
acquired without effort or expense. The first baronets
were styled " of Nova Scotia," and the initials N. S.
are still to be found in the peerage after the names of
the one hundred and fifty first creations.
The affection of the royal family for Sir William
Alexander did not cease on the death of James I. His
son and successor, Charles I., gave Sir William the
privilege of coining small copper money, and also made
him secretary of state for Scotland, which office he
filled for fifteen years, for which he was created a peer
125
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
and made Earl of Stirling, a title that was selected by
the king himself and bestowed as an especial mark of
the royal favor, as it was that of his own hereditary
stronghold, the great Scottish castle of Stirling.
In 1628 Alexander had received a fresh grant of terri-
tory that covered all the country that lay between the
St. Lawrence River and the Delaware River, from the
Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
There is in the office of the Herald King of Arms a
letter from the king, dated March 15, 1632, addressed
to Sir James Balfour, Lyon King of Arms, ordering him
to marshal the arms of the lately created Viscount
Stirling, and in January 28, 1635, the arms of the earl
were again augmented, by order of his majesty. In
January, 1634, the land (or continent) granted to the
Earl of Stirling had been most particularly confirmed
to him, with the additional specified tract, which, in the
words of the original deed (now on file in the Land
Office), is as follows : " That part of the Main land in
New England, from St. Croix (River) adjoining New
Scotland, along the sea-coast to Pemaquid, and so up
the river to the Kenebequi, to be henceforth called
the County of Canada, also the Island of Matowack or
Long Island, to the West of Cape Cod, to be hereafter
called Isle of Stirling."
The son of the first earl who bore the title of Vis-
count Canada pre- deceased his father, and the title was
inherited by a young child who did not long survive, but
iied three months after his grandfather. The title then
126
New York vs. New Amsterdam
reverted to Henry, the second son of the first Earl of
Stirling, who had married Mary, the daughter of Sir
Peter Yanlooe, an alderman of London. The third
Earl of Stirling died August 16, 1664, but before his
death he had found his estates in America a most
troublesome possession. By his commands, an agent
by the name of Forrester, Forest, or Farett, as it is vari-
ously spelled, had emigrated to the Isle of Stirling in
order to look after the interests of the English propri-
etor. Under authority from the Earl of Stirling, Major
Forrester had sold a considerable amount of property
to settlers who had wandered there from other colonies
and who were glad to receive what they considered
good titles for the land they occupied and already had
under cultivation, and also to consider themselves under
the protection of England. The Isle of Wight, now
known as " Gardiner's Island," was bought from the
Indian owners, but it also received a title from Major
Forrester, as agent of the Earl of Stirling.
These transactions came to the ears of Governor
Stuyvesant, who believed that the land in question
belonged to his masters, the States General of Holland,
and were under his jurisdiction. The governor there-
fore quietly sent for Major Forrester, who unsuspicious-
ly went to a conference held at Mana-ha-ta, where he was
seized by order of the governor and put on a vessel
bound for Holland. The governor, no doubt, thought
that he had easily disposed of a troublesome person
who was encroaching on his prerogative, but, as it
127
The Goedc Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
happened, the vessel on which Major Forrester was
transported was wrecked on the English coast, and ho
made his escape from his captors and proceeded to
London, -where he laid his case before his employer,
Lord Stirling, who at once carried his grievances to the
ears of the king. It w r as under these circumstances
that the Duke of York offered to buy out the rights of
the Earl of Stirling, who gladly sold them for the sum
of 7,000, and the Duke of York, without going
through the formality of putting down the purchase-
money or acquiring the necessary title-deeds, imme-
diately sent the expedition to seize on the Dutch plan-
tations in the New World. The expedition was quietly
planned, and the colonists had hardly received warning
of the project before their foes were upon them.
Governor Stuyvesant rushed from Kensselaerswyck
to New Amsterdam as speedily as possible, only to find
matters beyond his control. He had no defences, no
soldiers, no provisions, and no money at his command.
The burghers, incited by their vrouwen, declared their
intention of capitulating, as they preferred to keep their
houses, property, and lives intact, and they saw that
there was but little hope of successfully defending their
unprotected situation. The governor, however, showed
fight, like the brave warrior that he was, and he ordered
the guns to be manned and fired on the enemy, but
here again he was balked, and this time by the dom-
inie, who laid his hand on the governor's arm and com-
manded peace.
128
New York vs. New Amsterdam
Worried and harassed on every side, unsupported
by his council, defied by the petticoat government, the
poor governor could only submit and sign articles of
capitulation, and then retire disgusted to his bouwerie.
September 8, 1664, saw the untimely end of the Dutch
burgh of New Amsterdam and the birth of the city of
New York, which sprang, like Minerva, full-grown
from a warrior's head. Down came the ladies' silken
flag, and was carried off (to be used as a bed-spread by
one of the thrifty dames), and up went the banner of
St. George, and for over one hundred years the colony
was doomed to be oppressed by the misrule and avarice
of the rapacious English government, with only a brief
respite during the few mouths in 1673 when it returned
to the order and tranquillity that prevailed under the
rule of the States General of Holland, before being again
brought under the English government.
Johannes Van Brugh, burgomaster and schepen of
New Amsterdam, was one of the first of the Dutch
worthies to bow his neck to the yoke. He lived in a
stone house on Hanover Square, and some of the hand-
somest trees on the island shaded his house, which was
large and well-furnished, after the manner of Holland.
At the suggestion of Madame Van Brugh (who was the
daughter of Annekje Jans) they gave a large entertain-
ment in honor of the new arrivals, and invited all their
friends to meet Governor Nicolls and his suite, as the
good lady hoped to conciliate the English in this way ;
and as she and her husband were among the oldest in-
129
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
habitants they considered that the duties of hospitality
fell on their shoulders in the absence of the official rep-
resentative of their countrymen. It was unfortunate
that the entertainment was not received in the spirit in
which it was tendered. The new arrivals were haughty
and overbearing in their manners, and, it is said, mis-
behaved themselves toward their hosts and their guests,
so that the well-meant efforts of the good lady resulted
in making a breach between the governor and the peo-
ple of the town, for which his excellency was heartily
sorry when he began to realize how much he had lost
by his rude behavior. After-efforts toward reconcilia-
tion (which, to do the governor justice, he did his best
to make) never completely healed the breach caused by
the first outbreak at this entertainment. The officials
wore obliged to meet Governor Nicolls at occasional
formal entertainments, but the staid and older members
of the town, particularly the ladies, would have nothing
whatever to do with his excellency or his court, and
they were quietly ignored in all the pleasant entertain-
ments which were constantly being given on the sociable
little island of Mana-ha-ta.
Apparently the ladies were correct in their opinion
that a change of name and owners would make but
little difference in the happiness of the community. It
was many years before they realized that it had not
been for the good of the people, as at first they believed
it to be. The English rulers could not speak the lan-
guage of their subjects, and almost all were retained in
130
New York vs. New Amsterdam
the official positions that they had held previous to the
conquest, and the place apparently remained a Dutch
settlement, and the new governor was a thing apart from
the home-life of the colonists, and had no influence
over their social customs. The Dutch vrouwen con-
trolled their households as before, and governed their
husbands with silken threads. The "good man" was
permitted to make the acquaintance of the English, and
the young folks to mingle in the amusements devised to
conciliate and amuse them by the new governor, who
was accustomed to the life of a court, but the worthy
vrouwen held aloof and bided their time.
There were many feast-days and holidays that were
always observed by the Dutch. Paas was a cherished
one and never forgotten, nor was Candlemas overlooked.
New Year's Day was the grand festival of the year, and
its observance, inaugurated by the first settlers, was
handed down to their descendants, and was followed
until about 1870, when the size of the city of New York
rendered its further observance impossible. The Dutch
ladies always made grand preparations for the great
feast of " Nieuw- Jaar," and that of 1667 was more rigor-
ously observed than usual, as they wished to mark their
adherence to their time-honored customs. Each burgher
rose early and dressed himself with care, prepared to
go the rounds of the city and call on every lady of his
acquaintance, to wish her a happy new year.
The governor's wife and his sister, Mrs. Bayard, re-
ceived the honor of the first visit. They sat in state in
The Goecle Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
the best parlor of their bouwerie, clad in their hand-
somest robes, and received sluy after sluy load of visitors.
The best part of the function was the tasting and sipping
of various cordials prepared by the matrons themselves
after secret family receipts. The wine was handed with
the remark, " Credencense ! " and accepted with a deep
bow and the wish of " A happy new year," after which
each gentleman bowed himself out, to be succeeded by
nearly every man of the little town who wished to pay
his respects to the governor's wife, while the first-
comers hastened back to the city to greet every lady of
his acquaintance with the same good wishes.
It sometimes happened that among the festivals which
the Dutch patronized in memory of Patria all were
not held under proper supervision, and they therefore
degenerated and became like the keriniss too much of
an orgy to please the proper women of the town. One
of these was called the Feast of Bacchus, and the revels
became so unlicensed that the attention of the governor
was called to them, with the entreaty that he would
take measures to repress its celebration. It was de-
nounced as " unprofitable, unnecessary, and censur-
able," and it was called a " pagan feast, tho' it may be
tolerated and looked at thro' the fingers in Patria."
The hospitality and simple pleasures wisely instituted
by the Dutch made the city of New York unique among
its neighbors, and, down to the outbreak of the Revolu-
tion, its inhabitants were noted for their kindness to
strangers. "All felt it, all praised it," says a contem-
132
New York vs. New Amsterdam
porary writer ; " nothing was too good and no attention
too engrossing for a stranger. That name was a pass-
port to everything kind and generous. All who were
introduced to the new-comer invited him to home and
board, and treated him like one of the family." The
houses even were planned like those of Madame Van
Cortlandt, with a " slaap-bauck " in the sitting-room
ready to be offered to a stranger at a moment's notice.
The sixth of December (St. Mcolaus's Day) was es-
pecially honored the year the Dutch city had capitu-
lated to the English fleet. It was the saint's-day of the
burgh, and was always celebrated with peculiar ceremo-
nies. All the Dutch citizens were decorated by their
vrouwen with new orange -colored bands or ribbons, on
which were inscribed the old Dutch war-cry, " Orange
Boven." This afforded much quiet amusement to Gov-
ernor Nicolls and his English officers, who felt that
they could afford to allow such a harmless exhibition of
loyalty to Holland from burghers who went no farther
in their demonstrations. But in spite of the seeming
security and supremacy of the English governor, who
proclaimed the " duke's laws " and instituted many
changes in the government, he was in fact in a mighty
precarious position. From the time of his arrival in
the colony he had received no support from the home
government, no provisions, and no clothing for his
soldiers, and they were few in number and utterly inad-
equate for his needs. He tried to fill his empty " chest "
by building a tavern adjoining the alley beside the
133
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
Stadt-Hujs, on Pearl Street, opposite Coenties Slip.
A covered way connected the two places, much to the
horror of the Dutch worthies, who thus saw " tapping "
and drinking encouraged by the governor, when it had
always been hitherto the practice to frown on or pre-
vent it. The Duke of York had been willing enough to
seize on the American colony when it cost him nothing,
as he hoped to get a large revenue from it at no expense
to himself ; he wanted money from his new possessions,
but had no idea of spending any, even to insure his
retaining them. The town, which had been poorly for-
tified against his attack, was no stronger than at its
capitulation. The English governor was surrounded
by enemies passive and peace-loving ones it might be,
but still quite willing to return to their allegiance to
Holland, and on the slightest encouragement to send
him to a rural retreat after his predecessor, Governor
Stuyvesant.
Two tribes of savages on the northern border went
on the " war-path," and Governor Nicolls was distracted
with anxiety. Of course the worthy denizens of the
colony were well-acquainted with these difficulties, and
hoped that they would disgust the English and force
them to leave the plantation. Nicolls tried to coerce his
subjects into contributing money for his expenses, but
as he had no means of enforcing commands when he
issued them, he was no better off than he was before.
The small English army quartered in the battered
fort were barely sheltered from the elements, and only
134
New York vs. New Amsterdam
provided with coarse and dirty straw for bedding that
had been discarded by the Dutch soldiers as worthless,
and the old vrouwen of the place shook their heads over
the thriftlessness of a government that failed to provide
for the health and comforts of its dependents, and the
ladies were delighted when they heard of a letter the
English commander had written to his superiors, in
which he said : " Such is our straits that not one soldier
to this day, since I brought him out of England, has
been in a pair of sheets." To the Dutch vrouwen, who
knew how dependent their husbands were on home com-
forts and cleanliness, this state of affairs meant defeat
and the probable abandonment of the enterprise by the
enemy, who had so far gained nothing by their capture ;
since the women concluded that the soldiers would
rebel unless their wants were better attended to. The
soldiers, however, were forced to remain, and it was
Governor Nicolls who resigned and, determined to beat
a retreat, demanded his recall from the home govern-
ment. Colonel Francis Lovelace soon arrived to take
his place.
The new governor found many vexed questions
awaiting his arrival for adjustment, and among others,
the dispute on the northern borders with the savages.
Nicolls carried Colonel Lovelace in the gubernatorial
yacht to Kensselaerswyck, and the governors spent a
week at the manor-house, and were feted by the patroon
and his wife. The hospitality and courteous manners
of the Dutch families keenly impressed the soldier-
135
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
governor, who found, in what he supposed would be a
wilderness, more refinements and luxuries than he was
accustomed to at home. King Charles had particularly
recommended him to be friendly with the Patroon Van
Rensselaer, to whom and to whose family the king had
been so greatly iudebted during his exile; and Gov-
ernor Lovelace, after being entertained at Rensselaers-
wyck, wrote a private letter to his sovereign, in which
he said, " I find some of the people have the breeding
of courts, and I cannot imagine how such is acquired."
There was another ambassador connected with the
Court of St. James, who was at the same time discover-
ing for himself that the English were behind the Dutch
in their notions of good-breeding and cleanliness. This
was Sir William Temple, who had been sent ambassa-
dor to The Hague. He was one of " the most elegant
and accomplished gentlemen at the court of Charles II.
a wit among the courtiers, and a courtier among the
wits," says Macaulay in his "Essays." This great man,
who had inherited a handsome estate from his father,
Sir James Temple (Master of the Rolls in Ireland, and
one of the Privy Councillors), was educated at Cam-
bridge, and was fond of literary pursuits, and jotted
down some of his experiences during his residence
among the Dutch, where, says Macaulay, " he was sur-
rounded by objects interesting in the highest degree to
a man of his observant mind. The simple life of the
burghers struck him with astonishment ; he was accus-
tomed to see in England great display and but few com-
136
New York vs. New Amsterdam
forts." " Dining one day with the chief burgomaster
of Amsterdam, he noticed that every time that he spat
on the floor, while at table, a tight, handsome wench,
who stood in a corner holding a cloth, got down on her
knees and wiped it up. Seeing this, he turned to his
host and apologized for the trouble he was giving, and
received the jocular response : ' It is well for you that
my wife is not at home, for she would have turned you
out of the house for soiling her floor, although you are
the English ambassador.' '
Mana-ha-ta was destined to be captured and recapt-
ured, time after time, without a blow being struck in
its defence, and the year 1673 saw its capitulation to a
Dutch fleet, which sailed into the harbor and quietly
demanded that the English robbers should renounce
their prey. Governor Lovelace had no option but to
obey, and the burghers and their wives rejoiced greatly
over the bloodless victory. The latter pointed out with
pride that lives, property, etc., were intact, and all owing
to the feminine judgment that had counselled submis-
sion to the English the year before, when the British
fleet had been the conquerors without firing a musket,
and in turn had yielded to the superior force without
even a word of protest. The English had jeered at the
Dutch for their cowardice, and in turn had displayed
the same pusillanimity.
Now, the most worthy of the citizens of Mana-ha-ta
were called on to form a government. Admiral Colve
(one of the commanders of the Dutch fleet) was placed
137
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
in the governor's chair ; Oloff Yan Cortlandt, William
Beekinan, Johannes de Peyster, Nicholas Bayard, and
Guilian Verplanck composed the council, and occupied
themselves at once in restoring to the city its Dutch
laws, civic seals, and old insignia.
The dignified custom of observing Sunday was at
once resumed, and the first one after the capitulation
saw the worthy governor, schepens, and burgomaster
meeting at the Stadt-Huys, when summoned by the
tolling of the bell, clad in long cloaks and huge bell-
crowned hats, marching in stately procession, striking
in unison their ponderous gold-topped staffs of office, to
the old church, preceded by the "bell-ringer," carrying
velvet cushions to be placed in the government pew for
the better ease and comfort of the worthy magistrates ;
while their wives and children quietly gathered in the
same building, each one provided with a small square
"foot-stove," which warmed their feet during the long
and somewhat tiresome thanksgiving services that en-
sued.
But this state of affairs was not destined to last long.
The Dutch colonies in America had been for years a
source of trouble and annoyance to the States General
of Holland, who had been forced to protect their emi-
grants at great expense to the state, while the profits
of the colony were absorbed by the West India Com-
pany. The government could protect the water-soaked
lands of Holland during the war with England with
comparative ease, but it was difficult to defend a colony
138
New York vs. New Amsterdam
the boundaries of which were so undefined and of such
great extent ; it was little wonder, then, that, when ar-
ranging the treaty of peace between the Netherlands
and England, the colony of Mana-ha-ta became a shut-
tlecock between the two powers, and the Fatherland
finally tossed it, with a sense of relief, into the hands
of the rapacious English.
Governor Colve received orders from his govern-
ment to resign his seals of office to the properly
accredited English authority, and on February 9,
1674, Sir Edmund Andross arrived in the colony, and
Mana-ha-ta yielded again to a bloodless conquest,
quietly resumed the name of New York, accepted the
English officials and their laws, tucked the silken flag
of New Amsterdam over the bed of the goede vrouw
who reclaimed her handiwork, and settled down to
the altered state of affairs with as much grace as
possible.
While it is true that the inhabitants of the plantation
on the Hudson River were chiefly of Dutch extraction,
many of the immigrants were from other countries.
Having found in Holland relief from religious persecu-
tion, many of these persons gradually drifted to the New
World, where they felt more sure of a livelihood than
was possible in the crowded countries of Europe, and
the point of attraction in America was the Dutch settle-
ment. Many of the wanderers had married in Holland,
where the women were noted for comeliness, virtue,
housewifely qualities, and these ties drew families of
139
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
mixed blood to Mana-ha-ta, and the colony became cos-
mopolitan in its character at a very early date. As
early as 1668 arrangements had been made for weekly
reunions by the principal families of the town. These
sociables were the first of the assemblies, or dances, for
which New York has always been noted. The ladies
planned the entertainments and kept the management
of them always in their own hands. They were at
first held at the houses of the members in turn. The
quantity and quality of the refreshments were deter-
mined on by the matrons, and were simple in the ex-
treme, and generally consisted of roast oysters, cakes,
and jellies. The gathering took place at six o'clock in
the evening and broke up at nine, precisely, after a
nightcap of hot spiced wine, served in silver tankards.
These assemblies were continued until the breaking out
of the War of the Revolution, and were attended by the
descendants of the original projectors, and the member-
ship was almost considered hereditary. The principal
families concerned were the Van Cortlandts, De Peys-
ters, Kips, Lockermans, Lawrences, Stuyvesants, Bay-
ards, Provoosts, Varleths, Schricks, etc. As the young
people grew up they were permitted to join these assem-
blies, which became a favorite place for courting, and
many matches were made at these hospitable gatherings.
But they also covered political meetings, which could
be held under the nose of the government without sus-
picion, where the men discussed affairs of state and their
wives were able to throw in quiet words of counsel, that
140
New York vs. New Amsterdam
received due attention and had their weight in matters
even of the gravest importance.
The first history of Mana-ha-ta, written by a native-
born citizen, is worth quoting. The writer was
named Daniel Denton, and his descendants live to-
day in Jamaica, Long Island, as he did. He was the
son of a clergyman, born at East Hampton, Long Isl-
and, and settled at Jamaica, where he became a bur-
gomaster, and his description of the colony may be
repeated in his own quaint language. It was written
in 1670, and, as has before been mentioned, he refutes
the derivation of the word Mana-ha-ta, given it by an
ignorant English traveller who was unacquainted with
the language, and who had blindly adopted some jocose
remark and declared that it was derived from a
" drunken orgie " held on the island by its discoverers.
This statement is declared incorrect by Denton, and,
as he was familiar with the Algonquin language, he is
probably right. The author describes the island of
Mana-ha-ta in the following words : " Here you need
not trouble the shambles for meat, nor Bakers, nor
Brewers, for Beer or Bread, nor even to a Linen Draper
for a supply. Every one Making their own Linnen
and a great part of their Woolen Cloth for their ordi-
nary wearing. You may travel from one end of the
country to the other with as much security as if you
were lockt within your own Chamber, and if you chance
to meet with an Indian Town they shall give you the
best Entertainment they have, and upon your desire
I4.I
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
direct you on your way. But that which adds Happi-
ness to all the rest is the Healthfulness of the place
where many people in 20 years time never know what
sickness is. Which they look upon as a great Mortality
if 2 or 3 die out of a town in a years time you shall
scarce see a house but the South side is begirt with
Hives of Bees which increase after an incredible
Manner."
X
Passing of the Pioneers
Death of Governor Stuyvesant, and His Epitaph Death of Mr. and Mrs.
Van Cortlandt Their Children Purchase of the Van Cortlandt
Manor The Marriage and Home of Dominie Selyns Death of
Annekje Jans The Varleth Family Madame de Peyster and Her
Children Marriage of Maria de Peyster and Death of Her Bride-
groom The Second Marriage The Spratts and the "White Lad}e
of Baldoon " The Food of the Early Colonists Introduction of
Vegetables into the Colony The Wilden's Names for Fish, etc.
Patriotic Crabs Manufactory of "Sout" Poems on Fish.
YEAKS passed by, and the goede vrouwen were be-
ginning, sorrowfully, to discover that the change
in the government was having its effects, and that a
change in the manners and customs of the younger
generation was taking place in a way that was by no
means pleasing to the conservative pioneers. One by
one the heads of the families were called to a better
land, and there was no one to take their places.
The doughty warrior, Petrus Stuyvesant, died full of
years, mourned by all who knew him. Dominie Selyns
wrote an epitaph for the occasion in his native language,
which hardly seems dignified and worthy of so great a
man, and is perhaps the reason why it is not cut on the
143
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
cenotaph that is now in " St. Mark's, in the Bouwerie,"
which simply records the name and date of the death of
the hero. The lines written by Dominie Selyns were
as follows, and contain two puns on the name : " Stuyft
niet te seer in't sant want daer leyt Stuyvesant," which
may be translated : " Stir not the sand too much, for
there lies Stuyvesant."
About the date of the great Dutch governor's death
the goede vrouwen of Mana-ha-ta were called to mourn
the loss of one of their principal members and first set-
tlers. This was Annekje Lockermans (Madame Van
Cortlandt), who died suddenly in 1684, soon after the
death of her husband, wise, kind-hearted Olof Steven-
zon Van Cortlandt, who died on the 4th of April, and
his widow survived only until the 14th of May, and
was believed to have died of a broken heart. The
worthy old minister, Dominie Selyns, was deeply grieved
at the loss of two of his principal parishioners, with
whom he had been on terms of the greatest intimacy
for many years, and he wrote the following lines as an
epitaph for the well-beloved wife and mother :
" GRAAFSCHRIFT.
Voor J. W. Anna Loockermans wede. van den Heer Olof
Stephenzon Van Cortlandt, overleden den, 14th May, 1684.
IN DOMINE QUIES.
Hier rust, die sender rust was tsedert Cortlandts doot,
En zocht geen rust, dan haest en nevens hem te rusten,
Hy stierf. Sy leest en sterft men rust in Abrams schoot,
En leest waer Jesus is, in ware rust en lusten.
144
Passing of the Pioneers
Was Anna * in Godts dienst, badt Hanna f met Godts geest,
Maer dese was alleen, dat beyde zyn geweest."
These verses have been translated :
Here rests, who after Cortlandt's death no rest possessed,
And sought no other rest than soon to rest by him.
He died. She lived and died. Both now in Abram rest,
And there, where Jesus is, true rest and joys abide in.
God's will did Anna serve ; God's aid did Anna pray,
In this alone alike, that both have passed away.
With the death of this noteworthy couple the first
degeneration of the true Dutch element of the burgh
began. They had borne together all the earliest strug-
gles of the pioneers, seen the birth of the little town
they loved so well, aided in its erection into the burgh
of New Amsterdam, sorrowfully witnessed its sudden
capitulation and the beginning of the English rule, and
yet allowed none of these changes to disturb them in
their happy family life, and only gathered more closely
around them the best elements of the colony and
quietly upheld the dignity and traditions of Patria.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Cortlandt had four daughters
Maria, Sophie, Caty, and Neltjie, who were blithesome,
comely damsels, and from this group der Heer Director
Jeremias Van Bensselaer (who was considered the best
match in the colony) selected his bride in 1662. This
was one of the first weddings of a native-born American
girl, and the rejoicings on the occasion had been very
* Luke ii. 36. t H. Samuel i. 10 and 11.
145
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
great. Sophie Van Cortlandt married Andrew Teller,
Caty married first John Duval, and afterward Freder-
ick Phillipse, while Neltjie became the bride of Brant
Schuyler, July 12, 1682.
The eldest son, Stephanus Van Cortlandt, married,
September 10, 1671, Gertrude Schuyler, and built for
her a house on the corner of Broad and Pearl Streets.
He also obtained manorial grants, under the English
conditions and stipulations, which were quite different
from those of the original Dutch grants, as they did not
require the proprietor to colonize at his own expense,
nor had he the same rights over the tenants, who simply
were governed by the laws of the colony and owed no
allegiance to the owner, as was the case with the patroon-
ships. One was a principality, the other was a gentle-
man's estate.
The manor of the Van Cortlandts was granted by
patent from Governor Dongan, in 1685, and a hand-
some country-house was immediately erected there
for the family. It is said that the land was orig-
inally purchased from the Indians, who rowed the
young Dutchman in a canoe up the Hudson Kiver, and,
when they reached the selected location, which they
called Kitch-a-wan, told him that he might buy for
some trifles, that they named, as much land as "a man
might travel in a day." To their surprise the offer was
quickly accepted, and young Van Cortlandt handed
them the purchase-money, and, landing on the shore,
mounted a horse that he had ordered brought there and
146
Passing of the Pioneers
galloped off across the country, thereby covering so
much ground " in his day's journey " as made him a
great landed proprietor for the rest of his life. Part of
the property was a neck of land jutting into the river,
and called by the Indians Meanagh. The large inland
tract was called Appamapagh.
A highly esteemed lady who lived on Mana-ha-ta was
Margaretta De Riener; she married Cornelius Steen-
wyck, and lived on the corner of Bridge and Whitehall
Streets. This couple were very rich, and they loved to
gather around their great square dining-table all the
young people of the neighborhood, and the weekly
supper-parties of Madame Steenwyck were noted far
and near. After the death of Mr. Steenwyck, in 1664,
his widow married Dominie Selyns. Their house was
a typical one of the day, and an inventory of its furni-
ture has fortunately been preserved. The dwelling-
room was provided with twelve russia-leather chairs
and two velvet chairs with fine silver lace ; one cup-
board of French nut-wood, one round and one square
table, one cabinet, thirteen pictures, and a large looking-
glass, five alabaster images, a piece of tapestry for
cushions, a flowered tabby chimney-cloth, a pair of
flowered tabby curtains, a dressing-box, and a carpet.
In the fore-room was a marble table, eleven pictures,
seven russia-leather chairs, a clock, etc.
It would seem from these items that Dominie Selyns
had been as fortunate as his predecessor Dominie
Bogartus had been, when he married Annekje Jans
147
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
(Van Maesterlandt). This good lady had left New
Amsterdam after the intelligence of the shipwreck of
her husband reached her and moved to Beverswyck,
where she purchased a house on the north side of
Yonker Street (now State and James Streets, Al-
bany). Here, beloved by all who knew her, the brisk
little widow laid down the law, and controlled the
social festivities of the dorp. Shortly before her death,
in 1663, she executed a will in favor of her children,
which was signed in the presence of Rutger Jacobsen
Yan Schoendervelt, who had been an intimate friend of
her first husband, Roelof Jansen Van Maesterlandt, and
had emigrated at the same time, in 1636. The other
witness to the will was Evert Jansen Wendell, also an
early settler of Beverswyck.
Among the organizers of the assemblies was Ma-
dame Caspar Varleth. This name vanished early in
the history of the colony, as there were only female de-
scendants. Madame Varleth had three daughters : the
eldest was Maria, who married three times, and her
husbands were burgomasters and schepens in New
Amsterdam and Fort Orange; Judith, the second
daughter, married the accomplished nephew of Gov-
ernor Stuyvesant, Nicholas Bayard, and was the sis-
ter-in-law of Maritje Lockermans (Madame Balthazar
Bayard), Bladina Kierstede (Madame Petrus Bayard),
and Madame Meyut. With this family connection, and
owing to the important official posts filled by her
husband, Madame Bayard occupied no small place in
148
Passing of the Pioneers
the little community. Catherine Yarleth married Fran-
cis de Bruyn, from whom are descended innumerable
Browns and Bruens, or Brewens, of the present day,
living in the city of New York.
Maria Yarleth had an interesting romance at the time
of her first nuptials, and her name figures conspicu-
ously in the annals of the town. It appears that the
groom had parents living in Holland, and that, being
impatient to get married, he did not comply with the
laws, and failed to get their written consent to his mar-
riage. The ceremony was however performed, and then
the troubles of the young couple began. The council
ordered the groom to leave his bride until the parental
consent was obtained. The friends of both parties
interfered, and finally they were permitted to consider
themselves legally married, but not until they had
convulsed the colony with their petitions and suits and
counter-suits. The groom did not live very long, and
his widow married der Heer Paulus Schrick. Two of
their children married, respectively, a de Peyster and
a de Minvielle and left no descendants, but the young-
est daughter became the wife of a fine young colonial
soldier, Captain Anthony Brockholst, afterward lien-
tenant-governor of the province, and kept up the
family traditions for hospitality.
As has been said, the group of goede vrouwen who
did so much to plant the infant colony on a firm basis
by their fine good sense and clever management, formed
a centre from which all the gayeties of the place arose.
149
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
They had instituted the assemblies and oyster-supper
parties, and other congenial entertainments, and the
whole community lived together like one large family.
The pioneers of Mana-ha-ta did not live long aft or the
English took possession of the plantation; some had
already succumbed to the hardships of their early life.
Among these was Margaret Hardenbrook (Mrs. Fred-
erick Phillipse), who died before she could settle down
to the enjoyment of her well-earned home in the colony.
Madame Go vert Lockermans, who had so bravely fol-
lowed her husband across the sea, was soon worn out by
the hardships of a pioneer's life, and died after a brief
married life, but her place had been speedily filled, as
was customary in those days, for no man could afford to
live without a helpmeet, who was the main support of
the household. Her successor was the widow Mariyje
Jans, the sister of Madame Bogartus. Govert Lock-
ermans lived on the north side of Hanover Square, and
adjoining his home was one of the best houses in the
town, in which lived Johannes de Peyster. It was on
the corner of William Street and Hanover Square,
facing the south and overlooking the beautiful river.
A merry family of boys and girls grew up under this
roof, happy under the government of their good mother,
who was the last survivor of the original group of the
goede vrouwen of Mana-ha-ta.
The eldest son was a thoughtful, steady young fellow,
and succeeded his father as a prominent burgher, and
was known as " der Heer " Abraham de Peyster. He
150
Passing of the Pioneers
married in 1687 the daughter of his uncle Isaac, Cath-
arine de Peyster, and the same year, the second son,
Isaac de Peyster, married Maria Yan Balen.
Both young men were devoted to their mother, and
they relied on her judgment to an unusual extent, and
even their wives accepted her dictum as final in all
their family affairs. The two younger brothers soon
followed the example set by their elders, and selected
as wives two sisters, Maria and Anna Bancker. All
the young men carried their wives to comfortable
homes of their own, and as each one married, the
couple joined the assemblies founded by their parents,
which now threatened to outgrow the houses of the
members.
As her sons married and left her, Madame de Peyster
began to fear that her daughters were doomed to " comb
St. Catharine's hair" and remain spinsters. This in-
deed was the fate of the youngest sister, Cornelia, who
never married, her heart having been broken over the
fate of her lover, who had been murdered by Ind-
ians. But the gay elder daughter, pretty Maria de
Peyster, was surrounded by lovers, all of whom she en-
couraged, and yet, to the despair of her family, she
persisted in refusing their addresses. At last the
motherly influence prevailed, and Madame de Peyster
was well satisfied when the girl's choice fell on the son
of her neighbor and dear friend, and the betrothal of
her daughter to Paulus Schrick was announced. He
was the son of Maria Yarleth by her second marriage.
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
His father was engaged in a brisk trade between
Mana-ha-ta, Connecticut, and Virginia, and was well in-
clined to give his son a handsome allowance on his
marriage, although the young fellow was by no means
poor, having made several voyages on his own account.
He was quite well-off, and he made a liberal settlement
on his bride that made her one of the richest women
in the place. The groom at one time had lived at Hart-
ford and also in Flushing, owning property in both
places, but on his marriage he resolved to settle per-
manently in New York.
The bride had been carefully trained by her mother
and was one of the best spinners and weavers in the
colony. In consequence, her great oak " kos " was
filled with beautiful linen, made and marked by her own
deft fingers, and tied in packages with colored tape, and
as the dowry left to her by her father was secured to
her, and under the guardianship of her brothers, there
was no delay over the preparations for the wedding,
which took place at the home of her mother, May 11,
1686. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Hen-
ricus Selyns, and was by him duly recorded in the
" Trouw " book :
" Paulus Schrick, J. M. van Hartford in N. Engel.
en Maria de Peyster, J. D. van N. York."
The young couple began house-keeping under the
pleasantest auspices, in a large house built by Schrick
for his bride, on what is now Broad Street, but which
was then known as " Prince's Graft." This house was
152
Passing of the Pioneers
surrounded by gardens and sheltered by large trees ;
its site is now covered by the buildings No. 67 and 69
Broad Street, which were erected when the handsome
old house was pulled down to make room for business
offices.
The centre of the Graft had originally been a brook
which was the outlet for a marsh that lay above Beaver
Street. It had been drained in 1659 at the cost of about
$1,000. Above Exchange Place was the Schaape-Waytie.
This street had originally been occupied by shoemakers,
but after the erection of Madame Schrick's house it be-
came one of the fashionable quarters of the town, and
although it had a fine title that was recorded in the
town register, the sly folks dubbed it " Petticoat Lane,"
by which name it was generally known. The home
seemed to be the centre of happiness, when suddenly it
was rendered desolate by the untimely death of the
bridegroom, Paulus Scitrick, only a few months after his
marriage. The whole community was afflicted by the
bereavement of their favorite friend, and worthy Dom-
inie Selyns, who shared the general sorrow, recorded
their grief in a brief notice in the church register, the
sole instance in which such a thing was done, which
proves how great the general sorrow was over the
death of the promising young fellow. Madame Schrick
was left with a handsome fortune, it is true, but upon
her devolved the responsibilities and cares of the busi-
ness it had taken her husband so many years to estab-
lish. With the aid of her brothers, however, the widow
153
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
bravely faced her troubles and wisely conducted her
affairs in her own name, like a true Dutch matron.
Mr. Purple, in a communication to the " New York
Genealogical Record," says of this lady, " that by reason
of her birth and alliance she was one of the most re-
markable women born in New Amsterdam, and a com-
plete record of her family connections would include a
fuller history of the civil and military affairs of colonial
times than the same account of any other person born
during the Dutch possession of Manhattan Island."
Such a woman could not remain long a widow, and
suitors flocked around her as eagerly as when she was
Maria de Peyster ; and it was not long before the gos-
sips discovered that she was encouraging the attentions
of a young Scotchman, who had emigrated to America
about 1680, and who was already so highly esteemed in
the community as to have been appointed Alderman of
the Dock Ward, a position at that date of considerable
honor and importance. No one was surprised when,
on August 26, 1688, Dominie Selyns was called upon
to join the hands of the Widow Schrick and John
Spratt.
One of the wedding-presents was a huge Bible, printed
in Amsterdam by Marcus Doornick, 1682, in which are
the following entries :
"16fj. John Spratt of Wigton, in Galloway, and
Maria de Peyster of New York, were married the 26th
of August.
"16ft. On Munday the 16th of July between 8
154
Passing of the Pioneers
and 9 of the Clock was born my daughter Cornelia.
Baptized on the 18th of July.
" 16f|. February 1st Saturday, betwixt 10 and 11
of the Clock in the forenoon was born my son John.
Baptized on Sunday the 2d of February.
16ff. Munday the 17th of April at 12 of the
Clock in the afternoon was born my daughter Maria.
Baptized on the 23d of April."
John Spratt was born in Scotland. He was one
of the many Scotch Covenanters who had been driven
from their native land and had found shelter in Holland.
A large band of Scotchmen settled with him in the
Netherlands, but they found the country thickly peo-
pled and there seemed but little chance of the emigrants
being able to support themselves or their families. As
was natural, the younger men were willing to wander
farther afield, and, encouraged by the West India Com-
pany, many of them ventured, under their auspices, to
face the long voyage and probable hardships of the New
World, in the hope of making a fortune. John Spratt was
one of the number, and it was not long after his arrival
in the country that his education and capabilities en-
abled him to lay the foundation of the fortune that he
afterward acquired.
The family of Sproat, or Spratt, was a numerous one
in Scotland, and was noted particularly for having only
male children. The head of the family lived at Baldoon,
where their ruined castle is still to be seen. The Spratts
were a wild set of people, leading riotous lives and
155
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
squandering their property, ready for any excitement,
and prominent in all the border fights of the day,
They were masterful in their households and deterred
by nothing when " in their cups." One of the Spratts
of Baldooii earned for himself an unenviable and un-
dying notoriety by his brutal conduct to his wife, an
amiable and beautiful woman, as tradition relates that
he strangled her in one of his drunken rages, and from
that day to this, on moonlight nights, the " White Ladye
of Baldoon walks on the ramparts of the ruined castle,
moaning, shrieking, and wringing her hands."
But the name of Spratt has died out both in Scot-
land and America and only lives in the traditions that
tell of their wild deeds in the mother-land. The John
Spratt who emigrated was apparently a quiet and digni-
fied personage, highly respected in the community. The
home of Mr. and Mrs. Spratt was the centre of interest
in the colony, and, owing to their mixed nationality,
was a neutral ground on which all political discussions
could take place ; and as Mrs. Spratt was closely related
to all the principal persons on the island, they naturally
rallied at her house. News travelled slowly in those
days, but whatever penetrated to Mana-ha-ta was sure
to be learned at the house in Prince's Graft, and for
many years everyone considered it the birthplace of
the political struggles that now began to agitate the
colony.
The principal food of the early colonists was taken
from the neighboring forests and rivers. Fish were
156
Passing of the Pioneers
abundant in the waters that flowed before their doors,
and were captured with the greatest ease ; edible vege-
tables grew wild in the rich soil ; game lingered in the
neighboring forests, and were snared or shot without
trouble, and the tables of the new settlers were always
lavishly supplied with wholesome food.
The Wilden made use of many roots and herbs, and
taught the new-comers to like them as they did them-
selves; and they had willing scholars, as the natives
of Holland knew and valued green vegetables as food
long before other European nations could be induced
to eat anything but flesh or a few roots. The French
at that time had learned to prize some of the products
of the vegetable kingdom, but in England the use of
greens was hardly known. It is a well-authenticated
fact that Queen Henrietta Maria introduced " salads '
into the British Isles, when she went there as Queen
Consort, as she pined for the fresh greens of her native
land, and the king, to humor her, had a vegetable gar-
den laid out at Hampton Court for her use, by garden-
ers brought from Holland.
The introduction of vegetables in the kitchens of
England stopped the dreaded scourge of scurvy, which,
before the common consumption of green-food, had
been prevalent there.
The Dutch brought carrots, turnips, parsley, pota-
toes, fruit-trees, and many herbs and flowers to our
shores. These soon strayed from the gardens and be-
came wild ; turnips sowed themselves, and carrots ran
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
riot over the land, the lovely flower of which was called
by the English settlers of Massachusetts colony,
" Queen Anne's lace."
Some writers have claimed that Irish emigrants in-
troduced potatoes into America when they settled Lon-
donderry, Massachusetts, in 1715, as from that time
their use spread rapidly through the English settle-
ments. But the Dutch colonists used the vegetable
long before that date, and the name was such a common
one at Mana-ha-ta that, as early as 1654, the court min-
utes of the place mention a sailor who went by the
nickname of " Pataddes " (potatoes) ; and the Labbadist
missionaries, in their famous diary, state that they
were regaled with a mess of " potatoes " when visiting
Beverswyck.
The Dutch not only learned the use of the staple
products of the country from the Wilden but also
adopted the original names, many of Avhich are still
retained.
In some localities clams are called " cloppers " or
" quahogs," and maize, hominy, succotash, and sup-
paun retain their Indian name. But the Dutch had a
quaint fancy about the names that they gave to the fish
that ran into the northern waters, at regular and stated
times of the year, and they gave numbers to the fish as
they came from the South to spawn. So the fish that
we now call " shad " was by them named " elft " or eleven,
not only because it was the eleventh in order that
appeared in the Hudson River, but also because it
158
Passing of the Pioneers
invariably arrived on the llth of March, off Sandy
Hook. It was a custom among the fishermen to pre-
sent the first shad of the season to the governor, and it
was usual for him to order it " planked," that is to say,
the fish was split and fastened on a piece of birch-bark,
and cooked before the embers of a wood-fire, after the
Indian fashion, and served on its bark platter at the
table. The cunning fish retains its time-honored cus-
tom to this day, and always arrives on the llth of
March, and it seems a pity that the suggestive name
given to it by the early Dutch settlers should not have
been retained. " Der elft " was succeeded by the " sea-
bass," which received the name of " der twaelft " or
twelve, not only because it followed the shad, but also
because of twelve peculiar stripes, six on each side of
the fish, as if it intended to mark itself with the number
" twelve."
Drum-fish were next in order, and were dubbed
" dertien '" or thirteen. " Steur," or, as we know them,
sturgeon, were very common in the Hudson River and
attained a great size. They were often captured eight
feet in length, a size which has been duly recorded by
the eminent Swedish naturalist Klam, in his care-
fully written narrative of his wanderings in America.
The roe of the sturgeon was highly prized by the
Wilden, who cured it and considered it as great a deli-
cacy as the Russians do their dainty " caviare," pre-
pared from a kindred species of fish. The spawning-
ground of the sturgeons lay a little south of " Claver-
159
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
ack," the lower portion of the Bensselaerswyck Manor,
and they were so plentiful in the waters of the north-
ern Hudson that they were nicknamed "Albany beef."
This fish makes great leaps from the water in pursuit
of its prey, and they are dangerous neighbors to fish-
ermen on that account, as they have been known to
plunge through small boats. The descendants of the
goede vrouwen of Mana-ha-ta tell a legend of the
Hudson, which they heard from their grandmothers, of
an old woman who was once lazily rowing across the
river in her " bat-toe," when a huge sturgeon leaped into
it and crashed through the bottom of the boat. The
ancient dame hesitated only for a minute, and then,
with immense presence of mind, seated herself directly
in the hole, which her capacious person (loaded with
many skirts of lindsey woolsey) filled so completely, that
the boat was rendered water-tight, and she was rowed
safely to land. The sturgeon's " silvery leap ' : in the
moonlight of the Hudson River has been immortalized
by one of the descendants of the first Mana-ha-ta set-
tlers, an American poet of great gifts, Rodman Drake,
in his verses on " The Culprit Fay," a tale of the
fairies of the Highlands of the Hudson. " Salm ' or
salmon were, at one time, so plentiful in the waters
of the Hudson and Connecticut Rivers that servants,
when signing their bond for a term of years (as was
customary), stipulated that they were not to be asked
to eat salmon more than once a week.
Crabs were held in great estimation by the Dutch,
1 60
Passing of the Pioneers
who declared that they were patriotic to Patria, as their
claws were of the color of the flag of the Prince of
Orange, which was white and blue ; and the husband
of Margaret Hardenbrook records in his journal that
" crabs show sufficiently that it belong to us, to people,
the country, and not to the English, owing to their
white and blue claws." Unfortunately, the crabs' claws
have a habit of turning red when they are boiled, so the
English pointed triumphantly to this changeableness
on the part of the crab, and declared that it would
desert the Dutch colors for the English when given the
opportunity, very much as the Dutch themselves did
when forced to abandon their government for the Eng-
lish rule.
If the Wilden taught the Dutch how to preserve the
flesh, fish, and vegetables in their own peculiar manner
by " scorching " them in the sun, or smoking them with
aromatic herbs, the latter in return instructed the sav-
ages in the art of salting. At first, the colonists found
it difficult to procure salt in sufficient quantities for
their purposes, but Madame de Peyster suggested to
her husband that he should import a cargo of " sout '
from Curacoa, and for this timely act the lady received
in private the thanks of all her friends in the com-
munity, although her share in the matter is not recorded
in the town chronicles together with that of her hus-
band, on whom great praise is bestowed for the benefit
he conferred on his fellow-burghers. It was soon dis-
covered that sea-water could be evaporated, and a fac-
161
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
tory for manufacturing " der sout " was established at
Coney Island, which flourished until the great saline
deposits of Central New York were discovered.
A roving Dutchman, named Steendam, was attracted
to Mana-ha-ta soon after its settlement, and he was
so charmed with the beauties of its situation and the
quantity and quality of the game found there, that he
addressed a long poem on the subject to the authorities
in Amsterdam, in which he enumerates all the fish,
fowl, and beasts found on the continent, one by one.
The poem is a long one, but a couple of the verses
descriptive of the fish bear quotation :
" En prick, en aal, en sonne-vis, en Baars
Die (blank en giel) u Taaff'len als wat raars
Vercieren kan : ook Elft, en Twalft niet schaars
Maar overvloedig.
" Sleen brassen Steur en Dartien en Knor-haan
En Zee-baars, die geen Vorst sal laten slaan,
En Kabellen : en Salm die (wel gebraan)
Is vet en voedig."
The following is Mr. Murphy's translation :
The lamprey, eel, and sunfish, and the white
And yellow perch which grace your covers dight,
And shad not scarce, but quite
Innumerable.
The bream and sturgeon, drumfish and gurnard,
The sea-bass which a prince would not discard ;
The cod and salmon cooked with due regard
Most palatable.
XI
The Dutch and Their Neighbors
Boers and Yankees Threatened Amalgamation of the Colonies The
Naming of New England Its Delegate to the King Revolt of New
England Confusion in New York Train Bands Jacob Leisler
Colonel Bayard's Arrest Judith Varleth's Romantic History John
Spratt, the Speaker of the Assembly Persecution of the Van Cort-
landts.
GRADUAL changes began now to take place in the
social life of the colony. At first the towns-
people had lived together in harmony like one large
family, that only grew stronger and more closely bound
together as the years went on by reason of the constant
intermarriages of the young people, but the arrival of
the English gradually and slowly worked a change.
The beloved Dutch language was superseded by Eng-
lish, which the older ladies could never be taught to un-
derstand. Their quaint manners, their customs, and their
religion were derided or despised by the usurpers, but
notwithstanding all the influences that were brought
to bear on the stately dames, they steadily kept to their
own ways, continued to speak only the language of
Patria, to attend devoutly their own church where the
services were invariably conducted in Dutch and rule
163
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
their households after the fashion of their mothers.
Such persistent and steady resistance could not but
have its effect, and the result was that the impress the
Dutch pioneers left on the New World is uneffaced
even after the lapse of two hundred years, as some of
the good old customs are still observed on the island
of Mana-ha-ta.
Although the Dutch were peace-loving to a fault, they
bitterly resented the encroachments of the Massachu-
setts colony, which now became bolder under the new
rule, and which pushed its vanguards closer and closer
to the Hudson River. Settlers from the East, who had
for years looked longingly at the thriving Dutch villages
and farms, now began to flock to them. These intrud-
ers received but a chilly reception.
A new element of discord was now to be thrown into
the midst of the northern colonies of America, and
there was great excitement and much indignation in the
newly fledged little capital of New York when it was
learned that the king of England was planning to
amalgamate all his possessions (north of Pennsylvania)
under one government. James, Duke of York, had
lately succeeded his brother Charles on the tottering
throne of England, and by his fine contempt of the
ordinary rules of morals and manners, and a total dis-
regard of truth and honesty, was already pushing over
that very unstable seat and assisting at his own down-
fall. The king by no means realized what very incon-
gruous elements he was attempting to mix when he ar-
164
The Dutch and Their Neighbors
ranged to class together the people of such different
manners, laws, and customs as those of the plantations
in the New World, and he would have cared little, if he
could have been brought to understand, what antago-
nistic communities he sought to control simply by his
autocratic decrees.
The eastern colonies had a peculiar form of govern-
ment of their own invention, which differed considera-
bly from that of the Dutch colony, the laws of which
were drawn from the best ones adopted by Patria.
These laws were the wisest, most enlightened, and
tolerant that were to be found in Europe. They were
founded on good principle and common sense, and were
subsequently generally adopted for the government of
the colony.
The political consolidation of the colonies proposed
by the king aroused great alarm, especially as it was
thought to be the ultimate aim of the king to impose
the Kornan Catholic religion upon them. In order,
therefore, to protect their religious beliefs, they sent
representatives to the Court of St, James to beg that
these scruples might be respected, determined to try
peaceful measures before resorting to open defiance and
rebellion, as they were quite prepared to do if their re-
spectful remonstrances were not heeded. Their agents
were Sir William Phipps and Dr. Increase Mather, both
of them American born, and therefore with more inde-
pendent ideas than those of most of the English sub-
jects. On the arrival of the ambassadors in England
165
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
they found to their joy that James had been forced to
abdicate in favor of his daughter Mary and her Dutch
husband, who had already grasped the reins of power.
The two Americans were keenly alert to take advantage
of this new move on the chess-board of Europe, and
proposed to the new king to allow the eastern colonies
to be autonomous, and begged him to remove all the
English representatives and also separate the English-
speaking colonies from the Dutch. King William made
evasive replies that were construed as concessions by
the ambassadors, who returned to America and reported,
as if by authority, the news that they desired to have
believed. News travelled slowly in those days, and the
report, authorized by the delegates, of the downfall of
popery in the person of King James, and the accession
of his daughter, was deftly mixed by the Yankees with
the report that the king had consented to the removal
of Governor Andros, and this caused an immediate re-
volt of the eastern colonies from the rule of the gov-
ernor.
New York learned this news from correspondents in
Boston, and received the contradiction of it through
Virginia news-letters. No one knew what to believe or
to whom to turn. They did not even know what to
call themselves, as their name, style, and government
had changed with startling rapidity in the last few years.
The members of the king's council in New York
were, at the time, Frederick Phillipse (who had married
Margret Hardenbrook and then Catharine Van Cort-
166
The Dutch and Their Neighbors
Jandt), Nicholas Bayard (the husband of Judith Varleth),
and Stephanus Van Cortlandt all worthy men, in whom
everyone had implicit confidence. They represented,,
either in themselves or through their wives, all the
various views and sentiments of the colony. The last-
named was forty-six years old at the time, and com-
pletely identified with the Dutch interests, not only by
his birth but by his marriage with Miss Schuyler, the
granddaughter of the old director of Rensselaerswyck,
Brant Van Slechtenhorst. Stephanus Van Cortlandt had
succeeded his father in his " burgher rights," and also
in the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and had been a
popular man with them for over twenty years. He was
fond of display and extremely hospitable, in the exercise
of which he was ably seconded by his wife.
Governor Andros was called to Boston by the rebel-
lion of his subjects there, and Lieutenant-Govern or
Nicholson had charge of the colony of New York dur-
ing his absence. Before they could receive official in-
telligence of the change in the English rulers, and the
council take proper steps for their own protection,
Sir Edmund Andros was thrown into prison by his
Massachusetts subjects, leaving " New England " with-
out authorized government, while New York staggered
under a load of perplexities as to her best plan of ac-
tion. One thing only was agreed upon on all sides, and
that was to arm the citizens. The Dutch were in hopes
tiiat they would be allowed to return to their old alle-
giance to Holland ; and the few French, Scotch, and.
167
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
English settlers of New York desired autonomy and in-
dependence, while relying for protection on England,
but there was no agreement between the parties, who
were so wofully perplexed by the complicated state of
affairs that they did not know exactly what they wanted,
and could take no concerted plan of action.
Matters in Europe at that date were horribly con-
fused, and in the American colonies they were so inex-
tricably mixed that they never became untangled until
the " knot " was cut by the Revolution in 177G, when a
nation was added to the history of the world.
Since there seemed to be nothing to do but to raise
an army for self-defence against the French, New Eng-
land, and the Indians from all of whom outbreaks
might be expected as soon as they learned the condi-
tion of affairs New York bustled about and organized
" train-bands," composed of ah 1 the men of the colony
who could bear arms.
A company was raised and put under the command
of a young German, who had been of no importance up
to that date, but who now made himself useful to the
authorities in many ways, and was rewarded by being
given a commission in the miniature army. This man
was Jacob Leisler, who had married Elise Jans, daugh-
ter of Maryje Jans, and widow of Schepen Peter Cor-
nelius Van der Veen, who was called " one of the great
burghers." Leisler was eager to distinguish himself,
and did not disdain to do many things that were be-
neath the dignity of the Dutch burghers.
1 68
The Dutch and Their Neighbors
Der Hee-r Abraham de Peyster raised a company by
his own exertions, and was made its captain. His
brother-in-law, John Spratt, held a commission in this
company, and many of their friends became members
of it.
Each day developed some new source of alarm.
The Indians on the north were reported to be on the
" war-path," incited by the good French missionaries in
Canada, who never lost an opportunity of trying to drive
all but their own countrymen from the American con-
tinent. Everyone was suspected and dreaded as a pos-
sible foe, either at home or abroad, and, as these terrors
were vague and undefined, they were in consequence the
more alarming, as no one knew what to expect or from
what quarter an onslaught might come.
None of the burghers cared to take too much respon-
sibility upon themselves for fear of possible conse-
quences, and in this state of indecision the bold, ad-
venturous Jacob Leisler pushed himself to the front,
and, after occupying various subordinate positions, final-
ly announced himself the governor of the colony.
The citizens hardly grasped the situation, and al-
though not crediting the legal rights of the usurper,
they hesitated about deposing him.
Now, party feeling began to run high indeed ; fam-
ilies were divided against themselves, and chaos and
confusion reigned supreme.
John Spratt was firmly convinced that the Protestant
cause would prevail in England, and as Leisler pro-
169
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
fessed to be its supporter, Mr. Spratt threw all his
energies into supporting the new governor. Mrs.
Spratt was conservative in the extreme, and, true to her
Dutch blood, disliked all changes and innovations. She
was quite unconvinced that the new ruler of England
was firmly established on the throne, although she
ardently desired to see the Prince of Holland in that
position. She hoped that he would not uphold the
Leislerian government in the colony, and she relished
but little seeing her husband so closely identified with
a cause that she could not believe would be a successful
one.
It was unfortunate for all parties that the character of
Leisler was not one to shine when the man possessed
supreme power, as he might have assisted his fellow-
citizens in their emergency. But the more power he
had the more he wanted, and the more arrogant he be-
came, until finally he seemed to think that he was a
heaven-sent ruler from whose despotic laws it was a
criminal offence to rebel. He now imagined that the
men who, by their indifference, had allowed him to pass
over their heads and become their ruler, were his en-
emies, and that they were only watching for an oppor-
tunity to depose him and place themselves in his office.
He frightened his council by dictating absurd orders to
them, and then suddenly turned on his first friends and
supporters and cast them into prison.
The first man to suffer was Colonel Bayard, the
nephew of the late Governor Stuyvesant, who had finally
170
The Dutch and Their Neighbors
summoned up the courage to point out to the assembly
and the people that Leisler was exceeding his authority.
After a wordy war of some months' duration the usurper
determined on a perfectly uncalled-for and unjustifiable
step, and ordered the arrest of Colonel Bayard. This
was done without consultation with his council, and
was the act of a tyrant.
The country-home of Colonel Bayard was some miles
beyond the city walls, near the Collect. From it a
charming view of the Hudson River and opposite
heights could be obtained. For many years the house
was such a prominent feature of the landscape that some
of the early surveys of Hoboken and Wiehawken were
made from " Mr. Bayard's chimney," or Mr. Bayard's
red front-door. The house was filled with costly furni-
ture imported from Europe, and Mr. and Mrs. Bayard
had lavished taste and money on its decorations. Mrs.
Bayard had been a noted beauty in her youth. When
quite a young girl she had lived for a time (about the
year 1662) in Hartford, Connecticut, where she was
arrested and imprisoned as a witch. Whether this
frightful suspicion was caused by her beauty or her
talents, or because she spoke Dutch, cannot now be de-
termined. Her family entreated that she might be
released, but the Connecticut people were obdurate.
Finally Governor Stuyvesant was induced to interfere
and wrote a letter to the authorities in Hartford,
which he sent by Miss Varleth's brother, in which
he says:
171
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
Worthy & honoured Sirs :
This occasion of my brother-in-law's * being necessitated to
make a second voyage to aid his distressed sister, Judith Varleth,
imprisoned, as we are informed, upon pretended accusation of
witchery, we really believe, and from her well-known education,
life, conversation, and profession of faith, we dare assure you
that she is innocent of such a horrible crime, and wherefore I
doubt not that he will now find your honor's favour and aid for
the innocent.
After the receipt of this letter the damsel was allowed
to return to New Amsterdam, where slie married m 1666
Colonel Nicholas Bayard, the son of Anna Stuyvesant
by her first marriage. Their town-house was in Stone
Street (then called the Hoogli Straat), near Hanover
Square.
On the outbreak of the troubles with Leisler, Colonel
Bayard quietly retired to his farm when he found that
he was getting fruitlessly embroiled with the usurper,
but he was unprepared for his sudden arrest, and was
one morning startled by the reports of his servants,
who had seen some soldiers marching up the lane and
concealing themselves in the shrubbery, near the house.
Yielding to the entreaties of his wife, Colonel Bayard
dropped the razor with which he was shaving himself
and hid himself in the cellar, while Mrs. Bayard boldly
went forward and demanded the reason for the intrusion
of the soldiers. These fellows, however, rudely pushed
* Nicholas Varleth, who had married Anna Stuyresant, the widow
Of Samuel Bayard.
172
The Dutch and Their Neighbors
her aside, tore her cap from her head, and swore at her
for preventing their entrance to her house, and rushed
from room to room smashing the furniture, ripping up
the feather-beds with their bayonets, and prodding the
family portraits with their swords, under the pretence of
searching for Colonel Bayard. " When his retreat was
finally discovered they treated him roughly and marched
him off to the fort in the city, where, by the governor's
orders, he was loaded with irons and thrown into a dun-
geon, where he remained for many months."
The colonists were dismayed by the tidings of Col-
onel Bayard's arrest, and they felt as if no one was safe.
Leisler was a new-comer in the colony, a man of obscure
birth, with a detestably jealous temper that made him
disliked abroad and feared by his family, who were only
kept in subjection because they dreaded his terrible
outbreaks of temper. He had no friends, no relations
of his own, and no position in the colony to warrant
his taking the position that he did, and yet such was
his power at that time that none dared withstand
him.
John Spratt was then speaker of the assembly con-
vened under Leisler, and he and his wife were greatly
exercised over the brutal treatment of Colonel and Mrs.
Bayard and the incarceration of the former, but they
could do little to mitigate their sufferings. Mrs. Bayard
was the aunt of Mrs. Spratt's first husband, Paulus
Schrick (de Jonge), arid the whole family were up in
arms against Leisler, although none now dared openly to
173
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
oppose or defy him. Fears were now entertained that
the tyrant's arrogance would lead his adherents into
trouble, and everyone on the island began to think of
his own safety. No one knew whose turn it might be
next, and Stephanus Van Cortlandt wisely determined
to remove to a place of safety and carry his family to
the manor-house, as in his official position he had
steadily opposed Leisler's arrogant proceedings.
The illness of one of Mrs. Van Cortlanclt's children
obliged her to return to town, but even her cares and
anxieties did not protect her from Leisler's insults.
This boorish man had not been received into the family
of his Avife with any cordiality, and he was now rejoiced
at having an opportunity of revenging himself for fan-
cied slights. The connection with Stephanus Van Cort-
landt was not a close one, and was only through the
marriage of Leisler's mother-in-law, Maryje Jans, to
Govert Lockermans, the brother of Mrs. Van Cort-
landt, but it might have been sufficient to protect the
unhappy mother and wife when she was in such grief
over the illness and subsequent death of her child, who
lost its life in consequence of the exposure during the
hurried flight to the manor-house and forced return to
the city, whither Mrs. Van Cortlandt returned for medi-
cal advice with the more courage, as she fancied that
she had nothing to fear, for there was only a difference
of opinion between her husband and Leisler, and no one
believed that the latter would push matters to extremi-
ties and wantonly insult a helpless woman. Van Cort-
174
The Dutch and Their Neighbors
landt learned of the death of his child at his retreat at
Hartford, where he had gone to consult some of his
friends as to what measures they should take to protect
themselves against this new enemy that had arisen in
the colony.
275
XII
New York in Infancy
Robert Livingston, First Lord of the Manor His Scotch Ancestors
The " Queen's Mary " The Rev. John Livingston His Retreat to
Holland His Marriage to Mary Fleming Her Piety and Benevo-
lence Plans for Emigration Robert Livingston Arrives in 1674
The Patent of the Manor The Price Paid to the Indians The
Marriage of Robert Livingston His Eldest Son Mrs. Philip Liv-
ingston's Wedding-gifts The Marriage-chest Guysbert Living-
stonRobert " Second " and Clermont John Spratt Mary Leis-
ler's Marriage Arrival of Governor Slaughter Leisler and Milborn
Hanged De Smit's Vlye and the New City Hall The First Dutch
Church and Its Bell.
THERE was another distinguished refugee who had
sought shelter at Hartford, and who was sharing
the retreat of Stephanus Van Cortlandt. This was his
brother-in-law, Robert Livingston, a Scotchman who
had come to America in 1672, and who had soon be-
come identified with the interests of the colony by pur-
chasing large tracts of land on the east bank of the
Hudson River. Robert Livingston was the descendant
of a long line of Scotch ancestors, and was connected
with the houses of Callendar, Bruce, Hepburn, etc.
The family-tree of the Livingstons stretches back to
1124. They were Lords Livingston and Earls of Lin-
176
New York in Infancy
lithgow. The fifth lord, Alexander Livingston, was
minister of Monnebrock, County Stirling ; he married
Barbara Livingston, of the house of Kylsyth. He was
a firm adherent of the king, who put his daughter Mary
under the personal guardianship of Lord Livingston,
and she was brought up under his eye. Mary Living-
ston (the laird's eldest child) was the playmate of the
princess and one of her most intimate friends. On the
marriage of the Scotch heiress to the French king, Mary
Livingston was appointed one of her maids of honor,
and accompanied her royal mistress to France ; and we
may quote from Chalmers's " History of England " the
following rhyme :
Last night the Queen had four MARIES,
To-night she'll have but three ;
There were Mary Seton, and Mary Beaton,
And Mary Livingston, and me.
Lord Sempell married Mary Livingston and carried
her away from the court of France, where the gossips
of the day declared that she was greatly admired by his
Koyal Highness Henri II., King of France and hus-
band of Catharine de Medici. The brother of "the
queen's Mary " was the father of the Eev. John Living-
ston, who was the father of Robert Livingston, first lord
of the manor. The portrait of the Rev. John Living-
ston, painted by Frans Hals, is now in the possession
of one of his American descendants, and shows a shrewd,
handsome, clever face, with twinkling eyes and large
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
mouth, and the pointed beard of the period, shaded
by the huge flapping-brimmed hat that was then the
fashion.
The Rev. John Livingston was a man of considerable
note and influence in his own community, and was of
course devoted to the cause of the exiled princes of the
house of Stuart, and he was appointed by the Scotch
kirk in 1649 to go to Breda and invite Charles Stuart
to return to the home of his ancestors and resume the
crown of Scotland. The exiled prince received the
commissioner with great cordiality, and went so far as
to partake of the communion at the hands of Dr. Liv-
ingston as a proof of his good faith, and took the oath
of fidelity to " the holy league and covenant " by the
direction of the cleric.
The Rev. John Livingston is generally known in fam-
ily parlance as " Mass John," from the stand that he
took against the introduction of the Roman Catholic
mass in Scotland. His outspoken views got him into
trouble with the authorities and obliged him to beat a
hasty retreat with his fellow-non-conformists to Hol-
land, where he soon gathered around him a large con-
gregation. Dr. Livingston possessed the gift of elo-
quence to a marvellous degree, and crowds of his fellow-
countrymen flocked to hear him preach. He must also
have acquired the language of the Dutch, for many of
his nearers were drawn from the native families. The
tale of his courtship and marriage to a lady of Rotter-
dam is very quaint and may be found in his own words
178
New York in Infancy
in a rare book written by one of his descendants, Mrs.
Joseph Delafield. It was as follows :
" She [Mary Fleming] had been recommended to me
[as a wife], and for nine mos. I had been seeking direc-
tion from the Lord, who provided an occasion for our
conference. I foregathered with her on my way to
Meeting, and consulted with her aneut the text of the
Discourse I was to preach. I found her confidence so
spiritual that my mind was much cleared, and I saw
that it was the Lord's will that I should marry her."
Mrs. Livingston was indeed a pure-minded and lovely
character, and charitable to an extreme degree. Mr.
Watson, in his " Historic Tales of Olden Times," states :
" I have seen an autograph letter from Robert Living-
ston's Mother, written from Amsterdam when in her
80th year, and providing therein for his receiving out
fifty of that people at a time (i.e., members of her late
husband's congregation, who wished to join his son in
the new world) as his working men, to serve seven years
apiece for only food and raiment, all for the sake of
freedom and liberty of conscience."
These emigrants were assisted to come to America
out of the widow's private purse, and the sum that she
disbursed was not intended to be repaid to her, al-
though it came to a considerable amount.
During his life in Holland Dr. Livingston became a
great favorite with the rich Dutch burghers, and appar-
ently was intimate with the first Patroon of the Manor
of Rensselaerswyck. This acquaintance led to the dis-
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
cussion of the advisability of the removal of the Scotch
congregation to the New World. The patroon was al-
ways willing to assist worthy people to emigrate, and he
encouraged their settling on his estates. Dr. Living-
ston had a large family to provide for, and he was most
anxious to emigrate and desirous that his congregation
should accompany him in a body. The arrangements
for such a wholesale emigration were expensive and
complex, and the dominie made two fruitless attempts
to reach the " promised land," as he called it, but
he died in 1672 without leaving Holland, and on his
death the enterprise was partly abandoned, although
many of his flock moved to America at different times.
Several of his family married and settled in Holland,
which was partly their native land, not only by birth
and adoption but also from their descent on the mater-
nal side. Some of the sons removed to Scotland, and
one daughter became the wife of Andrew Russell, a
Scotchman who was living in Rotterdam.
It is more than probable that Robert Livingston
emigrated by the death-bed advice of his father, for he
almost immediately left his widowed mother to the care
of his elder brothers and sisters and sailed for the New
Netherlands, where he arrived about 1674, at the same
time that the Rev. Nicolaus Van Rensselaer came to
settle on his father's American estates, armed with
additional authority from King Charles II. to act as his
majesty's chaplain in the colony. The young men seem
to have been friends from early life and they continued
1 80
New York in Infancy
their friendship when they met on the bank of the Hud-
son Eiver.
On July 22, 1685, Robert Livingston obtained the
patent of the manor of Livingston from Governor
Dongan. It contained 160,000 acres and was beauti-
fully situated on the Hudson River, half-way between
Mana-ha-ta on the south and Rensselaerswyck on the
north, and opposite to the possessions of the patroon in
the Catskills. The manor carried with it no title, as was
the case with the Dutch plantations. Its owner was
styled " Lord of the Manor," after the English fashion,
but this title was not bestowed by the government, nor
was it hereditary. The manor had been lawfully pur-
chased from the Indian family that owned it on July
12, 1683, and the price given to them was fully stated
in the title-deeds, and included blankets, duffles, shirts,
stockings, axes, adzes, paint, twenty little scissors, twenty
little knives, twenty little mirrors ; the last being an
especial gift to the women of the tribe which highly
delighted them, but which caused a good deal of trouble
to the proprietor. For whenever one was broken the
squaw would return and demand that it be exchanged,
and would take up her quarters in the great kitchen of
the manor-house, and there she would remain ; no coax-
ing or entreaties were able to move her until the " Laid ' ;
himself, with appropriate gravity and formal speech,
presented her with a new one.
Robert Livingston was a pious man, who had been
carefully taught by his Dutch mother and had received
181
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
an especial training for the life of a pioneer. He un-
derstood surveying, had studied both Dutch and Eng-
lish law, and was in every way fitted, both by tempera-
ment and education, to manage the large estate which
his thrift had enabled him to purchase, but he lived on
his wild lands alone and had no wife to aid him by re-
lieving him of the manifold cares of the small establish-
ment that he maintained before making his great pur-
chase of the manor.
The romantic story of his marriage has been related
by " a lady of the family of Livingston " in an unpub-
lished sketch entitled " The Livingstons of the Manor."
It seems that the Kev. Nicolaus Yan Bensselaer had
married Alida Schuyler soon after his arrival in
America. This lady was a native-born American
woman, her father, Philip (Pieterse) Schuyler, having
married the daughter of the director of Bensselaers-
wyck, Brant (Arentse) Yan Slechtenhorst, and Madame
Yan Eensselaer was the sister of Madame Stephanus
Yan Cortlandt, and also had five brothers, all of them
prominent in colonial affairs. After some years of a
childless married life the dominie and his wife were
one summer's day voyaging in their yacht from Mana-
ha-ta to Rensselaerswyck, a trip that sometimes took a
week to accomplish. Dominie Yan Bensselaer was
noted for his soothsaying and second-sight, and several
of his prognostications had been fulfilled, notably the
one, already mentioned, that predicted the accession of
Charles Stuart to the throne of England when he was a
182
New York in Infancy
homeless wanderer in Holland, and the dominie's words
were received with awe and credulity. Dr. Van Rens-
selaer was suddenly taken very ill on board of his yacht,
and he declared that he had received a summons to the
land of spirits, and hurriedly determined upon making
his will, and insisted that his wife should not wait until
they reached Eensselaerswyck, but that she should send
at once for a lawyer to execute the instrument according
to due form. The terrified woman ordered the yacht
to be headed for the nearest shore, and a messenger was
dispatched to search for a lawyer through the sparsely
settled shores of the Hudson Eiver.
Madame Yan Rensselaer was pleased to receive in
answer to her summons her well-known friend Robert
Livingston, who hastened to the bedside of the semi-
unconscious roan, who was lying in the cabin. "What was
the dismay of Madame Van Rensselaer when her hus-
band raised himself on his elbow and gazed with glazed
and fixed eyes on Mr. Livingston, and " then cried in a
full tone : ' Bring any other man ; this one will become
the husband of my wife.' No doubt the prediction
produced the fulfilment," continues the account, "for it
was not long before the marriage took place of the first
lord of the Manor of Livingston to the widow of the
poor dominie, who had been laid to rest in the grounds
of Rensselaerswyck."
Tradition says that it was owing to the ambition of
this daughter of the Schuylers that the purchase and
erection of the manor was made. She had enjoyed the
183
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
position of "Lady of the Manor" as Madame Yan
Eensselaer, and she could not bear to return to the
simple position she had held previous to her first
marriage.
The record of the wedding of the laird of Livingston
is in the family Bible, and is in the handwriting of the
groom. It is in the Dutch language, of which this is a
translation: "1679 on the 9th day of July (old style), I
Robert Livingston was married to my well beloved
helpmate, Alida Schuyler, widow of Dr. Nicolaus Van
Rensselaer, in the Presbyterian Church of Albany,
America. May God be with us and bless us."
Every entry in the Bible is followed by a short
prayer. In recording the birth of Robert (his second
and favorite son) the prayer is, "May the Lord bless
him, that he may grow up in might, and be brought up
in the Presbyterian religion."
Mr. and Mrs. Livingston had a family of four sons
and two daughters, and the enumeration of their de-
scendants would include the name of every well-known
and influential family of New York.
Their eldest son was Philip Livingston, named after
his grandfather, Philip Schuyler. The first-born son
married Katharine Yan Brugh, the granddaughter of the
oldest burgher of New Amsterdam. Her father, Jo-
hannes Yan Brugh, and mother, Sara Cuyler, had both
of them inherited property from their parents, who
were among the first settlers of the New World, and
among the largest landholders on the island of Mana-
184
New York in Infancy
ha-ta. The dower of Mrs. Philip Livingston was a
handsome one, and, in addition to the lands and money
that were carefully settled on her, Mr. Van Brugh sent
to Delf for a complete set of china, which included
dinner, breakfast, and tea sets that would be priceless
in these days, and gave it to the bride as a wedding-
gift. Pieces of this china are still preserved by her
descendants.
Katharine Yan Brugh was well brought up, accord-
ing to the thrifty ways of those days and after the
customs of her Dutch ancestors. She had been taught
all the customary household duties, and, like the maidens
of her day, had forestalled the needs of house-keeping
and spun and woven quantities of linen. This was
placed in a great "marriage-chest," also imported from
Holland by her doting parents. This "kos" or "koff"
is still in existence, and is in the possession of one of
the Van Rensselaer family, having descended to its
present owner through the marriage of Stephen Van
Rensselaer III., eighth Patroon of the Manor of Rens-
selaerswyck, with Katharine Livingston, the grand-
daughter and namesake of Katharine Van Brugh. The
" kos " stands about twelve feet high, and is broad in
proportion. It is of oak, and handsomely carved on
the outside, and is filled with curiously contrived se-
cret drawers and receptacles, and has ample room for
the linen and silver of the household and of its mis-
tress. The key-hole is concealed under a swing-cover
of wood, which, when in place, looks like part of the
185
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
ornamental carving; and the great iron key, with its
crooked wards, seerns more fitted to unlock a fortress
than a marriage-chest.
The descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Livingston
were numerous, as they had six sons and two daughters,
and every one of them took a prominent part in the
government of the colony, and aided in the construc-
tion of the new country, which took its place among
the nations of the world as " the United States of
America."
Robert Livingston's third son was called Guysbert (or
Gilbert). He married Cornelia, the daughter of Henry
Beekman, and was the founder of the Poughkeepsie
branch of the family. The fourth son of Robert Liv-
ingston was his father's namesake, and is usually known
as "Robert Second," to distinguish him from a nephew
of the first lord of the manor, the son of an elder brother
of the same name, commonly known as Robert Jr.
" Robert Second " was sent to Scotland to be edu-
cated, and a Scotch aunt wrote to the proud father as
follows: "Your son is very like you, comely, and fond of
being fine." After studying law at the Temple, London,
" Robert Second ' returned home " an accomplished
gentleman," and opened a law-office in Albany. We
may quote from Mrs. Delafield's history of her ancestors,
page 122, to show the quick wit and courage for which
the Livingstons were noted :
" The first summer that young Robert passed with his
father at the manor, his attention was attracted one
186
New York in Infancy
afternoon to what seemed to him an unusual number of
negroes skulking around. That night, after he was in
bed, he heard a noise in the chimney, and presently a
pair of legs appeared. Eobert jumped from his bed
and seized the fellow, exclaiming : " Villain, confess ! '
The man, utterly confounded, acknowledged that he was
one of a band of thieves who had fixed upon that night
to rob and murder the whites. Eobert's father was so
much pleased with his son's intrepidity that he gave
him the lower end of the manor, a tract containing
about thirteen thousand acres. This son was after-
ward called Eobert of Clermont, after the name given
to the new house that be built, and his property was
called "the Lower Manor," although not legally entitled
to the name.
But to return to Eobert Livingston, the first lord of
the manor, and his dispute with Leisler. The laird was
opposed to the usurper, who, in order to annoy Mr.
Livingston, demanded his books and vouchers, so that
they might account for the public money lodged in Mr.
Livingston's hands, and endeavored to attaint the laird
without waiting for him to put in a defence. Mr. Liv-
ingston refused to appear personally before Leisler, and
quietly wrote to the council that it was impossible for
him to produce his books and vouchers, for the very
good reason that, as Leisler had already seized them
and had them in his possession, it was impossible for
the rightful owner to hand them over to the authori-
ties as requested, and he therefore could not be held
187
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
responsible and attainted for not producing them.
Such a sensible reply enraged Leisler, who threatened
to imprison Mr. Livingston as soon as he could be
captured.
With Colonel Bayard in prison, Stephanus Van Cort-
landt and Robert Livingston in voluntary exile, and
most of the bewildered denizens of Mana ha-ta too de-
moralized to take any active steps for his overthrow,
Leisler thought that he was securely placed in the gov-
ernor's chair, and he issued proclamations and manifes-
toes, as if his dictates were infallible.
It was with infinite relief that the unhappy colonists
learned, through private sources, that King William
had not confirmed Leisler 's self-assumed patent as gov-
ernor. Official confirmation of these tidings was slow
in crossing the seas ; and although the imperious tyrant
heard the news that predicted his downfall, he had gone
too far to retreat, and found himself in a perilous posi-
tion, surrounded by men of standing and wealth, every
one of whom he had antagonized at one time or another
by his brutal conduct, either directly or through their
relations and friends. There was no hope of support
at home, and none to be looked for abroad.
It had been with a great deal of hesitation that John
Spratt had accepted the position of speaker of the as-
sembly ; it was, of course, a post of considerable honor,
but one that might involve him in trouble if the govern-
ment of Leisler was not confirmed by the Lords of
Trade in England. The post, however, was not one in
188
New York in Infancy
the gift of the governor, and therefore Mr. Spratt be-
lieved that by acceptiDg it he was acting for the best
interests of his king and his fellow-citizens, as he hoped
that he would be able to restrain the impetuosity of the
self-styled governor, and curb the assemblymen in their
desire to free the colony from all connection with Eng-
land. The time was not ripe for autonomy, and the
graver and more thoughtful members of the colony
were not ready to cut themselves free from Europe.
It was now that Mrs. Spratt showed her wisdom.
She counselled her husband to great caution, and begged
him to conciliate the persons who might consider them-
selves in opposition to him owing to his official posi-
tion, by showing them all possible leniency on every
occasion, even at the risk of embroiling himself with the
testy governor. She also withdrew herself from any
intimacy with the governor's family, and exerted her-
self to exercise unwonted hospitality and kindness to
all.
Matters dragged along heavily and there was little
sociability or amusement in New York during this pe-
riod of suspense. Leisler continued to show his boor-
ishness and brutality to everyone within his reach, and
went so far as to pick a quarrel with the inoffensive
Dominie Selyns, who had ventured to differ from some
of the opinions of the usurper. Leisler thereupon pub-
licly slighted the dominie on every occasion. But the
gossips were fairly electrified when they learned one
morning that Leisler had carried his tyranny to extremes
189
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
in his own family and had commanded his daughter
to marry, without delay, or publishing of banns, or such
ceremony, his henchman and subordinate Jacob Mil-
borne. This fellow had been a servant in Connecticut
(according to the records of the day) and he had run
away from justice, as he had been accused of stealing
from his master. He had wormed himself into the con-
fidence of Leisler and now threatened to betray some
important secrets if not bribed to silence. Leisler had
little money at his command, and he thought he could
effectually silence Milborne if they were more closely,
allied and their interests made identical, so pretty, blue-
eyed Mary Leisler, much against her will, was secretly
married, without bann, license, or the blessing of good
Dominie Selyns, to the vulgar, elderly groom, for whom
she did not attempt to conceal her aversion ; and all the
old Dutch ladies shook their nodding caps and declared
that no good could possibly come of a match not conse-
crated by their beloved dominie.
But sudden relief from the tyrant's rule was at hand.
The servants of the town woke their masters earlv on
i
the morning of March 19, 1692, with the news that they
had heard the report of cannon in the lower bay, and
this was speedily followed by the announcement of the
arrival of the ship Archangel, which anchored at the
Narrows, off the "Watering Place," at Staten Island.
On board this ship was the newly credited governor,
who had been hastily despatched from England by the
king, to take charge of the turbulent colony of Now
100
New York in Infancy
York. The chief men of the city crowded into their
yachts, or chartered the public pereauguas, and sailed
down the bay to welcome his excellency and lay their
grievances before him. Leisler shut himself up in the
fort and would not order the customary salute of wel-
come to be fired to announce the arrival of the new offi-
cial, as he refused to believe that he was properly com-
missioned by the king.
Henry Slaughter, the new governor, on being in-
formed of the chaotic condition of affairs, embarked with
great state in the pinnace of the ship and proceeded to
the government landing-place at Whitehall, and from
there, amid tumultuous greetings from the populace,
he proceeded to the old Stadt Huys, and although it
was nearly midnight by the time he arrived there, he took
the oaths of office that night, and immediately sent to
demand entrance to the fort.
The tables were now turned : Leisler and Milborne
were committed to the prison from which Colonel Bay-
ard was released, and after due trial, at which both
Leisler and his subordinate were found guilty of treason,
Governor Slaughter signed their death-warrant, and
they were speedily hanged. It is said that the governor
would have shirked the responsibility of condemning
the usurper to death, and would have transported him
to England to receive sentence from the king, but there
were too many influential men in the colony who, with
their families, had suffered from the inhuman persecu-
tions of Leisler, to allow him to escape so easily, and
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
they contrived to have the death -warrant laid before the
governor after a hearty carouse, and secured his signa-
ture and saw that it was carried into effect before he
could become sober and repent of his action. It has
been the custom of late years to try to exculpate Leis-
ler, and to endeavor to show that he was a hero and
a martyr, by diligently suppressing all his cruelties
and persecutions, and exalting the few services to the
colony that could be discovered. Some historians have
nearly persuaded themselves that he was an ill-used
man who met with an unjust fate at the hands of an
ungrateful public, but the government documents of
the period do not warrant this assumption.
The family of Leisler made a bitter outcry over his
death, although it was openly said that they regretted
the confiscation of his property more than his ignomini-
ous departure from life. The widow and sons peti-
tioned the English government to such good purpose
that the estates were restored to the family, and his
daughter soon dropped the hated name of Milborne
and married Nicholas Gouverneur, duly honored by
bann and license, and became the ancestress of one of
the most respected and notable families on Mana-ha-ta,
and one that is particularly distinguished for having
inherited the beauty of " pretty Mary Leisler."
Mrs. Spratt was deeply interested in all these pro-
ceedings and was well satisfied when she found that her
husband would not suffer for the position which he had
taken under the late government, and that, although
192
New York in Infancy
under English rule, the Dutch burghers were not over-
looked in the distribution of the city offices, and she and
her family were much gratified when her brother, der
Heer Abraham de Peyster, was appointed mayor of New
York, 1691.
The newly created official was a native-born citizen,
with inherited " burgher rights," which, in those days,
carried great weight and influence. He loved his birth-
place and was much interested in its well-being and
improvement. To signalize his elevation to the mayor-
alty, he donated a piece of marsh-land to the city for
dock purposes. This meadow was called " Smit's Ylye,"
as it Lad originally belonged to Cornelius Clopper, the
first blacksmith. " Ylye " signified " wet or marsh land,"
and the word is still used in the same sense, in many
parts of New York where the inhabitants are the de-
scendants of the original Dutch. The reclaimed land
was partly filled by a dock, at which the farmers of Long
Island could land and display their produce for sale on
the " Vlye," which gradually became used for a weekly
mart, and was finally officially recognized and became
known as the " Fly Market " ; and the people of to-day
firmly believe that it received the name because of the
flies that were attracted by the meat and other things
that were exposed for sale, and entirely ignore or have
forgotten the derivation of the name, with its widely
different meaning.
Mayor de Peyster also presented to the city the valu-
able lot where the United States Treasury now stands, in
193
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
Wall Street. This celebrated site was first used for the
grand new City Hall that was soon erected, with its
colonnades that stretched over the pathway, which was
the successor of the picturesque and ancient Stadt
Huys, which had overlooked the Strand and the East
River. On the steps of the new building the in-
auguration of General Washington took place when
he took the oaths of office as first president of the
United States, and these steps with the iron railing were
preserved when the building was demolished early in
the nineteenth century, and were placed in front of
Bellevue Hospital, where they still remain.
The first Dutch church had been built within the
enclosure of the fort, for the better protection of the
worshippers from surprises from the Wilden ; but these
had now wandered far from the settlements of the
whites, and sudden surprises were not to be appre-
hended. The congregation had outgrown its narrow
quarters, and took the opportunity, while der Heer de
Peyster was in office, to urge the necessity of moving
to another site, for, since the arrival of the Eng-
lish, the Lutheran belief was no longer the established
religion, and it was no longer of importance that the
church should be beside the dwelling of the governor.
It was determined that a new and more capacious build-
ing should be erected on Exchange Place. This edi-
fice was built after the latest fashion and was consid-
ered a very handsome building. It was decorated with
stained-glass windows that displayed the arms and in-
194
New York in Infancy
signia of all the principal members of the congregation.
The bell that hung in the new belfry was the original
one that had been subscribed for by Johannes de Peyster
and his fellow-citizens, and cast in Holland. For many
years it had summoned the burghers to prayer, had
called the citizens to the court of justice, had given the
signal to rise and to rest, had announced a funeral, a
wedding, or a christening, and its deep and well-beloved
note had been the signal for all important events in the
little place. The silvery tone for which it was distin-
guished was given to it during casting, as the schepens
and burgomasters of Amsterdam had attended the cere-
mony and had thrown into the molten metal silver
pieces of great value, which had made the bell a more
precious one than was usually the case. The original
bell is still owned by the church and is hung in the
belfry on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Forty-eighth
Street, where careless citizens pass it heedlessly by
and never give a thought to the old bell that has seen
every change which has taken place in the history of
New York.
Mayor der Heer de Peyster signalized his accession
to power by other beneficent acts. Chief among them
was one that was inspired by the women of his family,
who drew his attention to the dirty condition of the
streets and begged him to order them cleaned. The
Dutch ladies were noted for their cleanliness, and they
had long been exercised over the filthy condition to
which the streets, lanes, and roads had degenerated
195
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
since the advent of the English. The prim, neat, well-
kept roadways, bordered by low hedges or wooden
fences, had become slovenly looking, weed-covered, rutty
quagmires, and every visitor tormented the cleanly
housewife by bringing a quota of mud on her tidy,
well-scoured stoep. In vain they made their servants
braid mats of cornshooks and lay them on the top steps ;
in vain they added scrapers, or hung a broom beside the
front door. Scraping and sweeping were useless, and
the goede vrouwen wisely turned their attention to im-
proving the condition of the streets, as some goede
vrouwen have done two centuries later, and they suc-
ceeded in having an ordinance passed in 1692, which
required every householder to keep the street clean in
front of his own door, while the public authorities were
required to dig up the weeds and keep the sidewalks,
or rather pathways, clear. Laurens Van der Speigle,
a respectable baker, was appointed the first public
street-cleaner. One of his daughters married Rip Van
Dam, who, in course of time, became governor of New
York, and another daughter married the son of the first
brewer of Mana-ha-ta, Isaac de Forest.
A new governor arrived in New York, August 29,
1692, and was welcomed as all governors are bound to
be by citizens who hope for better administration with
every change. The Dutch ladies were greatly amazed
it the fresh importation of English manners and cus-
toms. The governor tried to impress his new subjects
by appearing in a magnificent coach drawn by six horses.
196
New York in Infancy
His wife and daughters were stylish ladies who aspired
to hold a court, while at the same time they were not
quite sure that the inhabitants of the colony were good
enough for such superior people as themselves to associ-
ate with. Mrs. Spratt concerned herself but little with
these affairs. She was contented and happy at seeing
her husband quietly immersed in his commercial affairs,
and safely delivered from the complications that his
loyalty to his mother-country, as against the Dutch
interests of the colony, had drawn him into under the
misguidance of the unhappy Leisler. The influence of
Mrs. Spratt's family had been sufficient to shield him
from any ill-effects that his connection with Leisler
might have drawn upon him, and all were now content
to settle down to their quiet family life and wonted
hospitable festivities among the old settlers, who com-
pletely ignored the mimic court, that had few attrac-
tions for a people who did not understand its language
or admire its customs.
The town of New York was still but a small place where
everyone was related to everyone else, and the whole
community were deeply interested in an important so-
cial event in 1694, which commanded all attention. This
was the marriage of Mrs. John Duval, who had been left
a widow some time previously and now became the sec-
ond wife of Frederick Phillipse. She was the daughter
of Oloff Yan Cortlandt and the sister of Stephanus Van
Cortlandt, and during the reign of Leisler she had been
absent from the island, sometimes staying with her
197
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
sister, Madame Van Kensselaer, wife of the " Groot Di-
rector," Patroon Van Rensselaer, at Rensselaerswyck,
or else with her nieces, who had lost their mother, Mrs.
Brant Schuyler, in February, 1689, just at the time
when the colonists were distracted by political affairs.
All these persons had been bitterly opposed to the
Leisler government, and they were happy to return to
the comfort of their homes and forget and forgive past
differences and discussions.
Mrs. Phillipse was quite as remarkable in her own
way as her predecessor, Margaret Hardenbrook, had
been, although totally different. The new Mrs. Phil-
lipse was charitable to a degree, and she also took an
immense interest in the natives, who had now degener-
ated into a shiftless class of persons who were content
to live in a state of dependence on the whites. In order
to educate them and ameliorate their condition, Mrs.
Phillipse undertook to provide a school for the children
and also had a church erected near her manor-house, in
which she took the deepest interest, and forsaking the
amusements of her town-life, she retired into the coun-
try, and tradition states that she rode her gray mare
every day to watch the workmen build the church, which
she subsequently endowed with a considerable portion
of her own fortune.
New York at this time was intensely cosmopolitan,
and it is on record that in 1664 there were eighteen
different languages spoken within its limits. But the
Dutch was still the one in most general use in which
198
New York in Infancy
church services were held, and law cases tried, and
news-letters exchanged.
An interesting law-case came up in 1693 which related
to the title of Govert Lockerman to the open space in
front of his house, which was then a common but is now
known as Hanover Square. The oldest inhabitants were
called upon to testify concerning it. They were Jo-
hannes Van Brugh and his wife. He remembered forty-
six years back, and she remembered fifty-six years, or
to 1637, and they both declared that the spot had
always been open ground and a common, and they re-
fused to agree to its being fenced in or built over ; and
the tiny triangle remains to-day, a mute witness to the
vigorous defence it received from the lips of Tryntje
Jansen, the daughter of the famous Annekje Jans.
199
XIII
The Pirate and His Escapades
Governor Bellomont and " My Lady" Captain Kidd Money Pond on
Montock The Quidder Merchant The Isle of " Wight "Captain
Lion Gardiner Kidd's Visit to the Lord of the Isle The Treasure
Unearthed Kidd Hung in Chains Lord Bellomont's Coffin-plate.
THE whole of the island of Mana-ha-ta was now
beginning to be covered with signs of habitation.
The little " dorp," which at first was merely a cluster of
traders' huts perched " at the place of safe landing,"
Capsey's rocks, on the very end of the island, was
now growing and spreading over the land. Villages
were clustering in various convenient spots, and pretty
farms lay on the slope of many of the hills, the tops of
which were often crowned with great windmills, whose
flapping arms gave an air of motion to the landscape
that, together with its situation on the rapidly flowing
rivers, made it look like a gigantic vessel sailing pleas-
antly down the stream. The country-houses of the
gentlefolks of the dorp peeped from under their great
sheltering trees all along the borders of the Hudson
and the East Rivers. The chief features of the place
were still entirely Dutch, and these were only lost by
200
The Pirate and His Escapades
very slow degrees under the British rule. The English
gave the colony what was called the " Duke's Laws,"
which were about as confusing and poor a code as could
be well imagined, but they could not alter the daily
habits and customs of the people, and, indeed, the
example set by the English governors and their staff
was one to be shunned and not followed. The un-
fortunate colonist had enough to do to untangle the
intricacies of the laws and the evil consequences that
ensued after their administration without permitting
interference in the more sacred church and household
customs.
Governor Slaughter was not a success as ruler of the
colony. He was convivial in his habits, and the Lords
of Trade were obliged to recall him, and in 1698 they
despatched a new governor to New York. This was
Richard Coote, Earl of Bellomont and Baron of Co-
loony, in the County of Sligo, Ireland. He was over
sixty years of age, and had a wife to whom he had been
married when she was only twelve years old. She
had been living in London for many years while her
lord was absent in one of the West Indian colonies,
where he had held an official position. Lady Bello-
mont had refused to accompany her husband on his
distant mission, and had remained in England, where
she had distinguished herself by gambling and leading
such a fast life that her family had felt obliged to notify
her lord of her extravagance, and request that he would
return to England and put a stop to her disgraceful be-
2OI
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
luivior. Lord Bellomont, in consequence, resigned his
position and hastened home, where he found matters
were even worse than had been represented to him.
After settling affairs to the best of his ability, Lord
Bellomont solicited the post of governor of New York
as the best way of repairing his impoverished fortunes,
as it was an acknowledged fact that the post carried
with it considerable emoluments for a ruler who was
not over-scrupulous, and he carried his wife with him
to America, in spite of her bitter reproaches against
such an exile, which she considered would be worse
than death to a woman accustomed to the dissipations
of life in London. Notwithstanding the misconduct of
"my lady," Lord Bellomont was excessively fond of his
beautiful wife and very jealous of all attentions that
were paid to her. He discouraged the men of the
colony from visiting at the executive mansion, and shut
his wife up and would not allow her to associate with
the ladies of the place. Miss Yonge has written a
very interesting history of this lady called " Love and
Life," and gives in it a graphic account of her escapades
in England, which would seem to prove that she was
rather out of her mind, and is by no means complimen-
tary to her, although probably true in all respects.
His lordship came to America filled with good inten-
tions, which took the line of allowing no one to get
rich at the expense of the colonists except himself
and openly avowed himself " a reformer ; " but his
first step was peculiarly in the wrong direction, although
202
The Pirate and His Escapades
it was not his fault, as lie acted entirely by the direction
of his masters, the Lords of Trade. There was no navy
in those days that was capable of defending the long
coast-line of the American colonies, and it was deemed
advisable to raise one in these waters, for the better pro-
tection of the merchantmen, which were often captured
by pirates when nearly at their haven. To try to secure
the safety of these vessels of commerce, the governor
issued licenses to certain masters of sailing-craft, as
privateersmen, and he induced Robert Livingston and
many of the citizens of New York, as well as his maj-
esty the king of England, to invest their money in this
species of amateur navy.
Unfortunately for the reformer and his colleagues they
intrusted one of their principal vessels to the charge of
a well-known New York skipper by the name of William
Kidd. He had married, May 16, 1691, as her third
husband, Sarah, widow of John Oorst and daughter of
Samuel Bradly. They were quite wealthy people for
those days, and Captain Kidd owned several vessels of
his own, in which he was accustomed to make voyages
to Europe. There is a notice in the city archives of the
indenture of a servant that he brought from England
with him, who was formally bound to Mrs. Kidd on
her arrival in America and agreed to serve a num-
ber of years in return for her free passage across the
ocean. It is probable that Lord Bellomont thought
that he had made a very safe selection when he com-
missioned Captain Kidd as an official privateersman,
203
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
but it is probable that the captain had been in the habit
of doing a little poaching on his own account for several
years, although no one seems to have suspected him at
the time that he received the commission from the gov-
ernment. It is certain that he was in the habit of con-
cealing ill-gotten treasure in various localities on the
Hudson River, the Long Island Sound, and at different
places on Long Island. There are manuscripts in what
is believed to be Captain Kidd's handwriting, which give
*
directions for rinding certain treasure that was hidden
near Flushing, which it is believed was discovered many
years ago, although the find was kept quiet at the time.
There is also a pond on " Montock," the extreme east
point of Long Island, which is called Money Pond, from
a report that Captain Kidd sank two chests of gold in
it about 1699. Near this sheet of water, by the north
side of the island, is a medicinal spring. It is exceed-
ingly cold, but it bubbles and boils as if over a hot fire.
The Montauk Indians believe that its waters are a sov-
ereign cure for consumption, and also consider it haunted
and bewitched, as it is a fresh-water spring and yet is
within a few feet of the ocean a thing, however, that
is not very uncommon on the shores of Long Island.
This spot is believed to have been a favorite hiding-
place of the captain's, when his fellow-citizens fancied
that he was cruising in very distant waters.
Matters culminated when Captain Kidd was ordered
to sea to protect some valuable merchantmen that were
expected from India laden with spices, carpets, silks, and
204
The Pirate and His Escapades
precious stones. The privateersman fell in with one of
the expected vessels soon after he rounded Montock (as
the end of the island was then called). The ship was
The Quidder Merchant, named after Philip Schuyler,
who had received the nickname from the Indians, who
could not pronounce his name, and it had attracted at-
tention from its oddity and had been bestowed on the
vessel, which is now supposed to have belonged in part
to Mr. Schuyler.
Captain Kidd boarded The Quidder Merchant, and,
after disposing of her crew, he secured the cargo and
sailed into the mouth of the Sound to what the Dutch
called "Krornme Gouw," but which is now known as
Gardiner's Bay. Kidd landed on the isolated island
(which is nearly opposite New London, in Connecti-
cut), at the entrance to the sheet of water that separates
Long Island from the mainland. The Isle of Wight
(which is the true name of the place, having been
given to it by one of its first owners) is now called
Gardiner's Island, after the lords of the manor, who
have handed the property down intact from father to
sou for over two hundred years. It was purchased
from the Indians by Captain Lion Gardiner in the year
1640, and the title was ratified by Major Forrester,
agent to Henry, fifth Earl of Stirling, and the original
parchment title-deeds are still preserved at the manor-
house, with its attesting signature.
Lion Gardiner was a gallant soldier who had been
invited to emigrate to America by the rulers of the Mas-
205
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
sachusetts colony, who found that they required men
well versed in the arts of war to defend their settlements
from the savages who surrounded them. Lion Gar-
diner was of English birth, and, as a very young fellow,
he had fought against the Spaniards in Holland, where,
like so many of his countrymen, he fell in love with a
Dutch lady, the daughter of Dirck Williamson, whose
wife's maiden name was Hachin Bastiens. Gardiner
was an extremely handsome young fellow and reputed
to be the best engineer officer of his day. Governor
"Winthrop, in his diary, records the arrival in America of
the gallant soldier and his bride in the following words :
" November 28th, 1635. Here arrived a small norsy
bark of 25 tons sent by the Lord Say and Seal with one
Gardiner, an expert engineer, to begin a Fort at the
mouth of the Connecticut River. She came through
many tempests, yet through the Lord's great Provi-
dence, her passengers 12 men and 2 women and goods
all safe."
The second woman mentioned as having braved the
perils of the voyage with Mrs. Gardiner was her maid,
an indispensable luxury to a Dutch lady of the period
but an unnecessary one in the eyes of the Puritans, who
were not accustomed to live in the comfort that the
Dutch were ; and unfavorable comments were made as to
the luxurious habits of Mrs. Gardiner by the stern New
England matrons in consequence of her having an at-
tendant. Captain Gardiner remained some time in the
service of the Massachusetts colony, and then, becoming
206
The Pirate and His Escapades
disgusted with their cruelty to the Indians and with
their over-righteous ways, he resigned his position, and
while resolving to settle in the New World, determined
to move beyond their jurisdiction. With the acumen of a
soldier he selected an island for his home, named by the
Wilden Manchannock, and pronounced by them " Man-
shon-o-noc," or " place of great sickness," as he thought
that if surrounded by water he would be tolerably free
from surprises from the savages. The price paid to the
Wilden for their island was "one large black dog, one
gun, some powder and shot, some rum, and a few blank-
ets." Captain Lion Gardiner also bought large tracts
of land on Long Island, and his purchases were erected
into the manor of Gardiner by the English governor,
and is the only one of the manors that remains undi-
vided just as it was bought from the aborigines and in
the hands of the descendants of the first proprietor.
Gardiner's Island is about three miles long by one
wide, and is covered with deer and game of all sorts,
which are carefully preserved by the " proprietor " or
"lord of the manor." The great oaks that cover one
part of the island have never been cut, and are part of
the original forest. The southern end was swept by a
tornado in the beginning of the nineteenth century, and
there are few trees remaining on it. The windmills that
daily grind the meal for the table of the " lord of the
isle " are those built for the first owner over two hun-
dred years ago, and are still in a perfect state of preser-
vation.
207
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
The grandson of Captain Lion Gardiner was living
like a patriarch amid his Hocks and herds when he was
one day dismayed at receiving a visit from a stranger,
who announced himself as Captain Kidd. It is doubt-
ful if Mr. Gardiner had ever heard of his visitor or of
his commission from the governor to maintain a private
navy. But Kidd soon told Mr. Gardiner all that it was
convenient that he should know about himself, and then
informed him that he (Captain Kidd) had landed a
quantity of goods on the island which was concealed in
a hollow about half a mile west of the manor-house, and
Mr. Gardiner was asked to allow it to remain there un-
touched until such time as Kidd could return and claim
his booty. Before leaving the island Kidd threatened
the "proprietor" with vengeance if the treasure was un-
earthed, and showed himself in his true colors. The
privateersman was short of provisions and water, and
he swaggeringly ordered Mrs. Gardiner to command her
servants to kill and roast a pig for him. In reward
for this he presented the lady with a beautiful piece
of brocaded silk interwoven with gold threads, and
dropped a handsome diamond into the pitcher in which
the servant served him with cider. No doubt these
were part of the booty from the ill-starred Quidder
Merchant, and they are still preserved as relics at the
island. After providing himself and crew with provi-
sions for a long cruise, Captain Kidd sailed away from
the island the same day, and the terrified owner was
thankful to see him depart.
208
The Pirate and His Escapades
After cruising for a short time Kidd was bold enough
to venture into the harbor of Boston, believing that his
piratical deeds were still undiscovered, but the non-
arrival of The Quidder Merchant had aroused suspicions,
and Kidd was detained by the authorities. Kidd at
once boldly sent to the governor of New York and de-
manded his release as an accredited official of the gov-
ernment, but that gentleman found that Kidd had much
exceeded his license and became rather alarmed as to
his own position in the matter. Kidd became desper-
ate as he saw that the authorities in Boston were de-
termined to hold him responsible for the terrible losses
sustained by their merchants, and he declared that if he
were guilty of piracy the governor of New York and the
king of England were equally so, as they had often been
glad enough to accept a share of his plunder without
inquiring too closely as to how it had been obtained.
Finding that bluster and threats had no effect on the
magistrates, who would not permit him to be released,
Kidd wrote a private letter to the governor begging
that he would intervene in his behalf. Governor Bel-
lomont, finding that he was likely to get into trouble
through his connection with Kidd, determined to aban-
don him to his fate, and on January 5, 1699, wrote to
the Lords of Trade in London :
" Captain Kidd sent his gaoler to me a fortnight ago,
to acquaint me that if I would let him go to the place
where he left the ship Quidder Merchant, and to St.
Thomas Island, and Curacoa, he would undertake to
2OQ
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
bring off three score thousand pounds which would oth-
erwise be lost; but I sent him word he was a king's
prisoner, and I could hearken to no such proposition.
But I bade the gaoler try if he could not prevail with
Captain Kidd to discover where his treasure lay hid
but he said nobody could find it but himself, and would
not tell further."
Threats and persuasions were brought to bear on the
prisoner, and he finally confessed that Mr. Gardiner
could disclose the whereabouts of the treasure of The
Quidder Merchant, which had been concealed on the isl-
and, and the Boston authorities immediately sent two
agents to ask Mr. Gardiner to show them the hiding-
place. The adventure with the pirate had nearly faded
from the mind of Mr. Gardiner, who had scarcely cred-
ited the tale of the buried treasure, and he was sur-
prised and alarmed at the appearance of the detectives.
At first he would not believe in their authority, and it
was a long time before he could be persuaded to guide
them to the place which has ever since been called
"Kidd's Hollow," near " Cherry-tree Harbor," and then
only on the condition that, if any treasure should be
discovered there, he should accompany the agents to
Boston and receive a receipt, not only from the govern-
ment but also from Kidd himself ; and he was as-
tounded at the value and quantity of the booty that was
dug up. There were bags of silver, gold, and precious
stones, bales of merchandise, and many other valuable
things, and they were all carefully packed and earned to
2IO
The Pirate and His Escapades
Boston by the commissioners and Mr. Gardiner, and
delivered to the authorities there, who caused an inven-
tory to be made and duly set forth, on a huge sheet of
parchment, to which the signatures of the council were
appended, as a receipt in full ; and this receipt is still
carefully preserved at Gardiner's Island.
There are many localities still pointed out as the
hiding-places of Kidd's treasure, but there is no histor-
ical evidence that any was ever discovered, except the
buried treasure on this island. Probably the finders, if
there were any, were not as honest as Mr. Gardiner.
The fate of Captain Kidd was the usual one of those
days, when piracy on the high seas was always pun-
ished as severely as possible, as it was such a menace
to all life and property on the ocean ; and the captain
soon swung in chains on the gibbet at Boston. Soon
after the sudden death of Kidd, his widow married
Christopher Kosby, her fourth husband. The only
daughter of the unfortunate man assumed the name
of one of her stepfathers, of whom she had quite an as-
sortment, and tried to obliterate as far as possible all
connection with her disgraced parent. She married, and
her descendants are still living in the city of New York.
The second husband of Mrs. Kidd was William Cox, to
whom she had been married April 17, 1685. He was
drowned off Staten Island in 1690. It is not known
what name the daughter of Kidd adopted in order to
conceal her identity.
After an uneventful career as governor of New York,
211
I
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
his excellency Lord Bellomont died iii the city, Febru-
ary, 1701, and was buried within its limits, in the old
church-yard. Many years afterward his coffin was ex-
huined at the opening of some of the streets in the
lower part of the town and the plate on which the gov-
ernor's name, title, earl's coat -of -arms, coronet, etc.,
were displayed was wrenched from its place and sold
to the keeper of a museum. The plate was of silver
and uncommonly large. It was kept on exhibition for
many years, until the proprietor of the museum failed,
when " my lord's " coffin-plate was melted into tea-
spoons.
212
XIV
Society Under the English Rule
Death of John Spratt Marriage of His Widow Colonel Provoost Made
Mayor of the City Death of Mrs. Spratt-Provoost Colonel Pro-
voost's Troubles Madame Knight's Journey to New York Lord and
Lady Cornbury The Court of Their Excellencies Miss Van Cort-
landt as Maid of Honor Escapades of the Governor Mr. Bedlow
and His Island.
THE quiet home in Prince 1 s Graft was for the second
time rendered desolate by the sudden death of
the ex-speaker, John Spratt, who succumbed to a
prevalent fever and the medical treatment of the day.
He died in 1696, leaving his widow with an infant
daughter named Catharine, a child of two years of age
called Mary, a son John who was barely seven, and
Cornelia, the eldest daughter, a child a little over eight
years old, who bore the name of her grandmother Mrs.
de Peyster.
The brave widow faced this second desolation in her
home with characteristic courage and pious resignation,
and she tried to carry on the business that she had in-
herited from first one husband and then another, and
also endeavored to attend to the wants of her little
family. In this Mrs. Spratt was greatly aided by her
213
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
mother and maiden sister Cornelia, who lived in the
old home of Johannes de Peyster, within a stone's
throw of her house. But even when aided by their
advice and the counsel of her brothers, Mrs. Spratt
found the responsibility too great to be borne alone,
and was forced to look out for a partner to share her
business cares. In those days business usually took
precedence of sentiment, and it was with little surprise
that the friends of Mrs. Spratt learned of her marriage
to Colonel David Provoost (the third of that name), a
wealthy widower and an esteemed citizen. His grand-
father had been one of the first settlers of Mana-ha-ta,
and was an intimate friend of Govert Lockermans.
"Both men were hated by the English," says Mr.
Purple, in a communication to the " New York Genea-
logical Kecord," " and David Provoost was a thorn to
them, who dreaded the influence he wielded over the
Indians, and his success among them as a trader, by
what they termed "a crooked and pverse waye." Col-
onel David Provoost was the grandson of this gentle-
man, who married Margaret Gillis Yan Brugge. The
colonel had already filled several municipal positions,
and was now a portly widower with a large family of
children for whom he was anxious to provide a home, a
governess, a maid who would make all the clothing they
required (which in those days could not be bought and
was always made by the lady of the house and her
maids, under her superintendence), and last, but not
least, he desired a wife for himself, with a comfortable
214
Society Under the English Rule
fortune and home. And all these were combined when
he took to himself as wife the "comfortable widow of
John Spratt, of blessed memory."
The records of the Dutch church show the date of
his marriage to Mrs. Spratt, and the pious groom also
recorded it in the Bible of his predecessor, thus: "In
the year 16-J-f , the 20 " of January, I, David Provoost,
was lawfully joined in marriage with Maria de Peyster,
widow of John Spratt of blessed memory."
This year also saw the elevation of the bridegroom,
David Provoost, to the office of mayor of the city of
-New York, succeeding in this position the brother of
his bride, der Heer Abraham de Peyster; and their
home became the centre of social life in the province.
Two families of young people could not fail to make a
gay household, although the children of Mrs. Spratt-
Provoost were not of an age to enter in the formal en-
tertainments of their elders. But Mrs. Spratt-Provoost
followed the example shown by her mother and insti-
tuted a series of weekly receptions at her own home,
where all her friends were welcome. These friendly
meetings were more enjoj^ed than the formal assem-
blies to which all the Dutch families belonged, and
which were kept up with unabated success, and into
which the conservative matrons would allow no for-
eigner to penetrate.
All the sociables and assemblies were rudely stopped
toward the spring by the death of Mrs. Spratt-Pro-
voost, as nearly every family in the town was con-
215
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
^ected with her, and all were deeply affected by her
death. And the next entry in the Bible was : "In the
year 1700, on the 5th of May, died in the Lord, niy be-
loved wife Maria, in the afternoon, between six and
seven of the clock, aged forty-one years, seven months,
and twenty-nine days, of which we lived together two
years, three months, and three days. Until the Lord
separated us. She was buried in Col. Abraham de Pey-
ster's Yault in the Church yard."
A good deal of confusion ensued on the death of
Mrs. Spratt-Provoost, as she left three young children
motherless, and Mr. Provoost had his own large family
to take care of, who were again left without a proper
protector. He naturally desired to continue to live in
the luxurious home in the Prince's Graft, which he had
hoped was secured to him and his family for their life,
but the relations of his wife by no means approved of
this arrangement, and indeed it would seem, by the
lawsuits that followed on the death of Mrs. Spratt-
Provoost, that the widower was desirous of making
the allowance provided for the children of his second
wife (who were quite wealthy for those days) cover the
expense of clothing and educating those by his first
marriage.
This arrangement was by no means approved of by
the guardians of the Spratt children, and they required
a rigid accounting, which left the worthy ex-mayor
somewhat in debt to his late wife's estate. In July,
1710, having unwarily confessed judgment for four
216
Society Under the English Rule
thousand pounds, although he afterward declared that
his real debt was only a little over four hundred pounds,
Mr. Provoost was put under the custody of the sheriff, at
the suit of der Heer Abraham de Peyster, the trustee
of Mrs. Spratt-Provoost's estate. This was a severe
blow to an influential citizen who had been a member of
the assembly, mayor of the city, and a member of the
king's council in 1709 ; and as he was at this date re-
elected to a position in the government, the confinement
to his own house under the charge of the sheriff pre-
vented him from attending to his duties. On July 2,
1711, Colonel David Provoost addressed a letter to the
speaker of the assembly, reciting the fact of his election
as one of the representatives for the city and county of
New York, and praying for enlargement.
At the same time a petition was presented to the
house from Cornelia, John, and Mary Spratt, children of
John Spratt, deceased, setting forth that David Pro-
voost, their " father-in-law," was declared in custody to
the sheriff on their behalf, he not having paid their por-
tions, and praying the house would consider their case,
they being orphans.
Governor Hunter, who was at that time in office, re-
ferred to this petition in his message to the assembly,
November 23, 1711, as " a dispute between the de
Peysters, as guardians of their nieces and nephew, and
the Provoosts." And in his letter to the home govern-
ment of May 7, 1711, the governor mentions it as a
case requiring the intervention of the Court of Chancery,
217
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
as he says " there is no address at common law." The
difficulty was finally adjusted before April 30, 1712,
at which time Colonel Provoost took the oath of office
and his seat in the assembly.
New York had a very agreeable visitor in December,
1704, in the person of a Boston lady, who left a sprightly
account of her travels from one city to the other, which
was published under the nom deplume of " Mnie. Knight."
The lady was apparently a widow, who was forced to
take this journey at the beginning of winter in order to
collect some money owing to her late husband. She
must have been a brave woman to undertake such a
long and hazardous trip by herself, and also must have
had a superior education for the time to be able to nar-
rate her adventures in the agreeable way that she does.
She says:
"The Cittie of New York is a pleasent well compacted place,
situated on a Commodious Kiver which is a fine harbour for ship-
ping. The Buildings Brick Generally, very stately and high,
though not altogether like ours in Boston. The Bricks in some
of the Houses, are of divers Coullers and laid in Checkers being
glazed, look very agreeable. The inside of them are neat to ad-
miration, the woodwork, for only the walls are plastered, and
the Summers and Gist are plained and kept very white scour'd,
as so is all the partitions if made of Bords. The fire-places have
no Jambs (as ours have) But the Backs run flush with the walls,
and the Hearth is of Tyles, and is as far out into the Room at the
ends as before the fire, wch. is Generally Five Foot in the Low.r
rooms, and the piece over Where the Mantle tree should be, is
made as ours with Joiners work, and as I suppose, is fastened to
218
Society Under the English Rule
iron rodds inside. I went to a Vendue where I bought about 100
Ehems of paper, wch. was retaken in a fly-boat from Holland,
and sold very Reasonably here, some ten some Eight shillings
per Khem by the lott wch. was ten Ehem in a lott. And at the
Vendue I made a great many acquaintances among the good
women of the town, who curteosly invited nie to their houses
and generously entertained me. The house where the Vendue
was, had Chimney Corners like ours, and they and the hearths
were laid with the finest tile that I ever see, and the staircases
laid all with white tile, which is ever clean, and so are all the
walls of the Kitchen wch. had a Brick floor. The English go
very fashionable in their dress. But the Dutch especially the
middle sorts, differ from our women in their habett go loose,
were French Muches wch. are like a capp and a head band in
one, leaving their ears bare, which are sett out wth. Jewells of a
large size and many in number, and their fingers hooped with
Kings, some with large stones in them with many Coulers as
were their pendants in their ears, which You should see very old
women wear as well as Young. They have Vendues frequently
and make their Earnings very well by them, for they treat with
good Liquor Liberally, and the Customers Drink as Liberally and
Generally pay for't as well, by paying for that which they Bidd
up Briskly for, after the Sack has gone plentifully about, tho'
sometimes good pennyworths are got there. Their Diversions in
Winter, is Hiding Sluys, about three or four miles out of Town,
where they have Houses of entertainment, at a place called the
Bowery, and Madame Dowes, a Gentlewoman that lived at a farm
House, who gave us a handsome Entertainment of five or six
Dishes, and choice Beer and Metheglin Cyder &tc. all of which
she said was the product of her own farm. I believe we mett 50
or 60 sluys that day they fly with great swiftness and some are
so furious that they'll turn out of the path for none except a
Loaded Cart."
219
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
Such, then, was the pleasant life in the province of
New York when William of England died and Queen
Anne succeeded to the throne, and was crowned April
23, 1702.
The queen had a horde of the poor relations of her
mother (Anne Hyde) to provide for, and, among others,
had a graceless cousin, whom she was glad to get out
of England, and she therefore despatched him to New
York as its governor, regardless of his enormous debts,
his profligate character, and his total disqualification
for such a delicate and onerous position.
Edward Hyde, Lord Cornbury, arrived in the colony
May 3, 1702, with his wife, who was a lady of small in-
telligence and a limited education. She was not his
equal in birth, and had never had any beauty to speak
of, but she had a beautiful ear, and my lord had fallen in
love and married her on account of its peculiar shapeli-
ness. Unfortunately, the ear soon ceased to please, and
then the wife was neglected. My lady was much
pleased with her position among the nobility of Eng-
land and her close connection with her majesty, and
willingly overlooked the neglect of her husband for the
sake of the position that he could give her. She was
as extravagant and as unscrupulous as himself, and
made herself useful to him by suggesting and execut-
ing plans for raising money, when they were in their
most desperate straits, which it is probable even such
an unprincipled person as the governor would have hesi-
tated to carry out. The couple had been forced to
220
Society Under the English Rule
leave England secretly, in order to evade their creditors,
and they had accepted the position in the colony sim-
ply to enrich themselves by extorting money from their
subjects, and were perfectly unscrupulous and bare-
faced in their methods.
His excellency and his lady had very expensive
habits and no money, and they condescended to many
unworthy devices in order that they might be able to
keep up a court in the style that they deemed befitting
their rank ; and Lady Cornbury invented a scheme for
securing free service that was commendable only for its
ingenuity.
On the arrival of his excellency, the people of the
colony hastened to White Hall to pay their respects to
the new governor and his lady, and were delighted with
their gracious reception, which was so different from
what was generally accorded to them by the English
rulers. They little suspected what the suavity and gra-
ciousness concealed.
Many dinners and entertainments were given in honor
of his excellency and Lady Cornbury, and a particularly
notable function was given by Madame Van Cortlandt.
Soon after this, Lady Cornbury made a selection from
the young ladies of the principal families of the colony,
and invited them to take up their residence with her at
the governor's mansion, and act as her maids of honor.
At first this was esteemed as a great distinction, and
the worthy members of " her majesty's council " and
the other officials of the government were proud to
221
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
have their daughters attend the governor's court;
but, little by little, the young ladies discovered that
their position was no sinecure. Lady Cornbury had a
large allowance from her husband on paper for her
household expenses, but she never could get her hus-
band to pay her the money. She therefore resorted to
the most peculiar devices in order to keep up appear-
ances before the world. One of her economies was to
keep no servants, and her maids of honor were required
to sweep and dust, help in the kitchen, act as seam-
stresses, as waiting-maids to her ladyship, and were
never permitted to leave the house. The indignation
of the Dutch burghers, when they learned how they
had been entrapped into turning their daughters into
servants for the English lady, passed all bounds. The
girls were carried away from White Hall, sometimes by
force, and generally after a very stormy interview with
her ladyship, who would screech and scream, and rave
around the rooms, and even try to scratch and strike her
quondam maids of honor, who confessed to their parents
that she had resorted to such means to keep them in
servitude, and they had endured their captivity, as they
were afraid of what her ladyship might do to them.
Lady Cornbury revenged herself on the first deserters
by abusing them and their parents to all who would
listen to her. There were many such, as in all com-
munities there are plenty of worshippers of the nobil-
ity, the wealthy, or the powerful. A new set of girls
was easily secured, but, as they experienced exactly
222
Society Under the English Rule
the same treatment as the first bevy had received, they
also returned to their parents in a high state of indig-
nation, and the governor and his lady soon found them-
selves shunned by high and low.
Among the first maidens who had been entrapped by
this original scheme of Lady Cornbury's was Miss Ger-
trude Van Cortlandt, the daughter of Stephanus Yan
Cortlandt of the manor, and granddaughter of Oloff Yan
Cortlandt, a man who had held many positions of honor
in the "plantation," and who had been one of its most
esteemed citizens. It is a matter of surprise that the
governor should have connived at such an unpardonable
piece of arrogance toward a young girl whose family
was of such prominence, and, although hardly credible,
it was quite in keeping with the governor's usual behav-
ior, as his head was quite turned by his near connection
with her majesty Queen Anne, and he believed that
anything he might do was pardonable in one so closely
allied to royalty, and that it must be condoned by his
subjects in New York.
Miss Gertrude Schuyler Yan Cortlandt was after-
ward married to Colonel Henry Beekman as his second
wife, but left no descendants. In after days, she would
often relate her funny experiences as maid of honor,
and would sit on the edge of her chair straight as an
arrow, with her hands crossed before her, to show' how
the maids sat in the parlor before Lord and Lady Corn-
bury when they expected company ; and her stories
were carefully preserved in writing by members of her
223
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
husband's family, and still exist in manuscript. A refer-
ence is made to them in Mrs. Delafield's " Biographies
of Francis Lewis and Morgan Lewis."
There are other family traditions that recall how Lord
Cornbury would sit at his table for hours at a time,
drinking the good wines that he had begged from his
subjects, and one evening, being somewhat intoxicated,
he Avent into his wife's room and dressed himself in her
clothes and started for a walk in the gardens around
White Hall. His secretary persuaded him to return to
the house, and the freak was only known to a few persons,
who were shocked at the levity that prompted such
undignified conduct on the part of the representative
and relation of her majesty Queen Anne. But, embol-
dened by the success of his first experiment, Lord Corn-
bury soon repeated it, and this time he wandered be-
yond the limits of his own enclosure, and paraded up
Broadway, where he was seized by the city watch while
flaunting his gay satins by moonlight, and behaving in
such a manner as to scandalize the old guardian of the
peace. The officer was still more horrified when he found
that he had in custody a man dressed in women's clothes,
and was amazed beyond description when he found
that his prisoner was none other than the governor of
the province, in a highly hilarious condition ; and the
watchman could scarcely be induced to release his
excellency, as he considered it the duty of the watch to
carry all prisoners to the guard-house, no matter what
was their degree. This excess could not be concealed
224
Society Under the English Rule
from the public, and a reference to it is to be found in
Mr. Smith's " History of New York ; " and of course it
was common talk at the tea-tables of the town.
Everyone now shunned the governor and his wife,
who found themselves reduced to extreme poverty.
The council and assembly prevented them from rob-
bing the public exchequer, tradespeople would not
trust them, the rich citizens would contribute nothing
to their support or allow their daughters to serve as
domestics at the mimic court, and the exalted pair were
in a bad plight. But her ladyship was callous and per-
fectly indifferent to public opinion, and she hesitated at
nothing when she had an end in view.
It was a custom with my lady to order her coach and
start on a round of visits, when she would enter any
house that attracted her attention, and after glancing
about her, she would call her footman and order placed
in her carriage any article that might happen to strike
her fancy or please her taste, and in this way, to the
disgust of the ladies, cherished bits of china, priceless
lace, valuable books, etc., all vanished into her capacious
coach, and were carried off by her rapacious ladyship.
In the "Biographies of Francis Lewis and Morgan
Lewis " is this account of her ladyship :
" As hers was the only coach in the city, the rolling
of the wheels was easily distinguished, and then the
cry in the house was, ' There comes my lady ; hide this,
hide that, take that away.' Whatever she admired in
her visits she was sure to send for the next day."
225
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
To add to the aggravation of this polite thievery, Lady
Corubury would sometimes send to say that the owners
could redeem their property by paying for them, but
otherwise she would sell them for junk ; and it often
happened that the unlucky townspeople would be forced
to buy their own belongings from a pedler to whom
they had been sold by her ladyship. Fortunately for
the citizens of New York, this lady died on Sunday,
August 11, 1706, aged thirty-four, and after grand
funeral ceremonies, which Dame Rumor declared were
never paid for, the Lady Cornbury was laid to rest in
the " English Church-yard," as Trinity Church was then
called.
There was an Englishman who came to New York
about this time and determined to settle in the colony.
He had amassed a fortune in the East Indies and was
attracted to America by the fact that Lord Cornbury
was its governor, as they had had some acquaintance in
early life. On Mr. Bedlow's arrival the governor gave
him the privilege of victualling the fleet, a post that car-
ried with it great facilities for making money. Mr.
Bedlow died suddenly, and his excellency, probably
fearing that some of the secret arrangements that had
been made between him and his commissioner would
be disclosed by his papers, demanded that they be
placed in his hands, and by so doing quietly possessed
himself of all the vouchers for the victualling depart-
ment, and collected the money due on them, which he
put in his own pocket. When the heirs came to look
226
Society Under the English Rule
for their papers and demanded their return from the
governor, he denied all knowledge of them, and the
widow and children were reduced to the greatest
poverty.
Mr. Bedlow purchased an island in the harbor of New
York that is still called by his name. It was a conven-
ient spot for him to store the articles required for the
English fleet, and the vessels could lie close to its
shores and be loaded without going to the city. This
island is now covered by the unsightly monument called
the statue of "Liberty Enlightening the World," a
monstrosity that disfigures the entrance to the other-
wise beautiful harbor of New York.
XV
Wedding-bells and Caudle-cups
Neltje and Polly Spratt The Weddings in the de Peyster Family The
Children's " Companies " The Marriage of Miss Spratt to Samuel
Provoost His Death Mrs. Provoost lays the First Sidewalk in New
York Lord Cornbury and his Visit to Jamaica A New Way of
Erecting a Church Weddings in the Van Dam Family Recall of
Lord Cornbury Lord Lovelace and his Sudden Death Governor
Hunter Change in the Government at Rensselaerswyck Kiliaen
the Fourth Patroon, and " Quidder " The Governor's Visit to the
Manor of Livingston He Stands Sponsor to Robert Hunter Morris
-The Indian's Summary of Governor Hunter's Character.
THE orphan children of John Spratt were carefully
educated by their grandmother, Madame de Pey-
ster, for the position in life that they were to be called
on to fill. The large fortune that was left to them by
their parents was husbanded for their use, and they were
put in possession of it when they became of a suitable
age. The elder daughter, Cornelia, was of a lovable,
quiet character, fond of reading her Bible and happy
in her domestic duties, the devoted companion of her
grandmother and maiden aunt. But Polly Spratt
was quite different from her sister, and was a dar-
ing, mischievous sprite, full of tricks that she did not
hesitate to play on her grandmother and sweet aunt.
223
Wedding-bells and Caudle-cups
Those good ladies shook their heads over "Polly's
pranks," but indulged her slightest whim, and she led
the van in all the sports of her young companions,
unchecked by her grandmother, who would have been
horrified and indignant if anyone had dared to suggest
that Polly was spoiled or indulged more than any other
girl of her age in the province.
As a child Polly had delighted in coasting down the
steep sides of " Flattenbarack Hill " with her daring
brother Jack, all the boys in the town following her with
admiring eyes when she stood upright on her " sluy " and
darted down the hill-side, a feat that no boy in the com-
pany dared to perform, and that startled one of her
staid uncles almost out of his wonted dignity when he
found the young hoyden with dishevelled locks, who
came rushing down the steep incline and nearly threw
him into the kennel, was no other than his own little
niece, Polly Spratt.
Time passed and the hoyden grew to be a lovely
young girl. She was a comely lass with bright, sparkling
eyes and ruddy cheeks, and as she was an heiress in her
own right she had many suitors. There were two
gay weddings in the family of her uncle, Johannes de
Peyster (who had succeeded her step-father as mayor of
the city), when in 1715 Betsy, or Elizabeth, de Peyster
became Mrs. Jacobus Beekman, and in November of the
same year her brother, Johannes de Peyster (de Jonge),
married Miss Anna Schuyler. This wedding was soon
followed by that of Cornelia de Peyster, another sister,
229
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
to Matthew Clarkson. The daughters of der Heer de
Peyster had already become the wives of Philip Van
Cortlandt and John Hamilton. This large family con-
nection always welcomed Polly Spratt at all their
festive gatherings, and no merry-making was complete
without her, the bonniest, brightest maiden of them all.
She led the dance at all the gay assemblies, was the
pioneer on the newly formed ice on the Collect, and it
was her skates (made out of beef-bones, and a present
from some youthful admirer) that were the first to be
strapped on by one of the crowd of attendant boy
cousins or friends, flocks of whom were always in her
train. Polly could row or sail a boat with the ease and
hardihood of long practice, and her indulgent uncles,
who had never permitted any escapades in their own
families, were always ready to excuse her and beg her
off from the slight punishments her indulgent grand-
mother inflicted when Polly had committed some un-
usually great breach of decorum.
There was a curious custom in the early days of the
colonies, when the children of the towns gathered
themselves into sets or " companies," as they were
called. Boys and girls in each one were equally divided,
and they were usually about the same age. The
children of a company always played together, and they
acknowledged one of their number as leader, although
there was no formal election or organization. The
formation of a set was generally purely accidental, and
was caused by propinquity or perhaps by the intimacy
230
Wedding-bells and Caudle-cups
of the parents, but most generally by the age of the
children, those of the same age naturally preferring to
play together. Parents seldom interfered with these
intimacies unless some very objectionable child was ad-
mitted in the company. These playmates grew up like
children of one family and generally intermarried, and
this was so much a matter of custom that matches were
seldom made with members of other sets.
Mrs. Grant, of Laggan, in her memoirs of Mrs. Schuy-
ler, "An American Lady," mentions this custom, and
says:
"In Albany the Companies at a certain time of year, went in
a body to gather a particular kind of berry on the hill . It was
an annual festival attended with religious punctuality. Every
Company had a Uniform for this purpose ; that is to say, very
pretty light baskets made by the Indians with lids and handles,
which hung on the arms, and were adorned with various colors."
On these expeditions the girls always carried their
work with them, as they were industrious little maidens
and were constantly employed in knitting stockings for
themselves, the boys, and the slaves of the family, and
they would sit in groups, chatting, sewing, and knitting,
while the boys wandered afield gathering berries or
nuts, which were always carefully divided with the girls
at the end of the day. In the winter the amusements
were held in the homes of the children, unless they could
skate or go in large sleighing-parties to the country-home
of one of the members. Polly Spratt was the leader of
a large company in New York that was chiefly com-
231
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
posed of her baud of cousins, her numerous step-brothers
and sisters, and the descendants of her grandmother's
early friends, the first settlers of Mana-ha-ta.
Neltje and Polly Spratt had been children when
Lady Corubury was forming her court, and so escaped
playing the role of handmaidens to her ladyship, but
many of their friends and the older girls of the family
had served their time at court, which, although annoy-
ing and hard to endure at the time, was now told over
and over again to the friends of the maids of honor, who
were always ready to make merry over their past ad-
ventures. The sisters grew up in the quiet refinement
of their grandmother's home, which was as far removed
from the coarseness of the English court-life as was pos-
sible in such a small town, where the " door-latch hung
always on the outside " (to quote a familiar proverb of
the day) and where high and low mingled in every-day
pursuits and amusements ; and it was hardly possible to
hold aloof from all contact with the governor's family
any more than in the case of an opposite neighbor. But
Polly Spratt, although not at court, had (as has been
said) plenty of gayety, and more lovers than her anxious
grandmother could keep count of, who were captivated
by Polly's handsome black eyes and merry, clever
speeches. It was with the greatest reluctance that her
guardians permitted her to be betrothed, at the age of
seventeen, to Samuel Provoost, a member of Polly's
company from childhood, and a younger brother of her
mother's third husband, David Provoost. This family
232
Wedding-bells and Caudle-cups
were of French descent on their father's side, and had
long been prominent members of the New York colony.
Early marriages were the rule in those days, but no one
wanted to see the pretty curly head of Polly Spratt
covered with a matron's coif. But the wilful maiden
had her way, and on October 15, 1711, she married Mr.
Provoost and went to house-keeping in the handsome
house that was purchased for her by her husband, who
was already well established in business and considered
a thriving merchant. The bride's fortune was partly in-
vested in the business, and her uncles looked well after
the interests of their ward and had the money settled
on her. She had been taught the management of busi-
ness affairs, after the custom of Holland, and she soon
showed the capacity she had inherited from her mother
and took her full share in the management of her hus-
band's importations and correspondence.
Mrs. Provoost lost her first child, a little girl, who
was born a year after her marriage, but she had two
sons, who grew to manhood. These were John and
David Provoost; the former born in 1714, and the
latter in 1719.
It is probable that Neltje (or Cornelia) Spratt died
about 1716, as the old Bible which contained so many
interesting family records passed into the hands of her
brother Jack on March 27th of that year. There is an
entry in it, "April 15, 1705, Cornelia Spratt," under
which is added the name of her brother, written in a
different handwriting, " John Spratt, 1716," as if, after
233
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
the death of the young girl, the book had been given to
the next of age.
If the supposition that Neltje Spratt died at this time
is correct (and there is no later record of her), Mrs. Pro-
voost was not only called upon to mourn the loss of her
only sister, but also, in a very little time, that of her hus-
band, Samuel Provoost. It was well that the young
widow (who was barely twenty-six) had identified her-
self with her husband's business, which was that of an
importer, with correspondents in many parts of the
world, and understood its management. She immedi-
ately assumed control of it, and, with her thrifty Dutch
habits, added considerably to her fortune. She had a
row of offices built in front of her house, directly on the
street, with a large store on one side.
Mrs. Provoost was shrewd enough to perceive that
although her shop was convenient for herself, as it was
so close to her home that she could attend to her house-
hold duties and still superintend the details of her
counting-house at the same time, yet, as it was not situ-
ated directly on the exchange, that merchants and pur-
chasers from other places would not be attracted to
the shop unless their attention was called to it. She
therefore ordered a quantity of large flat stones to be
laid as a sidewalk, not only in front of her place of
business but beyond her property and up to the streets
on either side of it. This was an important improve-
ment, as the roadway had been paved, when the street
was opened, with small round stones, which served to
234
Wedding-bells and Caudle-cups
prevent carts and horses from sinking into the mud ;
but there was no provision for foot-passengers, whose
patience was sorely tried by being obliged to stumble
over the rough cobble-stones. To add to the discom-
forts of the pedestrian, the street was made to slope
toward the middle, which formed a kennel through
which water was generally running, and under such
conditions walking dry-shod was no easy matter.
Mrs. Samuel Provoost's pavement was the talk of the
town, and such a convenient innovation attracted many
visitors, not only from relations who were proud of her
ingenuity, but from all her old " company," who nocked
around their beloved Polly, and thought her the wisest
woman of her day. It was a capital advertisement for
the shrewd little lady, as she had foreseen, and country-
people and visitors from other towns would turn out of
their way to gaze at the wonderful new invention, and,
when once attracted to the spot, could never resist en-
tering the counting-room, and in consequence Mrs.
Provoost had large country orders always on hand.
The stone " walking-side ' laid down by the private
enterprise of a woman was the first pavement in the
city of New York. Some of the neighbors followed
this praiseworthy example and laid brick walks, which
were called " strookes," and, by degrees, paving and
curbing the streets were undertaken by the municipal
authorities, and not left to individual exertions. It was
said that Mrs. Provoost wished the authorities to pave
the walks for her, and they declined, saying that it was
235
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
not possible to do such a thing, and that she undertook
to give them an object-lesson, in which she thoroughly
succeeded.
Mr. Livingston Butherfurd, in " Family Records and
Events," states that " Mrs. Provoost's store was ac-
knowledged to be one of the best appointed in the city,
and her social position was in no way affected by her
business pursuits. She was for a long time the only
person besides the governor who kept a two-horse
coach." It is probable that Mrs. Provoost never had
a thought as to her social position. She had been ac-
customed to being surrounded from her childhood by
the most agreeable and educated people of the place,
all of whom were occupied exactly as she was herself,
and as her parents had been occupied before her, and
there was no one enough of a snob in the city to hold
himself aloof from one of their number, simply because
that one invested her money in mercantile pursuits
and conducted her business herself. Such ideas were
foreign to those of Dutch descent, and were only the re-
flections of the opinions of the Euglish, who preferred
to live in idleness and on the bounty of others (if they
did no worse), and pretended to despise honest labor.
The shop, its handsome mistress, and the wonderful
coach were famed far and wide, and two good ladies of
Philadelphia made a journey to New York to see the
sights, chief of which they conceded were "the great
store and the strange carriage of Madame;" and their
awe and admiration are quaintly expressed in a mami-
236
Wedding-bells and Caudle-cups
script journal and history of their travels, which are
worthy of being printed for the amusement of readers
of the present day.
In 1702 yellow fever devastated New York, and its
inhabitants fled far and wide. Those who had houses
in the country went to them, and crowded them with all
their friends and relations who had no other place to
go for those were the days of the greatest hospitality
and everyone was welcome, even the poor, homeless
Indians, who sometimes wandered around the country,
stopping at the first house they fancied, sure of a nook
in the ingleside, a warm meal, and shelter for the night.
No one was ever turned away from a vrouw's kitchen ;
she always had food and welcome for all.
Among the other refugees was Lord Cornbury, who
fled from his post at the first signal of danger and re-
tired to the pretty little village of Jamaica, on Long
Island, as Sewan-ha-ka began to be called about that
time.
In those days Jamaica was beginning to be a summer-
resort, and gentlemen from New York, with their families,
frequently visited it for the purpose of hunting deer and
shooting grouse, which abounded on the neighboring
plains of Hempstead. It was convenient also to the great
bay, which afforded good sport duck-shooting as well
as fishing ; and Jamaica was therefore the favorite head-
quarters of sportsmen. But there were few houses in the
hamlet that were commodious enough to accommodate
Lord Cornbury and his staff, and the Presbyterian
237
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
minister most courteously put liis manse, which was the
largest house in the place, at the disposal of his excel-
lency. The governor accepted the courtesy as if it
were his due, and, not satisfied with the pastor's resi-
dence, Lord Cornbury also demanded the use of the
chapel, so that services might be conducted there ac-
cording to the ritual of the Church of England ; for,
whatever else the governor was careless about, he never
neglected his official attendance at public worship.
The minister and congregation of the Presbyterian
church gave up their edifice with considerable reluc-
tance, as may be supposed, to the use of the governor,
when, what was their surprise and indignation to find
that the governor accepted their loan as a gift, and then
quietly turned over manse, meeting-house, and glebe to
the Established Church of England, and put a priest of
that denomination, and of his own preferment, in charge
of the establishment, under the protection of his excel-
lency ! The Presbyterian minister and his congregation
were indignant beyond measure at this wholesale rob-
bery by her majesty's representative, but they had no
redress even at law, and Christ Church, Jamaica, was
founded in this remarkable way, as anyone may learn
for himself by reading the Colonial Documents of the
day, with their reports on this subject.
In the Colonial Documents of the State of New York
by O'Callaghan it is recorded that (vol. v., page 111)
Governor Cornbury, in his official position, granted part
of the Newtown patent to Mr. Boudiuot, who had ad-
238
Wedding-bells and Caudle-cups
vanced money to pay for the grand funeral services held
over Lady Cornbury, in discharge of 300 owing to
him. It was in this way that the disreputable governor
performed his duties to the colony of New York.
After the citizens had recovered from their dread of the
yellow fever and had settled down quietly once more in
their homes, many festivities were arranged for that had
been deferred on account of the prevalence of the pesti-
lence. The Van 'Dam family had always been part of
either Neltje or Polly Spratt's " company," for the two
sisters, being of different ages, were not in the same one,
and members of different families were always sorted out
according to their age. The elder members of the Yan
Dam household had married some years before Polly
Spratt had grown up. The first-born son had taken for
a wife Judith Bayard ; Richard Yan Dam, who came
next in seniority, married Cornelia Beekman, and in
October, 1704, great preparations were made for the
wedding of the handsome eldest daughter, Calatyntie,
w r hose lover was a thriving young merchant of the
place called Walter Tong, who duly took out a license
from his excellency, who granted under seal and bond
his august permission for the marriage on the 16th of
the month.
Rip Yan Dam, the father of this large family, was
the son of an early settler of the colony. Madame Yan
Dam was the daughter of the first official street -cleaner
of New York, and her only sister had married Isaac
de Forest. It may be difficult to understand in these
239
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
days of how much importance all these family connec-
tions were, as the ties have been lost sight of during the
lapse of years, but in those days the bonds were strong
and close, and families were most loyal to each other,
members of the different companies continuing their in-
timacy even after marriage. So they were pretty certain
to uphold each other in any important event that might
be agitating the community at the time. The English
governors often found themselves unaccountably thwart-
ed in some scheme in which they had counted on sup-
port from their council, and it was often entirely due to
the counter-influence brought to bear by some member
of a far-reaching family or company whose views the
project did not happen to suit.
The Van Darn family were one of the most united in
the place, and during the subsequent colonial troubles,
when Rip Van Dam was supporting the interests of his
fellow-citizens against the encroachments of the Eng-
lish, this underlying, far-reaching net-work of family
ties did much to assist him in his brave resistance
against tyranny and oppression.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Tong had % only one child, a
daughter, Mary, who married Eobert Livingston, third
lord of the manor, and this connection added to the
power and influence of the Van Dam family, and drew
closer together the interests of the Presbyterian and
Dutch Church parties against the English and foreign
influences which began to make themselves felt in the
colony. Lord Cornbury had disgraced himself so
240
Wedding-bells and Caudle-cups
thoroughly that his cousin, Queen Anne, was forced to
recall him and send to her province in America Lord
Lovelace, a gentleman with a better reputation than
that of his predecessor, but the new governor caught a
severe cold on his voyage to the colony, which left him
in such poor health that he died seven months after
assuming office. He was succeeded by the lieutenant-
governor, who filled the office for a few months until
supplanted by a fresh arrival iu the person of Robert
Hunter, the first governor ever sent by England to take
charge of her New York colony who proved to be con-
genial to the colonists in temperament and tastes.
Ex-Governor Cornbury was immediately thrown into
prison for his debts, and there was not one person who
could be found to pity or take compassion on him ; and
it was not until money was sent out from England that
he was able to obtain his release, and he left the colony
execrated by high and low.
Governor Hunter was a middle-aged man, travelled
and well-read. The friend and correspondent of Addi-
son, Swift, and other literary men of the day, the colo-
nists highly appreciated such an addition to their circle
and cordially welcomed him as their ruler, and enjoyed
the strong contrast of an educated and honorable gentle-
man after the corrupt and ignorant persons who had been
sent again and again to govern them, and his excellency
was feted on every side. One of his first excursions
was to the manor of Rensselaerswyck, where he spent
several days enjoying the hospitalities of the patroon.
241
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
Eighty years had elapsed since the plantation of the
"Colonie of Kensselaerswyck," and they had been
uneventfully passed in the peaceful pursuits of agri-
culture, hunting, and fishing by the patroon and his
subjects. The peculiar condition of government that
was provided for under the rights granted by the States
General of Holland had been considerably altered and
modified under the rule of England.
Der Groot Director Jeremias Van Bensselaer, having
refused to assist Governor Stuyvesant with money or
men at the time of the first occupation of Mana-ha-ta
by the English fleet under Colonel Nicolls, had discov-
ered to his surprise that the warning of the governor
was fulfilled, and that his plantation at Rensselaerswyck
was doomed to stand or fall with that of the Dutch
West India Company. But the patroon accepted the
change in the government with philosophy, and ex-
changed his rights as an independent prince for mano-
rial grants, which he took out under the English laws.
While the patroon was thus shorn of his military honors,
his distinctive flag, and his independent army, he re-
tained the ownership of the vast tract of land which his
father had originally purchased, and which had been
settled entirely at the expense of the first patroon.
Jeremias Van Rensselaer was quite willing to abandon
the empty honors of a principality in the New World for
the more substantial benefits that he presumed he would
receive from the support of the sister plantation of
Mana-ha-ta. As the interests of the two places became
242
Wedding-bells and Caudle-cups
more and more identical, the dividing line between the
two colonies gradually faded away, greatly to the con-
tentment of all parties, who now made common cause
against the English government, which was always en-
deavoring to squeeze money out of the colonies, and
did nothing to advance their interests, encourage their
commerce, or protect them from the savages that sur-
rounded them.
Governor Hunter's conciliatory visit to the manor-
house at Bensselaerswyck was to the patroon,* and
Patroon Van Rensselaer and his chief ally, Peter
Schuyler, were glad to have this much-sought op-
portunity of laying before the chief officials their per-
plexities with regard to Indian affairs, and of consid-
ering the best method of dealing with the savages and
keeping them friendly and willing to resist the temp-
tations always being held out to them by the French
in Canada to murder and exterminate the whites.
But, fortunately for the lives and fortunes of the Dutch
planters, there was one man who had more influence
over the sachems of the northern tribes than any
of the Jesuit priests in Canada, and this was Peter
Schuyler, who was usually called by the nickname that
the Indians had bestowed on him, as they could not
pronounce his name " the Quidder." It was by his
influence that a number of braves had been carried
to England and presented to her majesty Queen Anne ;
* Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, the son of Jeremias, who had succeeded to
the family estates in 1674.
243
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
aiici this expedition was believed to have riveted the
ties between the Wilden and the colonists, and it was
hoped that the savages had been overawed by the brill-
iancy and power of the English court, and that they
would counsel their comrades to resist the temptation
of going on the war-path, having been convinced of
the hopelessness of fighting against such a well-
equipped government.
After his visit to Kensselaerswyck, Governor Hunter
dropped down the river in his yacht and stopped at the
manor of Livingston, where the first lord of the manor,
with his wife, had assembled a great party of friends
and relations to greet him. The governor was deter-
mined to make friends with all his new subjects, and his
next visit was to Lewis Morris, one of his warmest sup-
porters, whose acquaintance he had made in Europe.
The friendship was cemented on the birth of Governor
Morris's second son, who received the name of " Robert
Hunter," after his excellency, a name that became synon-
ymous with all that was upright and honest in the prov-
ince of New Jersey, of which place he became one of
the "proprietors," and in after-life enjoyed the honor of
being its chief -justice.
Governor Hunter not only made friends with the
people of the colony, but he also determined to iden-
tify himself with its interests by becoming a landed
proprietor, and to this end he selected a beautiful site
on Baritan Bay, one of the inlets of the New York
harbor, and proceeded to have a mansion erected
244
Wedding-bells and Caudle-cups
there to which he might move when called upon to
exercise his official duties in the province of New
Jersey, over which he had control, as well as over
New York. Governor Hunter, by selecting the ham-
let of Perth Amboy for his official residence, greatly
pleased the inhabitants of that plantation.
While Governor Hunter was at Rensselaerswyck, he
demanded certain conditions of the Indians which he
deemed necessary for the preservation of peace between
the savages and the colony, but the Wilden were not
willing to agree to any concessions, and a spirited dis-
pute took place, and the governor flew into a violent
passion at having his wishes thwarted. He was noted
for these outbreaks of temper, which were fierce and un-
controllable while they lasted, and seemed to cause him
to lose his reason. After he had been in one of these
fits, an Indian said to an officer, "The governor is
drunk." " No ! " answered the officer ; " he never drinks
any strong liquor." The brave replied, "I do not mean
he is drunk with rum. He was born drunk."
245
XVI
James Alexander
Alexander's Family in Scotland His Mathematical Instruments and Li-,
brary The Official Position Occupied by James Alexander Governor
Burnet His Godfather Prince William of Orange and the Christen-
ing-gift Tastes and Occupations of the New Governor His Silver-
gilt Tea Equipage The Marriage of the Governor to an American
Dr. Golden and His Family.
THE reigning sovereign of England, Anne, daugh-
ter of the deposed James II., died on July 31,
1714, and was succeeded, pursuant to the Act of Succes-
sion, by George I., son of Ernest Augustus, first Elector
of Brunswick, and the Princess Sophia, granddaughter
of James I. The Scotch had no love for the foreign
prince now brought to occupy the throne of Great
Britain, while the country was governed by a number
of clever politicians who filled all the fat offices with
their own relations, and left no places for the envious
Scotchmen, who forthwith turned their eyes toward
their exiled countryman, and invited the son of the
deposed James II. to occupy the throne of Scotland.
The Earl of Mar proclaimed the pretender at Castle-
down, the Duke of Argyle collected his clans at Dum-
246
James Alexander
blain, and the rebellion spread to England, although
with little success.
The pretender, who had been conveyed to Scotland
by a French fleet, discovering that, although surrounded
by a few interested noblemen, his army was not strong
enough to overthrow the better equipped forces of Eng-
land, was disheartened at the outlook, and returned to
France after a series of adventures that have cast a
glamour of romance over a not very worthy scion of a
royal house.
A large number of young Scotchmen had cast in
their fortunes with those of their prince, and they now
found themselves in a precarious position. Among
others was James Alexander, the great-grandson of
John Alexander, of Gogar, who had joined the uprising
in favor of the prince of his nation. The memoirs
of James Alexander state that he thereby incurred the
resentment of the government, and was forced to flee to
America in order to save himself from imprisonment,
but he must have done this in a very leisurely fashion,
as he sailed from London, May 24, 1715, after an in-
terview with his relative, Henry, the fifth Earl of Stir-
ling, who was living on his English estates (which he had
inherited from his great-grandfather William, the first
earl) at Wakehurst, Devon. Lord Stirling commis-
sioned his cousin to act as his representative in the
American colony to which the young man was bound,
and desired him, if possible, to secure some revenue
from the great estates that had been seized by the
247
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
Duke of York and had never been paid for, and the
earl fancied that he would now be able to regain pos-
session of the whole of his property, owing to the
change of the succession to the English throne.
James Alexander was well qualified for a colonist.
He had been carefully educated, and was clever at
udapting himself to the exigencies of a situation. He
received from his Scotch and English relations numer-
ous letters of introduction to persons who had pre-
ceded him to the colony of New York, and, among
others, to Robert Livingston, Cadwalader Golden, and
the family of John Spratt, and these at once admitted
the young and clever Scotchman into the best circles of
the colony, and even opened the doors of the exclusive
Dutch families, who usually held aloof from all for-
eigners, although more inclined to those from Scotland
than to those from any other part of Great Britain.
James Alexander was accompanied on his voyage by
a friend and life-long comrade, William Smith, a young
Englishman who had been disgusted by the prospect of
a Hanoverian ruler on the throne of England, and who
had determined to emigrate in the hope of making his
fortune in the New World. William Smith w r as born in
London in 1697, and was therefore about the same
age as Alexander, and both young men were destined
to become law-givers to their adopted country and
occupy some of its highest official positions, while
Smith has left us, in addition, a most valuable and
accurate history of his times.
248
James Alexander
James Alexander left his father and mother living
in their old home at Mustrie, surrounded by their
numerous family. These were : Janet, who married
John McClish; William, the husband of Elizabeth
Luinsden; Christina, the wife of Thomas Camm, and
Elizabeth, who afterward married David Drummond, of
Grief.
James Alexander took leave of his family, determined
never to return to his native land until he had made his
fortune, and he carried with him a valuable outfit of
mathematical instruments, in which he had invested the
money given him by his father. Such instruments were
rare in those days, and some of them were made espe-
cially for his use, and from his own designs, by one of the
best mathematical instrument-makers of London, and
this outfit was as remarkable as the library that he
carried with him across the ocean. One of these books
is still in the library of a descendant, and was a present
to James Alexander from Eobert Sandilands, sixth Lord
of Torpichan, who had married Catherine Alexander,
granddaughter of the first Earl of Stirling. There are
other books that were imported at the same time, some
in the libraries of James Alexander's descendants
and others in the Society Library of New York, all of
which were marked with an ex-libris, displaying the
coat of arms of the family of the Alexanders of Gogar.
The profession for which Alexander had qualified
himself was that of a civil engineer, and he found no
trouble in getting employment on his arrival in New
249
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
York, August 17, 1715. His education and abilities
caused him to be offered the position of deputy clerk of
the council in 1719, only four years after his arrival in
the colony. Alexander almost immediately took up the
study of law, seeing in that profession an opening for a
man of his ability, and he combined his newly acquired
profession with that of engineering, and rapidly rose
to eminence in everything that he undertook. The sci-
entific studies that had been begun at home were not
abandoned, and Alexander became a valued correspond-
ent of many of the scientific and philosophical societies
of Europe, and finally founded the American Philo-
sophical Society. He was also appointed surveyor-
general of West Jersey, an office which he held for the
remainder of his life ; became the receiver-general and
collector of quit rents for the province of New Jersey,
and was commissioned a member of the king's council
for the province of New York, and also for that of New
Jersey, which was an unwonted honor, and was a posi-
tion that was never occupied except by James Alex-
ander and subsequently by his son.
James Alexander also filled the offices of attorney-
general for New York, was a member of the assembly
for the city of New York, was one of the representatives
of New Jersey to try pirates, commissioner for New
Jersey to survey the boundary line between that province
and New York, and received the freedom of the city of
New York in 1731, having been naval officer of the port
in 1723 and 1728.
250
James Alexander
On the arrival of "William Smith and James Alex-
ander in the colony of New York they found matters in
a prosperous condition. Governor Hunter had been
a welcome ruler, as he was wise and gentle in the
management of the tangled affairs inherited from the
abuses of the deposed governor. Mrs. Hunter entered
into the social life of the place with her husband with-
out any of the condescension that had marked the be-
havior of former governors and their wives, who acted
as if their official position elevated them almost to the
status of royalty, and behaved as if they considered
themselves much superior to the colonists, although
often of very inferior birth, talents, and education.
Governor Hunter was cordial and easy in his manners
and accepted all the invitations to the suppers, assem-
blies, and fetes which were given in his honor by the
townspeople and the country gentry who lived within
the confines of his rule. To the great grief of all who
had the honor of knowing her, Mrs. Hunter died in the
summer of 1716. Her husband never recovered his
cheerfulness, and, finding his surroundings too painful,
he begged the home government to recall him to
England.
No governor ever left New York more heartily re-
gretted than did Robert Hunter. He sailed from the
port, July, 1719, leaving the command of the colony
to Peter Schuyler, the senior member of the king's
council, who filled the office for thirteen months and
then resigned it to the newly appointed official, William
251
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
Burnet, who reached New York, September 17, 1720,
and was welcomed by the council and citizens in the
most hearty way. When the news reached the city of
the arrival of the ship in the lower bay, bearing the
governor's pennant, the chief men of the colony em-
barked in their yachts, a necessary conveyance that
nearly everyone owned, as the simplest means of trans-
portation from the busy island to its neighbors be-
yond the rivers that surrounded them. The English
war- vessel was boarded by men of all degrees, bearing
addresses of welcome to the governor, and they es-
corted him to the city with due honors and appropriate
ceremonies, first to the government house, White Hall,
and then through the streets to the City Hall, in Wall
Street, to take the oath of office.
William Burnet was the son of the historian, Bishop
Burnet, by a Dutch lady to whom he had been married
when living in exile in Holland. The worthy divine
had ingratiated himself with Prince William of Orange,
and the future governor of New York had received the
name of that prince, who had also condescended to act
as his godfather, and had presented the infant with a
silver fork and knife, the handles of which were richly
embossed with scriptural scenes, in which the dresses
and even the faces of the subjects were so cleverly de-
signed and executed that they are charmingly character-
istic and life like. This christening-gift is now owned
by one of his descendants, William d'Hertborne Wash-
ington.
252
James Alexander
Governor Burnet was a portly man, with a ane pres-
ence and courtly manners. The interest of his father
had obtained for him the preferment to this elevated
position of governor of the province of New York and
New Jersey, and he was the more eager to obtain it as
he had but lately lost his wife, and he hoped to forget
his sorrows by surrounding himself with new scenes
and occupations ; and as his greatest extravagance was
the desire of accumulating a large library, the colonists
soon found that they had nothing to fear from him, and
need not dread constant demands for money to grat-
ify expensive habits. His companions and friends in
Europe had been men of literary attainments and
tastes, and he soon selected men of similar likings as
his associates in the colony.
The new governor was a man of impulse, who said
of himself: " I act first and think afterward," and one
of the leading men of the colony, Dr. Golden, said of
him : " Governor Burnet had a very extraordinary
memory, and no man was freer from avarice. He ex-
pended considerable sums in charity, which he managed
so that none knew of it."
When arranging his plans to make the voyage to
America, Burnet determined not to be parted from his
beloved books, and he had them all packed and con-
veyed to the colony, where they proved most welcome
to the gentlemen to whom the governor was always
generous enough to lend them. Bishop Burnet had
been a great favorite of the Princess Sophia's and
253
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
she had given her esteemed pastor a very handsome
" tea equipage," which he gave to his son. This service
was of silver gilt, and the governor was so proud of it
that he arranged for a series of weekly tea-parties at
White Hall, to which all the ladies of the colony were
invited. The warm-hearted, affectionate disposition of
the governor made for him many friends, the principal
ones being Chief-Justice Morris, who was his director
and confidant ; Dr. Golden, to whom he was attracted by
the similarity of their tastes, and James Alexander. A
contemporary historian says of these friendships, that
" he showed his wisdom in his selection, for they were all
men of learning, good morals, and solid parts. James
Alexander had been bred to the law, and though no
speaker, was at the head of his profession for sagacity
and penetration, and in application to business no man
could surpass him ; nor was he unacquainted with the
affairs of the public, having served in the Secretary's
office, the best school in the province for instructions in
matters of government, and Mr. Burnet soon raised him
to the Council Board."
The old government house still looked very much as
it had done when first built by Governor Stuyvesant,
when it had received the name of White Hall from its
color, and this name, first given it as a joke, was seri-
ously adopted by the citizens. The great entrance to
the enclosure fronted to the west, but the principal
rooms looked to the south and over the harbor of New
York. The large enclosed space on the roof was a fa-
254
James Alexander
vorite loimging-place, as from it there was a beautiful
view ; and it was there that he would welcome his friends
and brew them a cup of tea in his famous teapot, and
everyone loved to gather on this cool spot that was
swept by ocean breezes.
His excellency was not long in making the acquaint-
ance of Mrs. Provoost, and was soon admitted to her
hospitable tea-table in return for the civilities received
from him. And it was there that the governor was
presented to the eldest daughter of Mrs. Provoost's
half-sister, Maria Provoost, who had married, in 1700,
Abraham Van Home. Mary Van Home was barely
twenty years of age, and was already one of the belles
of the town, so it was no wonder that his excel-
lency was captivated by her beauty, and soon paid his
addresses in form. The worthy citizens of New York
were much elated at this compliment to native charms
and beauty, and accepted it as if bestowed on them-
selves rather than on the bride ; and the wedding that
soon took place was marked by imposing ceremonies,
which were attended by everyone, whether of high or low
degree. Even the remnants of the tribe of Indians, that
had once been so powerful on Mana-ha-ta, presented the
bride with some very valuable beaver pelts, and the
governor, in return, ordered several barrels of beer to be
given to " his brethren to rejoice and dance over." The
honeymoon was spent at the Livingston manor-house,
which was put at the disposal of the governor, and the
bridal party went up the river in their yacht, but on
255
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
their return they drove down the banks of the Hudson
in their own chaise, making the long journey leisurely
and stopping at the houses of their friends, so that
they did not return to the city until long after the
" month of honey " had elapsed.
Three children were the fruit of this marriage
William, Mary, and Thomas. Mary married William
Browne, of Beverly, Massachusetts.
Abraham Yan Home was immediately raised to a
seat in the council by his son-in-law, and Governor
Bui-net began his rule in the colony with more friends
and adherents than any English governor had ever ob-
tained. There were three causes for this : firstly, the al-
liance with one of the leading Dutch families ; secondly,
his friendship with Dr. Golden, Eobert Livingston, and
James Alexander, which cemented the bond between him
and the Scotch emigrants who were then nocking to the
colony and becoming the stanchest upholders of its
government ; and, thirdly, the kindly manners of the
governor had ingratiated him with the French Hugue-
not families, who were already well represented at the
council board and in the assembly by the de Lanceys,
the Bayards, etc.
Weekly evening clubs were now established by the
gentlemen of the town, and several of the ladies who
were fond of music arranged to give a series of concerts
at which glees were sung.
An eminent Scotchman had settled in the New York
colony a few years before the advent of Governor
256
James Alexander
Burnet, who requires more than a passing notice, as he
became one of the principal members of the government
and subsequently occupied the governor's chair. This
was Dr. Cadwalader Golden, a man of good birth, with
talents of no common order, who had married in his
own country the daughter of a clergyman, Miss Alice
Christy by name, and was now happily settled in the
New World, contentedly bringing up a large family of
children. Although Dr. Golden was living in a coun-
try that was only partly inhabited by educated persons,
he lost no opportunity of self-cultivation by study,
and by correspondence with the principal savants of
Europe. With uncommon perspicuity he turned his
attention in particular to his novel surroundings, and
made searching inquiries into the language, customs,
and habits of the Wilden, who were still the principal
occupants of the forests that surrounded the scattered
settlements of the white people.
Dr. Golden had graduated at one of the best med-
ical colleges of Europe, and with the keenness of a
man of his profession and the acumen of one not above
learning even from simple savages, he applied himself
to the study of the flora of the country, and under the
tuition of his Indian friends acquired a knowledge of
the herbs and simples which they had used to cure their
ailments from time immemorial, and his use of this
knowledge was so intelligent that he gained great pop-
ularity as a medical man. Through pursuing these
studies Dr. Golden became the correspondent of the
257
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
celebrated Swedish naturalist Linnaeus, who taught
him the newly invented classification of plants, and
through this intimacy between Dr. Golden and the
noted Swede much of the flora of North America was
grouped and divided into the proper classes and species.
Dr. Golden had five sons and five daughters, and
nearly every one of them became as distinguished as
their celebrated father. The second daughter was Jane
Golden. She was born in New York, March 27, 1724.
A notice of her in the " Genealogical Eecord " says :
" She early developed a fondness for the study of natural his-
tory, and under the direction of her father she became at an
early age the first botanist of her sex in this country. Soon after
Linnaeus originated and gave the scientific world his system of
dividing plants and herbs into classes Dr. Golden taught it to his
daughter, putting it in an English form, and freeing it from
technical terms, for her use, and showed her how to take impres-
sions on paper with printer's ink. She took the impression of
three or four hundred growing in the vicinity of Coldenham (her
father's place near Montgomery County, New York), which were
sent to a number of eminent naturalists in Europe. Her style of
description and the skill displayed in taking impressions of the
leaves gave her great reputation among the scientific men under
whose observation they were brought. John Ellis, the London
naturalist, writes to Linnaeus, April, 1758, thus: 'This young
lady merits your esteem and does honor to your system. She
has drawn and described four hundred plants in your method.
Her father has a plant called after him, "Coldenia." Suppose
you should call this (referring to a new genus) "Coldenella," or
any other name that might distinguish her in your genera.'
Peter Collinson also wrote to Linnieus : ' I have lately heard
258
James Alexander
from Mr. Golden. He is well, but what is marvellous his
daughter is perhaps the first lady that has perfectly studied your
system. She deserves to be celebrated.' "
This young lady married a widower, Dr. William Far-
quhar, in March, 1759, and died in childbirth, March
10, 1766. Dr. Farquhar was one of the best-known
and accomplished medical men in the colony at that
time. We may quote from " Family Records and
Events " the following letter, written some years later
by Walter Ruth erf urd, a young Scotchman who married
one of the daughters of James Alexander, as it gives a
glimpse of Dr. Golden and his truly remarkable family :
"Our voyage to Albany was purely a party of Pleasure. At
one of our landings we made an excursion to Coldeuham, the
abode of the venerable philosopher, Golden. He is as gay and
facetious in his conversation as he is serious and solid in his
writings. From the middle of the Woods this Family corre-
sponds with all the learned Societies in Europe. Himself on the
principles of Matter and Motion, his son on electricity and ex-
periments. He has made several usefnl discoveries and is a
tolerable proficient in music. His daughter Jenny is a Florist,
and a Botanist. She has discovered a great number of plants
never before described, and has given them Properties and Virt-
ues, many of which are found useful in Medicine and she draws
and colors them with great beauty. N. B. She makes the best
cheese I ever ate in America."
259
XVII
My Lady of " Petticoat Lane "
The Assemblies Prominent Families James Alexander Weds the
Widow Provoost Petes and Gossips Emigration of Mr. Alexander's
Nephew Petticoat Lane Tea-parties Supper-parties Bogart's
Biscuits Death of David Provoost Death of Madame de Peyster,
and Her Will Birth of William Alexander Death of Governor and
Mrs. Burnet Colonel Montgomerie The First Public Library
Trinity Church and St. Paul's Chapel.
FEW months elapsed after his arrival in New York
before James Alexander found himself a welcome
visitor in the home of Mrs. Provoost, who at that time
was just twenty-one, a matron of less than four years'
standing, and one of the most beautiful women of the
colony.
The assemblies at this time were particularly fash-
ionable, and were held at one of the taverns, near
White Hall. Admission to them was only by inheri-
tance or by special favor from the ladies who managed
them, and the list was such a long one that the mana-
gers were forced to have the ball-room enlarged, in or-
der to accommodate all those who wished to attend.
Among the families who were then prominent mem-
bers of the assemblies were the Van Cortlandts, Bay-
ards, Van Bensselaera, Van Schaicks, de Lanceys, de
260
My Lady of "Petticoat Lane"
Peysters, Staats, Beekmans, Bleeckers, Schuylers, Colcl-
ens, Van Homes, Clarksons, and many more too numer-
ous to mention.
At all these merry-makings young James Alexander
was a welcome guest, and when death entered the home
of Mrs. Provoost and carried off her husband, Mr. Alex-
ander was still permitted to visit at the house of the
widow on terms of easy intimacy, and he soon followed
up his advantage by persuading her to accept his ad-
dresses, and on June 5, 1721, when the " Pinxter bloem "
were hardly in blossom, pretty Polly laid aside her
heavy widow's weeds and became Mrs. James Alex-
ander.
The interests of the bride were again carefully at-
tended to by her uncles, who caused elaborate settle-
ments to be drawn up. Mrs. Alexander continued to
pursue her own business affairs, side by side with the
offices that she had arranged for her husband. Never
was there a more congenial and happy couple than Mr.
and Mrs. Alexander. Their tastes were similar, and her
vivacity met its match in his keen Scotch wit and ready
repartee. John and David Provoost found a kind and
loving friend in their young step-father, and the only
clouds that came to mar the happiness of the newly
married pair were the constant excitements and em-
broilments in which Mr. Alexander became entangled,
owing to the hearty interest and concern that he devel-
oped for the health and prosperity of the colony, with
which he became thoroughly identified.
261
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
There is a letter still extant, written October 21,
1721, by Mr. Alexander to his brother, William Alex-
ander, in Scotland, in which he enlarges on his com-
fortable home, charming wife, prosperity and happiness,
and also announces the birth of his eldest daughter
Mary, who had been born on the 16th of that month,
and who was honored by having for godparents his ex-
cellency the governor of the province, William Burnet,
the governor's lady, and her cousin Elizabeth, wife of
Colonel John Hamilton, who was the daughter of
Abraham de Peyster and a cousin of Mrs. Alexander's.
These ladies were called "Petes," a word that is synon-
ymous with sponsor, witness, or godmother.
William Alexander, the elder brother of James, died
soon after this date, leaving a son William and a daugh-
ter Kitty, who had married a Mr. Stapleton, but who
was then a widow ; and these relatives of Mr. Alexan-
der joined their uncle in the colony and took up their
residence at Jamaica, Long Island, where Dr. William
Alexander practised as a surgeon.
In a pretty little tale called "A Day in New York,"
written by William Alexander Duer, LL.D., judge of
the Supreme Court of New York, president of Columbia
College, a grandson of Mrs. Alexander's, is the follow-
ing account of the home of Mrs. Alexander :
" It contained apartments innumerable, sumptuously
furnished in all the pomp of that period. There was
the great dining room and the lesser dining* room, the
room hung with blue and gold leather, the green and
262
My Lady of "Petticoat Lane"
gold room, and the little front parlor and the little back
parlor, and the great tapestry room up-stairs, besides red
rooms and green rooms and chintz rooms up-stairs and
down, furnished with damask hangings, costly carpets,
and buffets furnished with costly plate. Adjoining
this dwelling there was a large garden running back for
a considerable distance and extending on one side to
Jew's Alley, now Mill Street. And here in their proper
seasons might be seen in great profusion the favorite
flowers of our ancestors paus bloemies of all hues,
'laylocks' and tall May roses, and snowballs inter-
mixed with choice vegetables and herbs for pharmacy,
all bounded and hemmed in by huge rows of neatly
clipped box edging."
The house stood on Broad Street, nearly facing Mar-
ketfield Street, and the worthies of the place dubbed
the latter " Petticoat Lane," as it led to the home of
Mrs. Alexander, who was the acknowledged controller
of the social affairs of the place, as well as having great
influence over its commercial interests, and supposed to
have something to say in all important political events,
as her mother and grandmother had had before her.
The gardens stretched on either side of the house, and
in front of them Mrs. Alexander had built her count-
ing-house and the law-offices of her husband. The site
of the house is now covered by the stores Nos. 67 and
69 Broad Street. In front of them lay the famous
pavement.
The first years of Mrs. Alexander's married life were
263
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
tranquil and passed happily. Her husband's law-prac-
tice was extensive and profitable. He was the most
accomplished surveyor of the province, and held such
a high position under the government that his salary,
together with her private fortune and the proceeds of
her mercantile enterprises, placed the couple in unusu-
ally comfortable circumstances for such a young pair.
It was about this time that Mrs. Alexander's uncle,
der Heer Abraham tie Peyster, resigned his ofnce as
treasurer of the province, a position that he had held
for fourteen years, and he was succeeded by his son and
namesake, Abraham " de Jonge," who had married Miss
Margaret Van Oortlandt. It was little wonder that
Mrs. Alexander, who had always had much influence
in her family, had some voice in public ones also
(although it was not openly wielded), owing to the fact
that almost every male member of her family held some
prominent position under the government ; and as they
were accustomed to discuss matters with her in an in-
formal way and allow her opinion to have great weight
with them, it really seemed as if " Mrs. Alexander held
matters in the hollow of her hand," as her friends de-
clared she did, and that "Petticoat Lane," which led
from her door to the government-house and fort, was
no undeserved name. By reason of her descent and
first marriage, there was hardly a family in the prov-
ince to which Mrs. Alexander was not closely related,
and in a small community where everyone knew every-
body else from childhood, the bonds of friendship were
264
My Lady of "Petticoat Lane'
nearly as close as those of family, and as Polly Spratt
had been a favorite from her birth, her house naturally
became the centre of hospitality, and her parlors in the
evenings were always sure to be filled with all the gay-
est and brightest people in the city ; but politics was
eschewed at these gatherings, which were devoted to the
discussion of the latest news of the literary world and
the newest books, just dashed with a little tittle-tattle
about the island and its inhabitants.
The daily habits of the people of New York of those
days were simple and easy in the extreme, and those of
all families were almost precisely alike. After an early
breakfast, the ladies would devote themselves to their
household duties, and at eleven o'clock would retire to
their rooms and consecrate an hour to reading their
Bibles and other religious works. This hour was never
intruded on by servant, child, or visitor. The early
dinner followed, after which all the matrons of the town
would dress themselves for visiting or being visited in
rustling silks, with neat white caps tied demurely under
the chin, and large silk aprons (which at the time was
part of the full dress of the English court). For the
street, a large cloak called a " cardinal " was thrown
over the shoulders and an enormous hood put on the
head, which made the wearer look like a ship in full
sail, and with the inevitable knitting-bag slung on the
left arm, the ladies would start out ready to spend the
afternoon at some friend's house, and " stop and take a
dish of tea." Toward sundown, when the men came
265
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
home from counting-house, the courts, or the council-
chamber, the pleasantest and most hospitable meal of
the day took place. No formal invitations were issued
for it, but the table was generally filled with casual
visitors, who were always made welcome. There were
u Panado, caudle, many a cup ;
Choice figs and raisins of the sun ;
And cakes of every sort made up
Pound-cake, wig, waffle, cruller, bun ; "
and the tables groaned under these and many sorts of
home-made sweetmeats and confectionery, eggs served
in different fashions, shortcakes, " Izer cookies, etc."
Mrs. Alexander's tea-table was particularly distin-
guished for a delicacy made after an old Dutch receipt
of her grandmother's, Madame de Peyster. These bis-
cuits were split when hot and butter placed inside them
before they were sent to the table. They were great
favorites with the children, and were always carried to
picnics by the little " companies." General Shirley,
an English officer, became so fond of them that he
begged Mrs. Alexander to have a quantity made for iiim
to carry with him on the expedition against the French
and Indians, and these biscuits were found to keep fresh
so long, and to be such an addition to the camp fare
that the treasured family receipt was given to a public
baker who had orders to supply the army with them,
and they were given his name, and became known as
" Bogart's biscuits.'
266
My Lady of "Petticoat Lane'
Mrs. Alexander also organized a series of weekly sup-
per-parties soon after her second marriage. These
were very fashionable affairs, where the guests assem-
bled at nine o'clock, and after chatting for about an
hour, the younger ones would send for old Cresar and
his fiddle, and dance in one of the parlors, and the older
ones would sit down to the then lately introduced game
of whist, an amusement that had been originally con-
fined to the servants' quarters, and was only just begin-
ning to be recognized as scientific and worthy of adop-
tion by the higher classes. Supper was always handed
round by the servants, who entered the parlor about
eleven o'clock, carrying great trays covered with goodies,
such as jellies, in tall slender glasses, custards, syllabubs,
cake, etc. Sometimes roasted oysters were served, but
not when the light dishes just mentioned were offered,
as " oyster supper-parties " were a thing by themselves
and were usually given only when some very grave po-
litical situation was to be discussed, and served in the
dining-room, and only attended by gentlemen, who dis-
cussed oysters, politics, and good rum punch, at one and
the same time.
James Alexander's eldest son was born in 1723, and
received his father's name, having for one of his spon-
sors his good-natured, fat uncle, John Spratt. The hap-
piness of the young pair was hardly rippled the follow-
ing year by the death of Mrs. Alexander's step-father-
brothe^-in-law, David Provoost, as there had been more
or less "riction between them owing to his mismanage-
267
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
ment of her mother's estate. The old gentleman was
nearly eighty years of age and had become garrulous
and tiresome to a degree, but the gayeties of the city
were brought to a sudden stop, as so many of its in-
habitants were related to him, and the governor's wife
was forced to stop all the entertainments at White
Hall and go into deep mourning for her grandfather.
And the following year Mrs. Alexander was prostrated
with grief over the death of her beloved grandmother,
Madame Johannes de Peyster, who as Cornelia Lubbetse
had been one of the pioneer women of Mana-ha-ta, had
seen the birth-throes of the hamlet, witnessed its growth,
and the sundering of its Dutch leading-strings, the rough
nursing of its step-mother England, and the present
state of prosperity, and she now died, in the ninety -first
year of her age, surrounded by a large family who felt
as if they had, indeed, lost everything when this last
link with the past was broken and the kind old lady
sank to her well-earned rest and was laid beside her hus-
band in their family vault.
Madame de Peyster's will was dated April 23, 1692,
and proved September 25, 1725. It begins in the usual
way : " In the name of God. Amen." And after some
provision with regard to the disposition of her slaves,
it goes on to say :
I confirm the last Will and Testament made by my husband
deceased Johannes de Peyster before the Notary Walwyn van der
Veen, dated ye 8th day Aug. ANO. 1663.
3. I make and bequeath to my eldest Sonn Abraham de Pey-
268
My Lady of "Petticoat Lane"
ster, ye summe of Term pounds, for his privilege of first born
to be delivered to Lira before any division is made of my Estate.
4. I make unto my youngest son Cornelius in case I come to
die before he is married an outsetting equal as ye others had of
bed furniture and household stuff and BYBEL.
5. I do make all my children by name Abraham Maria Isaac
Johannes and Cornelia de Peyster my only universall and equal
heirs, etc., etc.
In witness Whereof I have set my seal ye year day and month
as above said.
Sealed and
delivered in COENELIA DE PEYSTEK.
the presence of
P. D. la Noy.
Isaac Van Vlecq.
William Jackson.
A. de la Noy.
The baby-boy who came to comfort his mother in
this hour of grief was christened January 4, 1725-26,
William Alexander, after his wise and great relative,
William Alexander, first Earl of Stirling. Mrs. Alexan-
der's other children were Elizabeth, Catharine, Susanna,
and Anne. The last was born at a time when the small-
pox was prevalent in New York, and there were five
hundred deaths in the city in two months. Mrs. Alex-
ander lost her oldest son, James Alexander, by this dis-
ease on September 28, 1731, and his death is recorded
by his father in the old Bible, the record stating that this
was the first burial in " my vault in the English [i.e.,
Trinity Church] yard which was then made for my
269
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
family." This vault is close to the southwest comer of
the present church, and the coffin-plate of the little
fellow was lately found in it. It is of pewter, and the
inscription is almost entirely obliterated.
Again the hearts of the community were wrung by
the death of the governor's lovely young wife, who left
a little family to mourn her loss, as well as a sorrowing
husband, relations, and friends. Governor Buriiet was
therefore resigned to leaving New York, and accepted
the position of governor of the Massachusetts and New
Hampshire colonies, and he moved to his new home
in 1728 to enter his new duties as a widower again.
But this much loved governor died within eighteen
months after leaving New York, regretted by all who
knew him ; and his career still stands out in bold
relief as that of an efficient and honest official among
a long line of reprobates who were sent out by the
English government to represent them in the new
world. The succeeding occupant of the gubernatorial
chair was a soldier', a courtier, and a diplomat, fresh
from the Court of St. James, and owing his position to
the especial favor of the king, whose gentleman-in-wait-
ing he had been, and his majesty gave him his choice
of several offices both in England and abroad. He
chose the government of New York, as it was declared
to be the most lucrative and attended with the least
trouble, although he was for some time divided in his
own mind whether he could make more out of the
island of Jamaica or this colony. He finally decided
270
My Lady of " Petticoat Lane"
that the old Dutch settlement on the Hudson Kiver
would afford him more advantages, and he therefore
arrived here in the spring of 1728. Colonel John
Montgomery was a fine-looking man, but he had none
of the accomplishments of his predecessor, and the
colonists therefore withdrew themselves from too much
intercourse with White Hall and returned to their
wonted exclusiveness.
The year 1729 was marked by the foundation of the
first public library in New York. It was started by a
donation of books from the S. P. G., or Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel, and the works were chiefly
of a religious character. This was no drawback in the
eyes of a community whose discussions were usually on
religious topics, local politics, and gossip. Philosophy
and law-books were interesting only to professional
men ; light literature, magazines, novels, etc., were
unheard of. A daily newspaper was issued for the first
time this year. The colonists had no books except
those imported from Europe, which were in private
libraries, and the foundation of a public library, where
authorities on religious subjects could be easily con-
sulted, was a boon to the inhabitants.
Social life in New York was marked by a strong
dividing line on the accession of the English, as the
Dutch settlers held themselves aloof from intercourse
with them. These barriers gradually melted as the
children of the pioneers grew to manhood and found
that the Scotch, French, and English emigrants were
271
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
intelligent and pleasant companions. The social line,
which had been a national and political, then became
a religious one, and the towns-people were broken into
three sets, the English set, or those who worshipped
at Trinity Church, being the foremost in everything
and the most prominent in entertaining. This set was
composed of the governor ex-qfficio, his council, and
many of the members of that congregation. It was by
far the most fashionable and lively set of the town, and
Mrs. Alexander was its recognized leader, as she had
deserted the Lutheran Dutch congregation when she
left her grandmother's home to marry, and as Mr.
Alexander had met her half-way by abandoning Pres-
byterianism, they both became members of the English
Church.
There was always a fashionable gathering at Trinity
Church on Sunday morning. The latest arrivals from
England made their first appearance there. Visitors
from the manors, and the country-people in general,
announced their arrival in town by attending the ser-
vices, although they might belong to another denomina-
tion. Families ranked in the social scale according to
the pew that they occupied. Everybody knew every-
one else.
It was the custom for all the children of the family to
attend the long morning services, even though they
had hardly passed infancy. The youngest one was
seated next to the mother, where it could cuddle to her
side and sleep quietly during the sermon, while the
272
My Lady of " Petticoat Lane "
rest of the family were ranged around the great square
pew, the father next to the door and the others with
their backs to the chancel, a position that gave them a
fine opportunity to overlook the congregation, and,
when the parental eye was not on them, to exchange
glances with their young neighbors.
The pews were fitted with cushions and hassocks,
which were considered great luxuries, and the edifice was
warmed in winter, so that the ladies were not obliged
to carry with them the little tin foot-stoves that were
heated with a hot stone and were- carried on the arm
to all the other churches. All around the pews were
hung, from a slender brass railing about a foot high,
little green moreen curtains, and these shielded the
family from observation during prayers, but were drawn
back when Dr. Yesey or his successor ascended the
pulpit and gave out the text. After service the con-
gregation gathered in the church-yard to exchange
kindly greetings, and the youth and maidens found it
a pleasant opportunity to indulge in quiet flirtations.
Belles made engagements for the walk home from
church very much as those of to-day arrange for part-
ners for the cotillions, and the damsel who was left to
walk demurely by the side of her parents was a marked
person.
Those who attended the Dutch church formed an-
other and distinct set. They held themselves aloof from
and superior to the Trinity congregation, whom they con-
sidered frivolous and foreign in their ways, while they
273
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
alone were representative of the true Dutch element,
and upheld its staid, hospitable customs. The Beek-
mans, De Peysters, and Van Cortlandts, etc., were the
leaders of this set.
The third congregation that became of importance
was that of the Presbyterian church, and of this the
Livingstons were the chief supporters. In such a
small place it was impossible for older members of
families to prevent intimacies among the younger folks,
and constant intermarriages led to strange mingling of
creeds and sets ; but the impalpable line drawn by the
original Dutch families was still strong enough to be
noticeable until long after the Revolutionary War, and
indeed until about 1870, when the city of New York
increased to such a size that all such distinctions were
obliterated. Since religion was, in fact, the dividing
line in the town, nothing was more natural than that
the different creeds and beliefs should be the main
subject of discussion, and the good folks were glad to
have such a valuable library as the one that had
been presented to them so that references might
be made and authorities quoted. The books hav-
ing been the gift of the Established Church of Eng-
land, the tendency was, of course, Episcopal. As the
community was constantly increased by members of
the government, English army and naval officers and
their families, Trinity Church became more and more
crowded, until its congregation overflowed into St.
Paul's Chapel, which was a small church that was
274
My Lady of "Petticoat Lane"
erected in 1766 on the outskirts of the town, up Broad-
way, overlooking "the fields," or old cow-pasture.
The chapel was built facing the Hudson River, and
from its portico commanded a fine view. The chancel
was placed on the eastern side of the chapel, in accord-
ance with a growing predilection for the exact observ-
ance of the ritual,, and this excited great discussion
and much grave debate ; but the church was built in
this way notwithstanding the pros and cons, and turns
its back to-day on the busy street on which it stands,
much to the wonder of inquiring strangers, while St.
Paul stands in his niche over the portico, sword in
hand, and faces the busy mart, and looks down with
calm indifference on the shifting crowd of Jews and
Gentiles bustling about in the streets, as he has done
for many decades.
275
XVIII
Petticoats and Politics
James Alexander made " Freeman of the City " Van Dam, Governor
His Successor, Colonel Cosby His Bad Character Precedes Him He
Insults Colonel Morris Disputes with Van Dam Mrs. Cosby The
Governor's Ball Lawsuit Against Van Dam Miss Euphemia Morris
-The Family Coach Miss Cosby's Elopement Colonel Morris
Leaves for England.
WHILE the home-life of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander
was passing happily and quietly, the public life
of the great lawyer was becoming more and more note-
worthy. At a meeting of the common council, held
February 11, 1730-31, the following resolution was
entered on the minutes :
"This day the Corporation received from the hands
of Governor Montgoinerie, the new Charter of the City,
which was published at the entrance of the City Hall,
with the usual formality of ringing three bells, and mak-
ing proclamation for silence, they then returned to the
Comon Council Chamber.
" Eobert Lurting. MAYOK, Francis Harison Esqr.
BECORDEK, Frederick Phillipse Esqr., Gerardus Stuy-
vesant Esqr. and James Roosevelt Esqr. Samuel Kip,
Mr. Isaac de Peyster and Mr. John Moore, (all mem-
bers of this Court) were sworn Freemen of this Corpora-
276
Petticoats and Politics
tion and ordered to be registered accordingly. Ordered
this Corporation do compliment, James de Lancey, Esqr.,
Peter Warren Esqr. Commander of His Majesty's Ship
Solebay, James Alexander Esqr., William Jaimeson, and
William Smith Gent. Attorneys at Law, and John Avery
Gent, each with the Freedom of this Corporation."
James Alexander had been a member of his British
majesty's council and one of the rulers of the province
of New York, for several years, and when Colonel Mont-
gomerie died suddenly, after a brief and uneventful
reign, the oaths of office were administered to the presi-
dent of the council, Rip Yan Dam, in the presence of
his colleagues, and with the usual imposing ceremonies,
by Mr. Alexander, as the next oldest member of the
council.
It would have been well if the Lords of Trade had
ratified Mr. Van Dam's succession as governor, and had
permitted the colony to be ruled by one of its inhabi-
tants who was thoroughly conversant with its peculiar
temperament, its diverse interests, and its cosmopolitan
population. New York was a loyal and peace-loving
colony in those days, and under the capable manage-
ment of those men who then composed the cabinet it-
would have thriven, and would probably never havo
thrown off its allegiance to England.
But with the blundering, persistent ignorance that
marked the policy of England toward this American
colony, another governor was accredited to New York
who had a record that in these days would have sent
277
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
him to jail for life as a common swindler and thief,
but at that time family influence was all-powerful, and
Colonel William Cosby was elevated to one of the
highest colonial offices that it was in the power of the
government to bestow and put in a position to enrich
himself at the expense of innocent victims, and there-
by relieved his relations and friends of the burden of
supporting him. "William Cosby had first been sent to
Minorca as its governor. The inhabitants of the island
soon petitioned the home government to remove him,
and openly accused him of stealing.
These statements were followed up with such un-
doubted proofs of the governor's dishonesty, that the
Lords of Trade had no alternative, and for very shame
were obliged to recall him to England. It was then de-
termined that his field of action should be changed and
that he should be promoted to what was the most val-
uable gift in the hands of the government, and Cosby
was appointed to the post of governor of New York.
A knowledge of the character of Cosby preceded him
to the colony, and its inhabitants prepared themselves
with foreboding hearts to struggle for their rights, al-
though they fortunately did not foresee w r hat a bitter
fight it would prove to be.
Methods of conciliation were at first tried, as it was
intimated that the governor was not wealthy, and that
a gift on his arrival which would cover his expenses of
moving would be acceptable. This hint was thrown out
in such a way that it could not be disregarded, although
278
Petticoats and Politics
the public wondered to what great expense his excel-
lency had been put, as he had had free transportation to
the colony for himself, his family, and retinue, in one of
the English men-of-war. But the assembly deemed it
best to consider the demand as a worthy one, and voted
the governor 750, a gift which was announced to him
on his arrival in New York, in the most formal and court-
eous terms, by the stately chief -justice, Lewis Morris,
who was vastly astounded by the colonel's reception of
the announcement, as he cursed his new subjects for
the meagreness of the sum, and behaved in such an in-
solent way to the chief-justice that Mr. Morris bluntly
told the governor that for the future he would not
acknowledge his acquaintance and should refuse to meet
him except on official business.
The news of this insolent treatment of Mr. Morris by
the governor soon spread over the colony, but before it
became generally known it was reported and commented
upon at Mrs. Alexander's tea-table on the very evening of
the day that it had occurred, by Mr. Morris himself ; and
she watched anxiously the cloud that gathered over her
husband's face at such intelligence. After tea a little
knot of friends gathered in Mrs. Alexander's small back
parlor, which was her own particular sitting-room and
into which the usual evening visitors were never ushered,
and the friends were assured of absolute privacy ; it was
even possible for them to leave by a back door and a
small gate that opened from the garden into a back
alley, and persons entering and leaving the house in
279
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
this way were almost sure to escape observation. The
gentlemen who were gathered in this anxious consulta-
tion with Mr. and Mrs. Alexander were Colonel Morris
and Mr. William Smith. The latter had been Mr. Alex-
ander's fellow-emigrant, and he and Colonel Morris were
among the foremost men of the province, and were now
among the richest and most influential men of the place;
and all agreed that a governor without the instincts of a
gentleman and with the reputation for dishonesty that
had preceded Colonel Cosby from his previous situa-
tion, was not the person to hold the reins of govern-
ment. For they foresaw that business would languish,
owners of property would not feel secure, emigration
would cease, and many calamities would follow in the
train, if public confidence were shaken in the govern-
ment, as it was bound to be under a dishonest and un-
scrupulous ruler.
Such were among the prognostications of the friends,
who saw many troubles before them. And, indeed,
sad times were upon them. Cosby at once demand-
ed that Governor Van Dam should pay over to him
the salary received by Van Dam for thirteen months'
service as acting-governor, while Cosby had remained
in England after he had received orders to proceed to
America to take charge of the colony. The sturdy
Dutchman pointed out that Cosby had already received
in England, for pretended services to the New York
colony, over 2,000, and Van Dam very positively re-
fused to give up his hard-earned wages, and in this re-
280
Petticoats and Politics
fusal to permit himself to be robbed lie was strenuously
supported by his friends in the government, chief among
them being Colonel Morris, Mr. Alexander, and Mr.
Smith ; and this episode caused the first rupture between
the governor and his council.
The wife of the governor was the sister of the Earl of
Halifax, the president of the Board of Trade, and
she and her young daughters thought that life in New
York was an exile almost too great to be borne. They
would not return the visits of courtesy that were paid
them by the ladies of the colony, and my lady, with a
toss of her head, refused to permit any of the native
young men to be presented to her or to her daughters.
The only beaux that she allowed to enter White Hall
were the young English officers who were stationed with
their regiments in the colony, or those on board of his
majesty's ships that were lying in the harbor.
In spite of the bad reputation and the arrogance of
the governor some of the gentlemen of the place still
hoped for the best, and his majesty's representative was
entertained as was customary, although in a perfunctory
way. It was after much discussion and a spirited
debate that the governor " was admitted and received as
a member of that ancient and truly honorable associa-
tion, the Humdrum Club," and according to the notice
in the New York " Gazette " of January 24, 1733 " The
Honorable William Cosby attended a meeting on the
previous evening, when he was admitted as a member
of the club, over many bowls of punch made from pe-
281
'The Goede Vrouw ot Mana-ha-ta
culiar and valuable receipts that were known only to
members of the club, that was potent in its effects even
over a well-seasoned veteran like the late governor of
Minorca."
It was the duty of the governor to celebrate the birth-
day of the consort of his sovereign by marking it in some
particular way, and as he was also obliged to return some
of the hospitalities that had been shown to him by the
citizens of New York, he determined to combine the two
duties and give a grand ball to the people of the place.
This was much against the wishes of Mrs. Cosby, who
was not anxious to spend any money in entertaining,
but she was overruled.
The issue of the New York " Gazette " for March 10,
1733, contained the following notice :
"Last Friday, being the anniversary of her Majesty's birth-
day, the same was celebrated in this city with the utmost Dem-
onstrations of Loyalty and Affection. At Twelve o'clock the
Magistrates and chief officers with a great Company of other
Gentlemen waited upon his Excellency our Gouvernour to drink
the Public Healths, while at the same time the guns upon the
Ramparts were discharged. In the Evening there was a Ball at
the Fort, and a very Rich and Splendid Entertainment for a vast
Concourse of the best Gentlemen and Ladies in the Place who
were then Assembled upon this occasion, and concluded the
night with universal Mirth and Satisfaction, his Excellency and
his Lady having to the utmost of their Power Contributed There
unto."
The dispute between the two governors, Cosby and
Van Dam, culminated in a lawsuit, and William Smith
282
Petticoats and Politics
and James Alexander were retained as counsel for the
latter. After much debate Chief- Justice Morris deliv-
ered an opinion in favor of Governor Yan Dam, and in
order that the whole subject should be understood by
the colonists and not perverted by the misrepresenta-
tions of Governor Cosby, the chief-justice published
his "opinion" in the papers. The sentiments expressed
in this publication were so clear, and pointed out so
forcibly the dishonesty of the claim, that the governor
became enraged, and as the chief-justice also took
public occasion to announce that he would not speak to
the governor, owing to his ungentlernanly behavior when
they had been brought in contact while transacting
public business, it was most justly considered that the
governor had insulted the whole of the colonists in the
person of one of their chief representatives. The gov-
ernor was furious that the chief-justice should have
made the lawsuit so public, as he wished to give his
own coloring to the affair, and he took secret steps to
revenge himself on all the opponents that he found ar-
rayed against him to prevent his encroachments on the
rights and purses of the colonists.
The names of Van Dam, Morris, Smith, and Alex-
ander, of course, headed the list, and this was not un-
known to the gentlemen, who found that their every
movement was watched by creatures of the governor
and reported to him. Matters went from bad to worse,
and the governor, rinding that his wishes were daily
being thwarted by his council, resolved to have them
283
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
removed by the home government, and wrote despatches
to the Board of Trade abusing his councillors and giv-
ing them characters that were so directly contrary to
the description given by former governors, of the same
men, that the Lords of Trade might have been vastly
confused by the contradictory statements, if they had
taken the trouble to compare or weigh them. It was
more than shrewdly suspected that all despatches
to England were opened, read, and suppressed when
unfavorable to the governor, and it was therefore re-
solved, at a secret meeting held at Mrs. Alexander's
house, under the pretence of the usual informal gather-
ing around her tea-board, that Colonel Morris should
at once proceed to England to lay the grievances of the
colonists before the Lords of Trade, and beg for the
removal of the present governor.
The simple-minded gentlemen imagined that it was
only necessary for them to tell the lords in power how
untrustworthy their representative was to have him re-
moved at once. They were to find, on the contrary, that
such trifles as dishonesty, untruthfulness, and other
vices were deemed worthy of reward when perpetrated
by a member of the English aristocracy who was fort-
unate enough to have influential friends in the govern-
ment.
Cosby suspected and dreaded that some such step
would be taken, as it had already been done in Minorca
when its inhabitants had found it desirable to get rid of
him, and he required that the passenger-lists of all out-
284
Petticoats and Politics
going vessels should be brought to him ; and when such
an extraordinary step on the part of the governor caused
some comment, he alleged some frivolous excuse. He
also ordered that all ships dropping down the river
should be closely inspected, and no one allowed to
sail on them without a written permit issued by him-
self. " The Documents of the Colonial History of New
York" and William Smith's "History of New York"
give vivid and detailed accounts of these occurrences.
As arranged in Mrs. Alexander's parlor, Colonel
Morris asked for leave of absence at the next meeting
of the assembly, in order, as he phrased it, " to go
home." The permission was readily granted, as it was
supposed that he intended to go to his country-seat,
Tinton, at Shrewsbury, to attend to private business.
In order to divert the suspicions of the governor, it
was further arranged that Messrs. Alexander, Smith,
and Morris should not meet at all, but that all commu-
nications should be carried on through the ladies of the
families.
Accordingly, Colonel Morris sent his oldest daughter,
Euphemia, from their home at Morrisania under pre-
tence of visiting Mrs. Alexander in New York. The
journey in those days was long and tiresome, the Har-
lem Kiver having to be crossed in a scow, poled by two
negroes, from the mainland to a point on Mana-ha-ta,
where the horses and coach were kept. The latter was
a heavy, cumbersome affair, hung on great straps, with a
hammer-cloth covering the coachman's seat ; the doors
285
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
were emblazoned with the family coat of arms and the
crest of a flaming castle, with the motto, " Tandem
Vincetur." The horses were the strong, ugly geldings
of Holland blood that were necessary in order to drag
such a cumbersome affair through the mire and over the
stones on the Boston highway, that ran from the village
of Harlem, past Governor Stuyvesant's Bouwerie, the
Collect, and the gallows-field into Broadway.
A negro coachman dressed in a livery of pale blue
cloth laced with silver, and wearing a triangular cocked
hat trimmed with broad silver lace, sat on the box and
skilfully drove his clumsy horses, and a negro boy
hung by the tassels behind, wearing the same livery,
with the exception that a jockey-cap of Turkey leather,
with silver seams and band, took the place of the coach-
man's cocked hat.
Like all the ladies of the day, Miss Morris wore a
black velvet riding-mask, and was dressed in a sack of
flowered chintz, over which was thrown a taffeta scarf.
After a long and tiresome drive of many hours' duration,
Miss Morris was glad to stop before Mrs. Alexander's
house and send her footman to rap at the door. She
was immediately shown into Mrs. Alexander's parlor,
where she found a knot of ladies busily discussing the
latest tit-bit of scandal, which was the elopement of
the governor's daughter, Elinor, a girl barely eighteen,
with the Hon. Augustus Fitzroy, the son of the Duke
of Graf ton.
It was said that the governor was cognizant of tho
286
Petticoats and Politics
love affair, which had been planned and promoted by
his scheming wife, but as the Duke of Grafton was at
the time at the head of the government, his excellency
feared to incur the displeasure of his superior, and
consequently pretended to know nothing about the
affair.
The young lady was conducted by her mother to the
garden gate, where the groom and his friends were in
waiting, and the couple were speedily married by the
governor's chaplain. In order that there should be no
interruption to the elopement, Mrs. Cosby locked the
servants in their quarters, and herself threw a great red
cardinal-cloak over the bride's dress, the better to dis-
guise her. The governor made himself very conspicu-
ous that evening at the Humdrum Club, and he finally
became so uproariously drunk that he was carried
home in the early hours of the morning by two burly
negroes.
All these details were being eagerly discussed by the
ladies in Mrs. Alexander's salon, and the gossips were
so busily engaged talking it over that they hardly noted
Miss Morris's arrival or her exit after a few moments'
chat with her hostess, by whose permission she went in
search of Mr. Alexander, who was in his private office.
On giving her host a letter from Colonel Morris, she
was handed a bundle of papers containing the proofs of
the governor's repeated attempt to defraud his subjects,
which had been prepared by Messrs. Alexander and
Smith, and which the gentlemen hoped would prove so
287
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-u
a
overwhelming that the Lords of Trade would have no
option but would be forced at once to find another place
for their dishonest representative.
Miss Morris carefully concealed the package in a
capacious pocket, and at once took leave of Mr. Alex-
ander, who escorted her to her coach, with many whis-
pered messages to her father. The young lady then
went to the house of Governor Van Dam, where she
met her father, who took a seat beside her, and at once
started on their return journey to Morrisania.
As they were passing over the high hill that is now
about Ninetieth Street, on Second Avenue, Miss Morris
called her father's attention to an English man of-war
which could be seen passing through Hell Gate, and
they recognized it as the Tartar, a frigate commanded
by Captain Norris. The young lady was engaged to
marry that officer, and had used her influence with him
JQ obtain for her father a passage to England. By tak-
ing the vessel through Long Island Sound the captain
avoided the spies set by the governor at the Narrows,
who had strict orders to allow no passengers to sail
from thence without a pass signed by himself. As had
been previously arranged, the ship was to anchor off
Morrisania that evening, so that the lovers could have
a quiet opportunity of saying farewell, and Colonel
Morris could embark from in front of his own home
and set sail for England with his precious documents.
Colonel Morris and his daughter landed at their dock
at the same time that Captain Norris, in full uniform,
288
Petticoats and Politics
sprang on shore from the ship's pinnace. While the
lovers took a hasty leave of each other, Mrs. Morris
and her other children were bidding farewell to the
husband and father, who tore himself from their em-
braces, and calling to Captain Norris to hasten his
good-byes, the two gentlemen embarked and were soon
under way, and were on the ocean before Governor
Cosby realized that his deeply laid plans were frus-
trated.
The following verses were published in the New York
"Weekly Journal," December 30, 1734, much to the
wrath of the governor :
" Neptune, be kind and calm the raging sea ;
Let no rough wave retard the patriot's way.
Protect him oh ! protect him safely on
Thy vast dominions to the British shore.**
289
XIX
New York in 1732
Trouble Between the Governor and His Council The Anonymous Letter
The Prosecution of Zenger " The Ladies, God Bless Them "The
" Weekly Journal " Ordered Burned The Attorneys Disbarred Mrs.
Alexander's Common-sense Her Trip to Philadelphia The Zenger
Trial Andrew Hamilton Balls and Dinners Death of Cosby The
Successor The Attorneys Restored to the Bar The Servant Ques-
tionHorace Walpole on the Slave Trade.
^>HIEF-JUSTICE SMITH, in his " History of New
^^ York," gives the following account of the habits
of its denizens about the year 1732 :
" The men collect weekly at their clubs in the even-
ings, and the ladies in winter frequently entertain either
at concerts of music or assemblies, and make a very
good appearance. They are comely and dress well, and
scarce any of them have distorted shapes. Tinctured
with a Dutch education (which was at variance with
the custom of the thriftless English), they manage their
families with becoming parsimony, good providence, and
singular neatness. The practice of extravagant gaming,
common to the fashionable part of the fair sex in some
places, is a vice with which my countrywomen (of New
York) cannot justly be charged. They are modest, tem-
290
New York in 1732
perate, and charitable, naturally sprightly, sensible, and
good humored.
" The richer sort keep very plentiful tables, abound-
ing with great varieties of fish, flesh, and fowl, and all
kinds of vegetables. The common drinks are beer,
cider, weak punch, and madeira wine. For dessert we
have fruits in vast plenty of different kinds and various
species."
The people were friendly and fond of entertaining,
but under the new era all old barriers were swept away,
new alliances formed, old political dissensions forgotten,
and an entirely new order of things prevailed. Even
the ties of relationship, which in the Dutch families were
so strong, seemed weakened, and those of the childish
companies were broken by the fierce political discussions
that now broke out with an unprecedented virulence.
The De Lanceys (headed by the chief justice) were on
the side of the "court," with Francis Harison (an Eng-
lishman who had not been long in the colony, but who
had been raised to a position in the council), and
many others who were devoted to the same interests,
while Colonel Morris, William Smith, James Alexander,
and some of the Livingston family, were the leaders of
the opposition.
New Year, 1734, was celebrated in the city of New
York with particularly marked festivities among the lead-
ing representatives of the Dutch families. The ladies
were determined to emphasize their connection with the
early rulers of the province, and by so doing to show the
291
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
distinction between their adherents and those of the
English faction ; and it was for this reason that the
"Nieu Jaar " was marked by a strict observance of all
the Dutch customs, which had been allowed to become
somewhat slack after the death of Madame de Peyster
and her contemporaries. Mrs. Alexander's reception
was particularly well attended, and she was kept busy
from morning to night in receiving and returning the
hearty greetings that every man of note in the colony
who could boast of the slightest acquaintance with " the
wife of his majesty's councillor, James Alexander," was
eager to bestow on her. The servants were occupied
all day handing to the guests on their arrival huge
silver salvers on which were decanters of old madeira
and crusty port, accompanied with the cakes for which
the Dutch were famous, " oly koecks, crullers, and Nieu
Jaar kookies." Old Peter stood at the door and wel-
comed all comers in his hearty negro fashion, with
broad grins and pleasant wishes for "A happy New
Year ! ' A great stickler for etiquette was the old
darkey, who had been born and brought up in the
family, and considered himself no insignificant part of
it. He had been given to Mrs. Alexander as her own
property when a mere boy, and had followed her to her
home as her " major domo ' when she married and
began to keep house for herself, and the aid of such a
well-trained and experienced servant (as anyone who
had been brought up under the eyes of Madame de
Peyster was sure to be) was an invaluable adjutant to a
292
New York in 1732
young house-keeper, as Polly Spratt was when she first
married. Everyone knew the old servant, who was also
perfectly informed about everyone's affairs in the city,
not only through the " back-stairs agency," which always
knows as much of the affairs of the "parlor-people" as
they do themselves, but also from the bits of gossip and
sly jokes that he overheard from his station behind
his mistress's chair. Peter was vigilance itself to
all such gossip, and as he never left his post he had
excellent opportunities for knowing all that was
going on in the colony. He stood there armed with
a huge peacock-tail brush, with which he ostensibly
brushed the flies from the table, but in reality he
was an interested but silent participant in all that
was going on.
There were some guests who presented themselves at
the Nieu Jaar reception whose presence old Peter bit-
terly resented as a piece of unwarranted presumption
on their part. He did not hesitate to express his
opinion on the subject to his mistress the following
day, and she was forced to point out to him the polit-
ical condition of affairs and the necessity for her con-
ciliating certain men of mark although they were not
socially accredited, before she could assuage the old
servant's wrath at what he was pleased to consider an in-
dignity that had been offered to his beloved mistress.
The position of slave and mistress in the colony at that
time was a peculiar one, and it was only among the
Dutch families that the servants were treated with a
293
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
consideration which made them consider themselves
integral parts of the family ; and troubles were brew-
ing for the colonists because the new rulers and
their adherents were misusing the negroes whom the
English government were sending to the colonies in
such numbers, not openly, it is true, but still with the
connivance and assistance of those in authority.
As time went on the disputes between the governor
and his council became more and more violent. While
some of the members openly sided with his excellency
others did not dare to oppose him, though detesting his
views and methods, and James Alexander seemed to
stand alone in the council-chamber as the firm supporter
of the rights of the colonists, one who never swerved
in his freely spoken allegiance. The governor now de-
meaned himself by conniving at a clumsy plot which he
hoped would drive his opponents, both secret and open,
from the council board and leave him in full possession
of the field. The first part of it was to frighten his
enemies by secret threats and intimidations ; the second
was to malign them, not only in the " presence-chamber,"
the clubs, and assembly, but also by anonymous letters
secretly conveyed to those who, it was thought, would be
most easily influenced by such measures.
Mr. Smith, in his " History of New York," says : "At
the parting of some company from Mr. Alexander s, late
in the evening of February 1, 1734, an incendiary letter
was picked up in the hall. It had been shoved under
the outer door, and was instantly pronounced by Mr.
294
New York in 1732
Alexander to be the handwriting of Mr. Hanson, then
a member of the council. It was in these words :
* ' To ME. ALEXANDER :
" I am one who was formerly accounted a gentleman, but am
now reduced to poverty, and have no victuals to eat ; and knowing
you to be of a generous temper, desire you would comply with my
request, which is, to let me have ten pistoles (thirty dollars) to
supply my necessities and carry me to my native country. This
is a bold request, but I desire you will comply with it, or you and
your family shall feel the effects of my displeasure. Unless you
let me have them I'll destroy you and your family by a stratagem
which I have contrived. If that don't take the desired effect, I
swear, by GOD to poison all your tribe so surely that you sha'n't
know the perpetrator of the tragedy. I beg, for GOD'S sake, that
you would let me have the money, and hinder me from commit-
ting such a black deed. I know you can spare it, so desire you
would let me have it Saturday night about seven o'clock. Leave
it by the Cellar door, wrapped in a rag, and about an hour after
I will come and take it. Put it on the ground just where I put
the stick. If you don't leave it I advise you not to drink your
beer, nor eat your bread, if you value your lives and healths, for,
by my soul, I will do what I have mentioned. If I find any watch
to guard me from taking it, I'll desist and not take it, but follow
my intended scheme, and hinder you from acting any more on the
scene of life. If you comply I'll never molest you more ; but if
not I'll hazard my life in destroying yours, and continue what
I am."
Smith, in his " History of New York," says : " From
the neglect to disguise the hand, which Mr. Smith,
Mr. Hamilton, and Mr. Lurting, the mayor, all pro-
nounced to be Mr. Harison's, it was conjectured that
295
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
his design was to provoke a criminal prosecution, estab-
lish the precedent of convicting on the proof of simili-
tude of hands, and then by counterfeiting the writing of
one of the demagogues of the day, to bring him to the
gallows, while the governor's friends were to escape by
pardon."
When the case was laid before the grand jury, Mr.
Alexander, as well as his friends, who had penetrated
the plot, contended against the grand jury rinding an in-
dictment against Mr. Harison, on such evidence only
as the similarity of the writing in the anonymous letter
with that of Mr. Harison's. As Mr. Alexander declared
that he cared nothing for discovering and punishing the
culprit, at the expense of future entanglements such
as he foresaw that a commitment on such evidence
might lead to, it was therefore in compliance with his
wishes that the jurors contented themselves with an ad-
dress to the governor, in which they declared that they
could not discover the author of the letter on the evi-
dence submitted to them, as they did not consider that
the similarity of the handwriting in the letter with that
of Mr. Harison was sufficient to convict the latter of
such a dastardly deed, and they refused to indite him as
they feared that they might ensnare an innocent person
in a trap. The matter was, of course, laid before the
council by the governor, and as Mr. Harison and Mr.
Alexander were both members of it, the matter rested
there, although Harison was universally suspected of
the authorship of the letter, and was shunned by most
296
New York in 1732
of the respectable members of the colony, many of
whom openly accused him of writing it at the dictation
of the governor. In order to defend himself, Mr. Har-
ison publicly declared " that Mr. Alexander and Mr.
Smith had forged the letter, to ruin him." These gen-
tlemen immediately published a refutation of the scan-
dal, which by assigning proofs of Harison's enmity to
them, strengthened the general suspicions that were
then prevalent against him. " The cause of Harison's
enmity had been a discovery of his design to rob the
colony," says Mr. Smith, " during Governor Montgom-
erie's rule, a plot that had been unearthed and frus-
trated by Messrs. Smith and Alexander. Added to this,
Harison was under a prosecution tending to overwhelm
him with disgrace, which terminated against him, and
eventually caused him to flee the colony."
Mr. Smith says : " Whether the governor was let into
the design of the author of the letter was never discov-
ered, though some stress was laid upon words dropped
by a man intimate in the family, who, coming home in
his cups late one evening, shortly before the letter was
found, said, ' A scheme was executed to hang Alexander
and Smith.' And Mrs. Cosby , frequently and without
reserve, had declared that ' it was her highest wish to
see them on a gallows at the fort gate.'
This virulent enmity on the part of the governor and
his faction, against law, decency, and order, as repre-
sented by Messrs. Smith and Alexander, showed itself
in a new way before the summer was over. Cosby re-
297
a
j
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
treated to the governor's house at Perth Amboy after
his suit against Governor Van Dam had terminated
adversely to him, and in this quiet retreat the worthy
representative of King George concocted a plan that
some members of the council were only too willing to
aid him in, in the hopes of ridding themselves of their
opponents ; and under their able mismanagement the
famous prosecution of Zenger, the printer of one of the
papers devoted to the interests of the colonists, was
planned. This paper, called the "Weekly Journal,"
had lately been started. Its leading articles, con-
tributed by some of the ablest writers of the day, con-
sisted of attacks on the governor and his party, who
determined to put a stop to this wholesale exposure of
their nefarious actions, and concocted a plot that re-
sulted in the complete discomfiture of the governor and
his party instead of that of their enemies, as had been
intended, and in the establishment of the " liberties of
the press," which was one of the first steps toward over-
throwing the English rule in the American colonies and
hastened the exposure of the governor's malpractices.
In 1734 Peter Zenger, a German emigrant who had
been brought to the New York colony by his parents
while a mere infant, and who was in humble circum-
stances, left the master under whom he had learned his
trade as a printer and started a newspaper of his own
in New York, and called it the "Weekly Journal." It
was openly said that the funds to start the sheet were
advanced by prominent members of the opposition party
298
New York in 1732
who needed such a vehicle in order to communicate
with the public, and that the printer, Zenger, was
merely the mouth-piece of other and more able persons,
who secretly supplied him with matter that he merely
printed and distributed. The " Weekly Journal " was
filled with criticisms on the governor's " policy, his life,
and his habits," and they gave evidence that the articles
were penned by no unpractised hand. The squibs,
lampoons, and witticisms are almost incomprehensible
at the present day, but it is evident that " every bullet
had its billet," and that the public delighted in these
open attacks on the governor, and that he was galled to
madness by them. That these articles were written by
someone behind the scenes was proved by their evi-
dent acquaintance with the inward workings of the
council, and everyone pointed to Messrs. Smith and
Alexander as the authors. But although universally
credited with the production of these attacks on the
governor and his party, nothing could be proved as
to their authorship, as the secret was well kept. A
watch was put on the movements of both gentlemen,
but they could not be detected visiting or communicat-
ing with the printer Zenger in any way. The governor
then offered a reward of 200 to anyone who would
reveal the secret, but he was as unsuccessful in this
effort as he had been with his spies. The secret was
probably known to very few persons, and all had too
much at stake to reveal it ; but in after years both gen-
tlemen acknowledged their share in the preparation of
299
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
the articles in question, in which they had been assisted
by Colonel Lewis Morris, his son, and Governor Van
Dam.
Cosby fancied that he was very clever when he set
his spies to follow the movements of his councillors, but
he never imagined for a moment that they could outwit
him, and that the ladies of their families were as much
interested in the success of their schemes as thev were
*/
themselves, and could aid them by being the means of
conveying secret intelligence from one person to the
other, and communication in this way was easily kept up.
Mrs. Alexander's evening receptions were also used as
a means of exchanging secret intelligence, and into the
privacy of Mrs. Alexander's parlors the governor could
not penetrate, although family tradition declares that he
attempted to suborn old Peter and make him a spy on
his master and mistress and their guests, and offered
him large rewards if he would betray them. The gov-
ernor by this means converted the old servant into a
very active foe, and one who proved no despicable one.
The attacks on the governor continued in spite of all
his efforts to stop them, and his excellency now carried
into effect the plan he had formed in his rural retreat,
which was to throw the printer into prison as a means
of putting an end to them. This was unavailing, a& a
particularly virulent article at once appeared. The
number in which it was issued was ordered to be
" burnt by the common hangman November 2, 1734,"
and the mayor of the city, Robert Lurting, and the
300
New York in 1732
common council were commanded to attend the crema-
tion. But the mayor and the aldermen protested that
this was not part of their duty, and that the governor
had no right to demand it of them. The governor and
Harison insisted on their compliance, but they rebelled
and refused in the most positive terms to obey the
governor, and they proceeded still further, as they com-
manded the city hangman not to execute the commis-
sion, and the paper was therefore burned by a slave in
the presence of Harison and some of the governor's
adherents, which proved to be a very flat and laughable
termination of the affair. Zenger was in prison, but he
was allowed to receive daily visits from his wife, and
through her he issued his directions, and Mrs. Zenger
contrived to have the paper issued regularly and dis-
tributed to the subscribers.
Messrs. Alexander and Smith were retained as counsel
for Zenger, and they appeared in court fully prepared to
defend him ; but de Lancey, the chief -justice, was of the
governor's party, and keen to take advantage of the
position and the power that it gave him. He was aware
that the stand taken by the governor was unpopular
and unconstitutional, and he knew that with the two
most capable lawyers of the eolony prepared to defend
the prisoner, it would be almost impossible to obtain a
verdict against him from the jurors, who were necessa-
rily drawn from the freeholders qualified for the posi-
tion, and were less than a thousand in number. He
knew also that these freeholders were deeply and per-
301
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
sonally interested in the result, and probably felt that on
the acquittal of the prisoner much of their own indepen-
dence in the future depended. Chief-Justice de Lancey
listened with undisguised impatience to the opening
address by Mr. Smith, and interrupted him abruptly,
and ordered that his name, and that of his partner, Mr.
Alexander, " should be stricken from the roll of at-
torneys-at-law of the province of New York."
This high-handed act of de Lancey's caused the trial
to come to an abrupt termination, and nearly caused
a panic in the community when it became publicly
known. Everyone felt that the safeguards of law and
order were overthrown when the chief -justice could
defy them with impunity, and many people felt that
property, and even life itself, was not safe when con-
trolled by the governor and his minions. Many of the
inhabitants now determined to sell their possessions at
a sacrifice, if necessary, and leave the province for that
of Pennsylvania, where they believed that they would
be more secure, as that colony possessed an indepen-
dent charter given it by the king, and was empowered
to select its own rulers. Under this charter the prov-
ince of Pennsylvania had a comparatively stable gov-
ernment, which was not liable to sudden alterations,
and it was rapidly rising in importance and rivalling in
wealth and prosperity the older colony.
It was now that the clear common-sense of Mrs.
Alexander came to the rescue of the disheartened part-
ners and their dismayed friends. Mr. Smith was
302
New York in 1732
firmly resolved on moving liis family at once, and Mr.
Alexander was so thoroughly disgusted with the cor-
ruption of the political affairs in New York, that he was
more than half inclined to follow his partner to another
sphere of action. With their law-practice wrested from
them, and many of the chief colonists so blind to their
own best interests that they were willing to be the tools
of an unscrupulous governor, both men thought that
the province was doomed to anarchy, and they dreaded
sharing its fate. Now it was that Mrs. Alexander
took prompt and effective action. She pointed out that
it would be the height of folly to abandon their
homes, for wherever they settled some unforeseen turn
of affairs might again wrest their property from them,
and she implored her husband to meet bravely the
present aggravations, withstand them with a spirited
opposition, and remain steadfast in his present posi-
tion. With some of the quiet mother-wit for which she
was noted, Mrs. Alexander asked if Messrs. Alexan-
der and Smith were the only clever men in the colony
who were able and competent to defend the unfortu-
nate Zenger. The spirited words of Mrs. Alexander
put the gentlemen on their mettle, and they consented
to make a determined stand against the governor and
his party ; but they despaired of success, and even
Mrs. Alexander was forced to acknowledge that there
were few men in New York who were capable of taking
their places, as well as willing to risk the governor's dis-
pleasure in defending the printer and his publications.
303
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
For any lawyer of the place ran the risk of being
disbarred by the chief-justice merely for undertaking
the position that he had already prevented Messrs.
Alexander and Smith from occupying, and with no
more excuse than he had had in their case, and there
were few men who would consent to place themselves
in this predicament.
In this dilemma Mrs. Alexander suddenly bethought
herself of a talented lawyer who at the time lived in
Philadelphia, and who was in constant correspondence
with her husband. This was Andrew Hamilton, a man
who was highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens. Mr.
Hamilton had been educated for the bar in England,
was noted for his eloquence, and was abundantly capa-
ble of defending the case with success ; and as he had
nothing at stake in the New York colony, he could defy
the governor, the chief-justice, and their friends with an
impunity that would strengthen his hands. This happy
thought was applauded on all sides, and Mr. Hamilton
was communicated with as secretly as possible, as it
was deemed most important that the government party
should imagine that no steps were to be taken to defend
Zenger when the case again came up for trial, which
would throw them off their guard, and they would not
have time to concoct new measures to defeat the ends
of justice.
In this crisis Mrs. Alexander undertook to pay a
visit to Philadelphia and have a personal interview
with Mr. Hamilton and lay all the facts of the case
304
New York in 1732
before tlie great lawyer, and entreat him to come to
New York when the time came for the trial, prepared
to defend the unfortunate printer. For this purpose
Mrs. Alexander announced to her friends that she was
going to Perth Arnboy for a short time in order to look
after some property there, and she publicly took leave
of her husband and friends at the White Hall landing
and sailed for "the Jersies" in her own yacht. On
reaching that place, Mrs. Alexander quietly hired a
wagon and went on to Philadelphia and had an inter-
view with Mr. Hamilton, who, after hearing her story,
undertook Zenger's defence with pleasure, and prom-
ised to be in New York when the time came for the
trial as if he were there to attend to other business,
and declare his errand only when the proper time came.
Mrs. Alexander was thoroughly conversant with every
point, and was in a position to state it clearly to Mr.
Hamilton, and also the opinions of Messrs. Smith and
Alexander as to the line of argument to be used, and he
was also supplied with all the necessary papers, which
tradition states were carried to Philadelphia quilted
into Mrs. Alexander's best silk petticoat. After this
hurried journey, Mrs. Alexander returned to New York
and rejoined her family without anyone having sus-
pected or discovered her mission, and her friend Mr.
Smith (who was the historian from whom part of this
account has been taken) has been discreetly silent on
the share of the lady in this important flank movement
against the common enemy.
305
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
Tlie trial of Zenger came up in July, and Chief-Justice
de Lancey and Governor Cosby were dismayed when
they saw Mr. Hamilton appear in court and announce
that he had been retained as counsel for the defendant.
Mr. Hamilton's argument was clever, and was listened
to with the deepest attention by a crowd of interested
citizens. It was based on the law of libel, and a covert
attack was made on the governor and his friends, to-
gether with their methods, which was so scathing and
yet so true in every particular, that it made his excel-
lency wince, while he was in no position to retaliate or
justify himself. The trial was a long and stormy one,
but it ended in a verdict of "Not guilty," as it was held
that " truth was no libel." The verdict was met with
storms of applause from the spectators, and echoed by
the concourse of people who were gathered outside of
the court-house anxiously awaiting the result of the
trial, which all parties had now begun to realize was not
merely that of an unfortunate printer, but involved the
maintenance of law and order in the colony against
anarchy and ruin ; and when the verdict was rendered
for the defendant, it was received with a deep sense
of relief, as in it the colonists saw hopes of liberty,
stability, and prosperity in the future, instead of the
anarchy that had threatened to engulf them.
The verdict was canvassed and discussed in all parts
of the town and by all classes of society, and as it
gradually dawned on the minds of those not versed in
the law that it had been won from the jury by the spe-
306
New York in 1732
cious pleading of a master-mind, and was rendered
more in accordance with sentiment than under the law,
the admiration of the public for Mr. Hamilton was in-
creased, and " Smart as a Philadelphia lawyer," or "It
takes a Philadelphia lawyer to win," became proverbs
in the city of New York.
But the first news that the public had of the ver-
dict was from the bursts of applause that filled the
court-house the instant it was known. The spec-
tators filled the room with their shouts and acclama-
tions, which enraged the judge, who threatened to stop
the commotion by imprisoning any person who took
part in it. Upon this, Captain Norris of the English
frigate Tartar jumped on a bench and addressed the
court, and declared that "huzzahs were common in
"Westminster Hall, and were very loud on the acquittal
of the Seven Bishops." The significance of this remark
had a quieting effect on the judges, who had no time
allowed them for reply, for the shouts were redoubled
and all remonstrance silenced by the clamor that en-
sued. Such a public defence of the rights of the colo-
nists against the representatives of government by the
son of an admiral and the commander of one of his
majesty's ships, had great weight, and his bold defiance
on such an important occasion made a hero of the
young fellow, particularly as it now became generally
known that it was by his connivance that Colonel
Morris had been able to make his escape from the
colony and proceed to England in order to lay the
307
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
abuses under which they were suffering before the
home government. Captain Norris had only just re-
turned from his voyage to England, and had at once
been married to his fair fiancee, who was then with
him on their bridal trip.
Mr. Hamilton was overwhelmed with the gratitude of
the citizens, and he was tendered a public dinner, at
which he was presented with the freedom of the city in
a gold box, and the ladies of the town requested his
presence at a ball given in his honor, and on his depart-
ure for Philadelphia he was escorted by the enthusiastic
citizens to Mrs. Alexander's yacht, which was lying in
waiting (to carry him to Perth Amboy, on the first stage
of his journey home) at the landing at the White Hall
steps, directly under the eyes of the incensed and mor-
tified governor, who saw that all his schemes had been
baffled.
The party of the opposition were triumphant and now
felt that the first step to ward justice and order had been
taken, and they were willing to forgive those of their
fellow-citizens who had been led by fright or expediency
to join issue against them, if by so doing they could
make common cause against the governor. The ladies
of New York were particularly delighted at the cessa-
tion of hostilities, more because thev were able to re-
J
surne their social functions and ruptured friendships
than for any clear understanding that they had of the
matter, or the political interests at stake. Woman-like,
they fancied that men must be always squabbling about
308
New York in 1732
politics, and they disliked nothing so much as to be
drawn into these discussions and forced to take sides
against their own friends, owing to the partisanship of the
men of their family. Mrs. Alexander, as has been seen,
took an active part in the late disturbances, but she, too,
hailed with delight the olive-branch that was now being
held out by all parties, and was glad to renew the ancient
intercourse with the friends of her childhood, which had
been interrupted by political events. While sympathiz-
ing with her husband in his struggle for the welfare of his
adopted country, she viewed with regret his opposition
to her friends and could hardly help feeling that the
vortex into which she was plunged was antagonistic to
the Dutch traditions in which she had been reared.
She realized too that, although she ought to be on the
side of the first settlers (owing to her birth), she was un-
doubtedly prejudiced by her husband and his partner,
and was therefore placed in a disagreeable position, and
she hailed with delight the prospect she now saw of re-
lease. Taking advantage, therefore, of the lull in hos-
tilities, Mrs. Alexander organized a series of balls for the
ensuing winter, which she hoped would prove as a flag
of truce, and would draw together all the opposing fam-
ilies and make them forget past differences ; but these
balls were not thrown open for public subscription, and
the list was carefully supervised by the managers, who
would not include the family of the governor, alleging
as an excuse that it was intended merely for the colo-
nists and that no foreigner might subscribe.
309
i
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
The winter of 1736 was therefore an extremely gny
one, and a particularly brilliant ball was given at the
Black Horse Tavern, close under the shadow of White
Hall, at which fete Limit. -Govern or Van Dam presided.
The occasion of it was the birthday of the Prince of
Wales, January 19, 1736, which was celebrated, says the
New York " Weekly Journal," " in a most elegant and
genteel manner," at which the bride, Mrs. Norris, " led
up two new country dances, mounted for the occasion,
the first of which was called the ' Prince of Wales,' and
the second the * Princess of Saxe Gotha,' in honour of
the day."
But these hospitable entertainments were fruitless,
and the truce was a hollow one and of no long stand-
ing. The contesting parties were not contented with
the defeat on one side and signal success on the other,
and both sides renewed hostilities. It would probably
have been a long and bitter struggle on the part of the
colonists against oppression and misrule, as the appeal
made by Colonel Morris to the home government had
been met by a quiet contempt and indifference, in spite
of the overwhelming proofs that he was able to lay
before the Lords of Trade of the corruption of their
representative. Colonel Morris was informed that the
lords were aware of all that he could tell them, and
they were perfectly indifferent to all such complaints,
and intended to support their governor in spite of
everything; they also made the same reply to another
representative of the colonists, who laid the grievances
310
New York in 1732
of his fellow-citizens before the government at the same
time. The papers that were presented to the Lords of
Trade by the two gentlemen have never been given to
the public, but they are preserved in the families of
their descendants, and if anything be wanting to com-
plete the chain of evidence of the corruption of the Eng-
lish government of that period, indubitable proofs arc
not wanting. The colonists were relieved from their
rapacious, unscrupulous ruler by the death of Governor
Cosby, March 10, 1736. A few of his misdeeds have
been mentioned, but in addition to these he was guilty
of so many high-handed and culpable acts that his name
has been handed down to posterity as one to be uni-
versally execrated. Forgery, malfeasance in office, etc.,
have been charged and proved, such as that Gov-
ernor Cosby had asked to be permitted to study some
title-deeds of property in Albany and the Jersies, and,
as soon as they were in his possession, had thrown
them in the fire, in the presence of witnesses. Some
of the papers related to the patents of the Mohawk
reservation, and this action of his was taken in order
to destroy the evidence of ownership, after which
he asserted, " That as there were no proofs of owner-
ship forthcoming, the property in question reverted to
himself." This procedure of the governor's soon be-
came known, and the colonists were naturally indig-
nant; no one felt secure lest his turn might come
next, and even Chief- Justice de Laricey ventured
to remonstrate on this and on other unconstitutional
311
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
actions of Cosby's, only to receive the reply, " What do
I care for these grumbling rustics." It is therefore
little wonder that all members of the province of New
York felt a sense of relief when they heard of the death
of the governor.
Cosby was a man of low cunning and limited sagac-
ity, but he knew well how far he might proceed in rob-
bing the colonists of New York, protected as he was by
the indifference (or worse) of the members of the home
government, who were willing to throw a cloak over his
misdeeds, as is proved by the documents on file, some
of which have been printed in the " Documents Relat-
ing to the Colonial History." Mr. Smith relates of
Governor Cosby that, on one occasion, it was suggested
to him that a proceeding of his was contrary to law,
and his reply was, "How, gentlemen, do you think I
mind that ? I have great interest in England."
Governor Cosby's rule had been a dishonest and law-
breaking one :
"Stiff in opinion, always in the wrong,"
and the final act, when on his death-bed, was a fitting
conclusion to his maladministration when in office.
Finding that the disease from which he was suffering
was likely to prove fatal, the governor called a secret
meeting of the council, to which only the members who
were attached to his interests were summoned, while
Lieut.-Governor Van Dam, Mr. Alexander and their
friends were not called; and at this hurried, secret,
312
New York in 1732
illegal meeting the dying governor deposed the presi-
dent of the council, Lieutenant-Governor Yan Dam, and
substituted a creature of his own, by the name of Clarke,
in the place of the old Dutchman, who had served his
countrymen so long and faithfully.
The governor also directed his wife to take charge of
all the despatches that should arrive from England and
turn them over to Clarke, to whom he gave secret in-
structions. This unprecedented conduct was proba-
bly caused by the hope that his illegal practices might
be concealed by his friend, Clarke, while they would
certainly be revealed by Yan Dam if he were allowed
to assume the reins of office, as he would do, according
to precedent, having acted as governor previous to
Cosby's arrival, and being still senior member of the
council, a position that he had held unmolested for a
number of years.
The colonists were aware that Yan Dam should take
Cosby's place, and were rejoicing in the prospect of
peace and prosperity that seemed opening out before
them with this change in the administration ; and the
consternation of Yan Dam, Alexander, and the public
can be better imagined than described when on the
death of the governor they learned the trick that had
been played on them. The scene in the council-cham-
ber was one of wild confusion, but in spite of the
protests of the majority of the members, who then
learned for the first time of the deposition of Yan Dam
and the secret succession of Clarke to the position, the
313
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
oath of office was administered to the latter, and the
council broke up in confusion, many of its members
refusing to ratify the succession, and declaring their
intention of appealing to the populace or to the home
government for redress.
Mr. Alexander at once published a statement de-
nouncing the illegal action of the late governor, and de-
claring that he was no party to the administration of the
oath of office to Clarke, but that, on the contrary, he
had in vain remonstrated against such precipitancy and
had begged for delay until such time as deliberate ac-
tion could be taken in the matter. This public statement
was rendered necessary, as the friends of the new gov-
ernor had pointed triumphantly to the fact that both
Yan Dam and Alexander had been present at the meet-
ing of the council when the oath of office was admin-
istered to Clarke.
Mr. Alexander now refused to attend the meetings of
the council, as he declared they were illegally summoned
and conducted, and after publicly stating the position
that he intended to adopt, he removed with his family
to Perth Amboy, intending to pass the summer quietly
amid rural scenes and devote his leisure to the philo-
sophical pursuits that he delighted in, which had been
for some time interrupted by the calls of his official
position.
In the meantime Colonel Morris had reached Eng-
land and had laid the remonstrances of the colonists
against the illegal practices of Governor Cosby before
314
New York in 1732
the Lords of Trade, who, however, turned a deaf ear to
all the statements, and disposed of Colonel Morris as
quickly as possible by making him Governor of New
Jersey, which they fancied would silence him, and that
by accepting it he would be arrayed against his former
friends, who would accuse him of having accepted it
as a bribe. But Colonel Morris, although he accepted
the office bestowed on him, was only half -satisfied, and
returned to America, where his arrival was eagerly
watched for. He was met on landing in New York,
says Mr. Smith, "by a vast concourse, and escorted,
with loud acclamations, to a meeting of the chiefs of
the party. Having listened to the proceedings of the
past few months, and to what extremes the contests
were advanced, and being importuned for his advice, he
replied, in a grave tone : ' If you don't hang them,
they'll hang you.' '
Contentions continued until despatches arrived from
England confirming Clarke in office, which for a time
crushed the colonists, who believed that they were
doomed to receive unjust treatment at the hands of the
home government. Things were, however, mending,
as Clarke was not the bare-faced villain that his prede-
cessor had been, and he at once concluded that his easi-
est plan would be to conciliate his opponents, as he
saw that there was nothing to be gained by inflaming
them against him, when they had the powerful weapon
of the public press, which he knew by bitter experience
they would have no scruples about using.
315
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-na-ta
Clarke was well aware that the bitter invectives, squibs,
lampoons which had been hurled with impunity at Cosby
had influenced public opinion against him in such a way
as to hamper his best-laid plans, even if they did not
succeed in defeating them completely; and the life of his
predecessor had been tormented in a way that Clarke
had no desire to inherit, so that he deemed it his best
policy to disarm his antagonists by a seeming friendli-
ness rather than by repelling their attacks by force.
The popular party on their side were heartily weary
of the battle against oppression, which seemed to them
almost fruitless, and Mr. Smith acknowledges that he
was so thoroughly disgusted with the state of affairs in
the province of New York that he at this time again seri-
ously contemplated moving his family to Virginia. To
the surprise and pleasure of Messrs. Smith and Alexan-
der, the governor and one of his friends approached the
partners and intimated to them that they should be re-
instated at the bar if they so desired. Mrs. Smith and
Mrs. Alexander were greatly relieved at this turn of
affairs, and both wives used their influence with their
husbands to persuade them to accept these offers of
conciliation. They were brave women and had cour-
ageously borne all the miseries and worries of the past
few years, but even they had quailed under the repeated
attacks that had been made on the lives and reputations
of their husbands.
After some punctilios, " Honor e Servando" says Mr.
Smith, " the judges cancelled the order of the chief -jus-
316
New York in 1732
tice, and in the October term, on the 18th of the month,
1737, Mr. Alexander and Mr. Smith appeared again at
the bar."
" It was quite an event," says Chief-Justice Daly, in
his historical sketch of the " Judicial Tribunals of New
York; ' "Alexander was no speaker, but his breadth of
learning, and depth of thought, and honesty of purpose
commanded universal respect and admiration. He pos-
sessed the knack of throwing terrible significance into a
few well-chosen words at certain times and was always
a formidable antagonist. Smith was a born orator;
speaking was no effort to him, his grandest orations were
often impromptu. His voice was musical, which with
an attractive face, fine presence, and great personal at-
tractions were very effective with a jury."
The public were delighted that their favorite lawyers
were reinstated in the position that they had been so
unjustly deprived of, and Mr. Alexander was asked to
accept the nomination as a member of the assembly, to
represent the city of New York, an office to which he was
immediately and unanimously elected. Lewis Morris,
Jr., was speaker of the house, and their party was sup-
ported by gentlemen from each election district, which
gave them an overwhelming majority.
It now seemed as if an era of peace and prosperity
were dawning on the colony. Trade at once began to
revive, industries started into life, and emigration, in-
stead of being diverted to other colonies, as had been
the case during the past few years, increased in a most
317
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
gratifying way. To encourage and protect the infant in-
dustries Mr. Alexander introduced bills into the assem-
bly to protect the manufacture of hemp and iron, for the
prevention of frauds in products intended for exporta-
tion, and also for the encouragement of emigration. The
last law was framed particularly to encourage persons
to come to the colony who were willing to enter domestic
service. The ladies had been in the habit of selecting
children from the families of their poorer neighbors, and
having them bound to them for a certain term of service,
just as tradesmen received apprentices, but the demand
fell far short of the supply. There were but few pau-
per families in the colony, and those were generally of
mixed Indian and negro blood, and tainted with the
worst vices of both nations. They were lazy and igno-
rant, and it was thought that if a better class of servants
could be imported, the traffic in slaves would receive a
check, as the subject of slavery was now beginning to
be of paramount importance.
Negroes had been carried to New Amsterdam by Eng-
lish traders, and sold there, regardless of the remon-
strances of the authorities, who were contemplating a
stringent set of laws against this practice when the col-
ony was delivered over to the English. There had been
little abuse of the slaves under the rule of the worthy
Dutchmen and their wives, who were mild and gentle,
and the negroes found kind and lenient friends in their
masters, and did not feel their bondage as a curse, but
rather regarded themselves as important members of
New York in 1732
the family, and no punishment was worse than a threat
to send them away or sell them to another person.
The colonial archives are full of records of the ar-
rangements made by the English government to impose
slaves on their colonies. Many members of the gov-
ernment had large interests in the slave-trade, and it
was their policy to encourage the traffic. The instruc-
tions to Lord Cornbury in the " Colonial Documents "
tell him to encourage the importation of slaves into the
New York province, notwithstanding that the colonists
tried to stop it, as they foresaw the misery that was
sure to ensue and dreaded the consequences to them-
selves ; but while it was upheld by the rulers in Eng-
land, their efforts to stop the curse were unavailing,
and the American colonies were left to groan helplessly
under the bitter burden of slavery for two centuries,
and after the yoke of England was thrown from their
galled shoulders, and the country and its people were
declared " free and independent," they had the mortifi-
cation of being left with this canker-spot in their midst,
and in addition were taunted by the English people for
permitting a state of things that had been created by
themselves.
That all the members of the English government
were not equally corrupt, is proved by the following let-
ter from Horace Walpole to his friend Horace Mann.
In letter CCXL, of "Later Letters," he writes, "We
have been sitting this fortnight on the African company,
WE, the British Senate, the Temple of Liberty, and
310
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
the Bulwark of Protestant Christianity, have this fort-
night been pondering methods to make more effectual
that horrid traffic of selling negroes. It has appeared
to us that six-and-forty thousand of these wretches are
sold every year to our plantations alone it chills the
blood. I would not have it to say that I voted in it for
the Continent of America."
XX
Matches, Batches, and Despatches
Perth Amboy The Hamlet of Greenwich Death of the Fifth Earl of
Stirling William Alexander now Successor to the Title Mary
Alexander's Engagement to Peter Van Brugh Livingston The Chil-
dren's " Companies " Again Birth of " Gentleman Phil "Captain
David Provoost John Provoost's Marriage The Negroes " Ma-
jor Drum "Fires and Robberies Father Ury The GRAND Grand
Jury Cuffie and His Kind-hearted Mistress.
WEARIED by the contentions and discussions
in which her husband had been embroiled, and
anxious about his health, Mrs. Alexander determined
to spend the summer of 1739 at Perth Amboy. It was
particularly convenient for her to do this, as she had
determined to build a country residence there, so that
her husband could have his own home when attending
to his duties as councillor of New Jersey. Mr. Alexander
held office in both colonies, and the council sometimes sat
at Perth Amboy during the summer months, where the
governor had an official residence, the first one having
been occupied there by Governor Bui-net. The place
had in consequence become a favorite summer-resort,
and as it was on the high road to Philadelphia, it was
321
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
gradually rising into one of considerable importance.
In " A Day in New York," the author gives the following
account of the village : " As there were no steamboats
in those days, to annihilate both time and space, it may
be as well to record how people reached the port of
Amboy. Passages were obtained in the sloop Advent-
ure, Peter Kearney master, and a short voyage of less
than three days from New York brought them to the
flourishing city of Perth."
Mrs. Alexander had purchased a beautiful spot that
commanded a view of the bay of New York, and she
hoped to engross her husband's attention in superin-
tending the building of the house and laying out the
grounds, and in this way distract his mind from the
troubles that had agitated him for so many years.
Small-pox was raging in New York, and the assembly
was holding its meetings in Greenwich, that salubrious
hamlet on Mana-ha-ta, which lay at least three miles be-
yond the city limits, and which was always the haven
of refuge when yellow fever, cholera, small-pox, and
other dreaded scourges visited New York, introduced
there by sailors who carried these diseases from port to
port. The centre of Greenwich was about on the spot
that the Indians called Sapo-Kanican, which was the
site of one of their villages. Minitie-water (or little
brook) joined Bestevaar's Killitje or Grandfather (Van
Cortlandt's) Creek, and ran through the place, and part
of it had been the farm of Mine. Oloff Van Cortlandt,
that she called " Bosseu Bowerie," or Bush farm. The
322
Matches, Batches, and Despatches
English name was given to the place out of compliment
to the palace of Greenwich (which was the haven of sail-
ors, after it was no longer used by the king), when Ad-
miral Sir Peter Warren, who was for many years sta-
tioned in these waters, bought the adjoining property.
In 1739 Mr. Alexander received the news of the death,
at his family estates in England, of the great-grandson
of the first Earl of Stirling, who was Henry, the fifth
earl, who had died without male issue, leaving as heirs
to the unentailed property the wives of William Philips
Lee and Sir William Trumbull. According to the grant
of the original title, it would now pass to the eldest
male heir, through John of Gogar, the great-grandfathei
of James Alexander of New York. Letters and advices
from England now reminded Mr. Alexander that " the
heirs male bearing the arms and name of Alexander '
were settled in America, and urging him to take steps
to claim the title and the vast estates that went with it.
The claim of the Duke of York to the American prop-
erty, that he bought and omitted to pay for, had nevei'
been satisfactorily settled. The duke had become a king,
and then a fugitive, and as the rents of the American
estates were unpaid, the tenants began to believe they
owned the land they occupied, although the titles of tho
property were in a most unsatisfactory condition.
The bustling affairs of the colony had left Mr. Alex-
ander little time to arrange these matters, even if it had
been in his power. Lord Stirling was unwilling to em-
broil himself with the English court by claiming estates
323
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
that he saw little prospect of enjoying, and as he had
no son to inherit them, he did not care to spend time
and money in asserting his rights to property that could
only be enjoyed by very distant members of his family,
for whom he cared but little. John of Gogar's only
son was David Alexander, whose eldest son, William,
was dead, and his son, "William Alexander, M.D., the
nephew of James Alexander, was next in succession.
He was a strong, handsome young fellow, a graduate of
the Edinburgh School of Medicine, who was at the
time living in America, at Jamaica, Long Island, where
his widowed sister lived with and kept house for him,
and the young man seemed likely to marry and raise a
family of his own.
Mr. Alexander, on the receipt of the intelligence from
England of the death of Lord Stirling, sent for his
nephew and laid before him the prospects of his succes-
sion to the title ; but the young doctor cared little for
it, and his uncle could not persuade him to advance
his claims. Although the matter was most seriously
discussed between uncle and nephew, the latter re-
fused to assert his rights to the honors and estates
of the Earl of Stirling, presumably because, having
strong Jacobite tendencies, he did not care to return
to England while it was under the rule of the House
of Brunswick ; and he thought that when the Stuarts
regained the throne of England, as he was always in
hopes that they would do, he would have had an op-
portunity of fighting under their banner, and that ho
324
Matches, Batches, and Despatches
could then reclaim the ancient title and have it con-
firmed at the hands of the old masters of his house.
The matter was therefore allowed to remain in abeyance,
although Mr. Alexander wrote to his relations in Scotland
to trace the family descent, and make sure that the suc-
cession was in his line, as he believed that the indiffer-
ence of his nephew on this subject would soon pass
when he had time to reflect on the matter.
A great happiness came to Mrs. Alexander during
the summer months that she Avas spending so quietly
with her family superintending the erection of their new
house. The careful mother's eye had noticed that her
eldest daughter Mary was nearly a woman, and Mrs.
Alexander had pointed this out to her husband, and
that the young girl seemed to have many admirers ; but
of all the beaux who followed her there was only one
that she seemed to favor above all others, and Mrs.
Alexander begged her husband to watch the young fel-
low, to see if he would be a proper husband for their
daughter. Mr. Alexander, man-like, scoffed at the no-
tion that his wife could discover a budding romance
that his keen eyes had failed to detect, and declared
that his little girl was still too young to think of such a
thing.
Mary Alexander was at this time just eighteen, and,
in truth, it seemed to both parents that it was but yes-
terday that Governor Buraet had stood godfather for
her. But the young people did not agree with the
revered councillor in believiDg that the maiden was
325
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
too young to think of matrimony, and when her
suitor presented himself in due form and asked for the
hand of Miss Alexander in the stately and formal fash-
ion of the day, Mr. Alexander had no choice but to give
his consent with the best grace that he could summon
up, and permit the engagement of the young couple.
Indeed, there was every reason for all parties to be de-
lighted with the match, for the lover was the second son
of Mr. Alexander's old friend and neighbor, Philip Liv-
ingston, whose town house adjoined that of the Alexan-
ders, although Mr. Livingston passed the greater part
of the year at his manorial estates, of which he was the
second lord.
Peter Van Brugh Livingston had been devoted to
Mary Alexander since early childhood. He was a mem-
ber of the same " company," and was the comrade and
intimate friend of William Alexander, his fiancee's only
brother, and now that Van Brugh Livingston had begun
to think of matrimony, the young men were arranging
for a business partnership.
Mrs. Alexander's large house had always been the ral-
lying-place for the Saturday meetings of the little " com-
panies" to which her children belonged. The garden
had a play-house especially arranged for their use, and
on rainy days the whole house would be invaded by a
swarm of young ones, who played merry games of " I
spy," "Hide and go seek," and " Follow my leader,"
all through the big rooms, and into the musty, sloping-
roofed garret, the whole happy troop racing from cellar
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Matches, Batches, and Despatches
to attic, over and under the huge four-post bedsteads,
and sliding down the broad banisters of the great stair-
case. The two boys by the first husband, John and
David Provoost, had their group of friends, among
whom were Eva, Elsie, and Catharine Rutgers, the
children of the Alexanders' neighbor, Harmanus Rut-
gers, with some of the de Peysters, children of Der Heer
Abraham de Peyster, who were cousins, and many of
the large family of Provoosts. In the next " company "
were Mrs. Alexander's children by her second marriage,
Mary (Polly), Elizabeth (Betsey), and William (Bill),
and their friends and associates were the younger mem-
bers of the aforementioned families and many others.
The third "company" in Mrs. Alexander's household
was composed of the younger children, Kitty, and the
delicate little Anna, and lastly Suky, the baby, the pet
and plaything of them all.
As Mrs. Grant mentions in her " Reminiscences of an
American Lady," " the consequence of these exclusive
and early intimacies was that when the members of the
company grew up it was reckoned a sort of apostasy to
marry out of * one's company,' and, indeed, it did not
often happen." Mrs. Alexander had herself selected
her first husband from the ranks of her own company,
and it was little surprise to her to find her own
daughter following the example that had been set her ;
nor did the careful mother regret the choice that the
girl had made, and there was a merry marriage-feast on
November 3, 1739, soon after the family returned to
327
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
the town house after their summer spent at Perth
Amboy.
Peter Van Brugh Livingston took his bride im-
mediately to a handsome house that he had built for
her in Prince Street. The young couple also had a
country house at Dobb's Ferry, a few miles up the Hud-
son River. Van Brugh Livingston was a stalwart
patriot and followed in the footsteps of his father, and
Mr. Alexander, and when called upon to defend the
rights of his country and free the colony from the op-
pressive English yolk, he joined his brother-in-law,
William Alexander, first in a partnership for providing
the commissariat department, then became one of the
celebrated " Committee of 100," chosen by the citizens
of New York to protect their interests, was president
of the first Provincial Congress, in 1775 ; deputy to the
Second Provincial Congress, 1776 ; treasurer of the
State of New York, etc., etc.
The happiness of Mrs. Alexander seemed complete
when a little grandson was born on November 3d of the
following year. The child was christened Philip, after
his grandfather, Philip Livingston. This was a favorite
name in the Livingston family, and in order to dis-
tinguish one boy from the other, they were given nick-
names that stuck to them through life, and by which
they are known even to their descendants. This eldest
son of Mary Alexander and Van Brugh Livingston was
dubbed " Gentleman Phil," from his charming and
courteous manners.
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Matches, Batches, and Despatches
Mrs. Alexander's influence had been exerted in order
to get for her son, David Provoost, a commission in the
English army. The young man fancied the roving and
adventurous life more than that of a mercantile house.
It was an unusual step for one of Dutch descent to
take, as the men of that blood seldom allied themselves
in any way with what they considered the hated usurpers,
but David Provoost longed for the life of a soldier, and
there was no other opening for him. It was with a
foreboding heart that Mrs. Alexander saw him depart
in the autumn of 1740, when his regiment was ordered
to Jamaica. This was the first real flight of the nest-
lings from the paternal roof, and the fond mother saw
him sail with his regiment with an intense sorrow that
she tried in vain to conceal. And, indeed, her worst
fears were fulfilled, as she never saw her son again.
In 1741 Mrs. Alexander's eldest son, John Provoost,
married one of his "company." This was Eva Rutgers,
the daughter of Harmanus, by his wife Catharine
Meyers, a match that gave universal satisfaction. Five
children were born of this union, the eldest son being
the famous Samuel Provoost, a graduate of the first
class of King's College, rector of Trinity Church,
chaplain to Congress, and bishop of New York, 1786.
All these family events had happily absorbed the
attention of Mrs. Alexander and her friends, who be-
lieved that they were now to be allowed to lead a quiet,
contented home life, free from political discussions or
public embroilments. But the upper classes were never
329
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
free from the fear of a negro outbreak, for which, as it
proved, there was little reason, as the negro race were
incapable of organization, or of making a concentrated
plan of action. That fact was not grasped by the colo-
nists at the time ; so that it was with a terror that now
seems almost incomprehensible that the denizens of
New York learned on February 28, 1741, that a robbery
had been committed at Mr. Robert Hogg's, a worthy
middle-class tradesman, who lived in a small house near
Mrs. Alexander's, on Broad Street, with a side-door
opening on Jew's Alley. Mr. Hogg missed pieces of
silverware, coins, linen, and other articles, and his neigh-
bors were alarmed beyond measure when suspicion fell
on some negroes, one of whom had been in Mr. Hogg's
employ, and who was proved to have been in the habit
of meeting a number of others of the same color at a
tavern on the North River. This fact was in itself sus-
picious, as there were stringent laws against negroes
meeting, or being seen on the streets after specified
hours, when it was supposed that all those in the town
were shut up in their quarters ; and that they were thus
able to elude their masters and the city watch, was
in itself deemed an alarming state of affairs. Some of
the stolen goods were found in the pig-pen behind the
tavern, which led to a close watch being set on the
premises.
The keeper of the tavern was a man by the name of
Hughson. His wife had a white servant, Mary Burton,
a girl of only sixteen years of age, who had been trans-
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Matches, Batches, and Despatches
ported from England for some infraction of the laws, as,
according to the custom of England, all the most worth-
less of her population, her criminals, and outlaws were
sent to America as the simplest and easiest plan of get-
ting rid of them. Mary Burton had come to the colony
with such a bad record that no respectable family
would admit her, and the tavern-keeper, therefore, had
her bound, or in fact sold to him, for a number of years,
and while in his service the career of vice, on which she
had entered in her native land, was licensed and carried
on to the advantage of her master.
Mary Burton was at once suspected of being an ac-
complice of the negroes, and was, therefore, arrested.
In order to screen herself, she made statements im-
plicating her master, his wife, his daughter Mary, some
of the negroes who had been seen in the tavern, and
several other persons. The girl was mischievous, and
endowed with a sort of low cunning, and when she dis-
covered the notoriety that she had gained by her
treachery, she proceeded to invent a tissue of lies that
threatened to inculpate all the citizens of the town, al-
though at first her victims were only of the lowest class.
Seeing that she had terrified the inhabitants by the
idea that a negro uprising was contemplated, she en-
couraged this notion to the best of her ability until the
whole country took alarm.
One of the first negroes to be pointed out and identi-
fied as a thief was a slave who belonged to John Var-
ick, a baker, in whose bake-house some of the stolen
331
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
goods were found. It was the custom then for the ne-
groes to assume the surnames of their masters, and
this fellow was known by the name of Caesar Varick,
and it was proved by witnesses who had watched his
movements that he had concealed the property that
was found on the premises, and he was immediately
thrown into prison. Mary Burton continued to make
disclosures, and next implicated a woman of bad char-
acter called Peggy Carey, who lived next to Varick's
bakery.
Humors were now spread that the negroes intended
to make an organized attack on their masters and fire
the town, hoping by so doing to rid themselves of their
bondage, and when in the following month, on March
18th, a fire broke out in the " King's House," inside of
the fort, in which Governor Clarke was at the time
residing, the terror of the inhabitants was excited to
the highest pitch. No one felt safe, and bands of citi-
zens were secretly formed to patrol the city and protect
the citizens. The fire in the fort was a most unfortu-
nate affair, as the old chapel, the barracks, and the
stables, together with the great gate, over which was
the room that was used by the secretary as an office,
were all burned to the ground. The amateur firemen
were afraid to approach too near the fort, where a
quantity of gunpowder was stored, and its explosion
added greatly to the injury of the buildings that were
spared by the flames. Among the young men who had
been most active in organizing for the protection of the
332
Matches, Batches, and Despatches
town was one of the Van Homes, and, unfortunately for
himself, he had been loud in his assertions of what he
would do to rout the secret foe when the time for action
came. He was in a constant state of fright, and fur-
nished himself with a large drum, on which he sounded
an alarm whenever he fancied that there was any reason
for it. These signals became so frequent, and always
proved so unnecessary, that the neighbors nicknamed
him " Major Drum." It was the " Major " who beat
his big drum when the fort-house caught fire. The
citizens did not turn out as quickly as they might have
done, thinking it one of his false alarms ; and his fright
at this fire and terror at the dread of the explosion of
the magazine, which fortunately did not create any
havoc outside of the fort, only furnished the "tea-
table " of the ladies with funny stories for many a day.
In " Family Kecords and Events " we find the follow-
ing letter from James Alexander and his wife to her
son, David Provoost, describing these fires and the ter-
ror of the citizens :
" NEW YORK, Apl. 22, 1741.
"DEAR DAVID,
" We have had sundry letters from you which gave us great sat-
isfaction to hear of your Health when many have been cut off by
sickness. Your brother John has been in Georgia since you left
where he has had pretty good success. Within these few weeks
we have had above a dozen alarming fires in this City. By the
first of them the Post, I mean the Governor's House, Barracks,
and Secretary's Office in the Fort were almost in an hour reduced
to ashes during the time of a high wind which much indangered
333
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
the City. The other fires have some of them been during high
winds and very threatening to the city, but thank GOD, there
has not been any great damage by them. Five of these fires hap-
pening in one day, with many other strange cases of suspicion,
render it likely that all or most of them have been on purpose.
Diligent inquiry has been made, but no discovery is yet got, tho'
a proclamation of pardon and reward is published for any of the
accomplices who will disclose. Half of the company of Militia
is in arms every night to patrol and watch the city. The Assem-
bly sits and it is hoped that they will make sufficient provision
for what may be wanting to put the City and Province in a suffi-
cient posture of defence, it being highly recommended by the
Governor.
"Your most Affectionate Father and Mother,
" JAMES and MART ALEXANDER."
Mrs. Alexander had had cause for alarm, as her house
was so close to the fort, and all her windows had been
broken by the force of the explosion of the magazine.
Her friends had gathered around her, prepared to carry
off her furniture and pictures in case the fire spread in
the direction of her home, which, owing to the wind,
seemed to be likely. Fortunately the wind changed at
a most critical moment, and the flames were driven
toward the Hudson River instead of over the houses of
the little town, and the firemen were able to subdue and
confine them inside of the walls surrounding the fort.
But of course there were many outlaws who were ready
to take advantage of these scenes of confusion, and
plunder any unprotected dwellings that they could find.
The vigilance of old Peter and some of the other house-
334
Matches, Batches, and Despatches
servants prevented a robbery at Mrs. Alexander's during
the height of the confusion ; but Mrs. Alexander was
greatly annoyed, as suspicion fell at the time on one of
her own slaves as a ringleader among the thieves. As
she lost nothing, she refused to prosecute the men who
were arrested, but it made her suspicious and cautious,
and a watch was set on the culprit.
There were at the time over two thousand slaves in
the city, which only numbered some ten thousand in-
habitants. A large cargo of negroes had lately arrived
from one of the Spanish colonies, and they were called
" the Spanish negroes," and were believed to be partic-
ularly desperate characters. The poor creatures were,
indeed, desperate. They had been free negroes, and
had been captured and were sold into slavery. They
complained of the outrageous treatment they had re-
ceived, and were turbulent and fractious under their
new masters. A hint that they intended to rebel
was quite sufficient to rouse the whites and add to their
alarm.
The town was rife with rumors, which the governor
tried in vain to disperse, and to allay the fears of the
public, he sent a communication to the legislature, in
which he stated that the fire in the fort had been of a
purely accidental origin, and had been started by a
plumber who was repairing the roof of one of the build-
ings, and had left his stove on it between the house
and the chapel. The governor's statement would have
had a calming effect on the minds of the public had
335
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
not other fires followed in quick succession. One was
caused by a smoker's pipe, another by a foul chimney ;
but the citizens were thoroughly demoralized, and traced
everything to the unfortunate negroes.
The winter of 1741 was intensely cold, and was called
" the hard winter." It began in November and lasted
until the end of March. Snow fell constantly, and lay
six feet on the ground, except where the drifts raised it
to nearly fifteen. It was necessary to keep up enor-
mous fires in the houses day and night, which made
the soot accumulate in the chimneys, with no possibility
of their being cleaned, as the sweeps could not reach
the roofs. This, of course, added to the danger of fire,
as much pine wood was used, the smoke of which forms
stalagmites of tar, that break and drop on the hot coals,
causing them to flare dangerously ; or else they catch
fire inside of the chimneys and set the interior in a
blaze.
To add to the terror of the thoroughly demoralized
citizens, a rumor was circulated that the Jesuit priests
in Canada were inciting the Indians on the northern
borders of the province to revolt, and that in this they
were to be aided and abetted by a negro revolt in all
the towns, the ulterior object being the subjection of
the colony and its capitulation to the French. An
unfortunate Frenchman was in New York at the time,
who was supposed to be a Roman Catholic priest, and
accused of meeting the negroes and inciting them to
rebellion.
336
Matches, Batches, and Despatches
Those that were discovered at secret meetings at this
time were, says Mr. Dunlop, in his history of New York,
the slaves of well-known townspeople. One of them was
owned by Mr. Phillipse, and was called " Cuff Phillipse ; "
another belonged to a painter in the " Fly ' named
Cornelius Roosevelt ; another to a tallow chandler named
Slidell, and these men, with many others, were thrown
into prison.
The common council met in April, with John Cru-
ger, mayor, in the chair. The aldermen were Gerardus
Stuyvesant, William Eomaine, Simon Jonson, John
Moore, Christopher Bancker, John Pintard, John Mar-
shall ; assistants, Henry Bogart, Isaac Stoutenburgh,
Philip Minthorne, George Brinckerhoff, Robert Benson,
and Samuel Lawrence. These names are well worth re-
cording, as they or their children were foremost in the
subsequent fight for American liberty, and the names
of their descendants are prominent in the annals of
the city of New York to-day.
One of the most badly frightened men was the recorder,
Daniel Horsmanden, and it is to his pen that the chief
incidents of the reign of terror are due ; and contempo-
rary authorities point out that he painted all the details
of the affairs of the day in the blackest light, in order
to shield himself from the charges of cruelty that were
heaped on the officials of the city after the alleged cul-
prits had been hanged, and the fright of the citizens had
had time to subside, and they began to think and talk
over matters reasonably. But the fright, while it lasted,
337
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
was real, and contagious, and many people left town,
carrying with them all their furniture and valuables.
As a consequence the abandoned houses were entered
and robbed by the thieves who abounded, while gangs
of roughs insulted quiet citizens or fought with each
other.
The " Fly-boys," who lived near the old " Vlye Mar-
ket," and the " Longbridge gang " had frequent battles
on the neutral grounds of the "Common," now City
Hall Park, and on April 13th each alderman and con-
stable was ordered to search his ward for strangers
and suspicious characters, and the militia were turned
out to assist them. No one was detected in wrong- do-
ing, but some negroes were arrested on suspicion, and
at the meeting of the Supreme Court, on April 21,
1741, a most notable group of the merchants of New
York were called to compose the grand jury. Fred-
erick Phillipse was chief-justice, Daniel Horsmanden,
second judge. The names of the grand jury are worth
recording, as they and their descendants formed the
woof of the web that made the banner of the " Stars
and Stripes."
They were seventeen in number, with Robert Watts,
foreman. He was the husband of Mary Nicoll, daugh-
ter of William Nicoll and Miss Van Rensselaer. Next
came Jeremie La Touche, who lived in King Street,
"next to Mr. Bourdet." Both of these were prom-
inent members of the Huguenot Church in New
York. Mr. La Touche was the son of Isaac, the eini-
338
Matches, Batches, and Despatches
grant, and had married Jeanne Soumain, daughter of
Simon Soumain and Jeanne Piau. These were no un-
important people in the town, as they were identified
with the best interests of the Church in which they were
so prominent, and also highly esteemed citizens. Mr.
La Touche was the ancestor of some of the Cruger,
Bunner, and Duer families.
Another member of the jury was Joseph Eeade, for
whom the street of that name was called. (His daugh-
ter had married James Abraham de Peyster.)
Anthony Rutger is next in order. He had a large
piece of property near the Collect, and is the ancestor
of the Lispenards, Barclays, and Gouverneurs. It was
his niece who had then lately married Mrs. Alexander's
son, John Provoost.
John McEver's name follows, from whom Living-
stons, Saunders, and Cunards claim descent.
John Cruger, Jr., nicknamed the " Old Speaker," a
bachelor, conies next on the list, and then Adoniah
Schuyler, the husband of Gertrude Van Kensselaer, who
afterward married one of the numerous Eobert Living-
stons. It is related of Mr. Schuyler that his own slaves
were so fond of him that they refused their freedom
when he offered to present them with it. From this
kind-hearted man is descended one of our most distin-
guished naval officers, Captain Arent Schuyler Crown-
inshield.
Another member of this notable group was "old
Isaac de Peyster," the uncle of Mrs. Alexander, and
339
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
also Abraham Kettletas, the ancestor of the well-
known family whose sons were noted for their bravery
during the war, and the female members of which
family are to this day distinguished for their remark-
able beauty.
David Provoost, dock-ward chamberlain and city
treasurer, and a very aged man, was another jury-
man, as was Rene Hett, one of the French colony,
and a prominent member of the Huguenot Church.
From this gentleman are descended many of the Jaun-
cey, Bancker, and Clarkson families.
Henry Beekman comes next on the list. His second
wife was Miss Gertrude Van Cortlandt, the young
lady who had been inveigled to Lady Cornbury's court
to play at being maid of honor, and who left such a
vivacious account of the ceremonies of the mock court.
A prominent juror was David Yan Home. He was the
husband of Anna French, from whom are descended
Clarksons, Livingstons, Ludlows, Trumbulls, Edgars,
and the Reeds of South Carolina. His sister, Anna
Maria Van Home, had (as has been mentioned) mar-
ried Governor Burnet, and he was step-cousin to Mrs.
Alexander.
George Spenser, Thomas Duncan, and Winant Van
Zandt, all of them worthy merchants, who have descend-
ants living in this city to-day, completed the list. No
more patriotic citizens could be found. They were men
of probity and worth, of mixed nationality, but bound
together by a common cause, and not likely to be led
340
Matches, Batches, and Despatches
astray by the tumult of popular opinion ; but even they
were hurried, by popular opinion and their own alarms,
into condemning to death the unfortunates that were
brought before them.
Mr. Phillipse charged the jury, and told them " that
the people had been put to many frights and terrors
respecting the repeated fires, burglaries, and conspira-
cies," and charged the grand jury to summon before
them the arch-disturber of the peace, Mary Burton, who
was frightened, cajoled, and bribed into making a de-
position against three of the negroes, her former master,
the innkeeper Hughson, and the unfortunate outcast
(who was implicated as much by her bad character as
anything that was proved against her), Peggy Carey.
All these persons were, therefore, summoned to appear
before the grand jury, and Messrs. Murray, Alexander,
Smith, Chambers, and others, were called on to act as
counsel. The testimony against the negroes proved
their dishonesty, but no conspiracy against the lives and
property of the public. It was merely petty larceny, done
individually, and without collusion with each other, and
therefore not menacing to the public at large, and well
within the province of the city watch. The charge of con-
spiracy to fire the island was accepted by the court on what
was afterward acknowledged to be very insufficient evi-
dence, but on it two negroes were condemned to be hanged
on Monday, May 11, 1741. These were Prince, who had,
as it was proved, led such a disorderly life that the com-
munity were well rid of him, and Caesar. The latter
341
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
was hanged on the gibbet, " on the Island near the Pow-
der house," in the " Collect pond," which is now covered
by the pretty little park called "Paradise," at the junc-
tion of Centre, Chatham, and Pearl Streets. The body
hung in chains, swinging and creaking dismally, over
the lovely little sheet of water, to the terror of all the
urchins of the town for many a long year.
The whole summer of 1741 was spent in trials and
prosecutions, and thirteen blacks were burnt at the
stake, eighteen hanged, and seventy transported. The
tavern-keeper Hughson, his wife and maid were proved
to have received stolen goods, and to have kept a
thieves' meeting-place, and they, as well as the French-
man Ury, whose chief sin seems to have been his ina-
bility to speak English, were hanged. The latter was,
indeed, accused of conspiracy, and of officiating as a
priest, and was sentenced under an old law, that had
been passed under Lord Bellomont's rule, about 1700,
at a time when prejudices against the Roman Catholics
were very strong. The more sober-minded of the citi-
zens regretted the execution of the priest, but the mass
of the inhabitants were mad with terror. Every man
suspected a foe in his own household, and fancied that
his negro servants were being suborned and bribed by
this priest to enter into a plot for a general uprising
against the whites.
The excitement was only allayed by passing severe
laws against negro meetings, etc., which were recom-
mended to the assembly by the grand jury, for which
342
Matches, Batches, and Despatches
they received the thanks of the " House ' for their
zeal and courage and vigor in the detection of a con-
spiracy to burn the town and murder the inhabitants.
It has been the custom in latter days to condemn the
action of the government, and to declare that the sober-
minded citizens of New York allowed their fears to run
away with them, and that no alarm need have been felt,
either of an uprising of the blacks or an invasion of the
Indians on the borders, incited to war by the priests of
Canada. Safe in the protection of our civilization, we
are in no position to judge of the state of alarm that the
citizens of the day were constantly in from both these
sources of danger, undoubtedly great at the time.
It is certain that the inhabitants of New York had
for years dreaded outbreaks from both quarters, and had
taken steps to protect themselves, and that many alarm-
ing incidents occurred at one and the same time, any one
of which was grave enough to call for prompt action
on the part of the authorities. That the citizens were
unduly influenced by the mock confessions of a worth-
less girl, has been proved by the search-light of modern
research, but at that time the stories of the miserable
creature received full credence, and seem to have been
supported by a certain amount of truth, and much sym-
pathy should be felt for the citizens, who were being
robbed daily and in broad daylight, by burly negroes,
who, whether they belonged to an organized band or not,
were certainly in the habit of meeting frequently and at
unlawful hours at the house of Hughson, in whose pos
343
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
session the stolen goods were found ; and if there was no
organized conspiracy to burn the town, that matters
certainly pointed that way and looked very suspicious ;
so the good citizens had plenty of cause for alarm,
even if it was not quite as bad as it was represented to
be at the time.
The rigorous laws passed under these exciting cir-
cumstances soon fell into abeyance ; and within ten
years the negroes were admitted to the rights and privi-
leges of free subjects. The citizens were more cautious
about the class of negroes that were imported to the
city, and those who had used their slaves with harsh-
ness, had had a fright that they did not soon forget, as
they saw that the respectable citizens, who had been
kind to their slaves, had been well protected by them
during all the terrible time, while those who had been
cruel were constantly being threatened with fire, rob-
bery, and other alarms.
Public opinion was aroused on the side of the slave,
and any ill-treatment of one that might, in the opinion
of the citizens, arouse the hatred of the blacks against
the whites, and so cause a general uprising, met with
stern disapproval, both from individuals and also from
the courts, who were no longer entirely on the side of
the masters. Indeed, the kind-hearted Dutch now came
to the front and insisted that the negroes should be
treated uniformly, as they had always been by those
of their own descent, and the result was a happy one.
The status of the negro remained that of a trusted and
344
Matches, Batches, and Despatches
happy menial, until he was finally freed by the freemen
who had thrown off their own yoke, and who had no
desire to see anyone a slave in this free and independ-
ent country.
The excitements and trials of the past months had
come home to Mrs. Alexander more than once, and it
had taken all her common- sense and courage to face the
situation calmly. The first culprit had been owned by
her neighbor, Mr. Hogg, and he had proved to be one of
the worst of the offenders, and when Caesar was hanged
in chains on " the island " that had always been associ-
ated with the happy hours of Mrs. Alexander's child-
hood, and the creature was proved to be deeply dyed in
guilt, the good dame felt as badly about the whole occur-
rence as if it had happened to one of her own house-
hold, and could hardly be convinced that the fellow
that was accustomed to salute her pleasantly day after
day, could have been employed over night in plotting
against the lives of all who had been so kind to him,
and she exerted all her influence, although in vain, to
prevent the sentence of death being carried out.
The old house in Broad Street had also been in great
danger of being burnt when the buildings in the fort
were demolished. One of the worst fires in the city was
directly behind Mrs. Alexander's home. This was in the
storehouse of Mr. Phillipse, and one of his negroes was
detected in having set fire to it. What was worse, one
of Mrs. Alexander's own slaves was accused of assisting
him, and finally was detected breaking into and stealing
345
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
from her own storehouse, which it was supposed he in-
tended to set on fire after he had plundered it, as had
been done in so many instances.
When this last calamity happened, Mrs. Alexander
felt as if, indeed, there must be some truth in all the
rumors of an organized negro plot, as these repeated
robberies and fires, coming so near her own home, had
completely demoralized her. " Cuffie Alexander," as he
was called, was sentenced to death for his crimes, and
his unhappy mistress in vain tried to save him from his
horrible fate, but the day was set for the execution and
all her efforts were unavailing, when, to her amazement
and pleasure, the life of the worthless slave was saved
in a most unforeseen way. According to the New York
" Post-Boy," of January 28, 1744, "the executor died
suddenly the night before the sentence was to be carried
into effect," and then Mrs. Alexander was rewarded for
her exertions, and by her influence she had his sentence
changed to transportation to one of the West India Isl-
ands, where she had the satisfaction of believing that the
friends to whose care she sent the poor creature would
be able to get him to lead a better life. This was the
only one of all the negroes who were accused at this
time who escaped punishment, and it was owing entirely
to the humanity and moderation of Mrs. Alexander,
who, unlike others, did not allow herself to be entirely
carried away by her terror.
346
XXI
New York "in the Forties"
The Gout and its Remedies Bishop Berkeley The Wilden Visit the
Town Their Wares, their Manners, and Pursuits The Kindness of
Mrs. Alexander Different Methods of Spinning Evening Amuse-
ments Newspaper Advertisements The Jersey Boundaries Iron
Furnaces Earthquakes Death of Dr. William Alexander Marriages
of William, Betsey, and Kitty Alexander Troubles with Army and
Navy Lady Carteret Her Granddaughter Captain Digby Fires on
Colonel Ricketts's Yacht Marriage of " the Widow Parker " Sir
Danvers Osborne His Reception and Suicide.
COUNCILLOK ALEXANDER had suffered for
many years with what his wife (who spoke Dutch
as often as she did English) called " de pynen van de
jicht," and the accumulated anxieties and excitements
of the past sessions of council and legislature culminat-
ed in a very serious attack of gout, which all the old
remedies failed to relieve him of. It was the fashion
then to tie what were called " bootikins " on the hands
and feet every night, the strings of which were drawn
so tightly as to impede the circulation, and when this
remedy did not avail in stopping the pain, the patient
was forced to swallow before every meal large doses
of " snail water." But this medicine had lately fallen
347
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
into disrepute, as it had failed to save the life of
the dramatist William Congreve, who had extolled its
virtues ; and doctors and patients had lately hailed with
pleasure a new remedy that was now being tried by
all gouty patients both in England and her colonies.
Its herald was the famous Bishop Berkeley, who wrote
what Horace "Walpole calls " his mad book on tar water,
which has made everybody as mad as himself." The
medicine was, however, believed to be a sure cure, and
was widely recommended. In a letter dated April 27,
1749, Mr. John Swift, of Philadelphia, wrote to " Gov-
ernor Bedford, Esq., General Excise Office, London : '
"DEAR SlB,
"Your writing to me when in so painful a condition, is an
unquestionable proof of your good nature. I ain very sorry to
hear of your being so often visited by that vile, troublesome
gout. Drinking ' Tar Water ' is found in this part of the world
to be a remedy against it. I have heard of several that have kept
it off by that means, particularly Mr. Alexander, of New York,
who used to have it every year violently, and since he has used
tar water has had but very slight fits and not so often as before."
There was a very good epigram written about this
time on Bishop Berkeley and his remedy, which was
sent by Mr. Walpole to his friend Sir Horace Mann.
It was :
" Who dare deride what pious Cloyne has done ?
The Church shall rise and venerate her son ;
She tells us all her Bishops shepherds are
And shepherds heal their rotten sheep with tar."
348
New York " in the Forties '
Bishop Berkeley's visit to this country is still com-
memorated in Rhode Island by various localities that
have been named after him, particularly at Newport,
where a huge rock, on which he was accustomed to sit
and gaze at the ocean, is still called " Bishop Berkeley's
Chair." He was a powerful talker, and on one occa-
sion, it is related in his biography, he visited Paris and
called on an eminent savant, whom he engaged in a
spirited discussion. A few moments after he had
taken his departure the savant fell from his chair,
dead, completely exhausted by the controversy. Dr.
Berkeley was a friend of Dean Swift, who intro-
duced him to "the celebrated Vanessa," but the lady
received Dr. Berkeley coldly, and after a few visits he
moved to another part of the country, and never saw
her again. Great was his surprise when, on her death,
several years afterward, it was discovered that all her
money and letters were bequeathed to him.
Dr. Berkeley and his newly wedded wife arrived in
Newport during the summer of 1724, and he wrote to
his friends at home a graphic description of the place,
which he says is " the largest and most important town
in America." During this visit the philosopher became
acquainted with the virtues of " tar water," and after
returning to England and being presented with the
bishopric of Cloyne, he printed many sermons, essays,
and treatises on different subjects among others one
called " Siris," published in 1744, containing strenuous
advocacy of the virtues of tar water, which he recom-
349
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
mended as a sure cure for consumption, small-pox, gout,
ulcers, dysentery, and many other diseases.
The receipt for concocting this remedy was " one
gallon of water to one quart of tar, stirred with a flat
stick six minutes, and then covered closely and allowed
to remain unmoved three days and nights, then skimmed
and the water poured off and put in a tightly stoppered
bottle." Half a pint of this decoction was to be drunk
morning and evening, on an empty stomach, and the
bishop declared that in 1741 he had cured twenty fevers
with tar water, which he considered infinitely " superior
to the soapy medicines then in use." He mentions in
his book "that tar water moderately inspissates with
its balsamic virtue, and renders mild the thin and sharp
part of the blood, and that the virtue flowed, like the
Nile, from a secret and occult cause into innumerable
channels, conveying health and relief wherever ap-
plied," and therefore he calls his treatise " Siris, an an-
cient name for the Nile, which signifies ' chain.' :
Those were the days when great experiments were
being bravely made by the English people, who were
willing to try new and strange remedies, and kindly
adopted inoculation when introduced by a woman to
her fellow-countrymen, and the remedy of Bishop Berke-
ley, which he likens to a " chain " that winds through
the system, cleansing every part of it, was as heartily
adopted as was inoculation.
At any rate, the American cure, which was originally
an Indian remedy, proved efficacious in the case of Mr.
350
New York " in the Forties "
Alexander, and his wife had the satisfaction of seeing
him once more actively busied about his numerous avo-
cations. About this time Mrs. Alexander had another
grandchild added to her flock. This was Catharine
Livingston, or Kitty, as she was called. The child was
named after the mother of Van Brugh Livingston.
New York " in the forties " was little more than ,1
village in size. Its houses were all clustered together
below Wall Street, and the most fashionable quarter
was close to the fort, or overlooking the Bowling Green.
The Broadway struggled up the hill to pass in front of
Trinity Church, and a few of the new houses were being
built on either side of the street. Beyond the church,
"in the fields," where St. Paul's Chapel now stands,
there was a large wheat-field, and this was considered
the outskirts of the town. On the east side of Broad-
way there was a thick wood, in which the boys went
nutting, and in it the "Bob Whites " whistled to their
mates. Pretty country houses were dotted over the
rest of the island, and the villages of Greenwich, Chel-
sea, and Haarlem were in the outlying districts. The
ancient Dutch windmill still waved its old sail-arms and
ground the grist for its miller on the high hill that
still retains the Indian name of " Catiemuts."
The tribes of the Rockaways from Sewan-ha-ka, and
the Hoboken-Hackinagh from Wiehawken, were per-
mitted to visit Mana-ha-ta once a year, and were
allowed to land in their canoes in the great basin near
Long Bridge, at the foot of Broad Street. The Wilden
35i
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
from the sea-side brought for sale dried clams strung
ou sea-grass, salt, dried fish, shells, and sand. The
latter was always in demand, as housekeepers used it
to strew their floors with every morning, and prided
themselves on the patterns that they would sweep over
their rooms by the dexterous turns of their brooms. The
wild men also brought wax, that they had boiled down
from the bay-berries that grew so plentifully on the
Long Island coast, and this was prized by the " buis-
vrouw," as from it they made their very best wax can-
dles. The Wilden from " the Jarsies " brought cat-tails
from the mosquito-infested salt marshes, and also willow
withes, and oak knots, and from these the squaws would
make baskets, brooms, chair-seats, mats, etc. The
tobacco and the clay or copper pipes, made by the Wil-
den, were particularly esteemed. The former was pre
pared by being rubbed through the hands, and as the
savages never washed even that part of themselves, the
tobacco cured by them had, no doubt, as high a flavor
as that which is now prepared by Spaniards, Italians,
and Hebrews for the consumption of the present
generation.
The advent of the Wilden was always eagerly hailed
by all the children of the place. They came together
in their large canoes, and proceeded in procession to
the open space provided for them behind Mr. Phillipse's
house, which had been kindly set apart for their use by
that gentleman, when the ancient camping-ground on
the Strand, by Dr. Kierstede's house, had been required
352
New York "in the Forties"
by the builder. The march of the Wilden through the
town was always preceded by the stately " Boo," or
constable, and they were followed by crowds of eager
children, who were particularly anxious for their arrival,
as it was by the squaws that the baskets were made
which served as badges for the different " companies."
Each set selected a shape, size, and distinctive color,
and these important points were always matters of long
and serious debates, and when the matter was once
settled and the choice made, each " company ' made
it a point of honor to consider their own selection as
the handsomest, and were wont to deride and decry
those of their rivals.
The rear of Mrs. Alexander's house overlooked the
Wilden's encampment, and her garden opened on it.
She was accustomed to visit her neighbors daily and
exerted herself to civilize them, and as she could talk
easily to them in their own language, which she had
learned from them when playing with them in child-
hood, she was in consequence held in high esteem by
the Wilden, who, as an especial mark of their favor,
offered to adopt her into their tribe, and they gave her
an Indian name by which she was always known among
them.
As a leader of a "company" in girlhood, Mrs. Alex-
ander had been one of the originators of the "Basket
Badge," and she had hereditary rights as to selection.
The peculiarly shaped basket that had been hers was
now adopted by her eldest children as their uniform,
353
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
and the squaws were very proud of being allowed to
work for her. As a child, Polly Spratt had been encour-
aged by her grandmother to make clothes for the poor
savages, and to spend her pocket money in buying for
them small articles of luxury, such as scissors, thimbles,
needles, etc., which the squaws would not have been
permitted by their men to purchase for themselves, as
they preferred to spend all the cash that their wives
brought in by their industry, in rum and tobacco.
Mrs. Alexander was always ready to instruct and em-
ploy the young girls, and had them taught by her own
maids to spin in the German fashion on a wheel, instead
of rolling the flax up and down on the bare thigh, as
was the custom among the aborigines of the Northern
tribes. It is noteworthy that this method of spinning
was peculiar to the Iroquois ; those to the South, and
more particularly in Mexico and Central America, use
an upright distaff when spinning, which they stand
before them balanced on a saucer, and steady it with
a whorl of obsidian, precisely like the whorls of the
same stone that were found by Dr. Schlieniann among
the remains at Mycense.
Mrs. Alexander's various deeds of kindness to the
poor Indians, who were being rapidly driven away from
the towns and exiled from their native homes, were often
gratefully remembered, and she was called upon to take
part in one of their numerous cereniODies and receive
from them gifts of pottery, embroidered moccasins,
wampum belts, and dried fruits. Each gift was handed to
354
New York "in the Forties"
her with a sort of rustic bow, and the words " Yo-Hay "
(Do you hear?), upon which all the members of the
tribe would grunt in chorus, " Ugh ! " This ceremony
was similar to that performed at the large government
councils, and the Indians would have considered that
their gifts were not received in the proper spirit if the
ceremony had been neglected or omitted, even when
giving a simple present to an individual.
Among other wares for which the Indians were noted,
were the crates, or baskets, that were indispensable for
carrying potatoes, oysters, fish, etc., and also certain
bags or nets, that the Wilden called " Notas," a word
that in their language signified belly, and they gave this
name to anything that was hollow, and that could be
carried about and used as a receptacle. Mrs. Alexan-
der was also highly esteemed by her wild friends as
a great " medicine woman," and her salve for burns,
which her grandmother had been taught to prepare
by the great Dr. Kierstede, and which is to-day sold
under his name, was much sought after, as was also her
herb tea and other simple remedies. Many a sick
person was brought to her door who never left it
empty-handed, and her quiet sympathy and generosity
probably did as much to effect a cure among the simple
folks as did the contents of her herb-closet.
The " Wilde Mancheii" were not all as peaceably in-
clined and devoted to industrial avocations as were
those of the tribes that lived near Mana-ha-ta. Some
of those who lived on the northern frontier, went on the
355
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
war-path, and they now came down the Hudson Paver, to
display the results of their battles to the governor and
hold a conference with him. This was an unusual
spectacle for the townfolk, as the Indian councils were
usually held at Beverswyck, or some of the interior
towns. It was, however, deemed important to show the
savages the power and wealth of New York, and its re-
served strength; therefore a large number of braves
arrived in the town and landed at the old " Canoe place,"
now Canal Street, encamping on the beach at Hudson
Street. They then marched in single file down the road
to the Broadway, and through it to Fort George, each
one hideously painted red, in stripes, with the juice of
the blood-root, and with all their trophies displayed
on long poles, that they carried over their shoulders,
almost every one of them carrying the scalps of the
unfortunate Frenchmen that they had lately mur-
dered.
In September, 1746, Mrs. Alexander lost her little
daughter Anne, a girl of fourteen. This child had been
a delicate one from birth, and required constant atten-
tion and loving care. It was she who was always nest-
ling to her mother's side, and when tempted to play
with the other children, she would soon come running
to the open arms of her mother, to be welcomed with a
caress and the old Dutch greeting, "Bock agen?" The
loss of this dear child was a bitter sorrow to both par-
ents, and one from which they were long in recovering,
but a great effort had to be made for the sake of the
356
New York "in the Forties"
other daughters, who were then charming young women,
surrounded by all the beaux of the town.
The tea-table of the councillor and his wife was now
filled with the gay young people of the place, instead of
the wise and troubled politicians who had so often con-
gregated about Mrs. Alexander and her husband. The
young ones would gather in the evenings in the large
parlor, where they would sing and dance, or play at
Basset, Pope Joan, or Brag, while their parents would sit
in Mrs. Alexander's own room, and enjoy a quiet game
of whist. A rubber was made up every evening for the
grave councillor, and he and his wife loved nothing so
well as their game, at which Judge Smith, Philip Liv-
ingston, and perhaps the governor himself, would take
a hand. The tables were set with four great silver
candlesticks, under which the servants had placed the
counters. These were coins from various nations,
Carolus, Louis d'Or, Doubloons, etc. u The children "
used for their games ivory " fish," which in those days
each family prided themselves upon having manufact-
ured for them in China. They were always carved and
engraved with the initials of the owner, and were kept
in gold-lacquered boxes of quaint design and shape.
At the elbow of each whist-player was placed a large
gold snuff-box, which contained a mixture of green tea
and tobacco, for which Mrs. Alexander was famous, her
receipt being known to no one but herself, and always
compounded under her own eye.
The advertisements in the papers of the day were
357
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
quaint and peculiar ; one tradesman states that he has
for sale "Orange butter good for slicking gentlemens
hair and combing it up." All sorts of window-glass is
to be sold " By Daniel Ebberts living in Marketfield
Street, alias Petticoat Lane, opposite Mr. Alexander's."
And again, "Just imported in ship Anne and Elizabeth
Captain Peter Crawford a considerable number of
German passengers chiefly young People unmarry'd.
Their Times to be disposed of by Philip Livingston or
said Master. The said ship will sail for Amsterdam
in three weeks and will take freight and passengers."
And a few years later, " James Murray apothecary has
received orders to send fifty pounds weight of old linnen
for the use of the wounded men. He hopes those who
have any old linnen to dispose of will bring it to his
shop opposite the Yeal Market where they shall receive
the full value for the same."
In the "New York Gazette," revived in the " "Weekly
Post Boy," July 11, 1748, is this odd effusion : " Noth-
ing but a gilded introduction could atone for printing
the following lines :
' MB. PARKER,
' Please insert the following genuine Copy of Verses sent to a
young lady by her ingenious Lover : I don't doubt that it will be
very acceptable and diverting to some of your Readers ; and you
will very much oblige,
' Your constant Reader And humble Servant, &c.
' To Miss ,
' Of all the Bauthy that e'er craud the land,
Or ever was in Long Island ;
353
New York "in the Forties"
Whar to begin, or what part first to prase
Is as impossible as the Dedd to rase
Without Enjustise don to the Best, in a loer Frase.
But as the Hedd is the Nobler Part,
Thare I must begin, and at her Foots depart,
Such lovely Hare, in Lox hangs in her Neck,
As does my verry Hart to ayck.
Neglekted hangs the Lox from each oder part
More bauthyful styll, then if compel'd by Art ;
And Hydes a Neck farr whiter than the Snow,
Such Fetres added appropo.
A noble Forred, with a pare of Eys
So black : with any Jett tha vys.
A grateful Look and not too bold,
As woomeu used to practice of old.
Her lofely Cheecks, mixed with a lifely redd,
Adds a new Grace to the nobler Part.
Her Skin so white, so bauthful and fare,
With any anabaster may compare ;
Dimple rising in her Cheeks so sweate,
That when I'm in her Presence I sitt mute.
Hur mout so bauthyfuly, not large nor yet too small ;
Hur Chyn proporshoned, compleats it all.
A charming Waste, anoff alone to move
A Hart of Adamant, to what he call Lofe :
Her lovely Carriage, and so genteel an Are,
Getts me a Eivles anoff I fear :
One alreddy I am assured off ;
But him I'll turn away with Scorn and Scoff.' "
^
This is supposed to have been addressed to Miss
Alexander, who was accused by many people of being a
haughty damsel, and the peculiar spelling was indica-
359
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
tive of the low origin of one of her admirers, whose at-
tentions she had refused to receive. Some persons
have attributed the verses to the pen of William Living-
ston, brother of Van Brugh Livingston, and afterward
governor of New Jersey, who was said to have been re-
fused by Miss Alexander.
Mr. Alexander had not been a member of the gov-
ernor's council of New York for two or three years,
although he had continued to serve in New Jersey.
Lieutenant - Governor Clarke's reign came to an end
when, on September 22, 1743, a new English governor
arrived in the colony. This was Admiral George Clin-
ton, a well-meaning, bluff sailor, who had nothing of the
pirate in his composition, as so many of his predecessors
had. Admiral Clinton was the son of the last Earl of
Lincoln, and uncle to the one then living, and he proved
to be a gentleman of charming manners, somewhat con-
vivial in his habits, and well-disposed toward his sub-
jects. But the colonists dreaded their foreign rulers,
and had learned to evade their decrees, and as the local
assemblies had discovered their prerogatives by expe-
rience, the wisest measures of the good - intentioned
governor met with the most exasperating opposition.
Governor Clinton soon selected friends from the gen-
tlemen who received him on his arrival, and one of his
first letters to the Lords of Trade was dated December
9, 1746, in which he prays that James Alexander may
be restored to his place in his majesty's council, and
further states, " I know of no man in this Province of
360
New York "in the Forties"
greater abilities or longer experience in public affairs,"
and goes on to write, " It will contribute to His Maj-
esty's service if he shall be pleased to appoint Cadwala-
der Golden Lieutenant-Governor of this Province."
Mr. Alexander was suffering from repeated attacks of
gout, that not even the highly vaunted tar water could
check or alleviate. But, notwithstanding, he continued
to attend court and council chamber with the regular-
ity and attention to business for which he was noted.
Governor Clinton favored him with many confidences,
and insisted on being allowed to make one of the regu-
lar evening visitors at Mrs. Alexander's whist-table.
This was an innovation that the dame hardly liked, as
she had considered her evenings were always to be de-
voted to the politics of the province, when not fully oc-
cupied with cards. She did not care for the presence
of the chief official, with whom she fancied that all her
friends would soon quarrel, and she feared that they
would then find some other rallying-place, and that, in
the words of her intimates, " Petticoat Lane would no
longer lead to the Fort." But Governor Clinton was
not to be withstood, as he had quarrelled, " in his
cups," with Chief -Justice de Lancey, and had dismissed
his first friend, Dr. Golden, who, aiming at being presi-
dent of the council, as its eldest member, would not
advocate some of Governor Clinton's schemes, fear-
ing they would endanger his promotion and the good
feeling of his fellow-councillors. But Mr. Alexander
was willing to be on good terms with the governor, as
361
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
both of them were interested in the settlement of the
New Jersey boundary lines. This had been a matter
of dispute between New York and the New Jersey col-
onies for a number of years. Mr. Alexander had been
one of a commission to determine the proper line by
survey, and now Colonel Morris, Governor Clinton,
and Mr. Alexander resolved to bring the question to a
speedy determination. To do this, they held many
secret and anxious consultations, and finally, at the par-
ticular request of Governor Clinton, Colonel Morris,
who was a large land-owner in New Jersey, and had
much at stake, sailed once more for England, in hopes
that he would be able to lay the state of affairs in such
a way before the Lords of Trade as to bring it to a
conclusion.
At this time there were only two iron furnaces in this
part of America. One of them was at Stirling, New
Jersey, about twelve miles from Morristown. It was
owned by Messrs. Alexander and Smith, and had been
named by them after the House of Stirling, to which
Mr. Alexander belonged, while the town and county of
Morris were called after Colonel Morris, who for many
years was the sole owner of that large tract of land.
The other furnace was at Ancram, in the Province of
New York, and it was owned by Mr. Livingston, who
had called the place after one of the estates of the Liv-
ingston family in Scotland. It now became important
for these infant industries of the colony to be protected
by the laws, and the owners were also anxious to be
362
New York "in the Forties"
permitted to export their iron, and will it be credited
that this they were not allowed to do under existing
English regulations, which always aimed at the sup-
pression of any growth in the colonies ? It was there-
fore determined to enact if possible such laws and
regulations as would permit of exporting iron, and also
allow the manufacturers to dispose of it in the colonies
to advantage.
There was a slight earthquake on Mana-ha-ta in
1747, which shook up the little place and greatly fright-
ened its inhabitants. The lower classes fancied it was
a visitation of Providence, owing to the treatment the
negroes had received. Mrs. Alexander's son William
wrote to his brother-in-law Yan Brugh Livingston : " I
was very glad yesterday to find that Mama and none of
the family had heard of the earthquake that we had about
four o'clock in the morning. I felt it, and it seemed to
be a violent shock, but lasted a very short time." The
ladies in New York did not go to the extremes that
their sisters in London did at about the same time,
when that place was also visited by earthquakes, which
seem to have been no more violent than those on Mana-
ha-ta. The English women (according to Horace Wai-
pole's letters to his friend) prepared for the worse as
they thought they were to be swallowed alive, and there-
fore had "grave-clothes " made for themselves, or what
they called "earthquake-gowns," which they studied to
make as becoming as possible, and which they donned
every evening after ten o'clock in order to be ready for
363
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
emergencies. A certain day was appointed by popular
opinion when the most terrible quake was to occur, and
some ladies retired to the country, believing that they
would be safer there than in London, while others
stayed in town, preferring company in the anticipated
peril. It is unfortunate that Mr. Walpole did not give
a description of the evening that was prepared for with
so much dread, and it passed off without any disturb-
ance.
Another scourge of fever prevailed during the sum-
mer of 1747. Mr. Alexander had the sorrow of los-
ing by it his promising young nephew, Dr. William
Alexander, the heir to the title of " Stirling," and the
death of the young man revived in the councillor's mind
the question of claiming the title which was still in
abeyance, and to which, on the death of his nephew, he
himself was now heir. The letters from Scotland had
confirmed his right to the title, and had proved his
descent from John of Gogar, and shown that he was
"eldest male heir holding the name and title of Alex-
ander." It now became a question of returning to
Scotland to press the claims, and Mr. Alexander deter-
mined to do so, as soon as he could dispose of the
weighty public and private affairs that pressed on him.
Just at this time the only son of Mr. Alexander
acquainted his parents " with his affection for Miss
Sarah Livingston," the sister of Yan Brugh Livingston,
and the daughter of Philip, Lord of the Manor of Liv-
ingston, and the young man requested his father to ask
364
New York "in the Forties"
Mr. Livingston for permission to pay his addresses in
form. Mr. Livingston's town house was within a stone's-
throw of Mr. Alexander's, and the gentlemen met at the
card-table nearly every evening, but the councillor
deemed it best to write a formal letter on such an im-
portant occasion, and he therefore sent a communica-
tion (of which the careful gentleman kept a copy, that
is still in the possession of one of his descendants) in
which he asked Mr. and Mrs. Livingston to allow his
son to become the husband of Miss Sarah Livingston.
The father of the young lady seems to have been well
prepared for the demand, for he replied without loss of
time that his " daughter was an obedient, pious, virtuous
young woman," and that he and his wife " know of no
young gentleman to whom they should prefer before
Mr. William Alexander to give their daughter to."
These negotiations took place at the end of February,
1746, while Mr. Alexander was suffering from one of
the most severe attacks of gout that he had ever had,
which incapacitated him for a long time from attending
to business, and it was a year before the settlements for
the marriage could be drawn up and all the arrange-
ments completed. William Alexander took out his
license February 29, 1748, and the marriage was per-
formed with great ceremony on March 1st. The wed-
ding of " Brother Bill and Sallie Livingston ' was
hardly over, and the bride and groom returned from
the Livingston Manor House, where they passed the
honeymoon, before a double wedding took place in Mrs.
365
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
Alexander's family, and at one blow she lost two of her
daughters. Betsey, the eldest, who was just twenty,
married John Stevens, a gentleman of fortune, who was
the grandson of Lord Niel Campbell, son of the Duke
of Argyle ; and Kitty, a year younger, was married to
Elisha Parker, the son of a gentleman whose country
place adjoined that of Mr. Alexander at Perth Amboy.
The groom had studied in Mr. Alexander's office and
was then a practising lawyer. He was thirteen years
older than his bride, but the father was extremely fond
of his former pupil and was pleased to see his daughter
so happily married. She was a charming girl, with
bright, vivacious manners, and an especial favorite with
all the young people. The double ceremony was per-
formed by the rector of Trinity Church, and the parlors
of the old house were crowded with all the good people
of the town. Suky Alexander was now the only child
left at home with her parents.
Mrs. Alexander was greatly distressed at losing her
only brother, in the spring of 1749. John Spratt had
never married, but had led a gay bachelor life in New
York, where he held the by no means onerous post of
captain in a military company. He was a man of am-
ple means, inherited from his father, John Spratt, and
also from his grandmother, Mme. de Peyster, and he
concerned himself but little with commercial or politi-
cal affairs. His most intimate friend was Richard Ash-
field, who married Miss Isabella Morris, and to the
three youngest children of his friends Mr. Spratt left in
366
New York " in the Forties "
liis will " all rights in the estates of Mine, de Peyster,"
his grandmother. We have no means of knowing why
this money was diverted from the children of his sister,
Mrs. Alexander ; but it is more than probable that he
had given them large sums of money when each one
married, and the kind old bachelor desired to place the
children of his friends in an independent position, as
they were by no means wealthy.
Grandchildren were now plentiful in the family of
Mrs. Alexander, but she was none the less pleased when
a daughter was born to her son William. The birth of
this child was alluded to in the following playful words
by Kobert Livingston, who wrote to his brother-in-law,
William Alexander, from Kingston, May 28, 1749, on
the arrival of his eldest daughter, Mary Alexander,
named after her father's mother: "I congratulate you
on the increase of your family, and hope in the future
my sister will beget a more masculine kind, and not
spoil the family with such Lilliputians as your daugh-
ter."
The English officials in America never lost an oppor-
tunity of asserting their superiority to the colonists and
displaying their power over them, from the governor
down to the lowest person who held a commission from
the English government. None were more arrogant
than the army and navy officers. The former expected
free quarters, and to be served with every luxury where-
ever they went, and the colonists were now smarting
from the treatment that they had lately received from
367
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
the English general in command of the forces in New
York, who had demanded that the troops under his
command should receive all their rations from the New
York colony, although the army had been sent to Amer-
ica at the entreaty of the New England colonies, to pro-
tect their interests against encroachments from Canada
and the Indian tribes, incited to war by the inhabitants
of the French colony. The citizens of Now York be-
lieved that the expenses should be distributed through
all the colonies that shared equally in the protection
to be afforded by the English troops, and that they
ought not to fall entirely on one locality. The general
pressed the subject at the point of the sword, and quar-
tered his soldiers where he pleased, treating the in-
habitants as if they were in a state of rebellion instead
of being peace-loving subjects of the same king as him-
self. The matter caused an open rupture between the
assembly, that wished to protect the interests of the
plantation, and the governor, who sided with the gen-
eral in oppressing the colonists.
The officers of his majesty's navy were no less ag-
gressive and domineering. If by chance they were
short of men, they would send a boatload of sailors on
shore and seize the first strong, lusty young fellow they
came across and impress him into his majesty's service.
They also demanded that great respect should be paid
to them on sea and shore, and as each commander who
entered the harbor made new and vexatious rules, the col-
onists were daily aggravated by petty insults and trouble-
368
New York "in the Forties''
some, useless demands, and they became hourly more
exasperated against the English government, that did
nothing to protect its colonists, and expected them to
contribute largely to her own expensive government,
turned the riff-raff of their own adherents into officials
to govern the colonies, and upheld these men in their
most unconstitutional and dishonest actions. This was
not only the case in the New York colony. There were
several others in America that were groaning under op-
pression and the maladministration of the English gov-
ernors. Connecticut and Pennsylvania had their own
charters and an independent government, and were
thriving in a way that made all the other colonies dis-
contented with the existing state of affairs.
New Jersey was at the time governed by Colonel
Morris, who, being a large landed proprietor and having
great interests at stake, was doing everything in his
power to advance the growth of the plantation. One of
his predecessors had been Lord Carteret, the son of the
gentleman in the naval board of which Samuel Pepys
was secretary, and about whom the diarist had much
to say. Governor Carteret had come to the country a
widower, but he soon married a buxom widow with five
children, who was considered " a fortune." The lady
who became his wife was Mrs. William Lawrence, one
of the Smith family of Long Island, and by reason of
her family connections and those of her first husband,
she was a person of considerable importance. She was
a woman of strong character and great determination,
369
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
and was appointed " Regent of the Province of New
Jersey ' during some of Lord Carteret's frequent ab-
S3nces on official business, and many of the documents
of that time are signed by her as regent. This is a note-
worthy instance of the only woman who ever ruled over
an American colony.
The granddaughter of this lady was Mary Emott, who
married Colonel William Bicketts, an officer in his maj-
esty's service, who were living in a pretty house at Perth
Amboy. Colonel Eicketts and his family passed the
winter of 1755 in New York, where they attended the
assemblies, and were favorites at all the tea-tables of
the good ladies who led the fashions in the town. Mrs.
Bicketts was an intimate friend of Mrs. Van Brugh Liv-
ingston, and she and her husband were among the
group of friends who went to bid the colonel and his
wife farewell at the Whitehall steps when they started
with their little family to return to their home at
Amboy one bright spring morning, intending to sail in
their own yacht across the bay. The " birdgee" flag
of the owner flew from the masthead, and the boat was
skimming over the water ; Mrs. Bicketts was seated be-
neath the awning busily plying her knitting-needles, her
children, under the charge of their nurse, were close be-
side her, chatting to the steersman, and her husband was
stretched on the cushions lazily reading his letters and
papers, when suddenly a shot whizzed through the rig-
ging, and all started to their feet in consternation.
Colonel Bicketts tried to reassure his wife and children
370
New York "in the Forties' 1
by declaring that it must be an accident, and that the
sailors of the English frigate Greyhound, which they saw
in the distance, must be practising at a mark, and that
it could not occur again. As the colonel was speaking,
a second shot passed through the mainsail and struck
the nurse, who was holding an infant in her arms, in the
head, and the woman fell dead at the feet of her horri-
fied mistress. The boat was at once put about and ran
up to the Greyhound, and Colonel liicketts asked the
officers on board for aid, supposing the occurrence to
have been accidental. To the surprise and indignation
of the English officer, he was answered with curses, and
told that he should have shown his respect to his maj-
esty's ship by lowering his flag when passing it.
This altered the state of affairs, and the yacht was
immediately put about and returned to New York, where
the high-handed action of Captain Digby was reported
to the governor. An inquest was held on the body of
the young woman, and a verdict of wilful murder was
brought in. The fight was not quite the usual one, and
only between a colonist who had been wantonly injured
and an English official, but it was also between two
branches of the English service, and promised to be a
stormy one. The colonists took the part of the poor
young creature who had been murdered in such a
wanton manner. For some unaccountable reason, the
governor took the part of Captain Digby, and extended
his protection to the naval officers, which roused the
officers of the army to take sides against the governor.
371
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
The people of New York, who were smarting under
the repeated outrages committed by the naval officers,
from which there seemed to be no escape nor redress,
now broke out into open rebellion. Mobs filled the
streets, and attacked every sailor who ventured to show
himself. The funeral of the unfortunate girl was
attended by crowds of people of all classes of society.
The governor was hooted at whenever he appeared,
and it was with difficulty that the tumult was repressed.
From the members of the council to the poorest citi-
zen, all felt that they had been humiliated, and were
considered as inferiors by the English officers, as they
were called upon to acknowledge the superiority of the
latter by making a signal of deference to them, on sea
and on land. Another " stripe " was being added to
the banner of freedom, although the haughty English-
men were too blind or indifferent to see it.
Governor Clinton, writing to the Duke of Bedford
(Lords of Trade), June 12, 1750, deftly slurs over
Captain Digby's outrageous conduct, and excuses him-
self for not taking action in the matter, as he " con-
ceives that his commission is not clearly expressed as
to his authority over the ships of war sent to the col-
ony." It was pointed out to the governor at the time
that his jurisdiction extended over the harbor of New
York, and that it was quite within his province to
make the rules governing the shipping, and that no
government regulation had ever been issued regarding
the salutes to be offered to war-vessels ; that no com-
372
New York " in the Forties '
mander of any vessel, be he English or colonial, had
any right to sail into the harbor of the town, and pro-
mulgate a series of rules and regulations for the guid-
ance of its inhabitants, and take their lives if due
respect to these arbitrary and unconstitutional acts was
not paid. It was proved at the inquest that the yacht was
not close enough to the ship-of-war to be prepared to
signal, that the owner's " birdgee " was flying according
to law, although the English commander had pleaded
in extenuation that it was not, and Captain Digby could
only allege in his defence that an act of discourtesy
had been shown to him, as the flag of the yacht had not
been lowered when passing his vessel. It was proved
in answer to this statement that, in fact, the yacht was
not passing the man-of-war, but was far on the other
side of the harbor, that the private signal showing her
to be a yacht was flying in plain sight, and that all
matters of etiquette had been fulfilled. In spite of the
English captain having been proved entirely in the
wrong, not only by wantonly attacking innocent travel-
lers, but by appearing in court and openly stating
things that were proved on the testimony of many wit-
nesses to be false, the governor upheld him, and a
precedent was created for firing on a private vessel in
the home harbor at a time of peace. There was already
much ill-will between the army and navy, and this insult
to Colonel Ricketts was deeply resented by his fellow-
officers. The disrespect to Mrs. Ricketts was keenly
felt by the New York officials, owing to her close con-
373
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
nection with the ruling powers, and the death of an
innocent girl was deplored by all parties. There was
no doubt in the minds of anyone that the outrage had
been committed with deliberation, as it was proved that
the flag of the owner had been recognized by those on
board of the war-vessel, who determined to have " some
fun " at the expense of the colonel. This lamentable
incident, which could have been smoothed over by
Captain Digby, if he had chosen to apologize, instead
of resorting to falsehood to defend himself, injured
the aggressors in the opinions of all parties, except
that of the governor, and of the home government, who
seemed pleased at every insult that was shown to the
colonists.
Births and deaths now followed each other with
startling rapidity in Mrs. Alexander's family, as in
March of 1751, Elisha Parker died suddenly, leaving a
pretty, young, childless widow, who returned to her
father's house, where she was warmly welcomed by her
old friends. Among the young people who were at-
tracted to Mrs. Alexander's house was an English
officer, a major in the Eoyal American Eegiment, who
arrived in New York in 1756, and immediately fell in
love with the captivating young widow.
It was not long before Walter Rutherfurd and " the
widow Parker" resolved to make a match, and they
were married in Mrs. Alexander's parlor, December 21,
1758. The match was a happy one, the groom was a
sweet, lovable fellow, and they were a most devoted
374
New York " in the Forties "
couple. Their home was on Broadway, on the corner
of Vesey Street. It was a large, handsome house, and
one of the first to be built " up town."
Government affairs were, as usual, in a turmoil;
things were going from bad to worse, the governor and
the legislature always at odds. Mr. Alexander, as a
member of the council, tried to keep peace, but the
effort was too much for him and brought on constant
attacks of gout, while the governor became exasperated
with the contumacy of his subjects, and wrote to the
Lords of Trade begging to be recalled. In the mean-
time he went to Flushing, a pretty town on Long Island,
to spend the summer, and Mrs. Alexander carried her
family to Perth Amboy, hoping that the quiet and
salubrious air would restore her husband's health.
According to Governor Clinton's request, a new
governor was appointed for New York, who arrived in
the colony on October 7, 1753. This was Sir Dan-
vers Osborne, brother-in-law to the Earl of Halifax.
His wife had just died, and as seems to have been
the custom in appointing governors to the Province,
this gentleman was sent to America to console him for
being a widower. He was in a most melancholy state
of mind, and arrived in the colony in no fit condition
to take up arduous and uncongenial duties. The ex-
governor and the colonists at once began to pour com-
plaints into the ears of Sir Danvers, and the contra-
dictory reports worried him to desperation, and caused
him to receive the acclamations of the populace who
375
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
escorted him to the State-house to take the oaths of
office with a serious air. During the long ceremonies of
the installation, the new governor turned to his prede-
cessor and expressed his sympathy for the bad treat-
ment he had received from the colonists, although the
ex-governor would have found it hard to discover what
it had been, further than that the colonists would not
allow themselves to be imposed upon past a certain
limit. Sir Danvers also was heard to say to Admiral
Clinton, " It will be my turn soon to receive unjust
criticism."
At the great dinner of welcome given to the new
governor, he sat listless, to the surprise of his hosts,
hardly returned the greetings and toasts that were
extended to him on all sides, and retired from the scene
as early as possible. His conduct was ascribed to the
English hauteur from which the colonists had already
suffered so greatly, and the gentlemen who witnessed
his behavior were most unpleasantly impressed with
their new ruler's manners and deportment. Mr. Alex-
ander on his return from the dinner related all these
occurrences to his wife, and expressed his regrets that
such an uncongenial ruler should have been again sent
by the English government to preside over the affairs
of the colony, that required so much judgment and
prudence to control. No one was prepared for the
tragedy that followed. Mr. Alexander and Mr. Smith
were roused very early on the morning of Friday,
October 12th, by the doorkeeper of the council with a
376
New York " in the Forties "
summons to attend at Mr. Murray's house, at which
place Sir Danvers Osborne had taken up his abode on
his arrival. All the councillors were hurriedly assem-
bled, and then conducted to the garden, where the body
of the unfortunate governor was found hanging from a
picket of the fence, suspended by his own silk hand-
kerchief.
The valet of the unfortunate gentleman testified that
his master had been melancholy for some time, and that
he had become worse during the voyage. Before leav-
ing England he had attempted to cut his throat with a
razor, and his friends had insisted on his trying a change
of scene in hopes of diverting his mind. But the tur-
moil in which he foresaw that he would be engaged as
the governor of a contentious body of colonists, drove
him to despair, with the sad result that he took his own
life as speedily as possible.
Mr. Alexander was appointed one of a committee to
take the depositions attending the facts of his death,
and he and his associates succeeded by their exertions
in having the coroner's jury bring in a verdict of " Non
compos mentis." If it had not been for this verdict the
body would have been refused Christian burial. The
next step of the councillors was to approach Dr. Bar-
clay, the rector of Trinity Church, and request him to
conduct the services over the remains of the late gov-
ernor. Dr. Barclay attended a meeting of the council,
and respectfully but firmly refused to perform the cere-
mony, or allow the interment to take place in Trinity
377
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
Churchyard, alleging that the rubrics of the Church
would not permit him to read the burial service over a
suicide. Mr. Smith, one of the council, thereupon
remarked "that a person who died in a high fever was
often not in their right mind, and they were not refused
the Christian rights," and as Mr. Smith was a Presby-
terian, this unexpected remark of his had more weight,
coming as it did from one of a different creed, than if
it had proceeded from a member of the Church of Eng-
land, and Dr. Barclay, who was only desirous of keep-
ing within the letter of the law of the rubric, was satis-
fied to change his opinion, and perform the ceremony.
The late governor was buried with great pomp and
solemnity on the following Sunday, within a week after
landing in the Province.
The colony of New York had been treated to a
variety of rulers since the English had taken possession
of the Dutch Colony. They had had men of dissolute
character, men who were palpably dishonest, weak and
incompetent, and had nearly run the gamut of govern-
ors endowed with every vice known. They were fortu-
nately spared the dominion of a madman, who suc-
ceeded a dipsomaniac in the chief office of the Prov-
ince.
Governor Clinton sailed for England in November,
and Mr. Smith, who was one of the council, records his
impressions of him in the following terms : ' In a
Province given to hospitality, he (Governor Clinton)
erred by immuring himself in the fort or retiring to a
378
New York " in the Forties "
grotto in the country, where his time was spent with his
bottle and a little trifling circle, who played billiards
with his lady and lived on his bounty. He sometimes
took money for offices, and even sold the reversions of
those that were merely ministerial. He became after-
ward governor of Greenwich Hospital."
XXII
The Last of the Dutch Matrons
Chief-Justice de Lancey as Governor Social Evening Amusements-
Society Library King's College Braddock's Expedition Governor
Shirley William Alexander Appointed Major and Private Secretary
to the Governor The Acadians The Young Partners Sir Charles
Hardy The Earthquake Death of Mrs. Livingston Death of James
Alexander Major Alexander Sails for England Lord Stirling Death
of Mrs. Alexander, the Last of the Dutch Matrons.
THE death of Sir Danvers Osborne left a vacancy
that had to be filled by a member of the council
until such time as a new appointment could be made in
England. There had been considerable rivalry in that
body as to which of its members should be its president,
as that official was the next in rank to the chief, and
succeeded him in emergencies like the present. It is
not necessary now to enter into the divers disputes of
the councillors, who were divided into factions. The
larger number were opposed to Chief -Justice de Lancey,
as the position that he had taken during the rule of
Cosby was hardly to be forgiven by the men who had
been injured by the abuse of the power that he then
had shown. And when Cosby's government came to an
380
The Last of the Dutch Matrons
abrupt end, and right reasserted itself under his suc-
cessor, and the combatants met as colleagues in the
council-chamber, it was not to be supposed that har-
mony would reign among them. Chief -Justice de Lan-
cey, as presiding officer, now became acting governor,
and although of American birth, was as much at vari-
ance with his countrymen as any of the English govern-
ors had ever been. Dr. Golden, who was next in senior-
ity, and who had hoped to have the position, retired in
disgust to his country seat and tried to forget the vexa-
tious state of political affairs by writing his famous his-
tory of the Indian nations, and Governor de Lancey,
finding his most outspoken opponent had left the field,
set himself to govern the colony to the best of his
ability.
During this time of political inaction, the more edu-
cated people of the colony set themselves to social en-
joyments, and began to turn their attention to literary
affairs. There were one or two societies that met bi-
weekly and exchanged essays, poems, etc., and distrib-
uted them among their own members, and Mrs. Alexan-
der's daughters had for some years held a species of
" salon," at which it was the custom to play at making
rhymes and amusing verses that related to passing
events among the young people. One of their princi-
pal amusements was making conundrums. The parents
did not disdain to contribute when occasion offered, and
the rhyming letters of the grave councillor often added
much to the evening's amusement, as he had the gift of
381
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
relating a story in an entertaining way, and could put
it into verse that detracted nothing from its wit or
point.
The need of a good library was greatly felt, as the
books sent to the colony by the Society for the Propa-
gation of the Gospel had not been followed by any other
contributions, nor had any provision been made by that
society or the authorities in New York for distributing
the books or adding to their number. The library that
the colonists had at first hailed with such delight had
been placed in a room, it is true, but no librarian had
been provided, and the conveniences for distribution
were so inadequate that the public ceased even to try
to get at the books, which finally became scattered and
lost, or were stored in inaccessible places and were hardly
worth searching for, as they were only on controversial,
doctrinal subjects that were now obsolete.
One evening Mrs. Alexander had a large gathering of
her old friends seated around her tea-table. Among
them was Mr. William Smith, and with him she dis-
cussed the difficulty that she experienced in getting good
books to read, and proposed that a circulating library
should be started, the subscribers to collect sufficient
money to send to England for all the newest and best
books, which should be arranged in such a way that the
members could take them from the library at their own
convenience. The idea was eagerly hailed by all pres-
ent, and the gentlemen occupied themselves during the
rest of the evening in drawing up rules for the library,
382
The Last of the Dutch Matrons
and making out lists to be distributed the following
morning, in hopes of getting a large subscription.
Messrs. William Smith, Philip, William, and Robert
Livingston, John Morin Scott, and William Alexander
headed the list, with a liberal subscription from each
one toward buying the books. The subject was more
thoroughly discussed evening after evening in Mrs.
Alexander's parlors, and was gradually laid before the
public.
It was so favorably received by the friends of the
original members, that subscription books were opened
and carried (as a matter of courtesy), first to Lieutenant-
Governor de Lancey, then to the members of the council,
and, with their official seal set upon the undertaking,
there was no necessity for persons to be entreated to
subscribe, for many of the inhabitants of New York
now implored to be allowed to contribute, and a con-
siderable sum was raised.
An institution was now formally organized, and each
person after being elected a member was called upon
for a yearly subscription of ten shillings. The books
donated by the S. P. G. were used as a nucleus for the
library, which in later years received a royal charter
from Governor Try on. During the War of Independ-
ence the books became scattered ; but when peace was
restored they were collected, and the association was re-
organized, and is now known by the name of the Society
Library. Many of the original shares are still held by
the descendants of the first subscribers. The first trus-
383
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
tees were James Alexander, his son William Alexan-
der, Lieutenant-Governor de Lancey, John Chambers,
John "Watts, William Walton, Benjamin Nicoll, Will-
iam Smith, Kev. Henry Barclay, and William Living-
ston.
For a number of years the citizens of New York had
exerted themselves to found a college for the better
education of the youth of the colony. The matter had
taken time to arrange, as it gave rise to bitter religious
and political disputes. There were not above a dozen
graduates outside of the medical and clerical professions
in the colony, and those had received their diplomas in
England. Philip Livingston (who is now known as
" the signer," from having signed his name to the Dec-
laration of Independence) had been entered by his
father at the Temple, and he and his brothers, Robert,
Van Brugh, and William, all graduates of English col-
leges, were foremost in promoting the American uui-
versity. Unfortunately for the enterprise, this family
were stanch Presbyterians, and the chief support of
the college was promised by the government and by
the wardens and vestry of Trinity Church, who had
come forward in 1752 and offered part of the estate of
their opulent corporation for the erection of a college
and toward its maintenance. "This would naturally
give," says Mr. Smith, in liis relation of the affair, " an
Episcopal bias to the views of the college, which was
abhorent to the Livingston family." The subject was
disputed for many months, and was finally compromised
384
The Last of the Dutch Matrons
by the election of Dr. Johnson, an Episcopal minister,
as first president, and Mr. Whittlesey, a Presbyterian
minister, as his assistant, and a large building, to be
devoted to educational purposes and called " King's
College," was finally erected on a high bank overlooking
the Hudson Kiver, close to Trinity Church.
The French had been encroaching on the English set-
tlements in Ohio, and in 1754 the government deter-
mined to send an expedition against them, under General
Brad dock. New York and Massachusetts were also
threatened, and a council was called, at which the gov-
ernor of Massachusetts was appointed major-general,
and, on February 2d, opened the northern campaign by
proceeding to Oswego. Troops were sent to the colony
from England, and many of the young men of the dif-
ferent plantations hastened to enroll themselves in the
native militia, that was being rapidly organized, or
else bought commissions in the English regiments.
General Shirley arrived in New York from Boston,
about the middle of April, and was received with un-
wonted hospitality, as he had taken the trouble to
provide himself with letters of introduction to many
of the principal families, a thing that was generally
omitted by the British officers, who trusted to their own
fascinations to make them acceptable and welcome to
the colonists.
There was a considerable amount of friction and jeal-
ousy over the campaign that was just opening, and some
discussion as to whom the command of the expedition
385
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
sliould devolve upon. The Eastern colonies wished to
have entire control, while they desired that New York
should bear the burden of paying for it. General Shir-
ley assumed command under these disadvantageous
circumstances, and at once appointed Mrs. Alexander's
son William his private secretary, signing his com-
mission, December 7, 1755, and the young man took
leave of his wife and mother, and accompanied the
general on his tour up the Hudson River to Albany,
where the troops were being gathered as rapidly as pos-
sible, so that they might be pushed on to the frontier.
Mrs. Alexander had not been well for some months,
and her husband and children were anxious about her
health. She had exerted herself to receive and enter-
tain General Shirley during his stay in New York, but
the old hospitality for which she had been famous was
no longer spontaneous, and the effort had left her list-
less and weak, and so depressed in spirits that Mrs.
Livingston persuaded her to sail up to the Livingston
Manor, with her daughter-in-law Sallie and the children,
and spend the summer there.
Van Brugh Livingston wrote to his brother-in-law,
July 9th, saying : " Your mother is very unwell ; she
hurt herself the day before yesterday in falling down.
Your wife has still a pain in her face. Mrs. Livingston
has a young son," The letter alarmed Major Alexander,
but his professional duties kept him in Albany, and he
was obliged to content himself by sending a messenger
down the river, who was ordered to bring him an ininio-
306
The Last of the Dutch Matrons
diate account of his mother's condition. Yan Brugh
Livingston was able in reply to send a better account
the next day, and say, " Your mother is better to-day,
but not able to come down stairs. She has no fever.
I hope she will soon be well, as she is on the recovery.
Mr. Alexander is at Amboy, where the Assembly is sit-
ting." The news of his mother's illness worried her
son, who was devotedly attached to her, and it was
aggravated by the thought that his father was necessa-
rily absent on his official business. It was feared that
the fall was caused by a slight attack of apoplexy, and
although he knew that she was receiving the best of
care, not only from his own wife but also from his sister,
Mrs. Van Brugh Livingston, who was also at the Manor,
his anxiety was not fully allayed until he was able
to rejoin his family, when to his great relief he found
his mother better than he had expected, and he per-
suaded her to return to town with him, and place
herself under the care of Dr. Farquhar, the family
physician, after which the major followed his com-
mander-in-chief to Boston.
That town was full of English regiments, who were
being sent from England to take part in the campaign -
The governor's daughter, Miss Ann Shirley, wrote to
Mrs. Rutherford : " The young ladies are beginning to
hold down their heads and look melancholy ; and indeed
I do not wonder, for by Friday night we sha'n't have a
beau left. Poor Boston ! What a falling off ! But
New York will fare no better, for the handsome fellows
387
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
must all march to the war. Last Sunday I attended
Miss Shirley (that was) to church, and according to
custom there were a great many people to look at the
bride. Her dress was a yellow lute string, trimmed
with silver, with one flounce at the bottom, which was
esteemed by everybody to be very genteel, and I was
not a little pleased with it, as it was in a great measure
my taste."
Major Alexander was forced by his duties to travel
to Virginia, and while on this expedition he made the
acquaintance of Captain George Washington, and began
a friendship with that great man that only ended with
life. During the winter of 1755 the inhabitants of New
York were racked with news of war, rapine, and mur-
der from every quarter. On the Virginia border the
Indians and French were only held in check by the
impossibility of carrying on a campaign through the
deep snows of the mountain-passes. Murders and out-
rages were the rule on the northern boundaries of New
York, and there were disturbances at the Livingston
Manor. James Alexander wrote to his son-in-law, Van
Brugh Livingston, in December : " The manner of
beginning this war must have surprised the nations of
Europe, as it has the American colonies, but the way
in which it has been carried on is still more surprising.
General Braddock was sent over as commander-in-chief,
and how the ministry came to intrust full powers to
such a man has perplexed us all a man of no knowledge,
civil or military, who by all accounts has spent his life
388
The Last of the Dutch Matrons
in the most profligate manner, made no pretensions to
morals, and the loose indecency of his conversation
showed what company he had been accustomed to fre-
quent. From such an officer nothing could have been
expected but disgrace to the British arms."
The intelligence of the defeat and death of General
Braddock, on July 9th, paralyzed the energies of the
Northern campaign, which was at the best times in
a chaotic condition. An expedition had been sent to
Nova Scotia, where two forts were captured by the
English fleet. This might have reassured the colonists
had it not been accompanied by the most brutal outrage
on the inhabitants who were a pastoral people, in no-
wise interested in a war that had been planned in the
French cabinet, and of which they were the unfortunate
victims. In order to paralyze the inhabitants of Aca-
dia, the English commanders ordered that they should
be seized on September 10, 1755, when the men were
marched on board of the men-of-war, under a strong
guard, while almost all the women and children were
left on shore, homeless, friendless, penniless, to follow
their natural protectors to unknown ports as well as
they could. For months after this, the papers of Bos-
ton, New York, Philadelphia, and other places were
filled with agonized advertisements from husbands
seeking wives, mothers their children, and helpless
people begging for sympathy and aid. English writ-
ers have sought to palliate and excuse this piece of
needless brutality and cruelty, on the plea of " military
389
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
necessity," without pointing out the proof of such
" necessity," and the episode adds another blood-stain
to the English flag.
William Alexander had for some years taken an active
part in his mother's business, and their firm had sup-
plied the commissariat of the expedition to the North.
This had been done with such promptness and despatch
that it was now determined to undertake to supply the
troops of the Southern campaign, and to do this the
more thoroughly a business partnership was entered
into, January 14, 1756, between William Alexander,
Van Brugh Livingston, John Erving, Jr., and Lewis
Morris, Jr., and the first orders received by the firm were
for supplying the expedition against Niagara. This
order was given to the new firm much against the wishes
of Lieutenant-Governor de Lancey, who hoped that his
brother, Oliver de Lancey, would receive it, and be ap-
pointed agent. Accordingly, he bitterly opposed giving
the commission to the young firm, but his wishes were
overruled by General Shirley, who wisely foresaw that
the success of the expedition largely depended upon
the promptness with which it received its supplies, and
there was no one in the colony who was able to do
this better than Mrs. Alexander and her partners, who
had great experience and facilities in the business.
The correspondence of the young partners is full of
the details of this great work, and contemporaries point
out how well and how thoroughly it was earned out. At
the same time Richard Peters, of Philadelphia, was the
390
The Last of the Dutch Matrons
agent for the Southern department, and through him all
supplies were forwarded to Virginia. Mrs. Alexander
took an active interest in all these preparations, and
supplied the money to carry them out.
Mr. de Lancey was succeeded as governor of the New
York Colony on September 2, 1755, but he continued
to take an active part in the government, as Sir Charles
Hardy, the new governor, was a man of weak character,
who has been called " an unlettered admiral." He was
indolent and of convivial habits, and he wished to draw
his salary and do no work. He was glad to allow
others to govern in his stead, if by so doing they saved
him trouble, and his only wish was to be permitted to
enjoy the pleasures of the table undisturbed by con-
tending factions.
The next shock experienced by the citizens of New
York came from Mother Earth. They were shaken
from their beds at four o'clock on the morning of No-
vember 18, 1755. The moon was full and the sky clear
and bright, and it was perfectly calm, which seemed to
add to the fright of the startled people, who rushed half-
clad from their houses. Windows rattled, chimneys fell,
and great fissures were made in the walls of many of the
houses. China was cracked and rattled, women screeched
and fell on their knees, praying and calling on Heaven
for help. Everyone ran without knowing where to go,
and several fires broke out in different parts of the town
to add to the fright and confusion. The houses were of
two, or at the utmost three, stories in height, built of
391
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
wood, and usually at a distance of several feet from each
other, and therefore no very great damage was done to
the city. The steeples of the churches tottered and
were thrown out of line, and some of them had subse-
quently to be torn down ; but the place was soon put
in repair, and only the terror and the fright remained
impressed on the minds of the inhabitants to recall to
them their disagreeable experiences.
Mrs. Alexander had a great sorrow in the death of
her life-long friend and companion, Mrs. Livingston
(Katharine Yan Brugh), a lady, like herself, of Dutch
descent, and imbued with all the doctrines of the pioneer
women of Mana-ha-ta. Both ladies despised the new
customs and innovations that had been introduced by
the English rulers ; both of them had married Scotch-
men of ancient lineage, who were averse to the Han-
overian dynasty. Their children had twice intermar-
ried, to the great satisfaction of the mothers, and Mrs.
Alexander mourned for her friend with heartfelt sorrow.
Her husband wrote to his son-in-law, Yan Brugh Liv-
ingston, February 11, 1756, a letter in which he speaks
tenderly of the recent loss of his "good mother," and
continues: "Her very sudden death must have sur-
prised you all, as it did me. I heartily sympathize with
you. She was a good woman and a very kind mother.
Few women that I have ever been acquainted with
equalled her in sweetness of temper and good sense.
Whatever changes her death may occasion in the family,
I hope it will not lessen the union and harmony. Let
392
The Last of the Dutch Matrons
me recommend you to see each other often, and culti-
vate intimacy, for, believe me, the credit, the power, and
interests C.L families depend chiefly on this. Interest
often connects people who are entire strangers, and
sometimes separates those who have the strongest nat-
ural ties. "Whatever matters of property are to be set-
tled, the sooner it is done the better, and I hope will be
satisfactory to all concerned."
It was with a heavy heart that Mrs. Alexander saw
her husband leave the house morning after morning to
attend to his professional duties, or the meetings of
the council. The governor was constantly swayed back
and forth in his opinions, according to the views of
the last person who had had his ear. Grave matters
were before the council, upon the decision of which the
lives and property of many of the colonists, to say
nothing of the army in the field, depended, and yet the
governor could hardly be induced to remain sober long
enough to give a coherent opinion on any subject. Sir
Charles Hardy would waver and vacillate, and after
giving his assent to a measure one day, he would rescind
it on the next.
The debates in the council were warm and vexatious,
and after them Mr. Alexander would return to his home
thoroughly exhausted. These agitating scenes culmi-
nated in a prostrating fit of the gout, which alarmed his
wife, as she thought the symptoms were more severe
than usual. She contrived to keep him in the house
for several days, but a summons came from the govern-
393
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
ment house to attend a meeting of the council on a
subject that was of more than usual importance, and
Mr. Alexander insisted on going to the meeting, while
suffering severely. The result was that he caught a
cold, from which he died within a few days, on April 2,
1756. The papers of the day record his death in the
following words :
"
YORK MERCURY, Monday, April 5, 1756.
To the unspeakable loss of his family and to the public, on
Friday evening last, died the Honorable James Alexander, Esq.,
in the sixty-fourth year of his age. A gentleman in his disposi-
tion, generous, courteous, and humaue, delicate in his sense of
humor, steadfast in friendship, of strict probity, temperate in
his diet, and in business indefatigable. The relations of hus-
band, father and master, he sustained with the highest reputa-
tion. In these parts of the world, few men surpassed him either
in the natural sagacity and strength of his intellectual powers, or
in his literary acquirements. In the mathematical sciences his
researches were very great. He was also eminent in his profes-
sion of the law, and equally distinguished by his superior knowl-
edge and long experience in public affairs. He had the honor
to serve the King in several important offices, and was a wise
and faithful Councillor to his Majesty for the Provinces of New
York and New Jersey. Always true to the interests of his coun-
try, well knowing that the rights of the crown are the bulwark
of the liberties of the people ; that the liberties of the people
are the safety and honor of the crown, and that a just tempera-
ment of both in the administration of government, constitutes
the health of the political body. His zeal for the defence of the
public cause against the common enemy led him to council,
when he was not sufficiently recovered from the gout. From
394
The Last of the Dutch Matrons
thence he brought those mortal symptoms that closed his days
within about a week. His remains are to be interred this even-
ing in his family vault in Trinity Church Yard."
James Alexander had lived for forty-one years in the
land of his adoption, revered and esteemed by his fellow-
citizens. From the time that he came to the Province
until his death, he had held high official positions, and
by his steady application to business, had become a
large land-owner in the plantation of New Jersey, al-
though his life was spent on the Island of Mana-ha-ta,
where he was identified with all the best interests of
the place. It was well known that Mr. Alexander was
a champion for the rights of the citizens, as his influ-
ence had been exerted again and again in their behalf,
when the various governors sent to this country by the
English ministers tried to enrich themselves and their
masters at the expense of the colonists.
The home-life of Mr. Alexander was happy in the
extreme. He was a devoted husband and father, and-
his keen wit met with a ready response in the bright
repartee for which his wife was famous, and which made
their household celebrated for clever sayings, that were
the theme of island chit-chat, and were always being
repeated at the tea-tables of those who admired while
they were not able to emulate.
Mr. Alexander's last wishes had been that his son
William should proceed to Scotland and establish his
claim to the earldom of Stirling, and as General Shirley
395
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
had received his recall to England, he entreated both
the wife and mother of his friend to take advantage of
this opportunity, and allow Major Alexander to cross the
ocean with him. The major was unwilling to leave his
family when they were in such grief, but it seemed his
wisest plan as, by accepting Governor Shirley's invita-
tion, he would be introduced, under the most agree-
able auspices, to the powerful friends that he would
need in the English Parliament, when the time came to
present his claims to the earldom. The governor was
also under some obligations to his willing secretary,
as charges of malfeasance in office had been brought
against him, that he was to answer to on his arrival in
England, and it was most desirable that Major Alex-
ander should be present at the trial, in order to testify
in behalf of his old chief.
It was accordingly arranged that Major Alexander
should sail for England with Governor Shirley, and he
took leave of his family with great reluctance. It proved
fortunate for the ex-governor that he had been able to
carry his young friend to England with him, as his tes-
timony, given with the frankness and fervor inherited
from his father, entirely cleared Governor Shirley from
the charges of incompetency and mismanagement that
had been brought against him, and made him the life-
long friend of Major Alexander.
As soon as this important affair had been disposed of,
Major Alexander proceeded to press his claims to the
earldom of Stirling, which were presented in Scotland
396
The Last of the Dutch Matrons
to the proper authorities, and duly acknowledged by
them as authentic. The original grant had been, " To
the eldest male heir bearing the name and arms of
Alexander," and as Major Alexander was able to secure
the attendance of several old retainers, who had lived
on his grandfather's estates, and who testified to the
descent of John of Gogar, and his relation to the first
Earl of Stirling, and established beyond a peradventure
that the eldest male heir of the house of Alexander was
the young American, he therefore triumphantly took his
place in the Scotch house and voted there with the full
approbation and consent of its members. After this
public acknowledgment and ratification of his claims,
Major Alexander assumed the title of sixth Earl of Stir-
ling, Viscount Canada, etc., and was always afterward
addressed by his proper title, not only by his fellow-
peers, but also by all his Scotch relations, who cordially
invited him to their homes, and received and acknowl-
edged him as the head of their house.
On the return of Lord Stirling to London he sat to
Sir Joshua Reynolds for his portrait (which is now in
New York in the possession of his great-grandson), in-
tending the picture as a present for his mother on his
return to America. But he was never destined to see
her alive again. Four years after the death of her hus-
band, Mrs. Alexander had a sharp attack of pleurisy,
and although attended by the best physicians, she died,
April 18, 1760, in her old home in Broad Street, sur-
rounded by her daughters and grandchildren.
397
^ v
.
^ - / D
\- f?f*lti
\t. ' I
The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta
The funeral services at Trinity Church were attended
by crowds of all classes of people, and both the govern-
ors of New York and New Jersey did honor to the
widow of the councillor by signifying their desire to be
allowed to act as her pall-bearers, and Mrs. Alexander
was laid to rest beside her husband and children in
the vault in the yard, close to the chancel of Trinity
Church.
The last of the Dutch matrons passed away on the
death of Mrs. Alexander. She had been stanch and
true to the traditions taught her by her grandmother,
who had been one of the pioneers of Mana-ha-ta. The
rule of the Dutchmen had, it is true, ended with the
retirement of Governor Stuyvesant to his Bowerie, but
their dames had not so easily relaxed their grasp on the
reins of social power as their husbands had on the po-
litical supremacy that they had wielded, and the ladies
themselves, and the descendants of Cornelia Lubbetse,
Margaret Hardenbroect, Annekje Jans, Annekje Lock-
ermans, and Catarina de Boorgh held sway, and they
persisted in upholding the cherished Dutch customs,
until after the death of Mrs. Alexander, when the inter-
marriages of the young people of the colony with per-
sons of other nationalities infused a new flavor into
the ethics of the social life of Mana-ha-ta.
BOOKS ABOUT NEW YORK CITY.
Barr. How of orange ribbon.
Bunner. Story of a New York house.
Goodwin. Historic New York.
Hemstreet. When old New York was young.
Janvier. In old New York.
Maurice. New York in fiction.
Index
Aanspreecker, 63, 64
Abantzeeme, 91
Addison, 241
Adventure, the, 322
Advertisements, newspaper, 357-359
Albany, 4, 23, 111, footnote, 148, 186,
231, 311, 386 ; marriage records at,
66 ; county of, 91
Albertsen, Nicolas, 77
Alexander, Anne, 269, 327, 356
-Catharine, 269, 327, 366. See
Parker, Mm Elisha
Catherine, 249
Christina, 249
u Cuffie,"346
David, 324
Elizabeth, 249
Elizabeth 269, 327, 366
Henry. See Stirling, the third
Earl of
James, 291, 292, 312, 321, 325,
326, 328, 334, 348, 351, 357, 387,
389, 392, 393 ; family of, 247 ; set-
tled in America, 248-251 ; his
mathematical instruments, 249 ;
made deputy clerk in the council,
250 ; studied law, 250 ; founded the
American Philosophical Society,
250 ; his many offices, 250 ; friend-
ship with Governor Burnet, 254,
256 ; advanced in office, 254 ;
friendship with Mrs. Provoost,
260 ; marriage of, 261 ; his letter to
his brother, 262 ; his extensive law
practice, 264 ; joined the English
Church, 272 ; his growing promi-
nence, 276 ; made Freeman of the
City, 277 ; conference of, with
Colonel Morris, 280 ; his support
of Van Dam, 281 , 283 ; communi-
cated with Morris, 287, 288; in-
cendiary letter to, 294 ; contended
against convicting Harison, 296 ;*
accused by Harrison, 297 ; thought
to be the author of articles in the
"Weekly Journal," 299; his con-
nection with the Zenger trial, 301-
305 ; contemptuously treated by
Chief-Justice De Lancey, 302 ; de-
nounced the Governor's latest pro-
ceeding, 313, 314 ; his removal with
his family to Perth Amboy, 314;
reinstated at the bar, 316, 317; his
bills in the assembly, 318 ; his suc-
cession to the title of Stirling, 323,
324 ; his letter to David Provoost,
333 ; the negro troubles, 341 ; his
gout, 347 ; enjoyed the confidence
of Governor Clinton, 360, 361 ;
sailed again to England, 362 ; de-
termined to press his claim to the
title of Stirling, 364 ; a trustee of
the first library, 384 ; meeting
with George Washington, 388;
his death, 394, 395 ; his character,
395
Alexander, Mrs. James (born Polly
Spratt), 239, 272, 276, 279, 280, 284-
287, 293, 300, 308, 316, 321, 325-330,
333-335, 339, 340, 345, 346, 351, 357,
361, 363, 366, 367, 374, 381, 390-
393 ; childhood of, 228-232 ; second
marriage of, 261 ; birth of her
daughter, 262 ; a social leader, 263 ;
her influence, 264; her hospitality,
265 ; her biscuits, 266 ; her supper-
parties, 267 ; the death of her
grandparents, 268 ; her children,
269 ; a New Year's reception, 292 ;
her advice to her husband not to
leave New York, 302, 303 ; secret
interview with Andrew Hamilton,
304, 305 ; her balls, 309 ; her home
at Perth Amboy, 322 ; letter to her
son David, 333 ; her efforts to in-
struct the Indians, 353-355 ; be-
reaved of her child, 356 ; her plan
399
Index
for a library, 382, 383 ; ill-health,
'istj ; her gift of bright repartee,
395 ; her death, 397 ; funeral ser-
vices, 398. See Provoost, Mrs.
Samuel
Alexander, James, son of James,
birth of, 267 ; death of, 209
Janet, 249
John, 247
Kitty, 202
Mary (Polly), 262, 325, 326, 327,
359, 360. See Livingston, Mrs.
Peter Van Brugh
Mary, 367
Susanna, 269, 327, 366
Sir William, accomplishments
of, 122 ; his friendship with James
VI. of Scotland, 122, 123; the
King's gift of land and his col-
onization, 124 ; made Earl of Stir-
ling, 126. See Stirling, the first
Earl of
William, 249, 262, 324
Mrs. William (born Elizabeth
Lumsden), 249
Major William, sixth Earl of
Stirling, 326, 327, 328, 360, 363, 364,
366, 383, 384, 387, 388; birth of,
269 ; marriage of, 365 ; appointed
private secretary to General Shir-
ley, 386 ; undertook to supply the
troops in the southern campaign,
390 ; desired by his father to go to
Scotland, 395 ; pressed his claims
to the earldom of Stirling in Scot-
land, 396; made sixth Earl, 397;
his portrait, 397
Mrs. William. See Livingston,
Sarah
Dr. William, 262, 324, 325, 364
Algonquin language, 7, 22, 74
American Philosophical Society, 250
Ancram, 362
Andros, Sir Edmund, retook New
York, 139; the rumor of his re-
moval, 166 ; his arrest, 167
Anne, Quoen, 220, 223, 224,241, 343,
246, 282
Appamapagh, 147
Archangel, the ship, 190
Argyle, the Duke of, 246, 366
Ashfield, Richard, 366
Mrs. Richard (born Isabella
Morris), 306
Assemblies, 140, 215, 200
Avery, John, 277
B
Bacchus, feast of, 132
Backgammon, 81
Backus, Jan, tavern of, 81
Balfour, Sir James, 126
Bancker, Anna, 151
- Christopher, 337
Maria, 151
family, the, 340
Barclay, Dr., 377, 378, 384
family of, 339
Basket Badge, the, 353
Bastiens, Hachin, 206
Battery Park, 6
Baxter Street, 44
Bayard, Balthazar, 27
Mrs. Balthazar (born Maryje
Lockermans), marriage of, 27; a
relative of Judith Varleth, 148
Judith, 239
Colonel Nicholas, chosen to the
council, 138; marriage of, 148;
member of the King's council, 168;
his beautiful country home, 171 ;
his arrest at Leisler's command,
172, 173 ; released from prison, 191
Mrs. Nicholas (born Judith
Varleth), 17; married, 148; im-
prisoned as a witch, 171 ; released,
172 ; insulted by Leisler'a men,
172 et seg.
Peter, 80
Mrs. Peter.
See Kierstede,
Blandina
Samuel, 103
Mrs. Samuel (born Anna Stuy-
vesant), emigrated to America
with her brother, 103, 104, 172;
her accomplishments, 104; inter-
fered in behalf of a Quaker, 110;
present at New Year's festivals,
131, 132
family, the, 140, 256, 260
Beaver Street, 153
Bedford, the Duke of, 372
Governor, 348
Bedlow, Mr., his arrival in New
York, 226 ; purchase of "Bedlow's
Island," 227
Bedsteads, 30, 31, 75
Beekman, Cornelia (Mrs. Guysbert
Livingston), 186
Cornelia (Mrs. Richard Van
Dam), 239
400
Index
Beekman, Colonel Henry, second
marriage of, 223 ; on a grand jury,
340
Mrs. Henry (born Gertrude
Van Cortlandt), 223, 340
Jacobus, marriage of, 229
Mrs. Jacobus (born Elizabeth
de Peyster), 229
William, 37, 38, 108, 138
Mrs. William. See Van de
Bourgh, Catarina
family, the, 261, 274
Street, 38, 39
Belleville, 102
Bellevue Hospital, 194
Bellomont, the Earl of, 342 ; made
Governor, 201 ; his jealousy of his
wife, 202 ; shut off' his wife from
social intercourse, 202; a "re-
former," 202 ; his attempt to raise
a navy and its bad results, 203
et seq.; abandoned Captain Kidd
to his fate, 209 ; death of, 212 ;
coffin-plate of, 212
Bellomont, Lady, 201, 202
Benson, Robert, 337
Berkeley, Bishop, his cure for gout,
348 ; arrival of, in Newport, 349 ;
his treatise called Siris, 349, 350
Bestevaars Killitje, 32, 322
Betty, ''Topknot, "82
Beverly, 256
Beverwyck, 23, 90, 109, 111, 158,
350 ; church at, 95 ; settlement of
the Schuylers at, 97 ; settlement
of Mrs. Bogartus at, 148
Birth, customs attending, 54 et seq.
Black Horse Tavern, 310
Bleecker, family of, 261
Bleekor, John R., 93
Blockhouse, Peter Minuit's, site of, 6
Bogart, Henry, 337
Bogart's biscuits, 266
Bogartus, Rev. Everardus, minister
in the Dutch Church, married
Annekje Jans, after the death of
her first husband, 20; personality
and home, 21 ; his death by drown-
ing, 103
Mrs. Everardus. See Jana,
Annekje
Bogartus Farm, 20
"Boo," the, 353
Bootikins, 347
Boston, 166, 167, 209, 210, 211, 218,
285, 287, 289
Boston Hignway, 43, 286
Boudinot, Mr., 238
Bound Brook, 102
Bourdet, Mr., 338
Bouwerie, 23, 119, 132; of Governor
Stuyvesant, 286, 398
Bowerie, Bossen, 322
Bowery, the, 219
Bowling club, the, 80
Green, 6, 351
green, the, 80
Braddock, (General, 385, 388, 389
Bradford, Governor William, 105
Bradly, Samuel, 203
Sarah, married to Captain
Kidd, 203
" Brant," 83
Bread, 108
Breakfasts, 73
Bridge over the Graft, 49
Street, 6, 147
' Brief Relation of New York, A," 7
Brinckerhoff, Abram, 101
Dirck, 101
George, 337
Broad Street, 29, 37, 46, 49, 51, 146,
152, 153, 263, 330, 345, 351, 397
Broadway, 104, 224, 286, 351, 356, 375
Brockholst, Captain Anthony, hia
marriage to a Schrick, 149
Bronck, Jonas, the widow of, 94
Brower Street, 29, 35
Brown, Charles, 108
Browne, William, 256
Mrs. William (born Mary Bur-
net), 256
Bunker Hill, 40
Bunner family, the, 339
Burgoyne, General, 83
Burnet, Bishop, 252, 263
Mary, 256
Thomas, 256
Governor William, 321, 325,
340 ; reception of, 252 ; courtly
manners of, 253 ; weekly tea-
parties of, 254 ; marriage of, 255 ;
reasons for his many friends, 256 ;
Godfather of Mary Alexander,
262 ; became Governor of Massa-
chusetts, 270 ; his death, 270
Mrs. William (born Mary Van
Home), 255, 256, 262, 270, 340
Burton, Mary, 330, 331, 332, 341,
342
Bushwyck, 77 ; new settlers of, 90
Buttermilk Channel, 101
401
Index
C
Campbell, Lord Neal, 366
Canada, 169, 243, 33(5, 343 368-
couutyof 126; 'title of Viscount
Canada, 162 etseq., 397
Canal Street, 40, 356
Candlemas, 131
greenat,80
Cards, 81, 83
Carey, Peggy, 332, 341
Carpsey, Gabriel, 50, 51
t ' Governor > marriage of, 369,
-Mrs., 369, 370
Catiemuts 39, 42; windmill on, 43
351 ; building of the New York Life
c
Cattle, care of, 50, 51
Caudle, 56
- parties, 55
Centre Street, 342
Chair, Bisho
's,
"
Mr., 341
-S'treet, the tea-water " pump
Champlain, Lake, 95
diaries II, H, 130 et g
183 ? m Holland, 97
Dutch friends, 98
Charles, voyage of the, 34
hatelaines, 28, 70
Chatham Street 342
Jhclsea, 351
Cherry-tree Harbor, 210
Clarkson, Matthew^ 230
Christian names, 19
-hristy, Alice, 257
Churches, 272 et seq.
Churchill, John, 112
r> y ?r al h 194 ' ^ 276
City Hall p ark) 51 80
Common
de Peyster) ^ y
family of, 201, 340
^ aver Waytie, de, 46
Claverack, 159
Clermont. Robert of. See Living
ton, "Robert Second" g "
Llmton, Admiral George, 375, 376,
ffirfr'te^^wiS
er, Cornelius, 50, 193
e, 348, 349
Club, the bowling, 80
Cod, Cape, 106, 126
' ,
with Governor
-' ? nis studies 257
is children 258 ; Rutherford' de-
cnptzon, 259; made Lieutenant-
governor, 361 ; opposed Clinton,
Alice
Jane, 258. See Parquhar, Mrs.
-family, the, 261
Coldenham, 258, 259
Collect, the, 42 171, 230, 286, 339,
342 ; windmill at, 43 ; filled in by
municipal authorities, 42 ; rite o
College of XIX., formation of 4-
decrees and aims of, 5 ; sent Oloff
Stephenzen to Mana-ha-ta, 29;
grant of lands to the Patroon Vnn
Rensselaer 91 ; influence of the
Patroon with, 100
Co linson, Peter, 258
Columbia College, 262
- County, 91
Colye, Admiral, made Governor,
J37; resigned office, 139
^ 8 ' *
' Children ' 8 '
, 326,
402
Coney Island, 162
Congreve, William, 348
Coninick Davit 28
Connecticut, 108, 152, 171, 205, 369
Index
Connecticut River, 160 ; fort at the
mouth of, 206
Coote, Richard. See Bellomont,
Earl of
Corlear, Jacob, 38
Hoeck, 38
Cornbury, Lord, 319; sent as Gov-
ernor to New York, 220 ; dissolute
character of, 220 ; stories concern-
ing, 223 et seq. ; his undignified
exploit, 224 ; reduced to extreme
poverty, 225 ; collected money due
Bedlow, 226 ; his flight from the
yellow fever to Jamaica, Long
Island, 237 ; secured Presbyterian
manse and chapel for the Church
of England, 238 ; his way of se-
curing money for his wife's fu-
neral, 239 ; recall of, 240 ; im-
prisoned, 241
Lady, 232, 239, 340 ; beautiful
ear of, 220 ; extravagance of, 220 ;
scheme of, for securing free ser-
vice, 221 et seq. ; isolation of, 225 ;
thievery of, 225, 226 ; her death.
236
Cortlandt Street, 45
Cosby, Elinor, 286, 287
William, 314, 316, 380; ap-
pointed Governor, 278 ; insolent
treatment of Chief -Justice Morris,
279 ; his dishonesty, 281 ; elected
to the "Humdrum Club," 281;
ball of, 282 ; discredited by Mor-
ris, 283 ; abused his councillors to
the home government, 284 ; eluded
by Colonel Morris, 285-289; his plot
to intimidate the council, 2U4 ; re-
treat of, to Perth Amboy, 297,
298 ; plan to prosecute Peter Zeng-
er, 298 et seq. ; demanded at-
tendance of council at cremation of
a paper, 301 ; outwitted by Mrs.
Alexander, 306, 308 ; death of, 311 ;
last council of, 312 ; his deposition
of Governor Van Dam, 313
Mrs. William, 281, 282, 297,
313
Council, the, 76, 77, 254, 256, 276,
281, 285, 291, 294, 300, 301, 313,
314 ; provision made for orphans
by, 83 ; composition of, 108 ;
abused by Governor Cosby, 283,
284 ; plot to intimidate the, 294 et
seq. ; terrified by the conspiracy to
fire the island, 337
Cowfoot Hill, 40
Cox, William, 211
Crawford, Captain Peter, 358
Cribblebush Swamp, 38
Crimes, punishment of, 77
Crol, Sebastian Jansen, 8
Crowninshield, Captain Arent Schuy-
ler, 339
Cruger, John, 337
John, Jr., 339
family, the. 339
Cunard family, the, 339
Curacoa, 103, 161, 209
Cuyler, Sara, marriage of, 23 ;
daughter of, 184 ; father of, 184
D
Daly, Chief-Justice, quoted, 317
De Boorgh, Catarina. See Van de
Bourgh, Catarina
De Bruyn, Francis, marriage of,
149
Mrs. Francis (born Catherine
Varleth), 149
De Forest, Isaac, first brewer of New
York, 196, 239
Mrs. Isaac, 239
De Key, Tunis, 23
De la Court, Jan, 88
Mrs. Jan (born Susanna Van
Rensselaer), 88
Delafield, Mrs. Joseph, 179, 186, 224,
225
De Lancey, Chief-Justice James,
277, 361, 383, 384, 390, 391 ; mem-
ber of Governor Cosby' s party,
301 ; his contemptuous treatment
of James Alexander and William
Smith, 302; the trial of Zenger,
306 ; his objections to Cosby's
actions, 311 ; acting Governor of
New York, 380, 381 ; his jealousy
of James Alexander's business en-
terprise, 390
Oliver, 390
family, the, 256, 260, 291
De la Noy, A., 269
Delaware River, 38, 105, 126
Denton, Daniel, his history of New
York, 7 ; account of him, 141 ;
quoted, 141, 142
De Peyster, Abraham, 215, 216, 217,
230, '268, 269, 327 ; prominence of,
403
Index
37, 150 ; marriage of, 151 ; cap-
tained a company raised by him-
self, 1 69 ; made Mayor of New
York, 193; gifts of 'land to the
city, 193 ; his beneficence, 195 ;
resigned as treasurer of the prov-
ince, 204
De Peyster, Mrs. Abraham (born
Margaret Van Cortlandt), 264
- Abraham " de Jonge," 264
- Catilina, funeral of, 65, 66
- Cornelia, 37, 151, 214, 269
- Cornelia. See Clarkson, Mrs.
Matthew
- Cornelius, 269
- Elizabeth, daughter of Abra-
ham, 262
- Elizabeth, daughter of Jo-
hannes, 229
- Isaac, brother of Johannes,
151
- Isaac, son of Johannes, 151,
269, 276, 339
- Mrs. Isaac (born Maria Van
Balen), 151
- James Abraham, 339
- Mrs. James Abraham
Sarah Reade), 339
Johannes, 214, 229 ; emigrated
(born
from Holland, 36 ; his marriage to
Cornelia Lubbetse, 36 ; connection
with the government, 37 ; member
of the council, 108 ; chosen to the
new council, 138 ; residence of, 150
Mrs. Johannes (born Cornelia
Lubbetse), 18, 213, 228, 266, 292,
366, 367; emigrated from Hol-
land, 36 ; wedding of, 36 ; children
of, 37 ; her receipt for making
caudle, 56 ; residence of, 150 ;
children of, 150 ct seq.; her sug-
gestion regarding salt, 161 ; will
of, 268 ; death of, 268
Johannes " de Jonge," mar-
riage of, 229 ; heir to his mother's
estate, 269
Mrs. Johannes (born Anna
Schuyler), 229
Maria, 37, 269 ; betrothal of, to
Paulus Schrick, 151 ; her first
marriage, 152 ; her house, 153 ; her
marriage to John Spratt, 154 ; the
house in Prince's Graft, 156 ; her
opposition to Jacob Leisler, 170
et srq. ; wisdom of, 189 ; her in-
terest in the welfare of the colony,
192 ; domesticity and influence of,
197 ; her courage in adversity, 213 ;
her marriage to David Provoost,
214, 215; her weekly receptions,
215 ; her death, 216 ; allowance for
her children from her late hus-
band's estate, 216. 217
De Peyster family, 140, 261, 274
De Riener, Margaretta, 147
De Trico, Catelina, 6
De Vries, Eva, marriage of, to Jacob
Van Cortlandt, 33 ; voyage to the
New World, 34 ; her daughter, 80,
footnote
- Peter Rudolphus, 33
Mrs. Peter Rudolphus. See
Harden broeck, Margaret
Digby, Captain, 371, 372, 373, 374
Dircksen, Jan, 93
Director, " der Groot," 95 et seq.
Dobb's Ferry, 328
Dock, the, 49
Dominies' Hoeck, 23
Dongan, Governor, 146, 181
Dornick, Marcus, 154
Doughnuts, 55
Drake, Rodman, 160
Dress, 69 et seq. ; of Dr. Kierstede,
24 ; of a bride, 68 ; of officials, 69 ;
of women, 69, 70 ; richness of, 71
"Drum, Major," 333
Drummond, Mrs. David (born Eliza-
beth Alexander), 2-19
Duane Street, 44
Duer, William Alexander, 262
family, the, 339
Duncan, Thomas, 340
Dunlop, Mr., 337
Dutch Church, the, 194, 240, 272,
273,338, 339; the first church, 194
East India Company 2, 3, 4, 85,
108
language, superseded by the
English, 163
Duval, John, marriage of, 146
Mrs. John (born Caty Van Cort-
landt). See Phillipse, Mrs. Fred-
erick
Dyeing, 70, 72
E
Earthenware, 43
Earthquakes in New York, 364, 365,
391
East Hampton, 141
404
Index
East River, 8, 24, 38, 39, 44, 48, 194,
200
Ebberts, Daniel, 358
Edgar family, the, 340
Elizabeth, Queen, 11, 98
Ellis, John, 258
Elm Street, 441
Emott, Mary, 370. See Ricketts,
Mrs. William
England, Church of, 272, 274
English, visits of, to the Dutch colo-
nies, 15 ; their usurpation of Dutch
territory, 90 ; their attitude tow-
ard the Dutch, 92, 105 et seq.^
115 ; their expedition against the
Dutch, 120 et seq. ; New York ac-
quired, 129 ; New York surren-
dered, 137 ; retaking of New York,
139 ; intercourse with them
avoided by the Dutch in New
York, 271 et seq.
church-yard, the, 226
Erving, John, Jr., 390
Esopus, 118 ; marriage records at, 66
Exchange, the, 48, 49, 50
Place, 49, 51, 153, 194
F
Fairfield, 72
Farquhar, Dr. William, 259, 387
Mrs. William (born Jane Col-
den), 258, 259
Feast-days, 131
Fifth Avenue, 195
Filipse. See Phillipse
Finger-plays, 61 et seq.
Fire, precautions against, 83 et seq.
Fireside pastimes, 60 et seq.
Fish, 158 et seq.
Fitzroy, Hon. Augustus, 286, 287
u Flatbush, History of," 58, 70
Flattenbarack Hill, 50, 229
Flax, 46
Fleming, Mary, 179
Flushing, 152, 204, 375
Fly-boys, 338
Fly Market, 193, 337, 338. See
Vlye-Market
Forrester, Major, 127, 205
Fort on Mana-ha-ta, 6, 8, 104, 116,
332-334, 361
the Indians', on Catiemuts, 39,
44
Fort Orange, 4, 111, 148 ; first voy-
agers to, 6 ; new settlers at, 90
Forty-eighth Street, 195
France, flag of, planted at head-
waters of the Hudson, 3
French, the, in America, 92, 107 et
passim
French Anna, 340
Philip, marriage of, 35
Fromer, Hans, lawsuit of, 16
Funeral customs, 03 et seq.
Fuyck, the, 111
G
Gables, 31
Gallows-field, the, 286
Games, 81
Gardiner, Captain Lion, his pur-
chase of land from Indians, 205 ;
his bravery, 206 ; arrival of, in
America, 206 ; further purchases
from Indians, 207 ; his grandson,
208 et seq.
Mrs. Lion, 206
manor, 207
Gardiner's Bay, 205
Island, 45, 127, 205
" Gazette, the New York," 282, 358
George I., King, 246, 298
Fort, 356
Geues, Madame, the napkins of, 109
Goede vrouw, the, 14, 25, 34, 52, 74,
79, 139, 196 ; dress of, 70
Goede Vrouw, the ship, 89
Goelet, Peter, 58
Gogar, John of, 247, 323, 324, 364,
397
Gold, sought by the Dutch in Amer-
ica, 102, 103
Golf, 81
Gout, 347 et seq.
Gouverneur, Nicholas marriage of,
192
Mrs. Nicholas, 192. See Leisler,
Mary
family, the, 339
Governor's Island, 101
mansion, the, 35, 48, 49
Graft, the Prince's, 49, 152, 153,
156, 213, 216
Grafton, the Duke of, 286, 287
Grant, Mrs., 231, 327
Gravesend, 109
Greenwich, 322, 323, 350
405
Index
Greenwich Hospital, 379
Grevenerat, Andrew, marriage of,
to Anna Van Brugh, 23
Greyhound, the, 371
Groen, Claes, shepherd, 51
Guelderland, family estate of the
Van Rensselaers in, 87
H
Hackensack River, 2, 26, 47
Hague, royal archives in the, 91
Halifax, the Earl of, 281, 375
Hall of Records, the, 40
Halle, der, 46, 48, 50
Hals, Franz, portrait of Rev. John
Livingston by, 177
Halve Maen, 2, 7
Hamilton, Andrew, 304, 305 ; ap-
pearance at the trial of Zenger,
306 ; applauded in New York,
307 ; tendered a dinner, 308
Colonel John, 230, 262, 295
Mrs. John (born Elizabeth de
Peyster), 262
Hanover Square, 129, 150, 199
Hardenbroeck, Margaret, 110, 150,
161, 198, 398; pioneer, 18; mar-
ried, 33 ; account of, 34 ; her
death, 35
Hardy, Sir Charles, Governor of New
York, 391, 393
Harison, Francis, 276, 295, 297, 301;
sympathy of, with the tl court,"
291 ; suspected of authorship of a
letter to James Alexander, 296
Harlem, 286, 351
River, 285
Hartford, 152, 171, 175, 176
Hell Gate, 288
Hempstead, 237
Henry H., of France, 177
Hett, Rene', 340
"Historic Tales of Olden Times,"
179
Hoboken, 118, 171
Hackingach, 41, 351
Hoekies, 43
Hogg, Robert, 330, 345
Holland, laws of, in the colonies of
the New World, 4, 5 ; intelligence
and refinement in, 11 ; care of the
sick and aged in, 82 ; religious tol-
erance in, 111 ; cultivation of veg-
etables in, 157
Hominy, 72
Hoogh Straat, 22
Horse-mill, site of the first, &
Horsmanden, Daniel, 337, 338
Hospital, New York, founded, 82
Houses of the settlers, 14, 31, 32, 75
Hudson, Hendrick, 2
River, 1, 2, 8, 14, 20, 26, 39, 40,
41,44, 47, 91, 100, 106, 111, 114,
116, 118, 139, 158, 159, 100, 164,
171, 181, 183, 200, 203, 250, 271,
275, 328, 330, 334, 350, 385, 386 ;
claimed to have been discovered by
Verrazzano, 3 ; site of the Bogartus
farm near, 20 ; site of Mrs. Van
Brugh' s farm on, 23; Mrs. Van
Cortlandt's farm on, 32 ; settle-
ment at the head-waters of, 85 et
seg.
Street, 356
Hughson, the inn-keeper, 330, 331,
341-343
Mary, 331
Humdrum Club, the, 281, 287
Hunter, Governor Robert, 217 ; suc-
cessor to Lord Lovelace, 241 ; his
visit to the manor of Rensselaers-
wyck, 241, 243; visit to the Liv-
ingston manor, 244 ; purchase of
land on Raritan Bay, 244, 245 ;
death of his wife, 251 ; his return
to England, 251
Mrs. Robert, 251
Huybert, Goody, 109
Huybertsen, Maeyken, 16
Huyck, Jan, 8
Hyde, Anne, 220
Edward. See Cornbury, Lord
Indian villages, 91
Indians. See Wilde Menschen
Iphetonga, 48
Irish settlers in Massachusetts, 158
Iroquois, 354
Izer-cookies, 57 et seq. , 266
Jackson, William, 269
Jaimeson, William, 277
Jamaica, 237, 238, 262, 270, 324. See
Sewan-ha-ka
406
Index
James I., 246
IL,246
Jans, Annekje, 129, 199, 398; pio-
neer, 18 ; marriage of, 19 ; sec-
ond marriage, 20 ; her farm, 20 ;
her home, 21 ; descendants of, 21 ;
daughters of, 22, 23 ; position of,
26, 32 ; sons of, 27 ; a leader of so-
cial festivities, 148
Ariantie, 28
Maryje (mother of Annekje
Jans), first midwife, 8 ; pioneer,
18, 19
Maryje (sister of Annekje
Jans), 27, 150, 174
Jansen, Elsie, 27, 168
Sara. See Kierstede, Mrs.
Hans
Tryntje, 22, 199
Jansen, Tymen, 27
Tytje, 22, 33
Jauncey family, the, 340
Jay, Peter, 80
Jersey, West, 250
Jerseys, the, 311, 352. See New
Jersey
Jesuits, the, 243, 336, 343
Jew's Alley, 2t.3, 330
Johnson, Rev. Dr., 385
Jonas. See Jans
Jonson, Simon, 337
K
Kanaomeek, 91
Kearney, Peter, 322
Kennebequi, 126
Kermiss, 78 et seq.
Kettletas, Abraham, 340
family, the, 340
Kidd, Captain William, marriage of,
203 ; vessels of, 203 ; appointed
privateersman, 203 ; supposed hid-
ing - places of treasure of, 204 ;
boarded the Quidder Merchant
and secured cargo, 205 ; visit to
grandson of Captain Gardiner,
308; detained in Boston Harbor,
209 ; his letter to the Governor,
809 ; discovery of his treasure,
210; hanging of, 211
. Kidd, Mrs. William (born Sarah
Bradly), 203, 211
Kidd's Hollow, 210
Kieft, Governor William, 102, 103
Kierstede, Blandina, marriage of, to
Peter Bayard, 80, footnote ; a rel-
ative of Judith Varleth, 148
Dr. Hans, 352, 355 ; marriage of,
24 ; daughter of, 80, footnote ; mar-
ket near the house of, 25, 79 ; entry
in Trouw Boeck, 24, 29 ; kermiss
held near house, 79 ; chief in au-
thority in first hospital, 82
Mis. Hans (born Sara Jansen),
22, 23, 24, 26
Dr. Hans u de Jonge," 27
Mrs. Hans "de Jonge" (born
Jennet je Lockermans), 27
King, Rufus, the fire-bucket of, 84
Street, 66, 338
King's College, 329 ; founding of, 384,
385. See Columbia College
" King's House," the, 332, 333
Kip, Jacobus, 108
Samuel, 276
family, the, 140
Kitch-a-wan, 146
Kloch, the, 32, 39, 40, 43, 45 ; filled
in by the municipal authorities,
42 ; site of, 44
Kloch-Hoeck, 42
Knickerbocker, Diedrich, 8, 73
" Knight, Madame," 218,219
Koseka, Meta, 110
Kottomack, 91
Kranck-besoeckers, 8, 20
Kromme Gouw, 205
Laap-haw-acn-king, 3, 90
Labbadist missionaries, 34, 159
Landed gentry, provision for, in"the
New World, 5
LaNoy, P. D., 269
La Touche, Isaac, 338
Jeremie, 338, 339
Mrs. Jeremie (born Jeanne Sou-
main), 339
Lawrence, Samuel, 337
Mrs. William, 369. See Car-
teret, Mrs.
family, the, 140
"Laws, the Duke's," 201
Lee, William Philips, 323
Leevens, Annekje, 69
Lefferts, 70
family, the, 70
407
Index
Leisler, Jacob, 197, 198; marriage
of, 27 ; in command of a company
against the French, 168 ; an-
nounced himself Governor, 169;
cast Colonel Bayard into prison,
170 ; detestable character of. 173 ;
his dispute with Robert Living-
ston, 187 et seq. ; self -assumed pat-
ent as Governor not confirmed by
King William, 188; commanded
the marriage of his daughter, 1 90 ;
death by hanging, 191 ; his deeds
not defensible, 192 ; the family es-
tates restored, 192
Mrs. Jacob (born Elsie Jansen),
27, 168
Mary, enforced marriage of,
190 ; second marriage of, 192
Lenox Library, 28
Leonard Street, 44
Liberty, the statue of, 227
Street, 45
Library, the first public, 271 ; its
development, 382-384
Lierescu, Pieter, 51
Lights in the streets, 84
Lincoln, the Earl of, 360
Lindsey-woolsey, 15, 70, 160
Linnaeus, 258
Lispenard family, the, 339
Livingston, Mrs. See Van Rensse-
laer, Gertrude
Alexander, 177
Barbara, 177
Gilbert. See Guysbert
Guysbert (or Gilbert), 186
Mrs. Guysbert (born Cornelia
Beekman), 186
Katharine, 185, 351
Rev. John, portrait of, 177
his
retreat to Holland, 178 ; marriage
of, 179 ; death of, 180
Mrs. John, 179
Mary, 177
Peter Van Brugh, 351, 363, 364,
370, 384, 388, 392 ; engagement of,
\ 326 ; wedding of, 327 ; member of
the ' ' Committee of One Hundred,"
328 ; his anxiety about Mrs. Alex-
ander, 386, 387 ; his business en-
terprise, 390
Mrs. Peter Van Brugh (born
Mary Alexander), 325, 328, 370,
386, 387
Philip, second lord of the man-
or, 326, 357, 358, 362, 364, 365;
marriage of, 184 ; prominence of
his family, 186
Livingston Mrs. Philip (born Katha-
rine Van Brugh), 351, 365, 386;
marriage of, 184 ; handsome dower
of, 185 ; education of, 185 ; mar-
riage-chest of, 185 ; children of,
186 ; death of, 392
Philip (' l the Signer"), son of
the second lord, 383, 384
Philip ("Gentleman Phil"),
grandson of the second lord, 328
Robert, first lord of the manor,
248 ; ancestors of, 176 et seq. ;
sailed to New Netherlands, IhO ;
obtained patent of the manor of
Livingston, 181 ; piety of, 181 ;
capabilities of, 182 ; marriage of,
183 ; gave his son a portion of his
estate, 187 ; his dispute with Leis-
ler, 187 ; his voluntary exile, 188 ;
reception to Governor Hunter,
244 ; friend of Governor Burnet,
256
Mrs. Robert (born Alida Schuy-
ler), second marriage of, 183 ; her
children by this marriage, 184.
See Van Rensselaer, Mrs. Nico-
laus
"Robert Second," son of the
first lord, education of, 186; the
"Lower Manor, "187
"Robert, Jr.," a cousin of
u Robert Second," 186
Robert, third lord of the manor,
marriage of, 240 ; a letter, 367 ; a
subscriber to the first library, 383 ;
one of the first trustees of the
library, 384
Mrs. Robert (born Mary Long),
240
Sarah, 364, 365, 386
William, 383, 384
family, the, 274, 291,
340,
339,
183, 244, 255,
384
Manor, 71, 181,
365, 386, 387, 388
Lockermans, Annekje, 398 ; pioneer,
18 ; betrothal and marriage of, 29 ;
death of, 144. See Van Cortlandt,
Mrs. Oloff Stephen zen
Govert, 23, 150, 199, 214; mar-
riage to Maryje Jans, 27 ; home in
William Street and family history
of. 27 ; first marriage, 28 ; member
of the Council, 108
408
Index
Lockermans, Mrs. Govert (born Ari-
antie Jans), 28
Mrs. Govert. See Jans, Maryje.
Jacob, 27
Jennetje, 27
Maryje, married to Balthazar
Bayard, 27 ; entry of her birth in
a Bible, 28 ; a sister-in-law of Mrs.
Nicholas Bayard, 148
family, the, 140
Lombardy poplars, 15
Londonderry, 158
Long Bridge, 351
"Longbridge gang," the, 338
Long Island, 48, 101, 109, 121, 126,
141, 193, 204, 205, 207, 237, 262,
324, 352, 358, 375 ; ferry to, 50
Long Island Sound, 204, 288
Lovelace, Colonel Francis, 241 ; suc-
cessor to Governor Nicolls, 135;
entertained at Rensselaerswyck,
136
Lubbetse, Cornelia, 18, 398; mar-
riage of, to Johannes de Peyster,
36 ; death of, 268. See de Peyster,
Mrs. Johannes
Ludlow family, the, 340
Lullabies, 59, 63
Lumsden, Elizabeth, 249
Lurting, Robert, 276, 295, 300, 301
Lutheran Church, the, 194
M
Maadge Paatje, 46
Machicans, 118
Maiden Lane, origin of the name of,
46
Mana-ha-ta, colony of, 100, 103, 105,
119, 121, 139, 392; Denton's his-
tory of, 7, 141 ; houses of the
colonists, 31, 32, 74 ; manners and
customs of the early settlers, 54,
72 et seq. ; marriage records in, 66 ;
the first kermiss, 78 ; named New
Amsterdam, 115 ; the expedition
of the English against, 120 et seq. ;
taken by the English, 129 ; recapt-
ured by the Dutch, 137 ; retaken
by the English, 139; food of the
colonists, 156 et seq.
island of, 1, 2, 45, 50, 95, 98, 101,
102, 104, 107, 109, 111, 118, 130,
140, 147, 150, 152, 156, 158, 162, 164,
181, 192, 196, 200, 214, 332, 242,
255, 268, 285, 322, 351, 355, 363,
395, 398 ; settlement of, 3, 6, 8, 89,
161 ; selected for a plantation by
the College of XIX. , 5 ; signifi-
cation of the name of, 6, 8 ; pio-
neers of, 13, 39; house of Margaret
Hardenbroeck on, 35 ; wild ani-
mals on, 44 ; importation of cattle,
51 ; contention between the govern-
ors ot, and the directors of Rens-
selaerswyck, over ownership of
territory, 90
Mana-ha-ta tribe, 6 ; home and in-
dustries of, 40, 41 ; village of, 42 ;
disappearance of, 43. See Wilde
Menschen
Manchannock, 207
Manitou, 43
Mann, Sir Horace, 319, 348
" Mannados, the Towne of," 114
Manor, the Lower, 187
Phillipse, the, 35, 45
Manors offered for sale, 6
Mar, the Earl of, 246
Marck Velt, 79, 80
Maria, Queen Henrietta, 157
Marketfield Street, 263, 358
Markets, order for, issued by the
Council of New Netherlands, 25 ;
site of the first, 48 ; the bridge
over the Graft, 49
Marlborough, Duke of, 112
Marriage customs, 66 et seq. ; dress
of the bride, 68
Marshall, John, 337
Maryland, 27
Masquaas, 118
Massachusetts, settlers of, 105 et
seq., 164, 206 ; state of, 256, 270,
385
Mather, Dr. Increase, 165
Matowack, 126
Maurice, Prince, entry into Amster-
dam, 86
May, Captain, 6
Mayflower, the, 106
May-poles, 66
McClish, Mrs. John (born Janet
Alexander), 249. See Petticoat
Lane
McEver, John, 339
Meanagh, 147
Medici, Catherine de, 177
Medicines of the Wilden, 74
" Mercury," the New York, 394
Meyut, Madame, 148
409
Index
Micella, Dominie, 68
Midwife, first, 8
Milborne, Jacob, 190 ; hanged, 191
Mrs. Jacob. See Leisler, Mary
Mill Street, 263
Minetta Water, 32, 322
Minorca, 278, 282, 284
Minthorne, Philip, 337
Minuit, Peter, purchase of Mana-
ha-ta from the Indians by, 6 ; first
Governor of Mana-ha-ta, 20 ; suc-
cessor of, 100
Moeneminues, 91
Mohawk reservation, the, 311
Mohicanehuck River, 2
Money Pond, 204
Montauk, 204
Montgomery, Colonel John, Govern-
or of New York, 270, 271, 276,
277, 297
County, 258
Moody, Lady, 109, 110
Moore, Governor Henry, 15
John, 276, 337
Morris, Euphemia, 285, 286, 287, 288,
310
Isabella, 366
Colonel Lewis, 280, 281, 291,
307, 31 1, 362, 369 ; a friend of Gov-
ernor Hunter, 244; a friend of
Governor Burnet, 254 ; episode
with Governor Cosby, 279 ; deliv-
ered an " opinion " in favor of Gov-
ernor Van Dam, 283 ; his secret de-
parture for England, 284-289 ; au-
thor of articles in the "Weekly
Journal, 1 ' 300 ; fruitlessness of his
appeal to the home government,
310, 314 ; made Governor of New
Jersey, 315
Mrs. Lewis, 289
Lewis, Jr., 300, 317, 390
Robert Hunter, 244
Morrisania, 285, 288
Morriatown, 362
Mount Pleasant, 40
Murray, Mr., 341, 377
James, 358
N
Narrows, the, 119, 190, 288
Nassau, or Long Island, 101, 109,
121. See Long Island
Negagonae, 91
Negroes, 318 ; burying-ground of the,
43 ; convicted or suspected of
crimes in the city, 330-346
New Amsterdam, the colony of
Maua-ha-ta named, 115
Newanemit, 91
Newfoundland, 124
New Hampshire, 270
Jersey, 102, 121, 244, 245, 250,
253, 315, 360, 362, 369, 370, 394,
395, 398
London, 205
Netherlands, colony of, 9, 14,
25, 100 et seq. ; flag of, 114
Newport, 349
Newtown patent, 238
New Year's, 131, 291, 292, 293
York, 184, 196, 197 et passim;
birth of, 1 29 ; described by a Bos-
ton lady, 218 et seq. ; its aspect "in
the forties," 351. See Mana-ha-ta
and New Amsterdam
York Historical Society, old fire-
bucket in the possession of, 84
York State, 91, 121, 162, 193,
238, 258, 385
Niagara, 390
Nicholson, Lieutenant-Governor, 167
Nicoll, Benjamin, 384
Mary, 338
William, 338
Mrs. William (born Anna Van
Rensselaer), 338
Nicolls, Colonel Richard, Governor
of New York, 120, 129, 242 ; at the
head of the English invasion, 130
et seq. ; his anxiety about the sav-
ages, 134; demanded his recall
from the home government, 135
Ninetieth Street, 288
Norris, Captain, 288, 289, 307, 308
Mrs., 308, 310. See Morris,
Euphemia
North River. See Hudson River
Notas, 355
Nova Scotia, 125, 126, 389
Nutten Island, purchased, 101 ; bat-
tle with the Indians on, 118, 119
o
Ohio, 385
Oorst, John, 203
Mrs. John (born Sarah Bradly),
married to Captain Kidd, 203
410
Index
Orphans, 83
Osborne, Sir Danvers, 380 ; made
Governor, 375 ; dinner of welcome
to, 376 ; violent death of, 377
Oswego, 385
Paas, 131
Paatje, T'Maadge, 46
Palisadoes acroos the island of Mana-
ha-ta, site of, 8
Pall-bearers, 64, 65
il Paradise," 343
Park, City Hall, 51, 80
Street, 44
Parker, Elisha, 366 ; death of, 3-74
Mrs. Elisha (born Catharine Al-
exander), 366, 374. See Alexander,
Catharine, and Rutherfurd, Mrs.
Walter
Passaic River, 2
Patroon, title of, 5, 96
Van Rensselaer. See Van
Rensselaer, Kiliaen
Paupers, 82
Pavonia, 118
Pearl Street, 8, 23, 134, 146, 343
Pedlers, 52
Pemaquid, 126
Penn, William, 121
Pennsylvania, 302, 369
Pepys, Samuel, 131, 369
Perth Amboy, 245, 298, 305, 308, 314,
321, 322, 328, 366, 370, 375, 387
Petanock, 91
" Peter, Old," 292, 293, 300, 334
Peters, Richard, 390, 391
"Petes," significance of, 262
Petticoat Lane, 153, 263, 264, 360,
361. See Marketfield Street
Philadelphia, 236, 304, 305, 307, 308,
348, 389, 390
Phillipse, Annekje, marriage of 35
" Cuff," 337
Frederick, second husband of
Margaret Hardenbroeck, 33 ; voy-
age to New World, 34; married Mrs.
John Duval, widowed daughter of
Oloff Van Cortlandt, 35, 197; chil-
dren of, o5 ; member of the king's
council in New York, 166
Mrs. Frederick. See Harden-
broeck, Margaret
Mrs. Frederick (born Caty Van
Cortlandt), her marriage, 146; rel-
atives of, 197 ; her interest in the
natives, 198 ; her endowment of a
church, 198
Phillipse, Frederick, grandson of the
above, 276, 337, 345 ; chief -justice
at the trial of the negroes, 338 ;
summoned some disreputable char-
acters before the grand jury, 341 ;
provided a camping-ground near
his house for the Indians, 352
Phipps, Sir William, 165
Piau, Jeanne, 339
Pier, Rachel, 68
Pigeons, the great flight of, 74
Pilgrims, 105 et seq.
Pine Street, 35
Pintard, John, 337
Plaster, oyster-shell, 43
Ploeg, Albert Hendrickse, 68
Plymouth colony, the, 105
"Post-Boy," the, 346
Potatoes introduced by the Dutch,
158
Poughkeepsie, 186
Powder-house, 342 ; Bite of, 40
Presbyterian Church, 184, 240, 273,
274
Prince, hanging of, 341
Street, 328
Princess, the, 103
Produce Exchange on the site of
Johannes de Peyster's house, 36
Provoost, David, 214
Colonel David (grandson of
David), 232; marriage of, 214;
made Mayor, 215 ; in debt to the
Spratt estate, 216 ; put under cus-
tody of the sheriff, 217 ; his in-
debtedness adjusted, 218 ; death of,
267, 268 ; on a grand jury, 340
Mrs. David. See de Peyster,
Maria
David, son of Colonel David,
233, 327, 329, 333
John, 233, 327, 329, 339
Mrs. John (born Eva Rutgers),
327, 329, 339
Maria, 255
Samuel, marriage of, 232 ; fam-
ily of, 233 ; death of, 234, 261
Mrs. Samuel (born Polly Spratt),
capabilities of, 233 ; children of,
233 ; assumed control of her hus-
band's business, 234 ; her ingenious
pavement, 235 ; fame of her shop,
411
Index
236 ; hospitality to James Alexan-
der, 250 ; admitted Governor Bur-
net to her hospitality, 255 ; second
marriage of, 261. See Alexander,
Mrs. James
Provost, Bishop Samuel, 329
family, the, 140
Public Library, the first, 271, 382-384
Pump, the "tea-water," 52
Q
Quakers, persecution of, by Governor
Stuyvesant, 110
Queen Anne, 220, 223, 224, 241, 243,
246
Elizabeth, 11, 98
"Quidder," the. See Schuyler,
Peter
Quidder Merchant, the, 205, 208, 209,
210
K
Raritan Bay, 244
Raritans, 41
Reade, Joseph, 339
Sarah, 339
Records, the Hall of, 40
Reddergoed, 87, 124
Reed, family of, 340
Regiment, the first, 100
" Relation, a Brief, of New York," 7
Rensselaer County, 91
Rensselaerswyck, colony of, 19, 89
et seq., 100, 111, 118, 121, 127, 136,
167, 179, 181, 182, 183, 198, 241-
245 ; first settlement of, 89 ; site
of, 91 ; leases to tenants, 92 ; con-
ditions to settlers, 93 ; churches
and ministers, 93 ; rights of the
directors settled, 112; the aid of
the colony sought by Governor
Stuyvesant, 116, 117. See infra
manor of, 6, 160, 185; the
manor house, 71 ; disposition of
the estate after the death of the
Patroon Van Rensselaer, 94. See
supra
in Holland, 87
Reynolds, Sir Joshua, 397
Rhode Island, 349
Richards, Stephen, 23
Richards, Mrs. Stephen (born Maria
Van Brugh), 23
Ricketts, Colonel William, 370, 371,
373
Mrs. William (born Mary
Emott), 370, 371, 373
11 Road, the," 29
Rockaways, the tribe of, 351
Rocks, the Great, 2, 47
Rodenburg, Lucas, marriage of, 22
Romaine, William, 337
Rondel, the, 48
Roosevelt, Cornelius, 337
James, 276
Rosby, Christopher, 211
Russell, Andrew, 180
Rutger, Anthony, 339
Rutgers, Catharine, 327
Elsie, 327
Eva. See Provoost, Mrs. John
Hermanns, 327, 329
Mrs. Hernianus (born Catharine
Meyers), 329
Rutherfurd, Mr. Livingston, 236
Walter, 259, 374
Mrs. Walter, 374, 387. See
Alexander, Catharine, and Parker,
Mrs. Elisha
s
Sachems, Indian, names of, 91
Sack posset, a, 67
Sagiskwa, 91
Saint Croix River, 124, 126
Lawrence River, 92, 124, 126
Margaret's, Westminster, 98
Mark's, 144
Paul's Chapel, 274, 275, 351
Thomas Island, 209
Salt, 161, 162
Samp, 72
Samp-Mortar Rock, 72
Sandilands, Robert, 249
Sandy Hook, 159
Sapocanichan, 33, 322
Sassafras wood, bedsteads of, 30
Savmders, family of, 339
Schaape Waytie, de, 51, 153
Schenectady, 20 ; settlement of, 94
Schliemann, Dr., 354
Schrick, der Heer Paulus, 149, 152
Mrs. Paulus (born Maria Var-
leth), 148, 149, 151
Paulus " de Jonge," 173 ; mar-
412
Index
rias;e of, 151 ; house of, 152 ; death
of, 153
Sc!i rick, Mrs. Paulus. See de Pey-
sfcer, Maria
family, the, 140
Scluiyler, Adoniah, 339
- Mrs. Adoniah (born Gertrude
Van Rensselaer), 339
Alida. See Van Rensselaer,
Mrs. Nicolaus
Anna, 229
Brant, 146
Mrs. Brant (born Neltjie Van
Cortlandt), 145, 146 ; death of, 198
Gertrude. See Van Cortlandt,
Mrs. Stephanus
Peter, power of, with the Ind-
ians, 243 ; acting Governor, 251
Philip Pieterse, 182, 184 ; mar-
riage of, 97 ; The Quidder Mer-
chant, 205
Mrs. Philip Pieterse (born Mar-
gretta Van Schlectenhorst), 97,
182, 231
family, the, 261
Scott, John Morin, 383
Second Avenue, 288
River, 102
Selyns, Dominie, 152, 154, 190 ; lines
of, on the picture of Nicolaus Van
Rensselaer, 99; lines of, on Gov-
ernor Stuyvesant, 144 ; epitaph
for der Herr and Madame Van
Cortlandt, 144 ; marriage of, to
Mrs. Steenwyck, 147 ; his notice of
the death of Paulus Schrick, 153
Semessarse, 91
Sempel, Lord, 177
Seneca oil, 75
Servants, 16, 17, 76, 318, 344, 345;
the Wilden as, 75 ; position of,
293, 294. See Slaves
Settlers of Dutch colonies, first ship-
load of, 6
Sewan-ha-ka, 2, 41, 102, 237, 351.
See Jamaica
Sewant, 41, 109
Shirley, Ann, letter of, 387, 388
General, 266, 387, 390, 395 ; ar-
rival of, in New York, 385 ; expe-
dition of, 386 ; cleared of charges
of malfeasance, 396 ; returned to
England, 396
Shrewsbury, 285
Singleton, Thomas, 34
Slaap-bauck, 30
Slagboone, Antonia, 94
Slaughter, Governor Henry, arrival
of, 190 ; took oaths of office, 191 ;
signed Leisler's death-warrant, 191 ;
recalled, 201
Slaves in America, 318, 319, 320, 344,
345. See Negroes
Slidell, , 337
Slip, Coenties, 134
Sluys, 43, 49, 132, 219
Smith, Chief-Justice William, 248,
251, 277, 281, 282, 283, 285, 287,
291, 295, 311, 316, 341, 357, 362,
377, 378, 382, 383, 384 ; accused by
Harison, 297 ; suspected of author-
ship of the articles in the il Weekly
Journal," 299 ; connected with the
Zenger trial, 301-305 ; contemptu-
ously treated by Governor De Lan-
cey, 302 ; a born orator, 317 ; re-
instated at the bar, 317 ; a trustee
of the first library, 384 ; his " His-
tory of New York," 285, 294, 295,
312, 315, 316 ; description of New
York and of New York women in,
290, 291
Mrs. William, 316
Smits Vlye, de, 50
Society, the, for the Propagation of
the Gospel, 271, 382
Library, the New York, 382-
384
Solebay, the ship, 277
Sophia, Princess, 246, 253, 254
Soumain, Jeanne, 339
Simon, 339
Mrs. Simon (born Jeanne Piau),
339
South Carolina, 340
River, 38, 105
William Street, 8, 37
Spenser, George, 340
Spoons, 56, 65
Spratt, Catharine, 213
Cornelia ("Neltje"), 213, 217,
232, 239 ; birth of, 155 ; her dispo-
sition, 228 ; death of, 233, 234
John, 156, 215, 248, 366; mar-
riage of, 154 ; member of Abraham
de Peyster's company, 169; his
support of Jacob Leisler, 170 ;
speaker of the assembly, 173 ; his
activity in public affairs, 197
Mrs. John. See de Peyster,
Maria
John, son of John, 213, 217,
413
Index
229, 267 ; birth of, 155 ; his sister's
Bible, 233 ; his death, 366
Spratt, Mary, 155, 213, 217
Polly. See Provoost, Mrs. Sam-
uel, and Alexander, Mrs. James
Staat family, the, 261
Stadt-Huys, the, 49, 109, 134, 138,
191 ; fire-buckets hung beside, 84 ;
succeeded by City Hall, 194
State Street, 6
Staten Island, 33, 110, 118, 190, 211
Steendam, , 162
Steenwyck, Cornelius, marriage of,
147 ; entertainments at the house
of, 147
Mrs. Cornelius, 147
Steinwicks, 71
Stephen III., 97
Stephenzen, Oloff, marriage of, to
Annejte Locker mans, 29. See
Van Cortlandt, Oloff Stephenzen
Stevens, John, 366
Mrs. John. See Alexander,
Elizabeth
Stirling, the first Earl of, 247, 249,
269, 323, 397. See Alexander, Sir
William
the third Earl of, 121, 127, 128
the fifth Earl of, 205, 247, 323,
324
the sixth Earl of. See Alexan-
der, Major William
New Jersey, 362
the county of, 177
the island of, 121, 126, 127. See
Long Island
Stone Street, 29, 30, 35
Stoutenburgh, Isaac, 337
Strand, the, 24, 25, 48, 79, 194, 352
Stuyvesant, Anna. See Bayard,
Mrs. Samuel
Gerardus, 276, 337
Governor Petrns, 170, 172, 242,
254, 286, 398 ; a friend of William
Beekman, 37; legislation of , against
hogs running in the streets, 52,
108; successor of Governor Kieft,
102 ; personality and family of,
103; gubernatorial mansion, 104;
received a letter from Governor
Bradford, 105 ; troubles as Govern-
or, 107, 108; his kind treatment
of Lady Moody, 110; his harshness
to the Quakers, 110 ; quarrelled
with Brant Van Schlechtenhorst,
111, 112; his provisions against
invasion, 115, 116; begged money
from Jeremiah Van Rensselaer,
116 ; his visit to Rensselaerswyck,
117 ; his absence when the Duke
of York's expedition arrived, Hi) ;
his seizure of Major Forrester,
127 ; his return to New Amster-
dam, 128; the surrender, 129 ; his
death, 143 ; his epitaph, 144 ; inter-
ference of, in behalf of Judith Var-
leth, 171
Stuyvesant, Mrs. Petrus, persuaded
her husband to protect Lady
Moody, 110 ; her bravery, 119
family, the, 140
Sunday, observance of, 138
Surnames, 19
Swedes, the colony of, 38, 105, 107,
108
Swift, Dean, 241, 349
John, 348
Tar water as a cure for the gout,
348, 349, 350
Tartar, the, 288, 307
Teller, Andrew, marriage of, 146
Mrs. Andrew (born Sophie Van
Cortlandt), 145, 146
Temple, Sir William, 136, 137
Thimble, the, of Mrs. Kiliaen Van
Rensselaer, 88
Tide-mill, 43
Tinton, 285
Tong, Mary, 240
Walter, 239, 240
Mrs. Walter (born Calatyntie
Van Dam), 239, 240
u Topknot Betty," 82
Trade, the Lords of, 203, 209, 27"
281 , 360, 362, 372, 375 ; sent Lord
Bellomont to New York, 201 ;
made William Cosby Governor of
New York, 278 ; the plan of the
colonists to make their grievances
known, 284, 288; the failure of
the appeal, 310, 311, 314, 315
Tree, " der groot," 46, 48, 50
Trico, Catelina de, 6
Trinity Church, 20, 66, 226, 269,
272, 273, 274, 329, 351, 366, 377,
384, 385, 395, 398
Trouw-Boeck, 23, 29, 68, 153
414
Index
Tnimbull, Sir William, 333
family, the, 340
Tryon. Governor, 383
u
United States Treasury, 193
Ury hanged as a conspirator, 343
Van Balen, Maria, 151
Van Benschoten, Nicholas, 88, 89
Van Brugge, Margaret Gillis, 214
Van Brugh, Anna, 23
Catharine, daughter of Johannes
Pieterse, 23
Carel, 108
Helena, 23
Johannes Pieterse, created al-
derman, burgomaster, and schepen,
23 ; marriage and wedding-presents
of, 22 ; house and bouwerie, 23 ;
children of, 23 ; reception of, in
honor of the English invaders, 129,
130; wealth of, 184; a witness in
an interesting law case, 199
Mrs. Johannes Pieterse (born
Tryntje Jansen), 129, 199 ; mar-
riage of, 22 ; bouwerie of, 23 ;
children of, 23 ; residence of, 27 ;
chatelaine of, 28 ; farm of, 32
Johannes, son of Johannes
Pieterse, 23, 184
Katharine, granddaughter of
Johannes Pieterse, marriage of,
184. See Livingston, Mrs. Philip
Maria, 23
Peter, 23, 184
Mrs. Peter (born Sara Cuyler),
23
Van Bylant, Hillegonda, mother of
Johannes Van Rensselaer, 87
Van Corlear, Arent, appointed to
colonize America and to take
charge of: Kiliaen Van Rensselaer's
affairs, 89 ; a representative of the
Patroon, 94 ; marriage of, 94 ;
death of, by drowning, 95
Mrs. Arent (born Antonia Slag-
boone), marriage of, 94; first
husband of, 95
Van Cortlandt, Caty, first marriage
of, 146 ; second marriage of, 198.
See Phillipse, Mrs. Frederick
Gertrude, 223, 340
Jacobus, marriage of, 33;
daughters of, 80, footnote
Mrs. Jacobus (born Eva de
Vries) , marriage of, 33 ; voyage to
the New World, 34 ; daughters of,
80, footnote
Margaret, 264
Maria. See Van Rensaelaer,
Mrs. Jeremias
Neltjie. See Schuyler, Mrs.
Brant
Oloff Stephenzen, 223, 322;
betrothal and marriage of, 29 ; his
house in Stone Street, 30, 31 ; pur-
chase of a country place, 32;
neighbor of Phillipse, 35 ; the
daughter of, 96 ; chosen to the
council, 138 ; death of, 144 ; chil-
dren of, 145, 197
Mrs. Oloff Stephenzen (born
Annekje Lockermans), 96, 22-5
322, 398 ; pioneer, 18; betrothal and
marriage of, 29 ; house of, 30 ; her
house-warming, 31; farm of, 32;
constancy of, 35 ; opposed to war,
117 ; death of, 144 ; her epitaph,
144
Philip, 230
Sophie, 145 ; marriage of, to
Andrew Teller, 146
Stephanus, 197, 223 ; his pur-
chase of land from the Indians,
146 ; marriage of, 146 ; a member
of the king's council, 167; shel-
tered Robert Livingston, 176
Mrs. Stephanus (born Gertrude
Schuyler), 182, 221 ; marriage of,
146, 147 ; insulted by Leisler, 174 ;
death of her child. 174
family, the, 140, 260, 274
manor, 71, 146
Van Dam, Calatyntie, See Tong,
Mrs. Walter
Richard, 239
Mrs. Richard (born Cornelia
Beekman), 239
Rip, 239, 240, 298, 310; mar-
riage of, 196 ; his appointment as
Governor not ratified, 277 ; his re-
fusal to meet demands of Governor
Cosby, 280; law-suit of, 282, 283;
author of letters in the u Weekly
4*5
Index
Journal," 300 ; presided at a brill-
iant ball, 310; deposed by Gov-
ernor Cosby, 312, 313
Van Dam, Mrs. Rip, 239
Van de Bourgh, Catarina, 18, 37, 398
Van der Donck, Guysbert, 16
Mrs. Anna, 16
Van der Speigle, Laurens, 196
Van der Ween, Peter Cornelius, the
widow of, 168
Walwyn, 268
" Vanessa," 349
Van Home, Abraham, 255, 256
Mrs. Abraham (born Maria Pro-
voost), 255
David, 340
Mrs. David (born Anna French),
340
Mary. See Burnet, Mrs. Will-
iam
family, the, 260, 333
Van Iselstyn, Jan Willemsen, 77
Vanlooe, Mary, 127
Sir Peter, 127
Van Maesterlandt, Roelof Janse,
bouwmeester, 19 ; daughters of, 22,
23 ; Van Schoendervelt his friend,
148
Mrs. Roelof Janse. See Jans,
Annekje
Van Ravensleyn, Paulus, 28
Van Rensselaer, Anna, 338
Elenora, 88
Gertrude, 339
Hendrick, 23
Mrs. Hendrick (born Catharine
Van Brugh), 23
Hillogonda, 88
Jan Baptist, marriage of, 88 ;
director of the colony, 95
Mrs. Jan Baptist (born Susanna
Van Weely), 88
Jeremias, "der Groot Director,"
95, 96, 145, 242, 243 ; marriage of,
88 ; ordered to assume the direc-
torship of Rensselaerswyck, 112 ;
his aid asked by Governor Stny-
vesant, 116
Mrs. Jeremias (born Maria Van
Cortlandt), 88, 148 ; marriage of,
95, 146 ; portrait of, 96 ; wealth of,
117; her opposition to a war, 117
Johannes, 87, 95
Mrs. Johannes (born Elizabeth
Van Twiller), 87
Kiliaen, iirst Patroon of the
manor of Rensselaerswyck, be-
came commissioner of the College
of XIX. , 4 ; created Patroon, 6 ;
sent Van Maesterlandt to Rensse-
laerswyck, 19; the village of, 2)J ;
advised Johannes de Peyster to
emigrate to America, 36 ; history
of the family of, 85-87 ; marriage
of, 87 ; children of, 88 ; sent colo-
nists to America, 89 ; land invest-
ments of, 90, 91 ; will of, 94 ; death
of, 94 ; influenced the College of
XIX. to appoint his nephew Gov-
ernor, 100 ; a friend of Rev. John
Livingston, 179
Van Rensselaer, Mrs. Kiliaen (born
Anna Van Weely), marriage of, , ;
famous needle-work of, 88; the
gold thimble of Nicolas Van Beu-
schoten, 89 ; her sister, 198
Kiliaen, grandson of the Pa-
troon, children of, 87, 88 ; succeed-
ed to the directorship of Rensse-
laerswyck, 95 ; visited by Governoi
Hunter, 243
trs. Kiliaen (born Hillegonda
Van Bylant), 87
Maria, sister of the first Pa-
troon, 87
Maria, great-granddaughter of
the first Patroon, 88
Rev. Nicolaus, marriage of, 88,
1 82 ; emigration of, to America,
97; intimacy of , with Charles II.,
98 ; prophecy of, as to the King's
future, 98, 182; made chaplain of
St. Margaret's, Westminster, 98 ;
owned first watch imported to
America, 99 ; sudden death of, 183 ;
settled on his father's American
estates, 180
Mrs. Nicolaus (born Alida
Schuyler), first marriage of, 88, 97,
182 ; married to Robert Livingston,
183 ; children of, 184
Patroon. See Van Rensselaer,
Kiliaen
^ Rikert, 88
Stephen (third), the last Pa-
troon, 97, 185
Mrs. Stephen (born Katharine
Livingston), 185, 351
Susanna, 88
family, the, 260 ; in Holland, 85,
86 ; the family estates, 86, 88
Van Schaick, Annekje Leevens, 69
416
Index
Van Schaick, Goosen Gerritse, 69
, Mrs. Goosen Gerritse (born
Aimekje Leevens), 69
, family, the, 260
Van Schlechtenhorst Brant Arentse,
95 97 111 et seq., 116, 167, 18^
_'Margretta, 97. See Schuyler,
Mrs. PhUip Pieterse
Vau Schoendervelt, Rutger Jacob-
sen, 148
Van Teenhoven, -, Jj
Van Twiller, Elizabeth, 87
Rikert, 87 _ r
Mrs. Rikert (born Maria Van
Rensselaer), children of ,87
__ Wouter, nephew of Kiliaen
Van Rensselaer, arrival ot, <M ;
parents of, 87 ; appointed guardian
of the Van Rensselaer minors, 94 ;
Governor of colonies, 0; gave
name to island, 101
Van Vlecq, Isaac, 269
Van Weely, Anna, 87. See Van
Rensselaer, Mrs. Kiliaen
Johannes, 87; administrator of
the estate of the Patroon Van
Rensselaer, 94
Susanna, 88
Van Wen, Peter Hartgers, marriage
of, to Tytje Jans 23
Van Wevereen, Cornelius, father
and son of the same name, 2<
Van Zandt, Winant, 341
Vctrick, fear, 332, 341, 342, 345
John, 331, 332
Varleth, Catharine, 149
Mrs. Caspar, 148
Judith. See Bayard, Mrs.
Nicholas .
Maria, 148 ; second marriage ot,
149
Nicholas, 172
family, the, 140
Varravanger, Dr. Jacob, first city
physician, 82
Vegetables introduced into America
by the Dutch, 157, 158
Velt, D'Marck, 79 et seq.
Verplanck, Guilian, chosen to the
Council, 138
Verrazzano, Giovanni da, 3
Vesey, Dr., 66, 273
Street, 375
Virginia, 152, 166, 316, 388, 391
Vlacke, de, 51
Vlye, de Smits, 50, 193
Vlye-Market, 338, 358. See Fly-
Market
Vosbochs, Mrs. Abraham, 69
w
Waffle-irons, 58
Wall Street, 46, 194 252, 351
Walpole, Horace, 364; quoted, 319,
320, 348, 363
Walton, William, 384
Wampum, 41, 109
Warren, Peter, 277
- Sir Peter, 323
Washington, George, 194, 388
_ William d'Hertborne, 252
Watch, the, of Nicolaus Van Rens-
selaer, 99
_ the Rattle, 83
" Watering Place," the, 190
Watts, John, 384
Robert, 338
Mr s.Robert (born Mary Nicoll),
s the Broad, 104. See Broad-
way
Waytie, de Claver, 46
de Schaape, 51, 153
Weather, predictions of the, 47
Webber, Annekje, 19
Wolfert, 19
Weddings, 66 et seq.
"Weekly Journal," the, 298 et seq. %
310
"Weekly Post-Bag," the, 358
Wendell, Evert Jansen, 148
Weselssen, Maria, 69
West India Company 1, 4 o ,8, 16,
15, 16, 20, 24, 33, 51, 85,90,91,
114, 138, 155, 242 ; store-house of
the, 36
Indies, the, 346
Jersey, 250. See New Jersey
Westchester County 95
White Hall, the 35, 104, 115, 221,
"~-223, 224, 252, 254, 260, 268, 281,
370
'Street, 6, 29, 36, 147, 191
White Street, 44
Whittlesey, Rev. Mr., 385
Wiehocken, 2, 47, 171, 351
Wight, Isle of. See Gardiner a
T Q! n ~r\ f\
"Wilde Menschen," the, 2, 6 22 25,
26, 30, 33, 39, 48, 72, 90, 93, 114,
417
Index
134, 159, 161, 169, 194, 204,205, 207,
231, 237, 243, 244, 245, 255, 257,
266, 322, 343, 350, 368; encamp-
ment of, 40 ; customs of, 73, 74 ;
purchase of Governor's Island
from, 101 ; their favorite brew,
101 ; attitude of, toward the set-
tlers, 105 ; massacres of, 118 ; their
teaching the Dutch the use of the
products of the country, 157, 158 ;
their annual coming to market,
351, 356 ; purchase of the lands of
Rensselaerswyck from, 90, 91
William IX., Prince of Orange, 19,
161, 220, 252 ; his attitude toward
the colonists, 1 66
Street, 23, 27, 35, 43, 150. See
also South William Street
Williams, Roger, 109
Williamson, Dirck, 206
Mrs. Dirck (born Hachin Bas-
tiens), 206
Winckel Street, 36
Windmills, 43, 45 ; use of the sails
for signals, 45 ; the first wind-
mill, 43, 351
Winthrop, Governor, 206
Wolley, Rev. Charles, quoted, 74
Women of the seventeenth century,
10 ; in Holland, 11 ; their domestic
accomplishments, 12 ; women in
the colonies, 14, 16, 17, 18 tt pas-
sim
Yellow fever in New York, 237, 239
Yonge, Mi^s Charlotte N., 202
Yorikers, 35
York, James, Duke of, 112, 120 et
seq., 164 et scq., 248, 323
Zenger, Peter, publisher of the
"Weekly Journal," 298; his at-
tacks on Governor Cosby, 299,
300 ; imprisonment of , 301 ; famous
trial of, 299, 306 ; the verdict of
not guilty, 306 ; importance of the
verdict, 307
Mrs. Peter. 301
Zoutberg, the, 20, 100
6566 GC 488
11-27-00164367 MS
418
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