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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 

1 02 



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 

104 



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. 

105 



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 

106 



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, 

107 



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. 

1 08 



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 

109 



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 



no 



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 

113 



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 

114 



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- 

116 



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 ; 

118 



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 

119 



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- 

121 



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 

326 



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. 

328 



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- 

330 



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 













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