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. THE NEW YORK Genealogical and Biographical
"'^i^*
Devoted to the Interests of American Genealogy and Biography.
ISSUED QUARTERLY.
VOLUME XVII., 1886.
:<&'
^ OF COh'G#^
1898
"'^ilPF WASH\H5i^
PUBLISHED FOR THE SOCIETY,
MOTT Memorial Hall, No. 64 Madison Avenue,
New York City.
4121
PUBLICATION COMMITTEE.
Gen. JAS. GRANT WILSON, Dr. SAMUEL S. PURPLE, Dr. henry R. stiles, CHARLES B. MOORE, Esq.
EDITORS.
January and April, Gen. Jas. Grant Wilson.
Jtdy and October, Henry R. Stiles, M.D.
INDEX TO SUBJECTS.
Address, by Gen. J. Grant Wilson, 78.
Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart., by Hon. Thomas Coffin Amory {with Portrait)^ i.
Ancient New York Tombstones, by Gen. Jas. Grant Wilson, 39.
Arms and Seals of New York, The : a Defence, by Henry A. Homes, 48.
Books. See Notes on Books.
Books donated to the Society, 60, 1 12, 237, 282.
Brookhaven (L. I.) Epitaphs, by William Kelby, 259, 260.
Crosby, Ernest H. The Rutgers Family of New York, 82.
Delafield, the Englishman, John, by Rev. Wm. Hall {with Engraving), 245-251.
Descendants of Robert and Anne Drummond, by Rev. Wm. Hall, 35.
Donations to Library. See Books Donated to the Society.
Drummond, Some Descendants of Robert and Anne. See Descendants.
D wight Family in Early English History, Traces of, by Benj. W. D wight, D.D., 23.
Dwight, Rev. Benj. W. See above.
De Witt Family, The, of Ulster County, N. Y., by Thomas G. Evans, 251-259.
Drowne, Henry Thayer, by Henry R. Stiles, M.D. {with Portrait), 215.
Early Settlers of Ulster County, N. Y., by G. H. Van Wagenen, 261-267. Evans, Thomas G. The De Witt Family of Ulster County, N. Y., 251-259.
Fac-Simile of Handwriting of Colonel Beverley Robinson, 276. Four Primes, by Edward I. Stevenson (with Portrait)^ 197.
Gardiner's Island, The Lordship and Manor of, by John Lyon Gardiner, 32,
Gardiner, John Lyon. See above.
Genealogical History, by Dr. Von H. Schramm, 37.
Hall, Rev, William. Some Descendants of Robert and Anne Drummond, 35.
" '« " John Delafield, the Englishman, 245-251.
Hough, Franklin B., Memorial Sketch of, by Henry R. Stiles, M.D. {with Portrait), 93.
Kelby, William. Brookhaven (L. I.) Epitaphs, 259.
Marsiglia, Gerlando, Biographical Sketch of, 222.
Memorial Sketch of Franklin B. Hough, M.D., by Dr. Henry R. Stiles, 93.
Notes on Books.— Family Memorials, by Prof. Ed. E. Salisbury, 55 ; Personal Memoirs of Gen. U. S. Grant, 56 ; Bryant and his Friends, 56 ; Century Magazine, 56 ; Colonial New York, Philip Schuyler and his Family, by George W. Schuyler, 57; Charles Darwin, by Grant Allen, 57; Records of the Descendants of Nathaniel Ely, by Heman Ely ; Dictionary of National Biography, edited by Leslie Stephen, 112; Memoir of Rt. Rev. James Henry Otey, D.D., etc., by Robert Greene; Genealogical Memoranda; Snively ; Marlborough, by Saintsbury, 113 ; The Wil- derness Road, by Thos. Speed; The Forum, 114; Centennial History of the
iv Index to Stibjects.
Protestant Episcopal Church in America, 238 ; Life and Letters of Joel Barlow, 239; Life of Henry W. Longfellow, 239; Prajterita, 239; History of Kings County, N. Y., 240; Storrs Genealogy, 240; Life of Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, 242 ; Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, 242 ; Burns' Complete Works, 242; The Bartow Family in England, Rachel Du Mont, 280; Lee Genealogy, Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 281. Notes and Queries. — Blauvelt and Van Antwerp Families, 55 ; Vandalism, 55 ; Pike Family Genealogy, 55 ; East Haddam Folks' Record, 55 ; Record Index, 55 ; Hannum Genealogy, 55 ; Marseilles Arms, 55 ; Proceedings of the Society, Mott Family of New York, The American Historical Association, 109 ; The Duyckincks, A Chinese Vanderbilt, Sears and Smith, Drummond Family, no; Schuyler Fam- ily, Columbus Statue, Family Memorials, An Ancient Journal, Election of Officers, Careless Printers, Continental Soldiers, Longevity, in ; No Ancestors, Conant, Corson, Hoogland, Boardman, 112 ; Elwes Pedigree, Vannuxum, Drum- mond of Prestonpans, Natural Heirship, An Old-Time Real Estate Agent, Southampton, L. L, Balch, Cleveland, Dorr, Unclaimed Fortunes in Holland, May — Lyons — Butler, Raymond, Somerdyke, Seelye, Livingston, Marseilles, 242 ; Culloden, Weeks, Thompson, Cannone, Southold, L. I., Connecticut Light Horse, Riley — Egg Harbor, Some Curious Epitaphs, 279 ; Lawrence, Notes on the Lounsbury Family, Young — Rogers, 280.
Obituaries.— Grant, 57; Odell, 57; Pierrepont, 58; Van Buren, 58; King, Leveridge, 115 ; Rodgers, 116; Dey, 242; Robertson, 244.
Presbyterian Churches in New York City. See Records. Primes, The Four, by Ed. I. Stevenson, 197. Pruyn Family. The, by John V. L. Pruyn, 208. Pruyn, John V. L. See above.
Records of the Society of Friends, Westbury, L. I. (continued), 218.
Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in the City of New York — Baptisms, 40, lOl,
224, 268. Records of the First and Second Presbyterian Churches in the City of New York — Births
and Baptisms, 50, 232, 277. Reformed Dutch Church in the City of New York. See Records. Rutgers Family of New York, The, by Ernest H. Crosby {with Portrait), 82. Robinson, Colonel Beverley, Fac-simile of Handwriting, 276.
Schramm. Dr. Von H., Genealogical History, 37. Society of Friends, Westbury, L. I., Records of (continued), 218. Stevenson, Edward I. Four Primes, 197.
Stiles, Henry R. Memorial Sketch of Dr. Franklin B. Hough, 93. " " " Henry Thayer Drowne, 215.
Vanderbilt, Cornelius and William H., by Wm. H. Bogart {with Portraits').^ 61. Van Wagenen, Gerrit H. Early Settlers of Ulster County, N. Y., 261. Von H. Schramm. Genealogical History, 37.
Wilson, Gen. J. Grant. Ancient New York Tombstones, 39. '* " Address {with Portrait)., 78.
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THE NEW YORK
Vol. XVII. NEW YORK, JANUARY, 1886. No.
ADMIRAL SIR ISAAC COFFIN, BART.
An Address delivered before the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, October 8, 1885.
By Thomas C. Amory.
(With Portrait.)
The name of Coffin is so widely spread over our continent, so many thousands of men and women of other patronymics take pride in their de- scent from Tristram, its first American patriarch, that what concerns them all, any considerable branch or distinguished individual of the race, seems rather history than biography.
Space forbids my repeating here, as I well might wish, all that has been recorded of their history. It would fill volumes and exhaust your patience. What sheds light on Sir Isaac and his immediate progenitors is too ger- mane to my subject to be wholly overlooked. To trace back Tristram to Alwington, follow his fortunes from Plympton in old England to the Mer- rimack in the new, bring his chequered career to its honored close at Nan- tucket ; to pay due homage to his son James, the upright judge ; to his son Nathaniel, the dauntless master mariner, and his wife, Damaris Gayer, the eloquent preacher ; to their son William, the much-loved merchant of Boston, senior warden of Trinity ; to his son, another Nathaniel, graduate of Harvard and Yale, King's treasurer, and father of Sir Isaac — six gene- rations with Tristram of admirable men, with much to praise and little to censure, is our legitimate purpose, so far as our limits prescribed will permit, before proceeding to our more immediate subject.
Though unlike in character, and of very different experiences from his ancestors. Sir Isaac was too remarkable a man to pass into oblivion. His long life, commencing in 1759 ^^ Boston, and ending eighty years later in Cheltenham, England, was crowded with events, many of historic impor- tance. By his native vigor,' doughty deeds, and eminent services he rose to distinguished rank in the British navy, became captain of a line-of-battle ship at the age of twenty-two, and was created a baronet at the age of forty- four. This not from large means, family influence, or court favor, but that his character and conduct afloat and ashore entitled him to such prefer- ment. Throngs of heroic officers won glory in the same wars that he did,
2 Admiral Sir Isaac Coffiji, Bart. [Jan.,
•
attracted attention by more conspicuous achievements ; but his fearless daring, zeal, and ability, and what he accomplished, inscribes his memory high up on the roll of honor, if not on the scroll of fame.
How far life and character are molded by circumstances, how far by heredity, is a complicated problem, and the horoscope is too largely affected by maternal influences for these to be disregarded. Though bearing all the marks of his paternal stock, Sir Isaac doubtless owed something to the blood mingling in his veins from other sources, and it has been my endeavor to discover these infusions where I could, and, in one instance, should be preserved for the criticism of coming genealogists — a supposed link that may be of use.
Nicholas, father of Peter and grandfather of Tristram, has been re- garded as their most remote paternal ancestor ascertained. According to tradition their line was an offshoot of Alwington, but how, continued a puzzle. Many years ago I bought an old edition of Collins, 1758, and while seeking some other information, my eyes fell on the name of Peter Coffin, who about 1560 married Mary, fourth daughter of Hugh Boscawen. Hugh died 1559, at the age of eighty. As the homes of the Boscawens, Tre- gothnan and Penkeville lay near Brixton, the home of Tristram, this awakened curiosity, the more that Peter's name was not in the index, and might have escaped the notice of previous genealogical inquirers.
Hugh Boscawen, of one of the most affluent and influential families of Cornwall, married Phillippa Carminow, of large possessions and royal de- scent, inheriting, through Philip Courtenay, the unfortunate Marquis of Ex- eter, Plympton, and other estates near Plymouth, part of which we find the inheritance of Tristram. Hugh had seven sons and seven daughters. The third son, Nicholas, eighty-six when he died in 1626, was the successor of his parents in their estates. His sister Mary, who married Peter Coffin, must have been born about 1545, as there were nine younger children than her- self born before 1559, when her father died at the age of eighty. Her brass at Penkeville gives her death in 1622. Her age is not very clearly stated, but apparently as seventy-seven. Her son Nicholas, if grandfather of Tristram, would have been of an age, in 1582, to have been father of Peter, who died 1628, and whose wife Joanna, mother of Tristram, died in Boston 1 66 1, aged seventy-seven, having been born in 1584.
If thus, or in any other way, connected with the Coffins, the house of Tregothnan is too historical, and associated with too many important events in our colonial annals, not to make it worthy of note. Lord Falmouth, under Queen Anne, Edward, the commander of the British fleet in the sec- ond reduction of Louisbourg, in more recent days, have added to the lustre of a name prolific in naval heroes and eminent statesmen. The importance attached to this supposed connection is that it affords clues to ascertain the relation of Tristram to Alwington, and as Petronel, the sister of Mrs. Peter Coffin, married Peter Mayhowe, a possible explanation how Thomas May- hew and Tristram Cofifin here together planted Nantucket. Tuckett's Devon Visitations, full as to the main male line of Alwington, are being carried back, extended out, and brought down by Colonel Vivyan, who is approaching the Coffins. My suggestions may help his researches, and they are given for what they are worth.
But who was the father of Peter Coffin, who married Mary Bos- cawen ? He must have been born about 1500. If among the recorded members of the family are found individuals whose dates and other known
1 886.] Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. 3
circumstances are inconsistent with the parentage of Peter, that reduces the field of investigation. Sceptical minds reject hypothesis in such researches, but often hypothesis, fairly tested, is the only path to the truth. At Monk- ley, about ten miles east from Portlege, one of the homes of its junior branches, dwelt at that time James, son of Richard and Miss Chudleigh, whose brother John married Mary Gary. His wife, Mary Cole, was the near kinswoman of William, who married Radigan, daughter of Nicholas Bos- cawen. Tristram named his sons after his ancestors. James was his fourth >6on. These circumstances amount to nothing as proof, but may lead to it, or perhaps confirm the conclusion of Mr. Allen Coffin, that the connection with Alwington, if any, is much more remote.
But why seek to trace Tristram's lineage to Alwington ? The beauty of the place, the character of its long line of proprietors through seven hundred years — one of the very few instances, even in England, in which an estate has remained for so great a length of time in the same family — which has never been sold, sequestered, or confiscated, or passed except by in- heritance, will, or family settlement, which has continued not only their chief but constant habitation, suggests a home so enduring, qualities so sterling, that in a world changeable as this, it is solacing to every conserva- tive element in our nature to believe we too belong to it.
Alwington extends along the Severn Sea, south of the boundary between Somerset and Devon, fronting the broad Atlantic. The mighty billows roll in majestic force against its cliffs and crags. The domain tiow embraces thirty-eight hundred acres, part in fertile farms with substantial steadings ; part in park and pleasure grounds, studded with forest trees in clumps and woods. Its area may have expanded in prosperous days, or been shorn down to provide for junior branches ; but its grounds are substantially the same now as under the Plantagenets, or when it first came to the Coffins with the heiress of the Delaberes.
When we call to mind what this beautiful region embraces from the Severn Sea to its southern shores, Exmoor and Dartmoor, which Black- more and Kingsley have so brilliantly described, its romantic streams and majestic hills (and who has not read " Lorna Doon "), with their wild sub- limity, we can well consider it a privilege that such associations cluster about our own ancestral memories, that the Coffins and so many Americans from Devon have such good reason to be proud of their mother-country, feel deeper interest in their progenitors that they dwelt amid scenes so picturesque. Our kinswoman, Mrs. Johnson, will pardon me if I draw in part from her own eloquent account of Portlege, what will convey a more perfect idea of the place.
The approach from Bideford in Somersetshire south to Portlege (the manor house of Alwington) extends for four miles along a shaded road, lined on either side with luxuriant hedges, brambled vines, and grasses. Half a mile from the house the road reaches the great gateway, which opens on grounds tastefully disposed ; for time and taste and means eff'ect marvels about the old homes of England. Lawns and gardens in a fine state of cultivation spread around, with that depth of verdure and coloring peculiar to the proximity to the sea ; for in Devon the grape and peach, if protected,, ripen beside the pear and plum.
The house sets low for shelter from the blasts, and is not conspicuous untill closely approached. The spirit of repose that it breathes, of the times that: have passed, of the various vicissitudes of sorrow and enjoyment that have-
4 Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin^ Bart. [Jan.,
cheered or tried its generations (noted for their culture and refinement as they have come and passed from infancy to age) cannot escape your at- tention in the photograph submitted.
About the same distance from the house, along the shore, stretches a beach looking out over the Atlantic, to which a shaded walk from the house winds among ferns and groves thick with shrubs and rich with vari- ous verdure. Seats judiciously disposed afford a resting place for the enjoyment of the view and the breeze. About a mile away stands the old church, bosked in mossy foliage, quiet and secluded, no dwelling in sight,* venerable with age, if too substantial for decay. Its pews of oak, black with time, are richly carved, as often seen in these ancient shrines. Here more than twenty generations have brought their children in arms to the font, their dead for sepulchre. Here their blooming maidens, their own or their tenants', have come to be joined in wedlock. The walls and floors of the edifice, as the burial ground around it, are crowded with slabs and monuments that relate, with the same touching simplicity, the annals of them all.
Within the walls of the mansion, which are of stone, with coigns and buttresses and battlements, windows varied but harmonious, is a large, square entrance hall with gallery on the level of the second floor. This and the spacious dining-room are lined with family portraits ; men and women in antiquated garb, representing the blue eyes and characteristic features of the race. Carved doors abound of stately dimensions, and ceilings of faded grandeur, displaying in many colors the emblazonments and quarterings of the family arms and of others of the best, connected with them by marriage. Many are derived from royal and noble progenitors — Pomeroys, Beaumonts, Chudleighs, Courtenays, Prideaux, Carys, Cheni- pernouns, Cliff"ords, Bassets, Damerels, of Devon or adjacent counties. Imagination conjures up the throng of these personages, long mouldered, as on festal occasions they gathered to the banquet or the dance, roamed and wooed by the moonbeams, shot arrows at the targe, let loose the fal- con, or rode after the hounds.
The ancient forms and arrangements of the mansion, modified to meet as well the requirements of modern taste and comfort as to retain what is old or quaint, combine to constitute Portlege a most agreeable home to dwell in. It was once famous for its precious and extensive library, its archives rich with the accumulations of many generations. Sad to say, about 1800, in the transfer under a settlement to another branch, the books were mostly sold and many documents dispersed. There still remain vast coffers of manuscript treasures, which in time must perish, but which should before too late be arranged, copied, translated into intelligible language, calen- dared, catalogued, and indexed. Some antiquary of the family may yet be born to the faith that he can devote his days to no better field of service to posterity than such a task.
Before taking leave of Alwington, as Tristram's progenitors passed off from the ancestral stem, an enumeration of the succeeding generations from John and Mary Gary may be of interest. Their second son wedded Grace, daughter of Richard Berrie, of Berrianarbor. Richard, the oldest, 1569-1617 (forty-eight), Elizabeth, 1571-1651 (aged eighty), daughter of Leonard Ugbear, of Gornwall. With the eight sons and seven daughters of Richard, as they grew into life, Portlege must have been gay, and as the daughters, at least, followed in rapid succession to their nuptials, not even
i886.J Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. r
what was disagreeable in the Stuart monarchs or the contentions of the land could have cast a shadow so remote from the court and battle-field. When the mother died, in 165 1, James, the fifth son and last survivor, erected in the church of Alwington a monument to the memory of his parents, with an inscription which tells in rude rhymes their story. The eldest of the two sons left two daughters, Jane and Elizabeth, and the inheritance passed to a second Richard, 1622-99, "Without an enemy while living, and univer- sally lamented when dead." His wife was Ann Prideaux, daughter of Ed- mund, of Padstow, 1645-1705, who died at the age of sixty. He was much esteemed, and in 1686 was sheriff of Devon under James H.
The children of the sheriff and Ann Prideaux were Bridget, John, Ho- nora, and Richard. The eldest son married Ann Kellond, travelled exten- sively over Europe, stood well for character and scholarship, but died at the age of twenty-five in 1703. Honora married Richard Bennett; Dor- othy, Richard Pyne, from whom came the Pyne Coffins. Richard, who succeeded his brother John in 1703, for seventy-three years was Lord of Alwington, and died there in 1776 unmarried. He settled the estates first on the Bennetts, Robert and Richard, who died without children ; and the reversion went to the Pynes descended from Honora, who took the name of Cofiin. The present proprietor, born 1841, was the grandson of Rich- ard, great-grandson of the youngest daughter of the sheriff, who died 1699, and Ann Prideaux, who died 1705. As Mr. Pyne Coffin has a large fam- ily of fine healthy children, there seems no chance of any of the male line of the Coffins ever succeeding to Alwington.
It is believed the male representation of the family rests in some de- scendant of Peter Cofifin, who about 1565 married Mary Boscawen. A few words remain to be said about them. Phillippa Carminow, mother of Mrs. Mary Coffin, was, as already mentioned, coheiress of that part of the Courteney estates which escaped forfeiture when the Marquis of Exeter, next to the crown, was beheaded. Plympton, near the home of Tristram, formed part of the Courteney inheritance which Phillippa Carminow car- ried to Hugh Boscawen, of Tregothnan, 1469-15 5 9, as his wife. Their home was at Penkevil, not far up the river from Brixton, and is still the home of the Lords of Falmouth, their representatives. Evidence is found in an inquis^ition of W^illiam and Mary, 1558, of the Coffins, o( Portlege, holding lands at Plympton, which may have come through the Boscawen' s by this marriage, or perhaps may have led to it. At Plympton and Brixton Nicholas, grandfather of Tristram, and Peter, his father, resided ; and Tris- tram took, by the will of his father, Peter, subject to his mother's life es- tate, these lands, or a part of them, which it would seem likely came in this way or through the Hingstons.
What motives induced Tristram, in 1642, to dispose of so pleasant an abode and come to America can be conjectured, but are not positively known. It has been said that he had been employed as colonel in com- mand of the garrison at Plymouth, but this is not authenticated, and may have referred to his uncle Tristram ; but we do know that in its defence his only brother John had been slain. Tristram had married, at the early period customary in those primitive times, Dionis Stevens, and had already five children — Peter, Tristram, Elizabeth, James, and John.
We know his brother John was killed at Plymouth, and it may be Tristram was in the fight. The Stuarts made sorry kings, and the resist- ance they provoked to their arbitrary rule seems justified. But England
6 Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. [Jan.,
was seething on the verge of twenty years of contention, and Tristram, not over-fond of either party, and imperilled by the part he had taken, with ten women and children in his charge, may have been glad to escape persecution for them and himself in America. Two of his four sisters married in Devon. Two, Mary and Eunice, with their mother, his wife, and five children, accompanied him in 1642, the year King Charles placed himself in open array against the parliament. ^' That he came in that of the four vessels — Hector, Griffin, Job Clement, C and Margaret Clement, belonging to Captain Robert Clement, that came ./ over in 1642, which Captain Clement himself commanded — is well authenti- cated. It is known that after a brief residence at Salisbury, he moved up the river that year to what is now the next town, Haverhill, to form that settlement with Clement, on land bought from the Sachem Pasconaway.
With this large and dependent family of nine women and children, Tris- tram crossed the sea, disembarking at the mouth of the Merrimac, where they so long made their home. The births of his other children born in America show the different periods he resided in Salisbury, Haverhill, on the north of the river, and at Newbury, to its south. We have no knowledge of his going far from that neighborhood during the next sixteen years, till he went to Nantucket, though it seems reasonable to suppose that he did so.
The property they brought sufficed to support in comfort the families of his mother and his own, and to establish respectably in marriage, as they grew up, his sisters and his sons. He first settled himself at Salisbury, in the three-mile space between the Merrimac and the New Hampshire border, as fixed by the patent ; but removed that year to Haverhill, adjoin- ing Salisbury up the river, for in 1642, in November, his name is attached to an Indian deed there. There Mary, afterward Mrs. Starbuck, was born, and John the first having died, another took his place. In 1648 Tristram removed to Newbury, where his youngest son, Stephen, was added to the family group. After residing there for several years, during which he was licensed to keep an inn and a ferry over the Merrimac, Tristram returned to Salisbury, where he became a county magistrate.
Salisbury was close to the border of New Hampshire, and his eldest son, Peter, a merchant and king's counsellor in Dover, in New Hampshire, not far removed from Salisbury, married, about 1657, Abigail, daughter of Edward Starbuck; and his second son, Tristram, in 1653, Judith, daughter of Captain Edmund Greenleaf, widow of Henry Somerby. The descend- ants of this marriage of Tristram, Jr.'s, have ever since occupied this fine old mansion which Somerby had left her, or her father. Captain Greenleaf, bestowed.
Edward Starbuck had come over from Derbyshire in 1640, and estab- lished himself at Dover. Elder of the Church and Representative, he became a Baptist, and soon after a Quaker. Both he and Thomas Macy are said to have been among the chief promoters of the settlement of Nan- tucket.* It was no doubt often discussed, and perhaps slowly brought about. Nantucket, an island fifteen miles by four, embracing an area of about thirty thousand acres, lay at the southern extremity of what is now Massa-
* Fifteen miles by eleven in the widest part, and twenty miles south of the peninsular of Cape Cod, 120 miles S.S.E. of Boston. Latitude 41° 13' to 41° 23' N.; longitude 69° 56' to 70° 13'. Population, 1820, 7,266. In 1824 Sir Isaac was there; in 1826, 352 vessels engaged in the fisheries, 2,392 in the coasting trade entered its port. This was before the era of steam.
1 886.] Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. ' ^
chusetts. It was then part of New York, and so remained till 1692. When the project was ripe, and it was concluded to purchase, Tristram, early in 1659, made a voyage of inquiry and observation to the group of islands off the Massachusetts coast with this view. He first visited Martha's Vine- yard, whither Thomas Mayhew (1591-1681-90), formerly a merchant in Southampton in England, had, in 1647, removed from Watertown to preach to and convert the Indians. The name of his first wife, Martha Parkurst, he doubtless gave to the vineyard where he so long dwelt gathering souls from the heathen.
We are inclined to believe, though we have no conclusive proof, that the attention of Tristram was first called to Nantucket by Mayhew, and the question suggests itself whether it had not been from consanguinity that Mayhew proposed or urged the settlement. He held, in 1649, ^ convey- ance of Nantucket, as he did of Martha's Vineyard, from Lord Sterling. Born in 1591, Petronel Boscawen, sister of Mary, may have been his mother or grandmother. That Mary Boscawen was Tristram's great-grand- mother seems more than probable.
Mayhew and Mayhowe bear the same arms, and are corruptions or varia- tions of the same name. If Thomas Mayhew, born 1591, was son or grand- son of that Petronel Boscawen, sister of Mrs. Peter Coffin, who married Peter Mayhowe, as mentioned in Collins, Mayhew would have been kins- man of Tristram not remote. Whether this be so or not, Thomas Mayhew, having procured for himself and son, in 1641, from Lord Sterling and Sir Ferinando Georges, conveyances of both the islands, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, eighteen years later (July 2, 1659) conveyed Nantucket to Tristram Coffin and his associates, reserving about a tenth part for himself. He sent Peter Folger, grandfather of Benjamin Franklin, who had come with him from Watertown, and was familiar with the Indian languages, with* Tristram to explore. Tristram, soon after reaching Nantucket, purchased of Potinot, an Indian sagamore, the island of Tuckernuck, at its westerly end, containing a thousand acres.
Whether James Coffin came with his father, Tristram, at that time, or later in the fall with Thomas Macy, Edward Starbuck, and Isaac Colman, after his father's return to Salisbury, is not clear, but James remained through the winter on the island as they did. May 10, 1660, the sachems of Nan- tucket conveyed to the associates for ^,^80 a large part of the island, Peter Folger being witness.
Early in 1660, Tristram, with his family, came to Nantucket. Possibly some delay took place, as regarded them, in providing habitations. It was not long, however, before enough of the settlers and their families had ar- rived for their security and to plant their crops. Besides Tuckernuck, the Coffins had thus a quarter of the island, and much more in the sequel be- came theirs. Tristram took the lead from the first among the settlers, and was frequently selected to transact important pubhc business. His letters to the colonial government of New York, of which province Nantucket was then a dependency, are preserved in the archives of the department at Albany. In the records at Nantucket is an official oath of his, which runs as follows :
"Whereas I, Tristram Coffin Senior, have received a commission dated the 16* of September 1677 investing me with power to be Chief Magis- trate on the Island of Nantucket and its dependencies for the four years ensuing, under further order, I, Tristram Cofliin aforesaid do engage my-
8 Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. [Jan.,
self under the penalty of perjury to do justice in all causes that come be- fore me according to law, and endeavor to my best understanding, and hereunto I have subscribed — "
Tristram Coffin Subscribed before Chief Magistrate,
his son Peter. William, John and Stephen being his bondsmen.
In 1 66 1 Tristram lost his mother, Joana Thember, who died in Bos- ton at the age (1584-1661) of seventy-seven. His daughter Elizabeth, born in England, 1634, died at the age of forty-four, the wife of Stephen Greenleaf.
The very admirable Mary Coffin, born at Haverhill, in 1644, married soon after their arrival at Nantucket, at the age of eighteen, Nathaniel, son of Edward Starbuck. Their daughter Mary was the first European child born on the island. Tristram gave them two hundred acres, near half his own al- lotment, at Capaum Pond, and there they resided near him about twenty years, till his death. Of noble character and disposition, superior powers, and extended influence, Mary was peerless in all the graces of woman- hood, and also an eloquent preacher among the Quakers. Her husband was every way a fitting companion for one so gifted and admirable. Their daily associations with Tristram and his wife, Dionis, must have been a mutual advantage and solace to them. She died in 171 7, at the age of seventy-two, her husband two years later, at eighty-three.
It needs but a glance at your precious volume of the Coffins, Ewers, Folgers, and Gardiners, to see how rapidly multiplied the races of these early settlers, and how few comparatively were the prolific possessors of the earth, our then progenitors. It presents for study a somewhat unusual example of intermarriages on so small a scale which have not deteriorated the stock.
Among these was Edward Starbuck, who died there, 1690, at the age of eighty-six. His son Nathaniel, who married Mary Coffin, sold his brother-in-law, Peter Coffin, his estate at Dover, to accompany his father. With him came his sister Dorcas, who married William Gayer ; and their daughter, Dorcas Gayer, in the course of events married their cousin, Jethro Starbuck ; and her sister, Damaris Gayer, Nathaniel Coffin, son of James. The brother of William Gayer, Sir John, who died 17 10, acquired a large fortune in Bombay, which he divided among his nephew John, son of William, and among his nieces Damaris and Dorcas and their brother John, who died in 1637, in Kent, in England, after marrying his cousin Jane. Peter Folger, in 1663, moved to Nantucket, and his youngest daughter, Abiah, and Josiah Franklin were the parents of Benjamin Franklin, Peter Folger' s grandchild. Peter married Judith, daughter of Stephen Coffin, and the intermarriages between the descendants of the early proprietors of the island soon made akin all the inhabitants.
Among others who came were Richard Gardner, eldest son of Thomas, who, in 1624, held office under Conant at Cape Ann ; William Bunker, 1 650-1 7 1 2, carried to Nantucket by his mother, Jane Godfrey, whose first husband, George, was drowned, 1658, when she married Richard Swaine, married, 1669, Mary, daughter of Thomas Macy ; Richard Pinkham, of Dover ; Thomas Coleman, who had come out with Sir Richard Salton-
1 886.] Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. g
stall, 1599-1682, and who left four sons ; and John Sanborne, of Hampton, by marriage, 1674, with Judith, daughter of the second Tristram Coffin, be- came connected with the island.
In such a healthy climate, surrounded by the ocean, leading lives of purity and peace, dauntless afloat, industrious ashore, the whole globe with its waters alike by their voyages made familiar to their ken, it is no marvel that their numbers multiplied, or that the young grew up in physical perfection to transmit their precious inheritance of health and strength and comeliness of character and intellectual power, not only throughout their favored island, but over the country of which it formed so insignificant a part.
Tristram lived out his four years as Chief Magistrate, and as his term reached its close, his venerable form was borne from his home near Capaum Pond to the graveyard, half a mile away on the ridge. The actual sj^ot can no longer be identified. The earliest stone remaining, that of John Gardner, dates twenty-five years later. Tradition points out a depression in the ground where is said to have stood Tristram's dwelling, another where once existed the Quaker meeting-house ; but all around has been long since abandoned for human habitations.
We can easily conjure up that throng of noble men and women, devout and sad, his sons and daughters, their children, friends, and kinsfolk, who accompanied his remains to their last resting-place. But Tristram needs no monument to perpetuate his memory. The thousands and tens of thou- sands who look back with pride and aifection to him, their honored progen- itor, multiplying with their generations, will keep in perennial bloom the fragrance of his active and useful life, of his traits and works.
If sandy and not very responsive to the plough, Nantucket has been ever famous for its flocks and herds. Its most abundant harvests were nevertheless from the ocean. Even before Tristram passed away, " Lost at Sea " was a frequent epitaph for its dauntless mariners. They possessed many ships of their own ; sailed many from other places.
In his well-known burst of eloquence in Parliament, Burke, in 1774, pays just tribute :
" Look at the manner in which the New England people carry on the whale fishery. While we follow them among the tumbling mountains of ice, and behold them penetrating into the deepest frozen recesses of Hud- son Bay and Davis Strait, while we are looking for them beneath the Arctic Circle, we hear that they have pierced into the opposite region of polar cold ; that they are at the antipodes, and engaged under the frozen serpent of the South. Falkland Islands, which seem too remote and too romantic an object for the grasp of national ambition, is but a stage and resting-place for their victorious industry. Nor is the equinoctial heat more discouraging to them than the accumulated winter of both the poles. We learn that while some of them draw the line or strike the harpoon on the coast of Africa, others run the longitude and pursue their gigantic game along the coast of Brazil."
Their gigantic game has been almost exterminated, as the buffaloes on the prairie. Other ports have attracted their trade, and the population is now but one-half of what it was in its palmiest prosperity. But its children are not degenerate, though forced to seek other fields for their victorious industry. Everywhere are to be found accomplished ship-masters of its familiar names. William Coffin, who first settled in Boston, as his father
lO Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. ' [Jan.,
Nathaniel, who died in Nantucket (1721) at the age of fifty-five, traversed the sea in command of vessels. The proximity of their ancestral home in Devon to the shores may have implanted in their blood tastes and aptitudes for maritime adventure, which gained strength as they found wider employ- ment on this side the Atlantic.
Gardners, Macys, Bunkers, no less than the Cofiins ; this showed the mettle of their pasture. Nor was the invigorating influences of its climate, tempered as it was by the Gulf Stream, confined to its vikings. Daughters as well as sons of Dorcas and Damaris won eminence in their various pur- suits. No more admirable examples of womanhood than Mary Coffin and Dorcas Starbuck have been transmitted for emulation. The Quaker faith, tried by persecution among the Puritans, found elements congenial in the pure, salt air, as in the anxieties and bereavements that attended life on the sea. Nor did they grow up in ignorance. Refinements from civilization beyond the Atlantic had become their inheritance through many genera- tions. Tristram Coffin, Thomas Mayhew, John, his grandson, from the Vineyard, these mothers in Israel themselves exhorted and pra)'ed. Their simple trust, and the amiable disposition which these tenets fostered, fruited in generous deed and noble trait. We must all remember within our own experience men and women, even when separated by place and circumstances from the fold, still bearing unmistakable impress of their insular home, as also of its creed, in the beauty of their lives and well- regulated character.
In the " Life " of Tristram by Mr. Allen Coffin, pubHshed in Nan- tucket, 1881, the year of the jubilee, in that of Sir John, brother of Sir Isaac, by Captain Henry, published simultaneously in New York, we have much information about the Coffins during the last six or seven cen- turies, not repeated here for want of space. In the New England Register and other works and periodicals, there is much all of us, who honor the memory of our Coffin progenitors, should know. But my subject is the career of Sir Isaac, and to that I return.
My intention had been to follow Tristram to Nantucket, tell of the brave men and women that peopled that island, render homage to his admirable daughter, Mrs. Starbuck, to Dorcas and Damaris Gayer, and to all the noble patriarchs whose descendants over the land prove the mettle of their pasture.
I had hoped to have stated the old line of Alwington, of the Pine- Coffins, its present proprietors, through their exemplary generations. But I must hurry on and confine my story to Sir Isaac and his special branch.
From Tristram's third son. James, came Sir Isaac. James was Judge of the Common Pleas, and for twelve years of Probate, and when forty years later he passed away, at the age of eighty, he was as generally loved and respected. His wife Mary, daughter of John Severance, one of the earliest settlers (1637) of Salisbury, had fourteen children wedded with six Gardners, with Starbuck, two Bunkers, with Macy, Barnard, Clark, 1721, and Harker. The third son, Nathaniel, 1666— 172 1, by his wife Damaris, daughter of William Gayer and Dorcas Starbuck, and niece of Sir John Gayer, had four sons and five daughters.* William, the eldest son of Na-
* In London there is said still to exist a chapel erected by Sir John Gayer, Mayor in 1649, somewhat his- torical from the stand he took in trying times. Sir John Gayer, uncle of Mrs. Nathaniel Coffin, left fifteen thousand pounds for the nurture and education of students for the ministry in London, but he must be a generation later than the Mayor. The Mayor was from South Devon. He may have been father of this second Sir John, and William the father of Dorcas and Damaris, Mrs. Coffin, and Mrs. Starbuck, to whom Sir John, of Bombay, left considerable estates.
i886.] Adfniral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. j I
thaniel, born in 1691, in 1722 married Ann, daughter of Francis Holmes, of Boston and South Carolina. This event brought William, grandfather of Sir Isaac, to Boston, where he dwelt in honor and affluence till 1774, father and grandfather of that memorable family among the refugee loyal- ists who took, some may think, the wrong side in our struggle for inde- pendence.
When William Coffin, upon his marriage with Ann Holmes, took up his abode in Boston, the place had become a centre of trade, with nearly twenty thousand inhabitants. The towns along the shore and in the in- terior depended upon it for garments, and, in part, often for food. It was already metropolitan in fashion and in enlightenment. William's mother, Damaris Gayer, lived on at Nantucket till 1764, reaching the great age of ninety, universally beloved. She had derived a considerable estate, as related, from her uncle, her father, and brother ; but she had nine chil- dren to provide for. By his own prudence and good sense, and from his wife's inheritance, William soon acquired a competence. He joined the Episcopal Church, and held the position for several years of senior warden of Trinitj'. His death in 1774, as the war broke out, saved him from witnessing the exile and wide-spread confiscation that awaited his sons. He had had thirteen children of his own, six of them married, who were also prolific. His children, and children's children, counted up about sixty when he died, about the same number as his great-grandfather Tristram's at his death a century before. But of William's descendants bearing the name of Coffin, all have died out in Massachusetts, and not many remain in England, Canada, or South Carolina.
Nathaniel, second son of William Coffin, born in 1727, graduate of Harvard College, 1744, received, in 1750, an honorary degree at Yale. Brought up a merchant, he was early appointed King's Cashier of the Customs, and acquired considerable property. His wife was Elizabeth Barnes, whom he married in 1748. They resided near the corner of Essex Street and Rainsford Lane, in Boston, where John and Sir Isaac were born. The tide of the inner harbor washed up to the garden walls. Near by, in front, stood the Liberty tree, on the main street, which Nathaniel, the oldest brother of Sir Isaac, cut down in 1774. John, born 1755, after winning great honors by his courage and conduct on the British side in the American Revolution, in its Southern campaigns from 1780 to the peace, died the eldest general in the British Army in 1838. He had three sons and two daughters, and his descendant, Captain Henry Coffin, of the British Navy, pubHshed, as we have related, a memoir of him in 1880. One other brother of Sir Isaac, and the youngest, Jonathan Perry, was a barrister of repute in London. His sisters, Elizabeth and Christian, died in 1826, unmarried.
Their sister, Catherine, first married Richard Barwell, of Stansted, dis- tinguished in India, where three of his sons held positions of dignity and trust on the bench, in the treasury, and on the council board. Her second husband was Edward Miller Mundy. Catherine Coffin had only one child by Mr. Mundy, Admiral George, of Holly Bank, Hants, whose distinguished career in the naval service of England in the great war with Napoleon, was wise and brave, and gained him great renown. Ann married Mr. Kallbeck.
Isaac, the subject of this memoir, third son of Nathaniel, born in Boston in 1759, ^.t eight years of age — in 1766 — entered the Boston Latin
1 2 Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. [Jan.,
school. He was a diligent student in a class that embraced numerous celebrities, and when in Parliament he acknowledged himself indebted to the methods and discipline of the Boston schools for his apt classical quo- tations, then a mode much in vogue in that august assemblage. His rapid progress and attainments in nautical science, which likewise remain recorded, may have been in some measure due to the mental training of Master Lovell in other branches of learning.
His constitution was, however, too vigorous, his animal spirits too buoyant for scholarship alone to mark his schoolboy days. He led the sports of the playground, and on the fifth of November, the anniversary of the gunpowder plot, was more than once selected as the leader of the burlesque solemnities of the occasion, which were left to the boys of the town for fitting commemoration.
His paternal abode, as mentioned near the corner of what is now Har- rison Avenue, at the then south end of the town, was near the Common, and in the frequent battles with foot- or snowball, or with fisticuffs, his activity and strength made him the champion of his party of Southenders, as they were called.
Living surrounded by the sea, sailing on its bays and harbors, and haunting its wharves and vessels, his love for maritime pursuits early devel- oped. At the age of fourteen he entered the Royal Navy under the auspices of Rear-Admiral John Montague. By him he was confided to the care of Lieutenant William Hunter, at that period commanding the brig Gaspee, and who thus spoke of his pupil :
" Of all the young men I ever had the care of, none answered my ex- pectations equal to Isaac Coffin. He pleased me so much that I took all the pains in my power to make him a good seaman ; and I succeeded to the height of my wishes ; for never did I know a young man acquire so much nautical knowledge in so short a time. But when he became of use to me, the Admiral thought proper to remove him. We parted with con- siderable regret."
Mr. Coffin, after quitting the Gaspee, served as midshipman succes- sively on board the Captain, Kmgfisher, Fowey, and Diligent, on the Halifax Station ; from the latter vessel he was removed into the Romney, of fifty guns, bearing the flag of his patron at Newfoundland, and in the summer of 1778 he obtained a lieutenancy and the command of the Pla- centia cutter. In the following spring he served as a volunteer on board the Sybil frigate, Captain Pasley, and was soon after appointed to the command of Le Pincon, an armed ship. On this vessel, owing to the negligence of the sailing master who had charge of her, he had the misfor- tune to be wrecked on the coast of Labrador ; upon which he returned to St. John's, where he was tried by a court martial and fully acquitted, his conduct being considered that of an able officer and seaman wholly free from blame.
By following such traces as the naval histories of Great Britain afford of these several ships, we can reasonably conjecture the part Coffin took in our Revolutionary War. We learn what duties were performed by each of them, and we have no reason to doubt, from his rapid promotion, of his efficiency and zeal. We know that his patron. Admiral Montague, pro- tected the rear of Howe's retreat from Boston, in 1776, that the ships to which he belonged were often engaged with the enemy, and that they cap- tured several valuable prizes, in which actions he participated. But inter-
1 886,] Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. 1 3
esting as this view of the war of Independence was from the decks of English fleets, little comparatively is familiar to American students of their history, or known of Coffin's own experiences to relate them here as inci- dents in his life.
In November, 1779, Coffin, now lieutenant, went to England and was appointed to the Adamant, about to be launched at Liverpool. In June, 1780, that ship sailed for Plymouth under jury masts; and in the month of August following she was ordered to convoy the trade bound to New York. His next appointment was to the London, of ninety-eight guns, the flag-ship of Rear Admiral Graves, then second in command on the coast of America, and from her he removed into the Royal Oak, a third-rate, under Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot, to whom he acted as signal lieutenant in the action off Cape Henry, March 16, 1781. As he rose in rank and was clothed with graver responsibilities, the part he took was more conspicu- ous, and we may mention, even in connection with an officer so young as he was, much of what took place.
The events of the first four years of the war, from 1775 to 1779, are sufficiently familiar; D'Estaing's repulse at Savannah and Prescott's evac- uation of Newport in October, 1779; its reoccupation by Tiernay in July, 1780. The reduction of Charleston, defeat of Gates at Camden, defection of Arnold, capture at sea of Henry Laurens, had followed in quick succession. Congress sent, in December, 1780, John, son of its captured president, who had gained glory in the recent battles, to help extricate his father from the Tower, and arrange with King Louis, Frank- lin, and Vergennes for the coming campaign. Britain, disappointed, had sued for peace by arbitration, which France was disposed to concede on condition of American independence. Meanwhile the King urged his allies to make strenuous exertions to better their condition, which seemed also the English policy, that they might respectively treat to better advantage.
Arnold's sack of Virginia, Cornwallis' march to Yorktown, manoeuvred thither by Lafayette, Wayne, and Greene, were preparing the crisis. The King, in March, '81, had promised millions of money, arms, and garments. He provided for the co-operation of De Grasse, with a formidable fleet and several thousand men from the West Indies, with Washington and Rochambeau in the Chesapeake at the end of August.
A French squadron in March, 1781, had a partial engagement at Cape Henry with Admiral Arbuthnot, under whom Coffin, as mentioned, served as signal lieutenant. Washington and Rochambeau in July passed round New York, reaching the Chesapeake as De Grasse with his twenty-four line- of-battle ships made his appearance. The English leaders, both on land and along shore, had been on the watch, and Graves, Hood, and Drake, with nineteen ships, hovered near. Upon their arrival, De Grasse stood out to sea, the British fleet following. In the engagement of the 5th of September that ensued, the British lost a few hundred men and De Grasse accomplished his object. De Barres, who had come down from Newport, improved the occasion to enter the bay, and the two French fleets thus hermetically sealed it against the British.- Graves hurried back to Sandy Hook for reinforcements ; but when he returned with seven thousand men, sent by Clinton to relieve Cornwallis, on the 24th of October, it was too late, Cornwallis had already surrendered.
How it ch^ced that Coffin took no more active part in these oper- ations may be thus explained. After the battle of March i6th, on the
I A Admiral Sir Isaac Coffi?i, Bart. [Jan.,
return to New York, the Royal Oak, after taking several valuable prizes, had grounded and was sufficiently injured to be hove down at Halifax. In the middle of June arrived a vessel from Bristol with the remains of his father, who had died on board the day before of gout. Having held an important position under government, his obsequies at St. Thomas, on Broadway, showed due regard to his memory. Isaac was placed soon after in command of the Avenger, the advanced post of the British up the North River, which he held during the autumn, till he exchanged with Sir Alexander Cochrane for the Pocahontas and joined Hood early in January at Barbadoes.
Lord Hood had been often in Boston. His wife's uncle, Captain John Linzee, had there married the daughter of Ralph Inman, of Cambridge. Lord Hood was present at this marriage, as afterward at that in the same apartment in the house of Mr. John Rowe (who had also married an Inman), of Linzee's daughter Hannah to my namesake and father's brother. Under the same roof William H, Prescott, whose wife was the daughter of Hannah Linzee, wrote his earlier histories. Hood well knew Coffin, and it required very little solicitation on his part to invite him to serve on board the Barfleur, his flagship.
Soon after the surrender at Yorktown Hood had sailed for Barbadoes, awaiting De Grasse. January 14, 1782, soon after Coffin had joined him, he learned that De Grasse had relinquished his plan of attacking Barbadoes, and gone to St. Kitts, where De Bouille had landed eight thousand troops, the British garrison under Frazer consisting of but six hundred men.
Deciding to attack the French fleet at anchor to save the place, Hood embarked Prescott, who had twice been in command at Newport, with the few troops that could be spared from Antigua, and set sail. At daybreak he signalled for battle ; but the Alfred, running foul of the Nymph, arrested the prosecution of the design, in order to repair damages. De Grasse put to sea to have more room to manoeuvre, and thus secure the advantage of his superiority in numbers. At daylight on the 25th, the French fleet, twenty-nine sail strong, formed in line of battle three leagues to leeward. Hood, who had but twenty-two, pushed the enemy still farther to leeward while he took possession of Basse Terre, the position Hood had left. The Count, astonished at these excellent operations which cut him off from his army, made a furious onset on the British rear, commanded by Affleck, who, under an incessant fire, covered the ships till they reached their several stations.
The next morning the French admiral attacked again the British, van and rear, but was repulsed, losing a thousand men. His own flagship, the Ville de Paris, present of that city to the King, all the next day lay upon her heels covering her shot-holes. The siege proceeded with various success, till De Bouille arrived with four thousand fresh troops, when Frazer capitulated. Hood, on the 19th, reached Antigua, and joined, a few days later Lord Rodney, with reinforcements from England.
These operations form an epoch in the annals of the British Navy. Compelling an enemy of a superior force to quit his anchorage, taking himself the situation thus left during action, defeating every attempt to force the position, and cutting the enemy off from his army. It was a lesson in naval tactics that will ever be deservedly regarded with admiration, both for Hood's skill in these masterly manoeuvres, and for the bravery and precision with which they were executed by those under his orders.
1 886. J Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. jr
While at Santa Lucia, Rodney, learning that De Grasse, with 5,500 men and heavy guns, had pushed for St. Domingo to reduce it, overtook him on April 7th, and the battle of the 9th and victory of the 12th were the results. The battle on the 12th began at seven in the morning. It was fought in a large basin of water lying among the islands of Guadaloupe, Dominique, the Saints, and Marie Galante. Both on the windward and leeward of this bay lay dangerous shores. As day broke, Rodney closed up his line at one cable length instead of at two, as usual, each ship as she ranged up to her opponent giving and receiving a tremendous fire. At noon, with his own ship, the Formidable, and three more, he bore down upon the enemy within three ships of the centre and broke through. His other ships followed, doubling upon the enemy and placing them between two fires. Rodney then wore and signalled the van to tack ; they gained the windward and completed the disorder and confusion of the French.
The French continued the combat, attempting to reform their broken line by the van breaking away to windward. Meanwhile Hood, in the Barfleur, earlier becalmed, rushed down upon the foe. The Canada, 74, took the Hector. Ingrefield in the Centaur attacked the Cesar ; the cap- tain nailed his colors to the mast and was killed. When she struck her mast went overboard, and she had not a foot of canvas without a shot-hole. The Glorieux fought bravely, but was forced to yield. The Ardent was retaken, the Diadem, 74, went down by a single broadside attributed to the Formidable, Rodney's flag-ship.
Between the French ship, the Ville de Paris, and the Canada, a desper- ate action raged for two hours. De Grasse seemed determined to sink rather than strike. The Barfleur, Hood's flag-ship, on which was Coffin, at sunset poured in a fire which killed sixty men outright, and De Grasse struck to Hood. It is said that at the time she struck but three men were left alive and unhurt on the upper deck, and the Count was one.
Hood despatched in pursuit of the French vessels that attempted to escape, overtook and captured four. The whole loss of the French amounted to eight vessels, one of which was sunk and another blown up. On the Ville de Paris were thirty-six chests of money to pay the troops. She was said to have been at that time the only first-rate ever carried into port by any commander of any nation. The French lost 3,000 men, the British 1,000. Rodney was made a peer of Great Britain, Hood of Ireland, Drake and Affleck baronets.
Shortly after the battle of April 12, 1782, Captain Coffin, who had re- joined his sloop, went with part of the crew of the Santa Amonica, which had been wrecked at Tortola, to Jamaica, where, through the influence of Hood, he was appointed by Lord Rodney captain of the Shrewsbury, of 74 guns, and confirmed in that rank June 13, 1782, sixty days later, when only twenty-two years of age. This indicates the estimate of both Hood and Rodney of his ability, prudence, and courage, of the value of his services in these recent operations.
While still in command of the sloop Pocahontas at Antigua, the town of St. Johns caught fire and in a short space was nearly consumed. Coffin, with the crew of his sloop and other sailors collected by his exertions, at length succeeded in arresting the progress of the flames, at the imminent risk of his life. For this service he had the satisfaction of receiving an address of thanks from the legislative body of the island.
The war ended, and though he had gained a permanent position in the
1 5 Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. [Jan.,
Navy, there was much to discourage him in finding his vocation thus changed, if not gone. His family was broken up. The remains of his father lay in their last resting place in St. Thomas' graveyard in New York. John, at the age of twenty-one, had raised a mounted rifle corps in New York called the Orange Rangers, which, with him as their commandant, took part in the battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776, and in that of Germantown, October 4, 1777. Later, he exchanged into the New York Volunteers, was at San Lucie and Brier's Creek in 1779, at Camden in 1780, at Holkirk's Hill, near Camden, April 25th, and at Eutaw Springs September 8, i78r. He is mentioned as a brave and successful cavalry officer, with commendation in nearly every other engagement of the South- ern campaign, constantly in desperate encounters and coming off victor- ious. Though a purse of ten thousand dollars was offered for his capture, he escaped to Charleston, where he married, as the war closed. Miss Matthews, and establishing himself later on his manor of Alwington, on the St. John's, in New Brunswick, he lived till he was eighty-two in great honor. That at the close of the war of Independence, at the age of twenty- seven, his rank was only that of a major, that he was not promoted to a higher rank, as urged by Howe and Cornwallis, is attributed to enmity at court for telling the truth of a favorite. He was at the head of the gen- erals when he died.
As he has had recently (1880) his biographer in one of his descendants, Captain Henry Coffin, of the Royal Navy, this is not the place to relate more particularly his brilliant achievements or numberless anecdotes well remembered. I vividly recall his tall commanding figure and marvellous bright eyes, in my early home in Park Street, in Boston, where he was a frequent visitor of my father, who had charge of his aff"airs as of his brother's. He was more sedate than Isaac, but both were brilliant speci- mens of the race. He was beloved and greatly esteemed by his numerous cousins, and splendid salmon from the river near his home were often sent by him for their enjoyment. He also, Hke his brother, if not on so grand a scale, in order to promote our stock, sent fine horses to the Agricultural Society at Brighton.
The brothers of nearly the same age, and the best of friends, Isaac may well have wished to have been present at John's wedding to Miss Matthews, that took place toward the close of 1782. Charleston lay on the route from Antigua, and it would not have been strange if, in the spirit of mutual consideration that prevailed in the service, such an opportunity had been given him. If so, it does not appear.
War over, and the Shrewsbury paid off, Cofllin exchanged into the Hy- dra, and going home, was put out of commission. His previous visits to Eng- land had been brief and on professional duty. This new experience to one who, at the age of twenty-two, had gained the rank of captain, and by his valuable services made his mark as one of the best officers of the Navy, might have turned the head of one less sensible.
To be his own master, with abundance of prize money, plenty of companions Uke dashing blades to share it, must have been replete with gratification. Many of his family and friends from Boston had taken up their abode in London, and the refugee loyahsts formed there a large circle. They were all disposed to like Isaac, a handsome young fellow with pleas- ant ways, generous and unpretending, loaded with laurels. If the highest honors of the war attached to superior rank and more distinguished com-
1 886.] Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. ly
mand, he had done enough to be held in estimation among his own inti- mates, by the great naval celebrities, and by the public.
He was much in France while thus on furlough. Paris still retained the glamour of the old regime. If heavy taxes or arbitrary power created wide- spread discontent and disaffection, there were as yet few indications of the caldron seething beneath, soon to overwhelm. It is much to be wished more of his correspondence had survived to give us his own impressions of Paris then. He wrote well and with the vivacity that characterized his conversation. Possibly many more of his letters may exist of all periods of his life, and if so, they should be collected.
Sir Guy Carleton, who could hardly have saved Canada for the crown, in 1 7 75, without the aid of the Coffins, and whose private secretary through- out his career was Isaac's cousin, Sir Thomas Aston Coffin, was now, in 1786, appointed Governor of Canada. It was ])robably at his request that Isaac was appointed to the Thisbe, to take him with his family and suite to Quebec, He had been created Lord Dorchester, that being an old title in the Carleton family. The ship arrived at Quebec late in the season, and, lest she should be frozen up. Coffin proceeded, two days later, to Halifax for the winter, returning in the spring to Canada, and remained there for some months.
At this time a circumstance occurred to disturb his serenity, though later he was entirely exonerated from any blame. It had been long the custom in the English naval service, among other abuses working occa- sional injustice and demanding reform, to retain on the ship rolls the names of young officers while pursuing their studies ashore ; so that they might not, while qualifying themselves for their responsible duties, lose their pre- cedence for promotion. Many years before, in consequence of some unfair advantage that had been taken of this indulgence, a regulation prohibiting such practices had been adopted by the Admiralty. It chanced at this very time someone again had been aggrieved, and attention been called to the prevalence of what had been prohibited. It was discovered that two such cases were on the rolls of the Thisbe, not placed there with the knowledge of Coffin, but which it was his duty as captain to have discovered and struck off. Upon inquiry and complaint he was suspended, and indignant at what he conceived unfair treatment, he proceeded to Flanders, and entered into the service of the Brabant patriots then in arms against Austria.
This decree of suspension by the board, when appealed from to the twelve judges, was by them declared illegal on the part of the Admiralty and set aside. This put an end to the suspension and restored him to his standing in the service. Upon the Spanish armament in 1 790, on the Nootka Sound dispute, he was appointed to the Alligator, and in the following spring, having received the flag of Commodore Cosby, was ordered to America, whence he returned home with Lord Dorchester and his family the following autumn.
While thus stationed at Halifax, he visited Quebec on furlough, and remained there a twelvemonth. He naturally found the place attractive socially as in other ways. Besides his cousin, Thomas Aston, son of his. uncle William, his Uncle John resided in that city with his family, who were about his own age. John, early after the outbreak of hostilities at. Boston, had taken his wife, Isabella Child, and eleven surviving of his- tifteen children, six sons and five daughters, in his own ship, the Neptune,. to Quebec. He there purchased land, and when Montgomery and,
1 3 Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. [Jan.,
Arnold arrived in December, 1775, to besiege the city, he remodelled the buildings he was constructing for another purpose into a fortification. This he armed with guns from a vessel frozen in for the winter, and with Barne- fare, its captain, stood ready with a small force to oppose the assailants. With the first volley he slew Montgomery and his two aids, on the last day of the year 1775, as they attempted to take his fort by assault. This, with Arnold's subsequent loot of Montreal, which disaffected the Canadians, saved Canada for the British crown.
The sons of John all reached distinguished rank in the British civil and military service, and three of his daughters were connected with it by marriage. Isabella married Colonel McMurdo, whose sons gained dis- tinction in India ; Susannah, Hon. John Craigie, provincial treasurer, whose son, an admiral, died in 1872 at Dawlish ; his daughter Margaret, Sir Roger Hailes Sheaff, born in Boston, who for his victory at Queenstown Heights, October 13, 181 2, was made a baronet. One of the sons of John, Francis Holmes, in the navy throughout the war with France, served with distinction and died an admiral in 1835, and his son, Sir Isaac Tristram, ICC, died in 1872 at Black Heath, having won his laurels in India.
\Vniile on his way up the river to Quebec in 1786, the Thisbe was be- calmed off the Magdalen Islands in the St. Lawrence, and struck by their appearance, perhaps the more attractive from the autumnal splendors. Coffin requested, probably not in very serious earnest, that Lord Dorchester, as representative of the crown, would bestow them on him. This request seemed reasonable to the governor. Jt was not received at first with favor at home, but renewed the following year in more formal manner, was eventu- al!)'granted. The letters-patent were not expedited until 1798, during the governorship of Robert Prescott. In his will Sir Isaac entailed these islands on his nephew, John Townsend Coffin, and his sons, John's brother, Henry Edward, his cousin William, and several other branches of his own name, and then on the Barwells, his sister's sons.
After his return to Europe, while lying at the Nore during a heavy gale, a man fell overboard, and Coflin leaped after him into the sea and succeeded in saving his life. He sustained by his efforts a serious injury, which fre- quently afterward reminded him of this act of humanity.
Another heroic act, of somewhat similar character, has been related of his promptness in emergencies. While at Portsmouth, or some other naval station, and, it is believed, still a subaltern, his ship, one of the line, caught fire, which being in close proximity to the magazine, sailors and marines rushed with precipitation to the gangway to escape the instantly expected explosion. By authority, or example, he changed their purpose, and the men going to quarters, saved the ship.
Soon after his return the Alligator was paid off. After visiting Sweden, Denmark, and Russia he returned home upon the troubles with France, and in charge of the Melampus frigate was employed on Channel service to the close of 1794. While exerting himself on a boisterous night, when the frigate was in great danger of destruction, he sustained a similar injury to that at the Nore, which compelled him to leave his shij:), and for some time he remained a cripple. Nine months later, however, while recovering his strength at Leith on service, he was sent as resident commissioner of Corsica, and remained till October, 1796, when the island was evacuated. From Elba he was removed to Lisbon to take charge for the next two years of the naval establishment at that place. He was thence
1 886.] Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. 1 9
despatched to superintend the arsenal at Port Mahon when Minorca fell into the hands of the English, and from there ordered to Nova Scotia in the Venus frigate. At Halifax, and afterward at Sheerness, as resident commis- sioner, he was employed till April, 1804, when appointed rear-admiral he hoisted his flag on the Gladiator on duty at Portsmouth, and the following month he was created a baronet. The record recites the grant of the Magdalen Islands in the St. Lawrence, for his unremitting zeal and perse- vering efforts in the public service. He was promoted four years later to the grade of vice-admiral, which ended his naval duties afloat, though he became full admiral in 1814 by regular seniority.
This sketch of his services at sea is very incomplete. The memoir of him in 1822, by Marshall, in London, when he was in Parliament, is brief, and the obituary in The Gentle7na?i' s Magazine when he died, not even as extended. I have no data of his cruise in the Pacific, along the shore of Australia, mentioned by Mr. Allen Coffin, which has left its trace on the charts in Sir Isaac's Point and Coffin's Bay. It seems more likely to have taken place about the close of the last century or the beginning of this.
His prize money in such troubled times had been considerable. This he entrusted to my father, one of his cousins in his native place, favorably circumstanced, to invest it to advantage, and it was said that the income finally equalled the original deposits. He made frequent visits to his early home in the course of his busy life upon the sea, having made more than thirty voyages to and fro to America.
Affluent and a baronet, he naturally longed for a home and inclined to transmit his baronetcy to his posterity. March, 181 1, he married Elizabeth Browne, the only child of William Greenly, of Titley Court, in Hereford- shire. Her family, brought up with rigid notions of propriety, did not take kindly to the hearty and jovial ways which characterized naval officers, and the match proved less happy than expected.
It is said that on one occasion, returning to Titley Court on some par- ticularly festal day, he ordered the sexton, as he passed through the village, to ring a merry peal and send the tenants to the mansion to drink a glass of ale. This mortally off"ended the lord of the manor, who thus found his prerogative invaded by the husband of his only child. Within a few years, satisfied of their utter incompatibility of temper, they very amicably, on both sides, arranged for independence of each other.
Without intending to detract from her merit, the lady indulged in literary- tastes of a religious tendency. She was said to be addicted to writing ser- mons at night, to the disturbance of the slumbers of her rollicking spouse, and so, after a space they separated. She remained Lady Greenly and he resumed the name of Coffin. The fault was certainly not hers, who was a clever and exemplary woman, but somewhat eccentric in her ways. In after-life she was well known in Bath, England, remarkable for wearing, Welsh-woman fashion, a man's round hat, a riding habit cut short, and for wielding a gold-headed cane. She lived nearly as long as he did, but they barely met, though he made repeated overtures to reconciliation, some rather amusing.
When shipwrecked in the Boston, struck by lightning on her way from Charlesto wn to Liverpool in 1829, in the boat for several days with little hope of rescue, for the seas were not then as much traversed as now, he expressed great affection for her, and gave his watch to the captain to send her should he himself not survive their perils and the captain be
20 Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. [Jan.,
fortunate enough to escape. While in the crowded boat, on this occasion, with no shelter and little covering, and the scantiest supply of food and water, his own cheerfulness, interesting conversation, and ebullitions of good humor, kept his companions in heart and courage.
It is the reasonable ambition of all Englishmen whose conditions and circumstances justify such aspirations, to be permitted to take part in the legislation and government of their country, and when his own health and the peace rendered active service in the Navy no longer desirable, his wish was gratified by his return to Parliament. One of his friends. Lord Darlington, had influence enough to secure his return in 1818, for the borough of Ilchester, for which he sat till the dissolution in 1826. His reputation and experience gave especial weight to his opinions when he took part, as he frequently did, in debates on naval affairs. What he said attracted attention to its practical good sense by the hilarity of his nature and happy stores of illustration that amused while they convinced. He was tall, robust, but of symmetrical proportions ; his voice powerful, and his countenance expressive and noble. His long habits of command and contention with the elements inspired confidence in himself, which com- manded that of the House. He was widely known and generally popular, and happily constituted to enjoy the social pleasures attending success, tempered in their indulgence by occasional twinges of gout.
Among affluent and influential circles, nowhere more than in England, does the social board shape public opinion, develop and test ability, or even control affairs. This was more the case half a century ago than since reform bills have opened the door more widely to popular representation. Officials and legislators were exclusively selected from rank and wealth, or for extraordinary ability and statesmanship, and the aristocracy they repre- sented regarded the government as their especial concern. Much could be said in the privacy of social discussion which would have been wholly impolitic through the press, or in the halls of legislation. From memoirs and biographies since published, what took place behind the scenes has come to light to show how, and by whom, public affairs were conducted and managed. Many wise and noble statesmen were among the leaders, but much has transpired that had better have been consigned to oblivion. Social chat at the table was not altogether political ; it embraced every conceivable topic, and the brilliant encounters of wit, the profound specu- lation of philosophy, the flood of anecdote and historical reminiscences contributed to the intellectual banquet.
From his varied opportunities and confidential acquaintance with "men and affairs, few had more to impart to the general entertainment of the hour than Sir Isaac. He possessed rich stores of the information most valued, and his jovial nature was contagious and irresistible. In the brilliant round of London hospitalities, in the happily-ordered routine of country life, where scores of able men met in the easiest freedom from constraint as guests together, he was everywhere an acquisition. I remember well weeks passed under the same roof with him when preparing for my college examinations. The family were in the country, and he was tied by the foot to his couch by the gout. But from morning till night, droll stories, amusing incidents, whimsies and oddities of every description exploded like fireworks from the aged man's pillow, intermingled with occasional garnish of more savage intensity at his anguish.
I have still a vivid recollection of him in his undress uniform as a
i886,J Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. 21
British admiral, at an earlier period, in fine health and the perfection of physical maturity, on the wide lawn and in the spacious parlors of Belmont, his cousin's and my uncle's home. He was then tall and erect, with rich color in his cheeks and merry sparkle in his eye, brimming over with animal spirits, companionable, and with fitting chat for all. His funny words and ways were the delight and dread of the children, into whose frolics he entered with zest, bewildering their minds with his drolleries, both they and himself exploding with merriment at practical jokes too good-natured to offend.
His impulses were quick and generous ; his disposition to be of service to his least fortunate kinsfolk he manifested by frequent visits and liberal benefactions ; and if occasionally awaking expectations which change of impression or circumstances disappointed, his imperfections as well as his noble traits, constituted a part of his character.
While a guest at my father's summer house at Newton, he found in the pastor of the church there — Parson Homer — an excellent, learned, but somewhat eccentric clergyman, who had been his schoolmate at the Boston Latin school. The parson, who frequently came to dinner, was apt to be a little long over his grace, to the cooling of the soup. The renewal of their early friendship was a pleasure to both, and the dominie being versed in biblical lore, the Admiral added much to the enjoyment of his later years by the gift of a rare and costly Bible.
What remains of his correspondence here is creditable to his good sense, to his ability as a writer, to his broad sympathies. Soon after the war ended, he established in our Massachusetts waters a school-ship for our mates and skippers to learn the art of navigation. The barge Clite, which he purchased for the purpose, was commanded by his kinsman. Captain Hector Coffin, of the Newburyport branch of the name, and he was imprudent enough, in 1826, to go up in her to Quebec, flaunting the American flag. These generous projects involved large expenditures, and when his brother. General John Coffin, of New Brunswick, urged him to abandon what gave umbrage at home, he cheerfully acquiesced in giving up what had cost him several thousands of pounds. His desire to be of service to the land of his birth, nevertheless, prompted other beneficent efforts. He sent over to Brighton, Barefoot, Serab, and several other race-horses that had recently triumphed in the Derby and other well-known courses to improve our breed. He brought over in crates, from English waters, turbot, the first of the European variety in our own, and imported rare fruits and plants for our horticulturists.
He was warmly attached to Nantucket, where his ancestors and their descendants had dwelt for so many generations. lie visited the place and became acquainted with his kinsfolk, and in 1826 appropriated ten thousand dollars, afterward increased till now about ;^i 0,000, as a fund for a school for the instruction of the posterity of Tristram. This includes nearly every native-born child of the island, besides, perhaps, thousands in every State in the Union, who by future residence may come within its benefits. The Academy still flourishes, though if our present system of public instruction had then reached its present development, his benefac- tions would probably have assumed another form.
Soon after his mishaps, to which we have already alluded, when burned out of the cotton ship when near Charleston, in 1829, he came to Pioston, and when some fresh attacks of his painful disorder induced by the ex- posure permitted, he hastened back to England.
22 Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart. [Jan.,
The Duke of Clarence, William the Fourth, had succeeded his brother George on the throne. His long connection with the Navy attached to him the officers who had grown old with himself. It was said that when the King was urged to create new peers to carry the Reform Bill through the Lords, Sir Isaac was high up on his list as Earl of Magdalen. The House of Lords gave in and voted for the Reform Bill, and the proposed new peers were not created. Sir Isaac did not long survive his royal friend. The 23d of June, 1839, at the age of eighty, he died at Cheltenham, in Gloucestershire, and there he was buried. Lady Coffin preceded him to the tomb on the 27th of January of that year. His brother, General John Coffin, died the year before, his death having taken place June 12, 1838, in New Brunswick.
Commodore Hull, of our Navy, was one of his correspondents, and General Wilson, one of your vice-presidents, has been good enough to permit me to read many letters that passed between them after the War of i8i2,and when the two countries were at peace. This correspondence displays alike in both the genial and generous traits which the Navy is thought peculiarly to foster. I propose to refer to one subject more than once mentioned in these letters, which, to use the old phrase, might seem only a fish story and for the marines, if not evidently believed by himself. It is in reference to the size attained in former days by lobsters on our coasts. In the freedom of intercourse around the table or on the quarter-deck, while once returning to America, he alleged that lobsters had been found weighing ninety pounds. Though given somewhat to rhodomontade, he seems in this instance to have believed the fact based on hearsay, if not on sight. My own fishmonger told me that within his experience in these waters twenty-five pounds was the largest that had come to his knowledge, but I have seen it stated that lobsters of much larger weight have been found down East, where there is more room for expansion and imagination. The size attained by turtles and other shell-fish in neighboring waters renders such possibilities less incredible.
Apropos of Hull and Sir Isaac, my friend, General Wilson, in a recent address on Commodore Hull and the frigate Constitution, said : *' When in the presence of a Boston-born British admiral, another naval officer indulged in laudatory and extravagant comments on the capture of the Chesa- peake and endeavored to underrate the American naval victories of the War of 18 12-14, 3.nd particularly that gained over the Guerri^re, he said, * It was a lucky thing for your friend Broke that he fell in with the unpre- pared Chesapeake, and not with Hull and the Constitution. If he had, no Tower guns would have been heard celebrating a Shannon victory.' This manly and patriotic statement was made by Sir Isaac Coffin at the dinner table of the Duke of Wellington, and was related to me by his eldest son, the second Duke, who was present. On the same occasion, when some- one spoke sneeringly of the Americans as soldiers, a general of my own name remarked, ' I have been through the Penmsular campaign and was with the duke at Waterloo, but harder fighting I never saw than we had at Lundy's Lane.' "
Sir Isaac's character was too racy and various not at times to provoke censure or criticism. He did so much that should not be forgotten, so much entitled to be remembered, that, had the times or the occasion al- lowed, I should mention several anecdotes that have come to my knowl- edge, which show what he was from all points of view. One incident may
1 886.] Recent Discoveries of Traces of the Dwight Family. 2 "X
serve to explain how sometimes he created ill-will by yielding too much to his impulses,
1 have already mentioned that the judicious investment of his pay and prize money by one of his cousins had made him rich. In various ways he expressed his gratitude even to another generation. In a paper alluded to in his will he left bequests to a long list of his kindred, many of whom were in straitened circumstances, others better off. He did not forget bequeathing five hundred pounds to my father's children. He was a clever, pushing, energetic seaman, much given to rough humor, and practical jokes in vogue in his day. He was equally ready with hand and tongue, having upon one occasion pugilistically fought his way through a cabal of disappointed Portuguese contractors at Lisbon, intent on his destruction with the knife.
But I have already exceeded my limit ; much omitted may find place in some future publication. I have not aimed at eulogy or indulged in illus- tration, but simply recited facts that have come to me from diligent study of the subject, many of whom had escaped previous investigation. The memory of a Boston boy, who by dint of his own native energy attained the highest rank in the British navy, a generous benefactor whose works still bear witness to the noble impulse that prompted them, thus rescued from oblivion in your publications, may find interested readers not only among his numberless kinsfolk, but even among a larger circle of readers.
The engraving of Sir Isaac which accompanies this address is taken from a portrait by Gilbert Stuart, that formerly belonged to his cousin, Thomas C. Aniory, on Franklin Place, Boston, and in my earliest recollec- tion hung in the parlor of the house of my aunt, Mrs. Amory, the sister of Admiral Sir Samuel Hood I^inzee, cousin of Lords Hood and Bridport. It now forms part of the precious ancestral gallery of my cousin, Mr. Wil- liam Amory, of Beacon Street, Boston.
RECENT DISCOVERIES IN EARLY ENGLISH HISTORY OF TRACES OF THE DWIGHT FAMILY BY PRO- FESSOR THEODORE W. DWIGHT, OF COLUMBIA COL- LEGE LAW SCHOOL, NEW YORK.
By Benjamin W. Dwight, of Clinton, Oneida County, N. Y.
In 1878, Professor Theodore W. Dwight, of New York, the writer's brother, spent the summer of that year in travelling, with his family, in England and on the continent. While in England he made direct and vigorous personal effort to find what proofs he could of early Dwight activity in English life. Happily he went to Henley-on-the-Thames, and found that there, in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, large numbers of Dwights had lived and thrived ; and although no one of the name, or hav- ing any connection with it by marriage or descent, could be found to be now living in the place, they had left many evidences of their presence and activity there in those by-gone days, and had borne just such names and characteristics as have prevailed in the family in recent times and on other shores. He started upon his tour of foreign travel charged with the feel-
24 Recent Discoveries of Traces of the Dwight Family. [Jan.,
ing to the full that in old England, and in Oxfordshire especially, there must be somewhere, hidden from view now, but discoverable by earnest effort still, the traces of the presence of our fathers and kinsmen on the old ancestral ground. His general legal knowledge led him to make a thorough search into what facts he might find revealed in the treasured stores of "The Somerset House," in London. This is a large government building used for preserving records of wills and public documents and government papers of permanent value. In carefully searching for what he might perchance here find concerning anyone of the name of Dwight, among records of wills or title-deeds of property, his attention was directed early and strongly toward Henley, and he determined to visit that spot speedily himself, to ascertain upon the ground what he could about the names and histories of any of the family name who might have been but a little while ago busy actors in its scenes. The discoveries that he made, in a brief but well-employed visit there, were large and satisfactory, and quite beyond any previous expectation on his part, or the supposed ex- istence of any such facile means of making the good headway for himself and others amid the great and as was generally thought impenetrable obscurities and uncertainties of other days, that he found to be in fact so ready at hand. The record here secured, and which the writer regards as of great and particular value in itself as a matter of new and curious in- formation to the family everywhere, is presented as an accurate Digest, in full detail, of the facts obtained by Professor Dwight, as reported to the writer from time to time in various letters.
" Parish records began in England in the reign of Edward VI., in 1540- 50. Such records began in Henley in 1558 ; and the first record of the D wights occurs there, under date of November, 1560, of the name of Priscilla Dwight, daughter of Richard. The name was spelled by the record- ing clerk, in the first record of it in Henley, as it is now with us.''
Professor Dwight found also, on more extended examination, refer- ences to Dwights as living in the town of Oxford, Oxfordshire, and in Newnham Murren, a parish in Langtree Hundred (Union of Wallingford, Oxfordshire). The vicarage is attached to North Stoke ; and Newnham Murren is a parish eleven miles from Henley. Henley itself is some thirty- five miles northerly from London on the Thames, lying in clear and smooth view from its banks, and is famous for a handsome tower supposed to have been built by Cardinal Wolsey, and a Gothic bridge designed, it is believed, by Sir Christopher Wren. The rising ground backward from the Thames is beautified with the country- seats of those who are both able and disposed to enjoy their wealth and their taste in such a way. Henley is known to the reading public of this country as a favorite resort for rowing-matches and regattas and prize contests.
The name Dwight is plainly derived from Doit, or Doyt, or Doito, as an earlier form (the final o in this form of it having been probably attached to it in order to give distinct expression and significance to the final t, as radical to the word, which would have been otherwise left silent, according to the custom in French pronunciation. It is of Norman origin. There were persons in Normandy bearing the name in the year 1185. The names VViUiam, Ranald, Ralph, and Richard de Doito are all to be found there in •' The Great Rolls of the Exchequer of Normandy." See " Magni Rotuli Scaccaric'e de Normandie" (a book in the possession of the Society of Anti- quarians, in Normandy).
1 886.] Recent Discoveries of Traces of the Dwight Family. 25
So too, William del Doyt and his son Roger (a Norman name) are names found in the County of Oxford, in England, in Shipton-under-Wyche- wood, in the year 1272, reign of Edward I., as holders of land. The tenure under which they held the specific grant made to them, as well as then- own individual names, are given in a work published by the English Government, termed "Rotuli Hundredorum," p. 735 (or "Rolls of Hundreds, the word hundred being equivalent in such a use at that time to our word town). See on this point a book called " The Norman People in Eng- land," published by Henry S. King, London, 1874, p. 233.
Persons of the name Uoyt are referred to in the <' Rotuli Normani^ (" Rolls of Normandy "), found in the Tower of London, and referring to let- ters and grants of the Kings of England in Normandy. The years included in the first volume of this work (printed by order of the English Govern- ment) are 1200-1257, and 1417. . , . - , ^ The roll of the fifth year of Henry V. contains letters of safe conduct, issued by the king, for persons who had submitted to his authority, or who, having been made prisoners, had paid ransom money for their liberty. On p 347, vol i., is found the following letter of protection to many per- sons, including knights ; and among others to Johes (for Johannes) du Doit de Sees (a town in Normandy), armiger (a knight).
"The King to all persons, to whom these presents may come, Greet- ing • Know ye, that we have taken under our protection and defense, A. B Knicrht &c, our sworn liege, as well as his lands, goods, rents, and all his possessions. Done at the Royal Castle of D'Alen^on, in the Duchy of Normandy, Oct. 28 (5. Henry V.)." On p. 283 are the following words :
" The King to all to whom these presents may come, Greeting : Know ye that as, we have received diverse rents &c for the support of four chaplains in the Holy Church of St. Sauveur, at Cadomus (or Caen) we have granted to our well-beloved William Clerc, John Le Seigneur, Thomas Lebouestre and William Du Doyt, now, ciiaplains of the said church, and to Nicholas Vernay, custodian and procurator of the fabric of said church, all the said rents— to be appropriated to prayers for our spiritual health ; and it is commanded to bailiffs, all and singular, to permit the said Chap- lains to receive all the rents as aforesaid, by the King himself." ^
"William Du Doyt" is thus shown to have been a royal, or kings, chaplain, in the Cathedral at Caen at that time (that of the " Holy Church of the Holy Saviour"). This book of " The Rollsof Normandy " only covers a period of one year, and in it there are two Doits named ; one a knight, or esquire, at Sees, and the other a chaplain of the Church of the Holy Saviour at Caen, Normandy. _ -i u ,.
In Johnson's Cyclopedia, article Caen, vol. 1., p. 697, we read that Caen (Cadon.us) was formerly the capital of Lower Normandy, and that its streets are wide, regular, and clean ; and it has several fine public squares, and many noble specimens of ancient Norman architecture ; and that its houses are generally btiilt of an excellent cream-colored freestone, found in its vicinity, called Caen-stone, a light yellow building-stone an oolitic sandstone in its structure, easily worked, and often exported to England for building purposes. The Cathedral of St. Etienne in it was founded by William the Conquerer ; and the Church La Trinite by Queen Matilda, in the eleventh century. The castle commenced in it by William the Conqueror, and finished by his son, Henry L, was partially destroyed
26 Recent Discoveries of Traces of the Dwight Family. [Jan.,
in 1793. Caen became subject to the Normans as early as 912. It was the residence of William, the Duke of Normandy, before he conquered England. It was taken and pillaged by Edward III., of England. It has now a population of more than forty thousand people, and is connected by rail with Paris. For an account of its public buildings, and for what varied manufactures it is celebrated, see article Caen in Cyclo])?edia.
To Caen, in Normandy, is the first and earliest place to which the his- tory of the Dwights of America and England can now be directly and dis- tinctly traced. All honor to Professor Dwight, of Columbia College, New York, for the unlooked-for discovery, and for the good evidence which he has been able to furnish for the soundness of his convictions upon the sub- ject, and of ours, also, with him, in the same direction, measure for measure.
Besides thus successfully tracing the Dwights to Normandy, and into the presence of William the Conqueror himself, as manifestly known to him, and under appointments of trust and honor by him, and proven there- by to have been men of character and worth, and not men at all of low auns and inadequate purposes, for a true and magnanimous life, in their far- off places of existence and action upon the borders of modern civilization — Professor Dwight has recently found, likewise, and almost, as it were, seem- ingly by a happy accident, the origin of the family name, as clearly pre- sented in a work entitled "L'Histoire Des Villes de France," or "The History of the Cities of France." He has possessed himself of a copy of it, and a copy may also be found in the library of Columbia College, New York. From this copy the writer prepared the translation from the orig- inal French there furnished. This it is :
" The Burgh (or Market-town) of St. John of the (sacred or miracle-working) finger."
Everybody spoke, in those days, of nothing else than the unheard-of marvels wrought in the commune of Plongaznon, near to Morlaix, by a finger of St. John the Baptist. It was said, for example, that some Englishmen, who in 1489 pillaged the coast of Tregnier, took the sacred relic into their possession ; and when they arrived home they were surprised to find that the coveted and stolen relic had forsaken its place of hidden concealment, and was no longer to be found in its casket. Duchess-Anne determined to procure the miracle-working finger, and to put its secret power to the proof by applying it to her left eye, for her majesty was much troubled with a permanent deflection that had hai)pened to her angle of vision. Whatever they did, the precious finger, although so potent in its own energy and influence, would not leave its retreat of quiet, immobile inaction, not even to suit the good duchess' ideas or wishes. Scarcely had the clergy, although accompanied by a large crowd of believers, borne it away from its shrine, than, on bemg left to its own freedom, it returned by a spontaneous, divine energy to it again. The duchess, being enlightened by the miracle concerning the divine natuie and scope of its power to work wonders, asked forgiveness of the saint for not having first made a visit to his shrine, and made haste to go in great pomp and humble herself at his altar. She afterward exempted the in- habitants of the town of St. John Du Doigt (of the Sacred Finger) from all taxes and imposts ; she gave them nobility, or ennoblement, and she loaded their church with special benefactions. Such a sudden bestowment of so unexpected advantages on the pious colony named was not, certainly,
1 886. J Rece7it Discoveries of Traces of the Dwight Family. 2 7
the least of the wonders in which the marvellous power of the Holy Fore- runner (of Christ) was visibly manifested. .
In 15 18 King Francis visited, also, the city of xMorlaix, and his joyous entree was celebrated by a reception so brilliant that it exceeded, per- chance, in popular displays of prodigality, the prosperous days ot the
Duchess Anne. ^
"The De Witt theory of the origin of our family, adds Frotessor Dwight, in a letter to his brother, " is fully exploded (see ' History Dwight Family ' vol. i., p. 99) ; and is there any better view of the past history of our family now attainable than what I can furnish both in theory and m fact ? " We answer at once and emphatically, No, brother ; none that compares with it for interest in the recital of it, or merit in its discovery. Professor Dwight adds: "The spirit of the early Dwights was we see, from the very beginning of their first recorded history in Normandy, as we can trace their footsteps there, not merely agricultural, or chiefly so, or ot a mechanical cast. They were not all or only yeomen ; but the leaders amoncr them were professional in their tastes and habits, as have been their descendants largely in their chosen style of employment in this new world, so far from their first home on Gallic shores." So, hurrah for Nor- mandy ' and our Norman ancestors of ancient times 1 and the good o d chaplains of St. Sauveur in Caen! Blessings on those devout old saintly souls that prayed with systematic constancy and fervor, according to the best light obtainable in their day, for the royal souls that coveted what aid their prayers could give tliem, while suffering the pangs and purifying influences of purgatory."
I The following names of early Dwights Professor Dwight found on record in Henley-on-the-Thames, England, and spelled in sixteen different ways, variously, as here copied from the Henley records. Such dif- ferences of orthography represent always, of course, diff'erences of idea in the minds of the clerks who record the names thus differently spelled by them and not of the persons who wear the names themselves :
1. Nov. 1, 1560, Priscilla Dwight (dau. of Richard) baptized. Name spelled as here and now. .
2. Nov. 26, 1563, Mayhew (perhaps) Dwight and Donner married
(" Nupti "). ^ , , u \
3. Feb. 19, 1564, Jerome Dewite and Johanna Gobar (perhaps)
married.
4. Oct. 25, 1567, John Dwiggt married Femmige.
5. Aug. 22, 1568, John Dwight (son of John) bapt.
6. Feb. 13, 1569, a dau. of John Dwight bapt.
7. May 21, 1573, Richard Dwight and Annie Dwight married.
8. March 10, 1574, Robert Dwyte (son of John) bapt.
9. Nov. 1574, John Twytt m. Elizabeth Stevens.
10. Jan. 1574, Margery Twitt (dau. of Thos.) bapt.
11. Jan. I,' 1575, John Dwyght (son of John) bapt.
12. Jan. 1576, Th. (fern.) Dwyte Sepulta buried.
13. Feb. 10, 1577, Thos. Dwyte (son of John) bapt.
14. Jan. 31, 1579, Edmond Dwyte (son of John) bapt.
15. Feb. 23, 1579, Elizabeth Dwyte (dau. of Jerome) bapt.
16. , 1582, Thomas Dwight (son of Thomas) bapt.
17. April 22, 1582, Sara Dwight (dau. of Thomas) bapt.
28 Recent Discoveries of Traces of the Divight Fatnily. [Jan.,
i8. Oct. 14, 1582, William Dwyte (son of John) bapt.
19. Dec. 19, 1584, Sara Dwyte (dau. of John) buried.
20. July 24, 1586, John Doit (son of Thomas) bapt.
21. March, 1586, Richard Doyt (son of John) bapt.
22. Jan. 1586, Josiah Dwyte (son of John) bapt.
23. Jan. 20, 1589, Nicholas Dwyght (son of Nicholas) bapt.
24. Feb. 19, 1589, Nicholas Dwight m. Agnes Butler.
25. Feb. 27, 1594, Thomas Dwyte m. Elizabeth Porter, a widow.
26. May 15, 1594, Morgan Dwigt m. Agnes .
27. Oct. 7, 1596, Christopher Dwyte (son of Thomas) bapt.
28. Dec. 19, 1599, Susan Dwait (dau. of William) bapt.
29. Jan. I, 1602, Henry Dwite (son of William) bapt.
30. Nov. 19, 1604, William Dwite m. Johan (rest illegible).
31. Feb., 1606, Ellen Dwite (dau. of Edward) buried.
32. Jan. 3, 1607, Anne Dwite (dau. of Edward) baptized. Edward De Graies he is called in the record, probably his place of residence.
2^2^. Feb. 7, 1607, Bridget Dwite (dau. of William, of Newnham Murren) bapt.
34. Nov. 5, 1607, Joseph Dwight (son of William, of Newnham Murren) bapt.
35. Nov. 30, 1607, Joseph Dwight (son of William) buried.
36. April 12, 1610, Griffin Dwite (son of William) bapt.
37. Feb. 4, 1610, William Dwight m. Sara Williamson.
38. May 20, 161 1, Deodatus Dwite (son of William) bapt.
39. May 28, 161 1, Deodatus Dwite (son of William) buried.
40. May 12, 1613, Mary Dwigght (dau. of William) bapt.
41. May 28, 1618, Bridget Dwyte (dau. of William) bapt.
42. July 16, 1612, ■ Devviht (son of Jerome) bapt.
43. Feb. 14, 1618, Jas. Dwyhit (son of Jacob) bapt.
44. Dec. 16, 1619, Robert Dwiton (son of William) bapt.
45. Aprils, 162 1, John Dwyte m. Sara Harvey.
46. Aug. 22, 1622, a child of John Dwight buried. Probably intended to be recorded as unbaptized.
47. May 19, 1623, William Dwite (son of William) bapt.
48. March 7, 1623, John Dwite (son of ) bapt.
49. March 3, 1623, Thomas Dwite de 1' buried.
50. April 14, 1628, Johanna Dwite (wife of William) buried. 51 June 8, 1629, William Dwight m. Ann Joy.
52. July, 1692, G — 1 Dwite (dau. of Edward) bapt.
53. Feb. 18, 1633, Josiah Dwight (son of B ) bapt.
54. Oct. 9, 1635, Bridget (dau. of Griffin Dwight) bapt.
55. Aug. 16, 1638, William Dwite (son of Griffin) bapt.
56. Oct. 8, 1638, Richard Hill m. Ehzabeth Dwite.
57. , 1639, William (son of Griffin Dwite) buried.
58. , 1639, Marie Dwight bapt.
59. March 14, 1641, Susan Dwight (dau. of Griffin) bapt.
60. July 20, 1642, Bridget Dwight (dau. of Griffin) buried.
61. Dec. 25, 1643, a child of Griffin Dwight bapt.
62. July 18, 1651, William Dwit (son of William) bapt. In the same record the name White is written Whit,
63. May 8, 1647, Thos. Dwyte (son of Griffin) bapt.
64. Nov. 20, 1652, John Dwyte (son of Thomas).
1 886.] Recent Discoveries of Traces of the Divight Family. 29
65. Oct. 5, 1654, Josiah Dwite and Elizabeth Slattbrooke. Publication of marriage.
There are also entered as taxable these names, viz.:
1. Oct. 12, 1706, Thomas Dwight.
2. Jan, 29, 1 7 19, John Dwight, Senior.
3. June 28, 1728, Widow Dwight.
4. Aug. 20, 1732, Joan Dwight.
5. , 1723, William Dwight (son of William).
6. , 1723, Margaret Dwight (dau. of WiUiam).
The spelling is often poor and faulty enough in the English records searched to obtain the facts here gathered— as in the early records handed down to our day by our fathers on this side of the Atlantic.
II Records of wills were also extensively explored by Professor Dwight, when in England, wherever they could be found. The results obtained in such a way from Oxfordshire are here briefly detailed.
I John Dwight, of Oxfordshire, of Henley. The Administration of his will was committed to his son Robert, a.d. 1596. Consistory Court, Ox- fordshire. ^ , . ^ r J
II A.D. 1607. Elizabeth Dwight, of St. Peter of the city, Oxford. Minor children : Agnes and George Dwight. Administration committed
to Wm. Pope. . 1 ■ • . , T7T u .1
III. A.D. 1680. Josiah Dwight, Henley. Administration by Elizabeth
Dwight, his relict. Consistory Court, London.
IV. Will of John Dwight, a.d. 1665. In this there was a provision in favor of his son Francis. The will was twice proven ; once with the name spelled as Dwight, and again as Dwaite. Consistory Court, London. This lohn Dwight is described as of St. Botolph, Aldgate ; widow, Eleonora.
V. A.D. 1637. The will of William Dwight, of London, donor of a charitable bequest.
The original will is long, containing sixteen sheets of very large, square paper, sealed with a big seal, attached by a parchment-strap, and attested by six witnesses, and signed by the testator April 11, 1637. His will was very devout in tone of feeling. It was admitted to probate in May. He divided all his personal estate into three parts : giving one third to his three daughters combined, Elizabeth, Mary, and Anne, his only children ; another third to his wife, Katharine, and the rest he bestows in special gifts upon a number of persons. Among others he mentions his kinsman, Philip Dwight (an earlier Philip of the name than any that we had before known), and also his kinsman and godson, William Dwight. He also refers to the following names, as those of kindred: Katharine Robinson, his cousin ; Martha Olds, Richard North, Goodwyn, and others. He speaks of his servant, " Bernard Dwight," meaning by servant " apprentice," as he shows a little farther on. He held considerable real estate m different places, as at Cornhill, London, where he lived at the time of his death, and at Sud- bury, at Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex. He gives an annuity of ^20 to his brother, John Dwight, £a of which came from his father's estate (named Robert) and £16 of his own good will. He gave also an annuity to his mother (Joan Mabel). He was " a tallow chandler and a member of the company of tallow chandlers." He gave an annuity to that company, charged upon his real estate, for the support of the poor. Subject to this and other charges, he gives a certain portion of his estate to his eldest
^O Recent Discoveries of Traces of the Diaight Family. [Jan.,
daughter, Elizabeth, and other portions to younger daughters. He states that his land at Sudbury alone lets at ^84 annually, a large sum for those days. In case a posthumous son should be born, the estates, he directs, shall go to him, instead of to the daughters. He names seven trustees : three being " esquires," two "gentlemen," and two yeomen.
"I believe," says Professor Dwight, "that the Robert spoken of in this paper as the father of William was No. 8 in the list of persons baptized at Henley (bapt. March 10, 1574), and John Dwight (William's brother) to have been John Dwight, of Henley, Oxfordshire (John, of St. Botolph, Aldgate), whose name is found on the record of wills, as No. IV., under date of A.D. 1665."
William was then of the Henley Family; and every Dwight that we can trace in England before 1 700 comes from Oxfordshire.
It would be pleasant, indeed, to be able to say definitely that one of the John Dwights recorded at Henley, as baptized there between 1568 and 1586, was the John Dwight afterward of Dedham, Mass., from whom the Amer- ican Dwights are all descended. We cannot yet, however, specify and localize the exact and distinct beginning of our colonial history in England as a family. The time may come.
III. In answer to the question whether he could, by extended and thorough search, find any of the family name living now in England, Profes- sor Dwight replies : " I examined carefully the records and directories of many large towns, and found nowhere, as a rule, anyone of the name, not even, for example, in Leeds, where it was believed some of the name might still be found. Any and all of those now living who could be found bearing the name Dwight were found in and about London," In the Lon- don Directory for 1878 the following names of Dwights occur, with the adresses given, viz. :
H, Dwight, Garret's Farm, Higginton, Hertfordshire.
M. Dwight, Canal Side, North Church, Great Barkhampstead, Hert- fordshire,
F. Dwight, 17 Holland Grove, Brixton.
H. T. Dwight, I St. James Park, Croydon.
H. Dwight, 8 Tamworth Road, Croydon.
J. Dwight, 10 Lit. St. Ann Road, Brixton.
Dwight, W. H., May Day Road, Thornton Heath, Croydon.
Dwight & Stanley, wheelwrights, 151 Bank Ch. Lane.
Dwight, Henry, Crown P. H., 146 St. John St., Clerkenwell, London, E. C.
In 18 7 1 there was a John Dwight, a beer retailer, 36 Lower George St., Chelsea, S. W.
IV. Professor Dwight made also, incidentally, in the reading of Shakes- peare for his own pleasure, a discovery of value concerning one of the boon companions and special fellow-actors of the great dramatist of our own family name ; and the little that he tells us of him is all that we know of his history. " Little John Doit, of Staffordshire," Shakespeare speaks of in " King Henry IV.," Part Second, Act Third, Scene Second. He mentions himself little John Doit, of Staffordshire, and black George Bare, and Francis Pickbone, and Will Squele, a Cotswold man, and says of them, "you had not four such swinge-bucklers in all the inns of court again ; and I may say to you, we know where the bona-robas were, and had the best of them all at command- ment." His boast was not to the credit of their virtue or refinement of char-
i886.] Recent Discoveries of Traces of the Dwight Family. ^ i
acter, or even of manners. It is not what is said of their riotous behavior or low tastes or habits that gives thein any interest to any of us now. The point of interest and attraction Ues in the fact of their being the acknowl- edged friends and intimates of Shakespeare.
The facts here detailed, as newly discovered by Professor Theo. VV, Dwight, whether by purposed search for them, or incidentally and most fortunately, have so much mutual connection and consistency as to be en- tirely harmonious in their nature and influence with each other, and each part self-explaining in all its bearings and relations with all others. It would be delightful, indeed, if on other outlying portions of our connected and correlated family history, under different names than our general family name, an equally successful style of historical analysis of facts which are not yet resolved could be brought into effective use with widely-illuminating power. There is much and precious spoil yet to be gathered by extended and thorough genealogical research. Great is the wonder to anyone who knows the real richness of this great unworked mine of surprising and de- lightful facts, so readily discoverable by earnest effort to find them, that any family possessed of a history worth cherishing with reverent and grate- ful affection can quietly let a long past of splendid purposes, efforts, and results lie neglected and forgotten, and even forsaken to dull, unsightly de- cay, through long periods of time, from one generation to another.
Concerning the silver tankard now in the possession of Mr. Timothy Dwight, of South Evanston, 111. (No. 126, I. Dwight Hist., p. 173), as the eldest son in the line of successive descent for nine generations from John Dwight, of Dedham, the writer wishes to put upon permanent record, for the benefit of those who shall read his history of the Dwight Family in fut- ure years, and will not know for themselves as well as he does, what tra- ditions exist with living force in the hearts of its older members concern- ing various statements and elements of its history. One of the few older members of the little circle of President Dwight's grandchildren having re- cently, and unexpectedly to her friends, been called away to " the better land" by a sudden stroke of apoplexy, one most familiar with the faces, and characters, and feelings, and histories of the New Haven representa- tives of the family in the preceding generation (Mrs. Mary Dwight-Lyman, of San Francisco, Cal., and previously of New Haven, Conn., and more recently of Hadley, Mass., No. 128, III. of Dwight History, p. 173), the writer has requested her brother, John W. Dwight, Esq., of New Haven (No. 130, v., p. 174, and his own brother-in-law), to state what he himself remembers as having been true of the silver tankard and the Dwight coat- of-arms engraved upon it. The tankard had been a familiar sight to him from his very birth, he having been born December 31, 18 17, and his grand- father. President Dwight, of Yale, having died January 11, 181 7, at whose death the family tankard passed into the possession of his eldest son, Tun- othy Dwight, of the seventh generation (son of President Timothy Dwight and Mary Woolsey, No. 118, I., pp. 171-2). Says John W. Dwight, of New Haven (his son), concerning the silver tankard and coat-of-arms engraved upon it : "I always understood from my father that his great-grandfather, Colonel Timothy Dwight, of Northampton, Mass. (b. in 1694, who m. in 1716, Experience King, seep. 118, Dwight History), sent early in the eighteenth century to England for the tankard, and directed that the Dwight coat-of-arms should be obtained from the Heralds' College, and be en- graved on it. I always understood that it was the old coat of the family as
32 The Lordship and Manor of Gardiner's Island. [Jan.,
furnished from older times, and according to the actual symbols and senses of the records of heraldry, and not made up at the time by any chance experts in reading or representing the characteristic elements or ex- pressions of blazonry, as the family had had for a long period an historic existence at that time. The tankard was used at first for holding flip or ale. Any other incidents or associations ever connected with its use are lost now by the recent death of my sister Mary, who was specially fond of treasuring interesting remembrances of earlier days." New Haven, Conn., October i, 1885,
He adds in a second letter sent : "This coat-of-arms is the ensign armorial of eagles " (covertly controverting an idea broached casually by a leading member of the family, that the blazonry found in the Dwight coat-of-arms may, in the absence of any specific name or motto to identify it, have been possibly derived from some one of the distinguished families with which its history became early associated by marriage, and re-enforced to its lasting advantage). " Let no one imagine that there can be any the least reason to doubt whatever the sole and simple Dwight origin of our en- signs armorial, and that in England, or, earlier still, in Normandy. Such a copy of our real and historic coat-of-arms, one of exact truthfulness of representation, according to the real facts of the case, was ordered directly from England, and paid for there one hundred and fifty years ago, by an educated and distinguished member of the family, a man of great intelli- gence and spirit and of large means, Colonel Timothy Dwight, of North- ampton!, Mass., and what his descendants have greatly prized in continued succession as a prolonged bestowal from him and his day to all his relatives in perpetuity."
The article here presented in The Record should be obtained by the widely scattered members of the family who possess the history of the Dwight family, each for himself, who values the entire history of the family as such in America, and treasured with it for reference in future years. Large numbers of persons of various names — Lyman, Phillips, Reynolds, Whiting, Bacon, Bowers, Chapin, Chapman, Childs, Collins, Dana, Dewey, Edwards, Field, Foster, Hall, Hopkins, Hunt, Huntington, Kent, King, Lathrop, Loomis, Parsons, Partridge, Sedgwick, Stoddard, Strong, Wet- more, Whitney, Willard, Woolsey — all such will, we are sure, be much pleased to gain the new information contained in this article respecting their Dwight relationship in its aboriginal elements and conditions.
THE LORDSHIP AND MANOR OF GARDINER'S ISLAND.
OBSERVATIONS FROM BOOK AND FROM AGED PERSONS CONCERNING THE SETTLING OF THIS ISLAND ET CETERA.
By John Lyon Gardiner, Esq. (Seventh Lord of the Manor).
It was in the reign of Charles i" King of England that the first pro- prietor of this island came to America. It was in 1635 and he was Engi- neer of the fort built at Saybrook by order of Lords Say and Sele & Brook and others — he was a friend of republican government and Oliver
1 886.] The Lordship and Manor of Gardiner's Jslatid. ■3'5
Cromwell. Whether Lion Gardiner came to this country for the sake o interest or for religious, or civil liberty or for all I do not know.
■ Lion Gardiner married at Woerden a strong town of the Low Countries in Holland — it stands on the Rhine 17 miles south of Amsterdam — he mar- ried Mary daughter of Derike Willemsen.
David the second owner of the Island born at Saybrook, was the first white child born in that place. He married Mary Herringman widow of the Parish of Saint Margaret, in the city of Westminster, England. He was 22 years old when married. He died at Hartford where he had gone on public business and was there buried.*
John the third owner eldest son of David born April 19 i66i died by a fall from a horse at Groton Connecticut 1738 aged 77. His first wife was Mary King of Oysterponds his second Sarah Coit of New London —his third Abigail Allen f of Middletown — his fourth Elizabeth Osborne of Easthampton. He died at New London and was buried there. He was a hearty active robust man, generous and upright ; sober at home but jovial abroad and swore sometimes — Always kept his Chaplain — he was a good farmer and made great improvements on the Island — he made a great deal of money although a high liver and had a great deal to do for his four wives connections. He had an expensive family of children — he gave t^iem for those times large portions. David had the island John — Jonathan died at sea, Joseph he gave a farm at Groton Samuel he gave a great deal of property to in Easthampton : a house and lot upon the place where Captain Abraham Gardiner now lives — he bought for him all Minister James estate, one share of Montauk twelve acres (now called Samuel Gardiner lot) for which he gave ;^5oo as ai)pears by deed. Sam- uel and his wife (a Coit) both died young and were buried in Easthampton. He fitted out his daughters and gave them ^500 in cash a piece. Hannah married Hon^'*" John Chandler of Worcester Massachusetts, Elizabeth mar- ried Thomas Greene of Boston, where the family of that name continue. Mary married a Gray. Sarah married a Treat. Joseph was sick for a long time and married a poor girl from Groton who took care of him — an elderly girl by the name of Grant. One of his sons married a Saltonstall. Samuel son of Samuel, married his cousin Abigail Gardiner daughter of David 4* proprietor, and settled at New London where he was a fa- mous merchant but failed. He had children, his son Samuel lived with Colonel Abraham Gardiner son of David (4"") and afterwards with Cap- tain Abraham Gardiner.
* There is a petition in the handwriting of this gentleman which appears to have been written in 1684 on account of the Assembly (which was then sittmg) placing Gardiner's Island on to Easthampton in taxes. It must have been presented to Colonel Thomas Dongan, who Augt 27th, 1683 landed at the East end of Long Island and summoned an Assembly. The petition mentions his father as the first Englishman who had settled in the Colony of New York.'
+ Abigail Allen widow was the daughter of the " Worshippful John Allyn." Her first husband wag Alex- ander Allen, by whom she had son Fitz John Allen.
' New York from its settlement until 1664 was in the hands of the Dutch. I suppose the east end of Long Island to have been then under Connecticut. In 1664 that is 4 years after the restoration of King Charles the Second, NicoUs, &c. in four ships who had resolved to rendezvous at Gardiner's Island came over to attack New York or New Amsterdam as it was then called which they did and took in 1664. In Deer 1664 NicoUs and Winthrop &c. determined Long Island to be under the Duke of Vorke's gov- ernment which was not agreeable to the Long Island people. The east end was settled from Old and New England. Thay were Presbyterians universally and doubtless as the Connecticut people were similar to them in religious principles, in manners and customs, they wished to be under their protection — perhaps the government of the Duke ofYorke, by his Governours Nicolls and Lovelace was more of a despotic kind as it appears by the history of those times that their will was law and the people had no part in making the laws by which they were governed. I have been informed that David the Second Lord was one of the deputies sent to Hartford to solicit the Government there to take them under their jurisdiction but which they did not choose to do. In 1654 the Duke appointed Govr Andross and after him Coll. Dongan who landed at the east end of Long Island when to prevent the people from rising in opposition to him he prom- ised that no laws or rates should be imposed but by a General Assembly which before had not been the Case.
3
■7 A The Lordship and Manor of Gardiner's Island. [Jan.,
David 4*'' eldest son of John married Rachel Schellinx by whom he had children — John 5* owner David and Abraham, David married his cousin daughter of Samuel who died young. David was a large mer- chant in New London and like his Cousin Samuel failed and died. Ab- raham Was a farmer in Easthanipton, and married Mary Smith, daughter of Nathaniel Smith. David as usual for the owner kept a Chaplain. David's second wife was a Burroughs, widow of Saybrook, she was a cousin by his mothers side, he would have married her when young but his parents objected — she had no children. David 4* owner was born January 3 1691 died July 4 1751 in his 61^' year & was buried on Gardiner's Island. Mr. Pike now very aged tells me Lord David was much of a gen- tleman and a good farmer — kept about 200 head of cattle 40 horses and more sheep than I do (which was about 2800 to 3000), has known him to sell 700 bushels at 8/. Colonel A. Gardiner is much like his father, David 4*. Lord David lived at the "other house " and his son at Great Pond. Lord David killed one year 365 ducks and 65 geese. My grandfather John s"* proprietor sold his cattle in Boston, they used to make a beacon light on one of the hills for the country sloop to stop. John the 5 proprietor born June 9*^ 1714 died May 19'^ 1764 he was the eldest son of David 4* he died on the island and was buried here. He was married May 26 1737 to Elizabeth Mulford daughter of Mr. Matthew Mulford. He was 23 years old when he married — he was not as good a farmer as his father David — he had but one overseer who was good for anything and he was killed by a horse. He paid little attention to his affairs and died ;^33oo, in debt. His first wife was a very fine wom- an— notable. His second wife Deborah Avery, widow was of an easy, agreeable disposition, and beloved as a stepmother. She afterwards married Major-General Putnam and died at the Highlands, North River, and was buried in the Vault of Colonel Beverly Robinson, She brought her children with her and they were educated at John's expense. The daughters, Gardiner's and Avery's, lived together in Easthanipton and went to school — Lydia Pike kept the house David was then in College in New haven and Mary * who had acquired many accomplishments at school in Boston — on her return home she married the Chaplain. David the 6"^ Proprietor born October 8"" 1738 died September 8* 1774 in the 36* year of his age, and was buried on the Island. He was the eldest son of John the 5* proprietor — he died of consumption at his father-in-laws the Reverend Doctor Buell's, of Easthanipton. He married Jerusha daughter of Samuel Buell D.D. and Jerusha Machem both of Coventry Connecticut — she was born November s**" 1749. He had but two children, John Lyon the 7* Proprietor born November 8"' 1770, and David born Feb'y 2pth iyy2. He was 26 years old when his father died.
David 6'^ when his father died took the bonds and paid them up in two or three years — he improved the Island ten years. He gave the Island and farming utensils to John Lyon, f and his Montauk and other property, bonds et cetera to David, to the amount of ;^i 2,000. A considerable part of the bonds were lost by being in Continental money.
* Rev. Elijah Blague, a graduate of Yale College, was Chaplain for some time.
t The writer of the above died November 22, 1816. He is well-known for his researches into the local history of the East end of Long Island, to which he contributed much curious and important information. His memory and that of his wife is revered and respected even to the present time by the people of Suffolk County. David Johnson Gardiner, his eldest son, was the last to receive the island by entail as eighth lord, or proprietor. He was of a proud, haughty, imperious disposition, and was treated universally with much con-
1 886.] Some Descendants of Robert and Anne Drummond. ^5
SOME DESCENDANTS OF ROBERT AND ANNE DRUMMOND,
OF NEW YORK.
The pedigree of this Robert in Scotland we have not been able to ascertain. We only have the old family tradition that he was " sent here by the Rebellion," and his estate there was "confiscated." That rebellion, judging from the data of his age and first recorded citizenshi]) in New York, would have been the one aroused by that popish tyrant, James II., of England, to whose rescripts so many Protestants in that country would not yield. His only wife known on our shores, nee Anne Evetts, but the widow of Richard Hall when he married her, was doubtless a native of England, as her father, James Evetts, one of the incorporators and first war- dens of Trinity Church, this city, cannot be traced back with us to an earlier date than about 1690, and this daughter married Mr. Hall in 1703. The family have been found to be originally from St. Botolph's Parish, Bishops Gate, London. From Mr. Edsall's valuable record of Lieutenant- Governor John Berry of New Jersey, in this magazine last year, we find several facts in this connection, not known before to the present writer. One was the paternity of Richard Hall's mother, the widow of Mayor Noel, at the time of his marriage, shown by Mr. Edsall to have been a daughter of George Berry. Another was the names of Mrs. Hall's two daughters, viz., Elizabeth and Anne, which, with those of their husbands, William Patterson and James Martin respectively, both citizens of New Jersey, furnish us with a clew to an ancient kinship, long-sought for in vain. These last-mentioned facts negative entirely the genealogical hypothesis that Mrs. Elizabeth Hazard, the wife of Nathaniel Hazard, the old New York merchant, and an ancestress of the distinguished Dela- field family of this city, was a daughter of Robert Drummond. For it is utterly unsupposable that Mrs. Anne Drummond would name another daughter Elizabeth. Of her Patterson descendants, if any, we have no knowledge ; but of those in the Martin line a little, which we desire here to record. Rachel Martin, a grand-daughter of James Martin, married for her first husband, Colonel Philip Johnston, an eminent patriot officer, who was killed in the battle of Brooklyn, in 1776, and as it is said on his birth-day. Her second husband was Judge Bray, of New Brunswick, N. J. Colonel Johnston, of General Heard's Brigade (see General Stryker's Roster of New Jersey's soldiers in the Revolutionary War), was a man of culture and great excellence of character. His father, a large land-pro- prietor in Somerset County, N. J., had sent him to Princeton College, but at the breaking out of the French War he joined the army as a youthful vol- unteer, and returned with the laurels of a brave soldier. The first year of the Revolution he again entered the field in his country's cause, and his children remembered his kneeling at their bedside when about to "leave
sideration. This was so while he was at school and at Yale College. In his feelings he was a born aristocrat. He died young, unmarried and intestate, and the manorial property then descended to his two brothers and sister equally. They transferred their shares to the oldest, John Griswold Gardmer, who succeeded as nmth proprietor. John G. was of quite a different disposition. He was kind, generous and affectionate, but ex- travagent and wasteful. He lived like a lord, and impaired his estate very much. On his death in 1861, unmarried and intestate also, the island again descended to his brother and sister. Mrs. Sarah Diodati Thompson transferred her rights to the late Hon. Samuel B. Gardiner, who became the tenth proprietor. He was a refined, unostentatious gentleman of the old school, and died much respected January 5, 1882. The island descended to David Johnson Gardiner, as eleventh proprietor, but has since come to Colonel John Lyon Gardiner, the present and twelfth lord of this ancient manor.
•26 Some Descendants of Robert and Anne Drumniond. [Jan.,
his beautiful home never to return. It is a family tradition that Colonel Johnston disapproved of the plan of the battle at Flatbush, and that to the orders of the commanding officer, General Sullivan, his reply was, " I will obey you, sir, but it will be death."
A Hessian officer's record of this fatal engagement maligns the memory of this noble patriot by reporting that "a Captain Johns" attempted to slay covertly, after surrendering, the soldier that captured him, who forthwith bayonetted his prisoner. But enough is known of Colonel Johnston as a Christian gentleman and true soldier to exculpate his memory from this base charge. And there can be no doubt that he honored to the last the motto of his ancient Scotch Border family, Nunquam non paratus.
One of Colonel Johnston's daughters married a Lloyd, and another a Scudder, a lawyer, of Monmouth County, N, J. He was the ancestor of the heroic American missionary band of that name. Another daughter, Miss Betsey Johnson, remained single, and died at a venerable age. She often visited her relatives in old Elizabeth Town, N. J., which was the family residence of her mother's cousin, Colonel Edward Thomas, a prominent Revolutionary officer.
His mother was Sarah Drummond, a daughter of Robert and Anne Drummond, who removed from New York to Elizabeth Town, N. J., in about 1 714-15, and resided there for a short period. Their son — or grandson — Robert, was for many years a merchant and extensive "shipper" in Acquackanock, N. J., on the Passaic River, now called Passaic. Here he remained, and had his family residence for many years. In the register of the Reformed Dutch Church of that town we find the following record, obtained through the courtesy of William Nelson, Esq., of Paterson, a member of the New Jersey Historical Society, "as entered by Dominie David Marinus: 'Married, April i, 1759, R. Drummond, bachelor, with Jennie Vreeland, maiden, both of our church.' " " He lived," says Mr. Nelson, "on the old Weasel road, about two miles from Passaic city. Their children on the church record were Mary, born June 29, 1760; Robert, born 1762 (one of whose sponsors was a Mary Drummond, probably an aunt), and Sarah, named from another aunt, Mrs. Sarah Thomas. This Robert Drummond was several times sent to Trenton as an Assemblyman, and in 1776 was a prominent member of the State Rovolutionary Congress there holden. But a year or two later he declared himself a loyalist, raised a company with the rank of a major, with which he joined the Southern British Army. But it is said that very few of them survived to return to the North. At the close of the war Major Drummond went to England, and there died. His estate was confiscated, and his family, remaining in New Jersey, reduced to poverty. But by the influence of his kinsman, Colonel Thomas, the principal portion was restored to them.
For other particulars, see Gordon's " History and Gazetteer of New Jersey," and the " History of American Loyahsts." Several respectable descendants of Major Drummond are now living near the City of Passaic, one in Paterson, and a great-grandson, Mr. Peter Allen, at Monachie, Bergen County, N. J. His descendant in Paterson possesses a portrait of this ancestor, taken in London, 1784, eii pastilla, which represents him attired in the scarlet coat, with blue facings, and buff vest of a British officer. His farm at the Ponds, near Pompton, confiscated in 1778, was sold to Peter Ward, of Saddle River."
1 886.] Genealogical History. TjI
The Thomas family have been warmly patriotic, both in the War of Independence and that for the Union. Captain Edmund Thomas, son of the Colonel, was distinguished for his valor in Revolutionary battles. His nephew, the late General George Cummings Thomas, of Washington, a veteran of the Seminole War, was the military commandant of Washing- ton City during the war of the RebelUon, and took the oaths of allegiance of all enrolled for service in the armies of the Union on his little pocket Bible, and among them that of the late illustrious Ulysses S. Grant. This memorable sacred relic is carefully preserved in the library of his brother, William W. Thomas, Esq., a resident of Elizabeth, N. J., and a Custom House broker of long standing in the City of New York. Many of other names in various parts of the country, adorning different professions or social life, at the present day, are also in the same worthy descent. One of the number, a former respected lawyer of this city, is Richard Goodman, Esq., of Lowell, Mass. The late Dr. William Alfred Elmas, U.S.A., a distinguished surgeon, was a great-grandson of Robert and Anne Drum- mond, whose record has now been given. William Hall.
New York, October 9, 1885.
GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
The following communication is from the pen of an eminent scholar and writer of Germany, Dr. Von H. Schramm, a corresponding member of the Genealogical and Biographical Society of New York. The merit and chief interest of the article is its marked republican spirit, coming from the pen of a born aristocrat, who expects to visit the United States during the present winter.
" The Constitution of the United States," writes Dr. Schramm, " de- clares the use of titles of nobility incompatible with the quality of an American citizen, and thus prevents all official ranking of people as the elite of human kind. There is only one way for American families to gain hereditary social prominence, and that is by the continuity of their devotion to the common weal and of their maintenance of a high standard of honesty ; these means alone obtain the enduring respect of the people and their courteous deference for true merit. Comparisons are odious, and we do not intend to discuss the respective merits of the European and American systems, but, if ' all the world's a stage,' we may be permitted to remark that in acting on it Europeans appear, by their use of courtesy titles of no- bility, as it were, to follow the custom of the ancient classic stage, and to wear masks of their parts, while Americans believe the characters should be recognizable without such outward sign.
" The facility for arising from the proletariat to distinction, which Amer- ican institutions offer, often leads successful men to say that it *is quite indifferent who a person's parents were, and even to boast of their ignorance of their family history, as if that were a republican virtue :
" ' Stemmata quid faciunt, quid prodest, Pontice, longo Sanguine censeri, pictosque ostendere vultus majorum ? '
" Looking closely we, however, soon discover that such a novus homo and his descendants anxiously guard the records of their own pres- ent achievements, and transmit them like treasured heirlooms to their fam-
?8 Genealogical History. [Jan.,
ilies, and thus virtually prove themselves stanch adherents of the very principle of which they affect to make light. Pride of descf nt from ances- tors who have generously served their country and who have honestly accomplished their duty m their private relations is certainly as justifiable as pride in personal success in accumulating wealth or in other achievements.
" History is at once the foundation and the condition of our moral and political development. Why should we consider the acts of men alone worthy of attention in their relation to the common interest, and judge them uninteresting in their influence on the destiny and the fortunes of their direct descendants ? If the examples of great and good men are to incite us to make our lives sublime, may not the history of the past vicissitudes of our own family serve to direct our steps in the future, and the remembrance of how our own ancestors remained true to great princi- ples and preserved their names unsullied, per varies casus — per tot dis- criminareram, be the most powerful of all incentives to keep us in the path of virtue ? Deeply rooted in the hearts of the people there lives an interest for the past, and a desire to place themselves in relation with the generations which have preceded us. Even he who is ignorant of his family history when he reads of the past involuntarily pictures to himself how his sires may have felt and acted in the momentous questions of their times. How much keener must he enter into the spirit of the past who actually knows how his ancestors were influenced under the circumstances.
"The representative families of America are unable, with few excep- tions, to trace their early origin to noble extraction, but they have almost all occupied distinguished positions from the foundation of the country, and the records of their family history are such that they will bear the light of day. On the continued purity of these records rests their claim to dis- tinction, and this certainly appears a more solid foundation than the more or less fortuitous possession of an hereditary title accorded for some act of real or fictitious merit, which constitutes the same claim to nobility of so many of the titled families of to-day. In republican Switzerland it has long been the custom for prominent families to preserve their history in print, and such monographs are frequent among the Calvinists of Geneva. Recent publications show that they are also becoming naturalized in Amer- ica. In the United States society shows its repugnance to submit to the tyranny and corruption of plutocratic rule by the prominence accorded in the public service to the descendants of the early patriot statesmen and soldiers. These bearers of honored names are the natural guardians of the essence of American nationality, and they form an intellectual nucleus of pronounced individuality around which the most diverse elements can form to one homogeneous and original race. Among the ever-frequent changes of American life the people see with satisfaction that certain families retain their well-earned positions and contribute the element of stability to so- ciety, vmltosque per annos stat fortujia donms et avi nutnerantur avorum.
" English writers frequently assume that the Americans stand to-day in a nearer degree of relationship to the English than to any other nation, concluding, no doubt, that the use of the same language must make the nations kinsmen and alike in feeling. This is a manifest error. The his- tory of the representative families of America is rich in striking illustra- tions of the fact that the National character is an original formation, to which various sources have contributed, and by no means a recast from an English mold. The stripes in the American flag were selected as an emblem
i886.] Ancient New York Tombstones. ^n
of the six nationalities by whom the States had chiefly been peopled, and they symbolize their equal degree of relationship to the new-born nation,
" The foregoing is a summary of some general reflections upon reading the biography of Colonel John Bayard, which Gen. Jas. Grant Wilson se- lected this year for his anniversary address before the New York Genea- logical and Biographical Society, a subject which receives additional inter- est from the fact that a Bayard is at present the head of the American Cabinet as Secretary of State, and that Dr. Charles W. Baird has just pub- lished the ' History of the Huguenot Emigration to America,' showing what an important factor the Huguenots have been in the formation of Am- erican society, for the Bayards, like so many other distinguished families, are of Huguenot descent."
ANCIENT NEW YORK TOMBSTONES.
In an autumn afternoon ramble with our vice-president, as we were walking along the banks of the East River opposite Sixty-sixth Street, we came upon a little cluster of graves. From the tombstones, more or less dilapidated, which marked these " last homes," we carefully copied the following inscriptions in the private burial-place, which is one of many to be found scattered along the East River shore of Manhattan Island. It is on what is known as the Schermerhorn estate, and when the property was sold some sixty years since to Peter Schermerhorn, the former owners re- served the right of burial, a right, however, which it is believed was never afterward exercised.
In In
Memory of Memory
John Hardenbrook, of
Obit Ann Hardenbrook,
5th August, 1803, Relict of
Aetet 77. John Hardenbrook,
Obiit 6th March,
In 1817,
Memory of Aged 95 years. Mary Adams,
Who departed this life,
5th April, 1822,
Aged 72 years. In
Memory of
In John,
Memory of Son of Robert and Susan Thompson,
Sarah Carr, Who departed this life,
Who departed this life, iSth September, 1813,
2d April, 1 82 1, Aged i year and 6 months.
Aged 73 years. Also
In memory of
In memory of James Lawrence,
Maria Bass. Son of Robert and Susan Thompson,
Who departed this life,
In memory of 12th August, 1819,
John Bass. Aged 3 years and 9 months.
Of these slabs, five were upright and uninjured, and two were prostrate and broken. There were also in close proximity to the above, numerous broken stones, indicating that they had formerly marked other now forgot- ten and neglected graves. J. G. W.
New York, November, 1885.
40
Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New York. [Jan.,
RECORDS OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK.— Baptisms.
(Continued from Vol. XVI., p. 94, of The Record.)
A" i7n. May 6.
10.
27.
Jliny I. 3-
(339) Juny 3-
27. 14.
4.
8.
OUDERS. KINDERS.
Joseph Waldrom, Benjamin. Antje Woedert.
A d o 1 p h de Groof, Rachel.
Rachel Goederus. Dirk Con5>n, Rachel Philippics.
Andriesse. Abraham Van Gelder, Harmaniis.
Catlyntje Post.
Aarnout Schermer- Catharina.
hoorn, M a r y t j e
Beekman. Jacob Swaan, Dirk.
Dirkje.
Hendrikus Kermer, Nicolaas.
Jaquemyntje Rave-
ste3>n. Joost Laning, Geertje Geertje.
Romeyn. H e n d r i k Franse, Anna.
Anna Maria Sippe.
W e s s e 1 V. Norden, Anna.
Jaquemyntje van
Couwenhoven. John Haldron, Cor- Luykas.
nelia v. Tienhove. Grietje Van Oort. Margrietje.
Pieter Wesselse, Elizabeth.
Anna Oosterhave. Johannes Buys, Neel- Johannes.
tje Claas.
Samuel Bayard, Mar- ^ i
•^ V. ^ Samuel gareta van Cort-
lant.
Jacobus.
Isaac Fonda, Alida Elizabeth.
Lancing. Johannes Rykman, Tobias.
Catharina Kip. Jan Willex, Margreta Margrietje.
Douw.
GETUVGEN.
Ruthgerd Waldrom, Mar-
ytje Waldrom, hiiys v.
van Fredrik Willemse. Gerret Schuyler, Barent
Bon, Marytje Goederus. Frans W e n n a m, Maria
Marius. Philip Daly, Cattyntje
Potman, huys v: van
Cornelus Post. JohannesBeekman, Aaltje
Beekman, s: h: vrouw.
Hendrikus van Gelder, Catharina Keteltas.
Davidt Kermer, Judith Raveste)>n.
Benjamin Oldes, Aaltje
Schars, s: h: v^ Sjaert Olfertz, Dorathe
Grienham, s: h: v.
Theophilus Pels, Cath- lyntje de Foreest.
Samuel PhiHpz, Tr)>ntje
van Thienhove. Willem Broiiwer, Marytje,
s: h^: V'. Balthazar de Hart, Eliza- beth van Dyk. Isaac Stoutenbiirg, Anna-
tje Van den Biirg. • Steven de Lance, Maria
IJayard Wed: van B^'
Bayard. Jacobus van Cortlant,
Susanna Brokhorst, h.
V. v., A' Brok., Maria
Brokhorst j. dochter. Hdybert van den Berg,
Marytje Lancing. Tobias Rykman, Samdel
Kip & Margreta, s. h. v. Willem Appel, Marretje
Bougran.
1 886.] Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New York.
41
A° 171 1. OUDERS. HINDERS,
July II. Andries Meyer, Jn'., Louwrens.
Geertje Wessels. 15. Thomas Dalje, Maria Willem.
Dalje.
Philippus van Bos- Harmanus. sem, Margrietje Willems. Cornelus Smits, Hes- Susanna.
ter Visscher. Frans Reyerse, Antje Theiinis. Dye. 22. Johannes de Peister, Catharina.
Anna Banker. Aiig^stfis I. William M a d d o x, William.
Zusanna Eradjor. g. Johannes Van Herts- Elizabeth,
berge, Catharina Walters. James Water, Mary tje Marytje. Aartse. 10. Jacobus Moene, Martinus.
Grietje Dirks.
Jan Hibon, Catharina Barent.
Cebering. Ruthgerd Waldrom, William.
Debora Pel. Elias EUessen, Sara Hendrik.
Peers. Michiel Stevens, Elizabeth.
Rejertje Mol. Casparus Blank, Elizabeth.
Aginietje Post. Johannes Vreden- Elizabeth.
burg, Antje Mon-
tagne. Samuel De, Celitje Samliel.
Salomons. Jasper Hood, Tryntje Thomas.
Luykas. Abraham Van Vlek, Cathalina.
Maria Kip. Boilwt W e s s e 1 s e, Frans.
Maria Brestede. Septemb. 2. Jurian Witvelt, Maria Catharina.
ten YKff" Abraham Vreden- Abraham.
biirg, Isabella Par- sell, obyt.
(340) 10.
12. 19.
26.
31-
GETUYGEN.
Louwerens Wessels e,
Catharina van Hoorn. Benja™ Rivers «S: Barent
de Foreest, Cornelia
Mehoon. Jan de Lamontanje, Wy-
burg V. Bossem.
Willem Appel, Apalony
Eckeson. Jacob Bratt, Aefje, s. h^ v'.
Philip Schuyler, Catha- rina de Peister.
Willem Roseboom, Sara ten Yk.
Robberd Walters, Alette Douwe.
Thomas Jemmeson, Mar- re tje Aarts, Wed\
Frans Van Dyk, Antje Van Deventer.
Barent Hibon, Sara, s: h'
vroiiw. Pieter Brestede, Anna
Paretre. Hendrik EUessen, Mar-
retje v. Heyninge. Willem Hyer, Ariaantje
de Wint. Abraham van G e 1 d e r,
Catl)>ntje, s. h. v'. Gerret de Graw, Dorathe
Hyer, s: h^ v'.
Frans Franse, Jannetje Salomons.
Jacobus Goelet, Catha- rina Wendall.
Jacobus Kip, Catlyntje de Lanoy.
Frans Wesselse, Tryntje Jans, s: h^ v^
James Lee, Catharina Witvelt.
John Parcell, Sara Mon- tagne.
42 Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New York.
A* 1711.
[Jan.,
OUDERS. KINDERS.
5. JanVanVoorn, Johannes.
Judith Slott.
9. Alexander F e n i x, Cornelia.
Hester Van Vorst. Pieter Post, Catha- Adriaan.
rina Beekman. Ed^iard B 1 a g g, Jo- Ediiard.
hanna Vickers.
'Claas Bogert, Grietje Johannes. Conselje. 12. Mangel Janse R o 1, Sara.
Antje Hendrix Valk. Barnardlis Smith, An- Johanna.
netje Cglevelt. WillemKronijWyntje Isaac. Rosa.
(341)
Septemb: 16. Jan Ellem, Johanna Elizabeth.
Aldrom. 23. Cornelus R o mm e, Rachel.
Marytje Kierstede.
Dirk Egbertse, Mar- Christina.
grietje Feller. FredrikFyn,Jannetje Jannetje.
vant Zandt. Pieter Burger, Catha- Daniel.
rina Henyon. John Yyerey, Eliza- John.
beth Layd.
30.
GETUYCEN.
Fictoor Ecker, Annetje Elsewarth, h. v. van Josias Creeger.
Willem Echt, Marytje Spratt.
Johannes Post, Antje Stemets.
Samuel CIouws, Cherrety Smith, h, V. van Jo- hannes Edsall.
George Willes, Annetje Conselje, s: h: v.
Samuel Filipz, Elsje van Pelt.
Coenraat ten Yk, Sara v.
Vorst, s: h: v'. Lorwies v. Niewenhiiyse,
Aefje, s, h^ vrouw.
Abraham Rochel, Catha-
rina Buys. Hans Kierstede, J',
Rachel Kierstede, Wd^ Jacob Brat, Aaltje Riem-
ers. Abraham v. Deurse, Ca-
tharina vant Zant. Johannes Hennejon, An-
nek Blom. Abram Wendel, & Tho- mas Statom, Catharina
Wendel. Dirk Kook, Susanna, s:
h" v'.
Ocktob: 7.
14. 17.
D e n y s Woertman, Samiiel.
Margrietje Beek- man. Anthony de Mill, Anthony.
Marytje Provoost. Richmond Wytton, Elsje.
Elsje Go sen s v.
Oort. John Wide, Geertje Annetje.
Wessels. Stephanus Boeken- Sara.
hove, Annatje
Hoist. Wessel Wessels e, Belitje.
Marytje ten Yk. Joseph Houwer, Hester d^ 2 Isaac de Mill, Sara, s: h
Christina de Mill. July gebo'. v'
Isaac de Mill, Barbara
Prevoost. Willem Appel, Marytje
Brouwers.
Frans Garbrantse, Eliza- beth Wessels.
Albartus Hoist, Aaltje, s. h= v^
Coenraat ten Yk, Tryntje Jans.
1 886.] Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New York.
43
A° 1711,
17.
20.
24.
(342) Oktob. 24.
Novemb: 6.
14.
18.
30- Decemb. 5.
OUDERS.
Jeremiah Borresh,
Cornelia Ekkeson. Johannes Brouwer,
Marytje Lam. Willem Provoost,
Aefje Exveen. Joseph Lush, Maria
Janse Jonker. Gerret van Laar, Jan-
netje Streddels. Larnmert van D y k,
M arre tje Hoog-
lant. Daniel Lietiwis,
Geerje Bradjor. F r e d r i k Woerten-
dyk, D i e V e r t j e
Quakkenbos. Johannes Tuck,
Antje Cornells.
Philip Van Cortlant, Catharina de Peys- ter.
Daniel Judevoor, En- geltje Cornelus.
Willem van de Water, Aefje Ringo.
Burger Davids, Mary- tje Romme.
Davidt Cosaac, Styntje Joris.
Christoffel Beekman, Marytje Lanoy.
Cornelus Turk, Eliza- beth van Schaik.
Matheus Bensing, Ca- tharina Provoost.
|
KINDERS. |
GETUYGEN. |
|
Isaac. |
Isaac Swits, J a n n e t j e |
|
Swits. |
|
|
Mathys. |
Alexander Lam, Aaltje |
|
Brouwers. |
|
|
Cornelia. |
Samuel Provoost, Catha- |
|
rina de Water. |
|
|
Maria. |
Thomas Statham, Maria |
|
Machkraft. |
|
|
Christoffel. |
Christoffel v. Laar, Catha- |
|
rina Streddels. |
|
|
Jenneke. |
Johannes Hooglant, S'., |
|
Jenneke Andries, s. h. |
|
|
Daniel. |
V • Benjamin Bill, Cornelia |
|
Narrewood. |
|
|
Reynier. |
Benjamin Quakkenbos, |
|
Claasje, s. h^ v^ |
Aaltje.
Stephanus.
Willem.
Margrietje.
Antje.
Johannis.
Magdalena.
Belitje.
Jonathan.
Egbert v. Bossen, Hendrik.
Elizabeth Bensing. Hendrik^ Vonk, Ca- Lucretia.
tharina Hegeman. Willem Liewis, Ma- Wilhelmiis.
ria v. Bommel. Hendrik Brevoort, Hendrik^s.
Jaquemyntje Boke. Harmanus Bensing, Catlyntje.
Aaltje Bickers. Evert Pels, Grietje v. Rachel.
Deurse.
Pouwelus Tuck, Aaltje,
h u y s v"^ V. Cornelis
Klaase. Coll. Abrah: de Peyster,
•Geertruyd van Cortlant,
Wed^ Willem Krom, Elizabeth
Uytenbogert. Johannes Pouwelse,
Geertrtiy Ringo. Sjoert Olfertz, Catharina
Davids. Pieter Jacobse, Rebecka,
s. h= V'. Gerardus Beekman, Mag- dalena, s: h^ v'. Johannes Bogert, Claasje ■ Van Schaik. Davidt Provoost Jonath
Z,, Marytje Provoost
j, docht: Samson Bensen, Marretje
Bougran. Adriaan Hegeman, Alida
Vonk. AarnhoutSchermerhoorn,
Sara Elsewarth. Jan W i 1 1 e m s e Rome,
Marytje Boke. Robberd Bense, Cornelia,
s: h'' v". Willem Elsewarth, Eliza- beth Pels.
44
Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New York.
[Jan.
A" 1711.
12. 16.
(343) 19.
23-
25.
26.
January i, 6.
OUDERS. KINDERS.
Thomas Powel, Jan- Elizabeth, netje Waldrom.
Isaac Brat, Dievertje Barent.
Wessels. Thomas Robberdz, Jannnetje.
Geerje Liewis. Gerret Burger, Pieter.
Saartje Reyers.
Thomas Slow, Eliza- Margareta.
beth Wessels. J a c o b ti s Provoost, Abraham.
Marytj e Van d'
Poel. William Neiiton, Eli- William.
zabeth Lee. Johannes Peek,
Tryntje Hellaker.
Johannes Gysbert.
Elizabeth.
Gerret Harssing, En- geltje Burgers.
Albartiis Coenradus Jozeph Bosch, Maria Hendri- Jeedts. ktis.
William Play. William.
Susanna Fyn. Margery.
A 1712. Stephanus Richard, Pieter.
Maria Van Brugh. John Tantonn, Jen- Elizabeth.
neke Harden-
broek. Anthony Caar, An- EHzabeth.
netje H6yke. John Cure, Gerretje Belitje.
Cosyn. Henry Kool, Geertje Jannetje.
Corneliis.
20.
Martinus C r i g i e r, Hendrik.
Margrietje v. Da-
len. Gerret S c h li y 1 e r, Pieter.
Aeghje de Groof. A n d r i e s Harden- Theodoras.
broek, Femmetje
V. d' Clyflf.
GETUYGEN.
Will Waldrom, Jan v. Sent, Annetje Wal- drom.
Lourens Wesselse, Aefje Bret.
Leonard Lieiiwis, Jaapje s: dochter.
Gysbert v. Imbiirg, Sara Turk.
Pieter Brestede, Marga-
riet Narthen. Abrah: Provoost, Catha-
rina, huys v' van M'
Samiiel Staats. Barnardus Hardenbroek,
Deborah Filding. g Willem Brouwer & Mary- I tje, s: h'' v', Aric Ko- l ning, Antje Peck. Frans van Dyk, Elizabeth
Burger. Gerret v. Hoorn & Elsje,
s: h^ v"^, Casparus Bosch
& Antje Smith, h. v.
van Justus Bosch. Abrah: Bradjor. Elizabeth de Boog, John
Thebles, Sara Play, j.
dochter.
Cornelus Clopper, J'., Ca-
tharina, s. h^ vrouw. Barnardus Hardenbroek, Anneke Hardenbroek.
Jacob Fenix, Antje van Eekelen.
Hendrik Vander Helil, Matje, s: h^ vrouw.
Christoffel Hardenbroek, Catharina Harden- broek.
Johannes Banker, Jan- netje Krieger.
Adolph de Groof, Alida
Schuyler. Christoffel Hardenbroek,
Geerje v. Clyff, Wed^.
1 886.] Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New York.
45
A* 1712.
KINDER6.
23-
(344)
January 27.
30.
February 3.
10.
13.
16.
20.
24.
29.
Jan Cornelusse van . , • XT- 1 1 T 1 Andries Niewkerkjjenneke ^ ,,
Brestede.
Abraham van Deurse, Lucretia Bogardiis.
John Estrey, Rebecka Kwik.
Cornelus de Peyster, Cornelia Diss en- ton.
NicolaasSomerendyk, Margrietje Her- mans.
Anthony Byrank, Teiintje Laning.
Hendriklis C o e r t e, Elizabeth De Re- mer.
Pieter Davidts, Maria Kierstede.
Joseph Smith, Mar- greta Korse.
Gerret Keteltas, Ca-
tharina v, Dyk. F r a n s Garbrantse,
Elizabeth Wessels. Johannes Hooglant,
Jenneke Andries. Richard Care, Mary-
tje C ok ever. Jurian Wold, Aaltje
Brouwer. An t h o n y Lippenar,
Elizabeth de
Kleyn. Abraham Aalsteyn,
Marretje Jans. CoenraatTen Yk, S",
Anna van Eps. Coenraat Ten Y k,
Jiifi'., Sara Van
Vorst. Johannes Van d e r
Spiegel, Marretje
Lierse. Harmaniis Rutgers,
Catharina Meyer. Hendrik Kiiyler, Ma- ria Jacobz.
Marytje.
Elizabeth.
Catharina.
Egbert.
Evert. Catharina.
Maria. Elizabeth.
Johannes.
Johannes.
Benjamin.
Marytje.
Mathefis.
Magdalena.
Johannes. Johannes. Jacobus.
Jacob.
Hendrik. Maria.
GETUYGEN.
2 Andries Brestede, Anna I Maria v. Varik, Johan- I nes Brestede, Jannetje Niewkerk. Johannes v. Deurse, Jan- netje, s, h, v'. Jacob Conink, Johannes
Peek. Isaac de Peyster, Corne- lia Law.
Volkert & Saartje.
Heermans.
Gerret Duyking, Marytje
By van g. Isaac de Riemer, Se', An-
tje Keteltas.
Cornelus Kierstede, Aariaantje de Groof.
Johan' Hardenbroek, Ca- tharina Hardenbroek, J. docht:
Johannes van G i e s s e n, Antje Keteltas.
Abrah: Splinter, Annetje Wessels.
Anthony Rutgers, Catha- rina V. de Water.
Hendrik van Rood, Matje van der Heiil.
Jan Thomasse Vos, Wil- lemyntje Brouwer.
Barent de Kleyn, Maria Robberson.
Theophilus Pels, Maria Jansen.
Johannes Banker, Geer- truyd Staats.
Jacobus Krankheyt, Eli- zabeth, s: h^ v'.
Hendrik us Van der Spie- gel, Annetje v: d"' Spie- gel Wed: V. Jacobus.
Hendrik Van der Heul, Hendrikje Rutgers.
John Crugo, Maria K(iy- ler, s: h^ v'.
46
Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New York. [Jan.,
(345) Maart i6.
19.
A" 1712. OUDERS. KINDERS.
Maart 2. John Lasler, Helena Elizabeth.
Bisset. 9. John Thorne, Maria John.
Brestede. Theiinis van Waert, Catharina. Angenietje van der Spiegel. Jacob Sammons, Cat- Johannes.
l)>ntje Bensen, Cozyn Andriesse, Claasje. Grietje Someren- dyk.
Jacob P r e y e r, Lea Johanna.
Beekman. Joris H o o m s, Jen- Cornelia.
neke Bogert. Theunis Van Vegte, Elsje.
Antje Heermans. Jacob Brouwer, Pie- Johannes.
ternella de Lamon-
tagne. William H e m m e n, John.
Maria Walgraaf. Johannes Hooglant, Rebecka.
J^, Catharina Goe-
derus. Hendrikljs Van Gel- Fytje.
der, F e m m e t j e
Wynants. Aarnout H e n d r i x, Neeltje.
Geertje Claas. Johannes Brugh, Mar- Elizabeth.
grietje Provoost. April 6. Corneliis J a c o b z e, Jacob.
Jenneke Peers. 13. AlbartusHulst, Aaltje Hilletje.
Provoost. Benjamin R i v i e r s, Maria,
Aefje Mol. Thorn. Sickels, Jan- Wilhelmus.
netje Brevoort. 21. Casparus Bosch, Maryije.
Jeanney Maeden.
Giedion C a s t a n g, Jannetje.
Tryntje Cokever. William White, Hend- Abigail.
rikje Bosch. Jacob Massing, Cor- Cornelus.
nelia Dykman.
23.
26.
GETUYGEN,
John Jansen, Elizabeth
Lam. Johannes ten Yk & Wyn-
tje, s: h' v'. Rip van Dam, Elizabeth
de Foreest.
Thomas Sammons, Ra- chel Couwenhove.
Jan Arianse, Grietje So- merendyk.
Casparus Preyer, Celitje Preyer.
Elbert Harmese, Catha- rina, s: h^ vroiiw.
Benjamin VanVegte, Geerje Heermans.
Jan de Lamontagne, Eli- zabeth, s: h: v'.
Adolph Philips, Catharina
Philips, Wed". Gerret Duyking, Parent
Hibon, Rebecka Goe-
derus. Jacob Bennet, Marretje
Roseboom.
Dirk Koek, Neeltje Sha- haan.
Gerret v. Hoorn, Helena de Kay.
Jan Kierse, Marretje El- lis Wed^
Stephanus Baekenhove, Anna Hulst, s. h^ v".
Thomas Statham, Maria Drommey.
Willem & Jan- ) netje [
Albartus Coenradiis Bosch, Marytje Jeets, s: h=: v'.
Isaac Van Deiirse, Jan- netje Cokever.
Johannes Jooste, Jiidith, s. h= v^
Gerret Hassing, Engeltje, s: h^ v'.
Rome.
1 886.] Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New York.
47
A' 1712.
27.
20. (346) May II.
i».
25.
29.
Juny I. 8.
9-
15-
18.
29.
OUDERS. KINDERS.
Hendrikus Van der Louwerens.
Spiegel, Anneke
Provoost. Jacob Hoogteling, Hendrik.
Jannetje v. Noor-
strant. Jan Rosevelt, Heyltje Johannes.
Sjoerts. Jacobus Mol, Lidia Rachel.
Wenne. Adriaan Man, Hester Adriaan.
Bording. Richard Uagere, Hes- Richard.
ter Blank, GerretViele, Jannetje Hendrik.
V. Veurde. Samson Bensen, Jn"., Abraham.
Marytje Boke, Benjamin Bil, Geerje Penelope.
Brevoort. Jacob Blom, Mayke Marytje.
Bosch. Benjamin Quakken- Lea.
bos, Claasje Web- ber. Jacobus V. Varik, An- Sara.
na Maria Brestede. Robberd B e n s i n g, Tryntje.
Cornelia Roos. Frans Van Dyk, Fy- Hendrikje.
tje Dirks. John Cruger, Maria Maria.
Kuyler. Jan Herres, Jannetje Jasper.
Nessepat. Andries Ten Yk, Ba- Dirk.
rendina Her ten- berg. Thomas Sanders, Jacob.
Aaltje Santfoordt. P a t r i k Macknight, John.
Amea Clopper. Jan Brestede, Anna Anna Maria.
Maria Elzewarth. Joachim Staats, oby, Elizabeth.
Francj'ntje L e y-
slaar. Johannes van Deurse, Catharina.
Jannetje Marthel. Jacobus MoCiritz, El- Elzebeth.
zebeth Stevens.
GETUYGEN.
David Provoost, J"., Sa- ratje Van Dam,
Marinus Roelofse, Agnie- tje Hanjon.
Johannes v. der Heiil &
Jannetje, s: h^ vr: Maria Lass.
Samliel Pel, Maria Mesier,
s. h. V. Benjamen Oldes, Hester
Blank, ze". Jacobus Moene, Johan- na^ Janson. Samson Bensen, S"^ Tan-
neke Boke. Michiel Basset, Helena,
s: hs: v". Johannes Hardenbroek,
Saartje Hyer. Cornellis Webber, Diever
Quackenbos.
Jan Van Varik, Margrietje
Varik jo. docht. Dirk Bensen, J", AaLtje h^
v^ v. Gerret Provoost.
Gerret & ) tr ^ ^.- \ Hassmg. Engeltje j °
Abrah: Kuyler, Maria Hendrik Ciiylers, h. v.
Adriaan Man, Jannetje Wessels.
Coenraat Ten Yk, Jn'., Rachel Grant.
Richard Rhee, Sytje Sant- foort.
Cornelus & ) Klop- Catharina j pers.
Christoffel Brestede, Ca- tharina Brestede, s. siis'.
Samuel Staats, Elizabeth, h. v. V. Joh: Schuyler.
Abrah. van Dedrse, Lu- cretje, s: hs: v'.
Gerrardus Mouritz, Mar- grietje Paske.
48 The Arms and Seals of New York: a Defence. [Jan.,
THE ARMS AND SEALS OF NEW YORK: A DEFENCE.
To the Publication Committee of The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record.
Gentlemen: In regard to the paper printed in the October, 1885, number of The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, on '* The Arms of the State of New York, and How They have been Altered," I think that in ahnost all respects it would be sufficient that you should allow me to refer those who have the time and the disposition to investigate and form their own opinions on the matters contested against to the three papers on the New York Arms with which my name is associated.
These published papers are " The Correct Arms of the State of New York" and " Second Paper on the Correct Arms," printed in separate pam- phlets in Albany, in 1880 and 1882, and in 1884 together in Vol. X. of the "Transactions of the Albany Institute j " and then the " Report of the State Commission on the New York Arms," published in the "Assembly Docu- ments of 1882," to one edition of which there is appended a letter of mine to the commission. They may be found in the public libraries of the State. I see no occasion, after reading the article in The Record in close compari- son with these three papers, for modifying a hne in them so far as these criticisms are concerned. The decision of broad-minded, practical, and reasonable men will be that, in the absence of a written blazon or descrip- tion of the original arms and seals, the conclusions of the commission as to what was a fairly-reproduced drawing of them is both defensible and correct.
The October article in The Record gives the greatest prominence to questions of color. Now, in the insignia of our State, called arms, and in the designs for seals, color was of secondary importance, although in the science of heraldry, which, however, has only an artificial and illusory exist- ence in this country, it may be of serious significance for a family coat-of- arms. And I should as soon think of entering into debate with the author of this paper on a question of heraldic colors as with a king-of-arms of the Heralds' College in London. But in the New York Arms questions of color are involved in but very slight degree, for in the two oldest ex- amples of the arms, matters of color were apparently disregarded by the commissions of the years 1777 and 1778. And so far as color was at- tended to by the painters of the third and fourth drawings, those of the Gansevoort flag of 1778, and the St. Paul's Chapel picture of 1785, it has not been disregarded by the commission of 1882 in the restored arms. In view of the uncertain and late date of the chapel painting, we have but one early witness as to color, the Gansevoort flag of 1778.
As I am here strengthening the statement of the first and second papers on the correct arms, by speaking of two drawings instead of only one earlier than the flag of 1778, let me explain the new position taken. In- stead of three authoritative early drawings, we now speak of four : (i) The Great and Privy Seal of 1777 ; (2) The Arms in the Initial Letter in the MiUtary Commissions of 1778 ; (3) The Gansevoort Flag of 1778 ; (4) The St. Paul's Chapel Painting of 1785.
The importance of No. i was partially explained in the second paper,
i886.] The Arms and Seals oj Neiv York : a Defence. aq
but the significance of the two seals of 1777 has assumed more definite value since that was written. The commission of 1777 rej-orted a large pendant seal, made of wax, covered with paper on each side, and the ob- verse and reverse were both impressed with emblems. One side had a rock in the midst of the sea, the motto Frustra, and the date of 1777 ; the other side had a rising sun behind mountains, and water in front, with a meadow at the base. ATany of these may still be found in the public offices at Albany. It bore the legend, " The Great Seal of the State of New York," and was attached, as was usual, to documents by a string. The other seal, which was not a fifth of the size of the great seal, had a picture of a demi- globe, upon which stood an eagle, and around the margin was the motto, Excelsior. This small seal became immediately the governor's privy seal, to be used by him as the law of 1778 provided, for such cases as those where the colonial governor had used a privy seal, which was often their own family crest. It will be found attached to all the scores of those mil- itary commissions of that year, still preserved at the capitol, which have the initial T containing the State arms.*
When, early in the year 1778, it was found that, in consequence of the distracting affairs of the war, the commission had not completed the duty assigned them, and had only reported a great and privy seal, a second commission was appointed, who speedily reported the " arms complete " which were adopted in the law of March 16, 1778. The facts show that the second commission completed the work of the first commission by adopting the great seal already reported as the shield of the arms, and the privy seal as the crest of the arms, and solely added as supporters Liberty and Justice, with the motto transferred to the scroll on which they stand. As the drawing of the '' arms complete " appears on an engraved military commission at least as early as June, and within three months of the passage of the law of March 16, 1778, adopting the arms, it is doubtless the first engraving of them ever made, and consequently it becomes the second in order of time of our early examples of the arms and seals. What the commissions said or thought about color we do not know, though we do adopt color from the two later drawings. As the first commission intro- duced a meadow at the base of the shield, which the author of the October article does not adopt, so the second commission introduced at the foot of Liberty an overturned crown, of which also the writer makes no mention, notwithstanding that this crown is found in the same spot on our second, third, and fourth early pictures of the arms already mentioned. The com- mission of 1882, on the contrary, have altered nothing. There cannot be a pretence for the change, even in the matter of color. The omission of the overturned crown, which is so distinctly pictured on these three earliest representations of the "complete" arms, cannot be satisfactory to lovers of American institutions, when they stop to recall the men who placed it there, and the years in which they retained it there.
The great seals to whose authority the October article appeals are those as late as the years 1798 and 1809 ; the great seal to which the late commission appeals is of the year 1777. The critic affirms that there is some representation which "has been accepted as the true arms for a hun- dred years" (p. 155); and, again, "have been used during the whole cen-
* The tendency with publishers and engravers to perpetuate an error is illustrated in the editions of The New York Civil List, that year after year print drawings of the ancient seals. The edition for 1883 still otnits the meadow at the base of the shield of the great seal of 1777, although it is not wanting in any oi>e of the original wax-seals impressions still extant.
CO Records of the First and Second Presbyterian Churches. [Jan.,
tury, with all sorts of bad drawing" (p. 152}. On the contrary, it was be- cause there was uncertainty in every man's mind what were the arms of New York that he engaged, in 1875, in making anew drawing; and it was because attention was afterward called to three earlier representations than the chapel painting of 1 785 that the new commission was appointed. This new commission was carefully informed up to the last moment pre- ceding its adoption of their report of all the objections made by the author of the October article. A special portfolio, also in the State Library, con- tains at least forty pictures which have been in use as legitimate represen- tations of the arms differing from each other ; and within a few months I have received copies of all the seals in use in the counties of the State, and not one of them conforms to the arms or the seals of 1798 or 1809, nor did one of the seSls in use in the departments at the capitol in t88i conform to those seals or to the arms of any date.
There is an importance to be ascribed to the new law of 1882 on the arms, that it embodies a blazon or verbal description of them, and no description of them has hitherto been found anywhere. The fact is of equal importance that under this new law each department at the capitol is required to use the State arms only as its seal, instead of indulging, as many of them did, in designs for seals which had no relation whatever to the State arms. To have established by law these two measures is a result of such permanent and eminent value as to cause questions relative to color merely to sink easily out of view. The severe epithets in the article have been observed, but there is no occasion to rebut them by any further remarks than those contained in the preceding statements. It is plain from the report of the commission of 1882, and from this rejoinder, that the author of the October article, by not recognizing the meadow at the base of the shield, as found in the two earliest drawings, and by his not mentioning and leaving off the crown at the foot of Liberty, which is upon three of the early pictures of the arms, including the fourth or chapel pic- ture, which had been before him, has brought us directly to his topic, " how the arms have been altered ! " And the answer follows directly that as the commission has retained these, that they at least have had no dis- position to alter and have not altered the original arms or seals. Very respectfully your obedient servant,
, Henry A. Homes. New York State Library,
Albany, N. Y., December 20, 1885.
RECORDS OF THE FIRST AND SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK.— Births and Baptisms.
(Continued from Vol. XVI., p. 141, of The Record.)
, 1784- (198) ^^
Hay. May 17"'. Elizabeth Hallam, Dau' of Col. Samuel Hay &
Eliz* Neil his wife, born April 29* 1784.
Mecker. May 18*. Sarah Meeker, an Adult.
Howard. June 7*\ Rachel, Dau"" of James Howard & Rachel
Johnson his wife, born June 26"*, 1781.
i886.] Records of the First and Second Presbyterian Churches. ^ i
Elizabeth, Dau' of John DeGroat and Mary- Laurence his wife, born April 14^'', 1784.
Jacob, son of John Lasher & Catharine Ernest his wife, born June i'^', 1784.
Catherine, Dau' of Abraham Van Alstyne and Catherine, his wife, born May 29'^ 1784.
Eve, Dau' of William Sills and MaryVVitsell his wife, born May 29'^ 1784.
Stephen, Son of Christopher Golow and De- borah Wicks his wife, born May 14"', 1784.
Sarah, Dau' of Jeremiah Youmans, & Hannah Wiltman his wife, born April 24"', 1784,
Rachel, Dau' of James Van Brockle and Agness Bennett his wife, born Nov' 29"', 1779.
Mary, their Dau', born March 18*, 1783.
Elizabeth, Dau' of Alexander Moncrief and Jane Patterson his wife, born Dec' 9* 1776.
Elizabeth, Dau' of Jonathan Clark and Eliz* Turner his wife, born Feb'^ 20"", 1784.
Elizabeth, Dau' of Samuel Bradhurst and Mary Smith his wife, born April 25'^ 1784.
Mary, Dau' of Thomas Kennedy and Mary Warren his wife, born June 7*, 1784.
Sarah, Dau' of Henry Brashier and Lucy Clark his wife, born March 3**, 1 784.
Sarah, Dau' of William Ludlum and Marg*
Meeker his wife, born Feb"^ 1 7% 1 783. Henry, Son of Lemuel Bunce and Eve Sheaffe
his wife, born April 23'', 1784, Fredfrick, Son of Frederick Geraud and Re-
bekah Post, his wife, born June 17"', 1784. Hannah, Dau' of Jacob Smith & Mary Pet-
tinger his wife, born Sept' 24"^, 1783. William Thomas, Son of Thomas Moody &
Janet Heburn, his wife, born Aug'' Io*^ 1781. Benjamin A., Son of Benjamin Egbert and
Mary Areson his wife, born Nov' 9'^ 1777- Elizabeth, their Dau', born Oct' I8'^ 1781. William, their Son, born Aug' I2'^ 1783. Ann, Dau' of Frederick Davoe, & Ann Are- son his wife, born Aug' i4*\ 1783. John Waldron, son of Richard Norris & Ann
Waldron his wife, born Nov' 24"^, 1776. Ann, their Dau', born April 21'', 1780. Richard, their Son, born Feb'>' i9'\ 1782. Mary, their Dau', born Oct' I4•^ 1783. John James, Son of James Stewart and Sarahi
Schermerhorn his wife, born July II'^ 1784.. James, Son of John Watson & Catharine King;
his wife, born July 31", 1784-
|
De Groat. |
June |
S"'. |
|
Lasher. |
June |
io'\ |
|
"""• — ^ |
||
|
Van Alstyne |
. June |
13^ |
|
Sills. |
June |
i3'\ |
|
Golow. |
June |
2 7'\ |
|
Youmans. |
June |
2 7'^ |
|
Van Brockle |
. June |
2 7'\ |
|
June |
2 7'\ |
|
|
Moncrief. |
June |
28"^. |
|
Clark. |
July |
4'^ |
|
Bradhurst. |
July |
4^ |
|
Kennedy. |
July |
4'^ |
|
Brashier. |
July |
4'\ |
|
(^99) |
||
|
Ludlum. |
July |
13"- |
|
Bunce. |
July |
18*. |
|
Geraud. |
July |
25*. |
|
Smith. |
July |
2 7'\ |
|
Moody. |
July |
28'\ |
|
Egbert. |
Aug. |
t- |
|
Davoe. |
[Aug. Aug. Aug. |
t- |
|
Norris, |
Aug. |
13^ |
|
Stewart. |
Aug. Aug. Aug. Aug. |
i5'\ |
|
Watson. " |
Aug. |
15* |
52
Records of the First and Secotid Presbyterian Churches. [Jan.,
|
Whitlock. |
Aug. |
18*. |
|
Brown. |
Aug. |
i8"\ |
|
Geddes. |
Aug. |
19*". |
|
(200) McIntosh. |
Aug. |
I9'^ |
|
McMaster. |
Aug. |
2 2^ |
|
BOWEN. |
Aug. |
2f- |
|
Clark. |
Aug. |
^f- |
|
Blair. |
Aug. |
23'- |
|
Wool. |
Aug. |
2<f. |
|
Mencor. |
Aug. |
29*. |
|
Ash. |
Sept. |
I^'. |
|
Kennedy. |
Sept. |
5*. |
|
Smithson. |
Sept. Sept. |
5". |
|
Turnier. |
Sept. |
12*. |
|
Morrison. |
Sept. |
i4'\ |
|
Sept. Sept. |
I4*^ |
|
|
McDonald. |
Sept. |
— . |
|
Stone. |
Sept. Sept. |
I4"\ 16*. |
|
(201) Starr. |
Sept. |
i6*\ |
|
McCullen. |
Sept. |
16*. |
|
McFaden. |
Sept. Sept. Sept. |
16"^, 19"-' |
|
Neil. |
Sept. |
19"^ |
William, Son of Ephraim Whitlock and Ann Tiebout his wife, born Oct' 25* 1779,
Joseph, Son of John Brown & Mary Herriot his wife, born Oct' 23"^, 1781.
David Dunlap, Son of George Geddes and Isa- bella Hayes his wife, born June 10*, 1784.
William, Son of James Mcintosh and Rachel Porterfield his wife, born July 16*, 1784.
John, Son of James McMaster & Sarah John- son his wite, born July iS"", 1784.
Elizabeth, Dau' of Alexander Bowen & Han- nah Lambert his wife, born Jan'^ 20^*", 1776.
Ann, Dau' of George Clark & Ann Graham his wife, born March 14"", 1784.
Margaret & Janet, twin Dau" of James Blair & Jane Sutherland his wife, born Aug' 10*, 1784.
John Ellis, Son of John Wool and Ann Relay his wife, born Jan"^ 31", 1784.
Elizabeth, Dau' of William Mencor & Susan- nah Whiting his wife, born Aug' i6'^ 1784.
John, son of WilHam Ash & Mary Montanye his wife, born July 18"', 1784.
Mary Hamilton, Dau' of Henry Kennedy & Ann Durlay his wife, born Nov"^ 5% 1782.
Thomas, their Son, born Aug' 8, 1 784.
Thomas, son of Thomas Smithson & Hannah Cochran his wife, born Dec' 20'^ 1782.
Jemima, Dau' of John Turnier & Hannah Bugby his wife, born Aug' 1 7'^ 1 784.
James, Son of James Morrison & Ann Benson his wife, born June 28"", 1777.
David, their Son, born Aug', 1779.
John & Mary, their Twin Children, born Aug' 12"^, 1 781.
Sarah, Dau' of James McDonald & Mary Perry his wife, born Feb'^ 14'^ 1781.
Joseph, their Son, born Sept' 14"', 1781.
Jabez, Son of Jeremiah Stone & Ann Walker his wife, born July 5"", 1783.
Maria, Dau' of Ezra Starr & Elizabeth Cod- wise his wife, born Feb'^ 22d, 1784. Mary, Dau' of James McCullen & Mary Curry his wife, born May 15"', 1780. , James, their Son, born April 17"', 1782. William, their Son, born July 19'^, 1784. . Barbara, Dau' of Donald McFaden and Mary
McClain his wife, born Aug' 21'", 1784. . Robert, Son of Robert Neil & Phebe Wheeler his wife, born Aug' 29th, 1784.
1 886.] Records of the First and Second Presbyterian Churches.
53
Hagerman. Sept. 26*''
Smithson. Sept. 26'^
GiLLILAND. Sept. 26'^
MONTANYIE. Sept. 26"
Wallis. Sept. 26*^
Sept. 26''
Sept. —
WOODHULL. Oct. 3'
VANDERHOEFF.Oct. X
|
Tucker. |
Oct. |
l'- |
|
COOLY. |
Oct. Oct. |
t- |
|
(202) Angus. |
Oct. |
11^ |
|
Cameron. |
Oct. |
17^ |
|
Martin. |
Oct. |
17^ |
|
Edward. |
Oct. |
17^ |
|
Montgomery |
. Oct. |
18*. |
|
Jones. |
Oct. |
24^ |
|
Watkins. |
Nov. |
7'^ |
|
DONGAL. |
Nov. |
14^ |
|
Nichols. |
Nov. |
1 7*''. |
|
Bingham. |
Nov. |
21='. |
|
WiLCOCKS. |
Nov. |
21^'. |
|
Lincoln. |
Nov. |
21='. |
|
Nov. |
2I=*. |
|
|
CURRIE. |
Nov. |
2 1='. |
|
Blackwell. |
Nov. |
26'\ |
Eleanor Brasher, Dau"" of Jacob Hagerman &
Sarah Berrien his wife, born Aug' 29"", 1784. John, Son of John Smithson & Hannah Coch- ran his wife, born Feb"^ I3'^ 1781. John, Son of John GilHland & Catharina Ara-
mina his wife, born June 24*, 1784. John, Son of John Montanyie & Mary Blain his
wife, born Aug' 15'^, 1780. John, Son of Joseph WalUs & Sarah Tattersill
his wife, born Sept" 29"*, 1780. EHzabeth, their Dau", born Sepf 29'^ 1782. Sarah, their Dau', born Sepf 5"", 1784. EHzabeth, Dau' of James WoodhuU and Ke-
turah Strong his wife, born Sepf 2^, 1784. Halbert, Son of CorneUus Vanderhoeff and
Margaret Keyser his wife, born Aug' 30*,
1784. Phebe, Dau' of Abraham Tucker & Susannah
Crane his wife, born Dec' 13"", 1781. Clark, their Son, born Dec"' 21=', 1783. William Harrison, son of William Cooly and
Sybil Curtis his wife, born July ii"*, 1784.
James, Son of Walter Angus & Jane Burns his wife, born Sepf 2 5'^ 1784.
Alexander, Son of John Cameron and Mary Frazer his wife, born Sepf 24'\ 1784.
John, Son of Robert Martin & Catharine Somerdyke his wife, born Ocf 7'^ 1 784.
Elizabeth, Dau' of James Edward and Chris- tian Sybbald his wife, born Sepf 6'^ 1 784.
Isabella, Dau"" of Robert Montgomery & Jane Wood his wife, born July I3'^ 1784.
Jane, Dau' of Isaac Jones & Mary Lasher his wife, born Sepf 23d, 1784.
Elizabeth, Dau' of Joseph Watkins and Eliz'" Gilligham his wife, born Oct. 6'^ 1 784.
Robert, son of Robert Dongal and Mary Hors- man his wife, born Ocf 2 9'^ 1784.
Antoinette, Dau' of Lewis Nichols & Mary Thompson his wife, born Ocf 20th, 1784.
Cornelia, Dau' of John Bingham Jun' and Ari- ante Vandeusen his wife, born Nov' 3^*, 1 784.
Lewis, Son of William Wilcocks and Eliz'" Ash- field his wife, born Sep' 21", 1784.
Mary, Dau' of Thomas Lincoln & Ann Pool his wife, born Ocf II'^ 1784.
Susannah, Dau' of Hosea Lincoln & Eliz*^ Carrol his wife, born Sepf 22**, 1784.
Margaret, Dau' of Archibald Currie & Cathar- ine Sebring his wife, born Nov' I6'^ 1784.
Joseph, Son of Joseph Blackwell and Mary Hazard his wife, born Ocf 6% 1778.
CA /Records of the First and Second Presbyterian Churches. [Jan.,
Nov. 26'
|
Duncan. |
Nov. Nov. |
28^ |
|
(203) Gale. |
Nov. |
28*. |
|
Tredwell. |
Nov. |
30^ |
|
Sneden. |
Nov. |
3o'^ |
|
MiSSEROY. |
Dec. |
5". |
|
Lacky. |
Dec. |
I2*\ |
|
Wilson. |
Dec. |
12^ |
|
Van Voorhis. Dec. |
12"'. |
|
|
Wright. |
Dec. |
19^ |
|
Sherwood. |
Dec. |
— . |
|
Hazard. |
Dec. |
2 2^^. |
|
Smith. |
Dec. Dec. |
2 2^ 26^ |
|
Lake. |
Dec. Dec. Dec. |
2 6^ |
|
Baptized in |
1784: |
|
|
(204) Davis. |
Jan. |
2^ |
|
Henderson. |
Jan. |
f\ |
|
BUSHFIELD. |
Jan. |
9- |
|
KOLLOCK. |
Jan. |
13*. |
|
Thompson. |
Jan. |
16*. |
|
Garrit. |
Jan. |
i6'\ |
|
McKay. |
Jan. |
19*. |
|
Raynor. |
Jan. |
23". |
Fiances Elizabeth, their Dau', born Feb'^^ 7*,
1780. CaroHne, their Dau', born Ocf 23^*, 1783. Margaret, Dau' of Hugh Duncan and Marg'
McQuean his wife, born Nov" (f^^ 1784.
Phcebe, Dau" of Abel Gale and Phoebe Den- ton his wife, born June 9'^ 1784.
Timothy, son of Thomas Tredwell & Ann Hazard his wife, born Nov' ig'*", 1784.
Stephen, Son of Elijah Sneden & Sarah Gregory
his wife, born Aug* 27"", 1784. Francis, Son of George Misseroy and Catharine
his wife, born Nov' 2d, 1784. James, Son of Robert Lacky and Susannah Noe his wife, born Nov' 4"*, 1 784.
Mary, Dau' of William Wilson & Janet Loe his wife, born Oct' 17*, 1784,
Robert, son of John Van Voorhis & Mary McKnight his wife, born Nov' 29'^, 1784.
David, Son of Jotham Wright and Eliz"' Duzen- bury his wife, born Dec' 14*, 1779.
Martha, Dau' of Moses Sherwood & Ehz"" Mil- ler, his wife, born Nov' 5*, 1784.
James, Son of Thomas Hazard & Martha Smith his wife, born Dec' 19*, 1784.
Elizabeth, their Dau', born Dec' 19*, 1784.
Massy, Dau' of Benjamin Smith & Ann Ben- net, his wife, born May I6'^ 1780.
Ann, their Dau', born Nov' 23**, 1784.
Rachel Lake, an Adult.
John, son of James Luke and Rachel Mul- leneaux his wife, born Nov' 13"", 1781. : Males, 79 ; Females, 85 ; Total, 164.
1785. Charles, Son of Cornelius Davis and Mary
Crane his wife, born Nov' 22*^, 1784. Sophia, Dau' of Hugh Henderson and Hannah
Sheaff his wife, born Dec' 13% 1784. Isabella, Dau' of Thomas Bushfield and Jane
McMurry his wife, born Nov' 25th, 1784. Sarah, Dau' of Shepard KoUock & Susannah
Arnet his wife, born Oct' 5'**, 1782. John Ramsay, Son of Alex' Thompson & Abi- gail Amelia De Hart his wife, born Nov'
26^ 1784. James, Son of^ Michael Garrit & Mary Matthews
his wife, born Dec' i8th, 1784. Mary, Dau' of ^2neas McKay & Ruth Hillery
his wife, born July 5**", 1783. Eleanor, Dau' of Matthew Raynor & Letitia
Marschalk his wife, born Dec' 10*, 1784.
i886.] Notes on Books rr
NOTES AND QUERIES.
Blauvelt and Van Antwerp Families. — E. M. Van Antwerp, of 43 S, Elliott Place, Brooklyn, L.L, who has been for sometime past engaged in collecting material for the Blauvelt family record and the Van Antwerp family record, especially desires in- formation concerning descendants of John Van Antwerp, who married Elizabeth Bogert • Jacobus Van Antwerp, who married Ann Bogert ; and Daniel Van Antwerp, who mar- ried Lydia Earl ; sons of Jacobus Van Antwerp, who came from Albany and settled in New York, 1741. The Van Antwerp line of descent to myself is Daniel Janse Van Antwerp, of Schenectady, born about 1635 ; Symon Danielse Van Antwerp, born 1685 ; Jacobus Van Antwerp, born 1724 ; Nicholas Van Antwerp, born 1760; Lewis Van Ant- werp, born 1794; William L. Van Antwerp, born 1832; Erwin M. Van Antwerp, born i860.
Vandalism. — Two instances of modern vandalism, in connection with Washington Irving, have lately come under the writer's notice. They are, I presume, one of the penalties of popularity and world-wide fame. In the grand old palace of the Alhambra, on the heights of Granada, our guide, in 1883, showed the vacant spot from which some villain had pried out the piece of mosaic work on which the gifted author had written his name, on the occasion of his last visit in 1842. The other instance is the shameful mutila- tion of the simple marble-slab which marks his grave in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, at Tarrytown. When I last saw it in September, 1885, the stone was much injured, and I was informed by the slow-speaking and solemn superintendent, that it was the second one placed there, the first having been entirely destroyed by relic-hunters. j. g. w.
Pike. — Colonel Nicholas Pike, of 575 Carlton Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y., is pre- paring a history of the descendants of John Pike, emigrant in 1635. The family em- braces many noted men of their times, for instance. Major Robert Pike, one of the wisest and earliest settlers in Massachusetts, and commander-in-chief of the Eastern forces ; the Rev. John Pike, a noted divine, and president of the New England Confer- ences ; Nicholas and James Pike, both authors, the former the friend of Washington ; Joseph Pike, the great Indian fighter, killed at Ponet Plains, in Revolutionary times ; General Zebulon Pike, and many others of the time.
Dr. Williams Patterson, of Newark Valley, Tioga County, N. Y., the well- known genealogist, is now getting ready for the press the "East Haddam Folks' Record," on which he has been for many years engaged. He also has a large collection of Grant, and of Brockway genealogical material on hand.
Record Index. — The index to names in Vol. XVI. of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record has been unavoidably delayed, but will appear in the April number. It is now in preparation, but could not be completed in season for the present issue.
Hannum. — Descendants of William Hannum, who emigrated from England to Massachusetts in 1630, are requested to correspond with C. S. Hannum, P. O. Box 501, Westfield, Mass., who is preparing a genealogy of the family.
Marseilles. — Family of Huguenot origin, early settling in New Jersey. Can any- one inform me whether there is extant any coat-of-arnts of that name ? — Charles Marseilles, Exeter, N. H.
NOTES ON BOOKS.
Family Memorials. A Series of Genealogical and Biographical Monographs on the
Families of Salisbury, Aldworth-Elbridge, Sewall, Pyldren-Dummer, Waller, Quincy,
Gookin, Wendell, Breese, Chevalier-Anderson, and Phillips. With fifteen Pedigrees
and an Appendix. By Edward Elbridge Salisbury. Square folio, pp. 696.
Privately printed. 1885. [Two hundred copies only.]
These two noble volumes (the book being bound in two volumes on account of its
size) are a surprise to us, accustomed as we have become, of late years, to the extent and
costliness of American family genealogies. Its princely (for that is the only fit term to
eg Notes on Books. [Jan.,
apply) elegance of typography, its fine paper, wide margins, and rubricated lines, render it remarkable as a piece of finished book-making ; and, indeed, this has come to be the usual verdict on all of the issues of Messrs. Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor, Printers to Yale College. But our surprise is increased when we examine the pages of these "Family Memorials," and observe the wealth of personal and family fact, anecdote, and corre- spondence which the author has had at his disposal, as well as the deftness and delicacy with which he has woven it into the record which he has here given us of his ancestry. It is seldom, perhaps, that one individual centres in himself so many lines of relationship, so widely diverse in origin, yet so generally permeated with all the elements of good blood and noble character. And it is still more seldom that the individual who is so fortunate has the greater good fortune of access to the rare collections of material which has fallen into Mr. Salisbury's hands, or of ability to use it with such felicitous discretion and modesty. English, Scotch, and Dutch have all contributed to the ancestral lines which the author has thus gathered on his own hands; and it is one of the finest groupings of individual character, depicted and blended together upon a genealogical background, which we have ever seen. To New England families especially it will be a most interesting study of the social life, manners, and customs of the olden time. We own to several "charmed hours" in looking over its pages. Its pedigrees (fifteen, printed upon parchment paper, and fully illustrated by family arms, etc.) would suffi- ciently establish Mr. Salisbury's reputation as a genealogist. The work displays the same deftness and precision of touch which characterizes his " Genealogy of the Griswold Family," which appeared in the Magazine of American History some time ago. It is in such works (and there are few enough of them) that genealogy rises to its full measure of development — when the family tree, rugged and venerable as to its trunk, and stalwart of limb and bough, blossoms forth anew into the bud and flower of biography and individual character — a witness of the past and a teacher to the present. H. R. s.
Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, Vol. I., New York : Charles L. Webster & Com- pany, 1885. Sold by subscription.
The long looked for first volume of General Grant's Memoirs appeared promptly, as promised, on the first day of December. It is an exceedingly well printed and bound oc- tavo of 584 pp., with steel portrait, plans, and maps. The second and concluding volume will be somewhat thicker, and will appear in the ensuing March. Of the volume before us, the astounding number of 318,000 copies were sold in the first twenty-nine days of December, 1885, a sale never before equalled in that space of time by any similar work. It will doubtless reach half a million before the close of the present year, 1886. It may be doubted if since the world began any book has been written under similar conditions. It throws Sir Walter Scott's efforts entirely in the shade. With one foot in the grave, the dying but determined soldier, suffering almost constant, and, at times, the severest agony, and never for a moment without discomfort, worked on unflinchingly till the last page was dictated. All English-speaking races have reason to be proud of Grant's mar- vellous exhibition of pure pluck and determination, and all the world to be interested in the modest story of his military career. It is unquestionably the most valuable contribu- tion yet made to the history of the late War. J. G. w.
Bryant and his Friends : Some Reminiscences of the Knickerbocker writers. By Jambs Grant Wilson. Illustrated with steel portraits of Bryant, Pauldmg, and Halleck, and manuscript fac-similes of Bryant, Irving, Dana, Drake, Willis, Poe, Bay- ard Taylor, John Howard Payne, Geo. P. Morris, and Alfred B. Street. 444 pp., l2mo. Cloth, bevelled boards, gilt top, $2. New York : Fords, Howard & Hulbert.
Gen. Wilson's wide acquaintance with books and men, and especially with the " Old Guard" of American authors associated with the poet Bryant, has enabled him to present us with not only a tenderly delightful portrait of him, but of those Men of Letters whose century may be said to have ended with the poet's death. Gracefully told is the story of each, and interwoven with many an odd bit of literary gossip, wit, anecdote, and remi- niscence. We know of one family who have passed several charmed evenings around the library table, listening to the stories of literary and personal history which are so felicitously gathered in this little volume. Small as it is, it adds very much new material to our pres- ent knowledge of the "Knickerbocker era" of American literature. And upon the library shelf it will find frequent use as a reliable source of reference. H. R. s.
Century Magazine. — Many readers of the Record will be interested in a most valuable and entertaining paper from the pen of George Parsons Lathrop — a son-in-law
1 886.] Obituary. ch
of Hawthorne — to be found in the December number of the Century Magazine. It is entitled "An American Lordship," and is descriptive of Gardiner's Island and the Gardiner family. The Century article is beautifully illustrated, and cannot fail to in- terest genealogists, a statement that may also be made in regard to the paper on the Gardiners in the present number of the Record. Another noteworthy illustrated article, contributed to the Cejitury by the venerable John Ericsson, of this city, describes the construction of the celebrated iron-clad monitors which rendered such invaluable ser- vice to the North during the War of the Rebellion. j. g. w.
Colonial New York : Philip Schuyler and his Family. By George W. Schuyler. 2 vols., 8vo. New York, 1885 : Charles Scribner's Sons.
This most important contribution to the history of Colonial New York, and to one of its most prominent families, allied with the Bayards, Livingstons, Van Cortlandts, Ver- plancks, and Van Rensselaers, was begun merely as a genealogical study. After eight years of careful research among the archives of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New England, as well as among numerous private family papers, Mr. Schuyler has given to the world these two most valuable volumes, of which we hope to prepare a more full and elaborate notice for a future number of The Record. j. g. w.
Charles Darwin. By Grant Allen. New York: D. Appleton & Co.
This exceedingly well-written memoir of Charles Darwin is the first volume of the "English Worthies" series. To the many admirers of this author's scientific works on Evolution, etc., Mr. Grant Allen's biography will be warmly welcomed. The second volume of this neat and attractive i8mo series, which is edited by Andrew Lang, will appear early in January. Its subject is the Duke of Marlborough, one of England's three greatest soldiers, the other two being Cromwell and Wellington. The memoir of Marl- borough is from the pen of George Saintbury. j. G. w.
IN MEMORIAM.— GEN. U. S. GRANT.
At the first autumn meeting of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, held at the Hall of the Academy of Medicine, Friday evening, October 9, 1885, President Drowne in the chair, a committee consisting of Gen. Jas. Grant Wilson, Hon. John Jay, and Hon. William Waldorf Astor, was appointed by him to draft suitable resolutions in regard to the death of Gen. U. S. Grant, an Honorary Member of the Society.
* * * * :|c * if if *'*
Whereas^ In the providence of God, this country and this Society are called on to mourn the death at Mt. McGregor, N. Y., on Thursday morning, July 23, 1885, of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant,
Resolved, That this Society does hereby set forth its high appreciation of his patriotism and virtues, combined with the most exalted military skill. Under his leadership the late Rebellion was successfully subdued, and under his Presidency the country was restored to the paths of peace and prosperity. His public virtues and services were not greater than those which .so beautifully characterized all the relations of his private life.
Resolved., That this Society hereby expresses its heartfelt and most rej-pectful sympathy with the family of the deceased, and that a copy of these resolutions, suitably engrossed and attested, shall be transmitted to Mrs. Grant. * * *
OBITUARY.
Odell.— Pierre Odell, Esq., died at Hastings, Westchester County, N. Y., on Thurs- day, July 30, 1885. His ancestry may be traced as follows :
Mr. William (i) Odell, the first of the family in this country, was at Concord, Mass., in 1639. He probably came to New England with the Rev. Peter Bulkeley, who was rector of the parish of Odell, in Bedfordshire, England, in 1620. Mr. Bulkeley's wife
58
Obituary. [Jan.,
was Grace, daughter of Sir Richard Chetwood, and granddaughter of Agnes Wodhull or Odell — the names being the same — who married Richard Chetwood, Esq., father of Sir Richard. The Odell family had been settled in Bedfordshire for many generations and it is probable that Mr. William ' Odell was a resident of that part of England. He' died at Fairfield, Conn., in June, 1676.
William - Odell, Jr., his son, was of Fairfield, and afterward of Rye, N. Y., where he owned a large estate. His wife was the daughter of Richard Vowles, Esq., of Fair- field, member of the Colonial Assembly in 1665-8-9. From this William''' Odell, Jr., Pierre Odell was descended in the line of John ^, of Fordham, N. Y., whose wife was Johanna Turner ; John*, Jr., of Fordham, whose wife was Hannah Vermilyea ; Jona- than % of Greenburgh, N. Y., whose wife was Margaret Dyckman ; Colonel John s, of Greenburgh, whose wife was Abigail Browne ; Colonel Jackson \ of Greenburgh, whose wife was Anna Ward.
Mr. Pierre * Odell's father. Colonel Jackson Odell, graduated from Columbia Col- lege in the class of 1814, and during the war of 1812 served on the staff of Major Gen- eral Pierre Van Cortlandt, having received his commission from General Clinton.
He married Anna, daughter of Bartholomew and Elizabeth (Bonnet) Ward, and granddaughter of the Hon. Stephen Ward, Judge of Westchester County.
Judge Ward's father was Edmund Ward, Esq., member of the Colonial Assembly, son of Edmund Ward, of Fairfield, Conn., and grandson of Andrew Ward, Esq. , of the same place, who was magistrate in 1636.
This Andrew Ward was origuially of Watertown, Mass., where he was made freeman in 1634.
Mr. Pierre Odell was born November i, 1828, in the old family homestead, situated near Hart's Corners, in the town of Greenburgh. This house, which is still standing, has some historical interest as having been the headquarters of the Count de Rochambeau during the war of the Revolution.
Mr. Odell received a business education during the early years of his life, but after- ward engaged in teaching.
He was much interested in agricultural pursuits, and attained considerable eminence as a horticulturist.
He was a life member of the American Institute, and travelled extensively through the South and West, investigating the condition of the fruit lands.
Mr. Odell was possessed of good literary ability, and at the time of his death was engaged on a biography of the Patriot Guides of the Revolution.
He had the acquaintance of many distinguished men during his lifetime, and his fine conversational powers and genial manners made him many friends.
He was greatly interested in politics, and took an active part in the late presidential campaign .
Mr. Odell leaves a brother, William Dyckman Odell, and two sisters, Mrs. Margaret King, of Montgomery, N. Y., and Miss Elizabeth Odell. RuFUS King.
PiERREPONT. — William Constable Pierrepont died on Sunday evening, December 20, 1885, at his home, Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson County, N. Y., at the age of eighty-two. A descendant of one of the old patroons, he inlierited large estates in the northwestern part of New York, on the borders of Jefferson and Oswego Counties, and he decided early in life to devote himself solely to the care of them, instead of moving to Brooklyn, in company with others of his family. His long but quiet life was therefore passed, with but slight intermissions, at his home in Jefferson County. He was a director in the County Bank and the other institutions near his home. His name, however, is best known in connection with the building of railroads in that region. He was the president of the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad for a number of years. He was a devoted adherent of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Hobart College in 1871 conferred on him the degree of LL.D. He built and endowed a church near his residence, and another at Canaseraga, as a memorial of his youngest son. He contributed largely to the diocese of Minnesota, and endowed scholarships in the General Theological Seminary of this city, and also in Hobart College, Geneva. Mr. Pierrepont was a gentleman of culture and much reading, proverbially honorable and upright, and of broad views. He leaves a large family, some of whom are living in this city and Brooklyn. His brother, Henry E. Pierrepont, of No. i Pierrepont Place, Brooklyn, is one of the largest holders of real estate in that city. Mr. Pierrepont's funeral took place on Wednesday, December 23, and was largely attended by many prominent persons. j. g. w.
Van Buren. — In the recent death of Colonel John D. van Buren, at Newburgh, N.Y., on the 1st of December, an old Knickerbocker family loses one of its most prominent
1 886.] Obituary. en
representatives. He was born in this city in i8ii, was graduated at Columbia College in 1829, and studied law in the office of Hugh Maxwell. He abandoned the law for commerce, and became a partner in the well-known shipping house of Aymar & Co. , with which he was associated until about 1850, when he retired to a farm at New Wind- sor, in Orange County. He became engaged in politics as a member of the Democratic party; was a Member of Assembly in 1863, and held other positions. He derived his title of colonel from having been appointed Paymaster of the State Troops with that rank by Governor Seymour. Colonel van Buren married Miss Elvira L. Aymar, eldest daughter of the late Benjamin Aymar, an eminent merchant of this city, by his wife, Miss Elizabeth van Buren, of the same family as the colonel. Colonel van Buren leaves three sons — Aymar van Buren, of New Windsor, who married Margaret, daughter of the late Edmund Morton, a son of General Jacob Morton, a prominent member of New York society in the early part of the present century, whose house in State Street was the scene of an elegant ball which he gave to Lafayette in 1824 : John Dash van Buren, State Engineer 1876-78, who married Elizabeth Ludlow, daughter of the late Samuel T. Jones, and descended maternally from the old family of Ludlow : Robert van Buren, Chief Engineer of the Brooklyn Water Works, who married Louisa, daughter of the late Samuel Aymar : and a daughter, Mrs. White. It may not be inappropriate to in- troduce a slight sketch of the van Burens here, as it has never appeared in print. This family has furnished a number of physicians to this State, the most prominent of whom in recent times was the late William. H. van Buren, of this city, who was a distant relative of Colonel John D. van Buren. This particular family is not known to be con- nected with the van Burens of Kinderhook, of whom was the late President Martin van Buren. Its earliest known ancestor was Dr. John van Buren, born in 1678, who came from Amsterdam, in Holland, to New York City, in 1700, became one of the principal physicians of the latter city, and died about 1757. He married a lady who was related to the old and prominent family of van Home. Through this alliance the van Burens are related to the McEvers, Bayards, and other noted families. The descendants of Dr. John van Buren have, for some unknown reason, generally spelled their name van Beureti. Dr. John van Buren had with other issue — Dr. Henry van Beuren, born 1725, of whom later, and Dr. Beekman van Beuren, born 1732, who was for many years a physician in this city, and died about 1800. He had three wives, Hyltje, daughter of William de Peyster and Margaret Roosevelt, a Miss Gilbert, and a Miss Vrelandt, and was father of Michael van Beuren, born 1786, a merchant in this city, who died in 1854. He married Miss Anne Dash, and was father of Colonel John D. van Buren, the subject of this notice. Mrs. Colonel van Buren's ancestor was Dr. Henry van Beuren, previously mentioned, born 1725, who removed to Flatbush, Kings Co., Long Island, where he practised his profession. He was a Tory during the Revolution, and died in 1797. He married Miss Catherine van Voorhees, whose sister, Miss Mary van Voorhees, married Peter Du Bois and was mother of Cornelius Du Bois, a wealthy merchant of this city, who died in 1846. He married Miss Sarah P. Ogden, niece of Governor Aaron Ogden, of New Jersey, and aunt of Governor Daniel Haines, of the same State, and had issue who intermarried with the Delafields, Jays, Wagstaffs, and other prominent families. Mrs. Peter Du Bois married secondly. Dr. Theodorus van Wyck, of Dutchess Co., a prominent patriot during the Revolution, uncle of General Theodorus Bailey, United States Senator from New York, 1803-4, and of Elizabeth Bailey, who married Chancellor Kent. Dr. and Mrs. van Wyck had a daughter, Mrs. Peter A. Mesier, of this city. The Misses van Voorhees, previously mentioned, were granddaughters of Colonel Henry Filkin, an Eng- lish gentleman, who came to New York City in 1680, and afterward removed to Brook- lyn, and Flatbush, L. I., where he became one of the leading men. He was a member of the Colonial Assembly, Lieutenant-colonel of militia, etc., and a large landed pro- prietor in Dutchess County, and died in 1713. His son, Francis Filkin, a wealthy merchant and alderman of this city, died in 1781, and was father of Helen Filkin, who married the Hon. John Vanderbilt (of an old Dutch family at Flatbush), a wealthy merchant of this city and a patriot during the Revolution ; Delegate to the New York Provincial Conven- tion 1775) ^"^^ ^^ ^^ first, second, and third Provincial Congresses 1775-6; also a Mem- ber of Assembly and State Senator; who died in 1796. Their daughter, Mrs. Charles Clarkson, has descendants at Flatbush. The family of Filkin is of considerable antiquity in England, and held the estate of Fattenhall in Cheshire as far back as the fifteenth cen- tury. Dr. Henry van Beuren and Catherine van Voorhees were parents of Coertland van Beuren, born 1759, ^ wealthy resident of Brooklyn. He was an old time Democrat, one of the early sachems of the Tammany Society prior to iSco, a friend of President van Buren, and died in 1820. He had a son, Engelbert K. van Beuren, who died some
5o Donations to the Library. [Jan., 1886.
years ago, and several daughters — Catherine van Beuren, born 1786, died at Flatbush in 1849, married John Hasbrook, a merchant of this city, who died in 1820, and is repre- sented by the children of her son, the late Coertland V. B. Hasbrook, and by those of her daughter, the late Mrs. John H. Haldane : Anne van Beuren, born 1789, died 1827, who married Brockholst Livingston, a lawyer of this city, died in 1832, grandson of Gov- ernor William Livingston, of New Jersey, and had no issue : and Elizabeth van Beuren, born 1 79 1, died 1843, married Benjamin Ay mar, an eminent merchant of this city, who died in 1876, and was mother of Mrs. Colonel John D. van Buren, Augustus Aymar, Mrs. Joseph Gaillard, Jr., Mrs. Samuel S. Sands, and Edmund B. Aymar. Ursus.
DONATIONS TO THE LIBRARY.
Received from October, 1885, to January, 1886.
From R. E. and C.T. King. Marriages, Baptisms, and Burials, Dutch Reformed Church, Austin Friars, London. Edited by W. J. C. Moens. 4to. London, 1884.
" Yale College. Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Yale College, 1885-6, 8vo. New Haven.
" A. A. VORSTERMAN Van Oyen. Algemecn Nederlandsch Familieblad. 410. Hague, 1885.
*' Bureau of Education, Washington, D. C. Historical Sketches of the Uni- versities of the United