In early times the Dutch churches often acted as guardians of widows and orphans; they provided for the poor and kindly looked after the aged and infirm, who had no natural protectors; and it was not unusual for the latter to place their property in the hands of the consistory from whom they received from time to time such support as their wants required. The consistory were the almoners of the church; every Lord's day a collection was taken of the free will offerings of the people for this and certain other purposes, and this duty was not omitted even though there were no present projects upon whom their bounty might be bestowed.
In the outset, the little community of Schenectady seems to have had few or no poor people, with the exception of a "shirt for a captive Frenchman," it does not appear from the accounts that the deacons gave a stiver to any person during the years 1687-9. As the funds accumulated they were loaned on bond at 6% interest to citizens. Thus in the audit of 1689, obligations to the amount of nearly 3000 guilders were included in the assets of the church. Moreover the consistory traded with another portion of these funds, buying and selling brass kettles, nails, linen, thread, baize, coverlets, etc. This seeming perversion of the funds given for a more sacred purpose was simply a temporary necessity of the times and ceased altogether when private enterprise provided for the wants of the people.
Among the permanent sources of income, were de wey or "Poor Pasture," originally given by Hans Janse Eenkluys "for the poor of Schenectady;" — the church mill and mill pasture given by Sweer Teunise Van Velsen; — leases received from the trustees of the town; — seat rents and burial fees.
Besides the payment of the domine's salary and the Voorlezer's and Klokluyer's stipends, out of these funds the bread and wine and sacred utensils for the Lord's Supper were purchased; the church was cleaned, and incidental repairs to the parsonage were made, such as glass for windows, posts, nails, &c., for the fence. The following from the church account books are illustrations:
"1735, By een predication Boek, £1-4-0."
1777, Dec., the church paid "Voor een gifte aan afgebrande menschen van dese plaats."
"13 Sept., 1794. Bey cassa voor een groten Engelsen Beybel."
5 Sept., 1815. The consistory resolve to refund to the deacons enough to buy 4 silver mugs and one metal flaggon, which is still used in the church at communion service.
A knowledge of the domestic habits and church customs of a people is most difficult to be learned after a lapse of two centuries; — even uncommon events were seldom recorded, how much less likely then that social manners and every day occurrences should become matters of history. Particularly unfortunate has it been for Schenectady that the flames of 1690, spared almost nothing of her early records; — with the exception of a few leaves of the deacons' account book, all is blank.
As something however may be learned, even from such unpromising materials as these, both in respect to the customs and finances of the church, the following extracts are subjoined.
During the year 1686/7, the church accounts were kept by Deacon Johannes Sanderse Glen and are quite legible.
| [Translation] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1686 den 20 oktb. Jan brouwer | debet. | 1686 20 Oct. Jan Brouwer | Dr |
| aen 14 el linnen a 7 el. pr bever (380-1) | gl. 16.- | to 14 ells of linnen a 7 ells the beaver | 16 gl. |
| ditto Maria Clyn | debet | ditto Maria Klein | Dr |
| aen 6 el 11nnPn a 7 el. pr bever | fl. 6-18 | to 6 ells of linnen a 7 ells the beaver | 6-8 |
| aen een kombaers a f. 10 | 10- | to a coverlet a 10 guild | gl.10-0 |
| aen 6 el. bay | 8.- | to 6 ells baizee | 8.- |
| aen 4 lbs spykers | 2. | to 4 lbs. nails | 2. |
| aen 7 el. linnen a 7 el. pr. bev. | 8. | to 7 ells linnen a 7 ells the beav. | 8. |
| aen 2 strenge garen | 0.5 | to 2 skeins thread | 0-5 |
| Johannes potman | Credet | 15th Septem. Johannes Potman | Cr |
| den 15 Septem. aen de kerck gewerekt 11 dagen a f. 7 des dagen. | 25 | 11 days work on the church a 7 guilders a day | 25 |
| ditto. Isack de Trou [Truax] | ditto Isaac de Trieux [Truax] | ||
| aen 6 lbs spykers | 3.- | to 6 lbs nails | 3.- |
| den 20 Novem. Adam Vroman | debet | 20 Nov. Adam Vrooman | Dr |
| aen 9 lb spykers, sewant 14 | f.4.- | to 9 lbs nails sewant 14 | 4. |
| aen 2 lb spykers, bever | 1. | to 2 lbs nails beaver | 1. |
| ditto Sander Glen | debet | ditto Sander Glen | Dr |
| aen 9 lbs spykers | fl.4 | to 9 lbs nails | 4. |
| 1686 den 30 Septe. Johannes Glen, | debet. | 1686 30 Sept. Johannes Glen | Dr |
| aen 42 lbs spykers a 20 lb. pr. bev. | 17. | to 42 lbs nails a 20 lbs pr beaver | 17- |
| aen 34 lb. spykers a 20 lb. pr. bev. | 13-15 | to 34 lbs nails a 20 lbs pr. beaver 13-15 | 13-15 |
| aen 2 sgepel taru | to 2 skiples of wheat | ||
| 1689 30 oktober | Credit | 1689 30 Oct. | Cr |
| 2 bevers aen silv. gelt | fl. 16 | 2 beavers in silver money | 16.- |
| aen bever | 8 | one beaver | 8. |
| noch by reckeninge | 6-15 | also by settlement | 6-15 |
| den 8 ockto. domenie tassemaker, | debet | 8 Oct. Domine Thesschenmaecker | Dr |
| aen 14 el. linnen a 7 el. pr bever | 16- | to 14 ells of linnen a 7 ells pr beaver | 16.- |
| Credet Wouter Vrooman | Cr. Walter Vrooman | ||
| Voor plaes voor sin vroouw | 36 gul | for a place [seat] for his wife | 36- |
| ditto Barant Wemp | debet | ditto Barent Wemp | Dr |
| aen 14 el. a 7 el. pr bev. | 16.- | to 14 ells of linnen a 7 ells pr beaver | 16.- |
| 1689 Ockt. | Credit | 1689, Oct. | Cr. |
| 2 bevers aen zilvr | 16.- | 2 beavers in silver | 16.- |
| ditto Sweer tunisse | debet | ditto. Sweer Teunisse [Van Velsen] (381-2) | Dr |
| aen 14 el. linnen a 7 el. pr bev. fl. | 16. | to 14 ells linnen a 7 ells pr beav. | 16.- |
| aen 7 el linnen door syn myt Jannetje gehaelt fl. | 8. | to 7 ells linnen fetched by his maid Jannetie | 8 |
| den 1 novem. | Credit. | Nov. 1 | Cr. |
| aen sulver tot fl. 26 bevers | 26 | to silver fl. 26 — beaver | 26. |
| den 10 Oktob Daniel Janse | debet | 10 Oct. Daniel Janse Van Antwerpen | Dr. |
| aen 20 el. linnen a 7 el. pr. bev. | 29-15 | to 26 ells linnen a 7 ells pr beavers | 29-15 |
| 1688 den 20 Augus. | credet | 1688, 20 Aug. | Cr. |
| aen fl. 89-5 sewant | 29-15 | to 89-5 sewant | 29-15 |
| 1686 10 Oktob. Abram Groot | debet | 1686 10 Oct. Abraham Groot | Dr. |
| aen 14 el. linnen a 7 el. pr. bev. | 16. | to 14 ells linnen a 7 ells pr. beav. | 16.- |
| 1688 | Credet | 1688 | Cr. |
| 2 bevers door barent Janse op reckeninge van domine tassemaker | 16. | two beavers by Barent Janse [Ditmars] on a reckoning of Domine Thesschenmaecker | 16- |
| ditto. Andries Arentse | debet | ditto. Andries Arentse [Bratt] | Dr |
| aen 17 1/2 el. linnen a 7 el. pr bev. | 20. | to 17 1/2 ells linnen a 7 ells pr. beav. | 20. |
| ditto Jan Van Rotterdam, | debet | ditto. Jan Van Rotterdam | Dr |
| aen fl. 12 sewant over een aksie die hey met hendrik mess hat | 4. | to 12 guilders sewant in an action which he had with Hendrick Meese [Vrooman] | 4.- |
| den 6 meert, aen fl.12 sewant over questie die hey met hendrik lammerse hat | 4. | 6 Mar. to 12 guilders sewant in the contest which he had with Hendrick Lammerse | 4- |
| ditto hendrik lammerse | debet | ditto. Hendrick Lammerse | Dr |
| aen fl. 12 sewant over qestie die hey met rotterdam had | 4. | to 12 guilders sewant in the contest which he had with Rotterdam (381-3) | 4. |
| den 10 oktob. de Commissariss: | debet | 10 Oct. The commissaries (382-1) | Dr. |
| aen 20 lb. spykers | fl.8. | to 20 lbs. nails | fl.8. |
| Content Verkoght. | Account of sales | ||
| 10 lb. spykers | 4. | 10 lbs. nails | 4.- |
| 40 lb. spykers sewant | 48. | 40 lbs. nails sewant | 48.- |
| 1 1/2 el. linnen | 5-3 | 1 1/2 ells linnen | 5-3 |
| 8 strenge garen | 2-16 | 8 skeins thread | 2-16 |
| 3 lb. spykers voor de kerk | 4-10 | 3 lbs nails for the church | 4-10 |
| Uyt gift. | Expenditures. | ||
| den 6 novem. voor het klyne doot kleet | 108.- | 6 Nov. for the little pall (382-2) | fl. 108 |
| voor het naye | 1-6 | for the sewing [same] | 1-6 |
| den 5 desem. voor het naghtmaels wyn | 25.- | 5 Dec. for the wine for the Lord's supper | 25.- |
| voor ryen van een vert spyke von de Vuyk, 4 lb. spykers | 6- | for freight of a tub of nails from the Fuyck (382-3) 4 lbs. nails | 6- |
| voor de glasen van de kerck | 30- | for glass for the church | 30- |
| 1687 den 28 Maret | 1687 28 Mar. | ||
| aen ryer Jacobse, sewant en 47 sgepel taru a 5 sg. d bever die by van Sweer tunesse ontfangen heeft | 600.- | to Ryer Jacobse [Schermerhorn] and 47 skiples of wheat a 5 skiples pr. beaver, which he has received of Sweer Teunisse [Van Velsen] | 600- |
| nogh door Symen Groot 12 1/2 sgepel taru | also through Simon Groot 12 1/2 skiples of wheat. | ||
| nog door gysbert gerretse 16 sgepel taru | also through Gysbert Gerritse [Van Brakel] 16 skiples of wheat | ||
| nog door barent Wimp 11 sgepel taru dit alles a 5 d bever. | also through Barent Wemp 11 skiples of wheat, all a 5 skiples per beaver. | ||
| Den 4 sept. | 4 Sept. | ||
| nog aen wyn Voort nagt maels | 30 | also to wine for the Lord's supper | 30- |
| nog voor linnen 4 ell | 7.-6 | also for linnen 4 ells | 7-6 |
| nog een hemt voor een gevangen Vransmen | 8. | also a shirt for a captive Frenchman | 8.- |
| nog 2 sgepels taru gekogt | 10. | also 2 skiples of wheat bo't | 10- |
| nog voor wyn aen't nagtma | 15. | also for wine for the Lord's supper | 15- |
| nog f. 27 sew: aen Potman gelyck het by syn reckening te sien is | 27. | also 27 guilders sewant to Potman as is to be seen by his settlement | 27. |
[Audit of the past year's accounts.]
| [Translation] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ao Di 1687 Den 5 Decembr in Skachnechtade. So heeft de kercken-raed so predikant, ouderlingen als diackenen de Reckeringh Van de Cas en alles opgenomen Van Johannes Sanders en Levert de Reckening aen Claes Lowrense purmerent aldus voer Dat hy in zewant & silver gelt in Cas heeft | g.697-2 | A. D. 1687, 5 Dec. in Schenectady. The consistory, minister, elders and deacons, — have received an account of the cash and all other things from John Sanderse [Glen] and delivered the same to Claas Lourentse Purmerent [alias Van der Volgen] as follows: — he has in sewant [wampum] and silver money | g.697-2 |
| en hy moet ontfangen aen nystaenden schulden van linnen | 423. | and he is to receive in outstanding debts for linnen | fl.423 |
| Purmerent heeft volgens Zyn Boek verkoegt | 249 1/2 lb. spykers | Purmerent has sold according to his books | 249 1/2 lb. nails |
| noch onbetaelt | 128 lb spykers. | in his book yet unpaid | 128 lb." |
| noch heeft Purmerent in zyn huys | 149 lb. spykers | also Purmerent has in his house | 149 lbs." |
| ['t samen] | 528 1/2 lbs | total | 528 1/2" |
| [Signed.] Petrus Thesschenmacker Meyndert Wemp. | [Signed.] Petrus Thesschenmaker, Meyndert Wemp. | ||
The accounts for 1688 were kept by deacon Claas Lourentse Purmerent [Van der Volgen].
The sales being similar to those of the year preceding but few extracts will be made.
| [Translation] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1687 den 15 april. Symon Groot, barent Wemp ende Gysbert Gerritse [Van Brakel], syn debat voor een jaer huer van de plantasie (383-1), — bever | f.82 | 1687 15 ap. Simon Groot, Barent Wemp and Gysbert Gerritse (Van Brakel) are indebted for a year's hire of the plantation (383-1) — | guilders 82 |
| 1688 den 15 april Symen Groot, barent Wemp en gysbert gerritse (Van Brakel) nog een jaer huer van dite plantasie a bever | f.82 | 1688 ap. 15. Simon Groot, Barent Wemp and Gysbert Gerritse [Van Brakel] are still indebted for a year's hire of this plantation | 82 |
| fl.164 | fl. 164 | ||
| 1689 15 ap. Symen Groot, barent wemp and gysbert gerritse (Van Brakel) deb. een jaer Huer van de plantasie | fl.82 | 1689 15 ap. Simon Groot, Barent Wemp and Gysbert Gerritse [Van Brakel] debit for a years' hire of the plantation | fl.82 |
| 1687 den 28 meert. Symen Groot | credet | 1687 28 Mar. Simon Groot, | Cr |
| aen 13 1/2 sgepels taru a 5 sgepel pr bever | fl.20 | to 13 1/2 skiples of wheat a 5 skiples pr bever | fl.20 |
| Gysbert Gerritse | Credet | Gysbert Gerritse (Van Brakel) | Cr. |
| aen 16 sgepel taru a 5 sgepel d bever | 25-12 | to 16 skiples of wheat a 5 skip: pr. beaver | 25-12 |
| barent wemp | Credet | Barent Wemp | Cr. |
| aen 11 sgepel taru a 5 sgepel pr bever | 17-12 | to 11 skiples of wheat a 5 skiples pr beaver | 17-12 |
| 1688 gysbert gerritse | credet | 1688 Gysbert Gerritse (Van Brakel) | Cr |
| 10 schepel erten a 5 schepel per bever | 16- | 10 skiples of peas a 5 skiples pr beaver | 16 |
| dirck brat | Credet | Dirck Bratt | Cr |
| 15 schepel taru | 24 | 15 skiples of wheat | 24 |
| door Jan Roeloffse, credet | 6 | by Jan Roeloffse (384-1) (De Goyer) | 6 |
| 109-4 | 109-4 | ||
| 1688 de diyacony | deb. | 1688 The diaconate | Dr |
| 66 lb. spykers aen de Heyninge en 39 1/2 lbs spykers Aen't huys | 66 lbs nails on the fence and 39 1/2 lbs nails on the House | ||
| 1688 de diyacony | Credit | 1688 The diaconate | Cr. |
| 66 lbs spykers. | 66 lbs. nails | ||
| Verkoght 34 strengen garen a 6 stuyvers pr streng: de strengen Kompt | fl10-4 | sold 34 skeins of thread at 6 stuyvers pr skein, the skeins come to | fl10-4 |
| credet | credit | ||
| Voort verkoght garen | fl10-4 | For the selling of thread, | 10-4 |
[Audit for the year 1688.]
| [Translation] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ao Di 1688 Den 1 Novemb: in Skachnechtadie | A.D. 1688 Nov. 1 in Schenectady | ||
| So heeft de kerckenraad van Shachnechtadie, so predicant, ouderlingen als Diaeckanen De Reckeninge van de Cas opgenomen van Claes Lourentse Purmerent en de selve op dato aen Adam Vrooman overgelevert in dese naer Volgende posten. | The consistory of Schenectady, minister, elders and deacons, have received from Claas Lourentse Purmerend [alias Van der Volgen] an account of the cash, and at this date have delivered over the same to Adam Vrooman in the following items: | ||
| In casa en Zewant | fl199.-7 | in cash in Zewant | fl199.-7 |
| noch vier Stucken vanachten | 48. | four pieces of Eight (Spanish) | 48. |
| aen Boeck schuld | 696 | by book accounts | 696 |
| Een obligatie op Hendrick meese van 't jaer 1681 den 23 apl [Except de interest] | 350 | An obligation against Hendrick meese [Vrooman] of the year 1681 Ap. 23, [Except the interest] | 350. |
| Een obligatie op Bennony Adresse Van 't jaer 1686 den 2 Augs. [Except de interest] | 336-1 | An obligation of Bennony Arentse [Van Hoeck] of the year 1686 Aug. 2, [Except the interest] | 336-1 |
| Een obligatie op Willem Abramse van 't jaer 1687, den 28 Novr [Except de interest] | 600 | An obligation against William Abrahamse [Tietsoort] of the year 1687, Nov. 28, [Except the interest] | 600/ |
| Een obligatie op Reyer Jacobse van 't jaer 1687 den 28 maert [except de interest] | 1008 | An obligation aginst Reyer Jacobse [Schermerhorn] of the year 1687 28 mar., [except the interest] | fl1008.- |
| Verschenen gelt van't weyland van 't jaer 1688 den 15 apl verschenen | 164-8 | Sundry sums from the pasture land of the year 1688 ap. 15, | 164-8 |
| Van Gerrit Banckert Van 't weyland | 44 | From Gerrit Bancker for the Pasture land, | 44- |
| Vrywillige besloften van Barent Deipmars | 24 | Freewill offerings of Barent Ditmars, | 24- |
| 3/8 lb garen | 3/8 lb thread, | ||
| sa | fl3369-16 | Sum. | fl3369-16 |
| 't welck wy getuygen | The which we witness - | ||
| Petrus Thesschenmaecker, predicant. | Petrus Thesschenmaecker, preacher | ||
| Sweer thoonischen Van Velsen, | Sweer Teunise Van Velsen, | ||
| Reynier Schaets | Reynier Schaets, | ||
| Meyndert Wemp | Meyndert Wemp, | ||
| Claes Louresses | Claes Lourentse [Vander Volgen] | ||
| Adam Vroomman | Adam Vrooman, | ||
| Dit I C S is 't merck van Isaac Swits | This is I C S the mark of Isaac Swits. | ||
[Editorial note: the mark of Isaac Swits is represented in the book as I C followed by an S rotated ninety degrees clockwise.]
Deacon Adam Vrooman was treasurer of the Diaconate for the year 1689. The following are some of the expenditures.
| [Translation] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1689 6 ianwari. betaelt aen Lysbet Van Trych voer hans iansen Kluys | 57-12 | 1689 6 Jan. paid to Elizabeth Von Trich [Tricht (385-1)] for Hans Janse [Eenkluys] | 57-12 |
| febwer. aen meyndert wemp betaelt 7 schep a taru | 28. | Feb. to Myndert Wemp paid 7 skiples of wheat, | 28. |
| maert, betaelt aen wyn voer het avontmael | 17. | March. paid for wine for the Lord's supper, | 17. |
| betaelt aen de wesvaders van Pyeter kwyns | 144. | paid to the guardians of Peter Kwyns | 144. |
| 1689 den 30 mey | 1689 30 may, | ||
| noch aen lodewyck cobes op renten gelandt | 132. | also to Ludovicus Cobes lent upon interest, | 132. |
| den 23 July | 23 July. | ||
| noch betaelt voer 4 dagen gewerck my wey van hans iansen * * * * | 16. | Also paid for 4 days work in the pasture of Hans Janse [Eenkluys], | 16. |
| den 30 okto. | 30 Oct. | ||
| noch betaelt voer wyn Voer het avontmael | 17-10 | also paid for wine for the Lord's supper | 17-10 |
| den 3 septem. | 3. Sept. | ||
| noch aen tennis karsten op renten gelandt | 120 | also to Teunis Karstense lent upon interest | 120 |
[Audit for 1689.]
Ao Dr 1689 Den 26en Novemr in Skacknechtadie.
| [Translation] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| So heeft de kercken raad van Skahnechtadie so Predicant, Ouderlingen en Diaeckenen De Reckeningh van de Cas en alle Schuld en Obligatien en Van de wey op genomen van Adam Vroomman, en deselve op dats aen Isaac Swits overgelevert in dese user volgende postem: | The consistory, minister, Elders and Deacons, have received from Adam Vrooman an account of the cash obligations and [dues] for the [Poor] Pasture and delivered the same to Isaac Swits at this date in the following items: | ||
| In cas in zewant | fl245-14 | In cash sewant, | gl. 245-14 |
| De wey is debet | 212-11 | The Poor Pasture is indebted | 212-11 |
| 458-5 | 458-5 | ||
| Aen Obligatien Debet | Obligations Debit | ||
| Hendrick meese | 451-5 | Hendrick meese [Vrooman], | fl451-5 |
| Benony Aersse | 396-1 | Bennoni Arentse [Van Hoek], | 396-1 |
| Reyer Jacobse Schermerhooren | 1128. | Ryer Jacobse Schermerhooren | 1128 |
| Willem Abramse | 612. | Willem Abramse [Tietsoort], | 612 |
| Ludovicus Cobes | 132. | Ludovicus Cobes, | 132 |
| Teunis Carstense | 128. | Teunis Carstense, | 128 |
| Carel Hansen | 120. | Carol Hansen [Toll], | 120 |
| fl2959-6 | fl2959-6 | ||
| aen Boeck schulder | Book debts. | ||
| Jan Brouwer | 54 | John Brouwer, | 54 |
| Maria Cobes | 115-19 | Maria Cobes, | 115-19 |
| Isaac de Triex | 16-10 | Isaac De Triex [Truax] | 16-10 |
| Sander Glen | 15-15 | Alexander Glen, | 15-15 |
| Johannes Glen | 33-15 | John Glen, | 33-15 |
| Jacob Van Laer | 3- | Jacob Van Laer, | 3- |
| Philip Philipse | 27-12 | Philip Philipse [De More] | 27-12 |
| Jan Joncker | 24- | Jan Joncker [van Rotterdam], | 24. |
| Hendrick Lammerse | 12- | Hendrick Lammerse, | 12 |
| Andries Bratt | 24- | Andries Bratt, | 24 |
| Willem Abramse | 30 | Willem Abrahamse [Tietsoort], | 30 |
| Douwe Aukes | 31-1 | Douwe Aukes [De Freese] | 31-1 |
| Jan Meby | 13-10 | Jan Mebie, | 13-10 |
| Joris Aerse | 12- | Joris Aersse [van der Baast], | 12. |
| Jesaias Swart | 12- | Jesaias Swart, | 12 |
| Benony Aersse | 33-10 | Benoni Aersse [Van Hoek] | 33-10 |
| Gerrit Banckert | 44-8 | Gerrit Bancker, | 44-8 |
| Barent Deipmars | 24- | Barent [Janse] van Ditmars, | 24 |
| 527 | 527 | ||
| sa | fl3944-11 | sa | fl3944-11 |
| [Signed by] | [Signed by] | ||
| Petrus Thesschenmaecker, Predicant | Petrus Thesschenmaecker, preacher | ||
| Meyndert Wemp, ouderlingen | Myndert Wemp, | ||
| frans Harmense, ouderlingen | Frans Harmense [Van der Bogart], Elders. | ||
| Adam Vrooman, dese vier Diaeckenen | Adam Vrooman, These four Deacons. | ||
| Dit is 't I C S merck Van Isaac Swts | This is the I C S mark of Isaac Swits, | ||
| Willem Appel | Willem Appel, | ||
| Dit B W is 't merck Van Barendt Wemp | This is the B W mark of Barendt Wemp [Wemple], | ||