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A History of the Schenectady Patent in the Dutch and English Times
7: Adult Freeholders — Johannes Myndertse

Prof. Jonathan Pearson

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[This information is from p. 134 of A History of the Schenectady Patent in the Dutch and English Times; being contributions toward a history of the lower Mohawk Valley by Jonathan Pearson, A. M. and others, edited by J. W. MacMurray, A. M., U. S. A. (Albany, NY: J. Munsell's Sons, Printers, 1883). It is in the Schenectady Collection of the Schenectady County Public Library at Schdy R 974.744 P36, and copies are also available for borrowing.]

[The original version uses assorted typographical symbols to represent footnotes. To improve legibility, the online version uses the form (page number - note number.)]

He was son of Myndert Frederickse (134-1), of Beverwyck and came to Schenectady about 1700; by trade, a smith, he was armorer of the Fort and like most other inhabitants of the village an Indian trader.

By the ordinances of the common council of Albany, the inhabitants of Schenectady were forbidden to trade with the natives under heavy penalties; and frequent searches and seizures were made of Indian goods by the sheriff. In 1723, Myndertse was arrested by the sheriff for having, contrary to the ordinances, received into and harbored in his house, Indians with beavers and other peltry. He was brought before the council at Albany and fined 10 pounds, and in default of payment the sheriff was ordered to keep him safe in the common jail. Shortly thereafter he escaped, and to punish the sheriff for his negligence or connivance, the common council resolved that be should pay the culprit's fine.

Myndertse appealed to the Supreme Court of the Province sitting in New York, and gained his cause; — the common council was mulcted in damages, fees and costs in the sum of £41-9-3. (134-2)

It is believed this decision effectually established the right of citizens of Schenectady to the same privileges of trade as citizens of Albany.

He owned two lots on State street — one on the north side where he had his smiths shop and a bolting house — now the site of Barney & Co.'s store, and another on the west corner of Mill lane and State street., on which his dwelling house stood. The latter was conveyed to him April 6, 1708, by the trustees of Schenectady and described as "a lot on the south side of a street called the Martelaer's Straat [State Street], on the east of a lot belonging to said Myndertse, — in breadth upon the street 64 feet and behind the same; — in length [depth] on both sides east and west 35 feet: — also another lot on the south side of his house and lot 54 feet in breadth and in length [depth] 17 feet all wood measure." (134-3) The lot on which his house stood next west of the above described lot, had a front on State street of 54 feet; both together bad a frontage of 118 feet. Mr. Abraham Doty now owns a portion of those lots.

Myndertse made his will May 4, 1754, — proved Sept. 7, 1757, — and left his real estate to his three sons, Myndert, Reinier and Jacobus. (134-4)

Notes

(134-1) See Albany Families.

(134-2) Albany Annals, VIII, 286-9, 293-8; IV, 16.

(134-3) Dutch Church Papers.

(134-4) Wills, Court of Appeals office.

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