  Here in Bergen the first local Court in New Jersey was organized in September, 1661, with Tielman Van Vleck as schout or sheriff, and Michael Jansen, Herman Smeeman and Casper Stynmets, as schepens or magistrates, something like justices or aldermen. The schout was afterwards authorized "to fill and execute the office of auctioneer." All criminal cases were referred to the Director General and Council of Nieu Netherland. Only minor offenses, such as brawls, slanders, scolding, threats, etc., could come before this Court. On July 19th, 1673, Mr. John Berry's house in Bergen was made "ye prison for the Province," until a house could be built for that purpose, and Adrian Post, the constable, was appointed keeper. Later a "lock up" was built on the easterly side of the square near the school-house. On the westerly side were the stocks and the whipping post. The stocks were still standing in 1824, and even later, and the whipping post was a terror to evil doers as late. In 1662, a well was dug in the center of the square. Troughs were placed around it for the use of the cattle, and a long sweep used to raise the water. This well was used into the present century, when it was covered and during the war of 1812-14 a liberty pole was erected in it. In 1870, when the square was paved the pole was taken down and no trace of the well is left.Engelbert Steenhuysen was the first schoolmaster in Bergen, having been licensed October 6th, 1662. He was allowed two hundred and fifty guilders in wampum annually and "some other stipulations beside the school money, as reason and equity shall demand." It seems that he was required "to look out and procure a suitable place in which to keep the school." According to the Albany records (vide Winfield) the people of Bergen addressed a memorial to the Council that he might be obliged to fulfill his contract to act as Voorleezer and Schoolmaster for two years. The church records do not mention him as Voorleezer. In 1664 the first school-house was built on the lot set apart for school purposes on the northeast corner of the square. Mr. Winfield states that this school-house was of logs, but from the records in the Deacons Account books it evidently was not. It is not known positively whether it was of stone, brick, or frame, but several entries of "lbs. of nails," "whitewashing" and "nailing boards in the gable," are included in the account of work and repairs upon the building. Whatever it was, for about fifty years it was used, and then a new school building was erected on the site of the first. The records state that, "On Tuesday, May 11, 1708, Mathews Bensum had made a foundation, and Mr. Adrian Vermuelen, Voorleezer at Bergen, laid the corner stone." The following is the itemized account of the expenses incurred: | | st. | | 1708 | To Adrian Quackinbush for 100 boards at 28 st. apiece | ƒ140 | | " | To Mathew Bensum, 10 days at 10ƒ per day; mason | 100 | | " | To Martin Winne, 21 days at 10ƒ; mason | 210 | | " | To Risso, the hod-carrier, 21 days at 3 realtje per day | 95.10 | | " | To 6 lbs. nails at 3ƒ per lb. | 18 | | " | To the glazier, 23 feet of glass | 69 | | " | To Samuel Bayard, for 84 lbs. nails at 3ƒ per lb. | 252 | | " | To 5 lbs. nails at 3ƒ per lb. | 15 | | " | To lock for the door | 7.10 | | | —— | | Total for 1708 | 907 | | | | | | | | 1710 | Expended over 1708 | ƒ907 | | May 3 | To Mathew Mott for iron work | 84 | | " | To Helmigh Roelofse for paving stone (steen blinkers) | 86 | | " | To Cornelis Van Vorst, 2 lb. nails at 3ƒ per lb. | 6 | | " | To Hendrik Clausse Kuyper for 4 lb. nails | 12 | | " | To Gerrit Stynmets for 4 lb. nails | 12 | | Oct. 3 | To Gerrit Roose for laying the ceiling | 40 | | " | To his board | 6 | | " | 10 lbs. nails | 15 | | " | To 10 boards at 36 stivers apiece | 18 | | " | For carting the boards | 7.10 | | | —— | | Total cost | ƒ1,193.10 | Columbia Academy. Several citizens, evidently gratuitously, carted materials to the site, in all sixty-three loads of stone, twenty-one loads of clay, five loads of sand, one load of lime. Repairs were made in 1782. In 1790 the Columbia Academy was erected on the same site and stood until 1857, when the present school-house, No. 11, was built. In the rear wall of this building are many of the stones used in the old Academy and it is ornamented with the same weather vane that adorned the former building. Tradition states that this is the veritable weather vane that first surmounted the steep roof of the Octagonal Church, then was removed to the second church, from which it was placed on Columbia Academy when the present church was erected in 1841.In the early days of the little settlement, religious services were undoubtedly held in the school-house, and in the absence of a minister were conducted by the Voorleezer or clerk. In 1662 the schout and schepens of the village petitioned the Council for a minister, stating that certain persons had pledged themselves to subscribe four hundred and seventeen guilders in wampum annually for the support of a minister. But there was no local pastor of this first church in New Jersey until 1750. Until then the pastors from New York came over at stated times of the year, very often during week days, to administer the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, admit new members, install the elected elders and deacons and to conduct special services. Also pastors from Long Island, Esopus, Fishkill, Tapan, Raritan and other places preached occasionally at Bergen. These visiting pastors received from the Bergen congregation from twenty-five to seventy-two guilders per service besides expenses and board. The accounts show that the New York ministers paid six guilders for ferriage and six guilders for a carriage from the ferry to Bergen. Twelve guilders for board was charged after every visit of a minister. From 1672 to 1680 Domine Van Nieuwenhuysen preached and administered the sacraments at Bergen three times a year on week days, for which he received "thirty bushels or fifteen bags of wheat."
|
  |
