Brookhaven TownBrookhaven Town (Suffolk County, Long Island, N.Y.)(Suffolk County, Long Island, N.Y.)

@ 350 Years@ 350 Years

Part VI: Part VI: No Dutch Treat for You!No Dutch Treat for You!

New Belgium: New Belgium: A 2A 2ndnd Conquest ConquestThreat & Surrender Threat & Surrender

1673-16741673-1674

comp. & ed. by comp. & ed. by Mark H. RothenbergMark H. Rothenberg

© 2003 Mark H. Rothenberg© 2003 Mark H. Rothenberg

Brookhaven TownBrookhaven Town (Suffolk County, Long Island, N.Y.)(Suffolk County, Long Island, N.Y.)

@ 350 Years@ 350 Years

Part VI: Part VI: No Dutch Treat for You!No Dutch Treat for You!

New Belgium: New Belgium: A 2A 2ndnd Conquest ConquestThreat & Surrender Threat & Surrender

1673-16741673-1674

comp. & ed. by comp. & ed. by Mark H. RothenbergMark H. Rothenberg

© 2003 Mark H. Rothenberg© 2003 Mark H. Rothenberg

The Patchogue-Medford LibraryThe Patchogue-Medford Library

Salutes the Town on its AnniversarySalutes the Town on its Anniversary

The Patchogue-Medford LibraryThe Patchogue-Medford Library

Salutes the Town on its AnniversarySalutes the Town on its Anniversary

The Third Anglo-Dutch WarThe Third Anglo-Dutch WarOdyssey of Cornelis Evertsen &

Jacob Benckes, Pt. 1 In 1673, the Dutch state of Zeeland secretly sent one of its 4-

frigate naval squadrons (each maritime Dutch state had its own navy), under veteran Captain Cornelis Evertsen, the Youngest (a son & grandson of admirals, both naval heroes, as he was), on a raiding mission, to strike a blow at enemy commerce, seize rich prizes to support further raids, private gain, and the war effort.

His specific instructions were bold: to attempt to intercept & seize the entire British East Indies Fleet, on annual its round back to Europe, loaded with treasure, unless he found himself outgunned.

Unfortunately, in his staging area in the Canary Islands, he ran afoul of a slightly more powerful English squadron (which, unknown to him, was on an exactly reverse mission, to intercept and seize the Dutch East Indies Fleet).

Following two uneven battles, Evertsen, who’d done well but whose ships suffered damage, decided to follow his alternate instructions, to raid the Anglo-French Caribbean and if feasible, proceed up the North American coast, and disrupt the Anglo-Dutch Grand Banks fishing fleets (off Newfoundland), then to proceed back to Zeeland. By coincidence, while raiding (with mixed

The Third Anglo-Dutch WarThe Third Anglo-Dutch WarOdyssey of Cornelis Evertsen & Jacob

Benckes, Pt. 2 success) the Caribbean, he ran into a Amsterdam squadron (state of Holland), of another 4 frigates, under seasoned Capt. Jacob Benckes. The two decided to combine forces, which rendered them, at the time, the single most powerful naval force in the Western Hemisphere.

Their raids continued, with uneven success, when word reached them that the annual British-American Tobacco fleet was soon to sail from Chesapeake Bay. They quickly launched a devastating raid in the Chesapeake Bay fleet and its would-be defenders.

While there, word reached them of a golden opportunity to retake all of the lost province of New Netherlands, as the key fort was in disrepair, and the governor, away. The fleet, with its many prizes sailed north, re-conquered New-York, raided the Grand Banks, and returned home…to ingratitude. Surprisingly, Zeeland, Holland, & the Netherlands didn’t want the massive old province back, viewing as lucrative only as bargaining chip for a peace desperately needed.

Sources:Sources: Shomette, Donald G. “The Empire Strikes Back on the East “The Empire Strikes Back on the East End in 1674.”End in 1674.” In Awakening the Past,Awakening the Past, ed. by Tom Twomey. NY: New Market Pr., 1999: pp. 132-155; also on East Hampton Library’s website @ http://www.easthamptonlibrary.otg/lic/lectures/donaldshomettelecture.htm

and Shomette, Donald G. & Robert D. Haslach. Raid on America: The Raid on America: The Dutch Naval Campaign of 1672-1674.Dutch Naval Campaign of 1672-1674. Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1988, repr. 2002. 386 p. (Highly recommended).

Commanders of the Dutch Invasion Fleet of 1673-74

Capt. Cornelis EvertsenCornelis Evertsen, , the Youngestthe Youngest Capt. Jacob BenckesJacob Benckes

Commander of the Zeeland Squadron Commander, Amsterdam Squadron

Third Anglo-Dutch War: On Third Anglo-Dutch War: On “Crying Wolf”“Crying Wolf”

English Complacency & Dutch Re-Conquest, 1673 War, having broken out again in 16721672, English New-York, with

it’s large Dutch population, became rather uneasy, esp. as ships began to carry news of a supposedly approaching Dutch fleetapproaching Dutch fleet (rumored somewhere to the South).

The efficiently corrupt administration of New-York’s Governor Governor Francis LovelaceFrancis Lovelace saw the danger, & Lovelace sought funds to sought funds to improve the long neglected & decayed defenses of Ft. Jamesimprove the long neglected & decayed defenses of Ft. James (at the base of Manhattan), from the Ridings of “Yorkshire”.from the Ridings of “Yorkshire”. Long Island, including Brookhaven Town, led the Long Island, including Brookhaven Town, led the

oppositionopposition, on groundsgrounds that such funds would improve a such funds would improve a fort that only protected and secured the Dutch in New-fort that only protected and secured the Dutch in New-York City,York City, who themselves contributed nothing toward the fort’s maintenance, and who werewho were of doubtful loyalty;of doubtful loyalty; while while doing nothing to protect English interests on Long Islanddoing nothing to protect English interests on Long Island.

They repeatedly refused to vote funds.They repeatedly refused to vote funds. So, the critical fort that defended not just a city, but a province, remained in a dismal state of disrepair.

Third Anglo-Dutch War:Third Anglo-Dutch War: On On “Crying Wolf”“Crying Wolf”

English Complacency & Dutch Re-Conquest, 1673 Those persistent rumors of an approaching Dutch Fleet multiplied, &

varied, enough so, that they eventually began to be routinely, smugly dismissed when, after each alarm, nothing immediately transpired. With war scares ebbing & flowing, and efforts to restore the key provincial fort to working order having largely failed, GovGov. . LovelaceLovelace exploring a new avenue, focused on strengthening inter-colonialfocused on strengthening inter-colonial communications and military relations,communications and military relations, so that if invasion came, so that if invasion came, New York might be swiftly reinforced from New England.New York might be swiftly reinforced from New England. In correspondence, esp. with ConnecticutConnecticut ColonyColony & its Governor John Governor John Winthrop, Jr.,Winthrop, Jr., Lovelace worked to establish a Lovelace worked to establish a postal routepostal route between New York & Hartfordbetween New York & Hartford. Lulled into thinking it safe, he absented himself to Hartford,absented himself to Hartford, CTCT to finalize arrangementsto finalize arrangements for the route.

The Dutch combined Fleet, then raiding the Chesapeake, got wind of his absence, & sailed swiftly north to seize a golden opportunity.

The phantom fleet suddenly materialized in New York Bay, and on August 9, 1673August 9, 1673 to take took Fort Jamestook Fort James (renamed Ft. Willem Hendrick) & New-York City& New-York City (renamed New Orange), and shortly thereafter, the entire Dutch province (renamed New Belgium) fell, launching a DutchDutch Re-conquest of entire New NetherlandsRe-conquest of entire New Netherlands.

A Fleeting Fleet A Fleeting Fleet The Brilliant Dutch Meteor of 1673-74The Brilliant Dutch Meteor of 1673-74

Long Islanders’ appeals to New England for aid initially fell on deaf ears,Long Islanders’ appeals to New England for aid initially fell on deaf ears, due to the due to the overwhelming strength & fearful speed of the Dutch armada’s descent on the areaoverwhelming strength & fearful speed of the Dutch armada’s descent on the area

Connecticut Colony Played a Double Game, lodging a formal protest, Connecticut Colony Played a Double Game, lodging a formal protest, asserting its Long asserting its Long Island claims, (summarily dismissed by the Dutch), while Island claims, (summarily dismissed by the Dutch), while professing its neutrality and professing its neutrality and peaceful intentions peaceful intentions toward the Dutch (rather suspect, as England was then at war with toward the Dutch (rather suspect, as England was then at war with The Netherlands); while The Netherlands); while simultaneously negotiating to create a military alliance of New simultaneously negotiating to create a military alliance of New England, for a quick descent on central & eastern L.I. to secure its claimsEngland, for a quick descent on central & eastern L.I. to secure its claims, should the , should the opportunity present itself.opportunity present itself.

As long as it was backed by the most powerful fleet in the Western Hemisphere – As long as it was backed by the most powerful fleet in the Western Hemisphere – two 4-two 4-ship frigate squadrons,ship frigate squadrons, along with its numerous manned & armed prizes of war – along with its numerous manned & armed prizes of war – led by led by two able & forceful commanders,two able & forceful commanders, Cornelis Evertsen & Jacob BenckesCornelis Evertsen & Jacob Benckes, , & an equally & an equally iron-handed marine iron-handed marine Col. Anthony Colve,Col. Anthony Colve, now serving as city, & later provincial, now serving as city, & later provincial, Governor General, fairlyGovernor General, fairly complete English submission obtained in Brookhaven complete English submission obtained in Brookhaven & in all & in all of Long Island (former East Riding, with the exception of the easternmost villages)of Long Island (former East Riding, with the exception of the easternmost villages)

Once the Dutch squadrons sailed to raid the Anglo-French Grand Banks fisheriesOnce the Dutch squadrons sailed to raid the Anglo-French Grand Banks fisheries (en (en route to Holland), route to Holland), New Belgium (formerly N.Y. province) lost its ability to enforce its New Belgium (formerly N.Y. province) lost its ability to enforce its will everywhere,will everywhere, and found itself overextended, feeling vulnerable to counterattack. and found itself overextended, feeling vulnerable to counterattack.

Their Fleet now at large, the Their Fleet now at large, the Dutch government skillfully maintained the illusion of Dutch government skillfully maintained the illusion of strength, while assuming a defensive posture at New Orangestrength, while assuming a defensive posture at New Orange (New York City) against (New York City) against counter-invasion. Former counter-invasion. Former Ft. JamesFt. James was heavily fortified in a series of make-work was heavily fortified in a series of make-work projects. projects.

Pawn in the Third Anglo-Dutch Pawn in the Third Anglo-Dutch War, 1673-74War, 1673-74

The Steenwyck Commission: Demands The Steenwyck Commission: Demands Oaths of Loyalty Oaths of Loyalty

& the Restive English of the Eastern & the Restive English of the Eastern IsleIsle

Dutch Governor-General Anthony ColveDutch Governor-General Anthony Colve sent a delegation, headed bysent a delegation, headed by Cornelis Steenwyck (right) to administer loyalty oaths Cornelis Steenwyck (right) to administer loyalty oaths to all Long Islandto all Long Island towns East of Oyster Bay.towns East of Oyster Bay.

TheThe Steenwyck CommissionSteenwyck Commission was harassed, threatened, sent packing to New was harassed, threatened, sent packing to New Orange, returning nearly empty handed.Orange, returning nearly empty handed.

Next, Next, two Dutch dispatch ships were capturedtwo Dutch dispatch ships were captured, revealing, then confirming , revealing, then confirming to New England that the Dutch Fleet was headed for Europe,to New England that the Dutch Fleet was headed for Europe, rendering rendering New Netherlands vulnerable to invasion. New Netherlands vulnerable to invasion. The illusion unraveledThe illusion unraveled with New with New England alerted to the true state of affairs, and England alerted to the true state of affairs, and now it was the English turn now it was the English turn to rattle sabres.to rattle sabres. (Colve was hardly a happy man.). (Colve was hardly a happy man.).

The The New EnglandNew England colonies colonies stepped up military preparationsstepped up military preparations, but argued , but argued ceaselessly ceaselessly over strategy, procedure, appointments, and precedence.over strategy, procedure, appointments, and precedence.

East End & Central L.I. villages,East End & Central L.I. villages, including Setauket, including Setauket, began to more openly began to more openly defy the Dutch and to reassert their allegiance to Englanddefy the Dutch and to reassert their allegiance to England SouthamptonSouthampton appealed to Connecticut, then to Massachusetts, Bay,

finally to all the English colonies in America, for military help SoutholdSouthold pleaded its fear and expectation of Southampton reprisals,

should it submit to the Dutch, stalling its reply on submission Colve,Colve, not one to suffer defiance or stalling tactics gladly, dispatched his dispatched his

sole two remaining warships to secure the oaths of allegiance by force.sole two remaining warships to secure the oaths of allegiance by force.

Cornelis Steenwyck

End Game, 1674, Part 1 The Forgotten Battle of Southold: The Forgotten Battle of Southold:

A Critical Skirmish: A Dutch Landing A Critical Skirmish: A Dutch Landing

Party RepulsedParty RepulsedBrookhaven is Secured for England at Brookhaven is Secured for England at

Southold & WestminsterSouthold & Westminster In Feb. 1674,Feb. 1674, Connecticut dispatchedConnecticut dispatched aa company of militia, undercompany of militia, under

a very nervous Maj. Fitz-John WinthropMaj. Fitz-John Winthrop (the Governor’s son, see portrait at right), to back its claim of sovereignty over to back its claim of sovereignty over eastern Long Island & to stiffen & rally local resistanceeastern Long Island & to stiffen & rally local resistance against against the Dutch.the Dutch. Maj. Winthrop, leery of engaging green colonial militia against hardened, proven Dutch veterans, was less than thrilled with his assignment. But, probably to his own surprise (& not without help), performed it well.

(Amphibious) Battle of Southold, February 24, 1674:(Amphibious) Battle of Southold, February 24, 1674: Winthrop’s Winthrop’s small force, reinforced by small force, reinforced by L.I. East End militiaL.I. East End militia, his resolve stiffened , his resolve stiffened by severalby several Massachusetts Bay Colony military advisors,Massachusetts Bay Colony military advisors, and a brace and a brace of artilleryof artillery, successfully repulsed a Dutch amphibious landing attempt , successfully repulsed a Dutch amphibious landing attempt by veteranby veteran Capt. Eewoutsen,Capt. Eewoutsen, from the from the 25-gun 25-gun “Suriname”,“Suriname”, & lighter& lighter snaauw [or snow]snaauw [or snow],“Zeehond.”,“Zeehond.” Eewoutsen returned to New Orange with more depressing news for Colve.

The Dutch thereafter confined their efforts to repelling an anticipated counter-invasion. Brookhaven residents could resume being English.Brookhaven residents could resume being English.

End Game, 1674 , Part 2Stalemate & Resounding English Stalemate & Resounding English

Diplomatic VictoryDiplomatic VictoryBrookhaven is Secured for England at Brookhaven is Secured for England at

Southold & WestminsterSouthold & Westminster A brief A brief StalemateStalemate ensued, ensued, with with Military PreparationsMilitary Preparations by both sides. by both sides. New England wasNew England was still outfitting an expedition,still outfitting an expedition, when news arrived of when news arrived of

war’s end,war’s end, & the signing of the & the signing of the Peace of Westminster . Peace of Westminster . Dutch New World conquestsDutch New World conquests served merely as critical bargaining chipsserved merely as critical bargaining chips for for

a much beleaguered a much beleaguered Holland,Holland, invaded by, and invaded by, and reeling before, the combined reeling before, the combined might of English & French armiesmight of English & French armies (uncharacteristically in alliance). (uncharacteristically in alliance).

As the Netherlands’ survival as a country was at stake, its diplomats’ had As the Netherlands’ survival as a country was at stake, its diplomats’ had no qualms in using their recovered, extensive, unmanageable holdings as no qualms in using their recovered, extensive, unmanageable holdings as leverage. leverage. The United Provinces was happy to exchange the administrative The United Provinces was happy to exchange the administrative nightmare of an overextended mainland empire, for national survival, with nightmare of an overextended mainland empire, for national survival, with the bonus of a compact Caribbean trading and raiding base, in the bonus of a compact Caribbean trading and raiding base, in SurinamSurinam. .

New Belgium reverted to England, once again becoming New-York.New Belgium reverted to England, once again becoming New-York. All the brilliant efforts of Evertsen, Benckes, & ColveAll the brilliant efforts of Evertsen, Benckes, & Colve in reconstituting the in reconstituting the

former New Netherlands former New Netherlands had come to naught,had come to naught, and the and the formal Dutch claim formal Dutch claim to New Netherlands to New Netherlands (& the Brookhaven area)(& the Brookhaven area) was thereafter abandoned. was thereafter abandoned.

Sources:Sources: Shomette, Donald G. Shomette, Donald G. “The Empire Strikes Back on the East End “The Empire Strikes Back on the East End in 1674.”in 1674.” In In Awakening the Past,Awakening the Past, ed. by Tom Twomey. NY: New Market ed. by Tom Twomey. NY: New Market Pr., 1999: pp. 132-155 and Shomette, Donald G. & Robert D. Haslach. Pr., 1999: pp. 132-155 and Shomette, Donald G. & Robert D. Haslach. Raid on America: The Dutch Naval Campaign of 1672-1674.Raid on America: The Dutch Naval Campaign of 1672-1674. Bowie, Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1988, repr. 2002. 386 p.MD: Heritage Books, 1988, repr. 2002. 386 p. (Highly recommended). (Highly recommended).

Buying & Selling a Slave, Part 2 Buying & Selling a Slave, Part 2

Sold Again, From L.I. Back to CTSold Again, From L.I. Back to CT

“9th day of March, 1674 – Richard floydRichard floyd, of Setakett, sold the above said Negro, named sold the above said Negro, named Antony, to John Hurd, of Stratford [CT] . Antony, to John Hurd, of Stratford [CT] . Witnes RICHARD R. FLOYDRICHARD R. FLOYD

JOHN TOOKER,JOHN TOOKER,SALLE BRINSMAIDSALLE BRINSMAID.”

Source:Source: Brookhaven (N.Y.:Town). Clerk. Records. Town of Records. Town of Brookhaven, Up to 1800.Brookhaven, Up to 1800. Patchogue, NY: The Town, Printed at the Office of the Advance, 1880: p. 30.

Questions for Students & Teachers: What do you think Anthony, the slave, might have thought of all this? Is it right to treat people like other things you own? Why would someone in Brookhaven buy a slave in Connecticut, only to turn around and sell the slave back to another person in Connecticut? Historical Notes: Between the 1st sale (1672) and the 2nd (1674) the Dutch retook & gave up New York, & Brookhaven Town with it.

Slaves were not freed in New York until 1827.

Brookhaven Goes Back to Normal, Brookhaven Goes Back to Normal, Puritan New England StylePuritan New England Style

Reining in the Younger Set & Reining in the Younger Set & Curbing Wild ImpulsesCurbing Wild ImpulsesJust Say No?: Orders and Just Say No?: Orders and

Constitutions, July 8, 1674, Pt. 1Constitutions, July 8, 1674, Pt. 1 “ORDERS and constatutions maed by the ORDERS and constatutions maed by the Athoaty Athoaty [i.e., authority][i.e., authority] of this towne, 8 of this towne, 8thth July, 1674, to be duly cept and obsarved:July, 1674, to be duly cept and obsarved:

1. whereas there have beane much abuese a prophaneing of of the lord’s day, by the younger sort of people in discourssing of vaine things and Runing of Raesses. Therefore, we make an order, that whoesoever shall doe the lieke againe, notis shall be taken of them, an be presented to the nex court, there to answer for ther falts and to Reseve such punishment as they desarve.

2. whereas, It have bene two coman in this towne, for young men and maieds to be out of ther father’s and mother’s house at unseasonable tiems of niete, It is therefore ordered that whoesoever of the younger sort, shall be out of there father’s or mother’s house past nien, of the clock, shall be sumonsed in to the next court, and ther to pay cort charges, with what punishment the cort shall se cause to lay upon them, ecksept thay can give suffissient Reson of there being out late.

Brookhaven Goes Back to Normal, Brookhaven Goes Back to Normal, Puritan New England StylePuritan New England Style

Reining in the Younger Set & Curbing Reining in the Younger Set & Curbing Wild ImpulsesWild Impulses

Just Say No?: Orders and Just Say No?: Orders and Constitutions, July 8, 1674, Pt. 2Constitutions, July 8, 1674, Pt. 2

3. whereas, god hath bene much dishonered, much pressious tyme misspent and men Impoverished by drinking and tippling, ether in ordinery [i.e., tavern] or other privet houses. Therefor, we maeke this order that whoe soe ever shall thus transgress, or sett drinking above two houres, shall pay 5s[hillings], and the man of the house for letting them have it after the tyme perfixed, shall pay 10s, exsept strangers onely. [As the latter were presumably just passing through, and not staying, they could be drunk out of their minds.]

4. That whosoever shall Run any Rases, or Run otherwise a hors back in the streetes or within the town platt, shall forfet 10s. To thee use of the towne.

These above sayed orders is sett up, and mad knowne the day and daete above written.”

[Editorial note: Think about what the town was like before the punishments. Casts an interesting light on 17th century life and impulses.]

Source: Brookhaven (N.Y.:Town). Clerk. Records. Town of Brookhaven, Up to 1800. Patchogue, NY: The Town, Printed at the Office of the “Advance”, 1880: pp. 33-34.

Tobaccus’ Mastic Deed, Tobaccus’ Mastic Deed, Part 1Part 1

September 19, 1674September 19, 1674 “Know all men by these presents, that I, Tobakes, I, Tobakes, Sachem of UnkechakeSachem of Unkechake,, within the bounds and limetts of Setakett, upon long Island, for good and valluable causses and considerations have given, granted, bargened and sould, and doth by these presents give, give, grant , bargen and sell unto the town of Setakett, all the grant , bargen and sell unto the town of Setakett, all the mowable medow land,mowable medow land, whether hier [higher] land or lower, that lieth betweene a River called conitticut, to that lieth betweene a River called conitticut, to another River called Mastick.another River called Mastick. I say, I, Tobakes, have allinated and sould unto the Inhabitants of Setakett, from me, my haires, ecksecketers, administrators, or asings, to the above said inhabitents, ther haires, ecksecktors, admestraters, or asings forever, to have and to hould, as likewise I doe give them fre[e] egres[s] and Regress to there medowes without any without any mollestation, and to the full and absollute confermation mollestation, and to the full and absollute confermation of the above sayed premisesof the above sayed premises I doe here sett my hand and seale, this 19 day of Sept. 1674

Signed and sealed in the presens of us

Tobaccus’ Mastic Deed, Part 2Tobaccus’ Mastic Deed, Part 2September 19, 1674September 19, 1674

MATHEW BARNES, CESERUR, his X mark TOBACKUS, X his seale. This Day was Mathew Barnes

sworne before me, that hee saw RUNGUAS, his X mark and was witnesse to the

sealing WOGHIG, his X mark and delivery of this Deed. Seatalcutt, Feb’y 22th, 1675 JOHN, his X mark MATTHIAS NICHOLLS. MASATUS, his X mark MR. GUDAR, his X mark This Deed is recorded this

6th of THOMAS, his X mark march, 1675-76, By me,

Henry ROGER SATTERLY, Pierson, Cleark of ye Sessions, of the East Rideing. “ Source: Brookhaven (N.Y.:Town). Clerk. Records. Town of

Brookhaven, Up to 1800. Patchogue, NY: The Town, Printed at the Office of the Advance, 1880: pp. 32-33.