Collections Item Detail

2012.029

Taylor, Leonard J.

Donation

Gift of Leonard J. Taylor

1896 - 1896

Date(s) Created: 1896 Date(s): 1896

Good

Notes: archives 2012.029.0001 (note: there were numerous typographic errors in original publication - spelling has been corrected in text below.) HOBOCAN HACKINGH Was the Original Name of This City Beyond a Doubt. EX-SENATOR WINFIELD SAYS SO In His Interesting Book — The First Extract of the History of Hoboken - The First Reference to the Name was Made in the Journal of Robert Juet, Mate of the "Half Moon." The first reference in the annals of New Netherland to the place now called Hobo ken is found in the journal of Robert Juet, the mate of the "Half Moon," Hudson was returning from his trip up the river now bearing his name. On the second day of October, 1609, he reached the upper part of Manhattan Island. There he was at tacked by the Indians, After describing this incident, Juet says: "Within a while after, we got downe two leagues beyond that place, and anchored in a bay, cleere from all danger of them on the other of the river. where we saw a good piece of ground; and hard by it there was a cliffe, that looked of the colour of white greene, as though it were either copper, or silver myne: and I think it to be one of them, by the trees that grow upon it, For they are all burned and the other places are green as grasse." More than twenty years passed before another reference is made to this place Then the Director and Council of New Netherland in behalf of Michiel Pauw, Lord of Achtienhoven, purchased from the native owners the land spoken of by Juet. The following is a translation of the deed, or acknowledgement of conveyance. It is the first, recorded deed in the records of New Netherland: "We, the Director and Council of New Netherland; residing on the lsland of Mana hatas and the Fort Amsterdam, under the authority of their High Highnesses the Lords States-General of this United Netherlands and the Incorporated West India Company, at their Chambers at Amster dam, do hereby witness and declare that on this day, the date hereof underwritten, before us in their proper persons appearet and showed themselves, to wit: Arom meauw, Tekwappo, and Sackwomeck, inhabitants and joint owners of the land cabled Hobocan Hackingh'* lying over against (opposite) the aforesaid Inland Manhattas, who both for themselves and, rata cavern, for the remaining joint owners of the same land, declared that for and in consideration of a certain quantity of merchandise, which they acknowledged to have received into their own hands, power and p issession, before the passing of these presents in a right true, true, and free ownership, have sold, transported, ceded, conveyed and made over, and by these presents they do transport, cede, and con-vey to and for the behoof of Mr. Michiel Pauw, absent, and for whom we, ex-offlcio. aacept under suitable stipulations, viz: the aforesaid lands by us named Hobacan Hackingh, extending on the south side, Ahasimus; eastward, the river Mauritius, aud on the west side surrounded by a valley (marsh) and morass, through which the boundaries of said land can be seen with sufficient clearness and be distinguished; and that, with aii the jurisdiction, right, and equity, to them, the grantors, in their quality aforesaid, belonging. Constituting and putting in their place and stead the already mentioned Mr. Pauw, in the real and actual possession thereof, and at the same time giving full and irrevocable power, authority and special command to the said Mr. Pauw peaceably to enjoy, to cupy, cultivate; have and hold the aforesaid land tanquam actor et procurator i rem suam acpropriam; and also to do with and dispose of the same as he might do with his own lands to which he has a good and lawful title; without their, the grantors, in the quality aforesaid, saving or reserving any part, ria;ht, action, or author ity thereto in the least, either of owner ship or jurisdiction; but altogether to tlx behoof as aforesaid, henceforth, forever, wholly and finally desisting, renouncing and quit-claiming; promising hereby, moreover, not only to keep, maintain, and ful fill this, their grant, and whatever shall be done by virtue thereof, inviolable an. irrevocable forever, but also to keep and maintain the same land against all persons free from any claim, challenge, or incum brance to be made thereon by any person; as also to cause this sale and grant to be approved of and held valid by the remain-ing joint owners as they are by right obli gated to do; all in good faith without fraud or deceit. In witness whereof these presents an confirmed with our usual signature and with our seal thereto affixed. Done at the aforesaid Island of Manaha-tas in Fort Amsterdam, this 12th July, 1630." Whence came the name Hoboken as applied to this place? With much ananirnity wrisen [?] have adopted the opinion of Mr. O'Callaghan in his History of New Netherland: "Hoboken is s called liter a village o£ the same name situated on she Scheldt, a few miles south of Antwerp '' This statement does not bear on its face any indi-cation of doubt of its correctness Yet I venture to affirm that if he or any one who adopts his opinion should be asked for his authority, or to give a reason for his assertion, he would face > difficult task. I admit that the present spelling of the name on the Hudson lends plausibility < the claim of origin. This, probably, would be the be