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    THERE is no narrative today more interesting than the beginnings of the great centers of population that have become towering structures of American civilization. It is a story of modern magic in which the forests are awakened from the slumber of the centuries and rise like phantoms into dream cities of granite and marble. The great American metropolises today, with their magnificent edifices and their avenues flooded with trade and commerce that leaps into the billions of dollars, are in themselves a romance. To pass through the streets of St. Louis, one can still see it in historical imagery as the hunter's cabin at the break of the woods on the bank of the Mississippi. There is Chicago-a crude French fort on the shore of a lake where trappers bartered with the Indians. There is San Francisco-a vast wilderness in which Anza's men are building their camp overlooking the Golden Gate, after their long journey across the southwest to the Pacific. There is New Orleans with the proud de Bienville and his courtiers, sitting at their camps at the mouth of the continent's greatest waterway. There is Philadelphia with the dignified Quakers clasping hands with the Indians in Penn's woods; Baltimore with its cavaliers passing along its forest paths, and Boston with the sedate Puritan fathers and matrons sitting at their cabin doors. When one remembers that such great centers of population as Seattle still have in their midst the men who founded them, then one is impressed with the romance and the magic of it all.
    It is a story such as this that is here told-an intimate acquaintance with men who nearly three centuries ago sowed the seed from which the great metropolis of New York has grown, and the American gateways of Jersey City and Hoboken, from which the flood of the world's travel now pulsates. This is a personal chronicle of men; it is a family story; (and that is all that history really is)-a story of human life brought down through ten generations from the genial face and stalwart physique of an old Dutch patroon. As such, it is a vital contribution to the strong character and the quaint personalities that laid the foundations from which great American civic structures have grown.--EDITOR

    A FONDNESS for adventure, enterprise, hardihood, and a love of freedom are the common characteristics of all pioneers and colonists in strange lands. The various colonists scattered along the Atlantic coast in the middle of the seventeenth century possessed a strongly marked individuality -- character-marks whose deep lines are not yet entirely obliterated.
    Thus the stern Puritans migrated to a new country where they would be unmolested in proclaiming their rather morose opinions, and in the practice of their unbending virtues.
    To Virginia and Maryland came, in considerable numbers, the Cavaliers, with humbler folks too, of course.
    Midway of the English settlements in New England and those in the South, the Dutch established themselves, at the mouth of the Hudson, or Mauritius River as it was then called; thence they spread up the Hudson Valley, and later along the Delaware. The Hol'anders were a home-loving people; social and fond of comfort, yet hardy and capable. The impulse behind their colonizing efforts was largely commercial. They were a trading nation, and naturally sought a share of the rich trade of the newly discovered lands in the West. The predominating influence in the first Dutch settlements, and, in fact, their governing power until the English obtained control, was the chartered West India Company. Seeking the fur, this influential corporation established trading-posts and, in time, a permanent colony upon the island of Manhattan, which they secured from the Indians by fair purchase, though at a very low figure -- about forty dollars --in the light of present values. Shortly after, an important settlement was made at Fort Orange or Albany.
    The Dutch brought over with them, along with Dominies and republican institutions, their chests of clothes and linens, their pewter and their brass warming-pans. When they became rich enough, they built their houses of bricks brought from their fatherland. The gable ends were in stepped-up form, facing the street. just as in Amsterdam and Leyden.
    Though the Netherlanders are hard fighters and stubborn when aroused, they are not of a combative nature and so they did not at once strike out, each for himself, to make a clearing in the wilderness, where the Indians could attack them with the greatest ease, but congregated in a compact little town. Farms and bouweries lay beyond, but not further than need be, from the flag-pole of the fort; though some, across the river's, on Long Island and the New Jersey shore, were rather isolated. Thrifty and hospitable, these people were fond of company and amusement, and above all, of home. These characteristics are much in evidence in the following incidents taken from the authentic history of a representative family of that period. (see Winfield's History of Hudson County.)
    Certain men, high in the councils of the West India Company, secured large grants of land under condition of making colonies thereon within a specified time, and with the provision that they should pay the Indians for the land taken. These men received the title of Patroon. Except for Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, at Albany and Schenectady, none were very active as colonizers. The Patroon we are concerned with is Michiel Pauw, Lord of Achtienhoven and Burgomaster of Amsterdam. In
1630, he was granted the land known

as Ahasimus and Arresick, being the stretch of lowland along the Hudson River shore from Communipaw to Weehawken. Pauw named the land Pavonia, in his own honor. The point at the southwest corner became known as Paulus Hoeck.
    Washington Irving, in writing of the New Netherland, refers to Communipaw (the Commune of Pauw) as "a small village pleasantly situated among rural scenery, on that beauteous part of the Jersey shore, which was known in ancient legends by the name of Pavonia." He makes many allusions to the Pavonians, and to the
Van Vorsts in particular. He adds, "the egg from which the great city of New York was hatched, was laid at Communipaw," and refers to the filial duty the city of New York owes to Communipaw.
    Pauw did not visit his possessions, but sent out superintendents to care for his interests and govern his colony. The third successive representative to be so appointed was Cornelis Van Vorst who arrived in June, 1636, and settled himself in one of the two houses which formed the settlement at that time. For over two hundred years thereafter, the name Van Vorst was the most prominent one in the neighborhood of Paulus Hoeck and Ahasimus.
    One of the first acts of the new superintendent. or commissary, was to invite the governor, Wouter Van Twiller; Captain de Vries; and, in fact all the notables of Manhattan Island to visit him, the particularly named attraction being some fine Bordeaux that he had brought with him. The party was a great success. Van Twiller and some of his lieutenants were young and inclined to conviviality. The host was unstinting in his hospitality and all were in a merry mood when the time for departure came. Filled with noble emotions engendered by the occasion, an inspiration came to Van Vorst to pay a final honor to his distinguished guests. An old swivel cannon stood near the door. This he had loaded with a heavy charge, and, as the governor embarked, he touched off the clumsy piece of ordnance. The roar and smoke were sufficient even for a royal salute, but, as the smoke cleared away, flames were seen bursting from the house-roof. A spark had fallen upon the dry thatch, which was the popular roofing material then, and in a short time the house lay in ashes. But the host, if what he is reported to have said be true, displayed a proper spirit of indifference, for, as some of his visitors hastened back to see what assistance they could render, he is reported to have said, "Do not bother -- let it burn."
    What may have been saved of the household goods we do not know, but a few years later his widow appears to have been generously supplied, as we may judge from an inventory of her property given to the guardians of her children at the time of her second marriage. Mixed up with live-stock and farm implements, some items of interest may be culled, such as a quantity of pewter, platters and tankards, some silver spoons and cups, brass candlesticks, a brass bed-warmer, copper kettles, an "old-fashioned" clock, and a plentiful supply of linen, warm clothing and furs, showing that even in those days the colonists were not without comforts, as comfort was understood. Tea and coffee were only just being introduced. It was not until a little later that Delft plates and dishes appeared; the day of mahogany furniture was still to come.
    The interests of the Lord Patroon, Michiel Pauw, were bought out by the Company a few years after the arrival of Van Vorst. The rivalries

between the Patroons and the other directors, who had not received like privileges, ending in this action and the abolishment of this somewhat feudal institution, Cornelis Van Vorst died about the same time, but his descendants continued at Ahasimus, leasing farms from the West India Company. His son, Ide, is said to be the first male child born in New Netherland.
    The Indians were very troublesome at times, raiding crops and orchards, burning houses: and sometimes, bent on more serious trouble, killing all who fell into their hands. Garret Van Vorst was killed by an arrow while peacefullvy engaged in making some repairs to his house-roof. Ide Van Vorst. above mentioned, was carried off when a child, by the Indians, and held captive some days until ransomed by Captain de Vries, who boldly sought them out. This same Ide, after he had matured, was one day suddenly attacked by the savages while busily dressing some game. As he was near the river, he jumped into his boat, taking the game with him, and rowed to New Amsterdam. Having arrived there, the town officials promptly fined him for bringing meat into the city without a license! The most serious Indian outbreak was in 1655 when every plantatiun on the Jersey side was laid waste, the inhabitants fleeing to Manhattan. Only a few, including the Van Vorsts, were persevering enuugh to return at once. In 1660, a village was founded as a measure for better protection. This town,

named Bergen, was not placed on the water front, but back on a hill.
    In 1841, the township of Van Vorst was laid out, a part of Ahasimus, fronting on Ahasimus Cove, opposite the present Canal street in New York City. The little settlement was about midway between Weehawken and Communipaw. It was on the shore of the beautiful bay near which the old Van Vorst homestead stood. The building having been destroyed by fire, was replaced, in 1655, by another dwelling-house. It was surrounded by a high fence as a safeguard from the Indians.
    Paulus Hoeck was bought by Abraham Planck when the patroonship was dissolved. In 1699, Cornelis Van Vorst bought the Hoeck from the Planck family for £300. This land, which was just south of Ahasimus, extended from Communipaw Cove to Ahasimus Cove, and from the river to about the line of the present Warren street. Together with the homestead and farm at Ahasimus, this estate remained in the family of Van Vorst until 1804, when the Hoeck was sold, after which the remainder was gradually absorbed by the growth of the city.
    In 1751, Cornelis Van Vorst, son of the last named Cornelis, represented Bergen in the 17th Provincial Assembly. This Cornelis married Claesje, daughter of Mattys De Mott. His son, also named Cornelis, married Aunetje Van Horn. A rather picturesque character was the latter member of the family. Usually known as "Faddy" Van Vorst, he ruled the manor for many years, including those of the Revolutionary War. Quite a wealthy man for the times, he kept open house, with many servants and slaves. He was fond of horses, and, having plenty of land, it occurred to him to have a racetrack.
So he proceeded to layout a track a mile long on the Hoeck, and inaugurated regular race-meets. This was in 1769, and was the first racecourse established in the state. The meets were patronized by the gentry from far and near. The distances were great, as was the case with all horse-racing in those days; three heats of three miles was the favorite race. The prizes were from fifty to one hundred pounds. Fox-chases were also held in connection with the race-meets.
    The outbreak of the Revolution put an abrupt termination to the pursuit of these sports.
    Faddy Van Vorst organized a battalion of militia and was appointed lieutenant-colonel by the Congress. There is no record, however, that his battalion saw any active service. Faddy would not leave his home after the English took New York, though he was considerably annoyed by the troops that constantly passed to and fro. On one occasion, some British officers quartered themselves in his house at their own invitation, and became very noisy, firing up the chimney and creating other disturbances. Faddy remonstrated, as his wife was ill, but, as this had no effect upon the roisterers, he proceeded, and it would appear with success, to give them a drubbing. For this he was put under arrest and taken over to New York. Fortunately for him, Sir Henry Clinton was an old friend from the days before hostilities, so he was released with a suitable, or necessary admonition. Finally, the enemy making it too unpleasant for him at Ahasimus, he took his family to the house of his friend, Philip Schuyler, at Pompton.
    It was Faddy Van Vorst who started a ferry at Paulus Hoeck -- the present Jersey City to Cortlandt street ferry -- after considerable effort and negotiations for the rights. It was opened in 1764. It was a very

modest affair with but two rowboats, and yielded a rent of only a few hundred dollars, even after many years. The ferry and the Paulus Hoeck tract were purchased in 1804 by a syndicate, as we would call it at this date, for city development. Not long after, the steamboat was invented, and the question of ferriage was fundamentally altered.
    After Faddy's day, time passed uneventfully for the family, and there is little of interest to record. The Van Vorsts married, for the most part, descendants of other old Dutch families. Among these, and confining the record to the direct line, who retained the homestead property, now divided into two parts, are the families of Booraem (originally Van Boerum), Brower, and Roosevelt. Vacher is the exception in not being a name of Dutch extraction.
    Mrs, John Van Vorst, nee Vacher, was the prime mover in establishing and erecting a handsome church, whose incorporate name is Grace Church, Van Vorst. It stands on land donated by the family. The church was organized April 30, 1847. The edifice, early English in style of architecture, is built of brownstone with a slate roof, the arches resting on fourteen solid stone columns. A

Baptistry stands midway on the south side of the church, and is crowned with a groined ceiling (the first groined arch in American architecture). The church, at the present time still standing, is in the efficient charge of the Reverend Dr. George S. Bennitt, who has nearly completed its endowment. The daughter of the Reverend Mr. Bennitt, Mrs. Anna E. Miller, is the founder of the Home for Aged Women, in Jersey City, New Jersey.
    The father of Mrs. John Van Vorst was Dr. John Francis Vacher, a native of France, who graduated as a physician from the College of Chirurgic de Montpellier, in 1769. He came to America at the commencement of the War for Independence, and offered his services; took the oath of allegiance, and became a naturalized citizen, in 1785. He was an original member of the Society of Cincinnati, and in a publication by that society appears a letter from his friend, Baron Steuben. Under act of Congress, October 21, 1780, "he was deranged after serving his country faithfully for five years, in her time of need." He was buried in St. Paul's churchyard, New York City. On the tombstone at his grave is the following inscription:
"Bon here unique objet de leurs plus ches amours,
Ses enfan ts desoles le pleureont tou jours."
    The Van Boerums established their homestead on Long Island, in 1649. Simon Van Boerum was a member of the Continental Congress at the beginning of the War for Independence. He died shortly before the framing of the Declaration of Independence, or otherwise, no doubt, his name would appear on that historic document.
    The Booraem branch of the family derive their name from that of a village in the Netherlands, in Friesland. The first to emigrate was William Jacobse Van Boerum. He came with his sons from Amsterdam, in 1649, and settled in Flatbush, Long Island, and there represented the Dutch Convention of February, 1664. (New York civil List, 1886, page 63.) He acted as magistrate of Flatbush in the years 1657, 1662, and 1663. (Early Settlers of Kings County, by Tennis Bergen.)
    In 1820, Jersey City was incorporated, and consisted of little more than Paulus Hoeck, purchased from Faddy Van Vorst. The Van Vorst family was the owner of most of the land that is now Jersey City, east of Bergen Hill, and is, in part, in its tenth generation of ownership.
    Today, freight piers, coal pockets, railroad terminals and factories take up a great part of the water front. More than half a mile back is Van Vorst Park, a square presented to the city by a grandson of Faddy Van Vorst, which became an oasis; a center for a quiet residential district.

On the square, north of this park, some of the Van Vorsts lived until about 1780, in a stately house with a two-story Ionic portico. Here the last Cornelis of a long, unborken line of that name kept his greenhouses filled with orchids, many rare varieties of which he was the first in this country to import.
    A curois carriage-block stood for a long time in front of the Van Vorst house. It was a stone from the pedistal of the equestrian statue of George III, that stood in Bowling Green, New York, until torn down by the mob in the early days of the Revolution.
    This ends the chapter, the history of some of the characters of the New Netherland and their descendants. Nothing has been said about Nature's endowments -- the beauty of the scenery that greeted the eye of these early Dutch colonists. Would it not be fitting to close with a desciption from Irving's Kickerbockers? " When the hour of twilight spread its majestic mists around, then did the face of Nature assume a thousand fugitive charms, which to the worthy heart that seeks enjoyment in the glorious works of its Maker, are inexpressibly captivating.