Petition of the Inhabitants of Gravesend for the Appointment of a Clergyman and Answers Thereto
To the Noble, Very Worshipful, Honorable Director General and Council residing at New Amsterdam. Some of the undersigned inhabitants of the village of Gravesend, you Honors' subjects, very respectfully show the licentious mode of living, the descration of the Sabbath, the confusion of religious opinion prevalent in this village, so that many have grown cold in th exercise of Christian virtues and almost surpass the heathens, who have no knowledge of God and his commandments: the words of the wise King Solomon are applicable her, that where prophecy ceases, the people grow savage and licentious: and as we, your petitioners, to our sorrow and constant regret, see no means, by which is to make a change for the better, we have concuded, i=to adress ourselves to your
(p. 474)
Honors, as being the only hope for us and the well being of this community, and humbly and respectfully to ask and to paray, that a preacher or pastor be sent here, that they the glory of God may be spread, the ignorant tought, the simple and innocent strengthened and the licentious refrained. Then we shall be able to live in greater pace and in the fear of the Lord under hour Honors' wise administration and government; whereupon relying we await your Honor's favorable reply and so doing etc.
Jan Jansen Verryn
Karsten Janse
This mark + is made
by W. Benoni ?
Karsten Jacobsen
Jan Bomess
The marks + J. Kim made by Anthony
Jansen and his brother-in-law Jan Emans
The mark M made by Sarles Morgan the Schout
Lieutenant Nicholas Stillwell
The mark w Made by Lourts Pittersen.
April 12, 1660. Col. Docs. NY xiv, 460
