HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. 143

Breuckelen, Dominie Polhemus confined his services to Midwout and Amersfoort.

Under the able ministrations of the new pastor, the church in Breuckelen increased, until, in 1661, it numbered fifty-two communicants, many of whom were admitted on certificates from New Amsterdam and from churches in the Fatherland. The same year the village of Breuckelen received from the West India Company, on the request of Rev. Mr. Selyns, a bell for their church, which “might also be used, in time of danger, to call the county people thereabouts together.” Esopus also received a similar present.1

It would seem, from the following petition, that the Rev. Mr. Selyns had not, as late as 1662, become an actual resident of the town over which he exercised a pastoral charge.

“MAY 25th, 1662.
To the Noble, Great, and Respected, the Director-General and Council in Nieuw Netherlands:

“The undersigned, Schepens of the village of Breuckelen, represent, with all due respect, that they, the. said petitioners, have been engaged, for some time past, in collecting, among their community, that which they had promised to contribute as their share towards the Rev. Mr. Selyns, salary; and they find that the community would be more Willing and ready to bring in their respective quotas, if the aforesaid Rev. Mr. Selyns would come to reside within their village, inasmuch as they have already been at the expense of building a house for him. They therefore request your Honors to consent to and permit it, towards which end, expecting your Honors, favorable decision, etc.

“The delegated Schepens of the village of Breuckelen,

The petitioners were referred to Mr. Selyns, whose decision is not recorded, and unknown to us.(2) September 21st, 1662, the Council Òordered that the inhabitants of Breuckelen pay 300 guilders to the Rev. Henry Selyns, who has

1 Letter of Directors to Stuyvesant, dated December 24, 1660. (N. Y. Col MSS., xiii. 143.)

2 N. Y. Col. MSS., x. 137.