The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-04-26
TN YE OLDHB DAYS.
Some Odd scraps from Hud-
son CitY's Official
Record.
GREAT DAYS FOR THE DUTCH
Queer Spelling and Quaint Methods
of Running Public Affairs.

"A CtHtury ago DaliOt QUA Stu1uuB uau
not developer to the fine art and perfec-
ton that modern genius has brought 1t to.
There were several reasons Tor this, all
good ones. First, there were no ballot
boxes to stuff. Second, voting was done
by reclamation. Third, election officers
did not handle tie ballots and carry an
extra duplicate supply in their pockets to
use when and where they would do the
most good
The pristine purity aud the simplicity
of our forefathers' elections are a matter
Of record In the old stone Court House on
the Hill To show the contrast between
how our great gran daddies cast their
ballots and the pre- sent cumbersome ma
chinery connected with modern voting, a
copy of the record of an election in those
days as here given. It will be remember
ed that this was more than half q
century before the county of Hud-
son was created. The record reads
AT toun meeting neld here this Day in
and for the toun and corporation of Bsrgin
the following Persons were chosen BY
Plurality of Voyces for toun officers for
the Insning year April 18th 1896;
Northumberland Z. Van Rypen.
Freeholders--Gerret G. Vreeland
John Van Horn.
Judges of Appeal-Nicholas Tours.
John Dederichs.
Peter Sip.
Assessor-Jacob Van Wagenen.
Coliector--CAsparus Pryor.
Surveyors Of the HIghway-Rymer Earl.
Tury Van Wrinkle.
Over seers of the Poor-Joseph Van
Wrinkle.
Cornelius Van Worst Sr.
Pound Keepers Michael Demott.
Abel Smith.
onstables-Michael I. Vreeland.
Joseph Walderon.
Over Seers of the Highway Marie Whine
Sr. for Bergin toun
Henry Brinkerhoff Cor Gemo enapa
Casparus Cadmus for Pemmerepogh.
John Smith for Secancus.
john T. Bari for Weehauck.
Paul LINER for Maisiand.
Andrew Engle for Bulls ferry
Judge of Election
Daniel Van Rypen ESQ.
Trustees = Daniel Van Rypen Esq.
John Van Houte
Cornelius Van Worst.
Cornelius Garbrauts.
Carrot I. Rypen Moderator
John Van Houte clerk
This Is somewhat different than the
course now pursued. The voters met
and by voice elected the candidates who
were successful.
THE TAXES DISPOSED OF.
In this same old book OF records now
nearly one hundred years old, were other
curious entries, few of which are here
given to show how these officeholders
closed the fiscal years.
Bergen Township December 10, 1901
Received OF Casparus Prior Toun clerk
the sum Of Sixty two Doilars q thirty six
e.,
County Tax Tor the use of the Tax for the
year 1901
We the Township COMMITTEES met this
day which names under written do find
in the hands of the Township Collector
the sum of D19-99 cents over Plus money
of County Tax from the year 1901 and
Dog Tax D29-60 cents.
April 18th 1902
DANIEL VAN RYPER,
JOHN Il. EARL,
DANIEL VAN WINKLE, JR
We the Township Committee met this
Day which names under written do find a
Balance in the hands of the Over Seer of
the Poor in cash 94--6 and three bonds of
g75, one of ESQ and one $50
April 18th 1902
DANIEL VAN RIPPER.
JOHN &c. EARL.
The overplus money of the County Tax
Oh the year lcUl WIS taken IOE Inc state
Tax in the year 1909 it being the sum of
l9D-77C and tine Dog Was dilivered to
the overseers of the Poor it being the sum
of D29--60C. Both these sums were
lodged in the hands Of Peter Sip then
Township Collector.
MARKS, BRANDS AND HALF MOONS.
In the early days farmers to protect
themselves from the pound keeper and TO
lead to identification of their cattle which
generally roamed at will, system of
marking and branding was used. These
marks were duly recorded and no one was
permitted to duplicate them any more
than man can now infringe on a patent
right The following records were made
under the general title of
Persons Mark of Cattle In 1852
Walmagh Van Houte. left Ear fork; q
moon in the same Ear & square In the
right Ear under Il moon, his brand, left
thigh II. ]. II.
Jacob Newkirk, square in the right
Ear q q slit on the left Ear underneath
brand j. N. K
Bergln Township January 4th 1892 This
is the mark OF Gerret Van Ryper. Two
half moons In the upper side Of the Right
ear, one half moon IN the under side OF
the left ear.
Bergin Township Sept 18TH 1904 This IS
the mark OF Adam Rap, square in the
upper part OF the right ear, a swallow