printing at their dates of these papers in the complimentary elections last referred to was adopted, as from 1816 down, the only elections of Freemen that have been made are purely of that character, the last being that of President Andrew Johnson in 1866, and it seemed best that they should appear chronologically. In 1804, after a fierce contest beginning in 1802, was passed an act of the Legislature which conferred the right of suffrage upon freeholders in the City, who were not freemen under the charter, thus interfering with the charter's privileges. The contest grew out of the Federal and Antifederal politics of the time and was bitter. The letters and communications on both sides in the papers of the day, and the formal proceedings of the Legislature, and the act itself, have been reprinted under this head, as of great historic interest. The last Freemen were chosen in 1815, since which date none have been admitted. To be admitted as a "Burgher" "Great" or "Small," or as a "Freeman," the applicant had to be chosen by the city authorities, take an oath of fidelity to the city, pay the prescribed fees, and be duly registered. The only exception was in the case of Apprentices who had served seven years. Hence, closely connected with the Freemen under the charter, were their Apprentices, and the system of binding them out then in vogue. For every apprentice upon duly attaining the end of his apprenticeship was entitled to, and did become a "Freeman" without the payment of any fees, and able to practise his trade or occupation in the city, and vote, and be eligible to office therein. Registers of their indentures were required by law to be kept, in which these were recorded at length. In 1740, on the death of William Sharpas, the Clerk of the Common Council, among the volumes of records received by his successor from his widow, were four volumes of these Apprenticeship Registers. They have never been mentioned by writers on the City's history. And now only one of them is to be found among the Records at the City Hall. This covers from February 1694 to January 1708. It is here printed under the fourth head. These indentures varied a little, and one of each kind is printed in full for comparison. In all the other instances an abstract of each only is given, but with the names and occupations of the parties, and the dates in full. They are of great interest, showing who and what the masters and mistresses were, and who were the City officials who passed upon each case; and cast a bright light on the business and trade methods of New York under William and Mary and Queen Anne. This volume will be of rare value to historical students and writers, as well as searchers in New York genealogies. For courteous facilities in its preparation the thanks of the Committee on Publications are due to the Clerk of the Common Council, Captain Francis J. Twomey, who for thirty-five years past has been in charge of the ancient records of the City of New York, and their careful, intelligent, and ever-watchful guardian. EDWARD F. DE LANCEY. CONTENTS. PAGE I. THE BURGHER RIGHT OF NEW AMSTERDAM II. ROLL OF FREEMEN OF NEW YORK CITY, 1675-- 1866 39 |