All the following info was sent to me by Sherron Westerfield (sherronw@searnet.com).
Gerret was the half brother of Rev. Cornelius Cosine.
He married Margrita Johnson (Jansen) 9 Sep 1727.
Other children included:
Maria - bapt. 3 Jun 1733 DRC New York. Witnesses: Abraham Aalsteyn,
Marretje Jansse, z.h.v. (Margrita's sister?)
(I have not yet determined where the following children were baptized.
It was not at the DRC in New York City.)
Affie - b. 22 Oct 1737; m. 22 Oct 1756 in Flatbush, NY to John Blaw;
d. bef Apr 1781
Wilhelmus (William) - b. 1738; m. 22 Jun 1761 to Phoebe Elinor Harbot
Cornelius - b. 1742; m. 10 May 1760 to Ellitye Murphy; d. aft May
1813, Jamaica NY
Catharine - b. 1742 (twins?)
Jacob - b. 1743; m. 22 May 1762 to Freelove Ann Heckaby; d. 1 Jun 1823
Flatbush
Jacobus (James) - b. 1751, Flatbush; m. 1775 to Grietne Haughout; d.
aft 1820
Altie - b. 22 Oct 1752; m. 5 Apr 1778 to Cornelius Dugan
The name "Garret Cousine, Joyner, R[egistered]" is among those listed
as "Freemen made in the Second Year of the Mayorality of Robert
Lurting Esqr." in New York, 20 Feb 1727-8. Could that refer to this
man?
"The "Freedom" of a city is the right of enjoying all the privileges
and immunities belonging to it, to the exclusion of all who are not
"Freemen." In cities, municipal corporations, and boroughs, it was
obtained, either by serving an apprenticeship for a certain time, or
the payment of money in such amounts as were fixed by the corporate
authorities under their charters; and it was also conferred, in their
discretion, by a vote, as a municipal compliment or honor.
In Holland, and in England, or rather in Great Britain, in former
days, the "Freedom of a city," or other corporation was a most
valuable and important privilege and monopoly. For none but its
possessors could practice trades, or do any mercantile business in the
place, possess the right of suffrage, or be eligible to election to
public office, or other civic honors.
In Holland it was termed "Burgher Recht," or Burgher Right, and was of
two classes, "Great Burgher Right" and "Small Burgher Right,"
according to the amounts of money paid and privileges granted. The
Great Burgher Right was also conferred, ex-officio, upon the
magistrates, the Dutch clergy, and the high civil, and military,
officers of the city or state. As such it was established and existed
under the Dutch government in New Amsterdam in New Netherland.
When the English succeeded the Dutch in that province, the English
form was established therein, by the English charters of the city of
New York, under the clauses granting the privilege of conferring the
"Freedom of the City" upon such terms and conditions as its corporate
authorities might fix."
"Garrit Cosine" is listed in 1738 on "A List of all the Inhabitants of
the Township off Flattbush both of Whites and Blacks, Males and
Females." He and his wife were living with a black female under age
10.
Also in 1738 "Gerret Cozyn" is listed on the "muster roul" of Capt.
Boelen's Company of the NY Militia.
The name of "Garret Cozine" is among the 99 Freemen of New York who
signed a petition presented to Gov. George Clinton in Council on 2 Apr
1747. To wit:
"...not only for and during these tumultuous and dangerous times, when
his Majesty's Dominions at home and abroad are attempted and
endangered by Subtil and unnatural ingratefull Ememys, We his and Your
most constant and zealous Subjects are invaded and attacked by illegal
and circumventing malpractices, against the peace and Interests and
priviledges of this City and its Denizens, by Sundry and numerous
persons, not Freemen of this City, but Inhabitants of the Neighboring
provinces, and more especially of the Jerseys, who in Several numerous
Companys Several times heretofore have and still do make a practice of
coming into this City after the laying of our taxes yearly there to
exercise their Several handicraft trades such as Carpenters,
Bricklayers &c. undermining Us the ancient Freemen of the aforesaid
City, by offering the Services of themselves, Journeymen and Servants,
at Sundry places, and as many Sundry times at the Rate of 20 or 30
Pounds per Job or distinct article of Workmanship less than has been
agreed for by us, and so proportionably to every Agreement or
Undertaking, we Shall or can make They the said Invaders to Our
Libertys and propertys and indeed Our Livelihood Our All, sometime
before the collecting such Taxes yearly as aforesaid carrying away
Such Moneys so Surreptitiously got here, with them into the Jerseys to
pay for their Lands, and Livings there and to Support their own
Government, not so much as buying a pair of Shoes in the City of New
York but frequently bringing Nails and other Materials for Building
&c. along with them from the Jerseys and other provinces. Now may it
please Your Excellency (who are well known and beloved for Your most
remarkable and tender Regard, towards persons in Distress even
Strangers to You) That You would out of Your Paternal Care and
Benevolence to Us Your Excellency's oppressed petitioners and people,
exert Your Authority and goodly Offices toward Such and Such under
You, in the said Government, and City, As in your most prudent
Judgment, You shall think proper for the Remedy and prevention of this
not growing but long practiced Evil and Grievance. That Your
Excellency's aforesaid most humble Petitioners may be the better
enabled to Love Our Said gracious Sovereign, and his most honorable
Governor and his Country as we heretofore and hitherto chearfully have
done. And also gain Relief for Our Selves and Familys which otherwise
must inevitably Suffer or be compelled to leave this Our Country and
these Our Settlements. But hope better things, and dont in the least
distrust the Goodness and tender Regards of Your Excellency and for
whose Welfare Your Excellency's Most humble Petitioners as in Duty
bound Shall forever pray."
The Council responded by saying that anyone who came into the city to
work who was not entitled to do so would be fined according to the
law. They also admonished the Freemen for not having sooner called
this matter of great importance to the attention of the Mayor, as was
their duty as Freemen. The Council went so far as to remark that while
the 99 signed as Freemen, most were unknown to members of the Council
and therefore they could not be certain of their status. "If they are
Freemen and there be at this time any real cause for such complaint,
they must be very ignorant and forgetful of the Obligations of the
Oath of a Freeman of this City...."
In Flatbush on 15 Apr 1755 a list of all slaves in the area was made.
"Gerret Cozyn" was listed as having one male slave named Herry.