Theunis Quick's name is on the 18 Dec 1695 list of "Freemen made in
the Mayorality of William Merrett Esqr." in New York. (NYHS Coll.
1885, p.59).
"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."
He and his brother, Cornelis, resided in the North Ward, New York,
according to the tax lists for 1695 and 1699, and were the only ones
of that name in that section. About the same time his household
consisted of 1 male, 1 female, 4 children, 1 negress (Valentine's
Hist. of NY, p.358). Theunis had interests in NJ also, and several of
his sons later settled there on extensive farms. He was among the
contributors to pay the expenses of a Domine to come from Holland to
take charge of the congregation at Three Mile Run, Somerset Co., NJ.
"Teunis Kwik" joined the NY Dutch Church on 2 Mar 1705 (Record
59:263).
The New York Sun of 9 Apr 1938, reported, together with photos, the
coming to light of the large silver bowl made for Theunis and Vroutie
Quick.
"The largest two-handled American silver bowl known to date has just
been acquired by Robert Ensco, Inc., of New York City. It was made by
Cornelius Kierstede, a silversmith of Dutch ancestry, who was baptized
in New York in 1675. He served his apprenticeship as a silversmith and
became a Freeman in 1698. He moved to New Haven in 1722.
"This Kierstede bowl is unusual because of its size and beauty. It is
10 inches in diameter, 4 and 1/2 inches high and weighs a bit over 26
ounces. It is more than an inch larger than any other known
two-handled bowl made by an American silversmith.
"There are 6 panels with embossed floral decoration that suggest the
flower motifs used by early Dutch painters. In the bottom of the bowl
is a large conventionalized flower of intricate workmanship.
"While Cornelius Kierstede worked in New York City his silver was
highly individual and showed strong traces of continental influence.
Unlike many pieces of fine silver, this two- handled bowl bears the
initials of the owners, Q over T and V, for Theunis Jacobsen Quick and
his good wife, Vroutje Janse Haring Quick. They were married in the
Dutch Reformed Church in New York City, 1st Dec 1689. Later they moved
to Somerset County, NJ, where Theunis was an honored member of the
Dutch Reformed Church in New Brunswick.
"There is no question that this bowl was made by Cornelius Kierstede
while he still lived in New York City. It shows a well-defined foreign
influence with the caryatid handles and the elaborate detail. Stephen
G. C. Ensco considers this piece one of the most important examples of
late 17th Century American silver he has ever seen."
This bowl is now in the possession of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
in New York City.
In the Census of 1712 in Menesincks: Theunis Quick, who married
Vroutje Haring, had in his family 1 male above 60, 2 males 16 to 60, 9
males under 16, 3 females above 60, and 7 under 16, a considerable
household of 22 members: Theunis' father was the male over 60. The 9
males under 16 were Theunis' 4 sons, and 4 sons of Theunis' nephew,
Teunis, plus another Teunis, the son of his uncle Dirck. The 3 females
over 60 were Theunis' mother, and 2 of his aunts. The 7 females under
16 were Theunis' 2 daughters, Neeltje and Jenneke, and 2 daughters of
the nephew, Teunis; plus perhaps 3 maids to help with the housework,
or else some of the daughters of Theunis' nephew, Juriaen, although he
was supposed to be living in Ulster Co. at that time. They did not all
necessarily reside under the same roof; there may have been several
log cabins or smaller dwellings around the main house.
Goshen, Orange Co., NY, Recorder's Office, A-65, shows a conveyance of
land from Theunis Quick and wife, Vroutje, to her brother, Peter
Haring.
"Pursuant to the Directions of the General Assembly of the Colony for
maintaining the post road from New York to Kings Bridge, Theunis Quick
and two others were appointed to be surveyors of the said highway."
(Stokes' Iconography, 4:480)