Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III
That during the Time aforesaid the said Lutherans have built a small Church upon the premises: But so it is, may it please your Excellency That the Lutheran Inhabitants living on the said granted Lands being now reduced to a small number, having some of them sold their Lands and bought elsewhere, the present Inhabitants have taken Occasion therefrom to deprive your petitioners of the said Church and Glebe, and have lately liindered your petitioner Michael Christian Knoll from perform ing divine Service in it, and forbade the Tenants to pay the Rents to your said petitioner, pretending that tiie said Glebe and Church have reverted to the Crov/n for Want of Lutheran Inhabitants to enjoy them, notwithstanding your petitioners do aver, that within a convenient Distance from the said Lands, as great a number of Lutheran Famihes and persons are living as are sufficient to make a Congregation for divine service at those times when your petitioner Michael Christian Knoll by his Agreement is called to preach at that place.
Your Petitioners therefore most humbly pray your Excellency in tender Consideration of the premises, to grant to your petitioners the Minister and Consistory of the protestant Lutheran
PAPERS RELATING TO THE PALATINES. 585
Church at New York, as a Bodye politick and corporate, his most gracious Majestys Letters patents, to confirm the said Church and five hundred acres of Land, for the use of a Lutheran Minister of the City of New York for ever, who will be obliged to perform the usual Services of Religion, for the Benefit of the said Lutherans in that neighbourhood, either on the said Glebe, or at such other place as shall be found most convenient, as has been heretofore used.