Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III

The famous " Old Dutch (Lutheran) Church," in days of yore located on " Horse and Cart-street," so called from an inn near by, bearing the representation of a horse and cart for a sign, but in latter days on William-street, has at last been prostrated before the march of improvement. Its dingy and time-worn walls have been for 83 years, or since the year 1767, the silent

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witness of the growth of New- Amsterdam, and have long remained among the few relics of her past insignificance.

It was much the oldest church edifice in the city, and the congregation originally worshiping in it for a long time flourished under the powerful preaching of the learned Rev. John Christopher Kunz, D. D. It was then known as tlie " Swamp Church^'' being situated in a marsliy district, (now at tlie junction of William and Frankfort-streets, east of French's Hotel) and in the region of the " Tan Yards." The foundation stones wiU be removed in a few days, when it is expected that sundry manuscripts, coins, &c., will be brought to light, forming interesting objects for antiquarian research. Beneath its walls is a large vault, in which were formerly entombed the remains of a number of officers and privates attached to the Hessian army, who fell during tlie Revolutionary War. History speaks o* them as having been buried in their regimentals, with their sidearms, &c., with much pomp and circumstance. They were disinterred, however, some years since, at the same time that the remains of the dead were removed from the old grave-yard which existed in the rear of the church. The " Old Dutch Church" is hallowed by many other interesting associations.