John Christopher Hartwick

[3] He was an eccentric idealist and intolerant of parishioner's vices, requiring them to sign a promise that they would "forswear shooting, horse-racing, boozing, and dancing."

He was forcefully removed from his first parish by fellow ministers of the area, and in his preaching career until 1691 moved around the northern colonies, looking to find congregations that matched his pious instructions.

Having little money to start, he made a series of land deals that helped to grow wealth and finance his ventures.

The attempts toward a permanent settlement on the site was made in waves thereafter, although Hartwick has trouble attracting settlers in the first years of the patent.

Hartwick had benefited financially from Cooper's indiscriminate leasing deals and left instructions in his will for the founding of a public seminary.

Prominent political and religious leaders Jeremiah Van Rensselaer and Frederick Muhlenberg convinced Dr. Kunze to direct the seminary and teach theology at his home in New York City.