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ANTIQUITIES
LONG ISLAND
By GABRIEL F U R jM A N
TO WHICH IS ADDED
A BIBLIOGRAPHY BY HENRY ONDERDONK, JR.
EDITED BY FRANK MOORE
NEW YORK
J. W. BOUTON, 706 Broadway
Enleied according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by Frank Moore,
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at \\^ashington.
John F. Trow & Son,
Pkinteks anu P.ookbinders,
205-213 East I'ltk St.,
NEW ^■ORl•:. .
.'V.
INTRODUCTION.
This volume contains tlie notes of Mr.
Gabriel Furman, on " Long Island Antiqui-
ties and Early History ; with the Manners
and Customs of its Inhabitants ; " " Notes
Geographical and Historical, relating to
the Town of Brooklyn, in Kings Ccunty,
on Long Island," by the same laborious and
enthusiastic collector, and a Bibliography
of Long Island, by Henry Onderdonk, Jr.,
of Jamaica, New York.
Of the preparation of the Antiquities,
with which the volume is opened, Mr. Fur-
man has left no account. The manuscript
from which it is printed is fragmentary,
and seems to have been put together at
odd times during the period embraced
Avithin the years 1824 and 1838. It was
discovered by the editor, among the gather-
iv INTKODUCTION.
ings of a quaint and popular dealer in old
books, j^ictures and hric-a-braG on Universi-
ty Place, in this city, and was tliouglit valu-
able enough to merit multiplication. A
few errors of date, but none of judgment,
have been corrected, and some obscurities
made plain. Otherwise the work is given
as it was left by its industrious author.
The notes relatino; to the Town of Brook-
lyn, by the same author, which necessarily
contain some slight repetitions of material
found in the Antiquities, are republished
from the edition issued in 1824. The ex-
treme scarcity of this little volume causes
its reproduction here.
"^ The Bibliography of Mr. Onderdonk, to
wdiom I am indebted for permission to
publish, is printed from a manuscript, pre-
pared by that historical scholar and gentle-
man in 1866, and presented to the New
York Historical Society.
Frank Moore.
New Yokk, October, 1874.
CONTENTS
PAGE
Indians and their History ^
The Devil's Stepping Stones 56
Ronkonkama Pond "^ ♦
John Bull's Talk. . -. ^^
Mongotucksee's Canal ''^"^
Manitou Hill ^^
Changes in the Aspect of the Country 'i'4
Buttermilk Channel ' ^
Israel CarlVs Well 85
Long Island Agricultural Society 91
Ancient Fortifications and Remains 93
Fort on Fort Neck 95
Situation of the Sand Hill 99
Foundation of Churches 100
The Dutch Reformed Churches 102
The Case of Bo\vne the Quaker 119
The Episcopal Churches 1^'''
St. Ami's Church l'^9
Methodist Episcopal Churches 140
Roman Catholic Churches 1^1
Old Houses If-^
Governor Martin's House 1^0
Paintings by Copley 1^1
Monumental Stones and Funeral Customs 155
Schools and Education 1^9
Service of the Churches 1'^'^
VI CONTENTS.
PAGE
Ancient Names of Places 178
Names of Families 183
Dutch Nicknames 186
Manners and Customs 195
The Duke's Laws 205
Growth of New York 213
Andros' Proclamation 219
Slavery in New York 221
Samp Porridge 226
* ' Niggering Com " 228
Home Habits of the Dutch 229
Dutch Drinks and Table Service 231
Food and Labor 235
Knickerbocker Smoking Parties 239
Journeying in Olden Time 243
The Whale Fishermen 247
Publishing the Banns 251
Smoked Goose and Kolichees 253
Christmas and New Years 255
Festival of Santa IQaas 257
St. Valentine's Day 263
Easter and Easter Monday 265
Pinckster Day 267
" King Charlie," the Guinea Negro 268
Evacuation Day 269
Independence Day 269
" Squeak the Fife and Beat the Drum " 270
Notes on the Town of Brooklyn 275
Ancient Names and Hemains 276
Soil and Climate 278
Kieft's Grants and Patents 280
The Nicolls Patent 284
Governor Lovelace's License 289
The Deed from the Indians 290
CONTENTS. Vll
PAGE
Governor Dongan's Patent 293
Town Rights and Ferries 298
Montgomery's Charter 303
Hendrick Remsen's Ferry 305
Breede Graft Ferry 309
Ancient Rights and Freehold 313
The First Steam Ferry 317
Roads and Public Lauding Places 319
Common Lands 325
Differences as to Boundaries 331
Difference with Bushwick 332
Difference with Flatbush 333
Difference with New Utrecht 336
Revolutionary Incidents 338
Battle of Long Island 339
Charles Loosley's Lottery 343
Descent of the Northern Indians 347
List of Constables 349
The Duke's " Overseers " 351
The Town Commissioners 355
Case of Henry Claes Vechte 361
The TowTi Government 363
The Village Government 367
The Board of Health 369
Account of the Churches 371
Destruction of Esopus 373
List of Dutch Ministers 375
Trustees of Dutch Churches 379
The First Baptist Church 385
Public Institutions 389
Population and Increase 390
Growth of Brooklyn 393
Value of Real Estate 395
Schools and Schoolmasters 397
Vlll CONTENTS.
PAGE
Newspapers and Moral Character 399
The Fire Department 401
Miscellaneous 407
Slavery in New York 409
William Morris' Deed 411
The Brookland Patent 415
Petition of Volkert Brier 417
Letter of Justice FUkin 417
Address of the Deputies 420
Lord Combury's Charter 423
Division of Common Lands 432
Advertisement of the Author 434
Bibliography of Long Island, by Henry Onderdonk, Jr. . 435
LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
Although Indian history in our day seems to
have lost many of its charms, by reason of tlie
numerous other more highly interesting subjects
which the advance of science and the recent in-
crease of knowledge have presented to our minds,
We cannot, in treating of the antiquities and early
history of this Island, avoid giving some account
of the aboriginal tribes which formerly lived upon
it, intimately connected as they were with that
period in the history of our own race. We shall,
however, as far as possible, avoid giving mere
dry historical details, which at the same time
afford but little information in the case of an
uncivilized people, and fatigue the mind of the
reader. And, also, so far as we can do it, we will
endeavor to strike out a somewhat new path, by
giving sketches of their history, and points of their
general character, which seem to promise a more
accurate idea of them as a race, in preference to
following in the usual beaten track.
10 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
Governor De Witt Clinton, who devoted mucli
time to the aboriginal liistory of this continent,
and esjjecially of tlie State of New York, in his
anniversary discourse delivered before the New
York Historical Society in December, 1812, when
speaking of the Indian tribes on the Atlantic
coast of New York and Connecticut, including,
of course, those upon Long Island, observes:
" In 1771 the Government of Connecticut, in an
official statement to the British Secretary of
State, represented the original title to the lands
of Connecticut as in the Pequot Nation of In-
dians, wdio were numerous and warlike; that
their great sachem, Sassacus^ had under him.
twenty-six sachems, and that their territory ex-
tended from Narragansett to Hudson's Kiver,
and over all Long Island."
Samuel Jones, Esq., of Oyster Bay, South,
upon Long Island, a gentleman of much learn-
ing, in some criticisms on this discoui'se, which
he addressed to John Pintard, Esq., Secretary
of the New York Ilistoric^al Society, and which
are printed in the third volume of the collections
of that society, thinks the statement, thus cited
by Governor Clinton, erroneous, and he remarks:
"Tliis must be a mistake, unless the Long Island
Indians were part of the Pequot Nation ; for it
is certain, that when the Europeans first began
INDIANS, AND THEIR HISTORY. H
their settlements on tlie island, the Indians on
the western part of it were tributary to the Mo-
hawks."
As happens in many other cases of historical
and literary controversy, in this instance the dis-
pute is more imaginary than real, and there is
really no difference between the two gentlemen,
except what is caused by the use of a name only.
The Indians upon the mainland of Connecticut,
and to the Hudson Kiver, and also upon Long
Island, were of one people or nation, the great
Mohegan Nation ; which was divided into several
tribes, who were sometimes, but erroneously,
called by the whites, nations ; and these several
tribes had a species of union among themselves,
recognizing a common descent, and arising from
that cause. It was this circumstance that caused
so much appreliension among tlie inhabitants of
this colony, during King Philip's celebrated In-
dian war with the United Colonies of N'ew Ens:-
land, lest the Indians upon Long Island, who
w^ere then l)oth numerous and powerful, might
not, from being of the same blood and nation,
feel themselves bound to take part in that con-
test. The Pequots were one of the largest and
most powerful of the Mohegan tribes, and their
name has been erroneously used in this instance
for that of the whole people ; both writers con-
12 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
sidering and admitting the aborigines upon Long
Island, to be of the same race with those upon
the mainland of Connecticut.
The writers on the Indian history of this
country, and especially that of the tribes for-
merly upon our Atlantic coast, previous to the
last thirty years, have fallen into many eri-ors
from this same cause to which we have just be-
fore adverted.
Charles Thomson, Esq., late Secretai-y to Con-
gress, and also Samuel Jones, Esq., believed the
Lenni Lenajpi^ called the Loiijjs by the French,
and the Delaivares by the English, occupied
Manhattan Island, Staten Island, and that part
of Kew York and Connecticut which lies be-
tween the Hudson and Connecticut Rivers, from
the Highlands down to the Sound. But Gov-
ernor De Witt Clinton thinks the statement of
Smith, the historian of New York, that all the
Indians w^ithin the territory thus desci-ibed were
tributar}^ to the Five Nations, or the Iroquois,
when the Dutch commenced their settlement of
this colony, inconsistent with the view thus taken
by Mr. Thomson, and subsequently by Mr. Jones.
This difference in opinion, like that before re-
ferred to, has but little real basis in the history of
those Indian nations. The course of aboriginal
emigration was directly the reverse of that of the
13
white man, being from west to east ; and the
Mohegaiis and Lenni Lenajpi were of the same
orio-in, tlieir ancestors formino^ the first Indian
emigration to tlie Atlantic coast ; where, after-
wards, in consequence of their great increase in
popnlation, being in a fertile region where their
necessary wants were more than snpplied by
slight labor, both from the earth and the ocean,
they became divided into two nations, retaining
the evidences of their common origin, not only in
their traditions, but also in their language, habits,
manners and customs. Thus divided, they be-
came permanently seated on this coast, the Mo-
hegans occupying the country east of the Hudson
River, inchiding Manhattan Island, Staten Island,
and Long Island, and the Lenapi holding the
country west of that river.
The Irocpiois, or Five Nations, were an entirely
different race of people, and a subsequent migra-
tion to the east ; and the same spirit which
bi-ought them to the banks of the Hudson River,
and there seated one of their tribes, the Mo
liawks, a little to the south of the present city of
Albany, also induced them to extend their in-
cursions down that noble stream, the Hudson,
and also to the east of it, until they had rendered
the Mohegan tribes below them, and upon Long
Island, their tributaries.
14 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
The ease with which the white men fell into
the error of applying the name of a single tribe
to a whole people is shown in tlie case of the
MohawJcs, a single tribe of the Iroquois ; bnt
which for very many years was the name by
which the whole five nations was known to the
white population of this country, and also to Eu-
ropeans. And the tenacity with which the In-
dian tribes held on to the history of their com-
mon origin, and the extent to which they not only
recognized it, but also acted upon it, is shown in
the union effected between the Five Nations of
this State and the Tuscaroras of North Carolina.
These Tuscaroras originally formed part of the
same people with the Five Nations, and in their
first emigration from west to east, they separated
from the others on the great prairies of the West,
and migrated down farther south until they
eventually seated themselves in North Carolina,
where they were found by the first European set-
tlers ; while their other brethren turned their
course towards the north, and fought their way
through the previous occupants of the lands, in
some instances exterminating whole nations, as is
the traditionary history of the Eries, until they be-
became seated in the western part of New York,
and along the fertile valley of the Mohawk Kiver.
Althouo;h so far removed from the descendants
INDIANS, AND THEIR HISTORY. 15
of their conmion ancestors, by interveniiio^ forests
of hundreds of miles and numerous hostile tribes,
the remembrance of their being of the same blood
was sedulously preserved, and our records afford
frequent evidence of the Five Nations sending
assistance to the Tuscaroi-as in the prosecution of
their wars. And at last when the Iroquois feared
they were too much reduced by their frequent
wars for their safety, as well as the maintenance
of their predominance among the surrounding
Indian tribes, they invited the Tuscaroras to re-
move to western Xew York and to settle with
them ; wliich invitation was accepted, and in the
early part of the last century the Tuscaroras mi-
grated to that portion of this State where they
now are located, and thus was formed the Six
Nations of Indians ; this being the last of those
aboriginal migrati(jns which had continued upon
this continent for very man}^ ages, and bringing
it within the period of our colonial history.
There were many tribes of Indians on this
island, who were seated at the following places, as
far as can be ascertained at this distant day :
In Kings County. — In this county the most
powerful and extensive tribe was the Canarse,
who were the first inhabitants of the New World
to welcome the arrival of Ilendrick Hudson, the
European, who first discovered and explored the
IG LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
fine river now justly bearing liis name. The ac-
count which he gives in liis journal of this wel-
come, and tlie appearance which the western
extremity of this island presented to his men upon
their first landing, is truly beautiful, and as it
affords ns a much better idea of these Indians,
and of tlieir mode of living, than anything we
can obtain from any other source, we sliall
substantially give the description whicli he has
left us.
When Hudson came to anchor in Gravesend
Bay on the fourth day of September in the year
1609, the Canarse Indians visited him and came
on board his vessel, apparently without any ap-
prehension, and, as Hudson says, seemed very
glad of their (the Europeans) coming. They
l)rouglit with them green tobacco, and exchanged
it for knives and beads. They were clad in deer-
skins, well dressed^ and desired clothing, a rather
nnusiial request for the aborigines to make on
th.eir first intercourse with white men, and exhib-
iting an advance in the arts of life which we have
not been accustomed to attribute to the Indians
of Long Island ; and they were " very civil."
When they visited him on the ensuing day, Hud-
son says, some of them were dressed in " mcuitles
of feather s^^"^ and some in skins '''' of divers sorts
of good fur sP He also states that they had yel-
17
low copper, red copper, tohacco pipes, and orna-
ments of copper about their necks ; it was the
abundance of instruments of this yellow copper
that first attracted the attention of the Spaniards
when they originally landed upon the coast of
Mexico ; and which they, believing to be gold,
purchased in great numbers.
Does this show an intercourse between these
Indians of Long Island, and the more civilized
race found by the Sp)aniards in Mexico ; or did
the Canarse Indians understand the art of manu-
facturing these different kinds of copper ?
The solution of these inquiries affords matter
not only of curious, l)ut also of a highly interest-
ing nature ; and which, singular as it may appear,
seems never to have attracted the notice of a soli-
tary writer on Indian history, or on the Antiqui-
ties of America.
Hudson also represents these Long Island. In-
dians as having (jreat store of maize, ox: Indian
corn, " wherecjf they make good bread," and cur-
rants, some of which, dried, his men brought to
liim from the land on the second day, and which,
lie says, were " sweet and good." Some of the
Indian women also brought him Jieinp, wdiich
they must have known the use of, and highly
valued, or they would not have thought of bring-
ing it as a present.
18 LONG ISLAND A:sITIQUn lES.
Some of his men landed npon this island in
what is now the town of Gravesend, and they
there saw "great store of men, women and chil-
dren," who gave them tobacco upon their land-
ing ; they also described the country to Hudson,
as being full of great, tall oaks, and " the lands
w^ere as pleasant with grass, and flowers, and
goodly trees as ever they had seen, and very sweet
smells came from them."
Unfortunately this pleasant and peaceful in-
tercourse between the Indians and their Euro-
pean visitors was not long preserved. On the
third day a party of Hudson's crew again landed
at the same place. Among them was John Col-
man, an Englishman ; and although nothing is
said in Hudson's journal about any provocation
to the Indians, yet it is certain some must have
been given, and most probably not of a trivial
character, or the people who had welcomed their
arrival in such a friendly manner would not have
become so immediately changed as to attack this
party of the crew on this occasion. The result
of this contest was, that John Colman was killed
by an arrow shot into his throat, he probably be-
ing the principal offender in this instance, as the
[ndians shoot no chance shot, but invariably aim
at a particular object ; and two others were
^vounded. Colman was buried upon the point of
INDIANS, AND THEIE HISTORY. 19
Coney Island, which Hudson from that circum-
stance named Colman^s Point
This serious occurrence terminated Hudson's
intercourse with the shore of this ishind, al-
thou2:h the ahorio-ines came and visited him the
next day, as he says, in the same manner as if
notliing had happened ; they evidently regarding
Colman's death in no other light than as a just
punishment f(^r some offence he had committed ;
and the next day Hudson pursued his course up
the river.
The old Dutch inhabitants of King's county
have a tradition that tlie Canarse tribe was subject
to the Mohawks, as all the Iroquois were formerly
called, and paid them an annual tribute of driea
clams and wampum. When tlie Dutch settled in
this county they persuaded the Canarses to keep
back the tribute; in consequence of which a
party of the Mohawks came down and killed
their tributaries wlierever they met them. The
Canarse Indians are at this time totally extiuct ;
not a single member of that ill-fated race is now
in existence.
We ha^'e still preserved in the records of the
Dutch Government of this colony historical evi-
dence of the trutli of this tradition, and some ac-
count of this extraordinary incursion of the Iro-
quois or the Five Nations of Indians uj)on Long
20 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
Island. TliGY seemed to have regarded all the
Indians of the great Mohegan faniih^, in the
southern part of this colony, as their tributaries ;
and they probably were so long anterior to the
Dutch settlement of this country. After the
Dutch colonization the Indians upon Long Island
appear to have discontinued the payment of the
usual tribute to the Iroquois, or to the Mohawks,
as they were generally called, that being the Iro-
quois tribe most contiguous to the European set-
tlements, being located then a little south of
Albany, upon the west side of the Hudson Elver,
and thus for a long period with the European
colonists the name of Mohawk was used to desig-
nate the whole Iroquois Confederacy ; and the
Long Island Indians did this probably from the
belief that the Iroquois would not dare come
down and attack them among the European set-
tlements. But in this they were greatly mis-
taken. For in the 3'ear 1655, with the view of
chastising: all their former tributaries in the
southern part of this colony, a large body of these
northern Indians descended the Hudson Kiver
and made a landing upon Staten Island, where
they massacred sixty -seven persons — a very great
number, considerino; the state of the colonv at
that period ; whether they were white people or
Indians who were thus slain is not stated, but
21
probably a large portion of tliem were in the first
class, and were killed in attempting to prevent
tlie landing of this hostile force. After this, this
Indian army crossed to Long Island, and invested
the town of Gravesend, which they threatened to
destroy ; but which was relieved by a detach-
ment of Dutch soldiers sent from Xew Amster-
dam (New York). Upon their abandoning the
siege of Gravesend, the Dutch records give no
further account of them, than to mention that all
this was done when those northern Indians were
upon their waj^ to wage war against the Indians
upon the east end of Long Island. It was un-
doubtedly directly after leaving Gravesend that
they fell upon and destroyed tlie Canarse tribe,
and afterwards proceeded down through the
island with that terrible foray of murder the ac-
count of which has been preserved in tradition
to this day ; and to prevent a repetition of which
the Consistory of the Dutch Church at Albany
undertook to be the agents to see that the re-
quired tribute was regularly paid by the Long
Island Indians to the Five Nations. So great
was the dread of the Iroquois among the Indians
of this island, arising from the tradition preserved
of this terrible incursion, that a very aged lady,
who was a small girl of, eight or nine years before
the commencement of the lievolationary war, tells
22 LONG ISIAND ANTIQUITIES.
US that five or six Indians of the Iroquois Nation
were for some offence brought to Kew York and
sent to Jamaica, upon Long Island ; and that, al-
though they were 23risoners, not one of the Long
Island Indians could be induced to look, with liis
person exposed, npon one of these terrible " Mo-
hawks," as they called them ; but very many of
them would be continually peeping around cor-
ners, and from behind other people, to get a
sight at those northern Indians ; at the same time
expressing the utmost fear and dread of them.
Mrs. Eemsen, the widow of Anthony Eemsen,
deceased, formerly of Brooklyn, on Long Island,
says that, soon after she was married, the^^ moved
to Canarse on that island, now (1832) about forty
years since, where she made the shroud in which
to bury the last individual of the remnant of the
Canarse tribe of Indians. This last member of
that tribe also told her the tradition before men-
tioned, of the destruction of the greater portion
of the Canarse tribe by the Mohawks, in conse-
quence of their failure to pay the required tribute.
This Indian told her that three or four families
of them, having become alarmed by the shrieks
and gi-oans of their murdered friends, fled for
the shore of the bay, got into their canoes, and
paddled off to Barren Island, forming part of the
great south beach, whither the Mohawks could not,
33
or did not, follow them. They returned late on
the following day, and soon ascertained that tliey
constituted the only living representatives of their
entire tribe, who liad the night previous laid
them down to rest in a]:)parent security ; and that
no ti'ace was to be discovered of their vindictive
and ba-rbarous enemies. It was some days, how-
ever, before they ventured to return permanently
to their old residences, and not before they be-
came entirely satisfied that the Mohawks had re-
turned to their homes.
This Indian incursion caused the Dutch Gov-
ernment to feel much apprehension on the sub-
ject of Indian attacks upon the towns of the
western part of this island for a long time sub-
sequent. The inhabitants of Flatbush were or-
dered by Governor Stuy\'esant, in 1656, a short
time after that foray, to enclose their village with
palisadoes, to protect them from the Indians.
And .again, to prevent the incursions of In-
dians, the Governor, in 1660, ordered the inhabi-
tants of Brooklyn to put tlieir town in a state of
defence, and also commanded the farmers to re-
move within the fortifications under the penalty'
of forfeiting their estates.
The Dutch colonists seem to have lived in al-
most continued apprehension of the Iroquois.
On the 26th of June, 1663, Governor JStuyvesant
24 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
informed tlie churcli of Brooklyn that the Esopus
Indians, who were then in league with the Iro-
quois, had on the 7th of that month attacked and
burnt the town of Esopus (Kingston), " killing
and wounding a number of the inhabitants, and
taking many prisoners; burning the new town,
and desolating the place." July 4, 1663, was ob-
served as a day of thanksgiving on account of a
treaty of peace with the Indians, the release of
the prisoners, and the defeat of the English at-
tempt to take the whole of Long Island.
And good reason the Dutch had for their
fears of the Iroquois, for a more enterprising and
vindictive nation never existed among the abori-
gines of this continent. Immense extents of wild,
unsettled country seem to have afforded no pro-
tection against their incui-sions. They not only
made regular expeditions to the southern part of
this colony, and even to its utmost extremity ;
they not only invaded Canada and subjugated all
the region north of Lake Erie, and between lakes
Ontario and Huron, and nearly exterminated its
former population, but they also made frequent
incursions throiio;h what is now the State of Ken-
tucky, and claim to have acquired that country
by right of conquest, and also upon the back
settlements of South Carolina. In the South
jOavolina Gazette of April 11, 1753, we have tho
25
evidence of one of their expeditions to that re-
gion, in a proclamation of the Governor, and a
vote of the Assembly of that Province, offering
a reward of one hundred ponnds currency to any
person who should kill or take alive any one of
the body of northern Indians that had lately
come into that province, and " committed sundry-
robberies and other acts of violence."
The Iroquois preserved their power and influ-
ence upon this continent by the union of five
small tribes, which but for this confederacy
would have been destroyed or obliged to merge
themselves into their more powerful neighbors.
Strange as it may seem, it is to them we owe our
present form of government in the United States.
Their chiefs had for years observed that the
French in Canada, although not the one-tenth of
the English colonies in either power or resources,
owed their success mainly to a want of union in
the colonies.; and that the only colonies that
offered them any effectual resistance were the
United Colonies of l^ew England, and they urged
upon the Governor of ^ew York, and the British
commanders of the forces, the necessity of a
union. Their suggestion w^as sent to England,
approved there, and resulted in the congress held
at Albany in ITott, at which the Privy Council of
England directed the chiefs should be invited, and
3
26 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
their advice taken. This policy of a strict con-
federation was adhered to by the Iroquois through
out their history; and when, about tlie commence-
ment of the eighteenth century, they found them-
selves by their frequent wars reduced below the
number they regarded necessary for their safety
and preponderance among their Indian neighbors,
they invited the Tuscaroras from I^orth Carolina
to remove to the western part of New York, and
"become a member of their league ; which invita-
tion was accepted, and the Tuscaroras gradually
moved up to their present location, and became
the sixth nation of the Iroquois confederacy,
which afterwards was known as the Six instead
of the Five Nations. The Tuscaroras retained
their lands in North Carolina, on which they were
formerly settled, until within the last ten or
twelve years, when they sold the same and di-
vided the proceeds among their tribe. This does
not look very much like that robbing Indians of
their lands, of which we hear so much from the
English press. So late as 1820 the Seneca and
other tribes forming the Six Nations in this State,
assumed the power of trying and punishing, and
in some cases ca]3itall3', members of their respec-
tive tribes for crimes by them committed within
the Indian reservations. The question of con-
flict between this assumed jurisdiction, and that
INDIANS, AND THEIR HISTORY. 27
claimed by the State over them in common witli
all others its inhabitants, was brought up by the
case of Soo-non-gize, otherwise called Tommy
Jemmy, an Indian of the Seneca tribe, who in
1821 was indicted for the ninrder of an Indian
woman of the same tribe committed within the
Seneca reservation near Buffalo, in this State.
On the trial the defence set up was, that the
alleged murder was connnitted by authority de-
rived from the councils of the chiefs, sachems,
and warriors of that tribe, who were an indepen-
dent nation, and had full power aud jurisdiction
in the premises, and were competent to grant the
authority upon which the alleged act was com-
mitted. The Court of Oyer and Terminer, at
which, we think. Chief -Justice Spencer presided,
refused to entertain this defence, and held that
the Indians of this tribe, as well as all others
within this State, were subject to the laws of this
State; and the Indian was thereupon convicted
of the murder, and sentenced to be executed.
The court, however, under the peculiar circum-
stances, commended his case to the favorable
notice of the Governor, and the Governor commu-
nicated it to the Legislature, upon which the
Legislature, on the 12th of April, 1822, passed
"An Act declaring the jurisdiction of the courts
of this State, and pardoning Soo-non-gize, other-
28 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
wise called Tommy Jemmy." That act, after
reciting the claim of the Indians to jurisdiction,
proceeds to declare : " And whereas the sole and
exclusive cognizance of all crimes and offences
committed within this State belongs of right to
the courts holden under the constitution and laws
thereof, as a necessary attribute of sovereignty,
except only crimes and offences cognizable in the
courts deriving jurisdiction under the constitution
and laws of the United States ; and whereas it
has become necessary as well to protect the said
Indian tribes as to assert and maintain the juris-
diction of the courts of this State, that provision
should be made in the premises " — they then
enact that the sole jurisdiction is in the State
courts, w^ith the exception above mentioned ; and
that Soo-non-gize, otherwise called Tommy Jem-
my, is "fully and absolutely pardoned of said
felony." And thus terminated the last effort on
the part of the Six Nations to maintain their
standing as an independent government ; a mea-
sure that would have been very injurious to them
as a people if they had been successful, as it
would have left them without the protection of
the State government.
The Rev. Dr. John Bassett, the minister of the
Dutch Eeformed Church in Bushwick, on this
island, and who was formerly a minister of the
29
same Church in Albany, states that the Montauk
Indians npon the east end of Long Island for a
long period paid a tribute to the Six Nations of
Indians (tlie Five Nations of Golden, the Iroquois) ;
and that the consistory of the Dutch Reformed
Church in Albany were the agents for receiving
and paying over this tribute.
We recollect to have heard, about ten years
ago, that, fifteen or twenty years previous to that
time, it was usual for the farmers coming to the
city of New York from the east end of Long
Island, in the fall of the year, to bring w^ith them
to the city a quantity of w^ampum (Indian money),
which was to be sent to x\lbany. What its ulti-
mate destination was we were not then informed,
but we now have little doubt that it formed in
part, if not entirely, the tribute in question to be
paid to the Six Nations of Indians.
It is not a little strange that, after all we have
on tliis subject in our public records and histories,
and also the fact that the consistory of the Dutch
•Reformed Church at Albany were for many years
the agents for the receipt of this tribute from
the Montauks and other Indians on the eastern
part of Long Island and its transmission to the
Iroquois, Samuel Jones, Esq., of Oyster Bay,
South, should have expressed it as his belief, in
1817, that there was no evidence that the Indians
30 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
Oil Long Island, eastward of about thirty miles
from Xew York, were tributary to the Five Na-
tions. And he makes the further extraordinary
statement, directly opposed to the evidence af-
forded us by the extracts from the Dutch rec-
ords which we have previously cited, that " we
have no reason to believe that the Five Nations
had any war with the Indians on Long Island
after it was settled by Europeans " (New York
Llist. Society's Collections, vol. iii., page 324).
In these statements Mr. Jones is evidently giv-
ing us the results of his own thoughts, without
having examined the original documents, which
should alone determine such a question, or other-
wise he would soon have found evidence enough
of their incursions upon this island after the
Dutch settlement.
A small tribe of Nyack Indians was settled at
Nyack, on Long Island, in 1646 ; and they are
mentioned in the records of the Dutch Colonial
Government of the New Netherlands (now New
York) of that year.
It is said there is a tradition that a small tribe
of Indians formerly inhabited the valley between
the Brooklyn, Jamaica, and Flatbush Turnpike
road, and the Gowanus mill-ponds in the town
of Brooklyn. On the arrival and settlenKiur of
the Europeans here a quarrel ensued between
INDIANS, AND THEIR HISTOEY. 31
them and this tribe, in which one of the settlers
was killed. In order to avoid the vengeance of
the whites, the little tribe moved to the Jersey
shore not far from Communipaw, where they had
scarcely seated themselves before the whites at-
tacked them in the night and slaughtered tliem
all. (This tradition I had from Mr. Jacob Ilicks,
set. 58.) The tradition, however, we do not put
much faith in. There were undoubtedly several
small tribes scattered over different j^^i'ts of the
island of which we know little or nothing at pres-
ent.
At the first settlement of the white inhabitants
there was a very numerous Indian population on
this island, as is evident from the large portion
wdiich Daniel Denton, in his description of l^ew
York, printed at London in 1670 (the first work
on this colony in the English language, and he
an inhabitant of this island), devotes of his work
to describing their manners and customs. We
have also preserved tlie names of fourteen of
their tribes who were formerly located upon
Long Island.
Every few years some discoveries are made in
various parts of this island of the remains of
these aborigines. On dii2:2:ino; a few feet below
the surface recently at the Narrows, in Kings
County, more than a wagon-load of Indian stone
32 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
arrow-lieacls were found lying together, niider
circumstances calculated to induce the belief that
a large manufactory of those articles once ex-
isted at this place ; tliey were of all sizes, from
one to six inches long, some perfect, others partly
finished. There were also a number of blocks of
the same kind of stone found in the rough state,
as when brought from tlie quarry ; they had the
appearance of ordinary flint, and were nearly as
hard ; not only arrow-heads, but axes and other
articles of domestic use were made from these
stones.
In Queens County. — In this county the Iwock-
away, Merrikoke, and Marsapeague tribes of
Indians were settled on the south side ; and the
Matinecoc tribe on the north side. The middle of
the island seems to have been by common consent
the acknowledged boundary between the tribes
on the north and south sides. In this county,
about the year 1654, a battle was fought between
the English, under Captain John Under]] ill, and
the Marsapeague Indians. This is the only con-
test of any importance between the English and
Indians on Long Island, of which we have any
account. The Indians were defeated with con-
siderable loss.
In Suffolk County. — In this county were the
^Nissacpiage, Setauket, Corchaug, Secataug, Patch-
INDIANS, AND THEIR HISTORY. 33
ogue, Shinecoc and Montauk tribes of Indians.
The Manhanset tribe was on Shelter Island,
Earn Island, and Hog Island. Tradition asserts
they conld bring 500 warriors into the field.
Most of the tribes of Indians have totally disap-
peared like
" The baseless fabric of a vision."
The Montank, which occnpied Montauk Point
and Gardiner's Island, is the only tribe which has
any number in it, except the Shinecoc tribe.
In this decrease of the Indian tribes the white
population has not had tlie extensive agency
which many persons in our day seem to imagine ;
and a minute inquiry into the circumstances of
the case could scarcely fail to satisfy them that,
even where the utmost exertions were honestly
used to prevent it, tliis decrease could not be
stayed or retarded, much less arrested in its pro-
gress. The Dutch Government believed in the
possibility of converting the Indians, and also of
forming them into civilized communities, and
with that view were very rigid in their enact-
ments against all courses and practices which they
thought would interfere with the attainment of
that end. Thus it was that Governor Stuyvesant,
in 164:7, prohibited the sale of strong drink to
the Indians, under the heavy penalty of live hun-
34 loinG island antiquities.
dred Oarolus guilders " and the further respon-
sibility for all the misdemeanors that may result
therefrom ; " a law which was strictly enforced.
In addition to this he directed that in all cases
justice should be done to the aborigines ; that
their lands shonld not be taken without a fair
compensation, and that the inhabitants should pay
them for any work which the Indians should do
for them ; nnder " the penalty of such a iine
as according to the occasion shall be deemed
right."
These regulations were substantially continued
by the English Government for many years after
they came into possession of the colony. Many
exertions were used both by the Dutch and Eng-
lish Colonial Governments to Christianize the In-
dians upon this island, but with little success ;
the restraints which religion imposed were not
suited to their feelings or dispositions. The at-
tempt, however, was not abandoned. In the
year 1741, the Eev. Azariah Horton was the mis-
sionary to the Long Island Indians, a duty which
he assumed in the month of August of that year.
He states that then at the east end of the island
there were two small towns of the Indians, and
lesser companies settled at a few miles distance
from one another, for the length of above one
hundred miles between the extremities of the
INDIANS, AND TIIEIK HISTORY. 35
island. At liis first coming he was well received
by most of them, and heartily welcomed by some ;
the Indians at the east end especially gave
diligent and serious attention to his instructions,
and a general reformation of manners was soon
observable among them. Up to the close of the
year 1743, he had baptized thirty-five adults and
forty-four children. " He took pains with them
to teach them to read, and some of them have made
considerable proficienc}^" But notwithstanding
all this, Mr. Ilorton, in the early part of 1744,
complains of a great defection of some of these
Indians from their first reformation, caused by
" a relapse into their darling vice of drunkenness ;
a vice to which the Indians are everywhere so
greatly addicted, and so vehemently disposed, that
nothing but the power of Divine grace can restrain
that impetuous lust, when they have an oppor-
tunity of gratifying it." Under these discourag-
ing circumstances the mission was still continued ;
and we are under the impression that it was not
abandoned until after the commencement of the
Revolutionary war, which broke up most of the
churches in this colony.
To show how extremely difficult it was to pre-
vent the Indians from drinking, notwithstanding
all the restrictions imposed ]:)y the Government,
we refer to the case of the Rev. Samson Occom,
3G LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
the celebrated Mohegan minister, and a man
who the Eev. Dr. Buell, in a letter of May 9,
1761, characterizes as a " preacher of the Gospel
who seems always to have in view the end of the
ministry, the glory of God, and the salvation of
man," and who he also speaks of as " the glory of
the Indian nation." Yet this Indian clergyman,
learned and good as he undoubtedly was, could
not avoid the curse of his race, and in a letter
which he addressed to the Presbytery of Long
Island on the 9th of June, 1764, confesses himself
" to have been shamefull}^ overtaken by strong
drink, by which (he says) I have greatly wound-
ed the cause of God, blemished the pure religion
of Jesus Christ, blackened my own character,
and hurt my own soul."
This Indian avidity for strong drink is thus
portrayed by a chief of the Six N^ations, in a
speech he made to the Commissioners of the
United States at Fort Stanwix in the year 1788.
He observed : " The avidity of the white people
for land, and the thirst of the Indians for spii-itu-
ous liquors were equally insatiable ; that the white
men had seen and fixed their eyes upon the
Indian's good land and the Indians had seen and
fixed their eyes upon the white men's keg of rum.
And nothing could divert either of them from
their desired object ; and therefore there was no
87
remedy, but the white men must have the land
and the Indians the keg of rum."
This speech affords a correct view of the case.
The Indians could not be prevented from drink-
nio^, allhouo'h o^reat exertions were used to ac-
complish that end ; notliing human could effect
it ; it was alone (to use the words of the Rev. Mr.
Horton, in 174:4) tlie power of Divine Grace
that could restrain this impetuous lust.
This account of the Rev. Mr. Horton's mission
in 1744 was unfortunately the history of every
attempt to ameliorate the condition of these poor
tribes. So long as they were in the course of
instruction, and everything was done for them,
or they were assisted in doing matters in order to
teach them, things went on tolerably well ; but the
moment they were left to themselves to put in
practice the instructions they had received, in
governing their own towns, in conducting their
own church service, teaching their own schools,
and in cultivating their own fields, they began to
retrograde ; the benefits which they had received
were not communicated by them to their chil-
dren, and of course the next generation was
almost as much of savages as were their fathers
before the advantages of civilization were intro-
duced among them. Notwithstanding tliese dis-
couraging circumstances, oft-repeated attempts
38 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
were made to induce the remnants of these abori-
gines to adopt the habits and practices of civil-
ized life, but with very limited and partial suc-
cess, and laws were enacted by the State Legisla-
ture to facilitate these benevolent efforts, and to
prevent trespasses upon the lands of the Indians,
in order to induce them to resort to its cultivation
for their support. It seems to have been impos-
sible to satisfy tlie aboriginal inhabitants of this
island as to the value of education, or to convince
them that it was not a disadvantage for them to
possess it. This trait, however, is not peculiar to
the Indians of this island ; it is now found in full
operation in the minds of great numbers of the
aborigines west of the Mississippi, and is a most
serious bar to their advancement in the arts of
civilized life. Thej esteem their own education
(if it may be so called) as immensely superior to
that which we offer them, for the life which they
lead, and which they desire to continue in ; and
they look upon the learning and knowledge
which we tender to them as only calculated to be
of use alone to the white men. Notliing effectual
can l)e done towards civilizing and instructing
the Indians until this idea is removed from their
minds, and until they become cultivators of the
soil for a subsistence, — until they look to the
grain Avhich they raise, and to the cattle and
39
stock which they rear for a living, in place of
seeking it by the chase, and in fishing npon the
lakes and rivers. The moment they become
truly fixed to the soil (and that will probably not
be until one generation of cultivators shall have
passed away), they will see and feel the necessity
of knowledge, and they will then of their own
motion seek for it ; until that time arrives all
efforts to impart education to them are thrown
away, they place no value on it, but, on the con-
trary, regard it as an impediment to the course of
life on which they depend as a means of exist-
ence.
There has always been a very great and seri-
ous difiiculty which we have had to contend with
in all attempts to Christianize the aborigines,
to which sufficient attention has not been paid.
We refer to their religious belief. They believe
in one God, whom they call the Great Spirit ; and
who they believe controls and orders all things.
They also recognize the existence of an evil spirit,
and have their system of future rewards and pun-
ishments. It, therefore, often becomes extremely
difficult for the missionary to convince them that
he is preaching a new religious faith. To their
untutored minds the variances, so marked and pal-
pable to us, do not present themselves ; and
often has the sincere teacher of the Gospel been
40 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
obliged to confess that his prospect of success
would be very much better with a people who
wei-e the avowed worshippers of idols, stocks, and
stones, than with the Xorth American Indians,
and arising from the circumstances before re-
ferred to. It is true our Indians believed in a
pbirality of gods, but they were all subordinate
to the Great Spirit, and could not be distin-
guished by them from the angelic host of the
Christian faith ; for their subordinate gods were
the miuisteriug spirits of their superior god. The
religious faitli of the Long Island Indians is de-
scribed by the Rev. Samson Occom, an educated
Mohegan Indian ]ninister, as follows : " They
believe in a plurality of gods, and in one great
and good Being, who controls all the rest. They
likewise believe in an evil spirit, and have their
conjurers or pawaws." Occom was perfectly
conversant with their old religion, and one who
had great influence with them ; and when he re-
moved to Western Kew York with the remnants
of some of the New England tribes, a consider-
able number of the Montauks from this island
accompanied him.
i\\ the year 1792, in the hope that it would
benefit them, the Legislature of this State con-
ferred upon the Shinecoc Indians upon the east
end of this island, the power of electing three
INDIANS, AND THEIR HISTORY. 41
trustees from their own tribe to manage and ap-
portion their lands among the members of their
tribe, with a view to its improvement. At these
elections, each male Indian above twenty-one
years of age was a voter ; and the elections were
to be held annually in Southampton, on the iirst
Tuesday in April, at the place of holding the
annual town meeting ; and the town clerk of
Southampton was required to be present, and to
preside at these Indian elections. But the Legis-
lature would not permit these trustees to lease
out the lands of the tribe to any one without the
consent of three Justices of tlie Peace residino^
next to them, and then not for a longer period
than three years.
In order to promote friendship and a future
good understanding between the Montauk In-
dians and the white settlers, an agreement, in
writing, was entered into between them on the
3d day of March, 1702-3, by which all previous
differences were declared settled, and the respec-
tive rights of the Indians and the wliite inhabi-
tants to the lands in that vicinity adjusted.
Under this agreement they continued to live in
peace with each other, until about the year 1787,
when the Indians began to imagine that the
white proprietors were in possession of much
more land than had been declared to belong to
43 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
them by the agreement of 1703 ; and to test this
question they turned their cattle into some of the
fenced fields of the white people, which caused
their impounding. Upon the trial which result-
ed from this act, it was shown that the white
proprietors held the same lands that were award-
ed them by that agreement and no more. Then
the Indians came to regard the agreement itself,
under which the}^ had so long lived in peace, as a
serious grievance ; and in 1807 they petitioned the
Legislature of this State for relief in respect to
certain grievances which they said had been im-
230sed upon them by the proprietors of the lands
on Montauk in reference to the improvement of
their lands ; and they prayed the interference of
the Legislature to procure an alteration of the
agreement made by their ancestors with those
proprietors. The Legislature saw that these poor
Indians could not be referred to the courts of law
to test the validity of their agreement, as would
have been the course if that petition had em-
anated from anj^ other of the inhabitants of this
State, and they therefore appointed Ezra L'Hom-
medieu, John Smitli and Nicoll Floyd, Esq., of
Suffolk County, commissioners to inquire into
the grievances complained of by those Indians ;
and authorized them, with the consent of tlie pro-
prietors and the Indians, to make such arrange-
43
ment as they might judge equitable, for the
future improvement of the land at Montauk hy
the Indians, notwithstanding the agreement made
by their ancestors ; and to report their proceed-
ings to the Legislature at their next meeting.
These commissioners made their report to the
New York Legislature on the 30th of January,
1808, from which it clearly appeared that the
Indians were in error in believing their ancestors
had not conveyed to the white proprietors all the
lands they were then in possession of ; and they
also appended to their report the original agree-
ment which was i:&ade on the 3d of March, 1702-3,
which the Legislature ordered to be filed in tlie
office of the Secretary of State. By their report
the commissioners state that " the uneasiness of
the Indians in respect to their rights to land on
Montauk has been occasioned principally by
strangers (not inhabitants of this State), who, for
a nunal)er of years past, have made a practice of
visiting them, and have received from them pro-
duce and obligations for money for counsel and
advice, and their engagements to assist them in
respect to their claims to lands on Montauk,
other than those now held by the aforesaid agree-
ment." And the commissioners further state,
that " the neck of land they (the Indians) live
on contains about one thousand acres of the first
44 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
quality, on which, by the aforesaid agreement,
they have a right to plant Indian corn without
restriction as to the number of acres, besides im-
proving thirty acres for wheat or grass ; to keep
two hundred and fifty swine, great and small, and
fifty horse, kind and neat cattle, and to get hay
to winter them. They now enjoy privileges
equal with their ancestors, since the date of the
said agreement, although their numbers have
greatly diminished ;" and the commissioners con-
clude with expressing it as their opinion that
" there is no necessity of any further legislative
interference respecting them."
The explanations made by these commissioners
appear to have been satisfactory to the Indians,
and we hear nothing further from them until
1816, when they complained to the Governor aiid
the Legislature of som.e trespasses committed
upon their lands by the white people, which
complaint w^as answered by the appointment of
another commission to inquire into their condi-
tion, and to remedy the evils of which they com-
plained, w^hich is hereafter mentioned.
A considerable number of the Montauk In-
dians appear to have emigrated in 1783, together
with some other fragments of the great Mohegan
nation, of which they formed a part, into the w^est-
ern part of this State under the direction of the
45
Rev. Samson Occom, where they all together
merged into one tribe and became known as the
Brotliertown Indians. Thej were also some-
times called the N^ew England Indians, and con-
sisted of the following tribes — the Mohegan (em-
bracing all whose particular tribe was unknown,
and therefore the general national name was ap-
plied to them), the Montocks (or Montanks), the
Stonington and Narragansett Indians, the Pe-
qnots of Groton, and the Nehanticks of Far-
mington.
The Legislature of this State, in 1813, con-
firmed to these Indians the land previously
set apart for their use, and declared that it should
remain to tliem and their posterity, without the
power of alienation, and that the said tract
should be called Brothertown. They also pro-
vided that a school should be established there
for the Indians, to be supported out of the annual
sum of $2,160.79, to be paid out of the State
treasury, and that after also deducting the salary
of their attorney to look after their interests, the
balance should be applied to the use of those In-
dians as should be judged most beneficial to them.
In 1816, Govern.or Tompkins, at the request of
the Montauk Indians, appointed Richard Ilubbel
and Isaac Keeler, Esqrs., commissioners to inquire
into the trespasses committed upon their property,
46 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
and as far as practicable to have them redressed.
In their report the commissioners state : " That
about fifty families, consisting of 148 persons,
men, women, and children, inhabit said point —
that fourteen of the women are widows, and
that they all live in about thirty huts, or wig-
wams, nearly in the same style as Indians have
for centuries past." These Indians, at present,
obtain their living principally from the sea,
although they till some land for raising corn,
beans, and potatoes, in small patches or lots. They
are in possession of about 500 aci-es of land of the
best quality. They keep cows, swine, poultry,
one horse and one pair of oxeii. Their land,
through bad tillage, is unproductive. Civilization
and education appear to be much on the decline,
and their house of worship, which was formerly
in a flourishing state, is now going to ruin. The
elder inhabitants have learning sufficient to read
and write, but the children are brought up in a
savage state. The Montauk and Shinecoc Indians
are the only tribes now remaining on this island.
There are a few miserable individuals the rem-
nants of some eastern tribes of this island, but no
great number of them.
About the year 1819, Stephen, the king or
sachem of the Montauk Indians, died, and was
buried by a contribution. This Indian king was
INDIANS, AND THEIR HISTORY. 47
only distinguislied from others of his tribe by
wearing a hat with a yellow ribbon on it (E. S.
King, iet. 22, Jan., 1825).
The Sag Harbor newspaper, in 1830, mentions
that on the 5th of January of that 3'ear, there
died at Poospatuck, near Moriches, on Long Island,
Elizabeth Job, aged seventy-two years, relict of
Ben Job, and queen of the Indians in that place,
" leaving but two females of her tribe, both well
stricken in years. Thus ends the custom, for
many ^^ears kept up, of paying a yearly tribute of
a handful of rushes to their queen."
^Notwithstanding the Indians upon the east end
of Long Island were so much reduced in num-
bers, the State Government, in 1831, made
another attempt to elevate them in the scale of
life, and on the 19th of April of that year, the
Legislature passed an act directing the SujDcrin-
tendent of Common Schools annually to pay the
additional sum of eighty dollars from the school
fund to the treasurer of the county of Suffolk,
to support a school among the Shinecoc Indians,
for the instruction of their children. And they
require the Commissioners of Common Schools
in Southampton to include in their annual re-
port " a statement of the length of time that a
school has been taught in pursuance of this act ;
the number of children taught in said school ;
48 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
the manner in wliich such moneys have been ex-
pended; and whether any and how much re-
mains unexpended, and for what cause."
This law was limited to three years, but by
another act passed March 1st, 1845, it was re-
newed for four years, from April 28th, 1844, ^* and
no longer, nnless the same shall be extended by
the Legislature."
Thus we see the Indians upon Long Island
dwindling away notwithstanding all the exer-
ticais used by the Government for their support
and advancement. The Indian and the white
man, it seems, cannot live together ; the former
insensibly waste away before the latter, even
w^iere they are well and kindly treated, and the
utmost care taken for their preservation. At
Eastham, on Ca23e Cod, in 1674, Rev. Mr. Treat,
the minister settled there, states that there were
four Indian villages under his care. They had
teachers and magistrates of their own people, and
they were so kindly and affectionately treated by
him that they venerated him as their pastor, and
loved him as their father. There were then five
hundred adult persons in their four villages, all
of whom attended public worship. But all these
exertions made for their benefit were of no avail,
they wasted away by fatal diseases and other
causes not easily explained, so that in 1693 they
INDIANS, AND THEIR HISTORY. 49
Vv'ere reduced to only foui' individuals. So it
was also on Long Island, as we have learned from
the old inhabitants who were born on that island
and resided upon it all their lives ; here the In-
dians, although permitted to erect their wigwams
where they pleased upon the farms of the pro-
prietors, not in the grain fields, and one family
of them passed their whole lives upon the farm
of our grandfather, free of rent, and were em-
ployed about farming duties, and paid for their
services, and treated ^ith kindness, yet they
seemed to die away in an unaccountable manner;
no Hocks of children were to be seen playing
about their huts. Their destruction cannot be
attributed, as some now imagine, to the introduc-
tion of ardent spirits among them by the white
men, for old people will tell you that many of
them did not indulge that way, and our Pilgrim
fathers and Dutch ancestors made many very strict
regulations to prevent the sale of those liquors to
the Indians. There were indeed numerous cases
of inebriation among them, for this seems to be a
vice which the Indian cannot well avoid. We
must bear in mind that the liquors then in use
throughout the country were pure and unadul-
terated, the people having not then learned the
art of making the noxious compounds now
vended under those names, so that they would not
3
50 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
produce the deleterious effects which we witness
in those who now use them. But the real truth
of the case is^ the Indians had performed tlieir
duty, and fulfilled their destiny in this world,
and Providence designed that their place should
be supplied bja different race and order of men,
and had so ordered matters that portions of this
continent became gradually no longer fitted for
their state of existence, and as a necessary conse-
quence tliey faded away. If we would accustom
ourselves to look upon such things in a different
and more extended point of view, and not at-
tempt to explain them from our finite political
considerations, we w^ould be more frequently
much nearer the truth.
Lewis and Clarice's 2 ravels (Svo, Phila., IS 14)
shows us that the small-pox, which had then be-
come an epidemic disease in civilized countries,
also raged with almost unparalleled malignity on
the banks of the Missouri river among the Indian
tribes at the commencement of the present cen-
tury ; whole villages and nations were swept
away by it.
The following account of its effect upon the na-
tion of the Mahas will exhibit one of the causes in
progress for the destruction of the Indian tribes.
" The ancient village of Mahas consisted of
three hundred cabins, but was burned about four
INDIANS, AND THEIK HISTORY. 51
years ago (in 1800), soon after the small-pox had
destroyed four hundred men, and a proportion of
women and children. On a hill in the rear of
the village are the graves of the nation."
" The accounts we have had of the effects
of the small-pox on that nation are most
distressing ; it is not known in what way it was
first communicated to them, though probably by
some war party. They had been a military and
powerful people ; but when these warriors saw
their strength wasting before a malady which
they could not resist, their frenzy was extreme ;
they burnt their village, and many of them put to
death their wives and children to save them from
BO cruel an affliction, and that all might go to-
gether to some better country."
At various periods of our history the fell pesti-
lence has swept before it whole tribes and nations
of the red men from the face of the earth.
Thus it was the year before the pilgrims landed
in ]^ew England, the country had been nearly
depopulated by some fell disease among the abo-
rigines. The first white settlers upon landing
found nothing but the graves of the previous in-
habitants, and their corn-fields with the crop un-
gathered. It was in this way that Providence
opened the country for its settlement by a civil-
ized race, which, in all human probability, would
52 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
not have been effected by the small number of
pilgrims who made their landing at Plymouth, if
the native tribes had existed in their pristine
strength. And again, within our own time, about
twenty -five years since, the small-pox made its
appearance amongst the Marden Indians, one of
the most numerous, and the most civilized, as
well as the most powerful tribe west of the Mis-
sissippi river, and entirely destroyed them. Their
manners, habits and customs are preserved to us
by the sketches of George Catlin, Esq., who visited
their villages, and remained with them some
months, about two years previous to their de-
struction.
A singular natural phenomenon appears when
the Indian blood is mixed with that of the white
man ; it scarcely ever lasts beyond the second
genei-ation ; and is very rarely met with beyond
the third generation, but gradually wastes away,
so that it is a common remark that the half-
breeds soon run out. All these things melt away
the Indian tribes from before the face of the
white man ; and yet, notwithstanding all this,
the Europeans, and especially the English, are
often reading us homilies on our treatment of the
Indians, in which they only exhibit their ignor-
ance of the entire subject.
A writer in the Gentlemanh Magazine^ Lon-
1
INDIANS, AND THEIR HISTORY. 53
don, for December, 1846, nnder the head of Ex-
tra-ts from the Portfolio of a Man of the World,
seems to think he lias found a panacea for all
the evils attending this decrease of the Indian
race, in a project which he admits cannot now be
tried ; it is this :
" Had settlements of the Europeans been made
at once in the far West by a set of bachelor
soldiers, and the Roman and Sabine mariages
forces been effected in a civil way, the two races
might have melted into one another miperceived,
and spread their civilization backwards to the
East, and red men and white men become as
little distinguishable as a Sabine from a Roman
in the time of Cicero."
Nothing but a want of knowledge could induce
such a proposition, otherwise he would have
known that this mixed race, so far from spreading
civilization over the continent, would have been
in every respect a more debased and worthless
race, and less likely to communicate any of the
benefits they had received from their European
fathers than even the pure Indian race.
And who is there accustomed to take enlarged
and extended views upon such subjects, that
when he looks upon the Indian race and the
mode practised by them in obtaining their food,
can help but be struck with the idea, that Provi-
54 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
dence is by this means prej)aring the way for the
extinction of that race of men, and for having
their phice supplied by one of an entirely dif-
ferent character. Nothing in om* j iidgment shows
this more clearly than the common Indian prac-
tice of setting fire to the prairie, and even to the
forest, in order to drive to them their game. Sir
Francis Head, in his Emigrant, on this point
observes, that the aborigines for many years have
been and still are in the habit of burning tracts
of wood so immense, that, from very high and
scientific authority, he was informed that the
amount of land thus burned has exceeded many
millions of acres, and that it has been and still is
materially changing the climate of North Amer-
ica. But besides this effect it is simultaneously
working out another great object of nature. This
improvident mode of obtaining game, by the de-
struction it brings upon all the small game and
the young of the larger variety, while it for a
short time affords the Indian an abundance,
eventually afflicts with famine and destitution all
engaged in it, to the utter destruction of the
Indian tribes ; an instance of which is given in
the Beaver Indians of Canada, who forty years
ago were a numerous and powerful tribe, and are
now reduced to less than one hundred men, w^ho
can scarcely find wild animals enough to keep
55
themselves alive. Tlie red population all over
this continent have, from the period of its first
discovery to the present day, been diminishing in
the same ratio as the destruction of the moose
and the buffalo, upon wliich they and their fore-
fathers have subsisted ; and thus it is tliat we see,
under a dispensation of Providence, by the agency
of the aboriginal race, this continent is gradually
undergoing a process which, with other causes,
will assimilate its climate to that of Europe, and
that the Indians themselves are clearing and pre-
paring their own country for the reception of
another and different race, who will in subse-
quent ages gaze upon the remains of the elk, the
bear, the buffalo, and the beaver, with the sam-e
feeling of astonishment with which similar ves-
tiges are now regarded in portions of Europe,
the monuments of a state of existence that has
passed away. AVliat, let us ask, has the civilized
race in America to do with this certain and un-
erring cause of extinction operating upon the
nations of the aborigines on this continent ? It
is indeed curious and worthy of note, that English
writers, in treating of Canada, can both readily
see and recognize the operation and effect of this
great law of Providence ; but when they turn
their eyes to the United States and observe the
same effects .produced and operating upon our
56 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
Indian tribes, they insist upon their being the
result of oitr policy towards the aborigines, and
that we are driving them before us out of exist-
ence. So little qualified are the English, as a
peoplfe, to judge correctl}^ in matters affecting
other nations, and especially if they are pleased
to regard them in any light as rivals.
TRADITIONS.
The Devil's Stepping Stones. — It is said that,
at a certain time, doubtless some ages ago, the
devil set up a claim against the Indians to Con-
necticut as his peculiar domain ; but they being
in possession, were determined, of course, to try
to hold it. The surfaces of Connecticut and Long
Island were at that time the reverse of what they
are at present. Long Island was covered with
rocks, and Connecticut was free from them. The
Indians refused to quit on so short a notice, and
accordingly both parties prepared for the contest.
His Satanic majesty crossed to Connecticut, to
enforce his claim by dispossessing the Indians ;
but he was disappointed, the Indians were too
much for him, and forced him to retreat to
57
Throg's Point. The tide being low and the pas-
sage not very wide, the demon secured his retreat
})j stepping from rock to rock until he reached
Lono^ Island. After havino^ seated himself in the
middle of the island at Coram and brooding over
his defeat in a sullen humor, he suddenly roused
himself, and collecting together all the rocks he
could conveniently get at on the island, lie de-
posited them in heaps at Cold Spring, where he
amused himself with hurling them across the sound
on the fertile plains of Connecticut. The Indians
who last remained in that part of the country, not
only undertook to show the spot where he stood,
but also insisted that they could discern the prints
of his feet.
RoNKONKAMA FoND. — This piccc of watcr,
from its lonely and secluded situation, was often
the theme of Indian story. Among the many
traditions respecting this interesting little lake,
the following is all that I have been able to ob-
tain at this distant day. The aborigines appear to
have regarded it with a sort of awful veneration.
They considered its depths as unfathomable, and
believed that the fish were specially placed there
by the Great Spirit. Under this impression, at
the time of the first settlement, they refused to
eat them, regarding them as superior beings.
John Bull's Talk to the Indians. — King Ben,
58 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
wlio Styled himself one of the last of the Indian
chiefs on Long Island, often resided on Whale's
Neck, Qneen's County. lie nsed to relate many
wonderful stories about the first settlers, and often
told the story of John Bull speaking to the In-
dians, wliich was as follo\\'S : The English had a
large cannon which they told the natives was
John Bull, and that on a certain day he would
make a talk to them. Accordingly, on the day
appointed, the poor Indians were placed in a line
fronting the mouth of the gun, which being
shotted was fired off to their destruction. King
Ben says that the wrath of the Great Spirit, by rea-
son of this outrage, was so great that at the sea-
son of the year when this foul murder was com-
mitted, no grass wiU grow upon that accursed
spot, which still bears the stain of human blood.
The fact is, that the place where this wicked deed
is alleged to have been committed is a rido^e of
red gravelly soil, on which in the dry season
nothing can grow for want of moisture.
MoNGOTucKSEE. — Caiioe place, on the south side
of Long Island, derives its name from the fact,
that more than two centuries ago, a canal was
made there by the Indians, for the purpose of
passing tlieir canoes from one bay to the other,
that is, across the island frcm Mecox bay to
Peconic bay. Although the trencliTTarijeen in
MONGOTUCKSEE S CANAL. 59
a great measure filled np, yet its remains are still
visible and partly flowed at high water. It was
constructed by Mongotuc'isee (or Long Knife),
who then reigned over the nation of Montank.
Although that nation has now dwindled to a
few miserable remnants of a powerful race, who
still linger on the lands which were once the seat of
their proud dominion, yet their traditional history
is replete with all those tragical incidents which
usually accompany the fall of power. It informs
us that their chief was of gigantic form, proud
and despotic in peace, and terrible in war. But
although a tyrant of his people, yet he protected
them from their enemies and commanded their
respect for his savage virtues. The praises of
Mongotucksee are still chanted in aboriginal
verse to the winds that howl around the eastern
extremity of this island. The Narragansetts and
the Mohocks yielded to his prowess, and the an-
cestors of the last of the Mohicans trembled at
the expression of his anger. He sustained his
power not less by the resources of his mind than
by the vigor of his arm. An ever watchful po-
licy guided his counsels. Prepared for every
exigency, not even aboriginal sagacity could sur-
prise his caution. To facilitate communication
around the seat of his dominion for the purpose
not only of defence but of annoyance, he con-
CO LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
structed this canal, which remains a monument of
his genius, while other traces of his skill and
prowess are lost in oblivion, and even the nation
whose valor he led may soon furnish for our
country a topic in contemplating the fallen great-
ness of the last of the Montauks. After his death
the Montauks were subjugated by the Iroquois or
Five Nations, and became their tributaries, as did
all the tribes on this island. The strong attach-
ment and veneration which the Montauk Indians
entertained for their chief is evidenced by the
following fact : Within a short distance of Sag
Harbor, in the forest by the roadside, is a shal-
low excavation, which the Indians were formerly
very particular in keeping clean ; each on pass-
ing stopped to clean it out. The reason they
gave for their so doing, was, that a long time ago
a Montauk chief having died at Shinecoc, the
Indians brought him from that place to Amma-
gansett to be interred in the usual bury iiig-pl ace,
and during their journey they stopped to rest, and
placed the body of their dead chieftain in that
excavation during the meanwhile ; in consequence
of which the spot had with them acquired a spe-
cies of sacred character.
About forty years ago, there were upwards of
130 families of Indians on Montauk ; now (1827)
they have dwindled to four or five families.
THE SACHEM WACOMBOUND. 61
Some of their squaws are very handsome women.
The royal familj- of the Montauks were distin-
guished among tlie Engh'sh by the name of Faro.
The last of the family, a female, died a year or
two ago. The authority or pre-eminence of the
Montauk chieftain, as the head of the Mohegan
family on this island, appears not only to have
been claimed by them, but also to have been ac-
knowledged by the other tribes, and his assent
seems to have been required to any treaty or con-
veyance made by any of tlie tribes upon Long
Island with or to the white men. In the deed
of confirmation given to the white settlers of
Hempstead on the 4th of July, 1647, by tlie Mas-
eapeage, Merioke, and Rockaway tribes of In-
dians, they mention the fact of the Montauk
Sachem "being present at the contirmation."
And again, in another deed of May 11th, 1658,
by which the Indians acknowledge to have re-
ceived full payment of the balance due for the
lands purchased by the settlers of Hempstead,
the payments being made by instalments, at the
bottom, after signatures of all the chiefs of the
tribes, it is said, " Subscribed by Wacombound,
Montauk Sachem, after the death of his father,
this 14th of February, 1660, being a general town
meeting at Hempstead." Plis allowance or con-
firmation of the deed appearing to be esteemed
62 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
necessary to its validity. The Montauk chief
was also styled the Grand Sachem of Paunian-
acke, or Long Island ; no inconsiderable dignity
in that day.
Manetta Hill. — About thirty miles from
Brooklyn, and midway between the north and
south sides of this island, is a hill known by the
name of Manet ^ or Manetta Hill. This, however,
is a corruption of the true name, which was Man-
itou Hill^ or the Hill of the Great Spirit ; which
appellation is founded on the tradition, that many
ages since, the aborigines residing in those parts
suffered extremely from the want of water. Un-
der their suffering they offered up prayers to the
Great Spirit for relief. That in reply to their
supplications, the Good Spirit directed that their
principal chieftain should shoot his arrow^ into the
air, and on the spot where it fell they should dig,
and would assuredly discover the element they
so much desired. They pursued the direction,
dug, and found water. There is now a well situ-
ated on this rising ground, w^hich is not deep, and
the tradition continues to say that this w^ell is on
the very spot indicated by the Good Spirit. This
hill was undoubtedly used in ancient times as
the place of general offering to the Great Spirit
in the name and behalf of all surrounding peo-
ple ; and was of the character of the hill-altars
SLOrGHTER AND THE INDIANS. 63
SO common among the early nations. It is from
this circumstance that the name was most proba-
bly derived.
This is another of oar Long Island Indian
traditions, all of which are now fast fading from
the recollections of our oldest inhabitants, and
which, most generally, are not deemed of suffi-
cient importance by tlie younger portion of the
community to be preserved in memory. This is
the reason why we have sought to preserve those
of which we have heard, in our plain and homely
language.
The Long Island Indians possessed all that pe-
culiar eloquence which has so long distinguished
the aborigines of the West ; and it was mainly
from them that the Europeans first obtained their
ideas of Indian oratory, and of the strong and
bold imagery which characterize tlie Indian
speeches. The aborigines of this island had all
that singular tact, which still marks the Indian,
of discovering at once, in their intercourse with
white men, wdio are really the men of power and
consequence, and wdio are not ; and to the former
they pay their respects, taking no notice of the
others. The following official account of an inter-
view which took place at Flatlands, upon Long
Island, between Governor Sloughter and a Long
Island Indian Sachem and his sons, will afford
64 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
an instance of their eloquence and their sagacity
— they saw that Leisler, however powerful he
might have been only a few weeks previous, was
then a fallen man, without power, and at the
mercy of his inveterate enemies.
This extraordinary interview took place on the
2d of April, 1691, between the Governor of New
York and a Sachem of Long Island, attended by
two of his sons and twenty other Indians. The
Sachem, on being introduced, congratulated Gov-
ernor Sloughter in an eloquent manner upon his
arrival, and solicited his friendship and protec-
tion for himself and his people ; observing that
he had in his own mind fancied his Excellency
was a mighty tall tree, with wide-spreading
hranches, and therefore he prayed leave to stoop
under the shadow thereof. Of old (said he) tlie
Indians were a gi-eat and mighty people, but now
tliey were reduced to a mere handful. He con-
cluded his visit by presenting the Governor with
thirty fathoms of wampum, which he graciously
accepted, and desired the Sachem to visit him
again in the afternoon. On taking their leave,
the youngest son of the Sachem handed a bundle
of brooms to the officer in attendance, saying, at
the same time, that, " as Leisler and his party had
left the house very foul, he brought the brooms
with him for the purpose of making it clean again."
P.
REVEREND PAUL CUFFEE. 65
In the afternoon the Sachem and his party
again yisited the Governor, who made a speech
to them, and on receiving a few presents they
departed. Some of the Indians npon this island
have evinced considerable talent in other respects
as well as in oratory. The Rev. Samson Occom,
the celebrated Mohegan minister, was for a con-
siderable time a missionary among the Indian
tribes on this island. Some of his sermons and
other pieces, which have been printed, are well
written, and exhibit an edncated mind, to snch
an extent as wonld nnqnestionably snrprise those
who have not thought mnch upon the subject of
these people.
Paul Cuffee was also an Indian minister, a
native of tlie Shinecoc tribe, and a man of con-
siderable powers of mind, with some elocpience,
who formei-ly labored among the Indians of
Montauk and his native tribe ; and although not
possessing mnch education, he was a useful and
respectable man. lie was buried about a mile
west of Canoe place, where the Indian church
then stood, and over his grave a neat marble slab
has been placed, having upon it the following in-
scription : " Erected by the Missionary Society of
New York, in memory of the Rev. Paul Cuffee,
an Indian of the Shinecoc tribe, who was em-
ployed by that society for the last thirteen years
66 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
of his life on the eastern part of Long Island,
where he labored with fidelity and success.
Humble, pious and indefatigable in testifying
the Gospel of the Grace of God, he finished his
course with joy on the 7th day of March, 1812,
aged 55 years and 3 days."
In the early period of the settlement of this
colony under the Dutch Government, the In-
dians upon Long Island were far from preserv-
ing uniformly peaceful relations with the colo-
nists, and the latter suffered from their incursions
upon their settlements, and were not unfre-
quently under serious apprehensions from attacks
by the Indians.
This fact is abundantly shown by a reference
to the minutes of the proceedings of the Dutch
Colonial Government, still preserved in the ofiice
of our Secretary of State, at Albany. The
Council minutes of March 25, 1643, has the
following entry, narrating a previous state of
hostility, and the concluding of a peace between
the Long Island Indians and the Dutch Govern-
ment.
" Whereas, in some time past, several misun-
derstandings have taken place between the
savages of Long Island and our nation, by which,
from both sides, blood has streamed upon the
land, the houses have been robbed and burned,
67
with the killing of the stock and carrying off the
corn by the Indians, so it is, that between us and
them who already follow the banner of their
great chief, Pennowits^ a solid peace has been
established, so that all injuries, from whatsoever
side, are hereby forgiven and forgotten."
The hostile spirit manifested by the Indians
in what is now Kings County, in the year 1644,
was such that the Dutch government stationed
soldiers in the town of New Utrecht to defend
the inhabitants from the aborigines. The "Eng-
lish soldiers" mentioned in the following official
document, describing an Indian attack upon New
Utrecht, in which their conduct is complained of,
were not foreign soldiers brought into the colony,
but were the inhabitants of the adjoining English
toion of Gravesend, who had been enrolled by the
Dutch authorities in this emergency.
" March 9th, 1644:, appeared before the Se-
cretary, Cornells Cornelissen, from Utrecht,
twenty-two years old, and declares that being a
sentinel at night before the house of Jochem
Pietersen; being about two o'clock, near the
cow-rick, about fifty paces from the barn, he
saw approaching a burning pile "^ (an arrow), the
* The Indians are still in the habit of shooting arrows hav-
ing tow, hemp or other inflammable substance on fire against
buildings, so as to destroy them, in their wars.
68 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
flames as blue as the flame of brimstone, about
twenty paces from the house, between the dung-
hill and cherry-tree door, which pile or arrow
fell on the reeden cos-er of the house, which was
soon in full flame by the violence of the wind.
A little after he heard the firing of a gun from
the same spot from which the arrow came. The
English soldiers would not leave the cellar where
they slept, wherefore obtaining no assistance the
house was consumed.
" Jacob Lambertsen, aged twenty, declares that
going at night, about two o'clock, on patrol, around
the house of Jochem Pietersen, he saw a flaming
arrow, the flame resembling much the color of
brimstone, etc. When the house was in full flame
he heard the report of a gun, which they suspect-
ed was fired by the Indians whom they heard yet
the next morning hallooing and firing. During
the fire the English soldiers did not stir from the
cellar where they slept.
'^ John Hagaman, Peter Jansen,and Dirk Ger-
ritsen also declared that the English soldiers
offered not the least assistance."
The Dutch government seem to have considered
this Indian attack, and the circumstances attend-
ing it, a very important matter, and had the same
under advisement, and were collecting testimoiiy
about it late in the month of May following. < ^w
THE FORT ON FOKT NECK. 69
tlie 19tli of May, 1644, Cornelis Cornelissen was
aorain exainiiied, and he " certifies that some time
before the house was burned he asked Jochem
leave to go to the Manhattan, etc."
The only battle which the English settlers upon
Long Island had with the Indians was in 1653, in
the storming of the Indian fort upon Fort Neck,
in Queens County. The Indians had for some
little time previous shown a very unfriendly dis-
position towards the English settlers in that part
of the island ; at last they garrisoned tliis fort
upon Fort Keck, from which they at times issued
forth in parties, destroying the crops of the colo-
nists and driving off their cattle and horses, and
eventually killed some two or three of the set-
tlers. The colonists at once assembled, and all of
them being armed, they put themselves under the
command of Capt. John Underbill ; who at once
stormed the Indian fort, and in doing which
destroyed so many of their people that the Indians
were very peaceful towards the English colonists
on Long Island ever after.
The following extraordinary circumstance con-
nected with the battle is related by Samuel Jones,
Esq., in his communication addressed to John
Pintard, Esq., Secretary of the New York Histor-
ical Society, and printed in the third volume of
the collections of that Society.
70 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
" After the battle at Fort I^eck, the weather
being very cold, and the wind northwest, Capt.
Underbill and his men collected the bodies of the
Indians, and threw them in a heap on the brow
of the hill, and then sat down on the leeward side
of the heap to eat their breakfast.
" When this part of the country came to be set-
tled, the highw^ay across the Neck passed directly
over the spot wdiere it was said the heap of Indi-
ans lay, and the earth in that spot was remarkably
different from the ground around it, being strongly
tinged with a reddish cast, w^hich the old people
said was occasioned by the blood of the Indians."
Mr. Jones, speaking of this tradition, observes :
" This appearance was formerly very conspicuous.
Having heard the story above sixty years ago
(that is before the year 1752), I frequently
viewed and remarked the spot with astonishment.
But by digging down the hill for repairing the
highway the appearance is now entirely gone."
The ancient Indian name of Long Island is
said to have been Mattenwake / and that this
word is compounded of the word Mattai^ which
in the Delaware or Lenape language signifies an
island (see Heckewelder), and the word wake
marking its peculiar characteristic. All the In-
dian names of places, so far as we know them, de-
rive their origin from local circumstances; are
THE NAME OF L02sG INLAND. 71
peculiarly and graphically characteristic of the
places to which they were applied, and were there-
fore composed of two or more words.
It is, however, a difficult matter to ascertain at
the present day, what the true Indian name of
this island was. In the early settlement of the
eastern part of the island, the Montauk chieftain
in his deed to the settlers, styles himself Sachem
of " Paumanacke^ or Long Islmuir Hubbard,
in his History of Xew England, says : " That at
the time of the grant to the Earl of Stirling in
1G35, it was called by the Indians Mattan-
wakeP
In Beauchamp's " Description of the Province
of Kew Albion," etc., London, 164:8, this island is
called by the Indian name of Pamiinhe ; and in
the patent of Charles 11. to his brother the Duke
of York in 1664, it is called Meitowax^ as being
its Indian name. It is probable that the name
as given by Hubbard is the true one. In the jS^arra-
gansett language, Mattan was a term used to
signify anything fine or good, and duhe^ or ahe^
meant land or earth, thus the whole w^ord would
mean the good or pleasant land, which was cer-
tainly highly characteristic of Loiig Island, even
at the period of its early settlement, as abundantly
appears from the description of it by Yander-
donck, Denton, and other writers.
72 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
The celebrated Indian war in ISiew England,
called ^' King Philip's War," caused much excite-
ment and apprehension in this city and colony,
from the fear lest the Indians upon Long Island
and near 'New York, being of the same great Mo-
hegan family with the Peqnots and Narragansetts,
might be induced to join Philip's league against
the English, as they knew he had sent his envoys
among them for that purpose.
Under this view of the case the Court of As-
sizes of this Colony, then being the legislative
power, at their term held in New York on the
18tli day of October, 1675, "ordered, that in case
there should happen a war with the Indians in
this Government (which God forbid), for the bet-
ter carrying on of the same, one or more rates
shall be levied, according as there shall be occas-
ion, an account whereof to be given to the follow-
ing Court of Assizes." To take away all excuse for
any such war on the part of the Indians within
this colony, they also ordered :
" That in all cases the mao^istrates throup:h the
whole government are required to do justice to
the Indians as well as Christians."
At the same session this Court of Assizes, to
prevent if possible all excitement among the Long
Island Indians, ordered, " That the law be ob-
served which prohibits selling strong liquors to
THE colonists' PRECAUTION. 73
tlie Indians in Yorkshire, upon Long Island and
Dependencies."
*■' And that, pursuant to the law, the constables
of the several towns take care no powder or lead
be sold to the Indians, but by them as directed,
or by their consent."
It then became a question of the utmost mo-
ment how these two great branches of the Mohe-
gan family should be separated, and the branch
upon Long Island kept from uniting with that in
New England, and the Court of Assizes at this
session adopted the following regulations :
" Upon a proposal whether it will not be con-
venient at this juncture of time of the Indians'
disturbance to the eastward, to bring all tlie ca-
noes on the north side of Long Island to this
place, or to have them all destroyed, to prevent
any intercourse with the Indians on the main and
our Indians ; or that these canoes be brought to
the next towns and secured by the officei's : It is
resolved that all canoes whatsoever belonging to
Christians or Indians on the north side of Long
Island to the east of Hell Gate, shall, within three
days after the publication hereof, be brought to
the next town and delivered into the constables'
(custody, to be laid up and secured by them near
their block houses ; and that whatever canoe shall
be found upon the sound after that time be de-
stroyed."
4
74 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
The enforcing of these regulations prevented
the apprehended Indian war in this colony, and
secured the neutrality of the Long Island Indi-
ans during the Indian war of Khig Philip in
New England.
CHANGES IN THE ASPECT OF THE COUNTET.
That the greater part, if not all, of this island
on the south side of the range of hills called the
Backbone of Long Island, is that kind of soil
called alluvial, and has been formed from the
ocean's bed, must be apparent to attentive observ-
ers of the face of the country, and its geological
formation.
Several years since, in di^rsfino; a well on some
of the highest ground in Brooklyn, a hemlock
board was found at the depth of thirty feet ; and
again at the depth of seventy-three feet oyster
and clam shells were met with, which crumbled
on being exposed to the air.
It is l)elieved that Governor's Island and Red
Hook Point, on this island, were connected to-
gether. It is said to be an established fact tliat
inany years since cattle were driven from Bed
Ilook to Governor's Island, which places at that
time were only separated by a very narrow chan-
nel, which is called Buttermilk Channel, and is
THE BUTTERMILK CHANNEL. 75
now wide and deep enough to admit the passage
of merchant vessels of the largest size. ' Mr.
Charles Donghty, formerly a very respectable in-
habitant of the town of Brooklyn, who has been,
dead about twenty-live years, and was about
eighty-five years of age when he died, used to say
that when he was a young man he had been told
by old people that they recollected when an In-
dian squaw waded from Governor's Island to
Long Island with her papoose.
This is rendered the more probable from a state-
ment we received from a gentleman in the close
of the year 1846, now residing in the city of
Xew York, who informed us, the summer of 1821
he crossed from the extensive flats south of Cor-
nell's Red Mills, and between those Mills and
Red Hook in Brooklyn, to Governor's Island, and
back again, and that he walked the whole dis-
tance except about twenty -five feet, which he was
obliged to swim. He says he is certain it was
not over twenty-five feet, and he thinks it was
less.
Gravesend, in Kings County, was at its first set-
tlement laid out in streets crossing each other at
right angles and intended for a city, and had a
bold shore with a good depth of water. Old Mr.
Barry, an inhabitant of N^ew Utrecht, now (1822)
eighty-nine years of age, says that he perfectly
76 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
recollects of old people telling him when he was
young, that they remembered when the sea broke
against the land at Gravesend, which now breaks
upwards of a mile distant ; the beach having been
formed since that time, as well as the meadow
between the beach and the main land. Mr. Kiit-
gert Yan Brunt, who is now about sixty years of
age, says that the beach is decreasing, and he
doubts not but the time will arrive when both
the beach and meadow will be washed away,
and the sea again break on the land.
In the township of Flatbush (which is very
level), in sinking a well on the place of William
I. Furman, Esq., distant about five miles from
the Jamaica Bay, at the depth of one hundred
feet two petrified clams were found, one of which
appears to be of the species called sand clams,
and is in the cabinet of Judge Furman of l^ew-
town. The other is of the species called the mud
chim, and is in the possession of the compiler.
Hempstead Plains is composed of small pebble
stones, such as are found on the seashore, and
there is not a stone larger than your fist, if so
large, to be found in all Hempstead. All their
biiildino: stone is brousfht from the rids^e of hills
before referred to as the Backbone of Lono'
Island.
There is a tradition (whether correct or not, I
OYSTERS OF BLUE POIXT BAY. 77
am unable to say) that Blue Point Bay Avas for-
merly a swamp, in which wild allspice grew in
large quantities ; and it is said that the oy stern len
frequently draw up with their rakes decayed pieces
of that wood. This l)ay was formerly famous for
its very large and very line oysters.
The people on this island have a curious
account of the disappearance of these oysters.
They say, that the poor people from all the coun-
try round used to support themselves in a great
measure by the oysters which they took here for
their owm consum])tion and to sell. The town of
Brookhaven, in which the bay is situated, at last
determined they would derive a revenue from
these oysters, and passed a law, in town meeting,
that no one should take them without a license,
for which they should pay a certain sum. This
was resisted for some time, but at last the town
raised a body of armed men and fitted out two or
three armed boats, and drove off the poor people :
and that as soon as this was consummated, not
an oyster was taken, the rakes brought up noth-
ing but empty shells. And this continued to be
the case until, about 1839, when the whole bottom
of the bay, for some feet in thickness, was found to
be covered with young oysters about the size of a
dollar, which the poor now take up in great quan-
tities. A similar circumstance also occurred in
78 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITLES.
Southampton Bay. The town there laid a tax on
the taking of oysters by the poor people, and the
oysters which were before very abundant at once
disappeared. And the people, to this day, in
both instances, say that God killed the oysters
because they would not let the poor have them.
The town of Southampton seems to have been
anxious to secure that and similar powers to
themselves beyond the possibility of dispute,
and although they claimed to exercise them as a
corporation, under their charter from Governor
Dongan in 1686, yet they sought a confirmation of
them under an act of the State Legislature, declar-
ing the powers and duties of " the trustees of
the freeholders and commonalty of the town of
Southampton," passed April 25, 1831, which act
declares that they " are and shall continue to be
a corporation," to be elected at the annual town
meeting. And it further provides that, " the
said trustees shall have the sole control over all
the fisheries, fowling, seaweed, waters and pro-
ductions of the waters, within said town, not the
property of individuals, and all the property,
connnodities, privileges and franchises granted to
them by the charter of Governor Dongan in 1686,
except so far as abrogated, changed and altei-ed
by the laws of this State, passed in conformity to
the Constitution, and not now belonging to indi-
CHANGES IN THE SHORE OF THE ISLAND. 79
viduals nor to tlie proprietors, by virtue of an
act entitled ' an act relative to the common and
undivided lands and marshes in Southampton, in
the County of Suffolk,' passed April 15, 1818 ; "
and also gives them authority to make rules and
bye-laws in the premises, under penalties not to
exceed fifty dollars for any one offence, to be
sued for and recovered by said trustees. We
never before saw a charter so loosely referred to
in an act or public document ; not even its date,
or the full name of the Governor, is given ; we
should think from this that the charter itself is
not in existence.
Mr. John Yelsor, who lives about two miles
southwest of Cold Spring Harbor in 0/ster Bay,
in digging a well some years since, at the depth
of one hundred and ten feet, found part of a tree
about four feet in length and several inches in
diameter, entire, with the usual marks distinct,
but which soon decayed on its being exposed to
the open air. — See Wood's Geograiyhy of Hun-
tington.
The shores of Loner Island have undergone
frequent, and at times very rapid, changes.
This arises from their consisting of a loose sand-
beacli exposed to the action of the waves of the
ocean. In the case of Nicoll vs. the Trustees
of Huntington, tried in the Court of Chancery of
80 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
this State, in 1814, the following testimony was
given : Jacob Seaman says that about fifty years
ago the ocean broke through the beach, betw^een
Fire Island Gut and Gilgo Gut, with great vio-
lence, and formed what was called Cedar Island
Gut, but w^hich in a few years w^as filled up and
gone. Isaac Thompson speaks also, but loosely, of
a gut called Huntington Gut, between Cedar and
Oak Islands, now disappeared ; and he says that
within his memory the water has several times
broke through the beach, and that the inlets after-
wards closed up. John Arthur says he lias
always undei^tood from a boy (he said this in
1770, and was then seventy-four years old) that
Fire Island inlet broke through after Nicoll set-
tled there (which was in 1688), and that it used
to be called the New Gut.
Eichard Udall says that old Mr. AVillis told
him that he had been informed by his ancestors
that Fire Island Gut broke tln-ough in the winter
of 1690 or 1691, in a storm. The Chancellor
said tliat this Gut w^as a passage for the priva-
teers during the Revolutionary war.
About a century ago, the father of Samuel
Jones, the late Chancellor of this State, accom-
panied some old people, he being then a boy, to
the south side of this island, to view a new inlet
which had then just broke through the beach dur-
FORMATION OF JONES INLET. 81
ing a very heavy storm. This inlet was afterwards
known as " Jones inlet," and was in Oyster Bay
south. When they came to the spot it was low
water, and where the sand was washed away
they discovered a meadow soil very many feet
below high- water mark, and which had, appar-
ently, been covered by the beach sands for many
ages. The most extraordinary fact connected
with it was, that on this meadow soil they found
the tracks of cloven-footed animals, which it was
impossible could have been made after the inlet
was washed through, for they could not by any
means get there, and which they supposed at the
time were buffaloes' tracks, there having been no
neat cattle on this island at the period when
they thought those tracks must have been made.
At which period the large expanse of water
between the outer beach, through which the inlet
was formed, and the mainland must have been an
extensive meadow, exhibiting a most extraordin-
ary change.
This inlet is now nearly closed, and it is proba-
ble that in a few years it will again be a sand
beach. For a long time after it was thus opened
it was navigable for small schooners. On the
north side of this island, in the town of Oyster
Bay, Queens County, about one and a half miles
from the upland, is a small island of salt-mea-
4*
82 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
dow called Squaw'^s Island. There is now be-
tAveen it and the main meadow a channel which
is navio-able for the small schooners which usu-
ally navigate the bays and inlets of Long Island,
and which at the lowest water is too deep for a
man to wade across. The tradition is, that it ac-
quired its name from the fact that when the In-
dians inhalnted this part of the country, the
squaws were accustomed to wade across this chan-
nel, which was then very shallow, with their pa-
pooses on their backs, to this small island, for the
purpose of taking clams on the flats and sand
bars which were around it.
There are a great number of shell banks on
this main meadow, on the banks of the creeks^
many of which shell banks are from five to six
rods in length. They are formed principally of
clam shells, many of which, from the great length
of time they have lain there, are broken up quite
fine. They form an excellent manure foi* land,
and from these beds have been carted many
thousands of wagon-loads for that purpose, and
they still continue to use them.
The laro-est of the shell banks in this county
are situated in a southerly direction below Mer-
rick, on a creek in Hempstead Township. The
inhabitants have been digging for very many
years from these banks, and say they have never
THE GREAT SOUTH BEACH. 83
as yet come to the bottom of tliem. Thousands
and thousands of loads have been taken away,
and still remains a sufficient quantity for many
generations.
The best wampum is formed of the heart of
the clam shell, and even at this day wampum is
manufactured on this island to be sent to the
Indians in the Western States and Territories
for the purposes both of a circulating medium
and of conventions and treaties. In the summer
of 1S31, several bushels of wampum were brought
from Babylon, on this island, and the person who
had them stated that he had procured them for
an Indian trader, and that he was in the habit of
supplying them. This wampum was bored, but
not strung.
Extraordinary changes — extraordinary in their
extent and character — are frequently occurring
upon Long Island ; and especially upon that part
of it known as the Great South Beach, extend-
ing from Southampton to Sandy Hook. At that
part known as Fire Island, one of these changes
has happened within the last few years, and is
still in progress. This island, at the southerly
end, where the channel of the inlet is, is contin-
ually washing away, and the channel continually
progressing slowly to the northward ; while the
beach on the opjiosite side of the inlet is as con-
84 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
tinually receiving additions to it, the effect of
which has been snch tliat, where forty 3'ears ago
there was depth of water sufficient to navigate one
of the coasting schooners that trade along the south
side of Long Island, is now a solid sand bea(;h, in
some places elevated from twenty to twenty-fivo
feet above the ordinary wash of the ocean.
The northei'n extremity of Fire Island has
within that period received an addition of be-
tween forty and fifty acres; and what is still
more curious is, that this new-made ground,
which, forty years ago, was under the waves of the
ocean, is now covered with a scrnbby white oak
tree, and there are no trees of the kind at any
other place witliin many miles of that spot. How
did they come there ? Some will say tlie seed
was carried there by birds. But if that be so,
why do we not find some other trees and plants
there ; the birds do not live alone upon the seed
of the scrub white oak, and the soil is quite as
well adapted for the growth of several other
kinds of plants as it is for that species of tree?
But that is not the explanation of that phenome-
non. The earth is filled, even under the sea,
and at very great depths, with the seeds of nu-
merous trees and plants, which will retain their
germinating properties for an indefinite period
of time ; and it may even be from a period an-
ISRAEL CAELl's WELL. 85
terior to the great deluge ; and they require only
to be brought up to within a certain depth of
the surface to have the vivifying principles of
the sun and air to operate upon tliem to develop
those germinating properties.
This continual progressing of the beach and
inlets from south to north affords the oppcM'tuni-
ties, at long intervals of time, of tlie land becom-
ing submerged by the ocean, with all its seeds of
trees and plants in it, and of being cast up again
to reproduce them.
That seeds will retain their power of germi-
nating wlien not subjected to the action of heat,
is within the knowledge of gi-eat numbers of
people, who often see it without thinkiiig at all
about it. Kot to refer to the instance of the
Egyptian wheat, which after being buried with
a mummy in air-tight enclosure, for a period of
three thousand years, was found to germinate
and grow well, and is now cultivated in many
parts of Europe, and also in this country; you
may dig down a hill of mere sand, fifty or an
hundred feet, and the year subsequent to the ex-
posure of this new surface to the action of the
atmosphere, it will be covered with a growth of
plants and grasses peculiar to itself. Some years
since, Israel Carll, Esq., of Suffolk County, hav-
ing a large number of young cattle, which he
86 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
kept in an extensive pasture by themselves, find-
ing it very inconvenient to his herdsmen to drive
them some distance for water, determining to
sink a well on that pasture lot, near its centre,
did so. They obtained water sufficient at the
depth of about forty feet ; but several feet before
obtaining that depth, they passed through noth-
ing but gravel ; this gravel was spread out in a
circle around the well at a regular declination
from it on every side. The summer of the second
season, after digging that well, the circle thus
covered with that gravel stood as thick with a
luxuriant crop of white clover as possible, and
not a blade of that grass could be seen in any
other part of that field. We have heard Mr.
Carll say, that he could stand at his well and
point out the circle in which that gravel was
strewn by the circle formed by that white clover,
none of it being seen beyond the line of the
gravel. He was a man of sound sense and
much observation, and at once explained this
phenomenon by stating, that the seeds of the
white clover had been buried in the earth among
this gravel to the depth of between thirty and
forty feet; and that when the gravel was thus
cast up and spread, the germinating principle of
the seeds was brought into activity, which had
before been dormant for a Ion 2^ and an indefinite
j)oriod of time.
. SAND BATHS OF FIKE ISLAND. 87
This Fire Island is a place of great resort in
the pleasant season of the year, both for the
sportsman, the pleasure seeker and the valetudi-
narian. The latter go there in search of relief
from the healthful breezes of the ocean ; and
those affected with rheumatic complaints to en-
joy the benefit of the sand-bath. The patient if
able to help himself walks, otherwise he is car-
ried down to the beach just as the water is fall-
ing ; and four or five feet above the water-line,
a hole is excavated large enough to bury him, all
but the head, and the right arm if that is not
affected is left out. He then strips his clothes
and gets into the hole and is covered over with
the sand.' Yery soon he is in a profuse perspira-
tion, and continues so as long as he remains thus
covered ; they are advised not to continue in this
bath longer than fifteen minutes, the action is so
violent ; but ver^^ few would be willing to con-
tinue even that time, unless it was deemed neces-
sary, the heat is so great, and the pricking sensa-
tion through the limbs so intense. There is no
instance, I believe, where it has been used with-
out effecting a cure. It is necessary to be very
careful and to go warmly clad for a day or two
after taking this sand-bath, because the pores of
the body are so open, and the whole system so
relaxed, that they would be very liable to take a
88 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
severe cold, and to be again laid up with their
old complaint much worse than they had it
before.
We heard a gentleman about sixty years old
say, that he had been much troubled with rheu-
matism so that he could scarcely move. He
went down to Fire Island and tried this sand-
bath, and was at once relieved. But that was
not all : he said the next day he felt in such spir-
its and so Hght, that he was continually wanting
to jump and skip like a boy.
A ver}' striking alteration in the coast since
the first settlement of the country, is mentioned
in Smith's History of New Jersey (see page 58).
But as this does not refer particularly to Long
Island, we only mention it.
The State Legislature found it necessary, very
soon after the close of the Revolutionary contest,
to make provision for the preservation of the
Great South Beach of Long Island. And on the
24th of April, 1784, they passed an act to pre-
vent feeding the grass, or burning it, or cutting
the timber, "on any of the beaches or islands
lying between a certain gut or inlet, called
Mastick Gut, to the eastward, and another certain
gut or inlet called Huntington West Gut, to the
westward," under the penalty of five pounds to
any one who would sue for it, to their own
THE GREAT SOUTH BEACH. 89
proper use. The reason of this enactment was,
that the sand forming those beaches and isLmds
is so loose, and the particles have so little adhe-
sion to each other, tliat if the grass is remove 1,
either by cattle eating it, or by burning it, or the
tind3er is cut off so that the surface is exposed to
the action of the terrible gales of wind which
often blow there, the beach or island would soon
blow away to near the water-level, and then very
soon after be washed away hj the sea in a storm.
With the same view the State Legislature
again, on the 21st of April, 1831, passed " An
act respecting the Great South Beach of Long
Island," by which they authorize any three or
more persons owning, or thereafter to own, " that
part of the Great South Beach on the south side
of Long Island, in the County of Suffolk, lying
between the South Bay on the north and the
Atlantic Ocean on the south, and extending from
the United States line near the light-house at
Fire Island, on the west, easterly to Ilorsefoot
Creek," to maintain suits at law or in equity in
their own names, in behalf of themselves and all
other joint owners and tenants in common of the
premises, for any injury done thereto, or for the
protection of the rights of the owners thereof.
But this act provides that nothing in it " shall au-
thorize any suit to be brought, as herein provided,
00 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
against aii}^ person or persons who shall come or
remain iijDon the premises aforesaid for the pur-
pose of rendering assistance to any vessels driven
ashore, or wrecked, or to any persons or property
in such vessels, or to secure any property driven
ashore."
Again, on the 8th of April, 1834, they found it
necessary to pass another " Act to preserve the
grass on part of the South Beach in the County
of Suffolk," which part they defined to be that
lying between Ilorsefoot Creek^ otherwise called
Long Cove J on the west, and Smith's inlet on the
east. The object of this act was to protect the
grass on a still greater extent of the South Beach,
and on a part not included in the act of April 21,
1831 ; the proprietors having experienced the
beneficial effects of that act upon that portion
comprised within its operation. Timber is not
protected by this last act, because there is none
upon this last mentioned extent of the South
Beach.
Under this head, referring more particularly to
the natural history of Long Island than any
otlier, we have thought it best to introduce the
following interesting facts connected with the
early history of this island :
In the year 1762, no rain fell on this island or
in the city of New York from early in the month
THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 91
of May until November ; and this is recorded as
the most remarkable drought ever known in this
collntr^^ It of course caused great distress not
only upon this island but throughout the province
of N'ew York, as Long Island then produced
more of the means of human sustenance than all
the rest of the province put together; and it was
this unlooked-for event which probably gave
birth to the first association established in this
colony for improving its agriculture. A society
mainly for that purpose, but also embracing
within its scope the encouragement of domestic
industry and manufactures, was formed in the
city of Ts^ew York the following year, 1763, em-
bracino' the most talented and distino^uished nien
of the colony. We have now before us the cir-
cular issued by that association upon its organi-
zation, signed in their proper handwriting, by
William Smith, the historian of New York; John
Morin Scott, afterwards major-general in the
Continental Army ; James Duane, the celebrated
banker, and others. At a meeting of this society
held in the city of New York on the 21st of
December, 1767, ten pounds premium was
awarded to Thomas Young of Oyster Bay, on
Long Island, for a nursery of 27,123 apple
trees. And at the same meeting the fact was es-
tablished to the satisfaction of the society that
93 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
Joshua Clark and Francis Furnier, both of Suf-
folk County, had been very successful in setting
out the grape, and making it grow in the eastern
part of this island ; that from the year 1762, to
the first day of April, 1767, Clark had set out
three thousand two hundred grap)e vines, and
Furnier had set out fifteen hundred and fifty-one
grape vines — the description of these grapes is
not stated. The society had not offered any
premium for raising the grape, no one then be-
lieving it possible to do so with any success, they
having already forgotten that their Dutch ances-
tors in and about New York had, at the early
settlement of the colony, been very successful in
th*eir attempt to introduce the vine ; and having
no discretionary premium at their command, they
did the next best thing in their power — they gave
Messrs. Clark and Furnier certificates of the fact,
commending them to the favorable notice of a
similar association then existing in England, at
London, which had among their more extended
list of premiums, offered one or more for the
cultivation of the grape.
That the vine was cultivated in l^ew IN'ether-
land, we have the evidence of Yanderdonck, in his
history, who tells us that several persons in this
colony had vineyards and " wine hills " under
cultivation ; and also that " Providence blessed
ANCIENT FORTIFICATIONS AND REMAINS. 93
their labours with success, by affording fruit ac-
cording to the most favorable expectation." They
introduced foreign grape stocks, and induced
men to come over from Heidelberg, who were
vine-dressers, for the purpose of attending to the
cultivation of the vineyards and the manufacture
of wine.
ANCIENT FORTIFICATIONS AND REMAINS.
The most ancient fortification on this island is
one on Fort Neck, which was garrisoned by the
Indians in 1653, and taken from them by the
English, under the command of Captain John
Underhill, during that year. The storming of
this fort was the only battle between the English
and Indians on this island.
On the subject of this fortification, or rather
these fortifications, for there were more than one
of them, Samuel Jones, Esq., of Oyster Bay South,
on this island, addresses a letter to John Pintard,
Esq., Secretary of the New York Historical So-
ciety, enclosing the following memoranda, writ-
ten by him in the year 1S12 (see Collections of
New York Hist. Society, vol. 3).
" When this part of Long Island was first set-
tled by the Europeans they found two fortifica-
tions in this neighborhood, upon a neck of land
94 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
ever since called, from that circumstance, Fort
Keck. One of them, the remains of which are
yet very conspicuous, is on the southernmost
point of land on the neck, adjoining the salt
meadow. It is nearly, if not exactly a square,
each side of which is about thirty yards in length.
The breastwork or parapet is of earth ; and there
is a ditch on the outside which appears to have
been about six feet wide. The other was on the
southernmost point of the Salt Meadow, adjoining
the Bay, and consisted of palisadoes set in the
meadow. The tide has worn away the meadow
where the fort stood, and the place is now part
of the bay and covered with water ; but my
father lias often told me, that in his memory, part
of the palisadoes were standing."
This last described work was a true Indian fort,
as is shown by all the plates and sketches of snch
works accompanying Smith's History of Vir-
ginia, De Bry's Voyages^ and all the early works
on this country ; but no instance has ever been
shown of the Koilh American Indians having,
either in ancient or modern times, erected for the
purposes of defence, or for any other purpose, a
four-square fort of earth, with regular walls and
ditch, or such a work of such materials in any
other form. When the ancient fortifications, and
other erections of this character, scattered over
ANCIENT FOKTIFICATIONS AND KE^NIAINS. 95
onr country, first attracted public attention, they
were, without any examination, or much thought,
attributed to the Indians, and were called Indian
FuHs j for then no idea existed in the niiuds of
any that there had ever been, at any time, any
other people upon this continent but the Indians
and the modern European settlers. With this
belief evidently operating upon his mind, Mr.
Jones regards these fortifications upon Fort ISTeck
as a strong proof that the extensive and syste-
matic works of the AVest (some of which Carver,
himself a military officer, in his travels, charac-
terizes as evincing a skill in engineering that
would not have discredited even Yauban) were
erected by our aborigines. lie seems not to have
seen any of these ancient Western works, or his
error would have been apparent to him at once ;
and he would have realized the utter impossibility
of keeping together a sufficient number of people,
who, like the Indians, subsist by the chase, the
length of time that must have been required for
the erection of those fortifications. This fact,
together with their character and the ability
manifested in tlieir construction, have satisfied
all who have visited them, and reasoned in the
least degree upon the question involved in their
existence, that they are the results of the labor
of a race of men who were numerous in popula-
£6 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
tion, and who subsisted by the cultivation of the
soil.
All this view of the case brings us to the con-
clusion that the two forts upon Fort Neck were
constructed at different periods of time, and it
may be far remote from each other ; tliat the one
first described, regular in its form, and built of
earth, was the work of a people entirely different
in the modes of living and in other respects
from the aboriginal race found here by our fore-
fathers ; and the last described work was a true In-
dian fort, such as they were in the habit of build-
ing long before the European settlement of this
hemisphere, and which they continued to erect
long after that event ; and that the two have only
been confounded together from the want of the
proper knowledge to enable us to discriminate
between them.
There are many remains of fortifications erected
by the Americans and English during the Revo-
lutionary war ; the most of them are in the town
of Brooklyn, on the west end of the island. In
1782, a fortification was erected in the centre of
the public burying-ground of Huntington, by
Colonel Thompson (since Count Rumford), who
commanded the British troops there at that time.
Throughout the island are scattered relics of the
aborigines. At Bergen's Island, in Kings County,
ANCIENT FORTIFICATIONS AND REMAINS. 97
an excellent road has l)een formed of clam-shells
and oyster shells. At Maspeth Kills, in Queens
County, Indian corn-grinders, axes, and arrow-
heads have been frequently ploughed up. In Suf-
folk County there are numerous shell banks and
other remains, as axes, arrow-heads, etc. The
shell banks in the western towns of Suffolk
County are much larger and more numerous
than in the eastern towns, where shell-fish are as
abundant, which pi-oves that the western part of
the island had been the longest settled, and that
the Indian emigration proceeded from west to
east. — See Wood^s History/.
Among other ancient remains may be reckoned
the two venerable oak-trees at Flushing, in
Queens County, under the shade of which the
famous George Fox preached in the year 1672.
I visited these trees, August 4th, 1825, in com-
pany with Messrs. Spooner and Bruce, and as-
sisted Mr. Bruce in measuring them, which we
did around the trunk, six feet from the ground.
We found one to be thirteen feet in circumfer-
ence, and the other to be twelve feet four inches
in circumference.
In the month of July, 1841, eleven human
skeletons were unearthed in excavating the ground
to run a road through the LinnoBU Garden, at
Fhishing, in Q.ieens County. The place where
5
98 - LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
they were found has been for fifty years used as a
horticultural nursery. They were within a circle
of thirty feet, their heads all lay to the east, and
some nails and musket-balls were found with them.
Conjecture has been foiled in speculating upon the
circumstances under which they w^ere inhumed.
In the Tillage of Brooklyn, in Kings County,
upon Long Island (1826) is a barren sand hill
which exhibits many interesting curiosities to the
antiquary as well as the natural philosopher.
This hill scarcely affords support for even the
coarsest and most hardy kind of grass, but on the
top of it are three old Buttonwood or plane trees,
and on each side of it the hills are covered witli
verdure. The surface of this sand hill, which is
about seveiity feet high, is covered w^ith stones,
many of which are completely vitrified, and
others nearly decomposed, l)y the action of fire ;
and about a foot and a half, and in some places
between three and four feet, below the surface is
a distinct layer or stratum of ashes and cinders,
interspersed with pieces of coarse earthenware
and the stone heads of Indian arrows. Among
the other articles found here have been the rem-
nants of rough tobacco pipes formed of clay, and
we have had in our possession one of these to-
bacco pipes almost entire, which we found in the
sand on this hill. The oldest inhabitants of
ANCIENT FORTIFICATIONS AND REMAINS.
99
Brooklyn have no tradition that there was ever
any building erected on this spot. For a long
w
HAMILTON STREET.
time previous to the American Kevolutionary
war, it constituted part of the farm of the Ka-
palye family.
100 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
The preceding diagram will show the situa-
tion of this hill with reference to the streets of
the village of Brooklyn, as they are laid out
upon the village map, and intended hereafter to
be opened.
This sand-hill extended beyond and east of
Bridge street, which was dug through it nearly
at its highest elevation ; but the part exhibiting
the appearances above described, and containing
the articles above-mentioned as having been
found, is that bounded by Jay street, Front street,
Bridge street and York street. Similar remains
may have existed to some extent east of Bridge
street, but the examination was not made there.
FOUNDATION OF CHUKCHES.
The first church founded on this island was
Congregational or Preshyterian, and w^as built
by the English at Southampton in 1645. In
16S0, the salary of the minister of that church
(Rev. Joseph Whiting) was £100. Congregational
or Presbyterian churches were founded in differ-
ent parts of this island at the following times.
The first church in Hempstead was also raised in
lG-15, but not completed until 1648. It was a
four-square edifice, like some of the early churches
in the Kew England towns. Their first minister
THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCHES. 101
was the Rev. Richard Denton, the father of the
first historian of Xew York. Cotton Mather de
scribes this Rev. Mr. Denton as " a little man, yet
he had a great soul ; liis well accomplislicd mind
in his lesser body was an Iliad in a nnt-shell,''
Salary of the minister in 1682 (Jeremiah IIo-
bart), £66, 14s. Od.
At East Hampton in 1651. Salary of the
minister in 1659 (Thomas James), £60.
The church in East Hampton, finished in the
year 1717, being the second one built in tliat
town, \vas, when erected, the largest and liaiid-
somest building of the kind on this island, and
it is still a noble structure ; althougli more than
one hundred and thirty years old, it promises to
continue in use for very many years to come. It
had, what is not very common, a sccoiid gallery,
and was furnished with a bell and a clock more
than one hundred years ago.
At Jamaica in 1662. Salary of the minister
in 1663 (Zachariah AValker), £60.
At Huntington in 1665. The first minister of
this church w^as William Leveridge. These
churches weie not large buildings, in consequence
of the difficulty of obtaining proper materials.
The first Presbyterian Church in the County
of Kings dates its foundation no further back
than the year 1822. It was established in the
102 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
village of Brooklyn, and incorporated on the 13th
of March, 1822, under the name of the " First
Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn," and placed
under the government of nine trustees. The
corner-stone of the first church edifice was laid
on the 15th of April, 1822. The church is of
brick, and stands on Cranberry sti-eet. When it
Avas erected, a large portion of the ground in the
innnediate vicinity was vacant lots'; Orange, the
next street south of Cranberry street, w^as only
opened a short distance ; and the ground south of
it was in large lots, used for agricultural purposes,
surrounded by posts and rail fences. Hicks street
was opened up to the northerly line of Clark
street, wdiere a fdnce crossed it. Henry street
was partially opened to Orange street. All the
other streets south of Orange street, and to Jorale-
mon street, were unopened.
FOIJNDATION OF DUTCH REFORMED CHURCHES.
Dutch Reformed churches were founded on
this island at the following dates :
The first indication of the establishment of any
chui-ch of any denomination on the western end
of Long Island is an entry in the Dutch Colonial
Government Kecords, now preserved in the oftice
of the Secretary of State at Albany, under the
THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCHES. lO'd
date of October loth, 1654, that the Rev. Joannes
Theodorus Polhenuis, a minister of the Dutch
Reformed Church, was permitted by the Gov-
ernor to preach at Midwout (now Flatbush), and
Amersfort (now Flatlands). And, subsequently,
on the 17th of December, 1651, the Governor or-
dered a church to be built at Midwout (Flat-
bush), to be sixty feet in length, twenty-eight in
breadth, and fourteen feet in height below the
beams.
As this church was designed for the accom-
modation of the colonists in Brooklyn and Amers-
fort, as well as those in Midwout, the Governor,
on the 9th of February, 1655, ordered the people
of J3rooklyn and Amersfort to cut timber to aid
Midwout in building that church. The cost of it
was 4,637 guilders, of which sum 3,437 had been
collected in New Amsterdam, Fort Orange, and
on Long Island. The Go\ernor added 400 more,
and 800 remained to be raised to discharo:e the
debt. The fii^t minister was the Rev. Joannes
Theodorus Polhemus.
The year following the erection of this church
at Flatbush, it was found not to afford the conve-
nient accommodation anticipated to Brooklyn
and the other towns, and on the 15th of March,
1656, tlie Governor, to accommodate the four vil-
lages of Gravesend, xlmersfort, Midwout, and
104 LONG I -LAND AJVTIQUITUJS.
Bi'ooklyii, directed that the E-ev. Mr. Polheiiins
should preach every Sunday morning at Mid-
wont, and Sunday evenings, aUernately, at Anaers-
fort and Brooklyn.
Tlie inconveniences attending even this latter
arrangement became more apparent every year,
until at last, in 1659, the colonists in Brooklyn
determined that they would establish a churc^li
for themselves ; and they petitioned Governor
Stuyvesant for leave to call a minister, assigning
as a reason for their request, the badness of the
road to Flatbnsh, the difficulty of attending Di-
vine service at New York because of the East
Kiver, and the old age and inabilit}^ of the Bev.
Mr. Polhemus to perform his services at Brook-
lyn. The Governor, upon this petition, sent Ni-
casius de Sille, Fiscal of New Netherland, and
Martin Kregier, Burgomaster, of New Amster-
dam (New York), as a committee to Brooklyn to
examine into the matter ; and upon their favor-
able report, he granted the desired permission ;
upon which the inhabitants of this town prepared
the necessary call, and sent it to Holland for a
minister. The Bev. Ilenricus Selwyn, or Solinus,
was sent out to the New" Netherlands pursuant to
this request — one of the best scholars ever in this
country, and one of the best preachers in his
day. Tie afterwards became the personal friend
THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCHES. 105
of the celebrated Cotton Mather of ^ew Eng-
land ; and a Latin poem, of much elegance, writ-
ten by Selwyn, addressed to Mather, is in the
Magnalia Christi Americana. The Rev. Hen-
ricns Selwyn, in 1660, was installed as the min-
ister at Brooklyn by order of Governor Stuy-
vesant, by the Fiscal de Sille and Burgomaster
Kregier, at a salary of six hundred guilders a
year ; three hundred of which were to be paid by
tlie inhabitants of Brooklyn, and three hundred
by the fatherland, Holland.
On the 7th day of September, 16G0, four days
after the installation of the Rev. Mr. Selwyn, a
letter was written to the Rev. Mr. Polhemus of
the fact, and thanking him for his labors and at-
tention to the congregation. This letter was sent
by a " respectable person," to whom the Rev.
Mr. Polhemus returned his thanks for the atten-
tion which the church of Brooklyn had paid him,
and furnished the messenger with a list of the
names of the church members in that town, twen-
ty-five in number. The popularity of Mr. Sel-
wyn's preaching soon became such that the Gov-
ernor was anxious to have him preach at his
chapel on his Bowery or plantation (New York),
and he offered, on consideration that Mr. Selwyn
should preach at the Bowery on Sunday evenings,
to pay two hundred and fifty guilders of that
103 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
part of his salaiy which was to be paid by the in-
habitants of Brooklyn.
The proposition was acceded to, but Mr. Sel-
wjii had preached at the Bowery only a short
period before the ^^eople of Brooklyn became dis-
satisfied with the arrangement, and desired to
have him to themselves. And on the 25th of
May, 1662, the inhabitants of that town peti-
tioned the Governor that Mr. Selwyn should re-
side permanently with them.
When the first church was erected at Brooklyn
in which Mr. Selwyn ofiiciated, it is now impossi-
ble to say, no record existing which speaks of it.
But the old stone Dutch Church which stood in
the middle of the public highway, now Fulton
Street, in the City of Brooklyn, just one mile from
the old or Fulton Ferry, opposite the present
Dutch church burying-ground on the southerly
side of that street, was built in the year 1666. It
was a square edifice with very thick walls, and
small high windows, filled with stained glass, rep-
resenting large flower-pots at the base of the win-
dows, from which ran up through the panes, to
the top of the windows, numerous vines laden
with a profusion of brilliant flowers of every im-
aginable hue. On the top of the church was a
short, open steeple, in which hung a small bell
brought from Holland, as was also the window
THE DUTCH REFOKMED CHtlKCUES. 107
glass. The inside of the chureh was panneled to
a great height, and that work, together with the
pews and pulpit, were of oak and were either
very dark from age or painted some sombre col-
or, probably the former. The effect of which
was, in connection with the s;iiall windows, that
even in midsummer, after four o'clock in the
afternoon, it was extremely difficult to see to read
in that church ; in consequence of which their
m(jrning service in the summer was at nine a.m.,
and their afternoon service at two p.m., and be-
tween the first of September and the first of May
the morning service was at half past ten o'clock,
and there was no afternoon service. This church
continued to be used until about 1810 ; the peo-
ple seemed reluctant to abandon their ancient
edifice ; but the incorporation, by the State Legis-
lature, of a company to convert the old highway,
filled as it then was with ruts, holes, small ponds
of water, immensely large rocks, and tortuous
windings to avoid them, rendered the removal of
the old church imperatively necessary. So they
built a new stone church on Joralemon street,
partly on the site of the present edifice ; which
they continued to use until a few years ago, when,
not being suited with its appearance and condi
tion, they erected the present beautiful edifice, in
the form of a Grecian temple, on the square of
108 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
gronnd formed by Joralemon, Court, and Living-
ston streets.
The Rev. Mr. Selwyn, on the 23d of July,
1664, took leave of his congregation at Brooklyn,
and sailed in the ship Beaver, for Holland, from
whence he designed never to have returned. Af-
ter his departure Charl6s Debevoise, the school-
master of the town, and sexton of the church,
was ordered to read prayei-s, and a sermon from
an approved author, every Sabbath in the church,
for the improvement of the congregation, until
another minister was called.
During the ministry of Mr. Selwyn the mar-
riage fees do not seem to liave been a perquisite
of the minister, as appears by an account rendered
by him to the Consistory on the 29th of October,
1662, when he paid over to the Consistory the sum
of 78 guilders and 10 stuyvers for fourteen mar-
riage fees received by him.
After the establishment of the English govern-
ment in this colony, the Dutch congregation in
that city remembering Mr. Selwyn's acceptable
services iuthis country, sent him an invitation to
come over and take charge of their churcli in the
city of New York, which he declined accepting.
Again, in the year 1681, that church sent him an-
other call, with many ui-gent solicitations that he
would accept it ; to which he assented, and came
THE DUTCH KEFOKMED CHURCHES. 100
to ~New York in 16S2, and continued the pastor
of the Dutch Reformed church in that city until
his death in 1701.
A catalocrue of all the members of the Dutch He-
formed church in the citj of IN'ew York, in the
year 1686, with the names of the sti*eets in which
thev resided, taken from the oric^inal manuscript
of the Ilev. Ilenricus Selwyn, their pastor, will
be found in the first volume of the second series
of the Collections of the New York Historical
Society. To those who derive their ancestry from
the old Dutch burghers of this venerable city,
this record will be looked upon with something
of the pride and attachment manifested for the
roll of Battle Abbey.
At the period of his ministry tliere were but
two Dutch Reformed churches in that city, the
Soutli Dutch or Garden street church, and the
chapel at Governor Stuyvesant's Bowery (on the
site of the present St Mark's church) ; the Dutch
church in the Fort being considered government
property, went w^ith the Fort to the English, and
became an Episcopal church. With it there w^ere
then five churches in the city, two Episcopal, two
Dutch Reformed, and one French Huguenot.
In the month of April, 1708, fifty-seven of the
inhabitants of Brooklyn, being probably all the
meml^ers of the church, entered into an agree-
no I-ONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
ment (which is written in Dutch) to call a minis-
ter from' Holland, to preach in the church of
this town. The elders of the church at that
time w^ere Daniel Rapalje and Jores Hanse.
This connection with the classis of Holland con-
tinued long after this period.
Kotwithstandinfy the establishment of the new
o
church in Brooklyn, the church at Flatbush con-
tinued to flourish, and the Rev. Mr. Polhemus
found full emjDloyment for all his services in the
ministry.
On the 29th of January, 1658, Midwout pe-
titioned the Governor that the one hundred
morgen of land reserved in that town for the
public use might be appropriated as follows:
Twenty-live morgen to complete the church.
Twenty-five morgen for a school. Fifty morgen
for the minister's house and other purposes. The
first two the Governor granted ; the other he de-
nied, and reserved the land for the benefit of the
vicarage.
In every town patented by the Dutch Govern-
ment in the New^ Netherlands (now New York
and New Jersey), there was one hundred morgen
of land reserved for the public use. In some
cases, like that above mentioned, the Dutch
Colonial Government authorized the disposition
of it, but always for some use considered a pub-
THE DUTCH KEFOKMED ClIUECIIES. Ill
lie use at that time. The English Colonial Gov-
ernment do not seem to liavebeen ever aware of
the existence of this public property, and they
made no regulations or disposition of it ; and the
probability is that in very many cases these pub-
lic lands have by long continued possession be-
come private property.
The church at Flatbush does not appear to have
been entirely finished at the time when the new
church was established in Brooklyn, although it
liad been used for three years or over. On tlie
20th of December, 1659, the Eev. Mr. Polhemus
requests of Governor Stuyvesant, that paint may
be furnished, at the expense of the Government,
to paint the church at Midwout. And, again, in
September, 1660, the Kev. Mr. Polhemus and
Elder Stryker petition the Governor for glass for
a window for the same churcli. This was un-
doubtedly stained glass they wished the Gover-
nor to send to Holland for, for the pi'incipal win-
dow of the church ; for then all the windows were
of glass, unless it might be in the poorest small
houses and cottages, set in lead in small diamonds ;
and " a glass window " for the church meant
something different from those in common use ;
which could be nothing other than stained glass,
there being then only those two modes of glazing
windows.
112 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIER.
In this application for the window thej state
that the}^ had received 3,437 guilders and 12 stny-
vers towards the cost of erecting that church, in
New Amsterdam (New Yoi'k), Fort Orange (Al-
bany), and on Long Island ; and that they still
wanted 1,200 guilders to discharge the expenses
attending the completion of that edifice. Upon
which Governor Stuyvesant gave them 400 guil-
ders.— The Rev. Mr. Polhemus died in June, 1676.
The people in Flatbush have a tradition that
their secoiid church in that town was erected in the
year 1663. This can scarcely have been the fact,
unless the first edifice was destroyed by fire, or
the elements, which is not said to have been the
case; for the first church was still in an unfin-
ished state in the latter part of the year 1660 —
only two years before. It may be that an addi-
tion was made to the church in 1663, but I do
not even think that was done, and am rather in-
clined to the opinion that this first church was not
entirely finished and did not get up its stained-
glass window until the year 1663, and that the
people, many years after, not bearing in mind
how long this first church was in building, and
w^hat a long period intervened before it was com-
pleted, the Government records showing over six
years, they, when the date of its completion was
referred to, came to believe it the time when a
THE DTJTCIT REFORMED CIIURCilES. 113
second church was built, and subsequently to
speak of it as such.
The Dutch Colonial Government, as a general
rule, followed the practice of their liome govern-
ment in the Fatherland in allowing the fi-ee exer-
cise of all forms of religion, so long as they did
not endanger tlie public peace. But the excite-
ment in New England against the Quakers liad
arisen to such a high pitch, and so much had been
said and written and printed by the leading men
of those colonies against the principles and prac-
tices of the Quakers as being highly dangerous to
all forms of civilized government, and utterly
subversive of Christianity, that it was next to an
impossibility that some of their feeling and tem-
per should not manifest itself in the Xew Neth-
ei'lands, an adjoining colony, and one with which
they had frequent intercourse ; it, however, show-
ed itself in a very mild and modified form in
this colony. In this spirit Governor Stuyvesant
had, in the year 1662, directed a Quaker, by the
name of John Bowne, to be transported from the
colony to Holland, on account of his religious
tenets.
The Dutch West India Company, to whom
Governor Stuyvesant was subject, writes thus to
the Governor in a letter from Amsterdam, dated
in 1663 : — " We perceive, from your last letter,
114 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
that you had exiled and transported hither a cer-
tain Quaker named John Bowne. Although it
is our anxious desire that similar and other sec-
tarians may not be found among you, yet we
doubt extremely the policy of adopting rigorous
tneasaies against them. In the ^^outli of your ex-
istence, you ought rather to encourage than check
the population of the colony. The consciences
of men ought to be free and unshackled, so long
as they continue moderate, peaceable, inoffensive,
and not hostile to the government. Such have
been the maxims of prudence and toleration by
which the magistrates of this city (Amsterdam)
have been governed, and the consequences have
been, that the oppressed and persecuted, from
every country, have found among us an asylum
from distress. Follow in -the same steps and you
will be blessed."
These are certainly noble sentiments, worthy
of being written in letters of gold, and while we
cannot but feel high pleasure in awarding the
meed of applause to men who could thus think
and act worthy of the station in which they were
placed, we cannot at the same time avoid la-
menting that the same liberality of sentiment
had not distinguished the early settlers of the
Kew England Colonies, who, if they fled from
persecution, were themselves the first to persecute
THE DUTCH REFOKMED CHURCHES. 115
in this new empire of freedom of conscience,
which they claimed to have founded.
This Joim Bowne the Quaker, thus exiled by
Governor Stuyvesant, resided at Flushing, upon
Long Island, and his house is now in existence,
or was very recently. The tradition is, that when
he landed in New York in the spring of 1665,
after having remained abroad several years, upon
his return from his exile to Holland, he waited
upon Governor Stuyvesant, then a private citizen,
the colony having passed to the English, who
welcomed him back, and expressed his regret for
having used so much severity towards him and
some others of his particular faith, some of whom
he frankly admitted to be among the most valu-
able citizens of the colony ; and assured him that
the course of policy which he had theretofore felt
it his duty to pursue had been based upon what
he had ascertained to be an erroneous representa-
tion of the view^s and intentions of Bowne and
his friends, and that he felt it an act of conscien-
tious duty to make such declaration to him.
This, if it be true (which it has always been
asserted to be), is highly honorable to Governor
Stuyvesant as a man ; who must indeed, from the
accounts of him, have been very high souled and
honorable, one well calculated for the important
and dignified office he held.
116 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
Great injustice will be done to the memory of
Gov. Stnyvesaiit if he is ranked as a persecntor
of the Quakers, and others differing from him in
religions sentiments. No ruler was ever more
tolerant of the religious opinions of others than
was Stu}' vesant ; and if in any case he appeared
to deal harshly with any man, or any set of men,
differing from the Dutch Established Church, it
will be found on examination not to have been
from their religions faith, but for the political
tise which they w^ere believed to make of it. And
we should bear in mind that very many of the
Quakers of his daj^ were a very different kind of
peojDle from those of onr time, and men who
were almost the opposite of George Fox in every-
thing but name. In place of the mild, inoffensive
conduct and strict attention to their own business,
without intermeddling with the concerns of others,
wliich now characterize them as a sect, and as
amono: the most useful and valuable of our citi-
zens, there were then too many of them who were
fond of seeking eveiy opportunity to abuse, in
public assemblies, by the most pointed language,
the magistracy and laws of the land ; represent-
ing them not only as anti-Christian, but as origi-
nating from the Evil One, and of declaring all
the ministers of religion out of their own creed,
to be hirelings, wolves in sheep's clothing, base,
THE DUTCH EEFORMED CITURCITES. 117
Avicked creatures, who were leading the people
astray ; and at the same time declaring it their
settled intention to resist the laws which they
asserted had no controllinoj force or effect over
them, who were governed by a new light which
they received from Heaven itself as their guide
and law-giver, and which was confined within
their own bosoms ; and that they actually reduced
these principles to practice, by refusing obedience
not only to the laws in relation to an uniformity
of religious worship, but also to all civil regula-
tions, whether made by the superior government
of the colony, or the towns in which they resided ;
refused the payment of taxes, or the performance
of any of the duties of citizens, unless matters
were done according to their peculiar notions.
All this is lost sight of by those who condemn
Guv. Stuyvesant for his proceedings against the
Quakers. The ei'ror he committed was in notic-
ing them at all ; but in the principles and policy
of government, he had not then the experience
to guide him which we now possess, and it is
therefore unjust to judge him not only by the
light of the present day, but also by assuming
that the Quaker character of his time possessed
the same estimable uniformity which marks it in
our age, which is very far from being truth.
Governor Stnyvesant's character appears to
118 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
have been siiigiilarlj misiiiiderstood by some mo-
dern writers; and which, in onr judgment, has
mainl}^ arisen from the error of regarding it in
the lights and principles of the science of govern-
ment as nnderstood and practised in our day,
rather tlian in tliose which were common and re-
ceived in the age in which he lived. It could
alone be from an opinion thns formed that the
talented author of Thompson's History of Long
Island (second edition, vol. i., page 108) charges
that Governor Stuyvesant persecuted and dis-
couraged those whose religious tenets differed
from his own, and that he exercised his preroga-
tive in a capricious and arbitrary manner.
Charges w^hich are certainly scarcely supported
by the fact mentioned by the same author, that
the Knglish who settled the towns of Gravesend,
Newtown, Flushing, Jamaica, and Hempstead,
and who reluctaiitly hecciTne Dutch subjects, icere
allowed to hold their lands\ to enjoy liberty oj
conscience, and to em/ploy their own ministers /
rights which they w^ould not have been permitted
to enjoy at home in England, and those which
they had little reason to expect here, from their
reluctance to submit to the Dutch Government,
the then undoubted authority of the country, and
made so by a treaty between the Commissioners
of the United Colonies of New England and the
THE CASE OF BOWNE THE QUAKER. 119
Dutch Colonial Government. All which affr,Tcls
an evidence of tolerant principles on the part of
Governor Stuyvesant, and a forbearance for the
views and tenets of others conflictino; with his
own, not onlj in religion but also in government,
rarely found in any age, and certaiidy not to be
discovered in the proceedings of the most civil-
ized nations of Europe in his time, except it might
be in the case of Holland.
This house of Bowne, in Flushing, is built of
wood, in the old-fashioned Dutch style, and w^as
said to have been erected in the year 1661, only
one year previous to his exile.
Opposite this house, in front of it, are two large
old oak trees, under the shadow of which the
celebrated George Fox, a preacher of the Society
of Friends, or Quakers, in 1672, preached a ser-
mon to the people assembled around them.
These trees are still standing. Fox was then on
a preaching tour from Yorkshire, in England,
and was travelling through the colonies ; he was
then stopping at Bowne's Tiouse.
The case of Bowne the Quaker was the only
instance in which the Dutch Colonial Govern-
ment attempted to exile a man for his religious
opinions. But its general course, and particu-
larly the administration under Governor Stuy-
vesant, was marked by a series of measures cal-
120 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
dilated to advance the interests of the settlers,
and to build np the little insignificant colon}^ on
the banks of the Hudson into a city of that char-
acter and importance, and a colony of that value
as to attract the attention of the English Govern-
ment, and upon the first opportunity that offered
to induce them to fit out an expedition for its cap-
ture.
To t'he encouragement offered by Governor
Stuyvesant is to be attributed the first emigration
of the French Huguenots to this country, whose
descendants now, and for many generations past,
have been some of our most respectable and in-
telligent citizens. It appeal's from the Council
records that on the 24tli of January, 1664, M.
Yan Beeck, a merchant in New Amsterdam, in-
formed the Governor that he had received letters
from Rochelle, in France, signifying the wish of
several persons professing the Protestant religion
to emigrate to New Netherland, as their churches
had been burnt, etc. Upon which the Governor
and Council resolved to receive them hospitably,
and to allow them land gratuitously. They at
once came over upon receiving this information,
and a considerable number of them received
grants of land in what is now Westchester county,
and settled a town there, which they named after
their old home in France, New Rochelle. This
THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCHES. 121
was in accordance with the settled policy of the
Dutch AVest India Company; which evinced a
more enlightened view of the advantages to re-
snlt from the commerce of the Fatherland, from
the establishment of a prosperous colonial system,
than appear to have been eritertained by any other
nation of Europe, and it was the success whicli at-
tended this Dutch commercial policy that led to
the celebrated navio^ation act of Eno-land. To the
good character which this colony thus obtained
abroad, throughout Europe, we may attribute the
continuance, in some measure, of the same policy
under the English Colonial Government, although
a different policy was at the same time pursued
in England itself. Thus in 1710, 3,000 Palatines,
who had the yeai* previous fled into England from
persecution in Germany, emigrated to Xew York
under the guidance of Gov. Robert Hunter ; some
of them settled in JSTew York City, others on
Livingston Manor, and the remainder in Pennsyl-
A'ania, where their descendants continue to this
day.
During the prevalence of the terrible witch
mania in New England, great exertions were
made to enlist the officers of this government
and the clergy of this colony in that horrible
persecution of poor infirm old men and women.
They, however, refused to entertain the sul)ject
123 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
in any manner, and were in consequence of that
refusal very freely denounced as infidels by the
wise leaders in Kew England, wlio were, accord-
ing to tlieir own showing, almost daily receiving
and acting upon the evidence of the evil one
against their neighbors and fellow-Christians,
members of the same church with themselves,
and whose walk in life had been consistent with
their Christian professions. There was then no
Presbyterian church in the City of Kew York,
and the whole population was nominally divided
among the Episcopalian, the Dutch Reformed,
and the French Protestant Churches — the latter
was also under the ecclesiastical government of
the Episcopal Church. The clergy in New Eng-
land, who had been active in the mattei- of witch-
craft, addressed a letter to the Butch Reformed
ministers of this colony, as approaching nearest
to them in form of church government, desiring
their judgment in reference to spectral evidence,
and other matters connected with prosecuti(jns
for witchcraft ; and the Dutch clergy, in reply,
cautioned them against the use of such testimony,
as coming from an improper and evil source, and
more likely to be available against good than
against bad persons of evil lives ; it is very
strange that this did not occur to them before.
The only trial for witchcraft which ever took
THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCHES. 123
place in this colony was that of Ralph Hall, and
Alaiy his wife, from the eastern part of Long
Island, in the conrt of assizes held in the City of
New York, on the 2d of October, 1GG5. The
jury who tried them for this alleged offence, con-
sisted of twelve men, five of whom were selected
from this island, and seven from the Cit}^ of New
York ; and they fonnd a special verdict, " ac-
quitting the man, and that there were some sus-
picions against the woman, but nothing to take
away her life." Upon which Hall was dis-
charged, and his wife also, on his giving security
for her good behavior, and that she should appear
at the next assizes ; and at the following term the
recognizance was discharged, and this ended the
first and only trial for witchcraft in this colony
or state.
Although the New York government exhibits
but this solitary instance of a trial for witchcraft,
yet w^hen some of the eastern towns on this
island annexed themselves to the United Colonies
of New England, and came under the Govern-
ment of Connecticut, as a necessary consequence,
all the peculiar notions of the inhabitants of the
mainland in reference to demonology and witch-
craft began to manifest themselves in that part
of the island. And in the year 1657, the wife of
Joshua Garlick being suspected of witchcraft,
124 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
was arrested iijion that charge in Easthampton, a
proceeding which caused great excitement in
that town ; as usual, in most other cases of a
simihir character, witnesses were not wanting in
this instance who deposed to facts, which, in the
minds of an excited and credulous people, fully
established the truth of the accusation. But the
town court before whom she was brought, being-
composed of persons not very deeply versed in
the science of demonology, and feeling them-
selves incompetent to decide upon so grave a
question, sent the unhappy woman a prisoner to
Hartford, in Connecticut, to be tried by the Gen-
eral Court at that place. AYhat became of her is
not known, but she was probably subsequently
discharged, or her name would appear among
those who fell victims to that awful mania.
Prior to the American Revolution, sermons
were preached, and also printed, in the Dutch
language, in the City of Kew York. We have
seen two sermons which were printed in the
Dutch language, in 4:to form, at Xew York, by
" Ilendricus De Foi-est, in't Jaar 1752." In Kings
County, upon Long Island, sermons in Dutch
were preached in the towns of Flatbush, Kew
Utrecht, Gravesend and Bush wick, until- about
the year 1818. The last Dutch clergyman, or
parson, as the English called him, or dominie, as
THE DUTCH REFOEMED CHUKCHES. 125
the Dutch styled him, for tliose towns, was old
Dominie Martinus Schoonmaker, who officiated
alternately in the churches of those towns until
he was nearly, if not quite, ninety years of age ;
he also used, about the commencement of the
present century, occasionally to preach a Dutch
sermon in the church at Brooklyn. lie was the
last connecting link of the chain which had
bound together the churches of Flatbush and
Gravesend from the year 1654, and which had
united the other churches named with that of
Flatbush from a period long anterior to the
American Revolution ; at his death this tie was
severed, and ever since the churches have each
had their ministers and formed independent con-
gregations.
Before the commencement of the present cen-
tury, it was v^ery common on the west end of
Long Island, in the burying-grounds of the Dutch
Reformed congregations, to put Dutch inscrip-
tions on the monumental or grave-stones, both
prose and poetical ; but this has now ceased to
])e the practice. Inscriptions in this language on
grave-stones, are in the Bush wick burying-ground
of as late date as the year 17S0.
The Dutch Reformed church of Flatbush, in
Kings County, was incorporated July 31, 1784,
under a 2:eneral act of Leo-islature of the State of
12() LONG ISLAND ANTIQUiriES.
X ew York, entitled, " An act to enable all the
religious denominations in this state to appoint
trustees, who shall be a body corporate, for the
purpose of taking care of the temporalities of
tlieir respective congregations, and for other pur-
poses therein mentioned," passed April 6th, 1784.
The first trustees of this church, named in the
certificate, were Jeremias Yander Bilt, Joris Mar-
tense, Cornelius AVyckoff, Hendrick Suydam, and
Peter Lifferts. This was one of the first, if not
the first church upon Long Island, incorporated
under this general law.
A Dutch Reformed church was erected in
Jamaica, on this island, in 1715 ; in Newtown
shortly after ; and in the towns of Xorth Hemp-
stead and Oyster Bay about the year 1732. These
churches were supplied with ministers from
Kings County until about the middle of last cen-
tury.
Many of the Dutch churches on this island
w^ere of a curious style of architecture ; either
circular, six-square, or eight-square, with high
roofs, and a belfry or cupola springing from the
top of the six-square or octagon roof, with a small
bell in it. The churches at Jamaica, ^ew
Utrecht, and Bushwick, were of this character.
The latter, which was six-square, was taken down
in the year 1827. A few months previous to its
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 137
destruction, a lady of our acquaintance, who liad
a fine taste for sketching, at our request made a
drawing of this antique church, which we now
possess, and prize highly as an accurate represen-
tation of those curious old churches which have
now all disappeared from our island before the
march of modern improvements.
FOUNDATION OF EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
It is generally supposed, and so stated, that
the first attempt to establish the Episcopal Church
in this colony was by the act of 1693. This is
an error. The code of laws for the government
of the colony of l^sew York, known as the Du/ce^s
Xaws, adopted by the convention of deputies at
Hempstead, on Long Island, March 1, 1664, evi-
dently contemplated the establishment of that
church, as will be seen upon reference to its pro-
visions. This code, after stating that " the pub-
lic worship of God is much discredited for want
of painful and able ministers to instruct the peo-
ple in the true religion, and for want of conven-
ient places capjible to receive any number or
assembly of people in a decent manner for cele-
brating God's holy ordinances," then proceeds to
provide that, ^' in each parish within this gov-
ernment, a church be built in the most convenient
128 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
pai't thereof, capable to receive and accommodate
two hundred persons."
" That, for the making and proportioning the
levies and assessments for building and repairing
the churches, provision for the poor, maintenance
for the minister, as well as for the more orderly
managing of all parochial affairs in other cases
expressed, eight of the most able men of each
parish be, by the major part of the householders
of said parish, chosen to be overseers."
Out of this number of overseers, the constable
and the eight overseers were annuall}^ to make
choice of two to be churchwardens. These
churchwardens had very much the same powers
possessed by those ofhcers in England ; and were
recpiired twice in each year to make written
presentments to the court of sessions of all of-
fences coming within their knowledge against
good morals.
" To prevent scandalous and ignorant j)1'g-
tenders to the ministry from intruding them-
selves as teachers, no minister shall be admitted
to officiate within the government but such as
shall produce testimonials to the Governor that he
hath received ordination, either from some Pro-
testant bishops or minister within some part of
His Majesty's dominions, or the dominions of any
foreign Prince of the Keformed Peligion ; upon
THE EPISCOPAL CHITECriES. 129
which testimony the Governor shall induct the
said minister into the parish that shall make pre-
sentation of him, and as duly elected by the major
part of the inhabitants, honseholders."
It is not a little curious that this code of laws,
which are understood to have received the sanc-
tion of tlie Duke of York, afterwards King
James II. of England, and which were framed
for the government of a colony of which he was
the proprietor, should have so i-igidly excluded
the Koman Catholic religion, and allowed no
ministers from any part of the world to exercise
their calling here unless the}' were Protestants ;
and not even Protestants who had been ordained
in a foreign country under a Poman Catholic
monarch ; and that, too, when James himself was
such a rigid Poman Catholic, and made such ex-
traordinary exertions to introduce that faith into
England, where he had the opposition of a power-
ful and wealthy Establishment to contend with,
and eventuall}^ lost his crown in the contest ; and
here, where he had no Establishment to encounter,
and might easily have introduced it under the
general toloration which was from the establish-
ment of his government here allowed, it is truly
strange and wonderful.
The same code declares that : " Ko person
shall be molested, fined, or imprisoned, for differ-
130 LONG ISLAND AKTIQriTIES.
inty in judgment, in matters of religion, who pro-
fesses Christianity."
The regulations in relation to the ministers,
as established by this code, were as follows ;
" The minister of every parish shall preach
constantly every Sunday, and shall also pray for
the King, Queen, Duke of York and the Royal
family." '' Xo minister shall refuse the sacra-
ment of baptism to the children of Christian pa-
rents, when they shall be tendered, under pen-
alty of loss of preferment." " Ministers are to
marry persons after legal publication, or sufficient
license. Legal publication shall be so esteemed
when the persons to be married are three several
days asked in the church, or have a special license."
" 'No person of scandalous or vicious life shall
be admitted to the holy sacrament, who hath not
given satisfaction therein to the minister." The
court of assizes, which, previous to 1683, formed
the legislative authority of the colony under t]ie
Duke of York, at their term commencing Sep-
tember 28, 1665, ordered the churches in each
parish to be erected within three years after that
term, and provided " to which end a town rate
may be made to begin this year."
The same authority, the court of assizes, at a
term commencing October 2, 1672, ordered
" that the laws of the government be duly ob-
THE EPISCOPAL CHUKCHES. 131
served as to parish cliiirclies ; and that although
divers persons may be of different judgments,
yet all shall contribute to the minister established
and allowed of ; which is no way judged to be an
infringement of the liberty of conscience to which
they may pretend."
Again, this court of assizes, at the term of Octo-
ber 13, lG75,had the establishment of the church
under their consideration, and seem particularly
desirous that some maintenance for the minis-
try in each town or parish should be actually real-
ized. The record of their j)roceedings upon this
point is to the following purport :
" The church affairs being taken into consid-
eration, and particularly the maintenance of the
ministry, it is ordered, that towards the mainte-
nance of the ministry', besides the usual country
rate, there shall be a double rate levied npon all
those towns that have not already a sufficient
maintenance for a minister."
The Government appears to have been truly
anxious that churches should be established, and
a minister of the gospel called and settled in
each town of the colony ; and the difficulties
wdiich they encountered in effecting this object
seem to have mainly arisen from the disrelish of
the people to subject themselves to the neces-
sary taxation for those purposes*
132 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
All these provisions and regulations show that
while the colonial government intended to allow
the free exercise of any particular form of the
Christian religion used by Protestants, it was at
the same time their wish that the churches to be
erected in each parish might be supplied with
clergymen of the Established Church of England,
and they, therefore, to facilitate that, gave those
churches, as near as possible, the officers and
form of government of the parish churches of
Eiigland ; and when such a minister should be
settled in any church they intimated it to be their
intention to compel all the inhabitants of the
parish to contribute to his support, however much
they might difPer from him in judgment upon the
matters of religion ; and stated it as the conclu-
sion which they had arrived at, that this was no
infringement of the liberty of conscience j)i'evi-
ously granted. They had precedent for this
regulation in the uniform practice of the ^ew
England colonies, which had then uniformly for
years obliged the Episcopalians, or members of
the Church of England, to contribute rateably
to the support of their Congregational and Pres-
byterian ministers, and that even where they had
a church and ministry of their own to support.
The first Episcopalian minister upon this island
was the Rev. George Keith, who had formerly
THE EPISCOPAL CHUKCHES. 133
been a Quaker. He was sent here by the Eng-
lish Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign
Parts, soon after its formation in 1701, in order
that he might ascertain the best mode of fulfill-
ing the object of the association. He was styled
the Rector of Queens County, and was accom-
panied by the Rev. Peter Gordon, as a missionary
for this island, who was afterwards settled at
Jamaica in 1702.
The act of 1693, in place of being tJie first
attempt to establish the Episcopal Church on this
island, was in some measure a revival of the
regulations of 1601:, somewdiat extended ; but this
a':t, in its operation, was confined, on this island,
to Queens County. In the year 1700, the peo2:)le
of Jamaica, in that county, who were then gen-
erally Presbyterians or Independent, erected a
aUme edifice for public worship, by a general
subscription throughout the town, without re-
stricting it to any particular denomination. After
a year or more, they having no minister, the
church was not used for Divine service ; and
Governor Cornbury considering it, from the
manner in which the cost of its construction had
been raised, as one of the parish churches which
had previously been required to be erected at the
public expense, delivered possession of it to the
Episcopalians, w^ho continued to use it, very much
134 XONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
against the will of the Presbyterians, until the
year 1735, wlien they abandoned it, and erected
themselves another church in that town, which
new church was, in 1761, incorporated by the
name of Grace Church. When the seats in this
new church were sold, in the year 1737, the con-
gregation consisted of twenty-four families.
The above is one way in which the history of
this church is narrated. Another is, that the
stone church was actually occupied in 1702 by
the Itev. John Hubbard, a Presbyterian minister,
and his congregation ; and that on Sunday after-
noon, coming to the church, he found the pulpit
occupied by the Pev. Peter Gordon, an Episco-
palian minister, and the body of the church in
possession of a number of Gov. Cornbury's friends
and others, from the City of New York ; that this
led to a bitter controvei*sy, which, after a pro-
tracted and expensive litigation on the trial of
the cause before Chief Justice Lewis Morris, re-
sulted in favor of the Presbyterians, and restored
the church to them in 1728. Whichever is the
true history of this matter, it is certainly to be
regretted that any such controversy ever took
place.
The Episcopalians were established and a
church built in Hempstead in 1704; and the
Pev. John Thomas, a missionary of the Society
THE EPISCOPAL CHI IICIIES. 135
for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts (of
England), was their first minister. They erected
a new church at that place in 1734, and were then
incorporated, and constituted a parish, by the
name of " St. George's Church, Hempstead."
On a tombstone now standing in the burying-
ground of this church is the following inscription :
" 11 June 1764 Died Samuel Seabury Eector
of St. George's Church at Hempstead set. 64."
This Rector Seabury was the father of the
Right Rev. Samuel Seabury, the first Bishop of
Connecticut, and the first who was consecrated
for the United States. He was consecrated by
the bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church,
before the English bishops were authorized by
act of Parliament to consecrate any bishops for
the United Colonies.
The old church of St. George at Hempstead is
still (1846) standing, and is one of the most ven-
erable churches in our country ; it is beautifully
situated, few more so.
Other Episcopal churches were founded on
this island at the following named places, and at
the periods mentioned : —
At Brookhaven, Caroline church, in 1730.
At Xewtown, St. James' church, in 1734.
At Flushing, St. George's church, in 1734.
At Huntington, St. John's church, in 1784.
136 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
The first Episcopal church in the town of
Brooklyn (which now^, 1846, lias in it eleven
Episcopal churches, and two of them among the
most splendid in the country), and, indeed, the
first in Kings County, w^as established in the
year 1784, soon after the conclusion of the Revo-
lutionary war. It scarcely took the form of a
church ; there were but few, very few. Episcopa-
lians in this town or county at that period, so few
that they were not able to settle ,a minister
among them, and were supplied with occasional
services from the clergymen of the City of New
York; for which purpose they assembled in a
room of the old one-and-a-half story brick house,
known as ]N"o. 40 Fulton street, Brooklyn, then
called the Old Ferry Road, owned by Abiel
Titus, Esq. There is no reason to believe that
this little congregation was ever incorporated as
a church, or had any regular ofiicers. The first
regularl}^ established Episcopal church in this
town or county w^as that formed in the year
1786. The congregation was at first very small,
not having in it more than fifteen or sixteen
families, and they were not al^le to go to much
expense about erecting a church. They there-
fore hired the old and long one-story house,
owned by Marvin Richardson, on the north-west-
erly corner of Fulton street and Middagh street,
THE EPISCOPAL CHUKCIIES. 137
(which old building, or a considerable portion of
it, still remains in the interior of the frame build-
ings now upon that corner,) and taking out the
partitions, they seated it with seats with backs to
tliem, and put in a pulpit. The pews they sold,
and the tradition is, that a dispute which arose
about the sale of one or two particular pews in
this little church, was the origin of the Methodist
Episcopal church in Brooklyn ; and they con-
tinued in this edifice about a year or a little over,
and their first minister was the Rev. Mr. Wright.
This chui'cli does not appear to have had any
paiticular name.
A few months before the establishment of the
Episcopal church in Brooklyn, a frame building
of considerable size for that day had been erected
on the present Fulton street, upon what is now
the Episcopal burying ground, and was used by
a congregation of " Independents." It was in-
corporated on the ISth of September, 1TS5,
under the name of the " Independent Meeting
House," with John Matlock, pastor ; George
Wall, assistant; John Carpenter, treasurer;
Georo-e Powers, secretary ; and five trustees.
After they had used it for Divine worship
something over a year, Mr. John Carpenter, and
two or three other gentlemen who had a claim
upon the land and building for the money ad-
138 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
vanced for its purchase and erection, ejected the
Independent congregation bj fastening up the
church, and refusing them admission ; and they
subsequently transferred the land and chur{;h to
the Episcopalian congregation, who thereupon
left their room on the corner of Fulton and Mid-
dagh streets, and occupied it as their church,
upon which, on the 23d of April, 1787, they were
incorporated under the name of " The Episcopal
Church of Brookl^m," and their temporalities
placed under tlie direction of seven trustees^ the
first of whom were Whitehead Cornell, Joshua
Sands, Joseph Sealy, Aquila Giles, Matthew
Gleaves, John Van Xostrand and Henry Stan-
ton.
The form of government which they had thus
inadvertently adopted, not being that suited to
the churches and congregations of the Episco-
palian church, but intended for the Presbyterian
and other congregations, the church was reorgan-
ized, and the 22d of June, 1795, newly incorpo-
rated, under the name of " St. Ann's Church,"
and placed under the government of church-
wardens and vestrymen.
Many have supposed, and now believe, that
the name of " St. Ann's Church " was for the
first time applied to the stone church erected on
Sands street ; but this is an error : it was applied
ST. Ann's ciiuecii. 139
to the old frame cliurch about nine years before
the stone church was built.
They remained in this church until the stone
Episcopal church on Sands street was erected;
also known as St. Ann's church, when the old
frame church was taken down about 1805, and
from its materials the dwelling house 'No. 11
Prospect street was erected.
The first organ in any church in Kings County
was that in St. Ann's church, Brooklyn, which
was first opened April 11th, 1810, and a number
of fine pieces of music performed and anthems
sung. A sermon was delivered on the occasion
by tlie Rev. R. C. Moore, on the importance of
church music. St. Ann's Episcopal church was
occupied until the close of the summer of 1825,
when it was taken down in the month of Septem-
ber of that year. The first clergyman wdio ofiici-
ated in that church was the Rev. John Ireland, a
man of a most violent temper, and who was event-
ually silenced from preaching, or acting as a
minister, for some very unseemly exhibitions of
it, a restriction after some years removed, and he
was appointed chaplain to the United States
Xavy Yard in this town, w^hich situation he held
until his decease.
The new St. Ann's cliurch, constructed of
brick, on Washington street, in the rear of the
140 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
old charch, was consecrated in the latter part of
the suinnier of 1S25, by the Kight Rev. John
Croes, Bishop of New Jersey, assisted by the
Bishops of Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. At
that time it was the only Episcopal church in the
town of Brooklyn, or in the County of Kings, ex-
cept that the chaplain of the Navy Yard then be-
ing an Episcopalian, the service in that chapel
was of the Episcopal form.
At North Hemj)stead, in Queens County, an
Episcopalian church was founded by the name of
" Christ Church " in the year 1803.
FOUNDATION OF METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
The first congregation of this denomination
was formed in Brooklyn about the year 1787,
but it was some three or four years before they
became sufficiently numerous to erect a church
or meeting-house, but they had frequent preach-
ing supplied by the itinerant preachers of their
connexion, in a small building of one story about
thirty-five feet long, and twenty feet broad,
which they built on the northerly side of High
street, and afterwards used for many years as a
school-house.
Their first church on Sands street, near Fulton
street, was probably erected in the autumn of the
year 1793, as we find it to have been incorporated
EOlklAN CATHOLIC CHUECHES. 141
on the 19th of May, 1794, iiiicler the name of the
" First Methodist Episcopal Clmrch," and placed
under the government of six trustees. This
cl lurch continued to be used until tlie year 1810,
when being found much too small for the con-
gi-egation attending there, it was taken down,
and a temporary slied of large dimensions erected
in the burying-ground immediately in the rear of
the cliurch ; under wdiich the pnlpit and seats
were placed, and Divine service performed tiiere
until the new cliurch was erected. Which new
church was erected upon the site of the old one,
and extending much beyond it, both in length
and breadth — it was also a frame building, as
well as the old church.
This new Methodist church was opened for the
first time after its completion, on the 18th of
August, 1811, and a dedication sermon preached
on the occasion.
This Methodist church erected on Sands street,
Brooklyn, in 1793, was not only the first church
of that denomination in this town, but also the
first erected in Kings County.
FOUNDATION OF ROMAN CxVTIIOLIC CHURCHES.
The first Komaii Catholic church founded upon
Long Island takes its date from the year 1822.
143 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
Tlie corner-stone of this church was laid in the
yiljage of Brooklyn, on the 25th of June, 1822,
on the corner of Jay street and Chapel street,
which was then a large extent of vacant ground,
there being then no buildings nearer that spot
than High street, and not a single building
between the site of the church and the mead-
ows of Wallaboght mill-pond.
This church was incorporated on the 20th of
November, 1822, by the name of " St. James
Roman Catholic Church," and placed under the
government of seven trustees. The church has
been very much enlarged every way ; the nave
of the church, as now used, was all that consti-
tuted the original edifice ; the front, the tower
and sj^ire, the transept and the chancel have all
been added. The church, as first erected, was a
plain brick edifice, with unfinished walls inside ;
now it is a very showy building.
OLD HOUSES.
There are several houses still remaining on
this island venerable for their antiquity, and for
incidents connected with their history. One of
them is the house in Southold, known as the
" old Young's place," which was built in 1688.
It was the mansion house of the descendants of
THE PIRATE S GKAVE. 143
the Rev. John Youngs, the first Christian minis-
ter in that part of Long Island. In the same
town is also the edifice known as " Cochran's
Hotel," which was erected in the year 1700 ; and
there are several others in the eastern part of
this island which might be noticed, if time and
space permitted. Approaching westwardly
through the island, we meet, on Fort N'eck, with
an old-fashioned brick house, which was many
years ago owned and occupied by a Captain
Jones, wlio is reputed to have been a pirate, and
in it he died. Tradition says that at the time of
his death, a large black crow (which the people
supposed to be a demon) hovered over his bed,
and when life was extinct, the crow made his
exit through the west end of the house. This
story is still told by the oldest inhabitants as a
fact, and they also state that the hole through
which the crow made his departure cannot be
stopped, and that as often as it is closed it is
opened by some unknown means.
I saw the house in Julj^, 1827 ; it was a venera-
ble-looking building, but fast hastening to ruin.
It was then pointed out to me as the " haunted
house," by persons in the vicinit}^ Capt. Jones
was buried not far from the house, and his
grave is designated to this day as the " Pirate's
Grave."
144 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
This grave is about half a mile south of the
house, on the banks of a creek, in a small piece
of p-round surrounded bv an earth wall. The
tombstone is of red freestone. The ground also
contains the graves of his wife, his sou, and his
son's wife. There are no other persons interred
there but these four. It is quite a solitary spot.
The mansion of the Hon. George Duncan
Ludlow, at Hempstead Plains, now called Ilvde
Park, was one of the largest and best houses of
its da}^ on this island. It was destroyed by fire
accidentally, in the month of December, 1773,
and the loss sustained was estimated at not less
than £3000. With it was also consumed a
library estimated to be worth twelve hundred
pounds, which must have been a very large and
valuable library for the colonies. This house
was immediately rebuilt upon the same spot,
and again destroyed by fire in 1817, while in
the occupation of the celebrated William Cob-
bett.
In the town of Flatbush are several of these
relics of former days ; among them is an old one-
story brick dwelling-house erected in the year
1G96, situate at the corner of the Flatbush turn-
pike road and the road leading to New Lotts.
This house has the following figures and devices,
containing the date of its erection, and the initials
THE OLDEST HOUSE IN BROOKLYN. 145
of its original proprietor, on its front, formed with
bine bricks inserted between tlie red bricks.
c?
Q
<S.P
S.5><$.
o
Q
In the same town is a very old frame house,
covered with cedar sliingles, the date of which is
unknown, but we should not be surprised, judg-
ing frOm its appearance, if the date of this build-
ing was prior to tliat of the one above mentioned.
The oldest liouse in the town of Brooklyn is
supposed to be the house which was known as
Tn^o. ()4 Fulton street, in the village of Brooklpi,
and owned and occupied by Mr. Jacob Patchen.
Mr. Charles Doughty, who has been dead about
twenty-five years, and was about eighty-five years
of age when he died, said that this was an old
liouse when he Avas a bo}^ Mrs. Eapalje, the
mother of John E-apalje, whose property in
Brooklyn was confiscated during the Iwevolution-
ary wai-, said that this house was built by a family
of the Hemsens who came from Holland. This
7
146 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUFJIES.
house was removed by order of the corporation
of the village of Brooklyn, for the purpose of
opening Market street in that village, and now
stands on Jackson street in said village, now city.
There was also recently an old brick honse
standing on Fulton street, in Brooklyn, near tlie
corner of Nassau street, which was occupied by
the Colonial Legislature as a sessions house dur-
ing the prevalence of the small-pox in New York
in 1752 ; and at this house, on the 4th of June,
1752, 2,541 bills of credit issued by this Colony,
amounting to £3,G02. ISs. 3d., were cancelled by
the Colonial Connnissioners. This house was sub-
sequently occupied by General Israel Putnam as
his headquarters during the stay of the American
army on Long Islaiid, in the summer of 1776.
The house was taken down in May, 1S32, and
its timbers, which were all of oak (as were those
of all the old buildings of that early period), were
so perfectly sound and hard that they could not
be cut without much difficulty ; and most of them
were worked into the new brick buildings which
now occupy the same site.
What an idea does this simple fact afford us of
the strength and permanency with which every
thing was done by our ancestors. They did not
build in haste, or run up houses during the frosts
of winter, but all was done \7ith muph care and
Washington's headquarters. 147
forethoTiglit ; tliey were building for their pos-
terity as well as for themselves. In building, as
in every other matter, much time was spent in
examining the project in all its probable bearings
before it was adventured upon ; and wlien once
undertaken, it was persisted in with a force and
spirit almost unknown to the present age. To
this peculiar characteristic of our foi-efathers we
owe all the blessings arising from our institutions
of government. A slight and even partial exam-
ination of the history of the United States for the
half century preceding the Kevolntion of 1776,
will show us how many years of patient thought
and unwearied toil were deemed necessary by the
patriots of that day to precede the great event of
the Declaration of Independence, and to give to
it the desii-ed stability. They did not dream of
getting up a revolution in a few hours, days or
months, now so common in tliis world, and whose
effects, of course, are as evanescent as were the
deliberations which gave them birth. The house
on Brooklyn Heights recently owned by Henry
AVaring, Esq., was at the same time occupied by
General AVashington as his headquarters.
There is a very old stone dwelling house near
the water at Gowanus Bay, and next to tiie house
of Simon Bergen. It was formerly the old Ber-
gen mansion house, and near the well of tliis
148 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
house, Mr. Bergen, the proprietor, was shot dur-
ing the Revohitionary war by an English soldier.
Another memorial of antiquity which still remains
to us in Brooklyn is an old stone house owned by
the family of Cortelyou, at Gowanus, which
bears on its gable end, in iron figures, the date of
1699. It is a venerable looking edifice ; and
when A^ewing it, our minds are imperceptibly led
to think how much of human joy and sorrow,
wdiat scenes of happiness and misery, must have
occurred under the roof -tree of that old mansion
since the date of its erection ; and if it were in
our power to learn its entire history without the
slightest embellishment, what a strange romance
would even the plainest narrative of the facts
which have transpired within its walls now ap-
pear to us ! So true it is that fact is often much
stranger than any romance which the mind of
man ever conceived. This house was the resi-
dence of the American general. Lord Stirling,
prior to his capture by the British forces in the
battles of Long Island.
The house 'No. 27 Fulton street, opposite Front
street, in Brooklyn, and for many years occupied
as a tavern, was built in 1780, entirely of Long
Island timber, and the frame of oak, as was for-
merly the case with many houses ; it was taken
down about the year 1830. In digging the cellar
THE DUTCH MODE OF BUILDING. 149
of this house a Large rock was found, which in
endeavoring to sink slipped, and one of the men
fell under it and was crushed to death, and his
bones reraam under it to the present day : so says
tradition.
The houses mentioned were amono; the larfi:est
and most important dwellings in the colony at
tlie time of their erection, and serve to show us
what the more wealthy and noble of the land
then thought sufficient for all their wants, and for
the accommodation of their families and friends.
In the centui'V followino- there was an evident
change in sentiment in this respect ; the houses
were lariJ^er, and from beino^ lono- and narrow,
o " o Id '
with two front doors, not unfrequently side by
side, and one or one and a half stories high, they
became square and two stories in height, aiford-
ing double the amount of room, and often more,
than in the old st3de of building in the century im-
mediately preceding. Of this more modern style,
many of the houses would even now be regarded
highly respectable in appearance ; it was an adap-
tation, to some extent, of the English style, as its
predecessor was of the Dutch mode of building ;
there are however but few, very few, of this second
order of our old mansions now in existence : a few
of them are mentioned in the following pages.
The first Lighthouse erected on Long Island
150 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
was tlie Lighthouse on Montauk Point, which
was built in 1796. It is a very massive and dur-
able tower of stone, and it is said to be one of the
best lights in the United States.
Prior to the Revolution of 1776, Governor
Martin, of the province of South Carolina, came
on from that province to Xew York, and built
the large old house at Rockaway Beach, now
(1S38) occupied as a boarding-house, where he
resided with his family. In the large room on
the lower floor, now used as a dining-room,
there is a painting on a panel over the fire-place,
representing a child playing with a dog. It is a
splendid piece of painting, the dog especially is
admirable : it is a spotted dog. This painting
was done by Sir John Copley, then without his
title, and an inhabitant of Boston, in Massachu-
setts, and the child represented a member of
Governor Martin's family. The house is a very
fine specimen of the old style of mansion-house
building. Mrs. Martin, the widow of Governor
Martin, lived and died in the city of Kew York,
in Broadway, on part of what is now the site of
Astor's great hotel ; she was a daughter of Sir
John Copley, and sister of Lord Lyndhurst, the
PAINTINGS BY COPLEY. 151
English Lord Chancellor ; she says the painting
before mentioned was from the pencil of her
father. She died about the year 1825, and quite
wealthy ; she gave eight thousand dollars by her
will to Bishop Ilobart of New York. In the
com]3troller's office of Trinitj^ Church, on the
corner of Fulton and Church streets, New York,
is another painting by Sir John Copley. It is a
likeness of the Eev. Mr. Ogilvie of Trinity
Church, assistant minister with the Rev. Mr.
Auchnmty, tlie rector of that church. Mr.
Ogilvie died before the Eevolutionary war, on
Fulton street, in Brooklyn, near its junction with
Jackson street, and about fifty feet southerly of
that junction, on the east side of the street, is
(1830) a relic of the olden time which has been
there some considerable time before the Revolu-
tionary war. It is a wood medallion, but profile
likeness of King George III., of England,
crowned with a laurel wreath. It is well done
and a creditable specimen of wood carving not
only for that day, but for any day, and judging
from the engraved likeness of that monarch, it
is a very good representation of him. It is now,
and I believe always has been, on tlie front of tlie
hay scales, near the top, which are now kept by
Charles Poling. It should be preserved as a
memento of our ante-lie vol utionary history. In
153 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
1820 there was another of these old-fasliioiied
haj-scales in Brooklyn ; it stood on the westerly
side of Fidton street, a little southerly of the
corner of that street and Buckbee's alley, and be-
tween the front of those hay-scales and the oppo-
site side of the street was only about thirty-five
feet. On the top of these hay-scales was a small
cupola in which hung the fire-bell of Brooklyn,
then the only bell in the village for an alarm in
such cases, except the bell of St. Ann's churcli,
which was bnt a poor one, and the small bell of
the old Dutch Church, which then hung in the
belfry of the Dutch Reformed Lecture-room in
Middagh street. At this period all the houses on
Fulton street, between the corner of Front street,
and the junction of Fulton street and Main street,
were old frame buildings of one and tw^o stories
high, with the exception of the stone dwelling-
house of two stories, occupied by Jacob M. Hicks
and John M. Hicks, on the corner of Hicks street
and Fulton street ; and the two-story brick dwell-
ing of Burdett Stryker, opposite Front street ;
and the long old one-story brick dwelling of Abiel
Titus, on the east side of Fulton street. Hicks
street then was only about fifteen feet wide at its
junction with Fulton street, and was a steep, ugly
hill to get up with a loaded cart, and gullying
very much with every rain. About this time the
THE "COEPORATION HOUSE. 153
trustees of the village attempted its first regula-
tion, by building a high stone wall along from
the rear of the Messrs. Hicks' house for 600 or
700 feet (outside of it being then all vacant
ground, used for garden purposes), and then
cutting off the top of the hill some four or five
feet, they filled in the bottom and along even
with that stone wall; and then, to prevent its
gullying, paved it with a gutter in the centre of
the street.
On the westerly corner of Front and Fulton
streets stood the old Rapalje mansion-house, a
large stone building of two stories, about forty
feet front on the street. This house was second
to none upon Long Island, when it was built, for
size and elegance. It was taken down about
1807.
The next house west of that upon the Old Ferry
street, now Fulton street, was the large, old, stone
two-story building, occupied as a tavern, known
as the " Corporation House ; " it belonged to the
Corporation of the City of IN'ew York, and was
originally erected by them as an iim or tavern
some twenty or thirty years l:)ef()re the He volu-
tion, and was occupied as such all through that
war, and was a noted resort of the British officers
stationed in New York, and many of them men-
tion it in their published travels in this country.
154 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
That house was destroyed by fire in the year
1815, and its desolate walls remained standing
for some two or three years after, when the Cor-
poration of Xew York had a new survey made of
their property there, and new division of lots,
upon which they leased the same, and brick
stores and dwellings were erected.
Another noted house in Brooklyn was the
mansion-house of Philip I. Livingston, afterwards
a member of the Continental Congress. This
was a large frame building, actually forming two
dwellings. The larger part, wdiich was about
forty feet square, Mr. Livingston erected for his
son, who was a young man then travelling in
Europe ; who, upon his return, was to be married
to a lady to whom he w^as engaged before he left
liome, and occupy that new house ; but he was
taken sick, and died abroad only a few months
before his return was expected.
This mansion, both the old and the new part,
was finished throughout in the best and most
costly style of that period, having much beautiful
carved wood-work and ornamented ceilings, and
also Italian marble chimney-pieces sculptured in
Italy. Most beautiful specimens they were ; we
have often admired them. This house, upon tht^
death of its last owner and occupier, Judge Jorale-
moii, in 181:2, was about to be taken down, and
MONUMENTS AND FUNERAL CUSTOMS. 155
these marble chimney-pieces were packed up for
removal, when it took fire, and they, with the
house, were destroyed. The gardens attached to
this mansion, when the British took possession of
it and converted it into a naval hospital in 1776,
are said to have been among the most beautiful
in America.
OLD MONUMENTAL STONES AND FUNERAL CUSTOMS.
The oldest monumental tombstones bearing
inscriptions are to be found on the east end of
the island, although there were settlements made
on the west end at an earlier date than on the
east. The reasons for this we conceive to be
these : Among the Dutch settlers the art of
stone-cutting does not appear to have been used
until within comparatively a few years, with but
few exceptions, and their old burying-grounds
ai-e strewn with rougli headstones which bear no
inscriptions ; whereas the English people imme-
diately on their settlement introduced the pirac-
tice of perpetuating the memories of their friends
by inscribed stones. Another reason for not find-
ing any very old toinbstones in the Dutch settle-
ments is, that they early adopted the practice of
having family burial-places on their farms, without
monuments, and not uufrequently private burials,
lod LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
both of which the Governor and Colonial Legis-
lature, in 1664 and 1684, deemed of sufficient im-
portance to merit legislative interference, and
declared that all persons should be publicly
buried in some parish burial-place ; but as there
was no specific penalty attached to the l)reach of
these laws, the custom of burying in private
burial-places still continued, and is practised to a
considerable extent at the present day.
In the old grave -yard at East Hampton are
said to be several ancient tombstones, and that in
that grave-yard are buried many of the first set-
tlers.
The first English settlement in the town of
East Hampton (excepting Gardiner's Island) w^as
made in the spring of 1648, and the first intei--
ments were made in the south bui-ial-ground of
that town, where yet nmy be seen monuments of
red (-edar wood, which are probably as ancient as
any other now existing.
The public cemeteries on the east end of the
island were uninclosed, indicating that the set-
tlers regarded with no religious veneration the
resting-jDlaces of the dead ; not that they had no
respect for t/ie rnemories of their deceased rela-
tives and friends, but that they esteemed all
measures for setting apart the final resting-place
of the body, by enclosures and other acts, as relics
WILLIAM WELLS OF SOUTHOLD> 157
of superstitious observances, which should, as an
act of duty, be avoided, and they, therefore, in
their great care to abstain from anytliing wliich
might have the appearance of acceding to the
ceremonies and requirements of Prelacy and
Papacy, ran into the opposite extreme.
On the west end of the island, on the con-
trary, care was taken to secure the burial-places
from all intrusion, by fencing them, and allowing
but one place for their entrance ; and although
no particular ceremony was used in setting them
apart, or upon interring the dead in them, except
b}' the few members of the Church of England,
or Episcopalians, yet all here regarded the grave-
yard as a species of hallowed ground, not to be
trod upon lightly or without caiise.
In the church burying-ground at Southokl is
a tombstone bearing the following inscription :
" Here lies ye body of William AYells of South-
old, gent, justice of ye peace, and fii-st Sheriff e of
New Yorkshire upon Long Island, who departed
this life November 13th, 1671, aged 63."
" Yea here hee lies, who speaketh yet, tho' dead,
On wings of faith his soule to Heaven is fled,
His pious deedes and charity was such,
That of his praise no pen can write too much.
As was his life so was his blest decease.
He lived in love and sweetly dy'd in peace."
158 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
The oldest tombstone in the Dntch church-yard
at Biooklyii, having any mark, is one which bears
the date of 1730.
The oldest tombstone at present in the Bush-
wick buiying-ground is one erected to the mem-
ory of Cornelius Bogart, and bears the date of
1769. There are inscriptions in Dutch on tomb-
stones in this burial-place bearing date as late as
1780.
In the burying-ground in Flatbush \dllage,
among the earliest grave-stones, is one now stand-
ino^ about eiu^hteen inches in heia^ht from the
ground, made of the white sandstone which is nsu-
ally found in the woods. It is inscribed to the
memory of Helen Yanderbilt, wife of one of the
Martenses, and has cut on it, near the top, a rough
representation of a chernb's head. There is a
tradition in the Martense family, that this monu-
mental stone cost ten pounds of the currency of
the colony at that period. A most enormous
sum, being equal to the whole salary of the Clerk
of Kings County for a 3'ear, that being also ten
pounds currency at that time, and explaining to
a certain extent the reason why so few grave-
stones of an ancient date are to be found in the
burying-grounds on the west end of the island ;
and taken in connection with the fact of the pri-
vate burial-places, affords, perhaj^s, a complete
THE FLATBUSII NIGIIT-WATCII. 159
solution to the whole question. There were un-
questionably but few persons who here followed
the business of stone-cutting, and consequently
the price was too high for any but those w4io
were comparatively wealthy, and the most of
tliose having been interred in their private ceme-
teries, but few of those stones are to be found in
the public grave-yards.
The Legislature of the State of Kew York, on
the 6th of April, 1796, passed an Act authorizing
the inhabitants of Flatbush to establish a night
w^atch in that town. The object designed by this
watch was to prevent the taking up of recently
buried dead bodies from their graves in the church-
yard, to be used for anatomical examinations in
the city of IN^ewYork and elsewhere ; which it was
said had been previously done in some instances,
and caused much excitement in the community,
as well as grief to the surviving relatives ; for
there is nothing that the old-fashioned Dutch
people so much dread and abhor as the idea of
having their own bodies, or those of their friends
and relatives, subjected to the dissecting knife of
the surgeon for any such purpose.
This watch was usually kept every night in the
burying-ground, for eight or ten days after the
interment, depending on the season of the year.
The friends of the deceased supplied the watch
160 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
each night with provisions and refreshments to be
consnmed during their vigils.
Formerly the funerals upon this island were of
a very expensive character, and it was a custom
in the old families to lay up a stock of superior
wine to be used on such occasions ; and fre-
quently at those funerals you would meet with
wine so choice and excellent that it could scarcely
be equalled by any in the land, although our
country has always been celebrated throughout
the world for its excellent Madeira wine. Chris-
topher Smith, Esq., of Jamaica, on this island,
who died about half a century since, had stored
away a large quantity of the most superior wines
in the country, which were used at his funeral ;
and an old friend of ours who attended the fun-
eral of General Curtenius, in the city of Xew
York, several years ago informed us that from
the great profusion of excellent wines, liquors,
segars, etc., it resembled more a wedding feast
than it did a funeral ; this, however, was not pe-
culiar to this instance ; it was the general custom at
that period and for a very longtime previous upon
Long Island and in the cit}' of ~New York. Also,
and not very many years since, among us a cus-
tom universally existed of handing around w^ine
to all persons attending a funeral ; and it was
also usual, when the estate of the deceased would
THE EAKL OF BELL AMOUNT. IGl
afford it, and even in many cases where it could
not, to give to each of the pall-bearers, clergymen
and physicians attending, a scarf of white linen
(sufficient in quantity to make a shirt), which was
worn by them across the shoulder; and also a
pair of gloves, either of silk or kid. If the de-
ceased was old or married, the scarf was tied
with a black ril)l)on, and the gloves were black;
but if the deceased was young and unmarried,
the scai-f was fastened with a white ribbon and
the gloves were white. The custom of giving
gloves and scarfs at funerals is not yet entirely
gone out of existence. At a still earlier period
it was the custom, at the more superior order of
funerals, to give gold mourning rings to each
person who attended, and we have seen still pre-
served on Long Island, in the family of the gen-
tleman to whom it was presented, a ring which
was thus given at the funeral of the Earl of Bel-
lamont, who died the Governor of the Colony of
New York; it was a very heavy, massive gold
ring, and lias upon it the inscription, " Comes De
Bello-mon."
And even within the present century it was
likewise the custom at funerals in the country
parts of Long Island, for the relatives of the de-
ceased, at the house from which the funeral was
to proceed, to prepare a large quantity of cold
162 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
provisions, such as roast turkeys, boiled hams,
roast beef, etc., which were set upon a table in a
room opened for the purpose, and every one went
there and helped himself as he pleased. Also
rum, brandy and gin, with 23ipes, tobacco and
segars, were handed around among the people
during their stay at the house, it being considered
inhospitable not to do so ; and it was not an un-
usual thing to see the farmers congregate together,
in warm weather, under the shade of trees, about
the vicinity of the house, smoking their long pipes
and drinking, hearing and telling the news, and
lautyhinp: and talkino- too:ether for two or three
hours before the funeral would move. This long
stay at the house previous to proceeding to the
place of interment, together with the great plenty
of spirituous liquors distributed about, sometimes
occasioned scenes of much noise, and very inap-
proj)riate to the purjDose for which they had as-
sembled. The change which has since been pro-
duced in this practice is mainlj^ to be credited to
the exertions of one gentleman, the Kev. Evan
M. Johnson, then the Rector of the Episcopal
church at ^N^ewtown, who some years since pro-
posed to the vestry of that church, that thereafter,
at all funerals in that congregation, the friends
should be bidden or invited at one hour, and the
interment should take place the next succeeding
LUCAS WYNGAARd's FUNERAL. 163
hour, so as to allow them sufficient time to as-
semble and no more, and to induce its accep-
tance the rector agreed to relinquish his claim
to a scarf on such occasions ; he also proposed
that the use of spirituous liquors at funerals
should be discontinued ; to all these propositions
the vestr}" assented, recommending that in place
of spirituous liquors, wine should be handed
around among tlie people; this was a great reform,
when we consider that it was long before the tem-
perance movement commenced. This plan being
seen to work well in that congregation, was also
adopted bj other congregations in other parts of
the island, and after a while the use of wine itself
at funerals was dispensed with.
But expensive as was the character of the
funeral on this island, and in New York, thej
could not compare in that respect with those
among the Dutch inhabitants of the city of
Albany. Judge Benson, in his memoir read
before the Xew York Historical Society, describes
the funeral of Lucas Wyngaard who died in that
city in the year 1756, a bachelor, leaving some
estate. The invitation to that funeral was verv
general, and those who attended returned after
the interment, as the custom then was, to the
house of the deceased, towards the close of the
day ; and a large number of them never left it
164 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
until the dawn of the ensuing day. In the course
of the night a pipe of wine, which had been stored
in the cellar for some years before the occasion,
was drank ; dozens of papers of tobacco were con-
sumed ; grosses of pipes broken ; scarce a whole
decanter or glass was left ; and, to crown the whole,
the pall-bearers made a bonfire of their scai-fs
upon the hearth of the room where they were car-
ousing. This may have been a little more uproari-
ous than most of the funerals of that period, as the
deceased was a bachelor, and had no widow and
children in the same house to control, and, in
some degree, to modify their proceedings; bat
jet all the funerals of that time were more than
enough so under any circumstances. Even down
to within the last fifty years Albany was noted
for the expensive character of its funerals ; a
funeral, in a respectable old Dutch family at that
place and especially of the head or any principal
member of it, often cost from three to four
thousand dollars. That of the first wife of the
late Patroon, Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, it is
said, cost him not less than twenty thousand dol-
lars ! All his tenants were invited, and most of
them were in Albany two or three days at his
expense, and tw^o thousand linen scarfs were
given on that occasion. It was formerly the
custom there for a young man immediately pre-
165
vions to his raarriao^e, to send to the Island of
Madeira for a pipe or two of the best wine ; a
portion of which being used in the rejoicings
consequent upon his marriage, and the remainder
stored away for his funeral and that of his wife.
It was also the practice in that city to send out
special funeral invitations for all the friends and
acquaintances of the deceased, being about the
same age, and likewise for all the clergy and
professional men of the city and neigliboring
country, and general invitations from the pulpits
of the churches for the citizens at large. To the
house of each person thus specially invited was
sent a linen scarf, a pair of black silk gloves, a bot-
tle of old Madeira wine, and two ^^ funeral cahes^''
which were round, and about the size of a dinner
phite ; this was done previous to the funeral, and
was in addition to the great quantity of spiced
wine and other liquors, which, with tobacco and
pipes, were distributed and used at the hous' of
the deceased immediately preceding and after tlie
interment. Wlien General Schuyler died in that
city, all the clergy, lawyers, physicians, and even
students, in Albany and its neighborhood for
many miles, were invited speciall}^, and a scarf,
gloves, a bottle of wine, with funeral cakes, given
to each one of them. So particular were they
about the linen of which to make these scarfs.
166 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
that ill several instances they sent down by land
to Kew York, in the depth of winter, to purchase
it, and paid two dollars a yard. Common linen
would not answer; the finer it was the better it
was liked for that purpose. These customs have
now all died away in that city ; the only relic of
them remaining we noticed at a funeral there dur-
ing the winter of 1840, when the persons attend-
ing in large numbers, after the interment, accom-
panied the relatives of the deceased in procession
on their return to the house, and when they had
arrived at the door they all dispersed without
going in.
Among the Dutch inhabitants on Long Island,
it was recently, and had been from time im-
memorial, if it is not even yet, customary to con-
vert the first money that a young man obtained
by his labor or services, after he became of age,
into gold coin, and then lay it by for the purpose
of burying him, until a sufiicient sum was thus
procured to bear the expense of a " respectable
funeral " — they esteeming it a great reproach to
have it said that either of them died after attain-
ing about the age of twenty -three years, without
leaving money sufficient to pay the expenses of
their burial, unless under very peculiar circum-
stances. We have seen a large number of
guineas of the reign of George II., and Spanish
FUNERAL OF A DUTCH FARMER. 1G7
gold pieces of a later date, which had in one
family been collected from one generation to
another, and laid by for that purpose, being
esteemed as something sacred, and not to be dis-
posed of in any other way, but to be preserved
for the emergency, if required. It was also
formerly the custom w^ith them, the Dutch far-
mers, when the head of a family died, to kill an
ox or steer, and to buy a barrel of wine, upon
which they had a great feast among the relatives
and friends. We have been informed by a gen-
tleman now living, that some years ago, he had
charge of the funeral of one of the old Dutch
inhabitants of this island, a very respectable
farmer, and that the expense attending that
funeral was between seven and eight hundred
dollars, and that it w^as the particular request of
the surviving relatives that it should be so, their
attachment for the deceased impelling them to
desire that liis funeral sliould be a generous one,
and have nothing mean or inhospitable about it.
It was also the practice on this island, and still
is so, to appropriate a new linen shirt, handker-
chief, etc., for each member of the family, for
the purpose of burying them in, and which arti-
cles are never worn, but are left clean for that
use. And in the country parts of Long Island
it is usual, or was until very recently, when a
K)8 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
woman died in childbed, to carry the corpse to
the grave, with a white sheet spread over the
coffin, in place of a pall.
This last-mentioned custom gave rise to tlie
onl}^ instance of second-sight we have ever heard
of upon this island. A gentleman, who is now
deceased, a man of veracity and high standing in
the community, and who for many years of his
life was in public office, informed us that some
years previous, coming up a. road leading into
the village of Flatbush (we think that from Xew
Utrecht), he met or rather overtook, within about
a mile of the village, a funeral of a female who
had died in childbed, for the white sheet was
spread over the coffin ; the road being quite wide
he passed them, and some time after, in the same
day, he inquired what female had been buried in
the church-yard that day. He was told there
liad been no interment on that day, and that ii<:>
funeral had passed through the village ; he also
inquired along the road on which he had seen
the funeral procession moving, and all the people,
to his great surprise, declared that no funeral
liad passed on that day, or they would have seeu
it, nor was any one dead in the neighborhood, or
they would have heard of it. He now began to
think his eyes might, have deceived him, but
could not imagine how that could be, when the
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION. 169
following day he heard of the death of the w'Pe
')f otie of his friends not far from Flatbiishj who
liad died that morning in childbed ; and the next
day at the same hour in which he had seen it,
the funeral procession did come akmg the same
road on which he had thus before seen it, with the
wliite sheet spread over the coffin ; and then
he began to conclude that he had experienced an
instance of that nature called by tlie Scotch second-
sight, lie said he was in good liealth at the
time, and was in no way excited, for he had no
idea it was a vision he was looking upon, but be-
lieved it to be a real funeral.
SCnOOLS AND EDUCATION.
The reputation of the schools in Xew York
under the Dutch government was so high that
it was not an unfrecpient occurrence for the Eng-
lish settlers in Virginia, and other southern colo-
nies, to send their children to ^ew Amsterdam,
now New York, for the purposes of education.
One of the very first regulations made by the
Dutch government upon the settlement of the
colony of the New Netherlands was to provide
for the education of the youth, as well as for the
religious instruction of the colonists. In the
" Conditions offered by the Burgomasters of the
City of Amsterdam, etc., to all who are willing
8
170 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
to settle in Kew I^etherland," that city having,
under the Dutch West India Company, the ar-
rangement of the terms and conditions upon
which the colonists should he transported to, and
seated in the new colony, was the following on
the subject of schools: —
" The City of Amsterdam shall send there a pro-
per person for a schoolmaster, who shall also read
the Holy Scriptures in public, and set the Psalms."
" The City of Amsterdam shall also, as soon as
they conveniently can, provide a salary for the
said schoolmaster."
The colonists were probably very soon after
their settlement in a situation to relieve the Fath-
erland from this engagement on their behalf, and
to provide a salaiy for their schoolmaster them-
selves. For we find that by 1G50, and probably
some time earlier, thei-e was a school estal)lished
in each town under the Dutch government, and
the schoolmaster's salary formed part of the re-
gular town expenses.
In each of these towns the schoolmaster was
also the chorister and sexton of the church, and
in the absence of the minister was required, by
the terms upon which he was engaged, to read
prayers and a sermon in the church to the con-
gregation. Thus, when the Rev. Henricus Sel-
wyn, on the 23d of July, 1664, took leave of his
THE DUTCH SCHOOLMASTER. 171
cliiirch at Brooklyn, on this island, to return to
Holland, after his departure Charles Debevoise,
the schoolmaster of this town, was required to
read prayers and a sermon from an approved
author every Sabbath, in the church, for the im-
provement of the congregation, until another
minister was called.
This connection between the schoolmaster and
the church in the Dutch towns existed not only
under the Dutch administration in this colony,
but was also continued under the English govern-
ment for a long period after its establishment in
the colony, as will be seen by a reference to the
agreement made between the Consistory of the
Dutch Keformed church at Flatbush, and Johan-
11 is Yan Eckellen, the schoolmaster of that town,
on the Sth of October, 1682.
Who is it that does not see that the peculiar
aptitude always manifested by our people for
self-government, from a period long anterior to
our Revolutionary contest, resulted mainly, under
Providence, from the c^reat care manifested bv
our forefathers for the establishment of schools,
and their support in each town, both under the
Dutch and English governments ?
Long Island, at a very early period of its set-
tlement, was peculiarly blessed in this respect.
By the articles of agreement for establishing the
172 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
boiiiidarv line between the United English Colo-
nies of ^ew England and the New Netherlands,
made at Hartford by the Commissioners of tlie New
England Colonies and Governor Stnyvesant, on
the 19th of September, 1650, and which was rati-
fied and confirmed by the States General of Hol-
land, on the 22d of Febrnarj^, 1656, it was agreed
that the boundary line on Long Island, between the
Dutch and English, should be " a line drawn from
the westermost part of Oyster Bay, and thence
in a dii^ct course of the sea-shore, shall be the
line of division between the Dutch and English
on Long Island, the eastern part for the English,
and the western part for the Dutch."
By this arrangement, the eastern part of this
island came under the government of the colony
of Connecticut, and received the benefit of the
New England common-school system, which was
established at that early peri(Kl ; and the western
part, remaining under the Dutch government, had
the advantage of their system of establishing a
school in each town.
Few, and indeed none but those who have
niade our early history their study, can duly ap-
preciate the causes which led to the American
Hevolution, and gave us existence as an indepen-
dent nation. None tended more to that event
than the universal diffusion of education among
SCHOOLS AND EDUaVTION. V/i
onr people, which enabled them to judge accu-
rately of public measures and foresee their conse-
quences.
With any other people upon earth at that pe-
riod the British Ministry might have success-
fully tried their experiments of arbitrary govern-
ment without meeting with resistance, and have
effectually enslaved a whole country before its
inhabitants would have been aware of their nlti-
mate design.
That the Dutch colonists were very particnlar
in all their arrangements about their schools, and
in makinfT their asrreements with their school-
masters, is clearly shown by the following:
" Articles of agreement made with Juhannis
Yan Eckellen, schoolmaster and clerk of the
church at Flatbush," translated from the Dutch
lano^nao-e.
"Art. 1st. The school shall begin at 8 o'clock
in the morning, and go out at 11 o'clock.^ It
shall begin again at 1 o'clock, and end at 4
o'clock. The bell shall be rung before the school
begins.
'' 2d. AV.hen the school opens, one of the chil-
dren shall read the morning prayer, as it stands
in the catechism, and close with the prayer before
dinner. In the afternoon it shall begin with the
prayer after dinner, and close with the evening
174 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
prayer. The evening school shall begin with the
Lord's Prayer, and close by singing a Psalm.
" 3d. He shall instruct the children in the com-
mon prayers and the questions and answers of the
catechism, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, to en-
able tliem to say their catechism on Sunday after-
noons in the church before tlie afternoon service,
otherwise on the Monday following, at which
the schoolmaster shall be present. He shall de-
mean himself patiently and friendly towards the
children in their instruction, and be active and
attentive to their improvement.
" 4th. lie shall be bound to keep his school
nine months in succession, from September to
June, one year with another, or the like period
of time for a year, according to the agreement
with his predecessor ; he shall, however, keep the
school nine months, and always be present him-
self."
His predecessor, John Tebout, was not bound
to keep the school the three summer months, un-
less twenty scholars attended ; he was, however, at
liberty to keep the school for ten or a less num-
ber at the stated price.
CHUKCH SEKVICE.
Art. 1st. He shall be chorister of the church,
ring the bell three times before service, and read
DUTIES OF tup: SCHOOLMASTER. 175
a chapter of the Bible in the church, between the
second and third ringing of the bell ; after the
third rino^in^: he shall read the ten command-
ments and the twelve articles of Faith, and then
set the Psalm. In the afternoon, after the third
ringing of the bell, he shall read a short chapter,
or one of the Psalms of David, as the congrega-
tion are assemblino-. Afterwards he shall asrain
set the Psalm.
2d. When the minister shall preach at Brook-
lyn or New Utrecht, he shall be bound to read
twice before the conc^reo-ation a sermon from the
book used for the purpose. The afternoon ser-
mon will be on the catechism of Dr. Yander Ha^
gen, and thus he shall follow the turns of the
minister. lie shall hear the children recite the
questions and answers of the catechism, on that
Sunday, and he shall instruct them. When the
minister preaches at Flatlands, he shall perform
the like service.
3d. He shall provide a basin of water for the
baptisms, for which he shall receive twelve stuy-
vers, in wampum, for every baptism, from the
parents or sponsors. lie shall furnish bread and
wine for the communion, at the charge of the
church. He siiall furnish the minister, in writ-
ing, the names and ages of the children to be bap-
tized, together with the names of the parents and
176 LOXG ISI.AND ANTIQUITIES.
sponsors ; he shall also serve as a messenger for
the consistories.
4th. He shall give the funeral invitations, and
toll the bells, for which service he shall receive,
for persons of fifteen years of age and upwards,
twelve guilders ; and for persons under fifteen,
eight guilders. If he shall invite out of the town
he shall receive three additional guilders for
every town ; and if lie shall cross the river to
New York, he shall have four guilders more.
SCHOOL MONEY.
He shall receive for a speller, or reader, in the
day school, three guilders for a quarter, and for
a writer, four.
In the evening school, he shall receive for a
speller or reader four guilders, and five guilders
for a writer, per quarter.
SALARY.
The residue of his salary sliall be four hundred
guilders in wheat, of wampum value, deliverable
at Brooklyn Ferry ; and for his service fi-om
October to May, two hundred and thirty-four
guilders, in wheat, at the same place, with the
dwelling, pasturages, and meadow appertaining
CHARLES DEBEVOISE, S( IIOOLMASTEK. 177
to the school, to begin from the first day of Octo-
ber. Signed by the Constable and Trustees.
Done and agreed on in Consistory, in the pres-
ence of the Constable and Trustees, this 8tli day
of October, 1682. Signed by Casper Yan Zuren
M. and the Consistory.
I agree to the above articles, and promise to
observe the same to the best of my ability.
JoHANNis Yan Eckellen.
Under the Dutch government of this colony,
great care was used in the selection of the school-
master for each town ; and no man was appointed
to that office unless upon the recommendation of
the Governor. Thus we find, in the month of
May, 1661, Governor Stuyvesant recommended
Charles Debevoise as a suitable person for the
schoolmaster of the town of Brooklyn, and clerk
and sexton of the church in this town ; and upon
that recommendation he was employed in those
ofiices. It may seem a matter of surprise to us,
that the Governor of the colony should employ
his time in selecting suitable persons for such an
ofiice as a schoolmaster ; but our Dutch ancestors
entertained a different view of the matter ; they,
from the first period of their settlement, were
fully convinced that an intelligent and educated
community could alone make the colony of any
173 lo:;g island antiqitities.
value to themselves or to the Fatherland ; and
that crime and nnhappiness among a people re-
sulted in a great measure from ignorance. AVitli
them, therefore, it was a cardinal principle to dif-
fuse tlie means of education as widely as possi-
ble ; but to establish schools was not of itself
sufficient, unless they also secured the services of
the jDroper men to conduct them. To effect this
latter pui-pose, which they regarded as all impor-
tant to the successful advaucement of the colony,
the policy was adopted of employing no one as a
schoolmaster who did not previously satisfy the
Governor as to his competency, and procure his
recommendation for his appointment to that
office. When once appointed the records show
that the schoolmasters retained their situations,
almost without exception, for a number of years
in succession.
ANCIENT NAMES OF PLACES.
The following is a list of ancient names upon
Long Island, with the dates affixed opposite to
them, of the time when they were used, viz. :
IN THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
1667. GowanuSy which still retains the same
name.
ANCIENT NAMES OF PLACES. 179
1667. Cripplehush. which still retains the same
name.
1686. Wallaboghtj which still retains the same
name.
1686. MarchwiGh, and in 1722 called Martyrs
Hook, which was the point of land forming
the present United States Navy Yard.
1689. Luhhertse^s N'eck, which was sold by
Peter Corsen to Cornelius Sebringh, March
28, 1698, for £250, and Sebringh to find
Corsen in meat, drink, washing, lodging,
and apparel daring his life. In 1690 the
same place was called Graver'^ s Kill. This
place was recently known as CornelVs Red
Mills, and is about five hundred feet north
of the Atlantic dock.
1700. Gowaniis Mill Neck, sometimes called
Mill Neck, and known by this latter name
in 1785. In 1680, a lot of land in this town
was called an Erffe,
About the period of the Revolution the people
were in the habit of distinguishing the large lots
into which their farms or plantations were divided,
by particular names, and these names they re-
tained for many years. Thus in this town, near
the road leading from Brooklyn Ferry to Flat-
bush, were the " Geele Water's Caump," the " Erste
Caump of Derrick's land," the " Kline Caump,"
180 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
the ^'Twede Caump of Derrick's land," the
" Middleste Caump," the " Eenen Caump," and
the " Agterse Caump."
1660. Canarsee Landing, Canarsee Woods,
which places still retain the same names.
1679. Third Kill.
1687. Minsehoele Hole.
1698. Kush Swamp.
IN THE TOWN OF BUSHWICK.
1690. The Norman Kill.
IN THE TOWm OF AIVIERSFOKT, OK FLATLANDS.
1636. Kashiitenstikin^ the westernmost flat of
land of the three flats.
1646. Mutelar's Island.
1687. Stroom Kill.
1687. Jurianses Hook.
1687. Fries Hook.
1690. Hogg's Neck.
1694. Albertse's Island.
1695. Majise laud.
1704. Fresh Kill.
1711. Bestevaar's Kill.
1712. Craven Yalley.
ANCIENT NAMES OF PLACES. 181
IN THE TOWN OF NEW UTKECHT.
1660. Na3^ack, which name it still retains.
1685. The Fountain at Yellow Ilook.
1690. Turk's Plantation, afterwards called
Brujnenbergh.
IN THE TOWN OF GRAVESEND.
1692. Hoogh Penne Keck.
1693. Gysbert's Island.
1695. Ambrose Strand.
1697. Garretsen's Neck.
169S. Cellars Neck.
1704. Great Woods,
1718. ITarbie's Gat.
1718. Brown's Creek.
1718. Kobin Poyneer's Patent.
IN THE TOWN OF NEWTON.
1656. The west branch of Mespatt JTillSjCSiWed
Quandus Quobricus.
Dosaris^ the name of a place on this island,
has its origin from the circumstance of the
original owner of it, as a farm, or plantation,
having obtained it through his wife, and he being
a scholar, called it Dos uxoris, the Wife^s Gifiy
183 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
which the people subsequently corrupted to its
present name of Dosoris.
Quogtte, in Suffolk County, is probably a cor-
ruption of the Indian name of a favorite shell-fish
known to us as the clam, Quohaiuj — these shell-
fish having been verj abundant, and probably of
a choice kind, as is indicated by the immense an-
cient shell banks in all the surrounding region.
A.t this place is the only point from wdiich the
Great South Beach can be reached on foot from
the mainland of the island, for the immense
stretch of coast reaching from Fire Island to the
inlet of Shinecoc Bay. In all other places you
have to pass in a boat over many miles of water ;
and it is this circumstance which renders a ship-
wreck upon that beach in winter so frequently
dreadful in its consequences from the loss of life ;
for even if the crew and passengers should suc-
ceed in reacliing the beach alive, they will find
no shelter there, and having from ten to twenty
miles of water to cross before they can experience
any relief, and their boats being almost invariably
destroyed or lost in the shipwreck, if the storm is
very heavy and the cold severe, as is frequently
the case, they perish from the exposure. It may
be asked by those not acquainted with this beach,
Why is this not provided against ? The answer is.
It is almost, if not quite impossible to do so, the
THE NAMES OF FAMILIES. 188
character of the beach being such, and the dis-
tance from the mainland, and the difficnlties and
dangers of communication often so great that
men could not live there at the times when their
services would be most required. The formation
and position of this beach is, however, such that
the great loss of life is usually sustained before the
shipwrecked persons have the chance of reaching
the land, from the immense seas thrown over them
by the whole swell of the Atlantic Ocean, which,
by the rapid evaporation it causes, comparatively
soon chills them to death.
NAMES OF FA^riLIES IN BKOOKLTCf.
Ancient. Modern.
Courten.
Defforest, Deforest.
Ffilkin.
Gulick.
Hansen, Johnson.
Harsen.
Houghawout, Lefferts.
Abranse.
Aerson.
Amertman, Amerman.
Blaw.
Beeckman, Beekman.
Casperse.
184
LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
Ancient.
Deliart.
Depotter.
Ewetse.
Hooghland.
Jaiise,
Jarisse.
Jurianse.
Lambertse,
LeFoy.
Lubbertse.
Middagh.
Scliaers.
Seberingh.
Symonse,
Staats.
Van Cortlandt.
Yan Eckellen.
Modern,
Johnson.
Lambertson and Lamberson.
Simonson.
Of all these families there are now but seven
remaining in Brooklyn, viz. : Beekman, Deforest,
Johnson, Lambertson, Lefferts. Middagh and Sim-
onson. Within the last five or six years the emi-
gration from Continental Europe has brought
back some of the old names as in Kew York,
merchants of the name of Courten. The name
of Middagh is Dutch, and means, in English, mid-
day or noon.
NAMES OF FAMILIES.
185
Ancient.
Yan Westervelt.
Mattjse,
Coorteu.
Saloin.
Smack,
Van Thinhoven.
NEW UTKECHT.
Modern,
Martense.
original of Martense.
GRAVESEND,
Garretse, Garretson and Gerritson.
Remmerson, Henison.
Tiehuynon,
Lncasse.
Kenne.
Elbertse.
Harmanse.
FLATLANDS.
Terhune.
Yanderschaez.
Schainp.
Loysen.
Ditinarse,
BTJSHWICK.
FLATBUSH.
Ditmas.
186 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
The practice of giving people what would
now be called niciaiames^ by which they became
known, not only to the public generally, but also
in the official records, was very common under
the Dutch Colonial Government, and it also con-
tinued for a considerable period under the Eng-
lish administration in this colony. In 1644, in
the Dutch records we have John Pietersen, alias
Friend John. In the INewton purchase from the
Indians, dated April 12, 1656, one of the bound-
aries is, " by a Dutchman's land called Hans the
Boore / " and in tlie Bushwick patent, dated Oc
tober 12, 1667, one of the boundaries is " John the
Swedes Meadow." In 1695, in the Kings Coun-
ty records a man is named living at Gowanus, as
" Tunis the Fisher."
And we also find that by the records of the
Common Council of the City of New York, on
the 25th of March, 1691, they ordered that " fish
be brouglit into the dock, over against the City
Flail [then standing in Pearl street, at the head
of Coenties slip], or the house that Long Mary
formerly lived in."
And also on the 9th of April, in the same year,
they directed " that Old Bush deliver into the
hands of the treasurer, the scales and w^eights
that he hath in his liands belonging to the city,
being first satisfied for the making of them."
DUTCH NICKNAMES. 187
Again, on the same day, the order " that Tup
Knot Betty and her children be provided for
as objects of charity, and four shilhngs a week
allowed." And further, that "the treasurer let
Scarehouch have a new suit, and assist him in
what's wanting."
All the preceding orders, from the date of
April 9th, inclusive, were made in one day, so
that our city functionaries of that period seem to
have had a most charitable disposition, as well
as a strange propensity for giving nicknames to
people. But we are not yet done ; this Common
Council were not so mean as to apply such nick-
nanjes to those only to whom they afforded charit-
able relief, as some might otherwise suppose — •
they also used them when discharging their
debts. Tims, on the Sth of December, 1691, the
city records contain an order that " the treasurer
pay English Smith, £1, 13s. for three cords of
wood, which he bought for the use of the city
this day."
Strange as it may now seem to us for the Com-
mon Council of a city to place such names upon
the public records, yet we have seen that this
practice extended to the highest functionaries of
the Colonial Government, and that the Govern-
ors, both Dutch and English, used it in their
patents for towns, and other official documents.
188 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
The explanation of it, in many cases, undoubt-
edly was, that in many instances the parties
either had no surname, or family names (for
family names were not so common then as now),
or if they had, they did not themselves know it,
and that which now appears like a nickname was
from necessity adopted as a means of distinguish-
ing them, and was usually taken from some
personal characteristic, and which subsequently
became, some part or other of it, the surname of
the children as Long and Betty.
The manner in which names of families some-
times become changed in this country is truly
curious. There was previous to tlie middle of
the last 'century, among the Dutch settlers in the
southern part of this colony, and particularly
upon Long Island, a regular systematic change
of the family name with every generation, so
that the son never bore the family name of his
father; thus, if the father's name was Lefiert
Jansen, and he had a son named Jacobus, this
son's name would not be Jansen, but it w^ould be
written Jacobus Leffertsen — suppose the old gen-
tleman would have a grandson by his son, who
was christened Gerrit, his whole name would be
Gerrit Jacobsen. Tlius we would have in the
three generations of that one single family, the
following different names, viz. :
CHANGE IX FxOIILY NAMES. 189
1. The father, named Leffert Jansen.
2. The son, named Jacobus Leffertsen.
3. The grandson, named Gerrit Jacobsen.
This strange custom does not seem to have
prevailed among the Dutch in Albany; there
tliey preserved their family names from the first
settlement, and many of them may therefore be
traced back without difSculty.
In other parts of our country, as well as among
the Dutch, great changes have occurred in family
names. Edward Livingston, Esq., in his answer
to Mr. Jefferson, in the case of the New Orleans
Batture, furnishes us with the following singular
instance of this nature :
An unfortunate Scotchman, whose name was
Eeyerston, was obliged, in pursuit of fortune, to
settle amongst some Germans in the western ]>art
of the State of New York. They translated his
name literally into German and called him Four-
stein. On his returning to an English neighb(>r-
hood his new acquaintances discovered that Four-
stein, in German, meant Flint in English; they
translated, instead of restoring his name, and the
descendants of Feijerston go by the name of
Flint to this day. I ought, however, says Mr.
Livingston, to excej^t one of his grandsons who
settled at the Acadian coast, on the Mississippi,
whose name underwent the fate of the rest of the
190 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
fainily ; he was called, by a literal translation into
French, PievTe-a-fusil^ and his eldest son returning
to the family clan, his name underwent another
transformation, and he was called Peter Gun !
This is about equal to the Dutch transmutation
of names, although wanting its system. Here
we have the following result :
1. The father's 1st Name, Feyerston.
2d Name, Fourstein.
3d Name, Flint.
2. The son's Name, Flint.
3. The grandson's 1st Name, Flint.
2d Name, Pierre-a-fusil.
3d Name, Peter Gun.
The old practice formerly so common among
the Dutch settlers on Long Island, seems a^^o to
have been at one time in use in Iceland. Mr.
Hooker, who was there in the summer of 1809,
speaking of the family of Olaf Stephenso) -, the
former ofovernor of that island, observes : " In
naming his children, the Stiftsamptman (gov-
ernor), as well as his sons, have abolished the
custom, which is otherwise, I believe, ver}^ gen-
eral in Iceland, of calling the child after the
Christian name of the father, wath the addition
sen or son to it ; thus the son of the Etatsrced
j[chief justice) Magnus Stephenson ought by this
ORIGINAL DUTCH NAMES. 191
rule to have been Magnusen^ to which any
Christian name might be subjoined. If it had
been Olaf JSLtgnusen^ his son would bear the
name of Olavsen^ or j-ather Olafsen, as I believe
it is generally written. The females had the addi-
tion of flatter to the Christian name of the father."
This was precisely the old Dutch custom in
this colony ; and it has led to great difficulty in
tracing the descent of our early Dutch families,
and also in examining our old records, as there
are but few who are conversant with this peculi-
arity in their change of names. Thus, amongst
the Dutch the original name of the present
family of the Lefferts was Hoiighawout . Leffert
Houghawout's son James was called Jacobus
Leifertsen, or Leffertse, as it was often written,
dropping the letter n ; and when this custom
was al)olished about the middle of tlie last cen-
tury, this latter name Leffertse was retained as
the family name. So also the original family
name of the Martenses was Smack. Mattyse
Smack's son received Mattyse as his surname,
which eventually became the present name of
Mnr tense, although as now written only within the
last half century. This is also the origin of the
present family names of Johnson, or Jansen
(which are both the same name), Remsen, Gerrit-
seu, etc. It is strange that such a custom should
192 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
have been identically the same with those two
different nations ; but it shows their common
origin.
Upon this island, and especially in the cential
portions of it, are very many families of the name
of Smith, and so numerous did they become at
an early period of the settlement, that it was
thought necessary to distingiiish the various ori-
ginal ramilies by some peculiar name. Thus we
have the Rock Smiths ; the Blue Smiths ; the
Bull Smiths ; the Weight Smiths, and the Tan-
gier Smiths. Of the Kock Smiths there are two
distinct families : one originally settled between
Kockaway and Hempstead, some ten or fifteen
years before the settlement of the first white in-
habitant in Setauket, who derived their name
from their contiguity to Hockaway ; and the
other located themselves in Brookhaven, and ob-
tained their appellation from their ancestor erect-
ing his dwelling against a large rock which still
remains in the highway of that town. The Blue
Smiths were settled in Queens County, and obtain-
ed their peculiar designation from a blue cloth coat
Avorn by their ancestor ; whether because a cloth
coat was then an uncommon thins; in the nei£:h-
boi-hood, or that he always dressed in a coat of
that color, does not appear. The Bull Smiths of
Suffolk County are the most numerous of all the
THE SMITHS OF LONG ISLAND. 193
families of the name of Smith upon tliis island;
it is said there are now at least one thousand
males of that branch on this island. The ances-
tor of this branch of the Smith family was Major
Richard Smith, who came from England to New
England, with his father Richard, in the early
part of the seventeenth century ; and afterwards
came to this island, and became the patentee of
Smithtown. The sobriquet of this class of Smiths is
said to have arisen from the circumstance of the
ancestor having trained and used a Ball in place
of a horse for riding. The Weight Smiths de-
rived their name from being possessed of the
only set of scales and weights in the neighborhood
of theii" residence, to which all the farmers of the
country around resorted for the purpose of weigh-
ing anything they wished to sell or buy ; at least so
says the tradition. The Tangier Smiths owe their
origin to Colonel William Smith, who had been
the English Governor of Tangier, in the reign of
Charles the Second,"^ and emigrated to this colony
in the summer of the year 16S6, where he settled
in the town of Brookhaven, on the Xeck known
* Tangier, in Africa, was about that period an English
colony, having come to the British Crown as part of the
dowry of Queen Catharine of Portugal; and was, in 1683,
tibaudoned hj the English to the Moors, in consequence of the
gL-eat expense and small value of the colony.
9
194 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
as Little Keck, and afterwards as Strong's Neck,
which, together with his other j^urchases, were
e:iected into a manor by the name of St. George's
Manor, by a patent granted to him in 1693, by
Governor Fletcher. Most of the Tangier Smiths
are now^ in that town, scattered throngh it from
the north to the south side of the island.
These different appellations of the families of
the Smiths became as firmly settled as if they
w^ere regular family names ; so that ^vhen any in-
quiiy was made of any person on the road, man,
woman, or child, for any particular Smith, they
would at once ask whether he was of the Hock
breed, or the Bull breed, etc. ; and if the person
desiring the information could say w^hich hreed^
he at once was told of his residence. In truth
there are so many of the same name in that most
numerous family of the Smiths upon this island,
that without adopting some such plan it would
be almost impossible to distinguish one from the
other. Among these Smiths, and at Smithtown,
upon this island, have occurred two of the most
marked instances of longevity known in this
country.
Richard Smith, the patentee of Smithtown, of
the Bull breed, purchased at Kew^ York a negro
man named Harry, w^ho lived wdth him, with his
son, and then with his grandson, and died at
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 195
Sinithtown in the mouth of December, 1758, aged
at least one hundred and twenty years. This re-
markable individual said he could remember
wlien there were but very few houses in the
city of New York ; his memor}^ must have extend-
ed back to the administration of the Dutch Gov-
ernor Kieft. His health and strength of body
continued almost unimpaired until very near his
death, and he could do a good day's work when
he had passed one hundred years.
There appears to have been another negro man
in the same town, who even exceeded him in the
point of age. In a note to Moulton's History of
JS'ew Yorh^ it is stated, that an obituary article
appeared in a newspaper, printed in 1739, of the
death of a negro man at Smithtown, on Long
Island, reputed to have been one hundred and
forty years old ; who declared that he well re-
membered when there were but three houses in
New York. The memory of this man must there-
fore have extended back to the founding of New
Amsterdam, in the year 1626, as New York was
then called, and he must have come into this
country with some of the first Dutch settlers.
MxVNNEES AND CUSTOMS.
There are a number of interesting facts con-
nected with the antiquities of tliis island, which
196 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
are not easily reducible under any of the pre-
vious heads, which we have thought should be
preserved, as matters of considerable moment
connected with the first settlement and condition
of Long Island, and we have therefore made
for them this distinct head. Among them is the
fc^llowing extract from the official records of
Rhode Island, which show how early a jealous
and unfriendly feeling sprang up between the
English and Dutch colonies in this country. We
have alwa^'s viewed it as an unfortunate circum-
stance for the preservation of this colony to the
Dutch, that Peter Stuyvesant was not the gover-
nor here when that ill-feeling began first to mani-
fest itself, some considerable time anterior to the
period referred to in the following record. His
mode of conductino^ the difficult neo^otiation with
the English commissioners at Hartford ; the
manner in which he settled the disputes between
the Dutch and English colonists, and also between
their respective governments in this country, in
reference to the settlement at Hartford and in its
vicinity, which had been for years a serious and
acrimonious controversy between his predecessor
hi the Colonial government and the United Colo-
nies of Kew England ; and his settlement and
defining of an established boundary, in which all
acquiesced, between the New Netherlands and
STU YVES ANT'S CHARACTER. 197
the English colonies, all serve to show, in our
judgment, that if he had had the control and
management of those controversies in the first
instance, they would have been all adjusted in
an amicable and satisfactory manner long before
they attained that violent and hostile character
which had induced in the minds of the leading
men of New Eno-land the settled conviction that
it was necessary to theii* peace to get rid of the
Dutch government in the colony next adjoining
them ; and by such a course the colony ^vo^ld
have been preserved to Holland, at least for very
many yeai's to come. But Governor Stuyvesant
unfortunately arrived here after the commis-
sioners of the United Colonies of New England
had not only come to that conclusion, but had
also made representations to that effect to their
home government, and the whole effect of
Governor Stuyvesant's peaceful and wise admin-
istration of affairs was to procrastinate for some
few years the English attempt at the subjugation
of this colony; a design which the latter, how-
ever, never abandoned, as is clearly shown from
the communication which Gov. Stuyvesant made
to the church of Brooklyn, on this island, on the
last of June, 1663, directing tire fourth day of
July following, to be observed as a day of
thanksgiving, because, among other things, the
198 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
English had been defeated in their attempt to
take possession of the whole of Long Island bj the
timely arrival of a Dutch fleet of armed ships in
the bay of New Amsterdam (Xew York) — this
occnrrence, it will be observed, is more than a
year anterior to the actual capture of New
Netherland and the taking of New Amsterdam
(New York) by the English fleet and forces
under Gov. Richard Nieolls. Here follows the
Rhode Island record, above mentioned :
"Acts and orders of the General Assembly,
held at Newport, May 17, 18, 19, 1653— Mr.
Nich. Eaton, moderator."
11. A committee of two men of each town, or
eight men, be chosen, for ripening matters that
concern Long Island, and in the case concerning
the Dutch. Mr. Rich. Eaton, Mr. John Eaton,
Mr. Rich. Burden, Mr. Randall Ilolden, Mr.
John Smith, Mr. Robert Eield, Richard Few,
John Roome, act upon these.
" 12. First, That we jndge it to be our duty to
afford our countrymen on Long Island what help
we can safely do, by virtue of our commission
from the Right Honorable the Council of State,
either for defending themselves against the Dutch,
the enemies of the commonwealth, or for offend-
ing them, as by us shall be thought necessaj-y.
" Second, That they shall have two great guns,
RHODE ISLAND AID. 199
and what murtlierers are with us, on promise of
returning tlieni, or the due vahiation, and to be
improved as by instructions given by this As-
sembly's authority, this or wliat else, provided
they engage to the Connnonwealth, and confirm
by subscription to do their utmost to set them-
selves in a suitable posture of defence against all
enemies of the Commonwealth of England, and
to offend them, as shall be ordered.
" Third, That there be allowed twenty volun-
taries out of the colony, provided they be such
as be under no fixed relations or engagements.
" 13. That for trial of prizes brought in ac-
cording to law, the general ofiicer, with three
jurors of each town, shall be authorized to try it;
the President and two assistants shall have au-
thority to appoint the time, but if any fail at the
time appointed, either officers or jurors shall be
made up in the town of Newport (where they
shall be tried) ; in case any of the officers fail,
then they that appear shall proceed according to
the law of allaroon.
"13. Commissions granted to Capt. John Ui>
derhill and Mr. William Dyre.
" 14. Tiiat Edward Hall shall have a commis-
sion, granted him to go against the Dutch, or
any enemies of the Commonwealth of Eng-
land."
200 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
Tl:e following notes are necessary to a full
understanding of this interesting record: —
The two great guns here spoken of were can-
non, and the mnrtherers, or murderers^ were
pieces of small cannon, fitted into a wooden stock
for the convenience of being carried about, and
were used for firing stones instead of balls. Thej
are also sometimes called in the old record " stone-
piece s.*'
The muskets of that day were of a very mnch
heavier and more clumsy make than those of the
present day, and of a larger bore ; they were at
this period fired by laying upon a rest, with a
slow match, as they had no locks ; the rest was
an upright rod of iron, about five feet long, with
a pike end to stick into the ground, and a crotch
at the other end for the musket to lie in. The
soldier, when marching, carried this rest in his
right hand, and the musket upon his left shoulder.
The present cartridge-box was supplied by a
bandalier, as it was called, being a belt over the
shoulder and across in front ; attached to it hung
a dozen small leather or copper cases, each con-
taining one charge of powder and ball for the mus-
ket : he also carried a sword. A man thus armed
was considered a part of the stationary or heavy
force of an army of that day, as much so as the
■artillery, and they were both certainly sufticiently
EITODE ISLAND YOLUNTARII^S. 201
iiinvieldy. It is only in comparatively modern
times that soldiers armed with muskets have been
considered as infantry, or light troops.
The "engagement to the Commonwealth"
means the Commonwealth of Eno-land, under Oli-
ver Cromwell; and they also required that the
Long Islanders should enter into a similar written
subscription as that required from all the func-
tionaries in England, to support the Cromwellian
administration.
The meaning of the provision cciicerning
" twenty voluntaries " is that twenty volunteers
were authorized to be raised in Rhode Island for
this service upon Long Island; but that they
must be particular, and enlist no men who were
married, or engaged to be married, or who were
bound to service.
The " trial of prizes " is believed to be the first
admiralty court established in the New England
colonies ; the establishment of which courts by
the English government about a century later,
was a source of great dissatisfaction in those
colonies. But there was this difference between
the two cases ; in tlie first, the people themselves,
by their own immediate representatives, organized
and made choice of its judges and officers from
their own people, and directed that it should
proceed with a jury ; and in the last case tlie
203 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
courts were organized by the British Parliament,
in which the colonies had no representation what-
ever; the judges and officers were most of them
strangers, selected and chosen by the King in
Council from abroad, or from other colonies, and
they were required to proceed without the inter-
vention of a jury ; differences enough assuredly
to give reason for dissatisfac^tion to the full as
strong as anj- shown on the subject. The laws of
Allaroon referred to as tlie code for the govern-
ment of this admiralty court in its proceedings,
is undoubtedly meant for the laws of Oleron.
It was undoubtedly under the Edward Hall
Commission from Rhode Island, and with the
volunteer force from that colony, joined by some
of the Long Islanders, that Caj)t. John Underhill,
in this same year, 1658, stormed and captured
the Indian fort upon Fort Neck, in Queens
County, and broke up and dispersed the Indian
force, which had seriously threatened the desola-
tion of this part of Long Island.
William Dyre seems to have remained upon
Long Island until near the period of the arrival
of the English expedition under Gov. Richard
Nicolls, when he joined that force and accom-
panied it to the capture of New Amsterdam
(New York). After which he settled in tliis
colony, and became one of its distinguished men.
I
THE DUKES LAWS. 203
He was for a long period one of the Governor's
council, and frequently acted as the President of
the Court of Sessions for the West Eiding of
Yorkshire upon Long Island.
The Convention of Deputies assembled at
Hempstead, on this island, during the year 1664,
for the adoption of the code of laws afterwards
known as the Duke's Laws^ after concluding
their labors, adopted the following address, which
they sent to James the Duke of York and Albany,
subsequently King James II. of England : " We,
the deputies duly elected from the several towns
upon Long Island, being assembled at Hempstead
in general meeting, by authority derived from
your Itoyal Highness unto the Honorable Colonel
Nicolls, as Deputy-Governor, do most humbly
and thankfully acknowledge to your Koyal High-
ness the great honor and satisfaction we receive
in our dependence upon your Royal Highness,
according to the tenor of his sacred Majesty's
patent, granted the 12th day of March, 1664,
wherein we acknowledge ourselves, our heirs and
successors forever, to be comprised to all intents
and purposes as therein is more at large expressed.
And we do publicdy and unanimously declare our
cheerful submission to all such laws, statutes, and
ordinances which are or shall be made, by virtue
of authority from your Royal Highness, your
204 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
heirs and successors forever ; as also that we will
maintain, uphold, and defend to the utmost of
our power and peril of us, our heirs and succes-
sors forever, all the rights, title, and interest
granted by his sacred Majesty to your Royal
Highness, against all pretensions or invasions,
foreign or domestic, we being already well assured
that in so doing we perform our duty of alle-
giance to his Majesty, as free-born subjects of the
kin«;dom of England, inhabitino; in these his
Majesty's dominions. We do further beseech
your Royal Highness to accept of this address as
the first-fruits in this general meeting, for a
memorial and record against us, our heirs and
successors, when we or any of them shall fail in
our duties. Lastly, we beseech your Royal High-
ness to take our poverties and necessities, in this
wilderness country, into speedy consideration ;
that by constant supplies of trade, and youi- Royal
Highness' more particular countenance of grace
to us, and protection of us, we may daily more
and more be encouraged to bestow our labors to
the improvement of these his Majesty's western
dominions under your Royal Highness, for whose
health, long life, and eternal happiness we sliall
ever pray, as in duty bound."
The people of Long Island were so much ex-
asperated against the deputies of the convention
205
at Hempstead, for making that address to the
Duke of York, which tliey regarded as too base
and servile to come from representatives of free-
men, and expressed their d'sgiist in such a plain,
open manner, that the court of assizes (compos-
ed of the governor and his council, and a justice
of the peace of each town), at a term held at New
York, in 1666, in order to save those de[)uties
from abuse, if not in some instances from person-
al violence, deemed it expedient to declare, that,
" AYhosoever hereafter shall any ways detract or
speak against any of the deputies signing the ad-
dress to Ris Hoyal Highness, at the general meet-
ing at Hempstead, they shall be presented to the
next court of sessions, and, if the justices shall
see cause, they shall from thence be bound over
to the assizes, there to answer for their slander,
upon plaint or information."
The deputies, also, subsequent to their address
to the Duke of York, made one to the people, in
which they set forth their reasons for agreeing to
the code called the Duke's Laws, and endeavor
to show that they had done nothing in that, or in
their address, incompatible with the duty they
owed to their country as freemen ; they were not,
however, veiy successful in this attempt to ward
off the public indignation, which they certainly
r'clilv merited for their address to the Duke.
206 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
Ill consequence of a serious dispute wliich ex-
isted between Governor Nicolls and the colony of
Conuecticut relative to the boundary-line between
New York and Connecticut (Connecticut seems to
have thought if she and the other colonies of New
England could dispossess the Dutch, she could
then extend her boundary towards the south,
which she much desired to do), in the month of
December, 1664, Connecticut sent commissioners
to New York to settle this difference, which ap-
peared materially to affect the peace of both col-
onies. By the arrangement entered into on this
occasion, the eastern part of Long Island, which
became a part of Connecticut by the treaty made
with the Dutch, on the 19th of September, 1650,
was surrendered by Connecticut to New York,
and the Mamaroneck river, and a line drawn from
it north-northwest to the boundary line of Massa-
chusetts, w^as declared to be the eastern boundary
of New York. So that Connecticut, instead of
being the gainer, was the loser, by dispossessing
the D 11 tell from the government of the colony of
New Netherlands.
Govei-nor Richard Nicolls, in the month of No-
vember, 1665, wrote a letter to the Duke of York,
in which he informed him : " My endeavors have
not been wanting to put the whole go\ernmeiit
into one frame and policy, and now the most fac-
NICOLLS AND THE SOLDIEES. 207
tioiis republicans cannot but acknowledge them-
selves fully satisfied with the way and method they
are in. My resolutions are, to send over to your
Koyal Highness this winter, a copy of the laws as
they now stand, with the alterations made at the
last general assizes, which, if you shall confirm and
cause to be printed at London, the country will be
infinitely obliged to you." The laws were ac-
cordingly sent and confirmed by the Duke of
York, being the code adopted by the convention
at Hempstead, and the alterations and amend-
ments made to that code by the court of assizes, in
September, 1665, but whether they were printed or
not, we do not know, never having seen or heard
of a copy ; if they were printed, it must be a very
rare book, indeed.
Governor Xicolls, in a letter which he addressed
to the Duke of York two or three months after
the capture of New York in August, 1661, says :
" Such is the mean condition of this town (New
York) that not one soldier to this day has lain in
sheets, or upon any other bed than canvas or
straw." Soldiers must have had much more
dainty lodgings in those days, and must have
been much nicer in their taste than at present, if
a bed of canvas and straw in the warm season
of the year is complained of, as from this letter
seems to have l^een the fact. It is not, however,
208 LO^'G ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
in this view of the case that we have adduced
this extract from Gov. Ni colls' letter, but to
show something of the situation of the citj when
it passed from the liands of the Dutch, and came
under the English government. The changes
which have taken place since that period in the
city of New York, and on the west end of Long
Island, are without example in history ; and
these become the more marked and strikhig when
we extend our comparison some twenty-five
years further back, when Kieft became the
Dutch governor of this colony, and a full and
minute examination into its condition was made
and recorded, showing us changes truly wonder-
ful, and all occurring in about two centuries, a
period during which many of the important
cities and towns in Europe and Asia have re-
mained, in comparison, almost stationary. Here,
on this little spot, then known as New Amster-
dam, where in the year 1639 there w^as but one
magazine, or store-house, for wares and merchan-
dise, but one small church, one blacksmith shop,
two saw-mills and a grist mill, and whei-e one
hundred and twelve years later there were but
ten thousand souls, is now congregated a popula-
tion of about four hundred thousand, engaged
in a commerce w^hich sends its messengers to the
ends of tlie earth, and is now a place which
THE GROWTH OF ^'EW YOliK. 209
might well be characterized, as was ancient
Egypt by the inspired prophet and poet Isaiah,
as '*the land shadowing with wings," ''that send-
eth ambassadors by the sea; " for the sails of its
shipping overshadow the ocean, and there is no
part of the habitable globe, and scarcely of that
portion locked np in the eternal frosts of the
arctic and antarctic zones that is not visited l)y
tliose sent on missions of trade or peace from this
city. The immense increase of the trade or com-
merce of this city has occnrred in such a short
space of time, that we now have its whole history
in our existing public records. We find that at
the period first referred to, 1639, the revenue of
the entire colony amounted to $31,220 per an-
num, wiiile the annual expenses of the colonial
government, civil and military, were $10,500, leav-
ing a yearly deficit of about nine thousand dol-
lars to be made up by the Dutch West India
Company, and which they could well afford to
bear, as they had all the commerce of the colony
in their own hands, and from the single article of
beaver alone (then exported in large cpiantities)
were realizing a profit of one hundred and twenty
per cent. Xow this city carries on more than
half of the foreign commerce of the whole
United States, and now collects more than half
of all the duties paid upon imports into the same,
210 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
being the main revenue of the general govern-
ment. This will become apparent from the fol-
lowing statement derived from official sources :
In 1836 the whole amount of im-
ports into the United States
was $189,980,035
Of which amount there was im-
ported at JSTew York 118,253,416
Leaving to be imported in all the
other j)ortions of the United
States 71,726,619
In 1837 tlie whole amount of im-
ports into the United States was $140,989,217
Of which amount there was im-
ported at Xew York 79,301,772
Leaving to be im23orted in all the
other portions of the United
States 61,687,445
This great commercial preponderance of l^ew
York has grown up within the last thirty-five
years. At the middle of the last century, New-
port, in Rhode Island, was a much more impor-
tant place in a commercial point of view than
New York ; and Boston was very much its supe-
rior in ever}' resj)ect. As regards Philadelphia,
PIIILADELPIIIA AND NEW YORK. 211
ill point of size, appearance or trade, there was
then no comparison, and no one thought of mak-
ing any ; Philadelphia was then a city, and New
York, in comparison, but a village. And thus
continued the relative positions of the two places
until some time after the close of the Kevolution-
ary war ; evidence of any jealousy on the part of
the former did not begin to manifest itself until
about 1806, and even then no Philadelphian
would ever believe that Xew York could ever
equal Philadelphia in population. But when
every succeeding census of the General and State
Governments show^ed a rapid and steady increase
of New York in population, in a ratio far beyond
that of Philadelphia, and the reports of the Sec-
retary of the Treasury showed an annual and
great increase of her trade, so that at last she
equalled and then far outstripped Philadelphia
in both cases, the Philadelphians at first vented
their mortification in bitter sarcasms against New
York and its inhabitants, and in ill liberal com-
parisons between the two cities. But finding
these unheeded and disregarded both by the
New Yorkers and the inhabitants of the great
West who went to New York to trade, that city
from its immense foreign commerce offering
them a better market to make their choice in,
Philadelphia induced the State of Pennsylvania
212 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
to embark in the immense system of railroads
and canals traversino^ that State in various direc-
tions, and which ahnost entirely, from their great
cost, prostrated the credit of that powerful State,
and has crippled their resources for a long period
of time yet to come, in order to divert that West-
ern trade from New York, and to bring it to
Philadelphia, where the nu^st of it formerly was
transacted ; and yet, strange as that may seem,
although those works have undoubtedly bene-
iited both that State and city, scarcely a rail-
road or canal has been made by them that has
not materially increased the trade of l\ew York ;
has brought their coal to New York at a cheap
rate, where it was much wanted, and by coimect-
ing with the Ohio river, has, by means of the
Alleghany river and the Ohio canal, opened the
western part of their own State to the trade of
New York.
But these are all changes in our own days :
when we look back for about a century and a
half, a period scarcely recognized by change in
many portions of the old world, and we find our
Dutch progenitors assembled in this goodly city
of New Amsterdam, goodly then in prospect, if
not in fruition, declaring, in 1G56, that, " The
widow of Hans Hansen^ the first-horn Christian
daxighter in New Netherlands burdened with
THE GROWTH OF NEW YOEK. 213
seven children, petitions for a grant of a piece
of meadow, in addition to the twenty morgen
granted to her at the AVaale-Boght," in the town
(now city) of Brooklyn, opposite Usew York, we
can scarcely realize that in this, and the examina-
tions made into tlie state and condition of ^ew
Amsterdam in 1639, before referred to, we are
looking npon the beginning of the great City
and State of New York ; and when we cast our
eye over the assessment roll of that city for rais-
ing the sum of five thousand and fifty guilders
from her wealthier citizens in 1653, and com-
pare it with the assessed value of her real and
personal estates in 1838, amounting to two hun-
dred and sixty-four millions of dollars, it seems
more like the story of some minstrel of Arabia
or Ilindostan, than sober matter of fact.
All this immense increase of New York City,
and the western extremity of this island, dates
from the year 1817 — its main commencement.
From the close of the Revolutionary war to 1812,
Boston was the first importing city of the United
States, and there it was that the New York mer-
chants purchased the most of their goods of
British and India manufacture. From 1812 to
1815, that city maintained its commercial pre-
ponderance, from the policy which the British
(xovernment imagined it their interest to adopt,
214 LONG- ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
in leaving Boston comparatively a free port.
Whatever may have been their reasons for this
policy, or the canses operating to produce, which
it is no part of our object or design to inquire
into, it is certain that Boston during the war was
the market from whence the Union principally
derived their supplies of European and East India
goods. After the peace of 1815, the foreign
trade of our entire country manifested a ten-
dency to centre in that city, and the greater part
of the capital of the United States engaged in
commerce collected in Boston and its vicinity.
The general decrease of business in the City of
^ew York, caused by the accumulation of this
trading capital in Boston, induced the merchants
of our city to inquire into the reasons of this
state of affairs; and upon making this inquiry
they arrived at the conclusion, that the auction
business w^as highly injurious to the trade of
New York, and that if this branch of business
was destroyed, the trade and commerce of this
city would become prosperous, and with that
view they petitioned the Legislature to impose a
duty of ten per cent, on all auction sales, which
would, in fact, amount to a prohibition of them.
There were some few j)ersons, however, who en-
tertained a different opinion as to the causes of
this depression of trade in New York ; and among
BOSTON AND NEW YORK. ^ 215
them one of the promuieiit was Abraham G.
Thompson, Esq., who had been for many years
an enterprising and successful merchant in tliat
city. lie saw that one reason operating in favor
of Boston was that India goods could be sold in
that city and pa}^ a duty of only one per cent.,
while at the same time, if those goods were sold
at New York, they would be obliged to pay a
duty of two and a half per cent., and that to in-
crease the duty upon auction sales was only to
increase more widely tlie difference in favor of
Boston and against Xew York, and the existing
duties should be, on the contrary, diminished in
this State. With that view he went to Albany
and submitted the result of his experience and
judgment to the Legislature, assuring them that
by establishing the duties at one per cent, upon
East India, and one and a half per cent, on
European goods, the interests of tlie City of ^ew
York, and also of the State, would be greatly pro-
moted, and the revenue increased by this reduc-
tion. It was difficult at first to satisfy those with
Avhom the matter rested that this effect would
result from the proposed change; so many hun-
dreds of the mercliants and citizens of Xew York
had petitioned for this great increase of duties
upon auction sales, that it was ahnost impossible
to think that they could be mistaken in their view
216 , LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
of the subject. Eventually, however, Governor
Tompkins did become satisfied that the project
of Mr. Thompson was the correct one, and gave
his influence to secure the enactment of the law
reducing the rates of duties as j)]-oposed, in place
of increasing them. Previous to the passage of the
law reducing the rates of duties, for the two best
years between 1783 and 1812, this State had re-
ceived from duties upon auction sales of India
goods between five and six thousand dollars, aver-
aging between twenty-five hundred and three
thousand dollars per annum ; and to show his con-
fidence in the opinions he had expressed, Mr.
Thompson offered the Governor, that upon the
passage of the law reducing the rate of duties,
if the State would convey to him the duties
alone upon India goods, he would pay into the
State treasury, in advance, for the first year the
sum of six thousand dollars, being more than
the State had received for duties for any two
years subsequent to 1783. The results following
that reduction of duties more than, justified all
his antici23ations, and more than fulfilled all his
l)redictions; for soon after the passage of that
law, in place of selling all East India cargoes in
Boston, as had been previously the case, a Boston
r.hip from the East Indies was sent to New York,
Mud the auction duties upon hei* cargo alone
THE EAST IXDIA TRADE. 217
amounted to upwards of six thousand dollars ;
and the revenue received bv this State upon India
goods, for the first year after that reduction of
duties, amounted to between thirtj-two and thii--
tj'-three thousand dollars. All tlie India ships
after the enactment of that law were sent to New
York ; and from that time to within the last four
years, but one attempt has been made to sell a
cargo of India goods east of Kew York, and that
was a failure, nothing being sold but the sample
packages, and the bulk of the cargo was after-
wards sent to this city and sold here. The re-
duced rate of duties being still continued, the
revenue arising from that source to tlie State
treasury has gradually increased until it has
reached to between two hundred and three hun-
dred thousand dollars. The effect of this reduc-
tion of the duties upon auction sales has not only
multiplied the business of this city to the ship-
per, tlie importer, tlie jobber, and the mechanic ;
it has not only by this increase of business made
^e\v York the commercial emporium of the na-
tion, and thus has drawn to us merchants and
purchasers from all parts of our widely extended
country; and tended directly to enhance the
\ alue of houses, stores, and lots, and filled our
city with palaces, and made our merchants
l)rinces ; it has not only materially aided the
10
218 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
State in the payment of lier debt incurred from
the system of .internal improvements ; bat it also
afforded an impetus to the prosecution of the
project for the gi-eat Erie canal, without which
it would probably have been delayed for very
many years. When the friends of the Erie
canal urged the comiecting of the waters of Lake
Erie with those of the Hudson river, they were
met not only with the sarcasms and ridicule of
those who would not bestow the time requisite to
a proper examination and understanding of the
subject, but also b}^ the unanswerable objection,
that the State had no settled revenue upon whicii
it could rely for the payment of the interest of
the debt that must be incurred in the making of
this canal ; and that it would be an unwise step
to rely alone upon tlie prospective revenues of
an untried project, and that, too, through a region
of country entirely unsettled and in its native
forest state, as was a large portion of the coun-
try at that period now traversed by the Erie
canal. When this act was passed reducing the
auction duties, and the successful result that
iiumediately followed, placed into the State treas-
ury such an immensely increased amount of
duties, compared with the previous receipts from
the same source, that objection was obviated, and
the State at once embarked upon the prosecution
219
of this canal, which has poured and continues to
pour untold wealth into the city and State of
Isew York.
The following is a copy of Governor Sir Ed -
mond Andros' proclamation, issued upon taking
the surrender of the colony of New York from
the Dutch authorities in November, 1674, taken
from an official copy sent to Long Island.
^' By the Goverxor. Whereas it hath pleased
his Majesty and his Royal Highness to send me
with authority to receive this place and govern-
ment from the Dutch, and to continue in the
command thereof, under his Royal Highness,
who hath not only taken care for our future
safety and defence, but also given me his com-
mands for securing the rights and properties of
the inhabitants ; and that I should endeavor by
all fitting means the good and welfare of this
province and dependencies under his govern-
ment. That I may not be wanting in any thing
that may conduce thereunto, and for the saving
of the trouble and cliarge of au}^ coming hither
(to New York City) for the satisfying themselves
in such doubts as might arise concerning their
rights and properties upon this change of gov-
ernment, and wholly to settle the minds of all in
general, I have thought fit to publish and declare
that all former grants, privileges or concessions
320 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
heretofore granted, and all estate legally pos-
sessed bv any under his Hoyal Highness, before
the late Dutch government, as also all legal judi-
cial proceedings during that government, to my
arrival in these parts, are hereby confirmed ; and
the possessors by virtue thereof to remain in
quiet possession of their rights. It is hereby
further declared, that the known book of Laws,
formerly established and in force under his Roy-
al Ilighness's government, is now again confirmed
by his Royal Highness, the which are to be ob-
served and practised, together with the manner
and time of holding courts therein mentioned, as
heretofore ; and all magistrates and civil ofiicers
belono^ins: thereunto to be chosen and established
accordingly. Given under my hand, in New
York, this ninth day of November, in the twenty-
sixth year of his Majesty's reign, Annoque Domi-
ni 1674.
" E. Andkos."
The first general market for the sale of com-
modities, upon the principle of the English fairs
and Markets overt ^ was established at Brooklyn
on this island in 1675, by an order of the court of
assizes (then the legislative authority of the col-
ony) at their session held in the City of New York
on the 13th of October, in that vear, as follows :
BROOKLYN FAIR AND MARKET. 221
" Upon a proposal of having a fair and mar-
ket in or near tliis citv, it is ordered that after
this season there siiall yearly be kept a fair and
mai'ket at Brooklyn, near the ferry, for all grain,
cattle, or other produce of the country, to be held
the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in
Xovember ; and in the City of Kew York the
Thursday, Friday and Saturday following."
Slavery : The following exhibits one of the
regulations which the existence of slavery
amongst us rendered necessary npon tlie x e^t
end of this island, as early as the summer of
1706:
" By his excellency, Edward Lord Yiscount
Cornbury, Captain-General and Governor in
Chief of the ProNinces of ^ew^ York, New Jersey,
and the territories depending thereon, in America,
and Yice- Admiral of the same, etc. Whereas, I
am informed that several neo-roes in Kinoes
County have assembled themselves in a riotous
manner, which, if not prevented, may prove of
ill consequence; you and every of you are there-
fore hereby recpiired and commanded to take all
proper methods for the seizing and apprehending
all such negroes in the said county as sliall be
found to be assembled in such manner as afore-
said, or have run away or absconded from their
223 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
masters or owners, whereby there may be reason
to suspect them of ill practices or designs, and to
secure them in safe custody, that theii- crimes
and actions may be inquired into ; and if any of
them refuse to submit themselves, then to fire on
them, kill or destroy them, if they cannot otherwise
be taken ; and for so doing this shall be your suffi-
cient warrant. Given mider my hand at Fort
Anne in New York, the 22d day of July, 1706.
" CoFvNBUEY.
*' To the Justices of the Peace
in Kings County, and to any
or every of them."
Although there were some instances of unruly
slaves upon this island, as is indicated by the
preceding proclamation of the Governor, yet as
a general thing they were a peaceable, orderly
race, much attached to the families in which they
were owned, and where they would remain from
generation to generation ; the only separation
that was known was when some of the younger
members of the family would marry and leave
the homestead to keep house for themselves, one
or two of the younger slaves would voluntarily
accomj^any them to form tlie new household, and
in some instances where an old negro wencli had
acted as the dry nurse of her young master or
d
SLAVERY IN NEW YORK. 223
»
mistress, she would insist upon accompanying
them, Avhich was almost invariably consented to,
althouirh her services would be of little value, un-
less it might be as a kind of oracle for the family
in all matters of old family history, or of the
weather, which she w(jidd deliver with great
show of importance and no little pri h-, from the
kitchen chimney-corner, a seat appropriated to
her use, knowing that all the other members of
the household were too young to know much, if
anything, about it. And she, together with the
other old negroes of the family, would become
high authority in all the numberless superstitions
which are accustomed to congregate about a far-
mers kitchen fireside ; where the younger mem-
bers of the household, white and colored, would
delio:ht to assemble on the lono; winter evenino-s
to hear their stories.
' An intimate association with nature, with an ex-
clusion from the more busy haunts of men, insensi-
bly tends to make people superstitious, as the world
calls it, and we have observed that the more pure
and virtuous the mind under such an association
of circumstances, the more likely it is to be su-
perstitious. So that we have learned to look
with great respect on this trait of human charac-
ter, as an indication that the heart is right, and
most pi'(>1)ably worthy of our high esteem.
234 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
This is no imaginary picture, as any one can
assure us who has been brought up on the west-
ern part of Long Island, even within the last
forty years. The general docility of these slaves,
and their long coimection with the families,
caused them to be highly valued when an occa-
sion did offer for a sale or a valuation, as upon the
event of the death of the proprietor. In an in
ventory taken on the 16th of December, 1719, in
Kings County, on this island, of the estate of a
deceased person, a negro wench and child are
valued at £60, while five milch cows, five calves,
three .young bulls and two heifers were collectively
valued at £20.
Previous to our Revolutionary war there were,
besides negro slaves, a species of white servants
from Europe, who, upon emigrating to this coun-
try, sold their services for a certain number of
years. By some they were called apprentices,
but that term, as now used, will not convey a
proper idea of the situation of those persons.
They were as much the subject of sales during
the period of tlieir service as the negro slaves.
So we find in the New York Gazette of Decem-
ber 24, 1767, the following advertisement : " To
be disposed of, the remaining time, being about
three years, of three German servants, one a baker
by trade, one a butcher, and the other a laborer.
SOLD INTO SEKVICi:. 225
They are very iiidustrions, good men, whose hon-
esty has been tried, and may be had on reasonable
terms. Inquire of the printer hereof." (3n ex-
amining the old journals of the General Assem-
bly of the Province of New York, from 161)1 to
1763, I found, particularly between 1691 and
1725, many regulations in relation to " negro and
Indian slaves." Before meeting with these pro-
visions we had no idea that the Indians were ever
made slaves, and indeed had all along supposed
the Indian character would not brook slavery.
We are satisfied that they were never treated as
slaves under the Dutch government in this colony,
and that they were not subjected to that state un-
til man}^ years after the conquest of this colony
by the English, in August, 1661: ; and we still be-
lieve that none of the Indians in the immediate
vicinity of New York, or under the English gov-
ernment, were ever made slaves, as that would
have been contrary to the policy which they pur-
sued toward* the aborigines in conciliating them,
and forming alliances with them for the j^rotection
of their frontiers from the French in the Canadas,
and through the valleys of the Ohio and Missis-
sippi rivers; and that these slaves were probably
French Indians captured by the Iroquois iu their
excursions, and sold by them to the English in-
habitants. If so, it was a humane arrangement,
220 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
by which the lives of the captives were preserved,
and tliej were saved from a death of the most
excruciating torture, which, as is well known, it
was then the custom of the Iroquois and many
other Indian nations, to inflict upon their captives
unless redeemed.
Samp Porridge. — It is now, and has been for
very many years j^ast, customary on Long Island,
in the latter part of the week in autumn, to pound
their Indian corn in samp mortars. The corn
thus pounded is called samjp j they put the corn
the night before in a weak ley of w^ood ashes, to
take off the husk of the grain. This preparation
they use in making their celebrated " samp por-
ridge," a high favorite among culinary articles
on this island. It is formed by boiling the samp
with salted beef and pork, with potatoes, and
such other vegetables as may be desired, accord-
ing to the taste. It requires much boiling to
make it perfect, and is said to be better on the
second day, after another cooking, tlian it is on
the first, and that it even improves in taste and
goodness to the third or fourth day, being heated
up and partially re-cooked on each day. In
order to provide for this, they make it in a
very large pot or kettle ; and we have heard of
people having enough cooked for a week. By
these various processes of cooking, the porridge
SAMP MORTARS AND PORRIDGE. 227
acquires a very stout crust on the outside next
the pot ; so much so that we have been told of
the porridge, towards the end of the week, being
lifted out of the pot bodily by the crust, which
was then nsed as a dish or bowl to eat the interior
from.
The samp mortar is constructed by selecting
the sound stump of a large white oak tree — if
rooted in the ground, so much the better; then
burning it out until the cavity is formed of the
desired size and shape, which is carefully scraped
U) remove all the charcoal. This being done, a
block of ^vhite oak, weighing some fifty pounds,
is selected, which is rounded at the lower end to
fit the mortar, through which block a hole is
bored near the top, and through it is a pin, pro-
jecting about a foot on each side, by wdiich to
take hold of. A sapling is then selected conti-
guous to the mortal', which is bent over without
breaking, and its top attached by a strong wythe
or cord to the upper end of that block, and this
completes the pestle. The spring of the sapling
assists in raising the pestle, but is not so strong
as to prevent a man or a stout boy from bringing
down the block or pestle with sufficient force
upon the Indian corn in the mortar, to break it
and pound it fine enough for the purpose designed.
Some captains of vessels, well acquainted with
228 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
the harbor of Kew York and the sniTou]idii]g
c(;uiitry, and with the manners and cnstoms of
the people, j(3cnlarl3' say they can tell when they
are coming upon the .Long Island coast during a
fog in autumn, by hearing the sound of the sam/p
mortars when the breeze is wafted oif the shore.
Their faculty of hearing is equally acute with
that of the strollei'S on the Battery in the City of
Kew York, mentioPxed by the worthy Diedrich
Knickerbocker in his veritable History of the
JYeiv ^Netherlands, who, on a calm summer even-
ing, just after the sunset had dyed our westei-n
horizon with all the gorgeous colors of the famed
Italian skies, could hear the joyous laugh of the
negioes at the little primitive Dutch settlement
of Comnumipaw wafted across the bay when its
waters were scarcely disturbed by a ripple.
When the w^estern and south-western portions
of this State were tirst settled, there being but
very few mills, and in many places none for
grinding the grain of the inhabitants, they adopted
as a substitute these samp mortars, which were
found to answer a valuable purpose. This pro-
cess, however, was slow, it being a day's work to
convert half a bushel of corn into coarse meal.
The settlers who owned a few slaves employed
them in this work ; and hence, this process was
vulgarly called in that part of the State " nigger
HABITS AT iio:me. 229
ing corn." On Long Island, however, this clutj
was performed by the young men and stont boys
in the family, although in some cases there it
was also done by the negroes. Slavery existed
upon Long Island, and also in most other parts
of this State, only in name, for no distinction as
to the kind of work to be perfoi-med Avas made
between the slaves and the white young men and
boys of the houseliold. Tliey were almost uni-
versally treated with great kindness, and were a
careless, happy race of moj-tals, and when they
became too old for work, they were not cast off,
but cherished and taken care of by the family, in
whose service they had spent their best days.
Home Habits. — For a long period anterior to
the Revolution, and down to within the last forty
vears, the stvle of furnishino; their houses aniono;
the most wealthy and the most respectable on
this island, was the acme of simplicity compared
with the present style. Then a white floor
sprinkled with clean sand drawn into various
figures by the broom, large tables, and heavy
high-backed chairs of walnut or mahogany, de-
corated with brass nails along the edge of the
leathern back and cushioned seat, furnished the
parlor genteelly enough for anybody ; and most
comfortable chairs they were truly, as all know
wlio have ever seen or tried them. Sometimes a
230 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
carpet was seen upon the dining-room, not, how-
ever, covering the whole floor. This room,
although called the dining-room^ was, in reality,
a show parlor, and only used on great occasions,
and then not to dine in. The houses, then,
were abundantly provided with necessary and
substantial furniture ; but with nothing that was
merely for show, and not for use. Pewter-plates
and dishes were in general use, and it was a long
time after china and earthenware had been in-
troduced into this country before they super-
seded the pewter; very many of the inhabitants,
and especially among the elderly and old-fash-
ioned, preferring their pewter dining-sets, and
urging as a reason for that preference that they
could not keep their knives sharp and in good
order if they used the new-fangled plates and
dishes, but it was otherwise if they continued the
pewter. It does one's heart good to see the sets
of bright pewter-plates, dishes, porringers, tank-
ards, etc., still kept among some of the old Dutch
families.
There was no trade f]-om the colonies to China
or the East Indies, and the porcelain of the former
country came from Europe, and mux^h of it had
been preserved in the families for several gener-
ations. It was not unfrequently in the shape of
beautiful plates, highly ornamented ; of which a
BEVEKAGES OF THE DL'TCn. 2;U
strange use was sometimes made hy dnlVmo^ twv>
lioles ill the edge of the plate, through which a
ribbon was passed, and it was hung np against
the wall as a picture ; we have seen over half a
dozen beautiful china plates thus hanging in a
single room. Occasionally a very beautiful ar-
ticle, known in that early period as burnt China,
was to be seen in some families, but always in
the form of plates ; all the [)orcelain, if seen at
all on the dinner table, was only displaj^ed on
very extraordinary occasions. Silver-plate, more
or less, was to be seen in every family in any-
thing like easy circumstances ; it was a matter of
pride to possess it, and once in, it scarcely ever
went out of the family, but descended as an
heirloom. This plate was not in all the various
shapes you will now see it, but in massive wait-
ers, b<.)wls, tankards, cans, etc. Glass was then
but little used. Punch was the most common
beverage, and was drank by the company from
one large bowl of china or silver; and beer or
cider fi*om a silver tankard. Many of the wealthy
old Dutch families on this island had casks ex-
pressly^ made to contain their wines and liquors,
with bi'ass hoops and much ornamented, which
were placed upon permanent racks in their cel-
lars ; and when they bought a cask of Holland
gin, Jamaica rum, sherry and Bordeaux wines,
233 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
and English beer or porter, or the latter from
Philadelphia, where it was made very good long
before the Revolutionary war, it was turned into
tlie cask appropriately marked ; for all liquors
were then used from the wood, and they did not
know the distinction of wines in wood, and wanes
in glass. The preceding w^ere the liquors in com-
mon use ; Madeira wine was only used on extra-
ordinary occasions, as on the birth of a child, a
marriage, and at a funeral. When a young man
of any wealth among the Dutch settlers was
about to be married, the first thing to be done
was to send to Madeira for a pipe of the best
Madeira wine, a portion of which was drank on the
occasion of his marriage, another portion on the
birth of his first son, and the remainder was stored
away in the cellar, to be consumed at his funeral.
At the close of the last century, on the west
end of this island, at an invitation to dinner at
the house of the wealthy and respectable inhab-
itants, the entertainment w^ould be as follows :
Punch, warm and cold, before dinner, excellent
beef and pork, with the table abundantly and
solidly served in other res})ects ; and at the din-
ner, spruce beer, cider and Philadelphia porter
were the drink. After the meats a dessert of
puddings and pies, with sherry and Bordeaux
wines.
INTKODUCTION OF TEA-DKINKING. 233
About tlie period alluded to a matron would
driuk tea with her friends, return home by can-
dle-light in rr, tie on her check cqyron, and put her
children to bed, and then pass lier evening by
her fireside in company with her husband, to-
gether with some friend or neighbor who might
casually drop in to chat away an hour with
tliem.
Tea-drinking in our cities was a great favorite
among the ladies about the middle of the last
century. Its introduction and progress in this
country are easy to be traced ; in 1720, Bohea tea
was selling at Philadelphia for fifty shillings a
pound, and for some time after it was varying
in price, from twenty to thirty shillhigs a pound,
so that it is evident but little of it could have
been used in this country at that time. It was
not until some twenty-five or thirty years later
that its use became anyway general in the com-
nmnity. It may with some be difficult to imagine
what substitute they used in its place ; they in-
deed used no substitute ; our ancestors had no
such meal as we know by the name of tea. An
old gentleman, wdio was living on Long Island in
1820, aged eighty-seven, recollected perfectly
well that when he was a young man, just grown
up, tea-drinking was first introduced in the town
of Gravesend an.d its vicinitv on this island. The
234 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
original china tea-cups, then first brought there,
were some of them still, preserved in that year.
They Avere for some considerable time after
their introduction passed around from r.eighbor
to neighbor when their friends visited them, for
the convenience of tea-drinking ; for tea was then
considered the greatest treat which could be offer-
ed by one friend to another. These cups, as were
all other tea-cups of that period, were very small,
being not much, if any, larger than an egg-
shell.
From a very early period until within the last
twenty-five years, a custom existed on Long
Island of visiting each other in parties on Sunday
afternoon ; wdiicdi, coming to be regarded as an
evil demanding a speedy change, and the clergy
and some of the strictest of the sect insisting
upon it, a change was effected, and the custom
is now to a great extent broken up, if not entirely
so. In extenuation of this practice it may be
observed that the people, necessarily engaged in
their agricultural pursuits during the week for a
large portion of the year, had little time to visit
their relatives and friends, who not unfrequently
lived at a considerable distance from them; and
that, after attending to the religious services of
the day, being dressed in tlieir best apparel, and
havinic been obbVed to use their vehicles and
PRICES OF FOOD AND LABOR. 235
liorses in traiis}30rting the family to church, it
seemed almost natural, in meeting their friends,
that they should go with them, or take them to
their own residences, to enjoy the pleasant and
important meal in the country of taMng tea^ and
also to pass the early evening in social inter-
course ; and it might also be urged that consider-
ing the manner in which the Sabbath had been
kept under the wdiole Jewish economy, and also
its observance by the entire Christian Churclifrom
the earliest period of the Church down to the
sixteenth century, it seems more like modern
Pni'itanic rigor, than as an exhibition of Christian
feeling, to break up such kindly and social meet-
ings as these, after the religious services of the
day have been performed. It may probably be
said that it was not so much this j^art of the cus-
tom which induced this visiting to be regarded as
an evil, as it was the later evening visits of the
young men to see the girls, which had been en-
grafted on it. If this be so, why was not the dis-
tinction made; there was certainly ample room
for it 'i
The following table exhibits the prices at which
the articles enumerated were sokl on this island
at the various periods mentioned, and will enable
the reader to form some idea of the expense of
living in former times.
236
LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
Mason's work, per day
Carpenter's work, do
Common laborers, do
Beef, per pound
Pork, do
Butter, do
Eggs, per dozen
Labor, per day, for mowing and getting
in hay
Labor, per day, in harvest
Wheat, per bushel
Indian corn, per bushel
Rye, per bushel
In 1770.
In 1
790.
$0 44
$0
60
40
56
25
37
03
04
03
04
06
09
04
06
30
37
37
50
50
75
30
37
37
50
In 1815.
$1 75
50
1 00
10
30
18
1 00
1 25
2 00
1 12
1 25
At the beginning of the present centnry a very
large tulip, or white wood tree, existed in Brook-
lyn, on the bank of the East river, a short dis-
tance northeasterly from the Main street ferry.
It was a very old tree and hollow, large enongh
inside to hold eight men comfortably ; and was a
sjjlendid sight in the spring when in blossom, with
its large flowers evaporating their perfume over
most of the then little settlement of Brooklyn.
Under this tree was a beautiful green sward, and
the tree being full of large lea^'es it cast a most
extensive and grateful shade in the warm season.
It was so well known in the city of INew York,
that it was usual among the old-fashioned inhabi-
THE OLD TULIP TREE. 237
taiits of that city, to make np parties of three or
fonr families, to cross the East river in their own
boats, carrying their provisions with them, di-
rectly after their early dinner hour of tw^elve or
one o'clock, and to pass the long summer after-
noon in laughing, talking, smoking, and drinking
under the shade of this ti*ee. The women would
boil their tea kettle in the hollo w" of the tree ; and
then between four and five o'clock they would
sit down to drink tea, with the smooth grass for
their tea-table, after which the men would again
smoke their long pipes, and after some social
chat, and planning another excursion into the
conntry (as it was then called, but how different
now !), they would return to the city about sunset,
without the fear of being run o^er by steamboats
in their long and slow^ row across the river, amus-
ing themselves with looking at the gentlemen
playing at bowling upon the smooth lawn in tlie
front of the Belvidere club-house, on the height
of land south of Corlears Hook ; and w'ondering
whether the fishermen in the small boats, anchored
a little way fi-om the beach, between the foot of
George street (now Market street) and Corlears
Hook, had caught any fish ; also admiring the
gorgeous beauties of the sunset ; but at times
they would hasten their S2:>eed as they looked
upon this splendid scene, because the lower cloud
238 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
that the sun has just disappeared behind, ard
tinged its edges with living gold, exhibited a ve^y
black and ominous appearance, as if it had a
thunder shower in its bosom, which idea became
strengthened by seeing, almost directly after, the
crinkling lightning playing along its surface ;
and they were also startled by the rushing past
them of several porpoises, every few miuutes
showino: their curved backs far above the surface
of the Avater, which, smooth and still as if it were
glass, reflected upon its surface all the heights of
land, the wharves, buildiugs, and even lamps of
the neighboring city, all which they say to each
other is a sign that the storm is near at hand ;
but they reach home in safety just as the first
drops of rain begin to fall. Snch parties as these
were of very frequent occurrence during the sum-
mer. Some may feel an interest in knowing
what became of this interesting tree, so identified
as it was with many of the purest and most
pleasurable enjoyments of our ancestors. One
Sunday morning, in the early part of summer,
about forty years ago, wdien the few people who
lived at " Brooklyn feVry" (as a large part of the
present city was then called) were at church, an
alarm of fire was given by the only bell in the
place (the Dutch church was then at Brooklyn
parish, or Brooklyn proper), which was the fire
KNTCKERBOCKEK SMOKING PARTIES. 239
bell hanging on the Old Ferry road. All ran out
to see wliere the fire was, and observing a smoke
in that direction, they passed on until they dis-
covered it was the great tree in flames. For a
long time no one dared go near it, under the ap-
prehension that a powder magazine, which then
stood in the vicinity, would blow up. The tree
was so large and the smoke so great, that for near
an hour the inhabitants were much alarmed lest
the fire might be connnunicated to the magazine,
and all their houses, if not their lives, destroyed
by the explosion, they believing a large quantity
of gunpowder to be stored there. After some
time, four or five of the most courageous taking
pails, and dipping water from the river, threw it
into the hollow of the tree and extinguished the
fire. It was supposed to have originated from
the carelessness of some fishermen, who, having
cooked their breakfast there, as was then not an
imf i-equent occurrence, had neglected afterwards
to put out tlie fire with as much care as was
usual. This, however, did not destroy the old
tree ; it still continued in leaf, and was resorted
to during the warm season by the Knickerbock-
ers for their accustomed tea and smoking parties.
But when the gales and storms came in the au-
tumn, the tree was so much weakened by the loss
of tlie wood wdiich had been burnt from the in-
240 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
side, that it was blown down, to the great regret
01 all the inhabitants of Brooklyn and also of
ISTew York, to whom, and especially the latter, it
had long been a very pleasant resort.
The habits and manners of the people on this
-island were qnite pi-imitive nntil a very recent
period. This arose in a great measure from their
seclusion from the travelling world, by reason of
the imperfect modes of conveyance throughout a
large portion of the island. Old Mr. John Moore,
of Newtown, in Queens County, who was aged
ninety-seven years in 1826, says, that his mother
was the lirst white woman who came by land
fi'om Newtown to Brooklyn. She came with her
husband on horseback, riding on a pillion behind
him (as was then the custom), through an Indian
path, then the only road, and at that time this
journey was considered a very arduous under-
takincr, and her friends wondered much that she
should have the courage to think of it. As late
as 1793, there was no post-office on any part of
Long Island and no mail carried on it ; the people
on the west end received all their letters and sent
them (and few they were) through the post-office
in New York, except those on the east end of
the island who used the tri-weekly mail from
New London to New York, they having frequent
communication with New London and other
MR. DUNBAR, THE POST RIDER. 241
parts of Connecticut, by means of their small
sailinoj vessels, a communication kept up to the
present day.
The first post-route upon Long Island, with the
first post-ofhcGS, was established on the memorial
i)i Abraham G. Thompson and Jonathan Thomp-
son, Esqs., with a few others of the other inhabi-
tants of this island, about the commencement of
the present century ; and Abraham G. Thompson,
Esq., was the first postmaster at Babylon, and
held that office for about six years, until he re-
moved to the city of Kew York and commenced
his successful mercantile career in that city.
About ten or twelve years previous to the estab-
lishment of the post-route on this island, a re-
spectal)le old Scotchman, named Dunbar, was in
the habit of riding a voluntary post betw^een the
city of Xew York along the south road to Baby-
lon, and from thence a few miles to the east, and
then across the island to Brookhaven. lie thus
brought the inhabitants of the central p.ortion of
this island their letters and newspapers about
once a week or once a fortnight, depending upon
the state of the weather.
Mr. Dunbar appears to have ridden his volun-
tary post even as early as near the commencement
of the Revolution. Rivingtoii's Royal Gazette^
l)rinted in Xew York, for February 16tli, 1778.
11
243 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
establishes this fact by the following article of
news : " At two o'clock last Thursday morning a
party of twelve rebels seized, at Coram, in Suf-
folk County, two wagons loaded witli dry goods,
the property of Obediah Wright of Southampton,
These maurauders had been several days on the
island, visited most parts, and committed many
robberies, especially at the house of Colonel Floyd,
Setauket, which they robbed of goods and cash
to a considerable amount, and took some property
of Mr. Dunhar, who rides down the island oc-
casionaUy^ and happened to lodge in the house
that night."
It would not answer to be more explicit about
Mr. Dunbar, for although there was no mail-route
upon the island, yet the king had his deputy
postmasters for JSi ortli America, who were alone
authorized to transmit letters to any part of the
country, and the people of Long Island, from
one end to the other, were pi-esumed to receive
their letters at the post-office in the city of New
York; Mr. Dunbar's business being an illegal
one subjected him to severe penalties, and was
only winked at by reason of its absolute neces-
sity.
A mighty change has been produced in Long
Island within the last few years, by the introduc-
tion of the railroad ; now by its means travellers
JOIJKNETING IN OLDEN TIME. 243
leave IN^ew York citj^, after breakfasting, and
arrive in Boston between five and six o'clock the
same evening. Only as late as 1835, the regular
mail-stage left I>rooklyn once a week, on Thurs-
day, having arrived from Easthampton and Sag
Harbor the afternoon of the previous day ; and
this was the only conveyance travellers could
then have through this island, unless they took a
private carriage. The practice then was to leave
Brooklyn about nine o'clock in the morning — they
were not, however, pai-ticular as to a half hour —
travel on to Hempstead, where they dined ; and
after that, jog on to Babylon, where they put up
for the night. A most delightful way this was
to take a jaunt — there was no hurry, no fuss and
bustle about it ; no one was in haste to get to his
journey's end, and if he was, and intended going
the whole route, he soon became effectually cured
of it. Every thing went on soberly and judici-
ously, and you could see all there was to be seen,
and hear all that was to be heard, and have time
enough to do it all in ; no mode of travelling ever
suited our taste better ; it was the very acme of
enjoyment. The next morning you left Babylon
just after daylight — which in the summer was of
itself worth living for — journeyed on to Patch-
ogue, where you got your breakfast between nine
and ten o'clock, with a good appetite for it, we
244 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
warrant you. You would get no dinner this day,
nor would you feel the want of it after your late
and hearty breakfast; but travel along slowly
and pleasantly until you reached the rural post-
office at Fire Place, standing on the edge of a
wood ; here, if you have a taste for the beautiful
in Nature, you would walk down the garden to
look at the trout stream filled with the speckled
beauties. Here you need give yourself no un-
easiness about being left by the stage, as is the
case in some of the go-ahead parts of our country
— in this particular region the middle of the road
is sandy, and the driver, like a considerate man,
gives his horses an opportunity to rest, so that
they may the better travel through this piece of
heav}^ road. You might, therefore, after enjoy-
ing yourself at this spot, walk on leisurely ahead
of the stage, with a friend, and some one who is
conversant with the country and its legends, and
this walk would prove by no means the least
pleasant part of your excursion, for many are the
tales that you would hear of awful shipwrecks, of
pirates and their buried wealth, of treasures cast
u]^ by the sea, and of all those horrors and won-
ders of which the ocean is the prolific parent.
After walking for some two or three miles upon
the green sward at the edge of the road, gather-
infy and eating the berries as you strolled along,
THE COACH TO EASTHAMPTON. 245
until YOU were tired, you would find the stage a
short distance behind you, the driver very com-
plaisant, for you have much eased his horses in
their journey tln-ongh the heavy sand, and the
passengers pleased to see you back in your seat
again, that is, if you have done as every ti-aveller
ought to do, studied the comfort and convenience
of your fellow-passengers as well as y<jur own.
Shortly after sunset you would stop for the night,
the second one of your journey, at a place called
Quagg or Quogue. Here you might, after sup-
per, on a moonlight night in the beginning of
August, if you were so fortunate as to be there
at such a time, as we were, cross the meadows
with a guide, and walk down to the sea-beach,
where, with no sound but the beating of the
waves upon the shore, swelling in from a waste
of waters of three thousand miles, and making
the earth tremble under your feet, with scarcely
a breath of air to move the hair upon your fore-
head, and nothing in sight for miles upon miles
but the white sand hills srlistenincr in the moon-
beams on one side, and this world of waters on
the other, y(Hi would more than at any other time
realize the immensity of creation, and your own
comparative insignificance. The following morn-
ing you would breakfast at Southampton, after
passing through a pine forest, in a portion of
X
246 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
which, from the earlj hour and blindness of the
road, you would probably require a guide to go
ahead of the horses with a lighted lantern. You
would also, this morning, before arriving at South-
ampton, cross the remains of the first canal con-
structed in what is now the United States, by
Mongotuclvsee, the chief of the Montauk Indians,
long before the white settlement of the country,
and also traverse a region of hills known as the
^ Shinecoc Hills, on which not a tree has grown
since they were known to man, certainly not
since the European settlement of this island ;
and if you are wise, you would leave the stage
near this canal, and w^ith your friend cross these
hills on foot, for the stage has to make a long cir-
cuit around their base, and you may leisurely
walk over them in nearly a straight line, enjoying
some most delightful views, wdiich are not to be
seen from any part of the road, and reach the
road on the opposite side before the stage has
completed the circuit. Sag Harbor would be
reached in time for dinner, after which the mail
stage would travel on to its final destination at
Easthampton, arriving there just before sunset on
Saturday afternoon ; thus occupying nearly three
days to traverse a distance of one hundred and
ten miles ; but most pleasant days they were, and
no one has ever tried this mode of journeying
THE WHALE FISHERMEN. 247
through Long Island who had pleasure in view,
wlio did not wish to try it again. It would afford
recollections for a life to make such a tour of this
island to Montauk Point, going by the south
road and returning by the north side ; to stroll
along the great south beach near Ammagansett,
on the hard level sand near the waters edge,
with nothing in view but the white sand hillocks
crowned with scrubby bushes, and occasionally,
at long intervals, small thatched huts or wigwams
on the highest elevations, with a staff projecting
from the top. These huts were occupied at cer-
tain seasons by men on the watch for whales, and
when they saw them blowing, a signal was hoisted
on this staff". Innnediately the people would be
seen coming from all directions with their whaling
boats upon wagon-wheels, drawn by horses or
oxen, launch them from the beach and be off in
pursuit of the great fish. You would see all
throuo'h this reo^ion these whalinoj-boats turned
upside down, lying upon a frame under the shade
of some trees bv the road-side, this beinsr the
only way in which they could keep them, having
no harbors ; four or five families would club to-
gether in owning one of these boats and in man-
ning them.
This journey was then a most interesting one,
from the variety of scenery and curious out-of -the-
248 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
way occurrences. The whole south side of the
island, and also portions of the northern side,
are full of legends and stories of pirates, ship-
wrecks, and strange superstitions, of murders and
buried treasures, which are revived from time to
time by the actual discovery of Spanish dollars
along the beach, after unusually heavy storms ; a
large amount was found in this way, as late as
March, 1842. It was worth the trouble of
such a journey then, to witness the primitive
manner of the post-office arrangements in various
parts of the island, manifesting a degree of hon-
esty in the whole community, and confidence in
each other, to be met with in few other places in
this world. The villages were in some instances
a mile or two off the post road ; in such cases the
driver would stop and lay his package for the
place intended on a particular rock inside of the
fence by the road-side, and would take up any-
thing left there for him ; at other times, as he
was jogging along, he would throw out two or
three newspapers, under a certain tree or shrub,
all of which were sure to find their true destination.
One morning on our journey down the island, we
came to an old tree standing at the intersection
of two roads, with a box fastened to it without a
lock ; this was the post-office of that district ; our
driver deposited in it the letters and papers for
RUINED BY RAILROADS. 249
that place, and took out those intended for car-
riage further east. These were the mail arrange-
ments on Long Island even at that late period,
and yet no instance was known of any letter or
paper having miscarried. But those things are
Jill now passed, and such a jaunt can never again
be taken ; the old mail route is broken up, and
now, in place of travelling soberly along, we, by
means of railroads and turnpikes, fly rapidly
through the island. Now we will meet with hun-
dred^ of tourists for pleasure, where we met one
at that period. It was then something of an un-
dertakino; to 2:0 to Montauk Point — now almost
everybody goes there. Then there were few tav-
erns, and in mau}^ places none ; the inhabitants
were delighted to see strangers, and learn from
them the news of the world ; they were plain and
hospitable in their manners, so that it was a pe-
culiar pleasure to visit them. Now there are
taverns or hotels everywhere, and in the sum-
mer they are filled. The people have ceased to
offer their hospitalities, except to those with whom
they are somewhat acquainted, otherwise from
the great influx of strangers tliey might be much
imposed upon. In place of that kind, open-
hearted reception which you then met with from
all the girls and young men in the eastern part
of the island, you will find they have now the
11*
5,")0 LONG ISLAIsD ANTIQUITIES.
manners of the young people of our towns ; and
in order to have any intercourse with either sex,
a previous formal introduction is necessar}^, and
even after that, the frolicking, kind, good-humor-
ed attention you then received are now supplied
by manners tinctured with distance and reserve.
This change may have been inevitable, and, in
fact, absolutely necessary, from their change of
circumstances and situation, with reference to the
travelling world, but yet it is much to be re-
gretted.
From 1664, down to the close of the British
government in tliis colony, a period of more than
a century, almost all the marriages upon this
island (which were not of un frequent occurrence,
judging from the statement of Major Rogers,
that more than, a hundred ladies from this island
were annually married, about the middle of the
last century, into the neighboring plantations),
and also in New York, took place under the
Governor's license, thus adding very much to his
income ; it was, in fact, esteemed rather disrepu-
table to be married by the publication of the banns
for three Sabbaths, in church, or by putting up the
notices required bylaw. The following extract
from a New York newspaper, under the date of
December 13, 1765, will show how strongly that
prejudice existed in the community, and that the
PUBLISHING THE BANNS. 251
occurrence of a marriage by the publication of
the banns, even at that late period, was so uncom-
mon as to call forth a special notice in the public
journals of the day :
" We are credibly informed (says the editor)
that there were married last Sunday evening, by
the Rev. Mr. Auchmuty, a very resj)ectahle couple,
til at had been published three different times, in
Trinity Church. A laudable example and worthy
to be followed. If this decent, and, for many
reasons, proper method of publication, was once
generally to take place, we should hear no more
of clandestine marriages, and save the expense of
licenses, no inconsiderable sum these hard and
depressing times."
At the same time that our ancestors provided
all the necessary facilities for entering the mar-
riage state, a state of peculiarly high moment
to a newly settled colony, they also made provi-
sion for arranging and disposing of the disputes
which sometimes arise from that condition of life,
and we find, in 1673, at New York City, an offi-
cer styled, '' Tlie first commissary of marriage
affairs," — whose duty it was to hear and deter-
mine all matrimonial controversies, and whose
jurisdiction extended to Long Island. Notwith-
standing there was undoubtedly some business
for this officer and his successors to perform, yet
252 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
our history from the first settlement of this colon j
to tlie year 1786, presents no instance of divorce
a m.ensa et thoro, and but one single instance of a
divorce a vinculo inatriinonii^ and that was ob-
tained by Rebecca Leveridge from her husband
, Eleazer, in the Court of Assizes, held in the City
of IS^ew York on the 22d of October, 1670. This
certainly speaks well for the morals of our ances-
tors. And they were indeed a moral, honest race,
notwithstanding they were fond of good livings
and indulged in many sports and amusements,
which we have, from the requirements of fashioa
suffered to become obsolete. Our records show
tlie extraordinary fact, that from the year 1786
there lias not been a single instance of any per-
son executed for a capital offence in Kings Coun-
ty; which, considering its numerous population,
and its immediate proximity to one of the great-
est commercial cities in the world, is a pheiKmie-
non in the history of morals. We cannot form
a correct opinion as to the inhabitants of this
island, or indeed of any country, without looking
into their festival amusements, their sports, and
the manner in which their fireside enjoyments
were conducted. In this we have the advantage
of almost any other people, for we were so fortu-
nate as to have a " Fcvtherland^^ Vaderlandt as
well as a " IlotJur Country^'' and our ancestors
SMOKED GOOSE AND KOLICHEES. 253
coming, in the good " olden time," from those
countries, introduced with them tlie customs and
festivities of their different nations, which have
since become domesticated among us, and witli
some others, originating in our own land, now of
right form a portion of our history as a people.
It is true that at first there was not so good a
state of feeling existing between the Dutch and
English settlers as might have been desired, but
this feeling has all died awa}' long since, and the
Dutch and English, by living as neighbors and
coming better to understand each other's charac-
ters, and by frequent intermarriages, have become
one people ; and the Dutch talked English, and
the English talked Dutch; and they eat sour-
krout, smoked goose and kolichees, and roast
beef and plum pudding togethei-, and everything
has since gone as comfortably as could be wished.
Christmas was a season of great festivity on
Long Island from its first settleuient. Formerly
among the English families on this island it
was customary on Christmas eve to place on the
fire a large log of hickory wood, which had been
previously selected and prepared for the occasion,
called the "Christmas log;" this was the '''Yule
den,gh " of the Saxons. Etymologists have long
puzzled themselves to find the meaning of this
expiession as a]3plied to this log of wood burnt
354 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
upon the hearth on Christmas eve, and during
Christmas day. It was formerly the general be-
lief from a very early period, that on Christmas
eve the evil spirits, by reason of their spite
and malice being increased by the birth of the
Saviour, who was destined ultinjately to destroy
their power, were unusually busy in their efforts
to injure mankind; and that it was necessary to
use some extraordinary precautions to thwart
their designs. These logs being cut some time
before, and destined for the hearth on that par-
ticular occasion, were supposed to acquire a degree
of sanctity from that fact, and also being suffi-
ciently large to burn through the night and the
succeeding day, the light from their burning was
believed to drive away all evil influences of a
supernatural character, such spirits fearing light
and loving darkness ; the expression as thus used,
therefore, means a log burnt to drive away the
evil spirits. In Kolle's translation of some of the
Psalms of David, made in the fourteenth century,
we have the word Yule used in that sense, viz. :
'' I shal not dreede Yueles," which we now
translate, " I will fear no evil " (see Psalm 23).
This word, Yuele, is evidently the same as that
written Yide^ the orthography of the language
not being, by any means, in a settled state at that
early period.
THE CHRISTMAS LOG. 255
So universal is this belief that the evil spirit
fears light, that even the aborigines of Xew Hol-
land, v/ill never venture from their fires at niofht
because of the horror they entertain of an evil
spirit, whom they represent as a gigantic black
man, always prowling about at night, ready to
seize and devour any unfortunate wanderer,
except from the most urgent necessity, when they
always carry a firebrand to intimidate the monster.
(^7ilkes' United States Ejcjploring Expedition^
vol. II., page 198.)
All nations appear to have the idea of repelling
their spiritual enemies by means of light ; and it
is certainly a very curious circumstance that the
declaration of Scripture that evil loves darkness
and hates light, should find such a full confirma-
tion in the belief of all nations, as well the low-
est and most ignorant, as the most civilized and
intelligent.
This Christmas log has been several times
placed upon the hearth, in our family, within
onr memory, but the custom is now nearly dis-
continued. The children, also, formerly had
their candles, made in different shapes, at that
season, often three branches from one body,
called " Christmas candles," and which they burnt
on Christmas eve, and were allowed to sit up un-
til they were burnt out.
256 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
Among the Dutch settlers, Christmas was al-
ways a great festival ; and a clay on which Saint
Nicholas was in high repute, who, according to
the belief of the children, on Christmas eve, came
down the chimney in his little wagon, and dep(js-
ited his gifts in their nice, clean, woollen stock-
ings, hung in a row near the fire-place, for the
good saint's convenience ; for he was mighty busy
on that night, and had no time to waste in hunt-
ing about the room for their stockings. A firm
belief in these annual domiciliary visits of St.
jN^icholas was formerly universal among the chil-
dren on this island and vicinity ; and even now
exists to a very considerable extent. Formerly,
if any child should ha];)pen, in the presence of
other children, to express a disbelief in this an-
nual visit of the saint, he was sure to be looked
upon by the others as little better than a heretic,
or anything that was bad, and he would be re-
ferred at once to the indisputable evidence of
Santa Klaas' veritable existence afi:'orded by the
tracks of his wagon -wheels upon the ashes of the
hearth. 'No persons but those who, in their youth-
ful days, have experienced it, can realize the anx-
iety with which the youngsters look forward to
the eves of Christmas and New Year, when they
could hang up their stockings. After which they
went to bed, and dreamed, if they could get
THE FESTIVAL OF SANTA XLAAS. 257
asleep, which, at such times, was a very difficult
matter to accomplish, about St. Nicholas, in the
form of a pleasant little old gentleman in a
cocked hat and breeches, with a large bag full of
sugar-plums and toys. When they got up in the
morniug, for they were all early risers on that
morning, the first thing was to go to the stock-
ings, which, if they had been good, they would
Und full of cakes, sugar-plums, toys, and some
small pieces of money ; but if they had been bad,
they tremblhigly expected to find a small birch
twig, synibolical of what they deserved. We
have no doubt but that this belief, where it was
prevalent among children, had a considerable
tendency to check any vicious dispositions or in-
clinations which tliey might have.
The Dutch children upon this island used to
have a hymn, written in the Dutch language, in
praise of St. Nicholas or " Santa Klaas," as they
call him; which hymn commences with:
" Sanctus Klaas, goedt heyligh man; "
Saint Nicholas, good holy man ;
and which hymn they sang on Christmas eve and
Christmas day.
The New Year's eve and New Year's day were
also seasons of great festivity upon this island,
and still continue to be ; in few parts of the
258 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
world are they oljserved with more hospitality
and kind feeling than among us. Paulding, in
his New Mirror for Travellers^ speaking of the
celebration of New Year's eve in the good old
Dutch way, and observing that it also is under
the especial patronage of St. Nicholas, exclaims:
" To whom (St. Nicholas) whoever fails in due
honor and allegiance, be his fate never to sip the
dew from the lips of the lass he loveth best on
New Year's eve or New Year's morn ; never to
taste of hot-spiced Santa Cruz ; never to know
the delights of mince pies and sausages, swim-
ming in the sauce of honest mirth and homefelt
jollity."
The New Year's day with us, almost from time
immemorial, was ushered in with great noise and
rejoicing, which was formerly continued through-
out the day and even the day following. The
inhabitants used to go from house to house with
their guns and fire salutes ; and at every house
thus saluted, it was customary to invite them in
to partake of the good things of the season.
After enjojang themselves for a time, in eating
and drinking, they would depart accom^^anied by
the men of the house, and thus they would pass
thnjiigh the whole neighborhood, until every
house was saluted, and all the men of the vicinity
were collected together — then they would go to
ST. NICHOLAS FESTIVAL. 259
some convenient spot and pass the remainder of the
day in firing at the mark and in athletic sports.
Tliis custom of firing guns on this occasion,
was attempted to be stopped by an act passed by
the Colonial Legislature, on the 8th of March,
1773, in which they state that " great damages
are frequently done on the eve of the last day of
December, and on the first and second days of
January, by persons going from house to house
with guns and other firearms." And after the
close of the Revolution, and on the 22d of April,
1785, the Legislature of the State of Kew York
found it necessary to revive that enactment of
the Colonial Legislature, and they further ex-
tended it to prevent the firing of guns, pistols,
rockets, squibs, and other fireworks on Ohristmas
eve / for about this period the people began also
to celebrate the eve of Christmas in this noisy
manner — this last, however, continued but a short
time, and never became very prevalent.
It has been with us, for very manj- years past,
and is }et customary with the clergy, to visit
their congregations during the holidays, and to
partake with tliem of the good cheer of tlie
festal season. This is a good custom ; it brings
the pastor and his flock more intimatel}' con-
nected, and endears them to each other.
About the middle of the last century, and for
260 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
some time previous, it was the custom among tho
Dutch inhabitants, when a negro woman's child
attained the age of three years, solemnly to pre-
sent it to a son or daugliter, or other young rela-
tive of the master's family, who was of the same
sex as the child thus presented. The child to
whom the young negro was given, immediately
presented it with some piece of money and a
pair of shoes; and from that day the strongest
attachment existed between the domestic and the
destined owner. It is scarcely possible to meet
with instances of friendship more tender and
generous than that which often existed in this
colony between the slaves and their masters and
mistresses ; extraordinary proofs of which were
not unfrequently given in the course of hunting
and Indian trading, then matters of common
occurrence.
About the same period, when the change of
the Style took place in 1752, and in 1753, many
people, and it may be said, the larger portion of
them, refused to observe the Christmas and ^ew
Year according to the new Style, and insisted
upon keeping those festivals eleven days later,
according to the good old style, as they called it ;
for, said they. Parliament may, if they please,
alter the names of the months and of the days,
but it is out of their power to change the
CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR. 2G1
seasons. It has been frequently asserted, and
witli Hindi truth, tliat in no part of the Union
is the New Year celebrated with greater cor-
diality and more hospitality than with us,
which continues to be the case even to the
present period. Private families are prepared to
receive visits of congratulation on this day from
all who have even the slightest acquaintance,
and indeed also from those who have none, and
who are obliged to be introduced for the first
time, and sometimes to introduce themselves.
These visits are understood to be tokens of re-
spect to the ladies ; unless in the case of some
gentlemen of high official rank, or of some poor
fellow of a baclielor who has no lady to do the
honors of his house. This is a blessing which we
derive from our honest, good-natured Dutch an-
cestors, who in their time were satisfied with
the Oly CooJies, Prctzies, Kiskatomas-mits and
Spitzenhurgs^ with hot spiced Santa Cruz, good
strong Christmas heer and cider, with which their
ample oaken tables were filled on New Year's
day. Ill place of these, it is true, we have sub-
stituted the splendid iced and ornamented plum
cake, with almost numberless other cakes, confec-
tionaries and fruits, not forgetting the true I^eio
Yearns cake, and a variety of other choice edi-
bles, together with Madeira and other wines, cor-
262 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
dials and liquors, yet we have retained much of
the kind feelins^ and heartfelt welcome which so
much distinguished them on this jubilee of the
year. The temperance reformation has worked
some change in our holiday customs recently, in
causing wines and cordials, and indeed all kinds
of liquor, to be banished from the social board
in the great majority of cases, on this occasion,
and hot coffee and lemonade have been substituted
in their places. That it may be long, a very long
time, ere we shall forget to keep up our holiday
customs, should be the sincere wish of all who de-
sire the happiness of our people. It is a good
thing for us all to have a day of mutual friend-
ship and forgiveness when those who have been
estranged from each other for months by wide
separation or some foolish misunderstanding, are
expected to meet each other with the kind feel-
ings adapted to the season, and when friends and
relatives, whose business and vocations have
parted them asunder for a long period, meet and
revive the best affections of the human heart.
In enumei'ating our holidays and festivals, the
14th day of February, St. Valentine's day, can-
not be omitted. No ! St. Yalentine, thou love-
making prelate, though most writers do unwor-
thily unsaint thee, thou must not be forgotten.
For thou, with our fair countrywomen, art an
ST. VALENTINE S DAY. 233
es]3ecial favorite, and tliy festival is duly ob-
served by making of true-love knots, which are
often niore difficuU, than tlie Gordian knot to un-
tie, in the writing of valentines; by the seeking
for favorable dreams ; by throwing whole ap-
ple parings (which are taken off from a fair
apple, standing before a looking-glass) over the
right shoulder, thereby to show by its formation
on the floor the first letter of the future husband's
name, and by many other rites and mysteries
which are known alone to and practised by the
gentle lover.
Among our early Dutch settlers this day was
called " V/'ouwen dagli^^ ^YomenbS day, and was
celebrated in the following singular manner:
Every girl provided herself with a cord, without
a knot in the end, and on the morning of this
day they would sally forth, and every lad whom
they met was sure to have three or four smart
strokes from the cord bestowed on his
shoulders. These, we presume, were in those
days considered as " love-taps," and in that light
answered all the purposes of the " valentine " of
more modern times, as the lasses were not very
likely to favor those with their lashes whom they
did not otherwise prefer.
Easter among our Dutch ancestors was a fes-
tival of high note, and as such observed by them
264 LONG ISLAND ANTIQIHTIES.
with religions services, as well as by merr3'-mak-
ing. In a volnme of sermons by Iladrianns Vis-
scherns (Adrian Fisher), printed in Dntch, 4to,
Amsterdam, 1667, is one entitled " Ilet Paess-
chen-Feest der Christelijcke Kercke, ofte de
Evangelische historic van Jesu Christi Tri-
ll mphante opstandinge," etc., being a disconrse
preached on the feast of Easter. Easter day was
called among our Dutch inhabitants, and also by
many of the English, until the last twenty-five
years, Paessoh, pronounced Paas ; and from
thence the same appellation became transmitted
to Easter Monday, to which it was applied even
after the word Easter became generally adopted.
Anciently, the Dutch people, and also some of
the English, were in the habit of making presents
of eggs to each other on Easter day and Easter
Monday — the ^g^ being considered an emblem
of the Resurrection, from the fact of its yielding
animal life, after remaining for a considerable
space of time in an inert and apparently dead
condition. The only relic of this custom now is
that observed by the boys on Easter Monday, and
which a few years ago was general among them,
of cracking the points and butts of eggs together,
and whoever cracked the other's ^2^% won it.
This sport was followed up with great zeal, and
sometimes with a little knavery ; as in getting
EASTER DAY AND EASTER EGGS. 2(55
the Guinea hen's eggs, which have a harder shell
than the common hen's-egg, and taking off the
spots with vinegar, and thus by those winning
tlie eggs of their opponents, and also byempt^'ing
through a small hole and then filling it up with
rosin ; and at other times by getting a piece of
white marble, fashioned like a hen's egg; this
last trick, however, was easily detected. The
boys' eggs at this season were frequently
stained various colors; and these colored eggs
were invariably exhibited for sale at the
small shops during Easter week, and for some
days previous. This is a sport which excites
much more interest in the boys than can be well
imagined b}^ those who are unac(piainted with
it ; this we say from experience, having been an
adept in this species of amusement when a school-
boy.
The first Monday in June, or as the Dutch call
it, jRinckster, was formerly considerable of a
festival among the Dutch inhabitants of Long
Island ; and they celebrated it by treating their
friends to an abundance of good cheer, among
which, and peculiar to this festival, was the
" Soft Trr(/<?/,v," and by riding in parties about
the country making visits. But now poor Pinch-
ster has lost its rank among the festivals, and is
only kept by the negroes ; with them, however,
12
2QQ LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
especially on the west end of this island, it is still
much of a holiday. For many days before it
arrives, the negroes come into the City of Kew
York with tlieir sassafras and swing] ed tow for
sale, in order to raise money with which to keep
this da3^ Tlie day has sunk lamentably low, and
without any apparent reason ; to ridicule whist-
ling ^ it is called Negro PincJcster Miisio.
" With hurried step and nodding knee,
The negroes keep their jubilee ;
While Cuffee, with protruding lip,
Bravuras to the darky's skip."
[WMstles.^
Considering its origin, this festival, from its
singular mode of observance, was one of the'
strangest of the American customs. From a
very early period, probably from the first set-
tlement of the country, until about the com-
mencement of the present century, Pinchster
was a holiday among our Dutch inhabitants. It
was celebrated as the day of Pentecost, the day
upon which occurred the miraculous descent of
the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. In the
volume of sermons by Adrian Fisher, before
referred to, when treating of Easter, printed in
4to, at Amsterdam, in 1()67, is one entitled,
'' Het Eerste Trac^tact : Yan de Uystortinge des
lleyligen Geests over de Apostelen op den
THE PmCKSTER SATURNALIA. 207
PincJcster clagh." (A Discourse on the Descent of
the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles on Pinckster
(lay.)
Although this day was a species of negro
jubilee upon Long Island at the same time that it
was observed as a festival by the w^hite popula-
tion, and eventually became entirely left to the
former, yet it never was with us the perfect
saturnalia that was for a long period exhibited
in its observance at Albany. In that city, about
forty years ago, and for ages previous, it w^as a
day of much note, and the negroes used to assem-
ble from the city and the surrounding country
for a long distance, to celebrate it in booths
upon the hill at the head of State street, where
the Capitol now stands. These booths were filled
with edibles, cakes, and fruits of every description
which could then be procured at the season of
the year, and also liquors ; and the carousal con-
tinued for the space of three days and nights. It
was indeed a real saturnalia ; about these booths
on the green, the negroes were in the habit of
dancing what was then known as the " Toto
dance," which is described by those who have
witnessed its performance as having been the
most indecent dance that can well be imagined ;
and yet such was the state of public sentiment,
and the liberty allowed to their slaves at that
2G8 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES
time, for they were so then that respecta1)le
females would stand by and witness this dance as
a mere matter of course. Some may say, on
reading this, that the state <.)f public morals has
greatly improved since that period ; that how-
ever is questionable, for we must bear in mind
that there is a possibility of being so virtuous as
not to see evil in that which would bring the
blush at once to the cheek of a female of immoral
heart, although of outwardly moral conduct.
The music which usually accompanied this
dance was the " banjo drum," formed of a hol-
low log, with a skin of parchment stretched over
one end, the other being left open, on which
they beat with a stick, making a rough, discord-
ant sound. Both the dance and the drum were
most probably introduced from Africa by the
Guinea negroes. They had also a great proces-
sion through the public streets of the City of
Albany during those three days. The head man
in all these dances and processions was an old
Guinea negro, aged eighty -five years, whom they
called King Charlie. His official costume on
such occasions was a scarlet coat and an old-
fashioned cocked hat, and lie rode a horse at the
head of his array. His will was law among all
the negroes, and if there was any dispute, as
would frequently be the case in so large an
INDEPENDENCE DAY. 239
asseniblai^e of such people kept together for so
long a period, he had only to decide, and the
matter was settled, and his fiat, whatever it might
be, was quietly submitted to.
The frolickings on that occasion were not con-
fined to the negroes, but the younger portion of
the white population also shared in them, and
had frequent balls and dances, not with the
blacks, however, although at the same time.
The Evacuation day, Noveml)er 25th, the day
on which the British army left Brooklyn, on this
island, and also the City of Xew York, in the
year 1783, has been observed as a species of holi-
day on the west end of Long Island ; and good
cause they had to rejoice at it, for Brooklyn at that
time was little more than a garrison, being covered
witli fortifications, there being no less than five
distinct forts, and also a line of fortifications
more than six miles in length, within the present
City of Brooklyn, which were occupied by
British and Hessian troops.
The 4th day of July, the national festival, is
observed among us with great spirit ; in describ-
ing: it we are oblio:ed to extend our view bevond
the region of this island, the customs attending
its celebration with us being so mixed np with
those other sections as to render this unavoidable.
This birthday of our nation is celebrated with
270 LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES.
all "the pomp and circumstance of" martial
display and civic lionors from Maine to Texas ;
but the manner and mode of its observance in
some parts of our country sometimes has that
about it which, although it manifests honorable
feelings and stern independence in the people, is
yet calculated to excite mirth. The following
ode, though a little distorted, is, withal, a pretty
fair description of some country celebrations ; it
is said to be " composed for the 4th of July, cal-
culated for the meridian of some country towns in
Massachusetts, and Rye, in N^ew Hampshire ; " it
was written about the year 1800, and made its
appearance in the Farmer's Museum^ printed in
Massachusetts :
Squeak the fife and beat the drum,
Independence day is come ! !
Let the roasting- pig be bled,
Quick twist off the rooster's head,
Quickly rub the pewter platter,
Heap the nut cakes fried in butter,
Set the cups and beaker glass,
The pumpkin and the apple sauce.
Send the keg to shop for brandy ;
Maple sugar we have handy.
Independent^ staggering Dick,
A noggin mix of swinging thick ;
Sal, put on your russel skirt,
Jotham, get your boughten shirt,
THE FOURTH OF JULY. 271
To-day we dance to tiddle-diddle —
Here comes Sambo with his fiddle ;
Sambo, take a draw of whiskey,
And play up Yankee Doodle frisky —
Moll, come leave your witched tricks,
And let us have a reel of six —
Father and mother shall make two ;
Sail, Moll, and I stand all a row,
Sambo, play and dance with polity;
This is the day of blest equality, —
Father and mother are but men,
And Sambo is a citizen.
Come, foot it, Sal ; Moll, figure in,
And, mother, you dance up to him;
Now saw as fast as e'er you can do,
And, father, j^ou cross over to Sambo.
— Thus we dance and thus we play,
On glorious Independen(^e Day.
Rub more rosin on your bow.
And let us have another go —
Zounds ! as sure as eggs and bacon.
Here's Ensign Sneak and uncle Deacon,
Aunt Thiah, and their Bet's behind her
On blundering mare, than beetle blinder —
And there's the Squire, too, with his lady —
Sal, hold the beast ! I'll take the baby !
Moll, bring the Squire our great arm-chair,
Good folks, we're glad to see you here —
Jotham, get the great case bottle.
Your teeth can draw the corn-cob stopple— '
Ensign, Deacon, never mind ;
Squire, drink until you're blind."
NOTES
GEOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL,
KELATING TO THE
TOWN OF BROOKLYN
IN KINGS COUNTY, ON LONG ISLAND.
By Gabriel Furman.
"They are worthy of reprehension who contemn the study of antiquity, (which
Is ever accompanied with dignity,) as an arid curiosity." — LORD COKH.
BROOKLYN:
PRINTED BY A. SPOONER,
1824.
ADVEETISEMENT.
The Compiler offers these notes to the inhabitants of his native town,
in the hope that they may be in some small degree useful and entertaining
in discussions relating to the history and rights of this thriving place.
He claims no merit for this performance, and neither does he write from
the vanity of being considered an author, but is only actuated by a desire to
rescue from oblivion such facts as may be interesting to his fellow-citizens.
The Compiler would consider himself guilty of ingratitude, if he did not in
this public manner, acknowledge the obligations he rests under from the
kind assistance afforded him whilst collecting these notices, by Jeremiah
Johnson, Abraham Vanderveer. Silas Wood, and John Doughty, Esqrs.
I^OTES, ETC.,
OF THE
TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
SITUATION.
This town is situated in Kings County, on the
west end of Long Island, in the State of New
York. It is bounded north by the City and
County of New York ; east by the township of
Bushwick; south by the township of Flatbush
and Xew Utrecht ; and west by New York Bay ;
and contains the village of Brooklyn, which is
about a mile square. This town formerly com-
posed part of a powerful Indian Sachemdom ;
and with the other parts of the Island bore the
Indian name of Matowcas.
This part of the island, as far as Jamaica, was
inhabited by the Canarsee tribe of Indians. The
old Dutch inhabitants in this county have a tra-
dition, that the Canai'see Indians were subject to
the Mohawks, as all the Iroquois were called, and
paid them an annual tribute of dried clams and
376 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BKOOKLYN.
wampum, When the Dutch settled hei-e, tiiey
persuaded the Canarsees to keep back the tribute ;
ill consequence of wdiich a party of the Mohawdvs
came down and killed their tributaries wherever
they met them. So great was the dread that
these Indians afterwards entertained of the Iro-
quois, that w^hen a party of the Iroquois, during
the French war, were taken prisoners and im-
prisoned in the Jail of this county, the Canarsees
avoided them with the greatest care, and seemed
to be afraid even to come where they should see
them. The Canarsee Indians are at this time
totally extinct ; not a single member of that ill-
fated race is now in existence.
There was also a small tribe of the Kyack
Lidians near the Xarrows.
lu this town is also the United States Navy
Yard, containing about 40 acres, wdiich was pur-
chased of John Jackson, Esq., by Francis Childs,
Esq., for $40,000, and on the 23d day of Feb-
ruary, 1801, was conveyed by said Childs to the
United States.
ANCIENT NAMES AND REMAINS.
In 1G67, this town was known by the name of
J3reucklen. In the act to divide the province of
J^ew York into shires and counties, passed Nov.
ANCIEKT NAMES AND EEMAINS. 277
1, 1688, it is mentioned bj the name of Brenck-
lyn. It is also called Broucklyn in the act to
divide the province into shires and connties,
passed Oct. 1, 1691. The present name Brook-
lyn does not appear to have been generally
adopted until after the Bevolutionary war.
Heads of Indian arrows, beds of oyster and
clam shells, denoting the former residence of the
aborigines, are frequently found in different parts
of this town.
Among the most ancient remains are two
houses, one owned by the family of Cortelyou,
built in 1699 ; the other standing on Fulton-
street, in the village of Brooklyn. The last
mentioned house was occupied by the Colonial
Legislature as a Sessions-house, during the prev-
alence of the small-pox in 'New York, in 1752 ;
and at this house on the 4th of June, 1752, 2,51:1
bills of credit, issued by this Colony, amounting
to £3,602, 18, 3, were cancelled by the Colonial
Commissioners. This house was also occupied
by Gen. Putnam as his head-quarters during the
stay of the American Army on Long Island, in
1776. But the oldest house in the town of
Brooklyn is supposed to be the house known as
Ko. 61 Fulton-street, in the village of Brooklyn,
and now owned and occupied by Mr. Jacob
Patchen. Mr. Charles Doughty, who has been
278 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
dead about twentv-five years, and was about
eighty-five years of age when he died, said that this
was an old house when he was a boy. Mrs. Rap-
alye, the mother of John Rapalye, whose property
in Brooklyn was confiscated during the Revo-
lutionary war, says that this house was built by a
family of the Remsens, who came from Holland.
SOIL AND CLLSIATE.
The soil of this town appears to be mostly allu-
vial, though some few primitive rocks are to be
met with. Several years since, in digging a well
on some of the highest ground in Brooklyn,
a hemlock board was found at the depth of
thirty feet, and again at the depth of seventy-
three feet oyster and clam shells were met
with, which crumbled on being exj)osed to the air.
The shores of Brookl^ni, where they are not de-
fended by wharves, are undergoing continual and
rapid changes, in consequence of the velocity of
the current in the East River. The tide rises
here about five feet.
There is very little doubt but that Governor's
Island was formerly connected with Red Hook
point in this town. It is an established fact, that
previous to the Revolutionary contest, cattle were
driven from Red Hook to Governor's Island,
THE SOIL AND CLMATE. 279
which places at that time were only separated by
a veiy narrow channel, which is called Butter-
milk channel, and is now wide and deep enough
to admit of the largest size of merchant vessels
passing through.
The climate is very changeable, but cannot be
called unhealthy. People in this town live to as
great age as in almost any other part of the
United States ; as instances of which, April, 1823,
Mr. Tiebout died in this town, aged one hundred
years and ten months. The same year, Mr.
Schoonmaker died, aged eighty-four years;
and in 1824, Mary Peterson, a colored woman,
died, aged one hundred and three years. It
is not an uncommon thing for the inhabitants
to live beyond the " three score years and ten."
This town has at different periods been visited
by the yellow fever. Between July 10th and Sep-
tember 10th, 1809, twenty-eight persons died of
that disease. During the prevalence of the yellow
fever in the city of ^ew York, in the summer of
1822, seven persons died of that disease in Brook-
lyn. In the summer of 1823, the yellow fever made
its appearance in the village of Brooklyn, and
nine persons fell victims to that dreadful pesti-
lence in the space of one month, during which
time its ravages continued. Every year that this
disease made its appearance amongst us, it could
280 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
be distinctly traced to some foreign cause; as^ in
1809, it was brought in the ship Concordia, Cap-
tain Coffin, on board of which vessel the first case
and death happened. In 1822, it was introduced
from the City of New York — and in 1823, it was
traced to two or three vessels which had arrived
a short time previous from southern latitudes.
Indeed, the high and airy situation of Brooklyn
almost precludes the idea of its being engendered
among us.
ANCIENT GRANTS AND PATENTS.
In the year 1638, William Kieft, Director Gen-
eral and Counsellor for their high mightinesses
the States General, and his highness the Prince of
Orange, granted to Abraham Kycken, a tract of
land in the present towii of Brooklyn.
September 11, 1642, William Kieft, Director
General, &c., patented to Jan Manje, a piece or
parcel of land containing twenty morgan, or forty
acres, in the town of Brooklyn. A copy of which
patent is hereto annexed as a specimen of those
ancient instruments :
By William Kieft, Director General and Coun-
sellor, about the high and mighty Lords, the States
General of the United Low Country, and his high-
ness of Orange, and the Lords Commanders of
the privileged West India Company, residing in
GRANTS AND PATitNTS. 281
the New-Netherlaiicl, do ratify and declaie by
these presents, that we upon the date hereinafter
written, did give and grant to JanManje, a piece
of Lmd, greatly twenty morgan stretching about
south-east one hundred and ninety rods inward
the woods towards to Sassians maise land — long
is the limits of the said maise land fifty rod, and
then again to the water side, two hundred and
twenty rod, about north north-west, well so north-
erly and along the strand or water side, seventy
rod. AVhich abovesaid land is lying upon Long-
Island, between Andries Iludde and Claes Janse
Ruyter. — With express conditions, &g. Dated
at Fort Amsterdam, in the Xew-Xetherland,
the 11th day of September, 1042.
WILLIAM KIEFT.
By order of the Lord the Director General,
and Counsellor of New-Ketherland.
CoKNELius Yantienhoven, Sec'ry.
January 29, 1652, Pieter Linde, having married
the widow^ of Jan Manje, transported or sold the
above tract of land to Barent Janse. August 23,
1674, before Nicasius de Sille, admitted Secretary
of the Dutch towns appeared Jan Barentse,^ and
* The custom of changing the names of sons, or rather sub-
stituting the surnames for the Christian name, prevailed at
282 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
Alike Janse, with Simon Hansen as Gnardian of
the other children of Barent Janse, deceased,
" procnred by his wife Styntie Pieterse deceased,
all living within the town of Mid wont Fflack-
bnsh," and declared that they transported the
above tract of land to Dirck Janse Woert-
man.
September 12, 1645, William Kieft, Director
General, &c., patented to Andries Hndden, " a
piece of land lying npon Long-Island against
over the fort, lying to the sonth-west to Jan Man-
je," containing 37 morgan. December 10, 1651,
" Pieter Cornelissen, by virtne of a procnratie of
Andries Iludden," for the consideration of 400
gnilders, transported to Lodewyck Jongh the above
tract. Jnly 19, 1676, Lodewyck Jongh trans-
ported to Jeronimns de Rapalje, eight morgan of
the above tract. Febrnary 12, 1679, Harmatie
Jansen, relict of Lodewyck Jongh, transported to
Dirck Janse Woertman, 12 morgan of the above
tract. May 3, 1685, "Dirck Janse Woertman,
transported to the heirs of Jooris Dirckse, a small
stroke off land lying at the east side off the high-
way being all the claime they can pretende by
virtue off the abovesaid Pattent."
this period ; as in the above instance, the father's name was
Barent Janse, and the son was called Jan Barentse.
GRANTS AND PATENTS. 283
September 30, 1645, 'William Kieft, Director
.General, &c. patented to Claes Janse, from ^N^aer-
der, a piece of land, containing 20 morgan, l^'ing
south-east, a little easterly, just over against the
Fort, upon Long Island. March 11, 1660, the
above tract of land was transported by Claes Janse
Ruyter, to Machiell Tadens, who transported the
same to Machiell Hainielle.
The three patents to Manje, Hudde, and Janse,
from Naerder, were located near the Ferry
in this town, and all subsequently were pur-
chased by Derick Woortman, alias Dirck Janse
Woertman, and were by him sold to Joras
Remsen, on the 10th day of October, 1706,
for the sum of £612 10s. current money of
New- York.
There is great reason to believe that there was
a General Patent of this town under the Dutch
Government, which patent is now lost. What
strengthens this idea is, that the first by Governor
Nicolls under the English is confirmatory of some
former grant.
August 10th, 1695. The Patentees and fi-ee-
holders of this town sold unto Stephanus Yan
Cortlandt, the neck of land Called Red Hook,
containing by estimation 50 acres ; which they
state in their deed "was formerly given and
granted to the town of Broocklyn, in the year
284 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BKOOXLYN.
1657, by Governor Stiiyvesaiit, the Dutch Gover-
nor then at that time, and since confirmed by the
English Governors, Governor Nicolls, and Gover-
nor Dongan." Which is very strong proof of
there having been a general Dutch Patent for
this town.
October 18, 1667, Eichard Mcolls, the first
Englisli Governor of ISTew York, granted to the
inhabitants of Brooklyn, the following full and
ample patent, confirming them in their rights and
privileges.
Z. >^. " Kichard Nicolls, Esq. Governor Gene-
ral under his Hoyal Highness James Duke of
Yoi-ke and Albany, &c. of all his Terretorys in
America, To all to whom these presents shall
come, sendeth Greeting. — Whereas there is a cer-
tain town within this government, situate lying
and being in the West Riding of Yorkshire upon
Long-Island, commoidy called and known by
the name of Breuckelen, which said town, is in
the tenure or occupation of several freeholders
and inhabitants who having heretofore been
seated there by authority, have been at very con-
siderable charge, in manuring and planting a
considerable part of the lands belonging there-
unto and settled a competent number of families
thereupon. Kow for a confirmation unto the
THE NICOLLS PATENT. 285
said freeholders and inhabitants in their })os-
sessions and enjoyment of the premises, Know
ye, That by virtue of the commission and autho-
rity nnto me given by his E,oyal Highness, I
have given, ratified, confirmed, and granted, and
by these presents, do give, ratify, and (confirm and
grant, nnto Jan Everts, Jan Daman, Albert
Cornelissen, Panlns Yeerbeeck, Michael Eneyl,
Thomas Lamberts, Tuenis Guysbert Bogart and
Joris Jacobson, as patentees, for and on the be-
half of themselves and their associates, the free-
holders and inhabitants of the said town their
heirs successors and assigns, all that tract to-
gether with the several parcels of land which
already have or hereafter shall be purchased or
procured for and on behalf of the said town,
whether from the native Indian proprietors, or
others, within the bounds and limits hereafter
set forth and exprest, viz. that is to say, the town
is bounded westward on the farther side of the
land of Mr. Paulus Yeerbeeck, from whence
stretching south-east, they go over the hills, aud
so eastward along the said hills to a south-
east point which takes in all the lotts behind the
swamp, from which said lotts they run north-west
to the Tliver"^ and extend to the farm, on the
♦According to the New- York doctrine, this boundary of
the town can only be correct when the tide is flood, for when
286 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
t'other side of the hill heretofore belonging to
Hans Hansen over against the Kicke or Looke-out,
including within the said bounds and limitts all
the lotts and plantations, lying and being at the
Gowanis, Bedford, Wallaboncht and the ferry. —
All which said parcels and tracts of land and
premises within the bounds and limitts afore-
mentioned, described, and all or any plantation
or plantations thereupon, from henceforth are to
bee appertaine and belong to the said town of
Breucklen, Together with all havens, harbours,
creeks, cpiarryes, woodland, meadow-ground, reed-
land or valley of all sorts, pastures, marshes, runs,
rivers, lakes, hunting, fishing, hawking, and fowl-
ing, and all other profitts, commodities, emolu-
ments, and hereditaments to the said land, and
premises within the bounds and limits all forth
belonging, or in any wise appertaining, — and
withall to have freedome of commouaofe for
range and feed of cattle and horse into the woods
as well w^ithout as within these bounds and
limitts with the rest of their neio^hbours * — as
the water is low, the town is bounded by property belonging
to the Corporation of the City of New- York, and not by the
River.
* This town enjoyed this privilege in common with the
other towns on Long-Island, and their cattle which ran at
large were marked with the letter N.
THE NICOLLS PATENT. 287
also one-tliird part of a certain neck of meadow
ground or valley called Sellers neck, lying and
being within the limits of the town of Jamaica,
purchased by the said town of Jamaica from the
Indians, and sold by them unto the inhabitants
of Brencklen aforesaid, as it has been lately laid
out and divided by their mutual consent and my
order, whereunto and from which they are like-
wise to have free egress and regress, as their oc-
casions may require."^ To have and to hold all
and singular the said tract and parcell of land,
meadow ground or valley, commonage, heredita-
ments and premises, with their, and every of
their appurtenances, and of every part and par-
cell thereof to the said patentees and their asso-
ciates, their heirs, successors and assigns, to the
proper use and behoof of the said patentees and
their associates, their heirs, successors and as-
* At the annual town meeting, Ai^ril, 1823, a committee
was appointed to inquire if this town at present had any, and
if any, what right to the above-mentioned tract of meadow
ground called Sellers neck ; what progress this committee
made in their investigation, the Compiler is uninformed.
This meadow called Sellers neck, the Compiler thinks was
apportioned among the patentees and freeholders, and what
leads him to this conclusion is, that on the 10th of May,
1G95, John Damen, who was one of the patentees of this
town, sold to William Huddlestone all his interest in the said
meadow.
288 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
signs forever. Moreover, I do hereby give,
ratify, confirm and grant nnto the said Patentees
and their associates, their heirs, snccessors, and
assigns, all the rights and privileges belonging to
a town within this government, and that the
place of their present habitation shall continne
and retain the name of Breuckelen, by which
name and stile it shall be distingnished and
known in all bargains and sales made by them
the said Patentees and their associates, their
heirs, successors and assigns, rendering and pay-
in o- such duties and acknowledo:ments as now
are, or hereafter shall be constituted and estab-
lished by the laws of this government under the
obedience of his Royal highness, his heirs and
successors. Given under my hand and seal at
Fort James, in New York, on the Island of Man-
hattat, this 18th day of October, in the nineteenth
year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, Charles
the second, by the grace of God, of England,
Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender
of the faith, &c. Annoque Domini, 1667.
RICHARD KIGOLLS.
Recorded by order of the Governor, the day
and year above written.
Matthias Nicolls, Sec'ry.
LOVELACE'S LICENSE. 289
1670. The inhabitants uf this town desirous of
enlarging the bounds of tlieir common hinds, and
extinguishing the Indian claim to the same, ap-
plied to Governor Lovelace, and obtained f rum
him the following permission to purchase of the
Indians.
^'Z. S. AVhereas the inhabitants of Breuck-
lyn, in the west Hiding of Yorkshire upon Long-
Island, who were seated there in a township b}^
the authority then in being, and having bin at
considerable charo-es in clearing: ifencino; and
manuring their land, as well as building If or their
convenience, have requested my lycense for tlieir
further security to make purchase of the said
land of some Indians wdio lay claim and interest
therein ; These are to certify all whom it may
concerne, that I have and doe hereby give the
said inhabitants lycense to pui'chase their land
according to their request, the said Indians con-
cerned appearing before me as in the law is re-
quired, and making their acknowledgments to be
fully satisfyed and payed for the same. Given
under my hand and seal at ffort James, in !New-
Yorke, this ffirst day of ^fay, in the 22nd yeare
of his Majesty ies reigne, Annoque Dom. 1670.
FFKANCIS LOVELACE."
13
290 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
The purcliase was accordlnp^ly iimde and the
following is a copy of the deed from the Indians
for the same.
'' To all people to whom this present writing
shall come, Peter, Elmohar, Job, Makaqniquos,
and Shamese, late of Staten Island send Greet-
ing : Whereas, they the said Peter, Elmohar, Job,
Makaqniquos, and Shamese, afore-mentioned, doe
lay claime to the land now in the tenure and oc-
cupation of some of the inhabitants of Ereuck-
lyn, as well as other lands there ad j ascent as the
true Indian owners and proprietors thereof, Know
Yee, that for and in consideration of a certaine
sum of wampum and diverse other goods, the
which in the Schedule annext are exprest unto
the said Sachems in hand payd by Monsieur
Machiell Ilainelle, Thonuis Lambertse, John
Lewis, and Peter Darmantier, on the behalf of
themselves and the inhabitants of Breuckly]i, the
receipt whereof they doe hereby acknowledge,
and themselves to be full}' satisfyed and payed
therefore ; have given, granted, bargained and
sold, and by these presents doe fully, freely and
absolutely give, grant, bargain and sell, unto the
said Monsieur Machiell Ilainelle, Thomas Lam-
bertse, John Lewis and Peter Darmantier, ffor
and on behalf of themselves, and the inhabitants
aforesaid, their lieyrs and successors ; all that
THE INDIAN DEED. 391
parcell of land and tract of land, in and about
Bedford, within the jnrisdiction of Brucklyn, be-
ginning ffrom Ilendrick Van Aarnheras land by
a.swamp of water and stretching to the hills, then
going along the hills to the port or entrance
thereof,"^ and soe to Rockawaj ffoot path as their
purchase is more particularly sett fforth ; To have
and to hold all the said parcell and tract of land
and premises within the limits before described
unto the said Monsieur Machiell Ilainella,
Thomas Lambertse, John Lewis, and Peter
Darmaiitier, ffor and on the behalf of the
inhabitants aforesaid, their heyres, and suc-
cessors, to the proper use and behooff of
the said inhabitants, their heyers and succes-
sors forever; In witness whereof the partyes
to these presents have hereunto sett their
hands and scales, this 14th day of May, in
the 22nd yeare of his Majestyes reigne, An-
noque Dom. 1670.
Sealed and Delivered in the presence of Ma-
* This " port or entrance," as it is called, is situate in the
valley on the Flatbush Turnpike, near the "Brush" or
"Valley Tavern," and a short distance beyond the 3 mile
post from Brooklyn ferry. — A freestone monument has been
placed here, to designate the patent line between Brooklyn
and Flatbush.
292 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
tliias I^icolls, E. Longh, Samuel § Davies, John
Garland. his marke
The mark of P Peter. (l. s.)
The mark of o Elmohar. (l. s.)
The mark of x Job. (l. s.)
The mark of ^ Makaquiquos. (l. s.)
The mark of 7 Shamese. (l. s.)
" This Deed was acknowledged by the within
written Sachems, before the Governor in the
presence of us, the day and jesiY within written.
MATHIAS NICOLLS, Secretary.
The mark of § SAMUEL DAYIES.
" Recorded by order of the Governor.
MATHIAS NICOLLS, Secretary.
The Inventory^ or Schedule referred to in the
Deed.
'^ The payment agreed upon ffor the purchase
of the land in and about Bedford, within the
jurisdiction of Breucklyn, conveyed this day by
the Indian Sachems, proprietors, is, viz. : —
100 Guilders Seawant,
Half a tun of strong Beer,
2 half tuns of good Beer,
3 Guns, long barrells, with each a pound of
powder, and lead proportionable — 2 bars to
a gun,
4 match coates."
GOVERNOR DONGANS PATENT. 293
May 13, 1686. Governor Dongan granted to
the inhabitants of Brooklyn the following con-
firmatory patent :
L. 8. "Tliomas Dongan, Lientenant Gover-
nor, and Vice Admiral of Kew York, and its de-
pendencies under his Majesty James the Second,
by the grace of God, of England, Scotland,
France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith,
&c. — Supreme lord and proprietor of the Colony
and province of Kew York and its dependencies
in xlmerica, &c. To all to whom this shall come
sendeth greeting, whereas tlie Honorable Richard
Nicolls, Esq. formerly Governor of this province,
did by his certain writing or patent under his
hand and seal, bearing date the eighteenth day
of October, Annoque Domini, one thousand six
hundred and sixty-seven, ratifie, confirm and
grant unto Jan Evarts, Jan Damen, Albert Cor-
nelissen, Paulus Yerbeeck, Michael Enyle, Thom-
as Lamberts, Tunis Gisberts Bogart, and Joris
Jacobsen, as patentees for and on behalf of them-
selves and their associates, the freeholders and
inhabitants of the town of J>reucklen, their heirs,
successors, and assigns forever, a certain tract of
land, together with the several parcels of land
which then were or thereafter should be purchased
or procured for and on behalf of the said town,
294- NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BEOOKLYN.
vvliether from the native Indian proprietors, or
others within the bounds and limitts therein sett
forth and expressed, that is to sav, the said town
is bounded westward on the further side of the
land of Mr. Pauhis Yerbeeck, from whence
stretching south east they go over the hills, and
so eastward along by the said hills to a south-east
point, which takes in all the lotts behind the
swamp, from which said lotts they run north-west
to the River, and extend to the farm on the other
side of the hills heretofore belono^ino- to Hans
Hansen, over against Keak or Look-out, includ-
ing within the said bounds and limitts all the lots
and plantations, lying and being at the Gauwanes,
Bedford, Wallabocht and the ferry, all which
said parcells and tract of land and premises with-
in the bounds and limitts aforementioned de-
scribed, and all or any plantation or plantations
thereupon, from henceforth are to be, appertain
and belong to the said town of Breucklyn, To-
gether with all harbor, havens, creeks, quarries,
woodland, meadow ground, reed land or valley of
all sorts, pastures, marshes, waters, rivers, lakes,
fishing, hawking, hunting, fowling, and all other
profits, commodities, emoluments and heredita-
ments to the said lands and premises within the
bounds and limitts set forth, belonging, or in any
wise appertaining, and with all to have freedom
GOVERNOR DONGAN S PATENT. 295
of commonage for range and feed of cattle
and horses, into the woods with the rest of their
neighbours, as also one tliird part of a certain
neck of meadow ground or valley, called Seller's
neck, lying and being within the town of Jamaica,
purchased by the said town of Jamaica from the
Indians, and sold by them unto the inhabitants of
Breucklen aforesaid, as it was laid out aforesaid,
and divided by their mutual consent and order of
the Governor. To have and to hold unto them
the said patentees and their associates, their heirs,
successors and assigns forever, as by the said
patent reference being thereunto had, doth, fully
and at large appear. And further, in and by the
said patent, the said Governor, Hichard Nicolls,
Esq., did erect the said tract of land into a town-
ship by the name of Breucklen aforesaid, by that
name and style to be distinguished and known in
all bargains, sales, deeds, records and writings
whatsoever ; and whereas the present inhabitants
and freeholders of the town of Breucklen afore-
said, have made their application to me for a con-
firmation of the aforesaid tract of land and prem-
ises in their quiet and peaceable possession and
enjoyment of the aforesaid land and premises.
Kow Know Ye, That I, the said Thomas Dongan,
by virtue of the commission and authority derived
unto me. and power in me residing, have granted,
896 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BKOOKLl'N.
ratified and confirmed, and by these presents do
grant, ratifie and confirm, unto Tennis Gjsberts,
Thomas Lamberts, Peter Jansen, Jacobus Yan-
der Water, Jan Dame, Joris Jacobs, Jeronimus
Rapelle, Daniel Kapelle, Jan Jansen, Adrian
Bennet, and Michael Hanse, for and on the be-
half of themselves and the rest of the present
freeholders and inhabitants of the said town of
Ereucklen, their heirs and assigns forever, all and
singular the afore-recited tract and parcels of land
set forth, limited and bounded as aforesaid ; to-
gether with all and singular, the houses, mes-
suages, tenements, fencings, buildings, gardens,
orchards, trees, woods, underwoods, ])astures,
feedings, common of pasture, meadows, marshes,
lakes, ponds, creeks, harbors, rivers, rivulets,
brooks, sti-eams, highways and easements what-
soever, belonging or in any wise appertaining to
any of the afore-recited tract or parcells of land
and divisions, allotments, settlements made and
appropriated before the day and date hereof.
To Have and To Hold, all and singular, the said
tract or parcels of land and premises, with their,
and every of their appurtenances unto the said
Tunis Gysberts, Thomas Lamberts, Peter Jansen,
Jacobus Yander Water, Joris Jacobs, Jeronimus
Pappelle, Daniel Pappelle, Jan Jansen, Adrian
Bennet and Michael Hanse, for and on behalf
297
of themselves and the present freeliolders and
inhahitauts of the town of Breucklen, their and
every of their heirs and assigns forever, as ten-
ants in common without any let, hindrance, mo-
lestation, rig] it of survivorship or otherwise, to be
hoklen in free and common socage according to
tlie tenure of East Greenwich, in tlie county of
Kent, in his Majesty's kingdom of England.
Yielding, rendering and paying therefor yearly,
and every year, on the five and twentyeth day of
March, forever, in lieu of all services and demands
whatsoever, as a quit rent to liis most sacred Ma-
jesty aforesaid, his heirs and successors, at the
city of New York, twenty bushels of good mer-
chantable wheat. In testimony whereof, I have
caused these presents to be entered and recorded
in the Secretary's office, and the seal of the Pro-
vince to be hereunto affxed this thirteenth day of
May, Anno. Domini, one thousand six. hundred
and eighty-six, and in the second year of his
Majesty's reign. .
THOMAS DONGAK"
Quit rents to the following amounts and at the
follow^ing periods have been paid on the Brook-
lyn patents.
June 8, 1713. Paid to Benjamin Yan de
13*
298 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
Water, Treasurer, the sum of £96 7s Id. for up-
wards of 16 years quit rent.
April 6, 1775. Charles Debevoise, Collector of
the town of Brooklyn, paid to the Keceiver Gen-
eral of the Colony of New York, 20 bushels of
wheat, for one year's quit rent, due from said
town.
November 9, 17S6. Fernandus Suydam, and
Charles C. Doughty, two of the Trustees of the
town of Brooklyn, paid to the Treasurer of the
State of New York, the sum of £105 10s. in full
for arrears of quit rent due from the said town.
TOAVN EIGHTS AND FERRIES.
The difference between this town and the city
of New Yoi-k relative to the water rights of the
former, has deservedly excited the attention and
interest of our inhabitants, as involving property
to a great amount, and unjustly withholding from
our town a revenue which would enable it to
improve with almost unparalleled rapidity. In
order tliat each person so interested may form a
correct opinion of the subject matter in dispute,
the Compiler has thought proper, under this
head, to lay before them the foundations of
the claims on both sides of the question.
October 18, 1667. In the reign of Charles 2d
Kichard Ni<iolls, Esq., Governor General of the
TOWN EIGHTS AND FERRIES. 299
Province of Xew York, under his Royal High-
ness James, the Duke of York, &c., afterwards
James 2d of England, granted to the inhabitants
of this town a confirmatory patent, acknowledg-
ing that they were rightfully, legally and by
authority in possession of the property and privi-
leges they then enjoyed. The patent after nam-
ing the patentees, and describing the bounds of
the town, and binding by the River and not by
high water mark, proceeds to say, " Together
M^ith all havens^ harljors^ creeks, marshes, vmters^
rivers^ lakes, fisheries," " Moreover, I do hereby
give, ratify and confirm unto the said j^atentees
and their associates, their heirs, successors and
assigns, all the rights and privileges belonging
to a town within this government." Under this
patent the town of Brooklyn justly claims the
land between high and low water mark on their
shore, in opposition to the claims of the Corpora-
tion of the City of I^ew York ; and an equal
right with them to erect ferries between the town
of Brooklyn and the City of IN'ew York.
It does not appear that there was any adverse
claim on the part of New York, until the 27th
of April, 1686, nineteen years after the date of
the Brooklyn patent, when the Corporation of
New York obtained a charter from Governor
Dongan, by which the ferries were granted to
300 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYX.
them, but not a word mentioned abont the laud
between high and low water mark on the Brook-
lyn side. From the reading of this charter it
appears as if the Governor was doubtful as to his
right even to grant the feriy, for it contains an
express saving of all the rights of all other per-
sons, bodies politic and corporate, their heirs,
successors and assigns, in as ample a manner, as
if that charter had not been made.
May 13, 168G. The freeholders and inhabit-
ants of Brooklyn somewhat apprehensive of en-
croachments by Kew York, obtained from Gover-
nor Dongan, a patent under the seal of the
Colony, fully confirming that granted them by
Governor Nicolls.
May 6, 1691. An act was passed by the Gover-
nor, Council and General xlssembly of the Col-
ony of 'New York, " for settling, quieting and
confirming unto the cities, towns, manors, and
freeholders within this Province, their several
grants, patents and rights respectively." By this
act the freeholders and inhabitants of the town
of Brooklyn were confirmed in the rights they
possessed and enjoyed under their two sevei-al
patents.
October 12, 1694. The Corporation of New
York, not thinking their foothold on the Brook-
lyn side sufficiently secure, purchased of one
THE NEW YOEK PUECHASE. 301
William Morris, for no specific consideration, a
piece of land in Brooklyn near the ferry. This
deed is the foundation of the Corporation claim
to their land in the village of Brooklyn. A copy
of which will be found in the appendix marked
with the letter A.
Bent on unjustly wresting from the town of
Brooklyn their water right, the Coi'poration, on
the 19th of April, 1708, obtained from Governor
Coi'nlniry, a man infamous for his vices and dis-
regard of justice, another charter, in which they
came out more opeidy tlian before, and claimed
the vacant land to high water mark, on Nassau
Island, reserving to the inhabitants of Brooklyn
the right of transporting themselves in their own
boats ferriage free, to and from New York. " By
this charter, no matter how ample soever they
might have considered it at the time, they ob-
tained nothing but vacant land to liigli water
mark ; that is the land which was not already
granted, and in the possession of some other per-
son or persons, which was not the fact as to the land
on the Brooklyn side, it being vested in the paten-
tees, their heirs, successors, and assigns forever ;
so that the only power or authority remaining in
* Although the bounds of this grant commences about 200
yards in the town of Bush wick, the Corporation of New York
have made no claim to land beyond the Wallabought.
D02 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
tiie Governor was to grant tlie Corporation of
Xew York, the privilege of baying the water
rights of the inhabitants of Brooklyn. But that
would not answer their purpose, for those rights
could be bought cheaper of Governor Cornbury
than they could of this town.
This proceeding on the part of l^ew York stim-
ulated the inhabitants of Brooklyn to obtain from
tlie Colonial Legislature, in 1721, an act confirm-
ing their patent rights.
To obviate the effects of this law, and strengthen
the charter of Cornbury, which from the circum-
stances under which it was obtained, the Corpo-
ration feared was invalid, on the 15th of January,
1730, they procured from Governor John Mont-
gomerie, a new charter confirming their pre-
tended right to the land to hir/h water raarh on
our shore f^
* There was some peculiar circumstances attending the
consummation of this charter, which the Compiler thinks
ought to be known. A short time previous to obtaining the
charter, the Common Council of the City of New-York re-
solved that the sum of £1400 was necessary for the pro-
curing of that instrviment ; £1000 of which sum they deter-
mined to raise immediately by a loan on interest for one year ;
which they accordingly did, and gave a mortgage for that
amount to James De Lancey, Esq., dated January 14, 1730.
Directly after the execution of this mortgage they resolved
to address the Governor, • for the great favour and goodness
303
The grants from the Corporation of Xew-York,
under their two charters for the water lots on the
Brooklyn side, are very artfully and ingeniously
drawn. By those grants are only conveyed " all
the estate, right, title, interest, property, claim,
and demand whatsoever, in law and equity " of
them the said Corporation ; and their covenant for
quiet possession only extends to them and their
successors, and not against any other persons law-
. fully claiming premises. These grants in order
to save the Corporation harmless against the
claims of Brooklyn, also contained a covenant to
the following effect: "It is hereby covenanted,
granted and agreed upon by and between the par-
ties to these presents (that is the Corporation of
New York and the person to whom they give the
grant), and the true intent and meaning hereof also
is, and it is hereby declared, that this present grant,
shown to this Corporation in granting their petition, in or-
dering and directing his Majesty's letters patent for a new
charter and confirmation to this Corporation," and probably
informing him that they had obtained the money. The con-
sequence was, that on the next day, January 15, 1730, the
charter was completed ; and on paying the £1000 was de-
livered to them on the 11th day of February, 1730, almost a
month after its date. By which it appears that the Corpora-
tion of New York still continued purchasing the right of the
town of Brooklyn from the Colonial Governors. See list of
Corporation Charters and grants, 1747.
304 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
or any words, or any thing in tlie same expressed,
or contained, shall not be adjudged, deemed, con-
strued or taken to be a covenant or covenants on
the part and behalf of the said parties of the first
part (that is, the Corporation of New York), or
their successors for any purpose or purposes what-
soever, but only to pass the estate, right, title, and
interest they have or may lawfully claim by virtue
of their several cliarters, of, in, and to the said
premises. Which covenant evidently shows a
w^ant of confidence in the validity of their title on
the part of the Cojrporation.
October 14, 1732. An act was passed by the
General Assembly of this Colony, " confirming
unto the City of New York its rights and privil-
eges." By this act no addition was made to their
former pretended rights.
November 14, 1753. The freeholders and in-
habitants of this town appointed Jacobus Lefferts,
Peter Yandervoort, Jacob Remsen, Rem Remsen,
and Nicholas Yechte, Trustees, " to defend our
patent where in any manner our liberties, privi-
leges, and rights in our patent specified is en-
croached, lessened, or taken away by the common-
ality of the City of New York." A copy of the
proceeding of the town meeting at which the
above trustees were elected, will be found in the
ppendix marked B.
HENDRICIv RKMSKN S FEKIiY. SO-i
Not satisfied with the encroachments tliey had
made, the Corporation began to question the
right of the inhabitants of Brooklyn to ci-oss to
and from New York ferriage free in their own
boats, and to carry over the inhabitants in tliose
boats ; — the result was, that in July, 1745, a suit
was commenced by one of the inhabitants of
Brooklyn, named Hendrick Kemsen, ao-ainst the
Corporation of New York, which was tried before
a jury in Westchester County. A special verdict
was found setting forth all its patents and char-
ters, and among other things, that the road from
which the said Hendrick Remsen ferried tlie in-
habitants of Brooklyn to and from New York,
" then and long before was laid out for a public
highway leading down to low water mark on the
East Itiver, between the places aforesaid called the
Wallaboucht and the Red Hook on Nassau
Island, and the jurors aforesaid, upon their oath
aforesaid, do further say, that the rivei* called the
East River, over which the said Hendrick did
carry the persons and goods aforesaid, from the
said lands, between the Wallabocht and the Red
Hook, is a large and public and navigable rivei*
used by his Majesty's ships, and otliei' ships, and
smaller vessels employed in trade and connnerce,
and hath always been so used from the first set-
tlement of this Colony." On argument, judgment
306 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
was rendered by the Supreme Court of tliis
Colony in the month of October, 1Y75, in favor of
Hendrick Remsen, that he recover his damages
against the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonality
of the City of l^ew York, and the sum of one
hundred and eighteen pounds, fourteen shillings
and tenpence half -penny for his costs and charges.
An appeal to the King and Council, from this de-
cision, was brought by the Corporation, which
was not determined in consequence of the Revo-
lutionary war. There is a tradition in this town
that the Corporation of New York were so ap-
prehensive of this claim on the part of the town
of Brooklyn, that in order to disengage Hendrick
Remsen from the interest of the town, they gave
him a house and lot of land near Coenties Slip, in
the City of New York. How far this tradition is
correct, the Compiler is unable to say. It ap-
pears, however, that he, about that time, became
in possession of such property, and the same re-
mained in his family within the memory of some
of our inhabitants.
Our two Patents are confirmed by the Constitu-
tion of this State, which confirms all grants of
land within the State, made by the authority of
the King of Great Britain, or his predecessors,
prior to the 1-ith of August, 1775.
The Compiler, thinking it would not be uniu-
WATER LOT RENTS. 307
terestiiig to his fellow-citizens to see a stateineiit
of the amount received by the Corporation of
New York for quit-rent on the water lots
claimed by them, has given the following short
statement :
The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund of the
City of New York have received, from An gust
23d, 1813, to Dec. 31, 1824,
For water lot rents $17,635 24
Commutation for water lot rents. 17,275 41
$34,910 65
The Corporation of New York during the
present year 1824, have received for water lot
rents the sum of $8,862 97
Within a short time the jurisdiction of the vil-
lage of Brooklyn has been extended beyond low
water mark, leaving the pretended right of soil
still in tlie Corporation of New York."^^ August
term, 1821, in the case of Udall vs. the Trustees
of Brooklyn, the Supreme Court of this State de-
cided that Kings Connty, of which the village of
* The jurisdiction of New York by their first charter in
1686, was limited to low water mark around Manhattan Is-
land ; but was extended to low water mark on the Brooklyn
side by G-overnor Montgomery's charter in 1730.
308 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
Brooklyn is part, includes all the wliarves, docks,
and other artificial erections in the East River,
opposite to the City of New York, though west of
the natural low water mark on the Nassau or
Long Island shore; and the jurisdiction of the
village extends to the actual line of low water,
whether formed by natural or artificial means.
Same term, in the case of Stryker vs. the Mayor,
etc., of the City of New York, the Supreme
Court decided that the City and County of New
York includes the whole of the Hivers and har-
bour adjacent to actual low water mark, on the
opposite shores, as the sauie may be formed, h'om
time to time, by docks, wharves and other per-
manent erections; and although the jurisdiction
of the city does not extend so as to include such
wharves or artificial erections, yet it extends over
the ships and vessels floating on the water, though
they be fastened to such wharves or docks.
April 9, 1824 The Legislature of the State
of New York in the act to amend the act entitled
" an Act to incorporate and vest certain powers
in the freeholders and inhabitants of the village
of Brooklyn in the County of Kings," granted
this town concurrent jurisdiction with the City
of New York in the service of process, in actions
civil and criminal, on board of vessels attached
to our wharves ; and in the act for the establish-
BREEDE GRAFT FERRY. 309
ment of a Board of Health in the village of
Brooklyn, authority is given to the said Board to
remove all infected vessels from the wharves
within the said village.
The ferries have been unavoidably, in some
degree, taken into consideration when speaking
of our town rights. The Compiler will therefore
confine himself to such historical facts, and laws,
and such proceedings, passed and had by the
Colonial and State Legislatures as may relate par-
ticularly to them.
During the early years of this Colony, the old
ferry was from near the foot of Joralemon street,
to the Breede Graft, now Broad street, in the
City of Xew York. At that period a creek ran
through the middle of Broad street, up which
the boats ascended to a ferry -house which is still
standing. At this time it is difficult to ascertain
the exact period when the okl ferry was estab-
lished at its present situation on the Brooklyn
side. In 1697, John Aeresen was ferry master.
It appears from the following order, that the
Court of Sessions of Kings County, exercised
some authority over the ferry between Brooklyn
and Xew York. October 7, 1690. "Whereas
much inconvenience does ai'ise by several negroes
comino^ on this island from ~Ne\v York and other
places, and from this island to New York. It is
310 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
ordered, that the ferrymen shall not bring or set
over any negroes or slaves npon the Sabbath day,
withont a ticket from their masters."
Acts have been passed by tlie Colonial and
State Legislatures for the pnrpose of regulating
the ferries between this town and the City of
New York, in the following chronological order :
I^ovember 2d, 1717, an act was passed, which
was revived in the year 1726, and again in 1727.
October 14, 1732, another act was passed for
the same purpose. By this act it was provided,
" That the ferryman for the time being, shall
not impose, exact, demand, or receive any rates
or ferriage for any goods or things whatsoever,
transported by any of the inhabitants living
alongst the River, at or near the Ferry on Nas-
sau Island, in their own boats or canoes," pro-
vided that the same be their own goods or coui-
modities. This act continued in force until the
28th of February, 1789, when another act was
passed regulating the ferriage, and containing a
similar proviso. April 9, 1813. The last men-
tioned law was re-enacted, with the same pro-
vision.
The winter previous to the prosecution of the
suit between Hendrick Kemsen, and the Corpo-
ration of the City of New York, the inhabitants
of Brooklyn made an attempt to obtain from the
MAJOK VAN IIOKNE S MOTION. SU
Colonial Legislature, a further confiriuation of
some of their rights, particularly relating to the
ferrj ; on which application the following pro-
ceedings were had.
January 30, 1745-6. In General Assembly, a
l^etition of the Trustees of the town of Brook-
land, in Kings County, in behalf of themselves,
and the freeholders and inhabitants of the said
township, was presented to the House and read,
setting forth. That a great number of the in-
habitants of the said township, living near the
ferry from l^assau Island to New York, and hav-
ing their chief dependence of supporting their
families by trading to the Kew York markets, are
by one act of the General Assembly, entitled, an
act to regulate the ferry between the City of New
York and tlie Island of Xassau, and to establish
tlie ferriage thereof, passed in the sixth year of
his Majesty's reign, debarred from transporting
their goods in their own vessels, to the said mar-
kets, which exposes them to very great hard-
ships, difficulties and expenses, and therefore
humbly praying that tliey may have leave to
bring in a bill to relieve them from the afore-
said hardships. Upon a motion of Major Yan
Home (of New York), ordered that the clerk of
this House serve the Corporation of the City of New
York, with a copy of the said petition forthwith.
312 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
lu General Assembly, April 12th, 1746, Mr.
Abraham Lott, accordhig to leave, presented to
the House, a bill entitled, " an act to repeal an act
therein mentioned, so far as it relates to the free-
holders and inhabitants of the township of
Brooklyn, in Kings County, within this colony;"
which was read the first time, and ordered a
second reading. — Ordered, that the Corporation
of the City of New York be served with a copy
of the said bill.
April 18, 1746. In General Assembly. The
bill entitled, an act to repeal an act therein men-
tioned, so far as it relates to the freeholders and
iidiabitants of the township of Brooklyn, in
Kings County, within this colony, being offered
to be read a second time, Capt. Richards (of New
York) moved, that the seccjnd reading of the said
bill micrht be deferred until the next meetino: of
the House, after the first day of June next ;
which was agreed to by the House, and ordered
accordingly.
June 20, 1716. In General Assembly. A pe-
tition of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty,
of the City of New York was presented to tlie
House and read, setting forth, That the Corpora-
tion having been served with a copy of a bill
now before this House, entitled, an act to repeal
an act therein mentioned, so far as it relates to
ANCIENT RIGHTS AND FKEEIIOLD. 313
the freeholders and inhabitants of the township
of Brooklyn, in Kings County, withhi this colony;
do conceive that the passing the oaid bill into a
law may affect their ancient rights and free-
hold, and therefore humbly praying that they
may be heard by their counsel against the said
bill, at the bar of this House, on Friday next,
ordered that the Trustees of the township of
Brooklyn be heard by their counsel in support
of the said bill, at the bar of this House, on Fri-
day next, and that Mr. William Smith appear for
them. Ordered, that the clerk of this House
serve the parties with a copy of these orders
forthwith.
June 27, 1746. In General Assembly. The
House being informed that the Corporation of the
City of New York were attending with their
counsel to be heard against the bill ; and that the
trustees of the township of Brooklyn were also
attending with their counsel to be heard in sup-
port of the said bill ; both parties were called in,
and the counsel on both sides having been fully
heard, for and against the said bill, they were di-
rected to withdraw ; and the bill being read the
second time, the question was put, — whether the
said bill should be committed, and carried in the
affirmative in the manner following : — Affirma-
tive, Messrs. Lott, Chambers, Stillwell, Living'
14
314 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
ston, Ilarring, Cornell, Abraham Lott, Lecount,
Bradt, Nicoll, Hardenbergh, and Grale, 12. —
Kegative, Messrs. liichards, Crnger, Clarkson,
Van Home, Philipse, Mori-is, Yerplank, and
Thomas, 8.
July 4, 174:6. In General Assembly, the en-
grossed Bill entitled, an act to repeal an act
therein mentioned, so far as it relates to the free-
holders and inhabitants of tlie township of Brook-
lyn, in Kings County, within this colony, was
read the third time, and upon Mr. Speaker's
putting the question, whether the Bill should
pass, a motion was made by Col. Morris in the
w^ords followino:, viz. — As this Bill has been
already ordered to be engrossed, by a majority
of the House, and tl>e question that now is put,
is, whether this Bill shall pass ; I must beg leave
to give my reasons for opposing its passage.
The first is, it is alleged by this bill, that the
people of Brooklyn had a right, prior to the act
passed in the year 171:2, which was not proved,
nor attempted upon the hearing before this House ;
but if we pass this Bill, we allow that right to be
proved, and then it becomes our allegation,
which I conceive inconsistent with the honor
and justice of this House, to allege anything in
such a case, but what has been proved. The
second is, it implies that the act in 1732, took
COLONEL MORRIS MOTION. 315
away unjustly, a right from the people of Brook-
lyn, that they were entitled to. Thirdl}^, it im-
plies, that the House have fixed the two points
before mentioned, and then it will necessarily
follow, that we have considered the rights of the
Corporation,"^ as well as those of the people of
Brooklyn ; that we have not, I appeal to the
House, who must allow that no such right ever
appeared to us, at least as a House, and for us to
declare certain facts by a bill, which has never
been proved, will be doing what I conceive we
ought not to do, if we make justice and equity
the rule of our conduct. For these reasons, I
move, that the Bill may be rejected. The ques-
tion being put thereon it was carried in the
negative, in the manner following, viz. — For
the negative, Messrs. Chambers, Lott, Cornell,
Hardenberg, A. Lott, Bradt, Lecount, Gale, and
Harring, 9. Affirmative, Messrs. Cruger, Morris,
Richards, Van Home, Clarkson, Verplank, Phil-
ipse, and Thomas, 8.
Eesolved, That the Bill do pass. Ordered,
that Colonel Harring, and Mr. Hardenberg do
* For what purpose was it that the Coi-p ovation's counsel
was heard at the bar of the House, if not to advance and
support their rights? If it was not done at that time, the
plain inference would be, that they were aware they had no
right.
316 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
carry the Bill to the Council and desire their
concurrence. By which it appears that it was
considered by the House, as well as subsequently
by the Supreme Court, that the right of the
town was sufficiently proved, notwithstanding the
assertions of Colonel Morris.
This Bill by some means was stifled in the
Council,* and never became a law.
During the Revolution the Old ferry was kept
by Messrs. Yan Winkle and Bukett; at which
period the usual charge for crossing was six
pence for each passenger.
August 1, 1795. The ferry from the foot of
Main street, Brooklyn, to the foot of Catharine
street, ]N"ew York, commonly called the New
ferry, was established by Messrs. William Fur-
man and Theodosius Hunt, lessees from the Cor-
poration of the City of New York.
In consequence of the prevalence of tlie Yel-
low fever in Brooklyn, in the month of August,
1809, the old ferry was removed to the foot of
Joralemon street, and the boats plied from there
to Whitehall, New York.
* The Council was appointed by the King's mandamus
and sign manual, and all their privileges and powers were
contained in the Governor's instructions. The tenure of
their places was extremely precarious, — See Smith's Hktory
of New York, p. 364.
THE FIKST STEAM FEKRY. 317
Oil the 4th clay of March, 1814, the Legisla-
ture of tliis State passed an act allowhig William
Cutting and others his associates, to charge four
cents for each passenger crossing in the Steam-boat
to be by them placed on the Old ferry. Pre-
vious to this, the fare was two cents for each
passenger. May, 1814, the Steam-boat com-
menced plying on the old ferry between Brook-
lyn and 'New York.
This Ferry Company derive their interest in
the old or Fulton ferry, from a lease executed
January 24tli, 1814, by the Mayor, Aldermen and
Commonalty of the City of New York, to Robert
Fulton and William Cutting. The rent reserved
l)y the Corporation on this lease is $4,000 per
annum for the first 18 years, and $4,500 per an-
num for the remaining 7 years.* It is a difficult
matter to speak correctly of the present income
of this ferry. At its first establishment the divi-
dends were made on a capital estimated at $45,-
000, divided into shares of $1,000 each, and were
made at the rate of 5 per cent, for six months,
and what remained after this 5 per cent, taken
out, formed the surplus dividend. From May,
* The Corporation of New York, during the year 1824,
have received from the ferries the sum of $12,003.75 — more
than three -fourths of which sum is from the ferries on the
East River.
318 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BKOOEXYN.
1814, to November, 1815, tlie regular dividends
on one share amounted to $157.11|, and during
tlie same period the surplus dividend amounted
to $228.21-1-, making a dividend of $385.33, on
one share for about 18 months, equal to about 25
per cent, per annum.
At the Session of the Legislature in the winter
of 1818, the Corporation of Kew York presented
a petition praying that they might have the regu-
lation of the rates of ferriage between this town
and the city of New York — against which the
Trustees of the village of Brooklyn, and the in-
habitants of this town strongly remonstrated,
statin o" that " thev had full confidence that the
Legislature of this State would never increase the
rates of ferriage, nor permit the same to be in-
creased, beyond what is necessary to support the
ferries in the best manner ; they therefore prayed
that the Legislature would not surrender to the
Corporation of New York a right which had
been reserved by the Legislature, and which the
petitioners deemed of the greatest importance to
the inhabitants of Nassau Island."
EOADS AND PUBLIC LANDING PLACES.
This town appears to have entered early into
the contest respecting roads. There are many
ROADS AND PUBLIC LANDING PLACES. 319
instances on record previous to 1683, of tlie Con-
stable of Brooklyn being ordered to repair the
roads, and in case of neglect, fined ; and in one
instance he was ordered by the Court not to de-
part until further order.
The main road, or as part of it is now called,
Fulton street, in the village of Brooklpi, was laid
out March 28th, 1704, by Joseph Hagaman, Peter
Cortelyou, and Benjamin Yandewater, Commis-
sioners, appointed by an act of the General Assem-
bly of the colony of New York, for the laying
out, i-egulating, clearing and preserving of public
highways in the colony. The record of this road
is as follows : — " One publique, common and gen-
eral highway, to begin ffi-om low water marine at
the ferr}^ in the township of Broockland, in Kings
county, and ffrom thence to run ffour rod wide
up between the houses and lands of John Aerson,
John Coe, and George Jacobs, and soe all along
to Broocklaiid towne aforesaid, through the lane
that now is, and fProm thence straight along a
certaine lane to the Southward corner of John
Yan Couwenhoven's land, and ffrom thence
straight to Bedfford as it is now staked out, to the
lane where the house of Benjamin Yandewater
stands, and ffrom thence straight along through
Bedfford towne to Bedfford lane, running between
the lands of John Garretse, Dorlant and Claes
■d20 NOTES ON TOE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
Barnse, to the rear of the lands of the said Cloyse,
and ffrom thence southerly to the old path now in
use, and soe all along said path to Philip Vol-
kertses land, taking in a little slip of said Philip's
land on the south corner, soe all along said road
by Isaack Greg's house to the Filackbush new
lotts ffence, and soe all along said ffence to the
eastward, to the north-east corner of Eldert Lu-
cas's land, lying within the IN'ew lotts, of Fflatt-
bush aforesaid, being ffour rod wdde all along^ to
be and continue forever."
This road, or " king's highway," as it was then
called, leading from the ferry to the old Dutch
Church, or Brooklyn parish, was the cause of
much contention. At the April term of the Gen-
eral Sessions of tlie Peace for Kings County, in
1721, indictments were found for encroaching on
the " common high way of the King, leading
from the ferry to the Church at Brookland,"
against John Rapalje, Hans Bergen and James
Harding, and others. — By which indictments it
appears that the road should have been four rods
Avide.
These indictments appear to have been predi-
cated as well on the following application of
John Rapalje and Hans Bergen, as on complaints
from several of tlie inhabitants :
" Filatbush, April 19, 1721. John Eapalje and
331
Hans Bergen of the fferry, desires of tne grand
jury that the Commissioners now being should be
presented for not doing their duty in laying out
the king's highway according to ye law, being
the King's highway is too narrow from the ferry
to one Nicalus Cowenhoven, living at Brooklyn
and if all our neighbours will make ye road
according to law, then ye said John Rapel}e and
Hans Bero^en is willing: to do the same as afore-
said, being they are not willing to suffer more
than their neighbours. As- witness our hands
the day and year first above written.
JAN KAPELJE,
HANS BERGEN."
Some of the persons indicted considering them-
selves aggrieved, and others who feared being
placed in the same situation, applied to the
Colonial Legislature, and July 27th, 1721, ob-
tained the passage of a law to " continue the
conmion road or king's highway, from the ferry,
towards the town of Breuckland, on the Island
of Nassau, in the Province of New-York,'^ with
the following preamble : " Whereas several of
the inhabitants on the ferry, on the Island of
Nassau, by their petition preferred to the General
Assembly, by setting forth, that they have been
molested prosecutions, occasioned by the con-
323 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
trivance and instigations of ill and disaffected
persons to the neighbourhood, who would encroach
upon the buildings and fences that have been
made many years, alledging the road was not
wide enough, to the great damage of several of
the old inhabitants, on the said ferry ; the said
road as it now is, has been so for at least these
sixty years past, witliout any complaint, either of
the inhabitants or travellers."
The law then proceeds to establish the road
" forever," as it then was, from the ferry upwards
to the town of Breuckland, as far as the swinging
gate of John Rapalje, just above the house and
land belonging to James Harding. These pro-
ceedings will readily account for Fulton-street,
in the present village of Brooklyn, being so nar-
row and crooked in many places.
Tlie point, however, to which the Compiler
wishes to draw the attention of his fellow citizens,
is to the existence and location of several public
highways and landing-places in this town which
at present are known to very few.
There is a public landing-place at or near the
mills of Neliemiah Denton, Esq., and a public
highway leading thereto. — The record of which
is as follows : — *' One common highway to Ga-
wanus mill, to begin ffrom the north-east corner
of Leffert Peterses ffence, and soe along the roade
THE ROAD TO GOWANUS. 323
westerly, as it is now in use to the lane }i: parts
tlie lands of Ilendrick Yeclite, and Abraham
Bi'ower, and Nicholas Brower, and soe all along
said lane as it is now in ffence to the house of
Jurian Collier, and from thence all along the
roade now in use to the said Gowanos mill, being
in all four rod wide to the said lane ; and that
there be a convenient landing place for all per-
sons whatsoever, to begin ffrom the southermost
side of said Gowanus mill house, and ffrom said
house to run ffour rod to the southward, ffor the
transportation of goods and the commodious pass-
ing of travellers; and that said highway to
said Gowanos mill ffrom said house of said Jurian
Collier shall be but two rod only and where it is
now in use ; said common highway to be and
continue forever; and ffurther that the ffence
and gate that now stands upon the entrance into
said mill neck, ffor the inclosing and securing of
said neck, shall soe remaine and be alwayes kept
soe inclosed with a ffence and hano^ino^ srate : and
the way to said mill to be thorow that gate only
and to be alwayes shutt or put to by all persons
that passes thorow." The Commissioners laid
out the above road and landing place, March
28th, 1704.
In 1709, the Commissioners laid out another
road and landing place, at or near the mill of
834 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
John C. Freeke, Esq. The record of Avhich is as
follows : — " One common hio-hwav to bes^in ffrom
the honse of Jurian Collier to the New mill of
Nicholas Brower, now sett np on Gowanos mill
neck soe called, as the way is now in nse along
said neck to said mill to be of two rod wide ; and
that there shall be a landing place by said mill
in the most convenient place ffor the transporta-
tion of goods and the commodious passing of
travellers ; and said highway and landing place
to be, remaine and continue forever."
This town has a public landing place seven rods
in length, near the foot of what is now called Dis-
trict-street, in the village of Brooklyn. — This
landing place is mentioned in the record of a
road three rods wide, leading to the same, which
record the Compiler omits inserting in conse-
cpience of its length and the multitude of entries
connected therewith.
It is believed by many, and not without very
good reason, that this town has a public landing
place a short distance to the North of the Old or
Fulton ferry, and which landing place is now in
the possession of the Corporation of New- York.
There is a very distinct tradition of a road to
near where this landing place is supposed to have
been, at the foot of which road w^as the public
slaughter house, where the butchers of Brooklyn
DIVISION OF COMIVION LANDS. 325
dressed their meats. The road referred to, came
out where the hoiise of the Fire Engine No. 4
now stands, and the existence of that road gives
the town its title to that small piece of ground.
COMMON LANDS, AND THE DIVISION THEREOF.
The town having acquired so great an extent
of Common land bj the purchase of 1670, from
the Indians, the inhabitants thought proper to
take some order for the division and defending
thereof, together with their other lands — accord-
ingly, " at a town meeting held the 25th day of
February, 109f, att Breuklyn, in Kings County.
Then Kesolved to divide their common lands and
woods into three parts, in maimer following to
witt.
1. All the lands and woods after Bedford and
Cripplebush, over the hills to the path of New-
lotts shall belong to the inhabitants and free-
holders of the Gowanis, beginning from Jacob
Brewer and soe to the uttermost bounds of the
limits of New Utrecht.
2. And all the lands and woods that lyes be-
twixt the abovesaid path and the highway from
the ferry towards Flattbush, shall belong to the
freeholders and inhabitants of Bedford and Crip-
plebush.
3. And all the lands that lyes in common after
323 NOTES ON^ THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
the Gowanis, betwixt the limits and bounds of
Flattbush and N'ew Utrecht shall belong to the
freeholders and inhabitants of Brooklyn, fred.
neck, the ferry and the Wallabont." This pro-
ceeding of the Town meeting was allowed of by
the Court of Sessions, held at Flatbush, on the
10th day of May, 1693.
The following will serve to shew the manner
in which the inhabitants of this town elected the
Trustees of their common lands, and the duties
of those Trustees. " Att a towne meeting held
this 29th day off Aprill, 1699, at Breucklyn, by
order off Justice Machiel Hanssen, ffor to chose
townsmen ffor to order all townes business and to
deffend tlieire li mitts and bounds and to dispose
and lay out sum part thereoff in lotts, to make
lawes and orders ffor the best off the inhabitants,
and to raise a small tax ffor to defray the towne
charges, now being or hereaffter to come, to
receive towns revenues and to pay townes debts,
and that with the advice off the Justices off" this
said towne standing the space and time off two
years. Chosen ffor that purpose by pluralitie off
votes. Benjamin Yande Water, Joores Hanssen,
Jan Garretse Dorian t.
By order of inhabitants affbresaid.
J. YANDE WATEE, Clarke."
PRESERVATION OF PUBLIC WOODS. 827
These proceedings were recorded by order of
tlie Court of Sessions, on the 9tli day of May,
1699.
The following proceeding is cnrions, setting
forth the ancient practice of tradesmen cutting
down timber in the public woods, and the regu-
lations made respecting the same. It appears
that directly after the Trustees were chosen by
the above meeting they together with the Jus-
tices, lield the following meeting. '' Att a meet-
ing held this 29th day off Aprill (1699) in
Breucklyn, Present, Benjamin Yande Water,
Jooris Ilanssen, Jan Geritse Dorlant, being
choisen townsmen in the presence and with the
advice off the Justices off this towne.
Considering the greate inconvenience, lose and
intrest that the inhabitants off this towne have
by reason that the tradesmen here living in this
towne doe ffall and cutt the best trees and sully
the best of our woods and sell the worke thereoff
made the most part to others living withoute the
towne, and that the shoemakers and others doe
cutt and fall all the best treese ffor the barke,
and the wood lyes and rott, and that some per-
sons doe cutt and ffall trees for timber and ffens-
ing stuff, and leave the trees in the woods soe
cutt until they are spoilt, and that people off
other towns come and cutt and fall trees ffor
328 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BKOOKLYN.
timber, ffensing stuff, and ffire woods, and trans-
port the same away out off our townes bounds and
li mitts, and that without leave or consent off the
towne, soe that in tlie time off ffew veares there
shall bee no woods leaved ffor the inhabitants
ffor timber or ffensing stuff to the mine off the
said towne. It is thereffore ordered. That ffrom
the date hereoff no tradesman shall make any
worke ffor to sell to others without thee towne,
ffrom wood soe cutt as afforesaid as only ffrom
old wood.
That no shoemaker or others shall cutt or ffall
any trees ffor to barke in the common woods
upon the penaltie off fiive pound ffor every tree
soe cutt.
That no men shall leave any timber, ffensing
stuffe, or other wood in the woods longer as six
weeks affter itt is cutt, uppon the penaltie, that itt
shall be ffree ffor others to' take and carry the
same away as theire owne wood. And that iff
any one off other townes shall be ffounden within
our townes limitts to cutt or carry away any
sorts off woods ffor timber, ffensing stuff or ffire
wood, that itt shall bee ffree ffor any one off this
towne to take it away and to take out writt to ar-
rest, or to apprehend such offender or offenders
presently, and that the Justices off this towno shall
answer the action as iff itt were done by theirt>
DIVISION OF COMMON LANDS. 329
•
owneselves.* These proceedings were also re-
corded by order of the Court of Sessions.
'' Towne meeting held this 5th day off May,
1701, by order off Justices Cornel is Sebringh and
Machiell Ilanssen. We the major part off the
ffVeeholders off Breucklyn doe hereby nominate,
constitute and appoint Capt. Jooris Hanssen,
Jacob Ilanssen and Cornells Yan Dnyn, to bee
trustees of our Common and undivided lands, and
to deffend and maintaine the rights and privileges
off onr General pattent, as well within as without.*'
" Towne meeting held this 2d day off Febru-
ary, 1701-2, by order off Justice Cornelis Se-
bringh. Purposed iff the order off" Bedford,
made tlie 12th day off Apiil, 1G97, shall bee con-
fiirmed concerning the lying out of the common
or undivided lands or that the said land shall bee
lyed out according to the last tax, concerning the
deffending off our limitts.
Resolved by the ffreeholders aforesaid, that the
chosen townsmen shall ley out the commens ac-
cording as by the said order off" Bedford was con-
cluded, with the fiirst opportunitie, and that all
* The idea intended to be conveyed by this regulation, I
understand to be, that the justices of the town of Brooklyn
shall have cognizance of the offence, as much as if the offend-
ers resided within the town.
330 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BEOOKLYN.
the lotts joyning to the common woods shall be
surveyed according to their grants."
The following Resolution was passed for de-
fending those inhabitants to whom portions of
the Common lands were allotted, in their enjoy-
ment of the same. " Att a Towne meeting held
att Brookland, in Kings County, this 14:th day of
March, 1701-2. Present, Machiel Ilanssen, Cor-
nells Sebringh, and Hendrick Yechten, Esquires,
Justices. — Eesolved, by the major part of the
freeholders of the said towne of Brookland, that
every man that lias now a right, lott, or lotts laid
out in the quondam Common and undivided
lands of Brookland aforesaid, shall forever free
liberty have for egress and regress to his said lotts
for fetching off wood or otherwise, over all or
any of the said lott or lotts of the said free-
holders in the lands aforesaid. And further,
that if any of the said freeholders shall at any
time or times hereafter, come by any loss or
trouble, cost or charges by lawe or otherwise, of,
for or concerning the title of any of their said
lott or lotts, by any person or persons, either
within the township of Brookland aiforesaid, or
without, that it shall be defended and made goode,
(if lost) att all the proper costs and charges of all
the freeholders of said towne equally."
It appears that all the Common lands of this
DIFFERENCES AS TO BOUNDS. 331
town had been divided among the freeholders,
and a portion annexed to each house in the town.
— A deed dated the 17th of April, 1705, after
conveying a house and lot of land in this town,
conveys " alsoe all the rights and priviledges in
tlie common woodlands of the towne of Broock-
land aforesaid, to said house, belonging as j)er
record of said towne may appear."^
These lands, in the month of February, 1701-
2, were surveyed by Fieter Corteljeu and S.
Clowes, two surveyors, and divided by them into
three divisions. The first or west division consisted
of 62 lots, containing about 5 acres each, about
310 acres. The second or middle division of 62
lots, containing about 10 acres each, about 620
acres ; and the third or east division also of 62
lots, containing about 10 acres each, about 620
acres. — Total number of acres about 1550.
DEFFEKENCES AS TO BOUNDS.
The difference between this town and the city
of New York, having been treated of under the
head of Town Rights and Ferries, the compiler
will confine himself to the disputes which for-
merly existed between this town, and the towns
* The records referred to, together with all our other town
records, were destroyed during the Revolution.
333 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
of, Bnshwick, Flatbush and Is"ew- Utrecht, re-
specting their bounds.
The following proceeding relates generally to
the defence and settling of the limits of this town.
" Towne meeting held this 7th day of February,
1701-2, by order of Ilendrick Yechten, Justice.
— The Justice Ilendi-ick Yechten, brings in that
the towns men were nott well authorised con-
cerninge the lying out and defending of our
bounds by reason that they have no power to
compounde or agree with any of the neighbouring
townes, &c. — These are thereifore, that the free-
holders and inhabitants doe give full power to
the said Intrusties, for to agree and compounde
with any of the neighbour townes concerning
our bounds, and all what our said Intrusties shall
doe and agree with them, we shall stand to itt."
This proceeding was recorded by order of the Court
of Sessions, on the 13th of May, 1702.
DIFFERENCE AVFTH BUSHWICK.
The difference as to the bounds of these two
towns seems generally to have been contested
between individuals. The following is the only,
general order on record respecting the same :
At a Court of Sessions, held at Flatbush for
Kings County, May 10, 1699. '' Uppon the de-
sire of the inhabitants of Breucklyn, that accord-
DIFFERENCE WITH FLATBISH. 383
ing to use and order every three jeare the lim-
mitts betweene towne and towiie must be riimi,
tliat a warrant or order may be given, that upon
the 17th off May, the line and bounds betwixt
said townes of Breucklyn and Boswyck, shall be
runn according to their pattents or agrements."
Ordei-ed, " That an order should be past accord-
ing to theire request."
DIFFEEENCE WITH FLATBUSH.
The dispute between this town and Flatbush,
respecting their bounds appears to have been of
more importance than that with any other place,
excepting New- York.
At a Court of Sessions, held for the West Eiding
of Yorkshire, upon Long-Island, the 18th of De-
cember, 1678, the following order was made :
" There being some difference between the
townes of Flat Bush and Breucklyn concerning
their bounds, the which thev are both willino- to
refer to Captain Jaques Cortelyou and Captain
Richard Stillwell to decide. The Court doth
approve thereof, and order their Report to be de-
terminative."
Messrs. Cortelyou and Stillwell complied with
the requisition of the above order a« will appear
by the following report : but subsequent disputes
shew that the same was not " determinative."
334 NOTES ON TPIE TOWN OF BEOOKLYN.
" To the worsliipf nil Court of Sessions, now sit-
ting at Gravesencl, June 21, 1683. These may
certiffie that in obedience to an order from said
Court, and by consent of both towns of Breuck-
lyn and Flatbush, to runn the line betwixt the
said townes which are we underwritten have done
and marked the trees betwixt towne and towne,
as wittnesse our hands the daye and yeare above
written.
JACQUES COETELYOU,
. RICIIAED STILLWELL."
It appears by the following Certificate, that a
subsequent survey was made in 1684, of the divi-
sion line between this town and Flatbush.
" To satisffie whom itt may concerne, that I be-
ing with Mr. Jacobus Cortland, about the twenty-
eth day off November, 1684, employed by Breuck-
land and Fflackbush, to vew and run out the line
between e the two towns to the south of the hills
found that the line run fformerly by Capts.
Jaques, Cortelyou and Mr. Stillwell, is right and
just, which wee both being agreed, gave in our
approbation of the same.
PHILIP WELLS, Surveyor."
Staaten-Island, in the County of Rich- ">
mond, this 4th day of April, 1687." >
DIFFEIIENCE ^^^TH FLATBUSH. 335
The above Certificate was recorded bj order of
several of the inhabitants of Brooklyn.
At a Court of Sessions for Kings Comity, held
the 4th day of October, 16S7, the following pro-
ceeding was had :
" Complaint off Jan Oake, and Cornelis Bar-
dnff, anthorised by the inhabitants of Fflackbush
being read against Pieter Cronwer, concerning
the building uppon the land in question, betwixt
Breucklyn and Fflackbush, Itt is ordered, that
none off the partys shall meddle themselves with
the said land before the question off the said land
shall be finished."
December 4, IGSO. Jooris Bergen, Jan Dorlant
and 11. Claes Yechte, Commissioners of this
town, together with Jurrian Bries, Constable,
granted to Jeronimius Bemsen, a piece of land
lying at Bedfoi'd, in lieu of a piece of land which
they had formerly sold him, lying at the Port or
entrance, and which was claimed by the town of
Flatbush.
At a town meeting, held in this town the 11th
day of April, 1702, by order of Justices Machiel
Ilanssen, and Cornelis Seberingh ; it was
" Purposed to choise townsmen in place off
George Ilanssen, Jacob Ilanssen, and Cornelis
Yan Duyn, by cause theire times being past the
29th off this instant. Besolved to prolong the
836 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
old townsmen's time to tlie twenty-fifth of May
next, by reason they are in action off lawe with
them off Fflackbush, to be tryed this May court."
The differences between these two towns have
been amicably settled, and proper monuments
placed on the boundary lines, to prevent, if pos-
sible, all future disputes.
DIFFERENCE WITH NEW UTRECHT.
February 14, 1702, George Hansen, Jacob
Hansen and Cornelius Yan Huyn, Trustees on the
part of the town of Brooklyn, and Cornelius Yan
Brunt, Peter Cortelyou, and Aert Yan Pelt,
Trustees on the part of the town of ]S"ew Utrecht,
entered into an agreement, which, after setting
forth the said Trastees' powers to enter into the
same, proceeds to say, " that the courses and lines
hereafter specified shall be the exact bounds be-
tween the said two towns of Brooklyn and New-
Utrecht and soe to continue to perpetuity without
any alteration ; viz. The bounds to begin in the
sloott or pond lying and being by and between the
house of Argyes Yan dyke, of the said towne of
Brookland and the house of Thomas Sharax, of
the said towne of N"ew Utrecht, where the water
runns into the salt water Kiver, by a certaine
fence from thence stretching away south-east one
DITTERENCE WITH NEW UTRECHT. 337
degree southerly, two hundred eighty and eight
Engh'sh rod, to a winter white oake tree markt
on the south and north-west side ; and from
thence running east eight and twenty degrees
northerly to a white oake tree, heing on tlie east
side of the path leading to Kew-Utrccht, afore-
said, to the Gowanos soe called in the towneship
of Brookland abovesaid, said tree being markt
on two sides, and being formerly the old markt
tree betweene the said towns, tfec."
At the time of the execution of the above-
mentioned agreement, the Trustees of the town
of Brookland, gave a bond to the Trustees of the
town of New Utrecht, in the sum of one thousand
pounds " currant money of Kew Yorke." — The
condition of which Bond or obligation was,
" That if the above bounden George Hansen,
Jacob Hansen and Cornelius YanDuyn, severally
and their severall heires and assigns, doe and shall
from time to time and at all times hereafter, well
and truly observe, performe and keepe, all and
every the covenants, articles of agreements,
which on their and every of their parts, are or
ought to be observed, performed and kept, con-
tained and specified in and by certain articles of
agreements of the date hereof and made betweene
the above bounden George Han-sen, Jacob Han-
sen and Cornelius Yan Huyn of the one part, and
15
338 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BKOOKLYN.
the above-named Cornelius Yan Briint^ Peter Cor-
tilljon and Aert Yan Pelt of the other part, of,
in and concerning the linimitts and bonnds of
their townes pattents, and that in and by all
things according to the true meaning of the said
articles of agreement in snch wise that no breache
be made of the premises in said articles of agree-
ment by the towne of Brookland aforesaid, at any
time or times hereafter, then this obligation to
be void and of none effect, otherwise to stand
and remain in full force, virtue and power in
law."
In the year 1797, a survey was made of all the
bonnds of this town, and a map thereof trans-
mitted to the Surveyor General of this state.
EEVOLU'nONAKY INCIDENTS.
This town had a full share of the militar}^ op-
erations during the Pevolutionary war ; and was
for a long time in the possession of the British
army. It is covered with the remains of for-
tifications which were thrown up by the Ameri-
cans'^ and English for their defence against each
other. In this town was fouc^ht the most san-
* The fortifications at Red Hook were erected by a regi-
ment of Continental troops, the night of April 8, 1776.
INCIDENTS OF THE REVOLUTION. 339
guinarj part of the battle of Long Island, August
27, 1776 ; wliicli took place on the retreat of the
American army within their lines, and the at-
tempt of a portion of them to ford the mill ponds
at Gowanus ; in which attempt nearly the whole
of a Regiment of young men from Maryland
were cut off.
Many of the minor events connected with this
battle, and the Revolutionary contest, are fast
sinking into the shades of oblivion : the compiler
has therefore thought proper to give place to the
following piece of history, not with an idea, that
he can immortalize any event w^hich he relates ;
but with a hope, that his efforts will call forth
some nobler pen to do justice to the memories of
many of the almost forgotten heroes of those hard
fought battles and arduous contests. In the
battle above-mentioned, part of the British army
marched down a lane or road leading from the
Brush tavern to Gowanus, pursuing the Ameri-
cans. Several of the American riflemen, in order
to be more secure, and at the same time more
effectually to succeed in their designs, had posted
themselves in the high trees near the road. One
of them, whose name is now partially forgotten,
shot tlie English Major Grant ; in this he passed
unobserved. Again he loaded his deadly rifle,
and fired — another English oflicer fell. He was
340 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BEOOKLYN.
then marked, and a platoon ordered to advance,
and fire into the tree ; which order was immedi-
ately carried into execution, arid the rifleman fell
to the ground, dead. After tlie battle was over,
the two British officers were buried in a field, near
where they fell, and their graves fenced in with
some posts and rails, where their remains still
rest. But " for an example to the rebels," they
refused to the American rifleman the rites of
sepulture ; and his remains were exposed on the
ground, till the flesh was rotted and torn off his
bones by the fowls of the air. After a considera-
ble length of time, in a heavy gale of wind, a
large tree was uprooted ; in the cavity formed by
which, some friends to the Americans, notwith-
standing the prohibition of the English, placed
the brave soldier's bones to mijigle in peace with
their kindred earth.
August 28, 1776. Before day break, in a very
thick foo:, General Washinorton retreated with his
army from near the old ferry, Brooklyn, to Xew
York. As the last boat of the Americans left
the shore, the fog dissipated, and the British made
their appearance on the hills above the place of
embarkation, when a shot or two from an Ameri-
can Battery on the hill near the house of Col.
Henry Rutgers, in New York, compelled the
British to desist in their march to the ferry.
CAPTx\IN KATIIAN IIALP:. 341
A short time after the retreat of the Americans,
Captain Hale, of the American army, was dis-
patched by General AYashington, to see if the
English had taken possession of his camp at
Brooklyn, and what their situation was. This
unfortunate young officer was taken by the Eng-
lish and hung as a spj^, without even a form of
trial ; and not allowed a clergyman at his execu-
tion. It is believed he was executed somewhere
along the Brooklyn shore, to the south-west of the
old ferr}'. In our pity for Major Andre we have
almost entirely lost sight of this meritorious
officer, whose claims on our gratitude ought ever
to be remembered, in proportion as his sufferings
were greater than those of the former.
During the stay of the American army on
Long Island, the head quarters of General Wash-
ington were at the house on Brooklyn Heights,
now owned and occupied by Henry Waring, Esq.
The house now owned and occupied by Tennis
Joralemon, Esq., was used by the English as a
Hospital during the Bevolution, and in its vicinity
hundreds of British soldiers and sailors are buried.
Most of the records of this town w^ere destroyed
by the English when they came in possession of
it after the battle of Long Island.
In the month of November, 1776, one of the
British prison ships, called the Whitby, was
342 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BKOOKLYN.
moored in the Wallaboglit, near Eemsen's mills.
On board this vessel great mortality prevailed
among the prisoners, and many of them died.
Those of the prisoners who died from this ship,
and from the others, which were afterwards
brought to this place, were interred in the hill at
the present Navy -Yard ; where their remains
were found, and in the year 1808, deposited in a
vault erected for that purpose. March, 17Y7, two
other prison ships anchored in the Wallaboght,
one of which bore the name of Good Hope ;
which vessel, in the month of October, in the
same year, took fire and was burnt. The prison-
ers were saved and transferred to the other ves-
sels.— The hull of this ship lies under a dock at
the Navy- Yard, in this town. In the month of
February, 1778, on a Sunday afternoon, another
British prison ship was burnt in the Wallaboght.
The hull of this vessel lies in the mud in that
Bay. 1778, the Jersey ship of the line, having
arrived at New York, was condemned as unfit for
the service, and converted into a prison ship. As
such she anchored in the Wallaboo-ht durino^ the
month of April, in the same year, together with
the Falmouth and Hope, for Hospital ships ;
where they remained till the close of the Eevolu-
tionary war.
October 22, 1779, An act of attainder was
LOOSLEY'S LOTTERY. 343
passed by the Legislature of this State, against
John Rapalje, Esq., of this town, by which his
property was confiscated to use of the State.
That part of his property lying within the bounds
of the present village of Brooklyn, was on the
13th of July, 1784, sold by the Commissioners of
Forfeitures, to Comfort, and Joshua Sands, Esqrs.
for £12,430.
In the year 1780, the British being apprelien-
sive of an attack from the American army under
General Washington, commenced fortifying the
high grounds about Brooklj'n ; which works they
continued until the peace in 1783. In this town
the British had their army yard, where their for-
age department, and blacksmith's shops, &c. were
kept. The enti-ance to this yard was near the
junction of Main-street with Fulton-street, in the
present village of Brooklyn.
During the Bevolution, this place, was much
resorted to by the officers of the English army,
and the fashionables of the day, as a scene of
amusement. In the Boyal Gazette of August
Sth, 1781, published at IS^ew-York, Charles Loos-
ley advertises a Lottery of $12,500, to be drawn
at " Brooklyn Ilall." The same paper contains
the following advertisement : ^* Pro bono publico.
Gentlemen that are fond of fox hunting, are re-
quested to meet at Loosley's Tavern, on Ascot
344 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
Heath, on Friday morniiig next, between the
hours of five and six, as a pack of hounds will be
there purposely for a trial of their abilities :
Breakfasting and Relishes until the Races com-
mence.— At eleven o'clock will be run for, an
elegant saddle, &c., value at least twenty pounds,
for which upw^ards of tw^elve gentlemen will ride
their own horses. — At twelve, a match wdll be
rode by two gentlemen. Horse for Horse. — At
one, a match for thirty guineas, by two gentle-
men, who will also ride their own horses. — Din-
ner will be ready at two o'clock, after which, and
suitable regalements, racing and other diversions,
Avill be calculated to (;on(Jude the day with pleas-
ure and harmouy. Brooklyn Hall, 6th August,
1781."
Lieutenant Anberry, in a letter from ^N'ew-
York, to a friend in England, dated October 30th,
1781, saySj "on crossing the East River from
Tsew York, you land at Brooklyn, which is a
scattered village, consisting of a few houses. At
this place is an excellent Tavern, whei'e parties
are made to go and eat fish ; the landlord of
which has saved an immense fortune this war."
The public house referred to in the above adver-
tisements, and letter, was the same house, which
after the Revolution, and in the Compiler's re-
collection, was called the " Corporation House."
THE FIKST PUBLIC OFFICER. 345
It was a large, gloomy, old fashioned stone edi-
fice ; and was destroyed by fire, September 2od5
1812.
This town was left by the British troops, the
same day that they evacnated ^ew-York.
ANCIENT GOVERNMENT.
The first public officer appointed by the Dutch
Government for this town after its settlement in
1625, was a " Superintendant," whose duties w^ere
to preserve the peace, and regulate the police of
the town. A few years after the office of Super-
intendant was abolished, and the offices of Schout,
Secretary, and Assessor, created ; these officers
were also appointed by the Governor. In 16-10,
the town having considerably increased, the in-
habitants w^ere permitted to elect two magistrates;
subject, however, to the approval or rejection of
the Governor. These magistrates had increased
powers : they were authorised to give judgment
in all cases as they might think proper ; provided
that the judgment so given be not contrary to the
charter of IS^ew IS^etherland. Subsequently this
Town Court was new modelled by the Dutch
Government, and its power and authority more
clearly defined.
15*
346 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BKOOEXYN.
The inhabitants suffering very much under the
arbitrary exercise of power on the part of the
government, frequently remonstrated against the
same. Finally a convention of delegates from
this, and the other towns under the Dutch gov-
ernment assembled at Xew Amsterdam, Novem-
ber 26th, 1653, on an invitation from the Gover-
nor. Where they, on the 11th of December,
following, entered into a remonstrance against
the exclusion of the people from their share in
legislation, and generally against their mode of
government. The Governor and his Council sent
them no answer, but entered one on the minutes ;
in which they denied the right of this town,
Flatbush, and Flatlands, to send deputies, and
protested against the meeting, notwithstanding
the same was held at the Governor's request.
Entertaining a just sense of the responsibility
attached to them, the deputies made another, but
ineffectual attempt, to obtain a recognition of
their rights, and on the 13th of the last mentioned
month, presented another remonstrance, in which
they declared, that if they could not obtain them
from the Governor and Council, they would be
under the necessity of appealing to their su-
perior, the States General. — The Governor in a
fit of anger dissolved their meeting, and sent
them home.
DESCENT OF THE NORTHERN INDIANS. 347
In 1654, it appears that the country was very
much infested with robbers ; to disperse whom,
April 7, 1654, the magistrates of this town, to-
gether with those of Midwont and Amersfort,
united in forming a company of soldiers to act
against ^'robbers and pirates," and determined
that there should be a military officer in each
town, called a Sergeant.
In order to prevent the depredations of the In-
dians, the Governor in 1660, ordered the inhabi-
tants of Brooklyn to put the town in a state of
defence ; and commanded the farmers to remove
within the fortifications, on the pain of forfeiting
their estates."^
* In 1655, a large body of Northern Indians raade a descent
on Staten Island, and massacred 67 persons; after which
they crossed to Long Island, and invested Gravesend ; which
place was relieved by a party of soldiers from New Amster-
dam. It appears from the records that these Indians were
on their way to commence a war against the Indians on the
east end of Long Island.
The inhabitants of Flatbush were ordered by Governor
Stuyvesant, in 1656, to enclose their village with palisadoes
to protect them from the Indians. These fortifications were
required to be kept under the English government, as will
appear by the following record of the Court of Sessions for
the West Riding of Yorksliire upon Long Island, December
15th, 1675. " The towne of Fflatbush having neglected the
making of ffortifications, the Court take notis of it, and reffer
the censure to ye Governor. "
348 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
For the first two or three years under the Eng-
lish government, the magistrates of this town
were but temporary officers. Nearly all that we
know about the government previous to 1G69, is,
that Town Courts were established in this Colony.
The inference would be, that as this town was
granted " all the rights and privileges belonging
to a town within this government," a Town Court
was also organized here.
The Town Clerk of this town was appointed by
tlie Governor, and confirmed by the Court of Ses-
sions, as will appear by the following record : At
a Court of Sessions held at Gravesend for the
AYest Riding of Yorkshire upon Long Island,
December 15, 1669. " Whereas Derick Storm
presented an order from his Hon. the Governor,
for tlie approbation of the Court of Sessions, to
allow him to be towme clerk of Breucklen, taking
his oath, the Court having allowed thereof,
and doe hereby confirme him of Gierke of said
towne."
In tlie year 1669, the first mention is made in
the records of the " Constable of Breucklen ; "
which office at that period was held by Michael
Lenell. The duties of constable as laid down in
the . Duke's laws were, holding town courts wuth
the overseers, and with them making assessments,
&C.5 whipping, or punishing offenders, raising the
LIST OF CONSTABLES. 349
hue and cry after murderers, manslayers, thieves,
robbers, burglars ; and also to apprehend without
warrant such as were overtaken with drink, swear-
ing, Sabbath bi-eaking, vagrant persous, or night-
walkers ; " provided they bee taken in the man-
ner, either by the sighte of the constable, or by
present imformacon from others ; as alsoe to
make searche for all such persons either on ye
Sabbath daye, or other, when there shall bee oc-
cation in all houses licensed to sell beere or wine,
or any other suspected or disordered places, and
those to apprehend and keepe in safe custody
till opportunity serves to bring them before
the next Justice of ye Peace for further exani-
inacon." The Constable was chosen out of
the number of Overseers, whose term of service
had expired.
The following is a list of the Constables of
Brooklyn, from\669 to 1690 :
1669. Michael Lenell.
1671. Lambert Johnson.
1675. Andries Juriaensen.
1676. Cornelius Corsen.
1678. Thomas Lambertse.
1679. John Aeresen.
1680. Andries Juriaensen.
1682. Martin E-yersen.
350 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BKOOEXTN.
Brooklyn and l^ewtown were ordered to make
a new clioice according to law.
1683. Jan Cornells Dam.
1684. Thomas Ffardon.
1687. John Aertsen.
1668. Yolkert Andriese.
1689. Jacobus Beavois.
1689. Jurian Bries.
1690. Jurian Hendrickse.
Shortly after the conquest of this Colony by the
English from the Dutch, the towns of Brooklyn,
Bushwyck, Midwout, or Flatbush, Amersfort, or
Flatlands, and New Utrecht, were formed into a
separate district for certain purposes, by the name
of the " Five Dutch towns." A Secretary was
specially apj^ointed for these five towns, whose
duties appear to have been confined to the taking
acknowledgment of transports, and marriage
settlements, and proof of wills, &g. This ofiice,
in 1674, was held by " Nicasius De Sille, in the
absence of Sir Ffrancis De Brugh." This same
Mr. De Sille, was in authority under the Dutch
government, in the year 1658, as Schout of the
city of New-Amsterdam. He was styled, " Heer
Nicasius De Sille." There was no uniformity in
the title of those acknowledging ofticers of the
THE OVERSEERS. 351
Five Dutch towns. In 1675, Michiel Hainelle
exercised that office, and styled himself *' Clerk."
In the same year the Court of Sessions for this
Hiding, after setting forth the appointment of
Hainell, and calling him " Secretary," said, " It
is the opinion of the Court that for what pub-
lique or private business he shall doe he ought to
have reasonable satisfaction."^
There were also in this town, officers, w^ho were
called " Overseers." The Duke's Laws provide
for their appointment in the following manner.
" Overseers shall be eight in number, men of
good fame, and life, chosen by the plurality of
voyces of the freeholders in each towne, whereof
foure shall remain in their office two yeares suc-
cessively, and foure shall be changed for new
ones every yeare ; which election shall preceed
the elections of Constables, in point of time, in
regard the Constable for the year ensuing, is to
bee chosen out of that number which are dismist
from their office of Overseers."
* There were also a " Clerk " in most if not in all of these
towns, who seems to have been authorised to take proof of
the execution of wills ; whether he was the Town Clerk
does not appear. This officer was differently appointed in
the different towns. In Bushwick he was appointed by the
Commissioners of the town, and in New Utrecht he was
elected by the people, and approved of by the Governor.
353 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
The following is a copy of the oath which was
administered to the overseers elect.
" Whereas you are chosen and appointed an
Overseer for the Towne of Breucklen you doe
sweare by tlie Ever-living God, that you will faith-
fully and diligently discharge the trust reposed in
you, in relation to the publique and towne affaires,
according to the present lawes established, with-
out favour, affection or partiality to any person
or cause which shall fall under your cognizance ;
and at time when you shall bee required by your
superio]"S to attend the private differences of
neighbours, you will endeavour to reconcile them:
and iu all causes conscientiously and according to
the best of your judgment deliver your voice in
the towne meetings of Constable and Overseers,
So helpe you God." These officers were com-
monly sworn by the Court of Sessions ; but in the
year 1671, the Constable of N"ewtown objected to
the Court's swearing the overseers of that town,
" alledginge that accordinge to the amendments of
the law iff special occation required, itt is in the
power of the Constable to sweare them, otherwise
not, which is left to his Honor the Governor to
decide." The inhabitants of the town for which
the overseers were elected were authorised to de-
termine by a major vote whether the said over-
seers should, on admission to office, take the
DUTIES OF THE OVEKSEERS. 353
oath prescribed as above ; and in case the said
overseers were not sworn, it was a legal objection
against their proceedings on the part of any per-
son prosecuted in their court, unless the overseers
immediately on objection being made, took the
oath, which the Constable was permitted to ad-
minister.
It was the dutv of the Overseers, tos^ether with
the Constable, to hold Town Courts, for the trial
of causes under £5. Their other duties are con-
tained in the following summary. On the death
of any person, tliey were to repair with tlie Con-
stable, to the house of the deceased, and inquire
after the manner of his death, and of his will and
testament ; and if no will was found, the Consta-
ble in the presence of the Overseers was, witliin
48 hours, to search after the estate of the de-
ceased, and to deliver an account of the same in
writing, under oath, to the next Justice of the
Peace. They, together with the Constable made
all assessments. If any Overseer died during his
term, the rest of the Overseers by a major vote,
made choice of another in his place ; and if the
person so cliosen refused to serve, he forfeited the
sum of £10, tow^ards defraying tlie town charges.
They were to settle the bounds of the town,
within twelve months after the bounds were
granted. They had tlie power of regulating
354 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BEOOKLTN.
fences. They were authorised together with the
Constable to make choice of two out of the eight
overseers of the Church affairs.
They and the Constable, were frequently to
admonish the inhabitants " to instruct their chil-
dren and servants in matters of religion, and the
lavves of the country." They, with the Constable,
appointed an officer " to record every man's par-
ticular marke, and see each man's horse and colt
branded." The Constable and two of the Over-
seers were to pay the value of an Indian coat for
each wolf killed ; and they were to cause the
wolf's head to be '^ nayled over the door of the
Constable, their to remaine, as also to cut of both
the eares in token that the head is bought and
paid for."
The following is the only list that the Compiler
could obtain of the Overseers of this town.
1671. Frederick Lubertse and Peter Pernied-
eare.
1675. John Peterson Mackhike, and Jerome
De Rapostelley.
1676. Tunis Guis Bergen, and Thomas Lam-
bertson.
1679. John Harrill, and Martyn Peyandsen.
1680. Symon Aeresen, and Michael Ilarsen.
1683. John Aeresen, and Daniel Papellie.
In the year 1683, the " Overseers " were
THE TOWN COMMISSIOKERS. 355
chano^ed to " Commissioners." The " act for de-
fraying the publique and necessary charge of
each respective citty, towne, and county through-
out this province ; and for maintaining the poore
and preventing vagabonds." Passed by the Gen-
eral Assembly of this colony, November 1st, 1683,
provides — " That annually and once in every
yeare there shall be elected a certaine number
out of each respective citty, towne, and county
throughout this province ; to be elected and
chosen by the major part of all the ffreeholders
and ffreenien ; which certaine number so duely
elected shall have full power and authority to
make an assessment or certaine rate within their
respective cittys, townes and countys annually,
and once in every yeare, which assessment and
certain rate so established as aforesaid, shall bee
paid into a certaine Treasurer, who shall be chosen
by a major part of all the ffreemen of each re-
spective citty, towne, and count}^ ; which Trea-
surer soe duly chosen, shall make such payment
for the defraying of all the publique and necessary
charges of each respective place above-menconed,
as shall bee appointed by the commissioners, or
their President, that shall be appointed in each
respective citty, towne, and county within this
province, for he sujyervising the jpxiblique affaires
and charge of each respective citty, towne and
356 NOTES OX THE TOWN OF BEOOKLYN.
county aforesaid." And tlie said act proceeds
further to say, " And whereas it is tlie custome
and practice of his Majesties realme of England,
and all the adjacent colonjes in America, that
every respective county, citty, towne, parrish,
and precinct, doth take care and provide for the
poore who doe inhabit in their respective pre-
cincts aforesaid ; Therefore it is enacted, &c., that
for the time to come the respective commis-
sioners of every county, citty, towne, parish, pre-
cinct aforesaid, shall make provision for the
maintainance and support of their poore respect-
ively." ^
The following is a list of the Commissioners of
this town from 16S4, to 1690, inclusive.
1684:, Thomas Lambertson, Randolph Emans,
and John Aeresen.
1685. Tunis Guis Bergen, and Daniel Ea-
palie.
* This law provides, that any person not having a visible
estate, or a manual craft or occupation, coming into any-
place within this province, should give security, not to be-
come chargeable within two years ; and the captains of ves-
sels bringing passengers into this j)rovince, were required to
report them to the chief magistrate of the place within
24 hours after their arrival. Under the Dutch govern-
ment the poor were supported out of the fines imposed
for offences committed, and by contributions taken up in.
the Churches.
LIST OF COMMISSIONERS. 357
16S6. Michael Hansen, and Jeromus De
Ivapalie.
The town made choice of Hansen and De Eap-
alie ; and were ordered bj the Court of Sessions
to make a new selection by the 12th of April,
1686, and return the same to one of the Justices
of the Peace for Kings County.
1687. Adriaen Bennet, Thomas Lambertson,
and Tunis Guysbert.
The Court of Sessions ordered the town to make
choice of a new Commissioner in the place of
Tunis Gnysbert ; which they according did, and
elected Jan Gerritsen Dorland.
1688. Simon Aertsen, Michael Hansen, and
Claes Barense.
The Court of Sessions refused to swear Michael
Hansen.
1690. Joris Hansen, Hendrick Claasen, and
Jan Gerbritse.
The office of "Commissioner" continued until
1703, when a '^Supervisor" was elected. The
Supervisors of Kings County had their first meet-
ing on the first Tuesday of October, 1703 ; at
which meeting Captain Joras Hansen was the
Supervisor from Brooklyn. The duty of the
Supervisors was, "to compute, ascertaine, ex-
amine, oversee, and allow the contingent, pub-
lick, and necessary charge of each county." Two
358 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
assessors were also elected for this town, whose
names were, Peter Garabrantse and John E.
Bennett ; and one Collector. This is not the
first mention of the assessors and collectors of this
town in our County Records. In 1688, Michael
Hansen and Daniel Rapalie were chosen assess-
ors, for the purpose of assessing this town's pro-
portion of a tax of £308 83 Od, which was im-
posed on King's County. It is the opinion of
the Compiler, that these were distinct officers
from the Commissioners, whose duty it was
to assess the ordinary rates ; and that these
assessors were but temporary officers, appoint-
ed to assess this particular tax. In 1699, Jan
Garretse Dorlant is mentioned as Collector of
Brooklyn ; and in 1701, John Bybout held the
same office.
In 1691, a majority of the freeholders of the
town were empowered to make orders for the
improvement of their public lands ; and annually
to elect three surveyors of liighways. The duties
of these surveyors were to amend and lay out
highways and fences. The town meeting at
which these orders were made, and officers elected,
were held by the direction and under the super-
intendence of one or more justices of the peace.
November 8, 1692. The court of sessions for
Kings County ordered that each town within the
LIST OF CONSTABLES. 359
county should erect " a good pair of stocks, and
a good pound ; " and tliat the clerk of the court
should issue a warrant to the constable of every
town, requiring them to see this order complied
witli " at their peril." The following is a list of
the constables of this town, from the new organi-
zation of the colony in 1691 to 1711, as far as the
Compiler has been able to ascertain the same :
1693. Yolkert Brier.
1697. Volkert Brier.
169S. Jacob Hansen. [This man was
complained of by the last constable for not making
his appearance at court ; and the sheriff was or-
dered to summon him to appear at the next court.]
1699. Jacobus Beauvois.
1700. Cornelius Yerhoeven.
1701. Jacob Yerdon.
1702. Thomas Davies.
1703. Thomas Davies.
1704. William Brower.
1705. Jacob Ffardon. [This con-
stable refused to call a town meeting in 1706, in
compliance with the requisitions of a warrant he
had received from Justice Ffilkin,for the election
of town officers ; and the inhabitants complained
of him to the court of sessions, who ordered that
a town meeting should be held for the election
of town officers, and that Ffardon should hold
360 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
over until a new constable was elected and sworn
in his stead.]
1707. Abram Sleghter.
1708. Cornelius Collier.
1709. William Brower.
1711. Thomas Davies.
For some time previous and subsequent to the
year 1693, the colony was in a very disordered
state, arising probably from its new organization
after the Revolution in Great Britain.
At the same period, both the civil and military
governments in this town, and also in the county,
were very unpopular. In order to support their
authority, the justices of the peace resorted to the
exercise of very arbitrary measures: arresting
and confining many persons under the pretence
of their having uttered scandalous words against
them and the government ; by which proceedings
they completely alienated the jjeople's affections,
and exasperated them to such a degree that they
committed many excesses : all which will appear
by the following extracts from the records :
" October 11, 1693. At a meeting of the justices
of Kings County, at the county hall. Present,
.Roeleff Martense, Nicholas Stillwell, Joseph liege-
man, and Henry Ffilkin, esqrs., justices. John
Bibout, of Broockland, in the county aforesaid,
we aver, being committed by the said justices to
CASE OF HENDEICK CLAES VECIITE. 361
tlie common jail of Kings County, for divers
scandalous and abusive words spoken by the said
John against their majesties justices of the peace
for the county aforesaid, to the contempt of their
majesties authority and breach of the peace; the
said John having now humbly submitted himself,
and craves pardon and mercy of the said justices
for his misdemeanour, is discharged, paying the
officer's fees, and being on his good behaviour
till the next court of sessions, in November next
ensuing the date hereof."
In another instance, during the same year, in
the month of October, in the town of Bushwyck,
a man named Urian Hagell, was imprisoned for
having said on a training day, speaking jestingly
of the soldiers, '' Let us knock them down, we
are three to their one." The justices called these
" mutinous, factious, and seditious words ; "
which, with the like, appear to have been favourite
terms with them. Again, in the same month and
year, Ilendrick Claes Yechte, of the town of
Brooklyn, was imprisoned by the justices, on a
charge of " raising of dissension, strife, and mu-
tiny, among their majesties subjects." And May
8, 109:1:, two women of Bushwick were indicted
at the sessions, for having beat and pulled the
hair of Captain Peter Praa, whilst at the head of
his company of soldiers on parade. One of them
16
m2 NOTES ON THE TOWN OP^ BROOKLYN.
was fined £3, and tlie cost, £1 19.5. 9d. ; and the
other 406'. and the cost, £1 19.5. 9d. In the last
mentioned year (1694) Yolkert Brier, constable of
Brooklyn, was fined £5, and the costs of court
amounting to £1, by the sessions, " for tearing and
burning an execution directed to him as consta-
ble." ^ Brier afterwards petitioned the govern-
or to have the fine remitted ; a copy of which pe-
tition is in the appendix, marked C.
This town with respect to legal mattere was un-
der the jurisdiction of the court of sessions held
at Gravesend, for the West Riding of Yorkshire,
upon Long Island,t until the year 1683 ; when
an act was passed by the first legislative assembly
of this colony, dividing the province into counties
by which the ridings were abolished. The court
however, continued to be held at G-ravesend until
1686, when it was removed to Flatbush, in con-
formity to an act of the colonial assembly, passed
* Sept. 14, 1696, about 8 o'clock in the evening, John
Rapale, Isaac Bemsen, Joras Yannester, Joras Danielse Ra-
pale, Jacob Reyersen, Aert Aersen, Tunis Buys, Garret
Cowenhoven, G-abriel Sprong,Urian Andriese, John Williamse
Bennet, Jacob Bennet and John Meserole, Jr. met armed at
the court-house of Kings, where they destroyed and defaced
the king's arms which were hanging up there.
f The West Riding was composed of the towns of Brook-
lyn, Bushwick, Flatbush, Flatlands, New-Utrecht, and
Grravesend, together with Staten Island and Newtown.
THE TOWN GOVERNMENT. 363
in the year 1685. This town continued under
the jurisdiction o£ that court and the court of
common pleas, which was afterwards establislied,
until the close of the revolutionary war. At tlie
close of the war the courts were re-organized,
and this town still continues under their jurisdic-
tion.
PRESENT GOVERKMENT.
In 1816 the village of Brooklyn was erected
out of the town, and constituted a distinct govern-
ment ; thereby forming an hnperium in i7nperio.
The present government both of the town and
village, approach as near a pure democracy as
that of any other place in this State. JSTo business
of importance is undertaken without first having
the sanction of a public meeting. Here these
sterling principles, that all power emanates from
the people, and that public officers are but public
servants, are fully recognized and acted upon.
This head the Compiler will divide into two
divisions, in order to avoid confusion : First, the
Town Government, and second, the Tillage Gov-
ernment.
First — the Town Government.
The government of the town is administered by
A Supervisor, elected by the people, at the an-
nual town-meeting, on the first Tuesday of April.
3G4 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
The duties of this officer are principally coniiDed
to the apportionment of taxes, presiding at elec-
tions, &c. He is also ex-officio a commissioner
of excise for granting tavern licenses in the town,
and the general guardian of the town rights.
There is no salary attached to this office : the su-
pervisor receives a compensation of two dollars
per day, for attending the general meeting of
the supervisors of the different towns in the
county, and a trifling amount for granting licenses.
The present supervisor is William Furman, esq.
A Town Clerk, also elected by the people.
The duties of this officer are to call special town-
meetings on the request of twelve freeholders, re-
cord the proceedings of town-meetings, and pre-
serve the records of the town. In 1G9S, Jacob
Yandewater, town clerk of this town, received
the sura of £6 5^. for two years and six months
salary."^ In 1822, in order to make the town
clerk's salary in some degree proportionate to the
increase of business, the town voted him a salary
of $50. In 1824, the town clerk's salary was in-
creased to $75. The office is at present held by
John Doughty, Esq., who has been successively
elected since the year 1796.
* At the same period, the salary of the clerk of the county
was £10 per annum.
THE TOWN JUDICIAKY. 365
Five Assessors, also elected by the people —
whose duties are to assess all real and personal
estate liable to taxation within the town, and to
forward such assessment to the supervisors, that
they may apportion the amount of tax on the
same. The present assessors are Messrs. John S.
Bergen, Richard Stanton, John Spader, Joseph
Moser, and Andrew Demarest. Their compen-
sation is one dollar and twenty-five cents per day
during the time they are employed in making
and completing the assessment.
There are also elected two overseer's of the
poor, Messrs. AA^illiam Corn well and Isaac Moser ;
one constable and collector^ Mr. John McKenney ;
two constahles, Messrs. John Lawrence and Sam-
uel Doxsey ; and several other ofticers, whose
names and duties w^ill be set forth in the subse
quent parts of this work.
The judicial business of this town is at present
transacted by three justices of the peace, viz.,
John Garrison, John C. Murphy, and Sanmel
Smith, Esqs. These magistrates are appointed
by the judges of the com]non pleas and the super-
visors of the county.
Second — the Village Government.
April 12, 1816, the village of Brooklyn was in-
336 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BKOOKLYN.
corporated by an act of the legislature of this
state. By this act the freeholders and inhabi-
tants are authorized annually to elect, on the first
Monday of May, *' Five discreet freeholders, resi-
dent within the said village, Trustees thereof ; "
and these trustees are authorized to appoint a
president and clerk. The first trustees, Messrs.
Andrew Mercein, John Garrison, John Doughty,
John Seaman, and John Dean, were appointed
by the legislature, and continued in ofiice until
the first Monday of May, 1817; when the first
election was made by the people, and they made
choice of Messrs. William Furman, Ilenrj^ Stan-
ton, William Henry, Tunis Joralemon, and Noah
Waterbury. The present trustees are Messrs.
Joshua Sands, John Doughty, Joseph. Moser,
John Moon, and Samuel James. Joshua Sands,
Esq., president, and John Dikeman, Esq., clerk of
the board. Tlie president, previous to 1824, re-
ceived no salary ; at present, his salary is $300.
The clerk formerly received a salary of $100,
which, in consequence of the great increase of
business, is now raised to $200. The powers of
the trustees are principally "to make, ordain,
constitute, and publish, such prudential by-laws,
rules and regulations, as they from time to time
shall deem meet and proper ; and such in par-
ticular as relate to the public markets, streets, al-
THE TILLAGE GOVERNMENT, 367
leys, and highways of the said village ; to di-aiiiiiig,
tilling up, levelling, paving, improving, and keep-
ing in order the same ; relative to slanghter-
houses, houses of ill-fame, and nuisances gene-
rally ; relative to a village watch, and ligliting
the streets of said village ; relative to restraining
geese, swine, or cattle of any kind ; relative to
the better improvement of their common lands ;
relative to the inspection of weights and mea-
sures, and the assize of bread ; relative to erect-
ing and regulating hay-scales ; relative to the
licensing of public porters, cartmen, hackney-
coachmen, gangers, weigh-masters, measurers, in-
spectors of beef and pork, of wood, of staves and
heading, and of lumber ; relative to public wells,
pumps, and reservoirs or cisterns of water to be
kept filled for the extinguishment of fires ; rela-
tive to the number of taverns or inns to be
licensed in said villao^e; and relative toanv thino^
0 7 f O
whatsoever that may concern the public and good
government of the said village ; but no such by-
laws shall extend to the reornlatino; or fixino: the
prices of any commodities or articles of provision,
except the article of bread, that may be ofiered
for sale." The powers of the trustees in open-
ing, regulating, and widening streets, are enlarged
and defined by an act passed by the legislature
of this state, April 9, 1824.
3G8 KOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOEXYN.
The board of trustees have the appointment
of several officei-s. The following is a list of the
names of the officers at present holding under them.
John Lawrence, Collector.
Samuel Watts, 1
John Titus, K.,. . ,
A 1 mi r VVei^rhers.
Andrew Tombs, ^
Robert W. Doughty, j
Burdet Striker, Measurer.
William A. Sale, Measurer of Lime.
Three village Assessors are also elected by the
people, for the purpose of making an assessment
on which to apportion the village tax. The pres-
ent assessors are Losee Yan l!sostrand, Gamaliel
King, and John D. Conklin.
The Trustees, by an act passed April 9th,
1824:, are constituted a Board of Llealth. The
President and Clerk of the Trustees are ex-
officio President and Clerk of the Board of
Health. The salary of the President of this
Board is §150.
A Health Physician is appointed by the Board
of Health ; which office is at present held by Dr.
J. G. T. Hunt, with a salary of $200.
The duties of the Board relate to the general
conservation of the health of the village.
As early as 1809, during the prevalence of the
THE BOARD OF HEALTH. 309
yellow fever in this town, the inhabitants met to-
gether in conseqnence of repeated solicitations
from the Common Council of New York, and
after stating in their proceedings that, " reports
prevailed, that disease exists to an alarming ex-
tent in the town of Brooklyn," they appointed
the following gentlemen a committee "for the
purpose of inquiring into the state of the health
of the inhabitants of said town, and to act as the
case in their opinion may require," viz., William
Furman, John Gari'ison, Burdet Stryker, Henry
Stanton, and Andrew Mercein. A sum of money
was raised by subscription to meet the expense of
this Committee.
In the year 1819, the Trustees, although not
strictly invested with power, yet feeling the
necessity of acting with some degree of energy,
in order to quiet the fears of the inhabitants,
arising from reports of the existence of a pesti-
lential disease in New York, published an address,
in which they state, "that during this season of
alarm, they have not been unmindful of that part
of their duty incumbent on them as a Board of
Health for the village," and that " measures have
been taken to obtain from time to time a report
of the state of health throughout the village, that
the inhabitants may be early apprised of any
change affecting their welfare."
16*
370 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BKOOKLTN.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND INSTITUTIONS.
This head will be divided into three divisions
— first, Churches; second, Markets; and third
Public Institutions.
Mrst, Churches.
The first Church established in Kings County,
was, October 13, 1654, when the Rev. Joannes
Theodoras Polhemus, a minister of the Dutch
Reformed Church, was j^enniUed by Governor
Stuyvesant, to preach at Midwout (Flatbush) and
Amersfort (Flatlands).* The congregation was
gathered at this time ; but the order of Governor
Stuyvesant for building the Church is dated
December 15, 1654. February 9, 1655, the
Governor ordered the inhabitants of Brooklyn
and Amersfort, which at that period, together with
Gravesend, were one congregation, to cut timber
for the erection of the Church at Midwout; which
building was to be 60 feet in length, 28 feet in
breadth, and 14 feet in height below the beams.
In order to accommodate the four towns of
Gravesend, Amersfort, Midwout, and Brooklyn,
the Governor ordered that Mr. Polhemus should
preach every Sunday morning at Midwout, and
* This minister died in the month of June, 1676.
ACCOUNT OF CIIUKCIIES. 371
Sunday afternoons alternately at Amersfort and
Brooklyn.
In the year 1659, the inhabitants of this town
applied to Governor Stnyvesant for permission to
call a minister for their congregation, assigning
as their reason for their application, the badness
of the road to Flatbush, the difficulty of attend-
ing divine service at 'New York, and the extreme
old age and inability of the Rev. Mr. Polhemus
to perform his services at Brooklyn.
The Governor deemed the request reasonable,
and sent Nicasius de Sille, Fiscal of New Neth-
erlancl, and Martin Kregier, Burgomaster, of
New Amsterdam, to this town, as a committee of
inquiry, who reported in favor of the application ;
whereupon the request of the inhabitants was
granted. The inhabitants prepared a call for the
Rev. Ilem-y Solinus, alias Ilenricus Selwyn, from
Holland, who was approved of by the classis of
Amsterdam, on the 16th of February, 1660, when
the classis also gave the Rev. Mr. Solinus a dis-
mission, wishing hitn a safe and prosperous jour-
ney by land and by water to his congregation in
the New Netherland. The time of the arrival of
this minister is not known. He was installed in
his church on the 3d of September, 1660, in the
presence of the Fiscal, and Burgomaster Kregier,
by the order of Governor Stuyvesant, who ap-
372 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
pears to have been at the head of the eccleslastic^al,
as well as the civil and military government of
the colony.
On the 7th of September, 1660, a letter was
written to the E-ev. Mr. Polhemns, informing him
of the installation of the Kev. Mr. Solinus in the
Church of Brooklyn, and thanking him for his
labom-s and attention to the Congregation. The
letter was sent by a respectable person, to whom
the Rev. Mr. PoUienius returned his thanks for
the attention which the Church at Brooklyn had
paid him, and furnished the messenger with a list
of the names of the Church menibers, twenty-
iive in number.
Mr. Solinus' salary was 600 guilders per an-
num, equal to $200. Three hundred guilders of
which \vas to be paid by Brooklyn, and three
hundred by Fatherland (Holland). Some time
after, the inliabitants of Brooklyn objected to
raising their proportion of the salary ; and May
25, 1662, petitioned the Governor that Mr.
Solimis should reside amonor them; settins^ forth
as a reason, that if their minister resided with
them more people would go to church, and they
would be better able to raise the salary. Gover-
nor Stuyvesant, in order to accommodate this
dispute, proposed to pay 250 guilders towards
Mr. Solinus' salary, on condition that he would
DESTKUCTION OF ESOPUS. 373
preach in the Bonweiy on Sunday afternoons. —
This arrangement appears to have been entered
intOy for a short time after Mr. Solinus preached
at the Bouwery half the time.
The Indians having on the 7th of June, 1663,
attacked the town of Esopus, burnt the same,
and destroyed many of the inhabitants, and took
many prisoners; the event was communicated by
Governor Stuyvesant to the church at Broolvlyn,
in the following manner.
" As a sorrowf ull accident and willf ull massaci-e
has been committed by the Esopus Indians, who
have with deliberate design under the insidious
cover of friendship, determined to destroy Eso-
pus, which they effected on the Tth instant,
killing and wounding a number of the inhabi-
tants, and taking many prisoners, burning the
new^ town, and desolating the place. Whereupon
the congregation is directed and desired by his
Excellency the Governor General to observe and
keep the ensuing AV'ednesday as a day of fasting,
humiliation and prayer to the Almighty, hoping
that he may avert further calamities from the
ISTew Netherlands, and extend his fatherly pro-
tection and care to the country. And it is fur-
ther ordered, that the first Wednesday in every
month be observed in like manner. By order of
the Director-General, and Council, &c. Dated at
874 NOTES ON THE TOW^N- OF BROOKLYN.
Fort Orange, June 26, 1663." Wednesday the
4tli of July, 1663, was observed as a day of
thanksgiving on account of a treaty of peace
having been made with the Esopus Indians, and
the release of the inhabitants who had been taken
prisoners ; and also for the success obtained over
the British, who attempted with flj'ing colours to
take possession of all Long Island for the King
of England, which was prevented by the timely
arrival of the Dutch fleet.
On the 23d of July, 1664, the Kev. Henry
Solinus took leave of his congregation and sailed
in the ship Beaver for Holland. After his de-
parture, Charles Debevoise, the schoolmaster of
the town, and sexton of the church, was directed
to read prayers, and a sermon from an approved
author, every Sabbath day in the church for the
improvement of the congregation, until another
minister was called.
The first Dutch church in Brooklyn was built
in the year 1666, although a minister had been
settled to preach here for some years previous.
— A second church was erected on the site of that
built in 1666; which second church continued
standing until about 1810, when a new and sub-
stantial church was erected on Joi-alemon street,
and the old one taken down. This old church
was a very gloomy looking building, with small
LIST OF DUTCH MINISTERS. 375
windows, and stood in the middle of the highway,
about a mile from Brooklyn ferry. In removing
it the workmen found the remains of a Hessian
officer, who had been buried there in his uniform,
during the Kevolutionary war.
The Dutch congregations on this island formed
but one church, although they had different con-
sistories.
The ministers under the Dutch government
were not permitted to marry any persons without
making the marriage proclamation on three suc-
ceeding Sabbaths in their churclies. The same
practice was observed after the Colony came un-
der the British government. The last mentioned
government however sold marriage licenses, which
were granted by the Governor's Secretary in
New York, for the sum of eight dollars each.
The inhabitants generally preferred purchasing a
marriage license, and thus contributed to the
revenue of the Governor and Secretary.
During the ministry of the Kev. Mr. Solinus,
the marriage fees were not the perquisite of the
Minister, as appears by his account rendered by
him to the Consistor^^, on the 29th of October,
1662, when he paid over to the consistory the sum
of seventy-eight guilders and ten stivers, for four-
teen marriage fees received by him.
The following is a list of ministers of the Dutch
876 N()Tp:3 on the town of Brooklyn.
Reformed Church, who officiated in the church
on tliis island (with the exception of Poliiemus
and Solinus), taken from a manuscript of the
Eev. Peter Lowe.
Joannes Magapolensis, probably died. 1668
Casper us Van Zuren " " . 1677
Clark " " . 1695
William Lupardus " " . 1709
Bernardus Freeman,* from 1702 to. .. 1741
Yincintius Antonides, from 1715 to. . . 1744:
Joannes Arondeus, probably died. . . . 1742
Anthony Curtenius, from 1730 to 1756
Ulpianus Yan Sinderin, from 1747 to. 1796
John Casper Rubeb, from 1760 to. . . . 1797
Martinus Schoonmaker, from 1785 to 1824
[This venerable pastor was eighty-eight years
of age at his death ; and a short time previous of-
ficiated in four congregations.]
Peter Lowe, from 1787 to 1818
In the month of April, 1708, fifty-seven of the
inhabitants of Brooklyn entered into an agree-
ment (which is written in Dutch) to call a minis-
ter from Holland to preach in the church of this
town. The elders of the church at that time
were Daniel Bapalie and Jores Hanse.
* This minister was naturalized in the Court of Sessions
for Kings County, November 8, 1715.
CASE OF IIENDEICK YECIiTE. 377
The salary of the Clerk of the Clmrch in tliis
town was f(jrmerly raised by a tax on the whole
town. At a town meeting, held February 1,
1568, It was resolved, that the sum of £20 10s.
should be raised and paid into the hands of the
" church masters " for " the widow of Ilendrick
Sleght, ffor 1 year and 8 months salary, and being
Clarke off the churche."
The following singular proceediug may be
amusing to some readei'S, and will serve to show
to what exti-emes both the people and the magis-
trates carried themselves in former times. Ilen-
drick Yechte, Esq., a Justice of the Peace, was
pi-esented at the Kings County Sessions, May 11:,
1710, for coming into the Brooklyn Church, on
Sunday, August 10, 1709, " with his pen and ink
in his hand, taking of peoples names, and taking
up one particular mans hatt up, and in disturbance
of the minister and people in the service of God,
&c." Yechte's plea was that in obedience to an
order of the Gover^ior he did go into the church
as alledged, " to take notice of the persons that
were guilty of the forcible entry made into the
Church, that by Abrom Brower, and others, by
breaking of said Church doore with force and
arms, forcibly entering into said Church, not-
withstanding the forewarning of Mr. Freeman
the minister, and his people to the contrary."
378 NOTES ON" THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
The Court found that Justice Yechte was not
guilty of a breach of the peace, and discharged
him. It must be remembered that Justice Yechte
was a member of the Court. There was a con-
siderable difference of opinion and m.any disputes
among the inhabitants of this town, and of the
County, as to the right of the Hev. Mr. Freeman
to preach ; into the merits of which controversy
it is not to be expected that the Compiler can
enter at this distant day. Excepting the above
proceeding of the Court, the only document which
the Compiler has been able to obtain relative to
this controversy is a letter from Henry Ffilkin,
Esq., to the Secretary at New York, which will
be found in the Appendix marked with the let-
ter D.
December 18, 1814, the Trustees of the Dutch
E-eformed Church of the town of Brooklyn were
incorporated. At which time the following gen-
tlemen were officers of the Church.
Martinas Schoonmaker, ) ^^^^^^^^^^
reter Lowe, j
Elders.
Fernandus ^uydam, Walter Berry,
Jeremiah Johnson, John Lefferts.
TKUSTEES OF DUTCH CHURCHES. 379
Deacons.
Jeremiah Brower, Lambert Schenck,
Abraham De Bevoise, Abraham Eemsen.
The present officers of this Church are,
Eev. S. S. Woodhull, D.D., Pastor.
JElders.
Leffert Lefferts, Tunis Joralemon,
David Anderson, Nehemiah Denton.
Deacons.
Theodorus Polhemus, James De Bevoise,
Adrian Hegeman, Adriance Yan Brunt.
September 18, 1Y85, an " Independent Meeting
House" was incorporated at this place. The
officers of which were :
John Matlock, Pastor,
George Wall, Assistant,
John Carpenter, Treasurer,
George Powers, Secretary.
Trustees.
William Bunton, John Emery,
Eobert Steath, William Hinson.
Barnard Cordman,
380 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
Their place of worship was a frame building
Oil what is now the Episcopalian burying ground
in Fulton street. This conOTCP-ation continued
but a short time, in consequence of the seceding
of its members to the Episcopalian Cliurch, which
was soon after established in this place.
The hrst celebration of Divine Service after
the inanner of the Protestant Episcopal Church,
in this town, subsequent to the Kevolution, was
at the old brick house known as Ko. 40 Fulton
street, and now owned by Mr. Abiel Titus.
About the year 17S7, the Episcopal Church
was established in Brooklyn, under the pastoral
care of the Rev. Mr. Wright, at the house on the
north-east corner of Fulton and Middagh streets;
which house was fitted up with pews, etc.
April 23, 17ST. "The Episcopal Church of
Brooklyn" was incorporated. The following are
the names of the first
Trustees.
Whitehead Cornell, Joshua Sands,
Joseph Sealy, Aquila Giles,
Mathew Cleaves, Henry Stanton,
John Yan Nostrand.
This congregation afterwards came into pos-
session of the place of worship before used by the
THE METHODIST CHUECHES. 381
Independent Congregation, and continued to wor-
sliip in that edifice until they erected the Stone
Chnrch called " St. Ann's Church," Sands street.
June 22, 1795. The Episcopal Church in this
town was re-organized and incorporated by the
name of " St. Ann's Church."
Church Wardens.
John Yan Nostrand, and George Powers.
Yestrymen.
Joshua Sands, Aquila Giles,
Paul Durel, John Cornell,
Jose}>li Fox, Gilbert Yan Mater,
William Carpenter, Robert Stoddard.
The congregation at the same time resolved
that Monday in Easter week should be the time
of their future elections for Church officers.
The stone church which was erected on Sands
street, has continued to the present time ; but is
now in bad repair, in consequence of the walls
not liaving been properly erected. The Yestry
passed a vote for erecting a new church to front
on Washington street, the corner stone of which
was laid March 31, 1824. The new edifice is fast
882 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
progressing, and promises to be a great ornament
to the place.
The present officers of St. Ann's Church are,
Rev. Henrv U. Onderdonk, Rector.
Church Wardens.
William Cornwell, and Joshua Sands.
Yestrymen.
James B. Clarke, John H. Moore,
Robert Bach, Robert Carter,
Adam Tredwell, Losee Yan Nostrand,
Fanning' C. Tucker, A. H. Yan Bokkelen.
William Cornwell, Treasurer.
May 19, 1794, the " First Methodist Episcopal
Church " in this town was incorporated. The
Trustees at which period were,
John Garrison, Stephen Hendrickson,
Thomas Yan Pelt, Richard Everit,
Burdet Stryker, Isaac Moser.
The present Meeting-house of this denomina-
tion is erected on the site of their first place of
worship, on Sands street ; and is a neat, plain
edifice. The present officers are.
Rev. William Ross, Pastor in charge.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHTJECH. 383
Trustees.
John Garrison, George Smith,
Isaac Moser, Isaac Nostrand,
William Foster, John G. Miirph}^,
Jacob Brown, R. Van Yoris.
Andrew Mercein,
Isaac Moser, Treasurer.
January 12, 1818, the "African Wesley an Me-
thodist Episcopal Church in the village of Brook-
lyn," incorporated.
First Trustees.
Peter Croger, Benjamin Crogcr,
Israel Jemison, John E. Jackson,
Ceasar Sprong.
The place of worship of this congregation is a
frame meeting house situate on High street.
March 13, 1822. The " First ^ Presbyterian
Church of Brooklyn " was incorporated.
First Trustees.
Jehiel Jaggar, Elkanah Doolittle,
Nathaniel Ilowland, Joseph Sprague,
Silas Butler, Alden Spooner,
John B. Graham, George Hall,
Charles H. Pichards.
384 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
The corner stone of this church was laid, April
15, 1822. The Church is situate on Cranberry
street ; and is a very handsome brick building,
something in the Gothic style. The present offi-
cers are :
Hev. Joseph Sanford, Pastor.
Elders.
Zechariah Smith, Selden G-ates,
Ezra C. Woodhull.
Trustees.
Alden Spooner, George Ilall,
Edward Coope, Nathaniel Howland,
Henry W. Warner, Benjamin Meeker,
Elkanah Doolittle, Joseph Sprague,
Silas Butler.
Elkanah Doolittle, President of the Board,
Silas Butler, Clerk, do
Nathaniel W. Sandford, Treasurer.
November 20, 1822. "St. James Eoman
Catholic Church," incorporated.
First Trustees.
George S. Wise, Jr. William Purcell,
Peter Turner, James Pose,
Patrick Scanlan, Darby Dawson,
William M'Laughlin.
FIRST BAPTIST CHUECn. 385
The corner stone of this Church was laid, June
25, 1822. The edifice is of brick, and ap-
proaches nearer to the Gothic architecture than
any other building in this town. It is yet un-
finished. This is the first Eoman Catholic Church
erected on Long Island. The present Trustees
are :
, President,*
Peter Turner, Secretary,
William Purcell, Treasurer,
James Kose,
Darby Dawson,
William M'Laughlin,
Patrick Scanlan.
October 15, 1823. The " First Baptist Church
in Brooklyn," incorporated.
Trustees.
Eliakim Kaymond, Elijah Lewis,
John Brown, Richard Poland,
Charles P. Jacobs.
March 24, 1824. Rev. William C. Hawley
was ordained Pastor of this Church. This con-
gregation have, as ^^et, erected no building for
* This office was held by Greorge S. Wise, Jun., Esq.,
until his death in November, 1834.
17
386 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
public worship; but assemble for that purpose
in the District School room, IsTo. 1.
There are also in this town some of the de-
nomination of Friends, and a small congregation
of [Jniversalists ; neither of which have estab-
lished places of public worship. The Universal-
ists are nnder the pastoral care of the Hev. AVil-
liam Mitchell, aiid assemble for Divine service in
the District School-room, No. 1.
In the present year, this town purchased ol
Leffert Lefferts, Esq., a small farm situate at the
"Wallaboght ; a portion of which was set off for
a burying ground, and divided into convenient
parcels; which were allotted in the following
manner to the different congregations worship-
ping in the town, viz.
No. 1. Dutch Keformed, 6. Universalist,
2. Friends, 7. Episcopalian,
3. Presbyterian, 8. Baptist,
4. Roman Catholic, 9. Common.
5. Methodist Episco-
palian,
Second, Markets.
A market was established in this town as early
as the year 1676, which will appear from the fol-
THE BROOEXTN MARKETS. 387
lowing order of tlie General Court of Assizes,
made in the month of October, 1675. " Upon
proposall of having a fayre and Markett in or
neare this City (Kew York), It is ordered. That
after this season, there shall yearely bee kept a
fayre and markett at Breucklen near the ferry,
for all grayne, cattle, or other produce of the
countrey, to be held the first Munday, Tuesday,
and Wednesday, in November ; and in the City
of New York, the Thursday, Friday, and Satur-
day following."
Previous to the year 1814, there were two mar-
kets in this place ; one of w^hich was situate at
the foot of the old ferry street ; and the other at
the foot of Main street. Both these markets
were taken down in 1814.
At present we have no public market ; the in-
habitants are supplied from several butchers'
shops for the sale of meat, and stands for vege-
tables, scattered about in different parts of the
village. The people have been for some time
past endeavouring to obtain a public market, and
the great difficulty appears to be the location of
a proper site. At a village meeting, held June
26, 1824, the sum of $10,000 was voted to erect
a brick market liouse and Village Hall, with
other offices. This amount it was resolved, should
be raised by a loan for not less than ten years, at
388 NOTES ON TBffi TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
six per cent; that the proceeds of the market
arising from the letting of stalls, etc., should be
appropriated to paying tlie interest of said loan ;
and that if in process of time there should be a
surplus, after paying the interest, the same
should be converted into a sinking fund for ex-
tinguishing the principal. These resolutions have
not as yet been carried into effect.
Third, Public Institutions,
Of public institutions we have not many to
boast — they may be strictly confined to one Bank,
a Fire Insurance Company, and an Apprentices'
Library.
The " Long Island Bank " was incorporated,
April 1st, 1824, with a capital of $300,000, di-
vided into six thousand shares of $50 each. The
present officers are, Leffert Lefferts, Esq., Presi-
dent, and D. Embury, Cashier.
The " Brooklyn Fire Insurance Company "
was incorporated, April 3, 1824, with a capital
of $150,000, divided into six thousand shares of
$25 each. The present officers of this institution
are William Furntan, President, and Freeman
Hopkins, Secretary.
There is also in this village a branch of the
" Equitable Fire Insurance Company ; " of which
Abraham Yanderveer, Esq., is Agent.
THE MxiSONIC LODGES. 389
The Apprentice's Library Association, which
has been formed but a short time, promises to be
of great benefit to the apprentices of the phice,
by introducing among them habits of reading
and reflection, which, if properly attended to,
will enable them to support the honourable char-
acter of good citizens.
The Library at present consists of about twelve
hundred volumes, which have been presented by
different individuals. About one hundred ap-
prentices take books from it, regularly once a
week. This institution was incorporated by an
act of the Legislature, passed in November, 1S24:.
The present officers are :
Robert Snow, President ; Thomas Kirk, Yice-
President ; Andrew Mercein, Treasurer ; Robert
Nicholls, Secretary.
Under this head it may be proper to notice,
that there are two Masonic Lodges in this town,
and a Post office.
Fortitude Lodge, ]^o. 81. — W. Levi Porter,
Master.
Ilohenlinden Lodge, N"o. 338. — W. Abiathar
Young, Master.
The Post office is kept at Is'o. 97 Fulton street,
by George L. Birch, Esq., Post Master. The
mail is carried daily (Sundays excepted) between
390 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
Bi'ooklyn and I^ew York, and closes at Brooklyn
at 8 A. M. and arrives at 4c P. M.
POPULATION AND INCKEASE.
Within a few years this town, and particularly
the village has increased very rapidly. In 1814,
the town of Brooklyn contained 3805 inhabitants ;
and in 1816, the town contained 4402 inhabitants.
In 1820, the census was as follows (being almost
two-thirds of the population of the Count}-).
White males
i, under 10 years of age, 876
do.
between 10 and 16 376
do.
between 16 and 26 717
do.
between 26 and 45 961
do.
between 45 and upwards,379
3309
White females, under 10 years of age, 876
do.
between 10 and 16 398
do.
between 16 and 26 705
do.
between 26 and 45 961
do.
between 45 and upwards,379
3319
Free blacks,
657
Slaves,
190
7475
POPULATION AND INCREASE. 391
Foreigners not naturalized - . - 252
Persons engaged in Agriculture, - - 264
do. in Commerce, - - 67
do. in Manufactures, - - 497
The following account of the population of
Kings County at different periods, may not be
uninteresting to many readers.
The population of Kings Coun-
ty in 1731 was 2150
1756
2707
1771
3623
1786
3966
1790
4495
1800
5740
1810
8303
1820
11187 ^
* Governor NicoUs, in a letter to the Duke of York, No-
vember, 16G5, informed him "that such is the mean condi-
tion of this town (New York), that not one soldier to this
day has lain in sheets, or upon any other bed than canvas
and straw."
1678. New York contained 843 houses, and 3430 inhabi-
tants ; and there were owned in the city three ships, eight
gloops and seven boats.
1686. The City of New York contained 594 houses, and
6000 inhabitants ; and there were owned in it 10 three-masted
vessels of between 80 and 100 tons; 3 ketches or barques, of
about 40 tons ; and about 20 sloops, of 25 tons. In the same
year the militia of the colony consisted of 4000 foot, 800
horse, and one company of drag'oons.
392 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BEOOIvLYN.
In 1706, there" were 64 f eeholders in the town
of Brooklyn. In 1802 their number had only in-
creased to S6, as appears from the list of Jurors
1696, There were owned in the City of New York, 40
ships, 62 sloops, and 62 boats.
In 1697, the population of New York has considerably de-
creased, from what it was in 1686 ; the census taken thia
year was as follows :
f Men, - - - 946
' Women, - - 1018
Whites I Young men and boys, 864
I Young- women and girls 899
3727
(Men, - - - 209
Blacks ] Women, - - - 205
( Boys and girls, - - 161 575
Total, 4303
1731. The City of New York contained
White males, - - - 3771
White females, - - - 3274 7045
Black males, - - - 785
Black females, - - - 792 1577
Total, 8622
1756. The City contained 10,881 inhabitants.
1771. It contained 21,863 inhabitants.
1736. It contained 3,340 houses, and 23,614 inhabitants.
1790. It contained 33,131 inhabitants
1800. 60,489
18ia. 96,373
1820. 139,000
GROWTH OF BEOOKLYN. 393
at that period. In the year 1800, there were
253 votes given in this town, at a contested elec-
tion for assemblyman. In 1824, on the same
occasion 1013 votes were taken.
At the close of the Eevolutionary war, the
town of Brooklyn within the bounds of the pres-
ent village contained 56 buildings. In 1821, the
village contained 867 buildings; of which 96
were Groceries and Taverns, and several store-
houses. These store-houses depend principally,
on the operations of the Quarantine laws, in the
months of June, July and August, for business.
On the 23d of July in the same year, there were
lying at the wharves in this village, 13 ships, 9
brigs, 8 schooners, and 14 sloops. July 1, 1824,
there were lying at the wharves in this village, 8
ships, 16 brigs, 20 schooners, and 12 sloops.
In 1822, 50 dwelling-houses were erected in
this village. In 1823, 122 frame dwellings and
32 brick and brick front buildings were erected.
January 1, 1824, the village of Brooklyn con-
tained 113 stone, brick and brick front buildings.
During the present year 143 frame dwelling-
houses have been built in this village.
The town contains 8 Ropewalks, which manu-
facture 1130 tons of cordage annually ; 4 Distil-
leries ; 2 Spirits of Turpentine Distilleries ; 1
Glue factory ; 1 Chain cable manufactory ; 2
17
394 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BUOOKLTN.
Tanneries ; 2 White lead works ; 1 Whiting
manufactory ; 1 Glass factory and 1 Furnace for
casting iron. The manufacture of Hats is con-
ducted on a large scale in this place.
In the year 1703, a survey was made of
" Broocklands improveable lands and meadows
within fence," and the same was found to amount
to 51Y7 acres. At that period the greatest holder
of that description of land was Simon Aersen,
who owned 200 acres. In 1706, all the real and
personal estates of the town of Brooklyn were as-
sessed at £3122 12s. Od. The tax on which was
£41 33. 7^(1., and the whole tax of the county
£201 16s. lid. In 1707, the real and personal
estates of this town assessed at £3091 lis. Od.,
the government tax on which was for the same
year £116 7s. 3d., payable in two payments ; and
the whole tax of the county £448 3s. 7d. The
present year the real estate in this town was as-
sessed at $2,111,390. And the personal estate
at $488,690 ; being considerably more than one
half of the whole value of the county. The State,
county and town tax on which amounts to $6,-
497.71. At this period there are in the village
1149 taxable persons, and the village tax amounts
to $2,625.76, averaging about $2.29, each taxable
person. This village tax includes $450 raised to
meet the expenses of the Board of Health, and
VALUE OF REAL ESTATE. 395
is exclusive of all local assessments for opening
and improving streets, &c.
The receipts of the overseers of the poor of
this town for the year 1823, amounted to §3108.-
Y7, and their expenditures to $3469.49, leaving a
balance of $360.72 against the town.
On the 22d of March, 1823, there were 54
persons in the Almshouse; 51 persons were ad-
mitted during the year ending March 30, 1824.
During the same period 34 were discharged, and
10 died. March 30, 1824, there w^ere in the
almshouse 40 persons, viz., 11 men, 16 women, 5
girls, and 8 boys. In the winter of 1823-4, 93
loads of wood were distributed from this institu-
tion among the poor of the town.*
April 21, 1701, a piece of land about 100 feet
square, lying within the present bounds of the
village of Brooklyn, was sold far £75, " current
money of the Province of ISTew York." 1720, a
dwelling-house and lot of ground, containing 62
feet front, 61 feet rear, and 111 feet deep, near
the ferry, on the north-east side of what is now
called Fulton street, sold for £260, '' current
money of New York." In the year 1784, all the
property owned by the Corporation of the City of
* The town is now erecting a very neat building for an
almshouse, on the property lately purchased from Leffert
Lefferts, Esq.
396 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF EKOOKLTN.
New York in this town was assessed at £365,
New York currency, which property is now
worth $50,000 at the lowest calculation.
August 30,1701, John Bybon sold to Cornelius
Yanderhove, for £37 10s, the one equal half-
part of a brew-house, situate at Bedford, in the
town of Brookland, fronting the highway leading
from Bedford to Cripplebush ; together with one
equal half- part of all the brewing vessels, &c.
In 1685, a windmill was erected in this town
by John Yannise and Peter Hendricks, for
Michael Ilainell. There is a great reason to be-
lieve that this was the first mill erected in this
town. August 19, 1689, an agreement was en-
tered into between Cornelius Seberingh, of
Brookland, and John Marsh, of East Jersey,
relative to building a watermill on Graver's
kill, in this town. At present there are in this
town seven watermills and two windmills. From
February 16, 1823, to February 15, 1824, 5,825
barrels of superfine flour, 260 barrels of fine flour,
and 124 hogsheads of cornmeal were inspected in
this county. The most, if not all, of which flour
and meal was manufactured at the mills in this
place.
May, 1661, Charles Debevoise was recom-
mended by Governor Stuyvesant as a suitable
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLMASTEES. 397
person for schoolmaster of this town, and also for
clerk and sexton of the church, who was employ-
ed and received a good salary.
Immediately previous to the Revolutionary war,
that part of the town of Brooklyn which is now
comprised in the bounds of tlie village, and for
some distance without those bounds, supported
but one school of nineteen scholars, five of whom
were out of the family of Mr. Andrew Patchen.
The school-house was situated on the hill, on
property which was then owned by Israel IIoi-s-
field, but now belongs to the heirs of Carey
Ludlow, deceased. The teacher was Benjamin
Brown, a staunch whig from Connecticut.
District School, No, 1. — This school was or-
ganized at a public meeting held January 2,
1816, at which meeting Andrew Mercein, John
Seaman and Robert Snow were elected trustees,
and John Doughty clerk of the school. The
trustees were appointed a committee to ascertain
a proper site for building a school-house, and re-
port the probable expense thereof. At a meet-
ing held January 12, 1816, the trustees reported
that they could purchase four lots of ground on
Concord street, of Mr. Noah Waterbury, for $550.
The meeting thereupon resolved, that " the sum
of $2,000 should be raised by tax on the inhkbi-
tants of the said district, to purchase said lots and
398 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
to build a school-lionse thereon ; " and that in the
meantime the ^'Loisian school be the common
school of the said district;" and that "the
trustees of the district be authorized to ex-
onerate from payment of teacher's wages all
such poor and indigent persons as they shall
think proper, pursuant to the act of the legisla-
ture ; " and that " it be recommended by this
meeting, that the common school to be taught
in this district, be on the Lancastrian plan of
instruction."
In the school of this district, which includes
the village of Brooklyn, upwards of 200 children
are taught. The price of tuition does not exceed
four dollars per annum, and from that amount
down to nothing, in proportion to the abilities of
the parent. The School District No. 1, at present
contains 1,607 children between the ages of five
and fifteen years, of whom 1,157 go to the public
or private schools.
In 1821 there were eight private schools in the
village of Brooklyn.
In 1823 the town received from the State
$418.13 for the support of common schools.
The present officers connected with the com-
mon schools of the town are :
Commissioners : Jordan Coles, Robert Nichols,
Josiah Noyes.
BROOKLYN NEWSPAPEES. 399
Inspectors : Charles 1. DoTighty, Evan Beynon,
Robert Snow.
Trustees of District School Bo. 1 : "William
Cornwell, Joseph Sprague, Charles I. Doughty.
Clerk: Ralph Malbone.
Newsjpajpers,
Four newspapers have been published in this
town in the following chronological order :
June 26, 1T99. Tlie first number of The Cou-
rier and New York and Long Island Adver-
tiser^ published by Thomas Kirk, Esq. This
was the first newspaper established on Long
Island.
May 26, 1806. The first number of The Long
Island Weekly Intelligencer^ published by Messrs.
Robinson and Little.
June 1, 1809. The first number of The Long
Island Star, published by Thomas Kirk, Esq.
March 7, 1821. The first number of The Long
Island Patriot, published by Geo. L. Birch, Esq.
In the month of E^ovember, 1810, proposals
were issued by Benjamin F. Cowdrey & Co. for
establishing in Bix)oklyn a weekly newspaper, to
be entitled The Long Island Journal and
American Freeman. For some reason unknown
to the Compiler this paper was not published.
400 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
During the month of May, 1820, Erockholst
Livingston, Jun., issued proposals for publishing a
weekly newspaper in this village, to be entitled
The Long Island Hepiiblican. J^Tot meeting
with sufficient encouragement, this attempt was
abandoned.
The only two papers now in existence in this
town are The Star, published by Alden Spooner,
Esq., and The Long Island Patriot, by George
L. Birch, Esq.
Moral Character.
It is a delicate subject for a writer to treat of
the morals of a people among whom he is a
resident, lest by telling the truth too plainly, he
awaken unpleasant feelings in the breasts of some
whom perhaps he would not wish to offend. On
the other hand, if glaring faults are slightly
passed over, or palliated, it calls down on his de-
voted head all the envenomed attacks of malicious
criticism. The Compiler, however, flatters him-
self that neither will be the case in this instance.
The people of Brooklyn, it is true, cannot be
considered as rigid in religious matters as the
saints of Oliver Cromwell's army, whose very
cannon had on the inscription of " O Lord, open
thou our lips, and our mouth shall show forth thy
THE FIEE DEPARTMENT. 401
praise ! " But they are far from being irre-
ligious ; the churches are well filled, religious so-
cieties are liberally supported, vice discounten-
anced ; and for the more effectual suppression
thereof, in 1815, a society for the suppression (if
vice and immorality was formed, consisting of
many of tlie most respectable inhal)itants of the
town. By the exertions of our Sunday-school so-
cieties, attached to the different congregations, the
morals of the younger part of the community
have been greatly reformed ; and it is highly gra-
tifying to observe the improvement made in the
general morals of the town, in consequence of
their benevolent exertions.
FIKE DEPARTMENT.
Although this might with some propriety be
placed under the head of Public Institutions, the
Compiler has thought proper to make it a head of
itself ; and he hopes that the following few his-
torical facts relative to this valuable depai'tment,
may be useful to such as feel an interest in its
progression and improvement.
By an act passed by the Legislature of this
State, March 15, 17S8, '' for the better extinguish-
ing of fires in the town of Brooklyn," the number
402 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
of firemen was limited to eiglit, who were nomi-
nated and appointed by the freeholders and in-
habitants of the fire district, which was comprised
within nearly the same bounds with the present
village.
In the year 1794 the smn of £188 19^. lOcl
was raised by subscription in this town, for pur-
chasino^ a fire engine. On the 24tli March in the
following 3'ear, an act was passed by tlie legisla-
ture " for the better extinguishing of fires " in this
town ; by which act the number of firemen was
increased to thirty.
1796. The sum of £49 4:S. was raised by sub-
scription for purchasing " a suitable bell for the
use of the town of Brooklyn." This is the
present fire bell.
March 21, 1797, an act was passed by the legis-
lature " for the prevention of fires, and for regu-
latino^ the assize of bread in the town of Brook-
lyn." This act authorized the inhabitants to
choose not less than three, nor more than five
freeholders, who might from time to time make
such prudential by-laws as they judged necessary
for the prevention of fires by the burning of
chimneys, and for sweeping and otherwise cleans-
ing the same. The inhabitants accordingly met
on the second Tuesday of May, in the same year,
and appointed Messrs. Henry Stanton, John
THE ''WASHINGTON' FIRE-ENGINE. 403
Doiightj, Martin Boerum, John Yan Nostrand,
and John Fisher, to carry into effect the provisions
of the above act. In the execution of which duty
the persons so appointed ordained, that from and
after the 11th day of July, 1797, a fine of ten
shillings should be levied on each person whose
chimney should take fire through carelessness, or
be set on fire for the purpose of cleansing ; and
that " all penalties shall be received and recovered
by tlie clerk of the fire company for the time
being, if he be one of the persons so chosen ; if
not, the said persons elected shall nominate and
appoint one of their number to serve for and re-
ceive in the same maimer that the clerk is at
present authorized." From 1798 to August 6,
1806, the sum of £20 7s. was received for
chimney fines.
For a considerable length of time this town
had but one small fire engine ; they subsequently
purchased another, which was called Xo. 2.
About 1810, Ko. 3, now styled the " Franklin,"
was purchased by the inhabitants of the Fire Dis-
trict. The Fire Department of the village at
present consists of four Fire Engines (of which
three are new, namely, IN^os. 1, 2, and 4), and
a Hook and Ladder Company, viz. :
No. 1. "Washington," full complement 30
men. Foreman, Joshua Sutton.
404 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
No. 2. " Keptuiie," full complement 30 men,
Foreman, Gamaliel King,
No. 3, " Franklin," full complement 30 men,
Foreman, Jeremiah Wells.
No. 4, " Eagle," full complement 30 men, Fore-
man, George Fricke.
Hook and Ladder Company, full complement
30 men. Foreman, John Smith.
There are also in the Navy Yard, two excellent
fire engines, well manned, and which, together
witli those from New York, generously come to
our assistance whenever our place is visited by
that dreadful calamity, fire.
The receipts of the Fire Department, from
1794 to 1815, amounted to £89S 10s. Id. and
the expenditures from July 7, 1795, to November
15, 1816, amounted to £964 3s. 3d.
The office of Clerk and Treasurer of the Fire
Department of this town, was held by John
Ilicks, Esq., until 1796 ; at which time Jolm
Doughty, Esq., was appointed, and held that
office until the incorporation of the village in
1816, when he was appointed Chief Engineer of
the Fire Department of the village, which office
he held for one year. In 1817, William Furman,
Esq, was appointed Chief Engineer, and of-
ficiated in that capacity until 1821, when, on the
resignation of Mr. Furman, John Doughty, Esq.,
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 405
was again appointed, and continues to hold the
office. The present officers of the Fire Depart-
ment are :
John Doughty, Chief Engineer.
Fire Warde?is, Joseph Moser, Edward Coope,
Joseph Sprague.
April 16, 1823, an act was passed by the Legis-
lature of this State to incorporate the firemen of
this village, by the name of the " Fire Depart-
ment of the Village of Brooklyn." The act al-
lows this corporation to hold, purchase, and con-
vey any estate, real or personal, for the use of the
corporation, provided such real or personal estate
shall not at any time exceed the yearly value of
$1,000. The following officers were appointed by
the act of incorporation, viz. :
John Doughty, President.
Josliua Sutton, Yice-President.
Richard Cornwell, Secretary.
Trustees : Jeremiah Wells, Morris Simonson,
Michael Trapple, Joseph Moser, George Fricke,
Gamaliel King, Simeon Back, Parshall Wells,
George L. Birch.
The laudable object proposed by this institu-
tion is to raise a fund for the relief of widows
and children of deceased firemen.
By an amendment to the act of Incorporation
of the village of Brooklyn, passed April 9, 1824,
406 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
it is provided, " That all fines and penalties under
any bj-law of the said village, in relation to the
burning of chimneys, and for the preventing and
extinguishing of fires, and also, all fines and pen-
alties, either under such by-laws, or under any
statute of this State, in relation to the manner of
keeping and transporting gun-powder within the
said village, shall be sued for in the name of the
said Trustees (of the village of Brooklyn) by the
fire department of the said village, and when re-
covered shall be paid to the said fire department,
for theii' own use.
MISCELLANEOrS.
June 7, 1625, Sarah De Eapalje, born in this
town. Tradition says that she was the first white
child born in the colony. Her parents were
Walloons ; from whence is derived the name of
Wallaboght, or Walloons Bay, where they lived.*
She was twice married. Iler first husband
was Hans Hanse Bergen, by wliom she had six
children, viz. Michael Hanse, Joris Hanse, Jan
* The first settlement in tMs town was made by George
Jansen De Rapalje, the father of Sarah, in 1625, on the farm
which is now owned by the family of the Schencks at the
WaUaboght.
TKANSPORTATION OF WHEAT. 407
Hanse, Jacob Ilanse, BrechjeHanse, and Marytje
Hanse. Her second husband was Tennis Gnys-
bertse Bogart, by whom she also had six children,
viz. Aurtie Bogart, Antje Bogart, Neeltje Bo-
gart, AnUje Bogart, Catelyntje Bogart, and Gnys-
bert Bogart. The account of Sarah De Bapelje,
in the archives of the New York Historical So-
ciety, contains the names of the persons to whom
eleven of her children were married, and tells the
places where they settled. The twelfth, Brechje
Hanse, went to Holland.
March 1, 1665, Hendrick Lubbertson and John
Evertsen, appeared as deputies from the town of
Brooklyn, at the Assembly convened at Hemp-
stead, by order of Richard IN^icolls, Deputy
Governor under the Duke of York ; at which
assembly the code of laws called the "Duke's
laws" were adopted and published. In the
appendix marked E. will be found the address
which these deputies, together with the others,
sent to the Duke of York ; and which occa-
sioned so much excitement in the Colony at that
period.
1671, This town, with five other towns in the
West Biding of Yorkshire upon Long Island,
petitioned the Court of Sessions " for liberty to
transporte wheate," which petition was referred
to the Governor.
408 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BEOOKLTN.
1687. The Clerk's office of Kings Comity was
kept in this town, by the Depntj Register, Jacob
Yandewater, who was also a Notary Public in
this town at the same period. The Register,
Samuel Bayard, Esq., resided in the city of New
York.
About the year 1691, there was a custom prev-
alent in this town of calling a widow the " last
wife of her deceased husband," and a widower
" the last man " of his deceased wife.
The following is an Inventory of the estate
which a bride in this town brought with her to
her husband in the year 1691. The husband by
various records appears to have been a man of
considerable wealth ; notwithstanding which, the
following inventory was thought by both of them
of sufficient importance to merit being recorded,
viz.
" A half worn bed, pillow, 2 cushions of
ticking with feathers, one rug, 4 sheets, 4
cushion covers, 2 iron pots, 3 pewter dishes,
1 pewter bason, 1 iron roaster, 1 schuryn spoon,
2 cowes about five yeares old, 1 case or cupboard,
1 table."
November 12, 1695, the Court of Sessions for
Kings County, ordered that the Constable of this
town, " shall on Sunday or Sabbathday take law
king's county coukt house. 409
for the apprehending of all Sabbath breakers,"
and '^search all ale houses, taverns, and other
suspected places for all prophaners and breakers
of the Sabbath daye," and bring thcni before a
Justice of the Peace to be dealt with according to
law. This was to be done by the Constable un-
der the penalty of six shillings for each neglect
or default.
The same Court also made an order, " that Mad
James be kept by Kings County in general, and
that the deacons of each towne within the said
county doe forthwith meet togetlier and consider
about their propercons for maintainence of said
James." This is the first instance which has
come to the Compiler's knowledge of tlie Court
making an order for the county generally to sup-
port a pauper.
In the year 1758, the sum of £122 18s. 7d. was
assessed in two assessments, by the Justices of the
Peace, on this town, towards building " a new
Court house and gaol " for Kings County. The
whole amount assessed on the County was £41:8
4s. Id.
The present Court house of Kings County, was
built by contract in the year 1792, at an expense
of $2944.71, under the superintendance of John
Vanderbilt, Johannes E. Lott, and Charles
Doughty, Esq'rs. The contractor was Thomas
18
410 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
Fardon, and plans were furnished for the build-
ing by Messrs. Stanton and Newton, and James
E-obertson.*
* In 1700 the Court House was let to James Simson for
one year, at £3 "in money." In this agreement, "the
Justices reserved for themselves the Chamber in the said
house, called the Court Chamber, at the time of their pub-
lique Sessions, Courts of Common Pleas, and private meet-
ings ; as also the room called the prison for the use of the
Sheriff if he hath occasion for it."
APPENDIX.
A.
Deed from 'William liorris and wife to the
Corjporation of New-Yorh,
This Indenture made the twelfth day of Oc-
tober, in the sixth year of the reign of our Sov-
ereign Lord and Lady William and Mar}^, by the
grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and
Ireland, King and Queen, defenders of the faith,
&c. and in the year of our Lord one thousand
six hundred and ninety-four, between William
Morris, now of the ferry, in the bounds of the
town of Bi-euchlen, in Kings County, on Long-
Island, Gentleman, and Kebecca his wife of the
one part, and the Mayor, Aldermen, and Com-
monalty of the City of Kew York, of the other
part, Witnesseth, that the said William Morris,
by and with the consent of Rebecca his said wife,
testified by her being a party to the sealing and
delivery of these presents, for, and in consider-
ation of a certain sum of good and lawful money
412 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BKOOKLYN.
to him, at and before the sealhio- and delivery
liereof, by the said Mayor, Aldermen, and Com-
monalty, in hand well and trul}^ paid, the receipt
whereof he the said William Morris doth hereby
acknowledge, and thereof and therefrom and of
and from all and every part thereof, he doth
hereby, acqnit, exonerate and discharge the said
Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty, and their
successors forever, hath granted, bargained, sold,
assigned, conveyed and confirmed, and by these
presents doth grant, bargain, sell, assign, convey
and confirm unto the said Mayor, Aldermen and
Commonalty of the said city of New York, and
their successors forever, All that messuage or
dwellino^ house and lot of p^round thereunto ad-
joining and belonging, with the appurtenances,
situate, lying and being at the ferry, in the
bounds of the town of Breucklen, in Khigs
County aforesaid, now and late in the possession
of him, the said William Morris; as also one
small house, now in the possession of one Thomas
Hock, lying in the said City of New York, over
against the ferry aforesaid. Together with all and
singular houses, barns, stables^ yards, backsides,
wharfs, easements, benefits, emoluments, heredit-
aments, and appurtenances to the same messuage
or dwelling house and premises belonging, or in
any wise appertaining, and the reversion and re-
413
versions, remainder and remainders, rents, issues,
and profits of all and singular the premisses and
the appurtenances, and all the estate, right, title,
interest, property, possession, claim and demand
of him the said William Morris and Kebecca his
said wife, of, in, unto or out of, the said messuage
or dwelling house and premises, or, of, in, unto,
or out of, all or any part or parcel thereof, and all
and singular grants, deeds, escripts, minuments,
writings and evidences, touching, relating to or
concerning the above-mentioned, to be bargained,
messuao-e or dwellino- house and all and sino^ular,
the premises with the hereditaments and appur-
tenances to the same belonging, or any part
thereof, unto the said Mayor, Aldermen and
Commonalty of the city of Xew York, aforesaid,
and their successors unto the only proper use, be-
nefit and behoof of the said Mayor, Aldermen
and Commonalty of the City of New York afore-
said, their successors and assigns forever. In
witness, &c.^
* The above deed to the Corporation of New York did not
extend to the River. January 15, 1717, Samuel Garritsen,
of Gravesend, quit-claimed to David Aersen of Brooklyn, all
his right and title to a piece of land, ' ' lying next to tho
house and land belonging to the City of New York, bounded
north-west by the River, south-east by the highway that
goes to the ferry, south-west by the house and land belong-
ing to the City of New York, and north-east by the houso
414 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
A Warra7it for enforcing the payment of a
town tax in the town of Brooklyn.
"Whereas there was an order or towne lawe bj
the ^Freeholders of the towne of Brooklyn, in
Kinoes County aforesaid, the 5th day of May,
1701, ffor constituting and appointing of Trus-
tees to defend the rights of their quondam com-
mon wood lands, and to raise a tax ffor the same
to defray the charge of that and theire towne
debts, &c. which said lawe has bin since ffurther
confirmed by said ffreeholdei-s at a towne meet-
ing at Bedford, the 11th of April, 1702, and
since approved of and confirmed by a Court of
Sessions, held at Fflatbush, in said County the
13th day of May, 1702. And whereas by virtue
of said lawe, a certaine small tax was raised on
the ffreeholders in said towne proportionably to
defray the charges aforsaid : And now upon
complaint of the said Trustees to us made, that
A. B. has refused to pay his juste and due pro-
porcon of said tax wch amounts to L\ 16s Od,
current money of New- York. These are there-
and land belonging' to the said John Rapalje, containing one
acre be the same more or less." On the 16th day of the same
month, David Aersen sold this property to Gerrit Harsura of
New York, Gunsmith, for the sum of ilOS current money of
New York.
BROOKLYN AND NEW YOKK. 415
fore in her Majesty's name, to command you to
summons A. B. personally to be and appeare be-
fore us, &c., then and there to answer C. D. E. F.
Trustees of said towne of Brooklin, in an action
of tresspass on the case, to the damage of the
said C. D. E. F. LI 16s Od, current money as
aforesaid, as it is said, and have with you then
there this precept. Given, &c.
B.
Brookland, November 14, 1Y53. A Town
meeting called by warrant of Carel Debevois,
Esq. and Jacobus Debevois, Esq. two of his Ma-
jesty's Justices for the township of Brookland, in
the County of Kings, to elect and chuse Trustees
to defend our Patent of Brookland against the
Commonalty of the City of New York. — And the
Trustees so elected and chosen by the freeholders
and inhabitants of the township of Brookland
aforesaid, are as follows: Jacobus Lefferts, Peter
Yandervoort, Jacob Pemsen, Pem Pemsen, and
Kicholas Yechte. And we the hereunder sub-
scribers behig freeholders and inhabitants of the
township of Brookland, by these presents do fully
empower and authorize the abovesaid Trustees,
Jacobus Lefferts, Peter Yandervoort, Jacob Pem-
sen, Pem Pemsen. and Nicholas Yechte, elected
416 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
and chosen by the freeholders and inhabitants of
the township of Brookland aforesaid, to defend
our patent where in any manner our liberties, pri-
vileges and rights in our patent specified is in-
croached, lessened or taken away by the Com-
monalty of the City of New- York. And that we
hereunder subscribers of the township of Brook-
land, oblige ourselves, our heirs, executors and
administrators to pay to the abovesaid Trustees,
all cost that they are at in protecting of the pro-
fits of our patent, and that money sliall be col-
lected in by the constable of our town. And
that the abovesaid Trustees do oblige themselves
to render upon oath a true account of all such
moneys they have expended in protecting or de-
fending our patent, to any person or persons, as
the hereunder subscribers shall appoint for that
purpose. And in defending our patent so that
verdict shall come in our favour, where incon:ie
of money or other profits should arise concerning
the premises, all such profits or income should be
kept towards defraying of all the necessary cost
and chai'ge of our township of Brookland, till
such time as it is altered by the majority. And
that the Trustees should have three shillings per
day for their service and no more.
^-^
JUSTICE FILKIN S LETTER. 417
C.
The Petition of VolJcert Brier.
To HIS Excellency. — The humble peticon of
Volkert Brier, inhabitant of the towne of Broock-
lancl, on the island of Nassau.
May it please 3-our Excellency your peticoner
being lined five pounds last Court of Sessions, in
Kings County for tearing an execucon directed
to him as Constable. Your peticoner being
ignorant of the crime, and not thinking it was of
force when he was out of his office, or tliat he
should have made returne of it as the lawe
directs, he being an illiterate man could not read
said execucon nor understand any thing of lawe :
humbly prays yr Excellency yt you would be
pleased to remit said fine of five pounds, yr peti-
coner being a poore man and not capaciated to
pay said fine without great damage to himself
and family. And for yr Excellecy yr peticoner
will ever pray, &c.
D.
A Letter from Justice Ffilhin to the Secretary at
Neio TorJi.
Sir, — I am in expectation of a complaint com-
ing to his Excellency by Coll. Beeckman against
18^
418 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOEXTN.
me, and that his Excellency may be rightly
informed of the matter, my humble request to
you is, that if such a thing happen, be pleased to
give liis Excellency an account thereof, which is
as follows : A Ffriday night last, the Justices of
the County and I came from his Excellency's ;
Coll. Beeckman happened to come over in the
fferry boat along with us, and as we came over
the iferry. Coll. Beeckman and we went into the
fferry house to drink a glass of wine, and being
soe in compau}^, there happened a dispute be-
tween Coll. Beeckman and myself, about his
particular order that he lately made to Mr. Ffree-
man, when he was President of the Councill,
without the consent of the Councill ; Coll. Beeck-
man stood to affirm there, before most of the
Justices of Kino;s Countv, that said order, that he
made then to Mr. Ffreeraan as President only,
was still in fforce, and that Mr. Ffreeman
should preach at Bi-oockland next Sunday
according to that order ; whereupon I said it
was not in fforce, but void and of noe effect, and
he had not in this County, any more power now
than I have, being equall in commission with him
in the general commission of the peace and one
of the quorum as well as he ; upon which he
gave me affronting words, giving me the lie and
calling me pittifull fellow, dog, rogue, rascall,
419
&c. wliich caused me, being overcome with pas-
sion, to tell him that I had a good mind to knock
him off his horse, we being both at that time get-
ting upon our horses to goe home, but that I
would not goe, I would light him at any time
with a sword. I could wish that these last words
had bin kept in, and I am troubled that I was
soe overcome with passion and inflamed with
wine. The works of these Dutch ministers is
the occasion of all our quarrells.* And this is
the truth of the matter, there was no blows
offerred, nor noe more done. Mr. Ffreeman has
preached at Broockland yesterday accordingly,
and the church doore was broke open, by whom
it is not yet knowne. Soe I beg your pardon ffor
this trouble, crave your favour in this matter, and
shall alwayes remaine.
Sir, your ffaithful and humble servant,
H. FFILKm.
* The Compiler congratulates his fellow citizens on the ex-
tinction of those national animosities which in former times
existed between the Dutch and English in this our happy
country. We may now truly ask, with Sterne, "are we not
all relations ? "
420 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
E.
The Address of the Deputies^ assemhled at
Hemjpstead.
"We the depnties duly elected from the several
towns upon Long-Island, being assembled at
Hempstead, in general meeting, by authority
derived from your royal highness unto the honor-
able Colonel Nicolls, as deputy governor, do most
humbly and thankfully acknowledge to your
royal highness, the gi-eat honor and satisfaction
we receive in our dependence upon your royal
highness according to the tenor of his sacred ma-
jesty's patent, giJ^nted the 12th day of March,
1664 ; wherein we acknowledge ourselves, our
heirs and successors forever, to be comprized to
all intents and purposes, as therein is more at
large expressed. And we do publickly and un-
animously declare our cheerful submission to all
such laws, statutes and ordinances, which are or
shall be made by virtue of authority from your
royal highness, your heirs and successors forever:
As also, that we will maintain, uphold, and de-
fend, to the utmost of our power, and peril of us,
our heirs and successors forever, all the rights,
title, and interest, granted by his sacred majesty
to your royal highness, against all pretensions or
ADDRESS OF THE DEPUTIES. 421
invasions, foreign or domestic; we being already
well assured, that, in so doing, we perforin onr
duty of allegiance to his majesty, as freeborn sub-
jects of the kingdom oi England inhabiting in
these his majesty's dominions. We do fartlier
beseech your royal highness to accept of this ad-
dress, as the first fruits in this general meeting,
for a memorial and record against us, our heirs
and successors, when we or any of them shall fail
in our duties. Lastly we beseech your royal high-
ness to take our poverties and necessities, in this
wilderness country, into speedy consideration ;
that, by constant supplies of trade, and your royal
highnesses more particular countenance of grace
to us, and protection of us, we may daily more
and more be encouraged to bestow our labors to
the improvement of these his majesty's western
dominions, under your royal highness ; for whose
health, long life, and eternal happiness, we shall
ever pray, as in duty bound.
List of the Dejputies.
New Utrecht Jaques Cortellean Younger Hope
Gravesend James Hubbard John Bowne
Flatlands Elbert Elbertsen Roeloffe Martense
Flatbush John Striker Hendrick Gucksen
Bvishwick John Steahnan Gisbert Tunis
Brooklyn Hendrick Lubbersten John Evertsen
Newtown Richard Betts John Cos
433
NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
Flushing
Jamaica
Hempstead
Oysterbay
Huntington
Brookhaven
Southold
Southampton
Easthampton
Westchester
Elias Doughty
Daniel Denton
John Hicks
John Underhill
Jonas Wood
Daniel Lane
William Wells
Thomas Topping
Thomas Baker
Edward Jessup
Richard Comhill
Thomas Benedict
Robert Jackson
Matthias Harvey
John Ketcham
Roger Barton
John Youngs
John Howell
John Stratton
Quinby
The people of Long Island considered the
language of this address as too servile for free-
men ; and were exasperated against tlie makers
of it to such a degree that the court of assizes, in
order to save the deputies from abuse, if not from
personal violence, thought it expedient, at their
meeting in October 1666, to declare that "who-
soever hereafter shall any wayes detract or speake
against any of the deputies signing the address to
his royall highnes, at the general meeting at
Hempstead, they shall bee presented to the next
court of sessions, and if the justices shall see
cause, they shall from thence bee bound over, to
the assizes, there to answer for the slander upon
plaint or information.
The deputies subsequently to the address made
to the duke of York, made one to the people, in
which they set forth their reasons for agreeing
to the code styled the duke's laws.
423
APPENDIX, 1^0. 2.
The following is a copy of the first charter by
which the corporation obtained any color of title
to the land between high and low water mark, on
the Brooklyn side.
"Anne, by the grace of God, of England, Scot-
land, France and Ireland, Queen, defender of
the Faith, (fee. To all whom these presents may
in any wise concern, sendeth greeting. AYhereas
the Ma^'or, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the
city of 'New York, by their petition to onr trusty
and well-beloved cousin Edward, Yiscount Corn-
bury,"^ our captain-general and governor-in-chief
in and over our province of New York, and ter-
ritories depending thereon in America, and Yice
* " Lord Combury came to this province in very indigent
circumstances ; hunted out of England by a host of hungry
creditors, he was bent on getting as much money as he
could squeeze out of the purses of an impoverished people."
He was infamous for his " excessive avarice, his embezzle-
ment of the public money, and his sordid refusal to pay his
private debts." Combury became so obnoxious to the in-
habitants of this province, that they sent a complaint to Eng-
land against him. The Queen, in consequence of this com-
plaint displaced him. ' ' As soon as his lordship was super-
seded, his creditors threw him into the custody of the sheriff
of New York." See Smith's History of New York. Such
was the man from whom the corporation of New York ob-
tained the rights of the town of Brooklyn.
424 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOIvLYN.
Admiral of the same, &c., preferred in council ;
therein setting forth, that they having a right
and interest, under divers antient charters and
grants, by divers former governors and com-
manders in chief of our said province of New
York,^ under our noble progenitors in a certain
ferry from the said city of New York, over the
East River, to Nassau Ishmd (alias Long Island),
and from the said island to the said city again,
and have possessed the same, and received all
the profits, benefits, and advantages thereof for
the space of fifty years and upwards ; and per-
ceiving the profits, advantages, and benefits usu-
ally issuing out of the same, to diminish, de-
crease, and fall short of what might be reason a;
* These "divers former governors," &c., are limited to
two, viz. : McoUs, who in 1665 granted them a charter, if
that may be strictly called so, which only altered their form
of government from scout, burgomasters, and schepens, to
Mayor and Aldermen, without a word about ferries or water
rights, or indeed any other matter — the original of which
paper is not in existence. There is nothing to warrant a
belief that there was a charter of any kind granted to the
corporation between Nicolls and Dongan, who is the second
of these "divers former governors," <fec., and who in 1686
granted them the ferry (as is mentioned in a former part of
this work) with an express reservation as to the rights of all
others. The charter of Dongan notwithstanding all their
pompous recitals, is the oldest they can produce, which in
any manner affects the interest of this town.
425
bly made of the same, for the want of the bounds
and limits to be extended and enlarged on the
said Island side, whereby to prevent divers per-
sons transporting themselves and goods to and
from the said Island Xassau (alias Long Island)
over the said river, without coming or landing at
the nsual and accustomed places, where the fer-
ryboats are usnally kept and appointed, to the
great loss and damage of the said city of Kew
York; have humbly pi-ayed our grant and con-
firmation under the great seal of our said pro-
vince of Xew York, of the said ferry, called the
Old Ferry, on both sides of the East Eiver for
the transporting of passengers, goods, horses and
cattle, to and from the said city, as the same is
now held and enjoyed by the said mayor, alder-
men and commonalty of the said city of Kew
York, or their under tenant, or under tenants ;
and also of all that vacant and unappropriated
land, from high w^ater mark to low water mark,
on the said Xassau Island (alias Long Island),
lying contiguous and fronting the said city of
INew York, from a certain place called the Wall-
about, unto the lied Hook, over against Xutten
Island, for the better improvement and accom-
modation of the said ferry ; with full power,
leave and license to set up, establish, maintain,
and keep one or more ferry, or ferries, for the
426 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BEOOEXTN.
ease and accommodation of all passengers and
travellers, for the transportation of themselves,
goods, horses and cattle, over the said river,
within the bounds aforesaid, as they shall see
meet and convenient, and occasion require ; and
to establish, ordain, and make bye laws, orders,
and ordinances for the due and orderly regula-
tions of the same : The which petition we being
minded to grant, Know Ye, That of our especial
grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, we
have given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and
in and by these presents, for us, our heirs and
successors, we do give, grant, ratify and confirm,
unto the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty
of the city of New York, and to their successors
and assigns, all that the said ferry, called Old
Ferry, on both sides of the East River, for the
transportation of passengers, goods, horses and
cattle, over the said river, to and from the said
city and island, as the same is now used, held
and enjo3^ed, by the said mayor, aldermen and
commonalty of the city of New York, or their
under tenant or under tenants, with all and sin-
gular the usual and accustomed ferriage, fees,
perquisites, rents, issues, profits, and other bene-
fits, and advantages whatsoever, to the said Old
Feri-y belonging, or therewith used, or thereout
arising; and also all that the aforesaid vacant
COENBUKT S CHAETER. 427
and unappropriated ground, lying and being on
tlie said Nassau Island (alias Long Island), from
high water mark to low water mark aforesaid,
contiguous and fronting the said city of Xew
York, from the aforesaid place called the "Wall-
about to Red Hook aforesaid ; that is to say,
from the east side of the Wallabout, opposite the
new dwelling house of James Bobine, to the west
side of the Ked Hook, commonly called the Fish-
ing place, with all and singular the appurten-
ances and hereditaments to the same belonging,
or in any wise of right appertaining ; together
with all and singular the rents, issues, profits,
ad^•antages, and appurtenances, w^hicli heretofore
have, now are, and which hereafter shall belong
to the said ferry, vacant land and premises,
herein before granted and confirmed, or to any
or either of them, in any wise appertaining, or
which heretofore have been, now are, and w^hich
hereafter shall belong, be used, held, received,
and enjoyed ; and all our estate, right, title and
interest, benefit and advantage, claim and de-
mand of, in or to the said ferry, vacant land and
premises, or any part or parcel thereof, and the
reversion and reversions, remainder and remain-
ders ; together with the yearly, and other rents,
revenues and profits of the premises, and of every
part and parcel thereof, except and always re-
428 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
served out of this our present grant and confirma-
tion, free liberty, leave and license to and for all
and every person or persons, inhabiting or hav-
ing plantations near the said river, by the water
side, within the limits and bounds above men-
tioned, to transport themselves, goods, horses and
cattle, over tlie said river, to and from the said
city of New York, and Nassau Island (alias Long
Ishmd) to and from their respective dwellings or
plantations, without any ferriage, or otlier ac-
count to the said ferry, hereby granted and con
firmed, to be paid or given; so always as the
said person or persons do transport themselves
only, and their own goods, in their own boats
only, and not any stranger or their goods, horses
or cattle, or in any other boat. To have and to
hold, all and singular the said ferry, vacant land
and premises, hereinbefore granted and confirm-
ed, or meant, mentioned or intended to be hereby
granted and confirmed (except as is herein before
excepted) and all and singular the rents, issues,
profits, rights, members and appurtenances, to
the same belonging, or in any wise of right ap-
j^ertaining, unto the said mayor, aldermen and
commonalty of the city of New York, and their
successors and assigns forever ; to the only pro-
per use and behoof of the said mayor, alclermen,
and commonalty of the city of New York, and
429
their successors and assigns forever ; to beholden
of US, our heirs and successors, in free and com-
mon soccage, as of our manour of East Green-
wich, in the county of Kent, within our kingdom
of England ; yielding, rendering, and paying
unto us, our heirs and successors, for the same,
yearly, at our custom house of Kew York, to our
collector and receiver general there for the time
being, at or upon the feast of the nativity of St.
Joim the Baptist, the yearly rent or sum of five
shillings, current money, of Xew York. And
we do further, of our es])ecial grace, certain
knowledge and meer motion, for us, our heirs
and successors, give and grant unto the said
mayor, aldermen and commonalty, and their suc-
cessors, full and free leave and license to set up,
estal)lish, keep, and maintain one or more ferry
or fei-ries, as they shall from time to time think
fit and convenient, within the limits and bounds
aforesaid, for the ease and accommodation of
transporting of passengers, goods, horses and cat-
tle, between the said city of Xew York and the
said island (except as is herein before excepted)
under such reasonable rates and payments as
have been usually paid and received for the
same ; or which at any time hereafter, shall be
by them established, by and with the consent
and approbation of our governor and council of
430 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
OTir said province, for the time being. * And
we do further, of our especial grace, certain
knowledge and meer motion, give and grant unto
the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty of
the city of New York, and their successors, full
and absolute power and authority, to make, or-
dain, establish, constitute and confirm, all man
ner of by-laws, orders, rules, ordinances and
directions, for the more orderly keeping, and
regularly maintaining the aforesaid ferry that
now is kept, or any ferry or ferries which shall
at any time or times hereafter be set up, estab-
lished, or kept within the bounds aforesaid, by
virtue hereof, or of, for, touching or concerning
the same (so always as the same be not contrary
to our laws of England, and of our province of
New York) and the same at all times hereafter
to put in execution, or abrogate, revoke, or
change, as they in their good discretion shall
think fit and most convenient, for the due and
orderly keeping, regulating and governing the
said ferry or ferries herein before mentioned.
And lastly, our will and pleasure is, and we
do hereby declare and grant, that these our let-
* The corporation of New York appear to have abandoned
the right of regulating the rate of ferriage very ear^y ; for
in 1717, nine years after the date of this charter, an act was
passed by the colonial legislature for that purpose.
431
ters patent, or the record thereof, in tlie secre-
tary's office of our said province of New York,
shall be good and effectual in the law, to all in-
tents and purposes whatsoever, notwithstanding
the not true and well recitintr or mentionino^
of the premises, or any part thereof, or the
limits and bounds thereof, or of any former
or other letters patents or grants whatsoever,
made or granted; or of any part thereof, by
us, or any of our progenitors, unto any person
or persons whatsoever, bodies politic or corpo-
rate,* or any law or other restraint, incertainty
or imperfection whatsoever, to the contrarj^ in
any wise notwithstanding and although express
mention of the true yearly vahie, or certainty of
the premises, or any of them, or of any other
gifts or grants by us or by any of our progeni-
tors, heretofore made to the said mayor, alder-
men, commonalty of the city of New York, in
these presents is not made, or any other matter,
cause or thing whatsoever, to the contrary there-
of in any wise notwithstanding. In testimony
whereof we have caused these our letters to be
made patent, and the seal of our said province of
New York, to our said letters patent to be af-
* This clause was undoubtedly inserted to obviate if pos-
sible the claim under the two Brooklyn patents, both of
which were many years older than this charter.
432 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
fixed, and the same to be recorded in the secre-
tary's office of our said province. Witness our
right trusty and well beloved cousin, Edward
Viscount Cornbury, captain-general and govern
or-in-chief in and over our province of New
York, aforesaid, and territories thereon depend-
ing in America, and vice admiral of the same,
&c., in council, at our Fort in New York, tlie
nineteenth day of April, in the seventh year of
our reign, Annoq. Domina, one thousand seven
hundred and eight.
CoKNBTJKr.
At the time of printing that part of this work
under the head of " Common lands and the di-
vision thereof," the Compiler was not aware of
the existence of the following proceeding relat-
ing to the division of said lands, he has therefore
placed the same in this appendix.
" At a towne meeting held this twentieth day
of Aprill, 1697, at Bedford, within the jurisdic-
tion of Brookland, in Kings County, upon the
Island of Nassau, Ilesolved by all the ffreehold-
ers of the townes of Brookland, aforesaid, that
all their common land not yet laid out or divided,
belonging to their whole patent shall be equally
divided and laid out to each freeliolders of said
towne, his just proporcon in all the common
DIVISION OF COIMMON LANDS. 433
lands abovesaid, except those tliat have but an
house and a home lott, which are only to have
but half share of the lands aforesaid. And for
the laying out of the said land, there are chosen
and appointed by the freeliolders abovesaid,
Capt. Henry Filkin, Jacobus Yanderwater, Dan-
iel Rapalje, Joris Hansen, John Darlant, and
Cornelius Yanduyne. It is further ordered that
no men within the tow^nship abovesaid, shall have
privilege to sell his part of the undivided lands
of Brookland not yet laid out, to any person liv-
ing without the township abovesaid. It is like-
wise ordered, consented to, and agreed by the
towne meeting aforesaid, that Capt. Henry Fil-
kin shall have a full share with any or all the
freeholders aforesaid, in all the common land or
woods in the whole patent of the towne of Brook-
land aforesaid, beside a half share for his home
lott ; To liave and to hold to him, his heirs and
assigns forever. It is likewise ordered, that no
person whatsoever within the common woods of
the jurisdicon of Brookland aforesaid, shall cutt
or fall any oake or chesnut saplings for firew^ood
during the space of foure years from the date
hereof upon any of the said common lands or
woods within the jurisdicon of Brookland pat-
ent, upon the penalty of six shillings in money,
for every wagon load of saplings abovesaid soe
' 19
434 NOTES ON THE TOWN OF BKOOKLYN.
cntt, besides the forfeiture of the wood or timber
soe cntt as abovesaid, the one-half thereof to the
informer, and the other half for the nse of the
poor of the towne of Brookland aforesaid.
By order of the towne meeting aforesaid, and
Justice Henry Efilkin.
Jacobus Yanderwater, Towne Clerk."
ADVERTISEMENT.
The Compiler here closes his notes, and has
only to remark, that throughout the whole of this
little work, he has been less solicitous about his
reputation as an author, than a correct compiler.
Studies of this nature are but ill calculated to
admit of a luxuriance of diction or sentiment,
and to these he has in no place aspired. His
business was to collect authentic information con-
cerning subjects at once obscure and interesting,
and in what degree he has effected this object he
leaves his readers to determine, feeling conscious
himself that however imperfectly he may have
executed his design, his only aim was the public
good.
^/i y
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440 BIBLTOGKAniY OF LONG ISLAND.
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BIBLIOGKAPHY OF LONG ISLAND. 441
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444 BIBLIOGEAPHY OF LONG ISLAND.
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18, 1831. 12mo.
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Anthologia.
Shelton, Rev. F. W. (Jam.). Two Lectures before Hun-
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Kushow property ; Tinnicum Papers ; Trollo-
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Crystalline ; Up the River ; Salander and the Dra-
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464 BIBLTOGEx\PHY OF LONG ISLA:ND.
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4to.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY OF LOXG ISLAND. 465
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12mo, pp. 252.
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L. L 1823.
Sabbath School Association & Ann. Meeting.
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4G6 r.IBLIOGKAPHY OF LONG ISLAND.
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Aug. 15, 1858. Svo, pp. 24.
Thanksgiving Ser., Nov. 29, 1860. Svo, pp.
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Ser. on Abolitionism in 1st Pres. Ch., Dec. 9,
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Vanderbilt, Jno., Jr. Masonic Oration at Br., on present-
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BIBLIOGRAPHY OF LONG ISLAND. 467
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468 BIBLIOGKAPHY OF LONG ISLAND.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY OF LONG ISLAND. 4G9
Wool worth, Rev. Aaron, D.D. Ser. at Ord. of Henry Ful-
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8vo, pp. 6. Premium Essay.
INDEX
Admiralty Court, the first, 201.
Aersen, David, 413.
Agricultural Society of Long Island,
91.
Almshouse of Brooklyn, 395.
Ammagansett, the Execution at, 60.
Andre, Major, noticed, 841.
Andros, Gov. Sir Edmund, Procla-
mation of, 219.
Arthur, John, noticed, 80.
Apples, large Orchard of, 91.
Apprentices' Library Association, the,
389.
Astor House, the, noticed, 150.
Backbone of Long Island, the, 74, 76.
Banks in Brooklvn, 388.
Baptist Church, "the first, 385.
Bari-ntse. Jan, 281.
Barry, "Old Mr.,"' noticed, 75.
Bas.sett, Rev. Dr. John, on the Tri-
bute to the Si.K Nations, 29.
Beauchamp, his Description of the
Province of New Albion, quoted, 71.
Beaver Indians, of Canada, the, 54.
Bedford, L. I., the Indian Price of,
29^.
Beeckman, Col., account of trouble
with Justice Filkin, 417.
Bellamont, Earl of. Funeral of, 161.
Benson, Egbert, noticed, 163.
Benyon, Evan, 399.
Bergt-n, Simon, 147.
Bii)Uogra^3hy of Long Island, by
Henry Onderdonk. Jr., 435.
Birch, Greor.ire L.. noticed, 400.
Blue Point Bay Oysters, Tradition of
the, 77.
Board of Health, the, 369.
Boerum, Martin, noticed, 403.
Bogart, Cornelius, noticed, 158.
Tueuis Guysbert, 285,
Boston, Mass., the Commercial Em-
porium, 212, 215.
Boundaries, differences as to the,
331.
Bowne, John, the Quaker, the Case
of, 114.
Breede Graft Ferry, the, 309.
Brier, Volkert, Petition of, 417
Brookhaven, Episcopal Chiu-ch at,
135.
Brooklyn, account of Churches in,
370.
Ancient names of, 376.
Apprentices' Library Associa-
tion, 389.
Defence of the Patent of, 415.
Moral Character of, 400.
Fire Department of. 401, 403.
The Sand Hill at. 98.
Diagram of a Portion of, 99.
Growth of, 393.
Value of Real Estate in, 395.
Indian Deed of, 290.
"Independent Meeting House"
in, 137.
Notes on the Town of, 275.
Oldest House in, 145.
The First Episcopal Church
in, 136.
The Town Government of, 363.
Village Government of, 365,
367.
Town Justices of, 365
The Almshouse of, 395.
Town Rights and Ferries, 299.
Population and Increase, 3!K).
Put in a state of Defense, 23.
Mills in. 396.
Warrant for Payment of Town
tax in, 414.
Brothertown Indians, the, 45.
Burying Grounds on Longlsland, 125.
472
INDEX.
Bushwiclc. noticed, 332.
The Two Fighting Women of,
363.
Bntterm Ik Channel, its Depth in
olden time, 73, 278.
Canal built at Mongotucksee by the
Indians, 58.
Can arse Indians, the, 15. 275.
Carll, Israel, account of his Well, 85.
Carpenter, John, noticed, 137.
Catharine Street Fen-y, 316.
Cat] in, George, noticed, 52.
Cedar Island Gut, some account of,
80.
Christ Chixrch, North Hempstead,
140.
Christmas Festivities, 253, 256.
Churches, Service of the. 174.
Foundation of, on Long Island
lUO.
Clams, petrified, found at Flatbush.
76.
Tribute of dried, 275.
Clark, Joshua. Grape Calturist, 92.
Clinton, DeWitt. Discourse of, De-
cember, 1812, 10.
Clover, spontaneous Growth of, 86.
Cobbett, William, his Residence at
Hempstead Plains, 144.
Cochran's Hotel, account of, 143.
Cold Spring Harbor, Relics of, 79.
Coles, Jordan, 398.
Collier, Jurian, 323.
Colman, John, Death of, 18.
Colman's Point, L. I., 19,
Commerce of Brooklyn, 39?.
Common Lands, the Division of, 432.
Congregational Church, first found-
ed, 100.
Connecticut Boundary, the, 172.
Constables, List of, from 1669 to
1690, 349
from 1693, 359.
Cooking Utensils and Table Service,
230.
Copley, Sir John, Paintings by, 151.
Copper in u=e among the Indians, 17.
Corchang Indians, the, 32.
Cornbury, Governor, Lord, Procla-
mation concerning Slavery, 221.
Charter of, 423.
Noticed, 133.
Cornel issen, Albert, 285.
Cornelissen, Cornelius, Testimony of,
67.
Cortielissen. Picter, 282.
Cornell, Whitehead, notiaed, 138.
Comwell, William, 399.
Corporation House, the, 153.
Cortelyou, the Family of, 148, 276.
Jacques, 334.
Peter. 319.
Couwenhoven, J<hn Van, 319.
Cowdrey. B. F., 399.
Croes, Right Rev. John, noticed,
140.
Cromweirs, Oliver, his Cannon, 400.
Cuffee. Paul, the Indian Minister, 65.
Curtenius, Samuel, Funeral Expenses
of, 160.
Cutting, William, noticed, 317.
Daman, Jan, 285.
Darmantier, Peter, 290.
Debevoise, Charles, Schoolmaster,
108, ni.
De Bry, Voyages of, 94.
De Forest, Hendricus, Printer, 124.
De Lancey, James, noticed, 302.
Delaware Indians, 12.
Denton, Daniel, his Description ol
New York, 31.
Denton, Nehemiah, 322.
Denton, Rev. Richard, noticed, 101.
De Sille, Nicasius, noticed, 104, 281,
371.
DeviFs Stepping Stones, the, 56.
Devil, the, throws Stones from Long
Island into Connecticut, 56.
Dirckse, Jooris, 282.
"Discreet Freeholders," the Five,
366.
District Schools, 398.
Divorce, one case of, 252.
Dongan. Governor, noticed, 78, 284,
424.
His Patent and Grant, 293.
Dorlant, John, 433.
Dosaris. Origin of the Name, 181.
Doughtv, Charles, noticed, 75, 145.
Charles J., 399.
John, 402.
Drought, gi-eat on Long Island, 90.
Duane, Jame.s, 91.
Duke's Laws, Troubles concernmg
the, 127.
203, 351. 407, 420.
Dunbar, Mr., the Post Rider, 241.
Dutc;h and English, Disputes be-
tween. 196.
Dutch Churches Agents of the In-
dians, 21.
Officers of the, 1814, 378.
Clergyman, the last one, 124.
Colonization of Indians, 20.
INDEX.
473
Dutch Churches, Ministers, List of,
3TH.
Mode of buildin?, 1-19.
Peace with the Indians, 66.
Precaution, IH.
Reformed Churches, founding
of, 102.
Reforiuei Churches, Members
of the, 109.
Dyre, William, l'J9.
Easter, the Celebration of, 263.
Mock Eggs of, 2()4.
Eastham, Cape Cod, Indian Villages
at, 48.
East Hampton, Church at, 101.
Burial-ground at, 156.
East India, the Trade of, 216, 217.
Education on Long Island, 169.
Eloquence of the Indians, 63.
Euej'l. Michael, 285.
English, Cowanlice of the, at the
Burning of Pieterson's
House, 68.
Defeat of the, 198.
English and Dutch, Disputes between,
196.
En,'lish Soldiers in New Yorlc. 207.
Episcopal Churches, Foundation of,
127.
Erie Tribe of Indians, 14.
Esopu-i, the Earning of. 24, 373.
European Writers, Ignorance of, on
the Subject of American Indians,
53.
Evacuation Day, the Celebration of,
269.
Everts, Jan, 285.
Family Names. Changes in, 188.
Faro, the Royal Family name of the
Montauks. 61.
Ferries between Brooklyn and New
York, 430.
Feyerston, the case of, 189.
Filkin, H., Letter from, to Secretary
of New York, 417.
Fire Bell, flrst in Brooklyn, 152.
Fire Engine, the first in Brooklyn,
402.
Fire Insurance Companies, .388.
Fire Island. Ch inges in, S3.
the Sand Baths of. 87, 88.
Fire Island (xut, some Account of, 80.
Fisher. Adiian, his Dutch Sermons,
264. • I
Fisher, John, 403. j
Five Dutch Town.s, the, 350. I
Five Nations, the, 19.
Flatbush, L. I., '-Palisadoed," 23.
the Dutch Reformed Church
at. 112. 12.5.
the Old H.use at, 144.
Accounts of, 77, 33^3.
Floyd. Niroli, noticcl, 42.
Flushing, Venerable Oaks at. 97.
Episcopal Cliuri:h at. 135.
Forfeitures, Property Sold Under,
343.
Fortifications, Account of, 93.
Fort Neck, the Battle of, 69, 93.
Fourth of July, Celebration of, 269.
Fox, George, the Quaker, Noticed, 97
116, 119.
Fox hunting. Notice for, 343.
Freeke, John C, 324.
Fulton, Robert, ol7.
Fulton Street, Condition of, 152.
Funeral Customs, 155.
great Expense of, 160.
Baked Meats, 162.
a " Respect. ible" One. 166.
a Case of Second SiAt, KiS.
Furmin, W. I., noticed, 76.
Furnier, Francis, Grape Culturist,
Garabrantse, Peter, noticed, 358.
Garlick, John, Wife of, sent to Con-
necticut for Trial as a Witch, 123.
Garretse, John. 319.
Garritsen, Simuel, 413.
Gentleman's Magazine, quoted, .52
Geritsen, Dirlc, Testimony of, 68.
Germans Sold into Slavery, 224.
Giles, Aquila, noticed, 138.
Gleaves, Mitthew, noticed, 138.
Gordon, Rev. Peter, noticed, 133.
Gowanus. the Road to, 328.
Grapes, the Cultivation of, 92.
Grant, Major, the Death of, 339.
Grave Robbing on Long Island. 1.59.
Gravesend, the Laying out of. 75.
Great South Beach, the, Account of
Changes in, 8-3. .
Act for the Preservation of, 38,
90.
Guysbert, Tuenis, 285.
Habits, Domestic, of the Dutch, 229.
HMgiman, John, Testimony of, 68.
Joseph, 319.
Hainelle, Michael, "Clerk," 283,
351.
Hale, Nuthan, noticed, 341.
Hall, Edward, 199.
474
INDEX.
Hall, Mary, Tried for Witchcraft,
123.
Ralph, Tried for Witchcraft,
123.
Hans the Boore, noticed, 180.
Hanse, Jores, noticed, 110.
Hansen Simon, 2^2.
Hanssen Jooris, 327.
Hansen, Hans. Widow of. the First
Born Christian Daughter in New
Netherland, 212.
Hansen, Hans, 286.
Harsum, Gerrit, noticed, 414.
Hawley, Rev. W. C, 385.
Head, Sir Francis, quoted, 54.
Headstones, Cost of, 155.
Heclievvelder, Narrative, quoted. 70.
Hempstead, first Church at, 100.
Episcopal Church established,
134.
Address of Deputies at, 420.
Hempstead Plains, Accounts of, 76.
Hessian Officer,Ilemains of found,375.
Hicks, Jacob, his Tradition. 31.
Jacob M., noticed, 152.
John M., noticed, 152.
Hobart, Bishop of New York. 151.
Hobart, Jeremiah, Rev., noticed, 101.
Houses, Old, noticed, 145, 149.
Horton, Azariah, Rev., Missionary to
Long Island Indians, 34, 37.
Hubbard, Rev. John, noticed, 134.
Hubbel, Richard, 45.
Hudden, Andnes, 282.
Hudson, Henry, Description of the
Canarse Indians, 16.
Huguenots, the French, 109, 120.
Hunt, J. S. T., Health Officer, 368.
Hunt, Theodosius, 316.
Hunter, Robert, Gov., noticed, 121.
Huntington, Churches at, 101.
Episcopal Church at, 135.
Huntington Gut. some Account of, 80.
Huntington West Gut, noticed, 88.
Iceland, Family Names in, 190.
Independence Day, Celebration of,
269, 270.
"Independent Meeting House" at
Brooklyn, 137.
India Goods. Auction Sales of, 216.
Indian History. 10.
Indians, their Fondness for Rum, 36.
religious Belief of the, 40.
empowered to vote, 40.
Condition of, in 1831, 47.
Results of Intermarriage with
the Whites, 52.
Indians, Policy to be pursued towards
the, 55.
Condition of, in 1827, 60.
Justice to be done to the, 72.
Slavery of the, 225.
Deed of Brooklyn, 290.
Indian Forts, 94.
Ireland, John, Rev., Account of, 139.
Iroquois, the, noticed, 12.
Invasion of the, 19.
the Power and Influence of, 25.
Irving, Washington, quoted, 228.
Jacobson, Joris. 285.
Jamaica, Churches at, 101, 126.
Grace Church incorporated at,
134.
Church Troubles at, 134.
Jansen. Peter. Testimony of, 68.
I Janse Anke, 282.
Barent, noticed, 281.
Claes, 283.
Jersey Prison Ship, 342.
Job, Elizabeth, Death of, 47.
John Buirs Talk, 57.
Johnson, Rev. Evan M., noticed,
162.
Jones, Captain, the Pirate, Tradition
of. 143.
Samuel, noticed, 10, 69, 80, 93.
"Jones Inlet," account of, 81.
Jongh, Lodewyck, 282.
Joralemon, Judge, 154.
Journeying on Long Island, 244.
Keak, L. I., or Lookout, 294.
Keeler, Isaac, 45.
Keith, Rev. George, the First Episco-
pal Minister on Long Island, 1.32.
Kieft, William, Gov., his Patent to
Jan Manje, 280; noticed, 208.
'• King, Ben," the Indian Chief, 57.
"King Charlie," the Guinea Negro,
268.
King, Gamaliel, 404.
King George III., Medallion of, 151.
" King Philip's War," fear of the, on
Long Island, 72.
Kings County, N. Y., Indians in, 15.
First Presbyterian Church in,
101.
Court House, the Buildmg of,
409.
Destruction of the King's arms
there, 362.
King's Highway, the making of, 321,
Kingston, the Burning of, 24.
Kirk, Thomas, 399.
INDEX.
475
Knickerbocker Smoking Parties, 239.
Kolichees, account of, 2'^i.
Krcsier, Martin, Burgomaster, no-
ticed, 104, 371.
Labor and Wages, Prices of, 236.
Lamberts, Thomas, 285.
Lambertsen, Jacob, Testimony of, 68.
Lefferls, Letfert, noticed, 3115.
Leisler, Governor, Unpopularity of,
64.
Lenell, Michael, Constable, 348.
Lenni-Lenapi, 12.
Leveridge, Kebecca, noticed, 252.
Leveridge, Rev. William, 101.
Lewis, John, 290.
L'Hommedieu, Ezra, noticed, 42.
Lighthouse, the first on Long Island,
149.
Linde, Pieter, noticed. 281.
Linen, extravagant Price of, 166.
Linnien Garden, bones e.xhuraed at,
97.
Liquor, pure, on Long Island, 49.
Livingston, Brockholst, noticed, 400.
Livingston Manor, Palatines settle
at, 121.
Livingston, Philip J., House of, 154.
Longevity, some cases of, 195, 279.
Long Island, ancient names of, 70,
71.
Changes in the shore of, 79.
First Settler, 93.
Battle of, 3;^9.
Long Mary, noticed, 186.
Looseley, Charles, his Lottery, 343.
his Tavern, 343.
Lott, Abraham, noticed, 312.
Lotteries, noticed, 343.
Loup Indians, 12.
Lovelace, Francis, Gov., 269.
Lucas, Elderl, 320.
Ludlow, George Duncan, the Resi-
dence of, 144.
"Mad James," the Support of, 409.
Mahas Indians, account of the De-
struction of, 50.
Malbone, Ralph, 399.
Manetta Hill, account of, 62.
Mauhansett Indians, 3.^.
Manje, Jan, Gov. Keift's Grant to,
28U.
Manners and Customs on Long Isl-
and, 195.
Marden Indians, the, 52.
Markets, EstabUshment of, 220, 387.
Prices in the, 236.
Marriage, publishing the Bans of, 251.
** Commissary of," 251.
Marriage, A Bride's Inventory, 408.
Fees, 108, .375.
Marsapeagiie Indians, the, 32.
Martin, Governor of S. C, his House,
150.
Death of his Wife, 151.
Maryland, Regiment of, at Battle of
Long island, 339.
Masonic Lodges. 388.
Maspeth ICiUs, Relics found at, 97.
Mastick Gut, account of, 88.
Mather, Cotton, description of Rev,
Mr. Denton, 101.
His Poem to Rev. Henricus
Selwyn, 105.
Matinecoc Indians, the, 32.
Matlock, Rev. John, noticed, 137.
Matowcas, Indian name of Brooklyn,
275.
Mattenwake, the ancient name of
Long Island, 70.
Methodist Episcopal Chxirch estab-
lished in Brooklyn, 137, 140, 141.
Merrikoke Indians, the, 32.
Midwoiit. the Church Window at. 111.
Military Accoutrements, ancient, 200.
Missionary work among the Indians,
39.
Modern Innovations, the ruin caused
by, 249.
Mohawk Indians, 14.
Canarse Indians, fear of the, 22.
Mohegan Indians noticed, 10.
Mongotucksee, Canal at, built by In-
dians. 58.
Mongotucksee, Indian Chief, venera-
tion of the Tribes for, 58, 60, 246.
Moutauk Indians, the, 33.
Agreement with the Whites, 41.
Emigration of the, 44.
Condition of the, in 1816, 45.
Stephen, King of the, 46.
Noticed, 246.
Montauk Town, Improvement of land
at, 43. -
Montgomery John, Governor, his
Charter, 303.
Moore, John, noticed, 240.
Moore, Rev. R. C, Sermon on the
importance of Church ilusic, 139.
Morris, Lewis, Chief Justice, noticed,
134.
Morris, William. Deed to Corporation
of New York, 411.
Names of Places, Ancient, 178.
476
INDEX.
Kames of Families, 1<S3.
ISTarragansett Indians, 45.
Nan-ows, the Indian Relics fonnd at
the, yi.
Nassau Island, see Long Island, 424.
Nehantick Indians, 45.
New England, tlie United Colonies of,
their power, 25.
Indians of, 45.
"New Mirror for Travellers," quoted,
258.
New RocheUe, N. T., Settlement of,
120.
Newspapers, 390.
Newtown, Episcopal Church at, 1^5.
New-Year's Day, Celebration of, 257,
259.
New York, the Growth of, 2C8 ; Com-
merce of, 210.
Number of Houses in 1678 and
Kibf), o91.
William Mon-is' deed to the
City of, 411.
New Y'ork Historical Society, 10.
New Y'ork Purchase, the, 801.
Nicolls, Matthias, noticed, 288.
Nicolls, Gov, Richard, his Letter to
the Duke of York, 206.
Noticed, 284. 288.
Address of People of Hemp-
stead to, 420.
Nicknames, Dutch, 185, 186, 187.
" Niggering Corn," account of, 228.
Nissaquage Indians, the, o2.
North Carolina, the Indians of, 26.
Noyes, Josiah, 398.
Nyack Indians, settlement of, 30,
2'(6.
Oak Trees, venerable ones at Flush-
ing, 97.
Occom, Samson, Rev., "overtaken by
strong drink," 35.
Noticed, 35, 40, 45, 65.
Ogilvie Rev. Dr., 151.
Old Ferry, the, 316.
Old Houses, on Long Island, 142.
Onderdonk, Henry, Ji., Bibliography
of Long Island, by, 435.
Onderdonk, Henry "U., Rector, .^82.
•Overseers of Brooklyn, the, i5 1.
Oysters, of Blue I'oint Bay, Tradition
of, 77.
Palatines, Settlements of, 121.
Paumanacke. an ancient name of
Long Island, 71.
Parties under the Tulip Tree, 236.
Patchen, Jacob, 145.
Patchogue Indians, the, 32.
Paulding, James K., quoted, 258.
Paupers, the support of, 409.
Pennowits, the Long Island Chief, 66.
Pequot Indians, 10, 45.
Peterses, Leffert, '6x2.
Pettrson, Mary, colored, 279.
Philadelphia, Pa., the Trade of, 211.
Pici.ics unrler the Tulip Tree, ^36.
Pietersen. Jocliem, Indians biu-n the
House of. 68.
Pietcrsie, Styntie, 282.
Pinokster Day, Celebration of, 266,
267, 268.
Pintard, John, noticed, 10, 69, 93.
Pirate, Capt. Jones the, 143.
Polhemus, Rev. Joannes Theodoras,
1U3.
J)eath of, 112, 370.
Poling, Charles, 151.
Poospatutk, L. I., Indians at, 47.
Porridge, Samp, 227.
Post-office, on Long Island, the, 240,
241, 248, o89.
Powers, George, noticed, 137.
Praa, Capt. Peter, his Hair pulled,
o63.
Presbyterian Churches first founded,
100, im.
See Kings County, 101.
Prison Ships, the, 341.
Public Landing Places, 319.
Public Officers, the first in Brooklyn,
345.
Public Woods, preservation of the,
325.
Punch, Dutch, a Beverage, 232.
Putnam. Gen. Israel, Headquarters
of, 146, 216.
Quakers on Long Island, 97.
Governor Stuyvesant's Treat-
ment of, 116.
See George Keith, 133.
See George Fox.
Queens Co., N. Y., Indians in, 32.
Quogue, the Journey to, 245.
Rapalje, Daniel, 110.
Jeronhnus de, 282.
Jol.n, 145.
Sarah de, Fecundity of, 406.
Religious Toleration, 117, 118.
Remsen, Henry, his Ferry, 305.
Joras, 283.
Representation, Discuasion ou the
Right of, 346.
INDEX.
477
Revolution of 177(5, Forts erected
during the, 96.
Records destroyed in the, 331.
Incidents of the, 338.
Rheumatism, a Long Island Cure for,
88.
Rhode Island gives Help to Long
Island, 198.
Sharpshooters. 200.
the "Voluntaries" of, 201.
Richardson, Marvin, noticed, 136.
Rivington's Royal Gazette, quoted,
241.
Roatls, Public and Private, 319.
Rockaway Indians, the, 32,
Rouian Catholic Cuurches, Founda-
tion of, 141.
Roukonk ima Pond, Account of, 57.
Ruin and the price of Land, 36.
Ruuiford, Count, noticed, 96.
'• Rushes,-' the Tribute of, 47.
Rnyter, Ciaes Janse, 2S3.
St. Ann's Church, Brooklyn, notices
of, 138, 139, 381.
St. George's Church, Hempstead, no-
ticed, 135.
St. James' Catholic Church, 142.
St. Mark's Church, N. Y., noticed,
109.
St. Nicholas, Festival of, 256.
St. Valentine's Day, Account of, 262.
Samp Mortars, Account of, 227.
Saud Baths of Fire Island, 87.
Sands, Joshua. notic>.'d, 138.
Santa Klaas, Festival of, 257.
Sch >ols among the Shinecoc Indians,
47.
Schools on Long Island, 169.
School Commissioners, 402.
Schoolmaster, the Dutch, 171.
Schoonmaker, Douiinie Martinus, the
last Dutch Preacher, 124.
Schout, the. of New Amsterdam, 350.
Schuyler, Gen. Philip, Funeral of,
165.
Scott, John Morin. 91.
Seaman, Jacob, noticel, 80.
St;abury, Rev. Samuel, Death of, 135.
Sebringh, Cornells, noticed, 330.
Secataug Indians, the, 32.
Second Sight, a Case of, 168.
Sellers Neck, Account of, 286, 2S7.
Sehvyn, Rev. Henricus, noticed, 104,
170.
sails for Holland, 108.
Sermons, preached in Dutch, 124.
Setaaket Indians, the, 32.
SheU Banks, the, 82.
Roads on Long Island, 97.
Shinecoc Indians, the, 33.
Six Nations, the, 15.
an independent government,
28.
Long Island Indians pay Trib-
ute to, 2'.).
Slavery in New York, 221, 224.
Slaves, Prices of, 224.
Sloughter, Gov., Interview with the
Indian Chief, 63.
Small-pox, very fatal to Indians, 50.
in Brooklyn, 277.
Smiths, the, of Long Island, 192, 195.
Smith, Christopher, Expense of hig
Pumral, 160.
John, of Suffolk Co., 42.
Wil'iam. the Historian, 91. 313.
Smith's History of New Jersey, no-
ticed, 88.
History of Virginia, quoted,
94.
Smoked Goose, 253.
Soliuus, Rev. Henricus, see Sehvyn,
104.
Cotton Mather's Poems to, 105.
noticed, 371, 373, 374.
see Selwyn.
Soo-nou-gize, or '"Tommy Jemmj',"
Ti-ial of, 27.
Southampton, the Fisheries of, 78.
first Church at, 100.
South Carolina Gazette, quoted, 24.
Spencer, Chief Justice, presides at
the Trial of Tommy Jemmy, 27.
Spooner, Alden, noticed, 400.
Sports and Amusements, 252.
Sprague, Joseph, 399.
Squaw's I.sla d, 82.
*• Squeak the Fife and beat the
Drum," 270.
Stauton, Henry, noticed, 138, 402.
Staten Island, descent of Northern
Indi ms on, 20, 347.
Steam Ferry, the first, 317.
'' Stephen," King of the Montauks,46.
Stillwell, Richard, 3:34.
Stirling, Lord. Capture of, 148.
Stonington Indians, the, 45.
Street Commissioners, 319.
Stryker, Burdett, noticed, 152.
Scuy vesant, Peter, orders Flatbush to
be •' palistidoed." 2S.
prohibits the Sale "f strong
Drink to Indians, 33.
see Selwyn, 106.
the Chapel at his Bowery, 109.
478
INDEX.
Stuyvesant, Peter, as a Politician, 116.
recommends Charles Debe-
voise, 177.
Character of, 196, 197.
noticed, 284, 371.
Suffolk Co., N. Y., Indians in, 32.
Sunday Laws, 408.
Sunday Visiting?, noticed, 2.34.
Supervisor, Election of the, 363.
Tadens, Machielle, 283.
Tea Drinking, Introduction of, 233.
Teibout, John, 174.
Temperance, G-ov. Stuyvcsant's en-
deavor with the Indians, 33.
Thomas, Rev. John, noticed. 134.
Thomson, Charles, noticed, 12.
Thompson. Abraham G., noticed, 241.
Isaac, noticed, 80.
Jonathan, noticed, 241.
Titus, Abiel, noticed, 136, 380.
Tombstones, the Expense of, 155.
" Tommy Jemmy," the Case of, 27.
Tompkins, Gov., on the Trespass on
Indian Lands, 45.
Top-knot Betty, noticed. 187.
Town Clerk, Election of the. 364.
Town Commissioners, the, 355, 357.
Tulip Tree, Account of the, 236, 237.
Tuscaroras Indians, the, 15,
Traditions of Long Island, 56.
Treat, Rev. Mr., at Eastham, Mass.,
UdaU, Richard, noticed, 80.
Underhill, Capt. John, his Battle
with the Marsapeague In-
dians, 32.
noticed, 69, 93, 199.
United States Navy Yard, Brooklyn,
276.
XJniversalists in Brooklyn, 386.
Van Beeck, M., noticed, 120.
Van Cortlandt, Stephanus. 283.
Vanderbilt. Helen, noticed, 158.
Vanderdonck on the Culture of Wine,
92.
Vander Hagen, Dr., noticed, 175.
Vandewater, Benjamin. 319, 326.
Vandewater, Jacobus " Clerk," 326,
434.
Vanduyne, Cornelius, 433.
Van Eckellen, Johannis, 171, 173,177.
Van Home, Major, the Motion of,
311.
the Vote on. 314.
Van Nostrand, John, 138, 403,
Van Rensselaer, Stephen, Patroon,
164.
Vechte, Henry Claes, Case of, 361,
377.
Veerbeeck, Paulus. 285.
Velsor, John, Account of the dig-
ging of his Well. 79.
Village Hall, the, 387.
" Vrouwen dagh," Account of, 263.
Wacombound, the Chief, Account of,
61.
Walker, Rev. Zachariah, noticed,
101.
Wall, George, noticed, 137.
Wampum, gathered at Babylon, L. I.,
8:3.
as Salary for School-teaching,
176.
the Canarse Tribute of, 276.
Waring, Henry, 147, 341.
Washington, George, Headquarters
of, 147.
the Retreat of, 340.
Water Lot Rents, 307.
Watermills in Brooklyn, 396.
Wells, Philip, Surveyor, 334.
Wells, WilUam, of Southold, 157.
West Riding of Long Island, 362.
Whale Fisheries of Long Island, 247.
Wheat, Liberty to transport, granted,
407.
Whitby Prison Ship, 341.
Whiting, Joseph, Rev., noticed, 100.
Widow, how called, 408.
Widower, Definition of the Word, 408.
Willis, "Old Dr.," noticed, 80.
Windmills in Brooklyn, 396.
Wine, manufacture of, 92.
Witchcraft, in New England, 121, 123,
Woertman, Dirck Janse. 282, '28^i.
Woman's Day, Account of, 263.
Women, two fighting, of Bush wick,
361.
Wyngaard, Lucas, his Funeral, 164.
"Young's Place," Account of the old,
142.
Young, Thomas, Nurseryman, 91.
" Yule Cleugh," the, 253.
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