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The Branch Libraries
RICHMONDTOWN BRANCH
200 Clarke Avenue
Staten Island, N.Y. 10306
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REFERENCE
HISTORY
-OF-
RICHMOND COUNTY,
(STATEN ISLAND)
NEW YORK,
From its Discovery to the Present Time.
EDITED BY
RICHARD M. BAYLES.
1 Staten Island ! the name hath a charm to the ear:
1 Fair Island of Beauty ! ' k The Gem of the Sea ! '
Let other harps sing of the scenes ever dear,
But mine, be it tuned in its praises to thee.
' Thou 'rt like a vast garden of verdure and flowers-
Spread out in the distance, enchanting to view;
With its green, shady knolls and luxuriant bowers,
Surrounded by waters of loveliest blue,"
Anon.
NEW YORK:
L. E. PRESTON & CO.
INS?.
CTrf-M .i;;~ :.M ' W -
10306
COPYRIGHT, 1887,
BY
L. E. PRESTON & CO.
rotss or j. tttu^x PROBST,
Si', H.X.
o/o%7
PREFACE.
The preparation of a history like this involves the employ-
ment of a great variety of means, drawing from a multitude of
sources. The compiler is frequently obliged to accept the
statements of others without knowing upon what data those
statements are made. The utter impossibility of any one man
being able, during the brief term of one human life, to go to
the bottom of every fact stated in a work of this kind must be too
apparent to need explanation. There are a hundred ways by
which errors may creep in. The editor can but use his best
judgment as to the reliability of the authorities upon which he
depends for statements, and his constant and most careful
vigilance in guarding against erroneous statements. This he
has done in the preparation of this work, and that vigilance has
been rendered more effective by the experience the editor has
had heretofore in the preparation of similar works in other
h'elds.
Opportunity is taken here to make expression of our gratitude
for the generous response with which requests for information
have been met by the ministers of the different churches, the
officers of different societies, and others who were in possession
of special information that was desired, in general; and we
would also make particular acknowledgment of the valuable
assistance which we have received from Dr. James Brownlee,
Alfred de Groot, James McNamee, Governor G. D. S. Trask,
Sidney F. Rawson, County Clerk C. A. Hart, School Com-
miuioner Theodore Frean, Professor N.L. Britton, the family of
the lau Gabriel P. Disosway, Dr. Arthur Hollick, Hamilton -
iv PREFACE.
Willcox, Ira K. Morris, William T. Davis and John H. Gar-
retson.
The readiness with which these gentlemen have answered the
calls of the editor for the assistance that each could give, has
encouraged him through the many weary months of labor which
the preparation of this volume has cost.
Besides all the sources of information and assistance which
have been indicated there are many others which have been laid
under contribution which we cannot mention specifically. Two
of the most important, however, cannot be justly omitted. These
are the " Annals of Staten Island," compiled by Mr. J. J.
Clute, and the note books of Prof. Charles Anthon, both of
which have been drawn upon for whatever they contained of
sufficient value and as far as the limits of this volume would
allow. The copyright of the former was purchased from the
heirs of Mr. Clute, and the note books of the latter, from a relative
in whose possession they were. These were gathered while he
was a resident of the island and a professor in Columbia Col-
lege, about 1850 to 1854, he at the time having in view the prep-
aration of a history of the island, which project he afterward
abandoned. From these note books we have obtained many
important facts which have hitherto never been published, and
we deem it especially fortunate that the books were discovered
in time for those facts to be embodied in this work.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. PAQE.
Description of Staten Island (Richmond County) 1
CHAPTER II.
NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND.
Geology. Flora of the Island. Animal Life. Indian Relics 9
CHAPTER III.
THE PERIOD OP SETTLEMENT 1609 TO 1683.
Discovery. The First Settlement and the Settlers. Conquest by the English. 38
CHAPTER IV.
THE COLONIAL PERIOD 1683 TO 1775.
Erection of Richmond County. Arrival of Huguenots. Division of Rich-
mond into Towns. The Claims of New Jersey. Patents and Land
Grants. Establishment of the Colonial Government. Administration
of Justice. The Time of the French War. Colonial Description.
' Colonial Customs. Statistics 90
CHAPTER V.
THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD 1775 TO 1783.
Events Prior to the Declaration of Independence. The Coming of Howe.
Incursions and Skirmishes. The Close of the War and the Evacuation
of New York and Staten Island. Incidents of the Revolutionary Period. 157
CHAPTER VI.
UNDER THE REPUBLIC 1783 TO 1883.
Condition at close of Revolution. Population. County Buildings. Manners
apd Customs. War of 1812. Extracts from the Records. TheMilitia.
Growth and Improvement. Earthquakes. Quarantine. The Civil
War. Some Notable Events 2.)0
CHAPTER VII.
CIVIL DIVISIONS AND CIVIL OFFICERS.
The County. The Towns. The Villages. Hon. Daniel D. Tompkins. Hon.
Erastns Brooks. Cornelius A. Hart. . . 326
VI TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII. PAGE.
CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
The Dutch Reformed Churches. The Episcopal Churches. Baptist
Churches. Methodist Churches. The Moravian Church. The Roman
Catholic Churches. The Church of the Huguenots. Unitarian Church.
Presbyterian Churches. Lutheran Churches. Y. M. C. A 349
CHAPTER IX.
EDUCATION AND LITERATURE.
The Schools of the Colonial Period. The Public Schools under the State
Government. Richmond County College. Brighton Heights Seminary.
Staten Island Academy. The Natural Science Association. News-
papers. George William Curtis. John Adams Appleton. The Smith
Family 445
CHAPTER X.
THE PROFESSIONS OF -LAW AND MEDICINE.
The Bench and Bar. Henry B. Metcalfe. Alvin C. Bradley. Tompkins
Westervelt. Lot C. Clark. Robert Christie. John and William H.
Anthon. Theodore C. Vermilye. List of Practising Attorneys. Augus-
tus Prentice. Richmond County Medical Society. I. K. Ambrose.
Herman Beyer. Alfred L. Carroll. Ephraim Clark. Alva D. Decker.
Henry S. Earl. Joseph Feeny. John L. Feeny. R. Henry Golder.
Edwin A. Hervey. George C. Hubbard. Robert M. Ames. F. E. Mar-
tindale. James J. O'Dea. S. A. Robinson. Robert Rogerson. Henry
W. Savvtelle. Samuel Russell Smith. Walker Washington, Jr. J. Wal-
ter Wood. Notes of Quarantine Superintendence, etc 469
CHAPTER XI.
OLD FAMILIES AND PROMINENT INDIVIDUALS.
Alston. Androvette. Bedell. Barnes. Samuel Ward Benedict. Read
Benedict. Bodine. W. H. J. Bodine. Blake. Bogart. Braisted.
Britton. Burbanck. Burgher, Burger. Bush. Butler. Cannon.
Christopher. Cole. Abraham Cole. William A. Cole. Colon. Con-
ner. Corsen. Cortelyou. Crips. Crocheron. Cruser. Cubberly.
George William Daley. George Henry Daley. Decker. De Groot. De
Hart. Depuy. Disosway. DuBois. Dustau. Eddy. Andrew Eddy.
Egbert. Ellis. Enyard. Fountain. Frost. Garrison. Guyon.
Hatfield. Haugh wont. Charles A. Herpich. Hillyer. Holmes.
Housman. Jacobson. Johnson. Jones. Journeay. La Forge. Lake.
Larzalere. Latourette. Lawrence. Lisk. Lockman. Manee.
James M. Manee. Mart ling. Martino. Merrill. Mersereau. Metcalfe.
Nicholas C. Miller. Morgan .'. . 497
CHAPTER XII.
OLD FAMILIES AND PROMINENT INDIVIDUALS (concluded).
Ferine. Poillon. Post. Pi-all. Aquila Rich. Alfred Z. Ross. Ryerss.
Seguine. John G. Seguine. Henry S. Seguine. Sharrott. Francis G.
Shaw. Simonson. Stilwell. Sprague. Taylor. Totten. Ephraim J.
Totten. Tyson. Van Buskirk, Van Duzer. John H. Van Clief. The
/
TABLE OF CONTENTS. vii
PAGE.
Vanderbilts. The Van Name Family. Van Pelt. Wandel Albert
Ward. Stephen Whitman. Winant. Garrett Ellis Winants. Wog-
lom. Wood. Abraham C. Wood. Jacob B. Wood. Abraham J.
Wood. Other Families. Eminent Men and Women of Staten Island . . . 563
CHAPTER XIII.
CHARITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS.
The S. R. Smith Infirmary. The Seamen's Fund and Retreat. Home for
Destitute Children of Seamen. County Poor House. Staten Island Diet
Kitchen. Cemeteries. Staten Island Water Supply Company. The
Crystal Water Works. The Sailors' Snug Harbor. The Police and Fire
Department
CHAPTER XIV.
MUTUAL ASSOCIATIONS.
Staten Island Athletic Club. Clifton Boat Qlub. Staten Island Rowing
Club. Kill Von Kull Rowing Association. Staten Island Cricket and
Base Ball Club. German Association. Grand Army of the Republic.
Masonic Societies. Odd Fellows' Lodgos. Miscellaneous Organizations. 660
CHAPTER XV.
TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC.
The Ferries. Bridge Across the Sound. The Staten Island Railroad. The
Shore Railroad. North and South Shore Railroad. The Richmond
County Railroad. The Staten Island Rapid Transit Railroad. Lewis
Henry Meyer. Eckstein Norton. Roderick W. Cameron. John Frank
Ernmons. Harry L. Horton. Reon Barnes. Orlando A. Wood 678
CHAPTER XVI.
INDUSTRIES.
Agriculture. Shipbuilding. The Oyster Interests. John Scott. Silas N.
Havens. Edward Lowrey Woodruff. Barrett, Nephews & Co. The
New York Dyeing and Printing Establishment. The Breweries. George
Bechtel. Monroe Eckstein. B. Kreischer & Sons. Jewett White Lead
Company. Silk Mill. John Irving. Linoleum Works. Paper Mill.
Plaster Mill. Dental Supplies. Other Industries 702
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PORTRAITS.
Appleton, John A 464
Barnes, Reon 699
Barry, John 430
Bechtel, Gorge 728
Benedict, l.fead 50<i
Benedict, Saiauel W 499
Bodine, W. H. J 503
Bn >ks, Erastus 342
viii TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Brownlee, James 360
Cameron, Roderick 694
CrLv Abraham 514
Cole, William A 516
Curtis, George William 456
Daley, George H 524
Eccleston, Joiu-C
Eddy, Andrew 533
Feeny, John L
Hart, Cornelius A
Havens, S. N
Herpich, Charles A ,
Horton, H. L
Irving, John 738
Kreischer, B
Lewis, John
Manee, James M
Meyer, Lewis H
Miller, N. C
Morton, Ex 693
i *-O
Prentice, Augustus *' c
-Rich, Aquilla
Eobinson, S. A
Boss, A. Z 568
Scott, John 718
Seguine, Henry S
Seguine, John G
Shaw, Francis G 573
Smith, R. Penn
Tompkins, Daniel D
Totten, E. J
Van Clief, J. H
Vanderbilt, Cornelius
Vanderbilt, Jacob H
Vanderbilt, William H
Ward, Albert
Whitman, Stephen
Winants, G. E
Wood, A. J
Wood, Orlando A
Woodruff, Edward Lowrey
VIEWS.
Old Billop House, looking toward South Amboy
The Old Billop House, Tottenville
Old British Fort
House of Isaac M. Marsh, formerly used as the Court House. .
Building formerly used as a Clerk's Office and Jail
Present Court House and Jail
The Jaques Guion House, New Dorp
Port Richmond Dutch Reformed Church
TABLE OF CONTENTS. IX
PAGE.
St. Andrew's Church, Richmond 398
St. John's Church and Rectory 400
Woodrow M. E. Church 415
Old Moravian Church and Parsonage 424
Moravian Church, New Dorp 426
" Beechlawn," Residence of Col. R. Penn Smith 467
" Tower Hill," House of L. W. Faber 468
" Tower Hill," House of Mrs. Jenny Faber 469
House of A. L. King, Clifton, N. Y 497
' ' Ravenhurst," House of Read Benedict 501
The Barne Tysen House 549
The Daniel Lake House 549
St. James Hotel, Port Richmond 630
Mt. Loretto, S. 1 641
" Arrochar," Residence of W. W. MacFarland 647
Residence of George W. White 668
Residence of James M. Davis 672
" Fox Hill," House of L. H. Meyer 690
Dining Room at Fox Hill 691
House of Ex. Norton 693
Residence of R. W. Cameron 695
" Portledge," Residence of J. F. Emmons 697
Staten Island Fancy Dyeing Works 722
The Old Staten Island Dyeing Establishment 726
House and Stables of George Bechtel 729
Fire-Brick Works of B. Kreischer & Sons 732
Residence of the late B. Kreischer 735
Residences of Charles C. and Edward B. Kreischer 736
The Irving Manufacturing Company 739
MAPS AND PLANS.
Map of Richmond County 1
Geological Map of Richmond County 9
Facsimile of Original Patent Granted to Barne Tysen in 1677 125
Plan of Christian Low Dutch Church . . 365
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HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
DESCRIPTION OF STATEN ISLAND.
(RICHMOND COUNTY )
THE first thing we know of Staten Island is its name, and
we trust it will not be considered out of place to intro-
duce our subject by an explanation of its name. Its present
form is an English rendering of the name given by rhe Dutch,
" Staaten Eylandt." Hudson gave the name, which meant the
"Island of the States," as a memorial to the states general, under
whose flag he was sailing. / By the native occupants it was
called "Aquehonga Manacknong," and sometimes " Eghqua-
hous," which was probably only a slight variation of the first
part of the former. Schoolcraft interprets "Aquehonga Ma-
nacknong," as far as the place of bad woods. The meaning of
" Eghquahous" is also interpreted the place of bad woods. It
is not easy now to see the application of such a name, unless
it was that the woods here were dense, and perhaps tilled with
tangled undergrowth, that made it difficult to move through
them in pursuit of game or to secure good aim upon it.
The Island lies in or upon New York bay, but closely drawn
to the New Jersey shore. It is separated from the latter by
Newark bay and a narrow estuary called Kill von Kull on the
north, and on the west by Staten Island sound, which is crooked
and narrow but navigable by steamboats and river craft. The
south side is washed by the waters of Raritan bay, Prince's
bay and the Atlantic ocean, while the main seaward channel
of the Hudson river flows along its eastern shore. It lies
centrally in latitude 40 34', and longitude 2 52' east from
Washington, or 74 8' west from Greenwich. The center of the
i
\
2 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
island is eleven miles southwest of New York city, one him
dred and forty-three miles south of the state capital, and one
hundred and ninety miles southwest by an air line to the
national capital.
With respect to its surrounding waters we can approve the
remarks of J. Fennimore Cooper, who in his " Water Witch"
locates a scene here. He says:
"The fine estuary which penetrates the American coast be-
tween the fortieth and forty-first degrees of latitude is formed
by the confluence of the Hudson, the Hackensack, the Passaic,
the Raritan and a multitude of smaller streams; all of which
pour their tribute into the ocean within the space named. The
Island of Nassau [Long Island] and Staten Island are happily
placed to exclude the tempests of the open sea, while the deep
and broad arms of the latter offer every desirable facility for
foreign trade and internal intercourse."
Arthur kill separates the island on the west side from the
New Jersey shore, and extends from Elizabethport to Perth
Amboy. It is the grand highway for all the local commerce of
the several ports and streams on the west side of Staten Island,
as well as the inter-state commerce passing south and west
through the Delaware and Raritan canal, which connects the
Raritan river at New Brunswick with the Delaware river at
Trenton. This canal is one of the principal links in the chain
of internal navigation of the Atlantic seaboard, and has a
tonnage amounting to about two millions annually passing
through it.
What may be said in regard to the commerce of Arthur kill
is equally true of Kill von Kull. and perhaps in a still greater
degree. The latter extends from New York bay to Newark
bay, separating the north shore of Staten Island from the New
Jersey shore at Bergen Point. Through this channel must pass
the great bulk of the commerce already mentioned and that of
Newark bay and its tributaries in addition.
Neither of the channels mentioned, however, can compare in
the importance of its commerce with that of the channel which
lies along the east side of the island. That is the gateway
through which is constantly passing the commerce of our own
great nation with all other nations of the earth. Thus we see
Staten Island is peculiarly situated, as it were in a whirlpool of
the commerce of a hemisphere.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
In passing, let ns notice the names of the bodies of water that
surround the island. The water now known as the kills was
first called by the Dutch " Het Kill van het Cul," meaning the
Kill of the Cul. The Dutch word "Kill" meant a stream or
creek, while the word "Cul," perhaps borrowed from the
French, meant a bay. Hence Kill von Kull was " the stream of
the bay," the appropriateness of which name is seen in the fact
that it connects the two bays of New York and Newark.
" Achter Cul," as Newark bay was called by the Dutch, meant
the ''Back bay." The narrow body of water known as Staten
Island sound, to which the name Arthur kill is also attached,
was perhaps regarded as only a part of the "back bay," and
so the name of the larger body, slightly corrupted, was appro-
priated to the smaller arm. A reef in the bay at the mouth of
the Kill von Kull was once frequented by seals, to which the
Dutch gave the name Robyn ; hence the name " Robyns Rift,"
which has by careless usage become " Bobbins Reef."
The shores of the island are designated with respect to the
points of the compass, as follows : The region from the Fort to
Billop's point is called the South Shore ; from the latter point
to the junction of the sound with the kills is known as the West
Side ; from the latter point (to which the name Rowland's hook
has been applied, with reference to the meadows, and De Hart's
point to the knoll of upland which overlooks it) to where the
kills meet the waters of New York bay is called the North
Shore ; and thence to the point of departure the East Side.
The shape of the island is that of an irregular triangle. The
longest line that can be drawn through it, from the extreme
northeastern to the extreme southwestern point, is a few feet
more than thirteen and a half miles ; while the longest line that
can be drawn across it, from the shore of the sound near Buck-
wheat island to the shore at the light-house near the Narrows,
is two hundred feet over seven and three fourths miles. It con-
tains about seventy-seven square miles, or 49,280 acres.
The topography of the island corresponds in general with
that of Long Island, being in the northern part hilly and stony,
and in the southern part flat and sandy. But in detail the sur-
face is more diversified. The island may justly claim attention
for the beauty of its landscapes, presenting, as they do, so many
mutations in character, through high, boldly precipitous Mid-
dletown, diversified Castleton, gently undulating Westfield,
4 HISTORY OF IM( 1IMOND COUNTY.
rolling Northtield, and low, more or less flat and marshy South-
tield. Two prominent ranges of hills extend partially across
the island, in different directions, one being near the eastern
shore and touching it at both ends. This extends from New
Brighton, on the northeastern extremity, where it reaches an
elevation of 310 feet, and sweeping inland behind Tompkinsville
and Stapleton, comes out again upon the shore of the Narrows,
with such precipitous form as to suggest the name of Clifton.
The second may be said to commence to the south and just in the
rear of West New Brighton, and extends southward, rising as
it advances, till it nearly reaches New Dorp, when it swerves
away to the westward and settles down again on the shores of
the Fresh kill. This reaches its greatest height in Toad or Todt
hill, which has an elevation of 370 feet above tide. Still farther
west it makes a prominent elevation in Richmond Hill. At
La Tourette's hill, still farther, it overlooks the village of Rich-
mond, and there you gaze far away over green, wooded, rolling
Westfield, while Fresh kill runs at its base, nearly dividing the
island in two.
To the southeast of this hilly region, which by the way may
be described as covering the northeast quarter of the island, is
a level, and probably alluvial, tract of country, composed of
upland and salt meadow extending to the ocean, where it is
designated as the south shore. To the northwest of the "hill
country" the surface is undulating, gradually declining to
level upland and salt meadows. Almost every farm in the
county is furnished with several acres of this meadow, from
which large quantities of grass are annually taken without any
expense for fertilizing or renewing.
The island is well watered with springs, some of them very
copious,*andall of them affording water of excellent quality.*
These are the sources of numerous rivulets and brooks which
irrigate the surface in all directions. At Springville, on the
western part of the island these native waters burst from the
soil in such spontaneous abundance as to suggest a name for
the locality. The water of these springs is very cold and pure. *
Their value in the arts has been discovered by the proprietors
of several large breweries and dye works as well as by the
projectors of public water works. On this subject the fol-
lowing extract from the report of investigations made in 1876
by Mr. Clarence Delafield, C. E., in regard to the available
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 5
sources of water supply for the village of New Brighton, will
be found very interesting:
" West of Port Richmond and Graniteville lies a sandy sur-
face soil; under this is an impervious clay of considerable
depth, under which again is a stratum of gravel that extends
westward under the sound into New Jersey for a long distance.
This gravel is the storage reservoir for the drainage of an im-
mense district. Springs break out at or near tide water in large
numbers in Mariners' Harbor. At Singer's factory in Eliza-
bethport, the well that furnishes the factory is sunk through
this clay stratum to the gravel, and furnishes a large volume of
water. I feel confident that an ample supply can be found in
this region for pumping.
"The geological formation is peculiar. From the Palisades
on the Hudson river, the trap rock is seen running in a south-
westerly direction, generally depressed as it passes under
Bergen hill, thence passing under Bergen Point and the Kill
von Kull, emerging at the water side of Jewett's residence,
Port Richmond, passing thence to the quarries at Graniteville,
and from there dipping under the Fresh kill, is lost sight of
until discovered on the Raritan river between Perth Amboy
and New Brunswick. West of this line lies the white and blue
clays of various depths, forming impervious strata, covering
the water bearing gravel.
"East of the line of trap described is another step of the
same rock, noticed at Bergen Point, at Gunther's residence, but
only found on the island, in digging wells just east of the Pond
road.
" Between the Pond and Mill roads there is a depression of
the rock, and wells forty feet in depth pass through a stratum
of water-proof clay into a stratum of gravel, the reservoir of
drainage of the surface above of limited area, the water rising
and falling with the rains, and often chalybeate in taste from
the deposits of hematite iron in the hills above.
" East of this line and at many points the serpentine rock
comes to the surface, and on Todt hill rises to an altitude of
about 370 feet above tide-water. Below the serpentine rock
should occur the carboniferous strata and old red sandstone,
also the Silurian rock overlaying the gneiss and granite. I be-
lieve that the serpentine rock rests upon the gneiss rock, the
usual intermediate rock being absent, and the reason for this
6 MISTORV OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
belief is that the gneiss rock of New York city is observed
dipping under the bay, rising to form Robin's Reef, and ex-
tending west to the beacon opposite Xew Brighton, probably
passing under Staten Island at the same rate of dip.
"As the result of observation of American and European
engineers, the magnesiau limestones are prolific water bearing
rocks, and the primitive gneiss liable to fissures and stratifica-
tion leading from great distances and bearing water of great
purity. The granite from its freedom from fissures or strata,
and irregular contour may form good basins, but rarely carries
water far. Geology is by no means an exact science, as far as
determining without experimental examination the probable
strata or their water bearing conditions, but the above men-
tioned conditions are an assistance in an intelligent considera-
tion of the subject now under investigation.
" I find by observation, that there is a series of admirable
springs commencing at the famous Hessian springs, near La-
fayette and Brighton avenues, below Silver lake; also the Be-
ment boiling springs, then various lesser springs, to the large
springs at the Four Corners or Constanz brewery, and so on
to the Willow brook and down to Springville. I have esti-
mated, and find the amount of water discharged is vastly in
excess of any surface drainage on the higher grounds of the
island adjacent, and am thus led to the belief that these springs
arise from the rock below, and have their source on hills far
distant."
. The climate of the island is subject to frequent and sudden
changes of temperature, but is generally more mild than that
of other localities in the same latitude farther away from the sea-
shore. The mercury varies during the year between ninety de-
grees and zero, very seldom passing either of these extremes.
The prevailing winds of winter are from the north or northwest.
In summer the south shore receives a breeze from the ocean al-
most daily, and southwest winds prevail throughout the island.
Being surrounded by salt water the island is naturally subject
to fogs, especially about the shores, though they seldom pene-
trate far into the interior. They are prevalent toward spring
and continue to occur at times until June or July and occasion-
ally at other seasons. Thunder showers in summer sometimes
suddenly arise in the north and are wafted over the island on
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. /
heavy gusts of wind, and are occasionally accompanied by a
fall of hail stones.
The island has long been celebrated for the salubrity of its
climate, except perhaps for affections of the lungs and throat.
There are few localities on the continent where the number of
instances of extreme longevity in proportion to the population
can be equalled, many of them being more than centenarians.
To show that the healthfulness of the northern part was recog-
nized we quote from an announcement in 1788 as follows: "The
healthy and clear westerly breezes on the one side, and the
thick southerly atmosphere, abstracted by a ridge of hills on
the other side, make it so healthy that it must induce gentle
men of fortune to purchase, who wish to lengthen out their
days and enjoy all the temporal happiness this life can afford."
Some very cold winters have been recorded in the climatic
history of the island. That of 1740-41 was unusually severe.
Whenever alluded to it was spoken of as the '* hard winter."
Its extraordinary severity continued from the middle of No-
vember to the end of March. Snow fell to the depth of six feet
on the level; fences were buried out of sight: domestic animals
were housed during the whole period, and many of them per-
ished: intercourse between neighbors was suspended for several
weeks; physicians were not able to reach their patients because
of the utterly impassible condition of the roads; many families
suffered for want of bread while their granaries were filled with
grain, because the mills were inaccessible; the roofs of dwell-
ings and out-buildings in many cases were crushed by the
weight of snow upon them; churches remained closed and the
dead unburied. At length a day or two of moderate weather
came and with a light, misty rain, softened the surface of the
snow, which froze hard again, and formed a solid crust suffi-
ciently firm to bear the weight of a horse. This for a time af-
forded great relief to the imprisoned people, and enabled them
to procure fuel and other necessaries. Again, the winter of
1761, beginning with January, was an exceedingly cold one,
continuing until March, meanwhile the Narrows were frozen
over. Another severe winter was that of 1768. Ten years later
brought a recurrence of climatic severity, of which the follow-
ing record, dated December 12, 1788, gives us a hint:
" The intense cold weather has, within these two days occa-
sioned the quick-silver in the weather glass to fall four degrees
8 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
lower than has been observed for the last seven years; several
ships, &c., and many lives have been lost by the monstrous
bodies of ice floating in our Bay.''
But perhaps one of the most memorable winters for its sever-
ity was that of 1779-80. The waters surrounding the island
were then firmly frozen over, so that troops, cannon and mill
rnry stores of all descriptions were conveyed hither from New
York on the ice. Sleighs were driven across the Narrows and
over New York bay on the ice. A New York paper (JRiriny-
tori's Gazette} of January W has an item saying that several
persons came from Staten Island to New York that (layover
tlic ice, and on the first day of January it records the fact that
a four-horse sleigh made the same passage.
EXPLANATION
YJy
Point of the Beach
LO Il'ER BAY.
GEOLOGICAL MAP
OF
RICHMOND CO. N.Y.
BY N. L. BRITTON.
Scale, i : 120000
CHAPTER II.
NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND.
<M'M|II-_> Fl fa of the Island. Animal Life. Indian Relics.
IN the matter of geology Staten Island presents a great
variety for so small a section of territory. For our repre-
sentations of the subject we have drawn largely upon the facts
gathered by the investigations of Dr. N. L. Britton, of Columbia
College. He tells us that within the limits of this territory we
find strata of the Archaean, Triassic. Cretaceous, Quaternary and
Modern eras, each of which will be noticed in the order of
its age.
Arclnrn n ^lin/a. True granite occurs on the shore of the
Upper bay. about four hundred feet southwest of the Tompkins-
ville steamboat landing, and directly in front of the old build
ing known as Nautilus Hall. The surface of rock exposed at
low tide is about eighty feet wide by fifty feet long: the rock
disappearing at high-water mark beneath a hill of drift some
fifteen feet in thickness. More of the same rock is exposed
about two hundred feet south of this. Elsewhere on the island
the granite is covered by newer formations. There is reason to
believe, however, that it extends in a belt of unknown width
all around the eastern edge of the main range of hills, covered
by the glacial drift and Cretaceous strata to an unknown depth,
and that the same belt continues in a southwesterly direction to
Artlmr kill, and thence across the state of New Jersey to
Trenton, where it again conies to the surface.
At the exposure at Tompkinsville before spoken of, this
granite is very coarsely crystalline in structure, and for that
reason could never be very satisfactorily employed for building
purposes. The feldspar is mainly orthoclase, occurs in large
masses, and is greatly in excess of the other two constituents;
the quartz varies in color from dark brown to nearly white;
\\-t ;tt mica there is appears to be muscovite. In places the last
\najHed mineral is absent, the rock being then a kind of peg-
10 HISTOKY OF RICHMOND rorXTY.
matite or graphic granite. No stratification is observable, but
the surface of the rock outcrop dips about fifteen degrees to the
east. Mather calls this grarJte primary, and to the best of our
present knowledge it belongs to the oldest geological formation
in Xorth America.
The magnesian rocks, serpentines, form the upper portion at
least of the main series of hills. This rock originally is sup-
posed to have been of very considerable thickness, for a large
amount must have been removed by erosion; the serpentine
area is estimated at about thirteen and a half square miles. It
is impossible to estimate accurately the present thickness, but
it is probably over one hundred feet. The most eastern exposed
boundary of the serpentine rock is marked by a series of very
sharp slopes, which are nearly continuous from Tompkinsville
to Richmond, and in some places these are as straight and
regular as they could be constructed. This regularity of the
slope is a characteristic of these hills, and is not the least
element of their beauty. It is not known how far east of the
foot of these hills the serpentine extends, but it is probably no
great distance, as the granite at Tompkinsville occurs within a
few hundred feet of it. The southern end of the ridge descends
rather gradually and is lost under the Freshkill marshes not far
from Richmond. The western boundary of the formation, or
more properly the eastern limit of the Triassic sandstone whicli
rests upon it, cannot be accurately located, as there are no out-
crops, and any attempt to designate it would be speculative
and only approximate.
The magnesian rock varies in color from light green to nearly
black, and in texture from compact to quite earthy, much of it
being fibrous. Its specific gravity is about 2.55, and ia chemi-
cal composition it is all a hydrated magnesian silicate. The
best exposures are at several places around the base of Pavilion
hill at Tompkinsville; in cuttings for streets in the village of
New Brighton; near the school house at Garretson's station; on
Meissner avenue near Richmond, and near Egbertville. The
highest point of the ridge is nearly opposite Garretson's sta-
tion, and about half way across the hills, where the elevation
measured by an aneroid barometer is four hundred and twenty
feet. Among the interesting minerals associated with the ser-
pentine rocks that have been collected at Pavilion hill and in.
NVw Brighton are compact and fibrous serpentines, marmolite,
HI>TORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. ] 1
silvery talc, apple green talc, gurhofite, dolomite, calcite and
chromite.
Near the new railroad terminus at St. George's there was
formerly an outcrop of very tough actinolite rock. This has
been covered by the filling in of the water-front at that place.
The metamorphic rocks of Staten Island are apparently a
southern continuation of those of Hoboken, N. J., and New
York island, their strike, position with regard to the other
rocks, and their composition being generally alike or nearly so.
The serpentines are supposed to have been originally highly
magnesian limestones which by metamorphic agencies were
brought in contact with highly heated carbonic acid and silica
bearing solutions, which, by removing the greater part of the
calcic carbonate and altering the magnesic carbonate to a sili-
cate, left the rocks in the condition of hydrated maguesian sili-
cates. During or at the close of this period of metamorphism,
the eastern edges of the strata were tilted up, forming an ele-
vated axis, while the extension of the formation to the west-
ward was subsequently covered by the shale and sandstone
deposited from the Triassic sea.
The true geological age of this belt of metamorphic rocks,
which runs through Staten and New York islands, extends far
northward through the New England states, where it has a
wide expansion, and has been traced southward as far as North
Carolina, is not definitely known. Perhaps of all the theories
in regard to it, that which claims it to belong to the Laurentian
age, as portions of the Highlands of New Jersey and the Adi-
rondack mountains, is the one most generally held by those
who have studied the evidences most thoroughly.
Triassic Formation. Strata of the Triassic age extend over
the parts of the island bounded by the assumed western edge
of the serpentine rocks, the submerged gneissic belt, Arthur
kill and Newark bay. This area contains about fourteen and
a half square miles. The rocks consist of red ferruginous shales
and sandstones, which dip to the northwest, and are broken
through by a dyke of diabase or trap rock. They are in part
the eastern extension of the Triassic strata that cover so large a
part of New Jersey.
The shales and sandstones are exposed in but few places and
only in small quantities. They appear on Shooter's island and
on the adjacent shore. Here the strata consist of shaly red
12 III>TORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
micaceous sandstone, which differs in no essential particular
from that so abundantly exposed in eastern New Jersey. No
fossils have hitherto been found in these rocks on Staten Island,
and the exposed surfaces are not sufficient to warrant any great
expenditure of time or labor in search for them.
The diabase ridge that disappears beneath the Kill von Kull
at Bergen Point cuts through the red sandstone of Staten Island
from Port Richmond to the Freshkill marshes, and appears as
a low, long, round-backed hill, having a general strike of south
40 degrees west, thus being nearly parallel with the serpentine.
Toward the south end its elevation is so little above that of the
sandstone that its position cannot be well distinguished. The
length of this outcrop is about five and three-quarters miles,
and its width, measuring from its assumed eastern verge to
where the sandstone covers it, has an average of less than half
a mile. Both the eastern and western boundaries, however, are
so much obscured by drift that their exact positions cannot be
determined, and the outcrop may be wider or narrower than
the most careful estimate would lead us to suppose.
The only places at which the diabase is exposed so as to be
easily studied are at and near the so-called granite quarries at
Graniteville and near Port Richmond. The rock is not a gran-
ite, but a coarsely crystalline diabase, mainly composed of
angite and triclinic feldspar, which is probably labradorite. It
has been found in well-digging within the belt that has been
indicated, extending from Port Richmond to the Fresh kill near
its junction with the sound, in the water at Linoleumville, and
in outcrops near Chelsea, on the road to Spriugville. It is
noticeable here, as in other localities, that the trap-dykes seem
to shun the exposed Archfean rocks and cling closely to the
Triassic, none being found outside of the red sandstone era.
The Cretaceous formation. This, more or less covered by
glacial and modified drift and salt meadows, extends through
all points of the island lying east and southeast of the Archaean
rocks. The area underlaid by it is therefore about twenty-eight
and a half square miles. The strata consist of beds of variously
colored clays and sands, dipping slightly to the southeast, and
having a general strike of about south 45 degrees west. They
are a direct continuation of the v ' Plastic Clay'' division of the
Cretaceous, so named by the New Jersey geologists, and lie at
the base of the formation in eastern North America.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 13
South of the terminal glacial moraine, the strata are generally
covered by a deposit of grayish yellow sand and gravel of vari-
able thickness, known as the " Yellow Drift." This is seen on
the island only in the vicinity of Tottenville, for the area lying
southeast of the moraine near New Dorp and Garretson's is cov-
ered with modified drift, imperfectly stratified. These Creta-
ceous strata of clay and sand extend eastward to Long Island,
where their extent is unknown. The clays are white, yellow,
brown or black. They appear on the surface at a number of
places, and the purer varieties have been extensively used in
the manufacture of lire-brick, drain-pipe, gas-retorts and other
refractory ware. White clays outcrop on the road just north of
Rossville, at various places south of Rossville and near
Kreischerville, along a stream near Prince's bay. They have
been noticed near Gilford's, and are said to occur at the bottom
of a well near New Dorp, and perhaps maybe found in other
localities.
The extension of this formation to the east is indicated by an
outcrop of buff-colored clay on the shore of the Lower bay
about one-half mile south of the Elm-Tree light-house. The
fact that all the pits from which clay has been taken are in the
region between Rossville and Kreischerville does not prove by
any means that clay occurs only in that neighborhood. It is
probable, on the contrary, that the beds extend with some inter-
ruptions, across the island, but are deeply covered by the drift-
hills of the moraine, and materials washed from these which
cover all the territory assumed to be underlaid by the clays,
except that portion where pits have been excavated.
Thin beds of Limonite iron ore, of limited extent are found in
terstratified with and overlaying the clays and sands. This sub-
stance frequently cements the sand and gravel, and forms a con-
glomerate of variable coarseness. Hitherto this iron ore has
not often been discovered in sufficient quantities or sufficient
purity to warrant its use in the manufacture of iron. Lignite
and pyrites are frequently found in the clay excavations. The
former substance may also be seen on the shore of Arthur kill,
near Rossville, aud in a ravine a short distance northeast of the
same village, after slides of the banks occur. It is generally
impregnated with the pyrites, and with copperas which mani-
fests itself upon exposure to the air for a little time. No fossil
leaves or shells have been found in the clays of the island,
14 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
though it is not improbable that they may be found in more
extended excavations than have been made.
As these beds are composed of fragments of quartz, mica and
clay, or decomposed feldspar, it is evident that they are the
products of the disintegration of gneissic or granitic rocks.
That they have not been formed in place, but have been de-
posited from suspension in water, is proved from their stratifi-
cation and by the assorted state of the materials composing
them. That the waters that deposited the clays were fresh, is
indicated by the absence of fossil marine organisms, arid the
presence of shells apparently allied to the modern fresh-water
genera, in the clays of New Jersey.
The Quaternary Epoch. Deposits of material brought from
the north by the ice of the glacial epoch, are found distributed
over the greater part of the island, but do not entirely over-
spread it. The most southern terminal glacial moraine crosses
the island from the Narrows to Tottenville, and is distinctly
marked by a continuous line of hills. These hills mark the
farthest southern extension of the ice-sheet, and the line along
which the glacier deposited much of its burden of boulders,
pebbles, sand and clay, which it had torn from the rocks in its
southward journey. In many places these hills have the pecu-
liar lenticular form which they assume on Long Island and in
the Eastern states. The moraine has been partially removed
by the wash of the waves from Prince's bay northward to near
the Great kills, leaving a bluff of variable height.
The glacier moved across the island in a south-southeasterly
direction. This is proved by the markings on the trap-rock
near Port Richmond, which have about that bearing. The sur-
face of this rock is also smoothed like portions of the Palisades
and Newark mountains. There are no such markings on the
serpentine rocks, because they are too soft to retain them. The
ice extended over their whole area, however, with the exception
of a small area on Todt bill, which is east of the moraine.
North and west of the morainal hills the drift is not so abund-
ant, and rarely forms hills of any considerable size. But
boulders are to be found over all this area, except when it is
covered by newer formations and the soil is often very clayey.
"Diabase of various degrees of coarseness is the most abundant
rock in the drift. This has been carried from tiie Palisades
and the Newark mountains, and probably in part from the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 15
trap-dyke on the island itself, and is found over the whole drift
area. Gneiss of various kinds, largely syenitic, is perhaps the
next most abundant rock, and occurs often in very large masses.
One of these large boulders rests directly on the top of Fort
hill, New Brighton; another along a roadside near Pleasant
Plains, and a third worthy of notice lies in a field near
Huguenot.
Moderately large boulders, both of trap and gneiss, abound
on the moraine between the Narrows and Garretson's. The
gneiss has come either from the New Jersey Highlands or from
much farther northward, and perhaps in part from New York
island. Triassic red sandstone, carried from New Jersey or
from the northwestern parts of the island, is often met with.
A specimen impregnated with copper salts was obtained from
the bluff at Prince's bay. This locality has yielded many other
interesting specimens illustrating the material brought by the
glacier. Among these may be mentioned Potsdam sandstone,
a number of rocks of Helderberg limestone, a specimen of
granite containing graphite, a cherty rock which may belong to
the Corniferous, and a conglomerate of uncertain age, but
thought to be of the Oneida epoch. A boulder of Hamilton
limestone occurs near Richmond, and a rock containing galena
was found in some excavations near New Brighton.
1 1 is evident that the ice-sheet passed entirely over the day-
beds of the Cretaceous formation in the vicinity of Rossville,
apparently without deteriorating them to any great extent.
At first sight it would appear that these soft, unconsolidated
strata would have been greatly eroded and almost entirely
removed down to the bed-rock, by such an immense mass of ice
moving over them, but although some was undoubtedly carried
away, the ice seems to have swept across the clays without cut-
ting into them very much. South and east of the drift line
(which flows in general in a course parallel with the south shore
of the island in some places running inland a mile or more for
short distances) boulders are almost entirely absent, being
chiefly found in the beds of brooks, where they have been
^carried by water since glacial times, and are never very large.
Modified drift, or material derived from the glacier, but more
or less sorted and stratified by water, may be seen on the plains
lying east of the moraine from near Gilford's to Clifton. The
soil over this area is seen in well-diggings to be imperfectly
ID HISTORY OF UICHMOXD COUNTY.
stratified, and to consist of loam and sand, with few pebbles
and fewer boulders. On Todt bill, near the moraine, there is
quite an extensive deposit of gravel colored yellow by oxide of
iron 1 , this is the pre-glacial drift, which has a greater develop-
ment farther south in New Jersey. Occasionally some stratifi-
cation may be seen in the morainal hills themselves, but these
are generally very heterogeneous in composition. Modified
drift also occurs in small quantities along the edge of the
moraine near Tottenville. The true glacial drift in this vicinity
is not thick, but generally forms a mere mantle over the Cre-
taceous strata, and was probably deposited by a local pro-
jection of ice in advance of the main glacier.
The era of the formation of limonite iron ore deposits is only
provisionally referred to the Quaternary. Their deposition is
supposed to have begun long before the glacial epoch, but since
the magnesian rocks, upon which they rest. These beds of iron
ore are found resting directly upon the serpentine or talcose
rocks at a number of places, in some of which mining has been
carried on. All the deposits have the same general character-
istics they are superficial, though sometimes covered by glacial
drift to a variable depth. The ore consists of the hydrated
sesquioxide of iron, limonite, and is either compact or quite
earthy in texture, and is associated with colorless, green and
red quartz. It has been extensively mined near Four Corners,
at several places on Todt hill and Richmond terrace, and along
the Clove road, and is known to occur at several places on the
serpentine hills. The deposits vary from a few inches up to
twenty feet or more in thickness, and their lateral extent is
limited to a few hundred feet in any direction. The Todt hill
mines are the only ones wholly uncovered by glacial drift, be-
ing east of the moraine.
These superficial deposits have probably had their origin in
the deposition of the material composing them from the waters
of thermal springs, which have come to the surface through
crevices in the serpentine. The iron in the solutions was prob-
ably in the form of the carbonate, which on reaching the sur-
face became oxidized by contact with the atmosphere, and was
thrown out of solution and deposited as the hydrated sesqui-
oxide, as we now find it. Magnetic iron sand occurs with the
limonite in one of the deposits on Todt hill. This was prob-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 17
ably washed in mechanically while the hydrated oxide was be-
ing deposited from solution.
Extensive deposits of light-colored sand, similar in character
to those found so abundantly on Bergen neck, occur along the
edges of the salt meadows on the western side of the island,
from Mariner's Harbor to near Chelsea landing, sometimes ex-
tending to a distance of one-half to three-quarters of a mile on
the upland, and thus occupying a position between the trap-
dyke and the salt meadows. The material is a fine, yellowish,
loamy sand, containing nu gravel or pebbles, but rests on the
glacial drift, and is hence of post glacial age. This sand was once
the western beach of the extensive body of salt water which
formerly occupied the basin now filled with the salt-marsh de-
posits, and which extended over all the Newark and Hacken-
sack meadows, but has now been reduced to the area of New-
ark bay. The sands of this old beach were blown inland, and
formed into dunes by the generally prevailing westerly winds.
On a windy day the manner of the formation of these dunes
may slill be plainly seen. A number of pine barren plants
have been found lodging in this sandy soil, both on the island
and on Bergen neck, and it is probable that others may be
found when more exhaustive explorations are made.
Modern Epoch. Under this head are included deposits whose
formation began at a comparatively recent period, and whose
growth still continues.
Deposits of marine alluvium or salt meadows extend over an
area of about nine and one-half square miles of the island. The
material composing them consists for the most part of partially
decomposed vegetable matter mixed with a little clay and sand.
These salt meadow areas have once been shallow bays, which have
gradually been filled up, first by the deposit of silt from their
waters and the growth of marine plants, and ultimately by the
growth and decay of grasses and rushes. This latter process is
yet in operation, and thus the salt meadows keep at about the
level of the highest tides. Their most abundant grass is the
Xpartina juncea (Willd.), while the rush is Juncus Gerardi
(Lam.), commonly known as "black grass.'' A number of
other plants contribute small amounts to the vegetable growth,
making the salt-meadow Horn quite a varied one. The most
extensive areas covered by these deposits are along New creek
and the Great kills, on the eastern shore, and from Rossville
2
-
18 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
northward along Arthur kill. The thickness of the marshes is
exceedingly variable, probably as much as thirty feet in some
places and but a few inches in others. The dried material con-
sists of decaying fibres mixed with a little clay, sand and oxide
of iron. The latter substance produces the irridescent film com-
monly seen in the marshes, and popularly supposed to be oil.
Sand beaches occur along all the shores that are directly ex-
posed to the waves. The greatest accumulations of sand are
on the shore of the Lower bay. from Clifton southward to the
so-called Point of the Beach, near Gifford's, at Seguine's point,
near Prince's bay, and at Ward's point. The point near Gif-
ford's is slowly lengthening and curving in toward the shore,
and a similar point is in process of formation at the mouth of
New creek. The accumulation of sand at Ward's point, below
Tjttenville, is also quite great. These points are produced by
the combined action of the currents of the Lower bay and the
streams flowing into it, which carry the sand along the coast
until finally it is driven up on the beaches by the waves.
Sands composed of magnetic iron ore occur with the quartz
sand, a*nd are generally found in layers of a fraction of an inch
in thickness, but an accumulation of this material to a depth
of four inches has recently been found at low water on the
beach near the Elm Tree light-house, but it contains titanium
and is not likely to be of much economic importance. All the
sands originally resulted from the disintegration of rocks, and
have been carried by water down the rivers emptying into the
bays, and have also resulted in part from the direct disintegra-
tion of the coasts.
True peat occurs in but few places on Staten Island. Some
is found in the Clove Lake swamps, in several swamps near
Richmond and Gifford's, and toward Tottenville. In one lo-
cality near Richmond the peat deposit is at least ten feet thick.
The entire southeastern shore of Staten Island is gradually
being washed away. In some places the loss is very apparent.
At the foot of New Dorp lane, near where the Elm Tree light-
house now stands, a large American elm was standing not longer
ago than 1840. The place where it grew is now beyond the end
of a dock which extends some four hundred feet into the water.
This indicates an average wasting of at least ten feet per year
from the shore. At Cedar Grove, half a mile south of this
point, there has been a loss of about three hundred and fifty
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 19
feet since 1850, which shows about the same average. At
Prince's bay the government has been obliged to build a heavy
sea wall in front of the bluff on which the light house is placed,
and a like precaution has been taken at the forts on the
Narrows.
The two causes operating to effect the wasting of the coast are
the constant abrading action of the waves and currents, and
the gradual depression of the coasts. By the course of the
prevailing currents in the Lower bay the eroded material, to-
gether with part of that brought down by the rivers, is carried
southwardly along the coast, the sands being deposited as
beaches, bars and points, while the finer, muddy part is carried
farther, and finally deposited in the deeper waters of the bay, or
out into the ocean. The land on the shore is sometimes pro-
tected by building bulkheads of stone or other substantial ma
terial, running out some hundreds of feet against the southern
part of the shore to be protected. Such bulkheads break the
force of the sand-bearing currents and cause them to drop their
burdens of sand on the north side of the obstruction, and the
waves drive it up on the shore, thus actually making land. The
other cause of the decadence of the coast is found in its gradual
depression. Prof. George H. Cook has estimated that the shores
of New Jersey and Long Island are suffering a depression of
about two feet every hundred years. Others vary this estimate
slightly, but it is agreed by all that there is a sinking of the
shores slowly but continually going on. It will be seen that if
this coast settles down to ten feet below its present level, the
greater part of the plains extending south of the moraine from
Giffords to Clifton, now the most valuable land in the county,
will be covered with salt meadows within a few hundred year>.
provided they are not sooner washed away by the action of the
currents.
We must close this interesting subject with a few words on
the economic uses to which the geological products of the island
have been applied. The limonite ore of Todt hill. Four Cor-
ners, and other places, has been used in blast furnaces in con-
nection with other more refractory ores, or has been screened,
ground and washed, to produce red ochre paint. The total
amount hitherto mined may be as great as 300.000 tons. Fire
clay is employed in the production of refractory ware, at
Kreischerville, of which mention has alreadv been made. Clavs
20 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
of glacial drift origin are used in the manufacture of common
brick near Richmond and Linoleumville. Quarries of trap rock
have been worked at Graniteville and near Port Richmond for
many years. The rock is either cut into blocks and shipped to
New York to be used for street pavements, or crushed into
small pieces and employed in Mac Adam or Telford pavements
on Staten Island. Some edifices have been constructed of this
rock, but it is not well suited for building purposes. The fibrous
serpentine rock, erroneously called asbestos, has been mined near
Tompkinsville landing, to the extent of perhaps twenty-five or
thirty tons, and used fur the purposes for which asbestos is em-
ployed. Thousands of tons of beach sand are annually taken
from the southeastern coast, and used in New York and Brook-
lyn for building purposes. In some places so much sand has
been removed that property along the shore has been seriously
damaged, by exposing roads and meadows to the action of the
waves.
The variety in the geological formation, already described,
exerts a powerful influence over the occurrence and distri-
bution of the vegetation, which is surprisingly rich in its
number of species. In 1879 Messrs. N. L. Britton and Arthur
Hollick. to whom we are indebted for the facts which we give
under this head, after three years of careful search aud study,
compiled and published a catalogue of the flowering plants
with the ferns and their allies, known to grow on Staten
Island independent of cultivation. This catalogue enumerated
1,050 species and varieties. The following year an appendix
was issued enumerating forty-six more. In 1882 the second
appendix was published containing sixty-seven additions.
A third appendix, showing forty-six more, was issued in
1885, and now the fourth appendix is found necessary, con-
taining a farther list of thirty-six species. In other words
there are at the present time 1,245 species and varieties of
wild plants known on Staten Island, which has an area of
only about fifty-nine square miles, while the entire flora
of New York state, covering an area of about 45,000
square miles, numbers only about 1,800. So that little
Richmond county is the possessor of two-thirds of the state
flora as known at the present time. About fifty of the species
were not known in the state until discovered and reported from
this county. The surprising richness, as previously stated, is
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 21
due in part to the fact that the cretaceous sands and clays
in the region around Tottenville and Kreischerville carry with
them a large number of the plants characteristic of that for-
mation in New Jersey known as the "Pine Barren" flora;
while the drift, which covers the rest of the island with a
mantle of sand, loam, gravel and " hard pan," affords a home
for many of the plants which occur to the north and up the
Hudson river valley. There are also several species which are
confined entirely to the ridge of serpentine or soapstone rock r
which forms the backbone of the island, extending from St.
George to Richmond.
The physiographic conditions are also of importance, as the
island occupies a position surrounded by salt water, besides
having several large ponds of fresh water, running streams and
perpetual springs. There are also high and dry hills, low and
wet swamps, and some artificially-made ground. The latter has
mostly been filled in with refuse, and ballast from vessels, and
through this agency about thirty of the species have been intro-
duced. The inevitable march of progress, while it has intro-
duced a few plants, mostly troublesome weeds, such as the
"pig-weed," " worm-seed," stramonium, amaranthus, and other
pests of our fields and gardens, has destroyed and crowded
out many of our native species, or completely destroyed
them in certain localities where they were formerly abundant.
The forest trees were the first to suffer, as they are in all com-
munities in which immediate gain is counted higher than ulti-
mate utility. The entire island, except on the salt marshes,
was, it is said, originally covered with a thick growth, in which
oak and chestnut predominated. In the time of the revolution,
most of this forest was cut down, and there are now but com-
paratively few trees that have seen one hundred years of growth.
The mass of the forest growth at the present time is probably
about half that age, or a little more, although there are a few
isolated examples which are noteworthy. One of the most con-
spicuous objects near Garretson's station is a huge white oak.
standing alone in the middle of a field, on the south side of the
track. In a little secluded valley t,j the north of the station is
a chestnut whose trunk measure* eighteen feet in circumference.
Tt is, so far as known, the largest tree on the island, in regard
to girth. The next largest is probably a white oak which
stands in a field at Green Ridge. Its circumference is fifteen
22 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
feet two inches, and it is a remarkable object, but its existence
is known by but few people, on account of its distance from
any road.
The willow trees at the Billop house. Tottenville, follow
next, the largest one showing a circumference of thirteen
feet seven inches. Near Court House station are two of the
finest examples of perfect symmetry in tree development to be
found anywhere. They are both white oaks. One of them,
with a circumference of eleven feet, is in a field close by the
station, and the other is in a patch of woods about a quarter of
a mile away. The latter one has a girth of eleven feet six inches,
with branches that spread for a distance of thirty or forty feet,
often almost touching the ground. A magnificent grove of
white pine formerly flourished on the hill back of Clove lake,
but within a few years it has 'been cut down. There are a few
scattered groves of these trees in other parts of the island,
notably in Westfield, and many fine specimens may still be seen
there. In a swamp at the rear of the school house at Green
Ridge are a number of elms, each averaging over eleven feet in
circumference, and there are many beautiful specimens of this
tree which have been planted, notably at New Springville.
The sycamore is undoubtedly dying out for some reason, and
probably the present generation will see its almost entire ex-
termination. Almost the only really fine example of this tree
now to be seen here is in front of a cottage on the north side of
the road between Rossville and Kreischerville. Among the
tallest trees the tulip tree will probably bear the palm. It is
seldom very large in circumference, the greatest thus far meas-
ured being under ten feet, but no tree can present a finer spec-
tacle when it is in full bloom.
The list of notable forest trees found here would not be com-
plete without the sweet gum, which was the source of a gigantic
hoax some ten years since. Its peculiar corky bark is familiar
to most people, yet certain individuals found a ready sale for
the branches in the streets of New York under the name of
" alligator wood/' A market was even found for it among the
citizens of the island, many of whom brought it back with
them as a great curiosity. The beech is abundant, and often
conspicuous for its size. Several fine examples are to be seen
standing isolated in the partially cleared land back of Clove
lake. In one limited locality the sugar maple grows, in com-
HISTORY OF IUCJIMOXD COUNTY. 23
pany with the slippery elm, but fortunately they have thus far
escaped notice. Magnolias flourish in three widely separated
localities Tottenville, Cliffords and Watchogue. The trees
have been sadly mutilated by parties who gather the flowers
for sale in Xew York, but as they grow in thick swamps they
are not likely to be entirely exterminated until the swamps are
drained and cleared. The red maple is one of the commonest
trees in the lowlands, and is very conspicuous in the autumn,
owing to the endless change in color which its foliage assumes.
They often reach a considerable size, one in a swamp at Totten-
ville being twelve feet three inches in circumference, and hol-
low, so that a person can readily get entirely within the trunk.
There are five species of dog-woods known here, but only one is
familiar to any extent as a tree. This is the Cornus ftorida (L. ),
with large conspicuous white blossoms. The others hardly ever
rise above the dignity of large shrubs or bushes. The well
known evergreen holly (Ilex opaca, Ait.) was formerly far more
abundant than it now is, although it still grows in considerable
quantity in the vicinity of Richmond and Eltingville, and small
scattered individual specimens are to be met with in nearly
every part of the island. Not far from Cliffords is a most beau-
tiful example of this tree. The main trunk is four feet six inches
in circumference, and each main branch measures two feet, ten
inches. Its height is about twenty-five feet, and' the symmetry
would be perfect except that some vandals have hacked oil'
branches on one side, presumably for Christmas greens.
The catalpu, paulownia, and locust (liobinia, Pseudaca<-< <.
L.) have all more or less escaped from cultivation and are
thoroughly established in a wild state in many places; in fart
the latter, there is good reason to believe, is native here. The
ailanthus is likewise seeding itself quite extensively and seems
likely to become a permanent feature. The two species of ash
(Fruxinus pubescens, and Fraj'iiiioi Americana) are found
sparingly throughout the island, but are mostly represented by
isolated trees. The wild cherry is every where abundant and the
cultivated one has been extensively plavted in woods and copies
through the agency of birds. Peac'a, pear and apple trees are
also frequently met with in the woods and along old fence lines
and hedge rows, where the seeds have been accidentally
dropped. The sassafras is common and well known every-
where. The hackberry, or sugarberry (Celt is o<:<:i<h nialia,
24 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
L.) is plentiful in restricted localities, notably on Kiclmiond
hill and at Tottenville. Its peculiar warty bark and insect
bitten branches always attract attention wherever seen. The
white and red mulberry may now be found in nearly all parts
of the island, distributed by birds from trees, a large part of
which were planted during the silk worm craze some years ago.
The remains of some of these plantations may yet be seen, being
all that is left of the visions of silk culture that prevailed at
the time they were planted. Many black walnut trees may yet
be seen, some of them very imposing specimens. Their near
relatives, the hickories, number five different species, common
everywhere. (Carya alba, Nutt., C. tomentosa, Nutt., C. por-
cina, Nutt,, C. amara, Nutt., and C. microcarpa, Nutt.) The
first mentioned, which is commonly known as the "shag" or
" shell bark," yields the hickory nuts of the markets. This
species is plentiful enough in certain places on the south side to
be of some economical importance. The oaks number ten dif-
ferent species. The chestnut, swamps, white and red oaks are
known everywhere, forming the bulk of the woods, but the post
oak (Quercus obtustloba, Michx. ) and black oak (Q. nigra, L. )
occur only in a few places, notably Tottenville and Watchogne.
The dwarf oak (Q. prinoid.es, Willd. ) is also restricted to the
same localities. It seldom grows more than six feet high and
appears like a thick bush. The willow oak, (Q. Pkellos, L. ), so
far as known, is represented bv a single tree, growing in ;i
swamp at Tottenville. The chestnut was formerly very abund-
ant, and is yet along Ocean terrace, but it has been laid under
such heavy contribution for fence posts and rails, telegraph and
telephone poles, railroad ties, etc., that its complete extermina-
tion in the near future seems inevitable. Hornbeam or " iron
wood" is plentiful, especially in wet places. There are three
species of birch, two of which are common and well known,
namely the black and white. The third, which is known as the red
or " river birch " (Betulanigra, L.), is very rare, only a few trees
being known, and they are on the borders of a pond near Bull's
Head. These are likel" to be destroyed very shortly, on ac-
count of certain changes now being made by the Crystal
Water Company. There are Tine willows, all common, in addi-
tion to the " weeping willow." which is so well known in culti-
vation. With the exception of the white (>'"//> aJba, L., rar.
vitelliua, Ofr. ) and the black (S. n <ra, L.), they are shrubs
HISTORY OF UK IIMOXD COUNTY. W 2.")
mostly confined to low or swampy situations. Botanically they
are known as SalLr tristis, Ait., 8. humilis, Marshall, 8. dis-
color, Muhl., S. sericea, Marshall., S.lucida, Muhl., S.fragiUs,
L., and 8. cordata, Muhl. The poplars include, besides the
well known cultivated species, the white, Lombardy, and "balm
of Gilead," three wild ones, viz.: Poptilus tremuloides, Michx.,
commonly called "aspen," P. grandidentata, Michx., and P.
JieteropJiylla, L.
There are four species of pines, all comparatively plentiful.
The pitch pine is found everywhere. The white and yellow
pines are not so common, and the "scrub," or New Jersey pine,
is found only in the neighborhood around Tottenville and
Kreischerville, excepting for a few isolated trees near Four
Corners. The cedar is very common, forming many beautiful
groves at different parts of the island. Very large specimens
are to be seen near the Billop house at Tottenville, and at
Kreischerville. Two of these trees measure respectively 5 ft.
10 in. and 5 ft. 4A in. in circumference. Only one specimen of
the juniper is known to be in existence in the county. This is
in the cedar grove at New Dorp, near the beach. Persimmons
are very common at Tottenville and Kreischerville, although
rarely met with elsewhere.
Among the shrubs and bushes are many highly ornamental
species, besides some of economic importance. The common
barberry is spreading quite rapidly, especially in the vicinity of
Tottenville, where it is a conspicuous object in the autumn, on
account of the drooping racemes of bright scarlet berries. Near
the same locality the "burning bush" (Euonymus atfajuu
pureus, Jacq.) has escaped from cultivation. The black-cap
raspberry, high bush and trailing blackberries, are in some lo-
calities abundant enough to pick for market. The English
ha \vthorne has become established in several localities, notably
along a brook at New Dorp, where there are a number of very
large bushes. Three varieties of the " shad bush " have been
found here (AmelancJiicr Canadensis, T. & G., var. But ft/
apiitm, car. oblong if olium, and var. rotundifolium.) It some-
times grows large enough to be called a tree, as is the case at
Totfenville, where there is one measuring 3 ft. 4i- in. in cir-
cumference. When in blossom this tree is a sight to behold,
appearing in the distance like a bank of snow. Unfortunately
some vandal has hacked off one of the main branches, thus
26 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
ruining its former symmetry. Small hushes are plentiful every-
where, and have attracted such attention that the florists have
introduced them successfully for shrubbery. The witch hazel
is plentifully distributed along nearly all the watercourses and
in wet locations generally. Probably the best known of all the
bushes is the "nanny berry" ( Viburnum prunlfolium, L.)
which is so abundant in a certain place near West New Brighton
that it is called " nanny berry hill." It is used successfully for
hedges, not only in rough places, but in cultivated gardens, and
should be a favorite, as it is never winter-killed like so many of
the introduced hedge plants. The "huckleberries" number six
species, besides several varieties. The one which produces the
huckleberry of the market is known as the " high " or "swamp
huckleberry," although the others are all used more or less. In
the vicinity of \Vatchogue they are abundant enough to be of
some economical importance. Kalmia Intifolia, L., better
known as the "laurel," is still quite common, especially at
Tottenville, but is too conspicuous and handsome a bush to
stand long near a thickly settled community. The Rhododen-
dron nuLi'tiitum, L., has already suffered for its beauty and has
become completely exterminated on the island, within the
memory of people now living here. The azalea seems destined
to share the same fate, although not so rapidly. It has already
disappeared from hundreds of acres where it was abundant a
few years ago. Benzoin (Lindera Benzoin. Meisner) is com-
mon along nearly all water courses. The filbert nut forms a
considerable part of the underbrush in certain places, and is
scattered along hedge rows and the borders of woods in others.
Mi/rica cerifera, L., the "wax myrtle" or "sweet bay," is
common throughout, and was formerly the source from which
the early settlers derived considerable of their tallow for candles
and other purposes by boiling the berries. The alder (Alnus
serrulata, Ait.) forms the bulk of the thick underbrush in
swamps and along the borders of fresh water. Rosa Carolina,
L., the swamp wild rose, is common in low places, and JR.
I /i<-!<la, Erhardt, is abundant in drier locations. There are five
species of sumach, including the too well known "poison ivy '
(RTius Toxicodcjnlron, L. ) They are plentifully distributed
everywhere, with the exception of the "stag's horn sumach,"
which only occurs sparingly at Tottenville, Prince's bay and
Ocean terrace.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 27
Wild grapes are represented by four species, of which the large
fox grape ( Vitis labrusca, L.) is said to be excellent for pre-
serves. It is the original stock from which the Isabella and
other cultivated varieties have sprung. V. aestipalis, Michx.
and V. cord if of la, Michx., known as "frost grapes," are com-
mon everywhere, the small black fruit being ripe laie in
autumn. The second named frequently attains a large size,
climbing to the tops of the highest trees and becoming very
thick at the base, A magnificent vine formerly grew in the
ravine near the Kellet place, measuring 1 ft. 11 in. in circum-
ference at a distance of about two feet from the ground. It was
cut in two a short time ago, apparently for mere wanton de-
struction, and all traces of it will soon be obliterated. The
"Virginia creeper" (Ampelopxix quinquefolia, Michx.) and
"bitter sweet" (Celaslrus scandens, L.) are rapidly gaining
favor as ornamental vines for houses and fences. The
autumnal tints of the first are unsurpassed by any other plant,
and the bright orange and scarlet berries of the latter remain
unchanged almost throughout the entire winter. The Chinese
honeysuckle has escaped from gardens in places and may be
seen climbing over trees and bushes, apparently perfectly at
home. Such plants no doubt started from pieces thrown out
in rubbish heaps. The wild honeysuckle or "woodbine" is
quite common and is sometimes seen in cultivation. The
"trumpet vine" is thoroughly established in fields arid along-
hedge rows from Tottenville to Prince's bay, near the beach.
Ipnmnii /niinl nrata, Meyer, sometimes called " wild potato
vine'' and " man-of-the-earth," is common at Tottenville, es-
pecially in the pine groves. The flower resembles a convolvulus,
and the root is sometimes as large as a man's arm. It is
deeply buried in the ground, however, and requires considerable
digging to extract it.
"Catbrier" is common everywhere, forming dense and im
penetrable thickets in places, affording fine cover for birds and
small animals. The few game birds and rabbits that yet remain
on the island owe their existence to this plant more than to
almost any other cause. Clematis Virginiana, L., commonly
called "clematis" and "virgin's bower," is extensively gath-
ered for household decoration in the autumn, when the bunches
of feathery tailed seeds are ripe. Another species of clematis
(C. oclirolt'iti'it, Ait. ) is abundant on Todt hill and near Rich-
28 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
mond. It is a low plant, about a foot or two in height, bearing
heads of feathery seeds similar to the first mentioned. It is one
of Staten Island's characteristic plants, as it is very rare in
other parts of the United States, being known in bnt few
localities, mostly in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Botanists
from all over the country have made trips to Staten Island to
collect specimens, and they are now contained in nearly all the
large herbaria of the land. Another plant, rare elsewhere, is the
"mouse-ear chickweed" (cerastium oblong (folium, Torr.) It
grows in company with the latter, especially on and near Todt
Hill, in the rear of the Moravian parsonage. About the latter
part of May the flowers are in full bloom, forming conspicuous
white tufts and masses. This locality will well repay a visit
at this season of the year, as "bird's foot" violets and the
delicate little "bluets" are at their best about the same time,
and all grow in luxuriance together.
" Trailing arbutus " or " Mayflower" was, and is yet, abund-
ant from Eltingville to Tottenville, near the salt water. Un-
fortunately its location is known to many people in both New
York and Brooklyn, who organize " arbutus parties " every
year and carry it away by basketfnls. There is no doubt that
the near future will see its entire extermination if the present
rate of destruction continues. It is one of the earliest flowers
to bloom in the spring, generally showing itself before April,
and sometimes during the first week in March. Other early
flowers are the " liverwort," which is common everywhere, and
the " whitlow grass " (Draba verna, L.), which is particularly
abundant at Tottenville. In the warm sandy soil of the latter
place it is sometimes in bloom during February, and may fairly
be considered as our earliest spring flower. In company with
it grows the "crane's bill (Erodium cicutarium, L. Her.). This
plant has been found in blossom there during every month of
the year, the late flowers frequently holding on throughout the
winter until the new blossoms appear in the spring. "Blood-
root" is abundant in several restricted localities, which are
fortunately not well known, and as the plant is in blossom very
early it is out of bloom and inconspicuous before people are
likely to be rambling through the woods. It grows well in the
garden and might become a favorite. The common " water
cress" has been introduced in several of the water courses and
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 29
thrives finely. Certain parties have for years been in the habit
of gathering it for sale.
The violets, so familiar to all, number twelve species and va-
rieties, all common, with the exception of Viola tricolor, L., var
arvensis. which is the immediate ancestor of our garden pansy.
A species of cactus (Opuntia vulgar is, Mill.) is common at Tot-
tenville and South beach, and also sparingly on Todt hill. It
readily bears transplanting, and is a beautiful object when in
full bloom. Dypsacus syloestris, Mill., the common " teasel,"
is thoroughly established along roadsides near Garretson's and
Bull's Head, and in the brick yards at Green Ridge. The pres-
ent plants are doubtless the offspring of those that were culti-
vated years ago when the hand-weaving of cloth was a home
industry.
It will probably surprise some people to know that the island
possesses nineteen species and varieties of ' golden rod ''and
twenty-five asters. Many of these are well worthy of cultiva-
tion, but are too common to attract more than passing attention.
In England, however, they are highly appreciated, and many
of these species may be seen there adorning the gardens.
\Yintergreen grows in certain small patches, but is not abund-
ant and does not seem to fruit very freely.
One of the most gaudy plants is undoubtedly the so-called
"painted cup" (Castilleia coccinea, Spreng ). It is very
abundant in the Clove lake swamp, but has not been found else-
where. Both the yellow and red grow side by side. Several
other rare plants make this place their home, among which
may be mentioned the "grass of Parnassus" (Parnassia Car-
oltniana, Mich x.) and the orchids Calopogonpulchellus, R. Br.,
and Pogonia ophioc/lossoides, Nutt. For many other plants,
likewise, it is a favorite spot, and has quite a reputation among
botanists as a favorite hunting ground.
The common "cranberry" is abundant in certain peat bogs
near Richmond, and appears sparingly near Clove lake. It is
likely soon to be exterminated in both localities, in the latter
owing to a rise in the level of the water, and in the former on
account of the drainage of the swamps. Its flourishing condi-
tion at Richmond suggests the possibility of utilizing the peat
bogs for its culture.
It is a noteworthy fact that nearly all our worst weeds are plants
that have been introduced and are now naturalized. Among
30 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
these may be mentioned Galinsoya parniflora, Cav., which was
unknown here a few years ago. but has already become a
nuisance in many places. Its advent is so recent that, although
very abundant, no common name has yet been given to it. The
eleven species of Chenopixraini and Amaranthiis. known as
" wormseed," "pigweed," " prince's feather," etc., are familial-
objects in all waste places, rubbish heaps, and cultivated
grounds. They are all introduced plants.
"Mistletoe" has been reported, on good authority, from
the neighborhood of Clifton, but no specimens have been pre-
served and it has not recently been found. Twenty-four species
of orchids, several very rare, are known to occur here. The
"ladies' slipper" (Cypripeduim acaule, Ait.) is the most con-
spicuous and is very abundant at Tottenville, Watchogue and
one or two other points. 'The "crane fly orchis" (Tipvlaria
discolor, Nutt.) is abundant in most of the deep woods, but is
so inconspicuous as to escape general attention. The so-called
' screw plants" belong here, of which there are four species,
two of which are worthy of mention. They occur only at
Tottenville and are not very common there. These are Spiran-
thes simplex, Gray, and S. gramivea, Lindl. -car Walter!, Gray.
The rushes and sedges number about ninety, and the grasses
about one hundred and twenty species. The ferns show
twenty-eight species, of which the rarest and least known
is probably Cystopteris frag His, Bernb. It is confined to a
little rocky valley near Egbertville. "Maiden's hair" is
everywhere abundant, as is also the common " shield
fern," which is evergreen. The " scouring rush" (Equisetum
hyemale, L.) is abundant at Tottenville on the bluff overlook-
ing Raritan bay. There are five species of "club moss" or
"lycopodium," so well known as "ground pine" and used for
Christmas decorations. They are, however, none of them suf-
ficiently abundant to be of any economical value.
The herbarium from which the original catalogue and appen-
dices were compiled is now in the possession of the Natural
Science Association, and is one of the most complete local
herbariums in the country. Lists of the lower forms of plant
life (Mosses, lichens, &c.) are in course of preparation by
different members of the Natural Science Association, but it
will take many years yet to make them complete.
Years ago the island was frequented by deer, foxes and some
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 31
other large animals, and within the last half century foxes have
been known, but none of these animals are now known to live
wild upon the island. At the time of the revolution it is said
there were plenty of foxes and raccoons, and some opossums.
Not many years after the war the last deer known to be upon
the island were shot. Forty years ago the skunk abounded,
and about that time a mink was caught in the act of making a
raid upon a poultry yard. Wolves were also among the trouble-
some animals during the early years of settlement here. The
records tell us that about the close of the seventeenth century
the county paid a premium on all wolves that were caught. An
entry before us shows that in 1698 Thomas iStillwell received
fifteen shillings for a wolf and Cornelius Tysen received one
pound for a wolf s head. Different bounties were offered for
animals of different sex and age, as was the custom in many
counties of the state. By this means those animals were soon
exterminated. The mammalia now known to the island are
weasels (least and common), mink, skunk, moles (common and
star-nosed and mole shrew), gray and flying squirrels, chipmunk,
jumping mouse, Norway rat, common, house and deer mice,
muskrat, rabbit, brown, red, hoary and silver black bats.
The following list, prepared by Mr. Arthur Hollick and his
indefatigable associates, represents that part of the bird fauna
of Staten Island which is known to have nested here within the
past fifteen years. Several species not in the list would no
doubt have been included had it been compiled a quarter of a
century ago, and there is a probability that continued careful
search will reveal others. The value of this list will be appre-
ciated by those who have noticed the gradual disappearance of
some of the island species, and the scarcity of others that were
formerly abundant. We omit the scientific names from this
list
Robin, wood thrush, In-own thrush, mocking bird, cat bird,
blue bird, tufted titmouse, chickadee, house wren, long-billed
marsh wren, short-billed marsh wren, summer yellow bird, oven
bird, Maryland yellow-throat, yellow-breasted chat, scarlet
tanager, barn swallow, white-bellied swallow, eave swallow,
cedar bird or wax-wing, red-eyed hang bird, white-eyed hang-
bird, yellow bird, sea-side finch, sharp-tailed finch, swamp
sparrow, song sparrow, chippy, field sparrow, English sparrow,
indigo bird, cardinal grosbeak, chewink. bob-o-link. cow bird.
32 HISTORY OP RICHMOND COUNTY.
red -winged blackbird, meadow lark, orchard oriole, Baltimore
oriole, crow blackbird, common crow, fish crow, blue jay, king
l>ird, great crested flycatcher, phcebe bird, peewee, least fly-
catcher, night hawk, chimney swallow, ruby-throated humming-
bird, belted kingfisher, black-billed cuckoo, yellow-billed
cuckoo, downy woodpecker, red-headed woodpecker or high-
older, golden-winged wood screech owl, sharp-shinned or pigeon
hawk, red-shouldered hawk, fish hawk or osprey, wild pigeon,
quail, woodcock, teeter-tail or peep, shytepoke, and clapper
rail or mud hen.
Coming down to the lower orders and lesser wing creatures
we have the following list of butterflies which have been
captured on the island. This has been kindly furnished us by
Mr. William T. Davis, to whose labors in this department of nat-
ural history we are indebted for its compilation. The list
though not supposed to be entirely complete comprises:
Papilionidae, Papilio Philenor, L. Papilio Asterias, F.
Papilio Troilus, L. Papilio Turnus, L. Papilio Turnus, dim.
var. Glaucus, L. Papilio Cresphontes, Cram. Pieris Protodice,
Bd-Lec. Pieris Oleracea, Bd. Pieris Rapae, L. Colias Philo-
dice, Godt. Colias Philodice, var Alba. Terias Nicippe, Cram,
common in 1880, saw none before or since. Terias Lisa, Bd.
Nymphalidae. Danais Archippus, F. Argynnis Idalin,
Drury. Argynnis Cybele, F. Argynnis Myrina, Cram. Ar-
gynnis Bellona, F. Euptoieta Claudia, Cram, one specimen,
Clove Valley, C. W. Butler. Melitaea Phaeton, Drury. Phy-
ciodes Tharos, Drury. Grapta Interrogationis, F. Grapta In-
terrogationis, var Umbrosa, Lintn. Grapta Comma, Harr.
Grapta Comma, var Dryas, Edw. Grapta Progne, Cram.
Grapta J Album, Bd. ; one specimen, New Dorp, Miss M. Brit-
ton. Vanessa Antiopa, L. Pyrameis Atalanta, L. Pyrameis
Huntera, Drury. Pyrameis Cardui, L. Junonia Laviuia, Cram.
Limenitis Ursula, F. Lirnenitis Disippus, Godt. Neonympha
Eurytris, F. Neonympha Canthus, L. Satyrus Alope, F.
Lycaenidae. Thecla Humuli, Harr. Thecla Calamis, Hiib.
Thecla Smilacis, Bd.; C. W. Leng. Thecla Henrici, Gr. Rob.
Thecla Niphon, Hiib, Watchogue. Feniseca Tarquiuius, G.
Chrysophanus Americana, D' Urban. Lycaena Pseudargiolus,
Bd-Lec. Lycaena Pseudargiolus, var Violacea, Edw. Lycaena
Pseudargiolus, var Lucia, Kirby. Lycaena Pseudargiolus, var
Neglecta, Edw. Lycaena Comyntas, Godt.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 33
Hesperidae. Ancyloxypha Numitor, F. Pampliila Massa-
soit, Scud. Pamphila Zabulon, Bd-Lec. Pamphila Zabnlon,
dim. var. Pocohonfas. Pamphila Sassacus, Scud. Pamphila
Pontiac, Edw. Pamphila Otho, var Egeremet. Pampliila
Peckius, Kirby. Pamphila Mystic, Edw. Pamphila Cernes,
Bd-Lec. Pamphila Metacomet, Harr. Pamphila Verna, Edw.
Pyrgns Tessellata, Scud. Thanaos Brizo, Bd. Thanaos Juven-
alis, F. Pholisora Catullus, Cram. Eudamus Pylades, Scud.
Eudamus Lycidas, Sm-Abb; one specimen, Clove Valley. Eu-
damus Tityrus. F.
Mr. Davis has also furnished us with the following list of the
reptiles and batrachians of the island. In geographical distri-
bution some of the reptiles are almost confined to the Cretaceous
and those portions of the island covered by marine alluvium.
C. Pennsylvanicum seems to be restricted to the shallow pools
near the salt water. It occurs near New Dorp, Richmond Val-
ley station and Watchogue. Ophibolus triangulus is a rather
scarce serpent on the island. Ranahalecina, though found in
other portions of the island, is much more common on the marsh
land near Watchogue. The species of Diemyctylus have only
been observed in the hilly districts. In 1881 the "spade foot"
frog made its appearance in some numbers, but it has not since
been seen. No copperheads or rattlesnakes have been found.
Reptilia. Testudinata; Cistudo clausa, Nanemys guttatus,
Chrysemys picta, Malacoclemmyspalustris, Cinosternum Penu-
sylvanicum, Chelydra serpentina, Chelonia mydas: Ophfdia:
Heterodon platyrhinus, Tropidonotus sipedon, Storeria dekayi,
Entaenia saurita, E. sirtalis, Bascanium constrictor, Liopeltis
vernalis, Diadophis punctatus, Ophibolus doliatus triangulus.
Batrachia. Anura; Rana halecina, R. palustris, R. clami-
tans, R. temporaria, Scaphiopus holbrookii, Hyla versicolor, H.
pickeringii, Acris gryllus, Bufolentiginosus: Urodela; Diemy-
ctylus viridescens, D. miniatus, Desmognathus fasca, Heruida-
ctylium scutatum, Plethodon erythronotus, P. glutinosus,
Spelerpes bilineatus, S. ruber, Amblystoma opacum ,A. puncta
turn.
The waters about the island have from time immemorial
abounded with living creatures of value to the inhabitants. To
the aborigines the abundance of clams and oysters was a con-
sideration that attracted thousands hither. Seals frequently
have been seen about the bay, and whales have been known to
34: HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
enter and pass through the Narrows, up the river. Van der
Donck tells us that in 1647 two whales of common size swain up
the river forty miles, and one of them on its return stranded
about twelve miles from sea. The other he says ran farther up
and grounded near the ''great Chapoos falls." As late as 1841
a whale was seen sporting between the Narrows and Governor's
island, and another is reported as entering the bay some five or
six years later. The menhaden or moss-bunker abounded iu
these waters, and was formerly used in large quantities for fer-
tilizing the soil, the fishing commencing on the south shore in
June. Thirty or forty years ago these fish were sold to farmers
in large quantities at 75 cents a thousand. Soon afterward the
business of extracting the oil from them sprang up, and this
use being more profitable the price was increased until it became
about four times the one mentioned. This practically placed
the fish beyond the reach of the farmer. Clams are found in
large numbers along the shores of the island. The Great kills
was formerly noted for these bivalves. Some peculiarities in
the soft clams found at different points along the shores have
been noticed by those who have studied the subject. These va-
riations are attributed to the different conditions of the beach
upon which they are found. From New Brighton to the mouth
of the Narrows, where the shore is rocky, the clams are only
of moderate size, the ends being often broken and the outside
of the shell corrugated. On the sandy beach of the south
shore, which is open to the sea, the shells are very thin and of
even growth. All the lateral and transverse markings are com-
plete, the shells often very beautiful in form and color, and
here the largest specimens are found. About a half-mile south-
west of the "Elm Tree Light " the shore is composed of salt
meadow or peat, which is supposed to be too hard for the free
development of well formed shells, hence the clams found there
exhibit more deformities and are often more rounded in shape
than those found elsewhere. Beyond Seguine's point, however,
the shore resembles in character that of New Brighton, and the
clams also correspond to those of that shore. The oyster
growth and habits will be more particularly noticed in connec-
tion with that industry.
| Many traces of the savage occupants have been found upon
/the island. These are most common along the shores from
Prince's bay around to Watchogue. Shell heaps are found
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 35
that indicate that the work of wampum manufacture and the
preparation of clams and oysters for food was carried on in
those localities. The two most fruitful localities in affording
Indian relics are perhaps Totteiiville and Watchogue. Hun-
dreds of implements have been found, some mixed up with
debris of the shell heaps and others scattered over the fields.
These implements consist of net-sinkers, hammer stones, axes,
arrow-heads, mortars, pestles, beads, anvils, and others the use
of which is unknown. Arrow-heads were found by the bushel,
being turned up by the plow in most of the fields. Indian
burying grounds have been discovered near Tottenville, and
isolated remains at other points. In these interments various
implements accompanied the bodies, among which were arrow-
heads such as were used in war, those being distinguishable
from the arrow-heads used in hunting. Nearly all the arrows
found about the fields are of the latter kind. Among the
objects of special interest are discoidal and shuttle shaped per-
forated stones, supposed by some to have been intended as
ceremonial implements of some kind, and by others to have
been for the practical purpose of shaping bow-strings by draw-
ing the soft material back and forth through the small holes.
The discoidal stones have the opposite flat faces either ground
roughly or polished, and are of hard quartzite. The only
shuttle-shaped stone found is composed of soft banded slate.
As no material of this kind exists here it is supposed that this
specimen had been brought from Ohio or Illinois, where similar
objects had been found. Evidences of fire places have been
noticed in several of the shell mounds, specimens of cracked
and partly fused stone having been found. In some of the
stones the surface was entirely fused into a glass-like slag.
One of the most striking curiosities of this nature, however, is
the stone head found near Clifton in 1884. This was unearthed
by Mr. James Clark, in the latter part of February, while dig-
ging up the root of a blue huckleberry bush which he intended
to use in the manufacture of rustic basket work. It lay about
eighteen inches under the soil at a point two to three hundred
feet east of the railroad track, and near the Fingerboard road,
at the edge of a low dense swamp. In digging with a pick, that
instrument struck the stone and turned it up. The material is a
brown sandstone, apparently more compact than the common New
Jersey sandstone, and composed almost entirely of grains of
36 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
quartz with an occasional small pebble. The head is seven inches
high, four inches through the cheeks and six inches from the tip
of the nose through to the back of the head, and its weight is
about eight pounds. The nostrils are one and seven-eighths
inches across their base and the eyes are one and a quarter
inches long and five-eighths wide. They are raised in the cen-
ters and have a groove running around close to the lids. A
round hole one-fifth inch deep had been drilled in the lower
part of the nose, in the space between the two nostrils, evidently
for the purpose of fastening an ornament, and both nostrils
were hollowed out to some depth. The cheeks, in their lower
part, are sunken in a very curious manner, causing the cheek
bones to stand up very high. The forehead is low and retreats
at an angle of sixty degrees. A trace of what had been or was
to be the ear was noticeable on the right side. The back and
upper parts of the head are almost entirely rough and unworked,
as though the image had never been finished, or else was only
a part of some larger figure. The surface is rough and slightly
weathered, the cheeks, forehead and chin having single grains
of sand apparently raised above the surface as if by age and
exposure. The features are too well cut for a common off-hand
piece of work by a stone maker. The style is not Egyptian or
Eastern, so it does not appear that it could have been thrown
out here by any sailor or other person who had ever brought it
from across the ocean. It is said to bear some resemblance to
the Mexican, and still more to the Aztec style of work. The
spot where it was found is and has been within the memory of
man an unfrequented wild, remote from any habitation, and the
soil in which it lay is a compact sandy clay of light brown
color, in which a stone like this might lie buried for centuries
without much disintegration.
But we must draw this chapter of description to a close; but
in doing so we cannot refrain from introducing the beautiful
poem by James Biirke, entitled "The Isle of the Bay," which so
aptly describes the island whose history we are about to notice :
Up from the waters that come as the daughters
Of Neptune, the lord of the wide spreading main.
Bringing with pleasure, love, homage and treasure
To lay on the altar of Liberty's Fane,
Rises serenely, resplendent and queenly,
As far-famed Atlantis, in Hercules' day,
Sweet Staten Island, of valley and highland,
So fair that we name her the Pride of the Bay !
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 37
Summer caressing, while breathing the blessing
A mother invokes on her daughter, a bride,
Her miniature mountains and silver-spring fountains
Are dimpled and rippled with beauty and pride.
Valleys are smiling with pleasures beguiling,
And terrace-like hills from her shores roll away ;
Green are the meadows and cool are the shadows
Of grottoes and groves in our Isle of the Bay.
Winter, though bringing his terrors and flinging
Them down at her feet with a pitiless hand,
Yet is her ardor sufficient to guard her,
And laughter defies him on lake and on land.
Springtime poetic and Autumn pathetic,
Are seasons whose charms have a limitless sway,
Yet do they chasten their garments and hasten
To visit their homes on our Isle of the Bay !
Add to what's charming, her fishing and farming,
Her soil and its products both racy and rare,
Shore lines combining, by Nature's designing,
A wharfage for commerce unrivalled elsewhere ;
Gardens and goodlands, with wild ways and woodlands.
And water abundant as music in May.
Then Use and Beauty unite in the duty,
An Eden to make of our Isle of the Bay !
History rolling its gates back, and tolling
The echoes of ages receding from sight,
Figures are walking and voices are talking,
That show us our progress to Liberty's light :
First the red foernan and next the Dutch yeoman.
Succeeded by Dongan's Colonial sway ;
Hanover's scepter then subjugate kept her
Till Washington rescued our Isle of the Bay !
But though her story be studded with glory,
And Nature hath decked her with grandeur and grace,
Yet are these phases less worthy of praises
Than this that here Love finds a fit dwelling place.
Refuge from dangers, both natives and strangers,
Black, white or red, or the sons of Cathay.
All here abiding, in friendship confiding,
Find welcome and weal in our Isle of the Bay.
CHAPTER III.
THE PERIOD OF SETTLEMENT 1609 TO 1683.
Discovery. The First Settlement and the Settlers. Conquest by the English.
STANDING upon the soil of this beautiful island and
reflecting that it has a character, a history and a name
peculiar to itself, we feel a natural desire to review the scenes
which broke to the view of the first visitors from the realm of
civilization, and indeed to see what is possible of the condition
of things that existed previous to that time. Let us imagine
the wheels of time turned back two hundred and fifty years or
more. Let us wipe out all the improvement which the white
man has brought here and look at the land in the full pos-
session of its aboriginal occupants. To see it as it was then we
must silence the noise of the railroad train and steamboat
whistles and bells, tear up the railroad track and neutralize
the grade, uproot the mills and manufactories, dissolve the
villages, wipe out the farm fences and obliterate all the other
marks of improvement that now exist, then restore the primi-
tive forest, the unbroken sward, and repopulate the slopes
and plains, the hills and valleys with deer, foxes, raccoons,
wolves, rabbits and all the multitudes of animals that once
infested them. We should still see life and action. But it
would be of a different sort. Instead of all this change, which
we call improvement, we should see the work of Nature glory-
ing in her freedom, untrammeled by the arts of man. We
should see the son of the forest restored to his native haunts,
the tangled thicket, the pebbled shore and the groves of
majestic trees whose heads had bowed to the winds of cen-
turies.
It were a useless undertaking to attempt to set forth a
learned hypothesis in regard to the occupancy of this region
during the ages of the world's existence which preceded its
discovery and settlement by the European white man. That
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 39
history must ever remain as it has thus far, a sealed book. At
the time alluded to it was occupied by Indians, but their tra-
ditions threw no light upon the darkness that enshrouded the
ages which had been rolling away since the creation of the
world. They were numerous, and had been more so, even to
such an extent that in their traditions the blades of grass and
sands of the sea-shore were used as figures to represent the
magnitude of their numbers. But no memorial was left to tell
us what scenes were passing here while the great events of the
ancient world's history were agitating the people of the
eastern hemisphere. How long had they held sway ? By
what race of beings had they been preceded ( Was their
course of development progressive or retrograde ? These ques-
tions are answered only by their echoes, which the hollow
darkness of uncomputed ages gives back to us.
To approach a realization of the primitive condition of things,
let us indulge in an imaginative scene of that period. Suppose
ourselves to be surrounded by the whispering solitude of the
virgin wilderness. Along the sea-girt shore we have wandered,
listening to the hoarse song of the sea; our faces have felt the
burning; of the glancing sunlight, and we have breathed the
strong salt air as it came in upon us from beyond Sandy Hook.
From the seashore coming through the interior we see no roads,
no houses, no farms, but life is represented by the animals and
birds that start at our approach and by the fruit and flower
laden vines and shrubs that impede our movements. From a
commanding hill we can see now and then a little band of In-
dians following some obscure trail through the valley below,
as they move from place to place upon some unknown embassy
of friendship or perchance of hatred.
Looking across the valley, behold! yonder an Indian hunts-
man has secreted himself hard by a little sheet of clear, fresh
water, to watch for the deer that may come there to drink. As
we look, the sharp twang of the bow and the whirr of the
death-dealing arrow, and the commotion of the bushes where
the game has fallen in its dying struggle tell us that he has
not watched in vain.
Let us approach one of their rude settlements which is con-
veniently located on the shore of the beautiful bay, and taking
refuge behind one of these old oaks, watch the movements of
the savages before us. They know nothing of the existence of
40 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
any race of beings in the shape of men besides themselves.
Their lives, their habits, their religion and language are 1111
mixed and shall we say nncorrupted ? by contact with the
white man.
We are looking down upon a quiet Indian village in the fore-
ground, located upon a low bluff. The bay, with its partially
encircling belt of white sand, and the verdure clad hills rising
from it in beautiful undulations, presents a landscape scene of
surpassing loveliness. Beyond the glimmer and sheen of the
nearer waters, the view lakes in a glimpse of the wider expanse
which loses itself in the hazy veil that obscures the distant hor
izon. On the placid water before us half a dozen canoes are
paddling lazily about, some containing a single Indian each,
others several, returning perhaps from some neighborly errand
to another tribe or village, or perhaps from a hunting or fishing
expedition in which they have been engaged. Yonder comes a
canoe containing three half-grown boys and a quantity of long,
coarse grass or rushes which they have gathered from the bog
just across the cove. They are bringing them to be made into
mats by that group of women who are seated on the slope just
in front of us. That rude manufacture is to them one of the
fine arts. But a much finer art is being practiced by that little
company which you see away to the right of them, hovering
about that heap of shells. They are working out from the
shells, by a slow and tedious process, the details of which we
are not near enough to see, those curious little beads, which
when strung are called wampum and are used for ornaments as
well as for money. Back on the rolling elevation to the right
of us, and in rear of the little cluster of wigwams, lies their
cornfield. The women have planted and cultivated it, and now
the crop is almost ready to harvest. Some women are in the
field looking to see if the ears are ripe enough to pull from the
stalk. Here on our left two men are digging clay from the side
of the very hill upon which we stand. This clay they are roughly
forming into some sort of primitive pottery, which they will
presently harden by baking in a hot fire, when all is ready.
Seated at a little distance from them three old men sit chatting,
rather socially for Indians it may be, and pecking away at stone
arrow-heads, which they are forming for the use of the younger
and more active men, two of whom maybe seen just now return-
ing from the woods, bringing with them the carcass of a fat
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 41
buck, which their skilled aim and the magic qualities of the
old men's arrows have brought to the ground. Between the
primitive pottery works and yonder clump of cedars, which
crowns the projecting bluff, some men have rolled the trunk of
a huge tree down from a higher hill where it grew, and are
working perseveringly with fire and water and their stone axes,
digging it out and shaping it for a canoe. This is primitive
ship-building.
As we gaze upon the scene before us, ruminating on the con-
trast two hundred and seventy-five years will bring over the
face of this rock-ribbed and verdure-clothed island, two half
grown Indian girls emerge from the thicket and come running-
down the slope to where these men are at work. With excited
gestures they tell of something they have seen from the hill be-
hind the cedars. We cannot hear their story, but from the
manner of its recital and the absorbed attention the men are
ready to give to it we are led to wonder what startling news the
little girls have brought.
Presently the men throw down their implements and start
with quick and stealthy tread, following as the girls retrace
their steps, until the whole party disappears among the cedars.
Some women who were at work about the shell-heap and the
wigwams, having seen these movements, come over to where
the old men are shaping arrow-points, and ask what strange
story the little girls brought. Perhaps these old men are sup-
posed to possess some peculiar spirit charm by which they can
divine things not made known to ordinary minds. To them the
women come, but they can give no solution of this mystery.
Then the returned hunters come over to the spot, and the small
boys come running up from the shore with the same inquiry
upon their lips. The collecting group attracts the attention of
the women out in the cornfield, and they leave their work to
come and learn the cause of its gathering.
Presently the absent men and girls are seen emerging from
the thicket and running down the hill and across the valley to
where the wondering group is waiting. They are too much out
of breath and overcome with excitement to say more than that
they have seen a strange sight, which they fear is an omen of
danger. As they recover sufficient calmness and possession of
their faculties to do so they explain that away out on the great
water something is moving toward them something like a great
42 HISTORV OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
canoe, so large that a big tree was growing out of it, and a very
great blanket was hung upon the tree so that the wind pushing
against it drove the unnamed thing along. What it was they
could not tell. Whether it was a great canoe with men in it, or
some terrible monster of the sea, with wings, or a veritable
delegation from the spirit world, good or bad, is a matter of
speculation with them.
As they stand describing the strange sight to their spell-
bound listeners, the apparition itself suddenly shoots past the
cedar-crowned point and glides into full view, less than a mile
away. Its appearance is greeted by an exclamatory chorus
which we may interpret, "There it is!" and then in dead
silence the group of savages contemplate the wonderful spec-
tacle. The children cling trembling to their mothers while the
squaws crouch nearer to their husbands and the warriors, and
all draw instinctively together as they press around the old ar-
row makers, who meanwhile have thrown down their work and
sit gazing in speechless wonder at the approaching nondescript.
Fear seizes every heart, and the breast of even the bravest war-
rior is troubled with misgivings as to what this visitation may
bring forth. And well they may be disturbed. It is indeed a
kind Providence that hides from them their fate. If they could
peer behind the veil and read the future they would know that
the vision before them is the harbinger of their own dissolution;
the first breath of a poisonous wind that in a few generations
shall wrest from them their hunting grounds and sweep their
race into the great common sepulchre upon whose portal is in-
scribed, "They were, but are not:" aye, the prophetic hand-
writing which foretells their doom as surely as that which
blazed upon the walls of Belshazzar's banquet hall.
" The Great Spirit is angry," explains one of the savages, who
is the first to break the spell of silence, "and he is coming in his
big, flying canoe, to look for some warrior who has done some
wicked thing, or for some other man who has displeased him ;
but maybe he will not find the bad one here. If he wants any
of us we must go. No use trying to run away from him, so
we may just as well stay where we are."
Another explains: " I don't think it is the Great Spirit. That
is not the way he moves. It is a great big canoe, with many
men in it. They may be our enemies or they may be our
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 43
friends, or maybe they are strangers from some tribe away, far
over the water."
" No," answers a third, whose clearer vision allows him to see
those on board, " these are not men like us. They are pale-
faced, more than our dead fathers and brothers are. They
must be spirit men. That is a more beautiful canoe than any
man could make in this world. It comes-from the spirit land
where our fathers and chiefs have gone. Its wings are white
and beautiful. They are made of the skins of animals that are
hunted in that world where everything is so white and good.
Maybe the spirit men in the canoe are our friends who are look-
ing for us, to take us in the beautiful canoe to the happy hunt-
ing grounds which they have found."
But all this savage wisdom does not prevent the young war-
riors and hunters thinking that whatever may be the errand
upon which the approaching party comes, it would be well to
be ready for the worst, as least so far as the power to prepare
for it is theirs. So their bows and their arrows are made ready
and brought out with them, to be at hand in case of need.
Some of the squaws, though they have never heard the proverb,
" Distance lends enchantment," still have an instinctive convic-
tion of its truth, and acting on that conviction are retreating
beyond the corn-field as the approaching vessel nears the shore
on her passage toward the Narrows, while some of the braver
Indians move cautiously down the slope to get a closer view of
the new revelation.
As the representatives of two distinct races of men, having
nothing in language, manners nor customs alike, approach each
other the new comers are able to convey to the Indians by what
sort of language who shall ever know? the impression that
their mission is a friendly one; that they intend no harm to
them, but that they have brought some very useful and curious
things, which by way of friendly entertainment they proceed to
show them. The Indians readily see the usefulness of the
metal knives, the axes, the awls, the hatchets, the blankets, the
coats and various other articles which the pale-faces had brought
to excite their admiration and cupidity.
The setting sun that evening closed a day never to be forgot-
ten by those who participated in the events which we have por-
trayed the day that saw the meeting of two races of men upon
the soil that had been, no one knows how long, the home of one.
44 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
and was to be, no one knows how long, the home of the other.
The former should decrease while the latter should increase.
From the contemplation of these important events as they
may have appeared from the Indian standpoint, let us turn to
consider in more explicit and definite terms the discovery of
the territory by Europeans and the establishment and progress
of civilization upon the soil which for unknown centuries had
been the home of the untutored savage.
The bay of New York was first discovered, according to a
claim (which has, however, been disputed by some) in 1524 by
Giovanni da Verrazzano, the celebrated Florentine navigator.
It does not appear, however, that any attempt was made by the
government under which the navigator sailed to hold the terri-
tory discovered by him. Of course it naturally follows that
the exploration of New York bay involved the discovery of
Staten Island. But whatever may have been the facts with re-
gard to the exploration of Verrazzano, the honors of discovery
are accorded to Henry Hudson, and whatever advantages at-
tended that discovery were husbanded by the Dutch govern-
ment, under whose flag Hudson sailed.
Henry Hudson was one of those ambitious navigators who
were ready to sacrifice their ease, and even their lives, in the
exciting enterprise of searching for the northwest passage to
the Indies. A native Englishman, the early part of the seven-
teenth century found him in the employ first, of the London
Company, and after that company had abandoned the enter-
prise, then engaged with the Dutch East India Company.
Under the commission of the latter he left Amsterdam in the
" Half Moon," a ship of about eighty tons capacity, and on the
4th of April, 1609, sailed for the new world. He arrived on the
" Banks" of Newfoundland early in July, and for two months
cruised along the coast, looking for some opening that would
promise to admit him to the Indian sea beyond.
How easy it is in the light of the present day to smile at the
unavailing enthusiasm of Hudson and the folly of his scheme !
But whatever the motives that led to it the momentous conse-
quences of that exploration are sufficient to provoke our pro-
foundest gratitude. After several unsuccessful attempts to find
such an opening in the land as would indicate what he desired
to see, he entered the Lower bay and anchored inside of Sandy
Hook on the 3d day of September, 1609. Though not the first
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 45
to behold, Hudson was the first to penetrate the mysteries of
the land and water which extended to an unknown distance
before him. In one boat he visited "Coney Island," and sent an-
other, containing live men, on an exploring expedition north-
ward. These men passed through the Narrows, coasted along
Staten Island, and penetrated some distance into the kills. On
their return they suddenly encountered two large canoes, con-
taining twenty-six Indians, who, in their alarm, discharged a
shower of arrows at the strangers and killed one man, an Eng-
lishman, named John Coleman, by shooting him in the neck.
Both parties became frightened, and pulled away from each
other with all their strength. Coleman's body was taken to
Sandy Hook and there interred, and the place was called " Cole-
man's Point."
Notwithstanding the mishap, as the death of Coleman was
regarded, the natives proved to be friendly, and freely bartered
with the strangers such articles as they had to dispose of,
as tobacco, maize, wild fruits, etc. Hudson remained at anchor
until the eleventh, when he sailed through the Narrows and
anchored in the mouth of the great river which now bears his
name. On the thirteenth he again weighed anchor, and pro-
ceeded to explore the beautiful stream upon whose bosom he
was floating; he was eleven days in ascending as far as the site
of Albany, and as many more in descending. Before starling
he had had considerable intercourse with the natives, but had al-
ways prudently kept himself and his men prepared for auv
emergency, and though the natives frequently came on board
armed they made no hostile demonstrations; Hudson, however,
detained two of the Staten Island Indians as hostages, and took
them with him on the voyage up the river, as far as the site of
West Point, where they escaped by jumping overboard and
swimming to the shore. On his way he encountered many of
the Indians, who, though they manifested a friendly disposi-
tion, were nevertheless suspected of entertaining hostile inten-
tions, and it was supposed that the dread with which they
regarded the arms of their visitors alone restrained them.
On his return down the river, while lying at anchor off Stony
Point, numerous canoes from both sides surrounded the ship,
from one of which an Indian entered the cabin by climbing
through a stern window, from which he stole several articles of
clothing. As he left the ship with his plunder, the mate
46 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
detected him and shot him, killing him instantly. This was the
first blood shed by the whites. When the ship's boat was sent
to recover the stolen articles, one Indian, who appeared to pos-
sess more courage than his fellows, while swimming, laid hold
of the boat, apparently for the purpose of overturning it, but a
sailor, with a single blow of his sword, cut off his hands, and
he was drowned. It was supposed that the two Staten Island
savages who had escaped at West Point, on their way down the
river had alarmed the several tribes so that when the ship
arrived at the upper end of Manhattan Island it was met by a
large fleet of canoes filled with armed savages, who discharged
their arrows, but fortunately without doing any serious injury.
A cannon was twice discharged at them, killing some of them
and tearing their canoes to pieces, the sailors meanwhile firing
at them with small arms. The result of this engagement was
that nine Indians were killed, and many more wounded, while
the whites sustained no injury whatever. Hudson, having spent
a month in exploring the river and bay, put to sea on the 4th of
October, and arrived at Dartmouth, England, on the 7th of the
following November.
There is no evidence that Hudson ever circumnavigated the
island, but that he satisfied himself of its insular character is
evident from the name " Staaten Eylandt," which he gave to it.
Following this mere outline discovery, no notice was paid to
Staten Island for several years, at least so far as any accounts
that we have of the movements of the Dutch traders show.
Some descriptions of the condition of the island may have been
written at an earlier period, but the following extract from a
letter written by Isaack de Rasieres to Samuel Blommaert,
about the close of the year 1627 (as is supposed) contains the
earliest description of this part of the country that we have
by one who was an eye witness of those primitive scenes. The
letter was found in the Royal Library at the Hague, and trans-
lated by Mr. J. R. Brodhead. It bears no date, but was proba-
bly written after De Rasieres' return to Holland. A copy may
be found in K". Y. Hist. Soc. Collections. II. Series, Vol. 2,
page 343.
"On the. 27th of July, Anno 1626, by the help of God, I
arrived with the ship The Arms of Amsterdam, before the Bay
of the great Mauritse River,* sailing into it about a musket shot
* The North river so called after Prince Maurice of Orange.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 47
from Godyn's Point* into Coeuraet's Bayf (where the greatest
depth is, because from the East point there stretches out a sand
bank on which there is only from 9 to 14 feet water), then sailed
on Northeast and North Northeast, to about half way from
the low sand bank called Godyn's Point, to the Hamel's-
Hoofden,^ the mouth of the river, where, we found at half ebb,
16, 17, 18 feet water, and which is a sandy reef a musket shot
broad, stretching for the most part Northeast and Southwest,
quite across, according to my opinion, and to have been formed
there by the stream, inasmuch as the flood runs in to the bay
from the sea East Southeast; the depth at Godyn's Point is
caused by the ebb flowing out along there with such rapidity.
Between the Hamel's-Hoofden the width is about a cannon's
shot of 2,000 [yards]. The depth 10, 11, 12 fathoms. They
are tolerably high points, and well wooded. The West point is
an island, inhabited by from eighty to ninety savages, who sup-
port themselves by planting maize. The East point is a very
large island, full 24 milesS long, stretching East by South and
East Southeast along the sea-coast from the river to the East
end of the Fisher's Point. 1
* * * * *
' TheHamels-Hoofden being passed, there is about a mile width
in the river, and also on the West side there is an inlet, where
another river runs up about 20 miles to the North-North-East,
emptying into the Mauritse River in the highlands, thus making
the North-West land opposite to the Manhatas, an island 18
miles long. It is inhabited by the old Manhatans ; they are
about 200 to 300 strong, women and men, under different chiefs
whom they call ' Sackimas.' This island is more mountainous
than the other land on the South-east side of the river, which
opposite to the Manhatas is about a mile and a half in breadth.
At the side of the before-mentioned little river which we call
Achter Col*[ there is a great deal of waste, reedy land ; the rest
* Sandy Hook so named after Samuel Godyn, one of the directors of the West
India Company at Amsterdam.
t The Lower bay of New York also called Port May or Godyn's bay.
Hamel's Hoofden the Narrows, between Staten and Long Islands. These
"Hoofden," or headlands, were named after Hendrick Hamel, one of the
directors of the West India Company.
Dutch miles a Dutch mile is equal to about three English miles.
I Visschers Hoeck Montauk Point.
T[The Kills.
48 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
is full of trees, and in some places there is good soil, where the
savages plant their maize, upon which they live as well as by
hunting. The other side of the small river, according to con-
jecture, is about 20 to 30 miles broad to the South river, in the
neighborhood of the Sancicans, as well as I have been able to
make it out from the mouths of the savages ; but as they live
in a state of constant enmity with those tribes the passage is
seldom made ; wherefore I have not been able to learn the exact
distance; so that when we wish to send letters overland they
(the natives) take them way across the bay and have the letters
carried forward by others unless one amongst them may hap-
pen to be on friendly terms and who might venture to go
there."
The Indians dwelling on Staten Island at the time of its
discovery were the Raritans, a branch of the great nation of
Dela wares or Leni-Lenapes. From indications found in various
localities, such as large collections of shells and bones, it is evi-
dent that they dwelt on or near the shores of the island, where
fish, scale and shell, were easily obtained ; this is also confirmed
by the fact that their burial places have been found in the
vicinity of those places, neither of these indications of human
occupancy having been found in the interior. Stone hatchets and
stone arrow-heads, and springs rudely built up with stone walls,
have been found at no great distance from the shores ; one of
the latter may still be seen a short distance northeast of the
Fresh pond, or Silver lake, in Castleton, and is known by the
name of the Logan spring.
The interior of the island was their hunting ground, where
deer, bears and other animals of the chase were found. The
shores also afforded an abundant supply of water fowls, and
thus, all their resources considered, the Indians were well sup-
plied by nature with the necessaries of life. In addition to
these, they had wild berries and fruits, maize, of which it is
said they cultivated large quantities, beans, tobacco, and other
articles of their own cultivation. The proximity of the island
to the mainland enabled them to extend their hunting expedi-
tions indefinitely. The wild animals which were found on the
neighboring continent were also found here, but they, as well
as their human contemporaries, have gradually retired or per-
ished as civilization advanced.
It is supposed that the Indians of Staten Island, in common
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 49
with those of the neighborhood, were subject to the Mohawks,
and stood in constant and mortal fear of them. Their clothing
was the skins of the beaver, fox, and other animals, and con-
sisted of but little more than a covering of the thighs and loins.
Their food was maize or Indian corn, fish, birds and wild game.
Their weapons were bows and arrows, the latter sharpened with
Hint stones or the bones of fishes. Boats were made from a
single piece of wood, hollowed out by fire. Some led a wander-
ing life, while others had fixed abodes built with rafters, and
oven-formed, covered with the bark of trees, and large enough
to accommodate several families. A few mats, wooden dishes,
stone hatchets and smoking tubes composed their scanty fur-
niture The fire was kindled in the middle of these dwellings,
from one end to the other, and the smoke let out at an opening
in the crown of the roof. On hunting and fishing expeditions
they erected temporary huts in the same fashion.
All the agriculture was done by the women, who of course
knew nothing of plowing or spading the soil, nor the culture of
wheat, oats, barley or rye. Their universal grain was maize, or
turkey corn, of which they made bread and "sapraen" or
mush. They also cultivated beans, pumpkins, squashes and
tobacco. The old men made wooden bowls, ladles and baskets.
Their hatches were made of stone, in shape like rude wedges,
about a half foot long, and broad in proportion. A notch was
made around the thick end, which received the two parts of a
stick split at one end which formed the handle. The jaws of
the handle were then firmly bound with thongs to the hatchet
and the implement was ready for use. Sometimes these hatchets
were not handled at all, but were simply held in the hands
when being used. Their chief use was to make good fields for
maize plantations, by girdling the trees and thus clearing the
ground by taking advantage of the natural course of decay and
time in removing the wood growth.
When the Indians wished to fell a thick, strong tree they em-
ployed fire. This was done by heaping a great quantity of
wood about the trunk of the tree, and burning it, continuing
this process until the trunk was burned through and the tree fell.
But to prevent the fire consuming the part which they wished
to save they made a swab with which, fastened to the end of a
pole, they kept applying water to the trunk a little above the
h're. When it was desired to hollow out a log they applied fire
4
50 HISTORY OF EICHMOND COUNTY.
in a similar way and kept wetting the part that was to be pre-
served. After thus burning and charring the inside of the
trunk they finished it by chipping and scraping the burnt parts
with their stone hatchets, Hints and sharp shells. Canoes were
often made thirty to forty feet long.
Instead of knives they used little sharp pieces of flint or
quartz or some other hard kind of stone, and these were some-
times substituted by sharp shells or pieces of bone which they
had sharpened. At the end of their arrows they fastened
narrow angular or pointed pieces of stone. These points were
commonly pieces of flint or quartz, but sometimes other hard
kinds of stone were used, and again the bones of animals or
the claws of birds were sometimes used.
They had stone pestles, about a foot long and as thick as a
man's arm. These were made of a black sort of stone, and
were used for pounding their maize, which was an important
article of their food. Sometimes they used wooden pestles.
For mortars they hollowed out the stumps or butts of trees.
The old boilers or kettles of the Indians were either made of
clay or of different kinds of stone. The former were made of
a dark clay mixed with grains of white sand or quartz, and
burnt in the fire. Many of these kettles had holes in opposite
sides of the upper edge, through which a stick was passed, and
by this means the kettle was held over the fire to boil. These
kettles seldom had feet, and were never glazed either inside or
outside.
Their tobacco pipes were made of clay, or pot-stone or ser-
pentine stone. The clay pipes were shaped like our common
pipes of that material, though they were much coarser and more
rudely formed. The tube was thick and short, often not more
than an inch but sometimes a finger in length. In color they
were like our pipes that have been long in use. The celebrated
" pipe of peace" was made of a fine red stone, not found in
this part of the country, and it was probably almost unknown
to the Indians of Staten Island.
For fishing they used hooks made of bone or the claws of
birds. Fire was kindled by rubbing one end of a hard piece
of wood against another dry one till after a time the friction
became so great that the wood began to smoke and finally to
burn.
The Indians in personal character and appearance were
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 51
healthy, strong, robust and well proportioned. In social life
they were polygamous, their chiefs having several wives. They
were faithful, however, to the marriage relations, and the
women often preferred death to dishonor, Wassenaer of
Amsterdam, who wrote in 1621-33, says that the Indian women
"are the most experienced star-gazers; there is scarcely one of
them but can name all the stars their rising and setting, the
position of the Arctos, that is, the wagon, is as well known to
them as to us, and they name them by other names." All the
natives paid particular attention to the sun, moon and stars in
connection with their seasons. The first moon following the one
at the end of February was greatly honored, and as she rose
they had a festival, feasting on fish and wild game, and drink-
ing with it clear, fresh water. The Indian year now com-
menced, and this moon was hailed as the harbinger of spring,
and the women began to prepare for planting. At the arrival
of the new August moon another feast was celebrated for the
coming harvest.
The Indians seemed to have no knowledge of God or religion.
Some of them paid homage to the Devil or evil spirits, but not
with so much ceremony as the native Africans do. They be-
lieved in good and evil spirits, and their spiritual affairs were
entrusted to Kitzinacka, a sort of weather priest. He visited
the sick and dying, and sat beside them bawling, crying and
roaring like a demon. He was a kind of Capuchin, with no
abode of his own, lodged where he pleased, and never ate food
prepared by a married woman. It must be cooked by a maiden
or an old woman.
Wampum was the universal money among the Indians. It
was made of the thick and blue part of sea clam-shells and
oyster shells. The thin covering of this part being split off a
hole was drilled through it and then the outward shape given
to it by means of a stone upon which it was rubbed or
ground. The form was sometimes eight sided, but generally
round or nearly so, and in size resembling the cylindrical
glass beads sometimes known as "bugles." The beads were
usually about an eighth of an inch in diameter. When fin-
ished they were strung upon cords of some kind, and these
strings of wampum were measured by the foot, yard or
fathom. In their manufacture from six to ten feet in length
were considered a day's work. It was of two kinds, white
52 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
and purple or black. The latter was wrought out of the
mussel shells. With the Dutch governors six beads of the
white or four of the purple were equal in value to one penny.
This currency was used by the Europeans for many years after
their settlement here. The Indians made belts of wampum
by weaving the strings into widths of several inches and they
were two feet or more in length. It was sometimes called seewan.
Both the Dutch and English recognized it as currency fora long
time. In 1683 the schoolmaster at Flatbush, L. I., was paid
his salary in wheat at " wampum value." Among other fees he
received for supplying water for baptisms twelve styvers, in
wampum, for every baptism. In 1693 the ferriage for passen-
gers from New York to Brooklyn was eight styvers in wampum
each. It was also used for ornamenting the person and as an
emblem of agreement in treaties. The belt of wampum removed
the remembrance of injuries and bloodshed. On Staten Island,
Long Island and the neighboring shores of the mainland are
found numerous beds or heaps of clam shells broken into very
small pieces. These were without doubt the scenes of this
manufacture. When we remember that this article was the
currency of all the tribes even away inland, and that the ma-
terials of which it was made were only found on the sea coast,
we can see what an important and advantageous position the
Indians of this locality, occupied.
In their burials the dead were placed in the earth without a
coffin, but with all their costly garments of skins, in a sitting
posture, upon a stone or block of wood. Near the body were
also arranged a pot, kettle, platter and spoon, with some wam-
pum and provisions, for their invisible journey to the Spirit
Land. Over the grave was heaped a pile of wood, stone or
earth. A few of these spots of sepulture have been found in
different parts of the island. One of these was on or
near the old Pelton place at West New Brighton. Here have
been found, in years long gone by, various trinkets a copper
box, copper earrings and a glass pipe. The last was found in
the mouth of an Indian skeleton.
Tradition says that the point of the island now occupied by
Tottenville was once a favorite burial spot with the Indians.
The remains of several have been exhumed there within a few
years past. One was found while digging a cistern on the
premises of Mr. Appleby, and several others were dug up on
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 53
the premises of Joel Cole. The peculiar beauty of the site, it
is said, made it attractive to the aborigines for sepulture, af-
fording as it did an uninterrupted view of the rising and the
setting sun. The site was also a favorite meeting place during
the periods of their spirit worshipping. Friendly tribes from
Long Island, Manhattan island and the Jersey shore were wont
to join the natives here, on their festive occasions, when doubt-
less the surrounding forests and the neighboring hills resounded
with the untutored songs of thousands of the children of
nature's wilds.
The treatment of the Indians by the Dutch explorers and
the Dutch government was not such as to inspire friendly re-
turns from the savages. The disgraceful barbarities with which
the Indians were often treated are too common matters of his-
tory to need repetition here. In consequence of the savage
passions which this treatment aroused Staten Island was re-
peatedly scourged by the spirit of retaliation naturally evinced
by the sons of the forest. Of some of the more notable de-
monstrations of hostility between the two races we shall speak.
In the spring of 1640 some parties, on their way from New
Amsterdam to South River, Delaware, stopped at Staten Island
to take in water, and while there stole some hogs from the settlers
on de Vries' bouweries. The Indians residing on the Raritan, and
who had manifested a hostile disposition, were at once charged
with the theft, which was regarded as a serious offense, and Gov-
ernor Kieft to punish them sent a company of about seventy
men, under command of his secretary, Van Tienhoven, with in-
structions to invade the Indian country, capture as many of the
natives as they could, and destroy their crops. When the
party reached their destination they became insubordinate, and
the secretary lost control over them. They declared their in-
tention to kill every Indian they could find, and though re-
minded that such a course would be going beyond their instruc-
tions, they persisted, and the secretary, seeeing that expostula-
tion was in vain, left them to execute their wanton determina-
tion. Several of the unfortunate savages were killed, and the
chiefs brother was barbarously murdered after he had been
made a prisoner by one of the party named Govert Loocker-
mans. Their crops were destroyed, their wigwams burned,
and other outrages perpetrated. Having satiated their fiendish
spirit, the Dutchmen retired, leaving one of their number,
54 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
whose name was Ross, supercargo of the ship "Neptune," dead
on the field.
The Indians, goaded to desperation, not only by the unjusti-
fiable destruction of their crops, and slaughter of their brethren,
but by a long continued course of frauds practised upon them
by unscrupulous men, who first intoxicated and then cheated
them in bargaining with them, resolved upon revenge. One of
their first acts was to invade Staten Island, where in 1641 they
attacked the settlement that de Vries had begun, and killed
four men and burned two of his houses.
Not long before, a young Indian, smarting under a sense of
wrong, vowed to kill the first Dutchman who crossed his path, and
he kept his vow. Governor Kief t, forgetting that he himself was
the instigator of all these outrages, announced his intention of
taking summary vengeance upon the savages. It was in vain
that the prominent men of the colony counselled moderation
in vain that they represented to him that his course would be
adding fuel to the fire he replied to all their remonstrances
that the law was "blood for blood," and he meant to have it ;
he recognized the applicability of the law to the whites, but not
to the savages. His anger was chiefly directed to the Raritans,
and he entered into an agreement with some of the river Indians
to assist him in annihilating that tribe, and to excite their blood-
thirsty dispositions, he offered ten fathoms of wampum for the
head of a Raritan, and twenty fathoms for the head of every
Indian engaged in the murdei's upon Staten Island. At this
time he built a small redoubt upon the island.
In the meanwhile, the Indians upon Long Island began to
manifest a hostile disposition, and Kieft found himself involved
in new troubles. It was evident from some of his measures
that he began to regret his precipitancy, and if nothing else
had occurred to irritate him anew, he might have consented to
forget the past, and to "bury the hatchet;" but just at this
juncture some traders happened to meet an Indian of the Hack-
ensack tribe, who was clothed in a dress of valuable beaver
skins, whom they made drunk, and then robbed. On recover-
ing his senses, the savage vowed to kill the first Swannakin
(white man) whom he should meet. He did that, and more ;
an Englishman who was a servant of de Vries on Staten Island,
was met by him and killed, and shortly after a man named Van
Vorst, while engaged in repairing a house in the vicinity of
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 55
Newark bay, met the same fate. Apprehensive of further
trouble, a deputation of chiefs of some of the neighboring
tribes, waited upon the director, whom they found greatly ex-
cited, and not disposed to reason with them. He informed them
hat the only way to keep peace was to surrender the murderer.
"We cannot do that." they replied, "because he has fled, and
is out of our reach." They offered to make compensation for
the crime, according to the customs of their people^; nothing,
however, could propitiate Kieft but the possession of the mur-
derer. The Indians represented to him, that it was not they who
committed the murders, but the white men's rum ; "keep that
away from the Indians," said they, "and there will be no more
murders;" but Kieft was inexorable he was resolved upon
war, unless they surrendered the murderer, who was as far out
of their reach as out of his.
New troubles now arose with the Long Island Indians. Thus
far they had remained quiet, but the Dutch, with an infatu
ation utterly unaccoiintable, suffered no opportunities to pass
to excite them to deeds of violence. Matters were becoming
worse daily, and an oxitbreak of Indian fury could not have
been suppressed much longer, when, through the unremitting
assiduity of the philanthropic Roger Williams, a meeting
between Kieft and several Indian sachems took place at Rock-
away on the 25th of March, and a reconciliation was effected.
The peace thus concluded was of short duration. The Indi-
ans continued to commit depredations upon the property of the
settlers, and especially was this the case upon Staten Island.
Many of them still held their residence there, and could not
resist the temptation to appropriate the products of the agri-
cultural skill and labor of their white neighbors, which were
so much superior in quantity, quality and variety to their own.
Remonstrances had proved ineffectual, and it became necessary
to adopt severer measures. In addition to this, the Raritans,
who were the offending tribe, had interrupted the communi-
cation between the two shores of the river at New Amster-
dam, and it had become perilous to attempt to land on the
west shore.
In the winter of 1G42-3 two armed parties from Fort Amster-
dam attacked the Indians at Corlear's Hook and Pavonia (Ho-
Koken) slaying thirty at the former place and eighty at the
latter. This outrage led to almost fatal consequences. From
56 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
the Raritan to the Connecticut the war-whoop was heard, and
eleven tribes declared open war against the Dutch. All settlers
they met with were murdered, men, women and children-
dwellings were burnt, cattle killed and crops destroyed. In the
spring of 1643 peace was secured, but it was unsatisfactory to
the river Indians, and the war-fires were again kindled. Pa-
vonia, and the greater part of Manhattan and Long islands,
were in the hands of the savage foes, now embracing seven
tribes and numbering 1,500 warriors. To oppose this uncivilized
body the Dutch forces amounted to not more than 200 to 300
settlers and between 50 and 60 badly munitioned soldiers. All
the "Bouweries," or plantations at Pavonia, and with one excep-
tion only on the Long island shore, were destroyed. An early
chronicle says: " Staten Island, where Cornelius Melyn estab-
lished himself (1643) is unattacked yet, but stands expecting an
assault every hour."
Early in 1644 an expedition against the Staten Island Indians
was organized. It consisted of forty burghers under Joachim
Pietersen Kuyter ; thirty-five Englishmen under Lieutenant
Baxter, and several soldiers from the fort under Sergeant Peter
Cock, and the whole being under command of Counsellor La
Montange. They embarked after dark, and at a late hour
landed upon the island. They marched all night, and when
the morning dawned, had arrived at the place where they ex-
pected to find the Indians, but there were none there. Secretly
as the whole enterprise had been conducted, the savages had
discovered it and escaped. The troops, after burning the vil-
lage, returned, taking with them over five hundred schepels of
corn.*
To the honor of a few, however, be it said the Dutch were not
unanimous in their inhuman hostility to the Indians. Promi-
nent among the few who comprehended the situation, and
understood what course of policy would have been best for the
colony, was the minister, Dominie Bogardus, and de Vries, the
patroon of part of Staten Island. They were strongly opposed
to the course pursued by the directors in their dealings with
the Indians, and the event showed the wisdom of the policy of
forbearance and conciliation which they recommended. So
persistent were they in pressing their views upon the authori-
ties, that they excited their anger, and were charged with a
* A schepel was almost three pecks.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 57
design of ingratiating themselves into the favor of the Indians
for selfish purposes, and to the prejudice of the interests of the
colony at large. The Indians understood these men and rec-
ognized them as friends, and when, in one of the raids they
made upon the settlers on the island, they had killed some of
de Vries' cattle without knowing to whom they belonged, they
expressed their regret for the act, calling him the friend of the
Indians. At another time, when a difficulty had occurred with
some of the Long Island Indians, and Kieft found himself in a
dilemma, he was very desirous of making peace with them, but
he could find no ambassador who was willing to trust himself
in their power, until de Vries offered to visit them for the pur-
pose. He was hospitably received, and when his mission was
explained to them, and they were requested to visit the director
at the fort in New Amsterdam, they refused to go until he had
pledged himself for their safety.
On what part of the island the Indian village, which has been
spoken of as having been burned by the Dutch expedition in
1644, was located is entirely a matter of conjecture. There is
a tradition that an Indian village once stood on the shore of the
Lower bay not far from the present Annadale, but no remains
have been found to establish its site. From numerous relics
and Indian remains that have been found about Tottenville,
Kreischerville and Watchogue, it is possible that, the village
may have been at one or other of those places.
During the year 1655, another and more serious calamity be-
fell Staten Island than anj- which had preceded it. Hendrick
\ r an Dyck, former attorney-general at New Amsterdam, on
rising one morning, discovered a squaw in his garden stealing-
peaches ; in a moment of anger he seized his gun and shot her,
killing her instantly. Of this rash act, little, if any, notice was
taken by the authorities, but the Indians did not overlook it ;
immediate measures were taken by them to avenge the outrage.
Several of the neighboring tribes united, and early on the morn-
ing of the 15th of September sixty-four canoes, containing nine-
teen hundred savages, some of whom were Mohicans, and
others from Esopus, Hackingsack, Tappaan and Stamford, sud-
denly appeared before New Amsterdam. They landed and dis-
persed through the various streets, while many of the people
were still asleep. They broke into several houses on pretense
of looking for "Indians from the North," but in reality to
58 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
avenge the death of the squaw that Van Dyke had shot. As
soon as they were discovered, an alarm was sounded. The
officers of the colony and city, and many of the principal inhab-
itants, assembled, and the leaders of the savages were requested
to meet with them, which they did ; they accounted for their
sudden appearance under pretext of searching for some hostile
northern Indians, who, they pretended they had been informed,
were either in the city or its vicinity. After much persuasion
they were induced to promise to leave Manhattan island at sun-
set, but when evening came they were still there, and manifested
no disposition to leave. They became unruly and the people
became excited, and violent acts were committed by both
parties ; Van Dyck, the thoughtless author of the trouble, paid
the penalty of his rashness by being killed with an arrow, and
Paulus Leinderstein Van Der Grist, one of the city officials,
was killed by a blow with an axe. The soldiers in the fort and
the city guard were called out, and attacked the invaders, driv-
ing them back to their canoes. Crossing the river, the savages
attacked the settlements there, and killed or captured most of
the people. Thence they went to Staten Island, which at that
time had a population of ninety souls and eleven flourishing
bouweries ; twenty-two of the people were killed, and all of the
remainder who did not escape were carried away captive, and
the bouweries were desolated. The Indians continued their
ravages three days, during which time they killed one hundred
whites, took one hundred and fifty prisoners, and ruined three
hundred more in their estates. Alarm spread throughout the
entire region, and there was no safety anywhere, for the hostile
Indians were prowling about by day and by night, even upon
Manhattan island, where they killed all who came within their
reach. Stuyvesant employed every means in his power for the
protection of the settlement at New Amsterdam and the neigh-
boring settlements, and after awhile the ransom of all or nearly
all the prisoners taken by the Indians was accomplished, the
Indians receiving ammunition in return for the captives.
This bloody siege has been known as the "Peach war,"
from the circumstance of its origin as already narrated. The
island was now almost entirely depopulated, and the settlement
had to be recommenced from the beginning. Adrian Post, the
overseer for Baron Van de Cappelan was one of the sixty -seven
who escaped massacre and was taken captive He affirms, with
HISTOKY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 59
reference to Staten Island, " that all the dwelling-houses were
burned in the known conflict with the savages in 1655, and that
no other effects were then left than a few beasts, which he, after
his imprisonment by them, collected together, and of which the
greatest part died, while the few remaining were sold by him
for the maintenance of his wife and children." In relation to
the affair we also quote from the reminiscences of Altie Widelar,
wife of Thomas Burbank, who "settled at V: Duses:" " She sd.
there was 2 or 3 houses at Old Town and at Carlsneck & the
Indians run off the Island and murderd. at Old Town all Except
a little girl who run into the woods the indian put on her
fathers Cloths and Decoyd. the Girl supposing it to be her
father her they savd. The Indians Came principally from
Bergain."
The Indians of Staten Island after the coming of the whites
rapidly diminished in numbers. As they gave up their lands
to the white settlers they moved back into the country. But in
reality comparatively few of them moved in that way. Most
of them ended their days either by wars among themselves or
were destroyed by small-pox, a disease with which they are
said to have been unacquainted before their commerce with
Europeans, but which afterward made sad havoc with them.
And in addition to these causes a writer during the middle of the
last century said, " But Brandy has killed most of the Indians.
This liquor was likewise entirely unknown to them before the
Europeans came hither; but after they had tasted it they could
never get enough of it. A man can hardly have a greater de-
sire of a thing than the Indians have of brandy. I have heard
them say that to die by drinking brandy was a desirable and
honorable death; and indeed 'tis no very uncommon thing to
kill themselves by drinking this liquor to excess."
The last of the old Staten Island Indians were " Sam" and
"Hannah," and their daughter "Nance." The old couple
lived at Fresh kill near the Seaman farm, and upon it they used
to depredate for timber of which they made baskets, for this
was their occupation. They were very old during the first
quarter of this century. They sold their baskets for rum, and
then they would quarrel. Hannah finally disappeared, and no
one knew what had become of her. It was supposed that Sam
had killed her, for he always new into a rage whenever any one
60 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
asked him where she was. After the death of one or both of
her parents it is supposed that Nance left the island.
The first idea of value that was conceived by the Dutch in
view of the newly discovered regions here was not associated
with any design of forming settlements here. The climate of
Holland and other countries of Europe, rendered furs indispen-
sable to their inhabitants; hitherto these had been obtained
chiefly from Russia, and at great expense. The Dutch had dis-
covered that there were furs in the countries newly discovered,
which were easily procurable in exchange for articles of ex-
tremely trifling value; the temptation to engage in a traffic so
exceedingly profitable, was too strong to be resisted by a people
so prompt to promote their own interests. Accordingly, in 1611,
a vessel was dispatched to the Manhattans as an experiment, and
so successful was the venture, that a spirit of commercial enter-
prise was at once awakened. Two more vessels, the "Little Fox"
and the "Little Crane," were licensed, and under the pretense
of looking for the northwest passage, sailed direct for the newly-
discovered river. This was in the spring of 1613. Having ar-
rived, the traders erected one or two small forts for the protec-
tion of the trade on the river. The position of the island of
Manhattan for commercial purposes was so favorable as to strike
the Europeans at once, and the traders who had scattered in
various directions made that island their head-quarters. Hen-
drick Cortiansen was the superintendent of the business, and
with his small craft penetrated every bay or stream where In-
dians were to be found, in pursuit of furs.
The results of these expeditions were successful, and many
others were projected, and crowned with similar success. When
the intelligence of these discoveries reached the projectors of
the several voyages at home, steps were immediately taken by
them to secure to themselves the benefits of their enterprise and
perseverance. All the country lying between the 40th and 45th
degree of north latitude was called " New Netherland." Ex-
clusive privileges to trade to these countries for a limited
period were given to them. A trading house was at once erected
on an island in the Hudson, near the present site of Albany,
and the country on both sides of the river thoroughly explored
in quest of furs; and by the time of the expiration of the grant,
which was at the close of 1617, some of the merchants engaged
in the trade had realized immense fortunes therefrom.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 61
The charter having expired, the trade of New Netherland
was thrown open, and adventurers from all parts of the father-
land eagerly enlisted therein ; the former traders, however,
held on to the advantages they had gained by their prior occu-
pancy.
Different commercial associations were formed, whose several
interests began to interfere with each other, and all contention
and disputes were at last adjusted by the consolidation of all
interests in the organization and charter of the " Dutch West
India Company."
The powers and privileges with which this company was
invested were not confined to the narrow limits of the New
Netherlands ; they embraced the whole range of the American
coast, from the Horn to the Arctic sea, and on the west coast
of Africa from the Hope to the Tropic of Cancer, not pre-
viously occupied by other nations. On the American coast
settlements had been made by the French at Canada, by the
English at Virginia, and by the Spaniards at Florida. The prep-
arations made by the directors of the newly chartered com-
pany to improve the privileges granted to them, attracted, in
England, the attention of the government, and a strong remon-
strance was sent to Holland, insisting that all the territory
claimed by the Dutch was embraced in the charter of Virginia,
and therefore was under the jurisdiction of England. The
matter was from time to time brought before the authorities of
both countries, and the discussion protracted by the Dutch for
the purpose of gaining time, that the preparations of the new
company might be completed.
Thus it will be seen that the first Europeans who visited this
part of the continent came for the purpose of trading, not of
settling permanently ; but having become favorably impressed
with the soil and climate of the country, they began to enter-
tain the idea of making it the place of their future abode, and
to devote to agriculture that part of the season when furs were
not obtainable. The country was organized into a province, a
few settlers were sent out, and a form of government was estab-
lished, with Peter Minuit at its head as director ; this was in
the year 1624. In the same year, and probably in the same ship
with Minuit, a number of Walloons arrived and settled on
Staten Island ; this is the first settlement on the island of
which we have any knowledge. These people came from the
62 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
country bordering on the river Scheldt and Flanders ; they
professed the reformed religion, and spoke the old French, or
Gallic language ; they were good soldiers, and had done efficient
service in the thirty years' war. Two years before their arrival
here, they had applied to Sir Dudley Carleton for permission
to emigrate to some part of Virginia, upon condition that they
might build a town of their own, and be governed by officers
chosen by and amongst themselves. This application was
referred to the Virginia company, and met with a favorable
response so far as the mere settlement was concerned, but the
privilege to elect their own officers was too long a step toward
popular freedom, and could not be conceded ; the permission
to settle upon the company's land was fettered with so many
conditions affecting their civil and religious liberty that they
declined to entertain it, and turned their attention to the New
Netherlands, where so many arbitrary conditions were not in-
sisted on. On their arrival here they appear to have aban-
doned the plan of settling in a colony or single community,
and separated, going in different directions, a few families taking
up their abode on Staten Island. It is supposed that among
these was a family by the name of Rapelje, among whom was
one George Jansen de Rapelje. Surrounded by the savages arid
separated from their friends at Manhattan, they did not long-
remain here. Yielding to the necessities of their condition,
lacking both food and clothing, they returned to Rapsie, the
southern extremity of Manhattan island, where they found not
much relief but were subjected with the other colonists to ex-
tremes of privation and suffering. But relief soon after came
by the arrival of a ship from the mother country. The Rapelje
family soon after removed to Wallabout, on Long Island, and
are recorded as the first European settlers upon that island.
Their child Sarah has down to the present time borne the honor
of having been the first child of European parentage born in
the colony. Her birth is dated June 9th, 1625, and though some
have claimed that it took place while the family were upon
Staten Island, the facts indicate more strongly that the honor
belongs to Long Island. She lived to be the wife of two hus-
bands and the mother of twelve children, from whom has
descended a large and highly respectable lineage.
For many years the traffic with the Indians for peltries had
been exceedingly profitable, and large fortunes had been
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 63
secured by many of the traders, but in the course of time, as
the articles of the Indian's traffic became scarcer, and the val-
ue of the Dutch commodities depreciated in consequence of
their abundance, the trade gradually decreased, until at length
the cost of sustaining the colony was greater than its revenues,
and the West India company found itself rapidly descending
to the verge of bankruptcy.
The first great landed proprietors in New Netherland were
called "patroons; " they were Samuel Godyn, Samuel Bloemart,
Killian Van Rensselaer and Michael Pauw. The two first named
settled in Delaware. Van Rensselaer obtained a patent for a
large tract on the Hudson in the vicinity of Albany and Troy,
and Pauw became the proprietor of all the country extending
from Hoboken southward along the bay and Staten Island
sound, including Staten Island ; this grant was made to him by
the directors in 1630. At the same time the country was
purchased from the natives for "certain cargoes or parcels of
goods,'' and called Pavonia. The name of this proprietor still
attaches to a part of his possessions in the locality known as Com-
munipaw. It is to be mentioned to the credit of the company,
that they made it a condition in the patents which they granted,
that the recipients should extinguish the Indian title by direct
purchase, and this was exacted in every instance. By some it
is claimed that the director general and council had purchased
the island of the Indians in 1626, but what the authority is for
the statement we do not know. The consideration paid to the
natives was not money, which would have been useless to them,
but cloths of various kinds, culinary utensils, ornaments, etc.,
but not fire-arms.
The value of the articles paid for the fee of the island varied
at different times, for the Indians sold it repeatedly. Pauw's
acquisition was not of much benefit to him ; it is not known
that he made any effort to colonize it, or that he ever cleared a
rood of it, for very soon after acquiring it, difficulties arose be-
tween him and the directors, and he disposed of his territorial
rights on the island and on the continent to his associate direct-
ors for the sum of 26,000 guilders. He was a man of conse-
quence in his own country ; he was one of the lord directors
of the company, and among their names we find his set down
as the Lord of Achtienhoven.
In 1636, David Pietersen de Vries obtained a grant for a
64 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
part of the island, and began to make settlements on it,
but the precise locality is not known ; it is supposed, how-
ever, to have been at or near Old Town (Oude Dorp). The
dwellings of the settlers, on their arrival, were generally con-
structed as speedily as possible, that their families might be
sheltered. Excavations 1'or this purpose were generally
made in the side of a hill, or other convenient spot,
and lined and roofed with rude planks, split out of the trees ;
sometimes the roofs were covered with several layers of bark ;
these were only meant for temporary dwelling places, until
better ones could be provided.
The date of the grant which had been obtained by de Vries
from Wouter Van Twiller was August 13, 1636, and de Vries
set sail for Holland two days afterward for the purpose of gath-
ering a colony to come and occupy the land. He returned with
his settlers about the end of the year 1638. This was the third
time de Vries had sailed across the ocean to the New Nether-
lands, and when the ship neared the entrance at Sandy Hook
he was called upon to pilot her in, as the following extracts
from his journal will show :
" Sept. 25, 1638. On board the ship of the West India Com-
pany, sailed from Holland.
"Dec. 26. Got sight of Sandy Hook. The captain * *
at the request of the passengers, who all had their homes in the
New-Netherlands, solicited me to pilot the ship in, which I did,
and anchored the same evening before Staten Island, which was
my property, and put my people on shore."
Other memoranda made by de Vries at different dates tell
in his own language something of his connection with the
island. Under date of August 13, 1636, he says: "I requested
Wouter Van Twiller to put Staten Island down in my name,
intending to form a colony there, which was granted." Under
date of January o, 1639, he writes: "Sent my people to Staten
Island, to commence the colony and buildings." But his pos-
session of the island was disturbed as we see by this entry of
August 20, 1641: " Arrived, the ship Eyckenboom, and had on
board a person named Malyn, who said he was the owner of
Staten Island, that it was given to him and to Mr. Van Der
Horst by the directors of the company. I could not believe
this, having left the country in 1638 to take possession of this
island, and in that time have settled there. I could not think
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 65
that the directors of the company would act in this way, it be-
ing granted by the sixth article, and we being the first occu-
pants and of course it could not be taken from us."
The two following entries give us de Vries' view of the Indian
massacre of 1641. September 1st of that year he writes : "My
people were murdered on Staten Island by the Indians of
Raritan. They told an Indian who was assisting my people
that we should now come to fight for the killing of the men as
we formerly had done for the hogs, with the stealing of which
they were wrongfully accused. It was done by the servants of
the company, then going to the South river, who landed first at
Staten Island to take in wood and water, when they stole the
hogs and the blame was laid on the innocent Indians, who
tho' cunning enough, will do no harm if no harm is done to
them. And so my colony of Staten Island was smothered in
its birth by the management of Governor Kieft, who wanted to
avenge the wrongs of his people on the Indians." On the day
following, that is, September '2, 1641, we have this entry : "An
Indian chief belonging to the Tankitekes, called Pacham, came
to the fort in much triumph, with the hand of a dead man
hanging on a stick, saying it was the hand of the chief who had
killed our people at Staten Island, who had avenged tbe wrongs
of the Swannekins, whose friend he was."
De Vries is said to have been a literary man, and was the
author of a historical work. There is no evidence that he re-
sided upon the island himself. The settlers introduced by him,
however, prospered for a time, until, as we have already seen,
their bouweries or farms were desolated by the savages. DeVries
remained in the colony for several years, and for some time
thereafter maintained his hold on the "bouwerie" on Staten
Island, but the relations existing between the Dutch and the
Indians were not favorable to the growth of a settlement here,
and though we have evidence to support the above statement in
the fact that de Vries' bouwerie was excepted from the grant to
Melyn, and also the fact that an Englishman residing here in
the service of de Vries, was killed in 1642, yet it is probable
that he soon afterward abandoned the attempt to maintain a
settlement here.
The third attempt to found a settlement on Staten Island was
made by a Dutch merchant by the name of Cornelis Melyn.*
He came from Antwerp, and his first visit was made here in
5
66 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
1639. July 3, 1640, he obtained an order from the directors in
Holland, authorizing him to take possession of Staten Island
and erect it into a "Colonie." But on his passage hither, in
February, 1641, the vessel in which he sailed was captured
by the "Dunkirkers." and he thus lost all he had on board,
and was glad to reach his native shores in safety. He was
obliged then to apply to the directors for a passage to the New
Netherlands, which he obtained, and again embarked, with his
family and some goods for trade with the Indians, to the
value of about 1,000 guilders. This voyage was made on
board the ship "Eyckenboom "(meaning "oak tree"), and he ar-
rived at New Amsterdam August 20, 1641. He received letters
patent from the directors, bearing date June 19th, 1642, for
the whole of Staten Island (excepting the bouwerie of Capt. de
Vries), and constituting him patroon of the island, investing
him at the same time with all the powers, jurisdiction and '
pre-eminences of that privileged order.
During the administration of Kieft, Melyn, the patroon of
Staten Island, lived in a state of unremitting hostility with
him. Having adopted, in a great measure, the policy of de
Vries in the treatment of the Indians, though not as success-
fully, he found himself in almost constant collision with Kieft,
who was prompt to notice and avenge every act of the savages
which he could torture into a hostile demonstration.
Kieft continued to reside at New Amsterdam for a short time
after he had been superseded, and Melyn improved the oppor-
tunity to prefer charges against him. Stuyvesant, though on
the whole disposed to deal justly with all men, would brook no
direct attack upon the dignity of the directorship, either in his
own person or in that of his predecessor, and this was the light
in which he chose to regard Melyn' s complaint, so when these
charges were preferred they were met by counter-charges from
the ex director, among which was one that Melyn had said he
could get no justice from Kieft. However true the assertion
may have been in its application to Kieft, it proved quite true
in application to Stuyvesant, for after a long investigation, the
attorney-general expressed an opinion that both Melyn and
Kuyter, who had also been implicated in the charges, ought to
suffer death. The director, however, knowing that his public
'acts were likely to be reviewed, was disposed to deal more
leniently with them ; he therefore, with the consent of the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 67
majority of the council, condemned Melyn to a banishment of
seven years and a fine of three hundred guilders and Kuyter to
three years' banishment and a fine of one hundred and fifty
guilders.
In accordance with this sentence, the defendants were sent to
Holland.* The attention of the government was immediately
called to the manner in which justice was administered in the
colony, by an appeal which the banished patroon and his asso-
ciates took on their arrival. An elaborate investigation followed,
and the sentence was reversed; the director was also censured,
and required to return home and answer for his arbitrary con-
duct. Melyn, armed with the necessary documents, returned
triumphantly to New Amsterdam, and had the satisfaction of
serving them upon the director in person. These proceedings
on the part of the patroon were far from mollifying the direc-
tor; and, as he had proved to be a dangerous man to meddle with
arbitrarily, he gratified his animosity by acts of hostility to
Melyn' s family. Jacob Loper, the son-in-law of the patroon,
who had served under Stuyvesant in the West Indies, applied
for permission to make a trading voyage to South River, Dela-
ware, but it was peremptorily refused.
Stuyvesant 1 s representatives appeared before the tribunal
which had cited him, to answer for and defend the acts of their
principal. The opinion of the court was that Melyn had been
seriously injured in his property and person for no other crime
or cause than presuming to differ in opinion with the director.
In the meantime the trade of the colony had become less re-
munerative, and the government, both at home and in the col-
ony, had become involved in complications with other powers
to such an extent as to divert attention from Melyn' s cause,
and it was left for the time in abeyance.
*The ex-director, Kieft, was also a passenger ou the same vessel. In regard to
their treatment and the events of the voyage we may quote another chronicle:
" They were brought on board like criminals, and torn away from their goods,
their wives, and their children. The Princess (the name of the ship) was to carry
the director and these two faithful patriots away from New Netherland; but,
coming into the wrong channel, it struck upon a rock and was wrecked. And
now, this wicked Kieft, seeing death before his eyes, sighed deeply, and, turning
to these two (Melyn and Kuyter), said: ' Friends, I have been unjust towards you;
can you forgive me?' Towards morning the ship was broken to pieces. Among
those drowned were Melyn's son. the minister, Bogardus, Kieft, Captain John De
Vries, and a great number of other persons. Much treasure was lost, as Kieft
was on his return with a fortune of four hundred thousand guilders 160,000
dollars."
68 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Melyn's appeal seems to have at last gained the reversal of
the sentence which had been imposed upon him by Stuyvesant.
But notwithstanding this, the persecutions of the governor seem
to have continued with unabated zeal. In the spring of 1650
Melyn associated with himself Baron Van Cappelan, a man of
wealth, who immediately fitted out a ship called the Ci New
Netherland's Fortune," with a cargo and some twenty colonists
for Staten Island. The ship was commanded by Capt. Adrian
Post,
The passage was one of extraordinary length and the sea was
unusually boisterous, and they were obliged to put into Rhode
Island for supplies. They did not reach New Amsterdam until
the following winter. Making this stop at Rhode Island the
occasion for another persecution, Stuyvesant seized the ship
under the pretext that it belonged to Melyn, and caused it and
the cargo to be sold. It was purchased by Thomas Willet, who
sent it on a voyage to Virginia, and thence to Holland, where
Van Cappelan replevined it, and after a protracted law suit, the
West India company was obliged to pay a large sum in conse-
quence of the illegal act of its representative and servant in
New Netherland.
The harassed patroon immediately withdrew to his " colonie"
on Staten Island, from whence he was summoned by Stuyvesant
to appear, and answer to new charges which had been preferred
against him. This summons he positively refused to obey, and
:i lot of land, with a house on it, in New Amsterdam, belong-
ing to him, was declared confiscated, and accordingly was sold.
Melyn now fortified himself on the island and established a
manorial court.
Among the charges preferred against Melyn were the follow-
ing : that he had distributed arms amongst the Indians, and had
endeavored to excite hostile feelings toward the director among
some of the river tribes. When he left Holland the patroon
had taken the precaution of furnishing himself with a "safe
conduct," as it was called, which was a sort of protection
against further aggressions on the part of Stuyvesant ; to this,
however, he paid little regard when he had the patroon in his
power ; but now that he had proved contumacious by refusing
to appear, and putting himself into his enemy's power, the di-
rector scarcely dared venture to arrest by force one who was
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 69
protected by a document of such authority ; he therefore
affected to be alarmed for his own personal safety, and applied
to the council for protection, who granted him a body guard of
four halbidiers, to attend him whenever he went abroad. Van
Dincklagen, the vice-director, had been instrumental in assist-
ing both Van Cappelan and Melyn in promoting the successful
settlement of Staten Island ; he therefore fell under the dis-
pleasure of the director, who ordered him to resign, or the
council to expel him from their body, but he refused to resign,
and defied the council to expel him, as they had no more power
to deprive him of his office than the director himself, as both
held their commissions from the same authority at home.
Nevertheless, he was arrested and imprisoned in the guard-
house, and the counsel who had defended him was forbidden to
practice his profession in the colony. After the lapse of several
days the vice-director was liberated, and immediately took up
his residence with Melyn on Staten Island.
These settlements were probably located on the east side of
the island, between the Narrows and the locality known as Old
Town, or "Oude Dorp," as it was called. But all traces of
these settlements have long since vanished, and no records are
left to tell us of their locality. Though the site was well se-
lected in some respects sheltered by hills on the north, acces-
sible by water, convenient for fishing, and comprising both up-
land and meadow it was early abandoned for other situations.
An atmosphere of misfortune, too, seemed to hover over it.
The first plantation, by de Vries, had been destroyed ; Melyn,
the patroon, and all connected with him seemed to be the
especial objects of the governor's animosity, and we now come
to the period when the settlement is again wiped out by the
bloody Indian raid of 1655, an account of which has already
been given. At that time Baron Van Cappelan' s colonists
numbered "ninety souls in eleven bouweries," all of whom
were killed or dispersed. The island was now depopulated, and
the settlement had to be re-commenced. Van Cappelan did
what he could to induce the affrighted people to return to their
desolated homes, and sent out new colonists. These efforts were
made by Van Dincklagen, his agent. To avert the probability
of another attack, he negotiated another purchase of the island
from the Indians, and made a treaty with them. This was done
70 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
on the 10th of July, 1657.* These proceedings on his part were
disapproved by the directors of the company at home, who
insisted that all settlers' titles should come through them.
Stuyvesant was, therefore, directed to declare the late purchase
void, to secure the Indian title for the company, and then to
convey to Van Cappelan what land he might require.
In 1661 Melyn returned to Holland, having, in consideration
of fifteen hundred guilders (six hundred dollars), conveyed all
his interest in Staten Island to the West India Company. The
deed was dated June 14, 1659. He was also granted an amnesty
for all offenses which had been charged upon him by either
Stuyvesant or his predecessor. Van Cappelan being dead, the
company also purchased all the title he had to any part of the
island during his life time, and thus became the possessors of
the whole of it.
About this time Johannes de Decker, who first came to New
Amsterdam in 1655, acquired title to one hundred and twenty
acres of land on Staten Island. He was a young man of good
reputation, and for a time occupied important official trusts.
By what steps he obtained possession of the land mentioned, or
where it was located, we have not learned. By some disagree-
ment with Stuyvesant he fell into discord with that turbulent
official and was dispossessed and banished. The sentence was,
however, in all probability reversed, since he was back in the
colony again at the time of the conquest of 1664. Among the
last of the Dutch patents was one granted to him for this land,
dated January 15, 1664. During the administration of JSTicolls,
however, his Dutch patriotism made him offensive to the
English government, and he was again banished from the
province.
Some time after the peace of Breda, he applied to the Duke
of York for a redress of his grievances and a restitution of his
property. This application the duke referred to Lovelace, with
*Dunlap has set forth that the island was purchased of the Indians in 1651, by
Augustine Herman, but we fail to find authority sufficient to sustain the as-
sertion. A purchase was made of the Indians December 6th of that year, by "Au-
gustine Heermans," acting for Cornells van Werckhoven, a Schepen of Utrecht,
which covered a large tract lying between the Arthur kill and the Raritan river ;
and from the incidental mention of Staten Island in giving the boundaries the
idea may have been gained that the conveyance included this island. But as
Melyn was in undisputed possession here at the time, had been for several years
previous, and continued to be for several years after, it is fair to presume that no
such purchase of the Indians was made or intended to be made.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 71
instructions to do in the premises what might be just and
proper ; the result was that de Becker was restored to all his
rights and privileges, and he retired to private life on his farm
on Staten Island.
He was the progenitor of a numerous family now residing
on the island, by the name of Decker, and further notice of
him will be found in connection with the history of that family.
Soon after the sale of the island by Melyn and Van Cappel-
an's heirs to the West India company, the latter made grants
of land to several French Waldenses, and a still greater number
of Huguenots from Rochelle, the descendants of whom are still
residents here, and in a few instances still occupying the iden-
tical grants made to their ancestors. About a dozen families
commenced a settlement south of the Narrows. In 1663 they
built a block-house as a defense against the Indians, and placed
within it a garrison of ten men, and armed it with two small
cannons. At the request of these settlers, Dominie Drisius, of
New Amsterdam, visited them every two months and preached
to them in French, performing also the other functions of his
calling. Rev. Samuel Drisius was sent to America by the
Classis of Amsterdam, in 1654, at the request of the people,
who desired a minister who could preach to them either in
Dutch or French, which he was able to do. On his arrival at
New Amsterdam he was at once installed as the colleague of
the Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, who had resided in the coun-
try since 1642. Drisius continued to officiate at New Amster-
dam and on Staten Island until 1671. From about 1660 his
visits to the island were more frequent, being made once each
month.
It would be pleasant could we bring out a fuller picture of
the times in which these interesting people made their homes
here, but the data is very meagre. Their memory is by many
fondly cherished, and by others, some of whom live nearest
the scenes of their conflicts with the wilderness, sadly neglected.
In the shadow of the court house at Richmond, within a neg-
lected enclosure stands a tombstone bearing the following in-
scription :
SUSANNAH VAN PELT
was
The Grand Daughter of
Jacob Rezean, Sen'r
72 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
and the last of five generations
interred in this burying ground.
They were Huguenots
who left France when
persecuted for their religion ;
settled in this neighborhood ;
they selected this spot
for their last resting place
on earth.
Sacred be their dust.
Susannah van Pelt
reached the advanced age
of 99 years, 5 months, 25 days.
This monument is erected by her only surviving relative.
We come now to one of the important landmarks in the his-
tory of New York and as a consequence in the history of Staten
Island. The year 1664 was the commencement of a new era,
and one which was to give to the settlement here a better chance
for life and a more favorable atmosphere for growth.
The English claimed to have discovered, through their repre-
sentative, Sebastian Cabot, as early as 1497, the coast of North
America. Their claim extended from thirty to fifty-eight de-
grees north latitude. Voyages were made to different parts of
the coast by English navigators before the year 1606. On the
12th of March. 1664, Charles II. of England, by virtue of the
claim just stated, made a grant of land to his brother James,
Duke of York, which included within its liberal boundaries the
territory then occupied by the Dutch at New Amsterdam and
vicinity, of which Staten Island formed a part.
The duke immediately fitted out an expedition to take pos-
session of the field covered by this patent. Richard Nicolls
was commissioned deputy governor of this colony, and his
associates in the government were Robert Carr, George Cart-
wright and Samuel Maverick. Four ships composed the fleet.
and they together carried nearly one hundred guns and some
six hundred men. The fleet arrived in New York bay in August
of the same year, and Colonel Nicolls sent a demand to Governor
Stuyvesant for the surrender of the fort and the government.
The latter at first stoutly refused to comply with the demand,
but after a few days spent in consultation with the burgo-
masters and people of the city, and finding the latter strongly
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 73
in favor of such a course, he was forced to yield to the popular
sentiment, and with much reluctance agreed to a surrender.
This was accomplished on the 26th of August, and the sceptre
of New Netherlands passed from the wooden-legged warrior to
the representatives of the Duke of York.
It is worthy of remark that when the English fleet arrived in
the bay the first Dutch property seized by them was on Staten
Island, where the block house was taken and occupied.
Stuyvesant appointed six commissioners, among whom was
Dom. Megapolensis and Johannes de Decker, to meet a like
number on the part of the English, to arrange the terms of the
capitulation. These were just and reasonable, under the circum-
stances; no change was to be made in the condition of the people
but all were to be permitted to enjoy their property and their
religion to the fullest extent. As the individual rights and
privileges of no one were to be molested, the people submitted
to a change of rulers, not only with a good grace, but many
with satisfaction, as it released them from the overbearing and
arbitrary tyranny of the director.
Though de Decker had been one of the commissioners who
agreed to and signed the articles of surrender, yet, when the
English began to change the names of places, and appoint new
officers in place of those who had become obnoxious to them;
in short, when everything began to assume an English aspect,
his patriotism began to revolt, and he endeavored in some in-
stances to oppose the work of reform which the conquerors had
initiated. This brought him to the notice of Nicolls, who, to
rid himself of a troublesome subject, ordered him to leave the
colony within ten days. In the course of a few months every-
thing became quiet, and the people seemed to be content with
the new order of things. Unappropriated lands now began to
be parcelled out to English proprietors, by English authority.
Staten island, already settled by the Dutch and French, was
now to receive acquisition of another nationality. Capt. James
Bollen received a grant of land on the island; the country be-
tween the Raritan river and Newark bay was bought anew from
the savages, and settled by people from Long Island, chiefly
along Achter Cull, and four families from Jamaica began the
settlement of Elizabethtown. Besides Captain Bollen, Captain
William Hill, Lieutenant Humphrey Fox and one Coleman, all
officers of the fleet, received grants of land on Staten Island,
74 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
but as the vessels to which they were attached were no longer
needed, and were sent back to England, they had little or no
opportunity of enjoying their acquisitions.
The government of New Netherland, under the original
Dutch settlers, was committed to the director and his council,
which at first consisted of five members. This council had su-
preme executive and legislative authority in the whole colony.
It had also the power to try all civil and criminal cases, and all
prosecutions before it were conducted by a "Schout Fiscaal,"
whose duties were similar to those of a sheriff and district at-
torney of the present day. He had the power to arrest all per-
sons, but not without a complaint previously made to him, un-
less he caught an offender in flagrante delictu. It was his
duty to examine into the merits of every case, and lay them be-
fore the court, without favor to either party; he was also to re-
port to the directors in Holland the nature of every case prose-
cuted by him, and the judgment therein. In addition to the
duties above enumerated, it devolved upon him to examine the
papers of all vessels arriving or departing; to superintend the
lading and discharging of cargoes, and to prevent smuggling.
He had a right to attend the meetings of the council, and give
his opinion when asked, but not to vote on any question.
Several of the patroons claimed in a great measure to be in-
dependent of the director and his council, and organized
courts and appointed magistrates for their own territories, as
did the patroons of Rensselaerwyck and Staten Island, but
they were at constant variance with the authorities at New Am-
sterdam.
It is true that all who felt themselves aggrieved by the judg-
ment of the director and his council, had a chartered right to
appeal to the XIX at home that is, the West India Company
but the directors of New Netherland generally played the
despot during the brief terms of their authority, and if any
suitor manifested an intention to appeal, he was at once charged
with a contempt of the supreme power in the colony and most
severely punished, unless he contrived to keep out of the direc-
tor's reach until his case had been heard and decided in Hol-
land, as in the instance of Melyn, the patroon of Staten Island,
who appears to have been a thorn in the sides of both Kieft and
Stuyvesant.
The religion recognized by the government of the province
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 75
was that of the Reformed Dutch church, or the Church of Hol-
land, and though other sects were regarded with a certain degree
of suspicion, they were tolerated so long as they did not inter-
fere with the privileges of others.
When Stuyvesant \vas compelled by the popular clamor to
surrender the country to the English, he stipulated for the
preservation and continuance of all the political and religious
rights and privileges of the people as then enjoyed, allegiance
alone excepted, which was conceded by Nicolls.
After the conquest, (his stipulation was generally held invio-
late, but the civil institutions of the country were modified to
make them accord with English ideas of government.
There are instances on record of persecution for opinion's
sake on religious subjects under the Dutch, but all such matters
were at once rectified when brought to the notice of the home
government. This continued to be the practice of the English
government also.
Staten Island, Long Island and Westchester were now united
in a political division, called Yorkshire, and this was sub-divided
into three parts called "Ridings." These were respectively
known as the East, West, and Nort-h ridings. The West riding
was composed of Staten Island, together with the towns now of
Kings county and Newtown, on Long Island. The term " Rid-
ing" is a corruption of the word "Trithing," the name of a
division of Yorkshire in England, after which this American
"Yorkshire" seems to have been fashioned. The ridings were
established principally for the accommodation of courts and
convenience in apportioning taxes.
Under the duke's government each town had a justice of the
peace, who was appointed by the governor ; and at first eight,
but afterward four overseers and a constable, who were elected
by the people. Three officers were charged with the duty of
assessing taxes, holding town courts, and regulating such mat-
ters of minor importance as should not otherwise be provided
for by the laws or orders of the governor. The jurisdiction of
the town court was limited to cases not exceeding five pounds
in value.
A court of sessions, composed of the justices of the peace,
was established in each riding. This court was held twice each
year, and was competent to decide all criminal cases, and all
civil ones where the amount of difference exceeded five pounds.
76 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Judgments rendered in this court for sums under twenty
pounds were final, but in cases exceeding that amount an appeal
to the court of assize was allowed. Criminal cases involving
capital punishment required the unanimous concurrence of
twelve jurors, but all other cases were decided by the majority
of seven jurors. The high sheriff, members of the council, and
the secretary of the colony were authorized to sit with the
justices in this court.
The court of assize was held once a year, in the city of New
York. It was composed of the governor, his council, and an
indefinite number of the justices. It entertained appeals from
the inferior courts, and had original jurisdiction in cases where
the demand exceeded twenty pounds. The governor appointed
a high sheriff for the "shire," and a deputy sheriff for each
riding. This court was the nominal head of the government-
legislative as well as judicial. It was, however, in reality the
governor's cloak, under cover of which he issued whatever reg-
ulations his judgment or fancy dictated. All its members held
their positions during his pleasure, and were virtually obliged
to sanction his views and second his opinions. Many of the
laws, amendments and orders enacted through the name of this
court were arbitrary, obnoxious and oppressive to the people.
Petitions from the people for redress of their grievances had
but little if any effect in the desired direction.
The early governors imposed duties on imported and ex-
ported goods, disposed of the public lands, and levied taxes
on the people, for the support of the government. The fi-
nances of the colony were under their control, in common with
every other department, and this power over the treasury was
doubtless often used for their own individual benefit.
In the orders made at the general court of assize, from the
6th to the 13th of October, 1675, the following appears :
"That by reason of the Separacon by water, Staten Island
shall have Jurisdiction of it Self and to have noe further de-
pendance on the Courts of Long Island nor on their Militia."
From this time forward the island has been an independent
judicial district, and the first record, which soon after began to
be kept, is still in existence in the office of the county clerk ;
it is a small square volume, bound in vellum, and besides many
quaint records of "sewts," contains the descriptions of the
ear-marks on domestic animals, to distinguish the ownership,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 77
as the animals were allowed to run at large through the woods
and unappropriated lands.
Among some of these early court records we find the follow-
ing:
Jacob Jeyoung (Guyon) Ptf ) In A Action of the Caus
Isaac See (?) Deft \ At A Court held on Staten Island
By the Constable and oversears of the seam on this present
Munday Being the 7 day of febraery 1680 wharas the cans de-
pending Between the Ptf and deft hath Bin heard the Court
ordereth deft to Cleer his flax forthwith and his Corn out of
the Barn within ten days from the deat hearof and to clear up
his other A Counts at the next Court.
A A Court held on Staton Island By the Constabl and over-
sears of the Seam on this present Munday Being the 5 day of
September 1680 Sarah whittman Ptf William Britton Deft, in
A Action of the Case to the valew of 4. 10s. 6 d. The Caus
depending Betwixt the Ptf and Deft hath Bin heard and for
want of farther proof the Caus is Referred till the next Court.
Sarah Whittman Ptf
William Briten Deft
At A Court held on Staton Island by the Constabll and over-
sears of the seam on this present Munday Being the 3 day of
October 1680 the Court ordereth that the Deft shall seat (set) up
and geett (get?) forty panell of soefisiont (sufficient) fence for the
yous (use) of Sarah whitman at or Be foor the first of november
next in sewing (ensuing) with Cost of sewt.
The regulation of the sale of intoxicating liquors received the
early attention of the government, and the following rates were
established throughout the province, which "tapsters" were
allowed to charge : French wines, Is. 3d. per quart; Fayal wines
and St. George's. Is. 6d. ; Madeira wines and Portaport, Is.
10d.; Canaryes and Malaga, 2s. per quart ; brandy, 6d. per gill;
rum, 3d per gill ; syder, 4d. per quart ; double beere, 3d. per
quart ; meals at wine-houses, Is.; at beere-houses, 8d.; lodgings
at wine-houses, 4d. per night; at beere-houses, 3d.
In 1668, Nicolls, by his own request, was relieved of the
government of the province, and was succeeded by Colonel
Francis Lovelace. Thomas Lovelace, whose official signature is
appended to so many of the old documents connected with the
conveyance of property on Staten Island, and otherwise, and
who at one time was sheriff of the county, was a brother to the
78 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
governor, and a member of his council ; there was also another
brother, named Dudley, likewise a member of the council. The
record of the administration of this governor contains many
acts of arbitrary ruling and disregard of the rights of the com-
mon people. His theory of the proper way to hold a people in
submission appears in a letter written by himself to a friend, to
have been by imposing "such taxes on them as may not give
them liberty to entertain any other thoughts but how to dis-
charge them."
Governor Lovelace, it is said, owned a plantation on Sraten
Island, on which he built a mill for grinding cereals. One of
the prominent acts of his administration was the re-purchase
and final extinction of the Indian claim to the island. This was
consummated on the 13th of April, 1670. This act has been
termed "the most memorable" of his administration, and the
island was described as "the most commodiousest seate and
richestland " in America. The year previous, the principal sa-
chem had confirmed the former bargains made with the English,
but several other inferior sachems now presented their claims,
insisting that they were the owners. To quiet them, a new
bargain was made ; they executed another deed and possession
was given by " turf and twigg." This was the last sale made
by the Indians. They reserved two sorts of wood, however,
and within the memory of the people now living, small parties
of Indians, at long intervals have visited the island, and ex-
ercised their reserved right of cutting such wood as they re-
quired for the purpose of making baskets.
The original Indian deed is still in existence. Its preamble
cites that it was made "between Francis Lovelace, Governor-
General under James, Duke of York and Albany, etc., and the
Indians Aquepo, Warrines, Minqua, Sachemack, Permantowes,
Qurvequeen, Wewaneca, Oneck and Mataris, on behalf of
theirselves, as the true owners and lawful Indians, proprietors
of Staten Island." The conveyance was executed by the affix-
ing of the hands and seals of all the parties and the attesting
witnesses as follows: Couns. Steenwick, Maijor Tho. Lovelace,
C. V. Reinjven, Oloff Steven Y. Cortland, Allard Anthony,
Johannes Vamburgh, Gerrit Van Tright, J. Bedlow, Warn
Wessols, Constapel, William Nicolls, Humph' y Davenport,
Cornells Bedloo, Nicholas Antony.
The Indians were to have the privilege of remaining until the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 79
following May, when they were to surrender the island to such
persons as the governor should appoint to receive it. This was
accordingly done on the first day of May, Thomas Lovelace and
Matthias Xicolls having been deputed by the governor to
receive the transfer of possession from the Indians.
The conveyance also contained the following two paragraphs
which are of sufficient interest to warrant copying :
"The payment agreed upon for ye purchase of Staten Island,
conveyed this day by ye Indian Sachems, propriet's is (vizt.):
I, Foure hundred Fathoms of Wampum ; 2, Thirty Match
Boots; 3, Eight Coates of Durens, made up; 4, Thirty Shirts;
5, Thirty Kettles ; 6. Twenty Gunnes ; 7, A Firkin of Powder ;
8, Sixty Barres of Lead ; 9, Thirty Axes ; 10, Thirty Howes ;
II, Fifty Knives."
"It was further covenanted that two or three of the said
Sachems, their heirs or successors, or persons employed by
them, should once in every year, the first day of May, after
their surrender, repair to the fort, and acknowledge their sale
to the Governor, and continue in mutual friendship."
The latter paragraph appears as an endorsed memorandum,
with the signature of Francis Lovelace attached to it.
Several young Indians were not present at the time the above
conveyance was made, accordingly, in order to secure their firm
understanding and approval it was again delivered on the 25th
of April, and in their presence. They made their marks upon
it as witnesses. The names of those who thus subscribed were
" Pewovvahone, about 5 yeares old, a boy; Pokoques, about
8 yeares old, a girle ; Shirjuirneho, about 12 yeares old,
a girle ; Kanarekante, about 12 yeares old, a girle ; Mahquadus,
about 15 yeares old, a young man ; Ashehanewes, about 20
yeares old, a young man."
This was the final sale of the island by the Indians, and we
have no knowledge of any claim ever being made by them to its
soil from that time forward to the present. It has already been
said that the Indians were always ready to sell the island. In
1636 they sold it to Michael Pauw ; shortly after they sold a
part to David Pietersen de Vries ; in 1641 to Cornelis Melyn ;
in 1657 to Baron Van Cappelan, and in 1670 to Governor Love.
lace. To this last sale they were obliged to adhere ; there was
probably more ceremony about it. which rendered the transac-
tion more impressive. In delivering possession, they presented
80 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUXTi*.
a sod and a shrub or branch of every kind of tree which grew
upon the island, except the ash and elder (some say ash and
hickory).
The administration of Governor Lovelace was brought to an
unexpected end by the surrender of the colony to its former
masters, the Dutch. Rumors of anticipated troubles in Europe
reached America, and Lovelace immediately began to make
preparations for the worst, so far as his means permitted ; he
strengthened the defenses of the fort, organized several military
companies in the metropolis, and other places in the province,
repaired arms and laid in a large quantity of ammunition and
other warlike stores. In April, 1672. England and France de-
clared war against Holland ; in Europe, the war was chiefly
naval, and the English and French fleets suffered severely at the
hands of De Ruyter and Tromp. On the 7th day of August,
1673, a Dutch fleet of twenty-three vessels arrived in JS"ew York
bay, and anchored under Staten Island. Soon after their arrival
they made a raid upon the plantation of Lovelace, and carried
off sufficient cattle and sheep to make a breakfast for the 1,600
men on board the ships of the fleet. This arrival produced the
greatest consternation in the city and neighboring villages.
Lovelace himself was absent from the city at the time, and
when the demand was made for the surrender of the fort, it was
yielded without the firing of a gun. Captain Manning, the
commandant of the fort, was afterward tried for treachery and
cowardice, and sentenced to have his sword broken over his head.
The conquest having been consummated Anthony Colve was
immediately appointed governor of the colony, and at once
commenced the work of obtaining the submission of the people
to his authority, and reorganizing the government according to
his own notions. But the Dutch rule was of short duration.
On the 9th of February. 1874, peace was concluded between
England and the states general, by the treaty of Westminister,
and according to its terms the colony reverted to the English.
Major Edmond Andros, of Prince Rupert's dragoon regiment,
which had been disbanded, was selected as the proper person to
proceed to America and receive the province from the Dutch.
Armed with the proper authority from the Dutch government,
which had been furnished at the request of the English king,
he arrived in the Diamond frigate in October, 1674, and an-
chored under Staten Island. A correspondence was at once
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 81
opened between him and Colve, which resulted in a surrender
of the province on the 10th day of that month.
Andros having received his commission as governor, caused
the oath of allegiance to be administered to the people ; the
English government was once more established, and so con-
tinued for a century thereafter. The Duke of York, apprehen-
sive that the validity of his title might be called in question, in
consequence of the province having been in the possession of
a foreign power, received a new patent from the king.
Andros having been recalled, Brockholst administered the
government until the arrival of Colonel Thomas Dongan, who,,
though commissioned September 30th, 1682, did not arrive
until the 25th of the following August. He was a professed
papist, but is said to have been a "wiser man than a master."
The people of Staten Island are more directly interested in him
than in any other governor of the province under either nation-
ality ; having the whole country before him, from which to
select his residence, he made choice of Staten Island, and the
evidences of his residence here are still, in some measure, per-
ceptible.
Let us pause in our narrative for a brief space, to take
a view of the condition of the island at this early period.
The first dwelling houses erected on the island after the
removal of the Walloons to Long Island, were in the
vicinity of the Narrows, or between that and Old Town,
which is so called, probably, from that circumstance, and
were not more than five or six in number. There was
one, probably, at the extreme south end, and one or two at
Fresh kill. Subsequently, in 1651, when the Waldenses arrived,
and, after them, the Huguenots, the settlements at Old Town
and Fresh kill received accessions. Before their arrival there
were no roads, except, perhaps, foot-paths through the forest,
between the two last-mentioned localities ; there was no need
of any, for the intercourse of the islanders was with New Am-
sterdam. After the settlements at Old Town and Fresh kill
had received accessions, intercourse between them became more
frequent, and, in due course of time, the road from the one to
the other was constructed ; particularly after the Waldenses
had built their church at Stony Brook, and the Huguenots
their at Fresh kill.
The houses were built in clusters, or hamlets, for convenience
6
82 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
in mutual defense and protection. Tradition says that one of
the first dwellings on the island was situated on the heights at
New Brighton, and was constructed of bricks imported from
Holland, and occupied, for a time at least, by a prominent of-
ficial of the government. If there is any truth in the tradition,
the house was, probably, the residence of de Yries, who, feel-
ing secure in the friendship of the Indians, ventured to erect
his dwelling in that beautiful, but remote, locality. That the
builder's confidence in the Indians was not misplaced, the same
tradition further says that, in 1655, when the great Indian war
broke out, and the island was nearly depopulated, this house
and its occupants were spared. In the latter part of the last
century, and in the beginning of the present, all the territory
embraced in the first, and most of the second wards of the
present village of New Brighton constituted farms owned by the
families of the VanBuskirks, Crocherons and Vreelands ; these
farms extended from the kills one mile into the country. Abra-
ham Crocherou, the owner of one of them, erected a grist mill
in the valley east of Jersey street, relying for a supply of water
on the spring now known as the Hessian spring ; but this
not proving sufficient, he converted his grist mill into a snuff
mill, for which the supply was abundant. About the same time
Captain Thomas Lawrence built a distillery on a small wharf
which now forms a part of the present large New Brighton
wharf. Long before this part of the island was patented to any
individual, and laid out into farms, and while it was yet covered
with the original forests, there was a deep ravine, extending
from the spring mentioned above to the kills, into which the
tide ebbed and flowed, and which, in the days of the Dutch and
early English governors, afforded a place of concealment for
the smugglers who infested the coast. The face of the country
has now become materially changed, by cutting down the hills
and filling up the valleys.
In process of time, as settlers arrived, they located along the
shores, and roads became a necessity ; these at first were con-
structed along the shores, until at length cross roads for con-
venience of communication between the several settlements were
constructed. Some of these old roads have been closed, and the
Clove road is 'the only original one now left.
In regard to the character of the early settlers, a writer of
that century said : ; 'As to their wealth and disposition thereto,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 85
so high, no one will live there, the creeks and rivers being so
serviceable to them in enabling them to go to the city, and
for fishing and catching oysters, and for being near the salt
meadow. The woods are nsed for pasturing horses and cattle,
for, being an island, none of them can get off. Each person
has marks upon his own by which he can find them when he
wants them. When the population shall increase, these
places will be taken up. Game of all kinds is plenty, and
twenty-five or thirty deer are sometimes seen in a herd. A
boy who came in a house where we were, told us he had shot
ten the last winter himself, and more than forty in his life,
and in the same manner other game. We tasted here the
best grapes. There are now about 100 families on the Island,
of which the English constitute the least portion, and the
Dutch and French divide between them about equally the
greater portion. They have neither church nor minister, and
live rather far from each other, and inconveniently to meet
together. The English are less disposed to religion, and inquire
little after it; but in case there was a minister, would contribute
to his support. The French and Dutch are very desirous and
eager for one, for they spoke of it wherever we went. The
French are good Reformed church-men, and some of them are
Walloons. The Dutch are also from different quarters. We
reached the Island, as I have said, about 9 o'clock, directly
opposite Gouanes, not far from the watering-place. We pro-
ceeded southwardly along the shore of the highland on
the east end, where it was sometimes stony and rocky, and
sometimes sandy, supplied with fine constantly flowing springs,
with which at times we quenched our thirst.
" We had now come nearly to the furthest point on the south-
east, behind which I had observed several houses when we came
in with the ship. We had also made inquiry as to the villages
through which we would have to pass, and they told us the
' Oude Dorp ' would be the first one we would come to; but my
comrade finding the point very rocky and difficult, and believ-
ing the village was inland, and as we discovered no path to
follow, we determined to clamber to the top of this steep bluff,
through the bushes and thickets, which we accomplished with
great difficulty and in a perspiration. We found as little of a
road above as below, and nothing but woods, through which no
one could see. There appeared to be a little foot-path along
86 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
the edge, which I followed a short distance to the side of the
point, but my companion calling me, and saying that he thought
we had certainly passed by the road to the Oude Dorp, and
observing myself that the little path led down to the point, I
returned again, and we followed it the other way, which led us
back to the place where we started. We supposed we ought
to go from the shore to find the road to Oude Dorp, and seeing
here these slight tracks into the woods, \ve followed them as far
as we could, till at last they ran to nothing else than dry
leaves.
" Having wandered an hour or more in the woods, now in a
hollow and then over a hill, at one time through a swamp, at
another across a brook, without finding any road or path, we
entirely lost the way. We could see nothing but the sky
through the thick branches of the trees over our heads, and we
thought it best to break out of the woods entirely and regain
the shore. I had taken an observation of the shore and point,
having been able to look at the sun, which shone extraordi-
narily hot in the thick woods, without the least breath of air
stirring. We made our way at last, as well as we could, out
of the woods, and struck the shore a quarter of an hour's
distance from where we began to climb up. We were rejoiced,
as there was a house not far from the place where we came
out. We went to it to see if we could find any one who
would show us the way a little. There was no master in it,
but an English woman with negroes and servants. We first
asked her as to the road, and then for something to drink,
and also for some one to show us the road, but she refused
the last, although we were willing to pay for it; she was
a cross woman. She said she had never been at the village, and
her folks must work, and we would certainly have to go away
as wise as we came. She said, however, we must follow the
shore, as we did. We went now over the rocky point, which
we were no sooner over than we saw a pretty little sand bay,
and a small creek, and not far from there, cattle and houses.
We also saw the point from which the little path led from the
hill above, where I was when my comrade called me. We
would not have had more than three hundred steps to go to
have been where we now were. It was very hot, and we per-
spired a great deal. We went on to the little creek to sit
down and rest ourselves there, and to cool our feet, and
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
then proceeded to the houses which constituted the Onde
Dorp. It was now about two o'clock. There were seven
houses, but only three in which anybody lived. The others
were abandoned, and their owners gone to live on better places
on the Island, because the ground around this village was
worn out and barren, and also too limited for their use. We
went into the first house, which was inhabited by English,
and there rested ourselves and eat, and inquired further after
the road; the woman was cross, and her husband not much
better. We had to pay here for what we eat, which we have
not done before. We paid three guilders in seewan, although
we only drank water. We proceeded by a tolerable good road
to Nienwe Dorp, but as the road ran continually in the woods
we got astray again in them. It was dark, and we were com-
pelled to break our way out through the woods and thickets,
and we went a great distance before we succeeded, when it was
almost entirely dark. We saw a house at a distance to which
we directed ourselves across the bushes; it was the first house
of the Nieuwe Dorp. We found there an Englishman who
could speak Dutch, and who received us very cordially into his
house, where we had as good as he and his wife had. She was a
Dutch woman from the Manhatans, who was glad to have us in
her house,
"12^, Thursday. Although we had not slept well, we had
to resume our journey with the day. The man where we slept
set us on the road. We had no more villages to go to, but went
from one plantation to another, for the most part belonging to
French, who showed us every kindness because we conversed
with them in French.
" About one-third of the distance from the south side to the
west end is still all woods, and is very little visited. We had
to go along the shore, finding sometimes fine creeks well pro-
vided with wild turkeys, geese, ^snipes and wood-hens. Lying-
rotting on the shore were thousands of fish called marsbaucken,
which are about the size of a common carp. These fish swim
close together in large schools, and are pursued by other fish
so that they are forced upon the shore in order to avoid the
mouths of their enemies, and when the water falls they are left
to die, food for the eagles and other birds of prey. Proceeding
thus along, we came to the west point, where an Englishman
lived alone, some distance from the road. We ate something
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
here, and he gave us the consolation that we would have a very
bad road for two or three hours ahead, which indeed we experi-
enced, for there was neither path nor road. He showed us as
well as he could. There was a large creek to cross which ran
very far into the land, and when we got on the other side of it
we must, he said, go outward along the shore. After we had
gone a piece of the way through the woods, we came to a valley
with a brook running through it, which we took to be the creek
or the end of it. We turned around it as short as we could, in
order to go back again to the shore, which we reached after
wandering a long time over hill and dale, when we saw the
creek, which we supposed we had crossed, now just before us.
We followed the side of it deep into the woods, and when we
arrived at the end of it saw no path along the other side to get
outwards again, but the road ran into, the woods in order to cut
off a point of the hills and land. We pursued this road for
some time, but saw no mode of getting out, and that it led fur-
ther and further from the creek. We therefore left the road,
and went across through the bushes, so as to reach the shore by
the nearest route according to our calculation. After continu-
ing this course about an hour, we saw at a distance a miserably
constructed tabernacle of pieces of wood covered with brush,
all open in front, and where we thought there were Indians,
but on coming up to it we found in it an Englishman sick, and
his wife and child lying upon some bushes by a little tire. We
asked him if he was sick ? ' I have been sick over two months,'
he replied. It made my heart sore, indeed, for I never, in all
my life, saw such poverty, and that, too, in the middle of the
woods and wilderness. After we had obtained some informa-
tion as to the way, we went on, and had not gone far before we
came to another house, and thus from one farm to another,
French, Dutch, and a few English, so that we had not wandered
very far out of the way. We inquired, at each house, the way
to the next one. Shortly before evening we arrived at the
plantation of a Frenchman, whom they called La Chaudrounier,
who was formerly a soldier under the Prince of Orange, and had
served in Brazil. He was so delighted, and held on to us so
hard, that we remained and spent the night with him.
" 13th, Friday. We pursued our journey this morning from
plantation to plantation, the same as yesterday, until we came
to that of Pierre Gardinier, who had been in the service of the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 89
Prince of Orange, and had known him well. He had a large
family of children and grand-children. He was about seventy
years of age, and was still as fresh and active as a young per-
son. He was so glad to see strangers who conversed with him
in the French language that he leaped with joy. After we had
breakfasted here, they told us that we had another large creek
to pass called the Fresh Kill, and then we could perhaps be set
across the Kill Van Koll to the point of Mill Creek, where we
might wait for a boat to convey us to the Manhatans. The road
was long and difficult, and we asked for a guide, but he had no
one, in consequence of several of his children being sick. At
last he determined to go himself, and accordingly carried us
in his canoe over to the point of Mill Creek in New Jersey, be-
hind Kol [Achter Kol.] We learned immediately that there
was a boat upon this creek loading with brick, and would leave
that night for the city. After we had thanked and parted with
Pierre le Gardinier, we determined to walk to Elizabethtown, a
good half hour's distance inland, where the boat was. We slept
there this night, and at 3 o'clock in the morning set sail."
CHAPTER IV.
THE COLONIAL PERIOD 1683 TO 1775.
Erection of Richmond County. Arrival of Huguenots. Division of Richmond
into Towns. The Claims of New Jersey. Patents and Land Grants.
Establishment of the Colonial Government. Administration of Justice.
The Time of the French War. Colonial Description. Colonial Customs.
Statistics.
IT seems convenient and appropriate in treating this subject
to regard the colonial period proper as beginning with the
administration of Governor Dongan, although it had in many
respects begun several years before. In 1683 Colonel Thomas
Dongan, having received the appointment of governor, took the
position on the 27th of August. He came with instructions
from the duke to call a general assembly of the people's repre-
sentatives. This he did, and the first assembly of the colony of
New York convened in the city on the 17th of October, 1683.
This assembly adopted a ' ; bill of rights," repealed some of the
most obnoxious of the duke's laws, altered and amended others,
and passed such new laws as they judged the circumstances of
the colony required. During the session an act was passed
abolishing the ridings, and organizing in their stead the counties,
with some alterations in the constitution of the courts.
The " Act to divide this province and dependences into Shires
and Counties," dated November 1, 1683, contains the following
in reference to Staten Island:
"The county of Richmond to conteyne all Staten Island,
Shutter's Island, and the islands of meadow on the west side
thereof."
The county at this time contained some two hundred families.
It was allowed two representatives in the colonial assembly, and
the next year, for the first time, a county tax was imposed,
amounting to fifteen pounds.
The colonial assembly met again in October, 1684. Among
the acts passed at this session was one by which the court of
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 91
assize was abolished. The election of a new assembly took
place in September, 1685, and in the following month it was
organized. Only two or three unimportant acts of this as-
sembly remain on record, and it is probable that whatever other
acts it may have passed, if there were any, were never enforced.
On the death of Charles II, the Duke of York ascended the
throne of Great Britain with the title of James II. He now
abolished the colonial assembly of New York, and re-estab-
lished the governor as the supreme head of the colony, subject
only to such instructions as the king himself might from time
to time dictate.
We now come to a period in the civil and religious history of
Staten Island of great and even romantic interest ; the arrival
of the French Protestants or Huguenots. Years before, it is
true, some had emigrated with the Dutch from Holland, but
now they landed on these shores in considerable numbers,
bringing with them useful arts, a knowledge of gardening and
husbandry, and above all, their own well known virtues, with
a pure, simple, Bible faith. Many of the descendants from this
noble stock now remain to honor the island of their birth with
the sterling character which they have inherited from their an-
cestors.
Though the Protestants of France had, under the famous
"Edict of Nantes," enjoyed the free exercise of their religion
for a time, yet after the death of Henry the Great the merciless
fires of persecution were once more kindled the rack, the gib-
bet and the galley again began their sanguinary work all over
the country, and with increased fury. The "Edict of Nantes "
was formally revoked, when the Hiignenots had now presented
to their choice three things : to go to mass, sacrifice their lives
and their property, or fly from their homes. Too true and in-
dependent to do otherwise they chose the latter expedient, and
half a million of them left beautiful but bigotted France for
foreign lands. Every Protestant kingdom in Europe received
them with open arms, where they soon became the most valu-
able citizens, and many imitating the example of the Puritans,
embarked for an asylum of safety to the new world, and to
this island.
These settlers were celebrated for their industry and frugal-
ity, and commenced the cultivation of the earth. Brave and
independent, they imparted the same excellent traits all around
92 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
them, and above all things else they cherished their religious
duties and pious customs. It is a pleasant fact in the history
of Staten Island, that the ancestors of the present population,
whether from Holland, France or England, each were careful to
maintain pure and evangelical principles in their families. Their
churches were established here at an early period. The follow-
ing record pertaining to the Huguenot church is so much of a
curiosity that we take the liberty to insert it in full, as it ap-
pears on one of the earliest books of record of the county.
" This following deed of Gifte was recorded for the french
Congreygashone Residing with In the Countey of Richmond
on statone Island the 22 day of may Annoque dom : 1698.
" To all Christiane peopell To whome Theas present wright-
ing shall Come John bevealle Seanior of the Countey of Rich-
mond and provence of new yorke weaver and hester his wife
sendeth Greeting In our Lord God Eaver Lasting now know yee
that wheare as Townas Ibbosone of the Countey of Richmond
yeoman did by his certen wrighting or deed pole under his
hand & sealle bearing date The seaventh day of feberary and in
the third yeare of the Reign of our souvring Lord william the
i hird by the Grace of God of England Scotland france & Irland
King annoque dom 169f Grant bargone sell and convay unto
John belvealle of the Countey of Richmond & provence of new
yorke weaver his heirs Exekitors Admsi 09 And asignes A serten
trakt or parcell of Land sittiate Lying and being on the west
side of statones Island neare the fresh killes begining by the
medow and strechig in to the wood by the Lyne of fransis
oseltone dyrekt south three hundred Rood from thence west six
degrees & northerly thirtey six Rood thence dyrekt north by
the Lyiie of Abraham Lacmone three hundred Rood thence
East thirtey six Rood Containing In all sixtey arcres as by the
Recited deed pole Relashone theareunto being had doth and
may more fully and att Large Appeare Now Know yee that the
said John belvealle of Statone Island And provence of New
Yorke and hester his wife Testified by her being A partey to
the Ensaling and delivery of thease presents for the Reaell
Loufe and Afeccone that they beare to the ministrey of Gods
word and the savashone of yeare soules do firmley by theas
presents firmley freeley & absolewtly Give Grante Rattih'e &
Confirme un to the french Congereygashone or Church upon
Statones Island within the Countey of Richmond wone Arcer of
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 93
up land Itt being parte and parcel! of the afore Recited Trackt
or parcell of Land Containing sixtey arcers sowld by the
said Townes Ibbosone itn to the said John belvealle which
arcer of Land being Laid out on the south & by East
side of the brige halfe an acer of the fore Recited Arcer
Lying on the south side the highway and the other halfe of the
fore Recited arcer of Land now Given by the said John belvealle
and hester his wife Lying and being on the north side the high-
way opesett against the other halfe arcer To have and to hold
the fore Recited trackt and parcell of upland containing won
arcer to the french Congreygashone now Residing with in the
Countey of Richmond To Ereckt and bnild A Chnrch upon the
same for the ministrey of the Gospell and the maintainence of
Gods holey word and ordinantsies and for noe other yowse nor
purpose unto The frensh Congreygashone their heirs Exiekitors
Admin rs: for Eaver and the said John belvealle and hester his
wife doth covinante promise and Grante to & with the overseers
of the frensh Congreygashone that they the said John belvealle
and hester his wife their heirs Exekitors Admin rs and asigues
shall and will for Eaver warend and defend the fore said frensh
Congreygashone Their heirs and sucksesors for Eaver in the
quiett and peacebell poseshone of the afore Recited wone arcer
of Land aforesaid against the said John belvealle and hester his
wife or from any other persone or persones what soe eaver Law
fnlley Clayming aney Estate Right titell or interest of in or to
the same. In testimoney of the same wee the said John Bel-
vealle and hester his wife have heare unto sett their hands and
h'xed their seales this twelfth day of Aprell and in the tenth
yeare of the Reighen of our Souvring Lord williame The third
by the Grace of God of England Scotland france and Irian d
King defender of the faith Annoque dom: 1698.
signed saled and delivered The marke of
In the presents of John 1 B belvealle O
JACOB CORBETT The marke of
D.LUCAS hester $ H belvealle O."
JEYN LA TOURRITTE
JOSEPH BASTIDOE
SAMUEL GRASSET"
As a meeting house was spoken of in 1695 as already ex-
isting, it must not be supposed that the acre above granted was
the site of the first house of worship on the island. The site
94 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
of the acre referred to is upon the estate of Henry J. Seaman,
Esq., about one mile from the village of Richmond, and near
the road to Rossville which runs along the north side of the
field in which the interesting spot is situated. It was described
a few years since as being in the third field of the Seaman resi
dence. The direction of the road was changed in 1831 so that
it no longer serves to mark the position of the acre of upland
referred to in Belville's deed. The bridge there mentioned was
removed by Mr. Seaman in 1849, but another was placed by
him on the same site, which was in- the northwest corner of the
same field, and from which the old road, after crossing the bridge,
ran southeast diagonally partly across the field, and then re-
turned joining the present road again near the northeast corner
of the field. The church stood on the half-acre which lay on
the south side of the highway. Some vestiges of its founda-
tion remained till the beginning of the present century. It oc-
cupied the northern slope of the rising ground to the south of
the old road, and about two hundred feet in the same direction
from the present road. The dimensions of the church were
about 32 by 45 feet, and the building stood due north and south.
A small stone dwelling house, probably built for a parsonage,
stood to the east of it. South of the church was the repository
of the dead. These graves were once marked by rough stones,
bearing no inscriptions, but of which as many as two hundred
could at one time be counted. The only inscriptions that have
been read upon stones found in this ground are those of
Tennis Van Pelt, died 1765, aged 65 years; Mary, his wife, died
1762, aged 59 years; another from which the part bearing the
name was broken off, but the date of which was 1784; and an-
other bearing the initials J. L. and date 1784.
This interesting spot commands a prospect of a soft and peace-
ful character. From its gently swelling knoll the spires of
Richmond are seen upon the right, and glimpses of the white
edifices of the quiet village may be caught through the trees.
Directly in front the meadow of Fresh kill spreads its level
surface, backed by the woods and rising grounds of Carl's neck,
while its meanderings may be traced, glistening in the sunbeams
or indicated by the mast of some tiny craft, till the mountains
of New Jersey bounded the scene. Such is the spot where
those noble exiles, the Huguenots of Staten Island, erected the
first edifice for the free and untrammeled exercise of their wor-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 95
ship. Should pilgrims be attracted to the sacred place by this
notice of it Staten Islanders perchance, who can trace their
families to this illustrious source let them, as their footsteps
press the hallowed soil, recall a Huguenot Sabbath of a century
and three-quarters ago. Let imagination picture that humble
house of God, rustic in its appearance but sublime in all its as-
sociations. Mark those groups of devout and honest men, of
high souled women, the dark-eyed sons and daughters of
France! List to the foreign accents of the preacher's voice,
and as it dies away and their solemn anthem swells upon the
air, then give them their meed of praise! We grudge not the
Puritans their share of honor. Break relics, if you will from
the rock of Plymouth, but let not the Huguenots of France,
the Huguenots of Staten Island, be forgotten! By their own
children, if by no others, should the great and good be remem-
bered and revered.
But we must leave these musings and return to the thread of
our narrative. In March, 1688, Richmond was divided into
four towns Castletown, Northfield, Southh'eld and Westfield.
The town of Middletown was not organized until 1860. Before
the legal division of the county into towns, it was divided into
three precincts, the North, South and West: Castleton was not
included in any of the precincts, but was designated "The
Manor." The limits of the precincts were about the same as
those of the towns as established by law on the 7th of March,
1688. Castleton derived its name from the Palmer or Dongan
patent, in which the manor conveyed was called Cassiltown,
corrupted into the present name, and the corruption legalized
by repeated acts of the legislature; the other towns were named
from their position in the county.
Great political changes were now taking place in the province
of New York. The attempt of James II to restore the Catholic
church had made him odious to the British nation. In New
York the citizens were mostly Protestants and bitterly opposed
the Roman Catholic faith. Dongan had exhibited the greatest
religious toleration, which judicious policy displeased his
royal prince, and the wise and politic governor was recalled.
Sir Edmund Andros having been appointed governor of all the
provinces of New England received the seal of the province of
New York from the retiring governor in July, 1688. Andros
96 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
appointed a deputy governor over New York in the person of
Francis Nicholson.
James II did not long wear the crown. He was deposed dur-
ing the same year, and deserting his own children, became a
refugee in France. William, in compliance with the popular
wish, was proclaimed king, and the great Protestant revolution
was effected. A rumor spread in the province of New York
that the friends of the deposed monarch intended to massacre
the disaffected. A tierce popular excitement followed. The
New Yorkers, while recognizing generally the sovereignty of
William and Mary, prince and princess of Orange, a small party
remained who insisted that the colonial government was not
overthrown by the revolution. They contended that it still
remained vested in the lieutenant-governor and his council.
Nicholson was the deputy governor, and known to be an ad-
herent of the Catholic church, with many of his friends; and
this fact increased the distrust of the people. A mob paraded
the streets of New York. Five militia companies, the entire
force, surrounded the house of Jacob Leisler, a merchant of the
city and captain of the militia, and demanded that he should
seize the fort at the Battery, which was done. Nicholson, de-
prived of his authority, sailed for England. The distrust of
the people, however, was not allayed. A rumor spread that
an attack was plotted on the church in the fort, and that pos-
session of the government was to be taken and the standard of
King James set up. These rumors, however extravagant, ex-
cited a general consternation. The people of Long Island sent
a large body of militia to New York " to seize the fort and to
keep away French invasion and slavery."
The apprehensions of the people on Staten Island culminated
in a panic. Fear reigned supreme for a while; they dared not
remain at night in their own dwellings, but in the deepest re-
cesses of the forest they constructed temporary shelters, to which
they resorted after dark, that they might not be observed and
their retreats discovered; they preferred to encounter the perils
of the darkness and the forests rather than trust themselves to
the tender mercies of their fellow men. Some took their families
upon the water in boats, which they anchored a short distance
from the shore, and thus passed the nights; and various other
expedients were resorted to for concealment and security. Re-
ports of various kinds were spread, which added fuel to the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 97
flame and kept it burning for some length of time; among these
were, that a number of papists who had been driven out of
Boston had been received into the fort at New York and had
enlisted as soldiers; that the papists on the island had secretly
collected arms, which they kept concealed and ready for use at
a moment's notice; that Governor Dongan's brigantine had been
armed and otherwise equipped for some desperate enterprise,
and the refusal of the commander of the vessel to permit it to
be searched was not calculated to allay the alarm. He admitted
that the vessel had been armed, but not for the purpose alleged,
but, as she was bound on a voyage to Madeira, she was in
danger of being attacked by the Turks, and she had been
armed for the defense of her crew and cargo. However plausible
this reason might have been it was not generally credited. The
excitement at length subsided, and not a Protestant throat had
been cut.
Tradition says that several pieces of cannon were afterward
found in the cellar of the governor's mill, which it was sup-
posed had been concealed there, to be in readiness when they
might be required. This mill stood on the south side of the
recently constructed public road in West Brighton, called Post
avenue, which is in fact part of an old road reopened, for, prior
to the construction of the causeway which now connects West
New Brighton and Port Richmond, the only communication
between Castleton and Northfield, near the shore, was round
the head of the cove or pond now known as the mill pond.
It is not to be wondered at that the French Protestants here
were most sensitive about their religious rights and safety. At
this very time their brethren in France were suffering. The
Indian wars had been renewed in Canada, and the French wanted
to cut a path to the Atlantic ocean. This had been resolved
upon including the reduction of Albany and New York on the
way. This, in the language of the French general would be " the
only means of firmly establishing the religion throughout all
North America." Louis issued his regal authority for the under-
taking. All faithful Catholics were to remain unmolested,
whilst the French refugees particularly those of the pretended
reformed religion must be sent back to France. These cruel
instructions were given, too, about four years after the memora-
ble revocation of the "Edict of Nantes." What wonder then
7
98 H1STOKY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
that the Huguenots should be alarmed when such a direful fate
seemed to menace them.
Jacob Leisler, a prominent character of that day, exercising
both civil and military authority, was intrusted by the magis
trates with the administration of affairs, after the departure
of Nicholson, and one of his first acts was to cause William
and Mary to be proclaimed in the counties of Richmond,
Westchester, Queens, Kings and Ulster, and the city and
county of Albany, and East Jersey ; the order to Richmond
was dated December 17th, 1689. On the 3<)th of the same
month, he issued an order requiring all persons who held
commissions, warrants, "or other instruments of power or com-
mand, either civil or military," derived from either Dongan or
Andros, forthwith to surrender the same to a justice of the
peace of the county wherein they resided, except the counties
of New York and Richmond, who were to surrender at the fort
in New York.
After the burning of Schenectady, and the massacre of its
inhabitants by the French and Indians, in February, 1690, he
issued another order to the military and civil officers of several
counties, Richmond county being one of the number, that
"fearing too great a correspondency hath been maintained
between y e s a ffrensch & disaffected P r sons among us," to secure
all persons reputed papists, or who are inimical to the govern-
ment, or who continue to hold any commissions from Dongan
or Andros, and bring them before him.
In 1689, Leisler commissioned the following civil and military
officers in Richmond county :
Ely Crossen, high sheriff. Jaques Puillion, Captain.
Jacob Corbett, clerk. Cornells Corsen, do
Obadiah Holmes, justice. Thomas Morgan, Lieutenant.
Jaques Poullion, do John Theunis Van Pelt, do
Thomas Morgan, do Seger Geritsen, Ensign.
Jacob Gerritse, do Cornells Nevius, do
Cornells Corsen, do
The following persons from Staten Island were members of a
company commanded by Captain Jacob Milborne, which was
sent to Albany to establish Leisler' s authority, the government
of that city having refused to recognize it, viz.: "Jean Marlett,
Francis Mauriss, Hendrick Hendricksen, Jean faefre, John Rob,
John doulier and Peter Henkesson."
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 99
There is no evidence that the people of Staten Island took
any decided stand with regard to Leisler's administration.
Generally, they submitted quietly to the authorities placed over
them. Further than commissioning some officers and issuing
some general orders, he does not appear in connection with the
history of the island. It must be admitted that Leisler had
many friends on the island, though they were not very
demonstrative. His appointments to office were usually from
among its best citizens, which operated in his favor; no decided
steps were taken in his behalf during his imprisonment and trial,
but after his condemnation petitions for his pardon were exten-
sively signed, which had no other effect than to bring upon the
signers the displeasure of the government, who regarded
the act as disloyal. Farther than the imposition of fines,
which appear to have been remitted, and the brief imprison-
ment of a few individuals, no punishment was inflicted on
the culprits.
On the 19th of March, 1691, Henry Slaughter, having been
appointed governor of the colony, arrived and demanded pos-
session of the fort and the reins of government. Leisler at first
refused to give up the post, but was compelled to do so, and was
afterward tried, condemned and hastily executed for high
treason. His execution took place May 16, 1691.
On the 28th of April preceding, a letter was presented to
the council in New York from the sheriff of Richmond county,
"Giving an Account of severall Riotts and Tumults on Staten
Island, and that they are subscribing of papers;" the sheriff
was ordered to secure the ring-leaders that they might be prose-
cuted. Thomas Stillwell, the sheriff, was not dilatory in obey-
ing the order, and arrested several of the citizens of the county,
among whom were John Theunison, John Peterson and Gerard
Vechten, each of whom he compelled to pay three pounds ;
others were obliged to execute bonds for the payment of that
amount, and one refused to do either, and him he imprisoned.
When information of the sheriff's proceedings reached New
York, orders were sent down to have the bonds cancelled,
whereupon the three individuals who had paid their money, de-
manded that it should be refunded ; the sheriff, probably con-
scious that he had exceeded his powers, promised that it should
be done, but delayed so long, that the aggrieved parties ap-
pealed to the council. At the same time, the same three indi-
100 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
vi'lnals presented a complaint against the assessors, who ex-
empted themselves and some others from the payment of the
tax for "negers," and that poor people who have no "negers"
must pay "as much accordingly like Them that Has many
negers. Therefore your petitioners humbly crave That your
Ex u y will be pleased To signify Them iff s<J negers should be Ex-
cluded ffor paying Tax." What the result of these petitions
was, we are not informed further than that they met with a
favorable reception.
The papers which were " subscribed " were petitions in favor
of the two condemned men ; the people of Westchester also
sent a petition for the same purpose, but the council did not
recognize the right of petition in such cases ; therefore some
were cited to appear before that body, while others were im-
prisoned as promoters of "riots and disturbances."
During Dongan's administration, Leisler, having imported a
cargo of wine, had refused to pay the duties thereon to Matthew
Plowman, the collector of the port, because he was a papist.
He was, however, compelled to do so, and ever thereafter was
a bitter enemy of Plowman. During his brief arbitrary admin-
istration, to gratify his spite, he charged Plowman with being a
defaulter to the government ; and learning that he was the
owner of a quantity of beef and pork stored at Elizabethtown,
he ordered Johannes Burger, a sergeant at the fort, to proceed
to Staten Island, and compel such individuals as he might re-
quire to go with him and assist in the removal of the provisions.
Burger obeyed the order, and the property was brought to
Leisler in New York, who sent it to Albany for the use of
the soldiers he had sent to that place. After Leisler's exe-
cution, Plowman prosecuted all who were concerned in the
removal of his property, to recover its value. Among the
number were thf following residents of Staten Island, viz.,
" John Jeronison, Thomas Morgan, Lawrence Johnson, John
Peterson, Dereck Crews (Cruser), Chauck (Jaques) Pollion and
John Bedine." These individuals, soon after the arrival of
Major Richard Ingoldsby, as president of the province ad-
dressed an " humble Peticon," to him and the council, in
which they admit having assisted in the removal of Plowman's
property, but that they did so under compulsion, believing that
they were doing a service to their Majesties; that they consid-
ered it unjust to compel them to pay for the provisions when the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 101
whole country had the benefit of them; they therefore pray
that they may be relieved from the whole responsibility, or if
that may not be done, that every person engaged in the removal
be compelled " to pay their equall proporceons of the same."
This petition was presented by Plowman himself, who thereby
recognized the justice of their cause, but what the result of the
a ppli cation was does not appear.
We must here suspend, for a little, the order of onr narra-
tive, to notice a matter which had its origin a few years before,
and its final settlement nearly a century and a half after the
time of which we are writing. We refer to the claims of New
Jersey upon Staten Island.
When it was known in England that New Netherland had
been reduced, and was now actually in the possession of the
English, Lord William Berkley and Sir George Carteret, two
of the royal favorites, induced the Duke of York, probably in-
fluenced by the king, to give them a patent for the territory
west of the Hudson and the bay, and as far south as Cape May;
this they named Nova Csesarea, or New Jersey. With thirty
emigrants, English and French, Capt. Philip Cartaret, a cousin
of Sir George, and governor of the new territory, sailed for
New York, but by stress of weather was driven into the Chesa-
peake. While lying there he forwarded despatches to Bollen,
who was commissary at the fort in New York, and also to
Nicolls. This was the first intimation the governor had received
of the dismemberment of the extensive territory over which he
ruled; he was both astounded and chagrined; he had already
conveyed several parcels of land within the limits of the new
grant, and regarded the whole as the best part of the duke's
domain. He remonstrated, but his remonstrances came too late,
the duke evidently thought he had been too precipitate, but as
he could not well retrace his steps, he suffered matters to re-
main as they were. Cartaret arrived in New York about mid-
summer, 1665, and immediately took possession of his govern-
ment. He chose Elizabethtown as his capital. It is said that
when he first landed on the soil of New Jersey, he carried a hoe
upon his shoulder, in token of his intention to devote his at-
tention to the promotion of agriculture.
After the Duke of York had conveyed the territory of New
Jersey to Berkley and Cartaret, a doubt arose whether Staten
Island was not included in the grant, by the terms of the char-
102 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
ter. Cartaret, the governor, not the proprietor, laid no claim
to the island; on the contrary, he tacitly admitted that it did
not belong to his jurisdiction, by accepting a conveyance for a
tract of land on the island from Nicolls, the Duke of York's
agent; this he would scarcely have done, had he considered his
brother the proprietor. In 1668 the island "was adjudged to
belong to New York," becauseoneof theoutletsof the Hudson
river ran around the island; while Berkley and Cartaret, by the
terms of their patent, were bounded by the river and bay. The
Dutch always appear to have regarded the inner bay or harbor
as a mere expansion of the river, and the Narrows as its mouth.
In their documents, Staten Island is frequently described as
lying in the river. If this view was correct, the island evi-
dently belonged to New Jersey, because it was embraced with-
in its limits. The Duke of York himself appears to have had
his doubts about the matter, for it is said, that when the ques-
tion of jurisdiction was first agitated, he decided that all islands
lying in the river or harbor, which could be circumnavigated in
twenty-four hours, should remain in his jurisdiction, otherwise
to New Jersey.
Christopher Billop, being then in the harbor in command
of a small ship called the "Bentley," which it is also said he
owned, undertook the task of sailing around the island, and
accomplished it within twenty-four hours, thus securing it to
the duke, who, in gratitude for the service rendered hi7n, be-
stowed upon Billop a tract of 1163 acres of land in the ex-
treme southern part of the island, which was called the
" Manor of Bentley," after the ship which had accomplished
the task.
In 1684 the question of the proprietorship of Staten Island
was again agitated, and many of the landowners became appre-
hensive of the validity of their title, and some of them, among
whom was Billop, were desirous of selling, but as no pur-
chasers could be found for a dubious title, the property re-
mained in the family. Dongan was directed, if the Billop
estate was sold, to find some purchaser for it in New York, and
not to suffer it to pass into the possession of a resident of New
Jersey.
There is still preserved in the secretary of state's office at
Albany the copy of a letter written by Governor Dongan, whose
country residence was on Staten Island, to Sir John Werden,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 103
Earl of Perth, and dated February 18, 1684-5. From this letter
the following extracts will be of interest:
" The Island had been in the possession of his R'll Highss
above 20 years (except ye little time ye Dutch had it) purchased
by Gfov. Lovelace from ye Indyans in ye time of Sir George
Carteret without any pretences 'till ye agents made claime to it ;
it is peopled with above two hundred ffamilyes. *
" The Quakers are making continued pretences to Staten Is-
land, which disturbs the people, and one reason given for hold-
ing it is that if his Royal Highness cannot retrieve East Jersey
it will do well to secure Hudson's River and take away all claim
to Staten Island."
The proprietors of New Jersey had complained to Dongan
against his encroachments. Dongan himself does not seem to
have been perfectly satisfied with his title, for when he obtained
his own patent from the Duke of York for a large tract upon
the island he strengthened it by securing another patent from
the East India proprietors, who had been the previous owners.
This took place about the time when the province of New York
was divided into counties.
NewYork claimed jurisdiction, and exercised it over the waters
as far as low water mark on the Jersey shores, when the latter
province opposed this exercise of public authority. New Jersey
argued that the original grant gave that province jurisdiction to
the middle of the Narrows, and therefore she owned Staten Is-
land. New York, on the contrary, pleaded long possession, and
the controversy produced great excitement between the two par-
ties. The agitation of the question continued at intervals all
through the colonial period, sometimes being revived with great
bitterness, and extended for half a century into the state period.
In 1807 commissioners were appointed from both states to
settle the dispute, New Jersey insisting that Staten Island was
within her border. Nothing, however, was accomplished by
this interview, and it terminated in angry discussion and bad
feelings. For several years a border excitement was kept up,
until the deputy sheriff of Richmond county, while serving a
process on board of a vessel near the Jersey shore, was arrested
and imprisoned for violating her territory, the state authorities,
however, avowing that this was done only to test the question
of jurisdiction.
In 1827 new commissioners were selected to settle the dispute,
104 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
but they separated as before, without accomplishing anything.
At length, in 1833, the dispute between the two states was
amicably arranged by concession. New York obtained the ac-
knowledged right to Staten Island, with the exclusive jurisdic-
tion over a portion of the adjacent waters, by conceding to New
Jersey a like privilege to other portions. New York thus se-
cured this legal claim to most of the Lower bay, quite down to
Sandy Hook ; and in return New Jersey obtained the same
rights over the waters on the west side of the island, as far as
Woodbridge creek, in the neighborhood of Rossville. Thus
was settled in an amicable manner a subject which once threat-
ened a serious disturbance of the harmony between the two
sister states.
Under the Dutch and early English governors a number of
land grants were issued. But very few of those issued
under the former dynasty held under the latter. The import
ant ones of that class have already been noticed. Occupants
of lands under Dutch patents were doubtless required to take
out new patents or confirmatory grants under the English rule.
All these patents were granted to individuals, and the most of
them were for comparatively small parcels of land. These we
cannot notice in detail. There are two, however, which, partly
because of their magnitude and partly because of the historic
persons and associations connected with them stand sufficiently
prominent to warrant a somewhat extended notice. These are
the Dongan patent and the Billop patent. The time of their issue
was about the period of which we are writing, but in giving an
account of them we shall be compelled to anticipate other
periods and disregard the orderly progression of our general
history.
To the first of these two patents then let us turn our atten-
tion. Though not the first to receive a royal patent yet the first
to be occupied by the proprietor for whom it was named was
the Billop patent. Definite statements are wanting to fix the
time when Christopher Billop first received actual possession of
the tract which fora long time bore his family name. At the time
when the Duke of York seemed to be wavering in opinion as to
whether Staten Island belonged to the jurisdiction of New York
or New Jersey, and finally decided the matter for himself by
declaring that all islands lying in the river or harbor which
could be circumnavigated in twenty-four hours should remain
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 105
in the former, and others should be counted in the latter juris-
diction. Christopher Billop, as has before been stated, accom-
plished the task of sailing around the island within twenty-four
hours, thus securing it to the duke, who bestowed upon Billop
a tract of 1163 acres of land in the extreme southern part of
the island. Here Billop built his manor house, which has with-
stood the storms of more than two centuries, and is said to be in
good condition at the present day. Another account says that
Billop received the plantation as a douceur from the Duke of
York for his gallantry in some naval office.
In 1674 the Duke of York, by permission of the king, organ-
ized a company of infantry of one hundred men; of this com-
pany Christopher Billop was commissioned second lieutenant.
He had served his king before his arrival in America, but in
what capacity is not known; his father, however, was not well
spoken of. In 1677 Billop, while residing on his plantation
on Staten Island, was appointed by Governor Andros, who had
succeeded Lovelace, commander and sub-collector of New York,
on Delaware bay and river. While occupied with the duties of
these offices, he "misconducted" himself by making "extrava-
gant speeches in public;" but of the subject of these speeches
we are not informed; they were probably of a political character,
and must have been peculiarly offensive, for Andros recalled
him the next year, and deprived him of his military commission.
This action of the governor was approved by the duke, who
directed that another should be appointed to fill the vacant
lieutenancy.
Billop now retired to his plantation on Staten Island, there to
brood over the ingratitude of princes, or perhaps over his own
follies and indiscretions. We hear nothing more of him for
two years, when he again appears as one of a number who pre-
ferred complaints or charges against Andros, to the duke, some
of which must have been of a serious nature, as the duke
thought it necessary to send an agent over to investigate the
matter, and on receiving his report, Andros was summoned to
to appear in person in England to render his accounts. This
was probably in 1680 or 1681, when Brockholst succeeded An-
dros; in 1682 Dongan succeeded Brockholst. Here we lose all
farther historical trace of Christopher Billop; tradition says
that in the latter part of the seventeenth, or the beginning of
the eighteenth century, he sailed for England in his ship, the
106 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNT'S.
"Bentley," and was never heard of after: he left no male issue,
but he had at least one daughter. While he remained on
the island, however, he obtained a patent for his plantation
from Governor Dongan, which bore date on or about June 6,
1687.
There was also a Joseph Billop residing on the island about
this time. He was a justice of the peace in 1702-3 and a judge
of the county in 1711. In 1704, April 25th, he received a con-
veyance of a parcel of land from the " Right Honble. Thomas,
Earle of Lymrick," the laud in question being described by
boundaries "beginning at a Blacke Oake by the burying place
Agst. Abrah: Lackman's House." There was also a Middleton
Billop living in the city of New York, who died in October,
1724. Whether these men were near relatives of Christopher
or not we have not discovered.
The principal part of the original tract passed through the
hands of successive generations of his descendants till the close
of the revolution. In 1704 he sold a small parcel to John, Peter
and James Le Counte, sons of Peter Le Counte "late of said
island.''
Captain Christopher Billop married a Miss Farmer, by whom
he had one daughter, Eugenia, born in or about the year 1712.
Mrs. Billop was probably a sister of Thomas Farmer, who was
prominent on Staten Island, where he was a judge of the court
of sessions in 1711. He removed hence, however, during or
soon after that year, and afterward became a judge of the su-
preme court of New Jersey and representative of Middlesex
county in the assembly of that state. The oldest son of this
Thomas Farmer, his name likewise being Thomas, married his
cousin, the daughter of Christopher Billop, and succeeded to
the inheritance of the manor of Bentley. In order to satisfy
the ambition of the family to perpetuate its name young
Farmer adopted the name of Billop.
Thomas Farmer Billop and his wife occupied the mansion and
estate during the latter years of the first half of the 18th cen-
tury. From them it fell to the possesion of their son Christo-
pher, while they were "gathered to their fathers." The old
family cemetery in which their remains were deposited was
situated some three hundred yards to the east of the old manor
house, in a cultivated field and beneath the shade of a few large
trees which once stood there. It contained but a few graves,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 107
and only the graves of the two persons last mentioned were
honored by headstones containing inscriptions. These inscrip-
tions were as follows:
"Here Lyes y e Body of Evjenea y e Wife of Thomas Billopp.
Aged 23 years Dec' 1 March ye 22d 1735."
"Here Lyes ye Body of Thomas Billopp Esq r Son of Thomas
Farmar Esq r Deed August y e 2d 1750 In ye 39th year of his
Age."
These stones are now lying in the barn yard near the Billop
house and are more or less broken to pieces. For more than a
century they marked the graves to which they belonged. The
spot is now marked by a single cedar tree. Several years since
the crumbling bones were removed thence, by order of the pro-
prietor of the ground, and the stones of the graves thus dese-
crated, which themselves, it would seem, possessed value as
historic relics sufficient to warrant their careful preservation,
were broken and ruthlessly consigned to the rubbish pile as we
have seen.
Christopher Billop, the only son of the above of whom we
have any knowledge, though he had a sister Sally (who married
Alexander Ross of New Jersey, in 1775), was born about the
year 1735, and rose to a position of great prominence in the
county. We are informed that he was twice married, but who
his first wife was we have been unable to learn. His second
wife was Jane Seaman, daughter of Judge Benjamin Seaman,
of this county. Besides being a gentleman of character and
property, he was a member of assembly, and on the eve of the
revolution commanded a corps of loyal militia which was
raised in the vicinity of New York city, and was during the
revolutionary period actively engaged in military duty. At
the outbreak of the war he was a steadfast opponent of the
measures that led to a rupture with Great Britain. By the in-
tensity of his loyalty to the British crown he made himself
conspicuously obnoxious to the whigs of Staten Island and New
Jersey. He held the commission of a colonel in the British
army, and at one time, in 1782, had the title of superintendent of
police of the island. Communication between the island and
New Jersey had been prohibited by the British authorities, and
he was very active in enforcing the prohibition. The patriots
of New Jersey were exceedingly bitter in their hostility to him,
and on two different occasions made him prisoner. Amboy is
108 HISTORV OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
in sight, and upon one of these occasions he was observed by
some Americans, who had stationed themselves with a spy
glass in the church steeple of that town. As soon as they saw
him enter his abode, they ran to their boats, rapidly crossed the
river, and he was soon their captive. The British, then in pos-
session of New York, had confined in irons several Americans
who had been made prisoners ; and to retaliate for this measure
Colonel Billop was taken to Burlington jail. We have copied
the mittimus, as a matter of curiosity, and as showing the
method of doing such things at that eventful period.
"To the keeper of the common jail for the county of Burling-
ton greeting : You are hereby commanded to receive into your
custody the body of Col. Christopher Billopp, prisoner-of-war,
herewith delivered to you, and having put irons on his hands
and feet, you are to chain him down to the floor in a close room,
in said jail, and there to retain him, giving him bread and water
only for his food, until you receive further orders from me, or
the commissary of prisoners for the state of New Jersey, for
the time being. Given under my hand, at Elizabethtown, this
6th day of Nov. 1779.
ELISHA BOUDINOT,
Com. Pris. New Jersey."
The commissary at the same time regretted to Billop that
necessity made such treatment necessary, "but retaliation is
directed, and it will I most sincerely hope, be in your power to
relieve yourself from the situation by writing to New York to
procure the relaxation of the sufferings of John Leshier, and
Capt'n Nathaniel Randal."
He was finally released by order of Washington. During
the period of the war Billop disposed of some parts of his
estate. On the 10th of May, 1780, he sold to Joseph Totten a
tract of twenty acres, and another of three and a half acres in
the manor of Bentley, for 235 currency, and on the 29th of the
same month he sold to Benjamin Drake a tract of sixty acres
from his estate, for 600 currency. On the first of May, 1781,
he and his wife Jane, conveyed to Samuel Ward, of Eichmond
county, for 3,730 current money of the city of New York, the
tract opposite Amboy, known as the manor of Bentley, ''Con-
taining three hundred and Seventy-three Acres of Land and
salt meadow, be the same in Quantity more or Less, being-
Bounded Easterly by Land of said Albert Rickman Northerly
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 109
by the river or sound at Low water mark and westerly and
southerly by the Bay at Low Water mark." In this convey-
ance houses, barns, ferry-house and dock, out-houses and
stables are specified by name. From the tract is reserved for
the heirs of Billop sixty feet square for a burial place, the head-
stone of his father being the center of such reservation.
During the revolution the home of Colonel Billop was fre-
quented by men of distinction and rank in the British army.
After the war Billop with fifty-four other royalists in 1783 peti-
tioned Sir Guy Carleton for extensive grants of land in Nova
Scotia. Colonel Billop soon after went to New Brunswick,
where for many years he bore a prominent part in the adminis-
tration of the affairs of that province. He was a member of
the house of assembly, and of the council, and on the death of
Governor Smythe in 1823 he claimed the presidency of the
government, and issued his proclamation accordingly, but the
Honorable Ward Chipman was a competitor for the same sta-
tion, and was sworn into office.
Colonel Billop died at St. John, N. B , in 1827, being then
over 90 years of age. His wife, Jane, who was about twenty
years younger than himself, died in that city in 1802, aged 48.
He had a son, born on Staten Island in 1769, named John
Willett, and another son by the name of Thomas. They settled
in the city of New York, and had a dry goods store on Broad-
way in the vicinity of Trinity church. John never married,
but fell a victim of yellow fever at the time the city was
scourged by that terrible disease. Thomas, who had a family,
of whom, however, nothing is known, except that his wife was
a Miss Moore of Newtown, L. I., survived the fever, failed in
business, joined the expedition of the celebrated Miranda, in
which he received the appointment as captain, and was taken
prisoner by the Spaniards and afterward executed. Besides
these two sons Colonel Billop had four daughters. Louisa
married John Wallace, Esq., surveyor of the customs. Mary
married the Rev. Archdeacon Willis, of Nova Scotia, and died
at Halifax in 1834, at the age of forty-three. Jane became the
wife of the Hon. William Black of St. John, and died in 1836.
Ann, the youngest daughter, was a maiden lady, and was the
last of the family of whom any record appears of their visiting
the ancestral homestead. She visited the spot in 1824, and took
some flowers of an old trumpet creeper vine that was growing
110 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
on the house, and some nuts and wild cherries from trees that
were growing in the burial plot, and on her return carried them
to her father in New Brunswick. It is said that on beholding
them the heart of the old colonel melted with emotion and he
wept like a child.
We have neglected to say in a more appropriate place that
Colonel Billop had two daughters by his first wife, of whom
we only know that they married sons of Benjamin Seaman, one
of whom w r as Benjamin and the other Henry.
The large estate once belonging to Colonel Billop was confis-
cated and sold by Isaac Stoutenburgh and Philip Van Cort-
land, commissioners of forfeitures for the southern district of
New York. The sale made July 16th, 1784, was recorded in the
following memorandum :
"Sold to Thomas Me Farren of the City of New York, Mer-
chant, for the sum of four thousand six hundred and ninety-
five' pounds Lawf nil Money of the said state All that certain
Tract or parcel of Land situate Lying and being in the County
of Richmond and Manor of Bently, Bounded Southerly by the
Bay or water called Princes Bay, westerly by the river that runs
between the said Land and Amboy Northerly partly by the Land
of Jacob Reckhow and partly by the road and Easterly partly by
the road and partly by the Bay, Containing Eight hundred and
fifty acres and half an acre and which said Tract is divided into
the several following Farms and Lots of Land three hundred
and seventy three acres thereof in the possession of Samuel
Ward Two hundred Acres in the possession of Albert Ryck-
man, Fifty acres in the possession of John Manner Fifty acres
in the possession of Edmund Wood Fifty acres in the posses-
sion of Andrew Prior Twenty five Acres in the possession of
James Churchward, sixtyseven acres and an half acre in the
possession of Benjamin Drake Twenty three acres and an half
acre in the possession of Joseph Totten Eleven acres and an
half acre in the possession of Jacob Reckhow Together with
all the Buildings and Improvements thereon Erected and made
Forfeited to and Vested in the People of this state by the At-
tainder of Christopher Billop Late of the County of Richmond
Esquire."
The historic house is still standing. It occupies a beautiful
site overlooking the river or Staten Island sound, with Amboy
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Ill
in view on the opposite shore and the Jersey landscapes fading
in the distance.
The old mansion was built of stone its walls three feet thick
and bears the marks of former affluence and elegance. Like
most buildings of the " olden time," it has its ghost and other
roman,tic stories. " There," said the person who now occupies
the house, as we entered one of
the upper story front rooms, ''that
spot on the floor we have never
been able to wash out. It is sup-
posed to be blood, and a murder
is said to have been perpetrated
here. This, too, is the ghost room,
mm^m
THE OLD BILLOP HOUSE, TOTTESVILLE.
but I have never been disturbed by
such visitors, and believe neither of
these stories." A person had visited
an adjoining apartment last winter,
searching for hidden treasure. He had
been told by some mesmerist or for-
tune-teller of New York that money was to be found concealed
in one of the walls of this room, and absolutely picked with
hammer and chisel a large opening,but finally gave over the
search as hopeless. This strange credulity was here exhibited
in the winter of 1844.
In the cellar of the building there is a brick vault thirty feet
112 HIST RICH3I-: :-TT.
. and about thirteen wide, finely arched, and may have
been used as a place of retreat, or the receptacle for valuable
articles in cases of emergency.
The interior of the house presents nothing remarkable in ap-
pearance. The hall and staircase are extremely plain. In fact
there is no decoration to I --- here. The rooms have
been undersized in a manner approaching meanness.
As Billop was a well known and a military char-
. - . his house m \s rd many an interview of
such men as Lord E -^neral Kniphausen. Colonel Simcoe
and other officers of rank in the Br:\-.. --rvice who had
mand a: - s p - on the island. ImmediarT the
:e battle on L . - r.d. Lord Howe sent a communica-
tion _ ssem '-led in Philadelphia, soliciting that
a committee from tr_ - - : him. to confer on the
difficult:-- sea the nation- 7 this purpose. Ben-
- Franklin. John Adams and Edward Eutlei_- rere ap-
:ed. The interview took place in this house, and tl -
noble, patriotic. American s\ - ledined every propos!
for peace that would not acknowledge the independen - :
their beloved country.
This conference took place in the room at the nortL west : ner
of the house on the main floor. This momentous interview
regarde-i with extre - ::ude by the people of both the old
I and the ne* ^
jrandeur of a ^r^ barrle point and monument of -
The interview was t r - - ao reconcili-
Independejice was maintained. The result was limned
_e hand of God. and is seen ia the progess of a condnent
and the achievements of a all over the world,
-re is a beautiful lawn before the hou-
-. - : 3m the mansion ar^ -s
tens rich in'natural beauties. Direcrly io fron:
- _boy bay the :. :>- ".: a ad the Ra-
^hich LT'T -xpanding into the general ly :
- ^e wh^^ sf*m flows onward to the mighty Atk
vrd rh^f - a more remote di~ r - . the
mountains of Monmouth and the bold summi'- S - Sink.
upon whose lofty highlands, the beacon-fires of 1776 blazed to
alarm the country upon the rx Approach of the err _
.at a blessing is peace ! How changed the scene : Upon
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 113
these very heights now glisten nightly the cheering rays of the
light-house, welcoming the traveller of every nation to our land
of freedom and happiness ! Where once was heard the deafen-
ing drum and clarion of war, here now the anvil rings, the
merry wheel dances, and the carol of the peaceful plow-boy re-
sounds, while he traces the enriching and silent furrow !
We shall now turn our attention to the Dongan patent and
the persons connected with it. This brought into direct and
intimate association with the island one of the most prominent
of the colonial governors, and one whose acts have been mor
conspicuously brought before a wide range of interests, people
and times than perhaps any other.
At the time of Dongan's arrival, there dwelt in the city of
New York a gentleman named John Palmer, by profession a
lawyer, who, at the time of the separation of Staten Island from
the Long Island towns, was appointed "ranger" for Staten
Island. He had formerly lived on the island of Barbadoes,
and had emigrated thence to New York. In 1683 he lived on
Staten Island, and was appointed by Dongan one of the two
first judges of the New York court of oyer and terminer. He
was also a member of the council, and generally an active and
prominent man in the affairs of the province. To this man Don-
gan executed a patent, known in the island history as the
Palmer or Dongan .patent. The small brook which forms a
part of the boundary between the towns of Castleton and
Northtield, and which runs to the mill pond, is still known by
the name of " Palmer's Run," because it also formed a part 'of
the boundary of the land conveyed by the patent.
An attempt seems to have been previously made by Dongan
to gain possession of this large property, but for reasons which
will appear the transaction was repeated in the manner above
stated. The first transaction of which we find any record is
dated January 14. 1684-5, when Governor Dongan purchased of
John Palmer of Staten Island and Sarah his wife, for the sum
of twelve hundred pounds, "All that their Capitall Messuage
or dwelling house with the Appurtenances situate lyeiug and
being on the north side of Staten Island Aforesaid within Con-
stables hooke neere the Mill Creeke late in the Occupacion and
possession of the said John Palmer, And All that Certaine Par-
cell or tract of Land thereunto belonging being upon the north
side of Staten Island aforesaid within Constables Hooke lyeing
8
114 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
between the two runues att the mill creeke beginning with A
narrow point And Running up wider into the Island Containing
the quantity of three hundred forty and two Acres with meadow
Ground to belaid out proportionably." The conveyance also
includes other parcels, the title to which had been obtained as
recited in their specifications in substance as follows : Ninety-
six acres to the east of Mill creek, with the mill, which was
granted to Palmer by Governor Andros in 1677, upon which had
also been built by Palmer two windmills and a sawmill ; eighty
acres which had been conveyed to Palmer by Francis Barber
who had a grant from Sir Edmund Andros ; ninety acres, with
eight acres of meadow, which had been granted by Andros in
1680 to Jacob Cornells, and by him conveyed to Palmer; another
like tract of ninety acres with eight acres of meadow,
granted to James Gyles, by Andros, and by Gyles conveyed to
Palmer; and a tract of four thousand five hundred acres of land
lying in a body in the middle part of the island, with an island
of meadow near Fresh kill, "All which Said Last mentioned
tract or parcell of Land And Island of meadow were Granted
unto the Said John Palmer," by Governor Dongan by patent
dated May 2, 1684. Thus it will be seen the premises purchased
by Dongan had been obtained in small parcels, through differ-
ent channels and under grants of different dates. It was desir-
able that they should be consolidated, and treated as a unit,
and that some manorial privileges should be associated with
their proprietorship.
The early provincial governors having shown some disposi-
tion to appropriate too much land to themselves, they had been
restricted by an order in council, to evade which the plan was
devised of granting a patent to Palmer for this laud, and then
having a transfer made from Palmer to Dongan. The patent to
Palmer was approved at a council held March 31, 1687, at which
were present Governor Dongan, Anthony Brockholst, Frederick
Phillips, Stephanus Van Cortlandt and Nicholas Bayard. The
instrument bears date as above, and begins as follows:
" Whereas John Palmer of the City of New York Esqr. as
well by virtue of Several deeds and Patients to him or them
under whome he claymes made by the former Governors of this
Province as by virtue of a certain Pattent or Confirmation under
my hand, and seale of the province, bearing date the second
day of May, 1684: stands Lawfully and Rightfully Seized of &
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 115
in all that Tract or parcell of Land Beginning at a cove on Kill
Van Cull, on the east bounds of the lands of Garret Cruise
[Cruser] and so running in the woods by the said Kill to a
marked tree, and thence by a line of marked trees according to
the natiiral position of the poles, south and by east two degrees
and thirty minutes southerly according to the compass south,
there being eight degrees and forty five minutes variation ffrom
the north westward, and from thence by the reare of the land of
Garret Cruise & Peter Johnson, east & by north two degrees
and thirty minutes to the line of Peter Johnson's wood lott, &
by his line south and by east two degrees and thirty minutes
south sixty-one chains, and thence by the reare of the aforesaid
lott & the lott of John Vincent northeast & by east one degree
northerly to the southeast corner of the land of John Vincent
thirty three chains & a halfe, from thence by his east line south
& by west two degrees thirty minutes northerly to a white oak
tree marked with three notches, bearing northwest from the
ffresh pond, from thence to a young chestnutt tree the south-
west corner of the land of Phillip Wells & so by a line of
marked trees east nine degrees & fifteen minutes southerly by
south side of a small ffresh meadow to the north & to the north
of the ffresh pond including the pond to the land of Mr. An-
drew Norwood & so by his land as it runs to the reare of the
land of Mary Brittaine & so by the reare of the Old Town lotts
to the land of Isaac Bellew & Thomas Stilwell & from thence
upon the Iron Hills, to the land of William Stilwell & by his
land to the land of George Cummins & ffrom his northeast cor-
ner, to the southeast corner of the land of Mr. James Hubbard
at the head of the ffresh kills & so round by his land to the
reare lotts at Karles neck & so by the lotts to the highway left
by Jacob pullion & the great swamp to the land of John ffitz
Garrett including the great swamp, thence by the soldier's lotts
and the reare lotts of Cornelis Cnrsen & company to the south-
west corner of theire ffront lotts & so by the runne which is
theire bounds to the mill pond including the mill pond to the
sound or Kill Van Cull & so by the sound to the cove where
ffirst begun. Containing with all the hills, valleys, ffresh
meadows & swamps within the above specified bounds five thou-
sand one hundred acres be the same more or less. Also a
great island of salt meadow lying near the ffresh kills & over
against long neck not yet appropriated and all the messuages,
116 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
tenements, fencings, orchards, gardens, pastures, meadows,
marshes, woods, underwoods, trees, timber, quarries, rivers,
brooks, ponds, lakes, streams, creeks, harbors, beaches, flashing,
hawking and ffowling, mines, minerals (silver and gold mines
only excepted) mills, mill dams," etc.
By the patent it was also constituted one lordship or manor
" to be called the Lordship and manor of Cassiltowne." It was
subject to an annual quit-rent of one lamb and eight bushels of
winter wheat, to be paid if demanded on the 25th of March in
each year.
On the 29th of September, 1677, Governor Andros executed a
patent to Garret Croosen (Cruser) for one hundred and sixty
acres of land on the north side of Staten Island, which is
bounded on the west by "a small runn of water." It is diffi-
cult, if not impossible, at this day to trace the boundaries of
some of the old patents, but we assume that the "runn of
water" mentioned in the patent is the stream issuing out of the
"boiling spring" on the Bement estate, as that spring was
formerly called the "Cruser spring," and in conveyances of
even recent date the "runn" is called the "Cruser Spring
brook." The land conveyed was one hundred and seventeen
rods in breadth, which would reach nearly or quite to the Pel-
ton estate. This estate once belonged to one of the Cruser fam-
ily, but probably it was by a subsequent purchase The Palmer
patent begins at a cove on " Kill Van Cull," on the east bounds
of the lands of Garret Cruser ; probably the word east is a cler-
ical error, and should have been west, but even on that sup-
position the boundaries described in the latter patent would
embrace Lovelace's property. If we assume "the cove" to be
that next west of and adjoining the Pelton estate, the bound-
aries would embrace the properties both of Lovelace and Cruser.
The natural outlet of the Cruser spring brook was at or near
the place where the surplus water from the works of the New
York Dyeing and Printing Establishment now enters the kills.
The pond of this establishment is an artificial structure, made
nearly a century ago for the use of a mill which stood on the
"Factory Dock." The main stream which supplies this pond
is also an artificial canal ; the natural outlet of the water which
now supplies the pond was through Bodine's pond into the
kills. In Governor Dongan's days, these waters supplied a
pond in the rear of the reservoir of the gas company on the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 117
south side of Post avenue, for the use of his mill, which we
have elsewhere alluded to as the mill in which guns were said
to have been concealed at the time of the papist panic.
On the 16th day of April, 1687, John Palmer and Sarah, his
wife, conveyed the territory described above to Thomas Dongan,
" for a competent sumnie of lawfull money," after an owner-
ship of about a fortnight.
It is now quite impossible to trace the lines described in the
patent, as the most of the land-marks mentioned therein have
disappeared. If by the terms "great swamp" is meant that
extending from Graniteville to New Springville, and which is.
so designated in a variety of other ancient documents ; and if
by " ffresh kills" is meant the waters now known by that
name, and which are also frequently alluded to by that name
in similar documents, it is evident that the territory conveyed
embraced not only the greater part of the present towns of
Castleton and Middletown, but a large proportion of North-
h'eld also.
Dunlap says that Governor Dongan, having doubts about
Staten Island belonging to New York, and in order to be
doubly sure, procured a patent in 1687 for the same land from
the proprietors of East Jersey.
In the following year, 1688, Governor Dongan erected his
manor house, which remained until the present decade, and
though externally modernized in some degree the oak frame,
hewn out of the adjacent forest, was the identical one erected
by him, the date of its erection having been marked upon one
of the timbers with white paint. The house alluded to stood
in the middle of the square bounded by the shore road on the
north, Cedar street on the south, Dongan street on the east, and
Bodine street on the west, at West New Brighton. There is
now a gradual descent of the surface of the land from the site
to the shore road ; but, originally, the earth was as high on the
southerly side of the road as it now is at the place where the
house stood, forming a sand hill between the house and the
road, and which entirely concealed the house from view when
standing in the road in front of it. When this sand bank was
removed, several skeletons, evidently of Indians, besides nu-
merous other Indian relics, were unearthed, indicating this
spot as having been one of their burial places. This time-
honored relic was at last destroyed by lire. A large barn,
118 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
standing on the mill road which was also built during the early
years of the proprietorship of Governor Dongan, was burned
on the 18th of July, 1862. Through this extensive domain a
road was opened at an early period toward the village of Rich-
mond, and this early road still bears the name of Manor road.
A tide mill stood until a recent date on the causeway across
Palmer's run. The old Dongan mill stood farther south, on
an old road which ran around the head of the pond, the course
of which in part has been followed by the construction of Post
avenue in West New Brighton. After the construction of the
causeway the old road, which before had been the only way of
passing between the localities of West New Brighton and
Port Richmond, ceased to be used until the opening of
Post avenue. The pond which is alluded to in the Palmer
patent received the tide, and boats at high water could reach
the door of the old mill. This mill was largely patronized by
the people of Bergen Point and its vicinity, as well as by the
people of the island.
When the present avenue was constructed, the foundation
stones, and some of the decayed oak timbers of the old mill,
were unearthed, but no cannon. In the latter part of the last
century, a flouring mill was built on the present steamboat wharf
at West New Brighton, and the most of the water which had
propelled the old mill, was diverted from its natural course by
a canal which led it into the large pond at the foot of the pres-
ent Water street, which pond was then constructed to hold the
water in reserve for the use of the new mill ; this was built by
a McVickar, though it subsequently passed into the hands of
the Van Buskirk family, and was better known as Van Bus-
kirk's mill. This mill was burned a few years ago, and the
wharf, the pond and the canal for more than half a century
have belonged to the New York Dyeing & Printing Establish-
ment. After the construction of the causeway, and the divert-
ing of the water, the pond has gradually filled up, until now it
can scarcely be utilized for the purpose to which it was once
devoted.
In a review of the life and acts of one so intimately asso-
ciated with the island as Col. Thomas Dongan was it is proper
to give some notice to his antecedents and the stock whence he
came. We find Governor Dongan associated with the nobility
of England and Ireland. In a list of the baronets of Ireland,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 119
with a list of their creations, we find the name of Walter Don-
gan, of Castletown, in the county of Kildare, to which is at-
tached the date 1623. Castletown park is in the northeast corner
of the county of Kildare, about ten miles southwest of the city
of Dublin. Sir Walter Dongan, who was made baronet October
23, 1623, belonged to a family who were pronounced " valiant,
active and faithful." They were in 1646 and later on connected
with the army, and in recognition of their faithfulness and de-
votion to their king, William, a brother was promoted to the
dignity of viscount of Claine, county of Kildare, in 1661. In
1685 he was made earl of Limerick. At the battle of theBoyne
he lost an only son, who was killed by a cannon ball. The son
was buried at Castletown, the seat of his father, Lord Dongan,
earl of Limerick. The estate of Lord Dongan was forfeited, he
being attainted April 16, 1691, but was restored again by act of
parliament, December 15, 1699. In " Burke' s Encyclopedia of
Heraldry" appears the following description of the Dongan
coat of arms :
" Quarterly first and fourth, gu. three lions pass, or, holding
in the dexter paw a close helmet argent garnished or the
second ; second and third azure six plates on a chief or a demi
lion rampant gules. Crest A lion passant or, supporting with
the dexter foot a close helmet argent garnished of the first."
To this noble family Col. Thomas Dongan belonged, though
what his relationship was to the Earl of Limerick we have not
the means of determining. Some claim that he was a brother
Colonel Dongan having a commission as governor, arrived in
Xew York August 27, 1683. His commission was dated Sep-
tember 30, 1682. To him the present state is indebted for many
of its existing records and laws. He was a firm believer in the
religious and political faith of James II, except, perhaps, that
Dongan was far more tolerant, and hated the French, under
whom he had once served as a military officer. Though a pro-
fessed papist, he was a decided enemy to the French, whose
schemes of aggrandizement on the northern frontier he per-
sistently opposed, even against the expressed wishes of his
master, the Duke of York, afterward James II. The people
of the province, and especially of the island, where he resided,
lived in constant dread of his religion. Later on he was or-
dered to proclaim James II king, to assist at the conference
between Lord Effingham and the Five Nations, and in causing
120 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
ihe king's arms to be set up through all their villages and to
place arms in their hands.
Colonel Dongan had the Indian affairs very much at heart,
and had gained the respect and esteem of the Five Na-
tions. He was deeply interested in the intercourse of the French
and English with them, and jealous of the action of the former.
In carrying forward this work in which he was so much in-
terested, he was obliged to mortgage his property to Robert
Livingston to secure the payment of the expenses of the ex-
pedition to Albany in 1689. This mortgage is dated May 1,
1689, the sum which was secured by it was 2,172, 6s, 2|d,
which Livingston had, by Dongan' s order, laid out for eight
month's provisions for the troops and presents for the In-
dians. The term of the mortgage was live years. It covered
not only the manor of Castletown, but other parcels which
Dongan had bought on the island. These were one hundred
and eighty acres at Old Town, bought of Mary Britton, another
parcel at Old Town, bought of Peter None, and another, on
the south side, bought of James Largie.
Besides these possessions on Staten Island, Governor Dongan
had a large tract on the Hudson river, extending from Haver-
straw to Murderer's creek, a tract of four hundred acres in
Queens county given him by the people of Hempstead town for
renewing their patent, and another tract on Martha's Vineyard,
besides property in the city of New York. On Staten Island he
had a "hunting lodge." The city records contain an account
of a meeting of the council at which Governor Dongan was ab-
sent "being engaged at his hunting lodge on Staten Island,
killing bears." At the time of the papist panic in 1689 it was
suspected that Colonel Dongan was in sympathy with the plot,
and his mill was searched, and four guns were found in it.
These it is said were secreted under some bags and blankets.
Leisler issued orders for his arrest, but we do not know that it%
was accomplished.
After his release from office Colonel Dongan retired to his pos-
sessions on Staten Island, where he remained till the spring of
1691, if not longer. Later, but at what time is not known, he
retired to his native country, Ireland, where it is said he finally
succeeded to the earldom of Limerick. In a conveyance now
on record in the clerk's office of this county bearing date 1715,
he is styled as such.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 121
On the 9th of May, 1715, Colonel Thomas Dongan, by the
conveyance just mentioned (which is in itself a curious and rare
specimen of legal skill, on account of its complex limitations
and conditions) "being willing to preserve and uphold and ad-
vance the name and family of Dongan, and having no issue of
his own to continue the same," conveyed to his nephews, Thomas,
John and Walter, and to the male issue of the survivor or sur-
vivors of them, "in tail male for ever," all his manor of Castle-
town, together with property situated elsewhere. This act and
its final results is a demonstration of the scripture passage which
we quote from the XLIX Psalm: "Their inward thought is,
that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling-
places to all generations ; they call their lands after their own
names. Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not : he is
like the beasts that perish."
Having thus disposed of his estate in this country, he died,
as some think, in London, in 1715, at the ripe old age of 81
years. He was buried in St. Fancras' church-yard, Middlesex,
just north of London. This old church-yard has long been
noted as the burial place of snch Roman Catholics as die in
London and its vicinity. It is accounted a desirable resting-
place for different reasons, one of which is that St. Pancras' was
the last church in England where mass was held after the Refor-
mation. The sepulchre of the late Governor Dongan bears the
following inscription :
"The Right Honble. THOMAS DONGAN Earl of LYMERICK,
died December the fourteenth. Aged Eighty one years.
1715.
Requiescat in pace. Amen."
Leaving the founder of the name and estate of Dongan on
Staten Island we will now follow as well as we are able the
descent of the family and title line of the estate. Of the
nephews we know but little.
John probably had but little or nothing to do with Staten
Island. Beyond the appearance of his name in a list of sub-
scribers toward finishing Trinity church steeple, dated May 1,
1711, we have found no trace of him. He may have been unmar-
ried, or died without male issue and therefore had no share in
the estate on Staten Island.
Thomas is but little known in records pertaining to Staten
Island. It is said that he sold his share of the possessions of
122 HISTOKT OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
his uncle. He may have been a man of high passions and
sumptuous living, with reckless habits. He was involved in a
duel with Dr. John Livingston, September 7, 1713, in which
Livingston was killed. The trial of Dongan by the supreme
court took place two days later, and he was found guilty of
manslaughter. Without knowing what his subsequent fate was,
we are obliged to leave him here. There is slight ground for
the conjecture that he left this country for Ireland and died
there in 1721.
Walter has left some evidences of being a man of honor and
business ability. He occupied the manor house and a large
portion of the landed estate. His custom was to lease his lands
to tenants. He was surrogate of the county in 1733. He mar-
ried for his first wife, Ruth, daughter of Richard Floyd (2d), of
Setauket, L. I., whose wife was Margaret, daughter of Colonel
Matthias Nicoll, the secretary of the colony. Walter and Ruth
Dongan had three children, Thomas, Richard and Elizabeth.
Ruth, who was born August 6, 1699, died July 28, 1733. Walter
afterward married a Miss Sarah Herriman of Elizabeth, N. J.,
by whom he had a son, Edward Vaughn Dongan. Walter died
July 25, 1749, being fifty-seven years of age. His estate on the
island .descended mainly to his oldest son Thomas, and his
widow afterward married John Herriman, of Elizabeth. The
daughter Elizabeth was born in 1729, and died July 1, 1749,
aged 19 years and 7 months. Her grandfather, Richard Floyd,
remembers her in his will, dated February 27, 1738, in the fol-
lowing item: " I give also unto my Grand Daughter Dongan,
that is to say the Daughter of my beloved Daughter Ruth
Dongan Deceased, one hundred Founds Current lawful Money
of New York to be paid on her Marriage Day.'' As she died
unmarried, this item was never executed.
Edward Vaughn Dongan was born January 3, 1749. After
his father's death he went with his mother to live in Elizabeth.
He was brought up a lawyer and lived at New Brunswick, N. J.,
where he married a daughter of Squire La Grange, a lawyer of
that 'place. On the outbreak of the revolution he made himself
obnoxious on account of his adherence to royalty and was
driven from his home before the British landed in New York.
His father-in-law and family were in sympathy with him, and
their estate was afterward forfeited. Edward Vaughn Dongan
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 123
was in command of a body of loyal troops, with the rank of
colonel, and was posted at the Morning Star at the time of Sul-
livan's raid on Staten Island, August 22. 1777. In this engage-
ment he received a wound from the effects of which he died in
the hospital in New York city on the first of September. His
only child, which with its mother had suffered great exposure
on the day referred to, died on the same day, and was buried
in the same grave with him. His widow afterward went with
her family to reside at Farmington, Hackney, England.
Richard Dongan, the second son of Walter, went to sea when
a young man. During the French war he was impressed on
board a British man-of-war, and in the service lost an arm.
He married Miss Cornelia Shanks of Long Island, by whom he
had a son, Walter, who was born January 2, 1763, and another
son who died young. Richard died January 1, 1780, in his 61st
year ; and his wife died April 28, 1814, in the 83d year of her
age. This Walter had a distillery, located near a copious
spring on the Richmond turnpike, near Four Corners. He also
possessed a large farm at that place, whether by inheritance or
purchase we have not learned. He had two sons, Thomas and
Richard, and four daughters, one of whom married a Mr.
Toombs, another married Peter La Forge, and the names of the
other two were Abigail and Ruth. Walter died in February,
1855.
We now take up the direct line in which the manor house with
its accompanying estate was held until it passed out of the pos-
session of the family altogether.
Thomas Dongan was the eldest son of Walter, the nephew of
the ex-governor. His first wife was Rachel, and she died April
25, 1748, at the age of 24 years. She had one daughter, who
died December 22, 1749, 3 years of age. Both wife and daughter
are buried in the old Moravian cemetery. Thomas afterward
married Magdalen, the eldest daughter of Rev. Richard Charl-
ton, rector of St. Andrew's church. By her he had a son, John
Charlton Dongan. Thomas Dongan appears as a vestryman of
Trinity church, New York, from 1748 to 1759. In order to ad-
just the claims upon him to which his young half brother Ed-
ward V. was entitled, he on the 15th of April, 1757, gave a
mortgage to John Herrimanand Sarah his wife (the step-mother
of Thomas, she being the late widow of his father) on several
tracts of land lying in the manor of Castletown, adjoining each
124 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
other, and then being in possession of tenants, to secure the
payment of 40 a year till Edward Vaughn should reach his
majority, and the payment of 1,000 when that time arrived.
In consideration of these payments Edward Vaughn should
relinquish all claim against the said Thomas or the estate of
the late Walter Dongan. The aggregate extent of land covered
by this instrument was about seven hundred acres. The will
of Thomas Dongan bears date March 8, 1765, and it appointed
his wife, Magdalen, sole executrix, and by it he bequeathed
to his son John Charlton Dongan, all his estate, and in case of
his death, while in his minority, the estate was to go to his
mother and to her heirs forever. Of the time of his death we
are not informed.
John Charlton Dongan, son of Thomas, and grandson of
Walter the nephew of the governor, was educated for a lawyer,
and was admitted to the bar May 6, 1791. He was a man of
some prominence in his time. He was a supervisor here in
1785, and was in the state legislature several times, where in
1788-9 he was a prominent leader of the Schuyler or federal
party and served on some important committees. As an
attorney-at-luw he had an office at 25 Courtlandt street, New
York, in 1795. He possessed a considerable land on State
street, New York, in addition to the estate on Staten Island,
which then comprised about six hundred acres, all of which he
inherited from his father. He is said to have been an honor-
able man, but being a free liver and given to drink, he fell into
careless habits and descended the scale of respectable standing
and financial advantage until he reached the lowest extreme.
His wife was Patience Moore, of Newtown, L. I., a sister of
Benjamin Moore of that place. She, it is said, was of little ad-
vantage to him, being herself also a partner in his failings.
They had only two children, Thomas Charles Bradish, who died
November 25, 1789, and John Charlton, Jr., who died October
23, 1791, a little over 5 years of age. His State street property
was sold and its proceeds lost in speculation. He became in-
volved and, about 1795, sold the manor house and the accom-
panying estate to his brother-in-law McVickar, whose wife was
sister to his wife. He then had a general vendue and sold off
all the stock and movables belonging to the estate, and the sale
returned about $10,000. He and his wife agreed to put this in
bank and live on the proceeds. She returned to her own fam-
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HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. ]'J.">
ily, the Moores, at Newtovvn, and he, sinking still deeper in
intemperance, accepted the position of a sergeant of foot or
marines and went on a voyage at sea on a man-of-war. This
was in 1798 or 1799. He was familiarly known as "Jack"
Dongan. The last of his financial resources were finally ex-
hausted and, broken down in health, he became a public charge
for his living. Fortunately he had a god-mother, who lived in
Jamaica, West Indies, and she learning his condition, sent
money to pay his passage, and he went thither to complete the
measure of his broken down life under her generous care and
patronage.
The remnant of the lordship containing the manor house was
sold by John C. Dongan to John McVickar. He occupied it as a
country seat from 1795 to 1802, when he sold it to Alexander
McComb. McVickar constructed a canal two miles long from
Fresh pond to the mill, took a hand in many public enterprises,
and helped Mr. Vanderbilt the elder to funds with which to
procure a piragua and dock at Factoryville. McComb sold
the place to John Bodine, the younger, and he to his father.
By the latter it was sold to Judge Edwards for Abraham Varick.
But why continue to follow the changes. The glory of the
manor has departed ; the last lord of its dominion has a long
time slept in his grave, and the venerable manor house has been
swept away by the devouring flame. Surely "man in honor
abideth not.'
"This Following Pat tent fora Peeceof Land LyeingattKarles
Neck att the Fresh kill on Staten Island Granted to Barne Ty-
sen being Omitted to be Recorded when Granted is Now Entred
att the Request of the said BARNE TYSEN this 29th day of N~o-
vembr. 1681.
" Edmund Andros Esqr. Seigneor of Sausmarex Lievt. and
Governor General! under his Royil. Highs. James Duke of
Yorke and Albany &c. of all his Terretorys in America Where-
as by Virtue of my Warrant y r . hath Benn Laid out for BARNE
TYSEN a Certaine Peece of Land Lyeing at Karles Neck at the
Fresh Kill upon Staten Island being in Breadth by the Meadow
side fforty and five Rods Ranging South East two hundred
Eighty and fouer Rods Being Bounded to the Southwest by the
Land of Thomas Morgan to the South East by the Commons
and to the North East by the Land of Wolford Proll with tenn
126 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Acres of Salt Meadow fronting to the said Land and fouer Acres
of Fresh Meadow upon the Hills in the Eeare of the Neck Con-
teining in all Ninety fouer Acres as by the Returne of the Sur-
vev und r the Hand of the Surveyor; Doth and may appeare
Know Yee that by vertue of his Maties Letters Pattents and
the Commission and Authority unto me Given by his Royil
High 8 I have Given and Granted and by these Presents Doe
hereby Give and Grant unto the said Barne Tysen his Heires
and Assigns the afore recited Peece of Land and Premisses with
their and every of their Appurtenuces. To have and to hold
the said Peece of Land and Premisses unto him the said Barne
Tysen his Heires and Assignes unto the proper use and Behoof e
of the said Barne Tysen his Heires and Assignes For ever Hee
making Improvem* thereon according to Law and Yeelding
and Paying therefore Yearly and every Yeare unto his Royii
High 3 use as a Quitt Rent one Bushell of Good Winter
Wheate unto such Officer or Officers as shall be Empowred to
Receive the same. Given under my Hand and Sealed with the
Seale of the Province in New Yorke this twenty Ninth Day of
September in the 29th Yeare of his Ma ties Reigne Annoq
Domini 1C77.
The Meadow to be proporconable with the Rest of the In-
habitants.
E. ANDROSS.
" Examined by me
" MATTHIAS NICOLLS Seer.
I do hereby Certify the aforegoing to be a true
Copy of the Original Record Compared there
with By me.
" LEWIS A. SCOTT, Secretary."
" Recorded at ye Request of Daniell Lake & Compa
"William the third by the Grace of God of England Scotland
ffrance and Ireland King Defender of the ffaith &c To all to
whome these p r sents shall Come Sendeth Greeting. Whereas
our Loveing Subjects Daniell Lake and Joseph Holmes have by
their Petitions Presented unto our trusty and well beloved John
Nanfan Estp' our Lt Govern 1 ' & Commander in Cheif of our
Province of New Yorke and the Territories Depending thereon
in America &c Pray our Grant and Confirmation of a Certain
Tract of Land on Staten Island in the County of Richmond
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 127
ginning at ye Northwest Corner of the Lott of Land Laid out
Peter Billjean in the Reer of his three Lotts Granted by
'dmond Andros & Runs thence North Westerly by the Line
bra ham Lakerman & William Barker to ye Land of Tennis
oerts and Vincent fountain & so runs alongst his Line
h Easterly to the South East Corner thereof thence to the
hwest Corner of Jacques Guyen & so by the Reer of
B tteans Lotts Westerly to ye Place where begunn being
led on the Northwest by Abraham Lakerman & William
r on the North East by Tennis Eghberts and Vincent
in on the South East by the Lotts of Isaac Billjean & on
ith West by the Lotts of Peter Billjean Containing two
d acres w^h reasonable request wee being willing to
uiow Yee that of our Speciall Grace Certain Knowledge
>r motion wee have Given Granted Ratifyed and Con-
r , by these p r sents Doe for us our Heires and Successors
mt Ratifye and Confirme unto our s d Loveing Subjects
,ake and Joseph Holmes all the aforecited Tract of
hin our County of Richmond & within the Limitts &
'oresd together with all and Singular the Woods Under-
ees Timber feedings Pastures Meadows Marshes
mds Pools Water watercourses Rivers Rivoletts Runs
'ling fowling hunting and hawkeing Mines Mineralls
-old Mines Excepted and all other Profitts benefitts
1 Liberties Advantages Hereditam ts an( j appurte-
m. lever to the afoerecitd Tract of Land within the
Lii unds aforementioned belonging or in any wise
app> ^ have and to hold all the afoerecited Tract of Land
together wth all and Singular the woods underwoods Trees
Timber feedings Pastures Meadows Marshes Swamps Ponds
Pools watercourses Rivers Rivers Rivoleits Runs Brooks
Streams fishing fowling hunting and hawkeing Mines Mineralls
Silver and Gold Mines Excepted & all other Proffitts Benefitts
Privilledges Liberties Advantages Hereditaments and appurte-
nances whatsoever to the afores d Tract of Land within the
Limitts and Bounds aforementioned belonging or in any wise
appertaining unto to them the said Daniell Lake and Joseph
Holmes their Heires and assignes to the only Proper use benetitt
and behoof of them the said Daniell Lake and Joseph Holmes
their Heires and assignes forever to be holden of us our Heires &
Successors in free and Comon Soccage as of our Manm- of East
128 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Greenvvch in our County of Kent within our Realm of Enghn
Yielding Rendring & Paying therefore Yearly and every Ye
unto us our Heires and Successors at our City of New Yor
on the feast Day of the Nativity of our blessed Saviour i
annuall and Yearly Rent of twelve Shillings Cnrrt Monej
New Yorke in Lieu and Stead of all other Rents Dues Dn
Services and Demands whatsoever In Testimony whereof
have Caused the Great Seale of our said Province to be 1
unto affixed Witness John Nanfan Esq r our Lieu* Go'
& Comander in Cheif of our Province of New Yorke
our ffort in New Yorke the 20th day of Apiill in the fourf
year of our Reign.
" JOHN NAN
" By his honrs Comand
M: CLARKSON, Secry.
" I do hereby Certify the aforegoing to '
Copy of the Original Record.
"Compared therewith By Me
"LEWIS A. SCOTT. Sf
Many other patents were granted for lands on
These we have already said were generally fr ;.
From the quit-rents affixed to such grants the c jrs
obtained a considerable revenue. A patent by
Governor Fletcher, December 20, 1697, to Sr : for a
tract of land on the south side of the island i. The
annual quit-rent on this was four shillings >vas soon
after in the possession of Jacob Berger, and by the middle of
the century belonged to John Keteltas in whose family it
remained for several generations. A patent was granted by
Queen Anne, September 1, 1708, to Francis Vincent for several
parcels of land on the island, in which mention is made of the
following adjoining owners : Peter Leconnt, Albert Janson, one
Pinhorne, John Melyore, John Breveele, Francis Welton, John
Bodine, Benjamin Cooper, Mark Dussassway, Abraham Cannon,
Jacob Galliott, John Cashee and Joshua Carsoon. In locating
these parcels the following neighboring points are mentioned :
Courtlandt, Fresh kill (16 acres of salt meadows at the mouth
of it, "being almost round a certain Hammock of Upland,"
which is included, the whole "bearing N. W. from the house of
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 129
John Morgan"), Daniel's neck, Thomas's creek, Charles's neck,
and Abraham Cannon's creek.
The last royal patent for lands on Staten Island was granted
by Queen Anne, to Lancaster Symes, on the 22d of October,
1708. It conveyed all unappropriated lands, meadows, etc.,
etc., on the island, at an annual rent of six shillings current
money of New York, payable on Lady-day of each year. It is
recorded at Albany in book No. 7 of Patents, page 371, and
quite recently recorded in this county.
The following receipts copied from the originals will be of in-
terest to show the manner in which the business was done.
Numerous receipts of the kind may be found in all parts of the
county.
"Received of A rent Van Amer Two Bushells and a half of
Wheat in full for One years Quitt Rent of two Lotts of Land
on Staten Island, one Granted to Philip Bendell & the other to
John Taylor the 15th December 1680, being to the 25th March
last, as Witness my hand this 12th August 1761.
RICH D NICHOLLS Dep l - v Rec r Geni."
"Received of Arent Van Amer Five bushells of Wheat in
full for two Years Quitt Rent of the two Lotts of Land above
mentioned to the 25th March last. As Witness my hand the
10th June 1763.
RICHD. NICHOLLS Dep^' Rec,- Gen 1 ."
"Received of Aarnt Van Amer Five Bushells of Wheat in
full for two years Quitt Rent of the two Lotts of Land above
mentioned to the 25th of March last. As Witness my hand
this 2'd May 1765.
RICHD. NICHOLLS Depty Rec r Gen 1 ."
The above receipts are all written in a distinct, but very
cramped hand on a scrap of paper 4 by 6 inches. The three
following are written on the reverse side of the same paper.
" Received of Arent Van Amer two bushells and a half of
Wheat in full for one years Quit Rent of the before mentioned
Lotts of Land due 25 March last.
New York 14 May 1766 JOHN MOORE Dep. Rec r . Gem."
9
130 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
" Received of Arent Van Amer Two Bushells & a half of
Wheat in full for One Years Quit Rent of the before mentioned
Lotts of land due 25 March last.
Witness my hand 13 May 1767
JOHN MOORE Dep. Rec r . Gen 1 ."
"Reed of Arent Van Amen Two Bushells & half of Wheat in
full for one Years Quit Rent of the above mentioned Lotts due
25th March last. Witness my hand the 6th July 1768."
There are three other receipts for wheat, bringing the pay-
ment down to March 25th, 1775. The individual mentioned by
the names of Arent Van Amer Van Amen Van Naum, was
Aaron Van Name, the grandfather of Mr. Michael Van Name,
and his brother Charles Van Name, both of Mariner's Harbor.
"Patent granted to John Taylor for a Tract of Land on Staten
Island dated 15th Decem r 1680 at One & a half Bushel Wheat
per Annum.
( From 25 March 1775
Aaron Van Naum - to 25 May 1787 is 12
( Deduct 8.-
4. 2 @ 9/ 1. 17. 6
14 years commutation 9/ 6. 6. -
8. 3. 6
Reced New York June 21st 1787 from Aaron Van Naum per
the hands of Joshua Mercereau Esq. Public Securities which
with the Interest calculated thereon to the 25th May last
amounts to Eight Pounds three shillings & Six Pence in full for
Arrears of Commutation on the above Patent.
8. 3. 6 PETER S. CARTENIUS State And r "
It will be observed that during the royal government the quit
rent was payable in wheat, according to the terms of the patent.
Under the federal government it appears to have been com-
muted for money.
Resuming the order of our narrative we find the commotions
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 131
which had disturbed the people here for many years and finally
reached the culmination of disorder and unrest in the usurpa-
tion of Leisler, were followed by an extended period of com-
parative tranquility, during which the colonial government was
established upon a more equitable basis and was more uniform
in its administration. From this time forward till the disrup-
tion of the colonial government in May, 1775, the throne of
Great Britain held undisputed control over the colony of New
York. The government, as then constituted and afterward
maintained, was composed of the governor and council, ap-
pointed by the throne, and the assembly, whose members were
elected by the freeholders of each county. The council at first
numbered seven members, but was afterward increased to
twelve. The governor was the chief executive. The legislative
power lay in the governor, council and assembly. All laws
were further subject to the revision of the king, to whom they
were always to be sent within three months from the date of
their passage.
Governor Slaughter appears to have shown more regard for
the rights and wishes of the people than his predecessors had
done, or some of his successors did. He succeeded, as far as
the nature of the government would allow, in quieting the
commotions that had disturbed the peace of the people, and in
restoring harmony and friendly relations in the colony. Among
his first acts was the confirmation, under the seal of the prov-
ince, of all grants, charters or patents that had previously
been issued. We may say that with his administration a new
era commenced. The gubernatorial reins passed in frequent
succession from one to another down through the prosperous
years of the colony.
The governors and time of their administrations were as
follows, those who died in office being marked by an asterisk (*):
Henry Slaughter,* 1691 ; Richard Ingoldsby, 1691-92 ; Ben-
jamin Fletcher, 1692-98 ; Richard, Earl of Bellmont,* 1698-
1701 ; John Nanfan, 1701-02 ; Lord Cornbury, 1702-08 ; John,
Lord Lovelace,* 1708-09; Richard Ingoldsby, 1709-10; Ger-
ardus Beekman, 1710; Robert Hunter, 1710-19 ; Peter Schuyler,
1719-20; William Burnet,* 1720-28 ; John Montgomery,* 1728-
31 ; Rip Van Dam, 1731-32 ; William Casby*, 1732-36*; George
Clarke, 1736-43 ; George Clinton, 1743-53 ; Sir Danvers Os-
borne,* 1753 ; James De Lancey, 1753-55 ; Sir Charles Hardy,
132 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
1755-57; James De Lancey,* 1757-60 ; Cadwallader Colden,
1760-61; Robert Monkton, 1761; Cadwallader Colden, 1761-65;
Sir Henry Moore,* 1765-69 ; Cadwallader Colden, 1769-70 ;
John, Lord Dunmore, 1770-71 ; Willam Tryon, 1771-77.
We now turn to notice the courts, the officers connected with
them, and some of their works, during this period. The courts
were at first held in different places in the county, wherever
convenience indicated. It is not known at what time they were
first held at Stony Brook as a regular place for them, but we
find the custom prevailing during the early years of the eigh-
teenth century. At the same time the jail seems to have been
at " Cuckoldstown," the early name for Richmond, where it
was built in 1710, as the following order would indicate :
" Ordered that Mr. Lambart Garisone and Mr. Wm. Tillyer.
See the prison House built at Cuckols Towne y e Dimensions
Twelve foot in breadth, fourteen foot Long, Two Story high,
six foot y e Loer Room from beam to plank, and the uper Story
Six foot, all to be built with stone, and for building of the sd.
prison the Said Undertakers have hereby power To take the
Monys out of the Collectors hands for carying on the sd. work
it the order of y e sd. Undertakers & Receipts shall be a Suffi-
cient discharge to y e sd. Collectors."
This building proved inadequate to the purpose as is seen by
the fact that at a court of sessions held in the court house at
Stony Brook, on the 5th day of March, in the ninth of his Ma-
jestys' reign (1723), "Benjamin Bill Eq r high Sheriffe of the
County of Richmond Complains to the Court of the Insuffi-
ciency of his majesty Goal for the said County that it is all to-
gether soe Insufficiency that it is impossible to keep any pris-
oner safe as the Said Goal Divers prisoners having lately Es-
caped thereout and therefore the said sheriffe protest against
the Inhabitants of the County of Richmond for Repairing the
said Goal and against all waits Escapes that may Ensue for the
Insufficiency of the said Goal and pray that his protest may be
t ntered accordingly."
In 1725, Nicholas Larzelier, then high sheriff, repeated the
same complaint in the same terms. Two years after he repeated
it again, but what result attended the complaints we are not in-
formed. A new court house and jail were probably erected at
Richmond, whence the county seat was removed and estab-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 133
lislied. The earliest mention of the court of sessions being held
at Richmond is dated September 2, 1729.
Previous to the erection of a court house the courts were held
in private houses or taverns. The following entry gives some
hints :
"March 2, 1713 - Court a journed till to morow at Ten
of the Clock in the forenoon to the North Side To Coll Grahams
Court opened, and ajourned Till y e fist Tuesday on 7ber [Sep-
tember] next. God Save the Queen."
Col. Aug. Graham was one of the judges of the common pleas
and sessions.
Debtors were arrested and obliged to give bail or go to prison.
The return of the precept of arrest by the sheriff or constable
was " Cepi Corpus." In almost every instance where a prisoner
was acquitted by the jury, he was discharged by the court upon
payment of costs. The courts of general sessions were fre-
quently conducted by an overflowing bench, as for example, on
the 22d of September, 1761, there were present the first, second
and third judges, and nine justices, making in all a bench
of twelve. It was a common thing for a court to be constituted
with eight, nine or ten judges.
The following abstracts from court records will be read with
nterest :
'At a Court of Sessions held for the county of Richmond
March 3, 1712.
"Jos\ Arrowsniith, Lambert Garrison, jSTathi Britton,
Abm. Coole [Cole], Peter Rezeau, Esq 8 .
" March y e 4th. Court opened and Grand Jury calld. The
presentmts of the Grand Jury brought in ; the Court orders
prosess to be issued out against those presented viz. Peter
Bibout for beating Mr Mony [Manee] and his wiffe. Barnt Mar
ling, Andrew Bowman, William Foord & The Taylor peter
peryne & Vn. Buttler, Peter Catherick and Nath 1 Brittin Junr.
all for fighting. John Dove and John Bilew for carrying of
Syder upon the Sabbath Day. Abraham Van Tyle for allowing
his negroe to Gary Irone to the Smiths on the Sabbath day, and
Mark Disosway for being drunk on the Sabbath day."
At a court of sessions held March 5th, 1716, " it was ordered
by the court that Nicholas Brittin pay Twelve shillings ffine
for his misbehavior to Nath 1 Brittin Esq. and also ordered that
134 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
he beg Justice Brittins pardon and promise to doe so no more,
and also to pay all the charges of this action."
September 3d, 1717, all the retailers of strong liquors were
summoned to appear before the court of general sessions to
show by what authority they retailed ; thereupon appeared
" Mauris Williams, Jean Brown, Anthony Wright, Barnt
Symerson, Daniel Lane, John Garrea, David Bisset, Cornelius
Eyman, Lamb* Garrittson Jim. Benjn Bill, Jacob Johnson, Isaac
Symerson, Joseph Bastido" thirteen in the whole county.
Simon Van Name was a justice of the peace, and a prominent
man in his day. We give below copies of a couple of legal
documents issued by him:
" Richmond County
To the Constable of the north diuision where as Complaind
is made by Euert van name unto me Simon van name one of his
Magistices Justice of the peace that Hennery day owith him
the Sum of Seuen Shillings and neglect to Pay the same this is
theair for to require you to somins the same hennery day to
apear before me at my dweling house on thursday next at one
of the aclock in the after noon which will be the 13 day of this
instient month els Jugment shall go against him by The fault
giuen from under my hand this the tenth day of March Ano
domini 1728-9
SlME VAN NAME."
The following venire has a paper attached to it containing the
names of twenty persons, the first twelve of whom are num-
bered, and probably constituted the jury in the cause:
" Richmond to the Constable of
County the North devision
Where as there is an action depending between Tommas mor-
gan plantif & Isaac Garrison Defended Both of the County
Abousd [above said] and the Defendant Desires a Jury upon
the sd Action These are therefore in his Maiestyes Name to
Require & Command you to Svmmons Twelve Sufficient Men
to Appear Before me on Wensday next at Twelve of the Clock
in the forenoon of the Sameday at my Dwelling Hous to Serve
as Jvrers upon the sd Action Depending Whereof fail not
Given under my hand Thee twenty seventh day of July Annoq.
Dom. 1730
SlME VAN NAME."
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 135
Names attached; " 1 Abraham corshon, 2 richard crips, 3
John mengalroll, 4 garet cruse, 5 philip merel, 6 honas deker,
7 barnt sweme, 8 ranses bodine, 9 nicholes stilwell, 10 nichles
depue, 11 John boker, 12 tunas te bout, nickles bush, mr
couanouer, art simanson, Jacob benet, lambart garison. thomas
lisk, alexander lisk, ben goman ayrs."
On the reverse of the venire are the following endorsements:
" Richmond County July the 29
the Jury finds for the sd defendant.
venire 0. 1. 6
to the constabel 0.
swaring the Jury 2.
swaring y evdens 1. 6
swaring the Constel 6
Entring verdeck 1.
66
The last court of common pleas and general sessions in this
county under the colonial government was held September 26,
1775. Following that a period of nearly nine years elapsed be-
fore another court of the kind was held.
The following names appear as justices of the peace in this
county at an early period: Ellis Duxbury, 1692; John Shotwell,
1692; Abraham Lackman, 1693; Cornelis Corsen, 1689-90;
Joseph Billop, 1702-3.
The only case of capital punishment executed under a decree
of the colonial courts, of which we have learned, took place
about two or three years before the revolutionary war. We
depend entirely upon tradition for the account of it, which is as
follows : A negro, named Anthony Neal, was accused of break-
ing into and robbing the store kept by Col. Aaron Cortelyou.
The goods that were taken from the store did not exceed in
value twenty dollars, and they were all found secreted in a
wheat feald near by. The accused negro, after being imprisoned
about two months, was tried and convicted and hung. The ex-
ecution took place just by the school house at Richmond, the
negro protesting his innocence with his latest breath. It is said
that on the day following the execution his wife confessed that
she had committed the theft herself.
A slight outline of certain important events in European his-
tory now appears necessary as an introduction to the memorial
136 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
of an interesting incident, of which Staten Island was the
scene in the autumn of 1761. Between the years 1756 and 1763
the seven years' war raged in Germany. In this remarkable
contest the great Frederick had to defend his recently acquired
Silesia and the new kingly dignity of his house against the
combined powers of France, Austria and Russia. This war
with " the three petticoats " (Elizabeth, Maria Theresa and the
Pompadour), as he facetiously termed them, was in fact, on his
part, a desperate struggle for existence, in which he would per-
haps have succumbed but for the aid of England. In that
country Frederick, whose religious ideas were of the most un-
orthodox liberality, came somehow to be regarded as " the
Protestant hero," and after ignominiously defeating the French
he naturally became the popular idol.
This same seven years' war covers in American history a
space of nine years, and is known by the name of the French
and Indian war, beginning in 1754, with the disputes about the
French and English colonial boundaries in the Mississippi and
Ohio valleys, and blending ultimately with the great European
contest. In the spring of 1755 the colonies made extensive
preparations for an attack on the French, but owing to the ig-
norance of their commanders in regard to the tactics of Indian
warfare the campaign was utterly unsuccessful. Crown Point
and Niagara were both assailed, but neither captured. In the
campaign of 1756 the English losses were even greater, their
fort at Oswego, with 1,600 men, being captured by the French.
This was followed by the still more unsuccessful campaign of
1757, in which Fort William Henry, on Lake George, with its
garrison of 3,000 men was compelled to surrender to the
French.
In 1758, William Pitt (afterward Lord Chatham) was placed
at the head of the government as prime minister of England.
A new impulse was now given to the energies of the nation,
and success followed. In July, Louisburg, which at the former
peace had been restored to the French, was recaptured. Fort
Frontenac was captured soon after, and the French were
compelled to abandon Fort du Quesne. General Abercrombie
attacked Fort Ticonderoga, but was obliged to retire.
Encouraged by these successes, the colony of New York re-
newed her exertions with the utmost energy. In 1759, during
the short period of live months she raised a sum of $625,000 to aid
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 137
in carrying on the war, and levied a force of 2,680 men. In that
levy the quota for Richmond county was 55 men. Ticonderoga
was captured by General Amherst, early in the season, and
Crown Point surrendered a few days later. In July, General
Prideanx invested Fort Niagara, and though he was killed in
the attack, Sir William Johnson, his successor in the command,
effected its reduction. On the 13th of September, General
Wolfe laid down his own life in the moment of victory, when
the English banners floated over the towers of Quebec. In 1700,
the French made an unsuccessful attempt to recapture Quebec,
and on the 8th of September, all the French possessions in
Canada, except the two small islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon,
at the mouth of the St. Lawrence, were surrendered to the Eng-
lish. The provincial forces who had been engaged in its reduc-
tion, now turned their faces homeward, while a large body of
British troops were established in a camp on Staten Island,
where they remained for several months. General Robert
Moncton had command of this army. During their encamp
ment here an important ceremony, the investment of Sir Jeffery
Amherst with the "Order of the Bath " took place, and to this
interesting event our introductory remarks under this sub-
ject pointed. Probably Staten Island was never honored with
being the scene of a more dignified or important royal ceremony.
On the 28th of August, 1761, General Amherst, having rode
on horseback down the west side of the Hudson river from
Albany, arrived in camp at Staten Island. The 35th regiment
of British regulars, called Otway's regiment, from its com-
mander, had arrived in the Staten Island camp from Albany about
two weeks previous. The ceremony of investing General Am-
herst with the knighthood took place October 25, 1761, in the
presence of all the dignitaries of the province and a large con-
course of spectators, assembled at the camp on Staten Island.
The explanation will not be out of place here that the mili-
tary order of Knights of the Bath originated, as is supposed,
about the time of Henry IV, of England. At the coronation of
that king, in 1339, a number of esquires were made knights of
the bath because they had watched and bathed meanwhile during
the preceding night. From that time it was usual for the kings
of Great Britain to create knights of this order on great and
joyous occasions, such as their own coronation or the birth or
marriage of princes or on the eve or following the successful
138 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
issue of some great foreign expedition. The investment of
General Amherst was probably in honor of the advantageous
conclusion of the struggle with the French on the Canadian
frontier. The badge of the order was of pure gold, a sceptre of
three united imperial crowns, from which grew the rose, the
thistle and the shamrock, and around which was inscribed
the ancient motto, " Trio, juncta in uno." It was hung by a
red ribbon from the collar obliquely over the right shoulder.
Other accessories of the insignia a massive gold collar, rich in
engraved designs, and a silver star resembling the badge and
with a glory of rays proceeding from its center, to adorn the
left shoulder. The order was divided into three ranks, desig-
nated in importance as first, knights grand crosses ; second,
knights commanders, and third, knights companions. The
proper place for their installation to be celebrated was in the
nave of Henry the Seventh's chapel, Westminster Abbey,
which in this instance was impracticable. The warrant for
the ceremony here was found in the following letter from the
prime minister of England:
" Whitehall, July 17th, 1761.
"Sir,
"His Majesty having been graciously pleased, as a Mark
of His Royal Approbation, of the many and eminent Services
of Major General Amherst, to nominate him to be one of the
Knights Companions of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath;
and it being necessary that he should be invested with the En-
signs of the said Order, which are transmitted to him, by this
Opportunity; I am to signify to you the King's Pleasure, that
you should perform that Ceremony; and it being his Majesty's
Intention, that the same be done in the Most Honourable and
Distinguished Manner that Circumstances will allow of, you
will concert, and adjust with General Amherst such Time and
Manner for Investing him with the Ensigns of the Order of
the Bath as shall appear to you most proper for shewing all
due Respect to the King's Order, and as may, at the same
Time mark in the most publick Manner, His Majesty's just
sense of the Constant Zeal, and Signal Abilities, which Gen-
eral Amherst has exerted in the Service of His King and
Country.
" I am &c.
" W. PITT.
"Honourable Robert Monckton."
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 139
In presence of the concourse of people assembled at the time
and place appointed for the ceremonies General Moncton read
the foregoing letter, and then proceeded to place the ribbon over
General Amherst's shoulder, meanwhile making an apology
that circumstances would not admit of more formal investi-
ture. To this General Amherst replied in the following short
speech :
" Sir: I am truly sensible of this distinguishing mark of His
Majesty's royal approbation of my conduct, and shall ever
esteem it as such. And I must beg leave to express to you the
peculiar satisfaction I have, and the pleasure it gives me to re-
ceive this mark of favor from your hands."
Demonstrations of applause followed the ceremony, and a
few days later, when General Amherst went from Staten Island
to the city his arrival there was greeted by the firing of seven-
teen guns from Fort George. He was now spoken of as "his
Excellency Sir Jeffery Amherst, K. B., from the army on
Staten Island." Following this ceremony General Moncton
was installed governor of New York, and the city was illumi-
nated.
Governor Moncton did not remain in the seat of state, but
appointing a deputy, he went with the army on its expedition
to the West Indies. The army encamped on Staten Island com-
prised eleven regiments who had returned from the Canadian
frontier, under Generals Moncton, Amherst and Otway. The
encampment was on the central part of the island, and they
remained here from August till November. Here they formed
a market and invited the farmers to bring in stock and produce
to sell to the army. When all was ready the army embarked
on board of a fleet of one hundred sail of vessels, which on
the 15th of November put to sea with a fair wind.
Reviewing the French war, we find but little in which the
people of Staten Island were directly connected with it. They
raised their proportion of money and their quota of men as
contributions to sustain the cause. Of the men we have no
knowledge farther than that Thomas Arrowsmith was captain
of a company in 1758 and '59, and Anthony Waters was a
captain in 1760.
One of the most important services was the capture of the
French Fort Frontenac, on the 27th of August, 1758. With
3,000 men, mostly provincials, Colonel Bradstreet traversed
140 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
the wilderness between Albany and Lake Ontario, carrying
with him eight pieces of cannon, and three mortars. Among
these troops was a regiment commanded by Colonel Corse, of
Queens county, and in that regiment was Captain Thomas Ar-
rowsmith's company of Staten Islanders. This regiment con-
tributed materially to the success of the expedition. Corse
volunteered to erect a battery during the night of the 26th, and
effected his purpose under a continuous fire from the fort. On
the morning of the 27th, this battery opened on the enemy,
who at once deserted the fort and fled. The material captured
with the fort consisted of forty-six pieces of cannon, sixteen
mortars, and a very large quantity of military stores, provisions
and merchandise.
In connection herewith the following advertisement which
appeared in April, 1756, affords interesting suggestions and ex-
plains itself, though we do not know the result:
SCHEME
Of a Lottery for raising One Hundred and Fifty Pounds.
"Whereas the Free holders and Inhabitants of the County
of Richmond, are enabled by an Act of the Governor, Council
and General Assembly, of the Colony of New York, to raise
by Way of Lottery a Sum not exceeding the sum of One Hun-
dred and Fifty Pounds, to purchase Arms and Accoutrements,
fin- the Use of such Persons, in the said County, as are unable
to prbvide themselves therewith, in Cases of Necessity. And
whereas the said County of Richmond is a Frontier County,
and liable, in Case of an Attack, to be the first invaded, it is
hoped all Lovers of their Country will generously encourage
the said Lottery.
No. of Prizes. Pieces of Eight. Whole Value.
1 of 375 is 375
2 187 and a half are 375
4 125 500
10 25 250
25 12 300
4(3 10 400
60 5 300
142 Prizes.
858 Blanks.
1,000 Tickets at 2 and a Half Pieces of 8 is 2,500
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 141
' As soon as the Lottery is finished Drawing, the Prizes will
be published in the New York Gazette, and the Money paid to
the Possessors of the fortunate Tickets, fourteen Days after the
Drawing of the said Lottery, Fifteen per Cent, being first de-
ducted out of the Whole ; which several Deductions of Fifteen
per Cent, are to be applied for the Purposes aforesaid.
"Proper Notice will be given by the Persons appointed to
manage the said Lottery, of the precise Time of Drawing the
same ; which Persons are Mr. Samuel Brooms and Colonel Ben-
jamin Seamans, who are to give Bond, and be under Oath, for
the faithful Performance of the Trust reposed in them.
"Tickets are to be sold by the said Managers at their respect-
ive Dwellings, in the said County, and by the Promoters
hereof."
Some description of scenes and physical improvements under
the colonial period will be of interest, and may perhaps be pre-
sented here as fitly as elsewhere. The laying out of roads was
one of the first forms of public improvement, some of which
remain in their original position to the present day. As matter
of interest in connection herewith we copy the following record.
" This following Instrument was Recorded for the Inhabit-
ants of the west divishone by the order of the worshipefull
bench sitting in Coarte of seshones the week In September 1694
for the Regelating & Laying out all the highwayes with in said
quarter & Entred upon Record the : 9th day of septr 1694.
Richmond County this first day of September annoque dom:
1694: By vertue of Awarend dyreckted to the Coustabell of the
west dyvishone with In the fore said County to sommonse the
free holders of said quarter to Asemble & meete to Gather to
Ereckte Apoainte & Lay out such hyghwaies with in said quar-
ter As the Inhabitants shall thinke futt and most Conveainent
for the youse & behoofe of his magistie and his subgeckts & for
the Inhabitants That lives back in the woods to transport them-
selvfes & Goods to the water sid. The freeholders having mett
to Gather on the day & yeare Above written And ordred and
apoainted & Laid out the highwayes as heare after are spresi-
fied
: 1 : ordered one highway of six Rod to be betwene Anthoney
deshon and lofa fonoay Cut by Consent Alltred and Laid out
betwene Anthoney deshon and Jerome deshon begining att the
Could spring
142 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
: 2 : To one highway betwene Clays Lazeleare & John Cor-
nealisone of six Rood
: 3 : To one highway betwene Williame Elstones Land de-
ceased & abraham Coole of six Rod.
: 4 : To one highway betwene mr Leflore & peter Jonsea wide
of six Rod
: 5 : To one high way betwene Adame hud & mr Emet next to
adem hud of six Rod
: 6 : To one high way betwene fransis barber & the Copper
Planes of six Rod
: 7 : To one high way betwene John Ray & markes disosway
of six Rods
: 8 : To one highway betwene mr John Lecount & Capten
bilope of six Rod
: 9 : To one highway from the west side begining alt mr Le-
counts frount & Runes Cleare over throw the wods by the Line
of Capten bilope to the widow bealies house
: 10 : To one highway betwene Cornell dongones Land and
anthoney Tyse throw the wods To the west side betwene the
Guset and Richard wods Land but Left out of the Guset & soe
downe betwene Abraham Cooles & the Land that was william
Elstones
: 11 : To one high way betwene mr Cathentone & the widow
haule of six Rood
: 12 : To one high way betwene domeney tarsmaker & John
bodine of six rood
: 13 : To one high way by the water side from John bodines
to Capten bilopes Land of eight Rod
: 14 : To one high way by the water side begining att mr John
Leconnts & soe to the pipe makers and from thence throw the
woods to the water side by peter Jonseames his house and from
thence by the water side to the Land of John hendriksone
: 15 : To one high way from peter Jonseameses alongst the
water side in the frount of mr Stimorles Land & adaham huds
& Elishea parbers and soe alongst the water side to the Coper
planers
:16 : To one high way from the koirb of John hendrikesone
alongst the water side To Clais Laseleare
This is atrew Record by the order of the Coarte of seshones
"Entred & Recorded by mee
" JACOB CORBETT : Cla : "
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 143
In compliance with a similar order of the court of sessions
March 4, 1700, relating to the inhabitants of the north division,
the following roads were laid out in that quarter and recorded
the 17th day of March, 1700 :
" 1 : To one highway along the front of Karels neck Six Rods
in breadth & so along royl land where oswald ford liveth
: 2 : To one high way between the Land of Christian Corsson
& Segir gerritse running to Coecles Town Six rodd in breadth."
There is a tradition that the Richmond road is the oldest road
on the island, but at what date it was opened we are not in-
formed. Very probably it follows the course of a pre-historic
Indian trail. It is said that it was originally laid out eight
rods in width. The object of this was to prevent as much as
possible the danger of Indians lying in ambush and attacking
travellers unawares, by giving a chance for clear vision some
distance ahead.
A road from Betty Morgan's house to Dongan's lower mill
was closed and another opened in its stead April 8, 17oS. The
latter ran from the road that connected Karle's neck and Rich-
mond, beginning on that road at a point on John Betty's land,
thence past Betty Morgan's house, taking on its way the course
of the "gully running to Mr. Totten's Bridge," and other lines
and paths till it reached Colonel Dongan's lower mill.
A road from Darby Doyle's ferry to Billop's ferry, and
another from the Narrows or Simonson's ferry to meet the other
at the school house of Garrison's were laid out March 14, 1774.
A road from the soldiers' lots to John Bodine's was laid out at
the same time.
From a publication in London, dated 1760, we abstract the
following description of Staten Island at that time :
" Staten Island at its east end has a ferry of three miles to
the west end of Long Island ; at its west end is a ferry of one
mile to Perth- Amboy of East Jersies ; it is divided from East
Jersies by a creek ; is in length about twelve miles, and about
six miles broad, and makes one county, called Richmond, which
pays scarce one in one and twenty of the provincial tax ; it is
all in one parish, but several congregations, viz., an English,
Dutch, and French congregation ; the inhabitants are mostly
English ; only one considerable village called Cuckold's-town."
Professor Kalm, a French traveller, made the journey from
Philadelphia to New York, by way of Staten Island, on horse-
144 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
back in 1748. The party of which he was a member left Phihi
delphia October 27th, and came by way of Bristol, Trenton,
Princeton, New Brunswick, Woodbridge, Elizabethtown and
Staten Island. From his accounts of the places on his route
we make the following extract.
" At night we took up our lodgings -At Elizabethtown, Point, an
inn about two English miles distant from the town, and the
last house on this road belonging to New Jersey. The man who
had taken the lease of it, together with that of the ferry near
it, told us that he paid a hundred and ten pounds of Pennsyl-
vania currency to the owner.
" October the 30th. We were ready to proceed on our jour-
ney at sun rising. Near the inn where we had passed the night,
we were to cross a river, and we were brought over, together
with our horses, in a wretched, half rotten ferry. This river
came a considerable way out of the country, and small vessels
could easily sail up it. This was a great advantage to the in-
habitants of the neighboring country, giving them an oppor-
tunity of sending their goods to New York with great ease ; and
they even made use of it for trading to the West Indies. The
country was low on both sides of the river, and consisted of
meadows. But there was no other hay to be got, than such as
commonly grows in swampy grounds ; for as the tide comes up
in this river, these low plains were sometimes overflowed when
the water was high. The people hereabouts are said to be
troubled in summer with immense swarms of gnats or musque.
toes, which sting them and their cattle. This was ascribed to
the low swampy meadows, on which these insects deposite their
eggs, which are afterwards hatched by the heat.
" As soon as we had got over the river, we were upon Staten
Island, which is quite surrounded with salt water. This is the
beginning of the province of New York. Most of the people
settled here were Dutchmen, or such as came hither whilst the
Dutch were yet in possession of this place. But at present
they were scattered among the English and other European
inhabitants, and spoke English for the greatest part. The
prospect of the country here is extremely pleasing, as it is not
so much intercepted by woods, but offers more cultivated fields
to view. Hills and vallies still continued, as usual to change
alternately.
v ' The farms were near each other. Most of the houses were
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 145
wooden ; however, some were built of stone. Near every farm-
house was an orchard with apple trees ; the fruit was already
for the greatest part gathered. Here, and on the whole jour-
ney before, I observed a press for cyder at every farm-house,
made in different manners, by which the people had already
pressed the juice out of the apples, or were just busied with
that work. Some people made use of a wheel made of thick
oak planks, which turned upon a wooden axis by means of a
horse drawing it, much in the same manner as the people do
with woad ; except that here the wheel runs upon planks.
Cherry trees stood along the enclosures round corn-fields.
" The corn fields were excellently situated, and either sown
with wheat or rye. They had no ditches on their sides, but (as
is usual in England) only furrows; drawn at greater or less dis-
tances from each other.
"In one place we observed a water mill, so situated that
when the tide flowed the water ran into a pond : but when it
ebbed the floodgate was drawn up, and the mill driven by the
water flowing out of the pond.
" About eight of the clock in the morning we arrived at the
place where we were to cross the water, in order to come to the
town of New York. We left our horses here and went on
board the yacht : we were to go eight English miles by sea ;
however we landed about eleven o'clock in the morning at New
York. We saw a kind of wild ducks in immense quantities
upon the water : the people called them Slue bills, and they
seemed to be the same with our Pintail ducks, or Linnaeus' s
Anasacuta : but they were very shy."
Without any especial attempt at order in arrangement or
date we shall now review such of the customs and habits of the
people of this period as the sources of our information afford
us a glimpse of.
In colonial times the people used wooden trenches and pew-
ter platters and other dishes at their meals, the poorer classes
using the former and the more wealthy using the latter. They
were very fond of pewter mugs and porringers, which were a
kind of round bowl with a handle prettily carved, and was
used more particularly for drinking chocolate, that beverage
being then more common than tea or coffee. Chocolate was the
common drink for supper. Coffee and tea were little used,
though it is said coffee was introduced here about 1650. When
10
146 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
tea was first introduced here there seems to have been some un-
certainty as to what was its most appropriate use, An amus-
ing story is told of one Mr. Crocheron, who, having heard of
the new herb called tea, bought a pound of it and took it
home. When he wished to boil a ham he thought the aromatic
qualities of the tea would improve it, so he strewed his pound
of tea over the ham and boiled them all up together. To have
her pewter ware scoured clean and bright, and well arranged for
display on the shelves of her kitchen was the pride of the in-
dustrious housewife. Feather beds were in common use, sum-
mer and winter.
The general breakfast of rich and poor was suppaun and
milk. Toast and cider was a very common article of diet, the
bread being toasted and put, into the cider, and sometimes the
cider was substituted by chocolate. They often had four meals
a day. After the breakfast described above came dinner in the
middle of the day, at which a favorite dish was "samp-por-
ridge," a kind of soup made with meat, potatoes, turnips and
the like. Between daylight and dark they took a light lunch,
with, perhaps, a cup of tea, then had supper about nine o'clock.
This consisted of suppaun and milk, or bread and milk, or
toast and cider again. Thus it will be noticed that though
they had frequent meals their bill of fare was a very plain one
and was not remarkable for its variety.
To ride on horseback was a much more common method of
travelling than it is now. It was indeed then the most com-
mon one in use. A man took his wife and a young man took
his girl, on the same horse with himself, the lady riding behind
her cavalier. Sometimes a pillion was used, but they generally
rode bare-back. Vehicles were very rare, and consisted almost
entirely of farm wagons and carts, which were used for pur-
poses of pleasure as well as business. Carpets on the floors
were then almost unknown, but the tidy housewife of those
times kept the floors of her living rooms well scrubbed, bright
and clean, and then sprinkled white sand over them, distributing
it in frescoes over the floor by artistic flourishes of the broom.
Shortly before the revolution, tradition asserts that the people
were unusually superstitious. A number of stories of witches
and strange apparitions are handed down. One tells of a child
that was seen at night all clothed in red on a certain rock at
Springville which lay across the road from the school house,
II [STORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 147
but has since been blasted. Another tells us of a mysterious
black dog as large as a horse that used to frequent a spot called
" the signs," and at night would appear beside horseback riders
and trot along with them. One negro who was riding with a
broad-axe in his hand, had the boldness to strike a terrific blow,
but the dog vanished from beneath it and the axe fell to the
ground. Another tells of a negro slave who ran away and a
well disposed witch brought him back and placed him in his
bed at night. But he was so much exhausted from the
rough handling of the witch that he could not get out of bed
for three or four days. There were also the " Haunted Woods,"
on the road to Old Town, and the " Haunted Bridge," on the
road to Amboy, each of which had its tale of supernatural
mystery. Had the sage of "Sunnyside" pitched his tent for
awhile on Staten Island he might have embalmed some of them
in the charms of classic literature, where perchance they would
have been rivals for " Sleepy Hollow " or " Rip Van Winkle."
In the time of which we are speaking flax was raised here,
and linen manufactured from it in the families of the farmers.
"Flax bees" were social merry-making occasions on which
labor was combined with entertainment. The flax having been
properly rotted was " crackled," "hatcheled" and otherwise
prepared for the more tedious work of spinning and weaving.
After the work of the evening was done girls and boys would join
in a dance for a considerable part of the balance of the night.
And who shall say that the sturdy youths and ruddy faced
girls of that day, in their plain home-spun clothing, after an
evening's vigorous toil and surrounded by the rustic appurten-
ances of the homes in which they were assembled, did not en-
joy the sweets of social intercourse just as fully as the beaux
and belles of to-day with all the dainty luxuries of modern
dress and surroundings.
Nearly all the farmers had slaves in those days. These were
uniformly well treated. It was customary for them to live, eat
and sleep in the kitchens. After their household duties for the
day were accomplished the black women were commonly en-
gaged in spinning linen or twine. The men also would spin with
an instrument called a " haspel" the yarn for ropes, to be taken
to the rope-walks to be made up.
A list of the names of slaves, male and female, above four-
teen years of age owned in the north division of Staten Island
148
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
in .1755, is still preserved. We give the list, with the names of
their owners, as it appears.
"A List of The Names Male and Female belonging to
Thomas Dongan
Males. Females.
1st Thomas Tice
2d Ceaser
3d Jack
4th Jack Mollato
5th Joe
6th Eobbin
7th Parris
Jacob Corssen Ceneor
1: Japhory
2: Sam
3: Jupeter
Jacob Corssen Juner
John Vegte
1: Tom
2: Primes
Gerardus Beekman
1 Bristo
In the Care of G. Beekman and
Belonging to John Beekman in New York.
1: One Negro Na. Sam
2: One Negro Na. Jo
3: One Negro Na. Warwick
Antony Watters
1: One Negro Na, Sam
2: One Negro Na, Will
Henry Cruse
1 One negroNa Charles
1st Philis
2 Peg
3 Hanna
1: Mary
2: Nanne
1 Rose
2: Nans
1: Bette
2: Jean
1 June
1: One W Leana
2: One W Phillis
Cornelius Cruse
Simon Simonson
1: One Negro Na Napten
Johanis de Groet
1 : One negro Na Jack
1: One W Na lade
2: One W na Dina
3: One W na Sary
1: One W na Dina
1: One W. Na Susanna
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Joseph Rolf
149
1: One negro Na, sam
1: One W, Na Jude
1: One W, Na Sary
Cristeiaen Corssen
1. One Negro Na, Jack
2: One Negro Na Nenes
Josuah Merseral
1: One Negro Na Flip 1: One W, Na Darkis
John Deceer
1: One Negro named Jem
Garret Crussen
1: One W, Na Jane
1: One W, Na mat
1: One W, Na bet
1: one Negro Na Bos.
1 one, Na Jack
1. one Na. forlen
1. one Na Sam
one na Bink
1 Negor N harry
2 Dto N John
1 Negro Tom
1 Negro Na Quam
1 Negro Na Jack
2 Dto Na Tom
1 Negro Na Ben
1 Negro Na kos
1 Negro Na Kinck
1 Negro Na Tom
2 Dto Na Cornelias
3 Dto Na harry
Garrit Post
John Roll Junr
Barent marteling
Richard merrill
Otto Van tuyl
Bastian Ellis
John Veltmon
Abraham Prall
Charles Mecleen
Margret Simonson
Joseph Lake
John Roll
1. One W, Na flore
1: One W Na Sary
One W Na Title
One W Na Sary
1 W Na Jane
2 W, Na Jude
1 Wench Na Hage
2 Dto Na Jane
3 Dto Na Bet
1 Wench Na floar
1 Wench Na Peg
1 Wench Na Sary
150
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Negro Na Lue
1 Negro Na Tom
1 Negro Na Sambo
1 Negro Na harry
1 Negro Na frank
1 Negro Na Harry
Elenor haughwout
Abraham Crocheron
Barnit De Pue
John Crocheron
David Cannon
Aron Prall
Charyty Merrill
Joseph Begel
1 Wench Na Bet
1 Wench Na Mary
1 Wench febe
1 Wench Na Bet
Cornelias Korsan
1 Wench Na Philis
Wench Na Susanna
" A list of the Negroes of my division in the
North Compeny of Staten Island.
" JACOB CORSSEN Jur "
While we are speaking of slavery the following copy of an
advertisement dated July 5, 1756, will throw some light on the
customs of the time in regard to the subject:
" Run away the 2d Instant July, from John Decker, of
Staten Island, a negro Man, being a short chubby Fellow, with
extraordinary bushy Hair, is bare foot, and has a Soldier's
red Great Coat on. Also run away from the Widow Haugh-
wout, of the said Island, a negro Wench, of middle Size, is with
Child, and speaks broken English, and has a Bundle of Clothes
with her. It is supposed they went together. Whoever takes
up the said negro Man and Wench, and secures them so that
they be had again, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, and
Charges paid by the Owners, John Decker and Widow Haugh-
wout."
As the life of a slave was doomed to be one of labor, intellect-
ual cultivation was deemed unnecessary ; some few, however,
were taught sufficiently to enable them to read the Bible, and
as they were admitted to be responsible hereafter for the deeds
done in this life, religious Instructions in pious families were
not neglected. It was not unusual to see master and slave
working together in the fields apparently on terms of perfect
equality, but there were lines drawn, beyond which neither
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 151
males nor females dared to trespass. In the kitchen, especially
in the long winter evenings, the whites and blacks indiscrimin-
ately surrounded the same huge fire, ate apples from the same
dish, poured cider from the same pitcher, and cracked nuts and
jokes with perfect freedom.
The dwellings of the early settlers were unavoidably rude
and more or less uncomfortable and inconvenient. As the so-
ciety ripened into the Colonial period, however, some improve-
ment was made. At first necessity compelled them to erect
their houses without regard to anything but that. Log cabins
were built by almost every family, and when properly con-
structed, were comfortable and durable. They were one story
high, with wooden chinmies and thatched roofs. In process of
time, as their means increased, many of them erected spacious,
and in some instances costly houses of stone, some of which
may still be seen in various parts of the island, but they were
almost without exception in the Dutch style of architecture
long, low and massive. The kitchen, which was usually a sep-
arate structure, but connected with the main house, was fur-
nished with a spacious fire-place in some instances occupying
one entire end of the apartment. It is said that some of these
kitchens were furnished with doors, in front and in rear, large
enough to allow a horse and sleigh loaded with wood, to be
driven in at one door (the wood to be unloaded into the fire-
place) and driven out at the opposite, but we will not pledge
our historical veracity for the truth of the assertion. Usually
a " back-log," of green wood, too large to be managed without
the aid of bars and levers, was rolled into the house and placed
against the back wall of the fire-place, then smaller materials
were built up in front of it and ignited, and soon a bright and
glowing fire was kindled, giving heat, and at night, light enough
for ordinary purposes.
The materials for these houses were abundant on almost every
man's farm ; stones were either quarried or found on the sur-
face ; timber grew in his own woods, where it was felled and
dressed ; shingles were cut and split in the same place, and the
boards and planks were sawed at some neighboring mill. Of
these saw-mills there were several on the island ; the ruins of
one or two of them are still to be seen. The nails were made
by the hands of the neighboring blacksmith. Lime of the best
quality was made by burning the shells, which were found in
152 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
many places near the shores in large quantities, deposited there
by the aborigines. It required much labor, and occupied much
time to build a house of this description, but it was built to be
occupied by generations. In the construction of houses of the
better class, the chimneys were made of bricks imported from
Holland, frequently as ballast, but when it was discovered that
an article quite as good could be manufactured from American
earth, importation ceased. Ovens were usually built outside of
the house, and roofed over to protect them from the weather.
The barns were low in the eaves, but very capacious, and some
farmers had several of them, according to the size of their
farms.
One of the most important of a farmer's out-of-door arrange-
ments was his hog-pen ; the number of swine which he fattened
annually was proportioned to the number of the members of
his family. Beside swine, every farmer fattened a "beef," and
when the season for slaughtering came round, which was in the
fall, after the weather had become cold, there was a busy time
both without and within doors : what with the cutting up and
"corning" of the meat, the labor of making sausages, head-
cheese, rollitjes, and many other articles, even the names of
which are now forgotten, both the males and females of the
family were occupied for a fortnight or more. After the work
of "killing time" was over, the long fall and winter evenings
were devoted to the manufacture of candles, "moulds" and
"dips." Every farm had its smoke-house, in which hams,
shoulders, pieces of beef, and various other articles of diet, were
hung to be cured with smoke. With his corned and smoked
meats, his poultry, mutton and veal, the farmer's family was
not without animal food the year round. Game of various
kinds abounded in the forests for a long time, and was usually
hunted by the younger members of the family.
With few exceptions, the people were agriculturists, and
their method of cultivation did not differ materially from that
of the present day. Their implements of husbandry were
usually brought from the old country, and, compared with
those of the present day, were clumsy and ponderous. Prior
to the introduction of harrows, which is of comparatively recent
date, branches of trees were used in their stead.
Every house was furnished with two spinning wheels: a large
one, for the manufacture of woolen thread, and a small one for
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 153
linen. A thorough, practical knowledge of the use of these
instruments was deemed an indispensable part of a young
lady's education; let her other accomplishments be what they
might, without these she was not qualified to assume the care
of a family. After the thread had been spun it was dyed;
sumach, the bark of the black oak, chestnut, and other trees
furnishing the materials for that purpose. Large families had
looms of their own, with which the cloth for family use was
woven, though there were professional weavers, whose skill was
in demand when bed-spreads and other articles with fancy pat-
terns were required to be made. Girls, at a very early age,
were inducted into the mysteries of knitting, and were the re-
cipients of many a boxed ear for " dropping stitches." Provi-
dent familips were well supplied with woolen and linen gar-
ments, and quantities of cloth of both materials laid aside to be
manufactured into household articles when they might be re-
quired. The prudent housewife made it her care to provide, an
ample supply of clothing, not only for the living, but she had
also laid aside grave clothes for the members of the household
to be ready at hand when they might be required.
There were itinerant tailors, who went from house to house,
spending several days at each, making overcoats and such
other garments as the women of the family could not make; and
itinerant shoemakers, who, once each year, went on their circuit,
making and repairing boots and shoes.
People sometimes lived at great distances from each other,
yet social intercourse was not neglected. On Sundays they met
at church, and, both before and after service, family and neigh-
borhood news was communicated and discussed. On court
days the men from all parts of the county met at the county
seat, where they talked over their agricultural experiences, and
other matters of interest. But the most cheerful of all social
assemblages, especially for young people, took place in the
winter when the sleighing was good; then it was that those who
were yet unmarried sought each other's society, and met at
Richmond to indulge in the merry dance until the waning
hours admonished them to return to their homes. The attrac-
tions of these meetings have proved too powerful to be entirely
abandoned, and they are still continued by the same class in
society.
The early Dutch settlers on Staten Island, though not a
154 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
literary, were a pious people ; the greater part of them were
able to read and write, as the Dutch family Bibles, and the
beautiful chirography in many of them testify. The Walden-
sian and Huguenot elements which amalgamated with them,
served to intensify their religious sentiments; indeed, it could
not well be otherwise, for it was to enjoy the peaceful exercise
of their religion that these latter had forsaken the homes of
their childhood and the graves of their fathers, and cheerfully
submitted to the inconveniences and sufferings of a life in the
wilderness; religious duties had a claim paramount to all others,
and long before they were able to erect churches for themselves,
their dwellings were thrown open for the accommodation of
their neighbors, when the ministers from the city periodi-
cally visited them. The language of Holland was, of course,
the first in use. The Huguenots brought their French with them,
but as the several nationalities mingled and intermarried, it
gradually died out, and the Dutch became the prevailing tongue
until after the conquest, when in its turn it succumbed to the
language of the conquerors. The Dutch, however, continued
to be used in social intercourse and the services of the sanctuary
for a long time after the conquest, and less than half a century
ago its uncouth accents were still heard in some dwellings.
The Dutch were never addicted to the observance of holidays;
Custydt, or Christinas, and Nieuw Jaar, or New Year, were
about the only ones of a religious character in which they in-
dulged ; Paas, or Easter was surrendered to the children, and
Pingster or Whitsunday to the negroes. Children have not
yet resigned their claim to their especial holiday in Dutch com-
munities. Religious services were regularly held on Christmas,
and on the first day of the New Year, on which occasion the
newly elected church officers were formally inducted into their
respective offices, and this ceremony was called " being married
to the church."
The following extract from the records shows the process
of accomplishing marriage to satisfy the requirements of the
law in early times :
" Thes Are to giue notes to whome It may concarn that
Richard Fathfall (?) and Elisabeth Larans [Lawrence] hath bin
Publeshed A Cording to Law
by DANILL STILLWELL
on this 15th day of Oversear
Jenewery 1682
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 155
" The A Bone [above] Mentioned Parsons Ar Mared [married]
By Me on the 25th day of Jenewery 1682
RICHARD STILLWELL Justes
"By order OBADIAH HULJIES Clarck."
It was a common practice for farmers to allow their stock to
run at large in the woods and wild pastures. To provide against
loss of stock and to avoid disputes in regard to the ownership
of animals thus running at large two institutions of the
period were brought into requisition. These were "pounds"
and " ear-marks." The first record that we find of the former
is the following decree of the Court of Sessions :
September 6, 1720, "Ordered that a good suffic* publick pound
be erected and made at or near the burying place by the Dutch
Church in the North precinct ; and Ordered Likewise that there
be another pound erected in some convenient place at Smoaking
point in the West precinct. Whoever will be at the charge of
making sd. pounds shall have all profitt, accruing by pound-
age." '
We do not know who built the pounds, or when they were
built, or how long they were maintained.
Ear-marks were various slits and cuts in the ears of
cattle and sheep, and, perhaps, some other animals that were to
be turned loose, by which they could be identified. A descrip-
tion of the peculiar mark of each stock-owner was registered
upon the books of the town, and the entry was generally ac-
companied by a rude illustration of the mark. The following
entry is an illustration of the registration :
" March 30th Annoq Domini 1774
" Gilbert Tottons ear mark for his cattle & sheep &c is a slit
in the end of both ears viz. from the tip end down towards the
head & a half moon on the upper part of the right ear.
Entered the day and year above written by
" PAUL MICHEAU Clk."
The following figures, showing the population of the island at
different times during the Colonial pei-iod, are arranged from
tables in the documentary history of the province.
Men. Women. Children. Blacks. Total.
328 208 118 73 727
. . ; 505
1279
156
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
White Males. White Females.
1723
1731
1737
1746
1749
1756
1771
640
. 777
. 856
. 887
. 862
.1150
611
827
763
835
858
805
1103
255
304
349
382
409
465
594
1506
1817
1889
2073
2154
2132
2847
In 1693 the following persons were civil officers of Richmond
County :
Ellis Duxbury, Esq., judge of the common Pleas. Abraham
Cannor (Cannon). Abraham Lakeman (Lockman), Dennis The-
unisse and John Shadwell, justices ; John Stilwell, Esq., sheriff.
The militia of the county consisted of two companies of foot,
104 men in all, under the command of Capt. Andrew Cannon.
The following are the names of civil and military officers of
the county of Richmond for the year 1739 :
Judges of the Court of Common Picas. Jacob Corsen, Colonel.
John Le Conte, Judge. Christiene Corsen, Lt. Col.
Christian Corsen, 2d Judge. Thomas Billopp, Major.
Gozen Adrianz, 3d Judge.
Nicolas Britton, Justice.
Richard Stilwell, do.
Joseph Bedell, do.
John Veghte, do.
Rem Vander Beek, do.
John Latourette, do.
Thomas Billop, do.
Cornelius Corsen, do.
Joshua Mersereau, do.
Abraham Cole, do.
Barent Martling, do.
Nicholas Larzelere, Sheriff.
John Hillyer, Coroner.
Daniel Corsen, Clerk.
North Division.
John Veghte, Captain.
Frederick Berge, Lieutenant.
Jacob Corsen, Jun., Ensign
South Division.
Cornelius Stoothoff, Captain.
Jacob Berge, Lieutenant.
Aris Rvertse (Ryerss), Ensign.
M\'st Division.
Nathaniel Britton, Captain.
Marthias Johnson, Lieutenant.
Abraham Maney (Manee), Ensign.
The Troop.
Peter Pen-in (Perine), Captain.
J-arret Crosse, Lieutenant.
Wynant Wynants, Cornet.
Danul Wynants, Qr. Master.
AFTER V.
THF
ONARY PERIOD 1775 to 1783.
Events Prior to
cursions ar
York and
n of Independence. The Coming of Howe. In-
The Close of the War and the Evacuation of New
Incidents of the Revolutioiiarv Period.
DUF ariod of the revolution Staten Island was
of many important events. Located as it
is so c the metropolis, it became a favorite spot for
the e' of the British army, and was made the seat
of rr Owing to this wealth of historic associations
we s ' oned for devoting liberal space to the notice of
thif le island was not in a condition to defend itself
ag' rsions of any foe who might approach it with re-
ST . As an example of the poverty of its martial
? iy before the war we submit the following extract
rds :
o. 1770 then the Supervisars Examined into the ac-
arms that was bought for the county and Benjamin
Brought in the account of What quantity Was in
hair Was in his hands 36 Delivered to Captain
guns and 12 hangers and guns With Bagnits to Mr.
. one Gun With a bagnit to Cornoral Dongan."
le war clouds were gathering and the preliminary
; being taken in other parts there seems to have been
stir here in the direction of sustaining the cause of
mce. The people were not unanimous in their senti-
it were probably held in check by nearly an equal di-
tween the cause of the colonists and the cause of the
jographical situation of the island gave a direction to
tical sentiments of the people. Commanding the ap-
to the metropolis and the province, whatever nation
:d it, took advantage of its natural facilities in a mili-
KISTOUY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
tary point of view. The Dutch had a battery on die heights
of the Narrows at one time ; the English enlarged the military
works at the same important point, and the United States have
not failed to improve itsadvai. Vhoever, then, possessed
this important point, before the <n, to a certain extent
might be said to possess, or at leas x>l the island and the
metropolis. Whilst the English i T;overnment of the
province, the people naturally imb. -lish sentiments ;
freedom of opinion on political subje, - as the nature
and character of the government was coi 'as not toler-
ated. It is not to be wondered at, then, t ^le who for
more than a century had been taught to bei was little
short of treason to doubt the divine origin -hy, and
especially of the English monarchy, should 1 tiously
opposed to a change which was calculated to o all their
most cherished institutions. More than half ol ation
on the island, at the dawn of the revolution, -r of
English birth or descent, and few, perhaps non >ed
the idea that the rebellion could by any possit 1,
and even among the whigs themselves there w>
thousands who hoped against hope.
Nearly all the descendants of the early Dutch s
whigs or patriots, and those of French descent w
between them and the English. Many of the Fre
settled here before the conquest of the province by t
had intermarried with the Dutch, who were then th.
class, and had imbibed Dutch opinions, manners am
and had even fallen into the use of the Dutch Ian'
some of the families bearing French names and of F
scent, at the present day, are to be found family reco
as they are, written in the Dutch language. There w
ever, another and more marked difference between tht
of the several nationalities than mere political sentime
opinions ; the Dutch were imbued with a deep religioi
ing ; they were not generally as well educated as the E
but they could read and write, and keep their own ace
the English had their religion, too, but they were more
and less earnest and devoted than their neighbors ; the
in this, as in other respects, accommodated their relii
that of the class witli which they had amalgamated. TJ
cause throughout the country was calculated to fos f er rt
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 159
enthusiasm, for, being conscious of their own weakness as com-
pared with the mighty power and resources of Great Britain,
they naturally looked to a higher power than that of man to
sustain them in what they conscientiously believed to be the
cause of right.
In February, 1775, this county was represented in the colonial
assembly by Christopher Billop and Benjamin Seaman. When,
on the 23d. of the month, a motion was before the house " that
the sense of this House be taken, on the Necessity of appoint-
ing Delegates for this Colony, to meet the Delegates for the
other Colonies on this Continent, in General Congress, on the
10th Day of May next," these representatives of Richmond
voted in the negative.
That bad blood was being stirred up here and in the immedi-
ate vicinity thus early, is shown by the following affray which
took place in Elizabethtown about the time of which we have
just spoken.
On the 8th of February, about noon, a Staten Island man was
approaching the shore at Elizabethtown, when a party of men
seized his boat, which was loaded with oysters, and forcibly
dragged it up into the street and then distributed the oysters
among themselves with an unceremonious and peremptory hand.
The cause appears to have been that the owner of the boat was
supposed to be one of a party of men from " that ever loyal
Island," as a tory paper describes Staten Island, who had as-
sisted in violating the order of congress prohibiting the impor-
tation of goods after the first of February of that year. The
man was James Johnson, of Richmond county, and he applied
to a justice of the peace, who advised him to remain quiet for
a few hours until the riotous collection of people who were then
in the street had become more cool, which he did, and the re-
sult of this caution was the aversion of any further violence.
Though this affair was of but small magnitude yet it served as
an occasion for "Rivingtoii 1 s Gazette,'' 1 the leading loyal paper of
the time in New York, to set forth an exaggerated account- of
the disorderly and lawless character of the whigs.
The people of the island assembled on the llth of April fol-
lowing, to take action in regard to sending delegates to the
provincial congress which was to convene in New York soon
after. The report says that the result was almost unanimously
against sending delegates. The whigs must have improved
160 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
some later opportunity for gaining a representation, for when
the congress convened, on the 22d of May following, we h'nd
Richmond county was represented by Paul Micheau, John
Journey, Col. Aaron Cortelyou, Richard Conner and Major
Richard Lawrence.
The strong tory sentiment on the island made association with
the people here undesirable to the people of New Jersey at
Elizabethtown. The committee at the latter place had refused
to allow commerce between the two places to be carried on.
We have seen the result of a disregard of that restriction, in
the riot of the preceding February. The committee seem to
have relented, however, for on July 17th they passed the fol-
lowing order, Jonathan Hampton, a prominent "rebel" being
then chairman.
" The Chairman of this Committee having received a letter
from Mr. Richard Lawrence, a Delegate of Richmond county
for the Provincial Congress of the colony of New York, in-
forming that the inhabitants of said county had, in general,
signed the Association recommended by the Committee of New
York. This Committee are therefore of opinion that the in-
habitants of said county be restoi'ed to their commercial privi-
leges with the inhabitants of this town."
September 1, 1775, David Burger, of New York, sent a letter
to the congress complaining that sundry persons in Richmond
county had supplied a transport with live stock, and the matter
was referred to the members of that county to make inquiry on
the subject.
On the 1st of December, 1775, Paul Micheau, one of the depu-
ties from Richmond county in the first provincial congress, ad-
dressed a letter to the secretary of the congress, in which he
says that he had requested the county committee to convene
the people to elect new deputies ; that a meeting of the com-
mittee had been called, and that only a minority appeared,
who for that reason declined to act, and requests congress to
write to them and learn their reasons for not convening the
people, and concludes by hoping the congress may be able to
keep tranquility and good order in the province, and make
peace with the mother country. He then gave the names of
the committee as follows: Capt. John Kittletas, Capt. Christian
Jacobson, Capt. Cornelius Dussosway, Henry Ferine, David
Latourette, Esq., Peter Mersereau, John Poillon, Moses Depuy,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 161
Lambert Merrill, John Tysen, Joseph Christopher, George Bar-
rus and David Corsen.
To this communication congress replied the next day in a let-
ter addressed to "John Poillon, John Tysen and Lambert Mer-
ril, of the committee for Richmond County," urging them to
elect deputies to represent them without delay, and they added
emphatically, "rest assured, gentlemen, that the neighboring
colonies will not, remain inactive spectators if you show a dis-
position to depart from the Continental Union." They con-
cluded their letter in these words: "We beg, gentlemen, you
will consider this matter with that seriousness which the peace,
good order and liberties of your county require."
To this the committee made the following reply:
." RICHMOND COUNTY, Dec'r 15th, 1775.
Mr. President:
SIR: Your favour of 2A Decem'r. we hereby acknowledge
came safe to our hand, and with the majority of our committee
considered the contents. We, agreeable to your request, have
caused by advertisement the freeholders and inhabitants in our
county to be convened on this day, in order that their sense
might be taken" whether they will choose deputies to represent
them in a provincial congress or not. Accordingly, a number
of the said freeholders and inhabitants did appear ; a regular
poll was opened, and continued till 6 o'clock; at the conclusion
of which it appeared that a majority was, for the present, for
sending no deputies. Our former conduct in sending of depu-
ties to represent us in Provincial Congress, was elevated with
encouraging hopes of having, ere this, obtained the so much
desired point in our view, namely, a reconciliation with Great
Britain. But, with anxiety we express it, that the hopes of
obtaining so desirable an event, is now almost vanished out of
our sight ; and, instead of which, we behold with horror, every
appearance of destruction, that a war witli Great Britain will
bring upon us. Under these apprehensions, and in our particu-
lar situation, we hope you will view us, and when candidly con-
sidered, we trust will furnish you with sufficient reason, for the
present, to forbear with us.
"We wish and pray that if yet any hope of reconciliation is
11
162 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
left, that measures might be adopted, if possible, to obtain that
desirable end, in wishing of which we conclude ourselves,
Your most obt.
And most humble serv'ts,
JOHN TYSON,
CHRISTIAN JACOBSON,
DANIEL CORSEN,
PETER MERSEREAU,
JOSEPH CHRISTOPHER,
LAMBERT MERRILL,
JOHN POILLON.
To NATH'L WOODHULL,
Prest. of Provl. Congress, New York.
"P. S.- Should the congress think it necessary for further in-
formation of the state of our county, they will please to order
two of our committee to appear before them for that purpose."
On the 21st, congress passed several resolutions, censuring
Richmond county for its delinquency, and resolved that if
within fifteen days a list of the names of those who oppose a
representation in congress be not sent to that body, the whole
county shall be considered delinquent, and entirely put out of
the protection of congress, and that intercourse with them shall
be interdicted, and that the names of delinquents shall be pub-
lished in all the newspapers of the colony.
During the recess of the congress, the committee of safety
was in session. On the 12th of January, 1776, Richard Law-
rence and Christian Jacobson appeared before the committee
and represented that the majority of the people of Richmond
county were not averse, but friendly to the measures of con-
gress ; Lawrence was a member of the committee for Richmond
county.
On the 23d of the same month the following letter was re-
ceived by the committee of safety from the Richmond county
committee.
"RICHMOND COUNTY, Jan'y 19, 1776.
"Gentlemen Whereas the committee for this county have
caused by advertisement the freeholders to be convened on this
day, in order to elect two members to represent this county in
Provincial Congress ; accordingly a poll was opened for that
purpose, without any opposition, at the close of which it ap-
peared by a majority, that Messrs Adrian Banker and Richard
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 163
Lawrence was duly elected to represent this county in Provin-
cial Congress until the second Tuesday in May next, which we
hope will be agreeable to the rest of that body.
We are, gentlemen,
Your mo. obt. and most humble servts.
CHRISTIAN JACOBSON,
LAMBERT MERRILL,
JOHN TYSON,
PETER MERSEREAU,
GEORGE BARNES,
MOSES DUPUY,
DAVID LATODRETTE,
DANIEL CORSEN,
HENRY FERINE,
JOSEPH CHRISTOPHER.
" To the Committee of Safety on recess
of the Provincial Congress in New York."
The reputation of Richmond county for its want of sympathy
in the cause of the colonies seems to have gained more than a
local hearing. It reached the ears of the continental congress,
and that body made it the subject of .action, as shown by the
following extract from the minutes :
"!N CONGRESS, Feb'ySth, 1776.
" The inhabitants of Richmond county, in the Colony of New
York, having refused to send Deputies to represent them in
Provincial Convention, and otherwise manifested their enmity
and opposition to the system and measures adopted for pre-
serving the liberties of America ; and as a just punishment for
their inimical conduct, the inhabitants of that Colony having
been prohibited by the Convention from all intercourse and
dealings with the inhabitants of the said county; and this
Congress being informed by the Committee of Safety of that
Colony, that the freeholders of the said county did afterwards,
without any opposition, elect Deputies to represent them in
Provincial Convention ; but as the proceedings against them
had been submitted to the consideration of Congress, it was ap-
prehended Deputies would not be received until the sense of
Congress should be communicated.
"Resolved, That it be referred to the said Provincial Conven-
tion to take such measures respecting the admission of the
Deputies, and revoking the interdict on the inhabitants of the
164 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
said county, us they shall judge most expedient, provided that
the said Deputies and major part of the inhabitants of said
county shall subscribe the association entered into by that
Colony.
" Extract from the minutes.
CHAS. THOMPSON, Sec'y."
It was then ordered by the provincial congress that the reso-
lution of the continental congress be transmitted to the deputies
lately elected by the people of Richmond county.
The congress being apprehensive that General Clinton would
attempt to land upon Staten Island for the purpose of making
depredations and carrying off live stock, had requested the pro-
vincial congress of New Jersey to send Colonel Herd, with his
regiment, to the island to prevent it, and lest he might not get
there in time, a like request was made to the committee of
Elizabethtown. This measure excited the apprehensions of
the people of Staten Island, who were suspicious of the errand
of Colonel Herd and his regiment. Accordingly, on the 19th of
February, the two deputies, Adrian Banckerand Richard Law-
rence, hastened to inform the congress that they had subscribed
to the association entered into by the colony, and that seven
eighths of the people had done so likewise "long since," and
that the coming of Colonel Herd, "with a large body of men, to
call the people to account for their inimical conduct," just then
when many of the people were coming into the measures, and
the cause gaining ground daily, would have an injurious effect,
and they suggest that the stopping of the New Jersey forces
would quiet the minds of the people. On the same day con-
gress replied and assured the deputies that Colonel Herd's er-
rand to the island did not in any manner relate to the people of
the county, except to protect their property, and that a counter
request had been forwarded to New Jersey. The two deputies
were requested to attend the congress and to bring with them
the proof that the majority of the people had subscribed to the
association, to enable them to take their seats.
The committee of Elizabethtown had caused the apprehension
and imprisonment at that place, of Isaac Decker, Abraham Har-
ris and Minne Burger, and had held Richard Conner, Esq.,
under bonds to appear before them, upon charges not specified.
The congress of New York entered into a correspondence with
the committee of that place, and requested them to send the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 105
delinquents to the county where they belonged, to be tried by
the county committee. The committee of Richmond were also
informed of the action of the congress, and were instructed to
try the delinquents and mete out to them impartial justice, and
report to congress. On the 23d of February, Mr. Adrian
Bancker's name appears among those of the members of the
congress. On the 28th of February, Decker and Burger were
returned to their own county, and the charges against them
and Richard Conner were also transmitted to the committee of
Richmond. Nothing is said of Harris.
The committee of Elizabethtown, at the time of surrendering
them, disclaimed all knowledge of their offenses, but intimated
that they had been arrested by Colonel Herd, at the instance
of either the New York or the continental congress.
The proposed expedition of Colonel Herd to Staten Island to
protect the live stock there, originated with General Lee. Hav-
ing communicated his apprehensions to the committee of safety,
that body, on the 10th of February, 1776, addressed a letter to
the provincial congress of New Jersey, in which they say : "The
entrance of Genl. Clinton into our port on pretence of merely
paying a visit to Govr. Tryon, though he has been followed by
a transport with troops, which we have good reason to believe
are only a part of 600 that embarked with him at Boston, rend-
ers it highly probable that some lodgement of troops was in-
tended to be made in or near this city ; " and as no troops from
New York could be spared from its defense, and as Colonel
Herd's regiment was so near Staten Island, General Lee deemed
it proper that he should be sent over for its protection. The
next day the committee addressed another letter to the same
convention, informing them that the "Mercury," ship of war,
with two transports under her convoy, had left the port, and
anchored near Staten Island, and expressed their fears that the
Colonel would arrive too late. In reply, the New Jersey con-
gress informed the committee on the 12th that Colonel Herd,
with seven hundred men, had been ordered to march immedi-
ately to Staten Island. On the 17th, congress expressed their
thanks to Colonel Herd for his alacrity in their service, but as
the danger had now passed (probably by the departure of the
ships) his services would not be required.
On the 8th of March. Hendric Garrison, of Richmond county,
forwarded a complaint to the congress, that while he was attend-
166 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
ing as a witness before the committee of said county, and while
under examination, the said committee permitted the defend-
ants, Cornelius Martino, Richard Conner and John Burbank, to
insult and abuse him, and he asked the protection of congress,
as he considered his person and property unsafe. Lord Stirling,
as commander of the continental troops in New York, issued a
warrant to apprehend John James Boyd, of Richmond county,
and to have him brought before the congress. Captain John
Warner, to whom the warrant was delivered for execution, laid
it before that body on the 14th of March, when it was consid-
ered and decided that the said Boyd was so unimportant and in-
significant a person as not to deserve the trouble and expense of
apprehending him. Boyd resented this depreciation of his im-
portance, and on the 21st sent a note to the committee of safety
claiming to be "a steady and warm friend to his country," and
pronounced any accusation against him unfounded.
On the 1st of April, 1776, Christian Jacobson, as the chairman
of the county committee, reported the organization of four
companies of militia in the county, the officers of which were
ordered to be duly commissioned. On the 3d of April Mr. Law-
rence, a member from Richmond, reported that the county was
already furnished with fourteen good flats or scows, which were
sufficient for the removal of the stock from the island, and that
the building of two more, as previously ordered, would be a use-
less expense. These scows, or flats, were held in readiness to re-
move the cattle to New Jersey, if the English ships of war on
the coast should attempt to seize them, as they had done in
several other places.
On the 12th of April, Lord Stirling informed the committee
of safety that he had General Putnam's orders to march with a
brigade of troops for Staten Island, and that he would be under
the necessity of quartering the soldiers in the farm-houses for
the present ; he requests the people to be notified of the fact,
so that they might prepare quarters most convenient to them-
selves, and to be assured that he would make the residence of
the troops as little burdensome as possible. The committee of
Richmond were requested to prepare empty farm-houses, barns,
etc., for the reception of the soldiers, and to use their " influence
with the inhabitants to consider the soldiers as their country-
men and fellow citizens employed in the defence of the liberties
of their country in general, and of the inhabitants of Richmond
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 167
county in particular, and, endeavour to accommodate them ac-
cordingly."
The question has been raised as to whether or not, General
Washington was ever on Staten Island in person. To this
question Mr. Clute, the historian of Staten Island, has sug-
gested the following considerations :
"The only evidence of the fact which is attainable at this day
is contained in the extract from his carefully kept accounts with
the government of the United States, which we here present.
" 1776.
Ap L 25th, To the Exps of myself and party reccte
the sev 1 landing places on Staten Island 16 10 0."
" It may be said that the reconnoitering, which is almost un-
intelligibly abbreviated in the original account, might have been
done on the water, and quite as efficiently as on the land. The
following objections, however, exist to this view of the subject :
" First. The object of Washington was to erect fortifications
and other defences on the most eligible sites, as the British did
when they took possession on the following July ; and some
parts of the shores perhaps the most important could not be
examined with such an object in view, from any position at-
tainable on the water.
" Second. The Comma,nder-in-Chief expresses himself in the
above extracts, in terms similar to those used in other parts of
his accounts for similar services in places not accessible by
water, and
" Third. There were two or three British vessels of-war lying
near the Island, on one of which Governor Tryon had taken up
his quarters, and from which he kept up an intercourse with
royalists on the Island, and a reconnoitering of the shores by
water would not have been permitted, to say nothing of the
danger of capture."
Whether he came here and travelled over the land himself or
not, certain it was that General Washington had his attention
drawn to this spot, and regarded Staten Island with more than
ordinary concern. There were two points of importance which
called for his attention ; the sentiments of the people, and the
peculiar geographical position of the island. The action of
congress having somewhat modified the former, it was to the
latter that he gave most of his care.
Lying between the ocean and the metropolis, and on the high-
168 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
way from the one to the other, Staten Island, early in the war,
was regarded as an important location in a military point of
view. Its importance was enhanced by the fact that it was
situated in a bay more than half surrounded by the main land
of New Jersey, and commanded not only a great part of Long
Island but New York city, and a large extent of country em-
bracing nearly all the northern part of New Jersey; the posses-
sion of it therefore became a matter of importance to both
belligerents. Washington was as prompt to perceive the
natural advantages of Staten Island in a military point of view
as were the British. Within a week after his personal visit to
the city, he established a look-out at the Narrows, which, when
the British made their appearance, sent a message by express
that forty of the enemy's vessels were in sight. This informa-
tion was at once forwarded to the several posts on the Hudson,
with instructions to prepare to give them a warm reception if
they should attempt to ascend the river. But the ships, upon
their arrival, anchored off Staten Island, and landed their
troops, and t.he hillsides were soon covered with their white
tents. Military works were at once erected upon every avail-
able point, thus intimating their intention of taking a perma-
nent possession.
The opinion which Washington had formed of the people of
Staten Island, as well as of their immediate neighbors at Am-
boy, may be learned from the following extract from one of his
letters: "The known disaffection of the people of Amboy, and
the treachery of those of Staten Island, who, after the fairest
professions, have shown themselves our inveterate enemies,
have induced me to give directions that all persons of known
enmity and doubtful character should be removed from these
places."
On the 2d of May, Mr. Garrison (Hendric), chairman of the
county committee, was present at the meeting of the committee
of safety, and inquired whether the people would be paid for
fire-wood furnished to the troops in Richmond county, and for
their labor in preparing the guard house, at the requestof Lord
Stirling, and was referred to Colonel Mifflin. Hence, we infer
that some of Lord Stirling's troops had taken up their quarters
on the island.
On the 6th of May, General Washington wrote to the com-
mittee of safety, informing them that Peter Poillon, of Rich-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
mond county, had been arrested for supplying the king's ships
with provisions. On the 8th, Poillon was brought before the
committee and examined. He did not deny the charge, but
pleaded in extenuation that the regulations for preventing in-
tercourse with the king's ships had not been published in Rich-
mond county until the 2d or 3d of that month, and that there-
fore he was ignorant of them; he stated farther, that he left
home with a considerable sum of money to discharge a debt
in Kings county, together with some articles of provision for
New York market of the value of about three pounds; that
while passing the ship of war "Asia," at as great a distance as
he safely could, he was tired at and could not escape; he proved
further, by reputable witnesses, that he was a respectable man,
and had always been esteemed a friend to the liberties of his
country. He was discharged with a caution hereafter to keep
at a safe distance from the king's ship, and to warn his fellow
citizens of Richmond county to do the same.
May 18th 1776, a certificate signed by Christian Jacobson,
chairman of the Richmond county committee, dated April 22d,
1776, was presented to the provincial congress, and attested by
Israel D. Bedell, clerk, and directed to Paul Micheau, Richard
Conner, Aaron Cortelyou and John Journey, was read and filed,
whereby it appeared that these gentlemen had been elected to
represent Richmond county in that body, with power to any
two of them to meet to constitute a quorum, the second
Tuesday of May, 1777.
On the 5th of June, 1776, congress issued an order for the
arrest of a number of persons in several counties who were in-
imical to the cause of America; those from Richmond county
were Isaac Decker, Abm. Harris, Ephm. Taylor and Minne
Burger. They also ordered that several persons who held office
under the king should be summoned to appear before the con-
gress, and among them are found the names of Benjamin Sea-
man and Christopher Billop, of Richmond.
There is nothing in the "Journal of the Congress" to show
that these orders and resolutions were ever carried into effect.
During the early part of the year 1776 the popular feeling in
the colonies had become so much aroused that the officers of the
king were obliged in many cases to use considerable caution in
order to save their own persons from violence. William Tryon,
the last of the royal governors, had indeed retired from the city
170 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
of New York, and taken his position on board the ship
" Halifax," during the previous autumn, and there he wrote to
Mayor AVhitehead Hicks, of New York, October 19, as follows:
" SIR,
" Finding your letter of yesterday insufficient for the secur-
ity I requested from the Corporation and Citizens, and objec-
tionable for the mode in which you obtained the sense of the
inhabitants, my duty directed me for the present instant to re-
move on board this ship; where I shall be ready to do such
business of the country, as the situation of the times will per-
mit. The citizens, as well as the inhabitants of the province,
may be assured of my inclination to embrace every means in
my power to restore the peace, good order, and authority of gov-
ernment.
" I am, Sir,
' ; Your most obedient servant,
WILLIAM TRYON."
In January, 1776, General Clinton having been sent by Howe
on an expedition along the Atlantic coast, while on his way
from Boston to Virginia, came to anchor at Sandy Hook and
had an interview with Tryon and other friends of the king who
had been obliged to take shelter in vessels, after whicli they
went on their way southward. Howe, with his army, about
12,000 strong, evacuated Boston March 17th, and falling back to
Halifax awaited with the fleet the arrival of his brother with
reinforcements from England. Becoming impatient of delay
he made ready and sailed from that place for the expected seat
of war at New York on the 12th of June, and arrived off Sandy
Hook on the 25th. Here he waited for the arrival of the fleet,
which came up on the 29th. Admiral Lord Howe, with part of
the reinforcements from England, arrived at Halifax soon after
his brother's departure, but without dropping anchor he fol-
lowed and joined him here. The British general, on his ap-
proach, found every part of New York island, and the most
exposed parts of Long Island fortified and well defended by ar-
tillery. Finding Staten Island had not been so well fortified for
protection the fleet anchored near here and it was determined
to make use of this spot for a rendezvous while awaiting the
arrival of other forces and the completion of arrangements for
penetrating into the country and maturing any other plane for
action.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 171
On the 3d of July the fleet moved up to the Narrows, and
the grenadiers and light infantry were landed undercover of
the frigates and sloops of war. General Howe declared this was
done " to the great joy of a most loyal people, long suffering
on that account under the oppression of the rebels stationed
among them, who precipitately fled on the approach of the
shipping." The remainder of the army were landed in the
course of the day, and the whole were distributed in canton-
ments, where they found the best refreshments. The headquar-
ters were at Richmond. The landing of the troops was made
in a very orderly manner, under the direction of Captains Ray-
nor, of the ship "Chatham," and Curtis, of the ship "Sene-
gal," and to the entire satisfaction of General Howe. As the
Americans were strongly posted and in great force, both on Long
Island and at New York, having upwards of a hundred cannon
for defending the city, Howe resolved to defer his scheme of
ascending the North river, and to remain in his present position
until he should be joined by Clinton and the expected reinforce-
ments from England. The latter arrived at Staten Island on the
12th of July, and Lord Howe assumed the command of the
fleet on the American station The fleet numbered one hundred
and thirteen sail and they lay in a line extending from the
mouth of the Kill von Kull to Simonson's ferry at the Narrows.
As they were coming in, the "Asia," which brought up the rear
of the fleet, was fired at from a small battery on Long Island
commanding the Narrows. The fire was returned by about forty
24-pounders, one of which lodged in the wall of a private house
there. Another shot struck the house of Mr. Denyse Denyse
afterward of Staten Island, wounding a negro servant in the
foot and narrowly missing the kitchen, where a number of
the family were at work. A second shot struck the barn on the
same place, and a third destroyed much of the garden fence
opposite the front door of the mansion house. This is said to
have been the first blood shed in this quarter in the war.
The following items from the " Pennsylvania Journal'" of
July 10, 1776, are of interest in this connection.
" As soon as the troops landed they paraded the North Shore,
and on Wednesday morning made their appearance near Eliza-
beth-Town Point ; but the country being soon alarmed, they
retreated, took up the floor of the draw-bridge in the salt
meadows, and immediately threw tip some works.
172 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
"Their near approach to Elizabeth-Town Point greatly
alarmed the inhabitants of Essex county, and particularly the
people of Elizabeth-Town and Newark, but they are now in a
condition to receive them whenever they may think proper to
approach.
"Two young men from Elizabeth -Town crossed the river in a
canoe last Thursday, and tired upon the Regulars ; but a num-
ber of them rushing out of the woods, they were obliged to
retreat and cross the river again.
"A sloop of twelve six pounders, belonging to the fleet from
Halifax, layingin the Kills, near Mr. Decker's ferry, was almost
torn to pieces last Wednesdaj 7 morning, by a party under the
command of General Herd, from the opposite shore, with two
18-pounders. The crew soon abandoned the sloop, and we sup-
pose she is rendered entirely unfit for any further service.
" We hear two men of war now lay near Amboy, in order 'tis
supposed, to stop all navigation that way."
Lord Howe and General Howe, having thus established their
troops and naval forces upon and around Staten Island, issued
a proclamation on the 14th of July, inviting all persons to return
to their allegiance to the king. Their combined forces were
estimated at about 24,000 men, though only a part of them were
encamped on the island. The number of the latter has been
variously estimated at from nine to fifteen thousand men.
Let us now turn aside from the Held of active movements to
notice the deliberations of the parliamentary head of govern-
ment. On the 9th of July the provincial congress convened at
the court house in White Plains, Westchester county ; the
British then having taken possession of Staten Island, there
were no depvities from Richmond county in attendance. At
this meeting the declaration of independence was received and
read; it was also reported that the British had taken posses-
sion of Staten Island without opposition, and detachments had
advanced toward Bergen Point and Elizabethtown. The declar-
ation having been read, it was unanimously adopted, and the
congress passed a resolution to support the same, "at the risk
of our lives and fortunes.'' It was thus ordered to be published.
1 1 was then " Resolved and Ordered, that the style or title of
this house be changed from that of the ' Provincial Congress
of the Colony of New York,' to that of 'The Convention of the
Representatives of the State of New York.' '
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 173
The convention recognized the impracticablity of electing
senators and members of assembly in the southern district of
the state, Westchester excepted, and as it was reasonable and
right that the people of that district should be entitled to rep-
resentation in legislation, they proceeded to appoint these of-
ficers ; and for the county of Richmond, Joshua Mersereau and
Abm. Jones were appointed ; the latter was subsequently de-
nied his seat, on account of his sympathy for the enemy.
After this the county does not appear to have been repre-
sented in the legislature of the colony or state for a long time.
There were representatives who were entitled to their seats, but
they were not permitted to leave the island. Communication
with the main land, or with New York, or Long Island, was
prohibited, except by permission, and consequently in th suc-
ceeding sessions of the legislature the name of a representative
from Richmond does not appear.
The first object to engage the attention of General Howe was
the conciliation of the American loyalists, and, to this end, he
had numerous interviews with Governor Tryon and other
prominent individuals in New York and New Jersey, all of
whom led him to believe that large numbers of the people
were anxious to flock to his standard the moment it was un-
furled. Delancey. of New York, and Skinner, of Perth Am-
boy, were made brigadier-generals, and Billop, of Staten
Island, colonel, of the native loyalists or tories. Proclama-
tions were issued promising protection to the people so long
as they remained peaceably at home and manifested no sym-
pathy for the rebels or their cause Misled by the specious
promises which Howe had promulgated, hundreds of the whig
inhabitants of Staten Island remained peaceably at home to
reap the fruits of their credulity in having soldiers quartered
upon them in enduring, submissively, the insults and out-
rages committed upon themselves and families, their houses
and barns openly and defiantly plundered, their cattle driven
away or wantonly killed, their churches burned, and, not in-
frequently, some of their own number barbarously, and with-
out provocation, murdered.
There were some, however, who had no faith in the protesta-
tions of the British commander, and also had too much man-
hood to conceal their sentiments; to these the political atmos-
phere of the island was decidedly unhealthy, and they had to
174 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
escape for their lives. Among them was Colonel Jacob Merse-
reau. He was the son of Joshua Mersereau and Maria Corsen.
He was baptized May 24th, 1730, and died in September, 1804,
in the 75th year of his age. He resided in the old stone house
in Northfield, not far from Graniteville, since occupied by his
son, Hon. Peter Mersereau. Soon after the beginning of the
war he became apprehensive for his personal safety and fled to
New Jersey. During his protracted residence there, he made
occasional stealthy visits to his family by night, and on one of
these occasions had a very narrow escape from capture. Hav-
ing crossed the sound, and concealed his boat, he took his
course for home across fields, avoiding the public roads as
much as possible. While crossing a road he was met by a
young man by whom he was recognized at once. There was no
British post just then nearer than Richmond, and thither the
young tory hastened to inform the commanding officer of his
discovery. Preparations were made immediately to effect the
arrest of the colonel, but it was near daylight in the morning
before the party set out. The family had arisen early, but they
did not discover the soldiers until they were within a few rods
of the house. The alarm was immediately given, which, being
perceived by the approaching party, a rush was made, and as
they reached the door the colonel sprang out of the upper
northwest window of the house upon a shed beneath it, and
thence to the ground. He was discovered before he had gone
far, and at once pursued. Crouching on " all-fours " behind a
hedge to keep himself out of sight, he reached a swamp in the
middle of which he found a place of concealment. The swamp
was discovered, and it was at once concluded that he was there
concealed, but as the pursuers were ignorant of its intricacies,
they could proceed no further. Dogs were then put on the
track, which they followed to the edge of the swamp, where
they chanced to scent a rabbit, and away they went in pursuit
of the new game. Here the pursuit terminated, and the colonel,
after remaining concealed the whole day, escaped during the
following night to New Jersey. For a week thereafter a close
watch was kept on the house by day and by night.
When the British took possession of Staten Island, they im-
mediately threw up strong intrenchments. Simcoe says :
"In the distribution of quarters for the remaining winter,
Richmond was allotted to the Queen's Rangers. This post was
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 175
in the center of the island, and consisted of three bad redoubts,
so contracted, at various times and in such a manner, as to be
of little mutual assistance ; the spaces between these redoubts
had been occupied by the huts of the troops, wretchedly made
of mud ;" these Lieut. Col. Simcoe had thrown down, and his
purpose was to build ranges of log houses, which might join
the redoubts, and being loop-holed, might become a very de-
fensible curtain. Other fortifications were erected in other parts
of the island one at New Brighton, on the height now known
as Fort Hill, which commanded the entrance to the Kills ;
another was built at the Narrows, near the site of the present
national fortifications, and in several other places. Many rem-
nants of British occupancy have been found in and around
these old fortifications, such as cannon balls, bullets, gun
locks, etc.
Skirmishing between the forces on Staten Island and the
Americans on the Jersey shore was of frequent occurrence. A
considerable cannonading took place between the forces at
Perth Amboy and batteries of the British on the Staten Island
shore on the 25th of July. This was occasioned by the firing
of the former upon four or five shallops as they were coming
down the sound. The account continues :
" Captain Moulder, with his two field pieces, was ordered to
the shore (Perth Amboy), but being encamped at some distrnce,
before he could come up the shallops had all nearly past, how-
ever, he began a well directed fire, and though the y had got to
a considerable distance, hulled one of them.
" When the vessels were past, the firing ceased on both sides.
We had the misfortune of loosing one of the Second battalion,
and having another wounded. * There was a horse
killed which was standing in a waggon near the General's door.
The enemy appear to have some very heavy field pieces. They
sent some 12-pounders among us. It is surprising they did not
do more execution, as there were so many of our people on the
bank opposite to them without the least covering.
" The enemy appear to be very strong, and are constantly re-
inforcing, as our troops come in. They are throwing up breast-
works along the shore to prevent our landing."
Major Turner Statibenzee was commander of the Second bat-
talion of light infantry on the island. He employed a stout
negro, who happened to fall into his hands, to carry a note to
176 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
another officer. The negro on his way decided to change his
course and, turning aside, escaped beyond the lines, and fled to
the city, where he delivered the note to the Americans. It ran
as follows .
''Dear Stanton:
"The bearer I have sent you, thinking him a strong able fel-
low, and fit to cut throats ; so if you approve him, keep him in
your corps.
" Yours, &c.
" T. STAUBENZEE."
By the end of July the American posts opposite the island
were well secured. Above five thousand troops were distributed
at the different stations from Newark bay down the sound to
South Amboy, while the headquarters were at Amboy city, the
strongest point of the line. The strength of the British was
unknown to them, but believed to be about ten thousand. The
latter had sentinels all along the shore of the island on the
north and west sides, and the houses and barns of the inhabi-
tants were occupied by the troops. It was also supposed that
a considerable encampment was established behind the low
bluff at Tottenville, and one accoxint of the engagement on the
25th says that "in less than half an hour after our fire on the
shallops began, a large body were seen coming over that hill."
The British evidently were ignorant of the numbers of the
Americans on the opposite shore, and regarded it as necessary
to fortify against an expected attack from the forces which in
reality were not more than one third the strength of their own.
They had concealed guns six, eight and twelve pounders
planted along the shore in different places.
The waters of the lower bay presented a scene of considerable
activity at that time, from the frequent going out and returning
of men-of-war and transports belonging to the fleet which occu-
pied the inner bay. Additional numbers of vessels joined the
fleet at different times, and transports were bringing provisions
and supplies.
The capture of the city of New York was the immediately de-
sirable thing to General Howe, and an attack upon some other
point, by which a flank movement could be effected, and the
city approached by more accessible means than a direct attack,
was expected. Long Island and the Jersey shore both stood in
suspense, ready to take alarm at the first movements of the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 177
British in either direction. About the 8th of August deserters
from the fleet carried the news to the Americans that Howe was
taking his field pieces on board and preparing for an attack by
land and water simultaneously upon Long Island and the city.
On the other side the people of Elizabethtown were about the
same time aroused by an alarm that the regulars were about to
make an immediate attack upon that point. Every man capa-
ble of bearing arms was summoned to defend it. As three or
four young men were going out from one family, an elderly
lady, their mother or grandmother, after assisting them to
arm^ said to them : "My children, you are going out in a just
cause to fight for the rights and liberties of your country;
you have my blessing and prayers, that God will protect and
assist you, but if you fall, His will be done. Let me beg of
you, my children, that if you fall, it may be like men, and that
your wounds may not be in your back parts." These alarms,
however, appear to have been without, important results until
the latter part of the month.
In the meantime the forces of Howe were strengthened by
the arrival at Staten Island of the fleet which returned from
South Carolina under Clinton and Cornwallis in the early part
of the month, and the first and second divisions of foreign
troops which arrived in the Lower bay on the 12th. The fleet
which brought, the latter numbered about one hundred and ten
sail of vessels, on board of which were eight thousand Hessians
and Waldeckers and a few English guards. These were sent
into camp on Staten Island. Estimates of the numbers on
Staten Island at this time make them to be about twenty-two
thousand men. The naval forces were accommodated on board
the ships " Asia " and " Eagle," each carrying sixty-four guns,
and the " Roebuck" and ' Phoanix," of forty-four guns each,
about twenty frigates and sloops of war and above three hund-
red sail of transports, store ships and prizes.
The state of affairs on the eve of the decisive battle of Long-
Island is told more effectively in the following extract than we
could otherwise tell it. The extract is from a letter written at
New York, August 22, 1776 :
'This night we have reason to expect the grand attack from
our barbarous enemies, the reasons why, follow. The night be-
fore last, a lad went over to Staten Island, supped there with a
friend and got safe back again undiscovered, soon after he went
12
178 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
to General Washington and upon good authority reported,
That the English army amounting to fifteen or twenty thousand,
had embarked, and were in readiness for an engagement That
seven ships of the line, and a number of other vessels of war
were to surround this city and cover their landing, That the
Hessians being 15,000 were to remain on the island and attack
Perth-Amboy, Elizabeth-town point, and Bergen, while the
main body were doing their best here ; that the Highlanders
expected America was already conquered, and that they were
only to come over and settle on our lands, for which reason
they had brought their churns, ploughs, &c. being deceived,
they had refused fighting, upon which account General Howe
had shot one, hung five or six, and flogged many.
" Last evening in a violent thunder-storm, Mr. - - (a very
intelligent person) ventured over, he brings much the same ac-
count as the above lad, with this addition, That all the horses
on the island, were by Howe's orders killed, barrelled up and
put on board ; the wretches thinking that they could get no
landing here and of consequence be soon out of provision.
That the tories were used cruelly, and with the Highlanders
were compelled to go on board the ships to fight in the charac-
ter of common soldiers against us. The British army are pro-
digiously incensed against the tories, and curse them as the in-
struments of the war now raging. Mr. - -farther informs,
that last night the fleet was to come up, but the thunder storm
prevented. The truth of this appears, from the circumstance
of about three thousand red coats landing at ten o'clock this
morning on Long Island, where by this time it is supposed our
people are hard at it. There is an abundance of smoak to-day
on Long Island, our folks having set fire to stacks of hay, &c.,
to prevent the enemy's being benefited in case they get any ad-
vantage against us. All the troops in the city are in high
spirits and have been under arms most of the day, as the fleet
have been in motion, and are now, as is generally thought, only
waiting for a change of tide. Forty-eight hours or less, I be-
lieve, will determine it as to New York, one way or the other."
The state of the British army on Staten Island at this time is
shown by the following list, from an English authority :
Commander in Chief, General the Honourable Sir William
Howe, K. B.; Second in Command, Lieutenant-General Henry
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 179
Clinton; Third in Command, Right Honorable Lieutenant-Gen-
eral Earl Percy.
1st Brigade. Major-General Pigot ; 4th Regiment, Major
James Ogilvie ; 15th Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Bird ; 27th
Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel J. Maxwell ; 45th Regiment, Ma-
jor Saxton.
2d Brigade. Brigadier- General Agnew ; 5th Regiment, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Woleot ; 28th Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel
Rob. Prescot ; 35th Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Carr;
49th Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry Calder, Bart.
3d Brigade. Major-General Jones ; 10th Regiment, Major
Vatass ; 37th Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Abercrom-
by ; 38th Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Wm. Butler ; 52d
Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Mungo Campbell.
4t7i Brigade. Major -General James Grant ; 17th Regiment,
Lieutenant-Colonel Manhood ; 40th Regiment, Lieutenant-
Colonel James Grant; 46th Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Enoch
Markham ; 55th Regiment, Captain Luke.
5th Brigade. Brigadier-General Smith ;. 23d Regiment, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel J. Campbell ; 43d Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel
George Clerke ; 14th Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Alured
Clarke ; 63d Regiment, Major Francis Sill.
Qth Brigade. Brigadier-General Gou. Robertson ; 23d Regi-
ment, Lieutenant-Colonel Benj. Bernard ; 44th Regiment, Ma-
jor Feury Hope ; 57th Regiment, Lieutenant John Campbell ;
64th Regiment, Major Hugh McLeroch.
1th Brigade. Brigadier-General Wm. Erskine, quarter-mas-
ter general ; 17th Light Dragoons, Lieutenant-Colonel Birch ;
71st Highlanders, 1st Battalion, Major John Macdowell ; 2d
Battalion, Major Norman Lament.
Brigade of Guards. Major-General Matthew ; Light In-
fantry Brigade, Brigadier-General Honorable Alexander Leslie;
1st Battalion Light Infantry, Major Thomas Musgrave ; 2d Bat-
talion Light Infantry, Major Straubenzie ; 3d Battalion Light
Infantry, Major Honorable John Maitland ; 4th Battalion Light
Infantry, Major John Johnson.
Reserve. Right Honorable Lieutenant-General Earl of Corn-
wallis ; Brigadier-General the Honorable John Vaughan ; 33d
Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Webster; 42d Regiment (Royal
Highland), Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Stirling; 1st Battalion
Grenadiers, Lieutenant-Colonel Honorable Henry Monckton ;
180 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
2d Batralion Grenadiers, Lieutenant-Colonel William Meadows;
3d Battalion Grenadiers, Major Thomas Marsh ; 4th Highland
Grenadiers, Major Charles Stuart ; Royal Artillery and En-
gineers, Brigadier-General Cleveland.
General Howe having signified to the admiral that it was his
intention to make a descent in Gravesend bay on Long Island,
on the morning of the 22d the necessary dispositions of the
fleet were made, and seventy-five Hat boats, with eleven bat-
teanx and two galleys (built for this service) were prepared
for landing the troops. Howe delegated the direction and
superintendence of the embarkation of the army from Staten
Island entirely to Commodore Hotham, by whom it was con-
ducted with the greatest dispatch and good conduct. In the
afternoon of the 21st the troops who were to compose the second
and third debarkations were put on board transports which had
been sent up from the Hook to Staten Island for that purpose.
Early in the morning of the 22d the " Phoenix," " Rose," and
" Greyhound," frigates, commanded by Captains Parker, Wal-
lace and Dickson, together with the " Thunder " and " Carcass,"
bombs, under the direction of Colonel James, were placed in
Gravesend bay, to cover the landing of the army.
As soon as the covering ships had taken their respective sta-
tions, the first embarkation of the troops from Staten Island
commenced. These, consisting of the light infantry and there-
serve, both forming a body of four thousand men, and under
the commando!' General Clinton, made good their landing with-
out opposition. The transports with the brigades which com-
posed the second debarkation, consisting of about five thousand
men, moved at a little distance after the flat-boats, galleys and
batteaux, and by eight o'clock were ranged on the outside of
the covering ships. The transports, with the remainder of the
troops, followed in close succession, and before noon fifteen
thousand men and forty pieces of cannon were landed on Long
Island.
On the 25th Howe ordered General de Heister with two brig-
ades of Hessians from Staten Island to join the army ; leaving
one brigade of his troops, a detachment of the Fourteenth regi-
ment of foot from Virginia, and some convalescents and recruits,
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Dalrymple to take
care of Staten Island. The landing of the troops on Long Is-
land was effected without opposition. There is no need of re-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 181
capitulating the story of the battle and its unfortunate result
they are well known ; the British succeeded in gaining posses-
sion of New York, which was their main object To keep pus-
session after having obtained it, required a strong force, and,
in consequence, the greater part of the British forces on the is-
land were withdrawn ; enough, however, were left to defend it
against any force the Americans might be able to bring against
it. The result of the battle, on the whole, was beneficial to the
people of Staten Island, as it left fewer soldiers there to depre-
date upon them, and rob them of their substance.
Howe, who was undoubtedly sincere in his oft-expressed
desire for peace, sent General Sullivan, who had been taken
prisoner at the battle, with a verbal message to congress,
requesting that body to appoint some of its members in a
private capacity, to meet him for the purpose of adopting such
measures as might be agreed upon for the restoration of
peace in the country, intimating that he was clothed with
sufficient power for that purpose. By the same messenger con-
gress returned answer that they could not send any of their
number, except in their official capacities as members of
their body, and a committee of that character they would send
for the purpose expressed in the message. Accordingly, on the
6th of September, Benjamin Franklin, of Pennsylvania, John
Adams, of Massachusetts, and Edward Rutledge, of South
Carolina, were appointed as such committee. On the 14th they
met Howe on Staten Island ; the interview took place in the
" Old Billop House," still standing. It had been occupied as a
barrack for soldiers, and was in an exceedingly filthy condition;
but one room had been cleaned and purified, and furniture
placed therein, for the purpose of the meeting. Howe met the
committee in a courteous manner, and at once proceeded to ex-
plain the nature of the power with which he had been invested,
which was simply to extend the royal clemency and full par-
don to all repentant rebels who would lay down their arms and
return to their allegiance. The committee informed him that
they were not authorized to entertain any propositions which
did not recognize the political independence of the colonies.
Howe replied that he had a great regard for the Americans as a
people, but that recognition of their independence was a matter
beyond his authority, and could not for a moment be enter-
tained, and that their precipitancy was painful to him and
182 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
perilous to themselves. Franklin answered that the people of
America would endeavor to take good care of themselves, and
thus alleviate as much as possible the pain his lordship might
feel in consequence of any severities he might deem it his duty
to adopt. This terminated the brief interview, and the com-
mittee rose to depart. Howe politely accompanied them to the
shore, the party walking, both in coming and returning,
between long lines of grenadiers, who, to use the language of
Mr. Adams, "looked as fierce as ten furies, and making all the
grimaces and gestures, and motions of their muskets, with bay-
onets fixed, which, I suppose, military etiquette requires, but
which we neither understood nor regarded." On the way down,
his lordship again expressed his regret that he was unable to
regard them as public characters, to which Mr. Adams replied,
"your lordship may consider me in what light you please, and
indeed, I should be willing to consider myself for a few moments
in any character which would be agreeable to your lordship, ex-
cept that of a British subject." To this Howe replied, "Mr.
Adams appears to be a decided character."
The consequence of this exhibition of Mr. Adam's independ-
ent and fearless spirit was subsequently apparent, when the list
of unpardonable rebels was published, prominent among which
was the name of John Adams. It must have been humiliating
in the extreme to the pride and arrogance of the British gov-
ernment to be obliged to receive this proscribed rebel as the first
minister plenipotentiary of the new government of the United
States of America. The remark of Mr. Adams did not prevent
Lord Howe continuing his courtesy, for he sent them over to
Perth Amboy in his own barge.
After the failure of the interview above described, Howe de-
termined to effect a landing at Kipp's bay, and accordingly sent
five frigates from the Staten Island fleet to that point. On the
evening of September 13th they passed up the East river, where
by keeping close to the Long Island shore they were able to en-
dure without serious damage the constant fire of the Americans
from the fortifications on the New York side. Three battalions
of Hessians were also sent from the encampment here to take
part in that expedition, the particulars of which belong to other
pages of history than these.
The British affected to believe that it was the desire of
Washington to obtain possession of the post at Richmond,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 183
though what peculiar value either he or they attached to it in
a military point of view, except that it commanded one of the
entrances to the island through the Fresh kills, is not apparent.
To give the rebels, as well as his own semi-barbarous Hessians,
employment, Knyphausen sent out frequent expeditions from
the island into the Jerseys, where the most horrid atrocities
were sometimes committed.
These were not usually sent forth on their errands of robbery
and murder, unless they were known to be much superior in
number to the patriots, who were likely to meet and oppose
them, or had some other important advantage. These preda-
tory excursions, however, were not confined to the British; the
Americans, on their part, sadly annoyed their enemies by strik-
ing at them whenever the opportunity offered. The first of the
hostile demonstrations on the part of the patriots occurred in Oc-
tober, 1776. General Hugh Mercer, who was in command of the
American forces in that part of New Jersey contiguous to Staten
Island, planned anattack upon theBritish intrenchments at Rich-
mond. Passing over to the island with part of the troops posted at
Perth Amboy, on the night of the 15th instant, he advanced to
within a few miles of Richmond, at which point he had been in-
formed three companies oue of British troops, one of Hessians
and another of Skinner's militia were stationed. Colonel
Griffin was detached with Colonel Patterson's battalion and
Major Clarke at the head of some riflemen, to fall in upon the
east end of the town, while the remainder of the troops en-
closed it on the other quarters. Both divisions reached the
town by break of day, but the enemy had learned of their ap-
proach and were prepared to flee, exchanging only a few shots
with Colonel Griffin's detachment. Two of the enemy weie
mortally wounded, and seventeen taken prisoners, two of the
Americans being killed. Colonel Griffin received a wound in
the foot from a musket ball, and Lieutenant Colonel Smith was
slightly wounded in the arm. Among the prisoners taken in
the action were eight Hessians. The attacking party also
brought away forty-five muskets and other implements of war
and one standard of the British Light Horse.
Later in the month the British fleet was anchored partly at
the " Watering Place " and partly in Prince's bay, from the
latter of which troops were frequently disembarked to the
Jersey shore and up the Raritan to make predatory excursions
184 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
among the people in adjacent localities. Bergen had already
been abandoned by the Americans as a place too much exposed
and of too little importance to continue to occupy in the face of
the possibilities of the British falling upon the stores of hay and
provision that had been gathered there.
During the latter part of the year the king's forces under
Cornwallis proceeded to New Brunswick, professedly to protect
the magazine there, but probably desiring to provoke an en-
gagement with Washington. The latter, however, refused to
be drawn into an engagement to which he feared his forces
were unequal, but spread his army over the Jerseys, taking-
positions at Newark, Elizabethtown and Woodbridge, thus com-
manding the coast opposite to Staten Island. In these towns
he established his army during the remainder of the winter. So
alert were his troops that they could not be surprised ; and so
strongly were they posted that any attempt to dislodge them
by force must have been attended with great hazard and loss.
The following from an English authority relates the position
from that standpoint :
" Of all the great conquests which his Majesty's troops had
made in the Jersies, Brunswick and Amboy were the only two
places of any note which they retained after the action at
Princetown ; and however brilliant their success had been in
the beginning of the campaign, they reaped little advantage
from them when the winter advanced, and the contiguity of
so vigilant an enemy forced them to perform the severest
duty."
During the winter Howe was employed in forming several
p7-ovincial corps from the Americans, British and Irish who had
separated from their countrymen of their own choice, or had
been obliged to leave their homes because of the tory sentiments
they expressed. These new levies strengthened the British
army by several thousand men. Several hundred of the citizens
of Staten Island were among the number. They were placed
on the same footing, as to pay, subsistence and clothing, as the
regular troops. As a farther encouragement to the privates
and non-commissioned officers, they were at the end of the war
to receive certain proportions of land, according to the rank
which they might, then hold. These provincials were placed
under command of the late Governor Tryon, who was now made
IIISTOUY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 185
a major-general, and part of them were stationed on Staten
Island.
In February, 1777, a detachment under Major Gordon
.marched from Richmond to Cole's ferry, where they embarked
for Sandy Hook, where it was learned a considerable body of
Americans were lying. After being detained on board by bad
weather and violent winds for three days they, numbering about
two hundred, effected a landing on the beach about two miles
below the American posts, which they surprised before daylight
in the morning. The Americans were driven from the Never-
sink hills, sustaining a loss of several killed and seventy-four
taken prisoners.
Predatory warfare and petty skirmishes were of frequent oc-
currence. On the 27th of February, Major Tympany crossed
from Staten Island to Elizabethtown with about sixty men oil a
foraging expedition. He came into collision with a body of
Americans, two or three of whom were killed, but the former
escaped, bringing with him back to the island four or five pris-
oners and ten head of cattle.
Early in March a party of Americans made an attempt to gain
the light-house at Sandy Hook, but were unsuccessful, the men
posted there being protected by the guns of the " Syren " which
lay at anchor near the spot.
About the same time a party of Americans came down the
Jersey shore and fired on some boats that were taking in
forage at New Blazing Star, on the island. Major Tympany
thereupon crossed the river with about forty men and pur-
sued the "rebels" about three miles, on his return bringing
back ten head of cattle and thirty sheep.
The following extract from a letter addressed by Tryon to
" Christopher Billop Esq ; Colonel of the Militia of Richmond
County, Staten Island," dated May 19, 1777, appeared in a
New York paper of June 9, with the annexed remarks by the
editor of the newspaper:
"It is my earnest recommendation, that the inhabitants of Rich-
mond County, who had the first opportunity of testifiying their
loyalty to their Prince, and fidelty to the British constitution, on
the arrival of the Kings troops, and which was most graciously
accepted by his Majesty, should, on this occasion, eagerly fol-
low the approved example of the militia of King's county, by
liberally raising a sum of money for the comfort and encourage-
186 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
ment of the Provincial troops raised in this province. T enclose
the form of the instrument which is adopted for the in-
habitants of the city and county to subscribe; copies of which
will by sent to Queen's and Suffolk counties, for a similar pur-
pose. Any suggestion of fears and apprehensions from circum-
stances of situation, must, and assuredly will be construed into a
lukewarmness at this crisis, to the King and the old constitution.
Therefore, let the loyal subjects now distinguish themselves
by free donations, and dare the worst from men who have struck
at the root of their liberty and property."
The following editorial remarks are appended:
" We have the pleasure to inform the Public, that the loyal
inhabitants of STATEN ISLAND have already subscribed Fice
Hundred Pounds for the Encouragement of the Provincial
Corps of this Colony, and transmitted the same to our worthy
Governor, to be applied to that laudable Purpose. The Sub-
scription in other Parts meets with great Success among his
Majesty's loyal Subjects, both in this City and County, and in
the Counties upon Long Island, almost every one being desirous
to give this Test of Loyalty and Love of constitutional Free-
dom. Trimmers and some doubtful Characters, it is expected,
will be made manifest upon this Occasion, and of course be
properly noticed."
On the 6th of June a party of about twelve British made a
raid into Elizabethtown, where they were fired upon by the
Americans, and a skirmish ensued, in which two or three were
killed and several wounded. The British succeeded in stealing
a flat- bottomed boat large enough to carry one hundred men.
About this time the British commander caused to be issued
the following proclamation, which sufficiently explains itself.
" Office of Commissary-General, New York, June 12, 1777.
" WHEREAS his Excellency Sir WILLIAM HOWE, General and
Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Forces, hath thought fit
to order and direct Magazines of Forage to be established, for
the better supplying of the troops under his Excellency's com-
mand: Notice is hereby given to the several Land-holders,
farmers and others, upon York-Island, Long-Island, and
Staten-Island, who may be able to supply the said Magazines
with Hay, Straw, Oats, and Indian Corn, that the following
rates will be paid for the same, viz.:
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 187
" Good Fresh Hay, at the rate of Five Shillings per Hundred
Weight.
" Straw, at Two Shillings per Hundred Weight.
" Oats and Indian Corn, according to its quality.
" And for the better encouragement of such persons to sup-
ply the said magazines, an allowance of One Shilling per Mile,
for every Ten Hundred Weight, will be paid, over and above
the price stipulated aforesaid, for the carriage of the said
Forrage to the respective Magazines hereafter mentioned, viz.:
YORK ISLAND.
" King's-Bridge, Marston's Wharf, City of New- York.
LONG-ISLAND.
" Brooklyn Ferry, Hempstead-Harbor, Oyster-Bay, Great-
Neck.
STATEN-ISLAND.
" Cole's-Ferry, Decker' s-Ferry.
"At which said several places proper persons will be appointed
to receive the same, to ascertain the weight thereof, and to cer-
tify the delivery : and upon certificates, ascertaining such
weight and delivery, being produced at this office, the said For-
rage will be paid for immediately.
" His Majesty's service requiring these Magazines to be es-
tablished as soon as the season will permit, it is expected and
required that all persons who raise forrage, do furnish a certain
quantity, proportionable to the produce of each person respec-
tively.
" DANIEL WIER,
" Commissary General."
Howe and a large portion of his army were at this time in
New Jersey. The objective point was Philadelphia. During
the early part of the preceding winter the army had reached
Trenton, but at the time when it seemed as though nothing lay
in the way of their marching to Philadelphia and gaining an
easy victory a sudden and unaccountable apathy seemed to
seize the British commander, and he rested until the army of
Washington was in a better position to resist his onward prog-
ress. By this time Howe's army had returned to Amboy, and
the project of reaching Philadelphia by land seemed to be
abandoned. Another attempt, however, was made to draw
Washington away from his fortifications, so that the British
army could surround him. Having retreated slowly across the
188 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. .
state, while Greene was harassing his rear, he prepared to cross
from Amboy to Staten Island, having determined to attempt to
reach Philadelphia by water. Throwing a bridge, which had
been constructed for crossing the Delaware, across the sound,
he sent the heavy baggage and all the incumbrances of his army
over to the island under the escort of some troops, while prep-
arations were making for the passage of the rest of the army.
Intelligence of this was received by Washington, who supposed
that the British army was retreating in earnest, under a mis-
apprehension of the strength of his own army. He accordingly
descended from the hilly country where he was entrenched,
and moved forward as though pursuing a flying enemy.
The British general, now thinking he had nearly gained his
point, determined if possible to get between Washington and
the mountains and force him to a general action on his own
terms or cut off some of his detachments if he should retreat.
He accordingly returned to Amboy, and on the 26th of June
put his army in motion, advancing toward the pursuing forces
of Washington. The forces came into collision and the British
pursued as far as Westh'eld, but finding, as a British
chronicler states, " that the caution and prudence of General
Washington had rendered his schemes abortive," General
Howe returned with his army to Amboy on the second day after
its expedition against Washington, and on the 29th passed
again over to Staten Island. In the meantime Washington
wrote to congress from his camp at Middlebrook, June 28th, as
follows :
" SIR, On Thursday morning General Howe advanced with
his whole army in several columns from Amboy, as far as West-
h'eld. We are certainly informed, that the troops sent to Staten
Island returned the preceding evening, and it is said with an
augmentation of marines : so that carrying them there was a
feint, to deceive us."
The campaign of Howe in New Jersey and its results were
summed up by a paper of the time in the following paragraph :
li Since our last we have certain intelligence, that soon after
the skirmish with Lord Stirling's division, as mentioned in our
last, the enemy filed off from Westfield to Amboy, and from
thence to Staten Island, and left us in entire possession of New
Jersey, in a small part of which they had been pen'd up for six
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
months, unable to do any great matters, except stealing a few
cattle, and making Whigs of the wavering and diffident."
Among the troops stationed on the island at this time was a
rising young man whom subsequent events made a conspicuous
figure in the history of the revolution. This young man was
Major John Andre, the spy. Though he was not prominent
on the island, yet while here he made his will, and the in-
terest which naturally attaches to his name must be our apology
for the insertion of a copy of that document in this connection.
" The following is my last Will and Testament and I appoint
as Executors thereto Mary Louisa Andre my Mother, David
Andre my Uncle, Andrew Girardot my Uncle, John Lewis An-
dre my Uncle.
"To each of the above Executors I give Fifty Pounds. I
give to Mary Hannah Andre my Sister Seven Hundred Pounds.
I give to Ann Marguerite Andre my Sister Seven Hundred
Pounds. I give to Louisa Katherine Andre my Sister Seven
Hundred Pounds. I give to William Lewis Andre my Brother
Seven Hundred Pounds. But the condition on which I give
the above mentioned Sums to my aforesaid Sisters and Brothers
are that each of them shall pay to Mary Louisa Andre my
Mother the sum of Ten pounds yearly during her life. I give
to Walter Ewer Jun'r of Dyers Court Aldermanbury One Hun-
dred Pounds. I give to John Ewer Jun'r of Lincoln's Inn One
Hundred Pounds. I desire a Ring value Fifty Pounds be given
to my Friend Peter Boissier of the Eleventh Dragoons. I de-
sire that Walter Ewer Jun'r of Dyers Court Aldermanbury
have the Inspection of my papers, Letters, Manuscripts, I mean
that he have the first Inspection of them with Liberty to de-
stroy or detain whatever he thinks proper, and I desire my
Watch be given to him. And I lastly give and bequeath to
my Brother John Lewis Andie the residue of all my Effects
whatsoever. Witness my Hand and Seal Staten Island in the
province of N. York, N. America the 7th June 1777.
" JOHN ANDRE Capt'n in the 26th Reg't of Foot [L. S.]
" N. B. The Currency alluded to in this Will is Sterling-
Money of Great Britain. I desire nothing more than my wear-
ing Apparel be sold by public Auction, J. A.
" City and Province /
of New York. )' s
Be it remembered that on the Ninth day of October in the
190 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Year of Our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and Eighty per-
sonally came and appeared before me Gary Ludlow, Surrogate
for the City and Province aforesaid, Henry White and William
Sea ton both of the City and Province aforesaid Esquires who
being severally duly sworn did declare that they were well ac-
quainted with the hand writing of John Andre formerly Cap-
tain in the twenty-sixth Regiment of Foot and since Adjutant
General Deceased that they have frequently seen him write,
And that they verily believe that the before written Instrument
purporting to be the last Will and Testament of the said John
Andre bearing date the seventh Day of June One thousand
seven hundred and Seventy Seven with the Subscriptions there-
to are all of his the said John Andre's own proper hand Writ-
ing and further saith not.
"GARY LUDLOW SUIT."
It will be seen by the above that the will was admitted to
probate just a week after the execution of its maker at Tappan
on the 2d of October, 1780.
Howe having determined to approach Philadelphia by water
began early in July the embarkation of his army from Staten
Island. On the 5th he began placing on board of transports
such corps as he wished to take with him, amounting to thirty-
six battalions of British and Hessians, including the light in-
fantry and grenadiers, the queen's rangers, a powerful artillery,
and a regiment of light dragoons. The troops that remained in
the vicinity of New York were placed under command of Gen-
eral Clinton, while under him General Knyphausen had com-
mand of Staten Island. Though preparations began thus early
it was not until the 23d of the month that the fleet, consisting
of two hundred and sixty-seven sail, passed outside of Sandy
Hook.
At this time there seems to have been a desire on the part of
the British to starve out the "rebels," or at least to weaken
and perplex them by preventing their obtaining any supplies
from New York either directly or through Staten Island. To
carry this out all commerce between here and the Jerseys was
prohibited. It was difficult, however, to enforce such prohibi-
tion. On the 17th of July Sir William Howe issued a procla-
mation relating to the cargoes of vessels arriving at the port of
New York. He appointed Andrew Elliot, Esq., superintendent
of all imports and exports passing between New York and
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 191
Long Island and Staten Island, and in order that the inhabitants
of the latter islands might be furnished with necessary supplies
and at the same time to prevent supplies being conveyed to the
"rebels" through these channels, he ordered that no craft of
any kind should carry from the city to either of these islands,
without special permit from the superintendent's office, any
larger quantities of rum, spirits, sugar or molasses than one
barrel of each, or of salt exceeding four bushels. No quantity
of any other kind of merchandise larger than might be con-
sidered sufficient for the use of one family should be taken at
one time. The penalty for the violation of the restrictions of
this proclamation was forfeiture of the vessel, large or small,
and the goods found on board, and imprisonment of the master
in charge. Similar proclamations were subsequently issued.
After the removal of the troops from the island for the ex-
pedition to Philadelphia there were only about three thousand
men left here. The principal part of this number were com-
prised in two regiments of Hessians, other troops being of the
British and some of the provincial corps.
In the early part of August a party of Americans crossed the
kills and landed somewhere on the shore at West New Brighton,
and directed their course for Richmond. As they approached
that village they were met by a party of British, who, after a
slight resistance, retreated slowly until they reached St. An-
drew's church, which they entered; the Americans fired at the
windows until every pane of glass had been broken; they then
approached, and fired through the broken windows until the
British were driven out; a reinforcement from the vicinity of
the quarantine had been hurried forward, who reached Rich-
mond just as the church had been vacated. It was now the
turn of the Americans to retreat, which they did by the Fresh
kill road, keeping the prisoners which they had taken iu their
rear. These consisted not of soldiers only but of citizens also,
whom they had captured on their way; this prevented the
British from tiring, lest they should kill their own friends, or
at least non combatants. After the Americans had descended
the hill and crossed the bridge at the locality now known as
Laforge's store, Westfield, they concealed themselves in a corn-
field, where they waited until their pursuers were within reach,
when they tired a volley at them and the British colonel in
command was killed. Continuing their retreat until they
192 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
reached the shore of the sound, they drove their prisoners,
some thirty in number, into a large hog sty, while they them-
selves seized what boats they required, and effected their es-
cape. While they were crossing, the British reached the shore
and opened on them with their artillery, which they had
not yet had opportunity for using, and killed several of
them.
On the 19th of the same month Colonel Dongan and Major
Drummond, of the Third battalion of provincials, mostly from
New Jersey, with about sixty men, set out from Staten Island
on a predatory raid into New Jersey. They marched about
twenty-seven miles into the interior, on the way capturing
fourteen prisoners, about seventy cattle and horses, and twenty
stand of arms, besides destroying a quantity of powder, shot,
salt and rum. The transporting of the stock and prisoners across
the sound at Amboy was covered by a guard on the Jersey side.
One of the most important engagements of the. war on the
island took place on the 22d of August, the particulars of
which are as nearly in accordance with the following statements
as we can gather the facts. General Sullivan, of the American
forces, being then stationed at Hanover, N. J., some twenty
miles or more from Elizabethtown, determined to make reprizals
for the predatory raids that the Staten Island troop's had been
making into New Jersey. He learned that the British forces
were distributed on the island about as follows: Colonel
Buskirk, with a regiment of two hundred and fifty, was en-
camped near Decker's ferry ; Colonel Barton, with his regiment
of about the same number, near the New Blazing Star ferry ;
Colonel Lawrence, with one hundred and fifty provincials, near
the Old Blazing Star ferry ; Colonel Dongan (Edward Vaughn
Dongan) and Colonel Allan, with one hundred men or more each,
about two miles apart, between the latter point and Amboy ;
and two regiments of British regulars, two of Anspachers and
one of Waldeckers were encamped by their fortifications near
the "Watering Place," their numbers being unknown.
Sullivan well knew that any movement of troops by daylight
in the country near the shore would be reported by tories in
time to allow the enemy an opportunity to prepare to oppose
him. To avoid this a long march by night was the only resource.
Accordingly his troops at Hanover were put in motion at about
three o'clock in the afternoon of the 21st. These were selected
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
from the brigades of Generals Smallwood and De Borre, and
numbered about one thousand men, who were supposed to be
most ably prepared to endure a long march. The bod}' reached
Elizabethtown at about ten o'clock in the evening.
The forces were now divided, so as to make a simultaneous
attack on two different points on the island. Colonel Ogden,
with his own and Colonel Dayton's regiment, joined by one
hundred militia under Colonel Frelinghuysen, inarched from
Elizabethtown in the evening to a point opposite the Fresh kill,
where they were conveyed by boats across the sound and up the
creek, their object being to attack Lawrence's i*egiment in
the rear. The remainder of the troops crossed from Halstead's
point or Elizabethtown point, approaching the island on the
north shore. General Smallwood' s brigade was to attack Bus-
kirk's, and General De Borre's brigade was to attack Barton's
regiment, each leaving one regiment on the main road to cover
their rear, and to pick up such as might escape Colonel Ogden
or the attacking parties. Ogden was instructed to move for-
ward, should he complete the reduction of Lawrence's regiment,
and attack Dongan and Allan, otherwise to hold his ground till
Sullivan came up from the north side to join him.
In crossing the water some difficulty was experienced on
account of a scarcity of boats, but the whole force were safely
landed on the island before daylight, without being discovered
by the British.
About day-break Ogden fell upon Lawrence and after an en-
gagement of two or three minutes routed him, taking the
colonel himself and about eighty privates and small officers
prisoners. He then moved forward toward the positions of Don-
gan and Allan and drove them back. They fell back to the
neighborhood of Prince's bay, where they found intrenchments
which made their position too strong for the fatigued assailants
to press against. Ogden now fell back toward Old Blazing Star
and took position to wait for Sullivan. In the meantime the
alarm had reached the commander at the fortifications on the
northeast part of the island, and he, General John Campbell, at
once marched with the Fifty-second British and Third battalion
of Waldeckers toward Richmond, under the supposition that
that point would be approached by the invaders.
Soon after the moment of the attack made by Ogden, General
Sullivan moved witli De Borre's brigade to attack Colonel Bar-
13
194 HI9TOR1' OF RICHMOND COUNTS'.
ton's regiment that lay at the New Blazing Star (or Decker's
ferry). Here he found the latter drawn up to receive him, but
upon the main body moving up to charge they broke ranks and
fled. Sullivan had stationed Colonel Price off to the right to
prevent the escape of the enemy, but many of them seized the
boats that lay at the ferry and crossed to the Jersey shore, while
others being acquainted with the intricacies of the swamps and
woods were able to evade their pursuers. A considerable num-
ber of arms, blankets, hats, etc., were taken, and about forty
privates, with Colonel Barton himself, were made prisoners. A
barn and about thirty-five tons of hay were also burned.
At the same time General Small wood, with his brigade, moved
in another column to the neighborhood of the Dutch church,
where they attacked what they supposed was Colonel Buskirk's
regiment. General Small wood's guide, instead of bringing him
in the rear of the regiment, led him to a position in their full
front. The latter had formed on the east side of the bridge
and Smallwood's men, in a solid column, were moving over to
attack them. The British, however, upon the first fire, broke
and fled back to the fortifications on the northeast part of the
island, where they were later in the day rallied by General
Skinner, to whose corps they belonged, and were led by him to
pursue the retiring Americans with the other regiments under
Campbell. In their precipitate retreat before Smallwood's
brigade, however, they left their stand of colors, which was
taken by the Americans, and their tents which the latter de-
stroyed, as they also did a quantity of hay and stores. Small-
wood's men also burned several of their vessels which lay in
the kill or creek near by.
The forces of Sullivan and Smallwoodnow effected a junction
and moved inland toward Richmond to join the detachment of
Ogden. About noon they reached Old Blazing Star and found
that Ogden, after waiting till longer delay seemed unnecessarily
hazardous, had sent his division across the river. Sullivan had
sent a messenger to bring the boats from Elizabethtown point
(Halstead's point)down the sound to help transfer his men across,
but the messenger was detained on the way and the boats failed
to come. In this emergency Sullivan began at once to trans-
port his men by means of the three boats which Ogden had
used, but before this could be accomplished the accumulated
forces of Campbell, Skinner, Dongan and Allan were upon his
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 195
rear and his chances of escape were growing uncomfortably
small. The rear was now covered by about eighty of Small-
wood's Marylander's, commanded by Majors Stewart and Til-
lard, who ably maintained the honorable reputation of that
brigade by their unflinching tenacity against overpowering
odds. The bravery of this little party was highly commended
by Sullivan and others at the time. By their determination the
enemy was held back until all the troops except this company
were safely conveyed across the river. So hotly did they con-
test the approach of the enemy that the latter were several
times driven back with great confusion. They were, however,
forced to retire and take new positions nearer the water, until
they stood within twenty rods of the shore. The British at
last brought up their heavy artillery which, with "grape and
canister," so commanded the sound that the boatmen refused
to face the fire and come after the rear-guard. Seeing this, and
their ammunition also failing them this little band of heroes at
last surrendered, though several of them escaped, seven of
them even swimming across the channel, and others, perhaps,
being drowned in the attempt. About forty of them were
taken prisoners.
Various estimates were given as to the losses in this day's
engagement on the island. The total loss to the British was
one hundred and thirty privates and eleven officers taken
prisoners, and probably twenty-five to one hundred killed and
wounded; while that of the Americans was ten killed, fifteen
wounded and one hundred and twenty-seven privates and nine
officers taken prisoners. Besides this the British lost arms,
baggage and a number of cattle carried away and stores and
vessels destroyed, while the Americans lost a few whale boats
which Campbell's command succeeded in capturing.
General Sullivan, in a letter to congress, in which he urged
an investigation into his conduct relating to the affair, in order-
to clear himself from some charges which he regards as unjust,
gives a summary of it in the following language:
'"In this expedition we landed on an island possessed by the
enemy; put to rout six regiments; killed, wounded and made
prisoners at least four or five hundred of the enemy; vanquished
every party that collected against us ; destroyed them great
quantities of stores ; took one vessel, and destroyed six ; took
a considerable number of arms, blankets, many cattle, horses,
190 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
etc.; marched victorious through the island, and in the whole
course of the day, lost not more than one hundred and fifty
men, most of which were lost by the imprudence of themselves,
and officers. Some few, indeed, were lost by cross accidents,
which no human foresight could have prevented."
After this raid the British rested less easily. They were
more watchful, and suspicious of another attack. Rivington's
Gazette, of October 25, contained the following paragraph,
which furnishes some suggestions in reference to the subject
before us :
"By a Gentleman who has lately escaped from confine-
ment in New Jersey, we have been favoured with the following
particulars : * It is imagined that another expedition
is determined upon against Staten-Island under the command
of Mr. Philemon Dickenson, who has assembled near 400 men
about Elizabeth Town ; boats and scows are also prepared, with
a floating raft, to cross Bridge creek, and thereby secure a re-
treat to the point. Gen. Sullivan was, on his late unsuccessful
attempt on this island, highly reprehended for not using this
expedient, and, as he has been again blamed for his conduct at
Brandywine, in Pennsylvania, he some time ago resigned his
commission in disgust, and withdrew himself from the rebel
army."
Tories who were so strong in their sentiments as to make a
residence among the friends of independence undesirable, were
frequently coming over to the island to join the British army
or to take advantage of its protection. Some Quakers, whose
peculiar principles forbade their taking any active part in war-
like transactions, fled to the island as an asylum from the ap-
peals of their active whig neighbors. Sullivan, in his raid on
the island, claimed to have taken twenty-eight tories in addi-
tion to his other trophies, but the accounts from the other side
represent that they were not tories but peaceable Quakers.
The fears of the British, above referred to, were not ground-
less. During November a number of raids were made by the
Americans from Elizabethtown. On the night of Tuesday, the
18th, just before the rising of the moon, a party landed in the
meadow, where they concealed themselves until they had the
advantage of moonlight, when they surprised the picket, but
after a brisk skirmish were obliged to abandon the scheme and
return to Elizabethtown. Another attack was made the follow-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 197
ing day, but so far as we can learn with no better success.
Again, early on Thursday morning, the 20th, a body of
" rebels," commanded by Philemon Dickenson, before spoken
of, landed on the island and advanced upon the encampments
of Campbell. No sooner had they opened fire on them, how-
ever, than they discovered reinforcements approaching and sev-
eral ships of war steering for the island. Seeing that they
would be overwhelmed by numbers they retired, and with the
loss of a few prisoners made good their escape to the Jersey
shore. On Friday another attempt was made to approach the
island, but with no better results. In these raids more or less
stores and provisions were carried off. At the final evacuation
on Friday, the removal of what stores they had collected was ex-
ecuted under cover of an armed vessel, which approached the
shore near the present site of Mariner's Harbor and fired occa-
sional guns at the houses on the island.
Some difficulty seems at this time to have been experienced
in enforcing the restrictions against the exportation of salt from
New York to Staten Island, by which channel that article of
necessity was smuggled into New Jersey. By a proclamation
on the 15th of November, Clinton directed that the inhabitants
of Staten Island should be allowed to carry salt for their family
use, not exceeding three bushels for a family, on obtaining a
certificate from a justice of the peace attesting that they were
proper persons to be trusted with it. This regulation soon fell
into abuse, arid on the 18th it was amended by a further proc-
lamation that all persons from the island applying for a permit
to carry salt thither must have a certificate from either General
Campbell or General Skinner, and general authority was given
to any one who should intercept any person carrying salt with-
out the requisite permit, to seize and appropriate the salt to his
own use and purposes.
On the 20th of December General Clinton issued a remarka-
ble proclamation regulating the prices of farm products, the
arguments, objects and substance of which are shown in the
following extracts :
" WHEREAS it is consonant not only to the common princi-
ples of humanity, but to the wisdom and policy of all well
regulated states, in certain exigencies to guard against the ex-
tortion of individuals, who raise the necessaries of life, without
which other parts of the community cannot subsist ; and where-
198 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
as the fanners on Long-Island and Staten Island are possessed
of great quantities of Wheat, Rye, and Indian Corn, for sale,
beyond what they want for their own consumption, and it is
highly unreasonable that those who may stand in need of those
articles, should be left at the mercy of the farmer, and whereas
it is equally just and reasonable that every encouragement
should be given to the industry of the husbandman ; * * *
* * * and whereas the present rates at which Wheat, Flour
Rye-Meal, and Indian Meal are sold, do vastly exceed in pro-
portion the advanced price of those articles which the farmer
stands in need of purchasing, * * * * * d hereby or-
der and direct that the prices to be hereafter demanded for the
said articles shall not exceed the following rates,
"A Bushel of Wheat weighing Fifty Eight Pounds, Twelve
Shillings, with an Allowance, or deduction in proportion for a
greater or lesser weight.
"A Bushel of Rye, or Indian Corn, Seven Shillings.
" Merchantable Wheat Flour, Thirty-five Shillings per Cwt.
"Rye Flour, Twenty Shillings per Cwt."
"Indian Meal, Seventeen Shillings per Cwt."
The proclamation further stipulated that the farmers of these
two islands should at once make returns to the commanding of-
ficers of militia in their respective localities, showing the quan-
tity of each kind of grain they had, and what quantity they
would need for the use of their families during the year. He
also ordered the farmers to thresh one third of their grain at
once ; another third by the first of February and the remaining
third by the first of May next. A refusal to comply with any
of the requirements set forth in the proclamation should be
punishable by confiscation of the entire crop of grain belong-
ing to such offender, and imprisonment of his person.
In January, 1778, the prisoners taken in the raid of Dicken-
son during November preceding had not been exchanged, but
on the contrary, some had been summarily dealt with, when the
following correspondence passed between General Robertson
and Governor Livingston of New Jersey, which, as it throws
light on the condition of affairs and the results of the Novem-
ber raids on the island, we insert in full.
"New York, January 4, 1778.
"SIR,
" I am interrupted in my daily attempts to soften the calami-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 199
ties of prisoners, and reconcile their case with our security, by
a general cry of resentment, arising from an information
"That officers in the King's service taken on the 27th of No-
vember, and Mr. John Brown, a deputy-commissary, are to be
tried in Jersey for high treason ; and that Mr. Iliff and another
prisoner have been hanged.
" Though I am neither authorized to threaten or to sooth, my
wish to prevent an increase of horrors, will justify my using
the liberty of an old acquaintance, to desire your interposition
to put an end to, or prevent measures which, if pursued on one
side would tend to prevent every act of humanity on the other,
and render every person who exercises this to the King's ene-
mies, odious to his friends.
"I need not point out to you all the cruel consequences of
such a proceedure. I am hopeful you'll prevent them, and ex-
cuse this trouble from. Sir,
"Your most obedient humble servant,
"JAMES ROBERTSON.
"N. B. At the moment that the cry of murder reached my
ears, I was signing orders, that Fell's request to have the liberty
of the city, and Colonel Reynold to be set free on his parole,
should be complied with. I have not recalled the order, be-
cause tho' the evidence be strong, I can't believe it possible, a
measure so cruel and impolitic, could be adopted where you
bear sway.
"To William Livingston, Esq., &c., &c."
To this Governor Livingston replied :
" January 7, 1778.
" SIR,
"Having received a letter under your signature, dated the
4th instant, which I have some reason to think you intended
for me, I sit down to answer your inquiries concerning certain
officers in the service of your king taken on Staten Island, and
one Browne who calls himself a deputy commissary ; and also
respecting ons Iliff and another prisoner (I suppose you must
mean John Mee, he having shared the fate you mention) who
have been hanged.
" Buskirk, Earl and Hammel, who are, I presume, the officers
intended, with the said Browne, were sent to me by General
Dickenson as prisoners taken on Staten Island. Finding them
all to be subjects of this state, and to have committed treason
200 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
against it, the council of safety committed them to Trenton
goal. At the same time I acquainted General Washington,
that if he chose to treat the three first who were British officers,
as prisoners of war, I doubted not the council of safety would
be satisfied. General Washington has since informed me that
he intends to consider them as such; and they are therefore at
his service, whenever the commissary of prisoners shall direct
concerning them. Browne I am told committed several rob-
beries in this state before he took sanctuary on Staten-Island,
and I should scarcely imagine that he has expiated the guilt of
his former crimes by committing the greater one of joining the
enemies of his country. However, if Gen. Washington chooses
to consider him also as a prisoner of war, I shall not interpose
in the matter.
"Iliff was executed after a trial by jury for enlisting our
subjects, himself being one, as recruits in the British army,
and he was apprehended on his way with them to Staten-Island.
Had he never been subject to this state, he would have forfeited
his life as a spy. Mee was one of his company, and had also
procured our subjects to enlist in the service of the enemy.
"If these transactions, Sir, should induce you to counte-
nance greater severities toward our people, whom the fortune
of war has thrown into your power, than they have already
suffered, you will pardon me for thinking that you go farther
out of your way to find palliatives for inhumanity, than ne-
cessity seems to require; and if this be the cry of murder to
which you allude as having reached your ears, I sincerely pity
your ears for being so frequently assaulted with cries of mur-
der much more audible, because much less distant, I mean the
cries of your prisoners who are constantly perishing in the
goals of New York (the coolest and most deliberate kind of
murder) from the rigorous manner of their treatment.
" I am with due respect,
" Your most humble servant,
" WILLIAM LIVINGSTON.
"James Robertson, Esq., &c. &c.
"P. S. You have distinguished me by a title which I have
neither authority nor ambition to assume, I know of no man,
sir, who bears sway in this state. It is our peculiar felicity,
and our superiority over the tyrannical system we have dis-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 201
carded, that we are not swayed by men In New Jersey, Sir,
the laws alone bear sway."
The winter of 1777-78 developed a considerable amount of
smuggling, which taxed the genius of General Clinton to the
utmost to prevent. He appointed Alexander Gardiner wharf
officer at Staten Island, and required all vessels carrying goods
to the island to land them at Cole's ferry and nowhere else,
and there all cargoes should be inspected by the said officer,
who would allow goods to be taken thence to their places of
destination on the island. This officer was also authorized
to seize and confiscate all goods not corresponding to the
superintendent's permit accompanying them, and also to seize
and confiscate any vessel found employed in such illicit
traffic.
The effort to prevent commerce between the island and
New Jersey was not confined to the British authorities. It
was prohibited also by the colonists. An illustration of the
the efforts made to prevent commercial intercourse with the
enemy is furnished by the following anecdote. In January,
1778, one William Pace, of Schooley's mountain, and Thomas
V. Camp, of Somerset county, were both on their way to
Staten Island, the latter with a quantity of Hour and the
former with four quarters of beef, intended for the British
general. They were both arrested and taken before the council
of safety on the 28th. It would have been regarded as high
treason had evidence been sufficient to prove clearly that
their cargoes were designed to supply the wants of the enemy,
but this proof was wanting. Still there was evidence sufficient
to warrant the council in confiscating the flour and beef and
further imposing a fine upon each for asking a price for their
goods higher than the law established. On the following day,
however, evidence was produced that one Jacob Fitz Randolph,
who lived at the Jersey side of the Blazing Star, had met
them at " Sparck-Town," a locality infested by tories on
Railway river, several miles southwest of Elizabethtown, and
engaged to take their cargoes across the sound when the ice
broke up if they would bring them to his house. They were
accordingly apprehended and confined in jail for procuring
provisions for the enemy.
Early in the morning of the 10th of June three boats were
loaded with men at Elizabethtown and proceeded down the
202 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
sound to the mouth of the Fresh kill, and landing between the
Blazing Star and Burnt island in the mouth of the kill, they
surprised the picket, but being unable to drive them back they
retired and waited on the Jersey shore until near daybreak,
when they returned with an increase of numbers and attempted
to land at the same place, under cover of their batteries. They
met with such vigorous resistance from Skinner's brigade, who
were guarding that point, that they were obliged to abandon
the undertaking, and retired, with small loss on either side. In
the meantime the British were thoroughly alarmed, and the
corps of royal artillery which had been posted at the redoubts
between Ryers' and Cole's ferries were put in motion with two
six-pounders, and the troops at the different posts on the island
were also under arms and marching toward the expected scene
of action. The timely retirement of the Americans, however,
made their presence unnecessary and probably saved them-
selves from the serious consequences of an encounter with
superior numbers and the raking tire of artillery.
But little transpired on the island during the summer to be
worthy of special notice. The operations between hostile forces
were mainly confined to the petty depredations, smuggling
and raiding of foraging parties on a small scale, which were of
too frequent and continual occurrence to be worthy of special
remark. In September (10th) the commissary of forage required
the farmers to thresh out their grain at once " as the Straw is
wanted for use of his Majesty's troops," for which they were to
be paid legal rates on delivery at the magazine at Cole's ferry.
On the evening of the 30th of September an expedition hav-
ing been fitted out with troops, embarked from Staten Island,
set sail for Little Egg harbor, off which point they arrived on
the 5th of October, having been delayed by adverse winds.
As the hard winter of 1778-9 came on proclamations were
issued fixing the prices of various common necessities as fol-
lows : Walnut cordwood, or any other kind of wood, four
pounds per cord ; upland hay, eight shillings per cwt. ; salt
hay, four shillings per cwt. ; straw, three shillings per cwt. ;
Indian corn, ten shillings per bushel ; oats, seven shillings per
bushel. Other proclamations of similar character were after-
ward issued. The following item, though not regulated by the
military authorities of the island is of interest. It is from a
paper of December 26.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 203
" The intense cold weather has, within these two days, oc-
casioned the quick-silver in the weather-glass to fall four de-
grees lower than has been observed for the last seven years ;
several ships, &c., and many lives have been lost by the mon-
strous bodies of ice floating' in our Bay."
In March, 1779, Sir Henry Clinton, by proclamation gave per-
mission to any loyal subjects of the king to enclose and culti-
vate for their own benefit portions of the cleared woodlands
and other uncultivated lands of persons who had left their homes
on Staten Island and Long Island, and were not under the pro-
tection of the government, and such loyal subjects were also
permitted to erect temporary habitations upon such lands.
The"^^ York Gazette" of March 22, 1779, says: "Last
Thursday morning a party of Rebels from Jersey, commanded
by one Richmond, came to Prince's Bay in order to carry off a
Boat that lay there loaded with wood ; but before they could
accomplish their Design a few of the Inhabitants assembled on
the Beach and kept up such a brisk Fire upon them that they
were obliged to relinquish their Prize, which happened to be
aground, and make the best of their way home. Mr. Sleight,
an Inhabitant of Staten Island, received a Wound in his Breast
on this Occasion, but it is hoped he will do well.
" Two or three different Parties of them hare been lately at
the Seat of Col. Christopher Billop of the same Island in order
to captivate him once more, with a view to get him for an Ex-
change."
At the same time parties from the island were making fre-
quent incursions into New Jersey. As examples the two fol-
lowing paragraphs from Game's " New York Gazette," will
suffice.
[April 26] "Last Wednesday Lieutenant-Colonel Buskirk
sent off Capt. Ryerson, Lieut. Buskirk, and Ensign Earle with
a Detachment of 42 Men of the 4th Battalion of New Jersey
Volunteers, who fell in with the Rebels about Day-Break, im-
mediately charged and put them to the Rout, killed and wounded
a considerable Number, whom they passed on the Field beg-
ging for Mercy, while they followed the rest until reinforced by
their Main Body, consisting of about 100 Carolina Troops and
sixty militia; Captain Ryerson perceiving his Men much fa-
tigued drew off his little Party to a rising Ground, where in-
stead of being attacked by them so much superior in Number,
204 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
he saw them Retreat. His Loss on the Occasion was one Man
missing and two wounded."
[July 3] " Last Tuesday Night a Detachment from his Ma-
jesty's 37th Regiment, with a Party of Col. Barton's and some
Refugees, went over from Staten-Island to a Place called Wood-
bridge Raway, where they surprized a Party of Rebels in a
Tavern, killed their commanding Officer Captain Skinner of a
Troop of Light Horse, and another Man, and took the following-
Prisoners, viz.: Capt. Samuel Meeker, Christopher March,
Joseph Stephens, Benjamin Willis, David Craig, Stephen Ball,
Lewis Marsh, Jotham Moore, Jesse Whitehead, John Thorp,
Thomas Bioomfield, Jeremiah Corey and David Hall."
As has before been intimated, Col. Christopher Billop was a
conspicuous object, and the whigs of Jersey were anxious to
secure him as a prisoner. Several attempts were made. At
last, on the 23d of June, a party of about twenty landed near the
house under cover of some trees, and undiscovered by the in-
mates of the house approached it and seized their victim, and
bore him away to Jersey. On the same night a party landed and
carried off another prominent tory, Colonel Cortelyou, and with
him one William Smith of Woodbridge, who was his guest at
the time.
We are prompted in passing, to give the following extract
from a tory paper of September 18, 1779, which, though not
openly germain to the subject, contains a hidden sarcasm,
which may be seen in the light of the fact that the atmosphere
of New York was strong with "loyal" sentiment, while the op-
posite was true in New Jersey.
" The old inhabitants of Staten-Island assert, that the cause
of the Fever and Ague's having been so. prevalent of late there,
was the want of the usual quantity of Thunder and Lightning.
But what shall we think of the cause, to which a Lady from
Jersey attributes the sickly state of the inhabitants of that Prov-
ince? She affirms it is entirely owing to the scarcity of Mus-
ketoes. If what she affirms be true how easily can we account
for the great health abounding in this city. We have Phlebot-
omists in plenty. Genuine.''' 1
The following records are suggestive and appropriate to this
time:
"Sept. 28th 1779 Richmond County. Received of John Bedel
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 205
Esq. the sum of Fifty one Pound six shill for the use of the Gun
boat as appeals by the following receipt
"Richmond County Sept the 28. 1779
"Received of Mess r Richard Conner, Christian Jacobson
Henry Ferine, Cornells Corson supervissors for said County the
sum of Eighty four Pound being in full for my selfe & Eight
men belonging to the gun boat commenceing the fourteent of
august last and continued for one month
by me JAS. STEWART Capt"
There are allusions to the gun-boat in several places in the
records ; it was probably one of the means used by Colonel Bil-
lop to enforce the order to prevent communication between New
Jersey and Staten Island. This boat, for a time at least, ap-
pears to have been under the direction of Colonel Billop, and
was an unpopular affair to the people on both sides of the water.
It was an almost daily occurrence that those on board fired at
any person within their reach on the Jersey shores ; with what
effect, however, is not known. A company of a half dozen Jer-
seymen once attempted to get possession of the boat, but failed.
It was lying at anchor one bright moonlight night under the
shore of the island, and as no person was seen moving on board,
they supposed their opportunity bad come. Accordingly, one
of their number was sent in a small boat to row up some
distance above the gun-boat, and then to drift silently down
with the ebb tide, and, as he passed, to observe whether there
was any person on her deck. He succeeded in accomplishing
his purpose, but discovered a man sitting flat upon the deck,
apparently engaged in strapping a knife upon his boot. When
he reached the shore he made his report, and the enterprise
was abandoned for the time, nor do we know that it was ever
after renewed.
The sloop "Neptune" was kept as a guard-boat, stationed
above Decker's ferry. She was in command of Captain Palfrey.
By some untoward circumstances she drifted or by some means
fell within range of the guns of the fort at Elizabeth town point on
the morning of October 15th, and there she grounded. Captain
Coogle, who was in command at Decker's ferry, discovered her
situation and sent Cornelius Hetfield, who had command of a
gun-boat at that post, with twenty men to recover the sloop.
The latter was at once joined by Job Hetfield in another boat,
well manned, and they both set off for the " Neptune," which by
206 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
this time had been boarded by about thirty men from the oppo-
site shore. The latter, seeing the superior numbers and strength
of their assailants, abandoned the sloop and the Hetfield party
went on board. The cannon from the fort now opened on the
sloop and the fire was returned by the Heth'elds. For several
hours the vessel remained aground, before the tide arose suffi-
ciently to float her, and during that time firing continued with
more or less activity. Though several men were wounded, and
perhaps some killed, and considerable damage done, the boat
was able to escape to her station.
November 24, 1779, Sir Henry Clinton issued his proclama-
tion to procure fuel for the approaching winter. It was well
that he thus early made preparation for the needs of his army
during what proved to be a long and extremely cold winter.
He required all persons who had obtained permission to cut
wood "off certain lands on Long Island and Staten Island im-
mediately to bring what wood they have cut to this market,"
and required all owners of woodlands on those islands to cut and
cart their wood to the most contiguous landings in such propor-
tion "as will fully answer the intent and meaning of this proc-
lamation and prevent the disagreeable necessity of granting
permission to their wood to be cut by others. 1 ' Later in the
winter, Governor James Robertson, of the province of New
York, issued a proclamation forbidding the cutting of wood on
the estates of persons " supposed to be in rebellion."
The third important attempt to invade the island was made
during this winter which is known as the hard winter of 1779-
80. The American forces were quartered in New Jersey for
the winter, but poorly clothed, provisioned and armed. Gen-
eral Washington, in his quarters at Morristown, planned this
expedition, and left its direction to General Stirling. From
their peculiar exposure and sufferings at the moment, the com-
mander-in-chief, perhaps, suggested this attack, to divert the
minds of his discontented men from their numerous and fear-
ful forebodings. The American army was then encamped on
the hills back of Morristown, the encampment extending sev-
eral miles into the country. Their canvas tents afforded but a
miserable security from the rain, sleet and snow. On the 3d of
January came one of the most tremendous snow storms ever
remembered. Some of their sheltering hovels and tents were
blown down or torn to pieces, and the soldiers became like
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 207
sheep under the snow, which fell to a depth of from four to six
feet. So obstructed were the roads as to prevent the usual re-
ceipt of supplies, and for ten days each man had but two pounds
of meat and some even were entirely destitute. But why con-
tinue the details of the condition of the American army during
that hard winter ? They are matters of general history. We
have given enough to show that it was under the most disheart-
ening circumstances that the plan of invading Staten Island
was conceived and set in operation.
General Stirling was dispatched with a body of the troops to
attack the outposts of the enemy on Staten Island. They pro-
ceeded in sleighs, and crossing the river on the ice at Elizabeth-
town point, took up their line of march toward the present site
of Port Richmond. The bridge of ice was sufficient to allow
the passage of any force across the kills, and it was supposed
that the same obstruction would prevent the movement of re-
inforcements to the enemy by means of their shipping in the
bay. The detachment under Stirling numbered about two
thousand five hundred men.
When a little east of Port Richmond the column divided,
part marching onward toward New Brighton, where the British
post had been erected on the hills, and the other wing proceed-
ing up Mill lane, the present Columbia street of West New
Brighton, and approached the mill which stood at the head of
the pond. The night of the 14th, on which they made this
long passage from camp to the designed scene of action was a
starry night, bright and clear, but so intensely cold that about
one third of the men were more or less wounded by the biting
frost. The intent was to surprise Skinner's brigade of new re-
cruits, but it was soon discovered that their designs had been
anticipated by the enemy, information having reached them
through the kind offices of their tory friends. A surprise was
now out of the question, and as the works of the enemy were
well situated and apparently strong, and the means of receiv-
ing reinforcements from New York not obstructed as had been
expected, it was deemed unadvisable to make an assault.
The troops spent the day of the 15th of January and the fol-
lowing night on the island, in snow waist deep, protecting them-
selves as well as they could from the inclement weather by
making huge fires of the cordwood which they found piled up
where they halted. The British during the day sent a boat to
208 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
New York, which returned at evening with reinforcements. On
the morning of the 16th Stirling withdrew his detachment to
Elizabethtown. The official report of Stirling concludes with
the following statements :
" The retreat was effected in good order, and with very little
loss. A party of the enemy's horse charged our rear guard
under Major Edwards, but was immediately repulsed. The
major had three men killed. Some few of the men were frost
bitten, and though we took all the pains in our power to have
all those unable to march transported in sleighs, yet I imagine
a very few may have been left behind.
" Immediately after crossing, a party was detached under
Lieutenant-Colonel Willett, to Decker's house. The corps there
had been alarmed and barely made its escape. The house as
a garrison place, and 8 or 9 small vessels were burned. A con-
siderable quantity of blankets and other stores were found.
" While the troops were upon the island, a number of per-
sons from this side [Elizabethtown] took advantage of the oc-
casion to pass upon the island, and plunder the people there in
the most shameful and merciless manner. Many of them were
stopped on their return, and their booty taken from them. In
addition to which, I have sent an order for publication, requir-
ing those who had eluded the search to restore the articles in
their possession, and exhorting the good people at large, to as-
sist in detecting them. All the soldiery on recrossing the ice,
were searched, and the little plunder they had taken from them,
and their names noted, that they may be brought to punish-
ment. The articles recovered are, and will be deposited with
the Revd. Mr. Caldwel, who is exerting himself in the affair,
to be returned to the owners. I am happy to inform your Ex-
cellency, that a very inconsiderable part indeed, of the troops,
dishonored themselves, by participating in these enormities.''
Additional light is thrown upon the affair by the following
extract from a letter from an officer on board the British brig
" Hawk," lying off Staten Island at the time.
" On the 15th inst. at Day break, the Alarm was given, that
the Rebels were on Staten Island, an Express was sent on
board from Gen. Sterling to prepare for Action; we immedi-
ately got a Spring on our Cable and cleared Ship, the Rebels
appeared on the Hill over the Ferry, and brought a Field Piece
to bear upon us, which we perceiving, fired our bow Gun twice
HISTOKV OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 20U
at them, the second shot roused them from a Meal they wer
making of broiled Beef Stakes; their Fire from the Field Piece
was well directed, but the Shot fell short of us some Yards.
A large Party of Rebels came down to burn the Houses and For-
age, we fired on them, shot one Man's Arm off; he bled to death
and now lays in the snow; our Firing made them retreat as fast
as possible up the Hill to their main Body (which by the In-
formation of two Prisoners and a Deserter that we had on board,
consisted of 4,000 Foot, 200 Horse, 6 Brass Field Pieces 6
Pounders, and a Number of Art.illery Men) Gen. Skinner sent
a Letter on board, thanking us for the Service we did. 'Tis
certain that the 'Hawk' prevented the Forage, the Tavern,
and all the Houses in that Neighborhood from being burnt. A
Number of Men, Women and Children came on board for Ref-
uge with their Goods and Effects."
Another British account contains so much that will be read
with interest that it is presented here. Proper allowances must
be made for the partisan coloring in these statements of inter-
ested persons at the time :
" On Friday Night the 14th inst. a large Detachment from
the Rebel Army, consisting, it is supposed, of between 3 and
4000 Men, with 6 Pieces of Cannon, and 2 Howitzers, moved
suddenly from the Neighborhood of Morris-Town, and being
(as it is reported) transported in Sleighs over the Ice, reached
Staten-Island before Day break in the Morning of the 15th,
bending their March towards Decker' s-Ferry. Colonel Buskirk
commanding the 4th Battalion of Brigadier- General Skinner's
Brigade posted there, having received Intelligence of their Ap-
proach, judged it proper to retire towards Ryerson's Ferry, not
being in Force sufficient to oppose so considerable a corps.
The Rebels pursued their March, and before Noon took Post
upon the Heights, near the Redoubts, constructed at the North
End of the Island : from their Position, cutting off the Com-
munication between the Corps hutted there, and the Troops at
Richmond and the Flag Staff : they remained in this Situation
till early in the Morning of the 16th, when they were observed
retiring from Staten Island, without attempting any Thing ;
they burnt Decker's House, and a very few small Vessels frozen
in by the Ice at that Place. A small Detachment which har-
assed their Rear, made a few Prisoners ; and several Deserters
came to the different Posts during their Stay on the Island.
14
210 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
"They committed many Excesses, in plundering and dis-
tressing the Inhabitants.
"Sixteen Prisoners have been already sent to New York ;
and it is imagined there are others not yet arrived from Staten
Island."
It may be noted in passing that the ice soon after became
more solid, and there was a bridge across the bay from the is-
land to New York, over which loaded sleighs and other heavy
burdens were drawn. A paper of February 7 has the item that
eighty six loaded sleighs passed over on the ice the day before.
The most intense frost, accompanied by great falls of snow be-
gan about the middle of December, and shut up navigation to
the port of New York from the sea for many weeks. The se-
verity of the weather increased to such an extent that about
the middle of January all communication with New York city
by water was cut off, and new means opened by the ice. The
passage of the North river from the city was about the 19th of
January practicable for the heaviest cannon, a circumstance
previously unknown in the memory of man. Soon after pro-
visions were transported in sleighs, and detachments of cavalry
marched from New York to Staten Island upon the ice. The
East river was also blocked up for many days. In this state of
their communications the British on New York island were ap-
prehensive of an attack from the army of Washington, and set
on foot a project for putting the loyal expressions of the in-
habitants to a test by raising about forty companies of troops
among them. This gave them good courage and they actually
began to hope that the Americans would make an attack, so
well prepared did they feel to resist it. It was not until the
20th of February that the frost abated so as to allow the waters
surrounding New York to become navigable.
General Knyphansen, who had command of the Hessian
troops on Staten Island, early in June, 1780, resolved to make
an incursion into New Jersey, Springfield being the point to
which his efforts were to be directed. On the night of the 6th
he passed over with about five thousand men, accompanied by
Generals Robertson, Tryonand Sterling to Elizabethtown point.
The militia stationed near there fired upon them and Sterling-
was wounded in the thigh. The British troops, however,
maintained their march and reached the town (Elizabeth) early
in the morning of the 7th, whence, after a halt, they moved on
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 211
toward Springfield. Finding the forces in that direction too
strong to oppose, he drew back to Elizabethtown and awaited
the arrival of Clinton and Arbuthnot on their return from
Charlestown. The main strength of AVashington's army now
being engaged in guarding points along the North river which
were threatened by the British commander, Knyphausen hav-
ing been reinforced marched again toward Springfield, where
he engaged the Americans under Green and Dickenson, on the
23d. From this engagement he returned the same day to Eliza-
bethtown, and during the night following brought his entire
army across to Staten Island.
Toward the end of October, 1780, there was great excite-
ment among the British on Staten Island, caused by a rumor
that Lafayette had arrived in the vicinity of Elizabethtown
with a large force, and furnished with boats on wheels, and
that he meditated an attack on the British posts on the
island. Every precaution was taken to prevent a surprise; the
defenses were all strengthened, and defects which they sup-
posed would not be observed by the inexperienced and unedu-
cated eyes of the American officers, but which the more culti-
vated observation of the French would readily detect, were re-
paired so far as time and means permitted. Simcoe marched
his rangers down from Richmond to Billop's point toward the
close of the day, in full view of the people on the opposite
shore, to create the impression that an inroad into New Jersey
was about to be made, and then marched them back again
through the interior after dark. Reinforcements were sent from
New York city, and Simcoe issued the following procla-
mation :
" The Lt. Colonel has received information that M. Lafayette,
a Frenchman, at the head of some of his majesty's deluded
subjects, has threatened to plant French colors on the Rich-
mond redoubts. The Lt. Colonel believes the report to be a
gasconade; but as the evident ruin of the enemy's affairs may
prompt them to some desperate attempt, the Queen's Rangers
will lay in their clothes this night, and have their bayonets in
perfect good order."
He also had orders from the commander-in-chief to abandon
his post " if the enemy should land in such force as to make,
in his opinion, the remaining there attended with risk." Noth-
ing, however, came of this alarm.
212 . HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
The following letter, sent by Washington to Captain Judah
Alden, commanding officer at Dobb's ferry, indicates that the
American leader had some important scheme in contemplation
which for some reason or other was never carried out, and the
details of which are unknown to us. Nevertheless we consider
the letter worthy of preservation, as it shows that Washing-
ton's eye was frequently turned toward Staten Island, and that
he had a lively sense of the importance of this little bit of terri-
tory in the great struggle.
" HEADQUARTERS, 23d Novem., 1780.
" SIR : I impart to you in confidence that I intend to execute
an enterprise against Staten Island to-morrow night, for
which reason I am desirous of cutting off all intercourse with
the enemy -on the east side of the river. You will therefore to-
morrow at retreat beating set a guard upon any boats which
may be at the flat or neck, and not suffer any to go out on any
pretense whatever until next morning. Toward evening you
will send a small party down to the Closter landing, and if they
find any boats there you will give orders to have them scuttled
in such a manner that they cannot be immediately used, but to
prevent any possibility of it the party may remain there until to-
ward daylight but are not to make fires or discover themselves
and then return to your post. I depend upon the punctual
observation of this order, and that you will keep this motive
a secret. Acknowledge the rec' t of this, that I may be sure
you have got it.
" I am, Sir, Yr. Most obt. Servt.,
" GEO. WASHINGTON."
On Friday evening, February 23, 1781, Capt. Cornelius Het-
field, with a party of five tory refugees from New Jersey, crossed
over to Elizabethtown and attacked the command of Captain
John Craig, who was posted there. Seizing them by surprise
the assailants were able to secure the captain and ten men as
prisoners, and with them they returned to Staten Island. A
similar raid was made on the night of March 1st, when a party
of tories brought off Commissioner Clossen and an ensign
and another man. The same method of partisan warfare was
being prosecuted by the whigs from New Jersey, who made
frequent descents upon the tories of the island, carried away
prisoners and plundered their families.
On the 20th of March a party of militia and refugees from the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 213
island, under command of Lieut. Richard Seaman of the militia
and Joseph Shotwell of the refugees, made an incursion several
miles into the country in the township of Woodbridge, where
they captured and brought off two subalterns and eleven pri-
vates of the New Jersey militia. On their return they boasted
with apparent pride that they had not stooped to the mean-
ness of plundering the houses of those who fell in their power.
The leader of the above exploit was at this time desirous to
dispose of his farm, as will be seen by the following announce-
ment, which is too much of a curiosity to be thrown away.
" To be sold at Vendue, On Thursday the 19th inst, The Farm
belonging to Richard Seaman, very pleasantly situated on the
south side of Staten-Island (formerly the mansion house and
part of the valuable plantation that did belong to Mr. Jaquis
Poilloin, deceased) containing 190 acres, exclusive of the beach
and flats on the front of the said farm, which will be included
in the purchase on which comes great quantities of sea weed (a
very valuable manure.) On said farm is a good house, barn,
and all other necessary out-houses, a very good apple orchard, of
above 200 ingrafted trees of the best fruit, now in its prime,
with most sorts of other fruit trees, common to this country.
The natural advantages of this plantation are so well known,
that it is unnecessary to say any more on the subject. The
vendue will be held on the premises, where the conditions of
sale will be made known by Richard Seaman."
On Saturday evening, the 21st of April, Capt. Cornelius Bit-
field, with some of his tory refugees and a detachment of Gen-
eral Skinner's corps under his command, crossed over to Eliza-
bethtown, where they surprised and drove in the picket. Here
they engaged in a skirmish, in which one of their number,
Elias Mann, a tory, was killed. Hetfield and one private were
also wounded. The party succeeded in liberating one Michael,
a tory, who was held there in chains, and then made good their
return to the island.
A return of this kind of excursion took place on Tuesday,
May 9th. Captain Hendricks, accompanied by a sergeant and
eleven men, came from Elizabethtown to the island and at-
tempted to take the patrol of the First battalion of New Jersey
loyalists. Finding it impossible to surprise them they secreted
themselves in the woods until they supposed the patrol had left
the neighborhood, but were discovered later and a skirmish
214 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
ensued, in which one man was killed, another wounded, and
two of the assailants made prisoners. They then retired to the
Jersey shore.
We give the account of another of these incursions as related
from the British stand-point. On the 29th of June a party, con-
sisting of thirty-eight of the First battalion of New Jersey vol-
unteers, with about thirty-four militia and refugees, the former
under the command of Lieutenant Hutchinson and Ensign
Barton, and the latter under command of Captains Durham and
Robbins, landed at Twembley's point, near the mouth of Rail-
way river and surrounded a tavern in hopes of taking three
rebel light horse, who were supposed to be stationed there to
give notice of any troops approaching from Staten Island. Not
finding these men here they proceeded to the house of one
Captain Amos Morse, who was surprised and taken out of his
bed, with four other " rebels." The party then went in search
of cattle, and succeeded in capturing about forty head, and
eighty sheep. As they were driving them to the landing at
Twembley's point about forty of the "rebels" having collected,
pursued them, and a skirmish ensued, in which twenty of the
pursuers were made prisoners and some others were wounded.
The British and tories were then able to land their booty and
prisoners on Staten Island.
July 21st Captain Heth'eld made an incursion into New Jer-
sey and brought off Lieutenant Obadiah Meeker and fourteen
privates of the "rebel" militia as prisoners, with whom he re-
turned to Staten Island.
On the night of the 23d of August a party from New Bruns-
wick, under command of Captain Hyler, in six boats, landed
on the island and took off with them three tories and nine
horses. They also collected about one hundred head of. cattle
on the shore, but the militia of the island being apprised of
their movements, they were unable to convey them away.
The incident related in the following paragraph, taken from
a newspaper of November 12, 1781, shows the social possibili-
ties under a martial condition such as that in which Staten
Island then lay :
" Last Saturday William Hetfield, an inhabitant of Elizabeth-
Town, Railway, came to Staten Island with a small quantity of
flour to dispose of, that he might get some hard money which
would enable him to pay the taxes imposed by the rebel Gov-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 215
ernor : On his return in the evening, he was met in the Sound
by one Peter Terrat, a noted thief, who supports himself and a
gang of such miscreants, by robbing and plundering ; to him
and his party Hettield surrendered himself; but after he was
a prisoner, Terrat thought Hetfield threw something overboard,
on which the infernal fiend took a pistol out of his pocket and
shot him dead, laid the body on the bank of the Sound, and
went off exulting with the other prisoners he had taken.
" Hetfield has left a wife and several children to lament their
loss. It is said the people of the county, detesting such horrid
violence, intend making enquiry into the murder, and punish
the villain as he deserves.
" We since hear that a Jury has brought a verdict against
him guilty of murder, on which he fled from justice."
Captain Adam Hyler, who has been already mentioned, made
many predatory raids on Long Island, Staten Island and in New
Jersey. He was an active partisan in and about that part of
New Jersey where he resided. As his expeditions against the
enemy were chiefly conducted by water, and in small boats, it
is probable that he held his title of captain by courtesy, and not
by commission. In January, 1782, a party of infantry from
Staten Island, in six boats, went up the Raritan to New Bruns-
wick, and before daylight succeeded in capturing all his boats.
In less than a month thereafter Hyler launched a large new boat
built for thirty oars.
The following, taken from a paper, published in New York, in
the interests of the royalists, is another instance of the enter-
prise and indomitable resolution of Hyler. The date is July
15, 1782 :
" Last Tuesday night Mr. Hyler took 2 fishing boats near the
Narrows, and ransomed them for $100 each. One of them has
been twice captured."
The same day " a little before sunset, Mr. Hyler, with 3 large
24-oared boats, made an attack on the galley stationed at
Prince's Bay, south side of Staten Island. VThere being little
or no wind, he came up with a good deal of resolution, but
Capt. Cashman gave him an 18-pounder, which went through
the stern of one of the boats, and obliged Hyler to put ashore
on the Island, where, after a smart combat, he was obliged to
leave one of his boats and make the best of his way home with
the other two."
21 G HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
"John Althouse, with 12 men, was on board a guard-boat at
anchor in Prince's Bay, when two whale boats were descried
under South Amboy shore. It was calm. The cable was sprung
and a 24- pounder brought to bear, which sent a shot through
Hyler's boat. His crew were taken in the other boat, (Dickey's)
and all made off for New Brunswick with Gen. Jacob S. Jack-
son, whom they had captured in South Bay, and kept prisoner
till he was ransomed."
The mantle of Captain Hyler appears to have fallen on other
shoulders after his death. The New Jersey Gazette of Novem-
ber 18, 1782, says: "The brave Capt. Storer, commissioned as
a private boat-of-war, under the States, and who promises fail-
to be the genuine successor of the late valiant Capt. Hyler, has
given a recent instance of his valor and conduct in capturing
one of the enemy's vessels, and in cutting out a vessel lying
Tinder the nag-staff and within half pistol shot of the battery
of 14 guns, at the watering-place, Staten Island.' 1
But the years of war were drawing to a close. The tale of
plunder, rapine and murder, committed under the pretext of
war was closed, and on the 16th of June, 1783, Adjutant Gen-
eral De Lancey issued from his headquarters in New York the
proclamation by which all estates on the island were to be im-
mediately delivered up to their proprietors or their attorneys.
This, however, did not entirely conclude the condition of war.
<>] abolish the presence of a soldiery. A few months of hesi-
tancy ensued.
On the 25th day of November, 1783, the British finally evacu-
ated New York and Staten Island. Eight years before, they
had entered the country with the expectation that, in less than
as many months, they would overrun it from north to south,
and trample out the rebellion. The people should be made to
bow with abject submission before the invincible power of Great
Britain, and humbly sue for the privilege of lying in the dust
and having her foot placed upon their necks. The march of the
army through the land, from its beginning to its end, was to be
an uninterrupted triumph. But they now returned overcome
and crestfallen. The rebellion which they came to conquer had
conquered them, and their overweening arrogance and pride had
received a blow such as it had never received before nor has
since. An eye witness of their departure described the scene as
in the highest degree impressive. Several days before the 25th
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
bad been occupied in conveying the troops, cannon, tents, etc.,
from the land to the vessels, both in New York and on Staten
Island. When all was ready, they passed through the Narrows
silently ; not a sound was heard save the rattling of the cordage.
"We stood," he said, "on the heights at the Narrows, and
looked down upon the decks of their ships as they passed. We
were very boisterous in our demonstrations of joy ; we shouted,
we clapped our hands, we waved our hats, we sprang into the
air, and some few, who had brought muskets with them, fired a
feu-dejoie. A few others, in the exuberance of their gladness,
indulged in gestures, which, though very expressive, were
neither polite nor judicious. The British could not look upon
the scene without making some demonstration of resentment.
A large seventy-four, as she was passing, fired a shot which
struck the bank a few feet beneath the spot upon which we
were standing. If we had had a cannon, we would have re-
turned it, but as we had none, we ran away as fast as we could.
A few rods from us stood another group, composed of men and
women,- who gazed silently, and some tearfully, upon the pass-
ing ships, for some of the females had lovers, and some
husbands on board of them, who were leaving them behind,
never, probably, to see them again. It was long after dark
when the last ship passed through the Narrows."
But they did not all go ; many of the soldiers, especially
Hessians, who had no home attractions across the water, when
they learned that peace had been declared, and that the army
would shortly leave the country, deserted, and sought places of
concealment, from which they emerged when the power to arrest
them had departed. Many had formed attachments which they
were unwilling to sunder. But many more were detained by
admiration of the country, and a desire to make for themselves
a new home in a new world. From some of these have descend-
ed men whose names are written in the country's history.
Let us turn now for a brief space to review the period of the
war and its general effect upon the people. If the history of
the sufferings of the people of Staten Island during the war
could be written, it would present a picture too dreadful to
contemplate. Neither age, sex nor condition were exempt from
insults and outrages of the grossest character; no home was too
sacred to protect its inmates from injury; the rights of prop-
erty were not recognized, if the invader coveted it; even the
218 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
temples of God were desecrated; the law of might alone pre-
vailed. Proclamations and professions of good will and protec-
tion were repeatedly promulgated, but those who relied on
them usually reaped disappointment. It was useless to appeal
to those high in authority, for the complaints of the people
were unheeded, and redress of injuries, except under pecu-
liar circumstances, could not be obtained. If a British officer's
horse was in need of hay or oats, a h'le of soldiers was sent
to any farmer who was known to have a supply, to sieze and
take away what was wanted. If the officer himself needed a
horse, the same method was adopted to procure one. Money,
provisions and even bedding and household furniture, were
taken by force; sometimes promises of payment were made, but
these were seldom fulfilled. The course adopted by the British
while in possession of the island, effectually alienated many of
the friends of the royal cause, and hence it was that so many
of them, at the close of the war, eagerly took the oath of al-
legiance to the new government, and so few adhered to the
cause of the king, and followed its fortune.
Numerous instances of suffering are preserved in the tradi-
tions of some of the old families of the island. There was
one man of local notoriety whose name is still remembered and
mentioned by the descendants of those whose misfortune it
was to suffer at his hands; his name was Nathaniel Robbins;
he resided at what is now known as New Springville, but
the house which he occupied was demolished many years
ago. It stood near the corner of the roads leading to Rich-
mond and Port Richmond, fronting on the former. He was
an Englishman by birth, dissolute in his habits, and the terror
not only of those who dwelt in his neighborhood, but of the
whole county. His wife was a native of Staten Island, and a
daughter of the widow Mary Merrill. The opinion which his
wife's mother entertained of him may be inferred from a
clause in her will, which was dated January loth, 1789, and
in which she bequeaths to her daughter Mary Robbins the
sum of 40, " so as never to be in the power or at the command
of Nathaniel Robbins, her present husband." His depreda-
tions were generally committed under some disguise, which
he supposed effectually concealed his identity, though he was
often betrayed by his voice or some other tell-tale circumstance.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 219
He had his associates it is true, who were also well known, but
Robbins was regarded as the leader and soul of the gang.
Those families residing near the sound, or "the lines," as it
was called, suffered more from marauders than those who
dwelt in the interior, because the opportunities for approach
and escape there were more convenient. As part of the local
history of the island, authenticated chiefly by family tradi-
tions, which are accepted as reliable, several instances are
subjoined.
At or near Chelsea dwelt several families of the name of
Prall,someof whose descendants are among the most respectable
of our citizens at the present day. Among them were two
brothers, Abraham and Peter, both prosperous farmers and
men of substance. The house in which the former resided has
since been considerably modernized, on the Chelsea road, at no
great distance from the Richmond turnpike. The Chelsea road
at that time was little better than a private lane leading to
these residences from the main r<>ad, and passing through
dense woods. Oh one occasion a man who was indebted to
Abraham Prall called on him and paid him a considerable sum
in gold. The next evening the family were surprised by the
approach of two men, who were evidently disguised. Their
errand was at once suspected, and the old man had just time
enough to take the money he had received out of the cupboard
in which he had deposited it, and put it into his pockets.
When the strangers entered one of them presented a pistol at
him and said, "Prall, we know you have money, so deliver it
up at once." He was very much alarmed, and his wife, per-
ceiving his agitation, said, "Father, don't be alarmed, these
men are our neighbors." She had detected the speaker by his
voice, and knew him to be the same person who had paid the
money the previous evening, and had seen it deposited in the
cupboard. " Do you suppose," said the old man, "that I am
so unwise as to keep any large sum of money in my house in
times like these I You are welcome to any money you may
rind in the house." They took him at his word, and the cup-
board was the first place visited.
The rest of the house was also searched, but without success.
They then turned to go, but directed the old man to go before
them through the lane to the public road. The path through
the woods was intensely dark, and he managed, as he went
220 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
along, to drop his guineas, one by one, upon the ground, until
by the time they had reached the highway he had none remain-
ing in his pockets. Here another effort was made to compel
him to tell what he had done with it, but all the reply they
could extort from him was, "The money I had in my house
yesterday is not now in my possession." He was then searched,
and made to solemnly swear that he would never divulge the
circumstances of their visit, nor mention any names he might
suspect. The oath, though by no means obligatory, he scrupu-
lously kept. The next morning he retraced his steps of the pre-
vious night, and picked up every piece of his money.
A younger member of one of these families, while on his way
homeward, at a late hour, on horseback, near the corner of the
Port Richmond and Signs roads, New Springville, was suddenly
stopped by a man, who rushed out of the bushes, seized his
horse by the bridle, and ordered him to "deliver up." The
horse was very spirited, and with a touch of the rider's spur
suddenly sprang forward, throwing his assailant violently to
the ground. Then, at the utmost of his speed, he made for
home, springing over every fence or other obstacle, until he
reached his stable door in safety.
At another time, two young men took a sleigh ride to the
south side of the island. When they returned, before remov-
ing the harness from their beasts, they ran into the house for a
moment to warm their hands, when one of the family came run-
ning into the room saying that somebody was taking their
horses away. Rushing out together, they saw two men in their
sleighs driving rapidly in the direction of the sound. As pursuit
was useless they stood still, and saw the thieves cross the sound
on the ice, until they reached the Jersey shore, and then dis-
appear in the country. They never saw their horses afterward.
Mr. John Bodine, who then lived on the present poor house
farm, having received a considerable sum of money, suspected
that the fact was known, and if so, that an attempt would be
made to rob him. He therefore buried it under the step-stone
at his back door. His suspicions proved to be well founded.
His expected visitors made their appearance the following even-
ing and demanded all the money he had in the house. It was
in vain that he protested that there was no money in the house.
They insisted on searching for it, but before doing so bound
him hand and foot, and then proceeded with their villainous
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 221
work. Nothing, however, was found. But they were not dis-
couraged. If the money was not in the house he had concealed
it, and must reveal the place. He concluded that if prevarica-
tion was ever justifiable it was under j*ust such circumstances
as those in which he was then placed, so he persisted in his de-
nial of having any or having concealed any. They threatened
to shoot him. He told them to shoot away, he could not give
them what he had not. Perceiving that the fear of death did
not intimidate him, they resorted to torture. They heated a
shovel, and proceeded to burn him on various parts of his body,
but all in vain ; he persisted in his denial, and they finally de-
sisted, supposing it to be improbable, if not impossible, for any
man to endure so much agony for any amount of money.
It was not only money that excited the rapacity of these
thieves. Household furniture, clothing, linen, anything that
had value in their eyes was ruthlessly parried away. One family
had a vault constructed under the floor of a cider mill in which
beds, bedding and other articles, except some of the most com-
mon description, and in constant use, were concealed. Several
years after the war a man who resided near " the lines," being
on business in New Jersey, discovered in one house a mirror
and several pictures belonging to himself, of which his house
had been robbed during the war.
We are indebted for the following incident to a man who
died more than a quarter of a century ago, then in his ninetieth
year.
One afternoon, late in the fall, two British officers on horse
back rode into his barn-yard, and having dismounted, entered
the barn, and seeing two horses in their stalls, peremptorily
ordered him to take them out and put theirs in. They then
directed him to see that their beasts were well fed and other-
wise cared for. From the barn they went into the house, and
ordered the mistress to show them her best room. This being
done, they proceeded to the upper part of the house, and after
having examined every apartment, selected one, and directed
her to prepare two beds in that room, and to see to it that they
were clean and comfortable in all respects, and that the best
room was furnished with everything suitable for the accommo-
dation of gentlemen. They then descended into the cellar, and
examined the family stores there and in the out-houses. Hav-
ing ascertained the conveniences of the place, they ordered their
222 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
supper to be prepared and served in the best room, informing
her that they intended to reside there for some time, a.nd ex-
pected to have their meals served regularly every day when
they were at home. They brought no luggage with them except
what was contained in two large valises strapped to their
saddles.
They remained in that house until spring. Their clothes
were thrown out every week to be washed, and by their order a
supply of fire-wood was constantly ready at their door. They
did not always take the trouble to put the wood on their
own lire, frequently calling on some one of the family to do
it for them. One of them was a tory officer from Amboy, the
other was an Englishman. Said the old man, "They lorded it
over our house for that whole winter, and all we had to do was
to obey them. There was no use in complaining or remonstrat-
ing. If we had done so, we would have been requited with a
curse and a blow of their swords. I felt like poisoning them,
and verily believe I should have done so if it had not been for
fear of the consequences. They left us as unceremoniously as
they came, without even a ' thank you ' or a ' good-bye.' '
It is related of a young woman, the daughter of a farmer residing
in the vicinity of the Fresh kills, while engaged one morning in
boiling soap, two soldiers entered the kitchen and ordered her
to prepare breakfast for them ; she declined to do so, as she
was otherwise engaged, and could not leave her employment to
oblige anybody. This reply excited their wrath, and one of
them approached her with an intention of striking her. Seizing
a large dipper, she filled it with the boiling liquid and dashed
it at him. Perceiving her intention, he wheeled suddenly
around and thus saved his face, but received the whole charge
upon the back of his head and neck. His companion, fearing
a similar reception, escaped as quickly as possible, but the
scalded ruffian, in endeavoring to remove the hot soap, took all
the hair off with it, which never grew again, but left the back
of his head bald ever after.
Another farmer in the same vicinity, while he and one of his
sons were engaged in the barn one morning, was suddenly
alarmed by a cry for help from the house. Each seizing a hay-
fork, the farmer and his son ran in and found three soldiers in
the house, one of whom was holding one of the young women
by the arm. They both rushed at him, first one stabbed him
HISTORY OF RICIOIOND COUNTY. 223
in the shoulder, and the other in the thigh, disabling him at
once. With the same weapons they attacked the other two,
driving them all before them out of the house, and pursuing
them for some distance down the road.
The following romantic incident, though traditional, is well
authenticated :
Forty years ago or more there stood an old stone house nearly
on the site later occupied by the residence of Capt. R. Chris-
topher, in West New Brighton. For many years before it was
demolished it was owned and occupied by the late Nathaniel
Brit ton, Jr., but the name of the occupant during the early
years of the revolution had entirely escaped the memory of the
narrator. He was, however, a prominent tory, and the father
of a daughter said to have possessed more than an ordinary de-
gree of personal attractions. Before the commencement of the
war she was affianced to a young man named Mersereau, who
resided at or near Holland's Hook. A young British lieuten-
ant saw and admired her, and probably from the outset marked
her for a victim. He succeeded in becoming acquainted with
her, and to the gratification of her father, became very assid-
uous in his attentions. She, however, rejected his advances.
After several months, finding he had utterly failed in impress-
ing her with a sense of the honor of his alliance, he resolved to
possess himself of her person, at all hazards. The same young
tory who, on another occasion, betrayed Colonel Mersereau' s
presence with his family, and who, it would appear, was some-
what noted for his unscrupulousness, was applied to by the
lieutenant. The plot agreed upon between them was carried
into execution, with results as follows :
Almost directly opposite the junction of the road from Gar-
retson's station with the old Richmond road, then called the
King's highway, there is a deep ravine, penetrating some dis-
tance into Todt hill, at the farthest extremity of which there is
a spring of water. Near this, before the war commenced, a
solitary individual had built a rude cabin, in which he dwelt
for several years, but when hostilities began he disappeared,
leaving the cabin vacant. The approach to it was by a foot
path through the dense forest which lined the hills on either
side of the ravine. One evening the young tory called at the
residence of the young lady, and informed her that he had been
sent to convey her to the residence of her aunt, near Richmond,
224 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
who had been taken suddenly ill, and had requested her to
come to her. Suspecting no evil, and being much attached to
her relative, she was soon ready to accompany him. Springing
into the wagon which he had brought, she was rapidly driven
away. When they reached the entrance to the ravine, two men
rushed out of the bushes, seized the horse by the bridle, and
ordered the occupants of the wagon to alight. One of them
pretended to take possession of the driver, while the other led
the young lady up the foot-path into the ravine, cautioning her
that her safety depended upon her silence.
So far the plot had been carried out successfully, but there
was an avenger nearer than they suspected. They had taken
but a few steps in the direction of the cabin, when several men
rushed out of the bushes and seized the lieutenant, for it was
he who had possession of the young lady. One of them took
her hand, assuring her that they were her protectors, and that
she need be under no apprehensions. Though they were all
disguised, she at once recognized Mersereau by his voice. Those
who had possession of the lieutenant proceeded to tie his hands,
informing him that they intended to do no further harm than
the infliction of a severe flogging ; and if he attempted to cry
out they would gag him. A bundle of supple rods was at hand,
and two of them, one after the other, inflicted the chastisement
which they had promised. Having punished him to their hearts'
content, they released him, with the warning that if, after the
expiration of a week, he was found on the island, they would
capture him again and cut off his ears. The young lady 'was
safely returned to her home by the same conveyance, but not
the same driver, for he had, by some means, disappeared. The
lieutenant also saved his ears by departure before the week ex-
pired. How the villainous plot was discovered was never posi-
tively known, but it was shrewedly suspected that the young
tory had played a double part, and for a consideration had be-
trayed his military employer. The horse and wagon remained
in the possession of Mersereau unclaimed for several weeks,
but was finally stolen one night, and never heard of after.
There is an instance of extraordinary self-possession and
prompt decision related of a young man named Houstnan,
which probably saved his life. He resided in the vicinity of
the Four Corners, and one morning, after a slight fall of snow
during the night, he went out with his gun in quest of rabbits.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 225
Though the people of the island, during its occupany by the
British, were prohibited from keeping tire-arms of any descrip-
tion in their houses, some few had succeeded in concealing guns,
which, from the associations connected with them, or for some
other reasons, were valuable to them. Such was the gun car-
ried by young Ilousman on this occasion. While tramping
through the woods, a sudden turn in the path brought him in
sight of two soldiers, who were probably out on the same er-
rand. They saw each other simultaneously, and each party
stopped. The young hunter thought of the loss of his gun, and
probably of his life also, but suddenly turning his back to the
soldiers, he waved his hand as if beckoning to some other per-
sons as he stepped back round the turn, and shouted out,
"Hurry up, here are two Britishers; three of you go round to
the right, and three to the left, and the rest of you follow me ;
hurry up, before they run away." What the "Britishers"
had to fear we know not, but hearing these directions, and fear-
ing there might be a small army about to surround them, they
turned and fled, throwing away their arms to facilitate their
flight. What report they made when they reached their quar-
ters is not known, but a detachment was sent out to capture the
young man and his army. Their surprise and mortification
must have been extreme, when at the turn in the path they
could only find the tracks of a single individual in the snow.
A farmer, whose name has passed into oblivion, residing " in
the Clove," left home late one day, leaving only his wife and
a lad of seventeen years at home. It was after dark before the
boy completed his work about the barn, but just as he was
coming out he saw a soldier enter the house with a musket in
hand. Before he had time to reach the house he heard his
mother shrieking for help. He rushed forward, and as he
entered saw the soldier holding his mother by the throat with
his left hand, while his right was drawn back to strike her.
When he entered, the soldier had placed his musket by the side
of the door in the passage ; the son seized it, and at the risk of
shooting his mother, levelled it at the ruffian's head and sent
a ball crashing through his brain, killing him on the spot. But
there was still cause for alarm. If the shot had been heard,
and should attract any person to the spot, an exposure must
necessarily follow and the lad would be executed, for no cir-
cumstances would be admitted as justification for killing a
15
226 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
soldier. Fortunately, however, the noise had not been heard,
or at least had attracted no attention. All that could now be
done was to conceal the body until the return of the husband
and father in the morning. This was done by dragging it under
the stairs, where it was not likely to be seen by any person but
themselves. The next morning, when the farmer returned, he
removed a part of his barn floor, under which he dug a grave;
and after dark the evening following the body was thrown
into it, and the musket also, and buried, and there they prob-
ably remain to this day. The family kept their own secret until
after the close of the war, and the evacuation of the island by
the British.
A man named Cole, residffig in Southfield, was the proprietor
of a remarkably fine gray horse. Several of the officers of the
army had offered to purchase him, but he declined to part with
him at any price. He had before sold a horse to an officer, who
had promised to pay for him within two months, but two years
had passed, and the debt was not yet discharged. At another
time a Hessian officer, who had been quartered upon him for a
short time, when he left, forcibly took away another horse, and
Cole had repeatedly vowed that no other officer should have
another horse of his unless he stole him ; he would shoot him
fii-st the horse, not the officer. Early one bright winter even-
ing he heard a commotion in his stable, and, always on the
alert, he thrust two pistols in his pockets and hastened out.
At the stable door he saw two soldiers attempting to put a
halter on the head of his favorite horse. "Hi, there," he
cried, " what are you going to do with that horse?" "Going
to take him away," replied one of them; " Colonel -
wants him, and sent us to get' him." " Well," said Cole, "you
just make up you minds that neither you nor the colonel shall
take that horse away without my consent." "Stand aside,
you d d rebel," said one of them, as Cole attempted to take
the horse from them, at the same time pointing a bayonet at
him, "or I'll make a hole through your heart." Without far-
ther reply, he drew one of his pistols and shot the horse
through the head ; "There, you infernal thieves," he exclaimed
as he threw the pistol down, "now you may take him." For
a moment the soldiers were amazed as they gazed on the
struggles of the dying animal, but soon recovering themselves,
they prepared to rush upon him with their bayonets, when Cole,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 227
presenting the other pistol, exclaimed, ''Come on, you thieves
and robbers, with your bayonets, and I'll drop one of you at
least." The soldiers considering discretion, in this instance,
the better part of valor, turned and walked away, threatening
him with the vengeance of the colonel. ''Go tell your master,"
said Cole, as he followed them to the gate, " that I'll serve him,
or you, or any other thief who comes upon my premises at
night to steal my property, as I served that horse."
The majority of the English, of all ranks, regarded the colo-
nists as physically, intellectually and morally inferior to them-
selves. In their social intercourse with them as well as in their
plundering, they made but little distinction between loyalists
and rebels. But there were some exceptions. Among the
officers of the British army were some who were gentlemen by
nature and by culture, and a few were eminently pious men,
who found no difficulty in reconciling their obligations to their
king with their duty to their Maker. These two latter classes
were ever ready to listen to the complaints of the oppressed,
and as far as lay in their power, to redress the wrongs of the
injured.
Of this class was Captain John Yoke, of whom the following
anecdote has been preserved. He was billeted upon a farmer
in the vicinity of Richmond for some two or three months, and,
unlike many other officers, regularly paid for his board and
lodging. A few days after he had removed his quarters, the
farmer came to him and informed him that during the previous
night his house had been entered and robbed of a sum of money,
and that he suspected that it had been done by soldiers, be-
cause beneath the window through which the house had been
entered, and which had been left open, he had found a button,
by means of which, perhaps, the culprits might be detected.
The captain took the button and promised to give the matter
his immediate attention. The button indicated the regiment as
well as the company to which the loser of it belonged. During
the parade that same day, he closely scrutinized the company
indicated, and found a soldier with a button missing on the
front of his coat. After parade he communicated his suspicions
to the colonel of the regiment, and the soldier was sent for.
When he arrived, the colonel, using a little artifice, informed
him that he suspected him of being implicated in a drunken
brawl the night before at a tavern a mile or two distant. This
228 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
the soldier denied, saying that he could prove he was nowhere
near that tavern, or even in that direction, during the night pre-
vious. "Were you out last night?" inquired the colonel;
"Well yes," answered the soldier, "but not in that direc-
tion." "Where were you?" "In various places, but not at
that tavern." "By whom can you prove that you were not
at that tavern : The name of another soldier was mentioned,
and the colonel sent for him. When he arrived, he corroborated
all the tirst had said, adding that they two had been together
all the night. " Then," said the colonel, " you two are the burg-
lars who entered the house of Mr. - - through a window last
night, and robbed him of twenty guineas. Lay down the money
upon this table, or you shall both be executed for burglary and
robbery." The affrighted soldiers, taken by surprise, confessed
their crime, and each placed ten guineas upon the table. What
punishment was meted out to the culprits is not related, but
Captain Yoke had the satisfaction of returning the money to
the owner thereof in less than twenty-four hours after it had
been stolen.
Though there were, in the royal army, both among the Eng-
lish and Hessians, a great many idle, dissolute and very wicked
men, officers as well as privates, there were also among them
many exemplary and industrious men, some of whom were me-
chanics and some agriculturists. An army doing garrison duty
has generally a good deal of idle time, which was employed by
these men to their own profit and advantage. Shoemakers, for
instance, frequently made boots and shoes for the officers and
their families, when they had any, and for the citizens of the
county ; and were permitted to take their surplus work to the
city to sell to dealers, for all of which they were generally well
paid. The government supplying all their personal wants, the
money thus earned accumulated until, at the close of the war,
many had large sums at their command. It was generally this
class who contrived to stay behind, purchase land, orcommence
business on their own account, sometimes, it is said, under as-
sumed names. Some of the agriculturists obtained permis-
sion from the neighboring farmers to clear and cultivate an acre
or two of land which the owners, in many instances, had con-
sidered worthless, because it was overgrown with bushes and
briars, and would cost more to clear, as they said, than the land
was worth. It is said that these industrious men literally made
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 229
the wilderness " blossom as the rose." By a thrifty system of
culture which they applied they were able to produce, as a ven-
erable informant declared, " more from a single acre than I
could raise on five."
That there was no lack of patriots on the island during the
war is shown by the following anecdote :
A man named Taylor not of the Staten Island family of that
name came over from New York, and took up his abode here
for the avowed purpose of trading with the English vessels. He
carried on the business for several months openly, and in defiance
of all the cautions he had received by means of anonymous letters,
which lie openly exhibited in public places, and held up to ridi-
cule. He defied any power which the rebels possessed to pre-
vent his doing as he pleased in the matter of trading with the
ships. One very dark and stormy night, five men entered his
dwelling unannounced. They were all disguised, and while a
part of them seized and bound him, the remainder per-
formed the same service for his wife. With pistols at their
heads, they were cautioned to make no outcry. Having se-
cured Taylor, they led him to his own barn, put a noose around
his neck, threw the rope over one of the beams, and hoisted
him from the floor by his neck ; then having fastened the rope
to a post, left him and went their way.
His wife hearing the men depart, apprehended something ser-
ious had occurred, and made most desperate efforts to loose the
thongs which bound her, and finally succeeded. Fortunately a
lighted lantern stood in an adjoining room, which she seized
and ran into the barn, where she found her worst apprehensions
realized by seeing her husband struggling in the agonies of
death. Finding she could not untie the knot around the
manger post, she found a hatchet, with which she cut the rope
and let him down upon the floor. Having removed the noose
around his neck, and finding him insensible, she ran to a neigh-
boring house for assistance, and at length succeeded in restor-
ing him to consciousness. Two or three days afterward Taylor
removed back again to New York, but he was accompanied by
a guard of soldiers all the way to the city.
At some time between the cessation of actual hostilities and
the evacuation by the British, the following incident is said to
have occurred :
There were many ships of war lying at anchor in various
230 HISTOKY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
parts of the harbor, mostly in the vicinity of the city ;
there were some, however, which lay in, and even beyond the
Narrows, and these were anchored as near the shores of Long and
Staten Islands, as could safely be done, for the convenience of
easy access to the land in all conditions of the weather, in order
that the officers might obtain supplies of butter, vegetables, etc.,
from the farms in the vicinity. One day a boy, some seventeen
or eighteen years of age, was in search of some stray cattle in
the woods near the water, and saw a ship's boat with two sailors
approaching. Supposing he might as well keep out of their
sight in that solitary place, he concealed himself behind a large
tree ; he saw them land, and while one of them remained in
charge of the boat, the other, with a basket in his hand, en-
tered the wood. After having proceeded a few rods, until he
was out of sight of his companion, and of everybody else, as
he supposed, he took off his coat, knelt down at the foot of a
large, gnarled tree, and, with an instrument resembling a ma-
son's trowel, dug a hole in the earth, and having deposited
something therein, carefully filled the hole again with earth,
and laid a large flat stone upon it. This done he arose to his
feet, and took a long and careful survey of the surroundings,
then proceeded on his way. The youth kept in his place of
concealment for two full hours, when he saw the sailor return-
ing with his basket apparently filled with vegetables. He
passed by the place where he had dug the hole, scrutinized
it closely, and then proceeded to the boat, which was still in
waiting for him, and returned to the ship. Assuring himself
that the coast was clear, the young man went to the place, re-
opened the hole, and found therein a heavy canvas bag, evi-
dently containing, as he judged by its sound, a quantity of
money. Securing the prize, and without waiting to re-fill the
hole, he hastened away, and found some other place of deposit,
known only to himself. A day or two thereafter posters were
put up in every public place, offering a large reward for the
recovery of three hundred guineas, which had been stolen from
one of his majesty's ships, being the property of the govern-
ment, and an additional reward for the detection of the thief,
but the boy kept his own counsel. The theft occasioned a good
deal of talk at the time, but it was soon forgotten in the ex-
citement consequent upon the declaration of peace and the
preparations for the departure of the British from the country.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 231
For nearly four years the young man kept his own secret, at
which time he had attained his majority ; and then, when he
purchased a farm for himself, and paid for it, did he first re-
veal, to his parents only, the manner in which he obtained his
means.
During the whole time of their occupancy of the island the
British kept a lookout on some convenient elevation for the
arrival of vessels. At one time a sentinel was stationed in the
top of % ' a large chestnut tree which grew upon the summit of
the island, about a mile from a small wooden church which
stood near the King's highway." There is a tradition confirma-
tory of this statement, which says that the British kept a num-
ber of soldiers on the top of Todt hill to guard the road and to
keep a lookout over the land and water. From the locality
indicated this might have been done very easily, for it com-
mands a view of the outer bay and Sandy Hook in one direc-
tion, and the kills, and New Jersey beyond, in another. The
sentinel in the tree was provided with a platform upon which
to stand, and signals to elevate upon a pole lashed to the high-
est limb of the tree. This position was a perilous one in a
heavy wind, and peculiarly so during a thunder storm. It is
said that on one occasion a soldier on duty in that elevated
place was overtaken by a sudden storm of rain, thunder and
lightning. The ladder by which he had ascended was blown
out of his reach, and he was unable to escape from the dangers
which surrounded him. When the storm had passed away his
body was found on the ground beneath the tree, with his
neck broken; and certain livid marks on his person, together
with the condition of the tree itself, indicated that he had been
, stricken by lightning and fallen to the ground. About a month
afterward another storm passed over the same locality, and the
lookout descended from his elevation as quickly as possible,
but he had no sooner reached the ground than the tree was
again struck, and he was killed at its foot. After that the
place of lookout was changed, and brought down the hill
nearer the church, probably in the vicinity of the light house.
The following season the doomed tree was again struck, and
riven to splinters.
An aged man named Brit ton, residing in Southfield, with his
wife and granddaughter, a young lady about seventeen years
of age, were seated before a bright fire on the hearth, one chilly
232 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
autumn evening. On a table stood a mug of cider, and in the
tire was one end of a long iron rod, with which, after heating it,
the old man was in the habit of " mulling " his cider, a bever-
age of which he partook every evening before retiring. While
thus waiting the outer door suddenly opened and a huge Hes-
sian soldier entered. After regarding the family group for a
moment, he walked to the corner in which the young lady was
sitting, and seated himself beside her. "Hey, missy," said
he, attempting to put his arm around her waist, "how
you like a big Dutchman for a husband, hey?" " Go away,
you Dutch brute," said she. " Oh, no," he answered renew-
ing his attempt at familiarity, " me not go away yet." "Go
away," she repeated, " or I shall hurt you." Laughing at this
threat he persisted in annoying her, until suddenly she
stooped down, and seizing the iron rod, thrust the red hot end
of it into his face. He uttered a yell, and in the effort to spring
up, fell over his chair. She continued her assault upon him,
by pushing the rod into any part of his person she could reach
and when he regained his feet and made for th* door, she con-
tinued to pursue him, even following him out of doors. He
made repeated attempts to strike her, but her rod being longer
than his arm, effectually prevented him from touching her.
He also attempted to seize the rod, but it was too hot to hold,
and every such effort only burned him the more. Foiled at
every point, he turned and ran away.
During the war British officers were quartered at the house
of a Mrs. Dissosway, near the present site of Tottenville. Her
husband was a prisoner in the hands of the British. Captain
Nathaniel Fitz Randolph, who was very troublesome to the
British, was her brother. A tory colonel once promised to
procure the release of her husband if she would prevail upon
her brother to remain quietly at home and become a neutral
party. "And if I could" she replied, with a look of scorn,
at the same time drawing up her tall figure to its utmost height,
"if I could act so dastardly a part, think you that General
Washington has but one Captain Randolph in his army?"
On one occasion after the establishment of independence, it
is related that several families of those who had suffered dur-
ing the war were returning from a religious service in sleighs.
As they approached the house of a certain tory captain, they
all drew up in front, and Dissosway, the leader, went to the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 233
fi'ont door and with the butt of his driving whip rapped.
When his call was answered by the captain the former ex-
plained, " We stopped to let you know we rebels have been to
church. It is our turn now to give thanks."
A Mrs. Jackson resided on the island during the war. Her
husband was for nine months in the provost, and for two years
afterward on parole. During his absence the house was the
abode of British officers and soldiers. One day this resolute
woman caught a soldier carrying her tin milk pail through the
house to take it to his master, who wished to bathe his feet in
it. Seizing the pail and tearing it from his grasp she fearlessly
retorted, " Itfot for your master's master shall you touch what
you have no business with." This lady used to send provis-
ions to the American army on the opposite shore. To do this
the utmost secrecy was required. To avoid suspicion she would
often set her husband's mill going and attend to it herself while
the black man who usually performed that service left his work
to go across the river with provisions. One day she kept a
fatted calf muzzled under her bed all day to send it to the
Americans at night. On one occasion she received intelligence
that the Americans were coming to surprise and capture the
British who were lodged in her house. She gave no warning to
the latter till the whig force was just at hand; then, not wish-
ing to have a bloody contest in her house, she told them the
wings were coming. " Run, gentlemen, run, or you are all pris-
oners." They did run, without ceremony, but the whigs were
upon them.
After Jackson's return the house was robbed. A knock was
heard at the door one night, and on opening it a disguised man
appeared, with a pistol which he placed at the head of Mr.
Jackson and enjoined silence underpain of instant death. A little
daughter standing by involuntarily screamed out, when one of
the ruffians struck her a blow on the head, which laid her in-
sensible on the floor. The house was then stripped of what-
ever articles the thieves desired to take away. Their path next
morning could be traced by the articles they had dropped by
the way in their haste as they departed. The family believed
they were a band of tories, who were often more cruel and ra-
pacious than the British soldiers.
The following incident is related as being one of the most
daring exploits of the revolution. A colonel of the American
234 HISTORY OF KICHMOND COUNTY.
army having been taken prisoner, and there being no British
officer of a similar grade in their possession with whom to re-
deem him, three men entered upon the perilous enterprise of
taking a colonel from the very midst of the enemy then sta-
tioned on Staten Island. They crossed the sound on a dark
night, and approached the house where several officers were lo-
cated, but found it strongly guarded. Proceeding with the
utmost caution they were able to evade the guard in the dark-
ness, and approaching the house took their stand near a window,
through which they could see what was going on within.
Watching a favorable opportunity they entered the house, and
placing a pistol to the breast of a colonel they ordered him to
inarch out as their prisoner, threatening to shoot him in case
he made the least noise, or resistance. They took him away
from his companions, out through the guard by which the
house was encircled, and delivered him safely in Elizabethtown
by sunrise the next morning. One of the men who performed
this daring feat was Henry Willis, who died about forty years
since, but of the names of the other two we are ignorant.
The murder of Stephen Ball and its attendant circumstances
are so intimately associated with Staten Island that we may be
excused for introducing here an account of the matter. Ball
was in the habit of supplying some of the British on Staten
Island with such beef and other provisions as he had to sell.
Upon one occasion a tory sent out from the British as a spy,
had been taken by the Americans, tried by a regular court mar-
tial and, being found guilty, was hung. One Hetfield, the
leader of a notorious band of ruffians, vowed vengeance by re-
taliation, and the next time Ball came to the island they
seized him. This was in January, 1781. He was taken before
General Patterson, and then before General Skinner, charged
with being a spy, but they both knew his mission on the
island and refused to try him, directing his release. The Het-
field gang, however, were determined to execute their threats
of vengeance, and accordingly, after robbing him of whatever
valuable articles he had with him, took him over to Bergen Point
and there hung him to a tree. This act of independent violence
appears to have been deprecated by the British authorities as
well as the Americans, from the fact that the victim was acting
no partisan character, but simply engaged in a commercial
transaction. The party engaged in it consisted of Cornelius,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
John, Smith, Job and James Hetfield, Elias and Samuel Mann
and Job Smith, all of New Jersey.
At the close of the war, Staten Island, New York island, and
a part of Long Island, were peculiarly circumstanced; through-
out the country the several state governments, and the minor
county and town governments under them had been organized,
and were in full operation, except in the counties mentioned ;
these had been under the control of the British military au-
thorities, and whatever civil government they had continued
to be under the English laws ; any attempt to organize a gov-
ernment which had the least tincture of republicanism would
not have been tolerated a moment ; therefore, when the English
evacuated the country, the government which had directed its
destinies for a century, was, so far as these counties were con-
cerned, annihilated as it were in a day, and the people, without
any previous instruction or experience, were suddenly brought
under the influences of a new code of laws. It would be inter-
esting to trace the steps taken by the people of the island to
acclimate themselves to the political atmosphere which they
were thereafter to inhale, but here the resources fail.
In proportion to its population, Perth Amboy contained more
tories than any other place within the limits of the state of
New Jersey. Many of them enlisted in the regiment known as
the Queen's Rangers, and in the several companies composing
Colonel Billop's regiment. We have been able to obtain the
names of but two of the captains of the companies, viz.: Abra-
ham Jones, a native Staten Islander, and David Alston, an
Englishman or Scotchman by birth, but for years before the war
a resident of New Jersey, in the vicinity of Rahway, and, after
the war, of Staten Island. Many of the British officers, in all
parts of the country, remained after the cessation of hostilities,
but many more of the rank and tile. This was particularly so
on Staten Island, and many of the families now residing here
are the descendants of these officers and soldiers. There were
not as many tories on the island at the close as at the beginning
of the war.
It is, after all, a doubtful matter whether there were many of
the people on Staten Island who were really tories from prin-
ciple. The Seaman and Billop families, and two or three others
not quite so prominent, were all beneficiaries of the British
government; they were the proprietors -of lai-ge and valuable
236 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
estates bestowed upon them for merely nominal consideration;
they were also the incumbents of lucrative offices, which gave
them a power and an influence which otherwise they would not
have possessed. The British officers, both of the army and
navy, were lavish of their gold, and the people of the island,
so far as money was concerned, were never in better circum-
stances. The temptation then to infringe the resolutions of the
provincial congress, prohibiting all intercourse with the vessels
of the enemy, was irresistible, more especially as the congress
was powerless to enforce its own ordinances, or to punish the
infraction of them.
The injustice and cruelty of the British during the war, and
the frequent disrespect of their own promises, often repeated,
as well as the inhumanity with which they treated the American
prisoners who fell into their hands, had caused many to regret
the step they had taken in publicly advocating the cause of
the crown, and gradually they became converts to the cause
of their native country, so that when the end came, there
were few left who declined to take the oath of allegiance to
the new government, and fewer still who were so infatuated
with royalty as to abandon their property and the land of
their nativity, to follow its fortunes. Of this latter class we
have been able to find but two families, the Billops and the
Seamans. The property of these families was confiscated and
sold by Isaac Stoutenburgh and Philip Van Courtland, com-
missioners of forfeiture for the Southern district of New York.
On the 16th day of July, 1784, they sold to Thomas McFarren,
of New York, the Manor of Bentley, containing 850 acres for
4,695 ($11,737.50) forfeited to the people of this state by the
attainder of Christopher Biliop. The boundaries given in this
conveyance are as follows: "Bounded southerly by the Bay or
water'called Prince's Bay, westerly by the river that runs be-
tween the said Land and Amboy, Northerly partly by the Land
of Jabob Reckhow and partly by the road, and Easterly partly
by the road and partly by the Bay." The land was then occu-
pied in different parcels by different individuals as follows: 373
acres by Samuel Ward; 200 acres by Albert Ryckman; 50 acres
by John Manner; 50 acres by Edmund Wood; 50 acres by An-
drew Prior; 25 acres by James Churchward; 67| acres by Benja-
min Drake; 23 acres by Joseph Totten; and 1U acres by Jacob
Reckhow.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
On the same day, the same commissioners sold to the same
individual, for 1,120.16 ($2,802), about eighty acres of land in
the town of Castleton, consisting of eight lots, all hounded
southerly by "a road leading from the Rose and Crown to Don-
gan's Mill," which tract of land was forieited by the attainder
of Benjamin Seaman.
On the 30th day of April, 1785, the same commissioners sold
to Cornelius C. Rosevelt, <>t' New York, two hundred acres
of land, more or less, for 3,000 ($7,500), forfeited to the
people of this state by the attainder of Benjamin Seaman,
the same being then in the possession of Paul Michean.
OLD BRITISH FORT.
The policy of the government of the United States appears
always to have been of a pacific and conciliatory character
toward its enemies, after they had been subdued and rendered
powerless for evil. All tories, as well as foreign foes, were
permitted to take a position among the citizens of the country
upon taking the oath of allegiance. All animosities were
buried, and the descendants of a great number of these re-
pentant royalists, now residing on the island, are ignorant of
the position their ancestors took in the great political ques-
tions which agitated the country a century ago.
Some marks of the British occupancy of the island have
remained to designate the localities of their encampments and
238 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
the scenes of some of their active operations. One of the
most conspicuous of these evidences is the old fort which oc-
cupies a commanding hill to the west of Richmond. The site
overlooks the valley in which mainly lies the village. The
embankment encloses a space about tifty feet square and is
situated near the brow of a hill which descends by a steep
slope nearly three hundred feet to the salt marshes which lie
at the base. The earth works, now beaten down by the ravages
of a century, are still several feet in height, in the form of a
square, facing the three directions in which the hill overlooks
the surrounding country, while the entrance to the fort was
from the fourth side, on the northwest, where the natural grade
renders approach easy.
More than thirty years ago Major Howard found a consider-
able excavation in or under the hill that rises just west of Nau-
tilus Hall at Tompkinsville. Being anxious to know its origin,
he made numerous inquiries but without success until he was
referred to an old black man, about eighty years of age, who,
on being shown to the spot, explained that it was the saw pit
where the British sawed timber for their barracks. The negro
had often seen them engaged in that work. The hills were
covered with a thick growth of heavy white oak timber
which the British cut away, and subsequently pine and cedar
came in and occupied the ground. The British had here a
cantonment for seven thousand men extending along the foot
of the hill and up the ravine partially followed by the present
course of Arietta street. The timber was cut down to build
these barracks. The troops were here for seven years, and as
the old black man remarked, "On fine days and in summer
the hills would be just covered with the red coats."
As late as 1832 the remains of some of the dwelling places of
the Hessian soldiers were distinctly to be seen along the
Richmond road, at the foot of the hill in the rear of Stapleton.
These consisted of excavations in the side of the hill, eight or
ten feet square, which had been covered with planks or pieces
of timber, upon which earth or sods were placed to form roofs.
The fronts had been boarded up, and probably the sides. How
they had been warmed in winter or whether they had been
warmed at all was not apparent. They must have been miser-
ably dark, damp caves, but probably, in the opinion of their
English masters, good enough for Dutch mercenaries.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 239
In closing this chapter of revolutionary history, we can per-
haps give no more lifelike pictures of those times in general
than may be gathered from the substance of interviews with
living witnesses who gave their impressions and recollections
of many scenes and events that passed under their notice. The
facts gathered at a few such interviews with persons then liv-
ing at advanced ages, but now long since dead, were noted
down by Professor Charles Anthon, more than thirty years
ago about the years 1850 to 1853; and from the notes of
those interviews we have condensed the most interesting items
referring to the revolution, in the following paragraphs. These
facts are given as nearly as may be to the manner and form of
their development in the interview, without regard to any
order in matters of time or topic, or even harmony, of state-
ment.
From a conversation with Captain Blake, March 15, 1851 :
He was about 13 years old when the British landed. It was
three or four days before any of them were seen where he lived.
Then four soldiers came along and said they wanted something
to eat. When they had finished they each threw down a half
dollar, to the great surprise of the people. The soldiers in gen-
eral behaved at first very well, paying for everything that they
took, but when they came back from Jersey they stole every-
thing they could lay tlieir hands on. In general the people
were well treated. Fifteen pence was the price for a dozen
eggs. The currency used was principally English. Dollars
passed for 4s. 6d. The soldiers were very liberal. All the
vacant buildings were occupied by them. At Ryers' there was
a "Fives' Court," a kind of game at which the British officers
spent a great deal of time in playing. During this time a man
by the name of Housman occupied the old Dongan manor
house. The Hessians wore large whiskers, coming up to the
corners of the mouth. He once saw two Hessians receive two
hundred lashes apiece. They used to come around and buy
cattle. The Forty-second regiment lay in Bodine's orchard.
They were Scotch and wore the Highland uniform. The Het-
fields were all robbers. There were several brothers of them.
They frequently brought over thirty or forty head of cattle
from Jersey to the British. On one occasion they threw a man
into a hog-pen and required him to eat corn. On his refusal to
do so they took him out and hammered his toe-nails off.
240 HISTTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Decker's house was on the site of the Port Richmond hotel
(now St. James). It was of brick. At the time of the invasion
under Sullivan the Americans burned it. The Dutch church
was burned on the same occasion. Mr -Blake's father was cross-
ing the mill-dam, and when he reached the west side he came
all at once among the Americans. They remained there until
the British troops appeared with light-horse. They fired and
killed a light-horseman, then ran away through the woods like
so many frightened horses.
From an interview with Rev. Dr. Van Pelt, June 5, 1851 :
A man stopped at his house about the year 1804, he then living
in the Port Richmond hotel. That man said he was in the en-
gagement at the Dutch church. The weather was cold, but the
heat of the action caused them to sweat profusely. The church,
which was like a hay stack in form, was completely riddled by
balls. Dr. Van Pelt said that when the war broke out there
were two other Dutch churches on the island ; one in Westlield
and another at Richmond. The latter had just been completed
when the war broke out. It was a frame building, and the
British used it gradually up for firewood. Judge Micheau was
a witness of this, but was afraid to say anything, lest he should
be suspected of disaffection. The few on the island who were
attached to the American cause belonged generally to the Dutch
church. Many persons living here professed attachment to the
British, but secretly sent very valuable information to General
Washington. A Mr. Latourette was engaged in carrying wood
to the city during the hard winter of 1779-80, as long as a pas-
sage remained open, and would often enable American officers de-
tained as prisoners in the sugar house to escape. It was neces-
sary for every one who wished to leave the city to present him-
self to General Howe for permission to do so. Latourette would
go before the general with these officers in disguise, and say,
" General, I have brought you a fine load of wood, and am go-
ing directly down for more ; I have some countrymen here who
would like to go with me/' The general would give them a
hasty look and say, "Let them all pass." Then they would
go aboard the boat and make sail for Staten Island. At the
mouth of the kills an armed vessel was stationed to examine
all boats that passed, but .Latourette being well known was
allowed to pass without examination under the plea that he
was in a hurry to bring another load of wood to General Howe.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 241
So having the officers secreted in the vessel he was able to land
them safely where they could easily effect their escape.
From an interview with Mrs. Bird, November 22, 1851, she
then being 91 years of age : She was 15 years old when the
British landed. They landed mostly at Van Bnskirk's dock.
As they were landing they interchanged rifle shots with the
Americans on the opposite shore of the kills. The first she saw
of the British was a body of Highlanders who came marching
up into the Clove (where she was living), from the direction of
Van Duzer's ferry in quest of lodging. Some of them were
quartered in their barn. She lived with her adoptive father,
Thomas Seaman, whose house at that time was the first one on
the left, as you turn out of the clove road into the Little Clove.
General Knyphausen was a very fine looking man and used to
ride great white horse. The Hessians were all fine looking
men. Their dress was nearly all blue, and both dress and ac-
coutrements were very heavy. Some wore beards and some did
not. During the war the people along the north shore did not
dare to burn lights at night, even in cases of sickness or other
extreme need, lest they should be suspected of showing signals
to the rebels. People in general had to be very discreet, and
keep their mouths shut. "Parson Charlton" of St. Andrew's
church wore a very white wig. The " Rose and Crown 1 ' was a
public house during the war, and the headquarters for that part
of the island. The "Black Horse" was also a tavern then.
The Queen's Rangers were then stationed at the point since
called the "Telegraph." There was a Presbyterian meeting
house in the west quarter, which the British first converted into
a hospital and then destroyed.
From an interview with Mr. Isaac Simonson, December 26,
1851, he being 90 years of age : The camp on Staten Island be-
fore the revolution, to which the troops came on their return
from Canada, in the time of the French war, was at the quaran-
tine or watering place. At the time of the revolution, General
Howe, within a few days after landing, employed Isaac Decker,
a noted man and a great friend of the British, who was a captain
of the light horse, to go all over the island and direct the farm-
ers who were willing to dispose of their cattle or sheep, of
which there were a great number on the island, to drive them
to the watering place. None were taken by force. When the
farmers had brought them they were all paid by the officer
16
242 " HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
whose duty it was to attend to that business. When these cat-
tle arrived at the watering place they were turned into the fields
of the " Glebe," among the young oats and wheat, and mowing
grass. Guards were stationed to watch them, as the fences were
all destroyed, not a rail being left in three months. At that
time things were very cheap. After the British came prices
more than doubled.
The next day after the British landed, Mr. Simonson, with
some other boys, went down to what is now Port Richmond to
see them. They landed during the night. When the fleet ap-
proached the Lower bay they anchored outside of Sandy Hook
to wait for pilots to bring them in. The same Isaac Decker,
before mentioned, was a fisherman, and with others of the same
occupation who accompanied him, went down and brought in
the ships. Decker piloted them to a landing place, and landed
himself in the first boat. The spot was called the "White
Rock." The exploit made Decker suddenly famous in a local
way. The church at Port Richmond had eight corners and then
went up high to a balcony, above which was a steeple which
contained a bell. The sides were shingled from the ground up.
The soldiers lived in it. The building finally blew down, no one
being in it at the time. The Isaac Decker spoken of lived in
the house known as Decker's which was burned at the time of
Sullivan's invasion. At that time the Americans burned this
house and three vessels, also Dongan's or John Bodine's barn,
in which the British had a hospital, which was afterward rebuilt
after the same model and on the same foundation, by John C.
Dongan. When the Americans had got out of the woods and
on the meadows they halted, while the forts on the Jersey side
near Elizabethtown fired on the British, who were still on the
upland and had no cannon. Cole's ferry was the same as Van
Duzer's and Darby Doyle's.
After the revolution all about the quarantine grounds was
commons. Colonel Billop was a tall, slim man. His father-in-
law, Seaman, owned a large tract in the manor, off which he
sold the wood. Toward the latter part of the revolution he had
teams cutting and carting there. The inhabitants commonly
worked on the roads on Saturdays. One very warm day Mr.
Isaac Simonson remembered working in company with others
on the road that runs down from Four Corners to the north side,
when Colonel Billop and Colonel Seaman came along, riding on
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 243
horseback. They stopped and chatted with the road-master,
and gave something to the men, as was then customary, but
the men were dissatisfied with the smallness of the gift.
John and Peter Latourette lived at Fresh kill. They were
great patriots, and when the British came, tied to Jersey, whence
they used to make visits in whale-boats to the island. Many
of the inhabitants of the island were placed in confinement by
the British, on account of being whigs. Among these were
Hezekiah and Abraham Reckhow, brothers of Mr. Simonson's
wife's mother. They were both at first confined in the guard-
house in the fort at Dr. Westervelt's, but her father succeeded
in getting the former out, as he was subject to fits. Abraham
was taken from the guard-house to the prison ship, "Jersey,"
where he suffered greatly. Mrs. Peter Woglam was put into
the same guard-house for standing up for her husband, but
having friends on the other side who interceded for her. she
was released. Those Staten Islanders who were thus confined
were principally from the west quarter (Westfield). The guard-
house mentioned was very dark and partly under ground.
General Skinner lived within or about a hundred yards north
from the fort. The British had redoubts all along the heights.
There were no prisoners kept at the fort that was located near
the site of the pavilion. The property at the entrance of the
kills was occupied by Judge Ryers as a farm before the war.
He sold it to Buskirk. It was not a regular ferry till the
war, when one Mackatee hired it.
Joshua Mersereau was the first militia colonel on Staten Is-
land. The old colonel was no friend to the British, but to his
country. The enemy were after him two or three times. He
had notice of their coming and hid himself in a swamp. The
Hetfields were a rough set of men "and feared neither God nor
Devil." Cornelius, their leader, held a major's commission
from the British. They accused Ball of being one of those who
killed Long. Ball was a trader who brought things such as
poultry, beef, and the like from the Jersey side. The Het-
field's caught him and took him to Mackatee' s. They took
him at Squire Merrill's, and intending at first only to make a
prize of his wagon load of beef, poultry, etc., they told him to
go on and they would follow with his wagon, but he would not
leave it. They took him to General Skinner, at the fort at the
Narrows, but he would have nothing to do with him, but told
s
244 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
them, " He is your prisoner ; do what you please with him."
They took him across the kills ; got a table from Ham Brit ton's
at the mill on this side ; placed the table under a big tree and
stood Ball upon it; then, having fastened a noose about his neck
and tied it to a limb, they kicked the the table from beneath
his feet and hung him till he was dead. Mrs. Simonson saw it
from the Staten Island side. Jake Hetfield kicked the table
from under the feet of Ball. They all belonged to Jersey, ex-
cept one called "Tow-head Jim," who was also born in Jersey,
but served his time as a ship-carpenter on Staten Island. Long
was the man who was hove into the hog- pen. He was on the
British side, and was caught in Jersey. John and Cornelius
Hetfield were both afterward tried for the murder of Ball, but
neither was condemned. The Hetfields were not all brothers.
Cornelius was an only son. He was a fine looking man, with
dark hair, fair skin, and fine, ivory-like teeth. His father was
very rich, and Cornelius was either brought up a minister, or
at any rate received a fine education. He was very active and
strong, and he would preach and pray like a minister. (The
name is spelled sometimes Hetfield and sometimes Hatfield.)
He had one sister, who married a man by the name of Blanchar.
The large property which his father left to Cornelius Hetfield
was transferred to his brother-in-law to prevent its confisca-
tion.
The night when Hetfield and his party burned the church in
Elizabethtown they came back and had a meeting in the large
mill at Port Richmond. They went in .there and Hetfield
preached a sermon, and prayed like a minister. Hilliker bought
this old mill, which was a large building containing a dwelling
house, and had two runs of stone. It afterward caught fire and
burned down. Hilliker built a smaller one in place of it, and
that was burned, after which another was built. Daniel Seller
was a great friend of the American cause. He was almost the first
settler at Fayetteville, and built a public house there and cleared
away the woods during the revolution. Col. Aaron Cortelyou
kept a store where Edward Taylor since lived. It was this store
that the negro Anthony Neal broke into, or was accused of
breaking into and was hung for the offense.
From an interview with Mr. Peter Wandel, January 8, 1853 :
When the British first landed on the island they destroyed all
the fences, and when they went to Jersey proclamation was
HISTOUY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 245
made to put them up again, but when they returned they de-
stroyed them again. The forts abandoned by the British were
never occupied by American soldiers. The buildings that were
in them were afterward gradually removed. There were bar-
racks, and in the fort at the Narrows there was a magazine un-
der ground, made of timbers laid very close together, like a
wall. This was built a year or two before the end of the war.
After the evacution of New York city by the British they made
no stay on the island. They left things here in a very damaged
state. All was commons about the quarantine grounds. Cor-
nelius Hetfield was a noble looking fellow, but capable of do-
ing almost anything. He was, probably, not under General
Skinner's command, but a kind of commander himself. He
ought to have been hung. He, however, went to Nova Scotia
after the war. Smith Hettield was a great bully. The refugee
post on Bergen Point was opposite to Port Richmond. There
was a whole company there. Wandel once came near being-
made a prisoner by Hyler. He was with others on the banks
fishing when Hyler, with his party in three boats, came upon
them and took several of them. He probably would have taken
the whole fleet of twenty-two fishing boats had it not been for
the interference of an armed schooner that happened to pass.
An appeal was afterward made to the governor, and he sent
down a gun boat, and the next time they went down to fish the
gun boat kept Hyler off. When Stirling came upon the island
Peter Wandel, then a youth, served in the fort that stood back
of Dr.Westervelt's, as a volunteer for the occasion. For this his
father gave him a good whipping. Stirling could have taken
all the forts in half an hour had he known their weakness and
scantiness of provisions and ammunition. But instead of doing
this he strung his troops all over the island. They were ex-
tended all along the heights, the snow being four feet deep, and
the weather intensely cold. The light horse went along the
north shore in pursuit of them, and took some prisoners, but
not many. No reinforcements came to the forts that day, but
subsequently two hundred sleighs came down, and Ned Beattie,
one of the Hetfield gang, availed himself of the opportunity
to bring down a barrel of rum. The route they followed in
coming down from the city was first to cross from the Battery
to Powle's hook, and then come down over the flats and along
246 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
the Jersey shore, and cross the kills from Bergen Point, taking
Shooter's island on the way.
The village of Richmond in the time of the war was generally
called Cuckold's town. Todt hill was not so called before the
war, but the name began to be nsed during the latter part of
the war. Decker's ferry was afterward called Ryers', and
still later Mersereau' s. Opposite to it was a house called Duf-
fy's ferry, on the Bergen Point side. The wood cut by the
British during the war was chiefly from the hills behind quar-
antine, which were covered with all kinds of timber. Between
Old Town and New Dorp it was very wild, with scattered trees
and huckleberry bushes. There was heavy timber all around
Fresh pond. The .riflemen from Virginia were very fond of
fresh water fish, and would make a raft of rails upon which
they would go out on the pond and catch cat fish and very
large eels. The cat fish sometimes w r eighed eight or ten pounds
apiece.
Wandel, when a boy, went to school to Mr. Rogers, in a
small one-story house that stood just above the Port Richmond
church ; afterward taught by Mr. Riley, and moved to a point
near the dock. His father's house was a short distance east of
the Snug Harbor site. He stood at the door of his father's
house and saw Hetfield's party engaged in hanging Ball on a
tree on Peter Buskirk's farm. The night the British arrived
his family was up in the clove, his father having removed them
all thither through fear of the troops, but being assured of
safety they all returned the next day. The British turned
their horses in upon the growing crops on the farm. ]S"o com-
pensation was ever received for it. At that time then there
were not over nine houses between Van Duzer's and Richmond.
When the fleet came up to Prince's bay the children all went
up into the garrets to look out to see the ships come in. All
the people in the neighborhood immediately got fresh provisions
ready and killed great numbers of their young cattle. The
English came ashore to purchase these articles.
After the ships had come to at quarantine, the sailors took
the sails off, and made tents of them for some of the soldiers.
The encampment extended from New Brighton to Stapleton.
In all the space occupied by them, in a short time there was
not a blade of grass to be seen. Everything was trodden down
by the troops, who were kept " forever marking time.'' Before
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 247
the arrival of the main body of troops three vessels kept cruis-
ing in the waters about Staten Island. These were, in the or-
der of their size, the " Asin," the "Phoenix" and the "Sav-
age," the last being a sloop. At this time there were on the
island a body of New England troops stationed at the Narrows
and another of Virginia riflemen, among whom were some men
sixty years of age. These were billeted among the farmers on
the north side. The British vessels stopped at the watering
place to get water one day, the "Savage" lying quite close to
the shore, while six or seven of her men were engaged in get-
ting water. The Virginia riflemen heard of it, and taking Peter
Wandel' s father for a guide, started for the spot. They rushed
upon the sentinel so suddenly that he had not time to fire be-
fore he was seized and made a prisoner. As they continued
their course down the hill they were seen from the sloop and
tired upon by those on board. The rinemen protected them-
selves behind rocks and trees as well as they could, and none
were hurt by the tire. The men who were getting water ran
into the stream up to their chins, but being ordered to come
out under pain of death, they obeyed, and all were taken
prisoners. One of the men on board the "Savage" went up
into her "round top" with a blunderbuss, but the rinemen
shot him off. The British were prevented from getting water
on this occasion. This was the first blood shed in the war in
this quarter. On the American side none were injured except
Neddy Beattie, who heard the firing and took a walk over the
hill to see what was going on. He was struck by a spent ball,
but without receiving any serious wound.
There were three forts during the war near the Watering
Place, one near where the pavilion now stands, one at the
" Marble house," and one behind Dr. Westervelt's. Colonel
Billop was accounted very clever, a large, stout, noble looking
man. He pretty much governed the island during the war.
Some robbers from Jersey plundered a Mrs. Marshall who lived
near Rossville. She had a mare and colt. They took the
former but left the latter. The next morning the mare came
home again, swimming across the sound. During the war little
" bush shops" were frequent all over the island. Their whole
stock in trade consisted of rum and a gill cup. The latter hav-
ing no handle the dealer would put his thumb in it to hold on
by and at the same time lessen the quantity required to fill it.
248 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
From a conversation with Mr. Dissosway, December 26, 1850:
There was an encampment of British soldiers in Edwards'
orchard, on the Shore road corner toward New Brighton. In
making excavations while erecting one of the buildings on this
property an entire skeleton was dug up. From time to time
several baskets full of bones have been uncovered at the same
place. It was the custom to send the invalid soldiers of the
British army to Staten Island. There was another encampment
at Belmont's hill, where the Hessians lived underground. The
Port Richmond hotel, or the building that occupied its site and
was the property of Judge Ryers, a leading tory, was the scene
of a great deal of fun during the revolution. Ryers was the
grandfather of Dissosway. He made a fortune out of the
British. He was a contractor for supplies to the British troops.
The Americans would drive their cattle over from Jersey to be
sold. These would be kept at the slaughter-house, which was
near Bard's. The Americans would come over at night, steal
the cattle and sell them again to Ryers, who never said any-
thing. He was a man of large size and great business tact,
His first wife was killed by fright at the landing of the British.
From a conversation with a Mrs. Blake, who had been a Miss
Merrill: She was born near Bull's Head. There were a number
of Americans who came over from the Jersey shore one day and
were making merry at a drinking house. An English officer
who was staying at her father's house appeared at dinner with
his ruffles all bloody. He explained that he had killed half a
dozen drunken Americans. She recollected seeing a negro
woman covering one dead body with brush.
Captain Blake said: Bodine's mill was the third one erected
on that spot. During the war the Scotch Forty-second regi-
ment was quartered in Dongan's orchard. The Hessians lived
near about the "marble-house," in caves. He had visited them
in their underground habitations to get the money for a beef
which had been run through by them. They were fed on slices
of pork, and rum with sugar shaken up in it, which later they
called "Schnaps."
From a conversation with Mr. P'eter Jacobsen, October 18,
1851: His grandfather, Christian Jacobsen, was killed in his
own house by the British. Four soldiers came at night, when
he was in bed. They entered the kitchen and aroused the
blacks, demanding to know where their master kept his money,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 249
aud threatened to kill them if they did not tell. An old black
woman passed by a secret route to the room of Mr. Jacobsen and
aroused him. He opened the kitchen door and asked what the
noise was about, whereupon one of the soldiers returned some
insolent reply and at the same time fired upon him. The ball
entered his side and he died in a few hours. The soldiers were
made known to the officers, and the man who did the firing was
hung.
CHAPTER VI.
UNDER THE REPUBLIC 1783 TO 1883.
Condition at close of Revolution. Population. County Buildings. Manners
and Customs. War of 1812. Extracts from the Records. The Militia.
Growth and Improvement. Earthquakes. Quarantine. The Civil War.
Some Notable Events.
WE come now to the history of a period of almost uniform
prosperity and advancement, with perhaps varying
degrees at different times, but with no more such eras of de-
vastation as that which we have been reviewing. Returning
peace found the island in a demoralized state of desolation.
But the sunshine of peace quickened its capabilities into new
life. We see it now as a new era of prosperity has dawned
upon the land. The clouds have rolled away and the vigorous
youth of a new government, set out to run the race of its exist-
ence, fills the prospect with cheering promises.
The whigs who had left their homes and property at the be-
ginning of the war now returned and began the work of rebuild-
ing the places that had been laid waste. The condition in
which they found their property need not be described. It. was
what may readily be imagined as the result of seven years' oc-
cupancy by a lawless military force and frequent raids of plun-
derers from abroad. But the town organizations were re-estab-
lished and the wheels of government gradually set in motion.
It would be interesting to note the manner of doing this, but
the records are too scanty to give us much knowledge.
On the 26th day of September, 1775, there was a court of
common pleas and general sessions held at the court house, in
Richmond town, after which there is no record of any court
having been held in the county until Monday, the 3d day of
May, 1784, "being the first Court held after the Declaration of
Independence being published." This court was held at the
house of Thomas Frost, the court house having been burned by
the British, David Mersereau, Esq., being judge.
HISTORY OF KICIIMOND COUNTY. 251
The first case on the record is entitled, " Tfte State PS. Thomas
frost.'' The grand jury bronght in a bill of indictment against
the defendant for profanity, " and the Deft, being in Court was
called and the Indictment Read to him. Whereupon he
pleaded not guilty and entered into recognizance himself in
twenty pounds and Peter Mersereau his security in ten pounds
to appear at the next Session to Try the Traverse." Unfortun-
ately there is no record of the result of this indictment. The
next court whose proceedings are recorded was held in Septem-
ber, 1794.
It may be a matter of interest to know the names of the
officers of the first court held under the new government ; they
are as follows : David Mersereau, Esq., judge ; Cornelius Mer-
sereau, Hendrick Garrison, Peter Rezeau, Anthony Fountain,
John Wandel, Gilbert Jackson and Lambert Merrill, associate
judges; Abraham Bancker, Esq., sheriff; Jonathan Lewis, cor-
oner ; Daniel Salter, James McDonald, John Baker and Abra-
ham Burbanck, constables. The first act was to read the com-
missions of the several officers. The first civil suit on the cal-
endar was Richard Housman against Henry Perine. Trespass,
damages 50.
Subsequent to this the courts of this county were regulated
by the following act of the state legislature passed February 5,
1787:
"Beit enacted," &c.
>l That the Courts of Common Pleas and General Sessions of
the Peace, in and for the County of Richmond, shall be held at
the Court-House in the same County, on the fourth Monday in
January, the first Monday in May, and the fourth Monday in
September, in every year, and may continue and be held until
the several Saturdays next following, inclusive."
It is probable that in the work of restoring order and improve-
ment to the desolated farms and homesteads the surplus ener-
gies of the people were so much engaged that they had little
time for unnecessary litigation. A paper of May 9, 1788, con-
tains the following item :
"A correspondent observes, much to the credit of the inhab-
itants of Staten-Island, that the courts of general session, and
common pleas, on that Island, county of Richmond, held on
the 5th instant, in four hours after their convening, adjourned
to September term, not having found a single bill of indictment,
252 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
or a recognizance, presented. Who, except lawyers, would not
wish to become a resident in so virtuous a community?"
A record under date December 1, 1789, contains the following
accounts :
" To Richard Scarret for digging a Grave 0. 10.
"To Lewis Dey for Boarding the Carpenters when repairing the
County House & Building the Gallows & Furnished 100 shingles
1 Bushel of Lime a pair of hinges & For fetching Anthony
Cornish from New York Goal fees &c &c 6. 0.
"To Lewis Ryerss [then sheriff] for two locks for the Goal, for
going to New York for to Report Anthony Cornishes Escape
from Goal, for Going to New York when he was apprehended,
for Fetching him from New York, Making the Gallows & Exe-
cuting of Anthony Cornish, for Expence of Apprehending of sd
Cornish at New York, Goal costs 16. 16. 0"
"We have been unable to find a more detailed account of
this case. A very aged man, living when this was written
(1875) and nine years old at the time of the execution, and who
remembered it well, said that the prisoner was known as ' Black
Antony, 1 being a negro ; he had committed a murder on board
of a vessel in the sound. The place of execution was near the
site of the present school house in Richmond village."
The explanation above is that made by Mr. Clute. We have
in another chapter given an account of the execution of a
negro, which corresponds so nearly in some points with the
above as to make it quite probable that it was the same case.
But if such is true, there are differences enough to make one or
the other inaccurate. As we have not the means at hand to de-
cide which is the correct one, we leave them both for the judg-
ment of others to decide.
"Oct. 19: 1790. The following is the amount of the In-
habitants of the county of Richmond as numbered by the
Supervisors and Assessors of said county Agreeable to an Act
of the Legislature passed the 18th day of February 1790.
Males. Females. Slaves.
Town of Southfield 309 330 258
Town of Westfield 440 451 267
Town of Northfield 463 409 167
Town of Castleton 381 340 127
Souls in Richmond Co.
In all 3942 1593 1530 819"
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
253
The growth of the count}' in population during the decades
from that time to the present is as follows : 1790, 3,838 ; 1800,
4,564; 1810, 5,347; 1820, 6,135; 1830, 7,082; 1840, 10,965;
1850, 15,061 ; I860; 25,492 ; 1870, 33,029 ; 1880, 38,991.
The following extract from the records tells its own story of
the preliminary steps toward building a new court house.
" July 7 : 1792 At a meeting of the Supervisors Together
with the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County
of Richmond the 26th of June 1792 Lawrence Hillyer, Joseph
Barton Jun. were unanimously appointed Commissioners to
Superintend the Building of a Court House in the Town of
Richmond on a Lott of ground given by Doctor Thomas Frost,
HOUSE OF ISAAC M. MARSH, FORMERLY USED AS
THE COURT HOUSE.
and Thomas Frost having since been appointed a Commissioner
to be with the said Lawrence Hillyer and Joseph Barton to
Superintend Said Court House and to Advertise for Undertakers
& to receive proposals that may be Consistent with ^economy
and the Interest of the County.
"RICHARD CONNER Clk Supervisors."
In 1792 a tax of 315 ($787.50) was levied upon the county for
building the court house, and the sum of 15 ($37.50) was paid
to Dr. Thomas Frost in payment for the "Lott" which the
previous entry says he had given for the purpose. The record
254 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
does not give the name of the " undertaker" to whom the con-
tract was awarded.
This building is still standing opposite the hotel known as the
Richmond County hall. When the present court house was
built, the old court house property was sold to Walter Belts,
who converted it into a dwelling. It is now (1875) owned and
occupied by Isaac M. Marsh, Esq. While this building was
used for a court house, the brick building on the opposite cor-
ner was the prison.
The same year, 1792, another tax of 84 ($210) was levied for
finishing the court house. The completion of it was delayed
for nearly two years, for under date of October, 1794, we are
informed that the supervisors met in it for the first time.
The lot on which the present court house stands was con-
veyed to the supervisors by Henry I. Seaman and wife, by
deed bearing date April 19, 1837, at a nominal price, for the
purpose of erecting a court house thereon; according to the
terms of the conveyance, when the property shall cease to be
used for that purpose, it shall revert to the said Seaman or his
heirs.
On the 22d December, 1847, Farnham Hall and wife, in
consideration of fifty dollars, conveyed to the supervisors
the lot in the rear of that on which the court house now
stands.
In one of the old record books containing minutes of the pro-
ceedings of the supervisors, is the following entry:
"1827, May 5th, At a meeting held this day, present Har-
manus Guyon, John Totten & Nicholas Crocheron, Supervisors,
also Richard Crocheron, Esq., James Guyon, Esq., and Walter
Belts, Esq., Commissioners appointed according to a law passed
April lOlh, 1826, an acl lo provide for Building a Fire proof
Clerk and Surrogate's office in the County of Richmond,
whereby it was made the duty of the Supervisors at their an-
nual meeting lo cause lo be levied and collected a sum not ex-
ceeding One Thousand five hundred Dollars, over and above
the expense of Collecting the same, for the purpose of building
a fireproof Clerk and Surrogate's Office for Said County, to be
located in such part of Said County as the Judges of the Said
County, or a majority of them shall direct, and in which all
the public Records and Papers belonging as well to the Clerk
as the Surrogate of the Said County shall be kept, and the said
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 255
Judges have fixed Upon the Cite of the Old County-house on
the East side of the Goal for the locating the same.
" Whereupon resolved by the Said Supervisors Present that
the county-house be sold and removed without delay to make a
clear Cite for the purpose of erecting Said Clerk and Surro-
gate's office, and also that the proceeds of such sail be paid to
the County Treasurer, subject to the order of the Supervisors,
and also that the said Commissioners be and hereby are em-
powered to sell Said County house for the best price that can
be got for the same at public Vendue. notice to be given of the
sime (sic) of such sale. And the Supervisors having caused to
be raised and paid into the Treasury of Said County the sum of
six hundred dollars for and towards the Building Said Clerk
and Surrogate's office. Also resolved by the Supervisors that
they will in case the six hundred dollars raised for the purpose
of building Said Clerk and Surrogate's office should be Insuffi-
cient to pay for building the same; In such case they will Bor-
row as much as will be sufficient to complete the same. Pro-
vided however that the whole cost of building such office shall
not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars.
Signed HERMS GUYON,
NICHOLAS CROCHERON,
JOHN TOTTEN.
"Whereupon it was ordered by the Supervisors that their Clk
shall Immediately give to said Commissioners an order on the
County Treasurer for the said sum of six hundred Dollars.
' ' Which said order was indue form made out and delivered to
one of the said Commissioners for the Payment of the said six
hundred Dollars as aforesaid.
RICHARD CONNER, Clk ) $ C.
of the board of Supervisors \ 600 00."
The above document is given in full, as a specimen of the
verbose and exceedingly precise style in which Col. Richard
Conner, as clerk of the supervisors, kept all the county records
under his official care.
The " Goal " herein alluded to is that building which stands
on the corner, north of the old dilapidated hotel called the
"Richmond County Hall," and the clerk and surrogate's fire-
proof offices, built on the "cite" of the former county house
is the brick building adjoining it on the east. The cost of
256
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
erecting it is not known, but bills for material and labor to the
amount of $941.08 were audited that year. The building was
completed during that and the following years, as will be seen
by the following record dated October 7, 1828.
" It is Resolved by a Majority of the Supervisors of the
County of Richmond that three men be appointed to take
charge of the records of the County of Richmond, in conse-
quence of the 111 health of the present County Clerk, Jonathan
Lewis, Esq., and that they make an Inventory of such Books
and Papers as they shall find in the office of Said Clerk, and
shall deposit such Books and Papers in the office now erected
BUILDING FORMERLY USED AS A CLERK S OFFICE
AND JAIL.
in the Village of Richmond for that purpose. Resolved that
Walter Betts, Esq., Richard D. Littell, Esq., and Abraham
Auten, Deputy Clerk, is hereby appointed to take an Inven-
tory of said Books and Papers and deliver them to the said
Abraham Auten, Deputy Clerk, on his giving a receipt for
such Books and Papers on the Schedule or Inventory,
and deliver such Schedule so signed to the^Su per visors of Said
County."
The old court house and the lot in which it stands was sold
at auction to Isaac M. Morris December 17, 1837. That build-
ing still stands on the west side of the street, nearly opposite
HISTORY OF RICIIJIOXD COUNTY.
257
a point midway between the old Dutch Reformed church and
the old jail above referred to. It is a two-story-and-basement
building, and is now devoted to private uses.
The present jail, in the yard in the rear of the present court
house, was built in I860. A new county clerk's office, on the
opposite side of the street from the court house, is now being-
completed.
PRESEMT COURT HOUSE AND JAIL.
We have but little evidence of the use of the whipping-post
and stocks in this county. All that we have at hand is the
record of the supervisors under date of October 26, 1801, when
a bill was audited for the amount of -$12 to Lawrence Hillyer
"for Erecting a Public Stocks according to Law."
In giving a glimpse of the domestic and social customs of
the early years of the republican period we condense from an
interview made years ago with one whose personal recollection
17
258 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
extended back to that time. Most articles of home consump-
tion were then made at home. Each member of the family
had one new pair of shoes every year, made by a shoemaker
who came to the house in the fall. It was the custom of that
craft to go from house to house in annual rounds of repairing
and newly fitting shoes for the feet of the family. There was
little money on the island. People were paid in articles of pro-
duce. A girl who could spin at the rate of seven hundred
strands to the pound was considered a good spinner. The
young ones spun tow. It was customary for the negroes to
raise tobacco for their own use. All people drank a great deal
of cider. It was offered to every neighbor or stranger on ar-
riving. It was a custom to put into the pitcher of cider a piece
of hot toasted bread or a doughnut, to warm the beverage.
This hospitality was indulged on the occasions of the people
assembling at some neighbor's house fora religious service.
The conveyance then in use was the farm wagon, with a pair
of clean sides to be put on it after it had been all the week used
for carting manure or other dirty substances. The old fash-
ioned rush-bottom chairs were placed in it for seats. To this
the horses were hitched and their movements were guided by
means of a single rope rein on the outside of each horse and a
connecting rope running across from one bit to the other.
These were called " couple-towse." Men of somewhat wealthy
or aristocratic pretensions wore knee-buckles. A silver-
mounted riding whip was considered a great acquisition to the
make-up of an aspiring man. Two-wheeled gigs were some-
times used. They had no tops, but had wooden springs, called
" grasshopper springs."
It is said that John C. Dongan brought to his wife, from
Europe, the first silk dress ever seen on Staten Island. He
pronounced it only a "middling good one," having cost but
fifty pounds, when for one hundred pounds he could have ob-
tained a really good one. A schoolmaster, by the name of
Pritchett was remembered as coming to the employer to get his
pay for teaching. He took it in fresh meat and other articles.
After spending the evening, chatting and drinking cider, he
went home, having prepared for his lonely walk through the
woods by having a stout hickory stick burned to a live coal at
one end. By brandishing this stick in the air he kept the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 259
wolves, with which the woods abounded, and which would be
attracted by the smell of the meat, from attacking him. It
was customary for the most respectable persons to go to taverns.
One of the highest repute was the "Bull's Head," then kept
by a man named Johnson, and later by one Garrison. The
"Black Horse" was of rather inferior tone, being frequented
by those who ran horses on the road there.
Flax was raised in considerable quantities, not only for the
linen fibre it yielded, but for the seed, large quantities of which
were shipped to Ireland, where it brought a good price. John
V. D. Jacobsen, who lived at New Dorp, and was accounted
one of the three richest men on the island in his time (Judge
Seguine and Jacob Mersereau being the others), died in 1826,
his property being valued then at seventeen thousand five hun-
dred dollars. In those times the price of a drink at a tavern
was three cents, but in the time of the war of 1812 this was in-
creased to four cents when sugar was taken. Cigars cost
twenty-five cents a hundred, and were frequently kept by land-
lords to be given away whenever asked for.
The war of 1812 passed without leaving any considerable
traces upon this island that are now discernable. Fortifications
were thrown up for defense in case the British fleet should
come into the bay. One of these was located on the summit of
the hill at Prince's bay, a little north of the light-house. The
embankment was on the seaward margin of the height, and part
of it has evidently been washed away by rains and the tide un-
dermining the bank. It is said that the fort contained a block
house, the stones of which were afterward used in the con-
struction of the light-house and keeper's house adjoining.
Another earthwork was at Little Fort hill, near the site of the
present fort that commands the narrows.
The general laws of the state from time to time enacted for
the gradual extinction of slavery were the same in their appli-
cation to this county as elewhere. The records of the differ-
ent towns show some interesting relics of the custom. We
have only space for a few. Here is a transcription from the
Westfield town records :
"I Winant Winants of the County of Eichmond and State
of New York and Town of Westfield, Yeoman Doth Certify
that I have Had a Female Negroe Child Born of a Slave the
260 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
26th July 1799 Named Bett from its Birth to this Date is Six
months and Twenty Four Days old.
" WLNANT WIN ANTS.
" Recorded this 19th February, 1800.
" HENRY PARLEE, Town Clerk."
This is also from the records of Westfield :
"This is to Certify that on the third Day of February 1800
the Negro wench a Slave Belonging to Benjamin Larzelere,
Yeoman of the Town of Westfield in the County of Richmond
and State of New York was Dilivered of a male Child wich is
now Living by the Name of Tom.
" Given under my hand the 7th Day of April 1800.
" BENJAMIN LARZELERE.
" Recorded this seventh Day of April one thousd Eight
Hundred 1880
" HENKY PARLEE, Town Clerk."
The following are from the records of the town of Castleton:
"I do hearby certify that a male negro child named Nicholas
the Father of whom named Sam belongs to me, and the mother
named Bett belongs to Cornelius Cruser, was born In my House
at Castle Town the eight day of may in the year of our Lord
one thousand Eight hundred, and I request that this return of
the Birth of the Said Child may be Entered agreeable to the
directions Contained In a late Act for the gradual Abolition of
Slavery.
" JOHN MERCEREAU."
"Castletown January 15th, 1801."
" Richmond County 30th wit :
" Personally came & appeared before me John Garretson,
first Judge of the said County, the Rev. Peter I. Vanpelt, who
being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that he has a coloured
boy named Harry born February 1803 also that he has a col-
oured Girl named Eliza born August 1810 also a coloured girl
named Dian born June 29th 1814 also a coloured boy named
Ned born Febry 28th 1818 And further this deponent saith
not.
"PETER I. VANPELT
' ' Sworn before me
this 6th day of april 1818
"JOHN GARRETSON
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 261
" To be recorded by the Town Clerk of Castletown as the Law
directs."
"This is to Certify that my Woman of Colour named Mary
had a female child born the fifteenth day of December in the
Year 1814 named Mary and also same Woman had a male child
born the Second day of March 1817 named harry -
and also my woman of Colour named Jane had a male child
born the tenth day of July one thousand eight hundred and
sixteen named Murry which Certificate I hereby request the
Clerk of Castletown to record. Dated at Castletown the 9th
day of May, 1817.
"JAMES G-UYON "
"To the Clerk of Castle Town. I hereby certify to you that
a female negro Child named Mary, born of my slave Jane the
fifth day of February last, which was given up to be recorded,
I do hereby Manumit and give up all my rig lit & title to the
service thereof given under my hand at Castle Town the third
day of February, 1804
"JACOB LOZIEE"
" Richmond County [
Town of Northfield ) To whom it may Concern know ye that
on the 24 day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand
Eight hundred & Eleven T Joseph Ryers a free Black Man do
by thease presence Manumit and abandon all My Rite and title
to the service of my son Harry and he is hereby pronounced By
me to be a free man agreable to the Laws of the State of New
York as witness My hand
his
"JOSEPH X RYERSS"
mark
During the years of the first half of this century, as well as
those of the eighteenth century that followed the revolution,
the people paid attention to the training of their able bodied
citizens in the manipulation of weapons of defense and military
movements. Years afterward, when the settled condition of
peace seemed to lull the public mind into indifference in regard
to preparations for war, the custom fell into disuse. The mil-
itia system was under similar regulations in this as in other
counties of the state. It was held as the bulwark of that con-
fidence which the people had in their own dominant might ; the
dearest feature and safeguard of freedom ; the life guard of a
262 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
nation, drawn out yearly before the view of its rulers, showing
them their own proper orbits by a display of numerical strength
which it would be madness to oppose, and at the same time
showing to the eyes of foreign powers the muscle of the nation,
against which it would be folly to make conquest.
Reviews of the militia were held on the broad plain which
was spread out on either side of New Dorp lane. Here the re-
view by the officers annually took place, and those occasions
were gala days to the people who witnessed them, as well as to
those who took part in the parade. Officers and men were on
the alert to make the best possible exhibition, for critical eyes
were upon them, as well, as was often the case, the eyes of loved
ones, the fair and the beautiful. A sumptuous dinner and gen-
eral merry-making, often accompanied by the perverted good
cheer that flowed from the old decanters and made discord
where harmony was intended, usually followed the military
review.
The militia of Staten Island in 1837 composed the One Hun-
dred and Forty-sixth regiment, which was a part of the Sixty-
fifth brigade, in the Second division of New York state in-
fantry. The division was then in command of Major-General
Van Buren, the brigade was under Brigadier-General D. Denyse,
and the regiment was commanded by Colonel Tompkins. The
" Mirror" a local paper of the time, in its issue of September
7, 1837, contains the following picture of one of these militia
parades.
" On Friday last we were witness to a parade of the officers
of the 146th regiment. Major Tompkins of the staff of Major
General Van Buren, has lately been promoted to the command
of this regiment, and this was his first parade, or drill of offi-
cers. We unexpectedly met the battalion on its way to Rich-
mond village; the sounds of martial music reverberated along
the hills, and prickled up't he hairs on our horse's ears, his whole
frame quivered with alarm; steed threatened steed with high
and boastful neighings; cows scampered off like militiamen at
the clarion's sound; OUT own impatient nag turned tail upon
the army, bearing safely away his interesting burthen: the very
mud-turtles, that inhabit the ponds in the neighborhood,
plunged headlong into the tide and hid their coward heads; but
all this consternation and dismay was occasioned by the rascally
exotics who were hired for the occasion to make a racket with
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 263
their drums and trumpets. The detachment themselves were as
peaceable a set of men as ever shouldered arms; and we were
much better pleased with their manual exercise than we have
been with like exhibitions in New York. The officers of the
Tompkins Guards looked well in their new uniforms, and the
non-commissioned officers behaved like soldiers. One thing we
have to commend Col. Tompkins for his orders were given cor-
rectly and in good time; but on the march his guides of the left
were poorly covered this is a matter of some importance, and
should be attended to. We understand that the field and staff
are about adopting the United States infantry uniform good.
Old Richmond begins to pick up spirit on every hand she'll do
presently. Go it fellow sogers."
A statute fixed the first Monday in September of each
year as the day for annual military parade, for all the
enrolled militia of the state to parade by companies in
each company district. This occasion was frequently denom-
inated the "September training day." Those "September
training days" were remarkable occasions, landmarks in the
lives of the sturdy yeomanry. To get the crowd into shape
was a task indeed for the officers, and the line would often
be a marvel of curvature straight as a new moon. This
might be accounted for in a measure by the fact that it
was the only time in each year when the privates were drilled
by companies, and was also the day when the corporal would
bring in his new recruits, and report their enrollment. Those
new recruits, the boys, were not required to be equipped at
their first appearance, but simply to answer at roll call, and
when any of them remained in the ranks during the drill, it
was only to have a good time generally. If those young sol-
diers appeared with anything less crude than a hoe handle or
a flail staff instead of a musket, the officers were to be con-
gratulated.
The regimental parade, or " general muster," as it was called,
was neither boys' play nor a drill with wooden guns in a half
circle. Upon the adjutant, who was chief of the colonel's staff,
devolved the duty of forming the companies into one regimen-
tal line and to equalize the divisions, then the whole was turned
over to the colonel commanding, and after drill and evolutions
in his discretion the regiment was reviewed by the division and
brigadier generals, each with his staff officers all mounted.
264 HISTORY or RICHMOND COUNTY.
After passing in review, the field officers and the colonel's
mounted staff were all inspected in the saddle by the brigade
inspector. Then followed the inspection of the officers and
privates in the line, the inspector having dismounted. Every
sword, musket, lock and flint, cartridge-box and bayonet, as
well as the uniform of the officers, must pass the ordeal, and
the belt or buckle that betrayed any sign of weakness was at
the risk of being sundered by a little extra force of the inspec-
tor's arm. The confusion and loose discipline of the " Septem-
ber training day " had no place in the " general muster."
The colonel commanding was required by law to issue an
order annually, summoning the regimental and staff officers,
the commissioned and non-commissioned officers and musi-
cians of the whole island to rendezvous at some place designated
by him in the order, three successive days, for drill and in-
struction, which was conducted by the regimental officers
under the supervision of the colonel. To be buttoned to the
chin in the regulation coat, and exposed to the rays of the
hot summer sun, under a brimless beaver chapeau, was an
ordeal that was dreaded by those who had to pass through
it, but the blasts of the sun on the parade field were not to
be compared in their destructive effects with the blasts of
gunpowder on the field of battle. About forty years ago the
state laws were materially changed, and all those old military
organizations were disbanded.
An era of improvement seemed to open upon the island
about the year 1836. In the following year it was said that
more buildings were then in process of erection or had just
been completed than at any previous time since the revolution.
In Richmond village a new street had just been opened and
seven new houses had been built upon it. The village had
grown dormant, but this dash seemed like the pushing forth
of a new life. Tompkinsville was estimated to have doubled
its population within a short space of time, a rapid growth de-
veloping toward Stapleton. New Brighton was unusually
fall of life and bustle. Factoryville had suffered somewhat
from the decreased activity in its manufactures, yet the
recent erection of many new homes gave it a cheering glow of
promise. Improvements were also noticeable at Rossville, the
name of which had not long before been changed from the old
cognomen, " Blazing Star."
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
That there are two sides to every question of public policy,
and that there was a strong sentiment against some enterprises
that are generally welcomed, is seen by the action of the people
of this county taken in regard to the establishment of a bank,
a whaling company and a steam ferry company in 1838. These
three enterprises were projected here in 1838,and notice was duly
given that applications would be made to the legislature for
acts to incorporate them. A public meeting was called at Fac-
toryville, at the "Shakespeare Hotel," January 11, 1838, in
which call the "citizens of Richmond County, without dis-
tinction of party, opposed to all monopolies," were invited to
join in opposing the granting of charters to the aforesaid
companies. The meeting, which was said to be "large and
respectable," was presided over by Hon. Samuel Barton,
while Paul Mersereau acted as secretary. Animated discus-
sions followed, and a number of resolutions were passed, the
result of which was to decide upon a remonstrance to the
legislature against granting charters to any of the proposed
incorporations. The sentiments prevailing in these expressions
declared that " we view the application for a bank at the pres-
ent as a most flagrant and daring insult to the good of the
People and that we will use all honorable
means to bring into contempt our present odious banking sys-
tem;" that they regarded the incorporation of a steamboat com-
pany as entirely unnecessary; and in general that all acts of
special incorporation come from the people and that the people
have a just right to inquire into the necessity of such acts,
" and if found wanting in the balance of justice, to instruct
our representative to veto the applications in the bud. and
thereby save ourselves a vast amount of money which is ex-
pended in payment of legislatures for discussing topics which
they of right have no business to meddle with." In the re-
monstrance the following passage appears, which we think
worthy of notice here:
"Your petitioners think it preposterous in any government
to lend its aid to carry into effect the mad schemes of specu-
lators, to permit them by the aid of their corporate privileges
to appropriate all the profits arising therefrom to their
private use, as long as successful, by which they often ac-
quire princely fortunes, and then by their private property
being exempt from the payment of their corporate debts,
266 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
enable them, when unsuccessful, to throw the burthen of their
losses on the community. It is no longer a novelty to see the
individual stockholders of a bankrupt institution living in
splendor and rolling in wealth, while from the poor mechanic
and laborer they withhold the amounts justly due to them,
and thereby deprive them of the means of supporting their
destitute and unhappy families. It is also a bitter reflection
that such cruelty and injustice is sanctioned by the laws
of our beloved country, from which there is no earthly
appeal."
As we follow the chronological order of our history circum-
stances invite our attention for a moment to the remarkable
peculiarities of the season of 1843. The early part of the
preceding winter had been quite mild, but it became very
severe about February, and so continued until near May,
when the weather became suddenly warm. Extremes of heat
and cold followed in frequent alternations. But little spring
weather was developed. On the 3d of June ice formed in the
Clove road an eighth of an inch thick. All vegetation was
stunted. Early in that month extreme heat commenced, accom-
panied with drought which extended into July. The seventeen-
year locusts appeared early in June, doing a great amount of
mischief to young trees. They remained about six weeks. On
the 2d of July the thermometer marked 94 in the shade, and
in the afternoon of that day a terrific tornado passed over the
island, adding to the damage of frost, drought and locusts.
Early in August a deluge of rain followed the drought. Early
in September a remarkably cold week necessitated fires to keep
warm by, and this was followed by a spell of extreme heat.
The island has several times felt the shock of earthquakes.
On the 21st of February, 1845, between 7 and 8 o'clock in the
evening, a shock was felt. Persons seated at the time could feel
the chairs oscillating beneath them. The same impression was
perceptible in different parts of the island. On the 25th of the
following October, another shock was sensibly felt on the island,
this one moving from east to west. February 4, 1846, still
another similar shock was felt. The preceding summer was
one of great heat and extreme dryness. On the 8th of Septem-
ber, 1848, about 11 o'clock at night, an earthquake was felt
on the island. One who remembers it, thus describes his im-
pressions. "I was in bed at the time, and in an imperfect sleep
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 267
and was awakened by it. It shook the house and was accom-
panied by a noise as of many carriages passing over the paved
streets of a city. Its course seemed from southwest to north-
east, and it continued several seconds. But perhaps the most
severe earthquake shock ever felt here was that which visited
the island, in common with some other parts of the country, on
the afternoon of Sunday, August 10, 1884. It passed at 10 min-
utes past 2 o'clock, and was preceded by a deep rumbling
sound, which increased in volume till every house on the island
trembled, shaking sashes, doors and shutters, throwing dishes
from tables and shelves and jostling bricks off the tops of chim-
nies. Some supposed that the Standard oil works on Bergen
point had exploded. At the Pavilion hotel the guests were at
dinner. Great confusion prevailed, men and women rushing
into the halls and about the house, while some ladies fainted.
More or less confusion prevailed in other houses, but no serious
damage was done.
We come now to notice one of the most conspicuous barriers
to the prosperity and growth of Staten Island that its history
can show. That "barrier" was indeed long since "burned
away." We refer to the quarantine hospitals, which were
located at Tompkinsville, and the removal of which is one of
the most striking examples of the determination to which a
community may in very desperation be driven by a persistent
course of oppression, even when pursued under the cloak of
state authoi'ity.
As the commerce of the port of New York extended itself)
and vessels from all parts of the world visited its harbor, and
sometimes brought infectious diseases with them, it became an
imperative necessity that the authorities should establish a
quarantine for the protection of the people dwelling within its
limits. Accordingly, the colonial legislature, in 1758, enacted
a law creating a quarantine establishment, and located it upon
Bedloe's island, where it remained thirty-eight years, and from
which it was removed to Nutten, or Governor's island. In 1799,
the yellow fever was brought to New York, and it was decided
that the establishment was altogether too near the metropolis to
be of any service in protecting the people, by preventing the
spread of malignant diseases. Commissioners were then ap-
pointed by aci of legislature to procure a site on Staten Island.
They selected a parcel of land containing thirty acres, belong-
268 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
ing to St. Andrew's church, beautifully located on the northeast
shore of the island. Strong opposition was made not only by
the owners of the land, but by the people of the island gener-
ally, to its location among them, but it was taken, notwith-
standing, by what in law is termed " the right of eminent
domain." Hospitals and other necessary buildings were erected,
and during the first year of its existence on the island, twenty-
five cases of yellow fever occurred among the people residing
outside of its boundaries, nil but one of which proved fatal.
Almost every year thereafter contagious diseases, in some form,
found victims among the people. In 1848, the number of per-
sons sick from infectious diseases outside of the quarantine
amounted to one hundred and eighty. In that year an earnest
petition for relief was presented to the legislature by the people
of the island, supported by powerful influences from New York
and Brooklyn, and a committee was appointed by the legisla-
ture to examine into the matter, and report at the following
session. This committee at once proceeded to the performance
of the duty assigned them, and in 1849 " unhesitatingly recom-
mended the immediate removal of the quarantine." While the
committee were engaged in performing their duty, the yellow
fever again broke out, and extended itself to various other
places. In April an act was passed for the removal of the quar-
antine establishment from Staten Island to Sandy Hook. The
measure had its opponents among the shipping merchants and
others in New York, who were not idle ; the state of New Jer-
sey also interposed its objections, and the persons appointed by
the legislature of New York to carry out its intentions, took no
action whatever, so that the removal act remained a dead letter-
on the statute books.
The fearful visitation of yellow fever in 1856 once more
aroused the people of the island, and another application for
relief was made. In March, 1857, another act was passed for
the removal of the quarantine from Staten Island, but the op-
position of the commissioners of emigration, the board of
underwriters of New York, and the shipping interests of that
city, again thwarted the beneficent designs of the legislature.
The precautions adopted by the local authorities to protect the
citizens and their families from infection, were opposed by
the health officer, and every possible obstacle was thrown in the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 269
way of the local officers to embarrass them in the performance
of their duties.
The largest hospital building in the enclosure was three
stories high, one hundred and thirty-six by twenty-eight feet,
and had wings thirty-seven by twenty-eight feet at each end.
A hospital building near the water was three stories high, fifty
by forty-five feet, with wings at each end sixty-six by twenty-
six feet. These two buildings were designed to accommodate
four hundred patients. The small-pox hospital was two stories
high, eighty by twenty-eight feet, with a piazza running along
the front and rear. It was designed to accommodate fifty
patients. There were twelve other buildings on the grounds,
viz. : health -officer's residence, deputy health-officer's residence,
assistant physician's house, steward and farmer's house, work-
house, house for barge-men, boat house, office, carpenter's shop,
ice and coal house, wagon house and barn.
The board of health of the town of Castleton was organized
August 2, 1856, with Richard Christopher as chairman and Dr.
Isaac Lea as health officer. Frequent meetings were held, and
the health of the villages of the town, and the effect of the
quarantine upon them frequently considered. Carelessness was
prevalent in the management of that institution, and diseases
were frequently propagated from the hospitals among the people
living in the town. These diseases were communicated by em-
ployees of the quarantine going out among the people, and by
miasmatic transmission through the atmosphere. The history
of the action of this board and the progress of the popular
sentiment which kept pace with it would be interesting to those
who have time to read, but space forbids following it in any
detail during the three years of its growth up to the culminat-
ing point. Dr. E. C. Mundy was appointed health officer dur-
ing this time, and at times a guard was employed to keep sur-
veilance over the enclosure, to prevent as far as possible the
commerce of its employees with the people outside.
At a meeting July 15, 1858, health officer Doctor Mundy stated
that a persistent determination was manifest to thwart the ac-
tion of the board by misrepresentation and ridicule. In order
to counteract in some measure the influence of such efforts he
made a statement as follows :
" We have located in our midst a lazaretto, whence emanates
those noxious effluvia which produce disease and death. This
270 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
monstrous nuisance, it seems, from the result of the efforts
made for the accomplishment of its removal by the people of
the county for several years past, we are doomed still to bear
with and submit to, and hence it becomes necessary to adopt
such measures as the law authorizes to mitigate as far as pos-
sible the evils of its presence and protect our citizens from the
influence of its deadly miasmata. For this purpose and no
other, the Board of Health was organized, and at its last meet-
ing adopted rules and regulations by which all persons engaged
off shore or on board of any infected or quarantined vessels, and
all passengers and luggage landed from such vessel shall be
prohibited from comingoutside of the quarantine enclosure and
from going to the City of New York upon any of the boats of
the Staten Island Perry Company."
Though the approval of the quarantine health officer. Doctor
Thompson, seems to have been secured, harmony did not exist
with the commissioners of health of New York city. Notwith-
standing all efforts of the health officers he reports July 23
" Stevedores and lightermen, passengers and luggage from in-
fected vessels, continue as previously to pass from the quarantine
enclosure to other parts of the town and on board our public ferry
boats." The spirit of discord between the quarantine authorities
and the local board of health increased until Doctor Mundy
declared his conclusion " that the health authorities of the port
of New York look upon the health and lives of the people of
Richmond county as matters of secondary importance, and
hardly worthy their consideration." Several cases of yellow
fever occurred, all of which were directly traceable to viola-
tions of the board of health rules. It was also evident that
great laxity existed in the administration of quarantine rules,
men being allowed to pass to and from infected vessels where-
ever they pleased.
At a meeting of the board August 19th it was reported that
seventeen cases of yellow fever had occurred outside of the
quarantine walls. A district at Tompkinsville was then infected
with yellow fever. Power was given to Doctor Mundy, as health
officer of the board, to make and attend to the enforcement of
such rules and regulations as he thought proper, and the pen-
alty affixed for the violation of such rules in the name of the
board was limited at one thousand dollars fine or two years im-
prisonment. August 27th the board met again. The infection
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 271
of yellow i'ever which was spreading into the town, was clearly
caused by the presence of a fleet of infected vessels lying at
quarantine. Doctor Mundy in his report at that meeting said :
" But over this source of evil I am aware that your honorable
Board has no control, and therefore I have no suggestions to
make in relation to it." Subsequent events, however, showed
that suggestions were alive from another source, of which we
have no written record to tell us of their growth. The same re-
port gives another cause of the transmission of disease by in-
fected articles being conveyed to the home of one of the em-
ployees whose duty it was to burn them. He did not do so,
but carried the clothing to his residence and there washed it.
The whole district lying in the triangle surrounded by the bay,
the hospital buildings and Griffin street was infected. The
doctor recommended prompt, decisive action to prevent a re-
currence of the offense.
At a meeting of the board on the 1st of September the follow-
ing resolutions were unanimously passed, and ordered to be
published :
"Resolved, that the whole Quarantine Establishment, located
as it is, in the midst of a dense population, has become a pest
and a nuisance of the most odious character, bringing death
and desolation to the very doors of the people of the Towns of
Castleton and Southfteld.
"Resolved, that it is a nuisance too intolerable to be borne
by the citizens of these towns any longer.
"Resolved, that this Board recommend the citizens of this
Town and County to protect themselves by abating this abom-
inable nuisance without delay."
On the night of that and the following day, September 1 and
2, 1858, about thirty men entered the quarantine enclosure,
and after removing the patients from the several hospitals, set
fire to and burned down every building connected with the
establishment. That some excesses should be committed by an
exasperated populace, was to be expected. There was so much
system, however, in their mode of operation, that it was evi-
dent everything had been previously arranged, and that the
people were carrying out instructions previously received.
During the continuance of this intense excitement, it was re-
markable that not a single life was sacrificed, nor was any one
seriously injured.
272 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
These summary proceedings of the people of Staten Island
produced great excitement, not only in the city of New York,
but throughout the state, and indeed throughout the country.
The people engaged in them were termed in the public prints
barbarians, savages, incarnate fiends, sepoys, and in fact no
epithets were considered too vile to be applied to them. But
they were all borne with equanimity, sustained by the con-
sciousness that sooner or later there would be a revolution in
public opinion. After all the mischief had been done, the gov-
ernor of the state declared the island to be in a state of revolt,
and sent over several regiments of militia, who were for some
time encamped upon the grounds immediately north of the
quarantine.
A matter of a character so serious, could not, of course, be
passed over in silence. Legal proceedings were at, once insti-
tuted, and Messrs. John C. Thompson and Ray Tompkins, who
were regarded as the instigators and ringleaders of the incend-
iaries, were arrested on a charge of arson, and arraigned before
the county judge, Hon. H. B. Metcalfe, for examination. His
opinion, which was extensively copied and read, had great in-
fluence in changing public opinion. His closing remarks merit
repetition and preservation.
"Undoubtedly the city of New York is entitled to all the
protection in the matter that the State can give, consistently
with the health of others ; she has no right to more. Her great
advantages are attended by correspondent inconveniences ;
her great public works, by great expenditures ; her great for-
eign commerce, by the infection it brings. Bat the legislature
can no more apportion upon the surrounding communities her
dangers, than her expenses ; no more compel them to do her
dying, than to pay her taxes ; neither can be done."
Thus ended the charges brought against the prisoners ; no
person was punished for any complicity in the matter, but the
county, very unjustly in the opinion of many, was compelled
to pay for the value of the property destroyed, both public and
private ; nevertheless, the people consoled themselves with the
reflection, that even at that price, they had cheaply, as well as
effectually, rid themselves of a grievous nuisance, which had
not only depreciated the value of their property, and exposed
themselves and their families to contagion in its worst forms,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 273
but had actually been the direct cause of the death of hundreds
of their relatives and neighbors.
The board of health employed a force of special police, twen-
ty-five by day and an equal number by night, to keep a con-
stant guard around the quarantine enclosure, to allow no com-
munication between it and the town. The infected district at
Tompkinsville was more effectually quarantined, and the health
officer was instructed to prevent all intercourse with the dis-
trict, even by fencing it in if he should deem it necessary.
Meetings of the board were held daily, and all physicians were
required to report daily all cases of infectious diseases. On the
14th of September the board passed unanimous resolutions that
immediate steps be taken to prevent the re-establishment of the
quarantine buildings, and appointed a committee to legally re-
strain the board of health of the city of New York and the
health commissioners and commissioners of emigration " from
re-erecting the said hospitals, buildings and shanties or in do-
ing any act by which the said nuisance may be re-established,
continued or maintained in the Town of Castleton."
The quarantine establishment was never rebuilt here. A
floating hospital was arranged and anchored in the Lower bay
in 1860, and later hospitals were erected on two small islands in
the Lower bay nearly opposite New Dorp, but far enough from
the island shore to give freedom from any apprehensions of in-
fectious communications.
Under an act of April 16, 1860, a commission was authorized
to investigate the damage sustained by the state in the destruc-
tion of the old quarantine hospitals. The commission met in
June, and after an extended inquiry, made their award, fixing
the whole amount at $121,598.39. The supervisors of Richmond
county in December accepted the award, and soon after issued
bonds of the county to meet the same. These were given to the
commissioners of emigration, who sold them as occasion re-
quired and appropriated the proceeds to the expenses of their
work. By an act of the legislature, passed in 1870, the bonds
then remaining, to the amount of $10,725, were ordered to be
surrendered and cancelled by the comptroller.
At the beginning of the year 1861 clouds of discord and po-
litical strife began to darken the sky and obscure the prospects
of the island in common with other parts of the land. Fanat-
icism and hot headed indiscretion had accomplished their work
18
274 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
and the direful results were then hidden behind the veil which
was about to remove and disclose the horrors of four years of
civil war. As the opening events developed, the people in some
measure were able to lay aside party spirit and join with some
show of unanimity in the work of sustaining the government in
its efforts to contend with a gigantic rebellion. In accordance
with the recommendation of the president, Wednesday, Jan.
uary 4th was observed as a day of fasting and prayer, that the
threatened war clouds might pass away.
One of the first acts of hostility in which Staten Island was
directly concerned was the seizure early in that month, of the
schooner " S. W. Lutrell " of Staten Island, at Norfolk, Va.,
for violation of the inspection laws of that state for preventing
the escape of fugitives and slaves.
A large and enthusiastic Union meeting said at the time to
be the largest mass meeting that had ever convened on the is-
land, was held at Tottenville on Saturday the 26th of January.
A banner was raised, bearing upon it the motto, "The Consti-
tution and the Union," and the most enthusiastic expres-
sions of loyalty and devotion to the country of our
fathers were indulged in. Guns were fired for the states of the
Union, for General Scott and for Major Anderson, and resolu-
tions were adopted, among which was the following :
" Resolved, That the peace and happiness of this country
depend not on mere amendments to the Constitution, nor con-
cession to the slave power, but upon a strict adherence to the
Constitution, and a wise, firm and determined execution of the
federal law."
In April preparations were made to meet the expected call
for troops to defend the nation. The island began thus early
to assume a martial appearance. Uniformed men might be seen
hurrying to and fro, and recruits from almost every household
were answering to the call, and making ready to go into camp.
On the 20th of the month a number of young men who had
joined the Seventy-first N. Y., embarked with the regiment on
board the steamer " R. R. Cuyler." Others enlisted in the
Seventy-third and other regiments. The flames of patriotism
burned high, and party feeling was forgotton in the desire to
maintain the integrity of the nation. An editorial in a local
paper said "We know that the soldiers of Staten Island go
with no vindictive feelings towards the South to gratify. They
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 275
go with the sword in one hand, and the olive branch in the
other ; and the secession traitors South, as well as the abolition
traitors North, are the objects of their special abhorrence."
The community now began to be greatly agitated in regard to
the war in prospect. Handbills were posted throughout the
county calling for recruits in the Scott Life Gruard in New
York ; sign boards, bearing the words " Death to all Traitors,"
were nailed np on trees along the shore roads ; in one instance
an effigy, with protruding tongue, was hung by the neck from a
stake in the center of a mill pond, while on his breast the figure
bore a placard, on which were the words "The Traitor's Doom;"
a secret combination was said to have been formed on the island,
whose members assumed the duty of learning who were pos-
sessed of traitorous sympathies and inclinations, and warning
them against manifesting those sympathies too freely; recruit-
ing officers frequently visited the island from the city and drew
away large numbers of the young men ; flags were raised on
vessels in the river and bay, on house tops and public build-
ings, on horses and vehicles in the street, and were even worn
upon the persons of ladies and gentlemen, some, however, sub-
stituting rosettes instead of flags. Daring the month the Sev-
enty third was engaged in recruiting its ranks, and tendered
their services to the governor. The regiment was under com-
mand of Colonel Ray Tompkins. At the close of the month it
was under marching orders. The Middletown guard, an inde-
pendent organization commanded by Captain Stahl, also pre-
pared to take an active part in the war. The ministers in the
different parts of the island made reference on Sunday to the
national troubles. The arrival of Major Anderson and his com-
mand in New York, after the evacuation of Fort Sumter, set
free a blaze which swept over the whole northern states; and
Staten Island, so closely connected with New York, could not
but feel a double portion of the patriotic enthusiasm that
glowed already with such a fervid heat. A mass meeting of
the citizens of the county was called at the old quarantine
grounds in Tompkinsville, on Saturday the 27th, " to take
measnres for the prompt action of Richmond County at this
crisis." This meeting, though not large, was enthusiastic. It
was addressed by Mr. Clark and Henry J. Raymond. The vig-
orous prosecution of the war was urged, and the following reso-
lutions offered by Mr. G. W. Curtis were adopted :
276 UISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
" Whereas, The people of the United States within the
Union, and under their own Government, have for three-
quarters of a century enjoyed an unparalleled prosperity and
progress, for the continuance of which the Constitution of the
United States is the perpetual guarantee ; and,
" Whereas, That Constitution provides for a constant, refer-
ence of every disputed political policy to the peaceful decision
of the people at the polls, and of every question arising under
the Constitution and laws to the judgment of the Supreme
Court of the United States, thereby removing all conceivable
occasion for forcible resistance to the laws ; and,
" Whereas, An armed rebellion now threatens the very ex-
istence of that Government, seizing the forts, arsenals, navy-
yards, vessels and hospitals which belong to the people of the
United States, and consummating its crime by firing upon the
flag of the nation, the glorious symbol of our unity, our liberty,
and our general welfare.
" Resolved, That it was the duty of all persons in the country,
who felt themselves aggrieved, to resort to the peaceful and
legal means of redress provided by the Constitution ; and that
when, instead of so doing, they took up arms and organized
resistance to the Government of the country, they struck at the
very heart of organized civil society.
" Resolved, That the Government of the United States has
properly sought, by every kind of forbearance, to avoid the
sad necessity of asserting its authority by force of arms, but
that it is at length manifest to the whole world that it must now
subdue or be subdued.
" Resolved, That in forcibly maintaining that authority every-
where within its dominions, and at every cost, the Government
wages no war of invasion or conquest, but simply does its duty,
expecting every citizen to do the same, and to take care that
the doom of the rebels and traitors who would ruin the most
beneficent Government in the world, and so destroy the hope
of free popular institutions forever, shall be swift, sudden and
overwhelming.
" Resolved, That when the supreme authority of the Govern-
ment of the people of the United States shall have been complete-
ly reestablished, we, with all other good citizens, will cheerfully
cooperate in any measures that may be taken in accordance
with the Constitution, fully to consider and lawfully to redress
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 277
all grievances that may anywhere be shown to exist, yielding
ourselves, and expecting all others to yield to the will of the
whole people, constitutionally expressed.
''Resolved, That we, loyal citizens of Richmond Connty
hereby, before God and man, take the oath of fidelity to the
sacred flag of our country, and to the cause of popular liberty
and Constitutional Government which that represents, pledging
ourselves to each other, that by the love we bear our native
land, and our unfaltering faith in the principles of our Govern-
ment, we will transmit to our children, unimpaired, the great
heritage of blessings we have received from our fathers.
" Resolved, That a committee of three from each town in the
County be appointed by the Chair, to solicit subscriptions for
the benefit of the families of residents of the County, who may
be absent upon actual service, and for the equipment of volun-
teers; and that this fund shall be distributed by a Committee
consisting of the Supervisors of the County.
"Resolved, That it be recommended to the citizens to form
companies in their various neighborhoods, to elect their own
officers, to drill regularly, and to hold themselves ready to an-
swer the call of their country.
" Resolved, That knowing the readiness of the women of this
country to take their part in the holy struggle, we invite them,
by the immediate formation of local societies of relief, to pre-
pare bandages and lint for husbands, sons, brothers and lovers,
that all hands may work, as all hearts are beating, for God and
and our native land."
Several regiments of soldiers, among whom were Wilson's
Zouaves, were encamped in the quarantine enclosure at that
time. They were marched out and drawn up in line at this
meeting and much of the speaking was addressed to them.
To the question put to them, "Are you ready to march through
Baltimore?" they gave a hearty response expressive of their
determination and earnest readiness to face the conflict which
was before them.
An unpleasant feature of the presence of these troops tempo-
rarily stationed here soon began to manifest itself. These re-
cruits, fresh from the low haunts of New York city and unused
to the restraints of military discipline, were not held by the
orders, however strict, forbidding them to leave the enclosure
of the quarantine grounds. They frequently scaled the walls
278 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
and in parties, sometimes as many as thirty, roamed along the
shores and over the country, visiting the houses and annoying
the inhabitants. Many petty depredations and thefts were com-
mitted by them. A few were arrested and taken back to the
encampment.
The island now became a rendezvous for many regiments and
parts of regiments while waiting to fill their ranks with recruits
or for orders to move forward toward the seat of war.
The ladies also, acting on the suggestions contained in the
resolutions already quoted, formed associations in the different
villages of the county, and while the sterner sex were drilling
and equipping for the hard experiences of the battle-field they
were preparing lint and bandages and other conveniences and
comforts for the disabled, the sick and the dying.
The supervisors, in response to the people's resolutions, met
at Tompkinsville on April 27th and appointed W. S. Pendleton
as treasurer to hold the fund that might be raised for the
equipment of volunteers and the support of their families
during their absence. They also authorized him to dispense
the fund, with the concurrence of one or more supervisors.
A number of young men, constituting an organization known
as the "Young American Guards," began drilling at the Conti-
nental hotel at Port Eichmond, tinder the direction of Abraham
C. Wood.
When the first recruits were equipping themselves for the
war, great difficulty was experienced in finding a sufficient
supply of uniforms and equipments. The market in such
things was soon run dry, and men who were anxious to be off
for the seat of war were delayed until the necessary equip-
ments could be obtained or manufactured.
After the first installment of Staten Island boys had gone
out in the Seventy-first and other regiments, their friends
looked anxiously for tidings from them. And as their ac-
quaintances and even strangers on the island were desirous of
hearing from them, their letters were often published in the
local papers and were read with great interest.
During the following summer the popular feeling must have
been agitated to a fever heat. Besides the commotion caused
by the exciting news from the war, and the presence of large
numbers of soldiers in the midst, and the recruiting, flag-rais-
ing, speech-making and other work for the cause of the nation,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 279
there were other causes generating agitations that helped still
further to inflame the public mind. In partisan politics the
outbreak of the war and other influences had greatly disturbed
the lines of the old political parties, and a new organ-
ization called the Citizen's Union party, which was favorable
to sustaining the Union arms and reforming some local abuses,
was growing up amid a vast amount of partisan friction. The
unsettled condition of the quarantine management also was a
cause of frequent alarm for fear that the occupation of the old
grounds might be renewed, or the floating hospitals in the bay
might be drifted near enough to bring infectious diseases to
the island. The frequent disturbances created by drunken
soldiers and the consequent insults and annoyances that the
people suffered from them, together with the discord generated
by the efforts that were made to suppress liquor selling to the
soldiers, and the resistance of a numerous and determined band
of liquor dealers who were tempted by the unusual profits to
continue in the business, all conspired to add more fuel to the
flames of popular passion.
The petty depredations frequently committed by soldiers en-
camped here, and the fear of still greater insecurity .from that
source led to the organization of a "Home Guard," and a
volunteer police force, to be called out by the supervisors in
case of any general disturbance that might be caused by the
lawlessness of men from the encampments. Reasonable means
were taken by the authorities of the camps to prevent the men
going out to obtain liquor or to prey upon the peace of the
community.
At the circuit court held in November, 1861, the grand jury
delivered to the court the following presentment, which is sug-
gestive.
" The Grand Jury of the County of Richmond, upon the ter-
mination of their duties, respectfully present, that they are
gratified that no serious violations of law have demanded their
investigation during the present session of this court, and re-
gard that as a gratifying evidence of the peaceable and law-
abiding character of the citizens of this County. Such cases,
however, as have fallen under their notice disclose the fact that
many violations of public order may be traced to the indulgence
and use of intoxicating liquors, and they would recommend
that the Commissioners of Excise should stringently, and with
280 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
energy, prosecute all persons who are engaged in the sale of
strong and. spirituous liquors without license, and collect the
penalties prescribed for such violations of the law. In this con-
nection, the Grand Jury would intimate that inasmuch as those
penalties are directed by the statute to be appropriated when
collected for the benefit of the poor of the County, that no com-
promise of any suits instituted for their recovery can be legally
authorized."
Some idea of the extent to which the people responded to
the calls of the nation may be gained from the fact that up to
the end of November, 1861. in the town of Castleton, there had
been subscribed three thousand two hundred and fifty dollars
for the families of volunteers. There had volunteered from
this town one hundred and twenty-eight men, leaving sixty-
four dependent families to be cared for.
At a meeting held at the court house on the evening of No-
vember 13th, a committee was appointed to obtain blankets, mit-
tens, stockings, and other useful articles for the soldiers in the
field. Other meetings were held in other villages to further the
same object, which was the work of the sanitary commission.
All through the years of the war the ladies were not lacking in
their readiness to engage in labors of love and mercy in doing
what they could for the comfort of those on the field of battle
and in hospitals.
After the first recruits who went out in the spring of 1861 had
served their three months in the war, the work of recruiting for
the war settled down to actual business. Meetings were now
held at different places to arouse the enthusiasm and patriotic
devotion of the strong-armed men of the county to go forth to
fight the battles of their country. At a meeting held in Demp-
sey' shall, Factory ville, September 2, 1861, for the purpose of
organizing a company of young men of the island, James Bo-
dine made a patriotic address, and at its close about fifty young
men signed the roll. A station was opened during that month,
in a large carpenter's shop that had been previously owned by
James OK Burger. Unusual inducements were offered to re-
cruits to join a company which was to be transferred to Colonel
Tompkins' regiment (Second New York state militia) already at
the seat of war. Forty-two of these recruits, belonging to Com-
pany A, left Port Richmond on the 23d to join the regiment at
Poolsville, Md. Recruiting was now said to be more lively than
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 281
it had been before. The following are the names of those of
this company who were from the island : Peter Pero (corpo-
ral), Lewis D. Johnson (corporal), John E. Johnson, Joseph B.
Johnson, John J. Simonson, James H. Munson, Daniel Mallett,
Eugene Daily, Henry D. Spong (corporal), Alexander Fitz Sim-
mons, Edward M. Sharrott, Jeremiah Leary, Charles Steers,
Thomas J. Gushing, George F. Burbank, James H. Simonson,
Jacob T. Selzer, Cornelius Degraff, William D. Maskell, Charles
H. King, William Eccles, Joseph K. Plant, Henry Sharp, Jos-
eph B. Barnes, Joseph L. Thompson, James Post, Isaac Lock-
man, C. P. B. Slaight, Jr., Henry Mercereau, Cornelius Mar-
tineau, Jacob Lockman, James B. Burbank, Simon V. N.
Decker, Albert Mason, Matthins B. Stewart, James B. Halli-
day, Albion Noble, John Reynolds, Abraham Turner, Francis
M. Tarsney, William H. Fullagar, Arthur Haughian, George
Conner, Thomas Conner, Joseph Simonson, Henry T. Paulson,
Henry Decker, Samuel Warrender, John W. Tynan, James
Simonson, Thomas Flanelly, Frigero Gassq, John R. Green.
The Seventy-third, under Colonel Tompkins, composed of the
citizen soldiers of Staten Island, was by a resolution of its of-
ficers at a meeting held at Tompkins' Lyceum, June 9th, 1862,
offered to the government for three years or the war. It was
expected that it would be attached to Spinola's brigade.
In accordance with the direction of the governor, the super-
visors, in July, appointed men to meet with others to form a
committee for this senatorial district to superintend the raising
of troops for the army. The men appointed from Richmond
county were Col. Nathan Barrett, Richard Christopher, William
II. Vanderbilt, J. Bechtel, William Corry, Henry L. Norris and
Edward Banker.
During July a number of Staten Island men enlisted in the
Seventy-ninth (Highlanders), which was already in the field.
The raising of recruits, however, proceeded slowly, and the
authorities seemed backward about taking earnest hold of the
matter of raising troops. It seemed necessary that some means
should be taken to arouse the public mind to the importance
of action. Accordingly, one of the largest and most enthusi-
astic war meetings ever gathered in the county was held
at Port Richmond on the evening of August llth. Its object
was to encourage enlistments to fill the calls for six hundred
thousand men which had recently been made by the president.
282 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
The quota of Richmond county under these calls amounted to
seven hundred and eighty-four men. The meeting assembled
at the steamboat wharf, near Oriental hall, where more than
fifteen hundred people were present.
Resolutions were passed, heartily approving of the call for
troops, declaring it to be the imperative duty of men enjoying
the protection and benefits of the government to do all in their
power to sustain it ; declaring for the perfect union of the states
and the maintenance of the authority of the government at
whatever cost ; calling for immediate, prompt, constant and
energetic action until the cause for such action should cease ;
branding as enemies all who should refuse to speak or act when
occasion required for the preservation of the country, and fi-
nally that "we have come here to-night to act, and that we will,
without delay, contribute liberally of our means to forward en-
listments and carry out the great measures now being instituted
for the earnest and vigorous prosecution of the war, well as-
sured that the greater the sacrifices we now make the more
speedily we shall see our country rejoicing in the blessings of
peace, and the whole constellation of stars in our political
heaven restored to their accustomed brilliancy and beauty, never
again to be dimmed nor obscured."
Hon. Erastus Brooks then made an eloquent and stirring ad-
dress, during the delivery of which he was frequently inter
rupted by applause. A bounty of lift}' dollars each was offered
to volunteers, and the chairman was appointed to receive sub-
scriptions to a fund for that purpose. The list was headed by
a subscription of five hundred dollars, and several others of one
hundred dollars each, and enlistments and subscriptions flowed
in. Other meetings were held in other parts of the county and
efforts made to meet the demands of the hour, but the results
were not sufficiently rapid to prevent apprehensions that a draft
might be resorted to.
The possibilities of a draft in the future developed a peculiar
feature in the eagerness with which some endeavored to evade
those possibilities. Like the invited guests of a certain great
supper of old, they began to make excuses. Men who had
never thought of complaining of any ailment now assumed,
with the best possible grace, the role of invalids, or found, often
by hard stretches of truth, perhaps, that some good reason ex-
isted to relieve them of military duty. One has the bronchitis,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 283
another an affection of the jaw, another finds his eyesight very
poor and bought spectacles after the order fora draft was made,
another has one leg shorter than the other, another is 4 ' thick
of hearing," another has a sick wife, another gets ont of
breath very soon, and many others are over forty-five years old
or hold some office that exempts them.
Mass meetings were held in the different towns in August, for
the purpose of encouraging enlistments and raising subscrip-
tions from which to pay a bounty of $50 to volunteers and to
furnish aid to take care of their dependent families during their
absence. Such a meeting for Northfield was held at Elm Park
on the 16th, at which some two thousand persons were present,
and resolutions were passed expressing the same sentiments as
those of the previous meeting and calling on the supervisors to
raise by taxation on the towns of the county ten thousand dol-
lars to be appropriated to the relief of the families of volunteers.
Voluntary subscriptions for the same purpose were also received.
In New Brighton a similar meeting was held on the 18th, at
which over three thousand dollars was subscribed for a relief
and bounty fund for the town, and a committee appointed to at-
tend to dispensing it and collecting more. Another meeting of
the people of Castleton was held on the 21st, at Factoryville.
Speeches, resolutions, subscriptions and enthusiasm flowed
freely on these occasions. This relief fund, which had been
established in 1861, had already received and dispensed above
five thousand dollars, and at this time had more than one hun-
dred families dependent on it. The citizens of Middletown
held a meeting on the 2<)th, at which resolutions were passed
expressive of a full determination to sustain the government in
carrying on the war and calling on the supervisors of the county
to appropriate twenty thousand dollars to be distributed to the
families of volunteers who had or should enlist from this county.
One of these resolutions is in the following language :
"Resolved, That much as Ave may differ as to questions of
policy in minor matters, we are one in the conviction that it is
our individual duty to stand by the government of our fathers,
and to swear eternal hostility to treason and its abettors whether
at home or abroad." The meeting adjourned in a full blaze of
enthusiasm, and several enlisted at once.
A meeting at Southfield was held on the 21st, at which some
two thousand persons were present. Patriotic resolutions, ex-
284 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
pressive of full sympathy with the war, were passed, among
which were the following :
"That the people of the town of Southfield are heart and soul
devoted to the national cause at the present vital crisis, and that
they will make any sacrifice to preserve our national existence,
which is now menaced by a band of lawless traitors."
"That while differences of opinion exist among us on politi-
cal questions, we are satisfied that this is no time to agitate
them when the life of the nation hangs trembling in the bal-
ance, and foreign despots look on exultingly, expecting and
hoping to see the failure of democratic institutions thoroughly
demonstrated by this war."
" That we now call upon the supervisor of this town to co-
operate with the other supervisors of this County in appropri-
ating a sum of $20,000 as a bounty for volunteers, and for the
support of their wives and children, trusting to the legislature
to legalize the act."
Westfield was not behind her sister towns in answering the
country's call. Two meetings were held, and the enthusiasm
generated was sufficient to excite the resolution to raise a com-
pany of seventy-five men, which should be officered from the
town.
The supervisors of Richmond county met on the 27th of
August and resolved to issue the bonds of the county to the
amount of twenty thousand dollars, the proceeds of which
should be used for the payment of extra bounties and relief for
tin- families of volunteers. Though this action was at the time
contrary to law, yet it was deemed expedient in view of the ex-
treme circumstances, and the loud call for it which the popular
meetings in the different towns had made on the board. It was
presumed that the legislature would sanction it. which was
done when that body met in the following winter.
Enlistments were now very brisk, the war spirit having, by
the enthusiastic speeches and action of the people, become
thoroughly aroused. A new company mostly from the town of
Castleton was formed, with Louis Schaffner, captain ; Orville
D. Jewett, first lieutenant, and Clarence Barrett, second
lieutenant. Recruiting offices were opened at Dempsey's hotel,
Factoryville, and at the white lead works of John Jewett &
Sons at Port Richmond. An extra bounty of fifty dollars each
was paid volunteers. John C. Green of Castleton, gave one
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 285
thousand dollars toward paying these bounties. Barracks were
erected for the use of this company on the corner of Broadway
and Church street, in Port Richmond. It was decided to attach
the company to the regiment of Colonel Minthorne Tompkins.
A meeting of the citizens of the county was held at Clifton
park, August 30th, amid the flaunting of banners, the strains
of stirring music, and the cheers of the multitude. Enthusias-
tic speeches were made by Judge H. B. Metcalfe, who presided,
George William Curtis, General Busteed, Honorable Eras t us
Brooks, and others. The following resolutions were passed :
" Whereas, The County of Richmond has not been hitherto,
and will not be hereafter behind any county in the State in loy-
alty ; that her sons are fighting in regiments in almost every
division of the national army, and that among the men who
still remain at home there are scores who will be proud to face
the foe for the sake of the Union. Therefore,
"Resolved, That we will relieve the Government from the
necessity of making a draft in this County by providing volun-
teers to fill our quotas under both calls.
" Resolved, That it is the duty of every man to support the
Government by every means in his power, by his voice, his ex-
ample, his money and his good right arm.
" Resolved, That the schemes of the unscrupulous traitors
who have dared to raise their fratricidal hands against their
brethren are deserving the most extreme punishment, and that
the Government is justified in adopting any and all measures
known to civilized warfare to suppress this infernal and wicked
rebellion at any and every cost.
" Resolved, That the action of the Supervisors of the County
in appropriating the sum of 20,000 for the relief of the fami-
lies of volunteers meets with our hearty approval, and we here-
by endorse the same, and call upon the next Legislature to
legalize the said acts of the Supervisors.
" Resolved, That the local Committees thoroughly canvass
each Town and procure all the subscriptions they can in aid of
the enlistment, and the support of the families of volunteers."
The governor at this time had appointed two citizens in each
town, who, with the aid of the supervisor and assessors, were
charged with the duty of enrolling all persons liable to mili-
tary duty, which they proceeded to do.
The war cominittee of the First senatorial district was held
286 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
at Jamaica, on Thursday, the 4th of September, for the purpose
of aiding in the organization of a regiment of volunteers and to
equalize the quotas of the several counties of the district and
apportion any deficiencies in those counties among the towns
that compose them. In this committee Richmond county was
represented by Hon. Smith Ely, William Correy, Nathan Bar-
rett, William H. Vanderbilt and Henry Lee Norris, the latter
of whom was one of the secretaries of the meeting. Among
other business done it was resolved to recognize and adopt the
regiment being formed by Colonel Minthorne Tompkins as the
regiment of the district, and the committee pledged itself to
spare no effort to fill up the regiment as rapidly as possible, and
to organize it so as to make it most efficient in the field and a
credit to the district as well as the country.
Recruiting stations for this i-egiment were opened in all parts
of the island. It was said that the officers at these rendezvous
wore smiling countenances and made encouraging reports of the
progress of the work. Fears of a draft were imminent, and this
stimulated some to volunteer and others to contribute to the
fund for extra bounties and relief for the families of volunteers.
Up to the 6th of September there remained three hundred and
ten of the quota of the county to be made up, but little more
than half of the quota under the two last calls being filled.
About this time several deserters were captured on the island
and returned to their regiments. The freedom of speech and of
the press were shown to be capable of abuse, to the injury of the
common interest. At this time it seemed important to guard
against such abuses. Occasionally a man was arrested and con-
fined in Fort Lafayette for disloyal expressions, but they were
not held in such confinement for any considerable length of
time.
A large number of Staten Island men about this time, Sep-
tember, 1862, enlisted in Spinola's brigade, which was encamped
at East New York. As the months wore along recruits came
in so that by the middle of the month fears of an immediate
draft subsided, the quotas being nearly full. Southfield had ex-
ceeded hers, and Westfield and Northfield had filled theirs.
The volunteer fund of Castleton was receiving liberal contribu-
tions. Of those which up to September llth amounted to $100
or more the following is a list : Barrett, Nephews & Co., $300;
Wm. S. Pendleton, $300; John S. Westervelt, $300; Daniel G.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 287
Bacon, 300; Crab tree & Wilkinson, 200; Francis G. Shaw,
$300; Lucius Tuckerman, $100; Edward F. Davison, $100;
Bodine Brothers, $100; George C. Ward, $300; John Martin,
Jr., 8150; J. Freeman Tyson, $100; Cornelius Du Bois, $100;
New York Dyeing and Printing Co., $500; Thomas M. Rian-
hard, $100; John C. Green, $1,000; Ernest Fielder, $100; John
M. Pendleton, $100; Edward Bement, $200; C. C. Taber, $300;
Mrs. William Bard, $200.
Under the famous internal revenue act, which went into effect
about this time, the following persons were appointed assistant
collectors for the towns of this county, which composed col-
lection districts,each numbered as indicated: Westfield, No. 16,
William A. Brown; Castleton, No. 17, Robert Rakestraw;
Middletown, No. 18, Henry Mendell; Northtield, No. 19, Daniel
Zeluff; Southfield, No. 20, John B. Jacobson.
By the latter part of October the material of the island had
become so much exhausted by recruiting that the regiment
which was intended to represent Staten Island, and be under
command of Colonel Minthorne Tompkins, filled up slowly.
The prospect of filling it soon became so faint, and the need of
men in the field was so urgent that an order was issued by'In-
spector-General Van Vechten to consolidate three of its com-
panies with the One hundred and Fifty-sixth which had left
Kingston, Ulster county, with seven hundred men, and was
then in the barracks in NewYork city hall park. Accordingly,
on the 13th and 14th of November, the companies of Captains
Schaffner, Shelton and Vaughn were transferred to that regi-
ment. This gave rise to great dissatisfaction, and great excite-
ment prevailed, amounting almost to a riot. In the midst of
the tumult one man was stabbed in the back with a bayonet.
The remaining island companies of Tompkins 1 regiment became
disordered and took to the woods and hills, leaving the camp
at Factoryville almost deserted, being occupied by only about
forty officers and men. While in this condition, on Monday
morning, the 17th, the barracks took fire and were nearly de-
stroyed. The fire was supposed to be the work of an incendiary.
The Richmond county regiment, which numbered (with a com-
pany of one hundred men from Flushing which was expected
to join it), six hundred and fifty men, was now broken up.
The remaining companies were transferred to the One hundred
and Fifty-seventh, then encamped at East New York. Of these,
288 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
two companies, under Captains Mark Cox and William Hilde-
brandt, were mainly composed of Staten Island men. Colonel
Tompkins was offered a position as lieutenant-colonel in the
One hundred and Fifty-eighth, but declined. His adjutant was
retained and his senior captain was made major of the One
hundred and Fifty-sixth.
In this sluggish condition of the work of recruiting the pros-
pect of a draft again began to rise. The day was appointed for
the drawing to take place, and Judge H. B. Metcalfe was ap-
pointed commissioner for superintending it, and William G.
Eadie examining surgeon. These officials sat daily at the sur-
rogate's office, at Richmond, from October 22d till the day be-
fore the draft was to take place, to hear any claims of persons
liable to military duty for exemption. But the efforts which
were made here, by enthusiastic public meetings and other means,
were sufficient to push forward the work so that no draft was
required in Richmond county. At a meeting of the senatorial
district committee at Jamaica on the 6th of November, the
county was able to show the following encouraging report:
Towns. Quota. Enlisted.
Middletown 193 211
Castleton 209 241
Northfield . , 150 127
Southfield 113 123
Westfiedd 123 94
County 788 796
List of men recruited on Staten Island by Charles G. Smith,
First Lieutenant Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-second
regiment, up to November 19, 1862.
From Southfield: William Church, Edward Henkel, Bryan
Carney, Edward Jaspart, Peter Schmidt. From Middletown:
Caspar Elmer, William Elmer, James Foley, Patrick Gorman,
Smith W. Higgins, Robert Huston, William L. Ludlum, George
Lambert, Conrad Liebacher, Edward B. Murray, Thos. McKee,
Charles Ockhert, Bernard Schmit, Theodore Simonson, Fred-
erick W. Taxter, Addison White, John Williams.
The following list was recruited at Port Richmond, by David
Stothers, first lieutenant, afterward captain of Company K,
the same regiment.
Northfield: Charles H. Jones, Jacob V. P. Long, Cornelius
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 289
Jones, sergeants; Charles J. Elms, Freeman W. Jones, corpo-
rals; Charles Applebee, Wm. G. E. Decker, John R. Patter-
son, Joseph Emery, William Durrua, George W. Smith, James
W. Houseman, John H. Leonard. Qastleton: James Ma-
honey, David McConnell, George Turner. Soutlifield: Gilbert
H. Randolph.
The above were honorably discharged at the disbandment of
the regiment. The following were discharged previously:
Hiram C. Decker, John A. Taylor, Hyacinth Burke, Michael
Valliere, Andrew P. Van Pelt, John B. Corsen, and Garrett E.
Van Pelt, Northfield; William C. Dunn, Southfield, and Joseph
H. Caine, Castleton, for disability; Richard C. Johnson, Nich-
olas Cubberly, Vreeland Johnson, Bedell Jones, John Brinly,
and Peter S. Brinly, Nor Infield, transferred to the navy; Henry
Valliere, Northfield, to be Hospital Steward; Henry B. Tibbetts,
Northfield, to U. S. Signal Corps; Charles E. Smith, Castleton,
to Ninety-ninth regiment N. Y. V.; Jacob Bowman, Northfield,
killed at Bachelor's Creek, N. C. ; Edward V. Ford, sergeant,
Northfield; Benjamin B. Kinsey, sergeant, Northfield; Abram
B. Houseman, Castleton; George Davis, Northfield; James
Wilson, Castleton, and Aaron Beatty, died in Andersonville
prison; Jacob R. Decker, and William W. Stilwell, Northfield;
Isaac B. Lewis, and James G. Woglom, Westfield, died of
disease contracted in service, and James Shaunessy, Castleton,
deserted.
We have the following particulars in regard to the Staten
Island men who were in company B, of Tompkin's regiment,
which after the consolidation with the One Hundred and Fifty-
sixth became company K, of that regiment. Captain Shelton
resigned at Long Island, on account of sickness. The officers
then became James J. Hoyt, of Castleton, captain; Magnus
Bouscher, first lieutenant, and Edward Openshaw, second
lieutenant. The first and second served through the war, the
third till June, 1864. First Sergeant Charles Westren, of Mid
dletown, was promoted to be a captain, and remained, being
now a captain in the regular army. William Seaton, of Cas-
tleton, sergeant, was promoted to the rank of a captain. John
J. Farrell, of Castleton, sergeant, returned from a rebel prison
at the close of the war, having been taken at Cedar Creek. John
Peterson, private, became a first sergeant. Isaac Fullagar, Cas-
tleton, corporal, served through the war; Evan Riley, Castle-
19
290 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
ton, served through the war; Michael Cotter, Castleton, dis
charged for physical disability; William Gill, Castleton, and
Cornelius Sullivan, drummer, served through the war, were
members of this company.
Early in January, 1863, the supervisors passed a resolution,
authorizing an additional loan of twenty thousand dollars on
the bonds of the county, for the payment of bounties and re-
lief, trusting to the action of the legislature to sanction the
same. The bill legalizing this action, as well as that previously
had in raising money for war purposes passed the legislature
February 21, 1863. Most of the towns drew upon this fund.
The town of Southfield was the only one in the county that did
not, but filled its quota under the calls of July, 1862. and paid
its bounties entirely by voluntary contributions. These contri-
butions in that town amounted to seven thousand four hundred
and sixty-two dollars. Bounties were paid to one hundred and
twenty-two recruits, amounting to seven thousand three hundred
and twenty dollars, and the balance was used for other pur-
poses. In Northfield eighty-eight recruits received fifty dollars
each, and ten dollars each additional was paid for recruiting
them, making five thousand one hundred and thirty dollars
paid in that town for filling these calls. In Westfield five
thousand one hundred and forty dollars was expended for the
same purpose. Meanwhile, the energies of the benevolent were
constant in contributing to the relief and support of the fami-
lies of those who had gone to the scenes of war, and to works
of love and tender regard in the preparation of articles of ne-
cessity, comfort and luxury for the soldiers in the army and in
the hospitals.
That some fear of opposition to the proposed draft of 1863,
and to the plans of the government, was entertained thus early
is shown by the following newspaper paragraph, printed in
April, though what grounds there were, or to what extent they
were manifest, does not appear. The opposition was not, how-
ever, of sufficient magnitude to bring about any serious results:
"A United States Detective paid a visit to the North Shore
last week, to ascertain whether any anti-conscription meetings
had been held in that quarter ; and, if so, to get the names of
the officers and speakers, what was said and done, and who at-
tended the meetings. He states that he has the names of thir-
ty-three individuals who require looking after ; also that their
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 291
places of rendezvous are watched, and that the government has
established a reliable telegraph station in the midst of them, or
in other words, a spy to report their movements. The detective
is said to favor grave stones as convenient places of observa-
tion."
The names of persons appointed to make the enrollment un-
der the conscription act of 1863, which was made in June, were
as follows : For Castleton, Edward Jones ; Middletown, J. J.
Clute ; Northfield, Simon Haughwout ; Southfield, John Jacob-
son ; Westfield, - .
The quota of Richmond county in the call of 1863, was for
four hundred men, who were to be taken from those enrolled
between the ages of twenty and thirty-five, unless a deficiency
in that class should necessitate drawing upon the class beyond
that age. While the question of enforcing the draft was being-
discussed, and its execution appeared as a probability of the
near future, events developed which gave this localitj 7 a sudden
and undesirable notoriety.
From its proximity to Xew York city this county could not
but feel every pulsation of popular emotion that disturbed the
bosom of that city, and when the celebrated draft riots of July,
186H, filled it with the horrors of an inferno it is perhaps no
more than a reasonable consequence that some kindred spirit
should find expression here. On the island the public mind
was in a state of high fermentation. Riot was in the air, and
it would seem that men hardly knew what they did. For two
years the public mind here had been almost constantly wrought
up to fever heat, and now the prospect of a draft being made to
fill the quota of four hundred men in this county under the
recent call, but few of whom were already enlisted, made a
strain upon the public nerve which it was in a poor condition
to bear with tranquility. For a moment the steady arm of
patriotism seemed to falter, weakened as it had been by the
drain upon it caused by the withdrawal of hundreds from the
community to the field of the war. Sober counsels wavered
and the influence of men of means was weak, because of the ob-
noxious clause in the conscription act which promised to ex-
empt all drafted men who should pay three hundred dollars.
In this weak moment the baser elements of society gathered
strength, and disorder attempted to block the wheels of organ-
ized government.
292 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
In this critical moment the innocent colored population were
among the first to receive the demoniacal thrusts of unchained
hatred. In McKeon street, Stapleton, a large number of this
class resided, and there was located their African church. On
Tuesday evening, July 14th, crowds began to gather and indica-
tions of trouble appeared that alarmed the people of this neigh-
borhood with fears that an attack upon them and upon this
church was about to be made. Rumors were circulated that a
mob was about to burn the houses of the negroes and their
church, but the night passed without any such demonstration
being made.
About the same time a large crowd, variously estimated to
number from fifty to two hundred persons, a large number of
whom were boys, proceeded to the Tompkins Lyceum, in Van
Duzer street, and with the noisy demonstrations of a band of wild
Indians, forced the outer door, and took all the muskets that
were stored there in the drill-room of the Tompkins cadets.
Another drill-room near Stapleton landing was similarly robbed
of muskets. Different estimates placed the number of guns
thus seized by this mob at from thirty to three hundred.
The mob, gathering numerical strength as it went, reached
the Vanderbilt landing railroad station at about midnight,
where they set fire to a building used as a car house, and
burned it to the ground. Two engine companies who came to
the scene were forbidden to interfere, but they were permitted
to direct their efforts toward saving the dwelling of Mrs. Cor-
son, whose house stood near by, and in this they succeeded.
The nucleus of another mob was formed on the same evening
at Factoryville, which proceeded eastward, gathering strength
as it proceeded, making night hideous with shoutings of "No
Draft" and many other violent and threatening expressions,
too odious to be repeated. At New Brighton they proceeded
to the ice cream saloon of a colored man by the name of Green,
who fortunately had been apprised of their coming, and had
closed his place and fled. They then entered the drug store of
Mr. Christie with such noisy demonstrations that the propri-
etor fled to the cellar for safety. But being assured that he
was not the object of their search he returned, and the mob sat-
isfied themselves that the negro Green was not there, and de-
parted. While they were thus drifting about the streets of
New Brighton the Rev. Mr. Conron, of St. Peter's church,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 293
gained their ears, and by his influence they were pacified and
induced to disperse and go to their homes.
On the afternoon of the following day a mob, consisting of
nearly fifty men, made an attack upon the houses of the negroes
living in McKeon street, Stapleton. These were mostly small
one-story houses. One after another the windows were broken
in, the doors torn down and the furniture and materials inside
were broken up and thrown into the street. The inmates of
these houses had fled to the woods on the previous evening,
and this, no doubt, saved some of their lives. One house, be-
longing to one Wormsley, who was particularly obnoxious,
and whom rumors had credited with advocating arming the
blacks to assist in enforcing the draft, was burned to the ground.
A three-story brick house occupied by families in the upper
stories and a grocery store below, was completely "gutted,"
the mob helping themselves to groceries as they were thrown
into the street. In one of the houses a lame man had remained.
He was dragged from his house and heartlessly beaten, and
others were kicked and beaten as they were met on the high-
ways. A few colored persons who remained quietly in their
houses were unmolested, doubtless escaping the notice of
or not being known to the leaders of the mob. An attempt
was made to burn the church, but the fire was extinguished by
a friendly hand before much damage was done. A colored
coachman was attacked as he was driving his coach on the
afternoon of the 13th, at Vanderbilt landing. Several men
seized the horse, while others leaped upon the seat and com-
menced beating the driver. By the timely interference of a
gentleman the negro was rescued and sent in a small boat to
Fort Hamilton for safety.
On the north side of the island rumors of intended attacks
upon the leading republicans and negroes were flying about and
creating great alarm. Many families packed up their valu-
ables and left their houses. In some the male members only
remained to guard their homes while the female members went
to some place of supposed safety. The negroes fled, some to
the woods, and some to the Jersey shore. Private meetings of
citizens were held, and guards were set at various points along
the shore, and the streets were patrolled for several nights. No
serious outbreak occurred there.
At Richmond, the sheriff, suspecting that an attempt would
294 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
be made to seize a negro prisoner who was in the jail on a charge
of rape, obtained a military force from the camp at New Dorp
and had the jail guarded for a day or two, and then had the
prisoner referred to conveyed to the Tombs in New York city.
In this highly excited condition of the public mind a mass
meeting was held at Clifton on Wednesday, the 15th. This
was presided over by Messrs. William Shaw, D wight Townsend,
and Mr. Fellows, and was attended by many respectable citi-
zens, the bulk of the meeting being made up of the laborers at
the fortifications. The Rev. Father Lewis addressed the meet-
ing with conciliatory language, exhorting respect to law and
assuring them that no unjust demands would be made upon
them. Speeches were also made by Messrs. D wight Townsend,
Robert Christie, Jr., and Mr. Hull, after which the following
preamble and resolutions were passed :
11 Whereas, In the sense of this meeting the Conscription Act
sought to be enforced by the Government is oppressive and un-
just in its enactments, and under present circumstances un-
called for ; be it therefore
'' Resolved, 1. That we call upon the Governor of the State
of New York to, without delay, have the constitutionality of
this Conscription Act tested before our State courts, by whose
decision we pledge ourselves to abide.
" 2. That in case our State Courts should decide the Con-
scription to be constitutional, we will, under the $300 clause,
procure a substitute for every drafted man in the town of South-
field who is not able or not willing to leave his home and
family.
" 3. That we pledge ourselves, one and all, to support, with
all our might, the Government in its great efforts to restore the
Union and the full force of the Constitution in all the States ;
and to uphold everywhere, by word and example, the principles
of law and order."
Handbills were also distributed, signed by the town officers,
announcing that the draft had been stopped. This action
probably averted any uprising of rioters that might have been
brewing in that section of the island.
But it would appear that riot was in the atmosphere and as
though violence had a free license for the time. On Thursday,
the 16th, two ruffians attacked John Ryan, of Cherry lane,
Castleton, as he was going home from work, and brutally beat
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. .':i."i
him and robbed him of his clothes which he wore, leaving him
only a shirt on his person. They had stolen a horse and wagon
at Port Richmond, and continued their evening's riot by knock-
ing another man down, smashing a vehicle and "cleaning out"
a tavern, after which they were secured and committed to jail.
But a still more serious affray occurred at Vanderbilt land-
ing on the 20th. In the early evening two or three soldiers were
in a drinking saloon, when one of them h'red his musket at a
boy. This enraged some others who were present to such an
extent that they set upon the soldiers and beat them so badly
as to leave them for dead. A train of cars came up just then,
having on board a company of soldiers, who came out and com-
menced firing upon the crowd that had by this time collected.
They no doubt took the crowd to be a mob gathering and de-
termined to scatter it. In doing so their shot took effect in the
body of one Charles Murphy with such force that he died
shortly after. About ten men were arrested by the soldiers and
taken to camp. One or both of the soldiers who began the
disturbance died within a few days.
The county subsequently paid damages for property de-
stroyed in these riots as follows, to which expense may be ad-
ded about ten thousand dollars incurred in contesting several
of the claims in the courts : John B. Smith, $61.00; S. I. R. R.
Co., $1,336.00; J. M. Evans & Son, $222.38; Henrietta Corson,
891.50; William Wilson, $3,697.96; Sarah Cornish, $585.21;
Jacob Gunsett, $215.46; Rosetta Graves, $791.97; Mary Brown,
$197.95; Abraham Wilson, $352.08; Aaron Dunn, $297.18; Pat-
rick Sullivan, $900.00; M. Tool, $382.50; John Lewis, $17.00;
Levi Purnell, $700.98; Edward Felix, $888.94; Charles Worms-
ley, $330.18; Oliver Wilson, $354.40; J. J. Galligher, $120.95;
Daniel A. Lewis, $798.87; Eleanor S. Wormsley, $1,187.08;
David Wormsley. $3,638.44: total, $17,207.99.
On the 25th of August the supervisors passed resolutions au-
thorizing the county treasurer to raise, on the bonds of the
county, fifty thousand dollars to be appropriated as might be
necessary in providing for those who might be drafted and were
notable to pay the exemption fee of three hundred dollars, un-
der the conscription act which, it was expected, would be en-
forced in the First congressional district. The enrollment had
been revised and corrected throughout the county preparatory
to such a draft.
296 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTS.
The draft took place at Jamaica, on Monday, August 30th,
under the supervision of Provost Marshall Edwin Rose. The
day passed without any disorderly demonstrations. The num-
ber enrolled from this county was 2,205, which was distributed
among the towns as follows: Castleton, 559 ; Southfield, 463;
Northfield, 444; Westfield, 438; Middletown, 301. The number
to be drawn from these was five hundred and ninety-four, which
included an addition of fifty per cent, to make up the deficiency
which should result from exemptions.
After the draft was made notices were served on the drafted
men, requiring them to appear before the provost marshall at
Jamaica by a certain time or be accounted as deserters. The
officer whose duty it was to serve these notices, while so en-
gaged in Wood road was set on by the women of the neighbor-
hood, armed with brickbats and hot water, and so fierce was
their onslaught that the officer fled before them Later he se-
cured the assistance of a squad of men from a neighboring
camp and completed the fulfillment of his duties. But few men
were actually gained for the service by this draft, the majority
of those who were held paying the commutation fee of three
hundred dollars. The supervisors meantime raised the proposed
loan for this purpose from fifty thousand dollars, as it had been
fixed by their vote of August 25, to seventy- five thousand dol-
lars. This action was approved by resolutions passed at a mass
meeting of the citizens and tax-payers of the county held at
the pagoda at Clifton park on the 19th of September. The
bonds issued for this purpose were disposed of in a very few
days. The five hundred and ninety-four drafted men were ac-
counted for October 14th, in the following manner: Seventy-four
were aliens ; ten furnished substitutes ; ninety-four were exempt
for physical disability ; one hundred and three were exempt for
other causes ; one hundred and sixty-two commuted, and one
hundred and fifty-one failed to report.
Under the call of the president for three hundred thousand
men made in October, 1863, which was to be filled by January
5, 1864, the quota from each town of this county was: Castleton,
seventy-seven ; Southfield, sixty-five ; Northfield, sixty-two ;
Westfield, sixty-two ; Middletown, forty-two. Two months
passed seeing but little done toward meeting it. A mass
meeting was called by the supervisors, which convened at
the court house on the 19th of December, to give popular ex-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 297
pression to the means to be adopted to meet the call. Resolu-
tions were passed calling on the supervisors to raise one hundred
and twenty thousand dollars, or as much of that sum as might be
necessary, and to pay to each volunteer, drafted man or substi-
tute, counting in the quota, four hundred dollars, and to open
a recruiting office in each town and to appoint suitable persons
to attend to the same. About the 1st of January, 1864, re-
enlistments were taking place in the field, and these were
allowed to count to the credit of localities as though they had
taken place at home, when so specified and arranged. By this
and other means the supervisors were able to fill the quota and
so avoid a draft. The quota was completed early in March.
We may remark in passing, that the early months of 1864,
witnessed an unusual degree of activity in business on the
north shore of the island. Real estate seemed unusually active
there and also on other parts of the island, especially on the
western shore.
Another call for troops was made in March, 1864. To provide
for it the supervisors met on the 18th and determined to con-
tract with some responsible party to fill the quota of one hun-
dred men which belonged to this county to furnish. They
published an advertisement on the following day inviting par-
ties wishing to contract for filling the quota to present themselves
with their sureties at a meeting appointed for the 22d instant.
A draft was ordered for April 15th, if the quota was not other-
wise filled before that time. The supervisors on the llth
preceding, offered three hundred and fifty dollars each for men
two hundred dollars of which was to be paid to the recruit,
and one hundred and fifty dollars to the party who should pro-
cure him. The quota was filled during April.
A new enrollment of persons liable to do military duty was
ordered in May, and the work of enrolling began about the 1st
of June. The names of all who could prove causes of exemp-
tion were stricken off, and those who had been omitted or
had since come within the range of age or residence were
added.
In July a call was made for 500,000 more. To arrange for
filling the quota under this a mass meeting was held at Clifton
Park on the 26th, when resolutions were passed placing the
entire business of raising money and filling the quota in the
hands of the supervisors and calling upon them to exercise
298 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
those duties. On August 8th the committee which had been
appointed to solicit subscriptions to a loan reported to the
supervisors that they had secured 75,000. Under this call
the quotas for this county were: Middletown, 123; Southiield,
70; Westfield, 77; Castleton, 154; Northfield, 119; making a
total of 543. The supervisors, on the 22d of August, resolved
to establish a recruiting office on the island, and offered 200
for each recruit and $200 additional to the agent or broker
procuring him, or $400 to every man liable to draft who should
secure a substitute to be credited to the county. Camp Wash-
ington, just outside the quarantine walls, was designated as the
recruiting depot. For $600 deposited with the supervisors by
any citizen liable to draft, before September 5th, they would un-
dertake to procure a substitute for him, such substitutes to be
supplied in the order in which applications and deposits were
made. The prices mentioned were not sufficient to procure the
needed recruits. The price advanced until $700 apiece was paid
for them. Then about the latter part of September the quota was
still one hundred and eighty men short, and the county had no
ready money with which to pay for more. Arrangements were
effected, however, by which the county bonds were exchanged
for men, and the quota was tilled, though a form of drafting
was begun on the 3d of October.
About this time large sums of money were made speculating
in recruits. Human flesh was bought and sold like cattle in
the shambles. Fresh emigrants from foreign countries and
others, whom circumstances in various ways had brought to this
step, were seized and controlled by brokers who understood the
means of holding them, and offered in the market where they
would command the highest price. The poor victims them-
selves received perhaps a paltry hundred dollars, more or less,
while the greater part of the money paid by the people went
into the pockets of brokers, officials and others who had the
manipulating of the business. Enormous sums of money were
raised on corporate obligations and appropriated with a reck-
lessness that would have been appalling at any other time
than under the exigency of the hour. Charges of complicity
with the brokers and sharing in the spoils were often made
by popular gossip against the servants of the people. It was
impossible at the time and is still more so at this late day to
reach the facts which would decide in every case whether those
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 299
charges were true or false. Whilst the meagre and often im-
perfect records which boards of supervisors and other officials
left sometimes give reasonable ground for suspicion that
crooked work was being carried on behind the scenes, it is
doubtless true that many an honest man, whose actions were
prompted by patriotic and unselfish motives, has been made
the object of unjust imputations in connection with this busi-
ness. These remarks are founded on observations made in the
history of different counties. They apply to Richmond as well
as to many others.
A revision of the enrollment was made in December, 1864,
under the direction of an enrolling board in each town, which
was composed of the supervisor, town clerk and one inspector
of election.
A mass meeting was held at the court house, January 6, 1865,
to provide for raising the quota under the call of December 19th,
for 300,000 men. The supervisors were instructed to fill the
quota and raise the money necessary on the credit of the
county. They later resolved to raise two hundred men. Fre-
quent meetings were held by the board, but the work of filling
the quota progressed slowly. A draft finally took place on the
25th of February, at which four hundred and forty-six names
were drawn. Previous to the drawing the supervisors, Feb-
ruary 18th, offered bounties of 300 for one year's men, $400
for two years' men, 600 for three years' men and $100
additional " hand money " to the person presenting the recruit,
or the same additional sum to the recruit presenting himself.
The same bounties, but not the "hand-money." were offered to
men liable to draft who should secure substitutes before the
draft. The drafted men were not required to report as long as
enlistments were active.
Great dissatisfaction arose during the latter part of 1864 and
the early part of 1865 in regard to the management of the
county finances. It was charged that the supervisors and officials
acting under their authority were using more money in procur-
ing recruits than was necessary, and intimations were even pro-
mulgated that those officials were using their positions to en-
rich themselves by sharing with the brokers the enormous
commissions that were allowed for procuring recruits.
Whether much or little foundation existed for this dissatis-
faction, it arose to such a pitch that public meetings were held
300 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
in some of the towns to discuss measures for the protection of
the tax-payers against the wanton increase of their burdens.
The debt of the county at the beginning of 1865 had reached
an amount exceeding $700,000. Such a meeting was held at
Giesser's hotel, Middletown, on the first of February, at which
resolutions were passed declaring that in the opinion of the
majority of the citizens of the town there was great misman-
agement in town and county offices, owing to a lack of capacity
and economy in public matters, resulting in enormous taxation
for which the citizens received no due return; that a new, in-
telligent and economical administration of affairs must be inau-
gurated; that to accomplish this end they would lay aside party
considerations and put forth their utmost exertions to elect such
men as by public consent were without suspicion or reproach;
and to appoint a committee to aid in bringing before the state
legislature the petition of the people of the county for a
thorough investigation of the accounts of the supervisors. A
similar meeting was held at Fireman's hall, Port Richmond, on
the 8th inst., at which similar resolutions were passed.
The result of this agitation was the election of a board of
supervisors, nearly all of whom were new members, and men
in whom the people had full confidence as to their ability and
disposition to discharge the responsible duties of their office in
a conscientious and creditable manner. Still however, a change
in the board of supervisors did not remedy all the evils which
annoyed the people. Abuses existed in the management of the
recruiting office, as the following paragraph from the " Ga-
zette" at the time will illustrate.
" A SWINDLING SHOP. The recruiting office at Nautilus Hall,
Tompkinsville, Staten Island. The majority of the persons
brought to this place, or going there voluntarily are swindled
out of a large part of the bounties they receive from the County,
and the harpies who make part and parcel of the machine
operated there, fill their pockets with the plunder. These
facts we have from the most credible witnesses, from whom
we can obtain dates, names, amounts and particulars of trans-
actions, if necessary. The iniquities have become known to
the Supervisors, and they have made strong efforts to prevent
their continuance, but in spite of all their labor and remon-
strances, there is but too much reason to know that they have
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 301
continued with unabated force, although possibly disguised to
some extent."
By the end of March, 1865, the quota under the last call
was filled, to the number of about two hundred and eighty-
eight men. The surroundings of the recruiting station, and
the management of that work, as well as the labors of the
board of supervisors to reform its unrighteous practices, are
graphically pictured in the following language by a local paper
at the time.
"Col. Barrett, Supervisor of Castleton, and Hon. Thomas
Child, of Northfield, visited the recruiting station almost daily
and remained several hours. The attention they gave to the
matter and the vigilance they exercised considerably facilitated
the operations, although we understand that many men were
fleeced of their money almost under their very eyes, and they
were quite unable to prevent it in consequence of want of power
over the physician and the mustering officer in charge. * * *
"A sight of the cormorants, vultures, harpies, blacklegs,
loafers and swindlers who have held high carnival in and about
the recruiting station ever since there were men to be gulled
and robbed, and tricks to be played, would have disgusted any
one but his infernal majesty himself. Nor were these vile char-
acters all imported, but some of our own citizens, slyly at first,
and then more openly, indulged in similar practices, and to
their lasting shame be it said, greedily grasped at and got a
share of the spoils. Men of mature years, men of respectability
as the world defines the term, came to look upon an association
with the lowest grade of society, and the reception of a hand-
ful of bank notes from unfortunate wretches whose families at
that moment lacked bread, as a thing quite unobjectionable !
As there is now nothing left to pick but the bones, we trust the
creatures will disperse, and that such a crew will never assem-
ble again on this side of Tophet."
The various sums authorized to be raised on bonds of the
county for the purposes of the war at different times were as
follows, the dates given indicating when the resolutions were
passed by the board of supervisors :
Aug. 22, 1862, for relief of volunteers' families $20,000
Dec. 16, " " 20,000
Aug. 25, 1863, for relief of drafted men 50,000
Sept. 9, " " 25,000
302 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Dec. 29, 1863, to obtain volunteers 125,000
Feb. 13, 1864, 180,000
July 28, " bounties for volunteers 250,000
Jan. 28, 1865, for filling the quota 75,000
Feb. 16, " " 75,000
Feb. 25, " " 75,000
Total amount 8895,000
Not only in the disbursement of funds for the relief of its
citizens and the support of dependent families of volunteers,
but in supplying the strong arm of her native citizens to fight
the battles of their country, Staten Island bore her full propor-
tion of the burdens of the war. Material was furnished to forty-
five regiments of infantry, six regiments of artillery, and four
of cavalry, besides some to the contingents of other states. The
island was more especially represented in the Empire brigade,
where it had nearly two companies ; in the Excelsior brigade
of the army of the Potomac ; in the Eighty-second, One hun-
dred and Thirty-third, One hundred and Fifty-sixth and One
hundred and Seventy-fifth New York infantry ; in Serrell's
famous Engineer regiment in the far West ; in the old Seventy-
ninth "Highlanders"; in the "Mounted Rifles"; in the
Fourth artillery ; and in the Fifth, Sixth, Ninth, and Fifty-
third "Zouaves." According to careful estimates more than
eight hundred men joined the army from this county. Of this
number, who left their homes ^Fullof health and vigor, it is esti-
mated that about one hundred and eighty fell on the field or
died of sickness or wounds in our camps. Nearly forty were
brought back here to be buried among their kindred.
The Seventy-ninth Highlanders, N. Y. S M., left New York
for Washington on Sunday, June 2, 1861, having, in one company
connected with it, the following men from Staten Island : John
W. Morse, Herman C. Buecke, Walter N. Brown, Theodore
Hall, George H. McCready, William White, J. J. Thaxter, A.
Miranda, Rheinhart Snyder, Richard Wall, James Bancker,
Edward Bancker, John Coughic, David Wilkins, Benjamin
Wilkins. Daniel Beatty, William B. Lusch, William Simon-
son, Edward Barker, James Breen, Edward Brice, Michael
Kirkman, Robert Kelly, Patrick Carlin, Bernard Scanlon,
Thomas McAdams, George Howarth, David Howarth,
Eugene Burke, John Johnson, James Colgan, William
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTV. 303
Ross, John Racey, John Breen, David Sands, Peter
Tushingham, William Smith, J. Smith, Richard Barrett,
Charles Wilhelm, Charles Piratzki, Philip Daly.
During the war the island was made a rendezvous for bring-
ing together different parts of organizations preparatory to mov-
ing forward to the seat of war. A large number of regiments
were encamped here for longer or shorter periods, while awaiting
more perfect organization or drill, or more definite orders for
moving. No complete record of these can be given, but we have,
at considerable pains, gathered fragments from which we are
able to give the list of camps and many of the organizations
that occcupied them, with some indication of the dates when
they were so occupied, and occasionally some other information
in regard to them. This information we condense in the fol-
lowing paragraphs :
Camp Washington was located at the quarantine grounds,
partly inside and partly outside the walled enclosure. Bar-
racks were erected on the outside. Here were Wilson's Zouaves,
May and June, 1861 ; Serrell's regiment of artizans and en-
gineers, August and September, 1861 ; Yates' Rilies, August,
1861 ; the Empire Zouaves, August, 1861 ; German Rangers,
September, 1861 ; Siegel Rifles, September, 1861 ; Swain's Cav-
alry, March. 1862 ; Colonel Tompkins' Regiment, September,
1862, whence it was moved to barracks erected for it on land of
Colonel Barrett at Factoryville ; Second Duryea's Zouaves, Oc-
tober, 1862 ; inside the walls were Allen's Regiment, May, 1861;
Colonel Bartlett's Naval Brigade, May, 1861; Third Irish Vol-
unteers, August, 1861 ; Union Rifles, September, 1861 ; Scott's
Nine Hundred (Eleventh N. Y. Cavalry), March, 1862 ; Eighty-
first N. Y., March, 1862 ; First National (Monitors), August
and September, 1862.
Camp Arthur was located near the quarantine grounds. It
was established in June, 1861 ; the British Volunteers and Me
Clellan Rifles were here in August, 1861 ; and the Lancers in
September, 1861.
A camp was made on the Dr. Smith farm at Old Town in May,
1861. This farm presented a level sward of about one hundred
acres, giving a fine parade ground. The old stone house was
occupied by the officers.
Camp Vanderbilt was near New Dorp. Here the Washington
Zouaves were encamped in September, 1861.
304 HISTOTCY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Camp Yates was at New Dorp. Here were the Seventh regi-
ment and the Thirty-second cavalry in May, 1861. While the
latter regiment was here the ladies of Staten Island presented
it with a flag. The presentation was made with appropriate
ceremonies on June 5th. About seventy-rive ladies were present.
Dr. Ephraim Clark made the presentation with a very happy
little speech, which was responded to by Mr. Matthewson, the
officer in command. The flag was then raised on its staff,
amid the cheers of the assembled multitude.
Camp Lafayette was at New Dorp. It was occupied by the
Garde Lafayette (Fifty-fifth) in August and September, 1861 ;
and by the Warren Rifles in March, 1862.
Camp Leslie, at Clifton Park, was near Port Tompkins. Here
were Col. Cone's Clinton Guard, August, 1861 ; and the
D'Epeneuil Zouaves (Fifty third regiment), September, 1861.
Camp McClellan was on land of Samuel Burger, near Fac-
toryville, on land lying between the Shore road and Castleton
avenue. A high, board fence was built around it, and a guard
house and other buildings were erected. The McClellan rifles
were here September to November, 1861. Their departure for
the front, on the twenty-second, was, according to a local paper,
" to the great joy of those who resided in the vicinity of the
camp. They burned four hundred feet of Mr. Edward Be-
ment's fence, had a great liking for chickens, and some of them
were not averse to anything that hands could carry off."
Camp Herndon was located at Stapleton flats, and here the Ira
Harris cavalry was encamped in August and September, 1861.
Camp Morrison was on A. Ward's land, at the base of Pa-
vilion hill. It was occupied by the Cameron light infantry in
August, 1861.
Camp Low, at Elm Park, after being occupied a few weeks by
the Morgan artillery, was broken up about the middle of No-
vember, 1861. Of their departure it was said :
" Such a scene as ensued on Wednesday night and the suc-
ceeding morning baffles description. Suffice it to say that in
the afternoon, when preparations were being made for the de-
parture of a portion of the regiment, a large number of men
were found with their eyes in mourning, holes in their heads,
bloody noses, palsied legs and tongues, torn clothes, and in a
dilapidated condition generally. There were, of course, many
honorable exceptions to this rule. Companies A to H left the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 305
camp and took their way to the shore, and were received on
board of the steamboat Atlas, and thence transferred to the
cars. Quite a number of men were missing. Those whose legs
refused to support them were carried down in carts ; such as
had only a small brick in their hats managed to get along pretty
well with a comrade supporting them on either side. While
waiting at the wharf the soldiers indulged in cheering."
Camp Ward was at Port Richmond. It was occupied by
Colonel Doubleday's regiment while forming from November,
1861, to February 10, 1862.
Camp Scott, one of the most notable camps of the period,
was atStapleton. Here were the Excelsior Brigade, May, 1861;
Ira Harris Guards, September. 1861 ; Second Ira Harris Cavalry
(Sixth N". Y.), December, 1861 ; and Corcoran' s Irish Legion,
September to November, 1862. While it was occupied by the
Excelsior Brigade it was under the command of Col Don. Wil-
liamson. In order to preserve the peace and security of the
neighboring inhabitants an order given by General Sickles was-
promulgated throughout the camp on the 30th of May, requiring
field officers to be present with their regiments in camp, forbid-
ding officers or privates leaving camp without the permission
of specified officers and in accordance with certain restrictions,
requiring a regular system of drill, directing the severe punish-
ment of trespassing on or interference with the property or per-
sons of citizens, forbidding the sale of intoxicating liquors in
or about the encampment, and calling upon the local authori-
ties to withhold licenses from taverns in the neighborhood. By
the enforcement of these orders and improved discipline, the
annoyances of drunken and marauding bands of men from the
encampments were in a measure obviated. A picket was placed
at the door of every open liquor saloon in the neighborhood to
prevent the men from the camp getting liquor. The following
description of the camp was given in June, 1861 :
" Camp Scott wears a beautiful and picturesque appearance.
Across the broad plateau selected for the encampment, large
numbers of white tents gleam in the sunshine. Among them are
broad streets and avenues, and with their four thousand ten-
ants the place seems the site of some bustling city sprung into
existence in a night. Stricter discipline prevails than in most
of the camps we have seen. Around the edge, but in no in-
stance inside of the lines, men and women with apples, candies,
20
306 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
oranges, nuts and various tempting articles, ply their trade,
and do a good business. On Sunday afternoon, in the expec-
tation of seeing a full dress parade, great numbers of visitors
were upon the ground. Carriages, carts, and jaunting cars of
all sorts and sizes ; men, women, children and babies of all
kinds and degrees were there."
The condition of this camp and its surroundings in the latter
part of 1861 are set forth in the published diary of an army
surgeon (Thomas I. Ellis, M. D.) who had medical supervision
over it for a while, and who writes as follows .
"The wooden building used as a guard house I found one of
the most wretched and lilthy holes imaginable ; the roof leaky,
the boarded floors had been torn up and used for kindling
wood by the prisoners conh'ned in it, and all those who for
weeks had been locked up there had accumulated a heap of
filth, composed of the rejected food and offal of every kind,
which sent forth an intolerable and unhealthy stench. I at
once determined on the removal of the prisoners to better quar-
ters, and on examining the dozen or more unfortunates, ordered
four to the hospital, and recommended to the commandant
of the post, who accompanied me, the discharge of four others.
The remainder being deserters, confined under written charges
preferred against them, who, at great trouble and expense, had
been brought back from Boston, he had no authority or desire
to liberate. To obtain a suitable building to use for a guard
house was a matter of no small difficulty, there being but three
others near the camp : one, the hospital, I had nearly full of
patients; another, the post sutler's establishment, was too
large, and was indispensable to the camp, as most of the officers'
and all the hospital food was cooked in it. I found, however,
a smaller wooden building which belonged to the former
sutler of the Sickles Brigade and recommended the command
ant of the post to take possession of it and make the necessary
changes to adapt it for use as a guard house.
"Having made these arrangements, and having had the hospi-
tal building repaired and heated with large stoves, and the bed-
ding properly cared for, I was able to control the epidemic then
raging ; and, before two weeks had expired, the sick report de-
creased from one hundred and six to sixty-four. There was
still another fruitful source of disorder and disease, which,
though not in the camp, exercised a wonderful and pernicious
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 307
influence on the men. On the roadside which led to the steam-
boat landing, and within an eighth of a mile, there stood a
frame cottage in which the vilest liquor was sold, and from
whence it was daily smuggled into camp, causing drunkenness
with all its attendant ill consequences, and sickness from ex-
posure, as the men, on getting intoxicated, would ramble off
into the adjoining woods, and there lie down on the damp
ground, certain to awake in the morning with a violent cold or
the prevalent sore throat ; besides these ill effects the officers
found this place a source of great annoyance, and I was not at
all grieved on passing the place one day where this rum-mill had
stood, to find it torn down. On inquiry, I learned that the
evening previous a fight occurred between the keeper of the
place and some of the soldiers, who, maddened with the vile
stuff drank on the premises, proceeded to blows, and in the
'melee which followed, the cottage was entirely gutted, and then
levelled to the ground. Several of the men who participated
in this affair were, I found, on my daily visit to the guard
house, doing penance for it ; but, as a few days showed that the
removal of the groggery was a blessing to the camp, they were
let off with a lighter punishment than would otherwise have
been their lot. [This groggery was familiarly known as " THE
CANTEEN."]
"The isolated position of the camp was one of its strongest
recommendations, and went far in influencing the selection, in
spite of the soft, muddy nature of the ground, and the difficulty
in guarding it against desertion by the men, and thieving by
the Staten Islanders a nest of whom from Rocky Hollow made
nightly visits, and generally succeeded in carrying off some
booty. One night it would be a government saddle ; another, a
sack of oats, or even a horse ; the aggregate loss to the govern-
ment, by these depredations, was considerable, nor could the
utmost vigilance of the officers prevent it."
Late in December, 1861, Camp Scott was vacated, and it was
not again occupied until the Corcoran Legion occupied it in the
summer of 1862. They remained until the early part of Novem-
ber, and when they left, the following article was printed in a
local paper, giving us a glimpse of the estimation in which they
were held by the community in whose neighborhood they had
been encamped.
"The Corcoran Legion has departed, and who is sorry ( Not
308 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
the farmer whose hen roosts were robbed and whose fences were
carried away for camp fires not the peaceable citizen who
found his safest place to be within his own house after night-
fall, nor his wife and daughters who were insulted in broad day
and jeered at with foulest language by the ruffian soldiery not
the public officers of the county whose writs were disobeyed
and who dare not arrest a man of their number unless they run
the risk of having daylight let through their unfortunate bodies
by bayonet thrusts not the city police who were paid for re-
turning deserters by a volley of stones at their heads, and con-
sidered themselves lucky in escaping with whole bones. We
trust that the quiet of Camp Scott may never again be disturbed,
and night made hideous by such a collection of barbarians as
the Corcoran Legion for the most part were. There were good
men among them, but they were rare. Should we relate all the
well authenticated tales of horrible things connected with this
camp from its organization to its breaking up we would scarce
be believed.
" Men have been kidnapped and taken to the camp and made
to serve against their will their calls for help wasted upon the
wind, and the efforts of their friends for their release found to
be useless. Young boys and others, many of them sickly and
unfit for duty, have been seduced by the wiles of the recruiting
officers from homes where they were tenderly reared and where
affectionate parents, when they learned their loss, mourned
their children as dead. Some rushed to the courts and judges
for aid for relatives and friends, only to learn with dismay that
even the ragged sentries who guarded the camp were more pow-
erful than the learned judge upon the bench, and that the
colonels and captains defied the process of the courts and cursed
all who interfered with military rule.
" A gentleman informed us last week that he saw one of the
officers strike an unoffending drummer boy in the face with his
sword, cutting him through the cheek to the bone, and break-
ing loose several teeth, so that the boy spit them out of his
mouth with the blood! The boy was at a distance from an
affray which was taking place, and neither spoke nor acted with
regard to it, and the blow could only have been caused by the
desire of the officer to vent his brutality upon some one, it mat-
tered not whom."
Camp Decker was the camping ground of the Second regi-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 309
ment of Fire Zouaves in August, 1861; and of the Governor's
Giiard in September, 1861. At Tompkinsville were also en-
camped the Second light artillery in December, 1861; and the
Seventy-eighth regiment in March, 1862. At New Dorp the
Thirteenth Brooklyn regiment was encamped in September,
1861; the Stanton Legion, July to September, 1862; the One
Hundred and Sixty-ninth N. Y., October, 1863; and the One
Hundred and Fifty-ninth, November, 1862.
Camp Sprague was located at New Dorp. The following de-
scription of it by a visitor in May, 1863, will be interesting to
many:
"It consists of a row of barracks upon three sides of an ex-
tensive field, capable, it is said, of accommodating ten thousand
men. On the fourth side it is protected by a high board fence,
through which is the entrance to the camp. This fence is
erected not so much to keep outsiders from going in as to pre-
vent insiders from coming out; and though easily scaled from
the outside, presents an insurmountable barrier to the poor
skedaddler within. After considerable parleying at the gate,
and a severe scrutiny of our countenance, and the summoning
of the officer of the guard, and the officer of the day, until we
were thoroughly impressed with our utter insignificance, we
were finally admitted, but having entered, we were at liberty
to go whither the spirit moved us.
" The camp is under the command of Colonel Lansing, but
under the immediate charge of Lieutenant Colonel Loeve, a very
pleasant and gentlemanly officer, with considerable bon hom-
mie expressed in his countenance. His headquarters are very
tastefully decorated in front with grass plats and flower beds,
and pleasantly shaded by three or four pear trees in full
bloom.
" We next visited the hospital, which is under the charge of
Dr. Ephraim Clark, of our island, who was recently appointed
to the post by General Wool. We are informed that when the
Doctor first took charge of the hospital, nothing could exceed
the filthy and comfortless condition of the place now it is a
model of neatness and comfort, with a complete assortment of
medical stores and surgical instruments. The ladies of the
neighborhood, whose sympathies he has enlisted in behalf of
the camp, have kindly presented the Doctor with jellies and
domestic wines for the use of the sick. There are but few con-
310 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
fined in the hospital at present. We noticed one poor fellow
suffering from a pistol shot wound in the arm received some
time since while insubordinate. He showed us the ball, which
was completely flattened in its passage through the bone.
"From the hospital we visited the gardens in front of the
men's barracks, which we had heard highly spoken of. They
certainly exhibited a great deal of taste and skill, and would
do credit to any landscape gardener. Here was a beautiful
Union shield blooming in green sod and moss, with the word
' LIBERTY ' engraven in evergreen upon it there an Emerald
Harp from the Emerald Isle, in a soft bed of white sand and
beside it a full spread eagle with a shield on his breast, and a
streamer with the motto ' E Pluribus Unum.' A little further
on, a mortar of sod mounted on a little bank threatened hourly
destruction to a little band of flowers who were endeavoring to
scale the bank and take possession. Still further on, the en-
gineers had erected beautiful models in sod of rifle pits and
earthworks, like Lilliputian forts. There were many other
pretty designs, and the lettering in all cases was particularly
well done. In the center of this camp ground a large flag staff
is about being erected, which will add greatly to the beauty of
the camp.
" There are about eleven hundred men at present in camp,
although we believe the roll calls for over fourteen hundred.
There are regiments and parts of regiments among them the
' Seymour Cavalry, 1 ' Les Enfants Perdus ' or ' Lost Children'
(a French Regiment), and a corps of engineers. There are, we
are informed, representatives from almost every European na-
tion English, Irish, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Swede,
Dane, Russian and even John CJiinaman. It is quite a little
world in itself, and one is forcibly reminded in visiting it, of
the confusion of tongues at the Tower of Babel.
" The Rev. Dr. Irving, we understand, is laboring earnestly
among them, and has already effected much good. Bibles and
tracts in different languages have already been largely circu-
lated among them.''
A serious riot took place at this camp on the 13th of May,
1863, which resulted in the death of one soldier and the wound-
ing of two others. Some of the troops quartered here had been
in camp for several months without receiving any of the bounty
money which was due them. This fact had given rise to great
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 311
discontent on the part of those who had been thus slighted.
Desertions from camp were taking place every night, so that
the ranks were filling up very slowly. On the morning of the
day above referred to groups of men could be seen collecting in
different parts of the parade ground discussing with vehemence
and indignation the subject of their complaint and declaiming
bitterly against the deception which had been practiced upon
them. In vain did several officers try to appease their wrath
with the oft repeated story that their grievances would shortly
be adjusted. They determined to take matters into their own
hands, and leave the camp.
Accordingly, about noon the Burnside Rifles armed them-
selves with clubs, axes and stones, and headed by two drum-
mers, marched defiantly toward the main entrance of the camp.
Here, however, they were met by Colonel Leave, who had been
informed of the threatened movement and had provided a
strong guard of picked men for the emergency. Upon being
ordered by the colonel to ret urn to their quarters, the men set up a
yell of defiance, one of them hurling a large stone which struck
the colonel a violent blow on the side. As soon as he recovered
from the shock he sprang into the midst of the mob and ar-
rested the man who threw the stone; the others, being cowed by
his resolute action, offered meanwhile no resistance.
The mutineers now turned in another direction. Marching
directly to the south side of the barracks they determined to
cut their way out. and about twenty-eight men actually suc-
ceeded in doing so before their progress could be stopped. The
" Enfants Perdus" were marched to the scene of action and
ordered to fire upon them, which they did, resulting in the
death of one man and the supposed mortally wounding of an-
other. The twenty-eight who had escaped were subsequently
captured by a revenue cutter while attempting to cross over to
Jersey in a boat which they had taken for the purpose. They
were subsequently conveyed to Governor's island, where they
were put in irons.
In the course of the day a demonstration was made against
the sutler's department, but was put down without much
trouble. About ten o'clock in the evening flames were seen is-
suing from the stables adjoining the hospital department. The
energy of the officers and men succeeded in saving some valu-
able horses that were in these buildings, and also, by great ex-
312 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
ertions, the hospital itself, which was at one time seriously en-
dangered. The patrol guard was strengthened, and this
effectually prevented any making their escape amid the confu-
sion consequent upon the fire.
Squads of soldiers were detailed that afternoon to go to the
different ferries and look out for any deserters who might at-
tempt to leave the island by the ferry-boats. One of the guard
at Stapleton landing, named Spellissy, while attending to this
duty, attempted to arrest two young men whom he took to be
deserters, but who claimed to have been honorably discharged
from the service. In the scuffle which ensued one Donahue, a
by-stander, came to the assistance of the young men, and after
a hand to hand encounter with Spellissy broke from him and
ran away, when the latter fired upon him, the ball making a
wound in the thigh of Donahue, and also striking the knee of
a little child in its passage. Spellissy was arrested, and barely
escaping being lynched at the hands of the incensed populace,
was confined in Richmond jail.
It would appear to be the fact that some grounds of complaint
existed with the men, owing to their treatment and their fare. One
who had inquired into the subject somewhat wrote: "All through
the winter complaints have come to us from soldiers quar-
tered at New Dorp and Tompkinsville that their bounties have
been withheld ; and for a long time, at the latter camp ground,
miserable fare has been loudly talked of, and on more than one
occasion the men have demolished the cook-house where, they
insisted, decayed food had been prepared for them. I have con-
versed with a large number of these men, and discovered that
they were not of the commoner sort, being very intelligent, and
many of them sons of thrifty farmers in the northern and west-
ern sections of this state ; consequently they know what decent
treatment is, and felt that they had a right to expect it at the
hands of the government or its officers. Hundreds of them
have 'skedaddled 1 in disgust, and doubtless have borne to
the ears of the community to which they belong, dismal tidings
of the state of affairs in Uncle Samuel's camp, and pictured in
their mental vision scenes to which they are likely to remain
strangers, at least as far as they are able. 1 '
A small number of skeleton organizations, or parts of organi-
zations, were brought together here and consolidated in June,
1863. Among these remnants were the ; ' Tompkins," " H.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 313
Seymour" and "Davis" cavalry, the "Blair Rifles," " Sey
mour Light Infantry," "Defenders," " Burnside Rifles, "Pratt
Guard," and the " Westchester Light Infantry."
General McClellan was present at a grand review which took
place at this camp September 8, 1863. There were about three
thousand five hundred men in the various commands then or-
ganizing here, and the occasion called out about eight thousand
spectators. The affair was said to be one of the most brilliant
military demonstrations ever witnessed on the island. General
McClellan having taken a position, the troops marched in re-
view before him, the following regiments taking part and mov-
ing in the order named : Eleventh IS. Y., Thirty-first, Duryea's
Zouaves, Thirty-fourth, Ninth, Twelfth cavalry, Coming's
Eighteenth light cavalry, Twenty-first cavalry (dismounted),
Seventeenth, Thirteenth and some other regiments. After the
column had passed the general addressed the soldiers, many of
whom had been in the service with him, in the following lan-
guage :
" My COMRADES I am glad and sad and proud to meet you
again. (Loud cheers). I am glad because we are all glad to
meet old comrades and brothers in arms. (Renewed cheering).
lam sad because I am reminded in seeing you, of your brethren
slain on our fields of battle. I remember, too, our last fight,
opposite Warrentown. I am proud because I call to mind all
our battles from Yorktown to Antietam. I am proud because
you who are here are some of the old Army of the Potomac, on
which I have looked with pride, and ever shall. (Tremendous
cheering). When you return to your comrades say to them
that their old commander has continued to watch their every
battle with as much interest, feeling and pride as when with
you, and that he will ever do so. (Cheers). I am also glad to
know that so many of you are returning to the service. I thank
you, comrades, for the kind welcome you have given me. I will
not say good-bye again. We have said that once before, and I
trust never to repeat it."
Early in November, 1863, four or five hundred men remaining,
discontent arose and insubordination was manifest. This culmi-
nated on the night of the 4th in the burning of the barracks.
At about one o'clock of the following morning fire was dis-
covered on the east side of the camp. The alarm was given by
the firing of howitzers, and several apparatus companies came
314 HISTOTCY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
to the scene, Excelsior Backet Company No. 1, Protection
Hose, of Stapleton, and Neptune Hose, of Tompkinsville, being
the first to arrive. The flames were extinguished, but not until
all the eastern side and about one hundred feet of the northern
side of the camp were destroyed. Unusual vigilance was exer-
cised on the following night, but flames again appeared at about
the same hour of the night, and before any available assistance
could reach the spot the remaining part of the structure
was burned to the ground. A few days later a plot was ex-
posed by one of the men implicated in it, which had been
planned for the purpose of burning the hospital which was
lilled with sick men. The man who exposed the plot had not
the hardened heart to allow him to carry out the scheme of
crime that he had engaged in, and he named the ringleaders,
who were arrested and put in irons. On the following day
General Canby ordered all the men except about forty cavalry
to be removed to Governors island. The camp was now de-
serted except by the few men who remained to guard its
ruins.
When the encampments of soldiers were first made on the
island considerable alarm was felt for the safety of the inhabi-
tants and the security of their property against the molestation
of the troops. A police force was talked of and steps toward a
regular organization, to be employed and paid by the public funds,
were taken. There were differences of opinion, some believing
that such a force was necessary and others arguing that it
would be a needless expense, and that the camp regulations
would be sufficient to protect the people against any serious
damage or molestation. A line of sentries was stationed by the
commandant of Camp Scott as far as Vanderbilt landing, about
two miles from the camp.
Thus, as we have seen, now and heretofore in this article, the
most vigilant effort was in many cases made to protect the
people from the annoyances of the encamped army. But this
could be but imperfectly done. The local and government
authorities sometimes came into conflict, when soldiers who
had been arrested and imprisoned for offenses against the civil
law, were demanded by the officers of the military organizations
to which they belonged to move with the organization to the
seat of war. In this way many a guilty criminal escaped pun-
ishment. This emboldened others to be more reckless in their
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 315
offensive conduct, especially when it was known that their
regiments were to move forward before a trial in the civil
courts would be had.
One of the frequent manifestations of lawlessness was seen in
the work of the incendiary torch. The frequency of fires in
1862 is thus referred to in a paragraph in a local paper at the
time:
"FiRE NUMBER 26. Notwithstanding the general desire to
efface party lines there is still a party on the North Shore
which keeps up its organization and performs its labors with
much diligence. We allude to the barnburners. These nota-
ble individuals enjoyed themselves for the twenty-sixth time on
Sunday morning, at half-past three o'clock (the usual hour for
such fun), by setting h're to the barn of Mr. Henry Cornell on
the Mill Eoad, Castleton. It was burned to the ground loss
about $300. The inhabitants all get awake in time to see the
fire, but the incendiaries are generally supposed to be in-
visible.
" Many of the people are said to be so used to the- alarm of
fire that when they discover it is not their barn they go to bed
again."
Incendiary fires, burglaries, thefts, assaults, and drunken
fights were of daily occurrence during much of the time. The
expenses of the county for the services of constables and patrol-
men for the year 1862 was eight thousand six hundred and
forty-five dollars and twenty-one cents. About two thousand
six hundred arrests for criminal offenses were made during the
year. The bills of the justices of the peace for acting on these
cases amounted to five thousand two hundred and twenty-three
dollars and seventy-one cents ; making an aggregate of thirteen
thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight dollars and ninety-two
cents paid for preserving the public peace, which after all was
continually in a precarious condition.
The summer of 1865 was notable for the frequency of assaults,
robberies and other examples of ruffianism. Many of the per-
petrators of outrages of this character upon the peaceable
citizens, which occurred almost daily, were returned soldiers,
who had been schooled amid scenes of war, and being without
any principle of honor, were ready to practice theft and violence
upon unprotected citizens in a land of peace. The island was
overcome by a tide of ruffianism and crime that rendered life
316 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
and property here decidedly unsafe. It was a publicly admitted
fact that crime was enormously on the increase. Highway rob-
beries, house breakings, violent assaults and batteries, riots and
other heinous offenses, almost without number, were committed.
Any attempt to give a detailed list of specific instances would
be a sickening task. Many arrests were made and the guilty
parties were imprisoned in the county jail. But even here their
bold defiance of law manifested itself in threats of using the
political influence which some of them claimed to have to de-
feat at the ballot box the public officials who should dare to
bring them to punishment. Despite such threats, however, the
grand jury at the next court of sessions, in September, found
indictments against thirty-eight prisoners, nineteen of which
were for assault and battery, four for burglary, two for assault
with intent to kill, and the remainder for various crimes.
But the period of war is closed. Let us be done with the
lawlessness, the riots, the contentions, the destruction of prop-
erty, the ill feelings, the excitements, the sorrowings and all
the train of skeleton forms that attend on a time of war. And
how mean a recompense is the blare of martial music, the
graceful evolutions of military parade, the glitter of dazzling
uniforms and equipments or the gallant carriage of a command-
ing hero on the field ! Let us pray kind Heaven that this fail-
island may not again be desecrated by the presence of an en-
camped soldiery preparing themselves for scenes of carnage and
destruction.
From the scenes in which men were engaged the scenes in
which their aim was to shed the blood of their fellow men, it is
refreshing to turn a moment to the scenes in which honorable
women were meanwhile engaged the work of staying the crim-
son tide, healing the wounds that men had made and relieving
the sufferings that were the inevitable fruits of war. While
the men were at work fanning the flames of passion to make
them burn higher for the destruction of their fellows, the
ladies were unobtrusively working away, preparing articles of use
and comfort for the soldiers at the front or the sick and wound-
ed in hospitals. Organizations were effected in the different
villages, preparing articles of clothing, such as stockings, shirts,
drawers, handkerchiefs, mittens, besides lint, bandages, blank-
ets, preserves, and other little delicacies and luxuries. There
were the "Mariner's Harbor Soldiers' Relief Society," com-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 317
posed largely of active young ladies, the "Ladies' Relief
Society of New Springville," the ''North Shore Soldiers' Aid
Society at Factoryville," and others whose names or work are
not before us now, but which were equally noble, self-sacrificing
and worthy of grateful remembrance.
We will, in closing this chapter of war, append the following
list of Staten Islanders who served during the War of the
Rebellion, in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth New
York State Volunteers :
Orville D. Jewett, Castleton, first lieutenant; captain; re-
signed 1863.
Clarence T. Barrett, Castleton, second lieutenant ; first lieu-
tenant ; adjutant ; served as aid-de-camp on staff of Major-
General W. H. Emory, commanding Nineteenth army corps ;
then on staff of Major-General E. S. Canby, commanding de-
partment of gulf ; captain and aid-de-camp, United States
army; brevet ted major for gallant and meritorious services at
the capture of Mobile.
Charles W. Kennedy, Castleton, first sergeant : second lieu-
tenant ; first lieutenant ; captain ; served for two years on staff
of Third brigade, Second division, Nineteenth army corps, as
brigade commissary, and acting assistant adjutant-general.
Edward Steers, Castleton, sergeant ; first lieutenant ; served
until the end of war.
William Cortelyou, Southfield, sergeant; second lieutenant;
wounded at Cedar Creek ; served until the end of war.
Bennett H. Buel, Castleton, sergeant ; served until the end
of war.
George G. Cadmus, Northfield, sergeant ; discharged for
disability.
Charles T. Pine, Castleton, corporal ; discharged to accept
commission on corps d'Afrique.
George Mersereau, Castleton, corporal ; sergeant ; served un-
til the end of war.
Edward Haggerty, Northfield, corporal ; killed before Port-
Hudson.
Nathan M. Barrett, Castleton, corporal color-guard ; served
until the end of war.
William C. Simonson, Southfield, corporal ; sergeant ; served
until the end of war.
318 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Oscar Guyon, Southfield, corporal ; sergeant ; served until
the end of war.
Albert P. Heal, Castleton, corporal ; served until the end of
war.
John Vanderbilt, Castleton, corporal ; discharged to accept
appointment as master of arms United States navy.
Thomas Steers, Castleton, corporal ; discharged to accept
commission as assistant engineer United States navy.
John G. Bott, Castleton, private ; served until the end of war.
William Bamber, Castleton, private ; corporal ; served until
the end of war,
Robert Bell, Southfield, private ; died of disease in service.
Henry V. Buel, Castleton, private ; died of disease in service.
Edmund Blake, Castleton, private ; wounded at Winchester ;
served until the end of war ; died from effects of wound.
James Brogan, Castleton, private ; served until end of war.
Nathan F. Barrett, Castleton, private ; sergeant-major ; sec-
ond lieutenant ; served until end of war.
Abiel H. Burbank, Southfield, private ; died of disease in
service.
Ebenezer Chichester, Castleton, private ; served till close of
war.
Daniel Collins, Castleton, private ; served till close of war.
Dewitt C. Connor, Southfield, private ; killed in action at
Fort Bisland.
Edward Clary, Castleton, private ; wounded at Cedar Creek ;
served until end of war.
Patrick Colbert, Castleton, private ; served until end of war.
Thomas F. Donnelly, Castleton, private ; sergeant ; served
until end of war.
Richard Dawlin, Castleton, private; wounded at Fisher's
Hill ; discharged.
Albert G. Denton, Castleton, private ; discharged for disabil-
ity.
Daniel Elms, Northfield, private ; served until end of war.
Jacob N. Guyon, Southfield, private ; corporal ; discharged
for disability.
Nelson Gilby, Southfield, private; served until end of war.
Joseph Jacobs, Castleton, private ; served until end of war.
Bernard Jacobs, Castleton, private; drum-major; served un-
til end of war;
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 319
Albert Jones, Castleton, private ; died of disease in service.
James E. Hood, Castleton, private; discharged for disability.
Ira McVeigh, Castleton, private ; wounded at Cedar Creek ;
discharged.
Reuben S. Miller, Castleton, private ; served until end of war.
Philip J. Miller, Southliekl, private ; corporal ; served until
end of war.
Mark Mallett, Castleton, private ; taken prisoner at Cedar
Creek ; discharged.
John Prosi, Castleton, private ; served until end of war.
Edward N. Pomeroy, Castleton, private ; discharged to re-
ceive commission in corps d'Afrique.
Atagustus W. Sexton, Jr., Castleton, private; discharged to
receive commission.
William B. Smith, Castleton. private ; served until end of
war.
Robert Stewart, Castleton, private ; served until end of war.
George Wackerhagen, Castleton, private ; discharged to re-
ceive appointment as hospital steward United States army.
Thomas Wright, Castleton, private ; wounded at Montesino
Bayou ; served until end of war.
James Watson, Castleton, private ; taken prisoner at Cedar
Creek ; died from exposure.
The death of President Garfield occasioned one of the most
remarkable and general popular demonstrations of sorrow that
has ever been witnessed here. The newspapers of the island
were dressed in mourning. Memorial services were held by
nearly every church and organization on Monday, October 26,
1881. In the north side villages a parade was organized. This
was composed of Washington Engine Company No. 1, Port
Richmond Engine Company No. 3. Lincoln Club of New
Brighton; New Brighton Engine Company No. 4; Zephyr Hose
Company No. 4; Aquehonga Hook and Ladder Company No. 1;
Medora Hook and Ladder Company No. 3; Metamora Council
No. 650, American Legion of Honor; Continental Council No. 27,
O. U. A. M. The line of march was taken along the shore road
from the Pavilion hotel at New Brighton to Port Richmond,
where a speaker's stand had been erected in the open h'eld on
Heberton avenue opposite the school house. Here appropriate
services were conducted, consisting of singing and addresses,
the latter bv Rev. Jesse S. Gilbert and Hou. Erastus Brooks.
320 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Appropriate services were also held at the church of the
Ascension, West New Brighton, at 11 o'clock, Rev. Mr. Cornell
officiating in the absence of the rector. Services on the pre-
vious Sunday at Trinity M. E. church had reference .to the sub-
ject, and similar services were held at the Moravian church at
New Dorp. At the Reformed church memorial exercises were
conducted on Monday at 2 o'clock by Rev. Dr. Brownlee, as-
sisted by Rev. Dr. John Robinson and Rev. Mr. Vansant. The
Rev. C. A. Frincke at the German Lutheran church, St. John's,
conducted memorial services in German at the same hour. High
mass was celebrated at St. Mary's, Clifton, by the Rev. John
Lewis and the Litany of the Saints, in which is included prayers
for all people, governors, rulers and officials, was recited in re-
spect to the occasion, on the same day.
An elaborate service was conducted at St. John's, Clifton,
which included the prescribed service, music, and addresses by
Rev. Dr. Eccleston, the pastor, and Mr. W. W. MacFarland;
while at Christ church, New Brighton, the liturgical and musi-
cal services were supplemented by an address by Rev. George
D. Johnson, the rector. At the Park Baptist church the pastor,
being absent at the time, spoke with reference to the subject on
the following Sabbath. At the Seamen's Retreat chapel ser-
vices were held Monday afternoon and addresses were made by
Rev. Drs. Kipp and Rockwell. At the Kingsley M. E. and St.
Paul's Memorial churches, Edgewater, services were held on
Monday, while on Sunday morning Rev. Dr. Rockwell, of the
Presbyterian church, held a commemorative service. Masses
were celebrated on Monday in St. Peter's, New Brighton, and
St. Rose of Lima, West New Brighton; and in the latter
church, after mass, prayer for the authorities, composed by
Archbishop Carrol], of Baltimore, was recited. There were
also services in St. Paul's M. E. and the South Baptist churches
at Tottenville; in St. Joseph's at Rossville, and St. Mark's at
Pleasant Plains. Rev. Mr. Cole, of Woodrow, delivered an
essay on the life and service of President Garh'eld on the pre-
ceding Sunday, and Rev. Mr. Morris, of Bethel M. E. church,
gave a memorial sermon on the following Sabbath.
Nearly all these churches were draped, some on the inside,
some on the outside and some on both. Heavy folds and cov-
erings of black cloth were tastefully arranged on pulpits,
chairs, tables, organs, railings, around windows, over doorways
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 321
and arches and upon supporting pillars. Many residences,
hotels and business places were also heavily dressed in mourn-
ing, and in some cases bells were tolled at intervals through the
day. Services at Stapleton Park were held under the auspices
of Robert G. Shaw Post, G. A. R., and a large audience as-
sembled, over which Mr. Justus O. Woods presided. Lenhart
Post, of Tottenville, and the Staten Island Quartette Club,
represented by thirty-five members, assisted in the exercises,
and Ex-Congressman James W. Covert delivered an appropri-
ate and touching address.
Probably the most destructive storm ever known on the island
was that of September, 1882. Rain commenced on Wednesday
evening the 20th, and continued until Saturday. Heavy rains-
fell during this time, and created freshets in many places, de-
stroying property and rendering impossible the ordinary avenues
of travel. The storm was accompanied by unusually high tides,
which added to the aggregate damage along the shores. Wil-
low brook was swelled to an alarming fullness. The culvert in
the railroad embankment between Prince's bay and Pleasant
Plains was not sufficient to give vent to the great body of water
that accumulated above it, and on Saturday evening a breach
was made and about thirty feet of the embankment was carried
down the stream. The water by this time had risen so high as
to cover many gardens and roads, and to fill many cellars, even
covering the first floors in some houses. Out-houses and a
nameless multitude of small articles were borne away on the
seething flood. Blacksmith shops, barns and dwelling-houses
were undermined or otherwise damaged, as were also their con-
tents, by the water, and a number of bridges were lifted from
their foundations or carried away. Nearly two weeks elapsed
before a temporary track could be laid across the breach so as
to allow the passing of trains.
The railroad track was also badly damaged in several places
in the vicinity of Richmond Valley. At the station the track
was bent and torn, and a short distance below another washout
occurred, while a train which had reached this point found it-
self between two impaired spots, so as to be unable to pass with
safety either way, in which condition it remained till Sunday
afternoon. Several bridges were destroyed in the vicinity of
Rossville and Green Ridge, and deep cuts were made in the
roads in many places, which made them for the time impassable.
21
322 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
At Tottenville the railroad track and turn-tables were submerged,
a brick wall in the rear of John Nelson's hotel was thrown
down, and sidewalks and streets were badly disfigured, cellars
rilled and property destroyed. Near Huguenot the South Side
hotel was damaged to the extent of about two thousand dollars
value, by the undermining of its foundations, caused by the
outburst of Arbutus lake. In Stapleton the streets were flooded,
as were a large number of houses. At New Brighton the streets
were deluged, and many houses that were considered proof
against any ordinary flood were filled with water.
The stone wall that protects the causeway over which the road
crosses the meadow at Sailors' Snug Harbor gave way, and the
road was flooded so that the platforms of passing horse cars
were under water.
At West New Brighton Broadway became a great river, its
turbulent waters undermining a carpenter's shop belonging to
David Pero, and another shop adjoining, cut out a great hole
in the street near by, and flowed into the lower story of police
station No. 2, to the depth of nine inches on the floor. The
prisoners had to be transferred to the second story and the
officers were obliged to sit up all night and watch them. The
causeway between West New Brighton and Port Richmond was
covered by two feet of water, and the torrent, as it swept over,
took with it a cow, two pigs and a great quantity of miscellane-
ous property. In this part of the island the story of demol-
ished bridges, inundated floors and uptorn sidewalks and
streets were on every hand too frequent to be particularized.
A very appropriate and commendable demonstration was
made by the people of this county on the anniversary of the
second centennial of the organization of the county of Rich-
mond. The credit of being the first to suggest such a demon-
stration here is given to Mr. Robert Moore, then supervisor of
Castleton. In accordance with that suggestion the board of
supervisors called a meeting of citizens to cooperate with them
in perfecting plans for such a celebration.
The first meeting of citizens was held September 22d, 1883,
at which Hon. Erastus Brooks was chosen president; Hon.
George William Curtis, Louis De Jonge, Erastus Wiman and
Dr. Ephraim Clark, vice-presidents; George H. Daley, record-
ing secretary, and Charles Arthur Hollick, corresponding sec-
retary.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 323
At this meeting the subject was fully discussed, and the su-
pervisors were authorized to appoint a committee of four
citizens from each town, in conjunction with themselves, to act as
a committee of arrangements. This committee was afterward in-
creased to nine from each town, which, together with the super-
visors, was to be known as the citizens' committee of fifty.
At this meeting, on motion of Dr. Ephraim Clarke, Hon. Eras-
tus Brooks was unanimously chosen to prepare and deliver an.
historical address. At a subsequent meeting of this committee,
Professor Anton G. Methfessel was chosen chairman, and Theo-
dore C. Vermilye, secretary.
A sub-committee of four from each town, in conjunction with
the supervisors, was appointed by the chairman, to be known
as the executive committee, and to them was referred the whole
subject of preparing a plan for the celebration. The executive
committee organized, with Frederick White as chairman and
Duncan R. Norvell as secretary, and after considerable discus-
sion, a parade was decided upon, and full particulars reported
to the committee of fifty.
The executive committee was composed of the following men:
George Bechtel, Frederick White, Philip Wolff, A. G. Meth-
fessel, Nathaniel Marsh, Benjamin Brown, C. A. Hart, D. J.
Tysen, Abram Crocheron, DeWitt Stafford, Robert Moore, D.
R. Norvell, R. B. Whiltemore, Read Benedict, Jesse Oakley,
B. H. Warlord, M. Conklin, P. G. Ullman, J. H. Van Clief,
sr., William Ricard; Frederick White, chairman; Duncan R.
Norvell, secretary.
Arrangements having been perfected, in accordance therewith
the procession formed at Elm Park at 12 o'clock at noon on the
1st of November, 1883. The procession was made up of the
following organizations in the order named: mounted police,
Kickapoo Indians in a wagon, Fort Hamilton band, marshals,
Staten Island Schutzen Corps, chariot containing "Goddess of
Liberty," Tottenville Cornet Band and Drum Corps, Battalion
Grand Army of the Republic, Shaw Post, Lenhart Post, fifty
sons of veterans, disabled veterans on a truck, citizens' associ-
ation, carriages containing speakers, county officials, Staten Is-
land Quartette Club and citizens, Citizens' Cornet Band of South
Amboy, Red Cross Division of Knights of Pythias of South
Amboy, Protection Hook and Ladder Company of Perth
Amboy, Lincoln Hose Company of Perth Amboy, Tot ten-
324 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
ville Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, Kreischer-
ville Drum Corps, one hundred and forty employees of B.
Kreischer & Sons, New Dorp Pioneer Corps, Mulligan's Band
of New York, one hundred men of One Hundred and Thirteenth
regiment, Washington Band, Enterprise Hook and Ladder Com-
pany No. 1 of Stapleton, Neptune Engine Company No. 6,
Protection Engine Company No. 7, Sixty-ninth Regiment Drum
Corps, Excelsior Bucket Company No. 1, Relief Bucket Com-
pany, Engine Company No. 8 of Clifton, Columbia Cornet
Band of Pleasant Plains, Clifton Hose Company No. 6, Excel-
sior Drum Corps of Tompkinsville, Ben. Brown Hose No. 3,
Eterick's Band of Brooklyn, Engine Company No. 9, Robinson
Hose No. 9, Forty-seventh Regiment Drum Corps, Neptune
Engine Company No. 1 of West Hoboken, Lincoln Club Band,
Niagara Engine No. 5, Neptune Hose No. 1, Olvany's Band,
Columbia Hook and Ladder, South Amboy Band, Continental
Council No. 27, Order United American Mechanics, the Z. Z. Z.
Z. Social Club, Newark Cornet Band, Colored Citizens' Associa-
tion of Newark, Twelfth Regiment Band, Washington Engine
No. 4 of Port Richmond, Osceola Cornet Band of Mariners'
Harbor, Aquehonga Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, West
Brighton Band, Cataract Engine Company No. 2 of West
Brighton, Union Base-ball Clubs of Young Men's Christian
Union of West Brighton. Elizabeth Cornet Band, Granite Hook
and Ladder Company No. 2, Port Richmond Engine Company
No. 3, Medora Hook and Ladder Company No. 3 of West
Brighton, Joyce's Band of New York, New Brighton Engine
Company No. 4, Friendship Hook and Ladder Company No.
4, Oceanic Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 of Travisville,
Linoleum Social Club, In-Seine Club and sixty-seven vehicles
representing trades, business, characters and fancies, among
which were several four-horse turnouts, and one wagon drawn
by ten horses. A large number of private wagons followed to
bring up the rear. The procession started at 12 o'clock, ad
preceded by the Shore road to Finger Board road and then re-
turned to Stapleton Flats, where a large tent had been erected,
iu which addresses were made and music was given. Invitations
had been given to the president, governor, mayors of New York
and Brooklyn and General Hancock to participate in the ceremo-
nies, none of whom however found it practicable to attend.
By the favor of the secretary of the navy, obtained through
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 325
Hon. Perry Belmont, the United States ship "Vandalia," an-
chored off Stapleton, where she lay during the day, being deco-
rated with flags and fired a salute of twenty-one guns at noon.
For the public exercises of the occasion a large tent had been
erected on a portion of Stapleton Flats. The interior was taste-
fully trimmed with United States flags. At the conclusion of
the parade the meeting in the tent was called to order by tlie
secretary, Theodore C. Vermilye. Prayer was offered by the
Rev. Dr. Brownlee. Dr. Ephraim Clark was made chairman
of the meeting, and addresses were delivered by Hon. Erastus
Brooks, Hon. Perry Belmont, Hon. George William Curtis,
Hon. A. S. Sullivan, Hon. Henry J. Scudder and Hon. Brad-
ford L. Prince, the exercises closing with prayer by the Rev.
Mr. Palmer of Tottenville. In the evening a grand display of
fireworks was made at Stapleton, and thus closed the day cele-
brated to mark the completion of two centuries of the exist-
ence of Richmond county.
CHAPTEE VII.
CIVIL DIVISIONS AND CIVIL OFFICERS.
The County. The Towns. The Villages. Hon. Daniel D. Tompkins. Hon.
Erastus Brooks. Cornelius A. Hart.
WE have already seen in a previous chapter that the county
of Richmond was erected by an act of the colonial legis-
lature, " to divide this province and dependencies into Shires
and Counties," which was passed November 1, 1688. The act
specified "The connty of Richmond to conteyne all Staten
Island, Shutter's Island, and the islands of meadow on the
west side thereof."
Under this organization it remained till the colonial govern-
ment was supplanted by that of the state, when, by the act of
the state legislature passed March 7, 1788, for dividing the
state into counties, the previous organization was confirmed in
the following language, which differs from that in the former
act only in orthography: "The Connty of Richmond to con-
tain all Staten- Island, Shooter 's- Island and the Islands of
Meadow on the West Side thereof."
The act of March 7, 1788, dividing the counties of this state
into towns, gives the division of Richmond as follows:
"And all that Part of the County of Richmond, bounded
northerly by Kill-Van-Cull, easterly by Hudson s- River, south- .
erly by the Road leading from Van Duerson's Ferry south-
ward of the Water ing -Place to Richmond-Town, and westerly
by a Lyne beginning at the Mouth of Dongari 1 s Mill-creek,
and running from thence along the Line of the Manor of
Castle-Town to the Road at the Rear of the Patent of Corsen
and Company, thence along the northerly Side of the said
Road westerly to the Road leading to HaughwouV s Mill, and
then southerly along the westerly Side of the last mentioned
Road as it runs along by Richard Conner's, to the Tavern
called the Rose and Crown, on the said Road leading to Rich-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 327
mend-Town, shall be and hereby is erected into a Town by the
Name of Castle-Toicit.
"And that all that Part of the said County of Richmond,
bounded northerly by the North Side of said Road leading
from Van Duerson's Ferry to JticTimond-Fown and the fresh-
Kill, easterly by Hudson s-River, southerly by the Bay, and
westerly by a Line beginning on the Fresh-Kill at the North-
west Corner of the Land and Meadow late of James Egberts,
and running from thence southerly along the same to Egberts'
Lane, and then along the same Lane to the Road called the
New Road and then along the same New Road westerly to the
Land of Henry Ferine, and then southerly along his easterly
Bounds to the Bay shall be, and hereby is erected into a Town
by the Name of South-field.
"And that all that Part of the said County of Richmond,
bounded northerly by the Fresh-Kill, easterly by Southtield,
southerly by the Bay, and westerly by the Sound, shall be,
and hereby is erected into a Town by the Name of Westfield.
" And that all the Residue of the said County of Richmond,
shall be, and hereby is erected into a Town by the Name of
NorihfieW."
The following men from this county have been members of
important state and national representative bodies as indi-
cated:
Members of the Provincial Congress: Adrian Bancker, 2d
Prov. Cong., 1775-76 ; Richard Conner, 1st and 3d Prov.
Cong., 1775-76 ; Aaron Cortelyou, 1st and 3d Prov. Cong., 1775
-76 ; John Journeay, 1st and 3d Prov. Cong., 1775-76 ; Richard
Lawrence, 1st and 2d Prov. Cong., 1775-76 ; Paul Micheau, 1st
and 3d Prov. Cong., 1775-76.
Representatives in Congress: Daniel D. Tompkins, 9th
Congress, 1805-06 ; Henry Crocheron, 14th Congress, 1815-17 ;
James Guy on, Jr., 16th Congress, 1819-21 ; Jacob Crocheron,
21st Congress, 1829-31 ; Samuel Barton, 24th Congress, 1833-37;
Joseph Egbert, 27th Congress, 1841-43 ; Henry I. Seaman, 29th
Congress, 1843-47; Obadiah Bowne, 32d Congress, 1851-53;
Henry G. Stebbins, 38th Congress, resigned ; Dwight Townsend,
38th Congress, 1863-65 ; Henry B. Metcalfe, 44th Congress, 1875
-77.
Presidential Electors .-1808. John Garretson ; 1812, Joseph
Ferine ; 1836, Jacob Crocheron ; 1840, John T. Harrison ; 1844,
328 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
John C. Thompson; 1848, James M. Cross; 1856, Minthorne
Tompkins ; 1864, Obadiah Bowne.
State Senators : Paul Mioheau, 1789-92 ; Jacob Tysen,
1828 ; Hartnan B. Cropsey, 1832-35 ; Minthorne Tompkins,
1840-41 ; James E. Cooley, 1852-53; Robert Christie, Jr.,
1864-65; Nicholas La Ban, 1866 67 ; Samuel H. Frost, 1870-71.
Members of the State Constitutional Conventions : Conven-
tion of 1788, Abraham Bancker, Gozen Ryerss ; 1801, Joseph
Ferine ; 1821, Daniel D. Tompkins ; 1845, John T. Harrison ;
1868, George Wm. Curtis.
Regents of the University: Abraham Bancker, John C.
Dongan, first board. 1784 ; Harmanus Garrison, second board,
1784 ; after which time the county was not represented in the
board until April 12th, 1864, when George Wm. Curtis was ap-
pointed, and still continues in office (1886).
The following men have served the county in the offices
specified during the years indicated :
Judges of the County Courts : 1691, Ellis Duxbury ; 1710,
Daniel Lake; 1711, Joseph Billop; 1712, Thomas Farmar; 1739,
Richard Merrill ; 1739, John Le Conte ; 1756, William Walton
(He was also a member of the council from 1758 to 1768, when
he died) ; 1761, Joseph Bedell ; 1775, Benjamin Seaman ; 1786,
Pan! Micheau ; 1797, Gozen Ryerss ; 1802, John J. Murray ;
1803, John Garretson ; 1823, Jacob Tysen; 1840, Henry B. Met-
oa.lfe; 1841, William Emerson ; 1844, Albert Ward ; 1847, Hen-
ry B. Metcalfe; 1876, Tompkins Westervelt ; 1882, Stephen D.
Stephens, Jr.
District Attorneys* : 1818, George Metcalfe; 1826, Henry B.
Metcalfe ; 1833, Thorn S. Kingsland; 1839, George Catlin; 1840,
Roderick N. Morrison ; 1841, Lot C. Clark ; 1849, George Cat-
lin ; 1850, George White; 1853, Alfred DeGroot : 1860, Abra-
ham W. Winant ; 1865, John H. Hedley : 1872, Sidney F.
Rawson ; 1875, John Croak ; 1881, John Gallagher.
Surrogates, under Colonial Government : 1733, Walter Don-
gan ; 1759, Benjamin Seaman.
Under Federal Government .-1787, Adrian Bancker ; 1792,
Abraham Bancker ; 1809, John Housman ; 1810, Cornelius Be
dell ; 1811, Jonathan Lewis ; 1813, Cornelius Bedell ; 1815, Tu-
nis Egbert ; 1820, Richard Conner ; 1820, John Garrison ; 1821,
Tunis Egbert ; 1830, Richard Crocheron ; 1843, Lewis R. Marsh;
*This was made a county office in 1818.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 329
1847, Henry B. Metcalfe : 1876, Tompkins Westervelt ; 1882,
Stephen D. Stephens, Jr.
County Clerks: 1682, Francis Williamson; 1684, Samuel
Winder; 1689, Jacob Corbet; 1691, Thomas Carhart; 1698, Thomas
Coen; 1706, William Tillyer; 1708, Alexander Stuart; 1728,
Adam Mott; 1738, Daniel Stihvell; 1739, Daniel Corsen; 1761,
Paul Micheair 1781, Abraham Bancker; 1784, John Mersereau;
1798, Joseph Ferine; 1810, John V. D. Jacobsen; 1811, Joseph
Ferine; 1815, Jonathan Lewis; 1828, Walter Belts; 1843, Joshua
Mersereau, Jr.; 1852, Israel C. Denyse; 1855, James Cubberly;
1858, Israel C. Denyse; 1861, Abraham V. Connor; 1864, Michael
P. O'Brien; , Joseph Egbert; 1869, John H. Van Clief, Jr.;
1873, David H. Cortelyou; 1876, Abraham V. Conner; 1879, Cor-
nelius A. Hart.
School Superintendents, etc.: Harman B. Cropsey, county
superintendent, appointed 1843. David A. Edgar, Henry M.
Boehm, Isaac Lea, James Brownlee, county commissioners,
elected.
Sheriffs: 1863, John Palmer; 1684, Thomas Lovelace; 1685,
Thomas Stilwell; 1689, EliCrossen; 1691, Thomas Stilwell; 1692,
John Stilwell; 1698, John De Fue; 1699, Jacob Coulsen; 1700,
Christian Corsen; 1701, John De Pue; 1702, Lambert Garrison;
1709, William Tillyer; 1722, Benjamin Bill; 1730, Charles Garri-
son; 1736, Paul Micheau; 1739, Nicholas Larzalere; 1751, John
Hillyer; 1775, Thomas Frost; 1784, Abraham Bancker; 17S8,
Lewis Ryerss; 1792, Benjamin Parker; 1796, Isaac Cubberly;
1799, John Hillyer; 1802, Jacob Crocheron; 1806, Jonathan Lewis;
1810, Daniel Guyon; 1811, Jacob Crocheron; 1813, Jacob Hillyer;
1815, Henry Ferine; 1819, John Hillyer; 1821, Jacob Crocheron;
1825, Walter Betts; 1828, Harman B. Cropsey; 1831, Lawrence
Hillyer; 1834, Israel Oakley; 1837, Andrew' B. Decker; 1840,
Jacob Simonson; 1843, Israel O. Dissosway; 1846, Jacob G.
Guyon; 1849, Israel O. Dissosway; 1852, Abraham Ellis; 1855,
Abraham Lockman; 1858, Isaac M. Marsh; 1861, Moses Alston;
1864, Abraham Winant; 1867, Jacob G. Winant; 1870, Moses
Alston; 1673, William C. Denyse; 1876, Benjamin Brown; 1880,
Abraham V. Conner; 1883, Benjamin Brown; 1886, John J.
Vaughn, Jr.
Members of the Colonial Assembly : John Dally, 1691; Lam-
bert Dorland, 1691 ; Ellis Duxbury, 1691-95-98 ; Thomas Mor-
gan, 1692-98-1702 ; J. T. Van Pelt, 1692-97-98 ; John Shadwell,
330 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
1693-95 ; Thomas Stilwell, 1693-98 ; John Tunison, 1694-95-98 ;
John Wogloin, 1698-99 ; Garret Veghte, 1699, 1702 ; John Stil-
well, 1702, -25 ; Abraham Lakerman, 1702-26 ; Richard Merrill,
1725-37 ; John Le Count, 1726-56 ; Adam Mott, 1737-39 ; Richard
Stilwell, 1739-48; Paul Micheau, 1748-51; William T. Walton,
1751-61; Benjamin Seaman, 1756-75; Henry Holland, 1761-69;
Christopher Billop, 1769-75.
Members of Assembly for Richmond County, under the State
Government : Abraham Jones, 1777-78; Joshua Mersereau,
1777-78; no name recorded, 1778-79, Joshua Mersereau, 1779-
80, 1780-81, 1781-82, 1782-83; Adrian Bancker, 1784; Johannes
Van Wagenen, 1784; Joshua Mersereau, 1784-85; Cornelius
Corsen, 1784-85; Joshua Mersereau, 1786; John Dongan, 1786;
John C. Dongan, 1787; Thomas Frost, 1787; John C. Dongan,
1788; Peter Winant, 1788; Abraham Bancker, 1788-89; John
C. Dongan, 1788-89 ; Abraham Bancker, 1789-90 ; Peter
Winant, 1789-90; Peter Winant, 1791; Gozen Ryerss, 1791,
1792, 1793, 1794; Lewis Ryerss, 1795, 1796, 1797; Paul J.
Micheau, 1798, 1799; John P. Ryerss, 1800; Paul J. Micheau,
1800-01, 1802, 1803; John Housman, 1804; John Dunn, 1804-05,
1806; David Mersereau, 1807, 1608, 1808-09; Richard Conner,
1810; James Guyon, 1811, 1812; James Guyon, Jr., 1812-13,
1814; Jesse Oakley, 1814-15; Richard Corsen, 1816; Richard C.
Corsen, 1816-17, 1818; Harmanus Guyon, 1819, 1820; Samuel
Barton, 1820-21, 1822; Isaac R. Housman, 1823; Henry Ferine,
1824; Harmanus Garrison, 1825; no election, 1826; Abraham
Cole, 1827, 1828; John Vanderbilt, 1829: John T. Harrison,
1830, 1831; Jacob Mersereau, 1832, 1833; Paul Mersereau, 1834;
Lawrence Hillyer, 1835; John Garrison, Jr., 1836; Lawrence
Hillyer, 1837; Israel Oakley, 1838, 1839; Bornt P. Wiuant.
1840; Israel Oakley, 1841; Henry Cole, 1842, 1843; William
Nickles, 1844; Peter Mersereau, 1845; George H. Cole, 1846,
1847; Ephraim J. Totten, 1848; Gabriel P. Disosway, 1849;
Benjamin P. Prall, 1850; William H. Anthon, 1851; Lawrence
H. Cortelyou, 1852; Henry De Hart, 1853; Nicholas Crocheron,
1854; John F. Raymond, 1855; William J. Shea, 1856; Joshua
Mersereau, 1857; Eben W. Hubbard, 1858; Robert Christie, Jr.,
1859; Theodore C. Vermilye, 1860; N. Dane Ellingwood, 1861;
Smith Ely, 1862; Theodore Frean, 1863; William H. Rutau,
1864; James Ridgway, 1865; Thomas Child, 1866; Nathaniel J.
Wyeth, 1867; John Decker, 1868-71; David W. Judd, 1872;
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 331
John B. Hillyer, 1873; Stephen D. Stephens, Jr., 1874-75;
Kneeland Townsend, 187G; Samuel R. Brick, 1877; Erastns
Brooks, 1878, 1879, 1881, 1882, 1883; Oliver Fiske, 1880; Ed-
ward A. Moore, 1884; Michael S. Tynan, 1883; Edward P.
Doyle, 188G; Edward A. Moore, 1887.
Supervisors of the several towns in Richmond county since
the beginning of the year 1766, alphabetically arranged:
Castleton: Barnes, George, 1792-93; Barrett, Nathan, 1837-
38; Burbanck, Abraham, 1794-98; Cary, Richard S., 1804;
Christopher, Richard, 1846, 1849, 1857-8-9, 1868-9, 1874-5-6;
Clute, John J., 1860; Conner, Richard, 1766 84, 1786-92; Crab-
tree, James H., 1865; Crocheron, Abraham, 1832-3; Davis,
George B., 1853; De Groot, Jacob, 1839; Dongan, John C., 1785;
Ely, Smith, 1861-2; Esterbrook, Joseph, 1866; Gardiner, David
L., 1864; Garrison, John, 1803; Garrison, John, Jr., 1834 5-6;
Hazard, Robert M, 1847-8; Heal, Nathan M., 1867; Herpeck,
Charles A., 1877; Housmau, John, 1799 to 1802, 1810; Hous-
man, Isaac R., 1822-31; Laforge, Peter D., 1841-2; Martling,
Joseph B. H., 1850-52; Martino, Gabriel, 1855; Mersereau,
Joshua, 1854; Minturn, Robert B., 1871; Pell, D. Archie, 1870;
Thompson, John C., 1840; Tysen, Jacob, 1811-21; Tysen, John,
Jr., 1805-09; Vermeule, John D., 1872-3: Vreeland, Eder, 1844-
5; Ward, Albert, 1843.
Nortlifield: Bedell, Cornelius, 1790, 1794; Burger, James G.,
1855; Child, Thomas, 1863; Corsen, Cornelius, 1779-84; Croch-
eron, Henry, 1800-04, 1808-14; Crocheron, Nicholas, 1805-7,
1825-30, 1846-7; Crocheron, Richard. 1816 23; Denyse, Israel C.,
1866-7; Hillyer, John, 1767; Hillyer, John B., 1872; Hillyer,
John, Jr., 1772-3; Hillyer, Lawrence, 1851, 1856; Laforge, Peter
C., 1862; Lake, Daniel, 1795 97; Latourette, Henry, 1767; La-
tourette, Richard, 1876-77; Martin, Oliver R., 1848; Mersereau,
David, 1815; Mersereau, Jacob, 1792-3, 1799; Mersereau, John,
1788; Mersereau, Peter, 1841-44; Moore, Richard C.,1854; Ferine,
James, 1831-32; Post, Garret G., 1850, 1857 61; Prall, William,
1824; Ryerss, Gozen, 1785-87; Simonson, Bornt, 1774-78; Si-
monson, Garret, 1873-76; Simonson, Jacob, 1833 40, 1849; Tysen,
John, 1789, 1791, 1798; Wright, Garret P., 1852; Van Clief,
John H., 1868-71; Van Name, Charles, 1853, 1864; Van Name,
Michael, 1845.
SoutJifleld: Barnes, George, 1789, 1800; Barton, Edward P.,
1869; Barton, Samuel, 1852, 1857; Brady, Philip, 1870; Britton,
332 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Alexander EL, 1844; Clark, Epkraim, 1866-67; Cocroft, James,
1865; Coddington, Samuel, 1841-43, 1857; Cole, George H., 1845;
Corry, William, 1876, 1877; Cortelyou, Peter, 1789 98; Egbert,
Joseph, 1855-56; Fountain, Anthony, 1767, 1769, 1784; Gar-
rison, John C., 1849, 1858-60; Greenfield, George J., 1872 to ;
Guyon, Harmanus, 1816-20, 1822-33; Guyon, James, 1782-3, 1785-
6; Guyon, James, 1838-40, 1847-8, 1850-51; Hall, Farnham, 1846;
Jacobson, Christian, 1772-81; Jacobson, John V. D., 1802-15;
Johnson, Anthony, 1834-36; Keeley, Dennis, 1861-64, 1871;
Ketteltas, J. S., 1868; Mersereau, Jacob W., 1853-4; Ferine,
Henry, 1821; Poillon, John, 1766, 1768; Tysen, John, 1795-98.
Westfield: Bancker, Adrian, 1772-73; Cole, Cornelius, 1788,
1794; Cole, Gilbert A., 1857, 1862; Cropsey, Jacob R. 1844-45;
Depuy, Nicholas, 1766 to 1769; Eddy, Andrew, 1846; Ellis,
George W., 1870-71; Frost, Samuel H., 1851 to 1856; Guyon,
Jacob, M., 1876; Jackson, Richard, 1828; Larzelere, Benjamin,
1789, 1795 to 1801; Latourette, David, 1835-36; Mersereau,
Daniel, 1829-33; Micheau, Paul, 1790-93: Oakley, Israel, 1840;
Oakley. Jesse, 1850; Ferine, Henry, 1774-83; Rutan, William
H., 1858-61; Seguine, Henry H., 1874, 1877; Seguine, Joseph,
1826, 1837-39; Tstten, Ephraim J., 1847, 1849; Totten, Gilbert,
1802-25, 1827; Totten, John, 1784, 1809-25, 1827; Winant, Peter,
1785-87; Winant, Bornt P., 1834, 1841-43, 1848; Wood, Abraham
H., 1864-65; Wood, Abraham J., 1866 69, 1872-73.
Middletown: Armstrong, John E., 1873; Bechtel, John, 1864;
Bradley, Alvin C., 1872; Brick, Samuel R., 1868-71; Davis,
George B., 1861; Frean, Theodore, 1866, 1877; Frost, Henry,
1876; Hornby, Alexander, 1862; Lord, D. Porter, 1865, 1867;
White, Frederick, 1874; Wood, Jacob B., 1860.
N. B. There is no record of supervisors' names earlier than
1766, except in a few instances noticed below. The names of
the supervisors of 1770 and 1771 are not recorded. It is pos-
sible that the names of some of the earliest supervisors are
arranged under the wrong town, as in no case are the names of
the towns and supervisors connected.
Sui>erisors prior to 1766 : 1699 William Tiljeu, North;
Anthony Tyson, West; Abm. Lakeman, South. 1703 Richard
Merrill, North; Stoifel Garrison, South; Anthony Tysen, West.
1704- - Merrill, North; Tunis Egbert, West. 1705 Aron
Prall, North; Tunis Egbert, West; Stoffel Van Sant, South.
1706 Tunis Egbert, West; Aaron Prall, North. 1709 -Alex-
HISTOUY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 333
ander Stuart. South; Jacob Corsen. North; Tunis Egbert,
West.
The earliest record of a town election in Castleton now to be
found is that dated 1781. At that election the following officers
were chosen: Richard Conner, supervisor; Peter Housman,
clerk; James Lisk, constable and collector; Peter Housman
and George Barnes, assessors; Peter Housman and Daniel
Corsen, commissioners of roads, and other officers.
The following list, dated December 22, 1783, in Castleton,
contains the " Names of the persons that swore to the State of
New York." Hendrick Garrison, John Wandel, John C.
Dongan, John Dorsett, Matthew Decker, Tunis Egberts, Na-
thaniel Britten, Abraham Egberts, Joseph Barton, Daniel
Corsen, Joseph Christopher, Abraham Housman, Matthias
Smith, John Housman, Thomas Kingston, Edward Blake,
Samuel Van Pelt, James Johnston, John Lisk, John Bodine,
Nicholas Bnsh, William Van Pelt, Edward Egberts and
George Barns.
The town of Middlerown was erected by an act of the state leg-
islature passed April 16th, 1860. It was formed from parts of
Southfield and Castleton, the new town being bounded by aline
" commencing on the bay or shore on the east side of Staten
Island at the point where the Richmond turnpike strikes said
bay; thence running westerly along said Richmond turnpike
road to the town of Northh'eld; thence southerly on the line
between the towns of Northfield and Castleton to where said
line terminates at Southfield; thence northeasterly on the line
between Castleton and Southfield, along the Richmond plank-
road to Vanderbilt avenue; thence easterly along the south-
erly side of said Vanderbilt avenue to the bay of New York;
thence northerly along the shore or bay of New York to the
point of beginning." These bounds included the eastern por-
tion of Southfield and the southerly portion of Castleton. The
first town meeting of the new town was held at Nautilus hall,
on the second day of May following, and the act appointed
Thomas Standerwick, Thomas Garrett and Gary Devery to pre-
side at that meeting.
The village of Edgewater, comprising part of Tompkinsville,
and all of Stapleton and Clifton, was originally incorporated in
1866, being then divided into nine wards, but some legal defect
having been detected, a new charter was obtained the following
334 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
year. The names of the first trustees, under the new charter,
and the wards they represented were as follows : William C_
Denyse, 1st ; David Burgher, 2d ; George Bechtel, 3d ; Theo-
dore Frean, 4th; Dr. Thomas C. Moffat, 5th; James R. Robinson,
6th ; Alfred Wandell, 7th; Dennis Keeley, 8th; J. Duigan, 9th.
The officers then were : Theodore Frean, president ; Henry F.
Standerwick, clerk ; Thomas Garrett, police justice.
The experiment of village government was not as successful
as might be desired, and many were in favor of returning to the
former status under the town. The village charter was, how-
ever, amended by acts of legislature in 1870, 1872, 1873, 1874,
1875, 1877 and 1884. Under the charter of 1875 the village was
divided into only two wards, with one trustee each, and a third
trustee at large, who was to be president of the village corpora-
tion. Under this charter the first ward trustees were Benjamin
Brown and Mr. Fellowes ; and William Corry, president.
Henry F. Standerwick was elected clerk. By the charter of
1884 the village was divided into five wards, and the number of
trustees was correspondingly increased. The boundaries given
in that charter are as follows :
"Commencing at a point on the shore of the bay of New
York, where the center line of Arietta street, if prolonged,
would intersect the shore of said bay, and running thence along
said center line of Arietta street, southwesterly to the center
line of the Richmond Turnpike ; thence along the said center
line of the Richmond turnpike, southwesterly to the south-
westerly side of the Clove road ; thence along the southwester-
ly side of the Clove road southeasterly to the Richmond road ;
thence along the easterly line of the Richmond road, southerly
to the northerly line of the Old Town road ; thence along the
northerly line of the Old Town road six hundred feet ; and
thence on a line parallel to and at a distance of six hundred
feet from the easterly side of the Richmond road, and continu-
ing thence on a line parallel to and at a distance of six hundred
feet southerly from the southerly line of the Fingerboard road,
and westerly line of Sand lane to where said line intersects the
Old Town road ; thence in a due southeasterly line to the lower
bay of New York ; and thence along the lower and upper bay
of New York, northeasterly and northerly to the place of be-
ginning."
The village of New Brighton was incorporated by act of the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 335
legislature, April 26, 1866, and embraced the northerly half of
the town of Castleton. It was about two and a half miles long
in a straight line, and about one mile in width. This territory
was divided into four wards, and the trustees appointed by the
same act to carry its provisions into effect were: Augustus
Prentice, first ward ; James W. Simonson, second ward ; Fran-
cis Gr. Shaw, third ward ; and William H. J. Bodine, fourth
ward. The portion of the town remaining unincorporated was
very sparsely populated, but was obliged, nevertheless, to have
a full corps of town officers, some of whom resided within the
village, and exercised the offices without, as well as within, and
the duties of some, such as the commissioners of highways,
which office had been abolished within the village, could be
performed only in the unincorporated remnant of the town.
The bills rendered by these officers for their services at the end
of each year were so large, that the taxes outside of the village
were greater than those within. The only method the people
could resort to for ridding themselves of this burden, was to
seek admission into the corporation, which they did, and in
1872 the remainder of the town was added to the village, and
divided into two wards, the fifth and sixth. The dimensions of
the village now are, about four miles long and two miles wide.
In 1871, a large and elegant village hall was erected on Lafay-
ette avenue, corner of Second street, at a cost of about thirty-
six thousand dollars, including the land.
The first village election was held May 22, 1866, for the
election of a police justice. One of the first ordinances of the
village trustees, on the 12th of May, "ordained" that a public
pound be established on the premises of Edward Roe on the
Mill road, and the said Roe was appointed pound master. The
expenses of the village incorporation for the first year, to June
1, 1867, were twenty-two thousand three hundred and twenty-
six dollars and forty-two cents. The charter was amended by
acts of the legislature in 1867, 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1875. Its
limits are now identical with those of the former town of Cas-
tleton. The office of village president has been held by the
following : Augustus Prentice, 1866 ; John Laforge, 1867-69 ;
Anson Livingston, 1870 ; George M. Usher, 1871 ; M. J. Fowler,
1872; D. A. Pell, 1873; William Chorlton, 1874; R. B. Whitte-
more, 1875-76 ; William II. J. Bodine, 1877; Harry L. Horton,
1878-79; David J. H. Willcox, 1880-84; John J. Featherston,
336 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
1885. The village clerks have been: Mark Cox, 1866-69.; George
Bowman, 1870 ; C. T. McCarthy, 1871-78 ; James C. Hill, 1879-
81 ; John J. Kenney, 1883-85.
The village of Port Richmond was incorporated by act of April
24, 1866, but by reason of the nnconstitutionality of the act,
which appointed trustees for the village, no organization was
effected until after the passage of an amendment on April 25,
1867. Pursuant to this last act an election was held May 11,
1867, and Nicholas Van Pelt, George W. Jewett, William A.
Ross, Garret P. Wright, James B. Pollock, and Henry Miller,
Jr., were elected trustees. The boundaries of the village given
in the charter are as follows :
"Northerly, by the river Kill Von Ivull ; easterly, by the line
between Castleton and Northfield ; southerly, beginning on a
point at the bridge about three hundred feet southerly from the
German Lutheran church and running thence westerly to the
southerly side of the residence of Jacob Hath'eld ; thence west-
erly to a monument on the southwest corner of the Richmond
granite quarry at the Morning Star road ; thence running a
westerly course to the southernmost line of the property of the
Methodist Episcopal church on the new road at Mariner's Har-
bor ; thence following the center of the road a northerly course
to the river Kill Von Kull ; thence following the river to the
place of beginning."
Captain Nicholas Van Pelt occupied the position of president
of the board of trustees continuously from the first till his
death in December, 1881, when he was followed by Captain
Garret P. Wright who has held the office till the present time
(1885\ Frederick Groshon, the first village clerk, held that
office till his death, March 12, 1872, when he was succeeded by
De Witt Stafford, who continues in the office. James B. Pol-
lock has been treasurer from the beginning to the present time.
At the time of the organization of the village there was
only about five hundred feet of sidewalk, mostly of brick, in
the whole village. Improvement of the streets has since been
steadily carried forward, including the widening of Shore
road, Richmond and Jewett avenues, and other roads of less
importance, until now every street of any considerable note
is not only flagged, curbed and guttered, but thoroughly
macadamized. In 1884 the village was supplied with water by
contract with the Staten Island Water Company. Gas had
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
337
been introduced previous to the organization of the village,
though the corporation does not yet light the streets. A public
park is owned by the village, through a gift of Messrs. Peter
N". and Eder V. Hanghwoul; who dedicated this spot for that
purpose. These gentlemen, in 183G, purchased the farm of
Judge David Merserean, which lay between Richmond avenue
on the west and Cottage place on the east, and the kills on the
north and what is now Bond street on the south. Upon this
they laid out what has since become the principal part of the
village.
THE JAQUES GUION HOUSE,
NEW DORP.
The territory now in the village limits lying east of the tract
just described and on the south of it as far west as Church
road belonged to the John Simonson farm and was a part of
the original patent to Cornelius Corsen. Cornelius Sebring
owned a considerable tract lying on the west side of Richmond
avenue (originally called Church road), as far west as to take
in the lots facing on the west side of Mechanics' avenue, now
called Lafayette avenue. A large tract on both sides of Morn-
ing Star road, and on which are situated the granite quarries,
was formerly owned by Vincent Fountain, and was purchased
by one David Sand, by whom it was laid out into lots, and it
now constitutes the thriving middle and southerly portion of
the village, a part of it being known as Elm Park. The
Haughwout tract before referred to may be more definitely
described as being bounded on the north by the kills, west by
22
338 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Richmond avenue, south by the south line of Bond street
and a continuation of that line westward to Richmond
avenue, and east by a line about twelve feet east of the east
side of Cottage place, and a continuation of the same line
north to the kills. This was part of a tract which was
granted by Governor Andros to Cornelius Corsen, Andrews
Urianson, Derrick Corneliusen and John Peterson, December
30, 1680. That grant extended from Palmer's run and the
mill pond, eighty-eight rods along the shore of the kills to the
little creek between the store of Johnson and the Speer ship-
yard, and comprehended 320 acres.
Other village incorporations have been attempted, but their
existence has been of short duration. In 1823 the legislature
passed an act incorporating the village of Richmond, but the
organization was not consumated. Tottenville was incorporated
by an act of April 28, 1869, which was amended April 14, 1871.
This charter also became inoperative through the failure of the
people to approve its conditions.
HON. DANIEL D. TOMPKINS, governor of the state of New
York and vice-president of the United States, whose later years
were spent on Staten Island, and after whom the village of
Tompkinsville is named, was born at Scarsdale, Westchester
county, N. Y., June 21, 1774. The son of Christian parents he
was brought up in the Protestant faith. His delicate constitu-
tion and aptness to learn induced his father to place him at the
grammar school of Malcom Campbell in New York, September,
1787; whence, at the end of a year, he was removed to the
academy in North Salem. Here he continued till 1792, when
he entered the sophomore class in Columbia College. During
the last year of his college course he served in the law office of
Peter Jay Monroe, Esq., and two years after graduating at the
head of his class in 1795, he was admitted an attorney of the
supreme court and subsequently a counsellor. He early inter-
ested himself in politics. He became a staunch republican, and
in the party struggles of 1799, 1800 and 1801 he took a promi-
nent and conspicuous part. His influence in the city of New
York, especially in the Seventh ward, in which he had married
Miss Hannah Minthorne, daughter of the wealthy and respect-
able alderman of that name, was early felt, and to him in a
great measure was due the election of Thomas Jefferson to the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 339
presidency. In 1801 lie was elected a representative of the city
for the purpose of revising the constitution of the state and the
following year he became a member of the slate legislature.
Shortly after he was appointed by Judge Morgan Lewis one of
the supreme judges of New York. In 1806 he might have suc-
ceeded John S. Hobert to the district judgeship of the United
States for the district of New York, but he declined, continu-
ing to serve as a supreme judge till the spring of 1807, when he
became, in his thirty-second year, the rival candidate of Gov-
ernor Lewis for the chief magistracy of the state.
He was elected to the gubernatorial chair by an immense ma-
jority, being inducted into office on the day on which intelli-
gence was received of the British attack upon the American
frigate "Chesapeake." The order of the president of the United
States calling upon the governors to organize their respective
quotas of militia also arrived at the State Capitol on the same
day, and Governor Tompkins immediately set about the task
of defending his native state. In 1808 the president appointed
him to the command of all the regular and militia forces on the
frontier of New York. His instructions to the militia on this
occasion evinced his energy and promptitude of character and
received the marked approbation of General Wilkinson, then
commander-in-chief of the army.
In 1812 Governor Tompkins, for the first time in the history
of the state, prorogued the legislature. Through the favorable
reception of a number of petitions of banking companies for
incorporation a system had been projected which threatened
irreparable evils to the community. This had been aided and
promoted by corruption and bribery, and the emphatic action
of the governor was taken as a last resort. The step excited
unusual animadversion, which extended even so far as to
threaten his personal safety, but he was sustained throughout
by the knowledge of having done his duty, and the fact that
he was supported by the more honorable portion of the repub-
lican party.
In June, 1812, President James Madison declared war with
Great Britain, and Governor Tompkins stood forth boldly as the
fearless champion of the rights and liberties of the American
people. A numerous and powerful party of disaffected citizens
had shown itself in the Eastern states, formed with a view to
paralyze the energies and cripple the resources of the United
340 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
States; and it became the avowed object of many persons of high
consideration in that section of the Union to make a separate
peace with the enemy of the republic and of United America.
To make this project effectual it was necessary to gain New
York state. The bold stand taken by Governor Tompkins in
the proroguing of the legislature had raised for him many ene-
mies among republicans, and a majority of federal members had
been elected to the state legislature and to congress. In spite,
however, of the opposition which howled against him, he was
again elected to the governorship. His situation at that time
was well calculated to dismay the stoutest heart. Amidst the
disaffection in the East, the opposition of one branch of the
legislature, and the northern frontier harassed by the enemy
from Champlain to Presqu' isle, and threatening the capital of
the state in the south, unaided by the constituted author-
ities appointed to share with him in the government of the
state, the governor had alone to sustain the arduous, embarass-
ing and responsible duty of defense. But he rose superior to
circumstances, and by the firm, unshaken energy of his conduct
he silenced or rendered inefficient the opposition of his own
state. When the treasury was in an impoverished condition,
money scarce and much wanted to carry on the war, he raised
funds on his own responsibility and made himself liable beyond
his means. He gave great attention to the defenses and in-
trenchments in and around New York city and harbor, at which
the citizens turned out and worked en masse. The vast prepa-
ration for an expected attack, the pouring in of militia, volun-
teers and regular troops were always accompanied by the pleas-
ant, cheering and animated presence of Governor Tompkins.
In 1813-14, upon his own responsibility, while the legislature
was still in session, he issued orders for organizing a brigade of
volunteers, to the command of which he appointed Gen. Peter
B. Porter. This contingent saved the remnant of the gallant
army of Niagara at the memorable sortie from Fort Erie. He
also called into the field a large body of militia, and organized
a corps of sea-fencibles, without waiting the slow action of the
legislature. In this important measure he received the cordial
suppori and co-operation of the gallant Decatur, who com-
manded the naval force of the United States on that station, as
also the promised sanction and support of Hon. Rufus King.
About this time the enemy's ships, commanded by Admiral
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 341
Cockburn, which had appeared off Sandy Hook for some time,
suddenly disappeared.
Soon after intelligence was received of the capture of the city
of Washington, and of the intended movement of the enemy
toward Baltimore. Decatur resolved at once to push forward
with his sea-fencibles to the assistance of that city, and Gov-
ernor Tompkins, to give spirit to the enterprise, promptly of-
fered to accompany him as far as New Brunswick, when the
news of the enemy being vanquished and their retreat from
Baltimore arrived just in time to prevent the march. In Octo-
ber, 1814, Governor Tompkins was appointed to the command
of the Third military district, which comprehended one of the
most valuable portions of the United States, and included the
largest and most heterogeneous military force that ever before
fell to the command of an American general. He had also the
offer of being secretary of slate in the cabinet of the president,
but this he declined, thinking his services more useful in the
situation in which he was placed.
In 1814 the general government was desirous of fitting out an
expedition to dislodge the enemy from Castine. They applied
to the governor of Massachusetts for aid, which was refused.
In this dilemma the situation of the government was hinted to
Governor Tompkins, who raised, on his own responsibility,
three hundred thousand dollars, which he forthwith subjected
to the orders of General Dearborn. Shortly afterward the war
between Great Britain and the United States was brought to a
successful termination, and the governor returned to the peace-
ful duties of the chief magistracy. In the last term of his guber-
natorial career, at the approaching election, he was proposed
as a suitable person for president of the United States, which
however, was waived by him and his friends in consideration of
his being a junior in age to James Monroe, whose revolutionary
services entitled him to superior claims ; he was accordingly
nominated and elected vice-president.
On the expiration of his term as vice-president he retired to
private life, spending the greater part of his time in the im-
provement of his farm in Richmond county. Here his spacious
and hospitable mansion became one of the homes of literature,
philanthropy and art. To its ever open doors nocked men of
letters, artists, lawyers, statesmen, patriots and soldiers, people
of all nationalities and of all beliefs. At Staten Island he re-
342 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY,
J
ceived the illustrious victor, General Jackson, also President
Monroe and the beloved La Fayette after his landing at quaran-
tine on his second visit to the United States.
The last public service of Governor Tompkins was as a dele-
gate from Richmond county to the state convention to alter the
constitution in 1821, of which he became president. In June,
1825, in the 51st year of his age, he died. His mortal remains,
on the 13th of June, 1825, were conveyed in the steamboat
" Nautilus," to the city of New York, and at Whitehall, the
place of landing, were met by a vast concourse of citizens, who
accompanied them to their last resting place in the family vault
of his wife's father, Alderman Minthorne, in St, Mark's
churchyard. Eighteen years after his burial, on the 21st day
of June, 1843, his birthday was celebrated at the village of
Tompkinsville, Staten Island. An address was delivered and
troops from various parts of the country took part in the cele-
bration.
Such was the man whose patriotism, talents, integrity and
distinguished services to his country in trial and difficulty, both
in peace and in war, we record, as a just tribute to his memory.
His name added a lustre to the county in which he spent his
declining years and in its history he deserves a conspicuous
place. To its churches, schools and social life he lent the ripe-
ness of his talent and the richness of his benevolence. As one
of her greatest and her noblest citizens Staten Island will ever
continue to honor his memory.
HON. ERASTTJS BROOKS. Among the many well known liter-
ary and professional gentlemen who from time to time have
made their homes on Staten Island was Hon. Erastus BrookSj
formerly editor of the "New York Express. 1 " He was a man well
known in the religious, social and political life of Richmond
county, and during the years 1878, 1879, 1881, 1882 and 1883,
lie was its representative in assembly.
Mr. Brooks was born in Portland, Me., January 31, 1815.
Shortly before his birth his father, Captain James Brooks, who
commanded a privateer during the war of 1812, had gone down
with his vessel, leaving his wife and three children dependent
for their support npon a government pension. As a result of
these straightened circumstances, Erastus, at the age of 8 years,
left his home for Boston with the object of earning his own liv-
ing. He found a place in a grocery store and worked for his
*
"
I
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 343
board and clothes, studying diligently the while, at a night-
school. Soon he entered a printing office and learned the trade
of a compositor, and with the money which he earned he ob-
tained enough education to enter " Brown University." Here
he pursued a partial course, at the same time supporting him-
self by working at the compositor's case. When he was 18, he
started a newspaper, called the " Yankee" after his father's brig,
in Wiscasset, Me., soon after which he purchased theHaverhill
" Gazette."
In 1835, Mr. Brooks went to Washington, D. C., and became
the correspondent of a number of newspapers, an employment
in which he continued for sixteen years. He engaged as asso-
ciate editor of the "Jfew York Express " with his brother, James
Brooks, in 1840, and remained in this connection forty-one
years. During this time he passed through various experiences,
traveling in 1843 through Europe, and being wrecked off Sandy
Hook on his return; an accident in which he suffered the loss
of all his possessions. He published his paper almost single
handed during the cholera epidemic, when people fled from the
city, and he was among the first to use the telegraph for news-
paper reports. Mr. Brooks was fond of telling of his news
victories over rival journals, and some of these showed great
sagacity and enterprise. For many years he served as one of
the executive committee of the associated press, and was for
a considerable time its general manager.
His entrance into politics was rather forced on him than
sought, but once enlisted, he engaged with his whole heart in
this as he did in everything which he undertook. He was
elected to the state senate in 1853. Two years afterward he
rendered his position prominent by a controversy with Arch-
bishop Hughes relative to the limits to be set to the acquisition
of church property by the Roman Catholic church and the ex-
emption of property from taxation, he holding that, as its title
was vested in the priest, it should be taxed when it reached be-
yond a certain value. The controversy, first carried on through
the columns of the " Courier and Enquirer" finally went into
the state senate, of which Mr. Brooks was elected a member on
the know-nothing or American party ticket in 1853. This
controversy, which attracted attention all over the world, was
published in book form in 1855, under the title of "A Contro-
versy on Church Property." Tlie position he took led to his
344 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
being nominated by the know-nothings as a candidate for gov-
ernor in 1856. From that time onward, he was frequently in
public office, taking part in political conventions and serving
the state in the constitutional conventions and in the assembly
for a number of years. He became the leader of his party
and one of the more prominent and influential men of the bodies
in which he served.
Mr. Brooks was a man of great dignity and decorum. Having
been called on to preside over important public assemblies
through a long period, he had acquired habits of attention to
business and prompt decision which made him an admirable
executive. His acquaintance was extensive, and he knew the
character and adaptations of men, so that in the formation of
committees or the management of affairs he was of great use to
the cause which he served. He was conservative in his princi-
ples and a man of strong convictions of duty. He might have
had many more political honors than those which he won by
positive merit, had he been able to crouch or fawn, or make un-
worthy bargains with party leaders, but he was a high-minded,
upright man who served God and his own conscience first, and
party second. Hence he was often ignored by the politicians
who knew that he could not be used for their purposes, though
they sorely needed his ability and wisdom.
He was a most benevolent man. He was not rich, and there-
fore could not endow charitable institutions, but he gave what
was better than money, his personal service in their boards of
direction. He spent freely of his time, even in the busiest
period of his life, and gave careful and regular attention to the
management of such charities as the "New York Institution
for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb " and the " Nursery
and Child's Hospital." He visited the legislature in their be-
half, and attended frequent meetings to promote their interests;
through the press, and by personal influence he attracted at-
tention to their wants, and secured new friends for them.
When he took hold of any work he took hold " with both
hands earnestly." In the National Charities Association, in
the state board of health, in the national convention of deaf
mute instructors, as a trustee of Cornell University, in the In-
dian conferences, and in the constitutional conventions, he was
recognized as a man of wisdom and power, of profound convic-
tions, untiring industry and excellent judgment. In social life
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 345
he was a pleasant companion. He had lived so much in public
that his conversation abounded in reminiscences of the great
men of a past generation, and he could draw at will upon a full
and retentive memory to illustrate or adorn any subject of dis-
cussion. But his public life had not made him cold and care-
less of private and personal interests. He was too much of a
Puritan to be very demonstrative, but he made close and warm
friendships founded upon mutual esteem.
Mr. Brooks believed in reforming and elevating society by
personal effort with individuals, and not by schemes and reso-
lutions ; and so, while he was a true philanthropist, he was what
is better still, a true Christian. He believed in God, and served
him first and always, and was known and respected as a religi-
ous man. Like the late Governor Seymour, who was his inti-
mate friend, he honored religion and was esteemed and trusted
by men of the church, as well as by men of the world who knew
his staunch integrity, and by men of the state who knew his
political virtue. He was a simple, humble Christian, who
often opened the meetings of boards where he presided \vith
prayer, and who, though firm in his own opinions, had charity
and kindness for those who held different ones. His life was
long honored and useful, his name will be cherished by many
whom he has befriended, and will be recorded among the edit-
ors, the statesmen and the benefactors of this century in the
state of New York and in the United States of America. His
last public service was in connection with the Indian conference
at Lake Mohonk in October, from which he returned seriously
ill, and his last literary work was a review of that conference
which he wrote for the "New York Observer." Mr. Brooks
died November 25th, 1886. His loss was deeply felt, not only in
his family and the community in which he lived, but through-
out the whole country. The newspapers, of which he was so
thorough an advocate, were filled with eulogistic articles tak
ing up the story of his life anew. With his death passed from
the stage of action one of the noblest and brightest examples
of old fashioned statesmanship and patriotism. Staten Island
had in him a true citizen, and its society profitted by associa-
tion and acquaintance with him.
* This life of Mr. Brooks, with slight modification, appeared in the " Neiv York
Observer,'' Dec. 9th, 1886.
346 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
CORNELIUS A. HART. Perhaps no young man in Richmond
county has so distinguished himself for his energy and busi-
ness ability as has the present county clerk, Cornelius A Hart.
Born under no advantageous circumstances surrounded by
none of those conditions which usually foster ambition and
create desire to shine, he has yet, though but thirty seven years
of age, succeeded iu gaining for himself a sound and practical
education, the possession of ample fortune and a popularity
second to that of no other individual on Staten Island.
Mr. Hart was born in New Brighton in 1851. After a pre-
liminary course at the public school in that village he attended
the academy conducted by Dr. Scheck in the building now
known as "Belmont Hall." In 1868 he commenced a course
of study at the New York Commercial College, which he left
to enter the importing house of James Reid & Co., of New
York city. Here in a short period of time he succeeded in
raising himself from the lowest to the highest position in the
employ of the firm, passing through every grade in the office
and having nine clerks under his charge at the time of his leave
taking.
Mr. Hart's father, Patrick Hart, had been for many years a
prominent and successful contractor on Staten Island. It was
he who laid out Bard avenue and many of the principal streets
in the neighborhood of New Brighton, and his son, influenced
by his example, left the firm with which he was employed to en-
gage in the same business. His remarkable success in it is well
known to the people of Staten Island.
Mr. Hart's connection with the laying out of new streets and
with improvements generally, has induced him to make
numerous and large investments in real estate which he is
constantly improving and reselling in lots to suit purchasers.
In 1884, he bought a large tract of land in New Brighton
through which he has opened seven avenues, Forest, Hart,
Sharon, Oakwood, Greenwood, Laurel and University place.
The whole is divided into three hundred and fifty city lots and
situated in one of the most attractive localities on the island.
Mr. Hart is one of the largest tax-payers in the town of Cas-
tleton. He has also recently purchased other lots in New
Brighton, a large plot of ground in West Brighton and the
residence and grounds of the late Commodore Sloat, com-
mander of the United States Navy. His extensive advertise-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 347
ments in the New York " World" and other New York daily
papers are rapidly bringing him into prominence as a real estate
speculator and owner.
To speak of Mr. Hart's political career is bat to repeat what
is already known throughout, the whole of Richmond county.
From his boyhood days he took an interest in politics and his
connection with the democratic party has resulted in benefit
both to it and himself. In 1876 he was elected trustee of the
village of New Brighton by the largest majority ever given a
candidate from the Second ward. In 1878 he was elected county
clerk by a phenominally large majority, was reelected to the
position in 1881, his antagonist receiving but 278 votes out of a
total of about 7,000 cast, and was again elected in 1864, when he
ran 1,000 votes ahead of the Cleveland majority, in itself the
largest ever received by a presidental ticket in the county.
When he first entered the clerk's office at Richmond he found
books and papers scattered about in confusion, and the most
valuable historical documents in process of slow destruction
from want of the most ordinary care. He immediately set him-
self to work with that determination and will which character-
ized all his actions, and in a short time, to the great relief of
the legal fraternity with whom he has most of his dealings,
had so thoroughly straightened affairs as to draw down upon
himself the enconiums of the entire county press irrespective
of party. The lack of partiality which he has shown in all
his dealings has not been the least noticeable feature of his ad-
ministration at Richmond, and his pleasant word for all policy
has greatly added to his popularity as a man.
He numbers among his friends and adherents both democrats
and republicans, rich and poor, young and old. His benevo-
lent and charitable disposition is widely known and appreciated,
and his brilliant parts are constantly attracting to him the notice
of substantial and thoughtful business men. This is shown by
the fact that he was chosen by the Rapid Transit Railroad Com-
pany to represent their cause at Washington, which he did with
ability and with success.
Mr. Hart was married, June 23, 1875, to Miss Hannah Bowman
of New Brighton, whose exemplary life won for her many friends,
and whose sad death, July 25, 1882, was deeply felt through-
out the entire community. Mr. Hart is a member of St. Peter's
church, New Brighton, and is liberal in his gifts toward its sup-
348 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
port. He is also connected with many clubs, societies and
social organizations. In his tastes he is domestic, though he is
fond of athletic sports, especially of hunting and fishing,
which he frequently travels long distances to enjoy. He is on
intimate terms with many of the foremost newspaper men in
the country, and extracts in the daily papers referring to him
are numerous, some coming even from California. The many
incidents and laughable stories relating to him which have been
published will long be remembered, and the popularity which
he has acquired by his fine social qualities is built on a lasting
foundation. We take pleasure in presenting this short sketch
of his life, especially to his many young friends on Staten
Island. His history strikingly illustrates the truth of the fol-
lowing lines from a poem which he has preserved in a scrap book
containing many allusions to him, now in the author's posses-
sion.
"There is no chance, no destiny, no fate
Can circumvent or hinder or control
The firm resolve of a determined soul.
*****
Let the fool prate of Luck. The fortunate
Is he whose earnest purpose never swerves,
Whose slightest action or inaction serves
The one great aim. Why, even death stands still
And waits an hour sometimes for such a will.''
CHAPTER VIII.
CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
The Dutch Reformed Churches. The Episcopal Churches. Baptist Churches.
Methodist Churches. The Moravian Church. The Roman Catholic Churches.
The Church of the Huguenots. Unitarian Church. Presbyterian Churches.
Lutheran Churches. Y. M. C. A.
FOR a large part of the history of the Dutch Reformed de-
nomination on the island we are indebted to the vener-
able pastor of the church at Port Richmond, Rev. James
Bro \vnlee, D. D., who enjoys the very unusual honor of a pas-
torate of more than fifty years' duration.
There is evidence enough to prove, in an unbroken chain, the
identity of this church, from the time when the little band of
Waldenses first settled on these shores and established the wor-
ship of the Redeemer for whom they had suffered so much.
It would be a matter of great interest to us now to know
more of the way in which our ancestors worshipped ; their dif-
ficulties, and struggles, and successes. Even their names,
standing on the record, would be of interest to their descend-
ants. Many of these, indeed, we have, in an old register of
baptisms in the Dutch language, from 1696 onward, and many
names of families also which have no living representatives on
the island. This record will be found in another part of this
work.
The Rev. Samuel Drisins, who was one of the pastors of the
Dutch church in New York, then New Amsterdam, from 1652
to 1682, preached regularly once a month to the Waldenses on
Staten Island from about 1660 onward. It may be fairly in-
ferred from that fact, that there was a little church of that
noble and devoted people established here ; not a church build-
ing, perhaps, till later, but a little band of Christ's people, wor-
shipping in some spot where they found it most convenient ; it
might be in one of de Vries' buildings for the dressing of buck-
350 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
skin; it might be under some spreading oak of the primeval
forest at " Oude Dorp," where their first settlement was made.
Doctor De Witt, some years before his death, in a brief note to
Doctor Brownlee, says on this subject :
"During the Dutch Colonial government there was a settle-
ment of the persecuted French Vaudois, or Waldenses, on Sta-
ten Island, as early as 1660. The Rev. Samuel Drisius, of our
church in this city, crossed the bay once a month to preach to
them. There was a Huguenot settlement on the Island a short
time afterward, parties of these having fled to Holland to escape
from persecution, and having come over to New Netherlands in
company with their new friends. After a season the French
church and organization passed away, and the great body of its
members became blended with the Dutch inhabitants, in the
Reformed Dutch church. The fact of the settlement of a con-
siderable number of the persecuted Waldenses on Staten Island
is very interesting. They had fled from the dreadful persecu-
tions in the valleys of Piedmont, to Holland, and were sent, at
the expense of the city of Amsterdam, amply provided for, to
New Netherlands in America."
We may be certain that these martyrs for the faitli of Christ,
whose religion was everything to them, would not be long con-
tent without some regular church organization, and the stated
enjoyment of ordinances; and therefore we conclude that soon
after 1660, under the care of Dominie Drisius, this privilege
was secured by them.
In 1661 grants of land on the island were made to several
persons, among whom were some Waldenses, and also many
Huguenots, who had fled hither from La Rochelle. They
commenced a new settlement a few miles south of the Narrows,
near that of de Vries already mentioned, and built a little vil-
lage of twelve or fourteen houses, and a block-house with two
small guns and a garrison of ten soldiers, for protection against
the Indians. It was to this little colony, at their earnest re-
quest, that Dominie Drisius, who could preach in French, min-
istered once a month, dispensing the sacraments at regular in-
tervals, while the colony was too feeble to support a minister
of its own. The descendants of these Waldenses and Hugue-
nots are still numerous on the island, and bear some of the old-
est and most honored names among us. Many of them have
become connected with other denominations, partly from con-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 351
venience of residence, but more on account of the persist-
ence of the Dutch church in the use of the language of the
Fatherland, long after English had become the prevailing
tongue.
In the year 1680 it is known that there were two churches,
with houses of worship on the island. One, and perhaps the
first built, was a church of the Huguenots at Fresh kill, on
what is known as the Seaman farm. The services in this
church for nearly forty years later were conducted in French,
and although all vestiges of the church building have disap-
peared, there is still the little grave-yard with a few dilapidated
gravestones to mark the spot were it stood.
Very soon after this there was another French church built
at Stony Brook, on the road from Quarantine to Amboy, not
far from what was long known as the Black Horse tavern. This
was built by the Waldenses from " Oude Dorp," whose num-
bers had increased and led them to extend their settlements.
All remains, save some stones of the foundation of this church,
have disappeared, but here, too, there are some graves of these
noble exiles.
About the same time (1680) there are traces of a church on
the north side, in which the services were in the Dutch language,
the Hollanders having settled in considerable numbers along
the kills.
As yet these churches had no settled pastor of their own.
Along with Dominie Drisius, Dominie Selyns, who was pastor
of the churches of Brooklyn, Bushwick and Gravesend, from
1660 to 1701 with an interval of some years, during which he
revisited Holland preached to the churches here at stated
times.
In 1682 and 1683, Dominie Tarchemaker, from the University
of Utrecht, supplied the churches on the island. He afterward
removed to Schenectady, and perished there in a massacre by
the Indians in February. 1690.
The Rev. Pierre Daille, who had been professor in the Col-
lege of Saumur, and who came to America in 1683, and was
colleague to Dominie Selyns from that year to 1692, preached
frequently to the Huguenots on Staten Island, and also at New
Rochelle, and elsewhere in the vicinity of New York. Domi-
nie Selyns, in a letter to the Classis of Amsterdam, speaks of
him as being "full of fire, godliness and learning. Banished
352 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
on account of his religion, he maintains the cause of Christ
with untiring zeal."
About this time, from 1687 onward, for nearly two years, the
church at Stony Brook was supplied by a certain Laurentius
Van den Bosch, or Van Bosen, as it was sometimes written.
His character seems to have been under a cloud, for he was
suspended from the ministry by Dominie Selyns and others,
who could not wait for the slow process of sending their pro-
ceedings to be reviewed by the authorities in Holland, which
in those times frequently consumed a whole year. Van Boseu
afterward went to Maryland.
From 1694 for about three years the churches were without
any stated supply. They were visited frequently, however, and
the ordinances administered to them by the ministers of New
York and Long Island. There are also frequent records of
baptisms by Dominie Batolvius, as it is written, and also by
Dominie Gilliam, whose i-esidence is not mentioned. It has
been ascertained that these names indicate the Rev. Guillaume
Bertholf, who was pastor of the churches of Aquachanonck
and Hackensack, N. J., from 1694 to 1724, and whose services
were much in demand on the island.
In 1697 the French church at Freshkill obtained the services
of a pastor of their own. The Rev. Dr. David Bonrepos, who
had been settled several years at New Rochelle, came to Staten
Island, and remained till 1717, preaching also to the church at
Stony Brook. In the latter year the good old pastor was com-
pelled by age and infirmities to j-elinquish his charge, and left
the island.
In 1714 a grant was made by Governor Hunter, to the repre-
sentatives of the "Reformed Protestant Dutch Church," to
erect a new house of worship at some convenient place on the
north shore, the place not specih'ed. The grant for a new
church implies an old one previously existing. The grant itself
is still extant, and in perfect preservation. It is signed by the
governor, and dated at Fort George, September 3, 1714.
Before 1717 there must have been a Dutch church in the vil-
lage of Richmond, although no record of it exists. In that
year, after the retirement of Dr. Bonrepos, the churches at
Freshkill and at Stony Brook united with the Dutch inhab-
itants, who had gradually become the preponderating element
in the population, and together built a new church in the vil-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 353
lage of Richmond, which stood, probably, in or near a little
graveyard nearly opposite the court house.
About the same time as this grant from Governor Hunter, or
perhaps a year earlier, in the twelfth year of the reign of Queen
Anne, which would be 1713, St. Andrew's church in Richmond
was erected. The first accounts of the settlement of the Eng-
lish church, as it was then called, are interesting and character-
istic. There is a " Historical account of the society for propa-
gating the gospel in the British Colonies," by David Hum-
phreys, D. D., published in London. 1730. A copy is to be
found in the rooms of the Long Island Historical Society, in
Brooklyn.
It appears that the Rev. Mr. McKenzie was sent here as a
missionary in 1704, and met with a very kind reception from
the people, although scarcely one third of them were English.
The rest were Dutch and French. The French had a minister
of their own, and had built a church. The English had no
place convenient for divine worship, and the French generously
granted the use of their church to Mr. McKenzie, which he oc-
cupied for seven years, till St. Andrew's was built. That was
characteristic of the French and the Dutch, who were by this
time cordially blending in their worship, as their doctrines
were identical.
It is said that the Dutch were at first somewhat averse to the
English liturgy, but as it was taken for granted that their ob-
jections could only arise from their ignorance of it, Mr. Mc-
Kenzie sent to London for a good supply of prayer books in
Dutch, and distributed them freely among the people, after
which, it is added, " they found no fault with it, and began to
have a just esteem for our excellent form of worship." That
was a wise scheme, and accounts, in part at least, for so many
Dutch and French names in St. Andrew's church.
Then again Mr. McKenzie, who seems to- have been a very
zealous man, had the island divided into three precincts, and a
teacher was appointed in each, who was supported by a grant
from the society in London. These taught, of course, in the
English language, and also taught the children in the church
catechism, with the explanations, and taught them also to join
in public worship.
In 1712 " the Justices of Richmond County, the High Sheriff,
the Clerk and the Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's militia
23
354 HISTORY: OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
in the County, as well for themselves as in the name, and at
the desire of the other inhabitants of the said County members
of the Church of England," return thanks to the society in
London for the support of their worthy pastor, whom they
highly and justly praise. And then they go on to say, " upon
his first induction there were not above four or five in the whole
county who knew anything of our excellent liturgy and form
of worship, and many of them knew little more of any religion
than the common notion of a Deity; and as their ignorance was
great, so was their practice irregular and barbarous. But now,
by the blessing of God attending his labors, our church in-
creases; a considerable reformation is wrought, and something
of the face of Christianity is seen among us."
It will be observed that this is written while they had as yet
no place of worship of their own, and were still occupying the
French church "by sufferance," as they themselves express it.
And yet these blessed justices and high sheriff and the rest
ignore with celestial complacency the fact that there had been
Christian worship on the island for more than fifty years, and
at least three Christian churches built for more than thirty
years, and sustained by the descendants of the Waldenses and
Huguenots, among the noblest Christian men and women the
world has ever seen; that one of these churches for seven years
past had charitably given shelter to these members of the Eng-
lish church in their religious services.
In the meantime the church on the north side, although a
house of worship was erected at a very early period, seems to
have been dependent on such occasional services as the neigh-
boring ministers were able to render. Besides those of Drisius,
Selyns, Daille and Bertholf, there were frequent services by
Dominie Freeman, of New Utrecht, on Long Island, and also
by Dominie Anthonius, of Flatbush, Flatlands and Bushwick.
Long Island. In one instance a baptism is recorded as per-
formed by " Dom. Anthony of Staaten Eiland," but it is evi-
dently a mistake for Long Island. There are also frequent
records of baptisms "door Dominy uit Esopus," whose name
is not mentioned, but who was without doubt the Rev. Petrus
Vas, who was minister at Esopus, or Kingston, and afterward
at Rhinebeck from 1710 to 1756, and who died at the age
of 96.
After the retirement of Dr. Bonrepos, in 1717, the three
HISTORY OF EICHMOXD COUNTY. 355
churches, of the Waldenses at Stony Brook, of the Huguenots
at Freshkill, and the Dutch at Richmond, united and came to
worship together at Richmond. We can find no account of this
Dutch church further than the fact of their having a house of
worship to offer to the united churches, which is a matter of
record. In that year the church at the north side and this
united church at Richmond joined in a call to Rev. Cornelius
VanSantvoord, of Leyden, in Holland. He accepted the call,
and came over to this country in 1718, when he was settled as
pastor over these churches. It was thus that the churches on
the island became blended into one, and transmitted to us here
the honorable ancestry to which we lay claim, as the repre-
sentatives of the Waldenses and the Huguenots, merging their
organization at length in that of the more rapidly increasing
Dutch.
There is no date of the settlement of Dominie Van Santvoord
extant; but the first baptism administered by him is recorded
April 20th, 1718, the child's name being Johannes Van Namen.
Dominie Van Santvoord was a man of admirable character and
abilities, and is known to have ministered with great accept-
ance from time to time, in the neighboring churches of New
Jersey and Long Island as well as in the city. He remained in
his charge here, preaching also frequently at Second River,
now Belleville, N. J., until 1742, when he removed to Schenec-
tady. Among the papers in possession of the consistory there
is a bundle of receipts for salary from Dominie Van Santvoord,
extending over several years. .They are written in beautiful
handwriting, and are sometimes given for very small sums, on
one occasion "Twee ponden, acht schellingen," being carefully
acknowledged. They indicate the fact of his ministering to
the two churches, that on the north side being evidently the
principal one. He was the author of several works of a theo-
logical character. He also kept up a correspondence with the
professors of the University of Leyden, by whom he was much
esteemed.
After Dr. Van Santvoord left the island there is an interval
of eight years, up to 1750, of which no record can be found.
Occasional services were performed, and baptisms administered
by ministers from the city, and also by Dominies Vas and
Anthonius as before.
In 1750 the church on the north side united with that at Ber-
356 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUWTY.
gen, N. J., in a call to a minister to supply them in common.
His name was Petrus De Wint. The agreement drawn np by
the consistories regarding their respective shares of the ser-
vices, and their contributions for the ministers support, is very
specific. Each was to have a righteous half of the services,
and to make a righteous half of the payment. The church at
Bergen was to furnish a parsonage and sufficient firewood.
That on Staten Island engaged to give "an able riding horse,
with all that belongs to it." After that it was stipulated that
" the dominie was to look out for his own horse."
De Wint accepted the call, and commenced his labors in the
two churches in 1751 ; but these did not continue long. The
call had to be sent to Holland, to be approved by the Classis
of Amsterdam, and they immediately wrote back to the con-
sistory at Bergen that De Wint was an imposter, and that the
credentials by which he had obtained a favorable reception
were forgeries. Of course he was at once discharged by the two
consistories ; and a final settlement was had with him at Ber-
gen, which is recorded in the minutes of that consistory, June
22, 1752.
In June, 1753, the two churches again joined in calling Mr.
William Jackson, then a student under the care of Rev. John
Frelinghuysen, of Raritan, N. J. By the terms of the call
Mr. Jackson was to proceed to Holland to complete his studies
there, the churches agreeing, in the meantime, to pay him an
annual sum for his support. He remained in Holland four
years and a half, and was ordained there. On his return he
was installed pastor of the two churches, in 1757.
Mr. Jackson was much esteemed as a preacher, and in the re-
formed Dutch churches in Middlesex and Somerset counties,
had a reputation as a field preacher scarcely inferior to Whit-
field. Instances are recorded in which the crowds assembled to
hear him could not be contained in any church, and the ser-
vices had to be held in the open air. After ministering for up-
ward of a quarter of a century, he became subject to fits of
mental aberration ; not frequent at first, but very afflictive; and
while suffering from them he would say strange things in the
pulpit, by which the gravity of his hearers was sorely dis-
turbed, while the body of his discourse would be sound and
edifying. His illness at last increased to such a degree that the
two churches had to apply to the Classis of Hackensack for a
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 357
commission to inquire into his case. This met in December,
1780, and after a patient investigation, continued during three
days, Mr. Jackson's insanity was deemed to be such as to pre-
clude the hope of his farther usefulness, and he was advised to
return his call. This he finally did, although with extreme re-
luctance, for his heart was set upon his Master's work. He
never seemed willing to stop when preaching. On one occasion,
when at New Brunswick, his audience became so weary that
his friend, Hon. James Schureman, ventured to give him a hint
by holding up his watch. The dominie said to him quietly,
"Schureman, put up your watch, Paul preached till mid-
night."
He finally bound himself under a penalty of five hundred
pounds not to preach, or administer the sacraments within the
bounds of the two churches. His ministry lasted thirty-two
years, and the two churches, greatly to their honor, united in
making a comfortable provision for their pastor as long as he
lived.
After Mr. Jackson resigned his ministry the connection be-
tween the two churches of Bergen and Staten Island was dis-
solved, having continued harmoniously thirty-nine years. In
1769 a deed was given by Jacob Rezeau to the Rev. Mr. Jack-
son and the consistory of the Reformed Dutch church at Rich-
mond and the session of the English Presbyterian church at
Stony Brook, for land in the village of Richmond on which to
build a church, these two bodies being desirous of uniting.
From this it would appear that after the Waldenses left
Stony Brook, in order to unite with the Dutch and the French
Huguenots in 1717, as already mentioned, a Presbyterian church
was formed in the place which they had occupied. The deed
mentions the names of James Rezeau and Samuel Broome as
" the present Elders of the English Presbyterian Church, ac-
cording to the Westminster Confession of Faith, Catechism
and Directory, agreeable to the present established Church of
Scotland." The deed conveyed a small lot, sixty-five feet by
fifty-five, to these parties. As far as we can understand it this
is the ground on which the present Reformed church in Rich-
mond stands. The church then standing at Stony Brook \v;is
to be removed and rebuilt on this lot. The deed was granted
by the donor " in consideration of the pious and laudable de-
sign of the said parties, and also of the sum of ten shillings,
358 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
lawful money of the province of New York, to him in hand
paid." It is distinctly specified that if ever any attempt shall
be made to alienate the property from sacred to secular pur-
poses, it shall be lawful for the grantor, his heirs or assigns, to
enter on it and reclaim it. This, unhappily, seems a not im-
possible contingency, in the present condition of that church.
The first minutes of the consistory of the Port Richmond
church, preserved in regular form, are dated June 25, 1785.
At a meeting then held, this minute is recorded, along with
some others not of interest, "our house of worship the six-
sided building described before having been destroyed in the
late unhappy war, it was resolved to build a new one, of brick."
The account is that the building was greatly injured by fire by
the British troops, and afterward blown down in a severe storm.
A committee was appointed to raise money for the purpose at
home and in the neighboring churches, and to superintend the
building. There are no particulars of the progress of the work,
but it was ready, for service in March, 1788.
In 1790, the Rev. Peter Stryker was ordained minister of
this church, and remained till 1794, when he accepted a call
from Second River, now Belleville, N. J. During his incum-
bency the church was incorporated, in 1792, under the style and
title of "The Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, on Staten
Island," the names of the incorporators being Rev. Peter Stry-
ker, Hendrick Garretson, John Van Pelt, Wilhelmus Vreeland,
John Garretson, William Merrill, Peter Haughwout, Abraham
Prahl, and Nicholas Haughwout.
After Mr. Stryker' s departure, the church remained without
a pastor for three years, when Mr. Thomas Kirby was ordained
over it. He remained a little over three years, when he was
obliged to resign ; the means of his support having been almost
entirely withdrawn. He was an Englishman without culture,
unable even to spell correctly, and the minutes in his hand-
writing are such as would disgrace a schoolboy. Fifty years
ago there were many living who had sat under his ministry,
and knew him well. He soon showed himself to be a man with-
out much character, and his habits were so gross as to disgust
most of those who came into contact with him. He was
suspended from the ministry for intemperance after leav-
ing the island, but was afterward restored, and went to
Canada.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 35!)
The church at Richmond, erected on Mr. Rezeau's grant,
was burnt down also, during the war, by the British troops,
because it was, as they termed it, a rebel church. "This
speaks well," says Doctor Brownlee, "for the descendants of
the Waldenses and the Huguenots, and the Dutch
with whom they blended ; and their descendants may feel
proud that it did not earn the distinction of being al-
lowed to stand. There were no lories then in our churches, here
or at Richmond ; and so both of them were burnt."
During Mr. Kirby's ministry, an application was made by
Benjamin Swaim and Israel Oakley, for the concurrence of the
consistoiy here in building a new church at Richmond, on
the foundation of the old French church ; and steps were taken
to organize a church, by ordaining two elders and two deacons.
Very particular arrangements were also made as to the times and
the amount of service to be rendered by the pastor ; but Mr.
Kirby was not the man to succeed in a work of that kind,
and the project was not carried out till some years later.
On the 16th of May, 1802, Rev. Peter I. Tan Pelt, after-
ward Doctor Van Pelt, was ordained pastor of the church,
and remained till 1835, when the relation between him and the
church was dissolved by mutual consent. Dr. Van Pelt's
labors were exceedingly popular and successful from the first ;
and numerous additions were made to the membership of the
church at almost every communion.
During the incumbency of Dr. Van Pelt, a building was
erected on the spot now occupied by the brick stores in Port
Richmond, then the property of the church, with the view of
establishing a parochial school, under the care of the church.
The project, however, did not succeed very well ; and, after
trying two or three teachers, it was finally given up. What is
chiefly interesting in connection with this, is the fact of a Sab-
bath school being opened in the building as early as 1812, and
believed to have been among the earliest in this country.
In 1835, on the fourth Sabbath of August, the present pastor,
Rev. James Brownlee, was ordained ; and through a kind
Providence remains to this day. During all these years the
church has been, on the whole, growing, and has made many
efforts and some sacrifices to reach its present position, and
"provide things honest in sight of all men."
" Soon after my settlement, says Dr. Brownlee, " it was de-
360
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
termined to repair the old church, which had become much
dilapidated. This was immediately done, at a cost of over
84,000. The next year lots were purchased for a parsonage,
and a house was erected, the whole costing over $3,000.
"In 1845 it was found that the church was not large enough
for those desiring to worship in it, and after much discussion
as to enlarging the old building or erecting a new one, it
was finally resolved to build anew. This was accordingly done,
and the house which is now occupied was built, at a cost of
PORT RICHMOND DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH.
$10,000, and dedicated in February, 1846, the Rev. Dr. De
Witt, and other clergymen participating in the services. Since
then the parsonage has been enlarged and beautified at a cost of
$5,000, and is now one of the most convenient and comfortable
anywhere to be found.
' 'A necessity having long been felt for some additional burying
ground, that around the church as far as it is available being
almost completely filled up, about the year 1874 the consistory
purchased a piece of ground for a cemetery, most eligibly situ-
ated, and in one of the most beautiful spots on the island.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 361
The consistory felt that this was necessary, as they had no
proper space to bury their dead, and the time cannot be far dis-
tant when the increase of population and the demands of
business may render it necessary, as in so many other places,
to remove the dead farther from the dwellings of men.
" During all these years the church has been much favored in
spiritual tilings. For a time after my settlement there was a
most depressing state of coldness almost of lethargy in the
church. But we had a band of praying men among us, men of
faith, who never ceased to plead before the mercy seat ; and
speedily their prayers were heard. Converts began to come in
in numbers, into our fold ; and from that time to the present, a
year has never passed, and rarely a communion season, without
some additions to our membership. In 1838, thirteen were added
to our list of members, by confession. In the year following,
sixteen, and so on. God never left himself without a witness
among us.
" We also have had our seasons of gracious revival but reviv-
al of the right sort ; not that which is got up, but that which
comes down ; which begins to show itself in a silent, prevalent
earnestness, and diligent attendance on the prayer-meetings
and other means of grace. Of that kind was the gracious sea-
son of 1843-44, when twenty-eight were brought into the
church ; some of whom are among the most warm-hearted and
devoted followers of Christ among us to this day.
" In 1858, there was another very remarkable outpouring of
the spirit among us. It began as before, silently and without
any concerted action.
"The consistory and myself sought rather to guide and reg-
ulate, than to stimulate it ; while at the same time we could
not but discern and gratefully recognize the hand of the Lord.
In April of that year, fifty were received in fellowship at one
communion; and within the year thirty-three more, making
eighty- three in all. It was a season that stirred the souls of
God's people to their depths, in joy and praise, and caused
their Christian graces to shine forth with new and holy lustre.
"Our Sabbath school has long been prosperous. It has for
years been under the very best management, without any at-
tempt at display ; without any efforts or contrivances to
allure teachers or scholars from quarters to which courtesy for-
bade us to apply. We have kept to the steady purpose of
362 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
cultivating the useful and solid, rather than the entertaining.
' It would be interesting, if space permitted, to give short
sketches of some of the fathers of the church, who have gone
to their reward from among us. Allow me very briefly to men-
tion a few.
' The first to pass away were Jacob Bodine and Joshua Mer-
sereau, both of Huguenot origin, and both exhibiting the inef-
faceable traits of their lineage, in the vivacity and energy which
we usually attribute to the French blood. Mr. Bodine was for
many years a member of the consistory, and an active and un-
tiring friend of the church. He and Mr. Mersereau, along with
Dr. Clark, had the whole burden of remodelling the old church
to bear, and of building the parsonage; and amid many diffi-
culties, chiefly met and surmounted by Mr. Bodine 1 s business
skill and tact, they succeeded, to the satisfaction of all con-
cerned.
"Mr. Mersereau was somewhat reserved in his manner;
prompt, decided, and resolute. He had the appearance, to
those who did not know him, of being rather stern; but his
friends knew him to be of the most kindly and genial disposi-
tion, when he met them in the quiet family circle. He was a
man of incorruptible integrity, before whom no one could safely
venture to commit any meanact. He, too, was a life-long steady
friend of his church.
" Then there was Judge Tysen, who had been member of
congress, and for many years first associate judge of the
county; a most careful and accurate business man, for
many years the treasurer of the church; always ready, by
word and deed, to advance the interests of the church; faith-
ful and liberal in all his ways. To him, along with George Cad-
mus and myself, was committed the duty of overseeing the build-
ing of the present church, and on him fell by far the heaviest
share. He was indefatigable in his attention to the work while
it was in progress, and professed himself amply rewarded for
his labor when he saw the building completed which had a
much more creditable appearance then than it bears to-day,
among the many new church edifices which have been built all
around us. He was re-elected to the office of elder again and
again, as long as he would consent to serve; and when he was
taken away, in ripe old age, it seemed as if the most prominent
place in the church was left empty.
IIISTOKY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 363
" Ther.e was Aartie Housman, as he was commonly called.
His name is entered on the record as Aaron, but I think it must
have been a mistake for Arthur. Many will remember him as
he sat under the gallery, with his tall, erect, massive frame,
and his magnificent head, with flowing white hair, which at once
attracted the notice of every stranger who entered the pulpit,
and which might have served as a model for a head of Jupiter.
He was a man of but limited education, but of strong good
sense and natural intelligence; who with greater advantages of
training, could not have failed to distinguish himself.
" Garrit Martling, for many years an elder and warm friend
of the church, was a man of few words, but his face beamed
with the kindliness which filled his heart; and when any one
asked a favor of him, he always granted it as if it were con-
ferred upon himself, delighted with the opportunity of doing a
kind act.
" Solomon Zeluff was long an elder. Quiet and reserved in
manner, but faithful to all that he deemed right; he was a man
of prayer, and earnestly attached to the doctrines and usages
of his church.
" George Cadmus was not a member of the church, but a
constant and generous friend. Without doubt, he was a true
Christian for years before his death, although, from unaffected
humility, he shrank from taking the name openly. Open
hearted, full of quips and jokes, he was a most attractive com-
panion and friend, beloved by all who knew him.
" Paul La Tourette, also long an elder, was of Huguenot ori-
gin, and showed it in form and manner. A man of prayer and
faith beyond many, he was strong in the Scriptures. Indeed,
his Bible was almost his exclusive study. His mind was clear
and logical, grasping at once the main points of any subject ;
and although he had not enjoyed many advantages of education
in early life, there were very few who could hold an argument
with him successfully on any Scriptural or doctrinal point. He
was remarkably fluent in prayer ; and so warm were his feelings
and so much did he become engaged that sometimes he would
pray for half an hour, or even three-quarters ; and would be
surprised when his friends told him how long he had been on his
knees.
'' Time would fail to speak of all whom we lovingly remem-
ber. But I must mention John Garretson (Judge Garretson, as
364 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
he was commonly called), who had also been in congress. His
name is the first of those subscribed to my call ; and he was the
first to depart. He and his wife Martha were the oldest mem-
bers of the church at Richmond, having been received in Dominie
Jackson's time. He was a devoted Christian, and one of the
finest specimens of the Christian gentleman ; polished, and even
courtly in his manners, which his usual dress and appearance
did not lead one to expect. He was a man of very extensive
information, and clear, incisive intellect ; and would have
greatly surprised any stranger who might have taken him for
nothing more than the plain farmer he appeared to be. His
household was one of the most delightful I ever knew. It was
probably the last in the county in which the Dutch language
was spoken. He and his wife always used it when alone ; and
when, at my request, they would speak it, it seemed to lose
every trace of uncouthness, which those unacquainted with it
are apt to attribute to it, and to be the very dialect of warm,
homely, household regard.
"The judge used to ride to church at Port Richmond every
Sabbath, for years, till the Richmond church was built, in 1808;
and, although he lived twelve miles away, there was no more
regular attendant than he. I remember well his saying, ' I do
not know what has come to our young people now ; it takes so
little to keep them home on a Sabbath day. I have gone for
years, through all weather, and it never hart me.' And, look-
ing kindly at his aged companion he added, ' and thejufvrouw
always went with me. It took a storm mind, I say a storm
to keep her home.'
' I cherish his memory with grateful affection. He was the
first to speak words of encouragement to me when I came here,
without experience in the ministry ; and to predict that there
was in the young dominie ' something that would wear.' He
was my kind friend to his dying day."
Rev. Alfred H. Demarest was called as associate pastor to
Doctor Brownlee, and was ordained and installed November 6,
1884.
The fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Doctor Brownlee
was celebrated on Sunday, August 23, 188/5. At that time it
was said that Mrs. Martha Miller, of Mariners' Harbor, was the
onlj r person living who was a communicant of the church at the
time of Doctor Brownlee' s installation. Several of the neigh-
ml tiom a tracing made TJJ- B. M. Bay les, from Ilia original sketch)
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
boring churches suspended services in the morning out of
respect to this celebration.
At that time Doctor Brownlee had, during the tifty years of
his pastorate, baptized eight hundred and thirty-nine children
and seventy adults ; married six hundred and twenty-four
couples, attended about six hundred and fifty burials ; received
seven hundred and twenty-one persons into the communion of the
church ; preached four thousand three hundred and sixty-six
written sermons, and delivered about five thousand extempore
addresses at evening prayer-meetings, funerals and on other
occasions. The fact was a remarkable one that he had married
a couple, not long before, whose parents he had married in 1860,
and whose grand-parents he had married in 1838.
The record of baptisms belonging to this early church, and
covering about half a century from 1696 onward, has been
transcribed for this work, and will be found in this chapter.
Accompanying this article will be found a diagram of the
second edifice of this church which stood at Port Richmond
about where the present church stands. It was built about
1714 and destroyed during the revolution. The following ex-
planations of the diagram of the old church were given by Mr.
J. J. Clute.
Translation of the title: " Plan of the Christian Low Dutch
Church on Staten Island, the 30th September, in the year of our
Lord 1751 , made by Daniel Corsen."
A. Predikestoel Pulpit. B. Ouderlingen Elders. C. Diakenen Deacons.
1 Boumeester's Plaats en Kerkmeester's Plaats The Master-Builder's Place and
the Church-Warden's Place.
2 Plaats voor den Overheidt Place for the Magistrate.
3 Nicholas Backer, 23 Johannes Sirnonson,
4 Douwe Van Wogelom, The succeeding nine are vacant,
5 Ernst Lende, Henrik Croesen, 33 Antonie Van Pelt,
6 Jan Veghte, 34 Jon Roll, Junr.,
7 Jacob Corsen, Cornelis Corsen, 35 Joseae Morseroe, Junr. ,
8 Gerrit Croesen, Abraham Croesen, 36 Cornelius Elles,
9 Joshua Mersereaux, 37 Vacant,
10 Gerrit Kroessen, 38 Art Simonson or Simonze,
11 Gerrit Post, Cors Krock, 39 Richard Men-ell,
12 Pieter De Groot, 40 Jan Roll,
13 Johannes De Groot, 41 Cornelius sen.,
14 Jan Van Pelt, and another illegible, 42 Isaac Simonze,
15 Joris Prall, 4:5 Jc ihanne Vanwagena,
16 Thomas Burbank, 14 Wilhelmus Vreelandt,
17 Jacob Van Pelt, 45 Cornelius Corsen,
18 Peter Martlinghe, 46 Christian Corsen,
19 Cornelius Croesen, 47 Otto Van Tuyl,
20 Egbert Hagabot, 48 Jacob Corsen,
21 Robert De Groot, 49 Vacant,
C2 Hendrik Proll, and another erased, 50 Nealtje Hagewout,
366 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
51 Cornelia Corsen. 64 Elsje Merrill.
52 Aaltje Van Pelt. 65 Gurtruyde Merrell,
53 Jan Veghte, 66 Antjv Cfrsen.
54 Cornelia Veghte, 67 Cornelia Croesen,
55 Vacant, 68 Gerret Croesen,
56 Helena Croesen, 6tf -- Simonse,
57 Elisabet Corsen, Sister Bock, 70 Cornelia
.">x Maria Praal, 71 De Nakomelings ran (the descendants
59 Catrina Berckelo, of) Catharine Hoogelandt,
60 Sara Elles, 73 Vacant,
61 Arayaentie Elles, 73 Knelia -- ricke,
62 Elizabeth Baker, 74 Magritie Gen-ode,
63 Sara Post, 75 Jannetje Van Woggelom,
64 Belitie De Groot, 76 Maria Beekman,
65 Elizabeth De Groot, 77 Ferrnie Van B
66 Aeyea Speer, 78 Vacant,
67 Vacant, 79 Fytie Mersereau,
68 Maria Mersereau, 80 Lena Van Wagene,
69 Fransyntje Post, and another erased, 81 Maria Pi-all,
60 Marigrita Simonze, 82 Annietie fountain,
61 Marritje Bin-bank, 83 Wintie Van Tuyls.
62 Neliete Vreelandt, 84 Rebecca Staats.
63 Aimitii' Martlinghs,
It will be observed that the numbers from 60 to 69, both in-
clusive, are duplicated. It will also be observed that according
to the universal custom in the olden times, the sexes were sepa-
rated in their seats.
Across the ends of 76, 77 and 78 are written the words
''Stoelen voor den Predikant " Chairs for the Preacher.
This was the second church edifice ; it was built about 1714,
partially destroyed by fire by the British early in the revolu-
tion as a rebel church, and what was left standing was subse-
quently blown down, in a heavy gale.
The name of Daniel Corsen does not appear among those of
the pew-holders; but as he was generally the incumbent
of some civil office, his seat was in No. 1 or 2. He was county
clerk at the time he made the diagram.
Soon after the settlement of Dr. Van Pelt the plan of re-
building the church at Richmond was revived, and through
the energetic efforts of the pastor, it was carried successfully
into execution. The church now standing was built, and ready
for service in July, 1808, when it was dedicated ; the Rev. Dr.
Livingston, of New York, conducting the services. From that
time on Doctor Van Pelt ministered to this church and that at
the north side until 1835, when Doctor Brownlee, his successor,
ministered to both until 1853. The connection between the two
churches was dissolved in 1854, when the church in Richmond
became a distinct and separate ecclesiastical organization. Its
first pastor after that event was the Rev. Thomas R. G. Peck,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 367
and his successors have been Rev. Erskine N. White, Rev.
Jacob Fehrmann, Rev. J. H. Sinclair, and the pulpit was for a
while supplied alternately with that of the church of the
Huguenots, by Rev. Dr. F. M. Kip. This church has a chapel
at Gifford's.
The building of a new church was talked of in 1818, and
Governor Tompkins gave two lots at Tompkinsville, on which
to erect it. The work was commenced and the corner stone
laid October 20, 1818. The church was completed, and dedi-
cated July 23, 1820. Rev. Peter I. Van Pelt of the Port Rich-
mond church occupied the pulpit till May, 1823, when this
church became a distinct society and separate charge, its incor-
poration being effected the same year. This enterprise was car-
ried to completion through the perseverance of Doctor Van Pelt,
assisted by the munificence of Vice-President Tompkins, who
donated the land and contributed a large sum of money toward
building the church. Doctor Van Pelt supplied the pulpit
until 1823, when, as an independent church, the Rev. John E.
Miller became its pastor. He was installed October 19, 1823,
and for nearly twenty-four years was pastor of the church. He
died August 24, 1847, and the Rev. Alexander R. Thompson
became the second pastor, in 1848. During his incumbency,
some of the members withdrew their connection, and organized
a church at Stapleton, nearer their own residences, with which
Mr. Thompson identified himself, after having served this
church three years and three months. The vacancy thus left
by him was filled by the Rev. Philip M. Brett, who was in-
stalled December 24, 1851, and died January 14, 1860. He was
succeeded by the Rev. Edward \V. Hitchcock, who was ordained
and installed August 8, 1860. It was his first pastorate. He
resigned March 1, 1866. It was during his pastorate that the
new church edifice was built, on what is known as Brighton
Heights, on a hill commanding a line view of the bay, New
York city and Long Island. The corner stone of this church
was laid October 27, 1863, and it was dedicated November 3,
1864. The cost of the church was $14,300. Its site is diagon-
ally opposite the northwest corner of the old quarantine
grounds.
The old church building was sold, and has since been used
for a variety of purposes, at times as a feed store, confectionery
shop, political headquarters and carriage shop, in which use it
368 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
is still occupied. Some of the older people, as well as the
former pastors, who have precious memories connected with
religious work within the ancient edifice, deplore the action
which consigned the building to such unhallowed uses. It
may justly be claimed that a respectful regard for the good
and faithful ones who founded the church, and the pious men
and women who maintained its services during so many years
of its history, and a wholesome reverence for the cause it re-
presented, ought to have prompted those who had the manage-
ment of the matter, to have held the building from the pur-
poses of secular business, for the possibilities of further use in
connection with some of the enterprises of the church.
Rev. Herman R. Timlow was installed October 24, 1866, and
resigned November 1, 1867. Rev. I. Ralston Smith supplied
the pulpit in 1868. Rev. Thomas G. Watson was installed
May 13, 1869, and resigned September 11, 1871. Rev. William
T. Enyard was installed April 13, 1873, and resigned on account
of ill health, July 13, 1879. He died April 26. 1880. Rev.
William Walton Clark, the succeeding pastor was installed March
16, 1880. During his pastorate, the church was entirely released
from debt, and a beautiful Sunday school and lecture room
was built in the rear of the church. The expense of building and
furnishing the Sunday school and lecture room, and repairing
and refurnishing the church in 1881, amounted to $9,980.73.
THE ANCIENT BAPTISMAL RECORD OF THE EARLY DUTCH
CHURCH.
This book, beginning in 1696, and containing apparently a
complete record of the baptisms of the early Dutch church on
Staten Island for a period of more than half a century, is still
in existence, being now in the keeping of the consistory of the
Dutch Reformed church at Fort Ricmond. This venerable and
valuable relic several years ago fell into bad company and be-
came degraded to the level of common garret rubbish. While
in this condition, and just as it was about to be consigned to a
bonfire by those who had no knowledge of its value, it was
rescued from destruction by Mr. Alfred de Groot, who
promptly placed it in the hands of its proper custodians. Its
records contain valuable genealogical data touching almost,
every old family of the island and many others. It is written
in Dutch, and is now considerably defaced by time and wear,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 369
and much of it quite difficult to read. Those who would con-
sult it also find a still greater difficulty in the utter absence
of any order in its arrangement, so that to surely find whether
any desired name is contained in it or not, the whole book
must be gone through. These obstacles united render the
record practically a "sealed book," except to those who have
the ability to read faded Dutch manuscript, and the time and
patience to search through such a long list to find the names
they wish to see. Believing that the service of unlocking this
sealed treasure will be appreciated by those who may have
occasion to refer to it, we have transcribed the entire list, as
far as it has any genealogical significance, and have arranged
the entries all in the alphabetic order of the surnames of the
fathers.
The custom prevailed of baptizing children at a very tender
age. In the early years of the record occasionally the date
of birth is given together with the date of baptism, as in the
following entry :
" Cornells Tyssen zyne gedoopte Kinderen zyn Dochter
Elizabeth is gebooren den 1705 28 van May ende heeft
zynen Doop ontfangen den 2 Augustus De Getuygen
bennen Leenert Smack de ende Sara Smack."
In the very early records it will be noticed the mother's name
is not given. In most cases two "getuygen" or witnesses,
names appear in connection with each baptism, though in some
only one appears, and in others none at all.
The record contains many old Dutch words and phrases now
more or less obsolete, which, through the kindness of Dr.
Brownlee, who has made the book a matter of considerable
study, we are able to bring together in the following list, with
their parallel English words or expression. We give the Dutch
in Roman type, and the corresponding English in italics :
Ouwders parents; kinderen children; getruygen witness-
es ; gedoopt baptized; den the or then ; de the; vanof;
dese these; zyne his or her ; soon, or zoon son; bennen
are; dochter daughter ; en and; geborn born; met with;
gemelle, or tweelings twins; bediening office, employment or
service ; heeft 7ias ; de compeer god-father ; de peet god-
mother; doop baptism; Christelycken Christian; onfangen
obtained or received; haar, or haaren her ; vervolgh contin-
uation; eene a or one; vooi-for; op of; het the; genaemt
24
370 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
is named ; zie see; dezer tliis ; donderdagh Thursday;
dingsday Tuesday; sonne opgang sunrise; omtrent about;
Heeren the Lord; naam name; opgegeven given up.
The book also contains records of later date, of children
baptized by Rev. William Jackson for the Reformed Protestant
Dutch church at the north side of Staten Island, July 9, 1786 to
October 29 of the same year, 7: in the "new church at the
North Side," from May 27, 1787 to October 11, 1789, 31: by
Rev. Peter Stryker, from October 17, 1790 to November 14,
same year, 9. Mr. Stryker was installed in this church by Mr.
Livingston, Thursday, November 11, 1790. The record of bap-
tisms was kept by Mr. A. Ryersz. The fee of one, or some-
times two shillings, which was sometimes paid, was duly en-
tered. The names of "parents or witnesses" accompany the
entry of each baptism in that list in such a way as to leave no
way of distinguishing between the two classes, hence the omis-
sion of all names on that list.
The title page bears the following inscription:
"Register Boek Van De K d Namen Der Kinderen De-
welck Gedoopt Bennen On Staten Eylandt Van D - Beginne
Van flet Jaer Anno 1696."
In the following list, the date of baptism is followed by
the names of child, father and mother, in the order mentioned.
Oct. 8, 1721, Hilletje, dozen Adriaannsz, Femmetje vand'rBilt.
May 17, 1724, Leah, Jan Andrevet, Leah Sweem.
Apr. 7, 1729, Jan, Jan Andrevet, Leah Sweem.
Aug. 26, 1722, Neeltje, Jan Andrevet, Leah Sweem.
Mar. 27, 1720, Rebecca, Pieter Andrevet, Rebecca Cole.
Dec. 25, 1723. Elisabet, Pieter Andrevet, Rebecca Cole.
Jan. i, 1726, Elisabet and Anna, twins, Pieter Andrevet, Rebecca Cole.
Mar. 25, 1701, Andrys, Andrys Andryssen.
- 1707. Lontys, Joseph Bastido.
July, 3, 1707, Rossanna, Joseph Bastido.
July, 26, 1711, Bastido, Joseph Bastido.
May 4, 1714 Jan, Joseph Bastido.
Jan. 18, 1717, maria, Joseph Bastido.
Oct. 18, 1719, Pieter, Joseph Bastido, Judith Ryke.
Apr. 22, 1707, Tryntie, Nicolaas Backer.
Oct. 31, 1756, Jacob, Niclos Backer, Liesabet toret.
Feb. 26, 1758, Mary, Niclos Backer, Liesabet Latoret.
Oct. 21, 1707, Nicolaas, Hendricus Backer.
Aug. 24, 1729, Catharina, Jacobus Bakker, Rebecca Staats.
Jan. 30, 1734, Nicolaas, Jacobus Bakker, Rebeeca Staats.
Mar. 28, 1736, Geertje, Jan Barbank, Leah Hagewout.
Dec. 8, 1728, Thomas, Jan Barbank, Leah Hagewout.
Mar. 28, 1736, Maria, Lucas Barbank, Martha Baile.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 371
Jan. 16, 1732, Maria, Jan Barbank, Lea Hagewout.
Apr. '3. i?42i Catharina, Lucas Barrabank, Martha Baely.
Oct. n, 1719, Maria, Thomas Barbanck, Marritje Martling.
Sep. 22, 1723, Abraham, Pieter Barbaric, Elisabet du Secoy.
Jan. i, 1729, Cornelia, Jacob Bergen, Maria Croesen.
Sep. 23, 1731, Jacob, Jacob Bergen, Maria Croesen.
May 6, 1745, Grietje, Jacob Bergen, Grietie Bennet.
June 10, 1747, Gerretye, Jacb bergen, Margrietye bennet.
May 3, 1749, adriaen, Jacob Bergen, maragreta Bennet.
Sept. 4, 1737, Cornelia, Jacob Bergen, Maria Croesen.
Apr. 29, 1722, Gerritje, Fredrik Bergen, Gerritje Veghte.
Sept. 26. 1725, Henrik, Frederik Bergen, Gerritje Veghte.
Mar. 12, 1732, Elsje, Fredrik Bergen, Gerritje Veghte.
May 21, 1727, Elisabet, Jacob Bennet, Elisabet Brouwer.
May 26, 1729, Willem, Jacob Bennet, Elisabet Brouwer.
Dec. 20, 1724, Juriaan, Jacob Bennet, Elizabet Brouwer.
Sept. 24, 1732, Cornelius, Jacob Bennet, Elisabet Brouwer.
Oct. 28, 1722, Aaltje, Jacob Bennet, Elizabet Brouwer.
Apr. 22, 1707, Aeltie, Thomas Berbanck.
Nov. 2, 1754, Cattriena, Abraham Beckelo, Cattriena Ebis.
July 28, , Gerret, - - Berkelo, - Elles.
Oct. 13, 1747, Cornelius, Abraham berkelau, catrina Ellis.
Oct. 19, 1708, Daniel, Issac Bellin.
Mar. 14, 172$, Maria, Jacobus Biebaut, Maria Sweem.
May 5, 1729, Petrus, Jacobus Biebant, marytje Sweem.
Feb. 19, 1727, Elisabet, Jacubus Biebant, Maria Sweem.
July 16, 1721, Jacobus, jacobus Biebant, Maria Sweems.
Nov. 2, 1718, Isaak, Teunis Bogaart, Catharina Hegeman.
Dec. 18, 1720, Adriaan, Teunis Bogaart, Catharina Hegeman.
Dec. 30, 1722, Margareta, Simon Bogaart, Margrietje Ten Eyk.
Jan. 19, 1729, Gysbert, Simon Bogaart, Margrietje ten Eyk.
Oct. 18, 1719, Elisabet, Simon Bogaart, Margrietje ten Eik.
May 19, 1726, Simon, Simon Bogaart, Margrietje Ten Eyk.
Apr. 21, 1723, Abraham, Teunis Bogaart, Catharina Hegeman.
Mar. 28, 1725, Maria, Teunis Bogaart, Catharina Hegeman.
Mar. 2, 1729, Cornelius, Teunis Bogaart, Catharina Hegeman.
Feb. 13, 1732, Sarah, Simon Bogaart, Margrietje Ten Eyk.
Nov. 29, 1719, Jean, Francois Bodin, Maria Dey.
Nov. 3, 1754, Eliesebeth, Nettenel Bos, Jannetye Post.
Sept. 17, 1758, Gerret, Nettenel bos, Jannetye Post.
- 1706, Samuel, Josua Bosch.
May 6, 1745, Antje, Nicklas Bos, Elisabet Drenkwater.
Sept. 8, 1734, Barent, Nicolaas Bosch, Elisabet Drinkwater.
Nov. 21, 1731, Margareta, Nicolaas Bosch, Elisabet Drinkwater.
July 13, 1740, Nicolaas, Nicolaus Bosch, Elisabet Drinkwater.
Nov. 24, 1728, Eduard, Nicolaas Bosch, Elisabet Drenkwater.
Dec. n, 1737, Samuel, Louis du Bois Jun'r, Catharina van Brunt.
Apr. 22, 1718, Anna, James Bosler, Sara Pereine.
Apr. i, 1728, Forms, Andries Bowman.
Mar. 20, 1716, Andries, Andries Bowman.
May 6, 1745, aeltje, Cornelus Bowman, Aeltje Titus.
Apr. 19, 1715, Neeltje, Cornelis Bouwman.
372 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Sept. 14, 1742, Neeltje, Jacob bowman, Maria Williams.
Jan. 16, 1732, Harmen, Pieter Bouwman, Elsje van Pelt.
Sept. 14, 1742, Neeltje, pieter bowman, Elsje Van pelt.
Apr. 23, 1739, Pieter, Pieter Bouwman, Elsje van Pelt.
July 24, 1710, Joris, Harmen Bowman.
Oct. 23, 1711, Tryntie, Harmen Bowman.
May 4, 1714, Jacob, Harmen Bowman.
June 15, 1716, Cornelis, Harmen Bowman, Neeltje Staats.
May 15, 1720, Neeltje, Cornelis Bouwman, Antje Staats.
Apr. 22, 1707, Elisabeth, Jores Bowman.
Sept. 22, 1709, Johanna, Jores Bowman.
Feb. 12, 1758, Catriena, Antony brat, neety haagewout.
July 20, 1718, Cornelis, Cornelis Brees, Sara Schilmans.
Aug. 18, 1741, Jan, Johanes Brestede, Trintie Hagewout.
Aug. 16, 1743, Pieter, Johannes Brestede, Treintje hagewout.
Apr. 22, 1746, Eckbert, Johannes brestede, Catherina hagewouyt.
- 1715, Johannes, VVillem breetstede.
- 1715, Andries. Willem breetstede.
Jan. 18, 1719, Andries, Willem Breetstede, Christina Bouwman.
Aug. 13, 1721, Engeltje, Willem Breetstede, Christina Bouwman.
Sept. 9, 1722, Henrik, Henrik Bries, Dina du Cecoy.
Jan. 31, 1725, Sara, Henrik Bries, Dina du Secoy.
Apr. 9, 1732, Sara, Nathanael Britton, Esther Billeville.
Apr. 23, 1707, Jeams, Joseph Britten.
Oct. ii, 1708, William, Nicolaes Britten.
Apr. 20, 1740, Maria, John Brown, Susanne Roseau.
Aug. 16, 1743, Jan, Jan burbanck, Leea hagewout.
Apr. 22, 1746, Abraham, John burbanck, Lea hagewout.
Feb. 23, 1724. Nathan, Elias Burger, Susanna Whitman.
Oct. 19, 1718, Samuel, Samuel Burnet, Obiit, Antje Mangels Ral.
June 8, 1735, Sara, James Butler, Sara Parain.
Apr. 9, 1732, Jan, James Butler, Sara Parem.
Nov. 18, 1733, Andries, Dirk Cadmus, Jannetje van Hoorn.
Oct. 31, 1731, Cathrina, Dirk Cadmus, Jannetje van Hoorn.
July 19, 1724, Rutgers, Dirk Cadmus, Jannetje van Hoorn.
Dec. n, 1720, Frederyk, Dirk Cadmus, Jannetye van Hoorn.
Apr. 22, 1746, Elizabeth, Jar. Cahon, maria Egberts.
Aug. 26, 1739, Catharina, Jean Canon, Maria Egberts.
July 19, 1748, Jacobus, John Canone, Maria Egberts.
Oct. 22, 1707, Margriete, Beniamin Carenton.
June 6, 1715, Jannetie, Joseph Carrinton.
Nov. 20, 1719, Philip, Philip Casier, Catharina Hooglant.
Aug. 28, 1726, Casparus, Jsak Gaspers, Elisabet Lisk.
Jan. 21, 1739, Cornelia and Antje, twins, Johannes Cavelier, Catlyntje
Andriessen.
April 10, 1726, Jacobus, Phillippe Cazier, Catharina Hooghlant.
Mar. 15, 1724, Dirk, Philip Cazier, Catharina Hooghlant.
Jan. 14, 1722, Catharina, Philip Cazier, Catharina Hooglant.
Aug. 23, 1730, Petrus> Phillipe Cazier, Catharina Hooghlant.
Sept. 14, 1718, Elsje, Pieter Cielo, Blandina van Pelt.
Oct. 14, 1722, Peter, Pieter Ceilo, Blandina van Pelt.
June 6, 1725, Cornelia, Peter Ceilo, Blandina van Pelt.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 373
July 9, 1727, Sara, Pieter Ceilo, Blandina van Pelt.
Jan. 12, 1729, Daniel, Pieter Ceilo, Blandina van Pelt.
Mar. 14, 1731, Wilhelmus, Pieter Ceilo, Blandina van Pelt.
Nov. 16, 1735, Johannes and Maria, twins, Peter Ceilo, Blandina van
Pelt.
Aug. 4, 1703, Niclaes, Barent Christoffelzen.
Apr. 23, 1706, Catharyna, Barent Christoffelzen.
Apr. 20, 17 , Rebecka, Barent Christoffelzen.
1710, Maria, Barent Christoffelzen.
Aug. 13, 1716, ane catryn and Barent, Barent Christofer.
Jan. u, 1719, Susanna, Barent Christopher, Anna Cathrina Stihvel.
Nov. 27, 1726, Barent, Nicolaas Christpher, Christina Bowman.
Sept. 26, 173.1, Anna Catharina, Nicolaas Christopher, Christina Bouw-
man.
Apr. 16, 1732, Johannes, Hans Christopher, Jane Arrowsmith.
Apr. 14, 1734, Barent, Hans Christopher, Tane Arrowsmith.
Aug. 8, 1736, Joseph, Hans Christopher. Jane Arrowsmith.
Sept. 30, 1739, Richard, Hans Christopher, Jane arrowsmith.
Oct. 22, 1701, Femmetye, Derek Claassen.
Apr. 20, 1703, Hendrickie, Derek Claassen.
Apr. 23, 1706, Jacobus, Derek Claassen.
June 8, 1718, Francyntje, Jan Claatz, Maria de Chene.
Apr. 22, 1707, Femmetie, Cobus Claazen.
Aug. 30, 1743, Maria, Walter Clendenne, pieternel Olfer.
May 6, 1745, Johannes, Walter Clendenne, Nieltje ollifer.
Apr. 22, 1747, Jacob, waiter clendenne, peternella Oliver.
Sept. 17, 1748, Cathilyna, Walter Clendenne, Piternela Oliver.
May n, 1735, Patience, adam Clendenny, Eva Johnson.
Oct. 31, 1756, Jeams, Jeams Clendeny, rabecke Jonson.
June 24, 1759, Antye, Walter Cleninne, nelli alever.
Oct. 21, 1707, Dorote, Jan Clerck.
Apr. 19, 1709, Dorothea, Jan Clerck.
Apr. 17, 1711, Jan, Jan Clerck.
July 14, 1713, Sara, Jan Clerck.
July 14, 1713, Rachel, - Clindinne.
July 28, , Walteris, Clindinne, nelli alver.
May i, 1753, Pieternelle, waiter Clindinne, Pieternelle alver.
Feb. 16, 1755, Joseph, Walter Clindinne, nelli allever.
Mar. 13, 1720, Abraham, Jan Cochean, Elisabet Jackson.
Apr. 18, 1725, Femmetje, Teunis Coevert, Femmetje vander Schure.
Oct. 5, 1766, willim, Andru Colter, Mary Clendenny.
Aug. 26, 1759, Andries, David Cornon, Aaltye Praal.
Nov. 2, 1754, Aront, Davit Cornon, Aaltye Praal.
Jan. 29, 1756, Davit. Davit Cornon, Aaltye Praal.
Aug. 26, 1759, Danal, Peatar Cornon, Mally Stebs.
May 4, 1714, Cornelis, Beniamin Corsen.
Aug. 13, 1716, Maria, Benjamen Corssen.
Aug. 3, 1718, Benyamin, Benyamin Corsen, Blandina Vile.
Nov. 24, 1723, Maria, Cornelius Corssen, Jannetje Boskerk.
Aug. 13, 1725, Pieter, Cornelius Corssen, Jannetje Boskerk.
Feb. 26, 1727, Christiaan, Cornelius Corssen, Jannetje Boskerk.
Feb. 23, 1728, Cornelius, Cornelis Corssen, Jannetje van Boskerk.
374 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Feb. 21, 1731, Cornelius, Cornells Crossen, Jannetje van Boskerk.
Oct. 10, 1731, Henrik, Cornelis Croesen, Helena van Tuyl.
Oct. 22, 1732, Jacobus, Cornelius Corssen, Jannetje van Boskerk.
Sept. 19, 1736, Catharina, Cornelius Corssen, Jannetje van Boskerk.
Mar. 25, 1701, Suster, Jacob Corssen.
Oct. 21, 1707, Jacob, Jacob Corssen.
Apr. i, 1718, Beniamyn, Jacob Corssen.
Apr. 18, 1743, Cornelia, Jacob Corsen, Cornelia Croesen.
Dec. 23, 1739, Maria, Jacob Corssen Junior, Cornelia Croesen.
Oct. 13, 1747, Jacob, Jacob Corsen Jun'r, Cornelia kroese.
Aug. 25, 1751, Neelty, Jacob Corsen Juner, Cornelia Croesen.
Nov. 7, 1753, Richard, Daniel Corsen, Maria Stilwell.
Nov. 7, 1753, Daniel, Daniel Corsen, Maria Stilwell.
Sept. 17, 1758, Cornelius, Daniel Corsen, Liesebeth bogert.
Oct. 5, 1755, ragel, Douwe Corson, Janntye Conein.
Nov. 4, 1722, Pieter, Jaques Coteleau, Jacomyntje van Pelt.
Dec. 26, 1720, Debora, Jaques Coteleau, Jacomyntje van Pelt.
May 29, 1726, Neeltje, Jaques Coteleau, Jacomyntje van Pelt.
Nov. 21, 1731, Maria, Samuel Couwenhoven. Sara Drinkwater.
Apr. 3, 1720, Anna, Jacobus Craven, Antje Iniaart.
Dec. 23, 1722, Christina, Jacobus Craven, Antje Iniaart.
Sept. 26, 1725, Esther, Jacobus Craven, Antje Iniaart.
Apr. 22, 1707, Elsie, Cobus Creven.
July 27, 1714, Johannes, Cobus Creven.
Apr. i, 1718, Gillis, Cobus Creven.
Mar. 30, 1740, Abraham, Daniel Crocheron, Maria du Puy.
Dec. 8, 1723, Henrik, Gerrit Croesen, Henriks Zoon, Geestruyd van
Tuyl.
Sept. 13, 1728, Femmetje, Gerrit Croesen, Henriks zoon, Geertruyd
van Tuyl.
Aug. 6, 1732, Abraham, Gerrit Oroesen, Henriks zoon, Geerttuyd van
Tuyl.
Aug. 27, 1740, Cornelia, Gerrit Croesen, Claasje Brinkerhof.
Apr. 18, 1743, Maria, Gerret Croesen, Claesje Blenkerhof.
June 24, 1752, Hendrick, Gerret Croesen, Claesye Blinckerhof.
July 29, 1733, Abraham, Cornelis Croesen, Helena van Tuyl.
Mar. 9, 1735, Daniel, Cornelius Corssen, Jannetje van Boskerk.
Aug. 8, 1736, Cornelius, Cornelis Croesen, Helena van Tuyl.
July 14, 1713, Elisabeth, Jan Crosson.
Oct. 5, 1760, Marya, Charsels daecr, maccy maral.
Aug. 26, 1759, Andro, Sammual Danges, Jenny ryt.
Feb. 7, 1720, Samuel, Henry Day, Maria van Pelt.
June 7, 1724, Petrus, Henry Day, Maria van Pelt.
May 30, 1726, Maria, Heny Day, Moria van Pelt.
Aug. n, 1728, Simon, Henry Day, Maria van Pelt.
Feb. 15, 1730, William, John Day, Anne More.
Oct. 31, 1736, Johannes, John Day. Hanna More.
June 7, 1719, I/aurens, Gideon de Camp, Hendrikje Elles.
Aug. 30, 1724, Bastiaan, Gideon de Camp, Hendrikje Elles
Oct. 15, 1727, Gideon, Gideon de Camp, Henrikje Elles.
Aug. 2, 1719, David, Hendrik de Camp. Maria La mes.
May 21, 1721, Gideon, Hendrik de Camp, Maria La mes.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 375
Feb. 13, 1726, Christoffcl, Hendrik, de Camp, Maria La Mes.
Feb. 6, 1728, Charles, Charles Dekker, Lena Sweem.
Apr. 5, 1730, Matthys, Charles Dekker, Lena Sweem.
Oct. 29, 1732, Magdalena, Charles Dekker, Lena Sweem.
Mar. 16, 1735, Mattheus, Charles Dekker, Lena Sweem.
Jan. 8, 1738, Esther, Charles Dekker, Lena Sweem.
May 7, 1741, Eva, Charles Decker, Helena Sweam.
July 28, 1751, marya, Charlis Deckker, helena Sweem.
July 3, 1726, Maria, Johannes Dekker, Maria Sweem.
Apr. 21, 1728, Sarah, Johannes Dekker, Maria Sweem.
Apr. 19, 1743, Johannes, Johannes Decker, nence Merrel.
Apr. 26, 1748, Richard, John Decker, Anna Merrell.
Apr. 22, 1747 Elstye, mattheus decker, Elstye Merrill.
Sept. 7, 169-, Johannes, Mattheus De Decker.
Oct. 21, 1707, Abraham, Mattheus De Decker.
Apr. 17, 1711, Elisabeth, Matthtus De Decker.
, 1715, Mattheus, Mattheus De Decker.
July 27, 1755, Cattriena, Pieter Degroot, Claartye Post.
July 25, 1758, Geertruy, Pieter Degroot, Claartye Post.
Aug. 6, 1745, Vereltje, Baltes De'iart, Maria Phillipel.
Sept. 17, 1746, catalyna, b;iltus dehart, mary phillipse,
May 20, 1750, Samuel. Samul Dehart, Abigael Jones.
Sept. 21, 1718, Maria, Pieter Dekker, Susanna Hetfeel.
July 24, 1720, Johannes, Pieter Dekker, Susanna Hetfeel,
May 24, 1724, Susanna, Pieter Dekker, Susanna Hetfeel.
Oct. 23, 1726, Sara, Pieter Dekker, Susanna Hetfeel.
June 10, 1728, Mattheus, Pieter Dekker, Susanna Hetfeel.
Mar. 26, 1732, Eva, Pieter Dekker, Susanna Hetfeele.
Apr. li '73S. Abraham, Pieter Dekker, Susanna Hetfield.
May 7, 1741, Jacob, Peter Decker, Susane Helfeull.
Apr. 5, 1730, Eva, Seger Dekker, Elisabet du puy.
Apr. 8, 1733, Eva, Zeger Dekker, Susanna Jones.
May 24, 1730, Matthys, Johannes Dekker, Maria Sweem.
Mai. 25, 1739, Eva, Joh: Dekkers, Marytje Sweem.
Apr. 13, 1742, Johannes, barend de pu, .Elsje Peljoung.
Oct. 13, 1747, Elizabeth, barent depuy, Elsye poilyon.
Nov. 3, 1754, Johannis, Barent depue, Elsye Puelyon.
Oct. 21, 1707, Lambert, Jan Dorlandt.
Apr. 17, 1711, Joris, Jan Dorlandt.
Apr. 17, 1717, Isack, Jan dorlandt.
Apr. 3, 1720, Harmpje and Eva, twins, Jan Dorlant, Barbara Aukes.
Aug. 29, 1725, Abraham, Jan Dorlant, Barbara Aukes.
Oct. 26 1729, Anthony, Cornelis Dorlant, Saartje van Pelt.
Jan. 17, 1754, Maria, Thomas Doghety, Sara Van Naame.
Tune 3, 1739, Margrietje, Pierre Drageau, Elisabet Gewan.
Oct. 9, 1720, Cornelius, Michiel du Chene, Susanno vandr Hoven.
May 21, 1716, Valentyen, Machayel Due Seen.
May 20, 1750, Martha, Barent Dupue, Elsye Puilyon.
Apr. 6, 1734, Catharina, Nicolaas du puy. Neeltje Dekker.
Nov. 7, 1749, Benya.nen, Jacus Ecbers, Catharina Backer.
June 6, 1715, Abraham, Abraham Egbertsen.
Apr. 10, 1720, Johannes, Abraham Egbertsen, Francyntje Parain.
376 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Jan. 17, 1722, Elisabet, Abraham Egbertsen, Francyntje Parain.
Apr. 17, 1744, Elisabet, Abram Egbertse, Elisabet Gerresen.
July 28, 1751, Hester, Abraham Egbertse, Elizabet Gerretse.
July 13, 1713, Abraham, Egbert Egbertsen.
Apr. 10, 1720, Isaak, Egbert Egbertse, Francyntje de Chene.
May, 20, 1722, Johannes, Egbert Egbertszen, Francyntje du Chene.
Feb. 14, 1720, Maria, Jacodus Egbertsen, Catharina Dey.
Oct. 8, 1721, Teunis, Jacobus Egbertsen, Catharina Dey.
July, 14, 1723, Johannes, Jacobus Egbertzen, Catharina Deuy.
Mar. 24, 1724-5, Laurens, Jaqnes Egbertszen, Catharina Deuy.
Mar. 23, 1729, Nicolaas, Jaques Egbertszen, Catharina Bakker.
June, 7, 1731, Piecer, Jaques Egbertszen, Catharina Bakker.
Nov. 4, 1733, Susanna, Jaques Egbertsz, Catharina Bakker.
Apr. 18, 1736, Abraham, Jaques Egbertsen, Catharina Bakker.
Aug. 20, 1738, Elisabet, Jaques Egbertzen, Catharina Bakker.
Oct. n, 1743, Catrina, Jacus Egberts, trintje Backer.
Apr. 22, 1747, Antye, Jacus Egberts, Catrina backers.
Aug. 10, 1718, Teunis, Teunis Egbertsen, Jannetje Chesne.
Dec. 12, 1745, Johines, Teunes Egbertse, Peternel Depey.
Oct. 13, 1747, abrahem, tunes Egbertse, Peternella depuy.
Nov. 7, 1749, Barent, teunis Egbertsen, Pieternelle depu.
Apr. i, 1718, Altje, Cornelis Egmont.
Apr. 30, 1721, Femmetje, Cornelis Egmont, Elsje de Camp.
July, 21, 1723, Zeger, Cornelis Egmont, Elsje de Camp.
Jan. 2, 1726, Christoffel, Cornelius Egmont, Elsje de Camp.
May, 7, 1719, Johannes, Charles Ellens, Marytje de Camp.
Aug. 30, 1724, Catharina, Bastiaan Elles, Sara Neesjes.
Nov. 7, 1725, Cornelius, Bastiaan Elles, Sara Neesjes.
Oct. i, 1727. Hagtje, Bastiaan Elles, Sara Neesjes.
Jan. 31, 1730, Sara, Bastiaan Elles, Sara Neesjes.
Apr. 22, 1746, Maria, basteyaen Elles, Sara neefyes.
Aug. 26, 1759, Saara, Cornelius ellis, Leena vanderbilt.
Apr. 17, 1744, Antje, Wellim Elsewart, Babecca Stihvel.
Apr. 17, 1744, Mareitje, Wellim Elsewart.
Apr. 18, 1743, Elisabet, Mathies Enjard, Elisabet Gerreson.
July, 28, 1728, Esther, Andre Escord, Catline Richand.
Jon. 4, 1730, Maria, Andre Escord, Catline Richaud.
Oct. 18, 1715, Susan, tunes Exberson.
May, 4, 1714, Hieronimus, Stieven Feteto.
Feb. 8, 1769, Daniel, hanry fiaban, eghije vanwinkel.
May, n, 1729, Antje, Anthony Fountain, Belitje Byvank.
Nov. 20, 1754, Johannis, Antoni founten, Anaatye gerretson.
Nov. 3, 1754, Antoni, Antoni founten, Anaatye Gerretson.
Mar. , 1756, Maragrietye, Antoni founen, Anaatye Gerretson.
Dec. 23, 1759, Cornelus, Antony founten, Annaetye Gerritson.
Feb. 17, 1723, Usselton, Robert Frost, Sara Usselton.
Mar. 21, 1731. Christopher, Isaac Garritzen, Maria Christopher.
June 12, 1726, Metje, Jacob Gammaux, Dirkje van Tilfaurgh.
June 27, 1736, Daniel, Cornelis Gerritzen, Aaltje van Winkel.
Apr. 12, 1719, Charles, Charles Gerritsz.
Nov. 4, 1759, Neeltye, Christeyaan Gerrebrans Marya Post.
Nov. 4, 1759, Maragrietye, Johannis Gerritson, Marritye demot.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 377
May 5, 1696, Daniel, Lambert Gerritzen.
July 14, 1713, Lambert, Lambert Gerritzen.
Mar. i, 1719, Magdalena, Lambert Gerritysz Junior, Lysbet Swweem.
July 2, 1721, Nicolaas, Lambert Gerritz Junior, Lysbet Sweem.
Aug. 25, 1723, Abraham, Lambert Gerritzen Jun'r, Lysbet Sweem.
May 24, 1730, Elisabet, Lambert Gerretzen, Lysbet Sweem.
May 26, 1729, Elisabet, Frans Gerbrantsz, Neeltje Corssen.
Apr. 19, 1743, France, Frances Gerrebrats, Nieltje Cossen.
Sept. 17, 1746, Daniel, frans Gerrtbratse, neeltye corsen.
June 26, 1726, Nicolaas, Nicolaas Gerritson, Christina v. Woggelum.
Jan. 28, 1728, Susanna, Nicolaas Gerritsen, Christina V. Woggelum.
Sept. 14, 1729, Jan, Nicolaas Gerritzon, Christina van Woggelum.
Aug. 13, 1732, Lambert, Nicolaas gerritzen, Christina van Woggelum.
Aug. 12, 1738, Zeger, Nicolaas Gerritzen, Christina van Woggelum.
June 15, 1740, Blandina, Nicolaas Gerritzen, Christina v. Woggelum.
, 1742, Zeger, nicklaes Gerresen, Crestina Van Woglom.
Sept. 18, 1744, Abraham, Nicolaes Gerresen, Cristina Van Wogelom.
June 3, 1734, Marytje, John Gold, Antje Wynants.
Oct. 5, 1735, J an - J onn Gold, Antje Wynants.
Aug. 13, 1716, Johannes, Jacob Gramo.
Oct. 26, 1718, Catharina, Jacob Grameaux, Dirkje van Tilburgh.
Aug. 6, 1721, Anna Catharina, Jacob de Garemeaux, Dirkje van Til-
burgh.
Nov. 24, 1723, Matthys, Jacob de grammeaux, Derkje van Tilburgh.
May 26, 1728, Agneta, Jacob de Gramo, Dirkje van Tilburgh.
Dec. 25, 1731, Jacob, Jacob de Gramo, Dirkje van Tilburgh.
Apr. 15, 1734, Dirkje, Jacob ke Gramo, Dirkje van Tilburgh.
Oct. 18, 1719, Martinus, Thomas Greegs, Lena du Puy.
May 7, 1721, Preternelle. Thomas Greegs, Lena du Puy.
May 20, 1722, Anna, Thomas Greegs, Lena du Puy.
Apr. 19, 1724, John, Thomas Greegs, Lena du Puy.
Dec. 12, 1725, Maria, Thomas Greegs, Lena du Puy.
Sept. 15, 1723, Isaak, Abraham Gray, Ariaantje Aarisen.
Apr. u, 1731, Pieter, Jeah Grondin, Marguerite du Bois.
Oct. 10, 1731, Robbert, Johannes de Groot, Elisabet Sikkels.
Feb. i, 1736, Johannes, Johannes de Groot, Elisabet Sikkel.
July 30, 1750, Elizabeth, Pieter D Grood, Claertye Post.
Aug. 25, 1751, Gerret, Pieter D Grood, Claerty Post.
May i, 1753, Johannes, Pieter D Grood, Claertye Post.
Apr. 20, 1729, Susanna, Louis Guineau, Anna Cisenu.
Nov. 5, 1738, Esther, Elisce Gulledet, Magdelaine Gendron.
May 4, 1714, Derckie, Egbert Hagewout.
Mar. 8, 1772, Danniel, egbert haugwout, elener garebrantz.
Oct. 16, 1720, Aaltje, Jan Hagewout, Eiisabet Hooghlant.
Apr. i, 2718, pieter, pieter hagevvont.
Dec. 26, 1719, Nicolaas, Pieter Hagewout, Neeltje Bakkers.
Feb. 25, 1722, Dirkje, Pieter Hagewout, Neeltje Bakkers.
Oct. 16, 1726, Egbert, Pieter Hagewout, Neeltje Bakkers.
Dec. 22, 1728, Neeltje, Pieter Hagewout, Neeltje Bakkers.
Mar. 14, 1731, Jacobus, Pieter Hagewout, Neeltje Bakker.
Jan. 13, 1734, Geertruyd, Pieter Hagewout, Neeltje Bakker.
Oct. 3, 1736, Margreta, Pieter Hagewout, Neeltje Bakker.
378 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
July 28, 1751, neeltye, Pieter Hagewout, aeltye Bennet.
June 24, 1752, Pieter, Pieter Hagewout, aeltye bennet.
May i, 1753, Annaetye, Peter Hagewout, aeltye Bennet.
July 27, 175*5, Gryetye, Pieter Hagewout, Altye Bennet.
Mar. 12, 1758, Necclos, Pieter haagewout. Altye bennet.
Apr. 20, 1760, wynant, Peter Haagewout, Aaltye bennit,
Sept. 28, 1735, Isaak, Symon Hanszen of Symons, Helena Sweem.
Aug. 18, 1728, Jacob, Benyamin Haste, Jannesje Johannis.
Mar. 29, 1730, Johannes, Benyamin Haste, Jannesje Johannis.
Mar. 19, 1731-2, Benjamin, Benjamin Haste, Jannetje Johannis.
Aug. 6, 1721, Jacob, Jonannes Hasten, Marytje Johannesz.
Mar. 21, 1724-5, Johannes, Johannes Hasten, Marytje Johannetz.
Oct. 22, 1707, Daniel, Daniel de Hart.
Apr. 17, 1711, Saartie, Daniel de Hart.
- 1715, Matthys, Daniel de Hart.
Apr. 19, 1715, Elisabeth, Daniel de Hart.
Aug. 1717, Sameuel, Daniel de hart.
1700, Elisabeth, Ryck Hendrickzen.
1700, femmetye, Ryck Hendrickzen.
- 1700, Marytie, Ryck Hendrickzen.
May 22, 1718, Symon, Ryk Hendriksz, Ledy Henriks.
May 22, 1718, Jan, Ryk Hendriksz, Ledy Henriks.
Feb. 26, 1727, Catharina, Johan Henrick Packer, Anna Maria Juger.
Jan. 7, 1722, Sara, Jaques Hervan, Charite Bries.
May 17, 1724, Cornelis, Jaques Hervan, Geertje Bries.
Sept. 3, 1721, Jenneke, Dirk Hogelant, Maria Slot.
Apr. 26, 1748, Cornelia, Christophel Hoogelandt, Jannetye Veghten.
May 5, 1696, Marytie, Jores Hoogelandt.
Apr. 6, 1735, Rachel, Clement Hooper, Mary Stihvell.
May 26, 1723, Joseph, obadias Holmes, Susanna du Puy.
May 30, 1725, Susanna, obadias Holmes, Susanna du Puy.
June 1 8, 1727, Johannes, Obadias Holmes, Susanna du Puy.
Oct. n, 1743, Elisabet, Johannes huisman, Weintje Seimesen.
Oct. 6, 1765, baarent, Johannes Huisman, Antye Merling.
Oct. 31, 1756, Mary Miglen, Matteus bus, Attrena hus.
Nov. 23, 1718, Anna, Johannes Huysman, Christina Hoppe.
Jan. 15, 1721, Rachel, Johannes Huysman, Christina Hoppe.
Sept. 4, 1726, Anna, Johannes Huysman, Wyntje Symons.
May 26, 1728, Pieter, Johannes Huysman, Wyntje Symons.
Feb. 15, 1730, Aarz, Johannes Huysman, Wyntje Simons.
Jan. i, 1732, Margareta, Johannes Huysman, Wyntje Symons.
Jan. 13, 1734, Johannes, Johannes Huysman, Wyntje Symons.
Feb. 29, 1736, Dirk, Johannes Huysman, Wyntje Symons.
Dec. 9, 1739, Abraham, Johannes Huysman, Wyntje Symons.
July 19, 1748, Jemynna, Johannes Huysman, Wyntye Symensse.
Jan. i, 1738, Maria, Johannes Huysman, Wyntje Simons.
Apr. 22, 1746, Catherina, Johannes huysman, wyntye Symonson.
Jan. 7, 1730, Matthys, Matthys Jniaart, Elisabet Gerritzen.
Apr. 22, 1746, nicklaes, matthys inyard, Elizabeth Gerretse.
June 12, 1725, Rachel, Gerrit Jacobusz, Ann van nes.
Mar. 25, 1701, Jacobus, Jacob Jansen.
Apr. 22, 1707, Johanna, Jacob Jansen.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 379
- 1707, Wyntie, Jacob Jansen.
Apr. 19, 1709, Jacobus, Jacob Jans.
June 12, 1716, Beletje, Tyes Jansen.
May 22, 1718, Maria, Thys Jansz.
July 17, 1726, Elisabet, Jan Janssen, Jannetje Glascow.
Apr. 19, 1719, Johannes, Johannes Jansz, Johanna Stol.
June 19, 1720, Matthys, Mathys Jansz, Elisabet Ward.
Jan, 17, 1722, Rachel, Matthys Jansz, Elisabet Ward.
July 14, 1713, Marytie, Hendrick Jansen.
May 29, 1719, Matthys, Hendrik Janszen, Abigail Britton.
July 16, 1727, Henrik, Hendrik Janszen, Francyntje Parein.
Apr. 22, 1728, Belitje, Hendrik Janszen, Francyntje Parein.
Aug. 31, 1729, Esther, Hendrik Janszen obit, Francyntje Parein.
Apr. 6, 1724, Sara, Cornelis Janszen, Sara Manbrut.
Feb. 20, 1726, Maria, Cornelis Janszen, Sara Manbrut.
Dec. 25, 1728, Rachel, Cornelis Janszen, Sara Mambrut.
Nov. 10, 1728, Elsje, Jan Janszen, Mayke Verkerk.
May 5, 1696, Winnefrit, Lambert Janzen.
Sept. 7, 1698, Aefye, Lambert Janzen.
Aug. 29, 1731, Wynant, Matthys Janszen, Geertje Wynants.
May 30, 1726, Thomas, Thomas Janszen, Antje van Pelt.
Dec. 16, 1733. Femmetje, Williem Janszen, Lena van Gelder.
Jan. 13, 1737, Henricus, Willem Janszen, Lena van Gelder.
Mar. 18, 1739, Wynant, Willem Janszen, Lena van Gelder.
1710, Johannes, Michiel De Jeen.
Apr. 17, 1744, Aentje. Jan Jennens, Aeltje Marteling.
July 19, 1748, Enne, Joseph Jeuvson, Wenne Johnson.
June 5, 1720, Sara, John Jennes, Antje Wouters.
Sept. 17, 1748, Willem, John Jenner, Aeltye martlinghs.
Sept. i, 1734, Elsje, John Jennes, - - Johnson.
Oct. i, 1752, Elsye, Joh Jenners, aeltye meerlings.
Oct. 1 1, 1748, Maria, Lambert Jenners, Anna Martelinghs.
Apr. 22, 1746, John or Jan, John Jennens, aeltje martlings.
May 6, 1745, Sara, Lummert Jinnens, annatje Marteling.
June 24, 1752, Antye, Willem Jinnes, Jannetye Gerretse.
June 22, 1735, Esther, Eneas Johnson, Sara Morgan.
Feb. 29, 1736, Thomas, Johannes Johnson, Jannetje Glascow.
Nov. 7, 1753, Pieter, John Johnson, Cornelia Ceilo.
June i, 1729, Albert, Johannes Johnson, Jannetje Glascow.
Nov. 19, 1738, Henricus, Nathanael Johnson, Sophia van Gelder.
June 17, 1746, Wynant, nathaniel Johnson, Mary Cole.
July n, 1731, Francyntje, Niers Johnson, Sara Morgan.
Dec. 23, 1739, Sara, Niers Johnson, Sara Morgan.
Oct. 2, 1755, Johnneton, Pieter Johnson, malli lister.
June 30, 1738, Casparus, Thomas Johnson, Anna Bouwman.
July 20, 1718, Eduard, Eduard Jones, Catharina Dekkers.
Nov. 8, 1719, Mattheus, Eduard Jones, Catharina Dekkers.
Apr. 22, 1722, Abigail, Eduard Jones, Catharina Dekkers.
Aug. 14, 1726, Eduard, Eduard Jones, Catharina Dekkers.
June 7, 1730, Maria, John Jones, Rachel van Engelen.
Apr. 10, 1732, Elisabet, John Jones, Rachel van Engelen.
Mar. 9, 1735, Johannes, John Jones, Rachel van Engelen.
380 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Sept. 18, 1737, Rachel, John Jones, Rachel van Engelen.
Mar. 30, 1740, Lucretia, John Jones, Rachel van Engelen.
May 6, 1745 - Jan Jones, Ragel Van Engelen.
Apr. 22, 1747, Isaac, John Jones, rachel van engelen.
June 7, 1743, Catrina, Mateus Jones, Margrietje Gowen.
May i, 1753, Jannetye, Abraham Joons, Jannetye peestnet.
Dec. 17, 1732, Gillis, Matthys Jniaarx, Elisabet Gerritzen.
May 4, 1735, Susanna, Matthys Jniaars, Elisabet Gerritzen.
Apr. 23, 1739, Catharina, Matthys Jniaars, Elisabet Gerritzen.
July, 30, 1750, Eefye, Joseph Juessen, Wynty Clindinne.
Jan. 15, 1721, Johanna, Jan Jurks, Agneetje Staats.
May 23, 1723, Pieter, Jan Jurks, Agnietje Staats.
Oct. 10, 1725, Rachel, Jan Jurks, Agnietje Staats.
Apr. 28, 1728, Catharina, Jan Jurks, Agnietje Staats.
May 20, 1746, Joseph Juwsen, Joseph Juwsen, Venne Johnson.
July 24, 1752, Sara, David kanon, Aeltye Prael.
May i, 1753, marytye, David kanon, aeltye Prael.
May 7, 1741, Abraham, Jan Kanon, Maria Egberts.
June 24, 1752, Jenneke, Joris katmus, Jannetye vreland.
Mar. 27, 1720, Samuel, Samuel Kierstede, Lydia Deuy.
Apr. 14, 1723, Johannes, Samuel Kierstede, Lydia Deuy.
Feb. 14, 1725, Lydia, Samuel Kierstede, Lydia Deuy.
Aug. 7, 1754, Liesabet, Jacob Korson, Cornelia Kroeson.
Mar. 3, 1734, Samuel, Samuel Kouwenhoven, Sara Drinkwater.
Oct. 23, 1711, Cornelis, Gerrit Kroese.
Dec. 1698, maritje, Heuderyck Kroesen.
May 20, 1703, gerret, Henderyck Kroesen.
Oct. 1708, Cornelis, Henderyck Kroesn.
Apr. 22, 1713, neelje, Henderyck Kroesen.
Aug. 26, 1759, Cornelius, Cornelius kroeson, Beelitye Degroot.
Dec. 1 8, 1755, Geertruy, Gerret Kroesen, Klaasye Blencrof.
Oct. 18, 1715, dirrick, Gerrit Kroesen.
Apr. i, 1718, son, gerret Kroesen.
Oct. 19, 1708, Gornelis, Hendrick Kroesen.
, 1715, Neeltie, Hendrick Kroesen.
Oct. 30, 1716, Cornelya, Hendrick kroesen.
May 5, 1696, Niekasa, Derek Kroessen.
Oct. 22, 1701, Derek, Derek Kroessen.
July 30, 1707, Hendrick, Derek Kroessen.
Sept. 17, 1758, Geertruy, Abraham Kroeson, Antye Symonson.
Jan. 14, 1760, Johannis, Abraham kroeson, Antye Symonson,
Oct. n, 1748, Claeseye, Gerret kroose, Claesye Blinckerof.
Feb. 26, 1758, Isak, Nattenal Laacerman, marya marel.
Nov, 3, 1754, Susanna, Nettenel Laakerman, Mareytye Merrel.
Oct. 31, 1756, Nettenel, Nettenel Laakerman, Mareytye Merel.
June 10, 1747, Jacob, Jan laarens, Caatye backer.
May 3, 1749, Jan, John Laarens, Catherina Backer.
July 28, 1751, Antye, John Laarns, kaetye Backer.
Nov. 26, 1752, Catharina, John laarns, Catharina Backer.
Oct. 19, 1718, Thomas, Thomas Lake, Jannetje Stryker.
Mar. 26, 1731, Abraham. Joseph Lake, Aaltje Barbank.
May 23, 1731, Louis, Isak Lakerman, Catharina Christopher.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 381
Feb. so, 1760, richard, John Larns, Caatye backer.
Mar. 3, 1728, Daniel, Pierre La Tourette, Mariamne Mersereaux.
Oct. n, 1730, David and Jaques, twins, Pierre La Tourette, Mariamne
Mersereaux.
Mar. 24, 1734, Marie Susanne, Pierre La Tourette, Mariamne Mersereaux
Apr. 26, 1736, Elisabet, Pierre La Tourette, Mariamne Mersereaux.
Mar. 19, 1732, Jaques, David La Tourette, Catherine Poillon.
Sept. i, 1734, Marie, David la Tourette, Catherine Poillon.
Apr. 24, 1726, David, Jean La Tourette, Marie Mersereaux.
Sept. 8, 1728, Marie, Jean La Tourette, Marie mersereaux.
Jan. 24, 1731, Henricus, Jean La Tourette, Mane Mersereaux.
May n, 1735, Maria, Joseph Leak, Aaltje Barbank.
Apr. 13, 1735, Jacob, Richard Lean, Sara Johnson.
Oct. 10, 1736, John, Richard Lean, Sara Johnson.
Apr. 20, 1708, Joseph, Abraham Leeck.
July 25, 1710, Margariet, Abraham Leeck.
- i7 : 5, Abraham, Abraham Leeck.
Mar. 25, 1701, Jan, Jeems Lesck.
July 27, 1755, Necclos, John Lerns, kaatye backer.
Sept. n, 1757, Mareia, John Lerns, kaatye backer.
Jan. 21, 1728; Jacob, John Lisk, Rachel Hagewout.
Aug. 24, 1729, Sara, Thomas Lisk, Catlyntje van Pelt.
Mar. 26, 1731, Margriet, Thomas Lisk, Catlyntje van Pelt.
Nov. 4, 1736, Sara, Thomas Lisk, Catlyntje van Pelt.
May 6, 1745, Martha, tomas lisk, Catlintje van Pelt.
Sept. 17, 1746, antye, thomas leisk, catlyna Van Pelt.
Dec 5, 1731, Neeltje, John Lion, Maria Haurnens Bouwman.
- 1715, Elisabeth, Engelbart Lot.
June 18, 1717, Pieter, Engelbart Lot.
Aug. 6, 1745, Wellem, John Lawrance, Derkje Van pelt.
May 21, 1744, Elisabet, Carel Mackleen, Maria Corsen.
Jan, i, 1721, Maria, William Mackelien, Elisabet Merl.
Oct. 13, 1747, Jannetye, Charles McClean, Maria corsen.
Nov. 7, 1753, Maria, Charles McLean, Maria Corsen,
Sept. 19, 1749, VVillem, Cherles makleen, Marytye Corsen.
Apr. 20, 1708, Margriet, Jan Maklies.
May 26, 1723, Abraham, Abraham Manez. Anna Jansen.
Apr. 20, 1729, Petrus, Abraham Manez, Sara du Chine.
Oct. 25, 1730, Antje, Abraham Manez, Sara du Chene.
Jan. 4, 1732, Maria, Abraham Manez, Sara du Chesne.
Apr. 4, 1736, Catherine, Abraham Manez, Sara du Chesne.
Mar. 26, 1738, Rachel, Abraham Manez, Sara du Chesne.
Mar. 30, 1740, Sara, Abraham Manez, Sara du Chesne.
Aug. 8, 1725, Maria, Pieter Manez, Mary Brooks.
Jan. i, 1758, John, John marel, Anna marel.
Aug. 13, 1716, Isack, Pieter Marlyngh.
Aug. 6, 1745, Maria, Barent Marteling, Susana Gerresen.
Oct. 13, 1747, Jannety, b.irent martlinghs, Susanna gerretse.
Apr. 15, 1722, Anna, Isaak Martling, Anna van Namen.
Jan. 10, 1724-5, Aaltje, Isah Martling, anna van namen.
Feb. 21, 1731, Johannes, Isaak Martling, Anna van Namen.
June i, 1718, Petrus, Pieter Martlings, Antje Vielen.
382 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
June 26, 1720, Barent, Pieter Martlings, Antje Yilen.
Aug. 19, 1722, Debora, Pieter Martlings, Antje Vilen.
Nov. 18, 1733, Catharina, Pieter Martlings, Marytje Andries.
Oct. u, 1743, Johannes, peter marteling, annatje hegeman.
Apr. 26, 1748, Johannes, Piter martlings, Jannetye Heereman.
Apr. 22, 1746, rachel, Josua masciro, maria Corsen.
Jan. i, 1760, marya, John Marssero, Marya Praal.
Mar. 4, 1759, John, Denel marsero, Cornelia vanderbih.
Oct. 31, 1750, Mareya, Jacob marsero, fitye rol.
July 27, 1755, Cattriena, Cherls mechleen, maria Corson.
Oct. 31, 1756, Annaetye, tammas Merel, eva yoons.
Aug. 26, 1759, tammes, tammas Merel, eva yoons.
Jan. i, 1721, Lambert, Richard Merl, Elsje Dorlant.
Sept. 13, 1724, Susanna, Richard Merl, Elsje Dorlant,
Sept. 22, 1709, Richard, Richart Merrel.
- 1715, Richard, Richart Merrel.
Apr. i, 1708, elsje, Richart Merrel.
Sept. 14, 1741, Jan, Jan Merrel, Aeltie Bennit.
May 6, 1745, Sara, Jan Merrel, Aeltje Bennet.
May 6, 1745, Seimon, Jan Merrel, Aeltje Bennet.
Oct. 2, 1755, Sara, John merrel, Anna merrel.
Apr. 19, 1743, Annatje, Richard Merrell, Jannetje Gowns.
Nov. 7, 1753, Wintie, Jan Merrell, Anna Merrell.
May 3, 1749, Gertruyt, John Merrell, Anna merrell.
July 4, 1725, Catharina and Susanna, twins, Philip Merril, Elisabet
Bakker.
Feb. 24, 1727, Phillip, Phillip Merril, Elisabet Bakker.
Sept. 9, 1726, Geertruyd, John Merril, Geertruyd Symonsz.
Oct. 31, 1736, Annatie, Richard Merril, Thomas Zoon, Jenne Gewan.
Nov. 24, 1728, Nicolaas, Philip Merril, Elisabet Bakker.
Jan. 17, 1731, Mary, Phillip Merril, Elisabet Bakker.
Apr. 8, 1733, Elisabet, Philip Merril, Elisabet Bakker.
Mar. 9, 1735, Neeltje, Philip Merril, Elisabet Bakker.
Mar. 8, 1772, anney, honnis merril, cherrety merril.
Jan. i, 1738, Margareta, Richard Merril, Thomas Zoon, Jenne Gewan.
Apr. 22, 1747, richard, Johannes Merrill, aeltye Dennet.
Apr. 22, 1747, Joida, John merrill, antye merrill.
Dec. 12, 1745, Elsse, Lodewik Metchel, Ragel Sayler.
Nov. 2, 1718, Elisabet, Charles Messiel, Marytje.
Aug. 30, 1719, Aaje and Abraham, twins, Johannes Metselaar, Cath-
ryna neesjes.
Oct. 15, 1721, Harmpje, Johannes Metzelaar, Cathryna Neesjes.
July 21, 1723, Cornelis, Johannes Metzelaar, Cathryna Neesjes.
Dec. 26, 1725, Cornnelis and Sara, twins, Johannes Metzelaar, Cath-
ryna neesjes.
Feb. n, 1728, Joha.nnes, Johannes Metzelaar, Tryntje Neesjes.
Apr. 19, 1715, Jacobus, Abraham Metzelaer.
July 8, 1722, Harmpje, Pieter Metzelaar, Maria Neesjes.
June 7, 1724, Cornelius, Peter Metzelaar, Maria Neesjes.
June 26, 1726, Aaghtje, Pieter Metzelaar, Maria Neesjes.
May 20, 1750, abraham, Pieter meerlings Jun. anne Heereman.
Sept. 17, 1752, Benyaman, Pieter meerlings Junier, Annaetye Heereman.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 383
June 24, 1752, Antye, Barent meerlings, Susanna Gerretse.
- Daniel, Estienne Mersereaux, Anne Michel.
Jan. i, 1735, Marie, Estienne Mersereaux, Anne Mitchel.
May 25, 1740, Richard, Estienne Mersereaux, Anne Mitchel.
Oct. 13, 1728, Josua, Josue Mersereaux, Maria Corsen.
May 24, 1730, Jacob, Josue de mersereaux, Maria Corssen.
Mar. 26, 1732, Johannes, Josue Mersereaux, Maria Corssen.
Jan. 20, 1734, Elisabet, Josue Mersereaux, Maria Corssen.
Oct. 9, 1768, Allada, John Mercereau, Mary Prall.
Feb. 28, 1731, Josua, Jean Mersersaux, Elisabet Creage.
July 18, 1731, Daniel, Jean Mersereaux, Elisabet Mersereaux.
Apr. 22, 1707, Hendriekie, Evert Mesker.
, 1707, Neeltie, Evert Mebker.
, 1715, Mattheus, Evert Mesker.
, 1707, Neeltie, Harmen Mesker.
July 23, 1707, Johannes, Harmen Mesker.
Oct. 19, 1714, Abraham, Harmen Mesker.
Nov. 7, 1749, Barent, Barent menlings Juner, Susanna Gerretse.
Jan. i, 1739, Francyntje, Thomas Milbourn, Anna Preyer.
Apr. 22, 1747, harmentye, leuues mitchel, rachel tyler.
Nov. 7, 1749, Joannis, Lewis Mitchel, Rachel Teeler.
Apr. 1 8, 1743, Elisabet, Josua Mossero, Maria Corsen.
July 4, 1731, Elisabet, Laurens More, Sara Marobrut.
July 7, 1734, Johannes, Laurens More, Sara mambrut.
Aug. 20, 1738, Rachel, Laurens More, Sara Mambrut.
Oct. 23, 1703, Margrietye, Jarels Morgen.
Apr. 20, 1708, Sarah, Jarels Morgen.
May 9, 1725, Maria, Charles Morgan, Sara Lorson.
Dec. n, 1726, Thomas, Charles Morgan Jun'r, Sara Rutan.
June 28, 1730, Abrahm, Charles Morgan, Sara Rutan.
July 30, 1732, Charles, Charles Morgan, Sara Rutan.
Apr. 7, 1735, Thomas, Charles Morga.i, Sara Rutan.
May 5, 1696, Abraham, Thomas Morgen.
Sept. 7, 1698, Martha, Thomas Morgen.
Feb. 7, 1725, Elisabet, Thomas Morgan, Magdalena Staats.
Feb. 12, 1727, Magdalena, Thomas Morgan, Magdalena Staats.
Mar. 9, 1729, Pieter, Thomas Morgan, Magdalena Staats.
Oct. 10, 1731, Thomas, Thomas Morgan, Magdalena Staats.
July 18, 1736, Annatje, Thomas Morgan, Magdalena Staats.
Sept. 1 6, 1739, Sara, Thomas Morgan, Magdalena Staats.
Apr. 22, 1746, Pieter, Pieter nartlings, anna heeveman.
1700, Metye, Cornells Neesies.
- 1707, Cornells, Cornelis Neesies.
Dec. 13, 1724, Pieter, Johannes Neesjes, Antje gerritsz.
June 19, 1717, Eeohtje, Jornis nestjes.
Sept. 13, 1719, Johannes, Joris Netsjes, WUk-mpje Borkelo.
Oct. 15, 1721, Margarietje, Joris Neesjes, Willempje Borkelo.
Jan. 12, 1724, Pieter, Joris Neesjes, Willempje Borkelo.
Jan. 30, 1426, Aaghje, Joris Neesjes, Willempje Borkelo.
Sept. 14, 1718, Dirkje, Johannes Neul, Geertje Hagewout.
Mar. 6, 1720, Henrik, Johannes Neul, Geertje Hagewout.
Dec. 24, 1721, Margareta, Johannes Neul, Geertje Hagewout.
384 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Apr. 17, 1711, Cornelis, Joris Nevins.
- 1715, Margrietie, Joris Nevins.
- 1715, Jan, Joris Nevins.
Oct. 23, 1711, Cornells, Johannes Nevins.
July 14, 1713, Gerrit, Johannes Nevins.
Sept. 16, 1739, Carel, Carel nyts, Rebecca Winter.
Sept. 8, 1717, Annetje, Cornelis Oenaert
Apr. 19, 1709, Margarietie, Donckin Oliver.
July 27, 1718, Catharina, Samuel Olivier, Catharina du Puy.
Aug. 12, 1722, Petronella, Samuel Oliver, Catharina du Puy.
Jan. 1 6, 1734, Eduard, Jean Parlie, Abigail Jones.
Jan. 20, 1740, Petrus, Pierre Parlier, Martha du Bois.
June 13, 1736, Pieter, Jean Parliez, Abigail Jones.
Apr. 26, 1748, Adriaen, Johannes Pelt, Anna Huysman.
June 13, 1731, Jannetje, George Personet, Jannetje Mangels.
Aug. 17, 1735, Johannes, George Personet, Jannetje mangels.
May 31, 1730, Elisabet, Charles Petit, Anna Perliez.
June 7, 1730, Willem Jorisze, Arent Praal, Marytje Bouwman.
Oct. 7, 1733, Henricus, Arent Praal, Marytje Bouwman.
May ii, 1735, Henderske, arent Praal, Marytje Bouwman.
June 6, 1715, Elisabeth, Aron Praal Junior.
Apr. 17, 1717, Aaron, Aron Paraal.
Feb. 14, 1720, Anna, Arent Praal Junior, Antje Staats.
Sept. 20, 1724, Pieter, Arent Praal Junior, Antje Staats.
July 28, 1751, Lowies, Isaak Prael, marya de baa.
Nov. 2, 1754, Abraham, beniemen Praal, Sara Sweem.
Aug. 26, 1766, Johannis, beniemen Praal, Sara Sweem.
Apr. 13, 1742, Catharina, Isaac Praal, Maria du bois.
July 19, 1748, Maragritye, ysaac Praal, Maria Dubaa.
Oct. n, 1719, Aaltje, Johannes Praal.
- 1698, Arent, Pieter Praal.
- 1705, Abiaham, Pieter Praal.
Oct. 21, 1707, Antie, Pieter Praal.
July 25, 1710, Isaac, Pieter Praal.
May 21, 1744, Petrus, Isaak Pral, Maria Du bois.
Sept. 16, 1746, Altye, ysack prael, maria de baa.
Sept. 8, 1717, pieter, Valeteyn Presser.
Feb. 17, 1722-3, Andries, Jacob Preyer, Lea Beekman.
July 31, 1726, Johanna, Jacob Preyer, Lea Beekman.
Feb. 14, 1732, Pieter, Jacob Preyer, Lea Beekman.
May 20, 1722, Anna, Johannes Preyer, Maria Ral.
Dec. 12, 1725, Andries, Johannes Preyer, Maria Rail.
Oct. 20, 1728, Jannetje, Johannes Preyer, Maria Rail.
Mar. 18, 1733, Catharina, Johannes Preyer, Marytje Roll.
June 10, 1747, Jan, andries Pryor, helena Dorlandt.
- 1698, Jan, Thomas Possel.
Aug. 7, 1754, Gerrit, Gerrit Post, Sara ellis.
Mar. 12, 1758, Abraham, Gerrit Post, Sara ellis.
Apr. 19, 1743, Abraham, Johannes post, Antje huisman.
July 28, 1751, Leya, Johannes Post, Antye Huysman.
Oct. 22, 1707, Elisabeth, Johan Pue.
July 27, 1714, Moses, Johan Pue.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 385
Dec. 9, 1739, Elsje, Barent du Puy, Elsje Poillon.
Oct. 9,-i726, Mattheus, Nicolaas du Puy, Neeltje Dekkers.
June 27, 1726, Johannes, Nicolaas du Puy, Neeltje Dekkers.
Jan. 4, 1730, Nicolaas, Nicolaas du Puy, Neeltje Dekkers.
Oct. 29, 1732, Moses, Nicolaas du Puy, Neeltje Dekker.
Aug. 26, 1739, Aaron, Nicolas du Puy, Neeltje Dekkers.
May 26, 1740, Fytje, Jan Ral Junior, Fytje van Boskerk.
May 20, 1746, Abraham, Joseph ralph, neeltye Croese.
Apr. 26, 1748, Benyamen, Joseph Ralph, Neeltye Kroose.
Nov. 7, 1749, Elizabeth, Joseph Ralph, Neltye kroesen.
Oct. 1 8, 1715, Elesabet, Reick Reyken.
May 6, 1745, Susanna, Jacob Resoe. Susanna Merrel.
July 24, 1752, Geertruy, Jacob reso, Susanna merrel.
Nov. 2, 1754, Catriena, Jacob resoo, Susanna merel.
July 17,1720, Lea, Joh: Richaud, Amy Carber.
Oct. 20, 1728, Elsje. Johannes Richand, Amy Corbet.
Sept. 17, 1748, margret, William Richardson, Anne fisher.
Apr. 23, 1707, Jacob, Johannes Richau.
Oct. 22, 1707, Daniel, Paul Richau.
Dec. 25, 1725, Rachel, Johannes Richaud, Amy Carbet.
Apr. 20, 1708, Isaack, Johannes Richgan.
Apr. 17, 1711, Mary, Sohannes Richgan.
- 1715, Antie, Johannes Richgan.
June 1 8, 1745, Ragel, Abraham Rigga, annatje Van Woglom.
May 23, 1749, Philip, Charlens Rollens, Susanna merrell.
Sept. 1 8, 1744, Cornelia, Joseph Rolph, Nieltje Croesen.
Apr. 19, 1743, Weintje, Jacob Rooso, Susanna Merrel.
Feb. 25, 1739, Petrus. Jacob Roseau, Susanne merril.
Sept. 14, 1718, Nicolaas, gerret Rosen, Judith Toers.
Aug. 13, 1717, Jacob, Pieter Rycke.
Mar. 25, 1701, Johanes, Pieter Rycken.
Apr. 20, 1703, Hendricus, Peter Rycken.
Apr. 23, 1706, Pieter, Pieter Rycken.
Apr. 17, 1711, Abraham, Pieter Rycken.
July 14, 1714, Isaac, Pieter Rycken.
Feb. 16, 1755, Luwes, Adriaan Ryerse, Hester Debaa.
Aug. 17, 1718, Fernmetje, Abraham Ryke, Anneken Oliver.
Jan. 25, 1720-1, Abraham, Abraham Ryke, Anneke Oliver.
Nov. 23, 1715, Abraham, Johannes Ryke.
Oct. 19, 1718, Femmetie, Ryk Ryken.
Oct. 23, 1711, Lena, Ryk Ryken.
May 4, 1714, Sofia, Ryk Ryken.
Mar. 15, 1719, Henricus, Ryk Ryken, Willempje Clement.
Dec. 18, 1726, Rebecca, Albert Rykman, Catharina Christopher.
Oct. 26, 1729, Albert, Albert Rykman, (obit), Cathrina Christopher.
May 20, 1722, Maria, Jacob Ryt, Anna Ral.
Sept. 25, 1757, Hanna, richard Sandars, ragel.
Oct. 5, 1760, Sara, richard Sandars, ragel.
Dec. 22, 1728. Jacoba, Corn: v. Santvoord, Anna Staats.
Oct - 7. 1733. Zeger, Corn: v. Santvoord, Anna Staats.
Mar. 6, 1720, Maria Catharina, Corn: v. Santvoord, Anna Staats.
July 23, 1721, Anna, Corn: v. Santvoord, Anna Staats.
386 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Mar. 8, 1723. Cornelius, Corn: v. Santvoord, Anna Staats.
Mar. 21, 1725, Staats, Corn: v. Santvoord, Anna Staats.
July 27, 1755, Susanna, John Schinnis, Aaltye Maerling.
Apr. 17, 1720, Adriaan, Ary Schouten, Maria van Pelt.
June 3, 1722, Anna, Israel du Secoy, Geertruyd van Deventer.
Apr. 20. 1703, Gabriel, Marcus Du Secoy.
Sept. 22, 1723, Johannes, Job du Secoy, Sarah Denis.
Dec. 12, 1725, Jonas, Jean Seguin, Elizabet Hooper.
Mar. 3, 1728, Sara, Jaques Seguin, Lady mambrut. s
Mar. 19, 1732, Jean, Jaques Seguin, Lady Mambru.
Mar. 19, 1732, Jaques, Jean Seguin, Elizabet Hooper. -
June 12, 1716, tabeta, Sande Semson.
May i, 1753, Antye, Chrisstoffel Seymonse, Catharina van Schuere.
Nov. 26, 1752, Sara, Daniel Seymonse, mareytye Decker.
Sept. 16, 1746, maria, Seymon Seymonse. Sara Von pelt.
Oct. 13, 1728, Jacob, Fredrik Sharman, Margreta Winter.
July 19, 1730, Thomas, Fredrik Sharman, Margreta winter.
July 27, 1755, Saartye, Daneel Silof, Henne klerrc.
Aug. 26, 1759, Dane!, Danel Silof, Henne klac.
Aug. 7, 1754, Clandiena, Pieter Sielof, Marya vanpelt.
May 6, 1745, Catrina, Cristofel Simesen, Catrina Van Seuren.
Apr. 19, 1743, Cristofel, Cristofel Simeson, Catrina Van Schuerse.
June 7, 1743, Blandena, Hans Simonsen, antje Van pelt.
Apr. 13, 1742, Van Pelt, Simon Simonsse, Sara van Pelt.
May 3., 1749, Jeremyah, Simon Simonsen, Helena Sweem.
June 8, 1735, Thomas, Thomas Simon, Maria Johnson.
Apr. 20, 1708, Simon, Aert Simonszen.
, 1710, Hans, Aert Simonszen.
Oct. 23, 1711, Aert, Aert Simonszen.
July 14, 1713, Aert, Aert Simonszen.
May ii, 1729, Aaltje, Jan Philip Simsenbach, Ule Catharina Pikk-
erling.
May 2, 1754, Lammert, Wellem Sinnis, yannetye gerretse.
Mar. 26, 1732, Pieter, Matthew Skane, Jannetje Tites.
Dec. 4, 1768, Peggy, Abraham Skirmen, Alizabeth.
Oct. 22, i 707, Johan, Barent Slecht.
Apr. 19, 1709, Cornells, Barent Slecht.
Mar. 27, 1720, Maria, Henrik Slecht, Catharina Wynants.
Jan. 7, 1722, Hilletje, Henrik Slecht, Catharina Wynants.
Dec. 13, 1724, Barent, Henrik Slecht, Catharina Wynants.
Mar. 20, 1726, Jacob, Henrik Slecht, Catharina Wynants.
Mar. 17, 1728, Jan, Henrik Slecht, Catharina Wynants.
Apr. 17, 1720, Cornelia and Catharina, twins, Johannes Slecht, Cathar-
ina Berger.
Feb. 29, 1736, Elisabet, Johannes Slecht, Elisabet van Engelen.
Dec. 9, 1739, Catharina, Johan Adam Schtnit, Maria Margareta Staat.
July 23, 1707, Annetie, Johannes Smack.
July 26, 1711, Marytie, Johannes Smack.
- 1707, Jan, Thomas Sotten.
Feb. 25, 1721-2, Syrje, Baay Spier, Catalyntje Hasten.
July 27, 1755, Edword, Willim Spree, Cattriena Maerling.
Feb. 26, 1758, Caty, Willim Spree, Cattriena maarling.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 387
Mar. 25, 1760. - - Willim Spree, Cattrena maarling.
Oct. 21, 1707, Isaak, Abraham Staats.
May 5, 1696, Cornelia, Johan Staats.
June 20, 1700, Annetye, Johan Staats.
Oct. 22, 1707, Rebecka, Johan Staats.
Apr. 20, 1708, Edmond. Pieter Staats.
May 4, 1714, Pieter, Pieter Siaats.
June 7, 1731, Francyntje, Daniel Stillwell, Marie Poillon.
Apr. 4, 1736, Daniel, Daniel Stillwell, Maria Poillon.
Mar. 26, 1738, Jaques, Daniel Stillwell, Marie Poillon.
July 31, 1737, Catharina, Daniel Stilwell, Catharine Lazilier.
Nov. 25, 1739, Richard, Daniel Stilwell, Catherine Lazelier.
Jan. 30, 1726, Thomas, Elias Stilwell, Anna Barbank.
Mar. 24, 1728, Daniel, Elias Stilwell. Anna Barbank.
Nov. 15, 1719, Johannes, Jan Stilwell, Elisabet Pardin.
June 24, 1752, Eleyas, Jan Stilwil, helena van namen.
May 23, 1749, Richard, Joachim Stillewel, Anna Jenners.
July 28, 1751, Jan, Joackim Stilwils, antye Jinnes.
Sept. 21, 1735, Nicolas, Richard Stilwell, Jenneke van namen.
Dec. 22, 1723, Thomas, Thomas Stilwell, Sara van Namen.
June 10, 1747, Elias, Thomas Stillwell, debora martlings.
Sept. 17, 1752, Annaetye, thomas Stillewil, Debera meerlings.
Feb. 16, 1755, Antoni, tammes Stillwel, nensy founten.
Sept. 6, 1719, Willem and Daniel, twins, Willem Stilwell, obiit, Sara
Pareyn.
Sept. 5, 1731, Christoft'el, Jan Philip Sumsenback, Ule Cathrina Pik-
kerling.
Oct. 1 8, 1715, Magyel (son), Wellem Swane.
May 5, 1728, Maria, Anthony Sweem, Anna Brooks.
Nov. 7, 1731, Johannes, Barent Sweem, Marie Canon.
Apr. 20, 1708, Annetie, Johannes Sweem.
Apr. 17, 1711, Magdalena, Johannes Sweem.
Oct. 19, 1714, Antie, Johannes Sweem.
, 1715, Martha, Johannes Sweem.
, 1715, Tys, Johannes Sweem.
Apr. i, 1718, Lysabet, Johannes Sweem.
Oct. 18, 1715, Albert, Johannes Swame.
July 20, 1718, Jan, Johannis Sweem, Senior, Jannetje La Forge.
Mar. i, 1719, Jacobus, Joh: Sweems, Anthonysz, Mary Rue.
Aug. 25, 1723, Elisabet, Johannes Sweem, Mary Perine.
Apr. 22, 1718, Rachel, Johannes Sweem, Mary Row.
Oct. 5, 1760, Marya, John Sweem, Cornelia bergen.
, 1707, Maydaleen, Matthys Sweem.
Apr. 19, 1719, Anthony, Matthys Sweem, Catharina Mangels Ral.
Oct. 22, 1727, Jannetje, Matthys Sweem, Catharina Mangels Rol.
Apr. 21, 1734, Matthias, Matthys Sweem, Cathrina Mangels Rol.
Apr. 19, 1743, Matties, Mateis Swem, Catrina Merrel.
May 6, 1745, Martinus, Mattas Swem, Catrina Merrel.
Sept. 16, 1746, benyamen, matthys Sweem, catherina merrill.
May 23, 1749, Catherina, Matthys Sweem, Catherina merrell.
July 28, 1751. Isaak, Mathys Sweem, Chatarina Merril.
May i, 1753, Susanna, matheus Swem, Catharina merrel.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Sept. 18, 1737, Geertruyd, Tys Sweem, Catharina Merril.
Mar. 18, 1739, Johannes, Tys Sweem, Catharina Merril.
Oct. 18, 1719, Johannes, Willem Sweem, Marya Lageler.
Mar. 18, 1722, Cornelius, Willem Sweem, Marie Lageler.
, Abraham, Symon, Prael.
Oct. 6, , Vredrick, Symonse, - Sweem.
Nov. 4, 1754, fransintye, Aart Symenson, fransintye Morgon.
June 10, 1717, Christoffel, Auert Symensen.
Aug. 5, 1722, Anna, Aart Symons, Margriet Daniels.
July 26, 1724, Daniel, Aart Symons, Margriet Daniels.
Oct. 16, 1726, Susanna, Aart Symons, Margriet Daniels.
July 14, 1728, Barent, Aart Symons, Margriet Daniels.
Aug. 23, 1730, Cornelius, Aart Symons, Margriet Daniels.
Aug. 4, 1734, Isaak, Aart Symons, Margriet Daniels.
Mar. 25, 1701, Wyntie, Barent Symessen.
, 1707, Johannes, Barent Symessen.
, 1710, Aron, Barent Symessen.
Aug. 24, 1718, Maria, Barent Symonssen, Apollonia Messeker.
June 17, 1746, Symon, christoffel Symonse, Catherina Van Spensc.
April 26. 1748, nicholaes, Christophel Symonson, Catherina van
Schaarc.
Jan. 24, 1759, barant, Cornelis Symonson, liesebat depne.
June 9, 1754, - , Daniel Symeson, Mally Decker.
Feb. 26, 1758, Abraham, Daniel Symenson, Mally Dacker.
Sept. 14, 1735, Annatje, Hans Symons, antje van Pelt.
Jan. 7, 1739, Maria, Hans Symons, Antje van Pelt.
May 23, 1749, Wyntye, Hans Symonse, Anna Van Pelt.
June 12, 1720, Jeremias, Isaak Symons, Antje vand'r Bilt.
July 8, 1722, Maria, Isak Symonsz, Antje vand'r Bilt.
Dec. 17, 1732, Isaak, Isaak Symons, Neeltje Coteleau.
Feb. n, 1733, Antje, Johannes Symons, Dina van Leuwen.
June 22, 1735, Isak, Johannes Symons, Dina van Leuwen.
Oct. 3, 1736, Geertje, Johannes Symons, Dina van Leeuwen.
Sept 9, 1739, Aaltje, Johannes Svmons, Dina van Lawa.
June 9, 1742, Johannes, Johannes Symonsse, Suster Corsse
May 20, 1746, Johannes, Johannes Symonson, Antye Van Pelt.
July 21, 1758, Geertruy, Johnnis Symonson, Antye banpelt.
Oct. 2, 1755, Marretye, rem Symeson, Geertroy boskere.
May 2, 1725, Antje, Symon Symonsz, Maria Woertman.
Apr. 9, 1727, Marritje, Symon Symonsz, Maria Woertman.
Mar. 1 6, 1729, Maria, Symon Symonsz, Maria Woertman.
Apr. n, 1731, Simon, Symon Symonsz, Maria Woertman.
July 15, 1733, Cornelia, Symon Symonsz, Maria Woertman.
Aug. i, 1736, Anna, Symon Symonsz Aarts Zoon, Sara van Pelt.
Nov. 4, 1739, Aaltje, Symon Symons aarts Zoon, Sara van Pelt.
Apr. 17, 1744, Art, Symen Symonson, Sara Van pelt.
July 19, 1748, Elizabeth, Symon Symonson, Sarah van Pelt.
May 2, 1754, Johennis, Symon Symeson, Sara vanpelt.
Dec 1 8, 1755, Eevert, Symon Symeson, Sara van Pelt.
Nov. 20, 1757, Sara, Symon Symonson, Sara vanpelt.
Oct. 23, 1711, Ephrum, Abraham Talor.
May i, 1715, Altje, Abram Talor.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 389
Nov. 23, 1715, maregriet, Abraam taylor.
Aug. 21, 1720, Rachel, Abraham Tailor, Harmpje Hagewout.
Nov. 25, 1722, Aaltje, Abraham Tailor, Harmpje Hagewout.
July 4, 1725, Pieter, Abraham Tailor, Harmpje Hagewout.
Apr. 6, 1729, Ephraim, Abraham Tailor, Harmpje Hagewout.
Jan. 8, 1720-1, Isaak, Auke Tansz, Catharina Sebering.
Nov. 23, 1715, Johannes, Pieter telburgh.
Sept. 16, 1746, david, Samuel teeler, Suster Waggelom.
May 5, 1696, Margrietie, Ephraim Thealer.
- 1696, Jan, Ephraim Thealer.
Aug. i, 1731, Margreta, Timothy Thorp, Margrietje Heermans.
Aug. i, 1731, Abigail, John Thorp, Appollonia Heermans.
Jan. 16, 1732, Marytje, Teunis Tiebout, Margrietje Drinkwater.
Jan. 14, 1733, Teunis, Teunis Tiebout, Margrietje Drinkwater.
Dec. n, 1720, Willem, Pieter van Tilburgh, Metje Bouwman.
Feb. 24, 1727, Henricus, Pieter van Tilburgh, Metje Bouwman.
Feb. 25, 1722, Cornells. Syrah Tites, Aaltje Webs.
Aug. 16, 1724, Aaltje, Tites Tites, Blandina van Pelt,
Apr. 10, 1726, Sara, Tites Tites, Blandina van Pelt.
Mar. 24, 1728, Maria, Titus Titusz, Blandina van Pelt.
Mar. 6, 1730, Syrah, Titus Titusz, Blandina van Pelt.
Apr. 15, 1734, Antje, Titus Titusz, Blandina van Pelt.
May 2, 1736, Marytje, Titus Titusz, Blandina van Pelt.
May 26, 1740, Teunis, Tites Titesz, Blandina van Pelt.
June 25, 1727, Benjamin, Woodhul Tourneur, Anna Lawrence.
Mar. 29, 1725, Willem, Willem Tribs, Catlyna de Hart.
Apr. i, 1718, Jorms, Pieter tylborgh.
Aug. 2, 1705, Elisabeth, Cornelis Tyssen.
- Safya, - Tytes, - - Van Pelt.
Oct. 30, 1716, Saertie, Seymen van Amen.
Apr. 22, 1728, Rachel, Matthys van Brakel, Rachel Jansz.
Mar. 30, 1730, Maria, Matthys van Brakel, Rachel Jansz.
Apr. 19, 1709, Laurens, Hendrick Van Campen.
Apr. 17, 1711, Lammert, Hendrick Van Campen.
1715, Aeltie, Hendrick Van Campen.
1715, Hendrick, Hendrick Van Campen.
Apr. 17, 1717, Johanes, Hendrick Van Campen.
Apr. 23, 1707, Martha, Johannes Van Campen.
Apr. n, 1711, Christina, Johannes Van Campen.
June 6, 1715, Arent, Johannes Van Campen.
Apr. 17, 1717, gerret, oydeon Van Campen.
Apr. 26, 1736, Jan, Cornelius van Cleef, Sara Mashal.
July 27, 1714, Geesie, Rut Van Den Bergh.
Oct. 21, 1713, Hilletie, Rein Van De Bilt.
July 21, 1758, Liesabet, Conradus vanderbeeck, Catlyntye Lisk.
July 26, 1719, Jan, Rem vander Beek, Dorothea Cateleau.
May 28, 1721, Rem, Rem vander Beek, Dorothea Cateleau.
June 2, 1723, Jaques, Rem vander Beek, Dorothea Coteleau.
Jan. 21, 1728, Dorothea, Rem vander Beek, Dorothea Coteleau.
June 18, 1745, Doritje, Jan Van Derbek, Annatje Martens.
June 3, 1736, Lena, Rem vander Beek, Dorothea Coteleau.
Mar. 27, 1720, Hilletje, Jacob vand'r Bjlt, Neelje Denys.
390 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Feb. 3, 1722-3, Jacobus, Jacob vander Bilt, Neeltje Denys.
Dec. 25, 1725, Magdalena, Jacob vander Bilt, Neeltje Denys.
Dec. 25, 1728, Johannes, Jacob vander Bilt, Neeltje Denys.
Oct. 24, 1731, Cornelius, Jacob vander Bilt, Neeltje Denys.
Feb. 24, 1734, Antje, Jacob vander Bilt, Neeltje Denysz.
May 19, 1739, Femmetje, Jacob vand'r Bilt, Neeltje Denys.
Jan. 21, 1739, Gerrit, Hendrik vender Hoef, Eva Slot.
Apr. 19, 1719, Lea, Joh: vand'r Hoeven, Anna Sweem.
Mar. 1 8, 1722, Cornelius, Johannes vand'r Hoeven, Anna Sweem.
Feb. 2, 1723-4 Lea, Johannes vandr Howen, Anna Sweem.
May 29, 1726, Elizabet, Johannes vander Hoeven, Anna Sweem.
Feb. 18, 1728, Johannes, Johannes vander Hoeve, Anna Sweem.
Jan. 24, 1731, Anthony, Johannes vandr Hoeven, Anna Sweem.
Aug. 13, 1727, Catharina, Jacob van Dyk, Catharina van Brunt.
Feb. 8, 1730, Catharina, Jacob van Dyk, Catharina van Brunt.
Feb. 13, 1732, Zacheus, Jacob van Dyk, Catharina van Brunt.
Apr. 14, 1734, Cornelius, Jacob van Dyk, Catharina van Brunt.
1698, Annetie, Hendrick Van Dyck.
June n, 1721, Henricus, Lambert van Dyk, Marritje Hogelant.
Apr. 14, 1723, Elisabet, Lambert van Dyk, Marritje Hooglant.
Oct. 22, 1709, Rachel, Ahasuerus Van Engelen.
Apr. 17, 1718, Johannes, Ahasuerus Van Engelen.
Aug. 9, 1719, Frederyk, Hendrik van Leuwen, Geurtje Cateleau.
Oct. 6, 1727. Lena, Hendrik van Leuwen, Geurlje Coteleau.
July 19, 1748, Aron, Aron Van namen, Maria Maclean.
July 28, 1751, rachel, Aron van namen, Mary Mackleen.
Mar. 23, 1760, Moses. Aron Vannamen, Maria Macleen.
Feb. 16, 1755, Antye, Aron Vannamen, Maria Macleen.
Apr. 12, 1719, Johannes, Engelbert van Namen, Marytje de Camp.
Oct. 15, 1721, Sara and Meria, twins, Engelbert van Namen, Marytje
de Camp.
Apr. 22, 1709, Joseph, Evert Van Namen.
Aug. 3, 1718, Maria, Evert van Namen, Wyntje Benham.
May 18, 1718, Pieter, Johannes Van Namen.
Mar. 29, 1725, Sara. Johannes van Namen, Marytje van Pelt.
Aug. 17, 1718, Aaron, Symon van Namen, Sara Praal.
Feb. 21, 1725, Moses, Simon van Namem, Sara Praal.
, - , Jannetye, - - Van Pelt, - Valkenburgh.
Oct. 13, 1747, maria, Antoni Van Pelt, Jannetye Symonse.
July 30, 1750, Elizabeth, Antony Van Pelt, Jenneke Seymense.
Jan. i, 1760, Sara, Antony vanpelt, Jenneke Symeson.
Dec. 10, 1721, Maria, Aart van Pelt, Christina Jmmet.
May 5, 1696, Annetie, Hendrick Van Pelt.
Mar. 25, 1701, Aeltie, Hendrick Van Pelt.
Apr. 12, 1719, Catlyntje, Hendrik van Pelt, Margrietje de Hart.
Jan. i, 1721, Hendrik, Hendrik van Pelt, Margrietje de Hart.
Apr. 17, 1711, Jan, Jacob Van Pelt.
, 1715, Derckie (girl), Jacob Van Pelt.
, 1715, Marytie, Jacob Van Pelt.
Apr. 16, 1717, Pieter, Jacob Van pelt.
Nov. 8, 1719, Cytlyntje, Jacob van Pelt, Aaltje Hagewout.
Sept. 27, 1724, Catlyntje, Jacob Van Pelt, Aaltje Hagewout.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 391
Oct. 15, 1727, Jan, Jacob Van Pelt, Aaltje Hagewout.
Jan. 25, 1719, Sara, Jan van Pelt, Aaltje Hoogslant
Oct. 16, 1720, Catlyntje, Jan van Pelt, Aaltje Hooghlant.
May 25, 1729, Jan and Susanna, twins, Jan Van Pelt, Anthony's zoon,
Susanna La Tourette.
Apr. 25, 1731, Maria, Jan van Pelt, Jan's zoon, Tryntje Bouwman.
Apr. 15, 1733, Anthony, Jan van Pelt, Anthony's zoon, Susanne la
Tourette.
Mar. 28, 1736. Antje, Jan van Pelt, Pieter's Zoon, Jannetje Adams.
Apr. 4, 1736, Joost, Jan van Pelt, Anthony's Zoon, Susanne La Tour-
ette.
Sept. 14, 1742, Trientje, Jan Van Pelt, maria Bouman.
Apr. 13, 1742, William, Jan Van Pelt, Jannetje Adams.
Apr. 17, 1744, Jannetje, Jan Van pelt, Jannetje Adams.
May 6, 1745, Nieltje, Jan Van pelt Jun'r, Catrina Bouman.
Apr. 22, 1746, maria, Jan Van Pelt, Jane adams.
Apr. 26, 1748, maragritye, Jan Van Pelt, Jane Adams.
May 20, 1750, Samuel, Jan Van Pelt, Jane adams.
Apr. 23, 1707, Blandyena, Johannes Van Pelt.
Apr. 20, 1708, Simon, Johannes Van Pelt.
, 1710, Cathalyh, Johannes Van Pelt.
Apr. 19, 1715, Simon, Johannes Van Pelt.
Apr. 16, 1717, Petrus, Johannes Van Pelt.
June 7, 1719, Johannes, Johannes van Pelt, Sara Le Roy.
Jan. i, 1721, Sara, Johannes van Pelt, Sarah Le Roy.
Feb. 16, 17.55, Susanna, John Van Pelt, Maria Joons.
Mar. 8, 1772, Mary, John vanpelt, Catherine lawrence.
May 4, 1714, Catharina, Joost Van Pelt.
Sept. 8, 1717, Johannes, Joost Van Pelt.
Mar. 20, 1716, Joost, Joost Van pelt.
Oct. 21, 1707, Jan, Pieter Van Pelt.
July 25, 1710, Samuel, Pieter Van Pelt.
Nov. 23, 1715, Willem, Pieter Van pelt.
Apr. 16, 1717, Sameul, Peter Van Pelt.
Apr. 18, 1743, Maria, Petures Van Pelt, Barbera houltie.
Sept. 16, 1746, Johannes, Pieter Van Pelt, barbara, hoolten.
Sept. T7, 1748, Barbara, Pieter Van Pelt, Barbara hoelten.
Nov. 7, 1753, Jacob, Petrus Van Pelt, Barbara Hulten.
Oct. 12, 1755, David, Pieter vanpelt, Barber Houlton.
Aug. 26, 1759, Sara, Piater vanpelt, Barber- .
July 19, 1748, Pieter, Samuel Van Pelt, Maria falkenborgh.
Apr. 1 8, 1743, Maria, Simon Van pelt, Maria Adams.
Aug. 6, 1745, Sara, Scimen Van Pelt, Maria Adams.
June 10, 1747, Jennie, Symon Van Pelt, Malli adams.
May 23, 1749, Peterus, Symon Van Pelt, mria Adams.
, 1696, Marritsie, Theunis van Pelt.
Oct. 9, 1726, Anthony, Teunis van Pelt, Maria Drageau.
Feb. 14, 1731, Johannes, Teunis van Pelt, Marie Drageau.
June 3, 1734, Maria, Teunis van Pelt, Marie Drageau.
May 19, 1737, Joost, Teunis van Pelt, Marie Drageau.
Nov. 19, 1738, Teunis, Teunis van Pelt, Marie Drageau.
Oct. 22, 1701, Stoffel, Stoffel van Santen.
392 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
, 1706, Josua, Stoffel van Santen.
Feb. 7, 1719-20, Otto, Abraham van Tuyl, Femmetje Denytz.
Oct. 2, 1705, Geertruyt, Abraham Van Tuyl.
Sept. 22, 1709, Elena, Abraham Van Tuyl.
June 2, 1734, Jan, Abraham van Tyl Isaak's zoon, Marytje ven Pelt.
Nov. 18, 1739, Femmetje, Abraham van Tuyl, Metje Vreelans.
May 7, 1741, Machiel, Abraham Van Tuyl, Metje Vrielandt.
Aug. 16, 1743, femmetje, Abraham Vantuyt, Mitje freeland.
Aug. i, 1731, Abraham, Denys van Tuyl, Neeltje Croesen.
Sept. 8, 1734, Denys, Denys van Tuyl, Neeltje Croesen.
Mar. 4, 1739, Neeltye, Denys van Tuyl, (obit), Neeltje Croesen.
Sept. 22, 1709, Catharyntie, Isaac Van Tuyl.
May i, 1720, Catharina, Isaak Van Tuyl, Sara Lakerman.
Apr. 6, 1724, Geertruyd, Isaak van Tuyl, Sara Lakerman.
May 4, 1735, Abraham, Jan van Tuyl.
Sept. 17, 1738, Johannes, Johannes van Tuyl, Belitje Byeank.
Sept. 16, 1746, Abraham, otto Van Tuyl, Tryntye boskek.
Nov. n, 1722, Femmetje, Jan Van Voorhees, Neeltje Neesjes.
Nov. ii, 1722, Willemsje, Jan Van Voorhees, Neeltje Neesjes.
Nov. n, 1722, [The two last, no doubt were twins.]
May 9, 1725, Jacobus, Jan van Voorhees, Neeltje Neesjes.
Mar. 24, 1728, Roelof, Jan van Voorhees, Neeltje Neesjes.
Apr. 16, 1732, Neeltje, Jan van Voorhees, Neeltje Neesjes.
Oct. 23, 1737, Maria, Roelof van Voorhes, - - Coteleau.
Dec. 12, 1745, Aentje, Cornelus van Wagenen, Hellena Bon.
Sept. 17, 1746, maragrita, Cornelius Vanwagenon, helena bon.
July 24, 1752, Catharina, Cornelius van wagenen, helena Bon.
Feb. 16, 1755, Lena, Cornelus Vanwagenne, Lena Bon.
June 24, 1752, marregrietye, Hendrick van wagene, Palli Seymense.
Nov. 7, 1753, Annatje, Hendrick Van Wagenne, Maria Simonse.
Feb. 16, 17^5, Johannes, Hendrick Van Wagenne, Maria Simonse.
Oct. ir, 1748, Johannes, Johannes Van wagene, Elsye Berge.
Mar. 9, 1729, Aaghje, Daniel van Winkel, Jannetje Vreelant.
July 27, 1729, Adriaan, Adriaan van Waggelum, Celia Preyer.
Aug. 8, 1731, Abraham, Adriaan van Woggelum, Celitje Preyer.
Sept. 18, 1726, Jan, Douwe van Woggelum, Jannetje Staats.
Feb. 25, 1728, Jan Staats, Douwe van Woggelum, Jannetje Staats.
May 21, 1716, Jan, Arey Van Woglom.
July 19, 1724. Zuster, Douwe van Woggelum, Jannetje Staats.
June 28, 1730, Cornelius, Douwe van Woggelum, Jannetje Staats.
June 27, 1736, Catharina, Douwe van Woglum, Jannetje Staats.
Sept. 14, 1742, Antje, Douwen Van Woglom, Jannetje Staats.
Apr. 17, 1711, Nicolaes, Jan Vechten.
Oct. 22, 1717, Catharyna, Johan Vechten.
Mar. 20, 1716, Gerret, Jan Veghte.
Nov. 8, 1719, Johannes, Jan Vtrghten, Cornelia Staats.
Jan. 24, 1725, Jannetje, Jan Veghte, Cornelia Staats.
June 25, 1727, Henrik, Jan Veghte, Cornelia Staats.
Apr. 7, 1734, Jan, Nicolaas Veghte, Neeltje van Tuyl.
Nov. 7, 1753, Jannetje, Jan Veldtman, Jannetje Jurks.
July 28, - Hendrick, - - Vellman, Jurks.
Sept. 1 8, 1744, Maria, Jan Veltman, Jannetje Jurcks.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 393
Apr. 22, 1746, Jan, Jan Veldtman, Jannety'e Jurks.
Sept. 17, 1748, Geertruyt, Jan Veltman, Jannetye Turks.
June 12, 1716, petrus, Steven Vetyto.
Au S- 5. '739, Michiel, Michiel Vreelant, Janneke van Houten.
Sept. 17, 1752, Johannes, Helmig vreland, neeltye van hoor.
Nov. 3, 1754, Wachgiel, Helmis vrelant, Neeltye vanhoren.
Oct. 8, 1738, Jacobus, Joseph Walderon, Aasje Healaken.
Apr. 22, 1707, Lambert, Lambert Wels.
June 26, 1720, John, John Whithead, Elisabet Bakker.
Mar. 6, 1725 6, Maria, Johannes Wimmer, Wyntje Symons.
Feb. i, 1730, Jesuias, Jan Winter, Martha Bug.
Feb. 14, 1732, Maria. Jan Winter, Martha Baile.
May 31, 1719, Frans, obadias Winter, Susanna du Puy.
May 8, 1737, Thomas, Thomas Wilmot, Elisabet Mersereaux.
Apr. 22, 1707, Christyntien, Johan Woggelum.
July 26, 1711, Suster, Johan Woggelum.
Dec. 25, 1719, Johanna, Aryvan Woglum. Celia Preyer.
Jan. 3, 1722, Anna, Aryvan Woglum, Celia Preyer.
Jan. 27, 1725, Andries, Aryvan Woglum, Celia Preyer.
Aug. 7, 1720, Hendrikje, Cornelis Woinat, Tryntje Bouwman.
Sept. 19, 1725, Jannetje, Stephen Wood, Geertje Winter.
Dec. 24, 1727, Steve and Obadia, twins, Stephen Wood, Geertje Win-
ter.
July '3, I73 1 . Richard, Stephen Wood, Jomine Mott.
Apr. 20, 1703, Cornelis, Jacob Wouters.
Oct. 23, 1711, Beniamin, Jacob Wouters.
Apr. 19, 1709, Sara, Lambert Wouters.
- 1729, Henricus, Henry Wright, Aaltje Martlings.
May 29, 1726, Susanna, Jacob Wright, Antje Role.
May 26, 1723, Elisabet, Cornelis Wynant, Maria Cole.
Dec. 25, 1725, Maria, Cornelis Wynant, Maria Cole.
Feb. 6, 1728, Cornelius, Cornelis Wynant, Mary Coles.
May 4, 1729, Cathryr.tje, Johannes Wynants, Lena Bird.
Mar. 19, 1732, Pieter, Johannes Wynants, Magdalena Bird.
A P r - 2 3, 1707, Pieter, Pieter Wynants.
Mar. 27, 1720, Pieter, Wynandt Wynandts, Ann Cole.
Mar. 14, 1725, Abrahan, Wynant Wynants, Ann Cole.
Oct. 9, 1726, Jacob, Wynant Wynants, Ann Cole.
Apr. 22, 1728, Daniel, Wynant Wynants, Ann Cole.
Feb. 28, 1731, Joseph, Abraham Yates, Hester Drinkwater.
Sept. 17, 1758, Mareya, John yennes, Altye merling.
.J an - J3. 1734, Christiana, Johan Philip Zumsenbach, Ule Cathrine
Pikkerling.
Mar. 28, 1736, Hanna, Johan Philep Zumsenbach, Ule Catharine
Pikkerling.
July 19, 1726, Abraham, Abraham Zuiphen, Marytje Borkelo.
June 4, 1727, Maria, Abraham Zutphen, Marytje Borkelo.
Oct. 26, 1729, Antje, Abraham Zutphen, Marytje Borkelo.
Oct. 24, 1731, Jannetje, Abraham Zutphen, Marytje Borkelo.
July 25, 1710, Sara Gennens
fuly 25, 1710. Mary Gennens.
A Pr- 8, 1733, Eva.
394 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Sept. 14, 1741, Maryya, Tamlisck - - Kadlyne van peldt.
Apr. 19, 1743, hester, - Ragel Willmsen.
June 1 8, 1745, Jucres, - Sara Van namen.
May 2, 1754, Isack, - - Merya Sinnis
May 2, 1754, Jan. Sara Dey.
It is supposed that religious services after the forms of the
church of England were occasionally held here previous io 1704,
for in October of that year the Rev. William Vesey, of Trinity
church, New York, in reporting the state of religion in this
county to the "Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in
Foreign Parts," says there was a tax of forty pounds a year
laid upon the people and they desired to have a minister sent
to them. The foundation for this tax lay in the act which was
passed under the direction of Governor Fletcher in 1693, which
in effect established the church of England in the counties of
New York, Westchester, Queens and Richmond, under the
patronage of the government. By this act the inhabitants of
each county named were to choose annually ten vestrymen and
two church wardens. These officers were empowered to make
choice of the minister or ministers for each district, and for
the support of these ministers a certain sum was directed to be
assessed on the inhabitants of all denominations in each
county. The act indeed did not especially enjoin that the min-
isters so chosen should be of the Episcopal church, and by an
explanatory act, passed several years afterward, it was even de-
clared that dissenting ministers might be chosen. By lodging
the right of choice, however, with the vestrymen and church
wardens alone, it was well known that Episcopal ministers
would of course be always elected.
Though this law remained upon the statute book during the
colonial period it became to a degree inoperative, through the
munificent bequest of Judge Duxbury made some years later.
In 1706 Rev. John Talbot was sent here as a missionary, but
a church in New Jersey shared his ministrations. Soon after
he was succeeded by the Rev. Eneas McKenzie. Catechists or
schoolmasters were employed under the direction of the so-
ciety as early as 1712. Before this time even, the matter of
erecting a church building was talked of. The\ r were then
using the French church for their worship. On the 6th of
August, 1711, William Tillyer and Mary, his wife, gave to the
society a building site for a church and burial ground at the
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 395
head of Fresh kill, on Kaiie's neck. In 1713 a donation of
one hundred and fifty acres of land was made to this church
by the generosity of Adolphus Philips, counsellor; Lancaster
Symes, a captain in Fort Lewis; Ebenezer Wilson and Peter
Fanlconer, merchants, all of New York. This was sold by the
trustees, and another piece of ground, more conveniently lo-
cated, was purchased for a glebe. During the year 1713 a church
was erected on the ground which two years before had been
given for the purpose. This was a plain stone structure, and
as far as anything is known stood on substantially the same
site now occupied by St. Andrew's church at Richmond. In
the year last mentioned Mr. McKenzie writes to the society
that during the first seven years of his ministry here he had
preached "upon sufferance in aFrench Church," but the church
people had now "got a pretty handsome church of their own
to preach in," and a house was about being built on the recently
purchased glebe.
The church was now established under the royal charter of
Queen Anne, who also presented the church with prayer books,
a pulpit cover, a silver communion service and a bell. The
names of prominent freeholders on the island, attached to this
church, appear in the charter, as follows: Ellis Duxbury,
Thomas Harmer, Augustin Graham, Joseph Arrow-smith,
Lambert Gerritson, Nathaniel Brittain, William Tillyer, Rich-
ard Merrill, John Morgan and Alexander Stewart.
In 1718 Ellis Duxbury bequeathed to this church an extensive
tract of land. His will bears date May 5, 1718, and it was ad-
mitted to probate October 22 following. The property was a
plantation of two hundred acres, situated on the northeast ex-
tremity of the island; and consequently the point of land at New
Brighton was, until a recent date, generally known as "Dux-
bury's Point," and sometimes " The Glebe." It was bequeathed
to the minister, church wardens and vestry of St. Andrew's
church, for the only use and maintenance of the minister and
incumbent. The property still owned by the church at Tomp-
kinsville and its vicinity is a part of this bequest. Being a de-
vise to a religious incorporation, it was void by law, but as the
title of the church was never disputed, and as the state by sev-
eral acts incidentally recognized its validity, to say nothing of a
possession of more than a century and a half, the title has long
ago become unimpeachable. By the same will the church re-
396 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
ceived - - for building additions to the church, in addition
to the above bequest.
The salary of Rev. Mr. McKenzie, in 1717, appears to have
been raised to 50 a year. At what time he closed his labors
here we are not informed, but in 1733 Mr. Harrison appears as
the missionary on Staten Island. Two years later the numerical
strength of the church was about fifty communicants. Mr. Har-
rison at this time writes that he has baptized nearly seventy
children since he came here, also " that he hath baptized one
Indian Woman, two adult Negroes, and three Negroe Children ;
that he preaches on Sundays once ; catechises and expounds
after the second Lesson, and teaches the Negroes after Service
is ended, and the Congregation gone home ; for many of them
live far from Church, and will not come twice, nor stay long."
The labors of Mr. Harrison ended with his death, which took
place October 4, 1739. The vestry then elected a Mr. Arnold, a
missionary who had been traveling in New England, to be mis-
sionary on Staten Island. In 1743 Mr. Arnold writes " that his
church is Church is increased twofold and he hath lately bap-
tized ten Negroes, and is still preparing several more for that
Sacrament.'' He resigned in 1745, and Rev. Richard Caner was
appointed to the mission.
In 1747 the Rev. Richard Charlton became rector ; his eldest
daughter was connected by marriage with the Dongan family, be-
ing the wife of Thomas Dongan, and mother of John C. Dongan;
and another daughter was the wife of Dr. Richard Bailey, who
was health officer of the port of New York, and died in 1801 ;
his remains are interred in the grave yard of the church. Dr.
Charlton' s ministry continued thirty-two years; he died in 1779,
and was buried under the communion table in St. Andrew's
church.
After the decease of Mr. Charlton the pulpit was supplied for
a brief term by the Rev. Mr. Barker. On the first day of May,
1780, the Rev. Mr. Field became the rector ; he had been a chap-
lain in the British army, stationed in the fortifications in the vi
cinity of the church. His first baptism is recorded as having
been performed two weeks after that day. Mr. Field died in
1782, and was buried by the soldiers of the Seventy-seventh
regiment of British troops, the place of his sepulchre being be-
neath the church.
During the whole revolutionary war, the island being in pos-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 397
session of the British, divine service was generally suspended in
all the churches except this. The same is true of all other parts
of the country where the British were in possession. Where the
whigs had power none were closed except such Episcopal
churches, the rectors of which refused to omit the prayers for
the king.
In 1783 the Rev. John H. Rowland became rector. He was a
native of Wales, and had been previously settled in a parish
in Virginia. In 1788 he removed to Nova Scotia, and died in
1795.
In October, 1788, the Rev. Richard Channing Moore became
rector. He was born in the city of New York, August 21st,
1762 ; he studied medicine and practised physic for a few years,
when he became a student of Bishop Provost. His first minis-
try, after receiving orders, for a very brief period, was at Rye,
inWestchester county, and at the date above mentioned he came
to Staten Island, where he remained until 1808, when he accepted
a call to St. Stephen' s church, New York. In 1814 he was elected
Bishop of Virginia and rector of the Monumental church in the
city of Richmond, and was consecrated May 18, 1814. During
his incumbency, in 1802, a chapel was built on the north side,
and called "Trinity Chapel," which has since become the
Church of the Ascension. He died November 11, 1841. From
1793 to 1801 he officiated also at Amboy at stated times.
In May, 1808, Dr. Moore was succeeded by his eldest son, the
Rev. David Moore, who continued rector for the period of forty-
eight years. Rev. David Moore, D.D., was born in the city of
New York, Jane 3d, 1787 ; he studied theology with his father,
and was admitted to the diaconate in 1808, when he immediately
took charge of his parish. In the northeast corner of the burial
ground of St. Andrew's church stands a beautiful marble monu-
ment, with the following inscription on one side :
REV. DAVID MOORE, D.D.,
Rector of
St. Andrew's Church,
Including Trinity Chapel,
Staten Island.
Born June 3d, 1787,
Died Sept. 30th, 1856,
Aged 69 Years.
398
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
On a mural tablet within the church is the following:
" Sacred to the memory of Rev. David Moore, D. D.; or-
dained Deacon in Trinity Church, May 8, 1808. Received
priests' orders in old St. Andrew's, June, 1811. After a min-
istry of 48 years in this parish, entered into rest on Tuesday
evening, September 30, 1856. In his life and character he
was an exemplary pattern to his flock, possessing- in an emi-
nent degree those qualifications which endeared him to the
hearts of an attached people, and raised in their affections a
monument which will endure when the church militant on
earth shall receive the full fruition of the church triumphant in
Heaven."
tip , .1 . , -
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, RICHMOND.
Dr. Moore was succeeded by the Rev. Theodore Irving,
LL. D., February 5, 1857, who resigned in November, 1864.
In June, 1865, Rev. C. W. Bolton became rector, but resigned
in the following January, and was succeeded by the Rev. Kings-
tori Goddard, D.D., of Philadelphia. Dr. Goddard died Octo-
ber 24th, 1875, and was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Yocum, who
was installed June 15th, 1876.
It is a circumstance worthy of note in connection with the
revolutionary history of this church that although services in
it were continued throughout the war while other churches
were either closed or burned, the baptisms did not average more
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 399
tlii'ii three in a year, and some of these were children whose
patents belonged to the army.
Tvie Episcopal churches on the island have at different times
been the recipients of donations and loans from Trinity church,
New York. Among these may be noticed a grant of $1,000 to
the church on the North Side in 1800; one of $1,000 to St.
Andrew's in 1802; and one of $1,500 to St. Luke's in 1846.
In 1802, Trinity chapel, in connection with St. Andrew's
church at Richmond, was built upon a lot of land on the north
shore, conveyed for the purpose by John Me Vicar, Esq. Rev.
Richmond Channing Moore, rector of the church at Richmond,
officiated in it until he left the parish. After his departure, his
son, Rev. David Moore, succeeded to the rectorship, and
preached, usually every Sunday afternoon, until a short time
before his decease, being assisted in his duties in both places
by several other clergymen employed for the purpose. After
his death, the services in the chapel were conducted by several
clergymen temporarily engaged until May, 1869, when another
parish was organized, and Trinity chapel became the Church of
the Ascension. The first rector after the organization was Rev.
Theodore Irving, LL. D., of Newburgh. The congregation in-
creased so rapidly that the old frame building was found to be
insufficient, and the erection of a new church was determined
upon. The corner stone of the new edifice was laid with ap-
propriate ceremonies on the 30th day of August, 1870, and was
first opened for divine service on Ascension Day, May 16, 1871.
Dr. Irving continued in the church until February, 1872. when
he resigned. In July, 1872, the present rector, Rev. James S.
Bush, of San Francisco, was settled.
The officers of the church at the time of the erection of the
chapel, were Rev. Richard Channing Moore, rector; James
Guyon and Peter Mersereau, wardens, and Peter Laforge,
John Latourette, John Van Dyke, Nicholas Journeay, Paul
Micheau, Joshua Wright, Paul J. Micheau, and George W.
Barnes, vestrymen. The material of which the church is built
is Staten Island granite; it is cruciform, and has several
beautiful memorial windows; it has a turret on the northeast
corner, and a tower and spire one hundred and fifteen feet high
on the northwest corner.
St. John's parish was an offshoot from St. Andrew's. It
was organized in May, 1843, when that part of the island was
400
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
peopled by the families of metropolitan wealth, enterprise and
social distinction. The first house of worship was a molest
frame building standing on the west side of the avenue, nearly
opposite the present church and in the midst of a natural growth
of young forest trees. The corner stone of this church was
laid July 14, 1843. William H. Aspinwall, Levi Cook and W.
B. Townsend were the building committee. The first wardens
were Charles M. Simonson and William H. Aspinwall; and the
vestrymen were Levi Cook, James R. Boardman, M. D., W. B.
Townsend, W. D. Cuthbertson, Lewis Lyman, D. B. Allen, W.
A. Fountain and W. H. White. The cornerstone of the present
/
- ^ , m
''-^^\',/l^,.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH AND RECTORY.
church was laid November 10, 1869. This is a handsome stone
building, of ample dimensions and graceful proportions and, is
in keeping with the culture and resources of the congregation.
The material of which it is built is mostly a rose colored granite,
from Lyme, Conn., with string pieces and ornamentations of
Belleville stone. The architecture is of the Gothic style of
the XIV th century. The windows are of stained glass, with
designs highly executed from Italian religious art. The great
south transept window is a memorial of the beloved physi-
cian, Dr. Anderson, who was long a celebrity at quarantine
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 401
and in St. John's. The north side window in the chancel is
a figure of surpassing loveliness, a memorial of the daughter
of John Appleton, one of the most munificent and devoted
friends of the parish, who is himself memorialized in an elab-
orate mural tablet of polished brass, just within the chancel
arch. The stained glass window architecture is said to be the
finest specimen of rural church architecture in the diocese. The
church was consecrated by Bishop Horatio Potter, September
30, 1871.
The first rector of this parish was Kingston Goddard, from
June, 1844, to June, 1847. Later rectors have successively been:
Alexander G. Mercer, June, 1847, to September, 1852; R. M.
Abercrombie, January, 1853, to February, 1856; John C. Eccles-
ton, April, 1856, to January, 1863; Thomas K. Conrad, March,
1863, to October, 1866; and John C. Eccleston, D.D., again from
1867 to the present time.
In 1862 a commodious rectory was built adjoining the church.
A parish building, known as the Mercer Memorial chape), was
erected on the same plot of ground in 1865. Within the last
sixteen years one hundred and fifty thousand dollars have been
spent in parish improvements.
JOHN C. ECCLESTON, M.D., D.D. Probably no man on Staten
Island has attracted by his talents a greater amount of atten-
tion, or possesses a reputation more to be envied than does the
Rev. John C. Eccleston, M.D., D.D., rector of St. John's
church, Clifton. The doctor has enjoyed a pastorate of more
than twenty-six years in his present pulpit and during that
time his energy and eloquence have done much to stamp his in-
dividuality upon the community in which he lives.
Doctor Eccleston was born in Kent county, Md., May 6, 1828.
He is a descendant of the Ecclestons who came from the village of
Ecclestown in England, with the first Maryland colonists, tak-
ing an active part in the revolutionary struggles, by means of
which they forfeited large landed estates in Great Britain. His
father was judge of the supreme court of Maryland, and his
uncle, Samuel Eccleston, archbishop of Baltimore and Metro-
politan of the Roman Catholic church in the United States.
The doctor graduated from the Roman Catholic college of Si.
Sulfice in Baltimore, July 20, 1847, and on March 31, 1850, re-
ceived the degree of M. D. from the University of Maryland.
For a year he followed the medical profession in the city of
26
402 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Baltimore, after which he entered the General Theological Sem-
inary in New York city. From there he graduated June 27,
1854. On August 22d of the same year, he was ordained to the
diaconate by Bishop Alonzo Potter, and on April 11, 1855, he
assumed priestly orders.
He received his first call to St. John's church, February 27,
1856, assumed the rectorship of Trinity church, Newark, N. J.,
January 1, 1863, became rector of St. James church, Great Bar-
rington, Mass., May 1, 1866, and returned to St. John's, at
Clifton, November 1, 1867. The new stone church consecrated
September 30, 1871, was erected largely through his energy and
enterprise. The doctor has been twice married and has four
children still living. His brother, Doctor J. H. Eccleston, is
the distinguished rector of Emmanuel church, Baltimore, Md.
Doctor Eccleston' s preaching is forcible and eloquent. Large
numbers of people from all denominations and from all parts of
the island are regularly attracted to his church by the power
of his reasoning and by the magnetism of his manner. He has
no sympathy with wrongdoing, never shrouds his true meaning
in mystical language and is as independent in his private and
political life as he is in the pulpit. His secular lectures which
have been many, are characterized by a strength and vivacity
equalled only by their instructive and useful qualities, and his
thirty-one years of public speaking have won him a distin-
guished place among the orators of his day. On Staten Island
he is universally known and his name is connected with every
really aggressive movement. Free in lending his influence to
the advancement of everything that is noble, free and good, the
doctor has made for himself many lasting and powerful friends,
and the memory of his good works will long survive to testify
of him. We take pleasure in presenting the citizens of Rich-
mond county with this short sketch of one of the oldest and
most respected of its living clergymen.
The organization of St. Paul's church was effected at a meet-
ing held at the Planters hotel, Tompkinsville, March 11, 1833.
Previous to that time members of the Episcopal denomination
attended religious services at St. Andrew's ; and for a tinrj ser-
vices were held in private houses here, by the Rev. Samuel
Haskell. The first officers elected were Henry Drisler and
Richard S. Gary, wardens ; and Daniel Van Duzer, Sr., Caleb
JOHN C. ECCLESTON
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 403
T. Ward, Richard Harcourt, Charles Simonson, George Brown,
Daniel Simonson, Richard Sharrott and Henry B. Metcalfe,
vestrymen. The Rev. F. H. Gaming was called to the rector-
ship at a salary of 300 a year and ferry tickets for himself and
family to pass freely between the island and New York, where
he resided. He commenced his services here in July, 1833.
The number of communicants became during that year, seven-
teen, and measures were set on foot to build a church. Success
attended those efforts, and the corner stone of an edifice was
laid on the 3d of July, 1834, Bishop Onderdonk officiat-
ing. Rev. Mr. Cuming resigned on the 3d of May,
the same year, and Rev. William Curtis was called in
his stead. He entered upon his duties August 1st, fol-
lowing, and his labors were cut short by his death on the
21st of the same month. He was buried by the parish in St.
Andrew's churchyard. The first church was built upon ground
given by Caleb T. Ward, on what was then Richmond avenue,
now known as St. Paul's avenue. The church was consecrated
June 22, 1835, and was used for religious services until 1870.
Its cost was $5,831.34. The financial condition of the church
was for many years considerably depressed, and finally the
building was sold under a foreclosure in 1861. It was pur-
chased by Mr. Ward, and by him resold to the church on easy
terms of payment, Still later, this generous benefactor of the
church, Judge Albert Ward, proposed to erect at his own ex-
pense a handsome stone church and donate it to the parish, on
certain conditions, which were accepted, and the corner stone
of the new church was laid September 29, 1866. The condi-
tions referred to were that the parish should build a rectory
and furnish the new church. This building of the new church
was completed in 1870, and the first service held in it on Easter
day, April 17th. The church was formally consecrated May
31st, following, the corporate name having been changed to " St.
Paul's' Memorial Church, Edgewater." The "memorial" was
with respect to Miss Mary Mann Ward, a sister of the donor.
The building is one of very substantial architecture and con-
struction, and is said to have cost about $50,000.
The rectors acting in this church have been : William H.
Walter, 1836 to December 3, 1838, except during a leave of ab-
sence from November, 1837, to the time of his resignation, his
place meanwhile being temporarily filled by Gordon Winslow
404 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
and R. C. Shimeall ; William Walton, December 27, 1839, to
October 1, 1843 ; Gordon Winslow, May 1, 1844 to April, 1852 ;
Charles A. Maison, July, 1852, to April, 1857; E. H. Cressy,
October, 1859, to November, 1861 ; T. W. Punnett, November,
1861, to February, 1875 ; Charles B. Coffin, April, 1875, to his
death, July 10, 1875 ; Albert U. Stanley, November, 1875, to
May 1, 1882 ; and Henry N. Wayne, July 1, 1882, the present
rector.
Of St. Luke's Church, Rossville, we have been able to pro-
cure only a meagre account. The parish register appears to have
been imperfectly kept. The church edifice was erected in 1843,
and its first rector was Rev. C. D. Jackson ; he officiated some
six or seven years, when he died in Westchester county. He
was succeeded by the Rev. William H. Rees, who officiated
about five years, when he died at Newark, N. J. The next rec-
tor of whom we find any account was the Rev. Jesse Pound,
who died in the parish after a service of some nine or ten years.
He was succeeded by the Rev. Henry H. Bean, who, after sev-
eral years' service, also died in the parish. There have been
other rectors, but there is no record of them. The present rec-
tor is the Rev. William Wardlaw.
The Church of the Holy Comforter, located at Eltingville, was
opened for worship October 8, 1865, its erection being largely
due to the efforts of Mr. Albert Journeay, assisted by the ladies
of the neighborhood. The building was designed by Mr. Up-
john, the architect of Trinity church. The parish was organized
October 24, 1865 ; the incorporators were Albert Journeay,
James Guyon, Edward Banker, Jr., S. K. Raymond, John W.
Mersereau, Jr., and Charles E. Robins. The church edifice was
consecrated May 29, 1868.
The rectors have been as follows : J. W. Payne, from Novem-
ber 29, 1865, to August 9, 1866 ; W. W. Holley, from October
4, 1866, to October 24, 1867 ; W. Leacock, from February 26,
1868, to September 23, 1868 ; Newland Maynard, from .Septem-
ber 27, 1869. to May 23, 1871; and Frederick M. Gray, from
August 1, 1873, to -
Christ Church, New Brighton, was organized on the 9th of
July, 1849, its nucleus being an offshoot from St. Paul's at
Tompkinsville. The nave of the present church was built in
1850, the transepts being completed at a later date. The first
\vardens were William Pendleton and David A. Comstock; and
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 40.">
the first vestrymen were George Wotherspoon, Samuel T. Jones,
Travis B. Cutting, Matthew Morgan, George E. Kunhardt, Peter
Stuyvesant, Philip P. Kissam and Charles D. Rhodes. A hand-
some Sunday school building was completed in 1874. The church
is a frame building, and stands in the midst of tastefully ar-
ranged and well kept grounds on the west side of Franklin
avenue and just south of Second street. The Sunday school
building stands in the rear, on the same grounds.
The first rector of this church was Pierre P. Irving, who be-
gan with the early existence of the church, and continued for a
term of twenty-five years. During the last two or three years
he was assisted in his duties by Hamilton Lee. The present
rector, George D. Johnson, succeeded him in 1875, and has min-
istered to the church since that time. The present number of
communicants is about three hundred, representing about two
hundred and twenty families. The present officers are : L. Sat-
terlee and H. E. Alexander, wardens ; and W. P. Raynor, E.
Wiman, A. Rich, E. B. Crowell, W. H. Motley, N. S. Walker,
C. Whitman and R. I. Fearon, vestrymen.
The establishment of the Baptist church on the island was due
to the efforts of missionary work on the part of New York city
pastors and licentiates. The first meetings of which we have any
knowledge were held by Reverends John Gano and Elkanah
Holmes in the summer of 1785. They were open air meetings,
and were held at different places on the eastern shore and inter-
ior of the island. Evening meetings were held in barns and pri-
vate dwellings. The Methodists were in the meantime pursuing
a similar course, occupying neighboring hills and orchards with
their open air meetings, and sometimes the same buildings for
their evening services. An important revival attended these
early efforts. A church, under the name of the " First Baptist
Church of Staten Island," was constituted on the 30th of De-
cember, 1785. This was composed of the following persons,
who had been baptized during the autumn preceding: Belichy
Fountain, Anthony Fountain, Jr., Hannah Fountain, Nicholas
Cox, Margaret Kruser, Mary Van Name, Mary Lockerman,
Susannah Wandel, Jacob Van Pelt, John Wandel, Jr., Charles
Van Name and John Lockerman.
The Rev. Elkanah Holmes became the pastor of this church,
and continued as such about ten years. Rev. Daniel Steers was
ordained on or about August 23, 1797, and at once became pas-
40(3 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
tor of this church, which he continued to serve until about 1808,
when he resigned. He was succeeded by Rev. Nicholas Cox,
who had been ordained to the ministry, but died shortly after-
ward, when the pulpit was supplied by different ones for a year
or more.
Up to this time meetings had been held in the open air, pri-
vate dwellings and school houses. In the early part of 1809 it
was resolved to build a meeting house. This resolution was
carried into effect, and the house being sufficiently completed,
was opened for divine worship on the 24th of the following Oc-
tober. The tirst sermon in it was delivered by Rev.W. Parkin-
son, of the First Baptist church in New York. This building
was about twenty by thirty feet in size, and it stood on the side
of the hill at the junction of the old Clove road and the Rich-
mond road, in the town of Southfield. Though the building has
long since disappeared, its site is still marked by the graves
which were made near it, of some of the oldest members of the
denomination. This was the only edifice owned by this denomi-
nation in the county up to the year 1830. It was known as the
" Old Clove Church," and for many years, even after the date
mentioned, was the favored center to which members of the sect
came to worship from many of the surrounding villages.
Rev. James Bruce commenced his pastorate here, May 1, 1810,
and was ordained at the First church in New York, on the 21st
of June following. He was then a yonng man, and soon en-
deared himself to the church by his efforts as a faithful and
earnest pastor. His career was cut short by death in February,
1811. Rev. Samuel Carpenter was called in September follow-
ing, and was pastor of the church until his resignation in March,
1813. Different ministers supplied the pulpit now until the
pastorate of Elder Robert F. Randolph, of Samptown, N. J.,
which began August 6, 1817. He resigned in the spring of 1819,
and in May of that year was succeeded by Thomas B. Steven-
son, then a licentiate. Baptisms were at that time frequently
performed on the shore near John Lockerman's farm at Mari-
ner's Harbor, as well as on the shore on the south side of the
island. Mr. Stevenson was ordained on the 25th of August,
1819, and continued to labor successfully with this congrega-
tion until August, 1822, when he resigned to become a mission-
ary. After another period of unsettled supply the pulpit was
filled by Anna R. Martin, a licentiate of Bethel Baptist church
HISTORY OF KICHMOND COUNTY. 407
of New York for several months from October 5, 1823. He was
finally settled, on a salary of three hundred dollars a year and
some perquisites in the line of provisions for family use. He
was ordained June 9, 1824. At this time the membership of the
church numbered fifty persons, consisting of fifteen males and
thirty-live females.
The work of the church now moved steadily forward. Meet-
ings were held in the neighborhood of Rossville, then known as
the "West Quarter.'' A parsonage, standing opposite the
church, was purchased during the first year of Mr. Martin's
pastorate, and the final payment on it was made in December,
1827. The history of the church was uneventful during a
period of several years, except that the Mariners' Harbor mem-
bers grew stronger in their desire for a church building nearer
their homes, and in 1830 succeeded in erecting one at Granite-
ville. In May, 1834, the membership of the church was
seventy-six. Mr. Martin's pastorate closed with his death,
October 26, 1835.
Rev. Samuel White was called and became the pastor of this
church June 1, 1836. Under his ministrations the membership
increased until in 1840 it reached one hundred and thirty-four.
In 1841 however, it was reduced to ninety-three, by the with-
drawal of the church at Graniteville. The old church now fell
into a decline, and for several years was barely able for a part
of the time to maintain regular Sabbath services. Elder White
was assisted in the few last years of his life by supplies who
preached in the branch church and part of the time in the Old
Clove church. He died May 3, 1863, after a pastorate of twenty-
five years, during which time he had baptized two hundred and
fifty-two persons, of whom several became licentiates or or-
dained ministers. In much of his revival work he was assisted
by the Rev. Mr. Arthur, father of Ex-President Chester A.
Arthur. Mr. White's remains were deposited in the family
vault in the grounds of the church at Graniteville, on the Gun
Factory road.
During the summer of 1863, Mr. Patterson, a son-in-law of
Mr. White, became pastor of the church and continued in that
capacity until May, 1865. Following that date the church had
supplies for several years, and during that time its life seemed to
dissolve into that of the branch church at Graniteville. In
1868, the title to the Old Clove church became vested in the
408 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
heirs of Mr. White in liquidation of a claim which he had long
held against the church. The building was afterward used as a
school house for several years, but in 1877 it was taken down,
and a local writer of its history very appropriately says :
"Only the crumbling, moss-covered stones which mark the
resting places of the long-buried baptist dead remain, as fitting
symbols to mark the spot where died the fairest, brightest,
fondest hopes of the early converts and the mother church.
Should not the denomination at least secure and preserve this
site, this resting place of the baptist dead? "
A new house of worship was built by the old church on a site
at Graniteville about half a mile east of the "North" church.
This is the building which stands on the " Gun Factory road."
It was opened for worship in April, 1842, the Rev. Spencer H.
Cone preaching the first sermon. This branch of the old
"Clove" seemed to prosper for a time, but after the death of
Mr. White it fell into decline. Prom 1867 to 1870 it was seldom
opened for worship. Mr. Waters was employed a few months
in the latter y,ear. John A. Wilson preached during the latter
part of 1871, to May, 1872, and Henry Willets followed a short
time. In September, 1872, Duncan Young became pastor and
continued three years. Rev. Jackson Ga Nun labored eight
mouths, beginning in January, 1876. John B. Palvert, in
December, 1877, began serving as a supply, after the house had
been closed over a year. He remained till July, 1879. James B.
Drysden and George Nock held services in the church for short
periods, but no services have been held in it since 1880. About
1882 the society disbanded. The later history of this church
seems to have been a race between it and its child the " North"
church which afterward became the "Park" church, in which
the old church, though for a time running well, was by the
logic of circumstances obliged at last to give up the prize of
existence.
About the year 1810 meetings were held by the Baptist de-
nomination in the vicinity of Howland's hook. These early meet-
ings were often held in the orchard on John Lockerman's farm,
just west of Summerfield avenue, and in other available locali-
ties near there. A number of members of the Old Clove church
lived in this vicinity, and they began several years later to con-
sider the question of having a church more conveniently located.
Regular services were begun in June, 1825, on Sabbath after-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 409
noons, in the school house at Mariners' Harbor. A piece of
ground for a building site, on the Richmond road at Granite-
ville, was given by Jedediah Winant in 1829, and a building
thirty-one by forty-one feet, and twenty feet high, was erected
on it. This was completed and duly opened on the22d of July.
1830. It stood upon what is now the burial ground known
as "Hillside Cemetery " on the Richmond road directly oppo-
site from the school house at Graniteville. The pulpit was sup-
plied on Sabbath afternoons and alternate Sabbath evenings by
the pastor of the Old Clove church. The first Baptist Sunday-
school on the island was organized in this church on the third
sabbath of August, 1832.
This branch soon began to break away from the mother
church. In 1836 it had a communion service and officers by it-
self. The question of separation from the old church was fre-
quently under discussion, and such a step was finally resolved
upon at a meeting February 3, 1841. The "North Baptist
Church" was accordingly organized with fifty-three members,
March 1, 1841. The Rev. J. T. Seely became its pastor on the
4th of May. During his pastorate a remarkable revival oc-
curred, known as the " revival in the old Rubber Factory " at
what is now West New Brighton. Fifty-one baptisms were the
result of this. The members of this church now resolved to
build a house of worship at Port Richmond. This, a modest
frame building, was erected, and it was dedicated February
27, 1843. Services were then held in both houses; at Granite
ville in the morning and Port Richmond in the evening. This
arrangement continued until February 15, 1857, when the Gran-
iteville edifice became the property of the Mariners' Harbor
church, organized at that time.
The labors of Mr. Seely closed August 1, 1845, and he was
succeeded by Rev. David Morris, whose service continued till
May 1, 1849. He was followed by Rev. B. C. Townsend. who
served the church from May, 1850, to May, 1852. Aaron Jack-
son, the fourth pastor, gaye nine months' service. John Seage
became pastor in May, 1853, and resigned in May, 1856. He
was followed by Z. P. '\Vild, May 1, 1856, to May 15, 1858, dur-
ing which time, February 15, 1857, forty-eight members were
dismissed to constitute the Mariners' Harbor Baptist church.
The energies of the Port Richmond church were now concen-
410 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
trated upon its own locality, though it was weakened by the
withdrawal of so large a number.
George W. Dodge became pastor in August, 1858, and re-
signed in June, 1859. In December, I860, W. A. Barnes became
pastor, but was dismissed about two months later. The out-
look of the church at this time seemed dark, and for several
years its existence seemed a struggle between life and death,
in which the chances trembled in the balance. Not until the
summer of 1864 did the church enjoy the ministrations of a
settled pastor, though for a while the Rev. W. B. Schrope
served them as a supply. Extreme depression followed, in
which the church was on the point of deeding its property to
the Mariners' Harbor church and disbanding its membership.
But the members aroused themselves to make one more effort
for existence, and the Rev. D. B. Patterson was invited to
the vacant pulpit, July 24, 1864. He resigned early in 1866.
At this time the membership of the church had become reduced
to thirty-one, and the house was closed for several months.
Rev. D. W. Sherwood was called to the pastorate in December,
1866, and resigned in 1870, having been instrumental in holding
the church to its status and perhaps giving it a new impulse for-
ward. S. G. Smith was pastor from October 1870 to 1877. Dur-
ing this time the church had grown stronger; fifty-seven persons
had been baptized, and the church edifice remodelled, at an ex-
pense of $13,000. The name was changed to the Park Baptist
Church, of Port Richmond, and the present brick church was
elected.
Rev. A. S. Gumbart became pastor April 1, 1878, was ordained
May 16th following, and resigned in June, 1880, having received
forty-nine members into the church. Rev. J. J. Muir entered
upon his duties as pastor in March, 1880. He was succeeded in
1883 by Rev. J. B. L'Hommedieu, the present pastor, who be-
gan his service in that capacity October 1, 1883. Since that date
sixty-eight persons have been added to the church, and the
outlook is encouraging. Thomas Davis, jr., has for several
years been superintendent of the Sunday school.
February 15, 1857, forty-eight members were dismissed, at
their own request, from the North Baptist church to organize
the church at Mariners' Harbor. This church was constituted
by a council held March 12, 1857, and a full organization effected
by a meeting at the house of George F. Thompson on the first
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 411
of April following. The first trustees were David Van Name,
George F. Thompson, William Lissenden, John Thompson and
David Van Name, Jr. The first deacons were George F. Thomp-
son, William Lissenden and Jacob Van Pelt. The corner stone
of a new edifice was laid September 9, 1857, and the building
having been completed was dedicated May 5, 1858. Meetings
were held in the old Graniteville church until the completion
of the new one. The cost of this building and grounds was
about $10,000. The Graniteville church had been granted to
this society by a resolution of the North church made January
17, 1857. In 1868 the church was cleared of debt. The church
has enjoyed a wholesome degree of prosperity, and the present
membership numbers about two hundred. The successive
ministers who have served it have been : Z. P. Childs, 1857 to
1858 ; J. N. Tolman, 1858 to 1861 ; G. P. Folwell, 1861 to 1862;
J. L. Benedict, 1862 to 1864 ; J. J. Brouner, 1864 to 1869 ; W.
B. Harris, 1869 to 1872 ; J. W. Taylor, 1872 to 1875 ; C. W.
Hull, 1875 to 1877 ; W. R. Moore, November, 1877, to the present
time.
As early as 1826 meetings began to be held by the Baptists
in private houses in different parts of the town of Westfield.
At different times within a few years such meetings were held
at the houses of Edward Weir in Pleasant Plains, Mrs.
Gillatta Murray in Rossville, Israel Journeay and Mrs. Cath-
erine Ely, and in school houses. These meetings were conducted
under the auspices of the old First Baptist, or "Clove"
church.
The corner stone of a branch church at Kreischerville was laid
March 31, 1847, and the building dedicated on the 16th of Sep-
tember following. It was a frame building, thirty by forty-two
feet. This remained as a branch or chapel, until the year 1848,
when the " West Baptist Church of Staten Island" was organ-
ized on the 24th of May. The constituent members were Israel
Journeay, Aaron Van Name, Edward Weir, Catherine Journeay,
Gillatta Murray, Catherine Ely, Alice A. Ellis, Phoabe Andro-
vette, Malvina Ellis, Mahala Arnett, Sarah Ann Storer, Ann
Androvette, Hannah Martin and Mary Benedict. A Sunday
school was opened the first Sunday in May, 1849, with Mrs.
Catherine Ely, superintendent.
The first pastor of this church was William Pike, of Haver-
straw, who, after preaching for a while on probation, entered
412 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
the pastorate June 1, 1848. John Burnett became pastor No-
vember 1, 1854. His salary was $350 and house rent. He also
preached at Tottenville on stated evenings, in a chapel which
had been built by Harmon Kingsbnry. Mr. Burnett died
March 1, 1858. His successor was Thomas W. Conway, who
was called July 1, and ordained October 20th of the same year.
He remained till October 30, 1860. December 30, 1859, ten
members withdrew to form the " South Church" at Tottenville.
This left the church with a membership of thirty.
Rev. Arthur Day became pastor of both churches January 1,
1861 ; and resigned in January, 1863. Supplies followed until
William James was settled over both churches in January,
1865, continuing to February, 1866. William B. Harris was
pastor from February 26, 1867, to March 1, 1869. David Taylor
was pastor one year from June 1, 1869. The connection be-
tween this and the South church in ministerial supply, was
dissolved in 1870. Since then this church has had no separate
pastor, but has been occasionally supplied by renewal for short
periods of the association with the South church.
From 1852 to 1858 Reverends Pike and Burnett of the West
church, assisted by the Rev. Geo. F. Hendrickson of Perth
Amboy, held occasional services at different private houses in
the village of Tottenville, and also in a free chapel which had
been erected by Harmon Kingsbury, near his grove. The Tem-
perance hall was secured in the spring of 1859, and services
were thereafter held in it on Sabbath mornings. After lengthy
discussion the organization of a church here was effected De-
cember 11, 1859, by the name of the "South Church of Staten
Island." The members of this new organization, who had with-
drawn from the West church, wereT. W. Conway, John Tucker,
S. B. Hazelton, George D. Fisher, William Cooley, Isabella
Fisher, Mary Wrifle, Sarah A. Ellis, Maria T. Hazelton, Isa-
bella Ayer, Melvina Cole, Ann Storer and S. D. Reed.
The corner stone of a new edifice was laid, and recognition
services held, Monday, February 8, 1860. The church was sup-
plied with ministerial service in connection with the West
church until 1870. The church Avas cleared of debt in August,
1871, which happy condition was brought about largely by the
generous assistance of Mr. John Turner, who himself assumed
one half the burden, and in addition erected at his own expense
a lecture room in rear of the church.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 413
The pulpit was filled by temporary supplies from October
1871, to September, 1875, when the South and West churches
were again united in pastoral support under the ministration of
Isaac W. Brinckerhoff, who continued to serve them till July
1, 1881. Calvin A. Hare became pastor of the South church
April 10, 1882, and remained until 1884, when T. Burdette Bott
was called. The membership now numbers about one hundred.
The First Baptist church of New Brighton has been recently
organized. The favorable location and the earnest work put
forth bid fair to establish a large Baptist interest here.
Rev. J. B. McQuillan was the first pastor. The church was or-
ganized in June, 1884, with thirteen members. In November
of the same year the church, having secured a lease of the Uni-
tarian house of worship on Clinton avenue, extended a call to
the Eev. J. B. McQuillan, then of Patterson, N. J., to become
their pastor. His pastoral term began on the first Sabbath in
January, 1885. A baptistery has been placed in the church,
and several candidates have been immersed, the first in New
Brighton for upwards of forty years. The church now num-
bers thirty-one members. It was duly recognized, according to
the custom of the denomination, by a council of the Southern
New York Baptist Association, on the 2d of February, 1886.
Mr. McQuillan resigned July 1, 1887, and the church is at
present without a regular pastor.
The introduction of Methodism on Staten Island is due to
the persevering efforts of a few zealous individuals connected
with the denomination in New Jersey and elsewhere. The first
Methodist sermon preached on the island was in November,
1771, by Francis Asbury, in the house of one Peter Van Pelt,
only twelve days after his arrival in America.
It is to the unwearied labors of Thomas Morrell and Robert
Cloud, two preachers attached to th^Elizabethtown circuit,
that this church is chiefly indebted for its organization. Of
Morrell it is said that he had been a soldier, and bore upon his
person scars of wounds received in fighting for his country.
He was also a man of more than ordinary abilities and acquire-
ments. Of the local preachers, William Cole was most prom-
inent, and during the intervals between the visits of the itin-
erants, frequently officiated in private houses, school houses,
barns or any other place that offered. .
On the fifth day of May, 1787, the first Methodist society on
414 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Staten Island was organized, and the following persons were
elected trustees to take care of the temporalities of the church,
viz.: Abraham Cole (at whose house the meeting was held),
Benjamin Drake and John Hillyer, first class, to serve one year;
Gilbert Totten, John Slaight and Joseph Wood, second class,
to serve two years; Joseph Totten, Elias Price and Israel Dis-
osway, third class, to serve three years.
Measures were then adopted to erect a house of worship, and
the following appeal to the Christian community was promul-
gated:
" To all Charitable, well-disposed Christians of every denom-
ination of Staten Island. Whereas the Inhabitants on the
West end of said Island are destitute of any Place of Public
Worship, so that numbers, more especially of the poorer
and middling ranks of People who have not Carriages, &c.,
are necessarily precluded from attending the Worship of God
in a Public manner, their Children also lose the benefit of Pub-
lic Instruction, and it is to be feared the Consequence will be
to the rising Generation a settled Contempt for the worship of
God and the ordinances of the House.
"To remedy as far as human prudence can Extend the afore-
said, and many other Inconveniences that might be named, the
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church on said Island
have chosen trustees agreeable to Law in order to Erect a
Church for the Performance of Divine Service, and tis Supposed
by the Blessing of God this may be the means of not only
benefiting the present Generation, but that Numbei'S Yet un-
born may have reason to Praise God for the pious Care of their
forefathers. But as this will be Attended with a heavy Expence,
to which the members of said Church are Inadequate, they
hereby Respectful solicit the Donation of all such who are will-
ing to promote so Laudable an Undertaking, we therefore the
subscribers do hereby promise to pay or cause to be paid to the
said Trustees or any Person Impowered by them to receive it,
the sums affixed to our Several names, as Witness our Hands
this Seventh day of June, In the Year of our Lord one Thou-
sand Seven Hundred and Eighty-seven."
Then follow the names of eighty-seven contributors, whose
united subscriptions amount to nearly three hundred and fifty
dollars. The largest contributors are Gilbert Totten, 8; Israel
Disosway, 15; Benjamin Drake, 8; Mark Disosway, 5; Peter
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
415
"Woglom, 6; Joshua Wright, 5; Jacob Reckhow, 5; John
Androvat, 5; Peter Winant, sr., 4.15; John Slaght, 4.15.
Among the subscribers we find the names of individuals at-
tached to other churches, such as Bedells, Swains, Taylors, Lar-
zeleres, Micheaus, La Tourettes, Mersereaus, Pralls, Con-
ner, etc.
It is said of Israel Disosway, that in addition to his subscrip-
tion, which is the largest on the list, he gave the timber for
erecting the new church, out of his own woods.
, , i 1 |I
'' ' , *&::: . .. ,
r ;\6
WOODROW M. E. CHURCH.
With the small sum realized by the subscriptions just men-
tioned, the first Methodist church on Staten Island was built on
the site now occupied by the Woodrow church in Westfield.
This building is described as a low, roughly built house, with
gable to the road, and having small windows and a plain batten
door, the fastening of which was operated by the old fashioned
latch-string. The interior showed a unique altar, high backed,
uncushioned seats, and bare rafters overhead. Its site was
416 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
amid the natural grandeur of the luxuriant forest, broken by
scattered clearings and the primitive habitations of a few hardy
settlers.
That the trustees took excellent care of the temporalities of
the church will be perceived from the following extract from
the original " Day Book : "
" At a meeting held in the Methodist Church for chosing a
Saxon to serve for one year in said church to keep said house
swept and sanded and scraped when the Trustees shall direct,
and all other necessary dutys of a saxon for the sum of five
dollars ; Eichard Mier was chosen and accepted." Subse-
quently, the '' saxon" was allowed one shilling "for every
fire he makes in the stove," additional.
In 1842 the present church edifice was erected on the site of
the former. This edifice is considerably larger than the first,
and encroaches upon some of the graves in the surrounding
church-yard that were made near the old house.
This old burial ground contains many old graves of the early
inhabitants. The first white marble stone erected here, we are
told, is that to the memory of Rev. Joseph Totten, one of the
first members of the Methodist church on the island. He was
for twenty-six years an itinerant preacher of the gospel, and
died May 20, 1818, while in charge of the society of St. John's
church at Philadelphia. Immediately in front of the church
stands a plain marble monument, which marks the grave of one
of the most deeply revered preachers of the church, well known
as "old Father Boehm." The monument bears the following
inscription :
"Sacred to the memory of Rev. Henry Boehm, born in Lan-
caster, Pa., June 8, 1775, died on Staten Island, December 28,
1875. A centenarian, who was for seventy-six years an hon-
ored and beloved Methodist minister, as eminent for social,
Christian and ministerial virtues as for longevity : the associate
of Bishop Asbury and his compeers in labors on earth, he now
rests with them in heaven."
On the twelfth day of February, 1822, at a meeting held at
the house of James Totten, it was unanimously resolved to
build another honse of worship, in the town of Westfield, to be
called "The Tabernacle." A church appears to have been or-
ganized, and trustees duly elected. In August, 1823, a public
meeting was held- "in the Tabernacle ;" the edifice must there-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 417
fore have been erected immediately. The building was removed
several years since, the establishment of churches at Totten-
ville, so near by, doing away with the necessity for a church
here. Its site was a few rods southeast of the railroad station
at Richmond Valley. Some of the foundation stones are still
lying there.
The membership of the original church was so large in the
neighborhood of Tottenville that in 1841 it was deemed advis-
able to organize another society there. This was done, and the
name "Bethel Church 11 given to it. A church was erected in
1842, and the society prospered. The church cost about
$14,000. It was destroyed by lire on Sunday night, January
10, 1886. The building at that time, with its furniture, heating
apparatus and organ, was valued at about $23,000.
St. Paul's, located also at Tottenville, was organized in 1860.
Immediate steps were taken to erect a house of worship. The
corner stone to this was laid September 6, 1861, and the walls
were rapidly raised, and the building advanced toward comple-
tion. A debt hung over the church until November 13, 1881,
when by a liberal effort it was cleared. The debt then amounted
to $4,500. Among the foremost names on the subscription for
that purpose and at that time were the following : Mrs. E. P.
Wood, $1,100 ; David C. Butler, $250 ; Henry Van Name, $200 ;
Aaron Van Name, $200 ; Paul Van Name, $100 ; Daniel Butler,
125 ; John S. Sleight, $100 ; Wesley Patten, $100 ; Sylvester
Joline, $100 ; Moses J. Van Name, $100.
The early Methodists did not confine their efforts to the town
of Westfield; for, not long after they had become domiciled
there, a small class, under the leadership of Elias Price, who
afterward became a local preacher, was organized in the town
of Northfield, which, in 1802, had expanded sufficiently to
warrant the creation of a new society, and the erection of a new
church, which now is recognized as the Asbury church at New
Springville. For more than thirty years this church was the
only place of public worship possessed by the Methodists of
Northfield and Castleton. It was connected in pastoral supply
with the church at Mariners 1 Harbor from 1839 to 1849, when
the latter church secured a minister independently of this.
A branch of this church, called Bloornfield church, was estab-
lished by the laying of its corner stone in June, 1885. It stands
at the head of Merril avenue, on a plot of ground which was
27
418 HISTORi" OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
given by Joseph Ball, of Bloomfield, and Rev. J. B. Hilh'er of
New Springville. Its erection is mainly due to the labors of
Messrs. J. B. Hillyer and Thomas Standering, two local preachers
of the congregation.
In 1838 those residing along the shore in Castleton andNorth-
lield began to agitate the matter of building a new church
nearer their own residences, and at or near Graniteville. The
next year Mr. Robert, C. Simonson offered a lot of land on the
Pond road, Port Richmond, as a free gift, if they would erect a
church thereon. This offer was at once accepted by those re-
siding in that vicinity, and the proposed church at Graniteville
was abandoned.
The church on the Pond road was erected and dedicated early
in the winter of 1839, the conveyance of the lot from Mr. Simon-
son being dated December 1, 1839. The Westtield and North-
field charges were divided in 1840, and Daniel Cross became
the preacher on this circuit, which was called the Northfield
and Quarantine mission. In 1841 this was again divided and
made two circuits, that of Northfield comprehending Asbury
and Mariners' Harbor, while this was known as Quarantine and
Port Richmond. Of this Rev. R. Lutton became pastor. His
name appears with those of Benjamin Day and Jefferson Lewis,
between that date and 1848. They were succeeded by pastors
as follows: Alexander Gillmore, 1848-49; Charles E. Hill, 1850-51;
- Kelly, 1852-53; T. Pierson. 1854-55; N. Yansant, 1856-57;
M. E. Ellison, 1858-59; J. M. Freeman, 186061; R. S. Arndt,
1862-63; J. C. Winner, 1864; J. F. Hurst, 1865-66; - - Owen,
part of 1866; T. H. Smith, 1867-69.
The house erected on the Pond road, now occupied by the
German Lutheran church, continued to be their house of wor-
ship until 1853, when they erected the large and commodious
brick church edifice at the corner of the Shore road and Dongan
street, West New Brighton. The original building and lot were
sold April 28, 1853, to the German Evangelical Lutherans for
the sum of $1,500. The new church took the name of Trinity,
and was incorporated under that name January 10, 1853, the
trustees being Jasper G. Codmus, John W. Snedeker, Lewis
Edwards, Azariah Dunham and John Simonson. The land
on which the present church and parsonage is built, consti
tuted the lots numbered 45 and 46 of the estate of John Bodine,
Sen., and was purchased of Noyes P. H. Barrett, June 25, 1851,
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 419
Jasper G. Codmus, John W. Snedeker, Lewis Edwards and
John Simonson being trustees. It was subsequently discovered
that the title was defective, inasmuch as the land was con-
veyed to the above named persons individually, and before the
incorporation; therefore on the 10th day of July, 1869, the same
individuals quit-claimed the property to the trustees of the
church, and thus remedied the defect. The bell and clock in
the tower of this church were procured by the contributions of
the people residing in its vicinity. The stewards in 1885 were
William Snedeker, Noah Sellick, William Bamber, T. D. Lyons,
M. D., Benedict Parker, George Pero, E. L. Kennedy, Ephraim
Smith, C. E. Surdam, A. H. Richards and J W. Bodine.
In 1838 the Methodists of Mariners' Harbor resolved, inas-
much as a church for their accommodation had become a neces-
sity, to erect one nearer their own homes. Accordingly on the
6th day of April, 1839, a new society was organized by the
election of Peter Braisted, Henry Jones, Benjamin B. Kinsey,
John L. Richards and Daniel Simonson as trustees. The cer-
tificate of incorporation was recorded on the 4th day of May
following, and immediately thereafter that is, on the llth of
the same month a lot was purchased for the consideration
of $275, and during the following six months the church was
erected, and on the 1st day of December, 1839 it was dedicated.
For several years the same preacher served this church, and the
one on " the Neck" (now Asbury), but in 1849 the connection
was severed, and each church became independent of the other.
In 1854 a parsonage was purchased. The membership of the
church having rapidly increased, it was found necessary to erect
a new and larger house, which was accordingly done, and the
new edifice, which has since been known as the " Summerfield
Church," was dedicated on the 10th day of October, 1869. The
old church, which is the southwesternmost building within the
corporate limits of the village of Port Richmond, was sold for
$1,500, and is now occupied as an African church.
The new church is nicely finished and the interior tastefully
furnished. The society rejoices in the fact that it is clear of
debt. The minister's salary has been raised from $1,000 to
$1,500, and the church is now ranked as the fourth in the Eliza-
beth conference district.
Grace church was originally called the " North Shore Free
M. E. Church." It was organized under that name, January
420 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
23, 1867, being then composed of forty-eight persons, the most
of whom had withdrawn from Trinity M. E. church. The meet-
ing for organization was held in the Baptist church at Port
Richmond, at which place the first Sabbath services of this
church were also held, on the 27th of the same month. At the
first election of trustees, on the 18th of February, 1867, the
present name was adopted. The trustees then elected were
Read Benedict, Ward McLean, John Q. Simonson, William
Greer, N. P. H, Barrett, John S. Spragg, William Bamber, Dr.
Frank G. Johnson and George F. Heal. Previous to the erec-
tion of the present church a tabernacle, which cost $600, was
temporarily used for public worship.
The corner stone of the new church was laid August 1, 1867,
and the church was dedicated December 29, 1867. The church
lot is bounded on the north by Bond street, on the south by
Cornelius street, and on the west or front by Heberton street,
the land having been purchased of Cornelius B. Mersereau. The
building was erected at a cost of about $10,000.
The pastors of this church have been: Alexander M. Mead,
1867 to September, 1868; P. D. Day, September 15, 1868, to the
end of the conference year; John Coyle, 1869 to 1871; A. J.
Palmer, 1872; J. J. Read, Jr., 1873; W. I. Gill, 1874 to 1876;
T. H. Landon, 1877; Joseph A. Owen, 1878; J. S. Gilbert, 1879
to 1881; E. C. Dutcher, 1882 to 1883; R. S. Arndt, 1884 to
1886.
In July, 1872, the church known as St. Marks, at Pleasant
Plains, was dedicated. For a brief period it was considered as
under the patronage and supervision of the Woodrow church,
but in 1873 it became an independent organization.
The Kingsley Methodist Episcopal church, situated on Cebra
avenue near Saint Paul's avenue, Stapleton, is one of the oldest
of the denomination on the island. The traditional history,
strongly supported by documentary evidence, is that Rev.
Henry Boehm, a minister in the Philadelphia conference of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and stationed at Woodrow, organ-
ized a class in the spring of 1835, at the house of Widow White,
on ; 'Mud Lane," now known as St. Paul's avenue, and directly
opposite the present site of the church. The names of this class,
as nearly as can be ascertained, were: Mrs. James White, Wil-
liam Howard, William Thoon, Mr. and Mrs. Kirby, and Mr.
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 421
and Mrs. Capt. Hart. William Thoon was made the leader of
the class.
Public services were first held at the residence of Mrs. James
White, the lady above referred to, and afterward, until the first
church was built, in the "Village Academy."
The first board of trustees was elected on the 21st, and the
"Society" was incorporated on the 22d of July, 1835, under
the name of the "Methodist Episcopal Church of Tompkins-
ville, Staten Island." The board of trustees consisted of John
Totten, Joseph Smith, A. C. Wheeler, Henry Cole and Law-
rence Hillyer.
The present site of the church is the only one the society has
ever owned. It originally consisted of four lots, and was do-
nated by Mr. Caleb T. Ward, of Stapleton, in December, 1835.
on condition that it be used only for church purposes. Mr.
Ward, many years afterward, gave the land in fee to the society,
and an additional piece of land, so as to bring the site of its
western boundary to Marion avenue.
On the 8th of June, 1837, plans for a church building thirty-
eight by sixty feet were agreed upon, and estimates were re-
ceived for its erection. The contract was finally awarded to Mr.
J. H. Quilthot for one thousand one hundred and sixty dollars.
Mr. Quilthot mysteriously left the place before the house was
completed, and it is said was never heard of afterward. The
church, when it was finished, cost the society one thousand five
hundred dollars. The corner stone was laid about the 1st of
July, 1837, and the building was completed and dedicated about
the 1st of September, 1838.
In 1853 the building of a new church was agitated, the old
one being considered not well located and unsuitable. Nego-
tiations were entered into with Mr. Richard Smith for the pur-
chase of lots located on Richmond road, near Beach street, and
three hundred dollars was paid on them by the trustees of the
society. When the trustees made application to Mr. Ward for
the privilege of selling the old site, it was found that in at-
tempting to buy a new site before the old was sold, they had
reckoned "without their host," for Mr. Ward refused to re-
move the proviso in the deed, and so they lost their three hun-
dred dollars. The idea of a new location was then abandoned,
but the agitation for a new church continued, until finally, on
the 28th of May, 1855, the first church building was sold at pub-
422 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
lie auction. Mr. S. N. Havens was the purchaser, for two hun-
dred and fifty dollars, and he removed it at once to New
Brighton, and converted it into a dwelling house, where it still
stands. The present membership of the Sunday school is one
hundred and twenty.
For fifteen years after the organization of this church, it was
connected with other M. E. churches on the island in what is
called the "Circuit" plan, making the pastor of this church
also the pastor of all the others embraced in the circuit.
With this explanation, the first pastor was Rev. Henry Boehm,
who had been the travelling companion of Bishop Asbury,
one of the first bishops of the M. E. church in the United
States. Father Boehm, as he was afterward called, lived to the
advanced age of 100 years, and died on Staten Island the 28th
of December, 1875.
The society has had twenty-nine pastors, viz.: Henry Boehm,
two years; Mulford Day, two years; John S. Begle, one year;
Mr. Lutton, one year; Mr. Lewis, one year; Benjamin Day,
two years; George Wisnor, two years; Walters Burroughs,
two years; John Stephenson, two years; Mr. Miller, one year;
J. B. Graw, two years; D. F. Reed, one year; Mr. Bishop, eight
months; Rev. E. Clement, four months; William H. Dickerson,
one year; A. S. Burdett, fifteen months; C. R. Snyder, twenty-
one months; S. 1ST. Bebour, one year; J. B. Faulks, two years;
J. Coyle, three years; H. Spellmyer, three years; J. Cowans,
one year; G. Smith, one year; H. Simpson, two years; T.
Michael, one year; J. F. Andrew, two years; C. S. Woodruff,
three years; C. W. McCormick, one year; R. B. Collins, three
years.
In April, 1885, this society completed a beautiful and com-
modious, parsonage at the cost of $3,500, It is situated on the
west side of the church, and has a commanding view of New
York bay and Coney Island. The whole church property is
valued at $15,000.
The above history was prepared for this work by Rev. R. B.
Collins, pastor of the church.
The corner stone of the second church building was laid
about the 1st of June, 1855, during the ministry of Rev. J.
B. Graw, and was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God
in December of the same year. The new church was known,
thereafter, as the " Stapleton Methodist Episcopal Church."
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 423
In 1870, during the ministry of the Rev, Henry Spellmyer, the
church was remodelled, enlarged and refurnished, at a cost of
$12,000. After these improvements, its name was changed again,
this time to Kingsley Methodist Episcopal church, Stapleton,
after Bishop Calvin Kingsley, of the M. E. Church, who while
performing a tour of Episcopal visitation of the world, and
when on his way home, was attacked by disease and died at
Berut, Syria, April 6th, 1870. The building has a seating
capacity for 700 persons, and with a commodious lecture room
for Sunday school and social meetings, has every covenience in
the way of room to carry on its work. The present membership
of the church is one hundred and thirty. The Sunday school
was organized in 1838, during the ministry of Rev. J. S. Begle.
William Thome was the first superintendent.
So far as is now known, the first of the denomination of Chris-
tians called Moravians, or United Brethren, on Staten Island, was
Captain Nicholas Garrison. It is said that the ship which he
commanded, while on a voyage from Georgia to New York,
was overtaken by an exceedingly violent storm. Among the
passengers on board was the Bishop Spangenberg, who remained
calm and undisturbed amidst the confusion and terror which
prevailed on board, spending most of the time in earnest prayer.
This ship was built for the purposes of the Moravian church,
most of the expense having been borne by Bishop Spangenberg
himself. She made many passages across the ocean, and on a
subsequent voyage was captured by a French privateer and
finally wrecked on the coast of Cape Breton island.
In 1742, David Bruce, a very zealous servant of God, was
sent 'to visit the scattered flocks in New York, and on Long
and Staten islands, and he was probably the first Moravian
preacher who ever officiated as such on Staten Island. Of those
most prominent in sustaining this church on the island the
names of Jacobus and Vettje Van Der Bilt are mentioned in
September, 1747, at which time the church in America compre-
hended three localities, viz., New York city, Staten Island and
Bethlehem, Pa. After the arrival of the first colony of Mora-
vians in June, 1742, these three places jointly constituted a
field in which their evangelists labored. Among those who
thus labored in these early years were the Brethren David Bruce,
Aimers, Gambold, Jasper Payne, Thomas Rodgers, Thomas
Ynrrell, Neisser, Richard Utley, Owen Rice and John Wade.
424
HISTORY Oi' RICHMOND COUNTY.
In referring- to the early period of this church, Mrs. Bird,
an aged lady who was interviewed by Professor Anthon years
ago. said : " Mr. Gambold was a nice old man. The church on
Christmas eve used to be beautifully decorated with greens,
and artificial flowers, such as roses, pinks and such like, of their
own make. The pulpit was covered with flowers from top to
bottom, and the windows were also adorned. But the custom
of celebrating Christmas eve was not kept up in later years so
much as in earlv times."
OLD MORAVIAN CHURCH AND PARSONAGE.
Between 1742 and 1743, about a dozen different clergymen of
the denomination came occasionally to the island to officiate.
In 1756 there were only three communicant members on the
island, viz.: Jacobus Vanderbilt and his wife Yettje or ISTeiltje,
and the widow Elizabeth Inyard. The religious services were
usually held in a school house, which, as some say, stood on
or near the site of the present church, but as others say, with
more probability, at the corner of the roads at what is now
called Egbertville. In 1762, Richard Connor, Stephen Martino,
Jr., Tunis Egbert, Jacob Yander Bilt, Aaron Cortelyou, Ma-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNT V. 425
thias Enyard, John Baty, Cornelius Cortelyou, Cornelius
Vander Bilt, Cornelius Van Deventer, Stephen Martino, Mary
Stilwell, Cornelius Martino and Peter Ferine, applied to the
church authorities at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for the estab-
lishment of a Moravian church on Staten Island. On the 7th
of July, 1763, the corner stone of a church and parsonage was
laid, and on the ensuing 7th of December the church was con-
secrated. The identical building is still standing, and is shown
in the illustration accompanying this notice. The custom of
the Moravians at that period was to combine church and par-
sonage under one roof, hence the arrangement and un-church-
like appearance of this old building. The last religious exer-
cises in this church, before its removal from the original
site, were held on Thursday, October 26, 1882. They were con-
ducted by Rev. W. H. Vogler, the pastor of the church.
The first regularly settled pastor was the Rev. Hector Gam-
bold, who had come to the field August 17, 1763, and pending
the completion of the parsonage was accommodated in another
house. On the 21st of December, he and his family moved into
the rooms now made ready for his occupancy, and here he found
his home during his long pastorate, which extended to the year
1784. Following him for brief periods were James Birkly and
E. Thorp, and in 1787 Frederick Moehring assumed the pastor-
ate. His term of service continued until 1793, when he was
followed by Mr. Birkly again. The latter remained till 1797,
when Mr. Moehring returned and exercised the pastoral func-
tion until 1803. His successor that year was Nathaniel Brown,
who held the position until removed by death in 1813. He was
a native of Nazareth, Pa., where he was born July 9, 1763,
two days after the laying of the corner stone of this church.
His father, Rev. Peter Brown, was for upward of twenty years
a missionary of the United Brethren on the island of Antigua,
and he had himself been a missionary to the island of Jamaica,
whither he was sent in 1789. His stay there was not long, his
return to the United States following shortly after the death of
his wife, Elizabeth Chitty. He afterward married Anna Cath-
erine Frederica Unger, in Maryland, about two years before he
came to this charge. He was followed by John C. Bechler, from
1813 to 1817, and others followed successively as named : George
A. Hartmann, from 1817 to 1837 ; Ambrose Rondthaler, from
1837 to 1839 ; H. G. Clauder, from 1839 to 1852 ; Bernhard de
426
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Schweinitz, from 1852 to 1854 ; Amadeus A. Reinke, from 1854
to 1860 ; Edwin T. Senseman, from 1860 to 1862 ; Eugene Leib-
ert, from ]862 to 1867; Francis F. Hagen, from 1867 to 1870 ;
William L. Lennert, from 1870 to 1876; William H. Vogler,
from 1876 present incumbent.
The early dates and events given above have been derived
chiefly from denominational sources, the records of the church
having been destroyed during the revolution, when some Brit-
ish soldiers forcibly entered the parsonage at night, and after
H,^f>^P^ae
MORAVIAN CHUECH, NEW DORP.
wantonly destroying furniture and other articles belonging to
the occupant, carried off the archies of the infant church.
About the same time, probably on the same night, the house
of Caps. Christian Jacobson, in the vicinity of the church,
was also entered, and he was killed by being shot. He was
an eminently pious man, and captain of the Moravian ship
" Irene," after the retirement of Captain Garrison.
The society was incorporated April 15, 1808. The land on
which the church was erected was sold by John Baty to Thomas
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 427
Yarrell, the minister, and Henry Van Vleek, of New York city,
and Cornelius Van Deventer and Richard Conner, of Richmond
county, June 19, 1763, for 25 l()s. This parcel of ground con-
tained h've and a half acres, more or less, and was bounded on
the southwest by Cornelius Cortelyou, northwest and northeast,
by John Baty and southeast by the King's highway. A deed
of confirmation was given for the same, to the representatives
of the denomination, by Edward Baty, executor of his father,
John Baty, March 2, 1790.
The present church edifice was erected in 1845, being conse-
crated May 15th of that year. The old church was re-arranged
for school purposes and dwelling apartments in 1851. Mr. N.
J. Ostrander, superintendent of the cemetery, moved into a
part of the house in 1872.
The old church has the honor of having been the first house
of worship on the island in which an organ was used. This
statement is made on the authority of an old lady whose mem-
ory extended back into the pre-revolutionary time.
The Sunday school first organized July 19, 1829, has con-
tinued to flourish to the present time. On the 31st day of Au-
gust, 1873, the chapel and Sunday school building at the Four
Corners was dedicated. It was built on land donated for
the purpose by Mr. Cornelius Du Bois; the lot is one hundred
feet square. The whole premises are estimated to be worth over
seven thousand dollars.
The donations of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt to this
church of his forefathers have been munificent. When the
present church edifice was erected, he contributed the sum of
one thousand dollars toward its completion. On the 20th day
of December, 1865, he gratuitously conveyed to the trustees of
the "United Brethren's Church on Staten Island," eight and
a half acres of land on the east side of the original h've and
a half acres, and on the 30th day of October, 1868, about forty-
six acres more on the north and west sides thereof. A new
parsonage, a very handsome building of modern style, was
erected by the gift of William H. Vanderbilt in 1880, and Mr.
Vogler moved into it on the 21st of December of that year.
In 1882 Mr. Vanderbilt also purchased property of Mrs. Susan
Jane Fountain, comprising about four acres, with the buildings
on it, at a cost of five thousand dollars, and presented it to
the trustees of the church on condition that certain improve-
428 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
merits should be made, which conditions were accepted. This
stands on the opposite side of the Todt Hill road from the par-
sonage, and was given for a residence for the superintendent of
the cemetery. ' By this accession to the church propery its line
of frontage along the Richmond road was extended to nearly
four thousand feet in length. The old church was moved back
to its present, site, and protected by paint and repairs to pre-
serve it against the encroachments of time and the elements,
while the surroundings were improved and beautified. Up to
that time it was estimated that the Vanderbilt family had made
gifts to this society, in cemetery property, buildings and im-
provements to the amount of thirty-seven thousand dollars. In
addition to this, the society received by bequest of William H.
Vanderbilt, whose will bears date September 25, 1884, and whose
death occurred December 8, 1885, the princely gift of one hun-
dred thousand dollars.
The first Roman Catholic church on Staten Island was organ-
ized on the first day of April, 1839, at New Brighton. For some
time prior to this, however, a few individuals professing this
faith, assembled regularly every week in a small apartment of
the ll Gun Factory," an establishment which stood at the corner
of Richmond terrace and Lafayette avenue, and consisted of the
factory proper and a row of brick two-story cottages. The
ground on which the church v St. Peter's) was built, was do-
nated for the purpose by the "New Brighton Association," and
will revert when it ceases to be used for a church of that faith.
The first pastor was Rev. Ildefonso Medrano, a native of Old
Spain ; he remained until December, 1845, and was succeeded by
Rev. John Shanahan, whose brief pastorate terminated in August,
1846. Rev. James Rosevelt Bailey was the next pastor for a
still briefer period, from August to December, 1846. He was
afterward bishop of Newark, and later, archbishop of Balti-
more. Then came Rev. Patrick Murphy, who was pastor from
March, 1846, to February 11, 1848, when he died of yellow fever,
and was interred under the altar. He was immediately suc-
ceeded by his brother, Rev. Mark Murphy, who was succeeded
by the Rev. James L. Conron, in August, 1852. He continued un-
til within a few years of the present time. Rev. John Barry
has since been pastor of the church.
The two brothers Murphy were remarkably quiet, unassum-
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 429
ing, and faithful men. In the church is a mural tablet to the
memory of Patrick, in the following words :
" Hie Jacet
In Spem Beatse Resurrectionis
Rev dus PATRICIUS MURPHY,
Presbyter Primus, ut creditur,
Qui in hac Insula Mortuus est.
In Hibernia natus juxta oppidum
Enniskillen, Seminarii S toe Maria
Ad Montes Aluminus, et in Neo-
Eboraco ordinatus, pastor
Ecclesipe hujus et Insulse
Totius Constitutus est. Ubi
Morum suavitate, Vitse integritate,
Zelo et eloquentia pro Deo et
fancta Fide, ita se commendavit ut
Ab ommibus vere bonus pastor, et
Quasi Apostolus Insulae haberetur,
Labore tandem et morbo gravi.
Oppressus, Anno eetatis stife 30 m -
Mense post ordinationem 15 mo - die llmo-
Februarii 1848, animam Deo reddidit,
Memoriam sui relinquens non cito
Perituram, sed qure diu inter
Fideles in benedictione
Servabitur.
Requiescat in Pace."
(Translation.)
Here lies,
In the hope of a blessed resurrection,
Reverend PATRICK MURPHY,
Believed to be the first priest
Who died on this Island.
Born in Ireland, near the town of
Enniskillen, graduate of Mount St. Mary's Seminary,
And ordained in New York, and
Appointed pastor of this Church, and
Of this whole Island, where,
By the amiability of his disposition and integrity of his life,
430 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Zeal and eloquence for God, and
Holy faith, he so commended himself, that
By all he was considered a truly good pastor, and
As it were, the Apostle of the Island.
At length, worn down by labor and a fatal disease,
His soul returned to God,
In the thirtieth year of his age, and the
Fifteenth month after his ordination,
February the llth, 1848 ;
Leaving a memory not soon to be
Forgotten, but which shall long remain
Among the faithful in benediction.
May he rest in peace.
REV. JOHN BARRY. No face is more familiar upon the streets
of Staten Island than that of Rev. Father John Barry, whose
residence of twenty- seven years in Richmond county has re-
sulted in great benefit, not only to the church with which he is
connected, but to the community at large.
Father Barry was born in Cork, Ireland, January 6, 1830.
He graduated from " St. Vincent's Seminary," in that city, in
1850, and in the following year came to New York city. Shortly
after his arrival he entered "St. Joseph's Seminary," at Ford-
ham, N. Y., from which he was ordained to the priesthood in
1854. After his ordination he was appointed by Archbishop
Hughes first assistant at Old St. Patrick's cathedral, and re-
mained in this position for five years, serving also during the
latter portion of the term as chaplain and secretary to the arch-
bishop. It was while he held this honorable and important post
that the celebrated controversy between Archbishop Hughes and
Hon. Erastus Brooks took place. Father Barry was the bearer
of the bishop's letters to the "-Courier and Enquirer." Dur-
ing this time also the cornerstone of the new cathedral was laid,
Father Barry acting as deacon on the occasion. His valuable
services were shortly afterward rewarded by an appointment to
the Parish of Rossville, S.I., which then included the villages of
Ric
