A history of the city of Brooklyn : including the old town and village of Brooklyn, the town of Bushwick, and the village and city of Williamsburgh, Part 1

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909. cn
Publication date: 1867
Publisher: Brooklyn : Pub. by subscription
Number of Pages: 536


USA > New York > Kings County > Williamsburgh > A history of the city of Brooklyn : including the old town and village of Brooklyn, the town of Bushwick, and the village and city of Williamsburgh > Part 1
USA > New York > Kings County > Bushwick > A history of the city of Brooklyn : including the old town and village of Brooklyn, the town of Bushwick, and the village and city of Williamsburgh > Part 1
USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > A history of the city of Brooklyn : including the old town and village of Brooklyn, the town of Bushwick, and the village and city of Williamsburgh > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47



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GENEALOGY COLLECTION


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01152 2932


m


E


HISTORY


OF THE


CITY OF BROOKLYN, N. Y.


VOLUME I.


111


Thos Hogan i


THE VECHTE CORTELYOU HOUSE, AT GUWANUS


(Fifth Avenue, near Fourth Street )


Frontispiece.


A


HISTORY


OF THE


CITY OF BROOKLYN.


INCLUDING


New York


THE OLD TOWN AND VILLAGE OF BROOKLYN, THE TOWN OF BUSHWICK, AND THE VILLAGE AND CITY OF WILLIAMSBURGH.


BY HENRY R. STILES.


Alaakt


Kendraght


Alag


SEAL OF


OKI


CIT


IN TWO VOLUMES.


VOL. I.


BROOKLYN, N. Y. : PUBLISHED BY SUBSCRIPTION. 1867.


Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1$67, BY D. WILLIAMS PATTERSON, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York.


J. G. SHEA, ETEREOTTPER AND ELEOTROTTPER


MUNSELL, ALBANY. PRINTER.


J. P. DAVIS & SPEER, ENGRAVERO.


JOHN MOONEY, CUT-PRINTER.


THOMAS HOGAN, ARTIOT.


1136721


TO


THE CITIZENS


OF THE


CITY OF BROOKLYN,


AND TO ALL


WHOSE INTEREST IN HER PRESENT PROSPERITY MAY LEAD THEM TO LOOK WITH KINDLY FAVOR UPON THIS


RECORD OF HER PAST,


' These Pages


ARE RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.


PATRIBUS


GET


ET


POSTE


PREFACE.


IN the year 1824, GABRIEL FURMAN, a native of the town, pub- lished a little volume which he modestly entitled "Notes on the History of Brooklyn," and which, for that day, possessed great merit as a local history. After him, in the form of occasional con- tributions to magazines and newspapers, came the numerous pro- ductions of that worthy citizen, Gen. JEREMIAH JOHNSON, himself a connecting link between Brooklyn's Past and Present. BENJAMIN THOMPSON, the historian of Long Island, in 1843, and the Rev. NATHANIEL S. PRIME, his successor in the same historic field, in 1845, each gave interesting but necessarily brief résumés of Brook- lyn history ; while THOS. P. TEALE's somewhat scanty " Chronicles" in Spooner's Directory for 1848, and J. T. BAILEY's "Historical Sketch," in 1840, close the list of what may properly be called histories of this Town and City. The Town of Bushwick and the City of Williamsburgh have had their histories outlined in a similar manner, by Thompson, Prime and Johnson; and by Mr. C. S. SCHROEDER, in the Long Island Family Circle, in 1852; the only work, however, which can pretend to the dignity of a volume, being the "History of Williamsburgh," published by Mr. SAMUEL REY- NOLDS, in 1852, as an adjunct to the Williamsburgh Directory of that year. These were the pioneer historians of Brooklyn history, to whose efforts all honor is due.


The present history had its inception, in the Fall of 1859, in a casual suggestion of my friend Mr. JAMES S. LORING, of this city. From that time to the present, it has been prosecuted with persist- ency of purpose, although with frequent interruptions, and always amid circumstances least favorable to literary composition. My purpose has been to present to my fellow-citizens of Brooklyn a full and reliable history of the city of their residence, from its early humble beginnings to its present position as the third city of


viii


PREFACE.


the American Union. Whatever was valuable in the works of my predecessors I have incorporated in these pages ; and, whatever of interest could be gleaned, from sources both old and new, I have spared neither time, thought nor labor to gather for the illustration and adornment of my subject. Yet, looking over the pages of this now completed volume, I can see, as only an author can, its defi- ciencies, and regret that it comes so far short of my ideal of what such a history should be.


There remains, then, but the pleasant duty of acknowledging my obligations to those friends who have aided me in my self-imposed task. To JOHN G. SHEA, LL.D., of New York City, for kindness of which his modesty would forbid mention, but without which this history might never have seen the light; to Mr. J. CARSON BRE- VOORT, of Brooklyn, for his numerous and delicately rendered ser- vices, in the way of encouragement, of valuable suggestion and con- tribution, by pen and pencil; to Hon. TEUNIS G. BERGEN, of Bay Ridge, L. I., whose aid-always so freely given-is indispensable to any one who undertakes to write Kings County history ; to Dr. E. B. O'CALLAGHAN, the accomplished custodian of our State archives at Albany, for the inestimable favors he has conferred by the trans- lation of such original documents as I needed in my work, and to many others, whose names are elsewhere particularly mentioned, I return my sincere thanks. From all, indeed, to whom I have applied, cither for materials or facilities of research, I have received the most uniform and flattering courtesy.


The illustrations to this volume, which have been selected with a view to preserve the fast-fading remembrance of the characteristic scenes and historic places of "Old Brooklyn," were all carefully drawn (during the summer of 1867), under my personal super- vision, from the originals (where such yet exist), or from well- authenticated sketches. Their fidelity cannot be questioned, and they reflect great credit upon the artist, Mr. THOMAS HOGAN, a resident of this city, whose graceful pencil has gained new power from his deep interest in what has been to him, as to myself, "a labor of love."


HENRY R. STILES, M.D.


BROOKLYN, N. Y., July 1st, 1867.


.


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS


TO THE FIRST VOLUME.


PAGE


1. SEAL OF THE CONSOLIDATED CITY OF BROOKLYN Title-page.


2. THE VECHTE-CORTELYOU HOUSE, AT GOWANUS. Frontispiece.


3. MAP OF BREUCKELEN SETTLEMENTS IN 1646 47


4. MAP OF THE BENNETT AND BENTYN PURCHASE, AT GOWANUS. 52


5. THE SCHERMERHORN HOUSE, AT GOWANUS 52


6. THE DE HART, OR BERGEN HOUSE, AT GOWANUS. 52


7. RATZER'S MAP OF BROOKLAND, 1766-67 63


8. AUTOGRAPH OF CAREL DE BEVOIS 117


9. AUTOGRAPH AND SEAL OF REV. HENRY SELYNS 150


10. PORTRAIT AND AUTOGRAPH OF REV. BERNARDUS FREEMAN 183


11. AUTOGRAPH OF REV. JOHN ARONDEUS. 184


12. AUTOGRAPH OF REV. VINCENTIUS ANTONIDES. 185


13. PORTRAIT OF REV. ULPIANUS VAN SINDEREN 187


14. PORTRAIT OF REV. PETER LOWE 192


15. THE OLD BROOKLYN CHURCH AND DUFFIELD HOUSE* 193


16. VIEW OF BROOKLAND IN 1766-67. 217


17. MAP OF THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN 251


" From a Sketch by MISS ELIZABETH SLEIGHT, in 1808.


2


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.


PAGE


18. VIEW OF THE BATTLE-PASS, PROSPECT PARK 261


19. BEDFORD CORNERS, IN 1776. 267


20. MAP OF BEDFORD CORNERS, IN 1776. 267


21. THE CORNELL-PIERREPONT MANSION (FRONT VIEW) 307


22. THE CORNELL-PIERREPONT MANSION (REAR VIEW) 307


23. MAP OF BROOKLAND FERRY IN 1766-67 311


24. BROOKLYN FORT 315


25. HESSIAN CAMP-HUT (SECTIONAL VIEW). 320


26. HESSIAN CAMP-HUT (VIEW ON LOWER SIDE). 321


27. MAP OF THE WALLABOUT, DURING THE REVOLUTION 333


28. VIEW OF THE " OLD JERSEY" PRISON-SHIP 337


29. PLAN OF GUN-DECK OF THE "OLD JERSEY" 339


30. PLAN OF THE UPPER DECK OF THE "OLD JERSEY" 339


31. THE TOMB OF THE MARTYRS IN 1839. 373


32. THE PRESENT APPEARANCE OF THE TOMB. 376


33. BROOKLYN IN 1798. 379


34. MAP OF FORTIFICATIONS IN BROOKLYN, DURING THE "WAR OF 1812" ... . 401


TABLE OF CONTENTS.


CHAPTER I.


FROM THE DISCOVERY OF MANHATTAN ISLAND TO THE INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF BREUCKELEN, 1609-1646.


Hudson's first visit to Manhattan-Early Dutch Voyages and Discoveries in the New Netherlands-Formation of the " United New Netherland Company"-Creation of the " Dutch West India Company"-New Netherland made a Province-First Emigration of Walloons-Prosperity of the Colony under Directors May, Verhulst, and Minuit-Adoption of the "Charter of Freedom and Exemptions" of 1629- Appointment of Wouter Van Twiller as Director-Dutch Settlements on the Con- necticut River-First purchase of Land in King's County-The Bennett and Ben- tyn purchase of Land at Gowanus, in 1636-Rapalie's purchase of Land at the Wallabout, in 1637-Purchase, by the Dutch West India Company, in 1638, of Land now composing the Eastern District of Brooklyn-Other purchases of Land around Manhattan Island-New Netherland thrown open to Free Trade-New Purchases and Settlements on Long Island-Anthony Van Salee at New Utrecht- Settlements, of Bescher, at Gowanus-of Lubbertsen, at Red Hook-of Hans Hansen Bergen, at the Wallabout, etc., etc .- English Settlements on the east end of Long Island-Troubles with the Long Island Indians-The " New Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions" of 1640-its beneficial results upon the progress of New Nether- land-Indian Troubles again-Appointment of the "Twelve Men"-Hostilities with the Indians-Establishment of the Ferry between Long Island and Manhattan -Settlements at Breuckelen, at Newtown, and in Westchester and New Rochelle- Massacre of Indians at Pavonia and Corlaer's Hook-Warlike Expedition against the Marechkawiecks at Brooklyn-Outbreak of Indian resentment-Kieft dis- mayed-Public tribulation-Embassy to the Indians at Rockaway-Peace estab- lished with the Long Island Indians-" The Eight Men" are convened-Arbitrary exercise of power by Director Kieft-Popular resistance to the same-Pusilla- nimity of Kieft-Threatening attitude of the Indians-The people appeal to the West India Company-Reorganization of the Provincial Government of New Netherland-General peace established with the natives-Purchase from the In- dians of Land in New Utrecht, settlement of Flushing and Gravesend, and re- settlement of Newtown -- Gradual progress of settlement of Brooklyn-Incorpora- tion of the Village of Breuckelen, 1646-Appointment of Jan Teunissen as Con- stable. Page 9-47


4


TABLE OF CONTENTS.


CHAPTER II.


THE EARLY SETTLERS AND PATENTS OF BREUCKELEN.


The Bennett and Bentyn Purchase at Gowanus, in 1636-The old De Hart or Bergen House-Cornelis Lambertsen Cool's Patent, in 1642-The old Vechte-Cortelyou House of 1699-The Red Hook-Van Dyck's Mill-Boompties Hook-The Butter- milk Channel-Fred. Lubbertsen's Patent of 1640-Seabring's Mill-Cole's Mills- Luqueer's Mills-Ruyter's Patent, of 1645-Manje's Patent, of 1642-Hudde's Patent, of 1645-Mentalaer's Patent, of 1642-Dricksen's (the ferry-master's) Pa- tent, of 1645-Lubbertsen and Breser Patents-John Rapalje's Estate, confiscated and purchased by J. and C. Sands-The Fiscock-Hues Patent, of 1647-The Mid- dagh Family and Estate-The Navy Yard-Patent of Lodewyck, Cornelissen, Peter Cæsar the Italian, and the Montforts-Rapalie's Settlement at the Waal-boght- Catalina Trico, his wife-Hans Hansen Bergen's Patent-the story of Sarah (Rapalie) his wife-Jean Vigné, the first born European in New Netherland-The Bogaert Family-Ancient Remsen deed-The Gerritt Wolphertsen, Stoffelsen, and Bout Patents-Brouwer or Freeke's Mill-Denton's, or the Yellow Mill-The Van Rossum, Cornelissen, and Dricksen Patents. Page 47-104


CHAPTER III.


THE CIVIL HISTORY OF BREUCKELEN, 1646-1664.


Stuyvesant the new Director-General-Contest between the Director and People- Appointment, by the People, of " the Nine Men"-The Popular Convention of 1653-Piracy on the Sound, and Robberies on Long Island-Measures of defence adopted by the Towns-Enlargement of the Municipal Privileges of Breukelen- She is honored by the appointment of a separate Constable-The first Church on west end of Long Island erected at Flatbush-Installation of Rev. Theo. Polhemus -Regulation of the Ferry between Long Island and Manhattan-A Tavern at " The Ferry"-The legal fees allowed to David Provoost, the Secretary of the three Dutch Towns-Market-day established at Breuckelen-Breuckelen and New Utrecht ordered to be placed in a state of defence-First Settlements at Bushwick -Settlements on the East River, within the limits of present Eastern District- The installation of Rev. H. Selyns as minister at Breukelen-Carel de Beavois, the first schoolmaster of Breuekelen-Troubles with the English-Fears of Indian hostilities-Captain John Scott visits Breuckelen and other Dutch towns on Long Island, and proclaims the authority of the Duke of York-Stuyvesant convenes a Popular Assembly-Col. Richard Nicolls, with a British fleet, demands the sur- render of Fort Amsterdam-Obstinate refusal of Stuyvesant-Final reluctant sub- mission to the necessity of the case-Capitulation to the British forces. . . . 105-126


CHAPTER IV.


ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF BREUCKELEN, 1628-1664.


Care of the Dutch authorities to provide religious privileges for their colonies- Michaelius, Bogardus, and Megapolensis, the first ministers in New Netherland- The establishment of a Church at Flatbush-The history of the Minister's house-


5


TABLE OF CONTENTS.


The Rev. Theo. Polhemus-Objections of the Breuckelen people, in 1656, to con- tributing to his salary-He is to preach alternately at Flatbush and Breuckelen- Dissatisfaction of the Breuckelen people with Mr. Polhemus' ministrations-They are forced to pay their share of his salary-Troubles of Mr. Polhemus-List of the " well-to-do" Citizens of Breuckelen, Gowanus, the Ferry, and the " Waal- bogt"-Troubles with the Quakers-their persecution by the Dutch Government- The Breuckelen malcontents are summarily dealt with by the Director-The arrival, in New Netherland, of Revs. Blom and Selyns-Selyns is settled at Breuckelen-Formation of the Breuckelen Church-The West India Co. give the village a church bell-Selyns' departure for his home in Holland-His life, char- acter, and career Page 127-151


CHAPTER V.


CIVIL HISTORY OF BREUCKELEN, 1664-1674.


The "Duke's Code" of Laws, 1665-Long and Staten Islands incorporated as a Shire, and Ridings established-Confirmatory Patent granted to the Town of Breuckelen by Gov. Nicolls, 1667-License for selling liquor-A tavern established at Bedford -Purchase of land at Bedford from the Indians, and enlargement of bounds, 1670 -Recapture of New Netherland by the Dutch in 1673-Reorganization of the municipal government of the Dutch Towns-Visit of Gov. Colve to the Dutch Towns-Military precautions for the defence of the Towns-Treaty of Peace be- tween England and Holland, in 1674-Exchange of New Netherland for Surinam -Reinstatement of English authority, and arrival of Gov. Andross. . Page 152-165


CHAPTER VI.


ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF BREUCKELEN, 1664-1803.


Domine Polhemus resumes charge of the Breuckelen church-His death-The first church edifice in Breuckelen, 1666-The Rev. Casparus Van Zuren becomes Pastor of the Dutch Towns-Extract from the Church Records-Protest of the Dutch Churches against English interference with their ecclesiastical affairs-Rev. Ru- dolphus Van Varick's pastorate-Rev. Wilhelmus Lupardus-Rev. Bernardus Freeman is appointed by the Governor pastor of the Dutch churches on Long Island-Opposition of the people-They apply to the Classis of Amsterdam for a minister-Rev. Vincentius Antonides sent out to them-His installation-The controversy between the Freeman and Antonides parties-Interference of the Colonial Government-Final adjustment of the quarrel-Life of Freeman-The Cœtus and Conferentie question-The Rev. Johannes Arondeus-Notice of Rev. Mr. Antonides-The Rev. Ulpianus Van Sinderen-The Rev. Antonius Curtenius -his obituary notice-Rev. Mr. Rubel-his character-life-anecdotes of his preaching-The last of the European Dutch ministry in King's County-The Rev. Martinus Schoonmaker-his life and character-his peculiarities-an old-fashioned Dutch funeral-The Rev. Peter Lowe-his life and character-The Old Brooklyn Church-The "Collegiate Domines" and their friends in Brooklyn-The Rev. Barent Johnson installed at Breuckelen-Sketch of his life. Page 166-196


6


TABLE OF CONTENTS.


CHAPTER VII.


CIVIL HISTORY OF BROOKLAND, 1675-1775.


Brookland's growth in population and wealth-Is made a market town-A recom- mendation to neighborly action-Assessment of 1676-Arrival of Gov. Dongan- Reorganization of Provincial Government-The Dongan Patent of Breuckelen, 1686-Names of Inhabitants of Brookland who took the Oath of Allegiance in 1686-The Leister Rebellion-The "Stocks" erected in Brooklyn-Long Island called " Island of Nassau"-The Common Lands of Breuckelen-Riotous proceed- ings in King's County-Petition of Volkert Brier-Orders to Constables-Regula- tions as to Negroes-Extracts from the Town Records-Extracts from News- Page 197-220 papers.


CHAPTER VIII.


THE DOMESTIC HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE, FROM THE SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTRY TO THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD,


Commenced with the arrival of the thirty families which came in 1623-First tempo- rary dwellings-Rude furniture-Gradual improvement-Brick houses-Rents- Contract for building a new Ferry-house at Breuckelen in 1655-The " Slaap- banck"-Glimpseat a Dutch tavern of that day-The Labadist travellers' descrip- tion of De Hart's house at Gowanus, in 1679-Gowanus oysters-pumpkins-fine living-Jacques Cortelyou's house, New Utrecht-Architectural peculiarities of the Dutch farm-houses-Interior accommodations and decorations-Domestic habits- Carpets-Furniture-China ware-Books-Inventory of a bride's property in 1691 -Methods of travelling-Manners-Agriculture-Tobacco and Cotton raised in Kings County at an early period-Slavery-Last public sale of slaves in the county-Funeral customs of the Dutch-Peculiarities of ancient Dutch wills- Dutch nomenclature. .Page 221-241


CHAPTER IX.


BROOKLYN DURING TIIE REVOLUTION.


Part I. THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN, August 17, 1776 .- Brooklyn at the beginning of the war-Dawnings of the conflict-Town and county action in 1775-Luke- warm action of Kings County-General Lee's arrival in New York-Fortification of that city and Long Island commenced-Officers of Brooklyn militia-Troops in Brooklyn-Captain Waldron's Light Horse-Fort Sterling erected on the Heights -Red Hook fortified-General Washington's arrival at New York-Arrival at Staten Island of the British army and fleet-Concentration of American troops at Brooklyn-General Greene's illness-Is succeeded by General Sullivan-Disaffec- tion in Kings County-Description of the American interior lines of defence on Long Island-Landing of the British, on 22d August-Curious incident-The Brit- ish take position at Flatbush-Skirmishing there between Americans and Hes- sians-Howe's Proclamation-Washington's Proclamation to his troops-Disorder in the American camp-Putnam appointed to the chief command-Description of the exterior lines of defence-The position of the two armies on the evening of August 26th-The British movement commences-The Bedford pass is turned-


7


TABLE OF CONTENTS.


The left British wing advances along the coast road-Conflict between it and the American right-Incidents of the fight in Greenwood Cemetery-Blokje's Bergh -- . De Heister attacks the American centre-Sullivan defeated-Finds his forces hemmed in on all sides-Terrible struggle and rout of the Americans-Hessian atrocities-Hessian account of the battle-The closing battle at Gowanus-Heroic conduct of Sterling's men-General rout and flight of Americans-Agony of Washington on beholding the scene-Losses on both sides-The night after the battle-Dispirited condition of the American troops-A day of skirmishing-A friendly fog-A council of war-A retreat determined upon-The " Four Chim- nies"-The retreat-Anecdote of Washington-The Army is saved-The Ameri- cans leave New York island, which is occupied by the British-Observations on the conduct of the battle, and the conduct of General Putnam-The share of the Kings County troops in the battle-Colonel Cowenhoren .. .Page 242-297


Part II. THE BRITISH OCCUPATION OF BROOKLYN, August, 1776, to November, 1783 .- Submission of the citizens of Brooklyn to British authority-American prisoners paroled and billeted in the county-Colonel Graydon's humorous account of society at Flatbush-Depredations of British Tories and Hessians on Long Island-" Red Rag" gentry-The "Protection" of the British military authorities-Official re- strictions and extortions-Discovery of Peat in King's County-The " Whale-boat men"-Description of Brooklyn during the occupation-The Heights-The Jorale- mon House-Livingston's Garden-British Naval Hospitals-Anecdote of Prince of Wales, afterwards King William the Fourth-Burial-places of British sailors on the Heights-The Cornell Family-The Seabring Family-The Pierrepont House-The Livingston Brewery-The "Half-Moon" Fort on the Heights-Mr. Lodewyck Bamper-The first Glass Factory in Brooklyn, 1754-Dr. Barbarin -- The " Old Stone House"-The British Wagon Department-Foraging on Long Island-The Ferry Tavern, or "old Corporation House," occupied by Loosely and Elms during the war as " The King's Head," the headquarters of British officers and " sports" during the Revolution-The Rapalje House-Illumination of "The King's Head" Tavern, on Rivington's return to America-Celebration of the Queen's Birth-day-British troops stationed in Brooklyn-Cricket matches at the King's Head-" Brooklyn Fort," on the Heights, and incidents of its construction -Bull-baiting at Brooklyn Ferry-Loyalist Address to General Robertson-Races at Flatlands Plain-General Riedesel in command at Brooklyn-The winter of 1780-81-Hessian camps at Bedford-Residence there of Major John André-Fox- hunt and races at " Brooklyn Hall"-British fortifications in Brooklyn- A news- paper published at "Brooklyn Hall"-Treaty of peace-Departure of the British- Condition of Brooklyn-First Town-meeting since April, 1776-The loss of the Town Records-Incidents-A Rebel shot-Horse-racing-A military execution at Brooklyn-Military punishments-Patriotic loans of money to the American cause, in Brooklyn-War Scrip speculators. Page 297-351


Part III. THE BRITISH PRISON-SHIPS .- Great number of prisoners in the hands of the British-Prison accommodations inadequate to the demand-Cruelties prac- tised by Provost-marshal Cunningham-Old hulks fitted up for prison-ships, and moored in the North River and Wallabout-Description of the "Old Jer- sey"-Her interior accommodations-Regulations for conduct of prisoners-Foul and insufficient food-Poisonous water-Daily life of the wretched inmates- Routine of work on board-" Torments of the night"-Want of air-Heat, dysentery, small-pox, etc .- Delirium-Conflict between the guard and the pris- oners-A horrible 4th of July-Cruelties committed by the guard-Revolting treatment of the dying and the dead-Hasty burial-Burying parties-Foul


S


TABLE OF CONTENTS.


drinking-water-The hospital ships-Want of proper medical attention-Fre- neau's poetic satire on the Hessian surgeons-Anecdotes of the Jersey-Ver- min-The prisoners petition General Washington-The General remonstrates with the British authorities-It has some effect-The treatment of prisoners im- proved-Forced enlistments-The heroic loyalty of the prisoners-The last of the " Old Jersey"-The number of deaths on the prison-ships-Observations on the treatment of prisoners in the hulks-The neglected condition of the remains of the martyrs-Mr. John Jackson collects their bones-The Town of Brooklyn applies for permission to inter them-Mr. Jackson refuses, and offers them to Tammany Society-Congress is expected to make an appropriation-Tammany Society finally takes the matter in hand-A tomb is erected-The laying of the corner-stone- Inscription-Grand funeral pageant upon the occasion of interring the remains of the martyrs-Public apathy-The lot containing the tomb is sold for taxes-Mr. Benjamin Romaine becomes the purchaser-Repairs and ornaments the tomb- Guards it jealously-Is buried there himself-A visit to the tomb-Its sadly ne- glected condition at present. .Page 331-576


CHAPTER X.


FROM THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION TO "THE WAR OF 1812."


Organization of " Independent" religious denomination-Commencement of " Brooklyn Fire Department" -- Brooklyn recognized as a Town under the State Government- Cage and Stocks-The "New Ferry"-Directory of Brooklyn in 1796-A bell pur- chased for the Town-Theological School at Bedford-Brooklyn in 1798-The Buckbee Family-The "Courier and New York and Long Island Advertiser"- The first written history of Brooklyn-Olympia-The Old Districts of Brooklyn- A Bridge across the East River-Manufactures-Literature-Education-Masonry -Speculation in Brooklyn-Sale of Wallabout lands to the United States for a Navy Yard-Vinegar Hill-Records of Brooklyn-New Cage-Firemen-Walla- bout and Brooklyn Toll-Bridge Company-Advertisements-Mckenzie's One- Tree Hill-Other hills-The old Tulip-tree-Explosion of Sands' Powder-mill- Brooklyn, Jamaica, and Flatbush Turnpike Company-Long Island " Star" estab- lished-Yellow Fever epidemic of 1809-Schools-Petition for a Bank-Declara- tion of War-The Rain water Doctor-Curious Inscription on the tomb of one of his patients. Page 377-395


CHAPTER XI.


BROOKLYN'S SHARE IN " THE WAR OF 1812."


War excitement-Brooklyn Volunteer Companies-Fear of a British attack-Defences of New York-Proposed measures of defence-Popular enthusiasm-The boys turn out for labor-Work commenced upon the lines at Brooklyn-The incidents of the work, gay, humorous, and patriotic-The Bushwick people-The Irish in the trenches-" The Patriotic Diggers"-The colored people to the rescue-Fort Lawrence-" The Grand Master expects every Mason to do his duty"-The people of Newark-The 64th regiment Kings County militia-Good conduct of the troops-News of peace-Illuminations and rejoicings Page 396-410


APPENDICES-I. to XI. Page 413-


HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.


CHAPTER I.


1609-1646.




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