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Gc 974.702 F61st 1751307
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01178 4003
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyoftownoff00stro 1
A HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF FLATBUSH, N. Y.
BY
REV. ROBERT G. STRONG.
Reprinted from "The Illustrated History of Kings County," edited by Dr. H. R. Stiles, and published by W. W. Munsell & Co.
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
1884. 840
1751307
HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF FLATBUSH.
By REV.
A. M.
T THE BEGINNINGS of Settlement of the towns upon the west end of Long Island are somewhat difficult to define. The English, who settled its eastern extremity, came mostly in groups, or colonies, from Connecticut or from the Mas- sachusetts Bay, with well defined religious or temporal motives, and frequently with previously-perfected church and political organizations. On the contrary, the Dutch, although naturally clannish, seem to have wander- ed to the western shore of Long Island, from their first settlement at New Amsterdam, mostly as individual settlers. For purposes of inutual protection, readiness of retreat, and nearness to a market for their farm- produce, they secured farms along the shore, until the whole shore, from the Waale-boght to the ocean at Gravesend, was taken up. Not until then did they venture further inland; and we find patents granted, one after another, for Breuckelen, for Gravesend; then for Ainersfort or Flatlands.
Soon, the hardy Dutch farmers discovered that the lands in, or near, the woods covering the ridge north of Amersfort, and extending a mile or more to the south, were more fertile than those upon the open flats between s'Gravesende and Amersfort. That the settlement of the town was begun in this manner, from the south, and not, as has been generally supposed, from the north, by persons moving over the hill from Breuckelen, is evi- dent from the following fact: that we learn of no pur- chases of farms at Breuckelen at any distance back from the river, towards the hills and woods of Flatbush. Again, the first deed of land here, dated June 6, 1636, is for a tract at the southern boundary of the present village, conveyed by the Indians to Andries Hudden . and Wolphert Gerritsen, and called " The Little Flats."
Another deed was given, about the same time, to Wou- ter Van Twiller, the Director, for land in the same vi- einity, called " Twiller's Flats." These three tracts lie partly in Flatbush and partly in Flatlands. But the earliest deed to land within the bounds of the present town is to Jacobus Van Corlaer, for a tract in its south-
easterly corner, designated as "Corlaer's Flats." This view is fortified by the facts: that the largest proportion of old houses were in the southern and central portion of the village; and that the road over the hill to Breukelen was through a continuous and dense forest-being, in fact, little more than a crooked Indian-trail. If we con- ~ sider that, even in later times, this road afforded a mnost difficult route over which the farmers of the villages south of Brooklyn were obliged to hanl their produce to mar- ket, it is evident that, in the earlier times, household goods, farm-produce, etc., could only have been conveyed, to and from Flatbush, either By boat to Gravesend Bay; or, by the "shore-road," to Gravesend; and thence to Amersfort. Even sixty-one years after (1697-80), as we learn from the Journal of the Labadists, Jasper Dankers and Peter Sluyter, this road was a wretched one. "Taking our leave [we] rode on to 't Vlacke Bos, a village situated about an hour and a half's distance from there, upon the same plain, which is very large. This village seems to have better farms than the bay [Flatlands], and yields fully as much revenne. Riding through it, we came to the woods and hills, which are very stony und uncomfortable to ride over." But still stronger proof is found in the fact stated by these trav- ellers, that, when they started out from Brenckelen, they reached s' Gravesende by following the line of the shore; which we believe to have been the earliest, the most traveled, and the best ronte for reaching the interior villages; thence they continued their journey to Amersfort and 't Vlacke Bos.
Houses were probably erected and lands cultivated before any formal deeds or patents were procured from the Indians, or the Director at Nieuw Amsterdam. New Amersfort ( Flatlands) was undoubtedly first set- tled in 1624; and it is not unreasonable to suppose that, within the four or five years ensuing, settlers be- gan to clear the woods and locate in the more fertile lands at 't Vlacke Bos, or Midwout-the settlement of which we may, therefore, safely place at 1630-34. But, although the last of the five county-towns to be
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2
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF FLATBUSHI."
.
settled, Flatbushi was the third to procure a town-pat- ent from the Director. This was in 1651, and the tract of land (the title of which had undoubtedly been secured from the Indians by purchase, on the part of the West India Company-as was their invariable cus- tom), for which the patent was granted, was bounded north by the hills, and on the south by Amersfort (Flatlands), being one unbroken stretch of dense for est. The eastern and western boundaries of this pat- ent were probably coincident with those of what was afterwards called " the Old Town." The original Dutch patent is not in existence, and was probably de- stroyed in 1684* ; when, in common with those of the other county-towns (except Gravesend, which, as an English settlement, was exempted), it was "called in " by Gov. Nicolls, who was then granting new, or con- firmatory, eharters. Dr. STRONG, in his History of' Flatbush, says that the only original Dutch patent of any part of the town, which has been discovered, is a "Ground Brief or Patent " issued by Gov. Stuyvesant to the "indwellers and inhabitants of Midwout" for the Canarsie Meadows, therein described as " a parcel of meadow-ground, or valley, lying on the east north- east of the Canarsie Indian planting-grounds." Accord- ing to HENRY C. MURPHY, the original patentees, to whom Stuyvesant granted the patent of 1651, were Jan Snedecor, Arent Van Hatten, a burgomaster of Nieuw Amsterdam, and Johannes Megapolensis, one of the ministers of the same city.
The first houses and settlements were probably in the most southerly portion of the present village ; along the " Indian-path " from New Amersfort to the Hills-now the direct road, through the village, from Flatlands to Brooklyn. We have but little positive knowledge concerning the number, or the names, of the first settlers; or the locations secured by them dur- ing the seventeen years elapsing between the first purchase of 1634, and the patent of 1651. But, Dr.Strong states that, after the patent of 1651, "farms were laid out into 48 lots, or tracts of land, extending 600 Duteli rods east and west on each side of the Indian-path, and having severally an average width of 27 rods." Those on the east side ran east to west; those on the west side had a south- westerly inclination, corresponding with the direction of the Hills on the north-west of the town. Each one of the proprietors named in the patent received (in dis- tribution by lot-the invariable custom of the Dutch in the division of patented lands) two or more lots apiece, while the central and most eligible lots were reserved for the church. A considerable portion of wood lands lying on the west, north and east sides of the town, together with Corlaer's and Twiller's Flats, were left in Common, and remained undivided for years.
Early Boundary Disputes with Flatlands .- Although the Indian title to these lands had been
carefully extinguished, and purchases confirmed with patents from the Dutch and English Governors, the set- tlers of Flatbush inet with trouble from their Amers- fort neigli! we, about certain lands along the boundary- line between the two towns. Especially was this the case upon the Canarsie meadows, at that time highly esteemed by the Dutch farmers ; and, finally, in 1666, arbitrators, appointed by Gov. Nicolls, made a survey, approved by the Governor, April 20, 1667, by which the lines were carefully defined by marked trees, stakes and fence. And the Flatbush people then received the following confirmatory patent :
"RICHARD NICOLLS, Esq., &c. * * * Whereas there is a certain town within this government, known by the name of Midwout alias Flatbush &c. * * * Now, for the confirmation. &c. Know ye that I have given, ratified, confirmed and granted unto Mr. Johannes Megapolensis, one of the Ministers of this City, Mr. Cornelius Van Ruyven, one of the Justices of the Peace, Adrian Hegeman, Jan Snediger. Jan Stryker, Frans Barents Pastor, Jacob Stryker, and Cornelius Janse Bougaert, as Patentees, for and in behalf of themselves and associates, freeholders and inhabitantsof the said town, their heirs, suc- cessors and assigns; All that tract, together with several par- cells of land, which already have or shall hereafter be pur- chased or procured for, or on behalf of the said town; whether from the native Indian proprietors or others, within the bounds and limits hereafter set forth and expressed, viz: That is to say. The said Town is bounded to the North by the Hills, to the South by the fence lately sett between them and the town of Amersfort alias Flatland." Then, with mention of the stakes and land-raarks, the deed closes with " which said meadows were upon the 20 of April last, by common consent staked out. and by my approbation allowed of; All which said tracts and parcels of land, meadow-ground &c. * * Dated, Oct. 11, 1667."
The security afforded to the Flatbush settlers by this patent was, however, of short duration ; for, in 1670, Eskemoppas, Sachem of Rockaway, with his brothers Kinnarimas and Ahoraham, with evil intent, claimed the land, demanding that payment therefor should be made to themselves as the original Indian owners, and denying the right of the Canarsies to deed it to the settlers. Although this elaim was fraudulent, yet, to avoid the ill-will, annoyance, distress and expense to which its refusal might give rise, the Flatbush people accepted a deed from Eskemoppas and brothers, for which they paid a valuable consideration. The deed is as follows:
"To all Christian people to whom this present writing shall come; Eskemoppas, Sachem of Rockaway, upon Long Island, Kinnarimas and Ahawaham his brothers, send greeting: Whereas they, the said Sachem Eskemoppas, and his two brothers afore mentioned, do lay claim to the land now in the tenure and occupation of the inhabitants of Midwout, alias Flatbush, as well as other lands adjacent thereto as the right born Indian owners and proprietors thereof: Know ye that in consideration of certain sums of seewant, a certain sum of wampum and diversother goods(hereinafterspecified) nnto the said Sachem and his brothers in hand paid, and received, from Adrian Hegeman, Jacob Stryker, Hendrick Jorise and Jan Hansen, for and on behalf of themselves and the rest of the inhabitants of Midwout alias Flatbush, the receipt whereof
* Land was sold, in 1653, by Edward Griffen to Peter Loot. Griffen must have had a clear title from some patent, granted by some one at an earlier date.
3
BOUNDARY DISPUTES WITHI FLATLANDS.
-
they do hereby acknowledge, and themselves to be fully sat- istied and paid: Have given granted contracted and sold * * * All that said parcel of land where the said town of Midwout stands, together with all the lands lying therein, stretching on the east side to the limits of Newtown and Ja- maica, on the south side to the meadow ground, and limits of Amersfort; on the west side to the bounds of Gravesend and New Utrecht, and on the north side along the Hills; that is to say, all those lands within the limits above men- tioned &c. * * * In witness whereof, the parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals this 20th day of April, in the 22nd year of his Majesty's reign, in the year of our Lord 1670.
ESKEMOPPAS £ Mark. (seal). KINNARIMAS & Mark. (seal). AHAWAHAM f Mark (seal).
Signed and delivered in the presence of
THOMAS LOVELACE. CORNELIUS VAN RUYVEN.
Recorded the day and year within written
per MATHIAS NICHOLS, Secretary.
The consideration agreed upon in the purchase herein men- tioned was as follows viz : 10 Fathoms of black seewant ; 10 Fathoms of white seewant ; 5 Match coats of Duffells ; 4 Blankets; 2 Gunners sight Guns; 2 Pistols; 5 Double hand- fulls of Powder [Gispen bunches of Powder]; 5 Bars of Lead; 10 Knives; 2 Secret Aprons of Duffell [Cuppas of Duffell]; 1 Half vat or half barrell of Strong Beer; 3 Cans of Brandy; 6 Shirts. All the above particulars were received by the Sa- chem and his ten brothers, in the presence of the persons under written, as witnesses hereof.
John Manning. Sylvester Salisbury. John Hongh.
Jacob Van Cortlandt. * Teunis Jacob Hay .* Edward Carlisle .*
Acknowledged before me, the Sachem and his two brothers, and the goods delivered in my presence, the day and year within written.
FRANCIS LOVELACE."
In this deed we find, for the first time, the eastern and western boundary-lines of the town definitely laid down ; and it is probable that the difficulty with Eske- moppas, concerning the right to the lands within the town of Flatbush, related especially to the eastern see- tion of the town. While it is well established that the western portion of the town was purchased from and deeded by the Canarsie Indians, in 1651, the time of purchase of the eastern section cannot with any degree of certainty be fixed. No deed has been found, earlier than this one from Eskemoppas, in that seetion of the town extending from Keuter's Hook to the Jamaiea line. It is possible that, the boundary lines being in- distinet or poorly defined, the Flatbush people may have attempted to settle farther to the east than war- ranted by the limits of the original deed; and that the Iand thus oceupied was truly the property of the Rockaway Indians. However this may be, we find, . from the time of this deed, 1670, the western section of the town, as far as Keuter's Hook, is called the Old Turn; and the portion beyond, as far as the eastern boundary, at the Jamaiea line, is ealled the New Lands,
or " the New Lots." The original name of this tract was Oosticoud, or " East Woods."
Settlements were soon made on this seetion; by per- sons from Fichesh; and, about this time also, "sev- eral of the inhabitants of Midwout, or Flatbush, re- moved to New Jersey, and formed settlements on the Raritan at Milstone." -- ( Strong.) In proof that 1670 is the true date of the first settlement of that portion of the town of Flatbush called the New Lots, we notice that, five years after, when settlers began to appropriate the land thus seeured by deed from Eskemoppas, there ap- peared another elaimant, Capt. Richard Betts, who en- deavored to establish a elaim to a portion of the tract by virtue of a deed which he professed to hold, bearing date of 1663. The matter was tried (on an appeal by the town of Flatbush from the Court of Sessions) at the Gen- eral Court of Assizes; which, in 1675, in the city of New York, and, after a fair hearing, ordered as follows: "That the land shall lye in common to Fflat- bush, and towns adjacent, as it heretofore hath been, and that the towns who have the benefit of the com- monage shall pay their equall proportion of the pur- chase money to the Indyans and cost of this suite." From this it is evident that the validity of a deed of earlier date than 1670 was not admitted. After this snit, however, the inhabitants deemed it prudent to ob- tain a separate patent for the New Lots, which, accord- ing to Dr. STRONG, was granted by Gov. Andros, March 25, 1677, to Arian Lamberse aud others, to the number of thirty-five persons. This patent is not now extant. The boundary-line between Flatbush and Amersfort seems to have beez a source of frequent trouble be- tween the two villages. The first diflienlty was settled by the deed of Gov. Richard Nieolls, bearing date of 1667. Two years after, however, complaint was made by the inhabitants of Amersfort that those of Flatbush were not observing the terms of the patent granted in 1667. The matter was tried before the Court of Ses- sions at Gravesend, and a new agreement made, dated May 11, 1677. Two years later, June, 1679, complaint was again made to the Court against the inhabitants of Flatbush for trespass. A record of the Court of Sessions, held at Gravesend, June, 1679, relates to this matter, as follows, viz .:
"The inhabitants of fflatlands complayning that the in- habitants of fflatbush have trespassed upon the land belong- ing to fllatlands aforesaid, contrary to an award mnade and agreed upon between both towns, and an order of the Court punctually to observe the same, which being proved by the constable and one of the overseers of illatlands, aforesaid, and they not appearing to answer the complaint, and for their contempt in not observing the said award and order of the Court. The Court orders, that the said inhabitants shall pay as a fine to the publigne, the sum of ten pounds and to observe the said order of Court. They also complayn, that the inhabitants of flatbush have chopt of the marke of a tree, &c. To be deferred to the next Court of Sessions, and they to have notice of it to answer the same."
. These are supposed to have been Judges, or Justices of the Peace.
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4
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF FLATBUSH.
A similar dispute arose in 1683. While this contro- versy was being carried on about the southern boun- dary, another arose between Brooklyn and Flatbush about the north boundary-line, which heretofore, in all deeds and patents, had been designated as " the Hills."' The authorities of the village of Brooklyn, in 1678, in- sisted that the term "to the Hills" should be con- strued so as to include the southern base of the hills. Those of Flatbush, however, contended that their pat- ent embraced all the land to the crest of the hills, argu- ing that Brooklyn's construction of the terms of the patent would deprive them of all their rights; since the base of the hills might be made to mean until the land became perfectly level. Since the land from the imme- diate foot of the hills slopes gradually to the southern boundary of the town, and even to the sea, this claim of Brooklyn to the land on the southern slope of the hills could not with safety be entertained a moment, lest at some future time they should desire to claim a right to the whole town. The matter was therefore submitted to the Court of Sessions at Gravesend; and December 18, 1678, the court decided that the whole dispute be referred to Captain Jaques Cortelyou and Captain Richard Stillwell, who should make a survey of the land and run a boundary-line. Their "report was ordered to be determinative." Five years after- ward they reported that they had performed this duty, " and have marked the trees betwixt towne and towne."
DR. STRONG states that "One of the trees thus marked by these arbitrators was a large white oak, standing near what is called the Port Road, and mentioned afterwards in the patent granted by Govenor Dongan as one of the boundaries of the town. This tree remained until the time of the Revo- lutionary war, when it was cut down by the Americans and fallen across the road to intercept the British. A red free- stone monument, with a proper inscription, was subsequently set up near the stump of this tree by General Jeremiah Jolin- son, on the part of Brooklyn, and John C. Vanderveer, Esq., on the part of Flatbush."
The precise point at which this tree stood, and where the monument was afterward placed, is now embraced in Prospect Park. It is about one hundred and fifty feet down the road, south-east of the bronze slab con- taining the inscription of the battle of Long Island. At the time of the Revolutionary war, the road at this point ran through a narrow pass, between the hills, one of which still remains as it then was, and is on the east side of the road. The face of the other, next the road, on the west side, was destroyed by constant exca- vations to procure the excellent sand of which it was composed. Between these two hills, which were in for- mer times separated at their base by a space of thirty or forty feet, ran the road from Flatbush to Brooklyn. The tree stood at the eastern base of the hill, on the north side of the road.
In after years a toll-gate was placed just south of this spot. In the gutter at the north-west end of the toll-house, and about fifty feet from the base of the hill,
the red free-stone monminen was placed. the letter F being ent on one side and upon the other the letter B, indicating, no doubt, Flatbush and Brooklyn. In the lapse of yeats, the wash from the road and hill gradu- ally covered up this stone: and. at the time the ground was purchased for the park it was completely covered with sand. The grade of the Park road has no doubt buried it two feet or more beneath the surface, where in all probability it would now be found.
This report of the commissioners, Cortelyou and Still- well, was not accepted as " determinative." as the court ordered. The next year new trouble arose in reference to the boundary. Philip Wells and Jacobus Cortland were appointed surveyors by the two towns.
They reported " that the line run fformerly by Capt. Jacques Cortelyou and Mr. Stillwell is right and Just."
After several subsequent disputes, the difficulty was finally adjusted on the following basis, viz .:
" That the summit of the hills, or the first perceptible southerly declivity of any hill, should be deemed aud taken as the fixed and determined line, and wherever the hills are cut off or interrupted by an intervening valley or hollow. the boundary line should extend in the shortest possible direction, from the summit of one hill to that of the opposite one. In conformity with this determination, proper monu- ments have been placed on the boundary lines, to prevent, if possible, all further mistakes."
Flatbush, occupying a central position, was bounded on all sides by the other towns, which accounts for the numerous contliets in reference to boundary-lines.
Boundary Dispute with Newtown .- The last, and by far the most prolonged controversy, of this kind, was that concerning the north-eastern boundary-line. It began in 1706, when the inhabitants of Newtown claimed part of the lands embraced in the Flatbush patent for the New Lots. At this time a fund was raised, by tax, upon every patentee, to pay expenses in defending their boundary-line; and, at the annual town- meetings, two officers were chosen, whose duty it was to guard the interest of the town, to "their meets and bounds," according to the patent. The Dutch called these inen " Dorps mannen," or towns-men. Afterward the English designated them the "Defenders of the Patent." For fifteen years the controversy was pro- longed, being finally settled in 1721, and was the last serious trouble concerning the boundary-lines of the town.
The Dongan Charter, 1685 .- The last patent or confirmatory deed for the town was issued by the Governor, Colonel Thomas Dongan, in compliance with a request of the inhabitants for a patent for the whole town which should include all the former separate grants or deeds. These several patents had been granted at different times for Flocke Bos, Midwout or Flatbush: for the Canarsie Meadows; Kenter's Hook; Enstorondt. and Oostwoudt, or the New Lots. The patent, dated Nov. 12, 1685, is as follows :
" THOMAS DONGAN, Lieutenant-Governor and Vice-Admiral
5
BOUNDARY DISPUTE WITH NEWTOWN.
of New York, &c., under his Majesty Jaines the Second, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., Supr .me Lord and Pro- prietor of the Colony and Prince of New York and its de- pendencies in America. To all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth Greeting : Whereas, there is a certain town in Kings County, upon Long Island, called and known by the name of Midwout, alias Flatbush, the bounds whereof begin at the month of the Fresh-Kill, and so along by a certain ditch which lies betwixt Amersfoot and Flatbush Meadows, and so running along the ditch and fence to a certain white-oak marked tree, and from thence upon a straight line to the westernmost point of a small island of woodland lying before ' John Stryker's bridge ; and from thence with a straight line to the north-west hook or corner of the ditch of John Oakie's meadow, and from thence along the said ditch and fence to the swamp of the Fresh-Kill, and so along the swamp and hollow of the aforesaid Kill to the land of Keuter's Hook : thence along the same to a white-oak tree ; from thence with a straight line to a black-oak marked tree standing upon the north-east side of Twiller's Flats, having a small snip of flats upon the south-east side of the line ; and so from thence to a white-oak tree standing on the west side of Moschito Hole to -- a small island, leaving a snip of flats in the Flatlands bounds; and from thence to a certain marked tree or stump standing upon the highway which goes to Flatlands, upon the Little Flats, about twenty rods from Flatbush Lots, aud so along the fence six hundred Dutch rods to the corner of Flatbush fence. and so along the rear of the lots to a sassafras-stump standing on Cornelius Jansen Berrian's lot of land ; and from thence with a straight line to a certain old marked tree, or stump. standing by the Rush Pond under the hills, and so along upon the south side of the hill till it comes to the west end of Long Hill, and so along upon the south side of the said hill till it comes to the east end of the Long Hill; and then with a straight line from the east end of said Long Bill to a marked white-oak tree standing to the west side of the road, near the place called the gate or port of the hills, and so from the east side of the port or gate aforesaid, upon the south side of the main hills, as far as Brooklyn Patent doth extend, and so along the said hills to the bounds of the Jamaica Patent; and from thence with a southerly line to the kill or creek by the east of Plunder's Neck, and so along the said kill to the sea, as according to the several deeds or purchases from the Indian owners, the Patent from Governor Nicolls, and the award between Brooklyn and the town of Flatbush, relation thereunto being had, doth more fully and at large appear : And, whereas, an application to me hath been made for a confirmation of the aforesaid tracts and parcels of land and premises : Now, Know ye, that by virtue of the commissiou and authority unto me given by his Majesty, James the Second, by the Grace of God of England, Scot- land, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith. Supreme Lord and Proprietor of the Province of New York, in consideration of the premises and the quit-rent hereinafter reserved, I have given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant, ratify and confirm unto Corne- hus Vauderwyck, John Okie, Joseph Hegeman, Aries Jansen Vauderbilt, Lafford Picterson, William Guilliamsen, Hend- rick Williamse, Arien Ryers, Peter Stryker, John Stryker, John Remsen, Jacob Hendricks. Derick Vandervleet, Hend- rick Ryck, Okie Johnson, Daniel Polhamus, Peter Lott,
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