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Go 974.702 N422ri 1753321
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
GC
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02222 2191
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/newyorkitsinstit00rich 3
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NEW YORK
AND ITS
INSTITUTIONS,
1609-1871.
A LIBRARY OF INFORMATION,
Pertaining to the great Metropolis, past and present, with Historic Sketches of its Churches, Schools, Public Buildings, Parks and Cemeteries of its Police, Fire, Health and Quarantine Departments of its Prisons, Hospitals, Homes, Asylums, Die- pensaries and Morgue and all Municipal and private Charitable Institutions.
BY REV. J. F. RICHMOND,
(FIVE YEARS CITY MISSIONARY IN NEW YORK.)
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ILLUSTRATED WITH UPWARDS OF 200 ENGRAVINGS.
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NEW YORK : E. B. TREAT, 805 Broadway. A. L. BANCROFT & CO., San Francisco. H. C. WRIGHT & CO., St. Louis. J. H. HUMMEL, New Orleans. W. T. KEENER, Chicago. 1S71.
563
: 1944
:
1753321
BROOKLYN.
N.YORK.
THE BROOKLYN SUSPENSION BRIDGE-NOW BUILDING.
Length of River Span ... Bach Land Span; . 910 .
1616.feet.
Length of New York Approach. Brooklyn
1411 feet.
941 ..
Total Length, Total Height above High Tide, .'
5878 feet, 268 4
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1571, by · E. B. TREAT,
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
2977 ne
Stereotyped at the WOMEN'S PRINTING HOUSE. PREIS OF CUSHING, BARDU'A & CO. 444 & 646 Broadway, N. Y.
PREFACE.
"IT is too late in the history of the world," one has said, " for an author to apologize for publishing a book ;" hence few are now guilty of such affectation. Nevertheless, the causes that led to a produc- tion, the manner of its preparation, and the object sought in its publication, are often matters of interest and profit to a thoughtful reader. The volume now offered to the public is not the result of an empty desire to make a book, but to furnish in a concise yet sufficiently extended form for ordinary use a history of the American metropolis, with the origin, objects, growth, and present condition of its numerous institutions. Many excellent works bearing on this subject have been issued during the last twenty years by various publishers and authors, and by the separate corporations, varying in size from the large quarto to the thirty-cent guide-book. Some of these have traced minutely the early history of the island, others have sought to exhibit New York as it is, some have traced the history of the churches or of a single institution, and one has traced the career of most of the societies devoted to private charities. As no one of them has, however, attempted to cover the whole subject, a small library of these books has been indispensable to one wishing to be tolerably conversant with the history of New York and its institutions.
The author has often felt the need of a comprehensive volume, giving information in relation to the prisons, dispensaries, the municipal institutions, the cemeteries, hospitals, schools, the parks, . markets, quarantine, etc., etc. While informing himself on these
viii
PREFACE.
subjects, he was induced to write a series of articles, describing the islands. in New York harbor and many of the institutions, which were published in one of the monthlies of the city. The brief his- tories of a few of the institutions given proved highly satisfactory to some of the managers, and at their suggestion he at length decided to undertake the preparation of this work.
In examining the several institutions, the author has endeavored to dismiss all denominational prejudice, and present honestly the history and merits of each. He has in every place looked for some- thing commendable, and almost invariably found it. The two hun- dred institutions of New York, many of which are colossal enter- prises, are highly creditable to the humanity and benevolence of our people. The author does not endorse the idea so often advanced, that " we have too many charitable institutions," nor does he believe that they could or should be greatly consolidated. Institutions, like armies, may be too large for successful management. Many of ours are already as large as they ever should be, and the younger and smaller ones, if well conducted, are certain to rapidly increase in magnitude. We believe every denomination should provide its homes for the aged, and found asylums for its orphans. We have contemplated with high satisfaction the march of events in this direction.
It has not been our purpose to present any new theory for the establishment or management of an institution. An imperfect system has often proved eminently successful under judicious administration, while the most perfect has repeatedly failed through mismanagement. Hence, abstract discussions of theories or systems are of uncertain value. No one can wade through many hundred published reports of the institutions, as we have done, without being impressed with the fact that in the minds of all these managers there is a manifest desire for progress and great efficiency. While the his- tory of our institutions discloses the fact that provision is made for every class of unfortunates, and that the benevolence of the people
ix
PREFACE.
is rapidly increasing, it exhibits, also, most noticeably the recog- nized power of mind and of moral instrumentalities. Brute force no longer reigns. Public justice is no longer a revenge, but an ex- pedient for the safety of community, and the reformation of the criminal. Sixty years ago truant youth were hurled into a prison, where, under the tuition of mature criminals, they soon became hopelessly corrupted. Now, in a Refuge or an Asylum-a school with a sanctuary-they are impressed with ideas and moral motives, and soon rise to usefulness. The blind and the deaf-mute are educated, asylums rise for the reformation of fallen women and the inebriate, while the halls of the hospital and the prison resound with the ministrations of religion. The most advanced in evil are still considered within the reach, and susceptible of, moral influence, and for whose recovery scores are willing to toil.
For much valuable information in the preparation of this work, the author cheerfully acknowledges his obligation to " A Picture of New York in 1848," " Valentine's History of New York," Apple- tons' " American Cyclopedia," the " Gazetteer of the State of New York," the " Manuals of the Common Council," the " Charities of New York," " Half-Century with Juvenile Delinquents," "Public Education in the City of New York," " Watson's Annals of New York," Miss Booth's " History of the City of New York," and to the printed reports of the several institutions whose histories are briefly presented. Also to the managers, superintendents, chaplains, and physicians of the institutions, who, with a few exceptions, have manifested an interest in his undertaking, and promptly furnished such information as was within their reach. The author has gath- ered his statistics from the most reliable sources, and trusts they will be found very generally correct. Of the labor and difficulty in preparing a work of this kind in a great city of strangers, where things are changing with kaleidoscopic rapidity, few have any con- ception who have not undertaken it.
Of the style, he has only to say that he has labored to present
!
x
PREFACE.
the largest amount of matter in the smallest space; and has sought to minister to the understanding, rather than the imagination. In tracing the early history of the island, and the colonial history, he has sought to select, and so group the principal events, as to make them readily found, and easily remembered. He has not sought to unduly encumber the volume with the names of officers, or with unimportant statistics. It has been his aim to present a portable book, richly illustrated, within the reach of all; containing all the information that the masses care to read, of the development of the city, the origin and work of its institutions ; in fine, a comprehensive work and guide, acceptable alike to the citizen and the stranger. How far he has succeeded he leaves for others to judge.
The volume has been prepared amid the duties of a laborious pastorate. During the last five years he has visited, as occasion has offered, each of the institutions described, and to many of them he has been called to offer consolation to the suffering. The reports, statistics, and other items, have been thus collected, and any missing facts supplied, when possible, through correspondence. The chapters have mostly been written nights, after conducting an evening service. The labor of its preparation, notwithstanding the numberless perplexities such an undertaking involves, has been a pleasant and profitable one-and he can only wish the reader a simi- lar experience in its perusal. ' Hoping the fruits of these snatches of time and toil may be made to minister in some degree to the intelligence and good of the people, we send this volume forth .on . its mission to the world.
NEW YORK, August, 1871. ·
J. F. RICHMOND.
CONTENTS.
CIIAPTER I.
PAGE
EARLY HISTORY OF MANHATTAN. 17
The Great Metropolis. 17
Original Settlers of Manhattan 19
The Advent of the White Man
21
The First Grave.
22
Hudson explores the River
23
. Founding of the Dutch Dynasty . 25 26
Peter Minuits, the First Governor
Wouter Van Twiller 26
William Keift 27
Peter Stuyvesant, the Last of the Dutch Governors 28
The Surrender of the Dutch Dynasty 30
Manners and Customs. 32
CHAPTER II.
ENGLISH COLONIAL HISTORY 36
Successful Administration of Colonel Nicols 36
Recapture of Manhattan by the Dutch. 37
The Career and Tragic End of Leisler, the People's Choice. 39
Captain Kidd, the New York Pirate
46
Rip Van Dam. 52
The Trial and Triumph of Liberty 54
The Negro Plot of 1741 60
Triumph of the Anglo-Saxon. 05
Troublous Times Approaching. 68
CHAPTER III.
IMPORTANT INCIDENTS OF THE REVOLUTION, AND LATER HIS-
TORY OF NEW YORK. 72
xii
CONTENTS.
PAGE
New York Government at Sea. 72
Plot to Assassinate Washington. 73
Shocking Barbarity of English Officers 74
Hale and André, the Two Spies
80
Arnold in New York 84
British Evacuation 89
The Burr and Hamilton Tragedy of 1804. 90
Robert Fulton, and the "Clermont " 96
Public Improvements of 1825 98
CHAPTER IV.
NEW YORK AS IT IS. 101
1. Description of the Island. .101
2. Population at Different Periods 103
3. Streets and Avenues of New York. 105
The Plan, the Pavements, and the Modes of Travel.
Wall Street.
Broad Street.
Broadway.
Fifth Avenue.
The Boulevard.
4. The Architecture. 114 .
Hotels. Astor House, Fifth Avenue, St. Nicholas, Grand
Central.
Cooper Institute. Academy of Design.
. Theaters. The Astor Library.
American Bible House.
Publishing 'Houses.
The Park Bank.
Life Insurance Buildings.
The City Hall.
The New York Court House.
1
The New York Post Office. Stores. Stewart's, Claflin's, Lord & Taylor's, Tiffany's, etc.
5. Business in New York. 131
Causes of Business Failure. Business in Real Estate. Classes of Rich Men. Politicians.
CONTENTS.
xiii
.
PAGE
Speculators and Stock Gamblers. Success of Great Men.
6. The Churches of New York 142
Reformed Dutch. Protestant Episcopal.
Lutheran. Presbyterian.
Baptist
Methodist.
Jews.
Roman Catholics.
Other Denominations and Missionary Societies.
7. Parks and Squares. 158
8. How New York is supplied with Water
166
. 9. The Schools and Colleges of New York 169.
10. Public Security. 180
Metropolitan Police Department.
Metropolitan Fire Department.
The Health Department. Quarantine Department.
Maritime Defences. United States Navy Yard.
11. New York in Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. 198 12. The Libraries, Monuments, and Markets of New York. 206
13. The Cemeteries of New York. 214 The Early Cemeteries.
New York Bay.
Greenwood.
Cypress Hills.
Evergreen.
Calvary.
Wood Lawn.
CHAPTER V.
INSTITUTIONS OF MANHATTAN ISLAND AND WESTCHESTER Co. 281 ASYLUMS 28
1. New York Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. . 281
2. Institution for the Improved Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb. 287
3. The New York Institution for the Blind 289
4. Bloomingdale Asylum for the Insane 294
.5. The New York Orphan Asylum 299
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1
xiv
CONTENTS.
6. The Colored Orphan Asylum PAGE
302
7. Orphan Home and Asylum of the Protestant Episcopal Church in New York 305
8. The Sheltering Arms. 308
9. The Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum 312
10. New York Asylum for Lying-in Women 315
11. New York Magdalen Benevolent Asylum 317
12. Society for Half-Orphan and Destitute Children 321
13. The Leake and Watts Orphan House 325
14. The New York Juvenile Asylum 328
15. The House of Mercy (Protestant Episcopal) . 333
16. Hebrew Benevolent and Orphan Asylum Society 336
17. House of the Good Shepherd. 339
18. St. Barnabas House 341
19. The Institution of Mercy (Roman Catholic) 344
20. Orphan Asylum of St. Vincent De Paul 347
21. Society for Destitute Roman Catholic Children 349
22. New York Foundling Asylum (Roman Catholic) 354
23. The Shepherd's Fold. 356
24. Woman's Aid Society and Presbyterian. Home for Training Young Girls. 357
25. St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum
359
HOSPITALS AND INFIRMARIES. 360
1. The Roosevelt Hospital . 360
2. The Presbyterian Hospital 364
3. St. Luke's Hospital 367
4. New York Hospital. 371
5. The Hospital of St. Francis 374
6. St. Vincent Hospital
7. German Hospital and Dispensary 375
8. Mount Sinai Hospital 379
382
9. Bellevue Hospital. 386
10. The Nursery and Child's Hospital 389
11. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary 394
12. The Woman's Hospital of the State of New York ... 399
13. Institution for the Ruptured and Crippled. 403
14. House of Rest for Consumptives 408
15. New York Infirmary for Women and Children 410
XV
CONTENTS.
16. New York Medical College and Hospital for Women .. 413 PACK
17. The Hahnemann Hospital 415
18. The Stranger's Hospital 417 .
19. The New York Ophthalmic Hospital 419
20. The New York Aural Institute 419
21. Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital 421
HOMES 423
1. Association for the Relief of Respectable Aged Indi- gent Females 423
2. Ladies' Union Aid Society of the M. E. Church 426
3. American Female Guardian Society and Home for the Friendless 430
4. The Home for Incurables. 434
5. Samaritan Home for the Aged 436
6. The Colored Home 439
7. The St. Luke's Home 442
8. The Presbyterian Home. 446
9. Union Home and School for Children of our Volunteer Soldiers and Sailors. 449
10. The Female Christian Home 452
11. The Home for Friendless Women 453
12. Women's Prison Association of New York (The I. T. Hopper Home) 457
13. Roman Catholic Home for the Aged. 461
14. Chapin Home for the Aged and Infirm 462
15. Baptist Home for the Aged 463
16. Home for Aged Hebrews. 464
17. Ladies' Christian Union, or Young Woman's Home .. 467
18. Hotel for Working Women (A. T. Stewart's) 470
19. The Water Street Home for Women. 471
MISSIONS, INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS, AND MISCELLANEOUS SOCIETIES 477
1. The Five Points Mission 477
2. The Five Points House of Industry 483
3. Woman's Boarding House 486
4. The Howard Mission and Home for Little Wanderers. 458
5. The Midnight Mission 492
6. Wilson's Industrial School 494
7. The New York House and School of Industry 497
xvi
CONTENTS.
PAGE
8. The Children's Aid Society 499
9. Society for the Employment and Relief of Poor Women. 504
10. New York Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor 505
11. Young Men's Christian Association. 508
12. New York Prison Association 511 PRISONS AND DISPENSARIES 514
1. The City Prisons 514
2. The New York Medical Dispensaries 519
CHAPTER VI.
INSTITUTIONS OF BLACKWELL'S ISLAND 523
1. The Islands and the Authorities 523
. 2. The Hospitals of Blackwell's Island. 527
3. The New York Penitentiary 531
4. The New York Almshouse 536
5. The New York Workhouse. 541
6. The New York Lunatic Asylum 545
CHAPTER VII.
INSTITUTIONS OF WARD'S ISLAND 551
1. The Buildings of the Commissioners of Emigration ... 551
2. The New York Inebriate Asylum. 557
CHAPTER VIII. .
INSTITUTIONS OF RANDALL'S ISLAND 562
1. The New York Nurseries 562
Buildings for the Healthy Children. Infant Hospital. Idiot School and Asylum.
2. Society for the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents 568 CHAPTER IX.
INSTITUTIONS ON .HART ISLAND. 572
The Industrial School, and the School-Ship " Mercury" .. 572
CHAPTER X.
NEW YORK INSTITUTIONS ON STATEN ISLAND 578
1. Sailors' Snug Harbor 578
2. Seamen's Fund and Retreat 582
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GOVERNOR, IN 1624.
THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE ISLAND OF MANHATTAN FOR $24 BY PETER MINUITS, THE FIRST DUTCH
.
HOWLAND. SC
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NEW YORK (MANHATTAN) IN 1656.
:
NEW YORK AND ITS INSTITUTIONS.
CHAPTER I.
EARLY HISTORY OF MANHATTAN.
THE GREAT METROPOLIS-ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF MANHATTAN -- THE ADVENT OF THE WHITE MAN-THE FIRST GRAVE-HUDSON EXPLORES THE RIVER-FOUNDING OF THE DUTCH DYNASTY-PETER MINUITS, THE FIRST GOVERNOR-WOUTER VAN TWILLER-WILLIAM KEIFT-PETER STUYVESANT, THE LAST OF THE DUTCH GOVER- NORS-THE SURRENDER OF THE DUTCH DYNASTY-MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
THE GREAT METROPOLIS.
EW YORK is the most populous, wealthy, and splendid city on the American continent. Its location, cli- mate, surroundings, and connections have all been favorable to its growth and greatness. It stands on the little island called by the Indians Manhattan, but Brooklyn, Williams- burgh, Greene Point, Jersey City, Hoboken, Yon- kers, and Tarrytown, are but its suburbs, containing the residences of its laborers, clerks. and merchant . princes. Among the earliest localities to feel the tread of the European stranger, it has through all its history been deservedly popular as a landing depot, and how receives fully five-sevenths of all entering the country. About five thousand vessels annually enter its bay, which is suf-
2
18
NEW YORK AND ITS INSTITUTIONS.
ficiently broad and deep to anchor the collected navies of the world. Its imports and exports are more than fifty per cent of the whole United States, and amount to five hundred mil- lion dollars per annum ; while the aggregate trade of the city reaches nearly four thousand millions. Nearly three hundred railroad trains make daily communication with its suburbs. The taxable property of the island reported at less than half its value reaches nearly a thousand millions, and the annual tax about twenty-five millions. New York is the great store- house of the nation's wealth, the centre of its financial oper- ations, and of its political, industrial, economic, scientific, educational, benevolent, and religious enterprises. New York furnishes most of the newspapers, periodicals, books, pictures, models of statuary, architecture, machinery, and handicraft, for the numerous great States clustered around it, and for the broad Canadas. There is poverty in New York, deep and squalid; but it is offset by wealth, countless and dazzling. There is ignorance here, profound and astonishing; but there is learning also, brilliant and extensive as can be found on the globe. There are sinners in New York, black and guilty, as ever disgraced the world ; but there are saints also, spot- less and benevolent, as ever adorned the Church of God. All extremes meet in this great metropolis. Here are the denizens of every land, the babblings of every tongue, the productions of every clime, the inventions of every craft, and the ripened fruit of every desire. At a single glance can be seen, as in a rast mirror, pictures of age and infancy, beauty and deformity, industry and indolence, wealth and beggary, vice and sanctity.
New York, with its immense libraries, art galleries, daily press, literary associations and lectures, its benevolent institu- tions, and architectural wonders, is one of the richest felds of human culture in the known world. There is on every hand something to interest, please, and profit everybody, of what- ever country, talent, or temperament. It is a luxury to tarry in New York, though it be but for a month, a week, or a day,
:
19
ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF MANHATTAN.
to listen to the rumble of its wheels, the whistle of its en- gines, the clicking of its telegraphs, the voice of its orators, the chime of its bells, the strains of its music, and the roar of its artillery. Whose mind is not enlarged as he contemn- plates the progress of its growth, the rush of its improve- ments, and the majestic sweep of its commerce? Who can stand upon its elevated observatories and closely contemplate its leagues of solid masonry, everywhere thronged with iin- mortals as important and hopeful as himself, without such emotions as he never experienced before? Who can press through the whirl of its daily activities, without thinking of eternity ; through its neglected sinks, without thinking of pandemonium ; or its cultivated parks, without thinking of paradise ? All do not live in New York, nor can they ; yet every thoughtful American should visit it, snuff its ocean breezes, contemplate its massive piles, peep into its institu- tions, and gather inspiration from the rush of its activities. For any who wish to visit it, or who do not, this book has been written. To obtain a correct and adequate knowledge of New York, let us begin at the foundation.
ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF MANHATTAN.
OR many ages Manhattan lay buried in these western solitudes, separated by a wide and stormy ocean from all the bustling activities of the civilized world. During a long period it is now known to have been the favorite resort of the Indians of the Hudson river country who gathered here in vast numbers, built their rustic vil- lages, and spent the summer months in fishing, baking clams, and hunting. Centuries before civilization found its way to
·
20
NEW YORK AND ITS INSTITUTIONS.
these shores, the broad bay now whitened with the sails of a hundred nations was dotted with the canoes of an ingenious race, whose history is now too nearly obliterated. Their lands they owned in common, the only divisions being between the different tribes. Their habitations were constructed of sap- lings and bark, with no windows, floors, or chimneys. Their villages were located on spots of ground naturally clear of wood, and contained from twenty to several hundred fam- ilies, which in time of war they surrounded with a fence or stockade. To agriculture they gave no attention, save the planting of Indian corn, beans, peas, and pumpkins. Both sexes were exceedingly fond of display in dress, illustrating the old saying, that "man in robes or in rags is a proud little animal." The Indian women wore long, black hair, plaited and rolled up behind, where it was fastened with a band. Their petticoats were ornamented with exquisite taste and skill, and would bring a fine sum in our day. This gar- ment hung from a belt or waist-girdle made of dressed deer- skin, highly ornamented with Indian money called sewant. Pendants hung upon their foreheads, necks, and arms, and handsomely trimmed moccasins adorned their feet.
The men were no less attentive to dress. Upon their shoulders they hung a mantle of deer-skin, with the fur next their bodies, while the outside of the garment displayed a va- riety of designs in paint. The edges of the mantle were trimmed with swinging points of fine workmanship. Their heads were variously ornamented ; some wearing feathers, and others different articles of a showy character. Their necks and arms displayed ornaments of elaborate workman- ship. They painted themselves in a variety of colors accord- ing to their peculiar tastes, rendering their appearance gro- tesque and frightful. They were tall and slender, had black or brown eyes, snow-white teeth, a cinnamon complexion, and were fleet and sprightly. They had no care but to provide for present subsistence and secure pleasure. They were very superstitious, believing in dreams, signs, and various omens.
21
THE ADVENT OF THE WHITE MAN.
They had crude notions of the Great Spirit and the Spirit Lund. When one died they placed his body in a grave in a sitting posture, shielding it from contact with the earth by a covering of boughs, and from the wild beasts by a burden of stone and earth. By his side in the grave was also placed his implements of war and pleasure, some money and food to serve him on his journey to the Spirit Land. The science of war was his greatest accomplishment, and to die without any display of weakness or fear, his highest virtue. Oratory was considerably cultivated among them. When first discovered their manners and habits contrasted so strangely with every- thing in Europe, that they were supposed to possess few, if in- deed any, of the affections and higher emotions of humanity, but to be more closely allied to the lower orders of creation. Time has, however, shown their native regard for integrity and honor, and under the appliances of mental and moral culture, the Indian head and heart have proved capable of high at- tainments.
THE ADVENT OF THE WHITE MAN.
HE wants of the race had fairly out- grown the capacities of the East. An accession of new ideas was demanded ; humani liberty could not be realized amid the crushing despotisms of the Old World, and benevolence, the divinest grace of the soul, langnished for want of a broader theatre on which to work out and exhibit its sublime de- · velopments. Divine Providence opened the gates to this western world. Varrazzani. a Florentine in the employ of the French Govern- ment in the sixteenth century (1525), is believed to have been the first white man who sailed through the Narrows, and looked upon the placid waters of the New York bay and its green islands. In 1609 Henry Hudson, an intrepid English
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