USA > New York > Essex County > Bloomingdale > The New York of yesterday; a descriptive narrative of old Bloomingdale, its topographical features, its early families and their genealogies, its old homesteads and country-seats, the Bloomingdale Reformed church, organized in 1805 > Part 1
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Gc 974.702 N4222b 1137046
GENEALO" COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00826 0462
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/newyorkofyesterd00mott 0
490, 1500
5
mother mitte the love of The author.
May 15,1908.
Of this limited letterpress edition five hundred copies have been printed, and the type has been distributed
G .. Putnam's Sous
BOOKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR In preparation
I .- Madison Square and Vicinage. That sec- tion of Manhattan Island lying generally be- tween Washington and Bryant Squares will be thoroughly handled. Illustrated.
2 .- The Bloomingdale District. The Farms and Families of Old Bloomingdale will be exhaustively treated. Illustrated.
3 .- The Court of Nieuw Amsterdam, 1653, with Biographies of the Magistrates. Illustrated.
Each of these volumes will cover the ground his- torically, cartographically, and genealogically, and will be voluminously illustrated with portraits, old Dutch homesteads, country seats, maps, and general views of the localities.
..
The new Dork of Desterday
A Descriptive Narrative of Old Bloomingdale -
Its topographical features, Its early families and their genealogies, Its old homesteads and country-seats, 1Its French invasion, and Its war experiences considered in their relation to Its first Religious Society
The Bloomingdale Reformed Church Organized 1805. Incorporated 1806 as The Church at Harsenville,
By Hopper Striker Mott
Member of the N. Y. Historical Society, Trustee of the N. Y. Genealogical and Biographical Society and Member of the Holland Society.
With 78 Illustrations, Diagrams, and Maps
G. P. Putnam's Sons
New York and London
The Knickerbocker Dress
1908
COPYRIGHT, 1908 BY
HOPPER STRIKER MOTT
The Iknickerbocker Press, new York
1137046
DEDICATED to the Memory of the Early Knickerbocker Settlers of BLOEMENDAEL the Former and Present Members of the CHURCH AT HARSENVILLE and to JACOB HARSEN
and BARBARA ASTEN its Benefactors
iii
Contents
A DISCURSIVE SURVEY
I .- BLOOMINGDALE .
PAGE I
Herein the limits of the territory to which the generic name attached are shown to have extended as far south as 23d Street, and a description of the families, farms, and landmarks as far north as the "Hollow Way " (Manhattan Street) of Revolutionary renown is given, omitting for the nonce that distinctive portion of the territory locally known as Harsenville. The cottage in which Poe and his child-wife Virginia boarded in 1843-4 and where he wrote The Raven, and the location of the "grand old elm " which inspired Morris to compose "Woodman, Spare that Tree," are talked of, as are, among others, "Elmwood," and the country seat of John McVickar, the mer- chant prince, "Oak Villa," that of Judge Brockholst Liv- ingston, and "Mount Aubrey," that of William Weyman. The famous surgeon, Dr. Valentine Mott, and the local guide, philosopher, and friend, Dr. A.V. Williams, are men- tioned, the Rogers houses, originally those of Humphrey and Nicholas Jones, made famous in Revolutionary his- tory, are described, as is St. Michael's Church, with tri- butes to the memory of Mrs. Richmond and the Rev. Dr. T. McC. Peters. "Willow Bank," the seat of Caspar Meier, "Woodlawn," the Bloomingdale Asylum, Nicholas de Peyster's mansion, and "Claremont," are a few of the other features of this chapter
II .- BLOOMINGDALE MILITANT
28
This contains the first and only presentation of the facts relating to the war history of the locality. Here will
V
vi
Contents
PAGE
be found a connected account thereof, commencing at Colonial times. The French and Indian Wars, with local enlistments, the Battle of Harlem Heights, where was won the only victory of Washington's troops on the Island, and the War of 1812 are described. A valuable list of Bloomingdale men who served in these wars, with, in many instances, their records, is included, and a discussion from the very latest information of topo- graphical points made famous in the Revolutionary strug- gle, with an exhaustive examination of the defences on Bloomingdale Heights, erected during the Second War with England, concludes the chapter.
III .- HARSENVILLE
81
The centre of this section of Bloomingdale was the Harsen- ville Road, the bed of which present 7Ist Street east of Broadway nearly follows. It ran across Central Park and connected the west side with the old Post Road (Third Avenue) at a time when no other access was available. The Harsen family, from whom the name arose, lived in the mansion which stood opposite its western end. The chapter includes a narrative of the French invasion of the hamlet during the Reign of Terror, and gossips of Mme. d'Auliffe, dame d'honneur to Marie Antoinette, the great Talleyrand and others who were visitors at her chalet near present 72d Street, of the young Duc d'Orleans and his two brothers, the Duc who became, as Louis Philippe, King of France, and his experience while residing in the Somerindyke house, of General Moreau and his real estate investment, and finally of the reception of the Prince of Wales, now Edward VII of England. All the old-time houses of any pretension located in this section are de- scribed, with the Village Academy, the tavern, the fire company, and the Harsenville Post Office.
IV .- THE FIRST CONSISTORY
This term designates those individuals who, with the Pastor, composed the governing body of the Church. The families of Hopper, Striker, Harsen, and Webbers have been traced from the respective pioneers to New Amster- dam and genealogical material concerning them and allied families published for the first time.
IOO
Contents
vii
PAGE
V .- THE CHURCH AT HARSENVILLE
I57
First Period, 1805-1855.
VI .- THE CHURCH AT HARSENVILLE 222
Second Period, 1855-1906.
These chapters present a detailed history of the organiza- tion covering the century of its existence.
VII .- AMONG OLD-TIME FAMILIES 298
Herein will be found valuable historical data included with biographical and genealogical material obtained very largely from personal application to the families mentioned, very little of which has heretofore been pub- lished.
VIII .- REMINISCENCES . 405
This title describes with sufficient accuracy the contents. It has been gleaned from diaries, letters, and notes taken from the spoken words of the few surviving old residents.
IX .- VITAL STATISTICS . 446
Marriages, 446. Index to Marriages, 521. Baptisms, 479. Index to Baptisms, 530.
X .- APPENDICES 541
A. Authorization.
B. Incorporation.
C. The Synod of Dort.
D. Notable Gifts and Memorials.
E. Officers from the date of organization.
F. Signatures of individuals connected with the Church.
XI .- GENERAL INDEX 555
Illustrations
"THE CHURCH AT HARSENVILLE" . . . Frontispiece Second House of Worship. Erected on the Bloomingdale Road at 68th Street, 1814.
PAGE
MAP OF THE GREAT KILL DISTRICT 6
REMNANT OF THE HOPPER BURIAL-GROUND, 1884
.
8
Southwest corner of Ninth Avenue and 50th Street.
MAP OF THE STRIKER'S BAY DISTRICT .
I2
THE VAN DEN HEUVEL MANSION, LATER "BURNHAM'S," I6
MAP OF THE BLOOMINGDALE VILLAGE DISTRICT I8
BLOOMINGDALE ASYLUM, 1821. ON THE PRESENT GROUNDS OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY . .
24
TREES AND STONE-WALL MARKING THE WEST SIDE OF OLD BLOOMINGDALE ROAD, 1906 26
Looking southwest from Broadway at 124th Street. Grant's Tomb in distance.
PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF HARLEM HEIGHTS, SEPT. 16, I776 38
Reproduced from Prof. Johnston's Battle of Harlem Heights by permission of Columbia University Press.
POSITION OF THE AMERICAN AND BRITISH ARMIES FROM SEPT. 16 TO OCT. 12, 1776 . 40
Reproduced from Prof. Johnston's Battle of Harlem Heights by permission of Columbia University Press.
ix
X
Illustrations
PAGE
THE APTHORP MANSION, 1855 . · 42
THE HOUSE OF HUMPHREY JONES, LATER "THE AB-
BEY." 44
THE HOUSE OF NICHOLAS JONES, 1856, LATER "WOOD- LAWN." . 46
THE TEUNIS SOMERINDYKE HOUSE, 1863, WHERE LOUIS PHILLIPE TAUGHT SCHOOL . · 56
PORTRAIT OF HON. THOMAS R. MERCEIN, COMPTROLLER OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK AND TREASURER OF THE COMMITTEE OF DEFENCE (with signature). · . 60
Reproduced from the portrait in possession of his great- grandson Daniel Stanbury Mercein, Esq.
PORTRAIT OF COL. CORNELIUS HARSEN (with signa- ture) . 64
From the collection of the late John Harsen Rhoades, Esq.
PORTRAIT OF PETER HAWES, ESQ., OF THE COMMITTEE OF DEFENCE (with signature) · . 68
From the oil painting in possession of his grandson, Gil- bert Ray Hawes, Esq.
BLOCK HOUSE NO. I, IN CENTRAL PARK, 1864 72
HUDSON TOWER AND LORD COURTNAY'S, 1814
76
From a water-color accompanying Gen. Swift's Report. "Hudson Tower was commenced July 16, 1814, and was located at Monte Alta, on the River near 123d Street." -Guernsey.
THE McGOWN FARM AND HOUSES · 78 From an oil painting in possession of Mrs. Henry P. McGown.
THE GREAT SOMERINDYKE FARM, 1862, LOOKING NORTH FROM COLUMBUS CIRCLE .
· 80
MAP OF THE HARSENVILLE DISTRICT · 84
Illustrations
xi
PAGE
THE NEW YORK ORPHAN ASYLUM, 1840
90
HARSENVILLE, 1867, SHOWING THE VILLAGE CHURCH,
96
THE ANDREW HOPPER HOMESTEAD, 1868, BROADWAY AT 50th STREET
IO6
STRIKER'S BAY MANSION, 1852
. II8
From the painting in possession of the author.
PORTRAIT OF JACOB HARSEN, EsQ. (with signature) . 126 From the painting in possession of J. Harsen Purdy, Esq.
THE HARSEN MANSION
I34
From a pen and ink drawing by Thomason.
WOLFERT WEBBER'S BIBLE, PRINTED AT DORDRECHT,
I7IO
Reproduced by courtesy of Henry Vidal, Esq. · I45
PORTRAIT OF REV. JOHN H. LIVINGSTON, D.D., LL.D. (with signature) . 156
From The Memoirs of Dr. Livingston, 1829, by the Rev. Alexander Gunn, D.D.
PORTRAIT OF THE REV. ALEXANDER GUNN, D.D. (with signature). FIRST MINISTER OF THE CHURCH AT HARSENVILLE · . 162
By courtesy of Thomas J. Burton, Esq.
"The actual originator of the present University of the City of New York was, undoubtedly, the late Rev. Dr. Alexander Gunn of Bloomingdale."-George W. Bethune, D.D. (1855)
MAP OF THE "PARSONAGE ACRE" ·
. 166
From Liber 85 of Conveyances, 521, Register's Office, New York City.
THE ORIGINAL PARSONAGE, 73d STREET NEAR COLUMBUS AVENUE · . .
. . I68 From The History of Eighty Years.
PORTRAIT OF ICHABOD PRALL, EsQ. (with signature) . 176 By courtesy of Miss Ida Benjamin.
xii
Illustrations
LINE CUT OF SEAL, IN TEXT
PAGE . 183
PORTRAIT OF RICHARD A. STRIKER, EsQ. (with sig-
nature)
.
· . 196
From the original painting in possession of Mrs. J. H. Maples.
THE COMMUNION SERVICE 200
PORTRAIT OF REV. FRANCIS M. KIP, D.D. (with sig- nature)
206 By courtesy of J. B. Vandervoort, Esq.
PORTRAIT OF REV. ENOCH VAN AKEN (with signa- ture) . 210
DIAGRAM OF INTERIOR OF CHURCH, 1854 . 219 ·
DIAGRAM OF GALLERY, 1854
. 220
DIAGRAM OF ORIGINAL CHURCH SITE, BLOOMINGDALE ROAD AND 70th STREET . 223
"THE CHURCH AT HARSENVILLE." SECOND HOUSE OF WORSHIP, 1868, SHOWING THE ENCROACHING
"SHANTY-TOWN." . .
. 228
DIAGRAM OF SITE OF SECOND HOUSE OF WORSHIP . 232 From The History of Eighty Years.
THE BLOOMINGDALE REFORMED CHURCH. THE THIRD HOUSE OF WORSHIP, 7Ist STREET, EAST OF COLUM- BUS AVENUE
·
236
From The History of Eighty Years.
PORTRAIT OF REV. CARLOS MARTYN, D.D. (with signa- ture) 244
THE BLOOMINGDALE REFORMED CHURCH. THE FOURTH HOUSE OF WORSHIP, NORTHEAST CORNER OF BROADWAY AND 68th ST . . 250
INTERIOR OF THE FOURTH HOUSE OF WORSHIP
258
Illustrations
X111
PAGE
PORTRAIT OF REV. MADISON C. PETERS, D.D. (with signature)
272
PORTRAIT OF REV. WILLIAM C. STINSON, D.D. (with signature) . 282
THE BLOOMINGDALE REFORMED CHURCH. THE FIFTH
HOUSE OF WORSHIP, BLOOMINGDALE SQUARE . . 292
THE PYATT MEMORIAL.
DESIGNED BY JOHN LA
.
FARGE, EsQ. 294 .
THE GILBERT MEMORIAL.
DESIGNED BY JOHN LA
FARGE, EsQ. . 296
PORTRAIT OF MISS ANN STRIKER (with signature) .
. 304
From the original painting in possession of Mrs. J. H.
Maples.
PORTRAITS OF SAMUEL ADAMS LAWRENCE, ESQ., AND HIS WIFE KATHERINE REMSEN (with signature) . 310
From the original paintings in possession of Mrs. Kath- erine L. Neumann.
PORTRAIT OF JOEL POST, EsQ. (with signature) ·
316
PORTRAIT OF HON. DANIEL D. TOMPKINS, GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK STATE AND VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (with signature) · 328
From the painting in the collection of the New York Historical Society.
PORTRAIT OF HON. BROCKHOLST LIVINGSTON, Asso- CIATE JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT (with signature) . 330
By courtesy of Miss Ann L. Livingston.
PORTRAIT OF BARON JOHN C. VAN DEN HEUVEL, FORMER GOVERNOR OF DEMARARA (with signature), 332
From the original painting in possession of William Henry Bibby, Esq.
THE CLENDINING MANSION, 1863, AT COLUMBUS AVENUE AND 104th STREET . . 336
xiv
Illustrations
PORTRAIT OF JORDAN MOTT, EsQ., 1796 (with signa-
PAGE ture) 346 .
From a wax miniature in possession of the author.
"MOTT'S POINT, ON THE HUDSON," 1884
· 350
From an oil painting by W. L. Sonntag, N. A., in posses- sion of the author.
PORTRAIT OF M. HOPPER MOTT, EsQ. (with signature) . 352 From a water-color in possession of the author.
PORTRAIT OF HON. ISAAC L. VARIAN, MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY (with signature) · 358
From the original by Inman in the New York City Hall.
THE HAVEMEYER MANSION, 1864, as IT APPEARED WHEN USED AS A HOME AND SCHOOL FOR SOLDIERS' CHILDREN . 370
PORTRAIT OF PELATIAH PERIT, EsQ., 20th PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE · 376 Reproduced by the courtesy of Mrs. W. S. Gilman.
ORIGINAL EDIFICE
OF THE PARK PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH, 1854 . . 380
PORTRAIT OF CASPAR MEIER, EsQ. (with signature). FOUNDER OF OELRICHS & CO . 382
From the original painting in the Chamber of Commerce.
PORTRAITS OF GERARD WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, EsQ., AND HIS WIFE CORNELIA DE PEYSTER (with signa- ture) . 384 By courtesy of the late Mrs. Charles Havens Hunt.
LIVINGSTON CHART 386
PORTRAIT OF GENERAL GARRIT HOPPER STRIKER (with signature). CAPTAIN IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES, 1812 · 390 · From the original painting in possession of the family.
Illustrations
XV
"ROSEVALE," THE MANSION OF GENERAL STRIKER,
PAGE
1864, ON THE HUDSON AT 53d STREET · 394
PORTRAIT OF MRS. EMILY HANAWAY STRYKER (with signature) · 406
THE PERIT MANSION, BLOOMINGDALE ROAD AT 75th STREET, 1868 .
418
PORTRAIT OF DUNCAN MACFARLAN, EsQ. (with signa- ture)
424
Reproduced by courtesy of his daughter, Mrs. Robert W. Thompson.
COUNTRY SEAT OF SAMUEL ADAMS LAWRENCE, EsQ., I868 .
430
"WILLOW BANK," COUNTRY SEAT OF CASPAR MEIER, EsQ.
. · 436
From a drawing by his grandson, H. C. von Post, Esq. The Beekman (Clibborn) house in middle distance.
PORTRAIT OF ELIZA GULICK, WIFE OF DOMINE VAN AKEN, 1862 . · 444
Authorities Cited
[ The numbers following the titles refer to the pages of this volume
Albany Collections, 126
American, The, 1844, 353
Archives of the State of New York in the Revolution, 34, 49, 53
Articles of the Synod of Dort, 241
Battle of Harlem Heights, JOHNSTON, 41
Battles of Trenton and Princeton, The, 119
BETHUNE, GEORGE W., D.D., note on portrait, 162
BONAR, HORATIUS, 428
Calendar of Dutch MSS., 143, 144
Calendar of Land Papers, 145
Christian Intelligencer, 1860, 1868, 257; 1906, 101; 258, 292, 301, 3º3,351, 394
CLARK's Onondaga, 106
Colonial Historical Documents, 112
Columbian, The, 1815, 4, 67, 68, 72, 390
Conveyances, N. Y. Register's Office, 1846, 45; 1847, 47; 1764, 47; 48, 107, III, 148, 150, 155, 161, 167, 171, 182, 189, 192, 224, 225, 316, 327, 340, 345
De Kerkboden, 101
Deliverers of Holland, The, CHARLES, 114
Description of New York, HARDIE, 1827, 170
Documentary History of New York, 145
Documents relating to the History of Early Colonial Settlements,
II3
Domestic Manners of the Americans, 1832, 23 Dutch Church Records
Estates and Rights of the Corporation, HOFFMAN, 144
Evacuation Day, 1783, JAS. PETERS, 58
Evening Post, 1814, 66, 69; 1816, 183, 184; 1829, 205; 340
From the Battery to Bloomingdale, DESPARD, 97, 131, 138, 230
Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta, The, VAN RENSSELAER, 143
xvii
xviii
Authorities Cited
Grants, N. Y. Comptroller's Office, 1701, 43
History of the City of New York, LAMB, 48, 113
History of the City of New York, VALENTINE, 141, 144
History of Danbury, Conn., BAILEY, 128
History of the Dutch Republic, MOTLEY, 114
History of Eighty Years, 162, 210, 239, 243, 245, 249, 266 History of Harlem, RIKER, 74, 104
History of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, 120
History of New York, STONE, 115
History of the School of the Collegiate Dutch Church, 108, 109
History of the Seventh Regiment, CLARK, 64
History of the War of 1812, GUERNSEY, 60, 75, note on illustration, 76 History of Westchester County, BOLTON, 320
Holland Society Year Book, 1900, 115; 1896, 117; 1899, 127; 1900, 144; 1896, 145
Huguenot Emigration to America, 128
Incorporations of Religious Denominations, 159
IRVING, WASHINGTON, I
Kingston (N. Y.), FREEMAN, 1885, 255
Landmark History, ULMAN, 73
Last Days of Knickerbocker Life in New York, DAYTON, 13
Laws of 1779, 304; 1857, 2; 1703, 1751, 4
London Gazette, 1814, 80
London Punch, 391
Manual, CORWIN'S, 160, 257, 323
Manual of the Corporation, VALENTINE, 1847, 46, 47; 107, 323
MARTINEAU, HARRIET, XXIV
McGown's Pass and Vicinity, HALL, 73, 76
Memoirs of Dr. Livingston, 162
Mercantile Advertiser, 1814, 3; 69, 174
Merchants' Magazine, HUNT, 380
Minutes of the Common Council, 1804, 86
National Advocate, 1814, 61
N. J. Archives, 158, 317
New Netherland Register, 113, 116
N. Y. Gazette, 1829, 205
N. Y. Genealogical and Biographical Record, 1905, 10; Vol. II., 49; 117, 127, 301, 368
N. Y. Herald, 1883, 247; 361
N. Y. Historical Society Abstracts, 1893, 142
N. Y. Marriages, 150
N. Y. Mercury, 1764, 14
N. Y. Packet, The, 1784, 48
xix
Authorities Cited
N. Y. in the Revolution, 2d Ed., 49, 50, 51, 53; supplement, 37 N. Y. Spectator, 1829, 205 N. Y. Sun, 125, 391 N. Y. Times, 1878, 233; 327 N. Y. Tribune, 299
Officers and Men of N. J. in the Revolution, STRYKER, 50 Ordinance of the Board of Health, 1872, 203
Paper by ERASTUS C. BENEDICT, 1878, 48
Paper read before the N. Y. Academy of Medicine, 133
Picture of New York, MITCHELL, 338
Public Papers of Gov. Tompkins, 73
PURPLE, Dr. EDWIN R., 324
Recollections of Persons and Events, MATTHEWS, 159
Records of New Amsterdam, Court Minutes, 8, 115, 116, 140
Records of St. Michael's Church, 1814, 26, 46; 203
Records of Trinity Church, 1792, 26
Records of Trinity Corporation, 132 Register's Office, Jamaica, L. I., 118
Reminiscences of an Octogenarian, HASWELL, 98
Report on Fortifications, GEN. SWIFT, 73
Reports, HASTINGS', 30, 34
Revised Ordinances of 1866, 203
Royal Gazette, 1780, 46 Statutes, N. Y., 1817, 305
Stevens, Letter of Dr. Alexander H., 134
Story of an Old Farm, The, 119
Tour around N. Y., FELIX OLDBOY, III
Wealth and Pedigree of the Wealthy Citizens of N. Y., 125
Wills, N. Y. Register's Office, 132, 149, 187, 195, 235; 1833, 316; 345, 346
Yale Lectures on the Sabbath School, TRUMBULL, 433
Guide=Posts along the Century's Pathway
1805 Sept.
Organization in the Harsen Mansion and election of First Consistory.
1806 Sept. 6. Incorporation.
1806 Nov. 3.
Site and FIRST HOUSE OF WORSHIP, erected at 69-70th Sts. and Bloomingdale Road, con- veyed to Consistory by Jacob Harsen.
1808
May 2I.
FIRST MINISTER, Rev. Alexander Gunn, called.
1809
Sept. 16.
"Parsonage Acre " conveyed by Jacob Harsen. Construction of parsonage finished.
1810 June
1814 Sept. 26.
New site at 68th Street and Bloomingdale Road purchased.
1815
Nov. 24. Gift of realty from Mrs. Barbara Asten.
1816
Aug.
4. SECOND HOUSE OF WORSHIP opened.
1817 Feb.
Corporate seal adopted.
182I
May
Bequest from Mrs. Johannah Beekman.
1829
Oct. I. Rev. Dr. Gunn died.
1830
July
8. SECOND MINISTER, Rev., Francis M. Kip, called.
1831
Oct.
I.
Rev. William Labagh, minister pro-tem.
1832
May
2I.
1835
May
26.
THIRD MINISTER, Rev. John AlBurtis, called. FOURTH MINISTER, Rev. Enoch van Aken, called.
1869
March
(Ist Sabbath), Final services held in the Second House of Worship.
1869
Aug.
THIRD HOUSE OF WORSHIP opened on the "Parsonage Acre."
1870 Aug. 18.
Bequest from General Striker.
1881
Dec.
28.
Domine van Aken declared emeritus.
1883
Jan.
I. FIFTH MINISTER, Rev. Carlos Martyn, called.
1885
Jan.
2. Domine van Aken died.
1885
Oct.
22.
FOURTH HOUSE OF WORSHIP, at Broadway and 68th St., dedicated.
1885
Nov.
I
First regular service held.
1889
Sept.
I.
SIXTH MINISTER, Rev. Madison C. Peters, called.
1900
May
3.
SEVENTH MINISTER, Rev. William C. Stin- son, D.D., called.
1905
May
1905
Nov.
12.
28. Last services held in Fourth House of Worship. Corner-stone of FIFTH HOUSE OF WORSHIP laid at Bloomingdale Square.
1906
Dec.
16. Service of Dedication.
1906 Dec.
23.
Centennial Celebration of Incorporation.
1906 Dec. 30. Unveiling of Pyatt and Gilbert memorial windows.
xxi
-
Introduction
The life of any community largely centres around its first, and for a space, its only church. This natural tendency makes it apt, in narrating the history of the Church at Harsenville, to fuse it in the amalgam of its surroundings. As its locus was settled by Hol- landers, their descendants, in conformity with their antecedents, selected the ecclesiastical pattern of their fatherland. Situated in a portion of the territory to which the generic name of Bloomingdale attached, it yet had a local significance and at the same time drew for support on a much larger section than that known as Harsenville. In the century of its existence in that location its power for good cannot be estimated, and now that it has been deemed wise to remove the congre- gation to pastures new-still within the confines of Bloomingdale-may the influence which has heretofore radiated from it increase and multiply mightily! The new site on the field of the Battle of Harlem Heights is alone an incentive to aggressive work.
This section of the island has had only desultory and disconnected mention in the history of the city. The distinction of its name-so beautiful in its meaning- has even been denied it, while every one is familiar with such local appellations as Chelsea, Greenwich, Yorkville, Harlem, and Manhattanville, no one of xxiii
Xxiv
Introduction
which for an instant compares with the charm asso- ciated with the designation applied to this West Side territory by the early Dutch inhabitants. Blooming- dale-a vale of flowers-remains a title of singular descriptive beauty and as such deserves to live. It has been with reason described as the watering-place of the élite of New York, the resort of all distinguished strangers from abroad, and the Newport of that part of the city's history extending from the period of Dutch farms to its metamorphosis into metropolitan grand- eur. And then the Hudson! Never was there a more beautiful shore. For the most part bold and rocky, here and there a sandy beach in some little cove was encountered, shaded by branching chestnuts and ma- ples, upon the shelving sands of which the ripples made music most inviting to the bather on a midsummer day. Harriet Martineau has said that of all the water craft she had ever seen none were so graceful as the sloops that sailed its waters. The march of modern improve- ment, in the guise of the railroad, swept away at one blow the rural beauty of this part of the island.
As a family connection of each of the four founders of the Church, and a scion in the fifth and fourth genera- tions respectively of its first elders, the author wishes to express pleasure at his selection by the present Con- sistory to write this history of the organization. He feels that he is especially equipped for the occasion. For some fifteen years he has been engaged in an effort to preserve the history, tradition, and local color of old Bloomingdale. This volume is launched in com- memoration of the centenary of the incorporation of the Society, with the hope that, as the text more than sufficiently covers the subject of the title, it may induce old residents to send him additional data that
XXV
Introduction
an exhaustive history of the District, now in prepara- tion, may be published soon, the accuracy of which will crown the result. Portraits of many of the resi- dents and pictures of most of the buildings, many of them dating from the 18th century, have been gathered, together with maps of farms, old lanes, and watercourses. Beginning at Union Square the inten- tion is to follow the line of the Bloomingdale Road to 147th Street, where it merged in the road to Kings- bridge. Those of us who have been familiar with and loved Bloomingdale since birth, trust that the contem- plated work will revive interest in the restoration of a name which is unique, euphonic, and historic.
Where so many have lent assistance in the prepara- tion of this publication it is invidious to draw distinc- tion, yet it is hard to refrain from thanking Mrs. Florence E. Youngs, Assistant Librarian of the N. Y. Genealogical and Biographical Society, Robert H. Kelby, Librarian of the N. Y. Historical Society, Bingman Versteeg, Librarian of the Holland Society, George R. Schieffelin, John Jasper, former President of the Board of Education, George Wilson, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, and the four survivors of Domine van Aken's pastorate, Mrs. Emily Hanaway Stryker, widow of Rev. Dr. Peter Stryker, Mrs. Ann Agnes Dana, Mrs. Jane Cozine Dorland, and Mrs. Marion Bissland Carss. Especially are acknowledgments made to David Thomson of Foster & Thomson, for repeated acts of kindness. Thanks are also due to Dr. Stinson, pastor, and to members of the present Consistory.
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