USA > New York > Queens County > Newtown > The annals of Newtown, in Queens County, New York; containing its history from its first settlement, together with many interesting facts concerning the adjacent towns; > Part 1
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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
1800
Glass
Book
SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT
THE
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN, IN
QUEENS COUNTY, NEW-YORK:
691 73
CONTAINING
·
Its History from its first Settlement,
TOGETHER WITH
MANY INTERESTING FACTS CONCERNING THE ADJACENT TOWNS ; ALSO, A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF NUMEROUS LONG ISLAND FAMILIES NOW SPREAD OVER THIS AND VARIOUS OTHER STATES OF THE UNION.
BY JAMES RIKER, JR.
" The benefits of God are to be kept in fresh memory and propagated to posterity." REV. WILLIAM LEVERICH.
NEW-YORK : PUBLISHED BY D. FANSHAW, 108 NASSAU-STREET, Printing Office, 35 Ann-street, corner of Nassau
........ 1852.
Frag i
Copy 2
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, by JAMES RIKER, Jr. in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Unit. d States for the Southern District of New-York.
TO
JOHN L. RIKER, ESQ.,
Counsellor at Fal,
ESTEEMED BY HIS FELLOW-CITIZENS
FOR ROFESSIONAL AND PRIVATE WORTH,
EXHIBITED
THROUGH MANY YEARS OF AN UNBLEMISHED LIFE;
This Volume
IS,
WITH THE AUTHOR'S COMPLIMENTS,
RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.
!
PREFACE.
NEWTOWN, including the several islands known as Riker's, Berrien's, Luyster's, Yonker's Island, and the two Brothers, covers an area of twenty-six and a quar- ter square miles. Its valuable resources ; its contiguity and important relation to the city of New-York, as well as the pleasing character of its historic reminis- cences, are deemed sufficient to commend the follow- ing attempt to preserve its history. While the author, with much diffidence, submits his work to the public scrutiny, he asks leave to state that great pains have been taken to make the volume accurate and accepta- ble. In the collection and collation of his materials he has avoided that undue haste which is the too common error of our local annalists. During a period of seve- ral years he has made patient search in every quarter promising to yield him information; but space will al- low only a brief summary of his authorities.
The voluminous manuscript records in the State Department at Albany, and the lesser ones in the clerks' offices of Kings and Queens counties, as well as those existing in the surrounding town offices, have been carefully examined. The library of the New-York Historical Society has afforded a fund of valuable in- formation, both in print and manuscript. The probate
4
PREFACE.
records at New-York, Brooklyn, and Jamaica, and the baptismal and marriage registers of the Reformed Dutch churches of Brooklyn and Flatbush, and the collegiate Dutch churches of New-York, have opened to him a mine of early genealogical matter ; which species of inquiry has been further aided by a multi- tude of family records and papers, tombstones, &c. &c. The author bears grateful testimony to the uni- form courtesy with which his investigations, both in public and private sources, have been treated. The European history and the armorial devices of Dutch and French families are mainly drawn from a rare and voluminous foreign work, entitled " European Her- aldry." These facts are not given to foster family pride, but only for their historical value.
Many individuals have evinced a friendly interest in his labors, by favoring him with communications, or in other respects aiding him in his inquiries. Among these are worthy of kindest mention the Hon. John M. Berrien, of Georgia ; Jos. H. Burroughs, Esq., Savan- nah, Geo .; Hon. Jacob Brinkerhoff, Mansfield, Ohio; Dr. John Brinckerhoff, Chicago, Ill. ; A. D. Bache, Esq., Washington city ; Rev. Dr. Wm. M. Engles, and Asa I. Fish, Esq., Phila .; Rev. Richard Webster, Mauch Chunk, Pa. ; the late Rev. Dr. Samuel Miller, Prest. Princeton College ; Rev. Dr. Ab'm Messler, Somerville, N. J .; Rev. Garret C. Schanck, Pompton Plains, N. J. ; Rev. Jas. K. Campbell, North Branch, N. J. ; Rev. John Gardner, Harlingen, N. J .; Judge Jas. S. Lawrence, Cream Ridge, N. J .; Samuel F. Haven, Esq., Worces- ter, Mass. ; Rev. Abner Morse, Sherburne, Mass .; Hon. Charles R. Alsop, Middletown, Ct .; Watson E. Law- rence, Esq., New Haven, Ct .; Hon. Wm. A. Sackett, and G. V. Sackett, Esq., Seneca co., N. Y .; Rev.
-
5
PREFACE.
Arthur Burtis, Cherry Valley, N. Y. ; Rev. Garret J. Garretson, Lodi, N. Y. ; Gen. Peter S. Post, Florida, N. Y .; Messrs. T. V. W. Brinkerhoff, and R. H. Brincker- hoff, Fishkill, N. Y .; the late Benjamin F. Thompson, Esq., of Hempstead, L. I .; Rev. Dr. R. O. Currie, and Tunis G. Bergen, Esq., New Utrecht; Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Strong, Flatbush ; Rev. Dr. Jacob Schoonmaker, Ja- maica; Rev. Dr. John Goldsmith, Rev. Geo. A. Shel- ton, John L. Riker, Esq., and Dr. Hursey Baylies, of Newtown; Hon. Jeremiah Johnson, Brooklyn ; Rev. Dr. Thos. De Witt, Hon. Hamilton Fish, Hon. Luther Bradish, Hon. Robert H. Morris, Charles King, Prest. Columbia College, William Betts, Prof. of Law, Co- lumbia College, Lambert Suydam, Esq., the late Hon. John L. Lawrence, the late Gen. Peter Van Zandt, and Rev. John Alburtis, of New-York city ; the Rev. E. H. Gillett, and E. Ketchum, Esq., of Harlem. And the author cannot fail to acknowledge in special terms the very generous and valuable assistance rendered him by the Hon. James Savage, of Boston, and Syl- vester, Judd, Esq., of Northampton, Mass., in the search for and communication of many important facts. Like- wise to Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan, of Albany, and H. Onderdonk, Jr., Esq., of Jamaica, he is indebted for important aid, other than that afforded him by their printed works, the Hist. of New Netherland, and Revo- lutionary Incidents, which were also found of invalua- ble service. To these might be added the names of many kind friends, who have been very helpful, but room would fail were this list thus extended.
With all these aids the compiler has been unable to observe at all times a uniform fulness of detail, owing mainly to a deficiency of records, and yet in part to the strange indifference of some to whom application for
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PREFACE.
materials was made. And this in cases where their own family history was involved. Such, though per- haps insensible of it, have done themselves an injury. In some instances family reminiscences have been ex- cluded because they were wholly traditionary, and found to be at variance with recorded facts. Hence, if the reader should find his family history as here given to conflict with some received tradition, let him not condemn too rashly ; records generally speak the truth, and facts are stubborn things. In matters of more re- cent date, based upon oral statements, notwithstanding the utmost care to secure accuracy, it can hardly be presumed that all errors have been avoided ; any such as may be detected by his readers, the author will es- teem it a high favor to be informed of. Special pains have been taken to have the dates correct.
While the author hopes that no apology is neces- sary for any peculiarity of his work, one feature of the revolutionary history may require a passing allusion. In treating of that period, the names of the prominent loyalists have not been suppressed ; and for several reasons. It would seriously detract from the value and interest of the narrative. Most of them were already in print, in the public journals of the Revolution, Force's Archives, Sabine's American Loyalists, &c. And more- over, none at this remote day need feel aggrieved, since we now look with discrimination on the opposers of our Revolution, distinguishing between the honest loy- alist and that baser sort whose motives were mercenary or hands prone to violence.
Allusions in the following pages, to the present time, refer to the year 1851. In this ever-changing world often the truth of yesterday is falsified to-day. Hence, instances of death, change of residence, &c.
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PREFACE.
during the passage of this work through the press, have made the language in several places not strictly appro- priate. Except these, and several mistakes, mostly ty- pographical, noticed in the Errata, the work is believ- ed to be a truthful and reliable record.
JAMES RIKER, JR.
HARLEM, NEW-YORK, Dec. 25th, 1851.
GENERAL CONTENTS.
FIRST PART.
CIVIL AND CHURCH HISTORY.
PAGE.
CHAPTER I. From the discovery of New-York, to the decline of the Mespat colony, 1609 to 1650. 13
CHAPTER II. From the founding of the village of Newtown, to the purchase of the town from the Indians, 1652 to 1656. . 26
CHAPTER III. From the Indian purchase, to the revolt of Long Island from the Dutch, 1657 to 1664. 44 . CHAPTER IV. From the conquest of the country by the English, to the erection of the first church in New- town, 1664 to 1671. 65
CHAPTER V. From the arbitration of the boundary dis- pute, to the taking of a census, 1671 to 1683. 86 · CHAPTER VI. From the first general assembly, to the fall of Gov. Leisler and the foundation of the colo- nial government, 1683 to 1691. . 103
CHAPTER VII. From the erection of the fulling-mill, to Cornbury's persecution of the dissenters, 1691 to 1707. . 122
CHAPTER VIII. From the revival of the boundary dis- pute, to the troubles with the Fauconniers, 1706 to 1720. , 139
CHAPTER IX. From the building of the first Quaker meeting-house, to the final settlement of the boun- dary dispute, &c., 1720 to 1775. . 153
CHAPTER X. From the rise of the American Revolution, to the subjugation of Newtown by the British troops, 1774 to 1776. . . 173
GENERAL CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER XI. From the formal submission of Queens county to the King, to the end of the war of Inde- pendence, 1776 to 1783. . 196
CHAPTER XII. History of the Presbyterian, Dutch, Epis- copal, Quaker, Baptist, and Methodist churches. . 224 CONCLUSION, Reviewing modern improvements and the present resources and prospects of the township. 257
For particular contents, see the head of each chapter.
SECOND PART.
GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
EMBRACING the Biography and Lineage of numerous Persons and Families, for whose names, see the Index at the close of the volume. The plan of the Genealogies is given in the Explanations which precede them. . 263
APPENDIX.
A .- The Mespat Patent, in Latin, 1642. . . 413
B .- Presbyterian Church Members, 1708 to 1771. 415
C .- Dutch Church Contributors, 1731. . 415
D .- Dutch Church Pew-holders, 1736. . 416
E .- Communicants, Nov. 1, 1741. . . 417
F .- List of Town Officers, 1652 to 1852. 418
G .- Freeholders of Newtown, Dec. 4, 1666. . 427
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
first part.
ITS CIVIL AND CHURCH HISTORY.
1
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
CHAPTER I.
Mespat or Newtown in a primative state .- Its inhabitants, the prowling beast and the tawny Indian .- New-York discovered by the Dutch and called New-Neth- erland .- The West India Company establish trading posts here-Followed by efforts to colonize the country .- Farmers begin to settle in Mespat .- The Rev. Francis Doughty, a persecuted clergyman, removes here from New England; obtains a patent, and plants a colony .- The settlement burnt by the Indians .- A peace made with the savages, and the planters return to their lands .- Mr. Doughty locates in New Amsterdam .- Several planters take out their patents .- Hendrick Harmensen's plantation .- Rupture between Mr. Doughty and his asso- ciates .- Ends in a suit at law .- Mr. Doughty appeals .- Is imprisoned by Direc- tor Kieft .- Is refused the privilege of leaving the country .- Settles in Flushing. -Adversity still attends him .- He is finally permitted to leave New Netherland. -Ilis children .- His farm in possession of Dr. Adriaen Van der Donck, from whom Yonkers Island takes its name .- Decline of the Mespat colony .- Rich- ard Smith leaves it .- The venerable Roger Williams' account of this gentleman. A. D. 1609 to 1650.
Scarce two centuries and a half have elapsed since Mespat,' " by the Indian so called " was the undisputed domain of the red man. Those richly cultivated farms that now pay their annual tribute to the garner of the husbandman, then lay in all the wild grandeur of a primeval forest, whose lone recesses were only disturbed by the prowling beast, the peans of the bird of prey, or the stealthy tread of the Indian hunter. Where now graze the kine, the herd of graceful deer roved and fed in native pastures. Flocks of wild-fowl bathed in the streams across whose waters the timid beaver constructed its dams. Daylight was made vocal by hosts of plumed songsters, and the swamps echoed, through dismal glades, the nocturnal howlings of rapacious wolves, as they pursued to death some ill-fated
1 This, the Indian name for Newtown, is written Mespachtes by some of the earliest Dutch authorities, but it was usually shortened to Mespat, and in modern days corrupted to Maspeth, and confined to a small settlement near the head of Newtown Creek.
2
14
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
victim. In unison with the natural wildness, arose the rustic hamlet of the natives, a group of bark-clad wigwams, and their adjacent planting grounds. Here dwelt the untutored son of the forest, passing the period of his existence in the few and simple employments of savage life, the chief of which were the amusements of the game, or dance ; the graver pursuits of hunt- ing and fishing, or the fearful exploits of war.
Such, in brief, was Mespat, and such its proprietors, ante- rior to the discovery of this country by Henry Hudson, who, in the year 1609, sailing under Dutch patronage, found and ex- plored the noble river that bears his name, and conveying to Europe the news of his important discovery, turned the atten- tion of Holland intently towards the fertile country beyond the great waters, that soon after received the name of New Neth- erland, from the land of its adoption. The Dutch nation fol- lowed up the discoveries of Hudson with the most successful results. The developements respecting this section of the New World, its character and resources, convinced the merchants in Holland of the great advantages to be derived from the estab- lishment of trading posts in New Netherland, whose abundance of valuable furs presented the most flattering prospects for com- merce, and the speedy accumulation of wealth. Less than five years had elapsed, therefore, when ships were fitted out, and despatched to this country, and a mart for Indian traffic plant- ed on the southern point of the Island of Manhattan, where several houses were erected, and a trade opened with the sur- rounding tribes of natives. The settlement soon took the name of New Amsterdam.
But, in order more fully to reap the benefit of Hudson's discovery, a commercial organization, entitled the West India Company, was formed by the Holland merchants, for the pur- pose of establishing a closer intercourse with the New World, and to whom, by an act of incorporation, conferred by the States General of the Netherlands, in 1621, the trade to New Nether- land was exclusively conceded. Much profit attended this enterprise, and valuable cargoes of beaver and other skins were annually transported to Holland, to enrich the coffers of the Company. But as yet, no direct efforts had been made to co- lonize the country ; and, up to 1629 the population chiefly con- sisted of a few individuals in the employ of the Company, and
15
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
connected with the several trading posts. But, in the above year, the adoption, by the States General, of a charter of Free- doms and Exemptions, authorizing the members of the West India Company to establish "colonies," or manors, gave a stimulus to emigration from the Netherlands, and produced the colony of Rensselaerswyck, on the head waters of the Hudson, and others that were soon after founded by several directors of the Company, who assumed the title of patroon, holding in their particular seignories, an authority akin to that exercised by the feudal lords of the Middle Ages. But ten years served to illustrate that these establishments, patterned after European feudal polity, were suited neither to the speedy growth of the population of the country, nor to its social, civil, or commercial advancement. Through neglect and mal-administration on the part of the Company, its fertile territory lay a howling wilderness, and its vast resources un- developed. Made acquainted with this state of things, the States General took the matter in hand, in 1638, and by a proclamation, declared the monopoly of the country abolished, and the New Netherland to be open to all, whether Dutch or foreigners, for the purposes of trade, or the cultivation of the soil; making, however, those who should emigrate thither, subject to the authority of the West India Company, from whom every such person was entitled to receive as much land as he or his family could properly cultivate ; for which, after it should have been a specified term of years under tillage, he was obligated to pay the lawful tenth of its produce. But the encouragement thus given to emigrants was greatly extended in 1640, by the grant of a new and more liberal charter of freedoms and exemptions, providing, among other things, for the administration of civil government in New Netherland, and establishing the rights and privileges of the inhabitants upon a footing parallel with those enjoyed in Holland. This charter formed the basis of the municipal rights afterward en- joyed by the towns and villages of New Netherland.
The enlarged agricultural and commercial advantages, as well as the religious and political freedom now promised to the inhabitants of New Netherland, had a benign effect upon its interests; and, as a consequence, gave an impulse to the work of emigration, both from the continent of Europe, and
16
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
also from New England, whose inhabitants, in considerable numbers, availed themselves of the privilege of a residence in the territories of the Dutch, whither, unfortunately, the spirit of religious intolerance-already enkindled in the land of the pilgrims-induced many to flee, and take up their abode. Remembering Holland, the refuge of themselves or kindred, when the fires of persecution drove them from their homes in Britain, and still in pursuit of the priceless gem of religious freedom, they naturally turned to the daughter province, to find all the sympathy and security enjoyed in the parent country. It was to the operation of such hallowed motives, that Mespat owed the first combined attempt to reclaim its soil from the wildness of nature.
This section had already attracted the attention of colo- nists ; and individuals, both Dutch and English, were now en- tering, as pioneers, upon the work of converting its fertile lands to purposes of agriculture. At the head of the Kill of Mespat, or Newtown Creek, in a section called by the Dutch, 't Kreupel-bosch, now corrupted to Cripplebush, Hans Hans- sen, familiarly called Hans the Boore, obtained a plantation of 200 morgen, or 400 acres. Descending the stream, Richard Brutnell, a native of Bradford, England, was seated on the hook, or point, at the entrance, and east side of Canapaukah Creek, now the Dutch Kills, where he had a farm of near an hundred acres; and, on the opposite side of the creek was the plantation of Tymen Jansen, who had been a ship-carpenter, in the employ of the West India Company ; next to whom, north- ward, lay the land of Burger Jorissen, a respectable smith, from Silesia. Upon the northern border of Mespat, at what is now Fish's Point, Hendrick Harmensen, otherwise called Henry the Farmer, had a bouwery, or farm under cultivation. These were important beginnings; but such single-handed efforts would have required a long period to convert the solitudes of the forest into arable fields and smiling gardens. They were, however, speedily seconded by a band of enterprising colo- nists from New England, the history of which is fraught with lively interest.
Among those who, for conscience sake, had followed the pilgrims of the Mayflower, to the " stern and rock-bound coast " of Massachusetts, hoping there to enjoy freedom of speech and
17
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
action in matters of religious faith, was the Rev. Francis Doughty, a dissenting clergyman, who is stated to have been a member of the ancient and honorable family of Doughtys, or Doutys, of Esher, in Surry, and Boston, in Lincolnshire, Eng- land. He settled at Cohannet, now Taunton, but here he dis- covered that he had plunged "out of the frying-pan into the fire." Differing, in some of his sentiments, from Mr. Hooke, pastor of the church at that place, and his assistant, Street, a " controversie " unhappily arose between them. Doughty as- serted that, according to the Abrahamic covenant, all children of baptized parents, and so Abraham's children, ought to have been baptized, " and spake so in public, or to that effect, which was held a disturbance; and the ministers spake to the magis- trate to order him out, the magistrate commanded the constable, who dragged Master Doughty out of the assembly." Their dispute being laid before Wilson, Mather, and other divines, assembled at Taunton, "Master Doughty was overruled, and the matter carried somewhat partially, as is reported." Dough- ty "was forced to go away from thence, with his wife and children," and he sought a refuge in the island of Aquetneck, now Rhode Island, in Narragansett Bay. Here he resolved, with certain of his friends residing at Taunton and other places, to remove to the Dutch territory, "in order to enjoy freedom of conscience," being "undone " in point of worldly resources, though he was "a man of estate when he came to the country."
Mr. Doughty, being empowered to act on behalf of his associates, made application to the authorities at New Amster- dam for a tract of land, and a patent was immediately granted them for 13,332 acres at Mespat, which embraced nearly the whole of the present town of Newtown, as will be observed by a perusal of the instrument.
WE, WILLEM KIEFT, Director-general, and Council of New Netherland, for and in behalf of the High and Mighty Lords, the Lords States General of the United Netherland Provinces, his Highness the Prince of Orange, as well as the Most Noble Lords, the Lords Directors of the General Privileged West India Company ; to all those who shall see these Letters, MAKE KNOWN, that We have given and granted, as by these presents We do give and grant, unto Francis Doughty, and associates, their heirs and assigns, in real, actual, and perpetual possession, all and every that certain parcel of land situate on Long Island, in this province, with the pastures and whatever
18
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
else it includes, containing, in superfices, six thousand, six hundred and sixty- six Dutch acres, or thereabouts, comprehended within four right lines, each two thousand Dutch perches long, the first whereof extends from the east angle of Hans Hanssen's meadow,1 dividing, according to the creek, the marsh into two unequal parts, unto the plantation of Richard Brutnall, and thence proceeds towards the north-east, passing through the middle of the fresh marsh to the rivulet surrounding the lands of Henry the Farmer, and following the same even to its mouth ; the other line taking its origin from thence, bends towards the south-east, according to the main bank, going along the same unto the other creek, following the course of which from its mouth, until it attains the eastern extremity of the said marsh, (from whence the aforesaid creek arises,) thence turns again towards the south-east, nntil it has gained the length of two thousand Dutch perehes ; the third line taking its rise from the end of the latter, tends towards the west, of an equal length with the others; finally, the fourth running from the last-mentioned point towards the north-west, terminates at the above-mentioned eastern angle of Hans Hanssen's meadow, at which angle a large stone is erected for the greater certainty of the boundaries.
With power to establish in the aforesaid tract a town or towns ; to erect a church or churches ; to exercise the Reformed Christian religion and Church discipline which they profess; also to administer of right, high, low, and middle jurisdiction, to decide civil suits, not exceeding fifty Dutch florins; to impose definitively, and without appeal, in criminal matters, fines to an equal amount; to pronounce the first sentence in other civil and criminal ac- tions of greater moment, and to execute the same, subject, however, to such execution being deferred, should an appeal be made to the supreme court of New Netherland ; Finally, to exercise all rights belonging to the aforesaid jurisdiction, with power, moreover, to nominate some of theirs, and to present them to the Director of New Netherland, that a sufficient number may be chosen from them for political and juridical government; together with the right of hunting, fowling, fishing, and of trading, according to the immunities granted, and to be granted, to the colonists of this province, without any ex- ception :-
Wherefore the aforesaid F. Doughty and his associates, their heirs and assigns, shall be obligated, so long as they are in possession of the above- mentioned lands, to acknowledge the aforesaid Lords for their sovereign Lords and Patroons; to pay, after the lapse of ten years, the tenth part of the produce of the land, whether cultivated with the plough, hoe, or otherwise ; orchards and kitchen-gardens, not exceeding one Dutch acre, excepted ; Finally, to use no other standard than that of Holland ; and so as to avoid confusion, to use Duteh weights, the Dutch ell and all other Dutch measures. All which we promise, under the foregoing conditions, inviolably to preserve, and bind our
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