USA > New York > A geographical history of the state of New York: embracing its history, government, physical features, climate, geology, mineralogy, botany, zoology, education, internal improvements, &c., with a separate map of each county > Part 18
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BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. Hospitals. There are two hos- pitals in the city. The New York Hospital, founded by sub- scription, in 1769, is a noble institution. It has extensive build- ings and grounds, and good accommodations for 250 patients. It has ten visiting, and as many consulting physicians.
The City Hospital, at Bellevue, is supported by the Municipal government of the city. It has accommodations for between 200 and 300 inmates, and is under the management of a physi- cian, and several assistants.
The City Dispensary affords aid to about 20,000 indigent pa- tients annually. The Northern and Eastern Dispensaries ad-
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minister relief to from 5000 to 10,000 each. The New York Eye Infirmary treats over 1000 indigent patients, for diseases of the eye. The Bloomingdale Lunatic Asylum, located at Bloom- ingdale, has about 200 patients. It is connected with the New York Hospital.
The City Lunatic Asylum, on Blackwell's Island, has from 300 to 400 indigent patients. There is also a Lunatic Asylum on Murray's Hill, Fortieth street. The Institution for the Blind, on the ninth Avenue, has about sixty pupils.
The Deaf and Dumb Asylum, on Fiftieth street, has a princi- pal, eight professors, and not far from 150 pupils. Its buildings are large and commodious.
There are also six Orphan Asylums in the city, and several institutions for aged and indigent females.
Societies are also founded, for the protection and benefit of emigrants, who throng, in such vast numbers, to the city.
From its central position, and intimate connexion with other sections of the country, New York city has been made the head quarters, of numerous benevolent institutions, whose measures are intended to benefit the whole country. The most prominent of these are the American Bible Society, the American and Foreign Bible Society, the Methodist Book concern, the Amer- ican Tract Society, the Home and Domestic Mission Societies, the Seaman's Friend Society, the Society for ameliorating the condition of the Jews, the American Temperance Union, the Moral Reform Society, the American, and the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Societies, the American, and the Ameri- can Baptist Home Mission Societies, &c. &c.
PLACES OF AMUSEMENT. These are numerous. Beside two museums, each containing extensive collections of curiosities, there are several public gardens, where there are frequent ex- hibitions, picture galleries, four large, and two or three lesser theatres, &c. &c.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL DIVISIONS OF THE CITY. For the purposes of government and police, the city is divided into eighteen wards, each of which elects, annually, an alderman and. assistant alderman, who, together, form the Common Council, and with the Mayor, administer the government of the city.
The police of the city, whose duty it is to preserve order, ar- rest criminals, prevent riots, felonies, and other misdemeanors, give alarm of fires, &c., are 800 in number, and are distributed through the wards, according to their population.
In each ward is a station house, and the police force of the ward, are under the control of a captain of police, and two assistants. There are six police jus- tices, who hold courts, in three different sections of the city. The whole police force, is under the direction of a chief of police, whose rooms are in the new City Hall in the Park.
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BUSINESS OF PARTICULAR STREETS. Wall street has become the great rendezvous of bankers and brokers. Pearl street, of wholesale dry goods dealers. South street, of wholesale flour and produce dealers. Chatham street, of dealers in clothing. Broadway is a fashionable promenade ; and the Bowery, Grand, and Canal streets, contain most of the retail stores.
STORES, &c. There are in the city, 1981 wholesale, and about 4000 retail, dry goods stores, employing a capital of more than sixty millions of dollars. There are twenty-seven banks, with an aggregate capital of $25,563,600, besides four saving banks.
There are sixty-seven fire and marine insurance companies, of which twenty-two are on the mutual principle. The remain- der have a capital of about fourteen millions of dollars. There are twelve life insurance companies, four of them on the mutual principle, the remainder have a capital of $19,000,000. There were, in 1846, 106 hotels and coffee houses.
Such is an imperfect view of the great commercial metropolis of our country. Her growth, thus far, has outstripped the expectations, and predictions of the most sanguine ; and judging of the future by the past, we are compelled to believe, that ere the close of the present century, she will be, in population and commer- cial importance, what London now is.
Her resources are unequalled, and her capacity for accommodating and sup- porting an immense population, unsurpassed ; and when the cities of the old world have sunk to decay, New York, fulfilling the promise of her youth, will flourish, queen of cities, and mart of the world.
LONG ISLAND.
Square miles, 1448.
Population, 145,119.
Long Island forms so distinct a portion of the state, that it merits a distinct description. It extends from 40° 34' to 41º 10' north latitude, and from 2º 58' to 5° 3' east longitude. It is 140 miles long, with an average breadth of 12 or 15 miles.
SURFACE. A chain of low hills divides it centrally, north of which, the country is rough and broken, but south of it, is al- most a perfect plain, apparently produced by the washing up of the sand from the ocean. This surface is somewhat sterile, but produces heavy pine timber.
RIVERS, BAYS, &c. There are few streams worthy of note, on the island, although as a whole, it is well watered. The Pe- conic, Connecticut, and Nissiquogue, are the only ones of im- portance.
Its bays are numerous. On the southern coast, the Great South bay extends from Hempstead to Brookhaven, a distance of more than 70 miles. It is from two to five miles wide, and is
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separated from the ocean, by a beach of sand, varying in width from a few rods to half a mile, broken only by a few narrow in- lets, which are constantly changing in depth, with the action of the waves.
At the eastern extremity of the island, the Great Peconic bay has divided it into two peninsulas, of unequal length. Gardiner's bay, between Shelter and Gardiner's island, furnishes a fine and commodious harbor.
Smithtown bay, on the northern shore, is an open roadstead, of no great depth of water, and unprotected from the winds, by projecting headlands. Huntington bay is smaller, but af- fords a fine harbor. Hempstead harbor, New York harbor, and Jamaica bay, are the only other bays worthy of notice.
LAKES. There are numerous small lakes, or ponds, scattered over the surface of the island, some of them at short distances from the shore. They are very uniform in their height and temperature, being seldom frozen in winter, and maintaining a most delicious coolness in summer. Ronkonkama, Great Pond, Fort Pond, and Success or Sacut Pond, are the principal.
ISLANDS. A number of islands adjacent to Long Island, are included in its territories. Of these, Shelter, Gardiner's, Plum, Robbin's and Fisher's islands, toward the eastern extremity, and Riker's, Coney, Barren, &c., at the southwestern, are the principal. A part of these are inhabited.
RAILROAD. The Long Island railroad traverses the whole length of the island, and furnishes to its inhabitants easy and speedy access to New York city.
HISTORY. Previous to its discovery and settlement by the whites, Long Island seems to have been densely populated by Indians.
Historians have enumerated the names of fourteen or fifteen tribes, of which the principal were the Canarsee, Rockaway, Merikoke, Marsapeague, Secatogue, and Patchogue tribes on the south side ; the Matinecock, Nissaquogue, Setauket, and Corchaug, on the north side; and the Shinecock, Manhasset, and Montauk, from the Canoe Place to Montauk Point. Of these tribes. the Canarsee were sub- ject to the Iroquois ; the others were tributaries to the Montauks, whose sachem, Wyandanch, was regarded as the grand sachem of the island. The Pequots, however, had crossed over from the northern shore of the sound, and levied a heavy tribute on these tribes ; and after that warlike people were subdued by the English, the Long Island Indians paid tribute to the English, and sought their alliance and protection.
The division of the Island, between the Dutch and English, was long a bone of contention. At length, by the treaty of Hartford, made in 1650, it was settled that the English should hold all of the island east of Oyster bay, and that the remainder should belong to the Dutch. After this date, the eastern part of the island was under the government of Connecticut. till 1664, when the Duke of York claimed it as a part of his patent.
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III. KINGS COUNTY.
Square miles, 76. Organized, 1683.
Population, 78,691.
Valuation in 1845, $30,750,472.
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1. Brooklyn, 1788. 3. New Utrecht, 1788. 5. Flatlands, 1789.
2. Gravesend, 17SS. 4. Flatbush, 17SS. 6. Bushwick, 1788.
Rivers, &c. B. East River. E. Atlantic Ocean. r. Jamaica Bay. i. Wallabout Bay.
Bays, &c. A. New York Bay. a. Narrows. d. Coney Island.
Forts. Hamilton. Lafayette.
Battle Fields. Battle of Long Island.
Cities and Villages. Brooklyn, Flatbush, Williamsburgh.
BOUNDARIES. North by East river, and New York harbor; East by Queens county ; South by the Atlantic ; West by New York bay, and the Narrows.
SURFACE. On the northeast, for three or four miles back from the East river, it is hilly. Brooklyn Heights forms the
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termination of the ridge, which runs through the island. On the southeast, a sandy plain extends to the ocean.
RIVERS, &c. There are no streams of importance. The. chief bays, or indentations of the coast, are Gravesend bay, Gowanus cove, and the Wallabout bay. Plumb inlet, and Rockaway inlet, on the south, communicate with several ponds in the interior.
GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. A considerable portion of the formation of the county is alluvial. The northern portion is granite. Large boulders are found scattered over this, and the adjoining counties. They are mostly granitic.
The principal minerals are hematitic iron ore, iron pyrites, lignite, porcelain clay, magnetic iron sand, and garnet sand. There is also some peat, and a few fossils.
SOIL, AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS. The soil of this county is possessed of greater natural fertility, than that of the other por- tions of the Island, and it is highly cultivated. It is well adapt- ed to horticulture, and fruits and flowers arrive at great perfec- tion. The grape is extensively cultivated, throughout the county. Little timber is found.
PURSUITS. Manufactures are the pursuit of a majority of the inhabitants. The principal articles are distilled liquors, (to the amount of $1,680,000,) cordage, iron ware, oils, flour, oil cloths, leather, glass, ale, &c.
Agriculture, and particularly horticulture, receive considera- ble attention. Corn, oats, butter, potatoes, fruit, and market vegetables, are produced in large quantities.
Its commerce is large, but being included under the reports for New York city, it is difficult to ascertain its amount with accuracy.
SCHOOLS. There are twenty-four public schoolhouses in the county, in which schools were taught, the whole twelve months, in the year 1845. During that year, 8891 children received instruction, at an expense of $17,095, for teachers wages. The libraries contained about 13,000 volumes.
The school organization of the city of Brooklyn has been already described, (see page 126.)
There are also ninety-nine select schools, containing 3516 pupils; one acade- my, and two female seminaries, with 150 pupils.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. Methodists, Dutch Reformed, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Baptists, Con- gregationalists, Universalists, Unitarians, and Friends. Num- ber of churches, 75, of clergymen, 85.
HISTORY. The first settlement, in this county, was made by a small party of Walloons, or Waaloons, from the borders of France, in 1625, on the shores of Wallabout bay, (called from them Waalebocht or the bay of the Walloons.)
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Here, on the 17th of June, 1625, Sarah, eldest daughter of George Jansen de Rapalje, was born. She was the first child of white parents born within the limits of the state of New York .*
Within the succeeding thirty years, settlements had been made in Brooklyn, Flatbush, Flatlands, Gravesend, New Utrecht, and Bushwick.t
Gravesend was settled by English emigrants, who fled from persecution in New England. Of these, the most distinguished was the Lady Moody, and her son, Sir Henry Moody.
These towns were each organized under a separate govern- ment, administered by an officer, or officers, appointed by the Director General.
None of them enjoyed any thing like a representative government, and in the days of Governor Stuyvesant, any attempt on their part, to claim a share in its administration, was frowned down, with the utmost severity. After New York fell into the hands of the English, they were allowed to participate in the imper- fect representative government of that period.
During the early part of the Revolution, Kings county was the scene of many interesting incidents. Here occurred, on the 27th August, 1776, the battle of Long Island, which threw such gloom upon the rising hopes of our countrymen, in the outset of the revolutionary struggle.
The British ministry, determined, if possible, to close the war by a single blow, had concentrated a large force in the neigh- borhood of New York, well equipped, and furnished with all the munitions of war.
Congress had assembled a force of near 27,000 men upon Long Island. but they were undisciplined militia. More than one- fourth of them were invalids, and the remainder but scantily supplied with guns and ammunition.
On the 22d of August, the British fleet approached the Nar- rows, and landed the troops at Gravesend and New Utrecht, without resistance.
Dividing here, into three sections, under the guidance of in- habitants of these and other towns, who loved the gold of the British, more than their own country, they proceeded, by three distinct routes, to invest the American camp, which lay princi- pally on Brooklyn heights.
* There is a tradition extant, that during the infancy of this Sarah Rapalje, Min- nit, the Dutch Governor, being on a hunting excursion, with some associates, near the Wallabout bay, entered the cabin of Rapalje, to find something to satisfy his hunger. Finding no one at home, and no food, except an Indian dumpling, they devoured that, when the wife of Rapalje, with her infant in her arms, en- tered, and berated them soundly for their intrusion, and particularly, for devour - ing the food she had reserved for her infant. The Governor, to appease her an- ger . promised her a milch cow, on the arrival of the ships from Holland, as a com- pensation for her dumpling. On their arrival, in addition to the cow, he gave her twenty morgen, (nearly forty acres,) of land, for pasturage for her cow.
t These towns were named by the Dutch, Breukelen, Midwout, Amersfoort, Gravenzande, Nieuw Utrecht, and Boswyck.
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One division of the British army took the road leading along near the Narrows, another, that passing through the village of Flatbush, and the third passed by the way of Flatlands.
Descending, on the morning of the 27th, to the village of Bed- ford, General Clinton, who commanded one wing of the British army, carried an important point, and an attack was made on the three sides of the camp at once. Suitable precautions seem not to have been taken, by the American officers, to avoid sur- prise, and although, when thus surrounded, they fought brave- ly, defeat was inevitable.
Attempting to retreat, they were driven upon the enemy's forces on every side, and those who fought were slain, while those who attempted to fly were made prisoners.
The loss of the Americans was variously estimated at from 1100 to 3200, in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The British loss was less than 400. On the night of the 29th, General Washington silently drew off his troops to New York, and from this time till the close of the war, Kings county was in the hands of the British.
The prison ships, in which the American prisoners of war were confined, during the revolution, were stationed in Wallabout bay. In these ships, nearly 11,000 American citizens perished, from disease and starvation, through the in- humanity of the Britishi officers who had charge of them.
They were crowded into these ships in such numbers that to obtain fresh air was impossible ; robbed of their clothing, fed upon the most loathsome and putrid provisions, and scantily supplied even with these, allowed no drink but the most fetid bilge water, and when sick, unattended by either physician or nurse.
Yet, amid the horrors of such a condition, the most distressing of which it is possible for the human mind to conceive, our noble countrymen preferred death, with all its horrors, to a traitor's life, with plenty ; and very few of them could be persuaded to enlist in the British army, although they were assured that they should be amply provided with food, and suitable clothing. Their heroism, and the brutal inhumanity of their jailors, should go down to the latest posterity.
CITIES, VILLAGES, &C. BROOKLYN city, the seat of justice for Kings county, is situated at the west end of Long Island, direct- ly opposite the lower portion of New York city. Its location is a commanding and delightful one, and its growth, within a few years past, has been rapid, beyond precedent in the state.
It is the residence of very many of the business inen of New York city, who prefer its pure air, and quiet streets, to the more crowded and bustling squares of the great metropolis. It is remarkable for the neatness and taste displayed in its private residences.
The city has a number of literary and scientific institutions of a high order. The principal of these are the Brooklyn Insti- tute, formed by the union of the Brooklyn Apprentices' Library Association, the Brooklyn Lyceum, and the City Library ; this institution has a large library, and is in a highly flourishing condition ; the Lyceum of Natural History, which is engaged, with commendable zeal, in the investigation of the physical
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sciences ; the Hamilton Literary Association, and the Franklin Literary Association, both composed of young men desirous of improvement. There are also several academies and female seminaries of distinction.
The United States Government have a navy yard at Walla- bout bay, covering forty acres of ground, and well provided with all the necessaries, for the construction of the largest ships of the line. They are constructing a dry dock here, at an im- mense expense. Connected with the yard, is a Naval Lyceum, composed of officers of the United States navy, and possessing a large library and museum.
The Greenwood Cemetery, situated in the south part of the city, contains more than 200 acres of land. Its situation is de- lightful, and comprises every variety of surface, which is calcu- lated to make it attractive, as a place of repose for the dead.
The harbor of the city is extensive, and its depth sufficient to allow the largest vessels to come to its wharves. The Atlantic dock, now in progress of construction, is a stupendous work, and one of the most remarkable monuments of private enterprise and wealth, in the country. Population, 62,000.
Williamsburgh, taken from Bushwick, and organized as a distinct town in 1840, is favorably situated for business, and from its proximity to New York, has had a rapid growth. It is the residence of many of the business men of the metropolis, and is fast increasing in population and wealth. It is connected with New York by three steam ferries. Population about 12,000.
Flatbush, in the town of the same name, is a pleasant though small village. Erasmus Hall, located here, and incor- . porated in 1787, is one of the oldest and most ably conducted academies in the state. The battle of Long Island was fought mostly within the limits of this town.
1V. QUEENS COUNTY.
Square iniles, 396. Organized, 1683.
Population, 31,849. Valuation, 1845, $11,568,350.
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1. Flushing, 1788.
4. Newtown, 178S.
2. Hempstead, 1788.
5. North Hempstead, 178S.
3. Jamaica, 1758.
6. Oyster Bay, 1788.
Rivers, &c. D. Long Island Sound. E. Atlantic Ocean. B. East River.
Bays. j. Oyster Bay. r. Jamaica Bay. k. Flushing Bay. 1. Cow Bay.
Villages. NORTH HEMPSTEAD, Flushing, Jamaica, Newtown.
BOUNDARIES. North by Long Island sound and the East river ; East by Suffolk county ; South by the Atlantic Ocean, and West by Kings county.
SURFACE. The northern portion of this county is rolling, but with no high hills. Harbor Hill, the highest elevation in the county, is 319 feet above the ocean. The great Hempstead plain extends through the central portion of the county.
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RIVERS, &c. The county is well watered, but none of the streams are of considerable size.
BAYS AND HARBORS. These are numerous, both on the northern and southern coasts. The principal on the north, are Flushing, Hempstead, Little Neck, Cow, Oyster, and Cold Spring, bays. On the south, are Jamaica, Rockaway, and part of the Great South bay.
These bays abound with a great variety of fish, oysters, &c., and at certain seasons, large numbers of wild fowl congregate here, the taking of which affords ample amusement to the sportsman.
ISLANDS. Riker's island, on the northern coast, Hog island, Cow island, and several others in Jamaica bay, on the south- ern, are the principal.
PONDS. Success, or Sacut pond, in Flushing, is the only one worthy of special notice.
This pond is very deep, and its waters of remarkable purity and coldness. Perch are very abundant in it. They were first put into its waters by Doctor Samuel L. Mitchell.
CLIMATE. Like that of the Island generally, it is mild, equa- ble and healthy. The seasons are early, and the frosts occur late in autumn ; consequently, fruits attain great perfection.
GEOLOGY AND MINERALS. The geological character of the county alluvial and diluvial, the boulders are mostly granitic. In the southern portion of the county, there are no rocks, nor even stones, of more than a few ounces weight. There are few min- erals of importance.
SOIL AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS. The soil of the northern portion is very fertile, and perhaps under as high cultivation as that of any other part of the state. The southern part is sandy and naturally sterile, but by judicious management, it has been made to produce tolerable crops.
The timber is principally oak, hickory, chestnut, and locust in great abundance. The latter was originally introduced from Virginia. In the northern part, the apple, pear, peach, cherry, &c., thrive well. Wheat, corn, and grass, are also favorite crops.
PURSUITS. Agriculture and horticulture are prominent pur- suits of the inhabitants of this county. Large quantities of corn and oats are raised. Butter, pork, and wool are produced in abundance. Shrubs, fruit trees, and rare exotic plants are sent from the numerous gardens and nurseries in the county, to all parts of the Union.
Fishing, and fowling, are also the employments of many of the inhabitants. Manufactures are not extensive. The most con- siderable are flour, woollen cloths, distilled liquors, and leather.
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The commerce of the county is confined to the coasting trade, and carried on through the ports of Flushing, Glen's Cove, Oys- ter Bay, and Cold Spring. Steamers ply between New York, and Flushing, Glen's cove, and Rockaway.
STAPLE PRODUCTIONS. Corn, oats, butter, wool, fruit trees, and flowers.
SCHOOLS. The county has seventy public schoolhouses, in which schools were taught, in 1846, an average period of ten months. In them 4960 children received instruction, at an ex- pense of $15,346. The school libraries contained 13,803 vol- umes.
Beside these there were thirty-six private schools, with 708 pupils, four acad- emies and three female seminaries, with 272 pupils. One of these is a collegiate school, of a high order.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. Methodists, Episcopalians, Bap- tists, Friends, Dutch Reformed, Presbyterians, and Roman Catholics. Total number of churches, 59, of clergyme .. 43.
HISTORY. The first settlement made in this county, was at Hempstead, by a company of emigrants from Stamford, Conn., in 1644. This company acknowledged the Dutch jurisdiction, and obtained a patent from Governor Kieft. The place was first called Hemsteede.
In the spring of 1645, a company of Englishmen who had previously resided in Vlissingen, in Holland, emigrated to this country, and locating themselves in Queens county, founded the town of Flushing, called by them Vlissingen. They, too, obtained a patent, from Governor Kieft, for their lands. Be- tween this period and 1656, settlements were commenced at Oyster bay, Newtown, and Jamaica.
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