A history of Long Island, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 114

Author: Ross, Peter. cn
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1188

USA > New York > A history of Long Island, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 114

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This state of things remained until towards the middle of the eighteenth century. In 1741 the New York committee of the society al- ready named, engaged Mr. Azariah Horton (a native of Southold) as a missionary, to be exclusively employed in the instruction of the Long Island Indians, and for this purpose he was ordained to the work of the gospel min- istry in that year by the Presbytery of New York.

Although human instrumentality, at all times and under all circumstances, is dependent for its efficacy on the divine blessing, it will

not be out of place to remark, that both the character of the missionary and the time of his appointment were peculiarly favorable to the results that were realized. Though the good man has long since gone down to the grave, and no memoir or extended biographical sketch of his life perpetuates his memory, and no memorial remains but the simple and concise record of his daily labors and some of their obvious results, he was manifestly a humble, laborious and self-denying servant of the cross. His charge extended along the whole southern shore of the island, for more than one hundred miles, upon which the remnants of those once numerous tribes, at that time reduced to "four hundred, old and young," were scattered. And here you trace him, four or five times a year, from Montauk to Rockaway, the two extreme points, back and forth, subsisting upon In- dian fare-sleeping in their frail wigwams- teaching them to read the word of God, and almost daily preaching to them the gospel of Christ.

The time of his appointment was that notable period, at which it had pleased the King of Zion to bestow such a copious and ex- tensive effusion of His Spirit on the American churches. And while thousands, in every part of the land, were raising the anxious inquiry, "What must we do to be saved?" He, who is "no respecter of persons," saw fit to send His devoted servant to these benighted savages with the same message of salvation and ac- companied it with "the dispensation of the same Spirit." And while the skeptic is always ready to raise the cry of fanaticism and priest- craft against the work of God in the conversion of souls, the devout Christian, and even the candid rationalist, can scarcely fail to acknowl- edge the general awakening of that day, not- withstanding the human infirmities with which it was in same cases disfigured as a super- natural operation, when he sees these ignorant and degraded savages, who for one hundred years had strenuously rejected a proffered gospel, now melted down and brought to bow with contrite hearts to the message of grace. And let it be particularly noticed that these effects were produced, not by the powerful ap- peals of an eloquent preacher, addressed to the passions and sympathies of his hearers, but often by the slow communication of divine truth through the imperfect medium of a dull interpreter. And besides this, these astonish- ing results were realized, not on a few special occasions and in one or two populous neighbor-

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NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

hoods, but, during several successive years and throughout the length of the island.

A few extracts only can be given from the journal of this indefatigable missionary, to il- lustrate these remarks.

Rockaway, June 6th, 1742; preached. My hear- ers attended with seriousness, and appeared some- what thoughtful.

Islip, June 8th; preached. Two awakened to a considerable sense of their sinful dangerous condi- tion; others concerned before brought under fresh and strong impressions of their guilty state, of their need of Christ, and to earnest inquiries after an in- terest in him, and, in general, they are very devout and attentive.

Moriches, June 13th; preached. Two Indians awakened, and several others under distressing con- cern of mind, &c. Most of these are endeavoring to learn to read.

Shinnecock, June 15th. Preached; and surely the Lord was in this place; his power made known in bringing some that were concerned before, under distressing apprehensions of the wrath of God, of their need of Christ and his salvation, and in re- freshing some that were hopefully his own children, by the refreshing influences of his blessed Spirit.

June 16th. Spent the forenoon in conversing with the Indians. P. M. preached. Many were under distressing concern, filled with anxiety of mind, and inquire "what they must do to be saved." Some were abundantly refreshed with joy and comfort in the Holy Ghost. O what adoring thoughts of free grace and redeeming love! O what wonder did they express at Christ's stooping to them, poor, unde- serving creatures ! The Lord was with us of a truth.

June 18th. Arrived at Montauk. The Indians gladly received me. Many among them are now sick.

June 19th. Spent most of the day in visiting, from wigwam to wigwam, both sick and well.

June 20th, preached, &c.

June 23d. Spent most of the day in visiting. Conversed with an Indian and three squaws, who, by the accounts they gave, and their conduct and con- versation consequent thereupon, are hopefully con- verted. And these conversions were wrought, ac- cording to their accounts, while I was upon my journey to the western Indians upon Long Island.

July 5th. This day conversed with an Indian girl, by an interpreter, and I hope she has had a saving change wrought in her heart. This, while I was gone westward.

July 8th. Expounded; and at this exercise an Indian (who was hopefully converted while I was

westward) owned the covenant and was baptized to- gether with four of his children.

July 15th. Preached. Former concern contin- ued. Two squaws owned the covenant, and were baptized. These were hopefully converted last Oc- tober.

Shinnecock, July 22nd. This evening, gave my dear people some cautions and warnings against some irregularities that abound in our land at this day, and by which their best interest has been much endangered. After this, preached. Some had their distress renewed and increased. Others appeared to be sweetly composed, and to find, by fresh ex- perience, the ways of religion to be ways of pleas- antness, and her paths peace.

Moriches, August 15th. Preached. Some were deeply distressed. Some that attended came 12 miles, and others 20, on purpose to hear the word preached.

Montauk, August 22. Preached. This day the power of the Lord was evidently displayed in strengthening the convictions of some, and height- ening the joy of others. It may be noted that seven squaws came hither from Shinnecock, on pur- pose to attend public worship, and that one of the number was hopefully converted in the time of ser- vice, and another in the evening.

Shinnecock, September 10. Visited and preached. The outpourings of the Spirit still evident and con- spicuous among my dear people, &c.

Islip, October 6th. Spent the evening in giving instructions and cautions to some of my Indian peo- ple gathered together for that purpose. They were greedy to hear, and very thankful to me for my in- structions. It may be noted, these Indians have fre- quently gone (since I left them last summer) 16 miles to attend public worship.

Rockaway, October 10th. Preached. The In- dians attended with seriousness, and some appeared to be under some awakenings about their eternal safety.

Islip, October 24th. Preached. Some deeply concerned.

Mastick, October 29th. Preached. They ap- peared serious and thoughtful.

Moriches, October 31. Preached. Some deeply concerned.

Montauk, November IIth. Conversed with an old Indian, who appears to have found the Lord Jesus by faith. This, while I was gone westward.

Quaog, December 19th. Preached. They seri- ously attended, and some considerable movings ac- companied the exercises of the day.

Moriches, December 20th. In the evening preached. Some few were led to commend the dear

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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.

Redeemer, from a view of his special love to their souls, and to acknowledge their own meanness and unworthiness. Some were deeply distressed, &c. At this exercise one squaw hopefully converted.

Quaog, December 24th. Visited. In the evening preached, attended with encouraging appearances. It may be noted that nine or ten Indians came to the meeting twelve miles, in a wet, stormy time.

December 26th. Preached. Some favoured with lively views of the glory of Christ, and their months filled with praises to him. Others deeply distressed.

Montauk, January 2, 1742-3. Preached. Many of God's children favoured with almost overcoming discoveries of divine love, which raised their affec- tions on high, and filled their souls with holy trans- port and sweet nourishment, and made them with pleasure speak forth the praises of their dear Re- deemer; and these discoveries were attended with a deep and abasing sense of their own unworthiness, and led them to pity their poor Christless friends.

Shinnecock, January 30th. Visited.

Quaog, January 23d. Preached. Some were, as I trust, refreshed from on high, and their mouths filled with praises to the blessed and glorious Jesus. Some others were deeply distressed in mind, and brought to inquire with solicitude after an interest in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Montauk, February 5th. Conversed with one squaw, and I can't but hope she has received a sav- ing change, and that, a few days ago.

Moriches, March 2nd. Preached. They attended with seriousness, and appeared forward to receive instruction.

Islip, March 6th. Some considerably affected with a sense of their undone estate.

Rockaway, April 14th. Preached. Some few appeared somewhat attentive and thoughtful.

Islip, April 17th. Preached. Some were made sensible of their sins in some measure, &c.

Shinnecock, April 20th. Returned to the Indians there, and they appeared much rejoiced, &c.

Montauk, April 24th. Preached. Some were en- livened and refreshed, &c.

Rockaway, May 8th. Preached. There was a forwardness in some to receive instruction. I can not well omit observing, the great necessity of one to instruct, caution, and exhort them in a more steady and uninterrupted method than I possibly can, seeing they, with the Indians of many other places upon Long Island. live at so great a distance from each other, it being at least 100 miles from the two extremes.

. Smithfield, May 18th. After a long and tedious journey arrived at Smithfield upon Delaware, &c.

Moriches, June 2nd. Preached. Some were dis-

tressed under a sense of sin. The Indians here- abouts are much reformed, and very ready to re- ceive instruction.

Shinnecock, September 8th. This day was ob- served as a day of public thanksgiving. The exer- cise was attended with seriousness and decency. A beautiful sight to behold, those gathered together to worship and bless God, who before gospel light shone upon them were wont to meet to sing and dance, carouse and give loose to vain mirth and jollity.

Quaog, December 10th. This morning I had the pleasure to hear three Indian children repeat a con- siderable part of the Assembly catechism, and to hear each of them spell in the Psalter, and the two eldest repeat the two first of David's psalms. Their mother can read well, and is painful, after her capacity, in giving instructions to her children. (This woman was afterward employed as a school- teacher at Montauk.)

December 13th. After divine service, I told my people the news I had received from Scotland, viz., of my continuance among the Long Island Indians. They universally `manifested what great joy and satisfaction it was to them, and they explicitly de- clared their thanks to the great God, for his kind Providence herein.

Montauk, December 25th. Preached. Some of the children of God brought to a deeper acquaint- ance of their own hearts, and made to mourn bitter- ly under a sense of their indwelling corruptions. Towards evening, instructed 4 or 5 squaws, who came to visit me, about the great business of sal- vation.

Quaog, January 8th, 1743-4. Preached. Some had their concern revived and increased. The ex- ercises of this day were attended with much of the divine power.

Moriches, January 23. Preached in the evening. Visibly attended with divine power. A great part of my hearers this evening came from Quaog, which is 12 miles, and the Indians of this place go fre- quently there to meeting.

Montauk, January 29. Preached. Some few re- freshed.

Quaog, February 5. Preached. Some distressed ; others sweetly refreshed.

In making these extracts the object has not been to furnish a few isolated passages of the most remarkable character, but to exhibit sev- eral deeply interesting facts connected with the work of grace among this ignorant and be- nighted race, such as the following :

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NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

I. The incessant and extended labors of this devoted and self-denying servant of the cross. He appears to have been untiring in his efforts for the salvation of perishing souls. While the principal settlements of the Indians were at Montauk and Shinnecock, and there- fore most of his time was spent there, still we find him traveling, several times a year, from one end of the island to the other, to proclaim the message of salvation. And then, the ex- treme caution with which he expresses his hopes of the favorable appearances among them, warrants the highest confidence in the truth of his statements.

2. While the work of grace was manifest- ly wrought by the instrumentality of divine truth, communicated in preaching and conver- sation, these hopeful conversions, in numerous instances, did not take place under the excite- ment of public meetings, but even in the ab- sence of the missionary to other parts of his charge, plainly showing that it was the work of God and not of man.

3. The long continuance of this blessed work furnishes another evidence of its genu- ineness. It was not the hot-bed production of a few days or weeks, originating in special efforts to produce a public excitement, and then subsiding into death-like coldness, as soon as the exercises were suspended. But it com- mienced and was continued for months and even years, by the occasional labors of a single missionary, traveling back and forth over a region more than one hundred miles in extent. And yet, in every part of this vast field, the same moral phenomena were exhibited, to a greater or less extent, throughout this pro- tracted season of mercy. And when we take into consideration the numerous disadvantages under which these labors were performed, it seems that infidelity itself, if associated with a small degree of candor, must be constrained to acknowledge that such results could not be ascribed to mere human ingenuity or effi- ciency.

Mr. Horton remained in the service of the

Long Island Indians eleven years. During the first three years, which his printed journal covers, he appears to have confined himself constantly to his field of labor. In May, 1742, he attended the synod in Philadelphia, and in the year following he spent a fortnight in visit- ing the Indians on the Delaware river, for the purpose of preparing the way for the estab- lishment of a mission among them. With these short intervals, not of relaxation, but of a mere change of labor, he pursued his solitary work, uncheered by the presence of a single fellow laborer, except that in February, 1742, David Brainard, who was then preparing to set out on a similar embassy of mercy, paid him a short visit and preached a single dis- course to his "poor, dear people." In 1752 Mr. Horton, from what cause is not known, left the island and was settled that same year at South Hanover, or Bottle Hill, New Jersey, a settlement that had been formed in part by Long Island people. Here a church had been recently formed, of which Mr. H. was the first pastor. Here he spent his days and laid his bones. His tombstone bears the following sim- ple inscription :

"In memory of the REV. AZARIAH HORTON, . for 25 years pastor of this church. Died March 27th, 1777, aged 62 years."

Mr. Horton was evidently a very respect- able minister in his day. He was one of the most constant attendants on the judicatories of the church-was seldom absent from the meetings of the synod, and was frequently ap- pointed on its commission. And yet his memory has well nigh passed away. It is still true that "the righteous perish, and no man layeth it to heart," even while men of far less excellence and usefulness, obtain a temporary renown by a splendid monument or a flatter- ing memoir. But the name of Azariah Horton, though little else of the good man remains, is worthy to live in the history of Indian mis- sions, and should never perish from the annals of Long Island.

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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.

THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN.

PRECAUTIONS PRIOR TO THE LANDING.

JAMAICA, May 15, 1776.

Resolved: That no person be permitted to move into the township from the date hereof unless he produce a certificate from the com- mittee where he resided that he has in all things behaved as a friend to the cause of American freedom. And whereas, sundry per- sons, in passing and repassing through the town, have given just cause of suspicion that they are employed in aiding and assisting the unnatural enemies of America: Therefore

Resolved, That all such persons passing through this town be taken up for examina- tion.

By order of the committee, ELIAS BAYLES, Chairman.

On the day after Woodhull's capture Elias Bayles was arrested by a neighbor and brought before the British officer at Jamaica, although old and blind. He refused to say even a word against the American cause and was shut up in the Presbyterian church for the night and the next day was sent to the prison at New Utrecht. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church and beguiled the hours of his imprison- ment by reciting passages of scripture and singing psalms and hymns. Finally he was removed to the provost in New York. After confinement for two months he was released, but died on the ferry while crossing to Long Island.

INCIDENTS FROM ONDERDONK.

GUARDING THE STOCK .- August 24, 1776. -Congress ordered half the Western Regi- ment of Suffolk with five days' provisions, to march into the western part of Queens, that the officers of the militia of Queens order out the whole militia, with the troop of horse, and use all diligence to prevent the stock falling into the hands of the enemy, that the captain of the troop of horse of Kings county jom said militia and that the inhabitants of Queens (not of the militia) assist when ordered.

FARM AND GARDEN PROVISIONS .- August 12, 1776 .- Captain P. Nostrand was stationed at Far Rockaway with forty-six men to guard

the coast. There was a guard at David Mott's, and at Hog Island Inlet was a guard boat. A guard was often put on board fishing boats to prevent their giving information to the British fleet, to which the disaffected used to carry water, eggs, butter and fresh provisions.

DISPOSITION OF THE MILITIA .- August 10, 1776 .- One-half of the militia of Kings and Queens counties was ordered to march immedi- ately to Brooklyn; the levies from Kings and Queens to be formed into one regiment under command of Colonel Jeromus Remsen, Lieu- tenant-Colonel Nich. Covenhoven and Major Richard Thorne, and continue in service until September I.

Captain Andrew Onderdonk's company lay at Bedford, in the barn of Lambert Suydam, and marched daily to Brooklyn to throw up the fortifications.

CAPTAIN SUYDAM'S DISCOVERY.

CAMP LONG ISLAND, August 19, 1776.

I, the subscriber, went down to Rockaway just at daybreak with my company of light horse, pursuant to an order from Brigadier- General Heard to take care of some boats. At the house of - Van Brockle I discovered a number of men issue out of the door and run, some of them partly dressed and some in their shirts only. Immediately I ordered my men to pursue them, and presently overtook three of their number and took them prisoners. Two of them got to the woods and hid under the bushes; on finding them I ordered them to surrender. One of them did; the other absolutely refused, although one of my men had his gun presented to his breast, on which my men alighted and took him.

After I had taken six prisoners I examined the beach and found a boat and four oars and a paddle. In the boat were three sheep, four ducks and a large bottle with water.

LAMBERT SUYDAM, Captain of the Troop.

THE HOWARD HOUSE.

Just as this work is going to press the news has transpired that the Howard House at East New York is about to be torn down, and thus another of Brooklyn's historic landmarks is doomed to disappear. The Howard House of 1776 figures prominently in the story of the

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NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

battle of Brooklyn, and although possibly but little of the building of that day is extant in the old tumble-down structure which has borne its name to the present generation, still there was that continuity about the house which gave it a certain claim to authenticity and an- tiquity. The old Howard House of 1776 was never pulled down; the building now doomed just developed out of it by slow degrees, altera- tion succeeding alteration, repairs obliterating the past, and all the varied requirements of a century and a quarter of busy occupation ne- cessitating frequent changes in exterior as well as interior. But just as the old man of three score years and ten is to be regarded as the same individual who as a boy of five or six summers awoke the echoes with his mirth, so must we regard the passing Howard House as the scene of the culmination of Sir William Howe's bit of strategy, which turned the flank of the defenses of Brooklyn and brought about a disastrous defeat of the Continental heroes at a time when the cause of American liberty could ill afford such a set-back.

The original Howard House was built in 1700 by William Howard and was conducted as a tavern pure and simple, with nothing to lend it any degree of prominence until that eventful August night in 1776, when Howe's detachment came upon it and Sir William compelled the proprietor and his son to guide the troops through the pass, the movement which insured the victory of the red-coats be- fore the sun went down the next day. It is said that Sir William and several officers stood at the bar of the house and ordered refresh- ments, but on that point historians differ. However, the British commander had a habit of wasting time and it is quite possible that even in that crisis he was not forgetful of creature comforts. After the battle the How- ard House simply sank into a tavern once more and so continued its uneventful story until possibly twenty years ago, when it was invested with the dignity of recognition as a landmark.

Writing of its approaching destruction a

writer in the Brooklyn Eagle wrote of some of the old characteristics of the house as fol- lows :

A key was left hanging outside the door for belated farmers, who might enter and help themselves, settling their scores at some more convenient season. This seemingly rash policy would bring any modern tavern to the brink of lasting ruin, but they were honest in those days, and it was with such considerate sim- plicity that the inn was then conducted. His- tory contains no record that the Howards of- fered the first free lunch, but a perusal of their business methods, as aforesaid, indicates their right to the distinction. In the Howard House on winter evenings merry sleighing parties gathered, coming all the way from far distant Brooklyn, and here politics and weighty state matters were discussed. It was a resort for the farmers from far and near, and Major Joseph Howard is a name still held in hon- orable memory by old Long Islanders. In 1852 the property passed into the hands of Catherine Howard, the mother of Philip H. Reid, who was the proprietor of the hostelry when, in 1880, it was first proposed to re- move it.

THOMPSON'S STORY OF THE BATTLE OF BROOK- LYN.

After the commencement of hostilities in 1776, New York being situated near the center of the colonial sea-board, and readily accessible from the sea, was selected by the enemy as a principal point for their future operations. With this view, a first division of their army arrived at Staten Island in the latter part of June of that year, followed, about the middle of July, by the grand armament under Lord Howe, consisting of six ships of the line, thirty frigates, with smaller armed vessels and a great number of transports, victuallers and ships with ordnance.

The Americans, anticipating the invasion of Long Island, had fortified Brooklyn before the arrival of the British at Staten Island. A line of intrenchment was formed from a ditch near the late toll-house of the Bridge Com- pany at the navy-yard to Fort Greene, then called Fort Putnam, and from thence to

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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.

Freek's mill-pond. A strong work was erected on the lands of Johannis Debevoice and of Van Brunt ; a redoubt was thrown up on Bæmus' Hill opposite Brown's mill, and another on the land of John Johnson west of Fort Greene, Ponkiesberg, now Fort Swift, was fortified, and a fort built on the land of Mr. Hicks on Brooklyn Heights. Such were the defences of Brooklyn in 1776, while a chevaux de frise was sunk in the main channel of the river be- low New York. The troops of both divisions of the British army were landed on Staten Isl- and after their arrival in the bay, to recruit their strength and prepare for the coming con- flict. It was not till the middle of August that a first landing on Long Island was made by them at New Utrecht. Here they were joined by many royalists from the neighborhood, who probably acted the infamous part of informers and guides to the enemy. General Sir Henry Clinton arrived about the same time with the troops re-conducted from the expedition to Charleston.

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A history of Long Island, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 114

Author: Ross, Peter. cn Publication date: 1902 Publisher: New York ; Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1188

Author: Ross, Peter. cn
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1188