USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > A history of the city of Brooklyn and Kings county, Volume I > Part 11
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Samuel Roosevelt Johnson, formerly rector of St. John's Church; the Right Rev. Dr. George F. Seymour, formerly rector of St. John's Church and now bishop of Springfield. Of the legal profession who have graduated from her law school might be mentioned William H. Ingersoll, Edward B. Barnum, Henry Broadhead, Abel Crook, William Leggett Whiting, Philip L. Wilson, Henry S. Bellows, Merwin Rush- more, F. A. Ward, D. D. Terry, L. Bradford Prince, Daniel W. Northup, and a host of other well known members of the bar. Of the medical profession the number from Brooklyn is legion. - S. M. O.
We may now add to the roll a conspicuous name, that of ex-mayor Seth Low, now president of Columbia.
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prevent the enemy from landing at Nutten Island."
Governor Clinton, on April 30, 1744, assured the Legislature in a special message that "it was absolutely necessary there should be a bat- tery of six guns at Red Hook, on Nassau Island, which would effectually prevent the enemy's lying there, to bombard the city, or their landing any force or artillery on Nutten Island. In case of any such attack upon us, this battery might be easily supplied and main- tained by the force of the country."
Of life on Long Island and throughout the Colony during the period immediately prece- ding the Revolution we find many interesting glimpses through the medium of newspapers of the time.
The " Weekly Post Boy" of June 18, 1753, contained an advertisement which was of inter- est to the citizens of Long Island : -
Notice is hereby given that the Ferry House from Long Island to Staten Island, com- monly known by the name of the Upper Ferry, otherwise Stillwell's Ferry, is now kept by Nicholas Stillwell, who formerly occupy'd the same ; he has two good Boats well accommo- dated for the safe Conveyance of Man or Horse across the Narrows. He also proposes
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to carry, if required, travellers either to Staten Island, Elizabethtown Point, Amboy, or New York, and that at the most reasonable terms. He continues to keep good entertainment for travellers. NICHOLAS STILLWELL.
John Lane advertised in the " Mercury" June 18, 1753, as follows : -
This is to inform the Publick that John Lane now keeps the ferry at Yellow Hook, 6 miles below New York ferry on Long Island, and has provided good boats, well fitted, with proper hands, and will be ready at all times (wind and weather permitting) to go to Smith's Ferry on Staten Island, with a single man only. There will be good entertainment at said house, where all gentlemen travellers and others may expect the best of usage, for them- selves and horses, from their very humble ser- vant, JOHN LANE.
N. B. Travellers are desired to observe in going from Flat Bush to said ferry to keep the mark'd trees on the right hand.
The Free and Accepted Masons are referred to by the " Mercury" as having observed in due form the anniversary of St. John. Its account of the proceedings is as follows : "Sunday the 24th ult., being the Anniversary of the Festival of St. John the Baptist, the Ancient and Right Worshipful Society of
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Free and Accepted Masons, of this City, as- sembled at Spring Garden, the next Day, and being properly cloathed, made a regular Pro- cession in due Form, to the Kings Arms Tav- ern in Broad Street, near the Long Bridge, where an elegant Entertainment was provided ; and after drinking his Majesty's and several other loyal Healths, the Day was concluded in the most social manner, and to the entire satisfaction of all the Company."
The following peculiar advertisement ap- peared in the " Post Boy" in 1753: -
" By a person lately arrived in this Town, Painting upon Glass (commonly call'd burning upon Glass) is performed in a neat and curi- ous Manner so as to never change its Colour ; Perspective Views neatly colour'd for the Camera Obscura.
"N. B. Young gentlemen and ladies are instructed in either of the above, so as to be capable to perform it themselves in a little Time, at a reasonable Rate. By the same per- son, Land Surveyed, Designs for Buildings, Plans and Maps neatly drawn. Enquire at Mr. John Ditcher's Tallow Chandler and Soap Boiler in the Sloat."
It would appear that Bedloe's Island at that time was private property, and was considered by the owner to be very valuable. He adver- tised : -
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" To be Let, Bedloe's Island, alias Love Is- land, together with the Dwelling House and Light House, being finely situated for a tav- ern where all kinds of Garden Stuff, Poultry, &c., may be easily raised for the shipping out- ward bound, and from where any Quantity of pickled Oysters may be transported; it abounds with English Rabbits."
The " New York Gazette " of July 23, 1753, made an announcement, of interest to Presby- terians, that -
" Inasmuch as it was yesterday the declared Intention of the Presbyterian Church in this City to make use of the Version of Psalms Known by the Name of Mr. Watt's in their publick Worship, this may serve to acquaint all concerned, that an Impression of these Psalms was done here in the year 1750, in order to supply two or three neighboring con- gregations, which are now almost all sold off, and a new Impression begun, which would have been finished as Leisure Time permitted ; but as there is likely to be a small Demand quickly for them, the Impression will be now pro- ceeded in immediately, and finished with all Dispatch ; so that in a very few Weeks they will be ready. And all such Families of this City, as shall take three or more of them at once, shall at any time before the Ist of No- vember next, have them at the wholesale price
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of 2s. per Book, and singly 2s. 4d., plain bound, and others who incline to have them neatly bound will have them at the Difference for the Binding. On Notification some time ago, that the new Version of Psalms by Tate and Brady was to be introduced into that Church, an Impression was immediately made of them,
which fell upon the Printer's Hands; he pre- sumes, therefore, that all such as occasioned his Damage in these, will prefer the Purchas- ing of these of him to any other. N. B. - The above Impression of Tate and Brady's Psalms is a pretty good one, and to be sold bound very cheap."
In these days the Scottish settlers kept alive the remembrance of home. Their quarterly meeting received the following notice : -
" The members of the Scots Society, in this City, are desired to take Notice, that their Quarterly Meeting is on Wednesday evening, the Ist of August next, at the House of Mr. Malcolm McEwen, near the City Hall."
On the 4th of June, 1753, we have seen that notice was given of the drawing of a lottery for the benefit of the Presbyterians. On the 23d of July following, notice was published that, "By a law passed the last sessions, a publick Lottery is directed for a further pro- vision toward founding a College for the Ad-
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vancement of Learning within this Colony, to consist of 5,000 tickets at Thirty shillings each, 1,094 of which are to be fortunate."
There was to be one prize of £500, and the lowest was £5. The notice continued: " Fif- teen per cent. to be deducted from the Prizes : As such a laudable Design will greatly tend to the welfare and Reputation of this Colony, it is expected the Inhabitants will readily be excited to become Adventurers. Publick no- tice will be given of the precise Time of put- ting the Tickets in the Boxes, that such Ad- venturers as shall be minded to see the same done, may be present at the doing thereof. The Drawing to commence on the first Tues- day in November next, or sooner if full, at the City Hall of New York under the Inspection of the Corporation, who are impowered to ap- point two or more of their Body to inspect all and every Transaction of the said Lottery; and two Justices of the Peace, or other reputa- ble Freeholders of every county in this Col- ony, if they see cause to dispute the same at their next general Sessions of the Peace. Publick notice will be given fourteen Days before the Drawing. The managers are sworn faithfully to execute the Trust reposed in them, and have given Security for the faithful
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Discharge of the same. Such as forge or counterfeit any Ticket or alter the Number, and are thereof convicted, are by the Acts to suffer Death as in the cases of Felony. The Prizes will be published in this paper, and the Money will be paid to the Possessors of the Benefit Tickets as soon as the Drawing is finished. Tickets are to be had at the Dwell- ing House of Messieurs Jacobus Roosevelt and Peter Van Burgh Livingston, who are appointed managers. The managers would acquaint the Publick, that upwards of one thousand Tickets are already engaged to the Hand in Hand and American Fire Compa- nies in this City, to whom the Tickets are already delivered. The Prosperity of the Community greatly depending upon the regu- lar Education of Youth, it is not doubted but that the Lottery will soon fill; Those there- fore that Design to become Adventurers are desired speedily to apply for Tickets or they may be disappointed."
An advertisement announces the sale of "Joyce's great wound balsam," a "corrector for coughs and colds," and other things, at Edward Joyce's shop "near the Brooklyn ferry." Israel Horsfield offers "two negro men, one of which has served with a ship car-
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penter, and is a good caulker, and has lately served with a brewer and maltster, and is very handy." The widow Rapalje at the Brook- lyn ferry was robbed, in 1768, of "a gold ring, seven silver spoons, one pair of gold sleeve- buttons, two Johannesses, two doubloons, two New York £5 bills, and about £40 in Jersey bills and dollars." A negro named Cæsar was the thief, and, being found guilty, he was exe- cuted.
In August, 1771, Ares Remsen, at the Wal- labout, offered 20 shillings reward for a "negro man, Newport, Guinea-born, and branded on the breast with three letters." On Sunday, February 24, 1773, "the coldest day for more than half a century," the harbor and river were so full of ice " that many people walked over to Brooklyn and back again." By a notice in the " Mercury" of February 21, 1774, it ap- pears that a ferry was established from Coen- ties Market, New York, to the landing-place of P. Livingston, Esq., and Henry Remsen, on Long Island, and another from Fly Market, and a third from Peck Slip "to the present ferry-house at Brooklyn." The Livingston landing was near the foot of the present Joral- emon Street. "St. George's Ferry," as this was called, was operated for not more than two years.
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Speaking of Brooklyn affairs " Rivington's Gazette " (March 31, 1774), says : " Many per- sons have been misled by an opinion that the church proposed to be erected by lottery, at Brooklyn, is to be under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Bernard Page. It will be a truly orthodox church, strictly conformable to the doctrine and discipline of the Constitutional Church of England as by law established, and under the patronage of the Rev. Rector and Vestry of Trinity Church."
It was at Tower Hill, on the Heights, near St. George's Ferry, that a tavern was opened in May, 1774, and according to an advertise- ment, in August following, there was to be " a bull baited on Tower Hill, at three o'clock in the afternoon, every Thursday during the season."
Meanwhile the relations of the American colonists with Great Britain had begun to show more than a slight strain. George III. ascended the throne in 1760. In 1765 Gren- ville became the Prime Minister of England. Grenville held that England had a right to impose taxes and regulate the affairs of the colonies without consulting their wishes in the premises. As a result of his efforts in this direction, an act was passed providing for
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a tax on articles which had previously been entered free of duty. To enforce the same the powers and jurisdiction of the courts in admiralty were enlarged. These acts were looked upon by the colonists as tyrannical. At first, the people could not believe the re- port. When they came to realize the facts, their indignation knew no bounds. Meetings were held nightly, and the measures were de- nounced in severe terms as unjust and tyran- nical. This feeling was not confined to the city of New York alone, but was manifest in all the settlements of the colony. Protests were prepared and freely signed against the proposed Stamp Act, and urging the immedi- ate repeal of the Sugar Act, which had re- cently become a law.
The Assembly in its session in March, 1764, passed stringent resolutions in opposition to the invasion of their vested rights, and for- warded a forcible memorial to the ministry in opposition to the enforcement of the obnoxious acts. It should be borne in mind that the Assembly was composed of delegates or mem- bers from the twelve counties included in the province of New York, three of which counties were on Long Island.1 The County of Kings 1 Kings, Queens, and part of Suffolk.
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was represented by Simon Boerum and Abra- ham Schenck. At this time Abraham Lott, Jr., of Kings County, was Clerk of the As- sembly. The members from Kings County received seventy-five cents per diem, and were paid by their constituents, and the same sum per day for the time consumed in their jour- ney to New York, also paid by their consti- tuents. The language used in the remon- strance of the Assembly was bold and decided. It did not beg the question, but was spirited, severe, and just in its condemnation of the overt acts of Parliament. The Assembly and the citizens were destined to be severely pun- ished for the bravery they displayed in the defense of their rights. The action of the Assembly resulted in the total suspension of legislative prerogatives, and deprived the peo- ple of their representation in the government of the colony. The neighboring colonies also sent petitions on the subject to Parliament. These were received because they were couched in feebler language, and after con- sideration were rejected. To the credit of New York it must be said that she presented her objections in a bold and fearless manner. Her Assembly spoke in trumpet tones that gave no uncertain sound. The import and
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meaning of her protest could not be misunder- stood, and showed her people to possess some- thing of Roman fortitude and firmness. Had the sister colonies at the outset manifested the same vigorous spirit as was displayed by the descendants of the defenders of Leyden, Par- liament would not have dared to pass the re- prehensible acts. The inhabitants of New Amsterdam kindled the fire which was to pro- duce a revolutionary flame of glory. It was well for the country that the citizens of New York so early manifested patriotic feeling, and the spirit which was inwrought in them fur- nished the leaven which was destined to in- fuse itself into the New England and other colonies, and to ultimately bear fruit in inde- pendence.
In March, 1765, Parliament set further torch to the colonial spirit by passing the cele- brated Stamp Act. When the time came for the enforcement of this act the country gave unmistakable signs of its resentment, and New York was conspicuously rebellious in mood.
At last the eyes of Parliament were opened. They saw that it was useless to attempt to force the colonists to submit to the outrageous measure, and reluctantly repealed the act on February 20, 1766. The news of the repeal
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was received in New York May 20, 1766, - three months after the action of Parliament. Its reception filled the community with joy. The bells of the city rang forth joyful peals of praise and thanksgiving. In honor of the event, bonfires were kindled in prominent places, and a public dinner was given by the corporation. Again, on June 4, 1766, being the anniversary of the King's birthday, another celebration was had by the patriots on the commons, near where the City Hall now stands. A barbecue was held, whereat roast ox, beer, and punch were provided in sufficient quantities to supply the wants of all. The greatest enthusiasm pre- vailed. A liberty pole was erected, amid the cheers of the people, which bore the inscrip- tion, " The King, Pitt, and Liberty." Every citizen felt proud that he had asserted his manhood, and had secured a recognition of his rights. This standard of liberty was des- tined to have an eventful history and to figure conspicuously at a later day.
During these trying times the Kings County officials were: Jeremiah Vanderbilt, Sheriff, who held office from 1763 to 1766; Samuel Garritson, Common Pleas Judge, who served in that capacity from 1749 to 1767; Abraham Lott, Jr., of Kings County, who was Clerk of
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the Assembly from 1751 to 1767; William Nicoll, of Suffolk County, who was Speaker of the Assembly, holding that office from 1761 to I768. Kings County was represented in the Assembly by the following sterling men : - Abraham Lott, from 1737 to 1750.
D. Vanderveer, from 1750 to 1759. Abraham Schenck, from 1759 to 1768.
Simon Boerum, from 1761 to 1775.
Simon Boerum was also Clerk of Kings County from 1750 to 1775.
Governor Moore, having failed to control the Assembly, manifested his spite toward that body by formally dissolving them on the 11th of February, 1768, and directing a new elec- tion for members. His instructions were to secure the return of more pliable men than those composing the previous legislature. The people were not subservient to dictation, and, daring to maintain their principles, took good care to assert their manhood by electing men of firmness and decision.
In the new body Kings County was repre- sented by Simon Boerum, John Rapalje, and Abraham Schenck. Queens County sent Daniel Kissam and Zebulon Seaman. Suffolk County elected Eleazor Miller and William Nicoll, second. Of these members so returned,
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all but John Rapalje were members of the recently dissolved Assembly. It may be sup- posed that such material would not readily submit to the exactions of the Crown. Philip Livingston, of New York, was chosen Speaker.
The new Assembly met in October, 1768, and at once proclaimed its independence and its contempt for royal dictation by opening a correspondence with the Assembly of Massa- chusetts. This was a direct and open viola- tion of the commands which had been issued by his Majesty the King, which was that the colony should hold no correspondence with other provinces. A circular had been sent to the Assembly in New York from Massachu- setts, in which the aid and assistance of New York was earnestly besought for cooperation in securing the removal of grievances which were common to all the colonies.
In the next Assembly the tone was so dif- ferent as to excite the resentment of the patriots. Shortly afterward the soldiery and the people came into collision in trifling but significant ways. The so-called battle of Golden Hill was prophetic of the approaching revolution.
When Dunmore apprised the English gov- ernment of the events which had taken place,
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he was careful to attribute them to party vio- lence, encouraged by factious opposition to the Crown and the Established Church of Eng- land. He endeavored to make it appear that the contentions arose from the objections of the popular leaders to the enforcement of the laws passed by Parliament. Judging from the tenor of his report, one would be led to suppose that the soldiers were actuated solely by a desire to maintain and uphold the dignity of the government. They were specially com- mended for their exertions in subduing the rebellion.
Lord Dunmore, after a brief term in office, was succeeded in the office of Governor by William Tryon.
The " tea party" of April 23, 1774, illus- trated the temper of the people. Other inci- dents of a less picturesque kind indicated not less clearly the determination to shake off the yoke of foreign control.
The General Assembly of New York, having at the time of its adjournment refused to com- ply with the recommendation of the Colonial Congress to elect delegates to attend another meeting of that body, to be held in the city of Philadelphia, May 10, 1775, a call was issued by the Committee of Sixty, in March, addressed
Built in 1785
FIRST FIRE ENGINE USED IN BROOKLYN
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to the several counties throughout the colony, directing them to elect deputies to a provincial convention, to be held in the city of New York, on the 20th of April, for the purpose of choosing delegates to represent the colony in the Continental Congress. This convention, on the day appointed, met at the Exchange, in New York. Philip Livingston, one of the Committee of Sixty, was chosen president. Livingston, at this time, owned a very large tract of land in the neighborhood of Hicks and Joralemon streets, on which he had erected a handsome residence. In that body Kings County was represented by Simon Boerum, Denys Denice, Theodorus Polhemus, Richard Stillwell, and J. Vanderbilt. All of these men were well known, and enjoyed the confidence of their constituents.
At a meeting held on the 5th of May, a committee of one hundred of the first and foremost citizens of New York and Kings County was chosen to administer affairs dur- ing the political crisis. This committee was composed of such men as John Jay, the brave Welshman Francis Lewis, whose bold signa- ture was appended to the Declaration of Inde- pendence, and who for many years resided and owned property in Brooklyn; Philip Living-
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ston, the fearless; James Duane and John Alsop, who were members of the Colonial Congress of September, 1774, which met in Philadelphia ; William Walton, whose house in Pearl Street was rendered famous as an an- cient landmark; Augustus Van Horne, a stal- wart Dutchman; Abraham Duryea, Samuel Verplanck, Abraham Brasher, Leonard Lis- penard, Nicholas Hoffman, Lewis Pintard, Nicholas Bogart, Isaac Roosevelt, Gabriel H. Ludlow, Abraham Brinkerhoff, Henry Rem- sen, Benjamin Kissam, Jacob Lefferts, James Beekman, John Berrien, John Lamb, the daring and intrepid Richard Sharp, Jacob Van Voorhis, Comfort Sands, who afterward lived in Brooklyn; Peter Goelet, and James Desbrosses.
Just previous to the assembling of the Pro- vincial Congress in New York, a general town meeting was held in Brooklyn. The official record of that meeting is as follows : -
At a general town meeting, regularly warned at Brooklyn, May 20, '75, the magistrates and freeholders met and voted Jer. Remsen, Esq., into the chair, and Leffert Lefferts, Esq., clerk.
Taking into our serious consideration the expediency and propriety of concurring with
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the freeholders and freemen of the City and County of New York, and the other colonies, townships and precincts within this province, for holding a Provincial Congress to advise, consult, watch over and defend, at this very alarming crisis, all our civil and religious rights, liberties and privileges, according to their col- lective prudence :
After duly considering the unjust plunder and inhuman carnage committed on the pro- perty and persons of our brethren in the Massa- chusetts colony, who, with the other New Eng- land colonies, are now deemed by the mother country to be in a state of actual rebellion, by which declaration England hath put it beyond her own power to treat with New England, or to propose or receive any terms of reconcilia- tion until those colonies shall submit as a con- quered country - the first effort to effect which was by military and naval force; the next attempt is, to bring a famine among them by depriving them both of their natural and acquired right of fishing. Further, contempla- ting the very unhappy situation to which the powers at home, by oppressive measures, have driven all the other provinces, we have all evils in their power to fear, as they have already de- clared all the provinces aiders and abettors of rebellion ; therefore, first,
Resolved, That Henry Williams and Jer. Remsen, Esq., be now elected deputies for this
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township, to meet, May 22, with other deputies in Provincial Convention in New York, and there to consider, determine and do, all pru- dential and necessary business. Second,
Resolved, That we, confiding in the wisdom and equity of said convention, do agree to observe all warrantable acts, associations and orders, as said Congress shall direct.
Signed, by order of the town meeting.
LEFFERT LEFFERTS, Clerk.
Lieutenant-Governor Colden, who occupied the post of Governor during Tryon's absence in England, died in September, 1776, at his home at Spring Hill, Flushing, Long Island, aged 88 years.
CHAPTER VIII
KINGS COUNTY DURING THE REVOLUTION
1775-1783
Kings County at the Opening of the Revolution. Parti- cipation in Events leading to the Crisis. Military Officers. Long Island Tories. The Continental and Provincial Congresses. Fortifying. Declaration of Independence. General Greene on Long Island. Draft in Kings County. Landing of the British at Grave- send. The Battle of Brooklyn. The Night Retreat. British Occupation of the County. Temptations to Disloyalty toward the American Cause, and Action of the People under British Pressure. The County in Congress. Losses in the Battle. Incidents. Prison- ers billeted on the Inhabitants of Kings County. Long Island Refugees. Conspicuous Figures of the Period. Peace.
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