USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > A history of the city of Brooklyn and Kings county, Volume I > Part 12
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THE position of Kings County, while actu- ally close to the rapidly growing city on Manhattan Island, was relatively so much aloof in many of its interests from that storm centre of colonial activity in the middle col- onies, that it was natural, perhaps, that there should be less enthusiasm over the independ- ent cause than in New York itself, or than in certain other regions less sequestered geo- graphically and by local condition.
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But the quiet Dutch towns, if slow to anger under British rule, nevertheless acquired a definite patriotic energy as time advanced, in spite of peculiarly discouraging conditions in- troduced by British occupations. There may have been the appearance of lethargy, but Kings County's quietude in the face of excite- ment elsewhere did not mean a want of sym- pathy, but resulted from a special strain of suppression. "Many fowling-pieces," writes Stiles, " were cut down and fitted with bayo- nets, and those who had two guns loaned to those who had none."1 The MS. of Gen- eral Jeremiah Johnson, whose name is indeli- bly associated with the history of the Walla- bout, tells us that Elijah Freeman Payne, the teacher of the Wallabout School, left his pupils to join the American forces at Boston.2 The incident was typical.
Kings County watched, and also, as we have seen, participated in the events which led up to the crisis of active war.
When movements on the part of the British troops led the Continental Congress to con- sider the raising of men for common defense, the quota of the colony of New York was
1 History of the City of Brooklyn, vol. i. p. 243.
2 The school remained closed until 1777.
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fixed at 3000, which number the Continental Congress directed them to raise. In obedi- ence to this direction four regiments were raised, the Provincial Congress placing them under the command of Colonels Alexander McDougall, Gozen Van Schaick, James Clin- ton, and Holmes. The veteran Lamb received an appointment to command a company of artillery.
In Brooklyn an association was formed for mutual protection, and meetings were held weekly for the purpose of drilling, under the supervision of competent officers. Enthusiasm began to manifest itself. Every gun and bayo- net was brought into requisition, and put in order and burnished for the coming fray. The meetings for drilling and instruction in the manual of arms, which were held at the Wal- labout and other parts of Brooklyn, created much interest among the young men who op- posed the Tory party, and prepared them for the service which they were soon after called upon to render.
In March, 1776, the following Brooklyn offi- cers had taken commissions : - Half of Brook- lyn : Barent Johnson, captain; Barent Lefferts, first lieutenant ; Jost Debevoise, second lieu- tenant; Martin Schenck, ensign. Half of
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Brooklyn: Fer'd Suydam, captain; John T. Bergen, first lieutenant; William Brower, sec- ond lieutenant; Jacob Stellenwerth, ensign. Kings County was further represented by Rutgert Van Brunt, colonel ; Nich. Cowen- hoven, lieutenant-colonel ; Johannes Titus, first major ; John Vanderbilt, second major; Geo. Carpenter, adjutant.1
The names of the military officers of this period were and have remained familiar in the history of Brooklyn. The Johnson estate was in the present seventh and nineteenth wards, being in the neighborhood of Kent Avenue, Hewes Street, and Bedford Avenue, a narrow strip also extending along Graham Street to Myrtle Avenue. The Lefferts property was in Flatbush and Bedford. The Schenck farm was situated on the site of the Wallabout Bay, and a portion of it is now occupied as the site of the United States Marine Hospital. The Suydam tract was situated in what was then known as Bushwick, and the Debevoise estate was also in the same section of the city. The Cowenhoven property was situated in what is now the heart of the city. The old house stood in a hollow near where the Atlantic
1 Onderdonk, Kings County, p. 120.
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avenue railroad depot now stands. It was an old-fashioned Dutch house, whose massive beams and quaint mantelpieces attracted con- siderable attention some twenty years ago when it was taken down. The history of this mansion and its occupants would form a very interesting chapter in the history of Brook- lyn. The Bergen property was situated at Gowanus. The Vanderbilt farm was in the twentieth ward, between Clermont Avenue and Hamilton Street.
In consequence of the requisition made for troops, the colony of New York presented the appearance of military activity. Steps were taken to erect fortifications. The colony at this time had two governments, each of which was antagonistic to the other, and each one proclaimed the acts and resolutions of the other void and of no effect. Tryon repre- sented the Crown as colonial governor, and the brave General Nathaniel Woodhull, of Long Island, as president pro tem. of the Pro- vincial Congress, also acted as governor, and was so recognized by the party of patriots. Between these claimants for power, a collision soon occurred. The Provincial Congress de- sired to obtain the removal of the guns on the Battery to the fortifications on the Highlands.
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Captain John Lamb, the invincible, was di- rected by the Provincial Congress to secure their removal, and on the 23d of August pro- ceeded, with some of his faithful liberty boys and other citizens, to execute the order. With his band was Alexander Hamilton, then a lad of eighteen, whose life was dedicated to the sacred cause of freedom.
During the early part of the campaign the Tory party had many friends on Long Island. When the British evacuated Boston through the instrumentality of Washington, who suc- ceeded in compelling them to leave, and occu- pied their deserted quarters, it was supposed that the defeated Royalists would endeavor to retrieve their fortunes by an effort to gain pos- session of New York. The policy and actions of the troops were closely watched by Wash- ington, who readily saw that the object was to make New York the seat of government, to surround it with a large force, and thereby cut off all communication with the southern colo- nies. Thus they expected to divide the coun- try and prevent assistance being sent from one section to another. Had this plan been suc- cessfully accomplished a continual fire could have been kept up both north and south. Scouts and rangers would have been used to
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prey upon the people, doing great damage, and intercourse between the different colonies would have been effectually prevented. In order to avoid this calamity, Washington ac- cepted the offer made by General Lee, who proposed to raise a force for the defense of New York. General Lee immediately col- lected 1200 efficient men, and proceeded to New York, where he arrived in January, 1776, to the great gratification of the patriots, who did not expect to receive so valuable an addi- tion to their population.
Lee was no novice. A man of executive ability and military skill, he saw at once that energetic measures were necessary in order to tread under foot the existing latent love of royalty, which only needed a little encourage- ment to burst forth into living activity. It is a singular coincidence that on the very day General Lee entered New York with his forces, the British fleet which had been expected ar- rived at Sandy Hook, under command of Sir Henry Clinton. The British officer did not seem to like the appearance of things in New York, and for some inexplicable reason changed his course somewhat toward the coast of Vir- ginia.
General Lee had realized the height of his
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ambition in being in command of so important a station. At once steps were taken to garri- son and fortify the city and its suburbs.
Long Island and Staten Island were justly looked upon as the natural protectors of the harbor of New York, and prudence dictated the advisability of erecting fortifications and posting troops in these localities to watch the approach of belligerent vessels. The patriots were actuated by one spirit, and widely ren- dered aid and assistance to the heroic com- mander. Scouts were placed at prominent points at the Narrows, and fortifications erected at Red Hook Point and elsewhere. Some 400 troops were sent to Brooklyn, and per- formed patrol duty from the settlement at the Wallabout to Gowanus.
Lee was not permitted to remain very long in command in New York, being transferred, March 6, 1776, to the command of the Depart- ment of the South. The transfer did not please him. He was possessed of the egotis- tical idea that the people of New York desired his presence, and believed him to be the only man who could successfully cope with the forces of the enemy. In this he was greatly mistaken. The people were ready to follow any leader who would inspire confidence.
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Lee was succeeded by General Lord Stir- ling, who vigilantly carried on the work ini- tiated by his predecessor. He, too, saw and appreciated the fact that, if New York was to be successfully defended, the approaches on Long Island should be properly garrisoned. To accomplish this desirable end, he appointed Colonel Ward to erect suitable fortifications on Long Island, and placed him in command of a regiment of 519 men.
The second Provincial Congress, which at this time was holding its second session, with Nathaniel Woodhull as president, issued an order to the authorities in Kings County, di- recting them to give Colonel Ward assistance in the work, and "to turn out for service at least one half the males (negroes included) every day, with spades, hoes, and pickaxes." The inhabitants of Kings County were also required to furnish all the necessary lumber and wood for the barricades and fortifications. The directions given to Colonel Ward were full and explicit. Beside erecting fortifications and providing defenses, he was also required to detail men for the particular duty of pre- venting communications between the British ships in the harbor and the shore. To make this effectual they either destroyed the small
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rowboats or rendered them unseaworthy, and seized all suspected pilots who were supposed to be identified with the Royalists by senti- ment or self-interest.
Kings County horsemen were honored with the important office of a corps of observa- tion. It became their duty to observe the approach of the British fleet at Sandy Hook from prominent points on Long Island, and to give information of the appearance of suspi- cious vessels. The Kings County horsemen occupied the west end of the county, and the Brooklyn light horse, under the command of Captain Waldron, were employed on the south- ern coast of the county, in which service they were employed about a month, when they were relieved by Colonel Hand, April 10, 1776, with a regiment of riflemen. These riflemen took their station at New Utrecht. A battery of eight guns was also erected on Brooklyn Heights.
Onderdonk, referring to Captain Waldron's company, gives the following names of mem- bers as being connected with it: Adolph Wal- dron, captain; William Boerum, first lieu- tenant; Thomas Everitt, second lieutenant ; Jacob Sebring, Jr., cornet ; Isaac Sebring, quartermaster ; Samuel Etherington, John
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Reade, Rob. Galbraithe, Rem. A. Remsen, Daniel Titus, Jos. Smith, Jacob Kempor, Nich. Van Dam, Geo. Powers, William Everitt, John Hicks, William Chardavogne, and Thomas Hazard.
Waldron, the captain of the little company, was a very popular man, and for a long time kept a famous hostelry at the Brooklyn Ferry. During many years he was the proprietor of the ferry between Brooklyn and New York.
William Boerum was a well-known citizen, and has left behind him a host of descendants. After the war he served in the Legislature. George Powers was a butcher, and had a stand at one time in the famous old Fly Market. He owned considerable property in the neigh- borhood of State and Powers streets. The latter street was named in his honor.
The name of George Powers appears as secretary of the first independent meeting- house erected in Brooklyn in 1785. He was a warm-hearted, generous man, donating large sums to the cause of religion and charity. He retired from business in 1790, and thereafter devoted his time to raising stock on his lands in Brooklyn. It is reported in one of the old journals that in the month of February, 1793, "a calf was brought to the Oswego market
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(on Broadway and Maiden Lane), yesterday, raised by Mr. George Powers, of Brooklyn, but twenty-two months old, the four quarters of which weighed 744 pounds; hide, 100 pounds; tallow (rough fat), 87 pounds; total, 931 pounds." In March, 1812, the following notice appeared : "Fat Beef for St. Patrick's Day. The three year old steer exhibited at the Coffee House (corner of Wall and Pearl streets), this day, supposed to be one of the best ever seen of his age, and fatted by George Powers, at Brooklyn, will be offered for sale by (one of his apprentices) David Marsh, at No. 38 Fly Market, on Saturday next."
Powers, who was a warm friend of George Hall, the first mayor of Brooklyn, died full of years, honored and respected by all who knew him. The estate he left behind him was esti- mated to be worth half a million.
John Hicks lived near the ferry, on Fulton Street. He was a large landed proprietor. Hicks Street derives its name from his family. He subsequently was one of the proprietors of the old ferry to New York. The Remsen family were well known in the community. It is a remarkable fact that during the entire time from 1727 to 1776, the Board of Trustees of Kings County had a Rem Remsen for one of
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its members. A period of fifty years presents a remarkable instance of family succession in one office.
Waldron's troop was first enlisted in the service of General Greene, who ordered them to seize and take possession of all the fat stock of the disaffected inhabitants who sympathized with the Tories, and to deliver the stock so taken to Commissary Brown, on Long Island. The troop was subsequently employed under General Woodhull in the same capacity.
Early in January, 1776, the Continental Congress had passed a resolution, "that it be recommended to the Committee of Safety of the Province of New York to appoint proper persons to inquire into the propriety and prac- ticability of obstructing or lessening the depth of the water in the Narrows, or at any other place at the entrance of New York, or of any way of fortifying that pass so as to prevent the entrance of the enemy."
On the 26th January, 1776, a committee was appointed by the Continental Congress to consult with General Lee and the Committee of Safety in reference to the immediate defense of the province.
The importance of defending and protecting the approaches to the harbor of New York
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was fully attested by Congress on March 14, 1776, when 8000 men were voted for its de- fense. On the following day the Governors of Connecticut and New Jersey were requested to hold their militia in readiness for that ser- vice, to be paid, when on duty, as Continental troops. Congress went still further, and on the 9th of April directed $200,000 to be sent to New York for the use of the Continental troops in the province.
Previous to its dissolution the second Pro- vincial Congress made provision for the elec- tion of delegates to serve in the third Con- gress of the colony, to meet in the city of New York, May 14, 1776. This election was held in April. At the election so held, Nicholas Cowenhoven, John Lefferts, Lefferts Lefferts, Theodorus Polhemus, Jeremiah Remsen, Rutger Van Brunt, John Vanderbilt, and Jere- miah Vanderbilt were chosen to represent Kings County. Nearly all of these men repre- sented the county in previous assemblies, and were able and experienced legislators.
Prior to the election, and on the 10th of March, a regiment of Continental troops num- bering 1000 men took possession of and occu- pied Governor's Island. They at once con- structed a redoubt on the west side of the
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island, and erected fortifications with a view to holding in check any vessel which might seek an entrance into the harbor. Another regi- ment was stationed on the shores of Brooklyn, and rendered Red Hook Point, on the north shore of Gowanus Bay, famous as a Revolu- tionary landmark. At this place a redoubt was also constructed, on which were placed sev- eral guns of eighteen-pound calibre. Thus was the entrance to the harbor at two impor- tant points effectually protected. This latter fort was appropriately named Fort Defiance. The regiment which was placed here was in command of Captain Foster. The location was not as good as the one on Governor's Island, as vessels were able to make a detour and escape injury from the former, whilst the latter, being so much nearer the city and in the direct sailing course, could more effectually prevent approach.
Shortly afterward (on April 14), Washing- ton, as Commander-in-Chief of the Continen- tal army, arrived in New York and made his headquarters at Richmond Hill, in the neigh- borhood of Varick Street. His appearance in the city encouraged the patriots to new efforts, quickened their zeal, and led to the completion of the plans so ably instituted by Generals Lee
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and Stirling. Washington inspired the con- fidence of the masses, increasing their faith by his earnestness and determination. The strong and confident were rendered more fearless, and the weak and faint-hearted were encouraged to activity.
The people, from a lukewarm and indifferent state, rapidly changed their opinions and be- came enthusiastic in the cause of independ- ence. These feelings were intensified by numerous newspaper articles and pamphlets which appeared from time to time, denouncing Great Britain and demanding recognition as an independent confederacy. Among these was a paper entitled "Common Sense," by Thomas Paine, then a citizen of Philadelphia. Its author was at the time unknown, but the sentiments of the pamphlet met an approving response in every patriotic heart. Forcible and pointed in expression, its truths left a last- ing impression, sending a thrill of pleasure through the community, who heartily approved of its bold and daring utterances. So popular did it become that several of the colonies adopted it as their watchword, and recognizing the force of its reasoning, petitioned the Con- tinental Congress to take immediate steps to secure its ratification by at once declaring
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themselves free and independent. It was a suitable precursor of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, paving the way for the indorsement of that document.
The third Provincial Congress, elected in April, was directed to meet in New York on the 14th of May, but, in consequence of a quorum not being in attendance, the members present adjourned from day to day until the 18th of May, when a quorum having been secured, the body organized and proceeded to business. The session was a short one, con- tinuing only until June 30, when it adjourned by reason of a fear which was entertained that the city would be attacked. Nathaniel Wood- hull was elected President of the Congress.
While this body was in session the Conti- nental Congress at Philadelphia was consid- ering important subjects. In the latter body the keynote of independence was struck on the 7th of June, 1776, when General Richard Henry Lee rose in his seat and introduced a resolution declaring " that the united colonies are and ought to be free and independent States, that they are absolved from all alle- giance to the British Crown, and that their political connection with Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved." The resolution
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was a surprise to many of the members, and led to an earnest debate which lasted for sev- eral weeks. At that time some of the dele- gates supposed that they were merely banded together for mutual protection, and were not authorized to take so advanced a step without having received instructions from their con- stituents. In the existing state of affairs many lacked the courage to act, thinking that if they voted in favor of the resolution their action might not meet with the approval of those they represented. They feared also that if the measure were adopted, and in the end proved a failure, they would be called upon to meet a traitor's doom. They were but human. Such men are always to be found in political life. When the prospect of accomplishment looks bright, they are fearless and bold, but when a shadow of disappointment falls, and success is not certain, their courage is weak- ened, and they are unwilling to lend their aid to what they consider a forlorn hope. The
resolution passed by a bare majority. The Congress contained representatives from thir- teen colonies, and the vote stood seven in favor to six opposed. This vote, however, did not indicate the exact feeling which existed amongst the members, as those who voted
-
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in opposition did so in most if not in all cases because they had received no instruc- tions or directions from their constituents.
The resolution having been passed, a com- mittee, consisting of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston, was appointed to prepare and draft a declaration of independ- ence.
Washington was in command in New York about a month, and in the early part of May, 1776, left for Philadelphia. General Putnam was placed in command at New York, and General Greene was assigned to Brooklyn to take charge of the fortifications. Washington was led to visit Philadelphia to consult with the Continental Congress upon the necessary measures to be adopted in order to carry on the campaign. This conference led to the issuance of an order authorizing the com- mander-in-chief to direct the building of as many fire rafts, galleys, boats, and batteries as might be required for the immediate defense of the port of New York, the Hudson River, and the Sound.
The Provincial Congress of New York, at its session in May, declared the province to be independent of Great Britain, but did not
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adopt a formal constitution until the following year.
Meanwhile the Continental Congress was not inactive. The committee to which was referred the important duty of drafting the Declaration of Independence worked faith- fully, and on the 28th of June, 1776, the paper prepared by Thomas Jefferson was presented for the consideration of the body.
The document was finally adopted on the 4th of July. It was not signed, however, until August. The representatives from New York who signed it were William Floyd of Suf- folk County, Philip Livingston of New York, Francis Lewis, who, as we have seen, at one time lived in Brooklyn and owned a large estate there, and Lewis Morris of Westchester. Robert R. Livingston's name should have been appended, but he was called to New York to attend the Provincial Congress before it was engrossed and ready to receive the signatures of the members, and thus his name does not appear on the immortal document. However, as one of its framers he will be forever identi- fied with this glorious manifesto.
Just prior to the adoption of the Declara- tion, New York was placed in a critical posi- tion. On the 23d of June, General Howe with
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a large fleet appeared before the city, and on the 2d of July took possession of a portion of Staten Island, where he found many adher- ents of the cause of royalty. Soon after he was joined by his brother, Admiral Lord Howe, with a large fleet from England, and also by Sir Henry Clinton, with the troops under his command. He was thus placed in command of an army consisting of 24,000 well- disciplined men from England. This was not all. The Tory inhabitants flocked to. his standard, and although not in many respects as efficient soldiers as the troops from Eng- land, still their knowledge of the country ren- dered them invaluable as aids in prospecting and giving information.
Washington had no such force. To cope with this army he had only 20,000 volunteer recruits, whose knowledge of military tactics was but limited, and many of whom were in- capacitated for service. Moreover, had they been disciplined, he had neither the arms nor the ammunition necessary to properly equip them.
Meanwhile provision had been made for the election of delegates to the fourth Provin- cial Congress of New York. As New York was in a state of siege, it was deemed best to
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assemble at the court house in White Plains, twenty-six miles from New York. The body met on the 9th of July. Kings County was represented by Theodorus Polhemus. On the first day of the session the Declaration of In- dependence was read and unanimously adopted. On the following day the title of the body was changed from that of the Provincial Congress of the Colony of New York to that of the Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York. It continued to sit at White Plains until the 27th day of July, when it ad- journed to meet at Harlem on the 29th.
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