USA > New York > Kings County > Williamsburgh > A history of the city of Brooklyn : including the old town and village of Brooklyn, the town of Bushwick, and the village and city of Williamsburgh > Part 40
USA > New York > Kings County > Bushwick > A history of the city of Brooklyn : including the old town and village of Brooklyn, the town of Bushwick, and the village and city of Williamsburgh > Part 40
USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > A history of the city of Brooklyn : including the old town and village of Brooklyn, the town of Bushwick, and the village and city of Williamsburgh > Part 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
In the next issue of the Intelligencer (October 16th), we learn that a fire occurred on the Saturday previous, in a stable owned by Mr. Campbell, and used by John Wilson, baker-one horse was burned to death, and another injured. John Doughty returns thanks to his friends and neighbors for their successful exertions in saving his premises. The inhabitants "felt themselves obligated to the members of the New York floating engine," for their efforts in bringing over their machine, although the fire was subdued before their arrival.
" We have been requested," says the editor, "to suggest the pro- priety of each family placing lights in the front of their houses, not having the advantage of lamps, as great inconvenience and loss of time arises from the neglect, particularly on dark nights."
William Vander Veen, Apothecary, " takes the liberty of mention- ing that he has been regularly educated to the Surgery and Apoth- ecary business, in Amsterdam." His drug store was in the house of Dr. George A. Clussman, who, together with Dr. Samuel Osborn, guaranteed that they would "so far attend to Mr. Vander Veen's preparations of Medicines, that purchasers may rest satisfied that they will obtain genuine articles," etc. Possibly, the Brooklynites of the present day would not object to a similar assurance from their medical advisers.
Also the advertisements of Dr. Charles Ball, in Mr. Cooper's old house, near the junction of Old and New Ferry streets, and of
389
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
Thomas Crouchley, boat-builder, adjacent to Barbarin's Lumber Yard, between Old and New Ferries.
In the issue of October 23d, we notice the advertisement of Au- gustine Elliott, "Taylor and Lady's Dress-Maker," in old Ferry street ; and five verses of original poetry, "after the manner of Burns," extolling the beauties of, and the splendid prospect to be obtained from "Brooklyn, or Mckenzie's One Tree Hill." This hill was located on Pearl street, between York and Prospect streets. All around that portion of Brooklyn, north of Washington and west of Sands street, was a series of hills, some of which were covered with grass and had a few trees ; others were of sandy soil, with here and there a slight covering of grass, and with some buttonwood trees, while others still were nothing but sand-hills. Mckenzie's Hill, the most noted of these, was a fine green elevation, crowned with a single gigantic buttonwood tree, and afforded a beautiful view of the city and harbor of New York. It was marked, as was many of the surrounding hills, by the traces of intrenchments and fortifications thrown up by the British during their occupation of the Island ; and was finally levelled about 1807-9, in order to fill in the wharves built out over the flats in the river, to the northwest of Main street. Another rather noted hill was located some distance farther west (bounded by Front, Adams, and Bridge streets, near the water-line of the East River), and was a barren, sandy eminence, on which every pebble or stone seemed to have been calcined by some extreme heat, while three or four feet below the surface were found regular layers of ashes, mingled with bits of charcoal, and vitrified stones and sand.' All of these hills have now disappeared- that known as " Fort Greene, or Washington Park," being the only one which remains. On the lower slope of the hills, near the East River, there stood, at the time of which we write, the celebrated "Tulip Tree," well known to the oldest Brooklynites. It was an immense Magnolia, which, when in blossom, perfumed the air for a great distance around; and was a favorite resort for pic-nic par- ties from New York, who, on warm afternoons, were wont to cross
1 There was at this time, also, another hill on the site of present Gothic Hall, in Adams street, between Concord and Nassau, which was used as a negro burying-ground.
390
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
the river in row-boats, build their little fires under its generous shade, when the women would boil the kettle and make tea-and so, after a pleasant repast, would return home about sunset. The people of Brooklyn used frequently to meet and join with them in these out-of-door tea-parties, and the oldest inhabitants even now describe with zest their enjoyment of those simple pleasures. Then, in addition, there was the delight of the leisurely homeward sail or row across the river, on a calm summer's eve, untroubled by fear of accident, for, in those days, there was but little shipping in the river, and steamboats had not been heard of. Sometimes, after an unusually warm day, the clouds rolling up in the west, about sunset, presented a most gorgeous appearance, and the voyagers would be lost in admiration of the scene, until, admonished by a warning flash of lightning and the deep-toned but distant thunder, to hasten their progress, if they would avoid the coming shower.
So, for many years, it was the trysting-place of Youth, and the delight of Old Age-but, one still summer Sabbath morning, the good people of Brooklyn were startled by an alarm of fire. After some time, it was discovered that the old Tulip Tree was burning ; being hollow from age, it was supposed to have been accidentally set on fire by some fishermen who had made a fire within the cavity to cook their breakfast. While it was burning, the people were afraid to go near it, on account of its proximity to a powder maga- zine. In spite of this accident, however, it continued to put out leaves for several years longer, and when, at last, it died, its loss was much deplored by the people of New York and Brooklyn, many of whom continued to visit it until its total destruction.
1808, April 13th. On this day the corner-stone of a monument to the Martyrs of the Prison Ships was laid, as described on pages 365 and 366.
In August following, the town was one day startled by the explo- sion of Sands' Powder Mill, which was situated in the vicinity of the present Jay and Tillary streets. Fortunately, it happened between twelve and one o'clock in the day, when the people were all at din- ner,-consequently no lives were lost, although forty kegs of powder were lost. The recently erected stone church, belonging to St. Anne's Episcopal Society, was considerably damaged, its walls being some-
391
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
what weakened, and the windows badly broken. An adjoining rope- walk was also levelled to the ground.
This year the sum of $1500 was appropriated by the town for the erection of a new "Poor-house."
1809, March 17th. "The Brooklyn, Jamaica, and Flatbush Turn- pike Company," was incorporated. Its first officers were William Furman, Pres. ; John Lefferts, Sec. ; James Foster, Treas. The Company, during the year, paved Main and Old Ferry streets in the village.
In June of this year, the Long Island Star was established by Thomas Kirk. The number for June 22, contains the following advertisements : Joseph B. Pirsson (removed from New York), cir- culating library, in Main st., two doors from Sands street; Joel Bunce, corner of Old Ferry and Front streets, hardware and groce- ries ; Joseph Herbert, boot and shoe maker, in Sands street, between Main street and the Bridge ; and George Hamilton, who kept a Select School, where " students were taught to make their own pens."
The number for June 29th, contains proposals for constructing a turnpike road from Brooklyn to Jamaica-and an advertisement for two Postriders, "immediately, at this office ;" also Hot and Cold Baths by one Peter Van Rooten.
September 7th, John Gibbons announces that he has opened an Academy for both sexes, at the place lately occupied by Geo. Ham- ilton, where the various branches of education are "taught on uner- ring principles." Also "Mrs. Gibbons will instruct little Girls in Spelling, Reading, Sewing, and Marking." An evening school for young men is proposed, and "N. B. Good Pronunciation."
During the months of July, August, and September, of this year, the yellow fever prevailed in Brooklyn, which gave rise to a long and wordy newspaper war between the physicians of the village, Drs. Osborn, Ball, and Wendell. On the 27th of September, De Witt Clinton, Mayor of New York, issued a Proclamation, announc- ing the disappearance of the disease, and the resumption of the ordinary intercourse between that city and Brooklyn, which had been interdicted by his previous proclamation of 2d of August. Twenty-eight persons had died of the fever in Brooklyn, all of whom were under twenty-eight years of age. It was at first thought that
392
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
the contagion was brought in the ship Concordia, Captain Coffin, on board of which vessel the first case and death occurred. But in the long and very able report of Dr. Rogers, the Health officer of the Board of Health of New York, which was published in December, after the subsidence of the disease, the epidemic in Brooklyn was clearly traced to purely local causes.1
1810. October 11, about 10 o'clock, P. M., a fire broke out in a building occupied by a Mr. Lacour, for the manufacture of cruci- bles, and extended to some stores belonging to Joshua Sands, be- tween Old and New Ferries, which were filled with cotton and hides. A floating engine was brought into service at this fire.
Brooklyn, at this time, was well supplied with private schools. One Whitney kept school opposite the Post-office; there was also the Brooklyn Select Academy, taught by Mr. John Mabon, and having as trustees, Messrs. Joshua Sands, S. Sackett, and H. I. Fel- tus. Platt Kennedy's scholars were advertised to hold an exhibi- tion on Christmas Eve, at the Inn of Benjamin Smith, a large stone building on the east side of the road, opposite the old "Corporation House."
Recreation and refreshments were provided for the public, by the proprietor of "Columbian Garden," and Mr. Green at the " Military Garden.""
The industrial interests of Brooklyn were at this time represented by I. Harmer's Floor Cloth Manufactory, Chricton's Cotton Good Manufactory, employing eight to ten looms, and three or four exten- sive ropewalks furnishing work to over one hundred persons.
The Long Island Star, of February 14th, 1811, contains a peti- tion to the Legislature for the establishment of a Bank in Brooklyn. The great inconvenience of crossing the ferry in bad weather, on days when notes fall due, is particularly dwelt on by the petitioners. There was at this time only one dry goods store in town, which was kept by Abraham Remsen, on the corner of Old Ferry (now Fulton)
1 See Star, for Dec. 14 and 21st, 1809. Furman's Hist., Notes in the first Brooklyn Directory, of 1822, gives the number who died in Brooklyn from the fever as " twenty- nine, between the 12th of July and the 10th of September."
? This Garden stood on the site now occupied by the Kings County Court House, at the junction of Joralemon and Fulton streets. It was pulled down in 1862.
393
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
and Front streets ;1 and the mails passed through Long Island only once a week. The publication of the Long Island Star was relin- quished by Mr. Kirk, on June 1st, to Alden Spooner.
In July, 1811, the census of Long Island estimates the population of Brooklyn as being 4,402.
Proposals were issued, during the fall of this year, by Messrs. B. F. Cowdrey & Co., job printers, for the publication of a new weekly paper, to be entitled The Long Island Journal and American Freeman. The design, however, was never carried into effect.2
1812, June 11. News was received in Brooklyn of the Declara- tion of War between the United States and Great Britain.
One of the most remarkable characters in Brooklyn, at this time (1811-'12), was "the Rain-Water Doctor." He was a German who landed in Philadelphia, in the early part of the year 1811, and came, shortly after, to Brooklyn, where he remained for about a year, occupying a small house above the "Black-Horse Tavern." In 1812, he removed to Providence, Rhode Island, where he had a large practice ; then went, in 1813, to East Hartford, Connecticut, where he enjoyed an extraordinary success, but again returned to Providence, and died there in 1814-15. He was an educated physician, honest, skilful, extremely eccentric, and noted for his many deeds of charity. While he resided in the village of Brooklyn, he was consulted by thousands from the city of New York, and from Long Island, seek- ing relief from all the ills that flesh is heir to. The medicines which he prescribed were mostly herbs and simples, and his recommenda- tion, to all his patients, to use rain-water as a drink, won for him the cognomen of "the Rain-Water Doctor." Although he gave himself no distinct name, he sometimes signed himself, " Sylvan, Enemy of human diseases."3 He pretended to sell his remedies at
1 Remsen occupied a brick store and dwelling, which he had erected on the site of, and partly with the stone of the old Rapalje house. After his failure (ante, 82) it was replaced with the present building.
2 The more particular history of these early newspapers will be found in that portion of the second volume devoted to the record of the Brooklyn Press.
3 He must not be confounded with his evident imitators, the "Rain-Water Doctor," alias Sylvan Gardener, who flourished awhile, about 1817, at Roxbury, Massachusetts, and elsewhere (see Hist. Mag., Feb., 1862) ; or Octavius Plinth, the Rain-Water Doctor ;
394
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
cost, and-affecting a contempt for money-he frequently refused the liberal pecuniary offers of his gratified patients. Among the many who came to him here for relief, was one Apollos Nicolls, who died soon after he had placed himself under the doctor's care. The circumstances of the case seem to have so deeply affected the physician's feelings, that he erected over his patient's grave1 a handsome marble slab, with the following
INSCRIPTION.
" In the mournful instances of human frailty, concording to demonstrate the destiny ; also, as a baneful occurrence of both, and of an unshaken resolution and usual disappointment, here lies the no more animated and wasting remains of APOLOS NICOLL, born in Smithtown, Ap. 11, 1776: 14th of the same month, 1811, departed and delivered up to the elemen- tary menstrum of dissolution, nought, Resurrection, and Ascension ; Con- spicuous example of an unavoidable fate, who after his having been tired of experiencing for eight months of various diseases, in expectation to find alleviation to his painful existence, started in quest of relief, and firm in his resolution, notwithstanding an inconsiderable distance, contended three weeks in battling against the progressive obstacles of his perilous situation, opposing his design, to reach a dwelling which his delusive confidence had flattered himself to find alleviance, the end of his distress and complicated misery, but unfortunately found the one of his days accelerated by his bold attempt, and both his stranguary dropsical state and the strenuous motion of the last vehicle which conveyed him to the one by whom he eagerly expected to be alleviated and receive his existence prolongation : but vain hope! soon aborted ! subject likewise to asthmatical affection by a sudden violent paroxism, effect of the combusted system stimulating the accumu- lated mass out of its recess, and which completed by obstructing the airy passage speedily produced suffocation, and that fatally ; this incident ter-
or Dr. C. Humbert, alias Sylvan Gardner, who died in the vicinity of Philadelphia, in June, 1825, at "the supposed age of one hundred years" (see L. I. Star, June 9, 1839). This little piece of eccentric medical biography has engaged the attention of Dr. S. B. Barlow, of New York city, to whom we are indebted for some of the facts above stated.
1 In the old public burying-ground or Potter's field of Brooklyn, situated on Living- ston street, in the rear of the Military Garden ; this ground has been quite swept away by modern improvements. The last monument was exhumed by the workmen en- gaged in digging the foundation for the new County building, erected in 1862, and bore the name of " Peter Taylor, 183 -. "
395
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
minated the earthly career, in putting an end to the suffering venturing afflicted ; sorrowful consequences which inseparably has condemned the one he so considerately intrusted with his corporal repair, to become of his dis- aster passive spectator, instead of a desirous benefactor : predetermined in the witness which initially and peremptorily was to sustain the view of such sinister catastrophe, the inexorable po. t .. ces manifested to only have afforded to their destined victim enough of vital faculty, for reaching the spot whereupon the minutes residue of the last hour was to be exhausted, and for implacably having after the fatal final thread cut off; To memorize such a dismal event, the concern it has caused to the unaccustomed be- holder, may this cold stone, relating the particulars, be of a consolatory nature, for the surviving consort and relatives of the deceased, and help them to be in their privation resigned to the unalterable Supreme Will, and with fortitude submit to the execution of its irrevocable decree."
396
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
CHAPTER XI.
BROOKLYN'S SHARE IN THE WAR OF 1812.
THE difficulties which had been for some time pending between this country and Great Britain, ripened at length into open hostili- ties. The Embargo of April, 1812, was followed, on June 18th, by a formal declaration of war, on the part of the United States, against her ancient antagonist, and ere long the papers began to abound with war news, political diatribes and patriotic poetry, all of which served to inflame the already excited popular mind, and to raise the martial ardor of the nation to a "white heat."
Brooklyn, both from its position, and intimate connection with New York-then, as now, the Metropolis of the Union-could scarce- ly fail to share the interest, and to catch the enthusiasm which ruled the hour, and filled every heart. The Star, of July 8th, contains the following notice :
"A new company of Horse or Flying Artillery is lately raised in this vicinity, under the command of Captain John Wilson. This company promises, under the able management of Captain Wilson, to equal if not excel any company in the State. The Artillerists of Captain Barbarin are fast progressing in a system of discipline and improvement which can alone, in the hour of trial, render courage effectual. We understand this company have volunteered their ser- vices to Government, and are accepted. The Riflemen of Captain Stryker and the Fusileers of Captain Herbert are respectable in number and discipline. The County of Kings is in no respect be- hind her neighbors in military patriotism."1
1 The Fusileers were uniformed in short green coatees, and Roman leather caps, num bered only about twenty members, and were, at this time, commanded by Captain Joseph Herbert. The Rifles, commanded by Captain Burdett Stryker, were a large company, comprising some fifty or sixty members, and wore green frocks trimmed with yellow fringe, in which originated their their familiar appellation of "Katy dids."
397
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
Aug. 5th, 1812. "On Thursday last, the Artillery of Brooklyn, under the command of Captain Barbarin,. took an excursion to the Narrows for the purpose of firing at a target. The guns were 3-pounders ; the target was ten feet square ; and placed at the dis- tance of four hundred and fifty yards. Forty shots were fired, twenty of which pierced the target. The medal was awarded to Mr. John S. King."
Although her citizen soldiery were thus prompt in preparing for the war, it was not until the year 1814 that Brooklyn became the theatre of warlike operations. In the summer of that year, it be- came evident that the large British fleet, which for months past had been quietly concentrating upon the Bermuda Station, was intended to make a formidable descent upon some point upon our coast. Whether the blow was about to fall on New Orleans, Norfolk, Wash- ington, Baltimore, New York, or Newport-all of which places were much exposed-was a matter of conjecture, and in consequence much alarm was felt at all those points. The commercial value of New York, and the importance of its position with reference to ulte- rior measures of offence, gave to its citizens considerable ground for anxious fears, which were in no degree lessened by the remembrance of a similar attack and occupation by the British during the Revo- lutionary War. That these fears were not altogether groundless, was sufficiently proved by the secret report of the Committee of Defence, appointed by the Common Council of the City of New York, made and approved July 17th, 1814.
From this document it appeared that the city was open to an enemy's approach, in two ways by water, and in two ways by land. He might come up by Sandy Hook, which route was protected, although not completely, by several strong and important works ; or, approaching through the Sound, he might pass the unprotected Hell Gate with safety. He might land at Gravesend, as in the Rev- olutionary War, and arrive at Brooklyn in the rear of the fortifica- tions ; or landing on the main-land above Hell Gate, he might at once command the city, and cut off all communication with the upper counties. These two latter approaches-which in themselves presented the most feasible route of attack-were quite unprotected, and therefore called for the prompt attention and most energetic
398
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
action of the authorities. With regard to troops and munitions of war, the city was equally unprepared to repulse the attack of a pow- erful and determined foe. The various United States forts in the harbor contained guns which required the services of at least 4,000 men, whereas the regular force in the vicinity did not exceed 1,600, mostly raw recruits, of whom probably not one hundred were ac- quainted with the use of great guns. And even this force, being distributed among the various forts from Sandy Hook to Greenbush, could never be concentrated at any given point to meet the advanc- ing enemy without a total abandonment of the works. Nor could the inadequacy of the regular force be supplied by the local militia, for the brigade of artillery contained barely 1,000 effective men, a considerable portion of whom were principally conversant with in- fantry tactics ; while fifty of the corps were even then stationed at Sag Harbor, for the defence of that place. The 13,500 militia of the State, ordered to be held in readiness for its defence, by the General Government, were only undisciplined raw troops, whom it would be almost impossible to concentrate at any point in time to defeat the objects of an enemy. In addition to this, the supply of munitions and equipments of war, both those belonging to the General Govern- ment and State, were entirely inadequate to the crisis. Such was the perilous situation in which the citizens of New York found their goodly city-on awakening from the "sweet dream of peace," into which they had been lulled by then pending negotiations, which promised a speedy termination to the war. But, shaking off the lethargy into which they had been well-nigh fatally betrayed, they bestirred themselves energetically in the work of preparation and defence. The principal measures recommended by the Committee of Defence, for the protection of the city against attacks by land, were as follows :
1. The immediate erection of two fortified camps, one on the heights of Brooklyn, and the other on the heights of Harlem, which it was presumed could soon be constructed by the voluntary labor of the citizens, and the militia who were ordered to occupy them.
2. That the General Government should be requested to direct the completion of unfinished works, and the construction of new fortifications in the vicinity of the city ; as also the augmentation
399
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
of regular forces, ammunition, and provisions of war; and the au- thorization of the immediate enrollment of a portion of the militia, or their payment by the United States, after being ordered out by the State.
3. That the Governor of the State should be requested to call out, for the defence of the city, a competent number of militia to occupy the proposed camps, for which purpose the Corporation offered to loan the necessary funds, to an amount not exceeding the sum of $300,000, to be reimbursed by the State. And furthermore, that the Governor be requested to increase the munitions of war in this part of the State, and to cause the field artillery and arms to be put in complete order.
4. That immediate measures be taken for the removal of the ship- ping from the harbor to some place of safety; for the organization and enrollment of exempts ; and for securing the voluntary labor of citizens on the proposed encampments.
These measures having been fully agreed upon, and assurances of ample assistance having been received from the State and Gen- eral Governments, the Committee of Defence requested Brigadier- General Joseph G. Swift, of the Corps of Engineers, to furnish them as soon as possible with the plans of such additional works of de- fence as might be deemed necessary by him, to place the city in a state of complete defence. To this request that energetic and talented officer gave prompt attention ; and shortly after, being fur- nished by him with the required plans, the Committee, on the 1st of August, issued a patriotic and eloquent address, calling upon their fellow-citizens to enroll themselves into effective corps, in order that by suitable preparation and discipline they might be able effectually to assist in repelling any hostile attacks; and also calling upon all, without distinction of rank or color, to aid by voluntary labor in the construction of the proposed lines of defence, both on Long Island and at Harlem.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.