USA > New York > Kings County > Flatbush > A history of the town of Flatbush, N.Y. > Part 9
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The title of the property is vested in the Bishop of the Brooklyn diocese. In the spring of 1855, a neat chapel was erected in the cemetery, and dedicated by Right Rev. John Loughlin, Bishop of Brooklyn.
The first superintendent of the cemetery was James Egan, who held the position until April 1, 1853; when P. H. Curren was appointed, who through faithful dis- charge of his duties held the position for twenty-six years. On his resignation, in 1879, the bishop ap- pointed, on March 1, 1879, his son Win. H. Curren, as superintendent, through whose assistance many of these facts have been gathered.
There have been, since the founding of the cemetery, 132,322 interments. The greatest number in one year has been 6,000. This was during the last visitation of the cholera. The average would be about 5,000. Dur- ing the cholera, 278 were buried in one week. The diocesan vaults for the burial of the Catholic clergy are under the chapel. There are twelve large vaults in different parts of the cemetery. Although owned by the Brooklyn diocese, the right to bury is not re- stricted to it. The yearly average of funerals from New York City is about seven hundred. The services at the cemetery are under the supervision of the parish priest at Flatbush village.
First Baptist Church of Flatbush, organized April 29, 1872, with Joseph Stcele, II. J. Egleston, John D. Randolph, R. H. Estes, E. C. Dickinson, as trustees, and 19 members and their families. They first worshipped in a class-room of the Methodist church ; afterwards, for nearly three years, in second story of Schoonmaker's Hall, on Flatbush avenue-the pulpit for the first year being supplied by Rev. J. B. Cleaver. In 1873, Rev. L. F. Moore was called as first pastor ; followed, after two years, by Rev. F. T. Cailhopper, who resigned 1877, and was followed, December 1, 1881, by Rev. Reuel C. Bowen, then a theological student, but now the installed pastor. During Mr. Moore's pastorate, a chapel was erected on west side Ocean avenue, south of Church Lane ; it was dedicated September 27, 1874. This edifice was remodelled and enlarged, and otherwise improved, in 1880. A Sunday- school was organized at same time as the church, of which the Superintendents have been H. J. Egleston, R. H. Estes, L. I. Boone, and William B. Green, the present incumbent. The present church officers are II. J. Egleston and R. H. Estes, deacons ; Mrs. Nancy Randolph, deaconess ; Albert Zisett, treasurer.
Second Reformed (German) Church of Flat- bush .- Fifteen years ago the German population of Flatbush depended for religious privileges upon the German church at New Brooklyn (now corner Herki- mer street and Hazard avenue), three miles distant. In 1874 an effort was made by F. C. Suckow, pastor of the New Brooklyn German church to form a congrega-
37
EDUCATIONAL.
tion in Flatbush, and a preaching service was com- menced March Ist in the Methodist chapel. On 18th of same month the church was organized by a com- mittee of the South Classis of Long Island, with 55 members ; the first consistory being John J. Snyder, John Ziegler, elders, Gustave Enck, Fred. Osman, deacons. The pulpit was, for some time, supplied by Rev. F. C. Suckow and Rev. Julius Hones. On July 11, 1875, the corner-stone was laid of a neat two-story frame and brick edifice, erected on the Reformed church property, corner East Broadway and Bedford avenue, at a cost of $5,500. The first settled pastor was Rev. F. A. Freidel, called December 25, 1875; resigned in the Spring of 1881. The next was Rev. C. H. Schwarzback, the present pastor, called during the Summer of 1881. A prosperous Sunday-school has always been connected with this church.
-Educational .- The early Dutch settlers of Kings county brought with them from the Fatherland a due appreciation of the importance of religious and educa- tional privileges. The schoolmaster was regarded as occupying a social position second only to that of the " dominie ;" indeed, under certain circumstances, he was required to perform some duties pertaining to the ministerial office. As we learn from BRODHEAD'S His- tory of New York, Evert Pietersen was examined by the Classis of Amsterdam, in Holland, and sent out with a colony of emigrants as schoolmaster and ziekentrorster, or " consoler of the sick," that he might "read God's word and lead in the singing until a min- ister should arrive." One of the stipulations made with Johannes Van Eckkelen, the schoolmaster of Flatbush, by the consistory of the church, in 1682, was that, " when the minister shall preach at Breuckelen or New Utrecht, he shall be required to read twice before the congregation (at Flatbush) from a book used for the purpose. In the afternoon he shall read a serinon, or explanation of the catechism, according to the practice approved by the minister." These men were always required to be church-members, and of good repute. Governor Stuyvesant, in 1649, earnestly besought the Amsterdam Classis, by letter, " to send out pious, well qualified, diligent schoolmasters," adding that nothing "is of greater importance than the right, earnest instruction of the youth." Dr STRONG, who wrote his History of Flatbush forty years before the late TEUNIS G. BERGEN issued bis "Early Settlers of Kings County," had earlier access than the latter to traditions which antedate existing records. This fact may serve to reconcile the differences which seem to exist between these two authorities in regard to the first schoolmasters. In accordance with Dr. STRONG'S statement, Adriaen Hegeman, elerk and schout, was the first schoolmaster, 1659-1671 ; while, according to BERGEN, Reynier Bastiaensen Van Giesen was the first. It will be seen that it is quite possible that Hegeman acted in this capacity, from 1653 or '54, 1 man left in 1823. The Dutch language was taught
the date of his first coming to Flatbush, until 1660, in 5th June, of which year (according to Bergen's trans- lation of the first records) the consistory made an agreement with Van Giesen to become schoolmaster. He served until October 26, 1663, when Pilgrom Cloey was engaged, and probably served until 1671. This covers the period for which Dr. Strong could find no other schoolmaster than Hegeman, and places the date of the employment of a schoolmaster at a much earlier point. It is also in accordance with Dutch enstom; for it cannot be supposed that the first settlers were here for nearly fifteen years without a schoolmaster and krank-besoecker. From 1671, Dr. Strong and Mr. Bergen agree as to their lists of schoolmasters.
The school-master was also employed as fore-singer and sexton; and, to increase his incon ;, he had charge of all interments, for which he received a certain fee. He was required to ring the church bell before cach session of the school. This practice was kept up until about 1794, a period of nearly one hundred and fifty years. He was to "instruct the children, also, on Wed- nesday and Saturday afternoons in the common prayers and the catechism." He was "required to keep school nine months in succession, from September to Jime. It was his duty to provide the basin and water for the administration of baptism, and to make arrangements for administration of the sacrament." He was also re- quired to "give invitations for funerals, dig the grave and toll the bell." " For a speller he received three guilders, and four guilders for a writer " (probably in- struction in spelling and writing). In addition he had a stated salary of " six hundred guilders 'n grain, and a dwelling-house, pasture and meadows." These require- ments continued in force for nearly one hundred years. In Dr. STRONG's history we find an agreement with one of the earliest teachers and also one with the last teacher, in the Dutch language, in 1773, in which there ; is very little, if any, change in the requirements. The first school-house was situated upon a lot of land oppo- site the old lecture-room of the church and next to the land now owned by the Academy. In 1823 the church used the south portion of the lot, to build on it a par- sonage. The first school-house was a wooden structure, composed of three buildings joined together. It stood until 1803, when, becoming much dilapidated, it was resolved to sell it, and move the village school into the academy. The building was sold to Bateman Lloyd, who took it down and constructed with the timber a store near the northwest corner of the main road and Church Lane, which remained until 1825. There were twenty-one school-masters employed from 1654 to 1-02. Patrick Noon was the last teacher in the old school. The village seliool was taught as a distinct school, however, in the south end of the Academy. Mr. Hege- man was its first teacher in the Aen lemy. Only the most elementary English branches were taught. Hege-
38
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF FLATBUSH.
until about 1765, when Petrus Van Steenburgh was teacher. He was the first to teach English in connec- tion with the Dutch. Anthony Welp was the last teacher of the Dutch language. Gabriel Ellison, in 1776, was the first to teach English exelusively in the village sehool.
Erasmus Hall Academy .- To the Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston and Senator John Vanderbilt is due the credit of founding an Academy in this village. With the active co-operation of the prominent eitizens, in 1786, they entered upon the undertaking with com- mendable zeal. The sum of £015 was raised by sub- seription, the list being headed by Senator Vanderbilt with £100 ; and, during 1786, a large and commodious building 100 feet front and 36 feet deep was ereeted. An arrangement was made whereby a valuable lot in the center of the town was secured. This most desirable piece of property was held by Mr. Jacob Lefferts. The church, always closely associated with - the edneation of the young, offered to Mr. Lefferts two other tracts of land, one lying directly west of the graveyard and faeing on Church Lane; the other sit- uated on East Broadway, near what is now the corner of Nostrand avenue, upon which property the "Lloyd Mill " was afterward ereeted. The eonsistory then, on December 29, 1797, executed a lease for this land in perpetuity to the Trustees. The property, in case the Academy ceases to exist, is to revert to the church. The amount raised by subscription did not meet the expense incurred in completing the building, the total eost of which was $6,250. To liquidate this debt the inhabitants who held a deed for "Twillers" and "Corlears" Flats, relinquished their right and title to the Trustees of the Academy, who sold the property at the rate of 816 per acre. From this sale the Academy realized $1,500. The balance of the proceeds was divided among those inhabitants who would not relinquish their interest in the Flats. On the 18th of May, 1787, an application was made to the Regents of the University of the State of New York for a charter of meorpora- tion, which was granted November 20, 1787; the ineor- porators named being John Vanderbilt, Walter Minto, Peter Lefferts, Johannes E. Lott, Aquila Giles, Corne- lius Vanderveer, George Martense, Jacob Lefferts, Wm. B. Gifford, Hendrick Suydam, John J. Vanderbilt, Rev. Martinus Schoomnaker, Philip Nagel, Peter Cornell, Rev. John II. Livingstou, D. D., James Wilson, Samuel Provost, John Mason and Comfort Sands. The name chosen for the new school was in honor of Desiderius Erasmus, the distinguished patron of literature in Hol- land in the sixteenth century. The academy, from its commencement, was bitterly opposed by many of the old inhabitants of the town, who afterward supersti- tiously attributed all their misfortunes to the establish- ment of an academy among them. The best teachers were employed, and a system of instruction adopted which made the institution the first of its kind in the
State. The whole of the income being thus expended by the Trustees in raising the standard of the institn- tion, nothing could be appropriated toward canceling the outstanding debt. By voluntary contributions the Trustees reduced the amount, in 1789, to $1,064.94; but it was not until 1825 that the debt was entirely re- moved. This was accomplished by a further sale of the Commons, or Flats, belonging to the town, and by voluntary subscriptions.
In 1794 the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church resolved to locate their Theological Seminary at Flatbush, in connection with the Academy, and make Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston, who had been chosen the first Principal of Erasmus Hall, President also of the Theological Seminary. A few years afterward, through certain influenees brought to bear npon them, the Gen- eral Synod removed the Seminary to New Brunswick, N. J. Among a large number of prominent men who were edueated at Flatbush, we find the following names : William A. Duer, President of Columbia Col- lege, N. Y. ; Johu Duer, one of the revisers of the Re- vised Statutes of this State ; John Berrian, Attorney General of the U. S. ; George M. Troup, for several years Governor of Georgia ; Dr. Adrian Vanderveer, one of the most prominent physicians of the eonnty ; John Hunter, of the State Senate ; Hon. John Vander- bilt, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, also State Senator, and Hon. John A. Lott, Judge of the Court of Appeals.
Rev. Dr. Livingston resigned in 1792, and Dr. Wil- son was chosen in his place. He held the position of Principal, though employed also as Classical Professor at Columbia College, until 1804. This he was enabled to do by employing experienced men as his teachers. Rev. Peter Lowe was appointed to succeed Dr. Wilson as Prineipal, and remained until his death in 1818. Dr. STRONG states that, in 1797, and again in 1809, the trus- tees sought, but did not obtain, from the legislature, the privilege of raising £1,200 by lottery, in order to liqui- date the debt. The plan adopted by the trustees in foriner days was to employ some prominent mnan as principal, and then engage experieneed teachers wlio should serve under him. The principal exerted mere- ly a governing power, and participated only to a very limited degree in the work of teaching. In later years the principal has acted also as the first teacher, and employs experienced assistants. Mr. Albert Oblenis was employed while Rev. Mr. Lowe was principal, as first teacher. Next we find the name of Joab Cooper, in 1806, the author of Cooper's Virgil, so well known as a text book in the seliools and colleges, for so many years. He remained for two years and was succeeded by Mr. Valentine Derry, upon whose resignation, in 1809, Mr. Richard Whyte Thompson was appointed first teacher. He resigned in 1814, and was followed by William Thayre, appointed in December, 1814. 11e remained, however, only a part of a year, when the
30
ERASMUS HALL ACADEMY.
trustees called Mr. William Ironsides. In 1816 Mr. Joab Cooper was again appointed, but resigned at the end of the year. The position was held for the next two years by Mr. Andrew Craig. Upon the death of the Principal, Rev. Peter Lowe, and the resignation of Mr. Craig, due to failing health, the Trustees appointed in August, 1818, the Rev. Joseph Penney, as Principal. Ile was the first Principal who resisted at the Hall and had charge of the classes. He employed as assistant Rev. John Mulligan. They held the position until 1821, when Rev. Timothy Clowes, D.D., accepted the office. In 1823, Mr. Jonathan Kellogg became Princi- pal. Under his administration the Academy flourished greatly ; he made many changes in methods of teaching, and in the arrangements about the school-rooms. The trustees in 1826-'27 built a large wing, 50 by 25 feet, for additional school-rooms, on the N. E. corner of the
Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, and Presi- dent of Rutgers College. During the time Dr. Camp- bell was principal, the Regents, in 1835, determined to establish a department for the instruction of common- school teachers in each of the eight senatorial districts. Erasmus Hall was chosen for the Southern District. High price of board, and other agencies, hindered the success of the plan in relation to Erasmus Hall, and only two applications were received. Consequently, in 1836, the trustees resigned the trust, and the Salem Academy, in Washington County, was chosen by the Regents. In May, 1839, Rev. Dr. Penney, who, since his resignation in 1821, had held the position of Prest- dent of Hamilton College, returned to Flatbush and succeeded Dr. Campbell as Principal, which posi- tion he held until November 1, 1841, when Mr. James Ferguson, A. M., was chosen. In June 1843 he re-
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ERASMUS HALL ACADEMY, 150.
building, at a cost of $1,500. Mr. Kellogg, also, made great improvements upon the exterior of the Academy, and in the appearance of the grounds. Nearly all of the beautiful trees which now adorn the grounds were planted by him. Matters did not, however, proceed satisfactorily after a few years ; and, because of intem- perance, he was called upon, in 1834, to resign the posi- tion. In May, 1834, the trustees appointed Rev. Wm. H. Campbell, who had for some time taught a select school in the village, as principal. "Through his superior qualifications as teacher he not only gave the highest satisfaction, but also infused in the hearts of the inhabitants an earnest desire for a liberal education to a degree which had never before existel." Dr. Campbell remained until 1839, when ill-health foreed him to resign ; and he has since occupied the position of Principal of the Albany Academy, Professor in the
signed the position, and the trustees appointed Rev. Richard D. Van Klecck as Principal. Mr. Van Kiveck was a most thorough and efficient teacher, and under his care the institution was greatly prospered. A large number of scholars came from other States ; and, for many years, a number of Mexican and Cuban students boarded at the Academy. Mr. Van Kleeck's health hav- ing failed, he resigned on February 22, 1-60, and was succeeded by Rev. William W. Howard. On April 19, 1863. Mr. Howard, having received a call to the Pres- byterian Church, at Aurora, Cayuga County, N. Y., resigned as Principal. The trustees then chose the Rev. E. F. Mack as Principal. Mr. Mack hell the position for eleven years ; and, in September, 1-74, Was succeeded by Mr. Jared Hasbrouck. Upon the resigna- tion of Mr. Hasbrouck, the trustees appointed, as princi- pal, in February, 1879, Rev. Robert G. Strong, a fornwer
40
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF FLATBUSH.
graduate of the Academy, who for several years had conducted a large and prosperous select school in the village. Mr. Strong accepted the position, and in Sep- tember, 1879, moved his school into the Academy. There is attached to the Academy a large library, which at one time contained 2750 volumes. Also a philosopical and chemical apparatus and mineralogical cabinet.
Select Schools .- Since the founding of Erasmus Hall, several private select schools have existed in the village. Among these, we mention the classical school of Mr. John Copp. This was the first seleet school, and was of a very high order. It was established in 1773-'74, and was held in an old house on the corner of Linden Boulevard and Flatbush" Road" It was
school was taught by Miss Gerrard for several years. In 1840 Mrs. Mitchell opened a private school at her house in Clarkson street. This school was dis- continued about 1876. After his resignation as Prin- cipal of the Academy, Rev. L. T. Mack, in 1874, opened a select school on Waverly avenue, for one year. In 1871 a select school was begun by Rev. R. G. Strong, the consistory of the church granting him the use of the old lecture-room adjoining the church. This school was merged into the Academy when Mr. Strong was appointed Principal of that institution, in 1879.
Public School No. 1 .- For a number of years the village school was held at the Academy; and mat- fors worked harmoniously until the year 1841, when dissatisfaction arose among certain residents of the
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ERASMUS HALL ACADEMY, 1583.
broken up by the Revolutionary war, and Mr. Copp joined the army. The next select school was taught by Rev. William H. Campbell, D.D., in 1833, and was discontinued after the appointment of Dr. Campbell as Principal of the Academy.
A very flourishing and widely-known school was con- dueted by Miss E. N. Duryea. This school was begun in October 12, 1837, and was largely patronized by parties from a distance, as well as by parents residing in the vicinity of the village. A number of prominent persons were educated here, among whom we mention the name of Miss Emma Thursby, the world-renowned prima-donna. Miss Duryea closed her school because of her failing health. A well-conducted select
village in regard to the distribution of the school funds between the public school and the Academy. In order to avoid further trouble in the matter, the trustees of the Academy, in 1844, on motion of Hon. Gerrit Martense and John J. Vanderbilt, resolved, "That the children of the village school be removed from the Academy, and that the town be requested to build a special school-house for their accommodation."
Accordingly the children were taken from Erasmus Hall and taught for a time in a building on the corner of East Broadway and Flatbush avenue, owned by estate of Mr. Stryker. The next year a commodious two-story frame building, about forty-five by thirty fret, was erected for a school-house, near the site of the
11
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
present building. The main floor was fitted up for a school-room, and the upper story was reserved as a court-room. The primary town meetings and regular elections were held here for many years, until the ereetion of Schoonmaker Hall, in 1861. The members of the first Board of Trustees were General Philip S. Crooke, Captain W. Story, and Tennis J. Bergen. The first principal of the publie school, after it was with- drawn from the academy, was Mr. John Oakley, who remained until 1852. He was succeeded by Mr. Dewitt C. Wickham, who held the position until 1857, when, because of failing health, he was compelled to resign. The next principal was Mr. David Van Etten. At the end of the school year he resigned, and, in 1858, the place was filled by the appointment of Mr. Horace Wickham. After two years his health failed, and he resigned. Mr. E. W. Bartlett held the position until 1861. He was followed by Mr. John T. Rhodes, who taught until 1865, when he entered the New York Theological Seminary. On the retirement of Mr. Rhodes, the trustees appointed Mr. John L. William- son. In 1869 Mr. Williamson resigned, and Mr. Charles A. Libby became principal. He was snceeeded in September, 1877, by Mr. A. Whigam, the present efficient ineminbent, under whose influence the school has grown rapidly. The interests of the public school are under the care of three trustees, elected by the town. The members of the present Board are Dr. John L. Zabriskie, J. D. Randolph, and J. Lott Van- derbilt. In 1878 the accommodations became entirely too limited. For several years both stories of the old building had been used for school-rooms, and three teachers employed. At a town-mecting, in the early part of 1878, it was resolved to sell the old building, and appropriate $19,000 of town funds, to be raised by taxation, for the building of a new school-house. John L. Zabriskie, M.D., J. D. Randolph and George Ham- blin were appointed a committee to undertake the work. The plans were by Mr. John Y. Colyer, the engineer of Prospect Park ; and the building (53 feet by 85 feet in size) of briek, two stories high. The building was begun May 1, 1878, and completed De- cember 1, 1878. It was used for school purposes before it was finished, on October 14th, 1878. There is a large, well-selected library of some 1,500 volumes; and, at present, four teachers, besides the principal, are employed in the main school. In 1872 a branch school was established at the mission church for the colored children. Miss Mary E. Paton had charge of this, as principal, for four years; followed, in 1876, by Miss E. Morris ; by Mrs. Ida Roberts, in 1878-'80 ; Miss Emma W. Clark, in 1880-'81 ; and Miss Bridget Walker, in 1881.
Parkville Public School .- At first, the inhabi- tants on the west side of the town sent their children to the Flatbush publie seliool. In 1855, however, the settlers at Parkville, or Greenfield, as it was then
ealled, petitioned to be set off as a separate district. This was granted June 6, 1855, and Greenfield District School No. I was organized. It is now called Flatbush Vo. 2. Lawrence Powers, Joseph B. King and John Hall were the first trustees. The school was held for one year in a private house owned by Mr. Rutherford, and situated on section 64, on Webster avenue, near Second street. In 1856, a suitable building was erected for a seliool house.
Upon the opening of the Boulevard through the school property in 1872, this building was moved to its present site, on Lawrence avenue, near Second street ; and in 1876 was greatly enlarged and remodelled. Owing to an omission in the records, we have been un- able to obtain the full names of the different principals. The list, as far as can be ascertained, is as follows: The first principal was Miss Harriet Clark, 1856; fol- lowed by Miss Harriet Brewster; Risley or Ryler and Rodman in 1858. The position was afterward filled by inale teachers. During a part of 1858 Mr. Kirkwood was principal. Mr. Mead, a portion of 1859, when the Distriet was organized as a Union Free School. " Mr. Mead was followed by Mr. Cady; Mr. Thompkins, two years; Mr. Berry, one year; Mr. North, two years, 1865-67. Mr. A. Whigam was appointed in 1868, at a salary of $900, which was raised after one year to $1,100. In 1873, the position was held by Mr. Devore; succeeded by Mr. Belden, in 1874; Mr. A. Whigam again, from 1875, until ealled, in September, 1877, to take charge of District No. 1, at Flatbush village. Mr. Christie next served one year, resigned ; and Mr. Wal- lace was principal for three years. Upon his resigna- tion, in 1881, the present principal, Mr. L. H. White, was appointed. The amount paid annually for the support of the school has increased in the twenty-seven years from $75 to $2,400. The board of trustees at present consists of Mr. J. H. Wilder, H. T. Montgom- ery, M. Ryan, P. H. Walsh and Wm. Staite. There are at present 153 scholars, taught by four teachers.
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