USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > Brooklyn city directory, and annual advertiser, for the years ?, 1848-49 > Part 25
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
August 15 At this time the corporation ordered that gravel side walks should be made and curbstones be put down in the principal streets of the village, Old Ferry and Main sts The currency of the country at this peri- od was in a most wretched condition, corporation bills and individual small bills were used in exchanges Even New Jersey bills were 12 per cent discount The size of bread was at this time regulated by law David An- derson was appointed Inspector of sidewalks in the vil- lage A law was passed to prevent hogs from running at . large A meeting of 'owners of slaves and servants' was called in Flatbush
December 18 The Trustees of the Village brought an action against Jacob Patchen for one week's neglect or refusal to put down curbstones and make a gravel walk in front of his premises in Old Ferry street It was a jury trial before Justice Nichols The Trustees obtain- ed a verdict of $5
January 15, 1817 At this time flour was $15 per barrel Some of the people of Brooklyn, apprehending a further advance, proposed calling a meeting in New York and Brooklyn to petition the Government to prohibit the exportation of flour
January 17 Brooklyn was at this time under much apprehension from powder houses for storage of gunpow- der at Fort Green A special town meeting took place at Lawrence Brower's, and a committee consisting of John Seaman, Fanning C Tucker, John Harmer, Abm Rem- sen and Charles J Doughty were appointed to obtain re-
47
lief in the premises The one steamboat on the ferry was much retarded by ice. Thousands crossed on the ice while wedged in between the ferries The ferry company proposed adding a second boat propelled by horses, provi- ded the inhabitants would join them in a petition to the Legislature to raise the ferriage to six cents !
January 29 The ferry company propose to put a team boat on the Old ( Fulton) Ferry, to run with the steam - boat The teamboat to run evenings till 8 o'clock during part of the year, and until 9 o'clock at other times
February 7 A town meeting took place on the sub- ject of ferry rights A committee consisting of J Johnson, A J Barbarin, H Stanton, J Harmer, and N Waterbury, reported that the teamboats at the New ( Main st) Ferry, took four cents from each passenger, contrary to law, which gives only two cents 'except in the steamboat' Among the abuses complained of, was the employing the ferry boats for purposes unconnected with the ferry, and hiring out the privilege to keep small boats, called six- penny boats, on the ferry That the keepers, by man- agement, caused almost all the passengers to cross in the steam or teamboats paying four cents, instead of the barg- es, paying two cents
February 19 At this time the harbor was closed by ice, both at the Narrows and Hurlgate
February 25 The distresses of the poor called for the strenuous exertions of the charitable citizens A soup house was established which distributed from two to three hundred rations daily A committee consisting of Messrs Mercein, Tredwell, Wise, Tucker, Bach, Spoon- er, Garrison, and G Hicks, was appointed to wait on the inhabitants, and obtain subscriptions for the purpose A. Fire Department had been established previous to this time. Poor persons in distress were invited to call on the Committee of Relief consisting of Rev Messrs Henshaw, Ireland, Crawford, and Woodhull, Doctors Hunt, end Ball, Capt Renshaw, and Messrs Remsen, Sands and Carter
April 23. The temperance cause found strong advo- cates in the Star about this time.
May 7. At the annual election Cornelius Van Cleef,
48
and Jacob Patchen were run for Members of Assembly. Mr. Van Cleef received a majority of 116 votes. The first election for Village Officers was contested very sharp- ly against the old Trustees, because they had allowed their names to be inserted in the Act of Incorporation. No political party question entered into the contest .--- Both tickets embraced five candidates from each of the political parties. The party which had opposed any vil- lage incorporation elected as new Trustees Wm. Furman Henry Stanton, William Henry, Teunis Joralemon, and Noah Waterbury.
May 21. The question of a plan and survey of the village is proposed in the Star.
June 18. The Trustees by an ordinance altered the name of Old Ferry st. to Fulton st. President Monroe visited Brooklyn at this time.
August 13. After the excitement of two elections and several ferry meetings, the Village became so unusually tranquil, that a poet gave a touch of the times.
September. On the evening of the 13th a fire took place near the Old Ferry. The sufferers were John Hun- ter, Selah Smith, Burdet Stryker, George Hicks, Widow Cornell, J. W. Burtis and others.
November. Meetings took place about this time, to establish a Hook and Ladder Company.
December 3. The Brooklyn Humane Society, (for distributing charity during the winter,) 'convinced by painful experience, that institutions of this nature have a direct tendency to beget among a large portion of their fellow-citizens habits of improvision, indolence, dissipa- tion, and consequent pauperism,' resolved that the Socie- ty be dissolved; and notice given to such persons that they are not to expect relief from any funds of the Soci- ety during the approaching winter. Perhaps a Soci- ety now existing may take a hint from this historical fact.
February 4, 1818. It is announced that the ferry company have commenced building a horse boat to be completed by the 4th of July, to run with the steamboat.
February 18. Long Island Sound was entirely closed by ice between Cold Spring and the Connecticut shore .--
49
April 1. The Overseers of the Poor, Samuel Sackett and Henry Stanton, in their annual account, state that the town expenses for the year past, were $257 10, and the Alms House expenses, $2,096 84.
May 4. The Village Election for Trustees resulted in the choice of Wm. Furman, Henry Stanton, Wm. Hen- ry, Teunis Joralemon, and Amie J. Barbarin.
June. The Village Treasurer reports the Whole ex- penses of the Village, for the last year, were, $1,544. 'The Trustees have engaged two surveyors to make a map and plan of the Village. A temporary night watch has been established. Boards will be put up at the cor- ners of the streets when the map is finished The Board recommend building an engine house where the fire bell now stands, corner of Fulton and Front streets
September 9. The Wallabout Bridge Company intend to complain to the Grand Jury of the County against the bad condition of the highway, called Sands st
1819, February. A new team boat, or horse boat was launched for the Catharine Ferry. Maj. Gen. An- drew Jackson visited New York and Brooklyn.
March. Justices of the Peace for Brooklyn, Isaac Nichols, and Jas. P. Chichester. County Clerk's office.
removed from Flatbush to Brooklyn A row boat from Catharine Ferry, when near the slip on the New York side, filled, and three persons were drowned and six sav- ed. The sufferers were, John George, a ferryman, and two musicians of the Washington, 74 gun ship. There are in the Alms House, 21 paupers Samuel Sackett and Henry Stanton, overseers, and Henry Dikeman, is keeper. The Overseers advise the restraining the num- ber of retailers of spirits.
April. A public meeting took place to remove the Powder Magazines, as an alarming nuisance. A Com- mittee composed of Samuel Sackett, Adam Tredwell, Robert Carter, John Doughty, and A. J. Barbarin, was appointed for that purpose. During a Thunder Storm, the Rope Walk of Barbarin, Stanton, & Co was struck by lightning, and partly consumed.
Mav. At the Annual Election for Members of As- sembly, Teunis Schenck, received 429 votes, and John
3
50
C. Vanderveer, 373. At the Village Election, Wraz. Furman, John Doughty, Wm. Henry; Henry Stanton, and Teunis Joralemon were elected Trustees.
June 21. The Village Treasurer, H. Stanton, reports cash paid forexpenses of the Fire Department, a carriage for the hook and ladder co., engine houses, &c. $840 95 Cash paid for survey and map of the Village, Clerk's sal ary, Street Boards, watch, wells, and contingent expen- ses, $834. Compare this with our present city ex- penses.
July 1. The Trustees published an ordinance against mad dogs. The Trustees, acting as Commissioners of Highways, 'hereby vacate, alter, change, close up, and cancel the road or highway called Sands street, from Waliabout pond to the public road now called Fulton st., so far north as the same has been received, or taken, or admitted as a public road or highway, in the said town of Brooklyn. Jeremiah Johnson, John Jackson, and John Spader, gave notice of their intention to appeal from the decision of the Trustees to the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, of Kings County, in the matter of Sands Street.
October. Thomas W. Birdsall appointed post-master, in the place of Joel Bunce deceased. An Agricultural Society was established in Kings Co.
January 17, 1820. A very violent storm and high tide did much damage in Brooklyn.
May. Whales appeared in considerable number at Sandy Hook. One was caught by a pilot boat and brought to Brooklyn and exhibited to the public. A daily mail was established between New York and Brooklyn.
May 30. The U. S. Ship Ohio was launched at the Navy Yard.
October At a meeting of three of the Judges of the - County of Kings, the act of the Trustees of the Village of Brooklyn, in July last, relative to vacating and closing Sands st. was 'reversed.'
November 21. A cattle show and agricultural exhi- bition took place at Flatbush. It was very honorable to the county, and premiums were distributed for the best productions.
.
51
January 31, 1821. The weather at Brooklyn had been for a week past of extraordinary severity; the ther- mometer indicating at one time 14° below zero. The Narrows at Staten Island were closed by ice. Seven persons walked from Staten Island to New York on the ice. The North River from Cortlandt st to Jersey City was passed with loaded sleighs, and a temporary half-way- house was erected on the ice. Brooklyn ferries were not closed but for a few hours. A ferry-boat from Hoboken with 58 persons and 23 horses remained all one night blocked in the ice.
April 4 School district No. 1, embraced the whole Village, and an enumeration of the childred between the ages of 5 and 15 amounted to 1280. Only 188 children had been taught. The public money, $454, half of which came from the town.
July 19. Great contemplated Village improvements are announced as forthcoming, viz : Sands st. to be paved from Fulton st, to the house of Mr. Jaggar, two wells to be dug in Hicks st, and the street on the bank to be open- ed for carriages as far as the house of Samuel Jackson.
September 3. A very destructive gale swept along our coast. Five sloops from Brookhaven, L I., were lost on Rockaway Beach, and 22 lives lost. The cen- sus of Brooklyn at this time was 7,175. Of Kings Co., 11,187.
December. The subject of removing the Kings Co. Court House from Flatbush to Brooklyn is agitated in the Long Island Star.
1822, February 7. The subject of a Bank and an In- surance Company, for Brooklyn, was brought before the Legislature.
March 31. Subscriptions were put in circulation re- qniring the Village Trustees to name the streets and num- ber the dwellings. Four streets were ordered to be num- bered. It is announced, that a gravelled side walk and curb stones will he in Fulton st, 'to the extremity of the Village, near Military Garden.'
At a Village meeting, the Assessors were voted $1 25 per day for their services.
April 4. At the election for town officers only 340
52
Votes were taken in. Of 24 officers voted for, 16 were on every vote given in; a unity of action'not found in these days.
May 23. The first Brooklyn Directory waa publish- ed at this time by A. Spooner. A Medical Society was first established in Kings County.
June 27. The Annual Report of Village expenses from May 18, 1821, to June 25, 1822, is published as follows :
Village Expenses $567 01
Fire Department
1301 05
Watch Account 10 50
$1878 63
Compare this with our present expenses
A meeting of the villagers took place to vote the ne- cessary taxes The subject of a market was discussed, and it was resolved to have one somewhere in the village
July 4. At 5 o'clock this morning a new Liberty Pole was erected at the Fulton Ferry. An address was de- livered by Abraham E. Brower, an aged patriot of the Revolution, and a salute fired by the fine military compa- nies of Capt. Geo. Hall, and Capt. John Allen.
July 25. The corner stone of the first Catholic church was laid in Jay st.
August 21. A great fire occurred at the stores of Henry Waring, by which much cotton and naval stores were destroyed.
Sept. 1. The new Presbyterian Church in Cranberry st was opened for service, in the basement, on this day. Many cases of yellow fever having appeared in New York, the Trustees took measures to prevent its intro- duction into the village.
September 12. In consequence of the yellow fever having transferred the business of the city to Greenwich Village, the steam ferry boat Nassau passes between Fulton Ferry and Greenwich.
1823, Jan. A fire occurred Dec. 31, near Fulton Fer= ry in which S. Carman, G. C. Langdon and Goe S. Dow- ning were sufferers.
March 3. A great storm occurred which did immense
53
damage to the shipping. In Brooklyn much injury was sustained, and the rope walks of Joshua Sands and N. L. Martin were blown away.
April 20. The new brick Church in Cranberry st, of the First Presbyterian Society, was dedicated to the ser- vice of God.
May 8. At the Village Election, John Doughty, Geo J. Wise, Jr. Evert Barkeloo, Fanning C. Tucker, and Abraham Vanderveer were elected Trustees.
June 5. Spooner's Directory give a gain of 190 Fam- ilies during the last year. The population of Brooklyn is estimated at 9000
August 21. The Brooklyn Apprentices Library was commenced about this time.
September 8 Severel cases of yellow fever occurred in Brooklyn John Wells an eminent lawyer fell a vic- tim
November 6 Wm Furman was elected member of Assembly for Kings County
November 27 It is ascertained that 154 new dwel- lings were erected in Brooklyn during the last year
December Great contributions were made for the cause of the Greeks to help them in their struggles against their Turkish oppressors
1824, Jan 22 A public meeting took place to aid the application to the Legislature for establishing a Bank in Brooklyn
March 4 The Apprentices Library at this time com- prised 900 volumes, and there were 100 readers
March 20 The corner stone of St Ann's Church in Washington st, was laid this day
April 1, the overseers of the poor received the last year $3 108, and expended $8,469
April 8 The bill establishing the Long Island Bank, became a law
May 6. Trustees of the Village, J Sands, jr, J Dough- ty, J. Moses, J. Moon, S. James. The Brooklyn Fire Insurance Company commenced operations.
June 17. A special Town Meeting was held at Duf- fon's tavern, at which a Report of a Committee was made advising the purchase of a lot of ground near Fort Green
3*
34
embracing 19 3-4 acres, for a Hospital and Burying ground, for the sum of $3,720. The report is signed by John Doughty, Evert Barkeloo, and Samued Smith. John Spader and Jeremiah Johnson, being a minority of the same committee, enter their Protest against the said pur- chase, for the reasons therein set forth.
June 24. The Village Treasurer reports the following expenses for the year previous, viz :
Fire Department expended $928 00
Village Account do 431 23
Watch account do
183 80
July 15. A committee of the citizens reported against the Powder Magazines at Fort Green, and recommended an act of the Legislature to forbid such storage in Brook- lyn.
August 19 The illustrious Gen La Fayette is now receiving the honors of the citizens of New York and Brooklyn.
1825, January 6. A part of the ground lately pur- chased near Fort Green, was appropriated for a Cemetery for the several religious denominations.
Jan 21. A public meeting was held at Duflon's and a Committee appointed to remove the Courts aud Jail from Flatbush to Brooklyn.
May 5. Trustees elected, J. Sands, J. Sprague, J. Mo- ser, D. Anderson, J. Doughty.
June 2. Several sales of lots of ground in Brooklyn, indicate a great advance in price, particularly the site of the old Alms House in Nassau street. The foundation of the Apprentices Library in Cranberry street, (now called the City Buildings) was laid at this time. The 'Corporation Proceedings' were now first published in the Long Island Star. It was moved in the Board that Ed- itors have permission to copy the minutes of the Board for publication, which was negatived.
June 30. The Annual Village Meeting took place to vote the necessary taxes and salaries for the ensuing year, they were as follows ,
For the Fire Department $600
Village Watch 250
Contingent Expenses 300
55
Salary of the President, [J Sands, Esq. ] 300 do Clerk 200
do Street Commissioner - 150
A committee of the Town of Brooklyn reported in fa- vor of continuing Tillary street from the Village line to to the town property on the easterly side of the meadows
July 4. On this day, the anniversary of our Nation- al Independence, the Corner stone of the Apprentices Li- brary in Cranberry street, was laid by the great and good Lafayette. The day was fine, and a procession of the Military, the Societies, Scholars of all the schools, &c. took place. An address was delivered by C. D. Sackett, Esq.
Sept 22 The population of the Village, was at this
. time 8,000 The spot for a market in James st was se- lected at this time.
November 4 The celebration of the opening of the the grand Canal took place in this city and harbor of New York
December 5, A public meeting took place for the pur- pose of taking into consideration a bill proposed by a committee for the organization of a City Government .--- The meeting rejected the bill and adjourned fer 21 years
1826, February 9 A new steamboat. being the third, was placed on the Fulton ! erry
The population in Brooklyn in 1825 was 10,791
February 16 Renewed exertions were made to re- move the Court House and Jail to Brooklyn
March 16 The Market in James street was commen- ced
March 23 A petition was put in circulation for estab- lishing a New South Ferry at Pierpont Dock A propo- sition for a Long Island Canal, precisely like that now in contemplation, was submitted to the Legislature
March 30 Thomas King resigned the office of Post- master and Erastus Worthington was appointed to succeed him The poor of the town now occupy the alms house at the Wallabout near Fort Green
Aprill 22. The famous law case with Jacob Patchen commenced at this time and ended only with his death
May 1 An Election took place this day, under the
56
amended Village Act, giving us two Trustees in each of the five districts, instead of one as heretofore Trustees elected as follows :
First District, F C Tucker, H Waring
Second do J C Swift, J Jaggar
Third do G Hall, James S Clark
Fourth do. C D Sackett, John Garrison
Fifth do W Rushmore, John Seaman
May 9 The corner stone of St John's Church, corner Washington and Johnson streets, was laid this day
May 3. The new board of Trustees assembled for the first time, in the new and elegant edifice in Cranberry st, called the Apprentices Library, J Sands, Esq, president of the board, being our member of Congress, Mr F C Tucker, was elected president, pro tem.
June 15, A village stock was created for raising money for the new market, and for other purposes
July 4 On this anniversary of American Independence the apprentices and scholars of the village went in proces- sion, to the new Library building, in Cranberry street, where an address was delivered by Joseph Hegeman, and a banner presented to the apprentices, by Mr Snow, the President of the Institution
On this day expired Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams both having been Presidents of these United States The corporation of Brooklyn took a respectful notice of the · event
July 20 The corporation ordered a survey and map of the village The excise money paid to the overseers of the poor, amounted to $3.627
August 3 The corporation of New York city gracious- ly granted a South Ferry to the humble petitioners of Brooklyn Petition for a promenade on the Heights was submitted to the corporation, and referred to Messrs Tucker, Waring, and At this time books were collected for a library for colored people
August 7 A light infantry company from Boston, commanded by capt Pierce, encamped in Brooklyn, and received the hospitalities of the corporation
August 17 The committee of the corporation on the
57
subject of a promenade on the Heights, reported that they found the difficulty insurmountable
August 24 The Secretary of the Navy addressed a - letter to the corporation, complaining of the filling up of the 'mill pond' at the Wallabout, by order of the corpo- . ration A new steamboat ferry was established from Jackson street, Brooklyn, to Walnut street, New York
October 12 A new Baptist meeting house in Pearl street, between Nassau and Concord streets, was opened under the charge of Rev Wm C Hawley.
November 30 A Free reading room and conversation room are established in the basement of the Apprentices Library The new Brooklyn Market is just getting into successful operation
December 15 The distillery of Jeffry Smith and John G Hicks, in Doughty street was burnt Loss $16,000
December 28 Wood, for fuel, was at this time very scarce and high Mineral coal was very little known or used
1827, January 1 A meeting of the inhabitants of Brooklyn ( A Spooner, Chn., J Dikeman, Sec, ) resolved to petition the Legislature for an act to prevent the stor- age of Gun Powder, within certain limits of the town
January 11 Great snow storm on Long Island, and roads impassible
January 18 The Ladies as well as Gentlemen of Brook- lyn are exerting themselves in charity for the Greeks A great fire occurred at Gildersleeve's Coach maker's shop
January 24 The sessions of the County Court are be- ginning to be held in Brooklyn The price of Wood is from three to four dollars per cartman's load
February 8 A very amusing meeting of the Bachel- ors of Brooklyn is reported in the L I Star --- it was occa- sioned by Gen M'Clure's proposition in the state Legis- lature to take off the state tax on Dogs and lay it on Bachelors !
February 15 The subject of making Brooklyn a part of the city of New York, was publicly discussed
March 15 The Brooklyn Committee paid over for the Greeks, $2,675 in cash, and a quantity of Merchandize
3*
58
March 23 The corporation appropriated $500 to bore for water at the market !
April 1 At this time A Spooner commenced the pub- lication of a daily paper called The Brooklyn Evening Star' It Has continued six months and then discontinu- ed, the city not being old enough to support it
April 12 About this time the Brooklyn Savings Bank was chartered, and commenced operations the first of June.
April 26 The Board of Trustees resolved that a sala- ry of $500 be paid to the Justices of the Municipal court, and $200 to the Clerk
May 10 At a village election, the following persons were chosen :
President --- J Sprague
Trustees, Ist Dist, --- H Waring, H B Pierpont
2d do J Dougherty J Jaggar
3d do L V Nostrand, R Wells
4th do 1) Leavitt; E Raymond
5th do W Rushmore, J H Clarke
May 24 A committee of the Corporation reported on the Artesian Well at the market A cast iron cylindrical shaft of 9 inches in Diameter had been sunk 90 feet, and a supply of water had risen 70 feet in the tube The Board resolved to suspend boring and introduce a pump
June 21 The delicate business of granting licenses to sell liquor gives much trouble to the Corporation
July 12 The Trustees voted to the President, $450 and to the Clerk 300 as their salaries, also Clerk of the market 150
Health Physician
150
Street Commissioner
- Treasurer one per cent. - 200
Collector, 3 and 5 per cent
The street committee were directed to consider the ex- pediency of regulating and paving the side walks of Ful- ton street with flag-stone or brick
October 1 A boat now commenced running on the ferry during the night
October 4 The Artesian Well at. the market is pro- nounced 'a great bore' The pipes are ordered to be ta-
59
ken up, and a well dug on the same spot in the ordinary way
September 25 The corner stone of the African School House was laid with appropriate ceremonies by the Wool- man Benevolent Society
September 9 An Election of Village Officers took place this day, agreeably to the amended charter J Sprague was re-elected President without opposition In three of the five districts there was no opposition The Trustees passed a resolution in favor of a new South Ferry
September 25 A meeting was held to favor the erec- tion of a Female Seminary, which resulted in building the edifice in Hicks st, now called the Mansion House
November 15 C D Sackett, esq, was elected Member of Assembly
November 18 An infectious disease prevailed on board the steam frigate Fulton, at the Navy Yard, the receiv- ing ship, SO persons were sick of small pox and fever
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.