Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 85

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360

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The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. -On December 13, 1880, a number of gentlemen met at the

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

residence of Mr. H. B. Claflin, for the purpose of organizing a society for the care of helpless children. Within two weeks an office was opened at 199 Montague street, the above name given to the Society, and active operations were begun. In the first ten months, 361 complaints were lodged at the office, and 160 children rescued from misery. The first OFFICERS were: Henry R. Jones, Pres .: H. B. Clafliu and W. B. Leonard, Vice-Pres'ts .; Alexander Munn, Sec .; and Geo. S. Pease. Treas. The same board of officers have been con- tinued to the present time. During the year ending October, 1883, 653 complaints were lodged at the Society's office, by citizens, or the police, and 344 children removed from brutal parents or guardians, and placed in homes or institutions ; 189 cases were prosecuted, and 177 convictions obtained. The aim of the Society is to prosecute those who abuse little ones; who seud children into the street to beg: who would force girls into lives of degradation; who would place their offspring in situations dangerous to health; who maliciously commit friendless waifs to jail, or who attempt to debauch, dissipate, or in any way wrong the most helpless of our race.

Zion Relief Association (Home for Aged and Infirm of Zion Church) .- This organization was perfected December 7, 1869. to afford a free home to the aged poor of Zion A. M. E. Church of New York, and to others, npon such terms as the trustees should recommend. September 20, 1872, the trustees of Zion Church were authorized to purchase prop- erty for the erection of such a home, and soon after bought the property on Dean street, between Albany and Troy av- enues, for $4,800, and expended $2,350 for alterations aud repairs. Accommodations were provided for fifteen inmates, which number has since increased to twenty-one.

Visiting Committee of the State Charities' Aid Associa- tion for the Kings County Institutions .- A central organiza- tion, known as the State Charities' Aid Association, formed in May, 1872, having its office in New York City, has for its objects-1. To promote an active public interest in the New York State Charities. 2. To make the present pauper system more efficient, and introduce reforms. In connection with this organization, local visiting committees are formed in the various counties in the State. In June, 1873, a preliminary meeting was held at the Mercantile Library, in Brooklyn, to organize a local visiting committee for the public institutions of Kings county, at which Mrs. Stranahan presided. At an adjourned meeting, October 14, a constitution and by-laws were adopted. The first OFFICERS were: Mrs. J. S. T. Stran- ahan, Pres .; Mrs. Wm. Ives Buddington, First Vice-Prcs .; Mrs. A. C. Field, Second Vice-Pres .; Mrs. Gordon L. Ford, Cor. Sec .; Mrs. Elliston L. Perot, Rec. Sec.

Committees were appointed on Infants' Wards, on Hospi- tals, and on Ahns-houses. The work of . the committee has been productive of much good since the year of its organiza- tion. Public attention has been directed to the nnfortunate condition of the public wards, and abuses corrected. The Board of State Charities is supported entirely by volunteer contribution, and the arduous duty devolving upon the vari- ous committees in Kings county have been performed as a labor of love. Mrs. Stranahan has been the President since 1-73. OFFICERS, 1883-'4. are as follows: Mrs. J. S. T. Stran- ahan, Pres .; Mrs. Fisher Howe, First Vice-Pres .; Mrs. D. C. Robbins, Second Vice-Pres .; Mrs. John Vanderbilt, Cor. See .; Miss Dora Robinson, Rec. Sec .; Mrs. David Morrison, Asst. Sec .; Miss Lillie Brown, Treas.

Protestant Episcopal Mission to the Public Institutions .- In 1860, Mrs. Fellows, the wife of a disabled presbyter of the church, began to visit the city jail, hospitals, etc., with her husband, who performed such duties as required a clergy- mau. April 1, 1969, Mrs. Fellows was appointed hy the Mis-

sionary Committee of the new Diocese of Long Island to be " Missionary in Charge and to the prisons and public institu- tions in Kings county," with a stipend of $400. A month before, she had been appointed Missionary to the City Hospi- tal and jail, with a salary of $150. May 23, 1871, she was re- appointed. At the same time, Miss Eliza J. Coakley was ap- pointed "Missionary to the public institutions at Flatbush." After 1872, Mrs. Fellows continued her work, though her salary was no longer paid Testimony to her faithful ser- vices can be found in the reports of the Missiouary Commit- tee. Since 1872, the Missionary Committee has devoted $400 annually to this work among the public institutions.

The Hospital Saturday and Sunday Association .- It was the custom in New York aud London to take collections on the last Saturday and Sunday of the year, in public places, in behalf of the hospitals. In December, 1881, Messrs. Wm. G. Low, I. H. Frothingham, and Wm. M. Richards, were appointed a committee by the City Hospital, to introduce the custom into Brooklyn. An organization was formed, and a constitution adopted May 16, 1882, having for its object " to draw out benevolent gifts for hospital purposes, by bringing the claims of these charities simultaneously before the public; to stimulate personal donations and church collections on appointed days ; to obtain and distribute the gifts of those who aid the general object of hospital charity." It com- prised the following gentlemen, viz .: Mr. William G. Low, Mr. Isaac H. Frothingham, and Mr. William M. Richards, for the Brooklyn City Hospital; Mr. Thomas H. Rodman, for the Long Island College Hospital; Mr. Charles A. Townsend, Mr. David M. Stone, and Hon. William W. Goodrich, for the Homœopathic Hospital ; Dr. R. C. Moffat, for the Homœo- pathic Maternity ; Mr. Aaron Field, for the Brooklyn Home for Consumptives ; Mr. William H. Fleeman, Mr. Alexander E. Orr, and Mr. Carlos A. Butler, for St. John's Hospital ; Mr. J. W. Vandewater, Hon. Geo. H. Fisher, and Hon. Sigis- mund Kaufmann, for the Eastern District Hospital ; Hon. Samuel Booth, Mr. Alfred T. White, Mr. Demas Strong, Mr. John N. Stearns, and Mr. Thomas W. Hynes, for the Bureau of Charitics; together with the following: Mr. Lorin Palmer, Mr. Bernard Peters, the Rev. William A. Snively, D. D., the Rev. Charles A. Tibballs, the Rev. J. C. Ager, the Rev. C. Cuthbert Hall, his Honor, the Mayor of the City of Brooklyn, the Postmaster of the City of Brooklyn, and the Resident Member of the State Board of Charities ; and such other gentlemeu as may hereafter be elected by a two-thirds vote.

First OFFICERS : William G. Low, Pres .; Alfred T. White, Vicc.Pres .; C. Cuthbert Hall, Sec .; William M. Richards, Trcas. William G. Low (ex-officio), Alexander E. Orr, Thomas II. Rodman, William W. Goodrich, George H. Fisher, Executive Committee. The Mayor of the City of Brooklyn (e.c-officio), the Postmaster of the City of Brooklyn (ex-officio), the Resident Member of the State Board of Charities (ex- officio), Bernard Peters, Charles A. Townseud, Carlos A. Butler, Aaron Field, Distributing Committee.

The first collection, December, 1882, amounted to $4,351.22; in 1883, it reached nearly $6,000. OFFICERS for 1884: Wil- liam G. Low, Pres .; William H. Fleeman, Vice-Pres .; C. Cuthbert Ilall, Sec .; W. M. Richards, Treas. E.rccutive Committee : William G. Low, A. E. Orr, Thomas HI. Rod- man, William W. Goodrich, and John W. Vandewater. Distributing Committee: The Mayor of the city, the Post- master, the Resident Member of the State Board of Charities, and Messrs. Bernard Peters, Charles A. Townsend, Carlos .1. Butler, and Aaron Field.

The Brooklyn Indian Association was organized Decem- ber 4, 1882, in the Lafayette avenue Presbyterian church. Its object is : 1st, to awaken Christian public sentiment to

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CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

the abolition of all oppression of Indians within our national limits, and to the granting them the same protection of law that other races enjoy among us; 2d, to aid educational and mission work for and among Indians.

The general lines of work pursued are, as in the parent society, the circulation of literature adapted to the Asso- ciation's object; the circulation of memorials to Congress on behalf of Indians ; the securing popular meetings and arti- cles in the press which shall promote the growth of right sentiment concerning our national and individual duty to Indians, and the adoption of such other measures as seem fitted to further the ends desired.

The number of members has increased from 17 to 60. The names of the first OFFICERS are : Mrs. A. B. Smith, Pres .; Mrs. M. W. Huntington, Sec .; Mrs. L. H. Conklin, Treas .; Mrs. F. A. Iderstine, Mrs. J. Hamblet, Mrs. C. C. Woolworth, Mrs. William Moses, Mrs. J. H. Burtis, Vice-Pres'ts. A num- ber of public meetings have been held, under the auspices of the society, which have been addressed by those who thor- oughly understand the present condition and means of the

The Inebriates' Home for Kings County, office 401 Pearl street (see page 563a), was incorporated by an act of the legislature, on May 9, 1867.

The object was to devise means for the saving and redemp- tion of those addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors; and to afford an asylum for them, where they would be removed from the ordinary temptations of life, and receive medical and humane treatment. It was found by experience that the commitment of inebriates to jail not only did no good, but great harm both to the drunkard himself, and ultimately to society. The degradation of the prison seemed to dispel all hopes of a reformation. These facts heing laid before the legislature, the act of incorporation was secured, and twelve per cent. of the excise tax, and all of the fines paid in the county for infringement of the excise law, were set apart for its use.

A hlock lying between Fourth and Fifth avenues, and 54th and 55th streets, was purchased ; a temporary home secured at the corner of Bushwick avenue and Chestnut street, and operations were commenced on the 10th of October, 1867.

OCEAN VIEW OF "THE INEBRIATES' HOME," FORT HAMILTON.

Western Indians. The result has been manifested in an in- creasing public opinion favoring a change in the Indian ques- tion. The present OFFICERS are: Mrs. George Stannard, Pres .; Mrs. M. W. Huntington, Sec .; Mrs. J. B. Gilbert, Treas .; Mrs. M. A. Berry, Mrs. S. L. M. Prentice, Mrs. Geo. Watson, Mrs. Annie C. Field, Mrs. D. R. James, Mrs. W. H. Smith, Mrs. Woodbridge Nearing, Vice-Pres'ts.

The Wayside Home is an association formed March 5, 1880, by a number of benevolent ladies, for the purpose of providing a home for homeless women, and for helping them to procure employment. It commenced with 15 members, and now numbers 35. The first OFFICERS were as follows: Mrs. E. F. Pettengill, Pres .; Mrs. Annie C. Field, Vice-Pres .; Miss C. E. Coffin, Sec .; Mrs. C. W. Shepherd, Asst. Sec .; Mrs. E. F. Lawson, Treas.

The Association was duly incorporated, and secured a com- fortable house at No. 352 Bridge street. The accommoda- tions are hardly sufficient, and efforts have already been be- gun to secure more commodious quarters. The officers for 1883-'84 are the same as given above.

During the first two years, there were received 261 patients, including 41 re-admissions, and 27 patients so re-admitted. Of these, 160 were men, and 101 women. Of the whole number, 25 were boarders, the others being admitted to the benefits of the institution free; though some have contributed by labor to defray the cost of their support. The total cost of maintenance, including all house expenses and salaries of officers, was $47.77 for each person.

By an amended charter, the grant of twelve per cent. of the excise money was withdrawn, and an annual grant of $10,000 substituted. The want of a new and improved build- ing was severely felt. The sum of $200,000 was provided out of the receipts under the excise law, for the construction of such a building, which was converted into U. S. bonds. The site was removed, from the position previously indicated, to a place near Fort Hamilton, known as " Beautiful View," on the Ridgeside road, where far superior advantages and accom- modations could be obtained. First Presidents : Hon. Geo. Hall, Hon. Jas. S. T. Stranahan, Theodore L. Mason, M. D., Geo. G. Herman, Esq. OFFICERS, 1884, are as follows : Geo.

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

G. Herman, Esq., Pres .; Hon. Wm. M. Thomas, Treas .; Capt. Joseph W. Richardson, Sec. Hon. Wm. M. Thomas and Geo. G. Herman, Esq., Trustees.

The Truant Home of the City of Brooklyn (Juvenile House of Industry) was established in 1854, under "an Act to provide for the care and instruction of idle and truant children," passed in April, 1853. It was at one time located in the old Penitentiary, on the Clove road; but the J. T. Snediker Hotel property, on the Jamaica plank road, near Jamaica village (eleven acres), was purchased at a cost of $25,000, and in the rear of this, a large brick building, three stories in height, was erected for school purposes and dormi- tories. The hotel was used as a cooking and dining place, and residence of the operatives. On two sides of the school building. was erected a high fence, enclosing a play-ground of about an acre. No changes have since been made in these buildings.

This Home was established for the purpose of restraining, educating, and, if possible. reclaiming idle and vagrant chil- dren. To this Home vagrant children were committed by magistrates, on complaints by parents or others. Herc they were kept during periods, varying from one to five or more years.

After the passage, by the Legislature, of the Compulsory Education Law in 1874, the Board of Education in Brooklyn organized the Bureau of Attendance, which consists of a superintendent and six agents, whose duty it is to sec that the provisions of the law are carried out. The children found by these officers in the condition of vagrants, or non- attendants at school, are committed to the Home, where their education and well-being are looked after. Since the establishment by this Bureau of Attendance of schools, one in the eastern and one in the western district of the city, where a portion of the non-attendants at other schools are sent, the commitments to the Home by this Bureau have been fewer than before. The average member, through this Bureau and by the police, is more than two hundred annually. The super- intendent and teacher for 1883-'4 is Joseplı Wagner.

The St. Joseph's Institute for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes was established at Fordham in the fall of 1869. During the first years of its existence the institution was sup- ported mainly by the exertions of its lady directresses; for, as is generally the case, the parents of the pupils were, for the most part, poor, and could contribute bnt little toward their support.

In the spring of 1874 was opened in Brooklyn a branchlı house, for the purpose of offering to the numerous deaf-mntes of that city the advantages of a day school. As the house at Fordham was at that time considerably crowded (the addi- tion not having yet been built), some of the larger girls were removed to the branch honse at Brooklyn. Others, who had entered the school as day pupils, now asked to be admitted as permanent inmates, and the house (a rented one) was soon found to be too small. After mature deliberation, it was dermed advisable to purchase one which shonkl be sufficiently large to accommodate some 50 or 60 inmates. The large and elegant residence of Mrs. Christina Jones, No. 510 Henry street, was, about this time, purchased. A few weeks after this, an act was passed by which the institution was empow- ered to receive county pupils ; two years later the institution was placed upon the same footing with similar institutions in the state.

Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum Society of the City of Brooklyn was founded in 1929. Mr. Peter Turner, to whose zeal the Society was deeply indebted for its success, was chosen first President, holding the position for three years (the longest term allowed by the constitution), and was snc- ceeded by Dr. J. S. Thorn. On May 6, 1834, the Society was

incorporated by the Legislature, under the title of The Ro- man Catholic Orphan Society in the Village of Brooklyn ; the names mentioned in the act being those of J. Sullivan Thorne, Thomas Mooney, John Sweeney, Peter Turner and Charles Brady. The charter was applied for, at this time, in order that the Society might receive a legal transfer of a house and lot offered to the Society by the Rev. John Walsh; and in this house. 188 Jay street, the first asylum was opened and placed iu charge of the Sisters of Charity. Some years after, Mr. Cornelius Hecuey generously donated to this So- ciety ten lots of ground on Congress street; and, at his death, in 1848, bequeathed the income of the greater portion of his large estate for the support of the orphans. The donation of lots enabled the Society to build their first asylum, that fronting on Congress street (now known as St. Paul's Indus- trial School), for male children, and the one fronting on Clinton, on the same lots, for females. In 1851, an addition was made to the Female Asylum, doubling its size, at a cost of $5,000; and, in 1858, a further addition of a building. 155 by 25 feet, and five stories high, at a cost of $15,000, con- necting with the Male Asylum on Clinton street. In 1858, a new building was erected for males, corner Willoughby and Bedford avenues, at a cost of about $27,000, and accommo- dating 350 children. The building had a front of 120 feet, and two wings, 72 feet deep, and the grounds attached com- prised 14 acres. This building was destroyed by fire, Nov. 9, 1862, 248 children being asleep within its walls when the fire broke ont, and a snow storm raging without. Three children perished in the flames. The children were immediately re- moved; the girls to the building on Clinton and Congress streets, and the boys to a house on the corner of Jay and Chapel streets, which had been previously occupied by the Sisters of Mercy.

The Board of Managers, though their means and sources of income were at this time very limited, then purchased the grounds bounded by St. Mark's place, Albany and Troy ave- nnes, and Warren street, one of the most clcvated and healthy locations in the city. On these grounds, in 1869. they commenced the erection of the present Asyhim, now known as "St. John's Ilome for Boys." It is a massive struc- ture, four stories high, and solidly built of blue-stone. It is 170 feet front, with wings each 170 feet deep, and three stories above the basement in height. St. John's Home was opened in 1870, under the charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph. There are now in this institution over 700 orphan boys, who are, in a great measure, dependent upon the charitably disposed publie for maintenance and support. It has accom- modation for 800 boys, and is valned at $200,000.

CORNELIUS HEENEY, a native of Queens County, Ireland, came to America, in 1784, being then about 20 years ok. The vessel in which he sailed was wrecked on the Delaware coast, and passengers and crew were resened by oyster boats plying their vocation in the bay. The oyster-men however, demanded a dollar a head for their services, which amount Heeney did not have. It was promptly given him by a Quaker fellow-passenger, who wonkl not give his name (which young Heeney enquired, with a view to ultimate repayment), simply saying, "whenever thou seest a fellow creature in want of a dollar, as thou art now, give it to him, and thon wilt have repaid me," a circumstance which made a lasting impression upon Mr. H.'s mind. Mr. Heeney first found em- ployment in Philadelphia, and then in New York, where he entered the store of a Mr. Backhouse, where John Jacob Astor then served as a porter. In course of time, Mr. B. retired from business, and sokl out to Messrs. Heency and Astor. This partnership was dissolved after a few years, and Mr.

CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

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Heeney entered the fur business on his own account, and amassed a considerable fortune. In order to secure a debt of $30,000, he took a large property in South Brooklyn, which rose on his hands to a value, at the time of his death, of over $200,000. This he subsequently made his summer residence. He lived and died a bachelor, yet, by his disposition, was peculiarly adapted for domestic enjoyment, affable in dis- position, fond of joke and repartee, warm-hearted and social. His doors were ever open to a friend and acquaintance, and never closed on the needy and unfortunate. His house was ever filled with orphan children, whom he educated and provided for; and many of his female protégés married into most respectable families in New York and Brooklyn, where their descendants now occupy enviable positions in society. His Brooklyn property contained a fine orchard, and during

mas, also, he used to collect all the poor children in the vicinity, and give to each a cake and piece of silver. Though rarely mingling in politics, he onced served a term as mem- ber of the Assembly of the State, and many anecdotes are related concerning his shrewdness and good nature. To the Brooklyn Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum, he gave, in 1829, an endowment of $18,000; about the same time he generously extended a helping hand to St. Paul's Cathedral in New York; donated the ground for St. James's and St. Paul's churches, Brooklyn; was one of the founders of the Roman Catholic Half Orphan Asylum of New York, and contributed largely to several of the charitable associations of that city. Al- though his Brooklyn property increased in value with almost fabulous rapidity; yet, at his death, 3d of May, 1848 (at the age of ninety-four years), his estate was worth little more

ST. JOHN'S MALE ORPHAN ASYLUM.

the active years of his life, he was in the habit, every summer, of marshaling the little orphan children of the New York Orphan Asylum, and marching with them through Broad- way and across the river to the orchard, where he had men employed to shake the trees and pull cherries, apples and each kind of fruit in its season, while the children ate and played on the grass. He also purchased wood and distributed it to the poor, gratuitously giving to each what they could carry; and he took a humorous delight in seeing the loads they would assume, it being their custom to divest themselves of a portion of the burden as soon as some intervening fence or other obstruction concealed them from his view, in order to return for more ; his enjoyment of the artifice being in- creased by the knowledge he had of its performance, and the efforts to hide what he instantly connived at. At Christ-

than $15,000. It is estimated, however, that his donations and expenditures for benevolent purposes, during his life- time, was not far short of $100,000. His residuary estate (after proper provision made for relatives and friends), was devised as follows: The annual income of one-fifth, to be ap- propriated every year towards supplying the poor of Brook- lyn with fuel during winter. The annual income of one-tenth, to be appropriated towards supplying poor children in Brook- lyn, who go to school, with shoes, and with such other articles of clothing as are absolutely necessary for their health and comfort during the winter. The sum of $250 annually for employment of a teacher to instruct poor chil- dren in Brooklyn in the elements of an English education. The residue to the Brooklyn Catholic Half Orphan Asylum; a portion to be expended in erecting additional buildings. If

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

anything intervened to prevent the fulfillment of this be- quest, it was to go to the New York Catholic Orphan Asy- lum. By a codicil to this will, after the incorporation of the Brooklyn Benevolent Society, all the residuary estate was given to that association. Some lots in New York, adjoining the New York Catholic Orphan Asylum, were given to that institution, after the death of parties to whom he devised them as legatees.

St. Joseph's Female Orphan Asylum, located at the corner of Willoughby and Sumner avenues, is also under control of the Orphan Asyhim Society, and in the immediate charge of the Sisters of Charity. In the summer of 1869 the corner- stone was laid, and it was fully completed in October, 1873, when 280 children were transferred to it from St. Paul's Fe- male Orphan Asylum, in Congress street. The present num- ber is about 725. It is a very commodious and handsome building, five stories in height, with a front on Willoughby avenue of 224 feet, and a width of 62 feet. It is constructed of Philadelphia brick and brown-stone trimmings. In the rear is a chapel, 102 by 43 feet. The building is heated by steam, and has all the modern improvements for institutions of this kind. This Asylinn is under the care of the Sisters of Char- ity. It has ample play-grounds for the children, who now number about 600. A day-school, for the children of the neighborhood, has a daily attendance of about 200. The asylum is valued at $150,000

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Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 85

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : Munsell Number of Pages: 1360

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360