Gazetteer of the State of New York: embracing a comprehensive view of the geography, geology, and general history of the State, and a complete history and description of every county, city, town, village, and locality, Part 1, Part 89

Author: French, J. H. (John Homer), 1824-1888, ed. cn; Place, Frank, 1880-1959, comp
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : R. Pearsall Smith
Number of Pages: 772


USA > New York > Gazetteer of the State of New York: embracing a comprehensive view of the geography, geology, and general history of the State, and a complete history and description of every county, city, town, village, and locality, Part 1 > Part 89


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 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91


11 Two Presb., 2 M. E., Bap., Wes. Meth., Prot. E., R. C., Union, and l'hiv.


12 Named from Wilna, in Russia, then fresh in memory from its battle.


13 After affording 42 mi. of navigation, the river here com- mences to descend by a series of rapids, extending to the lake, falling. in all, 480 feet. The " Long Falls" here descoml 55 fret in a distance of 5090; and in the rapids are about 50 small islands. The State Ham, built at this place, is 900 feet long, and


£


363


JEFFERSON COUNTY.


Tho soil is sandy and moderately fertile. Carthage1 (p. v.) is finely situated upon Black River, at the lower terminus of the B. R. Canal improvement. It contains 5 churches, a private academy,2 and is the seat of important manufactures.3 Pop. about 1,500. Natural Bridge,4 (p. v., ) on Indian River, contains 40 houses. Wilna and North Wilna are p. offices ; and Wood Settlement is a hamlet. Settlement was commenced in 1798, at Carthage, by Henry Boutin, one of the French Company." The village and town were chiefly settled under Le Ray.6 The eensus reports 7 ehurehes.7


WORTHI8-was formed from Lorraine, April 12, 1848. It lies upon the high, slaty, and shaly ridges in the s. part of the co. It is 1200 to 1500 feet above tide, and is the most elevated land in the co. It is subject to deep snows and early frosts. Wherever the surface is exposed to the action of running water, decp gulfs have been worn in the soft and yielding rock. There are several sulphur springs in town. The soil is principally derived from the disintegration of the underlying rocks, and is well adapted to grazing. About one half of the town is settled. Worthville is a hamlet, and is the only p. o. The first settlement was made in 1802, by an association from Litchfield, Herkimer eo., who bought the N. w. quarter, balloted for the lots, built rude mills, and began small improvements.9 A part of the settlers left during the war, and during the sueeceding eold seasons of 1816-17 the whole settlement was abandoned. Settlement was not reeommeneed until several years after. The eensus reports 1 church, (M. E.)


1 Formerly called " Long Falls." Incorp. May 26, 1841. A bridge was erected here in 1813, by Ezra Church, for Russell At- water and David Parish.


2 Erected by Harrison Miller in 1842; now owned and taught by B. F. Bush.


8 Consisting of iron, leather, lumber, staves, heading, &c.


4 Joseph Bonaparte, having purchased a large tract of land in this town and Diana, made this village his residence for two Bummers. It was laid out in 1818.


6 Jean B. Bossout, familiarly known as " Battice," kept the first inn and ferry.


6 The land office of Le Ray was removed from Le Raysville to | store.


Carthage in 1835, by Hon. P. Somerville Stewart. 7 2 Presb., 2 Prot. Meth., Bap., M. E., and R. C.


6 Named iu honor of Gen. Wm. J. Worth. It comprises No. 2, or "Fenelon," of the Boylston Tract. The E. part was divided among several proprietors, to equalize the division of the " Eleven Towns."


9 Among the first settlers were Amos and Abijah Gillett, Nathan Matoon, W. Flower. Lodowyck Edwards, John Gris- wold. Asa Sweet, Abner Rising, and Phineas Rose. The first school was taught in a log barn in 1806. The first death was that of Elisha Sweet. L. B. Gillett kept the first inn and


364


JEFFERSON COUNTY.


Acres of Land, Valuation, Population, Dwellings, Families, Freeholders, Schools, Live Stock, Agricultural Products, and Domestic Manufactures, of Jefferson County.


ACRES OF LAND.


VALUATION OF 1858.


POPULATION.


SCHOOLS.


NAMES OF TOWNS.


Improved.


Unimproved.


Real Estate.


Personal


Property-


Total.


Males.


Females.


No. of Dwellings.


No. of Families.


Frecholders.


No. of


Children


taught.


Adams ..


19,399


6,745+


$774,418


$252.460


$1,026,878


1,502


1,603


598


653


524


15


1,161


Alexandria


19,168


18,263


309,591


41.490


351,081


1,724


1,629


602


623


369


21


1,553


Antwerp.


41,099


30,424


617,678


69,780


687,458


1,962


1,801


639


675


574


25


1.404


Brownville ..


26,636


8,216


682,600


75,300


757,900


1,773


1,816


675


697


300


21


1,529


Cape Vincent


20,631


10,561}


465,816


34,996


500,812


1,712


1,663


592


639


463


14


1,393


Champion ....


18,716₺


7,275


534,599


85,623


620,222


977


969


384


402


315


17


761


Clayton. .


29,257 ₺


19,986₺


523.965


56.859


580,824


2,142


2,090


797


772


581


25


1,817


Ellisburgh


36,327₺


12,242}


1.325.762


111,510


1,437.272


2,677


2,662


1,018


1,034


831


30


1,958


Ilenderson.


16,885


6,616


463,295


70.500


533,795


1,091


1,048


393


419


322


13


810


Hounsfield


21,622


6,1684


455.213


83.750


538.963


1,641


1,580


620


646


443


17


1,221


Le Ray.


38,264₺


14,592


667,208


129.173


796,381


1,666


1,537


603


635


515


19


1,247


Lorraine.


13,192₺


6,678


225.003


23,640


248.643


787


653


295


297


230


13


681


Lyme ...


20,803


8.109


380.453


38,734


419,187


1,294


1,269


455


554


325


17


987


Orleans.


13,765₺


15,157


506.788|


41,445


548,233


1,438


1,368


472


537


436


20


1,208


Pamelia.


19,810


3.836


524.551


79,675


604,226


1,284


1,227


420


442


223


12 884


Philadelphia


16,093


5,747


389.394


66,700


456,094


898


845


315


335


267


10


611


Rodnian


15,749


6,848


522.530


138,950


661,480


882


870


338


363


319


13


584


Rutland.


20,768₺


6.470


501.695


59.649


561.344


961


1,016


391


400


383


12


731


Theresa


15,667


9,937


357,934


89,340


447,314


1,148


1,130


397


418


390


17


1,053


Watertown


20,013}


5.1864


2.423.000


1,519.960


3,942,960


3,639


3,918


1,299


1,387


687


21


2,648


Wilna


17,372₺


20.396


3:29.489


72,268


401,757


1,556 238


1,468


577


598


416


17


1,339


Worth


3,981


21,835,


66.690


3.350


70,040


236


95


103


90


6


177


Total.


1465,222 251.291


13.047.672 3.145.192


16.192,864 32,992 32.42S 11,975


12,629


9,063 ||375 25,757


LIVE STOCK.


AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.


BUSH. OF GRAIN.


DAIRY PRODUCTS.


NAMES OF TOWNS.


Working


Oxen and


1,8:27


2.452


1,068


12.4961


82,3041


3,492}


15,707


17,302


99,756


369.109


1.789


Alexandria.


770


1.761


2,200


2.689


1,022


7,838


51,920₽


5.055₺


7,518


932


183.209


48.366


3,903₺


Antwerp .....


1,085


1.753


4,293


2,260


1,446


1,844


86,271}


7,79S


12,246


1.492


379,109


186.215


9584


Brownville.


1,090


1,493


2,752


3.582


1,366


14,178


121,8021


5.096


9.663


10.490


267,182


118,655


2,352


Cape Vincent ..


899


1.593


2.054


2,050


1,250


7,892


88,427₺


4.736₺


13,107


9,419


159,146


24.800


2,8774


Champion ....


649


1.032


1.941


1.082


736


4.070


48,5113


2.949


23.440


10.262


160,596


148,718


1,126


Clayton .


978


1,997


3.011


2.801


1,782


15.018


91,9304


7,503


13.816


2,770


206,851


179.475


2.796


Ellisburgh.


1.472


3,312


3,761


4,260


2.445


23.170


214.6991


6.3862


34.662


50,656


261,311


342.465


4,154


Henderson.


776


1.621


1,368


3.975


838


7.350


71,899


3.219


12,016


24,532


136,048


36,937


1,561


Hounsfield


908


1,227


1,842


4,021


959


17.686₺


84.4723


3.982


12.588


10,147


148,966


60,118


1,8772


Le Ray ..


998


1,528


3,258


17,787


1,530


11.999


87,962₴


6,242


16.759


7,322


249,898


257,182


4.312


Lorraine .


395


843


1,601


1,279


592


587


57.375


3.437


13.381


0,489


94,323


211.822


1,368


Orleans.


909


1,806


2,662


2.269


1,262


12.874


100,2614


5.488


7.531


1,681


212,975


8,320


3,047


Pamelia.


584


1,006


1,990


1,687


891


8,885


61,079


4,729


7.780


1,529


151.117


192.427


1,626


Rodmau.


540


1,200


2,149


2,830


896


2.01S


68,289


3.972


11.964


12,716


181,235


121,325


2,179


Rutland


568


926


2,643


966


928


3,623


42.036


4.206


16,832


13.943


234.065


247.331


1,815


Theresa.


486


1,065


1,808


861


859


2.427


40.000


4,177₺


5.057


640


163,775


93,780


2,324


Watertown ..


955


963


2,808


1.499


1,078


8.022}


55,329


4.3054


11,766


25,122


222.247


111,240


817


Wilna


645


731


1,654


1.322


713


1,797g


35.604}


3.058}


24.983


318


142,220


47,850


1,476₺


Worth.


109


245


405


169


120


11.790%


1.016


5.583


111


22.298


30,81S


586


Total.


17.059 29.777 :49.472 63.401 23.327 169.901


1,67 2,8958 95.575


289,031 215.431 3,949,608 2,819,459: 45,955}


Pounds


Butter.


Pounds


Cheese.


Domestic


Manufactures in Yards.


Horses.


Co


Conca.


Sheep.


Swine.


W'inter.


Spring.


Tons of Hay.


Bushels of


Potatoes.


Bushels of


Apples.


of


of


Adams.


822


1,457


1.370


1.716


2,379


982


5,306


120,380


4.731


6,870


4,475


120.497


91,716


2,289


Philadelphia.


564


845


1.729


1,181


534


218}


50,541


2,994


5.762


83


152,784


90,790


691


Lyme ...


857


Calves.


95|Districts.


KINGS COUNTY.


THIS county was organized with its present limits, Nov. 1, 1083.1 ING It lies upon the w. end of Long Island, adjacent to New York IIarbor, and embraces several small islands adjacent to the coast. It is eentrally distant 140 mi. from Albany, and contains 72 sq. mi. The surface is generally level or gently undulating. A broad SEAL range of drift hills, 50 to 300 feet above tide, extends from the shore of the bay in the s. w. corner in a N. E. direction through the eo. From their summits the surface gradually dcelines both to the N. and s., and terminates upon the shores in extensive salt meadows. UN The portion lying N. of the hills is moderately uneven, being occa- sionally broken by low, isolated drift hills. The shores are deeply indented by bays, which for the most part are shallow, and very irregular in outline. The principal of these are Hallets Cove, Newtown Creek,2 Wallabout, Gowanus, and Gravesend Bays on the w., and Sheeps Head Bay on the s. Jamaica Bay, a large, shallow, landlocked bay upon the s. shore, is partially in this eo. It ineloses a large number of


low, marshy islands separated by narrow and irregular tidal currents. Wide salt marshes extend along the shores of the bays, and far inland along the courses of the small ereeks.3 The soil is mostly a light, sandy loam. A strip immediately surrounding the marshes and embracing a large share of the w. extremity is fertile, and capable of producing almost any crop adapted to the elimate. Its elose proximity to New York, the great commercial eenter of the country, renders it favorably situated for the development of manufactures and eommeree ; and both of these pursuits are largely carried on at the centers of population. The agriculture of the eo. is mostly confined to gardening for the N. Y. market. All of the business of the eo .- manu- facturing, commercial, and agricultural-are so intimately connected with the interests of New York that the co. may be considered as a suburb of the great eity.4


The county seat is located at the eity of Brooklyn.5 The courts are accommodated at the City HIall, which belongs exelusively to the city. The jail, located upon Raymond St., is closely sur- rounded by other buildings, and its ventilation is very imperfeet. The average number of inmates is 80, supported at a weekly cost of $2.10 each.6 The Kings Co. Penitentiary is located upon a farm of 38 aeres near the s. line of Brooklyn. The buildings, now nearly completed, are of stone, and sufficiently spacious for the accommodation and care of all the prisoners of the eo. The main building is 490 feet long by 86 feet broad, with two wings of 50 feet each. The total eost up to January 1, 1857 was $190,414.35. The institution is designed to be self supporting. The county elerk's office is kept at the City Hall." The Kings County Almshouse is located upon a farm of 70 aeres in Flatbush, about three miles s. of the City IIall of Brooklyn. This institution consists of four large brick buildings,-the almshouse proper, hospital, nursery, and lunatic asylum. These buildings are spacious and well arranged, but poorly ventilated. A school is maintained through the year, and religious instruction is given upon the Sabbath.


1 From 1665 to 1683 this co. formed a part of the "West Riding | 10, 1791, the courthouse and jail were directed to be rebuilt of Yorkshire," England. See p. 544.


under the direction of Johannes E. Lott, Jolin Vanderbilt, and " This creek is a tidal current, receiving soveral small fresh Chas. Doughty, and £1,200 was appropriated for that purpose. water streams, and is properly a narrow bay.


3 Upon the beach the General Government has established 2 lifeboat stations. In Jan. 1821, the bay and the Narrows be- tween the w. extremity of Long Island and Staten Island was frozen so that persons crossed on the ice.


4 For more minute description of the business of the co., see town descriptions.


During the next year £300 additional was raised to finish the buildings. These buildings were burned Nov. 3, 1832; and by act of Feb. 27, 1834, the co. seat was removed to Brooklyn. The first co, officers after the Revolution were Nicholas Covenhoven, First Judge ; Jacob Sharp, jr., Clerk ; Wm. Boerum, Sheriff; and Johannes E. Lott, Surrogate.


6 Up to June 1, 1858, 39,910 prisoners had been confined in this jall.


6 The courta were originally held at Gravesend; but, by an act of the General Assembly, passed Nov. 7, 1685, they were " By an act of May 1, 1828. a fireproof co. clerk's office was removed to Flatbush, and a courthouse was built there the suc- directed to be built in Brooklyn. A moro spacious one was cereding year. This building was used until 1758, when a new built in 1837, which was used until the office was removed to its present location in the City Hall. By an act passed In 1852, an office of Register was created; and by a later act, discretionary powers have been granted to a Board of Commissioners for the better preservation of the public records. combined courthouse and jail was erected. By an act passed April 6, 1784, a tax of £200 was authorized to be raised to repair the injuries which had been done to the courthouse and jail by the British. The repairs were expended under the direction of Philip Nagel and Jeremyas Vanderbilt. By an act of March


365


£


366


KINGS COUNTY.


Children are bound out at the age of 12 years. The average number of inmates is 1,800, sup- ported at a weekly cost of about $2.00 each. The farm yields a revenue of $3,500.


The Brooklyn & Jamaiea R. R. extends from the s. ferry of Brooklyn eastward through near the eenter of the co. The Flushing R. R. extends from IIunters Point, (Queens co.,) x. of Brooklyn, to the village of Flushing, a distance of 8 mi. In the city of Brooklyn are several local rail roads ; and from the city lines of stages extend to every village in the co.


The Long Island Intelligencer, the first newspaper in the co., was published some time before 1807.


Four newspapers-three daily and one weekly-are now published in the co.1


The first settlements of this co. were made mostly by the Dutch, about 1625. In 1640, a colony of Mass. Quakers, in quest of religious freedom, settled at Gravesend under the protection of the Dutch Government. Long previous to the English conquest of 1664, settlements had been made, mills erected, and churches and schools established in every town in the co. The settlers were so exclusively Dutch that the Dutch language and customs prevailed until within a comparatively recent period. Bushwick, Brooklyn, Flatbush, Flatlands, and New Utrecht were known under the English Government as the " Five Dutch Towns;" and they were associated, for certain purposes, until 1690.2 The Five Towns also formed an ecclesiastical society, and joined in the support of their minister until the final separation of the American church from the Classis of Holland, in 1772.


Few events of interest occurred within the limits of this co. during the colonial period. Its Revolutionary annals belong to the general history of the country. During its occupation by the British, from 1776 to 1782, the people were subjected to a series of disgraceful and oppressive acts.3 Many of the inhabitants left the eo. from fear of hostile visits during the War of 1812-15; and at times much alarm was felt,-although no hostile visit actually took place. It has shared in the growth of New York City, and is elosely identified with it in business. This co. is included in the "Metropolitan Police District" ereated by act of April 15, 1857, and in the Board of Police Commissioners it is represented by the Mayor of Brooklyn and one other member. Vast schemes of speculation have from time to time arisen, most of which have resulted in loss, and several of them, devised upon a magnificent scale, have seriously retarded the progress of needful improve- ment.


From 1850 to 1853 about 40 building associations were organized in this co., ostensibly to enable those of humble means to acquire a home, but practically to form contributions to a fund which was loaned to those members who would allow the highest premium. The rates submitted to were often extremely ruinous, and the speculation had but a brief existence.


1 The Courier and New York and Long Island Advertiser, the | The Daily Long Islander was started at Williamsburgh in 1845 first paper published on Long Island, was commenced by Bishop & Kelley. June 26, 1799.


The Long Island Intelligencer was commenced at Brooklyn May 26. 1806.


The Brooklyn Daily Evening Star, begun by Alden Spooner & Sons, Jan. 4, 1841, is still issued by Edwin B. Spooner. A semi-weekly edition was issued in 1824. The Long Island Patrit was started at Brooklyn March 7, 1821, by Geo. L. Bircb. In 1833 it was changed to


The Brooklyn Advocate, and was issued by James A. Bennett. In 1835-36 it was changed to


The Brooklyn Advocate and Nassau Gazette.


l'he Williamsburgh Gazette was started in 1835 by Francis G. Fish. It was afterward changed to


The Williamsburgh Daily Gazette. and was issued a short time. The American Native Citizen and Brooklyn Evening Advertiser, da., was published in 1836 by F. G. Fish.


The Mechanics' Advocate was issued a short time in 1840 at East New York.


The Real Estate Guzette, also started at East New York, had an ephemeral existence.


The Williamsburgh Democrat was commenced Jnne 3, 1840, by Thomas A. Devyr.


The Brooklyn Daily Eagle was commenced in 1841 by Isanc Van Anden, and is still published. From the amine office was issued


The Brooklyn Weekly Eagle, which was changed in 1855 to The Saturday Evening Miscellany.


The Brooklyn Daily News was started in 1841 by Worthall & Watts, and was continned until Nov. 1843.


The Brooklyn News and Times was issued in 1843 by J. S. Noble. The Age was started at Williamsburgh in Dec. 1844, and was continued a short time.


The Democratic Advocate was published at Williamsburgh in 1844 by J. G. Wallace.


The Brooklyn Daily Advertiser was started in 1844 by II. A. Lees and W. Foulkes, and was continued abont 8 years. The American Champion was published at Brooklyn a short time iu 1844.


The Williamsburgh Morning Post was published in 1847 by Devyr & Taylor.


The Saturday Evening Bee was issued a short time in 1848 at Brooklyn.


The Orbit was issued at South Brooklyn in 1848.


The Kings County Patriot was started at Williamsburgh in 1848 by Geo. Thompson and S. R. Hasbrook.


The Williamsburgh Times was started in 1848 by Bennet Smith & Co. Soon after the consolidation of Williamsburgh and Brooklyn its name was changed to


The Brooklyn Daily Times, under which title it is now published.


The Excelsior was commenced in 1848 at South Brooklyn, and was issued a short time.


The Brooklyn Daily Freeman was published in 1849.


The Daily Independent Press was commenced July 16, 1850, at Williamsburgh, by W. G. Bishop and J. A. F. Kelley, and was continued until 1855.


The Brooklyn Morning Journal was established in 1851 by Ho- gan & Heighway.


The Union Ark, a temperance mo., was published at Brooklyn in 18- by J. Schnebly.


The Long Island Anzeiger (German) was started at Brooklyn, Sept. 2. 1854, by Edward Rohr.


The Triangle (German semi-mo. ) was started at Brooklyn, April 7, 1855, by Filward Rohr.


The Kings Ch. Advertiser and Village Guardian (semi-mo.) was started at East New York in May, 1857, by C. Warren Hamilton.


The Green Point Advertiser was published a short time in 1847 by L. Masquerier.


2 A Secretary or Register was especially commissioned by the Governor to take the proof of wills, of marriage settlements. the acknowledgment of "transcripts" or other conveyance. and snch important contracts and agreements as required to be re- corded.


3 By an act of March 6, 1784, Kings co. was taxed $13,000 to | repay Revolutionary expenses .- Onderdonk's Rev. Inc.


367


KINGS COUNTY.


BROOKLYN1-was incorp. by patent, with the usual privileges of townships, under Gov. Lovelace, Oct. 18, 1667, and its rights were confirmed by Gov. Dongan, May 13, 1686. It was recognized as a town under the State Government March 7, 1788. The village of Brooklyn was incorp. as a fire district April 2, 1801, and as a village April 12, 1816, and both town and village were incorp. as a city April 8, 1834. The city of Williamsburgh and town of Bushwick wero annexed April 17, 1854.2 The city extends along New York Bay and East River to Newtown Creek, occupying the N. part of the eo. Its exterior line is 22 mi., and it contains an area of 16,000 acres. The s. and E. borders are occupied by a broad range of low hills, which extend E. into Queens co. Along the shore opposite tho lower point of New York is an irregular bluff known as "Brooklyn Heights." A considerable portion of the s. part of the city is low and level. Newtown Creek, forming the N. boundary, is an irregular arm of the sea, receiving several small fresh water streams. Wallabout Bay is a deep indentation lying between the old cities of Williamsburgh and Brooklyn. Gowanus Bay extends into the s. part of the city.ª The land that borders upon these bays is flat and marshy.


Within the limits of Brooklyn are several districts known by the names which they bore when they were distinct localities, before the city was incorporated. These will eventually all be lost in the growth and consolidation of the business of the city. Brooklyn (p.o.) includes the old settled parts of the city s. of Wallabout Bay. Upon East River, in this district, are several large manufactories. The water front is entirely occupied by wharves and warehouses. Williams- burgh (p. o.) includes the thickly settled portions N. of Wallabout Bay. It contains a large number of manufacturing establishments, and its entire water front is devoted to commercial pur- poses. Green Point, (p.o.,) comprising the 17th ward, lics between Bushwick and Newtown Creeks, and occupies the extreme N. w. part of the city. It contains extensive shipyards, and manufactories of porcelain, coal oil, lifeboats, and many other articles. Wallabout (some- times called East Brooklyn) lies E. of Wallabout Bay. Bedford and New Brooklyn aro localities on the R. R., in the E. part of the city. Bushwick Cross Roads and Bushwick Green are villages E. of Williamsburgh. Gowanus is a village near the head of Gowanus Bay. South Brooklyn comprises the portion of the city lying s. of Atlantic St. It has an extensive water front; and along the shore immense works have been constructed to facilitate commerce." It contains extensive wood, coal, stone, and lumber yards, and numerous planing mills, distilleries, breweries, plaster mills, founderies, and machine shops. The city is connected with New York by 11 steam ferries, all supplied with excellent boats, which perform regular and frequent trips.3 From the Atlantic St. Ferry the Brooklyn & Jamaica R. R. extends E. to the E. bounds of the co.6


From the principal ferries lines of city railroads extend through the principal avenues and radiate to nearly every part of the city, affording easy, rapid, and cheap means of communication.7 The commerce of Brooklyn is extensive, though it scarce has an independent existence, from its intimato relations with that of New York. The docks and piers at South Brooklyn are among the most extensive and commodious in the country. Ship and boat building and repairing are exten- sively carried on at Williamsburgh and Green Point. The whole water front of the city is occu- pied by ferries, piers, slips, and boat and ship yards ; and the aggregate amount of business


I The name is derived from the Dutch " Breuck-landt," (broken | into this bay. The mouth of the creek has been improved for land.) The patent for the township was issued to Jan Everts. a short distance. Jan Daman. Albert Corneliser. Paules Verbeeck, Michael Eneyle, Thos. Lamberts. Teunis Gisbertse, Bogart and Jovis Jacobsen. The annual quitrent under this patent was 20 bush. of wheat.


2 Bushwick-signifying wood-town-was invested with cer- tain powers of government March 14, 1661. Another patent was granted Oct. 25. 1667 ; but it remained associated with other towns until Ang. 12. 1708. Williamsburgh Village. in this town, was incorp. April 14. 1827. And the town of Williamshurgh was formed March 16. 1840. The village and town were united and incorp. as the City of Williamsburgh April 7. 1851. and the city and town of Bushwick were annexed to Brooklyn April 17. 1854 Bushwick now constitutes the 17th and 18th wards, aud Williamsburgh the 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, and a part of the 19th wards.


% Acts have been passed anthorizing a canal, with basins, wharves, and slips, to be constructed along the creek that flowe


4 The Atlantic Dock contains an area of 40 acres, and has sufficient depth of water for any vessel. An outside pier is 3.000 feet long. The warehouses upon the piers aro of granite. The Eric Basin and other extensive docks along the bay have been projected. and work upon them has commenced. These docks afford perfect security to vessels while loading and unloading, And security to goods against theft. It is estimated that $1.000.000 worth of goods are annually stolen from the wharves and ships at New York and Brooklyn.




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.