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 90
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5 These several ferries are all chartered by the Corporation of N. Y. City. The boats average 400 tons, and are noted for the regularity with which they perform their trips. See page 428. 6 This road is leased to the Long Island R. R. during the term of its charter. A tunnel 2,750 feet long, extending under a por- tion of Atlantic St., commences near the ferry. It was finished iu Dec. 1844, at a cost of $96,000.
7 In 1855 the city authorized the granting of charters for these
368
KINGS COUNTY.
transacted there forms an important item in tho commerce of the State. In the extent and variety of its manufactures Brooklyn ranks among the first cities in the country. Located near the great commercial center, it has become the scat of an immense manufacturing interest.1
The U. S. Navy Yard is located upon Wallabout Bay.2 The premises connected with it occupy an area of 45 acres, and are inclosed on the land side by a high wall. Within the inclosure are various mechanic shops necessary in building and repairing vessels, a large and costly dry dock,' two large buildings to cover ships of war while in process of building, extensive lumber warchouses, several marine railways, and a large amount of balls, cannon, and other munitions of war. The Naval Lyccum is filled with curiosities sent home by naval officers. Upon a gentle rise, a little E. of the Navy Yard, is a U. S. Marine Hospital' for the care of sick and infirm scamen belonging to the navy. Near it is an extensive laboratory for the manufacture of medicines for the navy.5 The grounds belonging to these establishments occupy an area of 35 acres. A little s. of the Navy Yard, upon Park Avenue, are extensive Marine Barracks.
The city is well supplied with pure, soft water, derived from Hempstead Hook, Valley, and Spring-
city railroads to the parties who should offer to carry passengers | lines, without regard to distance, is 5 cents. The following is a at the lowest price. The Brooklyn City R. R. Co., formed Dee. list of these several railroads :-
17, 1853, received the grants; and the fare upon the several
LINES OF RAILROADS.
Routes.
Length in Miles.
When Opened.
Fulton Ferry to Washington Av ...
Fulton Av.
2.31
July, 1854.
Washington Av. to Brooklyn Av.
1.12
Sept.
Fniton St. to Nostrand Av ..
Myrtle Av.
2.04
July,
Nostrand Av. to Division Av
.87
Nov.
Flashing St. to Throop Av ...
Flushing St.
2.57
July,
Throop Av. to Division Av.
.14
April, 1855.
Kent Av. to Bushwick Av ..
2.08
Oct. 1854.
Bushwick Creek to Keut St.
.49
Oct. 1855.
Kent St. to Freeman St.
.26
Doc. «
Fulton St. to Gowanus Creek
Greenwood.
1.56
Aug. 1854.
Gowanus Creek to Thirty-Sixth St.
1.88
Nov. «
Thirty-Sixth St. to City Line
1.17
July, 1855.
City Liue to Yellow 1look Lane.
.56
July, 1856.
Court St. to Ferry.
llamilton Av.
.93
May, 1855.
1 The following table, derived from the State Census of 1855, shows the amount and Kinds of manufactures.
NAMES OF MANUFACTORIES.
No.
Amount of Manu- factures.
Men.
NAMES OF MANUFACTORIES.
No.
Amount of Manu- factures.
Men.
Agricultural Implements.
1
$28.000
22
Lamp and Lanterns.
2
55,000
36
Ax and Edge Tools.
1
55,000
6
Liquorice ...
1
49.340
35
Bakers.
0
92.535
49
Machine Shops.
11
276,000
260
Block ..
2
70,000
58
Malt.
1
90,000
12
Breweries.
12
157.255
52
Marble ..
6
88,500
100
Cabinet.
16
251,324
149
Oil Cloth
5
170,250
94
Campbene.
2
1,670,000
85
Oil Mills.
2
286,000
36
Chandlery and Soap.
2
229.100
61
Paint and Color
2
50,000
16
Chemical Laboratories.
6
320,000
42
Patent Leather
2
140.000
47
Coach and Wagon.
11
70,550
86
Planing Mills
6
476,600
153
Coffee, Spice, and Mustard ...
4
58,640
25
Porcelain.
2
90,000
128
Cotton Batting.
2
70,000
67
Rope
10
2,205,153
677
Distilleries
7
2,499,000
215
Safes.
2
115,000
60
Fish and Whale Oil
2
173,000
19
Sash and Blind
11
102,178
60
Flax Dressing ..
3
590,000
98
Ship
6
945,000
540
Fur Dressing.
3
114.700
30
Silver Ware.
2
54,000
12
Furnaces
15
900,000
600
Steamboat Finishing.
1
150.000
64
Gas
3
278,000
278
Steam Pump.
1
60.000
76
Glass.
2
322,000
282
Stone Cutting.
14
256,300
334
Glue
1
150,000
7
Tin and Sheet Iron
4
150,000
95
Gold and Silver Refining.
1
225,000
7
Tobacco and Cigar ...
9
205,620
139
Gold Pen
1
112,000
41
White Lead
1
800,000
195
Ilat and Cap
2
986,000
666
1
50,000
19
Ivory Black and Bone Manure.
4
106.960
49
Japanned Cloth.
1
189,600
64
Total
296
$18,494,351
7,368
2 The land occupied hy the Navy Yard was ceded to the General Government hy the State In 1807.
3 The site for the dry dock was fixed by Col. Baldwin. in 1826; but efficient work was not commenced until 1641. It was subse- quently prosecuted under the charge of several engineers, as follows :-
Prof. Edward HI. Courtenay; Aug. 1, 1841, to Ang. 1. 1842.
$35,264.25
Gen. William Gibbs McNeil; Oct. 10, 1844, to April 1. 1845.
114,671.83
W. P.S. Sanger ; April 1, 1845, to June 23, 1846 ..
115,951.81
W'm. J. Mc Alpine ; June 23, 1846, to Oct. 1, 1849. 1,114,311.09
Gen. Chas. B. Stuart ; Oct. 1,1849, to Aug. 30, 1851
732,974.63
Total cost.
$2,113,173.61
The work was suspended from Aug. 1842, till Oct. 1844. The main chamber is 286 feet long by 35 feet wide at the bottom, and 307 feet long by 98 feet wide at the top. Depth, 36 feet. The masonry foundations are 400 by 120 feet, upon piles driven 40 feet into the earth. It is emptied hy steam pumps in +} hours .- Stuart's Naval Dry Dock's of the U. S.
" This building is faced with white marble and presents a fine architectural appearance. The average number of inmates is abont 50.
6 This laboratory has been gradually formed within the last 10 years, and is said to be the only institution of the kind owned by any Government. The chemical and mechanical arrange- ments are extremely well adapted to their use.
1
60,000
17
House Building.
11
254,000
151
Minor Manufactories
89
700,446
865
Dentists' Gold
1
100,000
2
Rosin Oil.
5
161.300
46
Gristmills.
3
635,000
48
Whiting
Window Shades.
369
KINGS COUNTY.
field Creeks. It is brought 73 mi. in an open canal and 42 mi. in a brick conduit, thence pumped into a reservoir on Cypress Hill, 170 ft. above tide, and thence distributed in iron pipes throughout the city. The conduit has a capacity of 40,000,000 gallons per day, and the pumps can raise 10,000,000 gal. per day. The reservoir is 20 feet deep, and has a capacity of 167,000,000 gals. The whole cost of the work is estimated at $4,200,000.1 The Fire Departments of the Eastern and Western Districts are separately organized under special acts.2 The city is supplied with gas by 3 companies.
The City Park, between Park and Flushing Avenues and Navy and Park Sts., contains 7 acres; Washington Park, between Myrtle and De Kalb Avenues and Cumberland and Canton Sts., con- tains 33 acres. It occupies the site of Fort Green of the Revolution. In the newly surveyed sections several sites for parks have been reserved by the city.
The City Armory, at the corner of Henry and Cranberry Sts., was erected in 1858, at a cost of $14,000. A State Arsenal, on Clintou St., was built in 1856, at a cost of $40,000.
The City Hall, situated at the junction of Fulton and Court Sts., is a fine building, faced with white marble.3 Besides these, there are in the city 9 banks of discount, 5 savings' banks, and 10 stock fire insurance companies.
The Public Schools are under the charge of a board of education, consisting of 45 members. The city contains 32 school districts; and in 1857 there were employed 320 teachers,-27 males and 293 females. The whole number of children between 4 and 21 years of age is 46,000, of whom 35,817, or 78 per cent., attended school during some portion of the year. The total expenses of the schools for 1857 was $231,474.61. A normal school for the professional instruction of teachers has been established.
The Packer Collegiate Institutc, for girls, occupies an clegant building upon Jorolimon St., w. of the City Hall. It was incorp. May 8, 1845, as the "Brooklyn Female Academy." Its name was changed March 19, 1853, in honor of Mrs. Wm. S. Packer, who endowed the institution with $65,000. An astronomical observatory is connected with it.4
The Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute, for boys, on Livingston St., was incorp. April 7, 1854. It was established by a stock company, with a capital of $75,000, and has accommoda- tions for 150 pupils. Besides these, there are in the city 100 private schools and seminaries, several of which are large institutions, with corps of professors and with permanent investments. The aggregate number of pupils iu attendauce at the schools is 2,600.
The Brooklyn Institute was incorp. Nov. 20, 1824. It occupies a commodious building on Wash- ington St., the gift of Augustus Graham. It has a free library, provides free lectures and lessons in drawing and painting for apprentices, and its rooms are depositories for books, maps, models, and drawing apparatus.
The Brooklyn Atheneum and Reading Room, on the corner of Atlantic and Clinton Sts., was incorp. Jan. 28, 1852. It occupies a large three story edifice, erected at a cost of $60,000. The first story is used for mercantile purposes, the second for a library and reading room, and the third for public lectures.
The Law Library in Brooklyn, incorp. Jan. 8, 1850, is located at 341 Fulton St.
The Naval Lyceum, within the Navy Yard, was established in 1833 by officers of the navy. It has a fine library and museum.
The Kings County Lodge Library Association, at Williamsburgh, was incorp. Feb. 7, 1847.
Among the societies for intellectual improvement are the Hamilton Library Association, founded in 1830; the Franklin Debating Association, in 1852; the Young Men's Association, in 1853; the St. Charles Institute, in 1854; the Eccleston Literary Association, in 1854; and the Columbia Lite- rary Association, in 1855. The Great Northwestern Zephyr Association, designed to encourage native talent in music, painting, and sculpture, was organized in 1838. The Philharmonic Society
1 This great work is just completed. Until a very recent date the city has depended upon wells and cisterns for its supply of water. There were 122 public cisterus in the city ; Int all the supplies were entirely inadequate to the demand for water. The first agitation for a better supply of water commenced in 1835: but nothing was accomplished until 1847, when a report was made recommending the building of reservoirs to be supplied from wells. In 1849, W. J. Mc Alpine submitted a plan for oh- taining a supply from the streams flowing into JJamaica Bay. The question of prosecuting this work at public expense was repeatedly voted down. Several private companies caused sur- veys to be made, and one of them acquired titles to the streams in question ; and June 4, 1856, the Common Council subscribed $1,300,000 to the stock of the Nassan Water Company. The work was commenced July 31, 1556, under the charge of James
P. Kirkwood, Chief Engineer. Feb. 11. 1857, the rights of the Naasan Company were vested in the city. The works were com pleted in May, 1859. It is contemplated erecting another reser voir upon Prospect Hill.
2 The Fire Department of the Western District, under the cure of 5 commissioners, has 7 fire districts, 22 engines, 4 hook and ladder companies, 7 bose companies, and 10 alarm bells. The Fire Department of the Eastern District has 6 fire districts, 13 engines, 3 hook and ladder companies, 4 hose companies, and 2 alarm bells.
3 This building contains the city and most of the co. offices. It was commenced in 1836; but work was suspended in 1837 und was not resumed until 1846. It was completed in 1848, in a style much less costly than that of the original design. + See pp. 747, 748.
2
370
KINGS COUNTY.
of Brooklyn, for the encouragement of music, was iucorp. May 6, 1857. The Brooklyn Horti- cultural Society was incorp. April 9, 1854, and holds annual fairs. The Hunt Horticultural and Botanical Garden was incorporated April 9, 1855, with a capital of $150,000. It has a gardeu of 16 acres.
The Brooklyn City Hospital, on Raymond St. near De Kalb Avenue, was incorp. May 8, 1845. Its present buildings were opened April 28, 1852. It is supported by voluntary contributions and legislative appropriations. The Brooklyn City Dispensary, located at 109 Pineapple St., was incorp. Mareh 5, 1850. It is supported in the same manner as the hospital. The Brooklyn Dis- pensary, (Homeopathic, ) 83 Court St., was ineorp. Dec. 3, 1852. It is supported by private sub- scriptions. The Williamsburg Dispensary, on the corner of 5thi and South Sts., was incorp. March 4, 1851; 2,221 persons received medical treatment at the institution in 1857. It is supported by private contributions. The Brooklyn Central Dispensary, 473 Fulton St., was incorp. Dec. 11, 1855. The Brooklyn German General Dispensary is located at 145 Court St. The Brooklyn Eye and Ear Infirmary, 109 Pineapple St., was ineorp. March 27, 1851.
The Orphan Asylum Society was incorp. May 6, 1834. The institution is situated upon a fine site on Cumberland St. ncar Myrtle Avenue.
The Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum of Brooklyn was incorp. May 6, 1834. The asylum for boys is located at the corner of Clinton and Congress Sts., and the asylum for girls upon Congress St. near Clinton. The former has 120 inmates, and the latter 250. The girls are under the charge of the Sisters of Charity. The support of these institutions is principally derived from the income of a large property bequeathed by Cornelius Heeney and under the charge of the Brook- lyn Benevolent Society.1
The Brooklyn Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor was formed March 26, 1844. It numbers about 180 visitors, whose duty it is to investigate the condition of the poor in every part of the eity, afford such temporary relief in the way of food and clothing as the cases may warrant, and to refer the needy to the appropriate sources for permanent relief. This association distributes $6,000 to $7,000 per year. The Brooklyn Benevolent Society, founded upon a bequest of Cornelius Heeney, was incorp. in May, 1845. It is managed by 11 trustees, of whom the Archbishop of N. Y. and the Mayor of Brooklyn are ex officio members. Its funds are principally devoted to the support of various Catholic charities. The Brooklyn Society for the Relief of Respectable and Indigent Females, incorp. in 1851, was founded by John B. Graham, who erceted a fine cdifice, corner of Washington and De Kalb Sts., as a home for the unfortunates named in the title. It derives its support from private subscriptions. The Children's Aid Society was organ- ized in Feb. 1854, as an industrial school. The Brooklyn Industrial School Association, under the management of ladies of the several churches, was incorp. April 4, 1854. It has established schools in different parts of the city for girls who do not attend the public schools, and who are entirely deprived of moral training. The Brooklyn Female Employment Society, an association of ladics to furnish employment to respectable females who may be reduced to want, was incorp. April 19, 1854. Its office and salesroom is at 65 Court St. The Church Charity Association for the relief of the aged, sick, and indigent was incorp. in March, 1851. It is under the patronage of the Prot. E. Church.
The churches of Brooklyn are justly celebrated for their general elegance and beauty of archi- tectural design. Large numbers of people doing business in New York reside in Brooklyn; and this has led to the ercction of so great a number of churches that the city has been denominated the " city of churches." In 1858 there were 139 churches in the city.2 Connected with these churches are various religious and charitable societies.3 The Freemasons, Odd Fellows, and Sons of Tem-
1 The other benevolent Catholic societies in the city are as follows :- St. James's School, Jay St, with 500 pupils under the Brothers of Christian Schoola, and 450 pupils under the Sisters of Mercy: St. Paul's Female School, with 400 pupils, under the Sisters of Charity; St. Peter's and Paul's School, with 300 girls, under the Sisters of St. Joseph; St. Mary Star of the Sea, with 300 girls. under the Sisters of Charity : Convent and Frmale School attached to the Church of the Holy Trinity; Convent and Boardling Academy of the Sisters of St. Joseph; Convent and Acudomy of the Visitation; St. Francis of Assist's Convent of Sisters of Mercy and Nuns of the Order of St. Dominic. The R. C. Beneficial Society of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church was incorp. June 15, 1858. to sustain a Sunday school and library, aud support the sick and bury the dead. Free schools are con- Dected with all the churches except that of St. Charles.
2 25 l'rot. E., 22 M. E., 17 Presb., 15 Ref. Prot. D .. 15 R. C., 15 Bap., 10 Cong., and 20 consisting of Covenanters, Asso. Presb., As80. Ref. Presb., Unita., Univ., Ger. Evang., Moravian, Friends, Ind. Cong., Ind. Meth., and Jew.
3 The following is a list of the principal of these societies, with the dates of their formation :-
The Brooklyn City Tract Society.
1830
The Brooklyn Bible Society
1841
The Prot. Benevolent and Library Association. 1844
The Williamsburgh Bible Society. 1845
June 16, 1849
The Brooklyn Female Bible Society
1850
May 10, 1850
The Benov. Asso. of the Ch. of the Holy Trinity The Warren Street Mission.
Feb. 3. 1853
The Williamsburgh City Mission Society. March, 1553 The Brooklyn Y. M. Chris. Association. Dec. - , 1853
The Mount Prospect Mission Society. Jan. 23, 1854
The liope Mission School Mar. 16, 1854
The Brooklyn Sunday-School Uniou
Sept. 12, 1854
The Brotherhood of the Prot. E. Churches. Sept. 21. 1854
The Howard Benev. Society (Unita.) Dec. - , 1864
The Couvocation for Church Extension (Prot. E.) .. June 25. 1854
The Vanderbilt Av. Mission S. S. Mar. 16, 1858
The Navy Mission S. S. Association
371
KINGS COUNTY.
peranee all have lodges in the eity; and besides these are numerous societies for mutual relief and protection.1
Greenwood Cemetery, upon the s. line, is mostly within the limits of the city. It is owned by a joint stock company, ineorp. April 18, 1838. It comprises an area of 400 acres, beautifully loeated upon the elevated and broken ground E. of Gowanus Bay. The grounds were purchased, and opened for burial in 1842; and up to Ang. 1858, 64,000 burials had been made. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful of the rural cemeteries connected with the great eitics in this country. The grounds are laid out with taste; and many of the sculptured monuments are costly and beautiful specimens of art.
The Cemetery of the Evergreens, upon the E. line, is partly in Queens co. It is beautifully loeated upon a bluff, affording fine views of New York, the bay, the ocean, and the surrounding country. It was opened for interment in 1849.
The Friends' Cemetery lies near the eity line, N. of Greenwood. It has a fine location; but, in accordance with the principles of the seet, no ornamental monuments are allowed to be erected in it.
The Citizens' Union Cemetery, incorp. in 1851, contains an area of 29 acres. The trustees allow the burial of persons of color and of the poor for no charge except that of opening and closing the ground.
The first settlements were made under the Dutch Government, in 1625, by several families of French Protestants from near the river Waal, in Netherlands, who located near Wallabout Bay. They named their settlement "Walloons," and the bay "Walloons Boght," from which is derived its present name Wallabout.2 Little progress was made in settlement for many years; and no governmental organization was effeeted under the Dutch. Up to the commencement of the present eentury the population was principally confined to several little hamlets scattered over the terri- tory now embraced in the city. Since 1840 the increase of population and the growth of the city have been very rapid, scarcely paralleled by the magical growth of the cities of the West. Although possessing a separate municipal government, in all its business and interests it forms an integral part of the city of New York. In the summer of 1776, New York aud vicinity became the theater of stirring military events. After the British had evaeuated Boston, Washington marched imme- diately to New York, believing that the enemy would make this the next point of attack. Every effort was made to construct and strengthen the military defenses of the place. Strong works were erected in Brooklyn and other points upon Long Island, and large bodies of troops were posted there to defend them. The British arrived, and landed their troops upon Staten Island July 8; and on the 22d of Aug. they passed over to Long Island, to the number of 10,000 strong. They landed in New Utrecht, whenec three roads led over the hills to where the Americans were encamped. One of these roads passed near the Narrows, the next led from Flatbush, and the third far to the right by the route of Flatlands. It was the design of Gen. Putnam, who commanded the American forecs, to arrest the enemy upon the heights; and the appearance of columns of troops early on the morning of the 27th on the middle road led to the belief that the main attack was to be made at that point. While intent upon this movement, it was found that the main army of the cnemy were approaching from the direction of Bedford, and that there was imminent danger of being surrounded by them. Attacked in front and rear, the Americans fought with bravery ; but a part only succeeded in gaining their entrenchments. The loss of the Americans was more than 3,000 in killed, wounded, and prisoners; and of the enemy, less thau 400. Gens. Sullivan, Stirling, and Woodhull were taken prisoners,-the last named of whom died from wounds inflicted after his surrender. The Americans withdrew to New York early on the 30th, under the personal direction of Gen. Washington." The American prisoners taken at this battle, and those taken afterward during the war, were eonfincd in the hulks of old ships anchored in Wallabout Bay,
1 The following is a list of these societies :-
The Erin Fraternal Benev. Society.
Formed 1835 1839
The Emerald Benev. Society
The Einmet Benev. Society ...
May 8. 1848
The Shamrock Benev. Society. May 5, 1848
The Laborers' Union Benev. Soc. of Williamsburglt April 17, 1850 The Laborers' Union Benev. Society Jan. 30, 1851
Williamsburgh Mut. Ben. Soc. of Operative Masons June 14. 1853 Laborers' Union Benev. Society .....
May 13, 1853
Operative Plasterers' Benev. Society
Dec. 27, 1854 Society for Visiting the Sick and Burying the Dead Oct. 13. 1855 Ancient Order of Ilibernians
United Brethren
Aug. 8, 1856
Washington Sick Supporting Association. Feb. 17, 1858
$ Among these settlers were families named De Rapalje. Le Escuyer, Duryee, Le Sillier Cershou, Conseiller. and Murserol .- Benson's Memoir, p. 18. Sarah Kaplje-born here on the 0tb
of June, 1625-was the first white child born on the island She received 20 niorgens of land from Peter Minuet, the Dutch Gov- ernor. A tide mill was built at the head of Wallabout Bay at an early period.
3 The following table shows the increase of population of the whole territory included within the city since 1790 ;- 1790 1830 2,143
17,014
1800
3.034
1835
27.854
1810.
5,200
1840.
42,622
1815.
4.564
1845
72,769
1820.
8,105
1850 130,757
July 18, 1856 1825
11,749
1855 205,250
4 A heavy fog-very unusual for the time of year-completely enshrouded the island, and under its protection the Americans silently passed over to the N. Y. side. The British did not dis- cover the movement until the rearguard of the Americans were beyond the reach of pursuit. - Onderdonk's Rev. Inc.
372
KINGS COUNTY.
where they perished by hundreds and thousands from violence, cold, foul air, and stinted food.1 During the War of 1812 a considerable amount of voluntary labor was expended in erecting a line of fortifications around the city, and bodies of troops were stationed there to protect the people.
FLATBUSHI2-was chartered by Gov. Stuyvesant in 1652, and its rights were confirmed by Gov. Nicoll, Oct. 11, 1667, and by Gov. Dongan, Nov. 20, 1685.8 It was recognized by the State Government March 7, 1788. New Lots was taken off in 1852. It is the central town in the co., lying immediately s. of Brooklyn. A low, broad range of hills extends along the N. border, occupying nearly one-fourth of its surface. The remainder of the town is level. The soil is light and sandy, but productive. Flatbush (p. v.) is a long, scattered village, extending through the center of the town. It contains 4 churches," the Erasmus Hall Academy,5 and many elegant dwellings. Greenfield is a thinly settled village plat in the s. w. corner of the town. A part of Greenwood Cemetery lies in the N. w. corner. Galilce Cemetery lies E. of the village. The first settlement was made by the Dutch at an early period.
FLATLANDS6-was incorp. by patent under Gov. Nicoll, Oct. 4, 1667, confirmed by Gov. Dongan, March 11, 1685,7 and recognized by the State Government March 7, 1788. It is the S. E. town in the co. The surface is very flat, as indicated by the name; and a considerable portion consists of salt marshes bordering upon Jamaica Bay.8 Several small, marshy islands belong to the town.º Flatlands (p. o.) is a farming settlement. Camarsie10 (p. o.) is a hamlet, upon the road leading to the bay. The first settlement was made by the Dutch, in 1636. Ex-Gov. Wouter Van Twiller had a tobacco farm in this town while it was under Dutch rule. There are 3 churches in town ; 2 M. E. and Ref. Prot. D.
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