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 2 > Part 47
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HEMPSTEAD-was granted by Gov. Keift to several English families, Nov. 14, 1644. This patent was confirmed by Gov. Nieoll, March 6, 1666, and by Gov. Dongan, April 17, 1685.18
1 Named by the Dutch "Vlissengen," from a place in Holland. ? The first patentees were Thos. Farrington, John Lawrence, John Hicks, John Townsend, Thos. Stiles, Robert Field, Thos. Sanl, John Marston, Tbos. Applegate, Lawrence Dutch, Wm. Lawrence, Henry Sawtell, Wm. Thorne, Michael Willard, Robt. Firman, and Wm. Widgeon. for themselves and associates.
8 The patentees named in the patont of Gov. Nicoll were John Lawrence, (alderman of New York City,) Richard Corn- well, Chas. Bridges, Wm. Lawrence, Robert Terry, Wm. Noble, John Forhush, Elias Doughty, Roht. Field, Philip Udall, Thos. Stiles, Benj. Field, Wm. Pidgeon, John Adams, John Hinchman, Nicholas Parcell, Tobias Feaka, and John Bowne; and those in the patent of Gov. Dongan were Elias Doughty, Thos. Willett, Jonn Bowne, Matthias Harvey, Thos. Hicks, Richard Cornwell, John Hinchman, Jonathan Wright, and Sam'l Hoyt .- Patents, I, 64, V, 222, 325, Sec. Ofice.
" These lands have since been mostly taken up by individuals, though the trustees are still elected to take charge of the re- miainder. The town records were horned, Oct. 31, 1797, hy a servant girl, who was afterward hung for the deed.
5 By the General Act, establishing towns.
6 A chalybeate spring was discovered near the head of this marslı in 1816. It was named "Cheltenham Springs," and for a tiine attracted much attention.
T The principal fruit grown are cherries, of which large quan- tities are annually sent to the New York market.
8 Flushing has a wide reputation for its nurseries, of which there are six, occupying 246 acres and valued at $124,000. The first nursery was commenced about 1750. They now furnish every species of fruit tree, ornamental shrub, and exotic plant cultivated In the country.
" The principal of these schools are the Flushing Institute, the Flushing Female College, and the Linnean Hill Seminary. 10 The principal manufactories are the Excelsior Emery and Eand Paper Manufactory, a steam planing and saw mill, and a tide gristmill.
11 This place was formerly known as "Lawrences Neck." Seve- ral farms have been laid out into village plats, each one taking a distinct name. An Episcopal college was incorp. here in 1840; hut it has since heen abandoned. The location of this in- stitution gave the name to the village.
12 Named from a large boulder near the landing. The place was first called "Cookie Hill"' and afterward "Clintonville." 13 This establishment gives employment to 430 hands.
14 Bay Side-the seat of A. G. Mickle, Ex-Mayor of New York-and Springville are near Little Neck Bay. Fresh Meadows, Ireland, and Spring Hill are localities 8. E. of Flushing Village. Rocky Hill and Union Place are farming neighborhoods. Spring Hill was the residence of Cadwallader Colden, who died here Sept. 20, 1776. His son espoused the cause of the Royalists, aud bis estate was con- fiscated .- Onderdonk's Rev. Inc.
15 When fortified, this point will completely command the channel on the N., and render the approach of ships of war toward New York impossible from tha_ direction.
16 Of these there are at Flushing, 2 Friends, Prot. E., M. E., Ref. Prot. D .. R. C., Cong., and Bap .; at College Point, R. C. and Luth .; at Whitestone, Prot. E. and M. E .; and at Marathon, a Prot. E.
17 The religious faith of these people was much the same as that afterward professed by the Quakers, who had not become at that period a distinct sect in England. Their first religious teacher was Francis Doughty, from Taunton. Mass .. & Baptist, who became a Quaker in 1657. as did many of the inhabitants. The celebrated Geo. Fox visited America in 1672 and preached in this town. lle was entertained at the house of Johu Bowne, who had particularly suffered from the persecutions of the Dutch; but, his dwelling not being sufficiently large to accom- modate the audienco, his hearers assembled under the shade of the venerable oaks, one of which is still standing. The Bowne House stands in Parsons & Co.'s Commercial Garden and Nursery, and is in a fine state of preservation.
18 The grantees named in the first patent were Robert Ford-
547
QUEENS COUNTY.
Upon the erection of North Hempstead, in 1784, its name was changed to South Hempstead; and its present name was re-adopted Feb. 5, 1796. It was recognized as a town March 7, 1788. It lies upon the s. side of the island, extending 20 mi. along the ocean, and embracing about 100 sq. mi. The shore is bordered by a line of beaches and sand hills; and within them are Hempstead and South Oyster Bays, inclosing a large number of low, sedgy islands. West of the bay a long, narrow sandbar, known as Rockaway Beach,1 extends to the s. w., forming the E. boundary of Jamaica Bay. Wide salt meadows border upon the bays, and from them the land spreads out into an almost perfectly level plain .? The soil along the borders of the marshes is moderately fertile, and upon the plain it consists of sand and fine gravel, which is naturally barren, although it may be made productive by the proper application of manures. A considerable portion of the marshes and plain belongs to the town and is used as common property." The people are largely engaged in market gardening. There is no poorhouse; but the paupers arc annually put up at auction and struck off to the lowest bidder. Hempstead, (p. v.,) near the center of the town, was incorp. June 20, 1853. It contains 3 churches, the Hempstead Seminary, and 1,486 inhabitants. Along the s. shore are several villages, generally scattered and extended over a large territory. They are mostly surrounded by gardens and orchards. Jerusalem South, (p. v.,) in the s. E. corner, contains a gristmill and Friends' meetinghouse; next w. are respectively Bridge Haven, containing a gristinill and church, Merrick,5 (p.o.,) and Greenwich Point, two farming neighborhoods ; Freeport,6 (p. v.,) a fishing village, containing 2 churches; Milburn, Baldwinville, and Christian Hook, hamlets ; Rockville Center, (p. v.,) containing 1 church; Near Rockaway, a hamlet, and Far Rockaway, (Rockaway p. o.,) a noted seabathing place.' Valley Stream and Fosters Meadow are two scattered settlements along the E. border. New Bridge, (formerly "Little Neck,") Washington Square, and Brookfield are farming neighborhoods. The first settlements were made in 1643, by a colony of English, who had previously settled at Weathersfield and Stamford, in Conn. They founded the first English settlement within the co.8 The town early acquired a prominent rank, and its records (preserved at North Hemp- stead) contain a large amount of valuable historical information. IIorse races were established here by the Governor in 1690. The first church (Presb.) was started in 1648. There are 18 churches in town.º
JAMAICA10-was first granted for settlement by Gov. Stuveysant, March 21, 1656 ; and a more ample patent was granted in 1660. The rights of the town were confirmed by Gov. Nicoll, Feb. 15, 1666, and by Gov. Dongan, March 17, 1686.11 It was recognized as a town March 7,
ham, John Strickland, John Ogden, John Karman, John Law- rence, and Jonas Wood; those in the second patent were John Hicks, J. P., Capt. John Seaman, Richard Gildersleeve, Robert Jackson, John Karman, John Smith, sr. and jr .; and those in the third were Capt. John Seaman. Simon Searing. Johu Jackson, James Pine. sr., Richard Gildersleeve, sr., and Nath'l Pearsall. -Thompson's Hist. L.I., 11, 14; Patents, IV. 55, V, 182; Sec. Office. 1 The co. seal presents a view of sea and shore from this beach. The name is of Indian origin. This point was formerly inclosed hy a fence from Hempstead to Jamaica Bays, and was used for pasturing cattle, horses, and sheep.
2 This plain is 15 mi. long and 4 broad. When first known to the Europeans, it was destitute of timber and covered with grass. The annual burning of this grass was prohibited by statute in 1726. It is mostly nninclosed, and used As pasture.
3 About 16,000 acres of the plain and the salt meadows are common property. The time for cutting the hay is fixed at the annual town meetings, and the first one on the ground has the choice of location. This leads the fariners to the meadows at an carly hour on tbe appointed day, and sometimes during the night previous. where they stand scythe in hand. ready at the first glance of sunrise to strike into the grass before thein and mow around as large a piece as they may be able. Several hundred men are often thus employed. Each inhabitant may hire as many lal orers as he chooses, and may cnt for sale. North Hempstead formerly enjoyed the right of cutting grass upon these meadows, but has been practically deprived of it for many years. See page 545.
4 This is a private seminary. owned by a joint stock company. 5 (n old documents variously spelled "Meric," " Moroke," and "Me rikohe." The name was derived from a tribe of Indiaus that lived in the vicinity.
6 First settled by Edward Raynor, and formerly known as | "Raynortown."
7 This place contains the Pavilion .- an immense hotel,-und several large summer boarding houses.
8 Among the early settlers were Rev. Richard Denton. Jonas Wood, Wm. Raynor, Robert Coe, Richard Gildersleeve, Robert Jackson, John Ogden, John Karman, Capt. John Underhill, Andrew Ward, Thurston and Robt. Raynor, Matthew Mitchell.
and Robert Fordham. In 1647 the first eight. with Robt. Ash- man. Jeremy, Edmund, and Terry Wood. Benj. and John Coc, Sam'l Strickland, John Topping, John Fordham, Wmn. and John Lawrence, Henry Hudson, Thomas Ireland, Richard Valentine, Wm. Thickstone, Nicholas Tanner, Wm., John, ar. and jr., Jas., and Alvin Smith, Richard, jr., Sam'l. Dan'l, and Nath'} Denton, Thos. Armitage, Simon Searing. Thomas Wilson, Henry Pierson, Jos. and Wm. Scott, Henry Whiston, Richard and John Lewis, Thos. Stevenson. John Storge, John and Robert Williams, Win. Rogers, Richard Ogden, Johu Foucks, Wm. Washburno, Thos. Sherman, Francis Yates, John Ellison, Win. Shadding, Thomas and Chas. Foster, Roger Lines, Sam'l Clark, John Hudd, Thos. Pope, Dauiel Whitehead, Edward Kaynor, John Smith, Samuel Baccus, and John Strickland were freeholders, and shared in the division of the lands. A part of the above locations are now included in North Hempstead. The first child born of white parents in town was Caleb Karman, son of John Karman, Jan. 9, 1645. An order was made at their General Conrt, Sept. 16, 1650, requiring all persons to "repaire to the publique Meetings and Assemblies on the Lords dayes, and on publique dayes of fastings and thanksgivings, appointed by publique authority, bothe on the forenoons and afternoons," under a penalty of 5 guilders for the first, 10 for the second, and 20 for the third of- fenne. The Rev. Richard Denton, a prominent founder, was their first pastor. He returned to England in 1659, and wrote a historical account of New York, which was published in Lon- don in 1670.
9 10 M. E., 3 Prot. E., 2 Presb., 2 R. C., and one Friends. Noal the M. E. Church in South Hempstead is a monument, erected to the memory of 139 English and Irish immigrauts who perished on the ships Bristol and Mexico, wrecked Nov. 21, 1836, and Jan. 2, 1837.
10 It was first proposed to name this place "Canorasset." Many of the first settlers preferred the name of "Crawford:" and the Dutch named it " Rusdorp," signifying "county town." The present name is by some considered as from the Indian "Jomeco."
11 The first patent of confirmation containod the names of Daniel Denton, J. P., Robt. Coe, Capt. Bryan Newton, Wm. Ilal- let, Andrew Messenger, and Nathaniel Denton; and the second named 24 persone .- Patents, 1, 66, 91, V, 432; &c. Office.
548
QUEENS COUNTY.
1788. It is the s. w. corner town of the co. A range of low wooded hills forms its N. boundary ; but the remainder of the town consists of an extensive sand plain, and a series of wide salt marshes along the shore. Jamaica Bay, forming its s. boundary, incloses a large number of low, marshy islands. Several small streams take their rise in springs and small ponds among the hills and flow s. to the bay.1 The soil is light and sandy. A considerable tract immediately bordering upon the marshes is kept in a high state of fertility by artificial means, and is devoted to market gardening. This town has long been celebrated for its race courses.2 The town poor are annually let to the lowest bidder.' Jamaica, (p. v.,) near the N. border of the town, was incorp. April 14, 1814. It contains 6 churches, the Union Hall Academy,‘ several private semi- naries, a union school, 2 newspaper offices, and several manufactories.5 Pop. 2,817. Wood- haven was organized in 1850 by a number of capitalists for the manufacture of shoes. Cypress Avenue is a R. R. station near the line of Kings co. The country in the immediate vicinity is laid out in a village plat, and named Unionville, from the Union Race Course; Clarenceviiie is a village plat on the R. R., w. of Jamaica ; Centerville, a plat adjacent to the trotting course; Hopedale and Jamaica Heights, two prospective villages in the N. part; Willow Tree, a R. R. station, E. of Jamaica; Queens,6 (p. o.,) a R. R. station near the E. line, and Springfield, a vicinage 3 mi. long, in the E. part, extending to the bay. The first settlement was made about 1656, by people from Ilempstead, who in that year obtained leave of the Dutch Government to purchase lands and crect a town, "according unto their place limited, named Canarise, abont midway from Hempstead." In 1702 the civil officers of government removed to this place, on account of prevailing sickness. An attempt was made soon after to appropriate the church to the use of the Episcopalians,-which was resisted, and a controversy commenced, which was not settled until 1728. In 1753 the General Assembly again convened at this place. During the Revolution the town was occupied by the British, and, especially in winter, large bodies of troops were stationed here. The Dutch Church was used as a storehouse. The first church (Presb.) was formed in 1663. The Ref. Prot. D. Church was formed in 1702; and the first Prot. E. services were held during the same year. The Chapel of the Sisters-a neat edifice, built of hewn granite-was erected in the Presb. Cemetery, by Nicholas Ludlum, of New York.7
NEWTOWN8-was first conveyed by patent, by Gov. Stuyvesant, in 1652. The grant was confirmed by Gov. Nicoll, March 6, 1666, and by Gov. Dongan, Nov. 25, 1683.º It was recog- nized as a town March 7, 1788. It lies upon the East River and Long Island Sound, in the N. w. corner of the co., and includes North and South Brother, Rikers, and Berriens Islands.10 A range of hills extends along the s. border; but the remaining part of its surface is level or moderately uneven. Flushing Creek forms a portion of the E. boundary, and Newtown Creek a portion of the w. boundary. Extensive salt meadows border upon these crecks and the bays. Hell Gate is a nar- row, tortuous passage between Wards Island and Hallets Point, near the N. extremity of the town.11 The soil is a fine quality of sandy loam. Market gardening and the cultivation of flowers are the most important business. The town poor are let out by contract. Astoria,12 (p. v., ) upon East River, near IIell Gate, was incorp. April 12, 1836. It contains 5 churches, a female seminary, union school, and several extensive manufactories.13 It is particularly distinguished for its floral gardons
1 Several of these ponds have been purchased by the Brooklyn | Richard Betts, J. P., Capt. Thos. Lawrence, Capt. John Coe, John Water Works Company. The remains of a mastodon were found in excavating at Baisleys Pond. in this town, March 27, 1858. They consisted of six molar teeth and some small fragments of bones, blackened, but not mineralized.
2 A conrse was laid out, in colonial times, around the border of Beaver Pond,-a sheet of water adjacent to the village, since drained. Union Course was laid out soon after the passage of the act of 1821, and continued under that of 1834. It is now owned by tlie " Union Association," formed under general act, Aug. 2, 1858. with a capital of $100,000. It is a few feet over a mile in circuit. There is a trotting course s. E. of the former.
3 The town elects trustees annually to manage its property. It has a fund-given by llenry Townsend nearly two centuries since-"for the relief of poor widows and children, persons blind. lamed, or aged, and such as should be unable to get a living, or any that should suffer by fire and whose necessities miglit cali for relief."
+ This institution was incorp. Feh. 29, 1792.
6 Three carriage factories and the repair shops of the L. I. R. R. " Formerly called "Brushville." The name was changed at a public meeting, Jan. 1, 1857.
7 There are now 8 churches in town; 2 M. E., 2 Ref. Prot. D., [ adopted, in hope of securing a gratuity from John Jacob Astor. Presh., Prot. E., Af. Meth., and R. C.
8 Named "Middleburg" under the Dutch.
9 The first deod of confirmation contained the names of Capt.
Burroughs, Ralph Ilunt, Dan'l Whitehead, and J. Burger Yost; aud the second the names of 108 freeholders. The annual quit- rent was 3£ 4s .- Patents, II, 78; Sec. Office: Thompson's Hist. L. 1., II, 142.
10 These islands are cultivated as gardens. Berriens, near Lawrence Point, has an area of 12 acres. Rikers is the largest and inost valuable, and was formerly called "Hewletts Island," from its having been the residence of Geo. Hewlett. It is 1 mni. from the mainland, and contains over 50 acres. It was con- firmed to Guisbert Riker hy Stuyvesant, Dec. 24, 1667, and is still owned by the family .- Thompson's Hist., II, 154.
Il This name was probably derived from the Dutch "Hellig." angry, and "Gat" a gate. It is often softened down to " Hurl Gute." From the earliest time this has been a difficult strait to navigate, owing to sunken rocks and the strong current of the tide. In 1852 the rocks were mostly removed hy a system of subinarine blasting and the navigation greatly improved.
12 This place was formerly known as "Hallets Core," and was settled by Stephen A. and John C. Halsey. At the time of its incorporation it was proposed to call it "Sunswick," from the Indian naine of a stream near by; hut the name Astoria was
In this, however, the people were disappointed, as he gave only $100 to the seminary.
18 The principal manufactories are the chemical works for
549
QUEENS COUNTY.
and greenhouses.1 It is connected with New York by ferrics, and is inhabited by many persons doing business in the city. Pop. about 3,200. Ravenswood, (p. v.,) upon thic East River, is a suburban village, and the houses consist mostly of costly residences. The poorhouse farms of New York City were located at this place previons to the purchase of the islands in the river for that purpose.2 A rifle cartridge factory exploded here about 1850, occasioning a great destruction of life. Hun- ters Point' is a newly surveyed and thinly settled village, immediately N. of the mouth of New- town Creek. It has several manufactories,4 and is rapidly increasing in business and population. Newtown, (p. v.,) ncar the center, and Penny Bridge are stations upon the Flushing R. R .; and Winfield and West Flushing are village plats upon the same roads. Maspeth5 (p.o.) lies near the head of Newtown Creek; and Melvina, Columbusville, and Winants- ville are village plats in the same vicinity. Lawrenceville, N. w. of Winfield, and Mid- dletown, s. E. of Astoria, are village plats. Locust Grove, Linden Hills, New As- toria, Middle Village, and South Williamsburgh are localities and prospective villages. Dutch Kills is a gardening neighborhood. St. Ronans Well, a wooded island near the head of Flushing Bay, contains 7 acres, and is a favorite resort for picnic partics. Cal- vary Cemetery, on the Laurel Hills, N. of Newtown Creek, contains 75 acres, and is owned by the R. C. denomination. The Cemetery of the Evergreens, in the s. w. corner, is partly in Brooklyn and partly in New Lots, Kings co. It is beautifully situated upon the Cypress Hills, and contains 115 acres, with the privilege of extending its area to 500 acres. Cypress Hills Cemetery, E. of the latter, is also situated upon the highlands, and contains 400 acres.6 Mount Olivet Cemetery lics near Maspeth, and the Lutheran Cemetery near Middle Village. The National Race Course, incorp. May 31, 1854, is located near the Flushing R. R.7 The first settlements were made in 1651, by English immigrants, who had first located in New England. The first grant of privileges obtained from the Dutch in 1652 was followed by another more liberal in its character in 1665. The early records of the town were lost during the British occupation in the Revolution. A blockhouse was built at Hell Gate during the Revolu- tion, and a water-battery, named Fort Stevens,8 during the War of 1812. The first church edifice (Presb.) of which there is any record was erected, in 1670, at Newtown Village; and the first preacher was Rev. Jolin Moore, who was employed from the first scttlement until his death, in 1661. The census reports 15 churches in town.º
NORTH HEMPSTEAD10-was formed from Hempstead, April 6, 1784. It lies upon Long Island Sound, between Hempstead Harbor and Little Neck Bay, and on the s. cxtends to near the center of Hempstead Plains. A range of liills extends E. and w. through near the center ; and from them spurs extend to the Sound, giving to the N. part a moderately hilly character. Hemp stead Harbor and Manhasset Bay are irregular bays extending far inland, dividing the coast into "necks" and points,-the principal of which are Cow and Great Necks, Motts, Prospect, Sands,
making dry alkalies, the U. S. Vulcanized Gutta Percha Belting | it from Dutch Kills. De Witt Clinton formerly resided here. and Packing Works, and an extensive carpet factory.
1 Grant Thorburn. the celebrated seedsman and florist, had a nursery here from 1832 to 1851. There are now o floral estab- lishinents for supplying the city market, besides many geutle- men's greenhouses, graperies, &c.
2 About 1834-35, the corporation of New York City erected ex- tensive buiklings, about 14 mi. s. from Astoria, for a panper establishment, which were sold at public auction, April 15, 1847, upon the removal of these institutions to the islands in the river. Three large buildings-called the " Boys' Nursery," " School House," and " Infaut Nursery," the property of Win. W. Miles -were leaned (May 25) to the Commissioners of Emigration for a ship fever hospital, and other purposes. A public meeting was held immediately after at Astoria, to express indignation at the application of the property to these uses and to remonstrate against it. The people failing to obtain their object, the pre- mises were assailed and destroyed on the night of May 26-27, 1847, by a large mob in disguise. An attempt was made to fasten the expense of these losses upon the town; and, after repeated efforts, the owner recovered $3,000 from the State by act of March 17. 1855 .- Assem. Doc. 1848, Nos. 19. 161, 164, 186; Senate Doc. 1849, No. 31, and 1850, Nos. 62 and 82.
3 (originally called "Dominies Hook." The place was after- ward owned by Geo. Hunter, who died before 1825. It is desig- uated in deeds as " Long Island City." Much of the property given to Union College by Rev. Dr. Nott as an eudowment is located here, and consists of graded lots.
4 The principal manufactories are a flint glass factory, chemical works. paint and varnish factory, foundery for the manufacture of iron pipes, and an oil and locomotive grease factory. Con- siderable chip-building is also done here.
6 Sometimes written " Mespat," "Mispat," &c. It was settled by English, and often designated "English Kills," to distinguish
A foundery for casting metallic burial cases was established here several years since.
6 The general act forbids cemeteries to hold more than 250 acres in one co .; and hence this was located in two. A special act allows this cemetery to hold 100 acres more in Queens co. The highest point is 219 ft. above tide.
7 The company that owns this course is incorp., with a capital of $250,000.
8 Named from Maj. Gen. Ebenezer Stevens, who in his youth was & member of the " Boston Tea Party" and subsequently an officer in the Revolution and the War of 1812.
9 4 Prot. E., 3 Ref. Prot. D., 3 M. E., 2 Presb., 2 R. C., and 1 Bap. The Ref. Prot. D.Church at Newtown was formed in 1704, and a Prot. E. church at the same place in 1731. A M. E. church was erected near Middle Village in 1836, chiefly through the liberality of Jos. Ilarper, father of the Harper Brothers, pub- lishers in New York.
10 Under the act of organization each town was to enjoy the right of oystering, clamming, and fishing in the other; and both continued to cut grass upon the South Meadows until 1815. They each assumed the sole care of the common lands that fell within their several bounds. At the town meeting in Iemp- stead, April, 1797, a resolution was passed, giving to the people of that town 10 days' precedence of right in cutting grass. A suit was instituted, and was appealed to the Court of Errors, which decided, in Dec. 1828, that North Hempstead had no power to interfere in the regulations of llempstead .- Opinion of Chan- cellor Kent, Johnson's, II, 320-338; of Chancellor Sanford, Hop- kins, I, 289-300; Decision of Court of Errors, Wendell, 11, 109- 137. The public lands of the town were sold under an act passed March 25, 1830. Obadiah Towusend, Singleton Mitchell, Benj. Albertson, and Jos. Dodge were appointed commissioners for this purpose.
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