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 51
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3 A descendant of his was known as the " Patroon of Troy."
4 Brandt Van Slechteuhorst, director of the " Colonie of Rens- Belaerwyck," in 1646, purchased for the Patroon two additional !
6 The upper part of the city belonged to Jacob Vanderheyden. and the southern to Matthias Vanderheyden. Stephen Ashley and Benjamin Covill were the earliest settlers under the Van- derheydens. They came in ahout 1786; and the former kept an inn in the old farmhouse of Matthias Vanderheyden for several years. Dr. Saml. Gale, the first physician, came from Guilford, Conn., in 1787. Among the other early s ttlers were Eph. Mor- gan, John Boardman, Benj. Smith, Phil. Heartt, Anthony Good- speed, Mahlon Taylor, Eben'r and Saml. Wilson, Moses Vail, Lewis Richards, Eben'r Jones, Howard Moulton, Amasa Pierce, Jere'h Pierce, Townsend McCoun, Nathan and Steph. Warren, David Buel. and Benj., John, Saml., and Wm. Gale.
" The following table shows the increase of the population of Troy for each semi-decade since 1810 :-
1810.
3,895
1835. 16,959
1815.
4,841
1840.
19.334
1820
5,264
1845
21,709
1825.
7,859
1850.
28,785
1830.
11,556
1855 33,269
7 The fire of June 20, 1820, destroyed property to the amount of $370,000, and another, Aug. 25, 1854, to the amount of $1,000,000.
36
562
RENSSELAER COUNTY.
Acres of Land, Valuation, Population, Dwellings, Families, Freeholders, Schools, Live Stock, Agricultural Products, and Domestic Manufactures, of Rensselaer 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.
Freeholders.
Districts.
Children
taught.
Berlin ..
19,437}
16,759
$216,880|
$20.050
$236,930
1,089
1,078
397
455
289
10
773
Brunswick
23,5124
4,264
1,050,195
166,119
1,216,314
1,533
1,568
499
570
370
15
1,132
East Greenbush ...
11,674
2,789+
788,175
111,469
899,644
8:29
777
286
227
131
6
431
Grafton.
15,122}
13,017}
196,427
35,337
231,764
962
926
343
370
254
12
771
Greenbush.
31,341 3,672}
8,339
1.374,017
199,877
1,573,894
1,824,572
2,697
3,003
901
1,120
391
3
2,113
Nassau ...
20,281}
5,754
530,010
156,467
686,477
1,470
1,530
576
587
423
16
1,187
North Greenbush
2,181
744.020
106,800
850,820
901 809
911 854
316
313
192
12
640
Pittstown
33,8571
6,311
1,061,327
237.368
1,298,695
1,762
1,840
652
707
497
18
1,163
Poesten kill
14,206
4,247
255,495
36,332
291,827
965
913
399
403
223
8
Sand Lake
15,268}
6,696
356,385
57,805
414,190
1,251
1,337
465
522
291
11
Schaghticoke.
21,979
4,474
916,133
168,093
1,084,226
1,660
1,643
498
608
318
19
1,217
Schodack
31,531
8,039₺
1,623,825
239,786
1,863,611
1,978
1,859
672
757
512
13
1,177
Stephentown.
20,982
9,404
258,235
39,150
297,385
1,188
1,209
431
481
323
17
882
Troy City
1,898
126₺
7,919,570
4,891,675
12,811,245
16,223
17,046
3,757
6,495
1,482
24
11.428
Total.
292,212; 101,0024 19.348,452 7.317.763
26,666,215 38,988 40,246
11,683 15,418
6,459 213
29,744
LIVE STOCK.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
BUSH. OF GRAIN.
DAIRY PRODUCTS.
NAMES OF TOWNS.
Horses.
Working
Oxen and
Calves.
Obros.
Sheep.
Swine.
Winter.
Spring.
Tons of Hay.
Bushels of
Bushels of
Pounds
Pounds
Cheese .
in yards.
Berlin
449
676
1,187
3,630
765
760
38,638 107,400
3,280
25,370
15,375
59,071 250,646
296
Brunswick.
973
813
1,538
1,269
2,567 1,128
36,360 17,350
47,234
3,469
48,361
4,990
53,765
534
Grafton.
368
785
734
1,017
537
728
18,726
3,461}
25,750
4,780
65,209
4,070
354
Greenbush
863
1,455
1,243 22,394
2,574
14,305 8,439
132,0883
6,356 759
33,671 9,605
5,694 1,550
69,325 10,173
36,590
299
Lansingburgh.
314
178
290
651
690
22,242
57,110
3,803}
24,135
12,634
124,100
8,725
978
North Greenbush
445
304
999
252
863
19,789
40,265
2,715₫
56,125
3,959
64,590
Petersburgh
505
7 80
770
5,708
828
627
43,222
2,861
22 643
10,338
45,543
82,820
Pittstown
1,050
1,504
1,772 11,340
2,983
35,004 10,238
157,037
6,630
47,924
6,757
4.896
158,529 65,305 90,848
2,780
715
Sand Lake.
535
646
997
742
1,218
16,063
41,884
3,224
35,882
10,593
1,072
333
Schaghticoke ...
712
1,255
1,137
5,910
3,064
55,055
149,529
3,247 +
61,860
4,740
95,098
Schodack
1,036
935
1,575
3,977
3,111
60,203
106,182}
6,097
43.224
17,682
161,530
3,563
585
Stephentown
472
1,305
2,707
956
4,071 1,288
41,034 6,979
290
11,344
410
7,955
Total
10,184
12,737.16,864 64,609 25,007 302,522 |1,038,355
58,557# 596,559 131,241 1,291,738 538,462
4,949
8
2,217
Petersburgh'
7,388
203,344
28,622
231,966
1,642 2,029
2,091
658
736
327
19
1,563
Lansingburgh ....
1,212}
841,555
11,100
852,655
1,661
324
709
299
2
1,374
Hoosick.
10,374 17,075
309
358
137
utter.
112,757
125
454
East Greenbush
492
501
1,101
632
Nassau.
644
1,176
1,188
3,458
1,838
Poestenkill
428
541
667
804
878
30,741
2,530
37,261
4.751
24,716
15,611
107,940 118,555
40
Troy City
898
1,104 84
361
118
1,007
20,285
5.0821
88,688
11,232
Potatoes.
Apples.
Domestic Cloths
Hoosick.
29,516
361
710 966
1,012,859
811,713
No. of
RICHMOND COUNTY.
Tins county1 was organized Nov. 1, 1683. It includes Staten Island,' CHMO Shooters Island, and the islands of the meadow in Staten Island Sound. It is separated from Long Island by New York Bay, the Narrows,4 and New York IIarbor; from Bergen, N. J., by the Kil Van Kull; and from N. J. on the w. by the Arthur Kil, or Staten SEAL Island Sound.5 Staten Island is nearly oval-shaped, its longest diameter extending N. E. and s. w. It is 14 mi. long by 8 broad, has an area of 58} sq. mi., and is eentrally distant 146 mi. from Albany. Princess Bay and Great Kils are small bays upon the s. OUNT shore. Fresh Kils is a tidal estuary extending about 3 mi. inland from Staten Island Sound, and during high tide it is navigable nearly its whole extent. The surface of the eo. is mostly level or gently undulating. A broad range of hills extends from the Narrows across the island, termi- nating between the branches of the Fresh Kils. Near Tompkinsville these hills attain an elevation of 310 ft. They are composed of granitie rock upon the N. slope and steatitie rock and serpentine upon the s. Ilematitie iron ore6 and many other interesting minerals are found in the co.7 Along the Fresh Kils, and along Staten Island Sound, in Northfield, and also around the head of Great Kils and the mouth of New Creek, are extensive salt meadows. The waters of the sound and the bays adjacent to the island abound in oysters; and the oyster trade is the principal industrial pursuit of those inhabitants not engaged in business in New York, Brooklyn, or Jersey City. The right of taking oysters belongs to the owners of the adjoining banks.8 At Port Rich- mond, Factoryville, and other places along the N. shore, are extensive manufactories.º Market gardening is followed to a limited extent, chiefly to supply the home demand. The ereetion of forts, hospitals, and other publie establishments of the General and State Governments has given employment to great numbers of persons and caused the expenditure among the people of the co. of large sums of money. Since the establishment of regular steam ferries,10 many wealthy eiti- zens engaged in business in New York City have erected residences upon the island. These coun- try seats are mostly upon the N. shore and upon the heights that overlook the bay and sound. All the villages along the N. shore are lighted by gas furnished by the Richmond Gas Light Works, located near the Quarantine. A company was ineorp. in 1836 to build a R. R. across the island to eonneet with the Camden & Amboy R. R.11
The eo. seat is located at Richmond.12 A courthouse and jail, in the same building, was erected pursuant to the act of March 23, 1837, at a cost of $10,000.13 The eo. clerk's office was ereeted in
1 Named from a natural son of Charles II.
2 Staten Island was so named hy Hudson. The Indian name is " Matanucke," " Monocknong," or "Aquehonga Manacknong." -- Coll. N. J. Hist. Soc., 1. 17; N. Y. Common Council Manual, 1857, p. 545.
3 A small island at the entrance of Newark Bay.
4 The width of the Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton, where they are the narrowest, is about 2600 yds., and opposite the Quarantine it is 3700 yds.
6 The average breadth of Staten Island Sound is about one- third of a mile. It is not usually elosed by ice, although in severe winters it has been frozen many weeks together. It is the ordinary route of steamers of the Camden & Amboy R. R. Co. 6 This ore has a fibrous texture, and is found in botryoidal formis, often with hlack polished surfaces, and in the granular condition it is known as " shot ore." It is said to be ahundant. A heavy gray ore is also found. These ores have never been sin"Ited on the island.
7 The minerals of the co., heside iron ore, are red and yellow ochre, asbestus, amiantbus, marmolite, hydrate and carbonate of magnesia, sulphuret and chromate of iron, quartz, chalcedony, feldspar, and lignite.
8 This right is often leased. The average annual rent is 75 cts. per ft .. measured along the shore. By an act passed May 9, 1846, the taking of oysters from the planted grounds of another is pro- hibited, under a penalty of $50 for each offense.
9 The principal articles manufactured are dyed stuffs, and prints, comnion fire briek, adamantine candles, white lead, and ivory black. A large amount of lager beer is made in Castleton and Southfield, and the island has of late become a Sabbath day resort of the German population of N. Y. City, thousands of whom repair every Sunday to the saloons and gardens attached to the breweries.
10 The boats of the Staten Island & New York Ferry Co. ply hourly between Whitehall St., in New York, and the island, touching at Port Richmond, Factoryville, New Brighton, Quaran- tine, Stapleton, and Vanderbilts Landing. This company was organized Oct. 26, 1853, with a capital of $900,000, and now has 7 boats in constant use.
11 This enterprise was recently revived, and a route surveyed running s. of the hills from Vanderbilts Landing to a point op- posite S. Amboy. About $40,000 were expended in purchasing the rightof way and grading; but the work is at present suspended. 12 The first record of an order for the erection of a prison is dated March 4, 1710. It runs as follows :- " Ordered that Mr. Lambart Garisone and Mr. Wm. Tillyer see the prison house built at Cuckols Towne. Ye Demensions Twelve ffot in hreadth, ffour- teen foot Long, two story high, six foot ye Low Roome from beam to plank, and the uper story, 6 foot : and all to be built with stone." 'This building was inadequate to the requirements of the co., and a larger one (of brick) was afterward built. The latter building is still standing, and was used as a co. prison until 1837. The first colonial Court of Sessions on Staten Island was held Oct. 4, 1680. The first court after the Revolution convened May 3, 1784; and the first court of Oyer and Terminer under the State Government was held May 22, 1787, Richard Morris, Chief Justice, presiding. The first eo. officers under the State Goveru- ment were David Mersereau. First Judge ; Cornelius Merserexu, Hendrick Garrison. Peter Rezeau, Anthony Fountain, John Wandle, Gilbert Jackson, and Lambert Merrill, Judges and Jus- tices: Abram Bancker, Sherif; John Mersereau, Chrk; and Adrian Baneker, Surrogate.
13 The commissioners under whose supervision this building was erected were Richard D. Little, Harman B. Cropscy, and Walter Betts. The jail is reported as without ventilation or means for the classification of prisoners.
563
564
RICHMOND COUNTY.
1848 and enlarged in 1857. It is a 2 story brick building, and contains the supervisor's room, office for the surrogate and district attorney, and accommodations for the sheriff. The poorhouse is located upon a farm of 105 acres in Northfield.1 Several of the public schools of Castleton and Southfield have been organized as union schools under a special act, and are in charge of a board of education. The schools of the co. generally are in a flourishing condition.2 Richmond co. is within the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police Commissioners: but no men have hitherto been detailed for ordinary service within its limits.
Two newspapers are published in the co.3
-
Staten Island was visited by Henry Hudson in his celebrated voyage of discovery in 1609. It was purchased from the Indians, Aug. 10, 1630, by Michael Pauw, one of the 4 Patroons of New Netherlands, and formed a part of the tract known as "Pavonia" in the early Dutch records.‘ It soon reverted, however, to the West India Co .; and in 1636 a part of the island was granted to D. P. De Vries, by whom a colony was planted upon it in Jan. 1639. The remaining part of the island was granted by the Directors of the West India Co. to Cornelius Melyn in July, 1640. The following year, Melyn with his family settled upon this grant, and in June, 1642, he obtained letters patent. In Sept. 1641, the settlement of De Vries was attacked by the Indians,5 and hostilities between them and the whites ensued. A peace was concluded in 1642; but in Feb. 1643, under a frivolous pretext, the Indians were attacked opposite Manhattan and at Cor- laers Hook and great numbers of them slain. This barbarous measure invoked retaliation, and the white settlements within reach were laid waste. The island was again purchased of the natives, Dec. 6, 1651, by Augustine Herman, and finally quitclaimed to Gov. Lovelace, April 13, 1670.& Possession was given on the 1st of May following, and at this time the island was finally abandoned by its primitive inhabitants.
A considerable number of French Huguenots, after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, found their way into the English colonies, and a part of them settled upon Staten Island. The family names of these immigrants are still common in this co." The earliest grants upon the island under the English were made to the officers of the ship Elias, immediately after the conquest.8 Two manors were subsequently granted,-one on the N. shore, styled "Cassiltown Manor," to Gov. Dongan,9 and the other in the s. part, known as " Billop Manor." This island was first occupied by British troops in the Revolution, July 4, 1776, and it was held by them until their final removal from the State late in 1783. On the 21st of Aug. 1777, the British posts upon the island were attacked by an American force under Gen. Sullivan. The expedition was well planned, but it failed to accomplish its main object.10 During the severe winter of 1779-80, while the Americans were encamped near Morristown, (N. J.,) a second expedition was sent out, under Gen. Lord Stirling, to surprise the enemy in the interior of the island. The party, consisting of 2500 men, crossed the sound on the ice from Deharts Point, on the Jersey shore, on the morning of the 15th of Jan .; but the movement was observed in time to prepare for defense. Contrary to expectation, the passage to New York was found to be free from ice, and during the day the British were reinforced from the city. Two or three were killed on each side, and a few prisoners were taken by the Americans. While the party remained, some persons from the mainland passed over and plundered several of the inhabitants; but a strict search was made and the stolen property was recovered and restored to its owners.11 On the 11th of
1 The county house consists of 2 stone buildings, each 2 sto- ries high. The Senate Com., in their report of 1857, say that it is " without ventilation and without any provisions for bath- ing ; and a general survey of the house, with its fixtures, as you approach it, is entirely in harmony with its name." The average number of inmates is 80, who are supported at a weekly cost of $1 each. The farm yields an annual revenne of $3000.
2 In 1817, efforts were made by Gov. Tompkins and other resi- dents to establish a college upon the island. A provisional charter was obtained from the regents, under the name of "Washington College," and a subscription of $10,000 for a site and $5,000 for a library was secured. The effort failed; and it was afterward proposed to unite the institution with Columbia College,-but without success. An act was passed, April 18. 1838, incorporating " Richmond College" upon condition that $80,000 be raised within 2 years; but the effort failed.
3 The Richmond Republican was established at Tompkinsville in 1828 by C. N. Baldwin, aud continued 2 years.
The Richmond Co. Free. Press was started at Richmond in 1833 by Wm. Hagadorn, and continued 3 years.
The Staten Islander was established at Stapleton, as a weekly journal, in 1840, by F. L. Hagadorn, and is now published semi-weekly.
The Deutsche Staten Islander was commenced in 1855 at Staple- ton by August Fries, but has since been discon- tinued.
The Staten Island Chronicle was started at Tomp- kinsville in 1858, and is still published.
4 Coll. N. J. Hist. Soc., I. 17; Dunlap's Hist. N. Y., I., 48. 6 N. Y. Hist. Coll., I. 263.
6 N. Y. Com. Council Manual, 1857, p. 544.
7 Among these are Guion, Merserean, Dissosway, Ryerss, Michean, Fontaine, Rezean, Segnine, Crocheron, La Tourrette, &c. 8 Oct. 4-10, 1684, to Capt. Wm. Ifill, 500 acres ; Lt. Hunphrey Fox, 300; Jas. Coleman, 250; and 7 others, each 200,-Putents, 1. 6-9, Sec. Office; Jacques Bandoven and Jacques Quion each received 200 acres at the same time.
9 The greater part of the lands to which existing titles are traced were granted under Dongan's administration. The descendants of Gov. Dongan were living upon the original estate until the close of the last century. Between 30 and 40 grants of land from the colonial governors are upon record iu the co. clerk's office.
10 About 150 British prisoners were taken. The Americans lost 13 killed and 136 in prisoners, and the whole party ran a narrow risk of capture. Gen. Sullivan's conduct was subjected to a court of inquiry by order of Congress; but he was acquitted. A particular account of this affair is given in Marshall's Life of Washington, 111. 135. See also Sparks's Life and Writings of Washington, V. 47, and Peabody's Life of Sullivan, 65.
11 (bul. N. J. Ilist. Soc., II. 206; Sparks's Life and Writings of Washington, VI. 441-448.
565
RICHMOND COUNTY.
Sept. 1776, a conference between Lord Wm. IIowe and a committee of Congress consisting of Dr. Franklin, J. Adams, and E. Rutledge was held at the house of Capt. Billop, opposite Perth Amboy.1 No events of special interest occurred upon the island during the late war with Great Britain. A brigade of militia, consisting of 2000 men, was stationed here, and remained in camp from Aug. to Dec. 1814. During the troubles that preceded the War of 1812, the Legis Jature of New York memorialized Congress for the erection of defensive works around the harbor of New York, claiming protection against the arms of a foreign power as no more than an cqui- table return for the revenucs which the State had surrendered to the General Government upon the adoption of the Constitution.2 Failing in this, the governor was directed to purchase a tract, not to exceed 25 acres, at the Narrows;3 and upon this tract fortifications were afterward erected. The amount of the appropriation made by the State for the defenses upon Staten Island previous to 1820 was $154,105 46. These works were purchased by the General Govern- ment, pursuant to an act of Congress passed Aug. 3, 1846,4 and they are now being rebuilt at an immense cost. When these and the other contemplated works along the approaches to New York Harbor are completed, the city will be among the best fortified in the world.5 A quarantine was established by the State, under an act passed Feb. 25, 1799, upon the N. extremity of the island, in the town of Castleton, and maintained until it was destroyed, on the cvenings of Sept. 1 and 2, 1858, by an armed mob encouraged and led by prominent citizens.6
CASTLETON-was first recognized as a town March 7, 1788. It lics in the N. part of the island, and is the smallest but most populous and wealthy town in the co. The surface is mostly hilly. The people are principally engaged in manufacturing. Factoryville (North Shore p. o.) is a populous village in the N. w. part of the town, containing extensive dye and print works7 and other manufactories. Elliottsville8 is a hamlet. A little E. of this place is the
1 This conference terminated without any practical results. The old stone house in which it was held is still standing .- Journal Cong., Sept. 6-17, 1776; Sparks's Washington, I. 198.
2 Journal of Senate and Assembly, March 27, 1807.
3 .Act of Feb. 3, 1810. The erections were chiefly made in 1814. 4 These defenses consisted of Fort Richinond, a water battery near the water's edge: Fort Tompkins, a heavy fortress on the heights above, and Batteries Hudson and Morton. The last was named from Gen. Jacob Morton, of the N. Y. Artillery. In 1811, the removal of the U. S. Military Academy to this island was proposed. and the governor was empowered to convey to the General Government the jurisdiction of so much territory as might be necessary for this purpose. No further steps toward its removal have been taken.
5 Additional land was bought in 1857 near Fort Tompkins, and this work is now abont to be replaced by one of great strength, at an estimated cost of over $500,000. The aggregate of the appropriations made by the General Government for these works has been as follows: for Fort Richmond, $375,000; for Fort Tompkins, $192.300; for Batteries Hudson and Morton, $10.000. A new fort is to be erected upon Sandy Hook, (N. J.,) which it is estimated will cost $1,500,000, $250,000 of which has been appropriated. For an account of Fort Hamilton and the fortification of the inner harbor, see pp. 373,419. The recent de- fensive works and those now in progress were chiefly ordered upon the advice of Gen. Totten.
new site and erect the necessary buildings. The sum of $150,000 was fixed as the limit of expenditure under this act. After in- effectual efforts to obtain a site on Sandy Ilook, the committee purchased a farm of 50 acres, late the property of Joel Wolfe, situated at Seguines Point, in Westfield. The sum paid was $23,000, and the land had upon it farm buildings valued at $15,000. The site was approved, and the purchase completed, May I, 1857. On the night of the 5th of May all the buildings were burned to the ground by a mioh of some 40 persons with- out disguise. Temporary buildings were erected on the site in June. An attack was made ou the 12th of July by a few arined persons, and several shots were fired. The new buildings, con- Histing of two hospitals and a cook and wash house, were burned on the evening of April 26, 1858, and no effort was made to re- build them, or to bring the incendiaries to justice. The hostility against the old establishment continued unabated, and gained confidence from the approval of many of the leading citizens, some of whom declared their willingness to unite openly, by daylight and without disguise, to destroy the premises that they deemed an insufferable nuisance. In the summer of 1856 a barricade had been erected, hy order of the Board of Health of Castleton, to prevent communication with the premises. This was taken down by a party of men from the city under the direr- tion of the Health Office. The occurrence of a few cases of yellow fever outside the walls in Aug. 1858, led to the passage of a series of resolutions by tho town Board of Health, declaring the whole quarantine establishment a nuisance too intolerable to he borne any longer, and recommending the citizens of the co. to protect themselves by ahating it without delay. Copies of these reso- lutions were posted up in the village on the 1st of Sept., and on the evening of the same day the walls were broken down and the gates burst open hy a moh, the sick carried out upou their mattresses, the family of the resident physician hurried from their dwelling, and every building except the women's hospital was burned. On the following evening the mob completed the ruin hy destroying the last building upon the premises. The U. S. stores were saved by a party of marines stationed for the pur- pose. On the 7th the governor issued a proclamation declaring the co. in a state of insurrection. Temporary quarantine accom- modations were soon after erected under the protection of a de- tachinent of the State militia, who were detained in the service till the close of the year. The expenses attending this duty were assumed and paid by Governor King, and reimbursed by a special appropriation soon after. The necessity for a permanent removal of quarantine from Staten Island has been conceded by most persons who have given the subject an investigation; and
6 In 1758 an act was passed to prevent the spread of Infectious diseases, and a law of similar import was enacted May 4, 1784. By the act of May 4. 1794, Governors Island was assigned as a quarantine; and in March, 1797, a lazaretto was directed to be built upon Bedloes Island. The awful visitation of yellow fever in 1798 led to the passage of an act (Feb. 25, 1799) for the pur- chase of 30 acres upon Staten Island for a permanent quaran- tine. Of this lot 5 aeres were sold, and ceded (April I, 1800) to the U. S. for warchonses. The first buildings erected were of materials taken from the Lazaretto on Bedloes Island. In 1819 a long brick building was erected; in 1823, a fever hospital; in 1828-29, a smallpox hospital; and subsequently other build- ings as the wants of the institution required. As the surround. ing country became thickly settled, the same difficulty arose that led to the removal of quarantine from the vicinity of New York, And for many years an carnest desire had existed among the citizens of this island for its removal. Memorials for this object were met by remonstrances from the importers, and nothing was accomplished. In 1856 the yellow fever appeared, and 769 cases occurred, of which 538 were on Staten Island, between New Brighton and Clifton, 138 in Fort Hamilton and Bay Ridge. 64 on ' the practicability of constructing an artificial island upon one Governors Island, and 29 in Brooklyn. Of those upon Staten . of the shoals in the lower bay has been certified by competent Island one-third were fatal. This alarming event convinced the engineers. The governor, in ltis ineesage of 1859. recommended the appointment of a new commission to investigate this diffi- cult but highly important subject and report to the legislature. public that new safegnards were necessary, and the citizens of this eo. renewed their demand for the removal of the quarantine. An act for the removal of the " Quarantine Station" was passed. 7 The N. Y. Dyeing and Printing Works were established in 1819. They employ from 200 to 250 persons. March 6, 1857, under which George Hall, Egbert Benson, and Obadiah Bowne were appointed commissioners to purchase a 8 Named from Dr. Samuel M. Elliott, oculist.
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