USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume II > Part 24
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Joseph Christopher married Gertrude Wood, daughter of Stephen and (Webb) Wood, both of whom were de- scendants of old Staten Island families. Of this marriage were born the following children: 1. John, married Lutretia Saun- ders and had children : John, deceased; Caroline, married Abra- ham Carlock, of New York city; George, a resident of Sailors' Snug Harbor: Stephen, deceased; Benjamin, deceased; and Mrs. Demarest, of Linoleumville, borough of Richmond. 2. Joseph, married Maria Martineau and had one son, John Milton Mar- tineau. The father, mother, and son all died during the cholera scourge in 1832. 3. Mary, married William Cannon and has children : William Henry, deceased; Elizabeth (Mrs. Miller), of Hackensack, New Jersey; Stephen and Edward Cannon. 4. Stephen, married Adeline Florence and had children : George, Noah, Sophia, Mrs. Waters, of Bergen Point, New Jersey. 5. Gertrude, married Joseph La Forge and had one daughter, Frances La Forge, married William M. Lent, who was for many
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years a leading and representative business man of San Fran- cisco, California, and for some time served in the senate of the golden state. Mr. Lent was known to be the founder of the first mining company organized in San Francisco. 6. Elizabeth, married Dwight Frary and had children: Robert, Amelia, Noyes, and Albert Frary. 7. Richard, whose name introduces this review. 8. Henry, who did not marry and who died at Trinity Center, California, where he was postmaster. Gertrude (Wood) Christopher, mother of the aforementioned children, died during the cholera scourge in 1832. She was possessed of many excellent qualities of character, and was highly re- spected and esteemed by her neighbors and friends.
Richard Christopher was born at the Manor in the town of Castleton, borough of Richmond, July 18, 1814. He was edu- cated in the schools of the neighborhood and remained under the parental roof up to his sixteenth year, when he began to take up the practical duties of life on his own account. He first learned the silk art work printing, which line of work he pursued for a period of eighteen years. In 1848 Mr. Christopher en- gaged in the coal, wood and lumber business on his own account at West New Brighton. and here did much by his thrift and enterprise in developing and advancing the interests and welfare of the neighborhood in which he resided. In 1868 he practically retired from active business pursuits and has since been living in pleasant retirement at his home in West New Brighton. Dur- ing his active years he took an earnest interest in the public affairs of the town, having served in the capacity of supervisor for over twelve years. In 1852 he was instrumental in organ- izing the first health board in the town of Castleton. He was for over forty years director of the Richmond County Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
Richard Christopher married, September 10, 1843, Mary L.
a.S. Brown
Abraham Brown
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Fountain, born April 2, 1813, daughter of Captain Henry and Massey (Daniels) Fountain, both of whom were residents of Staten Island. Of this marriage Mr. Christopher had born to him the following children: 1. Susan E., born May 8, 1844, died at the age of fourteen. 2. Henrietta, born February 6, 1846, died April 8, 1848. 3. Frances La Forge, born February 7, 1848, married Howard H. Bush, no issue. She died in 1902. 4. Marietta, born September 28, 1850, married Davis Van Pelt Cadmus, and has three children: Franklin David. Marietta, deceased, and William R. Cadmus. 5. Amelia, born November 13, 1854, died May 22, 1856. 6. William M. L., born May 7, 1857, married Bell O'Donnell and has two children: Everett, deceased; and May Christopher. The mother of the aforemen- tioned children, Mary L. (Fountain) Christopher, died July 18, 1898; she was a lady of the old school type, was possessed of many excellencies of character and was a consistent member of the Dutch Reformed church at West New Brighton.
ABRAHAM C. BROWN.
Abraham C. Brown, a leading representative citizen of Tot- tenville, borough of Richmond, where he has been for many years engaged in the shipbuilding industry, is of Holland ex- traction. His grandfather, Tunis Brown, formerly spelled the name Bruen. He was for many years a resident of New Jersey, where he was born January 28, 1766. He was a shipbuilder by trade, and followed that line of occupation at what is now Lind- hurst. He was a skillful and competent mechanic, and during his day became known as one of the leading shipbuilders of small vessels.
Tunis Brown married Sarah Kingsland, born October 7, 1768, and of this marriage had born a family of seven children as follows: 1. Mary, born August 4, 1788, married. 2. Hen-
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drick, born May 16, 1790, married and had a family of four children; he followed in the footsteps of his father, learned the shipbuilding trade, which line of work he pursued throughout the active years of his life. 3. John, born May 20, 1792, mar- ried and had a family of sons and daughters. He took up sea- faring life and for many years was captain of his own vessel. 4. Abraham, see forward. 5. Catherine, married a Mr. Camp- bell. 6. Ann Kingsland, born January 31, 1799, died October 27, 1818. 7. Sarah, born November 29, 1809, married John King, no issue. Tunis and Sarah (Kingsland) Brown spent the latter years of their lives at Lindhurst, New Jersey, where they passed away and their remains were interred in the old Dutch Reformed burying ground, at Belleville, Essex county, New Jersey, of which congregation they had been members for many years.
Abraham Brown, fourth child and third son of Tunis and Sarah (Kingsland) Brown, was born at the family homestead at Belleville, April 4, 1794, and there received his educational train- ing. He remained under the parental roof until manhood years, and learned the shipbuilding trade under the tuition of his father. He subsequently became associated with his father in the business, and after his father's death continued the estab- lishment up to the latter years of his life. Abraham Brown, not unlike his worthy ancestor, was a man of great energy and perseverance, and in every way worthily upheld the traditions of the family. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed church at Belleville, and was a conscientious and straightforward man in all his affairs.
Abraham Brown married, February, 1818, at Aquacanonk, Passaic county, New Jersey, Gitty (Gertrude) Christie, born July 25, 1798, daughter of James and Hannah Christie, the latter being of Holland extraction, and the former of Scotch
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lineage. Of this marriage were born twelve children: 1. Tunis, born July 29, 1818, married Margaret Jacobus. 2. Ann, born December 1, 1820, married Charles Osborn. 3. William Henry, born July 12, 1823, married Margaret Picton. 4. Sarah Maria, born November 25, 1825, married John Berry. 5. Catherine, born November 8, 1827, married Myron Allen. 6. James, born November 4, 1829, married Carrie Van Houten. 7. Margaret, born November 15, 1831, married Peter Joralemon. 8. Abram Christie, see forward. 9. Alvin, born April 8, 1836, married Jennie Donnelly. 10. Emeline, born September 20, 1839, mar- ried William Waltier. 11. Gertrude, born September 15, 1841, died aged eleven years. She lost her life by accident. 12. Mary Louisa, born March 11, 1845, married George Boetell. Abram Brown, the father of the aforementioned children, died June 10, 1860. His faithful wife died September 17, 1882. Their re- mains were interred in the family burying plot in the cemetery of the Dutch Reformed church at Belleville, Essex county, New Jersey.
Abraham Christie Brown, whose name introduces this re- view, was born April 2, 1834. He was educated in the schools of his native town, and remained under the parental roof until man- hood years. He learned the trade of shipbuilding under his father's tuition. At the age of seventeen he took up the practical duties of life on his own account, his first undertaking being a trip at sea, and he continued seafaring for about one and a half years, during which time he was advanced to the position of first mate of his vessel, as a result of his fidelity to duty and obedience. Upon his return home the young mariner again took up his trade at Greenpoint, borough of Brooklyn, where he en- tered the employ of Edward Williams. After pursuing his trade at various places in New York and Jersey City up to 1860, Mr. Brown came to Tottenville in November of that year, and here
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entered the employ of Jacob S. Ellis in the capacity of foreman, and continued thus engaged up to 1873, when he was enabled to begin business on his own account. He first established his plant on the east shore of Raritan Bay, where he has since con- tinued at shipbuilding. During this period of over thirty-two years Mr. Brown has constructed many seagoing vessels in addi- tion to many smaller pleasure crafts of various kinds, making a total of about one hundred and eighty-seven complete craft that have been turned out from his establishment. The Brown shipyards have become one of the leading concerns of its kind on the shore of Raritan Bay, the establishment giving employ- ment to many operatives, and through its influences has contrib- uted much to the growth and development of the neighborhood. In addition to his manufacturing interests, Mr. Brown has at all times taken an active interest in the public affairs as well as the social interests of the neighborhood wherein he resides. He is an active member of Huguenot Lodge, No. 381, F. and A. M .; Staten Island Chapter, No. 196, of the same craft.
Abraham Christie Brown was married January 2, 1854, at Belleville, New Jersey, by Rev. T. De Witt Talmage, to Emily Watts, born September 12, 1836, daughter of John and Mazey (Thorneycraft) Watts, a native of Warwick, England. Of this marriage Mr. Brown had born to him a family of eight children, as follows: 1. John W., born October 10, 1856, married Jo- sephine Buckholz, and has children, Marie and Marjorie Brown. 2. Everett, born June 17, 1859, died January 26, 1901. 3. Vic- tor M., born October 27, 1861. 4. Jacob E., born December 11, 1863, died March 14, 1882. 5. William H., born March 3, 1866, married Emma Sleight, born September 30, 1866, daughter of James and Amelia (Buss) Sleight, of Tottenville, and has chil- dren, Hazel, born February 12, 1897, and William H. Brown, Jr., born January 22, 1900. 6. Emily, born September 24, 1868,
Aurou Von Vance
Moses Van Name
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married Isaac Demarest and has one child, Merritt Demarest, born November 5, 1896. 7. George Christie, born February 7, 1871, married Susie E. Decker, and has four children: Made- line Christie, Helen, George C., Jr., and Susie Brown. 8. Bessie B., born March 8, 1879, married Robert Smith, and has one son, Royal Smith. Emma Sleight, the mother of the aforementioned children, died April 22, 1902. Mr. Brown's family attend St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church at Tottenville.
MOSES VAN NAME.
Moses Van Name, a venerable and highly respected citizen of Tottenville, where he was born February 27, 1835, and where he has spent his life, is descended from an old Holland family whose ancestors were among the early settlers of Richmond county.
Aaron Van Name, father of Moses Van Name, was born at Mariners Harbor, October 5, 1803, and was a son of Moses and Mary (La Grange) Van Name. Aaron Van Name, upon taking up the practical duties of life, became engaged in seafaring and in the coastwise shipping trade, and by careful study of the details of his work and his fidelity to duty soon became master of a vessel, and for many years was known as one of the leading captains of the coastwise trade sailing from New York harbor. Aaron Van Name married Mary Mersereau, born January 28, 1807, daughter of John and Deborah (Britton) Merserean, both of whom were descended from old Staten Island families. (Of the Merserean family a more extended account will appear else- where in this work.) Mr. Van Name died at Tottenville, July 18, 1882, and his wife, Mary (Mersereau) Van Name, died March 23, 1893. The remains of both were interred in the family bury- ing ground in Bethel Cemetery at Tottenville. They had by their marriage born to them a family of five children: 1. De-
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borah Ann, born June 4, 1828, died October 5, 1828. 2. Joshua N., born August 15, 1830, married Martha Ann Sprague; he died March 13, 1869. 3. A son, unnamed, born May 25, 1833, died in infancy. 4. Moses, born February 27, 1835, whose name introduces this review. 5. Paul M., born January 18, 1838, married Susan Ann Cole.
Moses Van Name, fourth child of the above mentioned fam- ily, received his educational training in the schools of Totten- ville, where he was reared to manhood years, and upon taking up the practical duties of life became engaged in the oyster planting and shipping trade, which line of enterprise has been his chief occupation up to the present time. Upon his father's death in 1882, Moses Van Name succeeded to the homestead at Tottenville, which was his home and residence up to 1904, in which year he erected for himself a modern and commodious cot- tage on the grounds of the family estate, which has since been his residence. In addition to his material interests, Mr. Van Name has been active in fraternal and social affairs of the neighbor- hood. He is an active member of Huguenot Lodge, No. 381, F. and A. M., of Tottenville. Mr. Van Name has at all times given generously to church and charitable enterprises, and is regarded as a useful and highly respected citizen.
DE HART FAMILY.
The first of whom we have any information was Mathias De Hart, born in Richmond county, and for some time resided at Mariner's Harbor. He married Elizabeth Van Name, and had children as follows: 1. Henry, of whom later. 2. Jacob, married and resided at Chelsea. 3. Eliza, married Peter Wan- dell and resided at Stapleton, borough of Richmond. 4. Mary, married Joel Cole, a resident of the town of Westfield, borough of Richmond.
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Henry De Hart, eldest child of Mathias and Elizabeth (Van Name) De Hart, was born in the town of Northfield, borough of Richmond, October 20, 1806. He was there educated and reared to manhood years. Upon taking up the practical duties of life, he learned the shoemaker's trade, which line of work he pur- sued for some time. He removed to Tottenville in 1832, when he became engaged in the oyster planting and shipping business, taking up his abode at the homestead where his chil- dren now reside. Mr. De Hart was an enterprising and pro- gressive man, and during his active years contributed much to the growth and development of the neighborhood where he resided. During the many years of his residence in Totten- ville, he established the reputation of being straightforward and honorable in all his transactions. In 1853 Mr. De Hart was the candidate of the Democratic convention for the office of assembly, to which position he was elected by a handsome majority. Mr. De Hart was an active member of Huguenot Lodge, No. 381, of Tottenville. He passed away at his home in Tottenville, March 8, 1888, respected and esteemed by all with whom he came in contact.
Henry De Hart married, September 3, - 1825, Eleanor De Hart, born January 14, 1810, daughter of Mathias and Eliza- beth (Van Name) De Hart. Of this marriage were born chil- dren: 1. Raymond, born September 26, 1829, died March 27, 1903. He did not marry. 2. Theodore, born November 6, 1830, married Elizabeth Decker and has one daughter, Elmira, who married James T. Cole. 3. Henry, born November 10, 1835, did not marry. 4. Garrett, born December 9, 1837, married Mar- garet Kearney, and had one daughter, Harriet De Hart. Gar- rett De Hart died April 21, 1879. 5. Samuel, born April 20, 1839, not married. 6. Elizabeth, born April 12, 1842, did not marry. 7. Smith, born August 15, 1845, married Gertrude
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Androvette, and has two daughters-Bertha and Ada De Hart. 8. Mary Eleanor, born September 29, 1850, not married. The faithful wife and mother of the aforementioned children died November 13, 1885. She was a lady possessed of many excellent qualities of mind and heart, highly esteemed by all who knew her.
NICOLL-CHURCHILL FAMILIES.
John Churchill, the ancestor of the Churchill family, came from Dorsetshire, England, to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1643, and settled at a locality known as Hobbes Hole. He married, December 18, 1644, Hannah Pontus, daughter of William Pontus, who was one of the original grantees of Plymouth. John Church- ill was an extensive land owner, and died January 1, 1662-3. A nuncupative will was presented to the court on March 3d of that year. He left children: Joseph, Hannah, Eleazer and Mary. From the two sons are descended most of the families of the name.
Joseph Churchill, the oldest son, was born in 1647, and his life was passed on his father's farm. which he inherited. On this place he built a house before 1700, and which is yet stand- ing, an interesting relie of the early colonial days. It is de- scribed as standing "on the east side of the curve of the road, opposite to the Sandy Gutter road." It is now owned by Alvin G. Morton. On June 3, 1672, he married, at Plymouth, Sarah, daughter of Samuel Hicks and Lydia Doane, his wife. Samuel Hicks was a son of Robert Hicks, who was one of the grantees of Plymouth. Joseph Churchill's son was Barnabas Churchill, who was born in Plymouth, July 3, 1686. He also inherited the ancient homestead, and married, February 5, 1714, Lydia, daughter of William Harlow, Jr., and Lydia Cushman, his wife. She was a daughter of Thomas Cushman and granddaughter of Elder Robert Cushman, who married Mary Allerton, daughter
Lieut. Richard Cuyler Churchill.
Gen. Sylvester Churchill.
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of Isaac Allerton, the first assistant governor of Plymouth. Mary Allerton, who was living in 1698, was the last survivor of the Pilgrims who landed from the "Mayflower."
Joseph Churchill, the fourth son of Barnabas Churchill, was born in Plymouth, May 19, 1721, and died in 1751. He also lived on the paternal homestead, and married, September 23, 1745, Maria, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Sylvester) Ryder.
His second son, Joseph Churchill, was born July 14, 1748, and died in 1823. He married, in Middleboro, March 21, 1771, Sarah, daughter of Gershom Cobb and Miriam Thomas, his wife, and removed to Woodstock, Vermont, where he made his home.
Joseph Churchill was in his early years brought up at Mid- dleboro, Massachusetts, with his mother's relatives. At the very beginning of the Revolution he enlisted and served during the war as corporal and sergeant in the company of Captain Isaac Wood, and in other companies of Rhode Island troops. The remainder of his life was passed in Woodstock, to which village he gave the first site for a public school.
Sylvester Churchill, the third son of the above named Joseph Churchill, was born at Woodstock, Vermont, August 2, 1783. At the age of twenty-five he published the "Vermont Republican," the first newspaper in Windsor, Vermont. This he continued until 1812, and the influence of the paper changed the politics of the state. In the War of 1812 he was offered the captaincy of a company of infantry, but declined the offer, and he received a commission as first lieutenant of a company of artillery. He served through the war, and was with General Wade Hampton and General James Wilkinson at La Colle Mill. He was also on the staff of General George Izard and General Alexander Macomb. He was promoted for gallant conduct and signal bravery in defending with a handful of troops the crip- pled fleet of Commodore Macdonough, when attacked by the
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English, and was made inspector-general with the rank of major. He afterward served during the Seminole war, and after the Creek Indian war in 1836, in which he won distin- guished honor, he was made colonel to succeed General Wood. In the Mexican war he was engaged with distinguished valor in the battles of Palo Alto and Buena Vista. In the latter battle his wise posting of troops during the temporary absence of the commanding general saved the army. In 1856 he retired with the brevet rank of brigadier-general.
General Churchill married, at Windsor, Vermont, August 30, 1812, Lucy, daughter of William and Mary (Newell) Hunter. She was born February 17, 1786. and died September 6, 1862. After a long and distinguished career, General Churchill died at Washington, D. C., December 7, 1862.
William Hunter Churchill, the eldest son of General Church- ill, was born at Fort Wood, Bedloe's Island, July 8, 1819. He en- tered the Military Academy at West Point, in 1836, and grad- uated as fourth in a class of seventy-six members, and was ad- jutant of the corps. He was appointed second lieutenant in the Third Artillery, of which his father was major. In 1845 he was stationed at Corpus Christi, and was made brevet captain for gallantry at the battle of Palo Alto, in which he was wounded. In 1847 he was made assistant quartermaster with rank of captain, and was stationed at Point Isabel, where he died from the effects of his wounds, October 19, 1847. His remains are buried at Savannah, Georgia.
Captain Churchill married, December 17, 1844, Elizabeth Margaret, daughter of Richard Randolph Cuyler, and his wife, Mississippi Gordon. Mr. Cuyler was a representative of the well known New York family of the name. Their only child, Richard Cuyler Churchill, was born at Savannah, December 12, 1845, and died at Ossining, New York, June 24, 1879. He en-
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tered West Point in 1862, and graduated as thirteenth in a class of thirty-one, and was adjutant of the corps. On June 18, 1866, he was second lieutenant of the Fourth Artillery, and was sta- tioned at Fort Whipple and Fort Delaware. He was also as- sistant professor of drawing in West Point. He resigned Sep- tember 1, 1872.
Lieutenant Churchill married, November 22, 1866, Jose- phine, daughter of Henry and Ann (Mason) Young, of an ancient Long Island family. Their children are: 1. William Hunter, born September 12, 1867. 2. Ann Mason, born March 15, 1869, married B. Dawson Coleman, of Lebanon, Pennsyl- vania. 3. Maud, born at West Point, July 12, 1872, married Hon. De Laney Nicoll, of the ancient and honored family, De- cember 11, 1890. Their children are: De Laney Nicoll, Jr., born May 19, 1892; and Josephine. born October 2, 1893. 4. Elizabeth Margaret, who died young. 5. Richard Randolph Cuyler, born November 2, 1877.
JOHN D. CRIMMINS.
John D. Crimmins, contractor, public man and philan- thropist, was born in the city of New York, May 18, 1844. He was educated in the public schools of his native city and at St. Francis Xavier's College, attending the latter institution for a period of two years, when he left to attend to his father's business as clerk before he was sixteen. He has been one of the large real estate operators in the city of New York. His reputation and acquaintance caused him to be selected as ap- praiser in the division of estates and in disputed questions. At this period, 1865 to 1871, many of the large estates were held intact. His judgment and decision were employed by the Beek- man Estates, the Schermerhorns, Treadwells, James Lenox,
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Phelps Dodge, Jones, Cutting, Mason, Isaac Burr, the William Tilden Estate and others in adjustments.
His first recognition as a contractor of reputation was in connection with the carrying forward of the submarine work at Hell Gate. It appears that great criticism was made in regard to the progress of the work and the plans under which it was being conducted by General John Newton. Three contractors and two engineers were selected by the government to examine the work and make a report. Congress had failed to make ap- propriations due to criticism of the plans and methods. Mr. Crimmins' report highly complimented the manner in which the work was conducted and the eminent skill of General Newton was recognized. The work was proceeded with and its success- ful completion was a confirmation of the report made. The business, of which he is the moving spirit, has attained vast dimensions, covering the field of general contracting. The firm has erected many hundred buildings in New York, built the Broadway, Columbus Avenue and Lexington Avenue cable roads, and done other important pieces of work. Mr. Crimmins was the first man to make use of mechanical appliances and steam- drills in the city of New York.
He is ex-president of the Metropolitan Traction Company, and a large stockholder in the surface lines; director in the Fifth Avenue Bank, the City Trust Company, the Title Insurance Company of New York, the New York Mortgage & Security Company, the Chelsea Realty Company, and Metropolitan Se- curities Company, trustee of the Provident Loan Society, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He is also connected with several well known clubs, a patron of the Museum of Nat- ural History, a member of the Geographical Society and Mu- seum of Arts, and treasurer of the Friendly Sons of St. Pat- rick and of the Irish Industrial League, being connected with
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