USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume III > Part 11
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would promote the interests of the Redeemer's cause within these borders."
Mr. Rapelye was also connected with St. Paul's church in Woodside, in which he was an active and prominent worker. He was also in charge of a mission Sunday-school at Laurel Hill, where he did much good work. He was a member of the Long Island Historical Society, and was prominently connected with the Holland Society of New York, of which he had been a mem- ber ever since its organization. He was likewise one of the or- ganizers and a member of the board of directors and secretary of the Citizens' Water Supply Company of Newtown.
As a public-spirited citizen and a noble-hearted Christian, Mr. Rapelye held a prominent place in the community. He was a fit representative of a family that helped to plant the standard of Christianity on Long Island, and his name will ever be kept in remembrance by those with whom he was so long associated.
LINE OF CAPTAIN JEROMUS RAPELIE, YOUNGEST CHILD OF LIEUTENANT JORIS AND AGNES (BERRIEN ) RAPELIE (JORIS, DANIEL, JORIS).
Captain Jeromus Rapelie, youngest child of Lieutenant Joris and Agnes (Berrien) Rapelie, was born September 14, 1717. He bought the homestead half of the paternal farm on Flushing bay, and succeeded his father in business. He held a commission as captain of militia, was a man of great resolution and energy, and is said to have been a man of large and heavy frame, while his wife was remarkable for her diminutiveness. He married Wyntie, a daughter of Abraham Lent, a son of Ryck, eldest son of Abraham Rycken, who assumed the name of Lent.
An interesting incident is related of Wyntie Rapelie, show- ing the strong political differences that divided neighbors and friends at the beginning of the Revolution. Mrs. Maria Rapalie, mother of George Rapalie and grandmother of the last Cor-
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nelius, was spending a social afternoon with her neighbor, the wife of Captain Jeromus Rapelie. At the tea table the good hostess had prepared to serve up her choicest tea, not recogniz- ing the right of congress to deprive her of her favorite bever- age. But her guest, who entertained opposite views, declined to partake, and upon being pressed for her reason, replied : "Cousin Wyntie, I cannot do it; it's against my principles." Overcome by a sense of their unhappy position, both fell to weeping. Mrs. Rapelie adhered to her purpose, though the two friends lived to drink tea together in more auspicious times.
Captain Jeromus Rapelie, by his wife Wyntie (Lent) Rapelie, had issue: George, born December 12, 1739; Abraham, born December 10, 1741; Daniel, born November 27, 1743, died September 9, 1762; Jacobus, born February 15, 1746; Cornelius, born August 10, 1748; Jeromus, born Angust 23, 1751 ; and John, born March 9, 1755, and died September 9, 1776.
Cornelius Rapelie, fifth child of Captain Jeromns and Wyntie (Lent) Rapelie. was born at Newtown Angust 10, 1748, resided in Newtown until the close of the war, and then went to Nova Scotia and remained some years. On his return he took charge of the tavern (now the Rapelye House), which he carried on until his death. He married, November 17, 1780, Maria, daughter of his consin, Jacobus Riker.
Jacobus Riker was born in 1736 and named after his uncle, Jacob Van Alst. He remained on the paternal farm at New- town. He married, February 20, 1761, Anna Catrina, daughter of John Rapelye, and May 1, 1770, after his father's death, bought the homestead. In the Revolution he desired to take no part, and only by cirumstances and influences peculiarly adverse was he found. like many others, to yield an apparent compliance with loyalist measures. But his observation and own bitter ex- perience during that reign of terror had the effect of attaching
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him firmly to the Republican party, with which from the peace of 1783 he uniformly acted in exercising the right of suffrage. He was a man of considerable ingenuity, and thoroughly Dutch in language and habits. Faithful in the practice of useful in- dustry, prudence and strict integrity, he enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellow townsmen. He served as an elder in the Dutch church at Newtown. Maria, his eldest child, born March 27, 1762. was married to Cornelius Rapelye. Jacob Riker was the son of Abraham (3rd), son of Abraham (2d), son of Abraham Riker, the ancestor.
Cornelius Rapelye, by his wife Maria (Riker) Rapelye, had issue: Grace, born August 20, 1782; Jeromus, born May 27, 1784, at Newtown; Jeromus, born at Shelburn, Nova Scotia, May 27, 1788; James Riker, born in Nova Scotia, January 3, 1790; and George, born in Newtown February 15, 1793.
George Rapelye, the last mentioned, was born in Newtown. February 15. 1793, and became a prominent New York merchant and carried on the wholesale grocery business on Catharine street for many years, where he accumulated a fortune. He owned a fine residence on Madison street, which was then a fashionable part of the city, making his summer residence at the present Rapelye homestead in Astoria. He married Jane Maria, daughter of James and Adrianne Suydam, son of Captain Lambert, son of Hendrick (2d), son of Hendrick Rycken.
Hendrick Rycken. a member of the Riker family, came from Suydam, Holland, in 1665, and settled in New Amsterdam, at what was called Smith's Fly, where he purchased a house and land in 1678. He removed to Flatbush with his wife, Ida Jacobs, and acquired a large estate. His children took the name of Suydam.
Hendrick Snydam, son of Hendrick Rycken, became a farmer at Bedford (a part of Brooklyn), where he bought a
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farm of his father in 1698. He died subsequent to 1743. By his wife Bennetie he had Lambert Hendrick (3rd) and Elsie.
Captain Lambert Suydam, eldest child of Hendrick (2d) and Bennetie his wife, resided at Bedford. In 1749 he was commissioned captain of the Kings county troop of horse. He died in 1767. He married Abigail Lefferts and had Hendrick, Bennetie, Jane, Ida and Jacobus.
Jacobus Suydam was born at Bedford, December 4, 1758, became a New York merchant and resided at Bedford. In 1794 he bought the estate of William Lawrence, in Newtown, and lived there until his death, Juue 11, 1825. He married Adriana, daughter of Captain Cornelius Rapelye, and had issue: Lam- bert, Cornelius Rapelye, Abigail, Adriana, James, Jane Maria and Henry.
Jane Maria married George Rapelye, and had a son named Cornelius.
Cornelius Rapelye, only child of George and Jane Maria (Suydam) Rapelye, was born in New York November 16, 1833. His mother died during his early childhood, and he was raised by his aunt, Grace Rapelye Trafford, who did her best to supply the place of a mother. She was the widow of John Trafford, and her son became prominent in the public affairs of Astoria and did much for its growth and development. He purchased a set of chimes for the Church of the Redeemer, with the request that his remains should be buried in the churchyard and that these chiines should be rung on each recurring anniversary of his birthday. This request has been strictly observed, and the set of bells are known as the "Trafford chimes." Cornelius Rapelye, under the careful training of his aunt, grew up an exemplary youth. A certificate of his scholarship has been preserved, which shows his good standing at school. It reads: "Monthly Certificate of Approbation of the Male High School,
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78 Crosby Street. Awarded to Cornelius Rapelye of the Fifth Class for his Industry, Punctuality and Good Deportment dur- ing the past four weeks. [Isaac F. Bragg, Principal.]" It is an old proverb, "Show me the boy and I'll show you the man," and it proved true in his case. He was not obliged to labor for a living, having inherited an ample fortune; but he was never idle and his time was profitably employed. He was punc- tual in all his engagements, and his good deportment was shown in his daily walk and conversation, which was that of a true gentleman,-courteous, kind, considerate and obliging. It might be truly said of him,
"His life was gentle; and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, This was a man."
He was quiet and reserved and of an even temperament. He won the confidence of his fellow men without an effort. His words had no uncertain sound or double meaning.
Astoria. the home of his childhood and manhood, owes much to him as a public-spirited citizen. He not only en- couraged but was an active promotor of all public improvements, and had great confidence in the future of his native town. Of a modest and retiring disposition, he could not be induced to accept public honors, but was generous in his support of friends who did accept them. In his works of benevolence and charity he followed the injunction, "Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth." He accepted offices of trust and responsi- bility in his business connections where he felt that he could be useful. He was president of the Astoria Ferry Company for many years and a director in other corporations.
He was long an elder in the Astoria Reformed Dutch church, to which he was at all times a liberal contributor, and when the church edifice was destroyed by fire he was foremost in the
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work of erecting the new church edifice, being a member of the building committee. At the time of his death, November 20, 1890, the consistory of the church adopted the following resolu- tions :
Whereas, Almighty God, onr heavenly Father, by His mes- senger Death has. in His inscrutable providence, removed from the midst of ns onr brother, Elder Cornelius Rapelye,
Resolved, That while we know and are sure that "He doeth all things well," and "will have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies," yet we cannot refrain from giving some expression to onr sense of the great loss sustained by his family and friends, the Church and this church in particular. An earnest, upright man, a true and affectionate husband, a consistent and devoted elder, a firm and faithful friend has obeyed the call of the Master, "Come up higher."
Resolved, That in the consistent walk and conversation of Elder Rapelve, and in his unostentatious devotion to the spirit- nal and temporal welfare of the church, he has shown an ex- ampie worthy of being followed by those with whom he had heen intimately and harmoniously associated for so many years.
Resolved, That Consistory extend to his family its sincere sympathy, with earnest prayers that the Saviour will sustain them in their affliction. And, rejoicing in the knowledge that they "sorrow not even as others which have no hope," and in the firm belief that we shall one day meet again with all the loved ones gone before, we say to our brother, "Only 'Good night.' beloved, not 'Farewell !' "
Resolved, That this action be recorded in the minutes of Consistory, and in the minutes of the Eldership, and that a copy thereof be sent to his family, and published in the Christian Intelligencer. By order of Consistory.
JOHN J. HALSEY, Clerk.
Astoria, Nov. 21, 1890.
Referring to the above resolutions, his pastor, for whom he entertained the warmest friendship, said :
"In the set of resolutions framed by consistory, the word 'unostentatious' occurs. It is a word peculiarly expressive of our brother's character. For nearly two years, though his pastor and intimate friend, I did not discover anything unusual
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in the quiet and simple life he led. Then slowly it began to dawn upon me that here was one of the most widely misunder- stood of men. One by one, ten by ten, I began to stumble over the recipients of his bounty. Men whom he had made, I found, and many of them too. He would not speak about it; he would almost resent the intrusion of a word concerning his benefac- tions; but, that he was no unimportant factor in the helping and healing agencies of the world, and that he conscientiously distributed far more upon others than he cared to use upon himself, let the hungry whom he has fed, the homeless whom he has sheltered, the unfortunate whom he has rescued, this day testify.
** In little matters he was particular, precise, a man of me- thodical habit and conservative taste. When he bought, he bought his money's worth, and could not endure to be cheated. But in matters of moment and largest concern, easy, generous, untroubled over loss, and (what to my mind is evidence of lofty character) never dictatory where he had given largely and had every right to dictate.
"Witness his connection with this church. Nineteen years ago he made a confession of his faith, and became a member of this family. Five years later he was elected deacon, and five years subsequent to that he was ordained elder. In the letter of acceptance which he wrote on the occasion of his election to the deaconate this significant sentence occurred: 'The Master's cause will be strengthened. and our church prospered, if any- thing I can do or say will help. The underscoring ('our church') is his own, and indicates how complete even then was his iden- tification with the work of Christ as carried forward by this church. How he loved its services ! How he cherished its fellow- ship !- so faithful he was to its every meeting, so fond of its music, so quietly appreciative of all things good that came from the pulpit or the pew! More enthusiastic than was his nature he appeared, on the occasion of his return to us this fall. ‘So good to be home again,' he said; 'so blessed to sit in the dear church again, and join in the worship of God!' Perhaps he may have had some premonition of trouble; perhaps he began to look upon this church as, in some sense, the monument which he had builded. It would have been a work impossible with- out his aid; it would even now be groaning under the burden of debt, had he not quietly and all unsolicited interposed with the guaranty of a sum exceeding his first munificent subscrip- tion."
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Referring to his public efforts and personal relations, his pastor said :
"While never actively engaged in business life, he still found abundant occupation in the management of the estates to which he had fallen heir. Nor was there wanting an interest in matters of public benefactions, and in those affairs which naturally concern the citizen. It is perhaps forgotten by this time that he was largely, if not chiefly, instrumental toward the completion of those enterprises which had been originated and promoted by his cousin, the late Cornelius Rapelye Traf- ford (with whom was associated the late Stephen A. Halsey" and others), such as the laying of sidewalks, the setting of lamps and the general improvement of the village before it became a part of the Long Island City. He was also one of the incorporators of the Hunters Point and Steinway Horse Car line, as also one of the first to respond in almost every matter of public concern. The Astoria ferry owes its present develop- ment and prosperous condition largely to the courage with which he undertook its resuscitation at a time when it affairs were critical. He had faith enough to cling to it, and foresight to know that ultimately it would prosper. At the time of his death he was president of the company, an honored member of the Citizens' Committee, as also of the Law and Order Society, out of which the citizens' committee grew; he was ever ready to aid in its work, with advice where advice was needed, with money where money would help. In polities a Democrat, and loyal to his party, he could nevertheless be independent of party lines, a warm advocate of law and order. a citizen zealous for the public weal.
"Concerning his character and private life I feel I can speak, if not with authority, at any rate with appreciation. For nearly six years past, an intimate acquaintance in the home, in the church, and in the official board of the church, has given me excellent opportunity for knowing him and abundant re :- sons for loving him. From the day when first I came to As- toria-when his kindly word decided my acceptance of your call to this pastorate-up to the day of death, I have received from him uniform courtesy; gentlemanly consideration always, and, when I have needed it for personal or parish work, the most substantial encouragement, the most gratifying friend- ship. His was no gushing manner which gave promise of what he could not perform, but the plain, unpretentious hearing that
Vol. 111-10
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begets no enthusiasm perhaps, but what is far better, a con- fident assurance that he will do what he has agreed to do- that he can do very much more. Had he been smitten with a love for vulgar conspicuousness, what great display he might easily have made-what abundant opportunity to make what the world calls a 'figure' in life! But who that knew him ever found hint of boastfulness or swagger? Who ever found him offensively assertive? As natural for him to be unassuming and modest as to be steady, honest and gentle."
Mr. Rapelye loved the old home of his ancestors at 1s- toria, but he purchased a beautiful summer residence at Kid- der's on Cayuga Lake, where he spent many happy days with her who had been his life-long partner and helpmeet. Before her marriage she was Miss Lydia L. Hyatt, daughter of John B. Hyatt, of Newtown, and Ann Burroughs, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Burroughs. The Burroughs family have filled an important place in the history of the world. Among the first of the name mentioned is that of Captain Stephen Burroughs, an English navigator, who accompanied Chancellor as second in command in his voyage to discover a northeast passage around the eastern continent in 1553. Three years later he had chief command of another expedition equipped with the same object. He doubled Cape North, touched at Nova Zembla, discovered the island Wygaltz and reached nortlı latitude seventy degrees three minutes-a higher point than had been reached by any previous navigator. He published in England an account of his observations. He was the first who observed the declination of the magnetic needle.
The following armorial bearings were granted June 27, 1586, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, to William Burroughs, Esq .: "Clerk and comptroller of the Queen's Navy, son of Walter Burroughs, at Northam, near Barnstable in the county of Devon." ARMS-Azure; a bend wavy; argent, between two
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fleurs de lis, ermine. The family of Burroughs have been high- ly honored by their sovereigns at different periods, and always distinguished for their loyalty and great learning.
John Burroughs, the progenitor of the American family of this name, was born in Dorsetshire, England, in 1617, and is found at Salem in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1642. He was a member of the long parliament that assembled No- vember 3, 1640, which was dissolved by Cromwell, and with many others fled from England to escape religious persecu- tion. He removed from Salem, Massachusetts, to Newtown, Long Island, of which he was one of the patentees in 1666. He was a fine penman, and filled the office of town clerk for eleven years. He was a man of resolute character and a warm advo- cate of popular rights. He died in August, 1678. His will is on record in the surrogate's office in New York city. He left issue Jeremiah, Joseph, John, Joanna and Mary.
Joseph Burroughs, son of John (1st), was a worthy citizen and a liberal supporter of the Presbyterian church. He died February 16, 1738. His son, John Burroughs, married Mar- garet, daughter of James Renne. He served the next year as constable of the town, and was subsequently justice of the peace. He owned land at Trenton, New Jersey, and was also interested in the New Cornwall mines. He died in Newtown July 7, 1750, and his widow died July 11, 1767. Their children were John, Samuel and Joanna.
John Burroughs (2d), son of John (1st), married, April 26, 1747, Sarah Hunt, then the widow Smith. He inherited the paternal farm, and died February 18, 1755, leaving an only child, Joseph. The latter occupied the paternal estate, was a leading man in the Episcopal church, and died December 24, 1820, in his seventy-third year. He was twice married-first
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to Lydia, a daughter of Thomas Hallitt, by whom he had issue John, Thomas, Joseph, Hallitt, Anna and Benjamin.
Thomas Burroughs, son of Joseph, succeeded to the pater- nal farm, and married Sarah, daughter of George Wyckoff, of Flatlands. He died September 20, 1835, leaving issue: Lydia, who married George Rapelye; Sarah, who married Charles H. Roach; Joseph; and Ann, who married John B. Hyatt; and George Wyckoff Burroughs. Ann became the mother of Lydia Hyatt, who became the wife of Cornelius Rapelve, and still resides at the old homestead in Astoria.
ROBERT HENRY GOLDER, M. D.
Robert Henry Golder, M. D., a prominent physician of Staten Island, residing in Rossville, borough of Richmond, is a representative of an old and honored family. His grand- father, Archibald Golder, was a native of Maryland, where the family resided for many years, having its seat at Annapo- lis. He served during the Revolutionary war with the rank of captain. He died presumably at Annapolis or Baltimore. He married Matilda Johnson, a member of one of the oldest and most famous Maryland families. Her father, Reverdy Johnson, was one of the leading lawyers and statesmen of his day, and served as chancellor of the state of Maryland. Rev- erdy Johnson, son of said Reverdy Johnson, was even more famous than was his sire. He also was a distinguished law- yer, and served as attorney-general in the cabinet of President Zachary Taylor. He had previously served as United States Senator, elected in 1845, and in 1863 was again elected to that body. In 1868 he went to England as Minister Plenipotentiary, and negotiated the famous Johnson-Clarendon Treaty, which was rejected by the senate. It is a noteworthy fact that the question under discussion (that of the "Alabama Claims")
P. Henry Folder Mg
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was eventually settled under another administration on sub- stantially the same principles which he laid down. Returning to the United States in 1869 he resumed the practice of his profession, continuing until shortly before his death, which occurred in Annapolis, February 10, 1876.
Archibald Golder had children: 1. Archibald, married and resided in Baltimore, had a son George, who was a physician. 2. George, served in the war of 1812, and was wounded in action; married and resided in Baltimore. 3. Robert, died a bachelor. 4. Henrietta, unmarried. 5. John, see forward.
John Golder, born in Annapolis, Maryland, May 23, 1783. He was an accomplished lawyer, practicing in Philadelphia, to which city he removed in 1818, and thence to New York city. He was a prominent Free Mason. He was also the author of a number of literary works, among which were the lives of Chief Justice W. Tilghman, of the Supreme Court of Pennsyl- vania, Patrick Henry, and a book on "Deliberate, Forensic and Pulpit Eloquence." In 1812 he married Margaret McMaken, of Philadelphia, who was of Scotch-Irish descent. Her mother's family- the Scotts, who were nearly allied to the family of Sir Walter Scott-came to this country about the middle of the eighteenth century, and settled mostly in Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania. He died in Morrisania, New York, March 21, 1864.
Dr. Robert Henry Golder, son of John Golder, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 23, 1820. He gradu- ated from the medical department of the University of the City of New York in 1851, and established himself in the village of Rossville, Staten Island, where he has conducted a successful and remunerative practice to the present time. He is deeply devoted to the interests of the community, and has ever taken an active part in the promotion of every worthy movement and object. He is a communicant of St. Luke's Protestant Epis-
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copal Church, and the oldest living member. He is a member of Richmond Borough Medical Society, to which he was elected president for several successive terms. He was the only living physician of Staten Island who knew Dr. S. R. Smith, the founder of the Smith Infirmary at Castleton, and is at pres- ent the only surviving physician in Richmond county, and also the only survivor who was present at the laying of the corner stone of the hospital building.
Dr. Golder married Catherine V. Dunham, born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, November 18, 1824, daughter of Eph- raim and Elizabeth (Vaughan) Dunham. Of this marriage have been born a son, Valentine Mott, born September 17, 1848, died December 29, 1878, and a daughter, Margaret Dunham, who survives.
ROBERT L. COOPER, M. D.
Robert L. Cooper, M. D., an able and experienced physician and surgeon of New York city, with offices located at No. 321 West Fifty-ninth street, was born in Richmond, Virginia, Janu- ary 6, 1876. He is a son of Frederick T. and Edmonia (Daven- port) Cooper, the former dying in New York, September, 1904, the latter residing in New York city.
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