USA > New York > Queens County > Long Island City > History of Long Island City, New York. A record of its early settlement and corporate progress. Sketches of the villages that were absorbed in the growth of the present municipality. Its business, finance, manufactures, and form of government, with some notice of the men who built the city > Part 2
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One of the five daughters of Captain Praa, having married Wil- liam Bennett, received Dominie's THE OLD WASHINGTON HOUSE. Hook for a homestead. Upon her death, her father, who survived, bequeathed the home to her children, and it became known as Bennett's Point. One of the sons, Jacob, acquired by purchase from the family in 1767, sole ownership, which he retained till his death in 1817.
Long Island City began its business career at Hallett's Cove. Perhaps a lime-kiln erected by William Hallett was the first enterprise. Sunswick Creek, which connected with the Dutch Kills, was a navigable stream and was utilized by settlers for many years for the transportation of produce to the East River.
One hundred years after Hallett had here established a home, a descendant, Joseph Hallett, together with Jacob Blackwell, constructed a grist mill upon the creck, which afterward was operated by Blackwell, then by Hendrick Suydam, in Revolutionary days.
In 1688, William Hallett's estate was divided between his sons Samnel and William, the former receiving the lands south, the latter those north of Main Street and Newtown Avenue. Thus the old trails became divisional lines, many of which still cluster, with ancient associations now forgotten, under the hurried tread of a busy generation.
The locality of Dutch Kills until a later day was an unobtrusive factor in our commercial development. The grist of Burger Joris' mill, we may assume, was in ready demand and was among the products which were transported on the bosom of the navigable creek to the river.
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
The bailiwick of Joris Stevenson de Caper stretched from Dutch Kills Creek to the Harris farm. Here in 1766 was erected the Van Alst mansion, which still stands in its desolate grandeur upon Jackson Avenue above Jane Street. The doors are still in halves, but the old brazen knocker which summoned the hospitality of its inmates for several generations is gone. Time and the ernel abuse of heedless strangers are rapidly effacing this interesting relie from human sight and memory.
This ancient mansion was once surrounded by farm lands upon which the Van Alst generations lived till within the memory of many now living. The name of Van Alst has been traced to West Flanders, whence George, "the sailor," emigrated in 1652. It is said that he laid aside the prerogatives of a noble lineage and leaving the walls of an ancient manor in which a titled ancestry had lived and passed away, he came to the New World and established a rude home upon the "Canapaukah." Two plantations were confirmed to him by patent, September 16, 1670, which remained in the family from generation to generation. This district, now embraced for the most part within the Third Ward of the City, is described as having been singularly attractive. With increase of population the farms grew smaller, averaging not more than one hundred aeres. Fields and woods yielded wild strawberries in such profusion that an old writer declares the landscape at points exposed to view was erimsoncd with them. The natural conditions of those early days add probability to this,otherwise remarkable obser- vation. The Indian was a lover, as well as child, of nature. The mighty trees of the forest were his companions and he knew and loved them. He suffered but little under- brush to grow that the land might remain for the chase, the cultiva- tion of maize and tobacco, and that he might pitch his wigwam in the deeper shadows of kingly trees. The first settlers, therefore, began improvements without any previous clearing for clearings there were already. They chose large tracts of land for planting and pasture and enclosed it with a fence. In fact, THE OLD MOORE HOUSE. at the time whereof we write, every inhabitant of Newtown at a town meeting was ordered to make twenty poles of fence for enclosure of a field of corn which was grown for common 11sc. The sufficiency of cleared land for the limited agricultural demands of the time appears also from the publie sentiment favoring the preservation of trees save for necessary purposes. In 1668 Newtown voted a penalty of twenty shillings a load for all timber transported by water beyond its limits. We may understand then how Dutch Kills seemed a veritable arcadia when the farmer from Europe added his improving touch to the waiting fields of nature which the redman had cleared as if in preparation for his coming.
In 1656 Major Thomas Lawrence, built what is now the Woolsey Mansion, at Pot Cove, upon land deeded to him by that enterprising old lady, Annettie Jans, who had received it from Gov. Stuyvesant under the great seal of the colony of New Amsterdam. The Duke of York confirmed the validity of the Dutch title by a patent to Thomas Lawrence, dated September 29, 1677. The patent recites that it was executed by "Edmund Andros, Lieu- tenant and Governor General of His Royal Highness, James, Duke of York and Albany, of all his territory in America," in consideration of his receiving therefor "yearly and every year unto his Royal Highness' use, as a quit rent, a peek of good winter wheat." At his death in 1703, Thomas Lawrence was the owner of the tract eastward to Bowery Bay.
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
Major Lawrence had also by patent from Governor Nicolls, August 23, 1665, acquired posses- sion of " Round Island " which subsequently was owned by Timothy Wood. In 1727 the island having been purchased by Cornelins Berrian, became known by his name.
The Northeastern part of the City, which as we have seen was one of the points of earliest settlement within the present City limits, has been marked in its development with rich historical reminiscence and later with industrial importance. The whole of North Beach from the Grand Pier-then called Fish's Point-westward for nearly a mile, including Luyster Island, had been granted by the Dutch Government to the Dutch Reformed Church for the purpose of a poor farm, whence the name of "Poor Bowery." In 1656 it was purchased by Peter Lnyster, who, dying in 1695, transmitted the estate to his son Cornelius, whose descendants, dividing it among themselves, held the title for more than a century.
Here also Abraham Rycken the ancestor of the Riker family, obtained a grant and established a homestead in 1654. A considerable portion of the original estate is still retained in the family. Abraham Rycken is supposed to America about 1638 as made him a grant of To this grant at the afterward added the Riker's Island. At his Abraham, became heir turn transmitted it to Andrew. This Abra- 20, 1770, and was par- erection of a church at shippers had hitherto leges at much sacrifice. lies had they walked the same day. The first town was of special Mr. Riker became one quently a ruling elder. Jacobus purchased the upon it until his death received the estate the possession of the was occupied by An- and has passed from present generation. have emigrated to at that time Gov. Kieft land at the Wallabout. " Poor Bowery " he soon Island still known as death in 1689, his son, to the estate, who in his sons, Abraham and ham lived till February ticularly active in the Newtown. Devout wor- enjoyed religions privi- Often with their fami- to Flatbush, returning Dutch Church of New- interest therefore and of its trustees, subse- After his father's death, homestead . and resided in 1809. ITis son Daniel which then passed into Rapelyes. The Island drew, a son of Abraham, father to son to the . However unaccoun- table as to origin, it yet STEPHEN A. HALSEY. family are generically Rikers. Abraham Lent, is true that the Lent identical with the who resided at the Poor Bowery from whom the Lents derived title to the landed estates of the family, was a lineal descendant of Abraham Ryeken.
The same is historically true of the Suydam family. A grandson of Abraham Rycken in 1710 for reasons not recorded, adopted the name Suydam, thus originating a lineage of that name now known in many states of the Union.
ORIGIN OF THE NAME OF RAVENSWOOD.
The name of Ravenswood was given to the village by the Rev. Francis L. Hawks, L. L. D., an eminent divine of his day. Mr. Hawks lived in the vicinity for some time, when the village bore the name of Matona. The name first given by the divine was Ravenscroft, in honor of his particular friend, the Right Reverend John S. Ravenscroft, who was Bishop of North Carolina from 1823 to 1830. It being suggested that the Bishop might not feel himself highly honored on account of the smallness of the place and the slender number of its inhabitants, Dr. Hawks decided to name the village Ravenswood. Some suppose that he
15
HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
selected this name on account of the great number of erows (the American raven), that then frequented this section during the spring and fall. Others, that it was drawn from Sir Walter Scott's "Bride of Lammermoor," where the name of Ravenswood is made famous by the historical features of the romance.
Ravenswood, north of the land of Dominie Bogardus, was first settled by Capt. Franeis Fyn, who in 1651 had acquired from the Dutch Government, title to a large tract lying along the river. It would appear that upon the accession of the English to the sovereignty of New Amsterdam in 1664, this title ceased, for one Jacob Blackwell received from the new governor, a grant including the land in question. Jacob Blackwell was the son of Richard Blackwell, who, coming from Elizabethtown, New Jersey, had married the step-daughter of Capt. Manning, whose manor embraced the island in the East River bearing his name. Through this alliance Richard subsequently came into the possession of the island which since has been called Blackwell's Island. The old homestead, it is said, still stands on the island and may be seen by the tourist from the deck of his vessel. The house now standing at the foot of Webster Avenue is the original mansion of Jacob Blackwell, built by him upon his accession to his new grant. The fortunes of this ancient structure tempt the historian to halt. We can, however, only refer the reader to such references as are made to it in remaining chapters.
MISCELLANIES.
Most of the families made their own cloth and linen, and had looms and spinning wheels for the use of itinerant weavers.
All males over sixteen, except the minister, constable and school-master, were compelled to do military duty, which consisted of four days once a year in Company drill and once at general training. Each was to have a "good serviceable gunn, good sword, bandoleers, a horne, a worme, a seowerer, a pruning wire, a shot bag, charger, one pound powder, 4 pounds pistol bullets, 4 fathom of serviceable match for match lock gunn or 4 good flints for fire lock gunn."
Wampum resembled beads in shape and color. Being made only of shells its value was fixed by its color. The English and Dutch enacted that three black or six white beads should be equal to one penny. Blue wampum was the gold of Indian commerce. After the permanent settlement of the colonies wampum become a medium of exchange. By the colonial laws of 1633 one fathom of blue wampum was fixed at 20 shillings, of white at 10 shillings. Long Island supplied nearly the whole country. The vast shell heaps found at Bowery Bay for many years were remains of wampum factories. John Josselyn who visited this country in 1633 was much impressed by the skill and ingenuity with which the natives coined their money. "Jew nor devil" he remarks "ean counterfeit wampum." .
The Algonquin language was spoken throughout the colonies and became a familiar tongue to many primitive settlers.
The population of Queens County in 1670 was 3565, composed as follows: men 1465; women 1350; children 551, and negroes 199.
Sand was used for house floors, chairs had high fiddle backs, dishes were of wood and pewter, casks mounted with brazen ornaments and tankards of silver contained rum, gin, cider and sherry for the wealthier classes.
The Governor granted all marriage licenses, and where marital disputes ensued appointed special deputies for investigation.
Funerals were attended with feasts.
Teachers tolled funeral bells.
Santa Klaus was a veritable personage.
Negro whippers were appointed in various towns. April 4, 1729, the town of Newtown appointed William Tallier "general whipper " for the town. Besides being whipped, slaves were often branded in the forehead with a hot iron.
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
On the night of January 24, 1708, William Hallett, Jr., wife, and five children were murdered by an Indian named "Sam" and a negress, who were slaves of the family. The motive was to secure possession of the land. This extraordinary tragedy absorbed popular attention for a long time, and was influential in legislation for the suppression of slave conspiracies. Speedy, though terrible, punishment awaited the perpetrators of the crime, who were burned at the stake at Jamaica, February 2, 1708. The Hallett home was in the vicinity of what is now known as the "German Settlements."
January 27, 1753, three children and a negro of John Parcells were drowned in the East River.
July 4, 1756, a cyclone swept from Hell Gate south across the island leaving a track So rods wide strewn with uprooted trees, demolished houses and barns, and like results of its destructive power. The storm lasted half of a minute.
Earthquakes were distinctly felt in this section December 7, 1737; November 18, 1755; and June 18, 1773.
Snow fell two and a half feet, March 5, 1772.
In 1768 the dwelling of widow Rapelye (now Woolsey) was burnt.
In 1683 there were in Newtown, 109 horses, 107 oxen, 340 cows, 464 sheep, 1563 acres of land occupied. The families numbered about 90.
It was many a day after the English and Dutch had selected new homes in a new world-in fact generations passed, before there was a store within the present precincts of this city. Domestic wants were simple and few, and were readily supplied by industry. What was desired beyond home production was found across the river in New York. Purchasers thither went without money, and in place thereof took along for exchange produce, tobacco, beer and negro boys.
The first mention made of cattle is a distribution made by Van Twiller in 1638. The Governor let George Rapelye have two cows for four years, to be returned with one of their increase with the exception of a heifer, which the Governor presented to one of the daughters of Rapelye.
Riker relates that in the Fall of 1780 the British frigate "Hussar" struck Pot Rock and floating to Morris Island, there filled and sank with several of the crew. She was bound for New England carrying pay for the British army. Several attempts were made, subsequently to the Revolution, to recover the chest of money which was supposed to have gone down with the wreck, but without results. It is suspected that the money had been embezzled upon the previous day when the vessel lay at anchor in Hallett's Cove, and that the disaster was intentional, to conceal the crime.
In 1845, Charles Conklin, a lessee of the Schuyler farm, Blissville, found near his barn a pot of silver coins which had been disturbed by some newly purchased swine. From subsequent developments it was learned that the coins were English, and amounted to more than five hundred dollars, and doubtless had been hidden during the British occupancy of the soil.
Though the sweet potato was among the presents which Columbus took to Queen Isabella, the white potato was unknown to North America. Having been introduced into Europe only a generation or two before the emigration of settlers to New Amsterdam, it is probable that this vegetable, which has done more than any other to ward off the famines of the world, was not among the products of agriculture in primitive days.
The old Moore Mansion still stands upon the roadside leading from Steinway to Bowery Bay. It is now owned by Henry C. Titus, Esq., who loyally preserves it in a condition for occupaney. Upon the grounds about this old homestead once grew the world famed Newtown pippins, which have been known to sell at $20.00 a barrel. Some of these his- torie trees are still to be traced by their blackened stumps, which, though in the last pro- cesses of decay, are valued memorials of a horticulture, envied by the present day ..
CHAPTER II.
FROM THE REVOLUTION TO THE INCORPORATION OF LONG ISLAND CITY-EFFECT OF THE DECLARATION UPON THE COLONISTS OF QUEENS COUNTY-CAUSES OF DIVISION OF SENTIMENT-DELIN- QUENTS DEPRIVED OF THEIR RIGHTS BY CONGRESS-PATRIOTS SUFFER- NEWTOWN CREEK AND THE CAPTURE OF NEW YORK -- INTER- ESTING INCIDENTS -- THE OLD BLOCK 110USE-INCOR- PORATION OF ASTORIA-UNION COLLEGE AND HUNTER'S POINT.
At the opening of the War of Independence the inhabitants of Queens County formed a considerable portion of the colony of New York. The conservatism of the Dutch element, while sympathizing with the great principles of liberty and human rights declared by the Colonial Congress of 1774, appre. hended consequences which might imperil ultimate triumph. The disposition to doubt the expediency of war, and the desire of advance- ment without an appeal to arms, resulted at first in diffidence toward the active measures espoused throughout the Colonies.
It was especially among the English colonists that the spirit of resistance was manifested. The abuse of power by the Governors, T and the constant coercion of Assem- blies to the will of the King, together with the abridgement of personal and civil rights, had pre- cipitated a struggle between the people and the Crown. Petitions for redress of grievances met with contempt. Alarm at the arbitrary proceedings of Parliament spread THE OLD DURYEA HOUSE. throughout the colonies, lest their religion, laws and liberties should be subverted.
The Congress of 1774 promulgated its Declaration of Rights, its address to the people of Great Britain and its great "memorial to the inhabitants of the British colonies." As the long conflict between the spirit of liberty and the encroachments of arbitrary power approached culmination, the freeholders of Queens County were divided in their sentiments of loyalty. Thompson ascribes as the cause, "motives of safety and the preservation of their property- the abandonment of Long Island to the British after the engagement of August 27, 1776- the conduct of town committees in repudiating the legislative authority of Congress -- the com- pulsion of many by Tory commanders to subscribe to the oath of fidelity to the King, and the barbarous hostilities of many royalists who contemned all rules of civilized warfare." But whether through fear, expedieney or conviction, Toryism in Kings and Queens Counties predominated. Yet patriots there were who held their "lives, liberties and sacred honor " above considerations of selfish advantage. A provincial convention was held in New York, April 22, 1775, to appoint delegates to the Continental Congress, which was to meet in the following May. The name of Jacob Blackwell occurs among others assenting to its proceedings. Else- where more particular reference is made to Mr. Blackwell's character and patriotic sacrifices.
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
The ardor of those who had taken arms for independence, and the stern justice of their cause, could not brook pronounced delinquencies. Those who refused to send deputies to the convention, however numerous, were known. The committee on the State of New York, in the Congress of January, 1776, reported a resolution as follows:
" Whereas, a majority of the inhabitants of Queens County, in the colony of New York, being incapable of resolving to live and die free men, etc.,
Resolved, That all such persons in Queens County aforesaid, as voted against sending deputies to the present convention in New York and named in a list of delinquents in Queens County, published by the convention of New York, be put out of the protection of the United Colonies and that all trade and intercourse with them cease, etc." The names of such were published monthly, and many were placed under arrest, divested of their arms and ammunition, and imprisoned for non-compliance with legislative authority. The preva- lence of sentiments of royalty invited the presence and oppression of the enemy; of these the present domain of this city was at times an active scene. Here are a few links in the long chain of our municipal history, associated with the names of men great in deeds of arms and the prowess of war, or great only in the love of liberty. The whole of Newtown was occupied by the British from 1776 to 1783.
THE OLD DEBEVOISE HOUSE.
In the house of Jacob Rapelye, on the Shore Road, Dominie Froeligh, of the Dutch church, at Jamaica, found refuge from Tory wrath, having "prayed the Almighty to strike the fleets of the invaders with his bolts and sink their soldiers in the seas." Fortunately his host was a skillful boatman or else the patriotic refugee would never have placed, as he did next day, the swirling currents of Hell Gate between him and his pursuers.
Newtown Creek, on the fif- teenth day of September, 1776, encouraged a plot . against the city on the yonder side of the river, for which its subsequent achievements in peace may be
accepted as an apology. On that day the first division of the British Army, commanded by Cornwallis and Clinton, lay in boats a sufficient distance up the creek to be concealed from the view of the Continental Army. Five menacing ships of war conveyed them across the river to Kipp's Bay, perhaps the most defenceless, and, therefore, for the enemy, the most strategic point of New York at that time for the purposes of attack. Not that the fire of freeman was wanting, but rather because the fusillade from the ships was hotter, the enemy landed and the capture of New York was complete.
Newtown Creek, during most of the great conflict, was a secure retreat for all sorts of British vessels. Naval boats were always nigh at hand on patrol duty doubling their security. A cannon ball, now in the possession of Geo. H. Payntar, Esq., and taken by him from a tree on the heights of Sunnyside, was doubtless shot from these hostile decks.
A medal since placed in the collection of the Long Island Historical Society, was dug from a Blissville garden a score of years ago. The head of the King is encircled with the legend "Georgius III., Dei Gratia," while the reverse shows the shield, unicorn and the crown. It is of pure brass (not the metal of the mint), and perchance fell from a Britisher's waistcoat while upon "shore leave."
HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
At this period there were ten farms on the heights of Blissville embraced within the present territorial limits of this city. These were the farms of Francis Duryea, 75 acres; John Debevoise, 80 acres; Abraham Payntar, 80 acres; Abraham Rapelye, over 80 aeres; William Payntar, 78 acres; Richard Bragaw 88 acres; Abraham Schuyler, over roo acres; Andrews Bragaw, cousin to Richard, 84 acres; George Brinckerhoff, over 100 acres, and William Morrell, extent not ascertained. Of the old mansions that graced these estates, nine are still standing, six being in such a state of preservation as to admit of occupancy. To the south of the city pumping station is the Debevoise mansion; still further south, and just across the trolley track, mutely stands the ancient Duryea homestead. With silent eloquence all these olden manor houses tell of British pomp and Hessian vandalism, for not one was exempt from the events which marked the customs of warfare. The British camp covered the hills. The ovens, wherein the soldicry baked. their bread have been seen by the gener- ation of to-day on the Bragaw and Brinckerhoff farms. Window panes, taken from some of these dwellings, may be seen at the rooms of the Long Island Historical Society, written with the names of British officers. The Hessians, with characteristic wantonness, celebrated the flight of William Payntar to Staten Island, by using his mahogany furniture for fuel,
and utterly denuding the house of every article of value.
Over a passing word of the Lawrences we ask the reader to linger for another testimony of the patriotic experience of the days of '76.
Of the eleven sons be- queathed by John and Patience Lawrence to the struggle for In- dependence, Major Jonathan Law- rence was the cighth. Merchant, navigator, financier, soldier, statesman, patriot, he marked each sphere of duty with rare ability and distinction. The in- seription upon the Doric monu- ment which rises above his grave at Greenwood records that " he was a member of the Provincial Congress of 1776, and of the THE OLD GOSMAN HOUSE, Convention that framed the Con- stitution." Under the State Constitution of 1777 he became a State Senator and was an active Commissioner in treating with the Indians. Having embarked in the expedition of Rhode Island, 1777, on board the French man-of-war Hector, a cannon-ball from the enemy eut down a man working on the gun by his side. Still closer camnc the fortunes of war after the disastrous battle of Long Island, when yelling, hungry marauders swept through our city bounds from South to North. In search of plunder and food ruthless troops of red coats burst through the enclosure of his residence under the cover of darkness. The days that tried men's also tried women's souls. Mrs. Lawrence and Mrs. Riker (wife of the Captain who yielded his life at Valley Forge), hastily caught the children from their beds and fled to the shore under the protection of a faithful slave. Safely reaching Harlem through the tur- bulent waters of the night, an exile of eight years followed, during which the home, by the hand of the despoiler, was shorn of its beauty and value.
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