History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 37

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: New York : W.W. Munsell and Co.
Number of Pages: 703

USA > New York > Queens County > History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals. > Part 37

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Within the last few years Far Rockaway has more than doubled its resident population. Building lots that were worth $150 in 1875 in 1881 were valued at three times that amount, and during the fall and winter of 1880-81 a large number of buildings were erected. The Wave Crest purchase, comprising the tract known as the Clark estate, and the land once belonging to the old Marine Pavilion, enclosed as a private park, with lodges at the entrance gates, contain the summer residences of a number of prominent people. The village has a good school building, a depot, a post-office, built by Mr. Cole, and arranged for the office and a drug store; an Episco- pal chapel, the Catholic church, Rev. Father Zimmer pastor; St. Mary's Academy, several stores and a large number of hotels, among them the United States, St. James (L. Corser proprietor), Coleman, Mansion, Arling. ton, Atlantic, Wave Crest, Mott's, etc. Through the energy of Justice Healy a court-house and public hall was built near the railroad depot in 1881. At the beach is found every facility for bathing, while at the old and established landing of J. L. C. Norton boats are always in waiting to carry passengers to the ocean side.

Trinity Episcopal parish at Far Rockaway has been divided. It included Hewletts, Woodburgh and Law- rence. These latter villages will hereafter constitute Trinity parish, and Far Rockaway will be known as St. John's parish. The wardens are William H. Neilson and J. A. Hewlett, and the vestrymen are Alfred Neilson, Hewlett Lawrence, William E. Foote, Joseph Marsden, Edward N. Dickerson, Edward Brinkerhoff, Dr. White and Mr. Merrick. A new edifice is to be erected and the chapel used for Sunday-school purposes.

NEW BRIDGE.

In the year 1818 a new bridge was built over the brook which separates what was anciently known as Whale Neck from Little Neck; and the nanie New Bridge was applied to that section of country bordering on either side of the bridge. Several unsuccessful at- tempts have been made to change the local name. Nearly twenty years ago the citizens assembled and re- solved thenceforth to call the place Bridge Haven; but the circumstantial name New Bridge seemed determined not to pass into oblivion without a struggle.

Tradition describes this place as being the " happy

hunting ground " of a band of Indians related to the Merrick or the Merikoke tribe, the relics of whom are often found by the farmers on this neck of land, which was known and described in ancient writings as Little Neck. The principal village of this tribe of Indians was on the east side of the New Bridge creek or river and on the southerly part of the farms now owned by David Be- dell, Thomas S. Smith and John D. Cornelius; large heaps of shells extending several feet into the ground still exist in this locality. These Indians reluctantly re- moved from this section in 1658, when the early settlers of the town of Hempstead, after several unsuccessful ef- forts, secured from the tribe an amicable settlement.

The original settler of this place was Colonel John Jackson, who at an early day owned nearly all the land on Little Neck. He resided at one time in Jeru- salem, but later on the site of the residence of Jacob S. J. Jones. On the 23d of January 1804 he obtained from the town of Hempstead a grant of the whole liberty and privilege of Jerusalem River for a grist and fulling-mill, with fifty or sixty acres of land adjoining, which property has descended from father to the eldest son to the fourth generation. During the Revolutionary period a British fleet was lying off Jones's Beach, where General Jacob S. Jackson (grandfather of Jacob S. J. Jones) was stationed with his brigade for the protection of the south coast of Long Island. While the general was walking along the beach at a little distance from his command, a ball weigh- ing about eight pounds, fired from a British ship, lodged a few feet from him in the sand. On turning suddenly around he fell. His men, seeing him fall, supposed he was killed. They ran to his assistance, but found him up and digging for the ball. They found it and carried it away as a memento. It has since been kept in the fam- ily. When Jacob S. J. Jones came in possession of it with the premises in 1829 he dug a hole by his house, put the ball in the bottom and planted a weeping willow tree on it, thinking it had made noise enough. The tree grew splendidly for forty years. Then a violent storm blew down the tree, which was five feet in diameter; with it a large quantity of earth was taken up and the ball was disclosed.

During the Revolutionary period this region was much molested by gunboat men who infested the harbors, came up the Jerusalem River, now called Jackson's Creek, and raided the mill and farnis in its vicinity. At one time General Jackson was awakened by hearing his negro ser- vant pass through his room into an adjoining room, where the silverware was kept. In a moment she returned, bringing it with her, and the next moment was heard a splash. Soon the servant was at the bedside, saying, " Mas'er, the gunboat men! Mas'er, the gunboat men!" The general found it was too late to run, which he had frequently had to do in order to save his life. The win- dows were barricaded, but by means of a battering ram the enemy succeeded in breaking in the back hall door. They took General Jackson out of bed, shook him around and demanded his money and silverware. He replied that he had none. At this they became enraged, again

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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

caught hold of him and commenced roughly to push him about the room. In so doing they backed him against two posts which stood as a support in a part of the room, between which a sort of till had been temporarily made by the general; and by their violence he momentarily ex-

After ransacking the house and finding nothing-for the old servant had thrown the silverware into the swill barrel for safety-the party concluded to take General Jackson prisoner, and dragged him down to the bank of the river. An alarm was given, and in a short time a number of citizens were on the banks of the stream; but the general was taken on board a British vessel lying off the coast, and after a few weeks was sent to a place of confinement in New Jersey. Here he was kept several months. Through negligence on the part of the keeper he finally escaped in open day, and walked quietly through the fields to a wood. Once in the woods he no longer walked quietly, but ran rapidly, and late in the evening arrived at the quarters of an old negro, who lodged him

there yet remained. on the island a mount called " In- dian Hill." It was about fifty feet long, thirty feet wide and from four to six feet high, composed of oyster and clam shells and a little soil.

During the Revolutionary war Colonel Richard Hew- pected this would give way and expose his falschood. lett resided here. He was an English officer, and had a Still he obstinately refused to give up anything, and still the old till kept in its place. small regiment of English soldiers at his residence and under his command. The only monument now existing of their doings is the remains of a large ditch and an em- bankment thrown up by these soldiers around a piece of woodland then owned by him.

At East Rockaway are the pumping engine and well which furnish water to the Long Beach Hotel and cot- tages. A neat depot accommodates passengers. Among the artisans are George Rider & Son, boat builders and carpenters. Mr. Rider has resided in East Rockaway a number of years, and has seen a large part of its growth. The village and locality are the home of many of the old residents of Hempstead, among whom we may mention the names of Peter Hewlett, Oliver S. Denton and Rich- ard Carman.

The union Sunday-school at East Rockaway was in a garret, about large enough for him to turn around in, organized in the district school-house by L. D. Simons to which he gained access through a trap door by a lad- , as superintendent on Sunday June 9th 1867. The first der. After directing the old negro to take the ladder far teachers were L. D. and W. A. Simons, S. S. Rhame, away from the hut, and if any one came to tell them he Mrs. L. D. Simons, Mrs. R. T. Hewlett and Misses Mary had seen nobody, he quietly closed the trap door and lay A. Simons and Libbie B. Baiseley. The total number down upon it. In the night he was awakened by the present at the organization was fourteen, but before the British, who were in search of him; but the old darkey expiration of the year the membership had increased to was faithful to the directions given him, and they pro- fifty or more. At the present time (1882) more than ceeded. In the early morning he resumed his journey, a hundred names are upon the school's roll. and after several days' starvation and anxiety he reached home.

In 1877 the subject of the erection of a suitable build- ing for the use of the school was agitated, resulting in

The silverware which was thrown into the swill bar- the election of a board of trustees, who purchased a lot rel for safety was seen by the writer of this account; it 50 by 150 feet, located on the main street. Ground was bears the initials "O. A. J." (Obadiah and Almy Jack- broken for the erection of a building 30 by 50 feet, May son).

25th 1878, and on Sunday August 25th the opening ser-

The residence of Jacob S. J. Jones will long be remem- vices were held in the chapel. Within three years from bered as the scene of many interesting events. In one that time the chapel was entirely completed and taste- of the upper windows may be seen cut upon a pane of fully furnished, and a fence built around the lot, at a glass the names Phebe Jackson, Mary Jackson and total cost of about $2,000. Services are held in the Henry C. Bogert, with the date April 17th 1766. Mary chapel by pastors of neighboring churches.

Jackson was the wife of Major Thomas Jones, who was the first white settler on Fort Neck.

HAMLETS AND STATIONS.

East Rockaway, formerly known as Near Rockaway, is the summer of 1879 it was visited with a view of determ- located five miles south of the village of Hempstead, and ining its availability for improvement, and under the four miles north of the Long Beach Hotel. It is a pleas- auspices of the Long Beach Improvement Company, in ant little village, open to the Atlantic Ocean, and con- the spring of 1880, work was commenced. A railroad tains two stores, one owned by Mr. S. S. Rhame, and one was built from Pearsalls, a distance of between five and in which is located the post-office; two hotels, conducted six miles, a part of the distance on trestle, and the first by L. C. Smith and Daniel Pettit; a flouring-mill, a school building, a chapel, and several fine residences.

" Rockaway " was the name of a tribe of Indians who inhabited Hog Island (now Barnum's Island), where many traces of them are to be seen. A few years ago

Long Beach .- This beach, which contains about 1,800 acres, with a frontage on the Atlantic ocean, extends nearly seven miles in a straight line of gently sloping hard packed sand, as smooth and even in its contour as a floor of asphalt. It is one of the chain of beaches of the southern part of Hempstead. During the latter part of

mudsill for the foundation of a large hotel was put in place May 13th 1880; workmen commenced to raise the building May 18th; July 17th 1880 it was completely en- closed and opened to the public. The building is 875 feet long, including its piazzas, 140 feet wide, three and

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VILLAGES IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD.

a half stories high, and 170 feet away. from the nearest building, except the music stand-110 feet off. The the old established blacksmith shop operated by John W. Hendrickson; and the carriage factories and other places basement is used for storing supplies, and the first floor of business render this a considerable center of trade and industry. Its quiet and genial citizens have already awakened to the interest of oyster planting, having formed a large company with a considerable capital .. Here may be found the best oyster planting grounds on the south shore of Long Island.

for offices. In the center of the building is the great re- freshment room, 175 by 80 feet, and on the sides are cor- ridors, each 50 feet wide, running across the building from north to south. On the second floor, which is reached by flights of stairs 20 feet broad, are parlors, dining-rooms and public rooms for guests, while a broad porch runs entirely around the building. The third floor is the size of the second, and contains sleeping rooms, bath rooms and lavatories. The fourth floor is entirely a chamber floor. Architecturally, the building is a simple and quiet rendering of the so-called Queen Anne, with low roofs and projecting gables, running up with half timberings and shingled spandrils. In brief the hotel has serving rooms sufficient to wait upon 5,000 people at the same time. Water is supplied from an immense well at East Rockaway, four miles distant. Two large engines and pumps are located at that point, and the water is forced to the beach at the rate of 275,000 gallons a day. The building is lighted by gas, the tank being about 1,000 feet away from the hotel. The boiler that runs the engine in the hotel is also about 1,000 feet distant.

East of the hotel a large number of cottages have been erected, which are rented to families during the season. In 1881 the railroad was extended five miles to Point Lookout, the east end of the beach, where cottages, a pavilion and 50 bathing houses were built. Near the hotel are 1,006 bathing houses, properly arranged for con- venience; and connected with these houses, which are under the care of a superintendent, is the laundry. An ice-house, a livery stable, etc., make up the rest of the hotel attachments. The master builder of this hotel was C. McLean. N. B. Mulliner was the master painter, both gentlemen having a small army of workmen under their command.

Seaford, formerly known as Atlanticville and previous to that as Verity Town, was originally owned by the Sea- mans, descendants of the renowned Captain John Sea- man, a historical account of whom was written by Jordan Seaman, of Jericho, and published by Ardon Seaman, of Jerusalem, in 1866. The Veritys settled in the southerly part of the locality, and for a time it was known as Verity Town. It is on the westerly boundary of Fort Neck. The island southerly from here in the Great South Bay, known as Squaw Island, is said to have obtained its name in the determined conflicts between the Long Isl- and and Connecticut Indians. The former transported their squaws and children to this island for safety.

The general grocery store of Bayliss & Van Nostrand is a favorite resort for the citizens of this and the sur- rounding villages. The post-office connected with it is well conducted by John Bayliss. The new general grocery store of R. B. Jackson is a credit to the place and to its proprietor. Mr. Jackson has been in the business fifteen years. The well stocked lumber yards of Curtis S. Smith & Co., established in 1865; the planing, moulding and saw-mill run by the efficient millwright Edgar Haff;

Smithville South .- Still further north, on the Little Neck road, lies the thriving village of Smithville South. It has a store, a carpenter shop, a post-office, a black- smith shop, a church, a school-house and a hotel. It is the home of 'Squire Thomas D. Smith, civil engineer and surveyor. Vegetables, berries, etc., are extensively cultivated, and find a ready market at Long Beach.

Greenville Point was formerly a great resort for per- sons passing from Hempstead to Freeport and vicinity, and was for many years known as " Rum P'int." In 1881 there were only the traces of the hotels, and a church and school-house form the nucleus of what will probably grow into a village in the near future.

Merrick, Bellmore and Ridgewood are stations on the Southern Railroad, in the center of a rich agricultural district. The houses in these neighborhoods are so scattered that they can scarcely be called villages. Each station has a neat depot building. At Merrick, about a mile from the depot, are the Long Island camp meeting grounds, upon which numerous cottages have been erected. This large tract of land, thickly wooded, affords abundant and delightful shade, and the locality is admirably suited to its present use. Not far from the camping ground is the extensive farm of P. C. Barnum. The station is about twenty-five miles from Long Island City. The Episcopal residents of Merrick, having pur- chased the Methodist chapel, paying therefor $1,000, have deeded it to the trustees of the estate of the dio- cese. A Brooklyn church has presented the new parish with a baptismal font. Money, however, is needed to supply seats, an organ and a bell.

Bellmore is about a mile further. It has access to the South Bay by a creek navigable for vessels of consider- able size. It has a carriage manufactory and flour-mills, two churches and a post-office. Among the well known residents at Bellmore are Charles N. Clement, supervi- sor of Hempstead, and John D. Cornelius.

Ridgewood is a hamlet about half a mile south of the station. It has two churches, one newspaper and two flour-mills, and is a milk depot for this section. There are two stores and a post-office. In 18So Willet Whit- more was station agent and merchant, also assistant post- master. At all of these places there are excellent schools.

Valley Stream, on the Long Island Railroad, is seven- teen miles from Long Island City, and at the junction of the Rockaway branch railroad. It has a fine depot, post-office and telegraph office combined, under the charge of F. E. Janowitz (who is also a notary public). A store and two hotels are situated near the depot. K. P. Chopin is the proprietor of the Valley Stream Hotel, built in 186g. A short distance from the depot is a

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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

pumping station of the Brooklyn water works, simi- lar to that at Rockville Centre, and built in 1881. The large dry goods and grocery store of James Fletcher is about a mile from the village. Valley Stream is at the junction of the branch road to Hempstead, now abandoned.

Hewlett, about nineteen miles from Brooklyn, is a thriving little village, containing many fine houses and surrounded by fine farms. A Roman Catholic church is situated at this point; also the large general store of Frank H. Weyant, in which is the post-office. Near the village is the undertaking establishment and wheelwright shop of James Kimball & Son.

Woodsburgh is a village similar in size to Hewlett, con- taining a post-office, the blacksmith shop of Edward W. Shaw, several stores and two hotels. At the Neptune House William O. Mott is in charge. The Pavilion Hotel, with accommodations for five hundred guests, is complete in every respect. A short distance from the hotel is fine bathing and an anchorage for yachts. Con- nected with the Neptune House is a half-mile course, called the Woodsburgh Driving Park. In this vicinity the drives are excellent, and the cottages are readily rented every year. A beautiful Episcopal church is sit- uated a short distance from the Pavilion Hotel; Rev. S. W. Sayres is the rector.

Ocean Point and Lawrence are thriving villages only a short distance apart, containing fine residences. Law- rence, founded by Alfred Lawrence, from whom it derives its name, has over five hundred inhabitants, sev- eral stores, a post-office and many elegant mansions, owned by wealthy New York and Brooklyn gentlemen. On the avenues leading to Far Rockaway from these villages, within the last few years have been erected many fine and costly residences and large club-houses, which are owned by men of wealth, who lavish money in beautifying the buildings and grounds.

The Lawrence depot is about midway between the village and Westville, or North West Point, another beautiful little settlement. James Harris has been the station agent since the building of the railroad.

Christian Hook (Oceanville) .- This settlement, although not a village, has been frequently referred to in the his- tory of Queens county. It occupies a considerable por- tion of Hempstead, bordering on the bay, and contains many fine farms. A Presbyterian chapel has been built, by members of the Hempstead church. Rev. Marcus Burr is the pastor. A large school building is situated near it. There are three stores proper, viz., Lorenzo Davison's, George H. Soper's and Stephen Rider's. A large proportion of the inhabitants "follow the bay." Among the principal farmers and residents are the Pettits, Sopers, Joseph Brower, Z. Story (one of the oldest men on the island) and Conways. Since 1826 Ira Pettit has lived on his present farm, a fine one, commanding a beau- tiful view seaward. His father, James Pettit, was born at Hicks Neck. Ira, the youngest son, was born in 1812. iently for those employed.

The farm was bought of the Rev. Seth Hart, in 1826. At that time it was called the Parsonage, which name it still retains. The old house is yet standing, but a new one was built in 1875.

Baldwins .- This village is between Rockville Center and Freeport, on the Southern Railroad, twenty-one miles from Long Island City. In 1850 it was a hamlet of a few houses, and its growth was not rapid until the completion of the Southern Railroad, about fifteen years later, since which the population has increased to nearly 1,500, scat- tered from the depot to the meadows bordering Hemp- stead Bay. The name of the village, which was formerly Baldwinsville, has been changed to Baldwins. It was de- rived from Francis B. Baldwin, in 1881 the treasurer of Queens county. Mr. Baldwin owns a large tract of land west of the village, which has been beautifully arranged for a home, and he has erected many buildings in the vil- lage. On his farın is a half-mile driving park, in 1881 under the management of Dr. A. F. Carpenter for the South Side Gentlemen's Driving Club.

In the village are two Methodist churches, six stores, including that of Isaiah Thomas, general grocer; a well arranged hotel, conducted by Treadwell Jones; a pub- lic school building, a depot and a post office, the general sewing machine agency of E. S. Raynor & Brother, dealers in all kinds of sewing machines, and the car- riage shop of Hingle Brothers, near the hotel, established several years ago, besides other smaller shops, etc. A large number of fishermen and oystermen are located at this point, and their wares greatly add to the prosperity of the village.

Bridgeport and Norwood, on the branch of the Southern Railroad from Valley Stream to Hempstead, were formerly stopping places for the accommodation of farmers in the vicinity. The road is not used at present, although the rails are yet in place and it is thought that it will again come into use. At Norwood station is the general store of Smith Du Bois, formerly kept by Valentine Wood, and there are several fine residences. The store has been es- tablished over forty years. Among the prominent resi- dents are Martin Wood, son of Valentine Wood; Ezekiel Frost, a farmer, born in 1816, and Smith Du Bois, the merchant. Mr. Frost attended school fifty years ago in one of the old log school-houses of Hempstead, situated on the road to Triming Square. There are many fine farms in the vicinity of these stations.

Life-Saving Stations .- Along the Hempstead beaches are several United States life-saving stations, at which are stationed quite a number of men during the incle- ment seasons of the year. The stations are provided with boats and everything pertaining to the service, and the men employed are carefully chosen from those used to the sea and its dangers. During the winter and spring months they are constantly on duty, and many lives and much property have been saved by them. The buildings, while not large, are substantial, and are fitted up conven-

I73

HEMPSTEAD VILLAGE-"CHRIST'S FIRST CHURCH."

HEMPSTEAD VILLAGE.

This village, the largest in the town and the oldest in the county, as well as one of the most populous, is sit- uated about twenty miles east of New York city, which is easily reached by rail or turnpike. The village con- tains the residences of many New York families, who spend the summer mouths here, preferring the ocean breeze and the country comforts to the heat and dust of the city. The streets are beautifully laid out and cared for, many of them comparing favorably with avenues in larger places, and the roads leading to neighboring vil- lages in the town are, when in good condition, the scene of many pleasure trips, winding as they do amid beautiful farms and attractive villas. A number of the streets were named in 1834, among them Fulton street. Others are Main, Front, Greenwich, Jackson, Franklin, Orchard, Prospect, Washington, Clinton and High, and numerous avenues, the principal business streets being those first mentioned.

Among the public buildings are five churches, two halls, two school buildings, two large buildings used for the fire department, the railroad station and six hotels, besides numerous boarding houses. Some of these, with the more important business firms, are noticed hereafter. There are two newspapers, the Inquirer and Sentinel. The village is lighted with gas. Several small sheets of water and parks add to its beauty.

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History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 37

Author: Publication date: 1882 Publisher: New York : W.W. Munsell and Co. Number of Pages: 703

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: New York : W.W. Munsell and Co.
Number of Pages: 703