USA > New York > Queens County > History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals. > Part 41
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JAMAICA.
HIS is the southwestern town in Queens county. It is bounded on the south by Rockaway Beach, a narrow neck of land be- longing to Hempstead, which extends be- tween the ocean and Jamaica Bay; on the west by the towns of Flatlands and New Lots, in Kings county; on the north by Newtown and Flushing, and on the east by Hempstead. It has an average length and breath of about seven and one-half miles, and in- cludes a surface of about fifty-seven square miles. About . one-third of the town, in the southwestern part, is cov- ered by the waters of Jamaica Bay, which communicates with the ocean through Rockaway Inlet. Through its central portion this bay is thickly interspersed with low islands, which are separated from each other by narrow water passages. Between its northern boundary and the bay the town occupies a portion of the level part of the island south from what is known as the " backbone."
The Indian inhabitants of the town previous to its settlement by the whites were the Canarsees and the ye path yt goes ffrom Hemstead [to?] Midlburroug, wt Rockaways. The former claimed a portion which now adjoins Kings county, and the latter were scattered over the southern part of the town of Hempstead, with. a part of Jamaica and the whole of Newtown.
The prevalent opinion concerning the origin of the name Jamaica has been that it was the designation of a few families of Indians who resided near the head of the bay, and that it was originally spelled Jameco, Jemeco, or, as it appears in the town records, Yemacah. It is always safe when the derivation of a name is uncertain, as in this case, to accept statements concerning it with many grains of allowance; for very slight resemblances are sometimes deemed sufficient to establish relationships
between names. Dr. O'Callaghan derives Jamaica from Amick, or, as it was spelled by the French, Amique, the Indian word for beaver. The place was called by the Dutch Rusdorp, which means a country village, and this name was used in early conveyances of property; but after the colony was surrendered to the English, Jamaica soon came to be the only name used. Some of the first settlers preferred the name Crawford.
Census returns from 1845, inclusive, give the popula- tion of the town as follows: 1845, 3,883; 1850, 4,247;
1855, 5,632; 1860, 6,515; 1865, 6,777; 1870, 7,745; 1875, 8,983; 1880, 10,089.
DEEDS AND PATENTS.
It is not known who were the first actual settlers of the town, or when they came. It is known, however, that the first proprietors came from Hempstead, which was settled in 1644. The oldest known written doch- ment relating to the town is a deed from the Indians, of which the following is a copy:
"Bee it known vnto all men by these presents that wee whose names are vnder written have sold & set over from our selves, our heires, executors, Administrators or Asigns vnto Mr. Richard Odell, Nicholas Tanner, Richard Ogden & Nathaniell Denton, their Associates, heirs, ex- ecutors, administrators Aasignes A Certain tract off land beginning at a great swamp lying on ye west side off Rockeway Neck Aand so running westward to a river ly- ing on ye east side off a neck off land which Mr. Coe hath hired off ye indeans, wch river is called by ye inde- ans Waubheag; ye North line running Near vnto or about all ye uplands & meadowing within ye afforesd bounds, with all privileges & appurtenances thereunto belonging. In consideration whereoff the aforesd Mr. Richard Odell, Nicolas Tanner, Richard Ogden, Nathaniel Denton & their Associates shall give vnto theese whose names are vnder written two guns, a coat And a certain quantity off powder & lead. In witness whereoff wee have subscribe our hands this 13th of September Ano Domini 1655."
This deed is signed by Daniel Denton, and by Roger Linas, Casperonn, Adam or Achitterenose, Ruckquakek, Runnasuk, Aumerhas, Caumeuk, Manguaope and Wau- metompack by their " marks."
In 1656 the associated settlers petitioned the governor as follows:
"To the Right Worshipfull Peter Stuyvesant, Esquire, Governor General of the N. Netherlands, with the Coun- cell of State there established:
" The humble petition of us subscribed sheweth that, where as wee have Twice already petitioned, soe are bold once againe to petition un to your worship & honourable Councell for a place to improve our Labours upon; for some of us are destitute of either habitation or posses- sion, others Though inhabited yett finde that in the place where they are the cannot comfortably subsist by their Labours and endeavours. By which means they are ne- cessitated to Look out for a place where they may hore
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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY
with Gods Blessing upon theyr Labours more comfortably to subsist. The place they desire & have alreadie peti- tioned for is called Conorasset, & Lies from a river which divideth it from Conarie see to the Bounds of heemstead, & may containe about twentie families. This place, upon incoeragement from your worship by our messenger that presented our petition sent the second tyme, wee have purchased from the Indi ins, & are not willing to Remove out of the jurisdiction iff wee may be tollerated to pos- sesse our purchase; &, whereas we are desirous To set- tle our selves this spring, wee humbly crave that this place may bee confirmed unto us with as much expedition as may be soe. With Appreciation of all happiness to your worship and honored Councell wee humbly take our leave, who are your humble petioners."
" Robert Jackson, Nicholas Tanner, Nathaniel Denton, Richard Everit, Rodger Linas, Daniel Denton, John Eazar, Abraham Smith, Thomas Ireland, Thomas Carle, Edward Sprag, John Rhoades, Andrew Messenger, Sam- uel Matthews.
" Hempstead, the 10th of March 1656."
The following response to this petition has been trans- lated from the Dutch records by E. B O'Callaghan:
" The Directors and Council, having seen the request of the petitioners, at present inhabitants of the town of Heemstede and subjects of this province, do consent that the petitioners may begin a new town according to their plan in this respect, between the land called by us Canaresse and the town Heemstede, on such freedoms, exemptions and special ground briefs as the inhabitants of N. Netherlands generally enjoy; as well in the pos- session of their lands as in the election of their magis- trates, on the same footing and order as is customary in the towns of Middleborch, Breukelen, Midwout and Aamersfoort. Done at Fort Aamsterdam, in New Neth- erland, March 21st 1656.
" P. STUYVESANT."
In Jamaica, as in the other towns in the county, the title to the soil was vested in the people of the town by virtue of the foregoing grant from the governor and council and the deeds that were from time to time ob- tained from the Indians. The following memoranda, which appear in the town records, show what disposition was at first made of these lands:
" The town have given Mr. Robert Coe & and his son Benjamin Coe each of ym a home lot.
" The town have Alsoe given Nicholas Tanner, Abra- ham Smith, John Eazar, Samuel Smith, Morace Smith, & William Thorne each off ym a house lying upon ye west quarter.
" The town have granted Andrew Messenger, Samuel Matthews, Thomas Wiggins, Richard Chasmore, Richard Harkert, Richard Everet, Henry Townsend, Richard Townsend, John Townsend and John Roades each off ym a house lot lying upon ye north quarter.
" To Samuel Dein, Nath. Denton, Geo. Mills, Rodger Linas, Dan'l Denton & Sam'l Andrews each a house lot on ye south quarter of ye town. The aforesay home lots are to be six acres in a Lot-18 ffoot to ye pole, 12 pole in breadth, 8 in Length."
"Novembr ye 25th 1856, Stylo novo .- These presents declareth yt wee whose names are vnderwriten, being true owners by vertue off purchase ffrom ye indians & graunt ffrom ye Governor & Councell given & granted ye 2Ist of March 1656, I say wee, who are ye true owners by vertue of purchase, & our Associates, our names be- ing vnder written, living at ye New plantation near unto ye bever pond, Comnionly Called Jemaica-I say wee, in
Consideration off our charge & trouble in getting & set- ting off ye place, have reserved ffor our selves ye ffull & just sum off ten acres off planting Land a man besides ve home lotts in ye nearest & Convenientst place yt can be found; & soe likwise 20 acres off medowing a man, Convenientst place they can find; & yt shall Remain as theirs, their heirs', executors', or Assignes', ffor their prop- er Right, every man taking his lot according to their ffrst Right to ye land.
" witnesse our hands this day & date above written: Robert Coe, Nic: Tanner, Nat: Denton, And: Messenger, Daniell Denton, Abra: Smith, Rodger Linas, Samuel Mathews, John Eazar, Richard Everet, John Townsend, Hen: Townsend, Rich: Townsend, Ri: Harkert, Ri: Chas- more, George Mills, John Roades."
" January ye 13th 1657 .- It is this day granted by ye town that Mr. Robert Coe & his son Beniamen shall take. vp, possesse & enjoy Ten acies off land a peece at ye rear off their home lots."
" Feb. 27th 1658 .- It is agreed upon by the town yt, according to a fformer order, yt ye ffirst proprietors and their associates shall have ten acres off planting Land a piece in ye most convenient place, wch they shall chuse so yt ye shall now vew & have there lots layd out accord- ing to ye sayd order.
"Theese men following doe conclude to have their lots east ward: John Townsend, John Roades, Nathan- iel Denton, Daniel Denton, Richard Everet, Richard Harker:, George Mills.
"These men following take up yere ten-acre lots west ward: Nicolas Tanner, Andrew Messenger, Samuel Mathews, John Eazar, Richard Chasmore, Abraham Smith, Rodger Linas.
" Richard Townsend & Nicolas Tanner are chosen to lay out the ten-acre lots & to have 2ds an acre ffor yere labour.
"Henry Townsend, Richard Townsend and Daniell Denton have each of ym a ten acre lot liing to ye north- ward off ye way yt goes to Hempstead, on ye side ye Rocky Hollow next adjoining to ye home lots upon ye north east quarter; Henry Townsend liing ye ffirst & next adjoining to ye northeast quarter, Daniell Denton's ye next & Richard Townsend ye 3d & last off ye three. " These ten acre lots above speciffied are given and granted to ye Afforesayd men by ye town & layd out ac- cording to order."
November 22nd 1658 a town meeting voted " that ye medow shall be layd out for the purchasers, 17 lots, 20 acres A lot. Richard Everet, Rodger Linas, Richard Harker and John Eazar chosen to lay out ye medow & to have 3ds an acre ffor their labour."
It appears from the record that not only was each man's lot designated by vote at town meeting, but that subsequent transfers were supervised and regulated by the people. An entry made January 2Ist 1659 states that a man named Benjamin Hubbard had purchased a house lot without the approbation or knowledge of the town. He was required to give a pledge of good be- havior as the condition on which he might continue in the enjoyment of his purchase. The population of the town gradually increased, and lands were allotted to ac- ceptable settlers. From the allotment of 1660 the fol- lowing in addition to those already named are found to have been freeholders: John Baylis, George Woolsey sen., Joseph Smith, John Everit, John Carpenter, Samuel Dean sen., John Oldfield, Thomas Smith sen., Thomas Ward, Samuel Mills, John Ludlum, John Wood, Na-
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PATENTS AND PATENTEES IN JAMAICA.
thaniel Denton jr., Thomas Oakley, Waite Smith, Nehe- miah Smith, Samuel Davis, Fulke Davis, Abel Gail, Nathaniel Mills, Alexander Smith, Caleb Carman, Samuel Matthews, Henry Foster, Jonas Holstead, William Rus- coe, Samuel Barker, John Speagler, Samuel Messenger, Nicholas Everit, Samuel Smith, Joseph Thurston, Ed- ward Higbie, Bryant Newton, John Rowlifson, Thomas Wellin, Robert Ashman, John Lynas and Morris Smith.
It must be remembered that at this period, though nominally subject to the Dutch provincial government, the town was practically an independent republic and commonwealth. The legislative, executive, and judicial functions were combined in the people assembled in town meeting; and matters both of general and special interest were there discussed and determined.
One can hardly repress a smile as he glances over the records of their proceedings at these town meetings; but when the circumstances by which they were surrounded are considered, and when it is remembered that two and a quarter centuries have gone by since these records were made, the conviction will be inevitable that their affairs were managed wisely.
A more ample charter or patent was granted by Gov- ernor Stuyvesant in 1660 to the town, which was named in it Rusdorp. Jealousy of power that did not emanate from him was a characteristic weakness of this governor, and under the promptings of this feeling he was occa- sionally guilty of arbitrary acts, as well toward the people of this town as of others within his jurisdiction.
At almost every town meeting during two centuries action was taken concerning the common lands of the town. At first, as shown by the foregoing extracts, these lands were divided among the original settlers, and other portions were afterward allotted to such immigrants as were acceptable to these. As the town became more and more populous of course the common lands became less. Within a comparatively recent period the town has taken measures to dispose of these lands, and sales have been effected. A sale was made of the common lands known as Little Plains in 1843; and in 1854 Beaver Pond, which was the last of the public lands owned by the town, was sold in small parcels.
Lands were purchased from the Indians at various times, usually for trifling considerations. In 1662 the town voted to the Indians a trooper's coat and a kettle; and their sachems signed the following release: "Wee whose names are vnderwritten doe by these presents ac- knowledge ourselves satisfied for the 8 bottles of licker yt was promised vs by the town off Rustdorp & ffor all rights & claims whatsoever ffor any land yt wee have fformerly sold to ye town off Rustdorp. Witness our hands this fiveteenth off Aprill one thousand six hundred sixty and two." This was signed (with their " marks ") by Waumitampack, Rockause and Ramasowie, before Daniel Denton, and the following note was appended: " The 8 bottles of lickrs was insted of a ketle wch ye indeans was to have had."
This deed of confirmation was executed in 1663:
" Know all men whom it may Concern That I, Waumi-
tumpack, Sachem off Rockeway, having fformerly sold to ye inhabitants off Crafford, Alias Jemaica, a tract off land bounded eastward by a great swamp or River which is ye west bounds off Rockeway neck, I say which makes Rockey a neck on ye west side, & so to run betwixt ye great plains & ye little plains to ye hills, as appears by ye markt trees, I say I, Waumitumpak afores'd, doe ffor my selff, my heires or any others that may lay any claime thereunto, Ratiffie & Conffirme my fformer sale made to ye inhabitants off Crafford aforesd in ye year off our lord 1655, by laying out ye bounds off sd sale by markt trees as above, running nortward to the hills betwixt ye sd playnes. In witness wherevnto I, wt 2 others off Rocke- way, set our hands ye 7th of March 1663."
The two others were Rockause and Nannowat, and the deed was subscribed before Daniel Denton and "Thomas Bennydick."
In 1674 the town "voted to be paid to the Indians " for what was termed the west purchase "one trooper's coat, five guns, three blankets, sixteen coats, nine kettles, ten pounds of powder, ten bars of lead, one coat in liq- uors, thirty fathoms of wampum, and a quart more of liquor."
In 1686 a new patent to the town was issued by Gov- ernor Dongan. This patent set forth that, in accordance with a previous agreement, the town of Jamaica should make no claim to Rockaway Neck, and that by "Rocka- way River " should be understood " the river that runs out of Rockaway Swamp, and to be Jamica's east bounds;" and that the meadows on the west thereof should belong to Jamaica. The persons named as patentees, in behalf of themselves and their associates, were Nicholas Everit, Nathaniel Denton, Nehemiah Smith, Daniel Denton sen., John Oldfield, William Creed, Bryant Newton, Benjamin Coe, Jonas Wood, William Fforster, John Everit, Edward Higbie, Daniel Whitehead, John Carpenter, John Free- man, Samuel Sınith, Richard Rhodes, Joseph Smith, George Woolsey, John Bayles, Thomas 'Smith sen, and Wait Smith.
In 1665 a patent, confirming such lands as had been purchased, was granted by Governor Nicoll to Daniel Denton, Robert Coe, Bryant Newton, Willian Hallett, Andrew Messenger, Anthony Waters and Nathaniel Den- ton; in which the bounds of the town were set forth.
A rate made in 1708 included 190 names of taxable in- habitants in the town. The last record of quit rent paid by the town was for the five years from 1721 to 1725 in- clusive. A receipt was given to the town of Jamaica for £5 135. 4d. by Archibald Kennedy.
CURIOSITIES OF LOCAL LEGISLATION.
The following is a copy of the record of proceedings at the first town meeting. The apparent discrepancy in the date of this meeting and of the permit to organize the town is accounted for by the confusion between old and new styles. Previous to 1652 the year commenced on the 25th of March, and after the adoption of the new style, which made the first of January the commencement of the year, some adhered to the old style'in reckoning. " A town meeting held at ye town ye 18th day off Feb. 1656.
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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.
" Daniell Denton to write and enter all acts & orders off publick concernment to ye town, & is to have a daies ard Britnell shall bee Marchall for ye year: It is further work a man ffor ye sayd employment.
"It is voted & concluded by ye town yt whosoever shall ffelt any trees in ye highways shall take both top & body out of ye highway.
" It is ffurther voted & agreed upon by ye town yt whosoever shall kill a wolff within ye bounds of ye town 'shall have ffifteen shillings a wolff.
" Likewise it is agreed upon by ye town yt whereas they have ye Litle plains by purchase & patent wtt in their limits, to maintain their right & privilege in ye sayd place ffrom any such as shall goe to deprive ym off it, & so to make vse of it as they shall see cause."
The following extracts from the records of the town are introduced to show the manner in which public bus- iness was transacted at that early period. These records have been carefully bound and preserved in an unbroken series from 1656 to the present time.
30th 1658 .- It is ys day voted ordered & agreed upon by this town off Rustdorp that no person or persons whatsoever whithin this town shall sell or give directly or indirectly to any indian or indians whatsoever within or about ye sayd town Any strong licker or strong drink whatsoever or off what sort soever, either much or litle, more or lesse, upon the fforffiture ffiffty Guilders ffor every offence."
"January ye 21st 1659 .- The town have hired 2 bulls for ye ensuing year, one off Richard Chasmore & another off Beniamin Coe, & are to give ym Twentie shillings of peece."
"March ye 25th 1659 .- It is concluded by ye town yt as formerly so ye ensuing year they shall mow by squad- rons. Lots drawn: John Townsend and his squadron at ye east Neck, Mr. Coe and his squadron at ye Long Necke, Nicolas Tanner's squadron at ye old house's necke, Nathaniel Denton & his squadron at ye Haw trees."
"It is ordered ye 15th off January 1661 yt A rate shall be made ffor ye wolves, one off Abraham's killing, 2 off ym ytt John Towsend pit cacht; & one bull hired, 20 shil- lings; and 30 shillings ffor ye clark; ye whole is 45 15s. John Townsend and Thomos Ffoster chosen to gather ye rate."
" April ye 30th 1661 .- The town have agreed to hire a cowe-keeper jointly together to keep all ye town cowes & . calves for this year."
"April ye last .- The town doe by these presents promise & engage to pay vnto Wrn. Coe, off Rustdorp, the sum of eleven pounds seventeen shillings, to be payd in good passable wampum, sixe months from ye date hereoff. This money above speciffied is payd to Mr. Coe off ye money Nicholas Tanner lent ye town.
"Written by order from ye town, by Daniel Denton, clark."
January ye 30th 1662 .- The town doe promis to give Abraham Smith 3os ffor beating ye drum a year."
" March ye 6th 1662 .- It is voted by ye town yt John Baylie, Nathaniel Denton & Thomas Foster shall act and order all matters off publick concernment ffor ye town, unlesse disposing off lands & taking in off habi- tants, during ye term off one year.
March ye 13th 1662 .- It is ordered and Aagreed by ye Town yt John Baylie shall keep an ordinary in ye Town of Rustdorp ffor entertaining of strangers & allsoe to sell drink, and that no man shall have liberty to sell drink, whether bear or likers or any sorts of wine, wt in this town onely ye ordinary keeper affore- sayd; & yt he shall fforthwith set upon ye work to pro- vide ffor strangers & to give entertainment to such stran- gers as shall come at present.
" It is further voted & agreed by je town that Kich
ordered by ye town to build a house ffor ye minister, off 36 ffoot long."
" November ye 15th 1662 .- It is voted, concluded & agreed upon by ye town yt ye neck on ye west side off ye haw trees, with ye upland liing to the hills above it, bee bought off ye indeans.
" The town have voted & concluded yt, whereas Mr. Waters have given yin intelligence off a man yt is a tan- ner yt would have a lot amongst vs and svch accommo- cations as may sute his calling ffor to ffollow his trade, the town are willing to accomadate hiin as well as they can.
" January je 29th 1663 .- It is voted by ye town yt John - -- shall be marshall for this ensuing year, & to have ye ffees belonging to ye place ffor his labour. Aand if any man shall deride him in respect off his place or cast any aspersion upon him hee shall be liable to ye censure off ye court.
" It is voted by ye ttown yt Abraham Smith shall have thirty shillings a year ffor beating ye Drum vpon sabbath daies and other publike meetings daies, & to have his pay in tobacco pay; or wheat at 6s. 8d. & indean at 45."
In 1663 "all cattle, colts or hoggs " less than one year old were exempted from rates, and it was ordered that failure to "give in " ratable cattle should be punished by forfeiture of these cattle to the town.
All business relating to public worship, such as the procuring of a minister, providing a house for him, reg- ulating his salary, and fixing the value of the produce in which it was paid, was transacted at town meetings. Men were appointed from time to time to look after his temporal wants, and in 1663 it was "voted yt all ye in- habitants off this our town shall pay towards ye mainten- ance of ye ministry according to what ye possesse."
At different town meetings in 1663 regulations were adopted concerning animals, especially swine, that ran at large. Such "as doe damage by coming into ye corn fields " were to be sufficiently yoked, and " such hoggs as lie about town, though ye have done no damage at present, shall be kept vp every night." Fences were to be repaired, under the penalty of 12d. per rod for neg- lect.
It was afterward voted "yt every hog shall pay ffive shillings yt shall be cacht in ye ffields wt out a yoke, whether hog or sow or shoat; " and proportionate penal- ties were imposed on horses and oxen found tresspassing " in ye corn ffields."
In December 1663 John Bayles and Daniel Denton were appointed "ffor ye ending off differences betwixt inan and man according to ye laws of England, in place of magistrates." Francis Finch was chosen constable and Goodman Benedick " Livtenant off town." It was also " concluded yt John Baylies, liefftenant Benedik & Daniel Denton shall meet ye deputies off ye severall towns to agitate wt ym or act About such things as may bee ffor ye generall good off ye towns." A disposition was evinced by these acts to act in concert with other towns in eman- cipating themselves from Dutch rule.
Five townsmen were chosen to order affairs for the town, except disposing of lands. These men made or- ders, which were confirmed in a subsequent town meet-
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EARLY ORDINANCES OF JAMAICA-THE REVOLUTION.
ing, compelling people, under penalties, to keep sufficient ladders, and sweep their chimneys. A commission was appointed in January 1664 to "byy' a peece of land off ye indeans, over ye hill on ye north side of ye hills, about a mile in breadth or thereabouts;" another com- mittee was appointed to report this purchase to the gov- ernor for his approval, and still another "to gather ye rate made ffor ye purchase of ye hills."
In 1665 a commission was appointed to defend the town against a complaint of Flushing, and to request of the governor that the several deeds from the Indians be recorded. Probably the controversy with Flushing related to boundaries. The town directed Richard Ev- erit to visit the sachem Waumitampak and induce him to appear before the general court and verify the several purchases that had been made, and for this to promise him a new coat.
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