History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 67

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 67

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The inhabitants were so entirely given to agriculture, and had pursued it so assiduously, that in 1723 all the land in the township had been taken up. Wheat was the favor- ite crop, but enough rye, barley, corn, hemp, flax and to- bacco was raised for home consumption, besides a variety of fruits and vegetables, including that most valuable one the potato, with which the first settlers were wholly un- acquainted. Much land was left for grazing, for the farmers also raised a considerable number of horses, cattle and sheep, from breeds originally brought from New England and Holland. Produce brought low prices. In January 1730 wheat sold in this town for 35. 3d. per bushel, barley 3s., flax 9d. per pound, butter Is. per pound, and wood at 35. 6d. per load. Common labor was worth about 3s. a day. Though farming prevailed over every other occupation, there seems to have been no lack of mechanics. In 1662 the town had two tailors, a carpen-

ter, a cooper, a mason, and a blacksmith. In addition there are found butchers, wool combers, and weavers, the latter the most numerous. Most families made coarse woolen cloth and linen for their own wear, which was woven by the itinerant weavers, who came to their houses for that purpose; for every family had its own loom, as well as its spinning wheel. Trade was principally by way of barter. This was necessary, as money was scarce. At an early day there was absolutely none, and nearly everything was paid for in produce. In 1661 a person gives for a house "six hundred weight of tobacco, a thousand clapboards, and half a fat.of strong beer." The state of society was characterized by an honest plair.ness. The furniture was such as necessity, not fancy, suggested. Floor carpets were a superfluity almost if not quite un- known. The table was set with pewter platters and plain earthenware; some few could display china, and even silver plate, but they were rare. The simplicity of manners is shown in that very few families used table forks; most ate with their fingers. The major part of the inhabitants were singularly plain in attire, in manners, and in speech.

For some time the depredations of wolves offered a serious impediment to the rearing of sheep, and, though the inhabitants of this town were less annoyed than their neighbors of the adjoining towns, they found it necessary in 1692 to offer 20 shillings a head for every wolf killed within the limits of the town. Their destruction became necessary not only for the preservation of domestic ani- mals, but even for the personal safety of the inhabitants, whom they would sometimes attack.

The introduction of slavery in this town was coeval with the planting of the town, and extended not only to the negro but to the free-born Indian, brought hither from the south. But, while they were bought and sold as chattels, their lives were protected by law. In infancy they were baptized, and at a suitable age were allowed to marry. In 1755 the town contained 163 slaves above the age of fourteen years.

Little to interest marked the years which immediately preceded the Revolution. The farmer, living in ease and plenty, quietly pursued his avocation; his sons, if too ambitious and enterprising to follow the plow, went abroad to seek a more extensive field of business. Others aimed at usefulness in the learned professions. Of law- yers there were none in the town, and their services were seldom needed. There were always persons competent to transact business relating to the transfer of lands. Peter Berrien, who had died recently, had done great service in this respect, for which he was peculiarly fitted, being a scholar, a superior penman, a skillful surveyor, and equally conversant with the Dutch and English lan- guages. Of the physicians the first noticed is James Clark, " surgeon " at Mespat Kills in the Dutch adminis- tration. Between that time and the close of the century Newtown had in succession Dr. Folcks, Dr. John Green- field and Dr. Hazard. After 1720 Doctors Evan Jones, Berrien, Hugh Rogers, Thomas Sackett and Joseph Sackett are found officiating in the best families. Dr.

334

HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

Jacob Ogden, of Jamaica, also practiced considerably in this town.

In 1689, when the inroads of the French on the north- ern frontier were creating apprehension, the governor in order to meet the danger sought to strengthen the mili- tary force of the province. By his order the militia of Newtown were divided into two companies, of one of which the officers were Captain Content Titus, Lieuten- ant Jeremiah Burroughs, and Ensign Robert Coc; and of delegates to Jamaica to help elect two persons to repre- sent the county in a committee of safety, which it was proposed to form for the direction of public affairs. One of the members of said committee was "loyal Mr. Samuel Jones," of Newtown.

the other Captain Samuel Moore, Lieutenant Joseph Sackett, and Ensign Gershom Moore. This year an esti- mate was made of the population of the town, which showed that it contained 183 white inhabitants and 93 negro slaves. In 1711 a census of the town was taken, and it showed the population to be 1,003, of whom 164 were negro slaves.

GOVERNMENTAL CHANGES-REPRESENTATION INTRO-

DUCED.

When Captain Anthony Colve was appointed governor, on the reoccupation of the colony by the Dutch, and began to reinstate the Dutch government, he issued his founded its claim on the order of Governor Stuyvesant, proclamation to the several towns to come and make and on the decision given in its favor at Hempstead. In defense, Newtown pleaded its Indian purchase and its confirmation by Governor Nicolls. The evidence strongly favored the claim of Newtown, but the council, unable to determine the question, referred it to the court of assize. The case came up before the supreme court of the colony November 4th. After a full hearing the case was submitted to a jury of twelve, who gave their decis- ion in favor of Bushwick, and the court confirmed the verdict. their submission to the States-General. Newtown pre- pared to obey the order, and deputed Lieutenant John Ketcham and John Burroughs, who presented then- selves before "the lords commanders and the noble military council " in the fort at New York, and, petition- ing for the uninterrupted enjoyment of their privileges, were notified to nominate six persons, from whom the honorable court should select three for magistrates; and also to appoint two deputies to unite with others of " Rustdorp, Heemstede, Vlissingen, and Oyster Bay " in the presentation of three nominees for the office of sheriff, and three for that of secretary, which two latter officers were to have authority over these five named towns, now to be united in one jurisdiction. Captain William Knift was dispatched to the towns and villages to administer the oath of allegiance to the inhabitants. Newtown at this time numbered ninety-nine male adults, but only twenty-three could be found, the rest being ab- sent. Written instructions were soon received from the new governor for the guidance of the magistrates in the government of the town. In 1674 a treaty of peace was concluded between England and Holland, which pro- vided that this province should be restored to the Eng- lish. The duke's laws were then revived, with such grants and privileges as had previously been enjoyed under his Royal Highness. The magistrates, constables and overseers who were serving when the Dutch came into power were reinstated.

The Duke of York having assented to the convening of a popular legislative assembly, Newtown appointed Captain Richard Betts, Samuel Moore, Robert Blackwell and Jonathan Hazard to go to Gravesend and unite with committees from the several towns of the riding in the choice of delegates to said assembly. Upon the over- throw of King James the inhabitants of the town showed how deeply they were imbued with the spirit of independ-

ence, rejoicing heartily at the news of the revolution in England and at the fall of James. At a meeting held this year Captain Richard Betts and Lieutenant Samuel Moore were delegated to a convention to be held in New York, with instructions " to act as they should see cause for the good and benefit of the country." The towns- people resolved to provide and maintain two soldiers to strengthen the garrison at New York. They also sent

THE BOUNDARY DISPUTE SETTLED.

The year 1669 was marked by a revival of the dispute between Newtown and Bushwick respecting the meadows at Mespat Kills. The governor ordered both to present their cause for trial before the council of the province in June. Captain Betts, Captain Lawrence and John Bur- roughs appeared on behalf of Newtown. Bushwick

At this period the bad condition and the limited num- ber of the roads in the vicinity of the Dutch and English Kills were causing the farmers inconvenience. In pur- suance of their petition the town court, on March 8th 1670, appointed Mr. Burger, Mr. Wandell, John Parcell and Captain Lawrence to superintend the laying out of convenient highways. The decision of the supreme court in regard to the meadows of Mespat being unsatis- factory to Newtown, a request was made to the governor and council to appoint some indifferent persons to view and lay out the bounds between them and their neighbors of Bushwick. The council referred the case to the court of sessions, which appointed Captain James Hubbard, Richard Cornell, Captain Elbert, Elbertsz Stoothoff and Captain Jacques Cortelyou to visit and review the lands in dispute, and "endeavor a composure betwixt them." It was now hoped that parties would agree, but the summer of 1672 found them still at variance, and several applications were again laid before the governor, who issued a commission to the gentlemen nominated by the court of sessions, and with them Thomas Delavall and Matthias Nicoll, to take a careful observation of the premises and do their utmost to effect a conciliation. Authorized deputies from the respective towns met them on the premises, and at length an agreement was effected which the governor was pleased to confirm. Bushwick conceded Smith's Island, and Newtown yielded the large

THE BOUNDS OF NEWTOWN.

335

tract of upland to the southward, mentioned in Bush- wick patent.

In 1684 the towns of Newtown, Bushwick and Brook- lyn deputed each a committee of three to effect an agreement as to the limits and bounds of these towns. Another committee from Newtown was chosen to wait upon the governor and confer respecting "the confirma- tion of our patent to us and our heirs forever." The in- terview of the three committees found them widely at issue on the subject of their boundaries, Newtown urging its right to all the land covered by its Indian deed. Dis- appointed with the issue of the investigation, Newtown dropped the subject of a new charter until the following year. About the beginning of 1686 a draft of the pro- posed charter was received. On inspection it was found to require amendment. The improved draft, being allowed by the governor, was engrossed on parchment, sealed with the provincial seal, and signed by the governor. But the people of Flatbush claimed some of the land on the southern border, and in 1685 ob- tained a patent therefor and began to extend their authority over it. In December news came that the farmers there had met with serious interruption. Jona- than Hazard and Edward Stevenson were forthwith dis- patched to Flatbush to demand "why they disturb our inhabitants." Means were also taken to secure their borders, and to this end Philip Wells was engaged to run out the boundaries of the township, which was accom- plished in the spring of 1687, and the draft deposited in the town clerk's office. They next proceeded to lay out lots along the whole extent of their south bounds, to be given to every freeholder in the township on condi- tion that they should not sell the same to residents of other towns and that the lands assigned be immediately occupied. The efforts of Newtown to occupy all these lands fomented discontent in the adjoining towns, in which Brooklyn, Flatbush and Bushwick participated. The Newtown people, believing that a combination of these towns was being formed against them, raised twenty pounds for the defense of their patent. A petition was presented by the towns of Brooklyn, Bushwick and Flatbush to the governor, complaining that the people of Newtown " build houses on our out-lands," and praying his excellency in council "to examine both their pre- tenses." All parties appeared before the governor, and after an inspection of their several patents and papers his excellency was of opinion " that the controversy can- not be better decided than by a survey of their town- ships by the sworn surveyor, and that indifferent persons of note and integrity be present at the surveying of them, and that the several surveys be brought upon one plot or draft to be decided and determined accordingly by the governor and council." This proposal being acceded to a warrant was issued February 6th 1693 to the surveyor- general, who entered upon the work, in the execution of which two years elapsed. When the survey was com- pleted the council was informed and requested that a day might be appointed for the appearance of the inhabi- tants, in order to hear a decision of the controversy.

When the day came the agents of Newtown alone ap- peared. At the second appointment deputies from Brooklyn presented themselves, but the other towns kept aloof, having evidently changed their purpose to submit the decision to the council. The suit was finally ad- journed without coming to any conclusion. After a month's delay Newtown besought the governor for a de- termination of the dispute.

His excellency replied that, as it was a matter of com- mon right, cognizable at common law, and which there- fore could not be decided by himself without the concur- rence of all parties, he should refer them to the common law. But as some of the towns declined to resort to law, on the plea of expense, the dispute remained where it was. Nothing transpired touching the controversy for about ten years. Newtown kept the field, and quietly tried to preoccupy the lands in dispute. This chafed and inflamed the feeling of the neighbors so that in the spring of 1706 a party of the latter proceeded to vent their wrath upon the dwellers on the disputed territory. News of the disturbance reached the ears of the governor, and he, understanding that all parties were willing to submit their differences to the council for decision, directed that they be summoned to appear. But, on the meeting of the parties, counsel for Bushwick stated that his clients objected to a decision of the question by that board. The governor conceived the idea that there was a tract of ungranted land lying between Bushwick and Newtown. By his order Peter Cortelyou made a survey of the disputed lands, and found some twelve hundred acres of land. The governor determined to dispose of this as a gift to certain of his personal friends. Sep- tember 27th 1708 he gave a patent for this tract to Mrs. Ann Bridges, widow of the late chief justice of the province, John Bridges, LL. D .; Robert Milward, at- torney at law, who with Dr. Bridges had accompanied Lord Cornbury to this country; William Huddleston, Adrian Hoogland, Peter Praa, Benjamin Aske, and Wil- liam Anderson. The controversy was as far as ever from adjustment. Newtown exhibited an unflinching purpose to contest the governor's grant. The new patentees, Ann Bridges and company, asserted their rights; entered suits against such of the inhabitants of Newtown as were settled on their patent, and succeeded in ousting them. The town undertook their defense, and deputed Judge John Coe and Richard Alsop to ap- pear in behalf of the persons ejected. It was now pro- posed to obtain the passage of a law for the settlement of this tedious controversy. But this bill died in com- mittee, being never reported. The attempt was repeated in 1717. A bill was introduced entitled "An act for the better ascertaining the division line between Kings and Queens county, on the island of Nassau." Remon- strances against this measure poured in from Flatbush, Brooklyn, and Bushwick, but the objections were deemed insufficient and the Assembly passed it. Now there was a hope of settlement; but it soon vanished, for on the presentation of the bill to Governor Hunter he re- fused to saction it. The limits of the town remained

336

HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

controverted and unsettled until 1764, when a bill was introduced authorizing certain gentlemen named therein to agree upon and run out the division line of Kings and Queens counties. Objections and amendments delayed its passage till 1768, when it became a law. The com- missioners specified were Hon. John Watts, William Nicoll, and William Nicoll jr. Their report, with a sur- vey of the line, is still on file in the secretary of state's office. Thus ended a dispute which had continued more than a century.

EDUCATION.

The period between 1720 and 1755 was one of much social enterprise, and the subject of education gained some attention. By education must be understood those few and simple attainments which the mass of the peo- ple were wont to regard as sufficient. To read, write and cast up plain accounts were all the requirements deemed necessary. Previous to this date the village had occasionally enjoyed the services of a schoolmaster. The first was Richard Mills, who entered upon his duties in February 1661. In 1695 Ezekiel Lewis, subsequently a distinguished lawyer of Boston, was engaged for a twelvemonth, and for his accommodation the town-house was put in repair. In 1720 George Reynolds appears to have occupied the town-house for the same purpose, but families in the distant parts of the town found the location inconvenient. Several of these formed the de- sign of starting another school, at what has since borne the name of Middletown. Associating together they built a school-house upon a piece of ground appropriated for the purpose by Joseph Hallett. In 1734 several in- dividuals living in Hell Gate Neck combined and erected " a small house for a school to be kept in for the educa- tion of their children." It was located on the river road, where John Lawrence had presented as a site for the building "one square rod of land," for which he gave a deed to his associates, Joseph Moore, Thomas Lawrence, Cornelius Berrien, William Leverich and Hendrick Wilt- see. The residents south of Newtown village took meas- ures in 1739 to build a school-house on a plot of ground "twenty foot square" given by Jacobus Springsteen, who executed a deed for the same to his " loving friends" Daniel Stevenson, Benjamin Coe, Gabriel Furman, N. Furman, David Springsteen, Ezekiel Furman, Wil- liam Van Duyn, Jeromus Remsen, Jacob Skillman, Rem. Remsen, Abraham Morrell, Joseph Furman, Ed- ward Titus and Dow Suydam. The people near the English Kills were not behind their neighbors, and they built a school-house about this period. Jacob Reeder was the preceptor here for a long period; a useful man, and town clerk for above thirty years. In 1740 a house was erected "near the bridge at Newtown," the villagers being assisted by contributions from liberal persons in other parts of the town. At this date, therefore, five school-houses, located at different points, testified to the desire of the inhabitants to furnish the means of educa- tion for their offspring. The increased thirst for knowl- edge seemed to demand as early as 1762 a classical

school, for such was established in that year at Hallett's Cove. The following is the teacher's card:

" TO THE PUBLIC .- This is to give notice to all whom it may concern that William Rudge, late of the city of Gloucester, in Old England, still continues his school at Hallett's Cove, where he teaches writing in the different hands, arithmetic in its different branches, the Italian method of book-keeping by way of double entry, Latin, and Greek. Those who choose to favor him may depend upon having proper care taken of their children; and he returns thanks to those who have already obliged him. The school is healthy and pleasantly situated, and at a very convenient distance from New York. Letters will be duly answered directed to the said William Rudge, at Hallett's Cove.

" We who have subscribed our names, being willing to continue the schoolmaster, as we have hitherto found him a man of close application, sobriety, and capable of his office, are ready to take in boarders at £18 per an- num: Jacob Blackwell, Jacob Hallett jr., Thomas Hal- lett, Jacob Hallett, Jacob Rapelje, John Greenoak, Samuel Hallett jr., William Hallett, Richard Hallett, Richard Berrien, Richard Penfold, William Hallett, John McDonnaugh."

REVOLUTIONARY RECORD.

At the beginning of the Revolutionary period the in- habitants were divided into two parties. It is difficult to say which one was loudest in protestations of loyalty to George III., whom all acknowledged as their rightful sovereign, but few if any were found to deny the exist- ence of grave grievance. The widest difference of opin- ion prevailed, however, as to the proper means of obtain- ing redress. The weaker party urged the most pacific measures, and condemned the formation of congresses and committees. But a majority scouted such modera- tion, and no sooner had the resolutions of Congress been received at Newtown than these hastened, at the call of their supervisor, Jeromus Remsen jr., to adopt their recommendations. A large number assembled at the town-house, and seventeen persons were appointed to act as a committee of correspondence, and to see that the association formed by Congress be strictly adhered to within the limits of the town. The said persons were Philip Edsall, Thomas Lawrence, Daniel Lawrence, Jacob Blackwell, Richard Alsop, Daniel Rapelje, Jona- than Lawrence, Samuel Moore, William Furman, William Howard, Jeromus Remsen jr., Samuel Riker, John Al- burtis, Abraham Brinckerhoff, James Way, Samuel Mor- rell and Jonathan Coe. Although meeting with much opposition the friends of liberty in Newtown responded to a call of the New York committee, inviting them to send a representative to a convention to be held in that city for the purpose of choosing delegates to a second general Congress. The loyalists exerted themselves to defeat the election of deputies, and circulated a paper entitled the Queens County Freeholder, which "leveled its whole force at the very essence of a Continental Con- gress." In order to counteract the pernicious influence

337

REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS IN NEWTOWN-TOWN CLERKS.

of this publication, and incite the people to action, the Whigs issued, on the day of election, an eloquent appeal " to the freeholders of Newtown." It is a remarkable fact that, while the body of the Newtown people were in favor of deputies, every other town in Queens county gave its voice against deputies. In the prosecution of defensive measures the convention advised the immediate organization of the militia. Newtown consisted of two beats, the north and the south. In the former a company was formed under Captain Jonathan Lawrence, and in the latter another under Captain Abraham Remsen, the first containing 107 and the other 86 men. The New- town troop of light horse, consisting of 44 men, was com- manded by Captain Richard Lawrence, and afterward by his brother, Captain Daniel Lawrence. Samuel Riker was second lieutenant, Jonathan Coe cornet, and Peter Rapelje quartermaster.

The excitement which at this juncture pervaded all circles was heightened by the news that the general Con- gress at Philadelphia had dissolved the connection of the colonies with the mother country. Copies of the declaration were received at Newtown and read at the head of each company. That blood must soon flow was now evident, for the British troops had made a landing on Staten Island, and their nearer approach was ex- pected. The convention ordered the militia of Queens county, with the troop of horse, to be called out, and all diligence to be used to prevent the stock from falling into the hands of the enemy. General Woodhull, with some Queens county militia, hastened to forward the execution of these orders. While the party were scour- ing Newtown and vicinity for cattle the British troops cut off his communications with the camp, and he and several of the citizens of Newtown were taken pris- oners, Richard Bragaw, George Brinkerhoff, Abraham Divine and Ludlam Haire being of the number. New- town was now open to the enemy, and many of the Whig families, alarmed at their defenseless condition, fled in the utmost confusion. Early the next morning the British light dragoons entered the town. The tories, in the excess of their triumph, informed against their Whig neighbors. The leading Whigs were imprisoned or sent into exile, and their property was seized by the enemy. Under these circumstances the remainder were con- strained to join in a petition that Queens county might be restored to royal favor, which met with a very gra- cious reception. Now that the British had possession it becanie necessary to guard against the incursions of the Americans. In Newtown the following new officers were chosen in the northern beat: George Rapelye, captain; Daniel Rapelye, lieutenant; Jeromus Rapelye, ensign. The south beat was commanded by Captain Dow Van Duyn. The officers of the light horse were: Cornelius Rapelye, captain; Daniel Rapelye, lieutenant; Daniel Lent, cornet.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 67

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