History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 69

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 69

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The famous old "Corner House" commenced its public career about 1700, under the guidance of Jonathan Fish. With the exception of its front it remains much in its original state. The rear door swings in the old style, with its upper and lower sections, on four great hinges. A visit to the attic floor reveals its solid framing; its timbers, seasoned to the hardness of lignum vitæ, are framed with dowels, ship fashion.

Many of the unfortunate farmers of Nova Scotia, who were scattered helpless exiles over the colonies. found shelter here with Samuel Fish. Many French officers on parole in the families of the Sacketts, Moores, Bettses and Lawrences of that day were frequenters of the "Corners."

But this old landmark reached its greatest importance

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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

during the period from August 1776, when General Howe dismounted at the door, to September 1783, when the Hessian regiment Deknoblauch halted before the same door, and resumed its last march through Newtown vil- lage. This long interval was a time of soldiers, arnis, drums, prisoners and marches, together with balls and revelry around this focus of British rule. Through all this eventful period Abraham Rapelye was host. He died in 1798, having continued the business until his death. Tradition asserts that not a few refugees of the patriot stamp were wont to find a hiding place in the old house, for the host was at times a useful medium. He now sleeps on the shore of Bowery Bay. The old house has been converted successively into a parsonage and school-house, and now stands an object of interest to all.

The Jackson mill at the mouth of the Sackhickneyah stream, whose foundations were laid in 1668 by Pieter Cornelisz Luyster, is the only surviving mill of ancient Newtown. As we examine its wooden fastenings and measure its main shaft-all in working order after so many years-we question, can time destroy it? In 1715 Samuel Fish bought the farm now owned by the heirs of the late Hon. Thomas B. Jackson, and in 1824 he purchased this mill property adjoining; hence the name "Fish's Point." The Indian name Sackhickneyah still adheres to the stream which turns the mill, and around its waters somne dark crimes were perpetrated by the Indians on the white settlers; the tomahawk was freely used, and an old mill was burned by them before they took their final departure from what appears to have been a favorite resort to them. Their most extensive cemetery is in this region, and large mounds of oyster shells remain.

In 1691 a fulling-mill was built on this stream. It re- mained for many years, but every vestige of it long since disappeared, though the locality still retains the name of Fulling-mill Dam. This was one of the first mills of the kind in the province.

The Palmers now own and occupy a portion of the mill farm, and may be looked upon as the representatives of the Fish family, as Sarah Fish, daughter of John Fish, married William Palmer. Their neat homestead recalls the olden times. On an elevation which forms the east- ern hook this house presents its gable to the still more ancient cottage of Jacob Rapalye. Between these houses stand the homesteads of the Riker, Luyster and Kouw- enhoven families, the whole five of them having an ante- Revolutionary date. In a field a few yards east of the Palmer cottage lie the remains of John Fish; his head- stone bears the inscription, "In memory of John Fish, who died 2nd day of July 1793, aged 73." His wife may rest here, but no headstone marks the spot. One of their daughters and her husband also lie buried here. Some of this ancient family sleep in the old town bury- ing ground, others in the Alsop family cemetery, and still others in the Presbyterian church yard at Newtown, around which was the original home of the family. Of this family is the Hon. Hamilton Fish jr., a son of Governor Fish and a distinguished member of the State Legislature.

The Luysters .- The farm on Fish's Point, which Sam- uel Fish purchased, was but a small part of the Luyster farm, which then covered Bowery Bay up to the Riker homestead. Luyster Island, now bearing the Steinway and Riker residences, was also included in the Luyster pur- chase from the Dutch Reforined church. The Dutch church of New Amsterdam had received the whole of this property from the Dutch government, under the usual delusion of converting it into a self-supporting farm for the poor. Nothing however came of that speculation save the bestowal of the name "Poor Bow- ery " on the district, a name usually understood as mark- ing the barrenness of the soil, than which nothing could be more foreign to its quality. The Poor Bowery farm extended from Fish's Point nearly a mile westward. It was purchased from the church by Peter Cornelisz Luyster, the progenitor of all in this country bearing this name, who came here in 1656. He was a descendant of a very respectable Dutch family, long resident in Hol- land and Rhineland, and soine of them had been distin- guished citizens of Cologne. He soon acquired property in Newtown, and erected a grist-mill at Fish's Point. He died in 1695, when this estate, on which he was buried, was bought by his son Cornelius, who acquired promi- nence here, served in the magistracy, and held a captain's commission. He died in 1721. The estate was divided

among his children, and for more than a century after- ward remained in the family; but it has passed into other hands and is divided into half a dozen farms, still among the best lands and most beautiful locations in Newtown. The family cemetery is dismantled and potatoes and cabbage grow over several generations of dead, and of the ancient house of Luyster here only a heap of family tombstones remains.

Abraham Rycken's Descendants .- Abraham Rycken, or de Rycke, as the name is written in early records, was the progenitor of the present Riker families of the United States; his descendants of the third generation having assumed the present mode of spelling the name. He is presumed to have emigrated in 1638, as in that year he received an allotment of land at the Wallabout, from Governor Kieft. They were originally a German family, and it is believed that this branch descended from a family of importance at Amsterdam. In 1654 Abraham Rycken obtained a grant of land at the Poor Bowery, afterward adding to his domain the island known as Riker's Island. His wife was a daughter of Hendrick Harmensen, He died in 1689, leaving his farm by will to his son Abraham, who added considerably to the ex- tent of his lands, and at his death, in 1746, left the estate to his sons Abraham and Andrew. Abraham located upon that part of his father's estate which included a third of the Tuder patent. The tenement which he erected still remains, and forms the center room of the house now owned by the heirs of Charles Rapelye, de- ceased. Mr. Riker took an active part in the erection of the first Dutch church built at Newtown, and was one of the trustees to whom the deed for the church lot was executed; and at the time of his death, February 20th

RESIDENCE OF ABRAHAM V. S. LOTT, NEWTOWN, LONG ISLAND, N.Y.

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OLD FAMILIES OF NEWTOWN.

1770, he was a ruling elder. His son Jacobus bought the homestead farm soon after his father's death, and re- sided here until his death, in 1809. Another son, Andrew Riker, purchased Riker's Island, where he erected a house and resided the remainder of his life. At his death, in 1815, he left the island to his sons Abraham and Peter. This island has passed from one generation to another, and is still in the family. Daniel Riker, son of Jacobus, inherited the paternal estate, but sold it in 1827. It is now owned by the heirs of Charles Rapelye.

The family cemetery at the Poor Bowery was early ap- propriated as a place of burial by the Rikers and Lents, and in all subsequent sales of the farm it has been re- served to these families. While the farm was owned by Isaac Rapelye he enlarged this cemetery by the gift of a strip of land adjoining. The tombstone of Abraham Riker, who was buried here in 1746, is in a compara- lively good state of preservation. A cenotaph is also here which records the death of Captain Abraham Riker, who died at Valley Forge in 1778. These grounds are full of historic interest to all, associated as they are with so much of importance in the early days of Newtown. The living representatives of this family are now residing in New York.

The Lent family is of common origin with the Riker family, being descended from Ryck and Hendrick, the Eldest and youngest sons of Abraham Rycken, who, for reasons not clearly known, renounced their own name and assumed the name Lent. Abraham Lent, son of Ryck, came from Westchester county to Newtown in 1729, and took possession of a farm, left him by his uncle Jacobus Krankheyt, on Bowery Bay. He resided here until his death, in 1746, when his son Jacobus, for years a ruling elder in the Dutch church, succeeded to the farm. His death occurred in 1779. Daniel Lent, youngest son of Jacobus, was the last of the family who occupied this estate. It was sold just prior to his death, which occur- red April 20th 1797. Daniel, his only child that surviv- ed infancy, removed to Flushing Bay, and for years re- sided upon the farm formerly owned by Captain Thomas Lawrence and now by the surviving heirs of the Lent family.

farm until his death, in 1809, when it passed into the hands of his son Rem, and at his death, in 1829, to his heirs. The old house, now standing, is owned by the heirs of the late Thomas Hunt, of New York. Another grandson of Hendrick Rycken, Jacobus Suydam, married a daughter of Captain Cor. Rapelye. After engaging successfully in commerce in the city of New York he re- tired from business, and bought the estate of William Lawrence in Newtown. Here he lived until his death, in 1825. Another member of this family, Hendrick Suy- dam, removed to Hallett's Cove, prior to the Revolution. He bought and conducted the mill on Sanswick Creek. He was a much esteemed member of the Dutch church. He died in 1818. Of his sons all became merchants in New York, except James, who remained on the paternal estate. The only living representative of the Suydam family in Newtown is Mrs. Dow Rapelye, who lives on Jackson avenue, near Corona.

The Remsen family are descendants of a family whose original name was Van der Beeck. Rem Jansen Vander- beeck came to this country early in the seventeenth cen- tury. His sons adopted the name Remsen. One of them, Abraham Remsen, settled at Hempstead Swamp, on the farm now owned by David Kinsey. In 1735 Jeromus Remsen, a son of Abraham, bought the paternal farm, on which he lived until his death. His son Jeromus, born November 22nd 1735, was a man of unusual abilities, and deserves honorable notice in the history of his native town. He did service in the French war and stood con- spicuous among the Whigs of Newtown at the opening of the Revolution. He was a clerk of the county commit- tee, and as colonel of militia was present at the battle of Long Island.

On Van Duyn Hill is the only property in Newtown confiscated after the Revolution. Here is a small cemetery known as the Remsen graveyard. In this is the tomb of Jeromus Remsen.

Simon, another representative of the Remsen family in Newtown, was born in 1748. He married Aletta, only child of Daniel Rapelje, of Newtown, and occupied his father-in-law's estate on Bowery Bay. His daughter married James Strong, whose heirs now own the home- stead farm occupied by Benjamin W. Strong.

The first ancestor of the Suydam family in this country was Hendrick Rycken, a member of the Riker In 1719 William Van Duyn, whose remote origin is French, removed to Newtown, having bought property at Hempstead Swamp, which he subsequently enlarged. At his death, in 1769, his son Dow received half of the farm, the other half going to the heirs of Cornelius Van Duyn, whose wife was a daughter of Dominicus Vander- veer. The farm is now owned by Jerome Vanderveer, who lives in the old Van Duyn house enlarged and im- proved. family as previously stated. It is a curious though well established fact that about the year 1710 the sons of Hendrick Rycken adopted the name Suydam, and from these three persons descended all the Suydams in this and adjoining States. Dow Suydam, a grandson of Hen- drick Rycken, settled at Hempstead Swamp, in New- town, in 1736. He was the first of the name who located in the town. Prior to the Revolution he sold his farm to his nephew John Suydam, and left Newtown, The Family of Brinckerhoff in America are descend- ants of Joris Dericksen Brinckerhoff, who came to this living in various parts of the island during the war and suffering on account of his Whig principles. country in 1638 and settled in Brooklyn. His son Abra- He died at the house of his son John in Jamaica, in 1794. His wife, whom he survived thirty-seven years, was Sarah Vanderveer. John Suydam, who bought the farm at Hempstead_Swamp, remained on the ham bought a large farm on Flushing meadow, a part of which is now owned by the Elliott brothers. The Bur- roughs farm was also a part of this estate. Occupying a commanding position, on the bluff overhanging Flushing

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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

Bay is the Brinckerhoff cemetery. It is beautiful in summer, and wild in winter it must be as the tempest sweeps over this resting place of an extinct family. Their tombstones are scattered more or less in every cemetery in the township; but it is doubtful if there is here one living representative of the family.

The Burroughs Family .- The old Burroughs burying ground is in the rear of a lot which faces on the com- mons of Newtown. The most historical tombstone here is that of William Howe Burroughs, who died in 1805. He was named in respect to General Howe of the king's army. This is a part of the old Burroughs farm, and here too we find an old house of ante-Revolutionary date, which was built by the great-grandfather of George W. Burroughs of Corona, the oldest living male represent- ative of this family. The old farm has nearly all passed out of the Burroughs family. The heirs of Joseph Bur- roughs (brother of George) own a small part of it still, and the old burying ground is retained in the family, though this is only the resting place of former genera- tions, the present generation having buried their dead in the Episcopal church yard at Newtown. The earliest rec- ord of this family in America is in 1637, when John Burroughs is found in Salem. He soon after came to Newtown. He filled the office of town clerk several years. His sons Jeremiah and Joseph shared their father's estate. Jeremiah died in 1698. Joseph lived to an advanced age. The old house before mentioned was built by his son John, who died on this estate, July 7th 1750. His children John and Joseph inherited the pa- ternal farm. Joseph's son Thomas succeeded to the property and married Sarah, daughter of George Wyck- off. He died September 21st 1835. His children were: Lydia, wife of George I. Rapelye; Sarah, now Mrs. Charles H. Roach; Mrs. John B. Hyatt; Joseph (de- ceased), George Wyckoff and John W., who died when 17 years old. George W. has two children-James S. Burroughs, who resides at Astoria, and Mrs. Isaac Moe, of Corona.

William Howard, the progenitor of the Long Island family, came to Newtown near the close of the seven- teenth century. The old Howard place on the road from Newtown to Jamaica is still owned by the family, and the oldest house in Newtown village is owned by Jonathan Howard, who now resides in Newtown. It was formerly owned by the Furman family. Mrs. Howard was a daughter of Aaron Furman, who lived and died in this old house. It is fast going to decay, and is now used as a tenant house.

The Hallets, now mostly removed from the town, were formerly prominent in Newtown. In 1655 William Hal- lett settled at Hallett's Cove, where his house and planta- tion were destroyed by the Indians, whereupon he re- moved to Flushing. He subsequently located at Hell Gate, where he lived to the age of about ninety years. His grandson Richard Hallett married a daughter of John Bowne, of Flushing, an eminent Quaker. Mr. Hal- lett embraced the principles of the Friends, which his descendants still profess. Some of the family settled at

Maspeth. Gideon Hallett owned the farm on which the old Quaker meeting-house at Maspeth stood, and this farm is still in possession of the family. The old meeting- house, long since torn down, stood on the corner of the Newtown turnpike and the Fresh Pond road. Around this was the Quaker burying ground.

LEADING CITIZENS OF RECENT YEARS.

ASCAN BACKUS.

Ascan Backus, who was one of the most noted farmers of Long Island, died at his residence in Newtown on the 18th of March 1880. He was a fine type of physical manhood, being about six feet in height and proportion- ally developed, and with a face when not in repose indica- tive of great geniality of nature. His struggles against early difficulties, and the great success that crowned his industry and perseverance, merit historic recognition; for from the lessons of his life many a young farmer now buffeting with the world may borrow renewed hope and courage.

He was born in the duchy of Saxe Gotha, in 1814. His father, an affluent farmer and stock raiser, took a leading part in the political troubles of his time and country, and as a consequence found himself stripped of his possessions; and young Ascan, who was at the time studying for one of the profession's, was obliged to leave his books and his country to seek his fortune. He landed in New York on the 4th day of July 1829, at the age of fifteen; and, with a naturally strong and independent mind, at once turned his thoughts to agriculture. At first he assisted his brother Charles, who had arrived a year before, in the management of his farm, and by pru- dent action he soon amassed means to hire a little place of his own. Here he raised market produce, which in those days liad to be sent by boat down Newtown Creek and around the Battery to New York market. The young farmer kept a vigilant eye upon the markets and made himself acquainted with marketmen and dealers, with whom he soon became a favorite for his amiable and manly qualities and the strict integrity of his conduct. He was winning success. By intelligent watchfulness, by prudence and honorable dealing, he was advancing to the very front. His acres soon grew to hundreds, his few laborers became many, commodious outbuildings sprung up, his stock multiplied and increased, a number of wagons carried the rich abundance of his farms to the markets of New York, and munificent returns poured in upon him. To sterile spots he had brought bloom and blossom and fruitage, and he lived to enjoy the rich re- wards of his skillful labor. There is no doubt that his early mental training had much to do with his success; for, although cautious in introducing new methods, his mind was quick to grasp the principles upon which they were based, and to apply them to the best advantage when he put them to the test. With sound judgment, too, he saw that in the management of his large estates

As un Bacrusy

RESIDENCE OF JOHN C.D'BVOISE, NEWTOWN, LONG ISLAND, N. Y.

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THE DE BEVOISES OF NEWTOWN.

the good will and cheerful co-operation of his employes were necessary factors, and he always manifested a sort of paternal interest in their affairs. In their little dis- sensions he was a pacificator, in their sickness he was a solicitous friend, in their merrymakings he gave them his approving smile. He took great pains to encourage in them habits of economy, and many of them who are now successful farmers for themselves owe much of their suc- cess to his constant interest in their undertakings. This generous treatment of his laborers would have been im- possible unless Mr. Backus possessed a sensitive nature and kindly heart, and it affords salutary material for re- flection for all employers of labor who desire to be faith- fully served.

Mr. Backus attended the Reformed church, and was a very liberal contributor to deserving works. He kept himself informed of the events of the day on both sides of the Atlantic, and was a man of decided opinions; but these he never permitted to interfere with his friendships, which were very strong. His tastes were refined and his pleasures simple. He had a keen relish of gleeful joke and repartee, and was noted for his hospitality. He left three daughters and three sons, who inherit his property.

JOHN C. DE BE VOISE.

John C. De Be Voise is a son of Charles I. and Maria (Covert) De Be Voise, and was born at Fresh Ponds, Au- gust 31st 1815. His earlier ancestry may be traced in the sketch of the De Be Voise family on page317. His edu- cation was limited to the meager course of study of the Fresh Ponds district school, and he was left fatherless at the age of fifteen.

Mr. De Be Voise soon found himself, young though he was, at the head of the business left by his father, and managed the farm successfully and profitably until, at the age of thirty, he removed to his present residence at the corner of Fresh Ponds road and Myrtle street.

In 1848 Mr. De Be Voise married Mary Jane, daughter of Samuel Way, of Fresh Ponds, who is still living and presiding over his elegant home.

Mr. De Be Voise had two brothers, and one sister. These were Michael Covert De Be Voise and the late Cornelius S. De Be Voise and Rebecca Ann De Be Voise, deceased, who became the wife of William H. Purdy. Mr. De Be Voise is known as one of the most successful farmers and market gardeners in his vicinity. Never a politician or office seeker, he yet has ever felt a keen interest in passing events. He has always been a sup- porter of all measures which he thought were conducive to the public good.

JOHN DE BEVOISE.

John De Bevoise, son of John C. and Jenny (Beadle) De Bevoise, was born at the old De Bevoise homestead

John De The House

on the Fresh Pond road (now at the corner of that road and the Myrtle avenue road), in the town of Newtown, March 3d 1798. His descent from the original member of the family in this country is shown by the sketch on pages 317 and 318.

December 22nd 1819 he was married to Cornelia M. Van Cott of the town of Bushwick, Kings county. Mr. De Bevoise was well known as an honest, upright, enter- prising and influential man. He was a lifelong farmer, and was often chosen to positions of trust and respon- sibility by his townsmen and business acquaintances. For seven years he was supervisor of the town, in those good old times when the taxes were light and an honest man was accounted " the noblest work of God." Ever public spirited to a remarkable degree, he was desirous of im- provements, not for his own convenience alone, but for the benefit of all, and he spent a great deal of time and money in opening and improving what is now called the Myrtle avenue road. He died, deeply regretted by a wide circle of relatives and friends, September 2nd 1862.

John De Bevoise, the only son of the deceased, now lives on the estate. He was born October 26th 1820, and married Gertrude J. Suydam, of Bedford, Kings county, by whom he has six children living: John H., Fred J., Cornelia G., Gertrude S., Abraham B. and Ma- rietta. Of these, Cornelia G. and Marietta are married, the former to John Hyatt Vanderveer, the latter to How- ard Hayden, of Great Neck, L. I.

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I Habe Se Passe.

CORNELIUS S. DE BE VOISE.

Cornelius S. De Be Voise (deceased), the son of Charles | another of the many solid, respected families of Newtown. I., and the grandson of John De Be Voise, was born July Two children were the fruit of their union-John Wil- liam and Jeannette. The former was born on the 27th of June 1866, and died of diphtheria December 3d 1875, at the age of 9 years. The latter was born June Ist 1868, and died August 2Ist following. 18th 1823, on the old homestead at Fresh Ponds, referred to in the article on this family on page 317. From early life his habits, his tastes and his education were such as befitted a farmer's son, who was of choice to be a farmer too.

A little over a year before his death Mr. De Be Voise At the age of 31 he courted, won and married Miss Adrianna De Be Voise, daughter of Jacob De Be Voise, who was also a native of Newtown and was his junior by began to suffer from a kidney trouble, which grew more and more alarming, until it developed into Bright's dis- ease and terminated in his death September Ist 1878. five years. They settled at once on the farm and founded In politics he was first an old line Whig and afterward a

35 [

Adrianna De Be Voise

MRS, ADRIANNA DE BE VOISE.

thorough Republican. He was a consistent member of the Reformed church during the whole of his mature years, an exemplary father, husband and neighbor, never looking for enjoyment outside of his family and the so- ciety of his friends. His mother spent the last few years of a ripe old age át his house, and died there. Mrs. De Be Voise also had the satisfaction of having her mother with her before and when she passed from this life to the next, which occurred January 6th 1867.

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History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 69

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