USA > New York > Queens County > History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals. > Part 70
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About a year ago Mrs. De Be Voise left her old home
on the farm, and came to live with her husband's nephew, Charles W. Purdy, at 89 Bedford avenue, Brooklyn. Mr. Purdy was left an orphan and lived with his uncle from his boyhood until about three years ago. He went at the age of 14 into a drug store in New York, and is now a wholesale druggist in William street. Deprived of her own children by death, it seems peculiarly fitting that Mrs. De Be Voise should now make her home with one to whom she for so long a time sustained the relation of mother.
352
John No Debevoise
JOHN M. DEBEVOISE.
The subject of this sketch is a son of Moses Debevoise, whose wife was Maria Duryea, and was born at Fresh Ponds, on the farm now occupied by his brother Peter Duryea Debevoise, December 12th 1819. The genealogy of the Debevoise family appears on pages 317 and 318.
Mr. Debevoise received a limited education at the dis- trict school at Fresh Ponds, spending his boyhood on the farm at home. On his 13th birthday he was left an orphan by the death of his father. With his brother Peter he assumed the management of the farm, where he remained until he was 30, when he removed to the farm) where he has since resided.
February 7th 1849 he was married to Esther B. Gos- man, a daughter of William Gosman, of Dutch Kills. They have had eight children born to them, as follows: William G., January 20th 1850; Sarah Maria, January 13th 1852; Edward, December 13th 1853; Elizabeth Bragaw, December 26th 1856 (died February 25th 1867); Charles, October 20th 1860; George Gosman, October 25th 1863; Louisa Vanderveer, March 17th 1868; Mar- garet Aletta, August 16th 1872 (died December Ist 1876).
The family, now connected with the Reformed church of Bushwick, were formerly identified with the old Dutch Reformed church of Newtown, which Mr. Debevoise's father helped to found. Mr. Debevoise takes little ac- tive part in politics, though he is deeply interested in affairs of public moment, and has never sought official preferment nor held any office except such as have been conferred upon him by his townsmen.
William G., his eldest son, early chose a mercantile career, and for eleven years was in the employ of A. T. Stewart & Co., at their New York store. He was one of those who had been long in Mr. Stewart's service, to whom he bequeathed $500 each as a mark of the esteem in which he held then. He has since been employed in the Chicago store of A. T. Stewart & Co.
CHARLES I. DE BEVOISE.
The subject of this sketch is a son of Isaac and a grandson of Carel De Bevoise, who left the homestead at Brooklyn in October 1736 and became a farmer in Bush- wick, on the present property of Charles I. De Bevoise, where the latter now resides.
Charles I. De Bevoise was born September 21st 1796, and has been twice married-October 15th 1828 to Adrianna, daughter of Abraham and Magdalene Boerum; and October 24th 1836 to Jane Lefferts, daughter of Folkert Rapelyea and Agnes De Bevoise. He had one child, Magdalene, by his first marriage, and four-Isaac C., Agnes R., Susanna and Adrianna-by his second marriage. Mr. De Bevoise, who is still living, at the ad- vanced age of 85, at 104 De Bevoise avenue, Brooklyn, has during a long and active life enjoyed to a high degree the confidence of his fellow citizens, and has been iden- tified with many of the leading interests of the past. For a number of years he was the supervisor of the town of Bushwick. Politically he is a Democrat. He has been a lifelong member and long an elder of the old Bushwick Reformed church, with which his family are identified.
Che J. De Because
355
ROBERT BURROUGHS.
Robert Burroughs was born in the city of Brooklyn. September 15th 1821. His father, Thomas Burroughs, was born on a farm then belonging to the family, in the town of Newtown, at White Pot, which farm was more recently owned by Jarvis Jackson, and is now the prop- erty of Abraham V. S. Lott and Frederick D. Backus. Removing to Brooklyn he married and settled there. His parents having both died he was placed at the age of thirteen years on a farm at Middle Village, in Newtown, and kept at farm work until the age of sixteen, when he was sent to Brooklyn to learn the trade of a house car- penter. Having learned that trade in its different branches, he returned to Newtown, where for a number of years he carried on business as a practical architect and builder, and planned and put up a good many houses.
fourteen years. He served out his full term of three years as county clerk from January Ist 1868. At the town meeting held April 4th 1871 he was chosen super- visor of Newtown, and he was annually re-elected for six successive years, the last election being held April 3d 1877. The financial condition of the town of Newtown at the time he was first elected supervisor was very bad, owing in a great measure to the incorporation of Long Island City, within the limits of the town, and not mak- ing any provision for the apportionment of the bonded debt (which was very large) between the two places. By great exertion and after many delays an act was passed by the Legislature on June 5th 1874, to accomplish this object, and Mr. Burroughs served as one of the commis- sioners under this act in adjusting the debt and making the apportionment, the effect of which was to put a stop to any more suits and relieve the town from its financial embarrassment. During his period of service as super- visor he held the position of court-house commissioner, for the construction of a new court-house for Queens county, under both acts, and was very active and attent- ive in the discharge of the trust imposed. In his time also Metropolitan avenue, Myrtle avenue and Grand street, three prominent thoroughfares in the town, were built, in all of which improvements important duties were
April 5th 1853 he was elected justice of the peace of the town, for the term of four years. This was the first public position he ever held, and he was re-elected to it April 7th 1857, and again April 2nd 1861, and served out each term in full. April 4th 1865 he was chosen for another term of four years, but in November 1867, before the expiration of this term, he was elected on the Demo- cratic ticket clerk of Queens county; and he resigned the position of justice, after having performed its duties confided to him by the Legislature. Myrtle avenue was
356
HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.
graded and macadamized by his direction, under the su- pervision of an engineer selected and appointed by him without the intervention of commissioners. The job was not quite completed during his official term and was fin- ished by his successor.
He is now engaged in business as one of the firm of H. T. Burroughs & Co., extensive dealers in building ma- terials in the city of Brooklyn, and enjoys exceptionally good health.
GEORGE 1. RAPELYE
was born in Nova Scotia, February 7th 1787. His father, John Rapelye, was a native of Newtown, and descendant of the Rapelye family that settled in Newtown more than two centuries ago. He was born in what is now known as the old Schenck house, opposite the house of Joseph A. Lawrence, on the old Winfield road from Newtown. The father was a British soldier in the war of the Rev- olution, and at the close of the war he went to Nova Scotia, where he married Miss Lemma Boice, a native of New Jersey. They resided in Nova Scotia until after the birth of their sons George I. and Jacob, a period of four or five years, when they came to Newtown and set- tled on a farm of 170 acres. Here they spent the re-
mainder of their lives. Mr. Rapelye's death occurred April 5th 1829, and his wife survived him until Septem- ber 15th 1832. A part of this homestead farm is still owned and occupied by George I. Rapelye, who was married December 20th 1814 to Lydia Burroughs. She died November 8th 1822, leaving two children, Maria and Sarah J .; Maria is now the wife of Daniel L. Ra- pelje, of Corona, and Sarah J. is the wife of Henry S. Vanderveer, one of the prominent and well-to-do farm- ers of Newtown.
Mr. Rapelye was again married on the 4th of January 1827, to Elizabeth Van Wickel. She died December 13th 1866, leaving three children-Lydia E., now the widow of Abraham Stockholm; Mary M., and John Jacob, who, with his wife Gertrude V. C. Luquer, their three children and his sisters, now lives with their aged father, who at the advanced age of 95 years is compara- tively active, and, while enjoying the society of his chil- dren and grandchildren, is able to tell us of the early set- tlers and the history of nearly a century ago. He speaks familiarly of those who filled important places in the history of our country when he was a young man, and has in his possession many letters and papers important and ancient. Among these is a letter of which the following is a copy:
" ALBANY, Feb. 24th 1835.
" DEAR SIR :- I have great pleasure in forwarding to you a commission for the office of inspector of turnpikes, which the governor handed to me yesterday. It will be necessary for you to go to the clerk's office, enter your name on the list of county officers, and be qualified. "With great respect, " JOHN A. KING."
" To George I. Rapelye, Esq."
This office he held five years, and he was for seven years commissioner of highways.
George & Rafelyes
From early childhood he has been- identified with the Episcopal church at Newtown, of which he has been for 62 years a verstryman, and is now senior warden. The accompanying portrait is engraved from a photograph showing this venerable gentleman as he now appears, in the full enjoyment of all his faculties, at the remarkable age to which he has attained; and is of historical interest as preserving a remembrance of a generation which with this notable exception has already passed away.
GEORGE W. VANDERVEER.
The parents of the subject of this sketch were George R. and Phebe (Whitson) Vanderveer. He was born on the old family homestead in Newtown, February 2nd 1842, and began his education in the district schools of Newtown, graduating later from Cook's Academy in New- town village.
Mr. Vanderveer was reared to farm life, and at the death of his father, in February 1866, assumed control of the farm, which he has since very successfully.managed.
Reared to Whig proclivities by his father, Mr. Van- derveer is an ardent adherent of the Republican party, having cast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He was elected the first police justice of Newtown, and served in that capacity four years to the great satisfaction of his townsmen, among whom his unswerving honesty and sound judgment are proverbial.
In 1866 Mr. Vanderveer married Miss Mary Whitson, of Newtown, who died several years since, leaving her husband and their daughter, Jennie Sheperd Vander- veer, and a wide circle of relatives and friends to mourn their bereavement.
Der IV Vanderver
359
JOSEPH J. TOMPKINS-NEWTOWN VILLAGE.
Joseph & Tompkins
JOSEPH J. TOMPKINS.
Joseph J. Tompkins is a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Way) Tompkins, of Newtown, and was born in that town, September 17th 1815. His father was born in 1788 and died in 1864. His mother was born in 1783 and died in 1853. Mr. Tompkins attended the district schools at the neighborhood and was reared to farm life. In 1843 he married Sarah Amelia Tompkins, of Newtown. They have six children living, born as follows: Oscar E., July 27th 1845; Phebe Eliza, November 30th 1850; Elizabeth S., May 22nd 1853; Josephine, December 17th 1856; Eloise, January 3d 1860; Clarence P., August 17th 1862.
About the time of his marriage Mr. Tompkins began farming on his own account on a portion of the old home- stead, and he has since become owner of the whole property, which he manages successfully, devoting his attention principally to market gardening. Mr. Tomp- kins has never been a politician, but is a Democrat upon principle and takes a proper interest in affairs of public moment. His standing among his townsmen may be judged from the fact that he has held various important local offices. He has been a member of the Queens County Agricultural Society since its organization, and for some years was a member of the board of directors.
The family are attendants at the Reformed church of Newtown.
VILLAGES.
After the incorporation of Long Island City there re- mained no incorporated villages within the limits of the town of Newtown, but there are nearly a score of hamlets which are centers of population and business. These are
Newtown, Corona, Woodside, Locust Grove, Winfield, Charlotteville, Maspeth, Columbusville, Laurel Hill, Ber- lin, East Williamsburgh, Middle Village, Ridgewood, Glendale, Hopedale and Richmond Hill. In each of these places surveys have been made and maps of village plans filed. In several of the cases it appears that good farms have been spoiled to lay out streets which are not used, and to make building lots which have been left to become useless commons.
NEWTOWN VILLAGE.
This is the oldest village in the town, and has more of historical interest connected with it than any other men- tioned in this article. Under the name of Middleburg it was the scene of many exciting episodes of the Revolu- tion, and to-day it contains several important landmarks which have been already noticed in a previous section of this town's history. The building of the North Side rail- road gave the place valuable connection with New York, and in 1876 it was made the eastern terminus of a street railroad connecting it with Brooklyn.
There is nothing in the present business establish- ments in this village of more than strictly local impor- tance. The growth of the business part of the place has been very slow.
The Newtown Hotel, owned by Joseph A. Lawrence and conducted by Albert Bailey and James O'Brien, is on the site of the old town-house, where a hotel was kept over a century ago.
An excellently stocked drug store and a half dozen general stores and markets supply the wants of the com- munity. T. Burford's bakery furnishes the village with the staff of life and many of life's delicacies as well, while Jo Hiland jr. from behind the bar at the Palace Hotel does his part with a dozen others toward meeting a demand which has come to be almost as universal as the demand for bread.
There had been several attempts made by Messrs. Moore, Hallett, Moody and others to establish an under- taking business here, but none had succeeded prior to 1877, when Henry Skelton began business here; by skill acquired during several years in the city and by close attention to the public needs he has built up a good busi- ness reputation, and supplied a public want satisfac- torily.
THE PRESS.
The press of this village consists of four weekly news- papers, the first of which, the Newtown Register, was es- tablished July 17th 1873 by Charles White, the editor and publisher. The political course of this paper has been directed in the interest of the Democratic party, and its local department, under the direction of George T. White, the associate editor, is ably conducted and well filled with the local news and spicy comments. It is now published as a seven-column, eight-page paper, and has a circulation of about 1,500. It has, from its foundation, been the official town paper.
360
HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.
Early in 1874 Charles F. White undertook the publica - tion of a local newspaper in the German language, and in that spring issued the first number of the Long Island Journal and Volks-Blatt. This paper is neutral in poli- tics, and is patronized liberally by the German-reading people of this vicinity. It is printed at the Register office.
The Queens County Safeguard was founded in March 1875 by G. K. Lyman, and has since been ably edited by him as a Democratic newspaper. It is a four-page, eight- column sheet, 26 by 40 inches, and enjoys its fair share of the public support. Although a thorough Democrat in principle and practice Mr. Lyman has given his paper a degree of independence which has proved objectionable to that element in Newtown politics calling itself the regular Democracy.
The Newtown Advertiser is the youngest paper here, having been established in January 1881 by Angus P. McIntyre.
ASSOCIATION HALL.
This hall was first built for a Baptist church, and stood for some time on the Hoffman boulevard; but through the enterprise of a few gentlemen, when it was no longer used for chapel purposes, it was moved to Grand street and remodeled, furnishing the village with a very suit- able public hall for lectures and similar entertainments.
SCHOOLS.
The village maintains a very thorough public school, employing four teachers. It is under the principalship of J. A. Swartout. The assistants are Mary E. Murton, Franc L. Sleight, and, in the colored school, Mary Green. Thomas S. Burford is president of the board of education and Hon. J. G. Garrettson secretary.
POSTAL FACILITIES.
Newtown's first mail was furnished by stage from Brooklyn, and no direct communication was had with the eastern towns of Long Island until as late as 1801, when the first bridge was built across the meadow connecting this town with Flushing. A mail and passenger route was then established between Flushing and Dover street ferry, Brooklyn, by way of Newtown. In the early days Barnard Bloom, who kept a hotel, received and distrib- uted the mail, though it does not appear that a post-office had yet been established. This hotel was the Corner House, mentioned as one of the ancient landmarks. Mr. Bloom subsequently kept tavern in a building where the Newtown Hotel now stands, and here also he acted as postmaster.
POLICE COURT.
In 1872 the State Legislature provided by special act the town enjoyed the services of Rev. S. Morgan Jones, that a police justice should be elected in and for the town of Newtown, to hold court in this village, the town court-house being located here. The term of office is four years. George W. Vanderveer was elected in 1873 and Thomas Marshall in 1877; William Burcham was ap-
pointed in 1880 to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Mar- shall's death. Francis McKenna, the present incumbent, was elected in 1881.
MASONIC.
Mizpah Lodge, No. 738, was instituted in 1873. After it had been under a dispensation two months a charter was granted.
The first officers under the charter were: G. J. Gar- rettson, W. M .; S. F. Worthington, S. W .; Samuel Doug. las, J. W .; Thomas E. Anderson, T .; Joseph A. Law- rence, Sec .; R. M. Donaldson, S. I) .; Abel Powell, J. D ; James Cating, senior M. of C .; C. A. Anderson, junior M. of C .; William H. Gordon and Howard E. Sanford, stewards; C. Rapalye, marshal; G. W. Garrettson, or- ganist; John H. Jebins, tiler. The trustees were Samuel Douglas, James Cating and C. A. Anderson. Nine of the charter members were from Island City Lodge. The meetings of this lodge are on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. The masters have been: G. J. Garrettson, 1873-76; S. Douglas, 1877; G. J. Garrett- son, 1878; Abel Powell, 1879 ;- James S. Fairbrother, 1880. The officers for 1881 were: George M. William- son, W. M .; Henry Skelton, S. W .; C. A. Anderson, J. W .; G. J. Garrettson, treasurer; James S. Fairbrother, secretary; Abel Powell, S. D .; Adam Weise, J. D .; Stephen A. Spratt, senior M. of C .; Franklin Booth, junior M. of C .; Oliver C. Young, marshal; John H. Jebins, tiler; Robert Burroughs, Howard E. Sanford and Thomas Burford, trustees.
CHURCHES OF NEWTOWN VILLAGE.
The Presbyterian Church .- As with other English set- tlements on Long Island, the early settlers of Newtown were dissenters in religious principles, and mainly Pres- byterians. The facts in the case are not known, but it is believed that Rev. John Moore settled here, coming with a church already organized, and was the first minister as well as school teacher in this locality. It is certain that soon after the settlement of the English company here "a town-house was erected, which served the double pur. pose of a church and a residence for a minister," and in this the Rev. John Moore preached. But little is known of this first pastor, save that he died in 1657. Richard Mills was employed to teach in his place and assisted in maintaining Sabbath services. For five years the church struggled on with no settled pastor, and was then (in 1662) able to secure Rev. William Leverich as pastor. He served the church until his death, in 1677. The records of his labors are lost; but it is known that during his pastorate the first building devoted exclusively to divine worship was erected, in 1671, on ground nearly opposite the present church edifice. From 1677 to 1708 John Morse and Robert Breck.
Rev. Mr. Jones, a graduate of Oxford University, England, was one of 2,000 dissenting Presbyterians who were ejected from their parishes by the Act of Uniform- ity in 1662. Rev. Mr. Morse, of Harvard College, set-
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PRESBYTERIAN AND REFORMED CHURCHES, NEWTOWN.
tled here in 1695; soon afterward the house and grounds now occupied by the heirs of Robert Thompson were bought for the use of the minister. Mr. Morse died here in the midst of his work, but twenty-six years of age. Mr. Breck, also from Harvard College, served this church but two or three years. He boldly asserted the principles of the non-conformists, and through the ill- treatment and threats of the Episcopal governor was compelled to leave his charge. The combined pastorates of these three ministers embraced but twelve years; hence the church was vacant at intervals for eighteen years. This was owing in part to colonial troubles, the inroads of the French and the measures of Lord Corn- bury against dissenting churches.
The church building was taken possession of by Rev. Mr. Urquhart of the Episcopal church, in 1703, and held till 1708. During this time Revs. John Hampton and Francis Mackennie, both Presbyterians, were arrested and imprisoned for preaching, one in Newtown, the other in New York, without license from Lord Cornbury.
All church records previous to 1708 have been lost, save a niemorandum of eight names, the only members at the beginning of the important ministry of Rev. Samuel Pumroy. It was during his ministry, in 1715, that he with this church was received into the Presbytery of Philadel- phia. Under his ministry sixty-seven members were added to the church. In 1717 a new church was erected on the site where the present church building stands, but not fully completed until 1741. After a successful ministry of thirty-six years Mr. Pumroy died June 30th 1744, and was buried in the old church yard, where a tombstone with a quaint inscription marks his grave.
From this period until the war of the Revolution the successive pastors were: Rev. George McNeish, two years; Rev. Simeon Horton, 26 years; Rev. Andrew Bay, two years. From 1776 to 1783, when the British troops had possession of Newtown, this patriotic church suffered severely. Its members were exiled or imprisoned, and its house of worship first used as a hospital and guard house, and then demolished. The pulpit pillar afterward was a hitching post by the town-house. At the close of the war, by the kindness of the Reformed Dutch church, the Presbyterian congregation worshiped in its edifice. The church was not in condition to settle a pastor, and from 1784 to 1790 the services of Rev. James Lyon, Rev. Peter Fish and Rev. Elihu Palmer were engaged successively.
In 1787, ninety-five years ago, the edifice in which this society still worships was commenced. In 1791 it was completed and dedicated. Nathaniel Woodhull was in- stalled pastor in 1790, and his pastorate lasted twenty years. His death was universally regretted. His suc- cessor was Rev. William Boardman. His pastorate was marked by a remarkable revival, the fruit of his own and his predecessors' faithful labors. He died in 1818. In 1817 the old parsonage property was sold and the "Union Hotel," with eleven acres of land, was purchased for a parsonage. In 1819 Dr. John Goldsmith was installed. His faithful pastorate continued 34 years, during
which he received 215 members into full communion. He died in 1854. The parsonage was sold and a new one erected in 1821. On the 28th of March 1855 the present pastor, Rev. John P. Knox, was installed over this church. During his pastorate he has received into full communion 139 members, and baptized 129 infants and 17 adults. The church edifice has been refitted and adorned several times, and the chapel enlarged, removed and made commodious for the Sabbath-school. Pastor and people are united more closely as the years advance, and are together doing efficient work, the results of which time only can unfold.
The Dutch Reformed Church at Newtown .- The first church edifice erected by this congregation was begun in 1732. Prior to this time Dutch inhabitants located in the north and west portions of the town found easy ac- cess to churches in New York, Bushwick or Harlem, while others worshiped at Jamaica. On the 2nd of De- cember 1731 a united effort was made; a subscription soliciting funds for building a church was started, which resulted in securing £277 12S. for that purpose. Abra- ham Remsen, Isaac Bragaw, Joris Rapelje, Abraham Lent, Nicholas Berrien and Abraham Brinkerhoff were the building committee. Peter Berrien deeded, April 3d 1733, to Elbert Luyster and Abraham Riker, as trustees, a building plot near the town-house, and here was finished, in August 1735, that quaint specimen of architecture which is still remembered as the octagon church.
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