USA > New York > Queens County > History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals. > Part 71
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The first church wardens-Thomas Skillman, Peter Berrien and Petrus Schenck-were chosen on the 26th of June 1736. From this time until 1739 this church was dependent for preaching upon ministers from Kings county and New York. This society then united with three neighboring churches in securing the services of one pastor for all, and this arrangement continued sixty- three years. The following named pastors thus served these churches: Dominie Van Basten; Johannes H. Goetschius, a native of Zurich; Thomas Romeyn, Her- manus Lancelot, Solomon Froeligh, Rynier Van Nest and Zachariah H. Kuypers.
Rev. Mr. Froeligh, whose pastorate commenced in 1775, was an avowed Whig: hence the entrance of the British army in September 1776 forced him to flee his pulpit. From this time until the war closed the pulpit was vacant or supplied at irregular intervals. During two years no records of baptisms appear, and the church was used as a powder magazine.
On the 20th of April 1802 Newtown and Jamaica ex- tended a call to Rev. Jacob Schoonmaker, D. D., the classis of New York having dissolved the combination of the four collegiate churches, at their request, on the 24th of October. Dr. Schoonmaker was ordained at New- town. Rev. Garret J. Garrettson was settled as a co- laborer with Dr. Schoonmaker in these two collegiate churches January 6th 1835. In June 1849 he resigned his charge here, which resignation was soon followed by the withdrawal of Dr. Schoonmaker from his pastoral charge in Newtown, owing to the desire of this church to separate from Jamaica, a measure demanded by the in -
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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.
increase of the congregation. The farewell discourse was delivered October 14th 1849. The occasion was deeply affecting, it being the severing of a tie of half a century's continuance.
Under his pastorate a new church was built. The old church building was taken down September 4th 1831, having stood ninety-eight years, and the corner stone of the new one was laid September 16th. It was dedicated July 29th 1833, a discourse being delivered by Dr. Schoonmaker. The sermon, with many others, and the life and labors of this good man are still cherished in the hearts of this church. He died in 1852. His successor at Newtown, Rev. Thomas C. Strong, was installed De- cember 12th 1849. He served this church ten years, and in 1859 was succeeded by Rev. W. A. Anderson, who resigned in 1866 and was followed by Charles J. Shepard, under whose pastorate the church is still pros- pering.
Episcopal Church of Newtown .- As early as 1732 an Episcopal society was formed here, with Rev. Thomas Colgan rector, his parish including also Jamaica and Flushing. In 1732, by the earnest efforts of Joseph Moore, a deed for a part of the town lot was secured by this church, on which a church building was erected in 1735. The interior of the building was not immediately completed, and five years elapsed before it was furnished with pews. Mr. Colgan's labors as rector of this parish were terminated by his death in December 1755. At this time the old feud between Episcopalians and dissenters was revived, and the dissenters chose a Presbyterian to take charge of the parish, petitioning the government to sanction their choice, which was denied them. After a period of more than six months Rev. Samuel Seabury jr. was appointed by the governor to fill the vacancy. The three towns under one rector did not prosper, and the Episcopalians at Newtown presented a petition for an act of incorporation whereby they might call a clergyman separate from the rest of the parish. Their petition was granted September 9th 1761, but for some reason a separate rector was not obtained. Mr. Seabury continued over the parish until 1766. May 23d 1769 Rev. Joshua . Bloomer was appointed rector. He remained in charge during the period of the Revolution, officiating regularly in the three charges, and until his death, June 23d 1790. His immediate successor wa Rev. William Hammel. He lost his sight and was obliged to resign in 1795. In 1797 the church of New- town withdrew and called a separate rector, Rev. Henry Van Dyke, who officiated five years. In 1803 Newtown and Flushing churches united and called Rev. Abraham L. Clarke. In 1809 the two societies dissolved this con- nection, and Mr. Clarke continued in Newtown until his death, December 31st 1810. The vacancy was filled by Rev. William E. Wyatt, D. D., but he was soon after called to St. Paul's church,. Baltimore. Rev. Evan Mal- bone Johnson, the next rector, settled here in 1814 and remained until 1827, when he removed to St. John's church, Brooklyn.
His successor, Rev. George A. Shelton, was rector
thirty-three years, from 1830 to 1863. The most import- ant step taken by the parish during his rectorship was the building of a new church edifice This was done in the year 1848, the new church occupying an advan- tageous position on the corner of Grand street and Union avenue, on ground which had been given to the parish at its beginning by William Sackett. The church was built upon a plan furnished by Mr. Lefevre, the architect of Holy Trinity church, Brooklyn, and was considered at the time a very handsome one. It was built of wood in the early English style, with open roof, and two west towers, in one of which a clock was placed. The chan- cel and vestry room, however, were very small; the church having only the one central alley, the pews were very long, but not numerous enough to accommodate any great increase of congregation, and in spite of Mr. Shelton's earnest ministry the parish had no material growth.
After his death, in the year 1863. the vestry called to the parish the Rev. N. W. Taylor Root, a man of fine pulpit ability, whose ministrations attracted so large a congregation that an immediate enlargement of the church was proposed; and twelve acres of land lying ad- jacent, the larger part of Mr. Sackett's generous endow- ment, were sold for the purpose. This was done, how- ever, not without an emphatic protest from the venerable senior warden of the parish, George I. Rapelye, who raised his voice against the further diminution of the property of the parish, a dangerous policy which seems to have been too often followed during its history. The vestry at this time purchased of Dr. Stryker the house and lot adjoining the church, for a rectory, thus securing a front on Grand street of nearly 200 feet, with a depth of about the same, for the church, rectory and graveyard; about the same quantity of land being re- served in the rear, fronting on Union avenue, for garden purposes. The plan of church enlargement was not car- ried out at that time; and after a ministry of four years Mr. Root resigned and went to Portland, Maine, where he died some years after.
The parish was temporarily supplied by the Rev. Rob- ert Lowry and other clergymen, until the year 1868, when the Rev. Samuel Cox, D. D., then rector of Christ church, Bordentown, N. J .; was called to the parish; he entered upon the rectorship July Ist. The congregation was small, and the parish had suffered from change and the vacancy. Dr. Cox was a Philadelphian by birth, but had spent the first eight years of his ministry, beginning in the year 1849, as rector of Christ church at Manhasset, Queens county; and had been in the interim rector of the Church of the Ascension, Philadelphia, and St. Paul's church, Cincinnati, Ohio; he brought with him, therefore, the experience of an active ministry of nearly twenty years, and under his charge the parish thrived, the con- gregation outgrew the limited accommodations of the church, and the plan of enlargement was again mooted. At that time the country was prosperous, money was plenty, and a rapid improvement was expected of all places within easy access of New York.
John J Van Alsb
365
'NEWTOWN EPISCOPAL CHURCH-JOHN I. VAN ALST.
In the early part of the year 1870 a meeting of the congregation was called to consider the matter of the church enlargement, and initiatory steps were shortly ta- ken to that end. The vestry, having in hand the proceeds of the land sold, which was sufficient for the substantial work of the enlargement, the rector invited from ntem- bers of the congregation donations for special purposes in addition. The response was most favorable, so that by the spring of the following year the church, having been closed and under alterations for several months, was reopened with enlargement and improvements cost- ing in all nearly $11,000, one third of which was the gift of members and friends of the parish. The changes em- braced the addition of aisles to the nave, adding fifty per cent. to the seating capacity; an increase of fifteen feet to the depth of the chancel, with large organ chamber and vestry room; the enlargement of the organ and its removal from the gallery to the south side of the chan- cel; a costly west window, the gift of the family of Samuel Lord as a memorial to their mother; a new chan- cel window in memory of the Rev. Mr. Shelton; new nave and clerestory windows, from the ladies of the par- ish; new chancel furniture from several members; a gas machine for lighting the church; and new carpets and cushions throughout. The church was formally re- opened on Thursday March 30th 1871. Bishop Little- john presided and preached the sermon; the rector read a brief history of the parish, and a number of the clergy of Brooklyn and of Queens county assisted in the ser- vices.
The enlarged church was soon filled by a greatly in- creased congregation. But since that time a number of the old families have removed; many prominent resi- dents have been taken away by death; the country has been under a cloud of great financial and business de- pression; the village of Newtown has seen but little growth, and the old parish has had hard work to hold its own.
JOHN I. VAN ALST.
There are some lives whose tracing is peculiarly diffi- cult for the pen of a biographer, not only from the simple conviction of how inadequate it may be to perform the duty, but also because they were lives of such unobtru- sive usefulness, nobleness and benevolence among their fellow men that to lift the veil and bring the venerated name into the full light and the recognition of admiring humanity is indeed felt to be a delicate task. Nor could it well be attempted but for the earnest demands of those whose daily paths have been brightened by the sympathy and generosity of spirit which have lightened their bur- dens and left in grateful hearts a deep-seated and affec- tionate remembrance of an unfailing friend, of whose su- perior excellence and goodness their enthusiasm must neglect to keep the secret. There must come an occa- sion when the eloquent tongue may speak its praises- the long silent pen portray its honored memories.
In the month of May 1877 was recorded the much la- mented death of one of the oldest and best known citi- zens of Newtown. The gentleman referred to was the subject of this sketch, John I. Van Alst, than whom no one was more honored, respected and beloved in the vil- lage and township. He was a descendant of one of the oldest families located in Queens county during its early settlement by the ancient householders from Holland. The name of Van Alst was originally one well known in the history of West Flanders, from whence the founder of the family emigrated in or about the year 1652. Joris Stevensen Van Alst (or "George the sailor," as he was called) came from noble stock, whose home was in the ancient manor of Alst, in a district bearing that title, ly- ing between the rivers Scheld and Dender, and having also a capital of the name.
Marrying soon after his arrival in this country, the family progenitor settled at Dutch Kills, situated on that portion of Newtown Creek which was in the early his- tory of Dutch settlement recognized as "Burger's Creek," or by its more euphonious Indian name " Cana- paukah." Here Joris Van Alst, being a man of sub- stance, purchased two plantations, for which he obtained a confirmatory patent dated September 16th 1670; and it was upon these ancient farm lands that his lineal de- scendants dwelt from one generation to another, till with- in a few years of the present date, well known and hon- ored for their staunch character of highest respectability and ever ready to take their share in the common inter- ests and burdens of the era in which they lived. From Johannes or John Van Alst-belonging to the third gen- 'eration of the family and name-our subject traced his descent. That gentleman, his grandfather, married a daughter of Jacob Bennett of "Bennett's Point," who was a grandson of Captain Pieter Praa, one of the most ancient and wealthy patroons of those days of early settle- ment in Queens county. John Van Alst the elder, being also the oldest son, would at the death of his father, ac- cording to the law of entail then in vogue, have been en- titled to the undivided inheritance of the paternal estate. But such was the generosity of his character that, having but one brother, he could not endure the idea of receiv- ing the whole of his father's property; and, therefore, soon after the decease of the latter, he divided the farm lands, giving an equal share to his brother George-an act of liberality and nobleness of spirit worthy of imita- tion on the part of some grasping inheritors of this more modern day. At the death of John Van Alst, in 1823, his son Isaac became possessor of the ancient farm and homestead; and in this mansion of the olden time-the second which had been erected upon the family lands and which in 1766 was called the " new house "-John I. Van Alst, the subject of this notice, was born on the 8th of December 1805. In the old home of his child- hood, and where the early years of a promising manhood were spent, he gave evidence of a thoughtful, manly and energetic soul. Trusted in early youth with the manage- ment of his father's farm, as time passed on the spirit of progress prompted him to extend his efforts in a wider
39
366
HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.
area. Not content to sit still and wait for the assurance of good fortune promised him on the paternal side with advancing years, he was always on the alert to secure ad- vantages in the opportunities of the present, yet often pausing to extend the helping hand to others who might not have been so fortunate in position, or who were discouraged by the want of money or a timely word of well-directed counsel.
In 1834 he was married to Miss Ellen De Bevoise, one of the descendants of Carel De Beauvois's ancestry, and an aunt of Henry S. De Bevoise, the present mayor of Long Island City. It was in the year 1836 that John I. Van Alst removed to Newtown, where for twenty-three years he conducted a highly successful and lucrative business, occupying the store and building of the well known Peter Gorsline. These he subsequently purchased, and in course of time, just beyond the outskirts of the vil- [he was connected received from him always a liberal lage, erected a pleasant family homestead, whose well. [ share of sympathy and support, and the pastors ever rec- ognized and relied upon him as a steadfast friend. During the war of the Rebellion he accepted the appoint- ment of treasurer of the volunteer patriotic fund, and for nearly four years of the war, and as long as the money and necessity continued, he disbursed weekly the fund for the benefit of the wives and families of the Union soldies. In after times, when for twelve years he was an in- valid and the prey of an incurable disease, which forever- more incapacitated him from labor in the active outdoor world, his mind and sympathies were still, as ever, busy with plans for the benefit of others; and many a quiet home in the village of Newtown and thereabouts to-day owes its existence and prosperity to his kindly outstretched [hand of assistance, which was never withheld if the ob- ject seemed worthy. And thus we recognize him through all the later years of his life, nobly fulfilling the promise and ideal of his youth; his most ambitious dream- kept, well cultivated grounds are still an ornament to the vicinity. In 1859 he gave up the cares of business to his partner, the late William E. Furman. Some years before his retirement he became interested in several public in- stitutions. At the organization of the Williamsburgh City Bank, opened May 13th 1852, he was chosen a director, in which capacity he was ever found ready and faithful in the discharge of duty. This bank is now known as the First National Bank of Brooklyn, retaining its old-time president, Nicholas Wyckoff. In the same year the Wil- liamsburgh City Fire Insurance Company was organized, in which also Mr. Van Alst was a director, and he occu- pied this position in both these well known and solid in- stitutions for nearly a quarter of a century, so highly es- teemed at this post of duty that his seat was retained for him even through many later years of invalidism, when it had practically been vacated. The Cyprus Hill Cem- etery in its earlier days also knew and benefited by his " To be a glimpse of summer sent Into the bleak hearts of the poor; To make God's sunshine evident By opening Eden's humble door To souls where darkness reigned before." guardianship and interest as a trustee, whose earnest sym- pathy and abilities were in the work; but when ill health incapacitates, the labors of love must needs be aban- doned, and thus the period came when this most benev- olently assumed burden was necessarily forever laid aside.
In the month of July 1852, and at the old homestead at Dutch Kills (where he was born and lived till past the allotted three score and ten), died Isaac Van Alst, father of the honored subject of this sketch. But long ere his death occurred, his son, as we have seen, had built for himself by his own praiseworthy efforts and business talent an enduring reputation and a high position among his compeers. In this respect he may be 'mentioned as a model to young men of the present and coming time; for how often does the disposition to depend upon prospects of inherited wealth and position destroy the inherent germs of manliness.
In the record before us we have a noble example of the independent spirit that loves to stand by its own work and worth, but finds its ideal of happiness in ability to be of service to the weaker and less fortunate. In the township of Newtown, and through a wide circuit of the
surrounding country, the name of Van Alst had grown in honor, as that of a representative man of the time. Neighbors and friends and even strangers, attract- ed by its possessor's reputation for executive ability, soundness of judgment and energy of purpose, came from far and near to seek his ever kindly given counsels in their seasons of pressing need. As a commissioner in matters where just arbitration was a requisite his decision was sought for and relied upon with the fullest confi- dence. Many higher offices of trust, in the service of the village and county, were constantly offered for his ac- ceptance; but his ambition was never of the kind that sought publicity, and these alone of all friendly offerings received from him a prompt and imperative denial. In the walks of usefulness and a wide-spread benevolence he had found a fitting sphere. The church with which
With each year from the date of his first attack, as the victim of a hopeless malady, his sufferings continued to increase until the winter of 1877, when it became pain- fully evident that the useful life was drawing to its close. He lingered in much quiet and patient endurance of suf- fering until the last spring month of that year. dying on the 31st of May. Said one of the local papers:
"In the death of Mr. John I. Van Alst we have lost a highly esteemed citizen of Newtown, well known to the oldest inhabitants, many of whom were his companions in childhood. He was one who by dili- gence and unusual business qualifications, combined with strict integrity in all the transactions of his life, commanded the respect and love of all that knew him. Through all his social and religious relations this gentleman possessed the entire reverence and confidence of the community, and his memory will be fragrant in the hearts of his numerous friends. His sickness, so long and painful, was borne with great patience and Christian resignation, and his end was peaceful."
Saul Riken
369
SAMUEL RIKER.
Many similar offerings of praise could be quoted, show- ing the universal regret and also the sympathy for his surviving household. From among these we have only space to subjoin the following tribute by the directors of the Williamsburgh City Fire Insurance Company:
" This board has learned with painful regret of the death of our late associate John I. Van Alst, who had been a director in the Williamsburgh City Fire Insurance Company for more than twenty-four years, during all of which time he was a faithful and efficient member of the board, high-toned and honorable in all his dealings and transactions with his associates and this company; and up to the time when stricken down by disease, which finally terminated fatally, there was no one who labored more faithfully to promote the interests of the company than Mr. Van Alst. In his death the community has lost a valuable citizen and Christian gentleman."
The remains of Mr. Van Alst were buried in the family plot in Cypress Hills Cemetery, beside those of his wife and son Isaac, whose deeply deplored death in the prime of manhood had proved one of the saddest bereavements in a good man's life. But one child, a daughter, ontlived him, and still occupies the family mansion at Newtown.
L. O. H.
SAMUEL RIKER.
This gentleman is descended from one of the oldest and most prominent families in the town of Newtown, whose earlier history is given at length on page 342. Abraham Rycken, its first ancestor in this country, was born at Amsterdam, in 1610, and emigrated in 1638. He settled upon land at Bowery Bay granted him by Gover- nor Stuyvesant in 1654. A portion of this land, con- taining upward of 100 acres, has never since been out of the possession of the family, and is now owned in part by the subject of this sketch.
Abraham Riker, a son of the first settler, died in 1746, in his 91st year. A rude slab marks his grave in the family cemetery at Bowery Bay.
His three grandsons, John Berrien, Abrahamn and Sam- uel, at the outbreak of the Revolution ardently espoused the cause of the colonies against the mother country. John Berrien Riker joined the army under Washington, with which he continued as surgeon during the entire period of the war.
Abraham Riker was present at the fall of Montgomery, at Quebec, and fought gallantly at the battle of Saratoga. office.
He died at Valley Forge, May 7th 1778, expressing with his last words regret that he could not live to witness the freedom of his country.
Samuel Riker was justly esteemed for his public spirit and integrity. After the Revolution he was supervisor of Newtown for several years, once a member of the State Assembly and twice a member of Congress.
Among his sons was Andrew, who was master of a merchant vessel in the European and East India trade. In the war of 1812 he commanded the privateers " Sara- toga " and " Yorktown." Another son, Richard, was ad- mitted to the bar in 1795, was district attorney of New York in 1802, and for . 20 years recorder of the city of New York. His brilliant conversational powers and pol- ished manners made him the center of attraction in the social circle, while his extensive legal learning, deep in- sight into character, and charitable yet resolute nature eminently fitted him to preside over the criminal courts, where in the midst of judgment he ever remembered mercy.
John L., another son, studied law with his brother Richard and continued to practice until his death, in 1861. He was noted for his uprightness and that genu- ine politeness which springs from the heart.
Of his eleven children, Samuel, the subject of this sketch, was the sixth. He was born in 1832 and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1853. Though residing in Queens county, he has always practiced his profession in the city of New York. Among his professional brethren he is distinguished for his profound knowledge of the law of real property and for his skill in the drawing and inter- pretation of wills. While devoting much of his time to legal studies he has yet found leisure to range through other fields of knowledge, and in the gratification of a strong passion for reading he has gathered around him a library rich in almost every department of literature and not surpassed, if equaled, by any other collection in the county. He is characterized by great independence of thought, and has little respect for opinions resting on tradition or authority merely and not on reason. His conduct is regulated and governed by principle and not by expediency, and hence is always consistent. In the community in which he dwells absolute confidence is re- posed in his integrity. In 1865 he married a great- granddaughter of Major Jonathan Lawrence, of Revo- lutionary memory, the friend and companion of his grandfather. He has never held nor sought a public
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