History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 80

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 80

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Exchange place, New York, and residing at "Forest In the afternoon of the same day a Sabbath-school was Grove," on the Great Neck shore of Manhasset Bay. organized, consisting of twenty-five scholars and seven Mr. and Mrs. Spinney had been induced to establish a teachers. Lewis B. Loder was then elected superintend- temporary residence in this place, in the hope of finding ent, and he has continued in that office to the present the country air favorable to the health of their little time (1881 .

child. The child died, but although the parents moved

hither for its sake alone they had now become so at. 1872, "The Great Neck Methodist Episcopal Church" tached to their country home that they determined to was by vote adopted as the corporate name of the remain.

The Methodist Episcopal church, the denomination to MI. Carpenter and Edward H. Dodge were elected as the which Mr. Spinney belonged, had up to this time ob. first board of trustees, and a proper certificate was filed tained no place or influence in this community. Great in the county clerk's office. Neck and Manhasset had been visited in previous years

The church was thus incorporated, but had no actu.il by Methodist preachers, but they had left no visible or membership until November 3d 1872, when, on the permanent impression. For a considerable time Mr. occasion of the first communion service, certificates of Spinney worshiped with a feeble society of Methodists removal were presented by some thirteen persons, and the

names of two probationers were taken, whereby a small society was formed. Their names were as follows: Full members, Joseph S. Spinney, Emily A. Spinney, Lewis B. Loder, Catharine A. Loder, Joseph M. Pray, Mary B. Pray, Kate C. Baker, Park Brewster, Daniel D. Gordon, Mary A. Gordon, Mrs. John Pilkington, Emma Skid- more; probationers, James M. Carpenter, Richard I. Pray.

As soon as the organization was effected the entire property (including land, completely furnished church and parsonage, barn, sheds and other buildings, paid up policy insuring the buildings for five years, organ, com- munion service and Sunday-school library) was presented to the Great Neck Methodist Episcopal Church by Mr. Spinney and his wife, subject to the conditions that it should be used for M. E. church purposes and that the seats in the church edifice should be free. The bills on file show the cost to have been about $21,000.

The first board of stewards was appointed December Ist 1872, viz .: J. S. Spinney, L. B. Loder, J. M. Pray, J. M. Carpenter, J. E. Hicks, D. D. Gordon. The first class leader was Charles H. Colby. The first chorister

in their chapel at Little Neck, and greatly aided and cheered that needy church. Desirous also of accom- plishing good nearer home, he and his father-in-law, L. B. Loder, with occasional assistance from others, con- ducted prayer and praise meetings, which were largely attended, in the Great Neck union chapel, and in the town hall at Manhasset. The good effect produced by these meetings upon many who were not regular attend- ants at any place of worship convinced Mr. Spinney that there was room in this community for a Methodist Epis- copal church, and real need of the work which such a church could accomplish. Accordingly he proceeded at once to provide a house of worship for a church that was to be. Having purchased a large portion of the cele- brated "Ben. Wood property," he selected about four acres on a delightful eminence as the site for a church and parsonage.

Rev. John Pilkington was appointed pastor, having been transferred from the Wyoming to the New York East conference. Mr. Spinney paid him a salary, and intrusted him with a general oversight of the enterprise. Mundell & Teckritz, of Brooklyn, were employed as ar-

chitects; J. M. Carpenter, of Great Neck, as builder of the church, and Samuel Travers, of l'ort Washington, as builder of the parsonage. The work was commenced in June 1872.

It betokened great faith as well as great generosity on the part of Mr. Spinney to provide, at large expense, com- plete appliances for a church while as yet there was no church organization and but few who might be expected to unite in formning one.

When completed the church building was very much admired. It is 66 feet long by 34 feet wide, with bell- tower and spire. The windows are of stained glass, beautiful in shape and tastefully ornamented. The edi- fice was dedicated on Sunday morning October 6th 1872,

At a meeting held in the church edifice October 21st

organization. L. B. Loder, J. M. Pray, J. E. Hicks, J.

429

GREAT NECK METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

was L. B. Loder; the first organist, Mrs. D. S. Skidmore; the first sexton, Charles Valentine.

Four pastors have served this church to date. Rev. John Pilkington was the stationed preacher three years (1872-74). His name is pleasantly associated with the origin of this church. He labored with energy for the accomplishment of a work which was evidently dear to his heart. He left, at the expiration of his term, as the result of a faithful improvement of an excellent oppor- tunity, a beautiful church property, a prosperous Sunday- school and a growing membership.

Rev. Charles Backman was pastor three years (1875- 77). He witnessed an extensive revival of religion in the congregation, and rejoiced in a large accession to the church.

Rev. Marcus D. Buell was the conference preacher for one year (1878). Mr. Buell's excellent sermons were greatly appreciated. His instructions to the young peo- ple in vocal music, and his little paper, Pastor and People. printed at the parsonage and issued monthly, were notable features of his brief administration. An opportunity offered to visit Europe and the East, and he left the charge in the spring of 1879.

Rev. Edwin Warriner is pastor at the date of this writing (February 1881), having been in charge nearly two years (1879, 1880)-a pleasant and prosperous term.

The pastor's salary has uniformly been estimated at $1,000, but the actual receipts have exceeded that amount.

Some notable facts appertaining to this church are:

I. Its singular and providential origin, as chronicled above. The late Rev. Dr. Dashiell, in a sermon to this people some years ago, founded upon the words " And a little child shall lead them," discoursed feelingly and beautifully concerning the circumstances which led to the founding of this church.

2. Remarkable growth; beginning with a membership of 13 in a sparsely populated place, it increased in num- bers tenfold in less than five years.

3. Eminent visitors. On important occasions, such as missionary days and anniversaries of the dedication, the worshipers on this hill-top have been permitted to listen to some of the most eloquent and distinguished preachers of the denomination. Some of these are Bishops Foster, Gilbert Haven, Wiley, Foss and Hurst, and Doctors Dashiell, Crooks, Reid, Newman, DeHaas, Kidder, Hunt and Fowler. Few audiences in the country chapels have been so highly favored.

4. Extraordinary interest in the Sunday-school. The superior blackboard illustrations by D. S. Skidmore, S. E. Warren and others have aided greatly in the teaching of the Word. All observers agree that it would be dif- ficult to find in any other Sabbath-school such lifelike and beautiful representations of scripture scenes, illus- trating the lessons, as are prepared for this school by the assistant superintendent, Mr. Warren.

At each Christmas anniversary Mr. Spinney has dis- tributed hundreds of dollars worth of presents to the

members and friends of the school. He has also each year paid the entire expense of a first-class Sabbath- school picnic, furnishing ice cream, band of music, etc.

The monthly "children's meetings," held Sabbath evenings, have attracted large numbers of people, many attending from a distance of several miles.

The Sunday-school in the first year or two reached a membership of 175, which it still retains.

5. Wise financial management. No bills remain long unpaid. The accounts have shown a balance in the treasury at the close of each year. Two church fairs netted respectively $1,200 and $400. Besides giving due attention to repairs and improvements, the Ladies' Aid Society has accumulated a fund for the erection of a chapel and Sunday-school building.

6. Benevolent contributions. While Mr. Spinney has largely supplemented his original offering by his constant and systematic support of the various interests of this church, the people have been schooled in the principles and practice of Christian benevolence, and they have not forgotten the sentiment, " Freely ye have received, freely give." Mr. Spinney adds dollar for dollar to the collec- tions taken in this church for benevolent objects. In the average amount per member contributed to the various benevolent enterprises of the denomination this has been the leading Methodist church in Queens county, and among the foremost in the New York East Conference. The annual offering for missions has been as large as $500.

7. Complete harmony and fellowship with Christians of other denominations.

At a meeting of the members and friends interested in " the Great Neck Methodist Episcopal Church," held in their house of worship on the morning of December 25th 1879, a preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted, thanking Mr. Spinney for his benefactions to Methodism at Great Neck. This testimonial was written by Rev. Rev. E. Warriner, beautifully engrossed by S. E. Warren, and elegantly framed, embellished with beauti- ful emblems and illustrations, including a picture of the church and parsonage. It was signed by Rev. E. War- riner, pastor; C. R. Disosway, J. E. Hicks and H. J. Combs, on behalf of the church and Sabbath-school, and J. B. Hill, C. M. Fletcher and C. W. Rogers, on behalf of friends.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PORT WASHINGTON.

Meetings were started here April 22nd 1873, the result of which was the formation, on September 14th, of a regular Baptist church. Rev. J. D. Fulton, D. D., preached the sermon on the day of organization.

The original members were Andrew Van Pelt, John C. Jones, George Fleet, Jacob Pierce, Dr. - Hall, James E. Bird, Eliza D. Bird, Jane Van Pelt, Martha Fleet and Jane Scott. George Fleet and Andrew Van Pelt were chosen deacons, and James E. Bird clerk.

The Sunday-school was organized in June 1873, with 65 members.

In 1875 the church had increased its membership to

47 .

430

HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

35, and the Sunday-school its membership to 125. The church has since declined to a membership of 17. The Rev. Nelson Palmer served as pastor from October 1873 to January 1875; Uriah B. Gurscard, from January 1875 to May 1875; James T. Carr, from May 1875 to June 1876; and Duncan Young, from October 1877 to June 1879.

The church has never owned any real estate and has held its services in the free church. The Sunday-school was organized in the old school-house, but the services were held after the first year in the church.

ST. ALOYSIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, GREAT NECK.

The edifice of this name was built in 1876, being dedi- cated May 20th of that year. About 200 regular mem- bers attend. Rev. P. F. Sheridan, the first pastor, was in charge three years, and was ·succeeded by Rev. E. J. Smith, the present incumbent, whose charge commenced April 25th 1880. This is the first Catholic church built in this part of the island. It is a neat little church in the gothic style, situated about 200 feet from the main road and a mile from the railroad depot. The value of the church is estimated at $8,000. The pastor has recently

built a parsonage. The Sunday-school is in charge of some of the young ladies of the parish, the pastor being the superintendent. About 60 pupils attend Sunday after Sunday, and the strictest order and discipline are pre- served. This church is destined to be one of the most attractive of its kind on the island, as far as art and piety can make it so.

WESTBURY UNION SUNDAY-SCHOOL.

About twenty years ago a Sabbath-school was organ- ized at Westbury. It continued to be held during the summer seasons with varying success. It was superin- tended first by S. P. Titus. July Ist 1875 it was opened as a union school. Among those prominent and very helpful was Albert W. Hendrickson, who had for years been an earnest worker in Sabbath-schools; and to him and other interested friends the school owes a debt of gratitude for much pecuniary aid. I. C. Titus, who sug- gested the organization, acted as superintendent for some time. There are at present about 40 pupils. Miss Hen- rietta Titus is the superintendent.

OLD FAMILIES AND PROMINENT INDIVIDUALS.

T. W. ALBERTSON.

Thomas W. Albertson, son of Benjamin Albertson, was born March 26th 1813, in the town of North Hempstead, and resided in the town most of his life. His father was a farmer, but filled some of the important offices of the town, serving as supervisor, trustee of the Jones fund, etc. Thomas W. devoted his life entirely to the farm. He was married May 30th 1846 to Miss Harriet Town.

That

send, of Cedar Swamp, in the town of Oyster Bay. They removed the following year to the farm at the village of Mineola, opposite the present Queens County Agricul- tural Society's grounds, where the family have since re- sided. Since that time all the present farm buildings have been erected and the many other improvements made. Mr. Albertson was a man of integrity, a man of thought, active and successful in his chosen avocation. He was among the first in his section to introduce from the city the use of brewers' grains for feeding stock. His mind had an inventive turn, which he utilized in many ways on the farm, one of which was the erection of the wind grist-mill.

Mr. Albertson died May 6th 1874, leaving four chil- dren, viz. Townsend, Alice, Ethelena T. and Thomas W. jr. Townsend resides on a farm about three miles north of the homestead. The others of the family, including the mother, reside on the home- stead.

Mrs. Albertson was born September 28th 1820, and is a daughter of Hewlett Townsend. Her father owned and resided on the farm at Cedar Swamp on which the Glen Head depot now stands. The farm descended to him by inheritance, though his father, Timothy, from his grandfather Richard Townsend 2nd, who purchased it in 1717. (Richard 2nd was a son of the original Rich- ard Townsend mentioned in the history of Oyster Bay.) Mrs. Albertson's father was an Episcopalian, and her mother a Friend. She united with the Reformed (Dutch) church at Brookville, October 5th 1844, and on coming to Mineola after her marriage united with the Presbyte- rian church at Hempstead.

431

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, NORTH HEMPSTEAD.

JOHN M. CLARK.

John M. Clark is one of the best known and most popular men in Queens county. His father was James Clark, a native of Scotland, who emigrated to New York when quite young. He had gone to sea when little more than a mere lad, and had even then visited remote parts of the world. He was for some time in the employ of the late John Jacob Astor in the East India trade. Later he was chiefly instrumental in establishing the Havre line of packets between New York and Havre, France, and he was prominently connected with this line until his re- tirement from active business life. He died in Novem- ber 1835. Mr. Clark's mother, whose maiden name was Mary McKie, was a daughter of John McKie, then a prominent business man of New York in the lumber and timber trade. She survived her husband only about a year and a half.

Mr. Clark was born in New York, January Ist 1821. He attended the public schools in New York, and later was a student at the grammar school at New Brunswick, New Jersey, connected with Rutgers College ; but aban- doned his studies there about the time of his father's death and entered, as a clerk, the shipping house of Boyd & Hincken, agents for the Havre line. Later he was for a time employed with his uncle in the lumber and timber business in the then upper part of New York city. In 1840 he removed to Great Neck village, where he resided and was connected with James Udall in the lumber busi- ness till 1849, when he moved on to his present farm, which he had purchased the previous year.

In 1849 Mr. Clark married Miss Matilda S. Udall, of Great Neck, who is living and in the enjoyment, in com- mon with their household, of the elegant and hospitable home which Mr. Clark has made for them. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have two children-Mary C. (now Mrs. Julian A. Udall) and Richard U.

In 1854 Mr. Clark was elected supervisor, and he is now serving his nineteenth term as the incumbent of that office, the duties of which he faithfully and satisfac- torily performed during the exacting period of the late civil war. He has several times been chosen chairman of the Queens County Board of Supervisors. In 1881 he consented to become a nominee for the responsible office of county treasurer.

His connection with the Republican party dates back to the Fremont campaign of 1856, and he has ever been an active, earnest, conscientious and liberal abettor of its principles and measures ; and so great is the public estimation of his probity that he enjoys the respect of his fellow citizens of whatever political affiliation. He is a director of the Glen Cove Mutual Insurance Company, and has long been a trustee and is now president of the Roslyn Savings Bank.

Mr. Clark's father's family were members of the Re- formed Church, the services of which he early attended. His simplicity of character and dislike of all religious ostentation have led him to the Society of Friends, upon the ministrations of whose preachers he and his house- hold attend, though he is a liberal contributor to the sup- port of all of the churches in his vicinity as occasion may seem to offer.

ISAAC E. HAVILAND).

The person who acquaints himself with the history of Queens county will assign to Isaac E. Haviland a place among its representative men. His birthplace was Chestnut Ridge, Dutchess county, N. Y., where he was born June 26th 1803. His ancestors, who were English,

were for several generations classed among the substantial farmers of the county. His father, Eleazer Haviland, was a minister of acknowledged ability in the Hicksite order of the Society of Friends.

After completing his education at Providence, R. I., Mr. Haviland spent his time in performing the duties and enjoying the pleasures of home life until his mar- riage to Ruth, daughter of Stephen Titus and niece of Samuel Titus, to whom, he being childless, she was as a daughter. Their ancient homestead, situated at Hemp- stead Harbor, became his home in 1828. Here he re- sided, surrounded by all the pleasant and enchanting at- tachments which the possession of ancestral inheritance can bring.

In person he was tall, noble and commanding, with an attractive and cheerful face, which betokened the genial soul within and the generous heart, ever ready to aid with sympathy or more substantial comfort. Possessing many of the qualities necessary to a leading public character, he was often able to guide and direct where he had not the power to control. His learning, his ready judgment and his clear perception, joined to an affable and engag- ing demeanor, made up for certain elements of character which enable others to attain a higher popularity; while the possession of those solid qualities which always com- mand respect enabled him to leave perhaps a more en- during impression upon the community under his influ- ence. His merits were appreciated and honored by his appointment, May 12th 1843, by Governor William C. Bouck, and his reappointment, March 20th 1846, by Governor Silas Wright, to the office of first judge of Queens county, which office he filled until the election of Judge Hagner, under the new constitution, in 1847. As to the ability with which he discharged the duties of that office and the estimation in which he was held while occupying the position, the language of Judge Arm- strong, who has kindly furnished the dates of his ap- pointment, etc., is here adopted as expressing the general sentiment of the people of the county and of the legal profession:

"Judge Haviland, though not traincd to the legal profession, had a clear comprehension of principles of law that governed the ordinary transactions of life, and upon the bench was firm, courteous and im- partial. His views upon a novel and important question of law relating to a private right of way were made the subject of review by the court of appeals of this State, and that tribunal unanimously sus- tained Judge Haviland's position, and this case to-day is the leading case in this State upon the principle involved."

He was a director in the Long Island Railroad Com- pany from 1837 to 1843 (during which time the railroad was completed to Greenport), in 1846, and from 1850 to the close of 1855. He was elected president of the com- pany in 1850 and 1852. His health became impaired in 1855 and has so continued to the present time.

Coming to the county at a period when the various elements of society were more widely separated, and it was less imbued with the intrigues of city politics, he was enabled the more readily to impress upon the com- munity by which he was surrounded the influence of his upright character. Without brilliant attainments he had at his command a general fund of useful knowledge and common sense; and either in his official or his business career his judgment was rarely at fault.

Never hesitat- ing in asserting his principles, he yet deferred to the opinion of others, and in his intercourse with men sought to gain as well as impart information. In his social and private life the kindly glow of his warm heart shed hap- piness and delight upon every one that it reached; and the ancestral halls of "the old brick " homestead can never lose the charm evoked by the memory of his presence.

432

WILLIAM HEWLETT.

THE HEWLETT FAMILY.

The Hewletts have been identified with Queens county since about the time Long Island was first settled by white people, but the date of their emigrating from England, the particulars of their occupying what is now Riker's Island, and the history of their final settlement on the south coast of Queens county are matters of tradition rather than history. Traditions agree, how- ever, that the ancestor was George Hewlett, who, with his four sons, came to America about 1660. After sharing the hospitality of the Riker family for a short time they took possession of the two small islands for- merly known as Hewlett's Islands, now called " The Brothers." They remained here but a few years at most then removed to the south side of Long Island and settled at a place now called Merrick, in the town of Hempstead.

second son, settled at the foot of Great Neck, in the present town of North Hempstead. He left three sons and two daughters, whose descendants are still among the prominent residents of the place. Lewis, the third son, settled at the head of Cow Neck, where Henry T. Hewlett now resides, and left at his death two sons and five daughters. John, the youngest son, took up his home at Rockaway, and had six children-two sons and four daughters. One son remained at home ; the other, known as John 2nd, married Hannah, the sister of Col. John Jackson, and removed to East Woods (now Wood- bury), in the town of Oyster Bay. Many of his de- scendants still reside here, at Cold Spring and in other parts of the town.

Samuel Hewlett, probably a grandson of Lewis Hew- lett, was married when sixty years of age to Ruth Willis, of Cedar Swamp. They spent the remainder of their lives in the house now occupied by Henry T. Hewlett. Five children, four sons and a daughter, grew up as their family. Lewis, the eldest, lived and died on the old homestead. Phœbe, the second child, married Walter

In due time the sons made settlements for themselves. Daniel, the eldest, staid on the homestead at Merrick, and left at his death five sons and three daughters, some of whose descendants still reside here. George, the |Jones, and in her widowhood came and lived with her

433

WILLIAM H. HEWLETT.

youngest brother, William. James, the second son, died | stream in front of his home. He was also a manufacturer at sea, leaving no family. Samuel, the third son, married of cotton goods, which industry yielded him some a Miss Hewlett from Cold Spring, and spent his life on a farm in Stonytown. profits. He built, in 1827, the saw-mill which is still in use. He never coveted political honors, but on the con- William Hewlett, whose portrait appears at the head of page 432, the youngest of this family, was born on the 19th of October 1784. His first wife was Martha, a daughter of Thomas Thorne. Their first home was on the farm now owned by John S. Morrel !. Mrs. Hewlett coming into possession, by inheritance, of half of her father's farm they removed thither about 1820, and sub- sequently purchased from a sister the remaining half. The old house which is now standing was built by one of the Kissams, who formerly owned the property. Mrs. Hewlett was a member of the Episcopal church at Man- hasset for many years, and until her death. Her chil- dren were William Henry and Martha M., the late wife of John S. Morrell. Mr. Hewlett was again married August 2nd 1852, to Susan Armstrong, of Poughkeepsie, who survives him. trary preferred to follow a quiet life, his prominent char- acteristics being unostentatious benevolence, humility, and the unassuming life which he led. He died October 5th 1866, leaving, as the result of his industrious and fru- gal life, a good property to his widow and his only son, William Henry Hewlett, who now together occupy the homestead. The surviving Mrs. Hewlett and the son are both members of the Episcopal church at Manhasset. He inherits largely those sterling traits of character which gave his father such a firm hold upon the con- fidence of all with whom he had business relations. This son, whose portrait appears above, is the last descendant of this branch of the family who bears the name Hew- lett. He succeeded at his father's death to the manage- ment of the grist-mill on the premises, a mill which in his father's time was patronized by hundreds of those whose children and grand-children will read this page when the mill and the miller have

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History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 80

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