USA > New York > Queens County > History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals. > Part 81
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Mr. Hewlett devoted some part of his time during his whole life to farming. He was for some time en- gaged in the manufacture of paper in a mill on the passed away.
434
JOSEPH LAWRENCE HEWLETT.
The branch of the Hewlett family that has given name to Hewlett's Point, in North Hempstead, traces its de- scent from George Hewlett, who was one of those men- tioned on page 432 as early residing on Riker's Island. George Hewlett after a brief stay on Riker's Island removed to the central part of Long Island, and for several years was a resident of Hempstead. In 1746 one of this family removed to what is now known as Great Neck, and here in 1756 his descendants became owners of that part of the neck which has since borne the name of "Hewlett's Point." The title deed was executed by Luke Haviland, and conveyed about 250 acres to Joseph Hewlett. The document was acknowledged May 6th 1757 and passed for record by " Joseph Kissam, one of His Majesty's Justices [assistant] of the court of Com- mon Pleas." The grantee named in this deed bequeath- ed the property at his death to his son Lawrence Hew- lett, and he in turn left it by will to his son Joseph Law- rence Hewlett, who was the last to own the whole of the original estate.
The homestead house was on that half of the estate now owned by George Hewlett, and, although it has been modernized to meet the taste and comfort of the present generation, it still has the characteristic architectural features of the old mansions of a century ago. The il- lustration on the opposite page shows this house, with its picturesque surroundings and its beautiful location on the east shore of a small bay branching south from the sound. "Oriental Grove," a part of which appears in the left of the illustration, is also on this estate. This for several years has been a popular picnic resort for Sunday-schools, societies and churches.
Still farther to the northward, on the left of the pic- ture, is the handsome residence of Joseph L. Hewlett, eldest son of Joseph Lawrence Hewlett. He owns about 30 acres of the original homestead. Northward again, to the extreme limit of the " Point," is the country seat of the Hon. John A. King. He purchased here some twenty-five years ago, erected a mansion, and has handsomely laid out and improved its surround- ings.
The first building erected by the Hewlett family here
was built before the purchase of 1756. It was a stone structure, and stood-where its ruins are still to be seen -on the place now owned by William Mitchell Smith.
Thus briefly sketching something of the past and present of this family and its estate, we turn to notice more fully those representatives of the family who are or have been the personal acquaintances of those now living who will be readers of this work. The Joseph Lawrence Hewlett mentioned as the last who owned the entire es- tate was born July 12th 1780, and died July 3d 1849. He was first married at Jamaica, on the 20th of August 1800, to Hannah Wickes. She died March 4th 1816, leav- ing one son, Joseph Lawrence jr., and one daughter, Har- riet. The former was born January 4th 1809, and was mar- ried January 20th 1836 to Mary T. Cornwell. He owns a very valuable portion of the estate, and is enjoying in his mature years the quiet of a rural life. Harriet was born November Ist 1814, and, May 23d 1834, was mar- ried to William Mitchell Smith.
The late Mr. Hewlett's second wife (December 15th 1818) was Elizabeth Van Wyck, who died August 29th 1875. Their children were Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, Susan M., Abraham Van Wyck, Helen, Josephine L., Cyrus and George.
The portrait at the head of this page shows Mr. Hew- lett as he is remembered by those who knew him a few years before his death. He was a gentleman who never sought the honors of public life, and never held any office except such as his native town called upon him to fill. He was always an admirer of the beautiful in nature, and became a farmer from the love of rural pursuits. To this natural qualification he added another quality or habit not less necessary to the successful farmer-thoroughness and exactness in all business in- tercourse with others.
He was always a conservative Democrat of the old school, and in his religious life was a worthy member of the Protestant Episcopal church. He contributed liber- ally to the cost of erecting Christ Church at Manhasset, and to the close of his life he was a staunch supporter of the various financial interests of the parish.
In personal appearance Mr. Hewlett was a noble man to meet, a gentleman of pleasing address and an intelli- | gent, active mind.
VIEW LOOKING TOWARDS FT SCHUYLER.
·VIEW LOOKING TOWARDS CITY ISLAND.
RESIDENCE OF GEORGE. HEWLETT, GREAT NECK, LONG ISLAND, N.Y.
437
OLD FAMILIES OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD.
THE KISSAM FAMILY.
The Kissam family in its various generations since its first settlement in this county has contributed many valuable men to positions of trust and honor, as ,well as to the medical and legal professions. John Kissam, its common ancestor in America, when quite young, was with his parents among the early settlers of Vlishing or Vlissingen (now Flushing). His father- whose Christian name is lost with the town records up to 1789, which were burned-died in a brief period after their arrival, and left an estate for his son, in the hands of " Antony Waters, of Jamaica, and John Cockran, of Newtown, as overseers " until he arrived at lawful age (1). The said John, who was born in July 1644, married Susannah Thorne, of Jamaica, July 10th 1667 (2), and re- moved from Flushing to Madnan's (now Great) Neck in 1678. He had sons Daniel and John, the latter of .whom with his wife Elizabeth-probably a daughter of Adam Mott-settled in the town of Freehold (3), Monmouth county, N. J .; and there is traditional evidence that he had another son, Thomas, also a resident of New Jersey.
Benjamin, son of Joseph and Deborah (Whitehead), chose the legal profession, and settled in New York city. He was eminent in his profession, and in his of- fice such men as John Jay, Lindley Murray and Cornelius J. Bogert were law students. He was Daniel Kissam, the eldest son of John and Susannah 'Thorne), was born in 1669; he was a farmer on Great Neck, and was elected a vestryman in St. George's parish, Issue : Daniel 2nd ; Elizabeth, who married Henry L'Estrange, of Rye, October 9th 1726; Joseph; Martha, who married James Woods, a lawyer in New York city; Levina, who married John Carman August 18th 1731; and Hannah, who became the second wife of Lewis Hew- lett. He died in 1752. a member of the "Committee of One Hundred," and of the first and second Provincial Congresses. He married Catharine, daughter of Petrus Rut- Hempstead, in 1703. He married Elizabeth Coombs. gers, of New York, Oct. 5th 1755. Issue: Peter Rutgers, who married Deborah, daughter of Penn Townsend, Aug. 4th 1779; Benjamin, who married Cornelia, daughter of Isaac Roosevelt, in 1786; Joseph, who died in infancy; Richard Sharpe, who, Dr. Francis, in his "Old New York," page 307, says, was New York's most popular sur- geon for twenty years; Adrian, a lawyer, who married Mrs. Elizabeth Bayard in 1794; Samuel, and Helena. The 3d Generation .- Daniel 2nd, a son of Daniel and Eliza- beth (Coombs), born in 1701, married Ann, daughter of Richbell Mott. Issue: Daniel 3d and Elizabath. He died in 1728, and his widow married Jotham Townsend, of Oyster Bay (second husband), October 11th 1730. last married Philip L. Hoffman November 18th 1787, and was the grandmother of ex-Governor John T. Hoffman. Benjamin died Oct. 25th 1782. His son Peter Rutgers graduated at Columbia College, in 1776, and was a mer- chant in New York; Benjamin graduated in medicine at Edinburgh in 1783, and was a professor in Columbia College from 1785 to 1792, a trustee in the same until his death and a vestryman in Trinity Church for many years.
Joseph, the second son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Coombs), born in 1703, was a farmer on Cow Neck, a justice of the peace for many years, and a member of the vestry of St. George's Church, Hempstead, from 1751 to 1761. He married Deborah, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Whitehead, of Jamaica, February 7th 1727. Issue: Daniel Whitehead; Benjamin; Joseph 2nd; Elizabeth, who married Jacob Mott October 20th 1761; Daniel; Deborah, who married Edmund Smith September 2nd 1763; and Samuel.
4th Generation .- Daniel 3d, son of Daniel 2nd and Ann (Mott), born October 13th 1726, also a farmer on Cow Neck, was treasurer of this county from 1759 to 1782, member of Assembly from 1764 to 1775, and justice of the peace until his death. He married Peggy, daughter of Col. Benjamin Tredwell, of North Hempstead. April 20th 1746. Issue: John, who married Phebe, daughter of John Allen, March 8th 1782; Phebe, who married Richard Jackson April Ist 1767; Anne, who married David Allen November 29th 1773; Sarah, who
married Elijah Allen Oct. 14th 1777; Daniel 4th, who mar- ried Phebe, daughter of Philip Platt, December 15th 1785; Elizabeth, who married Thomas C. Thorne August 10th 1786; and Benjamin Tredwell, who married Mary, another daughter of Philip Platt, April 3d 1793. Daniel 3d died August 4th 1782. Of his children John was ap- pointed "Major " by Gov. Tryon December 9th 1776 and was clerk of the board of supervisors from 1797 to 1820; was vestryman in St. George's parish from 1814 to 1819. Daniel 4th was a member of Assembly from 1809 to 1819, and Benjamin T. in 1821 and 1823.
Daniel Whitehead, son of Joseph and Deborah (White- head , born February 24th 1728, was also a farmer in this town, and a member of Assembly in 1786. He mar- ried Ann (daughter of George) Duryea, July 4th 1776. He died March 8th 1808, leaving no descendants.
Joseph 2nd, son of Joseph and Deborah (Whitehead), was born August 22nd 1731, and died May 20th 1815. He was also a farmer, and justice of the peace in this town; married Mary, daughter of George and Hannah Hewlett, October 9th 1752. Issue: Benjamin, who mar- ried Martha Hewlett December 17th 1773; Phebe, who married William Duryea May 16th 1785; Daniel White- head, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Benjamin Tredwell, June 26th 1787, and was a well known physi- cian in Suffolk county; and Hewlett, who married Ann Wilkins, March 25th 1786.
Daniel, son of Joseph and Deborah (Whitehead), born in 1739, was a prominent lawyer and judge in this county, and was clerk of the county from 1796 to the time of his death, which occurred June 3d 1812. He was vestryman in Grace Church, Jamaica, for many years, and a delegate to the first convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America, held in St. Paul's chapel in the city of New York in 1785. He married Mary, daughter of John Betts,
(1) See "Orders," vol. 2, page 226, in office of Secretary of State, at Albany.
(2) See Register of Marriage Licenses, by O'Callaghan.
(3) See Queens County Records, Book B, No. 2 of Deeds, page 115.
438
HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.
September 19th 1763. His children were: John Betts, life, from December 11th 1839 until his death on the an- who married Mary Searing May 2nd 1784; Elizabeth, niversary of that day in 1870, was a model of domestic felicity, and here in a comfortable home still lives the lady whose love was the crowning glory of his life. who married Samuel Sackett Nov. 9th 1786, and was the mother of Clarence D. and Grenville A. Sackett, late counselors at law in New York city (4): Sarah, who mar- ried Jedediah Sanger, a judge in Oneida county; Daniel, who married Jemima Searing; Maria, who married Zede- kiah Sanger; Catharine; Whitehead, who married Agnes Allen May 3d 1806; and Benjamin, who graduated as M. D. at Columbia College in 1805, m married Mary Atkinson May 9th 1807, and settled in New York city.
Samuel, the youngest son of Joseph and Deborah (Whitehead), born in 1745, was a student of Rev. Samuel Seabury at Hempstead, where he was prepared for col- lege, and was the first person graduated (1769) as M. 1). at Kings (now Columbia) College. He settled and practiced medicine in the West Indies.
The descendants of the fifth and later generations are too numerous for mention in these pages. In New York the name is connected by marriage with the old families of Rutgers, Roosevelt, I.efferts, Livingston, Bayard, Tredwell, Townsend, Embury, Vanderbilt, Aymar, Adriance, Walton, Lord, etc.
This family, attached to the Church of England, was divided in its support of the principles involved in the American Revolution; some of its members were Whigs, but the large majority were Loyalists.
BENJAMIN W. ALLEN.
There have lived but few men if any in this county whose public and private life reflects more credit upon their age and generation than do the life and public ser- vices of the late Benjamin W. Allen, of North Hemp- stead. No event of striking importance seems to mark any separate period in his personal history. He was the son of a plain farmer, and coming into possession of the homestead at the death of his father, John Allen, of Great Neck, he gave most of his life to agricultural pur- suits on the farm where he was born. The father was successful, as success was reckoned among farmers of his time, and from him the son received what became under his care the nucleus of a snug fortune. The mother was a woman who gave to her son many of the elements of his disposition and traits of his character which made him through life a man to be loved. She was the daugh- ter of Abram Schenck, and through him was descended from one of the oldest and most worthy families in the town.
The usual opportunities afforded by the district schools and a clerkship in an uncle's store at Manhasset Valley were the principal educational advantages enjoyed by the young man. In 1839 he was married to Miss Mary W. Burtis, the marriage being celebrated by the Rev. Wil- liam R. Gordon, then the pastor of the Reformed Dutch church of North Hempstead, of which Mrs. Allen has for several years been a member. The whole of his married
She is the daughter of John S. Burtis and a grand- daughter of John Burtis, who was a soldier under Gen- eral Washington. Her mother was Eliza A. Willets Burtis, a daughter of George Willets. Their home was at what is now Port Washington, and there on December 9th 1817 Mrs. Allen was born. Married in the bright noon of her womanhood, her life was a very happy one until she was left to mourn the loss of him whose affec- tion was the center of all her joys, and whose life with hers had so long been one.
Although Mr. Allen was not a member of any church organization, yet he was a contributor to the financial en- terprises of the several religious organizations in the town. Politically he was a lifelong Democrat. In 1868 he was elected by that party supervisor of his native town, and in the following year his townsmen put their seal of ap- proval on his services as such by re electing him to the office for the term in which he was serving at the time of his death.
The data for this memoir were kindly furnished by sev- eral persons who knew Mr. Allen, but the following letter, from a professional gentleman whose relations with him were peculiarly favorable for knowing him as he was, is so fair an expression of the general estimate of the man that we commit it to record here as stating very suc- cinctly just what is proper to say of its subject:
GREAT NECK, L. I., July 30th 1881.
DEAR SIR : I have read over the enclosed paper con- cerning the late Mr. Benjamin Allen-an old, and highly esteemed friend, whose loss was a great affliction to me- but concerning the details of his life I am unable to give you more information than you already have.
The exact date or place of his birth I do not know, nor anything concerning his ancestry, but personally he was a man who had the love and esteem of all who knew him, and whose whole life was above reproach. His per- fect integrity and strong, clear, common sense, united to a remarkable intuitive good judgment, made him a valua- ble citizen, whose aid and support were in constant de- mand in the community in which he lived and always freely and willingly given, while his great kindliness and genial, open hearted manner made him a much loved neighbor.
In the quiet, simple way of life in a farming community it would be difficult to find one who more fully possessed all the requirements of a good citizen, and in his death was lost a wise counsellor, a good husband, an ever- ready help in time of need, and a model of manhood for those who were growing up around him.
His life, though uneventful, was full of all that men love and admire in a citizen, neighbor and friend, and I am glad that through your efforts we are to have a record of it.
Very truly yours, A. W. ROGERS, M. D.
The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Allen which appear at pages 440 and 441 were engraved from miniature like- nesses taken a few years prior to his decease.
(4) See Address of William Alfred Jones before the Long Island His- torical Society, November 5th 1863.
Mary W Allen. -
Das, H. L'Hommedieu
445
J. H. L'HOMMEDIEU-ROSLYN VILLAGE.
JAMES H. L'HOMMEDIEU.
James H. L'Hommedieu was born at Smithtown, Suf- folk county, February 5th 1833. His parents were Har- vey and Julia Ann (Gallaway) L'Hommedieu. The elder L'Hommedieu devoted his energies to agriculture; hence James H. was reared on the farm, and his educational advantages were limited to those afforded by the public schools in the old "Landing district." When he was seven- teen his mother died, and soon afterward his father dis- posed of his interests in Smithtown and removed to Port Jefferson, where he lived until his death, about ten years ago. At the time of this practical breaking up of his father's household, James H. went with his uncle, David C. L'Hommedieu, then a prominent builder of Smith- town, to learn the trade of a carpenter and builder. There he remained about three years and a half, during which he developed such talent for the work of his choice that he was often referred to as a youth who would probably one day be an architect of ability and reputation.
At the expiration of this period of apprenticeship Mr. L'Hommedieu engaged with Messrs. Meeker, Angevine & Co., builders, of New York, and was employed at "jour- ney" work during the three and a half years following. He removed to Great Neck in June 1857, and for thirteen years lived in Manhasset Valley, where he established a shop for the manufacture of builders' materials of all kinds, and carried on an extensive business in contracting and building. During this time he designed and erected some of the most costly and elegant residences in the country round about, establishing a reputation second to that of no other architect either on Long Island or in New York city; and attracting the attention of the late A. T. Stewart, between whom and Mr. L'Hommedieu business relations were inaugurated, which existed to their mutual satisfaction during Mr. Stewart's life and have con- tinued uninteruptedly between Mr. L'Hommedieu and the Stewart estate, represented by Hon. Henry Hilton, up to the present time. An idea of the extent of the busi- ness transacted for Mr. Stewart and his estate by Mr. L'Hommedieu may be gained from a knowledge of the fact that the latter has erected, under contract, every building in Garden City, including the cathedral, except five, besides other buildings elsewhere. The relations between Mr. Stewart and Mr. L'Hommedieu were of an exceptionally pleasant nature, and in them Mr. Stewart exemplified that liberality and thoughtfulness which char- acterized him throughout his long and remarkable busi- ness career. Since the death of the great merchant Judge Hilton has dealt with Mr. L'Hommedieu in a manner that affords him cause for the greatest satisfaction.
It is probable that during his professional career Mr. L'Hommedieu has erected more detached houses than any other architect and builder in the United States. About three years ago he established his present steam mill and warehouses at Great Neck, where he manufactures or deals in lumber, hardware, paints, oils, varnishes, lime, lath, brick, cement, drain pipe, doors, sashes, glass, blinds, mouldings, brackets, and all other kinds of building ma-
terial, doing all varieties of turning and scroll-sawing, and is prepared at any time to furnish entire the materials for a building of any specific size or style.
January 24th 1857 Mr. L'Hommedieu was married to Miss Henrietta Good, of New York. They have eleven children living, named, in the order of their birth, Julia, Howard A., James H., George, Emma V., Theodore A., Henrietta, Caroline R., John K., Joseph S. and Ida. Three, Charles, Stewart and Alfred, have died. The family residence of Mr. L'Hommedieu on the Middle Neck road, leading from the Great Neck steamboat landing to Hyde Park, is one of the largest and most elegant and home-like of the many inviting homes of Long Island, and the hospitality of its inmates is as well known as the skill and architectural talent of its owner.
Mr. L'Hommedieu is not a politician, but he is an earnest and consistent Democrat, who is never found wanting in time of need. With his family he is a regular attendant upon the services of the Episcopal church. As a man and a citizen he is above reproach. As a hus- band and father he has endeared himself to a family of whom any man might well be proud.
ROSLYN.
Roslyn lies at the head of Hempstead harbor, beauti- fully nestling between the hills. The village was founded early in the history of the old town of Hempstead and was formerly known as Hempstead Harbor. Its situa- tion is well adapted for travel and commerce, it being located both on the harbor and on the Locust Valley branch of the Long Island Railroad. A steamer plies daily to and from New York via Sea Cliff and Glen Cove, acting in healthy competition with the railroad.
Roslyn is abundantly supplied with streams gushing forth from the base of the hills and hurrying merrily toward the sound. Numerous dams are thrown across their courses, forming beautiful little lakelets which, besides adding charms to the scenery, furnish the power to drive the machinery of several small mills and factories ; and, not least important, the inhabitants have a never-failing supply of the best of water for household purposes.
As one leaves the cars at the station he observes a small collection of buildings; but this is not Roslyn proper. To know its charms and realize its beauties he must take a carriage and drive through the entire length of its wind- ing streets. Every few rods a turn in the road reveals new scenes of woodland, lawn and water.
The means of acquiring an education in Roslyn were formerly provided by private schools and an academy. These have been superseded by a graded union school.
Roslyn is abundantly supplied with business establish- ments, consisting of stores of general merchandise, hard- ware, drugs, furniture, and shoes, a harness shop, a wagon shop, a meat market, a bakery and minor establishments. There are four hotels and two livery stables. The Hicks lumber and coal yard does an extensive business.
48
446
HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.
To many persons Roslyn is best known as having within its environs Cedarmere, one of the homes of the late distinguished poet and journalist Bryant. Hence the record of his illustrious life appropriately forms a part of the history of this village.
William Cullen Bryant was born in Cummington, Hampshire county, Mass., November 3d 1794, and was a son of Peter Bryant, a physician of literary attainments as well as good professional standing. The latter was a grandson of Stephen Bryant, who came to Plymouth in the " Mayflower." The poet displayed the bent of his mind even in childhood, making metrical translations from the Latin before he was ten years old, and writing " The Embargo " and " The Spanish Revolution " in his fourteenth year. Entering Williams College in 1810, he remained but two years, during which he took high rank in literary studies. He chose the legal profession, and was admitted to the bar in 1815, and subsequently prac- ticed at Plainfield and Great Barrington, devoting much attention, however, to literary labor. " Thanatopsis," written in his 18th year, was published in the North American Review in 1818, and Mr. Bryant contributed prose articles to the same periodical. He was married while living at Great Barrington, and there he wrote some of his finest poems.
In 1825 Mr. Bryant removed to New York, and be- came the editor of the New York Review; this magazine was soon after merged in the United States Review, for which he wrote poems and criticisms. In 1826 he be- came one of the editors of the Evening Post, and he re- tained his editorial connection with that journal through- out life, having exclusive control of the paper except for a few years after becoming connected with it. His championship of free trade was perhaps the most char- acteristic feature of the Post under his editorship. .
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