History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 95

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 95

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In the war of the Revolution the inhabitants espoused the cause of the colonies, and none endured more or suf- fered more to defend that liberty which hitherto they had held as sacredly their own.

In this region a company of eighty men was organized, which marched to join the brigade of gallant Woodhull, who afterward fell in defense of his country, as related on page 41. It would be hard to surmise which felt the ravages of war the most-those who marched to the field or those who were left at home to put up with the insults of the British and Hessian soldiers, who swarmed through all parts of the country. On the arrival of the news of peace the people made every manifestation of joy and gratitude.

When treason threatened to subvert our national gov- ernment few villages gave a readier or more generous re- sponse. Through the long struggle of north and south

her sons defended many a post of honor and trod many a field of death, and her daughters were foremost in works of mercy to soften in camp and hospital the misery oc- casioned by the war.

The growth of the village itself was slow for many generations. It had but twelve houses during the Rev- olutionary war, and had but little increase up to 1812. In 1835 a boarding house called the Pavilion was erected by William M. Weeks, which in after years was extended to an establishment accommodating 300 people and worth $35,000. This valuable building has since been destroyed by fire.

For some forty years past Glen Cove has been a favorite resort for the elite of New York and other cities. Some of these gentlemen have splendid residences in the village and its vicinity. The brothers Duryea have added much to the prosperity of the village by establish- ing here their starch manufactory, of which an account is given elsewhere. In addition to this the industries of the locality consist of the New York Block Building Company, which compresses sand and lime into a build- ing material; Atwater, Benham & Co.'s tin and sheet iron ware factory; the very extensive Glen Cove Flour Mills, and the large sand and clay works at South Glen Cove.

Land around the village is valued at from $400 to $1,000 an acre. There are four churches (Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist and Catholic). The first school of importance was a private academy, which was succeeded by the present union school. The village is situated on the north shore of Long Island, on Hempstead Harbor, and about twenty-five miles from New York.

Among the noted men who have been residents of Glen Cove we must mention the great Quaker George Fox, whose gift of opening the Scriptures was unrivaled. He visited this region about four years after its settlement. His preaching was powerful and impressive. The sect which he founded has adorned humanity and passed into a proverb for the personal virtues of its members.

The place has given birth to two distinguished physi- cians-Dr. Thomas Cock and Valentine Mott. Dr. Cock enjoyed a high reputation and stood among the leading physicians of New York city. Dr. Mott's renown was as broad as the expanse of civilization.

GLEN COVE'S BICENTENNIAL.

A public meeting was called on the 15th of April 1868 to arrange for celebrating the 200th anniversary of the set- tlement of Glen Cove. The call was signed by Samuel M. Titus, William M. Weeks, David A. Valentine, J. K. Mil- nor, R. M. Bowne, Isaac Coles, Willet Weeks, John T. Valentine, Samuel Frost, James Titus and Elwood Val- entine.

The proposed celebration was carried out on Monday September 25th, having been postponed from the 23d through the inclemency of the weather. The president of the day was William M. Weeks. The vice-presidents, thirty-five in number, were in great part descended from the original settlers. The marshal was Samuel M. Thus, with General Charles A. Hamilton, James B. Pearsall

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and Samuel M. Weeks as aids. The toast master was C. B. Gruman. The procession included a band, Com- pany E fifteenth regiment N. Y. State militia, the fire department, civic societies, the children of the public schools, etc. It was formed opposite the Glen Cove pub- lic school-house, marched to Union Square, and returned through School and Glen streets to the grove of James H. Coles, where the following exercises preceded the clambake: Music by the band; invocation by the Rev. Thomas Mallaby; singing by the schools; prayer by the Rev. Dr. Goodsell; singing by the glee club; address by H. J. Scudder; toasts and sentiments; singing by the schools; benediction. The attendance was very large, and the address of Mr. Scudder was listened to with a great deal of interest. The feast that followed the in- tellectual treat consisted of a bake of sixty bushels of clams, and 2,000 sandwiches. The day was one which will ever be held in pleasant recollection by all who par- ticipated in the celebration.

STEAMBOATS.

The first steamboat, which was called the "Linneus," had previously run to New Rochelle on the main shore. She was owned and commanded by Captain Elijah Peck. A stock company was formed in 1829, which issued eighty-two shares at $20 each. The building of the dock cost $2,000, and its site $50. The dock was at Cape Breton; Henry Hyde was the builder. The following is a list of boats which have been on this route: " Lin- neus," " Flushing," " Fairfield," "Nimrod," " Westches- ter," "Sun," " American Eagle," "Croton," "Norwalk," "Glen Cove," "Mayflower," "George Law," "Island City," "Stamford,""Long Island," "Arrowsmith," "Gen. eral Sedgwick," "Jessie Hoyt," "Seawanhaka." The "Glen Cove" and "Long Island " were burned in the south during the war. The memory of the burning of the "Seawanhaka " is but too deeply engraved in the hearts of many a household to need further mention here. The " Idlewild " succeeded the "Seawanhaka," making reg- ular trips between Roslyn and intervening ports and New York up to the year 1881.

TEMPERANCE EFFORTS.

The first meeting known of at Glen Cove was held about July 8th 1815 in Jacob Titus's store, which stood on the site of Fancher's jewelry store. Benjamin Coles was chosen chairman and George D. Coles secretary. The meeting was called to consider the expediency of adopting measures to enforce laws for the suppression of vice and immorality. After a review of the ravages caused by the use of intoxicating drinks the following resolutions were adopted:

" Resolved, unanimously, that as good citizens the friends of civil liberty and religious order, regarding the present and everlasting welfare of our fellow men, we are in duty bound to unite with promptitude and zeal to stop the progress of these threatening evils, and to prevent the sale of spirituous liquors on the first day of the week.

" Resolved, unanimously, that James Coles, Richard Udall and Lewis Valentine be a committee of vigilance, vested with power and authority to nominate and appoint supernumerary agents to give information to the proper authority of all persons who shall vend spirituous liquors or any kind of merchandise, contrary to the law of the land, on the first day of the week.

" Resolved, unanimously, that the proceedings of the meeting be published in the Long Island Star."

There is now in existence in the village a very strong temperance organization, as well as a Young Men's Chris- tian Association; the influence of both these organiza- tions is widely spread and felt.

GLEN COVE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY.

The great fire in the city of New York which happened in the winter of 1835-36, causing the failure of nearly all the insurance companies in that city and the consequent difficulty of effecting insurance after this event, was the prime cause which led to the organization of the "Glen Cove Mutual Insurance Company." William M. Weeks, a prominent merchant of Glen Cove, having received notice of the failure of the company in which he was then insured, conceived the idea of engaging the atten- tion of property holders of Queens county on the sub- ject of mutual insurance. A meeting of the prominent citizens of Glen Cove and vicinity was called at his sug- gestion, and during the year 1836 the subject was fre- quently considered in public meetings convened for that purpose. It was resolved to petition the Legislature to incorporate the Glen Cove Mutual Insurance Company, and an act to that effect was passed March 27th 1837, to continue in operation 20 years. On the 18th of August 1837 a meeting of the petitioners was held, the act as passed was accepted, and the following gentlemen were appointed officers: President, James C. Townsend, M. D .; secretary, Elwood Valentine; together with 21 directors. The plan devised for the prosecution of the business, and which has always been adhered to, is based on a strictly mutual and co-operative system. Each member is credited with all payments of premiums and with interest on yearly balances, and is charged with his or her proportion of losses and contingent expenses. Any surplus remaining is the sole property of such mem- ber. The company now insures over $7,000,000 worth of property-being an annual gain of about $170,- 000-which testifies to the soundness of its principles and the care in its management. The charter has been twice renewed and the company still enjoys the highest confidence of its numerous patrons and friends. Of the original incorporators only two remain-James C. Town- send and William M. Weeks. The former is yet and always has been president of the company, and the latter, who was the originator of the enterprise, is now acting as assistant secretary. The present officers are: James C. Townsend, M. D., president; Daniel V. Weeks, secre- tary; William M. Weeks, assistant secretary; George S. Downing, treasurer.

DURYEA'S GLEN COVE MANUFACTURING CO'S WORKS, GLEN COVE, QUEENS CO., L.I.

MERA AHH

519

Hendrick bunnen.

THE GLEN COVE MANUFACTURING COMPANY.

Over a quarter of a century has passed since this com- pany commenced the manufacture of starch in the beau- tiful village of Glen Cove. When the Duryeas started the business here, which has carried the name of Glen Cove starch to every quarter of the civilized world, the country was on the verge of a great commercial revolu- tion. Telegraphy, discovered only a few years before, had but recently come into general use, and our railroad system, since grown to such gigantic proportions, was then in comparative infancy. The old methods of starch-making, which had been practiced for hundreds of years, were still in vogue, and with some slight mod- ifications and clumsy machinery furnished the imperfect manufactures that supplied the starch with which our grandmothers dressed their laces and stiffened their ruffles half a century ago. Corn, wheat, rice, potatoes and other vegetables and cereals had been well known for ages as factors in the starch manufacture, but it re- mained for the Duryeas to bring the manufacture of starch from corn to perfection, which has led to corn now being the principal agent for the manufacture of starch, and one before which every other has faded into comparative insignificance.

The Glen Cove Manufacturing Company was formed in the year 1855. The population of the United States was then only a little over half what it is at present. Starch -- such as there was-was abundant and cheap, and the only hope of success for the new firm lay in creating a quality superior to any then known, the superiority of which should make it supersede all similar grades then in use.

Unlike most new productions the starch manufac- tured by the Duryeas was at once a success. It was no sooner placed upon the market than its superiority was recognized throughout the commercial world. The growing necessities of their business compelled addition to their works, till they have reached their present sur- prising magnitude.

In 1862 the second great international exposition was held in the city of London. The fame of the first Expo- sition and the unequaled resources of the British Empire drew competitors in every department of trade from the four quarters of the globe. It almost seemed like a haz- ardous experiment to enter the lists against such tremen- dous odds. Yet the result was the triumphant vindica- tion of the Duryeas' starch when placed in competition

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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

with the manufactures of the world; and their corn starch, which had been entirely unknown in Europe before, received the highest medical endorsement, and was specially mentioned as "Exceedingly Excellent for Food." Paris, Vienna, Belgium, Holland, even the Cape of Good Hope and the distant continent of Australia, saw the Duryeas enter into competition with their best manufacturers of starch, and saw them everywhere tri- umphant. The Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876 was another great opportunity. The company on that occasion made a most magnificent display in a beautiful Moorish kiosk, which was erected at a cost of several thousand dollars and was regarded as one of the chief attractions of Agricultural Hall. The starch man- ufacturers from all parts of the world were there, and numbers of our domestic manufacturers made a splendid showing. Yet even against these tremendous odds the Glen Cove makers received a medal, coupled with the endorsement of " Notable or Absolute Purity."

The international exposition at Paris in 1878 brought them once more prominently before the public of Europe. In 1867 they had received a medal and the endorsement of the empire " for Perfection of Preparation." The last exposition was under the republic; and against all com- petitors they received a gold medal, coupled with the en- dorsement "the Best Production of its Kind;" also at Brussels, 1876, for " Remarkable Excellence," and at Franklin Institute, Pa., " for Superior Merit, not alone as being the Best of the Kind Exhibited, but as the Best Known to Exist in the Market of American Produc- tion.".

Since the company started its works at Glen Cove a beautiful village has grown up in the immediate vicinity of the factory, the homes of a contented and happy pop- ulation. The works are pleasantly situated on a small stream which reaches up from Hempstead harbor, on the sound. They occupy about thirty acres and employ sev- eral hundred hands. One large engine, of 600 horse power, and about thirty smaller engines supply the work- ing power of the factory, the works being the most exten- sive of the kind in the world. They are an example of what may be accomplished by skilled knowledge, steady push, indomitable pluck and abundant capital. The success of the Duryeas is due to a thorough knowledge of their business, and a perfect appreciation of the wants of the public which they were called upon to supply. The evidence of their energy and success is found all over the continent of America, from Cape Horn to Alaska; through the islands of the Pacific, on the continent of Australia, on the Cape of Good Hope, through British India and every portion of Europe, the starch manufactur- ed by the Glen Cove Manufacturing Company can be found.

In the commercial contests of the past twenty-five years in the four quarters of the globe American manu- fucturers have done much to maintain American su- premacy abroad, but among them all there have been none that have left a more honorable record than the Glen Cove Manufacturing Company.

JAMES THORNE'S LUMBER AND COAL YARDS.

The lumber and coal yards at Glen Cove, established by James Thorne, are still owned and operated by their original proprietor. Mr. Thorne, a descendant of one of the pioneers, was formerly engaged as a contractor and builder at Glen Cove. In 1855 he erected the starch works, which were subsequently burned. In 1858 he began business at this place as a dealer in lumber, tim- ber, lath, shingles, wood, coal, lime, cement, brick, slating, sewer pipes, builders' hardware, paints, glass and all other materials for building purposes. He has a well estal)- lished trade, amounting to at least $50,000 per annum, and has extensive means for carrying it on. His property shown in the accompanying view has a large water front, some 200 feet of which is thoroughly docked, giving him ample facilities for receiving supplies by water from New York or other ports. The cooperage shown in the illus- tration has been in operation since 1871, and is conducted by parties leasing the shop from Mr. Thorne.

PEMBROKE LODGE, NO. 73, I. O. O. F.

This lodge was instituted July 23d 1846, the charter having been granted, July 14th 1846, to William M. Weeks, James W. Merritt, Edwin A. Wilson, John F. Golden and Stephen B. Smith. At the institution of the lodge the following officers were duly elected and in- stalled: N. G., William M. Weeks; V. G., James W. Merritt; secretary, John F. Golden; treasurer, Stephen B. Smith. The following are the past grands of the lodge at present in good and regular standing: James W. Merritt, Isaac V. Baldwin, Thomas J. Davis, James C. Miller, David S. Clows, A. V. Hicks, George W. Hat- field, Robert Jeffries, Samuel Thorne, James Taylor, E. T. L. Youde, George Washington, G. W. Cox, Charles G. Miller, N. R. Stetson, C. B. Gruman, John B. Kirby, Thomas Lockard, George W. Robbins, Isaac Downing, E. P. Titus, C. K. Boardman, Alex. McDougal, William M. Peck, Edward Eastment and A. M. Davis.

The present officers are: Willis M. Corwin, N. G .; John P. Tappan, V. G .; William M. Peck, secretary; Robert Jeffries, treasurer; James M. Wansor, permanent secretary; N. R. Stetson, C. B. Gruman and William M. Peck, trustees.

The lodge meets every Saturday evening in Baldwin's block.

Pembroke has admitted 392 members. Among the first initiated were Thomas J. Davis, Edgar Wright, Wil- liam Valentine, M. D., Robert F. Ludiam, Elbert S. Hen- drickson, Elisha Germain, George Germain and George Wilcoxson. At present the lodge has a membership of 119. Each full member, when disabled by sickness or other cause from pursuing his "usual occupation," receives a weekly benefit of $3 besides attendance. The lodge is in an excellent financial condition, being man- aged by sagacious business men.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, GLEN COVE.

The precise date of the introduction of Methodism into Mosquito (now Glen) Cove is unknown. Several

SLOOP STORES

SLUMBER A COAL

BRICH

LUMBER & COAL YARDS OF JAS. THORNE, GLEN COVE, L. I.

Jamas barfuentes

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CHURCHES OF GLEN COVE-J. S. CARPENTER.

circumstances point to 1785 as the year of the formation of the first Methodist society. The first class leader was Jesse Coles. At that period religious meetings were held alternately at the houses of Jesse Coles and the senior Latting Carpenter. The former place afterward became the residence of Dr. Garvey, near Sheep End Point; the latter is still standing, included within the limits of what is now known as Sea Cliff. The public services were continued in private residences until 1827, when they were removed to the new school-house, now a part of the union school building. The Rev. David Buck preached the first or dedicatory sermon.

About this time a union Sunday-school was organized, and the sessions were held in the school building. James S. Carpenter, John E. Platt, and other Methodists took part in conducting the school. From this sprang the present Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school of Glen Cove.

The year 1844 marks a new epoch in the history of this church. On the 10th of February a meeting was held at the house of J. B. Kirby (now living and an officer in the church), when definite action was taken in reference to the erection of a suitable house of worship. James S. Carpenter, Latting Carpenter, J. B. Kirby, Amerman Wright and Carman Wilson were elected trustees.

In March following land was secured on School street, virtually the generous gift of Jacob Titus. During that year a building 30 by 40 feet was erected and dedicated. At the time of the dedication a sufficient amount of money was secured to free the building from all indebted- ness. The union Sunday-school, which had been con- tinued from 1827, was in March 1846 removed from the school-house to the basement of the church, and it con- tinued a union school until 1851.

The increase in the society and congregation demand- ing more ample accommodation, in 1861, during the pas- torate of Rev. F. C. Hill, the church was rebuilt and en- larged, with the addition of a steeple. The reopening sermon was preached by Rev. Cyrus D. (now Bishop) Foss. At this time a reed organ took the place of the tuning fork. J. B. Kirby acted as leader of the choir for over thirty years without pecuniary compensation.

In 1868, during the pastorate of Rev. C. T. Mallory, a beautiful and convenient parsonage was erected in an eligible location, in the north part of the village, at an expense of $4,000.

The present membership of the church is about 140. The Sunday-school numbers 150, teachers and scholars. The present pastor is the Rev. J. L. Gilder.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, GLEN COVE.

pulpit. From September Ist 1870 the Rev. T. S. Brad- ner, of Hudson Presbytery, supplied the pulpit until October 27th 1871, when he was elected pastor; and he has remained to the present date-the only pastor the church has had. Moving his family to Glen Cove in April he was duly installed pastor June 18th 1872.

From the organization of the church it worshiped in Continental Hall, owned and for two years granted free of rent by Wright Duryea. Having secured a beautiful and commanding lot of one and a half acres in a grove near the hall, in the fall of 1875 the constituted author- ities began a church building. January 20th 1876 the present neat and beautiful building, capable of seating 250 people, with furnace, gas, sofa pews of black walnut and green rep, and stained glass windows, was dedicated.

Since the organization with 15 members 70 members have been received into its communion.

The Sabbath-school numbers about 100 regular at- tendants; William Robinson is the superintendent.

PROMINENT CITIZENS OF GLEN COVE.

JAMES S. CARPENTER.

James S. Carpenter, son of Latting and Martha Car- penter, was born January 13th 1793. He lived with his father on the farm until he was 21 years old, when he engaged in the war of 1812. He served until the war was ended, and he was honorably discharged; and he drew a pension from the time the government began to issue pensions until his death.

After the close of the war he lived a seafaring life for some years, and became captain of a market vessel, and he was known as " Captain Jimmy " as long as he lived. His father persuaded him to leave the water and return to the farm, which he did, working for his father for three shillings a day and boarding himself.

At the age of 28 he married Sarah Ann, daughter of Jesse and Deborah Coles, of Tarrytown. In a few years they were able to buy a small farm about half a mile below what is now called the homestead. On this little farm they lived twenty years, six children being born to them. In 1842 Mr. Carpenter had an opportunity to buy the homestead farm, containing forty acres, for which he paid $3,600, hiring the money and paying 5 per cent. interest. It took many years to pay for this farm, which was considered a poor one by the neighbors, and many thought he had made a poor bargain; but soon he commenced digging in the banks and discovered beauti- tul clay and a superior quality of sand, specimens of which he took to the different potteries, and a permanent

This church was organized by the presbytery of business became established, which is still carried on by Nassau, synod of Long Island, June 8th 1869, being then his two youngest sons under the name of James S. Car- penter's Sons. Clay was first found on the Carpenter composed of 15 members. From April 11th to June 8th of the same year the services were conducted by property as early as 1827. In 1853 Mr. Carpenter com- menced the manufacture of fire-brick, which he continued eight years. During that time he built three large docks, two in the creek and one outside, now called the Sea Cliff dock. In 1864 he bought his father's farm of 174 the Rev. J. H. Hopkins, of Ravenswood, and by clergy. men appointed by the presbytery until December ist 1869. At that date the church engaged Rev. John H. Roberts, a returned missionary from China, to supply the

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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

acres for $18,000. In 1871 he sold to the Sea Cliff Grove and Metropolitan Camp Ground Association of New York and Brooklyn for $400 per acre, and in less than ten years this farm became a beautiful growing city. In 1872 Mr. Carpenter bought the William Downing farm of 79 acres at $200 per acre.

The men employed by Mr. Carpenter were many of them his neighbors, and in this way the money brought into the neighborhood remained there and was an aid to the improvement of that part of Glen Cove. Mr. Car- penter built many houses on his lands and was the first to erect a two-story house in his vicinity.

June 30th 1869 Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter celebrated their golden wedding. There were about two hundred relatives present, including all of the children of this venerable couple: Smith S., Jesse L., Coles A., Charles W., Mary K. (Mrs. Hicks), Martha D., Phebe E. and Sarah J. Seven years later their oldest son, Smith S., started from Schoharie county to attend the anniversary of the golden wedding. The horses attached to the coach on which he was riding became frightened and ran away, and Mr. Carpenter was thrown from the coach and instantly killed. This sad accident cast a gloom upon the whole family, and the anniversary of the golden wedding became as much a day of mourning as a day of rejoicing. The next death that occurred in this family was that of its head, James S. Carpenter, who died April 19th 1880, at the advanced age of 88 years. During Mr. Carpenter's last illness his son Jesse L., who came to help nurse him, was suddenly taken ill at his father's bedside, and died within five days after his father's death.

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History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 95

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