History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 97

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 97

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By referring to the town records it will be found that at a special town meeting held in East Norwich August 26th 1862 it was decided to raise by taxation the sum of $20,000, a part of which was to be expended in payment of bounties to volunteers, and the remainder to be ap- propriated to the relief of the needy wives and children of those who had gone forth, with their lives in their hands, to defend and preserve their government. At the regular town meeting held April 7th 1863 the sum of $3,500 was authorized to be raised by taxation, to be used exclusively for the relief and benefit of the families of volunteers. The testimony of one of the oldest com- manding officers of the war was that the two most ef- fective ways in which our armies in the field were sus- tained in the long struggle were-first, by the general assurance that was felt that neither the wives, children, parents, nor others dependent on those in the field would suffer for the necessaries of life while their supporters were in the service of their country; second, that the sick and wounded would not lack for any of those things which, though not provided by army regulations, might conduce to comfort, expedite recovery, save the lives and sustain the morale of the soldiers. On the 16th of July 1864 a special town meeting was held, when it was voted to raise $60,000 for the purpose of supplying the town's quota of men upon an anticipated call by the government. At another special town meeting, held Jan- uary 17th 1865, the sum of $150,000 was voted, to be ex- pended in furnishing men to fill the quota of the town under a then recent call of the president. During the war the town incurred an indebtedness of $220,000, a debt that in amount surpassed anything ever dreamed of by that generation until the Rebellion, with its fearful prophecy of the dissolution of the Union, was evidencing unthought-of vitality and strength.

It is simply Mr. Downing's due to have herein re- corded the fact that, previous to any action of the town authorizing the raising of money by taxation, to be paid to volunteers as bounty or for the relief of their families, he had, aided by a few patriotic citizens, advanced thou- sands of dollars for that purpose, having no security for

its return by the town. It is perhaps needless to add that the town honored this patriotic act of its citizens at its first meeting. The town was particularly fortunate at that time in having for its chief officer a gentleman of acknowledged executive ability, of unquestioned integ- rity and of indomitable energy and courage; one who possessed to a marked degree the fullest confidence of the citizens of the town, wholly irrespective of party af- filiations. He was enabled, with the co-operation of prominent men of both political parties, to carry forward to a successful issue the raising of enormous sums of money, with which they promptly forwarded to the seat of war the town's full quota of men, and very liberally provided for the families of volunteers. The disburse- ment of all the monies raised by the town to defray the expenses of the war was placed in Mr. Downing's hands as supervisor, with discretionary power to use and apply it as he deemed most judicious.

There were 769 men furnished the government by the town, of whom 54 were substitutes procured by and for citizens who had been or were liable to be drafted.

In August 1862 a large number of young men from the town volunteered and joined the government forces at Washington. Among these patriotic young men from the village of East Norwich were James Vernon and Daniel L. Downing, the last named being the son of the subject of this biography. At the battle of Brandy Sta- tion the valiant and courageous young soldier Vernon was killed, and about ten days later (June 17th 1863) the fearless hero young Downing lost his life at the battle of Aldie, Va. The loss of his son was a severe trial to the father, and the sad fate of these two estimable boys was deplored by all who knew them. The loss of a battle, the disastrous repulse of the army, in no one case cast so dark a gloom over the village or created so profound and lasting a sorrow as did the sudden death of these two promising young men. In Virginia soil lies buried the one, Vernon, his resting place unknown; and the other is entombed at Brookville, in this town. Thus sleep these two sons-the best their fathers had to give. the costliest sacrifice they could offer on the altar of their country. Their last battle is fought, their last march ended, their last bivouac is made. They sleep well, in that slumber from which no bugle call or sound of any kind can awaken them. They fell bravely. Their names shall be forever linked with the great battle fields. The cause for which they shouldered arms and for which they lost their lives has been carried, by the united struggles and sacrifices of all, to a triumphant issue and a glorious peace.

In January 1865 Mr. Downing was presented with an elegant and costly gold watch and chain by his towns- men, as a testimonial of their high regard and esteem for his personal character, and as an imperfect recognition of his valuable and efficient aid during the alarmning and trying period of a protracted and terrible war. The watch bears the following inscription:

" GEORGE S. DOWNING. From his Fellow Townsmen,

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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

in appreciation of his services as Supervisor of the town of Oyster Bay, Queens County. January Ist 1865."

Doctor James C. Townsend, of Glen Cove, made the presentation address, in forcible language eloquently por- traying the many excellencies and the substantial worth of Mr. Downing's character, closing his masterly effort with the quotation "an honest man's the noblest work of God."

After leaving the office of supervisor Mr. Downing occupied his time in cultivating his farm and managing the numerous estates of which he is custodian. In 1875, however, he was again elected supervisor, and held the office until 1881, when he peremptorily declined to ac- cept the nomination, much to the regret of the taxpayers of the town, signally irrespective of party. In connec- tion with the other positions Mr. Downing has filled may be mentioned that of director of the Glen Cove Mutual Insurance Company, of which institution he was chosen treasurer, a position he now occupies. He is also a director of the Roslyn Savings Bank, and for several years has been a director of the Queens County Agricul- tural Society. Throughout his entire life Mr. Downing has been the recipient of the popular confidence, and during a long public service, nearly forty years, that con- fidence has been faithfully maintained.

The personal character of the subject of this sketch is as stainless as his private life is unassuming. Universally esteemed by friend and foe for his unswerving integrity, he has won a reputation for straightforwardness, exacti- tude in all his business relations, and inflexibility of purpose, which has everywhere made him honored and universally respected. In personal opinion Mr. Downing is outspoken, never timid, but resolute and at times, per- haps, somewhat unyielding. A man of strong convic- tions, he is never reluctant in giving expression to his views and opinions. He is not inclined to sacrifice what he regards as right and just to the doctrine of expedi- ency. He is a man open to reason, patient in investiga- tion, cautious and jealous of false conclusions, ready to admit mistakes, and always open to new truths. His moral nature is constitutionally pure and noble. He utterly abhors duplicity, and makes truth the first article of his moral code. Nothing can bend him a hair's breadth from the line of rectitude. While his charity for the unintentional errors of others is broad and liberal his detestation of premeditated wrong and injustice is signally pronounced. He is wholly unostentatious, dis- liking show, form, and all vain and idle pageantry. Even now, having attained an affluent position, he retains the simplicity of habits and manners that has been peculiar to his life. While he is and always has been strictly temperate in all his habits, he adopts no ultra theories, but lets his moderation be known of all men. Before his children had reached manhood's estate his govern- ment was absolute as regarding his family, as a father's government ought to be, and was pronipted by the high- est possible disinterested regard for their future well- being. An intelligent affection for those who are con- nected with us is best displayed by bringing our own

knowledge and experience to bear upon disputed points, as against conclusions reached by those who, from their limited years and experience, are but superficial observ- ers. He enforced perfect respect and obedience from his children, and even the deference of the younger to those who were more matured, and he is now honored and looked up to by them as a father who made no mis- take in their earlier training. He governed by the power right actions give, and by the evident, although perhaps unexpressed, affection he had for them.

Every man of natural executive talent and possessed of a decided character has a ruling passion. From early life Mr. Downing has been ruled and moved by a passion for usefulness. It has engrossed his life, and will never cease. When once he had erected and consecrated the idol of his devotion there was not a thought, not a feeling, that went forth upon the broad track of the future, which failed to come back again to tell the issue of its errand. In the orthodox sense of the term hé is not a professor of religion, but he has the profoundest veneration for the divine will and character. He spends his life in doing good. He misses no chance to serve the wronged, the suffering, the weak or unfortunate. He is especially the widow's and the orphan's friend. He loves wholly and truly the things of God, if by these are meant peace, truth, justice, purity, and his fellow man. In wise words, in ingenious suggestions, in serious re- monstrances, in incentives to encouragement, he makes his life a precious possession and power in his own com- munity. The crown which his patient, discreet, and faithful service to his neighbors and the public has placed upon his head can never be dethroned.

BROOKVILLE.

Brookville, called by the Indians Susco's Wigwam and by the Dutch Wolver Hollow, is a hamlet on Shoo Brook, above Beaver Swamp. It was founded soon after 1650, by the Dutch, for the purpose of affording protec- tion to their eastern border. A Dutch settlement has sprung up here, and from it

THE REFORMED 'DUTCH) CHURCH OF OYSTER BAY.

The house of worship is in Brookville. The church took its name, as was not unusual many years ago, from the township rather than from the immediate locality in which it was situated.

On the 9th of September 1732 the people of Wolver Hollow, Cedar Swamp (now Greenvale), Eastwood (now Syosset) and Matinecock (now Locust Valley) and vicini- ties met and decided to have a church of their own. Some were members of the Reformed Dutch church of Jamaica, more attended there, and most of them were of Dutch parentage and spoke the Dutch language; so the new church was Dutch Reformed. For many years the services were conducted in that language.

At the meeting of the 9th of September 1732 a sub- scription was started and it was determined to build a house of worship at once. On the 25th of the same

عبدباد

مسلتك

Drawn by H. Rogers

RESIDENCE OF JOHN SCHENCK , MATINECOCK, QUEENS CO., N. Y.

Libre B. Luyster

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REFORMED CHURCH, BROOKVILLE-J. B. LUYSTER.

month an acre of ground for a building site was bought of Edmund Wright for f6, New York money. The church building was probably completed as early as April 1734, for on the 25th day of that month the people met in it and elected Peter Luyster and Cornelius Hoagland church masters (kerche meesters), to have charge of the sittings, and to take a general oversight of the house of worship. The first structure was an eight- sided building, with pointed roof, surmounted by a

weather vane. The good old Dutch people were accus- tomed to look toward the church to see which way the wind blew, in more than one sense. When it did not blow from the right quarter, especially inside, they were inclined to inquire the reason. The men and women occupied different parts of the church, the former sitting on benches (bancken) or pews near the pulpit (though there was a row of benches along the walls), while the latter were seated farther away, each by herself on a straight backed chair.

The first house of worship stood for nearly one hun- dred years. It was taken down in 1832, and the present one was raised August 29th of the same year, and ded- icated January 20th 1833. This was remodeled in 1875.

There is in the records no list of members at the or- ganization, but there is a record of those who subscribed for building the first church. In this list there are names spelled Amerman, Brinkerhoff, Bennet, Durland, Haff, Hegeman, Hoogland, Hardenberg, Janse (Jansen), Koole (Cole), Luister, Loyse, Monfoort, Noorstrant, Onderdonck, Polhemus, Remsen, Reyde (Ryder), Schenck, Symense (Simonson), Snedecer, Van Nortstrant, Voorhis, Vanvoris, Van Wyck and Woertman.

In 1836 a house near the church, with several acres of ground and necessary buildings, was bought for a par- sonage. This has at different times been repaired, and in 1880 was rebuilt, remodeled and enlarged, making it a tasty and comfortable parsonage.

The Sabbath-school connected with the church was begun about 1834, with James Madison Montfort as superintendent. No records of the school except of late years remain. During the past few years J. B. Luyster, W. Mckay, William Chapman and H. A. Stoutenberg (the present incumbent) have superintended the Sabbath- school. Its present membership is 150; its library con- tains over 300 volumes.

For two-thirds of the first century of its existence the church was associated with the Reformed churches of Newtown, Jamaica and Success, now North Hempstead (at Manhasset), and under the same pastoral care; and from 1802 until 1834 was associated with the church at Manhasset alone. For nine years after its organization the church of Oyster Bay, with its associates, waited in vain for a pastor from Holland; and in 1741 settled Johannes H. Goetschius, who left in 1748. From 1754 to 1760 Thomas Romeyn was pastor. He was followed after an interval of years, in 1766, by Hermanes Van Boelen, who remained six years. In 1775 Solomon Froe- ligh, noted in later years for his secession from the Re- formed Dutch church, became pastor. His stay was

short. He was a noted Whig and was forced to leave Long Island to escape from the British, after a pastorate of fifteen months. After him came Rynier Van Nest, who remained as pastor from 1785 to 1797. In 1794 Z. H. Kuypers (Cooper) became a collegiate minister, and remained in charge as pastor until 1824. With Mr. Kuy- pers in 1813 D. S. Bogert became colleague, and he left in 1826. Henry Hermanes followed, but staid less than a year. He was succeeded in 1827 by James Otterson, who gave up his charge in 1834. After Mr. Otterson left, this church separated from that of North Hemp- stead, and called R. A. Quinn in 1835. In 1841 he left and Thomas B. Gregory became pastor, remaining until 1844. He was followed the same year by P. D. Oakey, who removed at the beginning of 1847. From the mid- dle of that year Rev. N. E. Smith was pastor until Feb- ruary 1853; then J. L. McNair twenty months; I. A. De Baun three years from 1855; J. C. Lowe from 1859 until 1863; J. Searle, 1863-66; J. H. Smock, 1866-71; M. Swick, exactly six years. In 1877 J. A. Davis, the pres- ent pastor, assumed charge.

The church reports a membership of 131, and about 130 families under the care of its pastor. While its in- crease has not been great, considering its years of life, it is well to remember that as many as twelve churches have been formed within what were once its bounds.

JOHN B. LUYSTER.

John B. Luyster was born at Greenvale, Queens coun- ty, L. I., October 22nd 1813. The family in a short time moved on to his grandfather's farm at Syosset, and lived with him. John B. was sent to school, and finished his education when about 18 years of age. February 12th 1833 he began teaching in the Syosset school district, and taught six quarters (a year and a half). He then went back and lived with his father, working on the farm until the spring of 1837, at which time he removed to East Norwich and engaged in a mercantile business which had been commenced the fall previous. He continued in that business about nine years.

December 30th 1842 he connected himself with the Reformed Church of Oyster Bay, located at Brook- ville, and since that date he has a great portion of the time been superintendent of the Sunday-school of that church. He exerted his influence and contributed of his means to build the houses of worship of the Reformed churches of Locust Valley and Jericho.

In the winter of 1846 he exchanged his property in East Norwich, consisting of a dwelling and store-house, for a farm of about 204 acres in Brookville; on March 16th following moved on to it, and has resided there ever since.

In April 1856 he was elected one of the trustees of the Jones Fund, and he served eleven years in that capacity. It is the constant endeavor of Mr. Luyster, through the blessing of God on his exertions, to have the world better for his having lived in it, and in some degree to answer the divine purpose in bringing him into this state of existence.

540

HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

GENEALOGY OF JOHN B. LUYSTER. Great-great-grandfather, Peter Luyster, was born November 9th 1696, and died April 18th 1772, 76 years of age.

Sarah Monfort was born February 28th 1696, and died February 7th 1757, 61 years of age.

Peter Luyster and Sarah Monfort were married May 11th 1718.

DESCENT OF FATHER : Great-grandfather,

John Luyster, son of Peter and Sarah Luyster, was born January 24th 1721 and died June 2nd 1803, 82 years of age.

Elizabeth Van Voorhis was born and died March 17th 1792.

John Luyster and Elizabeth Van Voorhis were mar- ried June 12th 1747.

Grandfather,

Peter Luyster, son of John and Elizabeth Luyster, was born May 26th 1748, and died August 11th 1834, 86 years of age.

Gertrude Onderdonk was born August 23d 1756, and died May 27th 1848, 91 years of age.

Peter Luyster and Gertrude Onderdonk were married October 19th 1781.

Father,

Adrian Luyster, son of Peter and Gertrude Luyster, was born April 19th 1790, and died December 16th 1861, 71 years of age.

Adrian Luyster and Phebe Luyster were married April 15th 1812.

DESCENT OF MOTHER : Great-grandfather,

Peter Luyster, son of Peter and Sarah Luyster, was born September 30th 1722, and died November 27th 1801, 79 years of age

Phebe Bennet was born October 27th 1736, and died November 23d 1822, 86 years of age.

Peter Luyster and Phebe Bennet were married August 3d 1753.

Grandfather,

James Luyster, son of Peter and Phebe Luyster, was born October 29th 1760, and died March 24th 1847, 86 years of age.

Sarah Bennet was born June 14th 1758, and died April 16th 1837, 79 years of age.

James Luyster and Sarah Bennet were married June 24th 1792.

Mother,

Phebe Luyster, daughter of James and Sarah Luyster, was born February 12th 1794, and died November 6th 1880, 86 years of age.

John B. Luyster, son of Adrian and Phebe Luyster, was born October 22nd 1813.

Ann Simonson, daughter of Mouris and Catha- rine Simonson, was born February 25th 1811.

John B. Luyster and Ann Simonson were married April 20th 1836.

BAYVILLE-DANIEL HEGEMAN.

541

Chanel Réegenauso

THE HEGEMAN FAMILY.

Adrian Hegeman, the first of the name who settled in the town of Oyster Bay, located primarily at Dosoris, and afterward at Cedar Swamp, where he resided till the year 1743, when he died, in the 69th year of his age. He left three sons. The eldest, named Peter, who was born in 1704 and died in 1770, left one son, Joost (George) Heg- eman, who was born in 1733 and died in 1790. He left four sons, the eldest of whom, Jacobus (James) Hege- man, was born in the year 1765 and married Catherine Onderdonck, a sister of Peter Onderdonck of Cow Neck, in the town of North Hempstead. They raised a family of seven children, viz., Peter Onderdonck, Daniel, Elbert, Gertrude, Maria, and Elizabeth and Anna, who were twins. Of these none are living except Daniel, the second son, and his brother Elbert, who resides at Glen Cove.

Daniel, whose portrait appears in connection with this sketch, was born July 25th 1802, on the farm which he now owns and upon which he is spending the evening of his days. It is the old farm at Cedar Swamp, so long in possession of the family. Mr. Hegeman received his ed- ucation at a common district school. His chosen voca- tion was farming, a business in which he has been re- warded with success. In 1827 he left the home farm and purchased and removed to the farm of Andrew C. Hege. man, at East Norwich. He purchased the old homestead in 1845, and has since resided upon it.

He was married June 16th 1824 to Mary Jane Simon- son, a daughter of Norris Simonson. They had eleven children, six of whom are living, viz., James A., William,

Peter, Mary (now the widow of George Mitchell), Elbert, and Ann Eliza, wife of William Chapman of New York. Elbert resides in Brooklyn, and is an employe in the National Park Bank in New York; William is on the farm with his father, and the other two sons occupy farms on the north and south sides of the homestead.

Mrs. Hegeman died January 13th 1861, and on the 9th of June 1862 Mr. Hegeman married Ann Van Cott, a daughter of George Van Cott of Greenvale.

Mr. Hegeman is a man universally loved, honored and respected by the people of his town, having been called to serve them a number of years in each of the offices of assessor, overseer of the poor, and trustee of the Jones Fund. He also served with fidelity twelve years as su- perintendent of the county poor. He is an attendant and supporter of the Reformed church at Brookville, of which his wife and several of his children are members.

BAYVILLE.

Bayville, formerly called Oak Neck, contains 90 dwel- lings and 325 inhabitants. The peninsula Oak Neck derived its name from its many large oaks. Only one remains, which stands on an eminence styled Mt. Pleas- ant.

At Francis Cove, on the east side of the neck, the In- dians had a camping place, which is marked by a pile of clam and oyster shells. There was a rock with a deep hole in it, in which they pounded their corn. Arrow heads and stone mortars and pestles are found. William R. Bell presented the writer with a stone axe which was plowed up near his house.

In 1745 a road was surveyed commencing at Beaver Swamp and running through Bayville to Mingo Springs, on Center Island, where Charles Ludlam furnished the surveyors with a sumptuous dinner, which ended the sur- vey of the road. In 1836 there were fifteen houses in the place. Oysters and clams were the chief source of income. The names of the oyster planters in 1832 were George Campbell, Daniel Dickerson, John Ellison, Reu- ben Hall and Jacob Baldwin. From planting a few hun- dred bushels the business has increased to planting 50,000 bushels a year.

A meeting called at William R. Bell's in 1850 decided to build a school-house. Money was raised by subscrip- tion and a building erected. An application to be set off into a separate district was granted. Aaron Payne was the first teacher.

One of the two main branches of business was started here in 1825, when John Bell planted half an acre of asparagus, which produced two years afterward 25 bunches a day. The number of bunches has increased to 11,000 a day and the acreage to 125.

The place was provided with a Methodist Episcopal church in 1860, and a post-office in 1876. The first store was built by Lewis Dickerson and William R. Bell, the present owner. James Beatty opened a grocery store in 1866.

542

HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

BETHPAGE.

Bethpage is a farming settlement in the south part of the town. The original Bethpage tract was purchased from the Indians August 18th 1695, and settled upon by Thomas Powell, an active Friend from Huntington. He made another purchase in 1699, and sold a third of his interest the following year to Thomas Whitson, the sec- ond settler. This tract was large, embracing most of the central portion of the southern part of the town. The tract was surveyed by Thomas Willis.

A Friends' meeting every five weeks, on First-day, was commenced here as early as 1698. In 1742 a meeting- house was commenced. In the year 1816 $1,250 was raised for a new meeting-house; a surplus of $175 was contributed toward building horse sheds at Westbury. The meeting is described as irregularly attended in 1826, and the society as well as the building seems to be going into decay. The Stewart estate has an extensive brick- yard here, with H. F. Barton as superintendent.

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History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 97

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