USA > New York > Staten Island > History of Richmond County (Staten Island), New York : from its discovery to the present time > Part 32
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year. The names of the first trustees, under the new charter, and the wards they represented were as follows : William C. Denyse, 1st : David Burgher, 2d ; George Bechtel, 3d ; Theo- dore Frean. 4th; Dr. Thomas C. Moffat, 5th; James R. Robinson, 6th ; Alfred Wandell, 7th; Dennis Keeley, 8th; J. Duigan, 9th. The officers then were : Theodore Frean, president ; Henry F. Standerwick, clerk ; Thomas Garrett, police justice.
The experiment of village government was not as successful as might be desired, and many were in favor of returning to the former status under the town. The village charter was, how- ever, amended by acts of legislature in 1870, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1877 and 1884. Under the charter of 1875 the village was divided into only two wards, with one trustee each, and a third trustee at large, who was to be president of the village corpora- tion. Under this charter the first ward trustees were Benjamin Brown and Mr. Fellowes ; and William Corry, president. Henry F. Standerwick was elected clerk. By the charter of 1884 the village was divided into five wards, and the number of trustees was correspondingly increased. The boundaries given in that charter are as follows :
"Commencing at a point on the shore of the bay of New York, where the center line of Arietta street, if prolonged, would intersect the shore of said bay, and running thence along said center line of Arietta street, southwesterly to the center line of the Richmond Turnpike ; thence along the said center line of the Richmond turnpike, southwesterly to the south- westerly side of the Clove road ; thence along the southwester- ly side of the Clove road southeasterly to the Richmond road ; thence along the easterly line of the Richmond road, southerly to the northerly line of the Old Town road ; thence along the northerly line of the Old Town road six hundred feet ; and thence on a line parallel to and at a distance of six hundred feet from the easterly side of the Richmond road, and continu- ing thence on a line parallel to and at a distance of six hundred feet southerly from the southerly line of the Fingerboard road, and westerly line of Sand lane to where said line intersects the Old Town road ; thence in a due southeasterly line to the lower bay of New York ; and thence along the lower and upper bay of New York, northeasterly and northerly to the place of be- ginning."
The village of New Brighton was incorporated by act of the
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legislature, April 26, 1866, and embraced the northerly half of the town of Castleton. It was about two and a half miles long in a straight line, and about one mile in width. This territory was divided into four wards, and the trustees appointed by the same act to carry its provisions into effect were : Augustus Prentice, first ward ; James W. Simonson, second ward ; Fran- cis G. Shaw, third ward ; and William H. J. Bodine, fourth ward. The portion of the town remaining unincorporated was very sparsely populated, but was obliged, nevertheless, to have a full corps of town officers, some of whom resided within the village, and exercised the offices without, as well as within, and the duties of some, such as the commissioners of highways, which office had been abolished within the village, could be performed only in the unincorporated remnant of the town. The bills rendered by these officers for their services at the end of each year were so large, that the taxes outside of the village were greater than those within. The only method the people could resort to for ridding themselves of this burden, was to seek admission into the corporation, which they did, and in 1872 the remainder of the town was added to the village, and divided into two wards, the fifth and sixth. The dimensions of the village now are, about four miles long and two miles wide. In 1871, a large and elegant village hall was erected on Lafay- ette avenue, corner of Second street, at a cost of about thirty- six thousand dollars, including the land.
The first village election was held May 22, 1866, for the election of a police justice. One of the first ordinances of the village trustees, on the 12th of May, "ordained" that a public pound be established on the premises of Edward Roe on the Mill road, and the said Roe was appointed pound master. The expenses of the village incorporation for the first year, to June 1, 1867, were twenty-two thousand three hundred and twenty- six dollars and forty-two cents. The charter was amended by acts of the legislature in 1867, 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1875. Its limits are now identical with those of the former town of Cas- tleton. The office of village president has been held by the following : Augustus Prentice, 1866; John Laforge, 1867-69 ; Anson Livingston, 1870; George M. Usher, 1871 ; M. J. Fowler, 1872 ; D. A. Pell, 1873; William Chorlton, 1874; R. B. Whitte- more, 1875-76 ; William IL. J. Bodine, 1877; Harry L. Horton, 1878-79 ; David J. H. Willcox, 1880-84 : John J. Featherston,
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1885. The village clerks have been: Mark Cox, 1866-69 ; George Bowman, 1870; C. T. McCarthy, 1871-78; James C. Hill, 1879- 81 ; John J. Kenney, 1882-85.
The village of Port Richmond was incorporated by act of April 24, 1866, but by reason of the unconstitutionality of the act, which appointed trustees for the village, no organization was effected until after the passage of an amendment on April 25, 1867. Pursuant to this last act an election was held May 11, 1867, and Nicholas Van Pelt, George W. Jewett, William A. Ross, Garret P. Wright, James B. Pollock, and Henry Miller, Jr., were elected trustees. The boundaries of the village given in the charter are as follows :
"Northerly, by the river Kill Von Kull ; easterly, by the line between Castleton and Northfield ; sontherly, beginning on a point at the bridge about three hundred feet southerly from the German Lutheran church and running thence westerly to the southerly side of the residence of Jacob Hatfield ; thence west- erly to a monument on the southwest corner of the Richmond granite quarry at the Morning Star road; thence running a westerly course to the southernmost line of the property of the Methodist Episcopal church on the new road at Mariner's Har- bor ; thence following the center of the road a northerly course to the river Kill Von Kull ; thence following the river to the place of beginning."
Captain Nicholas Van Pelt occupied the position of president of the board of trustees continuously from the first till his death in December, 1881, when he was followed by Captain Garret P. Wright who has held the office till the present time (1885). Frederick Groshon, the first village clerk, held that office till his death, March 12, 1872, when he was succeeded by De Witt Stafford, who continues in the office. James B. Pol- lock has been treasurer from the beginning to the present time.
At the time of the organization of the village there was only about five hundred feet of sidewalk, mostly of brick, in the whole village. Improvement of the streets has since been steadily carried forward, including the widening of Shore road, Richmond and Jewett avennes, and other roads of less importance, until now every street of any considerable note is not only flagged, curbed and guttered, but thoroughly macadamized. In 1884 the village was supplied with water by contract with the Staten Island Water Company. Gas had
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been introduced previons to the organization of the village, though the corporation does not yet light the streets. A public park is owned by the village, throngh a gift of Messrs. Peter N. and Eder V. Hanghwont who dedicated this spot for that purpose. These gentlemen, in 1836, purchased the farm of Judge David Merserean, which lay between Richmond avenue on the west and Cottage place on the east, and the kills on the north and what is now Bond street on the south. Upon this they laid out what has since become the principal part of the village.
THE JAQUES GUION HOUSE, NEW DORP.
The territory now in the village limits lying east of the tract just described and on the south of it as far west as Church road belonged to the Jolm Simonson farm and was a part of the original patent to Cornelius Corsen. Cornelins Sebring owned a considerable tract lying on the west side of Richmond avenne (originally called Church road), as far west as to take in the lots facing on the west side of Mechanics' avenne, now called Lafayette avenne. A large tract on both sides of Morn- ing Star road, and on which are situated the granite quarries, was formerly owned by Vincent Fountain, and was purchased by one David Sand, by whom it was laid out into lots, and it now constitutes the thriving middle and southerly portion of the village, a part of it being known as Elm Park. The Haughwont tract before referred to may be more definitely described as being bounded on the north by the kills, west by
22
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Richmond avenue, south by the south line of Bond street and a continuation of that line westward to Richmond avenue, and east by a line about twelve feet east of the east side of Cottage place, and a continuation of the same line north to the kills. This was part of a tract which was granted by Governor Andros to Cornelius Corsen, Andrews Urianson, Derrick Corneliusen and John Peterson, December 30, 1680. That grant extended from Palmer's run and the mill pond, eighty-eight rods along the shore of the kills to the little creek between the store of Johnson and the Speer ship- yard, and comprehended 320 acres.
Other village incorporations have been attempted, but their existence has been of short duration. In 1823 the legislature passed an act incorporating the village of Richmond, but the organization was not consumated. Tottenville was incorporated by an act of April 28, 1869, which was amended April 14, 1871. This charter also became inoperative through the failure of the people to approve its conditions.
HON. DANIEL D. TOMPKINS, governor of the state of New York and vice-president of the United States, whose later years were spent on Staten Island, and after whom the village of Tompkinsville is named, was born at Scarsdale, Westchester county, N. Y., June 21, 1774. The son of Christian parents he was brought up in the Protestant faith. His delicate constitu- tion and aptness to learn induced his father to place him at the grammar school of Malcom Campbell in New York, September, 1787; whence, at the end of a year, he was removed to the academy in North Salem. Here he continned till 1792, when he entered the sophomore class in Columbia College. During the last year of his college course lie served in the law office of Peter Jay Monroe, Esq., and two years after graduating at the head of his class in 1795, he was admitted an attorney of the supreme court and subsequently a counsellor. He early inter- ested himself in politics. He became a staunch republican, and in the party struggles of 1799, 1800 and 1801 he took a promi- nent and conspicuous part. His influence in the city of New York, especially in the Seventh ward, in which he had married Miss Hannah Minthorne, daughter of the wealthy and respect- able alderman of that name, was early felt, and to him in a great measure was due the election of Thomas Jefferson to the
Daniel 19 Complains
ARTOTYPE, E. BIERSTADT, N. Y
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HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 339
presidency. In 1801 he was elected a representative of the city for the purpose of revising the constitution of the state and the following year he became a member of the state legislature. Shortly after he was appointed by Judge Morgan Lewis one of the supreme judges of New York. In 1806 he might have suc- ceeded John S. Hobert to the district judgeship of the United States for the district of New York, but he declined, continu- ing to serve as a supreme judge till the spring of 1807, when he became, in his thirty-second year, the rival candidate of Gov- ernor Lewis for the chief magistracy of the state.
He was elected to the gubernatorial chair by an immense ma- jority, being inducted into office on the day on which intelli- gence was received of the British attack upon the American frigate "Chesapeake." The order of the president of the United States calling npon the governors to organize their respective quotas of militia also arrived at the State Capitol on the same day, and Governor Tompkins immediately set about the task of defending his native state. In 1808 the president appointed him to the command of all the regular and militia forces on the frontier of New York. His instructions to the militia on this occasion evinced his energy and promptitude of character and received the marked approbation of General Wilkinson, then commander-in-chief of the army.
In 1812 Governor Tompkins, for the first time in the history of the state, prorogued the legislature. Through the favorable reception of a number of petitions of banking companies for incorporation a system had been projected which threatened irreparable evils to the community. This had been aided and promoted by corruption and bribery, and the emphatic action of the governor was taken as a last resort. The step excited nnusual animadversion, which extended even so far as to threaten his personal safety, but he was sustained throughout by the knowledge of having done his duty, and the fact that he was supported by the more honorable portion of the repub- lican party.
In June, 1812, President James Madison declared war with Great Britain, and Governor Tompkins stood forth boldly as the fearless champion of the rights and liberties of the American people. A numerous and powerful party of disaffected citizens had shown itself in the Eastern states, formed with a view to paralyze the energies and cripple the resources of the United
ยท
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States; and it became the avowed object of many persons of high consideration in that section of the Union to make a separate peace with the enemy of the republic and of United America. To make this project effectual it was necessary to gain New York state. The bold stand taken by Governor Tompkins in the proroguing of the legislature had raised for him many ene- mies among republicans, and a majority of federal members had been elected to the state legislature and to congress. In spite, however, of the opposition which howled against him, he was again elected to the governorship. His situation at that time was well calculated to dismay the stoutest heart. Amidst the disaffection in the East, the opposition of one branch of the legislature, and the northern frontier harassed by the enemy from Champlain to Presqu' isle, and threatening the capital of the state in the south, unaided by the constituted author- ities appointed to share with him in the government of the state, the governor had alone to sustain the arduous, embarass- ing and responsible duty of defense. But he rose superior to circumstances, and by the firm, unshaken energy of his conduct he silenced or rendered inefficient the opposition of his own state. When the treasury was in an impoverished condition, money scarce and much wanted to carry on the war, he raised funds on his own responsibility and made himself liable beyond his means. He gave great attention to the defenses and in- trenchments in and around New York city and harbor, at which the citizens turned out and worked en masse. The vast prepa- ration for an expected attack, the pouring in of militia, volun- teers and regular troops were always accompanied by the pleas- ant, cheering and animated presence of Governor Tompkins.
In 1813-14, upon his own responsibility, while the legislature was still in session, he issued orders for organizing a brigade of volunteers, to the command of which he appointed Gen. Peter B. Porter. This contingent saved the remnant of the gallant army of Niagara at the memorable sortie from Fort Erie. He also called into the field a large body of militia, and organized a corps of sea-fencibles, without waiting the slow action of the legislature. In this important measure he received the cordial support and co-operation of the gallant Decatur, who com- manded the naval force of the United States on that station, as also the promised sanction and support of Hon. Rufus King. About this time the enemy's ships, commanded by Admiral
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Cockburn, which had appeared off Sandy Hook for some time. suddenly disappeared.
Soon after intelligence was received of the capture of the city of Washington, and of the intended movement of the enemy toward Baltimore. Decatur resolved at once to push forward with his sea-fencibles to the assistance of that city, and Gov- ernor Tompkins, to give spirit to the enterprise, promptly of- fered to accompany him as far as New Brunswick, when the news of the enemy being vanquished and their retreat from Baltimore arrived just in time to prevent the march. In Octo- ber, 1814, Governor Tompkins was appointed to the command of the Third military district, which comprehended one of the most valuable portions of the United States, and included the largest and most lieterogeneous military force that ever before fell to the command of an American general. He had also the offer of being secretary of state in the cabinet of the president, but this he declined, thinking his services more useful in the situation in which he was placed.
In 1814 the general government was desirous of fitting out an expedition to dislodge the enemy from Castine. They applied to the governor of Massachusetts for aid, which was refused. In this dilemma the situation of the government was hinted to Governor Tompkins, who raised, on his own responsibility, three hundred thousand dollars, which he forthwith subjected to the orders of General Dearborn. Shortly afterward the war between Great Britain and the United States was brought to a successful termination, and the governor returned to the peace- ful duties of the chief magistracy. In the last term of his guber- natorial career, at the approaching election, he was proposed as a suitable person for president of the United States, which however, was waived by him and his friends in consideration of his being a junior in age to James Monroe, whose revolutionary services entitled him to superior claims ; he was accordingly nominated and elected vice-president.
On the expiration of his term as vice-president he retired to private life, spending the greater part of his time in the im- provement of his farm in Richmond county. Here his spacious and hospitable mansion became one of the homes of literature, philanthropy and art. To its ever open doors flocked men of letters, artists, lawyers, statesmen, patriots and soldiers, people of all nationalities and of all beliefs. At Staten Island he re-
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ceived the illustrious victor, General Jackson, also President Monroe and the beloved La Fayette after his landing at quaran- tine on his second visit to the United States.
The last public service of Governor Tompkins was as a dele- gate from Richmond county to the state convention to alter the constitution in 1821, of which he became president. In June, 1825, in the 51st year of his age, he died. His mortal remains, on the 13th of June, 1825, were conveyed in the steamboat " Nautilus," to the city of New York, and at Whitehall, the place of landing, were met by a vast concourse of citizens, who accompanied them to their last resting place in the family vault of his wife's father, Alderman Minthorne, in St. Mark's churchyard. Eighteen years after his burial, on the 21st day of June, 1843, his birthday was celebrated at the village of Tompkinsville, Staten Island. An address was delivered and troops from various parts of the country took part in the cele- bration.
Snch was the man whose patriotism, talents, integrity and distinguished services to his country in trial and difficulty, both in peace and in war, we record, as a just tribute to his memory. His name added a lustre to the county in which he spent his declining years and in its history he deserves a conspicnous place. To its churches, schools and social life he lent the ripe- ness of his talent and the richness of his benevolence. As one of her greatest and her noblest citizens Staten Island will ever continue to honor his memory.
HON. ERASTUS BROOKS .- Among the many well known liter- ary and professional gentlemen who from time to time have made their homes on Staten Island was Hon. Erastus Brooks, formerly editor of the "New York Express." He was a man well known in the religious, social and political life of Richmond county, and during the years 1878, 1879, 1881, 1882 and 1883, he was its representative in assembly.
Mr. Brooks was born in Portland, Me., January 31, 1815. Shortly before his birth his father, Captain James Brooks, who commanded a privateer during the war of 1812, had gone down with his vessel, leaving his wife and three children dependent for their support upon a government pension. As a result of these straightened circumstances, Erastus, at the age of 8 years, left his home for Boston with the object of earning his own liv- ing. He found a place in a grocery store and worked for his
Sadin Brooks
ARIOTYPE,
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board and clothes, studying diligently the while, at a night- school. Soon he entered a printing office and learned the trade of a compositor, and with the money which he earned he ob- tained enough education to enter " Brown University." Here he pursned a partial course, at the same time supporting hini- self by working at the compositor's case. When he was 18, he started a newspaper, called the " Yankee," after his father's brig, in Wiscasset, Me., soon after which he purchased the Haverhill " Gazette."
In 1835, Mr. Brooks went to Washington, D. C., and became the correspondent of a number of newspapers, an employment in which he continned for sixteen years. He engaged as asso- ciate editor of the "New York Express" with his brother, James Brooks, in 1840, and remained in this connection forty-one years. During this time he passed through varions experiences, traveling in 1843 through Enrope, and being wrecked off Sandy Hook on his return; an accident in which he suffered the loss of all his possessions. He published his paper almost single handed during the cholera epidemic, when people fled from the city, and he was among the first to use the telegraph for news- paper reports. Mr. Brooks was fond of telling of his news victories over rival journals, and some of these showed great sagacity and enterprise, For many years he served as one of the executive committee of the associated press, and was for a considerable time its general manager.
His entrance into politics was rather forced on him than sought, but once enlisted. he engaged with his whole heart in this as he did in everything which he undertook. He was elected to the state senate in 1853. Two years afterward he rendered his position prominent by a controversy with Arch- bishop Hughes relative to the limits to be set to the acquisition of church property by the Roman Catholic church and the ex- emption of property from taxation, he holding that, as its title was vested in the priest, it should be taxed when it reached be- yond a certain value. The controversy, first carried on through the columns of the "Courier and Enquirer," finally went into the state senate, of which Mr. Brooks was elected a member on the know-nothing or American party ticket in 1853. This controversy, which attracted attention all over the world, was published in book form in 1855, under the title of "A Contro- versy on Church Property." The position he took led to his
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being nominated by the know-nothings as a candidate for gov- ernor in 1856. From that time onward, he was frequently in public office, taking part in political conventions and serving the state in the constitutional conventions and in the assembly for a number of years. He became the leader of his party and one of the more prominent and influential men of the bodies in which he served.
Mr. Brooks was a man of great dignity and decorum. Having been called on to preside over important public assemblies through a long period, he had acquired habits of attention to business and prompt decision which made him an admirable executive. His acquaintance was extensive, and he knew the character and adaptations of men, so that in the formation of committees or the management of affairs he was of great use to the cause which he served. He was conservative in his princi- ples and a man of strong convictions of duty. He might have had many more political honors than those which he won by positive merit, had he been able to crouch or fawn, or make un- worthy bargains with party leaders, but he was a high-minded, upright man who served God and his own conscience first, and party second, Hence he was often ignored by the politicians who knew that he could not be used for their purposes, though they sorely needed his ability and wisdom.
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