History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. I, Part 208

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898, ed
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1354

USA > New York > Westchester County > History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. I > Part 208

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RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

CATHOLIC INSTITUTIONS AND CHURCHES .- One of the most notable educational institutions in the Unit-

1 The history of West Farms, up to the time of its separation from the town of Westchester, will be found in the chapter devoted to the latter town.

HA. Hall. 1.

1872

N. B. Wall

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WEST FARMS.

ed States is located at Fordham. This is St. John's Col- lege, which is under the care of priests of the Society of Jesus. It was incorporated as a university in 1846, but had been established as a college in 1841. The incorporators and first trustces were Revs. Jacob Harvey, Peter A. Hargous, John McKcon, James R. Bayley, John Harley, John McCloskey, William Starrs, Hugh Kelley and David Bacon. It is em- powered to confer literary honors, degrees and diplomas, and is subject to visitation by the regents of the university of the State. The grounds, containing nearly two hundred aeres, extend from Mill Brook to the Broux, and ou the south side the college is ap- proached by a handsome driveway shaded by mag- nificent elms and maples. The western portion of the grounds were purchased about 1835-36 by the Catholic Diocesau Theological Seminary. The old Corsa, Watts and Brevoort homestead still stands on the premises and is now used as the infirmary, while Rose Hill, the former residence of, and built by, Mr. Mowatt, of New York, a fine large stone build- iug with brick wings, which have been subsequently added, includes the residences of the professors, the reception parlor, refectory and chapel.

St. John's Hall, origiually used as the Theological Semiuary, is on the westernmost part of the premises. It is a Gothic building and was erected about 1836-41. It is now devoted to the class-rooms, dormitories and school-room of the students of the Preparatory De- partment. The eutrance, porch of this hall is a fiue specimen of architecture, the arch resting upon pedi- ments very curiously carved in stone representing the eagle of Saint John, the ox of Saint Matthew, the angel of Saint Luke and lion of Saint Mark.

The ground-floor of this hall is now occupied by the laboratory and chemical lecture-room of the col- lege and the museum, containing mineralogical aud conchological specimens, electric, optical and other scientific implements. The collection of corals is as fine as any in this country. The class-rooms and study-room are cheerful and well ventilated, and the dormitories models of neatness and order.

Just east of St. John's Hall stands the Chapel of St. Mary, which is used as the parish church for those in the vicinity of the Catholic faith. It was built about 1841, and is a well-proportioned structure. It is or- namented on the east and west sides with six bril- liantly-colored stained-glass windows, imported many years ago from Europe. Saints Peter and Paul flank the altar, and the four evangelists fill up the other well-turned Gothic windows. One of the fathers of- ficiates as parish priest. The infirmary, just west of the chapel, has the extensive garden of the college in its rear, which is kept in most beautiful order under the direction of one of the lay brethren. Another lay brother has the control of the infirmary, Dr. Purroy, of Fordham, being the attending physician. The Rose Hill house has, on the right of the entrance- hall, a large, well-proportioned reception-room. Its

walls are hung with pictures representing sacred sub- jects, by Mexican and South American artists. The president's reception-room, to the left of thic hall, has in it several very fine paintings. On the eastern wall is a picture by Louis Lang, representing Mary, Queen of Scots, bidding adicu to her maids of honor just before her execution. On the south wall hang two panch pictures of the Virgin and Child and a fair copy of the Annunciation of the Virgin, the orig- inal of which is in the Quirinal at Rome. There is also a fair copy, by Mols, of Rubens' " Descent from the Cross ;" and on the west wall, in the old German style, a beautiful Virgin, surrounded by twelve Sisters of the Ursulinc Order, a work displaying fine color- ing and reverential feeling. A portrait of the founder of the Order of Jesuits (Ignatius Loyola), by a Mexi- can artist, also hangs in this room, and the motto of the Order is displayed, on an open book before him, in the following order : "Ad majorem gloriam dei," though the usual order is " Ad majorem dei gloriam." The north wing of the Rose Hill house contains the offices and refectory,-a fine room, rather gaudily frescoed and capable of seating from three hundred to four hundred people, without crowding. Here the students of all the departments take their meals, un- der the supervisiou of the prefect of discipline. Loy- ola's portrait is also displayed in this room.

The south wing contains the college chapel. It is a roomy, pleasant place of worship, plainly but taste- fully frescoed, not many years since, by lay Brother Rache. The organ was built by Erben. Over the altar is a figure of our Saviour, flanked right and left by the Holy Virgin and St. Joseph. Two small kit- kats, on each side of the altar, represent Saints Aloy- sius and Stanislaus, the patron saints of youth. The rear wing of Rose Hill contains, on the second floor, the library, which is provided with some twenty thousand volumes of works on history and theology. There is also a circulating library for the students. The great hall of the college, a new building, is de- voted exclusively to the students of the upper classes.

In it are the gymnasium, reading-room, billiard- rooms, class-rooms, dormitories and a very fine school or study-room. The dormitories are in the upper stories. The school-room is provided at the east end with a stage and scenery, used for declamations and dramatic representatious by the students. The students compose the orchestra, as the college affords instruction on nearly all kinds of musical instruments. A portion of thic building is devoted to music-rooms, where the corps of musical instructors can conduct their classes without the sounds of the different in- struments interfering with each other.

So soon as funds can be procured the college buildings will be enlarged and the old ones pulled down. The college is attended by students from all parts of the United States, Mexico, Central America, South America, Cuba, Hayti and other West India Islands, and even by a few from Europe. It has a

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HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

Preparatory Department, in which boys from ten years upwards are prepared for the higher classes of the collegiate course. By the catalogue of 1884-85, it appears that eighty-three pupils are in at- tendance on this course. The instruction furnished in the collegiate course is of two kinds-classical and commercial. The curriculum of the classical course takes the student through a course of Latin, Greek, English history, geography, chemistry, mathematics, mechanics and religious instruction, which fits him for the under-graduate classes. The latter, corre- sponding to the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes in other colleges, is divided into classics, belles-lettres, rhetoric and philosophy. A graduate from this course receives the degree of Bachelor of Arts. There is also a post-graduate course. The graduates from this course receive the degree of Master of Arts. The commercial course embraces all the branches necessary for an English education- English grammar, history, geography, book-keeping, penmanship, commercial law, elocution, chemistry, natural history, philosophy, both mental and moral, mechanics, astronomy, geology and religious instruc- tion. There are also optional studies. All students are compelled to speak the English language. Ger- man, Spanish and drawing are also taught, and a spe- cial scientific course has also been established. The course is for three years, at the end of which, after a successful examination, the degree of Bachelor of Science is awarded. By the catalogue for 1884-85 it appears that there are one hundred and ninety-nine students attending the collegiate course. The present principal of the college is Rev. Thomas J. Camp- bell, who is assisted by a faculty of seventeen profes- sors. , Near the college is the institution for deaf mutes, presided over by Miss Morgan, and in the vil- lage of West Farms is also a chapel of the Roman Catholic denomination, an offshoot of St. Augustine's of Morrisania.

EPISCOPAL CHURCHES .- The parish of St. James, Fordhanı, was formed in 1853, by a meeting called on July 5th of that year, at the residence of William Alexander Smith. Lewis G. Morris and Mr. Smith were elected wardens, and Oswald Cammann, Fran- cis McFarlan, W. W. Waldron, George B. Butler, Samuel R. Trowbridge, Gulian L. Dashwood, Wil- liam O. Giles and Nathaniel P. Bailey, vestrymen. The church was consecrated November 4, 1865. It is constructed of Westchester granite with red sand- stone trimmings. It is adorned with several very fine stained-glass windows. The four evangelists flank the centre window in the chancel, which represents the calling of St. James. Back of one of the reading desks, on the south side of the church, is a window representing the healing of the lame man by Saint Peter and Saint John. This window is a memorial to the late Dr. George Philip Cammann, one of the founders of the church and inventor of the steth- oscope which bears his name and which he nobly pre-

sented as a free gift to the medical profession. Over the font, which stands in the transept, is a memorial window to Oswald Cammaun, Jr., representing the baptism of the Savior, and in the south aisle is a memorial window to Oswald Cammann, Sr., one of the benefactors of the church. The lectern, in the form of an eagle with outstretched wings, from which the Scriptures are read, was also a memorial gift to the parish from the Cammann family, in memory of the wife of Mr. Oswald Cammann, who survived her husband a few years. On the altar is a cross, a memorial of Maria Cammann Mali, the wife of Wil- liam Weyman Mali, who has also followed her. The organ was the gift of the late Henry W. T. Mali. In the east wall of the transept are memorial windows to Miles Standish Davidson and Kate Miles David- son, children of the late Colonel M. O. Davidson, and lineal descendants of the famous New England sol- dier, Miles Standish.

In the west side of the transept is a memorial to Catharine and Eliza Howell, infant children of Richard Stockton Howell and Elizabeth Holsman, and the northwest window is a memorial to the late Charles Drake, M.D., erected by his sister, Mrs. Sea- man, of King's Bridge. A wheel window in the south transept was placed there in memory of Mary Bailey Woolsey, the wife of Theodorus Bailey Woolsey, of New York, and daughter of Nathaniel P. Bailey and Eliza Lorillard. The Rev. Dr. Tiffany, a former pastor of the church, presented the bell. The rectory has just been completed and is a substantial, tasteful building. The chapel, built of wood, also stands iu the church grounds. The west part of it was originally used as the district school-house for the children of Fordham, but it then stood on the Fordham Landing road, southwest from the church, and was removed to the present site many years since. Following is a list of the rectors of the parish from its foundation.

1854 .- Rev. Joshua Wenner, resigned. 1863 .- Rev. Thomas Ritchie, D.D., resigned.

1867 .- Rev. Charles C. Tiffany, D.D., resigned and now the rector of Zion Church, New York City.

1871 .- Rev. Mylton Maury, who resigned.

1875 down to May, 1885 .- Rev. Joseph Blanchard, who resigned, hav- ing been called to church in Detroit, Mich.

At present there is a vacancy in the rectorship, though the vestry have called a gentleman to fill Mr. Blanchard's place.1

September 23, 1844, a meeting was held of the congregation or society commonly called Grace Church, in the town of Westchester, at St. Peter's Church. The object of the meeting was to incorporate the new church at West Farms. Captain William H. Spencer, U. S. N., and Philip M. Lydie were elected wardens, and Peter Lorillard, Richard Crother, Dr. William Bayard, Charles S. Valentine, Benjamin Lee, Jacob N. Van Winkle, William B. Hoffman and Robert J. Turnbull were elected vestry-

1 Since filled by Rev. Mr. Holt.

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WEST FARMS.

men. They assumed the name for the corporation of the " Rector, church wardens and vestrymen of Grace Church, in the town of Westchester."

The edifice was a handsome Gothic structure, of wood, and was consecrated June 28, 1847. The first rector was Rev. Washington Rodman. This building has been abandoned and a new congregation formed under the old name. It is situated on the north side of Locust Avenue, and has just been consecrated.

The " House of Rest for Consumptives." which is under the patronage of the Episcopal Church, is situated at Mount Hope, a short distance from Tre- mont Station. It stands on about an acre of gronnd. The house is capable of accommodating about forty patients. It is a hospital pnrcly for the treatment of consumption. In 1884 the honse had nnder treatment one hundred and thirty-two patients. At the end of the year there were thirty-two patients in the hospital. Of the one hundred and thirty-two patients, forty- eight were Protestant Episcopalians, forty-fonr Roman Catholics, eleven Methodists, seven Baptists, six Lntherans, two Dutch Reformed, twelve Presby- terians, one Congregationalist, one Hebrew. Its policy is to open the door to the poor and as the above figures show, there are no restrictions as to creed.

The " Home for Incurables," also in charge of the Episcopal Church, stands near by. This institution has been in existence for the past eighteen years. Its inmates are those whose diseases are past relief, and the main object of the institution is to make the last days of those who can never hope to be well again as happy and as comfortable as possible. The old Loril- lard house, in which it was first located, was fonnd too small for the growing number of patients, and a large and handsome brick structure has been ereeted, bnt the present building is found to be inadequate to the demands for admission and the board of man- agers are abont erecting a new pavilion for the accom- modation of sixty-six more patients. Thetotal capacity of the institution is forty. It is nnder the care of a clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church, bnt no distinction as to creed is made with reference to the admission of the inmates. It is nnder the direc- tion of the following board of managers: President, Benjamin H. Field; Vice-Presidents, Martin E. Grecne, William H. Guion ; Treasurer, George Sher- man; Secretary, H. M. McLaren ; Superintendent, Israel C. Jones, M.D .; Physician, Archibald Camp- bell, M.D. ; Chaplain, Rev. Thomas Drumms.

THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH .- Sonth of the Jockey Club grounds is the Dutch Reformed Church of the ancient Manor of Fordham. The church was originally organized in 1696 by the ministers, elders and deacons of the Reformed Dntch Church and its first minister was Dominie John Montaign. It was built at the junction of the old McComb's Dam road and the Fordham Landing road, and stood near the present residence of Moses Devoe. (See note at end of chapter as to Devoe family.) In 1801 a new

structure was built on the present site and in 1872 the present building was erected. The most con- spicuous benefactor of the church in its modern his- tory has been Mr. H. B. Claflin, the New York mer- chant prinee, whose country-seat is not far distant. Mainly at his expense, it has recently been enlarged and beautified. The following is a list of its clergy :

1696 .- Rev. John Montaign.

1707 .- Rev. llenricus Beyse.

1776 .- Rev. Dominie John Peter Tetard, a chaplain with General Montgomery in his ill fated expedition to Quebec.

1802 .- Rev. John Jackson.

1840 .- Rev. Peter I. Van Pelt, D.D.

1846 .- Rev. William Cahoon.

1850 .- Rev. Robert Van Amburgh.

1853 .- Rev. Jolın 11. Bevier.

1855 .- Rev. James Beattie.

1864 .- Rev. James Bolton.

1866 .- Rev. James B. Ilardenburgh, D.D.

1869 .- Rev. John Truman.

1874 .- Rev. William Brush.

1876 .- Rev. D. Lawrence Jewett.

1876 .- Rev. William Anderson, the present incumbent.

There is also a Dntch Reformed Church in the vil- lage of West Farmis. It was organized in 1839 and incorporated in 1840, March 16th. The first elders were Thomas Butler, George Wilson and Abijah Rogers and the deacons James P. Fitch, James G. Rowland and Stephen Kelly. The ministers have been,-

1839 Rev. George Bonrne.

1842 Rev. Barnabas V. Collins.

1845. . Rev. John Simonson.

1852 Rev. Philip Burkhardt.

1856 . Rev. Polhemus Van Wyke.

1867 . Rev. Evert Van Slyke.

1871 . Rev. John Simonson.

Present Incumbent . Rev. James Bolton.

METHODIST CHURCHES .- The Methodist Episco- pal Church is a neat woodeu structure on Marion Avenne, Fordham. It was built in 1858, and is owned by the Church Extension Society. The con- gregation was incorporated April 14th of that year, Jacob Berrian, (See note at end of this chapter as to Berrian family,) Benjamin Westervelt, Benjamin F. Ferris, Peter Demarest and Richard White being the first trustees. The first pastor was Rev. Thomas Davis, who was supplied by the Local Preachers' Society. In 1870 the then pastor, Rev. Jacob Washburn, snceeeded in freeing the church from debt. In 1876 Rev. A. Coons was pastor; 1879, Rev. W. G. Browning ; 1880, Rev. T. B. Smith, who in April, 1883, was followed by Rev. Thomas S. Bond, the present incumbent. The congregation in 1885 numbered one hundred members and thirty-five com- municants, and was in a flourishing condition. The stewards were John V. Briggs, Charles Y. Campbell and Benjamin Westervelt.

On the west side of Washington Avenne, between One Hundred and Seventy sixth and One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Streets, on gronnd donated by Louis K. Osborn, stands the Methodist Episcopal Church of Tremont. It is a wooden building of one story and basement, the latter being the Sunday-

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HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

school room. The congregation was formed in 1853, and began worship in the old stone school-house now occupied as a police-station. After Mr. Osborn had given the lot for a church, he and Peter Buckhout and other active Methodists collected money for a building fund. In 1855 the congregation was incor- porated, and Jacob Buckhout, Peter Buckhout, Henry L. Jolly, Andrew Foote and William G. Lent were made trustees. Messrs. Jolly, Lent and Peter Buck- hout were appointed the building committee and erected the church at a cost of $2000. A parsonage was built at the corner of Marble Street and Wash- ington Avenue. A new church, from the designs of Architect L. B. Valk, is about to be built, the land having been bought and $3000 contributed. The church has a membership of two hundred and fifty- one, over one hundred having united with it since 1885. The Sabbath-school numbers three hundred and forty pupils and thirty-five officers and teachers. The stewards are L. K. Osborn, G. D. W. Clocke, John Greatcap, W. E. Andrews, David Woodall, W. L. Johnson, W. W. Osborn, T. W. Lewis and George Weeks. The trustees are A. T. Buckhout, J. H. Buckbee, T. C. Lewis, R. J. Lomas, Jr., G. None- maker, A. P. Shove, W. R. Holder and G. D. W. Clocke.

The following is the list of pastors :

1857-60

Rev. Solomon C. Perry.

1860-61

Rev. John A. Sillick.

1861-63

Rev. Valentine Buck.

1863-64

Rev. A. C. Field.

1865-69 . Rev. John W. Ackerley.

1869-71 .

Rev. N. B. Thompson.

1871-73

. Rev. P. R. Brown.

1873-74 .

Rev. A. N. Osborne.

1874-75 . Rev. T. B. Smith.

1875-76. Rev. Thomas La Mont.

1876-79

. Rev. D. L. Marks.

1879-82

Rev. F. Bartome.

1882-83

Rev. N. B. Thompson.

1884-

Rev. Philip Germond, present pastor.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH .- On the east side of Wash- ington Avenue, in Tremont, the Baptists have just erected a new church. For several years the Baptists of Tremont worshipped in a building which stood on Mount Hope, to the west of the Harlem Railroad, but that congregation was dissolved and the lot on which the church stood was sold, and out of the avails the present lot on Washington Avenue was purchased. For a year or more the congregation have attended services in the Young Men's Christian Association building at Tremont. The new building stands on a lot fifty four by one hundred. It is semi- cruciform and built of stone in the old English style of architecture. It will be finished in the interior in hard woods and will be ornamented with stained- glass windows. The Rev. Frank Fletcher, A.M., of Madison University, is the enterprising pastor, this being the third church which he has built since he commenced his ministry. Before coming to this parish Mr. Fletcher ministered at Brewster's, in Put-

nam County, Paterson, N. J., and Brooklyn. The lot on which the church stands is paid for.

ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH .- This church and parsonage are situated on the west side of Wash- ington Avenue, Tremont. The congregation was or- ganized about 1873, and the church was built for the purpose of accommodating the German-speaking citi- zens of Tremont, the priest always preaching in that language. But it was found that the number of at- tendants was not sufficient to warrant the exclusive use of German, and at this time the preaching is in English. The church is built of stone and brick. Rossi, of New York, was the architect, John Kirby the carpeuter, and Francis Druhe the mason, both the latter being residents of Tremont. The church stands on a lot fifty by one hundred, and north of it the pretty parsonage sets back from the street, with an attractive flower-garden in front. The church, which is Gothic in its architecture, is ornamented in the interior with frescoes by Aviati, also a resident of the vicinity. At the back of the high altar is a repre- seutation of St. Joseph carryiug the Holy Child. St. Patrick flanks him on the right and St. Boniface on the left. Two frescoes of the Resurrection and Ascension also adoru the chancel. The bishop's chair was donated by Mr. William Haskin, for many years one of the deputy county clerks of New York County, and a resident of the old township. Over the windows in the clere-story are frescoes of the Twelve Apostles. The church is lighted by stained- glass windows at the sides, each the gift of sonie mem- ber of the parish or of the neighborhood. With the exception of three of the windows, in which the names of the donors had been effaced by the breaking of the glass, the following is the list of donors : Franz Drulle and family, two windows ; J. Ortmann, John Kerby, M. J. Hcimburger, Benedeck Bernsseer, Hugh Ferri- gan, August Druhc, St. Joseph's Verein of Melrose, August Rickersfeld, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Douohue and Rev. Joseph Stumpe, of St. Mary's, Melrose. A win- dow was presented by three persons who did not wish their names to appear. It is designated " Charity." The organ was built by Jardine & Sons. At the west end of the church, near the confessional, is a repre- sentation of the votive grotto and chapel at Lourdes, which was made by Father Tonner, a former pastor of the church. In the basement is a large liall for school-room and festivals, which is provided with a stage for the representations of the Dramatic Society. The parish is growing. Its average attendance on Sundays is four hundred; communicants, two hun- dred aud fifty ; baptisms last year (1884-85), forty. The rectors of the parish have been as follows : Father Long, now removed to New York; Father Tonner, who was succeeded by Rev. Peter Farrell, a graduate of the Diocesan Theological Seminary, of Troy, the present incumbent.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- On August 31, 1814, the Presbyterian congregation was incorporated

Dance Makes

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WEST FARMS.

as "The First Presbyterian Church in the village of West Farms," and Robert Givan, Caleb Pell, Ebene- zer Waterbury, James Bathgate, James Renwiek and John B. Gillespie were elected trustees. The church was ereeted in 1815 and occupies the highest ground in the village. These are the pastors,-

1815 .

Rev. Isaac Lewis.

1819

Rev. Truman Osborne.

1821

Rev. Samuel Nott.

1823

. Rev. Joseph B. Felt.

1823

Rev. Thomas S. Wickes.

1824

Rev. Ithamer Hillsbury.

1824

Rev. E. D. Wells.

1825

Rev. J. D. Wickham.

1828

Rev. George Stebbins.

1835

Rev. William Gray.

.1836

Rev. M. I. Adam.

1841

Rev. James B. Ramsey.

1846

Rev. Charles Moase.

1847

Rev. Isaac Watts Platt.

1858

. Rev. George Nixon.

1876

Rev. C. W. Adams.

1880

. Rev. Willard Scott, present pastor.

The Union Presbyterian Church of Tremont was incorporated April 7, 1855. The first trustees were John Thain, John B. Fraser and Warren Bonney.

torch ww torres ~ -

BIOGRAPHY.

DANIEL MAPES.

Southold, Long Island, is one of the oldest English towns in the State, and was settled in the fall of 1640. Among the earliest of the settlers was Thomas Mapes, of English descent, the aneestor of the many families of the name found in various portions of the country. Thomas Mapes was not only one of the pioneers in Southold, but was also interested in the settlement of the town of Brookhaven, Long Island, and had a share in the various divisions of land in that town. He married Sarah, daughter of William Purrier, also among the first settlers of Southold. In 1683, Thos. Mapes was made freeman of the eolony of Conneeti- eut, of which Southold was a part at that time. He was taxed for £244, which shows him to have been a man of means. He went to Brookhaven in 1655, but returned to Southold in 1657, and died there in 1686. He possessed mueh land in Southold and one part known as " Mapes' Neek," was owned by his de- seendants for three generations. He left nine ehil- dren,-Thomas, William, Jabez, Jonathan, Abigail (wife of John Terrell), Sarah (wife of William Cole- man), Mary (wife of Barnabas Wines), Naomi and Rebecca (wife of Thomas Young, son of Rev. John Young, the first minister of Southold.)

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History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. I, Part 208

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898, ed Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co. Number of Pages: 1354

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898, ed
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1354