USA > New York > Kings County > Flatlands > History of the town of Flatlands, Kings County, N.Y.; reprinted from "The illustrated history of Kings county" > Part 4
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The original school-house of District No. 1 probably stood on Hubbard's Lane, opposite Jolin L. Willians- son's. On February 3d, 1696-7, the heirs of Elbert Elbertse, viz., Garrett Stoothoof, Thos. Willes and Jal Van Duyckhuiseu, deeded to Court Stevense, Derick Amertman and Claes Peterse, for themselves and others, freeholders, etc., premises described as follows : " All that house and garden spot, as it is now in fence. lying * * in the town of flatlands, adjoining * to the house and land of fferdinanno vasyeklyn, and how used and occupied for a school-house for said town." Van Sickelin lived at the southeast corner of the church-los, where his son Johannes lived in 1747.
Confirmatory of this view is the fact that on the next day, viz., February 4th, 1697, the Stoothoff heirs, who seem to have been engaged in settling up the estate, conveyed to the same parties, " Elders of the Dutch Church of fllatlands," the church-lot and burying- ground, and describe the latter as " Bounded north by Tunis Janse's fence, south by the pound, west by the highway," with the church-lot at the east. Thus the whole of the present school-lot and burial-ground is included, without any mention of the school-hon-e being then upon it, and excluding the Van Syekolen lands from contiguity. The evidence seems conclusive that the original school-house stood east from the resi- dence of John B. Hendrickson.
A new school-house seems to have been built about this time. Between September, 1694, and August. 1697, the Deacons paid " for the school-house " in vari- ous items of material and work, no less a sum than 8654.40, which could not have been for repairs. Probi- bly, at this time, the new school-house was placed on a :. mumused part of the burial ground. The lot does
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SONS OF TEMPERANCE.
in 1696 as the school-house lot must, soon after this, have fallen into private hands, for, in 1729, it is deeded by Abram Westervelt, and Margaret, his wife, to the Town, together with an acre where the house of B. Stafford now stands. We know that the school-house was near its present location in 1733, for in that year Pieter Wyckoff conveys " a certain piece of land adjoin- ing the school-lot, being in breadth two rods and in length as far as the school-lot runs, bounded southerly by said school-lot, northerly by ground of said pieter Wyckof, westerly by the highway, and easterly by the land belonging to the church." The school-house first placed within the original lines of the grave-yard, in 1699, was extensively repaired about 1765, the work having been begun in 1762, simultaneously with the extensive improvements and enlargement of the church. At this time the sum of 8356 was paid for materials and work " for the school-house." In 1771 "a well for the school-house " cost £1, 11s. 3d.
In April, 1816, the town ordered a new school build- ing. It was completed and occupied two years later, and the old house sold to Nicholas Schenck for 820. This new building continued to be used by the school until 1861, when it was sold to Jolm L. Ryder for a carriage-house. The school-lot was fenced in by the trustees, as such, in 1861, by advice of counsel. The building of 1861 was enlarged to more than twice its former capacity in 1876, and now affords ample space for four school departments.
District No. 2 is located in Flatlands Neek. The present school-house was built, by subscription, in 1835, but the District was not regularly. organized under the General School Law until 1843. A school had been taught, however, in that neighborhood for many years. As far baek, indeed, as 1811, it seemed to have been a well established institution, and was then taught by Mr. Dean, licensed by John Baxter, as School Inspec- tor. In 1813 Jolin Kouwenhoven took charge ; Mr. Wilson in 1817, Mr. Trumbull, 1818-1821 ; Messrs. Ephingstone and Wethersby to 1833. In that year Abram Van Keuren took charge, and he remained until 1850. After him were A. C. MeLeod, L. C. Weld, W. C. Pilling, Alex. Smith, G. S. Smith, (A. Van) Keuren, G. D. Anderson, S. J. Brown, Geo. Forbes, J. M. Barr, and the present teacher, John L. Williamson.
District No. 3, at Canarsie, was organized Angust 21st, 1844, and reorganized November 13th, 1860, as a Union Free School District. By permission of the town, the school-house was built on a part of the bury- ing-ground on the road to the shore. This was used till 1875, when a large and commodious school-house was completed. On September 2d, 1875, the school marched with martial music to their new building. The first teacher of this District was Rev. John A. Morris, who also preached on Sabbath. His successors were : C. W. Richardson, 1852 ; Win. Clark, 1853 ; Clement Clark, 1855 ; F. B. Ladd and Dan. Manstiekl for short
periods until 1860 ; J. A. Morris until 1867 ; John M. Barr till 1870, and after him Henry A. Harrison and E. L. G. Payne, the present Principal. The assistant teachers have been Miss Mary Abbie Morrison, Mrs. Elizabeth De Groot, Daniel Jepson, Mrs. Brown and Miss Jansen.
The office of Town Superintendent of Schools, while in vogue, was held by Wm. Kouwenhoven, Elias Hub- bard, Cornelius B. Kouwenhoven, John L. Ryder and Rev. J. T. M. Davie. The office of County Suprin- tendent was held the last term but one, next before the present incumbent, by Voorhees Overbaugh, the veteran Principal of the school in District No. 1.
Sons of Temperance .- Early in 1866, and mainly through the efforts of Rev. C. Brett, pastor of the Ref. Church, an application was made to the Grand Divi- sion, S. of T., Eastern N. Y., and a charter received as Suburban Division No. 48, Sons of Temperance. The charter members were Rev. C. Brett, J. L. Bergen, John Remsen, W. W. Kouwenhoven, Asher Anderson, G. D. Anderson, J. Flemming, P. Kouwenhoven, Jr., J. D. Magaw, S. W. Remsen, G. Schenek, W. K. Rem- sen, W. II. Cornell, J. V. Brundage, Theo. Bergen and S. W. Stoothoof. The first meeting was held and offi- cers installed May 21st, 1866. The meetings were held weekly and have continued uninterruptedly to the present time. The following have presided in the Division : J. L. Bergen, J. Reisen, G. Schenck, J. V. Brundage, A. D. Selover, L. II. Sinith, W. W. Kou- wenhoven, II. M. Hitehings, C. Bergen, C. Brett, G. D. Anderson, B. Bryan, H. Patou, G. S. Kouwenhoven, T. B. Woolsey, Miss Sarah Hendrickson, Elias Hendrick- son, V. Overbagh, P. Remsen, N. Emmans and J. J. Van Wyck. The membership has steadily increased until it now numbers 60, mostly the young men of the village. The meetings are well attended, and the whole influence has been of an elevating character. When the society organized there were four rum-selling places in this part of the town. Now there is but one.
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Barren Island .-- The most southerly point of Flat- lands is Barren Island, wholly composed of white sand and lying in the inlet of Jamaica Bay. Its length lay formerly north and south, but it now extends in greatest length east and west. The area of the island has very considerably decreased within the memory of persons now living; meanwhile, the point of Rockaway Beach has steadily extended westward several miles. Years ago the island was destitute of trees, producing ouly sedge, affording coarse pasture. Sixty years ago cedar trees sprung up over the island, furnishing a roosting-place for vast numbers of crows. Few trees now remain.
The Indian title was relinquished, according to the following deed, never before published :
Know all men, &c., that we, Wawmatt Tappa and Kack- a-washke, the right and true proprietors of a certain island called by the Indians Equeudito, and by the English Broken Lands, lying, &c., &c., in consideration of two coats, one
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BARREN ISLAND.
kettel, one gun, one new trooper-coat, ten fathoms of wam- pum prage, three shirts, six pounds of powder, six barrs of lead and a quantity of Brandie wine, already paid unto us by John Tilton, sen., and Samuel Spicer, of Gravesend. L. I., Do, &c., sell, &c., the said Island called Equendito. &c., with all our right *
* * both of upland and mardes, any way belonging thereto, as the Straun Beach or Beaches, as namely that running ont more westerly, with the Island adjoining, and is at the same time by the ocean sea wholly inclosed, called hoopaninak and Shanscomacocke and marut- teris, as also all the harbors. &c .. to the said John Tilton and Samuel Spicer * *
* excepting only to ourselves the one- half of all such whale-fish that shall by wind and storms be cast upon the said Island. In witness whereof we have set our hands this 13 day of the 3 month, called May, Anno, 1664.
mark
BAMBRAS, als WAWAMATT TAPPA.
mark
KACHA-WASHKE
Acknowledged and subscribed in presence of Cawmenorke,
Orawase, Anascorah, Poundgar, Mawascorhere, John M Wil- son, Obediah Wilkins, Pieter Tilton. mark
This original Indian deed bears an assignment by Tilton and Spicer, dated " the 2d day of the 3d month, called May, 1681, to Elbert Elbertsonn, his heirs," etc.
The island was of little value for many years, only affording a seant pasture for young cattle and colts. A rude house at the east end, where fishermen and sportsmen were entertained, was occupied about the close of the last century by one Dooley, who was called " The King of the Island." Afterwards this honse was kept by Johnson, with whom Gibbs, the pirate, and his associates lodged, in 1830 (after burying a large num- ber of Mexican dollars in the sand), the night before their arrest at Sheepshead Bay. (See History of Town of Gravesend). A Yankee named Cherry, with his large family, lived in a dng-out at the west end for a long time, until he succeeded to the public house, which he kept as late as 1860.
In 1835 the island was held in undivided fifths by the following. parties : 1, Peter Voorhees and Eliza Ann Voorhees ; 2, Isaac and Jolm TerInme; 3, Geo. Lott ; 4, II. I. Lott : 5, Nelson Shaw. Geo. Lott dying in January of that year, the island, in June, was divided in severalty, except the western end, a part of which was known as "Pelican Beach." About 1842 the channel shifted so as to ent off this beach, and by the filling up of the old channel, called "Plum Gut," it became a part of Coney Island, and is now occupied by the Manhattan Beach Improvement Company.
Meantime the fortunes of the island advanced. A bone-boiling establishment was erected on the north side abont 1845 by Win. B. Reynolds. It was ocenpied afterwards by Frank Swift. To this, dead animals from New York and Brooklyn were brought. This factory was blown down mid a new one erected in 1866 by R. Recknagle. A previously built factory near the same
site had been burnt. At the present time, the great Rendering and Fertilizer Fuetory of P. White & Sons is the successor of these establishments. It was built in 186s and burnt in 1878; hence the five present billings are new. They cover, with dockage, about four acres. Thirty dead animals are received daily, and render their last service to humanity. Every part of the animal, to the last flake of hair, goes to its appro- priate use. About 2,000 tous of fertilizers are produced annually, of four general sorts, viz .: phosphates, bone Inst, gnano substitutes and combinations adapted to particular crops. Cleanliness and care to prevent offen- sive smells are constant, and are rewarded with fair success: and, if the success is not all that is desirable, it would be hard to find a better place for doing this necessary work in disposing of dead animals.
The largest concern on the island is E. Frank Cod's Fertilizer Factory, at the west end, established in 1877. Au immense building, 360x224 feet, with yards and dock, affords ample space. A 160 horse power engine and 80 men (sometimes more) are employed. The materials used in preparing fertilizers for market are Peruvian guano from Curaco, bone dust, in part from the sugar refineries of the cities, Charleston stone, and menladen scraps from the fish-rendering establish- ments on this island. One and a half tons of sulphuric acid are consumed daily, and from 40 to 50 tons of phosphates are daily made ready for use. The makers find it difficult to supply their orders, mostly from the sontlı.
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The fish-oil factories of Barren Island are interesting institutions. There are five of them, though one is idle at present. The first was built by Smith & Co. on the north side of the island, about 1800. In 1868 Vania- time Coon, who had worked with Smith, built on the east end, and carried on the eoneern some six years ; when it was bought by Louis C. De Homage, M. D., who continues it and has built a new factory near the oldl one. Steam power is used and about 40 men and three steamers are employed. The establishment can handle half a million of fish daily.
The Barren Island Menhaden Company occupies premises near the above. Oscar O. Freedlander, 36 Broadway, N. Y., is managing director. This factory was begun in 1868, by Goodkind Brothers, who, like Coon, had been with Smith. It occupies three build- ings, each 100x70 feet ; employs three steamers in fishing, an engine of 40 horse power and about 50 men. The company can handle one and a half millions of fish in a single day, but 2,000,000 per week is considered a fair average catch.
The fish-rendering factory of Jones & Co., at the west end, is of about the capacity of the one just described.
The Hocking Brothers' Fish Oil, and Fish Guano Factory, was built at the west end in 1869. Stem power, fifty men and three steamboats are employed
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BARREN ISLAND.
from May Ist to the middle of November. About 20,000,000 fish are worked up annually, producing about 80,000 gallons of oil.
We may here give a brief account of this industry. The fish used are almost exclusively the menhaden or " mossbunker," an oily and bony species unfit for food ; and long used in the natural state for manure. They pass up the Atlantic coast in immense shoals and are dipped into by fishermen with long seines. For- merly sailing vessels, but now steamers, each with a crew of 12 men and two foss boats, each 20 feet long, are used. The net swoops in a vast number of fish, which are hoisted into the vessel's hold ; and when this is full they are brought to the factory wharf, thrown
in a measuring tub and thence into strong wooden ! for boiling. The boiling is done by admitting steam, and then they are placed in perforated boiler-iron entre and the oil is separated by hydraulic pressure. There! is used by tanners, in making ship-cordage, and in varios other ways; and the refus fish are dried on boardpat. forms, of one or two acres in extent, and soll at da phosphate factories on the island.
This industry employs at the island some 350 fre and a fleet of 10 steamers. Altogether there are em- ployed in all the works uot less than 500 men. triet school is maintained; a regular forts confier! with Canarsie, and several of the factoris car. com etoi with their New York officers by telephone.
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