USA > New York > Queens County > Flushing > History of the town of Flushing, Long Island, New York > Part 11
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lowing year. The Journal was the only newspaper in Flushing until 1852, when George W. Ralph, started the Public Voice. The Public Voice continued about a year and a half. In 1855, Walter R. Burling, a compositor on the Journal, established the Long Island Times as a weekly. Thomas H. Todd, who afterwards established the Long Island Star (of Long Island City), and Eugene Lincoln, the founder of the Glen Cove Gazette, were also compositors on the Journal at this time. Burling issued the first daily in Flushing in 1865, when the Flushing Daily Times appeared. The two papers continued without further change, the Journal as a weekly and the Times with a slight change of name as a daily and weekly, until the death of Mr. Lincoln in 1869.6 After Mr. Lincoln's death, the Journal was con- tinued by his estate under the editorship of Joseph E. Lawrence, at one time editor of the Golden Era of San Francisco. In 1870 the Journal was purchased by E. B. Hinsdale, and William H. Gibson became the editor. Five years later, C. W. Smith purchased the Journal. In 1878
6 Charles Richmond Lincoln, was born in Dorchester, Mass., in 1806. He learned his trade as printer in New York. Here he began the publication of a daily paper called The Star. A fire destroyed his printing office shortly after the commencement of this enterprise. In 1836, he went to Greece with the Rev. Dr. Hill to act as printer to the Epis- copal mission established in Athens. After his return from Greece he came to Flushing.
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the Times became the property of the Rev. E. S. Fairchild, who edited it for about a year, when Walter R. Burling again became editor and proprietor. In 1879, Mr. Smith, proprietor of the Journal issued the first number of the Evening Journal. Thus Flushing had two dailies. The next change came in 1881, when the Long Island Times Publishing Company purchased the Times and engaged George R. Crowley as editor. About a year later the Times became the property of L. E. Quigg. Robert Wilson, the foreman of the Times, severed his connection with the paper at the time of its sale, and in 1883 established the Long Island News. Mr. Quigg was editor of the Times until 1886, when the paper was purchased by C. W. Smith of the Journal. Mr. Smith published both the Journal, and the Times until the following year, when he suspended the Daily Times and sold the Weekly Times to James H. Easton. Three years later, in 1890, the Journal was sold to J. H. Ridenour, the present editor and proprietor. In 1897, Mr. Easton sold the Long Island Times to the Flushing Pub- lishing Company, C. W. Smith returned to Flushing to become its editor, and the daily edition was revived. The Journal has within the last few years established a well- equipped job printing department, and has turned out some fine specimens of book making.
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Dr. Hawk's school had a short life. After four years, it was closed because of financial difficulties. The property was purchased by Gerardus B. Docherty, L L. D., and Dr. Carmichael. Dr. Carmichael withdrew after a year. 7 In 1845, Ezra Fairchild, who had conducted a boys' school in New Jersey since 1816, made arrangements with Dr. Docherty to take possession of St. Thomas's Hall, and bring his school from New Jersey to Flushing. Mr. Fair- child and his school came to Flushing, but Dr. Docherty, for some unknown reason, did not carry out his agreement concerning the surrender of St. Thomas's Hall. The school was forced to take refuge in the Pavilion. Here it was established for a year. Mr. Fairchild then took from Dr. Schroeder his unexpired lease of St. Ann's Hall. Later the property was purchased, and the old name of Flushing Institute was restored. The school and the name remain to-day. Under Mr. Fairchild and under his son, E. A. Fairchild, the present proprietor, 8 Flushing Institute has
1843
1845
1846
7 Dr. Docherty continued until 1848, when the Rev. William H. Gilder purchased the property and opened the Flushing Female College. Mandeville, p. 126.
8 The relationship between Master and pupils, at the Institute, is well illustrated by the following unique announcement of the opening of the fall term, which appeared in the New York dailies, Aug. 10, 1868: "Dear Boys-Trouble begins Sept. 15. E. A. Fairchild." This advertisement was copied far and wide. Harpers Monthly
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had a long and useful career. There are Institute boys all $ over the United States and in most of the Central and South American countries. 9
The same year that brought the Fairchilds to Flushing to re-establish the Institute, saw the opening of Sanford Hall, as a private asylum. Sanford Hall had been erected in 1836 by the Hon. Nathan Sanford, as a private resi-
reprinted it, with the note: "Is there extant a boy-be he boy of fifty or boy of ten-who will not appreciate the grim humor of the following advertisement." Mrs. Spofford, in the Galaxy, commented on it.
9 Many prominent men in these southern countries made their acquaintance with the English language at the Institute. Their initial efforts, preserved by the Principal, furnish some rare specimens of composition. Here is an essay on Divine Providence. "God has observing the order more maravillous and exact in life and death of man ; both are measure and regular of best way; and nothing is more evident than the wisdle of God in the poblation of world. In a number give of years, die a proportional number of lives of all ages. By thirty fifeth and thirty sixth, persons lives die one every one year ; but the proportion of birth is great. For tenth year in the same space and time and between the same number of individuals are birth twelve. In the fierst year about third children die generally one: in the fifeth one of every twenty fifeth; and so forth decrease the number of death till the age twenty fifeth, to another time begin increase. How evident is the care of the divina providence extend upon his creature till the same moment in which enter in the world, she watch and protect withou any distinction between the poor and rich, the great and small. The life is in extreme uncertain allthou by the . strong of the physical constitution some individual there are none subject to sickness, they can however strong he may safe by a contagion of one epidemic."
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dence. 10 It is said to have cost nearly $130,000. Mr. San- ford died soon after its completion. In 1844 it was bought by Dr. James Macdonald and his brother Gen. Allan Mac- donald. In the following year they moved their institution for the treatment of nervous diseases from New York, and established themselves in Sanford Hall. 11
Contemporary with the interest in education, was the development of agricultural interests. The Queens County Agricultural Society was organized in 1841, with Effingham Lawrence as its first President. The fifth Fair of the Society was held in Flushing. "The American Institute, of New York, held a plowing and spading match. There was a band of music from Governor's Island. The performers and dele- gates rode through the village in a wagon tastefully deco- rated, and drawn by thirty-six yoke of oxen. The exhibition- tent was decked with flowers from Flushing's far-famed
10 Sanford was elected U. S. Senator, 1815: in 1823, he succeeded Jas. Kent as Chancellor of the State of New York; in 1826, he was again elected U. S. Senator. He died in Flushing, Oct. 17, 1838.
11 Dr. McDonald died, in 1849. "His funeral took place on May 8th. . . The shops in the village were closed, and it was a day of sincere and general mourning. . . Thus passed away from the earth, one of God's noblest men, be- loved in life and lamented in death by all who knew him." Mandeville, p. 138.
Dr. Barstow was resident Physician of Sanford Hall for forty-one years. He moved to New York in 1895.
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1846
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nurseries. Dr. Gardener gave the address in the Reformed Church."
1
1848
The Board of Education was organized under an act of Legislature, in 1848. The first Board consisted of Ef- fingham W. Lawrence, Edward E. Mitchell, Samuel B. Par- sons, William H. Fairweather, and Thomas Leggett, Jr. But the history of Flushing's public schools goes back at least to 1843. In that year we find a Board of Trustees comprised of John W. Lawrence, John Wilcomb, William W. Valk, M. D., and Samuel Willet, Clerk, in charge of school district No. 5, which comprised the whole of the village and some additional territory. About this time, 1843, a new school-house was erected at a cost of $950. This school-house stood at the corner of Garden and Church streets, on what is now part of the lawn in the rear of Henry A. Bogert's house. Some time before 1844, the school established by the Flushing Female Association had re- ceived assistance from public funds. In that year this help was withdrawn, and the money was devoted to the school directly under the care of the trustees. Now came a critical period in the history of our public schools. To the wis- dom and perseverance of Samuel B. Parsons and Thomas Leggett, Jr., Flushing is indebted for the impetus given at that time to the interests of education. A larger and better
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school-house and better provisions for education were needed. But it was difficult to overcome the indifference of the people and their unwillingness to submit to a slight increase in the tax rate. Many stormy meetings were held. Finally, at a public meeting held Dec. 26, 1847, "it was re- solved, by a vote of thirty-seven to five, to raise three thousand dollars by tax, and to authorize the Trustees to sell the old building, to contract for a new one on the plan of the New York public schools, and to pro- pose a suitable site." In the next year (1848) many meetings were again held, and much discussion ensued concerning a site for the new school. The Legislature authorized "the Board to raise $6,500 by tax or mort. gage for the erection of a building, limiting the annual assessment to one-fifth of one per cent. on all taxable property in the District." The lot on Union street was purchased, and the school-house was built which was torn down in 1897. The school opened in November, with seven teachers and three hundred and eighty-one pupils. Thomas F. Harrison was the first Principal. From that time to the present there has been a constant growth in the size and efficiency of the schools.
The Village of Flushing did not grow rapidly at this 1851 period of its history. In 1851 it had a population of about
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2,000-not many more than it had at the time of its incor- poration. It, however, still maintained its reputation as a desirable place residence. Barbour's Historical Collections, published this year, speaks thus of our village: "Its various attractions, with great facility of communication with New York, have induced many wealthy citizens to locate in its immediate neighborhood. Some of the private residences are among the most imposing and splendid edi- fices in the State. The Village of Flushing contains a num- ber of flourishing literary institutions for both sexes. This place is also distinguished for its excellent nurseries of fruit. and other trees. "12
The year 1851 witnessed the establishment of another Church in Flushing, i. e. the First Congregational Church. The Council that was convened to accomplish its organiza- tion met in the school-house in Church street, July 1st. The Rev. D. C. Lansing, D. D., was chosen Moderator and William C. Gilman, Scribe. Among those present and taking part in the proceedings were the Rev. Dr. R. S. Storrs and the Rev. Dr. Henry Ward Beecher. The organization effected consisted of eighteen members, three of whom were received on profession of faith, eleven by letters from the
12 Historical Collections, p. 291 et sq.
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Reformed Church of Flushing, four by letters from other places. The first Pastor was the Rev. Charles O. Reynolds. The first Church-building of the society was dedicated, Jan. 29, 1852. It stood on the east side of Union street, south of the corner of Washington street. 13
On September 29th, of this year, the County Fair was again held in Flushing. "The delegation from the American Institute and invited guests rode from the steamboat wharf to the Fair grounds in a wagon drawn by fifty-six yoke of fine oxen, with music, under the escort of Bragg's horse guards and the Hamilton Rifles. . . There was a plowing match and a fine display of flowers and fruits. The horses . . . were of truer form and points than those at the State Fair."
Before another County Fair was held in Flushing a rail- 1854 road had been constructed between Hunter's Point and Flushing. It began operations in 1854. [The Flushing station was the present Main street station-then at the
13 The present Congregational Church was built in 1856. The old building was then moved to the rear of the new Church, and was used for a Sunday school. There it stood until a few years ago. Following is the list of Pastors of the Congregational Church: Rev. Charles O. Reynolds, 1851; Rev. S. Bourne, 1854; Rev. Henry T. Staats, 1860; Rev. Henry H. McFarland, 1863: Rev. Martin L. Williston, 1870; Rev. Albert C. Reed, 1873; Rev. James O. Averill, 1879; Rev. John Abbot French, D. D., 1881. Dr. French was not a stranger in Flushing when he was in- stalled as Pastor. He had some years before, from 1866 to 1868, served the Church as "Stated Supply."
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outer edge of the village. It was at first intended to run the road to Williamsburg, but this route was afterwards 1855 abandoned. 14 The effect of the railroad on the attendance at the next Fair, which was held in September, 1855, was very perceptible. The ten o'clock train brought nearly four hundred people. E. A. Lawrence, the Supervisor of the Town, met the guests, and made a speech of welcome, which was responded to by George W. Clinton, the orator of the day. They all then proceeded to the Fair grounds on Sanford avenue and Union street. The New York Times, in its account of the Fair, said: "There was one other production, however, which eclipsed everything else, both in number and beauty of the specimens-a production which, though by no means indigenous to Queens County, is nevertheless brought to a perfection there that one but seldom sees so general elsewhere. We mean, of course, the lovely women. Such a collection of elegant, well-bred, handsome, intelligent-looking, fascinating young ladies was surely never seen before."
1857
In 1857 the village limits were extended by removing the southern boundary, which formerly crossed Jamaica ,
14 The first Board of Directors: Wm. Smart, David S. Williams, Samuel B. Parsons, James Strong, Aaron C. Un- derhill, James W. Allen, Isaac Peck, John D. Locke, Jona- than Crane, Thomas Leggett, Jr., William H. Schermerhorn, George W. Quimby, D. S. Duncombe.
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avenue, just south of Sanford avenue, to Hillside avenue- then called Ireland avenue. There was little, if any change made at this time in the other boundary lines.
The next Fair in Flushing was held Sept. 22, 1858. The 1858 invited guests, in a carriage drawn by fifty-six oxen, accom- panied by "Sheldon's splendid band," drove through the principal streets. Fully seven thousand persons attended this Fair. The Fair was held on a ten-acre lot, belonging to Thomas Legett, Jr., 15 which was enclosed by a high board fence. "Simon R. Bowne exhibited twenty of his fine horses ; and E. A. Lawrence, a fat ox weighing 2500 pounds. Gabriel Winter contributed a floral temple. . . The pick- pockets reaped a harvest in a small way." In 1866, the Town of Hempstead gave to the Agricultural Society, for a nominal sum, the ground at Mineola where the County Fairs have since been held.
The year 1854 saw the completion of the present St. 1854 George's Church16 and the beginning of St. Michael's.
15 Back of the Town Hall, between Farrington street and Congress avenue.
16 This is the third Church built by St. George's parish. The second, now used for a Sunday school, was built in 1821. Grace Church, Whitestone, was part of St. George's parish until 1858, when it became an independent parish. St. Paul's Chapel, College Point, was built in 1860. All Saint's, Bayside, was built in 1892, and the district was set apart as a separate parish. Following are the Rectors of
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The former was consecrated, June 1st., by the Rt. Rev. Jonathan M. Wainwright, Provisional Bishop of New York. It cost $33,000. The corner stone of St. Michael's Church was laid June 24th. The Church was far enough advanced towards completion to admit of its being used for public worship on Christmas Day. It was not finished until two years later, when it was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Loughlin, Bishop of Brooklyn. 17
Within the same year the First Baptist Church of Flushing was organized, with the Rev. Howard Osgood as its Pastor. There were, at the time of the organization,
St. George's Church and the dates of their induction : Rev. William Urquhart, 1704: Rev. Thomas Poyer, 1710; Rev. Thomas Colgan, 1733; Rev. Samuel Seabury, 1757; Rev. Joshua Bloomer, 1769; Rev. William Hammell, 1790; Rev. Elijah D. Rattoone, 1797; Rev. Abram L. Clarke, 1803; Rev. Barzillai Buckley, 1809; Rev. John V. E. Thorne, 1820; Rev. William A. Muhlenberg, 1826; Rev. William H. Lewis, 1829; Rev. J. Murray Forbes, 1833; Rev. Samuel R. Johnson, 1834; Rev. Robert B. VanKleeck, 1835; Rev. Frederick J. Goodwin, 1837; Rev. George Burcker, 1844; Rev. J. Carpenter Smith, 1847; Rev. H. D. Waller, 1898.
17 The lot on which St. Michael's Church stands was purchased in 1841. A wooden building was erected in the same year, and used until the present Church was built, in 1854. St. Michael's parochial school was organized in 1851. The first school-house stood between the Church and rectory. In 1854, it was moved across the street. In 1880 the present school-house was built. The resident Pastors of St. Mich- ael's Church are as follows: Rev. Dennis Wheeler, 1848; Rev. John McMahon, 1851: Rev. James O'Beirne, 1853; Rev. Henry O'Loughlin, 1873; Rev. John McKenna, 1877; Rev. Eugene J. Donnelly, 1892.
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nine members. The first Church-building of this society was erected in the following year. It stood in Washington street, between Union street and Bowne avenue. In 1872, this building was moved to the corner of Jamaica avenue and Jaggar avenue, where it still stands, and is now used for a Public Library. The present Baptist Church, at the corner of Sanford avenue and Union street, was built in 1890. In the same year, the Park Branch of the Baptist Church was built. It is a neat chapel standing in Bowne avenue, Hitchcock Park. 18
The school property which had been known as St. 1860 Thomas's Hall, and later as the Flushing Female College, was purchased, in 1860, by the Rev. James O'Beirne for the Sisters of St. Joseph. This has since been the Mother House of the order. St. Joseph's Academy-a school for girls-was established by the Sisters, and has been in suc- cessful operation ever since. Its commanding location, its fine buildings and beautifully-kept grounds, make St.
18 Following are the Baptist ministers who succeeded the Rev. Howard Osgood : Rev. Frederick Graves; Rev. John Bray ; Rev. C. W. Nichols; Rev. John Higgs; Rev. D. Meason ; Rev. Harvey Alley ; Rev. R. T. Middleditch, D.D. ; Rev. L. F. Moore, 1875; Rev. A. S. Burrows, 1881 ; Rev. William Morrison, 1886; Rev. D. Powell Chockley, 1892 ; Rev. Charles E. Knowles, 1894.
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Joseph's Academy one of the very attractive features of the village. 19
1861
When the war of Rebellion broke out, it found in Flushing a well-organized company, ready to answer the call for troops. 20 The Flushing Guard was organized, about 1839, as Light Infantry, and was attached to the 93rd Regi ment, N. Y. S. M. At its first parade, in 1840, it had twenty-six uniformed men. In 1843, the company was changed to Artillery ; in 1845, it was again changed to Light Horse Artillery, and was attached to Storm's famous First Brigade. At that time it was commanded by Capt . William A. Mitchell, and was attached to Col. Hamilton's Regiment. The Battery offered its services at the outbreak of the Mexican war, but they were not accepted. In 1848, the Battery had won a reputation throughout the State, in Light Horse evolutions. Its drill called together many celebrated tacticians. It became known as the "Incom- parable" and was called "Bragg's Battery," in honor of the hero of Buena Vista.
19 The central portion of the Academy was built in 1868; the west wing, in 1872; the Chapel, in 1879. The school has about 130 pupils.
20 Another military organization in Flushing was the Hamilton Rifles, organized 1849. They made up Company A, in the 15th Regiment, N. Y. S. M. The 15th Regiment was made up of Queens County men and was commanded by Col. Charles A. Hamilton. Mandeville, p. 82.
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At the outbreak of the war, the Battery was commanded by Capt. Thomas L. Robinson, and was attached to the 15th Regiment, N. Y. S. M. When the call came for troops, in 1861, the regiment failed to offer its services. A committee of Flushing's citizens, therefore, proposed to the officers of the Battery that, if the Battery would enlist, the committee would equip the soldiers with all things needed. Permission having been received from Washington, the officers began recruiting to fill the ranks ; and the Flushing Battery was ready to march to Washington, Dec. 2, 1861, with five commissioned officers and one hundred and fifty men. 21 This was the only company organized in the county. Other volunteers joined companies and regiments elsewhere. Flushing furnished in all about two hundred and fifty volunteers during the war.
The Flushing Battery returned to the village, June 7, 1864, and was received with great enthusiasm. The company
21 The officers were: Capt. Thos. L. Robinson ; First Lieuts. Jacob Roemer and William Hamilton ; Second Lieuts. Henry J. Standish and William C. Rawolle. Captain Robinson was dismissed from service, March 4, 1862: Lieutenant Roemer, was promoted Captain and com- manded the Battery (known as Battery L. ) throughout the war. He was commissioned Byt. Maj. Dec. 2, 1864. Lieu- tenant Standish resigned, in 1862. The following officers also served in the Battery at different times during the war : First Lieuts. Moses E. Brush, Thomas Heasley; Second Lieuts. William Cooper, J. Van Nostrand, Chas. R. Lin- coln, Alonzo Garretson, J. J. Johnson, William E. Balkie, George H. Durfee. Major Roemer's Reminiscences.
1864
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marched down Main street to the Flushing Hotel, where a bountiful feast had been prepared for officers and men. On June 21st., the company was mustered out of service. 22
Flushing's first railroad ran through Winfield to Penny 1869 Bridge, leaving Woodside to the north. From Penny Bridge the road followed Newtown Creek to Hunter's Point. Conrad Poppenhusen and associates laid out a road
22 "The reception, given to the Battery by the citizens of Flushing, was an overwhelming one, and, doubtless, there are many still living in the village who will remember that joyful day. I can yet see the crowds filling the street, and cheering at the top of their voices as the brave boys of the 34th New York Battery entered the village. I know we marched down Main street to the hotel, where a splendid dinner was waiting for us, but how I reached the place I hardly know. Conducted by Mr. C. R. Lincoln, who took me by the arm, we marched through what seemed to me a sea of faces on either side, while the assembled multitude shouted, hurrahed, and showered us with flowers. We finally reached the hotel and were put in charge of my be- loved pastor. the Rev. Dr. J. Carpenter Smith. He led me to the head of the table in the dining room, and then, in behalf of the citizens of Flushing, bade my command and my- self partake of what they had provided for Flushing's heroes.
Near the close of the banquet, the following brief re- sume of the Battery's doings was given: 'This Battery has taken part in 57 different engagements, has marched 18,758 miles, and thrown from its guns during this time over 56 tons of iron. The whole number of enlisted men that have belonged to it during its four years' career is 271, of whom 19 yielded up their lives in the service of their beloved country, and 47 have been discharged for disabilities in- curred in the field, through wounds or disease.'"
Roemer's Reminiscences, pp. 302 et 8q.
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from Hunter's Point through Woodside, and thence directly to Bridge street. Before this road was built, the Poppen- husens purchased the old road east of Winfield. They then built the road from Hunter's Point through Woodside to Winfield, and also the College Point and Whitestone branch. This was in 1869. Later they completed their original line by running a road from Woodside directly to Bridge street. This road left Corona, Newtown, and Win- field some distance to the south. Thus the trains from Main street and the trains from Bridge street ran on two distant roads from Flushing to Woodside. This combina- tion of roads, now under the control of the Poppenhusens, was known as the Flushing and North Shore Railroad.
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