USA > New York > Kings County > Gravesend > History of the town of Gravesend, N.Y. > Part 6
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24
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GRAVESEND.
iting Rhode Island, he returned again to Long Island. : and appoint John Lake and John Simonson Elders of said He says: "we passed from Fhishing to Gravesend, where we had three precions meetings." This was in the latter part of July, 1672. Up to this time there is no evidence whatever that there was a Dutch church, or any other, in town.
From 1677 to 1684 the records of the Flatbush church, the oldest Dutch church on Long Island, give, in nn- broken line, the election of elders and deacons for the fonr Dutch churches of Kings county-Flatbush, Flat- lands, New Utrecht and Brooklyn-and mention no other church. Had there been, at this time, a church at Gravesend, it would certainly have been mentioned. In a census of Kings county, dated 1698, in a list of 31 freeholders in Gravesend, we find that nearly two-thirds of all, or 19 out of 31, are represented as English. This fact militates somewhat against the theory of a Dutch church at this time.
We furthermore learn that, even in 1704, there were still but the four Dutch churches above mentioned in Kings county, from the following report on the state of the Church of England in the province of New York, as laid before the ciergy convened at New York, Oeto- ber 5tli, 1704, by appointment of Lord Cornbnry. In reference to Long Island, the report says: " Kings county, consisting of four Dutch congregations, snp- plied formerly by one Dutch minister, but now without any, by the death of the late incumbent (Dominie Lu- pardus); they are sometimes supplied by the Rev. Mr. Vesey (reetor of Trinity, New York), when he finds all the English, and some of the Dutch, well affected to the Church of England."
The English settlers in Gravesend may therefore have availed themselves, occasionally, of the services of Rev. Mr. Vesey ; but up to this time, 1704, we are satisfied there was no Dutch church, or stated preaching, in town.
Two years after this, however, they began to hold regular services under the ministry of Dominies Free- man and Antonides, who were then acting (though not in harmony) as pastors of the Dutch churches of Kings county. These services continued from 1706 to 1741.
As evidence of this, we have found, on a detached fly-leaf of one of our old church books of record, the following entry made by Abram I. Labagh, who be- came pastor of the church in 1842. He there states that "receipts for Dominie's salary, most of them men- tioning Mr. Freeman's name as minister, are preserved from May 13, 1706, in unbroken succession, down to December 25, 1714." Since this latter date, the receipts are in the names of Revs. Freeman and Antonides, and reach to July 1st, 1741. Mr. Labagh further states that, among the old papers of the church, has been ; found one in the words following :
" Know all meu by these presents, that, we the Inhabit- auts of the Town of Gravesend. in Kings County, on the Is- land of Nassau, here underwritten. do nominate, constitute
town, and by these presents have nominated, constituted and appointed the said John Lake and John Simonson to com- pound a league with Mr. Cornelius Van Brunt and Mr. Peter Cortelyou, deputies of the town of New Utrecht. for the third part of all their divine service, which they have or shall have of Mr. Freeman and Mr. Antonides. ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ ; that is to have the said services in our said town of Gravesend, and as the said inhabitants. do promise and engage ourselves to hold for good faith, what said Elders shall do in agreeing for said service, and other considerations in the town's behalf, and for benefit of said ministers ; and we promise to perform every article or ar- ticles as the said Elders shall conclude of with said deputies. In witness our hand the 4th day of January, anno 171}." Signed:
Samuel Gerritsen, Cornelius Van Cleef, Daniel Griggs. Stephen Corten, Ferdenand Van Sicklin, Jan. Ryder. Nicho- las Williamsen, Thomas Stillwell, Benj. Griggs, Barent Jan- sen, Seger Gerretson. Jan. Lucasson, Wm. Williamson. Adam Nickelson, Samuel Polings, Bernardus Ryder."
These papers, above referred to, were long ago lost or destroyed, as they can now nowhere be found among any of the church papers, and all we have to show is : the copy above given.
But these facts prove two things, first, that regular divine service began to be held in Gravesend in 1:00 : and second, that in 1714 a formal arrangement was entered into, between the inhabitants of Gravesend and the officers of the church of New Utrecht, for one- third of the regular services of thetwo Dutch ministers on Long Island. The question now arises, had they 2 church building at this time ; or, did they hold their services in private honses after the manner of the Quakers ? Our theory is, that, about the time they began their regular church services, they also erected their first house of worship. We know that, in 1720. a church building was already in existence. We are indebted to Judge William HI. Stillwell for the lis- covery of an old deed (rec. in the Kings county Regis- ter's office), dated June 25, 1720, whereby Samuel Poling conveyed to Thomas Stillwell, among other property, "two garden spots, bounded northerly by land I of Thomas Stillwell, and southerly by ground checon the meeting-house stands. East by the highway, and west by the counnon yard and the street leading to the common yard." He also sells " one right in the meeting. honse and ground."
It is clearly evident, therefore, that a building existed at this time, and the strong probability i- that it was built about the time regular preaching began. The description of the above property fixes the precise location of the first Dutch church upon the property now belonging to that body, and occupied by the present lecture room. The location of the church property, therefore, has never been changed since it was first purchased, although it has been since some- what enlarged. Consequently, the theory that the first house of worship was moved. after it was built, to the site of the present church, we consider untenable.
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25
THE ORIGINAL DUTCH CHURCHI.
We further conclude there was no church organiza- tion until more than 50 years after regular preaching began. The grounds for this conclusion are as fol- lows :
First. The authority granted in 1714 to John Lake and John Simonson, as we have seen, to negotiate with Cornelius Van Brunt and Peter Cortelyou, ellers of the New Utrecht church for the services of Dominies Freeman and Antonides, was given by sixteen of the inhabitants of Gravesend. Now, had there been an organized church here at this time, this arrangement would have been the legitimate work of the consis- tory, and not of the inhabitants of the town.
Secondly. The old deed of 1720, above referred to, evidences that the church building then standing did not belong to a corporate body, as would be likely, had there been a church organization, but to private indi- viduals ; else how could Samnel Poling sell to Thomas Stillwell " one right in the meeting-house and ground."
Thirdly. In the oldest record we have of the Gravesend church, we find entered, under the heading of "Communicants," June 27, 1763, the nanies of 21 members, 15 male and 6 female. In another part of 'the same book, and under the same date, we find the names of 3 elders and 3 deacons elected. These entries are the first indication we can anywhere find of either consistory or communicants.
We consider it, therefore, a warrantable conclusion, that 1763 is the date of the regular church or- ganization. It is true that the names of baptized chil- dren began to be entered upon the record in 1714, the date of the New Utrecht compact; but, beside this, there is no record of any kind till the date we have supposed to be that of the formal organization of the church in 1763; and from this time the list of commu- nicants, and that of elders and deacons, continnes un- broken to the present day.
The old church record was kept in the Dutch lan- guage till about 1823, when it first began to be written in English.
A second church building was erected, most probably about the time the church was formed, in 1763. Judge Nicholas Stillwell, now advanced in age, tells us he well remembers hearing his uncle, Rutgert Stillwell, speak of the building of the second church upon the site of the old one; and of its smaller dimensions. The circumstances connected with its erection were indehbly impressed upon his mind, from the fact that he was then a school-boy, and during intermission was acens- tomed to cross the street and watch the builders at their work. Mr. Stillwell was born in 1:51; and, if the building was erected, as we have supposed it, in 1763, he would then be a school-boy of 12 years, just the age to be forcibly impressed with an event of this char- acter.
tainty, and if the result of recent investigations can throw any light upon the subject, it will be heartily welcomed.
There are many still living who remember well the second house of worship, and who will recognize the following description: It was somewhat different from the ordinary style of church architecture among the Dutch of this date, viz., the round, or six, or eight- square style, which was most commonly adopted. This was oblong in shape, very low, with double-pitched roof. facing the south, and having double doors in the cen- ter. The sides, as well as the roof, were shingled, ac- cording to the custom of those days. The inside was ceiled, top and sides, with boards, and painted a dull. dingy brown. There was but one aisle, and this ex- tended through the center of the church. In this aisle were two strong pillars supporting the roof, one of them only about 10 feet in front of the pulpit. A gallery crossed the south end, where, it is said, the young men were wont to congregate. Under the gallery, on the west side, were the negro-quarters, having the appear- ance of being fenced in, and belonging exclusively to them. In the north end of the church was the pulpit, a plain, octagonal, box-like structure, only large enough to accommodate one man at a time. Upon the building was a spire, which contained a belfry and bells: and over all, a weather-cock of burnished brass. no doubt to warn the devout worshippers against the sin of Peter. This old church, within the memory of those now living. was without stoves, or any other heating appliance -. The women carried their foot-stoves, which, before s. r- vice, they were very careful to fill at the nearest neigli- bor's; while the men were compelled to sit, during ill the long service, with nothing to generate beat but the grand old Calvinistic preaching of the Dutch Dominic. or the anticipation of a warm dinner after the service was over.
In this church the celebrated Whitfield preached on two occasions while in this country. Mr. Rutgert Still- well, above mentioned, remembered hearing him, and the text he used on one occasion was from Jolin xii: 32. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all | men unto me."
This building continued to be used for worship until the close of the year 1833, when it gave place to the present edifice. The subject of building a new and more modern house of worship was first officially con- sidered at a meeting of consistory, held Nov. 30, 1532. at the house of Elder George Suydam, in the first year of the pastorate of Rev. I. P. Labagh.
The consistory then appointed a committee consist- ing of Garret Stryker, Nicholas S. Williamson, and Samnel I. Garritsen, " to estimate the cost of a suitable house, and what, in their opinion, each individual ought to subscribe towards it." After various meetings in reference to it, and the appointment of several commit-
We have been thus particular, because, hitherto, this whole matter has been involved in doubt and under- tees, it was finally resolved, at a meeting held Feb. 3.
26
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GRAVESEND.
1833, " to build a house 45x62 feet; to build it by day's work and not by contract; and that Henry Van Dyck should be the builder."
The above committee of estimate were appointed a building-committee, to take full charge of the whole matter, and draw upon the treasurer as necessity re- quired. The sum of $3,833 had already been raised among the congregation.
An effort was at first made to change the location, but the matter was finally settled by enlarging their present ground by the purchase of some adjoining land of Mr. C. A. Emans.
The third house of worship was completed near the close of 1833. The building-committee were appointed to take charge of the sale of the pews, and also, as soon as convenient, to procure a bell from the city of New York.
The pews were rated at $6,550, but the subsequent sale realized $8,062; so that this church began its his- tory free from debt, and has so continned to the present day.
The first Sunday in January, 1834, was appointed for the dedication, and Rev. Dr. De Witt, of New York, was invited to preach the sermon.
The Consistory of the church at this time was com- posed of the following members : Rev. Isaac P. La- bagh, President; Garrett Stryker, John S. Gerritson, John S. Voorhees, Stephen Stryker, Elders; John Van Dyck, Samuel I. Gerritsen, Nicholas S. Williamson, Richard J. Stillwell, Deacons; Samuel G. Stryker, Clerk.
In 1849, in consequence of the cracking of the old bell, through the instrumentality of the ladies of the congregation a new one was procured, remarkable for its clear silvery tone. It can be heard for miles around, calling the devont to worship, and rebuking the great tide of Sabbath desecration which flows past it to the sea.
Although the present building is exceedingly plain in external appearance, yet its interior presents a pleas- ant, home-like attractiveness, which gives universal satisfaction.
Ministers .- The church was supplied, as we have seen, by Revs. Freeman and Antonides from 1705-41 ; Arondeous from 1741-6 ; and occasionally supplied by Van Sinderin from 1746-65. In 1767 Martinus Schoon- maker, who was two years before licensed to preach, became pastor of the church of Gravesend and Harlem. In the old church book are his half-yearly receipts for salary, written in Dutch, invariably given for seventeen pounds and ten shillings, making his yearly salary for Gravesend, £35. In 1783 he became pastor of the six Dutch churches in Kings county, and could then give this church only one Sabbath in six. In 1787 Rev. Peter Lowe became his colleague, and occasionally preached in Gravesend, and is now most affectionately remembered by some of our oldest inhabitants.
Dominie Schoonmaker preached in the Dutch language, Rev. Mr. Lowe in the English. In 1808 the collegiate arrangement between the churches of Kings county was dissolved; and each church carried on its own work in its own way. Dominio Schoonmaker continued to supply all the Dutch churches in the county, until he died, in 1824. Dominic John Bassett preached in Gravesend from 1811-'24. In 1832 the church made a formal call upon Rev. Isaac P. Labagh, who accepted, and became the first settled resident pastor of this church. He was called at an annual salary of $500. He remained till 1843, when he was succeeded by Rev. Abram I. Labagh, who had been pastor of the Reformed church at St. Thomas, W. I. He continued pastor for seventeen years. In 1859 Rev. M. G. Hansen, a recent graduate of Rutgers College (1856), and New Bruns- wick Seminary (1839), became pastor of the church. IIe resigned in 1871, and the pulpit was vacant for nearly a year.
In 1872 Rev. A. P. Stockwell, a graduate of Am- herst College (1862), and Union Theological Seminary (in 1865), and at that time associate pastor of the Re- formed church at Millbrook, Dutchess county, ac- cepted a call to the pastorate of this church. He was installed February 29, 1872, and still remains pastor, having entered upon the twelfth year of his ministry to this people.
The financial condition of the church was never better than at present, 1883 ; with not a dollar of debt, and with $500, a legacy recently left the church by Walter Nichols, Esq., of Jamaica, now in bank. The benevo- lent contributions for the past few years have also been largely in excess of any previous period of the same length in the history of the church.
The additions to the membership for the past eleven years have been about 125 ; and we are happy to say that the church at the present time shows a very united, prosperous and progressive condition.
Parsonage .- At a meeting of the consistory, held September 21, 1844, the question of building a parson- age was taken into consideration, and a resolution passed, that it was expedient to proceed forthwith to build, and a committee was appointed to find suitable location. At a subsequent meeting, held September 29, they reported in favor of two acres of land belong- ing to Mr. John I. Lake, which could be purchased for $600. This report was adopted, and the committee granted full power to purchase. The old church build- ing-committee were appointed to take charge of this work, and authorized to proceed at once to business.
The parsonage was to be built, like the church, by day's work, and Lawrence and Jacobus Ryder were appointed builders. The house was completed during this year-a substantial wooden-builling, two stories and basement, and shows to-day the honest and thorough Inbor done upon it.
Chapels .- At a meeting of consistory, hekl June
CHURCHES-CEMETERIES-LIBRARIES-LODGES.
13, 1833, Mr. John Bergen and Mr. John Lake were ap- pointed a committee, with power to act in conjunction with the ladies of the congregation, in taking the neces- sary steps to secure a site and build a lecture-room in the village.
After much opposition, and a strong protest against it, on account of lack of space, the site was finally located on the church-grounds, and on the very spot where stood the first and second church-buildings. It was completed in 1854, a neat and comfortable house, about 25x45 feet. In 1879 a gallery was made aeross one end, and fitted up for an infant-class-room, having sliding-doors so arranged that the upper and lower rooms ean be thrown into one, during the opening and. closing exercises of the Sabbath-school.
In 1868 another lecture-room was built in the eastern district, in which to hold the sessions of the Sabbath- school of that neighborhood, the weekly prayer-meet- ings, and a monthly preaching-service. The land, 50x 125 feet, was donated by Mr. Simon C. Gerritsen, and a neat building, 25x36 feet, was erected thereon.
James S. Voorhees was the builder, and the cost $1,820.
The Sheepshead Bay M. E. Church was organ- ized in 1840 with five or six members, at the house of Samuel Leonard. The first church-building was a small wooden edifice, costing about $800, and erected in 1844, the lot being purchased in September of that . year. It was afterwards sold to District No. 4, and used as a day-school until the erection of a new school- house. In 1869 the present church-building was erected on MeKane avenue. It is a small frame-build- ing like the first, with seating capacity for about 150 or 200 persons. The society, when first organized, was called the Methodist Protestant Church, and so con- tinued till 1862, when it became the Independent Metho- dist Church of Gravesend. Rev. Charles Battersby was then the pastor. It retained this name for three years, and then became the Methodist Episcopal Church, which is its present status. The first superintendent of the Sabbath-school was Samuel Leonard. This office has been, for many years past, and is now, most eredit- ably filled by Mr. John Y. MeKane, supervisor of the town. The school numbers about fifty scholars, with 300 volumes in the library.
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Regular pastors : Revs. Messrs. Russell ; Staneliff ; Baker ; Morris ; C. Battersby ; N. Orchard ; Morris (second time) ; J. Henson ; J. H. Battersby ; J. Nel- son ; Fawcett ; C. Backman ; and the present pastor, C. W. Powell. During a part of this time the pulpit was supplied by local ministers, whose names are not re- corded.
The present condition of the church may be consid- ered favorable, and there is a movement already on foot to build a new church, in a more suitable and con- venient location.
The M. E. Church, at Unionville, was organized
in 1844, and the house of worship erected the same year. It is called " The Fisherman's Church." The name was taken from the fact that many fishermen, from farthe: east on Long Island, were accustomed to seek the quiet waters of Gravesend bay to spend the Sabbath; and to give these mon a place and encouragement to worship on the Sabbath, seems to have been a strong induce- ment to build the church and give it its present name. The church was dedicated by Rev. Henry Chase, of the N. Y. East Conference, for many years pastor of the Mariner's church, in Rosevelt street, New York. The first pastor of the church was Lorenzo D. Nicker- son, still living. He belonged to the cireuit which in- cluded Unionville, two years before he joined Confer- ence, and two after. He stands on the minutes as hay- ing charge of New Utrecht, which included the Union- ville members, in 1844. The next year Fort Hamilton was substituted for New Utrecht.
The first superintendent of the Sunday-school was Mr. Randall, of Gravesend. It is a live church, enter- ing heart and soul into every good work.
Pastors : 1846-7, E. O. Bates; 1848-9, J. D. Boutan; 1850, James McBride; 1851-2, Benjamin _ Redford; 1853-4, Edward K. Fanning; 1955-7, John F. Booth; 1858-9, William Wake; 1859-60, Ezra K. Miner; 1861-3, Robert Roberts; 1864-6, H. C. Glover; 1867-5, Wm. H. Russell; 1889-70, Lorenzo D. Nickerson (sec- ond time); 1871-2, Nicholas Orchard; 1873-5, Samuel A. Seaman; 1876-8, Alexander MeAlister; 1879-81; Henry C. Glover (second time); 1882-3, Wm. H. Rus- sell (second time).
Coney Island Chapel .- In the year 1868 a Sunday- school was started upon Coney Island, the first sessions being held in the basement of the Wyekoff hotel. The need of a more suitable place for holding their services soon became apparent; and a chapel was suggested. where both Sunday-school and preaching-services could be held. The idea was brought to the notice of Thomas Bell, Esq., of Parkville, a kind-hearted and liberal man, who at once seconded the suggestion; and, to make the enterprise an immediate suecess, offered to advance the money to begin operations without delay. Accordingly, Messrs. Win. HI. Stillwell, John S. Ryder, and Edmund Williams, were constituted a building- committee, and immediately set to work. Oscar D. Way received the contract for building the new chapel, at a cost of $850; the bell, fencing, painting, etc., bringing the sun total up to $1,250. Of this sum $600 was raised among the people, and $650 advanced by Mr. Bell. After a trial of six or seven years the enter- prise was, for a time, abandoned, and the chapel sold to Distriet No. 1 for a day-school. After a few years of suspended animation the Sunday-school has again revived, and now is prospering under the efficient su- perintendence of Mr. Peek. A larger and more com- modions chapel is in process of erection in a much pleasanter part of the island, and the future of the
28
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GRAVESEND.
present movement seems brighter than ever before. In ; was incorporated Sept. 7, 1850, under the name of 1864 Mr. Bell was also instrumental in having another church built in the western part of the town, near Unionville, for the colored population, called The Af- rican Zion M. E. Church.
Catholic Churches .- About 1869 a church was erected at Sheepshead Bay. It is a frame edifice, and, externally, inviting in appearance. Father James McKiverton is the officiating priest. In 1880 another handsome Catholic church was erected at Co- ney Island. Both of these churches are well attended by the Catholic element of the community.
Thus we have, in all, seven churches in the town of Gravesend.
Cemeteries .- The oldest in Gravesend is the old town burying-ground, dating back very nearly, if not quite, to the early settlement of the town. It is situ- ated nearly in the center of the south-west town square, and is for public nse, being used mostly by the old inhabitants, whose families have for many years been buried there. Eventually it will, probably, cease to be used for burial-purposes; since many fami- lies now own lots in Greenwood, and the number is con- stantly increasing.
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The earliest record we find, relating to this cemetery, is the recorded will of John Tilton, one of the early and prominent settlers of Gravesend, and for many years town-clerk. This will is dated Jan. 15, 1687, wherein he devises land in Gravesend for a burying-ground, " for all persons in ye everlasting truth of ye gospel as occasion serves, forever to have and to hold, and to make use of to bury their dead there."
This land is known to cover a part of the present burial-ground, as no other has been used for this pur- pose since the first settlement of the town. It is also probable that this land of John Tilton's was adjoining, and intended to enlarge, the original burying-ground.
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