USA > New York > New York City > Old New York : a journal relating to the history and antiquities of New York City, Vol. I > Part 4
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Turtle Bay in 1852 1857. 198: 1858. 600.
Union, Ferry Boat 1859, 604. 1
Union Park 1849. 50.
Union Square in 1856 1857, 72.
University of New York 18448, 306.
Upper Part of the Island, Plan of the
1854. 545.
Valentine. D. T .. Portrait of
1859. face title.
Van Nest, Residence of Abraham __ 1854. 529.
Van Twiller. Lawsuit Decided by Wouter
1850. 487.
Varian House 1856. 51>.
Vauxhall Garden in 1:03 1856. 470.
View of New York and Governor's Island in 177 1552. 176. 1851, 270.
View of New York in 17 7
View of the City in 1746 1549, 26.
View of the City in 1792
1×0, 0%.
Village Lots in New York City
Wall Street. City Hall in
1-47. face tile.
Wall Street. Tontine Building in 1.52. 455. I I 1 1
Walton House
1-49. 331.
Walton House in 1549 1857. 494. 1 t
Ward's Island 1859. 484.
Washington Hall 153. 450.
Washington Institute and City Reservoir 1553. 134.
Washington Marker
Washington's Letter. ITT5 151. 476.
Washington's Pew in St. Paul's Church 1-59. 450.
Washington's Statue in 1556 1557. 720.
Washington - Writing. Fac Simile of 1$50. 424.
Water Street. Ilouse on 1-57. 169.
Water Street. Old House on 1857. 329.
Waterworks Money. 1.50. 268.
White Conduit House in Is16 1-57. 420.
Whitehall Street 1-58. 255.
Willett, Residence of Col 1-54. 12.
William Street 1.59. 276.
I
1
1
Engravings in Valentine's Manual. 37
William Street, House corner of 1859, 132.
William Street, No. 120 1850, 122.
Windmill 1856, 462.
Wood, Fernando, Residence of 1S57. 53.
Workhouse, Blackwell's Island 1851, 296.
Works at MeGowan's Pass in 1812 1857, 132.
Works near McGowan's Pass in 1814 1556, 480.
Writing of Gen. Gage and Sir Henry Clinton
1854, 314.
EXTRACTS FROM EARLY NEWSPAPERS.
We extract the following paragraphs from the files of the New York Gazette in the first two years of its existence. The first twenty numbers are gone, but after that there are few lapses. The Gearth began in 1725, while the first number we have been able to see is of March 21, 1726. Most issues have no local paragraphs and some have no advertisements :
William Fletcher, a bought servant. is run away from his master the 19 of last Month, and carried with him some Paper money belonging to his Master. Whoever can apprehend said Servant, or discover by Letter where he is so that he may be apprehended, shall lave Fie Pounds paid by the Collector of His Majesty's Customs in New York. Or if he will return and give security for his good Behaviour, he shall be forgiven. He had on. when he went away. a dark colour'd Kersey Coat with Brass Buttons. and lined with Durov. has Leather Breetches. short dark Hair, by Trade a Brush-maker, pretends to be a Turner, he make- Mops. makes and monds Bellows-April 11. 1726.
Three or four good hands that understand the burning of Char- coal. may have Imployment and Good Wages for a year, or longer. Inquire of the Printer hereof, and know further. - May 2. 1726.
New York, March 28. Last Friday night we had a vio-
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Extracts from Early Newspapers.
lent storm of Rain, with Lightning & Thunder, and next Morning much Brimstone was found upon the ground in many places. Yesterday the schooner Mary & Ann arriv'd from St. Thomas's. Sloop Alladay from the French Islands. And Capt. Benson in a Snow from Jamaica, gives account that the Pyrates have lately done much damage upon that Coast. That 3 Spanish Men of War are arrived there, one of 60, one of 30, & one 12 Guns, to guard the Coast. They have taken one Ship and Plunder'd her, and say, they have Commission to take every Vessel that has but a ponud of Logwood or a Piece of Eight on board .- March 21, 1726.
New York, June 20. Yesterday his Excellency, our Gover- nour, received an Express from Philadelphia, with an account, That the Master or mate of the Sloop Roch. 7. both named Harris, being bound from New-London to Philed Iphig, had made Oath at Ver-Castle on the 16th instant. That the said Sloop was taken by a Pyrat Snow, commanded by one William Fry, with six Guns and 23 men, on the 11th Instant. off of Cape May. and detain'd her till the 12th. That after the said Pyrats had taken out of said Sloop what they thought fit, they suffered her to proceed. That the Pirate said, they would go to Block Island and wait for a Rhode Island Sloop, and then go for Newfond- lund. They also gave ont. That both Low and Sporings were upon the Coast, and waited to take Capt. Sterling's great Ship built at Være London.
Capt. Norris in his Majesty's Ship Emester, sail'd this morning before break of day, in quest of said Pyrat. and we hear t'apt. Per in his Majesty's Ship The Teeter will also sail this after- noon in quest of the same Pymat .- June 13. 1726.
The General Proprietors of the Soil of the Eastern Division of the Province of Very-Very are desired to meet and Assist in a Council of Proprietors to be held in the City of Perth Amboy on Tuesday the Twelfth Day of this Instant July, 1726. LEWIS MORRIS, Prest .- June 27. 1726.
New York. August 15. On the toth Instant his Excellency our Governour was pleased to dissolve the General Assembly of thi- Province. And we hear that Writs are issued for Electing Representatives for the Cities & Counties of this Province, to be
39
Ertracts from Early Newspapers.
and appear at the City of New-York, the 21st of September next, to assist his Excelleney the Governour in General Assembly.
New York. October 10. Tuesday last dyed here Mrs. Joanna Markham, the Widdow of Capt. William Markham, he was formerly Lient. Governour of the Province of Pennsylvania.
New York, October 17. Twelve a Clock. The Philadelphia Post not yet come in.
There is now in the Press, and will shortly be Published, The History of the Five Indian Nations depending on the Province of' New York, giving an Account of their Wars both with the Indians and Christians. from the first Settling of Canada and New York, as also of their Treaties of Peace with the several Governments in North America.
There is also a MAP of the great Lakes, Rivers, and Indian Countries, showing the Situation of the several Indian Nations. from Canada to the Branches of Mississippi and the Upper Lake. Both Printed and Sold by William Bradford in New York .- Feb. 20, 1727.
Publick Notice is hereby given, That at Philadelphia they have found out some Twelve Shilling Jersey Bills that are Coan- terfeits ; They are newly Printed and very artfully Signed. In the flourish on the Top of the Bill there is the representation of a Basket, which in the Counterfeit is umch finer than in the True Bill. : and the great Tis much plainer than in the True Bills .-- March 6, 1727.
[In the number of March 13, there is an account of the arrest and examination of David Willson and David Wallace for utter- ing counterfeit money. The only file extant of the Grath is unfortunately so eut that the whole account cannot be obtained. It appears, however, that the money was made in Dublin. where it was printed for Thomas Morough, and was sent over in the ship Richard to Philadelphia. This sam was about one thousand pounds, abont one-third of all that was made.]
Whereas some years past there was one Rolph Dutton Trans- ported himself from England in these parts of America, and de- signed to settle in Long Island of Rhode Island. If the said Ralph Dutton or his Heirs be alive, and do apply to the Printer
40
Extracts from Early Newspapers.
hereof, they may be informed of an Estate that is fallen to them, and is worth looking after .- July 3, 1727.
On Monday the One and Twentieth of this Instant Month of August, His Majesty King George the Second was Proclaimed at the City of New- York with the usnal Ceremony. And on the 25th He was in like manner Proclaimed at the City of Perth-Amboy in New-Jersey.
BY HIS EXCELLENCY
William Burnet, Esq ; Captain General and Governour in Chief of the Provinces of New-York, New-Jersey, and the Terri- tories thereon Depending in America, and Vice-Admiral of the same, &c.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God to call to his Mercy our late Sovereign Lord King George. of Blessed Memory, by whose Decease the Imperial Crowns of Great Britain, France & Ireland are Solely and Rightfully come to the High and Mighty Prince George Prince of Wales, & Therefore being assisted with those of his late Majesty's Council of this Province. with the Mayor. Aldermen and Citizen- of New- York. with Numbers of other the Principal Inhabitants of the aid City. do now hereby, with one full Voice and consent of Tongue & Heart. Publish & Proclaim. That the High & Mighty Prince George, Prince of Wales, is now by the Death of our late Sovereign of Happy Memory, become our only Lawful and Rightful Leige Lord George the Second, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain. France and Inland. Detender of the Faith, de. To Whom We do weknowledge all Faith and Constant Obedience, with all hearty and Immable Affection. beseeching God, by whom Kings and Queens do Reign." to bless the Royal King George the Second with Long and Happy Years to Reign Over Us.
Given at the Fort of New-York this 31st day of August, In- nog : Domini 1727.
GOD SAVE THE KING.
Felix Leads Almanack and John Hughes Almanack for the year 1725, are now Printed and Published by William Bradford
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The Introduction of Methodism.
in New York, And William Berkits Almanack will be finished in a few Days : All which three Authors have been very exact in calculating said Diarys. and are to be Sold at Three Shillings per Dozen to All Shop-keepers and Travelers that Sell them again by Retail .- Sept. 4. 1727.
Very good Press Papers for Fullers, and Fulling Mills, are to be sold by William Bradford .- Sept. 4. 1727.
THE INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM.
Methodism was introduced into the United States by some im- migrants. Irish by birth but German by blood. who came to this city from Balligarane. in Ireland, in the year 1760 and shortly after. The strongest religious bodies here ten years before the Revolution were the Dutch Reformed and Episcopal. The Pres- byterians likewise were strong, and there were also here Lutherans. Baptists, Moravians and Quakers. The Jews had a synagogue. and a rabbi highly esteemed and beloved by all who knew him. But the religions tone of New York was not then high. Most of the sects were content with hearing moral or doctrinal sermons. no appeal being made to the higher senses, and the church to which the Governor and many of the officers stationed here belonged was, like that church in England, only a harbor for respectability. It is no wonder, then. that devout people welcomed the Metho- lists in the mother country, and that when they at last arrived here they received much favor from godly Church of England people. But when these Palatines reached New York. at the be- ginning of the reign of George the Third. they found no chapel of their own persuasion in existence on this side of the Atlantic. and for some time no attempt was made at a religious organiza- tion. Stung, however. by the reproaches of Barbara Heck, one of the most earnest of those who had come over. Philip Embury. a local preacher in Ireland. in 1766 opened his house, which was a very humble one on Barraek street, now Park place, and ex- pounded the Word of Life to those who were willing to listen to him. Tradition says there were but six.
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The Introduction of Methodism.
In 1767, their numbers having increased. they worshipped in the Rigging Loft. at what is now 120 William street. In this neigh- borhood, almost across the street, Washington Irving was born sixteen years.later. The house in which he lived has long since been torn down, as well as another from which at night he nsed to escape by the back way to go to the theatre, but the Rigging Loft was preserved till about 1854. It was a small building, but there was in it room enough for forty or fifty people. and it is probable the andience did not generally equal this number. It was in this Rigging Loft, and in Embury's own house, that Captain Thomas Webb, with his portly figure. his blind eye, and his scarlet regimentals, made his most stirring appeals. He gave the infant society help that was very much needed.
In 1768 a new church was dedicated. It was on John street. on ground that had been bought from Mrs. Mary Barclay. widow of the Rev. Henry Barclay. the second rector of Trinity Church, for -ix hundred pounds, or fifteen hundred dollars. The original subscription paper contained about two hundred and fifty sub- seribers, very few of those who signed giving more than one pound. Captain Webb headed it with £30, William Lupton gave 020. Jame- Jarvis 910. Oliver De Lancer 96 10s., Charles White. Benjamin Huget. Christopher Stimets, John Cruger. and Robert Lake 05 each, and other names gave lesser amounts. To a sup- plementary list John Leake gave $15. James Jarvis $10, Samnel Selby £10, George Hopson €10. William Lupton $10. John Chave 95 and Richard Sauce $10. The English clergymen each gave handsomely according to their very moderate means. The Rev. Dr. Andlunaty gave $2. Dr. Ogilvie €1 128. 6d. and Dr. Inglis 01 12 -. 6d. Other well known names are those of James De Lan- cey. James Jauncey. Peter R. Livingston. Philip Livingston. George Godlet, William Rhinelander. David Clarkson, Mr. Lis- penard. David Grim. Peter Van Schaick. Isaac Low. David Matthews, Captain Randall, Thomas Walton, John Watt -. Anthony Rutgers. Henry White, John Cregier. Elias Desbrosses. Dr. Kis- sam. Theodorus Van Wyck, James Duane. John Harris Cruger. A. Hamer-Jev. Goldsbrow Banvar. Frederick De Peyster. Isaac Sear- and Benjamin Rhinelander.
The church then built was not close to the street. a- the present
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The Introduction of Methodism.
one is. At one side was a dwelling house, inhabited by the preacher, and cared for by colored women. The church was sixty feet long and forty-two feet broad. the walls being of stone. Galleries were on each side. access to them being obtained by ladders. Here, no doubt, the boys and young men went, while the older people sat below, the men on one side and the women on the other. For a long time there were no backs to the seats. There were no class rooms and no lecture rooms, and Sun- day schools were still unknown. By 1770 the congregation had increased so much that it sometimes numbered over a thousand, and its members felt that an experienced and able preacher was required. In this Mr. Embury, their temporary pastor, no doubt coincided, for he was a carpenter, and wrought at that calling all the week. With his own hands he had raised the frame of the building in which they worshipped, and put the timbers together. Others who were employed upon it were David Morris, a carpenter; John Gasner, a painter and glazier, and Samuel Edmonds, a mason. He was the grandfather of the late Judge Edmonds. The name conferred upon the edifice was Wesley Chapel. This was the first time this appellation was used, either here or abroad. for John Wesley would certainly have forbidden it in England as savoring of vanity.
The John Street Church was favored with earnest and effective ministers and officers during the third of a century which elapsed between its beginning and the end of the century. The first preacher, as before remarked, was Philip Embury. Ile retired from New York in 1770. settling in Ashgrove. Washington Comty, and died uear there five years after. He was then forty- five years of age. The next preacher was Robert Williams, who arrived here from England in 1769. Mr. Wesley gave him a per- mit to preach here under the direction of two missionaries whom he was about to send over. but he arrived in New York before them. His passage wa- paid by a friend. The trustees defrayed his bills. some of which will excite a laugh. The Rev. J. B. Wakeley. in his entertaining and instructive book. " Lost Chapters in the History of Methodism," gives extraets from the account book of the church at this period from which we reproduce the following :
-
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The Introduction of Methodism.
1769.
Sept. 20. Mr. Jarvis for a hat for Mr. Williams $2 5 0
Sept. 22. Book for Mr. Williams 9
Oct. 9 Cloak for Mr. Robert Williams 3 06
1770.
July 26. Paid Mr. Maloney for shaving preachers 2 5 6 Nov. 22. Paid Mr. Boardman for one quarter's clothing. 7 10 0 1771.
May 16. Castor oil for Mr. Pihmoor 0 30
1772.
July 16. Cleaning the dwelling-house and housekeeping. washing for the preacher, etc 5 3 8
S
The two missionaries named by Mr. Wesley were Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmoor, able and earnest men. Both did much work elsewhere than in New York. Before the war began they returned to England, Boardman dying there in 1782. Mr. Pilmoor came back to America, becoming an Episcopalian clergy- man. Francis Asbury and Richard Wright were the next mis- sionaries, the former being the great organizer of the church in America. They were followed in 1773 by Thomas Rankin. 1774 George Shadford. 1775 James Dempster. 1776 Daniel Ruff. 1777 John Mann, 197- to 1752 Samuel Spraggs, and 1758 and 1734 John Diekins. Of these Daniel Ruff was the first American. all those before him having been Englishmen. John Mann was a local preacher, who stepped into the gap when the regular ministers deserted the church, and preached and exhorted until relief came in the shape of Samuel Sprages, from Philadelphia. Mr. Spragg- was probably the only Methodist minister who was ever stationed five years at one appointment. This was compulsory. He could go nowhere else, nor could any one be obtained to come here.
Many historians have been led into error respecting the posi- tion of this church during the Revolution. It has generally been supposed that it was closed up. But Watson. in his Sketches of Olden Times in New York. says : " The Presbyterian clergymen were, throughout the war, zealous to promote the cause of the Revolution. The Methodists, on the contrary, then few in num- ber, wore deemed lovali-ts, chiefly from the well-known lovali-m
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The Introduction of Methodism.
of their founder, Mr. Wesley. Perhaps to this cause it was that the society in John street enjoyed so much indulgence as to oc- enpy their church for Sunday night service, while the Hessians had it in the morning for their own chaplains and people." The records of the book discovered by Mr. Wakeley show this to be the case. When the English preachers returned to their country. and the services seemed likely to stop. John Mann, at that time only a local preacher, came forward and led the society each Sun. day. After a time Mr. Spraggs arrived here from Philadelphia. and Mr. Mann resigned his position to him. The expense ac- count went on, as did the receiving of money. The collections during the war were larger than before, so that there was no financial stringency. This is accounted for by the fact that dur- ing most of the Revolution New York was the British metropolis. receiving the bulk of the supplies from the other side. as well as purchasing for the use of the army. There were many hangers- on, and many Tories came to town from other places, so as to be protected. All must spend money. Several of the churches had been closed by the war. and one of the English churches had burned down. With, therefore. a larger and richer population than usual, and fewer churches. it is no wonder that the collee- tions were great if the preachers had any attractiveness. The last payment to Mr. Spragg- wa- June 10. 173. His successor was John Diekins, who is given the credit of beginning the Methodist Book Concern in Philadelphia, later removed to New York. His son was for many years Secretary of the United States Senate.
DIARY OF DR. ALEXANDER ANDERSON.
Dr. Alexander Anderson, the father of American wood en- graving. was born in this city on the 21st of April. 1775. and died in Jersey City January 17, 1870, lacking only a few months of being ninety-five years old. He was the first engraver of note in this city, and the first in America who engraved on wooden blocks. All previous work had been done on type metal. He began his diaries when a very young man, those for the years 1795 to 1798 being still preserved, having been added to the Library of Columbia College by the Phoenix bequest. They comprise over a thousand pages. of about the size of an 1Smo, and are written in a very clear and beautiful hand. Each month begins a chapter. and each chapter is decorated with a suitable drawing both for its head and ending. The extraets given here begin in January, 1795, when he was not quite twenty years of age, and was study- ing medicine with Dr. Joseph Young. a surgeon of reputation in the Revolutionary struggle. The title page to the volume. neatly written by Anderson, is " A. Anderson's Journal for 1795. 1796. 1797. 1798. New York."
JANUARY, 1795.
1st. Morning-I cast over again the plate of Type-metal for Cressin's work .-
A slight fall of snow .- Attended at the Doctors .- Kindled a fire in the shop .- Call'd upon N. Birdsall" and receiv's: 10 .-
Scene the Dret Shop-Gen. Campbell enters and after the usual compliment- undertakes to prove that Woman was made upon the 7th day .- Dr. Youle & arrived-Political Justice de Criminal codes became the subjects of discussion .- Dr. Smith
* Nathaniel Bird-all, printer and bookseller, at so Cherry street.
! Dr. Joseph Young. Dr. Anderson had then been with him since May 1. 1789.
Dr. Joseph Youle, who lived at 9F Becknnen street. He was at that time the Scribe of the council of Tammany.
46
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Diary of Dr. Alexander Anderson.
made his appearanec and the Gen. not long after, his exit .- A System of Education on the principles of Moral Chemistry was sketch'd out-the Company was augmented by the arrival of Johnson Butler and Mr. Nixon-the Drs departed & Mr. Wat- son,* Merehant Taylor, eame in-made a short stay .--
At 4 O'clock, dinner being ready I sat down, in company with about 14, to 9 or 10 dishes-I eat but little meat but was not so reserv'd with the pies, to which I impute the disorder of my stomach afterwards-about 5 I left the table and went home- met A. Tiebout who was going to the play .- At my Father's, + Dr. Davidson and my brother were getting ready for the play. I attempted to drink tea, but nature pointed to a contrary indica- tion, in short, I had no need of emetie or cathartic .- Mr. Scoles + came and sat awhile-paid me 1/ for mending the stamp-some strictures on Mr. Stanford. $-About 7 I return'd to the Dr's and read-still felt sick at my stomach .- Before 9 I came home, fell to work at polishing a type-metal plate, and with my em- ployment, found the tone of my stomach returning .-
2d. Morning-poli-hing type-metal. ;- our Family invited to dine with the Dr. to-morrow .- I went to Dr. Smith's & and Dr. Youle's with the same invitation-at the latter place. was pre- sented with a cake & wine -- Dr. Youle was endeavoring to con- vinee Mr. Ilawes that " plants have sensation .- As I was enter-
# Matthew Watson, of 166 Pearl street. .
| John Anderson, his father, had been in business as a printer and pub- lisher of a paper in this city before the Revolution, but had been compelled to fly on the approach of the British, to whom his paper was thoroughly obnoxious. After the war. ho was for a time in his old calling, as printer. not publisher, but abandoned it, and in 1795 was an auctionver at MY Wall street. He was a Scotchman by birth.
# John Seoles, the engraver, then at 36 Fair (now Fulton) street. He was a very young man, and had picked up the art himself.
* The Rev. John Stanford. schoolmaster, at 81 Fair street.
" The type-metal plates then used probably had to be mounted on wooden blocks, and were quite thin. Their surface was irregular. and needed to be shaved down and then rubbed till there was no scratch or flaw anywhere.
William Pitt Smith. Professor of Materia Medica in Columbia College. His residence was at D Beekman street,
48
Diary of Dr. Alexander Anderson.
ing my Father's Ad. Hicks # gave me an ivory toy to cut a few letters on, for which I received 1/ .- .
Afternoon-return'd Vol. 2d of Universal Erndition and got the 3d from the City Library.t-Receiv'd 7/5 from Harri- son,# Printer. Evening-got my old Breeches from the Taylor and paid him 6d-came home and, about 7, went with my Brother to Mr. Scoles's, where we spent an hour in viewing his elegant Prayer book which cost 50 Dollars, and some prints .- re- turn'd to the Dr's and read 'till 9 o'clock .--
3d. Morning-finished one of Dnrell's § wooden | cuts-began to repair one of Hicks's compass plates .- Fore-noon. spent chiefly in the Dr's shop-except taking a walk to the Ship-yards to sec to see the Keel of the Frigate .- About 3, we sat down to dinner, about 12 in number .-- I made myself pretty active in helping the company -- but was aware how I- help'd myself to mince pie again,-ran home before dark I engrav'd a few strokes .- Benj. Tanner & eall'd to know my price for the cuts of the Primer-I return'd to tea-play'd a few tunes on the Violin * *- came home with Mama before S.
4th. Sunday .-- Fore-noon, went to St. Paul's ++ Ch. where I re- " Adrian B. Micks, mathematical instrument maker. corner of Wall and Front streets. Dr. Anderson did all kinds of chasing and engraving, and in fact used his hands for almost all kinds of fancy work.
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