USA > New York > New York City > Old New York : a journal relating to the history and antiquities of New York City, Vol. II > Part 21
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10th. I discharged 2 more to-day, and Tom York, a Negro, ran away with some cloaths, which he had no right to. A woman died this morning and the Stomachs of 2 others are in such a bad condition that I found great difficulty in stopping their vomiting. In the after-noon I took a walk to town, and drank tea at my Father's. Bought a Pocket Geography of my Brother for 12/, treated myself to a scrape on the violin, and return'd before dark.
11th. Worried again with anxiety for the fate of some of the patients, and especially for that of Nelson, the Old Irishman. Copied some of my Prescriptions, &c., into a blank book sent up for that purpose. Admitted 3 patients to-day. One died in about 5 hours after. Our Nurse has had a squabble with the blacks and talks of leaving us.
12th. This fore-noon my Brother and A. Tiebout call'd to see me ; were riding in a Chair to Harlem. Dr. Smith came in the after-noon and gave me a sketch of a statement of the Hospital to be presented to the Committee of Health. I curtail'd it and
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drew on a sheet of paper a general table, to be sent with it. Evening, wrote to my Mother, &c. I wrote a few observations on the Table of the patients and directed to Jn. Broome .*
13th. Sunday. Last night, from sitting up late, or from what- ever other cause, I was very restless. Started out of bed and bruis'd my knee very badly, and was harass'd with frightfull dreams. Another patient was brought in at Day-light; two more in the course of the day, one very ill. Last night little Nich Byrne died and to-day, Mary Smith, Betty Meeks & John Ram- say who arriv'd yesterday. Before Breakfast I indulg'd myself in a walk up the lane to the Bowery road. The Weather was rainy, and my head felt rather muddled in the afternoon. Iread Chapter after Chapter in the Bible without entering into the spirit of it; fell into discourse with Barnard Donovan who gave an account of the behavior of the French in some late actions in which he was present.
14th. My knee is rather sore. 3 more died to-day, all within 12 hours after their arrival. 7 Patients were admitted ; one of them is B. Travers whom I sent off cured not long since. I wrote some poetry in a letter to A. Tiebout.
15th. We lost 3 patients to-day and as many were admitted, one of them a young woman with a little babe. I was inform'd that she was of good family but had ran off with a Captain. I believe she is from Scotland, as she was wrapp'd up in a plaid cloak. I amus'd myself in strolling along the Shore on the cliffs and took a walk to the head of the lane. 4 of the Committee were here in the after-noon and were troubled with the complaints of the nurses who had contriv'd to fall out. After they were gone the
* John Broome was one of the most respected merchants of the city. He was born here in 1738, and studied law with William Livingston, afterwards Gov- ernor of New Jersey, but did not practice. He was, in conjunction with his brother, an importer of British goods before the Revolution, but his trade was destroyed by the war, in which he sided actively with the Whigs. He retired to the State of Connecticut, returning at peace. He was a member of the Pro- vincial Congress and also of the Constitutional Convention. For a number of years he was an alderman, and from May 3d, 1785, till May 6th, 1794, he was President of the Chamber of Commerce. He was also the president of the first insurance company which was organized here. He was a member of Assembly for two terms, and Lieutenant-Governor of the State from 1804 till 1810, when he died.
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storm rose a little and Mrs. Fisher and Mrs. Hull came to pretty high words. I am sometimes tempted to resign my station, but, really, I am afraid that like Jonah I shall meet with a worse fate.
16th. Nelson, the honest Old Irishman, died last night ; his fam- ily bears the loss with a fortitude truly noble. I am convine'd their behavior is not from want of feeling, from the affection with which they treated one another. One other patient died and 4 were admitted. I took the opportunity of sailing down to town in the boat. Went to my Father's and din'd ; talk'd over all we had to say -- saw W. Debow, and was much pleas'd with his manly behavoir. I got a crystal to my watch. About 2 I set off again for Belle-vue on foot, my Brother accompanied me almost all the way. Had some discourse with one of my patients, who gave me some anecdotes of Dr. Colwell in Ireland, declaring that he could tell the time of a person's death several years before. I really was tempted to covet a little of this wonderfull Doctor's skill.
17th. My patients are all in a pretty good way except one poor fellow who is lingering on the borders of the grave. 2 were ad- mitted to-day. The Steward was taken ill yesterday ; I gave him some medicine last night, and he appears now to be mending. Four of the Health Committee were here in the after-noon to fix on the spot for another building for the sick. I wrote an answer to a letter which I receiv'd from W. Debow.
18th. Pretty early in the morning I set off for town. In the first place, enter'd Penny's shop and got my hair cut; went to my Father's and breakfasted; call'd to see Mrs. Bailey, who is sick with the Epidemic, as well as her daughter Charlotte. I left the Report of yesterday at Stymets's and return'd to Belle-vue about 9. We receiv'd no less than 14 this day. Hard put to it to accommodate them all.
19th. Discharg'd 4 patients to-day and receiv'd S. Our num- ber is now about 28. I find myself unable to do justice to any more. I had a hard struggle with a fit of despondency, but came across a little sentiment in A. Tiebout's Magazines which proved a timely relief to me. The weather is quite cool to-day. 3 pa- tients died. I receiv'd a letter from Gard. Baker. Walk'd twice to the head of the lane.
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20th. Sunday. I have had a great deal of fatigue to-day, hav- ing several bad cases. 3 died & 3 were admitted. Just before noon I was setting off for town, when some of the Committee with Dr. Bard arriv'd, and not long after Dr. Smith. The state of the Hospital was examined and several improvements sug- gested. They propose sending another young Physician to divide the duty with me. I offer'd to resign entirely, but they did not seem willing to agree to it. Drs. Hicks & Anthony Anderson came to request that I would have one of the corpses laid by for him to examine to-morrow.
21st. Very cool weather. 4 patients died to-day and but two were admitted. I took a walk to town; din'd at my Father's; went and saw Mrs. Bailey and Charlotte. The former I think in danger: I felt rather in a melancholy mood. My Brother accom- panied me part of the way back. At parting, I inadvertently dropp'd out a Rhyme, which set us in a laugh, and the medical effects of a laugh are well known. At the Hospital I found Mr. Johnson, who is appointed to take charge of half of the patients. We proceeded to a division of them, and I now found myself re- liev'd of considerable labour. Mr. Fisher & his family do not seem to be altogether reconciled to my partner.
22d. I find more advantages than one from the new arrange- ment; as Mr. Johnson is a person of considerable information I may receive much improvement from his company, besides the countenance which the presence of one engaged in the same pur- suit gives a person. We each lost a patient to-day, but 3 were admitted and 4 Discharged. We have been engaged in a piece of business which I am afraid will breed some disturbance. Dr. John Hicks having obtained permission from some of the Com- mittee to open one of the deseased, we had a corpse removed into the barn, and Johnson and I lent a hand at the business. I re- ceiv'd much satisfaction from the appearance of the Stomach which was the following. Though apparently sound on the out- side the inner membrane was in a gangrenous state, of a dusky crimson colour and cover'd with a purulent mucus. The duo- denum partook of the same appearance. The Liver was sound, the Gall-bladder quite empty, the Lungs and Heart had the natu- ral appearance, the vessels of the brain were turgid with black
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blood, but the worst of the business is like to follow, the black men who went, together with the Alms-house cartman, to put him in the coffin, conceited that the smell was horrid and the affair was soon spread over the Kitchen. Mr. Fisher & his wife were highly displeased at the "wicked piece of work," as the latter term'd it. Some quarls among the nurses serv'd to destroy the tranquility of the evening.
23d. A very pleasant day but several very unpleasant circum- stances fell out. The two black men were affronted, and went off .to town. Mr. Stymets perswaded them to return. One of them being intoxicated bred a quarrel with the nurses. A building is erecting in the garden for the accommodation of patients. Some of the men, after work, were getting at the fruit, and Mr. Fisher endeavoring to hinder them, they were beginning to beat him and shook his wife by the shoulders, for interposing. She sung out in a lamentable strain, and before we came up the men made off. We receiv'd 10 patients to-day. 3 died. Drs. Smith & llicks made us a visit towards dark. In the evening Mr. Johnson inti- mated to Mrs. Fisher his wish that supper could be got earlier. She chose to be affronted ; the dispute arose and before long she discharged a most dreadfull artillery of Billingsgate at him, and ordered him out of the Kitchen. His feelings were much hurt by this usage, & he is fill'd with disgust at the place. Dr. Hicks & Mr. Lent call'd with an expectation of getting a peep at another subject but were disappointed.
24th. About 9 this morning, having arrang'd matters, I set off and walk'd to town, and was affectionately receiv'd by my Father's family. I bespoke a pair of breeches at Gardner & Nivens, and return'd to the Hospital a little after 12. 14 patients were ad- mitted to-day ; 4 died, 1 dismiss'd. I have 16 under my care. A man who was in service at Bush-hill during the prevalence of the disease in Philadelphia applied for employment. I flatter myself that a storm is at hand, which from the beneficial effect it will have on the air is much desired. How happy would we be if we could always resign ourselves to the will of Providence & act with Fortitude. I think I can see the wise intentions of our Common Father in placing me in this situation. I do not expect to meet with greater trials in this life than I have experience'd
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here. May I be better enabled to support them. Perhaps at some future period these lines may appear ridiculous to others. Perhaps they may be the means of reclaiming me from error ; if so I'll run the risque of the former and record the present state of my mind.
25th. 7 Died to-day and 6 were admitted. Dr. Smith & Mr. Stymets made us a visit. Towards night the peace was again broken by Mrs. Fisher abusing one of the nurses. Here is one example of the evil effects of indulging a passionate temper. The patients must inevitably suffer in consequence of neglect, and the whole Family be tormented with the brawling.
26th. Thirteen arrivals, four deaths to-day. In the after- noon I took a walk to town. Found Dr. Young & T. Herttell at my Father's. I was surpris'd to find my Brother's hair dock'd off like my own. I was told that the number of deaths yesterday was 19, in town. Many houses are shut up, and the streets barer than ever I beheld them. After tea I set off and return'd to Belle-vue before 6.
27th. A stormy day, a circumstance which will inspire us with a pleasing sensation, when we consider that the change of weather may be the means of arresting the progress of the Epidemic. We receiv'd but 2 patients and 3 died. Dr. Dingley, " who is an intimate acquaintance of Mr. Johnson's, made us a visit in the afternoon. I thought I saw something of affectation in the Dr. I find Johnson is the translator of Boulanger's Christianity Unveiled, and of course is well acquainted with the French language.
28th. A pleasant day. About 15 of our patients were able to leave their beds to-day. Dr. Smith visited them, and declared to some of the Committee, who were present, that it was a pleasure to see the state of the patients now. We admitted 5, two of whom were dying. 3 others died this morning and one towards night. William, the orderly man of the City Hospital, came to see Dr. Johnson and brought his flute. Evening, Quarrels among the Nurses. Bella ! horrida bella !
29th. A pleasant day ; 5 were admitted, 4 Discharged & 1 Died. Johnson's Fever, which has been hanging about him, has now
* Dr. Amasa Dingley, of 2 Ferry street.
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made a serious attack. He was confin'd to his bed, took a dose of Physic, &c., but in the afternoon Dr. Dingley came, took away a few drops of blood and prevail'd on him to go to town in a chair. Of course I am left with the care of 37 patients. I wrote to the Committee for Nurses. In the evening Old Wilson got a little groggy and bother'd me a good deal. Difficulties, indeed ! I have, however, brought my mind to a degree of Resignation.
30th. Accounts from the City seem to promise an abatement of the disease. Another Nurse came with Mr. Fisher. The Com- mittee assure me that I shall be supplied with every necessary. It seems that Johnson will lose their good opinion, altho' he gains his health. I think he would have recover'd here. 6 patients admitted, 2 died, 4 Discharged, 37 on hand. Some of the Com- mittee made us a visit with Dr. Smith. Alex .* Hosack & Mr. Lawrence, Steward of the City Hospital, call'd in and took a drink of Porter.
GOWANS' WESTERN MEMORABILIA.
III.
1774, Sept. 5. The delegates from the city of New York left for Philadelphia to meet in the general Colonial Congress. John Jay's departure was unknown at the time, but Isaac Low was accom- panied to Paulus Hook ferry by the people, with colors flying, music playing, and huzzas. After parting with their delegate, they returned to the Coffee House in order to testify the like respect to James Duane, Philip Livingston, and John Alsop. They were accompanied in like manner to the Royal Exchange. where Mr. Duane addressed them. After this the delegates, accompanied by the multitude, went to the foot of Broad street, where they embarked and were saluted by the discharge of cannon and the loud and un- animous gratulations of their constituents.
April 21. The ship Nancy arrived with a cargo of tea. The
* Alexander Hosack, merchant, of 120 William street.
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Sons of Liberty waited upon the Captain and compelled him to put to sea again.
Christopher Collis delivered lectures on Natural Philosophy, in which he projected a scheme for supplying New York with good and wholesome water. The water was to be brought from a fresh water pond, occupying nearly the same ground as does now the celebrated Egyptian Tombs.
Nov. 26. Dr. Ogilby, rector of Trinity Church, died.
1776. Sept. 28. Lieutenant Governor Colden died, aged 89. He was educated as a physician, and came to America in 1710, practiced physic in Philadelphia, returned to Scotland, and married and brought his wife to New York in 1718.
Sept. 21. Great fire. It commenced in a small wooden building on Whitehall wharf, occupied by a woman of ill fame. It destroyed a vast amount of property, and 429 houses were consumed. At this time the city had 30,000 inhabitants and 4,200 houses.
1777. The British officers commenced performing in the John Street Theatre. Dr. Beaumont, surgeon general, was manager. Col. French was Scrub. Women characters were performed by young officers. Major Williams was the hero of the tragedy, and his mistress took the highest female part. Captains Delancey, Seix, Loftus, Bradden, Andre and Stanley were performers.
The first Constitution of the State of New York promulgated. The Constitution was made by a convention which sat at Kingston.
1778. August. Great fire in the city. It originated on Cruger's wharf, and burnt about fifty houses.
1780, Feb. 1. A four horse sleigh came over on the ice from Staten Island to the city.
Oct. 2. Major Andre was executed as a spy at Tappan, on the Hudson river a little way above New York.
1782, Nov. 30. The articles of peace agreed to, which was a happy and fortunate day for New York.
1783, Nov. 25. The British troops evacuated the city of New York, and the American commander in chief took possession. Gen. Washington entered the city by the Bowery, the only road at that time leading to the interior. He was accompanied by the principal men of the city. He took up his headquarters at Black Sam's, and continued there till December 4th.
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1785. The first stage between New York and Albany com- menced running-fare, four pence per mile.
Alderman Bayard sold lots situated on Broadway south of Ful- ton street, full size, for twenty-five dollars each. The same now have been sold for $42,500 (1855).
The first voyage made from New York to China by Captain Dean in an Albany sloop.
1786, Nov. 14. Number of poor in the almshouse was 301. Now over 5,000.
The first Roman Catholic Church opened in New York City, St. Peter's in Barclay street. It has since been rebuilt.
Jan. 16. The trustees of Trinity Church granted a lot of ground to each of the Presbyterian congregations in the city for the use of their respective senior pastors.
April 13. The first commencement of Columbia College was held in St. Paul's Church, Broadway, on which occasion the Con- tinental Congress suspended business for the purpose of attend- ing. De Witt Clinton was the first graduate, and delivered a Latin oration.
1788, July 22. A great procession of the citizens in honor of the adoption of the Constitution of the United States. At day- light the inhabitants of Great Dock street, Hanover square, Queen street, Whitehall and Broadway, swept and watered their respective streets for the accommodation of the procession. At eight o'clock the guns were fired, and the immense columns moved down Broadway to Great Dock street, thence through Hanover square, Chatham, Division, Arundel and Bullock streets to Bayard's farms.
1789, April 30. George Washington inaugurated President of the United States in front of the City Hall, corner of Nassau and Broad streets, on which a great concourse of people attended to witness the ceremony.
The first year of the presidency under the new Constitution, Gen. Washington resided in the Franklin House at the head of Cherry street, Franklin square.
1790, Jan. 1. Gen. Washington was waited upon by the prin- cipal gentlemen of the city. The day was uncommonly mild and pleasant. In the evening Mrs. Washington held her levee.
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The City Hotel built. For a long time this was considered the great building of the city, and probably deserved the title from its great magnitude. It was taken down in 1849 and the new buildings converted into stores.
1792. Proposals made for building St. Mark's Church. Mr. Stuyvesant engaged to give £800 and a lot of ground, 150 feet in width and 190 feet in length. In 1795 the corporation of Trin- ity Church added £5,000 ; in 1796 the church was finished and it was consecrated by Bishop Provoost May 9th, 1799.
Sept. 7. The first Episcopal Bishop consecrated in the United States. The ceremony was performed in Trinity Church, New York City, by Bishops Provoost, White, Madison and Seabury ; the one consecrated was the Rev. T. I. Claggett, for the State of Mary- land.
1794. John Jay arrived from England bringing with him the famous treaty of commerce. While this was under debate in the United States Senate some incorrect copies got afloat and much ex- asperated a certain class of citizens. A great mob collected at the corner of Broad and Wall streets, in front of the old Federal Hall, and in a violent manner remonstrated against the treaty. Gen. Hamilton endeavored to pacify the mob from the steps of an old Dutch building at the corner of Broad street, while Aaron Burr looked darkly on from the steps of the Hall. This excitement finally ended by the public burning of the obnoxious treaty on the Bowling Green amidst dancing, shouting and singing by the mob.
1795. Common school system of the State established.
1797. At this time there were only four teachers in the city of American birth, namely, Jacob Brown, afterwards General Brown, Benjamin Romaine, Enoch Ely and John Coffin.
Mr. John Leake left a legacy of £1,000 upon certain trusts to the corporation of Trinity Church, the interest of the same to be applied to the purchase of good and wholesome bread for weekly distribution among the needy members of the parish. Query-Has this ever been carried into effect ?
The Medical Repository, a quarterly publication, commenced being published. It was conducted by Drs. Mitehill, Smith and Miller, afterwards assisted by Drs. Pascalis and Akerly. It ter- minated with the twenty-third volume in 1824.
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1798. Park Theatre erected, situated in Park row, between Ann and Beekman streets.
The books used in the schools at this time were Webster's Spell- ing Book, the American Preceptor, by Caleb Bingham, Dilworth's Arithmetic and Dwight's Geography. There was no such thing as a large map, atlas, globe or black board in any school.
1799, Dec. 31. A funeral procession in honor of General Wash ington. The military, masonic fraternity and various classes of citizens joined in the mournful solemnity, and a funeral oration was afterwards delivered at St. Paul's Church .
1800. This year the seat of government was transferred from · New York to Albany ; where it has been ever since.
1801, March 4. A procession, bells ringing, guns firing and speech making in honor of Jefferson's inauguration as President of the United States.
1803. A gift was offered the trustees of the Lutheran Church of a plot of land of about six acres near the head of Canal street and Broadway. The trustees, after taking into consideration the pro- priety of accepting or rejecting the gift, passed a resolution that it was inexpedient to accept the gift, inasmuch as the land was not worth the fencing. The same ground at the present time is worth several millions of dollars.
Sept. 6. The foundation stone of the present City Hall laid, finished in 1812 at the expense of one half million of dollars.
The building of St. John's Church, Hudson square, commenced and was finished in 1807. Cost 8172,833.64. Consecrated by Bishop Moore the same year.
1805. The Society of Tammany, or Columbian Order, then fifteen years old, was instituted for the purpose of affording relief to the indigent and distressed generally. It consists of persons in the higher ranks of life who hold regular meetings in Tam- many Hall, corner of Nassau and Frankfort streets. The society is incorporated and the annual amount they are allowed to pos- sess for charitable purposes is limited to 85,000. This associ- ation derives its name from an Indian chief called Tammany, no less celebrated for his valor than for his benevolence and humanity.
1807. Hugh Gaine died, aged 81 years. He was editor and
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proprietor of the New York Mercury from its commencement in 1752 to its termination in 1783.
Oct. 2. The Clermont, the first steamboat that navigated the American waters, left New York for Albany and arrived at the latter place on the 4th at 10 o'clock P. M.
1809, Feb. 10. The New York Historical Society was formed by an association of gentlemen in imitation of a similar institu- tion in Massachusetts. The society owns a very extensive col- lection of books, pamphlets, maps, manuscripts, prints, paintings, busts, handbills, newspapers, coins, medals, relics of antiquity and every document calculated to illustrate the civil history of the country.
1811, May 29. John Henry Hobart consecrated assistant Bishop of New York, elected Rector of Trinity Church March 11th, 1816, in 1823 visited Europe. He was born in Philadelphia Septem- ber 14th, 1775, entered in Princeton College in 1791, ordained deacon in June, 1798. In 1799 he accepted a call to New Bruns- wick, removed to Hempstead, Long Island, in 1800, and died at Auburn, New York, Sept. 12th, 1830.
1816, Feb. 27. Bishop Moore died. He was born Oct. 5th, 1748, at Newtown, Long Island; was educated there and at King's College, New York; went to England in 1774, ordained deacon the same year, June 24th, by the Bishop of London ; appointed Rector of Trinity Church Oct. 22d, 1800; elected Bishop of New York Sept. 5th, 1801, and consecrated Bishop at Trenton, N. J., Sept. 11, the same year, by Bishop White, of Pennsylvania. In the period of thirty-five years he celebrated 3,578 marriages, and baptized 3,064 children.
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