USA > New York > Essex County > Bloomingdale > The New York of yesterday; a descriptive narrative of old Bloomingdale, its topographical features, its early families and their genealogies, its old homesteads and country-seats, the Bloomingdale Reformed church, organized in 1805 > Part 30
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A neat white picket fence between 72nd and 73d Streets enclosed a pretty dwelling-that built by Mme. d'Auliffe-modestly hidden among the shrubbery.
THE PERIT MANSION, 1868
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This was at one time the residence of the Tallcots and afterwards of the Loziers. This family came to Har- senville in the late forties. The Alderman left an impression as a fine old gentleman. He occupied a beautiful place, as we have seen, which was open to all the inhabitants on holidays. The Fourth of July was the great day for enjoyment there. His daughter Emma was married in 1838 by the Domine.
We are approaching a stone wall. It extends from 73d to 74th Street, and terminates in a large wooden arched entrance with a small gate on either side, painted to represent stone. There was a broad carriageway overshadowed by a row of horse-chestnuts from the Bloomingdale Road to the lodge. A narrow walk fol- lowed the way on its southern side and both led to the N. Y. Orphan Asylum buildings. Persimmon trees lined the boundary dividing it from the Gov. Broome mansion. Walk in,-one was always welcome. The grounds extended from the Road to the river, with a gradual slope to the water, where stately trees en- hanced the view. The location was a charming one and the grounds attractively laid out. The Boulevard front was sold circa 1853, and private residences cover the green lawn where the orphan children of other days sent out shouts of laughter or where the new-comer walked with a sad heart, feeling that he was alone in the big world.
How many changes have come to that Home since we first remember it. Among the directresses were Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, Mrs. Divie Bethune, Mrs. Pelatiah Perit. Our memory goes back to the time when Mr. Wood was superintendent. He was suc- ceeded by Messrs. Stout, Winter, Angel, Stark, Pell, and Demorest. Among the teachers were the Misses Hall
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and Ralph and also Miss Marion Dempster, who spent nearly all the years of her life inside the walls. And when her eyesight failed and, fearing that she might be an incumbrance, she begged the lady managers to send her to an old ladies' home, the request was met by a decided refusal. She was given all the comfort and privileges that could be granted, was cared for in her last illness and laid at rest in the orphans' plot at Trinity Cemetery. When Dr. Winter was superin- tendent the Hudson River Railroad was not built. Then the institution's bath-house was on the banks of the river. It was only necessary for the neighbors to call and request that the key might be given to us for our use in the early evenings. The request was promptly granted. We remember how indignant many of us were when Mr. Angel, his successor, in reply to our request, uttered the words, "You came with the expectation of seeing Dr. Winter." One of our party declared that "Winter, stern Winter, was better than an Angel."
On the north side of the Asylum grounds once stood a pretty white dwelling with Corinthian columns. In summer there was the richest perfume from flowers, rare and beautiful. The trees cast their shadows over the green lawn, where West End Avenue now passes, and the lawn in rear of the house gradually sloped to the Hudson. This was the residence of Pelatiah Perit, a man well known and much beloved. Much has heretofore been said of him. His carriage was seen every morning going to the city, and his coachman Michael evidently felt that he was as important a personage as his master. He retired from business in 1861 and thereafter led a life of seclusion and repose. About ten days prior to his death, he was taken sud-
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denly ill in the street and carried into the residence of Prof. Silliman, where he remained unconscious until morning, when he was conveyed to his own residence. This attack culminated in dropsy on the chest. In the report of the Trustees of the Asylum for 1864, the death of " the excellent and universally respected Mr. Perit" is adverted to, "who was so well known in the business world as a successful merchant, in the religious world as an earnest Christian and in the social circle as a kind friend, and who for many years was the near- est neighbor of this Institution." He bequeathed one thousand dollars to it. Mrs. Perit, on his removal to New Haven, dissolved her connection of 25 years with the Asylum. The report of 1860 states that dur- ing this time, being a next-door neighbor, she had al- ways been ready to aid and cheer the superintendents and to guide and encourage the children. At the meetings she was a gentle, generous friend and counsel- lor. The pleasant strawberry festivals that the inmates enjoyed with each returning year on Mr. Perit's grounds, and which formed the chief era in their annual anticipa- tions, were recalled. In one especial case, he showed a liberal interest in a girl inmate who had a promising voice and a great love of music, and furnished the means for the improvement of her natural gift. The tribute winds up, "We shall long miss the loss of Mr. Perit's kind presence and efforts." The shipping in the harbor displayed their flags at half-mast in honor of his memory, and measures were taken by the mer- chants of the city to properly mark the loss which his death had entailed upon the community. The foreign missionary received a warm welcome in Mr. Perit's home and many a devoted servant of God has found shelter under that roof, among them the Rev. John
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Scudder, D.D., Rev. Myron Winslow, Rev. Dr. Spaul- ding, and Rev. John Dulles.
We will leave the Perit residence and return by way of the Asylum grounds, for there was a gateway between the two. Again we are on the broad roadway and pass the cottage of John Wood, who resided within the grounds. He was the leader of the church choir and had business relations with the Asylum. Although his name was the same as that of the superintendent, they were not related. Beyond it, on our left, is some- thing that appears like a large black tombstone. One might ask, "Who lies buried here?" "Five Miles from New York" is the only reply. It marked the distance from the present City Hall, and stood silently resting in the wall. We who lived in the neighborhood became so accustomed to it that we scarcely gave it a glance as we drew near to the resi- dence of the Kellys. Here lived a large family at one time, but consumption came into the home, and one after another was carried off, until it seemed as if the survivors were always dressed in mourning. It was very sad to see the young people reach manhood and womanhood only to meet the grim destroyer. But it matters little now to the mourners, for they are sweetly sleeping side by side, in Trinity Cemetery.
Between 75th and 76th Streets there stood an old red brick building. This was the Somerindyck house of Colonial history. It was known now as "Fisher's house." The Fisher family lived there many years and their garden became their cemetery. Joseph Henry Fisher and his wife, who had previously lived on the " Middle Road," became residents there in 1826-7. With them lived Mary Johnston, the wife's sister, whom Domine van Aken married to Joseph Henry Adams in
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1838. They removed from Bloomingdale to Brooklyn, where her husband was Supervisor from the Thir- teenth Ward of the old city and died in 1887. Mrs. Adams was one of the oldest residents at the date of her death, February 22, 1906, aged 75 years. She left surviving her a daughter, Mrs. Josephine A. Coombs, and a son, Austin Adams, besides eighteen grand- children and fifteen great-grandchildren. During her girlhood in Bloomingdale the house was surrounded by an acre and a half of ground; large locusts shaded the front and elms grew in the rear, with English cherry-trees in the garden. At the end of the lane on the Gassner place were summer-houses overlooking the river, which were a resort for the young people on summer evenings. A break in the fence line in the picture of this house shown on page 56 indicates the entrance to the lane. In after years, when the old building was crumbling and vacant, reports were cir- culated that it was haunted, but no one ever met the ghosts, and the story died out. It was a quaint old building. The hall-door was divided in half and either the upper or lower part might be opened or closed at pleasure. A great black knocker gave notice of a caller. The hall was very broad and the parlors were on each side. The mantels were high and broad and curiously carved with historical pictures. The windows were small, and the panes were tiny squares of glass, such as were very much used in old times. Some of the "oldest inhabitants" aver that before No. 9 schoolhouse was built (1827) in 82d St. this was the village school. In the latter part of the forties, Barak C. Wright and Margaret Fake, his wife, lived there. They had been married by Domine van Aken in 1838. Miss Eliza Wright was one of the choir, with
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John Wood, in the village church. Leaving the Fisher house we cross Perit's lane and midway between 75th and 76th Streets pass the Cudlipp residence. They were Episopalians. Henry Reuben, son of Reu- ben Henry Cudlipp and Mary Esther McMann, his wife, born June, 1851, was baptized Dec. 26, 1852, at St. Michael's. The father was interred in Trinity Cemetery, June 17, 1858, aged 63. His daughter Hannah Eliza- beth, born in Philadelphia, aged 27, was married to Duncan Macfarlan, aged 35, by the Rev. Thomas Mc- Clure Peters, on Oct. 1, 1857, at her father's residence. Macfarlan was a Scotchman. His silk mills were on the site of All Angels' church, West End Avenue and 8Ist Street. It is claimed that he made the first silk ribbons in this country. Both he and his first wife joined the Church at Harsenville, Feb. 4, 1853. He became Deacon Feb., 1854, and served as Clerk pro tem. on occasions. The Consistory met as usual at his house in its rotation among the members. Martha and Duncan, their children, were baptized by Domine van Aken in 1853, and John in 1854. Their mother died in May, 1857. On his second marriage he resigned his office and removed his business and residence to Hawthorne, N. J. (near Paterson), where he died Oct. II, 1886, aged 64 years. His daughter Martha became, July 23, 1873, the wife of Robert William, son of Adam Thompson, who was born Oct. 31, and baptized at St. Michael's, Nov. 30, 1837. She joined the com- munion May 5, 1866, and took letter of dismission to the Park Presbyterian Church. Malcolm Macfarlan, the eldest child, became a member Aug. 1, 1857. He is a physician practising his profession in Philadelphia and is an active member of the Swedenborgian Church, which he joined in 1868. He married Hannah Dick
Duncan Macfarlane
Portrait and signature of Duncan Macfarlan, Esq., reproduced by courtesy of his daughter Mrs. Robert W. Thompson
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the following year and was head surgeon in the Phil- adelphia Hospital for many years. Mary Macfarlan, another daughter, became a member May 2, 1863, and took letter of dismissal to the Park Presbyterian Church. She never married. The other sons were Duncan and John, who were both physicians. The latter died Feb. 9, 1885, aged 30.
A few steps north of the Cudlipps', we enter the little store kept by Aleck White. We recall the old-fashioned candies to be found there. Candies change their fashion as well as does dress. We take out a cent, a great copper piece, somewhat larger than our present quar- ter dollar, and look over the supply-" bullseyes," chocolate balls, "hundreds and thousands," cylindrical papers with a gold band of paper twisted around, con- taining tiny globules, each having an aromatic seed inside. We would hesitate for a moment, then seize a chocolate ball in haste, because we heard the school bell and we feared the consequence if it ceased before we reached the door. Running over an elevation, dignified by the title of " hill," we saw a small cottage where lived the widow McCarthy and then reached the next store, kept by Jacob Tripp. When Fernando Wood became Mayor, he took possession of the ground where these three last-named houses stood, and turned it into an immense lawn and drive. He had his resi- dence on the site of the widow McCarthy's house.
Next came Burnham's. It stood some distance from the road and the pleasure-seeker turned off into the circle that led to the hotel. There could be no mis- take about it, for the sign swinging prominently in the air caught the eye of the passing traveller and the pic- ture of the house thereon with the large letters " Burn- ham's Mansion House" left no doubt on his mind. We
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well remember the old homestead and the pump that we often drank from on our return from school, and also the pitchers that were emptied there which had contained the half-lemons. What a scampering there was among the school children when they saw the man coming down holding that pitcher. We fear the lemons sometimes contained something stronger than lemon-juice. But the temperance people were not so strong in the middle of the last century. Governor van den Heuvel imported from Holland the necessary brick and timber to build the old mansion. As Gen. Wash- ington had some connection with every old landmark, so, of course, he is stated to have occupied this house. Another legend is that a British officer, wounded in the contest on Bloomingdale Heights, died therein. The large Dutch weather-vane which once ornamented the barn now indicates the direction of the wind upon the stables of William Waldorf Astor's English estate.
Leaving Burnham's, we pass a few cottages. The first is a variety store where Mrs. Kervan tempts the children with molasses candy. Another cottage was occupied by Reuben Cudlipp and family. Poor man! His eyes were closed to earthly sights; we hope they have long since gazed upon the King in His beauty. Several cottages were seen back from the roadside and at the corner of present 8Ist Street a large brick build- ing for the times, stood, in which lived Tom Kerr. This ended the confines of Harsenville and we will retrace our steps. The east side of the Bloomingdale Road was but sparsely settled. At 75th Street Charles Darke's family resided. This house was afterward occupied by William Leggett and still later by a Mr. Bonesteel, who kept a grocery at the corner of 74th Street. Then came a triangular field extending to 71st Street. About
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1849, the Tenth Avenue, which heretofore had ended at the Road and formed a junction, was now extended to 86th Street and cut through this field. A large open space from 7Ist to 73d Streets was also divided when 72d Street was opened. A stream of water, which afforded much pleasure to the boys and men when frozen over in winter, ran across this field and thence through and under a bridge to the Road.
Seventy-fourth Street was only a lane leading in an easterly direction. It commenced opposite the Asylum. On the left and facing the fields (for Tenth Avenue had not appeared) was the residence of the Weir family. Next lived Mrs. Elizabeth Darke, and next William Holmes, Jr. On the right was a large old-fashioned house at that time(1839) having no occupant. After- wards Captain Harvey moved into it and resided there several years. Entering a gateway, we are at the Hanaway home. This is where they lived for seventeen years after leaving the parsonage. Where the Ele- vated road passes between 73d and 74th Streets, was the back garden. It was here, in the springtime, after school hours were over, we searched for the early violet, the wild convolvulus, the frail anemone, the brilliant wild pink, and the wild strawberry. Later, we gathered the luscious blackberry or raspberry that grew on yonder hills. Dear old home! How sacred are its memories! What happy hours were spent un- der that roof!
From the chamber, clothed in white,
The bride went forth on her wedding night,
but never during the long years the family resided there did death break the circle. The house stood on an
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elevation and from the front windows a full view of the surroundings was had.
At the corner of 7Ist Street (Harsenville Road) stood the pretty dwelling of William Holmes, Sr. He and his wife lived there many years and all his children, five sons and three daughters, were born there. His oldest son, William, lived on 74th Street. He brought his bride to this house soon after marriage and all their children were also born there. This family for more than seventy years have been identified with the Bloom- ingdale Church. The grandparents, William B. Holmes and Hannnah Stanton, his wife, were married there during the ministry of Dr. Gunn. The husband died in 1843, and had been an Elder during the early tenure of Domine van Aken. His children and grandchildren continued to attend the services until death or removal prohibited. A few have until lately been connected therewith, but the greater number are asleep in Trinity Cemetery, where nearly all Harsenville lies. Nathaniel Holmes, a son, and his wife Rebecca celebrated the 50th anniversary of their married life on Jan. 25, 1897, and on the same occasion took place the 25th anniver- sary of the marriage of their eldest daughter, Rebecca, and her husband Davis Conkling. Nathaniel Holmes and his wife began their life together in the homestead. After their second daughter was born, they removed to Harlem, and afterwards to Long Island.
At 68th Street stood the old stone church, hallowed with endearing associations.
So let my living be, so be my dying,
So let my name be, unblazoned, unknown,
Unpraised and unmissed, I shall still be remembered,
Yes, but remembered by what I have done.
So wrote Horatius Bonar and so speaks the life of
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many a humble Christian. As you walk up the aisle of one of our beautiful churches and take your seat in yonder comfortable pew, as you listen to the thrilling notes of the organ or to the words falling from the lips of some elegant divine, does the question ever arise, " Who was the founder of this edifice?" The Bloomingdale Reformed Church owes its life to Jacob Harsen. Looking to the west, some distance back from Tenth Avenue, between 70th and 7Ist Streets, there was located not very long ago an old house with the gable end to the street. Here Jacob Harsen lived and died. He it was who gave the ground for the church and parsonage. Does he look down to-day and see the result of his beneficence? What if he could see the neighborhood that was so stagnant for many years that a deacon of the Church once remarked that he believed there was a curse on Bloomingdale? The old home has been crumbling for a generation and so has his dust. But when the Day of Reckoning comes, we believe Jacob Harsen will find many jewels in his crown of rejoicing, brought through the means he used, and they with him will sing Redeeming Love forever.
The parish covered much territory with few habita- tions. Dr. Gunn was known to have stated that it reached from Kip's Bay to the Hudson and from 9th to 125th Street. Its size was not much reduced during Domine van Aken's ministry. His long term was broken about 1845 for a year or more. Stricken with hemorrhage of the lungs-the " affliction " he mentions in his quoted letter-he went to Florida. During his absence, the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Mr. Robinson and the Rev. Cornelius Vermeule. To quote the diary :
I was a very little girl and great was my reverence for
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this venerable man [Dr. Vermeule] as he walked through our grounds. This he frequently did, as he boarded with Mrs. Elizabeth Darke, only two houses distant. Our family was very large, and the congregation small. This led the Doctor to remark that we were the largest part of the congrega- tion, as we sometimes occupied two pews. Father and I often started off together, as I was the youngest of the family. Great was my feeling of importance when Dr. Vermeule would overtake us and remark, "Well, sister, are you leading papa to church?" There was often a merry twinkle of the eye and much humor, notwithstanding the dignity of his office. Clergymen, as well as others, wore stocks in those days, which had a tendency to elevate the head, and the white neckerchief gave the Domine a very digni- fied appearance. He officiated at the wedding of my sister, May 5, 1845. After the ceremony was over and we were all seated-many of our intimate friends being present- there was quiet for a few moments. The bride was young, only eighteen years of age, and there was a sadness in leaving the old home. I think Dr. Vermeule realized this. He looked solemnly over the circle and then soberly re- marked, "If there are any other persons waiting I am ready to do the same for them." This broke up the sober company and laughter took the place of tears.
The Domine once visited a member of the congrega- tion who was regarded as a very parsimonious woman. As he looked at her well-loaded grape vine, he congratu- lated her upon her future prospects. "Well, Domine," she said, "if you will come down when they are ripe, I will give you some." At the appointed season, the good Doctor visited her, with basket in hand. "She brought one bunch and placed it in my hand and that was the end of the chapter," said he in relating the experience. It was told with the same merry twinkle of the eye, accompanied with the same dignity of
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Lavanta Mansur
--
COUNTRY-SEAT OF SAMUEL ADAMS LAWRENCE, ESQ., 1868
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bearing. He was a warm-hearted Christian gentleman. We never remember hearing one unkind word spoken of him. It is said that just as he was about to enter Heaven he exclaimed, "My kindred !"
Because of the prevalence of fever-and-ague, Domine van Aken refused to live in the parsonage. After the place had been somewhat improved, he spent the winter there. Standing on our back piazza on an evening when the moon was hidden, very frequently we saw a tall figure in a long cloak which reached to the feet, a large white comforter wrapped around the throat and mouth, a lantern in hand, wending his way through the thick brushwood, where the Elevated road now stands. It was our pastor on his way to a prayer meeting at the residence of one of his congrega- tion. Some of these meetings continued to be held in the Harsen Mansion while John Freeman and Mary, his wife, lived there in the late thirties. Their daugh- ter Emma was baptized by the Domine in 1841. Another daughter, Alice, became the wife of Richard Stout. With no sidewalks, no graded roads, and no lights to shine on the pathway, we were delighted when gas was lit for the first time from 59th to 86th Street, April 1, 1857.
There were several large square pews in the centre and side aisles. One on the south side was occupied by the Hon. Pelatiah Perit and family. In the middle aisle sat Mrs. Samuel A. Lawrence with her widowed daughter and granddaughters. The daughter was married by the Domine in 1846 to Wilson G. Hunt and a granddaughter became the wife of the Rev. Mr. Atwater. One on the other side of the middle aisle was owned by Maj .- Gen. Striker, and here his family of sons sat when they did not belong to the choir. On
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either side of the church were the children of the Orphan Asylum, the boys on the right of the pulpit and the girls on the south. At this time there was no organ or other musical instrument and the singing was led by Mr. and Mrs. John Wood and the Misses Wright. Wood stoves were in use, and these the sexton some- times neglected to feed. Mrs. van Aken was accus- tomed to bring a warming-pan. The stovepipes ran along the wall to the pulpit, where elbows branched to the north and south sides. Hinges were fastened to the partition along the centre aisle of pews in front of the platform to which the long table was affixed on communion Sundays. In this way the method in- augurated by the Master was literally followed. The ceiling had nine large circles to indicate where chan- deliers should hang. They were, however, never in- troduced. The auditorium was very large. Two pairs of stairs led to the high pulpit fitted with doors that buttoned-in the officiating minister. The Elders and Deacons sat on either side below the platform. In early times, the scholars at Huddard's, Bansel's, and Ufford's schools attended, just as at this time the orphans did. The grounds, enclosed by a picket fence, with two gates, one for carriages and one for pe- destrians, were surrounded by the cemetery, and the edifice was fronted by a pretty lawn prior to 1856, at which time the Bloomingdale Road was graded, the lawn disappearing in the process. There was no clock in the steeple, as has been erroneously stated. Instead, windows filled the circular openings on its four sides. No lights of any kind were ever used with the exception of a few special occasions, when candles and lamps were loaned by neighbors. All evening meetings were held either at the Asylum or in the houses of members.
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