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 31
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433
Reminiscences
Among the teachers in the Sabbath-school was Miss Harriet Lothrop Winslow, a descendant of one of the Mayflower families. An interesting account of her mother, and her trials and perseverance in that kind of work, is given in Dr. H. Clay Trumbull's Yale Lectures on the Sabbath-school, p. 127. Her father was the Rev. Myron Winslow, a well-known missionary in Ceylon, India. Their daughter Harriet was born in Oodooville, Ceylon, April 19, 1829. Her mother died when she was four years old and she was brought to America by her father and adopted by Mr. Perit. Dur- ing the summer of 1848, she announced to her class of about twenty young girls, varying in age from fourteen to sixteen years, that she was to be married. Tears fell from the scholars' eyes, while the teacher retired to a distant pew, to hide her emotion. Her heart, though full of joy for the future, was conscious that many sacred ties must be severed, and not the least among them was that which bound her to her beloved class. This event took place Sept. 21, 1848. Her husband, Rev. John Welsh Dulles of Philadelphia, was a graduate of Yale and of Union Theological Seminary. On Oct. roth of that year they started for their new field of labor at Madras, India. They went out under the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. "You are taking a short road to Heaven," was the prediction of a gentleman friend before she started, and so it proved.
We remember well her kind, genial face. Sometimes the class would enjoy a social gathering on the lawn at the beautiful residence on the banks of the Hudson, or a quiet walk in the garden, when the young teacher would call attention to some foreign plant. Then came the summons to the parlor to partake of re- 28
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freshments. Again, it was our happiness to receive a call from her at our home, when she would relate some pleasing incidents of her visits among the members of her class, or to an aged saint who was " only waiting." Little wonder that there was great regret in the village when her departure for India was announced. She returned with her husband and three sons to the residence of her foster father, March 14, 1853, much broken in health. We called to see her in her child- hood's home. Two little boys were playing near her chair; a third was in the arms of the nurse. These children were John Welsh, Charles Winslow, and Perit. Soon after, the family left for Philadelphia. Her husband became Secretary of the American Sunday- school Union from 1853-7, when he accepted the posi- tion of Editorial-Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Publication. In the month of May, after their return, a fourth son, Joseph Heatly, was born. He is a min- ister of the Gospel and librarian of Princeton Seminary. A fifth son, Allen Macy, is also a clergyman; a sixth, Winslow, died in infancy; a seventh, William, is now Treasurer of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church, and a daughter, Anna Stille, was born later, making eight children in all. In 1873, Mr. Dulles wrote: "I am happy to say that the six sons of my wife, Harriet L. Winslow, are all members in full of the Presbyterian Church and, to some degree, honoring their ancestry by their lives." Their mother took the "short road to Heaven" as predicted, Sept. I, 1861, at the early age of 32 years.
Miss Harriet Gilman, a niece of Mr. Perit's, was another teacher. Her class met in the southeast corner of the Church. She lived at her uncle's house and began teaching when fifteen years of age. Other
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Reminiscences
nephews and nieces who often visited there were Prof. Daniel Gilman, former president of Johns Hop- kins, the Rev. Edward Gilman of Flushing, L.I., William Gilman, Miss Emily Serena Gilman and the wife of Dr. J. P. Thompson, at one time pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle. Harriet Gilman married George W. Lane. Lovely and pleasant in girlhood, she developed into a ripened Christian character. She passed from earth in 1881 and sleeps in Woodlawn. Although none of these united, they were often present in the sanctuary. Mr. Lane later married his wife's youngest sister. From letters received from the sisters, we make some quotations. Mrs. Lane writes:
My recollections of the church are merely the childish pictures gained during my occasional visits, and are closely blended with the delightful home life in Mr. Perit's hos- pitable house; the Sunday morning walk under the shady avenue of the Asylum grounds and the less agreeable dusty road, which on a Sunday afternoon seemed really perilous because of the fast horses recklessly driven up to Burnham's tavern; the procession of orphans in uniform dress, the girls with winter coats of gray followed in sum- mer by white capes, their straw bonnets and blue ribbons. I do not remember so much about the boys. They sat on the other side of the church. It was always interesting to see the girls file in under the direction of a teacher or monitor, and I used to wonder how it was determined who should sit in each pew. I suppose I did not listen very attentively to the sermon, but it was entertaining when Domine van Aken announced an evening meeting to be held at the house of "Mistress Cozine," and when he gave notice of his intention to make pastoral calls during the following week, particularly requesting that he might see the children, I felt much alarmed and took pains to hide in a remote place when he came to my aunt's house,
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lest he should ask me personal questions of an uncomfort - able nature! All this is very trivial, but I cannot give you anything of importance.
Miss Gilman says:
We were never especially encouraged to linger among the old gravestones. There was a marble tablet on the wall of the vestibule (perhaps more than one), the first such memorial I had ever seen. I recall the square pews where the Perit family sat, and where the Sunday-school classes of my sister and cousin met. I think there were green cur- tains in front of the singers' gallery and that Mr. Reed's two daughters were in the choir. My aunt and uncle were never members of the church, but retained their connection with the Mercer Street Church, occasionally driving into town to attend the services. I remember one communion Sunday when Mr. Perit and Miss Winslow took their seats at the table. I had never seen any one but the clergyman seated at the communion table. Mr. Perit often found a supply for the pulpit, inviting the preacher to be his guest- sometimes the teachers from the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Fiftieth Street, sometimes the venerable Dr. Philip Milledoller. Dr. Vermeule also supplied the pulpit- perhaps for a stated period-and I always heard him mentioned as "good old Dr. Vermeule." Miss Winslow and other faithful workers were "tract-distributors" and did what they could to encourage churchgoing and to gather in children for the Sunday-school. Occasionally people came to church from a distance in their carriages and were treated with much consideration-an old lady, Mrs. Meier, and some of the Striker family. I remember the lane with the sign "Striker's Bay." Madam Striker was spoken of emphatically as a very good woman. My impressions were partly from the conversation of my elders, and partly from what was told me by a child of my own age, my cousin Miss Joanna Perry.
''WILLOW BANK "
Country-seat of Caspar Meier, Esq., from a drawing by his grandson H. C. von Post, Esq.
The Beekman (Clibborn) house in middle distance
يجـ
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Reminiscences
At the time of which we speak missionary work was carried on in a different manner to what it is now. The city was divided into wards and the wards into dis- tricts. Every ward had a city missionary. It was his duty to district his ward, find a tract-distributor for each district, and every month carry a package of tracts to the visitor, who, in turn, was expected to visit every house, none excepted, and leave a tract. He or she was to ascertain if the resident attended any church, without regard to denomination, and to invite the children to Sabbath-school and open religious conversation.
In March, 1854, a meeting was held at Mrs. Kelly's to organize an association to conduct a fair. The young people had been working hard for a year past for the purpose of renovating the Church. Mrs. van Aken was chosen president, Mrs. Fleet vice-president, Miss Mary Kelly secretary, and Miss Emily S. Hanaway treasurer. An empty store and the back rooms of two new white marble buildings, the entrance known as No. 679 Broadway, second door below Amity Street, were hired and the bazaar held there on Dec. 20th, 2Ist, and 22d. Mrs. Dana, Mrs. Daniel D. Nash, and Mrs. William Holmes were in charge, with Miss Hanaway as treasurer. Mrs. Dana's little daughter presided over the grab-bag. At the close of the fair, the goods left over were auctioned off. The auctioneer, hearing that Mr. Striker had made a bid on a certain object, asked Mrs. Dana, " Which Mr. Striker?" and received the reply "Mr. Ambrose Striker," at which the auctioneer remarked naïvely, "Ah, you mean the one with his eyebrows under his nose"-meaning a moustache, which then was practically unknown, and considered, at the best, decidedly outré. The enterprise was a grand
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success, and with the proceeds the pulpit was lowered, the box pews removed, and the seats made comfortable. A large room back of the gallery and over the vestibule was thrown open and an organ, situated directly oppo- site the pulpit, installed. The bell-rope descended through this room, and Domine van Aken kept his delivered sermons there. When the building, in its new dress, was opened for divine service, Jan. 6, 1856, such a deep snow was on the ground that Dr. De Witt, who was expected, was unable to be present and the afternoon service was abandoned. A change in the administration of the communion was made at this time. Theretofore, members sat around the long table and partook of the elements. This was now abolished, and communicants retained their places in the pews.
We have in distinct remembrance the old burial ground, with its large public vault on the southeast side and the plot of ground set apart for the friendless orphans of the Asylum. The visitor to Trinity Ceme- tery will see a monument with the name of Jacob Harsen inscribed on it. This stone was removed when the Church was cut in two for the grading of the Boulevard. This thoroughfare, by the way, received its name under the Act of 1870. The memorial stood in the rear of the edifice and had an iron railing around it. We well remember the little grave with a white railing, where Josiah Hoyt, the son of the principal of 82d Street School, was buried. How reverently his associates walked around the resting-place of their little school-fellow! There Mrs. Lamb, the mother of the brothers herein above mentioned, was interred. We recall her mild and gentle ways, and how sad we were when, after a long illness, she passed away.
The anniversaries of the Sabbath-school were held
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Reminiscences
at different places. One year, it would take place in the Church, to be followed the next time at other churches. On one such occasion in the home Church, we have a digest of Domine van Aken's brief conclud- ing address in which he expressed his gratitude for the assemblage present, the praise due the school, the teachers, and the children, and for the addresses and music; and added that, although the toils and sacri- fices and self-denials in maintaining the Church through the trying years of the past, arising from the transition and absorption of the suburb by the city, had been great, he was so attached to the field of his labor, had so great a work to perform and such bright prospects arising before him that he would not exchange the sphere of his operations for any within the range of the denomination. So large a company of children as were gathered was rarely witnessed in a single church. They ranged through all ranks, from the highest in the community to the most humble. The Rev. Drs. Ferris and De Witt were present, as they often were at these celebrations, and spoke.
During the second week of May, 1850 (Anniversary Week), the children took stages and rode to Dr. Chee- ver's church for the exercises. On May 9, 1854, they marched in procession to 49th Street and Eighth Ave- nue. Here cars were taken to the Broadway Tab- ernacle, which stood on that thoroughfare between Leonard and Worth Streets. The building was well filled and the children of the Five Points Mission were present. Messrs. Collin and Pease addressed them. The anniversary of 1857 was held in the home Church, when upwards of three hundred children assembled. Their sweet singing, coupled with the happy remarks of the Rev. E. R. Atwater, the Rev. Theodore L.
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Cuyler, Hon. Thomas Jeremiah, and George Conover, Esq, carried the occasion through with credit. The annual picnic of this year took place on the grounds of Robert H. Arkenburgh, who generously tendered their use and provided the music. The teachers and schol- ars met at the Church at 12 noon on a beautiful June day and, preceded by the band, marched to the grove at the foot of 68th Street. A newspaper clipping before us states that
a more beautiful spot for a picnic cannot, we venture to say, be found within fifty miles of New York. The children enjoyed themselves to their fullest capacity. The teachers, parents, and friends of the school present also entered fully into the spirit of the occasion. A table groaning with the weight of "good things" was spread under the trees, and of these all partook with a hearty relish. At 3 P.M., the school was assembled, and, after prayer, and singing by the children, addresses were delivered by Mr. Pardie of the Sunday-school Union, the Rev. M. B. Matchett, and the pastor. The speeches were happy and appropriate and were listened to with the most fixed attention. Every- thing passed off pleasantly and all went home highly gratified.
Up to 1853 no more charming spot than Bloomingdale could be found. Then suddenly there came a change. Squatters came, and from 59th to 68th Street, west of the Road, there were miniature farms. The shanty had its pig, its cows, its chickens, its ducks, its geese, and it was "a quack here and a quack-quack there and here a quack and there a quack and here and there a quack" as one walked along. Sometimes an infuriated old gander would follow and pounce upon one, or a yelping dog. These dogs were kept as beasts of burden. In the early winter mornings, a small cart with two
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Reminiscences
dogs or more-and frequently a woman took the place of the dog and pulled the cart-was to be seen going from house to house collecting cinders. These were taken to their shanties, well sifted and dampened and carried around to be sold at twenty-five cents a barrel.
These quotations from Mrs. Stryker's journal will fix dates:
Feb. 20, 1854. A bitter cold day. Wind high. Snow commenced and continued all night. One of the drivers of the Bloomingdale stage line was killed by losing the road and the stage was overturned at about 66th Street.
May 26, 1854. During a meeting of the Sewing Society an eclipse of the sun was witnessed.
Nov. 3, 1854. Mother and I have been to the funeral of Miss Rachel Cozine, held in the church. Domine van Aken and Dr. Winter of the Asylum, a Baptist minister, officiated. For forty-five years she has been a member and had just passed her 80th year. She united when there were but twenty in the membership (1809). She was buried at Trinity Cemetery. Early candle light services were often held at her home.
July 2, 1855. Fair and Festival held at Knickerbocker Hall, 22d St. and Eighth Avenue. Very successful.
July 22, 1855. A choir of young people formed. Mr. Bunting led the singing. Thirteen members in the morning and fifteen in the afternoon. We were in the habit of meeting at the Asylum the first Sunday in each month for monthly concert for missions.
Aug. 5, 1856. The death of George Parks at Stamford, Conn., was announced from the pulpit. Funeral Monday the 6th.
A number of former inmates of the Asylum enlisted in the Civil War. The Trustees' report of 1863 gives thanks that not one of the five in the 12th N. Y. Vol- unteers and of the many scattered in other regiments
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had been killed or seriously wounded, although they had been in some of the most fearful battles. This im- munity did not continue. Two members of the Church of whom we know were killed in action. One Joseph Turkington, an orphan brought up in the institution, was fatally shot. He had united only a short space prior to the firing on Fort Sumter, viz. Aug. 4, 1860. The other was George H. Pimley, who, with his wife Ann Humphrey, joined the communion Jan. 31, 1862. He had served as Deacon.
Miss Emily Hanaway's Bible class was broken up by the war. Their country called the members and they must leave home. One went in the navy, never to return. He was drowned soon after his departure. Another was not heard from until after the war clouds dispersed. Then he came suddenly to his former teacher's door, like one who had risen from the dead, to tell of the agonies in Andersonville prison. This was John Miller, whose two brothers Joseph and Frank went west, one to die in California. The other still survives and resides in Kansas. Another member died of typhoid fever, while still another is an in- structor in the army. Others have gone, we know not where. Perhaps at some future day they may sud- denly call on their teacher, as have John Miller and John Ray. Each boy as he started off, saying "Fare- well," received from her hands a little Testament. Letters came frequently and told of their success, but the class was discontinued, never again to meet as before.
The war had ended. The terrible conflict between the sections was over and the nation was rejoicing. The old Church must show its enthusiasm and therefore must have a flag. Mr. James Tyler agreed to give the
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Reminiscences
material if the ladies would put it together. We were invited to meet at the residence of Mrs. Nash, at 6Ist Street and Tenth Avenue for the purpose. How well we remember that home. It was a lovely spot, sur- rounded by beautiful grounds, where summer-houses, rustic seats and shade trees invited you to come in and rest awhile. Busy fingers had almost completed the flag when the question arose as to the proper persons to raise it. At last, it was decided that two young girls should be selected, one to represent the God- dess of Liberty and the other America. Miss Rebecca Nash was selected for the former and Miss Mary Amelia Tyler, the daughter of the donor of the flag, for the latter.
On the appointed day, we all assembled on the Bloomingdale Road, directly opposite the Church. At a given signal the young girls appeared, very prettily arrayed, and took the ends of the cords in their hands. Higher and higher it rose and, as the colors of "Old Glory" fluttered in the air, the people watched it with breathless silence. At last it settled near the steeple, and one loud burst of enthusiasm rent the air. We remember one old bronzed and weather-beaten sol- dier who shouted so long and heartily, almost turning somersaults in his delight, that the people turned to look at him and almost forgot the flag.
Years passed away; time brought many changes. Mr. Nash failed in business and removed from the neighborhood and we lost all trace of the family. Mr. Tyler and his daughter are sleeping in Trinity Cemetery, the wife and mother in Hastings, England. Occasionally we met a lady, apparently a stranger, who had become unsettled in her church relationship and who was introduced as Mrs. Deas. She would
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sometimes come quietly into the Thirty-fourth St. Reformed Church, and, not being acquainted, would speak to few and then pass on. At one time one of the ladies spoke of her as her cousin and then began to describe her former home. She told us of the loss of property and the husband's death; how she had married again, etc. We then found that the stranger was our friend of former days. Time had changed us both. We had other names and our appearance was not the same as in our young lives and neither had recognized the other. When next we met, we sat down beside her and asked, "Do you remember the names of the young ladies who raised the flag on the Bloomingdale Church?" She looked up in surprise. Old times came back; old scenes were recalled. The daughter Rebecca had married and was living in the far West. Very few are left who were present on that eventful day.
Some have felt that Domine van Aken was to be blamed for his pertinacity in holding on to the church property; others, that he should be commended for his foresight, having in the end brought about the present results as evidenced by the elegant edifice now in use. However this may have been, great credit is due some- where and the Lord will pardon what may have been wrong. The Domine inspired a profound feeling of love and respect. He was indeed a dear friend to his parishioners and neighbors. He was a good man and it has been said that no higher praise can be given. His wife, Miss Eliza W. Gulick, became a member Aug. 21, 1835. She died before him. Retiring in her usual state of health, she was found in the morning in a dying condition.
Many amusing incidents of the Domine's tenure are
PORTRAIT OF ELIZA GULICK, WIFE OF DOMINE VAN AKEN, 1862
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Reminiscences
told. One which especially pleased him, because of its application, is worth the telling. There was a person in the neighborhood who was seldom, if ever, seen in church. He called on her one day after she had been indulging a little too freely in wine. They had con- versed a while, when he inquired where she attended church service. She languidly closed her eyes and replied, "I am fed by Dr. van Nest," referring to the Rev. A. R. van Nest, who preached in the Twenty-first Street Church. As Domine van Aken was a strong temperance man, he no doubt had a standing joke on the good Doctor who fed her so sumptuously.
IX
Vital Statistics
Indices to Marriages and Baptisms will be found on page 521.
REGISTER OF MARRIAGES, BLOOMING- DALE, NEW YORK, 10 OCTOBER, 1808.
By REV. ALEXANDER GUNN.
BOOK I
I808
Parties
Witnesses
Oct. 22 William B. Jacob Harsen, Harlaem
Holmes Esq.
Hannah Stanton Thomas Ash
Nov. 16 Isaac Tuckere
George Gunn New York
Widow Lydia
Mary Young
Lewis (maiden Lydia Franks), persons of color
1809
Jan. I William C. Bal- Jemmy Olm- Flatbush lard stead
Silvanus Ward
Rebecca O. Wi- ley William Waite Jonathan Hard-
Feb. 23
Widow Margaret Mildeberger (Maid. Marga- ret Webbers)
man GarretH.Striker
446
447
Vital Statistics
18IO Parties
Jan. 27 George Dinnin Widow Mary Wil- kinson (Maid. Mary Craft) William Ballard Sarah Oakley
Apr. 18
May 10 Francis Lowrey Elizabeth Web- bers Andrew Her- mance Rachel Peterson
John Oakley George Gunn
Sarah Gunn
Margaret Waite
June 12
Aug. 9 John E. Ross Jane F. Hege- man
William Peter- son
Catharine Du- senberry David M. Ross
Dec. 18 John Harsen Catharine Bein- hauer
Garret H. Stri- ker
Dec. 19
Hezekiah Flor- Jacob Harsen Elizabeth Low-
ance Hannah Heady rey
18II
Feb. 2 Lewis van Net Mary Perkins
Jacob Harsen George Dinnin
Sarah Gunn
Harriet Bayard
July 14
Sarah Gunn Harriet Bayard
July 25 Isaac L. Varian Catharine Dusen- berry
Garret H.Striker John Horn
Aug. 15 John Strickland
Martha Clark of Goshen
Maria Clark,
daughter
Margaret
Ste-
phens
Sarah Gunn
Sept.15
John Herinton
Elizabeth Bean
Witnesses Jacob Harsen New York
-
May 25 John W. Palmer Letitia Hegeman Wm. Howe Eliza Bashwod (Lord Courte- nay's servants)
Cornelius Har- sen Jacob Harsen
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18II Parties
Witnesses
Oct. 5 Michael Cain Margaret Bar- tholf
Abraham Bar- tholf
Oct. 23 Sam'1 A. Savage Letitia Webbers
Benjamin Ha-
vens
Susan Webbers
James Striker
Oct. 24 Henry Douglas Phebe Baker
Jacob Harsen Mr. Rogers
Dec. Io
Samuel Miers Mary Major
Mr. Major, fa-
ther, Sarah Gunn
1812
Jan. 30 Warren Bishop Harriet Olmstead
Jemmy Olm-
stead
Mr. Sage
Apr. 19 Salyer Pettit Phebe Bloomer
Jacob Harsen
George Dinnin
Aug. 25 Richard Van Ri- per Mary Clark
John Strickland
Aug. 2
Christian Hane- John Strickland
berg Jane Briggs
Sarah
Gunn,
widow
1813
Jan. 15 James Gavatt Rebecca Martin
Cato-my black man
Ann Nichols
Mar. 24 Thomas Burling of Westchester
Mary Shepherd
Apr. 29 Levi Rogers Lorenna ford
Hors-
Aug. 7 Henry Moynat Rachel Moore
Dec. 8 William Young Lavinia Merritt
Elizabeth Wat-
son
John Stevens
Oct. 25 Wilmot Oakley Widow Rebecca Tuttle
James Striker
449
Vital Statistics
1813
Parties
Witnesses Doctor Huyler
Dec. 9 Andrew Hopper Elizabeth Guest, widow Earl (Arell) Samuel Van Or- Dr. den Maria Quacken- bush
Dec. 16
David
Quackenbush
1814
Jan. 6
George Holber- Mrs. Stratton ton
Catharine Hard- man
July 30
Edmond Charles Dr. Hosack
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