USA > New York > Queens County > Newtown > The annals of Newtown, in Queens County, New York; containing its history from its first settlement, together with many interesting facts concerning the adjacent towns; > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
The FRIENDS or QUAKERS, as before stated, erected a meeting house in 1722, in the village of Newtown, on the pre- mises now owned by Mr. Robert Mack, which they occupied many years as a place of worship, and the adjoining ground as a repository for their dead. It was in this edifice that Capt. Thomas Chalkley (a worthy successor of Fox, if we may judge from his arduous labors in different parts of the world,) preached on several occasions. His first visit was made in the summer of 1724, when he attended " the general meeting of Friends," held at Newtown. It " was so large that the meet- house could not contain the people." Chalkley revisited the Island in the year following, and arriving at the house of Richard Hallett, at the Kills, there held an evening assemblage, and the next day "a large meeting at Newtown, to the edifi- cation of Friends and other sober people." He also held services at Hellgate and at the widow Stevenson's, likewise at the widow Way's and widow Alsop's, at the Kills. He was last in New- town in 1735, and died at Tortola in 1741, aged 66 years. To the encouragement afforded by his visits and labors must be attributed in some degree the firm hold which the Quakers maintained in this town for a considerable period.
255
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
As the Friends mostly resided in the vicinity of the Eng- lish Kills, they concluded to change their place of worship. The meeting-house at Newtown was sold, and on May 16th, 1760, James Way presented the society with a plot of land eight rods square, near the English Kills, where they erected a house of worship, which was occupied as such during the war of the Revolution, and for a long time after, by a respec- table congregation. But now they are reduced to nothing, and nearly half a century has elapsed since stated mectings were held at the Maspeth meeting-house. In reflecting upon this sad decline, and the forlorn condition of the venerable edifice, still standing, and quite unused except as a school- house, one whose life has been passed in this vicinity, and with sympathies entwined about this interesting spot, thus re- marks, " And what if I say that the present state of the pre- mises is a shame and reproach to the society-forsaken-deso- late-a common-a prey-a melancholy ruin : the unhappy result may be ascribed to internal discord, or a partial disre- gard of that laconic, yet all important injunction, mind the light; which is most emphatically enjoined by the worthy founder of the principles that they openly professed to follow." A tale not less sad may be told of the old meeting-house and premises in Newtown village. The house having stood 122 years, and been long used as a dwelling, was consumed by fire Dec. 21st, 1844. The burying ground attached is desecrated, and the spot where repose the bones of many of the patriarchs of this sect in this town, is now undistinguishable and almost forgotten.
The BAPTIST society of Newtown, like that of the Friends, has become extinct, after a career more brief than the former. Its history affords few items of special interest. The society was formed in 1809, and a house of worship erect- ed soon after. But the church did not prosper, seldom enjoyed stated preaching, and the voice of praise and prayer may be said to have wholly ceased in their sanctuary.
The METHODISTS erected their first church upon Long Island in the year 1785, in the southern part of this town, at what is now called Middle Village. It is yet standing, though
256
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
converted into a dwelling. In 1836 a new edifice was built about a quarter of a mile from the former site, and directly upon the Williamsburgh and Jamaica turnpike road. This was effected chiefly through the liberality and personal effort of Mr. Joseph Harper, (father of Mr. Harper, late mayor of New-York,) who was born and resided over 80 years in this immediate vicinity, till his decease several years since. In 1839 a small Methodist Episcopal church was erected at New- town village, and in 1843 a house of worship of the same de- nomination was built at Astoria, which was dedicated on Sept. 21st of that year. For a certain period the three churches above enumerated formed one circuit or combined charge, but that of Astoria withdrew several years since. Those of Mid- dle Village and Newtown are still connected, the pastor resid- ing at the latter place.
" Gratice Deo pro luce verbisui, et laboribus servorum suorum doctorum et piorum."-Rev. WM. LEVERICH.
CONCLUSION.
The era subsequent to the Revolution has been prolific of instructive and pleasing incident connected with the locality under notice; but aside from the continuation of its church history, and other facts too closely linked to preceding times to be omitted, it has been deemed inexpedient to attempt a detail of events during this comparatively recent period. A mere glance, therefore, at some of the changes of later days, and the present condition and prospects of the town- ship, will close this division of the volume.
The intelligent farmer, who places a due estimate upon the service rendered his profession by modern science and art, must experience great satisfaction, whether he review the pro- gress of the past, or scan the prospective advance and success of this noble department of human enterprise. In this town a marked improvement in agriculture was observable within a few years after the war of Independence; but the more recent achievements in all that pertains to the culture of the soil have wrought a surprising change. Through a more enlightened mode of husbandry, including the introduction and skilful use of foreign manures, the improved construction of farming im- plements, and the process of sub-soil draining, not only has every department of vegetation been greatly accelerated, but considerable tracts of marshy land, once regarded as unsuscep- tible of cultivation, have been reclaimed and made highly productive. And consequently, out of 16,800 acres, which the township is computed to contain, some 11,000 have been made arable. The remainder, apart from the woodland, is chiefly low swampy soil, unfit for present cultivation, but in
258
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
some instances furnishing a superior quality of turf or peat, heretofore extensively used as fuel. This article came into use after the Revolution, owing to the woodland having been des- troyed by the British. In later years the re-growth of the woods and the introduction of coal have caused turf to fall into disuse, though, on the failure of these, it would necessarily re- sume its importance, and it is even now valuable as a manure after being reduced to ashes. The peat bogs of Newtown are allowed to be the most valuable of any on the west end of Long Island.
Although a large share of attention has been paid for a long time, by the farmers of this town, to the raising of garden and field vegetables for the New-York market, this department of husbandry has been much enhanced of late years, both in the amount and variety of produce raised. In- deed the importance of this town to the great metropolis, as aiding to supply its inhabitants with wholesome vegetables in their season, cannot be overrated. Husbandry is not, how- ever, necessarily restricted to this branch, as the town affords a superior location for florists and dairymen. The milk estab- lishment of Mr. David S. Mills, one of the most extensive in the country, has been in successful operation for years, and commends this as a profitable mode for the application of rural enterprise.
The introduction of turnpike roads,' the establishment of daily stages and steamboat communication with the city of N. York, have increased the facilities for travel and the trans- portation of produce to a remarkable degree beyond the for- mer sluggish locomotion over poor roads, or in scows, horse- boats, and market craft. And the present year, the construc- tion of a plank road from Newtown village to Williamsburgh has greatly facilitated communication with New-York, and must prove a highly important and beneficial work, answer-
1 The Finshing and Newtown Turnpike and Bridge Company, chartered May 21st, 1801, was the first within the limits of this town. In the course of several years they constructed a bridge over Flushing creek, (the first which crossed it,) and laid a turnpike thence to Newtown village. This was follow- ed by the Newtown and Bushwick Bridge Company, which continued the line of road to Williamsburgh. Since that period several other turnpikes have been constructed in various sections of the town.
259
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
ing valuable purposes, even though a railway should be laid through this town, for, in the progressive spirit of this age, the day is perhaps not far distant when the iron-horse will traverse the township, conveying its business-men and its products in a few brief minutes into the very centre of trade.
The proximity of New-York city has ever operated favor- ably for the wealth and prosperity of this town. A distin- guished visitor in 1804, observed this effect as "abundantly conspicuous in the wealth of the farmers and in the beauty of the villas." Yet, at this date, there existed but few of those costly mansions that now adorn the township, and particu- larly the northern and western borders of it, the result chiefly of the taste and enterprise of New-York merchants. One of the first, if not the very first of these erected in the vicinity of Hellgate, was that built in 1792, by Mr. John Delafield, a distinguished merchant of New-York, who, in the preceding year, had purchased the Blackwell farm. This building, fash- ioned after the English style, was recently occupied by the "Sisters of the Sacred Heart," a catholic order, but it is now the residence of Mr. Brooks.
At the beginning of the present century, the settlement at Hallett's Cove did not exceed half a dozen buildings. But the increase of population and business at this place, within a few years, has been quite remarkable. Its local advantages, both for residence and various business purposes, are indeed sufficient to ensure its growth, yet its prosperity must be greatly attribut- ed to the enterprise of certain leading inhabitants, whose untir- ing efforts to build it up are worthy of special praise. The vill- age was incorporated under the name of Astoria, April 12th, 1839, the charter providing that the corporation consist of five trustees, three assessors, a treasurer, collector and clerk ; with powers and privileges corresponding to those previously granted by charter to the village of Angelica, in this state. The erection of several imposing church edifices, the laying out of streets and avenues, adorned with many neat and even beautiful pri- vate residences, has greatly added to the convenience, attract- iveness and importance of the place. And consequently its population, which in 1840 was 750, has since tripled, and ac- cording to the last year's census was 2,250, within the charter- ed limits. The recent opening of several new streets, south
260
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
of the village, and the offer of desirable building lots upon moderate terms, must ensure a more rapid growth of this place during the years to come. In, or near the village are several floral gardens and nurseries, an extensive carpet factory, and other manufacturing establishments ; most of the manufactures of the town centring here, the principal exceptions being the essence and chocolate factory of Mr. Rey at Middle Village, the rope-walk of Mr. Murch at Newtown, and the iron foundry of A. D. Fisk near the English Kills, where are made the some- what celebrated metallic coffins. For manufacturing purposes, so far as steam power can be applied, Astoria is unequalled in situation ; while to men of wealth seeking retired country re- sidences, in a pure atmosphere, amid a delightful scenery, and easy of access from their places of business, this village and that of Ravenswood, with their environs, offer some of the most inviting localities to be found around New-York. These villages are also furnished with good schools, while, in respect to the important matter of health, not only this vicinity, but the town at large, will compare favorably with any in this state. According to the last census, the number of deaths that occurred in the town during the twelve months next preceding the time of taking the census, was only seventeen, less than one quarter per cent of the population ! a smaller ratio than was exhibited by any other town in the whole southern district of New-York, except Southold in Suffolk county. The bill of ordinary mortality being allowed to be proper data from which to judge of the salubrity of a place, the above result leaves this town with scarce a rival in this respect.
Growth and enterprise are visible upon the whole surface of this township. The pleasant hamlets of Middle Village and Maspeth are of comparitively recent origin ; the former is no- ted as containing the first Methodist church erected on Long Island. Maspeth is classic ground, in times past the nursery of poetry and genius. Here, in a "sweetly rural calm retreat, secure, secluded," was produced the clever poem of " Rural Hours." And here is another spot at which to linger for a mo- ment, the residence of the late Judge Jones. At an early day it was the abode of Joseph Sackett, Esq., a worthy judge of common pleas, who died at a venerable age twenty years be- fore the Revolution; then of Walter Franklin, an opulent
261
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
New-York merchant, till his death in 1780, and after him Col. Isaac Corsa, renowned for his chivalry in the French war. And then the eminent statesman, Hon. De Witt Clinton, hav- ing married the daughter of Mr. Franklin, and niece of Col. Corsa, made this favored mansion his country residence for a considerable portion of his life, and here " planned for matur- ing the stupendous undertaking of uniting the waters of the Erie with the Ocean." I need not name other sterling men who have honored Maspeth as their residence; nor dwell upon the new interest imparted by the recent establish- ment here of the beautiful cemetery of Mount Olivet. This locality has had its changes. Once it was a community of Quakers; now has this sect scarce a representative. Their meeting-house deserted by those who, half a century since, were wont to gather in pious concourse here, stands their only monument and a melancholy witness of earthly mutability.
One cannot contemplate these and similar changes without deep interest. What a revolution has been produced in the customs of social and domestic life, by the abolition of slavery,1 the introduction of foreign fabrics and luxuries, of new implements, machinery and forms of industry, the disuse of the Dutch language, the spread of education2 and intelli-
1 Slavery did not cease in this state till July 4th, 1827, though emancipation began soon after the Revolution. Most of the slaves hailed the event with joy, many of them deserting their homes in anticipation of it. Others preferred to stay with their masters. " I shall never forget," says Judge Furman, "the quaint re- mark of two aged slaves, when my grandfather went to the kitchen and informned them that they were now both free and at liberty to go where they pleased. The poor old woman began to shed tears, while old Simon, who sat quietly smoking his pipe, began, ' Why Dinah, what are you crying about ? Old massa wont turn us out doors ; will you old massa ?' ' Why Simon, you are now as free as I am, but if you both wish to continue with me, this shall be a home for you.' On which Simon, laughing and displaying his ivory, replied very significantly, ' Well, old massa, you have had de flour, I guess you must hab de bran too.' The old gentle- man could not help smiling, or crying, er perhaps both, as he left the kitchen."
2 The cause of education was much promoted after the Revolution by the erection of school-houses in various districts, and the establishment of academies of a higher grade at Newtown, the latter under the charge respectively of the Pres- byterian and Episcopal clergymen. Since 1814, when commissioners and inspec- tors of common schools were first chosen, and the town divided into school districts, it has enjoyed the advantages of the present excellent common-school system of this state. Mr. Charles Cook has served the town as superintendent of schools since 1844.
,
262
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
gence, the increased means of intercourse, the wonderful im- petus given to benevolent and religious as well as secular enter- prise, and the influx of inhabitants. The population of the town has been greatly augmented within a few years. At the first general census in 1790, the inhabitants numbered but 2,111, and for forty years thereafter the increase was only 499. But for the next twenty years, namely, from 1830 to 1850, the additional increase was 4,597; the population at the latter date amounting to 7,207, having more than doubled within fifteen years.
In review of the past, truly marvelous does the progress appear, and with the inventive spirit of the present who can predict what the teeming future shall develop. But mere change is not improvement, though it oft usurps the name; nor every novelty a real good, though so eagerly grasped at ; and while, in every sphere of life, progress should be the watch- word, we should not only be wary of rampant speculation, but deprecate innovation upon the wholesome customs of the olden time, where the motive is a love of novelty, or the demand of fashion, and the utility doubtful. The annals of our fathers teach us exemplary lessons of industry, simplicity, prudence, and piety ; let us emulate their good deeds and virtues, and our reward shall be ample, even an approving conscience, the respect of men, and Heaven's benediction.
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
Second Part.
ITS GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
EXPLANATIONS.
In order to condense the matter embraced in the following genealogies, certain abbreviations have been used, namely,
ch. for child or children.
b. for born.
m. for married. unm. for unmarried.
d. for died.
dec. for deceased.
dau. for daughter.
a. for aged. yr. or yrs. for year or years.
The genealogies are, for convenience, divided into sections, indicated by numbers. A section generally mentions, first, the parents ; secondly, the names of the children, and who the daughters married ; and thirdly, such of the sons and their descendants as require but brief notice. When several sons are thus treated of in the same section their names are usually put in italic letters, to denote the relationship. The other sons, if again mentioned, have each a numeral affixed to his name, indicating the section where he is further noticed. By attending to these numbers which point to the recur- rence of the name in a new section, and also those used in the latter to refer back again to the parent, the lineage can be readily traced cither backward or forward.
Many of the original Dutch settlers in this country were destitute of family or surnames, while others who had them, frequently neglected to use them, and instead adopted their patronymic, or, in other words, formed a sur- name of the christian name of the father, usually (but not always) adding to it either sen, se, s, sz, or z, all of which when thus used had the same mean- ing and signified son. Hence, for example, the name Joris Jansen was un- derstood to mean Joris the son of Jan, and Pieter Claesz, Pieter the son of Claes. The effect of this custom, after the second generation, was to create confusion by producing as many surnames or patronymics in the several branches of a family as they had baptismal names. It was probably to cor- rect this evil and preserve the identity of families that the Dutch inhabitants, about the beginning of the eighteenth century, dropped this custom, and either resumed their proper surname, or adopted one, or else retained the pa- tronymic then in use by the family, as a permanent name for themselves and offspring. These remarks will serve to explain much of what follows.
266
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
Names have commonly been spelled as the persons themselves wrote them, so far as that could be ascertained, from their signatures, or other re- liable sources. This will exhibit the changes they have undergone.
As Dutch christian names have in many cases been retained, a list of those most used, is annexed, with their corresponding English.
Adriaen, or
Adrian.
Arien,
Geesie,
Grace.
Aeltie,
. Aletta.
Gysbert,
Gilbert.
Aert.
Arthur.
Hans, (abbreviation of the Latin Johannes,) . John
Angenietie,
Agnes.
Harck,
Hercules.
Anneken,
Ann,
Hendrick,
Henry.
Annetie, or
Anne, or
Heyltie, or
Hellen.
Antie,
Anna.
Hilletie,
Antony, or
Anthony.
Teunis,
Jacomina, or
Jemima.
Barent,
. Bernard.
Jacomyntie,
Belitie,
Isabella.
Jan,
John.
Carel,
Charles.
Jannetie, or
Jane.
Catrina,
Janneken,
Catryntie,
Catharine.
Joost,
Justus.
Christina,
Metie, or
Matilda.
Christyntie, or
Christiana.
Machteltie S
Christoffel, or
. Christopher
Grietie,
Stoffel,
Nicholas.
Marritie, S
Claesie,
of Claes.
Thys,
Cornelis,
. Cornelius.
Neeltie, (Nelly,)
Cornelia.
Dirck, or
Richard.
Pieter,
Peter.
Derick,
Elizabet, or
Elizabeth.
Pieternella, § Pieter.
Betie,
Sara, Sarah.
Engeltie,
Angeline.
Seytie,
Cynthia.
Eytie,
Ida.
Willem or
William.
Femmetie,
Phele.
Wilhelmus,
Gerardiena,
Willemtie, or } fem. of
Gerardientie, or
. Diana.
Wilhelmina, § Willem.
Dientie,
Joris,
George.
Styntie,
Margrietie, or
Margaret.
Maria, or }
Mary.
Claes,
feminine
Matthys, or
Matthias.
Pietertie, or } fem. of
George, or
Tryntie, or Tryn,
Geertie, .
Gertrude.
Andries,
Andrew.
Jacobus, James.
THE RAPELYE FAMILY.
This numerous and reputa- ble family is descended from that of de Rapalié, which, as early as the eleventh century possessed large estates in Bre- tagne, and ranked among the arriere-ban of the French nobi- lity. Some of its members were distinguished as military leaders in the crusades, others were ce- lebrated for political eminence and professional talent. But in the religious wars of the sixteenth century, being known as Protestants, they became the victims of Papal animosity and were scattered and expelled from France. The family subse- quently gained prominence in Switzerland and Belgium, where they acquired large possessions and continue to the present time. Their ancient coat of arms, above given, are intended to represent the noble birth and origin of the family, and their reputation for firmness and fidelity.
1. Joris Jansen de Rapalie, one of this proscribed Hugue- not race, "from Rochelle in France," was the common ances- tor of all the American families of this name." He came to this country with other colonists in 1623, in the Unity, a ship of the West India Company. and settled at Fort Orange, now Albany, where he continued three years. In 1626 he removed to New Amsterdam, and resided there till after the birth of his youngest child. On June 16, 1637, he bought from the Indians
* The practice which afterwards obtained, of writing the final syllable of this name with a j, was a Dutch perversion of the original orthography.
Some assert that Joris Jansen de Rapalie, and Antony Jansen Van Salee, of Gravesend, were brothers, and their family name, Jansen. Our early records do not corroborate this statement, but go very far to disprove it. The whole seems to be a mere assumption from the occurrence of Jansen
268
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
a tract of land computed at 335 acres, called Rennegaconck, now included within the town of Brooklyn, and comprehend- ing the lands occupied by the U. S. Marine Hospital. Here Mr. Rapalie finally located, and spent the remainder of his life. He was a leading citizen, acted a prominent part in the public affairs of the colony, and served in the magistracy of Brook- lyn. He died soon after the close of the Dutch administration, his widow, Catalyntie, dau. of Joris Trico, surviving him many years. She was born in Paris, and died Sep. 11, 1689, a. 84. Their ch. as taken from the original family record preserved in the library of the New-York Historical Society, were as follow, to wit, Sara, b. June 9, 1625, m. successively to Hans Hansse Bergen and Teunis Gysberts Bogart ;* Marritie, b. Mar. 11, 1627, m. Michael Vandervoort; Jannetie, b. Aug. 18, 1629, m. Rem Vanderbeeck; Judith, b. July 5, 1635, m. Pieter Van · Nest; Jan, b. Aug. 28, 1637, m. but died in 1662 without sur- viving issue ; Jacob, b. May 28, 1639, who was killed by the Indians; Catalyntie, b. Mar. 28, 1641, m. Jeremias Westerhout ;
in their names ; which, however, proves not a family identity, but simply in- dicates that the father of each had borne the common name of Jan or John. It has also been set down as veritable history, that said Antony Jansen Van Salee was the progenitor of a large family of Johnsons upon Long Island and elsewhere, of which is Hon. Jeremiah Johnson of Brooklyn. This is an error. Gen. Johnson, as clearly appears from existing records, is a descend- ant, in the fourth generation, of Jan Barentsen van Driest, who came in 1657 from 'Zutphen in Guelderland, and settled at Gravesend. See an article on Antony Jansen van Salee in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle of Feb. 20, 1851. The valuable work on American Genealogy, by Holgate, contains very se- rious mistakes respecting the Johnson and Rapelye families, which only those acquainted with the difficulties of genealogical investigation will know how to excuse.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.