USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884 Volume I > Part 116
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 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182
Dr. Edward R. Chapin, Physician of the Lunatic Asylum for the same year (the tenth annual report of that institu- tion), reports : There were patients in the Asylum, August 1, 1866-Males, 197; females, 273; total, 470. Admitted dur- ing the year-Males, 115; females, 116; total, 231. Whole number under treatment-Males, 312; females, 389; total, 701. Discharged recovered-Males, 37; females. 47; total, 84. Discharged improved-Males, 26; females, 14; total, 40. Dis- charged unimproved-Males, 5: females, 4; total, 9. Died- Males, 33; females, 19; total, 52. Whole number discharged- Males, 101; females, 84; total, 185. Remaining July 31, 1867 -Males, 211; females, 305; total, 516. Number of employees, 72.
John Driscoll, Keeper of the County Nursery for the same year, reports :
Remaining July 31, 1866-Children, male, 265; female, 142; Adults, male, 6; female, 33; total, 446. Admitted during the year-Children, male, 276; female, 228; Adults, male, 3; fe- males, 41; total, 548. Total remaining and admitted-Chil- dren, male, 541; female, 370; Adults, male, 9; female, 74; total, 994. Discharged during the year-Children, male, 254; female, 230; Adults, male, 2; female, 39; total, 525. Died- Children, male, 15; females, 15; Adults, male, 1; female, 0; total, 31. Total discharged and died-Children, male, 269; female, 245; Adults, male, 3; female, 39, total, 556. Remain- ing July 31, 1867-Children, male, 272; female, 125; Adults, male, 6; female, 35; total, 438. The school, together with the two Sunday schools, continued to be very prosperous.
On January 21st, 1858, a law was drafted by the Supervisors, authorizing the several courts in Kings county to send all prisoners, convicted and sentenced for a term less than five years, to the County Peniten- tiary. This act was sent to the representative of Kings county, with instructions to secure its legal enactment by the Legislature. At this time, and since the erec- tion of the Penitentiary, the law was such that it could not receive prisoners sentenced for a term longer than six months.
On June 8th, 1868, the following resolution was pre- sented to the Board of Supervisors by Supervisor Still- well :
Whereas, various charges and insinuations have been made in this Board against the Superintendents of the Poor, therefore,
Resolved, that the special committee of this Board be in- structed to inquire as to whether the Superintendents of the Poor, or either of them, have been guilty of any misconduct in office, making them liable to impeachment and removal from office.
490ª
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Superintendent Howell then offered the following resolution as an amendment to the foregoing :
Resolved, That this Board do hereby impeach the Superin- tendents of the Poor, each and every of them, and that Frederick Scholes, Supervisor of 19th Ward, is hereby ap- pointed manager of said action, with full power to send for persons and papers."
This amendment was rejected by a vote of 12 to 9; the question recurring on the resolution offered by Su- pervisor Stillwell was adopted by a vote of 16 to 5.
Thus we see what a bitter and exterminating war was being waged against the Superintendents of the Poor. But the latter sustained the contest with a de- grec of determination, ability and confidence that, up to this time, rendered them masters of the situation.
June 16th, 1868, a lengthy and very able report re- garding the condition of the Almshouse was presented by a committee, who had made a very exhaustive ex- amination of it, and of its inmates, its liabilities and its management. Several alterations werc suggested, especially as to the matter of convict labor therein. Finally, the report recommended "that necessary steps should be immediately taken for the erection of workshops in sufficient numbers to employ all paupers in the Kings County Almshouse having trades; and, also, for the purchase of a piece of ground in addition to that already owned by the county for the employ- ment of unskilled labor; and for the establishment of a dairy to supply the county buildings with milk-the same to be managed by pauper labor. This report was unanimously adopted by the Board. On August 4th, Dr. John L. Zabriskie, was elected, by acclamation, Physician for the County Penitentiary for the ensuing year. A"resolution was also adopted that all medicines used in the Penitentiary ordered by the physician be paid for by the] county. The Physician's salary was fixed at $1,000"a year.
The annual report of the Superintendents of the Poor for the year ending July 31st, 1868, shows that the Lunatic Asy- lum was being enlarged, to meet the rapidly increasing num- ber of patients demanding admission. The report also con- tains the following statement:
Remaining at date of last report: Almshouse, 520; Hospi- tal, 299; Nursery, 438; Asylum, 516; total, 1,773. Admitted and born during the year: Almshouse, 2,404; Hospital, 2,314; Nursery, 532; Asylum, 250; total, 5,500. Total: Almshouse, 2,924; Hospital, 2,613; Nursery, 970; Asylum, 766; total, 7,273. Died and discharged during year: Almshouse, 2,253; Hospital, 2,297; Nursery, 494; Asylum, 234; total, 5,278. Re- maining July 31st, 1868: Almshouse, 671; Hospital, 316; Nursery, 476; Asylum, 532; total, 1,995.
Total number relieved and supported, either wholly or in part for the year ending July 31, 1868, 44,734; total amount of paid bills, $488,078.53; total amount of receipts, $24,277.92.
Dr. Teunis Schenck, Physician to the County Hospital for the year ending July 31st, 1868, reported that the new build- ing erected in the rear of the Hospital building had been completed, and was fully devoted to the purposes for whichi it was intended. It is a two-story brick building 56 x 24, entirely separated from the main building, and only con-
nected with it by a covered passage. It is supplied with a complete set of culinary apparatus, with a large range of most approved pattern, and finally, it was "a perfect and ample kitchen, with every convenience that could be de- vised." The report contains the following:
Remaining July 1st, 1867: Males, 132; females, 167; total, 299. Admitted during year: Males, 1,208; females, 1,106; to- tal, 2,314. Total number under treatment: Males, 1,340; fe- males, 1,273; total, 2,613. Discharged recovered: Males, 766; females, 778; total, 1,544. Discharged improved: Males, 275; females, 203; total, 478. Discharged unimproved: Males, 14; females, 23; total, 37. Died: Males, 146; females, 92; total, 238. Total died and discharged: Males, 1,201; females, 1,096; total, 2,297. Remaining July 31, 1868: Males, 139; females, 177; total, 316. Total number under treatment July 31, 1866, 3,505; total number under treatment July 31, 1867, 2,828; total number under treatment July 31, 1868, 2,613.
Dr. Edward R. Chapin, physician of the Lunatic Asylum for the same year, reported the additional wings of the asy- lum as nearly completed; that they were being constructed, from architectural necessity, much after the general plan of the other wings, though they are more extensive, and are improvements upon the old ones in regard to ventilation, the arrangement of the dormitories and many other minor de- tails. The report also shows that several fine concerts have been given at the asylum with excellent effect; for, says the report, "music has a most happy effect upon the insane. It calms the excited, enlivens the oppressed, and soothes all." Dr. Chapin returns his thanks to the Graham fund for a very elegant set of the Waverly novels, the set obtained from the same source nine years previous having become nearly worn out. The report shows:
Patients in asylum August 1, 1867: Males, 211; females, 305; total, 516. Patients admitted during the year: Males, 113; females, 137; total, 250. Whole number under treat- ment: Males, 324; females, 442; total, 766. Discharged re- covered: Males, 35; females, 56; total, 91. Discharged im- proved: Males, 28; females, 43; total, 71. Discharged unim- proved: Males, 10; females, 6; total, 16. Died: Males, 33; females, 23; total, 56. Whole number discharged: Males, 106; females, 128; total, 234. Remaining July 31, 1868: Males, 218; females, 314; total, 532; employees, 74.
John Driscol, keeper of the County Nursery, for the same year reports the addition to the building as rapidly progress- ing; that there has been a large increase in the number of the inmates during the past year. The number of inmates remaining July 31, 1867, were: Children, 272 males and 125 females; adults, 6 males and 35 females; total, 438. Ad- mitted during year: Children, 279 male, 191 female; Adults, 12 male, 50 female; total, 532. Total remaining and ad- mitted: Children, 551 male, 316 female; adults, 18 male, 85 females; total, 970. Discharged during year: Children, 229 male, 155 female; adults, 11 male, 46 female; total, 441. Died: Children, 26 male, 27 female; total, 53. Total during year: Children, 255 male, 182 female; adults, 11 male, 46 fe- male; total, 494. Remaining July 31, 1868: Children, 296 male, 134 female; adults, 7 male, 39 female; total, 476.
By an act of the Legislature, passed February 25th, 1869, the Superintendents of the Poor, with the Alms- house Committee, werc directed to classify the paupers of Kings County, putting all who were able to work without injury to themselves in the workhouse, retain- ing only the aged and infirm, and such persons as are unable to work in the Almshouse of said county; and upon the completion of the workhouse, by contract or
491ª
SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE POOR.
otherwise, provide employment for all paupers able to work.
July 16th, 1869, the Superintendents and Supervisors met at the Lunatic Asylum, to consider its over- crowded state; and, after a careful investigation, unanimously decided that it was absolutely necessary to enlarge the same at once. The following were the number of rooms in the old Asylum:
One reception room, 2 parlors, 2 offices, 6 sleeping rooms, 2 dining rooms, 3 store rooms, 1 kitchen, 1 laundry, 1 chapel. In the wings of the original building there were 192 single dormi- tories, 20 associated, 16 attendants' rooms, 20 parlors or sitting rooms, 16 dining rooms, 20 bath rooms, 16 clothes rooms; total number of rooms in old building, 300. In new extension, 112 single dormitories, or strong rooms, for violent patients; 80 single dormitories, 16 double dormitories, 16 parlors or sit- ting rooms, 8 attendants' rooms, 8 bath rooms, 8 clothes rooms, 6 dining rooms, 44 rooms in the basement not quite ready for occupancy. There were in the new wings 292 rooms, within 10 of the whole number in the old building, which old building cost the county about $250,000, at a time when material and labor cost about one-fourth of the price it cost in 1867 and '68.
The extension of the new Nursery at this time was nearly completed ; spacious playgrounds were set apart and ornamented for the use of the children, and everything prepared to make them a comfortable home.
On the 8th of May, 1869, an act passed the Legisla- ture of the State authorizing the County Treasurer to borrow, on the credit of the county, the sum of $75,000, for the purpose of erecting an addition to the Alms- house, and for the erection of a workhouse for the County of Kings.
The annual report of the Superintendents of the Poor for the year ending July 31st, 1869, shows the following: Re- maining at date of last report: Almshouse, 671; Hospital, 316; Nursery, 476; Asylum, 532; total, 1,995. Admitted and born during the year: Almshouse, 2,090; Hospital,/2,693; Nursery, 452; total, 5,521. Total admitted to whole Poor- establishment, 7,516. Discharged and died during the year: Almshouse, 2,024; Hospital, 2,674; Nursery, 527; Asylum, 261; total, 5,485. Remaining July 31st, 1869: Almshouse, 737; Hospital, 335; Nursery, 401; Asylum, 557; total, 2,030. Total number relieved or supported, either wholly or in part, for the year ending July 31st, 1869, 40,381. Total amount of paid bills, $477,542.37; total amount of receipts, $23,392.95.
Dr. Teunis Schenck, Physician of the County Hospital, reports for the same year: Remaining in the Hospital July 31st, 1868: Males, 139; females, 177; total, 316. Admitted during year: Males, 1,464; females, 1,229; total, 2,693. Total under treatment: Males, 1,603; females, 1,406; total, 3,009. Discharged recovered: Males, 962; females, 835; total, 1,797. Discharged improved: Males, 303; females, 230; total, 533. Discharged unimproved: Males, 26; females, 29; total, 55. Died: Males, 159; females, 130; total, 289. Total discharged and died: Males, 1,450; females, 1,224; total, 2,674. Remain- ing July 31, 1869: Males, 153; females, 182; total, 335. Total number under treatment end of year 1866, 3,505; total num- ber under treatment year ending July 31st, 1867, 2,828; total number under treatment year ending July 31st, 1868, 2,613; total number under treatment year ending July 31st, 1869,
3,009. The officers of the Hospital this year were: Resident Physician, Teunis Schenck, M. D .; Assistant, P. L. Schenck, M. D .; Consulting Physicians, John L. Zabriskie, M. D., Homer L. Bartlett, M. D., R. Cresson Stiles, M. D .; James Fitzgerald, Steward ; Mrs. Ellen M. Martin, Matron ; Mrs. B. Murphy, Matron, S. P. H.
Dr. Edward R. Chapin, Physician in Chief of the County Lunatic Asylum for the same year, reported that " additional wings to the Asylum, which were be- gun on the first day of May, 1868, and completed on the first day of July, 1869, gave the whole Asylum a frontage of 683 feet; lineal measure, 1,005 feet. The centre building and two wings were commenced during the fall of 1853, and finished in October, 1855; two additional wings of the same dimensions were com- menced on the 18th of July, 1860, and finished in June, 1861. The new wings just completed are considerably larger than the old, each measuring 442 feet; each of the old 327 feet around the outer walls. The Asylum will now accommodate 700 patients. A tower has been crected adjoining the engine-house for the introduction of pure air into the buildings; it is of brick, and 50 feet above ground surface, 8 feet below and 10 feet square. At the base is placed a fan, 10 feet in diame- ter and 7 feet in width; from the fan an underground duct, 7 feet high by 7 feet wide, and 20 feet long, ex- tends to the air chamber under the centre building; the main steam and water pipes are laid in this passage. The air chamber is 12 feet wide by 7 feet wide, and extends to each end of the building. To prevent the rise of dust, the bottom of the chamber is covered with concrete, over which is placed a layer of cement."
The Lunatic Asylum of Kings county, at the time of which we are writing, was excelled in point of con- venience, capacity, management and regard for the comfort and health of the patients, but by a very few in the State; and we may say, without affectation, by few in the nation. Its imposing architectural appear- ance has already been described.
Dr. Chapin appends to his report these statistics:
Patients in Asylum August 1st, 1868, 218 males, 314 females; total, 532; admitted during the year, 134 males, 152 females; total, 286; whole number under treatment, 352 males, 466 females; total, 818; discharged - recovered, 51 males, 55 females; total, 106; improved, 44 males, 36 females; total, 80; unimproved, 11 males, 11 females; total, 22; died, 21 males, 32 females; total, 53; whole number discharged, 127 males, 134 females; total, 261; remaining July 31st, 1869, 225 males; 332 females; total, 557; number of employees, 81.
The annual report for the same year gives as remaining July 31st, 1868, 430 children, 46 adults; total, 476; admitted during the year, 406 children, 46 adults; total, 452; total re- maining and admitted, 836 children, 92 adults; total, 928; discharged during the year, 452 children, 46 adults; total, 498; died, 29 children; total, 29; total discharged and died, 481 children, 46 adults; total, 527; remaining July 31st, 1869, 355 children, 46 adults; total, 401; decrease during the year, 75. The salary of Francis McNeeley, the Keeper of the Peni- tentiary, was on August 1st, 1869 increased to the sum of $4,000 per annum.
492ª
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
We should have added that on September 23d, according to an act of the Legislature of 1857, chap. 511, scc. 3, of the session laws of that year, the County Treasurer was directed to issue certificates of indebted- ness not exceeding $100,000, and to give his official bond for the same, payable nine months from date, the money to be placed to the credit of the Superintendents of the Poor.
The history of the transactions of the Superintendents of the Poor, and of the poor establishment of the county, for the year ending July 31st, 1870, and of the year ending July 31st, 1871, are so unimportant and so few that we shall not make mention of many of them, especially as the abstracts from the annual reports of the different departments which we present give a fair history of their condition during that time. It is, how- ever, proper to add that there was a growing determin- ation on the part of a large class of the community to have the office of Superintendents of the Poor abolished, and a Commission of Charities, &c., created in its place. On May 8th, 1870, $80,000 was placed to the credit of the Superintendents of the Poor, and on the 3d of May $28,000 was placed to their credit, to be ex- pended in paying off debts and liabilities incurred on account of the new Alms-House, in course of erection.
On October 4th, 1870, it was ascertained that $148,- 685 had been expended on the new Alms-House; the same was placed in the sole charge of the Superintend- ents by the committee.
The annual report of the Superintendents for the year end- ing July 31st, 1870, shows that there were remaining at date of last report in Alms-House, 737; Hospital, 335: Nursery, 401; total, 2,030. Admitted and born during the year, Alms- House, 2,216; Hospital, 3,394; Nursery, 539; Asylum, 314; total, 6,463. Total Alms-House, 2,953; Hospital, 3,729; Nursery, 940; Asylum, 871; whole total, 8,493. Died and dis- charged during the year: Alms-House, 2,206; Hospital, 3,354; Nursery, 512; Asylum, 270; total, 6,342. Remaining July 31st, 1870: Alms-House, 747; Hospital, 375; Nursery, 428; Asylum, 601; total, 2,151. Total number relieved, either wholly or in part, during the year ending July 31, 1870, 46,712. Total amount of paid bills, $559,116.16; receipts, $22,091.35. Signed, Henry Corr, Thomas Foran, Henry Seiler, John J. Scott, Cornelius Ferguson, Superintendents of Poor of Kings County.
Dr. Teunis Schenck, resident physician to the County Hos- pital, gives as remaining in Hospital July 31st, 1869, 153 males, 182 females; total, 335; admitted during the year,
1,813 males, 1,581 females; total, 3,394; total number under treatment, 1,966 males, 1,763 females; total, 3,729; dis- charged-recoved, 1,293 males. 1,232 females; total, 2525; im- proved, 307 males, 174 females; total, 481; unimproved, 20 males, 23 females; total, 43; died, 183 males, 122 females; total, 305; total number discharged and died, 1,803 males, 1,551 females; total, 3,354; remaining July 31st, 1870, 163 males, 212 females; total, 375.
Dr. Edward R. Chapin, physician of the Lunatic Asylum, states that there were, on the 1st of August, 1869, in the Asylum, 224 males, 334 females; total, 558; patients admitted during the year, 130 males, 184 females; total, 314; whole number under treatment, 354 males, 518 females; total, 872; discharged-recovered, 57 males, 73 females; total, 130; im- proved, 20 males, 42 females; total, 62; unimproved, 10 males, 10 females; total, 20; died, 29 males, 29 females; total, 58; whole number discharged, 116 males, 154 females; total, 270; remaining July 31st, 1870, 238 males, 364 females; total, 602; number of employees, 83.
This was the thirteenth annual report of Dr. Chapin.
John Driscoll, Keeper of the County Nursery, shows there were remaining July 31st, 1869, 355 children, 46 adults; total, 401; admitted during year, 466 children, 73 adults; total, 539; total, 821 children, 119 adults; grand total, 940; total dis- charged during the year, 484; died, 28; discharged and died, 512; remaining July 31st; 1870, 428; showing an increase of 27 inmates during the year.
This year there was an annual report of the expenses of the Penitentiary for the year ending July 31st, 1870, showing that the total expenses that year were $65,- 898.99. On November 10th, 1870, John Cunningham, Esq., was appointed Keeper of the Kings County Pen- itentiary for the term of three years, to date from November 1st, 1870.
We have now given the history of the Board of Superintendents of the Poor, from the creation of that office down to December 31st, 1870, a term of 43 years, and, we may say, down to April, 1871; for, between the rendition of the annual reports of the various de- partments under their charge, on the 14th of April, 1871, there is nothing recorded of sufficient importance to be inserted in this history.
On the 14th of April, 1871, the office of Superintend- ents of the Poor in the County of Kings ceased to exist, by or under that name.
By an act of the Legislature, passed on the 4th of April, 1871, the Superintendents of the Poor of Kings County were to be known and designated as the " COM- MISSIONERS OF CHARITIES OF THE COUNTY OF KINGS."
THE COMMISSIONERS OF CHARITIES
OF THE
COUNTY OF KINGS, 1871.
The prejudice against the Board of Superintendents of the Poor on the one hand, and the efforts of the friends of that body on the other in its favor, was, for several years, the cause of a contest more or less intense. At length the act of April 14th, 1871, to which we have referred, gave a turn to the matter by establishing a Board known as the Commission of Charities. At first the advantage gained by the friends of that Commission was little more than nominal, excepting that it ren- dered that Board a corporation, the powers and immu- nities of which were very favorable to the friends of the Superintendents. The act creating the Board provides :
That the County Superintendents should hereafter be known by the above title, and all laws relating to the election and qual- ification for office of Superintendents of the Poor should be ap- plicable to the new Commissioners; that the said Commissioners should each receive an annual salary of $4,000, which should be a county charge ; that the said Commissioners should be a cor- poration by the above name, under which they might sue and be sued, and possess the usual powers of a corporation for public pur- poses; that they together should constitute a Board for the relief and support of the Poor of the County of Kings, and for the gov- ernment, management, maintenance and direction of the prein- ises commonly known as the County Farm, its several institutions and buildings, property and appurtenances, etc., etc., and for the employment, relief, support and government of the persons placed thereon, etc., in various official capacities, who should hold their positions during the pleasure of said Board, etc. ; and that they should, from time to time, make such rules and by-laws as nec- essary, etc .; and that they should have power to purchase all such articles as shall be necessary to be used in and for the relief and support of the poor of the County of Kings, and should gen- erally possess every power and authority now possessed by the Superintendents of the Poor of the County of Kings, etc. The act further directed the time and manner of advertising for pro- posals for all such articles as shall be necessary for the support of the poor; gives the Commissioners power to enlarge, add to, alter, or repair the buildings or property belonging to or con- nected with such institutions, or any of them, etc. ; provides that the Commissioners shall present to the Board of Supervisors of Kings County an account of all moneys received and expended by them during the year, and an estimate of the amount which will be necessary for their use under this act for the ensuing year; and further, that no greater amount than $550,000 should be levied or collected during any one year for the purpose of carry- ing out the provisions of this act; it also provides that none of the Commissioners or their subordinates should ever be, direct- ly or indirectly, interested in any contract or in any purchase or sale of supplies or articles of any description, nor in any ar- rangement by which any pecuniary benefit shall result to him- self ; directs that every pauper inmate in the institution under charge of said Commissioners, whose age and health will permit, shall be employed in getting out and breaking stone, or in cul- tivating the grounds, or in repairing the property in charge of the
said Commissioners, or in manufacturing, or mechanical or other labor as they can perform ; also, that all buildings, land and property now under the control of the Superintendents of the Poor shall be used by said Commissioners for such purposes connected with their duties as they shall consider necessary or proper. On the 23d day of May, 1871, the sum of $2,000 was ap- propriated to the use of the Commissioners for the purpose of fitting up the Gymnasium building in Brooklyn for offices and rooms for their use.
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.