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 24

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1114

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 24

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native ; Pieter Brouwer, native ; Abram Brouwer, native : Jan Bennit, native ; Barent Sleght, native ; Jacobus Vande Water, 29 years : Benjamin Vande Water, native : Pieter Weijnants, native : Joost Franssen, 33 years ; Hendrick Aaten, native ; Jan Janse Staats, native ; Claes Simons, native ; Anthonij Souso, 5 years ; Joost Casperse, 35 years :

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

Thijs Lubberse, 50 years ; Paulus Dirckse, 36 years ; Adam Brouwer, 45 years ; Josias Dreths, 26 years; Pieter Van Nesten, 40 years ; Jan Theunisen, native; Dirck Janse Woertman, 40 years ; Daniel D'Rapale, native ; Gijsbert Boomgaert, native; Volkert Vanderbraats, native; Jan Buijs, 39 years ; Gerrit Dorlant, native; Adriaen Bennet, native ; Thomas Verdon, native ; Pieter Janse Staats, native.

The abdication of James II., the succession of Wil- liam and Mary, the career of Jacob Leisler as Gov- ernor, and the administration of Governor Henry Slaughter, are elsewhere spoken of. Under the latter the provincial government was reconstructed on a basis which continued to the close of the Revolution.

May 6th, 1691, an act was passed by the General Assembly, eonfirming to all the towns of the colony their respective grants and patents, by which law both of the patents of Brooklyn were confirmed.

It does not appear that there was here any lack of means for enforeing obedience to the laws ; for, at a Court of Sessions, held at Flatbush November 8th, 1692, the following regulation was promulgated :

" The Courte doe order that there be a good pare of stocks and a good pound made in every town within Kings County, and to be always kept in sufficient repairs, and that there be warrants issued to the Constables of every towne to see the order of the Court performed, as they will answer the con- trary at their perill."

The town of Breuckelen had, in 1670, acquired a large amount of common land by purchase from the Indians, and it was deemed expedient by the inhabi- tants to adopt measures for the proper division of their common lands with their other common lands.

Accordingly, " at a Town meeting held the 25th day of February, 1692-3, att Breucklyn, in Kings County. Then Resolved to divide their common land and woods into three parts, in manner following to wit :

"1. All the lands and woods after Bedford and Cripple- bush, over the hills to the path of New lotts shall belong to the inhabitants and freeholders of the Gowanis, beginning from Jacob Brewer and soe to the uttermost bounds of the limits of New-Utrecht.

"2. And all the lands and woods that lyes betwixt the abovesaid path and the highway from the ferry toward Flattbush, shall belong to the freeholders and the inhabitants of Bedford and Cripplebush.

"3 And all the lands that lyes in common after the Gowanis, betwixt the limits and bounds of Flatbush and New Utrecht shall belong to the freeholders and inhabitants of Brooklyn, fred. neck [Frederick Lubbertsen's Neck], the ferry and the Wallabout."

From the meagre records of those times it appears that in 1693, and a few subsequent years, there were some disturbanees, probably from political causes not now well understood.

An emeute of the disaffected people of Kings County occurred about 8 o'clock in the evening of the 14th of September, 1697 (or 6 ?), when John Rapalje, Isaac Remsen, Jooris Vannesten, Joras Danielse Rapalje, Jacob Reyerse, Aert Aertsen, Thennis Bujs, Garret Cowenhoven, Gabriel Sprong, Urian Andriese, John Willemse Bennett, Jacob Bennett and John

Meserole, Jr .- most of whom will be recognized as inhabitants of Breuckelen and Boswyck-" met, armed, at the court-house of Kings, where they destroyed and defaced the king's arms which were hanging up there."

November 11th, 1697, negroes were forbidden to be brought over from New York on the Sabbath, without tickets or passes. Similar legislation was made in the succeeding years, negroes being forbidden to "run about on the Sabbath," or to purchase liquors. It was further "ordered that no people shall pass on the Sabbath day, unless it be to or from church, or other urgent and lawful occasions, according to act of assem- bly, upon penalty aforesaid of fine and imprison- ment."

"At a towne meeting held this twentieth day of April, 1697, at Bedford, within the jurisdiction of Broockland, in Kings County, upon the Island of Nassau, Resolved by all the ffreeholders of the towne of Broockland aforesaid, that all their common land not yet laid out and divided, belong- ing to their whole patent, shall be equally divided and laid out to each ffreeholder of said towne, his just proporcon in all the common lands abovesaid, except those that have but an house and home lott, which are only to have but half share of the lands aforesaid."

By reason of the loss of all the town and eounty records from the year 1700 to the close of the Revolu- tion, but little material for a history of Brooklyn dur- ing that period can be found. Provincial records, stray deeds and documents, newspapers, letters, etc., furnish the only data for such history.

Two bitter controversies agitated the public mind during that period : the first between this town (together with Flatbush and Bushwick) and Newtown, concerning their respective bounds, which ended only in 1769; and the second, between this town and the city of New York, relative to town and ferry rights.

In the year 1703, " Brookland's improveable lands and meadows, within fence," were surveyed, and found to amount to 5,177 acres, the greatest landowner being Simon Aerson, who owned 200 acres.

On the 28th of March, 1704, the main road or "king's highway," now called Fulton street and Fulton avenue, was laid out by Joseph Hegeman, Peter Cortelyou, and Benjamin Vandewater, commissioners, appointed by act of the General Assembly of the Colony of New York, for the laying out, regulating, clearing and pre- serving of public highways in the colony. The record of this road, which now forms the chief thoroughfare of the city of Brooklyn, is as follows :

"One publique, common and general highway, to begin ffrom low water marke at the ferry in the township of Broockland, in Kings County, and ffrom thence to run ffour rod wide up between the houses and lands of John Aerson, John Coe, and George Jacobs, and soe all along to Broock- land towne aforesaid, through the lane that now is, and ffrom thence straight along a certaine lane to the southward corner of John Van Couwenhoven's land, and ffrom thence straight to Bedfford as it is now staked out, to the lane where the house of Benjamin Vandewater stands, and ffrom thence straight along through Bedfford towne to Bedfford

UNDER THE ENGLISHI, 1675-1775.

lane, running between the lands of John Garretse, Dorlant and Claes Barnse, to the rear of the lands of the said Cloyse, and ffrom thence southerly to the old path now in use, and soe all along said path to Philip Volkertses land, taking in a little slip of said Philip's land on the south corner, soe all along said road by Isaack Greg's house to the Fflackbush new lotts ffence, and soe all along said ffense to the east- ward, to the northeast corner of Eldert Lucas's land, lying within the New lotts of Fflattbush aforesaid, being ffour rod wide all along, to be and continue forever."

In 1706 there were 64 frecholders in the town of Brooklyn, and the personal estates were assessed at £3,122, 10s. In 1707 the real and personal estates were assessed at £3,091, 11s.

In 1721 several people were indicted for encroach- ments on the "King's highway" (now Fulton street and avenue). Some of these parties procured the passage by the Colonial Legislature of a law to establish the road " forever" as it then was, from the ferry upwards to the town of Breuckland, as far as the swinging-gate of John Rapalje, just above the house and land belong- ing to James Harding. Providing, however, against a possible "jam" near the ferry-although, perhaps, scarcely anticipating the great thoroughfare which now exists at that locality-the law enacts that, if a majority of the inhabitants of the town should " adjudge that part of the road near to the ferry to be too narrow and inconvenient," they might cause the Sheriff to summon a jury of twelve, to appraise the land necessary to be taken in the widening, and that said appraisement should be levied and collected upon the town and paid to the owners. This, however, was never done, and the old lane continued to serve the economical townsfolk of Brooklyn. Its appearance may be understood by a glance at Guy's picture of Brooklyn, which represents it at its passage at Front street, but so narrow as hardly to lead one to suppose that it was a street. The " swinging-gate" here referred to was on the east side of the present Fulton street, about where Sands street now enters, and there commenced the four-foot road. On Ratzer's map, prepared in 1766-7, this road is laid down, with the buildings thereon, showing conclusively that it was then the same as Fulton street before the widening in 1839.

1732, March 27. The New York Gazette contained an advertisement by Edward Willet, offering to sell, on reasonable terms, a very good negro woman, aged twenty- seven, with two fine children. She was de- scribed as understanding all sorts of busi- ness in city or country, and speaking very good English and Dutch.

The following shows Brooklyn's population in 1738, as compared with the other towns in Kings County : Flatlands, 268 ; Gravesend, 235 ; Brookland, 721; Flatbush, 540; New Utrecht, 282; Bushwick, 302 ; total in Kings County, 2,348.

The General Assembly of the Province met at the

house of the Widow Sickle, in this town, in conse- quence of the prevalence of the small-pox in the city of New York, and continued sitting at Brooklyn, by seve- ral adjournments, until the 8th day of October.

1752. The Colonial Legislature, during the preva- lence of the small-pox in New York, held their sessions at Brooklyn in a large building on the west side of Fulton street, just below Nassau. This very ancient edifice was constructed of small brick, said to have been brought from Holland, and was demolished in 1832. At this house, also, on the 4th of June, 1752, 2,541 bills of credit issued by the colony of New York, and amounting to £3,602, 18s. 3d., were cancelled by the Colonial Commissioners. The building was further honored by being made Gen. Putnam's headquarters during the stay of the American Army on Long Island, in 1776.

1758. This year the sum of £122 18s. 7d. was as- sessed in two assessments, by the Justices of the Peace on this town, towards building " a new conrt-house and gaol " for Kings County. The whole amount assessed on the county was £448 4s. 1d.

1759, Nov. 26. "On Sunday week last past, a large bear passed the house of Mr. Sebring, Brooklyn, and took the water at Red Hook, attempting to swim across the bay, when Cornelius Sebring and his miller immediately pushed off in a boat after him. The latter fired and missed, on which Mr. S. let fly, and sent the ball in at the back of his head, which came out of his eye, and killed him outright." -N. Y. Gazette.

Of course slavery existed in Brooklyn, as in other parts of Long Island. In 1764 Aris Remsen offered a reward of seventy shillings for the apprehension of a runaway negro named Harry. IIe stated "He is apt to get drunk and stutters. He speaks good English, French, and Spanish, and a little of other languages."

In 1771 Mr. Remsen offered a reward of 20s. for another runaway "negro man, Newport, Guinea born, and branded on the breast with three letters."

Long Island

View of Broockland, 1766-7. From Ratzer's Map.

In 1768, the house of widow Rapelye, at Brooklyn Ferry, was robbed of money and other valuables. Speedy justice overtook the thief, "Garret Middagh's negro fellow, Cæsar," who was tried on the 1st of September following, convicted, and executed on the 15th of the same month, at Flatbush, the county town.

1774, Feb. 21. "A Ferry is now established from the Coen- ties Market, New York, to the landing place of P. Living-

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

ston, Esq., and Henry Remsen, on Long Island. and another from Fly Market, and a third from Peck Slip to the present ferry-house at Brooklyn."-N. Y. Mercury.

The " landing place of P. Livingston, Esq., and Henry Remsen," was near the foot of the present Joralemon street. The ferry was called "St. George's Ferry," but was discontinued in 1776, and the ferry- house, together with Livingston's distillery, was burned after the war.

1774, May 9. John Cornell announces, in the N. Y. Mercury, that he " has opened a tavern on Tower Hill, Brooklyn, near the new ferry, called 'St. George's.' Companies will be entertained if they bring their own liquor, and may dress turtle, etc., at the said house on the very lowest terms." And, in August following, he advertised that " there will be a bull baited on Tower Hill, at three o'clock in the afternoon, every Thursday during the season." "Tower Hill " was a slight emi- nence on the Heights, on the site of the old " Colonnade Row," on Columbia, between Middagh and Cranberry streets.

Brooklyn during the British Military Occu- pation, 1776-1783. Of the Battle of Brooklyn, and the subsequent oc- enpation of Long Island, and Kings County in partic- ular, we have al- ready spoken in the General His- tory of the County.

We now pro- eeed to relate some of the ineidents of that military oecu- pation which most specially relate to the Town of Brooklyn.

THOS.HOCA

THE CORNELL-PIERREPONT MANSION. (River Front.)

At this period, and during the war, the whole of the | land embraced between the brow of the Heights on the river and the present Fulton and Joralemon streets, was then under high cultivation. That portion of it nearest to Fulton street was used for pasturage, or was kept, at times, in grain. The middle part was almost entirely occupied by fine and thrifty orchards ; and the lower portion by gardens, which furnished an abundant supply of small fruit and vegetables to the New York markets. This tract belonged to several owners, among whom were the Middaghs, Bamper, Colden, Debevoises, Remsens. On the Heights stood the mansion of Philip Livingston, Esq., afterwards known as the "Joralemon House," a large double framc-house, constructed in the very best manner, having costly carved marble mantels imported from Italy, and other furniture at that day unusual to American houses. During the occupation of the island it was used as an hospital for the British

navy; probably as a justifiable retaliation upon its owner, who was a prominent member of the Continental Congress. Attached to the house was an extensive gar- den, said to be the finest in this part of America, and which-to their credit be it said-was kept in good repair by the physicians and officers of the hospital, who appropriated the mansion-house to their own use ; sheds and huts being erected for the sick on the farm (formerly known as the Ralph Patchen property), on the southerly side of the present Atlantie street. In 1780- 81, when Admiral Arbuthnot assumed the command of this station, he instituted various reforms, among which was the turning out of the surgeons and physicians from their comfortable quarters in the mansion-house, which was forthwith appropriated to the use of sick sailors. The principal disease among the sick was the seurvy, and they were buried from these hospitals, in the neigh- boring ground, and that (afterwards) of Hezekiah B. Pierrepont, to the number of twelve and fifteen a day. For many years afterwards, their remains were, from time to time, disinterred by the caving down of the brow of the hill all along the shore.

FURMAN's Mss. state that the old house (afterwards of Selah Strong, Esq.) which stood in present Strong Place, just behind Christ Church, was built and inhabited by an English Colonel Thornely, at the desire of the Cornells, with whom he had be- come quite intim- ate during the Revolution, and L.P.DAVIS SPEEN who sold him the land on which it was erected. These Cornells were among the most respectable citizens of old Brooklyn, " all staunch King and Church men."

The fine old house known as the " Four Chimnies," afterwards as the Pierrepont mansion, was erected, as is supposed, by a Jolin Cornell. On the wharf, at foot of present Joralemon street, was a brewery, belonging to Livingston, which, during the war, was employed by the British as a " King's Brewery," where they made spruce-beer for the use of the hospitals and fleet on this station. The old people used to call it the best beer that they ever tasted, and said that the hospitals used at the rate of twenty barrels a day for their sick. These patients also had the best of medical attention, with abundant supplies of vegetables and excellent sonps, and, when they became convalescent, were allowed to roam about the country, in order to breathe the fresh, pure air, and obtain exercise.

BRITISH MILITARY OCCUPATION OF BROOKLYN.

On the edge of the Heights, between the present Orange and Clark streets, was a half-moon fort, garri- soned by Hessian troops, and having a battery of cannon overlooking the harbor. There were then no houses on the Heights, between present Doughty and Clark streets. The first house, a two-story frame edifiee south of Clark street, was the residence of Mr. Lodewyek Bamper, an elderly gentleman of fortune, who was sup- posed to have retired from the Holland trade. He was largely interested in the establishment of a glass fae- tory, on almost the identieal spot lately occupied by the glass-works on State street. The first bottle ever made at this factory, having blown on it a seal bearing the name of Mr. Bamper and the date 1754, is still pre- served among the euriosities of the Long Island His- torieal Society. The factory, however, did not have a long eareer, on account of an insufficient supply of the necessary kind of sand. He had a beautiful garden, and a elioiee collection of fruit ; seldom left his house, and in pleasant weather passed most of his time upon his piazza, which fronted the harbor, or in his gar- den. He usually dressed with silk breeches, a silk loose-gown, a silk eap upon his head, and earried a gold- headed cane. His residenee was then a most retired spot, having no immediate neighbors, except the "Old Stone House," at that time belonging to Gov. Cad- wallader Colden, and afterwards owned by Samuel Jaek- son, Esq. This house, on Doughty street, fronting on Elizabeth street, was oceupied by the Hessian troops as a guard-house and prison, and was the place where all persons arrested in the vicinity were detained-the whole island being at that time under a striet military poliee. It was a long, one-and-a-half-story building, of stone and briek, with a fine large garden in the rear, and was afterwards the residence of Mr. George Ilieks. Past this old stone house ran a private lane or foot-path, from Love Lane (which then led from Fulton street to the edge of the hill) along the brow of the hill, and deseending its side to a landing on present Furman, near Clark street.

During the war, the British Wagon Department for the army on this station, was located in Brooklyn, oeeu- pying an immense yard, with sheds, stables, black- smith's forges, ete., and extending from the present Main to Jay streets, and west of Prospect street, which was feneed in, the main gateway being near the present junetion of Main and Fulton streets. Joseph Fox, an Englishman, and an old and respected eitizen of Brook- lyn, was for many years one of the principals of this wagon department.

At the foot of, and ou the northerly side of, the old road (now Fulton st., near corner of Front), was the "Ferry Tavern," a large and gloomy stone building, about sixty feet square and two stories high, standing in such a way cornerwise, as to leave only 35₺ feet for the entire width of the street between it and the houses opposite. From its being owned by the Corporation of

the eity of New York, it was known as the "Cor- poration House ; " also, from some ineident connected with hoisting a coffin on the flag-staff of the building, called "The Coffin House." It was the successor of the ferry-house, erected in 1746, by the Corporation of the city of New York, on land purchased of Jacob Mor- ris, in 1694 ; and which was burned down in 1748, as it was supposed, by the Brooklynites, who were then car- rying on a long and bitter litigation with the cor- poration concerning ferry-rights. Its site is now

Road to Jamaica

M. Rapailie

Ferry

Brookland

REFERENCES.

1. The "Corporation House," or "Ferry Tavern," occupied during the Revolutionary war by Messrs. Loosely and Elms, as the "King's Head Tavern."

2 John Rapelje's house, with garden extending to the river.

3. The "Old Stone Tavern," kept by Benjamin Smith.

4. Mr. Cary Ludlow's house.

5. The Hicks Mansion.

6. The Middagh Mansion.

7. The Middagh barn.

8. The "Whalebone Gate," so called from its being arched over with a whale's rib-bone. It opened at the side of Mr. Thomas Everit's house, into a lane leading up to Mr. Cary Ludlow's house,

(1883) partially occupied by Nos. 19, 21 and 23 Ful- ton street. At the time of the Revolution, the East River, at high-water mark, came nearly up to Front street. Subsequently to the war, this tavern was kept by Benjamin Smith for many years. It was burned dowu in 1812 (its walls remaining for many years thereafter), and Mr. Smith removed his stand to a stone building on the opposite side

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

of Fulton street. It had been noted as a tavern for thirty years previous to the Revolution. Its last incumbent, before the Battle of Brooklyn, was Cap- tain Adolph Waldron, who was also "the ferrymaster." Espousing the cause of the Rebellion, and being active as the commandant of a company of light-horse raised in Brooklyn, he was, of course, compelled to absent himself from Long Island during its occupation by the British. Waldron was succeeded by Charles Loosely and Thomas Elms, thorough loyalists, who named the old tavern "The King's Head," fitted it up in the most complete manner* and catered to the tastes of their military friends and patrons so well that it was much resorted to, during the war, by the officers of the British army and the fashionables of the day, as a plaee of amusement. Lieutenant Anbury, in a letter to a friend in England, dated New York, Oct. 30th, 1781, refers to it thus : "On crossing the East River from New York, you land at Brooklyn, which is a scattered village, consisting of a few houses. At this place is an exeellent tavern, where parties are made to go and eat fish ; the landlord of which has saved an immense for- tune during this war." We shall have frequent occa- sion to refer to this head-quarters of royalists and Tories, which subsequently seems to have been known by the name of " Brooklyn Hall." Just off from this old road, on present westerly side of Front street, near Fulton, was the large stone house owned by John Rapalje, the Tory, which was confiscated after the Revolution, and afterwards sold by the Commissioners to Comfort and Joshua Sands, and by them to Abm. Remsen.

1777, September 26th. The loyalists had the pleas- ure of welcoming Rivington the printer, on his return from England, whither he had been obliged to flee to escape the wrath of the Americans. On this occasion Loosely and Elms' "King's Head Tavern " was " ele- gantly illuminated, to testify the joy of the true 'Sons of Freedom.' "

1778. During this year, from July to November, and probably through the winter, the following regi- ments were encamped at or near Bedford, the 37th, 42d, 44th, 46th, and 16th light infantry ; between Bedford and Bushwiek, the first battalion light infantry ; and at Brooklyn ferry, the New York volunteers.

A correspondent of Rivington's Gazette, of January 24th, 1778, gives the following account of the manner in which the Queen's Birthday was observed, by the New York loyalists, at their favorite resort in Brooklyn :

"As the loyalty even of individuals ought, at this time, to be properly encouraged, you will infinitely oblige the publie and a number of your readers, by inserting a description of the grand and elegant illumination at the King's Head Tav- ern, on last evening, in honor of her Majesty's birthday; and it is the desire of the public, as Messrs. Loosely and Elms have ever shown their attachment to the British Government, and a detestation of the present rebellion, that, through the channel of your mueh-esteemed paper, their conduct may be known and approved of in Europe, as well as by the loyalists in New York. The tavern was illuminated with upwards of two hundred wax-lights. In the centre were the royal arms of Great Britain, and above it, statues of the present king and queen, under a canopy of state elegantly decorated, which shone, like their majesties' virtues, conspicuous to the world. The view of the reduction of Mud Fort (on one side) by his majesty's ships, Roebuek and Vigilant, gave that joy which Britons always feel on the success and honor of their country. On the other side, their generous indignation was roused by a view of those men (the Congress) whose ambition has almost ruined this unhappy country, and reduced its inhabitants to the greatest distress. It was very apropos of the painter to place the devil at the President's elbow, who tells him to persevere, with so significant a grin as seems to indicate his having no manner of doubt of their making his house their home in the infernal regions. The statue of Mr. Pitt, without its head, was placed near the Congress, as being one of their kidney, and gave a hint of what ought, long ago, to have been done. The verses over the tavern door were very proper on the oceasion, and well illuminated. In short, every thing was well condueted, and the tout ensemble had really a fine effect. Much is due to Messrs. Loosely and Elms for their patriotic spirit, which meets the approbation of every man who is a friend to his king and country."

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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 24

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1114

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1114