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 25

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 25

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1779. In February of this year, the 33d Regiment light infantry (300), and 2d battalion Highlanders (750), were encamped at Bedford, and the 3d Prince Heredi- tary (350), and 4th Charles (300), at Brooklyn. Gaine's Mercury, September 27th, advertises " a cricket match for fifty guineas, to be played this day at Loosely and Elms, 10 a. m.'

1780. In May, the newly-appointed Governor Rob- ertson writes to the Home Government that " a large square fort is built on Brooklyn Heights ; the season is late ; not a blade of grass. The people within the lines begin to repair and build houses, and manure and inclose lands." The fort here referred to was probably the one erected at the junction of Pierrepont and Henry streets, by far the most thoroughly constructed and complete fortification erected by the British during their stay on Long Island. The position was a very commanding one, tand the extremely level nature of the

* It is probable that these gentlemen kept hotel "not wisely, but too well" for their own pockets, at least ; for, soon after the signing of the Provisional Treaty of Peace, in November, 1782, we find a notice of a "Public Auction of Brooklyn Hall," for " the benefit of the credit- ors of Charles Loosely," of "all the genuine household furniture, con- sisting of mahogany and other bedsteads, feather beds and mattresses, chintz and other curtains, blankets, sheets, etc .; mahogany drawers, dining, tea and card tables; an elegant clock in mahogany case ; a curious collection of well-chosen paintings and pictures ; large pier and other looking-glasses, In gilt and plain frames ; table and tea sets of china, plate, etc .; a capital, well-toned organ, made by one of the first hands in London ; a billiard table in thorough repair ; near twenty globe lamps, fit for hall or passage, etc .; wagons, horses, cows, etc .; two tenements adjoining the house; a flag-staff, with ensigns, pend- ants ; and several hundred transparent and tin lamps, fit for illumina- tion;" landlord Loosely having been profuse of illuminations on every possible occasion.

+ We learn from Mr. Henry E. Pierrepont, of Brooklyn, that, accord- ing to careful survey made for him In 1838, by Alfred Craven, the well- known engineer of the Erie railroad, and afterwards the head of the Croton Water Board, the site of this fort was found to be three feet one inch higher than the level of the land in Washington, near Con- cord streets, making it the highest, and therefore the most suitable position for such a fortification in that part of the town.

BRITISH OCCUPATION OF BROOKLYN.

ground rendered the work one of great labor. Two or three thousand British soldiers engaged upon these works at the same time, in digging trenches, and wheel- ing carth in barrows, to form the walls ; in addition to which, all the inhabitants on the island were assessed according to their respective counties for a certain num- ber of days' work.

This fort was 150 feet square, with ramparts rising above the bottom of the surrounding ditch, itself twenty

PIEARCPONT

BARRACKS

HENRY S'

HENRY S"

WELL.

LOVE

JACKSON'S

PIERREPONT

FROM FURMAN'S MSS.

feet in depth. At the angles of the fort were bastions, on each of which was planted a button-wood tree which grew to a very large size. In front of the fort, on the linc of present Fulton, between Pierrepont and Clark streets, stood a row of army-sutlers' huts. The fort was not completed in July, 1781, at which time it had only 18 cannon mounted.

Gaine's Mercury, of July 2, 1780, contains the fol- lowing advertisement, issued by Loosely & Elms : " Pro bono Publico : Thursday next, bull-baiting at Brooklyn ferry. The bull is remarkably strong and active ; the best dogs in the county expected, and they that afford the best diversion will be rewarded with sil- ver collars." Such were the elegant and refined amuse- ments with which the aristocracy of the British army whiled away their leisure !

A few days later, July 17th, a fulsome congratulatory address was presented to Gov. Robertson, on the occa- sion of his accession, in behalf and at the request of the inhabitants of Kings County, signed by Wmn. Axtell, Rutgert Van Brunt, Richard Stillwell, Jeromus Lott, Ab. Luquere, M. Couwenhoven, Rem Couwenhoven, Maj. Jeromus V. D. Belt, Adrian Van Brunt, Leffert Lefferts, and Jonannes Bergen.

About this time the 43d Regiment were encamped near Brooklyn.

This year was a lively one for the troops quartered here, if we may judge from the following advertise- ments :

"PRO BONO PUBLICO .- Saturday next being the birthday of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Loosely, agree- able to an honest old custom, wishes to see his royal and constitutional friends-dinner at 3. The evening to conclude

with fireworks and illuminations. A good band of music. REBELS approach no nearer than the heights of Brooklyn." -Rivington, Aug. 9, '80.

"Anniversary of the Coronation of our ever good and gracious King, will be celebrated at Loosely's, 22d inst. It is expected that no rebel will approach nearer than Flatbush wood."-Rivington, Sept. 20, 1780.

" BY PERMISSION-THREE DAYS' SPORT ON ASCOT HEATII. FORMERLY FLATLANDS PLAIN .- Monday, 1. The Nobleman's and Gentleman's Purse of £60, free for any horse except Mr. Wortman's and Mr. Allen's Dulcimore, who won the plate at Beaver Pond last season. 2. A saddle, bridle and whip, worth £15, ponies not exceeding 13} hands : Tuesday, 1. Ladies' subscription purse of £50. 2. To be run for by women, a Holland smock and chintz gown, full-trimmed, to run the best two in 3, quarter-mile heats ; the first to have the smock and gown of 4 guineas value, the second a guinea, the third a half-guinea : Wednesday. County subscription purse of £50. No person will erect a booth or sell liquor, without subscribing two guineas towards the expense of the race. Gentlemen fond of fox-hunting will meet at Loosely's King's Head Tavern at daybreak during the races.

"God Save the King" played every hour."-Rivington, Nov. 4, 1780.

A jockey or racing club was formed in the year 1780, within the British lines. Bryant Connor, of New York, was Chief Jockey. Flatland Plain, then called " Ascot IIcath," was then a beautiful open plain, well adapted for racing or parades. Public races were held here until October, 1783. The British officers, with the refugees and Tories, ruled the course. The American officers, then prisoners in Kings County, attended these races, and were frequently insulted by the loyalists, which gave rise to frequent fracases. Wherever a fine horse was known to be owned by any American farmer in the county, the refugee horse- thieves would soon put him into the hands of the jockeys, and the course was thus kept well supplied. General Johnson saw a New Jersey farmer claim a horse on Ascot Heath, in October, 1783, which had been purchased by Mr. John Cornell, of Brooklyn, from a refugee, and entered for the race. The owner permitted the horse to run the race ; after which, Mr. Cornell surrendered the animal to the owner in a gen- tlemanly manner. Whether he ever found the thief afterwards is uncertain.

In the early autumn of this year, Lt. Gen. Riedesel was appointed by Gen. Clinton to the command of Brooklyn, a mark of especial confidence; as Long Island, then the great depot of supplies for the British Army in New York, was occupied by the best English troops, but few of the German mercenaries being garrisoned there. Although the British were usually averse to the authority of any of the foreign generals, yet so great was the reputation of this amiable and talented soldier that all, and especially the officers, vied with each other in manifesting their own good-will, as well as their appreciation of his merits. His headquarters were in a small house on the shore, where, early in the spring of 1781, he was joined by his wife and family. His

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

domestic comfort, however, was much disturbed by his apprehensions of capture by the Americans, who were always on the alert; and to whom the peculiar nature of the country, with its bays, creeks, and inlcts, afforded many chances of success. So careful was he, " that he slept only while his wife was awake ; the least noise brought him out of his bed." He had sentinels in and about his house, but never trusted entirely to their watchfulness. The detail of guard-service had been much neglected by the English officers previously in command, but Riedesel instituted very thorough and wholesome reforms in this respect.

On the 22d of July, 1781, the general, with his fam- ily and attendants, embarked for Canada.

During the winter of 1780-81, the East River was frozen solid, from the Brooklyn shore half-way across, and on the edge of the ice, near the centre of the river, hundreds of cords of wood were piled for the use of the English army. The Long Island farmers, bringing produce to the city, drove on the ice to the middle of the river, where they placed their loads on board the ferry-boats. The English feared lest the Americans should take advantage of the ice to attack New York. The Americans, however, transported some troops and cannon on the ice from New Jersey to Staten Island .- FURMAN MSS.

1781, " Pro Bono Publico .- By permission, four days sport, on Easter Monday, on Ascot Heath. Purses of £50, £50, £100, £100."-Rivington, Feb. 12.

"Grand Races at Ascot Heath postponed until June 6, on account of the King's birthday : on which occasion it is ex- pected that every true subject will so strain his nerves in re- joicing, as to prevent this amusement being agreeable be- fore that time. A hurling match on the ground, June 5, when those who have a curiosity to play (or see) that ancient diversion, will get hurls and bats at the Irish Flag .- Gaine, May 30, '81.

"To all who know it not, be it understood Pro bono publico means mankind's good."

"This day, being Wednesday, the 20th of June, will be exhibited, at Brooklyn Ferry, a bull-baiting after the true English manner. Taurus will be brought to the ring at half-past three o'clock ; some good dogs are already provided, but every assistance of that sort will be esteemed a favor. A dinner exactly British will be upon Loosely's table at eleven o'clock, after which there is no doubt but that the song of 'Oh ! the Roast Beef of Old England !' will be sung with harmony and glee.

"This notice gives to all who covet Baiting the bull and dearly love it, To-morrow's very afternoon, At three-or rather not so soon- A bull of magnitude and spirit Will dare the dog's presuming merit.

Taurus is steel to the back-bone, And canine cunning does disown ;

True British blood runs through his v ins And barking numbers he disdains.

Sooner than knavlsh dogs shall rule, He'll prove himself a true JOHN BULL."

At this time (July 8) Brooklyn Fort, although yet imperfect, having but eighteen cannon mounted, had two bomb-proof magazines and a garrison of two hun-

dred Brunswickers. "Cobble Hill," also in process of repair, was occupied by two companies. The 54th Regiment were encamped at "Ferry Hill," two miles from Brooklyn, and at Bedford were two hundred grenadiers.

The stationary camp at Bedford was located on broken ground, then on the farm of Barent Lefferts, now crossed by Franklin and Classon avenues, Bergen, Wykoff, Warren, Baltic and Butler streets. The huts or barracks were built by throwing out the earth from a trench thirty to fifty feet long and about twelve or fifteen feet wide, with a board roof resting on the bank formed by the excavated earth. A large stone fire-place, or two, were arranged in each one. These huts were irregularly scattered, according to the slope of the ground, so as to have the entrance at the middle of the lower side. The officers were located outside of this

VIEW ON LOWER SIDE.

camp, in the adjacent woods, wherever convenient and pleasant spots tempted them to pitch their tents. Head-quarters were at the Leffert Lefferts house (corner of Fulton avenue and Clove road). Sec right-hand cor- ner view of Bedford Corners on opposite page. Major John Andre was quartered at this house when called to New York on the interview with Gen. Clinton, which re- sulted in his being sent up the North River on the mis- sion which terminated in his capture and execution as a spy.

In the Royal Gazette of August 8th, 1871, published at New York, Charles Loosely advertises a lottery of $12,500 to be drawn at "Brooklyn Hall." The same paper contains the following advertisement : "PRO BONO PUBLICO .- Gen- tlemen that are fond of fox hunting are requested to meet at Loosely's Tavern, on Ascot Heath, on Friday morning next, between the hours of five and six, as a pack of hounds will be there purposely for a trial of their abilities. Breakfasting and Relishes until the Races commence. At eleven o'clock will be run for, an elegant saddle, etc., value at least twenty pounds, for which upwards of twelve gentlemen will ride their own horses. At twelve a match will be rode by two gentlemen, Horse for Horse. At one, a match for thirty guineas, by two gentlemen, who will also ride their own horses. Dinner will be ready at two o'clock, after which and suitable regalements, racing and other diversions will be calculated to conclude the day with pleasure and har- mony. Brooklyn Hall, August, 1781."

"B. Creed's Jamaica and Brooklyn Hall Stage Machine, 6s. a passage ; not answerable for money, plate, and jewels, un- less entered and paid for."-Rivington, March, 1781.

And again : "Brooklyn Hunt .- The hounds will throw off at Denyse Ferry at 9, Thursday morning. A guinea or more will be given for a good, strong bag fox by Charles Loosely." -Riv., Nov. 14, '81.

BRITISH OCCUPATION OF BROOKLYN.

BEDFORD CORNERS, IN 1776.

The Anhault Zerbet Regiment were at this time stationed at Brooklyn.

" A sweepstakes of 300 guineas was won by Jacob Jack- son's mare, Slow and Easy, over Mercury and Goldfinder, on Ascot Heath. The two beaten horses are to run for 100 gui- neas a side, on Wednesday next, on the same ground."-Riv- ington, April 27, '82.

" May 3, on Monday se'nnight the enemy (British) began to break ground to cut a canal on L. I., to run from the Wallabout to the Pond, taking in Cobble Hill Fort. The length of the trench is 2} miles. The militia are called out in rotation one day in a week, none above 15 being excused from labor."-Conn. Current, May 7, '82.

This " canal " is more accurately described by Gen- eral Jeremiah Johnson as a strong line of intrenchment, extending from the hill of Rem. A. Remsen along the the high lands of John Rapelje, crossing Sands street near Jay street, and thence over the highest land in Washington street, between Concord and Nassau streets, across the Jamaica Road (Fulton street) to the large fort, already described, on the corner of Henry and Pierrepont streets.

Junc 3d. "The lines drawn between Brooklyn Church and the Ferry, by Clinton, are not likely to be completed by Carlton. They are carting fascincs now. On Long Island arc now about 3,500 men."

As we have already seen, the enterprising landlord of " King's Head " tavern was not insensible to the ad- vantages of advertising ; and this summer, by way of tickling the humors of his patrons, and, perhaps, of aid- ing a lottery enterprise which he had in hand, he issued

a newspaper. This, the first paper ever issued in Brook- lyn, was printed upon a dingy sheet about the ordinary " letter size " now in use, and contained three columns of " close matter," printed on one side of the sheet only. It was named (with Loosely's usual preface, " Pro bono Publico"), " THE BROOKLYN-HALL SUPER- EXTRA GAZETTE," dated Saturday, June 8th, 1782, and its contents may be characterized as displaymg more loyalty and "heavy wit " than literary merit. A copy of this sheet, the only one known to be in existence, can be seen at the Naval Lyceum, in the U. S. Navy Yard, in this city, and was republished in Stiles' History of Brooklyn.

" Baron de Walzogen, Capt. Commandant of the combined detachment of Brunswick and Hessian Hanau troops, now at Brooklyn camp, received an address from the inhabitants of New Utrecht, thanking him for the vigilant carc, good order, and discipline prevailing among the officers and soldiers under his command at the Narrows, ctc."-Gaine, Aug. 6, '82.

The crops, at this time, were indifferent in many parts of the country. It was a very dry summer on Long Island.

In December of this year there were stationed at Brooklyn, Hackenbergh's regiment of Hessians, in the large fort back of the Ferry, and in the redoubts a number. At Bedford, also, the garrison battalion of invalids, about one hundred in number, of whom a half were officers, was quartered at the houses of the differ- ent inhabitants.

100

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

The state of things had changed. No longer did the newspapers teem with festive advertisements and loy- alist literature. The war was virtually ended by the Provisional Treaty of Peace, signed November 30, 1782, and the British were about to leave the land where, for nearly seven years, their presence had rested like a hideous nightmare upon the people whom they sought to subdue. The sound of preparation for departure was everywhere licard, and the papers (significant in- dices of every passing breeze of popular events) were now occupied with advertisements such as the follow- ing :

"At auction at the King's Naval Brewery, L. I., 60 or 70 tons of iron-hoops, and 70,000 dry and provision-casks, staves, and heading, in lots of 10,0 0."-Rivington, May 26, '83.

"Auction at Flatbush .- THE WALDECK STORES, Viz. : sol- diers' shirts ; blue, white, and yellow cloth ; thread-stock- ings, shoe-soles, heel-taps, etc., etc."-Rivington, July 2, '83.

"Saddle-horses, wagons, carts, harness, etc., at auction every Wednesday, at the wagon-yard, Brooklyn."-Gaine, Sept. 8, '83.

" King's draft and saddle horses, wagons, carts, and har- ness for sale at the wagon-yard, Brooklyn." -- Rivington, August 27, '83.

Desertions also became frequent among the Hessians, who preferred to remain in this country. Tunis Bennet of Brook- lyn was imprisoned in the Provost for carrying Hessian de- serters over to the Jersey shore.

At length, after protracted negotiations, a Definite Treaty of Peace was signed at Paris, between the American and British commissioners, on the 3d of September, 1784. And on the 25th of November following, Brooklyn and the city of New York were formally evacuated by the British troops and refugees.

STILES says: " Brooklyn, which, during the war, had been wholly military ground, presented a sadder scene of desola- tion than any other town in Kings County, In 1786, after its occupation by the British, free range had been given to the pillaging propensities of the soldiery. Farms had been laid waste, and those belonging to exiled Whigs given to the Tory favorites of Governor Tryon. Woodlands were ruth- lessly cut down for fuel, buildings were injured, fences re- moved, and boundaries effaced. Farmers were despoiled of their cattle, horses, swine, poultry, vegetables, and of almost every necessary article of subsistence, except their grain, which fortunately had been housed before the invasion. Their houses were also plundered of every article which the cupidity of lawless soldiery deemed worthy of possession, and much furniture was wantonly destroyed. At the close of this year's campaign, DeHeister, the Hessian general, re- turned to Europe with a ship-load of plundered property. During the next year (1777), the farmers had cultivated but little more than a bare sufficiency for their own subsistence. and even that was frequently stolen or destroyed. Stock be- came very scarce and dear, and the farmer of Brooklyn who owned a pair of horses and two or three cows, was " well off." The scarcity prevailing in the markets, however, soon ren- dered it necessary for the British commanders to restrain this system of indiscriminate marauding, and to encourage agriculture. After the capture of General Burgoyne's army, rebel prisoners were treated with more lenity ; and in 1778, the towns of Flatbush, Gravesend, and New Utecht were set apart as a parole-ground, for the purpose of quartering American officers whom the fortunes of war had thrown upon their hands, In these towns, therefore, a greater de-

gree of peace and order prevailed; and the farmers had the twofold advantage of receiving high prices for their produce and pay for boarding the prisoners. Brooklyn, however, re- mained a garrison town until the peace, and many farms were not inclosed until after the evacuation, in 1783.

When, therefore, the inhabitants returned to their deso- lated and long-deserted homes, their first efforts were di- rected to the cultivation of their lands, the re-establishment of their farm boundaries, and the restoration of their private . affairs. This being accomplished, their attention was next turned to reorganization of the town-whose records had been removed, and whose functions and privileges had been totally suspended during the seven years' military occupa- tion by the Brit.sh. On the first Tuesday of April, 1784, was held the first town-meeting since April, 1776. Jacob Sharpe, Esq., was chosen Town Clerk, and applied to Leffort Lefferts, Esq., the previous clerk, for the town records. Lefferts de- posed, on oath, that they had been removed from his custody, during the war, by a person or persons to him unknown ; and although that person was afterwards identified, the sub- sequent fate of the records themselves is, to this day, un- known.

These records and papers were taken to England by Rapalje, in October, 1776, and his lands were confis- cated, and afterwards became the property of J. & C. Sands. After his death, the papers fell into the pos- session of his grand-daughter, who married William Weldon, of Norwich, County of Norfolk, England. William Weldon and his wife came to New York about the year 1810, to recover the estates of Jolin Rapalje, and employed D. B. Ogden and Aaron Burr as counsel, who advised them that the Act of Attainder, passed by the Legislature against Rapalje and others, barred their claim. Weldon and his wife brought over with them the lost records of the town of Brooklyn, and offered them to the town for a large sum (according to some, $10,000), but would not even allow them to be examined before delivery. Although a writ of replevin might easily have sccured them to the town again, the apathetic Dutchmen of that day were too indifferent to the value of these records, and they were allowed to return to England .- (Ms. Note of Jeremiah Johnson.)

Gradually, under the benign influences of Liberty and Law, order emerged from chaos. The few lawless mis- creants who remained were speedily restrained from their mischievous propensities by the whipping-post and imprisonment; angry passions subsided, and those citi- zens who had hitherto viewed each other as enemies became united.

A Military Execution at Brooklyn .- In the summer of 1782, three men, named Porter, Tench, and Parrot, members of the 54th Regiment, then cncamped on the farm of Martin Schenck, at the Wallabont, were arrested and tried for their complicity in a foul murder committed on Bennet's Point, in Newtown, three years before. They were sentenced to be hung, but Parrot was pardoned and sent on board a man-of-war. The execution of Porter and Tench, notable as the only case of capital punishment for injuries done to citizens, was witnessed by the late General Jeremiah Johnson,

101

A BRITISHI MILITARY EXECUTION AT BROOKLYN.

who thus describes the seene : "The gallows was the limb of a large chestnut-tree, on the farm of Martin Schenck. About 10 a. m., a brigade formed a hollow square around the trec ; the culprits, dressed in white jackets and pantaloons, and firmly pinioned, were brought into the square, and halters, about eight feet long, were fastened to the limb, about four fect apart. Tenel ascended the ladder first, followed by Cunning- ham's yellow hangman, who adjusted the halter, drew a eap over the eulprit's facc, and, then descending, turned him off the ladder. The like was done to Porter, who ascended the ladder by the side of his hanging com- panion, in an undaunted manner, and was turned towards him and struck against him. They boxed together thus several times, hanging in mid-air about ten feet from the ground, until they were dead. The field and staff officers were inside the square, and after the execution Cunningham reported to the commanding officer (said to be Gencral Gray), wlio also appeared to treat him with contempt. The troops then left the ground, and the bodies were buried under the tree."

Military Punishments .- The British soldiers were punished by whipping or flogging with the " cat-o'-nine- tails," executed by the drummers. The regimental surgcons were obliged to attend the punishments, which were usually very severe-sometimes as many as five hundred lashes being given. Citizens were allowed to be present at these floggings, except at punishments of the 42d Highland Regiment, when only the other regiments were allowed to be witnesses. Punishments in this regiment werc, however, infrequent. The dragoons were punished by picketing ; the Germans by being made to run the gauntlet. On these occasions the regiment formed in two parallel lines, facing inwards; the culprit passed down between these lines, having an officer before and behind him, and was struck by each soldier with rods. An officer also passed down on the outside of cach line, administering a heavy blow to any soldier who did not give the culprit a fair and good stroke. Hessians were also punished by the gauntlet, while the band played a tune set to the following words:

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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 25

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