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 28

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 28

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At the ferry-slip, upon the site of the " ladies' sitting- room " in the present ferry-house, was a small shanty (Map A, 4) built and occupied by Daniel Wright, as an oyster-saloon, his oysters being conveniently kept fresh in the water which flowed beneath. To the north, or left of this shanty, the original beach appeared; while on the corner now occupied by Marston & Son's ex- tensive coal-yard (Map A, 50), was originally Richard Mott's livery and tavern, afterwards kept successively by Townsend & Cox, Joel Conklin, and Daniel Wright, and it was a general stopping-place for the habitues of the ferry. Opposite, on the easterly side of Water street, and on land owned by the corporation of New York, was a block of four buildings, all under one roof, and fronting on Fulton street. The corner one (Map A, 19), late "The Franklin House," was originally a tavern kept by Capt. King, and afterwards by Mr. Barnum, subsequently the proprictor of the widely known and popular "Barnum's Hotel," in the city of Baltimore. He was succeeded by Abiather Young, who kept here " The Steamboat Hotel," and he, in turn, was followed by Gerardus C. Langdon. In the upper part of the hotel was a large ball-room, where entertain- ments were given, and where many an old Brooklynite learned to " shake the light fantastic toe" under the able instruction of Mr. Whale, dancing-master. In this room, also, Elias Hicks, the celebrated Quaker preacher, frequently held forth to large audiences, of all denomi- nations, who were always attracted to his preaching.

Next above "Gerardy" Langdon's was Coe S. Down- ing's tavern (Map A, 20) and stage-house, upon the stoop of which, at almost every hour of the day, mine host could be seen, comfortably seated in a chair adapted to his especial use; for he was a Daniel Lambert of a man, to whom quiescence was far easier than locomo- tion. But he was vivacious, intelligent and shrewd; a democrat, and the leading politician of that party in the county; had served acceptably as supervisor, as judge of the municipal court, and in the Legislature. Then (Map A, 21) the liquor and grocery-store of old Mr. Evert Barkcloo; and, as a modest little sign over the door an- nounced, the "Office of the Trustees of the Town of Brooklyn," of which body Mr. B. was clerk. Next door (Map A, 22) was Thomas Burroughs', the harness maker; and, next to him, was Samuel Carman's tavern (Map A, 23). Next him was the shop of Samuel Penny (Map A, 24), whose sign of " merchant barber" burlesqued that of his next-door neighbor, Peter Prest (Map A, 25), the "merchant tailor." On Penny's place "Sheriff " John T. Bergen afterwards built and kept a grocery-

store. Adjoining Prest's was the wholesale grocery (Map A, 26) of Messrs. J. & S. Schenck, occupying the site of the old "Corporation (or Ferry) House."

The angling position of the " Corporation House" left, on the westerly corner of the present Front and Fulton streets, a " gore" between it and the stone mansion of John Rapalje. On this vacant space was subsequently crected an engine-house, for the accommodation of the first firc-engine introduced into the town. The town's fire-bell was swung upon the roof of the adjoining Ra- palje house (Map A, 28), then occupied by Mr. Abraham Remsen, who, in return for the accommodation, was granted all the privileges and immunities belonging to the firemen; a courtesy which was no more than just, inasmuch as tradition says that he was the only man in the place who was willing to accept the risk of having his slumbers disturbed by the clanging of the bell over his head. The Rapalje house passed into the hands of Mr. Abraham Remsen, above mentioned, who demol- ished it and used a portion of the stone in the erection upon the same site of a brick and stone store and dwell- ing, where he kept dry-goods and groceries. After his removal to Newtown, L. I., this brick building gave place to that occupied for many years (until May, 1861) by the Long Island Insurance Company, and at present by that of the Long Island Safe Deposit Company.

Recrossing to the southerly side of the Old Road, from opposite Front street to Middagh street, we come, next above Burdet Stryker's, to some lots owned by the French church (L' Eglise du Sainte Esprit) of New York, on which were two or three small frame buildings. One of these (Map A, 32), adjoining Stryker's, was the residence of Henry Dawson, Jr., a ferryman, who kept one of the "sixpenny-boats," as the row-boats were called, from the amount charged for ferriage; then (Map A, 33) the residence of John Simonson, a well- known butcher; then (Map A, 34) a house occupied by the Misses Van Cleef, sisters of old Rulof Van Cleef, the ferryman. They were market-women, and acquired a comfortable property. Then (Map A, 35) was the shoc-shop of Isaac Van Nostrand, who used to say that he " could fit a man's foot, but he could not fit his eye;" then (Map A, 37) John Rusher, tin and wooden-ware; and, on the corner of Hicks street, the low one-and-a- half-story store of D. Pell, grocer, afterwards, in 1831, fitted up as a drug-store for Dr. James W. Smith, by his village friends. Across the then narrow mouth of Hicks street (Map A, 38, and Fig. 5, Map of Brookland Ferry) was an ancient, roomy, low-roofed house of stone, roughly plastered over and shaded by two immense wil- low-trees. This was the Hicks mansion, in which resided the brothers John M. and Jacob M. Hicks, who had inher- ited, through their mother, a fine portion of the original Middagh estate. Exempted, by the possession of ample means, from the necessity of engaging in business or active labor, they passed their lives in a quiet, leisurely manner, which gained for them, from their less fortu-

111

BROOKLYN SEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO.

nate neighbors, the appellation (distinguishing them from others of the same name in the village) of "the gentlemen Hicks." John M, (known as " Milk" Hicks, from the fact that he sold milk) resided in the small frame house, still standing, on the south-west corner of Hicks and Doughty streets. Jacob M. (generally called "Spitter" Hicks, from the habit he had of constantly expectorating) resided in the old mansion above referred to, which was levelled when Hicks street was finally opened to Fulton street. The Hieks estate (designated by large fig. 5, on Map A) comprised most of "Clover lill," as the Heights were then called.

Some years before the incorporation of the village, and in consequence of a dispute between the Hickses and their neighbor Aert Middagh as to the boundary line between their respective properties, the two estates were surveyed by Mr. Jeremiah Lott, of Flatbush, then the leading, if not the only, surveyor in Kings County. He surveyed and plotted the two estates in blocks 200 feet square and " two feet thrown in for good measure " to each block. When the village of Brooklyn was incor- porated, in 1816, Mr. Lott, who was employed to prepare a map of the same, proposed to carry out his survey on the same seale as that of his previous plotting of these two estates. Mr. Hezekiah B. Pierrepont, whose large property on the IIeights was also included within the limits of the proposed survey, wished to prevent this wasteful plan, and to secure one with wider streets (they were only 40 feet wide) and larger blocks. IIe therefore employed, at his own expense, a competent Englishman, Thomas Poppleton by name, who was a city surveyor of New York, to make a plan for laying out the Heights. Poppleton surveyed all the village, from Fulton street to Jerolemon's lane, and made a map, still in existence, upon which all the streets and buildings, wharves, ete., which then existed, were laid down with great accuracy. On this map he laid out all the ground south of the Hicks and Middagh estates at Clark street, in blocks 400 and 500 feet long, with streets 50 and 60 feet wide; and this plan, fortunately for Brooklyn, was adopted for that part of the village south of Clark street. At first, the Hiekses poohed at what they considered Mr. Pierrepont's visionary plans; but when, in due course of time, they saw the superior class of purchasers which his property seeured, and the many advantages it presented, they appreciated his fore- sight, and were candid enough to say so. Moreover, they abandoned the old stone-house, which they had so long occupied, and, moving up Ilicks street near to Clark, built there handsome houses for themselves, on the line of their old estate, and where they could enjoy the pleasanter surroundings due to their Yankee neigh- bor's broader streets, etc.

"Tradition says that the whole of this hill between Poplar, Hicks, Furman and Orange streets, was used during the Revolutionary war as a burying-ground for British soldiers and sailors, and was thickly covered

with graves, which were all levelled off when the Hickses took possession at the close of the war.

Beyond the Hieks mansion and garden were the places of Mrs. Thomas, who kept green-groceries, can- dy and yeast, and was succeeded in the same business by Mrs. Flowers; of Jolin Cole, carriage-maker; of Gil- bert Reid, saddler; of John McKenney, coach-maker (afterwards occupied by John Gildersleeve, in the same business); then Mrs. Johnson's fruit and candy-shop; John Bergen's shoe-shop, subsequently Abraham Van Nostrand's; and lastly," Buekbee's Alley," now "Poplar Place;" and in front of it was the publie hay-scales, upon which farmers, coming to the ferry to sell their hay, could drive their loads for weighing, and upon the top of which, at one time, hung the town's fire-bell. Next was the house of Ogilvie, the cooper (Map A, 41), and Stephen S. Voris', formerly John Middagh's, hat-store (Map A, 42). On the corner of the present Henry and Fulton streets stood the old Middagh mansion, at this time occupied by Aert Middagh, the hatter. It was an ancient two-story frame building, standing crosswise to the road; and, when Fulton street was widened, was moved back to the line of the street; and, about 1840, was raised up by Mr. T. W. Peck, who placed three stores under it. It was partly destroyed by fire in 1850.

In the rear of the mansion, on present corner of Hen- ry and Poplar streets, was the Middagh barn (No. 7, Map of Brookland Ferry, page 95), where, for a time, the Episcopalians of Brooklyn held their meetings. It was occupied for a while by Elizur Tompkins, and then

Middagh House and Barn.

by Mr. D. S. Quimby, who subsequently built a brick building upon this corner, having carried on the stove and range business here for nearly thirty years.

The accompanying view of the old mansion and barn, as they appeared about 1843 or '44, is from a painting by the late James W. Peck, Jr., son of James W. Peck, the well-known hatter, who, for so many years, has oc- cupied the opposite corner, 98 Fulton street, where his sons still continue the business. The old pump, seen in the picture, was removed, and the well filled up, during the summer of 1868.

112

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

On the easterly corner of Henry and Fulton streets was a frame house(May 4, 44) occupied by the widow of Dirck Amerman, the ferryman, who died during the yellow fever season of 1809; and adjoining, a similar building, owned by sheriff Wyckoff, and in which Judge Dikeman first "put out his shingles " as a lawyer; shortly thereafter succeeding old Mr. Barkeloo, as clerk to the trustees of the village.

Between this and Middagh street was leased proper- ty, belonging to the Middagh estate, and occupied by some small frame tenements; only one of which chal- lenged attention, a neat, genteel little house, standing back from the road, about fifty feet westerly of Mid- dagh street. Here lived Mr. James Harper, the grandfather of the well-known publishers, "Harper Brothers." The building was built by Mr. Thomas Kirk for his printing-office, and was occupied as such, after his failure, by Mr. George L. Birch, cditor of the Patriot. On the corner of Middagh and Fulton streets stood the little dwelling of St. Clair, the stocking-wcav- er, said to be the first to introduce into the United States the knitting of stockings by machinery.

Northerly side of the Old Road (Fulton street), from Front street to Sands.

On the north-cast corner of Front street and the Old Road, site of present building of the Brooklyn Union and Argus Office (Map A 39), was the large and very old frame building, originally Kirk & Mercein's print- ing-office, prior to their removal to New York, about 1813 or '14. It was next occupied as a hardware store by Thomas W. Birdsall and Jocl Bunce; and its por- trait at this period has been faithfully preserved (No.1) in Guy's "Snow Scene of Brooklyn, in 1820."* It was, also, for many years the post-office-Mr. Bunce, and after him, in 1819, Mr. Birdsall, being post-master. At a later period it became the property of the Couven- hoven family of New Lotts; was occupied, for several

*Guy's "Snow Scene," representing the most important and com- pact portion of Brooklyn as it was from 1815-1820, will forever be invaluable as exhibiting the architectural character of the village at that period, and, in some degree, for half a century previous. It was taken from a second-story window of the artist's residence, the mid- dle one (present No. 11 Front street) of the three Fisher houses. In order to properly understand this picture (a reduced copy of which is herewith presented) the modern observer should place him- self near the corner of Front and Dock streets, and look up James street on the opposite side. He will then look along Front street, on his left, as far as the eye can reach, to Main street, indicated by horses and teams passing up from the Main Street Ferry ; and, on his right, to Fulton street, which is indicated by the horse and sleigh passing down to the Old or Fulton Ferry. A confusion of ideas is generally produced in the mind of the modern observer by mistaking the rears of the old buildings, directly in the front of the picture, for their fronts. But it should be remembered that the fronts, which are on Fulton street, are invisible. Tracing, however, the line of roofs and rears by the aid of the key which we have appended to this pic- ture, the reader will be able to follow Fulton strect up as far as Sands street. The high grounds on the right of the picture have been lev- eled and streets graded, so that nothing of their original conforma- tion is now visible. Asto the likenesses introduced, most of them are very striking, and the accuracy with which their faces are painted (the small size of the figures considered) is wonderful ; one of the most striking productions in it being that of Mr. Patchen, the butcher, who is crossing Front street with a fore-quarter of mutton in one hand and a basket in the other.

years, by Sylvanus B. Stillwell's tailor-shop, and, about 1830, was supplanted by brick buildings crected by the Brooklyn Fire Insurance Company.

First above Birdsall's corner was the residence of Abiel Titus (Map 4, 45), a small frame dwelling, with a narrow front on Fulton street, and not shown in Guy's picture. Titus is represented in that picture as feeding his chickens in the gateway of the yard between his house and his barn and slaughter-house.

In 1822 Wm. J. Dodge and Nathaniel F. Waring, Esqs., leased a lot, 18 x 20 feet, on the site of this yard, at a ground-rent of $80-which, in those days, was con- sidered an extravagant figure-and on which they erec- ted a small brick building, the first ever put up on this side of Front street between Fulton and James. Herc Mr. Waring opened his law-office. Subsequently, a building called "The Mechanics' Exchange " was put up, fronting the old pump seen in Guy's picture, and this, somewhat remodeled, was occupied by the Brook- lyn Union office, previous to the completion of its new cdifice on the corner of Fulton street.

Next to Titus' was a large one-and-a-half-story house (No. 2, Guy's picture) built of small yellow bricks, and possessing the indubitable appearance of very great antiquity. From all the data obtainable it appears probable that the old building was the original John Rapalje homestead. It is also interest- ing as having been the scene of occasional religious services of the Episcopal order during the occupation of Brooklyn by the British.

In one side of this ancient house was Ansel Titus' wheelwright-shop; and, in the other, Mrs. Eagles' candy- shop. This somewhat remarkable female rejoiced in the sobriquet of "The American Heroine," from a current tradition that she had once worn a uniform, and seen service in the Revolutionary war. She was a little, squat, "snapping-eyed" woman; always wore a red-and- white plaid turban; and, to the great delectation of the village, " bossed it " most tyranically over her husband Jacob, a tall, lank, easy-going man, who called himself a grocer. She was succeeded, after a while, by Mrs. Burnet (wife of Martin Burnet, wheelwright), whose portrait is preserved in Guy's picture (Fig. 26), and who, in addition to candies, kept that sine qua non of every civilized community, " a thread-and-needle store."

Adjoining this old house was a shed-previously a dwelling -- then Edward Cooper's blacksmith-shop, (No. 3, Guy's picture). Next, George Frieke's carriage- shop (No. 4, Guy's picture); then, directly opposite Hicks street, was a small briek building (Guy's picture, No. 5), at one time the residence of Diana Rapalje. This lady was the daughter of Garret Rapalje and a descendant of the first white female child born in New Netherland. In early life a favorite in the presidential circles at Washington, she was, in her later days (we will not say decline, for her bearing was erect and firm to the last), a stately exhibitor of the fashions of '76;

BROOKLYN SEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO.

113

KEY TO GUY'S BROOKLYN SNOW SCENE

1. Dwelling and store of Thos. W. Birdsall.

2. House of Abiel Titus.

3. Edward Coope's blacksmith-shop.

4. Geo. Fricke's carriage-shop.

5. Diana Rapelje's house.

6. Mrs. Middagh's house.

7. St. Ann's Church, corner of Sands and Wash- ington streets.

8. Residence of Edward Coope.

9. Abiel Titus' barn and slaughter-house.

10. Benjamin's Meeker's house and shop.

11. Mrs. Chester's " Coffee Room."

12. Robert Cunningham's.

13. Jacob Hicks' wood-yard, corner Main street.

14. Joshua Sands' residence.

15. Augustus Graham's residence, cor. Dock st.

16. Burdet Stryker's house and butcher-shop.

17. Selah Sınith's tavern.

18. Morrison's, on the Heights.

19. Dr. Ball's house, opposite Morrison's.

20. Augustus Graham, conversing with 21. Joshua Sands.

22. Mrs. Harmer and daughters.

23. Mrs. Guy (the artist's wife).

24. Jacob l'atehen.

26. Mrs. Burnett.

27. Benjamin Meeker, talking with

28. Judge John Garrison.

29. Thos. W. Birdsall.

30. Jacob Hicks.

31. Abiel Titus.

32. Mrs. Gilbert Titus.

33. Abiel Titus' negro-servant "Jeff."

34. Jaines (son of Abiel) Titus, on horseback.

35. Samuel Foster (negro).

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GUY'S BROOKLYN SNOW SCENE, 1820.

114

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

:ud. as was natural. from her earlier associations, con- siderable of a politician in her peculiar way. Her er- ratie doings, from middle age to the elose of life, indi- cated that moderate form of insanity which is termed eccentricity; and which, in her case, manifested itself in many absurd. amusing. and (to those concerned in litigation to her) troublesome formis. It was said that she had loved and had been disappointed; and that, from that time, pride and self-reliance drove her to seclusion and made her disrespectful of the customs and nsages of society, in many minor points. Yet. in certain mat- ters of etiquette, no queen could be more haughty. (See Stiles' History of Brooklyn, pages 61 to 63).

She was twice married after the age of fifty-seven, and she died in her eighty-second year. Her house was afterwards purchased by Col. Alden Spooner, who oe- enpied it as a residence and as the printing-office of the Star. It is said that Talleyrand. the eminent French diplomatist, resided in one of the three buildings opposite Hicks street for a time during his stay in America.

Next above Diana Rapalje's house stood an old yellow framed-dwelling. its stoop furnished with seats on each side of the front door. This was the residence of Joux DouGHTY, who was long known as a faithful and honest publie officer, and most excellent man. The authorities, in consideration of his great public worth, attached his name to one of the streets in this place.

He received a liberal education, and began business with his father in the Fly Market. about the period of the Revolu- tion. In 1785 he was elected one of the seven members of Brooklyn's first fire-company, and served eight years. In 1790 he was one of the three assessors for the town. and hield the office three years in succession. In 1796 he was made town-clerk, which office he held for the space of thirty-four consecutive years, and gave general satisfaction. On the 4th of March. 1797. he manumitted and set free his negro-man. Cæsar Foster, aged about 28 years, the first re- corded act of manumission: from which dated the move- inent of practical emancipation which resulted (by about the year 1825) in the removal of the entire institution of slavery from the town of Brooklyn. As town-clerk he witnessed and recorded more manumissions from slavery than any other person in the town; "and. in fact, the duties of his office about this period required a greater portion of his time." as the " act for the judicial abolition of slavery" was passed in the month of March, 1799. after which time all the births and names of the children of slaves were ordered to be recorded in the books of the town-clerk. The various duties imposed upon Doughty continued to increase very fast; and. as the public duties could not be neglected. it occasionally became quite onerous to him. as his daily business at the market called him before daylight and usually ended at noon : then the crossing of the ferry, followed with a hasty meal. when official or other duties began, which sometimes kept him constantly employed, even unto the midnight hour. Four hours duty. from ten to two. did not then, as now, con- stitute an official day's work : but the business daily pre- senting itself was daily attended to ; and Doughty performed all the required services satisfactorily. In 1812, and 1819. he was overseer of the highway. In 1812 he was a " fire- engineer," also clerk and treasurer of the fire-department ; and was chosen the first incumbent of the office of chief-engi-

neer in 1816. which he resigned the next year. 1821 to 1823. he again occupied the position ; and, when the department was incorporated. he was unanimously chosen president. In 1801 he was one of the school-committee for "the Ferry district," and held the office several years, becoming clerk of Distriet School No. 1. upon its organization in 1816. In that year the village of Brooklyn was incorporated ; and Mr. Doughty was among the trustees named in the bill. From 1819. until 1829. he was a trustee, a portion of the time as presiding officer. In 1830 he was " collector of the village." In fact. it may be said that through a long and well-spent life, Doughty held nearly all the various positions of a public and private character that belonged to the town and village. One of his sons. Jolin S. Doughty, was for many years treasurer of the village and city, and at the time of his death was cashier of the Atlantic Bank of Brooklyn.

A vacant lot intervened; then came two brick build- ings erected by Wm. Van Nostrand, brother of Mrs. John Middagh; then, after another vacant lot, Mrs. Middagh's house, a two-story framed structure with a double-pitched roof (No. 6, in Guy's picture).

Next on the same side of Fulton street, where Market street now enters it, came a quaint and ancient oak- framed. scallop-shingled, frame house, standing with its gable-end to the street and shadowed by two large and venerable locust-trees. Tradition, probably, does not err in attributing its erection to Rem Jansen van der Beeck, the ancestor of the Reisen family and an early settler here, where he married, in 1642, a daughter of Jan Joris de Rapalje. This old house, however, was destined to acquire an additional and peculiar interest in connection with the history of the village and city which subsequently grew up around it. As the resi- dence of Jacob Patchen, "the last of the leather- breeches," it was the scene of a memorable conflict between individual obstinacy and old-fogyism, on the one part. and the imperative necessities of public con- venience and improvement on the other, with the usual result in favor of the latter.

The "Patchen difficulties," which during so many years alternately annoyed and diverted the public of Brooklyn, form an amusing episode which cannot, for want of space, be given here. They were not termi- nated till after Mr. Patchen's death.

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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 28

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