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 44
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
Signed:
Samuel Gerritsen, Cornelius Van Cleef, Daniel Griggs, Stephen Corten, Ferdenand Van Sicklin, Jan. Ryder, Nieho- las Williamsen, Thomas Stillwell, Benj. Griggs, Barent Jan- sen, Seger Gerretson, Jan. Lucasson, Wm. Williamson, Adam Nickelson, Samuel Polings, Bernardus Ryder."
These papers, above referred to, were long ago lost or destroyed, as they ean now nowhere be found among any of the church papers, and all we have to show is the eopy above given.
.But these facts prove two things, first, that regular divine serviee began to be held in Gravesend in 1706 ; and second, that in 1714 a formal arrangement was entered into, between the inhabitants of Gravesend and the officers of the church of New Utrecht, for one- third of the regular serviees of the two Dutch ministers on Long Island. The question now arises, had they a church building at this time ; or, did they hold their serviees in private honses after the manner of the Quakers ? Our theory is, that, about the time they began their regular church services, they also creetcd their first house of worship. We know that, in 1720, a church building was already in existenee. We are indebted to Judge William H. Stillwell for the dis- eovery of an old deed (rec. in the Kings county Regis- ter's office), dated June 25, 1720, whereby Samnel Poling conveyed to Thomas Stillwell, among other property, "two garden spots, bounded northerly by land of Thomas Stillwell, and southerly by ground whereon the meeting-house stands. East by the highway, and west by the common yard and the street leading to the common yard." He also sells " one right in the meeting- house and ground."
It is clearly evident, therefore, that a building existed at this time, and the strong probability is that it was built about the time regular preaching began. The description of the above property fixes the preeise location of the first Dutch ehureh upon the property now belonging to that body, and occupied by the present lecture room. The location of the church property, therefore, has never been changed since it was first purehased, although it has been since some- what enlarged. Consequently, the theory that the first house of worship was moved, after it was built, to the site of the present chureh, we consider untenable.
180
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
We further conclude there was no church organiza- tion until more than 50 years after regular preaching began. The grounds for this conclusion are as fol- lows :
First. The authority granted in 1714 to John Lake and John Simonson, as we have seen, to negotiate with Cornelius Van Brunt and Peter Cortelyou, elders of the New Utrecht church for the services of Dominies Freeman and Antonides, was given by sixteen of the inhabitants of Gravesend. Now, had there been an organized church here at this time, this arrangement would have been the legitimate work of the consis- tory, and not of the inhabitants of the town.
Secondly. The old deed of 1720, above referred to, evidences that the church building then standing did not belong to a corporate body, as would be likely, had there been a church organization, but to private indi- viduals ; else how could Samuel Poling sell to Thomas Stillwell " one right in the meeting-house and ground."
Thirdly. In the oldest record we have of the Gravesend church, we find entered, under the heading of "Communicants," June 27, 1763, the names of 21 members, 15 male and 6 female. In another part of the same book, and under the same date, we find the names of 3 elders and 3 deacons elected. These entries are the first indication we can anywhere find of either consistory or communicants.
We consider it, therefore, a warrantable conclusion, that 1763 is the date of the regular church or- ganization. It is true that the names of baptized chil- dren began to be entered upon the record in 1714, the date of the New Utrecht compaet; but, beside this, there is no record of any kind till the date we have supposed to be that of the formal organization of the church in 1763; and from this time the list of commu- nicants, and that of elders and deacons, continues un- broken to the present day.
The old church record was kept in the Dutch lan- guage till about 1823, when it first began to be written in English.
A second church building was erected, most probably about the time the church was formed, in 1763. Judge Nicholas Stillwell, now advanced in age, tells us hc well remembers hearing his uncle, Rutgert Stillwell, speak of the building of the second church upon the site of the old one; and of its smaller dimensions. The circumstances connected with its erection were indelbly impressed upon his mind, from the fact that he was then a school-boy, and during intermission was accus- tomed to cross the street and watch the builders at their work. Mr. Stillwell was born in 1751; and, if the building was erected, as we have supposed it, in 1763, he would then be a school-boy of 12 years, just the age to be forcibly impressed with an event of this char- acter.
We have been thus particular, because, hitherto, this whole matter has been involved in doubt and uncer- !
tainty, and if the result of recent investigations can throw any light upon the subject, it will be heartily welcomed.
There are many still living who remember well the second house of worship, and who will recognize the following description: It was somewhat different from the ordinary style of church architecture among the Dutch of this date, viz., the round, or six, or eight- square style, which was most commonly adopted. This was oblong in shape, very low, with double-pitched roof, facing the south, and having double doors in the cen- ter. The sides, as well as the roof, were shingled, ac- cording to the custom of those days. The inside was ceiled, top and sides, with boards, and painted a dull, dingy brown. There was but one aisle, and this ex- tended through the center of the church. In this aisle were two strong pillars supporting the roof, one of them only about 10 feet in front of the pulpit. A gallery crossed the south end, where, it is said, the young men were wont to congregate. Under the gallery, on the west side, were the negro-quarters, having the appear- ance of being fenced in, and belonging exclusively to them. In the north end of the church was the pulpit, a plain, octagonal, box-like structure, only large enough to accommodate one man at a time. Upon the building was a spire, which contained a belfry and bells; and over all, a weather-cock of burnished brass, no doubt to warn the devout worshippers against the sin of Peter. This old church, within the memory of those now living, was without stoves, or any other heating appliances. The women carried their foot-stoves, which, before ser- vice, they were very careful to fill at the nearest neigh- bor's; while the men were compelled to sit, during all the long service, with nothing to generate heat but the grand old Calvinistic preaching of the Dutch Dominie, or the anticipation of a warm dinner after the service was over.
In this church the celebrated Whitfield preached on two oceasions while in this country. Mr. Rutgert Still- well, above mentioned, remembered hearing him, and the text he used on one occasion was from John xii: 32. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
This building continued to be used for worship until the close of the year 1833, when it gave place to the present edifice. The subject of building a new and more modern house of worship was first officially con- sidered at a meeting of consistory, held Nov. 30, 1832, at the house of Elder George Suydam, in the first year of the pastorate of Rev. I. P. Labagh.
The consistory then appointed a committee consist- ing of Garret Stryker, Nicholas S. Williamson, and Samuel I. Garritsen, " to estimate the cost of a suitable house, and what, in their opinion, each individual ought to subscribe towards it." After various meetings in reference to it, and the appointment of several commit- tees, it was finally resolved, at a meeting held Feb. 5,
181
THE ORIGINAL DUTCH CHURCH.
1833, "to build a house 45x62 feet; to build it by day's work and not by contract; and that Henry Van Dyck should be the builder."
The above committee of estimate were appointed a building-committee, to take full charge of the whole matter, and draw upon the treasurer as necessity re- quired. The sum of $3,833 had already been raised among the congregation.
An effort was at first made to change the location, but the matter was finally settled by enlarging their present ground by the purchase of some adjoining land of Mr. C. A. Emans.
The third house of worship was completed near the close of 1833. The building-committee were appointed to take charge of the sale of the pews, and also, as soon as convenient, to procure a bell from the city of New York.
The pews were rated at $6,550, but the subscquent sale realized $8,062; so that this church began its his- tory free from debt, and has so continued to the present day.
The first Sunday in January, 1834, was appointed for the dedication, and Rev. Dr. De Witt, of New York, was invited to preach the sermon.
The Consistory of the church at this time was com- posed of the following members : Rev. Isaac P. La- bagh, President; Garrett Stryker, John S. Gerritson, John S. Voorhees, Stephen Stryker, Elders; John Van Dyck, Samuel I. Gerritsen, Nicholas S. Williamson, Richard J. Stillwell, Deacons; Samuel G. Stryker, Clerk.
In 1849, in consequence of the cracking of the old bell, through the instrumentality of the ladies of the congregation a new one was procured, remarkable for its clear silvery tone. It can be heard for miles around, calling the devout to worship, and rebuking the great tide of Sabbath desecration which flows past it to the sea.
Although the present building is exceedingly plain in external appearance, yet its interior presents a pleas- ant, home-like attractiveness, which gives universal satisfaction.
Ministers .- The church was supplied, as we have seen, by Revs. Freeman and Antonides from 1705-41 ; Arondeous from 1741-6 ; and occasionally supplied by Van Sinderin from 1746-65. In 1767 Martinus Schoon- maker, who was two years before licensed to preach, became pastor of the church of Gravesend and Harlem. In the old church book are his half-yearly receipts for salary, written in Dutch, invariably given for seventeen pounds and ten shillings, making his yearly salary for Gravesend, £35. In 1783 he became pastor of the six Dutch churches in Kings county, and could then give this church only one Sabbath in six. In 1787 Rev. Peter Lowe became his colleague, and occasionally preached in Gravesend, and is now most affectionately remembered by some of our oldest inhabitants,
Dominie Schoonmaker preached in the Dutch language, Rev. Mr. Lowe in the English. In 1808 the collegiate arrangement between the churches of Kings county was dissolved; and each church carried on its own work in its own way. Dominic Schoonmaker continued to supply all the Dutch churches in the county, until he died, in 1824. Dominie John Bassett preached in Gravesend from 1811-'24. In 1832 the church made a formal call upon Rev. Isaac P. Labagh, who accepted, and became the first settled resident pastor of this church. He was called at an annual salary of $500. He remained till 1843, when he was succeeded by Rev. Abram I. Labagh, who had been pastor of the Reformed church at St. Thomas, W. I. He continued pastor for seventeen years. In 1859 Rev. M. G. Hansen, a recent graduate of Rutgers College (1856), and New Bruns- wick Seminary (1839), became pastor of the church. He resigned in 1871, and the pulpit was vacant for nearly a year.
In 1872 Rev. A. P. Stockwell, a graduate of Am- herst College (1862), and Union Theological Seminary (in 1865), and at that time associate pastor of the Re- formed church at Millbrook, Dutchess county, ac- cepted a call to the pastorate of this church. He was installed February 29, 1872, and still remains pastor, having entered upon the twelfth year of his ministry to this people.
The financial condition of the church was never better than at present, 1883 ; with not a dollar of debt, and with $500, a legacy recently left the church by Walter Nichols, Esq., of Jamaica, now in bank. The benevo- lent contributions for the past few years have also been largely in excess of any previous period of the same length in the history of the church.
The additions to the membership for the past eleven years have been about 125 ; and we are happy to say that the church at the present time shows a very united, prosperous and progressive condition.
Parsonage .- At a meeting of the consistory, held September 21, 1844, the question of building a parson- age was taken into consideration, and a resolution passed, that it was expedient to proceed forthwith to build, and a committee was appointed to find suitable location. At a subsequent meeting, held September 28, they reported in favor of two acres of land belong- ing to Mr. John I. Lake, which could be purchased for $600. This report was adopted, and the committec granted full power to purchase. The old church build- ing-committee were appointed to take charge of this work, and authorized to procced at once to business.
The parsonage was to be built, like the church, by day's work, and Lawrence and Jacobus Ryder were appointed builders. The house was completed during this year-a substantial wooden-building, two stories and basement, and shows to-day the honest and thorough labor done upon it.
Chapels,-At a meeting of consistory, held June
182
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
13, 1853, Mr. John Bergen and Mr. John Lake were ap- pointed a committec, with power to act in conjunction with the ladies of the congregation, in taking the neces- sary steps to secure a site and build a lecture-room in the village.
After much opposition, and a strong protest against it, on account of lack of space, the site was finally located on the church-grounds, and on the very spot where stood the first and second church-buildings. It was completed in 1854, a neat and comfortable house, about 25x45 feet. In 1879 a gallery was made across one end, and fitted up for an infant-class-room, having sliding-doors so arranged that the upper and lower rooms can be thrown into one, during the opening and closing exercises of the Sabbath-school.
In 1868 another lecture-room was built in the eastern district, in which to hold the sessions of the Sabbath- school of that neighborhood, the weekly prayer-meet- ings, and a monthly preaching-service. The land, 50x 125 feet, was donated by Mr. Simon C. Gerritsen, and a neat building, 25x36 feet, was erected thereon.
James S. Voorhees was the builder, and the cost $1,820.
The Sheepshead Bay M. E. Church was organ- ized in 1840 with five or six members, at the house of Samuel Leonard. The first church-building was a small wooden edifice, costing about $800, and erected in 1844, the lot being purchased in September of that year. It was afterwards sold to District No. 4, and used as a day-school until the erection of a new school- house. In 1869 the present church-building was erected on McKane avenue. It is a small frame-build- ing like the first, with seating capacity for about 150 or 200 persons. The society, when first organized, was called the Methodist Protestant Church, and so con- tinued till 1862, when it became the Independent Metho- dist Church of Gravesend. Rev. Charles Battersby was then the pastor. It retained this name for three years, and then became the Methodist Episcopal Church, which is its present status. The first superintendent of the Sabbath-school was Samuel Leonard. This office has been, for many years past, and is now, most credit- ably filled by Mr. John Y. McKane, supervisor of the town. The school numbers about fifty scholars, with 300 volumes in the library.
Regular pastors : Revs. Messrs. Russell ; Stancliff ; Baker ; Morris ; C. Battersby ; N. Orchard ; Morris (second time) ; J. Henson ; J. H. Battersby ; J. Nel- son ; Fawcett ; C. Backman ; and the present pastor, C. W. Powell. During a part of this time the pulpit was supplied by local ministers, whose names are not re- corded.
The present condition of the church may be consid- ered favorable, and there is a movement already on foot to build a new church in a more suitable and con- venient location.
The M. E. Church, at Unionville, was organized
in 1844, and the house of worship erected the same year. It is called " The Fisherman's Church." The name was taken from the fact that many fishermen, from farther east on Long Island, were accustomed to seek the quiet waters of Gravesend bay to spend the Sabbath; and to give these men a place and encouragement to worship on the Sabbath, seems to have been a strong induce- ment to build the church and give it its present name. The church was dedicated by Rev. Henry Chase, of the N. Y. East Conference, for many years pastor of the Mariner's church, in Rosevelt street, New York. The first pastor of the church was Lorenzo D. Nicker- son, still living. He belonged to the circuit which in- cluded Unionville, two years before he joined Confer- ence, and two after. He stands on the minutes as hav- ing charge of New Utrecht, which included the Union- ville members, in 1844. The next year Fort Hamilton was substituted for New Utrecht.
The first superintendent of the Sunday-school was Mr. Randall, of Gravesend. It is a live church, enter- ing heart and soul into every good work.
Pastors : 1846-7, E. O. Bates; 1848-9, J. D. Boutan; 1850, James McBride; 1851-2, Benjamin Redford; 1853-4, Edward K. Fanning; 1855-7, John F. Booth; 1858-9, William Wake; 1859-60, Ezra K. Miner; 1861-3, Robert Roberts; 1864-6, H. C. Glover; 1867-8, Wm. H. Russell; 1869-70, Lorenzo D. Nickerson (sec- ond time); 1871-2, Nicholas Orchard; 1873-5, Samuel A. Seaman; 1876-8, Alexander McAlister; 1879-81; Henry C. Glover (second time); 1882-3, Wm. H. Rus- sell (second time).
Coney Island Chapel .- In the year 1868 a Sunday- school was started upon Coney Island, the first sessions being held in the basement of the Wyckoff hotel. The need of a more suitable place for holding their services soon became apparent; and a chapel was suggested, where both Sunday-school and preaching-services could be held. The idea was brought to the notice of Thomas Bell, Esq., of Parkville, a kind-hearted and liberal man, who at once seconded the suggestion; and, to make the enterprise an immediate success, offered to advance the money to begin operations without delay. Accordingly, Messrs. Wm. H. Stillwell, John S. Ryder, and Edmund Williams, were constituted a building- committee, and immediately set to work. Oscar D. Way received the contract for building the new chapel, at a cost of $850; the bell, fencing, painting, etc., bringing the sum total up to $1,250. Of this sum $600 was raised among the people, and $650 advanced by Mr. Bell. After a trial of six or seven years the enter- prise was, for a time, abandoned, and the chapel sold to District No. 1 for a day-school. After a few years of suspended animation the Sunday-school has again revived, and now is prospering under the efficient su- perintendence of Mr. Peck. A larger and more com- modious chapel is in process of erection in a much pleasanter part of the island, and the future of the
183
CEMETERIES-LIBRARIES-LODGES.
present movement seems brighter than ever before. In 1868 Mr. Bell was also instrumental in having another church built in the western part of the town, near Unionville, for the eolored population, called The Af- rican Zion M. E. Church.
Catholic Churches .- About 1869 a Catholie church was crected at Sheepshead Bay. It is a frame edifiee, and, externally, inviting in appearance. Father James McKiverton is the officiating priest. In 1880 another handsome Catholie ehureh was erected at Co- ney Island. Both of these ehurehes are well attended by the Catholie element of the community.
Thus we have, in all, seven churches in the town of Gravesend.
Cemeteries .- The oldest in Gravesend is the old town burying-ground, dating back very nearly, if not quite, to the early settlement of the town. It is situ- atcd nearly in the center of the south-west town square, and is for public use, being used mostly by the old inhabitants, whose families have for many years been buried there. Eventually it will, probably, cease to be used for burial-purposes; sinee many fami- lies now own lots in Greenwood, and the number is con- stantly increasing.
The earliest record we find, relating to this cemetery, is the recorded will of John Tilton, one of the early and prominent settlers of Gravesend, and for many years town-elerk. This will is dated Jan. 15, 1687, wherein he devises land in Gravesend for a burying-ground, " for all persons in ye everlasting truth of ye gospel as occasion serves, forever to have and to hold, and to make use of to bury their dead there."
This land is known to eover a part of the present burial-ground, as no other has been used for this pur- pose sinee the first settlement of the town. It is also probable that this land of John Tilton's was adjoining, and intended to enlarge, the original burying-ground.
Some of the slabs marking the resting.place of the quiet sleepers are very old. One rough stone bears, as near as we ean read it, the date of 1676. Many of the old inscriptions are in Dutch. For example: "Hier Legt her Lichamran Ann Voorhes Vrou Barrent Voor- hes, D. 1760." Some stones are also distinguished with a stanza of poetry, which speaks the usual hope for the dead, and warning to the living, which are common to the elegiac poetry of the present day. For example:
* "Heere liyes the Body of Benjamin Steimeist. Born Oct. 13, 1702. Departed this life April 12, 1762.
"His flesh in hope Rests in the dust; His soul departing hence, we trust Is praising God among the Just."
There is to be seen here, also, a common field-stone, hardly appearing above the ground, which Hon. Tunis G. Bergen thinks may probably mark the grave of Lady Moody.
Another burial-place in the north part of the town
was incorporated Sept. 7, 1850, under the name of Washington Cemetery. It contains 100 aeres, or more than 10,000 lots, of 400 square feet each. It was founded by James Arlington Bennett, LL. D., to whom the land then belonged. It has beeome now almost ex- elusively a Jewish burying-ground. It is governed by a board of trustees, composed of six members, two of whom are elected annually. Henry D. Bennett, son of the founder, is the superintendent. Its situation is beautiful, fronting both upon Gravesend avenue on the west, and Ocean parkway on the east.
Libraries .- In addition to the Sunday-sehool libra- ries, which consist of a thousand or twelve hundred volumes, every sehool-distriet has a library of from two hundred to four hundred volumes, open to all residents of the distriets, and replenished from year to year by money appropriated by the State.
In this eonneetion it will be a matter of interest to look over the list of books contained in the library of Sir Henry Moody, while he was a resident of Gravesend. This library shows him to have been a man of extensive education for the time in which he lived. We give below the catalogue as we find it, in Documentary History, Vol. IV.
" A latyn Bible, in folio.
A written book in folio containing private matters of State. A writteneth book in folio containing private matters of the King.
Seventeen several books of devinite matters.
A dictionarius Latin and English.
Sixteen several latin & Italian bookx of divers matters.
A book in folio containing the voage of Ferdinand Mendoz.
A book in folio Kolleth Sylva Sylvarum.
A book in quarto collth bartas' six days worck of the lord and translatt in English by Joshua Sylvester.
A book in quarto Kalleth the summe and substans of the Conference which it pleased his Excellent Majsti to have with the lords bishops &c. at Hampton Court contracteth by William Barlow.
A book in quarto Kalleth Ecclesiastica Interpretatio, or the Expositions upon the doubtful passages of the Seven Epistles callet Catholique and the Revelation collecteth by John Mayer.
Eleven several bookx more of divers substants.
The verification of his fathers Knights order given by King James.
Anno 1661."
Lodges .- A lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was organized February 2d, 1859. The meetings are held weekly. The present offieers as fol- lows: Noble G., Abram E. Stillwell; Vice G., G. H. Wiekham; Rec. Sec., Dr. R. L. Van Kleek; Permanent Sec., Washington Willis; Past Grand, Edmund Wil- liams.
Villages .-- Sheepshead Bay. One of the most thriv- ing villages on Long Island is Sheepshead Bay, situated in the south-east part of the town of Gravesend.
There are those now living who well remember when there was but one house, and that a small, inferior one, on any part of what is now Sheepshead Bay.
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.