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 50

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 50

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His mother was a lady, in every respect qualified for the wife of a man like James Ridley.

As Mr. Ridley desired his son to enter the legal pro- fession, he was carefully educated, and taught those religious principles which imbued his whole life. As his father was a member of the Church of England, he was reared under the teachings of that church.

There was much in the youth of young Ridley that gave indication of future eminence; but, as he advanced in years it became apparent that the tendencies of his mind were leading him to the calling of a merchant, and not to the bar. Still, he was a constant and an appreciative student, devoting his leisure hours to books.

With considerable reluctance his father assented to his choice of business; and, according to the custom of England, he was apprenticed to a highly respectable merchant. Having completed his mercantile education, he began business in his native town under prosperous circumstances; but, by the failure of business houses whose paper he had endorsed to a large extent, he was obliged to suspend. After honorably settling with his creditors, with the means he had left, he emigrated to this country and became a resident of Albany.

Here he began business as a dry goods merchant, attaining such success that he was enabled to establish a branch at Saratoga. He was then but 30 years of age, and the management of these two concerns was a severe test upon his business ability, But he was equal to the emergency, and success attended both houses. At length his enterprising spirit induced him to look for a more extended field of exertion, directing his attention to the City of New York, that metropolis

Caro Ridley

FORMER RESIDENCE OF THE LATE EDWARD RIDLEY.

RESIDENCE OF THE LATE EDWARD RIDLEY.

211

BIOGRAPHY OF EDWARD RIDLEY.

which, while it affords great facilities for amassing wcalth, presents gigantic difficulties in doing so.

Accordingly he drew his business at Albany and Saratoga to a close, and early in the year 1849, became a competitor for commercial prosperity and wealth in New York. He entered upon his career in a careful and unpretending way, in Grand street. His storc, when first opened, was 12x30 feet in extent; but his business gradually increased from this small beginning to be the most extensive and successful in the city.

It would be the work of supererogation to describe in detail his mercantile career. That he attained dis- tinguished success and great wealth by his singular business accomplishments and honorable dealing, suc- cinctly describes it. It may not, however, be improper to add that the establishment of which Mr. Ridley was at the head at the time of his death, occupies four and one-half acres of ground, bounded by Grand, Allen and Orchard streets, and that in it 1,700 persons found and still find employment.

In 1879, Mr. Ridley returned to England for the pur- pose of discharging some debts which he left when he came to this country. The fidelity to conscience which governed him in the payment of those debts most truth- fully describes his real character. It is not strange that such a man should become an ornament to the mercan- tile world, a stalwart pillar in the business fabric of the metropolis.

Mr. Ridley was twice married; first to Miss Elizabeth Smith, of Leicester, England, Oct. 23d, 1837. There were born to this marriage five children, three sons and two daughters-James Mosley, Albert and Arthur John, Fannie Louise, and Emma Elizabeth, all of whom are living except James M., who died several years ago. His two sons, Albert and Arthur, were his partners under the firm name and style of "EDWARD RIDLEY & SONS." The latter continue the business.

Mr. Ridley's first wife died in 1863. In January, 1865, Mr. Ridley was united by marriage to Caroline Wilhelmina Yevance, of Philadelphia. His marriage relations appear to have been happy.

Most of the time during his second marriage, Mr. Ridley was subject to attacks of that fatal disease, apoplexy, which finally terminated his life; and it was only by the most tender care, faithful and untiring watchfulness, that the fatal stroke was so long averted.

To his second marriage there was born onc daughter, Clara W. Ridley, born July 25th, 1867, a young lady of many accomplishments, most tenderly attached to her father, an attachment which was mutual.

In his circle of home life Mr. Ridley was chivalric in devotion and inexhaustible in affection. His elegant home at Gravesend was a pleasing retreat from the wearing cares and labors of Grand street. This had becn his home for over seventeen years; a home built and furnished, its grounds beautified under the superin-

tendence of Mrs. Ridley, with special regard to his health and comfort.

He usually reached his store about eleven o'clock in the forenoon; leaving it at six P. M. in his carriage. After the opening of the great bridge he crossed it every day, morning and evening, down to about the time of his death, reaching his home after a drive of over seven miles. As he left all the cares and responsibil- ities of his business in Grand street, his home to him was like another world-a world of peace, quiet and rest, and we may well say of happiness. Here he found time to study the contents of a library which he had collected with the judgment and taste of a scholar.

The discipline of his early education, ripencd by con- tact with the world, rendered him an appreciative and critical reader of books. Not long after he came to this country, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, sincerely attached to it by conviction but without big- otry in head or heart.

In 1874 he was ordained a minister in that church, but his ministrations seem to have been confined, espe- cially during the absence of the pastor, to the church at Parkville, of which he was a member and the princi- pal founder. He occupied its pulpit on the Sunday before his death, and preached for nearly an hour with great earnestness and much interest to his auditors.

He was one of the most industrious of men; would leave his business in New York, and return to his home; and, after a pleasant reunion with his family, he would seek his study, where he often remained engaged until a late hour.

He was fond of music, especially sacred music. Every evening, before his family retired, with the accustomed family worship, he would unite with then in singing his favorite hymn-"Nearer my God to thee." This was repeated on the night in which, before the dawning of another day, he saw the last of earth, with singular solemnity and with something of a pre- monition of the sad event so soon to follow.

Mr. Ridley's death was very sudden and unexpected. On Monday afternoon he left Grand street, at the usual hour, for his home, apparently in his usual health. After spending the evening with his family, he retired. Hc remained in bed a half hour, when he arose, as Mrs. Ridley believed, for some purpose connected with his library, as he occasionally did. A brief time elapsed, when she was startled by his groans; she hastened to him, reaching him only in time to listen to the utter- ance of a few affectionate parting sentences, and to his declaration that he was dying.

It needs no words of ours to describe, if we could, the bitter anguish that thus suddenly fell upon this happy houschold.

Thus lived and thus died Edward Ridley. We can- not conclude our sketch of him in more appropriate language than that contained in the following beautiful tribute paid to his memory by another.

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

" He had none of the pride of wealth or the arrogance of aristocracy; though giving largely to the church he never did so in a manner to inspire thoughts that he considered himself above others. During the many years that he passed at Gravesend, he never departed from his charming Christian simplicity; and,by everyone who knew him, he was looked up to more for his many virtues than his great riches. Even in matters of im- portance he was inclined rather to have others express their will than insist upon his own opinion. To his sons he has left an inheritance in his example of a good life, far richer and better than the munificent behests they received from him."

WILLIAM H. STILLWELL, a lineal descendant, in the eighth generation, of Nicholas Stillwell, the emigrant of 1638, was born at Gravesend, L. I., June 28, 1832, where he received such elementary education as the district-school there then afforded. At the age of nineteen, he accepted a position as teacher of the district-school at Grassy Pond, Queens County, and, in succession, in the schools at Gravesend Neck and Gravesend Village. Having taught himself the elements of land-surveying, he gradually worked himself into a consider- able practice as a land-surveyor. This extended, in time, till he came to be recognized as an authority on matters con- nected with his profession. Elected by his neighbors to the position of Justice of the Peace, for several successive terms, he left that office with a clear record as an upright, honest, fearless official. In 1857 he was chosen as clerk at the Alms- house department, which position he filled for seven years, during which time it was his province to examine and audit all bills, which amounted to some three hundred thousand dollars per annum in value; and, on his retirement, his em- ployers unanimously gave him a certificate in which they bear witness to his fidelity to his trust, by saying that his ac- counts were "invariably correct in every respect." He next built and established a grocery store at Unionville, which he kept with moderate success for a year or more. During all this while, he occupied his leisure moments in studying law under the general direction of Hon. Philip S. Crooke, and for which his term of service as Justice had given him a de- cided taste. Having been admitted to practice he removed to Brooklyn, and there opened an office. He has been en-

WILLIAM H. STILLWELL.

gaged in various matters of local enterprise, notably the pur- chase of the Manhattan Beach property, and perfecting the title thereto. In 1874, he accepted a position in the Corbin Banking Company's office, No. 61 Broadway, New York, where he remained for four years ; when he exchanged it for a better position with William A. Engeman, on Coney Is- land ; retaining, however, his Brooklyn office. His chief characteristic-unflinching honesty and integrity-has won him hosts of friends, while his intimate knowledge of all matters pertaining to real-estate in Gravesend, make his ser- vices much sought after by those who are interested. He is pleasant and social, yet domestic troubles have caused him to prefer solitude. His genealogical notes on the family whose name he bears, attest his aptitude for close, diligent, painstaking attention to details and office work. He has, also, in manuscript, a nearly completed History of Coney Island, of great antiquarian research and historical merit ; of which the editor of this work has, by his kind permission, largely availed himself, and which, we trust, will be pub- lished, at no distant day.

HISTORY

OF THE

TOWN OF FLATBUSH.

By REV.

A. M.

T THE BEGINNINGS of Settlement of the towns upon the west end of Long Island are somewhat difficult to define. The English, who settled its eastern extremity, eame mostly in groups, or eolonies, from Connectieut or from the Mas- saehusetts Bay, with well defined religious or temporal motives, and frequently with previously-perfeeted ehureh and political organizations. On the contrary, the Duteh, although naturally elannish, seem to have wander- ed to the western shore of Long Island, from their first settlement at New Amsterdam, mostly as individual settlers. For purposes of mutual protection, readiness of retreat, and nearness to a market for their farm- produee, they seeured farms along the shore, until the whole shore, from the Waale-boght to the ocean at Gravesend, was taken up. Not until then did they venture further inland; and we find patents granted, one after another, for Breuekelen, for Gravesend; then for Amersfort or Flatlands.

Soon, the hardy Dutch farmers discovered that the lands in, or near, the woods eovering the ridge north of Amersfort, and extending a mile or more to the sonth, were more fertile than those upon the open flats between s'Gravesende and Amersfort. That the settlement of the town was begun in this manner, from the south, and not, as has been generally supposed, from the north, by persons moving over the hill from Breuekelen, is evi- dent from the following faet: that we learn of no pur- ehases of farms at Brenckelen at any distanee baek from the river, towards the hills and woods of Flatbush. Again, the first deed of land here, dated June 6, 1636, is for a traet at the southern boundary of the present village, conveyed by the Indians to Andries Hudden and Wolphert Gerritsen, and ealled " The Little Flats." Another deed was given, about the same time, to Wou- ter Van Twiller, the Director, for land in the same vi- einity, ealled "Twiller's Flats." These three traets lie partly in Flatbush and partly in Flatlands. But the earliest deed to land within the bounds of the present town is to Jacobus Van Corlaer, for a tract in its south-

easterly corner, designated as "Corlaer's Flats." This view is fortified by the faets: that the largest proportion of old houses were in the southern and eentral portion of the village; and that the road over the hill to Breuckelen was through a continuous and dense forest-being, in faet, little more than a erooked Indian-trail. If we eon- sider that, even in later times, this road afforded a most difficult route over which the farmers of the villages south of Brooklyn were obliged to haul their produee to mar- ket, it is evident that, in the earlier times, household goods, farm-produee, ete., eould only have been conveyed, to and from Flatbush, either by boat to Gravesend Bay; or, by the " shore-road," to Gravesend; and thenee to Amersfort. Even sixty-one years after (1697-80), as we learn from the Journal of the Labadists, Jasper Dankers and Peter Sluyter, this road was a wretched one. "Taking our leave [we] rode on to 't Vlaeke Bos, a village situated about an hour and a half's distanee from there, upon the same plain, which is very large. This village seems to have better farms than the bay [Flatlands], and yields fully as mueh revenue. Riding through it, we eame to the woods and hills, which are very stony and uncomfortable to ride over." But still stronger proof is found in the faet stated by these trav- ellers, that, when they started out from Breuekelen, they reached s' Gravesende by following the line of the shore; which we believe to have been the earliest, the most traveled, and the best route for reaching the interior villages; thenee they continued their journey to Amersfort and 't Vlacke Bos.

Houses were probably ereeted and lands eultivated before any formal deeds or patents were proeured from the Indians, or the Director at Nieuw Amsterdam. New Amersfort (Flatlands) was undoubtedly first set- tled in 1624; and it is not unreasonable to suppose that, within the four or five years ensuing, settlers be- gan to elear the woods and loeate in the more fertile lands at 't Vlacke Bos, or Midwout-the settlement of which we may, therefore, safely place at 1630-34. But, although the last of the five eounty-towns to be

214

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

settled, Flatbush was the third to procure a town-pat- ent from the Director. This was in 1651, and the tract of land (the title of which had undoubtedly been secured from the Indians by purchase, on the part of the West India Company-as was their invariable cus- tom), for which the patent was granted, was bounded north by the hills, and on the south by Amersfort (Flatlands), being one unbroken stretch of dense for est. The eastern and western boundaries of this pat- ent were probably coincident with those of what was afterwards called " the Old Town." The original Dutch patent is not in existence, and was probably de- stroyed in 1684* ; when, in common with those of the other county-towns (except Gravesend, which, as an English settlement, was exempted), it was "called in" by Gov. Nicolls, who was then granting new, or con- firmatory, charters. Dr. STRONG, in his History of Flatbush, says that the only original Dutch patent of any part of the town, which has been discovered, is a "Ground Brief or Patent " issued by Gov. Stuyvesant to the "indwellers and inhabitants of Midwout" for the Canarsie Meadows, therein described as " a parcel of meadow-ground, or valley, lying on the east north- east of the Canarsie Indian planting-grounds." Accord- ing to HENRY C. MURPHY, the original patentees, to whom Stuyvesant granted the patent of 1651, were Jan Snedecor, Arent Van Hatten, a burgomaster of Nieuw Amsterdam, and Johannes Megapolensis, one of the ministers of the same city.

The first houses and settlements were probably in the most southerly portion of the present village ; along the " Indian-path " from New Amersfort to the Hills-now the direct road, through the village, from Flatlands to Brooklyn. We have but little positive knowledge concerning the number, or the names, of the first settlers; or the locations secured by them dur- ing the seventeen years elapsing between the first purchase of 1634, and the patent of 1651. But, Dr.Strong states that, after the patent of 1651, "farms were laid out into 48 lots, or tracts of land, extending 600 Dutch rods east and west on each side of the Indian-path, and having severally an average width of 27 rods." Those on the east side ran east to west; those on the west side had a south- westerly inclination, corresponding with the direction of the Hills on the north-west of the town. Each one of the proprietors named in the patent received (in dis- tribution by lot-the invariable custom of the Dutch in the division of patented lands) two or more lots apiece, while the central and most eligible lots were reserved for the church. A considerable portion of wood lands lying on the west, north and cast sides of the town, together with Corlaer's and Twiller's Flats, were left in Common, and remained undivided for years.

Early Boundary Disputes with Flatlands .- Although the Indian title to these lands had been

carefully extinguished, and purchases confirmed with patents from the Dutch and English Governors, the set- tlers of Flatbush met with trouble from their Amers- fort neighbors, about certain lands along the boundary- line between the two towns. Especially was this the case upon the Canarsie meadows, at that time highly esteemed by the Dutch farmers ; and, finally, in 1666, arbitrators, appointed by Gov. Nicolls, made a survey, approved by the Governor, April 20, 1667, by which the lines were carefully defined by marked trees, stakes and fence. And the Flatbush people then received the following confirmatory patent :

" RICHARD NICOLLS, Esq., &c. * * * Whereas there is a certain town within this government, known by the name of Midwout alias Flatbush &c. * * * Now, for the confirmation, &c. Know ye that I have given, ratified, confirmed and granted unto Mr. Johannes Megapolensis, one of the Ministers of this City, Mr. Cornelius Van Ruyven, one of the Justices of the Peace, Adrian Hegeman, Jan Snediger, Jan Stryker, Frans Barents Pastor, Jacob Stryker, and Cornelius Janse Bougaert, as Patentees, for and in behalf of themselves and associates, freeholders and inhabitants of the said town, their heirs, suc- cessors and assigns; All that tract, together with several par- cells of land, which already have or shall hereafter be pur- chased or procured for, or on behalf of the said town;

whether from the native Indian proprietors or others, within the bounds and limits hereafter set forth and expressed, viz: That is to say, The said Town is bounded to the North by the Hills, to the South by the fence lately sett between them and the town of Amersfort alias Flatland." Then, with mention of the stakes and land-marks, the deed closes with "which said meadows were upon the 20 of April last, by common consent staked out, and by my approbation allowed of; All which said tracts and parcels of land, meadow-ground &c. * * * Dated, Oct. 11, 1667."

. The security afforded to the Flatbush settlers by this patent was, however, of short duration ; for, in 1670, Eskemoppas, Sachem of Rockaway, with his brothers Kinnarimas and Ahawaham, with evil intent, claimed the land, demanding that payment therefor should be made to themselves as the original Indian owners, and denying the right of the Canarsies to deed it to the settlers. Although this claim was fraudulent, yet, to avoid the ill-will, annoyance, distress and expense to which its refusal might give rise, the Flatbush people accepted a deed from Eskemoppas and brothers, for which they paid a valuable consideration. The deed is as follows:

" To all Christian people to whom this present writing shall come; Eskemoppas, Sachem of Rockaway, upon Long Island, Kinnarimas and Ahawaham his brothers, send greeting: Whereas they, the said Sachem Eskemoppas, and his two brothers afore mentioned, do lay claim to the land now in the tenure and occupation of the inhabitants of Midwout, alias Flatbush, as well as other lands adjacent thereto as the right born Indian owners and proprietors thereof: Know ye that in consideration of certain sums of seewant, a certain sum of wampum and divers other goods (hereinafterspecified) unto the said Sachem and his brothers in hand paid, and received, from Adrian Hegeman, Jacob Stryker, Hendrick Jorise and Jan Hansen, for and on behalf of themselves and the rest of the inhabitants of Midwout alias Flatbush, the receipt whereof

* Land was sold, in 1653, by Edward Griffen to Peter Loot. Griffen must have had a clear title from some patent, granted by some one at an earlier date.

215

BOUNDARY DISPUTES WITH FLATLANDS.

they do hereby acknowledge, and themselves to be fully sat- isfied and paid: Have given granted contracted and sold * * * All that said parcel of land where the said town of Midwout stands, together with all the lands lying therein, stretching on the east side to the limits of Newtown and Ja- maica, on the south side to the meadow ground, and limits of Amersfort; on the west side to the bounds of Gravesend and New Utrecht, and on the north side along the Hills; that is to say, all those lands within the limits above men- * tioned &c. * * In witness whereof, the parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals this 20th day of April, in the 22nd year of his Majesty's reign, in the year of our Lord 1670.

ESKEMOPPAS £ Mark. (seal). KINNARIMAS & Mark. (seal). AHAWAHAM f Mark (seal).

Signed and delivered in the presence of

THOMAS LOVELACE. CORNELIUS VAN RUYVEN.

R+ corded the day and year within written

per MATHIAS NICHOLS, Secretary.

The consideration agreed upon in the purchase herein men- tioned was as follows viz : 10 Fathoms of black seewant ; 10 Fathoms of white seewant ; 5 Match coats of Duffells ; 4 Blankets; 2 Gunners sight Guns; 2 Pistols; 5 Double hand- fulls of Powder [Gispen bunches of Powder]; 5 Bars of Lead; 10 Knives; 2 Secret Aprons of Duffell [Cuppas of Duffell]; 1 Half vat or half barrell of Strong Beer; 3 Cans of Brandy; 6 Shirts. All the above particulars were received by the Sa- chem and his ten brothers, in the presence of the persons under written, as witnesses hereof.

John Manning. Sylvester Salisbury. John Hough.

Jacob Van Cortlandt .* Teunis Jacob Hay .* Edward Carlisle .*

Acknowledged before me, the Sachem and his two brothers, and the goods delivered in my presence, the day and year within written.

FRANCIS LOVELACE."

In this deed we find, for the first time, the eastern and western boundary-lines of the town definitely laid down ; and it is probable that, the difficulty with Eske- moppas, concerning the right to the lands within the town of Flatbush, related especially to the eastern sec- tion of the town. While it is well established that the western portion of the town was purchased from and deeded by the Canarsic Indians, in 1651, the time of purchase of the eastern section cannot with any degree of certainty be fixed. No deed has been found, carlier than this one from Eskemoppas, in that section of the town extending from Keuter's Hook to the Jamaica line. It is possible that, the boundary lines being in- distinct or poorly defined, the Flatbush people may have attempted to settle farther to the east than war- ranted by the limits of the original deed; and that the land thus occupied was truly the property of the Rockaway Indians. However this may be, we find, from the time of this deed, 1670, the western section of the town, as far as Keuter's Hook, is called the Old Town; and the portion beyond, as far as the eastern boundary, at the Jamaica line, is called the New Lands,

or "the New Lots." The original name of this tract was Oostwoud, or " East Woods."

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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 50

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