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 58

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 58

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247

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES.

alternately ; and, in 1855, Father Bohen was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. John Dowling. The teacher, Mr. Savage, also left Flatbush, and was succeeded by Timothy Hurley, a gentleman of the highest culture, who chose to hide his abilities in a village-school. His invariable suit of "pepper-and-salt" was known through- out the five towns of the county-a decent garb, as warm in winter as it was cool in summer. With close shaven face, sharp pinched features, a keen gray eye, a broad honest forehead, a large and powerfully chiselled mouth, with a chin of ponderous size, both bespeaking firmness-the whole a pale, kind countenance-he was ever and completely the school-master. He lived to see almost two generations schooled in his manly, but gentle ways ; and left behind him a name synonymous with education throughout the county towns. Mr. Mc- Donald, Mrs. John Hoey, Charles Mclaughlin (brother of Rev. James) have also been honored teachers of this school. Mr. Hurley also had a second term of service after these. The church gallery, which had hitherto served as a school, in 1855-6 became too straitened for the increase of scholars; and a small frame structure (formerly a carpenter's shop) was presented to the par- ish by Patrick H. Curren for the purpose, and was moved from its original site to the present location of the Convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph. It is now used as a dwelling-house on Grand street, to which it was removed years ago. Father Dowling was killed by being thrown from his wagon, September 28, 1858, and is buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery. Father Bartholomew Gleason succeeded to the pastorate, and became the first occupant of the new parochial residence, purchased by the parish, corner Prospect street and Dutchman's Lane, now East Broadway. In September, 1860, Rev. Stephen Cassidy became pastor, but died in October, 1861, from ailments contracted in the dis- charge of his duties. Rev. Thomas Mclaughlin fol- lowed ; under him the school-house was enlarged, the parochial property improved, and the whole parish felt the influence of his large-hearted character and personal magnetism. Ill health caused him to leave in 1864, and his place was taken by Father Strain, during whose time a new school-house was improvised out of an old coach-house, on the site of the old one. It was removed in 1872, when the Sisters of St. Joseph came to Flat- bush. Father Strain took an especial interest in the school, and under his supervision it, as well as the religious societies of the parish, flourished. He died suddenly, and was followed by Rev. James Moran, and he by Rev. Michael Moran. In 1869, Rev. James J. Doherty became pastor, and gave a new impetus to the surroundings of Holy Cross. Through his efforts the new church, the largest and richest in the county towns, was erected ; the Sisters of St. Joseph were introduced ; the old church was converted into a school-house ; a curate was provided ; the parish was divided into two districts and a new church organized in the village of

Parkville, and placed under the care of the learned Father James McKiverken. . September 1, 1872, the corner-stone of the new church was laid, and the com- pleted edifice was dedicated June 8, 1873. It is 65x127 feet, of Croton-brick, with Dorchester-stone trimmings, and in the nineteenth century French-Gothic style, with a tower and spire in the northeast corner, 150 feet highi. Its interior decorations are in polychrome, and it accom- modates a congregation of 1,000, and cost about $40,000. Thomas P. Houghton, of New York city, was the archi- tect ; and Thomas Ryan, the builder. Father Doherty, much broken in health, closed his pastorate of nearly ten years, May 22, 1881, and was followed by Rev. Bernard McHugh ; Father Marron being curate. Under their care all the various Roman Catholic interests of Flatbush are prospering.

The Sisters of St. Joseph, who now have charge of the Roman Catholic parochial schools, for both sexes, came into the parish November, 1872, from the Mother House, at Flushing, which is also the Convent of St. Joseph. The first sisters here were Sister Alphonsus, Superioress ; Sister Aurelia, Sister Loyla and Sister Gertrude. The present community comprises the Su- perioress, and teachers, as follows : Sister Sylvester, Sister St. Heri, Sister Sidonia and Sister St. Ignatius. Miss R. Moan is the church organist and also instructor in the school. The services of the Catholic clergy of Flatbush, not only in their parish, but in their faithful ministrations at the County Asylum, Hospital, Nunnery and Almshouse, not to mention the Small Pox Hospital, located in this town, entitle them to most unstinted praise.

Roman Catholic Church at Parkville .- Before the erection of the Roman Catholic church at Flat- bush, the catholic residents of the country towns were entirely dependent upon the city of Brooklyn for their religious privileges; though, on certain occasions, ser- vices were held at the convent, at New Utrecht. After the Flatbush Roman Catholic church was erected, the catholics of Parkville, New Utrecht and Gravesend were all included within its juristiction. In the latter part of 1869, Rev. Mr. Moran, resident priest at Flatbush, initiated an organization at Parkville, which was completed in 1870, for a congregation and the erection of a church edifice for those of his faith. A neat frame edifice, in the Gothic style, was erected on Lawrence avenue, near First street, at a cost of $12,000, the corner-stone of which was laid August 21, 1870, and the building finished November 27, 1870. It was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Roman Catholic Bishop of Brooklyn, and received the name of " Church of St. Rose of Lima." The church is prosperous and well attended. During its first three years the church was supplied by the Flatbush church : Rev. James McKiverken, appointed October, 1874, the first and present pastor of this and Sheepshead Bay flock, has, since July, 1879, been assisted by Rev. William Doherty. There is a

248

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

flourishing Sunday-school in connection with this church.

Cemetery of the Holy Cross .- Several efforts, previous to 1849, to purchase property for a Roman Catholic cemetery, failed, owing to the unwillingness of the towns-people to have a cemetery of any character within the limits of the town. But, during the spring of that year, a tract of land in the eastern section of the town was secured, and the Cemetery of the Holy Cross founded. The farm, of which this land formed a part, originally belonged to Joost Van Brunt. In 1772 he sold it to Hendrick Suydam, who, at his death, left it to his son, Cornelius. In 1837 certain speculators con- ceived the idea of laying out a village in this section of the town. Through John A. Scudder, as their repre- sentative, a section of this farm, containing 18 acres, was purchased in 1837 from Mr. C. Suydam, at $300 per acre, and divided into small village lots. A num- ber of these lots were sold. Dr. Adrian Vanderveer purchased at this time another section of this farm, con- taining 12 acres, lying to the north of the first pur- chase. During the panic, in 1837, Scudder failed to meet his payments, and was obliged to relinquish his section. John Gill, who had purchased a small lot and built a house on it, now bought the portion sold by Scudder. Many unsuccessful attempts were made to procure this property from these parties for a cemetery. At length James Duffey, a coffee and spice merchant in Brooklyn, made a proposal to buy the land and erect there a large mansion, as well as to build and operate spice-mills. This gave color to the idea that the me- chanics engaged in the mill would buy lots and build here. Gill finally consented to sell for $2,700. After the property came into Duffey's control, he changed his mind in reference to the spice-mills; and accepted a tempting offer from Rev. James McDonough, pastor of what was then St. James Church, Brooklyn, but afterward became the Brooklyn Cathedral.

This first purchase for the cemetery, of 17 acres, 3 rods, was made in June, 1849, by Rev. J. McDon- ough acting for Right Rev. John Hughes, who was then Bishop of New York and Brooklyn. Dr. Vander- veer would not sell his section. On July 14, 1849, Thomas Moran, who was the first victim of the cholera in the town, died, and was the first person interred in the cemetery. The second purchase was made from Mr. Samuel Young, whose house, in the rear of the cemetery, had been accidentally destroyed by fire. Not desiring to rebuild in this locality, he sold his land, consisting of one acre, to the cemetery, for $500. The third purchase was in 1857, from the heirs of the estate of Adrian Vanderveer, M. D., who sold 19 acres 3 rods, at $500 per acre. This portion was not used for twelve years, until November 3, 1869, when the first interment was made. During 1869 another sec- tion, consisting of 22 acres, was bought from Leffert Cornell. This was formerly the Cornelius Vanderveer

farm. For this section about $18,000 was paid by the cemetery.

The title of the property is vested in the Bishop of the Brooklyn diocese. In the spring of 1855, a neat chapel was erected in the cemetery, and dedicated by Right Rev. John Loughlin, Bishop of Brooklyn.

The first superintendent of the cemetery was James Egan, who held the position until April 1, 1853; when P. H. Curren was appointed, who through faithful dis- charge of his duties held the position for twenty-six years. On his resignation, in 1879, the bishop ap- pointed, on March 1, 1879, his son Wm. H. Curren, as superintendent, through whose assistance many of these facts have been gathered.

There have been, since the founding of the cemetery, 152,322 interments. The greatest number in one year has been 6,000. This was during the last visitation of the cholera. The average would be about 5,000. Dur- ing the cholera, 278 were buried in one week. The diocesan vaults for the burial of the Catholic clergy are under the chapel. There are twelve large vaults in different parts of the cemetery. Although owned by the Brooklyn diocese, the right to bury is not re- stricted to it. The yearly average of funerals from New York City is about seven hundred. The services at the cemetery are under the supervision of the parish priest at Flatbush village.

First Baptist Church of Flatbush, organized April 29, 1872, with Joseph Steele, H. J. Egleston, John D. Randolph, R. H. Estes, E. C. Dickinson, as trustees, and 19 members and their families. They first worshipped in a class-room of the Methodist church ; afterwards, for nearly three years, in second story of Schoonmaker's Hall, on Flatbush avenue-the pulpit for the first year being supplied by Rev. J. B. Cleaver. In 1873, Rev. L. F. Moore was called as first pastor ; followed, after two years, by Rev. F. T. Cailhopper, who resigned 1877, and was followed, December 1, 1881, by Rev. Reuel C. Bowen, then a theological student, but now the installed pastor. During Mr. Moore's pastorate, a chapel was erected on west side Ocean avenue, south of Church Lane ; it was dedicated September 27, 1874. This edifice was remodelled and enlarged, and otherwise improved, in 1880. A Sunday- school was organized at same time as the church, of which the Superintendents have been H. J. Egleston, R. H. Estes, L. I. Boone, and William B. Green, the present incumbent. The present church officers are H. J. Egleston and R. H. Estes, deacons ; Mrs. Nancy Randolph, deaconess ; Albert Zisett, treasurer.

Second Reformed (German) Church of Flat- bush .- Fifteen years ago the German population of Flatbush depended for religious privileges upon the German church at New Brooklyn (now corner Herki- mer street and Hazard avenue), three miles distant. In 1874 an effort was made by F. C. Suckow, pastor of the New Brooklyn German church to form a congrega-

249

EDUCATIONAL.

tion in Flatbush, and a preaching service was com- menced March 1st in the Methodist chapel. On 18th of same month- the church was organized by a com- mittee of the South Classis of Long Island, with 55 members ; the first consistory being John J. Snyder, John Ziegler, elders, Gustave Enck, Fred. Osman, deacons. The pulpit was, for some time, supplied by Rev. F. C. Suckow and Rev. Julius Hones. On July 11, 1875, the corner-stone was laid of a neat two-story frame and brick edifice, erected on the Reformed church property, corner East Broadway and Bedford avenue, at a cost of $5,500. The first settled pastor was Rev. F. A. Freidel, called December 25, 1875; resigned in the Spring of 1881. The next was Rev. C. H. Schwarzback, the present pastor, called during the Summer of 1881. A prosperous Sunday-school has always been connected with this church.

Educational .- The early Dutch settlers of Kings county brought with them from the Fatherland a due appreciation of the importance of religious and educa- tional privileges. The schoolmaster was regarded as occupying a social position second only to that of the "dominie ;" indeed, under certain circumstances, he was required to perform some duties pertaining to the ministerial office. As we learn from BRODHEAD's His- tory of New York, Evert Pietersen was examined by the Classis of Amsterdam, in Holland, and sent out with a colony of emigrants as schoolmaster and ziekentrorster, or "consoler of the sick," that he might "read God's word and lead in the singing until a min- ister should arrive." One of the stipulations made with Johannes Van Eckkelen, the schoolmaster of Flatbush, by the consistory of the church, in 1682, was that, "when the minister shall preach at Breuckelen or New Utrecht, he shall be required to read twice before the congregation (at Flatbush) from a book used for the purpose. In the afternoon he shall read a sermon, or explanation of the catechism, according to the practice approved by the minister." These men were always required to be church-members, and of good repute. Governor Stuyvesant, in 1649, earnestly besought the Amsterdam Classis, by letter, "to send out pious, well qualified, diligent schoolmasters," adding that nothing "is of greater importance than the right, earnest instruction of the youth." Dr. STRONG, who wrote his History of Flatbush forty years before the late TEUNIS G. BERGEN issued his "Early Settlers of Kings County," had earlier access than the latter to traditions which antedate existing records. This fact may serve to reconcile the differences which seem to exist between these two authorities in regard to the first schoolmasters. In accordance with Dr.

STRONG'S statement, Adriaen Hegeman, clerk and schout, was the first schoolmaster, 1659-1671 ; while, according to BERGEN, Reynier Bastiaensen Van Giesen was the first. It will be seen that it is quite possible that Hegeman acted in this capacity, from 1653 or '54,

the date of his first coming to Flatbush, until 1660, in 5th June, of which year (according to Bergen's trans- lation of the first records) the consistory made an agreement with Van Giesen to become schoolmaster. He served until October 26, 1663, when Pilgrom Cloeq was engaged, and probably served until 1671. This covers the period for which Dr. Strong could find no other schoolmaster than Hegeman, and places the date of the employment of a schoolmaster at a much earlier point. It is also in accordance with Dutch custom; for it cannot be supposed that the first settlers were here for nearly fifteen years without a schoolmaster and krank-besoecker. From 1671, Dr. Strong and Mr. Bergen agree as to their lists of schoolmasters.

The school-master was also employed as fore-singer and sexton; and, to increase his incom ', he had charge of all interments, for which he received a certain fee. He was required to ring the church bell before each session of the school. This practice was kept up until about 1794, a period of nearly one hundred and fifty years. He was to "instruct the children, also, on Wed- nesday and Saturday afternoons in the common prayers and the catechism." He was "required to keep school nine months in succession, from September to June. It was his duty to provide the basin and water for the administration of baptism, and to make arrangements for administration of the sacrament." He was also re- quired to " give invitations for funerals, dig the grave and toll the bell." " For a speller he received three guilders, and four guilders for a writer " (probably in- struction in spelling and writing). In addition he had a stated salary of " six hundred guilders :n grain, and a dwelling-house, pasture and meadows." These require- ments continued in force for nearly one hundred years. In Dr. STRONG's history we find an agreement with one of the earliest teachers and also one with the last teacher, in the Dutch language, in 1773, in which there ; is very little, if any, change in the requirements. The first school-house was situated upon a lot of land oppo- site the old lecture-room of the church and next to the land now owned by the Academy. In 1823 the church used the south portion of the lot, to build on it a par- sonage. The first school-house was a wooden structure, composed of three buildings joined together. It stood until 1803, when, becoming much dilapidated, it was resolved to sell it, and move the village school into the academy. The building was sold to Bateman Lloyd, who took it down and constructed with the timber a store near the northwest corner of the main road and Church Lane, which remained until 1825. There were twenty-one school-masters employed from 1654 to 1802. Patrick Noon was the last teacher in the old school. The village school was taught as a distinct school, however, in the south end of the Academy. Mr. Hege- man was its first teacher in the Academy. Only the most elementary English branches were taught. Hege- man left in 1823. The Dutch language was taught

250

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

until about 1765, when Petrus Van Steenburgh was teacher. He was the first to teach English in connec- tion with the Dutch. Anthony Welp was the last teacher of the Dutch language. Gabriel Ellison, in 1776, was the first to teach English exclusively in the village school.

Erasmus Hall Academy .- To the Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston and Senator John Vanderbilt is due the credit of founding an Academy in this village. With the active co-operation of the prominent citizens, in 1786, they entered upon the undertaking with com- mendable zeal. The sum of £915 was raised by sub- scription, the list being headed by Senator Vanderbilt with £100 ; and, during 1786, a large and commodious building 100 fect front and 36 feet deep was erected. An arrangement was made whereby a valuable lot in the center of the town was secured. This most desirable piece of property was held by Mr. Jacob Lefferts. The church, always closely associated with the education of the young, offered to Mr. Lefferts two other tracts of land, one lying directly west of the graveyard and facing on Church Lane; the other sit- uated on East Broadway, near what is now the corner of Nostrand avenue, upon which property the " Lloyd Mill " was afterward erccted. The consistory then, on December 29, 1797, executed a lease for this land in perpetuity to the Trustees. The property, in case the Academy ceases to exist, is to revert to the church. The amount raised by subscription did not meet the expense incurred in completing the building, the total cost of which was $6,250. To liquidate this debt the inhabitants who held a deed for "Twillers" and "Corlears" Flats, relinquished their right and title to the Trustees of the Academy, who sold the property at the rate of $16 per acre. From this sale the Academy realized $1,500. The balance of the proceeds was divided among those inhabitants who would not relinquish their interest in the Flats. On the 18th of May, 1787, an application was made to the Regents of the University of the State of New York for a charter of incorpora- tion, which was granted November 20, 1787; the incor- porators named being John Vanderbilt, Walter Minto, Peter Lefferts, Johannes E. Lott, Aquila Giles, Corne- lius Vanderveer, George Martense, Jacob Lefferts, Wm. B. Gifford, Hendrick Suydam, John J. Vanderbilt, Rev. Martinus Schoonmaker, Philip Nagel, Peter Cornell, Rev. John H. Livingston, D. D., James Wilson, Samuel Provost, John Mason and Comfort Sands. The name chosen for the new school was in honor of Desiderius Erasmus, the distinguished patron of literature in Hol- land in the sixteenth century. The academy, from its commencement, was bitterly opposed by many of the old inhabitants of the town, who afterward supersti- tiously attributed all their misfortunes to the establish- ment of an academy among them. The best teachers were employed, and a system of instruction adopted which made the institution the first of its kind in the

State. The whole of the income being thus expended by the Trustees in raising the standard of the institu- tion, nothing could be appropriated toward canceling the outstanding debt. By voluntary contributions the Trustees reduced the amount, in 1789, to $1,064.94; but it was not until 1825 that the debt was entirely re- moved. This was accomplished by a further sale of the Commons, or Flats, belonging to the town, and by voluntary subscriptions.

In 1794 the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church resolved to locate their Theological Seminary at Flatbush, in connection with the Academy, and make Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston, who had been chosen the first Principal of Erasmus Hall, President also of the Theological Seminary. A few years afterward, through certain influences brought to bear upon them, the Gen- eral Synod removed the Seminary to New Brunswick, N. J. Among a large number of prominent men who were educated at Flatbush, we find the following names : William A. Duer, President of Columbia Col- lege, N. Y. ; John Duer, one of the revisers of the Re- vised Statutes of this State ; John Berrian, Attorney General of the U. S. ; George M. Troup, for several years Governor of Georgia ; Dr. Adrian Vanderveer, one of the most prominent physicians of the county ; John Hunter, of the State Senate ; Hon. John Vander- bilt, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, also State Senator, and Hon. John A. Lott, Judge of the Court of Appeals.

Rev. Dr. Livingston resigned in 1792, and Dr. Wil- son was chosen in his place. He held the position of Principal, though employed also as Classical Professor at Columbia College, until 1804. This he was enabled to do by employing experienced men as his teachers. Rev. Peter Lowe was appointed to succeed Dr. Wilson as Principal, and remained until his death in 1818. Dr. STRONG states that, in 1797, and again in 1809, the trus- tees sought, but did not obtain, from the legislature, the privilege of raising £1,200 by lottery, in order to liqui- date the debt. The plan adopted by the trustees in former days was to employ some prominent man as principal, and then engage experienced teachers who should serve under him. The principal exerted mere- ly a governing power, and participated only to a very limited degree in the work of teaching. In later years the principal has acted also as the first teacher, and employs experienced assistants. Mr. Albert Oblenis was employed while Rev. Mr. Lowe was principal, as first teacher. Next we find the name of Joab Cooper, in 1806, the author of Cooper's Virgil, so well known as a text book in the schools and colleges, for so many years. He remained for two years and was succeeded by Mr. Valentine Derry, upon whose resignation, in 1809, Mr. Richard Whyte Thompson was appointed first teacher. He resigned in 1814, and was followed by William Thayre, appointed in December, 1814. He remained, however, only a part of a year, when the

ERASMUS HALL ACADEMY.

251

trustees called Mr. William Ironsides. In 1816 Mr. Joab Cooper was again appointed, but resigned at the end of the year. The position was held for the next two years by Mr. Andrew Craig. Upon the death of the Principal, Rev. Peter Lowe, and the resignation of Mr. Craig, due to failing health, the Trustees appointed in August, 1818, the Rev. Joseph Penney, as Principal. He was the first Principal who resided at the Hall and had charge of the classes. He employed as assistant Rev. John Mulligan. They held the position until 1821, when Rev. Timothy Clowes, D.D., accepted the office. In 1823, Mr. Jonathan Kellogg became Princi- pal. Under his administration the Academy flourished greatly ; he made many changes in methods of teaching, and in the arrangements about the school-rooms. The trustees in 1826-'27 built a large wing, 50 by 25 feet, for additional school-rooms, on the N. E. corner of the

Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, and Presi- dent of Rutgers College. During the time Dr. Camp- bell was principal, the Regents, in 1835, determined to establish a department for the instruction of common- school teachers in cach of the eight senatorial districts. Erasmus Hall was chosen for the Southern District. High price of board, and other agencies, hindered the success of the plan in relation to Erasmus Hall, and only two applications were received. Consequently, in 1836, the trustees resigned the trust, and the Salem Academy, in Washington County, was chosen by the Regents. In May, 1839, Rev. Dr. Penney, who, since his resignation in 1821, had held the position of Presi- dent of Hamilton College, returned to Flatbush and succeeded Dr. Campbell as Principal, which posi- tion he held until November 1, 1841, when Mr. James Ferguson, A. M., was chosen. In June 1843 he re-

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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 58

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