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 74

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 74

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one son, John Henry, born June 29, 1869; Henry, born Nov. 25, 1821, died Nov. 4, 1857 (single); Ann, born June 10, 1824, married Abraham Vanderveer, April 23, 1845, had issue ; John A., born April 19, 1849, Maria Ann, Ida Suydam and Charles; Stephen L., born Feb. 22, 1826, married Jane A. Kouwenhoven, Feb. 20, 1850, born Oct. 13, 1825, had issue ; Eida Ann, born Dec. 23, 1850, married George W. Ryerson, Nov. 20, 1872, born May 27, 1849, have issues; Ella Jane, born March 20, 1874, and John Henry, born July 20, 1877; John K., born Nov. 18, 1852, married Julia R. Colyer, Oct. 10, 1877, have one daughter, Marrietta Colyer, born Feb. 24, 1879; Henry S., born Nov. 25, 1854, married Amy R. Bogart, May 24, 1876; Susan A., born Nov. 25, 1854, died Sept. 6, 1855; Peter Luke, born Feb. 18, 1856, married Marietta Lott, Oct. 29, 1879; James, born Sept. 15, 1858, married Cornelia A. Van Siclen, Dec. 6, 1882, born Sept. 28, 1858; Stephen Lott, born Sept. 30, 1861, died Nov. 11, 1861; Mary E., born Sept. 30, 1861

322

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

SULLIVAN-SONY.

Charles B Vanderhver

CHARLES B. VANDERVEER .- The Vanderveer family on Long Island sprang from Cornelis Janse (Van der Veer)- meaning "from the ferry," who emigrated, in 1659, from Alkmaar, in North Holland, and married Tryntje Gillis de Mandeville. He settled in Flatbush, of which town he was a magistrate in 1678 and 1680. His autograph is given on page 217 of this history. His second son, Dominicus, bap- tized November 16th, 1679, at Flatbush, was sheriff of Kings County in 1736, and married Elizabeth Luqueer. The Van der Veers, at an early day, acquired a fine tract of land in what is now the town of New Lots, which estate is still in the possession of their descendants. Charles B. Vanderveer was of the sixth generation who have owned and occupied the property, and was born there in 1796. His father's name was also Dominicus. Mr. Vanderveer's boyhood was passed at a time when educational advantages were limited, but he enjoyed the best then obtainable in the common schools, and afterwards added largely to his stock of knowledge by read-

ing. At about the age of twenty-one he married Miss Maria Van Sicklen, the daughter of a neighboring farmer. They reared a family of eight children, of whom all except two are living.

Though Mr. Vanderveer took no active part in politics, he was a man of strong political convictions; in early days a Whig, and afterwards a Republican. He was connected for many years with the Dutch Reformed Church at New Lots. He devoted his time to the care of his large farm, on which he cleared up and improved many acres; and to the mill which was built on the estate about 1750. In 1839, he built the substantial mansion on the place, which is now occupied by his son. His wife died in 1875 and he survived her but three years, passing away in 1878, at the ripe age of eighty- two. He was known and esteemed as a quiet, law-abiding citizen : a man of the strictest integrity, who, by industry, prudence and uprightness, accumulated wealth, and kept through a long life the highest esteem of his townsmen.

323

BIOGRAPHY OF FRANCIS MILLER, M. D.

DeFrancis Miller, M.D.

FRANCIS MILLER, M.D., one of the oldest practitioners in New York and Kings County, occupies a charming residence on Ridgewood Heights, the property fronting on Jamaica avenue, opposite Van Siclen avenue, East New York.

He was born of poor parents, in Alzey, a small city in Rheinhessen, Germany, on the 25th of October, 1817. He began his education at the public school in his native city, where he made such advancement that the preceptor, who is still living, appointed him instructor of the second class of his scholars.

After having acquired all the instruction obtainable at this school, he was admitted, in May, 1838, to the University in Heidleberg, Baden, at which institution he commenced the study of medicine, under the tuition of the great professors of that time, Gmelin, Puchelt, Tidemann, Bischoff, Chelius, Naegele, and others, which names are well known to every intelligent physician in Europe and America.

In the year 1841, he entered the University of his native State at Giessen, in the Grand Duchy of Hesse. Here he attended the lectures of the eminent Liebig, Wernher, Balser and others, and in September, 1842, passed his examination and received his diploma as Doctor of Medicine, Chirurgery, and Obstetrics.

He was thereupon offered a position in the same University as Assistant Prosector, which he declined, owing to the fact that he had two brothers and a sister living in New York, who advised him to come to America, and to bring with him his father, mother and two younger brothers, which he did, and arrived in New York on the 30th of October, 1842, after a passage of twenty days from Havre.

After his arrival in New York, he soon obtained a large practice, became a member of the Medical Society of the

State of New York, of the Medical Society of the City of New York, and also of the Academy of Medicine of New York.

He was one of the founders of the Society of German Physicians of the City of New York, and was at one time its Secretary, and later on its President.

He was surgeon of the 5th Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., for seven years, and as a physician of the German Society for the Poor in New York, he reported in one year alone over two hundred cases, which he attended free of charge.

He was well acquainted and frequently in company with the greatest physicians in New York, as Doctors Mott, Francis, Van Buren, Anderson, Wood, Parker, Detmold, Gil- man, Taylor, Bedford, etc.

He took an active part in school matters, and served as School Trustee for six years in the 10th Ward in New York, and also for three years in East New York.

Finally, his great practice, by day and night for twenty- two years, began seriously to affect his health, and upon consulting with his colleagues, it was deemed necessary to leave the city and remove to the country, in order to regain his strength.

After visiting a great number of places within a radius of thirty miles from New York, he at last decided to purchase the land at East New York, now occupied by him, and to erect a dwelling thereon. This house is situated on the top of a hill, overlooking the town of New Lots, and command- ing an extensive view of the surrounding country, as well as of Jamaica Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean, south of Rockaway.

He was married in 1845, to a Miss Frost, of New York, who is still living, and by whom he has three children, two sons and one daughter. The daughter died in childhood, but the sons are alive and married.

324

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

SUL

Isaac Gesehenck

ISAAC C. SCHENCK .- No one familiar with Kings and adjoining counties need be told that, to a marked degree, men and women bearing the name of Schenck have worthily commanded the respect and confidence of their contempora- ries. At each period, from the earlier to the present settle- ment of the Western part of Long Island, some member of this family has been called to assume a leading position in the management of public affairs. The genealogy of this family has been traced back to the remote period when the illustrious Charlemagne was Emperor of Germany and France, at which period Edgar de Schenken, in the year 798, filled the position of Imperial Seneschal to this great ruler.

Johannes Schenck, the progenitor of the Bushwick, Long Island, branch of the family, was born in Holland, probably the sub-district of Kessel, Sept. 19, 1656. His father was a judge of the province, which office was also held by his grand- father, his great and his great-great grandfathers. He was married in Holland and emigrated to America in 1683, land- ing in New York, where he remained two years. From there he went to Ulster County for five years, and then to the town of Flatbush, where he is recorded as town-clerk from 1691 to 1694, and again from 1700 to 1712.

We present herewith fac-similes of his signature, as written

Johannes Soyanche

1694- -

Johannes Think 1603

by him both in Dutch and English. He used, at various peri- ods of his career, three different seals, copies of two of which

VIES

NO. 1. No. 2. JOHANNES SCHENCK'S PRIVATE AND OFFICIAL SEALS.

325

BIOGRAPHY OF ISAAC C. SCHENCK.

we also present. No. 1 is that which he used most fre- quently in the earlier years of his American residence; No. 2 is that which he used during the later period of his term of office as Town Clerk.

Both these designs were, undoubt- edly, taken by him from the coat of arms of the family to which he be- longed. This tankard-crest is also found on an ancient spoon belonging to him and now in possession of one of his descendants, residing in Brooklyn.

SCHENCK (of Schencken) FAMILY ARMS.

The heraldic idea intended to be con- veyed by the tankard is that of hospitality ; in fact, the meaning of the word Schenck, or Schenken, is butler.

During the year 1712, he left the S' ISM town of Flatbush and bought the mill-property in Bushwick, which he made his final home. In the year 1719, he was supervisor of Bushwick. He died April 10, 1729: His son, Peter, who died in 1736, was the father of Teunis, born Feb. 9, 1723, who also had a son Teunis, born Feb. 15, 1767. SILVER MARKS. This latter was married in 1794 to Gertrude, daughter of Isaac Cornell, became Judge Teunis Schenck, and died Dec. 29, 1842. Their children were: John, born, Oct. 18, 1795; Catha- rine, born July 5, 1797, married Nov. 12, 1816, John Rem- sen, of Flatlands Neck, died 1868; Ann, born Sept. 16, 1799, married Nov. 24, 1818, Henry S. Ditmas, of Flatbush ; Isaac Cornell, born January 17, 1802, who is the subject of this sketch. Peter, born Dec. 4, 1803, died April 3, 1866, single ; Maria, born Aug. 19, 1805, died Feb. 15, 1875, married Oct. 19, 1824, John Meserole, of Greenpoint, who died 1843; Aletta Jane, born Jan. 4, 1808, died Aug. 11, 1831, married Laurence, of Newtown ; Eliza, born July 9, 1810 ; Gilliam, born Jan. 16, 1813 ; Cornelia, born May 27, 1818, died Aug. 11, 1821.

Gilliam Schenck married, Oct. 14, 1840, Ann Maria Eldert. Issue : Gertrude C., born Aug. 12, 1841, married Feb. 22, 1860 ; Albert H. W. Van Sicklen ; Sarah E., born March 17, 1843, married Oct. 19, 1865, Simon Rapalje.

Isaac C. Schenck married Catharine, daughter of Peter Meserole. Their children have been : John C., born Feb. 1837; Elizabeth M., born Aug. 24, 1838, married Oct. 12, 1859, Wil- liamson Rapalje ; Walter, born Sept. 23, 1840, died Sept. 11, 1841; Catharine Ann, born June 20, 1842, died Aug. 21, 1869, single ; Alletta Jane, born Oct. 3, 1844, died March 3, 1847; Maria M., born Feb. 3, 1847, died July 8, 1847; Peter M., born May 15, 1859, died Nov. 18, 1861; Cornelia, born Nov. 11, 1851 ; Sarah E., born March 17, 1854, married John Johnson Bergen, of Jamaica.

The record of the Schencks, during the revolutionary war, exhibits patriotic devotion, attested by active personal service. John H. Schenck, of New Jersey, raised a regiment by his own exertions and served with it through the war. John Schenck, of Dutchess County, was a captain in Col. Swarth- out's regiment of minutemen, commission issued Oct. 17, 1775, and signed by Nathaniel Woodhull, President of Provisional Congress. Henry Schenck was major in the same regiment, Martin and Nicholas Schenck were captains in other regi- ments, and Abraham was a lieutenant. Among the several captains by the name of John Schenck there was one whose loyalty and devotion touched the high-water mark. Almost at the beginning of the war lie was asked how much gold would secure his services for the royal side. His answer

was worthy of any man in any age. "The whole of Europe cannot buy me ; give me liberty." Later on a reward was offered by the British of "50 guineas for the head of Capt. Schenck, dead or alive."

In civil duties we find Abraham H. Schenck, of Dutchess county, serving in the State Assembly at Albany two terms; John Schenck, of Queens county, three terms; Peter A. Schenck, of New York county, three terms, and Judge Teunis Schenck, of Kings county, three terms. Judge Abraham Schenck, of Kings, represented his county in the Colonial Legislature from 1759 to 1768. In addition to these the State Senate has contained as members, Abraham of Dutchess county, John of Washington county, and John Schenck, Jr., of Queens county. Ancient deeds in the pos- session of Isaac C. Schenck, show that Johannes and Peter,

Johannes Schenker 124

the two sons of the first Johannes, were purchasers of large tracts of land in Bushwick and Newtown, at an early day. Among the conveyances to Peter is that of the land which to this day remains as the family burying ground of the Bushwick family of Schenck. In 184- Isaac C. Schenck was elected superintendent of the poor for Kings county, discharging the duties of that difficult office in the most satisfactory manner. All purchases were economically made in the interests of the tax payers, and no scandal ever hung over his accounts.

In church and school matters Mr. Schenck has always held a laboring oar. When the New Lots Reformed church was built in 1824 he was one of the most active and efficient members and workers. The first building committee was Johannes Vanderveer, John Williamson, Simon Rapalje, Abram Van Sicklen, Christian Duryea, John Blake and Joseph Smith. The timber was cut in the woods of the farmers of the congregation, who not only gave it, but cut, hewed and carted it. A part of it had to be sawed, and they dug a ditch for a pit, over which the logs were placed and sawed by hand, as saw mills were few and far away in those days. Even the painting was done by the parishioners, Mr. Schenck being one of those who painted the fence. The building cost about $35 and was good for the times. The first minister was Rev. Mr. Crookshank.

In 1808 a school house was built in Mr. Schenck's district, the school being for a time kept in Mr. Blake's barn. This barn is now owned by Mr. Hopkins. The school house built at that time has since been moved back, but is still used. About the year 1840 John Lohman, Jacob H. Sackman and Mr. Schenck thought best to have the school district divided. Accordingly Mr. Schenck went to Flatbush and saw Dr. John H. Zabriskie, town superintendent, who came and looked the matter over and erected the new district asked. A public meeting was held in the old Half Way House, where the Fulton avenue stables now are, at which Isaac C. Schenck, William Stoothoff and David Storms were elected trustees. A contract to build a school house was made with Henry S. Eldert, which was located near the Reformed church, where it still is, plus the additions that have been made to it. A good share of the timber used in the frame of the original building was cut on Mr. Schenck's farm and hauled by his man.

Mr. James Clegg was the first teacher. He also repre- sented the town of New Lots as Supervisor during the years 1853-'54-'55 and '57. His brother, Gilliam Schenck,

326

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

succeeded him in the same office from 1858 to 1874, in- clusive, serving the long term of 17 consecutive years. In 1879 he was appointed treasurer of Kings county to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Samuel S. Powell, and at the next election he was elected for the succeeding term. During the four years of his administration of the financial affairs of this county with all its vast interests, the records show exact balances of receipts and disbursements, every dollar properly applied and accounted for. A noted charac- teristic of the Schencks from the earliest period has been that in public and in private duties they have always proved equal to the place and the occasion. This explains their long terms of service by the repeated choice of their fellow citizens. Cool, capable judgment, and honest, efficient ad- ministration, have been their strong points. John C. Schenck, his eldest son, after a careful and thorough education in the schools, followed by adequate preliminary reading of the great authorities, adopted the legal profession and was duly admitted to the bar. His professional abilities and success

are sufficiently attested by the fact that he is and has been, since its organization, the attorney for the East New York Savings Bank. The first existence of this bank was largely due to the persistent efforts, in the face of great opposition, of Mr. Schenck and his son, John C. Gilliam Schenck was elected its first president and John C. Schenck its attorney. John C. still remains at the old home, single. At the advanced age of 81, Mr. Schenck still retains all his mental powers and a fair share of physical vigor, Mrs. Schenck is also blessed with comfortable health, and together they are spending the late afternoon of useful successful lives, in the old homestead on the road leading from New Lots to Jamaica. The house is mostly of stone, and was built pre- vious to 1765. This venerable land-mark does not show its age, owing to the good care of its owners. It was partially re- built and remodeled in 1792 by Isaac Cornell, father-in-law of Judge Teunis Schenck, who then owned it, and again in 1811 or 1812 by the Judge himself, who lived there from 1794 until his death, in 1842.

THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

1628-1800.

Atmy Rphiles. AM. W. BY

T THE First Ministers of the Colony of New Netherlands .- Although the settlement of New Netherlands was undoubtedly undertaken rather as a commercial speculation than as an experimental solution of ecclesiastical and civil principles and govern- ment ; and, although, in the earlier years of roving and unsystematized traffic which followed the discovery of Manhattan Island, there seems to have been no higher principle involved than that of gain ; yet, as soon as a permanent agricultural and commercial occupation of the country was undertaken by the West India Com- pany, the higher moral and spiritual wants and necessi- ties of its settlers were fully recognized. Emigrants under their auspices, or those of the States General of Holland, were accompanied by a schoolmaster, being a pious church-member, who, in default of regular pastors, instructed the children and officiated at religious meet- ings, by leading in the devotions and reading a sermon. Ziekentroosters, or "comforters of the sick," persons adapted by their spiritual gifts and graces to edify and comfort the people, also frequently accompanied or preceded the ministers. In 1628, the pioneer clergy- man, Jonas Michaelius, came from Amsterdam, under the auspices of the North Synod of Holland, and " first established the form of a church," which worshipped in the upper loft of a horse-mill, at Manhattan. He was succeeded, in 1633, by the Rev. Everardus Bogardus ; and the small, plain church, which had superseded the horse-mill, gave place, in 1642, to a new stone edifice within the fort (now the battery). Bogardus was fol- lowed, in 1647, by the Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, eminent for his piety and talents, who served this con- gregation with fidelity until his death, in 1669.

The First Church on Long Island, erected at Flatbush .- For many years succeeding the first settlement of the country, the settlers on the western end of Long Island were dependent upon the city for all their civil and religious privileges. This state of things, with all its inconveniences, lasted until Decem- ber 15, 1654, when the first church on Long Island was

established at Midwout, now Flatbush ; and the Gov- ernor designated Dominie Megapolensis, of New Am- sterdam, with John Snedicor, of Flatbush, and John Stryker, of Flatbush, commissioners to superintend the erection of a church edifice. October 13, 1654, the Gov- ernor issued a permit to the Rev. Johannes Theodorus Polhemus to preach at Midwout (Flatbush) and Amcrs- foort (Flatlands). February, 1655, on the request of the people of Midwout, an order was issued requiring the inhabitants of Breuckelen and Amersfoort (Flatlands) to assist "in cutting and hauling wood" for the said church. The Brueckelen people, however, while they expressed their perfect willingness to aid in the erection of the church itself, objected to work on the "minister's house," which it was proposed to add thereto, averring that the Midwout folks were able to do it themselves. They were finally obliged to conform to the Governor's order, and the church, which was built in the form of a cross, 28 by 60 or 65 feet, and 12 to 14 feet between the beams, the rear to be used as a minister's dwelling, was the first house of worship erected in Kings County. It occupied several years in construction, although it was probably sufficiently advanced within the year to allow of its being used for worship. The first entries in the deacon's book of the church of Flatbush of collections taken on the Sabbath, begins on the first Sabbath of January, 1655, and regularly continued at intervals of seven days from that time forward ; thus proving that divine service was statedly performed. There is no record by which we can find when the first consistory was ordained and the church regularly organized. Until 1681 the consistory consisted of but two Elders and two deacons. The first church was on the site of the present Flatbush church, and cost 4,637 guilders (about $1,800), of which Flatbush people contributed 427 guilders, the balance being given by New Ainster- dam, Fort Orange (Albany), the other county towns, and the West India Company. As tradition avers, it was sur- rounded by a stockade ; and, during troubles with the Indians, the settlers of Flatbush slept in the church.

328

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

On the 6th of August, 1655, Governor Stuyvesant convened the inhabitants of the county, for the purpose of ascertaining whether they approved of their "pro- visional minister," the Rev. Polhemus, and what salary they were willing to pay him. The Sheriff reported that they approved of him, and would pay him 1,040 guilders ($416) per year, to be raised by tax.

Mr. Polhemus, who had previously been a mission- ary in Brazil, was immediately settled in Flatbush, and subsequently received a patent for a part of the prem- ises recently owned by the late Jeremiah Lott, Esq.

Breuckelen People Object to the Church Taxes .- In February, 1656, the magistrates of Mid- wout and Amersfoort asked permission to request a vol- untary contribution from the people of the three Dutch towns, towards the proper maintenance of the Gospel. To this the Breuckelen people respectfully objected, that, " as the Rev. Polhemus only acts as a minister of the Gospel in the village of Midwout, therefore the inhab- itants of the village of Breuckelen and adjacent districts are disinclined to subscribe or promise anything for

the maintenance of a Gospel minister who is of no use to them." And they solicited "with reverence " that he might be allowed to preach alternately in Breuckelen and Midwout, in which case they were " very willing to contribute cheerfully to his support, agreeable to their abilities." Otherwise they begged to be excused from contributing to his maintenance. To this the Director and Council replied that they had "no objection that the Rev. Polhemus, when the weather permits," should do so. On the 15th of March following, the Sheriff and Commissioners of Midwout reported to the Council they were satisfied with the decree of the Council, but that the people of Gravesend and Amersfoort had only subscribed with the understanding "that on Sundays, in the forenoon, they might hear the sermon at Mid- wout, both places being nearly at the same distance from one another as Breuckelen, at which place, if alter- nately, as the apostille said, preaching was to be held, it would be inconvenient for the inhabitants, by reason of the great distance of the places, to come there to church in the morning and return at noon home to their families, inasmuch as Breuckelen is quite two hours walking from Amersfoort and Gravesend ; whereas the village of Midwout is not half so far and the road much better. So they consider it a hardship to choose either to hear the Gospel but once a day, or to be compelled to travel four hours, in going and returning, all for one single sermon, which would be to some very trouble- some and to some utterly impossible."

It was finally arranged, by the Director-General and the Council, that the Sunday sermon should be delivered in the morning at Midwout, as being at a nearly equal distance from the other three towns; but that the usual afternoon discourse should be changed to an even- ing service, held alternately in Breuckelen and Amers- foort. The three towns were permitted, on application,

to levy a tax for the purpose of paying the minister's tax.

On November 29th, 1656, it had been agreed that Mid- wout should give annually 400, and Breuckelen and Amersfoort 300 guilders each towards the minister's salary. The people of Breuckelen, however, had become dissatisfied with the style of Mr. Polhemus' clerical ser- vices, and their grumbling finally culminated in January 1, 1657, in this plain spoken protest to the Director and Council.

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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 74

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