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 II, Part 112

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345

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 II > Part 112

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).

AMOS ROBBINS.

AMOS ROBBINS, who is mentioned in the foregoing sketch of the life of his younger brother, Eli Robbins, was born in West Cambridge (now Arlington), Massa- chusetts, December 28th, 1817, and received a limited education in the public schools of the time and locality.

At the age of fourteen, he came a poultry-buyer and dresser for his brother, Nathan, who had then been for some time established in Faneuil Hall Market, in Bos- ton; and who, still living at the age of eighty, has been in business sixty years, and is at this time president of the Faneuil Hall Bank, besides being connected with other important interests in Boston.

At the age of sixteen, Amos Robbins removed to Bos- ton, and was employed in his brother's business there until 1836, when, as has been stated in the foregoing article, he went to New York to prepare and furnish to the tables of the Astor House such poultry as was desired by Mr. Simeon Boyden, who, at that time, assumed the management of that since famous hotel.

Three years later, when Eli Robbins entered the em- ploy of Amos, the latter had laid the foundation of the subsequent immense business of the firm of A. & E. Robbins, reference to whose almost unexampled career has been made above. At the death of Eli Robbins, in June, 1883, he was succeeded in the firm by his nephew, Milton Robbins, son of Mr. Amos Robbins, and the style of the firm was changed to A. & M. Robbins.

Mr. Robbins was married, at the age of twenty, to Miss Adelia Martling, of Tarrytown, N. Y., who has borne him two sons, and two daughters who were reared and married, but who died in early womanhood. Mr. Robbins, in his declining years, is in the enjoyment of well-earned wealth, and such has been his character from boyhood that he is held in equally high regard in business circles and among his intimate friends, and is esteemed alike as an intelligent and influential citizen and as a friendly and whole-souled Christian gentle- man.

1104

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

FREDERICK LOESER.

FREDERICK LOESER .- In the year 1853, Mr. Loeser, impelled like many other young men by the desire of getting a start in the world, resolved to leave the beaten track and seek for better fortune in America. His previous life had been but a repetition of an oft-told tale. Born in the town of Mergentheim, in the southern part of Germany, the eldest son of a poor silversmith, he found himself at an early age under the necessity of earning his own livelihood. When only a lad he lost his mother, and was then obliged to leave school, much against his inclination, for his desire was to become a physician. He entered as an apprentice into the store of a fringe-maker in the town of Würzburg, and lived three years in his master's family, but his position there was unenviable; hard tasks and short fare were the rule, though of chidings and blows there was no lack, so those days were a better schooling in patience and suffering than in the loom and shuttle. His appren- ticeship over, he started on his wanderings in search of employment, with staff and knapsack and some ten florins saved from his scanty earnings. This was the course necessary for every young artisan to pursue in those days; ere he could be counted among the "masters" of any trade he must have spent three years in wandering from place to place, becoming familiar with the methods of trade in different countries. To meet the requirements of these "journeymen," a sort of guild or trades-union existed throughout the cities of the continent, which provided the young fellow with a position, helped him in distress or sickness, and were friends and home to him wherever he might be.

Mr. Loeser's first trip was by way of Munich, through the Tyrol and northern Italy to Verona. The whole of the journey had to be performed on foot, for the young man's means hardly sufficed to buy his daily bread. Wages were small, and the war with Austria caused all German-speaking persons to be looked on with disfavor, so the young man turned northward through Lombardy and Styria to Vienna, in 1850. After a year and a half spent here and two years in Zurich and Berne, he returned to his old home. He had now reached the age when all able-bodied young men were compelled to enter the army, but as he could ill afford to call on his father's treasury for five years, and be no better off at the end of that time, he resolved to leave for America. Sailing from Havre, November 1st, 1853, he arrived in New York after a short passage, with a capital of two and a half dollars and a silver watch. As nothing was then known of fringe- making in the city, he resolved to go west and find other employment. In Morganfield, Ky., he found some distant relatives, and there, after trading in furs

for a year, he earned enough to open a small country store at Smith's Mills, Henderson county, Ky. His prospects brightened, though after a time both he and his clerk were taken ill with chills and fever. For- tunately their days of sickness alternated, so that one or the other could be in the store every day. In 1855,. he sold out and went to Louisville for a couple of years, and then to New York city, where he obtained a position with S. M. Peyser, the leading trimming and worsted store in the city.

In 1860, he married, and the same year went into business with Moritz Dinkelspiel upon a capital of $1,200, opening a store at No. 277 Fulton street, Brooklyn, with a small stock of worsteds, embroideries and trimmings. Matters progressed well until the rebellion broke out, and injured business for a time. In 1863, Mr. J. W. Jones entered the firm, and a branch store was opened at No. 737 Broadway, New York. In 1866, Mr. Loeser sold his interest in the New York business, and bought out his partners in the Brooklyn enterprise. In addition he started a button factory on Fulton street, Brooklyn, which was very successful, but which other business cares compelled him to dispose of after a few years. In 1870, the store was removed to its present site, Mr. Louis Liebmann was received as partner, and the stock of dry goods was largely increased. In 1872, his brother, Mr. Hermann Liebman joined the firm, and in 1876, Mr. Gustav Loeser was admitted as a member. The public of Brooklyn has always been appreciative of their enterprise, Mr. Loeser says, and ready to re- spond to the efforts of the firm to keep the trade at home. Through its liberal patronage, they are enabled to give employment to nearly seven hundred men and women, while their establishment ranks as one of the leading retail houses in the city.

It is mainly due to Mr. Frederick Loeser's energy that the business has been developed to so large an ex- tent. His close watch of the demands of trade, bis thorough system introduced into all departments, and his careful attention to details, have enabled him to suc- ceed where so many have failed. His features indicate the possession of a strong, positive character, though not haughty or self-willed; his courteous bearing marks the gentleman, while his social qualities make him highly esteemed among a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances.

Notwithstanding the demands of business, Mr. Loe- ser finds time to gratify his literary taste; his resi- dence contains a well-selected library; he is con- versant with current events, alive to the questions of the day, thorough-going and honorable, and secure in the confidence and esteem of the community.

Tredenich Jueves

THE PROGRESS

OF THE

DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART IN BROOKLYN.

Saliel Lariam BY

THE PROLOGUE .- There are few cities in any part of the civilized world where the Drama had a longer or a harder struggle to obtain a foot- hold than in the city of Brooklyn. To impute this to the want of taste on the part of its inhabitants, would be incorrect. The fact of Brooklyn being so adjacent to the great metropolis was really the cause. For many years after Brooklyn was looked upon as a city of considerable magnitude, its inhabitants favored New York for almost everything, whether it belonged to commerce or amusements. The habit once formed, it still continued long after Brooklyn was acknowl- edged a great city in many respects. Even at the present day, there is a prejudice so strong in favor of everything in New York that it is detrimental, not only to those who cater for the amusement-seeking portion of the public, but to many in all other branches of business. With a population of over six hundred thousand, and ranking in numbers as the third city in the Union-there are but three places of amusement that can be looked upon as respectable in architectural proportions, or class of amusements furnished for the people ; these are the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Park Theatre, and Brooklyn Theatre, the first named being only occasionally used for either the opera or the drama. The Park and Brooklyn theatres are invariably closed during the summer months, and yet thousands of Brooklynites crowd the ferry-boats to attend places of amusement in New York. There is really more cause for this at the present period than twenty years ago. The great improvements in con- veyance from the several ferries in New York to the up-town theatres, requiring but fifteen minutes by elevated railway, and the great variety and superior manner in which pieces are placed upon the metropolitan stage, both in actors and artistic details, must be admitted as great inducements. Many argue that Brooklyn would not support what might be termed a first-class theatre-like Wallack's-with a picked company of artists, and months of preparation

for the production of a single play. This is not so; for these very people who go to New York are the most intelligent and respectable class of amusement-seekers, and visit Wallack's, the Union Square, and the Fifth Avenue theatres for the reason that whatever they go there to see, is sure to be well done in every par- ticular.

The Drama can only be built up to its highest condi- tion by a local growth, and when the managers give proper attention to all the finer necessities of the stage, together with a first-class company.

Yet, with all the drawbacks and obstacles to a more elevated condition of the stage in Brooklyn, it has a dramatic history of great interest, arising from the fact that nearly all of the great stars who have adorn- ed the stage of the metropolis, have appeared in this city. But it makes no difference what the drama has been in Brooklyn : its future must be of necessity far greater in many respects. The growth of the two cities is so rapid that they are becoming farther apart every year, and the localities of the theatres must ad- vance with their boundaries. This will cause the Brook- lyn people to seek their amusements at home in spite of rapid transit; and the people will require and demand more than one theatre managed on the principles of Wallack's or the Union Square.

DORAN, in his History of the British Stage, and DUNLAP, in his History of the American Theatre, have gone back as far as they could go, in the relation of the smallest details in connection with their subject. If we may be allowed the same privilege, we will begin the history of the Drama in Brooklyn as far back as 1776.

"The Curtain Up."-After Washington had made his masterly retreat to New York, leaving Bur- goyne, Clinton and Howe, in disappointment, to wonder at the magic change of scene made by the ever-watchful American commander in the national drama which they had expected to suddenly conclude; the British army, from Bedford and Flatbush down to the water's edge,

1106

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

where now stands the City of Brooklyn, had a chance for a long rest on Long Island. With this rest came the necessity for amusements of some kind for the officers and men of the invading foe. Often they resorted to the drama, and rigged up a stage of some kind, even painted their own scenery, formed an orchestra out of a regimental band, and performed some of the lighter dramatic productions. At this period, Brook- lyn became famous as the camp of the British army, and soon followed all sorts of amusements at a stone building situated on the north side of the " old road " (Fulton street), near the corner of Front street. This building had been known for thirty years or more as "Corporation House," from the fact that it belonged to the Corporation of the City of New York. The building was about seventy by sixty feet, and two stories high, containing a large hall on the second floor, with a tavern and ferry-rooms on the ground floor. As soon as the British got possession of Brook- lyn, the Corporation House changed hands and name, and was known, as long as the British remained in Brooklyn, as " The King's Head." It was now fitted up in the most complete manner for the attraction of the officers and men. At The King's Head all sorts of games were given, from bull-baiting to lotteries. The King's birthdays were celebrated by illuminations, and hundreds of people came from New York to see the different shows, and to partake of first-class " fish dinners." In this building, no doubt, took place

The First Performance in Brooklyn .- Among the pieces performed was an original farce sup- posed to have been written by General John Burgoyne, who was one of the commanders of the British forces on Long Island. This same Burgoyne, after he had re- turned to England, became a dramatic writer of con- siderable reputation. He was the author of the " Maid of the Oaks," "Lord of the Manor," the fine farce of " Bon Ton," and the excellent comedy of "The Heiress," which, at the time of its production in London, stood almost as high as "The School for Scandal."

The following title of the farce alluded to is from the printed copy, published by J. Rivington, New York, 1776:

THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN, A Farce in Two Acts. As it was performed on Long Island, on Tuesday, 27th day of August, 1776, by the representatives of -THE TYRANTS OF AMERICA,- Assembled in Philadelphia. Published by J. RIVINGTON, N. Y.

On the second page of the book is the following list of char- acters: Dramatis Persona. MEN.

Washington, Putnam, Sullivan, Stirling, J

Rebel Chiefs.

Slasher, a Shoemaker of New York.

Clark, a Retailer of Rum in Connecticut, Colonels. Remsen, a Farmer of New Town, Long Island,

Ebenezer Snuffle, a New England Parson, Chaplain to General Putnam. Joe King, Servant to Stirling. Noah, Servant to Sullivan.

WOMEN.

Lady Gates, Betty, her Servant.

OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS.

SCENE .- Partly within the Rebel lines at Brooklyn, and partly at Gowanns.

The piece is not badly written. Its dramatic action is good, and full of fun. It represents the American canse in the most ludicrous light ; and, at the end, makes a somewhat eloquent appeal to all Americans in rebellion against His Majesty. It does not appear as to who performed the characters, and, if performed at all, it must have been in the large hall at the "King's Head." An original copy of this scarce and remarkable dra- matic production may be found in the Library of Con- gress. A reprint of it is in the Library of the Long Island Historical Society of Brooklyn.

For many years after the conclusion of the Revolu- tion, the "King's Head " was known as the "BROOK- LYN HALL. '

1810 .- The next dramatic performance in Brooklyn that we are able to record with any certainty, took place May 5th, 1810, at Green's Military Garden, which was situated where the County Court House now stands. The entertainment was given by a " company of gentle- men " from the City of New York. The following is the bill of performance:

"THE WAGS OF WINDSOR." .Mr. Biven

Caleb Quotem.

Captain Beaugard .Mr. Haswell

with the song of "Go to the Devil, and shake yourself." After which a scene from

"THE REAL SOLDIER."

Captain Cringer Mr. McCready

Nipperkin. .Mr. Biven

Lenox. Mr. Haswell

Major Tactic By a young gentleman

The whole to conclude with a patriotic song, written and sung by Mr. Haswell, and a " Recitation upon the Relics of the un- fortunate Americans who perished during the War, written and spoken by Mr. Haswell."

1814 .- August 4th, Mr. Robinson* and Mrs. Ent- wistle gave an entertainment at Military Garden, which they termed " Dramatic Olio," consisting of songs and recitations.

The Mrs. ENTWISTLE above named was the cele- brated Mrs. Mason, who made her first appearance at the Park Theatre, New York, in 1809.

* Mr. ROBINSON Was an old member of the Park Theatre Company, New York, and was highly esteemed as a gentleman and an actor. He was a mem- ber of the Richmond Theatre, Virginia, at the time it was burned in 1811, and by his presence of mind and noble daring he was the means of saving a large number of lives. He died in New York, Nov. 10th, 1819, at forty- eight years of age.

1107

THE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART.

1820 .- Nothing further is discoverable of a dra- matic nature in Brooklyn till 1820, when two promi- nent members of the profession gave a performance at " Morrison's Hotel" in accordance with the following programme :

Positively for one night only, AT MORRISON'S HOTEL,

Ths ladies and gentlemen of Brooklyn and its vicinity are respectfully informed that

MESSRS. KILNER * AND SPILLER, t (of the New York Theatre, ) at the suggestion of their friends in the village, intend doing themselves the honor to present them on Friday evening, January 14th, 1820, (-with a novel entertainment entitled-) " THE ACTOR'S WAYS AND MEANS."

For particulars eee emall bills. Doors open at 6 o'clock, and the performance to commence at half-past 6. Admittance one dollar. Tickets to he had of Captain Young, J. K. Badell, and at the office of the Long Island Star.

Mr. John H. Morrison kept a tavern and boarding- house at the corner of Columbia and Cranberry streets.

1823 .- The Star of June the 5th stated that Mr. Duflon, proprietor of the well-known "Military Garden," was fitting up his place as a summer theatre, where music, recitations and theatrical pieces would be performed. The garden opened on the 14th of June, with a concert; nothing was said as to stage or dramatic pieces. The Garden is advertised as a " delightful resort, about three-quarters of a mile from Fulton Ferry." It was situated on the spot of ground now occupied by the County Court House and other public buildings. At that time it took up the whole of the block bounded by Joralemon, Boerum, Court and Livingston streets. The entrance to the garden was where the County Court House now stands. It consisted of a long frame building, three stories high, entirely void of any ornamentation, through the centre of which was a broad hallway to the garden. The writer used to visit this beautiful resort, when quite young, with bis New York chums, among whom was the well- known James T. Brady.

1825 .- December 15th, Mr. Hewlett, the " col- ored tragedian," t informed the " Ladies and Gentlemen

of the village that he would give an intertainment at the Military Garden, consisting of Scenes from Plays, in imitation of the celebrated Cooper, Kean, Kemble, and Matthews; interspersed with songs from favorite operas." He styled himself " Shakespear's Proud Re- presentative."

1826 .- This year was made somewhat memorable by the fact that Mr. Roberts* and other actors from the Chatham Theatre, New York, appeared with stage and scenery at Mrs. Chester's Hall and Exchange Coffee Honse. The performance took place on March 2d. The pieces were Matthew's " Mail-Coach Adventure," and "Sylvester Daggerwood ;" Sylvester, Mr. Rob- erts; Fustian, Mr. Turnbull; John, Mr. Wray. Tickets 50 cents, to be had at the bar. Open at half-past six, commence at seven o'clock.

The most complete dramatic performance up to this time, in Brooklyn, took place on the 10th of March. The following is a faithful copy of the printed play-bill :

BROOKLYN THEATRE. At Mrs. Chester's Hall.

The Chatham Theatre Company of Comedians beg leave to in- form the ladies and gentlemen of Brooklyn and vicinity that they will open a Theatre in the above Hall,

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1826,

With Stage, New Scenery, Decorations, &c., &c., &c. The evening'e entertainment will commence with an admired Tragedy, called

" DOUGLAS."

Young Norval (Douglas). Miss Riddle.

As performed by her at the Chatham Theatre, New York.

Glenavan. Mr. Scott

Lord Randolph Mr. Walstein

Old Norval. Mr. Herbert

Officer .. Mr. Elting

Trembling Coward Mr. Jones

Lady Randolph .. Mrs. Entwistle

Anna. Mrs. La Combe

After which, a comic song by Mr. ROBERTS, called the "Smok- ing Club, or Puff ! Puff !"

A Song, by.

.Mrs. La Combe

A Comic Song, by. Mr. Wray

The above to conclude with the laughable Farce, in Two Acts, called

" THE REVIEW," Or the Wags of Windsor.

Captain Beaugard. Mr. Walstein

Looney Mc Twalter. Mr. Andrews

As performed by him at Chatham Theatre, New York.

John Lump. .Mr. Herbert

Dobbs. .. Mr. Wray

Deputy Bull

Mr. Turnbull

* Mr. THOMAS KILNER was born in England ; made his first appearance on the American stage at the old Park Theatre, New York, in 1815, where he was s favorite setor in such parts as "hesrty old men." He became man- ager of the Federal Street Theatre, Boston, Msss., and also was scting and stage manager for Bsrrere, who first put up the "Chatham Thestre," New York, in 1824. He retired from the etsge in 1831, and lived on his farm in Ohio for many years, where he died.

t Mr. SPILLER was born in England, snd' made his debut at the "Hay- market Thestre," London ; first appeared in New York, April 25th, 1811, &t the Park Thestre, as Frederick in " Lovers' Vowe ;" died in New York in 1827. Mr. Spiller was a man of fine litersry abilities. He was an actor most at home in eccentric characters.

# HEWLETT was s mulstto. His histrionic education was caught up by being sn attendant to the celebrated Cooper snd Cook when traveling through the country on their starring trips. His imitations of all of the great performers were recognized ss correct, snd evincing great discrimins- tion and dramatic genius. He was born st Rocksway, Long Island, snd died somewhere in Europe.

* Mr. ROBERTS made a grest reputation in New York by hie excellent performance of Bob Logic in the comedy of "Tom and Jersey." He made his first appearance in America, at the old Circus in New York, on the east side of Broadway, between Grand and Howard streets, in 1823. He was so attractive at one time as a comedian, that the manager of the Bowery Thestre, New York, paid one thousand dollars, the penalty attached to his articles of agreement with the Chstham Garden Theatre, to secure his ser- vices in 1826. He was born in Scotland in 1798, sud died in Philadelphia in 1833.

1108

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

Caleb Quotem .. Mr. Roberts

(As performed hy him at the Chatham Theatre, with the songs of " The Life, Birth, and Parentage of Caleh Quotem," and the "Nightingale Club.")

Lucy.

. Miss Riddle

Grace Gaylove. Miss La Combe

Tickets fifty cents, to be had at the bar. Children half price. Doors open at 6, and performance to commence at 7 'o'clock. A hand of musicians from the Chatham Theatre will perform. No postponement on any account. Places may be secured from 2 until 6 o'clock on the day of the performance.

The old Brooklyn Star, a weekly paper, spoke of the hall having been fitted up with stage, scenery, &c., &c, and said the part of Lady Randolph was sustained with great ability by Mrs. Entwistle, and that Miss Riddle, as young Norval, was indeed interesting, and gave promise of great excellence in the future. Mr. Roberts was highly extolled as Caleb Quotem, and the whole performance spoken of as a great success.

On Monday evening, March 13th, the house was filled to overflowing. "The Soldier's Daughter" was performed with great applause. Mrs. Entwistle* was the lively widow, and Mr. Scott, as " Frank Hartall," sustained his reputation as a fine actor, while Roberts took the house by storm in his comic songs. "The Spoiled Child " was the after piece, with Miss Riddle, t as " Miss Pickle." On Tuesday evening, March 14th, " The Stranger" and " Lover's Quarrels " made up the bill. Thursday, March 16th, the tragedy of " Jane Shore " and "Animal Magnetism " were performed, with Mr. Scott{ as " Lord Hastings," Walstein § as " Gloucester," Wray as "Radcliff," Elting as " Cates- by," Turnbull as "Lord Derby," Herbert as "Du- mont," Andrews as " Belmour," Cadwell as "Officer," Mrs. Entwistle as "Jane Shore," and Mrs Walstein| as " Alicia."

March 18th, the same names filled up the cast of "John Bull," and a favorite farce. At the bottom of the bills it was advertised that the horse boats would be in readiness at the Catherine Ferry, from 8 to 12 o'clock, to convey parties back to New York.

* We regret that we have not the space to speak of Mrs. ENTWISTLE in pro- portion to her great merits. She made her first appearance in America at the Park Theatre, 23d of October, 1809, as " Mrs. Beverly," in the tragedy of "The Gamester." She wae at that time Mrs. Mason, and was the leading favorite in comedy and tragedy for many years. Her polished and elegant deportment in her performances of women of fashion was extremely fascina- ting. There was nothing forced, nothing studied, nothing which the most fastidioue taste would wish altered, nothing of the common-place artifice called stage trick, none of that daubed over-doing which, like caricature in painting, raises the coarse merriment at the expense of the natural pro- priety and truth, hut was of the refined, polite, yet natural and pungent quality of humor which casts a mild sunshine over the heart, filling it with pure enjoyment. She was horn in England, and died in New Or- leans, La., 1835.

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.

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 II, Part 112

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co Number of Pages: 1345

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345