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 82

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 82

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).

The Presidents of the institution have been: Mrs. Dr. Cox, Mrs. Lansing, Mrs. Buckley, Mrs. J. S. T. Stranahan, Mrs. Webster, and Mrs. David M. Stone.

The other OFFICERS are as follows: Mrs. Theo. Polhemus, Jr., Vice-President ; Mrs. W. H. Smith, Mrs. J. Arthur Burr, Secretaries ; Mrs. A. C. Washington, Treasurer.

The Flower and Fruit Charity was organized May, 1874, " to distribute fruits, flowers and other delicacies, with suit- able reading matter, personally, among the sick poor in hos- pitals, asylums and their own homes." It numbered about twenty members originally, which is the present aver- age.

The first OFFICERS were: Miss Badger, President; Mrs. J. H. Lester, Jr., Vice-President; Miss A. Mali, Secretary. Every Monday, from 9 to 11 o'clock, the ladies meet in the basement of the Brooklyn Library building, arrange the contributed flowers in small bouquets, and carry them, with fruit, maga- zines or newspapers, to the hospitals for distribution. At Christ- mas, the inmates of all the hospitals are presented with cards and oranges, while the wards are decorated with greens. The charity is supported entirely by voluntary contribu- tions of money and supplies, and the work performed by ladies.

Its OFFICERS for 1883-'4 are: Miss A. Mali, President; Mise J. Duckwitz, Vice-President; Miss C. Lane, Secretary; Mise Kats Crane, Treasurer.

Faith Home for Incurables .- In 1871, Mrs. Kennedy, of New York, opened an asylum for incurables of both sexes in Harlem. This was soon afterward removed to Grand avenue, near Atlantic, in Brooklyn, and subsequently to the corner of Putnam and Grand avenues. In April, 1875, Mrs. Ken- nedy transferred this charity to Mrs. Rev. William E. Martin; and by her it was soon transferred to Misses E. F. and A. H. Campbell. In 1877, it was removed to Lexington avenue, near Franklin, where it remained three years. In Novem- ber, 1878, the institution was incorporated under its present name, which sufficiently indicates its object.

The institution has been supported wholly by voluntary unsolicited contributions. In 1876, a donation of seven dol- lars was made toward a building fund. In 1881, this fund had increased to $8,000, about $4,000 of which was a legacy. In the spring of that year, Mr. A. S. Barnes donated to the home, land on the corner of Classon avenue and Park place, and superintended the erection of the elegant and com- modious building which stande there. In addition to his donation of the land, he paid about $17,000 toward the erec- tion of this structure, which cost about $32,000. Of this, about $7,000 were donated by others. The home has accom- modations for fifty patients. Most of the rooms in the insti- tution have been furnished by individuals or churches, and they are named after those furnishing them. The OFFICERS for 1883-'4 are Rev. Geo. F. Pentecost, President; James M. Ham, Treasurer; S. B. Childs, M. D., Secretary; Emily F. Campbell and Abby H. Campbell, Managers.

CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

977

THE BROOKLYN NURSERY.

The Brooklyn Nursery .- In the spring of 1871, Mrs. E. B. Rollins, Mrs. H. F. Aten, Mrs. Charles Rushmore, Mrs. W. G. Lawrence, Mrs. A. G. Houghton and Mrs. L. W. Seaman, with a few others, interested themselves in forming a tem- porary home for infants and young children of working people, where they would receive kind care during working hours. A house in Adelphi street was secured, an Industrial School established, and a charter granted the Institution as The Flatbush Avenue Industrial School and Nursery. Soon after, the Industrial School was discontinued, and a new charter granted to The Brooklyn Nursery. In June, 1871, the institu- tion was opened. 130 children were cared for during the first year. The first OFFICERS were: Mrs. E. B. Rollins, First Direc- tress; Mrs. M. Graham, Second Directress; Mrs. G. W. Alexander, Third Directress; Mrs. Charles Rushmore, Treas .; Mrs. W. F. Swalm, Rec. Sec .; Mrs. H. F. Aten, Cor. Sec. Three years later, the Nursery was removed to larger quar- ters at No. 188 Prospect place. In 1883, the house was sold and lots purchased on Herkimer street, near Kingston avenue, where the corner-stone of the new building was laid Septem-

the plan of the letter T, with a front of 52 feet on Herkimer street, and a wing 45 by 58 feet in the rear. It is faced with pressed bricks, relieved by bands of terra cotta; is four stories in height, with a basement containing the culinary and laundry apparatus. The first floor is used as the parlor, recep- tion and sewing room; the upper floors are occupied by dormi- tories, matron's room, and lavatories. Special attention has been paid to ventilation and precautions against fire. The cost of the building was about $30,000. The OFFICERS for 1883-'4 are as follows : Mrs. E. B. Rollins, First Directress; Mrs. G. C Wood, Second Directress; Mrs. D. D. Barker, Third Directress; Mrs. D. Hustace, Treasurer; Miss J. Thompson, Recording Secretary; Mrs. H. F. Aten, Corresponding Secre- tary.

Brooklyn Benevolent Society .- The late Cornelius Heeney, Esq., gave, for charitable purposes, 151 lots of land lying he- tween Hicks, Columbia, Congress and Henry streets, in the city of Brooklyn. He directed that the income from this property should be expended for the relief of the poor, one- fifth for fuel, one-tenth for clothing for poor children attend- ber 14th, 1883. This building is substantially constructed, on | ing school, $250 for a teacher for poor children, and the re-

978

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

mainder for the maintenance and education of poor orphan children, from four to fourteen years of age.

In 1845, the Benevolent Association was formed, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the trust. The devise yields from $22,000 to $25,000 per year, which is ap- portioned among the poor of the Roman Catholic church principally. The OFFICERS for 1882-'83 are Rt. Rev. John Loughlin, Pres .; Conolly Roddy, Treas .; John McGreevey, Sec'y. The Standing Committee is Andrew Dougherty, Chairman ; Kiernan Egan, Jno. McGreevey, Hon. W. H. Murtha. William Kelly, Agent.

THE BAPTIST HOME.

The Baptist Home, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, passed April 9, 1869. The es- tablishment of this Home was first urged by Alexander McDonald, with whom Francis D. Mason co-operated actively and efficiently. These gentlemen contributed $25,000 toward the building fund, but neither lived to see the commence- ment of the building. The object of the Home, as set forth in its charter, is to furnish "an institution where the deserv- ing infirm and needy members of the Baptist churches of the city of Brooklyn * * * may be provided with a com- · fortable home, support, and employment, medical and other necessary care, with the religious and church privileges which they have been accustomed to enjoy as members of their respective churches." The corner-stone of the Home was laid October 22, 1873, and the building was dedicated June 22, 1875. It is three stories in height, with basement and pavilion. It is 112 feet in front, on Greene avenue (corner of Throop), and has an average depth of about 45 feet ; the cost was $81,500. The current expenses of the Home are defrayed by contributions from churches and individuals. Edward Adams bequeathed to the Home $5,000, and Mrs. Sarah A. Bertine, $15,000. OFFICERS (1883-'84) : Wm. Rich- ardson, Pres .; Fred'k C. Linden, Treas .; Geo. B. Forrester, Sec'y.

The Church Charity Foundation of Long Island .- This, as the name imports, is a foundation on which to build sev- eral institutions for different classes of beneficiaries to which the charity of the church may be extended. Its origin is due to the late Rev. Francis Vinton, D.D., when rector of Grace Church, on the Heights (to whom had fallen the charge of three orphan children of a communicant of his parish); and a few noble-minded and generous ladies, among whom were Mrs. Richards, Mrs. Pierrepont, Mrs. Hastings, and others. These ladies, in 1850, rented a small building in Love lane (which had been occupied by Harry, once a slave of Samuel Jackson), and there gathered a few aged women, supplying their wants from day to day, and watching over

them with affectionate care. This enterprise enlisted the interest of others, and led to the holding of a meeting, on the 6th of February, 1851, in the church of the Holy Trinity, at which steps were taken for the organization of the Church Charity Foundation, which was incorporated under the gen- eral act, April 14, 1852.

The charity contemplated, 1st, the establishment of a home for aged indigent persons, at first of females, but in course of time, of aged men and aged married couples; 2d, an orphan house, for the protection, support, and education of indigent orphan and half-orphan children, and such other children, without distinction, as shall have been left in a destitute and unprotected condition ; 3d, the establishment of a hospital and infirmary for the sick and helpless ; 4th, a training house for the instruction in nursing of the sick, of such minister- ing women as may desire to work for the afflicted, not only in the departments of this foundation, but in other charitable or penal institutions of the city, among the poor in their abodes, and in cases of contagious disease, or in times of pestilence; 5th, a home and bethel for seamen and boatmen, and their families. Besides these, a provision is made, au- thorizing the receiving and executing of any trust for charitable uses ; it being intended, under this comprehensive arrangement, to enable any benefac- tor to establish charities and supply wants, not at the time of the organization of the society parti- cularly foreseen, but which the future growth of the city might render desirable, and a riper experi- ence in benevolence might discover and provide for. In 1857, the Society purchased 23 city lots, at the corner of Albany ave- nue and Herkimer street, and, in 1858-'59, erected thereon a house and chapel, of sufficient capacity for 25 aged people and 40 orphans. For the first twelve years. the care of this num- ber was the work of the Society.

In 1871, a separate house for the aged, of both sexes, was erected. This was 120x45 feet, four stories in height. About the same time, a dispensary for the poor was opened, fol- lowed, in a few months, by an embryo hospital, which was established in the new home. In 1873, a separate house, 35x70 feet, was erected for a hospital, which was opened on St. John's day (December 27th) of that year, and was named St. John's Hospital. The grounds were enlarged by the pur- chase of 35 additional lots, and, in 1877, was commenced the erection of a larger building, 140 feet on Atlantic avenue, by 95 feet on Albany avenue, and five stories high. This build- ing was completed at an expense of $90,000. It is massive and elegant, and contains 140 beds. Herein are provided the most skillful physicians and surgeons, the personal care of devoted deaconesses, and the consolations of the church, where services in a chapel opening into every ward, are heard by all. A resident physician and a chaplain are also included in the staff of workers.

This latest addition to the equipment of the Long Island Church stands in complete working order, rising grandly at the intersection of the broadest avenue in our city, and a rapidly developing thoroughfare, with its massive basement of smoothly-dressed sandstone, its lofty walls of fine brick, its ample lights for rooms or wards, its great window of stained glass, with its wide and high corridors, its sunny and elegant private rooms, its clean and capacious wards, its manifold appliances for comfort and health, and its spacious, convenient and handsome chapel, altogether constituting a Hospital, pronounced by experienced observers as unsur- passed in its adaptation to its purposes by any similar insti- tution in the country.

CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

979

ORPHANS' HOME, ON THE CHURCH CHARITY FOUNDATION.

ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL, ON THE CHURCH CHARITY FOUNDATION.

980

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

The construction of the Hospital, including its furniture, has added not less than $112,000 to the previously existing possessions of the Foundation ; and competent persons esti- mate that, as it stands, finished, fitted, and furnished, it could be replaced for not less than $150,000.

The endowments consist of amounts variously contributed and permanently invested for the purposes of the Founda- tion. General endowment, $66,119; hospital endowment, $12,127.93 ; total, $78,246.93. The real property of the Foundation is valued at $268,000; to this add the endow- ments, $8,246.937, and legacies to be received, $7,500, gives as total amount of assets, $353,746.93. The significance of these figures cannot be overlooked. The united charities, from a feeble beginning, have accumulated at the rate of $10,000 a year, for more than thirty years. And, in addi- tion to this, the annual contributions for expenses approx- imate a sum equal to the unincumbered value of the property.

From its very beginning, this work has drawn to itself such interest and liberality as to stamp it unmistakably with the seals of necessity and popularity. For five years the Hos-

ing the last nine years, the beneficiaries of the Founda- tion have averaged: aged people 50; orphans, 80; sick, 25.

Its first Presidents were : Rev. Francis Vinten, D.D., who served three years; Rev. W. H. Lewis, D.D., who served four years; Rev. Thomas Guion, D.D., whe served three years; and Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, D.D., whe served by election until his connection to the bishopric of L. I., in 1869; since which he has been President, ex-oficio.

OFFICERS in 1884 were: Rt. Rev. N. Littlejohn, Pres .; Charles Hall, D. D., Vice-Pres .; Carlos A. Butler, Esq .. Sec'y ; and Edwin Beers, Treas.

The Brooklyn Children's Aid Society .- This Society was originated at the house of Hon. S. B. Chittenden, on the evening of January 13, 1866. Its objects are : "The protec- tion, care and shelter of friendless and vagrant youth; fur- nishing them with food, raiment and lodging; aiding and administering to their wants; providing them with occupa- tion; instructing them in moral and religious truth, and in the rudiments of education; and endeavoring to make them virtuous and useful citizens."

BROOKLYN

AID SOCIETY

THE NEWSBOYS' HOME OF THE BROOKLYN CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY.

pital work has been supported by the income from its endow- ments, and the contributions to its purposes. It has also attracted for building purposes, in the same period of five years, at the annual rate of $20,000. Further, it has received by voluntary contributions, often of the most affecting asso- ciations, the furniture, and even the decorations of offices, rooms and wards, to the value of more than $12,000. Its absolute freedom from debt has enabled the Foundation to have its first consecrated chapel on unincumbered ground. As might be expected, such a spontaneously developed energy has exerted effects instantly appreciable upon the older activities by its side. Beds in the Orphan House have been generously endowed; and large sums have been devised, by a will now in probate, to each of the three great works of the Institution, which bequests are known to have been prompted by the unflagging persistence shown by the prosecutors of the enterprise in behalf of the sick and wounded.

The Foundation has always maintained an excellent primary school for the orphans, and it has a chaplain to care for the spiritual and moral welfare of the inmates. Dur-

The foremost citizens of Brooklyn have served en the Board of Trustees, and the story of the Society is one of con- stant and vigorous growth. Wm. A. Lawrence, as general superintendent, organized the work; and the generous gifts of Frederick Marquand, Chauncey Rose, H. B. Claflin, S. B. Chittenden, and many others, with the most careful business management, have kept the Society above pressing want. It has constantly reached out for more work, year by year. Its first institution, The Newsboys' Home, 61 Poplar street, was opened September 1st, 1866. The special relief department began work June 1st, 1867, furnishing homes and work for children. Two Industrial Schools organized the same year.

By September 1st, 1867, another Homc was in full eperation at 139 Van Brunt street, South Brooklyn.

Within another year, the Newsboys' Home proved too small, and the adjoining house and lot, 57 Peplar street, were bought and fitted up. During the same year-October 21, 1868-the Sewing-machine School for girls was organized, and has been in successful operation ever since.

981

CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

The departments of work conducted up to 1872 were : Two Newshoys' Homes; a Special Relief Department; Sewing- Machine School, two Industrial Schools, and two Night- Sohools for Boys. In the summer of 1872, Mr. Lawrence or- ganized and carried out a series of excursions for mothers and children to the sea-shore.

On April 1st, 1873, Mr. Lawrence resigned the general superintendence of the Society, and Richard D. Douglass was appointed to the position.

The picnics for mothers and children were continued dur- ing the summer of 1873, under the care of Mr. Wm. Kirkby, the work having largely increased. Mr. Douglass assumed the conduct of the "Fresh Air Fund Excursions" in 1874, and carried them on each summer, until, in 1876, by the munificence of Alfred T. White, who presented a new build- ing, fully furnished, to the Society, the Seaside Home for Children was opened at Coney Island. From the small be- ginnings of two or three mothers, sent to the sea-shore to hoard for a few days for the benefit of their babies' health, the work has assumed the proportions indicated by the fol- lowing statistics : (See, also, page 197).

YEAR.

NO. WEEKS OPEN.

NO. CHILDREN RECEIVED.

NO. MOTHERS RECEIVED.

TOTALS.

1876.

619

214

833

1877.

1,601

565

2,166

1878

1,921

648

2,569

1879

2.423

805

3,228

1880.

2.821

1,051

3,872

1881.

1316

3,152

1,083

4,235

188

3,168

1.202

4,370

188

3,383

1,218

4,601

Total.

19,088

6,786

25,-74

On January 1st, 1881, the Society, in addition to its other work, established a Day Nursery for young children, in con- nection with the Industrial School, in Van Brunt street. This Society owes much of its success to the untiring efforts of William A. Lawrence, general superintendent for the first seven years of its life, and William Kirkby, who was super- intendent of the Newsboys' Home from its foundation till July 4th, 1880, when the Master called him to a higher ser- vice.

The following gentlemen have served as Presidents of the Society :- Hon. S. B. Chittenden, James R. Taylor, Dwight Johnson, Henry R. Jones, Charles A. Denny, James P. Wal- lace and Michael Snow. General Superintendents : Wm. Appleton Lawrence, from 1866, for seven years; Richard D. Douglass, from 1873 to the present time, ten years. Super- intendent of Newsboys' Home, Wm. Kirkby, from September 1st, 1866, to his decease, July 4th, 1880; since which time Mrs. Wm. Kirkby has been in charge.

The Van Brunt Street Home was maintained for boys un- til 1867, when it was found best to concentrate work at Pop- lar street, and at the same time enlarge the Industrial School. E. Whitney conducted this Home as Superintend- ent up to the date of closing the Home, as a lodging house for boys. Miss M. H. Robinson continues to serve as Princi- pal of the Industrial School.

The breadth and scope of the work of this Society is best shown by the following statistics, which represents only a part of the work done by the Brooklyn Children's Aid So- ciety, from the commencement of its work, September 1st, 1866, to November 1, 1883, a period of 17 years and 2 months : 2,194 children sent to good homes in the country; 6,160 chil- dren sent to good homes in the city; 7,581 girls taught on the sewing machine ; 10,334 boys taken in from the streets ; 26,011 mothers and children sent to the Seaside Home; 37,018 articles of clothing distributed to children; 558,593 lodgings

furnished to street boys; 1,611,026 meals furnished to the hungry; $60,129.93 received from the boys, in part payment for their food and shelter.

The Society has erected a new Newsboys' Home during the past year, and it is regarded by many as the model Home for this kind of work. A cut of this building appears at the head of this notice.

The Convent of the Sisters of Mercy was founded by the Order of the Sisters of Mercy, and incorporated March 8th, 1865. It is located on Willoughby avenue, between Classon and Graham avenues. The objects of the Order of the Sisters of Mercy are to provide for and educate orphan and destitute children ; to visit the sick in their homes, and convicts in prisons and jails ; and to establish and maintain hospitals, infirmaries and other charities.

This convent was commenced in 1862, and completed in 1863. It was built of brick, with a height of four stories, a front of 160 and a depth of 26 feet ; with wings from either end extending to the rear, each 135 feet. The rooms are large and airy, and the building is well suited to its pur- poses, having a capacity for 200 inmates, and school accom- modations for more than 600 pupils. The institution is sup- ported by receipts from a select school, by the labor of its inmates, by donations, and by aid from the city. Its prop- erty is estimated to be worth about $140,000.

Home for the Aged, in charge of The Little Sisters of the Poor .- This order was founded at St. Servan, in Brittany, in 1840, by Abbé le Pailleur, a young priest. The work was commenced by two laboring girls, aged respectively 18 and 16, who devoted themselves to the care of the aged and in- firm poor. From this modest beginning the order spread till, in 1880, it numbered 188 houses, 22 of which were in America. The first house in this country was opened in Brooklyn.

In 1868, Rev. Ernst M. Lelievre made the necessary arrange- ments for the establishment of an institution here, and on the 13th of September, seven Little Sisters took possession of three adjoining houses at 608 DeKalb avenue, capable of sheltering about forty old people. In about eighteen months they secured a plot of ground on the corner of Bushwick and DeKalb avenues, and commenced the erection of one wing of the present Home. By the aid of an appropriation from the Legislature in 1870, they were enabled to build the central part, containing the chapel, and afterwards the east- ern wing.

The building is of brick, three stories in height, 180 feet long by 72 deep; well supplied with cooking and laundry fixtures, with accommodations for 275 old persons, which number is kept quite full.

Every day two Sisters call at the various hotels, restau- rants, and private houses, collecting broken victuals, coffee grounds, tea, old clothing, etc. The butchers, grocers and provision dealers contribute largely to the support of the Home.

A branch Home has been established on Fifth avenue, at the corner of 21st street, where a new building is in process of construction, similar to the one on DeKalb avenue.

Convent of the Good Shepherd (the Order of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd). The Order was first established in 1561 at Angers, in France, by the venerable John Eudes, and was introduced into the United States in 1843. The object of the order is the reformation of fallen women and the pre_ servation of young girls in habits of virtue. After reclama_ tion, if they desire, they are admitted to the Order of the Sisters of St. Mary Magdalen, and live in retirement. The institution also provides for unmanageable, vicious children, and for orphans. The house was established in Brooklyn,

982

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

May 8th, 1868, in a brick building on Henry street, near Atlantic. In May, 1872, they removed to the corner of Atlantic and East New York avenues. In 1872, a new and larger building was commenced at the corner of Dean street and Rockaway avenue, which is now occupied by the Sisters and a large number of inmates. The grounds occupied by the establishment comprise an entire square. At this house, many who desire to reform present themselves; others are placed in it by friends, or by the authorities. Schools for the younger inmates are constantly maintained. Fifty sisters are here at present engaged in this good work.

The Female Employment Society .- This beneficent organ- ization was originated in March, and incorporated April 19, in 1854, for the purpose of giving remunerative employment to poor women. It originally numbered six officers and thirty- four managers, which number has since been retained. The first BOARD OF OFFICERS was composed of Mrs. Luqueer, Mrs. A. A. Low, Mrs. Catlin, Mrs. M. F. Odell, Mrs. P. Romeyn, and Miss M. Lord. Mrs. Low has been the President from the first.

The Society owns the building, No. 93 Court street (its head-quarters). and gives employment to many poor women at more remunerative rates than they would obtain else- where. Aside from the sale of the work manufactured by. these poor women, the association is supported by charity. Free instruction is given in needle-work and in the use of the sewing machine. Cases of sickness and destitution among the employees receive prompt attention. The OFFICERS for 1883-'84 are: Mrs. A. A. Low, Pres .; Miss Peet, Vice-Pres .; Mrs. William Brooks, Sec .; Miss Star, Asst. Sec .; Miss A. A. Bidell, Treas .; Miss Baltzell, Asst. Treas.

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 82

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