“October 11, 1693, at a meeting of the justices of Kings county, at the county hall. Present, Roeleff Martinse, Nicholas Stillwell, Joseph Hegeman, and Henry Ffilkin, esqrs. justices. John Bibout, of Broockland, in the county aforesaid, we aver being committed by the said justices to the common jail of Kings county, for divers scandalous and abusive words spoken by the said John against their majesties justices of the peace for the county aforesaid, to the contempt of their majesties authority and breach of the peace; the said John having now humbly submitted himself, and craves pardon and mercy of the said justices for his misdemeanour, is discharged, paying the officer’s fees, and being on his good behaviour till next court of sessions, in November next ensuing the date hereof.”
“October 11, 1693, at a meeting of the justices of Kings county, at the county hall. Present, Roeleff Martinse, Nicholas Stillwell, Joseph Hegeman, and Henry Ffilkin, esqrs. justices. John Bibout, of Broockland, in the county aforesaid, we aver being committed by the said justices to the common jail of Kings county, for divers scandalous and abusive words spoken by the said John against their majesties justices of the peace for the county aforesaid, to the contempt of their majesties authority and breach of the peace; the said John having now humbly submitted himself, and craves pardon and mercy of the said justices for his misdemeanour, is discharged, paying the officer’s fees, and being on his good behaviour till next court of sessions, in November next ensuing the date hereof.”
In another instance, during the same year, in the month of October, in the town of Bushwyck, a man named Urian Hagell, was imprisoned for having said, on a training day, speaking jestingly of the soldiers, “Let us knock them down, we are three to their one.” The justices called these “mutinous, factious, and seditious words;” which,with the like, appear to have been favourite terms with them. Again, in the same month and year, Hendrick Claes Vechte, of the town of Brooklyn, was imprisoned by the justices, on a charge of “raising of dissension, strife, and mutiny, among their majesties subjects.” And May 8, 1694, two women of Bushwick were indicted at the sessions, for having beat and pulled the hair of Captain Peter Praa, whilst at the head of his company of soldiers on parade. One of them was fined £3, and the cost, £1 19s.9d.; and the other 40s.and the cost, £1 19s.9d.In the last mentioned year, (1694) Volkert Brier, constable of Brooklyn, was fined £5, and the costs of court amounting to £1, by the sessions, “for tearing and burning an execution directed to him as constable.”[18]Brier afterwards petitioned the governor to have the fine remitted; a copy of which petition is in the appendix, marked C.
This town with respect to legal matters was under the jurisdiction of the court of sessions held at Gravesend, for the West Riding of Yorkshire, upon Long-Island,[19]until the year 1683; when an act was passed by the first legislative assembly of this colony, dividing the province into counties, by which the ridings were abolished. The court however continued to be held at Gravesend until 1686, when it was removed to Flatbush, in conformity to an act of the colonial assembly, passed in the year 1685. This town continued under thejurisdiction of that court, and the court of common pleas, which was afterwards established, until the close of the revolutionary war. At the close of the war the courts were re-organized, and this town still continues under their jurisdiction.
In 1816 the village of Brooklyn was erected out of the town, and constituted a distinct government; thereby forming animperium in imperio.
The present government both of the town and village, approach as near a pure democracy as that of any other place in this state. No business of importance is undertaken without first having the sanction of a public meeting. Here these sterling principles, that all power emanates from the people, and that public officers are but public servants, are fully recognized, and acted upon.
This head the compiler will divide into two divisions, in order to avoid confusion: First, the Town Government, and second, the Village Government.
The government of the town is administered by
ASupervisor, elected by the people, at the annual town-meeting, on the first Tuesday of April. The duties of this officer are principally confined to the apportionment of taxes, presiding at elections, &c. He is also ex officio a commissioner of excise for granting tavern licenses in the town, and the general guardian of the town rights. There is no salary attached to this office: the supervisor receives a compensation of two dollars per day, for attending the general meeting of the supervisors of the different towns in the county, and a trifling amount for granting licenses. The present supervisor is William Furman, esq.
ATown Clerk, also elected by the people. The duties of this officer are to call special town meetings on the request of twelve freeholders, record the proceedings of town meetings, and preserve the records of the town. In 1698, Jacob Vandewater, town clerk of this town, received the sum of £6 5s.for two years and six months salary.[20]In 1822, in order to make the town clerk’s salary in some degree proportionate to the increase of business, the town voted him a salary of $50. In 1824, the town clerk’s salary was increased to $75. The office is at present held by John Doughty, esq. who has been successively elected since the year 1796.
FiveAssessors, also elected by the people—whose duties are to assess all real and personal estate liable to taxation within the town, and to forward such assessment to the supervisors, that they may apportion the amount of tax on the same. The present assessors are Messrs. John S. Bergen, Richard Stanton, John Spader, Joseph Moser, and Andrew Demarest. Their compensation is one dollar and twenty-five cents per day during the time they are employed in making and completing the assessment.
There are also elected twooverseers of the poor, Messrs. William Cornwell, and Isaac Moser; oneconstable and collector, Mr. John M’Kenney; twoconstables, Messrs. John Lawrence, and Samuel Doxsey; and several other officers, whose names and duties will be set forth in the subsequent parts of this work.
The judicial business of this town is at present transacted by threejustices of the peace, viz. John Garrison, John G. Murphy, and Samuel Smith,esqrs. These magistrates are appointed by the judges of the common pleas, and the supervisors of the county.
April 12, 1816, the village of Brooklyn was incorporated by an act of the legislature of this state. By this act the freeholders and inhabitants are authorized annually to elect, on the first Monday of May, “Five discreet freeholders, resident within the said village, Trustees thereof;” and these trustees are authorized to appoint a president and clerk. The first trustees, Messrs. Andrew Mercein, John Garrison, John Doughty, John Seaman, and John Dean, were appointed by the legislature, and continued in office until the first Monday of May, 1817; when the first election was made by the people, and they made choice of Messrs. William Furman, Henry Stanton, William Henry, Tunis Joralemon, and Noah Waterbury. The present trustees are Messrs. Joshua Sands, John Doughty, Joseph Moser, John Moon, and Samuel James. Joshua Sands, esq. president, and John Dikeman, esq. clerk of the board. The president previous to 1824 received no salary; at present his salary is $300. The clerk formerly received a salary of $100, which in consequence of the great increase of business is now raised to $200. The powers of the trustees are principally “to make, ordain, constitute, and publish, such prudential by-laws, rules and regulations, as they from time to time shall deem meet and proper; and such in particular as relate to the public markets, streets, alleys, and highways of the said village; to draining, filling up, levelling, paving, improving, and keeping in order the same; relative to slaughter-houses, houses of ill fame, and nuisances generally;relative to a village watch, and lighting the streets of said village; relative to restraining geese, swine, or cattle of any kind; relative to the better improvement of their common lands; relative to the inspection of weights and measures, and the assize of bread; relative to erecting and regulating hay-scales; relative to the licensing of public porters, cartmen, hackney coachmen, gaugers, weigh-masters measurers, inspectors of beef and pork, of wood, of staves and heading, and of lumber; relative to public wells, pumps, and reservoirs or cisterns of water to be kept filled for the extinguishment of fires; relative to the number of taverns or inns to licensed in said village; and relative to any thing whatsoever that may concern the public and good government of the said village; but no such by-laws shall extend to the regulating or fixing the prices of any commodities or articles of provision, except the article of bread, that may be offered for sale.” The powers of the trustees, in opening, regulating, and widening streets, are enlarged and defined by an act passed by the legislature of this state, April 9, 1824.
The board of trustees have the appointment of several officers. The following is a list of the names of the officers at present holding under them.
Three village Assessors are also elected by the people, for the purpose of making an assessment on which to apportion the village tax. The present assessors are Losee Van Nostrand, Gamaliel King, and John D. Conklin.
The Trustees, by an act passed April 9th, 1824, are constituted a Board of Health. The President and Clerk of the Trustees are ex-officio President and Clerk of the Board of Health. The salary of the President of this Board is $150.
A Health Physician is appointed by the Board of Health; which office is at present held by Dr. J. G. T. Hunt, with a salary of $200.
The duties of the Board relate to the general conservation of the Health of the village.
As early as 1809, during the prevalence of the yellow fever in this town, the inhabitants met together in consequence of repeated solicitations from the Common Council of New-York, and after stating in their proceedings, that “reports prevailed, that disease exists to an alarming extent in the town of Brooklyn,” they appointed the following gentlemen a committee “for the purpose of inquiring into the state of the health of the inhabitants of said town, and to act as the case in their opinion may require,” viz. William Furman, John Garrison, Burdet Stryker, Henry Stanton, and Andrew Mercein. A sum of money was raised by subscription to meet the expenses of this Committee.
In the year 1819, the Trustees, although not strictly invested with power, yet feeling the necessity of acting with some degree of energy, in order to quiet the fears of the inhabitants, arising from reports of the existence of a pestilential disease in New-York, published an address; in which they state, “that during this season of alarm, they have not been unmindful of that part of their duty incumbent on them as aBoard of Healthfor the village,” and that “measures have been taken to obtain from time to time, a report of the state of health throughout the village, that the inhabitants may be early apprised of any change affecting their welfare.”
This head will be divided into three divisions—first, Churches; second, Markets; and third Public Institutions.
The first Church established in Kings County was, October 13, 1654, when the Rev. Joannes Theodorus Polhemus, a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church, waspermittedby Governor Stuyvesant, to preach at Midwout, (Flatbush) and Amersfort, (Flatlands).[21]The congregation was gathered at this time; but the order of Governor Stuyvesant for building the Church is dated December 15, 1654. February 9, 1655, the Governor ordered the inhabitants of Brooklyn and Amersfort, which at that period, together with Gravesend, were one congregation, to cut timber for the erection of the Church at Midwout; which building was to be 60 feet in length, 28 feet in breadth, and 14 feet in height below the beams.
In order to accommodate the four towns of Gravesend, Amersfort, Midwout, and Brooklyn, the Governor ordered that Mr. Polhemus should preach every Sunday morning at Midwout, and Sunday afternoons alternately at Amersfort and Brooklyn.
In the year 1659, the inhabitants of this town applied to Governor Stuyvesant for permission to call a minister for their congregation, assigning as a reason for their application, the badness of the road to Flatbush, the difficulty of attending divine service at New-York, and the extreme old age and inability of the Rev. Mr. Polhemus to perform his services at Brooklyn.
The Governor deemed the request reasonable, and sent Nicasius de Sille, Fiscal of New-Netherland, and Martin Kregier, Burgomaster, of New-Amsterdam, to this town, as a committee of inquiry, who reported in favour of the application; whereupon the request of the inhabitants was granted. The inhabitants prepared a call for the Rev. Henry Solinus, alias Henricus Selwyn, from Holland, who was approved of by the classis of Amsterdam, on the 16th of February, 1660, when the classis also gave the Rev. Mr. Solinus a dismission, wishing him a safe and prosperous journey by land and by water to his congregation in the New-Netherland. The time of the arrival of this minister is not known. He was installed in his church on the 3d of September, 1660, in the presence of the Fiscal, and Burgomaster Kregier, by the order of Governor Stuyvesant, who appears to have been at the head of the ecclesiastical, as well as the civil and military government of the colony.
On the 7th of September, 1660, a letter was written to the Rev. Mr. Polhemus, informing him of the installation of the Rev. Mr. Solinus in the Church of Brooklyn, and thanking him for his labours and attention to the Congregation. The letter was sent by a respectable person, to whom the Rev. Mr. Polhemus returned his thanks for the attention which the Church at Brooklyn had paid him, and furnished the messenger with a list of the names of the Church members, twenty-five in number.
Mr. Solinus’ salary was 600 guilders per annum, equal to $200. Three hundred guilders of which was to be paid by Brooklyn, and three hundred by Father land, (Holland). Some time after, the inhabitants of Brooklyn objected to raising their proportion of the salary; and May 25, 1662, petitionedthe Governor, that Mr. Solinus should reside among them; setting forth as a reason, that if their minister resided with them more people would go to church, and they would be better able to raise the salary. Governor Stuyvesant, in order to accommodate this dispute, proposed to pay 250 guilders towards Mr. Solinus’ salary, on condition that he would preach in the Bouwery on Sunday afternoons.—This arrangement appears to have been entered into, for a short time after Mr. Solinus preached at the Bouwery half the time.
The Indians having on the 7th of June, 1663, attacked the town of Esopus, burnt the same, and destroyed many of the inhabitants, and took many prisoners; the event was communicated by Governor Stuyvesant to the church at Brooklyn, in the following manner.
“As a sorrowfull accident and wilfull masacre has been committed by the Esopus Indians, who have with deliberate design under the insidious cover of friendship, determined to destroy Esopus, which they effected or the 7th instant, killing and wounding a number of the inhabitants, and taking many prisoners, burning the new town, and desolating the place. Whereupon the congregation is directed and desired by his Excellency the Governor General to observe and keep the ensuing Wednesday as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer to the Almighty, hoping that he may avert further calamities from the New-Netherlands, and extend his fatherly protection and care to the country. And it is further ordered, that the first Wednesday in every month be observed in like manner. By order of the Director General, and Council, &c. Dated at Fort Orange, June 26, 1663.” Wednesday the 4th of July, 1663, was observed as a day of thanksgiving on account of a treaty of peacehaving been made with the Esopus Indians, and the release of the inhabitants who had been taken prisoners; and also for the success obtained over the British, who attempted with flying colours to take possession of all Long-Island for the King of England, which was prevented by the timely arrival of the Dutch fleet.
On the 23d of July, 1664, the Rev. Henry Solinus took leave of his congregation and sailed in the ship Beaver for Holland. After his departure, Charles Debevoise, the schoolmaster of the town, and sexton of the church, was directed to read prayers, and a sermon from an approved author, every Sabbath day in the church, for the improvement of the congregation, until another minister was called.
The first Dutch church in Brooklyn was built in the year 1666, although a minister had been settled to preach here for some years previous.—A second church was erected on the site of that built in 1666; which second church continued standing until about 1810, when a new and substantial church was erected on Joralemon-street, and the old one taken down. This old church was a very gloomy looking building, with small windows, and stood in the middle of the highway, about a mile from Brooklyn ferry. In removing it the workmen discovered the remains of a Hessian officer, who had been buried there in his uniform, during the Revolutionary war.
The Dutch congregations on this Island formed but one church, although they had different consistories.
The ministers under the Dutch government were not permitted to marry any persons without making the marriage proclamation on three succeeding Sabbaths in their churches. The same practice wasobserved after the Colony came under the British government. The last mentioned government however sold marriage licenses, which were granted by the Governor’s Secretary in New-York, for the sum of eight dollars each. The inhabitants generally preferred purchasing a marriage license, and thus contributed to the revenue of the Governor and Secretary.
During the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Solinus, the marriage fees were not the perquisite of the Minister, as appears by his account rendered by him to the Consistory, on the 29th of October, 1662, when he paid over to the consistory the sum of 78 guilders and 10 stivers, for fourteen marriage fees received by him.
The following is a list of ministers of the Dutch Reformed Church, who officiated in the church on this Island, (with the exception of Polhemus, and Solinus,) taken from a manuscript of the Rev. Peter Lowe.
In the month of April, 1708, fifty-seven of the inhabitants of Brooklyn, entered into an agreement (which is written in Dutch) to call a minister from Holland, to preach in the church of this town. The elders of the church at that time were, Daniel Rapalie, and Jores Hanse.
The salary of the Clerk of the Church in this town was formerly raised by a tax on the whole town. At a town meeting, held February 1, 1568, It was resolved, that the sum of £20 10s. should be raised, and paid into the hands of the “church masters” for “the widow of Hendrick Sleght, ffor 1 year and 8 months salary, and being Clarke off the churche.”
The following singular proceeding may be amusing to some readers, and will serve to shew to what extremes, both the people and the magistrates carried themselves in former times. Hendrick Vechte, Esq. a Justice of the Peace, was presented at the Kings County Sessions, May 14, 1710, for coming into the Brooklyn Church, on Sunday, August 10, 1709, “with his pen and ink in his hand, taking of peoples names, and taking up one particular mans hat up, and in disturbance of the minister and people in the service of God, &c.” Vechte’s plea was that in obedience to an order of the Governor he did go into the church as alledged, “to take notice of the persons that were guilty of the forcible entry made into the Church, that by Abram Brower, and others, by breaking of said Church doore with force and arms, forcibly entering into said Church, notwithstanding the forewarning of Mr. Freeman the minister, and his people to the contrary.” The Court found that Justice Vechte was not guilty of a breach of the peace, and discharged him. It must be remembered that Justice Vechte was a member of the Court. There was a considerable differenceof opinion and many disputes among the inhabitants of this town, and of the County, as to the right of the Rev. Mr. Freeman to preach; into the merits of which controversy, it is not to be expected that the Compiler can enter at this distant day. Excepting the above proceeding of the Court, the only document which the Compiler has been able to obtain relative to this controversy is a letter from Henry Ffilkin, Esq. to the Secretary at New-York, which will be found in the Appendix marked with the letter D.
December 18, 1814, the Trustees of the Dutch Reformed Church of the town of Brooklyn were incorporated. At which time the following gentlemen were officers of the Church.Martinas Schoonmaker,—Ministers.Peter Lowe,Elders.Fernandus Suydam,Jeremiah Johnson,Walter Berry,John Lefferts.Deacons.Jeremiah Brower,Abraham De Bevoise,Lambert Schenck,Abraham Remsen.The present officers of this Church are, Rev. S. S. Woodhull, D. D. Pastor.Elders.Leffert Lefferts,David Anderson,Tunis Joralemon,Nehemiah Denton.Deacons.Theodorus Polhemus,Adrian Hegeman,James De Bevoise,Adriance Van Brunt.September 18, 1785, an “Independent MeetingHouse,” was incorporated at this place. The officers of which were:John Matlock, Pastor,George Wall, Assistant,John Carpenter, Treasurer,George Powers, Secretary.Trustees.William Bunton,Robert Steath,Barnard Cordman,John Emery,William Hinson.
December 18, 1814, the Trustees of the Dutch Reformed Church of the town of Brooklyn were incorporated. At which time the following gentlemen were officers of the Church.
September 18, 1785, an “Independent MeetingHouse,” was incorporated at this place. The officers of which were:
Their place of worship was a frame building on what is now the Episcopalian burying ground in Fulton-street. This congregation continued but a short time, in consequence of the seceding of its members to the Episcopalian Church, which was soon after established in this place.
The first celebration of Divine Service after the manner of the Protestant Episcopal church, in this town, subsequent to the Revolution, was at the old brick house known as No. 40 Fulton-street, and now owned by Mr. Abiel Titus.
About the year 1787, the Episcopal Church was established in Brooklyn, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Wright, at the house on the north-east corner of Fulton and Middagh-streets; which house was fitted up with pews, &c.
April 23, 1787, “The Episcopal Church of Brooklyn” was incorporated. The following are the names of the first
This congregation afterwards came into possession of the place of worship before used by the Independent Congregation, and continued to worship in that edifice until they erected the Stone Church called “St. Ann’s Church,” on Sands-street.
June 22, 1795. The Episcopal Church in this town was re-organized and incorporated by the name of “St. Ann’s Church.”
The congregation at the same time resolved, that Monday in Easter week should be the time of their future elections for Church officers.
The stone church which was erected on Sands-street, has continued to the present time: but is now in bad repair, in consequence of the walls not having bee, properly erected. The Vestry passed a vote for erecting a new church to front on Washington-street, the corner stone of which was laid March 31, 1824. The new edifice is fast progressing, and promises to be a great ornament to the place.
The present officers of St. Ann’s Church are,
May 19, 1794, the “First Methodist Episcopal Church” in this town, was incorporated. The Trustees at which period were,
The present Meeting-house of this denomination is erected on the site of their first place of worship, on Sands-street; and is a neat, plain edifice. The present officers are,
January 12, 1818, The “African Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church in the village of Brooklyn,” incorporated.
The place of worship of this congregation is a frame meeting house situate on High-street.
March 13, 1822. The “First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn” was incorporated.
The corner stone of this church was laid, April 15, 1822. The Church is situate on Cranberry-street; and is a very handsome brick building, something in the Gothic style. The present officers are,
November 20, 1822. “St. James Roman Catholic Church,” incorporated.
The corner stone of this Church was laid, June 25, 1822. The edifice is of brick, and approaches nearer to the Gothic architecture than any other building in this town. It is yet unfinished. This is the first Roman Catholic Church erected on Long-Island. The present Trustees are,
October 15, 1823. The “First Baptist Church in Brooklyn” incorporated.
March 24, 1824. Rev. William C. Hawley was ordained Pastor of this Church. This congregation have as yet, erected no building for public worship; but assemble for that purpose in the District School room, No. 1.
There are also in this town some of the denomination of Friends, and a small congregation of Universalists; neither of which have established places of public worship. The Universalists are under the pastoral care of the Rev. William Mitchill, and assemble for Divine service in the District School room, No. 1.
In the present year, this town purchased of Leffert Lefferts, Esq. a small farm situate at the Wallaboght; a portion of which was set off for a burying ground, and divided into convenient parcels; which were allotted in the following manner to the different congregations worshipping in the town, viz.
A market was established in this town as early as the year 1676, which will appear from the following order of the General Court of Assizes, made in the month of October, 1675. “Upon proposall of having a fayre and Markett in or neare this City. (New-York) It is ordered, That after this season, there shall yearely bee kept a fayre and markett at Breucklen near the ferry, for all grayne, cattle, or other produce of the countrey, to be held the first Munday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, in November; and in the City of New-York, the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday following.”
Previous to the year 1814, there were two markets in this place; one of which was situate at the foot of the old ferry-street; and the other at the foot of Main-street. Both these markets were taken down in 1814.
At present we have no public market; the inhabitants are supplied from several butcher’s shops for the sale of meat, and stands for vegetables, scattered about in different parts of the village.—The people have been for some time past endeavouring to obtain a public market, and the great difficulty appears to be the location of a proper site. At a village meeting, held June 26, 1824, the sum of $10,000 was voted to erect a brick market house and Village Hall, with other offices. This amount it was resolved, should be raised by a loan for not less than ten years, at six per cent; and that the proceeds of the market arising from the letting of stalls, &c. should be appropriated to paying the interest of said loan; and that if in process of time there should be a surplus, after paying the interest, the same should be converted into a sinking fund for extinguishing the principal. These resolutions have not as yet been carried into effect.
Of public institutions we have not many to boast—they may be strictly confined to one Bank, a Fire Insurance Company, and an Apprentices’ Library.
The “Long-Island Bank” was incorporated, April 1st, 1824, with a capital of $300,000, divided into six thousand shares of $50 each. The present officers are, Leffert Lefferts, Esq. President, and D. Embury, Cashier.
The “Brooklyn Fire Insurance Company” was incorporated, April 3, 1824, with a capital of $150,000, divided into six thousand shares of $25 each. The present officers of this institution are, William Furman, President, and Freeman Hopkins, Secretary.
There is also in this village a branch of the “Equitable Fire Insurance Company”; of which Abraham Vanderveer, Esq. is Agent.
The Apprentices’ Library Association, which has been formed but a short time, promises to be of great benefit to the apprentices of the place, by introducing among them, habits of reading and reflection, which, if properly attended to, will enable them to support the honourable character of good citizens.
The Library at present consists of about twelve hundred volumes, which have been presented by different individuals. About one hundred apprentices take books from it, regularly once a week.—This institution was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, passed in November, 1824. The present officers are,
Robert Snow, President; Thomas Kirk, Vice-President; Andrew Mercein, Treasurer; Robert Nicholls, Secretary.
Under this head it may be proper to notice, that there are two Masonic lodges in this town, and a Post office.
Fortitude Lodge, No. 81.—W. Levi Porter, Master.
Hohenlinden Lodge, No. 338.—W. Abiathar Young, Master.
The Post office is kept at No. 97 Fulton-street, by George L. Birch, Esq. Post Master. The mail is carried daily (Sundays excepted) between Brooklyn and New-York, and closes at Brooklyn at 8 A. M. and arrives at 4 P. M.
Within a few years this town, and particularly the village has increased very rapidly. In 1814, the town of Brooklyn contained 3805 inhabitants; and in 1816, the town contained 4402 inhabitants. In 1820, the census was as follows, (being almost two thirds of the population of the County.)
The following account of the population of Kings County at different periods, may not be uninteresting to many readers.
In 1706, There were 64 freeholders in the town of Brooklyn. In 1802, their number had only increased to 86, as appears from the list of Jurors at that period. In the year 1800, there were 253 votes given in this town, at a contested election for assemblyman. In 1824, on the same occasion 1013 votes were taken.
At the close of the Revolutionary war, the town of Brooklyn within the bounds of the present village contained 56 buildings. In 1821, the village contained 867 buildings; of which 96 were Groceries and Taverns, and several store-houses.—These store-houses depend principally, on the operation of the Quarantine laws, in the months of June, July and August, for business. On the 23d of July in the same year, there were lying at the wharves in this village, 13 ships, 9 brigs, 8 schooners, and 14 sloops. July 1, 1824, there were lying at the wharves in this village, 8 ships, 16 brigs, 20 schooners, and 12 sloops.
In 1822. 50 dwelling-houses were erected in this village. In 1823, 122 frame dwelling and 32 brick and brick front buildings were erected. January 1, 1824, the village of Brooklyn contained 113 stone, brick and brick front buildings. During the present year 143 frame dwelling-houses have been built in this village.
The town contains 8 Ropewalks, which manufacture 1130 tons of cordage annually; 4 Distilleries; 2 Spirits of Turpentine Distilleries; 1 Glue factory; 1 Chain cable manufactory; 2 Tanneries; 2 White lead works; 1 Whiting manufactory; 1 Glass factory and 1 Furnace for casting iron. The manufacture of Hats is conducted on a large scale in this place.
In the year 1703, a survey was made of “Broocklands improveable lands and meadows within fence,” and the same was found to amount to 5177 acres. At that period the greatest holder of that description of land was Simon Aersen, who owned 200 acres. In 1706, all the real and personal estates of the town of Brooklyn were assessed at £3122 12s. 0d. The tax on which was £41 3s. 7½d and the whole tax of the county £201 16s 1½d. In 1707, the real and personal estates of this town assessed at £3091 11s 0d, The government tax on which, was for the same year £116 7s 3d, payable in two payments; and the whole tax of the county £448 3s 7d. The present year, the real estate in this town was assessed at $2,111,390. And the personal estate at $488,690; being considerably more than one half of the whole value of the county. The State, county and town tax on which amounts to $6,497 71. At this period there are in the village 1149 taxable persons, and the village tax amounts to $2625 76, averaging about $2 29, each taxable person. This village tax includes $450 raised to meet the expenses of the Board of Health, and is exclusive of all local assessments for opening and improving streets, &c.
The receipts of the overseers of the poor of this town for the year 1823, amounted to $3108 77, and their expenditures to $3469 49, leaving a balance of $360 72 against the town.
On the 22d of March, 1823, there were 54 persons in the Alms-house; 51 persons were admitted during the year ending March 30, 1824. During the same period, 34 were discharged, and 10 died. March 30, 1824, there were in the Alms-house 40 persons, viz. 11 men, 16 women, 5 girls, and 8 boys. In the winter of 1823-4, 93 loads of wood were distributed from this institution among the poor of the town.[25]
April 21, 1701, a piece of land about 100 feet square, lying within the present bounds of the village of Brooklyn, was sold for £75, “current money of the Province of New-York.” 1720 a dwelling-house and lot of ground containing 62 feet front, 61 feet rear, and 111 feet deep, near the ferry, on the north-east side of what is now called Fulton-street, sold for £260, “current money of New-York. In the year 1784, all the property owned by the Corporation of the City of New-York in this town was assessed at £365, New-York currency; which property is now worth $50,000 at the lowest calculation.
August 30, 1701. John Bybon sold to Cornelius Vanderhove, for £37 10s, the one equal half part of a brewhouse, situate at Bedford, in the town of Brookland, fronting the highway leading from Bedford to Cripplebush; together with one equal half part of all the brewing vessels, &c.
In 1685, a Windmill was erected in this town by John Vannise and Peter Hendricks, for Michael Hainell. There is great reason to believe that this was the first mill erected in this town. August 19, 1689, an agreement was entered into between Cornelius Seberingh of Brookland, and John Marsh of East Jersey, relative to building a water mill onGraver’s kill in this town. At present there are in this town seven water mills and two wind mills.—From February 16, 1823, to February 15, 1824, 5825 barrels of superfine flour, 260 barrels of fine flour, and 124 hogsheads of corn meal were inspected in this county. The most, if not all of which flour and meal was manufactured at the mills in this place.
May 1661, Charles Debevoice was recommended by Gov. Stuyvesant as a suitable person for schoolmaster of this town, and also for clerk and sexton of the church, who was employed and received a good salary.
Immediately previous to the revolutionary war, that part of the town of Brooklyn which is now comprised in the bounds of the village, and for some distance without those bounds, supported but one school, of 19 scholars, five of whom were out of the family of Mr. Andrew Patchen. The school-house was situated on the hill, on property which was then owned by Israel Horsfield, but now belongs to the heirs of Carey Ludlow, deceased.—The teacher was Benjamin Brown, a staunch whig from Connecticut.
District School, No. 1.This school was organized at a public meeting, held Jan. 2, 1816, at which meeting Andrew Mercein, John Seaman, and Robert Snow were elected trustees, and John Doughty clerk of the school. The trustees were appointed a committee to ascertain a proper site for building a school-house, and report the probable expense thereof. At a meeting held January 12, 1816, the trustees reported that they could purchase four lots of ground on Concord street, of Mr. Noah Waterbury, for $550. The meeting thereupon resolved,that “the sum of $2000 should be raised by tax on the inhabitants of the said district, to purchase said lots and to build a school-house thereon;” and that in the mean time the “Loisian school be the common school of the said district;” and that “the trustees of the district be authorized to exonerate from the payment of teacher’s wages all such poor and indigent persons as they shall think proper, pursuant to the act of the legislature;” and that “it be recommended by this meeting, that the common school to be taught in this district, be on the Lancastrian plan of instruction.”
In the school of this district, which includes the village of Brooklyn, upwards of 200 children are taught. The price of tuition does not exceed four dollars per annum, and from that amount down to nothing, in proportion to the abilities of the parent. The School District No. 1, at present contains 1607 children between the ages of 5 and 15 years, of whom 1157 go to the public or private schools.
In 1821 there were eight private schools in the village of Brooklyn.
In 1823 the town received from the state $418 13 for the support of common schools.
The present officers connected with the common schools of the town are—
Commissioners.Jordan Coles, Robert Nichols, Josiah Noyes.
Inspectors.Charles I. Doughty, Evan Beynon, Robert Snow.
Trustees of District School No. 1.William Cornwell, Joseph Sprague, Charles I. Doughty.—Clerk, Ralph Malbone.
Four Newspapers have been published in this town in the following chronological order:
June 26, 1799. The first number of the “Courier, and New-York and Long-Island Advertiser,” published by Thomas Kirk, Esq. This was the first newspaper established on Long-Island.
May 26, 1806. The first number of the “Long Island Weekly Intelligencer,” published by Mess’rs. Robinson and Little.
June 1, 1809. The first number of the “Long Island Star,” published by Thomas Kirk, Esq.
March 7, 1821. The first number of the “Long Island Patriot,” published by Geo. L. Birch, Esq.
In the month of November, 1810, proposals were issued by Benjamin F. Cowdrey, & Co. for establishing in Brooklyn a weekly newspaper, to be entitled “The Long-Island Journal, and American Freeman.” For some reason unknown to the compiler this paper was not published.
During the month of May, 1820, Brockholst Livingston, jun. issued proposals for publishing a weekly newspaper in this village, to be entitled the “Long-Island Republican.” Not meeting with sufficient encouragement, this attempt was abandoned.
The only two papers now in existence in this town, are “The Star,” published by Alden Spooner, Esq. and the “Long Island Patriot,” by George L. Birch, Esq.
It is a delicate subject for a writer to treat of the morals of a people among whom he is a resident, lest by telling the truth too plainly, he awaken unpleasant feelings in the breasts of some whom perhaps he would not wish to offend. On the other hand, if glaring faults are slightly passed over, or palliated, it calls down on his devoted head all theenvenomed attacks of malicious criticism. The compiler, however, flatters himself that neither will be the case in this instance.
The people of Brooklyn, it is true, cannot be considered as rigid in religious matters as the saints of Oliver Cromwell’s army, whose very cannon had on the inscription of “O Lord, open thou our lips, and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise!” But they are far from being irreligious; the churches are well filled, religious societies are liberally supported, vice discountenanced; and for the more effectual suppression thereof, in 1815, a society for the suppression of vice and immorality was formed, consisting of many of the most respectable inhabitants of the town. By the exertions of our Sunday school societies, attached to the different congregations, the morals of the younger part of the community have been greatly reformed; and it is highly gratifying to observe the improvement made in the general morals, of the town, in consequence of their benevolent exertions.
Although this might with some propriety be placed under the head ofPublic Institutions, the compiler has thought proper to make it a head of itself; and he hopes that the following few historical facts relative to this valuable department, may be useful to such as feel an interest in its progression and improvement.
By an act passed by the legislature of this state, March 15, 1788, “for the better extinguishing of fires in the town of Brooklyn,” the number of firemen was limited to eight, who were nominated and appointed by the freeholders and inhabitants of the fire district, which was comprised within nearly the same bounds with the present village,In the year 1794 the sum of £188 19s.10d.was raised by subscription in this town, for purchasing a fire engine. On the 24th March in the following year, an act was passed by the legislature “for the better extinguishing of fires” in this town; by which act the number of firemen was increased to thirty.
1796. The sum of £49 4s.was raised by subscription for purchasing “a suitable bell for the use of the town of Brooklyn.” This is the present fire bell.
March 21, 1797, an act was passed by the legislature “for the prevention of fires, and for regulating the assize of bread, in the town of Brooklyn.” This act authorised the inhabitants to choose not less than three nor more than five freeholders, who might from time to time make such prudential by-laws as they judged necessary, for the prevention of fires by the burning of chimneys, and for sweeping and otherwise cleansing the same. The inhabitants accordingly met on the second Tuesday of May, in the same year, and appointed Mess’rs. Henry Stanton, John Doughty, Martin Boerum, John Van Nostrand, and John Fisher, to carry into effect the provisions of the above act. In the execution of which duty the persons so appointed ordained, that from and after the 11th day of July, 1797, a fine of ten shillings should be levied on each person whose chimney should take fire through carelessness, or be set on fire for the purpose of cleansing; and that “all penalties shall be received and recovered by the clerk of the fire company for the time being, if he be one of the persons so chosen; if not, the said persons elected shall nominate and appoint one of their number to serve for and receive in the same manner that the clerk is at present authorised.” From 1798 to August 6, 1806, the sum of £20 7s. was received for chimney fines.
For a considerable length of time, this town had but one small fire engine; they subsequently purchased another, which was called No. 2. About 1810, No. 3. now styled the “Franklin,” was purchased by the inhabitants of the Fire District. The Fire Department of the village at present consists of four Fire Engines (of which three are new, namely, Nos. 1, 2, and 4,) and a Hook and Ladder Company, viz.
No. 1, “Washington,” full complement 30 men, Foreman, Joshua Sutton.
No. 2, “Neptune,” full complement 30 men, Foreman, Gamaliel King.
No. 3, “Franklin,” full complement 30 men, Foreman, Jeremiah Wells.
No. 4, “Eagle,” full complement 30 men, Foreman, George Fricke.
Hook and Ladder Company, full complement 30 men, Foreman, John Smith.
There are also in the Navy Yard, two excellent Fire Engines, well manned, and which, together with those from New-York, generously come to our assistance when ever our place is visited by that dreadful calamity, fire.
The receipts of the Fire Department, from 1794 to 1815, amounted to £898 10s. 1d. and the expenditures from July 7, 1795, to November 15, 1816, amounted to £964 3s. 3d.
The office of Clerk and Treasurer of the Fire Department of this town, was held by John Hicks, Esq. until 1796; at which time John Doughty, Esq. was appointed, who held that office until the incorporation of the village in 1816, when he was appointed Chief Engineer of the Fire Department of the village, which office he held for one year. In 1817, William Furman, Esq. was appointed Chief Engineer, and officiated in that capacity until 1821, when, on the resignation of Mr. Furman, JohnDoughty, Esq. was again appointed, and continues to hold the office. The present officers of the Fire Department are,
John Doughty, Chief Engineer.
Fire Wardens.Joseph Moser, Edward Coope, Joseph Sprague.
April 16, 1823, an act was passed by the Legislature of this state to incorporate the firemen of this village, by the name of the “Fire Department of the Village of Brooklyn.” The act allows this corporation to hold, purchase, and convey any estate, real or personal for the use of the corporation; provided such real or personal estate shall not at any time exceed the yearly value of $1000. The following officers were appointed by the act of incorporation, viz.
Trustees.Jeremiah Wells, Morris Simonson, Michael Trapple, Joseph Moser, George Fricke, Gamaliel King, Simeon Back, Parshall Wells, George L. Birch.
The laudable object proposed by this institution, is to raise a fund for the relief of widows and children of deceased firemen.
By an amendment to the act of Incorporation of the village of Brooklyn, passed April 9, 1824, it is provided, “That all fines and penalties under any by-law of the said village, in relation to the burning of chimneys, and for the preventing and extinguishing of fires, and also, all fines and penalties either under such by-laws, or under any statute of this state, in relation to the manner of keeping and transporting gun-powder within the said village, shall be sued for in the name of the said Trustees, (of the village of Brooklyn) by the fire departmentof the said village, and when recovered shall be paid to the said fire department, for their own use.”
June 7, 1625, Sarah De Rapalje, born in this town. Tradition says that she was the first white child born in the colony. Her parents were Walloons; from whence is derived the name of Wallaboght, or Walloons Bay, where they lived.[26]She was twice married. Her first husband was Hans Hanse Bergen, by whom she had six children, viz. Michael Hanse, Joris Hanse, Jan Hanse, Jacob Hanse, Brechje Hanse, and Marytje Hanse. Her second husband was Teunis Guysbertse Bogart, by whom she also had six children, viz. Aurtie Bogart, Antje Bogart, Neeltje Bogart, Aultje Bogart, Catelyntje Bogart, and Guysbert Bogart. The account of Sarah De Rapelje in the archives of the New-York Historical Society contains the names of the persons to whom eleven of her children were married, and tells the places where they settled. The twelfth, Brechje Hanse went to Holland.
March 1, 1665, Hendrick Lubbertson and John Evertsen, appeared as deputies from the town of Brooklyn, at the Assembly convened at Hempstead, by order of Richard Nicolls, Deputy Governor under the Duke of York; at which assembly the code of laws called the “Duke’s laws” were adopted and published. In the appendix marked E. will be found the address which these deputies, together with the others, sent to the Duke of York; and which occasioned so much excitement in the Colony at that period.
1671, This town, with five other towns in the West Riding of Yorkshire upon Long-Island, petitioned the Court of Sessions “for liberty to transport wheate,” which petition was referred to the Governor.
1687. The Clerk’s office of Kings County was kept in this town, by the Deputy Register, Jacob Vandewater, who was also a Notary Public in this town at the same period. The Register, Samuel Bayard, Esq. resided in the city of New-York.
About the year 1691, there was a custom prevalent in this town of calling a widow the “last wife” of her deceased husband; and a widower the “last man” of his deceased wife.
The following is an Inventory of the estate which a bride in this town brought with her to her husband in the year 1691. The husband by various records appears to have been a man of considerable wealth; notwithstanding which, the following inventory was thought by both of them, of sufficient importance to merit being recorded, viz.
“A half worn bed, pillow, 2 cushions of ticking with feathers, one rug, 4 sheets, 4 cushion covers, 2 iron potts, 3 pewter dishes, 1 pewter bason, 1 iron roaster, 1 schuryn spoon, 2 cowes about five yeares old, 1 case or cupboard, 1 table.”
November 12, 1695, the Court of Sessions for Kings County, ordered that the Constable of this towns, “shall on Sunday or Sabbathday take law for the apprehending of all Sabbath breakers,” and “search all ale houses, taverns and other suspected places for all prophaners and breakers of the Sabbath daye,” and bring them before a Justice of the, Peace to be dealt with according to law. This was to be done by the Constable under the penalty of six shillings for each neglect or default.
The same Court also made an order, “that Mad James be kept by Kings County in general, and that the deacons of each towne within the said county doe forthwith meet together and consider about their propercons for maintainence of said James.” This is the first instance which has come to the compiler’s knowledge of the Court making an order for the county generally to support a pauper.
In the year 1758, the sum of £122 18s. 7d. was assessed in two assessments, by the Justices of the Peace, on this town, towards building “a new Court house and gaol” for Kings County. The whole amount assessed on the County was £448 4s. 1d.
The present Court house of Kings County, was built by contract in the year 1792, at an expense of $2944, 71, under the superintendence of John Vanderbilt, Johannes E. Lott, and Charles Doughty, Esq’rs. The contractor was Thomas Fardon, and plans were furnished for the building by Messrs. Stanton and Newton, and James Robertson.[27]