THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 TOWW OF FLATBUSH, 
 
 IN 
 
 KINGS COUNTY, LONG-ISLAND, 
 
 BY THOMAS M. STRONG, D. D., 
 
 PASTOR OF THE REFOKMED DUTCH CHURCH, OF FLATBUSH. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY REaUEST, 
 
 N E W - Y O R K : 
 
 THOMAS R. MERCEIN, JR., PRINTER, 
 240 Pearl street, cor. Burling-slip. 
 
 1842. 
 

 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 This History was prepared as a part of a course of 
 Lectures by the " Flatbush Litebary Association," 
 during the winter of 1841-2. In yielding to the request 
 which has been made to him from several sources to have 
 it published, the author would remark, that he has made 
 some additions and corrections in it since it was delivered. 
 His object has been to make it as copious and authentic as 
 practicable. He has aimed more at fulness and accuracy 
 of detail than at ornament or display of composition. The 
 great difficulty in accomplishing a work of this nature, 
 arises from the fact, that the early liistory of the town is 
 wrapped up in manuscripts written in the Dutch language, 
 and many of them too in a very small and cramped cha- 
 racter. These but few can decipher and translate. The 
 author has happily been favored with the assistance of 
 two gentlemen of Flatbush, who have aided him very 
 materially in this particular. Several papers of impor- 
 tance relating to the civil and ecclesiastical history of 
 the Town, have been translated by them for the purpose 
 of furthering this work. To these gentlemen, John C. 
 Vanderveer and Jeremiah Lott, Esq's., the author would 
 
return his grateful acknowledgments. The latter gentle- 
 man, in addition to several translations and other docu- 
 ments, has also kindly furnished the draft of the map which 
 accompanies the volume. Assistance has also been derived 
 from " Smith's History of New- York," " Thompson's 
 History of Long-Island," and " Furman's Notes, &c.,''of 
 the Town of Brooklyn. " Besides these sources of informa- 
 ation, General Jeremiah Johnson, of Brooklyn, and several 
 elderly persons living in the village of Flatbush, have 
 been consulted. Prom these individuals important facts 
 relative to the scenes which took place during the re- 
 volutionary war and the times immediately preceding 
 and following that great event, have been obtained. The 
 plan of the work now presented to the public, embraces 
 five divisions : The Civil — the Ecclesiastical — the Literary 
 History of the Town — the incidents which transpired 
 therein during the war, which resulted in our American 
 Independence, and a description of some of the changes 
 or improvements which have been introduced in more 
 modern times. The author is conscious that in regard to 
 the earlier history of Flatbush, there is much that is de- 
 fective — arising from the want of sufficient sources of in- 
 formation. These will not probably be fully supplied 
 until the return and publication of the report of Romeyn 
 Brodhead, Esq., who is now in Holland as a Commission- 
 er from the State of New- York, to collect information 
 relative to the settlement and early History of this 
 State. He has already obtained possession of a great 
 
amount of valuable facts, which will throw much light 
 upon both the early civil and ecclesiastical affairs, not 
 only of the Dynasty of New-Netherlands generally — but 
 particularly of the west end of Long-Island. When this 
 work shall appear, it will supply all that is defective in 
 the present volume, as far as relates to the early history 
 of the town. In the mean time, trusting to the candor and 
 generosity 6f the public to receive with favor, an attempt 
 to regain and preserve the facts connected with the 
 history of one of the oldest towns in the state, consent has 
 been given to the publication of this work. 
 
 Flatbush, L. I., April 4, 1842. 
 
HISTORY. 
 
 Long-Island was discovered in the year 1609, by 
 Henry Hudson. He was an Englishman by birth, but 
 was engaged by the East India Company of Holland to 
 discover a passage to the East Indies in a westerly direc- 
 tion from Europe. He had been employed in the same 
 service by the English, and had failed in his entei^risCy 
 and been dismissed from their employ. Upon which he was 
 engaged by the Dutch, and fitted out with a vessel called 
 the Half Moon. After coasting in his third voyage as far 
 south as Virginia, he tui'ned to the north again and saw 
 for the first time the highlands of Neversink. On the 3d 
 of September 1609, he entered the great bay between 
 Sandy Hook, Staten-Island and Amboy. He observed 
 among other things, that the waters swarmed with fish 
 and some of very large size. On the 4th, he sent his 
 men on shore, and relates that he found the soil of white 
 sand and a vast number of plum trees loaded with fruit, 
 and many of them covered with grape vines of different 
 kinds. The natives are represented in general as mani- 
 festing all friendship, when Hudson first landed among 
 them. But on one occasion shortly after his arrival, their 
 bad feelings were from some cause not stated, excited. 
 Hudson sent out a boat under command of one Colman 
 to catch fish, and the Indians attacked the men. One of 
 the arrows which they discharged, headed with a sharp 
 
8 
 
 flint stono, struck Colman in the throat and mortally 
 wounded him. The sailors not being able to defend 
 tliemselves, hastened back to the ship, carrying poor 
 Colman dying with them. His body was taken on 
 shore after his death and buried on the island which 
 is now called Coney Island — a corruption of the ori- 
 ginal name Colman, which was given it by Hudson 
 and his company, in commemoration of him who was 
 buried there, and who Mas the commander of the 
 boat which bore the first Europeans through the passage 
 so familiarly known to us all as the Narrotvs. De Laet, 
 a Dutch historian, says, that at this time the natives were 
 clothed in the skins of elks, foxes and other animals. 
 Their canoes were made of the bodies of trees ; their 
 arms, bows and arrows M'ith sharp points of stone fixed 
 to them. They had no houses, he says, but slept under 
 tJie blue heavens : some on mats made of brush or bul- 
 rushes, and some upon leaves of trees. Hudson passed up 
 the river which still bears his name, and left it to others 
 to discover that the land on which he had touched, was 
 an island. This was done by Adrian Block, in 1614. He 
 sailed from New-Amsterdam, now New-York, through the 
 sound to Cape Cod, and visited the intermediate coasts and 
 islands. He appears to have been the first who ascertain- 
 ed that Long-Island was separate from the main land, 
 Long-Island at this time, bore the name of Mattouwake, or 
 MeHowak and Seirauhackcij — the last of which, means the 
 isle or land of shells, and was no doubt given to it in con- 
 sequence of large quantities of seewant or shell money, 
 being manufactured here. 
 
 The objects of the Dutch being at first chiefly of a 
 mercantile character, but few settlements were made in 
 the country bv them. The first was established on an is- 
 
9 
 
 land near the present site of Albany, in the year 1614, 
 where they built a fort, which in honor of their sovereign, 
 they called Fort Orange. It was not however, till the 
 year 1624, that any settlement was made on Manhattan 
 Island. In that year Fort Amsterdam was built and the 
 foundation laid for the city of New- Amsterdam, now New- 
 York. The resources of the country and the prospect of 
 a very lucrative trade with the natives in fur being made 
 known in Holland, soon induced many to emigrate to this 
 new country. The object of the first settlers evidently 
 was trade. But as it soon became known that lands equal 
 in fertility to those of Holland were to be found here, and 
 advantages of no ordinary character were offered to the 
 agriculturist, many familes were induced to leave their 
 father land and settle in this country. The first settle- 
 ment on the west end of Long-Island, appears to have 
 been made as early as 1625, in which year, according to 
 a family record in the hands of General Johnson of Brook- 
 lyn, the first child of George Jansen De Rapalje, was 
 born at the Wallaboght — and it is the tradition among the 
 Dutch, that this was the first white child that was born on 
 the island. It is however not probable, that many emi- 
 grants had yet arrived from Holland with the object of 
 cultivating the soil, as the earliest deed for land in the 
 town of Brooklyn, is a grant to Abraham Rycken, in 1638, 
 and the earliest deed on record, is a grant to Thomas Bes- 
 ker, in the year 1639 ; and the earliest grant for lands in 
 Kings County that has been discovered, was in 1636. The 
 first purchase from the Indians on Long-Island that has been 
 discovered, was in the year 1635 ; and the earliest deed 
 for land to individuals, was from these Indians to Jacobus 
 Van Corlear, for the tract subsequently called Corlear's 
 Flats. The description of this tract in the deed, is as. 
 
10 
 
 follows : — " The middlemost of the three flats to them 
 belonging, called Castoleeuw, on the island by them call- 
 ed Sewanhackey, between the bay of the North-river and 
 East-river of the New-Netherlands, extending in length 
 from a certain kill coming up from the sea, mostly north- 
 erly till into the woods, and a breadth of a certain valeye 
 eastward also to the woods." About the same time, 
 a deed was given by the same Indians, to Andries 
 Hedden and Wolphert Garritsen, for what is called the 
 Little Flats ; and another to Wouter Van Twiller the 
 Director, for what has since been denominated Twil- 
 ler's Flats. The deed is dated June 6th,1636. These 
 three latter tracts lie partly in Flatbush and partly 
 in Flatlands. It is not improbable, however, that con- 
 siderable settlements were made before any formal 
 grants or Patents of lands were obtained. It was soon 
 ascertained that the lands in and about Flatlands, were 
 level and free from woods. This was a strong inducement 
 to settlers who came from the level country of Holland, 
 and who had no domestic animals for the plough, to oc- 
 cupy this part of the island. It is believed that as early 
 as the year 1630, a settlement was effected in that town, 
 which was then called New-Amersfort, after Amersfort, a 
 town in the province of Utrecht, in Holland, from which 
 probably some, if not most of the earlier settlers came. 
 It also received the name of De Baije, or the Bay. In 
 1634, this town appears to have contained quite a num- 
 ber of inhabitants. 
 
 But about this time, the Dutchmen found that the plain 
 clear land was not so strong and productive as that which 
 bore heavy timber ; this induced many of them to seek a 
 settlement somewhat farther to the north — and from the 
 best account it would appear that about the year 1634, the 
 
11 
 
 settlement of Flatbush commenced. It then comprised a 
 tract of woodland bounded on the north by the Hills on 
 the south by Flatlands, and extending east and west in 
 one continual forest. This tract was evidently purchased 
 by the governor of the colony, or by the first settlers, 
 from the native Indian proprietors, but the amount of 
 ^ consideration paid cannot now be ascertained. At the 
 time of the purchase, it was heavily covered with timber 
 (consisting principally of hickory and white and black 
 oak,) with the exception of two small parcels which were 
 clear and destitute of trees, lying to the east of the town, 
 then called by the names of Corlaer's and Twiller's Flats 
 and another on the south of the town adjoining Flatlands' 
 callea the Little Flats. The land thus described, from' 
 Its being prmcipally covered with timber, and from its pe- 
 culiar location, having the hills on the north and Flatlands 
 on the south, was appropriately called by the first settlers, 
 by the name of Midwout, or Middlewoods. 
 
 The first settlements in the town were made along an 
 Indian path leading from the Hills to New-Amersfort 
 which is now the present highway or street through the 
 village of Flatbush. All subsequent settlements were 
 principally confined to the same path, and will readily 
 account for the crooked direction of the present road. 
 The first settlers were intent upon making agriculture 
 their principal means of subsistence. In order therefore 
 to concentrate their dwellings as much as possible, so as 
 to protect their families from Indian intrusions or other 
 depredations, and to form a village of farmers, they de- 
 termined to layout their farms in narrow oblongs fronting 
 on both sides of the path above mentioned. The farms 
 were accordingly laid out into forty-eight lots or tracts of 
 land, extending six liundred Dutch rods on each side of 
 
12 
 
 the Indian path, and having severally an average width 
 of about twenty-seven rods. The lots or farms on the east 
 side of the path, were all laid out in a direction running 
 east and west: while those on the west side thereof, had 
 a south-westerly inclination so as to correspond with the 
 direction of the Hills adjoining the north-westerly side of 
 the town. An allotment was then made between the 
 several proprietors of mostly two lots or more a peice, 
 and for the support of the gospel among them according to 
 their own religious faith, the most central and eligible lots 
 were reserved and set apart for their church. The dis- 
 tribution among the proprietors, was probably made by 
 lot, which appears to have been the almost invariable 
 practice of the Dutch in dividing the lands which they 
 patented. A considerable portion of wood-lands lying on 
 the west, north and east sides of the towns, together with 
 Corlaer's and Twiller's Flats, were left in common and 
 remained for years undivided. 
 
 There can be no doubt that the existing governor in 
 order to secure the inhabitants of Midwout in the quiet 
 possession of their purchase from the native Indian pm- 
 prietors, confirmed the same to them by his Ground Brief 
 or Letters Patent. But when this was granted cannot now 
 be ascertained v/ith entire certainty. In the year 
 1684, twenty years after the surrender of the Colony 
 to the English, an order was issued by the Gover- 
 nor and Council, commanding all the inhabitants of 
 the Dutch towns in the provinces of New- York and 
 New-Jersey to bring their Dutch Patents and Indian 
 Deeds into the ; Secretary's Office in New-York. This 
 order was no doubt complied with by this as well as 
 the other Dutch towns on Long-Island, and thus the origi- 
 nal patent with those of the other towns, except Graves- 
 
 '^ 
 
1^ 
 
 end, (which being settled chiefly by English emigrants, 
 was favored by the Governor,) was destroyed or sent to 
 England. The object of this arrangement was to cause 
 the towns to take out new Patents, and thus not only 
 acknowledge the English government, but increase the 
 revenue of the English Governor. It is probable how- 
 ever, that the first patent obtained from the Dutch Gover- 
 nor was only for that part of Flatbush which goes under 
 the name of the old town, which was granted about the 
 year 1651 or 1652. The original proprietors according 
 to H. C. Murphy, Esq., of Brooklyn, were Jan Snedecor 
 Arent Van Hatten, one of the Burgomasters of New- 
 Amsterdam, Johannes Megapolensis, one of the ministers 
 of the same city, and others. On the 20th day of June, 
 in the year 1656, a Ground Brief or Patent was granted 
 by Governor Stuyvesant to the " indwellers and inhabi- 
 tants of Midwout," for the Canarsee Meadows, wliich 
 are therein described as " a parcel of meadow ground, or 
 valley, lying on the east north-east of the Canarsee Indian 
 planting lands." This is the only original Dutch Patent 
 of any part of the town which has been discovered. 
 
 These meadow lands lying at Canarsee, appear to have 
 been divided and an allotment made of them among the 
 proprietors about the time of obtaining this Patent, or ve- 
 ry shortly after, as in some of the Ground Briefs to indi- 
 viduals mention is made of certain portions of these mea- 
 dow lands as appertaining to the farm, and they are desio-. 
 nated by particular numbers. 
 
 Subsequently to the allotments made by, and between 
 the inhabitants of Midwout, of the several parcels of land 
 to them respectively allotted, many were desirous to have 
 written titles to their lands ; and for this purpose applied 
 to, and obtained from Governor Stuyvesant, Letters Pa- 
 
 2 
 
14 
 
 tent to secure them in their possession. These Patents to 
 individuals bear different dates, and some as late as within 
 a year or two previous to the surrender of the country to 
 the English. Some of them were recorded in the town 
 books, even several years after the surrender. 
 
 Flatbush appears to have increased in the number of 
 its inhabitants very rapidly after its first settlement ; for 
 as early as the year 1658, it was the seat of Justice for 
 the County, and a market town. At that time the public 
 officers of the county, the Minister, Sheriff, Secretary or 
 Clerk, as well as a public School-Master resided in it. 
 The courts were held here, and the general business of 
 this section of Long Island was transacted here. Four 
 years previous to this, viz : in the year 1654, the order of 
 the Governor was issued for building the first church. 
 But this we shall more particularly allude to when we 
 come to speak of the ecclesiastical history of the town. 
 
 Governor Stuyvesant the last of the Dutch Governors, 
 was unquestionably a brave and an honest man. But va- 
 rious causes of discontent arose previous to, and during 
 his administration, which called for the remonstrance of 
 the people. The laws were imperfect, and many of them 
 not at all adapted to the times. The voice of the people 
 was not had in the choice of magistrates, nor in the enac- 
 ment of the statutes, by which they were to be governed. 
 Causes of Justice were too frequently decided from mere 
 wantonness and caprice, and the Governor and Council 
 appeared indisposed to remedy many existing evils in the 
 administration of civil and criminal jurisprudence. The 
 sense of public insecurity in time, produced a spirit 
 of general discontent, and the people with great unanimi- 
 ty resolved to state their grievances to the Governor, and 
 respectfully demand redress. Accordingly the Burgo- 
 
15 
 
 masters of New Amsterdam, called upon the several 
 Dutch Towns to send delegates to a convention to be held 
 in that city on the 26th. of November, 1653. At this con- 
 vention delegates appeared from Flatbush as well as from 
 the other towns. The convention adjourned to the 11th. 
 of December following, when after mutual consultation, 
 and discussion of various matters, they adopted a remon- 
 strance, which in an able but respectful manner set forth 
 their grievances. This ancient document is interesting 
 as showing that at that early day the people had intelli. 
 gence enough to understand their rights and know the 
 legitimate objects of civil government. The remonstrance 
 was signed by all the members of the convention. The 
 delegates from Flatbush whose names are attached to it 
 were " Elbert Elbertson, and Thomas Spicer." The Go- 
 vernor and Council gave no formal answer to the remon- 
 strance of the deputies, but entered one on their minutes, 
 in which they denied the right of Flatbush and of Brook- 
 lyn and Flatlands to send delegates, and protested against 
 the meeting, although it had been called at the request of 
 the Governor himself. Entertaining a just sense of the 
 responsibility attached to them, the deputies made anoth- 
 er but ineffectual attempt to obtain a recognition of their 
 rights. On the 13th of December 1653, they presented 
 another remonstrance, in which they declared, that if 
 they could not obtain a redress of their grievances from the 
 Governor and Council, they would be under the necessi- 
 ty of appealing to their superiors, the States General. 
 This so irritated Governor Stuyvesant that he ordered 
 them " to disperse, and not to assemble again upon such 
 a business." 
 
 In 1654, it appears that the country was much infested 
 with robbers. The inhabitants of this and the neighbor- 
 
16 
 
 ing towns were much annoyed by their depredations. To 
 guard themselves against these, the magistrates of Mid- 
 wout united with those of Brooklyn and Amersfort in form- 
 ing a military volunteer company against " robbers and 
 pirates," as they expressed themselves. This company 
 was formed on the 7th, of April, 1654, and determined 
 that there should be a military officer in each town, call- 
 ed a Sergeant, as well as a public patrole in each vil- 
 lage. On the day following the organization of the com- 
 pany, the Governor issued his proclamation against cer- 
 tain robbers, whom he states " had been banished from 
 New-England, and were wandering about on Long- 
 Island." 
 
 In 1655, a large bedy of Northern Indians, made a de- 
 scent on Staten Island, and massacreed sixty-seven per- 
 sons ; after which, they crossed to Long-Island and in- 
 vested Gravesend, which was relieved by a party of sol- 
 diers from New- Amsterdam. To guard against similar 
 attacks, as well as to defend themselves from the encroach- 
 ments of their neighboring Indians, the inhabitants of 
 Flatbush were ordered by Governor Stuyvesant in 1656, 
 to enclose their village with palisadoes. These fortifica- 
 tions Were required to be kept up under the English govern- 
 ment, as will appear by the following record of the court 
 of Sessions for the West Riding of Yorkshire, upon Long 
 Island, December 15th, 1675. " The Town of Flatbush 
 having neglected the making of ffortifications, the court 
 take notis of it, and reffer the censure to ye Governor." 
 It is further ascertained from traditionary information, 
 that the first church was fenced in with strong pallisa- 
 does, and that the early settlers went out in the day time 
 to cultivate their farms, and returned in the evening and 
 lodged within the enclosure during the night time fop 
 
17 
 
 their safety and mutual protection ; and that this practice 
 continued until there was a sufficient number of substan- 
 tial dwellings erected, so as to render the precaution un- 
 necessary. 
 
 In the original Dutch Patent of the town, there was 
 some reserve of quit rent to be paid to the Governor. But 
 as the Patent cannot be found, the amount, or the kind of 
 this quit rent cannot be ascertained. But on the 6th of 
 June, 1656, Governor Stuyvesant issued a peremptory 
 order, prohibiting the inhabitants of Flatbush, as well as 
 those of Brooklyn and Flatlands, from removing their 
 crops of grain from the fields until the tythes reserved by 
 their Patents had either been taken or commuted for. 
 
 It is not distinctly known to what branches of agricul- 
 ture our early Dutch ancestors devoted themselves. But as 
 for a considerable time they had to cultivate the ground 
 without the aid of animals, and chiefly by the hoe and 
 spade, it is probable that they turned their attention to 
 that which would yield the most profit from the smallest 
 piece of ground. There is reason to believe that in com- 
 mon with some other places, on the west end of Long- 
 Island, tobacco was raised in considerable quantities in 
 this town during its early settlement. For in addition to 
 that consumed in the Colony, shipments of this article 
 were made from New- Amsterdam to Holland. As early 
 as 1643, a grant for a tobacco plantation at the Walla- 
 bought was made. Tobacco became too, at an early day 
 a standard of value for lands and other property : 
 And in 1638, an Act was passed, commonly called the 
 Tobacco Statute, in which, mention is made of the high 
 estimation in which the tobacco shipped from New- 
 Netherlands was held in the European market, and va- 
 rious regulations are prescribed relative to the manner 
 
 2* 
 
18 
 
 in which ft shall' be cultivated, inspected, and sold. We 
 have no doubt that the inhabitants of Midwout early 
 engaged in the production; of this article. (See Thomp- 
 son's History of Long-Island for the Tobacco Statute, 
 page 177.) Great attention too was paid to the raising 
 of Barley. Vast quantities of malt liquors were made 
 in New- Amsterdam, and of consequence, a ready market 
 was there found for this article, ft became in some 
 subsequent years almost the staple of this part of Long- 
 Island ; so much so, that 20,000 bushels of Barley were 
 annually sold from Flatbush alone. 
 
 Van der Donk, in his History of New-Netherlands, 
 which was published in 1655, also states that much atten- 
 tion was paid by the Dutch agriculturalists to the cultiva- 
 tictn of the best vegetables and fruits of various kinds • 
 arid a great variety of beautiful flowers. 
 
 Nothing of very special interest occurred in Flatbush, 
 from the date which we have last mentioned, until the pe- 
 riod of the surrender of the country to the English, which 
 took place in the year 1664. The number of the inha- 
 bitants in the town, appears to have increased quite 
 rapidly up to this time, when it is supposed it contained 
 a larger population than at the conclusion of the revolu.- 
 tionary war, in 1783. 
 
 We will be pardoned for digressing here for a few mo- 
 ments, for the purpose of narrating the manner, and some 
 of the terms and conditions, on which the surrender of the 
 country was made to the English authorities. King 
 Charles, by Letters Patent, granted to his brother, James, 
 the Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, Long-Island, all 
 Hudsons' River, and all lands from the west side of Con- 
 necticut River to the east side of Delaware Bay, together 
 with all royalties and right of government. This embra- 
 
19 
 
 ced all the countries then governed by the Dutch. Soon 
 after the grant of this Patent, King Charles despatched a 
 small force, for the purpose of subduing the country. 
 The Dutch inhabitants were apprized of the designs of 
 the English, by the vigilance of Governor Stuyvesant, 
 . who had received information, that an expedition was pre- 
 paring against them, consisting of three vessels, of forty 
 or fifty guns each, having on board about three hundred 
 soldiers, and laying at Plymouth in England, waiting for 
 a fair wind. The Dutch authorities were called togeth- 
 er, by their Governor, and they ordered the fort to be put 
 m the best state oi: defence. As soon as the vessels arrived 
 in the outer harbor of New- York, which was in August, 
 1664, Governor Stuyvesant sent a polite note to the En- 
 glish commander, dated, August 19th, 1664, desiring the 
 reason of their approach and continuance in the harbor 
 without giving the Dutch notice. This letter was sent by 
 John Declyer, one of the chief council, the Rev. John 
 Megapolensis, minister, Paul Lunden Vander Grilft and 
 Mr. Samuel Megapolensis, doctor of physic. On the next 
 day, Col. Richard Nicolls, who was the commander of the 
 expedition, and was clothed with the powers of Governor, 
 sent an answer, and demanded a surrender of the country. 
 In this document he informed Governor Stuyvesant, tliat 
 he had been sent out by the King of England, for the 
 maintainance of his unquestionable rights, and that he had 
 been commanded to demand the surrender of the country, 
 and in his name he now required such surrender. He 
 however assured him, that every Dutch inhabitant who 
 should readily submit to the King of England, should be 
 secured in his estate, life and liberty. He despatched 
 the summ.ons by four persons, through whom he expected 
 to receive an answer. These persons were George Cart- 
 
20 
 
 Wright, one of his Majesty's commissioners in America, 
 Captain Robert Needham, Captain Edward Groves and 
 Mr. Thomas Delavall. 
 
 Governor Stuyvesant promised an answer the next 
 morning, and in the mean time convened the council and 
 BurcTomasters. He was, unquestionably a brave soldier, 
 andliad lost a leg in the service of his country, and was 
 desirous to defend the place by all the means in his pow- 
 er. He therefore refused both to the inhabitants and the 
 Burgomasters a sight of the summons, lest the easy terms 
 proposed might induce them to capitulate. The inhabi- 
 tants were called together at the Staatds House, and 
 informed of the Governor's refusal. On the 2d day 
 of September, 1664, the Burgomasters came in coun- 
 cil, and demanded to see the summons, which the Go- 
 vernor then in a fit of anger tore to pieces. But not- 
 withstanding the yielding disposition of the inhabitants to 
 the British commissioners, which arose, no doubt, from a 
 growing discontent with the Dutch government, which 
 had exFsted for several years in the country. Governor 
 Stuyvesant resolved upon a vigorous resistance, and sent 
 to the English commander a long letter, vindicating the 
 justice of the Dutch claims to the territory which they oc- 
 cupied. 
 
 While the Governor and council were contending with 
 the Burgomasters and people, in the city of New- Amster- 
 dam, the English commissioners published a proclama- 
 tion in the country, encouraging the inhabitants to sub- 
 mit, and promising them all the privileges of British sub- 
 jects Many, on discovering from Governor Stuyvesant's 
 letter which was then likewise published, that he was 
 avers'e to the surrender, being fearful of the impending 
 storm, resolved to join the strongest party, and began to 
 
21 
 
 beat up for volunteers, particularly on Long-Island. 
 The Governor being thus invaded by a foreign foe, 
 and threatened to be deserted by those on whose friend- 
 ship he had depended, perceiving that resistance would 
 only occasion a wanton effusion of blood, agreed to 
 appoint six distinguished citizens on his part, who, in 
 conjunction with an equal number of British commis- 
 sioners should conclude a treaty for the surrender of 
 the country. 
 
 The commissioners on the part of the Dutch were 
 
 John D. Deckai% 
 
 Nicholas Verleet, 
 
 Samuel Megapolensis, 
 
 Oleffe Stevens Van Kortlandt, 
 
 James Cousseau, 
 
 Cornelius Steenwick, 
 On the part of the English, they were 
 
 Robert Carr, 
 
 George Carteret, 
 
 John Winthrop, 
 
 Samuel Willys, 
 
 Thomas Clarke, 
 
 John Pinchen. 
 This treaty was agreed upon. It consisted of twenty- 
 three articles, of which it is sufficient to give the outlines 
 of some of the most prominent. The Staats General, or 
 the Dutch West India Company were to enjoy all farms 
 and houses except those in the forts, and had liberty with- 
 in six months to transport all arms and ammunition which 
 belonged to them. The people might remain free 
 denizens, and occupy or dispose of their lands, houses and 
 goods, as they pleased. They were to enjoy free liberty 
 of conscience, and retain their own customs respecting 
 
22 
 
 their inheritances. No judgment which had passed any 
 of the courts of judicature could be called in question, and 
 all previous differences respecting contracts, were to be 
 determined according to the manner of the Dutch. No 
 Dutchman nor Dutch ships could be pressed to serve in 
 war against any nation whatever, and no soldiers quarter- 
 ed on the inhabitants. luferior civil officers might con- 
 tinue to fill their stations till the customary time of a new 
 election, and the inhabitants were entitled to choose depu- 
 ties, who should have free voices in all public affairs. 
 The soldiers were to march out with the honors of war, 
 and each of them who chose to remain in the country was 
 entitled to fifty acres of land. The Articles were approv- 
 ed by Colonel Richard NicoUs, on the 7th, of September, 
 and on the 9th, of September, 1664, by Governor Stuy- 
 vesant. 
 
 About the time of the surrender of the country to the 
 Duke of York, there appears to have been a considerable 
 contest as to the boundary line between the towns of Mid- 
 wout and New-Amersfort, which was attended with fre- 
 quent collisions, and particularly so, in the mowing and 
 ingathering of hay on the Canarsee meadows. This even- 
 tually led to an application to Governor Richard NicoUs 
 for the settlement of the subject in controversy, between 
 the contending parties. Governor NicoUs in the year 
 1666 appointed arbitrators to view and settle the matters 
 in difference between them. The arbitrators thus appoint- 
 ed, accordingly met, for the purpose of viewing the pre- 
 mises and issuing the differences between these towns on 
 the 17th, of October, 1666. They were accompanied by 
 many of the inhabitants, and after a careful survey, a 
 designated line was agreed upon. The line thus consent- 
 ed to was designated by marked trees, wherever practica- 
 
23 
 
 ble, and in other instances, by prominent stakes, or a fence 
 set up between the two towns. In the Canarsee mea- 
 dows, which were esteemed valuable at that time, it was 
 described with greater precision, and was designated by 
 an mstrument similar to the mariners compass, and was 
 to run according to the terms of Governor Stuyvesant's 
 Patent, granted to Midwout, in 1656, from the woodland 
 to the mouth of the kill or creek, (now called the first 
 creek, or Vanderveer's mill creek,) with an East line half 
 a pomt northerly, without variation of comnass. The 
 .award and determination of the arbitrators was made to 
 Governor Nicolls, in accordance to the above arrange- 
 ment, and the line being marked, and staked out, in con- 
 formity thereto, the award received his approbation and 
 sanction, on the 20th, day of April, 1667. 
 
 This controversy being thus happily terminated, and 
 the southern boundary of the town permanently fixed, 
 the mhabitants of Flatbush, in the year 1667, applied to 
 Governor Nicolls for a confirmatory grant, to secure them 
 m their possessions, as he was required to do, by virtue, 
 and in pursuance of the Articles of capitulation. On the 
 11th, of October, in the year 1667, the Governor granted 
 letters patent, to the freeholders and inhabitants of Mid- 
 wout, alias Flatbush, of which, the following is a conden- 
 sed abstract : 
 
 " Richard Nicolls, Esq. &c. Whereas there is a cer- 
 tain town within this government, known by the name of 
 Midwout, alias Flatbush, &c. now for a confirmation, &c. 
 Know ye that I have given, ratified, confirmed and grant- 
 ed unto Mr. Johannes Megapolensis, one of the ministers of 
 this city, Mr. Cornelius Van Ruyven, one of the justices 
 of the peace, Adrian Hegeman, Jan Snediger, Jan Stry. 
 ker, Frans Barents Pastor, Jacob Stryker, and Cornelius 
 
Janse Bougaert, as Patentees, for, and on behalf, of them- 
 selves and associates, freeholders and inhabitants of the 
 said town, their heirs, successors and assigns; All that 
 tract, together with the several parcels of land, which al- 
 ready have, or hereafter shall be purchased or procured 
 for, and on behalf of the said town ; whether from the na- 
 tive Indian proprietors or others, within the bounds and 
 limits hereafter set forth and expressed, viz : That is to 
 say : The said town is bounded to the south by the Hills, 
 to the north by the fence lately sett between them and 
 the town of Amersfort, alias Flatlands : Beginning at a 
 certain tree, standing upon the Little Flats, marked by or- 
 der and determination of several arbitrators, appointed by 
 me, to view and issue the differences between the two 
 towns, concerning the same, which accordingly they did, 
 upon the 17th, day of October, 1666, and to the east and 
 west by the common woodlands, including two Flats, 
 heretofore called by the names of Corlers and Twillei-s 
 Flats, which lye to the east of the town : As also a par- 
 cel of meadow ground or valley on the east northeast 
 side of the Canarsee planting land, and having to the 
 south the meadow ground belonging to Amersfort, alias 
 Flatlands, according to the division made by an east line 
 "unning half a point northerly, between them, without va- 
 cation of the compass, and so to go to the mouth of the 
 >eek or Kill ; which said meadows were upon the 20th, 
 >f April last, by common consent staked out, and by my 
 i.pprobation allowed of : All which said tracts and par- 
 ;els of land, meadow ground, &c. Dated, October, 11th, 
 .667." * 
 
 The first settlers of Midwout, or Flatbush, were a bar- 
 !y body of farmers, inured to labor, and acquainted more 
 )r less, with some mechanical trade. This was calculate 
 
25 
 
 ed to promote their domestic comfort, to render themselves 
 useful to one another, and make them quite independent of 
 extraneous aid. It is worthy of remark, that it was a ge- 
 neral rule for every parent to cause his sons to be in- 
 structed in some useful mechanical business, although in- 
 tended for farmers, and that this practice was invariably 
 continued until the commencement of the revolutionary 
 war. In the original subdivisimi of the town amongst 
 the different proprietors, it will be perceived, as above -sta- 
 ted, that the allotments of land were made only for those 
 who intended to obtain the means of subsistence by the 
 cultivation of the earth. There was therefore no provi- 
 sion as yet made for mechanics, who might desire to make 
 a permanent residence here. Upon the introduction of a 
 few mechanics, it jvas perceived that from the ability and 
 employments of the inhabitants generally, there was but lii- 
 tie prospect of their be^able to support themselves, and 
 their families in any comfortable way, without the culti- 
 vation of soii^e land, at least for family subsistence. The 
 attention of the inhabitants was directed to this subject, 
 and the church lands were thereupon divided into suitable 
 and convenient parcels, so as to accommodate the mecha- 
 nics, and let to them for low and reasonable rents. A 
 tract of woodland was also purchased and patented, ly- 
 ing to the east of the town and north of what is called 
 Flatlands Neck, expressly for the benefit of the mecha- 
 nics, and appropriately called Renters Hook, or Mecha- 
 nics Hook. The inhabitants of the town were at, and 
 about that time, divided into two classe^^ called Keuiers 
 or mechanics, and Boers, or Farmers ; and this distinc- 
 tion was kept up for years afterwards. The date of the 
 Patent of Keuters Hook cannot now be ascertained with 
 
 3 
 
26 
 
 precision, but was probably not very long after the sur- 
 render of the country to the English. 
 
 About this time the court was removed from Flatbush 
 to Gravesend. This was no doubt, in consequence of the 
 latter town being chiefly settled by English emigrants, 
 and the authorities were disposed from this circumstance to 
 favor them. The first records of the court, now in the 
 Clerk's office of the county, are dated at Gravesend, in 
 the years 1668. — 69. 
 
 Shortly after the surrender of the colony to the English, 
 the towns of Brooklyn, Bushwick, Midwout, or Flatbush, 
 Amersford, or Flatlands, and New-Utrecht, were formed 
 into a separate district, for certain purposes, by the name 
 of the " Five Dutch Towns." For these towns a Secreta- 
 ry or Clerk, was specially appointed, whose duties appear 
 to have been confined to the taking acknowledgments of 
 transports and marriage settlements, and proof of wills, 
 &c. In 1674, this office was held by " Nicasius De Sille, 
 in the absence of Sr. Ffrancis De Brugh." He was suc- 
 ceeded in the year 1675, by Machiel Hainelle, who had 
 been schoolmaster in Flatbush during the previous year. 
 In the acknowledgments which he took, he styles himself 
 " Clerk." In the same year the court of Sessions for the 
 West Riding of Yorkshire,* which then sat in Gravesend, 
 after setting forth the appointment of Hainelle, and call- 
 ing him " Secretary," declared, " It is the opinion of the 
 court, that for what publique or private business he shall 
 doe, he ought to have reasonable satisfacon." 
 iiji^ 
 
 * The West Riding was composed of the towns of Brooklyn, Bush- 
 wich, Flatbush, Flatlands, New-Utrecht and Gravesend, together with 
 Staten Island and Newtown. 
 
27 
 
 New Lots, which was originally called Ostwout, or 
 East- Woods, on account of its lying east of Midwout or 
 the Old Town of Flatbush, was no doubt purchased and 
 procured from the native Indian proprietors, by the inha- 
 bitants of Midwout. But at what particular time cannot 
 be distinctly ascertained. It was probably not far from 
 the period when the Patent of Governor Nicolls was grant- 
 ed, which was in 1667. It was a tract of woodland co- 
 vered with the same description of timber as that of Mid- 
 wout. Its situation was also somewhat similar, having 
 the Hills on the north, the Bay, which was then called the 
 Sea, on the south, and extending easterly to the bounds 
 of Jamaica. An extensive tract of meadows was includ- 
 ed in these limits, lying in front of the upland, and ex- 
 tending to the Bay. All this land appears to have been 
 subdivided in the same manner, as Midwout, or the Old 
 Town of Flatbush, and the church also received its share 
 in such allotment, with the inhabitants of the town. The 
 meadow was, without doubt, also subdivided about the 
 same time, and similarly allotted, as the Upland. This 
 opinion appears to be confirmed by the fact, that the first 
 conveyances of land recorded in the town records always 
 include one or more parcels of meadow therewith. The 
 meadows must also have been esteemed valuable, on ac- 
 count of producing spontaneously an annual crop of hay, 
 and that, without previous labor or tillage. This tract of 
 country generally was called the New Lands, and princi- 
 pally settled by the inhabitants of Midwout, or the Old 
 Town, and afterwards assumed the name of the New- 
 Lots. The Patent for this was obtained under the ad- 
 ministration of Sir, Edmond Andros, the second English 
 Governor, to which we shall advert presently. 
 
 In the year 1665, a meeting of delegates from the seve- 
 ral towns on Long-Island, was held at Hempstead, for the 
 
28 
 
 purpose of adjusting any conflicting claims to lands, and 
 settling the boundaries of the several towns, and of receiv- 
 ing and acknowledging the code of laws, which had been 
 prepared by the Duke of York, for the government of the 
 Colony, commonly called the " Dukes Laws." At this 
 meeting the Grovernor himself attended, and the delegates 
 were so much gratified with his manners, and the liberal 
 views which he professed on the occasion, that they drew 
 up, and signed an address to His Royal Highness, the 
 Duke of York, full of gratitude and loyalty, but at which, 
 as soon as their constituents found that they were to have 
 no voice in the selection of magistrates, or a share in le- 
 gislation, they manifested their disapprobation, and censu- 
 red the deputies with so much severity, that the civil au- 
 thorities thought it necessary to interfere. And accord- 
 ingly, at a court of Assize, held in October, 1666, it was 
 resolved that whoever thereafter should detr-act, or speak 
 against any of the deputies, signing the address to His 
 Royal Highness, at the general meeting at Hempstead, 
 should be presented to the next court of Sessions : and if 
 the justices should see cause, they should thence be bound 
 over to the Assizes, there to answer for the slander by 
 plaint or information. 
 
 The delegates who attended this convention from Flat- 
 bush, and signed the address, were John Stiyker and 
 Hendrick Gucksen. It is not necessary here to give any 
 summary of the Dukes Laws, which were then promul- 
 gated, and continued to be the law of the land until OctO' 
 ber, 1683. There are in them many quite curious provi- 
 sions. There was nothing in them peculiar to any town, 
 except the fixing the mark by which horses were to be 
 branded. Each town was required to have a marking or 
 flesh brand for this purpose. The town mark for Flat- 
 bush was the letter O. 
 
29 
 
 It is probable that at this assembly, which fixed the 
 bounds of the several towns, the names of many of them 
 were altered. The town of Rutsdorpe, was called Jamai- 
 ca, Amersfort was changed to Flatlands, Middleburgh to 
 Newtown, and Midwout to Flatbush, or Flakkebos, that is, 
 Flat Woods. This name was given to it from its being 
 situated on an apparently level plain, and surrounded on 
 almost every side by woods. But it is here proper to re- 
 mark, that the ground in and about Flatbush, is far from 
 being a dead level. It is an inclined plane gradually ex- 
 tending and lessening in inclination to its southern boun- 
 dary. Hence, here are no stagnant pools or marshes, but 
 all surplus water from rains and storms, passes off gradu- 
 ally, but yet in a very short period to the ocean. This 
 renders the situation of the town healthful, and hence it 
 has seldom if ever, been visited with any prevailing epide- 
 mic. 
 
 The tract of country now comprising the town of Flat- 
 bush as we have stated, was originally obtained by pur- 
 chase from the Canarsee Indians, who were the true and 
 original owners. The first Dutch settlers of the town, in 
 their various purchases of the Indian proprietors, dealt fair- 
 ly and honorably with them. They did not drive them from 
 their possessions by force, but gave what was then esteem- 
 ed by themselves to be a valuable consideration, for their 
 lands. This integrity and uprightness of conduct, secured 
 a lasting friendship with the Canarsee Indians, which con- 
 tinued till the total extinction of that Tribe. These 
 purchases were confirmed to the inhabitants of Flatbush 
 by sundry Patents, issued to them by the Dutch and En- 
 glish Governors. 
 
 The inhabitants continued in the peaceable enjoyment of 
 these premises thus obtained, withoutany claim, hindrance 
 or molestation, from any person or persons, until the year 
 
 3* 
 
30 
 
 1670, when Eskemoppas, Sachem of Rockaway, and his 
 two brothers, laid claim to the same, as the true Indian 
 owners and proprietors thereof. There can be no doubt, 
 that this claim was ill founded, but the Dutch inhabitants 
 of the town for the purpose of quieting the title to their 
 possessions, consented to take a conveyance from him and 
 his two brothers, for which they paid a valuable considera- 
 tion, which is set forth in a schedule subjoined to their 
 deed. It may be gratifying to some to know tho- terms of 
 this purchase, a-nd the contents of this ancient document. 
 The Deed is as follows : — " To all christian people to 
 whom this present writing shall come : Eskemoppas, Sa- 
 chem of Rockaway, upon Long Island, Kinnarimas and 
 Ahawaham, his brothers, send greeting : Whereas they 
 the said Sachem, Eskemoppas and his two brothers, 
 aforementioned, do lay claim to the land now in the ten- 
 ure and occupation of the inhabitants of Midvv^out, alias 
 Flatbush, as well as to other lands thereto adjacent, as the 
 right born Indian owners, and proprietors thereof: Know 
 ye, that for, and in consideration of certain sums of see. 
 want, a certain sum of wampum and divers other goods 
 (hereinafter specified,) unto the said Sachem, and his bro- 
 thers, in hand paid, and received, from Adrian Hegeman, 
 Jacob Stryker, Hendrich Jorise and Jan Hansen, for and on 
 behalf of themselves and the rest of tlie inhabitants of Mid- 
 wout, alias Flatbush, the receipt whereof they do hereby 
 acknowledge, and themselves to be fully satisfied and 
 paid : Have given, granted, contracted and sold, and by 
 these presents, freely and absolutely do give, grant, bar- 
 gain and sell, unto the said Adrian Hegeman, Jacob Stry^ 
 ker, Hendrick Jorise and Jan Hansen, for and in behalf 
 of themselves and the inhabitants aforesaid, their heirs 
 and successors : All that parcel and tract of land where 
 the said town of Midwout stands, together with all the 
 
31 
 
 lands lying therein, stretching on the east side to the 
 limits of Newtown and Jamaica, on the south side 
 to the meadow ground and limits of Amersfort ; on 
 the west side to the bounds of Gravesend and New- 
 Utrecht, and on the north side along the Hills ; that 
 is to say, all those lands within the limits aforementioned 
 that have not been already purchased by any of the inha- 
 bitants of the town aforementioned, nor is granted to any 
 in their respective Patents. And also excepting such 
 meadow or valley in the possession of the said inhabitants 
 and in their Patent particularly set forth. To have and 
 to hold, all the said parcel and tract of land and premises 
 together with all and singular, every thing thereunto be- 
 longing, or in any wise appertaining, as before mentioned, 
 together with the said valley or meadow ground, unto the 
 said Adrian Plegeman, Jacob Stryker, Hendrick Jorise and 
 Jan Hansen, for, and on behalf of this inhabitants afore- 
 said, their heirs and successors, to the proper use and be- 
 half of the said inhabitants, their heirs and successors for- 
 ever. In witness whereof, the parties to these presents 
 have hereunto set their hands and seals, this 20th, day of 
 April, in the 22d, year of his Majesty's Reign, in the year 
 of our Lord, 1670. 
 
 ESKEMOPPAS, 
 
 £ 
 
 mark, 
 
 (seal.) 
 
 KINNARIMAS, 
 
 \ 
 
 mark. 
 
 (seal.) 
 
 AHAWAHAM, 
 
 ^ 
 
 mark, 
 
 (seal.) 
 
 Signed and delivered 
 
 
 
 
 in the presence of 
 
 Thomas Lovelace, 
 Cornelius Van Ruyven. 
 
 Recorded the day and year within written, 
 
 Per Mathias Nicolls, Secretary, 
 
32 
 
 The payment agreed upon for the purchase herein 
 mentioned, was as follows : viz : 
 
 10 Fathoms of black seewant or (wampum.) 
 10 Fathoms of white seewant or (wampum.) 
 5 Match coats of Dufiells. 
 
 4 Blankets. 
 
 2 Gunners sight guns. 
 2 Pistols. 
 
 5 Double handfulls of Powder, (gispen bunches of 
 
 powder.) 
 
 5 Bars of Lead. 
 10 Knives. 
 
 2 Secret aprons of Duffells, (Cuppas of Duffell.) 
 1 Half fat or halfbarrell of Stronor Beer. 
 
 3 Cans of Brandy. 
 
 6 Shirts. 
 
 All the above particulars were received by the Sachem, 
 and his two brothers, in the presence of the persons under 
 written, as witnesses hereof. 
 
 John Manning, 
 
 Sylvester Salisbury, 
 
 John Hough, 
 
 Jacob Van Cortlandt, i ^i j t i 
 
 m • T u TT f supposed J udffes or 
 
 leunis Jacob Hay, > t \ • ^*i d 
 
 -r^ 1 j^ T 1 t Justices 01 the Peace. 
 
 Jbdward Carlisle. } 
 
 Acknowledged before me, the Sachem and his two bro- 
 thers, and the goods delivered in my presence, the day 
 and year within written. 
 
 FRANCIS LOVELACE." 
 
 It was one of the provisions of the Duke's Laws, that 
 no purchase of land from the Indians should be valid with- 
 out a licence from the Governor to make such purchase, 
 and the purchaser was required to bring the Sachem or 
 
 ■ 55.- 
 
33 
 
 right owner, before the Governor, to confess satisfaction. 
 It was in accordance with this provision, that not only Jus- 
 tices were appointed to superintend the above purchase, 
 but the Sachem and his brothers appeared before Gover- 
 nor Lovelace, and in his presence the payments were 
 made, and the purchase concluded. The provisions rela- 
 tive to purchases from the Indians, to which we have 
 alluded, were subsequently adopted, and embodied in a 
 specific act, by the first Colonial Assembly, which met in 
 the year 1683, under Governor Dongan. 
 
 So much of the land thus acquired as the inhabitants of 
 Flatbush had occasion for, they took up, enclosed, and 
 improved. The rest was left in common, until by the in- 
 crease of their population it should be needed. They re- 
 mained thus in quiet possession of all their lands until the 
 year 1675, when Captain Richard Betts laid claim to a 
 certain parcel or tract, lying in the New Lots, for which 
 he said he had obtained a deed from the Indians, of prior 
 date to the one just recited, given in the year 1663. We 
 are not able to locate precisely the premises thus called 
 in question. The matter was tried at the court of Ses- 
 sions, held in Gravesend, for that year, when the deed of 
 Mr. Betts was allowed, and a verdict given in his favor. 
 But an appeal was taken by the inhabitants of the town, 
 to the General Court of Assizes, which was holden in the 
 same year, 1675, in the city of New- York. Hereupon 
 a full and fair hearing of the case, the verdict rendered at 
 the court of Sessions was set aside, and the court ordered, 
 as follows : — " That the land shall lye in common to 
 fflatbush, and the townes adjacent, as it heretofore hath 
 been, and that the towns who have the beneffitof the com- 
 onage shall pay their equall proportion of the purehaso 
 money to the Indyans and costs of this suite," 
 
34 
 
 It was probably in consequence of this suit, that the in- 
 habitants of Flatbush sought and obtained a separate pa- 
 tent for that part of the town called New-Lots. This was 
 granted by Gov. Edmond Andros on the 25th day of March, 
 in the year 1677, to Arian Lamberse and others, to the 
 number of thirty-seven persons. This Patent we have not 
 been able to procure. It was probably granted on condi- 
 tion of the payment of a certain quit rent to the Governor, 
 which opinion is confirmed from the fact, that complaint 
 was subsequently made to the court of Sessions, held at 
 Gravesend, against the constable of New Lots, for not ta- 
 king up and paying over the same, upon which diverse or- 
 ders were passed by the court relating thereto. About 
 the time of the settlement of New Lots, several of the in- 
 habitants of Midwout, or Flatbush, also removed to New- 
 Jersey, and formed settlements on the Raritanand Milstone 
 rivers, and also in the county of Monmouth, then called 
 Neversink. Their numerous descendents now occupy 
 these and other different parts of New-Jersey. 
 
 Shortly after this period, it would appear from some re- 
 cords of the Court of Sessions, held at Gravesend, that 
 there was some dissatisfaction between the towns of Flat- 
 bush and Flatlands, relative to their boundary line. It 
 was fixed under the administration of Governor Nicolls, in 
 the year 1666. But another award and agreement on the 
 subject was made, bearing date the 11th day of May, 1677. 
 What the precise terms of this agreement were, we are un- 
 able to tell, as we have not been able to find the document. 
 But not long after, it appears from the following extracts, 
 from the records of the court, that the town of Flatlands 
 complained of some trespass committed by the inhabitants 
 of the town of Flatbush. At the session of the court held 
 June 1679, we find the following record. "The inhabitants 
 
35 
 
 of fflatlands, complayning that the inhabitants of Flatbush 
 have trespassed upon the land belonging to fflatlands 
 aforesaid, contrary to an award made and agreed upon 
 between both towns, and an order of court punctually to 
 observe the same, which being proved by the constable, 
 and one of the oversees of Flatlands, aforesaid, and they 
 not appearing to answer the complaint, and for their con- 
 tempt in not observing the said award and order of court. 
 The court orders that the said inhabitants shall pay as a 
 jfine to the publique, the sum of ten pounds, and to observe 
 the said order of court. They also complayn, that the 
 inhabitants of Flatbush have chopt of the marke of a tree, 
 &c. To be deferred to the next court of Sessions, and 
 they to have notice of it to answer the same." 
 
 In December of the same year, (1679,) is the following 
 record on the same subject. " The inhabitants of Flat- 
 lands complain of the inhabitants of Flatbush, for trespass- 
 ing on their lands, contrary to an award made and agreed 
 upon as hath formerly been made appear, and the said in- 
 habitants of Flatbush fined the last court, the sum of ten 
 pounds, for not observing the said award and agreement. 
 Severall debates arising about running the line, the court 
 being satisfyed the inhabitants of Flatbush committed a 
 trespass upon the inhabitants of Flatlands, doe order that 
 the said fine shall be forthwith paid, or else execucon to 
 issue forth for the same. The defendants moved for an 
 appeal, which is granted." 
 
 We might here introduce several somewhat curious ex- 
 tracts from the minutes of the court of Sessions, relative 
 to the town. We will simply present the following : 
 
 In 1681, it is recorded, " The court doe order, that John 
 Gerritson Van Marken, shall deliver up to the constable 
 and overseers of Flatbush, all the books and writings be- 
 
36 
 
 longing to the town aforesaid, which, if he shall refuse to 
 deliver, that then the constable of the said town is hereby- 
 ordered and empowered to take them from the said Mar- 
 ken." 
 
 In the same year, " There being a strange man in the 
 custody of the constable of Flatbush, and no person lay- 
 ing claim to him, the court order ye man shall be apprais- 
 ed and sold, and if any person shall hereafter lay lawful 
 claim to him, and desire to have him again, he paying 
 what lawful charges are out upon him, may have him 
 again." 
 
 In the same year, (1681,) is the following : " At the re- 
 quest of some of the inhabitants of Flatbush, this court doe 
 order, that the constable of the town give speedy notice to 
 the inhabitants, that they forthwith fence their cornfields, 
 and after legal warning given, any person shall be found 
 defective herein, that then said person or persons, so offen- 
 ding, shall be proceeded against, according to law, and to 
 be complained against at the next Sessions." 
 
 In 1682, is the following : "Upon the complaint of the 
 constable of Flatbush, that there are severall persons in 
 the said town, who doe refuse to pay there minister. The 
 court doe order, that such persons who shall refuse to pay 
 their said minister, it shall betaken from them by distress." 
 From the general prevalence of the voluntary principle 
 at the present day, in the support of the gospel, and the 
 abolishing of the unholy union of church and state, we 
 look almost with wonder at such provisions and enact- 
 ments. 
 
 In the year 1683, there is another record relative to 
 an alleged trespass by the inhabitants of Flatbush, upon 
 the town of Flatlands, of nearly the same import with the 
 one which we have quoted above, but we need not recite it. 
 
37 
 
 In 1685, in an action between Derick Storm, and the in- 
 habitants of Flatbush, it is recorded, " An agreement 
 read between Storm and Joseph Hegeman, Cornelius Ber- 
 rian, John Stryker, William Guilliamsen, and others, in 
 behalf of ye town of Fflatbush, uppon which, Storm prayed 
 a sallarry, may be allowed him, for serving the town as 
 schoolmaster to their children. Ordered that Court 
 Steephens and Symou Jansen, exaniine ye accounts, and 
 agreement between them, and these partys to stand to 
 their determination." 
 
 In the same year, Theodorus Polhemus, for refusing to 
 stand constable for Flatbush, although legally elected, 
 was by the court fined five pounds to the public. 
 
 On the 7th, of November, 1685, at the session of the 
 second colonial assembly, held under the administration 
 of Governor Dongan, an act was passed for removing the 
 court of Sessions of Kings county, from Gravesend to 
 Flatbush. The cause for this, stated in the preamble of 
 the act, is the inconvenience to which the inhabitants of the 
 county are subjected, in travelling so far as Gravesend. 
 Flatbush is about the geographical centre of the county of 
 Kings, and afforded in this respect the most eligible place 
 for holding the courts and presented the least disadvanta- 
 ges to the inhabitants of the county, who might have ju- 
 dicial business to attend to. It was thenceforth named as 
 the seat of justice for the county, and continued such till 
 the year 1832, when the court-house was destroyed by 
 fire. A court-house was accordingly erected in Flatbush, 
 in 1686, for the accommodation of the county, on the spot 
 of ground which is still called the court-house lot. It re- 
 mained till a larger one was built in the year 1758, an 
 account of which we shall subsequently give. 
 
 4 
 
38 
 
 A controversy arose as early as 1678, between Flat- 
 bush and Brooklyn, relative the boundary line between 
 the respective towns. The northern boundary of the 
 town of Flatbush according to their purchase from the In- 
 dian proprietors and the patent which they had obtained 
 was described to be by the hills. The inhabitants of 
 Brooklyn, contended that their right of ownership extend- 
 ed to the foot of the hills, and that this was the true and 
 proper boundary line between the two towns, and that the 
 Indian conveyances to both parties would admit of this 
 and of no other construction. The inhabitants of Mid- 
 wout on the other hand, contended, that such a construc- 
 tion of their northern boundary interfered with their just 
 rights, and would lead to great embarrassment, doubt and 
 uncertainty ; nay, that from the general surface of the 
 town of Flatbush, being an inclined plane, gradually slo- 
 ping to the south, such a construction would locate their 
 northern boundary in the town of Flatlands, and perhaps 
 even in the Bay, or waters edge. In consequence of this 
 difference, the matter was submitted to the decision of the 
 Court of Sessions. At a session of that court, held at 
 Gravesend, on the 18th, of December, 1678, the subject 
 of difference was, by consent of both towns, referred to 
 Captain Jaques Cortelyou, and Captain Richard Stillwell, 
 to decide, and it was ordered that their " report should be 
 determinative." Messrs. Cortelyou and Stillwell complied 
 with the requisition of the court, and five years after- 
 wards submitted the following report. 
 
 " To the Worshipfull Court of Sessions, now sitting at 
 Gravesend, June 21st, 1683. These may certifie, that in 
 obedience to an order from said court, and by consent of 
 both towns, ofBrooklyn and Flatbush, to runnthe line be- 
 
39 
 
 twixt the said townes which are we underwritten have 
 done, and marked the trees betwixt towne and towne, 
 as wittnesse our hands, the daye and yeare above written, 
 
 JACQUES CORTELYOU, 
 RICHARD STILLWELL." 
 
 One of the trees thus marked by these arbitrators was 
 a large white oak, standing near what is called the Port 
 Road, and mentioned in the Patent granted by Governor 
 Dongan, as one of the boundaries of the town. This tree 
 remained till the time of the revolutionary war, when it 
 was cut down by the Americans, and fallen across the 
 road for the purpose of intercepting the British. A red 
 free stone monument, with a proper inscription has subse- 
 quently been set up, at and near the stump of this tree, 
 (which is yet in existence) by General Jeremiah Johnson, 
 on the part of Brooklyn, and John C. Vanderveer, Esq. on 
 the part of Flatbush. But unfortunately the stone has 
 been so defaced by certain persons, who seem to take de- 
 light in mutilating every thing, that only a few letters of 
 the inscription can now be decyphered. 
 
 The award of Messrs. Cortelyou and Stillwell, relative 
 to the boundary line, notwithstanding the order of the 
 court, appears not to have been " determinative." For 
 in the next year, 1684, the line was run out by Philip 
 Wells, a surveyor of Staten Island, and Jacobus Cortland, 
 who were appointed for this purpose, by the two towns. 
 
 The certificate of these gentlemen, is in the words fol- 
 lowing : " To satisffie whom itt may concerne, that I be- 
 ing with Mr. Jacobus Cortland, about the 20th, day off 
 November, 1684, imployed by Breuckland and Fflack- 
 bush, to vew and run out the line betweene the two 
 townes, to the south of the hills, found that the line run 
 
40 
 
 fformerly by Capts. Jaques Cortelyou and Mr. Stilwell, 
 is right and just, which wee both being agreed, give in our 
 approbation of the same. 
 
 PHILIP WELLS, Surveyor:' 
 
 Staaten-Island, in the County of Richmond, ^ 
 this 4th, day of April, 1687." \ 
 
 Notwithstanding this, differences continued tO' exist for 
 some years subsequently, but at length they have been 
 amicably settled, upon the following principles, viz : That 
 the summit of the hills or the first perceptible southerly 
 declivity of any hill, should be deemed and taken as the 
 fixed and determined line, and wherever the hills are cut 
 off or interrupted by an intervening valley or hollow, the 
 boundary line should extend in the shortest possible direc- 
 tion, from the summit of one hill to that of the opposite one. 
 In conformity with this determination, proper monuments 
 have been placed on the boundary lines, to prevent, if pos- 
 sible, all future disputes. 
 
 At an early period distinctive names were given to the 
 several parts of the village of Flatbush. The north end 
 was called Steenraap or Stone Gathering ; the south end, 
 Rustenburgli, or resting place ar borough ; while the centre 
 was denominated Dorp, or the Town. The Dutch words 
 appropriated to either end of the village were appropriate, 
 inasmuch as the ground on the north end of the town con- 
 tains many small stones, on, and just below the surface, 
 while comparatively few of these are found in the south 
 end, which in consequence is more easy to cultivate. In 
 the northern section of the town, on the farm now in posses- 
 sion of the Widow Lefferts, were erected at an early period, 
 two brick kilns, one on the back of the farm, and another 
 near the large pond, not far from the main road, which from 
 
41 
 
 this circumstance has obtained the name of the Stein 
 Bakerie Pond. At these kilns brick were burnt for the use 
 of the inhabitants, but only small remains of them are now 
 to be seen. 
 
 On the 12th, day of November, 1685, the inhabitants of 
 Flatbush applied to, and obtained from Colonel Thomas 
 Dongan, the fourth English Governor of the Colony of New- 
 York, a confirmatory Patent for the whole town, including 
 the several former grants, or Patents of Midwout, or Flat- 
 bush, the Canarsee Meadows, Renters Hook and Oustwout, 
 or New-Lots. This Patent runs thus, to wit : 
 
 " Thomas Dongan, Lieutenant Governor and Vice- 
 Admiral of New- York, &c., under his majesty James the 
 Second, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, 
 France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &;c.. Supreme 
 Lord and Proprietor of the Colony and Province of New- 
 York and its dependencies in America. To all to whom 
 these presents shall come, sendeth Greeting : Whereas, 
 there is a certain town in Kings County, upon Long- 
 Island, called and known by the name of Midwout, alias, 
 Flatbush, the bounds whereof, begin at the mouth of the 
 Fresh Kill, and so along by a certain Ditch which lies 
 betwixt Amersfort and Flatbush Meadows, and so running 
 along the ditch and fence to a certain white oak marked 
 tree, and from thence upon a straight line to the western- 
 most point of a small island of woodland lying before 
 John Stryker's bridge ; and from thence with a straight 
 line to the northwest hook or corner of the ditch of John 
 Oakies meadow ; and from thence along the said ditch 
 and fence to the swamp of the Fresh Kill, and so 
 along the swamp and hollow of the aforesaid Kill to 
 the land of Keuter's Hook ; thence along the same to a 
 marked white oak tree; from thence with a straight line 
 
 4* 
 
42 
 
 to a black oak marked tree standing upon the northeast 
 side of Twiller's Flats, hawing a small snip of flats upon 
 the southeast side of the line ; and so from thence to a 
 white oak tree standing to the west side of Moschito Hole 
 to a small island, leaving a snip of flats in the Flatlands 
 bounds; and from thence to a certain marked tree or 
 stump, standing by the highway which goes to Flatlands 
 upon the Little Flats, about twenty rods from Flatbush 
 Lots, and so along the fence six hundred Dutch rods, to the 
 corner of Flatbush fence, and so along the rear of the lots 
 to a sassafras stump standing in Cornelius Jansen Ber- 
 rian's lot of land ; and from thence with a straight line to a 
 certain old marked tree or stump, standing by the Rush Pond 
 under the hills, and so along upon the south side of the hill 
 till it comes to the west end of the Long Hill,.a-nd so along 
 upon the south side of the said hill, till it comes to the 
 east end of the long hill ; and then with a straight line 
 from the east end of the said long hill, to a marked white 
 oak tree, standing to the west side of the road, near the 
 place called the gate or port of hills ; and so from the east 
 side of the port or gate aforesaid upon the south side of the 
 main hills, as far as Brooklyn Patent doth extend ; and so- 
 along the said hills to the bounds of Jamaica Patent ; and 
 from thence with a southerly line, to the kill or creek by 
 the east of the Plunders Neck, and so along the said kill ta 
 the sea, as according to the several deeds or purchases 
 from the Indian owners, the Patent from Governor Nicolls^ 
 and the awai'd between Brooklyn and the town of Flatbush, 
 Illation thereunto being had, doth more fully and at large 
 appear; And, whereas, application to me hath been made 
 for a confirmation of the aforesaid tract and parcels of 
 land and premises: Now Know ye, that by virtue of the 
 commission and authority unto me given by his majesty,. 
 
43 
 
 James the Second, by the Grace of God, of England, Scot- 
 land, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, 
 Supreme Lord and Proprietor of the Province of New- 
 York, in consideration of the premises and thQ quit rent 
 hereinafter reserved, I have given, granted, ratified and 
 confirmed, and by these presents, do give, grant, ratify and 
 confirm, unto Cornelius Vanderwyck, John Okie, Joseph 
 Hegeman, Aries Jansen Vanderbilt, Lafford Pieterson, 
 William Guilliamsen, Hendrick Williamse, Pieter Wil- 
 liamse, Arien Ryers, Peter Stryker, John Stryker, John 
 Remsen, Jacob Hendricks, Derick Vandervleet, Hendrick 
 Ryck, Okie Johnson, Daniel Polhemus, Peter Lott, Cor- 
 nelius Vanderveer, Derick Johnson Hooglandt, Denise 
 Teunis, John Johnson, Ditimus Lewis Jansen, William- 
 Jacobs, Hendrick Hegeman and Garrit Lubbertse, for and 
 on the behalf of themselves and their associates, all the 
 freeholders and inhabitants of the said town of Flatbush, 
 and to their heirs and assigns forever, all the before recited 
 tract and tracts, parcel and parcels, of land and islands 
 within the said bounds and limits, together with all and 
 singular, the woods, underwoods, plains, hills, meadows, 
 pastures, quarries, marshes, waters, lakes, causeways, 
 rivers, beaches, houses, buildings, fishing, hawking, hunt- 
 ing and fowling, with all liberties, privileges, heredita- 
 ments and appurtenances to the said tract of land and 
 premises belonging, or in any wise appertaining : To have 
 and to hold the said tract of land and premises before 
 mentioned, and intended to be given, granted and con- 
 firmed, unto the said Cornelius Vanderwyck, John Okie, 
 Joseph Hegeman, Aries Jansen Vanderbilt, Lafibrd Pie- 
 terson, William Guilliamsen, Hendrick Williamse, Peter 
 Guilliamsen, Arien ^Ryers, Peter Stryker, John Stryker, 
 John Remsen, Jacob Hendricks, Derick Vandervleet, 
 Hendrick Ryck, Okie Johnson, Daniel Polhemus, Peter 
 
44 
 
 Lott, Cornelius Vanderveer, Derick Johnson Hooglandt, 
 Denise Teunis, John Johnson, Ditimus Lewis Jansen, 
 William Jacobs, Hendrick Hegeman, and Garrit Lub- 
 bertse, the said patentees and their associates, their heirs 
 and assigns, forever. To be holden of his majesty in free 
 and common soccage, according to the tenure of East 
 Greenwick, in the county of Kent, in his majesty's king- 
 dom of England : Yielding, rendering, and paying there- 
 for, yearly, and every year, at the city of New- York, unto 
 his majesty, his heirs or successors, or to his or their offi- 
 cer or officers, as by him or them shall be appointed to re- 
 ceive the same, eighteen bushels of good merchantable 
 wheat, on or before the five and twentieth day of March^ 
 yearly and every year. 
 
 " In Testimony whereof, I have caused these presents to 
 be entered upon record, in the Secretary's office in the said 
 Province, and the seal thereof, have hereunto affixed, and 
 signed with my hand, this twelfth day of November, in the 
 first year of his majesty's reign. Anno Domini, 1685. 
 
 THOMAS DONGAN." 
 
 It will be perceived, that by the above recited Patent 
 granted by Governor Dongan, to the freeholders and inha- 
 bitants of the town of Midwout alias Flatbush, that the te- 
 nure by which they held their lands is denominated a te- 
 nure " in free and common soccage," The tenures of lands 
 which were authoratively established in England, in the 
 reign of William the Conqueror, were principally of two 
 kinds, according to the services annexed. They were 
 either denominated tenures by knight service, or tenures in 
 free and common soccage. The tenures by knight service, 
 in which the services were occasionaJly uncertain, were 
 altogether of a military nature, and esteemed highly hono- 
 rable according to the martial spirit of the times. These 
 
45 
 
 tenures however, in addition to the obligation of fealty and 
 the military services of forty days in a year, were subject 
 to certain other hard conditions, which we need not here 
 enumerate, but which gradually rendered them more and 
 more oppressive and increased the power of the feudal 
 lords. At length upon the restoration of Charles the Se- 
 cond, to the crown of Great Britain, the tenure by knight 
 service with all its grievous incidents, was abolished by 
 law, and the tenure of land was, for the most part, turned 
 into free and common soccage, and every thing oppressive 
 in that tenure was alsp abolished. 
 
 A soccage tenure according to which the town of Mid- 
 wout, or Flatbush, was patented, denotes lands held by a 
 fixed and determinate service which is not military nor in 
 the power of the lord to vary at his pleasure. It was the 
 certainty and specific nature of the service, duty, or rend- 
 er, which made this species of tenure such a safeguard 
 against the wanton exactions of the feudal lords, and ren- 
 dered it of such inestimable value in view of the ancient 
 English. It was deemed by them a point of the utmost im- 
 portance, to change their tenures by knight service, into te- 
 nures by soccage. 
 
 All lands granted by Patent by Governor Dongan, and 
 the other subsequent English governors, were in free and 
 c-ommon soccage, and subject to an annual render or rent 
 charge, called quit rent. In the Patent of the town of Mid- 
 wout, this render or rent charge was fixed at eighteen bush- 
 els of good winter merchantable wheat, to be yielded, ren- 
 dered and paid yearly and every year, at the city of New- 
 York, on or before the 25th, of March, in every year to the 
 king, his heirs and successors, or to such officer or officers 
 as he or they should appoint to receive the same. This 
 render and delivery of wheat, was regularly and annually 
 
46 
 
 made by the freeholders and inhabitants of this town, to an 
 officer residing in the city of New- York, appointed to re- 
 ceive the same, and styled " the Receiver General." The 
 quit rent continued to be paid in kind, till it became more 
 convenient for the inhabitants to pay, and the crown to re- 
 ceive money, in the place of wheat. The Receiver 
 General was then authorized and required in equity and 
 good conscience, to estimate the standard value of wheat in 
 money. According to his determination, wheat was valued 
 in money, at four shillings and eight pence a bushel, New- 
 York currency. This appears to have been the standard 
 value thereof for years. From this time onward, the quit 
 rents of the town were regularly paid in money, according 
 to the then estimated value every year, until the 25th, day 
 of March, 1762. Why the payments were not regularly 
 and annually continued, from and after that time, does not 
 appear. The delay may perhaps be ascribed to the agita- 
 tions then existing in the country, caused by events 
 which led to the war of the revolution. 
 
 Soccage tenures are however considered by Chancellor 
 Kent, from whose commentaries on American laws, the 
 a,bove recited account of tenures is taken, as of feudal ex- 
 traction, and retain some of the leading properties of feuds. 
 But most of the feudal incidents and consequences of soc- 
 cage tenures were expressly abolished in the State of New- 
 York, shortly after the termination of the revolutionary 
 war, and they are wholly and entirely annihilated by the 
 Revised Statutes, which took effect on the 1st, of January ^^ 
 1830. But soccage lands were not to be deemed discharg- 
 ed of any rents, certain or other services, incident or be- 
 longing to tenure in soccage, due to the people of the State 
 (who were considered to stand in the place of the crown.) 
 Therefore on the 1st, day of April, 1786, the Legislature 
 
47 
 
 of this State passed an Act, entitled " An Act for the collec- 
 tion and commutation of Quit Rents." By this act it is 
 provided that it shall and may be lawful to, and for every 
 person and persons, being citizens of the United States, who 
 is, or shall be seized of any lands, or tenements, in this 
 State, charged with an annual quit rent, to commute for 
 the same, by paying fourteen shillings for every shil- 
 ling, of such annual quit rent, at any time on or be- 
 fore the first day of May, 1787, in any public secu- 
 rities receivable in payment on sales of confiscated 
 estates, or in any other securities or certificates, is- 
 sued or to be issued by the Treasurer of this State, and 
 at the same rate, such securities and certificates are re- 
 ceivable in payment for confiscated estates, to the Treasur- 
 er of this State, for the time being, for the use of the people 
 of this State : and the said Treasurer shall, upon such pay- 
 ment, give the person making such payment a receipt or 
 certificate, expressing the sum paid, the annual quit rent 
 in lieu of which the same is paid, and the land on which the 
 said annual quit rent was charged or reserved, and shall 
 enter the same receipt in a book, by him to be kept 
 for that purpose, which receipt or certificate, or the 
 entry thereof, shall be a good discharge of such quit rent 
 forever. 
 
 Incompliance with the provisions of the Act above recit- 
 ed, the inhabitants of the town of Flatbush purchased pub- 
 lic securities, to the amount of £162. 9. 0. which amount 
 they paid to Gerard Bancker, the Treasurer of the State, on 
 the 18th, day of December, 1786, and upon the payment 
 thereof obtained from him the following receipt, or cer- 
 tificate. 
 
 '^Patent granted to the inhabitants of Flatbush, in Kings 
 County, dated 12th November, 1685, Quit Rent, eighteen 
 bushels wheat per annum. 
 
48 
 
 years. 
 Balance due 25th, March, 1765. 3 12 12. 
 
 From 25th, March, 1765, 
 
 to25th, Decern, 1786. y. m. 
 
 21 9 
 
 (Deduct for the period of revolution,) 8 
 
 13 9 at 18 B. Wt. 
 
 pr. Ann. 247i " Qs. 74 5 
 
 14 years commut. 252 " 6^. 75 12 
 
 £162 9 0. 
 
 Received, 18th, December, 1786, from Philip Nagle, 
 of Flatbush, Public Securities, which with the interest al- 
 lowed thereon, amount to one hundred and sixty two 
 pounds, nine shillings, in full, for arrears of Quit Rent, 
 and commutation, for the future quit rents that would 
 have arisen on the above described Patent. 
 
 GERARD BANCKER, Treasurer/' 
 
 £162 9 00. 
 
 The town of Flatbush upon the payment of the above- 
 mentioned sum of money, for arrears of quit rent, and com- 
 mutation of future quit rents became exhonerated from all 
 further exactions on the score of such rents. 
 
 But to return from this digression, to the regular histo- 
 ry of the town of Midwout, which was brought down to the 
 time in which Governor Dongan administered the Coloni- 
 al Government. The woodlands still remained in common 
 and undivided, because the farms previously allotted, had 
 all along furnished timber sufficient for building, fuel and 
 other needful purposes. But as these resources began 
 gradually to diminish, it became necessary as well as die- 
 
49 
 
 tated by prudence, that some oider should be taken on the 
 partition and division of the common woodlands. About 
 the year 1700, these lands were surveyed, and laid off in 
 separate allotments or grand divisions, and these were again 
 severally subdivided into forty-eight smaller allotmentSjCor- 
 responding with the original division of the town. These 
 smaller allotments were all laid out in oblong forms with 
 parallel lines, and usually containing about five acres 
 apiece. Upon the completion of the survey, the several 
 wood lots were allotted to the inhabitants of the town, in 
 proportion to the farm lots by them respectively owned, 
 and the church drew its proportionate share with the 
 several owners. 
 
 The meadows had been previously subdivided into 
 similar lots, and allotted in like manner, with the excep- 
 tion of one lot in the Canarsee Meadows, which was set 
 apart for the use of the schoolmaster, for the time being. 
 Corlaer's and Twiller's Flats, so called after the names 
 of the original purchasers, Anthony Van Corlaer and Wou- 
 ter Van Twiller, the first Dutch governor, were also pre- 
 viously subdivided, but not fully alloted, with the exception 
 of a small tract of woodland lying between, and adjoining 
 these Flats, which was assigned to some of the patentees, 
 and a lot reserved for the use of the school. 
 
 About the year 1706, an encroachment was made on 
 the patent of the town of Flatbush, by inhabitants of 
 Newtown, and on the 3d day of April, in the same year, 
 the town unanimously agreed that every patentee should 
 contribute six shilling to carry on and pay the expenses of 
 a law suit, in defending the Patent from this encroach- 
 ment. From this time forth at the annual town meetings, 
 two persons were chosen to guard the interests of the town 
 in regard to their meets and bounds, as set forth in their 
 
 5 
 
50 
 
 Patent. These were called ''Dorps mannen," or Towns- 
 men, and subsequently Defenders of the Patent. This 
 controversy appears not to have been satisfactorily adjust- 
 ed until the year 1721. 
 
 Corlaer's and Twiller's Flats, remained unoccupied 
 until the close of the revolutionary war. They were 
 then sold by the proprietors and owners, at the rate of 
 sixteen dollars per acre. The proceeds of the sale of 
 Corlaer's Flats, were chiefly devoted to the erection of 
 "Erasmus Hall Academy," while those arising from the 
 sale of Twiller's Flats, were divided among those who 
 would not consent to i-elinquish their right for the benefit 
 of the academy, in reference to which, chiefly the sales 
 had been effected. The academy was greatly benefitted 
 by this sale, but we shall have occasion to speak more at 
 large upon this, when we come to trace the Literary 
 HivStory of the town. 
 
 On the 12th of November, 1695, the court made an 
 order requiring each of the towns to cause to be im- 
 mediately erected, a good pair of siocks, and a good pound, 
 by which it seems, they were resolved to keep both man 
 and beast in proper subjection. Whether this order at 
 the time was strictly complied with on the part of the 
 town of Flatbush, we know not. But twenty-nine years 
 after this, on the records of the Board of Supervisors of 
 the county, under date of the 17th of November, 1724, 
 there is the following charge. 
 
 " To a Stocks for Flatbush, - - £1.9.6." 
 These stocks remained for a number of years. They 
 were erected in front of the court-house, and many 
 will remember to have seen them. There was also about 
 these same premises, a whipping-post, which was used 
 partly for offenders in the town, and partly for the pun- 
 
 * (. 
 
51 
 
 ishment of persons convicted of small crimes ; for there 
 was a public whipper, whose fee was fixed for a year, at 
 three pounds. The fee for whipping one person, was 
 three shillings. These charges frequently appear on the 
 Minutes of the Board of Supervisors. This mode of pun- 
 ishment was not in that day, considered improper or cruel, 
 and was resorted to, probably, partly in consequence of 
 the number of slaves which were then held by the seyeral 
 inhabitants, who were kept in subjection and punished for 
 minor offences, in this summary manner. We have rea- 
 son to be thankful that under the benign influence of mild 
 and wholesome laws, this remnant of the reign of cruelty 
 and terror has passed away. 
 
 As early as the commencement of the eighteenth century, 
 if not sooner, a public brewery was established in the 
 town. The principle of total abstinence from all that can 
 intoxicate was not then known or practiced, and beer or 
 malt liquor was the common beverage of the inhabitants, 
 and continued to be so until the orchards were planted and 
 came into full bearing, when cider became a substitute. 
 The brew-house was situated in the southern part of the 
 town, a little north of the dwelling-house of the late Jacob 
 Duryee and on the same side of the road. It is presumed 
 by some that there was also another public brewery in the 
 north of the town. It is certain, however, that there were 
 two private ones ; one on the lot of the late Peter Stryker 
 back of the store now occupied by Messrs. Birdsall & 
 Aldworth, and another on the property of Rem Vander- 
 bilt, the proprietor of the farm now in the tenure of Mat- 
 thew Clarkson, Esq. The public brewery was divided 
 into fourteen shares, which were subdivided into halves and 
 perchance quarters. These rights were apportioned to the 
 several farms and considered appurtenant to them, and en- 
 
 ii^ 
 
52 
 
 titled the proprietors to the privilege of brewing in the estab- 
 Hshment. These rights were disposed of by deed or testa- 
 mentary devise. A will is in existence dated as late as 
 1773, devising the right of the testator in the brewery to 
 his son ; and several wills and deeds of early date are to 
 be found, containing provisions relative to the same subject. 
 So important was the right in this establishment at that 
 time deemed by the proprietors. The public brew-house 
 continued to stand until after the close of the American 
 Revolution. It was then sold, together with all its fix- 
 tures, and the proceeds divided among the shareholders. 
 We may here briefly advert to the style of building, and 
 domestic habits of the early inhabitants of Flatbush. The 
 designs of their houses were probably brought from Fa- 
 derland. They were chiefly built of wood, but some few 
 of brick, which was manufactured in the place. They 
 were of one story, either with an overshot-roof, both in 
 front and rear forming a piazza — or an overshot in front, 
 and the roof in the rear, extending some distance back until 
 it came within a few feet of the ground. A specimen of 
 this last style of architecture may be seen in the house 
 belonging to the heirs of the late Cornelius Antonides, 
 which is probably the oldest house now standing in the 
 village. The rooms inside were not ceiled, but above 
 were the broad heavy oak beams on which the floor of the 
 upper-part of the house was laid. The fire-places usual- 
 ly were very large, generally extending without jambs in 
 width sufficient to accommodate the whole family with a 
 seat near the fire. The chimneys were very large and 
 spacious, sufficiently so to admit their meat to be hung in 
 them, for the purpose of being smoked, which was the 
 usual practice. When jambs were added to any fire- 
 place, they were generally set round with earthen glazed 
 
 «> 
 
53 
 
 tiles, which were imported from Holland ornamented with 
 various scenes, some of which were of a Scriptural cha- 
 racter. Many of these were quite beautiful and gave a 
 very ornamental appearance to the fireside, as well as 
 formed the means of much amusement and instruction to 
 the younger part of the family. The last of these fire- 
 places thus ornamented was removed when the house of 
 the late LefFerts Martense was pulled down, to give place 
 to the spacious mansion now occupied by Judge Garrit 
 Martense. To many of the houses the barns also were 
 quite closely connected. This was generally the case 
 with the Renters. This style of building corresponded 
 with the habits of the earlier inhabitants. These were 
 very simple, unaffected and economical. No people 
 could have been more independent than they. They 
 brought up their children in habits of industry. As has 
 been stated every son was taught some mechanical art, 
 and every daughter was required to become well ac- 
 quainted with all household duties. The farmers burnt 
 their own lime, tanned their own leather, often made their 
 own shoes and boots, and attended to much of their own 
 carpentering, and wheel-wrighting. While the males 
 were engaged in the cultivation of the farms, the females 
 were actively employed in some industrious avocations in 
 the house. The spinning-wheel was set in motion irh 
 every family as soon as flax and wool could be prepared 
 in the fall, and all materials for the clothing of the fam- 
 ily, white as well as colored, were manufactured at home, 
 nor was she considered a suitable candidate for matrimo- 
 ny who could not show her stores of domestic linens and 
 other evidences of industry and economy. So economical 
 were the females of their time, that they almost invariably 
 took their spinning-wheels with them when they went to 
 
54 
 
 spend a sociable afternoon with a neighbor. Nor did they 
 even refuse to help the males in the field during the har- 
 vest, the gathering of corn, and other busy seasons. It 
 was a very common thing for them to be seen working 
 side by side with their husbands, fathers and brothers, at 
 such times. The modern invention of a dirt-cover, as it 
 would in those days have been esteemed, vv^hich we now 
 call a carpet, was not then known. The floors were regu- 
 larly scoured and scrubbed, and kept as white and clean 
 almost as the table. They were sanded with beach sand, 
 of which every family always had a sufficient store, it be- 
 ing the rule to go twice a year to the beach for that then, 
 indispensable article. It was put on the floor with great 
 care on certain days, being always laid in small lumps or 
 heaps, and the members of the family were required very 
 cautiously to tread between these heaps so as not to disturb 
 the economy of the good housewife. When on the next 
 day the sand had become dry, it was swept in waves or some 
 other figures, by the broom being drawn lightly over it, 
 and was in truth a good specimen of the general neatness 
 and cleanliness which pervaded the whole premises. 
 When the first imported carpets were introduced we know 
 not, but the first rag carpet was made about fifty years 
 ago. It was wove by Adrian Hegeman for the widow of 
 George Martense, the mother of the present Mrs. Catin. 
 Frugality, economy and industry, characterised all. They 
 lived chiefly within themselves, and knew but little of the 
 dangers and diseases incident to luxury and indolence. 
 And well would it be for the present age, if instead of 
 ridiculing and despising them they practiced more of their 
 simple, unaffected, economical habits. For one I love to 
 dwell upon them, and every thing connected with them is 
 interesting. 
 
55 
 
 In the early part of this century a murder was com* 
 mitted in the town, and in fact the only one that we have 
 any account of. It occurred on the farm now in the ten- 
 ure of Mrs. Catin. The dwelling-house of the ancestor 
 of the family of Martense, who possessed a very extensive 
 tract of land, was situated on the rear of the farm. From 
 his owning and cultivating so large a quantity of land, he 
 was called by way of distinction Martin De Boer, 
 (Martin the Farmer.) He built a new house on the main 
 road in front of his farm near the site of the present 
 dwelling of Mrs. Catin. When he moved to this house 
 he left in the cellar of his former old dwelling an Indian. 
 This person it appears had been guilty of killing some 
 person or persons on Staten Island. In consequence of 
 this, certain Indians from Staten Island came toFlatbush, 
 "found him living alone in the cellar of the house which 
 stood separate from the other dwellings, and murdered him 
 — thus glutting their revenge. During the first half of the 
 last century, the inhabitants of Flatbush were chiefly en- 
 gaged in certain difficulties of an ecclesiastical character, 
 and during the latter half were occupied with the troubles 
 growing out of the Revolutionary struggle. These will 
 be made the subject of more extended notice hereafter, 
 and we pass them for the present. 
 
 The introduction of foreign manures, forms an era in the 
 agricultural history of the town. For more than a cen- 
 tury the farmers depended entirely upon their barn yards 
 to furnish the means of enriching their lands, together with 
 such quantities of shell lime as they could manufacture for 
 themselves. There was a lime kiln, situated not far from 
 the place now occupied by the public pound, at which, 
 large quantities of shells were burnt. The lime thus pro- 
 cured, was spread upon the ground, and tended, no doubt, 
 
56 
 
 greatly to increase its productiveness. But a short time 
 previous to the American Revolution, the attention of the 
 farmers was called to foreign manures, particularly to 
 ashes. The first that was introduced into the village was by 
 Jacobus Van Deventer. He brought it up from Brooklyn, 
 in bags. It was tried and found to answer a good purpose, 
 and then three other persons, viz. John LefFerts, Cornelius 
 Vanderveer, and Judge Lott, united with him in carting 
 it from the ferry. It could then be purchased as a very 
 moderate rate. From that time the attention of the farm- 
 ers was more directly turned to the enriching of their 
 lands, and vast quantities of manures of various kinds have 
 since been employed, in consequence of which, the land 
 has been rendered rich and fertile. 
 
 In the year 1758 a new court-house was erected in the 
 town. The first edifice was quite small, and was a dis- 
 tinct building from the jail. One of these buildings took 
 fire in the winter of 1757-8 and burnt to the ground, the 
 other was saved chiefly by throwing snow-balls upon it. 
 It was however subsequently taken down, and m the new 
 building which was put up, accommodations were made 
 for both the court and jail. It was two stories high. The 
 lower floor was divided by an entry, on the south side of 
 which was a room for the use of the jailor, and on the north 
 a room for the confinement of prisoners. The second story 
 was fitted up in a large room for the accommodation of 
 the courts of the county. During the Revolutionary war 
 the British officers then in the place took out all the seats 
 in this room and converted it into a ball-room. This 
 building which cost £448, remained with some repairs, un- 
 til the year 1792. It being then found inconvenient, too 
 small, and much out of repair, a new one was erected 
 which was placed considerably farther back on the lot, 
 
57 
 
 and was of much larger dimensions. It was of two sto- 
 ries, and planned in general after the model of the 
 old one. This plan was drawn by Mr. James 
 Robinson, and is called in the minutes of the Board 
 of Supervisors "the wooden plan," from the fact pro- 
 bably that the erection was to be a frame building. 
 John Vanderbilt, Johannes E. Lott and Charles Doughty, 
 Esqs., were first appointed the Commissioners to superin- 
 tend the building of this court-house and jail. Mr. Van- 
 derbilt having resigned the appointment, Rutgert Van 
 Brunt, was afterwards commissioned in his place. The 
 old building was then sold at public auction. It was pur- 
 chased by Michael Van Cleef, for the sum of seventy-one 
 pounds. The timber was afterwards bought by the Rev. 
 Martinus Schoonmaker, and used in building the house 
 lately occupied by his son, Stephen Schoonmaker. The 
 court-house and jail was completed in the year 1793. It 
 was a very respectable looking frame building, surmount- 
 ed by a small cupola. The jail, however, was not very 
 secure ; several escapes were made from it, although it 
 was often repaired and strengthened. On the 30th of 
 November, 1832, it took fire from some unknown cause, 
 and was burnt to the ground, and from that time Flatbush 
 ceased to be the county town, and the courts and all ju- 
 dicial business, were removed to Brooklyn. 
 
 The ancient government of the town of Flatbush was si- 
 milar to that of all the towns under the administration of 
 the Dutch authority. In the infancy of the settlements, 
 the Governor appointed magistrates in the several villages, 
 with more or less power, as he judged proper. Usually 
 these public officers were a scout or constable, a clerk and 
 an assessor, all of which, were appointed by the Govern- 
 or. The duties of these officers consisted in preserving 
 
58 
 
 the peace, and regulating the police of the town. They 
 appear also to have had power to give judgment in some 
 cases of judicial proceedings. In consequence of a defi- 
 ciency in the records of the town, we are not able to give 
 the names of those who held these offices during the dy- 
 nasty of New-Netherlands. After the surrender of the 
 the colony to the English, in 1664, and the adoption of the 
 Dukes Laws, some alterations were made in the number 
 and character of the town officers. It was then ordered, 
 that in addition to a clerk, each town should elect one con- 
 stable and eight overseers. The duties of the constable 
 were laid down with great particularity. They were to 
 hold town courts, with the overseers, and with them to 
 make assessments, &c. to whip or punish offenders, raise 
 the hue and cry after murderers, manslayers, thieves, rob-' 
 bers, burglars : and also apprehend without warrant, such 
 as were overtaken with drink, swearing, sabbath-breaking, 
 vagrant persons, or night walkers, " provided they be ta- 
 ken in the manner, either by the sighte of the constable, 
 or by present informacon from others ; as alsoe to make 
 searche for all such persons, either on ye sabbath daye, 
 or other, when there shall bee occation, in all houses li- 
 censed to sell beere or wine, or any other suspected or dis- 
 ordered places, and these to apprehend and keepe in safe 
 custody, till opportunity serves, to bring them before the 
 next justice of ye peace, for further examina'con." The 
 constable was chosen out of the number of overseers, 
 whose term of service had expired. 
 
 The list of the constables will be given subsequently. 
 
 The overseers were appointed in the following manner, 
 according to the provisions of the Dukes Laws. '' Over- 
 seers shall be eight in number, men of good fame and life> 
 chosen by the plurality of voiyes of the freeholders in each 
 
59 
 
 towne, whereof foure shall remaine in their ofhce two 
 yeares successively, and foure shall be changed for new 
 ones, every yeare ; which election shall preceed the elec- 
 tion of constables, in point of time, in regard the consta- 
 ble for the yeare ensuing, is to bee chosen out of that num- 
 ber which are dismist from their office of overseers." The 
 following is a summary of the duties of the overseers, as 
 stated by Judge Furman, in his notes on Brooklyn. They 
 were authorized together with the constable, to hold town 
 courts, for the trial of causes under £5. On the death of 
 any person, they were to repair with the constable to the 
 house of the deceased, and inquire after the manner of his 
 death, and of his will and testament ; and if no will was 
 found, the constable, in the presence of the overseers, was, 
 within forty-eight hours, to search after the estate of the 
 deceased, and to deliver an account of the same, in writing, 
 under oath, to the next justice of the peace. They togeth- 
 er with the constable, made all assessments. If any over- 
 seer died during his term, the rest of the overseers by a 
 major vote, made choice of another in his place : and if the 
 person so chosen, refuse to serve, he forfeited the sum of 
 £10. towards defraying the town charges. They were to 
 settle the bounds of the town, within twelve months after 
 the bounds were granted. They had the power of regu- 
 lating fences. They were authorized, together with the 
 constable, to make choice of two out of the eight overseers, 
 of church affairs. They and the constable were frequent- 
 ly to admonish the inhabitants, '• to instruct their children 
 and servants, in matters of religion, and the lawes of the 
 country." They, with the constable, appointed an officer 
 " to record every man's particular marke, and see each 
 man's horse and colt branded." The constable and two 
 of the overseers, were to pay the value of an Indian coat 
 
60 
 
 for each wolf killed ; and they were to cause the wolf's 
 head to be " nay led over the door of the constable, their to 
 remaine, as also to cut of both the eares, in token that the 
 head is bought and paid for." 
 
 The following is the most complete list of the overseers 
 of Flatbush that could be obtained. 
 
 1675. Simon Hansen, and John Roloifson. 
 
 1676. Arian Ryers, and Garrit Sneger. 
 
 1679. Joseph Hegeman, and Derick Jansen Van Vleet. 
 
 1680. Barent Claas, Cornelius Berrian, and Joseph 
 
 Hegeman. 
 
 1681. Cornelius Berrian, Rinier Aeartsen, Barthold 
 
 Claases and Jan Remsen. 
 
 1682. Rynier Aeartsen, Jan Jansen, Jan Remsen and 
 
 Arian Ryersen. 
 
 1683. Aris Janse, Jan Aeartsen, Jan Jansen, and 
 
 John Auky. 
 In the year 1683, the " overseers," were changed to 
 " commissioners," The act regulating their appointment, 
 and prescribing particularly their duties, was passed by 
 the first General Assembly of this Colony, November 1st, 
 1683. It is not necessary to recite the provisions of this 
 act. The only list that we have been able to obtain of the 
 commissioners appointed under this act, in the town of Flat- 
 bush, is the following : 
 
 1684. Adrian Ryersen, Cornelius Baronson and John 
 
 Auky. 
 
 1685. Stoffle Probasco, and Joseph Hegeman. 
 
 1686. Arian Ryers and Pieter Stryker. 
 
 1687. Aris Janse, and Stoffle Probasco. 
 
 1688. Pieter Stryker, and Cornelius Bardulph. 
 
 The constables, overseers and commissioners, were 
 sworn before the court of Sessions, before they entered 
 
61 
 
 upon the discharge of the duties of their respective 
 offices. 
 
 The office of " Commissioner" continued until the first 
 Tuesday of April, 1703, when "Supervisors" were elected 
 for the several towns of Kings County. The first meeting 
 of this board, was held on the first Tuesday in October, of 
 the same year. It is probable, that at first they kept no 
 minutes of their proceedings, as the first record is that of 
 a meeting which took place at the court-house in Flat- 
 bush, on the first Tuesday in October, in the year 1714. 
 The Supervisor who then attended from Flatbush, was 
 Ryck Hendrickson. The board at this, their first record- 
 ed meeting, made choice of Samuel Garretson, of Graves- 
 end, as their Clerk, and John Vanderbilt, of Flatbush, as 
 Treasurer of the county. At that time, the ordinary and 
 contingent expenses of the county, (including the per 
 diem compensation of the two members of the Colonial 
 Assembly from the county, for their attendance during 
 the year 1703.) amounted to only £71. 0. 6. or8l77.56. 
 This sum was apportioned among the several towns in the 
 county in the following manner. 
 
 Brooklyn, £19. 9. 3. 
 
 Flatbush, 
 
 15. 1. 6. 
 
 
 New-Utrecht 
 
 9.18. 9. 
 
 
 Flatlands, 
 
 8.14. 9. 
 
 
 Bushwick, 
 
 9. 3. 0. 
 
 
 Gravesend, 
 
 8.13. 3. 
 
 
 
 £71. 0. 6.- 
 
 —$177.56 
 
 The following is a list of the Supervisors of the town 
 of Flatbush, from the year 1703, to the present time. 
 
 6 
 
62 
 
 Names. 
 
 
 
 Dates. 
 
 
 Aris Vanderbilt, 
 
 From 
 
 Aprilj 
 
 1703 to 
 
 April 1705 
 
 Daniel Polhemus, 
 
 u 
 
 (( 
 
 1705 
 
 " 1706 
 
 Jacob Plendrick Ryck, 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 1706 
 
 " 1707 
 
 Aris Jansen Vanderbilt, 
 
 u 
 
 u 
 
 1707 
 
 " 1708 
 
 Jan Vanderveer, 
 
 (< 
 
 (( 
 
 1708 
 
 " 1710 
 
 Benjamin Hegeman, 
 
 i<. 
 
 a 
 
 1710 
 
 " 1711 
 
 Ryck Hendricks, 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 1711 
 
 " 1712 
 
 Jan Cornelise, 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 1712 
 
 '' 1713 
 
 Jacob Hendrickson, 
 
 a 
 
 u 
 
 1713 
 
 " 1714 
 
 Ryck Hendrickson, 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 1714 
 
 '' 1715 
 
 John Vanderveer, 
 
 <.<. 
 
 u 
 
 1715 
 
 " 1716 
 
 Daniel Remse, 
 
 li 
 
 u 
 
 1716 
 
 " 1717 
 
 Jacob Suydam 
 
 a 
 
 ii 
 
 1771 
 
 " 1718 
 
 Dominicus Vanderveer, 
 
 u 
 
 ii 
 
 1718 
 
 " 1719 
 
 Lieut. Philip Nagle, 
 
 a 
 
 ii 
 
 1719 
 
 " 1720 
 
 Cornelius Cornell, 
 
 a 
 
 ii 
 
 1720 
 
 " 1721 
 
 Abrabam Lott, 
 
 a 
 
 ii 
 
 1721 
 
 " 1722 
 
 Rvck Hendrickson, 
 
 a 
 
 ii 
 
 1722 
 
 " 1723 
 
 John Vanderveer, 
 
 a 
 
 ii 
 
 1723 
 
 ' 1724 
 
 Cornelius Cornell, 
 
 a 
 
 ii 
 
 1724 
 
 " 1726 
 
 Peter Lefferts, 
 
 a 
 
 ii 
 
 1726 
 
 " 1727 
 
 Johannes Ditmarse, 
 
 u 
 
 ii 
 
 1727 
 
 '^ 1728 
 
 Ryck Suydam, 
 
 a 
 
 ii 
 
 1728 
 
 " 1741 
 
 John Van Kerk, 
 
 u 
 
 ii 
 
 1741 
 
 " 1743 
 
 Peter Stryker, 
 
 a 
 
 4i 
 
 1743 
 
 " 1744 
 
 John Van Kerk, 
 
 u 
 
 ii 
 
 1744 
 
 " 1749 
 
 Dominicus Vanderveer, 
 
 u 
 
 il 
 
 1749 
 
 " 1751 
 
 Johannes Lott, Jun. 
 
 i(. 
 
 n 
 
 1751 
 
 " 1759 
 
 Jeremias Vanderbilt, 
 
 a 
 
 ii 
 
 1759 
 
 " 1763 
 
 Johannes Lott, Jun. 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 1763 
 
 " 1782 
 
 Philip Nagel, 
 
 ii 
 
 ii 
 
 1782 
 
 " 1787 
 
63 
 
 Johannes J. Lott, 
 John C. Vanderveer, 
 John Wyckoff, 
 Isaac Cortelyou, 
 Jacob Rapelje, 
 Isaac Cortelyou, 
 
 From April, 1787 to April 1804. 
 " " 1804 " 1832. 
 " " 1832 to Feby. 1837. 
 From Febry. 1837 " 1839. 
 " " 1839 toApl. 1841. 
 " April 1841 " 1842. 
 
 The following is a list of the Town Clerks of the town 
 of Flatbush, from the year 1659, to the year 1842. 
 
 Na7nes. 
 
 Adrian Hegeman, 
 Jacop Joosten, 
 Francays De Bruynne, 
 Michael Hainelle, 
 Jan Gerrit Van Marckj( 
 Derick Storm, 
 Johannes Van Eklen, 
 Johannes Schenck, 
 Abraham Lott, 
 Jan Gancell, 
 Adrian Hegeman, 
 Jores Remsen, 
 Jeremias Van Der Bilt, 
 Petrus Van Steenbergh 
 John Lefferts, 
 Philip Nagle, 
 John Van Der Bilt, 
 John C. Vanderveer, 
 Garret Stryker, 
 Abraham Vanderveer 
 Garret Stryker, 
 Adrian Hegeman, 
 
 
 
 Bates. 
 
 
 Dm 
 
 1659 
 
 to 
 
 1771. 
 
 a 
 
 1671 
 
 ii 
 
 1673. 
 
 i( 
 
 1673 
 
 a 
 
 1674. 
 
 a 
 
 1674 
 
 i( 
 
 1675. 
 
 a 
 
 1675 
 
 (( 
 
 1680. 
 
 i( 
 
 1680 
 
 (( 
 
 1683. 
 
 ii 
 
 1683 
 
 (( 
 
 1700. 
 
 a 
 
 1700 
 
 (( 
 
 1711. 
 
 (I 
 
 1711 
 
 (C 
 
 1716. 
 
 ii 
 
 1716 
 
 (I 
 
 1719. 
 
 (( 
 
 1716 
 
 (I 
 
 1741. 
 
 ii 
 
 1741 
 
 ii 
 
 1754. 
 
 n 
 
 1754 
 
 i{ 
 
 1762. 
 
 li 
 
 1762 
 
 it 
 
 1773. 
 
 11 
 
 1773 
 
 a 
 
 1776. 
 
 n 
 
 1776 
 
 i( 
 
 1792. 
 
 « 
 
 1792 
 
 a 
 
 1794. 
 
 (( 
 
 1794 
 
 (( 
 
 1804. 
 
 u 
 
 1804 
 
 (I 
 
 1810. 
 
 u 
 
 1810 
 
 iC 
 
 1816. 
 
 n 
 
 1816 
 
 u 
 
 1819. 
 
 ii 
 
 1819 
 
 t( 
 
 1823. 
 

 64 
 
 
 
 
 William Ellsworth, 
 
 From 
 
 1823 
 
 to 
 
 1827 
 
 William Hegeman, 
 
 (( 
 
 1827 
 
 a 
 
 1828, 
 
 John A. Lott, 
 
 a 
 
 1828 
 
 a 
 
 1842 
 
 The following is the mosi complete list of the Consta- 
 bles of the town of Flatbush, that could be obtained from 
 the year 1669, to the year 1842. 
 
 Names. 
 
 Jacob Stryker, From 
 
 Bartholf Clairesen, " 
 
 Cornelius Barentse, " 
 
 Minne Johannes, " 
 
 Cornelius Jansen, " 
 
 Joseph Hegeman, " 
 Cornelius Jansen Berrian, " 
 
 Rien Aeartsen, " 
 
 Cornelius Barentse, " 
 
 Rinier Aeartsen, " 
 
 Jan Ditmarsen " 
 
 Simon Hanssen " 
 
 Pieter Stryker, " 
 
 Daniel Polhemus " 
 
 Jan Bennem, " 
 
 Jacob Van Der Boergh " 
 
 Jan Bennem, " 
 
 Jacob Van Der Boergh " 
 
 Jan Bennem, " 
 
 Hendericus Kip, " 
 
 John Van Der Veer, ) ^^ 
 
 John Bennet, Dep. ^ 
 
 Cornelius Cornell, " 
 
 Dates. 
 
 1669 
 
 to 
 
 1670. 
 
 1670 
 
 (( 
 
 1675. 
 
 1675 
 
 u 
 
 1676. 
 
 1676 
 
 a 
 
 1679. 
 
 1679 
 
 u 
 
 1681. 
 
 1681 
 
 a ■ 
 
 1682. 
 
 1682 
 
 ii 
 
 1683. 
 
 1683 
 
 a 
 
 1685. 
 
 1685 
 
 a 
 
 1686. 
 
 1686 
 
 a 
 
 1687. 
 
 1687 
 
 (I 
 
 1688, 
 
 1688 
 
 cc 
 
 1689, 
 
 1689 
 
 i( 
 
 1690. 
 
 1690 
 
 
 
 1705 
 
 a 
 
 1707. 
 
 1707 
 
 a 
 
 1708, 
 
 1708 
 
 a 
 
 1709, 
 
 1709 
 
 u 
 
 1710, 
 
 1710 
 
 a 
 
 1713 
 
 1713 
 
 i( 
 
 , 1716 
 
 1716 
 
 li 
 
 1717, 
 
 1717 
 
 a 
 
 1718, 
 
65 
 
 Johannes Symonsen, 
 Isaac Snedecker, 
 Jan Bennet 
 Jan Walderom, 
 Abraham Lott, 
 Joris Bloom, 
 Peter Luyster, 
 Johannes Lott, 
 Isaac LefFerts, 
 Lawrence Ditmarse, 
 Jacob Remsen, 
 Johannes Ditmarse, 
 Robert Betts, 
 Phillppus Nagel, 
 Nicholas Wyckoff, 
 Gilliam Cornell, 
 Peter Stryker, 
 Nicholas Stillwell, 
 Jacob Boerum, 
 Joseph Benham, 
 Cornelius Suydam, 
 Nicholas Andriesen, 
 Garret Van Duyn, 
 Jeremias Van Der Bilt, 
 Jan Laen, 
 Thomas Doxse, 
 Cornelius Van Cleeff, 
 Leffert LefFerts, 
 Aris MorfFee, 
 Adriaen Hegeman, 
 Vincentius Antonides^ 
 William Merrill, 
 William Allgeo, 
 
 From 
 
 1718 
 
 to 
 
 1719 
 
 1719 
 
 (( 
 
 1720, 
 
 1720 
 
 a 
 
 1721 
 
 1721 
 
 a 
 
 1722 
 
 1722 
 
 a 
 
 1723 
 
 1723 
 
 a 
 
 1724 
 
 1724 
 
 iC 
 
 1725, 
 
 1725 
 
 a 
 
 1726 
 
 1726 
 
 u 
 
 1727. 
 
 1727 
 
 u 
 
 1728 
 
 1728 
 
 a 
 
 1729 
 
 1729 
 
 a 
 
 1730 
 
 1730 
 
 . a 
 
 1731 
 
 1731 
 
 • '^ 
 
 1732 
 
 1732 
 
 a 
 
 1733 
 
 1733 
 
 a 
 
 1734 
 
 1734 
 
 a 
 
 1735 
 
 1735 
 
 a 
 
 1736 
 
 1736 
 
 a 
 
 1737 
 
 1737 
 
 a 
 
 1738 
 
 1738 
 
 a 
 
 1739 
 
 1739 
 
 a 
 
 1740 
 
 1740 
 
 a 
 
 1742 
 
 1742 
 
 a 
 
 1743 
 
 1743 
 
 a 
 
 1745, 
 
 1745 
 
 ii 
 
 1746, 
 
 1746 
 
 u 
 
 1748, 
 
 1748 
 
 u 
 
 1749, 
 
 1749 
 
 (( 
 
 1751, 
 
 1751 
 
 a 
 
 1769 
 
 1769 
 
 a 
 
 1791, 
 
 1791 
 
 ii 
 
 1792 
 
 179a 
 
 (.1 
 
 1794. 
 
 6* 
 
From 
 
 1794 
 
 to 
 
 1795. 
 
 
 1795 
 
 
 1796. 
 
 
 1796 
 
 
 1797. 
 
 
 1797 
 
 
 1810. 
 
 
 1810 
 
 
 1815. 
 
 
 1815 
 
 
 1840. 
 
 
 1840 
 
 
 1842. 
 
 66 
 
 William Merrill, 
 William AUgeo, 
 William Merrill, 
 Michael Van Cleeff^ 
 Rem Hegeman, 
 William Allgeo, 
 Suydam Hegeman, 
 
 From among the inhabitants of the town of Flatbush, 
 the comity have selected at different times many individii- 
 als to fill their comity offices, as well as to represent 
 them in the legislative assemblies of the country. From 
 the year 1714, at which date the first minutes of the 
 Board of Supervisors of the county commence, till the 
 year 1840, the treasurers of the county were, with one 
 exception, residents in the town of Flatbush. The fol- 
 lowing is a list of the individuals who have served in this 
 responsible office : — 
 
 John Vanderbilt, of Flatbush, from October, 1714, to 
 
 to October, 1737. 
 Peter Lefferts, of Flatbush, from October, 1737, to 
 
 October, 1772. 
 Jeremias Vanderbilt, of Flatbush, from October, 1772, 
 
 to May, 1786. 
 Philip Nagel, of Flatbush, from May, 1786, to June, 
 
 1792. 
 Johannes J. Lott, of Flatbush, from June, 1792, to De- 
 cember, 1806. 
 Hendrick J. Lott, of Flatlands, from December, 1806, 
 
 to October, 1811. 
 John Lefferts, of Flatbush, from October, 1811, to 
 
 September, 1813. 
 John C. Vanderveer, of Flatbush, from September, 
 1813, to August, 1837. 
 
67 
 
 John A. Lott, of Flatbush, from August, 1837, to 
 
 August, 1840. 
 John Skillman, of Brooklyn, from August, 1840, to 
 
 August, 1842. 
 
 The following is a specimen of the usual Minute of 
 the Board of Supervisors, in the former part of the last 
 century, relative to auditing the acceunts of their Trea- 
 surer. It is full, unique and characteristic of the age. 
 
 " The Supervisors have examined their Treasurer and 
 called in their warrants, and have taken the reckonings 
 of their Treasurer, John Vanderbilt, and found that he 
 had done as an honest man, and he is acquitted of all 
 reckonings concerning the Supervisors, and is in Cassa or 
 money, the sum of £00. 06. 4." 
 
 The following is a list of the Clerks of the Board of 
 Supervisors, from 1714 to 1842. 
 
 1714 to 1715, Samuel Garritson, Gravesend. 
 
 1715 to 1724, J. M. Sperling, Flatbush. 
 
 1724 to 1725, Adrian Hegeman, " 
 
 1725 to 1727, J. M. Sperling, " 
 1727 to 1752, Adrian Hegeman, " 
 1752 to 1775, Simon Boerum, Brooklyn. 
 1775 to 1782, Johannes Lott, Flatbush. 
 1782 to 1784, Johannes J. Lott, '' 
 
 1784 to 1785, Nicholas Couwenhoven, New-Utrecht. 
 
 1785 to 1801, Jacob Sharpe, Jr., Brooklyn. 
 1801 to 1842, Jeremiah Lott, Flatbush. 
 
 Among the Judges of this county anterior to the Ameri- 
 can Revolution, we find the following from Flatbush. 
 
 Cornelius Sebring, from 1715 to 1718. 
 
68 
 
 Peter Stryker, from 1720 to 1722. 
 
 Daniel Polhemus, '' 1722 to 1724. 
 
 Ryck Suydam, " 1732 to 1739. 
 
 Johannes Lott, " 1742 to 1745. 
 
 Abraham Lott, " 1745 to 1749. 
 
 John Lefferts, " 1761 to 1777. 
 
 Philip Nagel, " 1770 to 1777. 
 
 Englebert Lott and > _ ^^^ 
 
 Jeremiah Vanderbilt, \ "^'^^ ^"^ ^^^^■ 
 
 After the Revolution, the second first Judge of the 
 county, was Johannes E. Lott, of this town. He remain- 
 ed upon the bench about six years. Beside these several 
 associate judges of the court, have from time to time been 
 taken from Flatbush, which we need not name. 
 
 But among those who have represented this county in 
 the Legislative Assemblies of the country, we find many 
 who were inhabitants of Flatbush. In the Colonial as- 
 semblies, who met at different periods, from 1683 to 1775, 
 we notice the following names. 
 
 Johannes Van Ecklen, fr( 
 
 Henry Filkin, " 
 
 Cornelius Sebring, " 
 
 Gerardus Beekman, '• 
 
 Cornelius Sebring, " 
 
 Johannes Lott^ " 
 
 Abraham Lott, " 
 Dominicus Venderveer, " 
 
 Among the Deputies from the county of King, who met 
 in the city of New-York, in convention, April 10th, 1775, 
 for the purpose of choosing delegates to the Ba'st Continen- 
 tal congress, was John Vanderbilt, who from his being 
 subsequently a member of the Senate of the State, was 
 
 1693 
 
 to 
 
 1698. 
 
 1694 
 
 to 
 
 1695. 
 
 1695 
 
 to 
 
 1698. 
 
 1698 
 
 to 
 
 1699. 
 
 1699 
 
 to 
 
 1726. 
 
 1727 
 
 to 
 
 1761. 
 
 1737 
 
 to 
 
 1750. 
 
 1750 
 
 to 
 
 1759. 
 
69 
 
 called Senator John, to distinguish him from Judge Johra 
 Vanderbilt. Among the delegates chosen by this conven- 
 tion, to represent this county in that congress, were na 
 less than three from this town, viz : Johannes Lott, John 
 LefTerts, and John Vanderbilt. These delegates conven- 
 ed at New- York, on the 22d, of May, 1775, and contin- 
 ued to meet at different places, from time to time, till the 
 adoption of the Constitution of the State, in April, 1777. 
 John LefTerts of this town, was also a member of the Pro- 
 vential Congress, from this county, which met on the 30th, 
 day of June, 1776. His son Peter Lefferts, whose wi- 
 dow still survives, was one of the two delegates from this 
 county, to the convention which met at Poughkeepsie, on 
 the 27th, day of June, 1778, to adopt the constitution of 
 the United States. He was subsequently also a member 
 of the Senate of this State, in which he appeared in a suit 
 made entirely of homespun cloth, but of ^o fine a texture 
 and finish, that it attracted special notice. His son, John 
 Lefferts, whose widow is still spared to us, was a member 
 of Congress, from this district, and also a delegate to the 
 convention of 1821, which met for amending the constitu- 
 tion of the State. 
 
 Several persons have been selected from this town to 
 represent the county of Kings, in the Assembly of the 
 State, since the Revolution. 
 
 In 1784 Johannes E. Lott, 
 
 " 1785-6 John Vanderbilt, 
 
 " 1787-8 Cornelius WyckofF, 
 
 " 1789-91 Aquila Giles, 
 
 " 1793 Aquila Giles, 
 
 " 1802 JohnC. Vanderveer, 
 
 " 1811 to 1813 John C. Vanderveer, 
 
 '' 1814 Jeremiah Lott, 
 
70 
 
 In 1815 Teunis Schenck, 
 
 " 1816 & 1817 Richard Fish, 
 
 " 1819 & 1820 Teunis Schenck, 
 
 " 1821 & 1822 Jeremiah Lott, 
 
 " 1829 John Wyckoff, 
 
 " 1839 Jeremiah Lott, 
 
 " 1842 John A. Lott. 
 
 Statement of the population of the Town of Flatbush. 
 including New-Lots, from the year 1810, to the year 
 1840, inclusive. 
 
 Years- 
 
 Population 
 
 1810, 
 
 1,159. 
 
 1820, 
 
 1,062. 
 
 1825, 
 
 1,027. 
 
 1830, 
 
 1,049. 
 
 1835, 
 
 1,143. 
 
 1840, 
 
 1,537. 
 
 Statement of the aggregate valuations of real and per- 
 sonal estates, in the Town of Flatbush, including New- 
 Lots, as revised and corrected by the Board of Supervi- 
 t.«orsof the county of Kings, from the year 1817, to 1841, 
 inclusive. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Real Estate. 
 
 Personal Estate. 
 
 AggH Valuation. 
 
 1817, ■ 
 
 8368.057. 
 
 834.399. 
 
 8403.056. 
 
 1818, 
 
 367.107. 
 
 32.633. 
 
 399.739. 
 
 1819, 
 
 384.657. 
 
 162.904. 
 
 547.561. 
 
 1820, 
 
 363.358. 
 
 14L050. 
 
 504.408. 
 
 1821, 
 
 357.238. 
 
 115.990. 
 
 473.228. 
 
 1822, 
 
 355.713. 
 
 117.795. 
 
 473.508. 
 
 1823, 
 
 320.158. 
 
 102.365. 
 
 422.523. 
 
71 
 
 1824, 
 
 301.300. 
 
 88.930. 
 
 390,230. 
 
 1825, 
 
 325.402. 
 
 93.140. 
 
 418 542. 
 
 1826, 
 
 317.714. 
 
 89.330. 
 
 407.044. 
 
 1827, 
 
 331.892, 
 
 90.480. 
 
 422.372. 
 
 1828, 
 
 319.840. 
 
 84.638. 
 
 404.478. 
 
 1829, 
 
 325.665. 
 
 83.580. 
 
 409.245. 
 
 1830, 
 
 321.310. 
 
 73.900. 
 
 395.210. 
 
 1831, 
 
 314.301. 
 
 62.050. 
 
 376.351. 
 
 1832, 
 
 310.396, 
 
 68.300. 
 
 384.696. 
 
 1833, 
 
 319.640. 
 
 64.475. 
 
 384.115, 
 
 1834, 
 
 387.601. 
 
 62.450. 
 
 450.051. 
 
 1835, 
 
 822.120. 
 
 144.850. 
 
 966.970, 
 
 1836, 
 
 833.970. 
 
 167.150. 
 
 1.001.120. 
 
 1837, 
 
 830,035. 
 
 167.250. 
 
 1.003.285. 
 
 1838, 
 
 860.495. 
 
 168.000. 
 
 1.028.495, 
 
 1839, 
 
 877.630. 
 
 181.850. 
 
 1.059.480, 
 
 1840, 
 
 880.055. 
 
 220.600. 
 
 1.100.555, 
 
 1841, 
 
 899.900. 
 
 218.000. 
 
 1.118.400, 
 
 Thus have we sketched some of the leading facts, rela- 
 ting to the civil history of the town of Flatbush. We 
 cannot but mark the good hand of providence in all. He 
 has favored the spot with health ; rendered its soil fertile ; 
 and prospered its inhabitants. The latter have steadily 
 pursued the even tenor of their way, and while they have 
 enjoyed liberally the gifts of a benificent providence, 
 have advanced in wealth and solid comforts. While in 
 other sections of our country, the lands possessed by the 
 original proprietors, have passed from their descendants ; 
 here, but few farms comparatively, have changed hands ; 
 the spirit of roving not having been cherished. Most of 
 the farms are still in the possession of the descendants of 
 
72 
 
 the first patentees and proprietors. Numerous families 
 in the town too, can trace back their genealogy to the 
 early settlement of the place. May they continue to em- 
 ulate the virtues of their fathers, and go on in the enjoy- 
 ment of the good land which God has given them, thank- 
 ing Him, that " the lines have fallen to them in pleasant 
 places, and that they enjoy so goodly a heritage." 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 In commencing the Ecclesiastical History of Flatbush, 
 it is proper to premise, that as all the early settlers of this 
 and the neighboring towns, came from Holland, they were 
 united in one religious faith. They all professed the doc" 
 trines, -and order, which were established by the national 
 Synod, which met at Dordrecht, in the year 1618-19. 
 This Synod was summoned by the authority of the Staats 
 General of Holland, and was attended by the most emi- 
 nent divines of the United Provinces, and deputies from 
 the reformed churches of England, Scotland, Switzerland,' 
 Bremen and other places. Seldom, if ever, has a more 
 learned, pious and venerable assembly convened. The 
 early inhabitants of the west end of Long Island, received 
 as the symbols of their faith, the Belgic Confession, 
 the Heidleburgh Catechism, and the Canons of this Sy- 
 nod. But as there was no ecclesiastical organization in 
 this country, at that time, they were placed under the 
 the oversight and authority of the Classis of Amsterdam, 
 to whom the interests of all the Dutch and German 
 -churches in America were confided. A standing com- 
 mittee was appointed by this Classis, called the commit- 
 tee ad exteras and sometimes ad res maritlinas to whom 
 the affairs of these churches were referred, during the in- 
 tervals of session by the Classis. This committee mana- 
 ged all the correspondence with these churches, provided 
 them with ministers, and gave them such counsel as they 
 
 7 
 
74 
 
 needed. This arrangement continued until the year 1772, 
 when the organization of the present Reforn^^d Dutch 
 Church, in this country took place, and independent 
 Classes and Synods were established, on the model ^T the 
 church in Holland. On Long-Island, each town had its 
 own consistory, or bench of church officers ; but all the 
 churches in Kings county were combined, and constituted 
 one charge, for the period of about one hundred and fifty 
 years. Their ministers were colleagues ; preached in 
 turn in all the churches, and drew their salaries in cer- 
 tain fixed proportions from the several congregations. 
 The place of their residence was Flatbush. 
 
 *^ Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush. 
 
 AWiough it is known that the inhabitants of Long- 
 Island had among them the ordinances of the gospel at a 
 very early date, yet the first account of building a church, 
 is not till the year 1654. On the 15th of December, of 
 that year. Governor Stuyvesant issued an order appoint- 
 ing the Rev. Mr. Megapel ensis, who was one of the min- 
 isters of New- Amsterdam ; John Snedicor and John 
 Stryker, commissioners to build a church at Midwout. 
 On the 13th of October, in the same year, it appears that 
 an order was passed by the Governor, who seems to have 
 exercised a controlling power in ecclesiastical as well as 
 civil and military affairs, permitting the Rev. Johannes 
 Theodorus Polhemus, a minister of the Reformed Church 
 of Holland, to preach at Midwout and Amersfort, (or 
 Flatlands.) The spot selected for the building of the 
 church, was the site now occupied by the present build- 
 ing. The order of the Governor, directed that it should 
 be sixty, or sixty-five feet long, twenty-eight feet broad, 
 and from twelve to fourteen feet under the beams : that 
 
75 
 
 it should be built in the form of a cross, and that the rear 
 should be reserved for the ministers dwelling. It is most 
 probable that this building, which was the first church 
 erected in the county, was of wood, and that it was com- 
 menced, if not completed, in the succeeding year. For on 
 the 9th of February, 1655, the Governor ordered the inha- 
 bitants of Brooklyn and Amersfort, which were then con- 
 nected together, with Flatbush, as one pastoral charge, 
 and continued so for a number of years, to assist the peo- 
 ple of Midwout in cutting timber to build their house of 
 worship. The entries in the Deacons book of the church 
 of Flatbush, of collections taken up on the Sabbath com- 
 mence on the first Sabbath of January, 1655, and these 
 entries are regularly continued, at intervals of seven days, 
 from that time forward. From this, it is evident that di- 
 vine service was statedly performed on every Sabbath 
 after that period, in Flatbush. How long previously to 
 this time this was the case, cannot be ascertained. Nor 
 is there any record by which it can be known, when the 
 first Consistory was ordained and the church organized. 
 But it appears from subsequent minutes, that until the 
 year 1681, the Consistory consisted of only two Elders 
 and two Deacons. 
 
 In September, 1660, those who had the charge of 
 erecting the building, reported that it had cost 4,637 guil- 
 ders, or about 81,800. Of this sum, a very considerable 
 amount was collected by voluntary subscription, in New- 
 Amsterdam, Fort Orange, (now Albany,) and in the dif- 
 ferent settlements on Lons-Island. An account of these 
 several subscriptions, is still preserved in the records of 
 the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush. It is as 
 follows : — 
 
Guilders. 
 
 Stivers. 
 
 90 
 
 
 50 
 
 
 1,876 
 
 3 
 
 35 
 
 10 
 
 112 
 
 10 
 
 120 
 
 
 17 
 
 10 
 
 427 
 
 
 , 588 
 
 
 76 
 
 " To the building received." 
 From Fort Orange, 
 
 " Esopus, 
 
 " New- Amsterdam, 
 
 " Gowanus, 
 
 " Brooklyn, 
 
 " Amersfort, 
 
 " New-Utrecht, 
 
 " Midwout, 
 
 " E. (India probably,) Company, 
 • " the first preaching, (collection 
 
 probably,) 90 
 
 " The Hon. Fiscal, or Attorney 
 
 General, 30 
 
 " Also, in addition, 113 
 
 " Marriage Fees, 43 
 
 " Hempstead, by bequest, 50 
 
 To aid in liquidating the debt which still remained upon 
 the building, the Governor himself, contributed 400 guil- 
 ders, leaving still a balance of 800 against the church. 
 
 From the Dutch Records in the office of the Secretary of 
 State at Albany, we gather the following facts. " On 
 the 6th, of August, 1655, the Governor ordered the She- 
 riff, to convene the inhabitants of Brooklyn, Flatbush and 
 Flatlands, for the purpose of inquiring whether they were 
 satisfied with their minister, and if they were satisfi- 
 ed, what sallary they would pay him. The Sheriff 
 reported, that they approved of their minister, and would 
 pay him a sum equal to $416.66 per year. This was 
 approved as a good call, and accepted." The minister 
 concerning whom this order was made, was the Rev. 
 Johannes Theodorus Polhemus, who was the first Pastor 
 of these churches. " February, 8th, 1656, the above towns 
 applied to the Governor for an order to raise money by a 
 
77 
 
 tax, to pay their minister, Granted." " December, 20th, 
 1659, the Rev. J. Polhemus represented to the Governor 
 that his church wanted painting, to preserve it, and re- 
 quested assistance from the Governor. Reply, — this re- 
 quest shall be transmitted to the directors by the first op- 
 portunity." " September 18th, 1660, the minister peti- 
 tioned for windows for his church, Ordered that one 
 window be furnished him." 
 
 It having been reported, that the church was indebted 
 to the amount of 624 guilders, it was ordered to be satis- 
 fied out of the treasury, as soon as funds should be recei- 
 ved. On the 15th of March, 1656, an ordinance was pass- 
 ed by the Governor, on petition, regulating the times and 
 places of public worship on the sabbath. It was directed 
 that the morning service for Brooklyn, Flatbush and Flat- 
 lands, should be held at Midwout, or Flatbush, and the 
 afternoon service alternately, at Brooklyn and Flatlands. 
 The first church at Flatlands was ordered to be erected 
 in the year 1662, and that at Brooklyn, in the year 1666. 
 The Rev. Mr. Polhemus the first pastor, was at this time 
 quite advanced in life, and unable to perform the services 
 appertaining to so extended a charge. In consequence of 
 this, on application to Governor Stuyvesant, permission 
 was granted to the church, of Brooklyn, to call another 
 minister. A request to this efiect was sent to Holland, 
 and on the 16th, of February, 1660, a call upon the Rev. 
 Henry Solyns, or Henricus Selwyn, was approved by the 
 Classis of Amsterdam, and an honorable dismission given 
 to Mr. Solyns, wishing him a safe and prosperous jour- 
 ney by land, and by water, to his congregation, in the 
 New-Netherlands. He was installed in the church at 
 Brooklyn, on the 3d, of September, 1660, in the presence 
 of the Fiscal and Burgomaster Krigier, by the order of 
 
78 
 
 Governor Stuyvesant. His salary was six hundred guil- 
 ders per annum, equal to a little rising two hundred dol- 
 lars. 
 
 Although nothing certainly is known of the services of 
 Mr. Solyns, in Flatbush, it is probable, from the infirmities of 
 Mr. Polhemus, and the friendship which existed between 
 them, that occasionally, at least, he must have preached 
 in Flatbush ; although he was regarded as more especial- 
 ly the minister of the church of Brooklyn, and received as 
 such, from the Rev. J. Polhemus, on the 12th, of Septem- 
 ber, 1660, a list of his members, containing thirty-seven 
 names. Mr. Solyns was a man of more than ordinary ta- 
 lents and learning. This was soon discovered, and in the 
 year 1662, an arrangement was made, by which he 
 preached at the Governor's house, on his " Bowerie," or 
 Farm, on Sunday afternoons. His ministry at this time, in 
 this country however, was of short continuance ; for on the 
 22d, of July, 1664, he took leave of his congregation, and 
 sailed in the ship Beaver, for Holland. He subsequently 
 returned to this country, and was pastor of the Dutch 
 church, in New-York, from 1682, to 1700. He was a man 
 of classical taste and learning, and highly esteemed in his 
 day. He prefixed a Latin poem to Cotton Mather's 
 " Magnalia Christi Americana," bearing date, October, 
 16th, 1697. 
 
 After the departure of Mr. Solyns, the churches were 
 left to such services as the Rev. Mr. Polhemus, in his old 
 age could confer upon them. He appears however to 
 have been assisted at this period by the Rev. Johannes 
 Megapolensis, one of the ministers of the city of New- Am- 
 sterdam. This arrangement continued till the year 1676, 
 on the 8th, of June, in which year, Mr. Polhemus died. 
 Application was then made to the Classis of Amsterdam. 
 
79 
 
 for another minister, by whom the Rev. Caspar us Van 
 Zuren who had been settled at Gouderack, was sent out. 
 He was installed on the 6th, of September, 1677. It is 
 probable, that about this time, the church of New-Utrecht 
 was organized, and received into the combination : 
 for the first election of Elders and Deacons in this church, 
 took place in the month of October, 1677. The record in 
 the hand writing of the Rev. Mr. Van Zuren, under date 
 1677, which gives the account of the change of Elders 
 and Deacons in the several churches of Brooklyn, Amers- 
 fort, Flatbush and New-Utrecht contains the following 
 minute relative to the last named church " At New- 
 Utrecht, while there has never heretofore been an election 
 of Elders and Deacons, the assembled congregation have 
 now chosen for Elders Jan Gysbertse and Mainderd 
 Courtes ; for deacons, Auris Williamse Brower and Jan 
 Hanse, and this has all taken place in the beginning of 
 October, and they have been ordained about the same time 
 and at the same place."' 
 
 In the year 1681, the Consistory of the church of Flat- 
 bush was enlarged, by the addition of one Elder and one 
 Deacon, chosen from among the members at New-Lots. 
 None of the consistories of the churches on the island as yet, 
 consisted of more than two Elders and two Deacons, and 
 this appears to have been the case for some years subse- 
 quent to this period, with the exception of the church of 
 Flatbush. The minute relative to the enlargement of the 
 Consistory of the church of Flatbush is as follows : 
 
 " N. B. In consequence of the increase of the commu- 
 nicants and housekeepers, at Oostwoud, together with that 
 of the children (where for the instruction and edification 
 of the young and aged, a schoolmaster is required.) It 
 is unanimously ordained and approved of by the Honora- 
 ble Consistory of Midwoud, that at Oostwoud, under the 
 
80 
 
 jurisdiction of Midwoud, there ought to be chosen an 
 Elder and a Deacon, who shall be members of the Consis- 
 tory of Midwoud, to have the oversight of the members of 
 Oostwoud, in particular and over those of Midwoud in ge- 
 neral, and in matters of importance, whenever the mem- 
 bers of the Consistory are assembled, they must ah\ays be 
 requested to meet with them to obtain their advice as well 
 as that of others. And to that end, are chosen for Elder, 
 William Jacobse Van Boerum ; for Deacon, Rem Rem- 
 sen. Concluded in Consistory of Midwoud, on the 6th of 
 January, 1681. The above elected persons having been 
 several times proclaimed, were ordained at Midwoud, on 
 the 30th, of January.'' 
 
 Little is known with regard to the Rev. Mr. Van Zu- 
 ren's ministry or character. He appears to have been a 
 man of great industry and system. He has left the most 
 copious minutes of the services which he performed. In 
 addition to the lists of the members of the churches, and the 
 records of baptisms and marriages, he has noted the times 
 and places of administering the Lord's Supper, together 
 with the texts of scripture from which he preached, and 
 the election of new Elders and Deacons in the several 
 churches in each year, together wuth the time of their 
 induction into their respective offices. His record of bap- 
 tisms commences on the 16th of September, 167T, and of 
 marriages on the 29th of September, 1677. He contin- 
 ued to serve these congregations till the year 1685, when 
 he received a call from his former church in Holland, and 
 returned to his native land. He was succeeded by the 
 Rev. Rudolphus Varick in the same year. He continued 
 till the year 1694, when the Rev. Wilhemus Lupandus 
 was called, who officiated until the time of his death, which 
 occurred in the year 1701 or 2. Of these two gentlemen 
 nothing now is known. 
 
81 
 
 In the year 1698, a subi^ription was taken up for the 
 purpose of erecting a new church. This subscription, 
 which was confined to the inhabitants of the old town and 
 New-Lots, amounts to 15,728 guilders and 5 stivers, 
 which reckoning a guilder at forty cents, is equal to 
 $6,291.20. The precise time at which the church was 
 built, is not known ; but it was no doubt during that year 
 or the one that succeeded. The committee to whom the 
 erection of the church was entrusted, were, Captain Daniel 
 Polhemus, Captain Aries Vanderbilt, Adrian Ryers, Rem 
 Remsen, and Rem Aertson. This building, which was 
 located on the spot on which the first church stood, was 
 a stone edifice, fronting the east, with a large arched 
 double door in the centre, having a steep four-sided roof 
 coming nearly together at the top, on which was erected 
 a small steeple. The building was wider in front then in 
 depth, being about sixty-five north and south, and about 
 fifty feet east and west. The roof rested on the walls, 
 and was partly supported by them, and partly by two large 
 oak columns, standing in a line within the building, in a 
 northerly and southerly direction, and at a suitable distance 
 from each other. The two columns supported a plate in 
 the centre of a lofty arched planked ceiling, the north 
 and south ends of which, rested on the wall, in conse- 
 quence of which, the north and south walls of the build- 
 ing were considerable higher than those of the east and 
 west. There were two large and broad braces extending 
 from each column to the plate. The roof appeared to be 
 badly constructed. Its pressure on the walls was so 
 great, that in process of time, the upper part of the north- 
 erly wall was pressed out more than a foot over the foun- 
 dation, and the four braces attached to the columns within 
 the building, were considerably bent from the weight and 
 
82 
 
 pressure above. The pulpMiH^s placed in the centre of 
 the west side of the building, fronting the door, having the 
 Elders bench on the right, and the Deacons bench on the 
 left. The male part of the congregation were seated in 
 a continuous pew, all along the wall, which was divided 
 into twenty apartments, with a sufficient number of doors 
 for entrance : each person having one or more seats, in 
 one or the other of these apartments. The residue of the 
 interior of the building, was for the accommodation of the 
 female part of the congregation, who were seated on 
 chairs. These were arranged into seven different rows, 
 or blocks, and every family had one or more chairs in 
 some one of these blocks. This interior arrangement of 
 the seats, was called by the significant Dutch term "De 
 Gestoeltens." Each chair was marked on the back by 
 a number, or by the name of the family or person to 
 whom it belonged. The windows of this church were 
 formed of small panes of glass ; and those on either side 
 of the pulpit, were painted, or ornamented and set in lead. 
 
 It is probable that about the year 1698, when the first 
 church was pulled down, in which as we have seen, there 
 was accommodation for the minister and his family, the first 
 parsonage house was built. This is the south part of the 
 present building now occupied by L. L. Van Kleeck, Esq. 
 which has undergone so many important improvements 
 under his hands. 
 
 About the time of the building of this second church, 
 a certain paper was drawn up and adopted, entitled " Ar- 
 tides, Laws and Ordinances, by which the church of 
 Flatbush shall be governed and occupied, by the inhabi- 
 tants and builders." This document contains certain 
 provisions : — 1st. Concerning the occupancy and posses- 
 sion of the seats . 2d. Concerning the tenure of the seats 
 
83 
 
 whenever the owners remove ; and 3d. Concerning in- 
 torments in the church. These provisions are all wise 
 and prudent, but some of them appear at the present day- 
 somewhat curious. We shall only extract from this do- 
 cument, the articles concerning "interments in the 
 church." They are as follows : — 
 
 "1. Those who are inclined to be interred within the 
 church, are required to pay for an adult corps of sixteen 
 years and upwards, £4 ; for a corps under sixteen years, 
 to six years of age, £3; and for a child of six years and 
 under, £2 ; and this shall be paid to the Church Masters, 
 for the profit of the church. 
 
 2. "Those who are inclined to be permitted to be interred 
 in the church, are required to pay the expense of every 
 person : for a corps of sixteen years and upwards, the 
 sum of 27 cruilders : for one under sixteen vears to six 
 years, 22 guilders : for a child of six years and under, 
 19 guilders, for the profit of the schoolmaster, for the time 
 being, who shall be required to see that the graves are to 
 be dug so deep that two coffins can be placed therein, one 
 above the other, and that the grave for the under coffin is 
 seven feet deep, and that he shall remove all dirt out of 
 the church." 
 
 From this time, the practice of burying under the body 
 of the church, became quite general. All the ministers 
 who died after this date, (1701,) during the standing of 
 that church, were interred under the building ; and this 
 indeed was the case with all whose friends could afford to 
 pay the extra expense connected with this privilege ; and 
 this accounts for the fact, that the grave yard now contains 
 so few tomb stones of ancient date. Vast numbers of 
 human bones were dug up when the earth was removed 
 for the foundation of the steeple to the present church. 
 
84 
 
 These were all carefully preserved, and subsequently 
 again buried. In front of the church, and under it have 
 been interred the bodies of nearly three or four genera- 
 tions. 
 
 At the time of the building of this church, the Rev. W. 
 Lupardus, was pastor. After his death, which occurred 
 towards the close of the year 1701, or in the commence- 
 ment of the year 1702, the congregations of the county 
 made an effort to call the Rev. Bernardus Freeman, then 
 pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Schenectady. 
 Three men were chosen in each of the four towns, of 
 Flatbush, Brooklyn, Flatlands and New-Utrecht, for the 
 purpose of prosecuting this call, in accordance with the 
 provisions of the government, which then exercisd control 
 over the church. An application was made to Lord 
 Cornbury, the then. Governor of the Colony, for permis- 
 sion to call Mr. Freeman. This request was, on the 23d 
 of October, 1702, denied by the Governor ; and the four 
 congregations were directed to send to Holland for a min- 
 ister, in conformity with their previous custom. It would 
 appear that another effort was made to obtain the Rev. Mr. 
 Freeman, in the year 1703. On the 27th of April, in 
 that year. Lord Cornbury, issued a warrant granting full 
 liberty to call Mr. Freeman. The congregation of 
 Schenectady, however, remonstrated against the proceed- 
 ing, and sent a petition to Governor Cornbury, requesting 
 that the calling of Mr. Freeman should be interdicted. 
 But this petition was denied by Lord Cornburv in an or- 
 der issued by him bearing date June 24th, 1703. A call 
 was accordingly presented to the Rev. Mr. Freeman, who 
 in a letter date August 2d, 1703, consents to accept the 
 same, provided -^rtain conditions which he names are 
 complied with. I n the 19th of Aufjust, 1703, these con- 
 
85 
 
 ditions were acceded to by the congregation of Flatbush. 
 Previously however to this, it would appear that certain 
 difficulties had arisen relative to this matter. Some, if 
 not all, the persons who had been deputed from the seve- 
 ral congregations to call the Rev. Mr. Freeman, for some 
 cause which does not appear, became disaffected towards 
 him. In consequence of this, they did not comply with the 
 instructions which they had received— but not only neg- 
 lected to answer the letter of Mr. Freeman, informing- hirn 
 that the congregation had complied with his stipulations, 
 but addressed a letter to the Consistory of Schenectady, 
 stating that the most part of the congregation were in 
 favor of sending to Holland for a minister — but that only 
 some " stiff heads," as they term them, had enjoined them 
 to make a call upon Dom. Freeman. Eventually, Mr. 
 Freeman visited the island himself, and having ascertain- 
 ed the true state of things, consented to accept the call. 
 The matter, however, appears to have been in agitation 
 for more than two years before he came. For he was not 
 installed until the year 1705. This took place by procla- 
 mation of the Governor, in the church at New-Utrecht, in 
 November of that year. The service was performed on 
 the occasion, by the Rev. Mr. Dubois. In the mean time, 
 however, the disaffected persons v/rote a letter to the 
 Classisof Amsterdam, bearing date, December 10th, 1703, 
 requesting that a minister should be sent out to these 
 churches from Holland. This letter was received by the 
 Classisof Amsterdam, on the 2d, June, 1704, and on the 
 6th, of October, 1704, they commissioned the Rev. Vin- 
 eentius x\ntonides, to proceed to America, for the purpose 
 of becoming the pastor of the church of Flatbush, and of 
 the Dutch churches adjoining. He was at the time pastor 
 of the church of Bergen, in Friesland. In their letter to 
 
 8 
 
86 
 
 the churches, the Classis of Amsterdam, speak of him as 
 a man of great learning, and of fine talents. He arrived 
 in this country, and in connection with the Rev. Mr. 
 Freeman, entered upon his duties in the year 1705. But 
 a very unhappy controversy, which had its origin previ- 
 ously to his arrival, continued to agitate the churches. We 
 need not enter into the particulars of it. It is sufficient to 
 state that the contest was so warm between the friends of 
 these respective ministers, that the civil authority had to 
 interfere, and one or two orders were passed on the sub- 
 ject, by Lord Cornbury, the Governor. Some of these are 
 curious, as exhibiting the powers which the Governor and 
 his council exercised in the affairs of the church. These 
 differences continued to agitate these several congrega- 
 tions, until the year 1714, w^hen they were harmoniously 
 reconciled. On the 27th, of December, in that year, a 
 meeting was held in Flatbush, composed of delegates from 
 the churches of Flatbush, Brooklyn, Flatlands, New- 
 Utrecht, Bushwick and New-Jamaica, (as it is called in 
 the document which gives the account of this meeting,) or 
 the Reformed Dutch congregation of Queens County, 
 which was then about being organized, and was supplied 
 by the ministers from this county. This meeting was as- 
 sembled in good friendship, as they state in the pream- 
 ble to their transactions. They all agreed to lay aside 
 their differences, and to receive the Rev. Messrs. Free- 
 man and Antonides, as their pastors and teachers. They 
 fixed the proportion of salary, to be raised by the several 
 churches for their support, and the times and places of ad- 
 ministering the Lord's Supper and of preaching. In re- 
 gard to the communion, it was agreed, that Buskwick, 
 Brooklyn and Flatbush, should commune together ; Flat- 
 lands, Gravesend and New-Utrecht, together; and the con- 
 gregation of Queens County, should form another com- 
 
87 
 
 munion. In regard to preaching, it was agreed, that one 
 minister should preach on one Sabbath in Bushwick, and 
 the other in New-Utrecht ; that on the next Sablmth, one 
 in Brooklyn, and the other in Flatlands ; and the third Sab- 
 bath, one in Flatbush and the other in Jamaica, and thus 
 on in regular rotation. From this time forth, for a num- 
 ber of years the churches enjoyed peace. 
 
 The unhappy controversy to which we have alluded, 
 was, by Him, who causes the wrath of man to praise 
 Him, overruled for good. For, from that time forward, 
 the churches of the county enjoyed the services of two 
 ministers of the gospel who in addition to their pulpit ex- 
 ercises, performed all the usual parochial duties ; such 
 as visiting the sick, catechising the youth, pastoral visita- 
 tion of families, and the like. All of which, had hereto- 
 fore been attended to by one individual, who from the 
 extent of the charge, could not possibly have rendered all 
 the services which were needful and proper. 
 
 To accommodate these pastors, it became necessary to 
 provide another parsonage. Accordingly, in the year 
 1711, the congregations purchased of Johannes Johnson, 
 the house owned by Mr. John H. Hess, and recently oc- 
 cupied by Mr. Michael Schoonmaker. Deeds for this 
 property, in proportion to their several rights were given 
 to the respective Dutch congregations in the county ; this 
 church being entitled to the fourth equal part. This 
 building was used as a parsonage, until the year 1809, 
 when it was sold, an account of which will be subsequent- 
 ly given. In this and the other parsonage adjoining the 
 church, the Rev. Mr. Freeman, and the Rev. Mr. Antoni- 
 des were accommodated, but we are not able to tell in 
 which house they severally resided. 
 
88 
 
 Both these ministers appear to have been men of more 
 than ordinary acquirements and talent. The Rev. Mr. 
 Freeman, was a very learned divine. He wrote and pub- 
 lished several works. Among others, one entitled, " Tri- 
 al of Grace," or the " Ballance," containing a series of 
 sermons ; and another, entitled, " Apothems," which has 
 been translated from the original Dutch, by General Je- 
 remiah Johnson. The latter work discovers a vast amount 
 of learning, and a mind of the deepest research. It is a 
 treasure of truth. 
 
 In the year 1737, a meeting of ministers was held in 
 New- York, for the purpose of taking measures to organize 
 a Csetus or Assembly of Ministers and Elders, subordi- 
 nate to the Classis of Amsterdam, with powers some- 
 what similar to those now exercised by the Classes of the 
 Reformed Dutch Church, in this country. At this meet- 
 ing the Rev. Mr. Freeman attended, on behalf of the 
 churches on Long-Island. A plan was adopted for the 
 organization of such a body, and was submitted to 
 the churches, for their approbation. On the 27th, of 
 April, 1738, the meeting again convened, in the city of 
 New- York, for the purpose of hearing the reports on this 
 subject. At this meeting the churches on Long-Island were 
 repi'esented by the Rev. Mr. Freeman, and the Elders Pe- 
 ter Nevius and Dirk Brinkerhoff. The plan having been 
 approved by the churches generally, it was now ratified 
 and adopted, and immediately sent over to the Classis of 
 Amsterdam, for their approval. But for some cause not 
 known, the approbation of the Classis did not reach this 
 country until the j^ear 1746. It was brought over by the 
 Rev. Mr. Van Sinderen, of whom we shall presently speak. 
 Mr. Freeman died in the year 1741. He was succeeded 
 by the Rev. Johannes Arondeus, in the year 1742, who 
 
89 
 
 Was the colleague of the Rev. V. Antonides till the year 
 1744, when the latter died. 
 
 On the death of Rev. Mr. Antonides, the Rev. Ulpianus 
 Van Sinderen was called. He came from Holland, and 
 entered upon his duties, in 1746, and continued to serve 
 the congregation in connection with the Rev. Mr. Aron- 
 deus until the year 1754, when Mr. Arondeus was called 
 to his final account. 
 
 Mr. Van Sinderen was the bearer of the letter from the 
 Classsis of Amsterdam, containing their approbation of 
 the plan of the Coetus which had been agreed upon in the 
 meeting, held in New- York, in the year 1738. Shortly 
 after his arrival in this country, a meeting was called to 
 receive this letter. This meeting was held in the city of 
 New-York, in the month of May, 1747. The Rev. Mr. 
 Van Sinderen, is named first among the six ministers who 
 attended this meeting. Little more was done at this time 
 than receive the letter of concurrence in the plan from the 
 Classis of Amsterdam, and appoint the second Tuesday of 
 the following September, for the meeting of the first Csetus, 
 to be held in the city of New- York, under this new plan. 
 On that day, the representatives of the churches met in 
 Castus, and organized the first judicatory (if it can be so 
 called) higher than a consistory, that was established in the 
 Dutch Church in America. The Rev. Mr. Van Sinderen 
 attended as a member of this body. The plan was how- 
 ever opposed by several ministers, and churches, and 
 eventually gave rise to very serious troubles, which it 
 would be inappropriate here to narrate in detail. 
 
 Mr. Van Sinderen, though a man of talents, was quite 
 eccentric in his manners. He was short in statue, but very 
 active. 
 
 8* 
 
m 
 
 Though endowed with learning, he appears to have 
 been deficient in sound judgment. He was too much in 
 the habit of introducing the occurrences of the week pre- 
 vious in his sermons, on the Sabbath, and often would al- 
 lude to very trifling circumstances. Some amusing an- 
 ecdotes, are told of him, relating to this practice. On one 
 occasion, a good old Eider, who had borne with the Do- 
 mine in this particular, till his patience was exhausted, 
 very injudiciously, under the excitement of his feelings, 
 rose in his seat, during divine service, and interrupted Mr. 
 Van Sinderen, hy saying, they had called him to preach 
 the gospel, and not to detail to them such matters. The 
 Domine, indignant at being stopped in his discourse, lean- 
 ed over the pulpit, and replied, " You, Phlip Nagle, if 
 j^'ou can preach the gospel better than I can, come up here 
 and try." 
 
 After the death of the Rev. Mr. Arondeus, the Rev. 
 Anthony Curtenius was called. He commenced his min- 
 istry in this place in the year 1755. But in the succeed- 
 ing year, on the 19th. of October, he died, being in his 
 58th, year. 
 
 About this time, or probably, a little while before, this 
 church was greatly agitated, in common with the whole 
 Reformed Dutch denomination, with what was called the 
 Coetus and Conferentie differences. This was a contest 
 which excited great warmth. It related principally to the 
 question of the right of ordination, and the exercise of 
 church authority. The Cietus party contended that in 
 consequence of the inconvenience of sending to Holland 
 for ministers, and the increase of the churches in this coun- 
 try, it should be exercised by the ministers of the church, 
 already in America, and that for this purpose, there 
 should be a regular organization of the churches into Clas- 
 
91 
 
 ses, and Synods, as was the case in Holland, to whom 
 should appertain all the rights and privileges belonging 
 to such ecclesiastical bodies, in the mother country. The 
 Conferentie party, on the other hand, maintained that all 
 ministers should be ordained in Holland, and sent forth un- 
 der the authority of the Classis of Amsterdam, or by their 
 permission. The controversy was a very unhappy one, 
 and continued to trouble the churches until the year 1772. 
 This congregation was not exempt from the general dif- 
 ficulties. So divided and embittered against each other 
 were many on this subject, that the different parties would 
 not worship together, nor even speak to each other. 
 Sometimes they would not turn out when they met on the 
 road. On one occasion, it is said that two of these re- 
 doubtable opponents belonging to Flatbush, meeting each 
 other in their waggons, and both refusing to give the road, 
 they each deliberately took out their pipes, and began to 
 smoke ! How long they continued at this very pacific em- 
 ployment is not stated, nor is it said whether the difficulty 
 between them was lost sight of by the cloud of smoke ob-, 
 scuring their vision, or whether their pipes w^ere ever 
 turned into the calumut of peace. 
 
 In August, 1759, the Rev. Johannes Casparus Rubel, 
 was called, who continued as colleague with the Rev. Mr. 
 Van Sinderen, until the year of his death. 
 
 The old or second church, which we have above des- 
 cribed, continued without material change until about two 
 years previous to the war of the American Revolution, 
 when it was thought necessary to remodel or improve the 
 seats, by introducing pews. Consequently, on the 6th of 
 October, 1774, the church masters prepared a subscription 
 paper, detailing the plan by which this desirable object 
 should be accomplished. This paper was signed by every 
 
92 
 
 male adult person of the congregation who had an interest 
 in the church. This document exhibits in a striking man- 
 ner, the wisdom, foresight, sound discretion and piety of the 
 men of that day. In this too, as well as in almost every 
 other public ecclesiastical document, they refer to the arti- 
 cles of their faith, as established in the National Synod of 
 Dordrecht, in the year 1618, 1619. The assent of the whole 
 congregation having been thus prudently obtained, they 
 commenced in the year 1775 to remodel the seats. The 
 chairs were removed, and sixty-four pews, containing six 
 seats each, were introduced. The work having been com- 
 pleted on the 2Sth, day of September, in the same year, 
 the pews were drawn for, by the members of the congre- 
 gation, and assigned to the respective owners by lot, and 
 a record of the same accordingly made. The expense 
 incurred by this improvement, amounted to .£290. IG. 9. or 
 8727.09, of which sum, the respective pew holders paid 
 £190.4.6. equal to 8475.56. John Bennan, Thomas 
 Lane, Isaac Martense, Adrian Martense and Vincent An- 
 tonides, were the carpenters who performed the work, and 
 the painting was done by William Post. There were two 
 galleries along the easterly side of the church, divided by 
 the door ; the one was occupied by the whites, and the other 
 by coloured persons. The benches below, under these gal- 
 leries were free, and usually occupied by non-residents. On 
 each side of the church were two windows, and one upper 
 window in each of the ends, at the north and south. These 
 were all provided with shutters. The bell rope hung 
 down in the centre of the church, was easy of access, and 
 often used to give alarms, during the revolutionary war. 
 Here were two benches with backs, one called the "Ye- 
 frows Bench," and the otherthe "Blue Bench." The former^ 
 was for the accommodation of the minister's wife and fam- 
 
93 
 
 i'ly and the other was let out to other individuals, and from 
 its position, was regarded as an honorable seat. Boards 
 on which the first Psalm to be sung was noted, were 
 hung upon the walls of the church, for the benefit of such 
 as were not present when it was announced. The Dea- 
 cons were furnished with long rods, at the ends of which, 
 were velvet bags, in which to take up the collection, and 
 they usually stood for a few moments with their poles in 
 their hands in front of the pulpit, till the minister briefly 
 reminded the congregation of their duty to the poor. 
 
 The Rev. Messrs. Van Sinderen and Rubel, continued 
 to officiate in the church, until the close of the revolu- 
 tionary war, in 1783. With regard to these individuals, 
 several unpleasant difficulties arose in the five congrega- 
 tions of the county, who were under their pastoral charge, 
 — and as their residence, as that of all the previous min- 
 isters had been, was at Flatbush, the inhabitants of this 
 town took a warm and active interest in these differences. 
 The particulars of these, it would not be edifying to re- 
 late. In regard to politics, which during the revolutionary 
 struggle, was a matter of deep interest ; the Rev. Mr. 
 Van Sinderen appears to have been in favor of the Ameri- 
 can cause, and the Rev. Mr. Rubel, strongly opposed to 
 it. On a fast day which was ordered to be kept by the 
 Provincial Congress, the latter preached in Flatbush, from 
 the text, "honor the king;" when among other things, he 
 said, " people could do as well without a head as without 
 a king." This gave great offence to those who were in fa- 
 vor of throwing off" the British yoke. 
 
 At the close of the war, in June 1784, at the request of 
 the united Consistory, the Rev. Mr. Van Sinderen resign- 
 ed his charge, and on the 12th of July, in the same year, 
 was declared Emeritus and a certain salary voted to him 
 
94 
 
 as such, which was regularly paid him, until the day of 
 his death, which occurred on the 23d of July, 1796. He 
 was interred in the grave yard at Flatlands, to which 
 place he had removed some {"ew years previously. The 
 Rev. Mr. Ruble, was for certain causes, which it is not ne- 
 cessary to mention, deposed from the office of the sacred 
 ministry, by the Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church, 
 in the early part of the year 1784. He remained under 
 this censure, till the time of his death, which took place 
 in 1799. His remains lie interred in the public cemetery 
 of the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush. 
 
 In the year 1785, a call was made on the Rev. Marti- 
 nus Schoonmaker, then officiating at Gravesend and Har- 
 leam. He having accepted the call, the congregation 
 of Gravesend was admitted formally into the combina- 
 tion. On the 28th of October, 1787, the Rev. Peter 
 Lowe, a native of Ulster County, who had completed his 
 theological studies under the Rev. Dr. Livingston, was 
 installed colleague pastor with Mr. Schoonmaker. These 
 two continued to preach alternately in the old church, 
 until it was taken down, in the year 1794. All the ser- 
 vices of the above named ministers, were performed in 
 the Dutch language, until the 10th of April, 1792, when 
 it was resolved that the service in the afternoon, in the 
 congregations of Brooklyn, Flatbush and New-Utrecht, 
 should be held in the English language, on such days as 
 the Rev. Mr. Lowe should preach in those places. 
 
 In the year 1785, the church became incorporated. 
 As this introduced an important change in the manage- 
 ment of the fiscal concerns, it may be proper here to 
 present the following statement, of the manner in which 
 the temporalities of the church had been previously ad- 
 ministered, and the steps taken to obtain the incorporation. 
 
95 
 
 The landed estate and general financial interests of the 
 Church of Flatbush, from the time of its organization, 
 were entrusted to the care and management of Church 
 Masters, similar to the mode and usage practised by the 
 Reformed churches in Holland. The Church Masters 
 were three in number, elected by the '• Gemeente," or 
 assembled congregation, out of the Consistory, and held 
 their offices for two years, corresponding with the official 
 term of the Elders and Deacons. When the Church 
 Masters were first chosen, they were divided into two 
 classes, and the seat of the member of the first class be- 
 came vacant at the expiration of the first year, and the 
 seats of the two members of the second class, at the ex- 
 piration of the second year, so that thereafter, one or the 
 other members of each class might be annually chosen. 
 They were required to render an annual statement of 
 their receipts and expenditures, and the correctness of the 
 accounts of the retiring Church Master, or Church Mas- 
 ters, as the case might be, was always certified on the 
 church books. The temporalities belonging to the church, 
 and consisting of real and personal estate, appear to have 
 been prudently and judiciously managed and preserved 
 by the Church Masters thus chosen, down to the close of the 
 year, 1784, a period of nearly one hundred and seventy 
 years. The last Church Masters, were John Vanderbilt, 
 Isaac Snediker and Johannes E. Lott, whose accounts 
 were examined by the Trustees of the church, and by 
 them found satisfactory : whereupon the following certifi- 
 cate was entered upon the church books. "John Van- 
 derbilt, Isaac Snediker and Johannes E. Lott, Church 
 Masters, having come .together, and rendered an account 
 of their receipts and expenditures to the Trustees who are 
 chosen in their place, and the Church Masters have been 
 
^6 
 
 found faithful in their trust, are thanked by us, the under- 
 written Trustees, for their services." 
 
 On the 6th day of April, in the year 1784, the Legis- 
 lature of the State of New- York, passed an Act, entitled 
 " An Act to enable all religious denominations in this 
 State, to appoint Trustees, who should be a Body Corpo- 
 rate, for the purpose of taking care of the temporalities of 
 their respective congregations, and for other purposes 
 therein mentioned." As the revolutionary war was now 
 just closed, and peace again restored, the inhabitants of the 
 tov/n of Flatbush, at once saw the advantages which their 
 church might derive from this Act authorizing the incor- 
 poration of religious societies. Accordingly, on Sunday 
 the 26th day of December, 1784, public notice was given 
 by the Rev. Martinus Schoonmaker, the minister of the 
 church, by a publication therein, immediately after divine 
 service, and before the congregation was dismissed, notify- 
 ing all male persons who statedly worshiped in the said 
 church, to meet therein, on the 17th day of January, then 
 next ensuing, at one o'clock in the afternoon of the same 
 day, for the purpose of electing Trustees to take care of the 
 temporalities of the said church, pursuant to the provisions 
 of the above-mentioned Act. The same notification was 
 again made, in the said church, by the same minister, on 
 the 2d day of January, 1785, in manner aforesaid. In 
 pursuance of which notifications, the male persons who 
 statedly worshiped in the said church, accordingly met at 
 the time and place appointed, and in the presence of Jere- 
 mias Van Der Bilt and Joris Martense, Elders and Judges 
 of the election, did then, and there, by plurality of voices, 
 elect Phlip Nagel, Cornelius WyckoiT, Hendrick Suy- 
 dam, Peter LefFerts and John R. Vanderbilt, Trustees to 
 take care of the temporalities of the said church, pur- 
 
97 
 
 suant to the directions in the said Act mentioned and pre- 
 scribed. The style, name and title, by which the said 
 Trustees and their successors should forever thereafter be 
 called, known and distinguished, was designated to be, 
 " The Trustees of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of 
 Flatbush." These proceedings were all certified under 
 the hands and seals, of Jeremias Vanderbilt and Joris 
 Martense, the above-named Elders and Judges of the elec- 
 tion, and duly acknowledged and recorded in the Clerk's 
 office of the County of Kings, on the said 17th day of 
 January, 1785. Upon the organization of the Board of 
 Trustees, Philip Nagel was appointed their Treasurer, 
 and they made a record of all the real and personal es- 
 tate belonging to the church. 
 
 The church of Flatbush continued under the above- 
 mentioned Act, providing for the incorporation of religious 
 societies generally, until the 19th day of December, 1804. 
 Some few years anterior to this time, the Legislature of 
 the State, passed a special Act providing for the incorpo- 
 ration of the Reformed Dutch Churches, and therein desig- 
 nated who should be the Trustees of every Dutch church, 
 and the manner of their appointment. By this Act, it is 
 provided that the '"minister or ministers, and elders and 
 deacons, and if during any time there be no minister, then 
 the elders and deacons during such time, of every Reform- 
 ed Protestant Dutch Church or congregation, now, or 
 hereafter to be established in this State, and elected ac- 
 cordins: to the rules and usages of such churches within 
 this State, shall be the Trustees for every such church or 
 congregation. The Act then prescribes the mode in 
 which the Trustees and their successors shall become a 
 body corporate, and the name or title of such incorpora- 
 tion. In the same Act, further provision is made that it 
 
 9 
 
98 
 
 shall be lawful for the Trustees of any Reformed Protes- 
 tant Dutch Church or congregation, elected by virtue of 
 any former law of this State, by writing under their hands 
 and seals, duly proved and acknowledged, and also re- 
 corded in the office of the clerk of the county, to declare 
 their will, not to continue any longer a body corporate 
 under such former law, and thereupon such body corpo- 
 rate shall cease, and all the estate, real and personal held 
 by them, shall pass and be vested in the Trustees of the 
 church or congregation made a body corporate, in the 
 manner provided for the Dutch churches. 
 
 Under the provisions of the Act last above-mentioned, 
 John Hegeman, Johannes E. Lott, Court Van Brunt and 
 Andrew Suydam, " The Trustees of the Reformed 
 Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush," elected ac- 
 cording to the provisions of the Act, entitled " An Act to 
 enable all religious denominations in this State, to appoint 
 Trustees, who shall be a body corporate, for the purpose 
 of taking care of the temporalities of their respective 
 congregations, and for other purposes therein mentioned," 
 Passed April 6th, 1784, did on the 19th day of Decem- 
 ber, 1804, by a certificate executed under their hands and 
 seals, certify and declare, that they would not continue 
 any longer a body corporate, under the said recited Act ; 
 which certificate was duly proved, acknowledged and re- 
 corded, as the Act requires. On the same day, (Decem- 
 ber 19th 1804,) Martinus Schoonmaker and Peter Lowe, 
 ministers, Peter Stryker, John Williamson, Johannes E. 
 Lott and Hendrick H. Suydam, Elders, and Joseph Hege- 
 man, Cornelius Stryker and Lawrence Voorhees, Deacons 
 elected according to the rules and usages of the Reform- 
 ed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush, did by a certifi- 
 cate, executed under their hands and seals, also certify 
 and declare, that they and their successors, forever should 
 
99 
 
 be known and distinguished as a body corporate, by virtue* 
 of the Act entitled " An Act, to provide for the incorpora- 
 tion of religious societies." Passed March 27th, 1801, 
 (see Revised Laws of the State of New- York, by Kent 
 and RadclifT, vol. 1, page 336,) by the name or title of 
 "The Trustees of the Reformed Protestant Dutch 
 Church of the Town of Flatbush, in Kings County." 
 This certificate was also duly proved and acknowledged, 
 and recorded in the Clerk's office, of the County of Kings. 
 And the minister or ministers. Elders and Deacons of the 
 church, have ever since been continued, under the provi- 
 sions of the last mentioned Act, as a body corporate, by 
 the name or title expressed and set forth in the original 
 certificate now remaining of record. 
 
 On the 19th of August, 1793, the inhabitants of the 
 town of Flatbush, assembled in public meeting at the 
 church, and having again declared their adherence to the 
 doctrines and order of the Dutch Church, as ratified by 
 the National Synod, held at Dordrecht, unanimously re- 
 solved to erect a new house for public worship. Certain 
 conditions and stipulations were agree upon, and a build- 
 ing committee, consisting of the Trustees of the church, 
 then five in number, and five Commissioners were ap- 
 pointed to carry their design into execution. The names 
 of these Trustees and Commissioners, were Cornelius 
 Vanderveer, John Bennem, Johannes J. Lott, Peter Stry- 
 ker, John Vanderveer, John Vanderbilt, Hendrick H. 
 Suydam, Johannes E. Lott, John Williamson and Adrian 
 Martense. This committee immediately proceeded to their 
 work. They engaged Thomas Fardon as the architect and 
 master builder, and Simeon Back, Frederic Cleaveland, 
 Abijah Baldwin, Gideon Seaman, and other carpenters 
 under him. The master mason was John Sanford, who 
 was assisted by his two brotherc .and others under him. 
 
100 
 
 The painting of the church, when completed, was done 
 by Matthew Hall, the father of George Hall, the fir&t 
 Mayor of the city of Brooklyn. This edifice, which is 
 the one now standing, was three years in building. It 
 was commenced in December, 1793, and finished in De- 
 cember, 1796. It is- most saibstantially built — all the 
 stones of the former church being placed in its founda- 
 tion, which is at least six feet broad. Most of the stones 
 for the walls, were quarried at Hurlgate. They were 
 brought by water to Gowanus and Denton's mill, by Je- 
 remiah Van Dyke, from whence they were carted to Flat- 
 bush, by the inhabitants. The brown stone which forms 
 the three upper courses just above the foundation, were 
 broken out of the Brooklyn woods. The brick around the 
 doors and windows, which by the way, is almost the only 
 matter of bad taste about the building, came from Hol- 
 land, as ballast, in one of the ships belonging to the Ho- 
 norable John Vanderbilt. 
 
 The cost of this edifice was £4873. 7. 7. equal to 
 $12,183, 44. exclusive of the labor and cartage perform- 
 ed by the members of ihe congregation, which was an 
 item of very considerable amount. On the 6th day of 
 December, 1796, the pews in the church amounted to nine- 
 ty-seven, exclusive of those reserved for the Elders and 
 Deacons, the Pastor, the Justice of the peace, and a few 
 for strangers, were sold at public auction, for the aggre- 
 gate sum of £2013. 7. 9. equalto$5.033, 47. which did 
 not meet the expense of the building by more than $7,000. 
 A suitable register of the pews was then made, and of 
 their respective owners. At the completion of the church, 
 in the year 1796, a fine bell, imported expressly from 
 Holland, was presented fo-r its use, by the Honorable John 
 Vanderbilt, for which a vote of thanks was passed by the 
 Consistory, a copy of w^ioh was ordered to be transmitted 
 
101 
 
 to the liberal donor. The vessel in which this bell was 
 shipped, was captured by the British, on her passage to 
 this country, and carried into Halifax, — and from the fact 
 that the bell had on it, this inscription, " Presented to the 
 Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush, by John Vander- 
 bilt," it was presumed that both vessel and cargo, belong- 
 ed to a Holland merchant, and she was on the point of 
 being condemned, when Mr. Charles Clarkson, the son-in- 
 law of Mr. Vanderbilt, went to Halifax and testified that 
 he was a citizen of the United Spates. It is something of 
 a remarkable fact, that the second or third time that this 
 bell was used, was on the occasion of the funeral of this 
 noble spirited man. Although we shall have occasion 
 hereafter to mention this distinguished individual, we 
 trust we shall be pardoned for here stopping for a moment, 
 to render the tribute of respect to his memory. He was 
 a man of great nobleness of mind, of liberal views, and 
 of enlarged public spirit. He died on the 18th of No- 
 vember, 1796, in the fift^^-seventh year of his age. His 
 monumental stone, bears the following testimony to his 
 worth. " He was a merchant of distinguished probitj' — a 
 real patriot — an affectionate relative — a sincere friend, 
 and a worthy man. Blessed with affluence, he displayed 
 a spirit of munificence in promoting the interests of his 
 country, of religion and virtue. The moderation and 
 conciliatory disposition which accompanied and conducted 
 his virtues, secured him through life, an esteem almost 
 unrivalled, and rendered his death, a great loss to the 
 public, and to his family irreparable." 
 
 The church after its completion, was dedicated to the 
 service of Almighty God, in the month of January, 1797. 
 The Rev. Martinus Schoonmaker, preached a sermon in 
 the Dutch language, on that interesting occasion, and the 
 
 9* 
 
ia2 
 
 Rev. Peter Lowe, preached in English in the afternoon of 
 the same day. 
 
 The combination between the six congregations of the 
 county, to which we have alluded, continued until the 
 year 1805, when the church of Brooklyn, called the Rev. 
 Selah S. Woodhull, as their pastor exclusively. In the 
 year 1808, the churches of Flatbush and Flatlands, 
 united in a call upon the Rev. Peter Lowe, to become 
 their pastor, which was accepted, and he continued in that 
 relation, until the time of his death, which occurred on 
 the 10th day of June, 1818. He was much beloved by 
 the people of his charge ; a man of fervent piety and of 
 active usefulness. His death was that of the triumphant 
 Christian. His remains lie interred in the public ceme- 
 tery of this church. 
 
 In the fall of the year 1818, the churches of Flat- 
 bush and Flatlands-, made a call on theRev. Walter 
 Monteith, who was installed their pastor in the year 
 1819. He continued his connection with this people 
 only for a little more than a year, — for on the 13th 
 of April, 1820, he resigned his charge, having accepted 
 a call to the Presbyterian Church in Schenectady. After 
 the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Monteith, the congrega- 
 tions remained vacant for upwards of two years. In the 
 month of May, 1822, a call was made out by the church of 
 Flatbush alone, on the present pastor, which was accepted 
 by him, in August of that year, and on the 17th day of 
 November ensuing, (1822,) he was installed by the Clas- 
 sis of Long-Island. The combination between the six 
 Dutch churches in the county, was not however finally 
 dissolved, until the death of the Rev. Martinus Schoon- 
 maker, which took place on the 20th day of May, 1824, 
 when he was at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. 
 This venerable man was eminent for his faithful perfor- 
 
103 
 
 mance of duty, and his devotion to his Masters work. He 
 continued to preach until within a few months of his 
 death, — after having served the people of his charge for 
 nearly forty years, he was gathered to his fathers, and his 
 end was peace. 
 
 In the year 1830, measures were first taken for the 
 erection of the Consistory Room of the Reformed Dutch 
 Church of Flatbush. The want of accommodation for 
 religious services, other than those on the Sabbath, and 
 particularly of a suitable place in which to hold the Sab- 
 bath Schools, had been long felt ; one of the school rooms 
 in the Academy, had been used for the former purpose, 
 and the church for the latter. But neither was such as 
 circumstances called for. Arrangements were according- 
 ly made for the erection of a seperate building, which 
 was completed in 1831, at the expense of 81,195.82. To 
 meet this, a voluntary subscription, amounting to about 
 $600, was taken up among the members of the congrega- 
 tion, and the balance was paid by a donation from the 
 Ladies' Sewing Society, and by the Consistory, who contri- 
 buted nearly 8400. 
 
 During the winter of 1836-37, some important im- 
 provements were made in the interior of the Reformed 
 Dutch Church in Flatbush. We need not particularly 
 specify them, as they are all well known to the present 
 inhabitants. The pews on the ground floor, were all re- 
 modelled, and rendered more comfortable, and a gallery 
 was erected across the east end of the church. 
 
 Reformed Dutch Church at New-Lots. 
 
 In the year 1823, measures were taken for the erec- 
 tion of a church edifice in New-Lots. The building was 
 
104 
 
 commenced in that year, and finished in the succeeding 
 spring. It was dedicated to the service of Ahuighty God, 
 in July 1824, on which occasion the Rev. John Alburtis, 
 then a minister of the Presbyterian Church, officiated. 
 During the period when the building was erecting, efforts 
 were made to have that part of the congregation of Flat- 
 bush organised into a separate church. But they had 
 been ineffectual. On the 12th of August 1824, however, 
 the Classis of Long-Island resolved that they should be- 
 come a distinct congregation, and took measures ac- 
 cordingly, to organize them into a church, which took 
 place in the latter part of that month, the late Rev. David 
 S. Bogart, by order of the Classis, officiating on the oc- 
 casion. During the succeeding winter, they united with 
 the church of Flatlands in making out a call upon the 
 Rev. William Crookshank, a licentiate from the Theolo- 
 gical Seminary at New-Brunswick, who in February, 
 1825, was ordained by the Classis, and installed pastor of 
 the churches of New-Lots and Flatlands. He continued 
 his connection with this people, for a little more than ten 
 years. In April 1835, he resigned his charge and re- 
 moved to the village of Newburgh. On the 22d of March 
 1836, the Rev. J. Abeel Baldwin, having accepted their 
 call, was installed pastor of these churches, who is still 
 officiating among them with much acceptance and useful- 
 ness. 
 
 Episcopal Church at Flatbush. 
 
 In June 1836, incipient steps were taken to oi'ganize an 
 Episcopal Church in Flatbush. The first service pre- 
 paratory to this, was held by the Rev. Dr. Cutler, of 
 Brooklyn, in the Consistory Room of the Reformed Dutch 
 
5ftgS3S3i£''i'- 
 
 w^S t , Vi>^ rfV'.v- J^-«?J 4 (-i 
 
 
105 
 
 Church, which had been offered for the occasion, by the 
 Consistory. In reference to this enterprize, although it 
 was the first attempt to introduce the services of another 
 denomination of Christians in the town, the kindest feel- 
 ings were entertained and expressed, and such facilities 
 were afforded to further it as Christian courtesy dictated, 
 on behalf of the officers and members of the Reformed 
 Dutch Church. On the 11th of July, 1836, the follow- 
 ing persons were chosen to constitute the first Vestry, viz : 
 
 Matthew Clarkson and Robert J. Crommelin, Wardens; 
 David Johnson, James Mowatt, George Cornell, C. Du- 
 rand, Charles Waldron, A. Norrie, William H. Story 
 and Samuel Richards, Jr., Vestrymen. 
 
 The corner stone of the church was laid in accordance 
 with the forms and provisions of the Protestant Episcopal 
 Church, on the 13th day of August, 1836, by the Right 
 Rev. B. T. Onderdonk, Bishop of the Diocese of New- 
 York, when it was named the "St. Paul's Church of Flat- 
 bush." An address was delivered on the occasion, by the 
 Rev. Benjamin C. Cutler, D. D. The building, which 
 will well compare with any of its size, for beauty, neat- 
 ness and symmetry, was finished in the fall of the same 
 year. The cost of this edifice, including certain improve- 
 ments around the church, and the organ, was $8,480. 
 To meet this, a subscription was taken from sundry indi- 
 viduals, amounting to f 2,398. The balance, which was 
 86,082, was generously contributed by Matthew Clark- 
 son, Esq. 
 
 On the 23d of December, 1836, the Rev. Thomas S. 
 Brittain, was chosen the first rector. The church was 
 consecrated to the service of Almighty God, by the Bishop 
 of the Diocese, on the 29th day of December, in the same 
 year. The instrument of donation was read by the Rev. 
 
106 
 
 Mr. Brittain, the rector, and the instrument of consecra- 
 tion, by the Rev. John F. Messenger, assistant. From 
 that time forth, services were regularly held in the church 
 on every Sunday ; the Rev. Mr. Brittain the rector, offi- 
 ciating in the afternoon, and the Rev. Mr. Messenger, 
 the assistant, in the morning. On September 1st, 1837, 
 the Rev. Mr. Messenger resigned, and on the 3d of the 
 same month, the Rev. James Coghlan commenced officiat- 
 ing in his place. The Rev. Mr. Brittain resigned his 
 rectorship, on the 29th of March, 1838, and on the 6th 
 day of April, in the same year, the Rev. Mr. Coghlan 
 succeeded as rector. He continued to officiate as such, 
 until the fall of the succeeding year, when, in conse- 
 quence of his removal to England, he resigned. This 
 took place on the 21st of October, 1839. On the 30th of 
 March, 1840, the Rev. William Barlow, the present 
 worthy rector, was elected to that office, with whose excel- 
 lencies of mind and character, the inhabitants of the town 
 are well acquainted.* 
 
 Reformed Dutch Church at East New- York. 
 
 In the year 1838, a new Reformed Dutch Church was 
 built at East New-York, a settlement of some considera- 
 ble extent, which has grown up in the north west part of 
 New-Lots, bordering on the turnpike. This church was 
 dedicated to the service of God, in the spring of the suc- 
 ceeding year, and in the month of May, of that year, 1839, 
 the Rev. William H. Campbell, was installed as their pas- 
 tor. He continued his connection with them until the fall 
 
 * The Rev. Mr. Barlow, resigned his rectorship, on or about the 
 1st of April, 1842, 
 
107 
 
 of 1841, when he removed to Albany, to take charge of 
 the Third Reformed Dutch Church of that city. 
 
 Thus, in the good providence of God, have churches 
 been multiplied within the bounds of the town of Flat- 
 bush. Twenty years ago there was but one edifice for 
 the accommodation of all the community. Now we have 
 four respectable churches, besides a building which a few 
 years ago was put up in the woods, between this and New- 
 Lots, for the use of the colored population, particularly of 
 the Methodist denomination. Would, that while these fa- 
 cilities for divine worship are afforded, and the various 
 ministers in our bounds are from Sabbath to Sabbath pro- 
 claiming the unsearchable riches of Christ, all our inha- 
 bitants may become wise unto salvation. 
 
LITERARY HISTORY. 
 
 Village School. 
 
 No principle was more deeply engraved upon the heart 
 of the Hollander than that " the church and the school 
 must be maintained ;" a principle of the soundest wisdom, 
 and of the most practical utility. For, without education, 
 morality and religion, there can be no foundation for so- 
 cial order and prosperity. These are the great safeguards 
 of the community, and where these are fostered and en- 
 couraged, we have reason to expect not only intelligence 
 and virtue, but a due respect to the laws of the land, and 
 to all the rights and privileges of those who are associated 
 in any one community. Accordingly, the early Dutch 
 settlers in Flatbush, imbued with the principle which has 
 just been mentioned, soon after their settlement, took mea- 
 sures for the education of their children, and the mainte- 
 nance of suitable schools. Among the first records of the 
 town, we find notice of the employment of a schoolmaster. 
 Much care seems to have been taken, not only in the se- 
 lection, but in the agreements formed with the teachers of 
 their children. The first schoolmaster of whom we have 
 any knowledge, was Adrian Hegeman. He was one of 
 the original proprietors of the town, and was the owner 
 of the farm lying immediately north of the property now 
 in the tenure of Mr. Isaac Cortelyou. He was the ances- 
 tor of the widow of the late Peter Lefferts, and probably 
 
109 
 
 of the whole family of Hegemans, now living. He was 
 engaged as schoolmaster from 1659, to 1671. 
 
 From the records of the town, it appears that the 
 schoolmaster acted as Town Clerk, and as the rates 
 of tuition were low, previously to the American re- 
 volution, the offices of sexton, and " Foresinger," or 
 chorister, of the church, were conferred upon him, 
 with a view to increase his emoluments. He receiv- 
 ed all interment fees, for infants and adults, accord- 
 ing to a scale of established prices, and for his services as 
 chorister, he was paid an annual salary by the Consisto- 
 ry of the church. The chorister, in addition to his duty of 
 taking the lead in setting und singing the Psalms and 
 Hymns, was also required to ring the bell for all public ser- 
 vices, to read the commandments at the commencement of 
 the morning worship, and the Apostles creed, in the after- 
 .noon. These latter services were all performed in the 
 Dutch language, and uniformly continued so until about 
 t4ie year 1T90, at the time when Mr. Gabriel Ellison, the 
 first English schoolmaster left the village. 
 
 The following is a list of the schoolmasters of the town 
 of Flatbush, from the year 1659, to the year 1802, when 
 the village school was removed into the Academy. 
 
 Adrian Hegeman, from 
 
 Jacop Joosten, " 
 
 Francays De Burynne " 
 
 Michael Hainelle '• 
 
 Jan Gerrit Van Marckje, " 
 
 Derick Storm, " 
 
 Jan Tiebout, " 
 
 Johannes Van Eckkellen, '• 
 
 Johannes Schenck, " 
 
 Jan Gancell 
 
 
 1659 
 
 to 
 
 1671. 
 
 1671 
 
 
 1673. 
 
 1673 
 
 
 1674. 
 
 1674 
 
 
 1675. 
 
 1675 
 
 
 1680, 
 
 1680 
 
 
 1681. 
 
 1681 
 
 
 1682, 
 
 1682 
 
 
 1700. 
 
 1700 
 
 
 1711. 
 
 1711 
 
 
 1719. 
 
 10 
 
110 
 
 Adrian Hegeman, f 
 
 rom 
 
 1719 
 
 to 
 
 1741. 
 
 Jores Remsen, 
 
 a 
 
 1741 
 
 
 1762. 
 
 Petrus Van Steenburgh, 
 
 a 
 
 1762 
 
 
 1773. 
 
 Anthony Welp, 
 
 a 
 
 1773 
 
 
 1776. 
 
 Gabriel Ellison, 
 
 a 
 
 1776 
 
 
 1790. 
 
 John Rubell, 
 
 a 
 
 1790 
 
 
 1793. 
 
 Michael Schoonmaker, 
 
 a 
 
 1793 
 
 
 1798. 
 
 Patrick Dillon, 
 
 u 
 
 1798 
 
 
 
 Patrick Noon, 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 1802. 
 
 Specific and very particular agreements were made 
 with these several schoolmasters, which are entered at 
 large, upon the town records. It may be interesting to pre- 
 sent one or two of these, to show the duties which these 
 persons formerly were required to perform, and the man- 
 ner in which they were to instruct the children. The fol- 
 lowinc: is a translation of the asrreement made with Johan- 
 nes Van Eckkelen, who commenced his duties as school- 
 master, in Flatbush, in the year 1682. 
 
 "Johannes Van Eckkelen, a young man from New- Alba- 
 ny, is hereby called and accepted, on the first day of Oc- 
 tober, 1681, with the advice and consent of the Honorable 
 Magistrates, to perform the duties heretofore required of 
 JanThibaud, in manner following: (1.) He shall serve the 
 Church and School, according to the existing ordinances, 
 in the same manner, as they have been heretofore perfor- 
 med by the above named Jan Thibaud, and as hereunder 
 written. — (2.) This contract shall take effect, from the 
 first day of October, Inst, and continue to the first day of 
 <May next, for the purpose of making a trial of each other 
 in the mean time. — (3.) For the performance of the above 
 duties, he shall be entitled to receive the sum of 234 guil- 
 ders, in grain, valued in Seewant, with the other privile- 
 ges appertaining to the calling, during the time specified. 
 
Ill 
 
 ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT 
 
 WITH 
 
 JOHANNES VAN ECKKELEN. 
 
 Accepted Schoolmaster and Chorister of Flathush. 
 
 School Service. — I. The school shall begin at eight 
 o'clock, and go out at eleven ; and in the afternoon shall 
 begin at one o'clock, and end at four. The bell shall be 
 rung when the school commences.* 
 
 II. When the school begins, one of the children shall 
 read the morning prayer, as it stands in the catechism, 
 and close with the prayer before dinner ; in the afternoon 
 it shall begin with the prayer after dinner, and end with 
 the evening prayer. The evening school shall begin with 
 the Lord's prayer, and close by singing a psalm. 
 
 III. He shall instruct the children on every Wednesday 
 and Saturday, in the common prayers, and the questions 
 and answers in the catechism, to enable them to repeat 
 them the better on Sunday before the afternoon service^ 
 or on Monday, when ihey shall be catechised before the 
 congregation. Upon all such occasions, the schoolmas- 
 ter shall be present, and shall require the children to be 
 friendly in their appearance and encourage them to an- 
 swer freely and distincly. 
 
 IV. He shall be required to keep his school nine 
 months in succession, from September to June, in each 
 
 ♦ The bell used on these occasions was the church bell. The prac- 
 tice of ringing this bell at the opening of the school continued till the 
 year 1791, when the second church was taken down. The church 
 bell was also used by the Academy, for nearly ten years. 
 
112 
 
 year, in case it should be concluded upon to retain his 
 services for a year or more, or without limitation ; and he 
 shall then be required to be regulated by these articles, 
 and to perform the same duties which his predecessor, Jan 
 Thibaud, above named, was required to perform. In ev- 
 ery particular therefore, he shall be required to keep 
 school, according to this seven months agreement, and shall 
 always be present himself. 
 
 CiHURCH Service. — I. He shall keep the church clean, 
 and ring the bell three times before the people assemble 
 to attend the preaching and catechising. Also before the 
 sermon is commenced, he shall read a chapter out of the 
 Holy Scriptures, and that, between the second and third 
 ringing of the bell. After the third ringing he shall read 
 the ten commandments, and the twelve articles of our 
 faith, and then take the lead in singing. In the afternoon 
 after the third ringing of the bell, he shall* read a short 
 chapter, or one of the Psalms of David, as the congrega- 
 tion are assembling ; and before divine service commen- 
 ces, shall introduce it, by the singing of a Psalm or Hymn. 
 
 II. — When the minister shall preach at Brooklyn, or 
 New-Utrecht, he shall be required to read twice before the 
 congregation, from the book commonly used for that pur- 
 pose. In the afternoon he shall also read a sermon on the 
 explanation of the catechism, according to the usage and 
 practice approved of by the minister. The children as 
 usual, shall recite their questions and answ^ers out of the 
 catechism, on Sunday, and he shall instruct them therein. 
 He, as chorister, shall not be required to perform these 
 duties, whenever divine service shall be performed in 
 Flatlands, as it would be unsuitable, and prevent many 
 from attending there. 
 
113 
 
 III. — For the administration of Holy Baptism, he shall 
 provide a basin with water, for which he shall be entitled 
 to receive from the parents, or witnesses, twelve styvers. 
 He shall, at the expense of the church, provide bread and 
 wine, for the celebration of the Holy Supper ; He shall be 
 in duty bound promptly to furnish the minister with the 
 name of the child to be baptized, and with the names of 
 the parents and witnesses. And he shall also serve as 
 messenger for the consistory. 
 
 IV.^ — He shall give the funeral invitations, dig the 
 grave, and toll the bell, for which service he shall receive 
 for a person of fifteen years and upwards, twelve guilders, 
 and for one under that age, eight guilders. If he should 
 be required to give invitations beyond the limits of the 
 town, he shall be entitled to three additional guilders, for 
 the invitation of every other town, and if he should be re- 
 quired to cross the river, and go to New-York, he shall 
 receive four guilders. 
 
 School Money. — He shall receive from those who at- 
 tend the day school, for a speller or reader, three guilders 
 a quarter, and for a writer four guilders. From those 
 who attend evening school, for a speller or reader, four 
 guilders, and for a writer, six guilders shall be given. 
 
 Salary. — In addition to the above, his salary shall con- 
 sist of four hundred guilders, in grain, valued in Seewant, 
 to be delivered at Brooklyn Ferry, and for his services 
 from October to May, as above stated, a sum of two hun- 
 dred and thirty-four guilders, in the same kind, with the 
 dwelling house, barn, pasture lot, and meadows, to the 
 school appertaining. The same to take effect from the 
 first day of October, Instant. 
 
114 
 
 Done and agreed upon in Consistory, under the inspec- 
 tion of the Honorable Constable and Overseers, the 8th,' 
 of October, 1682. * 
 
 Constable and Overseers. The Consistory. 
 
 Cornelius Berrian Casparus Van Zurek, Minister^ 
 
 Rykier Aertsen, Adriaen Reyerse., 
 
 Jak Remsen, Cornelis Barent Vandewyck. 
 
 1 agree to the above articles, and promise to perform 
 tliem according to the best of my ability. 
 
 JOHANNES VAN ECKKELEN." 
 
 Many of the pro-visions of this agreeiuent are calculat- 
 ed at this day to excite a smile. But in one particular it 
 is to be admired. It shows how careful and exact our 
 forefathers were, in embuing the minds of the young and 
 rising generation, with a reverence for the God of their ex- 
 istence, and with a knowledge of the principles of our ho- 
 ly religion. These are matters which we cannot too sa- 
 credly guard. Mere secular knowledge is not a safe- 
 guard to pej'sonal virtue, nor to the security of the State. 
 Sound education consists not simply in the cultivation of 
 the mind, but in the infusion of moral and religious prin- 
 ciples. Without the latter, it is but a frail support of the 
 great temple of liberty and independence. But when mo- 
 ral principles are inculcated in connection with intellectu- 
 al light, we may hope to see the youth growing up in vir- 
 tue and proving ornaments in their day, and supports to 
 the church and the state. Such was the deep rooted sen- 
 timent of the early Dutch settlers, and was transmitted by 
 them to their- immediate descendants. And hence the 
 careful provisions in all their agreements with their schoa-1- 
 
115 
 
 masters. At that time religious instruction could be in- 
 troduced in the schools without any difficulty, as all the 
 community were of one faith — All adhering to the Belgic 
 Confession, the articles of the Synod of Dort, and the Ca- 
 techisms of the Reformed Dutch Church. Such a mode of 
 instruction however, from the present state of society, and 
 the multiplication of religious sects, cannot now be pursued. 
 But we deprecate the day, when the Bible shall be exclu- 
 ded from our common schools, and no care taken to in- 
 still into the minds of the young, sound moral principles, 
 the principles of the religion of Christ. 
 
 We have presented an agreement formed with a school- 
 master, in the year 1682. We now give one made in the 
 year 1773, nearly one hundred years after, with Anthony 
 Welp, the last teacher of the Dutch language. As will 
 be seen, it contains many of the provisions of the former, 
 and is based in general, upon the same principles. 
 
 " In Kings County, 
 " Flathush, August 18; 1773. 
 
 '• The undersigned, Philippus Nagel, Johannes Ditmars 
 and Cornelius Vanderveer, Jr., being authorized by the 
 town of Flatbush, to call a schoolmaster for the same 
 town, have agreed with Mr. Anthony Welp, to keep 
 school in the following manner. 
 
 " First the school shall begin and end in a Christian- 
 like manner : At 8 o'clock in the morning it shall begin 
 with the morning prayer, and end at 11 o'clock, with 
 prayer. 
 
 " 1st. For dinner. At 1 o'clock in the afternoon, it 
 shall begin with the prayer after meat, and at 4 o'clock in 
 the afternoon, end with the evening prayer. 
 
116 
 
 " 2d. The above named schoolmaster shall teach child- 
 ren and adult persons, low dutch and english spelling and 
 reading, and also cyphering to all who may desire or re- 
 quest such instruction. 
 
 " 3d. The above named schoolmaster shall have for the 
 instruction of every child or person, in low dutch spelling, 
 reading and writing, the sum of four shillings : for those 
 who are instructed in english spelling, reading and writ- 
 ing, the sum of five shillings : and for those who are in- 
 structed in cyphering, the sum of six shillings : and that 
 for three months instruction : and also a load of firewood 
 shall be brought for each scholar, every nine months, for 
 the use of the school. 
 
 " 4th. The above schoolmaster shall keep school five days 
 in every week : once in each week in the afternoon, the 
 scholars shall learn the questions and answers in Borges 
 Catechism : or the questions and answers in the Hei- 
 dleburgh Catechism, with the scripture texts thereto be- 
 longing, or as it may be desired by the scholar or by his 
 guardian, for any other day in the week, so as to be most 
 beneficial to the one instructed. 
 
 " 5th. The above named schoolmaster shall occupy the 
 school-house, with the appurtenances thereto belonging, 
 in the same manner as the same was occupied by the 
 schoolmaster, Petrus Van Steenburgh. Also, the above 
 named schoolmaster shall be yearly paid by the Worthy 
 Consistory, the sum of four pounds, to attend to the church 
 services, such as reading and singing ; and for the inter- 
 ment of the dead, the above named schoolmaster shall be 
 entitled to receive so much as is customary in the above 
 named town. 
 
 " 6th, and Lastly. The above agreement shall be obli- 
 gatory for such length of time as the present schoolmas- 
 
117 
 
 ter shall render his services amangst us. But if it should 
 so happen that the town should not require the services of 
 the above named schoolmaster, any longer after the ex- 
 piration of one year : in such case the schoolmaster shall 
 have three months notice thereof, from the above authoriz- 
 ed persons, or from such persons as may be thereto ap- 
 pointed. And if the above named schoolmaster should 
 desire to discontinue his services, he shall in like manner 
 give the town three months previous notice of his intention. 
 
 For the mutual performance of this agreement, we 
 have signed this with our hands. 
 
 N. B. The above sums of money mentioned in the 
 Third Article, shall be paid by those who send the scho- 
 lars to school. 
 
 " PHILLIPPUS NAGEL, 
 JOHANNES DITMARS, 
 CORS. V. D. VEER, Junr. 
 ANTHONY WELP." 
 
 We have not been able to gather any information rela- 
 tive to the character or attainments of these early school- 
 masters. Nor have we met with any of their literary 
 productions. We cannot, however, refrain in this place, 
 from presenting the following rare specimen of poetic pro- 
 ficiency, which we find on the title page of the first 
 Minute Book of the Board of Supervisors of the County 
 of Kings. It was composed by J. M. Sperling of Flat- 
 bush, who was chosen clerk of the. board, in the year 1716. 
 
 " My loving Friends of this County See, 
 That you hereby may Regulated Bee — 
 
 Fear God and Keep the Law with Love of one accord 
 
 And b^ Obdient to our Soveraigne Lord 
 
118 
 
 Then you will meet with Men that Sees 
 
 'J'hat Doth according to Law by Words and Deeds 
 
 Imploy'd the same within your Port 
 
 That is my advice now in short — " 
 
 The school-house referred to in the agreements which 
 we have presented, was located on a triangular lot of 
 ground situated on the east side of the main street, di- 
 rectly opposite to the old parsonage and present Consisto- 
 ry Room, on the site now occupied by the store of Mr. 
 Michael Schoonmaker & Son. There were three distinct 
 buildings joined together, and evidently erected at differ- 
 ent periods of time. The most eastern, which was pro- 
 bably the first erected in the town, was built of stone, 
 and stood about sixty feet from the street, being one story 
 high. The second was composed of wood, more elevated 
 than the first, having a steep roof in front, and a long 
 sloping roof in the rear, reaching so near the ground as to 
 admit of only a small window behind. The third was 
 also a frame building, of more modern date, the gable 
 end of which fronted the street, and stood on a line with 
 it, but built in the same style as the last — the roofs exact- 
 ly corresponding with each other, and although it was 
 probably erected fifty years subsequently, still the same 
 model was tenaciously adhered to. The whole fronted to 
 the south, with the gable end, as we have said, to the 
 road, having two rooms in front and two small rooms in 
 the rear, and in more modern times the east end of the 
 building served as a kitchen. The westerly front room 
 was always used as the school-room, and the small room 
 in the rear of it, (usually called the " prison," from the fact 
 that unruly boys were occasionally confined in it,) was 
 also used for school purposes, when the number of schoU 
 
119 
 
 ars was too great to be accommondated in the front school- 
 room. The residue of the building, with the kitchen and 
 barn, was occupied by the schoolmaster and his family. The 
 village school was kept in this building until about the 
 year 1803. In the year 1805, the old school-house was 
 sold to Bateman Lloyd, Esq., who took it down, and with 
 the timber and other materials of it, built a store on his 
 own premises, a few feet north of his dwelling-house. 
 The building erected with these materials, continued to be 
 kept as a dry-goods and grocery store, until the year 
 1825, when it was removed and converted into a barn, 
 now on the premises owned and occupied by Dr. Zabris- 
 kie. After the school-house was removed, the lot on 
 which it stood, laid in common for some time. During 
 the last war with Great Britain, the government erected 
 a gun house upon the north west angle of the lot, suffi- 
 ciently large to hold two heavy field pieces. About the same 
 time, the store now owned by Mr. Michael Schoonmaker, 
 was built upon part of the premises, and in the year 1823, 
 the present parsonage house was erected on the southern 
 portion of it, which embraces all the ground commonly 
 called the school lot. 
 
 The first person who taught English, was P.etrus Van 
 Steenburgh. He was schoolmaster from the year 1762, 
 to 1773. At what time precisely he commenced teaching 
 English we cannot tell. But he had at the same time, as 
 well as his successor, pupils in both the Dutch and En- 
 glish language. And as all the scholars were in the 
 habit of speaking Dutch, it required some little manage- 
 ment on the part of the worthy school-master to make his 
 pupils who were learning English use that language en- 
 tirely. His rule was that no scholar who was instructed 
 in English should speak a Dutch word in school, and if 
 
120 
 
 he did so he should be punished. In order to detect these 
 persons, he had a pewter token about the size of a dollar, 
 which was given to the one who first spoke a Dutch word 
 after the school was opened. He gave it to the next one 
 whom he heard speak Dutch, and so it passed from 
 one to another ; but the boy in whose possession the token 
 was found at the close of the school, appears to have been 
 the scapegoat for the whole, for he was severely ferruled 
 upon his hand by the faithful Petrus Van Steenburgh, who 
 took great delight in finding the successful operation of his 
 most ingenious device to detect the unhappy wight who 
 spoke a Dutch word. 
 
 The first select Classical school, which was opened in 
 this town, was commenced by one John Copp. His school 
 was held at first in a small house lately belonging to 
 Judge Garrit Martense, which stood on the lot now occu- 
 pied by Mr. Seymour, and which has been cut in two, and 
 converted into barns and stables. From this he removed 
 and taught in the south room of the house of Cornelius An- 
 tonides. At what date he opened his school, cannot be as- 
 certained with precision. An advertisement over his name 
 is found in " the New- York Journal, or General Advertis- 
 er," published by John Holt, under the date of July, 4th, 
 1774. In this, he states, that " he has for sometime kept a 
 grammar school in Flatbush." In this advertisement he 
 "proposes" (to use his own words,) "to teach the Latin and 
 Greek languages and Arithmetic in the correctest and best 
 manner, besides reading, writing, and principles of English 
 Grammar." His terms were $50 a year for boarding; and 
 tuition not to exceed $lb yearly. He refers to the Rev. Dr. 
 Cooper, President of Kings (now Columbia) College, to 
 the Hon. William Axtell, who then resided in Flatbush, 
 and to Andrew Elliott, Collector of His Majesty's Cus- 
 
m 
 
 toms in New- York. He adds — " Dr. Cooper proposes to 
 visit the school quarterly, when the scholars will be ex- 
 amined." 
 
 This school of Mr. Copp appears to have been well 
 patronised. Many of the most respectable and influential 
 inhabitants of New- York entrusted their children to his 
 care. Henry Remsen, the late President of the Manhat- 
 tan Company, was one of his scholars, besides many others. 
 This school was broken up by the war of the American 
 Revolution, and Mr. Copp afterwards joined the army. 
 
 During the period of the struggle for American Inde- 
 pendence, the school in Flatbush was taught by Mr. Gab- 
 riel Ellison. He was an Englishman by birth, and was 
 the first teacher who taught English exclusively. He 
 had been a considerahle time among the Indians in Cana- 
 da — and although a man of eccentric habits, was a good 
 schoolmaster, in proof of v/hich, we may remark, that in 
 addition to village scholars, he had many others from 
 Brooklyn and other places. In order to entitle him to re- 
 -ceive all the emoluments which his predecessors had en- 
 joyed, it was indispensably necessary that he should 
 acquire a knowledge of the Dutch, so as to enable him to 
 perform the duties of sexton and chorister in that lan- 
 guage. This he readily undertook, and although he 
 committed many blunders in the onset, yet by diligence 
 and perseverance, he overcome his many difficulties, and 
 was soon fully inducted into the offices of sexton and 
 chorister. These offices he held until he left the village 
 school, about 1790, and performed them generally to the 
 satisfaction of the inhabitants. 
 
 Many incidents of quite an amusing character, are re- 
 lated of him during his residence here. We will mention 
 
 11 
 
122 
 
 one or two. As s6xton, it was his duty to ring the bell 
 and give alarms during the revolutionary war. The 
 village was often disturbed during that period, and Mr. 
 Ellison, from his office, and from his living near the 
 church, usually warned the inhabitants by ringing the 
 bell. On one occasion an alarm v/as sounded in the night 
 time. Ellison not being able to find his small clothes, 
 (for pantaloons were not known in those days,) seized his 
 wife's calimanco petticoat, which he hastily drew on, and 
 ran to the church, where he was found dressed in this 
 style, pulling away like a lusty fellow at the bell rope. 
 Such a sight must have put to flight all the fears of the 
 inhabitants, and turned the scene of alarm into one of 
 merriment. 
 
 During part of the time that Ellison was chorister of 
 the church, the Rev. Mr. Van Sinderen, was pastor of the 
 church. The Domine was preaching on a certain occa- 
 sion in the Dutch language, on the subject of the con- 
 version of the Philippian Jailor, and as he was a man of 
 somewhat eccentric habits, he made frequent digressions 
 from his subject. During his discourse at this time, he 
 said he would stake a wager that there was not one man 
 in the church who knew the English of the Dutch word, 
 " Stoohvaarder.^^ This bet was several times repeated 
 by the Domine. At length Ellison, who in virtue of his 
 office of chorister, occupied the front seat in the Deacons 
 pew, thinking himself the best English scholar present, 
 bawled out with a loud voice. " Jailor sir.^^ Mr. Van 
 Sinderen feeling somewhat mortified at this unexpected 
 reply, (for he wished to have given the answer himself,) 
 looked down upon Ellison with some degree of scorn, and 
 said to him, "you must never talk when I preach." 
 

 
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123 
 
 Erasmus Hall. 
 
 Not long after the peace, measures were taken for the 
 founding a respectable Academy in the town of Flatbush. 
 The projectors .of the enterprize were the Rev. Dr. John 
 H. Livingston, who then residing in Flatbush, and Sena- 
 tor John Vanderbilt. The latter was a man of s^reat pub- 
 lic spirit, and of large and liberal views. He took an ac- 
 tive part in accomplishing the noble design, and soon oh- 
 tained the active co-operation of several other distinguish, 
 ed persons. At length, in the year 1786, Jacob Lefferts, 
 Joris Martense, Peter Lefferts, Johannes E. Lott, Corne- 
 lius Vanderveer, John Vanderbilt, William B. Gifford, Pe- 
 ter Cornell, Matthew Clarkson, Aquila Giles, John J. Van- 
 derbilt and Garrit Martense, inhabitants of the town of 
 Flatbush, associated together, and took the necessary 
 measures, for the erection of a large and commodious 
 building, for an academy. A subscription paper was ciu- 
 culated in the village, and handed to some friends in the 
 city of New- York, by which the sum of £915. was raised 
 towards the object. This subscription is as follows. 
 
 " Whereas, this county experiences the greatest incon- 
 venience, from the want of a Public School being erected, 
 in which, the English, Latin and Greek Languages, with 
 other branches of learning, usual in Academies are taught, 
 and considering the preceding regulations and proposals 
 for erecting the same, in the township of Flatbush, highly 
 beneficial and honorable to said county : We the under- 
 written, agree to pay towards erecting the same, such sum 
 as is annexed to our names, the one half on the first day of 
 April next, the other half on the first day of August fol- 
 lowing, and we further take the liberty to solicit from the 
 friends of Literature, dn New-York, their encouragement, 
 
124 
 
 to enable us to carry into execution this laudable attempt. 
 
 Kings County, Flatbush, February 22d, 1786. 
 
 
 (Signed,), 
 
 
 
 
 John Vanderbilt, 
 
 £100. 
 
 Adriantie Voorhies, 
 
 30. 
 
 Peter Lefferts, 
 
 60. 
 
 Hendrick Suydam, 
 
 25. 
 
 John VanderbiUr 
 
 50. 
 
 William B. Gifford, 
 
 20. 
 
 Garrit Martense, 
 
 50. 
 
 Philip Nagel. 
 
 15. 
 
 M. Clarkson, 
 
 50. 
 
 Peter Cornell, 
 
 15. 
 
 Joris Martense, 
 
 50. 
 
 Johannes Waldron, 
 
 5. 
 
 Aa. Giles. 
 
 50. 
 
 George Clinton, for any 
 
 Jacob Lefferts, 
 
 50. 
 
 place in Kings Co. 
 
 15. 
 
 Johannes E Lott, 
 
 50. 
 
 John Jay, 
 
 15. 
 
 Cornelius Vanderveer, 
 
 50. 
 
 Robert R. Livingston 
 
 15. 
 
 James Duane, 
 
 15. 
 
 John Sloss Hobart, 
 
 5. 
 
 Richard Varick. 
 
 10. 
 
 James Giles, 
 
 5. 
 
 Brockholst Livingston, 
 
 10. 
 
 John H. Livingston, 
 
 5. 
 
 Alexander Hamilton, 
 
 10. 
 
 Comfort Sands, 
 
 20. 
 
 William Duer, 
 
 15. 
 
 Samuel Franklin, 
 
 10. 
 
 Walter Rutherford 
 
 10. 
 
 Fraiitiis Childs, 
 
 5. 
 
 Carey Ludlow, 
 
 10. 
 
 Pvichard Piatt, 
 
 10. 
 
 Edward Livingston, 
 
 10. 
 
 W. Edgar, 
 
 5. 
 
 William Wilcocks, 
 
 10. 
 
 Sampson Fleming, 
 
 5. 
 
 D. C. Verplanck, 
 
 • 10. 
 
 Aaron Burr, 
 
 10. 
 
 Mc Coombe, 
 
 10. 
 
 
 
 During that year, 1786, the building which was one 
 hundred feet in front, and thirty-six feet in depth, was erec- 
 ted. We 'need not here give any particular description 
 of it, as the inhabitants are all familiar with its appear- 
 ance. The expense incurred in the completing of this 
 edifice amounted to $6250. The money obtained by vo- 
 luntary subscription, was first applied, but proved to be in- 
 suflicient to defray the expenditures. The founders and 
 
125 
 
 benefactors of the Institution then turned their attention to 
 another source. There was at that time a considerable 
 tract of land lying east of the village, belonging to the in- 
 habitants of Flatbush, and held by them in common. This 
 is what was called Twillers and Corlear Flats. The pro- 
 prietors of the town held rights in these Flats, which were 
 specified in their deeds, but no one could locate his par- 
 ticular part. It was held in common, and hence consent 
 was obtained for the sale and disposition of the same. The 
 founders of the Academy held proportionate rights in these 
 commons, and agreed that their respective proportions 
 should be applied towards paying the debt they had con- 
 tracted. These Flats, as we have heretofore stated, were 
 sold at the rate of 816, an acre. The proceeds of the sale 
 of Corlears Flats chiefly were devoted to the benefit of the 
 Academy. The whole amount by which the Academy 
 was benefited by this sale was about 81500. The resi- 
 due of the amount of sales was divided among those inha- 
 bitants of the town who would not relinquish their right in 
 favor of the Academy. 
 
 As things where now in a considerable state of 
 forwardness, and the building ready for its intended 
 purposes, the fouifders above named, the more fully 
 to carry their designs into effect, did, on the 18th 
 day of May, 1787, make application to the Board of Re- 
 gents of the University of the State of New- York, that the 
 Academy erected by them, might be incorporated by that 
 Honorable Body, and become subject to their visitation. 
 On the 20th, of November, 1787, a charter of incorpora- 
 tion was granted to John Vanderbilt, Walter Minto, Peter 
 Lefferts, Johannes E. Lott, Aquila Giles, Cornelius Van- 
 derveer, George Marttnse, Jacob LefTerts, William B. Gif- 
 ford, Hendrick Suydam, John J. Vanderbilt, Martinus 
 
 11* 
 
126 
 
 Schoonmaker, Philip Nagel, Peter Cornell, John H. Liv. 
 ingston, James Wilson, Samuel Provost, John Mason and 
 Comfort Sands, as Trustees of the said Academy, by the 
 name and style of " The Trustees of Erasmus Hall, in 
 Kings County." The name given to the Academy was in 
 honor of Desiderius Erasmus, of Holland, the distinguish- 
 ed patron of literature, in the 16th, Century. Only two 
 academies had been incorporated by the Regents previous- 
 ly to this, so that it is the third oldest Academy in the 
 State. 
 
 It may be proper to state, that James Wilson, Samuel 
 Provost, John Mason and Comfort Sands, four of the Trus- 
 tees named in the Charter of Incorporation, in consequence 
 of not living in the town, never attended any of the meet- 
 ings of the Board, and their places becoming vacant, the 
 Rev. Peter Lowe, Garrit Martense, Peter Stryker and 
 Cornelius Bergen were elected members of the Board. 
 
 The seminary was, from its commencement, opposed by 
 many of the inhabitants of Flatbush, who entertained a 
 strong and decided attachment to the village school, and 
 consequently their influence and means had a great ten- 
 dency to retard the rise and progress of Erasmus Hall. 
 Several amusing anecdotes might be told touching this. 
 Some were disposed to ascribe all their misfortunes to the 
 erection of the Academy. One worthy old gentleman, 
 when unloading some bags, unfortunately slipped, and fell 
 from his waggon. He rose greatly incensed, and cried 
 out, " that Academy will never do." 
 
 The Trustees of the Institution however, though labor- 
 ing under a heavy debt, and incumbered by various diffi- 
 culties, were assiduous in their duty. They devised a 
 system of instruction, rules and regulations by which the 
 Hall should be governed, and employed the ablest and 
 best teachers in the different departments of instruction. 
 
127 
 
 This last measure however, while it lessened the spirit of 
 opposition, consumed the whole income of the institution, 
 as all was annually expended in paying the salaries of 
 these teachers and other expenses incidental to all literary 
 establishments. The debt of the Hall, notwithstanding 
 the most persevering exertions on the part of the Trustees, 
 amounted still to $1,250. The Trustees by farther vo- 
 luntary contributions, reduced somewhat this amount, so 
 that on the 12th of September, 1789, it was $1,064.94. 
 On the 17th day of June, 1794, application was made to 
 the Trustees, for the purchase of the remaining part of the 
 commons which had not been disposed of at the first sale. 
 The proposals were accepted, and the conveyances ac- 
 cordingly executed. With the money arising from this 
 sale, the debt of the Hall was reduced to $900. In this 
 situation it remained till the year 1808, when a donation 
 of $100, was granted by the Regents of the University 
 to the Trustees of Erasmus Hall, and the same was ap- 
 plied, in conjunction with other exertions of the Trustees, 
 towards discharging the debt, and on the 13th of May, 
 1809, it was reduced to $668. It remained nearly at this 
 amount, till the year 1825, when the debt was entirely 
 liquidated. 
 
 At a session of the General Synod of the Reformed 
 Dutch Church, held at Albany, in June 1794, they resolv- 
 ed to locate their Divinity Hall in Flatbush. Their pro- 
 fessor of divinity, the Rev. Dr. Livingston, had previously 
 resided here, and had given instruction to such students in 
 theology as put themselves under his charge. It is to be 
 regretted that the General Synod of the church ever re- 
 moved their Theological School from this place, and lo- 
 cated it in New-Jersey. Had it been continued in Flat- 
 bush, Erasmus Hall would long ere this, have grown into 
 
128 
 
 a flourishing college, under the auspices of the State of 
 New- York, and the literary as well as theological inter- 
 ests of the Reformed Dutch Church, have been prospered 
 in a far higher degree than they have yet been. 
 
 The Rev. John H. Livingston, D. D., who then resided 
 during the summer seasons, in the house now owned by 
 Dr. Vanderveer, was appointed the First Principal of the 
 Hall. The office at that time, was chiefly honorary, as 
 he performed no part of the instruction in the Academy, 
 and so it continued to be as late as the year 1814. 
 Mr. James Todd, was chosen the First Classical, and Jo- 
 seph Turner, the First English teacher. Very shortly 
 afterwards, John Gibson, Edward Shepherd, John Ter- 
 hune, Albert Oblenis and Michael Schoonmaker, were 
 employed in succession, as assistant teachers. In the 
 year 1792, Mr. Todd resigned, and the Trustees appoint- 
 ed Peter Wilson, afterwards known as Dr. Wilson, then 
 Professor of Languages in Columbia College, the first or 
 chief teacher in the Hall. During the period of the ad- 
 ministration of this distinguished linguist, the Academy 
 flourished rapidly. A large number of young men from 
 the city of New-York, not only, but from Georgia, North 
 and South Carolina, Virginia and the West-Indies were 
 sent here to be educated, most of whom, boarded in the 
 respective families of the town. Among these, some have 
 been quite distinguished in the several professions, both 
 in church and state. We may mention the following : 
 
 William A. Duer, now President of Columbia College. 
 
 John Duer, one of the revisers of the Revised Statutes 
 of this state. 
 
 John Berrian, late Attorney General of the United 
 States, and now a member of the Senate. 
 
 Henry Jackson, Secretary of Legation to France, 
 under the Hon. Mr. Crawford. 
 
12^ 
 
 George M. Troup, for several terms Governor of 
 Georgia. 
 
 John Hunter, now a member of the Senate of New- 
 York. 
 
 Rev. Jno. Blair Linn, the eloquent minister of the Re- 
 formed Dutch Church, of New- York, and a distinguished 
 American poet. 
 
 Rev. Jno. H. Meyers, pastor of the church of Schenec- 
 tady. 
 
 Rev. Jacob Schoonmaker, D. D., pastor of the church 
 of Jamaica. 
 
 Rev. Peter Labagh, pastor of the church of Harlingen, 
 New-Jersey. 
 
 Rev. Peter Van Pelt, D.D. pastor of the church of West- 
 chester. 
 
 Rev. Philip Duryee, D. D., pastor of the church of 
 English Neighborhood, N. J. 
 
 Morris Miller, formerly member of Congress and First 
 Judge of Oneida County. 
 
 We might enlarge this list to a considerable extent, but 
 we forbear. 
 
 On the 28th of November, 1792, the Rev. Dr. Living- 
 ston resigned the office of Principal of the Hall. His 
 letter was received by the board, on the 5th of December 
 in that year, and at a subsequent meeting held on the 8th 
 of the same month, an answer was agreed upon, which 
 reflects the highest credit upon the heads and hearts of the 
 Trustees. In it a most flattering, but entirely just tribute, 
 is paid to the general character of Dr. Livingston, and 
 especially to his zealous efforts in behalf of the Academy. 
 
 Teachers of suitable qualifications were from time to time 
 employed, to assist in the instruction of the pupils in the 
 English and French languages. These we need not enu- 
 merate. On the 29th of June 1797, Dr. Wilson having 
 
130 
 
 been again called to the professorship of languages in 
 Columbia College, resigned his post as chief teacher in 
 the Academy. He appears, however, to have retained 
 nominally, the office of Principal, until December 14th, 
 1804, and during this interval, attended the semi-annual 
 examinations, exercised a watchfulness over the institu- 
 tion, and lent his aid in the procuring of suitable teachers. 
 At his resignation, in 1797, he presented to the Trustees, 
 the sum of £25, to be appropriated towards defraying the 
 debts of the Hall. Mr. Albert Oblenis, was appointed 
 First teacher, in the place of Dr. Wilson. He continued 
 his connection with the institution, until the year 1806. 
 In the year 1797, an attempt was made on behalf of the 
 Trustees to obtain from the Legislature of the State the 
 privilege of raising the sum of £1,200 by Lottery, with 
 the view of liquidating their debt. A similar effort was 
 made in the year 1809, but no law was passed by the 
 Legislature for the purpose, and the project was aban- 
 doned. 
 
 An arrangement having been effected by exchange of 
 property, by which the Trustees of the Reformed Dutch 
 Church of Flatbush came in possession of the lot of land 
 on which the academy is erected, they, on the 29th day of 
 December, in the year 1797, executed a lease of the 
 same in perpetuity to the Trustees of Erasmus Hall, for 
 a certain consideration, which is named in the instrument. 
 
 Dr. Wilson finding it inconvenient to hold the office of 
 Principal of the Hall, resigned the same in the year 1804. 
 His letter of resignation was received at a meeting of the 
 board, held February 9th, 1805, when his resignation was 
 accepted, and the Rev. Peter Lowe appointed Principal. 
 A most respectful letter was addressed to Dr. Wilson on 
 the part of the Trustees, and their acknowledgments ten- 
 dered to him for his faithful services in the institution. 
 
131 
 
 A little previous to this, viz., in the year 1803, the vil- 
 lage school was removed into the academy, and Mr. 
 Patrick Noon the last schoolmaster who was employed in 
 the old school house was discharged. From that time to 
 the present, being a period of about thirty-nine years, the 
 children of the village have been regularly taught in 
 Erasmus Hall. 
 
 The instruction in the Academy after the resignation 
 of Dr. Wilson, continued to be conductpd by Messrs. 
 Oblenis and Schoonmaker. The latter gentleman re- 
 signed in 1805, and was succeeded by Mr. Richard Fish. 
 Adrian Hegeman, Cornelius Van Cleef and John Wyckoff, 
 were assistant teachers about the same period. In the 
 month of Septiember, 1806, Mr. Oblenis resigned the office 
 of First teacher. He was succeeded by Mr. Joab Cooper, 
 who has since become extensively known as the editor of 
 an edition of Virgil. He continued his connection with 
 the Hall, for about two years; when upon his resigna- 
 tion, Mr. Valentine Derry was appointed First teacher. 
 In August 1809, Mr. Derry resigned, and was succeeded 
 by Mr. Richard Whyte Thompson, who had charge of 
 the institution for the next five years. Mr. Thompson 
 was a man eminently qualified for this station. He was 
 a thorough classical scholar, and possessed of eminent 
 gifts for instruction. Under him the Academy rose again 
 to considerable eminence, and many were taught by him 
 who are now ornaments in the several professions. Dur- 
 ing his connection with the Academy, a number of assis- 
 tant teachers were in succession employed. They were 
 John Brannon, Edward Cassidy, Ava Neal, Nicholas 
 Morris, Adrian Hegeman, and some others. Mr. Thomp- 
 son resigned his situation as First teacher, in December, 
 1814. From this time forward, for a number of years, 
 
132 
 
 there were numerous changes in this department. Wil- 
 liam Thayre was appointed in December 1814. He was 
 succeeded in 1815, by William Ironside. In 1816, Mr. 
 Joab Cooper was again temporally employed ; and in 
 1817, Mr. Andrew Craig took charge of the institution. 
 Mr. Craig resigned his situation in June 1819, in conse- 
 quence of the feeble state of his health. On accepting 
 his resignation, the board adopted the following minute : 
 
 '• In consequence of the high opinion entertained by the 
 board in the talents and usefulness of Mr. Craig, as the 
 able instructor of youth, and the valuable member of so- 
 ciety, his resignation was accepted by the board with sen- 
 timents of extreme regret." 
 
 In August 1819, the Rev. Joseph Penney was chosen 
 Principal of the Hall. He was associated with the Rev. 
 John Mulligan. These gentlemen continued their con- 
 nection with the Academy until the year 1821, when upon 
 their I'esignation they were succeeded by the Rev. Timothy 
 Clowes, D. D. He remained but about two years. 
 
 In May 1823, the institution passed into the hands of Mr. 
 Jonathan W. Kellogg, who continued to have charge of it 
 till May 1834. During this period the Academy flourish- 
 ed. A large number of pupils from abroad were board- 
 ed in l!he Hall, and the Board of Trustees in 1825, were 
 enabled to liquidate entirely the remains of the debt, un- 
 der which the Academy had labored from its foundation. 
 Upon his taking charge of the institution, Mr. Kellogg 
 divided the English, or common school department, into 
 male and female, and employed separate instructors for 
 each. Previously to this, the boys and girls were asso- 
 ciated in one room, and taught by one teacher. The se- 
 paration introduced by Mr. Kellogg, and which was a very 
 great improvement, has continued to this day. Not only 
 
 r 
 
 \ 
 
 \ 
 
1S3 
 
 separate and distinct apartments, but separate entrances 
 have been provided for the males and females. The first 
 Instructress under this new arrangement, was Miss Maria 
 Jones. She was succeeded in 1829, by Miss Julia De 
 Forest. She remained but about one year. Mrs. W. W. 
 Maltby then taught for about six months, and was suc- 
 ceeded in 1831, by Miss Almira Meach, who taught for two 
 years. A short time previous to Mr. Kellogg's leaving the 
 institution. Miss Rudd had charge of the female depart- 
 ment, assisted by Miss Ely. The male assistants under Mr . 
 Kellogg, were Jonathan B. Kidder, John Frey, Theodore 
 Morrell, William Allgeo, William H. Campbell, Isaac 
 Grier, J. W. Thompson, J. J. Prentice and' seme others. 
 We need not specify the precise times, during which these 
 gentlemen taught. Miss Geib, Miss Philomela Roila, 
 Miss Emma Gillingham, and some others, were employ- 
 ed in giving instruction in music. 
 
 During the period in which Mr. Kellogg had charge of the 
 Academy, many improvements were made to the building 
 and grounds. In the former, in addition to a front piazza, a 
 full suit of d^ormitories was finished in the attic, besides other 
 important changes. The campus, which was bare of trees 
 and shrubbery, excepting two rows of decaying poplars ex- 
 tending in a diagonal direction, from the corners of the build- 
 ing to the road, was greatly improved. The heart, which 
 lies in front of the entrance, was laid out and planted with 
 flowers and shrubs. Besides the Balm of Gilead, in 
 the centre of the heart, many ornamental forest trees, con- 
 sisting of the tulip, the button ball and the sugar maple, 
 together with a line of flowering shrubs, all around the 
 front and sides, were set out. In addition to these, a row 
 of button-ball trees was planted on the front walk. All 
 
 12 
 
184 
 
 these are now in a flourishing condition, and have added 
 very greatly to the appearance of the Hall. 
 
 In the winter of 1826-7, an additional wing, of fifty feet 
 in depth and twenty-five in width, was added to the main 
 building, for the accommodation of the schools. The cost 
 of this was #1500, but in the course of about four or five 
 years, this new debt was also paid. In May, 1834, the 
 Rev. William H. Campbell, who had opened a select 
 school in the village the previous year, took charge of the 
 Institution. Though his superior qualifications as a teach- 
 er are well known, it is due to him, to say that while he 
 gave the highest satisfaction to his employers, he infused 
 a desire in the bosoms of parents in the village, to give 
 their children a liberal education, to a degree that had ne- 
 ver before existed. During his connection with the Aca- 
 demy, the standard of education in the town was much 
 raised. In consequence of feeling that it was his duty to 
 return to the ministry, which he had been forced to leave, 
 in consequence of impaired health, he resigned his office 
 as Principal of the Hall, and left it in the spring of 1839. 
 
 He had employed, as his assistants, John W. Thompson, 
 James Campbell, C. B. Raymond, John Mc Alpin, John 
 Skellie, Mark Hopkins Beecher, Jacob Gillet, Ambrose 
 Leet ; and as instructresses in the female department An- 
 na F. Vose and Laura Mc Elwaine. 
 
 On the 20th, of January, 1835, the Regents of the 
 University determined to establish a department for the 
 instruction of common school teachers in Erasmus Hall, 
 in conformity with the provisions of an act of the Legisla- 
 ture, which had passed the previous session, which autho- 
 rised the Regents to endow a department of this character, 
 in some one academy in each of the eight senatorial dis- 
 
135 
 
 tricts of the State. Erasmus Hall was chosen for the 
 Southern District. The Trustees on the 10th, of Februa- 
 ry, 1835, agreed to accept the trust, and made all the ne- 
 cessary arrangements to carry out the views of the Legis- 
 lature and of the Regents. It was soon found however, 
 that in consequence of the high price of boarding in and 
 about the city of New- York, the department would not be 
 furnished with pupils. Only one or two applications were 
 made, and the Trustees perceiving that it would be imprac- 
 ticable to maintain snob a department, with any degree of 
 success, in the Southern District, did, on the 31st, of De- 
 cember, 1836, resign the trust ; upon which, the Re^-ents 
 transferred the department for this district to the Salem 
 Academy in Washington County. Mr. Campbell was 
 succeeded as Principal, in May, 1839, by the Rev. Dr. 
 Penney, late Pi'esident of Hamilton College. He however 
 continued in the Institution, as classical teacher for nine 
 months longer. In addition to him. Dr. Penney employed 
 Mr. Beecher, Mr. Rowle, Mr. Davenport, Mr. Willis and 
 Mr. StoothofF. The females were taught chiefly by Miss 
 Mc Ilwaine and Miss Palmer. Dr. Penney continued in 
 charge of the Hall until November, 1841, when James 
 Ferguson, A. M. the present worthy incumbent, entered 
 upon his duties, whose character and assistants are well 
 known. 
 
 Attached to Erasmus Hall, is a library, philosophical 
 and chemical apparatus, and a mineralogical cabinet. 
 The latter is not large, but yet contains a goodly variety 
 of specimens. The apparatus, both philosophical and 
 chemical, is not in a very good state of repair. Some of 
 the articles are comparatively new, and in good order. 
 But the greater part are quite old and need to be replaced 
 by others. The library has gradually increased until it 
 
136 
 
 has attained a very respectable size. It was commenced 
 together with the philosophical apparatus, by a liberal do- 
 nation from the board of Regents of the University of the 
 State, in the year 1791. By the prudent andjefficient ma- 
 nagement of the Trustees, the library has been fostered 
 and gradually enlarged, until at present it numbers fif- 
 teen hundred and thirty-four volumes, and is the second 
 academical library in size in the State. It is in general also 
 well selected. It contains most of the standard authors in 
 English Literature, and for history, will compare with 
 any library of its size in the country. It affords not only 
 the means of recreation to the pupils, but of sound and use- 
 ful knowledge. The whole arrangements of the Hall, in- 
 deed, are now such, and have in fact almost always been 
 as to furnish to all who are connected with it, the opportu- 
 nity of obtaining a good, substantial education, sufficient 
 indeed, to give the promise of high standing to those who 
 may engage in any of the learned professions, and of use- 
 fulness and respectability, to such as may pursue the ordi- 
 nary avocations of life. It is unquestionably an institu- 
 tion of pre-eminent value to the village, and in fact, to all 
 the surrounding country. We trust it will ever continue 
 to flourish as one of the brightest ornaments of the town, 
 and be a healthful fountain from which shall flow forth 
 many streams to fertilize and bless both the churcii and 
 the State. 
 
 Since the establishment of the Academy, several private 
 schools have from time to time been set up in the village. 
 Some of these were of a high classical character, and 
 were for a season flourishing. But we need not now enu- 
 merate them. 
 
 Connected with the literary history of the town, it is 
 proper to state that about the year 1807, a very large print- 
 ing-office was established in the village, by Mr. Isaac 
 
137 
 
 Riley. This was located in the present elegant lawn of 
 Matthew Clarkson, Esq. The edifice was planned by- 
 Pope, the celebrated architect, and was put up at great 
 cost. The establishment of Mr. Riley was very exten- 
 sive. In connection with his printing-office he had a 
 large bindery, at the head of which was Mr. James 01m- 
 stead. The printing department was superintended by Mr. 
 Charles Wiley. In conducting the whole establishment, 
 a large number of hands, male and female, were employed. 
 It continued in operation for about seven years. The house 
 was subsequently taken down, removed to Brooklyn, and 
 rebuilt on the Heights opposite the city of New- York, 
 where it is still standing. 
 
 Some men of high literary attainment have been edu- 
 cated in this place, and the remains of Richard Alsop one 
 of the poets of America, lie entombed in the public ceme- 
 tei-y. None of the inhabitants of the town, however, have 
 devoted themselves exclusively to literary pursuits, and 
 of course we cannot boast of any distinguished author. It 
 is due to the memory of Mr. Alsop that we state the cir- 
 cumstances of his death in this place. He came to Flat- 
 bush in August 1815, to visit his sister, the wife of Mr. 
 Riley. He had retired on a certain day to his room in 
 the house now occupied by Mrs. Schoonmaker, and was 
 subsequently found dead sitting in a chair by the window. 
 It is presumed he had been struck with apoplexy. The 
 tomb-stone which marks the place where his remains lie 
 interred, bears the following inscription : — " In memory 
 of Richard Alsop, Esq., of Middletown, Conn. Distin- 
 guished by genius and poetical talents, respected for in- 
 tegrity, and beloved for his amiable simplicity of charac- 
 ter. He died suddenly, when on a visit to this place, on 
 the 20th of August, 1815, aged fifty-four years." 
 
 12* 
 
EVENTS DURING 
 
 THE 
 
 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 
 
 We would now turn back your attention to the era of 
 the great struggle for American Independence. As the 
 battle of Long-Island, which was the first contest in 
 which the two great armies met, occurred in and about 
 Flatbush, and as from that period it was the scene of 
 more or less interest during the revolutionary war, it is 
 proper that we should devote a separate space to this part 
 of the history of the town. 
 
 After the commencement of hostilities in the year 1776, 
 the city of New- York in consideration of the advantages 
 which from its location it would afford, was selected by 
 the British as the first grand point to be obtained. The 
 city was then in the possession of the Americans, under 
 the command of General Washington, in person. In the 
 latter part of June, 1776, the first division of the British 
 army landed on Staten-Island, and was followed about 
 the middle of July, by the grand armament under Lord 
 Howe, consisting of six ships of the line, 'thirty frigates 
 with smaller vessels, and a great number of transports, vic- 
 tuallers and ships with stores of ordnance. Lord Howe 
 at that time, first attempted by what he conceived to be 
 conciliatory measures, to bring back the American Colo- 
 
139 
 
 nies to their allegiance to King George. We need not 
 detail these, as they are not immediately connected with 
 our subject. We cannot, however, omit to notice, that on 
 the 14th of July, he sent a flag to New- York, with a let- 
 ter under the superscription of " George Washington, 
 Esq.," Indignant that Lord Howe had not recognised 
 his rank and title and his connection with the American 
 Congress, Washington, very properly, refused to receive 
 the letter, for which he was applauded by Congress as an 
 act of becoming dignity^ On the 20th of July, Lord 
 Howe attempted a second time to open a correspondence 
 with General Washington. He sent another letter by the 
 hands of Adjutant General Patterson, addressed to 
 " George Washington, &;c. &c. &;c." The General 
 treated the Adjutant with all politeness, but notwithstand- 
 ing all he could say, Washington refused to receive the 
 letter, telling him, " it is true the et ceteras imply every 
 thing, but it is no less true, they imply any thing." A 
 noble answer to this repeated insult to himself and his 
 country, and a clear presage of the practical wisdom, 
 courage and firmness of him to whom America, under 
 God. had committed her cause. 
 
 Not knowing at what point the British might make 
 their first attack, Washington sought to fortify the city 
 and obstruct the passage into the harbor of New- York. 
 Fie also threw up certain fortifications in Brooklyn and 
 Flatbush, to guard the approach to the city, by Long- 
 Island. His army at this time, amounted to 17,225, of 
 whom only 10,514, were fit for duty. These too, he says, 
 in one of his letters, were little other than raw troops, and 
 much scattered, some being fifteen miles apart. It soon 
 became evident that the British meditated a landing on 
 Long-Island. Troops were accordingly thrown over from 
 
140 
 
 the city of New- York, and extended in different posts 
 from the highlands near the Narrows, to Wallaboght Bay. 
 The command of all these posts had been entrusted to 
 General Greene, who had studiously made himself ac- 
 quainted with the location of all the surrounding country, 
 so as to be able to defend the American army not only, 
 but take all advantages which the various defiles would 
 afford to attack the British. But unfortunately only a few 
 days before the battle, General Greene was taken very 
 sick, and the command devolved on General Putnam, who 
 although one of the bravest of the brave, was not suffi- 
 ciently acquainted with the face of the country. Put- 
 nam had two brigadiers under him. General Sullivan, 
 who had command of the troops not immediately within 
 the lines, and General Lord Stirling, who was stationed 
 in and about Gowanus Bay and the Narrows. To pre- 
 vent property falling into the hands of the British, an 
 order was issued commanding the farmers on the west end 
 of Long-Island, to drive away their cattle and take their 
 grain which had just been harvested, from their barns and 
 stack it in the fields, that it might be the more readily 
 destroyed. Accordingly, all the cattle in Flatbush and 
 the towns adjacent, were driven first as far east as the 
 woods, in and about New-Lots, and subsequently into 
 Queens County. Some of these were recovered, but 
 great numbers of them were lost ; the American Govern- 
 ment, however, made honorable reparation for all such 
 losses. The grain also, in conformity with the order, 
 was taken out of the barns and put on stacks. Some of 
 these were subsequently set on fire by the American 
 army on their retreat, to prevent their falling into the 
 hands of the British ; but a few of these stacks of grain 
 were saved, particularly those in the southern section of 
 the village. 
 
141 
 
 An entrenchment was thrown up in Flatbush across 
 the road leading through the village, a little south of the 
 present residence of Judge Martense. It was in the form 
 of something like a half moonj lying diagonally across 
 the road, and extending on the land of Lefferts Martense 
 on the west, and of Isaac Cortelyou on the east — having 
 a ditch of sufficient depth on the north. A small redoubt 
 on which a few pieces of artillery were mounted, was 
 also put up at the Valley-Grove, to guard the passage 
 through the port road, and by the direct route to Brooklyn. 
 Here stood a large white oak tree, mentioned in the pa- 
 tent of Governor Dongan, as one of the boundary lines of 
 the town of Flatbush. This was cut down and thrown 
 across the road ; and in consequence of the then dense 
 woods on the south, and the swamp on the north, it formed 
 a very considerable abattis. The late Mr. Simon Voris 
 assisted in cutting down this tree. 
 
 During this time, preparations were making by the 
 British, to effect a landing on Long-Island. They were 
 frequently visited by persons from the shore and surround- 
 ing towns, who no doubt gave them every information con- 
 cerning the positions of the American army, and furnish- 
 ed materials for a draft of the whole adjacent country ; for 
 they were well acquainted with the position of the hills, and 
 the three roads or defiles by which they could be passed. 
 On the 22d day of August, a landing was effected by the 
 British troops at Bath, under cover of the guns of their 
 fleet, without opposition. Gen. Howe established his head- 
 quarters at New-Utrecht. The American troops who 
 were stationed along the coast, consisting of a regiment 
 of Pennsylvanians under Col. Hand, retired to Flatbush, 
 with the view of guarding the principal pass to Brooklyn. 
 Lord Cornwallis pushed on immediately with the reserve 
 
142 
 
 and some other forces to the same place, but finding the 
 Americans strongly entrenched, and the pass through by 
 the port or Valley Grove defended, in compliance with 
 his orders he did not risk any attack. In the meantime 
 the inhabitants of the town had generally forsaken it. We 
 who have been so long accustomed to the sweets of peace 
 know but little of the consternation occasioned by an ap- 
 proaching invading army. The inhabitants had reason to 
 apprehend that should they remain at home they would 
 be cruelly treated, and perhaps massacred. They were 
 regarded as rebels, to whom but little quarter would be 
 shown. Hence as expeditiously as possible after the 
 landing of the British troops, the inhabitants of the village 
 either sent or carried off the females and children, pro- 
 viding them with what littl-e furniture and conveniences 
 they could. Some were sent to New-Jersey, but the 
 greater proportion took refuge in Queens County. It was 
 a scene of great confusion^ and of no ordinary distress. 
 Compelled to leave their homes and the greater part of their 
 property, and not knowing what might befal their persons 
 or their families, they committed themselves to the good 
 providence of their God. Some had not gone far before they 
 saw the smoke ascending from the neighborhood of their 
 farms, and knew not but their dwellings were already in 
 flames. With one family, indeed, this was the case. The 
 American riflemen, on the approach of the British towards 
 the evening of the 22d, set fire to many of the stacks of grain, 
 particularly in the northern part of the iown, and also 
 fired the house of Peter Lefferts. Other houses in that 
 section of the village were also burnt, but not at that time, 
 of which we shall presently speak. 
 
 The main body of the American troops stationed in about 
 Flatbush, then retired to the woods on the north of the town. 
 
143 
 
 The British army then under command of LordCornwallis, 
 took post at Flatbush. They encamped in a diagonal direc- 
 tion across the village. Their tents extended from the little 
 lane over the farms of Hendrick Vanderveer, of J. C. 
 Bergen, of Jacobus Vandeventer, and so on, in a north- 
 easterly line towards the road leading to New-Lots. The 
 main body however, were on the south of the church and 
 west of the main street. They soon possessed themselves 
 of the intrenchment which had been thrown up by the 
 Americans, in the north of the village. To defend them- 
 selves against an expected attack from the American 
 troops, who, from the woods, kept up a scattered firing, they 
 knocked out large port holes in the house of Adrian He- 
 geman, which stood on the spot where Mrs. Cynthia Lef- 
 ferts is now living. This house was built of stone, and the 
 object of making the holes in the wall, was to enable them 
 to fire their cannon at the Americans under cover. The 
 house of Mr. Lefferts Martense, on the opposite side of the 
 road, was also taken possession of, and prepared as a sort 
 of fortification. It was built of wood, fronting south, and 
 having a roof on the north side, which extended to within a 
 few feet of the ground. In this roof they cut many holes, 
 through which they could discharge their muskets. Still 
 farther to defend themselves, or rather to render their fir- 
 ing upon the Americans more effective, they set fire to the 
 houses which stood between them and the woods, and from 
 behind which, often the American riflemen would dis- 
 charge their guns, to the no small annoyance and injury 
 of the British. These houses were those of Jeremiah Van- 
 derbilt and LefFert Lefferts, on the west, and Evert Hege- 
 man, on the east side of the road. On what day these were 
 burnt we know not, but they were destroyed by the Bri- 
 tish, probably on the second or third day after their encamp- 
 ment in this place. 
 
144 
 
 On the first or second evening of their arrival in 
 Flatbush, a drunken revel took place among the Bri- 
 tish. In rifling the houses, they were directed by John 
 Rubel, to a quantity of wine, which had been left in the 
 house of Mr. David Clarkson, who lived in the dwelling 
 now occupied by Mr. J. C. Bergen. Mr. Clarkson was a 
 strong whig, and after they had vented their spite at him, 
 and his principles, by destroying his furniture, and abusing 
 his premises in a shameful manner, their attention was 
 called, under the direction of their guide, to his wines. 
 These, the greater part of which were specially imported 
 and were very choice, Mr. Clarkson had bottled and 
 stored away in an upper apartment, in the wing of his 
 house, and had built up a partition to conceal them. Rubel 
 had seen this, and was well acquainted with the store thus 
 concealed, and being friendly to the British cause, he gave 
 them information of the fact, and actually guided and as- 
 sisted them on the occasion. The wine and other liquor 
 was of course procured, and the officers and men indulged 
 freely in the use of it. The back piazza and yard of Mr. 
 Clarkson's house, exhibited a complete drunken frolic. 
 Had the Americans indeed been awa!l'e of the situation of 
 the British at this time, a very serious check might have 
 been put to their advance, if not their whole plan sub- 
 verted. 
 
 The Hessian troops under General de Heister, having 
 landed on the 25th, were sent forward on the same day to 
 Flatbush, to compose the centre of the army. The plan 
 of attack was now fixed. The right wing of the English 
 army was committed to Major General Grant, and was 
 designed to operate against the left wing of the Americans, 
 under Lord Stirling. The centre was committed to Gen- 
 eral de Heister, and was to attempt the pass defended by 
 
145 
 
 General Sullivan, at the Port, while the left wing of the 
 British under General Clinton and Lords Percy and Corn- 
 wallis, were, by a circuitous route to reach the right wing 
 of the American army, which was under command of 
 Colonel Miles, and stationed a little to the eastward of Bed- 
 ford, on the Jamaica road. The principal hope of success 
 was u\yDn this wing. The plan was well laid, and proved 
 successful. It was, that while General Grant and the 
 Hessians of General De Heister should disquiet and divert 
 the Americans on the right and in the centre, the left wing 
 should surprise them by a circuitous route, and thus fall 
 upon them in the flank and rear. The English hoped that 
 as this post was the most distant from the centre of the ar- 
 my, the advanced guards would there be found more fee- 
 ble, and perhaps more negligent, and that at all events, 
 they would not be able to defend themselves against a 
 force so superior, as this right wingof the English, was very 
 numerous and entirely composed of select troops. Nor did 
 they judge incorrectly. In order to put this plan thus 
 wisely formed, into execution, on the evening of the 26th, 
 of August, about 9 o'clock. General Clinton commanding 
 the van guard, which consisted of light infantry : Lord 
 Percy the centre, where were found the grenadiers, the 
 artillery and cavalry, and Lord Cornwallis the rear 
 guard, followed by the baggage, some regiments of infan- 
 try and of heavy artillery, moved from Flatbush, with ad- 
 mirable silence and order towards Flatlands. They were 
 seen by Captain Cornelius Venderveer, who stated, that 
 although h» was near the fence fronting his house, on the 
 road, he could scarcely hear them. With such silence 
 and order did this large body of men move, being covered 
 by the darkness of the night. They were on this occasion 
 aided by certain guides, who conducted them till they reach- 
 
 13 
 
146 
 
 ed the point of attack. These were N******* w*********, 
 J**** ^******^ Q^jrid J******* j^*****^ j|. j^g^g been said 
 
 in defence of the conduct of these persons, that they were 
 forced to act in this capacity, and that their lives were at 
 stake. This may all be, but their agency on this occa- 
 sion was most disastrous to the American cause. The 
 British had as we have intimated, drafts of the country. 
 They marched to Flatlands village, then took the road 
 leading to Flatlands neck, and came out at Shoemakers 
 Bridge. Here N. W. their chief guide at this place, was 
 expressly cautioned, that if he led them wrong he would 
 be shot. He appears to have conducted them from this 
 spot across the fields to what is now called Howard's. 
 They arrived two hours before day, on the morning of the 
 27th, within half a mile of the Jamaica road. Colonel 
 Miles, of Pennsylvania, who had charge of the right 
 wing of the American army this night, performed his ser- 
 vice with but little exactness, and did not perceive the 
 approach of the enemy. They had marched several 
 miles, and were now in fact two miles in the rear of his 
 guard, without his being knowing to the fact. Nor had 
 General Sullivan, who had charge of all the troops in ad- 
 vance of the camp at Brooklyn, any advice of what was 
 passing in this quarter. One of his patrols, on horseback 
 had been fallen in with by General Clinton during the 
 night, and made prisoners. But though disappointed in 
 not hearing from this patrol. General Sullivan neglected 
 to send out fresh scouts, probably expecting that the En- 
 glish would direct their principal efforts against the right 
 wing, under Lord Sterling, as that was nearest to their 
 head quarters. Thus he suffered the American army to 
 be surprised, and almost before the battle commenced, the 
 fate pf the day determined. General Clinton having hal- 
 
147 
 
 ted for a few hours, and refreshed his troops, and learning 
 from the prisoners whom he took, that the road to Jamai- 
 ca was not guarded, hastened to avail himself of the cir- 
 cumstance, and occupied it by a rapid movement. With- 
 out loss of time, he immediately bore to his left, towards 
 Bedford, and seized an important defile, which the Ameri- 
 cans had left unguarded. From this moment the success 
 of the day was decided in favor of the English. Lord 
 Percy came up with his corps, and the entire column de- 
 scended by the village of Bedford, into the more level 
 ground, which lay between the hills and the camp of the 
 Americans. 
 
 In the mean time. General Grant, in order to divert the 
 Americans from the events which took place upon the 
 route through Flatlands, and the attack to be made on 
 their left wing, endeavored to disquiet them on his right. 
 Accordingly, about midnight, as if he meant to force his 
 way through, he put himself in motion and attacked the 
 militia of New-York and Pennsylvania, who were station- 
 ed along the Gowanus road. They at first gave way, 
 but General Parsons, who had command of them, having 
 arrived, and having occupied an eminence, renewed the 
 combat, and maintained his position until Brigadier Gene- 
 ral Lord Stirling came to his assistance with fifteen hun- 
 dred men. The action was extremely animated, and 
 victory favored neither the one side nor the other. But it 
 was all in vain, as in fact, the choice of the British army 
 were already in the rear of the American troops on the 
 left. As soon as firing was heard from the right wing of 
 the English, under General Clinton, who, as we have sta- 
 ted, had now gained possession of Bedford, which was not 
 long after the break of day, on the 27^th, General De 
 Heister with his Hessian troops, moved forward with the 
 
148 
 
 centre of the army from Flatbush, and commenced an at- 
 tack upon the Hne in command of General Sullivan. The 
 attack was valiantly sustained by General Sullivan, in 
 person, but they soon found that their situation was very 
 critical, for General Clinton fell upon their left flank, and 
 they now discovered to their great surprise, that they were 
 in fact surrounded by the enemy. As soon as they were 
 apprised of their danger, they sounded a retreat, and retir- 
 ed in good order towards their camp, bringing off their ar- 
 tillery. But the royal troops, under General Clinton, who 
 occupied the ground on their rear, charged them furious- 
 ly. They were compelled to throw themselves back in- 
 to the neighboring woods, lying between Flatbush and 
 Brooklyn. Here they met again with the Hessians, who 
 repulsed them upon the English, and thus they were driv- 
 en several times by the one against the other, with great 
 loss. They continued for some time in this desperate 
 situation, till at length, several regiments animated by an 
 heroic valor, opened their way through the midst of the en- 
 emy, and gained the camp of General Putnam, at Brook- 
 lyn : some few escaped through the woods, but the re- 
 mainder, together with their commander. General Sulli- 
 van, were made prisoners. 
 
 The left wing and centre of the Americans being dis- 
 comfited, the English, to secure a complete victory, made 
 a rapid movement against the rear of the right wing, 
 which in ignorance of what had befallen the other corps, 
 was engaged with General Grant. As soon as they re- 
 ceived the intelligence of this disaster, they retired. But 
 now they encountered the English, who had cut off their 
 retreat. They had been engaged from 8 o'clock in the 
 morning, until 2 o'clock in the afternoon, in maintaining 
 their post and charging the enemy. On ascertaining their 
 
149 
 
 perilous situation, they were greatly disconcerted. Some 
 of these brave men betook themselves to the woods. But 
 a large number of them endeavored to make their way 
 to the camp at Brooklyn, through the marshes and mill- 
 ponds of Gowanus Cove. Unfortunately many of them 
 were here drowned or perished in the mud : a very small 
 number only escaped the hot pursuit of the victors, and 
 reached the camp in safety. Lord Stirling himself, who 
 had charge of this wing, was taken prisoner. Almost the 
 entire regiment of Maryland, under Colonel Smallwood, 
 consisting of young men of the best families in that pro- 
 vince, was cut to pieces. No less than two hundred and fifty 
 nine men of this regiment were destroyed. 
 
 The fate of the battle wa^ now decided. The total loss 
 of the Americans in killed, wounded and prisoners, 
 according to Dr. Gordon, was about fifteen hundred, 
 but some have estimated the loss as high as three 
 thousand. Among the prisoners, besides the two Gene- 
 rals whom we have mentioned, were many officers of high 
 rank. The unfortunate issue of this battle, was doubtless 
 to be ascribed in part to the illness of General Greene. 
 He had superintended the erection of the works, and was 
 thoroughly acquainted with the ground. In hope of his 
 recovery. General Washington had deferred sending ovfer 
 a successor, till the urgency of afiairs rendered it abso- 
 lutely necessary, and then General Putnam took the com- 
 mand, without any previous knowledge of the posts be- 
 yond the lines which had been fortified, or of the passes 
 by which the enemy could make their approach. Nor 
 had he the time to acquire this knowledge before the ac- 
 tion. Had General Greene been on the ground, all the 
 roads or passes would have been so secured and defended 
 as that the royal army in attempting or gaining them, 
 
 13* 
 
150 
 
 would have been so crippled as to have been arrested with 
 regard to all future successful operations. General Sulli- 
 van was also too inattentive and confident. He exercised no 
 watchfulness over the tories and royalists, who were 
 around him, but sutTered them to go back and forth as they 
 pleased. One of the American Chaplains, fearing that 
 the British would make a circuitous march and take to the 
 Jamaica road, asked him whether he had sufficiently 
 guarded that pass, when Sullivan replied, in his vain con- 
 fidence, " Yes : so that an angel cannot force it ;" ajid yet 
 to his neglect in this particular, the whole disasters of the 
 day are to be attributed. 
 
 The British after this victory encamped in front of the 
 American lines, and on the 28th, and 29th, frequent skir- 
 mishes occurred between the two armies. At lencrth, on 
 the 29th, Washington, at the suggestion of General Mif- 
 flin, who had been on Long-Island, and knew the situa- 
 tion of the troops, called a council of war, and a retreat 
 was agreed upon. General Mifflin offering to command 
 the rear. This was a wise council, inasmuch, as in front 
 of the army was a numerous and victorious enemy, with a 
 formidable train of artillery. The British fleet indicated 
 an intention to pass up the East River, and cut off all hope 
 of a retreat. The troops at Brooklyn were lying without 
 shelter from heavy rains, and were moreover, fatigued and 
 dispirited. This difUcult movement was effected with 
 great skill and judgment, and with complete success. 
 We should be glad had we time, to narrate all the circum- 
 stances connected with it. But we can only give a very 
 general account of it. After dark, on the evening of the 
 29th, orders were received and communicated to the several 
 regiments, to hold themselves in readiness for an attack 
 upon the enemy, to take place in the course of the night. 
 
151 
 
 This excited much speculation among the officers, who 
 knew not the immediate design, and no little concern 
 among the soldiers, whose arms were much injured from 
 exposure to the rain. The embarkation of the troops was 
 committed to General Mc Dougal. It was to commence 
 at 8 o'clock, in the evening, but a strong north east wind 
 and a rapid tide, caused a delay of several hours. At 
 11 o'clock, the wind sprung up from the south west, which 
 greatly favoured the enterprize, as it enabled them to use 
 the sail boats, which they had, as well as the barges. Pro- 
 vidence further interposed in favor of the retreating army, 
 by sending a thick fog about 2 o'clock in the morning, 
 (August 30th,) which hung over Long-Island, while on 
 New- York side, it was clear. The fog and wind contin- 
 ued to favor the retreat till the whole army, nine thousand 
 in number, with all the field artillery, such heavy ord- 
 nance as was of most value, ammunition, provisions, hor- 
 ses, cattle, &;c, were safely over. The water was so re- 
 markably smooth as to admit of the row boats being load- 
 ed within a few inches of the gunnel. General Wash- 
 ington, though often entreated, would not leave the Island 
 till General M ifHin with his covering party, left the lines 
 at about 6 o'clock on the morning of the 30th. The se- 
 crecy and skill, with which the whole movement was ef- 
 fected, may be conceived, from the fact that the enemy 
 were so nigh, that the sound of their pickaxes and shovels 
 were distinctly heard by the Americans. Only about 
 half an hour after ^the lines were finally abandoned, the 
 fog cleared off, and the British were seen taking posses- 
 sion of the American works. Four boats were on the ri- 
 ver, three halfway over, full of troops : the fourth, within 
 reach of the enemies fire from the shore, was compelled to 
 return. But she had only three men in her, who had tar- 
 
152 
 
 ried behind to plunder. The whole army was safely 
 landed on the north side of the river, and never was there 
 a retreat better conducted, or a more signal interposition 
 of a kind providence. Had not the wind changed, not 
 more than half of the army could possibly have crossed, 
 and the remainder must have fallen, with all the artille- 
 ry and stores, into the hands of the Efiglish. And had it 
 not been for the fog, their movements would all have been 
 discovered in time, greatly to have discomfited them. 
 
 But we must now return to Flatbush, Here, after the 
 battle, were many American prisoners. Lord Cornwallis 
 appears to have established himself for a little while at 
 least, in the place. Among the prisoners taken previous to, 
 and during the battle, was Cornelius Venderveer,the father 
 of the present John C. Vanderveer, Esq. He was the cap- 
 tain of the militia of the town of Flatbush. Having sent off 
 his family to New- Jersey, he attempted to secure his furni- 
 ture, while he remained in and about his premises. He 
 had hid his arms and accoutrements in a thicket, near the 
 house, and having observed on a certain evening how the 
 guards and pickets of the British were placed, he went in 
 the dead of the night, accompanied by a faithful servant, 
 called Adam, to regain them. They approached the 
 place where they were concealed, by a circuitous route, 
 and having possessed himself of his arms, he put them on, 
 the more easily to carry them. He then proposed to his 
 colored man, to take a nearer and more direct route 
 back. But in doing so, he came unexpectedly upon a 
 guard, which had been placed after dark, in a position of 
 which he was not aware. The consequence was, that he 
 was made a prisoner, and being taken with his accoutre- 
 ments on, and his arms in his hands, he had not much 
 mercy to expect. He was carried to the captain of the 
 
153 
 
 guard. Here he was told by several, that there was no 
 hope for him, he must be hung, and they actually put the 
 rope around his neck. In the morning he was taken to 
 the church, before Lord Cornwallis, who sent him with 
 some others, under guard to New-Utrecht, where he was 
 confined in a barn, with a number of other prisoners. 
 Here he was in various ways basely treated and insulted. 
 But while there, a Captain Miller, with whom he had been 
 on terms of intimacy, happened to pass by, and inquired 
 of him how he came there, and after being informed of his 
 case, he said he would try and effect his release. A few 
 minutes after, a file of soldiers came and took him before 
 one of General Howe's Aids, by the name of Cuyler, who 
 was from Albany, who inquired and questioned him about 
 his situation. He asked him if he would take a protection 
 and go home on his farm. Captain Vanderveer answer- 
 ed that he would, provided they would not compel him to 
 fight against his country. Cuyler replied, with an oath, 
 that they had fighting men enough, but as he had promis- 
 ed him a protection, he would give him one. He present- 
 ed it to him accordingly, and said he might go to the re- 
 bels again, for what he cared. Captain Vanderveer took 
 the protection and remained on his farm, but v/as abused 
 and robbed by the Hessians, who paid no respect to his 
 protection, and took the last shirt he had from his back, so 
 that he was compelled to walk about with an old great 
 coat, which he found, to cover his nakedness, until he 
 could get other clothes. His faithful colored man Adam, 
 continued with him all the while. 
 
 Flatbush was now in the hands of the British, and con. 
 tinned within their lines until the close of the war. During 
 the short tarry of the army in the village, they committed 
 many depredations. They pillaged the houses and des- 
 
154 
 
 troyed as much property as they well could. It was sad 
 indeed to the inhabitants to witness this on re-visiting their 
 homes. As soon as the British had taken possession of 
 New- York, and the army had left the Island, the inhabi- 
 tants of Flatbush began to return. Some were absent on- 
 ly a few days, but others did not reach their homes until 
 nearly mid-winter. The scene presented to the view of 
 those who came back soon after the battle, was distress- 
 ing indeed. The place where the encampment had been, 
 was strewed with feathers, straw, papers and pieces of 
 furniture, which had been taken from the houses. In the 
 street, which was grown over with high grass, in conse- 
 quence of the frequent rains, which occurred at that tim*e, 
 and the interruption of nearly all travelling, were to be 
 seen, in addition other things, skins of hogs, which had 
 been slain, and heads of cattle, with their horns on them, 
 presenting a frightful picture of the haste and waste which 
 had characterized the army. On visiting their houses, 
 they found the greater part of their furniture broken and 
 almost everything valuable about their premises injured. 
 So wanton had been the waste, that feather beds had not 
 only been ripped up, and the contents scattered, but in 
 some instances the feathers had been emptied into wells. 
 The best rooms in the houses had been used as stables for 
 the horses, while the drawers in their cupboards and bureaus 
 had served as mangers and feeding troughs. As we may 
 well suppose, the whole town exhibited a scene of wide 
 spread desolation. 
 
 On their return the males were obliged to take the oath 
 of allegiance to the British crown. This most of them did. 
 It was administered in the church. It may be here asked, 
 why did they not join the American army and fight in be- 
 half of the country. The answer to this question is found 
 
155 
 
 in the fact, that all their property — their families and their 
 homes were in the hands of the British. By returning 
 and submitting to their authority, they would be able 
 to preserve these from destruction ; whereas, had they 
 connected themselves with the American army, no doubt 
 every thing they had on the earth would have been swept 
 from them, a sacrifice which we believe few, if any, made 
 during that eventful struggle. But we are not to sup- 
 pose that there were no friends of the American cause at 
 that time, and during the war, in Flatbush. We shall 
 presently see that in a most important way they aided in 
 achieving our national independence. 
 
 After the battle on Long-Island, the church and the old 
 school-house were used for the accommodation of the pri- 
 soners and the sick. Three private houses were also em- 
 ployed as hospitals. The house now occupied by Mr. J. C. 
 Bergen, the house belonging to the heirs of Cornelius An- 
 tonides, and the dwelling of Mr. Rem Vanderbilt. In this 
 latter house, in which Mr. Seymour now resides, and which 
 then stood on the opposite side of the road, the wounded 
 American officers were brought. The principal hospital 
 for the soldiers was the old school-house. Many of these 
 wounded prisoners appear soon to have died ; for when 
 one individual returned, who was absent but thirteen 
 days, she counted twenty-eight new graves in the church- 
 yard, and it is probable that most of these contained more 
 than one body. 
 
 After the capture of Fort Washington, which took place 
 in November of this same year, (1776,) a great number 
 more prisoners were brought to Flatbush, and billetted on 
 the inhabitants. It is supposed that no less than four 
 hundred were kept in the southern towns of Kings County. 
 
156 
 
 The only regiment left in Flatbush after the battle, was 
 42d Regiment of Highlanders. They however soon re- 
 moved, and were succeeded by a guard of fifty men 
 under Lieut. Dalrymple. These continued for some 
 time, when upon their removal. Col. Axtell, who resided 
 in the house now owned by Mr. Mowatt, and who was a 
 violent Tory, collected a company called the Nassau 
 Blues. The command of this was committed to his ne- 
 phew Capt. Depeyster. They appear to have been taken 
 from the lowest ranks, and were mostly persons of bad 
 moral character. Col. Axtell wished that they should be 
 united with the militia of the town, but the militia opposed 
 it, and would by no means give their consent to such a 
 measure. These Nassau Blues, from their low and gen- 
 erally miserable appearance, were nicknamed by the in- 
 habitants the " Nasty Blues." They were not billetted 
 upon the town, but had possession chiefly of the court- 
 house. Of so bad a character were they, that in their 
 blasphemy, they called themselves " the Holy Ghosters." 
 
 After the return of the inhabitants of Flatbush to their 
 houses, in the fall of 1776, an epidemic broke out among 
 them, arising as was supposed from the effluvia connected 
 with the Hessian and British encampment, and which in 
 consequence was called the camp-fever. It seized great 
 numbers, and proved fatal to many ; and among others, 
 to some of the most respectable and influential persons in 
 the town. 
 
 We should be glad to furnish a list of all the American 
 prisoners who v/ere billetted in Flatbush during the war, 
 particularly the names of the officers, but this is impos- 
 sible. Among the latter were Gen. Silliman, Col. Raw- 
 lings, Col. Magaw, Col. Miles, Col. Atlee, Col. (after- 
 
157 
 
 wards Gen.) Williams, Col. Barby, Capts. Fitzhugh 
 Randolph, Bailey, Biles, Patton, the subsequent Post- 
 master of Philadelphia, and a number of others. Bui 
 we cannot forbear a special notice of Major David Lenox. 
 He was billetted upon Mr. Bateman Lloyd. During his 
 residence as a prisoner, he was visited by his brothers 
 Robert and William, with a view to bring him to abandon 
 the American cause. They tried every motive, and 
 pressed him by considerations the most tender. The in- 
 terview was had under the large linden-tree near the 
 house. On their leaving him, he was met by the present 
 Mrs. Lloyd, who observing him to be bathed in tears, 
 asked what was the cause of his distress. He told her 
 that his brothers had been endeavoring to prevail with 
 him to forsake the Americans and join the British. But 
 said he with Roman firmness, " I will never do it." 
 
 The circumstances which led to the removal of Major 
 Lenox from Flatbush, show his noble daring and firmness, 
 and at the same time the spirit of oppression which distin- 
 guished the officers of the British army. The news of 
 the capture of Burgoyne in 1777, having reached the 
 American prisoners paroled on Long-Island, Major James 
 Hamilton and Dr. Stewart repaired to Flatbush to cele- 
 brate together with Major Lenox an event so propitious 
 to the cause of their country, and so congenial to their best 
 hopes and most sanguine wishes. The night was passed 
 at the festive board, but their conduct was in no way cal- 
 culated to offend ; no extravagant symptom of exultation 
 was shown, for bolstering mirth would have degraded a feel- 
 ing of delight, silent but sincere. In the morning, a fish-car 
 filled with shad, passing through the village. Major Lenox 
 asked the proprietor if he would sell a part of his load : " not 
 
 14 
 
158 
 
 to a rebel scoundrel," he replied, " though he be starving." 
 The offensive answer was no sooner given than resented. 
 Major Lenox struck the speaker to the earth. A fray was 
 the immediate consequence, in which the American offi- 
 cers, as might have been expected, were overpowered and 
 severely beaten. But this was not the last of their suffer- 
 ings. Charged with an assault and conducted upon the 
 testimony of their adversary, before General Pigot, Ma- 
 jor Lenox, in a plain unvarnished representation of facts, 
 stated the provocation, and asked " if it were possible to 
 have withheld punishment from a rascal, who so wanton- 
 ly sought and so richly deserved it." " It is our busi- 
 ness," replied the General, " to protect and cherish such 
 of your countrymen as seek our protection. You must 
 submit therefore to ask pardon for the outrage committed, 
 or take the consequences that must inevitably follow." 
 " Ask pardon of that scoundrel," said Lenox, "never" ! 
 " Will you, sir," said the General to Hamilton : " May I 
 perish if I do," was the reply. The question Mas then 
 put to Dr. Steward, and answered with equal indignation., 
 " You must be introduced then" said the irritated Gene- 
 ral, " to the Provost Marshall. Mr. Cunningham, they 
 are your prisoners, you know your duty." Six months 
 of close and rigorous confinement in the Provost, (a place 
 of misery, second only to the celebrated prison ship, Jer- 
 sey,) was the consequence of an act, that a generous ene- 
 my would not only have thought just, but commendable. 
 The American prisoners had the liberty of all the 
 southern towjis. They were required to report them- 
 selves at certain times and places. When the French 
 fleet, under Count De Estaing was expected, and when af- 
 ter their arrival they laid off the shore, these prisoners 
 
159 
 
 went daily to the top of Vanderbilts hill, to view them. 
 And with regard to this hill, we may remark, in passing, 
 that General Clinton, once rode down it so rapidly, that 
 his Aids could not follow him. 
 
 Among the prisoners in the county was Capt. William 
 Marriner. He was quartered on parole, at Mr. Rem Van 
 Pelt's, at New-Utrecht. In the exercise of his privilege, 
 he often visited Flatbush. Dr. Van Buren's tavern, the 
 house now occupied by Duryee Wiggins, was a place of 
 great resort. Here he met among others, with the lead- 
 ing tories in the place. These were Colonel Axtell, Co- 
 lonel Matthews, the Mayor of New-York, Major Sher- 
 brook, Mr. Beach and Major Moncrief. On one occasion, 
 probably in consequence of the too free use of his sarcas- 
 tic wit, he was insulted and ill treated by this clan, par- 
 ticularly by Major Moncrief. After Captain Marriner's 
 exchange, in 1780, he determined to visit Flatbush, and 
 capture, if possible, all these abusive tories, who were ve- 
 ry obnoxious to the American officers. He was a brave 
 and daring man. For the purpose of carrying his design 
 into[execution, he repaired to New-Brunswick, and procu- 
 red a whaleboat, which he manned with twenty two vo- 
 lunteers. With this he crossed the bay, and landed at 
 Bath, about half-past nine o'clock in the evening. He 
 made prisoners of three black men, who were fishing, and 
 then leaving two persons in charge of his boat, he march- 
 ed off with the rest of his party towards Flatbush. On 
 his way, he stopped at the house of Rem Van Pelt, his old 
 quarters, and also at his fathers', in consequence of 
 which, these persons were afterwards apprehended and 
 confined in Provost, in New- York, on suspicion of being 
 concerned with him. Marriner reached the Flatbush 
 church without molestation. Here he divided his men into 
 
160 
 
 four squads, assigning a house to each. Each party had a 
 heavy post, for the purpose of breaking in the doors. The 
 village was all silence. The houses were all known, and 
 it was agreed, that when the party detached for Colonel 
 Axtell, whose dwelling was farthest from the church, 
 struck his door, each party should do the same at the other 
 houses. Captain Marriner selected the house of George 
 Martense, the father of the present Mrs. Catin, where his 
 friend Major Moncrief quartered for himself. Time was 
 given for the parties to arrive at their several houses, and 
 then, at the concerted signal, the doors were all burst 
 open, nearly at the same time. The first stroke at the 
 door where Major Moncrief resided, alarmed him, and he 
 fled to, the garret, and hid himself behind the chimney. 
 " I entered his room," says Marriner, " and finding his bed 
 warm, I ordered aunt Jannetie to bring a candle. We 
 ran to the garret and found our prize shivering behind the 
 large Dutch chimney, with his breeches in his hands. 
 We took him to the church, our place of rendezvous, 
 where we put on his smallclothes." Mr. or Major Beach, 
 who resided in the house lately vacated by Mr. Michael 
 Schoonmaker, was also seized, as well as Colonel Sher- 
 brook, who lived in the old house belonging to Garret Mar- 
 tense, Esq. which stood in front of Mr. Seymour's, and has 
 been divided as we have heretofore stated, and made into 
 two small barns. But Colonel Axtell and Colonel Mat- 
 thews, the mayor of New-York, who resided in the house 
 belonging to Jacobus Vandeventer, which stood where the 
 dwelling of Judge Lott now stands, escaped, in conse- 
 quence of their being that night in New- York. The se- 
 veral parties having assembled again at the church, they 
 marched off with their prisoners, unmolested to their boat* 
 
161 
 
 although it was a fine moon-light night, in the middle of 
 summer. In his account of the matter, Captain Marri- 
 ner says, that Dom. Rubell rung the alarm bell, before 
 we were half a mile from the church, and Dr. Van Samp- 
 er, who lived at Mr. Martense's, sung out, " Goedt luck, 
 Goedt luck : not me, not me." The spirits called from 
 their sleep by the alarm bell, did not pui-sue Captain 
 Marriner, and he arrived safe at his boat, and carried his 
 distinguished prisoners to New-Brunswick. Time will 
 not permit us to pursue this affair farther, and give an ac- 
 count of the taking up and imprisoning of certain persons 
 in New-Utrecht, on suspicion of being connected with 
 Marriner in the enterprize*. 
 
 The inhabitants of Flatbush during the war, particu- 
 larly those who were supposed to be in favor of th-e Ame- 
 rican cause were subject to a variety of exactions from 
 the British authorities. Their property too was often sto- 
 len, cattle were taken from the fields, hogs from their 
 pens, and horses from their stalls. The hen roosts were 
 frequently robbed, and almost every kind of plundering 
 and thieving committed. When horses were wanted by 
 the British for any service, they were seized without ce- 
 remony. On one occasion, Colonel L***, of Flatlands, 
 attempted to take the horses of Captain Vanderveer, while 
 he was ploughing with them in the field. The Captain 
 
 * In the account heretofore pubhshcd of this incident, the name of 
 Major Moncricf does not appear, while Colonel Sherbrook is repre- 
 sented as the principal object of capture by Marriner. But this is incor- 
 rect. It was Major Moncrief who had principally insulted him, and 
 he was the person whom he desired chiefly to take. The account 
 given above, contains the true statement of the whole affair. 
 
 14* 
 
162 
 
 refused to give up his horses, and showed his protection, 
 and orders from Captain Dalrymple. This so disconcert- 
 ed the Colonel, that he was quite enraged, and in a violent 
 manner exclaimed, " You, Flatbushers are always med- 
 dling." He went then and seized the horses of Judge 
 Lott and of Judge Vanderbilt, who had no protection. 
 
 During the greater part of the war, a guard was kept 
 up in the village. For a considerable time this was done 
 by the militia of the town. The object was, not so much 
 to watch the prisoners, as to detect sailors and stragglers, 
 who would leave their vessels off the beach and come 
 through the village, on their way to New- York, for the 
 purpose of escaping being taken by the press-gang, who 
 were coasting on the waters, in and about the city. The 
 guard detailed for duty consisted usually of seven, of 
 'whom two were sent out on patrol. Several amusing 
 anecdotes occurred relative to this guard, but we have 
 not room to narrate them. 
 
 In 1781, a regiment of new recruits, under Colonel 
 Hewlett, raised chiefly in Queens County, came to Flatbush 
 and were billetted on the inhabitants. After these, a re- 
 giment who had been taken prisoners in the West-Indies, 
 from Waldack in Germany, commanded by Colonel De 
 Horn, were sent to the place, and billetted upon the inha- 
 bitants to a certain extent. They were obliged to find 
 them quarters, but not provisions. The officers had their 
 own rooms, and the soldiers generally occupied the kitch- 
 ens of the houses. This regiment behaved well ; no de- 
 predations were committed by them. We cannot refrain 
 from giving an account of one of them. His name was 
 Raymond. He was desirous of joining the American 
 army ; for this purpose he deserted, and at great risk, got 
 
163 
 
 on board of an American merchant ship, — unfortunately 
 for poor Raymond, this ship was soon captured by the 
 British, and the deserter was sent back to Flatbush to his 
 regiment. A court-martial was held upon his case, and 
 he was sentenced to pass through the gantlet, as it was 
 called, ten times, and each time to be whipped. He was 
 prepared with bare back accordingly, and the regiment 
 being arranged in open file, poor Raymond passed with a 
 file of soldiers before him to prevent his going faster than 
 such a gate, through the long line, while every man on 
 either side was required to give him a cut with a whip. 
 At the end of each turn, a sei'geant passed through the 
 line with a fresh supply of whips, and every soldier drew 
 from the bunch a new rod, with which more severely to 
 punish Raymond This was enacted ten times — and one 
 would have supposed that at the end of it, Raymond would 
 have fallen down dead. His back, as might have been sup- 
 posed, was dreadfully lacerated, almost every whip drawing 
 blood ; but as if by a miracle, the poor fellow survived, 
 and eventually got well. But all this whipping did not 
 drive out of him a love to the American cause. He de- 
 termined again to desert ; but before doing so, wished to 
 revenge himself by killing his Colonel. But his asso- 
 ciates would not agree with him in this undertaking. He 
 however, with some few others, eventually deserted and 
 got safely within the American lines, and on visiting 
 Philadelphia and making his story known, he was treated 
 with such signal attention, as almost to compensate him 
 for his past trials and sufferings. 
 
 Among others who were billetted in Flatbush, were the 
 soldiers who had fought in Canada, in the French war. 
 Of these nothing particular is told. For accommodating 
 
164 
 
 these, as well as the regiment of the Waldeckers, no 
 compensation was allowed to the inhabitants. Among the 
 many troops belonging to the Biitish, who from time to 
 time were in Flatbush, many were desirous of going over 
 to the American army, and several desertions took place. 
 Among others, a Captain Lyman of Boston. He became 
 involved in debt and sold his commission in the British 
 service. He was soon greatly reduced in his circumstan- 
 ces, and had to sleep in the open air under the stacks. 
 The American prisoners hearing of his situation, made a 
 collection for him — had a suit of coating made for him at 
 the house of Captain Cornelius Vanderveer, and furnished 
 him with means to escape beyond the British lines. He 
 travelled safely towards the east end of the island, passed 
 over to Connecticut, and eventually joined the Americans. 
 Near the close of the war, a Saxon regiment, who were 
 dressed in French clothing, came to Flatbush, and were 
 quartered upon the inhabitants. Many of these, and in 
 fact the whole regiment, was desirous of going over to the 
 American army. One of the soldiers who was billetted 
 at Captain Vanderveer's, came to the present J. C. Van- 
 derveer, Esq. one morning very early, before he had left 
 his bed, and told him their wishes, and offered him money 
 if he w^ould pilot them. Mr. Vanderveer told him of the 
 entire impracticability of the enterprize, on account of 
 the distance of the American lines, and the waters which 
 they would have to cross. He was induced in conse- 
 quence of this, to leave him. But next morning he 
 brought one of his officers to Mr. Vanderveer, who told the 
 same story — that the whole regiment were ready to join 
 the Americans, and pressed him to guide them. He told 
 them again that the matter was utterly impossible ; that 
 
165 
 
 if they attempted it, there was no escaping detection and 
 death, and accordingly they desisted. But the soldier 
 and some others did attempt to desert, and were taken and 
 put on board a man-of-war. After a short time, the 
 whole regiment was removed. The incident is interest- 
 ing and important, as showing how popular the cause of 
 the Americans was, even with many who were brought 
 here to fight against them. 
 
AID AFFORDED 
 
 TO THE 
 
 AMERICAN CAUSE DURING THE WAR OF THE 
 REVOLUTION. 
 
 We now open an interesting chapter in the History of 
 Flatbush. It relates to the pecuniary aid afforded by this, 
 in common with some of the other towns in Kings County, 
 to the advancemeixt of the American cause, during the 
 struggle which eventuated in our independence. While 
 from the circumstances in which the inhabitants of this 
 part of the country were placed, they could not personally 
 enlist in the army without sacrificing their all ; many of 
 them furnished money, appropriately called the sinews 
 of war, with which to carry on the contest. This, in view 
 of the situation of the country at various times during the 
 revolutionary conflict, was exceedingly important. The 
 currency of the country consisted chiefly in continental 
 paper. This had become so much depreciated, that it 
 was of little value, and it was absolutely essential to the 
 success of the American cause, that specie should be ob- 
 tained. It was therefore contrived to borrow money for 
 the use of the army, from the whigs, on the west end of 
 Long-Island, who had in their possession large sums of 
 
167 
 
 gold and silvef. The agent in effecting these loans, was 
 Major Hendrick WyckoiF. He was the only son of Mr. Cor- 
 nelius Wyckoff, of New-Lots, in this town. His father was 
 a staunch whig, and his son the Major, early enlisted with 
 all his heart, in the cause of his country. He left Long- 
 Island with the American army, in September, 1776, and 
 remained in the service, and virtually an exile from his 
 home, till the British left the country, in 1783. He was a 
 confidential friend of Governor George Clinton, and a brave 
 discreet and enterprising officer, a man of sterling integrity 
 and honesty. His country's enemies were his enemies, 
 and her friends his friends. Being well acquainted with 
 the inhabitants of the west end of Long-Island, and who 
 among them were true friends of American Independence, 
 after the plan of obtaining money from them was sugges- 
 ted, the execution of it was committed to him. 
 
 The loaning of money appears to have originated with 
 Lieutenant Samuel Dodge, who was taken prisoner at 
 Fort Montgomery, in October, 1777. The officers who 
 were captured in the Fort at that time, were brought to 
 New- York, and distributed on parole in Kings County. 
 Lieutenant Dodge and Captain Gilleland, were quartered 
 at the house of Mr. Barent Johnson, the father of the present 
 General Jeremiah Johnson, of Brooklyn. He was ex- 
 changed in the early part of the following November. 
 On his return, Mr. Johnson, who was a firm and devoted 
 whig, loaned him a small sum of money, and probably 
 suggested the idea of obtaining specie in Kings County. 
 Colonel Ellison, who was a prisoner in New-Utrecht, on 
 parole, was advised on the subject, and when he was ex- 
 changed in December, 1777, he obtained a loan of £700, 
 to the State from Mr. Barent Johnson, which he carried 
 with him. This was the first loan, for which a simple 
 
168 
 
 private receipt on account was given. Several receipts 
 of the like import, amounting to 85000, were taken by 
 Mr. Johnson before his death in 1782, a noble testimony 
 to his devotedness to the interests of his country. 
 
 The practicability of obtaining money in King County 
 being thus manifest, the whole conducting of the affair 
 was intrusted to Major WyckofF. It was an enterprize 
 attended with imminent danger, and one which required 
 great skill and secrecy in its execution. The plan usual- 
 ly pursued by the Major, was to cross the sound from Con- 
 necticut, and conceal himself at Cow Neck. The house 
 in which he was usually secreted, was that of Peter On- 
 derdonk, a warm friend of the American cause. He was 
 entrusted by Governor Clinton, with blank notes, signed 
 by him, which the Major was to fill up to certain indivi- 
 duals, for such sums as he received from them. He had 
 his agents in this part of Kings County, who obtained mo- 
 ney for him, and took it to him. Judge Cowenhoven of 
 New-Utrecht, the father-in-law, of Mrs. Catin, was one of 
 these. He carried to the Major, the chief part of the mo- 
 ney raised for this object, in Flatbush. Major WyckofT 
 would occasionally venture himself within the British 
 lines. He visited his father's house in New-Lots, and in 
 the winter of the year 1780, he was several days at the 
 house of Mr. Remsen, at the Wallaboght, in sight of the 
 prison ship, Jersey. In the evening they rode out, when 
 Mr. Remsen would borrow money, with which they would 
 return at night. In the day they would count it on a 
 blanket, and bag it. When the Major had as much as it 
 was safe to take, Mr. Remsen took him and the cash to 
 Mr. Onderdonk's, at Cow Neck. In effecting this service 
 for his country. Major WyckofT ran many risks of his life". 
 On one occasion he was concealed for two or more days 
 
169 
 
 and nights in a thicket of briar bushes, from which he 
 could see the men wlio were in pursuit of him. 
 
 The amount of money loaned to the State by the whig 
 inhabitants of Flatbush cannot be fully ascertained. We 
 should be glad to name all who thus favored their coun- 
 try's cause, but strange to say, no record of these trans- 
 actions has been made or preserved. We can only men- 
 tion such as have come to our knowledge, without design- 
 ing to cast any reflection upon others. The mother of the 
 present old Mrs. Lefferts advanced £500, equal to $1250. 
 On one occasion, when counting out the money to the 
 person who was about to take it to Major WyckofF, a Bri- 
 tish officer entered the house, and she came near being 
 discovered and apprehended. Captain Cornelius Van- 
 derveer and Judge Lott, united in advancing on a certain 
 occasion, a sum of money. What the precise amount was 
 we know not. But they received the simple note signed 
 by Governor Clinton. To preserve this voucher, they en- 
 closed it in a bottle. This being well corked, they buri- 
 ed it under one of the post of Mr. Vanderveer's barn. At 
 the close of the war, they dug up the bottle, but on open- 
 ing it they found that all the writing on the note was ob- 
 literated, except the signature of George Clinton. When 
 the State repaid these loans, this note among others, was 
 presented. The Governor inquired into the cause of its 
 being so defaced, and at first hesitated to honor it. But on 
 being told the circumstances connected with it, he hono- 
 rably discharged it. 
 
 Mr. George Martense, the father of Mrs. Catin, probably 
 advanced the largest amount of money of any individual 
 ip the town. He loaned first and last, £2200, equal to 
 $5500. This was the more commendable on his part, as 
 
 15 
 
170 
 
 he was regarded by the British as favorable to them. He 
 had not fled when they entered the town, and they injured 
 no part of his property. At his house too, the British offi- 
 cers often visited, and Major Moncrief had his quarters. 
 All these sums were given in specie, and when the loans, 
 after the revolution were paid, it was in the same currency. 
 When Mr. George Martense went for his money, he took 
 a cart, it is said, and the silver completely filled it. 
 
 The process of loaning money continued till the peace.. 
 Many timid whigs ventured as the prospects of the coun- 
 try brightened, and loaned their money. They knew the 
 purpose and the danger in aiding the American cause. 
 To tell was death. A combination in what was esteem- 
 ed treasonable acts, bound them strongly together. 
 
 It is supposed that before the war terminated, not far 
 from 8200,000, in specie, had been loaned and carried 
 out of the British lines, by this devoted band. And what 
 is remarkable, not a single person who aided in this busi- 
 ness was discovered. It is to be regretted, that a public 
 record of these transactions, so honorable to the whigs of 
 Kings County, is not in existence. " I have searched," 
 says General Johnson, in a communication to the author, 
 " the records and public papers, of the war, at Albany, 
 but no entries of this matter can be found." 
 
 Major Wyckoff* after the peace engaged in mercantile 
 business, with Judge Smith (also an exile) under the firm 
 of Smith and Wyckoff*, New- York. He died in the year 
 1791, at his fathers' house in New-Lots, being about fifty 
 years of age. His funeral was attended by a large con- 
 course of people, desirous of paying their last respects to 
 a man, who had braved danger and difficulty, in the ser- 
 vice of his country. Among these, were the military offi- 
 
171 
 
 cers of the city of New- York, and his personal friend, 
 George' Clinton, the Governor of the State. 
 
 At the close of the war, a liberty pole was erected in 
 Flatbush. It was near the spot where the present one 
 stands. The occasion was one of great joy and hilarity. 
 Materials for the flag having been procured, a party of 
 ladies assembled at the house of Mr. John C. Vanderveer, 
 for the purpose of making it. Several young persons 
 gathered together in the evening, and much dancing and 
 merriment were indulged in. But it was interrupted by 
 a sensation of an earthquake, which was then very strong- 
 ly felt. The flag however, duly formed, with its stripes 
 and stars was completed and a time was set for the putting 
 up of the pole and displaying for the first time in Flatbush, 
 the American signal. A large concourse assembled on 
 the occasion. It was celebrated with the firing of cannon, 
 and other demonstrations of joy. An unfortunate acci- 
 dent occurred, however, which greatly marred the plea- 
 sure of the scene. Mr. Henry Van Beuren, the brother 
 of Courtland Van Beuren, the father of the present Mrs. 
 Hasbrook, was severely wounded. He was engaged in 
 ramming down a charge in the cannon, when from some 
 cause the piece discharged itself. The ramrod was driv- 
 en with great violence from the cannon, and severely la- 
 cerated the hand and arm of poor Van Beuren, and also 
 passed along his thigh and laid open the flesh almost 
 through its whole extent. The wound was a very dan- 
 gerous one, and it was feared at the time, that it would 
 prove fatal. He however, after a very long confinement 
 finally recovered. 
 
 The evening of the day on which the liberty pole was 
 erected, was spent in festivity. A large public ball was 
 
172 
 
 held, the company using for the occasion the court room, 
 from which the British officers had previously removed the 
 seats and benches, to render it suitable for similar amuse- 
 ments on their part ; little dreaming that they whom they 
 reorarded as dastardly rebels, would use these accommoda- 
 tions to celebrate, in the same place the achievement of 
 their independence from foreign oppression. 
 
^- 
 
 
 7»««K»Ww«S<5l«6' r f ^ ^*' 4S^ 5^ 
 
 
MODERN CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS. 
 
 During the period immediately succeeding the termina- 
 tion of the revolutionary war, no very material events 
 took place in Flatbush, except the building of the Acade- 
 my, the Church and the Court House, all of which we 
 have already noticed. But presently the attention of the 
 inhabitants was directed to their side walks and front fences. 
 The first fences in front of the farms, were formed of stone, 
 surmounted with earth, on which were planted shoots of 
 primrose. These were kept properly trimmed, and when 
 in full growth were very handsome. Lining the village, 
 almost entirely on both sides, they presented a very pictu- 
 resque appearance. This was the case about seventy or 
 eighty years ago, and had been so, for probably a century 
 before. But from some cause, either the severity of the 
 winter weather, or the ravages of an insect, these prims 
 all died in one season. Some then took down the stone 
 foot and substituted ordinary posts and rails. This how- 
 ever, had but an unsightly aspect. Picket fences were 
 then resorted to. In front of two farms these had been put 
 up previously to the war, viz : by Colonel Axtell and Mr. 
 David Clarkson. One after another of the inhabitants 
 substituted these in the place ofthe old stone fence, or the 
 posts and rails which had been used. And now there is 
 one continued picket or panel fence on both sides of the 
 
 15* 
 
174 
 
 village from one end to the other. The last link in this 
 chain was completed some four or five years ago. 
 
 Locust trees were formerly planted on the side walks 
 of the village. Some of these, perhaps seventy-five or 
 one hundred year of age, were standing not many years 
 since. The last of them stood in front of the premises oc- 
 cupied by Dr. Vanderveer, and Mr. John C. Bergen, and 
 were removed when these gentlemen regulated and form- 
 ed their side walks. Some few of the more modern of 
 these locust trees are still standing before the property 
 now in the possession of the widow Gertrude Stryker, on 
 the walk of Matthew Clarkson, Esq. and in front of the 
 jiouse belonging to the heirs of Cornelius Antonides. As 
 these trees decayed, which occurred between thirty and 
 forty years ago, they were succeeded by the Lombardy 
 poplar. Quite a spirit existed in the place in favor of this 
 tree. They were planted in great numbers, on either 
 side of the road, and when they had attained their full 
 growth, they presented certainly a very beautiful appear- 
 ance. It was at this time, about the year 1815, that the 
 author first knew the village. These trees, on either 
 side, gave it the aspect of a spacious avenue, or a beauti- 
 ful vista, indicative of the comfort, peace and prosperity 
 which generally reigned within the village. It was soon 
 found, however, that these trees were infested with a 
 loathesome worm, that they gave but little shade, and 
 were not durable. The proprietors generally, removed 
 them, and none are now left standing, except in front of 
 the dwelling of L. L. Van Kleeck, Esq. Some planted lo- 
 cust trees again in the place of these poplars. But these 
 were found to be attacked with worms, and not to grow 
 with rapidity, or beauty. Since this a great variety of or- 
 namental forest trees have been set out, which we need not 
 
175 
 
 enumerate. In this connection, we must speak of four ve- 
 nerable trees, three of which are still in existence. These 
 were English Lindens. One of them is now standing in 
 front of Mrs. Catin's, another on the corner of Dr. Zabris- 
 kie's, and the third, on the opposite corner, in front of the 
 house of Mr. Michael Neefus. These were planted very 
 many years ago. The two last particularly, affording a 
 fine shade, were often resorted to by the neighbors, in the 
 summer season. Many a social pipe, and happy hour 
 have been enjoyed under them. The fourth of these vene- 
 rable trees, stood in front of the house which was taken 
 down to make room for the present dwelling of Judge 
 John A. Lott. This tree was very large, and very highly 
 prized. About the period of the American Revolution, a 
 limb of this tree, from some cause, became broken, and 
 Colonel Matthews, the Mayor of the City of New-York, 
 who then lived on the premises, had it leaded up, and it 
 grew again. But after a while it was split again by the 
 wind. x\nd he actually sent to New- York for riggers, 
 who bound it up with ropes, and" so preserved it. On one 
 occasion the court of the county sat under this tree. It 
 was in consequence of the large number of persons attend- 
 ing, who could not be accommodated in the court house. 
 The regulating of the side walks in the village was 
 commenced about fifteen years ago, by M. Clarkson, Esq. 
 At a very considerable expense he levelled and gravelled 
 his walk, and put up a railing in front. Small pieces of 
 railing before a few doors had been made previously, but 
 none extended in front of the whole premises. The be- 
 nefit and the beauty of this improvement were soon seen, 
 and several others followed the example, so that now we 
 have a regulated walk through the greater part of the vil- 
 lage, and a railing or chain in many cases in addition. 
 
176 
 
 Soon after the close of the war of the American Revolu- 
 tion several new houses were put up, some in the place of 
 those that had been burnt, and some on the sites of other 
 old dwellings, which were pulled down. Within the last 
 few years, several beautiful and spacious dwellings have 
 been erected, and nearly all the houses which were stand- 
 ing during the Revolutionary war are removed. We 
 have not space to specify all these buildings, which com- 
 bine the elegance and conveniences of modern improve- 
 ment. David Johnson, Esq. erected the first, about fif- 
 teen years since, when he moved to the village, and put 
 up the noble edifice in which he resides. Matthew Clark- 
 son, Esq. a few years afterwards built the magnificent 
 mansion which now adorns his property, and in which he 
 lives. The old wretched building formerly owned by Mr. 
 Van Courtlandt has been succeeded by the two beautiful 
 houses now occupied by Mr.. Prince and Mr. Crommelin. 
 The very ancient house of LefFert Martense, has given 
 place to the stately edifice of Judge G. L. Martense. In- 
 stead of the small uncouth dwelling which formerly stood 
 upon the very edge of the road, we have the spacious 
 house now inhabited by Mr. Seymour, with its Grecian 
 front, and the comfortable dwelling in which Mr, St. John 
 resides. The old brick structure belonging to the Stryker 
 family, which but a few years ago, stood near the corner, 
 venerable for its age, and bearing upon its front, the figures 
 1696, has been removed, to make room for the modest, but 
 neat cottage of Mrs. Gertrude Stryker. The long gloomy 
 looking, but time honored house of Barent Van Deventer, 
 has given place to the commodious edifice of Judge John 
 A. Lott. In the room of the unsightly and delapidated hovel 
 of Mr. Jacobus Van Deventer, with its large duck pond, and 
 falling fences, we have Vernon avenue, and the nice and 
 

 
 ^ ^-wi^vy Higp M'txi ' 
 
177 
 
 tasty building in which Mr. Beekman resides. The old house 
 of Hendrick Vanderveer, has been succeeded by the hand- 
 some, well finished and convenient dwelling of Mr. Sam- 
 uel G. Lott. And though the last, not the least, in the 
 north of the village, Mr. Willink has erected the splendid 
 mansion, into which he has recently removed, together with 
 its beautiful barn and stables, surmounted with a cupalo, 
 all of which, he has enclosed with a costly panel fence. 
 In addition to these, to some other houses Grecian fronts 
 have been added, and various improvements made, which 
 give to the whole village an air of beauty, pleasantness, 
 richness and comfort, which are surpassed by but few 
 others. A distinguished gentleman of Pittsburgh, Penn- 
 sylvania,* on his first visit to the place, called it a village 
 of palaces. Besides these more conspicuous houses, ma- 
 ny more have been put up in various parts of the village, 
 some of which too, are beautiful and neat. Quite a con- 
 siderable settlement has grown up, a little east of the Aca- 
 demy, and also one in the. north of the village, on which 
 spots a few years ago, not a house was to be seen. Indeed 
 within the past twelve or fifteen years, more than sixty 
 new buildings have been put up, besides those which have 
 been erected in the place of old ones, which have been re- 
 moved. 
 
 It no doubt will appear strange to some, that a village 
 so contiguous to the great emporium of our country, and 
 combining the advantages of health and means of educa- 
 tion, with the absence of many temptations to the young 
 should not have grown with more rapidity. But the rea- 
 son is to be found in the fact that until within a very few 
 years, not a building lot could be purchased in the town. 
 
 * Hon, Robert C. Grier, 
 
178 
 
 The owners of property, living in comfort, and gradually- 
 adding to their estates, felt no inducement to part with their 
 lands. But of late, some few farms have been purchased, 
 and Flatbush property is now in the market. Had the 
 village been laid out regularly in streets and building lots, 
 some thirty or forty years ago, it would we have no doubt 
 by this time have rivalled some of our largest inland 
 towns. But notwithstanding the present aspect of neat- 
 ness and comfort, which it presents, it is susceptible of still 
 greater improvements. These we trust, will in due time, 
 be made, and the village become, what it is capable of be- 
 ing made, the pride and beauty of Long-Island. 
 
 We had intended to give some account of the genealo- 
 gy of most of the older families of Flatbush. Materials 
 to a very considerable extent have been collected with 
 this view, but as they are not sufficiently full, especially 
 in regard to some families, we deem it proper to waive this 
 part of our subject. 
 
 ■ From a review of the history of their little home which 
 we have taken, truly the inhabitants of Flatbush have 
 abundant cause to admire the goodness of that God who in 
 his benign providence has smiled so graciously and so con- 
 stantly upon them. Their cup has overflowed with 
 blessings, and still the same mercy of the Lord is crown- 
 ing their families with peace. With adoring gratitude let 
 us lift up our hearts to his throne and with fulness of love 
 to him let us show the fervor of our thankfulness by lives 
 devoted to his glory. Committing to his guardian care, the 
 interests of our village, and praying his blessings to rest 
 upon it, let us aim to make it as eminent for morality, for 
 intelligence, for pure religion, as it is now for health, 
 beauty and temporal prosperity. 
 
 >* 
 
POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 Since the foregoing was in type, we have met with the 
 following obituary notice of the Rev. Johannes Theodo- 
 rus Polhemus, the first pastor of the Reformed Dutch 
 Churches of Flatbush, Brooklyn and Flatlands. It is 
 extracted from the records of the Church of Brooklyn. 
 
 " It has pleased the Almighty God, to remove from this 
 world of care and trouble, our worthy and beloved pastor, 
 Johannes Polhemus, to the abode of peace and happiness 
 in his heavenly kingdom : by which, our Church is de- 
 prived of his pious instructions, godly example and evan- 
 gelical ministrations, particularly in the administration 
 of the holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper." 
 
o.