Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028834673 Cornell University Library F 127S7 B35 + History of Richmond County (Staten Islan 3 1924 028 834 673 olin Overs HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY, (STATEN ISLAND) NEW YORK, Fmm its Discovery to the Present Time. EDITED BY RICHARD M. BAYLES. *' Staten Island ! the name hath a charm to the ear: ' Fair Island of Beauty ! ' ' The Gem of the Sea ! ' Let other harps sing of the scenes ever dear, But mine, be it tuned in its praises to thee. " Thou 'rt like a vast garden of verdure and flowers- Spread out in the distance, enchanting to view; With its green, shady knolls and luxuriant bowers, Surrounded by waters of loveliest blue." A non. New York: L. E. PRESTON & CO. 1887. COPYRIGHT, 1887, — BY— L. B. PRESTON & CO. TOtSS OT J. tti^W P?.0B3T. 36 MtStf ST , «*.'<. PREFACE. The preparation of a history like this involves the employ- ment of a great variety of means, drawing from a multitude of sources. The compiler is frequently obliged to accept the statements of others without knowing upon what data those statements are made. The utter impossibility of any one mau being able, during the brief term of one human life, to go to the bottom of every fact stated in a work of this kind must be too apparent to need explanation. There are a hundred ways by which errors may creep in. The editor can but use his best judgment as to the reliability of the authorities upon which he depends for statements, and his constant and most careful vigilance in guarding against erroneous statements. This he has done in the preparation of this work, and that vigilance has been rendered more effective by the experience the editor has had heretofore in the preparation of similar works in other fields. Opportunity is taken here to make expression of our gratitude for the generous response with which requests for information have been met by the ministers of the different churches, the officers of different societies, and others who were in possession of special information that was desired, in general; and we would also make particular acknowledgment of the valuable assistance which we have received from Dr. James Brownlee, Alfred de Groot, James McNamee, Grovernor G. D. S. Trask, Sidney F. Rawson, County Clerk C. A. Hart, School Com- missioner Theodore Frean, Professor N.L. Britton, the family of the late Gabriel P. Disosway, Dr. Arthur Hollick, Hamilton IV PREFACE. Willcox, Ira K. Morris, William T. Davis and John H. Gar- re tson. The readiness with which these gentlemen have answered the calls of the editor for the assistance that each could give, has encouraged him through the many weary months of labor which the preparation of this volume has cost. Besides all the sources of information and assistance which have been indicated there are many others which have been laid under contribution which we cannot mention specifically. Two of the most important, however, cannot be justly omitted. These are the " Annals of Staten Island," compiled by Mr. J. J. Clute, and the note books of Prof. Charles Anthon, both of which have been drawn upon for whatever they contained of sufficient value and as far as the limits of this volume would allow. The copyright of the former was purchased from the heirs of Mr. Clute, and the note books of the latter, from a relative in whose possession they were. These were gathered while he was a resident of the island and a professor in Columbia Col- lege, about 1850 to 1854, he at the time having in view the prep- aration of a history of the island, which project he afterward abandoned. From these note books we have obtained many important facts which have hitherto never been published, and we deem it especially fortunate that the books were discovered in time for those facts to be embodied in this work. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE. Description of Staten Island (Richmond County) 1 CHAPTER n. NATURAL HISTOKT OP THE ISLAND. Geology. — Flora of the Island. — Animal Life. — Indian Relics 9 CHAPTER HI. THE PERIOD OF SETTLEMENT— 1609 TO 1683. Discovery. — The First Settlement and the Settlers. — Conquest by the English. 38 CHAPTER IV. THE COLONIAL PERIOD— 1683 TO 1775. Erection of Richmond County. — Arrival of Huguenots. — Division of Rich- mond into Towns. — The Claims of New Jersey. — Patents and Land Grants. — Establishment of the Colonial Government. — Administration of Justice. — The Time of the French "War. — Colonial Description. — Colonial Customs. — Statistics 90 CHAPTER V. THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD — 1775 TO 1783. Events Prior to the Declaration of Independence. — The Coming of Howe. — Incursions and Skirmishes. — The Close of the "War and the Evacuation of New York and Staten Island. — Incidents of the Revolutionary Period. 157 CHAPTER VI. UNDER THE REPUBLIC — 1788 TO 1883. Condition at close of Revolution. — Population.^County Buildings. — Manners and Customs. — "War of 1813. — Extracts from the Records. — TheMilitia. — Growth and Improvement. — Earthquakes. — Quarantine. — The Civil War.— Some Notable Events 350 CHAPTER VII. CIVIL DIVISIONS AND CIVIL OFFICERS. The County.— The Towns.— The VUlages.— Hon. Daniel D. Tompkins.— Hon. Erastus Brooks. — Cornelius A. Hart 336 VI TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER Vin. PAGE. CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. The Dutch Reformed Churches. — The Episcopal Churches. — Baptist Churches. — Methodist Churches. — The Moravian Church. — The Roman Catholic Churches. — The Church of the Huguenots. — Unitarian Church. — Presbyterian Churches. — Lutheran Churches. — Y. M. C. A 349 CHAPTER IX. EDUCATION AND LITERATURE. The Schools of the Colonial Period. — The Public Schools under the State Government. — Richmond County College.— Brighton Heights Seminary. — Staten Island Academy. — The Natural Science Association. — News- papers. — George William Curtis. — John Adams Appleton. — The Smith Family 44.5 CHAPTER X. THE PROFESSIONS OF LAW AND MEDICINE. The Bench and Bbt. — Henry B. Metcalfe. — Alvin C. Bradley. — Tompkins Westervelt. — Lot C. Clark. — Robert Christie. — John and William H. Anthon. — Theodore C. Vermilye. — List of Practising Attorneys. — Augus- tus Prentice. — Richmond County Medical Society. — I. K. Ambrose. — Herman Beyer. — Alfred L. Carroll. — Ephraim Clark. — Alva D. Decker. — Henry S. Earl. — Joseph Feeny. — John L. Feeny. — R. Henry Colder. — Edwin A. Hervey. — George C. Hubbard. — Robert M. Ames. — F. E. Mar- tindale. — James J. O'Dea. — S. A. Robinson. — Robert Rogerson. — Henry W. Sawtelle. — Samuel Russell Smith. — Walker Washington, Jr. — J. Wal- ter Wood. — Notes of Quarantine Superintendence, etc 469 CHAPTER XL OLD FAMILIES AND PROMINENT INDIVIDUALS. Alston. — Androvette. — Bedell. — Barnes. — Samuel Ward Benedict. — Read Benedict. — Bodine. — W. H. J. Bodine. — Blake. — Bogart. — Braisted. — Britton. — Burbanck. — Burgher, Burger. — Bush. — Butler. — Cannon. — Christopher. — Cole. — Abraham Cole. — William A. Cole. — Colon. — Con- ner. — Corseh. — Cortelyou. — Crips. — Crocheron. — Cruser. — Cubberly. — George William Daley. — George Henry Daley.^Decker. — De Groot. — De Hart. — Depuy. — Disosway. — DuBois. — Dustan. — Eddy. — Andrew Eddy. — Egbert. — Ellis. — Enyard. — Fountain. — Frost. — Garrison. — Guyon. — Hatfield. — Haughwout. — Charles A. Herpich. — Hillyer. — Holmes. — Housman. — Jacobson. — Johnson. — Jones. — Journeay. — La Forge. — Lake. — Larzalere. — Latourette. — Lawrence. — Lisk. — Lockman. — Manee. — James M. Manee. — Martling. — Martino. — MerriU. — Mersereau. — Metcalfe. — Nicholas C. MiUer. — Morgan 497 CHAPTER XII. OLD FAMILIES AND PROMINENT INDIVIDUALS (concluded). Ferine. — Poillon. — Post. — Prall. — AquUa Rich. — Alfred Z. Ross. — Ryerss. Seguine. — John G. Seguine. — Henry S. Seguine. — Sharrott. — Francis G. Shaw. — Simonson. — Stilwell. — Sprague. — Taylor. — Totten. — Ephraim J. Totten. — Tyson. — Van Buskirk, Van Duzer. — John H. Van Clief. The TABLE OF CONTENTS. VU PAGE. Vanderbilts.— The Van Name Family.— Van Pelt.— Wandel.— Albert Ward.— Stephen Whitman.— Winant.— Garrett Ellis Winants.— Wog- lom.— Wood.— Abraham C. Wood.— Jacob B. Wood.— Abraham J. Wood. — Other Families. — Eminent Men and Women of Staten Island . . . 563 CHAPTER Xm. CHARITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS. The S. E. Smith Infirmary.- The Seamen's Fund and Retreat.— Home for Destitute Children of Seamen. — County Poor House. — Staten Island Diet Kitchen. — Cemeteries. — Staten Island Water Supply Company. — The Crystal Water Works.— The Sailors' Snug Harbor.— The Police and Fire Department 641 CHAPTER XIV. MUTUAL ASSOCIATIONS. Staten Island Athletic Club.— Clifton Boat Club.— Staten Island Rowing Club. — Kill Von KuU Rowing Association. — Staten Island Cricket and Base Ball Club. — German Association. — Grand Army of the RepubUc. — Masonic Societies. — Odd Fellows' Lodges. — Miscellaneous Organizations. 666 CHAPTER XV. TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC. The Ferries. — Bridge Across the Sound.— The Staten Island Railroad. — The Shore RaUroad. — North and South Shore Railroad. — The Richmond County Railroad. — The Staten Island Rapid Transit Railroad. — Lewis Henry Meyer. — Eckstein Norton.— Roderick W. Cameron. — John Frank Emmons. — Harry L. Horton. — Reon Barnes. — Orlando A. Wood 678 CHAPTER XVI. INDUSTRIES. Agriculture. — Shipbuilding. — The Oyster Interests. — John Scott. — SUas N. Havens. — Edward Lowrey Woodruff. — Barrett, Nephews & Co. — The New York Dyeing and Printing Establishment. — The Breweries. — George Bechtel. — Monroe Eckstein. — B. Kreischer & Sons. — Jewett White Lead Company. — Silk Mill. — John Irving. — Linoleum Works. — Paper MUl. — Plaster Mill. — Dental Supplies. — Other Industries 702 ILLUSTRATIONS. PORTRAITS. Appleton, John A 464 Barnes, Reon 699 Barry, John 430 Bechtel, George 738 Benedict, Read 500 Benedict, Samuel W 499 Bodine, W. H. J 503 Brooks, Erastus 842 Vlll TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE. Brownlee, James 360 Cameron, Roderick 694 Cole, Abraham 514 Cole, William A 516 Curtis, George WiUiam 456 Daley, George H 534 Eccleston, John C 402 Eddy, Andrew 532 Feeny, John L 487 Hart, Cornelius A 346 Havens, S.N 719 Herpich, Charles A 543 Horton, H. L 698 Irving, John 738 Kreischer, B 734 liCwis, John 433 Manee, James M 554 Meyer, Lewis H 693 Miller, N. C 561 Norton, Ex 693 Prentice, Augustus 478 Rich, AquiEa 566 Robinson, S. A 493 Ross, A. Z 568 Scott, John 718 Seguine, Henry S 571 Seguine, John G 570 Shaw, Francis G 573 Smith, R. Penn 466 Tompkins, Daniel D 338 Totten, E. J 583 Van Clief, J. H 586 Vanderbilt, Cornelius 588 Vanderbilt, Jacob H 604 VanderbUt, William H 596 Ward, Albert 611 Whitman, Stephen 614 Winants, G. E 618 Wood, A. J 635 Wood, Orlando A 701 Woodruff, Edward Lowrey 730 VIEV\/S. Old Billop House, looking toward South Amboy Ill The Old Billop House, Tottenville HI Old British Fort 337 House of Isaac M. Marsh, formerly used as the Court House 353 Building formerly used as a Clerk's Office and Jail 256 Present Court House and Jail 357 The Jaques Guion House, New Dorp 337 Port Richmond Dutch Reformed Church 3g0 TABLE OF CONTENTS. IX PAGE. St. Andrew's Church, Eichmond 398 St. John's Church and Rectory 400 Woodrow M. E. Church 415 Old Moravian Church and Parsonage 424 Moravian Church, New Dorp 426 " Beechlawn," Residence of Col. R. Penn Smith 467 " Tower Hill," House of L. W. Faber 468 " Tower Hill," House of Mrs. Jenny Faber 469 House of A. L. King, Clifton, N. Y 497 " Ravenhurst," House of Read Benedict 501 The Bame Tysen House 549 The Daniel Lake House 549 St. James Hotel, Port Richmond 630 Mt. Loretto, S. 1 641 " Arrochar," Residence of W. W. MacFarland 647 Residence of George W. White 668 Residence of James M. Davis 672 " Fox HUl," House of L. H. Meyer 690 Dining Room at Fox Hill 691 House of Ex. Norton 693 Residence of R. W. Cameron 695 " Portledge," Residence of J. F. Emmons 697 Staten Island Fancy Dyeing Works 722 The Old Staten Island Dyeing Establishment 736 House and Stables of George Bechtel 729 Fire-Brick Works of B. Kreischer & Sons 732 Residence of the late B. KJreischer 735 Residences of Charles C. and Edward B. Kreischer 736 The Irving Manufacturing Company 739 MAPS AND PLANS. Map of Richmond County 1 Geological Map of Richmond County 9 Facsimile of Original Patent Granted to Barne Tysen in 1677 125 Plan of Christian Low Dutch Church 365 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. CHAPTER I. DESCRIPTION OF STATEN ISLAND. (RICHMOND COUNTY.) THE first thing we know of Staten Island is its name, and we trust it will not be considered out of place to intro- duce our subject by an explanation of its name. Its present form is an English rendering of the name given by the Dutch, " Staaten Eylandt." Hudson gave the name, which meant the "Island of the States," as a memorial to the states general, under whose tiag he was sailing. By the native occupants it was called "Aquehonga Manacknong," and sometimes "Eghqua- hous," which was probably only a slight variation of the first part of the former. Schoolcraft interprets "Aquehonga Ma- nacknong," as far as the place of bad woods. The meaning of " Eghquahous" is also interpreted the place of bad woods. It is not easy now to see the application of such a name, unless it was that the woods here were dense, and perhaps filled with tangled undergrowth, that made it difiicult to move through them in pursuit of game or to secure good aim upon it. The Island lies in or upon New York bay, but closely drawn to the New Jersey shore. It is separated from the latter by Newark bay and a narrow estuary called Kill von KuU on the north, and on the west by Staten Island sound, which is crooked and narrow but navigable by steamboats and river craft. The south side is washed by the waters of Raritan bay. Prince's bay and the Atlantic ocean, while the main seaward channel of the Hudson river flows along its eastern shore. It lies centrally in latitude 40° 84', and longitude 2^ 52' east from Washington, or 74° 8' west from Grreenwich. The center of the 1 2 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. island is eleven miles southwest of New York city, one hun- dred and forty-three miles south of the state capital, and one hundred and ninety miles southwest by an air line to the national capital. With respect to its surrounding waters we can approve the remarks of J. Fennimore Cooper, who in his " Water Witch " locates a scene here. He says: "The fine estuary which penetrates the American coast be- tween the fortieth and forty-first degrees of latitude is formed by the confluence of the Hudson, the Hackensack, the Passaic, the Raritan and a multitude of smaller streams; all of which pour their tribute into the ocean within the space named. The Island of Nassau [Long Island] and Staten Island are happily placed to exclude the tempests of the open sea, while the deep and broad arms of the latter offer every desirable facility for foreign trade and internal intercourse.'" Arthur kill separates the island on the west side from the New Jersey shore, and extends from Elizabethport to Perth Amboy. It is the grand highway for all the local commerce of the several ports and streams on the west side of Staten Island, as well as the inter-state commerce passing south and west through the Delaware and Raritan canal, which connects the Raritan river at New Brunswick with the Delaware river at Trenton. This canal is one of the principal links in the chain of internal navigation of the Atlantic seaboard, and has a tonnage amounting to about two millions annnally passing through it. What may be said in regard to the commerce of Arthur kill is equally true of Kill von Kull, and perhaps in a still greater degree. The latter extends from New York bay to Newark bay, separating the north shore of Staten Island from the New Jersey shore at Bergen Point. Through this channel must pass the great bulk of the commerce already mentioned and that of Newark bay and its tributaries in addition. Neither of the channels mentioned, however, can compare in the importance of its commerce with that of the channel which lies along the east side of the island. That is the gateway through which is constantly passing the commerce of our own great nation with all other nations of the earth. Thus we see Staten Island is peculiarly situated, as it were in a whirlpool of the commerce of a hemisphere. HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 3 In passing, let us notice the names of tlie bodies of water that surround the island. The water now known as the kills was first called by the Dutch " Het Kill van het Cul," meaning the Kill of the Gul. The Dutch word "Kill" meant a stream or creek, while the word ''Cul," perhaps borrowed from the French, meant a bay. Hence Kill von Kull was " the stream of the bay," the approx)riateness of which name is seen in the fact that it connects the two bays of New York and Newark. " Achter Cul," as Newark bay was called by the Dutch, meant the '■''Back hay.^'' The narrow bodj^ of water known as Staten Island sound, to which the name Arthur kill is also attached, was perhaps regarded as only a part of the "back bay," and so the name of the larger body, slightly corrupted, was appro- priated to the smaller arm. A reef in the bay at the mouth of the Kill von Kull was once frequented by seals, to which the Dutch gave the name Robyn ; hence the name " Robyns Rift," which has by careless usage become " Mohbins Reefy The shores of the island are designated with respect to the points of the compass, as follows : The region from the Fort to Billop's point is called the South Shore ; from the latter point to the junction of the sound with the kills is known as the West Side ; from the latter point (to which the name Rowland's hook has been applied, with reference to the meadows, and De Hart's point to the knoll of upland which overlooks it) to where the kills meet the waters of New York bay is called the North Shore ; and thence to the point of departure the East Side. The shape of the island is that of an irregular triangle. The longest line that can be drawn through it, from the extreme northeastern to the extreme southwestern point, is a few feet more than thirteen and a half miles ; while the longest line that can be drawn across it, from the shore of the sound near Buck- wheat island to the shore at the light-house near the Narrows, is two hundred feet over seven and three fourths miles. It con- tains about seventy-seven square miles, or 49,280 acres. The topography of the island corresponds in general with that of Long Island, being in the northern part hilly and stony, and in the southern part flat and sandy. But in detail the sur- face is more diversified. The island may justly claim attention for the beauty of its landscapes, presenting, as they do, so many mutations in character, through high, boldly precipitous Mid- dletown,- diversified Castleton, gently undulating Westfield, 4 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. rolling Northlield, and low, more or less flat and marshy South- field. Two prominent ranges of hills extend partially across the island, in different directions, one being near the eastern shore and touching it at both ends. This extends from New Brighton, on the northeastern extremity, where it reaches an elevation of 310 feet, and sweeping inland behind Tompkinsville and Stapleton, comes out again upon the shore of the Narrows, with such precipitous form as to suggest the name of Clifton. The second may be said to commence to the south and just in the rear of West New Brighton, and extends southward, rising as it advances, till it nearly reaches New Dorp, when it swerves away to the westward and settles down again on the shores of the Fresh kill. This reaches its greatest height in Toad or Todt hill, which has an elevation of 370 feet above tide. Still farther west it makes a prominent elevation in Richmond Hill. At La Tourette's hill, still farther, it overlooks the village of Rich- mond, and there you gaze far away over green, wooded, rolling Westfield, while Fresh kill runs at its base, nearly dividing the island in two. To the southeast of this hilly region, which by the way may be described as covering the northeast quarter of the island, is a level, and probably alluvial, tract of country, composed of upland and salt meadow extending to the ocean, where it is designated as the south shore. To the northwest of the "hill country" the surface is undulating, gradually declining to level upland and salt meadows. Almost every farm in the county is furnished with several acres of this meadow, from which large quantities of grass are annually taken without any expense for fertilizing or renewing. The island is well watered with springs, some of them very copious, and all of them affording water of excellent quality. These are the sources of numerous rivulets and brooks which irrigate the surface in all directions. At Springville, on the western part of the island these native waters burst from the soil in such spontaneous abundance as to suggest a name for the locality. The water of these springs is very cold and pure. Their value in the arts has been discovered by the proprietors of several large breweries and dye works as well as by the projectors of public water works. On this subject the fol- lowing extract from the report of investigations made in 1876 by Mr. Clarence Delafield, C. E., in regard to the available HISTORY OF EICHMOKD COUNTY. 5 sources of water supply for the village of New Brighton, will be found very interesting: " West of Port Richmond and GraniteviUe lies a sandy sur- face soil; under this is an impervious clay of considerable depth, under which again is a stratum of gravel that extends Avestward under the sound into New Jersey for a long distance. This gravel is the storage reservoir for the drainage of an im- mense district. Springs bi^eak out at or near tide water in large numbers in Mariners' Harbor. At Singer's factory in Eliza- bethport, the well that furnishes the factory is sunk through this clay stratum to the gravel, and furnishes a large volume of water. I feel confident that an ample supply can be found in this region for pumping. " The geological formation is peculiar. Prom the Palisades on the Hudson river, the trap rock is seen running in a south- westerly direction, generally depressed as it passes under Bergen hill, thence passing under Bergen Point and the Kill von Kull, emerging at the water side of Jewett's residence, Port Richmond, passing thence to the quarries at Graniteville, and from there dipping under the Fresh kill, is lost sight of until discovered on the Raritan river between Perth Amboy and New Brunswick. West of this line lies the white and blue clays of various depths, forming impervious strata, covering the water bearing gravel. "East of the line of trap described is another step of the same rock, noticed at Bergen Point, at Gunther's residence, but only found on the island, in digging wells just east of the Pond road. " Between the Pond and Mill roads there is a depression of the rock, and wells forty feet in depth pass through a stratum of water-proof clay into a stratum of gravel, the reservoir of drainage of the surface above of limited area, the water rising and falling with the rains, and often chalybeate in taste from the deposits of hematite iron in the hills above. " East of this line and at many points the serpentine rock comes to the surface, and on Todt hill rises to an altitude of about 370 feet above tide-water. Below the serpentine rock should occur the carboniferous strata and old red sandstone, also the Silurian rock overlaying the gneiss and granite. I be- lieve that the serpentine rock rests upon the gneiss rock, the usual intermediate rock being absent, and the reason for this 6 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. belief is that the gneiss rock of New York city is observed dipping under the bay, rising to form Robin's Reef, and ex- tending west to the beacon opposite New Brighton, probably passing under Staten Island at the same rate of dip. "As the result of observation of American and European engineers, the magnesian limestones are prolific water bearing rocks, and the primitive gneiss liable to fissures and stratifica- tion leading from great distances and bearing water of great purity. The granite from its freedom from fissures or strata, and irregular contour may form good basins, but rarely carries water far. Geology is by rio means an exact science, as far as determining without exjperimental examination the probable strata or their water bearing conditions, but the above men- tioned conditions are an assistance in an intelligent considera- tion of the subject now under investigation. " I find by observation, that there is a series of admirable springs commencing at the famous Hessian springs, near La- fayette and Brighton avenues, below Silver lake; also the Be- ment boiling springs, then various lesser springs, to the large springs at the Four Corners or Constanz brewery, and so on to the Willow brook and down to Springville. I have esti- mated, and find the amount of water discharged is vastly in excess of any surface drainage on the higher grounds of the island adjacent, and am thus led to the belief that these springs arise from the rock below, and have their source on hills far distant." The climate of the island is subject to frequent and sudden changes of temperature, but is generally more mild than that of other localities in the same latitude farther away from the sea- shore. The mercury varies during the year between ninety de- grees and zero, very seldom passing either of these extremes. The prevailing winds of winter are from the north or northwest. In summer the south shore receives a breeze from the ocean al- most daily, and southwest winds prevail throughout the island. Being surrounded by salt water the island is naturally subject to fogs, especially about the shores, though they seldom pene- trate far into the interior. They are prevalent toward spring and continue to occur at times until June or July and occasion- ally at other seasons. Thunder showers in summer sometimes suddenly arise in the north and are wafted over the island on HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 7 heavy gusts of wind, and are occasionally accompanied by a fall of hail stones. The island has long been celebrated for the salubrity of its climate, except perhaps for affections of the lungs and throat. There are few localities on the continent where the number of instances of extreme longevity in proportion to the population can be equalled, many of them being more than centenarians. To show that the healthfulness of the northern part was recog- nized we quote from an announcement in 1788 as follows: "The healthy and clear westerly breezes on the one side, and the thick southerly atmosphere, abstracted by a ridge of hills on the other side, make it so healthy that it must induce gentle- men of fortune to purchase, who wish to lengthen out their days and enjoy all the temporal happiness this life can afford." Some very cold winters have been recorded in t/he climatic history of the island. That of 1740-41 was unusually severe. Whenever alluded to it was spoken of as the "hard winter." Its extraordinary severity continued from the middle of No- vember to the end of March. Snow fell to the depth of six feet on the level; fences were buried out of sight: domestic animals were housed during the whole period, and many of them per- ished: intercourse between neighbors was suspended for several weeks; physicians were not able to reach their patients because of the utterly impassible condition of the roads; many families Suffered for want of bread while their granaries were filled with grain, because the mills were inaccessible; the roofs oi dwell- ings and out-buildings in many cases were crushed by the weight of snow upon them; churches remained closed and the dead unburied. At length a day or two of moderate weather came and with a light, misty rain, softened the surface of the snow, which froze hard again, and formed a solid crust suffi- ciently firm to bear the weight of a horse. This for a time af- forded great relief to the imprisoned people, and enabled them to procure fuel and other necessaries. Again, the winter of 1761, beginning with January, was an exceedingly cold one, continuing until March, meanwhile the Narrows were frozen over. Another severe winter was that of 1768. Ten years later brought a recurrence of climatic severity, of which the follow- ing record, dated December 12, 1788, gives us a hint: " The intense cold weather has, within these two days occa- sioned the quick-silver in the weather glass to fall four degrees 8 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COCTSTTT. lower than has been observed for the last seven years; several ships, &c., and many lives have been lost by the monstrous bodies of ice floating in our Bay." But perhaps one of the most memorable winters for its sever- ity was that of 1779-80. The waters surrounding the island were then firmly frozen over, so that troops, cannon and mili- tary stores of all descriptions were conveyed hither from New York on the ice. Sleighs were driven across the Narrows and over New York bay on the ice. A New York paper {Rhnng- ton' s Gazette) of January 29 has an item saying that several persons came from Staten Island to New York that day over the ice, and on the first day of January it records the fact that a four-horse sleigh made the same passage. EXPLANATION A A A A A A ^A A A A A A A^ A A A A UPPER B A V. Robbin's ArehefiH Serpentine, vwvvv Vy y V V V Vy V CHAPTER 11. NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND. Geology, — Flora of the Island. — Animal Life. — Indian Eelics. IN the matter of geology Staten Island presents a great variety for so small a section of territory. For our repre- sentations of the subject we have drawn largely upon the facts gathered by the investigations of Dr. N. L. Britton, of Columbia College. He tells us that within the limits of this territory we find strata of the Archaean, Triassic, Cretaceous, Quaternary and Modern eras, each of which will be noticed in the order of its age. ArchcBan Strata. — True granite occurs on the shore of the Upper bay, about four hundred feet southwest of the Tompkins- ville steamboat landing, and directly in front of the old build- ing known as Nautilus Hall. The surface of rock exposed at low tide is about eighty feet wide by fifty feet long; the rock disappearing at high-water mark beneath a hill of drift some fifteen feet in thickness. More of the same rock is exposed about two hundred feet south of this. Elsewhere on the island the granite is covered by newer formations. There is reason to believe, however, that it extends in a belt of unknown width all around the eastern edge of the main range of hills, covered by the glacial drift and Cretaceous strata to an unknown depth, and that the same belt continues in a southwesterly direction to Arthur kill, and thence across the state of New Jersey to Trenton, where it again comes to the surface. At the exposure at Tompkinsville before spoken of, this granite is very coarsely crystalline in structure, and for that reason could never be very satisfactorily employed for building purposes. The feldspar is mainly orthoclase, occurs in large masses, and is greatly in excess of the other two constituents; the quartz varies in color from dark brown to nearly white; what mica there is appears to be muscovite. In places the last named mineral is absent, the rock being then a kind of peg- 10 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.- matite or graphic granite. Xo stratification is observable, biat the surface of the rock outcrop dips about fifteen degrees to the east. Mather calls this granite primary, and to the best of our present knowledge it belongs to the oldest geological formation in North America. The magnesian rocks, serpentines, form the upper portion at least of the main series of hills. This rock originally is sup- posed to have been of very considerable thickness, for a large amount must have been removed by erosion; the serpentine area is estimated at about thirteen and a half square miles. It is impossible to estimate accurately the loresent thickness, but it is probably over one hundred feet. The most eastern exposed boundary of the serpentine rock is marked by a series of very sharp slopes, which are nearly continuous from Tompkinsville to Richmond, and in some places these are as straight and regular as they could be constructed. This regularity of the slope is a characteristic of these hills, and is not the least element of their beauty. It is not known how far east of the foot of these hills the serpentine extends, but it is probably no great distance, as the granite at Tompkinsville occurs within a few hundred feet of it. The southern end of the ridge descends rather gradually and is lost under the Freshkill marshes not far from Richmond. The western boundary of the formation, or more properly the eastern limit of the Triassic sandstone which rests upon it, cannot be accurately located, as there are no out- crops, and any attempt to designate it would be speculative and only approximate. The magnesian rock varies in color from light green to nearly black, and in texture from compact to quite earthy, much of it being fibrous. Its specific gravity is about 2.55, and in chemi- cal composition it is all a hydrated magnesian silicate. The best exposures are at several places around the base of Pavilion hill at Tompkinsville; in cuttings for streets in the village of JSTew Brighton; near the school house atGarretson's station; on Meissner avenue near Richmond, and near Egbertville. The highest point of the ridge is nearly opposite Garretson's sta- tion, and about half way across the hills, where the elevation measured by an aneroid barometer is four hundred and twenty feet. Among the interesting minerals associated with the ser- pentine rocks that have been collected at Pavilion hill and in New Brighton are compact and fibrous serpentines, marmolite. HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 11 silvery talc, apple green talc, gurhofite, dolomite, calcite and chromite. Near the new railroad terminus at St. George's there was formerly an outcrop of very tough actinolite rock. This has been covered by the filling in of the water-front at that place. The metamorphic rocks of Staten Island are apparently a southern continuation of those of Hoboken, JST. J., and New York island, their strike, position with regard to the other rocks, and their composition being generally alike or nearly so. The serpentines are supposed to have been originally highly magnesian limestones which by metamorphic agencies were brought in contact with highly heated carbonic acid and silica bearing solutions, which, by removing the greater part of the calcic carbonate and altering the magnesic carbonate to a sili- cate, left the rocks in the condition of hydrated magnesian sili- cates. During or at the close of this period of metamorjphism, the eastern edges of the strata were tilted up, forming an ele- vated axis, while the extension of the formation to the west- ward was subsequently covered by the shale and sandstone deposited from the Triassic sea. The true geological age of this belt of metamorphic rocks, which runs through Staten and New York islands, extends far northward through the New England states, where it has a wide expansion, and has been traced southward as far as North Carolina, is not definitely known. Perhaps of all the theories in regard to it, that which claims it to belong to the Laurentian age, as portions of the Highlands of New Jersey and the Adi- rondack mountains, is the one most generally held by those who have studied the evidences most thoroughly. Triassic Formation. — Strata of the Triassic age extend over the parts of the island bounded by the assumed western edge of the serpentine rocks, the submerged gneissic belt, Arthur kill and Newark bay. This area contains about fourteen and a half square miles. The rucks consist of red ferruginous shales and sandstones, which dip to the northwest, and are broken through by a dyke of diabase or trap rock. They are in part the eastern extension of the Triassic strata that cover so large a part of New Jersey. The shales and sandstones are exposed in but few places and only in small quantities. They appear on Shooter's island and on the adjacent shore. Here the strata consist of shaly red 12 HISTORY or RICHMOND COUNTY. micaceous sandstone, which differs in no essential particular from that so abundantly exposed in eastern New Jersey. No fossils have hitherto been found in these rocks on Staten Island, and the exposed surfaces are not sufficient to warrant any great expenditure of time or labor in search for them. The diabase ridge that disappears beneath the Kill von Kull at Bergen Point cuts through the red sandstone of Staten Island from Port Richmond to the Freshkill marshes, and appears as a low, long, round-backed hill, having a general strike of south 40 degrees west, thus being nearly parallel with the serpentine. Toward the south end its elevation is so little above that of the sandstone that its position cannot be well distinguished. The length of this outcrop is about five and three-quarters miles, and its width, measuring from its assumed eastern verge to where the sandstone covers it, has an average of less than half a mile. Both the eastern and western boundaries, however, are so much obscured by drift that their exact positions cannot be determined, and the outcrop may be wider or narrower than the most careful estimate would lead us to suppose. The only places at which the diabase is exposed so as to be easily studied are at and near the so-called granite quarries at Graniteville and near Port Eichmond. The rock is not a gran- ite, but a coarsely crystalline diabase, mainly composed of angite and triclinic feldspar, which is probably labradorite. It has been found in well-digging within the belt that has been indicated, extending from Fort Richmond to the Fresh kill near its junction with the sound, in the water at Linoleumville, and in outcrops near Chelsea, on the road to Springville. It is noticeable here, as in other localities, that the trap-dykes seem to shun the exposed Archsean rocks and cling closely to the Triassic, none being found outside of the red sandstone era. The Cretaceous -Formation.— This, more or less covered by glacial and modified drift and salt meadows, extends through all points of the island lying east and southeast of the Archsean rocks. The area underlaid by it is therefore about twenty-eight and a half square miles. The strata consist of beds of variously colored clays and sands, dipping slightly to the southeast, and having a general strike of about south 45 degrees west. They are a direct continuation of the "Plastic Clay" division of the Cretaceous, so named by the New Jersey geologists, and lie at the base of the formation in eastern North America. IIXSTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 13 South of the terminal glacial moraine, the strata are generally covered by a deposit of grayish yellow sand and gravel of vari- able thickness, known as the " Yellow Drift." This is seen on the island only in the vicinity of Tottenville, for the area lying soiitheast olthe moraine near New Dorp and Grarretson's is cov- ered with modified drift, imjperfectly stratified. These Creta- ceous strata of clay and sand extend eastward to Long Island, where their extent is unknown. The clays are white, yellow, brown or black. They appear on the surface at a number of places, and the purer varieties have been extensively used in the manufacture of fire-brick, drain-pipe, gas-retorts and other refractory ware. White clays outcrop on the road just north of Rossville, at various places south of Rossville and near Kreischerville, along a stream near Prince's bay. They have been noticed near Gilford's, and are said to occur at the bottom of a well near New Dorp, and perhaps may be found in other localities. The extension of this formation to the east is indicated by an outcrop of buff-colored clay on the shore of the Lower bay about one-half mile south of the Elm-Tree light-house. The fact that all the pits from which clay has been taken are in the region between Rossville and Kreischerville does not prove by any means that clay occurs only in that neighborhood. It is probable, on the contrary, that the beds extend with some inter- ruptions, across the island, but are deeply covered by the drift- hills of the moraine, and materials washed from these which cover all the territory assumed to be underlaid by the clays, except that portion where pits have been excavated. Thin beds of Limonite iron ore, of limited extent are found in- terstratified with and overlaying the clays and sands. This sub- stance frequently cements the sand and gravel, and forms a con- glomerate of variable coarseness. Hitherto this iron ore has not often been discovered in suflBcient quantities or sufficient purity to warrant its use in the manufacture of iron. Lignite and pyrites are frequently found in the clay excavations. The former substance may also be seen on the shore of Arthur kill, near Rossville, aud in a ravine a short distance northeast of the same village, after slides of the banks occur. It is generally impregnated with the pyrites, and with copperas which mani- fests itself upon exposure to the air for a little time. No fossil leaves or shells have been found in the clays of the island. 14 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. though it is not improbable that thej' may be found in more extended excavations than have been made. As these beds are composed of fragments of quartz, mica and clay, or decomposed feldspar, it is evident that they are the products of the disintegration of gneissic or granitic rocks. That they have not been formed in place, but have been de- posited from suspension in water, is proved from their stratifi- cation and by the assorted state of the materials composing them. That the waters that deposited the clays were fresh, is indicated by the absence of fossil marine organisms, and the presence of shells apparently allied to the modern fresh-water genera, in the clays of New Jersey. The Quaternary Epoch. — Deposits of material brought from the north by the ice of the glacial epoch, are found distributed over the greater part of the island, but do not entirely over- spread it. The most southern terminal glacial moraine crosses the island from the Narrows to Tottenville, and is distinctly marked by a continuous line of hills. These hills mark the farthest southern extension of the ice-sheet, and the line along which the glacier deposited much of its burden of boulders, pebbles, sand and clay, which it had torn from the rocks in its southward journey. In many places these hills have the pecu- liar lenticular form which they assume on Long Island and in the Eastern states. The moraine has been partially removed by the wash of the waves from Prince's bay northward to near the Great kills, leaving a bluff of variable height. The glacier moved across the island in a south-southeasterly direction. This is proved by the markings on the trap-rock near Port Richmond, which have about that bearing. The sur- face of this rock is also smoothed like portions of the Palisades and Newark mountains. There are no such markings on the serpentine rocks, because they are too soft to retain them. The ice extended over their whole area, however, with the exception of a small area on Todt hill, which is east of the moraine. North and west of the morainal hills the drifi is not so abund- ant, and rarely forms hills of any considerable size. But boulders are to be found over all thi§ area, except when it is covered by newer formations and the soil is often very clayey. Diabase of various degrees of coarseness is the most abundant rock in the drift. This has been carried from the Palisades and the Newark mountains, and probably in part from the HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 15 trap-dyke on the island itself, and is found over the whole drift area. Gneiss of various kinds, largely syenitic, is perhaps the next most abundant rock, and occurs often in very large masses. One of these large boulders rests directly on the top of Fort hill, New Brighton; another along a roadside near Pleasant Plains, and a third worthy of notice lies in a field near Huguenot. Moderately large boulders, both of trap and gneiss, abound on the moraine between the Narrows and Garretson's. The gneiss has come either from the New Jersey' Highlands or from much farther northward, and perhaps in part from New York island. Triassic red sandstone, carried from New Jersey or from the northwestern parts of the island, is often met with. A specimen impregnated with copper salts was obtained from the bluff at Prince's bay. This locality has j'ielded many other interesting specimens illustrating the material brought by the glacier. Among these may be mentioned Potsdam sandstone, a number of rocks of Helderberg limestone, a specimen of granite containing graphite, a cherty rock which may belong to the Corniferous, and a conglomerate of uncertain age, but thought to be of the Oneida epoch. A boulder of Hamilton limestone occurs near Richmond, and a rock containing galena was found in some excavations near New Brighton. It is evident that the ice-sheet passed entirely over the clay- beds of the Cretaceous formation in the vicinity of Rossville, apparently without deteriorating them to any great extent. At first sight it would appear that these soft, unconsolidated strata would have been greatly eroded and almost entirely removed down to the bed-rock, by such an immense mass of ice moving over them, but although some was undoubtedly carried away, the ice seems to have swept across the clays without cut- ting into them very much. South and east of the drift line (which flows in general in a course parallel with the south shore of the island in some places running inland a mile or more for short distances) boulders are almost entirely absent, being chiefly found in the beds of brooks, where they have been carried by water since glacial times, and are never very large. Modified drift, or material derived from the glacier, but more or less sorted and stratified by water, may be seen on the plains lying east of the moraine from near Gifford's to Clifton. The soil over this area is seen in well-diggings to be imperfectly 16 HISTORY OF RIOIIMOISrD COUNTY. stratified, and to consist of loam and sand, with few pebbles and fewer boulders. On Todt hill, near the moraine, there is quite an extensive deposit of gravel colored yellow by oxide of iron; this is the pre-glacial drift, which has a greater develop- ment farther south in New Jersey. Occasionally some stratifi- cation may be seen in the morainal hills themselves, but these are generally very heterogeneous in composition. Modified drift also occurs in small quantities along the edge of the moraine near Tottenville. The true glacial drift in this vicinity is not thick, but generally forms a mere mantle over the Cre- taceous strata, and was probably deposited by a local pro- jection of ice in advance of the main glacier. The era of the formation of limonite iron ore deposits is only provisionally referred to the Quaternary. Their deposition is supposed to have begun long before the glacial epoch, but since the magnesian rocks, upon which they rest. These beds of iron ore are found resting directly upon the serpentine or talcose rocks at a number of places, in some of which mining has been carried on. All the deposits have the same general character- istics — they are superficial, though sometimes covered by glacial drift to a variable depth. The ore consists of the hydrated sesquioxide of iron, limonite, and is either compact or quite earthy in texture, and is associated with colorless, green and red quartz. It has been extensively mined near Pour Corners, at several places on Todt hill and Richmond terrace, and along the Clove road, and is known to occur at several places on the serpentine hills. The deposits vary from a few inches up to twenty feet or more in thickness, and their lateral extent is limited to a few hundred feet in any direction. The Todt hill mines are the only ones wholly uncovered by glacial drift, be- ing east of the moraine. These superficial deposits have probably had their origin in the deposition of the material composing them from the waters of thermal springs, which have come to the surface through crevices in the serpentine. The iron in the solutions was prob- ably in the form of the carbonate, which on reaching the sur- face became oxidized by contact with the atmosphere, and was thrown out of solution and deposited as the hydrated sesqui- oxide, as we now find it. Magnetic iron sand occurs with the limonite in one of the deposits on Todt hill. This was prob- HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 17 ably washed in mechanically while the hydra ted oxide was be- ing deposited from solution. Extensive deposits of light-colored sand, similar in character to those found so abundantly on Bergen neck, occur along the edges of the salt meadows on the western side of the island, from Mariner' s Harbor to near Chelsea landing, sometimes ex- tending to a distance of one-half to three-quarters of a mile on the upland, and thus occupying a position between tUe traj)- dyke and the salt meadows. The material is a fine, yellowish, loamy sand, containing no gravel or pebbles, but rests on the glacial drift, and is hence of post glacial age. This sand was once the western beach of the extensive body of salt water which formerly occupied the basin now filled with the salt-marsh de- posits, and which extended over all the Newark and Hacken- sack meadows, but has now been reduced to the area of New- ark bay. The sands of this old beach were blown inland, and formed into dunes by the generally prevailing westerly winds. On a windy day the manner of the formation of these dunes may still be plainly seen. A number of pine barren plants have been found lodging in this sandy soil, both on the island and on Bergen neck, and it is probable that others may be found when more exhaustive explorations are made. Modern Epoch. — Under this head are included deposits whose formation began at a comparatively recent period, and whose growth still continues. Deposits of marine alluvium or salt meadows extend over an area of about nine and one-half square miles of the island. The material composing them consists for the most part of partially decomposed vegetable matter mixed with a little clay and sand. These salt meadow areas have once been shallow bays, which have gradually been filled up, first by the deposit of silt from their waters and the growth of marine plants, and ultimately by the growth and decay of grasses and rushes. This latter process is yet in operation, and thus the salt meadows keep at about the level of the highest tides. Their most abundant grass is the Spartina juncea (Willd.), while the rush is Juncus Gerardi (Lam.), commonly known as "black grass." A number of other plants contribute small amounts to the vegetable growth, making the salt-meadow flora quite a varied one. The most extensive areas covered by these deposits are along New creek and the Great kills, on the eastern shore, and from Rossville 3 18 HISTORY OF HIOHMOND COUXTT. northward along Arthur kill. The thii^kness of the marshes is e "cceedingly variable, probably as much as thirty feet in some places and but a few inches in others. The dried material con- sists of decaying fibres mixed with a little clay, sand and oxide of iron. The latter substance produces the irridescent film com- monly seen in the marshes, and popularly supposed to be oil. Sand beaches occur along all the shores that are directly ex- posed to the waves. The greatest accumulations of sand are on the shore of the Lower bay, from Clifton southward to the so-called Point of the Beach, near Gifford's, at Seguine's point, near Prince's bay, and at Ward's point. The point near Gif- ford's is slowly lengthening and curving in toward the shore, and a similar point is in process of formation at the mouth of New creek. The accumulation of sand at Ward's point, below Tottenville, is also quite great. These points are produced by the combined action of the currents of the Lower bay and the streams flowing into it, which carry the sand along the coast until finally it is driven up on the beaches by the waves. Sands composed of magnetic iron ore occur with the quartz sand, and are generally found in layers of a fraction of an inch in thickness, but an accumulation of this material to a depth of four inches has recently been found at low water on the beach near the Elm Tree light-house, but it contains titanium and is not likely to be of mucli economic importance. All the sands originally resulted from the disintegration of rocks, and have been carried bj'' water down the rivers emptying into the bays, and have also resulted in part from the direct disintegra- tion of the coasts. True peat occurs in but few places on Staten Island. Some is found in the Clove Lake swamps, in several swamps near Richmond and Gifford's, and toward Tottenville. In one lo- cality near Richmond the peat deposit is at least ten feet thick. The entire southeastern shore of Staten Island is gradually being washed away. In some places the loss is very apparent. At the foot of New Dorp lane, near where the Elm Tree light- house now stands, a large American elm was standing not lono-er ago than 1840. The place where it grew is now beyond the end of a dock which extends some four hundred feet into the water. This indicates an average wasting of at least ten feet per year from the shore. At Cedar Grove, half a mile south of this point, there has been a loss of about three hundred and fifty HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 19 feet since 1850, which shows about the same average. At Prince's bay the government has been obliged to build a heavy- sea wall in front of the bluff on which the light house is placed, and a like jjrecaution has been taken at the forts on the Narrows. The two causes operating to effect the wasting of the coast are the constant abrading action of the waves and currents, and the gradual depression of the coasts. By the course of the prevailing currents in the Lower bay the eroded material, to- gether with part of that brought down by the rivers, is carried southwardly along the coast, the sands being deposited as beaches, bars and points, while the finer, muddy part is carried farther, and finally deposited in the deeper waters of the bay, or out into the ocean. The land on the shore is sometimes pro- tected by building bulkheads of stone or other substantial ma terial, running out some hundreds of feet against the southern part of the shore to be protected. Such bulkheads break the force of the sand-bearing currents and cause them to drop their burdens of sand on the north side of the obstruction, and the waves drive it up on the shore, thus actually making land. The other cause of the decadence of the coast is found in its gradual depression. Prof. George H. Cook has estimated that the shores of New Jersey and Long Island are suffering a depression of about two feet every hundred years. Others vary this estimate slightly, but it is agreed by all that there is a sinking of the shores slowly but continually going on. It will be seen that if this coast settles down to ten feet below its present level, the greater part of the plains extending south of the moraine from Giffords to Clifton, now the most valuable land in the county, will be covered with salt meadows within a few hundred years, provided they are not sooner washed away by the action of the currents. We must close this interesting subject with a few words on the economic uses to which the geological products of the island have been applied. The limonite ore of Todt hill. Four Cor- ners, and other places, has been used in blast furnaces in con- nection with other more refractor}' ores, or has been screened, ground and washed, to produce red ochre paint. The total amount hitherto mined may be as great as 300,000 tons. Fire clay is employed in the production of refractory ware, at Kreischerville, of which mention has already been made. Clays 20 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. of glacial drift origin are used in the manufacture of com mo brick near Richmond and Linoleumville. Quarries of trap rod have been worked at G-raniteville and near Port Richmond fo many years. The rock is either cut into blocks and shipped t New York to be used for street pavements, or crushed int small pieces and employed in MacAdam or Telford pavement on Staten Island. Some edifices have been constructed of thi rock, but it is not well suited for building purposes. The fibrou serpentine rock, erroneously called asbestos, has been mined nea Tompkinsville landing, to the extent of perhaps twenty-five o thirty tons, and used f(jr the purposes for which asbestos is em ployed. Thousands of tons of beach sand are annually takei from the southeastern coast, and used in New York and Brook lyn for building purposes. In some places so much sand ha been removed that property along the shore has been seriousl; damaged, by exposing roads and meadows to the action of thi waves. The variety in the geological formation, already described exerts a powerful influence over the occurrence and distri bution of the vegetation, which is surprisingly rich in it number of species. In 1879 Messrs. N. L. Britton and Arthu Hollick. to whom we are indebted for the facts which we giv( under this head, after three years of careful search aud study compiled and published a catalogue of the flowering plant with the ferns and their allies, known to grow on Statei Island independent of cultivation. This catalogue enumerate( 1,050 species and varieties. The following year an appendij was issued enumerating forty-six more. In 1882 the seconc appendix was published containing sixty-seven additions A third appendix, showing forty-six more, was issued ii 1885, and now the fourth appendix is found necessary, con taining a farther list of thirty-six species. In other word there are at the present time 1,245 species and varieties o wild plants known on Staten Island, which has an area o only about fifty-nine square miles, while the entire florj of New York state, covering an area of about 45,00 square miles, numbers only about 1,800. So that littl Richmond county is the possessor of two-thirds of the stat flora as known at the present time. About fifty of the specie were not known in the state until discovered and reported fron this county. The surprising richness, as previously stated, i HISTORY OF EICHMOND COUNTY. 21 due in part to the fact that the cretaceous sands and clays in the region around Tottenville and Kreischerville carry with them a large number of the plants characteristic of that for- mation in New Jersey known as the "Pine Barren" flora; while the drift, which covers the rest of the island with a mantle of sand, loam, gravel and " hard pan," affords a home for many of the plants which occur to the north and up the Hudson river valley. There are also several species which are confined entirely to the ridge of serpentine or soapstone rock which forms the backbone of the island, extending from St. George to Richmond. The physiographic conditions are also of importance, as the island occupies a position surrounded by salt water, besides having several large ponds of fresh water, running streams and perpetual springs. There are also high and dry hills, low and wet swamps, and some artificially-made ground. The latter has mostly been filled in with refuse, and ballast from vessels, and through this agency about thirty of the species have been intro- duced. The inevitable march of progress, while it has intro- duced a few plants, mostly troublesome weeds, such as the "pig-weed," "worm-seed," stramonium, araaranthus, and other pests of our fields and gardens, has destroyed and crowded out many of our native si^ecies, or comj)letely destroyed them in certain localities where they were formerly abundant. The forest trees were the first to suffer, as they are in all com- munities in which immediate gain is counted higher than ulti- mate utility. The entire island, except on the salt marshes, was, it is said, originally covered with a thick growth, in which oak and chestnut predominated. In the time of the revolution, most of this forest was cut down, and there are now but com- paratively few trees that have seen one hundred years of growth. The mass of the forest growth at the present time is probably about half that age, or a little more, although there are a few isolated examples which are noteworthy. One of the most con- spicuous objects near Garretson's station is a huge white oak, standing alone in the middle of a field, on the south side of the track. In a little secluded valley to the north of the station is a chestnut whose trunk measures eighteen feet in circumference. It is, so far as known, the largest tree on the island, in regard to girth. The next largest is probably a white oak which stands in a field at Green Ridge. Its circumference is fifteen 22 HISTORY OF RICllJIOND COUNTY. feet two inches, and it is a remarkable object, but its existence is known by but few people, on account of its distance from any road. The willow trees at the Billop house, Tottenville, follow next, the largest one showing a circumference of thirteen feet seven inches. Near Court House station are two of the finest examples of perfect symmetry in tree development to be found anywhere. They are both white oaks. One of theni, with a circumference of eleven feet, is in a field close by the station, and the other is in a patch of woods about a quarter of a mile away. The latter one has a girth of eleven feet six inches, with branches that spread for a distance of thirty or forty feet, often almost touching the ground. A magnificent grove of white pine formerly flourished on the hill back of Clove lake, but within a few years it has been cut down. There are a few scattered groves of these trees in other i^arts of the island, notably in Westfield, and many fine specimens may still be seen there. In a swamp at the rear of the school house at Green Ridge are a number of elms, each averaging over eleven feet in circumference, and there are many beautiful specimens of this tree which have been planted, notably at New Springville. The sycamore is undoubtedly dying out for some reason, and probably the present generation will see its almost entire ex- termination. Almost the only really fine example of this tree now to be seen here is in front of a cottage on the north side of the road between Eossville and Kreischerville. Among the tallest trees the tulip tree will probably bear the palm. It is seldom very large in circumference, the greatest thus far meas- ured being under ten feet, but no tree can present a finer spec- tacle when it is in full bloom. The list of notable forest trees found here would not be com- plete without the sweet gum, which was the source of a gigantic hoax some ten years since. Its peculiar corky bark is familiar to most people, yet certain individuals found a ready sale for the branches in the streets of New York under the name of " alligator wood." A market was even found for it among the citizens of the island, many of whom brought it back with them as a great curiosity. The beech is abundant, and often conspicuous for its Size. Several fine examples are to be seen standing isolated in the partially cleared laud back of Clove lake. In one limited locality the sugar maple grows, in com- HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 23 pany with the slippery elm, but fortunately they have thus far escaped notice. Magnolias flourish in three widely separated localities — Tottenville, GifEords and Watchogue. The trees have been sadly mutilated by parties who gather the flowers for sale in New York, but as they grow in thick swamps they are not likely to be entirely exterminated until tlie swamps are drained and cleared. The red maple is one of the commonest trees in the lowlands, and is very conspicuous in the autumh, owing to the endless change in color which its foliage assumes. They often reach a considerable size, one in a swamp at Totten- ville being twelve feet three inches in circumference, and hol- low, so that a person can readily get entirely within the trunk. There are five species of dog-woods known here, but only one is familiar to any extent as a tree. This is the Cornus fiorida (L.), with large conspicuous white blossoms. The others hardly ever rise above the dignity of large shrubs or bushes. The well known evergreen holly {Ilex opaca, Ait.) was formerly far more abundant than it now is, although it still grows in considerable quantity in the vicinity of Richmond and Eltingville, and small scattered individual specimens are to be met with in nearly every part of the island. Not far from Giffords is a most beau- tiful example of this tree. The main trunk is four feet six inches in circumference, and each main branch measures two feet ten inches. Its height is about twenty-tive feet, and the symmetry would be perfect except that some vandals have hacked off branches on one side, presumably for Christmas greens. The catalpa, paulownia, and locust {Robinia, Pseudacacea, L.) have all more or less escaped from cultivation and are thoroughly established in a wild state in many places; in fact the latter, there is good reason to believe, is native here. The ailanthus is likewise seeding itself quite extensively and seems likely to become a permanent feature. The two species of ash {Fraxinus pubescens. and Fraxinus Americana) are found sparingly throughout the island, but are mostly represented by isolated trees. The wild cherry is everywhere abundant and the cultivated one has been extensively planted in woods and copses through the agency of birds. Peach, pear and apple trees are also frequently met with in the woods and along old fence lines and hedge rows, where the seeds have been accidentally dropped. The sassafras is common and well known every- where. The hackberry, or sugarberry {Celtis occidentalis, 24 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. L.) is plentiful in restricted localities, notably on Richmond hill and at Tottenville. Its peculiar warty bark and insect bitten branches always attract attention wherever seen. The white and red mulberry may now be found in nearly all parts of the island, distributed by birds from trees, a large part of which were planted during the silk worm craze some years ago. The remains of some of these plantations may yet be seen, being all that is left of the visions of silk culture that prevailed at the time they were planted. Many black walnut trees may yet be seen, some of them very imposing specimens. Their near relatives, the hickories, number five different species, common everywhere. (Garya aWa, Nutt., C. toTnentosa, Nutt., C. por- cina, Nutt., C. aTnara, Nutt., and C. microcarpa, Nutt.) The first mentioned, which is commonly known as the "shag" or "shell bark," yields the hickory nuts of the markets. This species is plentiful enough in certain places on the south side to be of some economical importance. The oaks number ten dif- ferent species. The chestnut, swamps, white and red oaks are known everywhere, forming the bulk of the woods, but the post oak {Quercus obtusiloba, Michx.) and black oak {Q. nigra, L. ) occur only in a few places, notably Tottenville and Watchogue. The dwarf oak {Q. prinoides, Willd.) is also restricted to the same localities. It seldom grows more than six feet high and appears like a thick bash. The willow oak, {Q. Phellos, L.), so far as known, is represented bv a single tree, growing in a swamp at Tottenville. The chestnut was formerly very abund- ant, and is yet along Ocean terrace, but it has been laid under such heavy contribution for fence posts and rails, telegraph and telephone poles, railroad ties, etc., that its complete extermina- tion in the near future seems inevitable. Hornbeam or " iron wood" is plentiful, especially in wet places. There are three species of birch, two of which are common and well known, namely the black and white. The third, which is known as the red or " river birch " {Betula nigra, L. ), is very rare, only a few trees being known, and they are on the borders of a pond near Bull's Head. These are likely to be destroyed very shortly, on ac- count of certain changes now being made by the Crystal Water Company. There are nine willows, all common, in addi- tion to the " weeping willow," which is so well known in culti- vation. With the exception of the white {Salix alba, L.. var. vitelUna, Gr.) and the black {&. nigra, L.), they are shrubs HISTORY OF EICHMOND COUNTY. 25 mostly confined to low or swampy situations. Botanically they are known as Salix tristis, Ait., S. humilis, Marshall, S. dis- color, Muhl., /S. sericea, Marshall., S. lucida, Muhl., S.fragilis, L., and »S'. cor data, Muhl. The poplars include, besides the well known cultivated species, the white, Lombardy, and "balm of Gilead," three wild ones, viz.: Populus treimiloides, Michx., commonly called "aspen," P grandldentata, Michx., and P Jieterophylla, L. There are four species of pines, all comparatively plentiful. The pitch pine is found everywhere. The white and yellow pines are not so common, and the "scrub," or New Jersey pine, is found only in the neighborhood around Tottenville and Ki'eischerville, excepting for a few isolated trees near Four Corners. The cedar is very common, forming many beautiful groves at different parts of the island. Very large specimens are to be seen near the Billop house at Tottenville, and at Krelscherville. Two of these trees measure respectively 5 ft. 10 in. and 5 ft. A^ in. in circumference. Only one specimen of the juniper is known to be in existence in the county. This is in the cedar grove at New Dorp, near the beach. Persimmons are very common at Tottenville and Krelscherville, although rarely met with elsewhere. Among the shrubs and bushes are many highly ornamental species, besides some of economic importance. The common barberry is spreading quite rapidly, especially in the vicinity of Tottenville, where it is a conspicuous object in the autumn, o\\ account of the drooping racemes of bright scarlet berries. IS ear the same locality the "burning bush" {Euonymus atropur- pareus, Jacq.) has escaped from cultivation. The black-cap raspberry, high bush and trailing blackberries, are in some lo- calities abundant enough to pick for market. The English hawthorne has become established in several localities, notably along a brook at New Dorp, where there are a number of very large bushes. Three varieties of the " shad bush " have been found here {AmelancTiitr Canadensis, T. & G., var. Botry- apiuvi, var. oblong if olium, and var. rotundifolium.) It some- times grows large enough to be called a tree, as is the case at Tottenville, where there is one measuring 3 ft. A^ in. in cir- cumference. When in blossom this tree is a sight to behold, appearing in the distance like a bank of snow. Unfortunately some vandal has hacked off one of the main branches, thus 26 HISTORY OF RICHMOND C0U:NTY. ruining its former symmetry. Small bashes are plentiful every- where, and have attracted such attention that the florists have introduced them successfully for shrubbery. The witch hazel is plentifully distributed along nearly all the water courses and in wet locations generally. Probably the best known of all the bushes is the "nanny berry" {Yiburmtm primifolium, L.) which is so abundant in a certain place near West New Brighton that it is called " nanny berry hill." It is used successfully for hedges, not only in rough places, but in cultivated gardens, and should be a favorite, as it is never winter-killed like so many of the introduced hedge plants. The "huckleberries" number six species, besides several varieties. The one which produces the huckleberry of the market is known as the " high " or "swamp huckleberry," although the others are all used more or less. In the vicinity of Watchogue they are abundant enough to be of some economical importance. Kalmia latifolia, L., better known as the "laurel," is still quite common, especially at Tottenville, but is too conspicuous and handsome a bush to stand long near a thickly settled community. The Rhododen- dron maximum, L., has already suffered for its beauty and has become completely exterminated on the island, within the memory of people now living here. The azalea seems destined to share the same fate, although not so rapidly. It has already disappeared from hundreds of acres where it was abundant a few years ago. Benzoin {Lindera Benzoin, Meisner) is com- mon along nearly all water courses. The Albert nut forms a considerable part of the underbrush in certain places, and is scattered along hedge rows and the borders of woods in others. Myrica cerifera, L., the "wax myrtle" or "sweet bay," is common throughout, and was formerly the source from which the early settlers derived considerable of their tallow for candles and other purposes by boiling the berries. The alder {Alans serrulata, Ait.) forms the bulk of the thick underbrush in swamps and along the borders of fresh water. Hosa Carolina, L., the swamp wild rose, is common in low places, and H. lucida, Erhardt, is abundant in drier locations. There are five species of sumach, including the too well known "poison ivy " {Bhus Toxicodendron, L.) They are plentifully distributed everywhere, with the exception of the "stag's horn sumach," which only occurs sparingly at Tottenville, Prince's bay and Ocean terrace. HISTuKT OP ItlCHMOXD COUXTY. 27 Wild grapes are represented by four species, of which the large fox grape ( F(;Y/5 labrusca, L.) is said to be excellent for pre- serves. It is the original stock from which the Isabella and other cultivated varieties have sprung. V. aestivalis, Michx. and V. cordifoUa, Michx., known as "frost grapes," are com- mon everywhere, the small black fruit being ripe late in autumn. The second named frequently attains a large size, climbing to the tops of the highest trees and becoming very thick at the base, A magnificent vine formerly grew in the ravine near the Kellet place, measuring 1 ft. 11 in. in circum- ference at a distance of about two feet from the ground. It was cut in two a short time ago, apparently for mere wanton de- struction, and all traces of it will soon be obliterated. The "Virginia creeper" {Ampelopsis quinqu'efoUa, Michx.) and "bitter sweet" {Oelastrus scandens, L.) are rapidly gaining favor as ornamental vines for houses and fences. The autumnal tints of the first are unsurpassed by any other plant, and the bright orange and scarlet berries of the latter remain unchanged almost throughout the entire winter. The Chinese honeysuckle has escaped from gardens in' places and may be seen climbing over trees and bushes, apparently perfectly at home. Such plants no doubt started from pieces thrown out in rubbish heaps. The wild honeysuckle or "woodbine" is quite common and is sometimes seen in cultivation. The " trumpet vine" is thoroughly established in fields and along hedge rows from Tottenville to Prince's bay, near the beach. Ipomoea pandurata, Meyer, sometimes called "wild potato vine" and " man-of-the-earth," is common at Tottenville, es- pecially in the pine groves. The flower resembles a convolvulus, and the root is sometimes as large as a man's arm. It is deeply buried in the ground, however, and requires considerable digging to extract it. "Catbrier" is common everywhere, forming dense and im- penetrable thickets in places, affording fine cover for birds and small animals. The few game birds and rabbits that yet remain on the island owe their existence to this plant more than to almost any other cause. Clematis Virginiana, L., commonly called "clematis" and "virgin's bower," is extensively gath- ered for household decoration in the autumn, when the bunches of feathery tailed seeds are ripe. Another species of clematis (C. ochroleuca. Ait.) is abundant on Todt hill and near Hich- 28 HISTORY OF EICHMOND COUNTY. uiond. It is a low plant, about a foot or two in height, bearing heads of feathery seeds similar to the first mentioned. It is one of Staten Island's characteristic ijlants, as it is very rare in other parts of the United States, being known in but few localities, mostly in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Botanists from all over the country have made trips to Staten Island to collect specimens, and they are now contained in nearly all the large herbaria of the land. Another plant, rare elsewhere, is the "mouse-ear chickweed" {cerastium oblong if oUum, Torr.) It grows in company with the latter, especially on and near Todt Hill, in the rear of the Moravian i)arsonage. About the latter part of May the flowers are in full bloom, forming conspicuous white tufts and masses. This locality will well repay a visit at this season of the year, as "bird's foot" violets and the delicate little "bluets" are at their best about the same time, and all grow in luxuriance together. " Trailing arbutus " or " Mayflower" was, and is yet, abund- ant from Eltingville to Tottenville, near the salt water. Un- fortunately its location is known to many people in both New York and Brooklyn, who organize " arbutus parties " every year and carry it away by basketfuls. There is no doubt that the near future will see its entire extermination if the present rate of destruction continues. It is one of the earliest flowers to bloom in the spring, generally showing itself before April, and sometimes during the first week in March. Other early flowers are the "liverwort," which is common everywhere, and the "whitlow grass" {Drabaverna, L.), which is particularly abundant at Tottenville. In the warm sandy soil of the latter place it is sometimes in bloom during February, and may fairly be considered as our earliest spring flower. In companj^ with it grows the "crane's bill {Erodium cicutarium, L. Her.). This plant has been found in blossom there during every month of the year, the late flowers frequently holding on throughout the winter until the new blossoms appear in the spring. " Blood- root" is abundant in several restricted localities, which are fortunately not well known, and as the plant is in blossom very early it is out of bloom and inconspicuous before people are likely to be rambling through the woods. It grows well in the garden and might become a favorite. The common " water cress" has been introduced in several of the water courses and HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 29 thrives finely. Certain parties have for years been in the habit of gathering it for sale. The violets, so familiar to all, number twelve species and va- rieties, all common, with the exception ot Viola tricolor, L., var arvensis, which is the immediate ancestor of our garden pansy. A species of cactus {Opuntia vulgaris. Mill.) is common at Tot- tenville and South beach, and also sparingly on Todt hill. It readily bears transplanting, and is a beautiful object when in full bloom. Dypsacus syltiestris, Mill., the common " teasel," is thoroughly established along roadsides near Grarretson's and Bull's Head, and in the brick yards at Green Ridge. The pres- ent plants are doubtless the offspring of those that were culti- vated years ago when the hand-weaving of cloth was a home industry. It will probably surprise some people to know that the island possesses nineteen species and varieties of ''golden rod " and twenty-five asters. Many of these are well worthy of cultiva- tion, but are too common to attract more than passing attention. In England, however, they are highly appreciated, and many of these species may be seen there adorning the gardens. Wintergreen grows in certain small patches, but is not abund- ant and does not seem to fruit very freely. One of the most gaudy plants is undoubtedly the so-called •'painted cup" (Castilleia coccinea, Spreng). It is very abundant in the Clove lake swamp, but has not been found else- where. Both the yellow and red grow side by side. Several other rare plants make this place their home, among which may be mentioned the "grass of Parnassus" {Parnassla Gar- oliniana, Michx.) and the orchids Calopogon pulchellus, R. Br., and Pogonia ophioglossoides, Nutt. For many other plants, likewise, it is a favorite spot, and has quite a reputation among botanists as a favorite hunting ground. The common "cranberry" is abundant in certain peat bogs near Richmond, and appears sparingly near Clove lake. It is likely soon to be exterminated in both localities, in the latter owing to a rise in the level of the water, and in the former on account of the drainage of the swamps. Its flourishing condi- tion at Richmond suggests the possibility of utilizing the peat bogs for its culture. It is a noteworthy fact that nearly all our worst weeds are plants that have been introduced and are now naturalized. Among 30 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COTJNTV. these may be mentioned Galinsoga parmflora, Cav., which was unknown here a few years ago, but lias already become a nuisance in many places. Its advent is so recent that, although very abundant, no common name has yet been given to it. The eleven species of Chenopodium and Amaranthus, known as " worm seed," "pigweed," "prince's feather," etc., are familiar objects in all waste places, rubbish heaps, and cultivated grounds. They are all introduced plants. "Mistletoe" has been reported, on good authority, from the neighborhood of Clifton, but no specimens have been pre- served and it has not recently been found. Twenty-four species of orchids, several very rare, are known to occur here. The ".ladies' slipper" {Cypripeduim acaule, Ait.) is the most con- spicuous and is very abundant at Tottenville, Watchogue and one or two other points. The "crane fly orchis" {Tipularia discolor, Nutt.) is abundant in most of the deep woods, but is so inconspicuous as to escape general attention. The so-called " screw plants " belong here, of which there are four species, two of which are worthy of mention. They occur only at Tottenville and are not very common there. These are Spiran- thes simplex, Gray, and 8. gramivea, Lindl. var Walieri, Gray. The rushes and sedges number about ninety, and the grasses about one hundred and twenty species. The ferns show twenty-eight species, of which the rarest and least known is probably Gystopteris fragilis, Bernb. It is confined to a little rocky valley near Egbertville. "Maiden's hair" is everywhere abundant, as is also the common " shield fern," which is evergreen. The "scouring rush" {Equisetum hyemale, L.) is abundant at Tottenville on the bluflf overlook-* ing Raritan bay. There are five species of "club moss" or "lycopodium," so well known as "ground pine" and used for Christmas decorations. They are, however, none of them suf- ficiently abundant to be of any economical value. The herbarium from which the original catalogue and appen- dices were compiled is now in the possession of the Natural Science Association, and is one of the most complete local herbariums in the country. Lists of the lower forms of plant life (Mosses, lichens, &c.) are in course of preparation by different members of the Natural Science Association, but ft will take many years yet to make them complete. Years ago the island was frequented by deer, foxes and some HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 31 Other large animals, and within the last half century foxes have been known, bur none of these animals are now known to live wild upon the island. At the time of the revolution it is said there weie plenty of foxes and raccoons, and some opossums. Not many years after rhe war the last deer known to be upon the island were shot. Forty years ago the skunk abounded, and about that time a mink was caught in the act of making a raid upon a poultry yard. Wolves were also among the trouble- some animals during the early years of settlement here. The records tell us that about the close of the seventeenth century the county paid a premium on all wolves that were caught. An entry before us shows that in 1698 Thomas Still well received fifteen shillings for a wolf and Cornelius Tysen received one pound for a wolf s head. Different bounties were offered for animals of different sex and age, as was the custom in many counties of the state. By this means those animals were soon exterminated. The mammalia now known to the island are weasels (least and common), mink, skunk, moles (common and star-nosed and mole shrew), gray and flying squirrels, chipmunk, jumping mouse, Norway rat, common, house and deer mice, muskrat, rabbit, brown, red, hoary and silver black bats. The following list, prepared by Mr. Arthur Hollick and his indefatigable associates, represents that part of the bird fauna of Staten Island which is known to have nested here within the past fifteen years. Several species not in the list would no doubt have been included had it been compiled a quarter of a century ago, and there is a probability that continued careful search will reveal others. The value of this list will be appre- ciated by those who have noticed the gradual disappearance of some of the island species, and the scarcity of others that were formerly abundant. We omit the scientific names from this list Eobin, wood thrush, brown thrush, mocking bird, cat bird, blue bird, tufted titmouse, chickadee, house wren, long-billed marsh wren, short-billed marsh wren, summer yellow bird, oven bird, Maryland yellow-throat, yellow-breasted chat, scarlet tanager, barn swallow, white-bellied swallow, eave swallow, cedar bird or wax- wing, red-eyed hang bird, white-eyed hang bird, yellow bird, sea-side linch, sharp-tailed finch, swamp sparrow, song sparrow, chippy, field sparrow, English sparrow, indigo bird, cardinal grosbeak, chewink. bob-o-link, cow bird. 32 HISTOEY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. red-winged blackbird, meadow lark, orchard oriole, Baltimore oriole, crow blackbird, common crow, fish crow, blue jay, king bird, great crested flycatcher, phoebe bird, peewee, least fly- catcher, night hawk, chimney swallow, ruby-throated humming- bird, belted kingfisher, black-billed cuckoo, yellow-billed cuckoo, downy woodpecker, red-headed woodpecker or high- older, golden- winged wood screech owl, sharp-shinned or pigeon hawk, red-shouldered hawk, fish hawk or osprey, wild pigeon, quail, woodcock, teeter-tail or. peep, shytepoke, and clapper rail or mud hen. Coming down to the lower orders and lesser wing creatures we have the following list of butterflies which have been captured on the island. This has been kindly furnished us by Mr. William T. Davis, to whose labors in this department of nat- ural history we are indebted for its compilation. The list though not supposed to be entirely complete comprises: Papilionidae. — Papilio Philenor, L. Papilio Asterias, F. Papilio Troilus, L. Papilio Turnus, L. Papilio Turnus, dim. var. Glaucus, L. Papilio Cresphontes, Cram. Pieris Protodice, Bd-Lec. Pieris Oleracea, Bd. Pieris Rapae, L. Colias Philo- dice, Godt. Colias Philodice, var Alba. Terias Mcippe, Cram, common in 1880, saw none before or since. Terias Lisa, Bd. Nymphalidae. — Danais Archippus, F. Argynnis Idalia, Drury. Argynnis Cybele, F. Argynnis Myrina, Cram. Ar- gynnis Bellona, F. Euptoieta Claudia, Cram, one specimen, Clove Valley, C. W. Butler. Melitaea Phaeton, Drury. Phy- ciodes Tharos, Drury. Grapta Interrogationis, F. Grapta In- terrogationis, var Umbrosa, Lintn. Grapta Comma, Harr. Grapta Comma, var Dryas, Edw. Grapta Progne, Cram. Grapta J Album, Bd. ; one specimen, New Dorp, Miss M. Brit- ton. Vanessa Antiopa, L. Pyrameis Atalanta, L. Pyrameis Huntera, Drury. Pyrameis Cardui, L. Junonia Lavinia, Cram. Limenitis Ursula, F. Limenitis Disippus, Godt. Neonympha Eurytris, F. Neonympha Canthus, L. Satyrus Alope, F. Lycaenidae.—1]xQc\& Humuli, Harr. Thecla Calamis, Hub. Thecla Smilacis, Bd.; C. W. Leng. Thecla Henrici, Gr. Rob. Thecla Niphon, Hiib, Watchogue. Feniseca Tarquinius, G. Chrysophanus Americana, D' Urban. Lycaena Pseudargiolus, Bd-Lec. Lycaena Pseudargiolus, var Violacea, Edw. Lycaena Pseudargiolus, var Lucia, Kirby. Lycaena Pseudargiolus, var Neglecta, Edw. Lycaena Comyntas, Godt. HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 33 Resper idae. -^Ancyloxji)]ia Numitor, F. Pampliila Massa- soit, Scud. Pampliila Zabulon, Bd-Lec. Pamphila Zabulon, dim. var. Pocohontas. Pamphila ^assacus, Scud. Pamphila Pontiac, Edw. Pamphila Otho, var Egeremet. Pamphila Peckius, Kirby. Pamphila Mystic, Edw. Pamphila Cernes, Bd-Lec. Pamphila Metacomet, Harr. Pamphila Verna, Edw. Pyrgus Tessellata, Scud. Thanaos Brizo, Bd. Thanaos Juven- alis, F. Pholisora Catullus, Cram. Eudamus Pylades, Scud. Eudamus Lycidas, Sm-Abb; one specimen. Clove Valley. Eu- damus Tityrus, F. Mr. Davis has also furnished us with tlie following list of the reptiles and batrachians of the island. In geographical distri- bution some of the reptiles are almost confined to the Cretaceous and those portions -of the island covered by marine alluvium. C. Pennsylvanicum seems to be restricted to the shallow pools near the salt water. It occurs near New Dorp, Richmond Val- ley station and Watchogue. Ophibolus triangulus is a rather scarce serpent on the island. Ranahalecina, though found in other portions of the island, is much more common on the marsh land near Watchogue. The species of Diemyctylus have only been observed in the hilly districts. In 1881 the "spade foot " frog made its appearance in some numbers, but it has not since been seen. No copperheads or rattlesnakes have been found. Heptilia. — Testudinata; Cistudo clausa, Nanemys guttatus, Chrysemys picta, Malacoclemmyspalustris, Cinosternum Penn- sylvanicum, Chelydra serpentina, Chelonia mydas: OpMdia: Heterodon platyrhinus, Tropidonotus sipedon, Storeria dekayi, Entaenia saurita, E. sirtalis, Bascanium constrictor, Liopeltis vernalis, Diadophis punctatus, Ophibolus doliatus triangulus. Batrachia. — Anura; Rana halecina, R. palustris, R. clami- tans, R. temporaria, Scaphiopus holbrookii, Hyla versicolor, H. pickeringii, Acris gryllus, Bufolentiginosus: Urodela; Diemy- ctylus viridescens, D. miniatus, Desmognathus f asca, Hemida- ctylium scutatum, Plethodon erythronotus, P. glutinosus, Spelerpes bilineatus, S. ruber, Amblystoma opacum,A. puncta- tum. « The waters about the island have from time immemorial abounded with living creatures of value to the inhabitants. To the aborigines the abundance of clams and oysters was a con- sideration that attracted thousands hither. Seals frequently have been seen about the bay, and whales have been known to 3 '34 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. enter and pass through the Narrows, up the river. Van der Donck tells us that in 1647 two whales of common size swam up the river fortj'^ miles, and one of them on its return stranded about twelve miles from sea. The other he says ran farther up and grounded near the "'great Chapoos falls." As late as 1841 a whale was seen sporting between the Narrows and Governor's island, and another is reported as entering the bay some five or six years later. The menhaden or moss-bunker abounded in these waters, and was formerly used in large quantities for fer- tilizing the soil, the fishing commencing on the south shore in June. Thirty or forty years ago these fish were sold to farmers in large quantities at 75 cents a thousand. Soon afterward the business of extracting the oil from them sprang up, and this use being more profitable the price was increased until it became about four times the one mentioned. This practically placed the fish beyond the reach of the farmer. Clams are found in large numbers along the shores of the island. The Great kills was formerly noted for these bivalves. Some peculiarities in the soft clams found at different points along the shores have been noticed by those who have studied the subject. These va- riations are attributed to the different conditions of the beach upon which they are found. From New Brighton to the mouth of the Narrows, where the shore is rocky, the clams are o'nly of moderate size, the ends being often broken and the outside of the shell corrugated. On the sandy beach of the south shore, which is open to the sea, the shells are very thin and of even growth. All the lateral and^transverse markings are com- plete, the shells often very beautiful in form and color, and here the largest specimens are found. About a half-mile south- west of the "Elm Tree Light" the shore is composed of salt meadow or peat, which is supposed to be too hard for the free development of well formed shells, hence the clams found there exhibit more deformities and are often more rounded in shape than those found elsewhere. Beyond Seguine's point, however, the shore resembles in character that of New Brighton, and the clams also correspond to those of that shore. The oyster growth and habits will be more particularly noticed in connec- tion with that industry. Many traces of the savage occupants have been found upon the island. These are most common along the shores from Prince's bay around to Watchogue. Shell heaps are found HISTOEY OF EICHMOND COUNTY. 35 that indicate that the work of wampum manufacture and the preparation of clams and oysters for food was carried on in those localities. The two most fruitful localities in affording Indian relics are perhaps Tottenville and Watchogue. Hun- dreds of implements have been found, some mixed up with debris of the shell heaps and others scattered over the fields. These implements consist of net-sinkers, hammer stones, axes, arrow-heads, mortars, pestles, beads, anvils, and others the use of which is unknown. Arrow-heads were found by the bushel, being turned up by the plow in most of the fields. Indian burying grounds have been discovered near Tottenville, and isolated remains at other points. In these interments various implements accompanied the bodies, among which were arrow- heads such as were used in wai', those being distinguishable from the arrow-heads used in hunting. Nearly all the arrows found about the fields are of the latter kind. Among the objects of special interest are discoidal and shuttle shaped per- forated stones, supposed by some to have been intended as ceremonial implements of some kind, and by others to have been for the practical purpose of shaping bow-strings by draw- ing the soft material back and forth through the small holes. The discoidal stones have the opposite flat faces either ground roughly or polished, and are of hard quartzite. The only shuttle-shaped stone found is composed of soft banded slate. As no material of this kind exists here it is supposed that this specimen had been brought from Ohio or Illinois, where similar objects had been found. Evidences of fire places have been noticed in several of the shell mounds, specimens of cracked and partly fused stone having been found. In some of the stones the surface was entirely fused into a glass-like slag. One of the most striking curiosities of this nature, however, is the stone head found near Clifton in 1884. This was unearthed by Mr. James Clark, in the latter part of February, while dig- ging up the root of a blue huckleberry bush which he intended to use in the manufacture of rustic basket work. It lay about eighteen inches under the soil at a point two to three hundred feet east of the railroad track, and near the Fingerboard road, at the edge of a low dense swamp. In digging with a pick, that instrument struck the stone and turned it up. The material is a brown sandstone, apparently more compact than the common New Jersey sandstone, and composed almost entirely of grains of 36 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. quartz with an occasional small pebble. The head is seven inches high, four inches through the cheeks and six inches from the tip of the nose through to the back of the head, and its weight is about eight pounds. The nostrils are one and seven-eighths inches across their base and the eyes are one and a quarter inches long and five-eighths wide. They are raised in the cen- ters and have a groove running around close to the lids. A round hole one-fifth inch deep had been drilled in the lower part of the nose, in the space between the two nostrils, evidently for the purpose of fastening an ornament, and both nostrils were hollowed out to some depth. The cheeks, in their lower part, are sunken in a very curious manner, causing the cheek bones to stand up very high. The forehead is low and retreats at an angle of sixty degrees. A trace of what had been or was to be the ear was noticeable on the right side. The back and upper parts of the head are almost entirely rough and unworked, as though the image had never been finished, or else was only a part of some larger figure. The surface is rough and slightly weathered, the cheeks, forehead and chin having single grains of sand apparently raised above the surface as if by age and exposure. The features are too well cut for a common off-hand piece of work by a stone maker. The style is not Egyptian or Eastern, so it does not appear that it could have been thrown out here by any sailor or other person who had ever brought it from across the ocean. It is said to bear some resemblance to the Mexican, and still more to the Aztec style of work. The spot where it was found is and has been within the memory of man an unfrequented wild, remote from any habitation, and the soil in which it lay is a compact sandy clay of light brown color, in which a stone like this might lie buried for centuries without much disintegration. But we must draw this chapter of description to a close; but in doing so we cannot refrain from introducing the beautiful poem by James Burke, entitled "The Isle of the Bay," which so aptly describes the island whose history we are about to notice : Up from the waters that come as the daughters Of Neptune, the lord of the wide spreading main, Bringing with pleasure, love, homage and treasure To lay on the altar of Ldherty's Fane, — Rises serenely, resplendent and queenly, As far-famed Atlantis, in Hercules' day, — Sweet Staten Island, of valley and highland, So fair that we name her the Pride of the Bay ! HISTORY OF KICHMOND COUNTY. 37 Summer caressing, while breathing the blessing A mother invokes on her daughter, a bride. Her miniature mountains and silver-spring fountains Are dimpled and rippled with beauty and pride. Valleys are smiling with pleasures beguiling. And terrace-like hills from her shores roll away ; Green are the meadows and cool are the shadows Of grottoes and groves in our Isle of the Bay. Winter, though bringing his terrors and flinging . Them down at her feet with a pitiless hand, Yet is her ardor sulficient to guard her, And laughter defies him on lake and on land. Springtime poetic and Autumn pathetic. Are seasons whose charms have a limitless sway. Yet do they chasten their garments and hasten To visit their homes on our Isle of the Bay ! Add to what's charming, her fishing and farming, Ser soil and its products both racy and rare, Shore lines combining, by Nature's designing, A wharfage for commerce unrivalled elsewhere ; Gardens and goodlands, with wild ways and woodlands. And water abundant as music in May, Then Use and Beauty unite in the duty. An Eden to make of our Isle of the Bay ! History rolling its gates back, and tolling The echoes of ages receding from sight. Figures are walking and voices are talking. That show us our progress to Liberty's light ; First the red foeman and next the Dutch yeoman. Succeeded by Dongan's Colonial sway ; Hanover's scepter then subjugate kept her Till Washington rescued our Isle of the Bay ! But though her story be studded with glory. And Nature hath decked her with grandeur and grace. Yet are these phases less worthy of praises Than this that here Love finds a fit dwelling place. Eefuge from dangers, both natives and strangers, Black, white or red, or the sons of Cathay, All here abiding, in friendship confiding, Find welcome and weal in our Isle of the Bay. CHAPTER III. THE PERIOD OF SETTLEMENT— 1609 TO 1683. Discovery.— The First Settlement and the Settlers.— Conquest by the English. STANDING- upon the soil of this beautiful island and reflecting that it has a character, a history and a name peculiar to itself, we feel a natural desire to review the scenes which broke to the view of the first visitors from the realm of civilization, and indeed to see what is possible of the condition of things that existed previous to that time. Let us imagine the wheels of time turned back two hundred and fifty years or more. Let us wipe out all the improvement which the white man has brought here and look at the land in the full pos- session of its aboriginal occupants. To see it as it was then we must silence the noise of the railroad train and steamboat whistles and bells, tear up the railroad track and neutralize the grade, uproot the mills and manufactories, dissolve the villages, wipe out the farm fences and obliterate all the other marks of improvement that now exist, then restore the primi- tive forest, the unbroken sward, and repopulate the slopes and plains, the hills and valleys with deer, foxes, raccoons, wolves, rabbits and all the m altitudes of animals that once infested them. We should still see life and action. But it would be of a different sort. Instead of all this change, which we call improvement, we should see the work of Nature glory- ing in her freedom, untrammeled by the arts of man. We should see the son of the forest restored to his native haunts, the tangled thicket, the pebbled shore and the groves of majestic trees whose heads had bowed to the winds of cen- turies. It were a useless undertaking to attempt to set forth a learned hypothesis in regard to the occupancy of this region during the ages of the world's existence which preceded its discovery and settlement by the European white man. That HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 39 history must ever remain as it has thus far, a sealed book. At the time alluded to it was occupied by Indians, but their tra- ditions threw no light upon the darkness that enshrouded the ages which had been rolling away since the creation of the world. They were numerous, and had been more so, even to such an extent that in their traditions the blades of grass and sands of the sea-shore were used as figures to represent the magnitude of their numbers. But no memorial was left to tell us what scenes were passing here while the great events of the ancient world's history were agitating the people of the eastern hemisphere. How long had they held sway ? By what race of beings had they been preceded ? Was their course of development progressive or retrograde ? These ques- tions are answered only by their echoes, which the hollow, darkness of uncomputed ages gives back to us. To approach a realization of the primitive condition of things, let us indulge in an imaginative scene of that period. Suppose ourselves to be surrounded by the whispering solitude of the virgin wilderness. Along the sea-girt shore we have wandered, listening to the hoarse song of the sea; our faces have felt the burning of the glancing sunlight, and we have breathed the strong salt air as it came in upon us from beyond Sandy Hook. From the seashore coming through the interior we see no roads, no houses, no farms, but life is represented by the animals and birds that start at our approach and by the fruit and flower laden vines and shrubs that impede our movements. From a commanding hill we can see now and then a little band of In- dians following some obscure trail through the valley below, as they move from place to place upon some unknown embassy of friendship) or perchance of hatred. Looking across the valley, behold! yonder an Indian hunts- man has secreted himself hard by a little sheet of clear, fresh water, to watch for the deer that may come there to drink. As we look, the sharp twang of the bow and the whirr of the death-dealing arrow, and the commotion of the bushes where the game has fallen in its dying struggle tell us that he has not watched in vain. Let us approach one of their rude settlements which is con- veniently located on the shore of the beautiful bay, and taking refuge behind one of these old oaks, watch the movements of the savages before us. They know nothing of the existence of 40 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. any race of beings in the shape of men besides themselves. Their lives, their habits, their religion and language are un- mixed — and shall we say uncorrupted ? — by contact v?ith the white man. We are looking down upon a quiet Indian village in the fore- ground, located upon a low bluff. The bay, with its partially encircling belt of white sand, and the verdnre clad hills rising from it in beautiful undulations, presents a landscape scene of surpassing loveliness. Beyond the glimmer and sheen of the nearer waters, the view takes in a glimpse of the wider expanse which loses itself in the hazy veil that obscures the distant hor izon. On the placid water before us half a dozen canoes are paddling lazily about, some containing a single Indian each, others several, returning perhaps from some neighborly errand to another tribe or village, or perhaps from a hunting or fishing expedition in which they have been engaged. Yonder comes a canoe containing three half grown boys and a quantity of long, coarse grass or rushes which they have gathered from the bog just across the cove. They are bringing them to be made into mats by that group of women who are seated on the slope just in front of us. That rude manufacture is to them one of the fine arts. But a much finer art is being practiced by that little company which you see away to the right of them, hovering about that heai? of shells. They are working out from the shells, by a slow and tedious process, the details of which we are not near enough to see, those curious little beads, which when strung are called wampum and are used for ornaments as well as for money. Back on the rolling elevation to the right of us, and in rear of the little cluster of wigwams, lies their cornfield. The women have planted and cultivated it, and now the crop is almost ready to harvest. Some women are in the field looking to see if the ears are ripe enough to pull from the stalk. Here on our left two men are digging clay from the side of the very hill upon which we stand. This clay they are roughly forming into some sort of primitive pottery, which they will presently harden by baking in a hot fire, when all is ready. Seated at a little distance from them three old men sit chatting, rather socially for Indians it may be, and pecking away at stone arrow-heads, which they are forming for the use of the younger and more active men, two of whom maybe seen Just now return- ing from the woods, bringing with them the carcass of a fat HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 41 buck, which their skilled aim and the magic qualities of the old men's arrows have brought to the ground. Between the primitive pottery works and yonder clump of cedars, which crowns the projecting bluff, some men have rolled the trunk of a huge tree down from a higher hill where it grew, and are working perseveringly with fire and water and their stone axes, digging it out and shaping it for a canoe. This is primitive ship-building. As we gaze upon the scene before us, ruminating on the con- trast two hundred and seventy-five years will bring over the face of this rock-ribbed and verdure- clothed island, two half- grown Indian girls emerge from the thicket and come running down the slope to where these men are at work. With excited gestures they tell of something they have seen from the hill be- hind the cedars. We cannot hear their story, but from the manner of its recital and the absorbed attention the men are ready to give to it we are led to wonder what startling news the little girls have brought. Presently the men throw down their implements and start with quick and stealthy tread, following as the girls retrace their steps, until the whole party disappears among the cedars. Some women who were at work about the shell-heap and the wigwams, having seen these movements, come over to where the old men are shaping arrow-points, and ask what strange story the little girls brought. Perhaps these old men are sup- posed to possess some peculiar spirit charm by which they can divine things not made known to ordinary minds. To them the women come, but they can give no solution of this mystery. Then the returned hunters come over to the spot, and the small boys come running up from the shore with the same inquiry upon their lips. The collecting group attracts the attention of the women out in the cornfield, and they leave their work to come and learn the cause of its gathering. Presently the absent men and girls are seen emerging from the thicket and running down the hill and across the valley to where the wondering group is waiting. They are too much out of breath and overcome with excitement to say more than that they have seen a strange sight, which they fear is an omen of danger. As they recover sufficient calmness and possession of their faculties to do so they explain that away out on the great water something is moving toward them — something like a great 42 HISTOEY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. canoe, so large that a big tree was growing out of it, and a very great blanket was hung upon the tree so that the wind pushing against it drove the unnamed thing along. What it was they could not tell. Whether it was a great canoe with men in it, or some terrible monster of the sea, with wings, or a veritable delegation from the spirit world, good or bad, is a matter of speculation with them. As they stand describing the strange sight to their spell- bound listeners, the apparition itself suddenly shoots past the cedar-crowned jjoint and glides into full view, less than a mile away. Its appearance is greeted by an exclamatory chorus which we may interpret, "There it is!" and then in dead silence the group of savages contemplate the wonderful spec- tacle. The children cling trembling to their mothers while the squaws crouch nearer to their husbands and the warriors, and all draw instinctively together as they press around the old ar- row makers, who meanwhile have thrown down their work and sit gazing in speechless wonder at the approaching nondescript. Fear seizes every heart, and the breast of even the bravest war- rior is troubled with misgivings as to what this visitation may bring forth. And well they may be disturbed. It is indeed a kind Providence that hides from them their fate. If they could peer behind the veil and read the future they would know that the vision before them is the harbinger of their own dissolution; the lirst breath of a poisonous wind that in a few generations shall wrest from them their hunting grounds and sweep their race into the great common sepulchre upon whose portal is in- scribed, "They were, but are not:" aye, the prophetic hand- writing which foretells their doom as surely as that which blazed upon the walls of Belshazzar's banquet hall. " The Great Spirit is angry," explains one of the savages, who is the tirst to break the spell of silence, "and he is coming in his big, flying canoe, to look for some warrior who has done some wicked th^ng, or for some other man who has displeased him ; but maybe he will not find the bad one here. If he wants any of us w:e must go. No use trying to run away from him, so we may just as well stay where we are." Another explains: " I don't think it is the Great Spirit. That is not the way he moves. It is a great big canoe, with many men in it. They may be our enemies or they may be our HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 43 friends, or maybe they are strangers from some tribe away, far over the water." " No," answers a third, whose clearer vision allows him to see those on board, " these are not men like ns. They are pale- faced,— more than our dead fathers and brothers are. They must be spirit men. That is a more beautiful canoe than any man could make in this world. It comes from the spirit land where our fathers and chiefs have gone. Its wings are white and beautiful. They are made of the skins of animals that are hunted in that world where everything is so white and good. Maybe the spirit men in the canoe are our friends who are look- ing for us, to take us in the beautiful canoe to the liappy hunt- ing grounds which they have found." But all this savage wisdom does not prevent the young war- riors and hunters thinking that whatever may be the errand upon which the approaching party comes, it would be well to be ready for the worst, as least so far as the power to prepare for it is theirs. So their bows and their arrows are made ready and brought out with them, to be at hand in case of need. Some of the squaws, though they have never heard the proverb, " Distance lends enchantment," still have an instinctive convic- tion of its truth, and acting on that conviction are retreating beyond the corn-field as the approaching vessel nears the shore on her passage toward the Narrows, while some of the braver Indians move cautiously down the slope to get a closer view of the new revelation. As the representatives of two distinct races of men, having nothing in language, manners nor customs alike, approach each other the new comers are able to convey to the Indians — by what sort of language who shall ever know? — the impression that their mission is a friendly one; that they intend no harm to them, but that they have brought some very useful and curious things, which by way of friendly entertainment they proceed to show them. The Indians readily see the usefulness of the metal knives, the axes, the awls, the hatchets, the blankets, the coats and various other articles which the pale-faces had brought to escite their admiration and cupidity. The setting sun that evening closed a day never to be forgot- ten by those who participated in the events which we have por- trayed — the day that saw the meeting of two races of men upon the soil that had been, no one knows how long, the home of one. 44 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. and was to be, no one knows how long, the home of the other. The former should decrease while the latter should increase. From the contemplation of these important events as they may have appeared from the Indian standpoint, let us turn to consider in more explicit and definite terms the discovery of the territory by Europeans and the establishment and progress of civilization upon the soil which for unknown centuries had been the home of the untutored savage. The bay of New York was first discovered, according to a claim (which has, however, been disputed by some) in 1524 by Giovanni da Verrazzano, the celebrated iriorentine navigator. It does not appear, however, that any attempt was made by the government under which the navigator sailed to hold the terri- tory discovered by him. Of course it naturally follows that the exploration of New York bay involved the discovery of Staten Island. But whatever may have been the facts with re- gard to the exploration of Verrazzano, the honors of discovery are accorded to Henry Hudson, and whatever advantages at- tended that discovery were husbanded by the Dutch govern- ment, under whose flag Hudson sailed. Henry Hudson was one of those ambitious navigators who were ready to sacrifice their ease, and even their lives, in the exciting enterprise of searching for the northwest passage to the Indies. A native Englishman, the early part of the seven- teenth century found him in the employ first, of the London Company, and after that company had abandoned the enter- prise, then engaged with the Dutch East India Company. Under the commission of the latter he left Amsterdam in the " Half Moon," a ship of about eighty tons capacity, and on the 4th of April, 1609, sailed for the new world. He arrived on the "Banks" of Newfoundland early in July, and for two months cruised along the coast, looking for some opening that would promise to admit him to the Indian sea beyond. How easy it is in the light of the present day to smile at the unavailing enthusiasm of Hudson and the folly of his scheme ! But whatever the motives that led to it the momentous conse- quences of that exploration are sufficient to provoke our pro- f oundest gratitude. After several unsuccessful attempts to find such an opening in the land as would indicate what he desired to see, he entered the Lower bay and anchored inside of Sandy Hook on the 3d day of September, 1609. Though not the first HISTORY OF EICHMOND COUNTY. 45 to behold, Hudson was the first to penetrate the mysteries of the land and water which extended to an unknown distance before him. In one boat he visited "Coney Island," and sent an- other, containing five men, on an exploring expedition north- ward. These men passed through the IsTarrows, coasted along Staten Island, and penetrated some distance into the kills. On their return they suddenly encountered two large canoes, con- taining twenty-six Indians, who, in their alarm, discharged a shower of arrowy at thesttanger^ and killed; one m^n, an Eng- lishman, named John Coleman, by shooting him in the neck. Both parties became frightened, and pulled away from each other with all their strength. Coleman's body was taken to Sandy Hook and there interred, and the place was called "Cole- man's Point." Notwithstanding the mishap, as the death of Coleman was regarded, the natives proved to be friendly, and freely bartered with the strangers such articles as they had to dispose of, as tobacco, maize, wild fruits, etc. Hudson remained at anchor until the eleventh, when he sailed through the Narrows and anchored in the mouth of the great river which now bears his name. On the thirteenth he again weighed anchor, and pro- ceeded to explore the beautiful stream upon whose bosom he was floating; he was eleven days in ascending as far as the site of Albany, and as many more in descending. Before starling he had had considerable intercourse with the natives, but had al- ways prudently kept himself and his men prepared for any emergency, and though the natives frequently came on board armed they made no hostile demonstrations; Hudson, however, detained two of the Staten Island Indians as hostages, and took them with him on the voyage up the river, as far as the site of West Point, where they escaped by jumping overboard and swimming to the shore. On his way he encountered many of the Indians, who, though they manifested a friendly disposi- tion, were nevertheless suspected of entertaining hostile inten- tions, and it was supposed that the dread with which they regarded the arms of their visitors alone restrained them. On his return down the river, while lying at anchor oflf Stony Point, numerous canoes from both sides surrounded the ship, from one of which an Indian entered the cabin by climbing through a stei-fi window, from which he stole several articles of clothing. As he left the ship with his plunder, the mate 46 HISTORY OF EICHMOND COUNTY. detected him and shot him, killing him instantly. Tbis was the first blood shed by the whites. When the ship's boat was sent to recover the stolen articles, one Indian, who appeared to pos- sess more courage than his fellows, while swimming, laid hold of the boat, apparently for the purpose of overturning it, but a sailor, with a single blow of his sword, cut off his hands, and he was drowned. It was supposed that the two Staten Island savages who had escaped at West Point, on their way down the river had alarmed the several tribes so that when the ship ariived at the upper end of Manhattan Island it was met by a large fleet of canoes filled with armed savages, who discharged their arrows, but fortunately without doing any serious injury. A cannon was twice discharged at them, killing some of them and tearing their canoes to pieces, the sailors meanwhile firing at them with small arms. The result of this engagement was that nine Indians were killed, and many more wounded, while the whites sustained no injury whatever. Hudson, having spent a month in exploring the river and bay, put to sea on the 4th of October, and arrived at Dartmouth, England, on the 7th of the following Nc»vember. There is no evidence that Hudson ever circumnavigated the island, but that he satisfied himself of its insular character is evident from the name " Staaten Eylandt," vs^hich he gave to it. Following this mere outline discovery, no notice was paid to Staten Island for several years, at least so far as any accounts that we have of the movements of the Dutch traders show. Some descriptions of the condition of the island may have been written at an earlier period, but the following extract from a letter written by Isaack de Rasieres to Samuel Blommaert, about the close of the year 1627 (as is supposed) contains the earliest description of this part of the country that we have by one who was an eye witness of those primitive scenes. The letter was found in the Royal Library at the Hague, and trans- lated by Mr. J. R. Brodhead. It bears no date, but was proba- bly written after De Rasieres' return to Holland. A copy may be found in N. Y. Hist. Soc. Collections, II. Series, Vol. 2, page 34;j. "On the 27th of July, Anno 1626, by the help of God, I arrived with the ship The Arms of Amsterdam, before the Bay of the great Mauritse River,* sailing into it about a musket shot * The North river — so called after Prince Maurice of Orange. HI8T0KY OF EICHMOND COUNTY. 47 from Godyn's Point* into Coeuraet's Bayf (where the greatest depth is, because from the East point there stretches out a sand bank on which there is only from 9 to 14 feet water), then sailed on Northeast and North Northeast, to about half way from the low sand bank called Godyn's Point, to the Hamel's- Hoofden,:]: the mouth of the river, where we found at half ebb, 16, 17, 18 feet water, and which is a sandy reef a musket shot broad, stretching for the most part Northeast and Southwest, quite across, according to my opinion, and to have been formed there by the stream, inasmuch as the flood runs in to the bay from the sea East Southeast; the depth at Grodyn's Point is caused by the ebb flowing out along there with such rapidity. Between the Hamel's-Hoofden the width is about a cannon's shot of 2,000 [yards]. The depth 10, 11, 12 fathoms. They are tolerably high points, and well wooded. The West point is an island, inhabited by from eighty to ninety savages, who sup- port themselves by planting maize. The East point is a very large island, full 24 miles§ long, stretching East by South and East Southeast along the sea-coast from the river to the East end of the Fisher's Point. || ***** " TheHamels-Hoofden being passed, there is about a mile width in the river, and also on the West side there is an inlet, where another river runs up about 20 miles to the North-North-East, emptying into the Mauritse River in the highlands, thus making the North-West land opiJ)osite to the Manhatas, an island 18 miles long. It is inhabited by the old Manhatans ; they are about 200 to 300 strong, women and men, under different chiefs whom they call ' Sackimas.' This island is more mountainous than the other land on the South-east side of the river, which opposite to the Manhatas is about a mile and a half in breadth. At the side of the before-mentioned little river which we call Achter ColT there is a great deal of waste, reedy land ; the rest * Sandy Hook — so named after Samuel Godyn, one of the directors of the West India Company at Amsterdam, f The Lower bay of New York — also called Port May or Godyn's bay. I Hamel's Hoofden — the Narrows, between Staten and Long Islands. These " Hoofden," or headlands, were named after Hendrick Hamel, one of the directors of the West India Company. § Dutch miles — a Dutch mile is equal to about three English miles. II Visscher's Hoeck — Montauk Point. •[[The Kills. 48 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. is full of trees, and in some places there is good soil, where the savages plant their maize, upon which they live as well as by hunting. The other side of the small river, according to con- jecture, is about 20 to 30 miles broad to the South river, in the neighborhood of the Suncicans, as well as I have been able to make it out from the mouths of the savages ; but as they live in a state of constant enmity with those tribes the passage is seldom made ; wherefore I have not been able to learn the exact distance; so that when we wish to send letters overland they (the natives) take them way across the bay and have the letters carried forward by others unless one amongst them may hap- pen to be on friendly terms and who might venture to go there." The Indians dwelling on Staten Island at the time of its discovery were the Rai-itans, a branch of the great nation of Dela wares or Leni-Lenapes. From indications found in various localities, such as large collections of shells and bones, it is evi- dent that they dwelt on or near the shores of the island, where fish, scale and shell, were easily obtained ; this is also conhrmed by the fact that their burial places have been found in the vicinity of those places, neither of these indications of human occupancy having been found in the interior. Stone hatchets and stone arrow-heads, and springs rudely built up with stone walls, have been found at no great distance from the shores ; one of the latter may still be seen a short distance northeast, of the Fresh pond, or Silver lake, in Castleton, and is known by the name of the Logan spring. The interior of the island was their hunting ground, where deer, bears and other animals of the chase were found. The shores also afforded an abundant supply of water fowls, and thus, all their resources considered, the Indians were well sup- plied by nature with the necessaries of life. In addition to these, they had wild berries and fruits, maize, of which it is said they cultivated large quantities, beans, tobacco, and other articles of their own cultivation. The proximity of the island to the mainland enabled them to extend their hunting expedi- tions indefinitely. The wild animals which were found on the neighboring continent were also found here, but they, as well as their human contemporaries, have gradually retired or per- ished as civilization advanced. It is supposed that the Indians of Staten Island, in common HISTORY OF RICiniOND COUNTY. 49 with tliose of the neighborhood, were subject to the Mohawks, and stood in constant and mortal fear of them. Their clothing was the skins of the beaver, fox, and other animals, and con- sisted of but little more than a covering of the thighs and loins. Their food was maize or Indian corn, fish, birds and wild game. Their weapons were bows and arrows, the latter sharpened with flint stones or the bones of fishes. Boats were made from a single piece of wood, hollowed out by fire. Some led a wander- ing life, while others had fixed abodes built with rafters, and oven-formed, covered with the bark of trees, and large enough to accommodate several families. A few mats, wooden dishes, stone hatchets and smoking tubes composed their scanty fur- niture. The fire was kindled in the middle of these dwellings, from one end to the other, and the smoke let out at an opening in the crown of the roof. On hunting and fishing expeditions they erected temporary huts in the same fashion. All the agriculture was done by the women, who of course knew nothing of plowing or spading the soil, nor the culture of wheat, oats, barley or rye. Their universal grain was maize, or turkey corn, of which they made bread and "sapraen" or mush. They also cultivated beans, pumpkins, squashes and tobacco. The old men made wooden bowls, ladles and baskets. Their hatches were made of stone, in shape like rude wedges, about a half foot long, and broad in proportion. A notch was made around the thick end, which received the two parts of a stick split at one end which formed the handle. The jaws of the handle were then firmly bound with thongs to the hatchet and the implement was ready for use. Sometimes these hatchets were not handled at all, but were simply held in the hands when being used. Their chief use was to make good fields for maize plantations, by girdling tlie trees and thus clearing the ground by taking advantage of the natural course of decay and time in removing the wood growth. When the Indians wished to fell a thick, strong tree they em- ployed fire. This was done by heaping a great quantity of wood about the trunk of the tree, and burning it, continuing this process until the trunk was burned through and the tree fell. But to prevent the fire consuming the part which they wished to save they made a swab with which, fastened to the end of a pole, they kept applying water to the trunk a little above the fire. When it was desired to hollow out a log they applied fire 4 60 HISTORY OF EICHMOND COUNTY. in a similar way and kept wetting the part that was to be pre- served. After thus burning and charring the inside of the trunk they finished it by chipping and scraping the burnt parts with their stone hatchets, flints and sharp shells. Canoes were often made thirty to forty feet long. Instead of knives they used little sharp pieces of flint or quartz or some other hard kind of stone, and these were some- times substituted by sharp shells or pieces of bone which they had sharpened. At the end of their arrows they fastened narrow angular or pointed pieces of stone. These points were commonly pieces of flint or quartz, but sometimes other hard kinds of stone were used, and again the bones of animals or the claws of birds were sometimes used. They had stone pestles, about a foot long and as thick as a man's arm. These were made of a black sort of stone, and were used for pounding their maize, which was an important article of their food. Sometimes they used wooden pestles. For mortars they hollowed out the stumps or butts of trees. The old boilers or kettles of the Indians were either made of clay or of different kinds of stone. The former were made of a dark clay mixed with grains of white sand or quartz, and burnt in the fire. Many of these kettles had holes in opposite sides of the upper edge, through which a stick was passed, and by this means the kettle was held over the fire to boil. These kettles seldom had feet, and were never glazed either inside or outside. Their tobacco pipes were made of clay, or pot-stone or ser- pentine stone. The clay pipes were shaped like our common pipes of that material, though they were much coarser and more rudely formed. The tube was thick and short, often not more than an inch but sometimes a finger in length. In color they were like our pipes that have been long in use. The celebrated *' pipe of peace" was made of a fine red stone, not found in this part of the country, and it was probably almost unknown to the Indians of Staten Island. For fishing they used hooks made of bone or the claws of Mrds. Fire was kindled by rubbing one end of a hard piece •of wood against another dry one till after a time the friction became so great that the wood began to smoke and finally to burn. The Indians in personal character and appearance w:ere HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 51 healthy, strong, robust and well proportioned. In social life they were polygamous, their chiefs having several wives. They were faithful, however, to the marriage relations, and the women often preferred death to dishonor. Wassenaer of Amsterdam, who wrote in 1621-33, says that the Indian women " are the most experienced star-gazers; there is scarcely one of them but can name all the stars — their rising and setting, the position of the Arctos, that is, the wagon, is as well known to them as to us, and they name them by other names." All the natives paid particular attention to the sun, moon and stars in connection with their seasons. The first moon following the one at the end of February was greatly honored, and as she rose they had a festival, feasting on fish and wild game, and drink- ing with it clear, fresh water. The Indian year now com- menced, and this moon was hailed as the harbinger of spring, and the women began to prepare for planting. At the arrival of the new August moon another feast was celebrated for the coming harvest. The Indians seemed to have no knowledge of God or religion. Some of them paid homage to the Devil or evil spirits, but not with so much ceremony as the native Africans do. They be- lieved in good and evil spirits, and their spiritual affairs were entrusted to Kitzinacka, a sort of weather priest. He visited the sick and dying, and sat beside them bawling, crying and roaring like a demon. He was a kind of Capuchin, with no abode of his own, lodged where he pleased, and never ate food prepared by a married woman. It must be cooked by a maiden or an old woman. Wampum was the universal money among the Indians. It was made of the thick and blue part of sea clam-shells and oyster shells. The thin covering of this part being split off a hole was drilled through it and then the outward shape given to it by means of a stone upon which it was rubbed or ground. The form was sometimes eight sided, but generally round or nearly so, and in size resembling the cylindrical glass beads sometimes known as "bugles." The beads were usually about an eighth of an inch in diameter. When fin- ished they were strung upon cords of some kind, and these strings of wampum were measured by the foot, yard or fathom. In their manufacture from six to ten feet in length were considered a day's work. It was of two kinds, white 52 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. and purple or black. The latter was wrought out of the mussel shells. With the Dutch governors six beads of the white or four of the purple were equal in value to one penny. This currency was used by the Europeans for many years after their settlement here. The Indians made belts of wampum by weaving the strings into widths of several inches and they were two feet or more in length. It was sometimes called seewan. Both the Dutch and English recognized it as currency for a long time. In 1683 the schoolmaster at Platbush, L. I., was paid his salary in wheat at " wampum value." Among other fees he received for supplying water for baptisms twelve styvers, in wampum, for every baptism. In 1693 the ferriage for passen- gers from New York to Brooklyn was eight styvers in wampum each. It was also used for ornamenting the i)erson and as an emblem of agreement in treaties. The belt of wampum removed the remembrance of injuries and bloodshed. On Staten Island, Long Island and the neighboring shores of the mainland are found numerous beds or heaps of clam shells broken into very small pieces. These were without doubt the scenes of this manufacture. When we remember that this article was the currency of all the tribes even away inland, and that the ma- terials of which it was made were only found on the sea coast, we can see what an important and advantageous position the Indians of this locality occupied. In their burials the dead were placed in the earth without a coffin, but with all their costly garments of skins, in a sitting posture, upon a stone or block of wood. Near the body were also arranged a pot, kettle, platter and spoon, with some wam- pum and provisions, for their invisible journey to the Spirit Land. Over the grave was heaped a pile of wood, stone or earth. A few of these spots of sepulture have been found in different parts of the island. One of these was on or near the old Pelton place at West New Brighton. Here have been found, in years long gone by, various trinkets— a copper box, copper earrings and a glass pipe. The last was found in the mouth of an Indian skeleton. Tradition says that the point of the island now occupied by Tottenville was once a favorite burial spot with the Indians. The remains of several have been exhumed there within a few years past. One was found while digging a cistern on the premises of Mr. Appleby, and several others were dug up on HISTOEY OF RICHMOISTD COUNTY. 53 the premises of Joel Cole. The peculiar beauty of the site, it is said, made it attractive (o the aborigines for sepulture, af- fording as it did an uninterrupted view of the rising and the setting sun. The site was also a favorite meeting place during the periods of their spirit worshipping. Friendly tribes from Long Island, Manhattan island and the Jersey shore were wont to join the natives here, on their festive occasions, when doubt- less the surrounding forests and the neighboring hills resounded with the untutored songs of thousands of the children of nature's wilds. The treatment of the Indians by the Dutch explorers and the Dutch government was not such as to inspire friendly re- turns from the savages. The disgraceful barbarities with which the Indians were often treated are too common matters of his- tory to need repetition here. In consequence of the savage passions which this treatment aroused Staten -Island was re- peatedly scourged by the spirit of retaliation naturally evinced by the sons of the forest. Of some of the more notable de- monstrations of hostility between the two races we shall speak. In the spring of 1640 some parties, on their way from New Amsterdam to South River, Delaware, stopped at Staten Island to take in water, and while there stole some hogs from the settlers on de Vries' bouweries. The Indians residing on the Raritan, and who had manifested a hostile disposition, were at once charged with the theft, which was regarded as a serious offense, and Gov- ernor Kieft to punish them sent a company of about seventy men, under command of his secretary. Van Tienhoven, with in- structions to invade the Indian country, capture as many of the natives as they could, and destroy their crops. When the party reached their destination they became insubordinate, and the secretary lost control over them. They declared their in- tention to kill every Indian they could find, and though re- minded that such a course would be going beyond their instruc- tions, they persisted, and the secretary, seeeing that expostula- tion was in vain, left them to execute their wanton determina- tion. Several of the unfortunate savages were killed, and the chief's brother was barbarously murdered after he had been made a prisoner by one of the party named Grovert Loocker- mans. Their crops were destroyed, their wigwams burned, and other outrages perpetrated. Having satiated their fiendish spirit, the Dutchmen retired, leaving one of their number. 54 HISTORT OF RICHMOND COUNTY. whose name was Ross, supercargo of the ship "Neptune," dead on the field. The Indians, goaded to desperation, not only by the unjusti- fiable destruction of their crops, and slaughter of their brethren, but by a long continued course of frauds practised upon them by unscrupulous men, who first intoxicated and then cheated them in bargaining with them, resolved upon revenge. One of their first acts was to invade Staten Island, where in 1641 they attacked the settlement that de Vries had begun, and killed four men and burned two of his houses. Not long before, a young Indian, smarting under a sense of wrong, vowed to kill the first Dutchman who crossed his path, and he kept his vow. Governor Kieft, forgetting that he himself was the instigator of all these outrages, announced his intention of taking summary vengeance upon the savages. It was in vain that the prominent men of the colony counselled moderation — in vain that they represented to him that his course would be adding fuel to the fire— he replied to all their remonstrances that the law was "blood for blood," and he meant to have it ; he recognized the applicability of the law to the whites, but not to the savages. His anger was chiefly directed to the Raritans, and he entered into an agreement with some of the river Indians to assist him in annihilating that tribe, and to excite their blood- thirsty dispositions, he offered ten fathoms of wampum for the head of a Raritan, and twenty fathoms for the head of every Indian engaged in the murders upon Staten Island. At this time he built a small redoubt upon the island. In the meanwhile, the Indians upon Long Island began to manifest a hostile disposition, and Kieft found himself involved in new troubles. It was evident from some of his measures that he began to regret his precipitancy, and if nothing else had occurred to irritate him anew, he might have consented to forget the past, and to "bury the hatchet;" but just at this juncture some traders happened to meet an Indian of the Hack- ensack tribe, who was clothed in a dress of valuable beaver skins, whom they made drunk, and then robbed. On recover- ing his senses, the savage vowed to kill the first Swannakin (white man) whom he should meet. He did that, and more ; an Englishman who was a servant of de Vries on Staten Island, was met by him and killed, and shortly after a man named Van Vorst, while engaged in repairing a house in the vicinity of HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 55 Newark bay, met the same fate. Apprehensive of further trouble, a deputation of chiefs of some of the neighboring tribes, waited upon the director, whom they found greatly ex- cited, and not disposed to reason with them. He informed them hat the only way to keep peace was to surrender the murderer. "We cannot do that," they replied, "because he has iled, and is out of our reach." They offered to make compensation for the crime, according to the customs of their people!; nothing, however, could propitiate Kieft but the possession of the mur- derer. The Indians represented to him, that it was not they who committed the murders, but the white men's rum ; "keep that away from the Indians," said they, "and there will be no more murders;" but Kieft was inexorable — he was resolved upon war, unless they surrendered the murderer, who was as far out of their reach as out of his. New troubles now arose with the Long Island Indians. Thus far they had remained quiet, but the Dutch, with an infatu ation utterly unaccountable, suffered no opportunities to pass to excite them to deeds of violence. Matters were becoming worse daily, and an outbreak of Indian fury could not have been suppressed much longer, when, through the unremitting assiduity of the philanthropic Roger Williams, a meeting between Kieft and several Indian sachems took place at Rock- away on the 25th of March, and a reconciliation was effected. The peace thus concluded was of short duration. The Indi- ans continued to commit depredations upon the property of the settlers, and especially was this the case upon Staten Island. Many of them still held their residence there, and could not resist the temptation to appropriate the products of the agri- cultural skill and labor of their white neighbors, which were so much superior in quantity, quality and variety to their own. Remonstrances had proved ineffectual, and it became necessary to adopt severer measures. In addition to this, the Raritans, who were the offending tribe, had interrupted the communi- cation between the two shores of the river at New Amster- dam, and it had become perilous to attempt to land on the west shore. In the winter of 1642-3 two armed parties from Fort Amster- dam attacked the Indians at Corlear's Hook and Pavonia (Ho- boken) slaying thirty at the former place and eighty at the latter. This outrage led to almost fatal consequences. From 56 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. the Raritan to the Connecticut the war-whoop was heard, and eleven tribes declared open war against the Dutch. All settlers they met with were murdered,— men, women and children — dwellings were burnt, cattle killed and crops destroyed. In the spring of 1643 peace was secured, but it was unsatisfactory to the river Indians, and the war-fires were again kindled. Fk- vonia, and the greater part of Manhattan and Long islands, were in the hands of the savage foes, now embracing seven tribes and numbering 1,500 warriors. To oppose this uncivilized body the Dutch forces amounted to not more than 200 to 300 settlers and between 50 and 60 badly munitioned soldiers. All the "Bouweries," or plantations at Pavonia, and with one excep- tion only on the Long island shore, were destroyed. An early chronicle says: " Staten Island, where Cornelius Melyn estab- lished himself (1643) is unattacked yet, but stands expecting an assault every hour." Early in 1644 an expedition against the Staten Island Indians was organized. It consisted of forty burghers under Joachim Pietersen Kuyter ; thirty-five Englishmen under Lieutenant Baxter, and several soldiers from the fort under Sergeant Peter Cock, and the whole being under command of Counsellor La Montange. They embarked after dark, and at a late hour landed upon the island. They marched all night, and when the morning dawned, had arrived at the place where they ex- pected to find the Indians, but there were none there. Secretly as the whole enterprise had been conducted, the savages had discovered it and escaped. The troops, after burning the vil- lage, returned, taking with them over five hundred schepels of corn.* To the honor of a few, however, be it said the Dutch were not unanimous in their inhuman hostility to the Indians. Promi- nent among the few who comprehended the situation, and understood what course of policy would have been best for the colony, was the minister, Dominie Bogardus, and de Vries, the patroon of part of Staten Island. They were strongly opposed to the course pursued by the directors in their dealings with the Indians, and the event showed the wisdom of the policy of forbearance and conciliation which they recommended. So persistent were they in pressing their views upon the authori- ties, that they excited their anger, and were charged with a * A schepel was almost three pecks. HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 57 design of ingratiating themselves into the favor of the Indians for selfish purposes, and to the prejudice of the interests of the colony at large. The Indians understood these men and rec- ognized them as friends, and when, in one of the raids they made upon the settlers on the island, they had killed some of de Vries' cattle without knowing to whom they belonged, they expressed their regret for the act, calling him the friend of the Indians. At another time, when a difficulty had occurred with some of the Long Island Indians, and Kief t found himself in a dilemma, he was very desirous of making peace with them, but he could find no ambassador who was willing to trust himself in their power, until de Vries offered to visit them for the pur- pose. He was hospitably received, and when his mission was explained to them, and they were requested to visit the director at the fort in New Amsterdam, they refused to go until he had pledged himself for their safety. On what part of the island the Indian village, which has been spoken of as having been burned by the Dutch expedition in 1644, was located is entirely a matter of conjecture. There is a tradition that an Indian village once stood on the shore of the Lower bay not far from the present Annadale, but no remains have been found to establish its site. From numerous relics and Indian remains that have been found about Tottenville, Kreischerville and Watchogue, it is possible that the village may have been at one or other of those places. During the year 1655, another and more serious calamity be- fell Staten Island than any which had preceded it. Hendrick Van Dyck, former attorney-general at New Amsterdam, on rising one morning, discovered a squaw in his garden stealing peaches ; in a moment of anger he seized his gun and shot her, killing her instantly. Of this rash act, little, if any, notice was taken by the authorities, but the Indians did not overlook it ; immediate measures were taken by them to avenge the outrage. Several of the neighboring tribes united, and early on the morn- ing of the 15th of September sixty-four canoes, containing nine- teen hundred savages, some of whom were Mohicans, and others from Esopus, Hackingsack, Tappaan and Stamford, sud- denly appeared before New Amsterdam. They landed and dis- persed through the various streets, while many of the people were still asleep. They broke into several houses on pretense of looking for "Indians from the North," but in reality to 58 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. avenge the death of the squaw that Van Dyke had shot. As soon as they were discovered, an alarm was sounded. The oflBcers of the colony and city, and many of the principal inhab- itants, assembled, and the leaders of the savages were requested to meet with them, which they did; they accounted' for their sudden appearance under pretext of searching for some hostile northern Indians, who, they pretended they had been informed, were either in the city or its vicinity. After much persuasion they were induced to promise to leave Manhattan island at sun- set, but when evening came they were still there, and manifested no disposition to leave. They became unruly and the people became excited, a,nd violent acts were committed by both parties ; Yan Dyck, the thoughtless author of the trouble, paid the penalty of his rashness by being killed with an arrow, and Paulus Leinderstein Van Der Grist, one of the city oflBcials, was killed by a blow with an axe. The soldiers in the fort and the city guard were called out, and attacked the invaders, driv- ing them back to their canoes. Crossing the river, the savages attacked the settlements there, and killed or captured most of the people. Thence they went to Staten Island, which at that time had a population of ninety souls and eleven flourishing bouweries ; twenty-two of the people were killed, and all of the remainder who did not escape were carried away captive, and the bouweries were desolated. The Indians continued their ravages three days, during which time they killed one hundred whites, took one hundred and fifty prisoners, and ruined three hundred more in their estates. Alarm spread throughout the entire region, and there was no safety anywhere, for the hostile Indians were prowling about by day and by night, even upon Manhattan island, where they killed all who came within their reach. Stuyvesant employed every means in his power for the protection of the settlement at New Amsterdam and the neigh- boring settlements, and after awhile the ransom of all or nearly all the prisoners taken by the Indians was accomplished, the Indians receiving ammimition in return for the captives. This bloody siege has been known as the "Peach war," from the circumstance of its origin as already narrated. The island was now almost entirely depopulated, and the settlement had to be recommenced from the beginning. Adrian Post, the overseer for Baron Van de Cappelan was one of the sixty-seven who escaped massacre and was taken captive He affirms, with HISTOKT OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 59 reference to Staten Island, "that all the dwelling-houses were burned in the known conflict with the savages in 1655, and that no Other e£fects were then left than a few beasts, which he, after his imprisonment by them, collected together, and of which the greatest part died, while the few remaining were sold by him for the maintenance of his wife and children." In relation to the affair we also quote from the reminiscences of Altie Widelar, wife of Thomas Burbank, who "settled at V: Duses:" " She sd. there was 2 or 3 houses at Old Town and at Carlsneck & the Indians run off the Island and murderd. at Old Town all Except a little girl who run into the woods— the Indian put on her fathers Cloths and Decoyd. the Girl supposing it to be her father her they savd. — The Indians Came principally from Bergain." The Indians of Staten Island after the coming of the whites rapidly diminished in numbers. As they gave up their lands to the white settlers they moved back into the country. But in reality comparatively few of them moved in that way. Most of them ended their days either by wars among themselves or were destroyed by small-pox, a disease with which they are said to have been unacquainted before their commerce with Europeans, but which afterward made sad havoc with them. And in addition to these causes a writer dnring the middle of the last century said, " But Brandy has killed most of the Indians. This liquor was likewise entirely unknown to them before the Europeans came hither; but after they had tasted it they could never get enough of it. A man can hardly have a greater de- sire of a thing than the Indians have of brandy. I have heard them say that to die by drinking brandy was a desirable and honorable death; and indeed 'tis no very uncommon thing to kill themselves by drinking this liquor to excess." The last of the old Staten Island Indians were " Sam" and "Hannah," and their daughter "Wance." The old couple lived at Fresh kill near the Seaman farm, and upon it they used to depredate for timber of which they made baskets, for this was their occupation. They were very old during the first quarter of this century. They sold their baskets for rum, and then they would quarrel. Hannah finally disappeared, and no one knew what had become of her. It was supposed that Sam had killed her, for he always flew into a rage whenever any one 60 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. asked him where she was. After the death of one or both of her parents it is supposed that Nance left the island, . The first idea of value that was conceived by the Dutch in view of the newly discovered regions here was not associated with any design of forming settlements here. The climate of Holland and other countries of Europe, rendered furs indispen- sable to their inhabitants; hitherto these had been obtained chiefly from Russia, and at great expense. The Dutch had dis- covered that there were furs in the countries newly discovered, which were easily procurable in exchange for articles of ex- tremely trifling value; the temptation to engage in a traffic so exceedingly profitable, was too strong to be resisted by a people so prompt to promote their own interests. Accordingly, in 1611, a vessel'was dispatched to the Manhattans^as an experiment, and so successful was the venture, that a spirit of commercial enter- prise was at once awakened. Two more vessels, the ' 'Little Fox' ' and the "'Little Crane," were licensed, and under the pretense of looking for the northwest passage, sailed direct for the newly- discovered river. This was in the spring of 1613. Having ar- rived, the traders erected one or two small forts for the protec- tion of the trade on the river. The position of the island of Manhattan for commercial purposes was so favorable as to strike the Europeans at once, and the traders who had scattered in various directions made that island their head-quarters. Hen- drick Cortiansen was the superintendent of the business, and with his small craft penetrated every bay or stream where In- dians were to be found, in pursuit of furs. The results of these expeditions were successful, and many others were projected, and crowned with similar success. When the intelligence of these discoveries reached the projectors of the several voyages at home, steps were immediately taken by them to secure to themselves the benefits of their enterprise and perseverance. All the country lying between the 40th and 45th degree of north latitude was called " New Netherland." Ex- clusive privileges to trade to these countries for a limited period were given to them. A trading house was at once erected on an island in the Hudson, near the present site of Albany, and the country on both sides of the river thoroughly explored in quest of furs; and by the time of the expiration of the grant, which was at the close of 1617, some of the merchants engaged in the trade had realized immense fortunes therefrom. HISTORY OF EICHMOND COUNTY. 61 The charter having expired, the trade of New Netherland was thrown open, and adventurers from all parts of the father- land eagerly enlisted therein ; the former traders, however, held on to the advantages they liad gained by their prior occu- pancy. Different commercial associations were formed, whose several interests began to interfere with each other, and all contention and disputes were at last adjusted by the consolidation of all interests in the organization and charter of the " Dutch West India Company." The powers and privileges with which this company was invested were not confined to the narrow limits of the New Netherlands ; they embraced the whole range of the American coast, from the Horn to the Arctic sea, and on the west coast of Africa from the Hope to the Tropic of Cancer, not pre- viously occupied by other nations. On the American coast settlements had been made by the French at Canada, by the English at Virginia, and by the Spaniards at Florida. The prep- arations made by the directors of the newly chartered com- pany to improve the privileges granted to them, attracted, in England, the attention of the government, and a strong remon- strance was sent to Holland, insisting that all the territory claimed by the Dutch was embraced in the charter of Virginia, and therefore was under the jurisdiction of England. The matter was from time to time brought before the authorities of both countries, and the discussion protracted by the Dutch for the purpose of gaining time, that the preparations of the new company might be completed. Thus it will be seen that the first Europeans who visited this part of the continent came for the purpose of trading, not of settling permanently ; but having become favorably impressed with the soil and climate of the country, they began to enter- tain the idea of making it the place of their future abode, and to devote to agriculture that part of the season when furs were not obtainable. The country was organized into a province, a few settlers were sent out, and a form of government was estab- lished, with Peter Minuit at its head as director ; this was in the year 1624. In the same year, and probably in the same ship with Minuit, a number of Walloons arrived and settled on Staten Island ; this is the first settlement on the island of which we have any knowledge. These people came from the 62 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. country bordering on the river Scheldt and Flanders ; they professed the reformed religion, and spoke the old French, or Gallic language ; they were good soldiers, and had done elBcient service in the thirty years' war. Two years before their arrival here, they had applied to Sir Dudley Carleton for permission to emigrate to some part of Virginia, upon condition that they might build a town of their own, and be governed by officers chosen by and amongst themselves. This application was referred to the Virginia company, and met with a favorable response so far as the mere settlement was concerned, but the privilege to elect their own officers was too long a step toward popular freedom, and could not be conceded ; the permission to settle upon the company's land was fettered with so many conditions affecting their civil and religious liberty that they declined to entertain it, and turned their attention to the New Netherlands, where so many arbitrary conditions were not in- sisted on. On their arrival here they appear to have aban- doned the plan of settling in a colony or single community, and separated, going in different directions, a few families taking up their abode on Staten Island. It is supposed that among these was a family by the name of Rapelje, among whom was one George Jansen de Rapelje. Surrounded by the savages and separated from their friends at Manhattan, they did not long remain here. Yielding to the necessities of their condition, lacking both food and clothing, they returned to Rapsie, the southern extremity of Manhattan island, where they found not much relief but were subjected with the other colonists to ex- tremes of privation and suffering. But relief soon after came by the arrival of a ship from the mother country. The Rapelje family soon after removed to Wallabout, on Long Island, and are recorded as the first European settlers upon that island. Their child Sarah has down to the present time borne the honor of having been the first child of European parentage born in the colony. Her birth is dated June 9th, 1625, and though some have claimed that it took place while the family were upon Staten Island, the facts indicate more strongly that the honor belongs to Long Island. She lived to be the wife of two hus- bands and the mother of twelve children, from whom has descended a large and highly respectable lineage. For many years the traffic with the Indians for peltries had been exceedingly profitable, and large fortunes had been HISTOBY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 63 secured by many of the traders, but in the course of time, as the articles of the Indian's traffic became scarcer, and the val- ue of the Dutch commodities depreciated in consequence of their abundance, the trade graduallj' decreased, until at length the cost of sustaining the colony was greater than its revenues, and the West India company found itself rapidly descending to the verge of bankruptcy. The first great landed proprietors in New Netherland were called "patroons;" they were Samuel Godyn, Samuel Bloemart, Killian Van Kensselaer and Michael Pauw. The two first named settled in Delaware. Van Rensselaer obtained a patent for a large tract on the Hudson in the vicinity of Albany and Troy, and Pauw became the proprietor of all the country extending from Hoboken southward along the bay and Staten Island sound, including Staten Island ; this grant was made to him by the directors in 1630. At the same time the country was purchased from the natives for " certain cargoes or parcels of goods," and called Pavonia. The name of this proprietor still attaches to a part of his possessions in the locality known as Com- munipaw. It is to be mentioned to the credit of the company, that they made it a condition in the patents which they granted, that the recipients should extinguish the Indian title by direct purchase, and this was exacted in every instance. By some it is claimed that the director general and council had purchased the island of the Indians in 1626, but what the authority is for the statement we do not know. The consideration paid to the natives was not money, which would have been useless to them, but cloths of various kinds, culinary utensils, ornaments, etc., but not fire-arms. The value of the articles paid for the fee of the island varied at different times, for the Indians sold it repeatedly. Pauw's acquisition was not of much benefit to him ; it is not known that he made any effort to colonize it, or that he ever cleared a rood of it, for very soon after acquiring it, difficulties arose- be- tween him and the directors, and he disposed of his territorial rights on the island and on the continent to his associate direct- ors for the sum of 26,000 guilders. He was a man of conse- quence in his own country ; he was one of the lord directors of the company, and among their names we find his set down as the Lord of Achtienhoven. In 1636, David Pietersen de Vries obtained a grant for a 64 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. part of the island, and began to make settlements on it, but the precise locality is not known ; it is supposed, how- ever, to have been at or near Old Town (Oude Dorp). The dwellings of the settlers, on their arrival, were generally con- structed as speedily as possible, that their families might be sheltered. Excavations for this purpose were generally made in the side of a hill, or other convenient spot, and lined and roofed with rude planks, split out of the trees ; sometimes the roofs were covered with several layers of bark ; these were only meant for temporary dwelling places, until better ones could be provided. The date of the grant which had been obtained by de Vries from Wouter Van Twiller was August 13, 1636, and de Vries set sail for Holland two days afterward for the purpose of gath- ering a colony to come and occupy the land. He returned with his settlers about the end of the year 1638. This was the third time de Vries had sailed across the ocean to the New Nether- lands, and when the ship neared the entrance at Sandy Hook he was called upon to pilot her in, as the following extracts from his journal will show : " Sept. 25, 1638. On board the ship of the West India Com- pany, sailed from Holland. " Dec. 26. Got sight of Sandy Hook. The captain * * * at the request of the passengers, who all had their homes in the New-Netherlands, solicited me to pilot the ship in, which I did, and anchored the same evening before Staten Island, which was my property, and put my people on shore." Other memoranda made by de Vries at different dates tell in his own language something of his connection with the island. Under date of August 13, 1636, he says: '' I requested Wouter Van Twiller to put Staten Island down in ray name, intending to form a colony there, which was granted." Under date of January 5, 1639, he writes: "Sent my people to Staten Island, to commence the colony and buildings." But his pos- session of the island was disturbed as we see by this entry of August 20, 1641: " Arrived, the ship Eyckenboom, and had on board a person named Malyn, who said he was the owner of Staten Island, that it was given to him and to Mr. Van Der Horst by the directors of the company. I could not believe this, having left the country in 1638 to take possession of this island, and in that time have settled there. I could not think HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 65 that the directors of the company would act in this way, it be- ing granted by the sixth article, and we being the first occu- pants and of course it could not be taken from us." The two following entries give us de Vries' view of the Indian massacre of 1641. September Istof that year he writes : "My people were murdered on Staten Island by the Indians of Raritan. They told an Indian who was assisting my people that we should now come to fight for the killing of the men as we formerly had done for the hogs, with the stealing of which they were wrongfully accused. It was done by the servants of the company, then going to the South river, who landed first at Staten Island to take in wood and water, when they stole the hogs and the blame was laid on the innocent Indians, who tho' cunning enough, will do no harm if no harm is done to them. And so my colony of Staten Island was smothered in its birth by the management of Governor Kief t, who wanted to • avenge the wrongs of his people on the Indians." On the day following, that is, September 2, 1641, we have this entry : "An Indian chief belonging to the Tankitekes, called Pacham, came to the fort in much triumph, with the hand of a dead man hanging on a stick, saying it was the hand of the chief who had killed our people at Staten Island, who had avenged the wrongs of the Swannekins, whose friend he was." De Vries is said to have been a literary man, and was the author of a historical work. There is no evidence that he re- sided upon the island himself. The settlers introduced by him, however, prospered for a time, until, as we have already seen, their bouweries or farms were desolated by the savages. DeVries remained in the colony for several years, and for some time thereafter maintained his hold on the "bouwerie" on Staten Island, but the relations existing between the Dutch and the Indians were not favorable to the growth of a settlement here, and though we have evidence to support the above statement in the fact that de Vries' bouwerie was excepted from the grant to Melyn, and also the fact that an Englishman residing here in the service of de Vries, was killed in 1642, yet it is probable that he soon afterward abandoned the attempt to maintain a settlement here. The third attempt to found a settlement on Staten Island was made by a Dutch merchant by the name of Cornells Melyn. He came from Antwerp, and his first visit was made here in 5 66 HISTORY OF EICHMOND COUNTY. 1639. July 3, 1640, he obtained an order from the directors in Holland, authorizing him to take possession of Staten Island and erect it into a "Colonie." Bat on his passage hither, in February, 1641, the vessel in which he sailed was captured by the "Dunkirkers." and he thus lost all he had on board, and was glad to reach his native shores in safety. He was obliged then to apply to the directors for a passage to the New Netherlands, which he obtained, and again embarked, with his family and some goods for trade with the Indians, to the value of about 1,000 guilders. This voyage was made on board the ship " Eyckenboom "(meaning "oak tree"), and he ar- rived at ISTew Amsterdam August 20, 1641. He received letters patent from the directors, bearing date June 19th, 1642, for the whole of Staten Island (excepting the bouwerie of Capt. de Vries), and constituting him patroon of the island, investing him at the same time with all the powers, jurisdiction and pre-eminences of that privileged order. During the administration of Kieft, Melyn, the patroon of Staten Island, lived in a state of unremitting hostility with him. Having adopted, in a great measure, the policy of de Vries in the treatment of the Indians, though not as success- fully, he found himself in almost constant collision with Kieft, who was prompt to notice and avenge every act of the savages which he could torture into a hostile demonstration. Kieft continued to reside at New Amsterdam for a short time after he had been superseded, and Melyn improved the oppor- tunity to prefer charges against him. Stuyvesant, though on the whole disposed to deal justly with all men, would brook no direct attack upon the dignity of the directorship, either in his own person or in that of his predecessor, and this was the light in which he chose to regard Melyn' s complaint, so when these charges were preferred they were met by counter-charges from the ex director, among which was one that Melyn had said he could get no justice from Kieft. However true the assertion may have been in its application to Kieft, it proved quite true in application to Stuyvesant, for after a long investigation, the attorney-general expressed an opinion that both Melyn and Kuyter, who had also been implicated in the charges, ought to suffer death. The director, however, knowing that his public acts were likely to be reviewed, was disposed to deal more leniently with them ; he therefore, with the consent of the HISTORY OF EICHMOND COUNTY. 67 majority of the council, condemned Melyn to a banishment of seven years and a fine of three hundred guilders and Kuyter to three years' banishment and a fine of one hundred and fifty guilders. In accordance with this sentence, the defendants were sent to Holland.* The attention of the government was immediately called to the manner in which justice was administered in the colony, by an appeal which the banished patroon and his asso- ciates took on their arrival. An elaborate investigation followed, and the sentence was reversed; the director was also .censured, and required to return home and answer for his arbitrary con- duct. Melyn, armed with the necessary documents, returned triumphantly to New Amsterdam, and had the satisfaction of serving them upon the director in person. These proceedings on the part of the patroon were far from mollifying the direc- tor; and, as he had proved to be a dangerous man to meddle with arbitrarily, he gratified his animosity by acts of hostility to Melyn' s family. Jacob Loper, the son-in-law of the patroon, who had served under Stuyvesant in the West Indies, applied for permission to make a trading voyage to South River, Dela- ware, but it was peremptorily refused. Stuyvesant' s representatives appeared before the tribunal which had cited him, to answer for and defend the acts of their principal. The opinion of the court was that Melyn had been seriouslj' injured in his property and person for no other crime or cause than presuming to differ'in opinion with the director. In the meantime the trade of the colony had become less re- munerative, and the government, both at home and in the col- ony, had become involved in complications with other powers to such an extent as to divert attention from Melyn' s cause, and it was left for the time in abeyance. *Tlie ex-director, Kieft, was also a passenger on the same vessel. In regard to their treatment and the events of the voyage we may quote another chronicle: — " They were brought on board Uke criminals, and torn away from their goods, their wives, and their children. The Princess (the name of the ship) was to carry the director and these two faithful patriots away from New Netherland; but, coming into the wrong channel, it struck upon a rock and was wrecked. And now, this wicked Kieft, seeing death before his eyes, sighed deeply, and, turning to these two (Melyn and Kuyter), said: ' Friends, I have been unjust towards you; can you forgive me?' Towards morning the ship was broken to pieces. Among those drowned were Melyn's son, the minister, Bogardus, Kieft, Captain John De Vries, and a great number pf other persons. Much treasure was lost, as Kieft was on his return with a fortune of four hundred thousand guilders — 160,000 dollars." 68 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. Melyn's appeal seems to have at last gained the reversal of the sentence which had been imposed upon him by Stuyvesant. But notwithstanding this, the persecutions of the governor seem to have continued with unabated zeal. In the spring of 1650 Melyn associated with himself Baron Van Cappelan, a man of wealth, who immediately fitted out a ship called the " New Netherland's Fortune," with a cargo and some twenty colonists for Staten Island. The ship was commanded by Capt. Adrian Post. The passage was one of extraordinary length and the sea was unusually boisterous, and they were obliged to put into Rhode Island for supplies. They did not reach New Amsterdam until the following winter. Making this stop at Rhode Island the occasion for another persecution, Stuyvesant seized the ship under the pretext that it belonged to Melyn, and caused it and the cargo to be sold. It was purchased by Thomas Willet, who sent it on a voyage to Virginia, and thence to Holland, where Van Cappelan replevined it, and after a protracted law suit, the West India company was obliged to pay a large sum in conse- quence of the illegal act of its representative and servant in New Netherland. The harassed patroon immediately withdrew to his " colonie " on Staten Island, from whence he was summoned by Stuyvesant to appear, and answer to new charges which had been preferred against him. This summons he positively refused to obey, and ii lot of land, with a house on it, in New Amsterdam, belong- ing to him, was declared confiscated, and accordingly was sold. Melyn now fortified himself on the island and established a manorial court. Among the charges preferred against Melyn were the follow- ing: that he had distributed arms amongst the Indians, and had endeavored to excite hostile feelings toward the director among some of the river tribes. When he left Holland the patroon had taken the precaution of furnishing himself with a "safe <'onduct," as it was called, which was a sort of protection against further aggressions on the part of Stuyvesant ; to this, however, he paid little regard when he had the patroon in his power ; but now that he had proved contumacious by refusing to appear, and putting himself into his enemy's power, the di- rector scarcely dared venture to arrest by force one who was HISTORY OF KICHMOND COUNTY. 69 protected by a document of such authority ; he therefore affected to be alarmed for his own personal safety, and applied to the council for protection, who granted him a body guard of four halbidiers, to attend him whenever he went abroad. Van Dincklagen, the vice-director, had been instrumental in assist- ing both Van Cappelan and Melyn in promoting the successful settlement of Staten Island ; he therefore fell under the dis- pleasure of the director, who ordered him to resign, or the council to expel him from their body, but he refused to resign, and defied the council to expel him, as they had no more power to deprive him of his office than the director himself, as both held their commissions from the same authority at home. N^evertheless, he was arrested and imprisoned in the guard- house, and the counsel who had defended him was forbidden to practice his profession in the colony. After the lapse of several days the vice-director was liberated, and immediately took up his residence with Melyn on Staten Island. These settlements were probably located on the east side of the island, between the Narrows and the locality known as Old Town, or "Oude Dorp," as it was called. But all traces of these settlements have long since vanished, and no records are left to tell us of their locality. Though the site was well se- lected in some respects — sheltered by hills on the north, acces- sible by water, convenient for fishing, and comprising both up- land and meadow — it was early abandoned for other situations. An atmosphere of misfortune, too, seemed to hover over it. The first plantation, by de Vries, had been destroyed ; Melyn, the patroon, and all connected with him seemed to be the especial objects of the governor's animosity, and we now come to the period when the settlement is again wiped out by the bloody Indian raid of 1655, an account of which has already been given. At that time Baron Van Cappelan' s colonists numbered "ninety souls in eleven bouweries," all of whom were killed or dispersed. The island was now depopulated, and the settlement had to be re-commenced. Van Cappelan did what he could to induce the affrighted people to return to their desolated homes, and sent out new colonists. These efforts were made by Van Dincklagen, his agent. To avert the probability of another attack, he negotiated another purchase of the island from the Indians, and made a treaty with them. This was done 70 HISTORY OP RICHMOND COUNTY. on the 10th of July, 1657.* These proceedings on his part were disapproved by the directors of the company at home, who insisted that all settlers' titles should come through them. Stuyvesant was, therefore, directed to declare the late purchase void, to secure the Indian title for the company, and then to convey to Van Cappelan what land he might require. In 1661 Melyn returned to Holland, having, in consideration of fifteen hundred guilders (six hundred dollars), conveyed all his interest in Staten Island to the West India Company. The deed was dated June 14, 1659. He was also granted an amnesty for all offenses which had been charged upon him by either Stuyvesant or his predecessor. Van Cappelan being dead, the company also purchased all the title he had to any part of the island during his life time, and thus became the possessors of the whole of it. About this time Johannes de Decker, who first came to New Amsterdam in 1655, acquired title to one hundred and twenty acres of land on Staten Island. He was a young man of good reputation, and for a time occupied important official trusts. By what steps he obtained possession of the land mentioned, or where it was located, we have not learned. By some disagree- ment with Stuyvesant he fell into discord with that turbulent oflacial and was dispossessed and banished. The sentence was, however, in all probability reversed, since he was back in the colony again at the time of the conquest of 1664. Among the last of the Dutch patents was one granted to him for this land, dated January 15, 1664. During the administration of NicoUs, however, his Dutch patriotism made him offensive to the English government,, and he was again banished from the province. Some time after the peace of Breda, he applied to the Duke of York for a redress of his grievances and a restitution of his property. This application the duke referred to Lovelace, with *Dunlap has set forth that the island was purchased of the Indians in 1651, by- Augustine Herman, but we fail to find authority sufficient to sustain the as- sertion. A purchase was made of the Indians December 6th of that year, by ' 'Au- gustine Heermans," acting for Cornelis van Werckhoven, a Schepen of Utrecht, which covered a large tract lying between the Arthur kill and the Earitan river ; and from the incidental mention of Staten Island in giving the boundaries the idea may have been gained that the conveyance included this island. But as Melyn was in undisputed possession here at the time, had been for several years previous, and continued to be for several years after, it is fair to presume that no such purchase of the Indians was made or intended to be made. HISTORY OF RICHMOND OOtJWTy. 71 instructions to do in the premises what might be just and proper ; the result was that de Becker was restored to all his rights and privileges, and he retired to private life on his farm on Staten Island. He was the progenitor of a numerous family now residing on the island, by the name of Decker, and further notice of him will be found in connection with the history of that family. Soon after the sale of the island by Melyn and Van Cappel- an's heirs to the West India company, the latter made grants of land to several French Waldenses, and a still greater number of Huguenots from Rochelle, the descendants of whom are still residents here, and in a few instances still occupying the iden- tical grants made to their ancestors. About a dozen families commenced a settlement south of the Narrows. In 1663 they built a block-house as a defense against the Indians, and placed within it a garrison of ten men, and armed it with two small cannons. At the request of these settlers, Dominie Dri^us, of New Amsterdam, visited them every two months and preached to them in French, performing also the other functions of his calling. Kev. Samuel Drisius was sent to America by the Classis of Amsterdam, in 1654, at the request of the people, who desired a minister who could preach to them either in Dutch or French, which he was able to do. On his arrival at New Amsterdam he was at once installed as the colleague of the Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, who had resided in the coun- try since 1642. Drisius continued to officiate at New Amster- dam and on Staten Island until 1671. From about 1660 his visits to the island were more frequent, being made once each month. It would be pleasant could we bring out a fuller picture of the times in which these interesting people made their homes here, but the data is very meagre. Their memory is by many fondly cherished, and by others, some of whom live nearest the scenes of their conflicts with the wilderness, sadly neglected. In the shadow of the court house at Richmond, within a neg- lected enclosure stands a tombstone bearing the following in- scription : SUSAWJMAH VAN PeLT was The Grand Daughter of Jacob Rezean, Sen'r 72 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. and the last of five generations interred in this burying ground. They were Huguenots who left France when persecuted for their religion ; settled in this neighborhood ; they selected this spot for their last resting place on earth. Sacred be their dust. Susannah van Pelt reached the advanced age of 99 years, 5 months, 25 days. This monument is erected by her only surviving relative. We come now to one of the important landmarks in the his- tory of New York and as a consequence in the history of Staten Island. The year 1664 was the commencement of a new era, and one which was to give to the settlement here a better chance for life and a more favorable atmosphere for growth. The English claimed to have discovered, through their repre- sentative, Sebastian Cabot, as early as 1497, the coast of Worth America. Their claim extended from thirty to fifty-eight de- grees north latitude. Voyages were made to different parts of the coast by English navigators before the year 1606. On the 12th of March, 1664, Charles II. of England, by virtue of the claim just stated, made a grant of land to his brother James, Duke of York, which included within its liberal boundaries the territory then occupied by the Dutch at New Amsterdam and vicinity, of which Staten Island formed a part. The duke immediately fitted out an expedition to take pos- session of the field covered by this patent. Richard Nicolls was commissioned deputy governor of this colony, and his associates in the government were Robert Carr, George Cart- wright and Samuel Maverick. Four ships composed the fleet, and they together carried nearly one hundred guns and some six hundred men. The fleet arrived in New York bay in August of the same year, and Colonel Nicolls sent a demand to Governor Stuyvesant for the surrender of the fort and the government. The latter at first stoutly refused to comply with the demand, but after a few days spent in consultation with the burgo- masters and people of the city, and finding the latter strongly HISTOKY or KICHMOND COUNTY. 73 in favor of such a course, he was forced to yield to the popular sentiment, and with much reluctance agreed to a surrender. This was accomplished on the 26th of August, and the sceptre of New Netherlands passed from the wooden-legged warrior to the representatives of the Duke of York. It is worthy of remark that when the English fleet arrived in the bay the first Dutch property seized by them was on Staten Island, where the block house was taken and occupied. Stuyvesant appointed six commissioners, among whom was Dom. Megapolensis and Johannes de Decker, to meet a like number on the part of the English, to arrange the terms of the capitulation. Tiese were just and reasonable, under the circum- StUnces; no change was to be made iutheconditionof the people but all were to be permitted to enjoy their property and their religion to the fullest extent. As the individual rights and privileges of no one were to be molested, the people submitted to a change of rulers, not only with a good grace, but many with satisfaction, as it released them from the overbearing and arbitrary tyranny of the director. Though de Decker had been one of the commissioners who agreed to and signed the articles of surrender, yet, when the English began to change the names of places, and appoint new officers in place of those who had become obnoxious to them; in short, when everything began to assume an English aspect, his patriotism began to revolt, and he endeavored in some in- stances to oppose the work of reform which the conquerors had initiated. This brought him to the notice of NicoUs, who, to rid himself of a troublesome subject, ordered him to leave the colony within ten days. In the course of a few months every- thing became quiet, and the people seemed to be content with the new order of things. Unappropriated laiids now began to be parcelled out to English proprietors, by English authority. Staten island, already settled by the Dutch and French, was now to receive acquisition of another nationality. Capt. James BoUen received a grant of land on the island; the country be- tween the Raritan river and Newark bay was bought anew from the savages, and settled by people from Long Island, chiefly along Achter Cull, and four families from Jamaica began the settlement of Elizabethtown. Besides Captain Bollen, Captain William Hill, Lieutenant Humphrey Fox and one Coleman, all officers of the fleet, received grants of land on Staten Island, 74 HISTOKY OF KICH3I0ND COUNTY. but as the vessels to which they were attached were no longer needed, and were sent back to England, they had little or no opportunity of enjoying their acquisitions. The government of Kew Netherland, under the original Dutch settlers, was committed to the director and his council, which at first consisted of five members. This council had su- preme executive and legislative authority in the whole colony. It had also the power to try all civil and criminal cases, and all prosecutions before it were conducted by a "Schout Fiscaal," whose duties were similar to those of a sheriff and district at- torney of the present day. He had the power to arrest all per- sons, but not without a complaint previously made to him, un- less he caught an offender in flagrante delictu. It was His duty to examine into the merits of every case, and lay them be- fore the court, without favor to either party; he was also to re- port to the directors in Holland the nature of every case prose- cuted by him, and the judgment therein. In addition to the duties above enumerated, it devolved upon him to examine the papers of all vessels arriving or departing; to superintend the lading and discharging of cargoes, and to prevent smuggling. He had a right to attend the meetings of the council, and give his opinion when asked, but not to vote on any question. Several of the patroons claimed in a great measure to be in- dependent of the director and his council, and organized courts and appointed magistrates for their own territories, as did the patroons of Kensselaerwyck and Staten Island, but they were at constant variance with the authorities at New Am- sterdam. It is true that all who felt themselves aggrieved by the judg- ment of the director and his council, had a chartered right to appeal to the XIX at home — that is, the West India Company — but the directors of New Netherland generally played the despot during the brief terms of their authority, and if any suitor manifested an intention to appeal, he was at once charged with a contempt of the supreme power in the colony and most severely punished, unless he contrived to keep out of the direc- tor's reach until his case had been heard and decided in Hol- land, as in the instance of Melyn, the patroon of Staten Island, who appears to have been a thorn in the sides of both Kief t and Stuyvesant. The religion recognized by the government of the province HISTORY OP RICHMOND COUNTY. 75 was that of the Keformed Dutch church, or the Church of Hol- land, and though other sects were regarded with a certain degree of suspicion, they were tolerated so long as they did not inter- fere with the privileges of others. When Stuyvesant was compelled by the popular clamor to surrender the country to the English, he stipulated for the preservation and continuance of all the political and religions rights and privileges of the people as then enjoyed, allegiance alone excepted, which was conceded by Nicolls. After the conquest, this stipulation was generally held invio- late, but the civil institutions of the country were modified to make them accord with English ideas of government. There are instances on record of persecution for opinion's sake on religious subjects under the Dutch, but all such matters were at once rectified when brought to the notice of the home government. This continued to be the practice of the English government also. Staten Island, Long Island and Westchester were now united in a political division, called Yorkshire, and this was sub-divided into three parts called "Ridings." These were respectively known as the East, West, and North ridings. The West riding was composed of Staten Island, together with the towns now of Kings county and Newtown, on Long Island. The term " Rid- ing" is a corruption of the word "Tri thing," the name of a division of Yorkshire in England, after which this American "Yorkshire" seems to have been fashioned. The ridings were established principally for the accommodation of courts and convenience in apportioning taxes. Under the duke's government each town had a justice of the peace, who was appointed by the governor ; and at first eight, but afterward four overseers and a constable, who were elected by the people. Three ofiicers were charged with the duty of assessing taxes, holding town courts, and regulating such mat- ters of minor importance as should not otherwise be provided for by the laws or orders of the governor. The jurisdiction of the town court was limited to cases not exceeding five pounds in value. A court of sessions, composed of the justices of the peace, was established in each riding. This court was held twice each year, and was competent to decide all criminal cases, and all civil ones where the amount of difference exceeded five pounds. 76 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUWTY. Judgments rendered in this court for sums under twenty pounds were final, but in cases exceeding that amount an appeal to the court of assize was allowed. Criminal cases involving capital punishment required the unanimous cpncnrrence of twelve jurors, but all other cases were decided by the majority of seven jurors. The high sheriff, members of the council, and the secretary of the colony were authorized to sit with the justices in this court. The court of assize was held once a year, in the city of !N"ew York. It was composed of the governor, his council, and an indefinite number of the justices. It entertained appeals from the inferior courts, and had original jurisdiction in cases where the demand exceeded twenty pounds. The governor appointed a high sheriff for the "shire," and a deputy sheriff for each riding. This court was the nominal head of the government — legislative as well as judicial. It was, however, in reality the governor' s cloak, under cover of which he issued whatever reg- ulations his judgment or fancy dictated. All its members held their positions during his pleasure, and were virtually obliged to sanction his views and second his opinions. Many of the laws, amendments and orders enacted through the name of this court were arbitrary, obnoxious and oppressive to the people. Petitions from the people for redress of their grievances had but little if any effect in the desired direction. The early governors imposed duties on imported and ex- ported goods, disposed of the public lands, and levied taxes on the people, for the support of the government. The fi- nances of the colony were under their control, in common with every other department, and this power over the treasury was doubtless often used for their own individual benefit. In the orders made at the general court of assize, from the 6th to the 13th of October, 1675, the following appears : "That by reason of the Separacon by water, Staten Island shall have Jurisdiction of it Self and to have noe further de- pendance on the Courts of Long Island nor on their Militia." From this time forward the island has been an independent judicial district, and the first record, which soon after began to be kept, is still in existence in the office of the county clerk ; it is a small square volume, bound in vellum, and besides many quaint records of "sewts," contains the descriptions of the ear-marks on domestic animals, to distinguish the ownership, HISTOEY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 77 as the animals were allowed to run at large through the woods and unappropriated lands. Among some of these early court records we find the follow- ing: Jacob Jeyoung (Guyon) Ptf ) In A Action of the Caus Isaac See (?) Deft f At A Court held on Staten Island By the Constable and oversears of the seam on this present Munday Being the 7 day of febraery 1680 wharas the caus de- pending Between the Ptf and deft hath Bin heard the Court ordereth deft to Cleer his flax forthwith and his Corn out of the Barn within ten days from the deat hearof and to clear up his other A Counts at the next Court. A A Court held on Staton Island By the Constabl and over- sears of the Seam on this presont Munday Being the 5 day of September 1680 Sarah whittman Ptf William Britton Deft, in A Action of the Case to the valew of £4. 10 s. 6d. The Caus depending Betwixt the Ptf and Deft hath Bin heard and for want of farther proof the Caus is Referred till the next Court. Sarah Whittman Ptf William Briten Deft At A Court held on Staton Island by the Constabll and over- sears of the seam on this present Munday Being the 3 day of October 1680 the Court ordereth that the Deft shall seat (set) up and geett (get?) forty panell of soefisiont (sufficient) fence for the yous (use) of Sarah whitman at or Be foor the first of november next in sewing (ensuing) with Cost of sewt. The regulation of the sale of intoxicating liquors received the early attention of the government, and the following rates were established throughout the province, which "tapsters" were allowed to charge : French wines. Is. 3d. per quart; Fayal wines and St. George's, Is. 6d.; Madeira wines and Portaport, Is. lOd.; Canaryes and Malaga, 2s. per quart ; brandy, 6d. per gill; rum, 3d per gill ; syder, 4d. per quart ; double beere, 3d. per quart ; meals at wine-houses. Is.; at beere-houses, 8d.; lodgings at wine-houses, 4d. per night; at beere-houses, 3d. In 1668, Nicolls, by his own request, was relieved of the government of the province, and was succeeded by Colonel Francis Lovelace. Thomas Lovelace, whose official signature is appended to so many of the old documents connected with the conveyance of property on Staten Island, and otherwise, and who at one time was sheriff of the county, was a brother to the 78 HISTORY OF EICHMOND COUNTY. governor, and a member of his council ; there was also another brother, named Dudley, likewise a member of the council. The record of the administration of this governor contains many- acts of arbitrary ruling and disregard of the rights of the com- mon people. His theory of the proper way to hold a people in submission appears in a letter written by himself to a friend, to have been by imposing "such taxes on them as may not give them liberty to entertain any other thoughts but how to dis- charge them." Governor Lovelace, it is said, owned a plantation on Staten Island, on which he built a mill for grinding cereals. One of the prominent acts of his administration was the re-purchase and final extinction of the Indian claim to the island. This was consummated on the 13th of April, 1670. This act has been termed '"the most memorable" of his administration, and the island was described as "the most commodiousest seate and richestland" in America. The year previous, the principal sa- chem had confirmed the former bargains made with the English, but several other inferior sachems now presented their claims, insisting that they were the owners. To quiet them, a new bargain was made ; they executed another deed and possession was given by " turf and twigg." This was the last sale made by the Indians. They reserved two sorts of wood, however, and within the memory of the people now living, small parties of Indians, at long intervals have visited the island, and ex- ercised their reserved right of cutting such wood as they re- quired for the purpose of making baskets. The original Indian deed is still in existence. Its preamble cites that it was made "between Francis Lovelace, Governor- General under James, Duke of York and Albany, etc., and the Indians Aquepo, Warrines, Minqua, Sachemack, Permantowes, Qurvequeen, Wewaneca, Oneck and Mataris, on behalf of theirselves, as the true owners and lawful Indians, proprietors of Staten Island." The conveyance was executed by the afllx- ing of the hands and seals of all the parties and the attesting witnesses 'as follows: Couns. Steenwick, Maijor Tho. Lovelace, C. V. Reinjven, Oloff Steven V. Cortland, Allard Anthony,' Johannes Vamburgh, Gerrit Van Tright, J. Bedlow, Warn Wessols, Constapel, William Nicolls, Humph' y Davenport, Cornells Bedloo, Mcholas Antony. The Indians were to have the privilege of remaining until the HI8T0RY OF EIOHMOND COUNTY. 79 following May, when they were to surrender the island to such persons as the governor should appoint to receive it. This was accordingly done on the first day of May, Thomas Lovelace and Matthias Nicolls having been deputed by the governor to receive the transfer of possession from the Indians. The conveyance also contained the following two paragraphs which are of sufficient interest to warrant copying : "The payment agreed upon for ye purchase of Stateu Island, conveyed this day by ye Indian Sachems, propriet's is (vizt.) : I, Foure hundred Fathoms of Wampum ; 2, Thirty Match Boots ; 3, Eight Coates of Durens, made up ; 4, Thirty Shirts ; 5, Thirty Kettles ; 6. Twenty Gunnes ; 7, A Firkin of Powder ; 8, Sixty Barres of Lead ; 9, Thirty Axes ; 10, Thirty Howes ; II, Fifty Knives." "It was further covenanted that two or three of the said Sachems, their heirs or successors, or persons employed by them, should once in every year, the first day of May, after their surrender, repair to the fort, and acknowledge their sale to the Grovernor, and continue in mutual friendship." The latter paragraph appears as an endorsed memorandum, with the signature of Francis Lovelace attached to it. Several young Indians were not present at the time the above conveyance was made, accordingly, in order to secure their firm understanding and approval it was again delivered on the 25th of April, and in their presence. Thej' made their marks upon it as witnesses. The names of those who thus subscribed were — "Pewowahone, about 5 yeares old, a boy; Pokoques, about 8 yeares old, a girle ; Shirjuirneho, about 12 yeares old, a girle ; Kanarekante, about 12 yeares old, a girle ; Mahquadus, about 15 yeares old, a young man; Ashehanewes. about 20 yeares old, a young man." This was the final sale of the island by the Indians, and we have no knowledge of any claim ever being made by them to its soil from that time forward to the present. It has already been said that the Indians were always ready to sell the island. In 1636 they sold it to Michael Pauw ; shortly after they sold a part to David Pietersen de Vries ; in 1641 to Cornells Melyn ; in 1657 to Baron Van Cappelan, and in 1670 to Governor Love, lace. To this last sale they were obliged to adhere ; there was probably more ceremony about it, which rendered the transac- tion more impressive. In delivering possession, they presented 80 HISTORY OF RICHMOND OOUNTr. a sod and a shrub or branch of every kind of tree which grew upon the island, except the ash and elder (some say ash and hickory). The administration of Governor Lovelace was brought to an unexpected end by the surrender of the colony to its foi'mer masters, the Dutch. Rumors of anticipated troubles in Europe reached America, and Lovelace immediately began to make preparations for the worst, so far as his means permitted ; he strengthened the defenses of the fort, organized several military companies in the metropolis, and other places in the province, repaired arms and laid in a large quantity of ammunition and other warlike stores. In April, 1(372, England and France de- clared war against Holland ; in Europe, the war was chiefly naval, and the English and French fleets suffered severely at the hands of De Ruyter and Tromp. On the 7th day of August, 1673, a Dutch fleet of twentj'^-three vessels arrived in New York bay, and anchored under Staten Island. Soon after their arrival they made a raid upon the plantation of Lovelace, and carried off sufficient cattle and sheep to make a breakfast for the 1,600 men on board the ships of the fleet. This arrival produced the greatest consternation in the city and neighboring villages. Lovelace himself was absent from the city at the time, and when the demand was made for the surrender of the fort, it was yielded without the firing of a gun. Captain Manning, the commandant of the fort, was afterward tried for treachery and cowardice, and sentenced to have his sword broken over his head. The conquest having been consummated Anthony Colve was immediately appointed governor of the colony, and at once commenced the work of obtaining the submission of the people to his authority, and reorganizing the government according to his own notions. But the Dutch rule was of short duration. On the 9th of February. 1^4, peace was concluded between England and the states general, by the treaty of Westminister, and according to its terms the colony reverted to the English. Major Edmond Andros, of Prince Rupert's dragoon regiment, which had been disbanded, was selected as the proper person to proceed to America and receive the province from the Dutch. Armed with the proper authority from the Dutch government, which had been furnished at the request of the English king, he arrived in the Diamond frigate in October, 1674, and an- chored under Staten Island. A correspondence was at once HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 81 opened between him and Colve, which resulted in a surrender of the province on the 10th day of that month. Andros having received his commission as governor, caused the oath of allegiance to be administered to the people ; the English government was once more established, and so con- tinued for a century thereafter. The Duke of York, apprehen- sive that the validity of his title might be called in question, in consequence of the province having been in the possession of a foreign power, received a new patent from the king. Andros having been recalled, Brockholst administered the government until the arrival of Colonel Thomas Dongan, who, though commissioned September 30th, 1682, did not arrive until the 25th of the following August. He was a professed papist, but is said to have been a "wiser man than a master." The people of Staten Island are more directly interested in him than in any other governor of the province under either nation- ality ; having the whole country before him, from which to select his residence, he made choice of Staten Island, and the evidences of his residence here are still, in some measure, per- ceptible. Let us pause in our narrative for a brief space, to take a view of the condition of the island at this early period. The tirst dwelling houses erected on the island after the removal of the Walloons to Long Island, were in the vicinity of the Narrows, or between that and Old Town^ which is so called, probably, from that circumstance, and were not more than five or six in number. There was one, probably, at the extreme south end, and one or two at Fresh kill. Subsequently, in 1651, when the Waldenses arrived, and, after them, the Huguenots, the settlements at Old Town and Fresh kill received accessions. Before their arrival there were no roads, except, perhaps, foot-paths through the forest, between the two last-mentioned localities ; there was no need of any, for the intercourse of the islanders was with New Am- sterdam. After the settlements at Old Town and Fresh kill had received accessions, intercourse between them became more frequent, and, in due course of time, the road from the one to the other was constructed ; particularlj' after the Waldenses had built their church at Stony Brook, and the Huguenots their at Fresh kill. The houses were built in clusters, or hamlets, for convenience 6 82 HISTORY OF EICHMOND COUNTiT. in mutual defense and protection. Tradition says that one of the first dwellings on the island was situated on the heights at New Brighton, and was constructed of bricks imported from Holland, and occupied, for a time at least, by a prominent of- ficial of the government. If there is any truth in the tradition, the house was, probably, the residence of de Vries, who, feel- ing secure in the friendship of the Indians, ventured to erect his dwelling in that beautiful, but remote, locality. That the builder's confidence in the Indians was not misplaced, the same tradition further says that, in 1655, when the great Indian war broke out, and the island was nearly depopulated, this house and its occupants were spared. In the latter part of the last century, and in the beginning of the present, all the territory embraced in the first, and most of the second wards of the present village of New Brighton constituted farms owned by the families of the Van Buskirks, Crocherons and Vreelands ; these farms extended from the kills one mile into the country. Abra- ham Crocheron, the owner of one of them, erected a grist mill in the valley east of Jersey street, relying for a supply of water on the spring now known as the Hessian spring ; but this not proving sufficient, he converted his grist mill into a snuff mill, for which the supply was abundant. About the same time Captain Thomas Lawrence built a distillery on a small wharf which now forms a part of the present large New Brighton wharf. Long before this part of the island was patented to any individual, and laid out into farms, and while it was yet covered with the original forests, there was a deep ravine, extending from the spring mentioned above to the kills, into which the tide ebbed and flowed, and which, in the days of the Dutch and early English governors, afforded a place of concealment for the smugglers who infested the coast. The face of the country has now become materially changed, by cutting down the hills and filling up the valleys. In process of time, as settlers arrived, they located along the shores, and roads became a necessity ; these at first were con- structed along the shores, until at length cross roads for con- venience of communication between the several settlements were constructed. Some of these old roads have been closed, and the Clove road is the only original one now left. In regard to the character of the early settlers, a writer of that century said : "As to their wealth and disposition thereto, HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 83 the Dutch are rich and sparing ; the English neither very rich, nor too great husbands ; the French are poor, and therefore forced to be penurious." Among the earliest manufacturing enterprises in this country was the establishment of a still for the manufacture of brandy. This was founded on Staten Island by Director Kief t, in the latter part of the year 1640, and was said to be the first man- ufactory of spirituous liquors in America. William Hendrick- son, a native of Holland, was the superintendent of the enter- prise, on a salary of twenty-five guilders per month. It was in operation six or seven months. Its location is not known, but it is supposed to have been at"Oude Dorp." A buckskin factory, also established by Governor Kief t a little later, is sup- posed to have been located in the same part of the island. We shall bring this period to a close by inserting the follow- ing extract from a manuscript found in the city of Amsterdam some years since, by Hon. H. C. Murphy. It gives an excel- lent picture of the time of which we are writing. On the 8th day of June, 1676, two Labadists, Jasper Dankers and Peter Sluyter, sailed from Amsterdam in a ship called the " Charles," Captain Thomas Singleton, and arrived at Sandy Hook on the 22d of September following. They say : " When we came be- tween the Hoofden (theHig-hlands of Staten and Long Islands — that is, in the Narrows) we saw some Indians on the beach with a canoe, and others coming down the hill. As we tacked about, we came close to the shore, and called out to them to come on board the ship. The Indians came on board, and we looked upon them with wonder. They are dull of comprehen- sion, slow of speech, bashful, but otherwise bold of person and red of skin. They wear something in front over the thighs, and a piece of duffels, like a blanket, around the body, and that is all the clothing they have. Their hair hangs down from their head in strings, well smeared with fat, and sometimes with quantities of little beads twisted in it, out of pride. They have thick lips and thick noses, but not fallen in like the negroes, heavy eyebrows or eyelids, brown or black eyes, thick tongues, and all of them black hair. After they had obtained some biscuit, and had amused themselves a little climbing and looking here and there, they also received some brandy to taste, of which they drank excessively, and threw it up again. They Ihen went ashore in their canoe, and we, having a better breeze, 84 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. sailed ahead handsomely." After narrating how they landed in the city, and describing the bay and the immense quantities of fish therein, they proceeded with their journal. " October Wi, Monday.— We remained at home two days, ex- cept I went out to ascertain whether there was any way of go- ing over to Staten Island. "10, Tuesday. — Finding no opportunity of going to Staten Island, we asked our old friend Symon, who had come over from Gouaues [Gowanus 1], what was the best way for us to go there, when he offered us his services to take us over in his skiff, which we accepted, and at dusk accompanied him in his boat to Gouanes, where we arrived about 8 o'clock, and where he welcomed us and entertained us well. "■11, Wednesday. — We embarked early this morning in his boat, and rowed over to Staten Island, where we arrived about 8 o'clock. He left us there, and we went on our way. This Island is about 32 miles long, and four broad. Its sides are very irregular, with projecting points and indenting bays and creeks running deep into the country. It lies for the most part east and west, and is somewhat triangular ; the most promi- nent point is to the west. On the east side is the narrow passage which they call the channel, by which it is separated from the high point of Long Island. On the south is the great bay, which is enclosed by Nayag, t'Conijnen island, Rentselaer's Hook, Neversink, etc. On the west is the Raritans. On the north or north-west is New Jersey, from which it is separated by a large creek or arm of the river called Kil Van Kol. The eastern part is high and steep, and has few inhabitants. It is the usual place where ships ready for sea stop to take in water. The whole south side is a large plain, with much salt meadow or marsh, and several creeks. " The west point is flat, and on or around it is a large creek with much marsh, but to the north of this creek it is high anfi hilly, and beyond that it begins to be more level, but not so low as on the other side, and is well populated. On the northwest it is well provided with creeks and marshes, and the land is generally better than on the south side, although there is a good parcel of land in the middle of the latter. As it is the middle or most hilly part of the island, it is uninhab- ited, although the soil is better than the land around it; but in consequence of its being away from the water, and lying HISTORY OF EICHMOND COUNTY. 85 SO high, no one will live there, the creeks and rivers being so serviceable to them in enabling them to go to the city, and for fishing and catching oysters, and for being near the salt meadow. The woods are used for pasturing horses and ca.ttle, for, being an island, none of them can get off. Each person has marks upon his own by which he can find them when he wants them. When the population shall increase, these places will be taken up. Game of all kinds is plenty, and twenty-five or thirty deer are sometimes seen in a herd. A boy who came in a house where we were, told us he had shot ten the last winter himself, and more than forty in his life, and in the same manner other game. We tasted here the best grapes. There are now about 100 families on the Island, of which the English constitute the least portion, and the Dutch and French divide between them about equally the greater portion. They have neither church nor minister, and live rather far from each other, and inconveniently to meet together. The English are less disposed to religion, and inquire little after it; but in case there was a minister, would contribute to his support. The French and Dutch are very desirous and eager for one, for they spoke of it wherever we went. The French are good Reformed church-men, and some of them are Walloons. The Dutch are also from different quarters. We reached the Island, as I have said, about 9 o'clock, directly opposite Gouanes, not far from the watering-place. We pro- ceeded southwardly along the shore of the highland on the east end, where it was sometimes stony and rocky, and sometimes sandy, supplied with tine constantly flowing springs, with which at times we quenched our thirst. " We had now come nearly to the furthest point on the south- east, behind which I had observed several houses when we came in with the ship. We had also made inquiry as to the villages through which we would have to pass, and they told us the ' Oude Dorp ' would be the first one we would come to; but my comrade finding the point very rocky and difficult, and believ- ing the village was inland, and as we discovered no path to follow, we determined to clamber to the top of this steep bluff, through the bushes and thickets, which we accomplished with great difficulty and in a perspiration. We found as little of a road above as below, and nothing but woods, through which no one could see. There appeared to be a little foot-path along 86 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. the edge, which I followed a short distance to the side of the point, but my companion calling me, and saying that he thought we had certainly passed by the road to the Oude Dorp, and observing myself that the little path led down to the point, I returned again, and we followed it the other way, which led us back to the place where we started. We supposed we ought to go from the shore to find the road to Oude Dorp, and seeing here these slight tracks into the woods, we followed them as far as we could, till at last they ran to nothing else than dry leaves. " Having wandered an hour or more in the woods, now in a hollow and then over a hill, at one time through a swamp, at another across a brook, without finding any road or path, we entirely lost the way. We could see nothing but the sky through the thick branches of the trees over our heads, and we thought it best to break out of the woods entirely and regain the shore. I had taken an observation of the shore and point, having been able to look at the sun, which shone extraordi- narily hot in the thick woods, without the least breath of air stirring. We made our way at last, as well as we could, out of the woods, and struck the shore a quarter of an hour's distance from where we began to climb up. We were rejoiced, as there was a house not far from the place where we came out. We went to it to see if we could find any one who would show us the way a little. There was no master in it, but an English woman with negroes and servants. We first asked her as to the road, and then for something to drink, and also for some one to show us the road, but she refused the last, although we were willing to pay for it; she was a cross woman. She said she had never been at the village^ and her folks must work, and we would certainly have to go away as wise as we came. She said, however, we must follow the shore, as we did. We went now over the rocky point, which we were no sooner over than we saw a pretty little sand bay, and a small creek, and not far from there, cattle and houses. We also saw the point from which the little path led from the hill above, where I was when my comrade called me. We would not have had more than three hundred steps to go to have been where we now were. It was very hot, and we per- spired a great deal. We went on to the little creek to sit down and rest ourselves there, and to cool our feet, and HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 87 then proceeded to the houses which constituted the Onde Dorp. It was now about two o'clock. There were seven houses, but only three in which anybody lived. The others were abandoned, and their owners gone to live on better places on the Island, because the ground around this village was worn out and barren, and also too limited for their use. We went into the first house, which was inhabited by English, and there rested ourselves and eat, and inquired further after the road; the woman was cross, and her husband not much better. We had to pay here for what we eat, which we have not done befora We paid three guilders in seewan, although we only drank water. We proceeded by a tolerable good road to Nietiwe Dorp, but as the road ran continually in the woods we got astray again in them. It was dark, and we were com- pelled to break our way out through the woods and thickets, and we went a great distance before we succeeded, when it was almost entirely dark. We saw a house at a distance to which we directed ourselves across the bushes; it was the first house of the Nieuwe Dorp. We found there an Englishman who could speak Dutch, and who received us very cordially into his house, where we had as good as he and his wife had. She was a Dutch woman from the Manhatans, who was glad to have us in her house. "12^A, Thursday. — Although we had not slept well, we had to resume our journey with the day. The man where we slept set us on the road. We had no more villages to go to, bnt went from one plantation to another, for the most part belonging to French* who showed us every kindness because we conversed with them in French. " About one- third of the distance from the south side to the west end is still all woods, and is very little visited. We had to go along the shore, finding sometimes fine creeks well pro- vided with wild turkeys, geese, snipes and wood-hens. Lying rotting on the shore were thousands of fish called marsbaucken, which are about the size of a common carp. These fish swim close together in large schools, and are pursued by other fish so that they are forced upon the shore in order to avoid the mouths of their enemies, and when the water falls they are left to die, food for the eagles and other birds of prey. Proceeding thus along, we came to the west point, where an Englishman lived alone, some distance from the road. We ate something 88 HISTOKY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. here, and he gave us the consolation that we would have a very- bad road for two or three hours ahead, which indeed we experi- enced, for there was neither path nor road. He showed us as well as he could. There was a large creek to cross which ran very far into the land, and when we got on the other side of it we must, he said, ^o outward along the shore. After we had gone a piece of the way through the woods, we came to a valley with a brook running through it, which we took to be the creek or the end of it. We turned around it as short as we could, in order to go back again to the shore, which we reached after wandering a long time over hill and dale, when we saw the creek, which we supposed we had crossed, now just before us. We followed the side of it deep into the woods, and when we arrived at the end of it saw no path along the other side to get outwards again, but the road ran into the woods in order to cut off a point of the hills and land. We pursued this road for some time, but saw no mode of getting out, and that it led fur- ther and further from the creek. We therefore left the road, and went across through the bushes, so as to reach the shore by the nearest route according to our calculation. After continu- ing this course about an hour, we saw at a distance a miserably constructed tabernacle of pieces of wood covered with brush, all open in front, and where we thought there were Indians, but on coming up to it we found in it an Englishman sick, and his wife and child lying upon some bushes by a little fire. We asked him if he was sick ? ' I have been sick over two months,' he replied. It made my heart sore, indeed, for I never, in all my life, saw such poverty, and that, too, in the middle of the woods and wilderness. After we had obtained some informa- tion as to the way, we went on, and had not gone far before we came to another house, and thus from one farm to another, French, Dutch, and a few English, so that we had not wandered very far out of the way. We inquired, at each house, the way to the next one. Shortly before evening we arrived at the plantation of a Frenchman, whom they called La Chaudrounier, who was formerly a soldier under the Prince of Orange, and had served in Brazil. He was so delighted, and held on to us so hard, that we remained and spent the night with him. "13^A, Friday.— We pursued our journey this morningfrom plantation to plantation, the same as yesterday, until we came to that of Pierre Gardinier, who had been in the service of the HISTORY OP RICHMOND COUNTY. 89 Prince of Orange, and had known him well. He had a large family of children and grand-children. He was about seventy years of age, and was still as fresh and active as a young per- son. He was so glad to see strangers who conversed with him in the French language that he leaped with joy. After we had breakfasted here, they told us that we had another large creek to pass called the Fresh Kill, and then we could perhaps be set across the Kill Van Koll to the jjoint of Mill Creek, where we might wait for a boat to convey us to the Manhatans. The road was long and difficult, and we asked for a guide, but he had no one, in consequence of several of his children being sick. At last he determined to go himself, and accordingly carried us in his canoe over to the point of Mill Creek in New Jersey, be- hind Kol [Achter Kol.] We learned immediately that there was a boat upon this creek loading with brick, and would leave that night for the city. After we had thanked and parted with Pierre le Gardinier, we determined to walk to Elizabethtown, a good half hour's distance inland, where the boat was. We slept there this night, and at 3 o'clock in the morning set sail." CHAPTER IV. THE COLONIAL PERIOD— 1683 TO 1775. Erection of Richmond County. — Arrival of Huguenots. — Division of Eichmond into Towns. — ^The Claims of Nevr Jersey. — Patents and Land Grants. — Establishment of the Colonial Government. — Administration of Justice. — The Time of the French War.— Colonial Description.— Colonial Customs. — Statistics. IT seems convenient and appropriate in treating this subject to regard the colonial period proper as beginning with the administration of Governor Dongan, although it had in many respects begun several years before. In 1683 Colonel Thomas Dongan, having received the appointment of governor, took the position on the 27th of August. He came with instructions from the duke to call a general assembly of the people's repre- sentatives. This he did, and the first assembly of the colony of New York convened in the city on the 17th of October, 1683. This assembly adopted a "bill of rights," repealed some of the most obnoxious of the duke's laws, altered and amended others, and passed such new laws as they judged the circumstances of the colony required. During the session an act was passed abolishing the ridings, and organizing in their stead the counties, with some alterations in the constitution of the courts. The " Act to divide this province and dependences into Shires and Counties," dated November 1, 1683, contains the following in reference to Staten Island: "The county of Richmond to conteyne all Staten Island, Shutter's Island, and the islands of meadow on the west side thereof." The county'at this time contained some two hundred families. It was allowed two representatives in the colonial assembly, and the next year, for the first time, a county tax was imposed, amounting to fifteen pounds. The colonial assembly met again in October, 1684. Among the acts passed at this session was one by which the court of HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 91 assize was abolished. The election of a new assembly took place in September, 1685, and in the following month it was organized. Only two or three unimportant acts of this as- sembly remain on record, and it is probable that whatever other acts it may have passed, if there were any, were never enforced. On the death of Charles II, the Duke of York ascended the throne of Great Britain with the title of James II. He now abolished the colonial assembly of New York, and re-estab- lished the governor as the supreme head of the colony, subject only to such instructions as the king himself might from time to time dictate. We now come to a period in the civil and religious historj'^of Staten Island of great and even romantic interest ; the arrival of the French Protestants or Huguenots. Years before, it is true, some had emigrated with the Dutch from Holland, but now they landed on these shores in considerable numbers, bringing with them useful arts, a knowledge of gardening and husbandry, and above all, their own well known virtues, with a pure, simple, Bible faith. Many of the descendants from this noble stock now remain to honor the island of their birth with the sterling character which they have inherited from their an- cestors. Though the Protestants of France had, under the famous "Edict of Nantes," enjoyed the free exercise of their religion for a time, yet after the death of Henry the Great the merciless fires of persecution were once more kindled — the rack, the gib- bet and the galley again began their sanguinary work all over the country, and with increased fury. The "Edict of Nantes" was formally revoked, when the Huguenots had now presented to their choice three things : to go to mass, sacrifice their lives and their property, or fly from their homes. Too true and in- dependent to do otherwise they chose the latter expedient, and half a million of them left beautiful but bigotted France for foreign lands. Every Protestant kingdom in Europe received them with open arms, where they soon became the most valu- able citizens, and many imitating the example of the Puritans, embarked for an asylum of safety to the new world, and to this island. These settlers were celebrated for their industry and frugal- ity, and commenced the cultivation of the earth. Brave and independent, they imparted the same excellent traits all around 92 HISTORY OF EIOHMOND CODNTY. them, and above all things else they cherished their religious duties and pious customs. It is a pleasant fact in the history of Staten Island, that the ancestors of the present population, whether from Holland, France or England, each were careful to maintain pure and evangelical principles in their families. Their churches were established here at an early period. The follow- ing record pertaining to the Huguenot church is so much of a curiosity that we take the liberty to insert it in full, as it ap- pears on one of the earliest books of record of the county. " This following deed of Gifte was recorded for the french Congreygashone Residing with In the Countey of Richmond on statone Island the 22 day of may Annoque dom : 1698. " To all Christiane peopell To whome Theas present wright- ing shall Come John bevealle Seanior of the Countey of Rich- mond and provence of new yorke weaver and hester his wife sendeth Greeting In our Lord God Eaver Lasting now know yee that wheare as Townas Ibbosone of the Countey of Richmond yeoman did by his certen wrighting or deed pole under his hand & sealle bearing date The seaventh day of feberary and in the third yeare of the Reign of our souvring Lord william the third by the Grace of God of England Scotland france & Irland King annoque dom 169f Grant bargone sell and convay unto John belvealle of the Countey of Richmond & provence of new yorke weaver his heirs Exekitors Admsi°^ And asignes A serten trakt or parcell of Land sittiate Lying and being on the west side of statones Island neare the fresh killes begining by the medow and strechig in to the wood by the Lyne of fransis oseltone dyrekt south three hundred Rood from thence west six degrees & northerly thirtey six Rood thence dyrekt north by the Lyne of Abraham Lacmone three hundred Rood thence East thirtey six Rood Containing In all sixtey arcres as by the Recited deed pole Relashone theareunto being had doth and may more fully and att Large Appeare Now Know yee that the said John belvealle of Statone Island And provence of New Yorke and hester his wife Testified by her being A partey to the Ensaling and delivery of thease i)resents for the Reaell Loufe and Afeccone that they beare to the ministrey of Gods word and the savashone of yeare soules do firmley by theas presents firmley freeley & absolewtly Give Grante Rattifie & Confirme un to the french Oongereygashone or Church upon Statones Island within the Countey of Richmond wone Arcer of HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 93 up land Itt being parte and parcel! of the afore Recited Trackfc or parcell of Land Containing sixtey arcers sowld by the said Townes Ibbosone iin to the said John belvealle which arcer of Land being Laid out on the south & by East side of the brige halfe an acer of the fore Recited Arcer Lying on the south side the highway and the other halfe of the fore Recited arcer of Land now Griven by the said John belvealle and hester his wife Lying and being on the north side the high- way opesett against the other halfe arcer To have and to hold the fore Recited trackt and parcell of upland containing won arcer to the french Congreygashone now Residing with in the Countey of Richmond To Ereckt and build A Church upon the same for the ministrey of the Grospell and the maintainence of Gods holey word and ordinantsies and for noe other yowse nor purpose unto The frensh Congreygashone their heirs Exiekitors Admin''^= for Eaver and the said John belvealle and hester his wife doth covinante promise and Grrante to & with the overseers of the frensh Congreygashone that they the said John belvealle and hester his wife their heirs Exekitors Admin^^s and asignes shall and will for Eaver warend and defend the fore said frensh Congreygashone Their heirs and sucksesors for Eaver in the quiett and peacebell poseshone of the afore Recited wone arcer of Land aforesaid against the said John belvealle and hester his wife or from any other persone or persones what soe eaver Law- fulley Clayming aney Estate Right titell or interest of in or to the same. In testimoney of the same wee the said John Bel- vealle and hester his wife have heare unto sett their hands and fixed their seales this twelfth day of Aprell and in the tenth yeare of the Reighen of our Souvring Lord williame The third by the Grace of God of England Scotland f ranee and Irian d King defender of the faith Annoque dom: 1698. signed saled and delivered The marke of In the presents of John 1 B belvealle O Jacob Coebett The marke of D, Lucas hester q h belvealle O." Jeyn la Tourkitte Joseph bastidoe Samuel Grasset" As a meeting house was spoken of in 1695 as already ex- isting, it must not be supposed that the acre abov« granted was the site of the first house of worship on the island. The site 94 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNT T. of the acre referred, to is upon the estate of Henry J. Seaman, Esq., about one mile from the village of Richmond, and near the road to Rossville which runs along the north side of the field in which the interesting spot is situated. It was described a few years since as being in the third field of the Seaman resi dence. The direction of the road was changed in 1831 so that it no longer serves to mark the position of the acre of upland referred to in Belville's deed. The bridge there mentioned was removed by Mr. Seaman in 1849, but another was placed by him on the same site, which was in the northwest corner of the same field,and from which the old road, after crossing the bridge, ran southeast diagonally partly across the field, and then re- turned joining the present road again near the northeast corner of the field. The church stood on the half-acre which lay on the south side of the highway. Some vestiges of its founda- tion remained till the beginning of the present century. It oc- cupied the northern slope of the rising ground to the south of the old road, and about two hundred feet in the same direction from the present road. The dimensions of the church were about 32 by 45 feet, and the building stood due north and south. A small stone dwelling house, probably built for a parsonage, stood to the east of it. South of the church was the repository of the dead. These graves were once marked by rough stones, bearing no inscriptions, but of which as many as two hundred could at one time be counted. The only inscriptions that have been read upon stones found in this ground are those of Teunis Yan Pelt, died 1765, aged 65 years; Mary, his wife, died 1762, aged 59 years; another from which the part bearing the name was broken off, but the date of which was 1784; and an- other bearing the initials J. L. and date 1784. This interesting spot commands a prospect of a soft and peace- ful character. From its gently swelling knoll the spires of Richmond are seen iipon the right, and glimpses of the white edifices of the quiet village may be caught through the trees. Directly -in front tbe meadow of Fresh kill spreads its level surface, backed by the woods and rising grounds of Carl's neck, while its meanderings may be traced, glistening in the sunbeams or indicated by the mast of some tiny craft, till the mountains of New Jersey bounded the scene. Such is the spot where those noble exiles, the Huguenots of Staten Island, erected the first edifice for the free and untrammeled exercise of their wor- HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 95 ship. Should pilgrims be attracted to the sacred place by this notice of it — Staten Islanders perchance, who ca» frace their families to this illustrious source — let them, as their footsteps press the hallowed soil, recall a Huguenot Sabbath of a century and three-quarters ago. Let imagination picture that humble house of God, rustic in its appearance but sublime in all its as- sociations. Mark those groups of devout and honest men, of high souled women, the dark-eyed sons and daughters of France! List to the foreign accents of the preacher's voice, and as it dies away and their solemn anthem swells upon the air, then give them their meed of praise! We grudge not the Puritans their share of honor. Break relics, if you will from the rock of Plymouth, but let not the Huguenots of France, the Huguenots of Staten Island, be forgotten! By their own children, if by no others, should the great and good be remem- bered and revered. But we must leave these musings and return to the thread of our narrative. In March, 168S, Richmond was divided into four towns — Castletown, Northfield, Southfield and Westfield. The town of Middletown was not organized until 1860. Before; the legal division of the county into towns, it was divided into three precincts, the N"orth, South and West: Castleton was not included in any of the precincts, but was designated " The Manor." The limits of the precincts were about the same as those of the towns as established by law on the 7th of March, 1688. Castleton derived its name from the Palmer or Dongan patent, in which the manor conveyed was called Cassiltown, corrupted into the present name, and the corruption legalized by repeated acts of the legislature; the other towns were named from their position in the county. Great political changes were now taking place in the province of New York. The attempt of James II to restore the Catholic church had made him odious to the British nation. In New York the citizens were mostly Protestants and bitterly opposed the Roman Catholic faith. Dongan had exhibited the greatest religious toleration, which judicious policy displeased his royal prince, and the wise and politic governor was recalled. Sir Edmund Andros having been appointed governor of all the provinces of New England received the seal of the province of New York from the retiring governor in July, 1688. Andros 96. HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. appointed a deputy governor over New York in the person of Francis Nicholson. James II did not long wear the ci-own. He was deposed dur- ing the same year, and deserting his own children, became a refugee in France. William, in compliance with the popular wish, was proclaimed king, and the great Protestant revolution was effected. A rumor spread in the province of New York that the friends of the deposed monarch intended to massacre the disaffected. A fierce popular excitement followed. The New Yorkers, while recognizing generally the sovereignty of William and Mary, prince and princess of Orange, a small party remained who insisted that the colonial government was not overthrown by the revolution. They contended that it still remained vested in the lieutenant-governor and his council. Nicholson was the deputy governor, and known to be an ad- herent of the Catholic church, with many of his friends; and this fact increased the distrust of the people. A mob paraded the streets of New York. Five militia companies, the entire force, surrounded the house of Jacob Leisler, a merchant of the city and captain of the militia, and demanded that he should seize the fort at the Battery, which was done. Nicholson, de- prived of his authority, sailed for England. The distrust of the people, however, was not allayed. A rumor spread that an attack was plotted on the church in the fort, and that pos- session of the government was to be taken and the standard of King James set up. These rumors, however extravagant, ex- cited a general consternation. The people of Long Island sent a large body of militia to New York " to seize the fort and to keep away French invasion and slavery." The apprehensions of the people on Staten Island culminated in a panic. Fear reigned supreme for a while; they dared not remain at night in their own dwellings, but in the deepest re- cesses of the forest they constructed temporary shelters, to which they resorted after dark, that they might not be observed and their retreats discovered; they preferred to encounter the perils of the darkness and the forests rather than trust themselves to the tender mercies of their fellow men. Some took their families upon the water in boats, which they anchored a short distance from the shore, and thus passed the nights; and various other expedients were resorted to for concealment and security. Re^ ports of various kinds were spread, which added fuel to the HISTORY OP KICHMOND COUNTY. 97 flame and kept it burning for some length of time; among these were, that a number of papists who had been driven out of Boston had been received into the fort at New York and had enlisted as soldiers; that the papists on the island had secretly collected arms, which they kept concealed and ready for use at a moment's notice; that Governor Dongan's brigantine had been armed and otherwise equipped for some desperate enterprise, and the refusal of the commander of the vessel to permit it to be searched was not calculated to allay the alarm. He admitted that the vessel had been armed, but not for the purpose alleged, but, as she was bound on a voyage to Madeira, she was in danger of being attacked by the Turks, and she had been armed for the defense of her crew and cargo. However plausible this reason might have been it was not generally credited. The excitement at length subsided, and not a Protestant throat had been cut. Tradition says that several pieces of cannon were afterward found in the cellar of the governor's mill, which it was sup- posed had been concealed there, to be in readiness when they might be required. This mill stood on the south side of the recently constructed public road in West Brighton, called Post avenue, which is in fact part of an old road reopened, for, prior to the construction of the causeway which now connects West New Brighton and Port Richmond, the only communication between Castleton and Northfield, near the shore, was round the head of the cove or pond now known as the mill pond. It is not to be wondered at that the French Protestants here were most sensitive about their religious rights and safety. At this very time their brethren in France were suffering. The Indian wars had been renewed in Canada, and the French wanted to cut a path to the Atlantic ocean. This had been resolved upon — including the reduction of Albany and New York on the way. This, in the language of the French general would be " the only means of firmly establishing the religion throughout all North America." Louis issued his regal authority for the under- taking. All faithful Catholics were to remain unmolested, whilst the French refugees— particularly those of the pretended reformed religion — must be sent back to France. These cruel instructions were given, too, about four years after the memora- ble revocation of the "Edict of Nantes." What wonder then 7 98 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. that the Huguenots should be alarmed when such a direful fate seemed to menace them. Jacob Leisler, a prominent character of that day, exercising both civil and military authority, was intrusted by the magis- trates with the administration of affairs, after the departure of Nicholson, and one of his first acts was to cause William and Mary to be proclaimed in the counties of Richmond, Westchester, Queens, Kings and Ulster, and the city and county of Albany, and East Jersey ; the order to Richmond was dated December 17th, 1689. On the bOth of the same month, he issued an order requiring all persons who held commissions, warrants, "or other instruments of power or com- mand, either civil or military," derived from either Dongan or Andros, forthwith to surrender the same to a justice of the peace of the county wherein they resided, except the counties of New York and Richmond, who were to surrender at the fort in New York. After the burning of Schenectady, and the massacre of its inhabitants by the French and Indians, in February, 1690, he issued another order to the military and civil officers of several counties, Richmond county being one of the number, that " fearing too great a correspondency hath been maintained between y" s^ flrensch & disaffected Pi^sons among us," to secure all persons reputed papists, or who are inimical to the govern- ment, or who continue to hold any commissions from Dongan or Andros, and bring them before him. In 1689, Leisler commissioned the following civil and military officers in Richmond county : Ely Crossen, high sheriff. Jaques Puillion, Captain. Jacob Corbett, clerk. Cornelis Corsen, do Obadiah Holmes, justice. Thomas Morgan, Lieutenant. Jaques Poullion, do John Theunis Van Pelt, do Thomas Morgan, do Seger Geritsen, Ensign. Jacob Gerritse, do Cornelis Nevius, do Cornelis Corsen, do The following persons from Staten Island were members of a company commanded by Captain Jacob Milborne, which was sent to Albany to establish Leisler' s authority, the government of that city having refused to recognize it, viz.: "Jean Marlett, Francis Mauriss, Hendrick Hendricksen, Jean faefre, John Rob, John doulier and Peter Henkesson." HISTORY OF RIOHMOISTD COUNTY. 99 There is no evidence that the people of Staten Island took any decided stand with regard to Leisler's administration. Generally, they submitted quietly to the authorities placed over them. Further than commissioning some officers and issuing some general orders, he does not appear in connection with the history of the island. It must be admitted that Leisler had many friends on the island, though they were not very demonstrative. His appointments to office were usually from among its best citizens, which operated in his favor; no decided steps were taken in his behalf during his imprisonment and trial, but after his condemnation petitions for his pardon were exten- sively signed, which had no other effect than to bring upon the signers the displeasure of the government, who regarded the act as disloyal. Farther than the imposition of fines, which appear to have been remitted, and the brief imprison- ment of a few individuals, no punishment was inflicted on the culprits. On the 19th of March, 1691, Henry Slaughter, having been appointed governor of the colony, arrived and demanded pos- session of the fort and the reins of government. Leisler at first refused to give up the post, but was compelled to do so, and was afterward tried, condemned and hastily executed for high treason. His execution took place May 16, 1691. On the 28th of April preceding, a letter was presented to the council in New York from the sheriff of Richmond county, " Giving an Account of severall Riotts and Tumults on Staten Island, and that they are subscribing of papers;" the sheriff was ordered to secure the ring-leaders that they might be prose- cuted. Thomas Stillwell, the sheriff, was not dilatory in obey- ing the order, and arrested several of the citizens of the county, among whom were John Theunison, John Peterson and Gerard Vechten, each of whom he compelled to pay three pounds ; others were obliged to execute bonds for the payment of that amount, and one refused to do either, and him he imprisoned. When information of the sheriff's proceedings reached JSTew York, orders were sent down to have the bonds cancelled, whereupon the three individuals who had paid their money, de- manded that it should be refunded ; the sheriff, probably con- scious that he had exceeded his powers, promised that it should be done, but delayed go long, that the aggrieved parties ap- pealed to the council. At the same time, the same three indi- 100 HISTOEY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. viduals presented a complaint against the assessors, who ex- empted themselves and some others from the payment of the tax for "negers," and that poor people who have no "negers" must pay "as much accordingly like Them that Has many negers. Therefore your petitioners humbly crave That your Exiiy will be pleased To signify Them iff sa negers should be Ex- cluded ffor paying Tax." What the result of these petitions v^as, we are not informed further than that they met with a favorable reception. The papers which were ' ' subscribed ' ' were petitions in favor of the two condemned men ; the people of Westchester also sent a petition for the same purpose, but the council did not recognize the right of petition in such cases ; therefore some were cited to appear before that body, while others were im- prisoned as promoters of "riots and disturbances." During Dongan's administration, Leisler, having imported a cargo of wine, had refused to pay the duties thereon to Matthew Plowman, the collector of the port, because he was a papist. He was, however, compelled to do so, and ever thereafter was a bitter enemy of Plowman. During his brief arbitrary admin- istration, to gratify his spite, he charged Plowman with being a defaulter to the government ; and learning that he was the owner of a quantity of beef and pork stored at Elizabethtown, he ordered Johannes Burger, a sergeant at the fort, to proceed to Staten Island, and compel such individuals as he might re- quire to go with him and assist in the removal of the provisions. Burger obeyed the order, and the property was brought to Leisler in New York, who sent it to Albany for the use of the soldiers he had sent to that place. After Leisler' s exe- cution. Plowman prosecuted all who were concerned in the removal of his property, to recover its value. Among the number were tlip following residents of Staten Islan(l, viz., " John Jeronison, Thomas Morgan, Lawrence Johnson, John Peterson, Dereck Crews (Oruser), Chauck (Jaques) Pollion and John Bedine," These individuals, soon after the arrival, of Major Kichard Ingoldsby, as president of the province ad- dressed an " humble Peticon," to him and the council, in which they admit having assisted in the removal of Plowman's property, but that they did so under compulsion, believing that they were doing a service to their Majesties; that they consid- «^red it unjust to compel them to pay for the provisions when the HISTOKY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 101 I whole country had the benefit of them; they therefore pray that they may be relieved from the whole responsibility, or if that may not be done, that every person engaged in the removal be compelled " to pay their equall proporceons of the same." This petition was presented by Plowman himself, who thereby recognized the justice of their cause, but what the result of the application was does not appear. We must here suspend, for a little, the order of our narra- tive, to notice a matter which had its origin a few years before, and its final settlement nearly a century and a half after the time of which we are writing. We refer to the claims of New Jersey upon Staten Island. When it was known in England that New Netherland had been reduced, and was now actually in the possession of the English, Lord William Berkley and Sir George Carteret, two of the royal favorites, induced the Duke of York, probably in- fluenced by the king, to gi,ve them a patent for the territory west of the Hudson and the bay, and as far south as Cape May; this they named Nova Csesarea, or New Jersey. With thirty emigrants, English and French, Capt. Philip Cartaret, a cousin of Sir George, and governor of the new territory, sailed for New York, but by stress of weather was driven into the Chesa- peake. While lying there he forwarded despatches to Bollen, who was commissary at the fort in New York, and also to NicoUs. This was the first intimation the governor had received of the dismemberment of the extensive territory over which he ruled; he was both astounded and chagrined; he had already conveyed several parcels of land within the limits of the new grant, and regarded the whole as the best part of the duke's domain. He remonstrated, bat his remonstrances came too late, the duke evidently thought he had been too precipitate, but as he could not well retrace his steps, he suffered matters to re- main as they were. Cartaret arrived in New York about mid- summer, 1665, and immediately took possession of his govern- ment. He chose Elizabethtown as his capital. It is said that when he first landed on the soil of New Jersey, he carried a hoe upon his shoulder, in token of his intention to devote his at- tention to the promotion of agriculture. After the Duke of York had conveyed the territory of New Jersey to Berkley and Cartaret, a doubt arose whether Staten Island was not included in the grant, by the terms of the char- 102 HISTOEY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. ter. Cartaret, the governor, not the proprietor, laid no claim to the island; on the contrary, he tacitly admitted that it did not belong to his jurisdiction, by accepting a conveyance for a tract of land on the island from Nicolls, the Duke of York's agent; this he would scarcely have done, had he considered his brother the proprietor. In 1668 the island "vras adjudged to belong to Nevp York," because one of the outlets of the Hudson river ran around the island; v^hile Berkley and Cartaret, by the terms of their patent, were bounded by the river and bay. The Dutch always appear to have regarded the inner bay or harbor as a mere expansion of the river, and the Narrows as its mouth. In their documents, Staten Island is frequently described as lying in the river. If this view was correct, the island evi- dently belonged to New Jersey, because it was embraced vrith- in its limits. The Duke of York himself appears to have had his doubts about the matter, for it is said, that vphen the ques- tion of jurisdiction was first agitated, •he decided that all islands lying in the river or harbor, which could be circumnavigated in twenty-four hours, should remain in his jurisdiction, otherwise to New Jersey. Christopher Billop, being then in the harbor in command of a small ship called the "Bentley," which it is also said he owned, undertook the task of sailing around the island, and accomplished it within twenty-four hours, thus securing it to the duke, who, in gratitude for the service rendered him, be- stowed upon Billop a tract of 1163 acres of land in the ex- treme southern part of the island, which was called the " Manor of Bentley," after the ship which had accomplished the task. In 1684 the question of the proprietorship of Staten Island was again agitated, and many of the landowners became appre- hensive of the validity of their title, and some of them, among whom was Billop, were desirous of selling, but as no pur- chasers could be found for a dubious title, the property re- mained in the family. Dongan was directed, if the Billop estate was sold, to find some purchaser for it in New York, and not to suffer it to pass into the possession of a resident of New Jersey. There is still preserved in the secretary of state's office at Albany the copy of a letter written by Grovernor Dongan, whose country residence was on Staten Island, to Sir John Werden, HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. JOS Earl of Perth, and dated February 18, 1684^5. From this letter the following extracts will be of interest: " The Island had been in the possession of his R'll Highss above 20 years (except ye little time ye Dutch had it) purchased by Gov. Lovelace from ye Indyans in ye time of Sir George Carteret without any pretences ' till ye agents made claime to it ; it is peopled with above two hundred flfamilyes. ***** " The Quakers are making continued pretences to Staten Is- land, which disturbs the people, and one reason given for hold- ing it is that if his Royal Highness cannot retrieve East Jersey it will do well to secure Hudson's River and take away all claim to Staten Island." The proprietors of 'New Jersey had complained to Dongan against his encroachments. Dongan himself does not seem to have been perfectly satisfied with his title, for when he obtained his own patent from the Duke of York for a large tract upon the island he strengthened it by securing another patent from the East India proprietors, who had been the previous owners. This took place about the time when the province of New York was divided into counties. New York claimed jurisdiction, and exercised it over the waters as far as low water mark on the Jersey shores, when the latter province opposed this exercise of public authority. New Jersey argued that the original grant gave that province jurisdiction to the middle of the Narrows, and therefore she owned Staten Is- land. New York, on the contrary, pleaded long possession, and the controversy produced gi-eat excitement between the two par- ties. The agitation of the question continued at intervals all through the colonial period, sometimes being revived with great bitterness, and extended for half a century into the state period. In 1807 commissioners were appointed from both states to settle the dispute, New Jersey insisting that Staten Island was within her border. Nothing, however, was accomplished by this interview, and it terminated in angry discussion and bad feelings. For several years a border excitement was kept up, until the deputy sheriff of Richmond county, while serving a process on board of a vessel near the Jersey shore, was arrested and imprisoned for violating her territory, the state authorities, however, avowing that this was done only to test the question of jurisdiction. In 1827 new commissioners were selected to settle the dispute, 104 HISTORY OF EICHMOND COUNTY. but they separated as before, without accomplishing atiything. At length, in 1833, the dispute between the two states was amicably arranged by concession. New York obtained the ac- knowledged right to Staten Island, with the exclusive jurisdic- tion over a portion of the adjacent waters, by conceding to New Jersey a like privilege to other portions. New York thus se- cured this legal claim to most of the Lower bay, quite down to Sandy Hook ; and in return New Jersey obtained the same rights over the waters' on the west side of the island, as far as Woodbridge creek, in the neighborhood of Rossville. Thus was settled in an amicable manner a subject which once threat- ened a serious disturbance of the harmony between the two sister states. Under the Dutch and early English governors a number of land grants were issued. But very few of those issued under the former dynasty held under the latter. The import ant ones of that class have already been noticed. Occupants of lands under Dutch patents were doubtless required to take out new patents or confirmatory grants under the English rule. All these patents were granted to individuals, and the most of them were for comparatively small parcels of land. These we cannot notice in detail. There are two, however, which, partly because of their magnitude and partly because of the historic persons and associations connected with them stand sufficiently prominent to warrant a somewhat extended notice. These are the Dongan patent and the Billop patent. , The time of their issue was about the period of which we are writing, but in giving an account of them we shall be compelled to anticipate other periods and disregard the orderly progression of our general history. To the first of these two patents then let us turn our atten- tion. Though not the first to receive a royal patent yet the first to be occupied by the proprietor for whom it was named was the Billop patent. Definite statements are wanting to fix the time when Christopher Billop first received actual possession of the tract which for a long time bore his family name. At the time when the Duke of York seemed to be wavering in opinion as to whether Staten Island belonged to the jurisdiction of New York or New Jersey, and finally decided the matter for himself by declaring that all islands lying in the river or harbor which could be circumnavigated in twenty-four hours should remain HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 105 in the former, and others should be counted in the latter juris- diction. Christopher Billop, as has before been stated, accom- plished the task of sailing around the island within twenty-four hours, thus securing it to the duke, who bestowed upon Billop a tract of 1163 acres of land in the extreme southern part of the island. Here Billop built his manor house, which has with- stood the storms of more than two centuries, and is said to be in good condition at the present day. Another account says that Billop received the plantation as a douceur from the Duke of York for his gallantry in some naval office. In 1674 the Duke of York, by permission of the king, organ- ized a company of infantry of one hundred men; of this com- pany Christopher Billop was commissioned second lieutenant. He had served his king before his arrival in America, but in what capacity is not known; his father, however, was not well spoken of. In 1677 Billop, while residing on his plantation on Staten Island, was appointed by Governor Andros, who had succeeded Lovelace, commander and sub-collector of New York, on Delaware bay and river. While occupied with the duties of these offices, he "misconducted" himself by making "extrava- gant speeches in public;" but of the subject of these speeches we are not informed; they were probably of a political character, and must have been peculiarly offensive, for Andros recalled him the next year, and deprived him of his military commission. This action of the governor was approved by the duke, who directed that another should be appointed to fill the vacant lieutenancy. Billop now retired to his plantation on Staten Island, there to brood over the ingratitude of princes, or perhaps over his own follies and indiscretions. We hear nothing more of him for two years, when he again appears as one of a number who pre- ferred complaints or charges against Andros, to the duke, some of which must have been of a serious nature, as the duke thought it necessary to send an agent over to investigate the matter, and on receiving his report, Andros was summoned to to appear in person in England to render his accounts. This was probably in 1680 or 1681, when Brockholst succeeded An- dros; in 1682 Dongan succeeded Brockholst. Here we lose all farther historical trace of Christopher Billop; tradition says that in the latter part of the seventeenth, or the beginning of the eighteenth century, he sailed for England in his ship, the 106 HISTORY OF EIOHMOND COUNTY. "Bentley," and was never heard of after: he left no male issue, but he had at least one daughter. While he remained on the island, however, he obtained a patent for his jjlantation from Governor Dongan, which bore date on or about June 6, 1687. There was also a Joseph Billop residing on the island about this time. He was a justice of the peace in 1702-3 and a judge of the county in 1711. In 1704, April 25th, he received a con- veyance of a parcel of land from the " Right Honble. Thomas, Earle of Lymrick," the land in question being described by boundaries " beginning at a Blacke Oake by the burying place Agst. Abrah: Lackman's House." There was also a Middleton Billop living in the city of New York, who died in October, 1724. Whether these men were near relatives of Christopher or not we have not discovered. The principal part of the original tract passed through the hands of successive generations of his descendants till the close of the revolution. In 1704 he sold a small parcel to John, Peter and James Le Counte, sons of Peter Le Counte "late of said island." Captain Christopher Billop married a Miss Farmer, by whom he had one daughter, Eugenia, born in or about the year 1712. Mrs. Billop was probably a sister of Thomas Farmer, who was prominent on Staten Island, where he was a judge of the court of sessions in 1711. He removed hence, however, during or soon after that year, and afterward became a judge of the su- preme court of New Jersey and representative of Middlesex county in the assembly of that state. The oldest son of this Thomas Farmer, his name likewise being Thomas, married his cousin, the daughter of Christopher Billop, and succeeded to the inheritance of the manor of Bentley. In order to satisfy the ambition of the family to perpetuate its name young Farmer adopted the name of Billop. Thomas Farmer Billop and his wife occupied the mansion and estate during the latter years of the first half of the 18th cen- tury. From them it fell to the possesion of their son Christo- pher, while they were "gathered to their fathers." The old family cemetery in which their remains were deposited was situated some three hundred yards to the east of the old manor house, in a cultivated field and beneath the shade of a few large trees which once stood there. It contained but a few graves. HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 107 and only the graves of the two persons last mentioned were honored by headstones containing inscriptions. These inscrip- tions were as follows: "Here Lyes ye Body of Evjenea ye Wife of Thomas Billopp. Aged 23 years Deed March ye 22d 1735." " Here Lyes ye Body of Thomas Billopp Esqr Son of Thomas Farmar Esqr Deed August ye 2d 1750 In ye 39th year of his Age." These stones are now lying in the barn yard near the Billop house and are more or less broken to pieces. For more than a century they marked the graves to which they belonged. The spot is now marked by a single cedar tree. Several years since the crumbling bones were removed thence, by order of the pro- prietor of the ground, and the stones of the graves thus dese- crated, which themselves, it would seem, possessed value as historic relics sufHcient to warrant their careful preservation, were broken and ruthlessly consigned to the rubbish pile as we have seen. Christopher Billop, the only son of the above of whom we have any knowledge, though he had a sister Sally (who married Alexander Koss of New Jersey, in 1775), was born about the year 1735, and rose to a position of great prominence in the county. We are informed that he was twice married, but who his first wife was we have been unable to learn. His second wife was Jane Seaman, daughter of Judge Benjamin Seaman, of this county. Besides being a gentleman of character and property, he was a member of assembly, and on the eve of the revolution commanded a corps of loyal militia which was raised in the vicinity of New York city, and was during the revolutionary period actively engaged in military duty. At the outbreak of the war he was a steadfast opponent of the measures that led to a rupture Avith Great Britain. By the in- tensity of his loyalty to the British crown he made himself conspicuously obnoxious to the whigs of Staten Island and New Jersey. He held the commission of a colonel in the British army, and at one time, in 1782, had the title of superintendent of police of the island. Communication between the island and New Jersey had been prohibited by the British authorities, and he was very active in enforcing the prohibition. The patriots of New Jersey were exceedingly bitter in their hostility to him, and on two different occasions made him prisoner. Amboy is 108 HISTOKy OF KICHMOND COUNTY. in sight, and upon one of these occasions he was observed by- some Americans, who had stationed themselves with a spy glass in the church steeple of that town. As soon as they saw him enter his abode, they ran to their boats, rapidly crossed the river, and he was soon their captive. The British, then in pos- session of New York, had confined in irons several Americans who had been made j)risoners ; and to retaliate for this measure Colonel Billop was taken to Burlington jail. We have copied the mittimus, as a matter of curiosity, and as showing the method of doing such things at that eventful period. "To the keeper of the common jail for the county of Burling- ton greeting :— You are hereby commanded to receive into your custody the body of Col. Christopher Billopp, prisoner-of-war, herewith delivered to you, and having put irons on his hands and feet, you are to chain him down to the floor in a close room, in said jail, and there to retain him, giving him bread and water only for his food, until you receive further orders from me, or the commissary of prisoners for the state of New Jersey, for the time being. Given under my hand, at Elizabeth town, this 6th day of Nov. 1779. Elisha Boudinot, Gom. Pris. New Jersey.''^ The commissary at the same time regretted to Billop that necessity made such treatment necessary, " but retaliation is directed, and it will I most sincerely hope, be in your power to relieve yourself from the situation by writing to New York to procure the relaxation of the sufferings of John Leshier, and Capt'n Nathaniel Eandal." He was finally released by order of Washington. During the period of the war Billop disposed of some parts of his estate. On the 10th of May, 1780, he sold to Joseph Totten a tract of twenty acres, and another of three and a half acres in the manor of Bentley, for £235 currency, and on the 29th of the same month he sold to Benjamin Drake a tract of sixty acres from his estate, for £600 currency. On the first of May, 1781, he and his wife Jane, conveyed to Samuel Ward, of Kichtnond county, for £3,730 current money of the city of New York, the tract opposite Amboy, known as the manor of Bentley, "Con- taining three hundred and Seventy-three Acres of Land and salt meadow, be the same in Quantity more or Less, being Bounded Easterly by Land of said Albert Rickman Northerly HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 109 by the river or sound at Low water mark and westerly and southerly by the Bay at Low Water mark." In this convey- ance houses, barns, ferry-house and dock, out-houses and stables are specified by name. From the tract is reserved for the heirs of Billop sixty feet square for a burial place, the head- stone of his father being the center of such reservation. During the revolution the home of Colonel Billop was fre- quented by men of distinction and rank in the British army. After the war Billop with fifty-four other royalists in 1783 peti- tioned Sir Guy Carleton for extensive grants of land in Nova Scotia. Colonel Billop soon after went to New Brunswick, where for many years he bore a prominent part in the adminis- tration of the affairs of that province. He was a member of the house of assembly, and of the council, and on the death of Governor Smythe in 1823 he claimed the presidency of the government, and issued his proclamation accordingly, but the Honorable Ward Chipman was a competitor for the same sta- tion, and was sworn into office. Colonel Billop died at St. John, JST. B , in 1827, being then over 90 years of age. His wife, Jane, who was about twenty years younger than himself, died in that city in 1802, aged 48. He had a son, born on Staten Island in 1769, named John Willett, and another son by the name of Thomas. They settled, in the city of New York, and had a dry goods store on Broad- way in the vicinity of Trinity church. John never married, but fell a victim of yellow fever at the time the city was scourged by that terrible disease. Thomas, who had a family, of whom, however, nothing is known, except that hia wife was a Miss Moore of Newtown, L. I., survived the fever, failed in business, joined the expedition of the celebrated Miranda, in which he received the appointment as captain, and was taken prisoner by the Spaniards and afterward executed. Besides these two sons Colonel Billop had four daughters. Louisa . married John Wallace, Esq., surveyor of the customs. Mary married the Eev. Archdeacon Willis, of Nova Scotia, and died at Halifax in 1884, at the age of forty- three. Jane became the wife of the Hon. William Black of St. John, and died in 1836. Ann, the youngest daughter, was a maiden lady, and was the last of the family of whom any record appears of their visiting the ancestral homestead. She visited the spot in 1824, and took some flowers of an old trumpet creeper vine that was growing 110 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. on the house, and some nuts and wild cherries from trees that were growing in the burial plot, and on her return carried them to her father in New Brunswick. It is said that on beholding them the heart of the old colonel melted with emotion and he wept like a child . We have neglected to say in a more appropriate place that Colonel Billop had two daughters by his first wife, of whom we only know that they married sons of Benjamin Seaman, one of whom was Benjamin and the other Henry. The large estate once belonging to Colonel Billop was confis- cated and sold by Isaac Stoutenburgh and Philip Van Cort- land, commissioners of forfeitures for the southern district of New York. The sale made July 16th, 1784, was recorded in the following memorandum : "Sold to Thomas Mc Farren of the City of New York, Mer- chant, for the sum of four thousand six hundred and ninety- five pounds Lawfull Money of the said state— All that certain Tract or parcel of Land situate Lying and being in the County of Richmond and Manor of Bently, Bounded Southerly by the Bay or water called Princes Bay, westerly by the river that runs between the said Land and Amboy Northerly partly by the Land of Jacob Reckhow and partly by the road and Easterly partly by the road and partly by the Bay, Containing Eight hundred and 'fifty acres and half an acre and which said Tract is divided into the several following Farms and Lots of Land — three hundred and seventy three acres thereof in the possession of Samuel Ward — Two hundred Acres in the possession of Albert "Ryok- man. Fifty acres in the possession of John Manner — Fifty acres in the possession of Edmund Wood — Fifty acres in the posses- sion of Andrew Prior— Twenty five Acres in the possession of James Churchward, sixtyseven acres and an half acre in the possession of Benjamin Drake— Twenty three acres and an half acre in the possession of Joseph Totten— Eleven acres and an half acre in the possession of Jacob Reckhow — Together with all the Buildings and Improvements thereon Erected and made Forfeited to and Vested in the People of this state by the At- tainder of Christopher Billop Late of the County of Richmond Esquire." The historic house is still standing. It occupies a beautiful site overlooking the river or Staten Island sound, with Amboy HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. Ill in view on the opposite shore and the Jersey landscapes fading in the distance. The old mansion was built of stone — its walls three feet thick — and bears the marks of former affluence and elegance. Like most buildings of the " olden time," it has its ghost and other romantic stories. "There," said the person who now occupies the house, as we entered one of the upper story front rooms, "that spot on the floor we have never been able to wash out. It is sup- posed to be blood, and a murder is said to have been perpetrated here. This, too, is the ghost room. THE OLD BILLOP HOUSE, TOTTENVILLE. 1 but I have never been disturbed by such visitors, and believe neither of these stories." A person had visited an adjoining apartment last winter, searching for hidden treasure. He had been told by some mesmerist or for- tune-teller of New York that money was to be found concealed in one of the walls of this room, and absolutely picked with hammer and chisel a large opening,but finally gave over the search as hopeless. This strange credulity was here exhibited in the winter of 1844. In the cellar of the building there is a brick vault thirty feet 112 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. long and abont thirteen wide, finely arched, and may have been used as a place of retreat, or the receptacle for valuable articles in cases of emergency. The interior of the house presents nothing remarkable in ap- pearance. The hall and staircase are extremely plain. In fact there is no decoration to be seen anywhere. The rooms have been undersized in a manner approaching meanness. As Billop was a well known " tory," and a military char- acter also, his house must have witnessed many an interview of such men as Lord Howe, General Kniphausen, Colonel Simcoe and other officers of rank in the British service who had com- mand at various periods on the island. Immediately after the severe battle on Long Island, Lord Howe sent a communica- tion to congress, then assembled in Philadelphia, soliciting that a committee from that body might meet him, to confer on the difficulties between the two nations. For this purpose, Ben- jamin Franklin, John Adams and Edward Rutledge were ap- pointed. The interview took place in this house, and these noble, patriotic, American spirits declined every proposition for peace that would not acknowledge the independence of their beloved country. This conference took place in the room at the northwest corner of the house on the main floor. This momentous interview was regarded with extreme solicitude by the people of both the old world and the new. With the developments of time it rises into the grandeur of a great battle point and monument of history. The interview was brief. There was no agreement, no reconcili- ation. Independence was maintained. The result was limned by the hand of God, and is seen in the progess of a continent and the achievements of a century all over the world. There is a beautiful lawn before the house, extending quite down to the water's edge. The views from the mansion are ex- tensive, and rich in natural beauties. Directly in front the eye rests on Amboy bay, the town iiself beyond, and the Ra- ritan river, which here expanding into the general body of waters the whole soon flows onward to the mighty Atlantic. Toward the south, at a more remote distance, are seen the mountains of Monmouth and the bold summits of Nave Sink, upon whose lofty highlands, the beacon-fires of 1776 blazed to alarm the country upon the expected approach of the enemy. What a blessing is peace ! How changed the scene ! Upon HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 113 these very heights now glisten nightly the cheering rays of the light-house, welcoming the traveller of every nation to our land of freedom and happiness ! Where once was heard the deafen- ing dram and clarion of war, here now the anvil ringa, the merry wheel dances, and the carol of the peaceful plow-boy re- sounds, while he traces the enriching and silent furrow ! We shall now turn our attention to the Dongan patent and the persons connected with it. This brought into direct and intimate association with the island one of the most prominent of the colonial governors, and one whose acts have been more conspicuously brought before a wide range of interests, people and times than perhaps any other. At the time of Dongan' s arrival, there dwelt in the city of New York a gentleman named John Palmer, by profession a. lawyer, who, at the time of the separation of Staten Island from the Long Island towns, was appointed "ranger" for Staten Island. He had formerly lived on the island of Barbadoes, and had emigrated thence to New York. In 1683 he lived on Staten Island, and was appointed by Dongan one of the two first judges of the New York court of oyer and terminer. He was also a member of the council, and generally an active and prominent man in the affairs of the province. To this man Don- gan executed a patent, known in the island history as the Palmer or Dongan i patent. The small brook which forms a part of the boundary between the towns of Castleton and Northlield, and which runs to the mill pond, is still known by the name of " Palmer's Run," because it also formed a part of the boundary of the land conveyed by the patent. An attempt seems to have been previously made by Dongan to gain possession of this large property, but for reasons which will appear the transaction was repeated in the manner above stated. The first transaction of which we find any record is dated January 14, 1684-5, when Governor Dongan purchased of John Palmer of Staten Island and Sarah his wife, for the sum of twelve hundred pounds, "All that their Capitall Messuage or dwelling house with the Appurtenances situate lyeing and being on the north side of Staten Island Aforesaid within Con- stables hooke neere the Mill Creeke late in the Occupacion and possession of the said John Palmer, And All that Certaine Par- cell or tract of Land thereunto belonging being upon the north side of Staten Island aforesaid within Constables Hooke lyeing 114 IIISTOET OF RICHMOND COUNTY. between the two runues att the mill creeke beginning with A narrow point And Running up wider into the Island Containing the quantity of three hundred forty and two Acres with meadow Ground to belaid out proportionably." The conveyance also includes other parcels, the title to which had been obtained as recited in their specifications in substance as follows : Ninety- six acres to the east of Mill creek, with the mill, which was granted to Palmer by Governor Andros in 1677, upon which had also been built by Palmer two windmills and a sawmill ; eighty acres which had been conveyed to Palmer by Francis Barber who had a grant from Sir Edmund Andros ; ninety acres, with eight acres of meadow, which had been granted by Andros in 1680 to Jacob Cornells, and by him conveyed to Palmer; another like tract of ninety acres with eight acres of meadow, granted to James Gyles, by Andros, and by Gyles conveyed to Palmer; and a tract of four thousand five hundred acres of land lying in a body in the middle part of the island, with an island of meadow near Fresh kill, "All which Said Last mentioned tract or parcell of Land And Island of meadow were Granted unto the Said John Palmer," by Governor Dongan by patent dated May 2, 1684. Thus it will be seen the premises purchased by Dongan had been obtained in small parcels, through differ- ent channels and under grants of different dates. It was desir- able that they should be consolidated, and treated as a unit, and that some manorial privileges should be associated with their proprietorship. The early provincial governors having shown some disposi- tion to appropriate too much land to themselves, they had been restricted by an order in council, to evade which the plan was devised of granting a patent to Palmer for this land, and then having a transfer made from Palmer to Dongan. The patent to Palmer was approved at a council held March 31, 1687, at which were present Governor Dongan, Anthony Brockholst, Frederick Phillips, Stephanus Van Cortlandt and Nicholas Bayard. The instrument bears date as above, and begins as follows : — " Whereas John Palmer of the City of New York Esqr. as well by virtue of Several deeds and Pattents to him or them under whome he claymes made by the former Governors of this Province as by virtue of a certain Pattent or Confirmation under my hand, and seale of the province, bearing date the second day of May, 1684: stands Lawfully and Rightfully Seized of & HISTORY OF EICHMOND COUNTY. 115 in all that Tract or parcell of Land Beginning at a cove on Kill Van Cull, on the east bounds of the lands of Garret Cruise [Cruser] and so running in the woods by the said Kill to a marked tree, and thence by a line of marked trees according to the natural position of the poles, south and by east two degrees and thirty minutes southerly according to the compass south, there being eight degrees and forty five minutes variation ffrom the north westward, and from thence by the reare of the land of Garret Cruise & Peter Johnson, east & by north two degrees and thirty minutes to the line of Peter Johnson's wood lott, & by his line south and by east two degrees and thirty minutes south sixty-one chains, and thence by the reare of the aforesaid lott & the lott of John Vincent northeast & by east one degree northerly to the southeast coraer of the land of John Vincent thirty three chains & a halfe, from thence by his east line south & by west two degrees thirty miautes northerly to a white oak tree marked with three notches, bearing northwest from the ffresh pond, from thence to a young chestnutt tree the south- west corner of the land of Phillip Wells & so by a line of marked trees east nine degrees & fifteen minutes southerly by south side of a small flEresh meadow to the north & to the north of the ffresh pond including the pond to the land of Mr. An- drew Norwood & so by his land as it runs to the reare of the land of Mary Brittaine & so by the reare of the Old Town lotts to the land of Isaac Bellew & Thomas Stilwell & from thence upon the Iron Hills, to the land of William Stilwell & by his land to the land of George Cummins & ffrom his northeast cor- ner, to the southeast corner of the land of Mr. James Hubbard at the head of the ffresh kills & so round by his land to the reare lotts at Karles neck & so by the lotts to the highway left by Jacob pullion & the great swamp to the land of John ffitz Garrett including the great swamp, thence by the soldier's lotts and the reare lotts of Cornells Corsen & company to the south- west corner of theire ffront lotts & so by the runne which is theire bounds to the mill pond including the mill pond to the sound or Kill Van Cull & so by the sound to the cove where ffirst begun. Containing with all the hills, valleys, ffresh meadows & swamps within the above specified bounds five thou- sand one hundred acres be the same more or less. Also a great island of salt meadow lying near the ffresh kills & over against long neck not yet appropriated — and all the messuages. 116 HISTORY OF KICHMOND COUNTY. tenements, fencings, orchards, gardens, pastures, meadows, marshes, woods, underwoods, trees, timber, quarries, rivers, brooks, ponds, lakes, streams, creeks, harbors, beaches, ffishing, hawking and ffowling, mines, minerals (silver and gold mines only excepted) mills, mill dams," etc. By the patent it was also constituted one lordship or manor " to be called the Lordship and manor of Cassiltowne." It was subject to an annual quit-rent of one lamb and eight bushels of winter wheat, to be paid if demanded on the 25th of March in each year. On the 29th of September, 1677, Governor Andros executed a patent to Garret Oroosen (Cruser) for one hundred and sixty acres of land on the north side of Staten Island, which is bounded on the west by "a small runn of water." It is diffi- cult, if not impossible, at this day to trace the boundaries of some of the old patents, but we assume that the "runn of water " mentioned in the patent is the stream issuing out of the "boiling spring" on the Bement estate, as that spring was formerly called the "Cruser spring," and in conveyances of even recent date the "runn "is called the "Cruser Spring brook." The land conveyed was one hundred and seventeen rods in breadth, which would reach nearly or quite to the Pel- ton estate. This estate once belonged to one of the Cruser fam- ily, but probably it was by a subsequent purchase The Palmer patent begins at a cove on " Kill Yan Cull," on the east bounds of the lands of Garret Cruser ; probably the word east is a cler- ical error, and should have been west, but even on that sup- position the boundaries described in the latter patent would embrace Lovelace's property. If we assume "the cove" to be that next west of and adjoining the Pelton estate, the bound- aries would embrace the properties both of Lovelace and Cruser. The natural outlet of the Cruser spring brook was at or near the place where the surplus water from the works of the New York Dyeing and Printing Establishment now enters the kills. The pond of this establishment is an artificial structure, made nearly a century ago for the use of a mill which stood on the " Factory Dock." The main stream which supplies this pond is also an artificial canal ; the natural outlet of the water which now supplies the pond was through Bodine's pond into the kills. In Governor Dongan's days, these waters supplied a pond in the rear of the reservoir of the gas company on the HISTORY OF KICHMOND COUNTY. 117 south side of Post avenue, for the use of his mill, which we have elsewhere alluded to as the mill in which gans were said to have been concealed at the time of the papist panic. On the 16th day of April, 1687, John Palmer and Sarah, his wife, conveyed the territory described above to Thomas Dongan, " for a competent summe of lawfull money," after an owner- ship of about a fortnight. It is now quite impossible to trace the lines described in the patent, as the most of the land-marks mentioned therein have disappeared. If by the terms "great swamp" is meant that extending from Q-raniteville to New Springville, and which is so designated in a variety of other ancient documents ; and if by "Afresh kills" is meant the waters now known by that name, and which are also frequently alluded to by that name in similar documents, it is evident that the territory conveyed embraced not only the greater part of the present towns of Castleton and Middletown, but a large proportion of North- field also. Dunlap says that Grovernor Dongan, having doubts about Staten Island belonging to New York, and in order to be doubly sure, procured a patent in 1687 for the same land from the proprietors of East Jersey. In the following year, 1688, Governor Dongan erected his manor house, which remained until the present decade, and though externally modernized in some degree the oak frame, hewn out of the adjacent forest, was the identical one erected by him, the date of its erection having been marked upon one of the timbers with white paint. The house alluded to stood in the middle of the square bounded by the shore road on the north. Cedar street on the south, Dongan street on the east, and Bodine street on the west, at West New Brighton. There is now a gradual descent of the surface of the land from the site to the shore road ; but, originally, the earth was as high on the southerly side of the road as it now is at the place where the house stood, forming a sand hill between the house and the road, and which entirely concealed the house from view when standing in the road in front of it. When this sand bank was removed, several skeletons, evidently of Indians, besides nu- merous other Indian relics, were unearthed, indicating this spot as having been one of their burial places. This time- honored relic was at last destroyed by tire. A large barn, 118 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. Standing on the mill road which was also built during the early- years of the proprietorship of Governor Dongan, was burned on the 18th of July, 1862. Through this extensive domain a road was opened at an early period toward the village of Rich- mond, and this early road still bears the name of Manor road. A tide mill stood until a recent date on the causeway across Palmer's run. The old Dongan mill stood farther south, on an old road which ran around the head of the pond, the course of which in part has been followed by the construction of Post avenue in West New Brighton. After the construction of the causeway the old road, which before had been the only way of passing between the localities of West New Brighton and Port Richmond, ceased to be used until the opening of Post avenue. The pond which is alluded to in the Palmer patent received the tide, and boats at high water could reach the door of the old mill. This mill was largely patronized by the people of Bergen Point and its vicinity, as well as by the people of the island. When the present avenue was constructed, the foundation stones, and some of the decayed oak timbers of the old mill, were unearthed, but no cannon. In the latter part of the last century, a flouring mill was built on the present steamboat wharf at West New Brighton, and the most of the water which had propelled the old mill, was diverted from its natural course by a canal which led it into the large pond at the foot of the pres- ent Water street, which pond was then constructed to hold the water in reserve for the use of the new mill ; this was built by a McVickar, though it subsequently passed into the hands of the Van Buskirk family, and was better known as Van Bus- kirk's mill. This mill was burned a few years ago, and the wharf, the pond and the canal for more than half a century have belonged to the New York Dyeing & Printing Establish- ment. After the construction of the causeway, and the divert- ing of the water, the pond has gradually filled up, until now it can scarcely be utilized for the purpose to which it was once devoted. In a review of the life and acts of one so intimately asso- ciated with the island as Col. Thomas Dongan was it is proper to give some notice to his antecedents and the stock whence he came. We find Governor Dongan associated with the nobility of England and Ireland. In a list of the baronets of Ireland, HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 119 with a list of their creations, we find the name of Walter Don- gan, of Castletown, in the county of Kildare, to which is at- tached the date 1623. Castletown park is in the northeast corner of the county of Kildare, about ten miles southwest of the city of Dnblin. Sir Walter Dongan, who was made baronet October 23, 1623, belonged to a family who were pronounced " valiant, active and faithful." They were in 1646 and later on connected with the army, and in recognition of their faithfulness and de- votion to their king, William, a brother was promoted to the dignity of viscount of Claine, county of Kildare, in 1661. In 1685 he was made earl of Limerick. At the battle of theBoyne he lost an only son, who was killed by a cannon ball. The son was buried at Castletown, the seat of his father. Lord Dongan, earl of Limerick. The estate of Lord Dongan was forfeited, he being attainted April 16, 1691, but was restored again by act of parliament, December 15, 1699. In " Burke's Encyclopedia of Heraldry" appears the following description of the Dongan coat of arms : "Quarterly first and fourth, gu. three lions pass, or, holding in the dexter paw a close helmet argent garnished or the second ; second and third azure six plates on a chief or a demi lion rampant gules. Crest — A lion passant or, supporting with the dexter foot a close helmet argent garnished of the first." To this noble family Col. Thomas Dongan belonged, though what his relationship was to the Earl of Limerick we have not the means of determining. Some claim that he was a brother Colonel Dongan having a commission as governor, arrived in New York August 27, 1683. His commission was dated Sep- tember 30, 1682. To him the present state is indebted for many of its existing records and laws. He was a firm believer in the religious and political faith of James II. except, perhaps, that Dongan was far more tolerant, and hated the French, under whom he had once served as a military officer. Though a pro- fessed papist, he was a decided enemy to the French, whose schemes of aggrandizement on the northern frontier he per- sistently opposed, even against the expressed wishes of his master, the Duke of York, afterward James II. The people of the province, and especially of the island, where he resided, lived in constant dread of his religion. Later on he was or- dered to proclaim James II king, to assist at the conference between Lord Effingham and the Five ]S"ations, and in causing 120 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. the king's arms to be set up through all their villages and to place arms in their hands. Colonel Dongan had the Indian affairs very much at heart, and had gained the respect and esteem of the Five Na- tions. He was deeply interested in the intercourse of the French and English with them, and jealous of the action of the former. In carrying forward this work in which he was so much in- terested, he was obliged to mortgage his property to Robert Livingston to secure the payment of the expenses of the ex- pedition to Albany in 1689. This mortgage is dated May 1, 1689, the sum which was secured by it was £2,172, 6s, 2id, which Livingston had, by Dongan' s order, laid out for eight month's provisions for the troops and presents for the In- dians. The term of the mortgage was five years. It covered not only the manor of Castletown, but other parcels which Dongan had bought on the island. These were one hundred and eighty acres at Old Town, bought of Mary Britton, another parcel at Old Town, bought of Peter None, and another, on the south side, bought of James Largie. Besides these possessions on Staten Island, Grovernor Dongan had a large tract on the Hudson river, extending from Haver- straw to Murderer's creek, a tract of four hundred acres in Queens county given him by the people of Hempstead town for renewing their patent, and another tract on Martha's Vineyard, besides property in the city of New York. On Staten Island he had a "hunting lodge." The city records contain an account of a meeting of the council at which Governor Dongan was ab- sent "being engaged at his hunting lodge on Staten Island, killing bears." At the time of the papist panic in 1689 it was suspected that Colonel Dongan was in sympathy with the plot, and his mill was searched, and tour guns were found in it. These it is said were secreted under some bags and blankets. Leisler issued orders for his arrest, but we do not know that it was accomplished. After his release from office Colonel Dongan retired to his pos- sessions on Staten Island, where he remained till the spring of 1691, if not longer. Later, but at what time is not known, he retired to his native country, Ireland, where it is said he finally succeeded to the earldom of Limerick. In a conveyance now on record in the clerk's office of this county bearing date 1715, he is styled as such. HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 121 On the 9th of May, 1715, Colonel Thomas Dongan, by the conveyance just mentioned (which is in itself a curious and rare specimen of legal skill, on account of its complex limitations and conditions) "being willing to preserve and uphold and ad- vance the name and family of Dongan, and having no issue of his own to continue the same," conveyed to his nephews, Thomas, John and Walter, and to the male issue of the survivor or sur- vivors of them, "in tail male for ever," all his manor of Castle- town, together with property situated elsewhere. This act and its final results is a demonstration of the scripture passage which we quote from the XLIX Psalm: "Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations ; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not : he is like the beasts that perish." Having thus disposed of his estate in this country, he died, as some think, in London, in 1715, at the ripe old age of 81 years. He was buried in St. Fancras' church-yard, Middlesex, just north of London. This old church-yard has long been noted as the burial place of such Roman Catholics as die in London and its vicinity. It is accounted a desirable resting place for different reasons, one of which is that St. Pancras' was the last church in England where mass was held after the Refor- mation. The sepulchre of the late Grovernor Dongan bears the following inscription : — "The Right Honble. Thomas Dongan Earl of Lymerick, died December the fourteenth. Aged Eighty one years. 1715. Requiescat in pace. Amen.'''' Leaving the founder of the name and estate of Dongan on Staten Island we will now follow as well as we are able the descent of the family and title line of the estate. Of the nephews we know but little. John probably had but little or nothing to do with Staten Island. Beyond the appearance of his name in a list of sub- scribers toward finishing Trinity church steeple, dated May 1, 1711, we have found no trace of him. He may have been unmar- ried, or died without male issue and therefore had no share in the estate on Staten Island. Thomas is but little known in records pertaining to Staten Island. It is said that he sold his share of the possessions of 122 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. his uncle. He may have beeu a man of high passions and sumptuous living, with reckless habits. He was involved in a duel with Dr. John Livingston, September 7, 1713, in which Livingston was killed. The trial of Dongan by the supreme court took place two days later, and he was found guilty of manslaughter. Without knowing what his subsequent fate was, we are obliged to leave him here. There is slight ground for the conjecture that he left this country for Ireland and died there in 1721. Walter has left some evidences of being a man of honor and business ability. He occupied the manor house and a large portion of the landed estate. His custom was to lease his lands to tenants. He was surrogate of the county in 1733. He mar- ried for his first wife, Ruth, daughter of Richard Floyd (2d), of Setauket, L. I., whose wife was Margaret, daughter of Colonel Matthias Mcoll, the secretary of the colony. Walter and Ruth Dongan had three children, Thomas, Richard and Elizabeth. Ruth, who was born August 6, 1699, died July 28, 1733. Walter afterward married a Miss Sarah Herriman of Elizabeth, N. J., by whom he had a son, Edward Vaughn Dongan. Walter died July 25, 1749, being fifty-seven years of age. His estate on the island descended mainly to his oldest son Thomas, and his widow afterward married John Herriman, of Elizabeth. The daughter Elizabeth was born in 1729, and died July 1, 1749, aged 19 years and 7 months. Her grandfather, Richard Floyd, remembers her in his will, dated February 27, 1738, in the fol- lowing item: " I give also unto my Grand Daughter Dongan, that is to say the Daughter of my beloved Daughter Ruth Dongan Deceased, one hundred Pounds Current lawful Money of New York to be paid on her Marriage Day." As she died unmarried, this item was never executed. Edward Vaughn Dongan was born January 3, 1749. After his father's death he went with his mother to live in Elizabeth. He was brought up a lawyer and lived at New Brunswick, N. J., where he married a daughter of Squire La Grange, a lawyer of that place. On the outbreak of the revolution he made himself obnoxious on account of his adhei-ence to royalty and was driven from his home before the British landed in New York. His father-in-law and family were in sympathy with him, and their estate was afterward forfeited. Edward Vaughn Dongan HISTOTIY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 123 was in command of a body of loyal troops, with the rank of colonel, and was posted at the Morning Star at the time of Sul- livan's raid on Staten Island, August 22, 1777. In this engage- ment he received a wound from the effects of which he died in the hospital in New York city on the first of September. His only child, which with its mother had suffered great exposure on the day referred to, died on the same day, and was buried in the same grave with him. His widow afterward went with her family to reside at Farmington, Hackney, England. Richard Dongan, the second son of Walter, went to sea when a young man. During the French war he was impressed on board a British man-of-war, and in the service lost an arm. He married Miss Cornelia Shanks of Long Island, by whom he had a son, Walter, who was born January 2, 1763, and another son who died young. Richard died January 1, 1780, in his 61st year ; and his wife died April 28, 1814, in the 83d year of her age. This Walter had a distillery, located near a copious spring on the Richmond turnpike, near Four Corners. He also possessed a large farm at that place, whether by inheritance or purchase we have not learned. He had two sons, Thomas and Richard, and four daughters, one of whom married a Mr. Toombs, another married Peter La Forge, and the names of the other two were Abigail and Ruth. Walter died in February, 1855. We now take up the direct line in which the manor house with its accompanying estate was held until it passed out of the pos- session of the family altogether. Thomas Dongan was the eldest son of Walter, the nephew of the ex-governor. His first wife was Rachel, and she died April 25, 1748, at the age of 24 years. She had one daughter, who died December 22, 1749, 3 years of age. Both wife and daughter are buried in the old Moravian cemetery. Thomas afterward married Magdalen, the eldest daughter of Rev. Richard Charl- ton, rector of St. Andrew's church. By her he had a son, John Charlton Dongan. Thomas Dongan appears as a vestryman of Trinity church, New York, from 1748 to 1759. In order to ad- just the claims upon him to which his young half brother Ed- ward V. was entitled, he on the 15th of April, 1757, gave a mortgage to John Herriman and Sarah his wife (the step-mother of Thomas, she being the late widow of his father) on several tracts of land lying in the manor of Castletown, adjoining each 124 HISTORY OF HICHMOND CODWTY. Other, and then being in possession of tenants, to secure the payment of £40 a year till Edward Vaughn should reach his majority, and the payment of £1,000 when tliat time arrived. In consideration of these payments Edward Vaughn should relinquish all claim against the said Thomas or the estate of the late Walter Dongan. The aggregate extent of land covered by this instrument was about seven hundred acres. The will of Thomas Dongan bears date March 8, 1765, and it appointed his wife, Magdalen, sole executrix, and by it he bequeathed to his son John Charlton Dongan, all his estate, and in case of his death, while in his minority, the estate was to go to his mother and to her heirs forever. Of the time of his death we are not informed. John Charlton Dongan, son of Thomas, and grandson of Walter the nephew of the governor, was educated for a lawyer, and was admitted to the bar May 6, 1791. He was a man of some prominence in his time. He was a supervisor here in 1785, and was in the state legislature several times, where in 1788-9 he was a prominent leader of the Schuyler or federal party and served on some important committees. As an attorney-at-law he had an office at 25 Courtlandt street, New York, in 1795. He possessed a considerable land on State street, New York, in addition to the estate on Staten Island, which then comprised about six hundred acres, all of which he inherited from his father. He is said to have been an honor- able man, but being a free liver and given to drink, he fell into careless habits and descended the scale of respectable standing and financial advantage until he reached the lowest extreme. His wife was Patience Moore, of Newtown, L. I., a sister of Benjamin Moore of that place. She, it is said, was of little ad- vantage to him, being herself also a partner in his failings. They had only two children, Thomas Charles Bradish, who died November 25, 1789, and John Charlton, Jr., who died October 23, 1791, a little over 5 years of age. His State street property was sold and its proceeds lost in speculation. He became in- volved and, about 1795, sold the manor house and the accom- panying estate to his brother-in-law McVickar, whose wife was sister to his wife. He then had a general vendue and sold off all the stock and movables belonging to the estate, and the sale returned about $10,000. He and his wife agreed to put this in bank and live on the proceeds. She returned to her own fam- ^^^^ ,"-v ^~.\i 'V*' I r' ^ = ,; -. ■-■ .?-i ^ ■r^ S^ *i C^ V >k r«. «- i; ■ V ' > v^-^ ^ .- . s ? »■ ■,>'._!' ^ ' c.» V ■".'^^ %>>■§.: ^' "j» 'n L * - -'^ • > • • ■■ » . ■V' ■ -"^ •- ■ Jwk ■■»■■' z Id m >• h u 2 a < c HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 125 ily, the Moores, at Newtown, and he, sinking still deeper in intemperance, accepted the position of a sergeant of foot or marines and went on a voyage at sea on a man-of-war. This was in 1798 or 1799. He was familiarly known as "Jack" Dongan. The last of his financial resources were finally ex- hausted and, broken down in health, he became a public charge for his living. Fortunately he had a god-mother, who lived in Jamaica, West Indies, and she learning his condition, sent money to pay his passage, and he went thither to complete the measure of his broken down life under her generous care and patronage. The remnant of the lordship containing the manor house was sold by John C. Dongan to John McVickar. He occupied it as a country seat from 1795 to 1802, when he sold it to Alexander McComb. McVickar constructed a canal two miles long from Fresh pond to the mill, took a hand in many public enterprises, and helped Mr. Vanderbilt the elder to funds with which to procure a piragua and dock at Factoryville. McComb sold the place to John Bodine, the younger, and he to his father. By the latter it was sold to Judge Edwards for Abraham Varick. But why continue to follow the changes. The glory of the manor has departed ; the last lord of its dominion has a long lime slept in his grave, and the venerable manor house has been swept away by the devouring flame. Surely "man in honor abideth not." "This Following Pattent for a Peece of Land Lyeing att Karles Neck att the Fresh kill on Staten Island Granted to Barne Ty- sen being Omitted to be Kecorded when Granted is Now Entred att the Request of the said Barne Ttsen this 29th day of No- vembr. 1681. " Edmund Andros Esqr. Seigneor of Sausmarex Lievt. and Governor Generall under his Royii. Highs. James Duke of Yorke and Albany &c. of all his Terretorys in America Where- as by Virtue of my Warrant yr. hath Benn Laid out for Barne TrsEN a Certaine Peece of Land Lyeing at Karles Neck at the Fresh Kill upon Staten Island being in Breadth by the Meadow side florty and five Rods Ranging South East two hundred Eighty and fouer Rods Being Bounded to the Southwest by the Land of Thomas Morgan to the South East by the Commons and to the North East by the Land of Wolford ProU with tenn 126 HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. Acres of Salt Meadow fronting to the said Land and f ouer Acres of Fresh Meadow upon the Hills in the Reare of the Neck Con- teining in all Ninety fouer Acres as by the Returne of the Sur- vey undr the Hand of the Surveyor: Doth and may appeare Know Yee that by vertue of his Maties Letters Pattents and the Commission and Authority unto me Given by his Royli Highs I have Given and Granted and by these Presents Doe hereby Give and Grant unto the said Barne Tysen his Heires and Assigns the afore recited Peece of Land and Premisses with their and every of their Appurtenuces. To have and to hold the said Peece of Land and Premisses unto him the said Barne Tysen his Heires and Assignes unto the proper use and Behoofe of the said Barne Tysen his Heires and Assignes For ever Hee making Improvem* thereon according to Law and Yeelding and Paying therefore Yearly and every Yeare unto his Royli Highs use as a Quitt Rent one Bushell of Good Winter Wheate unto such Officer or Officers as shall be Empowred to Receive the same. Given under my Hand and Sealed with the Seale of the Province in New Yorke this twenty Ninth Day of September in the 29th Yeare of his Mat^s Reigne Annoq Domini 1677. The Meadow to be proporconable with the Rest of the In- habitants. E. Andross. " Examined by me " Matthias Nicolls Seer. I do hereby Certify the aforegoing to be a true Copy of the Original Record Compared there with By me. " Lewis A. Scott, Secretary." " Recorded at ye Request of Daniell Lake & Compa "William the third by the Grace of God of England Scotland ffrance and Ireland King Defender of the flfaith &c To all to whome these p'sents shall Come Sendeth Greeting. Whereas our Loveing Subjects Daniell Lake and Joseph Holmes have by their Petitions Presented unto our trusty and well beloved John Nanfan Esqr our Lt Govern^ & Commander in Cheif of our Province of New Yorke and the Territories Depending thereon in America &c Pray our Grant and Confirmation of a Certain Tract of Land on Staten Island in the County of Richmond HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY. 127 Beginning at ye Northwest Corner of the Lott of Land Laid out for Peter Billjean in the Reer of his three Lotts Granted by Sr Edmond Andros & Runs thence North Westerly by the Line of Abraham Lakerman & William Barker to ye Land of Tennis Eghberts and Vincent fountain & so runs alongst his Line North Easterly to the South East Corner thereof thence to the Northwest Corner of Jacques Gruyen & so by the Reer of of Bitteans Lotts Westerly to ye Place where begunn being Bounded on the Northwest by Abraham Lakerman & William Barker on the North East by Tennis Eghberts and Vincent fountain on the South East by the Lotts of Isaac Billjean & on the South West by the Lotts of Peter Billjean Conteining two hundred acres wch reasonable request wee being willing to Grrant Know Yee that of our Speciall Grace Certain Knowledge and meer motion wee have Given Granted Ratifyed and Con- firmed & by these p'sents Doe for us our Heires and Successors Give Grant Ratifye and Confirme unto our s