Within a few years this town, and particularly the village has increased
very rapidly. In 1814, the town of Brooklyn contained 3805 inhabitants;
and in 1816, the town contained 4402 inhabitants. In 1820, the census
was as follows, (being almost two thirds of the population of the
County.)
White males, under 10 years of age, 876
do. between 10 and 16 376
do. between 16 and 26 717
do. between 26 and 45 961
do. between 45 and upwards 379
---- 3309
White females, under 10 years of age, 876
do. between 10 and 16 398
do. between 16 and 26 705
do. between 26 and 45 961
do. between 45 and upwards 379
---- 3319
Free blacks, 657
Slaves, 190
----
7475
----
Foreigners not naturalized, 252
Persons engaged in Agriculture, 264
do. in Commerce, 67
do. in Manufactures, 497
The following account of the population of Kings County at different
periods, may not be uninteresting to many readers.
The population of Kings County in 1731 was 2150
1756 2707
1771 3623
1786 3966
1790 4495
1800 5740
1810 8303
1820 11187[24]
In 1706, There were 64 freeholders in the town of Brooklyn. In 1802,
their number had only increased to 86, as appears from the list of
Jurors at that period. In the year 1800, there were 253 votes given in
this town, at a contested election for assemblyman. In 1824, on the same
occasion 1013 votes were taken.
At the close of the Revolutionary war, the town of Brooklyn within the
bounds of the present village contained 56 buildings. In 1821, the
village contained 867 buildings; of which 96 were Groceries and Taverns,
and several store-houses.--These store-houses depend principally, on the
operation of the Quarantine laws, in the months of June, July and
August, for business. On the 23d of July in the same year, there were
lying at the wharves in this village, 13 ships, 9 brigs, 8 schooners,
and 14 sloops. July 1, 1824, there were lying at the wharves in this
village, 8 ships, 16 brigs, 20 schooners, and 12 sloops.
In 1822. 50 dwelling-houses were erected in this village. In 1823, 122
frame dwelling and 32 brick and brick front buildings were erected.
January 1, 1824, the village of Brooklyn contained 113 stone, brick and
brick front buildings. During the present year 143 frame dwelling-houses
have been built in this village.
The town contains 8 Ropewalks, which manufacture 1130 tons of cordage
annually; 4 Distilleries; 2 Spirits of Turpentine Distilleries; 1 Glue
factory; 1 Chain cable manufactory; 2 Tanneries; 2 White lead works; 1
Whiting manufactory; 1 Glass factory and 1 Furnace for casting iron. The
manufacture of Hats is conducted on a large scale in this place.
In the year 1703, a survey was made of “Broocklands improveable lands
and meadows within fence,” and the same was found to amount to 5177
acres. At that period the greatest holder of that description of land
was Simon Aersen, who owned 200 acres. In 1706, all the real and
personal estates of the town of Brooklyn were assessed at £3122 12s. 0d.
The tax on which was £41 3s. 7½d and the whole tax of the county £201
16s 1½d. In 1707, the real and personal estates of this town assessed at
£3091 11s 0d, The government tax on which, was for the same year £116 7s
3d, payable in two payments; and the whole tax of the county £448 3s 7d.
The present year, the real estate in this town was assessed at
$2,111,390. And the personal estate at $488,690; being considerably more
than one half of the whole value of the county. The State, county and
town tax on which amounts to $6,497 71. At this period there are in the
village 1149 taxable persons, and the village tax amounts to $2625 76,
averaging about $2 29, each taxable person. This village tax includes
$450 raised to meet the expenses of the Board of Health, and is
exclusive of all local assessments for opening and improving streets,
&c.
The receipts of the overseers of the poor of this town for the year
1823, amounted to $3108 77, and their expenditures to $3469 49, leaving
a balance of $360 72 against the town.
On the 22d of March, 1823, there were 54 persons in the Alms-house; 51
persons were admitted during the year ending March 30, 1824. During the
same period, 34 were discharged, and 10 died. March 30, 1824, there were
in the Alms-house 40 persons, viz. 11 men, 16 women, 5 girls, and 8
boys. In the winter of 1823-4, 93 loads of wood were distributed from
this institution among the poor of the town.[25]
April 21, 1701, a piece of land about 100 feet square, lying within the
present bounds of the village of Brooklyn, was sold for £75, “current
money of the Province of New-York.” 1720 a dwelling-house and lot of
ground containing 62 feet front, 61 feet rear, and 111 feet deep, near
the ferry, on the north-east side of what is now called Fulton-street,
sold for £260, “current money of New-York. In the year 1784, all the
property owned by the Corporation of the City of New-York in this town
was assessed at £365, New-York currency; which property is now worth
$50,000 at the lowest calculation.
August 30, 1701. John Bybon sold to Cornelius Vanderhove, for £37 10s,
the one equal half part of a brewhouse, situate at Bedford, in the town
of Brookland, fronting the highway leading from Bedford to Cripplebush;
together with one equal half part of all the brewing vessels, &c.
In 1685, a Windmill was erected in this town by John Vannise and Peter
Hendricks, for Michael Hainell. There is great reason to believe that
this was the first mill erected in this town. August 19, 1689, an
agreement was entered into between Cornelius Seberingh of Brookland, and
John Marsh of East Jersey, relative to building a water mill on
Graver’s kill in this town. At present there are in this town seven
water mills and two wind mills.--From February 16, 1823, to February 15,
1824, 5825 barrels of superfine flour, 260 barrels of fine flour, and
124 hogsheads of corn meal were inspected in this county. The most, if
not all of which flour and meal was manufactured at the mills in this
place.