[1] The custom of changing the names of sons, or rather substituting
the sur-names for the christian name, prevailed at this period; as in
the above instance, the father’s name was Barent Janse, and the son
was called Jan Barentse.
[2] According to the New-York doctrine, this boundary of the town can
only be correct when the tide is flood, for when the water is low, the
town is bounded by property belonging to the Corporation of the City
of New-York, and not by the River.
[3] This town enjoyed this privilege in common with the other towns on
Long-Island, and their cattle which ran at large were marked with the
letter N.
[4] At the annual town meeting, April, 1823, a committee was appointed
to inquire if this town at present, had any, and if any, what right to
the above-mentioned tract of meadow ground called Sellers neck; what
progress this committee made in their investigation, the compiler is
uninformed. This meadow called Seller’s neck, the Compiler thinks was
apportioned among the patentees and freeholders, and what leads him to
this conclusion is, that on the 10th of May, 1695, John Damen, who was
one of the patentees of this town, sold to William Huddlestone all his
interest in the said meadow.
[5] This “port or entrance,” as it is called, is situate in the
valley on the Flatbush Turnpike, near the “Brush” or “Valley Tavern,”
and a short distance beyond the 3 mile post from Brooklyn ferry.--A
freestone monument has been placed here, to designate the patent line
between Brooklyn and Flatbush.
[6] Although the bounds of this grant commences about 250 yards in the
town of Bushwick, the Corporation of New-York have made no claim to
land beyond the Wallabought.
[7] There was some peculiar circumstances attending the consummation
of this charter, which the Compiler thinks ought to be known. A short
time previous to obtaining the charter, the Common Council of the City
of New-York resolved that the sum of _L_1400 was necessary for the
procuring of that instrument; _L_1000 of which sum they determined
to raise immediately by a loan on interest for one year; which they
accordingly did, and gave a mortgage for that amount to James De
Lancey, Esq. dated January 14, 1730. Directly after the execution of
this mortgage they resolved to address the Governor, “for the great
favour and goodness shewn to this Corporation in granting their
petition, in ordering and directing his Majesty’s letters patent for
a new charter and confirmation to this Corporation,” and probably
informing him that they had obtained the money. The consequence was,
that on the next day, January 15, 1730, the charter was completed;
and on paying the _L_1000 was delivered to them on the 11th day of
February, 1730, almost a month after its date. By which it appears
that the Corporation of New-York still continued purchasing the right
of the town of Brooklyn from the Colonial Governors. See List of
Corporation Charters and grants, 1747.
[8] The jurisdiction of New-York by their first charter in 1686, was
limited to low water mark around Manhattan Island; but was extended to
low water mark on the Brooklyn side by Governor Montgomery’s charter
in 1730.
[9] For what purpose was it, that the Corporation’s Counsel was heard
at the bar of the House, if not to advance and support their rights?
If it was not done at that time, the plain inference would be, that
they were aware they had no right.
[10] The Council was appointed by the King’s mandamus and sign manual,
and all their privileges and powers were contained in the Governor’s
instructions. The tenure of their places was extremely precarious. See
Smith’s History of New-York, p. 364.
[11] The Corporation of New-York, during the year 1824, have received
from the ferries, the sum of D12,003 75,--more than 3-4ths of which
sum is from the ferries on the East River.
[12] The idea intended to be conveyed by this regulation, I understand
to be, that the Justices of the town of Brooklyn shall have cognizance
of the offence, as much as if the offenders resided within the town.
[13] The records referred to, together with all our other town records
were destroyed during the Revolution.
[14] The fortifications at Red Hook were erected by a Regiment of
Continental troops, the night of April 8, 1776.
[15] In 1655, a large body of Northern Indians made a descent on
Staten Island, and massacred 67 persons; after which they crossed to
Long-Island, and invested Gravesend; which place was relieved by a
party of soldiers from New-Amsterdam. It appears from the records that
these Indians were on their way to commence a war against the Indians
on the east end of Long-Island.
The inhabitants of Flatbush were ordered by Governor Stuyvesant, in
1656, to enclose their village with palisadoes to protect them from
the Indians. These fortifications were required to be kept under the
English government, as will appear by the following record of the
Court of Sessions for the West Riding of Yorkshire upon Long-Island,
December 15th, 1675. “The towne of Fflatbush having neglected the
making of ffortifications, the Court take notis of it, and reffer the
censure to ye Governor.”
[16] There were also a “Clerk” in most if not in all of these towns,
who seems to have been authorised to take proof of the execution of
wills; whether he was the Town Clerk does not appear. This officer
was differently appointed in the different towns. In Bushwick he was
appointed by the Commissioners of the town, and in New-Utrecht he was
elected by the people, and approved of by the Governor.
[17] This law provides, that any person not having a visible estate,
or a manual craft or occupation, coming into any place within this
province, should give security, not to become chargeable within two
years: and the captains of vessels bringing passengers into this
province, were required to report them to the chief magistrate of the
place, within 24 hours after their arrival. Under the Dutch government
the poor were supported out of the fines imposed for offences
committed, and by contributions taken up in the Churches.
[18] Sept. 14, 1696, about 8 o’clock in the evening, John Rapale,
Isaac Remsen, Joras Yannester, Joras Danielse Rapale, Jacob Reyersen,
Aert Aersen, Tunis Buys, Garret Cowenhoven, Gabriel Sprong, Urian
Andriese, John Williamse Bennet, Jacob Bennet, and John Meserole,
jr. met armed at the court-house of Kings, where they destroyed and
defaced the king’s arms which were hanging up there.
[19] The West Riding was composed of the towns of Brooklyn, Bushwick,
Flatbush, Flatlands, New-Utrecht, and Gravesend, together with
Staten-Island and Newtown.
[20] At the same period, the salary of the clerk of the county was
_L_10. per annum.
[21] This minister died in the month of June, 1676.
[22] This minister was naturalized in the Court of Sessions for Kings
County, November 8, 1715.
[23] This office was held by George S. Wise, Jun, Esq. until his death
in November, 1824.
[24] Governor Nicolls in a letter to the Duke of York, November, 1665,
informed him “that such is the mean condition of this town, (New-York)
that not one soldier to this day has lain in sheets, or upon any other
bed than canvass and straw.
1678, New-York contained 343 houses, and 3430 inhabitants; and there
were owned in the City, three ships, eight sloops and seven boats.
1686. The City of New-York contained 594 houses, and 6000 inhabitants;
and there were owned in it, 10 three masted vessels of between 80
and 100 tons; 3 ketches, or barques, of about 40 tons; and about
20 sloops, of 25 tons. In the same year, the militia of the colony
consisted of 4000 foot, 300 horse, and one company of dragoons.
1696. There were owned in the city of New-York, 40 ships, 62 sloops,
and 62 boats.
In 1697, the population of New-York has considerably decreased, from
what it was in 1686; the census taken this year was as follows:
{ Men, 946
Whites { Women, 1018
{ Young men, young men and boys, 864
{ Young women and girls, 899
---- 3727
{ Men, 209
Blacks. { Women, 205
{ Boys and girls, 161 575
------ ----
Total. 4302
------ ----