HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY with illustrations, Portraits & Sketches of Prominent Families and Individuals. New York: W.W. Munsell & Co.; 1882. pp. 193-257. History of Queens County enter name and hit return
JAMAICA.
THIS is the southwestern town in Queens county. It is bounded on the south by Rockaway Beach, a narrow neck of land belonging to Hempstead, which extends between the ocean and Jamaica Bay; on the west by the towns of Flatlands and New Lots, in Kings county; on the north by Newtown and Flushing, and on the east by Hempstead. It has an average length and breath of about seven and one- half miles, and includes a surface of about fifty- seven square miles. About one- third of the town, in the southwestern part, is covered by the waters of Jamaica Bay, which communicates with the ocean through Rockaway Inlet. Through its central portion this bay is thickly interspersed with low islands, which are separated from each other by narrow water passages. Between its northern boundary and the bay the town occupies a portion of the level part of the island south from what is known as the "backbone." The Indian inhabitants of the town previous to its settlement by the whites were the Canarsees and the Rockaways. The former claimed a portion which now, adjoins Kings county, and the latter were scattered over the southern part of the town of Hempstead, with a part of Jamaica and the whole of Newtown. The prevalent opinion concerning the origin of the name Jamaica has been that it was the designation of a few families of Indians who resided near the head of the bay, and that it was originally spelled Jameco, Jemeco, or, as it appears in the town records, Yemacah. It is always safe when the derivation of a name is uncertain, as in this case, to accept statements concerning it with many grains of allowance; for very slight resemblances are sometimes deemed sufficient to establish relationships between names. Dr. O’Callaghan derives Jamaica from Amick, or, as it was spelled by the French, Amique, the Indian word for beaver. The place was called by the Dutch Rusdorp, which means a country village, and this name was used in early conveyances of property; but after the colony was surrendered to the English, Jamaica soon came to be the only name used. Some of the first, settlers preferred the name Crawford. Census returns from. 1845, inclusive, give the population of the town as follows: 1845, 3,883; 1850, 4,247; 1855, 5,632; 1860, 6,515; 1865, 6,777; 1870, 7,745 1875, 8,983; 1880, 10,089.DEEDS AND PATENTS.
It is not known who were the first actual settlers of the town, or when they came. It is known, however, that the first proprietors came from Hempstead, which was settled in 1644. The oldest known written document relating to the town is a deed from the Indians, of which the following is a copy: "Bee it known vnto all men by these presents that wee whose names are under written have sold & set over from our selves, our heires, executors, Administrators or Asigns vnto Mr. Richard Odell, Nicholas Tanner, Richard Ogden & Nathaniell Denton, their Associates, heirs, executors, administrators Assignes A Certain tract off land beginning at a great swamp lying on ye west side off Rockeway Neck Aand so running westward to a river lying on ye east side off a neck off land which Mr. Coe hath hired off ye indeans, wch river is called by ye indeans Waubheag; ye North line running Near vntoorabout ye path yt goes ifrom Hemstead (to?) Midlburroug, wt all ye uplands & meadowing within ye afforesd bounds, with all privileges & appurtenances thereunto belonging. In consideration whereoff the aforesd Mr. Richard Odell, Nicolas Tanner, Richard Ogden, Nathaniel Denton & their Associates shall give unto theese whose names are under written two guns, a coat And a certain quantity off powder & lead. In witness whereoff wee have subscribe our hands this 13th of September Ano Domini 1655." This deed is signed by Daniel Denton, and by Roger Linas, Casperonn, Adam or Achitterenose, Ruckquakek, Runnasuk, Aumerhas, Caumeuk, Manguaope and Waumetompack by their "marks." In 1656 the associated settlers petitioned the governor as follows: "To the Right Worshipfull Peter Stuyvesant, Esquire, Governor General of the N. Netherlands, with the Councell of State there established: "The humble petition of us subscribed sheweth that, where as wee have Twice already petitioned, soe are bold once againe to petition un to your worship & honourable Councell for a place to improve our Labours upon; for some of us are destitute of either habitation or possession, others Though inhabited yett finde that in the place where they are the cannot comfortably subsist by their Labours and endeavours. By which means they are necessitated to Lookout for a place where they may hope with Gods Blessing upon theyr Labours more comfortably to subsist. The place they desire & have alreadie petitioned for is called Conorasset, & Lies from a river which divideth it from Conarie see to the Bounds of heemstead, & may containe about twentie families. This place, upon incoeragement from your worship by our messenger that presented our petition sent the second tyme, wee have purchased from the Indians, & are not willing to Remove out of the jurisdiction itt wee may be tollerated to possesse our purchase; &, whereas we are desirous To settle our selves this spring, wee humbly crave that this place may bee confirmed unto us with as much expedition as may be soe. With Appreciation of all happiness to your worship and honored Councell wee humbly take our leave, who are your humble petioners." "Robert Jackson, Nicholas Tanner, Nathaniel Denton, Richard Event, Rodger Linas, Daniel Denton, John Eazar, Abraham Smith, Thomas Ireland, Thomas Cane, Edward Sprag, John Rhoades, Andrew Messenger, Samuel Matthews. "Hempstead, the 10th of March 1656." The following response to this petition has been translated from the Dutch records by E.B. O’Callaghan: "The Directors and Council, having seen the request of the petitioners, at present inhabitants of the town of Heemsteede and subjects of this province, do consent that the petitioners may begin a new town according to their plan in this respect, between the land called by us Canaresse and the town Heemsteede, on such freedoms, exemptions and special ground briefs as the inhabitants of N. Netherlands generally enjoy; as well in the possession of their lands as in the election of their magistrates, on the same footing and order as is customary in the towns of Middleborch, Breukelen, Midwout and Aamersfoort. Done at Fort Aamsterdam, in New Netherland, March 21st 1656."P. STUYVESANT."
In Jamaica, as in the other towns in the county, the title to the soil was vested in the people of the town by virtue of the foregoing grant from the governor and council and the deeds that were from time to time obtained from the Indians. The following memoranda, which appear in Lhe town records, show what disposition was at first made of these lands: "The town have given Mr. Robert Coe & and his son Benjamin Coe each of ym a home lot. "The town have Alsoe given Nicholas Tanner, Abraham Smith, John Eazar, Samuel Smith Morace Smith, & William Thorne each off ym a house lying upon ye west quarter. "The town have granted Andrew Messenger, Samuel Matthews, Thomas Wiggins, Richard Chasmore, Richard Harkert, Richard Everet, Henry Townsend, Richard Townsend, John Townsend and John Roades each off ye a house lot lying upon ye north quarter. "To Samuel Dein, Nath. Den ton, Geo. Mills, Rodger Linas, Dan’l Denton & Sam’l Andrews each a house lot on ye south quarter of ye town. The aforesay home lots are to be six acres in a Lot- 18 ffoot to ye pole, 12 pole in breadth, 8 in Length." "Novembr ye 25th 1856, Stylo novo.- These presents declareth yt wee whose names are vnderwriten, being true owners by vertue off purchase ffrom ye indians& graunt ffrom ye Governor & Councell given & granted ye 21st of March 1656, I say wee, who are ye true owners by vertue of purchase, & our Associates, our names being vnder written, living at ye New plantation near unto ye bever pond, Commonly Called Jemaica- I say wee, in Consideration off our charge & trouble in getting & setting off ye place, have reserved ffor our selves ye ffull & just sum off ten acres off planting Land a man besides ye home lotts in ye nearest & Convenientst place yt can be found; & soc likwise 20 acres off medowing a man, Convenientst place they can find; & yt shall Remain as theirs, their heirs’, executors’, or Assignes’, ffor their proper Right, every man taking his lot according to their ffrst Right to ye land. "witnesse our hands this day & date above written: Robert Coe, Nic: Tanner, Nat: Denton, And: Messenger, Daniell Denton, Abra: Smith, Rodger Linas, Samuel Mathews, John Eazar, Richard Everet, John Townsend, Hen: Townsend, Rich: Townsend, Ri: Harkert, Ri: Chasmore, George Mills, John Roades." "January ye 13th 1657.- It is this day granted by ye town that Mr. Robert Coe & his son Benjamen shall take vp, possesse & enjoy Ten acres off land a peece at ye rear off their home lots." "Feb. 27th 1658.- It is agreed upon by the town yt, according to a fformer order, yt ye ffirst proprietors and their associates shall have ten acres off planting Land a piece in ye most convenient place, wch they shall chuse so yt ye shall now yew & have there lots layd out according to ye sayd order. "Theese men following doe conclude to have their lots east ward: John Townsend, John Roades, Nathaniel Denton, Daniel Denton, Richard Everet, Richard Harkert, George Mills. "These men following take up yere ten- acre lots west ward: Nicolas Tanner, Andrew Messenger, Samuel Mathews, John Eazar, Richard Chasmore, Abraham Smith, Rodger Linas. "Richard Townsend & Nicolas Tanner are chosen to lay out the ten- acre lots & to have 2ds an acre ffor yere labour. "Henry Townsend, Richard Townsend and Daniell Denton have each of ym a ten- acre lot lung to ye northward off ye way yt goes to Hempstead, on ye side ye Rocky Hollow next adjoining to ye home lots upon ye north east quarter; Henry Townsend lung ye ffirst & next adjoining to ye northeast quarter, Daniell Denton’s ye next & Richard Townsend ye 3d & last off ye three. "These ten acre lots above speciffied are given and granted to ye Afforesayd men by ye town & layd out according to order." November 22nd 1658 a town meeting voted "that ye medow shall be layd out for the purchasers, 17 lots, 20 acres A lot. Richard Everet, Rodger Linas, Richard Hanker and John Eazar chosen to lay out ye medow & to have 3ds an acre ffor their labour." It appears from the record that not only was each man’s lot designated by vote at town meeting, but that subsequent transfers were supervised and regulated by the people. An entry made January 21st 1659 states that a man named Benjamin Hubbard had purchased a house lot without the approbation or knowledge of the town. He was required to give a pledge of good behavior as the condition on which he- might continue in the enjoyment of his purchase. The population of the town gradually increased, and lands were allotted to acceptable settlers. From the allotment of 1660 the following in addition to those already named are found to have been freeholders: John Baylis, George Woolsey sen., Joseph Smith, John, Event, John Carpenter, Samuel Dean sen., John Oldfield, Thomas Smith sen., Thomas Ward, Samuel Mills, John. Ludlum, John Wood, Nathaniel Denton jr., Thomas Oakley, Waite Smith, Nehemiah Smith, Samuel Davis, Fulke Davis, Abel Gail, Nathaniel Mills, Alexander Smith, Caleb Carman, Samuel Matthews, Henry Foster, Jonas Holstead, William Ruscoe, Samuel Barker, John Speagler, Samuel Messenger, Nicholas Event, Samuel Smith, Joseph Thurston, Edward Higbie, Bryant Newton, John Rowlifson, Thomas Wellin, Robert Ashman, John Lynas and Morris Smith. It must be remembered that at this period, though nominally subject to the Dutch provincial government, the town was practically an independent republic and commonwealth. The legislative, executive, and judicial functions were combined in the people assembled in town meeting; and matters both of general and special interest were there discussed and determined. One can hardly repress a smile as he glances over the records of their proceedings at these town meetings; but when the circumstances by which they were surrounded are considered, and when it is remembered that two and a quarter centuries have gone by since these records were made, the conviction will be inevitable that their affairs were managed wisely. A more ample charter or patent was granted by Governor Stuyvesant in 1660 to the town, which was named in it Rusdorp. Jealousy of power that did not emanate from him was a characteristic weakness of this governor, and under the promptings of this feeling he was occasionally guilty of arbitrary acts, as well toward the people of this town as of others within his jurisdiction. At almost every town meeting during two centuries action was taken concerning the common lands of the town. At first, as shown by the foregoing extracts, these lands were divided among the original settlers, and other portions were afterward allotted to such immigrants as were acceptable to these. As the town became more and more populous of course the common lands became less. Within a comparatively recent period the town has taken measures to dispose of these lands, and sales have been effected. A sale was made of the common lands known as Little Plains in 1843; and in 1854 Beaver Pond, which was the last of the public lands owned by the town, was sold in small parcels. Lands were purchased from the Indians at various times, usually for trifling considerations. In 1662 the town voted to the Indians a trooper’s coat and a kettle; and their sachems signed the following release: "Wee whose names are vnderwritten doe by these presents acknowledge ourselves satisfied for the 8 bottles of licker yt was promised vs by the town off Rustdorp & ffor all rights & claims whatsoever ffor any land yt wee have fformerly sold to ye town off Rustdorp. Witness our hands this fiveteenth off Aprill one thousand six hundred sixty and two." This was signed (with their "marks ") by Waumitampack, Rockause and Ramasowie, before Daniel Denton, and the following note was appended: "The 8 bottles of lickrs was insted of a ketle wch ye indeans was to have had." This deed of confirmation was executed in 1663: "Know all men whom it may Concern That I, Waumitumpack, Sachem off Rockeway, having fformerly sold to ye inhabitants off Crafford, Alias Jemaica, a tract off land bounded eastward by a great swamp or River which is ye west bounds off Rockeway neck, I say which makes Rockey a neck on ye west side, & so to run betwixt ye great plains & ye little plains to ye hills, as appears by ye markt trees, I say I, Waumitumpak afores’d, doe ffor my self, my heires or any others that may lay any claime thereunto, Ratiffie & Conffirme my fformer sale made to ye inhabitants off Crafford aforesd in ye year off our lord 1655, by laying out ye bounds off sd sale by markt trees as above, running nortward to the hills betwixt ye sd playnes. In witness wherevnto I, wt 2 others off Rockeway, set our hands ye 7th of March 1663." The two others were Rockause and Nannowat, and the deed was subscribed before Daniel Denton and "Thomas Bennydick." In 1674 the town "voted to be paid to the Indians" for what was termed the west purchase "one trooper’s coat, five guns, three blankets, sixteen coats, nine kettles, ten pounds of powder, ten bars of lead, one coat in liquors, thirty fathoms of wampum, and a quart more of liquor." In 1686 a new patent to the town was issued by Governor Dongan. This patent set forth that, in accordance with a previous agreement, the town of Jamaica should make no claim to Rockaway Neck, and that by "Rockaway River" should be understood "the river that runs out of Rockaway Swamp, and to be Jamica’s eastbounds;" and that the meadows on the west thereof should belong to Jamaica. The persons named as patentees, in behalf of themselves and their associates, were Nicholas Event, Nathaniel Denton, Nehemiah Smith, Daniel Denton sen., John Oldfield, William Creed, Bryant Newton, Benjamin Coe, Jonas Wood, William Fforster, John Event, Edward Higbie, Daniel Whitehead, John Carpenter, John Freeman, Samuel Smith, Richard Rhodes, Joseph Smith, George Woolsey, John Bayles, Thomas Smith sen. Wait Smith. In 1665 a patent, confirming such lands as had been purchased, was granted by Governor Nicoll to Daniel Denton, Robert Coe, Bryant Newton, William Hallett, Andrew Messenger, Anthony Waters and Nathaniel Denton; in which the bounds of the town were set forth. A rate made in 1708 included 190 names of taxable inhabitants in the town. The last record of quit rent paid by the town was for the five years from 1721 to 1725 inclusive. A receipt was given to the town of Jamaica for £s 135. 4d. by Archibald Kennedy.CURIOSITIES OF LOCAL LEGISLATION.
The following is a copy of the record of proceedings at the first town meeting. The apparent discrepancy in the date of this meeting and of the permit to organize the town is accounted for by the confusion between old and new styles. Previous to 1652 the year commenced on the 25th of March, and after the adoption of the new style, which made the first of January the commencment of the year, some adhered to the old style in reckoning. "A town meeting held at ye town ye 18th day off Feb. 1656. "Daniel! Denton to write and enter all acts & order off publick concernment to ye town, & is to have a daie work a man for ye sayd employment. "It is voted & concluded by ye town yt whosoever shall ffell any trees in ye highways shall take- both top & body out of ye highway. "It is ffurther voted & agreed upon by ye town y whosoever shall kill a wolff within ye bounds of ye town shall have ffifteen shillings a wolff. "Likewise it is agreed upon by ye town yt whereas they have ye Litle plains by purchase & patent wtt if their limits, to maintain their right & privilege in ye sayd place ffrom any such, as shall goe to deprive ym off it, & so to make vse of it as they shall see cause." The following extracts from the records of the town are introduced to show the manner in which public business was transacted at that early period. These records have been carefully bound and preserved in an unbroken series from 1656 to the present time. "____ 30th 1658.- It is ys day voted ordered & agreed upon by this town off Rustdorp that no person or persons whatsoever whithin this town shall sell or give directly or indirectly to any indian or indians whatsoever within or about ye sayd town Any strong licker or strong drink whatsoever or off what sort soever, either much or litle, more or lesse, upon the fforfiture ffiffty Guilders ffor every offence." "January ye 21st 1659.- The town have hired 2 bulls for ye ensuing year, one off Richard Chasmore & another off Benjamin Coe, & are to give ym Twentie shillings of peece." "March ye 25th 1659.- It is concluded by ye town yt as formerly so ye ensuing year they shall mow by squadrons. Lots drawn: John Townsend and his squadron at ye east Neck, Mr. Coe and his squadron at ye Long Necke, Nicolas Tanner’s squadron at ye old house’s necke, Nathaniel Denton & his squadron at ye Haw trees." "It is ordered ye 15th off January 1661 yt A rate shall be made ffor ye wolves, one off Abraham’s killing, 2 off ym ytt John Towsend pit cacht; & one bull hired; 20 shillings; and 30 shillings ffor ye clark; ye whole is 4 pounds 15s. John Townsend and Thomos Ffoster chosen to gather ye rate." "April ye 30th 1661.- The town have agreed to hire a cowe- keeper jointly together to keep all ye town cowes & calves for this year." "April ye last.- The town doe by these presents promise & engage to pay vnto Wm. Coe, off Rustdorp, the sum of eleven pounds seventeen shillings, to be payd in good passable wampum, sixe months from ye date hereoff. This money above speciffied is payd to Mr. Coe off ye money Nicholas Tanner lent ye town. "Written by order -from ye town, by Daniel Denton, clark." January ye 30th 1662.- The town doe promis to give Abraham Smith 305 ffor beating ye drum a year." "March ye 6th 1662.- It is voted by ye town yt John Baylie, Nathaniel Denton & Thomas Ffoster shall act and order all matters off publick concernment ffor ye town, unlesse disposing off lands & taking in off habitants, during ye term off one year. March ye 13th 1662.- It is ordered and Aagreed by ye Town yt John Baylie shall keep an ordinary in ye Town of Rustdorp ffor entertaining of strangers & allsoe to sell drink, and that no man shall have liberty to sell drink, whether bear or likers or any sorts ,of wine, wt in this town onely ye ordinary keeper afforesayd; & yt he shall fforthwith set upon ye work to provide for strangers &to give entertainment to such strangers as shall come at present "It is ffurther voted & agreed by ye town that Richard Britnell shall bee Marchall ffor ye year: It is ffurther ordered by ye town to build a house ffor ye minister, off 36 ffoot long." "November ye 15th 1662.- It is voted, concluded & agreed upon by ye town yt ye neck on ye west side off ye haw trees, with ye upland lung to the hills above it, bee bought off ye indeans. "The town have voted & concluded yt, whereas Mr. Waters have given ym intelligence off a man yt is a tanner yt would, have a lot amongst vs and svch accommodations as may sute his calling ffor to ffollow his trade, the town are willing to accomadate him as well as they can." "January ye 29th 1663.- It is voted by ye town yt John shall be marshall ffor this ensuing year, & to have ye ffees belonging to ye place ffor his labour. Aand if any man shall deride him in respect off his place or cast any aspersion upon him hee shall be liable to ye censure off ye court. "It is voted by ye ttown yt Abraham Smith shall have thirty shillings a year ffor beating ye Drum vpon sabbath daies and other publike meetings daies, & to have his pay in tobacco pay; or wheat at 6s. 8d. & indean at 4s." In 1663 "all cattle, colts or hoggs" less than one year old were exempted from rates, and it was ordered that failure to "give in" ratable cattle should be punished by forfeiture of these cattle to the town. All business relating to public worship, such as the procuring of a minister, providing a house for him, regulating his salary, and fixing the value of the produce in which it was paid, was -transacted at town meetings. Men were appointed from time to time to look after his temporal wants, and in 1663 it was "voted yt all ye inhabitants off this our town shall pay towards ye maintenance of ye ministry according to what ye possesse." At different town meetings in 1663 regulations were adopted concerning animals, especially swine, that ran at large. Such "as doe damage by coming into ye corn fields" were to be sufficiently yoked, and "such hoggs as lie about town, though ye have done no damage at present, shall be kept vp every night." Fences were to be repaired, under the penalty of 12d. per rod for neglect. It was afterward voted "yt every hog shall pay ffive shillings yt shall be cacht in ye ffields wt out a yoke, whether hog or sow or shoat;" and proportionate penalties were imposed on horses and oxen found tresspassing "in ye corn ffields." In December 1663 John Bayles and Daniel Denton were appointed "ffor ye ending off differences betwixt man and man according to ye laws of England, in place of magistrates." Francis Finch was chosen constable and Goodman Benedick "Livtenant off town." it was also "concluded yt John Baylies, liefftenant Benedik & Daniel Denton shall meet ye deputies off ye severall towns to agitate wt ym or act About such things as may bee ffor ye generall good off ye towns." A disposition was evinced by these acts to act in concert with other towns in emancipating themselves from Dutch rule. Five townsmen were chosen to order affairs for the town, except disposing of lands. These men made orders which were confirmed in a subsequent town meeting, compelling people, under penalties, to keep sufficient ladders, and sweep their chimneys. A commission was appointed in January 1664 to "byy a peece of land of ye indeans, over ye hill on ye north side of ye hills about a mile in breadth or thereabouts;" another committee was appointed to report this purchase to the governor for his approval, and still another "to gather ye rate made ffor ye purchase of ye hills." In 1665 a commission was- appointed to defend the town against a complaint, of Flushing, and to request of the governor that the several deeds from the Indians be recorded. Probably the controversy with Flushing related to boundaries. The town directed Richard Everit to visit the sachem Waumitampak and induce him to appear before the general court and verify the several purchases that had been made, and for this to promise him a new coat. In 1679 a resolution was adopted to send for the Indians "to make our east bounds according to our former purchases." Questions as to boundaries often arose between this and the neighboring towns of Flushing and Hempstead, and commissioners were appointed to settle these questions. In 1681 the constables of Jamaica and Flushing, each accompained by citizens of his town, met "to agetate determin marke out and conclude of division boundes to be and remaine betweene the land of Flushing and the land of Jamaica from time to time and to the end of time," and such line was recorded. In 1670 fifty- two freeholders or proprietors were recorded as residents of the town. Nothing which appears in the records indicates that the revolution of 1664 affected the management of town matters. The extracts and statements that have been made show what the general plan of management was at that early time. The first recorded road in this town was laid out in 1727 by Jonathan Whitehead, Gabriel Luff and Richard Betts, commissioners. This road is described as being two rods in breadth, and running "through the land of Thomas Whitehead in Jamaica, beginning at the northwest corner of Abraham Montonya’s green, so running westwardly over the said Whitehead’s land to a certain white oak tree standing near the mill pond, with a bulge on the south side near the root; and the said road to be on the north side of the said boundaries; and from the said white oak tree running southwardly along the said mill pond as near the said pond as to leave a sufficient road as aforesaid; and from thence to a certain place where the people passeth over the brook below the mill now in the, possession of Saml. Skidmore; then westwardly over the brook to the house of said Skidmore." Several other roads were established within a few years, but the descriptions of them were quite as indefinite as this. At a town meeting in 1786 it was "voted that no hogs shall run at large in this town, and if catched at any time in any inclosure shall be liable to be pounded, and the owner or owners of such hogs to pay the damage." In 1787 it was enacted "that Abraham Ditmars and Benjamin Everitt Esqs. be appointed to bind out the poor children as apprentices, and to compel such persons to work as have no visible means of gaining a livelihood." In 1797 William Ludlum, Abraham Ditmars and Benjamin Everitt were ordered to set up a "cage" in the town, at such a place as they should determine; and the expense was directed to be paid by the overseers of the poor. In 1808 Abiathar Rhodes was directed to provide "a stocks " for the town, and the sum of thirty dollars was voted to defray the expense thereof. The first recorded division of the roads in the town into districts was made in 1830, by George Johnson, Michael Skidmore and Abraham Hendrickson. Ten districts were then established. In 1859 the road districts were revised and fourteen were established. The following appears in the record for 1846: "At a special town meeting, held May i9th 1846 at the house of Rem. J. Snedeker, in- the village of Jamaica, county of Queens, State of New York, pursuant to an act passed May 14th 1845 and February 16th 1846, to ballot for license or no license; in which was 316 votes polled for license, and 204 votes for no license. Majority was one hundred and four in favor of license."JAMAICA IN THE REVOLUTION.
In Jamaica, as in other portions of Queens county, the tory feeling was dominant during the Revolutionary struggle. This feeling was held in check, and efforts were made to smother it, during the latter part of 1775 and the first half of 1776, but after the battle of Long Island and the re- establishment of British authority there existed scarcely an obstacle to its exercise. A company of "minute men for the defense of American liberty," consisting of fifty- six, was formed in this town. Of this company John Skidmore was captain, Jacob Wright first lieutenant, Nicholas Everitt second lieutenant, and Ephraim Marsten ensign. Their uniform dress was a, linen frock reaching below the knee, with a fringe around the neck and arms, and a white feather in the hat. Early in 1776 a company of forty was formed, of which Ephraim Bayles was captain, Increase Carpenter first lieutenant, Abraham Van Osdoll second lieutenant, and Othniel Smith ensign. It will be remembered that an effort had been made to disarm the tories on this end of the island, and when, for disobeying Captain Bayles’s order to appear in arms, the cattle and effects of some of these were seized and sold they petitioned the Provincial Congress for relief, alleging that they had been disarmed, and could not therefore obey the order to appear in arms. Their sincerity was doubted. The Harford Courant for April 25th 1776 contained the following: "Last Saturday the James pilot boat, one of the piratical tenders that infest this coast, came into Rockaway Inlet for plunder, but got aground. A party of American troops, receiving information, of it, marched with two field pieces to attack her, but on the appearance of our men her hands took the long boat and fled. Our men took possession, and found four wooden gun mounted; got her off and brought her into safe harbor. In April 1776 the town committee, which had ceased to act, was revived, and the chairman, Captain Bayles gave notice of the fact, at the same time warning all people of the town that acts in disaccord with, the resolutions of the Continental Congress would not be tolerated. In May this committee resolved that no person should be permitted to move into the town without bringing a certificate of his faithfulness to the cause of American freedom, and that suspicious persons passing through should be arrested and examined. A mar named John Livingstone, a furloughed soldier, was arrested by the committee, and on refusing to answer their interrogatories sent to New York. For this contumacy he was imprisoned. It has been stated elsewhere that a partially successful attempt was made to disarm the tories in Queens county, and that they were promptly supplied with arms from the "Asia" man- of- war. Captain Benjamin Whitehead, Charles Ardin, Joseph French and Johannes Polhemus, who had been thus supplied, were summoned before the Provincial Congress to "give satisfaction" concerning themselves. In July William Ludlum jr. was made captain of the Jamaica minute men, and Thomas Denton was chosen lieutenant in one of the companies of the first regiment in Queens county. An account of the capture and death of General Woodhull has been given on page 41. Of events in Jamaica succeeding the battle of Long Island the following account is taken from Onderdonk’s Revolutionary Incidents of Queens county: "The day after Woodhull’s capture Elias Bayles, chairman of the Jamaica committee, was walking over to Nicholas Smith’s, at the one- mile mill, to hear the news, when he was arrested by a neighbor, who wished to do something to ingratiate himself with the British. "When the venerable man, blind as he was, was brought before the British officer at Jamaica, he exclaimed in surprise, ‘Why do you bring this man here? He’s blind; he can do no harm.’ The unfeeling wretch who had informed against him replied, ‘He’s blind, but he can talk.’ Bayles did not attempt to conciliate the officer, but unfortunately dropped a few words in vindication of the American cause. This was enough. He was shut up in the Presbyterian church that night, and the next day carried to the prison at New Utrecht. He was subsequently removed to the provost in New York. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church and stood high in the community. He was visited in prison by his wife and daughter. After a confinement of about two months, at the intercession of friends, he was released, but barely in time to breathe his last without a prison’s walls. He died in crossing the ferry with his daughter, and his mortal remains now repose without a stone to mark the spot or commemorate his worth. The heartless wretch who arrested him fled on the return of peace, to Nova Scotia, dreading the vengeance of his fellow citizens; after a two years exile he ventured to return, but looked so poor and forlorn that he was never molested. "Daniel Duryee (afterward assemblyman), Wm. Furman, Wm. Creed, and two others were put in one pew in New Utrecht church. Bayles wanted them to get the Bible out of the pulpit and read to him. They feared to do it, but led the blind man to the pulpit steps. As he returned with it a British guard met him, beat him violently, and took away the book. They were three weeks at New Utrecht, and then marched down to the prison ship. "As fast as the Whigs were seized they were put in the Presbyterian church till a sufficient number were collected to send under guard to the prison ship. It is said that when these unfortunate prisoners, embracing, as they did, some of our worthiest and most aged citizens, were drawn up and ready to march, a crowd of spectators assembled to witness their departure, attracted, some by sympathy, others gazing with a fiendish smile on the Whigs in this their hour of retribution. One aged Whig, named Smith, appealed to a loyalist to intercede for him. The cold reply was, ‘Ah, John, you’ve been a great rebel.’ Directly the old man’s searching eye detected a more benevolent look in the face of another loyalist. McEvers, this is hard for an old man like me, to go to prison; can’t you do something for me?’ ‘What have you been doing, John?’ ‘Why, I’ve had opinions of my own.’ ‘Well, I’ll see what I can do for you.’ McEvers then went to the officer, and made such a representation that Smith was immediately released. "John Thurston was put in prison and had his health ruined. Abraham Ditmars, Robart Hinchman, David Lamberson (and who can tell how many more?) were carried off to prison. "Rev. Abraham Keteltas crossed to the main; J.J. Skidmore went up the North River, and returned at the peace, his wife dying in the meantime. Increase Carpenter was commissary to the army." During the time of the occupation of Long Island by the British, which extended from August 1776 to the close of the Revolution, many incidents of local historical interest occurred in Jamaica, of which a lack of space prevents the record of more than a few here. Others will be found in the history of Jamaica village. A town meeting was held November 24th 1777 to concert measures "for providing firewood and other necessary articles consisting with the article of billeting, the king’s troops, now quartered in Jamaica, for the use of the hospital and guard- house in the said town." All persons having soldiers billeted on them were exempted from furnishing any such necessaries. "John Polhemus for the western district, John Lamberson for Springfield, John Doughty and Jacamiah Valentine for the eastern district and Dow Ditmars for the southern district "were appointed trustees to provide for wood, and Edward Willetts was appointed to inspect the wood and give receipts.JAMAICA BAY AND ITS FISHERIES.
Jamaica Bay, as before stated, is thickly interspersed with islands through its central portion from east to west. A part of these islands are simply sand bars that are completely submerged at high tide, a portion are overflowed by the highest tides only, and a few are composed of dry land that the tide never overflows. The sand bars are of course destitute of vegetation, and those which are at times overflowed produce a coarse grass called sedge, while a few of the higher are arable. The bay is navigable through Broad and Beach channels, for vessels drawing six or eight feet, and through many of the other channels and in its northern portion at high tide by vessels of a lighter draft. It is crossed, near its middle, by the New York, Woodhaven, and Rockaway Railroad, which is built on piles across it, and has draw- bridges over three of the principal channels. This bay has always been a place of resort for procuring clams, crabs, and oysters. The first recorded action by the town prohibiting the indiscriminate taking of these shellfish was taken in 1763. In July of that year the following notice was given: "Whereas divers persons, without any right or license so to do, have of late, with stoops, boats and other craft, presumed to come into Jamaica Bay and taken, destroyed and carried away quantities of clams, mussels and other fish, to the great damage of said town, this is to give warning to all persons who have no right or liberty that they do forbear to commit any such trespass in the bay for the future; otherwise they will be prosecuted at law for the same by Thomas Cornell Jr. and Waters Smith. By order of the town." The following is found in the colonial manuscripts: "May 31 1704 Tunis Johnson, Derick Johnson Amber-man and Derick Longstreet, fishermen, of Flatlands, were brought prisoners to Jamaica for trespassing in Jamaica Bay by fishing with nets without consent of the freeholders. They were let off on their giving a bond for £100 not to do so again. But in May 1707 Governor Cornbury ordered them to attend him at Rockaway Beach, with their boats and nets, and bid them, when there, to fish and draw their net. After Cornbury was out of office (May 1709) the people of Jamaica sued the fishermen for the penalty of their bond which they had forfeited. The prisoners petition for a release from their bond." In 1791 it was "voted that all persons be precluded from coming with boats and pettiaugers in the bay of this town for the purpose of getting clams or oysters without paying to the commissioners authorized to receive the same the sum of one shilling for every thousand so taken as aforesaid, on pain of paying 40s. for each offence." This regulation was re- enacted several times in subsequent years. At the same town meeting it was "voted that no person or persons other than inhabitants of the township and paying taxes within the same presume to cut any sedge on the marshes in the bay of this township, on the penalty of 40s. for each offence." In 1863 the trustees of the town, for a consideration of six cents, granted to D.H. Waters "the privilege of planting oysters under the waters of Jamaica Bay to the extent of one hundred square yards, under said waters known as Hell Gate Marsh." At the annual town meeting in 1869 the exclusion of non- residents from the fisheries in the bay was recommended, and at the town meeting in 1871 the trustees were instructed to remove all stakes or other obstructions illegally standing in the waters of the bay, or in the marshes thereof. In 1871 an act was passed by the Legislature authorizing the board of auditors to lease to actual residents of the town, on certain prescribed conditions, portions of land under the waters of the bay for planting oysters, and prescribing penalties for any trespass on lands so leased. In 1875 a vote on the question of these leases was taken by ballot, resulting as follows: "For granting exclusive privileges in the waters of Jamaica, 167: against the same, 808." Notwithstanding this emphatic protest of the people lessees are still in the enjoyment of the rights they acquired under the law. The following appeared in the New York Mercury of January 27th 1754: "Last Monday morning, the weather being uncommonly pleasant and warm, many people were induced to go into Jamaica Bay for oysters, clams, etc.; but about noon such a severe gale of wind arose from the northwest, with a sudden change from warm to cold, as was scarce ever known here, when all the small craft put off to gain the shore in the best manner they could. A number of canoes and pettyaugers came on shore at a point of meadow south of Jamaica, and, with the utmost difficulty, the people belonging to them traveled up to a house two miles from the place of landing. All got safe to the house, though much benumbed and several speechless, except Daniel Smith, a young man, who perished on the meadows half a mile from the house, his companions not being able to help him any further, having dragged him a mile after he lost the use of his feet. The same day the crews of two canoes in Jamaica Bay, consisting of eighty people, from Newtown, not returning at night were sought for next day, but the ice being so thick it was impracticable to go far in quest of them until Friday, when one canoe was found driven on an island of sedge, in which were found the bodies of Samuel Leveridge, Amos Roberts, William Salier and Thomas Morrel, alias Salier- all frozen to death; the steersman sitting in an erect posture at the helm. The three former were married men, leaving distressed families behind them. Today another canoe was seen but could not be come at by reason of the ice, in which, it is supposed, are the other four missing persons- one white man servant and three valuable negroes."SLAVERY IN JAMAICA.
Slavery prevailed in Jamaica, as well as in other towns on Long Island, down to the time of its abolition by the several enactments of the Legislature. Here, however, as in the other towns, it had not the opprobrious features that characterized it in other countries, and in other regions of this country. As penalties for crimes corporal punishments were inflicted on slaves, but it must be remembered that freemen were also subjected to these penalties, for the pillory, the stocks, the whipping post and the branding iron were approved institutions in those days. The following paragraphs and advertisements, among others, have been collected by Mr. Onderdonk and recorded in his "Queens County, in Olden Time." In 1672 Andrus, a negro slave of Captain Wm. Lawrence, was whipped 39 stripes, and branded on the forehead with a hot iron, for theft and larceny of some linen etc., at Jamaica. "A mulatto fellow, Isaac, aged 24," was advertised July 3d 1749, as having run away from John Betts, of Jamaica. August 20th 1764 was advertised a negro man, "who speaks broken English," taken up. In 1766 a negro man, Mink, was advertised by John Polhemus; and another-- Primus- by John Combes; both runaways, from Jamaica. In 1775 a. report was circulated in Jamaica of a conspiracy among the negroes to destroy the whites, and several were arrested; but the report proved to be false. In October of the same year an advertisement appears for the sale of some real estate at Old Neck, on which is a grist- mill etc.; also a fine healthy Negro boy ten years old. In 1781 Ray & Fitzsimmons advertised an absconding "negro, Hercules, apt to stutter on surprise; and a wench, young and lusty, with three scars on each cheek, from the southward." In 1784 Rev. John Bowden, of Jamaica, "offers a, reasonable reward and charges for his negro boy Bill, who ran away," etc. The Long Island Farmer of December 5th 1822 stated: "In and about Jamaica are great numbers of colored people growing up in ignorance of the Bible and everything that belongs to civilization, and who have nowhere to look for instruction but to the Sabbath- schools. The teachers, having obtained permission, have opened a school for them in the Presbyterian, church, and have already gathered in about fifty." In the year 1814, and several years immediately following, many certificates of manumission of slaves by their owners were recorded. These were preceded by certificates of the overseers of the poor that the slaves manumitted were less than forty- five years of age, and capable of providing for themselves.SCHOOLS.
According to the census returns of 1880 the colored population of Jamaica is 324, most of whom reside in the village. Some of these are descendants of those who were slaves here before the "peculiar institution" was abolished in the State of New York. The first known record concerning a school in Jamaica was made between January and March 1676, as follows: "ye constable & oversers have & doe give libberty unto Richard Jones to make use of ye meting house for to teach scoule in for ye yere ensuing, provided he keep ye windowes from breaking and keep it deasent & clean one Saturday nights against ye Lords day & seats to be placed in order:- excepting what times ye constable and oversers shall have o’cation to make use of it; then they to have it at their disposal by order of ye constable and oversers." Without doubt this "scoule," if Mr. Jones gave much attention to orthography, met an obvious want among the inhabitants of the town at that time. It is a well known fact that, as a rule, wherever New Englanders or their descendants settled the school- house as well as the church quickly made its appearance; and this town was not an exception to this rule, though the histories of the early schools here are lost. The records for 1726 include this entry, which, it must be admitted, does not give evidence of astonishing progress: "Jamaica May the forth 1726.- At a town meeting held at Jamaica at the time aforesaid it was voted ye majority of the freeholders then & there assembled voted that Mr. Pier (Poyer) Mr. Cross Just Betts Just Messinger Just Smith & Clerk Smith are appointed and chosen to see what people are willing to agree to doe or subscribe toward ye incorrigement of a free scoule in ye town "entered by me nehem Smith clerk" Under the common school system which was established in 1812 the town in 1813 voted to "receive their quota of the school fund for the appropriation of common schools of this State, and that the sum of $125 be raised for said fund." In that year Benjamin Wright, Jeremiah Skidmore, and David Lamberson jr. were elected school commissioners; and Daniel Smith, John Ludlum, Johannes S. Lott, Jacob Bergen, Abraham Hendrickson, and John J. Messenger inspectors. The town was divided by the commisioners into seven school districts. The following resolution, adopted the next year, illustrates the conservative spirit which renders people cautious in adopting what they regard as innovations: "Voted that the town do not receive their quota of money from this State as regards common schools, and agreed that the town give the money to the poor that was raised ‘as the quota for common schools." In 1844 Henry Onderdonk jr. was elected the first town superintendent of common schools under the law creating that office. There are now seven school districts in the town outside of the village of Jamaica, and in these tasteful and convenient school- houses have replaced the ruder structures of former times. In the schools taught in these houses two and in some instances three teachers are employed; and as far as practicable they are graded. From "reading, writing and ciphering" the curriculum of study has come to embrace many of the higher branches, and a good education is thus placed within the reach of all, whether of indigent or wealthy parentage.TOWN OFFICERS.
At first the people of the town determined what officers to elect; and prescribed the duties of those officers. No machinery of local government had then been devised for them, and from time to time, when assembled in town meeting, they chose such officers, and invested them with such functions, as circumstances seemed to require. At the first town meeting, in 1656, Daniel Denton was chosen "Clark." He served about ten years, and was followed by Samuel Ruscoe, Nathaniel Denton, John. Skidmore, Samuel Ruscoe; Benjamin Coe, and Zachariah Mills; each of whom served served several years during the first half century after the settlement of the town. In 1659 Mr. Coe, Richard Everet, Samuel Mathews, and Luke Watson were recommended to the governor for appointment as magistrates. For the same office Robert Coe, John Baylie, Benjamin Coe, and Daniel Denton were ‘recommended in 1662; John Baylie and Daniel Denton in 1663, and Robert Coe in 1664. In 1662 Richard Brittnell and Richard Darling were chosen marshals. In 1663 William Foster and Daniel Denton were elected overseers of the poor, Francis Finch constable Goodman Benedick lieutenant of the town. Subsequent elections resulted as follows: 1664- William Waters, William Foster, Luke Watson, Abraham Smith, and Joseph Smith, townsmen; 1665- Henry Whitney, Benjamin Coe, Thomas Smith, Joseph Thurston and Samuel Mathews, townsmen; 1666- Samuel Smith, constable; 1670-- John Carpenter and Nehemiah Smith, overseers of the poor’s stock; 1675- Samuel Smith, constable; 1679- Daniel Whythead and Nicholas Event, overseers; 1681- Henry Foster and George Woolsey, overseers; 1682- Nicholas Event, constable, Samuel Smith and Nathaniel Denton, overseers; 1684- Daniel Denton, Joseph Smith and Nicholas Event, commissioners; 1686- Thomas Smith, constable; Capt. Carpenter, Nehemiah Smith and Daniel Denton sen., commissioners. The first record of the choice of a supervisor in Jamaica was made in April 1696, when William Creed was chosen; and it appears he was re-elected in 1697 "to meet and consult with those from the other towns;" from which it is reasonable to infer that the functions of the office then and now were, at least, similar. It does not appear who were chosen subsequent to 1697, till 1703, when William Creed was again elected. In the following list of supervisors each was annually re-elected until his successor was chosen; Nathaniel Denton, 1704; Zachariah Mills, 1705; Jonathan Whitehead, 1710; Joseph Smith (clerk of the peace), 1712; Daniel Bull, 1719; John Everit, 1722; Clerk Smith, or Joseph Smith, 1728; Samuel Higbe, 1729; capt. Benjamin Whitehead, 1777; Abraham Ditmars, 1776; Capt. Benjamin Whitehea.4, 1777; Samuel Doughty, 1781; Nicholas Event (in December), 1783; John J Skidmore, 1786; William Ludlum, 1799; Isaac Hendrickson, 1809; James Foster, 1815; John S. Messenger, 1817; Daniel Smith, 1820; John D. Ditmars, 1823; Daniel Smith, 1827; Silas Roe, 1829; George Johnson, 1831; John C. Smith, 1832; George Johnson, 1833; John C. Smith, 1834; John S. Lott, 1840; Martin I. Duryea, 1852; John B. Smith, 1866; James Nostrand,1868; John H. Brinkerhoff, 1874. After the conclusion of peace, in 1783, by an act of the Legislature town meetings were held in December in all the towns for the election of town officers under the new regime. It is worthy of note that at the town meeting in April 1772 Joseph Prue was chosen "whipper."WATER WORKS.
About 1850 the Nassau Water Works Company, which supplies the city of Brooklyn with water, purchased the water rights of One- Mile, Baisley’s, and Simmons’s mills and paid damages for diverting the water from Cornell’s and Conselyea’s. The water thus procured was turned into a brick conduit, ten feet in diameter, with a fall of six inches per mile and a capacity of 40,000,000 gallons daily. Baisley’s Pond was excavated, and, when full, gave a water surface of forty acres, the stream delivering 33,000,000 gallons per day. Simmons’s Pond was also cleaned out, and afforded a water surface of 8 ¾ acres and a daily supply of 2,000,000 gallons. The works have been extended to Rockville Centre, in Hempstead. In 1880 the water right was purchased from Frederick Loerz, a well fifty feet in diameter was sunk to a depth fifteen feet lower than the bottom of the pond, the water from the stream and pond was turned into it, and thence pumped into the main, conduit, giving an additional daily supply of 300,000 gallons. These streams were originally well supplied with brook trout, but on the completion of the water works pickerel and perch were introduced, which in a few years exterminated the trout.MILLS
At an early day encouragement was given to such settlers as proposed to establish manufactories or mills. It is recorded in 1663 that John Ouldfield, a. tanner, was voted a home lot, and twenty acres of meadow, "at ye neck beyond yehaw trees," as an encouragement to settle and pursue his calling in the town. An obligation which he afterward executed, is recorded, wherein ht pledged himself to follow his trade "as afforesayd and to make such lether as will passe under ye seal." In 1869 a lot was offered to Mr. Hubbard of Graves to encourage him in establishing a mill in the town; and in 1670 the town stipulated to build a dam for a mill to be established by Benjamin Coe, who was "to grind ye tound’s come before strangers’," the people to bring it on such days as he should designate. At another meeting permission was given to Mr. Coe "to set up a grist- mill upon the river betweene Seller Neck and Plunden Neck." An agreement in accordance with the above stipulations was entered into by Mr. Coe, and the town afterward consented to the sale of this mill to a Mr. Jacobson. In 1675 an agreement was made with Joseph Carpenter and Caleb Carman to build a gristmill and saw- mill "where the old mill stoode" Concerning the grist- mill they were to perform the same covenant that Benjamin Coe had made. They were to be permitted to use timber from the common lands of the town, "except clapboard and rayle trees under eighteen inches." They were to saw for the town "twelve pens in the hundred cheaper than any other person of any other towne have it," and for citizens of the town "that bringeth the timber one halfe of the sawn stuf for their laboure, provided that it is only for their owne use." It was voted in 1670 "that Nicholas the cooper shalt have half an acre of land by the Beaver Pond to build a house on to supply the town with such cooper’s work as they shall stand in need of." In 1685, at a town meeting, liberty was given to Benjamin Coe and John Hansen to establish a grist and fulling- mill on Foster’s River. They were granted the privilege of the stream on the condition that they should maintain a good mill and grind for the inhabitants of the town at a toll of one-twelfth. In 1704, at a town meeting, "it was voted by ye majority of ye sayd freeholders that Jonathan Whitehead & Benjamin Thirstone shall have liberty to put up a fulling- mill in ye town of Jamaica aforesayd, on ye terms and conditions heretofore mentioned; that is to say, that ye sayd Jonathan Whitehead and Benjamin Thirstone shall be obliged both them & their heirs and assigns to full all sorts of cloth, press ye same for three pence per yard, and.to full for ye town’s people before other town’s people." Three principal streams flow through the town of Jamaica, from sources immediately south of the range of hills that divides the town from Flushing. The largest of these runs from the vicinity of the village of Jamaica, and at Cornell’s (or "Three- Mile") mill empties into a creek that flows into Jamaica Bay. Formerly three grist- mills were boated on this stream. The first was one mile south from the village, and was known as One- Mile mill. Baisley’s, or Two- Mile mill, was a mile farther south, and at the distance of another mile south, at the junction of the stream with the before - mentioned creek, was Cornell’s. Farther east a grist- mill and a saw- mill are located, on a stream that runs through Springfield; the former belonging to Frederick Loerz and the latter to Peter Nostrand. Near the eastern boundary of the town is a stream that once propelled two grist- mills, Simmons’s and Conselyea’s. Formerly, when grain was abundantly procured, these mills did a prosperous business. At a special town~ meeting held August 27th 1862 a resolution was offered by ex- Governor John A. King, and adopted, that a sum not exceeding $15,000 be borrowed on the credit of the town, for the purpose of paying each volunteer from the town, under the calls of the President of the United States for 600,000 men, a town bounty of $75, and that the amount expended be levied on the taxable property of the town, and collected in the same manner as other town taxes. In pursuance of the act of May 7th 1863 the supervisor, town clerk, and justices of the peace of the town met on the 29th day of August 1863 and organized as a board of relief: At a meeting of this board on the first of September 1863 a resolution was adopted to borrow $30,000 on the credit of the town, and to issue town bonds of $500 or more for the payment thereof. A resolution was also adopted to expend, if necessary, $300 of this fund for the relief of the family of any white volunteer or drafted man. It was also resolved that the board might, in the exercise of their judgment, expend this money in payment of substitutes, or exemptions for indigent men. This board met from time to time and made appropriations under these resolutions; and the minutes its proceedings show that relief was ordered in the case of colored drafted men. At a special town meeting held February 19th 1864 the action of the board of supervisors in reference to raising money to pay volunteers was approved. At a special town meeting July 30th 1864 the borrowing of a sum not exceeding $60,000 was authorized for the payment of volunteers. The vote by ballot stood- 10 favor of the resolution, 237; against it, 6. In the case of the last call of the president for 300,000 men the raising of the sum of $60:000 for the payment of bounties was authorized at a special town meeting held January 7th 1865.AGRICULTURE.
Within the last twenty- five years market gardening has come to be the principal business of the people in the rural districts of the town. The increased and constantly increasing demand for garden vegetables in the city of New York and the facility with which they can be marketed there have effected this change. A change in one part of any business usually necessitates other changes, and the agriculture of Jamaica is not an exception to this rule. The increased production of garden vegetables has called for a greater amount of labor than before on an equal area of ground, and the result has been a reduction in the size of farms, and an increase of their number. The successful prosecution of this industry has necessitated the more liberal use of fertilizers, and improved methods in the application of these manures. A great improvement in the quality of the soil and an increase in its average productiveness have resulted. The change has also stimulated producers to the invention and adoption of improved methods of cultivation, whereby not only has the quantity been further increased, but vegetables have been produced out of their usual season; and the tables of consumers have come to be supplied in the depth of winter with the vegetables of midsummer. In the invention and adoption of these methods of forcing the production of vegetables out of their season Abraham Van Siclen has been a pioneer. He commenced his experiments about twenty years since with the production of rhubarb. From this he proceeded to the forcing of cauliflower, the preservation of squashes, and the production of other vegetables, till now the establishment includes six hot- houses, each 108 by 22 feet, for the production of lettuce and cucumbers; about 800 sash, each 3 by 6, for hotbeds to force cauliflower and produce various other plants, and two buildings for the preservation of squashes, with a capacity for holding 2,500 barrels. The apparatus for heating, watering, and attending all these establishments has been mostly the invention of Mr. Van Siclen. Ditmars Van Siclen, John B. Hopkins, John Selover, James Fredericks, and others are also engaged in this branch of gardening, and the markets in New York and Brooklyn are now supplied at all seasons with the vegetables that were formerly procurable only in summer. Farmers’ Co- operative Union.- In April 1870 a call was published for a meeting of the farmers of Jamaica at the hotel of James S. Remsen "to take action in reference to the unjust imposition of a tax upon farmers as produce brokers." This call was signed by Abraham Van Siclen, John O’Donnell, and eighteen others. At this meeting a committee, of which John O’Donnell was chairman, was appointed to wait on the commissioner of internal revenue at Washington, and endeavor to obtain a redress of the grievance. In this they were successful; and their success led to the organization of the "Farmers’ Co- operative Union of Jamaica," in May of the same year, with Samuel E. Vanderveer president, John O’Donnell and Abraham Van Sicklen: vice- presidents, P.W. Remsen secretary, Ditmars Van Siclen treasurer, and 82 members. By the action of this union several matters affecting the interest of the farmers and gardeners of this town have been accomplished, and the utility and practicability of farmers’ protective associations have been demonstrated. By the action of the union two robbers of a farmer in the town, on the highway were captured, convicted, and punished; the Wallabout market in the city of Brooklyn was projected, and is now in the hands of a commission; the election of town officers in the interest of tax- payers and the removal of corrupt officials have been accomplished; the remission of fines imposed on farmers and gardeners for selling produce in the streets of New York has been procured, additional market facilities for such producers have been obtained and many other things accomplished, of which a want of space forbids even the mention. Patrons of Husbandry.- In February 1874 the Farmers Co- operative Union took action which resulted in the organization of Union Grange, No. 152, P. of H., of the town of Jamaica, on the 17th of March 1874, with fifteen charter members and the following officers: John O’Donnell, master; E.F. Titus, overseer; E. Vanderveer, lecturer; James Van Siclen, treasurer; Charles Debevoise, secretary; Samuel E. Vanderveer, chaplain; John A. Hegeman, gate keeper. The masters since have been: John O’Donnell, 1875; E.F. Titus, 1876, 1877; Oliver P. Lott, 1878; John A. Hegeman, 1879; Garret Vandyne, 1880. Of the members of this grange John O’Donnell has been during seven years a member of the executive committee of the State grange. This grange meets at its rooms in Harriman Row, Fulton street, Jamaica, the second Saturday evening of each month during the summer, and the second and fourth Saturday evenings, at half- past seven, during the winter months.NEW YORK, WOODHAVEN AND ROCKAWAY RAILROAD.
The company that built this road was incorporated March 21st 1877. It was organized with Daniel D. Conover as president, Julius F. Chesebrough secretary and treasurer, and James C. Lane, Warren S. Peck, George M. Van Nort, Sheridan Shook, Daniel D. Cçnover, Elihu Hostord, James M. Oakley, Martin Freleigh, A.D. Conover, F.S. Gibbs, E.R. Phelps, F.E. Stewart and J.F. Chesebrough directors. The road was completed so as to come into partial use September 1st 1880. It crosses Jamaica Bay on piles, with draw bridges over the main channels. This road connects with the Long Island, Railroad at Long Island City and Woodhaven, and by steamboat with New York city. It is mainly used for the conveyance of passengers to and from the seaside resort at Rockaway Beach. It is equipped with palace cars not excelled in tastefulness and convenience by those of any road in the United States. The present officers are: A.S. Hatch, treasurer; D.D. Conover;vice- president; J. Chesebrough, secretary and treasurer; J.M. Lunt, superintendent.M. P. CHURCH OF SOUTH WOODHAVEN.
In the spring of 1856 Rev. S. Baker, a local preacher of the Methodist Protestant church, commenced labor in South Woodhaven. At that time there were only the famed Union race- course, three liquor saloons, and a few dwellings there. Services were at first held in the house of a Mr. Reeves; then in a wood near this house, and afterward for about a year in an old barn. In this barn the M.P. church of South Woodhaven was organized, with twelve members. In time this little congregation and their faithful pastor succeeded in erecting a house of worship, at a cost of $1,100, the ground having been donated by W. Spencer. The house has an upper room, fitted up for church services, and a lower for Sunday- schools, etc. During several years Mr. Baker was pastor, superintendent of the Sunday- school, steward, and sexton. In 1863 he relinquished the charge of this little church, leaving it in a prosperous condition and free from debt. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Morley, of Brooklyn, who served the church about seven years, since which different local preachers have been in charge.PROMINENT RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN.
ABRAHAM VAN SICLEN.
JAMES VAN SICLEN.
THE VAN WYCK FAMILY.
Cornelius Barentse Van Wyck, from whom the family of Van Wycks in America descend, was born in Holland; emigrated to this country in 1660, settled at Midwout (now Flatbush), on the west end of Long Island, and was one of the patentees of that tract of land. He there married Anna, daughter of the Rev. Theodorus Johannes Polhemus, by whom he had seven children, two sons and five daughters, all natives of Flatbush. In 1701 his sons removed from Flatbush to North Hempstead, Queens county. Theodorus, the eldest, settled at Great Neck, on the place now in the possession of Benjamin Hicks. The original house is still standing and is in a good state of preservation. Johannes, the second son, settled at Flushing, at the head of Little Neck Bay, the place now in possession of (Earl) William Douglas. The two brothers of the second generation are identified with Queens county. Theodorus was one of his majesty’s justices of the peace. The oldest registry book in St. George’s church, Hempstead, bears the following inscription: "This book was given to the parish of Hempstead by Theodorus Van Wyck, Esq., justice of peace and inhabitant of said parish." The register begins with; June 1725, Robert Jenny being then rector of the parish. Theodorus married Margretia, daughter of Abraham Brinkerhoff, and had four sons and three daughters. Of these Cornelius and Theodorus second left Long Island after 1730 and went to Fiskill, Dutchess county, and their descendants are iden‘tified as the "Fishkill Van Wycks." Abraham, the third son, settled in New York, and from him Pierre Courtlandt Van Wyck, for many years recorder of the city of New York, descended. Barent, the youngest son, in 1724, when he was 21 years of age, settled at East Woods, now Woodbury, L.I., in the town of Oyster Bay, and was possessed of a large tract of land in that vicinity. His descendants are still upon Long Island, in Queens and Suffolk counties. Barent Van Wyck married Hannah, daughter of Thomas Carman, and had four sons and three daughters. The sons, Thomas, Theodorus, Samuel and Abraham, were all farmers in the town of Oyster Bay. Of these Thomas was captain of the loyal Queens county militia and Abraham captain of the provincial militia. About 1787 Captain Abraham Van Wyck left Queens county, and bought 200 acres of land of James Rogers sen., at West Neck, on Huntington Harbor, L.I. This property he sold in 1793 to Abraham Van Wyck jr., his nephew and son- in- law. This farm became exceedingly productive, and so well known as to be a perfect market place. Its orchards bear the finest fruit, and its pasture has never failed. The stock is watered from a spring upon the shore, and tradition says whatever drank therefrom grew fat. The scenery here is of surpassing beauty. After you enter the gateway a beautiful panorama is before you. The landlocked harbor is at your feet, with West and East Necks standing sentinel, and beyond Loyd’s Harbor Long Island Sound stretches in the distance; and the rising hills of Connecticut, with its beautiful towns reflected back to view, complete the picture. The antiquated mansion is located near the water side, and is of the old Dutch style. Its corner closets and wainscoted mantel, its half doors (upper and lower), and its small window panes, its Franklin stove, in which ,the hickory still burns, and its large old kitchen, with its chimney extending across the room, and under which the oven had its place, are still before us. This homestead was left to his eldest son, Samuel A. Van Wyck. By will of Samuel A. Van Wyck this property was left to his nephew Whitehead Hewlett, only son of his deceased brother Joshua H. Van Wyck, and he is the present proprietor. Abraham of West Neck had four sons and three daughters. Of these Abraham H., whose name is so often repeated in Queens county records, invested largely in real estate between East New York and Jamaica. His idea was that by the increase of population Brooklyn would naturally extend itself, and the land adjoining would be as necessary to it as the West End to London. Having bought the property of John Polhemus, Jamaica (a farm consisting of 200 acres, extending from the turnpike to the south road), he opened Van Wyck avenue in September 1834. Later he sold land at Woodhaven for a cemetery, now known as "Cypress Hills Cemetery." He died on the 24th of June 1849. Joshua H. Van Wyck (third son of Abraham of West Neck) removed from Suffolk to Queens county and settled at Jamaica in 1836, where his descendants are still identified. He studied law and became a member of the Queens county bar. He died on the 11th of February 1847. William, the youngest son of Abraham Van Wyck of West Neck, ,was a practicing lawyer in the city of New York, and was never identified with the history of Queens county. Thomas (son of Barent of Woodbury) was captain of the loyal Queens county militia during the Revolution. At the peace he went to Nova Scotia, giving a power of attorney to his two sons, Eldred and Barent. His son Eldred married and settled in Cold Spring, L.I. He was corporal or captain in Israel Young’s troop of horse for Cold Spring.- His property embraced a large portion of the water front on Cold Spring Harbor; he is recorded as of Queens and of Suffolk county. In 1787 he gave a power of attorney to Obadiah Wright, and after this we are unable to trace him. Johannes Van Wyck (second son of Cors. Barentse), who settled in Flushing, bought land at the head of Little Neck Bay of Richard and Sarah Cornwell in 1705, and subsequently other lands near Little Neck on the Great Neck, road. This land was held by, the Van Wvck family and their descendants until 1819, when Cornelius Van Wyck sold the last 125 acres to Wynant Van Zandt jr. for $13,750, after which it all passed from the family and has since been cut up in lots and sold for building purposes. Johannes died in 1734 leaving four sons and three daughters. -Cornelius, his eldest son, married Mary, daughter of Judge Isaac Hicks, and settled at the homestead at Little Neck. -John, his second son, married Deborah, daughter of Adam Lawrence (high sheriff of Queens county), and settled at Flushing. He was sheriff of Queens county from 1747 to 1753, and died in 1762. -William, the third son, bought land at Newtown, married and settled there. He died in 1785, leaving a wife and seven children. He and his family became members of the Society of Friends in Newtown. -Theodorus, the youngest son, married Mary, daughter of Philip Ritchie, of New York, and settled in Flushing. Cornelius, his eldest, who settled at the homestead at Little Neck, married Mary, daughter of Judge Isaac Hicks. He died in 1759, leaving three sons and three daughters. Stephen, his eldest son, was a deputy for Queens county to the Provincial Congress in 1775, as was also his second son Cornelius. This Cornelius married Sarah, daughter of Thomas Hicks of Flushing, and had sons Stephen and Whitehead, and daughters Harriet and Margaret. Harriet married Henry son of Joseph Lawrence, Bay Side, L.I. They were the parents of Cornelius Van Wyck Lawrence, who died in 1861. He held many positions of trust, being at one time mayor of New York, from 1832 to 1834 member of Congress, in 1836 president of the electoral college, twenty years collector of the port of New York, and president of the Bank of the State of New York. Gilbert, third son of Cornelius and Mary, was one of his majesty’s justices of the peace and a loyalist during the Revolution. After the death of Cornelius the homestead at Little Neck came into the possession of his eldest son, Stephen, at whose death it was left to his two nephews Cornelius (known as Major Cornelius), son of his brother Gilbert, and Stephen (son of his brother Cornelius), the former of whom by purchase became sole proprietor; and this property remained in the Van Wyck family until 1819, when it was sold to Wynant Van Zandt.JOHN B. HOPKINS.
SPRINGFIELD.
A settlement was commenced at Springfield, about three miles southeast of Jamaica, almost as early as that of the latter place. It has never acquired the dimensions of a village, but has always been what it now is, a pleasant rural settlement. It has a post- office, a railroad station, and the other conveniences which the wants of the people have called into existence. Springfield Presbyterian Church.- In March 1860 Rev. P.D. Oakey, then pastor of the Presbyterian church of Jamaica, commenced holding monthly services in the school- house at Springfield, for the accommodation of the members of his congregation residing in that vicinity. Services there continued with increasing interest during six years. On the 14th of October 1865 the corner stone of the present church edifice was laid, on ground donated by Thomas Rider, and on the 7th of February 1866 the building was dedicated. The building committee consisted of Gilbert Rider, George Higbie, Ephraim, Baylis, J.S. Hendrickson, and Aury Mills. An additional lot of ground had been purchased, which with the building and furniture cost $4,454. At the time of the dedication the congregation subscribed $603, which paid all indebtedness, and left a surplus of $123 for sheds, fences etc. The church has since been refurnished and improved, at an expense of about $1,600. A parsonage was erected in 1270, which, with a stable since built, cost $4,785. The building committee in charge of the erection of this parsonage were William H. Farrington, William W. Durland, Samuel Compton, Lucas E. Decker, and Thomas B. Rider. Under the superintendence of James Pagan, Samuel H. Durland, Nicholas Everitt, Morris Watts, and Thomas Mills, a lecture room was, erected at an expense, in money, of $421, little more than the cost of the material. The labor was voluntarily contributed, and the building was erected in a very short time. The inside is not completed. On the 23d of October 1867 Rev. P.D. Oakey, Dr. I.D. Wells, and Rev. J.P. Knox, who had been appointed a committee for that purpose by the presbytery, organized the church by the reception of sixty members from the Presbyterian church at Jamaica: Foster Hendrikson, Ephraim Baylis, George Higbie, Joseph S. Higbie were elected elders, and Samuel Compton and Nathaniel Baylis were chosen deacons. The pulpit was supplied for a time by Rev. W.W. Knox, of Woodhaven. On the 19th of July 1869 Rev. Alexander Miller was installed pastor, and he continued in that relation till 1876. August 28th of that year his successor, Rev. P.D. Oakey, the present pastor, was installed. The Sunday- school of this society was organized at the time of organizing the church, with, forty scholars. The present number is 200. Nicholas Everitt is the superintendent. Springfield M.E. Church.- The pioneer members of the Methodist Episcopal church within the limits of this charge were Daniel Higbie and Mrs. Amy Higbie, his wife, Daniel Murray, Thomas Foster, Henry Bedell and others. At first these members were connected with the Foster’s Meadow society, which was a part of the Rockaway circuit. Afterward the number had so increased that services were occasionally held here. Still later this became a part of the Far Rockaway and Foster’s Meadow circuit, and regular services were held here. In 1867 or 1868, the number of members having greatly increased, the present church edifice was erected, and in the spring of 1869 this was made an independent station. The first pastor was Rev. Seymour Landon. He was succeeded in 1872 by Rev. L.P. Perry. In 1875 Rev. George Holus commenced his pastorate, succeeded in 1877 by Rev. H.S. Still, and he in 1880 by Rev. William H. Russell, the present pastor. During the year 1870 the church received a considerable accession of numbers, and a still greater increase during 1874. The church has since its organization been uniformly prosperous. Its present membership is 173. Its house of worship, which has a value of $6,000, seats 350 persons. The society owns also a parsonage, worth $2,000. A Sunday- school was organized at the formation of the church, with Alexander Higbie superintendent, and about 30 pupils. John R. Carpenter became superintendent at the death of Mr. Higbie in 1876, and was succeeded by John Bedell, the present superintendent, in 1880. The present number of scholars is 150. The school has a library of 500 volumes. Springfield Cemetery.- The cemetery at Springfield is one of the oldest in the county, embracing within its limits the land used for a burial place by the first settlers of that neighborhood. Interments were made as early, probably, as 1670. At an early period the inhabitants of the vicinity enclosed 50 square rods, and allotted the same, each taking a plot of one rod square for his separate use. These plots passed to descendants of the original proprietors, and most of them have living representatives at the present time. The first additional land was purchased in 1823, when 28 square rods were bought and added on the north. At that time the proprietors of the original plots embraced the names of Amberman, Baylis, Bennet, Boerum, Covert, Fosdick, Golder, Hendrickson, Higbie, Lamberson, Losëe, Mills, Nostrand, Remsen, Rider, Skidmore, Smith and Van Ausdoll. September 14th 1849 the plot-holders met and incorporated themselves into an association, adopting the name of "The Springfield Cemetery Association" and electing as trustees Henry Mills, Daniel Hendrickson, Samuel Higbie, Daniel Rider, Daniel Smith, John W. Nostrand, Abraham B. Hendricksoh and Abraham A. Hendrickson. Since the incorporation purchases of adjoining lands have been made, and the cemetery now embraces about three acres, consisting of 288 plots. The plots and walks are kept in good order, the cost being met by an annual tax of fifty cents upon each plot. Proceeds of sales of plots are mainly reserved for purchases of additional land when required. The sale of plots is limited to permanent residents and descendants of old residents of the neighborhood. The present officers of the association are: President, James Nostrand, Springfield; secretary, John M. Higbie, Queens; treasurer, Lewis L. Fosdick, Jamaica; superintendent, Lucas E. Decker, Springfield. The other trustees are Daniel Hendrickson, Daniel Smith, Wright P. Higbie, Daniel H. Simonson, William.W. Durland, and Peter Van Siclen.QUEENS.
This place is pleasantly located on the Long Island Railroad, about three miles east from Jamaica. It is a fine collection of residences, with a post- office, a railroad station, and such shops etc. as the wants of the people there and in the region immediately surrounding it require. The character of every small place in the vicinity of the great commercial center of the country, unless it is the seat of some important manufacturing interest, is modified by its nearness to that center. The facility with which most of the ordinary wants and all the luxuries and superfluities of the people can be supplied from the city prevents the development of trade beyond certain limits, and, at the same time renders such a place a desirable residence for people in easy circumstances who wish for quiet surroundings. In 1846 the supervisor was authorized to have surveyed and fenced for a public burying place a tract of not less than two acres of the public lands of the town known as "the Little Plains." This cemetery is located at Queens, and is known as Potter’s Field. Queens Episcopal Mission.- Many years ago Thomas Brush, an enterprising citizen of this town, erected a hotel, a store, and a church at the place which was named from him Brushville. During some years regular weekly services were held in this building by Rev. Mr. Rushmore, a Methodist local preacher of Hempstead. It was afterward closed, except for occasional services. In the spring of 1870, at the suggestion of Rev. Thomas Cook, then assistant to Dr. W.L. Johnson of Jamaica, it was purchased by the Brotherhood of St; George’s church of Flushing, and a mission was established under the charge of Rev. Mr. Cook, who held afternoon services, and established the Sunday- school. He was, succeeded by Mr. Babcock, who was followed by Revs. Joshua Kimber and F.B. Carter, who officiated alternately; then Mr. Carter alone till 1873, after which Rev. Henry Bedinger was in charge till 1873. The mission was then placed in charge of lay readers. B.J. Brenton, L.B. Prince, and George Van Nostrand, superintendent of the Sunday- school, officiated successively till the summer of 1879, when Mr. Barnes of Brooklyn took charge for a few months, followed by Mr. Fitzgerald. In the autumn of 1880 Mr. Van Nostrand again became the officiating layman. Occasional morning service is read, and the church is open for worship on particular days in the church year. By the united efforts of the people of Flushing and of the mission, and by the personal efforts of Hon. L.B. Prince, the church is free from debt and ready for consecration. The Sunday- school numbers about eighty. Mr. Van Nostrand has been superintendent from the first. Reformed Church at Queens.- It is said that the first expressed wish for the organization of a church at Queens was communicated by Dr. William D. Creed to Rev. Dr. Macdonald, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Jamaica. Subsequently the subject was mentioned to Rev. Mr. Alliger, pastor of the Reformed church. Though both these men looked with favor on the project no tangible result was reached. Soon after the burning of the Reformed church in Jamaica, in 1857, steps were taken for the formation of a church here: A meeting was held at the chapel in Brushville to consider the matter, and a committee was appointed to ascertain and report what denomination a majority of the inhabitants favored. This committee reported in favor of the Reformed church, and on the 18th of April 1858 the organization was effected, with fourteen members, from among whom Dr. William D. Creed and Thomas W. Tompkins were chosen elders, and Henry Suydam and Henry Dean deacons. At first services were held in the Methodist chapel by supply clergymen. In September 1858 a contract for the erection of the church edifice was made with Sidney J. Young, of Jamaica, at $4,479 and the corner stone was laid by Dr. Creed. It was dedicated May 21st 1859. Through the exertions of the ladies of the congregation the church was furnished at a cost of $553.75. The site was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin W. Doughty. The bell was the gift of Henry R. Dunham, and at the dedication D.F. Manice presented his check for the balance of the indebtedness, $776.25. In 1865 the building was renovated, at a cost of $900, and a parsonage and grounds were purchased at $5,000. A Sunday- school and lecture room was completed in 1876, and dedicated January 4th 1877, and at about the same time the interior of the church was again renovated. Rev. John W. Hammond was installed as pastor of this church May 22nd 1859. He resigned in November 1863, and his, successor, Rev. James Wyckoff, was installed July 3d 1864. He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Nichols, who was installed November 16th 1871, and in the spring of 1875 the present pastor, Rev. A. Hageman, was called. Although this church, like all others, has seen its lights and shadows, it has had a prosperous career. The present membership is 136. The Sunday- school of this church was organized in 1860.WOODHAVEN.
In 1836 John R. Pitkin laid out the village of Woodhaven, which was at first called Woodville, in honor of an old resident. The financial crisis which soon followed prevented any growth for some years. In 1851 John Sharp & Sons erected a chisel factory on the site of the present establishment of Lalance & Grosjean. It was a stone building about 40 by 50 feet. He also built two houses for workmen’s residences. This factory continued in operation till 1855. In 1853 Phineas Walker erected a dwelling. In 1854 J.R. Pitkin erected two; S.H. De Mott, F.L. Allen and James M. Wiswell each one. In 1855 Daniel Cobleigh, Claude Fietie, and E.U. Jones built each a house. During some years the place had no growth by reason of a want of the facilities for communication with New York which the people had enjoyed. In 1863 Messrs. Lalance & Grosjean commenced the manufacture of pressed tin and iron ware in the old chisel factory, and two years later they began to enlarge the works and to build houses for workmen. From that time till the present the village has continued to increase in size with the enlargement of the manufactory, till at present it has about 175 houses and 1,122 inhabitants. Unsuccessful attempts have been made to establish other manufactories. A post- office was established in 1855, and the name changed to Woodhaven. Daniel Cobleigh was the postmaster. It was discontinued after a year and a half. It was re- established in 1866, with Joseph Lapage postmaster, succeeded, in 1875, by Daniel Cobleigh, the present postmaster. The village contains a few elegant residences, of which the summer establishment of Mr. Grosjean is the most extensive and elaborate. The most important manufacturing establishment in the town of Jamaica as well as at Woodhaven is that of theLALANCE & GROSJEAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WOODHAVEN.
About forty years ago Abraham Smith and some others organized a Sunday- school and prayer meeting in the Woodhaven school house, then known as the Ferry road school- house. At that time the inhabitants attended church either in Jamaica or East New York. Fifteen or sixteen years since a chapel was built at Woodhaven, under the auspices of the ladies of the place, and soon afterward a Presbyterian church was organized in this, building, where worship is now held. Many of the oldest families in the vicinity worship at this church, the origin of which may be said to be in the organization of the Sunday- school and prayer meeting. Mr. Smith is still living, at the age of 84, and is the ruling elder of the church. Revs. James G. Mason, now pastor of the Presbyterian church of Metuchen, N.J., and William W. Knox, now of the Huntington (L.I.) Presbyterian church, have been pastors. The present pastor is Rev. J. Abed Baldwin. J. Cogswell president, John A. King, John Simonson, Abraham D. Snedeker, John G. Lamberson and Wessell S. Smith trustees. The succeeding presidents have been Abrahan D. Snedeker, John S. Snedeker, Alexander Hagner, John M. Crane, Aaron A. Degrauw and George H. Creed. The present trustees are S.S. Aymar (president), John Fleming, John Adikes, Jerome Covert jr., Charles H. Stewart, J. Tyler Watts, B.S. Brenton (treasurer), and George L. Powell (secretary). They meet the first Thursday in every month in the village hall. The place for holding town meetings in Jamaica was the county court- house till it was torn down and carried off by the British soldiers in 1777 in order to make their barracks. After that meetings were held at the village inns as follows: In 1778, at Edward Willett’s; 1779, Thomas Rochford’s; 1781, Hope Mills’s; 1782, Rol5art Hinchman’s; 1784- 1800, widow Johanna Hinchman’s; 1801, Creed & Willis’s; 1808, 1811- 16, 1819- 21, Captain Joseph Roe’s; 1809, Captain C. Eldert’s; 1810, Isaac Platt’s; 1817, Hewlett Creed’s; 1818, 1822, 1823, Cornelius Eldert’s; 1824- 26 Laurens Reeve’s; 1827, 1836, Alexander Rogers’s; 1835, Richard Jacksons; 1837, Henry Woolley’s; 1838, William, Hunter’s; 1839, James Carpenter’s; 1840, Henry Conklin’s; 1841, 1846, R.J. Snedeker’s; 1842, 1845, James S. Remsen’s; 1843, 1848, 1852, 1854, Michael P. Holland’s; 1844, Mrs. Hunter’s; 1847, 1850, Caleb Weeks’s; 1849, O. Conklin’s; 1851, Remsen & Hentz’s; 1853, George C. McKee’s; 1855, B.W. Curtis’s; thereafter at the town hall. The General Assembly or Legislature of the Province of New York sat at Jamaica twice, once in 1702 and again in 1753. Washington visited Jamaica April 20th 1790, and lodged at William Warne’s inn, which he calls a pretty good and decent house. In 1858-89 a town hall was erected on Herriman avenue, about sixty yards from Fulton street, at a cost, including the site, of nearly $2,000. It was a wooden structure, two stories in height, with a basement in which were five cells and a police court room. The first floor was fitted up for town meetings and public business generally. The second floor was used for justices’ courts. Under the provisions of the act for the erection of a new town hall this building was in 1870 sold to John H. Brinkerhoff, and by him converted into dwellings.
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For making the gallows, and my trouble, |
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16 |
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Timber and spikes |
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Blacksmith’s work |
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17 |
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2 carpenters, 4 days each |
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Wagon and horses to take the gallows to the Pond |
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William Thurston, for staples |
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18 |
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2 coffins, each 16s |
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12 |
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Rope to hang with, and handkerchiefs to tie over their eyes |
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14 |
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Sheriff’s fees for hanging |
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Digging the graves |
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18 |
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Ringing the bell for the procession to move and cleaning the church where the trial was held. |
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15 |
BURIAL PLACES.
The village cemetery is very ancient; for in 1668, November 5th, the town agreed with John Wascot to fence the burying place 10 rods square with a sufficient five- rail fence, and promised him 4 pounds in current pay for his pains and labor. In 1670 William Brinkly was granted a lot on the west side of the burying place, leaving a passageway between his fence and Beaver Pond. Many of the tombstones (called "field stones") were very rude, with the initials and year of death scratched on. Some have doubtless been covered by the earth and hidden from view. Among the oldest ones visible are those of Thomas Parmyter, who died February 2nd 1732, aged 65; Thomas Walton, who died in March 1737, aged 55, and Judith, wife of Rev. John Pierson, who died October 19th 1764, aged 67. In 1857 Nicholas Ludlum of New York bought three acres of land east of the old burying ground and had the "Chapel of the Sisters" built at his own expense, in memory of his daughters. It is built of brown and gray stone, forms the entrance to the cemetery, and is used for funeral services. The cemetery was incorporated in 1879 under the name of Prospect Cemetery, with Judge John J. Armstrong as president, John H. Brinkerhoff treasurer and Starr Edwards superintendent. Walks and burial lots have been laid out, flowers planted and the grounds (about eight acres) beautified. In the village are also the Methodist, Roman Catholic and Episcopal cemeteries. The last contains the tombs of Rufus King and his son Governor King, with many others of note. The oldest is that of Charles Welling who died in 1736; the next that of Miriam Hinchman who died April 26th 1745, aged six years. On her tombstone is chiseled the archangel, with outstretched wings, blowing his trumpet, and beneath, these simple lines: "Blest angels, sound Your last alarms; Then will lily Into Christ’s arms." Madam Clark, wife of Andrew Clark, county clerk, has this inscription, under a cherub’s face: "Here lieth interred the body of Mrs. Catherine Clark, the beloved wife of Andrew Clark, who departed this mortal life for a blessed eternity December 11th 1755, aged 76 years. A prudent wife and pious Christian ever to be remembered. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." Another stone reads: "Here lies interred the corpse of Sarah, wife of Jacob Banks. She resigned her breath the 18th day of July A.D. 1763." Beneath the inscription is an hour- glass, with the Latin motto Tempus Fugit. Persons of rank and wealth were often buried in church, laymen under their pews, clergymen in the chancel or beneath the pulpit. For this an extra charge was made. Thus in 1775 five shillings was charged for taking up the church floor for John Troup; in 1776 six shillings for taking up and putting down the church floor for Mrs. Mary Colgan; in 1781 the bill of Dr. Field was for laying his wife in the church, 1 pounds 4s. for the grave, 19s. for taking up the floor, use of pall 4s., funeral bell 5s. In 1790 Rev. Joshua Bloomer died. His estate was charged 20s. for laying him in the church; cleaning the church, 4s.; tolling bell three times, 5s.; three funeral bells tolling, 15s. The bells of the Dutch, Episcopal and Presbyterian churches all three tolled. The last instance of interment in church was in 1809, when 26s. was charged by the sexton for laying a child of John Troup in the church and cleaning the building. The inferior class of people were buried in the church yard. Hence these lines, copied from a tombstone: "Here I lie outside the church door,REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENTS IN JAMAICA.
When our forefathers first entered on the Revolutionary struggle they did not contemplate a separation from the British crown, but merely desired to reform abuses and resist the encroachments of Parliament and the ministry on their rights and privileges. Their motto was "No taxation without representation." But they advanced step by step, till at last there could be no return, and then they went into open, rebellion. No doubt some long-headed statesmen saw from the first that this would be the final result. On the passage of the bill in Parliament shutting up the port of Boston on account of the throwing of tea overboard, some persons in Jamaica assembled at the inn of Increase Carpenter, a mile east of the village, and after an interchange of opinions requested Othniel Smith, the constable, to warn-the freeholders to a meeting at the court- house (where now is the Hall of Pharmacy), to take into consideration the state of public affairs. The inhabitants met December 6th 1774 and resolved: 1. To maintain the just dependence of the colonies upon the crown of Great Britain, and to render true allegiance to King George III. 2. That it is our right to be taxed only by our own consent; and that taxes imposed on us by Parliament are an infringement of our rights. 3. We glory to have been born subject to the crown and excellent constitution of Great Britain; we are one people with our mother country, and lament the late unhappy disputes. 5. We sympathize with our brethren of Boston under their sufferings. 6. We approve the measures of the late General Congress at Philadelphia. 7. We appoint for our committee of correspondence and observation Rev. Abraham Keteltas, Waters Smith, Capt. Ephraim Bailis, Capt. Joseph French, William Ludlum, Capt. Richard Betts, Dr. John Innes, Joseph Robinson, Elias Bailis. This meeting would have been held much sooner but for the refusal of Capt. Benjamin Whitehead, supervisor, to show the townspeople the letter he had received from the Whig committee of New York. Abraham Keteltas, though a clergyman, said that sooner than pay the duty on tea as required by Parliament he would shoulder his musket and fight. The Jamaica committee met January 19th 1775, and, after thanking the New York delegates to the General Congress for their important services, said: "We joyfully anticipate the pleasure of seeing your names enrolled in the annals of America and transmitted to the latest generations as the friends and deliverers of your country, and having your praises resounded from one side of this continent to the other." Only 8 days after the committee had thus indorsed the action of their delegates, 136 inhabitants of Jamaica signed a protest, stating that "a few people of the town have taken on themselves the name of a committee. We never gave our consent thereto, as we disapprove of all unlawful meetings. We resolve to continue faithful subjects to His Majesty King George III., our most gracious sovereign." March 31st 1775, the day-appointed for taking the sense of the freeholders of Jamaica on the expediency of choosing a deputy to the Provincial Congress at New York, a poll was opened at the court- house. The town refused by a majority of nine to send a deputy. May 18th 1775 an address was presented to Lieutenent Governor Colden, at Jamaica, requesting him to intercede with General Gage and the king to stop their violent measures. His reply was unsatisfactory, though given with tears. September 2nd 1775 Congress granted Joseph Robinson leave to receive 100 pounds of gunpowder for the use of the Jamaica militia, on his paying cash for it. By the general association, a test paper, the signers pledged themselves to stand by each other in the great struggle for their rights, and to support the Congress September 16th 1775, Congress, having need of arms for the soldiers in the continental service, sent troops to Jamaica to impress them from those who refused to sign the general association. Abraham Skinner, of Jamaica reported to Congress that but few arms had been collected, for want of a battalion of soldiers to intimidate the loyalists "The people conceal all their arms of any value, many say they know nothing about Congress and don’t care for their orders, and they will blow out any man’s brains that would attempt to take their arms." December 13th 1775, as some disaffected persons in Queens county had been supplied with arms from the "Asia" ship of war, and were arraying themselves to oppose the measures taken by the united colonies for defending their just rights, it was ordered that Captain Benjamin Whitehead, Dr. Charles Arden, Captain Joseph French and Captain Johannes Polhemus, all of Jamaica appear before Congress on the 19th inst., to give satisfaction in the premises; and that they be protected from insult, coming and returning. The following associated themselves as "minute men" for the defense of American liberty, and engaged to be obedient to the Congress: John. Skidmore, captain; Jacob Wright, first lieutenant; Nicholas Everet, second lieutenant; Ephraim Marston, ensign; Privates- Cornelius and Derick Amberman, Isaac, Nehemiah, Daniel and John Bayles, John Bremner, Richard and Robert Betts, William Cebra, Peter Canile, Benjamin and Nehemiah Everet, Samuel, Joseph, Thomas and Daniel Higbie, James Hinchman, Hendrick, Aaron and Abraham Hendrickson, John Innis, William, Nehemiah and Nathaniel Ludlum, David and Waters Lambertson, Andrew Mills, Andrew Oakley, Urias and Stephen Rider, Hope, Richard and Nathaniel Rhodes, Joseph Robinson, Richard, Nathaniel, Walter, John, Obadiah, Simeon, Sylvester, Nicholas and Benjamin Smith, Daniel Skidmore, John and William Stin, William and Benjamin Thurstdn, Thomas Wiggins, Jesse Wilson. March 27th 1776 a military company of 40 men associated themselves as Defenders of Liberty. The officers were: Ephraim Bayles, captain; Increase Carpenter, first lieutenant; Abraham Van Osdoll, second lieutenant; Othniel Smith, ensign. April 26th 1776 all friends of American liberty in Jamaica were entreated by Elias Bayles, chairman of the patriot committee, to aid the committee. Should ‘any officers in the service of Congress meet with insults in the discharge of their duties the offenders were ordered to be treated as enemies to their country. May 28th 1776 Congress ordered 100 lbs. of gunpowder to be delivered to Captain Bayles to be distributed to those well affected to the American cause. At the same date Captain Thomas Harriot, of Jamaica, having refused to take the continental money, was held up by order of Congress as an enemy to his country. May 15th 1776 Chairman Bayles ordered that no person "shall move into Jamaica without producing a certificate from the committee where he last resided that he is a friend of the American cause. All suspicious persons passing through the town will be arrested for examination." The Whig committee sent to the Congress in New York (June 21st 1776) the following list of suspicious characters who kept in and about Jamaica: 1. Dr. Chas. Arden. He instigated the tories to sign against having a Congress or committee. 2. Capt. Ben. Whitehead, late supervisor. He refused to communicate to the people of Jamaica the letters he received from the Whig committee of New York. 3. Alex. Wallace, merchant of New York, but now lives in Waters Smith’s house. 4. Geo. Bethune, from Boston. He is intimate with Arden and Whitehead. 5. (Samuel) Martin, from Antigua. He lives in Oba. Mills’s house, and associates with Jas. Depeyster. 6. Chas. McEvers, formerly a stamp- officer. He lives in John Troup’s house. 7, 8 and 9. Thos. and Fleming Colgan, and John W. Livingston jr. They often go on Creed’s Hill to look out for the British fleet expected off Sandy Hook. 10 and 11. John and Wm. Dunbar shut themselves up and refused to train or pay their fines. 12. George Folliot, merchant from New York. He lives at Jaques Johnson’s, Fresh Meadow. 13. Theophylact Bache, of Flatbush. He comes to Alex. Wallace’s at Jamaica. 14. James Depeyster. He lives next to Wm. Betts and is said to be a dangerous tory. His son Frederick has been pursued several times, but can’t be taken. The Presbyterians of Jamaica were not slow in honoring our Revolutionary heroes, for we find January 28th 1776 a child baptized John Hancock Marston, and on July 24th another named George Washington Smith. As an offset we find one named (1780) Beloyal Livingston. When the American army abandoned Long Island to the enemy the more active Whigs fled. Rev. Messrs. Keteltas and Froeligh crossed to the main, as did John I. Skidmore, Increase Carpenter, Joseph Robinson, Nehemiah Carpenter sen. and others. The property of those who fled was seized by the British authorities. But most of the Whigs staid at home with their families, and took their chance. The more obnoxious were arrested and taken to the British camp in Kings county. Among these were Elias Bayles, an aged and blind man, an elder in the Presbyterian church; David Lamberson, Abm. Ditmars, Robert Hinchman, John Thurston and others. The more quiet Whigs were not disturbed. They took the oath of allegiance to the crown, signed a paper of submission, and prayed to be restored to the royal favor, and wore a red ribbon on their hats. Some Whigs who did not come promptly forward and get a protection paper from the British general were informed against by their malicious neighbors, and hurried off to the provost prison in New York, where, by the inhumanity of Cunningham, the provost marshal, they suffered great privations, and some even died. All Whigs were notified that if they expected any indulgence from the crown they must make proof of their attachment to the royal cause by supplying fresh provisions; cattle, grain, etc., for the army. Several of the more active loyalists of Jamaica made offers of their services to the British, and were sent into Suffolk county to collect wagons and horses, livestock, forage and the like for Howe’s army. Among these were Joshua and Hope Mills. In the summer season the British troops were out on expeditions to various places on the mainland, as to Connecticut, New Jersey, the Carolinas, Georgia, etc.; but in the winter they quartered on Long Island, and Jamaica bad her full share. Huts were dug into the hillsides north of the village, and covered with boards, thatch and sods. Some soldiers were billeted on the householders. The first notice they had was, "Madam, we have come to take a billet on your house," and they chalked on the door the number of soldiers each house must receive; usually about half the house was taken. Then, to save fences, the owner must keep a big wood pile at the door, for soldiers were very handy with their hatchets, and would convert fencing stuff into fuel without hesitation. Billeting is so called from the billet or ticket that the soldiers exhibited to the master of the house, as their warrant to occupy a part of it. The higher officers had a house to themselves, especially one that had been deserted by its Whig owner. Thus General Skinner had the house of Rev. Mr. Keteltas; Rev. Mr. Bowden occupied the Dutch parsonage. Among British officers who were quartered in Jamaica were General Oliver Delancy, who had command of all the island; General Tryon, Lord Rawdon, Sir William Erskine, and Lord Cornwallis. The English officers expected the utmost reverence from all who came into their presence. If a farmer should meet one in the street and forget to pull off his hat he might expect a caning. In the fall of 1780 one Captain Crow, a British half- pay officer, sent his servant to Derick Amberman’s mill for some flour. The miller, half joking, bid the servant tell his master to send the money with his bag next time as he could trust him no longer. This message so enraged the officer that he at once mounted his horse and rode to the mill, and calling the miller out beat him on the head with a loaded whip till he fell lo the earth, when a brother officer ran him through with a sword. While this assault was going on a wagon came along with several people in it, who would have assisted the miller, but the officer bid them in the king’s name to stand; and such was their timidity that they dared not lift a hand to help him. The miller died of his wounds. Soldiers were billeted in almost every house in Jamaica. When they had behaved well, had not stolen too much, and had treated the farmers civilly, a parting address was often presented them. Though the farmers and laboring classes had to live frugally and on homely fare, different was it with the British officers. They spent their money freely and loved good eating and drinking. A little boy once got a dollar for a quart of strawberries. A fat turkey would fetch a guinea, a quarter of veal half a "Joe," eggs 6 pence a piece. Here is a note from an officer to a farmer: "SIR: If you can get me a good quarter of veal, or a good pig, or half a dozen good chickens, pray do so, for I can’t live on salt meat every day; and you’ll oblige yours, COR’S VAN HORNE." The standing toast at an officer’s table was "a long and a moderate war." The out- door amusements were fox- hunting, shooting grouse and other game, horse- racing, cricket matches, hurling matches, billiards, cards, etc. They indulged in music also, for we read of pianos, harpsichords, organs, etc., besides military bands. Some of the officers had their ladies with them; others married American girls. Some of the common soldiers brought their wives with them from the old country, especially the Hessians and Scotch. Their children were baptized in the Presbyterian church. On one occasion the sexton had forgotten to have the water ready and was going to get some, when the mother pulled a bottle out of her pocket and said, "Here’s water." This was poured into the baptismal basin. In 1780, 1781 and 1782 each town was required to furnish able- bodied horses for the army. The horses were brought to Jamaica, delivered to the commissary general, and after inspection and valuation paid for. As there were many refugees from the mainland without employ, recruiting offices were from time to time opened in Jamaica, 1777, September 1st.- "The people of the little town of Jamaica have contributed £219 to encourage the raising of a new corps to be commanded by Col. Fanning." 1778, May 2.- "All gentlemen volunteers who are disposed to serve His Majesty in Capt. Kinlock’s troop of light dragoons are desired to repair to his quarters at Jamaica, where they will find a horse, clothing and accoutrements, and enter on the same pay with British dragoons." 1779, November 3d.- "Loyal refugees are now recruiting at Betts’s tavern, Jamaica, by Abraham C. Cuyler, who is authorized to raise a battalion of 600 men." Jamaica, being somewhat central, was usually the headquarters of the British commandants of Long Island, Gen. Oliver Delancey, Tryon and others. The street was patrolled day and night, so that stragglers, deserters and runaway negroes were liable to be arrested and brought before the commandant for examination. Persons traveling without passes were liable to be arrested by the British patrols. Hence when an officer impressed a farmer to go on any errand or business for him he gave him a pass. The following is a sample: "JAMAICA, 29th Aug. 1776. "Permit Isaac Bennet to pass and repass without molestation: WILL. ERSKINE, Brig. Gen." About 4,500 cords of wood were annually required of Queens county for the use of the British army in and about New York. While the British officers were in Jamaica every occasion for amusement was improved. October 26th was the anniversary of the accession of George III. to the throne. So there must be a good time. Accordingly we read this advertisement in the papers (1779): "Tickets for the Accession Ball, for the inhabitants of Jamaica and the officers quartered there are now being issued. A grand band of music will be wanted." March 17th 1780 a munificent entertainment was given by Lord Rawdon, colonel of the volunteers of Ireland, to his regiment quartered at Jamaica, in honor of St. Patrick, the tutelar saint of Ireland. Here follow a few lines of a song by Barney Thompson, piper of the regiment: "So, Yankees, keep off, or you’ll soon learn your error,