HISTORY Books: Modern Changes And Improvements; Kings co., NY

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Book Title: History Of Flatbush

MODERN CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS.

  During the period immediately succeeding the termination of the revolutionary
war, no very material events took place in Flatbush, except the building of the
Academy, the Church and the Court House, all of which we have already noticed.
But presently the attention of the inhabitants was directed to their side walks
and front fences. The first fences in front of the farms, were formed of stone,
surmounted with earth, on which were planted shoots of primrose. These were kept
properly trimmed, and when in full growth were very handsome. Lining the
village, almost entirely on both sides, they presented a very picturesque
appearance. This was the case about seventy or eighty years ago, and had been
so, for probably a century before. But from some cause, either the severity of
the winter weather, or the ravages of an insect, these prims all died in one
season. Some then took down the stone foot and substituted ordinary posts and
rails. This however, had but an unsightly aspect. Picket fences were then
resorted to. In front of two farms these had been put up previously to the war,
viz: by Colonel Axtell and Mr. David Clarkson. One after another of the
inhabitants substituted these in the place of the old stone fence, or the posts
and rails which had been used. And now there is one continued picket or panel
fence on both sides of the village from one end to the other. The last link in
this chain was completed some four or five years ago.

  Locust trees were formerly planted on the side walks of the village. Some of
these, perhaps seventy-five or one hundred years of age, were standing not many
years since. The last of them stood in front of the premises occupied by Dr.
Vanderveer, and Mr. John C. Bergen, and were removed when these gentlemen
regulated and formed their side walks. Some few of the more modern of these
locust trees are still standing before the property now in the possession of the
widow Gertrude Stryker, on the walk of Matthew Clarkson, Esq. and in front of
the house belonging to the heirs of Cornelius Antonides. As these trees decayed,
which occurred between thirty and forty years ago, they were succeeded by the
Lombardy poplar. Quite a spirit existed in the place in favor of this tree. They
were planted in great numbers, on either side of the road, and when they had
attained their full growth, they presented certainly a very beautiful
appearance. It was at this time, about the year 1815, that the author first knew
the village. These trees, on either side, gave it the aspect of a spacious
avenue, or a beautiful vista, indicative of the comfort, peace and prosperity
which generally reigned within the village. It was soon found, however, that
these trees were infested with a loathsome worm, that they gave but little
shade, and were not durable. The proprietors generally, removed them, and none
are now left standing, except in front of the dwelling of L. L. Van Kleeck, Esq.
Some planted locust trees again in the place of these poplars. But these were
found to be attacked with worms, and not to grow with rapidity, or beauty. Since
this a great variety of ornamental forest trees have been set out, which we need
not enumerate. In this connection, we must speak of four venerable trees, three
of which are still in existence. These were English Lindens. One of them is now
standing in front of Mrs. Catin's, another on the corner of Dr. Zabriskie's, and
the third, on the opposite corner, in front of the house of Mr. Michael Neefus.
These were planted very many years ago. The two last particularly, affording a
fine shade, were often resorted to by the neighbors, in the summer season. Many
a social pipe, and happy hour have been enjoyed under them. The fourth of these
venerable trees, stood in front of the house which was taken down to make room
for the present dwelling of Judge John A. Lott. This tree was very large, and
very highly prized. About the period of the American Revolution, a limb of this
tree, from some cause, became broken, and Colonel Matthews, the Mayor of the
City of New-York, who then lived on the premises, had it leaded up, and it grew
again. But after a while it was split again by the wind. And he actually sent to
New-York for riggers, who bound it up with ropes, and so preserved it. On one
occasion the court of the county sat under this tree. It was in consequence of
the large number of persons attending, who could not be accommodated in the
court house.

  The regulating of the side walks in the village was commenced about fifteen
years ago, by M. Clarkson, Esq. At a very considerable expense he levelled and
gravelled his walk, and put up a railing in front. Small pieces of railing
before a few doors had been made previously, but none extended in front of the
whole premises. The benefit and the beauty of this improvement were soon seen,
and several others followed the example, so that now we have a regulated walk
through the greater part of the village, and a railing or chain in many cases in
addition.

  Soon after the close of the war of the American Revolution several new houses
were put up, some in the place of those that had been burnt, and some on the
sites of other old dwellings, which were pulled down. Within the last few years,
several beautiful and spacious dwellings have been erected, and nearly all the
houses which were standing during the Revolutionary war are removed. We have not
space to specify all these buildings, which combine the elegance and
conveniences of modern improvement. David Johnson, Esq. erected the first, about
fifteen years since, when he moved to the village, and put up the noble edifice
in which he resides. Matthew Clark-son, Esq. a few years afterwards built the
magnificent mansion which now adorns his property, and in which he lives. The
old wretched building formerly owned by Mr. Van Courtlandt has been succeeded by
the two beautiful houses now occupied by Mr. Prince and Mr. Crommelin. The very
ancient house of LefFert Martense, has given place to the stately edifice of
Judge G. L. Martense. Instead of the small uncouth dwelling which formerly stood
upon the very edge of the road, we have the spacious house now inhabited by Mr.
Seymour, with its Grecian front, and the comfortable dwelling in which Mr. St.
John resides. The old brick structure belonging to the Stryker family, which but
a few years ago, stood near the corner, venerable for its age, and bearing upon
its front, the figures 1696, has been removed, to make room for the modest, but
neat cottage of Mrs. Gertrude Stryker. The long gloomy looking, but time honored
house of Barent Van Deventer, has given place to the commodious edifice of Judge
John A. Lott. In the room of the unsightly and dilapidated hovel of Mr. Jacobus
Van Deventer, with its large duck pond, and falling fences, we have Vernon
avenue, and the nice and tasty building in which Mr. Beekman resides. The old
house of Hendrick Vanderveer, has been succeeded by the handsome, well finished
and convenient dwelling of Mr. Samuel G. Lott. And though the last, not the
least, in the north of the village, Mr. Willink has erected the splendid
mansion, into which he has recently removed, together with its beautiful barn
and stables, surmounted with a cupola, all of which, he has enclosed with a
costly panel fence. In addition to these, to some other houses Grecian fronts
have been added, and various improvements made, which give to the whole village
an air of beauty, pleasantness, richness and comfort, which are surpassed by but
few others. A distinguished gentleman of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,* on his first
visit to the place, called it a village of palaces. Besides these more
conspicuous houses, many more have been put up in various parts of the village,
some of which too, are beautiful and neat. Quite a considerable settlement has
grown up, a little east of the Academy, and also one in the north of the
village, on which spots a few years ago, not a house was to be seen. Indeed
within the past twelve or fifteen years, more than sixty new buildings have been
put up, besides those which have been erected in the place of old ones, which
have been removed.

* Hon. Robert C. Grier.

  It no doubt will appear strange to some, that a village so contiguous to the
great emporium of our country, and combining the advantages of health and means
of education, with the absence of many temptations to the young should not have
grown with more rapidity. But the reason is to be found in the fact that until
within a very few years, not a building lot could be purchased in the town.

The owners of property, living in comfort, and gradually adding to their
estates, felt no inducement to part with their lands. But of late, some few
farms have been purchased, and Flatbush property is now in the market. Had the
village been laid out regularly in streets and building lots, some thirty or
forty years ago, it would we have no doubt by this time have rivalled some of
our largest inland towns. But notwithstanding the present aspect of neatness and
comfort, which it presents, it is susceptible of still greater improvements.
These we trust, will in due time, be made, and the village become, what it is
capable of being made, the pride and beauty of Long-Island.

  We had intended to give some account of the genealogy of most of the older
families of Flatbush. Materials to a very considerable extent have been
collected with this view, but as they are not sufficiently full, especially in
regard to some families, we deem it proper to waive this part of our subject.

  From a review of the history of their little home which we have taken, truly
the inhabitants of Flatbush have abundant cause to admire the goodness of that
God who in his benign providence has smiled so graciously and so constantly upon
them. Their cup has overflowed with blessings, and still the same mercy of the
Lord is crowning their families with peace. With adoring gratitude let us lift
up our hearts to his throne and with fulness of love to him let us show the
fervor of our thankfulness by lives devoted to his glory. Committing to his
guardian care, the interests of our village, and praying his blessings to rest
upon it, let us aim to make it as eminent for morality, for intelligence, for
pure religion, as it is now for health, beauty and temporal prosperity.

POSTSCRIPT.

  Since the foregoing was in type, we have met with the following obituary
notice of the Rev. Johannes Theodoras Polhemus, the first pastor of the Reformed
Dutch Churches of Flatbush, Brooklyn and Flatlands. It is extracted from the
records of the Church of Brooklyn.

  "It has pleased the Almighty God, to remove from this world of care and
trouble, our worthy and beloved pastor, Johannes Polhemus, to the abode of peace
and happiness in his heavenly kingdom: by which, our Church is deprived of his
pious instructions, godly example and evangelical ministrations, particularly in
the administration of the holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper."


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

1908 Reprint of Thomas M. Strong's "The History of the Town of Flatbush in Kings
County, Long Island" originally published in 1842.