HISTORY Books: Literary History; Kings co., NY submitted by Joy Fisher (sdgenweb at yahoo.com) ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ny/nyfiles.htm Submitted Date: May 18, 2006 This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/nyfiles/ File size: 52.3 Kb ************************************************ Book Title: History Of Flatbush LITERARY HISTORY. VILLAGE SCHOOL. No principle was more deeply engraved upon the heart of the Hollander than that "the church and the school must be maintained;" a principle of the soundest wisdom, and of the most practical utility. For, without education, morality and religion, there can be no foundation for social order and prosperity. These are the great safeguards of the community, and where these are fostered and encouraged, we have reason to expect not only intelligence and virtue, but a due respect to the laws of the land, and to all the rights and privileges of those who are associated in any one community. Accordingly, the early Dutch settlers in Flatbush, imbued with the principle which has just been mentioned, soon after their settlement, took measures for the education of their children, and the maintenance of suitable schools. Among the first records of the town, we find notice of the employment of a schoolmaster. Much care seems to have been taken, not only in the selection, but in the agreements formed with the teachers of their children. The first schoolmaster of whom we have any knowledge, was Adrian Hegeman. He was one of the original proprietors of the town, and was the owner of the farm lying immediately north of the property now in the tenure of Mr. Isaac Cortelyou. He was the ancestor of the widow of the late Peter Lefferts, and probably of the whole family of Hegemans, now living. He was engaged as schoolmaster from 1659, to 1671. From the records of the town, it appears that the schoolmaster acted as Town Clerk, and as the rates of tuition were low, previously to the American revolution, the omces of sexton, and "Foresinger," or chorister, of the church, were conferred upon him, with a view to increase his emoluments. He received all interment fees, for infants and adults, according to a scale of established prices, and for his services as chorister, he was paid an annual salary by the Consistory of the church. The chorister, in addition to his duty of taking the lead in setting and singing the Psalms and Hymns, was also required to ring the bell for all public services, to read the commandments at the commencement of the morning worship, and the Apostles creed, in the afternoon. These latter services were all performed in the Dutch language, and uniformly continue/! so until about the year 1790, at the time when Mr. Gabriel Ellison, the first English schoolmaster left the village. The following is a list of the schoolmasters of the town of Flatbush, from the year 1659, to the year 1802, when the village school was removed into the Academy. Adrian Hegeman, from 1659 to 1671 Jacop Joosten, " 1671 " 1673 Francays De Burynne, " 1673 " 1674 Michael Hainelle, " 1674 " 1675 Jan Gerrit Van Marckje, " 1675 " 1680 Derick Storm, " 1680 " 1681 Jan Tiebout, " 1681 " 1682 Johannes Van Eckkellen, " 1682 " 1700 Johannes Schenck, " 1700 " 1711 Jan Gancell, " 1711 " 1719 Adrian Hegeman, " 1719 " 1741 Jores Remsen, " 1741 " 1762 Petrus Van Steenburgh, " 1762 " 1773 Anthony Welp, " 1773 " 1776 Gabriel Ellison, " 1776 " 1790 John Rubell, " 1790 " 1793 Michael Schoonmaker, " 1793 " 1798 Patrick Dillon, " 1798 " Patrick Noon, " 1802 Specific and very particular agreements were made with these several schoolmasters, which are entered at large, upon the town records. It may be interesting to present one or two of these, to show the duties which these persons formerly were required to perform, and the manner in which they were to instruct the children. The following is a translation of the agreement made with Johannes Van Eckkelen, who commenced his duties as schoolmaster, in Flatbush, in the year 1682. "Johannes Van Eckkelen, a young man from New-Albany, is hereby called and accepted, on the first day of October, 1681, with the advice and consent of the Honorable Magistrates, to perform the duties heretofore required of Jan Thibaud, in manner following: (1.) He shall serve the Church and School, according to the existing ordinances, in the same manner, as they have been heretofore performed by the above named Jan Thibaud, and as hereunder written.—(2.) This contract shall take effect, from the first day of October, Inst, and continue to the first day of May next, for the purpose of making a trial of each other in the mean time.—(3.) For the performance of the above duties, he shall be entitled to receive the sum of 234 guilders, in grain, valued in Seewant, with the other privileges appertaining to the calling, during the time specified. ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT WITH JOHANNES VAN ECKKELEN. Accepted Schoolmaster and Chorister of Flatbush. SCHOOL SERVICE.—I. The school shall begin at eight o'clock, and go out at eleven; and in the afternoon shall begin at one o'clock, and end at four. The bell shall be rung when the school commences.* * The bell used on these occasions was the church bell. The practice of ringing this bell at the opening of the school continued till the year 1794, when the second church was taken down. The church bell was also used by the Academy, for nearly ten years. II. When the school begins, one of the children shall read the morning prayer, as it stands in the catechism, and close with the prayer before dinner; in the afternoon it shall begin with the prayer after dinner, and end with the evening prayer. The evening school shall begin with the Lord's prayer, and close by singing a psalm. III. He shall instruct the children on every Wednesday and Saturday, in the common prayers, and the questions and answers in the catechism, to enable them to repeat them the better on Sunday before the afternoon service, or on Monday, when they shall be catechised before the congregation. Upon all such occasions, the schoolmaster shall be present, and shall require the children to be friendly in their appearance and encourage them to answer freely and distinctly. IV. He shall be required to keep his school nine months in succession, from September to June, in each year, in case it should be concluded upon to retain his services for a year or more, or without limitation; and he shall then be required to be regulated by these articles, and to perform the same duties which his predecessor, Jan Thibaud, above named, was required to perform. In every particular therefore, he shall be required to keep school, according to this seven months agreement, and shall always be present himself. CHURCH SERVICE.—I. He shall keep the church clean, and ring the bell three times before the people assemble to attend the preaching and catechising. Also before the sermon is commenced, he shall read a chapter out of the Holy Scriptures, and that, between the second and third ringing of the bell. After the third ringing he shall read the ten commandments, and the twelve articles of our faith, and then take the lead in singing. In the afternoon after the third ringing of the bell, he shall read a short chapter, or one of the Psalms of David, as the congregation are assembling; and before divine service commences, shall introduce it, by the singing of a Psalm or Hymn. II.—When the minister shall preach at Brooklyn, or New-Utrecht, he shall be required to read twice before the congregation, from the book commonly used for that purpose. In the afternoon he shall also read a sermon on the explanation of the catechism, according to the usage and practice approved of by the minister. The children as usual, shall recite their questions and answers out of the catechism, on Sunday, and he shall instruct them therein. He, as chorister, shall not be required to perform these duties, whenever divine service shall be performed in Flatlands, as it would be unsuitable, and prevent many from attending there. III.—For the administration of Holy Baptism, he shall provide a basin with water, for which he shall be entitled to receive from the parents, or witnesses, twelve styvers. He shall, at the expense of the church, provide bread and wine, for the celebration of the Holy Supper; He shall be in duty bound promptly to furnish the minister with the name of the child to be baptized, and with the names of the parents and witnesses. And he shall also serve as messenger for the consistory. IV.—He shall give the funeral invitations, dig the grave, and toll the bell, for which service he shall receive for a person of fifteen years and upwards, twelve guilders, and for one under that age, eight guilders. If he should be required to give invitations beyond the limits of the town, he shall be entitled to three additional guilders, for the invitation of every other town, and if he should be required to cross the river, and go to New-York, he shall receive four guilders. SCHOOL MONEY.—He shall receive from those who attend the day school, for a speller or reader, three guilders a quarter, and for a writer four guilders. >From those who attend evening school, for a speller or reader, four guilders, and for a writer, six guilders shall be given. SALARY.—In addition to the above, his salary shall consist of four hundred guilders, in grain, valued in See-want, to be delivered at Brooklyn Ferry, and for his services from October to May, as above stated, a sum of two hundred and thirty-four guilders, in the same kind, with the dwelling house, barn, pasture lot, and meadows, to the school appertaining. The same to take effect from the first day of October, Instant. Done and agreed upon in Consistory, under the inspection of the Honorable Constable and Overseers, the 8th, of October, 1682. Constable and Overseers. The Consistory. CORNELIUS BERRIAN, CASPARUS VAN ZUREN, Minister, RYNIER AERTSEN, ADRIAEN REYERSE, JAN REMSEN, CORNELIS BARENT VANDEWYCK. I agree to the above articles, and promise to perform them according to the best of my ability. JOHANNES VAN ECKKELEN." Many of the provisions of this agreement are calculated at this day to excite a smile. But in one particular it is to be admired. It shows how careful and exact our forefathers were, in embuing the minds of the young and rising generation, with a reverence for the God of their existence, and with a knowledge of the principles of our holy religion. These are matters which we cannot too sacredly guard. Mere secular knowledge is not a safeguard to personal virtue, nor to the security of the State. Sound education consists not simply in the cultivation of the mind, but in the infusion of moral and religious principles. Without the latter, it is but a frail support of the great temple of liberty and independence. But when moral principles are inculcated in connection with intellectual light, we may hope to see the youth growing up in virtue and proving ornaments in their day, and supports to the church and the state. Such was the deep rooted sentiment of the early Dutch settlers, and was transmitted by them to their immediate descendants. And hence the careful provisions in all their agreements with their schoolmasters. At that time religious instruction could be introduced in the schools without any difficulty, as all the community were of one faith—All adhering to the Belgic Confession, the articles of the Synod of Dort, and the Catechisms of the Reformed Dutch Church. Such a mode of instruction however, from the present state of society, and the multiplication of religious sects, cannot now be pursued. But we deprecate the day, when the Bible shall be excluded from our common schools, and no care taken to instill into the minds of the young, sound moral principles, the principles of the religion of Christ. We have presented an agreement formed with a schoolmaster, in the year 1682. We now give one made in the year 1773, nearly one hundred years after, with Anthony Welp, the last teacher of the Dutch language. As will be seen, it contains many of the provisions of the former, and is based in general, upon the same principles. "In Kings County, "Flatbush, August 18, 1773. " The undersigned, Philippus Nagel, Johannes Ditmars and Cornelius Vanderveer, Jr., being authorized by the town of Flatbush, to call a schoolmaster for the same town, have agreed with Mr. Anthony Welp, to keep school in the following manner. "First the school shall begin and end in a Christianlike manner: At 8 o'clock in the morning it shall begin with the morning prayer, and end at 11 o'clock, with prayer. "1st. For dinner. At 1 o'clock in the afternoon, it shall begin with the prayer after meat, and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, end with the evening prayer. "2d. The above named schoolmaster shall teach children and adult persons, low dutch and english spelling and reading, and also cyphering to all who may desire or request such instruction. "3d. The above named schoolmaster shall have for the instruction of every child or person, in low dutch spelling, reading and writing, the sum of four shillings: for those who are instructed in english spelling, reading and writing, the sum of five shillings: and for those who are instructed in cyphering, the sum of six shillings: and that for three months instruction: and also a load of firewood shall be brought for each scholar, every nine months, for the use of the school. "4th. The above schoolmaster shall keep school five days in every week: once in each week in the afternoon, the scholars shall learn the questions and answers in Borges Catechism: or the questions and answers in the Heidleburgh Catechism, with the scripture texts thereto belonging, or as it may be desired by the scholar or by his guardian, for any other day in the week, so as to be most beneficial to the one instructed. " 5th. The above named schoolmaster shall occupy the school-house, with the appurtenances thereto belonging, in the same manner as the same was occupied by the schoolmaster, Petrus Van Steenburgh. Also, the above named schoolmaster shall be yearly paid by the Worthy Consistory, the sum of four pounds, to attend to the church services, such as reading and singing; and for the interment of the dead, the above named schoolmaster shall be entitled to receive so much as is customary in the above named town. " 6th, and Lastly. The above agreement shall be obligatory for such length of time as the present schoolmaster shall render his services amongst us. But if it should so happen that the town should not require the services of the above named schoolmaster, any longer after the expiration of one year: in such case the schoolmaster shall have three months notice thereof, from the above authorized persons, or from such persons as may be thereto appointed. And if the above named schoolmaster should desire to discontinue his services, he shall in like manner give the town three months previous notice of his intention. For the mutual performance of this agreement, we have signed this with our hands. N. B. The above sums of money mentioned in the Third Article, shall be paid by those who send the scholars to school. "PHILLIPPUS NAGEL, JOHANNES DITMAES, CORS. V. D. VEER, JUNR. ANTHONY WELP." We have not been able to gather any information relative to the character or attainments of these early schoolmasters. Nor have we met with any of their literary productions. We cannot, however, refrain in this place, from presenting the following rare specimen of poetic proficiency, which we find on the title page of the first Minute Book of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Kings. It was composed by J. M. Sperling of Flatbush, who was chosen clerk of the board, in the year 1716. "My loving Friends of this County See, That you hereby may Regulated Bee— Fear God and Keep the Law with Love of one accord And be Obdient to our Soveraigne Lord Then you will meet with Men that Sees That Doth according to Law by Words and Deeds Imploy'd the same within your Port That is my advice now in short—" J M S The school-house referred to in the agreements which we have presented, was located on a triangular lot of ground situated on the east side of the main street, directly opposite to the old parsonage and present Consistory Room, on the site now occupied by the store of Mr. Michael Schoonmaker & Son. There were three distinct buildings joined together, and evidently erected at different periods of time. The most eastern, which was probably the first erected in the town, was built of stone, and stood about sixty feet from the street, being one story high. The second was composed of wood, more elevated than the first, having a steep roof in front, and a long sloping roof in the rear, reaching so near the ground as to admit of only a small window behind. The third was also a frame building, of more modern date, the gable end of which fronted the street, and stood on a line with it, but built in the same style as the last-—the roofs exactly corresponding with each other, and although it was probably erected fifty years subsequently, still the same model was tenaciously adhered to. The whole fronted to the south, with the gable end, as we have said, to the road, having two rooms in front and two small rooms in the rear, and in more modern times the east end of the building served as a kitchen. The westerly front room was always used as the school-room, and the small room in the rear of it, (usually called the "prison," from the fact that unruly boys were occasionally confined in it,) was also used for school purposes, when the number of scholars was too great to be accommodated in the front schoolroom. The residue of the building, with the kitchen and barn, was occupied by the schoolmaster and his family. The village school was kept in this building until about the year 1803. In the year 1805, the old school-house was sold to Bateman Lloyd, Esq., who took it down, and with the timber and other materials of it, built a store on his own premises, a few feet north of his dwelling-house. The building erected with these materials, continued to be kept as a dry-goods and grocery store, until the year 1825, when it was removed and converted into a barn, now on the premises owned and occupied by Dr. Zabriskie. After the school-house was removed, the lot on which it stood, laid in common for some time. During the last war with Great Britain, the government erected a gun house upon the north west angle of the lot, sufficiently large to hold two heavy field pieces. About the same time, the store now owned by Mr. Michael Schoonmaker, was built upon part of the premises, and in the year 1823, the present parsonage house was erected on the southern portion of it, which embraces all the ground commonly called the school lot. The first person who taught English, was Petrus Van Steenburgh. He was schoolmaster from the year 1762, to 1773. At what time precisely he commenced teaching English we cannot tell. But he had at the same time, as well as his successor, pupils in both the Dutch and English language. And as all the scholars were in the habit of speaking Dutch, it required some little management on the part of the worthy school-master to make his pupils who were learning English use that language entirely. His rule was that no scholar who was instructed in English should speak a Dutch word in school, and if he did so he should be punished. In order to detect these persons, he had a pewter token about the size of a dollar, which was given to the one who first spoke a Dutch word after the school was opened. He gave it to the next one whom he heard speak Dutch, and so it passed from one to another; but the boy in whose possession the token was found at the close of the school, appears to have been the scapegoat for the whole, for he was severely ferruled upon his hand by the faithful Petrus Van Steenburgh, who took great delight in finding the successful operation of his most ingenious device to detect the unhappy wight who spoke a Dutch word. The first select Classical school, which was opened in this town, was commenced by one John Copp. His school was held at first in a small house lately belonging to Judge Garrit Martense, which stood on the lot now occupied by Mr. Seymour, and which has been cut in two, and converted into barns and stables. >From this he removed and taught in the south room of the house of Cornelius Antonides. At what date he opened his school, cannot be ascertained with precision. An advertisement over his name is found in "the New-York Journal, or General Advertiser," published by John Holt, under the date of July, 4th, 1774. In this, he states, that "he has for sometime kept a grammar school in Flatbush." In this advertisement he "proposes" (to use his own words,) "to teach the Latin and Greek languages and Arithmetic in the correctest and best manner, besides reading, writing, and principles of English Grammar." His terms were $50 a year for boarding; and tuition not to exceed $15 yearly. He refers to the Rev. Dr. Cooper, President of Kings (now Columbia) College, to the Hon. William Axtell, who then resided in Flatbush, and to Andrew Elliott, Collector of His Majesty's Customs in New-York. He adds—" Dr. Cooper proposes to visit the school quarterly, when the scholars will be examined." This school of Mr. Copp appears to have been well patronised. Many of the most respectable and influential inhabitants of New-York entrusted their children to his care. Henry Remsen, the late President of the Manhattan Company, was one of his scholars, besides many others. This school was broken up by the war of the American Revolution, and Mr. Copp afterwards joined the army. During the period of the struggle for American Independence, the school in Flatbush was taught by Mr. Gabriel Ellison. He was an Englishman by birth, and was the first teacher who taught English exclusively. He had been a considerable time among the Indians in Canada —and although a man of eccentric habits, was a good schoolmaster, in proof of which, we may remark, that in addition to village scholars, he had many others from Brooklyn and other places. In order to entitle him to receive all the emoluments which his predecessors had enjoyed, it was indispensably necessary that he should acquire a knowledge of the Dutch, so as to enable him to perform the duties of sexton and chorister in that language. This he readily undertook, and although he committed many blunders in the onset, yet by diligence and perseverance, he overcome his many difficulties, and was soon fully inducted into the offices of sexton and chorister. These offices he held until he left the village school, about 1790, and performed them generally to the satisfaction of the inhabitants. Many incidents of quite an amusing character, are related of him during his residence here. We will mention one or two. As sexton, it was his duty to ring the bell and give alarms during the revolutionary war. The village was often disturbed during that period, and Mr. Ellison, from his office, and from his living near the church, usually warned the inhabitants by ringing the bell. On one occasion an alarm was sounded in the night time. Ellison not being able to find his small clothes, (for pantaloons were not known in those days,) seized his wife's calimanco petticoat, which he hastily drew on, and ran to the church, where he was found dressed in this style, pulling away like a lusty fellow at the bell rope. Such a sight must have put to flight all the fears of the inhabitants, and turned the scene of alarm into one of merriment. During part of the time that Ellison was chorister of the church, the Rev. Mr. Van Sinderen, was pastor of the church. The Domine was preaching on a certain occasion in the Dutch language, on the subject of the conversion of the Philippian Jailor, and as he was a man of somewhat eccentric habits, he made frequent digressions from his subject. During his discourse at this time, he said he would stake a wager that there was not one man in the church who knew the English of the Dutch word, "Stookwaarder" This bet was several times repeated by the Domine. At length Ellison, who in virtue of his office of chorister, occupied the front seat in the Deacons pew, thinking himself the best English scholar present, bawled out with a loud voice. "Jailor sir." Mr. Van Sinderen feeling somewhat mortified at this unexpected reply, (for he wished to have given the answer himself,) looked down upon Ellison with some degree of scorn, and said to him, "you must never talk when I preach." ERASMUS HALL. Not long after the peace, measures were taken for the founding a respectable Academy in the town of Flatbush. The projectors of the enterprize were the Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston, who then residing in Flatbush, and Senator John Vanderbilt. The latter was a man of great public spirit, and of large and liberal views. He took an active part in accomplishing the noble design, and soon obtained the active co-operation of several other distinguished persons. At length, in the year 1786, Jacob Lefferts, Joris Martense, Peter Lefferts, Johannes E. Lott, Cornelius Vanderveer, John Vanderbilt, William B. Gifford, Peter Cornell, Matthew Clarkson, Aquila Giles, John J. Vanderbilt and Garrit Martense, inhabitants of the town of Flatbush, associated together, and took the necessary measures, for the erection of a large and commodious building, for an academy. A subscription paper was circulated in the village, and handed to some friends in the city of New-York, by which the sum of £915. was raised towards the object. This subscription is as follows. "Whereas, this county experiences the greatest inconvenience, from the want of a Public School being erected, in which, the English, Latin and Greek Languages, with other branches of learning, usual in Academies are taught, and considering the preceding regulations and proposals for erecting the same, in the township of Flatbush, highly beneficial and honorable to said county: We the underwritten, agree to pay towards erecting the same, such sum as is annexed to our names, the one half on the first day of April next, the other half on the first day of August following, and we further take the liberty to solicit from the friends of Literature, in New-York, their encouragement, to enable us to carry into execution this laudable attempt. Kings County, Flatbush, February 22d, 1786. (Signed,} John Vanderbilt, £100. Adriantie Voorhies, 30 Peter Lefferts, 60 Hendrick Suydam, 25 John Vanderbilt, 50 William B. Gifford, 20 Garrit Martense, 50 Philip Nagel, 15 M. Clarkson, 50 Peter Cornell, 15 Joris Martense, 50 Johannes Waldron, 5 Aa. Giles, 50 George Clinton, for any Jacob Lefferts, 50 place in Kings Co. 15 Johannes E. Lott, 50 John Jay, 15 Cornelius Vanderveer, 50 Robert R. Livingston, 15 James Duane, 15 John Sloss Hobart, 5 Richard Varick, 10 James Giles, 5 Brockholst Livingston, 10 John H. Livingston, 5 Alexander Hamilton, 10 Comfort Sands, 20 William Duer, 15 Samuel Franklin, 10 Walter Rutherford, 10 Francis Childs, 5 Carey Ludlow, 10 Richard Piatt, 10 Edward Livingston, 10 W. Edgar, 5 William Wilcocks, 10 Sampson Fleming, 5 D. C. Verplanck, 10 Aaron Burr, 10 ------Mc Coombe, 10 During that year, 1786, the building which was one hundred feet in front, and thirty-six feet in depth, was erected. We need not here give any particular description of it, as the inhabitants are all familiar with its appearance. The expense incurred in the completing of this edifice amounted to $6250. The money obtained by voluntary subscription, was first applied, but proved to be insufficient to defray the expenditures. The founders and benefactors of the Institution then turned their attention to another source. There was at that time a considerable tract of land lying east of the village, belonging to the inhabitants of Flatbush, and held by them in common. This is what was called Twillers and Corlear Flats. The proprietors of the town held rights in these Flats, which were specified in their deeds, but no one could locate his particular part. It was held in common, and hence consent was obtained for the sale and disposition of the same. The founders of the Academy held proportionate rights in these commons, and agreed that their respective proportions should be applied towards paying the debt they had contracted. These Flats, as we have heretofore stated, were sold at the rate of $16, an acre. The proceeds of the sale of Corlears Flats chiefly were devoted to the benefit of the Academy. The whole amount by which the Academy was benefited by this sale was about $1500. The residue of the amount of sales was divided among those inhabitants of the town who would not relinquish their right in favor of the Academy. As things were now in a considerable state of forwardness, and the building ready for its intended purposes, the founders above named, the more fully to carry their designs into effect, did, on the 18th day of May, 1787, make application to the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New-York, that the Academy erected by them, might be incorporated by that Honorable Body, and become subject to their visitation. On the 20th, of November, 1787, a charter of incorporation was granted to John Vanderbilt, Walter Minto, Peter Lefferts, Johannes E. Lott, Aquila Giles, Cornelius Vanderveer, George Martense, Jacob Lefferts, William B. Gifford, Hendrick Suydam, John J. Vanderbilt, Martinus Schoonmaker, Philip Nagel, Peter Cornell, John H. Livingston, James Wilson, Samuel Provost, John Mason and Comfort Sands, as Trustees of the said Academy, by the name and style of " The Trustees of Erasmus Hall, in Kings County." The name given to the Academy was in honor of Desiderius Erasmus, of Holland, the distinguished patron of literature, in the 16th, Century. Only two academies had been incorporated* by the Regents previously to this, so that it is the third oldest Academy in the State. It may be proper to state, that James Wilson, Samuel Provost, John Mason and Comfort Sands, four of the Trustees named in the Charter of Incorporation, in consequence of not living in the town, never attended any of the meetings of the Board, and their places becoming vacant, the Rev. Peter Lowe, Garrit Martense, Peter Stryker and Cornelius Bergen were elected members of the Board. The seminary was, from its commencement, opposed by many of the inhabitants of Elatbush, who entertained a strong and decided attachment to the village school, and consequently their influence and means had a great tendency to retard the rise and progress of Erasmus Hall. Several amusing anecdotes might be told touching this. Some were disposed to ascribe all their misfortunes to the erection of the Academy. One worthy old gentleman, when unloading some bags, unfortunately slipped, and fell from his waggon. He rose greatly incensed, and cried out, "that Academy will never do." The Trustees of the Institution however, though laboring under a heavy debt, and incumbered by various difficulties, were assiduous in their duty. They devised a system of instruction, rules and regulations by which the Hall should be governed, and employed the ablest and best teachers in the different departments of instruction. This last measure however, while it lessened the spirit of opposition, consumed the whole income of the institution, as all was annually expended in paying the salaries of these teachers and other expenses incidental to all literary establishments. The debt of the Hall, notwithstanding the most persevering exertions on the part of the Trustees, amounted still to $1,250. The Trustees by farther voluntary contributions, reduced somewhat this amount, so that on the 12th of September, 1789, it was $1,064.94. On the 17th day of June, 1794, application was made to the Trustees, for the purchase of the remaining part of the commons which had not been disposed of at the first sale. The proposals were accepted, and the conveyances accordingly executed. With the money arising from this sale, the debt of the Hall was reduced to $900. In this situation it remained till the year 1808, when a donation of $100, was granted by the Regents of the University to the Trustees of Erasmus Hall, and the same was applied, in conjunction with other exertions of the Trustees, towards discharging the debt, and on the 13th of May, 1809, it was reduced to $668. It remained nearly at this amount, till the year 1825, when the debt was entirely liquidated. At a session of the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church, held at Albany, in June 1794, they resolved to locate their Divinity Hall in Flatbush. Their professor of divinity, the Rev. Dr. Livingston, had previously resided here, and had given instruction to such students in theology as put themselves under his charge. It is to be regretted that the General Synod of the church ever removed their Theological School from this place, and located it in New-Jersey. Had it been continued in Flatbush, Erasmus Hall would long ere this, have grown into a flourishing college, under the auspices of the State of New-York, and the literary as well as theological interests of the Reformed Dutch Church, have been prospered in a far higher degree than they have yet been. The Rev. John H. Livingston, D. D., who then resided during the summer seasons, in the house now owned by Dr. Vanderveer, was appointed the First Principal of the Hall. The office at that time, was chiefly honorary, as he performed no part of the instruction in the Academy, and so it continued to be as late as the year 1814. Mr. James Todd, was chosen the First Classical, and Joseph Turner, the First English teacher. Very shortly afterwards, John Gibson, Edward Shepherd, John Terhune, Albert Oblenis and Michael Schoonmaker, were employed in succession, as assistant teachers. In the year 1792, Mr. Todd resigned, and the Trustees appointed Peter Wilson, afterwards known as Dr. Wilson, then Professor of Languages in Columbia College, the first or chief teacher in the Hall. During the period of the administration of this distinguished linguist, the Academy flourished rapidly. A large number of young men from the city of New-York, not only, but from Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia and the West-Indies were sent here to be educated, most of whom, boarded in the respective families of the town. Among these, some have been quite distinguished in the several professions, both in church and state. We may mention the following: William A. Duer, now President of Columbia College. John Duer, one of the revisers of the Revised Statutes of this state. John Berrian, late Attorney General of the United States, and now a member of the Senate. Henry Jackson, Secretary of Legation to France, under the Hon. Mr. Crawford. George M. Troup, for several terms Governor of Georgia. John Hunter, now a member of the Senate of New-York. Rev. Jno. Blair Linn, the eloquent minister of the Reformed Dutch Church, of New-York, and a distinguished American poet. Rev. Jno. H. Meyers, pastor of the church of Schenectady. Rev. Jacob Schoonmaker, D. D., pastor of the church of Jamaica. Rev. Peter Labagh, pastor of the church of Harlingen, New-Jersey. Rev. Peter Van Pelt, D. D., pastor of the church of Westchester. Rev. Philip Duryee, D. D., pastor of the church of English Neighborhood, N. J. Morris Miller, formerly member of Congress and First Judge of Oneida County. We might enlarge this list to a considerable extent, but we forbear. On the 28th of November, 1792, the Rev. Dr. Livingston resigned the office of Principal of the Hall. His letter was received by the board, on the 5th of December in that year, and at a subsequent meeting held on the 8th of the same month, an answer was agreed upon, which reflects the highest credit upon the heads and hearts of the Trustees. In it a most flattering, but entirely just tribute, is paid to the general character of Dr. Livingston, and especially to his zealous efforts in behalf of the Academy. Teachers of suitable qualifications were from time to time employed, to assist in the instruction of the pupils in the English and French languages. These we need not enumerate. On the 29th of June 1797, Dr. Wilson having been again called to the professorship of languages in Columbia College, resigned his post as chief teacher in the Academy. He appears, however, to have retained nominally, the office of Principal, until December 14th, 1804, and during this interval, attended the semi-annual examinations, exercised a watchfulness over the institution, and lent his aid in the procuring of suitable teachers. At his resignation, in 1797, he presented to the Trustees, the sum of £25, to be appropriated towards defraying the debts of the Hall. Mr. Albert Oblenis, was appointed First teacher, in the place of Dr. Wilson. He continued his connection with the institution, until the year 1806. In the year 1797, an attempt was made on behalf of the Trustees to obtain from the Legislature of the State the privilege of raising the sum of £1,200 by Lottery, with the view of liquidating their debt. A similar effort was made in the year 1809, but no law was passed by the Legislature for the purpose, and the project was abandoned. An arrangement having been effected by exchange of property, by which the Trustees of the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush came in possession of the lot of land on which the academy is erected, they, on the 29th day of December, in the year 1797, executed a lease of the same in perpetuity to the Trustees of Erasmus Hall, for a certain consideration, which is named in the instrument. Dr. Wilson finding it inconvenient to hold the office of Principal of the Hall, resigned the same in the year 1804. His letter of resignation was received at a meeting of the board, held February 9th, 1805, when his resignation was accepted, and the Rev. Peter Lowe appointed Principal. A most respectful letter was addressed to Dr. Wilson on the part of the Trustees, and their acknowledgments tendered to him for his faithful services in the institution. A little previous to this, viz., in the year 1803, the village school was removed into the academy, and Mr. Patrick Noon the last schoolmaster who was employed in the old school house was discharged. From that time to the present, being a period of about thirty-nine years, the children of the village have been regularly taught in Erasmus Hall. The instruction in the Academy after the resignation of Dr. Wilson, continued to be conducted by Messrs. Oblenis and Schoonmaker. The latter gentleman* resigned in 1805, and was succeeded by Mr. Richard Fish. Adrian Hegeman, Cornelius Van Cleef and John Wyckoff, were assistant teachers about the same period. In the month of September, 1806, Mr. Oblenis resigned the office of First teacher. He was succeeded by Mr. Joab Cooper, who has since become extensively known as the editor of an edition of Virgil. He continued his connection with the Hall, for about two years; when upon his resignation, Mr. Valentine Derry was appointed First teacher. In August 1809, Mr. Derry resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. Richard Whyte Thompson, who had charge of the institution for the next five years. Mr. Thompson was a man eminently qualified for this station. He was a thorough classical scholar, and possessed of eminent gifts for instruction. Under him the Academy rose again to considerable eminence, and many were taught by him who are now ornaments in the several professions. During his connection with the Academy, a number of assistant teachers were in succession employed. They were John Brannon, Edward Cassidy, Ava Neal, Nicholas Morris, Adrian Hegeman, and some others. Mr. Thompson resigned his situation as First teacher, in December, 1814. From this time forward, for a number of years, there were numerous changes in this department. William Thayre was appointed in December 1814. He was succeeded in 1815, by William Ironside. In 1816, Mr. Joab Cooper was again temporally employed; and in 1817, Mr. Andrew Craig took charge of the institution. Mr. Craig resigned his situation in June 1819, in consequence of the feeble state of his health. On accepting his resignation, the board adopted the following minute: "In consequence of the high opinion entertained by the board in the talents and usefulness of Mr. Craig, as the able instructor of youth, and the valuable member of society, his resignation was accepted by the board with sentiments of extreme regret." In August 1819, the Rev. Joseph Penney was chosen Principal of the Hall. He was associated with the Rev. John Mulligan. These gentlemen continued their connection with the Academy until the year 1821, when upon their resignation they were succeeded by the Rev. Timothy Clowes, D. D. He remained but about two years. In May 1823, the institution passed into the hands of Mr. Jonathan W. Kellogg, who continued to have charge of it till May 1834. During this period the Academy flourished. A large number of pupils from abroad were boarded in the Hall, and the Board of Trustees in 1825, were enabled to liquidate entirely the remains of the debt, under which the Academy had labored from its foundation. Upon his taking charge of the institution, Mr. Kellogg divided the English, or common school department, into male and female, and employed separate instructors for each. Previously to this, the boys and girls were associated in one room, and taught by one teacher. The separation introduced by Mr. Kellogg, and which was a very great improvement, has continued to this day. Not only separate and distinct apartments, but separate entrances have been provided for the males and females. The first Instructress under this new arrangement, was Miss Maria Jones. She was succeeded in 1829, by Miss Julia De Forest. She remained but about one year. Mrs. W. W. Maltby then taught for about six months, and was succeeded in 1831, by Miss Almira Meach, who taught for two years. A short time previous to Mr. Kellogg's leaving the institution, Miss Rudd had charge of the female department, assisted by Miss Ely. The male assistants under Mr. Kellogg, were Jonathan B. Kidder, John Frey, Theodore Morrell, William Allgeo, William H. Campbell, Isaac Grier, J. W. Thompson, J. J. Prentice and some others. We need not specify the precise times, during which these gentlemen taught. Miss Geib, Miss Philomela Rolla, Miss Emma Gillingham, and some others, were employed in giving instruction in music. During the period in which Mr. Kellogg had charge of the Academy, many improvements were made to the building and grounds. In the former, in addition to a front piazza, a full suit of dormitories was finished in the attic, besides other important changes. The campus, which was bare of trees and shrubbery, excepting two rows of decaying poplars extending in a diagonal direction, from the corners of the building to the road, was greatly improved. The heart, which lies in front of the entrance, was laid out and planted with flowers and shrubs. Besides the Balm of Gilead, in the centre of the heart, many ornamental forest trees, consisting of the tulip, the button ball and the sugar maple, together with a line of flowering shrubs, all around the front and sides, were set out. In addition to these, a row of button-ball trees was planted on the front walk. All these are now in a flourishing condition, and have added very greatly to the appearance of the Hall. In the winter of 1826-7, an additional wing, of fifty feet in depth and twenty-five in width, was added to the main building, for the accommodation of the schools. The cost of this was $1500, but in the course of about four or five years, this new debt was also paid. In May, 1834, the Rev. William H. Campbell, who had opened a select school in the village the previous year, took charge of the Institution. Though his superior qualifications as a teacher are well known, it is due to him, to say that while he gave the highest satisfaction to his employers, he infused a desire in the bosoms of parents in the village, to give their children a liberal education, to a degree that had never before existed. During his connection with the Academy, the standard of education in the town was much raised. In consequence of feeling that it was his duty to return to the ministry, which he had been forced to leave, in consequence of impaired health, he resigned his office as Principal of the Hall, and left it in the spring of 1839. He had employed, as his assistants, John W. Thompson, James Campbell, C. B. Raymond, John Mc Alpin, John Skellie, Mark Hopkins Beecher, Jacob Gillet, Ambrose Leet; and as instructresses in the female department Anna F. Vose and Laura Mc Elwaine. On the 20th, of January, 1835, the Regents of the University determined to establish a department for the instruction of common school teachers in Erasmus Hall, in conformity with the provisions of an act of the Legislature, which had passed the previous session, which authorised the Regents to endow a department of this character, in some one academy in each of the eight senatorial districts of the State. Erasmus Hall was chosen for the Southern District. The Trustees on the 10th, of February, 1835, agreed to accept the trust, and made all the necessary arrangements to carry out the views of the Legislature and of the Regents. It was soon found however, that in consequence of the high price of boarding in and about the city of New-York, the department would not be furnished with pupils. Only one or two applications were made, and the Trustees perceiving that it would be impracticable to maintain such a department, with any degree of success, in the Southern District, did, on the 31st, of December, 1836, resign the trust; upon which, the Regents transferred the department for this district to the Salem Academy in Washington County. Mr. Campbell was succeeded as Principal, in May, 1839, by the Rev. Dr. Penney, late President of Hamilton College. He however continued in the Institution, as classical teacher for nine months longer. In addition to him, Dr. Penney employed Mr. Beecher, Mr. Rowle, Mr. Davenport, Mr. Willis and Mr. Stoothoff. The females were taught chiefly by Miss Mc Ilwaine and Miss Palmer. Dr. Penney continued in charge of the Hall until November, 1841, when James Ferguson, A. M. the present worthy incumbent, entered upon his duties, whose character and assistants are well known. Attached to Erasmus Hall, is a library, philosophical and chemical apparatus, and a mineralogical cabinet. The latter is not large, but yet contains a goodly variety of specimens. The apparatus, both philosophical and chemical, is not in a very good state of repair. Some of the articles are comparatively new, and in good order. But the greater part are quite old and need to be replaced by others. The library has gradually increased until it has attained a very respectable size. It was commenced together with the philosophical apparatus, by a liberal donation from the board of Regents of the University of the State, in the year 1791. By the prudent and efficient management of the Trustees, the library has been fostered and gradually enlarged, until at present it numbers fifteen hundred and thirty-four volumes, and is the second academical library in size in the State. It is in general also well selected. It contains most of the standard authors in English Literature, and for history, will compare with any library of its size in the country. It affords not only the means of recreation to the pupils, but of sound and useful knowledge. The whole arrangements of the Hall, indeed, are now such, and have in fact almost always been as to furnish to all who are connected with it, the opportunity of obtaining a good, substantial education, sufficient indeed, to give the promise of high standing to those who may engage in any of the learned professions, and of usefulness and respectability, to such as may pursue the ordinary avocations of life. It is unquestionably an institution of pre-eminent value to the village, and in fact, to all the surrounding country. We trust it will ever continue to flourish as one of the brightest ornaments of the town, and be a healthful fountain from which shall flow forth many streams to fertilize and bless both the church and the State. Since the establishment of the Academy, several private schools have from time to time been set up in the village. Some of these were of a high classical character, and were for a season flourishing. But we need not now enumerate them. Connected with the literary history of the town, it is proper to state that about the year 1807, a very large printing-office was established in the village, by Mr. Isaac Riley. This was located in the present elegant lawn of Matthew Clarkson, Esq. The edifice was planned by Pope, the celebrated architect, and was put up at great cost. The establishment of Mr. Riley was very extensive. In connection with his printing-office he had a large bindery, at the head of which was Mr. James Olmstead. The printing department was superintended by Mr. Charles Wiley. In conducting the whole establishment, a large number of hands, male and female, were employed. It continued in operation for about seven years. The house was subsequently taken down, removed to Brooklyn, and rebuilt on the Heights opposite the city of New-York, where it is still standing. Some men of high literary attainment have been educated in this place, and the remains of Richard Alsop one of the poets of America, lie entombed in the public cemetery. None of the inhabitants of the town, however, have devoted themselves exclusively to literary pursuits, and of course we cannot boast of any distinguished author. It is due to the memory of Mr. Alsop that we state the circumstances of his death in this place. He came to Flat-bush in August 1815, to visit his sister, the wife of Mr. Riley. He had retired on a certain day to his room in the house now occupied by Mrs. Schoonmaker, and was subsequently found dead sitting in a chair by the window. It is presumed he had been struck with apoplexy. The tomb-stone which marks the place where his remains lie interred, bears the following inscription:—"In memory of Richard Alsop, Esq., of Middletown, Conn. Distinguished by genius and poetical talents, respected for integrity, and beloved for his amiable simplicity of character. He died suddenly, when on a visit to this place, on the 20th of August, 1815, aged fifty-four years." 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.