HISTORY Books: History of Flatbush - Preface; Kings co., NY

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Book Title: History Of Flatbush

  In preparing this edition of Strong's "History of Flatbush," it has been our
aim to preserve, so far as possible, the appearance of the original edition. The
map and illustrations have been reproduced, and two views and a portrait of Dr.
Strong have been added.

  The value of the work is enhanced by the addition of a complete index of names.
                                    FREDERICK LOESER & CO.
Brooklyn, N. Y.

September, 1908.


PREFACE.
  THIS History was prepared as a part of a course of Lectures by the "FLATBUSH
LITERARY ASSOCIATION," during the winter of 1841-2. In yielding to the request
which has been made to him from several sources to have it published, the author
would remark, that he has made some additions and corrections in it since it was
delivered. His object has been to make it as copious and authentic as
practicable. He has aimed more at fulness and accuracy of detail than at
ornament or display of composition. The great difficulty in accomplishing a work
of this nature, arises from the fact, that the early history of the town is
wrapped up in manuscripts written in the Dutch language, and many of them too in
a very small and cramped character. These but few can decipher and translate.
The author has happily been favored with the assistance of two gentlemen of
Flatbush, who have aided him very materially in this particular. Several papers
of importance relating to the civil and ecclesiastical history of the Town, have
been translated by them for the purpose of furthering this work. To these
gentlemen, John C Vanderveer and Jeremiah Lott, Esq's., the author would return
his grateful acknowledgments. The latter gentleman, in addition to several
translations and other documents, has also kindly furnished the draft of the map
which accompanies the volume. Assistance has also been derived from "Smith's
History of New-York," "Thompson's History of Long-Island," and "Furman's Notes,
&c, of the Town of Brooklyn." Besides these sources of information, General
Jeremiah Johnson, of Brooklyn, and several elderly persons living in the village
of Flatbush, have been consulted. From these individuals important facts
relative to the scenes which took place during the revolutionary war and the
times immediately preceding and following that great event, have been obtained.
The plan of the work now presented to the public, embraces five divisions: The
Civil—the Ecclesiastical—the Literary History of the Town—the incidents which
transpired therein during the war, which resulted in our American Independence,
and a description of some of the changes or improvements which have been
introduced in more modern times. The author is conscious that in regard to the
earlier history of Flatbush, there is much that is defective—arising from the
want of sufficient sources of information. These will not probably be fully
supplied until the return and publication of the report of Romeyn Brodhead,
Esq., who is now in Holland as a Commissioner from the State of New-York, to
collect information relative to the settlement and early History of this State.
He has already obtained possession of a great amount of valuable facts, which
will throw much light upon both the early civil and ecclesiastical affairs, not
only of the Dynasty of New-Netherlands generally—but particularly of the west
end of Long-Island. When this work shall appear, it will supply all that is
defective in the present volume, as far as relates to the early history of the
town. In the mean time, trusting to the candor and generosity of the public to
receive with favor, an attempt to regain and preserve the facts connected with
the history of one of the oldest towns in the state, consent has been given to
the publication of this work.
     FLATBUSH, L. I., APRIL 4, 1842.

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.