Benjamin F. Thompson - History of Long Island

History of Long Island

BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON

History of Long Island, B. F. Thompson

Jazzybee Verlag Jrgen Beck

86450 Altenmnster, Loschberg 9

Deutschland

ISBN: 9783849650117

www.jazzybee-verlag.de

admin@jazzybee-verlag.de

Historical Reminiscences Of Interesting Circumstances And Events,

In collecting materials for the History of Long Island, the compiler has availed himself of every source of authentic information to render the work both useful and interesting; with what success must be left to the consideration of the reader. He has avoided, no reasonable labor or expense to make his publication worthy of approbation, although he has failed to satisfy himself in accomplishing all that he anticipated on first setting out. Beauty of style and elegance of description were not among the primary objects of the compiler, his principal aim being to present a correct and full account of Long Island, constituting a valuable repository of historical and statistical information. Had he anticipated the labor and responsibility he was about to assume, with the obstacles to be encountered in his progress, he would most likely have abandoned the undertaking, even after a large mass of material had been accumulated.

Two centuries have scarcely elapsed since this fair isle, now so far advanced in population, business, and wealth, was possessed by a race of men, little more intelligent than the beasts of the forest. Consequently it must be a matter of very considerable importance to trace the progress of Its strange eventful history, mark the revolutions which time has produced, and transmit the details thereof to posterity.

A Long Islander by birth and descended from an ancestry coeval with its first settlement by Europeans, the compiler has been desirous of presenting to his fellow citizens a series of interesting facts and incidents of olden time, of much intrinsic value and highly worthy of preservation. For much valuable information derived from the kindness of several respectable individuals, he begs to express his sincere acknowledgments for the many favors thus gratuitously afforded him.

To the Sketch of the First Settlement of the Several Towns Upon Long Island, by the Hon. Silas Wood, the compiler is largely indebted, as well to Notes, Geographical and Historical, Relating to the Town of Brooklyn, by the Hon. Gabriel Furman. In relation to the geology of the island, he has availed himself of the labors and researches of William W. Mather, Esq., and others his associates, in the late geological survey of the state of New York.

In this compilation, it is presumed something will be found interesting to every class of readers; and that it may hereafter be referred to as an authentic record of facts connected with the settlement of the country, and with its colonial and revolutionary history. The author is aware that by delaying his publication many additional matters may have been obtained, but this desideratum is incident to the very nature of history, and if one should resolve not to publish till everything should be collected, his labor would never end, and what he had already procured would in the meantime be useless to others. Works of this character will always appear premature, for the reason that there is no limit to the accumulating of materials. History is progressive and new facts are constantly occurring, which can only be included in subsequent editions of a work like this. When it is considered that a single town will often afford sufficient matter for a good-sized volume, the difficulty of comprising anything like a complete history of twenty-one towns in the present publication will not only be apparent to all, but it is hoped will constitute some apology for any imperfections discoverable herein.

Hempstead, L. I., January 1, 1839.

As History has been allowed to hold an elevated rank among the more important branches of human learning, so the knowledge which it affords must be highly useful and interesting. As a distinct species of literature, history not only teaches important lessons, but by a method also the most striking and durable, that of example. It collects the evidences and perpetuates the recollection of events long past, which would otherwise be buried in oblivion.

Local history must necessarily be more minute in its details than that which is more general, requiring equal patience and labor of inquiry, with a circumstantial delineation of facts, which would necessarily be passed over in works of larger grasp.

Many generations have come and passed away since the towns of Long Island began to be settled by our Dutch and English ancestors, and doubtless a thousand events have perished which, if known, would dissipate much of the doubt and uncertainty that now impede the progress of inquiry.

The first edition of this work having been most favorably received by the public, has imposed upon the compiler an obligation of increased exertion to render the present, in all respects, more worthy of its patronage. In addition to a thorough re-examination of town and country records, he has inspected with care and attention numerous volumes of manuscript records in the office of the Secretary of State, and the historical collections of most of the New England States. The map accompanying this work has been compiled with care, and is more accurate than any other heretofore published. By it the topography of the island will be better understood, and what has been hitherto a sort of terra incognita will be better known, and as it is hoped more favorably appreciated.

It will be perceived that the arrangement in the former volume has been altered in this edition, the better to harmonize with the chronological order of events, and to allow of the insertion of much new matter. The names of the first planters, and prominent individuals of olden time, have been inserted, from which it may be learned that most of those names are still found amongst us. A more complete series of ancient patents, and other documents affecting the titles to real estate, have been introduced, which are of importance to the towns and to their inhabitants.

Among other matters of curiosity and interest now published, may be mentioned the Mortgage of Long Island to Fenwick and Others in 1641, and the subsequent release of it. The grant of the island, with other territory, by Charles II., in 1664, to James, Duke of York; the Flushing remonstrance of 1657; the account of Captains Underbill and Scott, and the piratical career of the notorious Kidd. To these are added a full account of the terrible disasters connected with the wrecks of the " Bristol " and " Mexico," on the south shore of the island and the burning of the steamer " Lexington " In Long Island Sound.

More extended lists have been prepared of the persons who composed the different colonial and state conventions, congresses and legislative assemblies: the signers of the charter of independence; the framers of the national and state constitutions; judges, representatives in congress; members of assembly, surrogates, clerks, sheriffs, and district attorneys, since the organization of the government.

The compiler dismisses his work, believing that he has thereby rendered a valuable service to his country, one which the inhabitants of Long Island will appreciate when he shall be numbered with the dead, and the hand that pens these lines be crumbled into dust.