Mispat or Maspeth, before mentioned, at the head of Newtown creek or English kills, is a small hamlet, but the location is very pleasant, and from which turnpike roads lead to Brooklyn, Williamsburgh, Jamaica and Flushing. Here is the country mansion of the Hon. Garret Furman, formerly a judge of the common pleas, and the late residence of his excellency, De Witt Clinton. Astoria (late Hallet's Cove) is by far the most important village in the town, being situated upon the East river, opposite 86th street, New York, and has a steam ferry connecting it with the city. It is certainly to be lamented, that in the unnatural rage for changing names, this place should have come within its influence, its former appellation being a respectful and deserved memorial of its ancient owner, as the following document illustrates : "Petrus Stuyvesant doth declare, that on the day of the date here underwritten, he hath granted and allowed, unto William Hallet, a Plot of ground at Hell-Gate, upon Long Island, called Jark's Farm, beginning at a great Rock, that lays in the meadow, (or rather valley,) goes upward south-east to the end of a very small Cripple-Bush, two hundred and ten rods; from thence northeast two hundred and thirty rods; on the north it goes up to a running water, two hundred and ten rods; containing, in the whole, 80 Morgan, and 300 rods, (about 154 acres.) This done 1, day of Dec., 1652, at New Amsterdam, by Cooper, but the institution was suspended during the Revolutionary war, although Mr. Moore, it is believed, during this period remained in the city. In 1784, he was appointed professor of rhetoric and logic in Columbia College, which office he sustained three years. In 1789, he was again assistant minister of Trinity Church, and the same year was created S. T. D. In 1800, he became rector, and was elected bishop of the diocese Sept. 5, 1801, as the successor of the Right Rev. Samuel Provost, and the same year was elected to the presidency of the college, which he held till 1811, when he was succeeded by the Right Rev. Samuel Harris, S. T. D. He was unable, from bodily infirmity, to discharge the duties of the pastoral office for some years before his death, which occurred in Feb., 1816, and was assisted by the Rev. John Henry Hobart, who succeeded to the prelacy on his decease. Dr. Moore was a man of distinguished ability, and rose to public confidence and respect, and to general esteem, solely by the force of natural talents and great private worth. His acquirements in Greek were not so extensive as in Latin, which he wrote and spoke with great facility, possessing at the same time a keen relish for the beauties of the best authors in that language. The refined taste which was exhibited in all his writings was imbibed at the pure classic fount. order of the Honorable Director-General, and the Honorable Council of New Netherlands. "P. STUYVESANT. [L. S. ] "CAREL VAN BRUGGE, Sec'y." The premises were confirmed by the sachem, Dec. 5, 1664, for the consideration of 58 fathom of wampum, 7 coats, 1 blanket, and 4 kettles. A patent of confirmation was also executed by Governor Nicoll, April 8, 1668, and a further patent by Col. Dongan, April 1, 1688, for an annual quit-rent of two shillings. A deed was executed Aug. 1, 1664, to William Hallet, by Shawestsout and Erromohar, Indians of Shawkopoke (Staten Island,) by command of Mattano, sagamore-for a tract of land described as follows: "Beginning at the first Crick, called Sunwick, westward below Hellgate upon Long Island, and from the mouth of sd Crick, south to a markt tree fast by a great Rock, and from the sd markt tree southward 15 score rods, to another markt tree, which stands from another Rock, a little westward, and from that markt tree, right to the Point, upon an Island, which belongs to the Poor's Bowery, and soe round by the River, through Hellgate to the foresd Crick westward, where it began, and which the sa Hallet did formerly live upon, to have and to hold, &c. unto the foresd William Hallet, his Heirs, Exeurs admtrs. and assigns forever." [L. S.] Sealed, &c. "JOHN COE." SHAWESTSOUT N his mark. The above conveyances did not embrace what is "called Hellgate Neck," as that was in 1665 the property of Thomas Lawrence; and an act was passed Sept. 23, 1701, "for quieting, settling, and confirming the right of his sons Thomas, William, and John to the said tract, and vacating all under patents, if any, clandestinely obtained.” The village of Astoria, formerly Hallet's Cove, has greatly increased in business and population within a few years—indeed its extraordinary local advantages are quite sufficient to enhance its growth and importance to an almost unlimited extent. For manufacturing purposes, its situation is unequalled, so far as steam power can be applied; and its easy access to the city, adds greatly to its other facilities. St. George's Episcopal Church, in this village, was erected in 1828, and was at first under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Sa muel Seabury, now editor of a weekly religious paper, called the Churchman, and rector of the Church of the Annunciation, in the city of New York. The present rector is the Rev. George W. Brown, a graduate of Union College, and he was inducted into this church Oct. 1, 1837. The reformed Dutch church was built in 1834, of which the Rev. Alexander Hamilton Bishop, is pastor. He is son of Timothy Bishop, merchant of New Haven, and graduated at Yale in 1830. His installation here took place Sept. 1840. He married a daughter of Obediah Holmes, Esq. merchant of New York. Both church edifices are situated upon an eminence, commanding an extensive prospect, and are seen to good advantage at a considerable distance, upon the river, as well as from the opposite shore. The Astoria Female Institute, under the superintendence of the Rev. Mr. Brown, was established in 1838; its location is excellent, and combining the most beautiful scenery with an animated. water prospect. The institute enjoys, moreover, the advantage of retired rural walks and pleasant groves, in its vicinity; and in order to encourage a taste for floral horticulture, a portion of the flower garden is laid out to each pupil. The rector with his family, the resident teachers and pupils, who are limited in number to thirty, form one household, and the government of the whole is paternal. Here are taught all the useful and ornamental branches of education, common in the best arranged female seminaries. In the immediate neighborhood are several superb private residences, surrounded by all the luxury of the most splendid scenery. There is also an extensive carpet factory, one for hats, and others. for chairs, candles, wool-cards, &c. besides gardens and nurseries filled with fruit and ornamental trees, plants, &c.* The celebrated pass or strait, called by the Dutch Helle-gat, (or narrow passage,) is on the northern border of the town, where those who love to witness the impetuous strife of angry currents, with cragged and zig-zag courses , among hidden rocks, may find full gratification. Our estimable countryman, Washington Irving, Esq. speaking of this celebrated place, with which the idea of danger has in all ages been nearly associated, says, "Hell-gate is as pacific at low water as any other stream; as the tide rises, it begins to fret; at half tide it rages and roars, as if bellowing for more water: but when the The whole north shore of this town from Flushing Bay, on the east to Kings county line on the west, affords some of the richest and most varied scenery in the world-and upon it may be seen many noble residences, some of which have been erected by wealthy retired merchants, from the neighboring city. Among the most magnificent of these, is the seat of George M. Woolsey, Esq. a former London merchant and now conducting an extensive sugar refinery in New York. The mansion house and grounds are not exceeded by any in this part of the country, and the variety, softness and beauty of the scenery is unsurpassed by any other which can be found. In the village of Astoria is the substantial mansion of the late General Ebenezer Stevens, occupied by his family. Also the stately residence of Dr. Alexander H. Stevens, and that of the well known and eccentric Grant Thorburn, distinguished by Galt, as the hero of his novel of "Lawrie Todd." Ravenswood, is the name of a settlement a little south west of Astoria, in which it has been attempted to build up a beautiful villa, on the banks of the East River, where the site is sufficiently elevated to afford charming views of the surrounding landscape, and possessing charms almost rivalling the descriptions of romance. The scenery upon the Thames at Windsor, scarcely compares with this, in all that can delight the eye, or satisfy the most extravagant fancy. The Poor House Farms, the property of the corporation of the city of New York, occupy the territory between Ravenswood and the Dutch Kills, or Newtown Creek. The buildings are spacious but not elegant, but the land is well cultivated, and there are accommodated here, nearly one thousand vagrant and orphan children. Their health, education and manners are attended to under the direction of overseers, teachers, &c. and when of sufficient age, are put out to trades and various other pursuits, with respectable and prudent masters. tide is full, it relapses again into quiet, and for a time seems almost to sleep as soundly as an alderman after dinner. It may be compared to an inveterate drinker, who is a peaceful fellow enough when he has no liquor at all, or when he is skinfull; but when half seas over, plays the very devil." |