In 1823, a young United States is almost exactly midway between the American
Revolution and the American Civil War. On a Thursday in August of that
year, Henry Sleight of Jamaica edits and prints the 190th run of his newspaper.
A copy survives to give us a glimpse of life at Jamaica Village, in Queens
County. While the 'Star Journal' takes a vacation this week, welcome to
'Long Island Farmer' of August 19, 1823.
Under the headline, Rights of the People! Queens County protests the
choice of Presidential electors by the legislature in caucus. They favor
selection by the people directly. There is a meeting planned at the courthouse
in Hempstead to discuss sending delegates for the state convention.
On Monday, rain falls in Rensselaer Country accompanied with hail and
violent wind. Fences are leveled, timber and fruit tress are turned up,
and fields of corn suffer injury. Mr. Hilton Jerome's barn is leveled,
but the next day neighbors assemble and build him a new barn. It is completed
by Friday.
[Over 175 years ago, New York and Queens are already connected by regularly
scheduled steamboat and stage lines. New York's transportation and port
facilities make possible a wide range of domestic and international goods
in Queens.]
One enterprising early taxi driver places an ad: a good Stage, gentle
Horse, and careful Driver. I solicit a share of public patronage. Price
is fifty cents!
[Another ad reads], the Jamaica Post Coach covers the 12 miles to Brooklyn
in ninety minutes or less. It leaves every morning at 7 AM for Brooklyn,
and leaves Brooklyn at 5 PM for Jamaica. Service is also available to
New York by way of the Williamsburg Ferry. On the return trip, call for
passengers at Mr. Meads at 21 Bowery, and Mr. Wheeler's Hotel at the Williamsburg
ferry.
The elegant new Steam-Boat, Linnaeus, Capt J. Peck, leaves the Fulton-street
wharf, East River for Flushing. On Tuesday, it leaves Flushing at 7 AM
and arrives in New York two hours later. The boat makes the trip twice
on most days.
Wholesale prices quotes in New York include a wide range of items, from
domestic goods (cloth) through feathers, fish, flax, wheat, molasses,
sugar, glass, glue, gunpowder, hams, hemp, lard, honey, naval stores,
peas, pork, seed, wine, wool, beef, butter, and coffee.
[Queens' advantageous location attracted people then as today. Ads for
hotels and boarding schools underscored the area's growing popularity]
During the summer, many people frequent Jamaica Village to its proximity
to the city as well as its excellent schools. Visitors from around the
county acknowledge its beauty. Within four miles of Flushing (also becoming
a fashionable resort), Jamaica is also on the road to the Rockaways, where
some of the best watering holes in the city can be found!
John Hicks, Jamaica, Long Island, informs his friends and public that
he has returned to the house in the village opposite to the Episcopal
Church. He has repaired and painted it. It is now open for accommodations
and entertainment, whether on business or pleasure within the Village
of Jamaica.
Mr. and Mrs. Hallworth announce the recently opened Female Academy in
the pleasant, healthy and suitable Village of Jamaica. The course of study
includes both the solid and ornamental branches of the English education
and the French language. Instructions include writing, arithmetic, worsted-work,
embossed-work, embroidery, lace, painting, and music. Pupils who board
with the Principals are treated as their own children. All committed to
their care are faithfully instructed. Terms moderate.
[Despite these progressive touches, Queens was still overwhelmingly rural,
as these following advertisements testify.
Grass for sale on the Meadow Land, at Jamaica South, near Cornell's mill,
generally known as the town commons. It consists of a mixture of salt,
short, sedge and black grass, is of very fine growth and has a sufficient
border of upland for the purpose of stacking. It is supposed to be equal
to any other, for quality of grass, and convenience of getting the hay.
For a view of the grass, and for terms, apply to James Denton, Esq. at
the Beaver Pond.
Stray sheep came in the enclosure of Jonathan Rowland, at Flushing Fly
on the 30th of July. Any person proving property and paying charges for
the five ewes and four lambs can take them away.
Whoever will apply an ointment made of gunpowder, brimstone and common
grease behind the necks of lambs will be sure of preserving them from
all kinds of vermin.
[Slavery existed in Queens in the generation before the Civil War. New
York State was one of the last places to abolish slavery in the North.]
Five dollars reward, for a Negro boy named James Smith, aged about twenty
years, who ran away from the subscriber. He had on a superfine brown long
coat, a high crown beaver hat that was almost new, light striped pantaloons,
and Wellington boots. Whoever will confine him in any jail so that I can
have information of him, shall receive the above reward. All persons are
forbidden harboring, trusting, or employing him under the penalty of the
law ... John Franklin, Bayside
Six cents reward, a black woman named Bet, aged about 35 years. Also
her two children, Gin, aged about 10 and Bill, 6 years. Contact Jerome
Snedecker. All persons are forbidden from harboring or employing her under
penalty of law.
[We will never know why this particular issue survived. Perhaps its owner
was a witness the greatest celebration in the city up to that time: the
visit by Revolutionary War hero General Lafayette. The event is described
in full.]
General Lafayette, accompanied by his son, George Washington Lafayette
arrived after a pleasant 31-day voyage. News spread through the city like
electricity. Soon throngs on Broadway and crowds in the Battery sallied
forth with the expectation that this man, the Hero and veteran of two
revolutions, might come directly to the city. Instead, he spent the night
at Vice President Tompkin's home on Staten Island.
The following morning, the Marquis Lafayette, the only surviving General
of our Revolution, lands in New York amidst every demonstration of joy
and admiration that our citizens could bestow. The news of the General's
arrival spreads through the surrounding country with the rapidity of lighting
and from the dawn of day until noon, the roads and ferryboats were clogged
with people heading to New York intent on glimpsing the great Hero.
The official committee sails out on a flotilla of steamboats with names
like 'Chancellor Livingston,' 'Oliver Ellsworth,' 'Connecticut,' 'Olive
Branch,' 'Nautilus.' All are superbly dressed with flags and streamers.
The spectacle as the boats assemble is truly beautiful. The steamship
'Robert Fulton,' her yards manned with about 200 seamen from the Constitution,
is rich beyond description. The view of this fleet will perhaps never
be forgotten. It is not only unique, but beyond a doubt, one of the most
splendid spectacles ever witnessed on this part of the globe.
The reception of the General by his old companions in arms is the reunion
of a long separated family. He embraces Colonel Willett, 85, again and
again.
The cheers and acclamations of nearly 30,000 people greeted the General
at the Battery, and 3,000 squeezed into the Castle [Clinton] for the reception.
A gun announced the start of the parade that goes up Broadway to City
Hall. The general enthusiasm extends to children of all ages. Ignoring
protocol, he has the 'extraordinary inclination and good feeling' to shake
the hands of the six or seven hundred youth at the occasion.
After ceremonies conclude at City Hall, he goes to his lodgings at the
City Hotel. As he dines that evening, the front of the hotel (as well
as several other buildings) are handsomely illuminated. Theatres and public
gardens display fireworks and rockets in his honor.
The evening passes with great glee. Not a single accident mars the day's
joy.
The fame of the Hero continues to reverberate throughout the city. His
memory is hallowed at every family alter. May future generations be familiar
with his name and echo his praises.
