Notes Geographical and Historical, Relating to the Town of Brooklyn in Kings County on Long-IslandFurman, Gabriel
History
Notes Geographical and Historical, Relating to the Town of Brooklyn in Kings County on Long-Island
Furman, Gabriel
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) -- History
In consequence of the prevalence of the Yellow fever in Brooklyn, in the
month of August, 1809, the old ferry was removed to the foot of
Joralemon-street, and the boats plied from there to Whitehall, New-York.
On the 4th day of March, 1814. The legislature of this State passed an
act allowing William Cutting and others his associates, to charge four
cents for each passenger crossing in the Steam-boat to be by them placed
on the Old ferry. Previous to this, the fare was two cents for each
passenger. May, 1814, the Steam-boat commenced plying on the old ferry
between Brooklyn and New-York.
This Ferry Company derive their interest in the old or Fulton ferry,
from a lease executed January 24th, 1814, by the Mayor, Aldermen and
Commonalty of the City of New-York, to Robert Fulton, and William
Cutting. The rent reserved by the Corporation on this lease is $4000 per
annum for the first 18 years, and $4500 per annum for the remaining 7
years.[11] It is a difficult matter to speak correctly of the present
income of this ferry. At its first establishment the dividends were made
on a capital estimated at $45,000, divided into shares of $1000 each,
and were made at the rate of 5 per cent. for six months and what
remained after this 5 per cent. taken out, formed the surplus dividend.
From May 1814, to November 1815, the regular dividends on one share
amounted to $157 11½, and during the same period the surplus dividend
amounted to $228 21½, making a dividend of $385 33, on one share for
about 18 months equal to about 25 per cent. per annum.
At the Session of the Legislature in the winter of 1818, the Corporation
of New-York presented a petition praying that they might have the
regulation of the rates of ferriage between this town and the city of
New-York--against which the Trustees of the village of Brooklyn, and the
inhabitants of this town strongly remonstrated, stating that “they had
full confidence that the Legislature of this state would never increase
the rates of ferriage, nor permit the same to be increased, beyond what
is necessary to support the ferries in the best manner; they therefore
prayed that the Legislature would not surrender to the Corporation of
New-York a right, which had been reserved by the Legislature, and which
the petitioners deemed of the greatest importance to the inhabitants of
Nassau-Island.”
ROADS AND PUBLIC LANDING PLACES.
This town appears to have entered early into the contest respecting
roads. There are many instances on record previous to 1683, of the
Constable of Brooklyn being ordered to repair the roads, and in case of
neglect, fined; and in one instance he was ordered by the Court not to
depart until further order.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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