RICH  MEN AND WOMEN
OF
BROOKLYN  AND  WILLIAMSBURGH


INTRO..From the authors..


	The publishers and compilers of this work did not undertake it without being duly 
impressed with the delicacy and importance of the task, and without being aware that 
they would, at the commencement, meet with much opposition from envious and interested 
sources, and from persons not comprehending its true objects and purposes.  Persons 
who move in society with borrowed plumes, and others who assume high positions from 
fictitious capital and merely ostensible possessions, have felt alarm lest their real 
situations might be made apparent; while others have been causelessly apprehensive that 
in our biographical notices we might shadow forth circumstances and events in their 
lives not meet for the public eye. Far from the latter being the case, we have 
(and shall in future enlarged editions of this book) carefully abstain from inflicting a 
wound upon the feelings or casting a shade upon the reputation of anyone; whilst, if 
there be aught that will add lustre to the name or career of even the humbIest individual,
we shall eagerly seize upon all facts that may present themselves to elevate the standing 
or give celebrity to the station of those who may be mentioned in these pages. We are 
conscious that in our initial effort many omissions, many errors, and the neglect of 
much interesting detail may, with truth, be ascribed to us ; but in a succeeding issue, 
(for which arrangements have already been made) these defects will not, we hope, appear. 
A consideration of the numerous obstacles we have had to contend with, together with our 
inexperience in matters pertaining to such a publication, will, we doubt not, entitle us 
to the indulgence and favor of those who might otherwise be disposed to criticise our 
labors with severity, and carp at the imperfections of our maiden production in this 
department of literature. We ean confidently state, however, that neither care, expense, 
nor labor has been spared to render the work as correct as possible, so far as regards 
the estimated wealth of the men and women of Brooklyn and Williamsburgh; and we shall be 
glad, in the next edition we contemplate, to correct any and all the mistakes we may have 
made. Of one thing we are certain ; that the statistical matter will compare to our 
advantage with that of a similar pamphlet published in New York, which has had an enormous 
sale, and obtained munificent pecuniary reward.

	Strange as it may appear, it is undoubtedly true that the great city of Brooklyn ;-its 
wealth, importance, and extent,-the opulence of its merchants and traders-and the exalted 
monetary standing of a 1arge body of its inhabitants, (of those who tenant its unpretending 
dwellings, as well as the occupants of its many palaces)-are scarcely known beyond its 
geographical limits. We hope to obtain for it, by the issue of this book, an acquisition 
of greater general importance than it has heretofoe possessed; and show, to adjacent as 
well as remote communities, its right and title to be regarded, in all that constitutes 
a city, as the sixth in greatness in the United States.
	
	On the cover, we give the number of inhabitants of this county as furnished by the 
last official census, and, also-from sources which may be relied upon-- the several amounts 
of assessments levied in each ward upon real and personal property, for the general 
expenses of the city, and the support of the Common Schoo1s. To the uninitiated in such 
matters, these statements will not be devoid of interest.


who are residents of other places. The names of these individuaJs will be published 
in the next edition of this work, together with such particulars concerning them as may 
be deemed interesting, and shall fall legitimately within its province and purview. 
To any persons who will transmit to us information of the character contemplated, 
(addressed to J. Lomas, 45 Prince street,) we shall feel greatly obliged; but we shall 
not take cognizance of any communications from. anonymous sources, or any that are 
not post paid.  Since our first announcement to issue this pamphlet, we have had hundreds 
of letters from individuals who have (for purposes best known to themselves) not given 
their names ; and all such have been thrown aside as undeserving of notice.

	We desire to state, also, that in our next edition, we shall embrace the names of 
all the wealthy persons of Flatbush, Bushwick, Gravesend, New Utrecht, Flatlands, 
Carnarsa, ana other portions of the county of Kings not already included in this copy.

	 JOHN LOMAS
	 ALFRED S. PEACE.

Brooklyn, Feb. 1847.


 ** In the subjoined alphabetical lists, the publishers have given the aggregate amount or 
each individual's wealth-without separating the real from the personal estates. 
In subsequent editions whioh will appear, these distinctions will be marked.



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