HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY

with illustrations, Portraits & Sketches of Prominent Families and Individuals.
New York: W.W. Munsell & Co.; 1882.
pp. 60-64.





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CHAPTER V.
HISTORY OF THE QUEENS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
THERE were three series of fairs established in succession in Queens county.
The first was in 1693, after the English custom:. 
"To remedy the inconvenience of a want of certain market days, and that trade may be 
better encouraged, the General Assembly of the colony of New York enact that a public
and open market be held at Jamaica every Thursday for sale or barter, in gross
or retail, of cattle, grain, victuals, provisions and other necessities, and of
all sorts of merchandise, from 8 o’clock A.M. till sunset, without payment of toll."

A fair at Jamaica, beginning on the first Tuesday in May and the third
Tuesday in October, and continuing four days, was also established. A governor
and ruler of the fair was to hold a court of pypowder (as it was called)
"to limit out an open place where horses and other cattle may be
sold," to appoint a toll gatherer to take nine pence for every horse sold,
and to enter in a book its mark and color, and the name and dwelling place of
the parties to the bargain.

In 1728 the fair opened on May 6th and continued four days, during which
there were exposed for sale a variety of goods and merchandise and several fine
horses. A lion also was on show to enhance the interest of the occasion. We know
nothing further of the success or continuance of this fair, except that in May
1774 John Rapelye was governor and superintendent, and that Robert Brooks was
clerk of two fairs for Queens county, to be held at Jamaica on the first Tuesday
in May and the third Tuesday in October, each to continue four days.

A meeting for the formation of an agricultural society for Queens county was
held at the old court-house near Mineola on November 11th 1817. Of this 
Lewis S. Hewlett was chairman and 
John I. Cromwell secretary. 
Its object was to improve the method of farming, the raising of stock and rural economy. 
To the committee were added :
Garrett Laton, 
Major William Jones and Henry 0. Seaman. 

The society was organized June 21st 1819, by electing :
Rufus King president; 
Effingham Lawrence, 
Singleton Mitchell and William Jones, vice-presidents; 
Rev. David S.
Bogart, corresponding secretary; 
Thomas Philips, recording secretary, and 
Daniel Kissam, treasurer.

The first exhibition was held at the court-house on the first Tuesday in
November 1819. Premiums to the amount of $200 were awarded for corn, potatoes,
rutabaga turnips, cloths, cattle, sheep, swine, and one four-year-old gelding.
No imported animal was exhibited. In 1820 more persons were assembled at the
fair than on any previous occasion. Premiums were awarded (among others) 
to Rufus King for the best much cow, 
to Joseph Onderdonk for rutabagas, and 
to Townsend Cock for his celebrated horse "Duroc."

In 1821 the exhibition list was increased, and premiums to the amount of $369
were awarded for potatoes, wheat, rye, flax, barley, carpets, mittens,
stockings, etc. To Henry Covert $10 was allowed for a garden plough and machines
for planting beans and sowing turnip seed; and to Garrett Laton $10 for the most
cloth made in one family, viz.: 202 yards of woolen and 363 yards of linen.

There was a varied display of domestic animals. At the last fair in 1822
specimens of cotton were exhibited by 
Colonel Leverich, of Newtown. 
Tunis D. Covert, of Jamaica South, raised 60 hills, and 
Daniel C. Coles, of Oyster Bay, raised cotton sufficient to make 20 yards of muslin. 
In addition to the usual articles, kidney potatoes, working oxen, Indian corn and linen 
sheetings were on exhibition. The premiums reached the sum of $263.50. An address was 
delivered by Judge Effingham Lawrence, who was introduced to the audience assembled in 
the court-house by a few prefatory remarks from Rufus King, president of the
society. This was the last meeting of the society. It failed from a lack of
interest in the farming community.

The present Queens County Agricultural Society originated at a meeting of the executive 
committee of the New York State Agricultural Society, held at William Niblo’s in New York 
city July 21st 1841, when a committee was appointed, of the following persons, to solicit 
donations and new members to the society, and to make arrangements for the organization of 
an agricultural society for Queens county: 
Newtown, 
Grant Thorburn, 
Garret Cowenhoven; 

Flushing, 
John W. Lawrence, 
Effingham Lawrence; 

North Hempstead, 
Singleton Mitchell,
Robert W. Mott; 

Oyster Bay, 
John Wells,
 Albert G. Carll; 

Hempstead, 
John Bedell, 
Edward H. Seaman; 

Jamaica, 
William R. Gracie, 
John Johnson.

On October 2nd 1841 a meeting was held at the courthouse. 
Singleton Mitchell was called to the chair and 
Albert G. Carll appointed secretary; when it was unanimously resolved that 
"it is expedient to form an agricultural society in this county," and that a 
committee of one person from each town be appointed to report a constitution. 
The chair appointed :
Robert W. Mott, 
John G. Lamberson, 
Effingham Lawrence, 
Thomas B. Jackson, 
John Johnson and Albert G. Carll. 

On October 9th 1841 the society was organized, with the following officers:
Effingham Lawrence, president; 

George Nostrand, 
William Henry Carter, 
Thomas B. Jackson, 
Platt Willets, 
Singleton Mitchell and George D. Coles, vice-presidents; 

Albert G. Carll, corresponding secretary; 
John G. Lamberson, recording secretary; 
Daniel K. Youngs, treasurer.

The first circular was issued March 21st 1842, with this appeal to the people
of the county: 
"We ask you to unite with the society and give it your
encouragement; and not let it be said that the farmers of Queens county have not
sufficient spirit to keep an agricultural society in existence."

Arrangements were made to hold the first fair on Thursday October 13th 1842,
at Anderson’s hotel, in Hempstead, and Vice Chancellor McCoun was invited to
deliver the address. On the appointed day a procession of the Hempstead band,
clergy, orator, officers and members of the society and citizens generally was
formed and marched from the hotel to the Methodist church, which was well
filled. An ode composed by William Cullen Bryant was sung, prayer made and the
address delivered. The receipts for the year, including $91 given by the State,
amounted to $338, of which about $250 was awarded in premiums.

The second fair was also held at Hempstead, October 17th, 1843, over 6,000
persons being present, and another of Bryant’s odes was sung under a tent
erected in the yard of the hotel, which proved much too small for the proper
display of the flowers, grain, fruits and needlework. The receipts were $368.85,
including $91 from the State; about $350 was paid in premiums.

Daniel S. Dickinson addressed the people, standing in a wagon drawn up to the
door of the tent. At a sumptuous dinner, got up by Anderson, the orator was
welcomed to Queens county and his health proposed in an eloquent speech, which
was happily responded to by the lieutenant governor.

The third fair was held at Jamaica October 10th 1844. The trustees and
teachers were thanked for the use of Union Hall Academy, where fruits,
vegetables, domestic articles and works were displayed. The receipts, including
$91 from the State, were $410.12. Gabriel Furman gave the address in the
Presbyterian church. The cattle grounds were on Union Hall street.

The fourth fair was held at Hempstead, October 9th 1845. A large tent and
shed were erected on a lot opposite the Episcopal parsonage. Owing to the rainy
weather the receipts were only $201.81, including $91 from the State. Henry W.
Platt exhibited 56 varieties of apples and Jacob Williams 61. Some specimens of old 
continental money and an inkstand used by William Penn were on exhibition. 
J.S. Skinner made the address in the open air.

The fifth fair was held at Flushing, October 9th 1846, when and where the
American Institute, of New York, held a plowing and spading match. There was a
band of music from Governor’s Island. The performers and delegates rode
through the village in a wagon tastefully decorated and drawn by 36 yoke of
oxen. The exhibition tent was decked with flowers from Flushing’s farfamed
nurseries. Dr. Gardiner gave the address in the Reformed church. The receipts
were $349.20. Book premiums were now first given. Stock was allowed to be sold
after the exhibition was over.

The net receipts for 1847-48 were only $175. The fair of 1849, at Flushing,
somewhat improved the finances, the receipts being $445.27; but many premiums
remained unpaid, and a voluntary subscription had to be taken up to pay them.

A tent only 50 feet in diameter contained nearly all the articles exhibited
at Hempstead in 1850. The cattle were put in a field near the place of
exhibition and the horses were shown on the turnpike. The receipts were $591.66,
there having been a large accession of members, especially from Jamaica. The
fairs were held by turns at Hempstead, Flushing and Jamaica.

In 1852, September 29th, the fair was held at Flushing. The delegation from
the American Institute and invited guests rode from the steamboat wharf to the
fair grounds in a wagon drawn by 56 yoke of fine oxen, with music, under escort
of Bragg’s horse guards and the Hamilton rifles. The premiums consisted of 231
books, 300 diplomas, 33 silver cups, 7 silver medals, and 6 silver butter
knives, together with cash premiums, amounting in all to nearly $800. The receipts 
were $445.27. There was a plowing match and a fine display of flowers and fruits. 
The horses, decendants of " Eclipse," "Messenger," "Engineer," " Mambrino," "Abdallab," 
&c., were of truer form and points than those at the State fair.

In 1853 premiums were offered for the best loaf of wheat and rye bread made
by a girl under 21 years of age; also for cheese, quinces, cranberries, honey,
silk, &c. There was a plowing match for four premiums. On the last day of
the fair there was an auction sale of stock (registered in a book), horses,
sheep, swine and farm implements. No fine-wooled sheep had been exhibited for years.

In 1854 there were three premiums offered for the best butter made by a girl
under 21. Badges and four tickets of admission to the grounds were furnished
each member on the payment of $1; the price of single tickets was 12 1/2 cents.
Those not members were required to pay on entering articles for premiums. In
1861 ladies’ needle-work was admitted free.

The receipts for the first 10 years were $4,101.59; for the second 10 years
$19,096.11. During the succeeding 4 years the gross receipts were $20,071.51;
and the fairs were held on ground fenced in, with increased facilities for the
display of stock and other articles.

On November 30th 1857 the society, having greatly increased its membership
and improved its finances, was incorporated, in order that it might hold real
and personal property without taxation, and occupy an equal position of
respectability with its sister societies in the State; its object being to
encourage and improve agriculture, horticulture and the mechanic arts. 
The corporators were :
John Harold, 
John Bedell, 
Joseph Tompkins, 
William T. McCoun,
Samuel T. Jackson, 
Benjamin W. Doughty, 
Jeremiah Valentine, 
Uriah Mitchell,
Samuel L. Hewlett, and James P. Smith. 
A service of plate was presented to John Harold.

At the fair of 1857 the president of the society, John A. King, and 
William T. McCoun rode through Jamaica to the sound of music, in a wagon drawn by 
13 yoke of oxen, followed by another drawn by 10 yoke of oxen.

On July 1st 1858 there was an interesting trial of 8 mowing machines on the
farm of Valentine Willis, near Mineola, amid a large concourse of spectators.
The first premium was given to the Buckeye mower, the second to Jerome’s
combined mower and reaper.

At the fall fair held at Flushing September 22nd 1858 there were 28 premiums
offered for farm implements. The wagons containing the committee of reception
and invited guests and Shelton’s brass band were drawn by about 50 yoke of
oxen through the principal streets of the village, to a 10-acre lot of Thomas
Legget junior, which was enclosed with a high board fence. A quarter-mile track
was graded and roped in for the exhibition of horses. A large tent was erected
on a gentle eminence. On the grounds were 7,000 persons. The receipts were
$1,405.72, including $659.72 for tickets sold. The pickpockets reaped a
harvest in a small way. 
Simon R. Browne exhibited 20 of his fine horses, and 
E.A. Lawrence a fat ox weighing 2,500 pounds. 
Gabriel Winter contributed a floral temple. 
Drawings by pupils of the Whitestone school were on exhibition, also
Duryea’s corn starch; 
ground almonds and peanuts were grown by George Lawrence. 
The local committee assumed all the expenses of the fair, amounting to $800.

In 1859 the fair was held in a ten-acre lot at Hempstead, and 5,000 persons
were present. Three premiums were offered for the best trotting horse and 7
premiums for carriages, market wagons and harness. Two market wagons attached
together, covered with a canopy of sheaves of corn, wheat, &c., and drawn by
15 yoke of cattle, with banners and music, brought in a delegation from
Flushing. About 100 cattle were on exhibition and nearly as many horses. Jacob
Williams exhibited 80 varieties of apples and pears, and Isaac Hicks 87.

On September 19th 1860 the fair was held on land of B.N. Creed at Jamaica.
There were 8,000 spectators. Premiums were offered for trotting horses and
stoves; and $10 each for essays on the agricultural history of Queens county, on
horses and on the potato and its diseases. Ladies’ needle-work and fancy work
was now admitted free and admission tickets given the exhibitors. The horses
" Enterprise," "Jupiter," and " Abdallah" received premiums. 
Mr. Burgess showed 140 varieties of flowers. 
Isaac B. Lewis had the greatest variety of vegetables and a pumpkin of 140 pounds.

At the fair of 1861 a single admission was fixed at 15 cents; carriage $2; no
horses to be hitched on the grounds. The officers now wore crimson rosettes and
the judges white badges.

In 1862 the fair was held on the Fashion course, Newtown. Admission tickets
were raised to 25 cents, and a police force was employed. Premiums were offered
for the best specimens of writing from any public school in the county. Premiums
were offered for shorthorns, Devons, Herefords, Ayrshires and Alderneys, and
other than thoroughbreds. S.R. Bowne offered a special premium of $100 for the
best stallion; and the Flushing Railroad Company $100 for the best trotter in
harness, driven by the owner; $20 for the best trained saddle horse, and $250
for the best pair of road horses.

At the annual town meeting in Hempstead on April 3d 1866 a paralellogram of
40 acres of plain lands near Mineola was voted to the society for a nominal sum;
but to revert to the town when it ceases to be used by the society for the
promotion of agriculture. This vote was legalized by the Legislature April 23d 1867.

On June 18th the board of managers met to consider plans and estimates for
the proposed improvements. The secretary, John Harold, presented plans of
buildings, which were adopted. On July 26th the first post was set and work
fairly begun. Digging post holes, grading, carting lumber, etc., were so hurried
on by voluntary labor that the grounds in about seven weeks were ready for the
fair held September 27th and 28th 1866, when there were 170 entries of horses,
and trials of speed took place on the oval half mile track on Thursday, Friday
and Saturday afternoons.

The gross receipts for the first four years of permanent location at Mineola
were $50,317.23, of which $9,500 was borrowed on interest. In addition to the
voluntary labor and donations $24,000 was expended in construction. The cost of
the hall was $8,115.32; of the stalls, stables, etc., $9,809.47; of trees
planted, $116.22.

The first horticultural exhibition was held on Friday June 21st 1867. A
premium of $10 was offered for the best collection of vegetables by a market
gardener. There were premiums also for strawberries, flowers spring vegetables
and house plants in pots. Forty premiums were awarded. The net proceeds of the
ladies’ festival amounted to $846.75.

At the fall fair $15 was offered for 40 varieties of apples and the best 20
varieties of pears.

The premium list kept steadily extending so as to embrace a greater and
greater variety of articles. Figs, oranges and lemons were now added to the
list. On June 23d 1869 a horticultural show was held of flowers, floral designs,
etc. There were 120 varieties of roses from T.W. Kennard, of Glen Cove; also
fine grapes, lemons, oranges, bananas, and exotics from Brazil. There were fine
roses from William A. Burgess; roses and cut-flowers from Isaac Hicks &
Sons; Barbarossa grapes from Mrs. Brownson, and 48 seedling strawberries from
E.H. Bogart. In 1870 hand lawn-mowers were on exhibition. The ladies held a
festival, the net proceeds of which ($758.76) were applied toward liquidating
the debt of the society.

The fall fair of 1869 was the best so far held in regard to articles on show
and numbers in attendance. There were 118 entries of cattle, for which $365 in
premiums was awarded; 161 of horses, for which $450 was awarded; 70 of sheep;
206 of poultry, for which $172 was awarded; 88 of articles for the table,
for which $50 was awarded; 265 of needle-work; 280 of manufactured
articles; $101 was awarded for swine; $70 for vegetables; $130 for carriages;
$281 for fruits and flowers. The receipts from all sources were $8,785.56; the
expenditures were $8,690.62. The total amount of the society’s indebtedness
was $1,500.

At the fall fair, 1870, $2,049 was paid out in premiums. The Long Island
Railroad usually conveyed articles to and from the ground free of charge. The
fee for life membership was raised from $10 to $25. The entrance fees and
carriage tickets amounted to $3,622.73; from rent of ground and buildings
$980.85 was received.

At the horticultutal show on June 14th 1871 Allen & Co. exhibited a
miniature garden, laid out with walks and terraces, blooming with choice
flowers, and having a fountain in the center. Varieties of fine strawberries
were exhibited by Messrs. Seaman, Bogart & Snedeker, and hothouse grapes by
Mr. Bronson. There was paid in premiums $233. The remaining grounds were now
fenced in with locust posts, rails fastened on hitching-posts for tying over 400
teams, and a well was dug for watering horses. The cost of these improvements
was $728.93. At the fall fair, besides the usual articles, there were shown
endless varieties of wines, cordials, bread, cakes, jellies, pies, preserves,
pickles, canned fruits, etc., etc. The vegetables required for their proper
display nearly 200 feet in length of table room. For premiums $2,624 was paid.

For the fall fair of 1872 premiums were offered for thoroughbred
shorthorned cattle, Devons, Herefords, Ayrshires and Alderneys, for grade and
native cattle, working oxen, working horses, matched and saddle horses, mules
and ponies; foreign and native grapes, quinces, plums, peaches, cranberries,
blackberries, figs, oranges, lemons, melons, knitting, netting, crochet and
fancy work, paintings, musical instruments, etc.

At the horticultural show in 1873 there was a trial of hand lawn-mowers. The
premiums paid at the fall meeting amounted to $2,541. The judges complained of a
lack of correct pedigrees of cattle and horses, the answers from the competitors
being loosely given-that it was a "Messenger" mare, or a "Beilfounder,"
"Harnbletonian," "Almack," "Abdallah" or "Eclipse," or simply a thoroughbred mare. 
"Messenger" was imported in 1797 and died on Long Island in 1808.

In 1874 a new grand stand was erected, stabling accommodations were
increased, and the track was improved, at a cost of $8,482.32, and the society
yet had a debt of $2,000. At the fall exhibition there were 130 entries of
cattle, 189 of horses and 63 of sheep. In swine the Berkshire took the lead.
Nearly all the different breeds of poultry were represented. A gold medal was
given A. Corbet, of Hicksville, for his chicken-incubator and artificial mother.
For the bench show of dogs there were 120 entries. There was the largest show
ever made in the county of farm implements; $3.814 was paid out in premiums.

In 1875 two days were allowed for the horticultural show. There was a grand
plowing match; a bench show of dogs; the American game of base ball was played
by amateurs, residents of the county, for a silver ball given by the society;
$2,397 was paid in special premiums.

In 1876 there was a balance of $3,007.23 in the treasury. At the
horticultural exhibition was held a "ladies’ festival," which made a
handsome contribution to the funds of the society. A base ball tournament
attracted much attention, as well as the display of horses. A few of the Montauk
and Shinnecock Indians were present as visitors. The crowning feature of the
occasion was the Centennial exhibition of relics of olden times, such as old
books, documents of every kind, Indian deeds, newspapers, old-fashioned
implements of household and kitchen furniture, antiquated dresses, needle-work,
swords, etc., etc. The variety was endless and gave unbounded pleasure to the curious.

At the fall fair the show of horses exceeded all previous years. Potatoes
were injured by the Colorado beetle. Fertilizers were put on exhibition. The
receipts from life members were $1,130; and $3,689 was paid in premiums.

The total exhibits for 1877 were 2,700. The premiums reached the sum of
$3,813; the sum of $2,000 was deposited in a savings bank, leaving a cash
balance of $2,036.32 in the treasurer’s hands.

In 1868 a dining hall was built. The premium list embraced 643 first prizes
and rose to the sum of $4,487.90. From the ladies’ agricultural fete $113.90
was realized; from annual carriage tickets $440; from rent of stands $866.49.
The interest of the horticultural show was enhanced by an exhibition of school
work, such as compositions, maps, drawing penmanship, etc., which occupied one
wing of the hall, and received 24 premiums. The novel feature of the fair
was lacrosse, polo and hurdle jumping by the Queens county hunt. The old grand
stand was razed and the site seeded and set with shade tree.

In June 1879 there was a field trial of mowing machines. The proceeds of the
ladies’ festival, $533.74, were deposited in a savings bank. The appropriation
the State was $221.81. A custodian was appointed to be in constant daily
attendance on the grounds throughout the year; the track was widened and
remodeled driveways and paths were laid out and graded, and additional shade
trees planted. At the fall fair there was a mule race. For a large number of
premiums for grain and vegetables there was no competition. An automatic reaper
and binder was shown. The school exhibit was discontinued after this year. There
were 16 competing teachers and 143 pupils.

On the night of October 29th 1880 ninety-two horse-sheds were burned. An
insurance of $600 covered about half the loss. The contract for rebuilding them
24 by 150 feet, for $1,150, was awarded to H.C. Robinson, of Jamaica. At the
fall fair the dining hall was better managed than heretofore. The ladies’
festival committee had a credit of $831.06 in the Roslyn Savings Bank. The
premiums paid out were $4,322, being $700 less than the previous year. The
balance in the treasury was $2,177.64. The army worm, potato beetle, cabbage
worm and an early drought made a bad season for farmers’ produce. The pleuro-pneumonia
scare prevented the usual show of cattle. Dorsetshire and Yorkshire swine were
exhibited by Mr. Belmont. There were also native and seedling grapes, a unique
display of taxidermy and Jersey marl and artificial fertilizers. Premiums for a
plowing contest at the summer exhibition were offered to the amount of $30, and
$50 for bicycling. There were five competitors for the former and ten for the latter.

The horticultural exhibition Tuesday and Wednesday June 8th and 9th 1881 was
too early for the backward season. William A. Burgess had the most roses,
including the Mareschal Neil; Albert Beng had a great variety of cut flowers;
T.D. Cook had three cauliflowers; Mr. Barnum had the greatest variety of
vegetables raised by one exhibitor: J.H. Van Nostrand had peas in pod, cabbage,
lettuce, etc.; E.P. Roche had over 70 varieties of strawberries, one plant
bearing over 200 berries. There were cheeses from the creamery in Roslyn.

The fall fair was held September 27th, 28th and 29th; E.J. Jerome was
superintendent of the hall. The fourth annual fete was held on the evening of
September 8th.

The presidents of the society have been as follows: 
Effingham Lawrence, 1841-44; 
Singleton Mitchell, 1845; 
William T. McCoun, 1847, 1856; 
John A. King, 1848; 
D.R.F. Jones, 1858; 
Edward A. Lawrence, 1860; 
Daniel K. Youngs, 1861; 
John C. Jackson, 1863, 1874; 
Samuel T. Taber, 1866, 1869; 
Peter C. Barnum, 1868;
Charles H. Jones, 1870; 
Robert Willets, 1873; 
Horatio S. Parke, 1876; 
Thomas Messenger, 1877; 
George T. Hewlett, 1878; 
Townsend D. Cock, 1879.

Recording secretaries: 
John G. Lamberson, 1842: 
Edward H. Seaman, 1843; 
John H. Seaman, 1854; 
Robert Willets, 1855; J. 
Howard Rushmore, 1877.

Corresponding secretary, 
Albert G. Carll, 1841.

Secretary and treasurer, 
John Harold, 1850-72.

Treasurers: 
Daniel K.Youngs, 1841; 
William Ketcham, 1846; 
John Harold, 1850;
Benjamin D. Hicks, 1873; 
Roswell Eldridge, 1876; 
Samuel Willets, 1878; 
James R. Willets, 1881.


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