THE SOCIAL HISTORY OF FLATBUSH


by Gertrude Lefferts Vanderbilt

1887


PREFACE

    The Rev THOMAS M STRONG, D D, for nearly forty years beloved 
pastor of the Reformed Church, Flatbush, collected, as far as practicable, 
facts pertaining to the early settlement of the town.  These facts were in the 
first instance brought before the public in the form of lectures delivered 
before the Flatbush Literary Association.

    Subsequently, at the request of his friends, these lectures were collected 
in a volume entitled "THE HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF FLATBUSH," and published in 1842.

    Since the publication of this interesting volume, there have been great changes 
in this little town. The day is probably not far distant when it will become a part 
of the adjoining city of Brooklyn; then all traces of its village life and its 
individuality as a Dutch settlement will be lost.

    In all love and respect for the memory of Dr Strong, I have taken up the pen 
which he laid down not so much in continuation of his subject as to give 
it from a different standpoint. As a woman, I have inclined to the social side 
of life, and have endeavored to record the changes which time has made among the 
people in their homes and at the fireside.

    I have undertaken this as a pleasant task, bringing to the work at least so 
much of fitness for it as may be caused by familiarity with those changes, and a 
knowledge of the traditions, customs, and manners of the Dutch.

    At an early period all the families in this county were united through marriage 
and intermarriage, thus forming one large family circle. I have assumed with greater 
confidence the preparation of this work because, as I do not address the great world 
beyond, I may, for that reason, escape unfriendly criticism; these simple annals being 
only intended for this family circle of the descendants of the Dutch settlers, 
who alone can find an interest in the record.

                GERTRUDE L VANDERBILT

Flatbush, 1880


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