Erected before the Revolution
Erected before the RevolutionFor many years the passerby has looked upon No. 1224 Fulton Street as a doomed house; doomed soon to be pulled down. Much has been written in the papers recently about preserving this and other relics of the days gone by, but to no apparent avail, for now this house, once a charming home, is no more. The Dutch were builders of pure architectural structures, designers of perfect taste, engineers of adequate proportion and strength, and in this house we find a perfect example of their work, although it has stood alterations by an English army officer. The compiler has been unable to find any record of when it was built, but it is safe to say it was erected previous to 1750. The first owner of this farm I am told that there is any record of, was Claes Barentse BLOOM, who conveyed it to his son, Brant, in 1704; of this I cannot say from personal knowledge, but I believe it to be true. Brant in 1756 left it to his son, Nicholas, whose executives conveyed it in 1785 to Charles TURNBULL. Charles TURNBULL was an officer of the British Army. History tells us he rebuilt the house, although I believe he only put dormer windows in the roof, but history should be believed. TURNBULL did not enjoy his home long, for he conveyed it in 1791 to Leffert LEFFERTS, whose son, John, occupied it. Leffert LEFFERTS was born March 14th, 1727, and died July 10th, 1804. He left this part of his farm to his son, John, who was then its occupant. Leffert LEFFERTS married August 5th, 1746, Dorothy COUWENHOVEN, who was born February 8th, 1788, and died August 17th, 1816. He was a farmer at Bedford, his house being located on the southwest corner of Clove Road and Jamaica Turnpike, now Brevoort Place and Fulton Street. It was occupied during 1776-1783 as headquarters by the British General, GRAY. John L. LEFFERTS, born May 24th, 1763; died October 13th, 1812, and married April 25th, 1790, Sarah COUWENHOVEN, born December 28th, 1775; died April 1st, 1856. He owned and resided on the farm, of which this house was the homestead. On the death of John L. LEFFERTS, his youngest daughter, Cornelia, secured it. Cornelia LEFFERTS was born March 27th, 1811; died June 6th, 1857; married her cousin, Robert Benson LEFFERTS, son of John L. LEFFERTS, of New Utrecht. He was bom September 9th, 1818, and died May 3rd, 1864. They were married February 20th, 1845, and left no issue. Mr. LEFFERTS was engaged in the mercantile business in New York from 1837 to 1856. Upon his marriage he resided in this house until after his wife's death, when he sold it. Thus this house passed from the LEFFERTS family into the BENTLY family in 1862, and again changed hands two years ago, when Mr. GREENMAN took title. The house shows in what manner Fulton Street was straightened. It now stands at right angles to the road, whereas it formerly was parallel. It is an interesting fact that Leffert LEFFERTS, who bought this land of TURNBULL, was the fifth child of Jacobus LEFFERTS (HAGEWOUT), born June 9th, 1689, and died September 3rd, 1768, and Jannetje BLOM, his wife, October 7th, 1716, who was born January 18th, 1694, and was the daughter of Claes Barentse BLORN, the original owner, who is supposed to have emigrated from Dortrecht, in the Netherlands. He married April 26th, 1685, Elizabeth PAULUS, widow of PAULUS VANDERVOORT, of Bedford. It is possible that this farm came with the widow. These facts show that descendants of the original owners were in possession until the BENTLEYS purchased it, with the exception of when TURNBULL owned it. Jacobus LEFFERTS was the sixth child of Lefferts PIETERSE, whom we suppose was born in 1645, and who married Abigail VAN NUYSE. He was the son of Pieter JANSE HAGEWOUT, born we suppose in 1621. He was the son of Jan HAGEWOULT, of Rouseen, in the Netherlands. We dwell to some extent on this family in the sketch on the John LEFFERTS Homestead. The following children of John L. and Sarah C. LEFFERTS were born we understand, in the old homestead: (1). Leffert LEFFERTS, born March 30th, 1791, ancestor of the Marshall LEFFERTS and kindred families. (2). Ida LEFFERTS, bom December 1st, 1794; died young. (3). John R. COUWENHOVEN LEFFERTS, born March 1st, 1794; died young. (4). Catharine LEFFERTS, born March 21st, 1797; married John LAIDEUR, and has numerous issue. (5). Nicholas R. COUWENHOVEN LEFFERTS, born March 28th, 1799; married and has numerous descendants around New Brunswick, N. J. (6). Colonel James LEFFERTS, of New York; born March 1st, 1800. (7). John LEFFERTS, born March 1st, 1804; died in youth. (8). Sarah LEFFERTS, born November 17th, or 27th, 1805; married A. Orville MILLARD, of Brooklyn, N. Y. (9). Rem LEFFERTS, born November 11th, 1807; married Martha STRATTON. (10). Cornelia LEFFERTS, born March 27th, 1811.
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