Peter Wyckoff historical notes
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Abstract
Handwritten notes of Peter Wyckoff based on his research on various subjects in Brooklyn's history spanning the period circa 1700 to 1850. Topics covered include the construction of public roads in the town of Bushwick; the Dutch district subdivisions of Red Hook, Breukelen, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Gowanus, and Wallabout; church matters; and farmers' meetings.
Biographical note
Peter Wyckoff (1828-1910) was born and continually resided at the farm at 1325 Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn, which was built in 1791. He was of the fourth generation of the historic Dutch Wyckoff family of Brooklyn to own and work on the Flushing Avenue farm, which extended from Flushing to Myrtle Avenues on both sides of Cypress Avenue. Wyckoff was Presdient of the Grand Street Horsecar Line and Director of the First National Bank and Williamsburg Bank. Beneficiaries of his philanthropic donations included the Eastern District YMCA, the Eastern District Hospital and Dispensary, the Eastern District Homeopathic Dispensary, the Graham Home for Old Ladies, and the General Hospital of Brooklyn. Wyckoff was also known as an authority on the history of Brooklyn and Long Island.
Arrangement
This small collection is housed in a single folder.
Scope and Contents
Handwritten notes of Peter Wyckoff based on his research on various subjects in Brooklyn's history spanning the period circa 1700 to 1850. Topics covered include the construction of public roads in the town of Bushwick; the Dutch district subdivisions of Red Hook, Breukelen, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Gowanus, and Wallabout; church matters; and farmers' meetings. Also included are the draft of an article on Brooklyn history Wyckoff wrote for the newspaper The Brooklyn Daily Star; notes from a presentation given by General Jeremiah Johnson on the events of the Revolutionary War in Long Island; and a letter written to Johnson from S.W. Stuart regarding an execution Johnson had witnessed during the War. Some of the notes have been translated from Dutch manuscripts.
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Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
While many items at the Center for Brooklyn History are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright, licensing and trademarks. The researcher assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Peter Wyckoff historical notes, 1977.582, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mrs. James D. Lester, 1958.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Minimally processed to the collection level. This collection was rehoused and the finding aid revised by Dee Bowers in 2023.
