The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 47

JOHN'S CHURCH ONCE OCCUPIED SITE OF EAGLE BUILDING Its Rector Was "Dominie" Johnson--Theater With Tragic History Replaced Church. A century ago--in the autumn of 1826-there was erected on the site of the present Eagle Building, at the corner of Washington and Johnson "the first house of worship of St. John's Episcopal Church, a modest frame structure, the cost of which was defrayed by the rector, the Rev. Evan Malbone Johnson, affectionately known to his parishloners and the people of old Brooklyn, irrespective of religious faith, as "Dominie" Johnson. The church was opened for worship on Sept.

24, 1826. By the following Easter 19 communicants were enrolled, and on Dominie Johnson. July 16, 1827, the building was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Hobart of the Diocese of New York.

Six years later the congregation purchased the building and enlarged it. In July, 1847, the Rev. Mr. Johnson resigned and a succession of rectors occupied the pulpit until 1868, when, during the rectorate of the Rev. Alexander Burges, D.D., the Washington st.

building was sold and the cornerstone of the present edifice in St. John's pl. was laid. Old Cornerstone in New Church. the vestibule of the St.

John's Church of today has been placed the cornerstone of the original edifice erected just a century ago. "Dominie" Johnson was not only 3 devoted priest of the church, but was a very lovable man and had a strong following among those of all denominations of the Brooklyn of his time. His home, a big, rambling mansion. occupied a site on the south side of Johnson near Pearl, and was standing, a landmark of that section, until 1906. Tolerantly Broad-Minded Preacher.

The Rev. Mr. Johnson was a typical clergyman of his day and was a familiar figure in downtown Brooklyn, mingling freely with all classes of his neighbors, without regard to creed or race. He minded, extremely tolerant and broad- and had the affection and respect of men and women in every walk of life. He was also known as one of the leading clergymen of his period and was a factor in the civil life of old Brooklyn.

His son, named for him, was controller of the City of Brooklyn from 1868 to 1871, and a grandson, Brig. Gen. Evan Malbone Johnson, the third to bear the name, commanded the 77th A. the World War, and won new laurels as a soldier and commander. He died in Paris in 1923.

The site of the famous old church later became that of the Brooklyn Theater, which was destroyed by fire on the night of Dec. 5, 1876, with a Old St. John's P. E. Church It was erected in 1826 on the site terrible loss of life, 295 persons perishing in the flames.

Pioneer in Myrtle Ave. Opening. The Rev. Mr. Johnson was a leader in the movement to have Myrtle ave, opened.

It has now become one of the principal arteries of travel in the boro, but when first laid out extended through wlat was farm land. From Stiles' "History of Brooklyn" it is learned that the Rev. Mr. Johnson was a native of Newport, R. where he was born June 6, 1792.

He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Griswold of Rhode Island, July 8, 1813. He was called to St. James Parish at Newtown, in Queens County, in 1814, and served there until 1826. He came to Brooklyn in 1826 and, as related above, built St. John's Church.

In 1847 he undertook the erection of St. Michael's Church, "amid a crowded and neglected population, and it was his peculiar and honorable record that for services in that church and all other churches for 40 years of his ministry he never received a cent of remuneration." Was a "Marrying Parson." "Dominie" Johnson was in great demand for performing the marriage ceremony, and at the time he preached a sermon commemorating 4 half century as a priest of the church he stated that he had married 2,000 couples. He would rise at any hour of the night to read the marriage service, to visit the sick or dying and perform any act of kindness. the good rector: "Almost one any day, Stiles draws this, pen picture of about 10 o'clock, might be seen turning the corner of Pearl st. from the north into Myrtle for he lived where his ancient farmhouse stood.

His style a of dress was plain, simple and old-fashioned-a felt hat, always carelessly crumpled around the brim, surmounted the face of an ancient Roman, crowned with a strong crop of standing hair a8 white as snow. An atmosphere of ease and benignity surrounded him, inviting everybody to stop and have a chat with A Long Island Patriarch York Gazette, March 12, 1726.1 On Friday last, died at Jamaica, Queens County, Samuel Mills, yeoman (who was born in America), aged 95 years. He was always a very laborious, honest man, of a very temperate life, and was able to do a good day's but a few days before he died. He lived 68 years with one wife, who is still alive, by whom he had 16 children. He hath left behind him 9 children, 80 grandchildren, and 54 great-grandchildren, and several of his greatgrandchildren are marriageable.

His wife was delivered of a child when she was one and fifty years of age. THE FIFTH AVENUE RESTAURANT 200 Fifth Avenue, New York City 23d Street and 5th Avenue THEODORE KEMM, Managing Owner A Refined Luncheon Resort Evenings Open Only for Private Parties at Moderate Rates DINNERS BANQUETS SMOKERS Club Dances Dinner and Supper Dances BOOKS NOW OPEN FOR BOOKINGS SEASON 1926-27 The Hotel Bossert AT MONTAGUE, HICKS and REMSEN STS. Brooklyn A' APPRECIATES Brooklyn pays the to it for compliment meeting all faithfully and well the many exacting and divers requirements the modern hotel extends to win community satisfaction. BURTON F. WHITE, Prop.

F. D. RAY Manager THE BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE, NEW YORK, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26. 1926 18 day school. In the evening four guilders for a speller or reader, and five guilders for a writer, per quarter.

-The residue of his salary shall be four hundred guilders in wheat (of Wampom value), deliverable at Brooklyn Ferry, with the dwelling, pasturage and meadow appertaining to a the school. "Done and agreed to in the presence of the constable and trustees, this 8th day of October, 1682. Signed by Caspar Van Zuren and the consistory. "I agree to the above articles and promise to observe them. JOHANNIS VAN ECKKELLEN." VETERAN NEWSDEALERS William Ferguson' has been selling The Eagle and other newspapers for half a century.

From Jan. 6, 1876, until 1880 he had his stand at Myrtle ave. and Washington from 1880 to the present time he has been located at Nostrand and Atlantic where he is known to all in that section, and where he does a thriving business. Edward Castell, his son Frank and M. Cherbouch are three more veterans among the newsdealers of the boro.

The senior Mr. Castell and his son have a stand at 57 Bond st. The former has been in business since 1860; the son since 1886, and they have built up a thriving trade in newspapers and periodicals, including, of course, The Eagle, Mr. Cherbouch's place of business is at 473 Atlantic where he has been located since 1904. He has established a large clientele, and 19 well known among the reading public.

Compliments of LORBERS RESTAURANT 1418 1420 BROADWAY, New York City Arlington ROTISSERIE RESTAURANT 1243 FULTON BROOKLYN, N. Y. (Near Bedford Avenue) Midday Luncheon, 65c. Famous Table d'Hote Dinner, $1.00 5 to 9 P. M.

Special Sunday Dinner, $1.25 Also a la Carte All Day ENJOY YOUR DINNER IN THE MIDST OF HOME-LIKE SURROUNDINGS We deliver to your residence at short notice fresh roasted chicken, also delicious home-made pastry and pies. Accommodations for Weddings, Banquets and all Social Functions. Seating capacity 250. Phone Sterling 8664. Early and Late Home Cooking at all at Proprietor DINING ROOMS Always open and always famous for our coffee 3 Willoughby Street 142 Flatbush Avenue (Opposite Borough Hall) (Opposite L.

1. R. R. Depot) JOHN HILL Catering 133 Remsen Street Brooklyn, N. Y.

Main 7900 FLATBUSH'S FIRST SCHOOLMASTER HAD DIVERSIFIED DUTIES One of the earliest schoolmasters in Flatbush was Johannis Van Eckkellen, who began his task there in 1682, having entered into the following agreement with the local authorities of the period: "The school shall begin at 8 o'clock and go out at 11; shall begin again at 1 o'clock and end at 4. The bell shall be rung before school begins. "When school opens one of the children, its shall stands read in the the catechism morning and close with prayer before dinner; and in the afternoon the game. The evening school shall begin with the Lord's prayer and close by singing a psalm. "He shall be bound to keep his school nine months in succession from September to June, one year with another; and shall always be present himself.

"He shall be chorister of the church; ring the bell three times before service and read a chapter of the Bible in the church between the second and third ringing of the bell; after the third ringing, he shall read the ten commandments and the twelve articles of faith and then set the psalm. "He shall provide a basin of water for the baptism, for which he shall receive twelve styvers in Wampom for every baptism from the parents or sponsors. He shall furnish bread and wine for the communion at the charge of the church. He shall also serve as messenger for the consistories. "He shall give the funeral, Invitatons, and toll the bell; which he shall receive, for persons of fitteen years of age and upwards twelve guilders; and for persons under Afteen years of age and upwards, twelve shall cross the river to New York he shall have four guilders more.

The School Money. "Ist-He shall receive for a speller or reader three guiders a quarter; and for a writer four guilders for the MUSIC DANCING Flatbush's Most Distinctive Restaurant OETJEN'S CHURCH and FLATBUSH AVENUES Brooklyn, N. Y. Dining at Oetjen's will be an event to anticipate throughout your busiest day. The finest examples of culinary attempting, appetizing foods prepared by true connoisseurs- served in a manner to please the most fastidious taste.

And because Oetjen's is entirely under ownership management and this popular dining rendezvous maintained chiefly for the convenience of Flatbush's residents, the figures of the menu will be as inviting as the food. Daily Luncheon, 75c Dinner, $1.25 After the Show "BLUE PLATE SERVICE," 75c "FROM OCEAN TO OETJEN'S" Fresh Maine Lobsters Received Daily Special Table d'Hote Dinner Every Sunday, $1.50 Hundreds of discriminating Brooklynites when dining give preference to our cuisine. Exclusive accommodations for banquets, dinners, luncheons and all social fugctions. Estimates on request. NO COVER CHARGE 19 White's Restaurant A.

J. White of the well-known WHITE'S Restaurant of downtown New York has opened a new restaurant at 127 LIVINGSTON STREET, BROOKLYN The principles which made White's New York restaurant 80 successful of course prevail. A Special Course Dinner Served Sunday Open 8 A.M. to Midnight We Serve Breakfast, Luncheon, Dinner and After- Theater Bites. Good Food Nutritiously Prepared Correctly Served Maresi-Mazzetti Announce THAT THE FACILITIES OF THEIR TEA ROOM AT 10 HANOVER PLACE HAVE BEEN EXTENDED TO PROVIDE FOR PRIVATE LUNCHEONS, TEAS, CARD PARTIES AND WEDDING RECEPTIONS.

ESTIMATES WILL BE FURNISHED UPON TELEPHONE INQUIRY TO d. al. TRIANGLE 5253 Joe Sartori'3 ROMAN GARDENS The and Newest (JOES most delightful place to dine in Brooklyn The same savory dishes, prepared for fastidious palates, which have made Joe's Restaurants so popular among Brooklynites may now be enjoyed in a delightful and picturesque setting, created and decorated by master craftsmen. The Roman Gardens are designed especially for Weddings, Banquets, After-Theater Parties, and the convenience of Women Shoppers, who may dine among refined surroundings without paying excessive prices. Visit Roman Gardens Today Don't cheat yourself out of a genuine will become a habit." Joes No EE NO COVER CHARGE MUSIC 8-16 Nevins Street BOOKS NOW OPEN OPEN 11:30 A.M.

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