without any enclosure, except a small garden attached to the hotel. And although the whole territory is as level as a barnfloor, and building-lots can be purchased far cheaper than in New York, the public seem determined not to buy them. It has been said that, "by spirit and enterprise, it would become a very desirable and eligible spot for such mechanical branches as do not require the aid of steam or water power;" but as all mechanics stand in need of a little water to drink and for culi. nary purposes, and as Hicksville is the most elevated point on the whole line of the rail-road, being, according to the statement of the engineer, 142 feet above tide-water, it does not seem likely to be selected as a place of residence by any man in his senses. On the whole, Long Island does not furnish, in all its length and breadth, a stronger instance of the folly of attempting to rear cities and villages on the hot-bed principle. East New York and Jamesport are privileged spots compared with Hicksville. The name may live, but the " village" is a miserable abortion.

Bethpage is another ancient Quaker village, about 4 miles south-east of Hicksville, near the line of the rail road. It is impossible to ascertain at what date the Friends' meeting. house was erected here; but there is reason to believe that it was coeval with those of Flushing, Matinecock, and Westbury. The writer has recently conversed with an old gentle. man who was born and spent a life of more than fourscore years in that vicinity, who stated that this house appeared to him an old building when he was a boy. It was rebuilt, or materially repaired, after the Revolutionary War.

Farmingdale, (formerly Hard-scrabble,) is about one mile east of Bethpage, and near the line of Huntington. The change of names is doubtless one of the improvements produced on the island, by the construction of the rail road. And it seems a little remarkable that two places of such uncouth appellations as Hard-scrabble and Punk's-hole, should have been so situated as to become the only two stopping-places of the Boston train, with its hundreds of passengers every day. And yet this is the fact. Farmingdale is near the 32d mile stone, and Brookfield 66 miles from Brooklyn, or 29 from Greenport.

A small Methodist Episcopal Church was erected here in 1843, which, together with a store and tavern, and a few private dwellings recently erected, constitute the "village."

Oysterbay South, is a continuous line of dwellings on the south road, of about 3 miles, which is the breadth of the town

on this side of the island. Not far from the centre of this population, a neat Episcopal church was erected in 1844; but stated worship has not yet been established.

In the western part of this settlement, near the western line of the town, is the residence of Thomas F. Jones, Esq., whose plantation includes Fort Neck, with its Indian fortifications, which were briefly described in Part I. Among the numerous streams which water this part of the island, is the Massapequa Brook, running through Mr. Jones' farm, upon which he has raised, at a great expense, a beautiful fish-pond, some 60 acres in its area, which is well stocked with trout. Near the centre of the pond is a small island, which its enterprising proprietor has provided with shade-trees and seats, affording a most delightful retreat in a hot summer's day. There is an air of neatness, beauty and comfort about this place that is exceeded by few, if any, country residence on the island.

Plain Edge, or Turkeyville, is a settlement lying partly in Oysterbay, and partly in Hempstead, between 3 and 4 miles from the south road, and about the same distance south of Hicksville. It is a considerable settlement, somewhat scattered, and has two churches, one within the limits of each town. Either of the above names is sufficiently distinctive. The village is situated just on the verge of the Great Plain, whence its ancient name originated. And while the land is excellent, and, in general, well cultivated, the inhabitants excel in the art of raising turkeys. In passing through this vi cinity, you behold immense flocks of these fowls, spreading over the fields, and often extending their stroll out upon the plain. Thousands of these are annually raised in this vicinity; and on that account, the very appropriate name was applied to it, by one of the oldest inhabitants.

The Methodist Episcopal Church in this settlement, stands within the town of Oysterbay. The other, situated on the turnpike leading from Hempstead, through Farmingdale to Babylon, was built some years ago by the "Methodist Society," or the Protestant Methodists. It was in a flourishing condition till the "Midnight Cry" was sounded in this retired

* The name of this brook is an obvious memorial of the Marsapeague tribe, who formerly occupied this territory. It is said that the import of the name has been recently ascertained, and is supposed to have origin. ated from the exclamation of some child of the forest, who, after slaking his thirst in the purling stream, arose from his hands and knees with this expression :-Massapequa "I have drunk enough, and more than enough."

region. And when the providence of God had illustrated its falsehood, the society dispersed, and for several months the house has remained unoccupied.

Summary. In this town are 17 houses of worship, viz :— 7 Methodist, 4 Friends, 3 Episcopalians, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, and 1 Reformed Dutch.

SECTION 11.-HEMPSTEAD.

Number of acres improved,

66

"unimproved,

Ratio of population to the acre,

ocean.

This township originally extended from the Sound to the But by an act of the Legislature, passed April 6th, 1784, it was divided by a line running near the middle of the Great Plain, into two towns. It is now bounded on the north by North Hempstead, east by Oysterbay, south by the ocean, and west by Jamaica. This section was first called "South Hempstead," but the prefix was afterwards rejected.

The first settlers of this town were English emigrants, who had temporarily resided at different places in New England, and last at Stamford, Ct. They sent over agents in 1643, who made a purchase of the natives. A small company came over and commenced the settlement in the Spring of the following year; and a patent dated Nov. 16th, 1644, was obtained from the Dutch governor, which gave them "full power and authority to build a town or towns, with fortifications-a temple or temples, to use and exercise the reformed religion, which they profess, with the discipline thereunto belonging, to erect a body politic or civil combination among themselves, and to nominate certain magistrates," subject to the approval of the governor; "with full power to said magistrates to call a court or courts, as often as they shall see expedient, and to hold pleas in all cases civil and criminal." In 3 years from this time there were more than 60 land-holders; and in 1685, the number of taxable inhabitants was 160.

It is evident that the first settlers of this town were men of character and piety. Whether they came to the island in a duly organized church relation, does not appear, but their minister formed one of the first company, and the regular establishment of divine institutions appears to have been one of the first objects that engaged their attention. And they seem to have gone further, and approximated nearer to the

rigid rules of Connecticut, in requiring a general attendance on public worship, than any other town on the island. In 1650, an order was passed in their general court, imposing a fine, which was to be doubled for each successive offence, upon every person who, "without just and necessary cause," should neglect to attend "public meetings on the Lord's day, and public days of fasting and thanksgiving, both forenoon and afternoon." If such a rule, waiving the pecuniary penalty, were only made a condition of church membership, it is to be apprehended that many of the churches of the present day would be reduced to a very small number.

The original settlement, which is the principal village in the town, is situated on the south side of the plain, 3 miles from the main line of the railroad, a branch of which extends to the village. It contains about 200 dwellings, and includes nearly one fifth of the whole population of the town.

Besides this, there are several other settlements of more or less consequence, viz. :-Foster's Meadow, Far Rockaway, Near Rockaway, Hick's Neck, Raynor South, Merick, Newbridge or Hempstead South, Jerusalem, and Plain Edge or Turkeyville.

The whole of this town, though remarkably level, and lying directly south of the Great Plain, is as remarkably wellwatered. There are 8 or 9 streams, some of them affording a sufficient supply of water for several mills and factories of various kinds; and what is very remarkable, several of these take their rise along the south part of the Great Plain; and some of them, at their heads, furnish abundant evidence, that in former days, they proceeded from nearly the middle of the Plain.

CHURCHES, &C.

The first house of worship, 24 feet square, was erected in 1645, but not completed till 2 or 3 years afterwards. In 1660 it underwent some considerable repairs.

In 1679, a new church, 34 by 24 feet, with 12 feet posts, was erected, and the old one disposed of at public auction.

This church was enlarged in 1700, only a few years be fore the congregation was deprived of it by the introduction of episcopacy, as will be more particularly noticed in the sequel.

The Presbyterian, or Independent congregation, as they were indifferently called, being deprived of their house of worship, accommodated themselves as they could, for a num

ber of years; till somewhere about the years 1716-18, they erected a small house near the pond, in the western part of the village.

In 1762--4, they erected the fourth edifice, which they enjoyed the use of till it was taken possession of by the Brit ish, in the Revolutionary War, and converted into a storehouse. In 1784, this building was repaired, but was unfor tunately burned down in 1803.

In the following year, the present building was erected, and enlarged in 1825, which the increased congregation are contemplating to replace with a new and larger edifice.

The first Episcopal Church reared by that denomination in this village, was built in 1734, on the same site with the former, which they had taken possession of 30 years before.

In 1822, the present church was erected, and consecrated Sept. 19th, 1823.

A Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1822, and has since been enlarged.

The Hempstead Seminary, a noble and elegant edifice, 60 by 40 feet, was erected in 1836.

MINISTERS.

The name of the Rev. Richard Denton is identified with the first settlement of this town. He came over with the first company, in 1614, and continued their pastor till 1659. He then returned to England, where he died in 1662, at the age of 76.

In 1660, the Rev. Jonas Fordham became the pastor of this church. How long he continued is not ascertained, but probably till within a short time of the settlement of his suc. cessor. He is the same individual who was afterwards employed for a few years at Brookhaven, where he has been previously noticed.

He

The Rev. Jeremiah Hobart was settled here in 1653. remained some years, but the precise time of his removal is not known. It appears that his salary was so reluctantly paid, that he was obliged to apply to the Court for relief, and in 1690, it was ordered to be raised by a tax. This probably in. creased the dissatisfaction, and led to his speedy removal. It has been supposed that he was afterwards minister at Jamaica, where his name is written Jeremiah Hubbert. Though the Records of Jamaica show that proposals were made for the employment of a minister of that name, it does not appear