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Newtown was first conveyed by patent by Governor Stuyvesant in 1652 (see list of patentees below). The grant was confirmed by Governor Nicoll, March 6, 1666 and by Gov. Dongan, November 25, 1683. It was recognized as a town March 7, 1788. It lies upon the East River and Long Island Sound, in the north west corner of the county, and includes North and South Brother, Rikers and Berriens Islands. A range of hills extends along the southern border; but the remaining part of its surface is level or moderately uneven. Flushing Creek forms a portion of the eastern boundary and Newtown Creek a portion of the western boundary. Extensive salt meadows border upon these creeks and the bays. Hell Gate is a narrow, tortuous passage between Wards Island and Hallets Point, near the northern extremity of the town. The soil is a fine quality of sandy loam. Market gardening and the cultivation of flowers are the most important business. The town poor are let out by contract. The first settlements were made in 1651, by English immigrants, who had first located in New England. The first grant of privileges obtained from the Dutch in 1652 was followed by another more liberal in its character in 1665. The early records of the town were lost during the British occupation in the Revolution. A blockhouse was built at Hell Gate during the Revolution, and a water-battery, named Fort Stevens, during the war of 1812. The first church edifice (Presbyterian) of which there is any record was erected, in 1670, at Newtown Village; and the first preacher was Rev. John Moorehead, who was employed from he settlement until his death 1661. The census reports 15 churches in town.
Newtown Village is located near the center of
the town and is a station for the Flushing R.R. |
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ORIGINAL PATENTEES: Capt. Richard Betts, J.P., Capt. Thomas Lawrence, Capt. John Coe, John Burroughs, Ralph Hunt, Daniel Whitehead, J. Burger Yost. |
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