Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn, NY, ca. 1864-1883
Brooklyn in the 1870s and 1880s Journal Presidents, Barnum Dwarfs, The Fire and Much More
Diary/Journal

[BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.] Catherine J. Bergen, Journal, 1864-1883, Flatlands, Brooklyn, New York. 126 pp., 7.5" x 9.75". Disbound; covers present and worn; attached to each other with fabric tape; pages toned and stained.

This journal, kept by Catherine J. Bergen, includes extensive records of family and community deaths, preachers at the Flatlands Dutch Reformed Church, weddings, baptisms, births. Also documenting miscellaneous events, including the ordination of ministers, the dedication of churches, fires (including the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the Great Boston Fire of 1872, and the fire that burned P. T. Barnum?s Museum on Broadway in July 1865.

Among the deaths Bergen recorded are those of Commodore Nutt, ?the famous dwarf aged 37 years,? on May 25, 1881, and General Tom Thumb in July 1883. Both George Washington Morrison Nutt, known by the stage name ?Commodore Nutt,? and Charles Sherwood Stratton, known by the stage name ?General Tom Thumb,? were American entertainers with dwarfism, who were associated with the pioneer promoter P. T. Barnum.

For much of the period covered in this journal, Rev. Ansou DuBois was the pastor of the Flatlands Dutch Reformed Church, becoming pastor in 1871 and resigning in 1882. Each year, DuBois delivered an ?anniversary sermon,? in which he recounted the funerals, weddings, and baptisms performed over the past year, and Catherine J. Bergen dutifully recorded the statistics in this journal.

Bergen also recorded visits to the Philadelphia Centennial by ?Garrit, William & Albert? in October 1876 and by William & Abby Kouwenhoven and herself in November 1876, when she ?stayed 2 days 1 night.? The Centennial Exposition of 1876 was an epic world?s fair held in Philadelphia from May to November. It was the first official World?s Fair held in the United States and was designed to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. The Exposition attracted nearly 10 million visitors during its six months of operation.

Excerpts
?James Madison saved his money and died rich Congress bought his Manuscript papers for $30,000
?Millard Fillmore is a wealthy man
?Andrew Jackson left a valuable estate called the Hermitage
?Thomas Jefferson died comparatively poor Congress purchased his library far above its value for $20,000
?James Monroe died so poor that he was buried at the expense of his relatives in a cemetery between second & third street near the Bowery in New York city.?
?At Flatlands June 2 1870 Gerrittum P. Wyckoff in the 95 year of his age.
?Another father in Israel has fallen asleep. Like a lonely majestic oak a former monarch of the forest which has long survived its fellows so did he live until all the companions of his youth had been cut down until he alone remained to tell the story of his former days. He was born while the Province of New York was tributary to his Royal Majesty George 3rd of England. His infancy was startled by the cannon which announced the Declaration of Independence. In early youth he rejoiced at the close of the long war and the return of peace which gave liberty to the United States. In his manhood he formed one of the militia home guard during the war of 1812. In his old age he read with feeble sight the day record of the war for the union. What convulsions of nations and states have taken place during the period of his life. What falling dynasties what revolutions what struggles and victories has the century not witnessed.
?But in the midst of them all in his quiet country home he has pursued with calm and unruffled life the even tenor of his way. He lived for his neighborhood his family his church going down into an advanced old age his perfectly helpless body continued to be the temple of a soul whose faculties were undisturbed....?
?Brooklyn Theatre destroyed by fire Dec 5 1876 at 11 oclock P.M. (293) two hundred ninety three recovered from the ruins (80) Eighty bodies could not be recognized and were buried Dec 9 in Greenwood Cemetery 20 horses and 26 Undertakers wagons carried the remains.?
More than 1,000 guests were attending the Brooklyn Theatre on the evening of December 5, 1876, to see the French melodrama The Two Orphans, featuring actress Kate Claxton. When a fire broke out on stage between the fourth and fifth acts, the cast and managers tried to urge a calm and orderly exit. Panic ensued, and people were trampled on the stairs attempting to get out. Most bodies were burned and partially dismembered by the collapsing building. The Coroner?s report cited 283 fatalities, and a later memorial stone in Greenwood Cemetery made reference to 278 deaths, but other sources suggested the fatalities exceeded 300.

Catherine J. Bergen (1827-1883) was born in New York to Teunis Bergen (1774-1841) and his second wife Jane Boice Stillwell (1799-aft. 1875). In July 1848, she married her cousin Garret Bergen (1813-1893) of Flatlands, Long Island, New York. He was a farmer and carpenter and for some period held the office of justice of the peace. In 1860, they lived in Flatlands with their four children. They later had four more children. They attended the Flatlands Dutch Reformed Church, founded in 1654. The present church was built in 1848.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.
7.5" x 9.75"