HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. 243

Another mile and a quarter beyond, on the same road, a few farmhouses formed the neighborhood known then and now as Bedford.

The people of Brooklyn, like those of the other towns in Kings County, were mostly Dutch, whose sympathies were but slightly enlisted in behalf of the Revolutionary cause, and in whom the fear of pecuniary loss and personal inconvenience quite outweighed the more generous impulses of patriotism. Therefore it was, that while we find the inhabitants of Suffolk County, and other portions of the State, cordially responding to the first outbreak of rebellion in Massachusetts,—sympathizing, in 1774, with their fellow-citizens of New England in regard to the odious Boston Port Bill, etc.,—the people of Kings County seem to have viewed the approaching storm with perfect indifference, and, to have acted tardily in defence of their rights.

Yet, in spite of this general apathy, Brooklyn could not avoid becoming somewhat inoculated with the Revolutionary spirit which pervaded the land. In 1775 the names of “Whig” and “Tory” began to be used, and political sentiment divided families and friends. The Whigs united in articles of association for common defence, and met weekly in small parties for purposes of military drill, under the supervision of officers, some of whom were veterans of the early French wars. Many long fowling-pieces were cut down and fitted with bayonets, and those who had two guns loaned to those who had none. Elijah Freeman Payne, the teacher of the Wallabout school, left his charge, and hastened to join the American army at Boston, and the school remained closed until 1777.1 In every quarter of the political horizon gathering clouds betokened the approach of the storm of war.2

The first action of the county was in response to a call from a

1 MSS. of General Jeremiah Johnson.

2 The following officers of Brooklyn militia companies had, at this time (March, ’76), signed the Declaration and taken their commissions, viz.: Half of Brooklyn. Barent Johnson, Captain; Barent Lefferts, 1st Lieut.; Jost Debevoice, 2d Lieut.; Martin Schenck, Ensign.—Half of Brooklyn. Fer'd Suydam, Captain; Simon Bergen, 1st Lieut; Wm. Brower, 2d Lieut; Jacob Stellenwert, Ensign.

The following were the superior or regimental officers of Kings County militia:
Rutgert Van Brant, Col.; Nich. Cowenhoven, Lieut.-Col.; Johannes Titus, 1st Major; John Vanderbilt, 2d Major; Geo. Carpenter, Adj.; Nich. Cowenhoven, Q. M.—Onderdonk, Kings County, p. 120.