HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. 311

the woodlands now in these counties has grown since the year 1783.

At the foot of and on the northerly side of the old road (now Fulton street, near the comer of Front), was situated the “ferry tavern.” It was a large and gloomy stone building, about sixty feet square and two stories high, which stood in such a way cornerwise, as to leave only thirty-five and a half feet for the entire width of the street between it and the houses opposite. From the circumstance of its being owned by the corporation of the city of New York, it was known as the “Corporation House,”1 and had been noted as a tavern for thirty years previous to the Revolution, Its last incumbent, before the Battle of Brooklyn, was Captain Adolph Waldron, who was also “the ferrymaster.” Espousing the cause of the Rebellion, and being active as the commandant of a company of lighthorse raised in Brooklyn, he was, of course, compelled to absent himself from Long Island during its occupation by the British.2 He was succeeded by Charles Loosely and Thomas Elms, thorough loyalists, who named the old tavern “The King's Head,” fitted it up in the most complete manner,3 and catered to the tastes of their mil-

1 Also, from some circumstance connected with hoisting a coffin on the flagstaff of the building, known as “The Coffin House.” It was the successor of the ferry-house, erected in 1746, by the corporation of the city of New York, on land purchased of Jamb Morris, in 1694; and which was burned down in 1748, as it was supposed, by the Brooklynites, who were then carrying on a long and bitter litigation with the corporation concerning ferry rights (see Chapter on Ferries). Its site is now (1866) partially occupied by Nos. 19, 21, and 23 Fulton street. At the time of the Revolution, the East River, at high-water mark, came nearly up to Front street, as shown in the accompanying plan. Subsequently to the war, this tavern was kept by Benjamin Smith for many years. It was burned down in 1812 (its walls remaining for many years thereafter), and Mr. Smith removed his stand to a stone building on the oppo. site side of Fulton street.

2 Ante p. 247.

2 It is probable that these gentlemen kept hotel “not wisely, but too well” for their own pockets, at least; for, soon after the signing of the provisional Treaty of Peace, in November, 1782, we find a notice of a “Public Auction of Brooklyn Hall,” for “the benefit of the creditors of Charles Loosely,” of Òall the genuine household furniture, consisting of mahogany and other bedsteads, feather beds and mattresses, chintz and other curtains, blankets, sheets, etc.; mahogany drawers, dining, tea, and card tables; an elegant dock in mahogany cam; a curious collection of well-chosen paintings and pictures; large pier and other looking-glasses, in gilt and plain frames; table and tea sets of chins, plate, etc.; a capital, well-toned organ, made by one of the first hands In London; a billiard table in thorough repair; near twenty globe lamps, fit for hall or passage, etc.;