314 HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.

to the Home Government that “a large square fort is built on Brooklyn Heights: the season is late; not a blade of grass. The people within the lines begin to repair and rebuild houses, and manure and inclose lands.” The fort here referred to was probably the one erected at the junction of Pierrepont and Henry streets, and was by far the most thoroughly constructed and complete fortification erected by the British during their stay on Long Island. The land on which it was built, was, at the time, occupied by several fine orchards, which, of course, were ruthlessly levelled by the engineers of the army. The position was a very commanding one,1 and the extremely level nature of the ground rendered the work one of great labor. Old inhabitants used to speak of having seen from two to three thousand British soldiers engaged upon these works at the same time, in digging trenches, and wheeling earth in barrows, to form the walls; in addition to which, all the inhabitants on the island were assessed according to their respective counties for a certain number of days’ work.2

1 We learn from Mr. Henry E. Pierrepont, of Brooklyn, that, according to careful survey made for him in 1838, by Alfred Craven, the well-known engineer of the Erie rail. road, and latterly the head of the Croton Water Board, the site of this fort was found to be three feet one inch higher than the level of the land in Washington, near Concord streets, making it the highest, and therefore the most suitable position for such a fortification in that part of the town.

We also learn from Furman’s MSS., that when the British army evacuated New York, Messrs. Liliddagh, Bumper, Golden, and Debevoise, owners of the lands whereon the fort was built, commenced to dismantle the fortification, tearing down its gates, barracks, etc.; quite forgetful of the fact that the property really belonged to the Government, although located on their premises. They at last quarrelled among themselves as to the disposition of the wreck; and the affair coming to the knowledge of Gov. Clinton, he issued an order, through the sheriff of Kings County, commanding them to desist from further dismantling the fort, and to render an account of all property taken away. Although extremely alarmed at this proceeding, the matter was afterwards amicably arranged between the Government and the proprietors, who finally obtained permission to complete the work of demolition. The ramparts, however, remained until about 1836, since which time the ground has been fully occupied by one of the most elegant portions of our city.

2 All the brushwood in the neighborhood of Newtown was cut down and made up into fascines, about twelve feet long and the size of a man’s body, which the farmers were compelled to cart into Brooklyn, where they were to be used in supporting the earth walls of the fort. A man with two horses, or omen, and a wagon, was obliged to labor for a week or ten days in cutting and transporting these fascines, or timber and other material for barracks. A large number of mechanics were also employed in the construction of a gate and drawbridgea most substantial and costly work of great