Introduction to 19th Century Brooklyn Heights in the eyes of Gabriel Furman
Gabriel Furman was born in Kings County Brooklyn during a time it was growing in population immensely—becoming the third largest city in the country as it became more urbanized. Furman was a scholar and civic leader—interested in compiling history. He was one of the innovators who developed social consciousness in a community going through change. Furman directed most of his skills and energy for improvements and reformation, as Brooklyn was becoming one of the major metropolitan areas. As an avid historian, he recorded events, passions, fears, and experiences in a massive collection of handwritten manuscripts.
From the early nineteenth century to the mid-nineteenth century, Brooklyn transformed from being a prosperous agriculture hinterland to a thriving city. It had become its own city by the early 1800s, and then consolidated with New York by 1898, being the most populous borough. Particularly, Brooklyn Heights became the dwelling place for Furman for most of his life. In 1816, when Brooklyn was incorporated as a village, streets were planned and laid out by men who were well connected in Brooklyn, such as Hezekiah Pierrepont who was a merchant, and landowners like, John Hicks, Jacob Middagh, Henry Remsen, and Teunis Joralemon—who then divided and sold their farms for the creation of what Pierpont envisioned Brooklyn Heights as “the nearest country retreat for Manhattan’s business men.” Construction of residential building began in 1820 and continued until the turn of the century.
Furman knew that Brooklyn Heights was at its pinnacle. He prophesied that change was coming which is why he took up time to record in detail, the census, name of streets and its history. Furman seemed to have an interest in establishing an independent Brooklyn culture, since it was the neighborhood he was most familiar with. In fact, in two of his journals, he records Brooklyn’s census from late 18th century and early 19th century—showing the rapid increase in population amongst age, race, and vocation. In addition, he kept track of how and why street names of Brooklyn Heights came about. He was one of the first demographers of Brooklyn and of all New York. His meticulous recordings has helped many learn the history of New York in the nineteenth century and how it all became one of the most populous well- known city in the world.
From the early nineteenth century to the mid-nineteenth century, Brooklyn transformed from being a prosperous agriculture hinterland to a thriving city. It had become its own city by the early 1800s, and then consolidated with New York by 1898, being the most populous borough. Particularly, Brooklyn Heights became the dwelling place for Furman for most of his life. In 1816, when Brooklyn was incorporated as a village, streets were planned and laid out by men who were well connected in Brooklyn, such as Hezekiah Pierrepont who was a merchant, and landowners like, John Hicks, Jacob Middagh, Henry Remsen, and Teunis Joralemon—who then divided and sold their farms for the creation of what Pierpont envisioned Brooklyn Heights as “the nearest country retreat for Manhattan’s business men.” Construction of residential building began in 1820 and continued until the turn of the century.
Furman knew that Brooklyn Heights was at its pinnacle. He prophesied that change was coming which is why he took up time to record in detail, the census, name of streets and its history. Furman seemed to have an interest in establishing an independent Brooklyn culture, since it was the neighborhood he was most familiar with. In fact, in two of his journals, he records Brooklyn’s census from late 18th century and early 19th century—showing the rapid increase in population amongst age, race, and vocation. In addition, he kept track of how and why street names of Brooklyn Heights came about. He was one of the first demographers of Brooklyn and of all New York. His meticulous recordings has helped many learn the history of New York in the nineteenth century and how it all became one of the most populous well- known city in the world.