ground in the City of New York; and whereas, the said Christopher, shortly before his death, purchased of the widow Brombus a small farm or plantation at Bushwick, in Kings County, on Long Island, which I paid for; and whereas, the said Christopher died intestate, leaving issue a son, the herein before named Jacobus Roosevelt, Jr.; and whereas, should my grandchild Jacobus Roosevelt, die before he arrives to full age and without lawful issue, the two dwelling houses in the City of New York and the farm at Bushwick will devolve on my granddaughter Catherine Van Ranst, the only child of my eldest son John, as heir at law. Now it is my will further, and I do hereby declare that the part and share of my estate which I have hereinbefore given and devised to my said granddaughter is upon this condition: The said Catherine Van Ranst shall take no advantage, in case of the death of my aforesaid grandson, the said Jacobus Roosevelt, Jr., but permit my two sons Isaac and Adolphus, the children of my daughter the said Helena Barclay, deceased, and my three grandchildren, Nicholas Roosevelt, Peter Roosevelt, and James Crommeline, to enjoy an equal part or share with her in the two dwelling houses and lots of ground in the City of New York, and the farm or plantation at Bushwick, on Long Island; and if it shall be deemed necessary or if they shall require the same, that she execute good and sufficient deeds and conveyances in the law to them for their proportionable part and share therein, so that the same do absolutely vest and be in them. But in case the said Catherine Van Ranst shall not comply with my meaning herein, but insist upon keeping the two houses and lots of ground and the farm or plantation solely to herself, I hereby declare that she is not entitled to any part of my estate, real or personal, hereinbefore given and devised to her, but I do hereby in such case exclude and forever debar her and her heirs from the same, and in lieu and stead thereof do give and bequeath her one shilling and no more. Lastly I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my son Isaac Roosevelt, of the City of New York, merchant, and Augustus Van Courtlandt, of the said city, Esq., executors of this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof, I, the said Jacobus Roosevelt, have here unto set my hand and seal in the said city of New York, the twenty-ninth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five-1775. Witnesses: WM. DE PEYSTER, ABR. W. DE PEYSTER, HENRY RUTGERS, JR. JAS. ROOSEVELT. [SEAL] A codicil made and published by me, Jacobus Roosevelt, of the City of New York, merchant, the twenty-ninth day of April, ` in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventysix, and by me annexed to my last will and testament, and made part thereof. Whereas, I the said Jacobus Roosevelt have given and devised to my grandchild Thomas Barclay, the eldest son of my late daughter Helena Barclay, deceased, part of my estate so as to make him equal with his brothers and sisters, and whereas, for sundry reasons I have thought proper to revoke and make void, and I do hereby revoke and make void the part and share of my said estate so given and devised to him, and in lieu thereof give and bequeath unto him one shilling only. The part and share which by my will I have given to my said grandson, Thomas Barclay, I give and bequeath to his brother, James Barclay, merchant, upon this special trust and confidence that the aforesaid James Barclay shall place the same at interest, and out of the moneys arising therefrom pay the said Thomas Barclay yearly during his natural life, and after his decease then pay such part of my estate to his lawful issue, and for want of such issue, pay the same to his brothers and sisters and to the child of my granddaughter, Helena Moncrief, lately deceased, or to their legal representatives share and share alike. Witnesses: DIEDERICK HEYER, HENRY BEEKMAN, JAMES ROOSEVELT. [L. S.] JOSIAH SHIPPEY. The will and codicil were probated June 5, 1776, before Cary Ludlow, Surrogate; R. Harpur, D. Sect'y, certifiying to the in terlineations. It appears that Isaac Roosevelt was the only executor who qualified. By a singular mistake in the beginning of the recital of the probate proceedings the date of their being had is stated as of the 5th day of June, 1774, though as will be seen the will was not executed until June 29th, 1775, nor the codicil until April 29th, 1776. OBSEQUIES OF LA FAYETTE. Thursday last was the day appointed to render funeral honors to La Fayette. New York and Brooklyn united their societies, military and civic, on this occasion. The procession commenced marching about three o'clock; the stores, balconies and tops of the houses were all covered with spectators. The number has been stated at one hundred thousand. The societies were in line along the eastern side of Broadway. The military line was formed in Chambers street. The military took up their line of march in front of the City Hall, and passed through the Park, from Broadway to Chatham street, and then up the Bowery, when the various societies and citizens joined and the march commenced up to Broome street, thence into Broadway and down to the Battery. The latter end of the procession had not all passed into the Park when its head had reached the Park again, the place of starting, although the distance is between two and three miles. The numerous societies bore banners and emblems shrouded in crape. A beautiful white horse, caparisoned in mourning, was led by a groom. The urn was conveyed in an open carriage, drawn by four white horses, guarded by the La Fayette Guards, and followed by the Revolutionary pall bearers, members of the Cincinnati Society, in open barouches. Shortly after six o'clock the procession began to arrive at Castle Garden. The garden was in various places, indeed. wherever circumstances admitted it, hung with black cloth. In the gallery, opposite the rostrum, in front of the great saloon, a temporary orchestra was erected, which was shrouded in mourning and was occupied by the band and choir of the New York Sacred Music Society. The rostrum was covered with the American ensign and with folds of black crape. About an hour having elapsed, the funeral service commenced with the following hymn, arranged to the music of Handel's March in Saul: Unveil thy bosom, faithful tomb, Nor pain nor grief, nor anxious fear Break from his throne, illustrious morn! Shall then arise to meet his Lord. The Right Reverend Bishop Onderdonk, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, then read from the 15th chapter of the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, commencing at the 20th verse to the end. He also read part of the Episcopal service for the burial of the dead, during which and at the close the following pieces of music were performed and sung: MARCH-PLEYEL'S HYMN. RECITATIVE. I heard a voice from Heaven, saying unto me, write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. CHORUS. The trumpet sounds—the graves restore The dead which they contained before-Prepare my soul to meet him. WHEN THE EAR HEARD HIM. When the ear heard him then it blessed him, and when the eye saw him it gave witness of him. CHORUS. Even so, saith the Spirit, for they Why should we start and fear to die? Rest from their labor. LUTHER'S HYMN. Great God, what do I see and hear! What timorous worms we mortals are ! The funeral eulogy was then pronounced by the Hon. James Tallmadge, who had been selected for that service, an orator in all respects fitly chosen.-Long Island Star, July 3d, 1834. THE OLDEN TIME. EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPERS FIFTY YEARS AGO. On the 16th of November, 1788, a charity sermon was preached in St. Paul's Chapel, and a collection made for the benefit of the city charity school. The number of its scholars was eighty-six, and they were all orphans. This institution was originally created by Trinity Church, endowed by it, and also by several wealthy citizens. It is yet in existence, and is known by the name of Trinity school. One of the legacies left by a charity scholar comprises many lots of ground situated in the vicinity of Yorkville, and, on the death of some two or three individuals it becomes the sole property of the school. These lots were accumulated after a lifetime's service on the high seas, and the donor sacredly remembered the noble institution which had granted him a good education in the days when he was left without parents and without a home. The property is likewise becoming, each year, more and more valuable, and by the time it falls into the hands of the institution it will form an estate immense in value and extent. Lots of ground located on the east side of Broadway, and bounded on the south by Verlattenberg street; also, on Bayard's farm, fronting Broadway, were advertised for sale. A handful of bank bills, or, in other words, a few hundred dollars, would then have been quite sufficient to purchase a lot of ground in the above portions of the city. In those days the Bowling Green, Battery and Park were the only plots used or occupied as public grounds. The aristocracy thought not of up-towneries, except in the way of country houses; for their town residences were comfortable enough, even if situated in such narrow passages as Stone and Whitehall streets. Quarterly examinations of Columbia College grammar school were held, and premiums allowed the best scholars of the same. This academy is another of the institutions which originated in olden time. One Pickens gave public dances at the City Assembly Room, the price of tickets to which was six shillings. Van Horne and Clarkson were largely concerned in the wholesale gro |