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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Newtown Drainage Commission Records
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Newtown Drainage Commission | |
| Title | Newtown Drainage Commission Records, | |
| Dates: | 1882-1895 | |
| Abstract: | The records of the Commission are rather fragmentary, and probably represent only a fraction of what was once in existence. It is definitely known, for example, that at one time about twenty or so maps relating to the Commission's work were in existence but were lost. It would also seem that aside from these lost maps, other series should have been much more complete than what they are now. | |
| Extent: | 1 box, 2 maps, 1.4 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | N-6 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
The Newtown Drainage Commission was probably established in the mid 1880s. It was dissolved in 1895. Judging from the documents in this collection, the Commissioners were Lucien Knapp, John E. Backus, and Oliver H. Perry, the latter being the Secretary. An earlier commissioner, Garret J. Garretson appears infrequently among the documents, and it is to be assumed that he was replaced by Mr. Lucien Knapp. Mr. Frank E. Blackwell was listed as Counsel.
Though the exact function and duties of the Commission are not known, it is obvious that they were charged essentially to study the needs of the Town of Newtown in regard to providing sewage and drainage needs for the growing community. To do this, the commissioners had to have certain lands surveyed and probably had to have certain right of ways purchased. A document in this collection titled "Specifications For Straightening, Deepening, and Widening Ditches in the Town of Newtown, L.I.,” perhaps gives some idea of the specifics in which the Commission was engaged. One of the paragraphs in this document reads "The work included under this contract comprises the straightening, deepening and widening of the main ditches or brooks through the villages of Newtown and Winfield, Queens County, pursuant to the application of D. Sackett Moore and others for the drainage of certain low and swampy lands, in the town of Newtown, Queens County and state of New York said application having been made to the County Court of Queens County.”
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Scope and Content Note
The records of the Commission are rather fragmentary, and probably represent only a fraction of what was once in existence. It is definitely known, for example, that at one time about twenty or so maps relating to the Commission's work were in existence but were lost. It would also seem that aside from these lost maps, other series should have been much more complete than what they are now.
With but three exceptions, the collection consists of loose documents alone. One of the three bound volumes consists of a published report issued in 1885 by the United States Department of Agriculture titled TIDE MARSHES OP THE UNITED STATES, by D.M. Nesbit. It bears an inscription to Mr. Perry from the Town Clerk. Another volume is in manuscript and is a "turn-about” book. That is, writing in it was started from both ends. One end is rather fragmentary and consists of copies of seven letters written by Oliver H. Perry to three Individuals, especially to John H. Innes. Mr. Innes had a deep interest in the local history of Newtown. The letters to him are dated 1886. The two letters to other individuals are dated 1886 and l892. The other end of the volume contains minutes of meetings of the Commissioners held between June 28, 1886 and Apr 6, 1892. Interspersed at relevant pages are several newspaper clippings which have some bearing on matters discussed in the minutes. At least half of this volume has not been utilized. The third volume is a small manuscript atlas (about a dozen pages) headed "Draft No. 2 Made by O.H. Perry, Newtown Queens County, N.Y.” Shows various parcels of land and contains various penciled or ink notations giving names of owners, lot numbers and possibly amount of assessment Presumably the intent of this small atlas was to Indicate exact locations of the various parcels of land which were being affected by the work of the Commission.
The loose documents number only about thirty-five Items. They have been arranged into the following series:
Notes, One notice is a lengthy two page manuscript, dated Sep 16, 1886, and evidently the original notice that application had been made by interested parties "for the drainage of certain low and swampy lands", the other, dated ca. Dec 1888, a smaller partially printed notice addressed to "All persons whose land is to be taken in the construction of any ditch, or channel…".
Memoranda of Agreements five documents titled "Memorandum of Agreement", and one contract to which is attached a bond. The memoranda are, essentially, between the Commissioners, and individuals whose lands were to be taken for the construction of ditches and channels necessary for the Commissions work. One, in manuscript, may simply be a draft -it is not dated. The others are dated Feb 16, 1889 (2), Feb 18, 1889 and Jul 18, 1892. The contract is dated July 15, 1893 and is between the Commissioners and Garrit Furman and deals with the "cleaning out and removing all obstructions and (Filing?) a portion of the Horse Brook in the Town of Newtown". A bond between Furman and the Commissioners is attached to this latter document.
Specifications two detailed specifications, one for "Straightening, Deepening, and Widening Ditches in Town of Newtown, L.I.", dated Jul 18, 1892; the other specification "for Culverts, etc.", dated June 1892.
Court Documents the seven documents in this series are court documents of one kind or another and are in typescript or print. All are headed "In the Matter of the Application of Do Sackett Moore and others for the Drainage of certain Low and Swamp Lands in the Town of Newtown, County of Queens, State of New York." Apparently, compensation for land is involved, 1895 and undated.
Laws one manuscript headed "Chap 578" which spells out “An Act to reduce the number of town officers of the town of Newtown … passed June 4, 1886." The other item in this series is titled an "Abstract of Laws Relating to Drainage" and is dated July 1891, and is a 25 page typescript.
List of Owners and Descriptions of Main Ditch One of the three items in this series is a large sheet giving names of owners of certain lots and the square footage of said lots; while another is part of a typed manuscript (first 7 pages are missing) describing certain properties and then listing "the names and places of residence of the parties, so far as the same can by reasonable diligence be ascertained, who own or have, or claim to own or have estates or interests in the said real estate …". The third is a lengthy manuscript prepared by a surveyor, Cornelius Hyatt and titled "Descriptions of Main Ditch through Winfield and Newtown.” Apparently, it deals with the same subject as the incomplete typescript previously mentioned. Unlike the typescript, however, it restricts itself to description of lots and makes no mention of the owners of the land, all undated.
Letters five letters addressed to Mr. Perry or other members of the Commission, dated 1889, 1892, 1893, and 1895. The latest one Is a letter of transmittal enclosing a "certified copy of final order dissolving the commission and discharging the Commissioners in the Newtown Swamp Lands proceeding”. Said copy is not found among these letters.
Bills one receipted bill dated Dec 15, 1882 involving payment to surveyor Cornelius Hyatt by Messrs, Warren and Perry and dated Dec 15, 1882; another longer bill dated Aug 5, 1890 submitted by Hyatt to the Drainage Commissioners.
Newspaper Tear sheets several tear sheets (and one clipping) from the news paper, "Newtown Register”, with one exception which is dated 1886, these are for various dates in 1892. A penciled note on two or three of these sheets give the impression that they were saved to show the advertisements regarding land sales, etc, in regard to the activities of the Commission.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Newtown Drainage Commission Records, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Provenance
A bit rare specifically, the records are those which evidently were in the possession of Oliver H. Perry, the Commission's secretary. These in turn were given to Mr. W. L. Savacool, a civil engineer and surveyor who had an office in Elmhurst (the old village of Newtown) at the corner of Grand Avenue and Queens Blvd, and who was active ca. 1915-1945. These records lay dormant for many years until they came to the attention of Mr. Fred J. Powell, another professional engineer and land surveyor who recognized that they had some potential use for researchers into the history of Newtown, and generously donated them to the Library.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770.
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Access Points
Subject Organizations:
- Newtown Drainage Commission
Subject Places:
- Newtown (Queens County, N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
