History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 2. Группа авторов
Nothing since I have been laid aside in illness has moved me to so deep regret as that I am unable to stand in my place in his funeral services and utter my tribute of respect and love for Mr. Lewis C. Piatt. I did not know that he was ill till the day upon the evening of which he died. I at once sent words of greeting from my sick room to his, but ere they could reach him God had seen it best that the end of the earthly life should be, and the rest eternal and perfect should be his. One cannot but be grateful that the experience of long distressing illness was not his ere the finger of God's silence was put upon his lips. One could not but be grateful, too, for the spirit that was his. I have wondered if ever any came to know him as he really was without loving him, his was so eminently and really an unselfish spirit. How many stories of his kindness will be told in the houses in this community! He was so frank and honest in every revelation of himself that all came instinctively to love him.
One in another part of this state, who himself had held a position of influence, once said to me that, from his ability and spirit in the days of his power, Mr. Piatt could have occupied the highest position in our state had the spirit of ambition possessed him. I have known him but in these years of his age since his three-score years and ten. There has been indeed in his physique the suggestion of years; but one forgot this in his active life, quick step, clear, vigorous intellect, sustained interest in all the welfare of the community and of those with whom he was associated in life. Who that knew him was ready to have him go hence.!" But the Lord has chosen, and there is never error in his judgment or failure in his love; and gently as a father dealeth with his little child he has. taken him unto himself.
Shut within my room these weeks, I have no word from him in his illness to bear unto my speech; but I know of his simple, earnest faith in Christ and of the tender turning of his spirit toward the cross, through which alone our spirits know pardon, cherish hope and pass on unto the life eternal.
In the vision of my congregation as it now comes before me, no face is more distinct than his. Always was he in his place in the Sabbath morning, and in the Sabbath afternoon service also, listening with an earnestness that made my gaze often seek his face. I shall so miss his presence from the inspirations and helps in the worship of the Lord's house! However early I was in entering the church I was rarely there before him. Often a few words of salutation would be exchanged on my way to the pulpit. I must wait now to see his face again and get his greeting, and see the revelation of his tender, true spirit until it is in our Father's house on high.
And so we go hence, one by one.
STILWELL, BENJAMIN WATSON
When New York was in possession of a Dutch colony, occupying the lower Hudson valley, Nicholas Stilwell, about the year 1638, crossed the Atlantic from the county of Surrey, England, and took up his abode in the New Netherlands. The history of the family in England can be traced back to 1324, the name dating from the time when surnames were first given. Nicholas Stilwell located on Manhattan island, at Turtle Bay and was driven from that place by an Indian uprising. He then took refuge at the fort and subsequently settled at Gravesend, where he resided until a few years prior to his death, removing to Staten island in 1671.
The story of his life rivals in interest and adventure that of Captain Miles Standish or of Captain John Smith. In the Indian uprising of 1643 he commanded troops that defended Gravesend, and after the repulse of the savages and the signing of the treaty of peace he left for Virginia, where in the spring of 1648 a 'terrible massacre had been perpetrated. Falling back to the York river, he was again in command of a troop of horse which he successfully led against the Indian chief Opechancanaugh, and upon the death of that chieftain Captain Stilwell withdrew and recruited a company, which was engaged in Clayborne's rebellion in Maryland, and for which service the assembly of the province of Maryland issued a proclamation placing a penalty upon his head. Clayborne once established in power, he no longer needed the services of Captain Stilwell, who then returned to New Amsterdam, where he dwelt with his family, his home being on what is now the corner of Maiden Lane and Pearl street. He was also prominent in the civil affairs of the district, served as magistrate for several terms and was also president of the court martial in Brooklyn. From New York he removed to Gravesend and owned one of the original twenty-acre farms there. He subsequently resided upon two hundred acres of land on North river, between the villages of New Utrecht and Gravesend, and while there was directed by the governor-general to remove into the village for protection from the Indians, but was able to satisfy the commander that he was amply protected and accordingly remained upon his farm. The Esopus war broke out in 1663 and he was commissioned lieutenant and later ensign in charge of the expedition. After quelling that disturbance he returned to the defense of New Amsterdam, where the authority of the Dutch was being contested by Connecticut as belonging to England. At that time Christie, proclaiming the country an English possession, was met with the resistance of Nicholas Stilwell and his followers, and upon his refusal to accede to Mr. Stilwell's demands the latter arrested him. This act was regarded by many as a very rash procedure and one which exceeded his authority, but subsequent events more than acquitted Mr. Stilwell and won him the unanimous approval of the people. He was regarded as Governor Stuyvesant's right-hand man, was very loyal to him and refused to countenance the plots against him.
Nicholas Stilwell subsequently sold his farm and removed to the eastern side of Staten Island, where he resided at the time of the transfer of the governmental power of New York colony to the English. When the government of Staten island was established he became a very prominent man in its affairs and up to the day of his death was active and influential in public life. He was a man of marked individuality and great force and strength of character, and to a well-developed physique, inured to hardship and toil, he added an iron will. If he was called violent and unreasonable and a disturber of the peace it was only by a crowd of malcontents and wrong-doers against whom, single-handed and alone, he manfully stood for measures which time proved to be of great public benefit. He died December 28, 1671. His children were Richard, born in 1636; Nicholas, in 1638; Ann, in 1639; Alice, in 1644; William; in 1648; Thomas, in 1651; Daniel, in 1653; Mary, the date of whose birth is unknown; and Jeremiah, born in 1663.
The second son of this family. Captain Nicholas Stilwell, Jr., resided at Gravesend and rivaled his father in prominence. He died about the year 1715, after an active, useful and honorable life of seventy-seven years. He was one of the most extensive land-owners of Kings county. In 1663 he served as one of the justices of Yorktown; in 1683 was sheriff of Kings county; in 1685, 1688, 1689 and 1693 he was one of the justices of that county; in 1689 he was captain of the Gravesend militia; from 1691 until 1694 and again in 1698 he was a member of the colonial assembly from Kings county; in 1693, was connected with Kings county contingent and was ordered to proceed against the French and Indians. He discharged all his duties, both civil and military, with marked ability, and was a very popular and prominent man. He was three times married, his first union being with Rebecca Bayliss, his second with Catherine Morgan. The first name of his third wife was Elizabeth, but her surname is not known.
Among his children was Nicholas Stilwell, who first married Micah Lake, and in 1793 wedded Elizabeth Cornell. He was the owner of a large estate and held a number of official positions in Queens county. Among his children was John Stilwell, the great-grandfather of Benjamin Watson Stilwell, of this review. He was born in 1690, and at different times resided at Springfield and Jamaica, Long Island. He was married in 1721 to Eleanor Furman, and their children were William, John and Stephen.
Stephen Stilwell, the grandfather of our subject, was born at Flushing, Long Island, October 27, 1760, and carried on business in New York city as an importer of fine and rare furniture. He was also an extensive glass manufacturer of Woodstock, Long Island, at one time, and owned and operated a tide-water mill at Jamaica, Long Island, where he made his home for a number of years. He served for many years in the United States customhouse in New York city, and became a man of considerable wealth, retiring at an early age from business to enjoy the comforts of country life. He died at Marbletown, Long Island, in 1847, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Moore, was born December 10, 1765, and they were married on Long Island June 10, 1784. Their children were: Rev. William M., who was born December 10, 1787,