of
water, the lowlands of Lispenard extending by a branch down what is now
Chapel Street, as far as Thomas Street. To the south and west was a
succession of hills which were overlooked, and on one, to the west of
and near Broadway, a little above Anthony Street, was once Curry's
ice-cream garden; from thence to the west beyond a valley which
intervened, and where now is Laight Street, near St. John's Park, was
the high hill on which was the country seat of Leonard Lispenard. To
the west the eye rested on the green woods and lands of Richmond Hill,
a romantic spot, where once resided Colonel Burr, and in the
intermediate glen was the residence of Mr. Glover. To the south lay
Broadway, then a highway road, the hospital recently erected beside it;
and near and below the hospital was once the mead garden of an old lady
named Elsley; the rise of property to her posterity realized a
fortune. Below these, on the east side of Broadway, where now is Mr.
Stewart's large store (Chambers Street) were the lands once known as
the Negro Burying Ground. All this region and the King's farm and the
lands of King's College, in Robinson Street, and the Fields, now the
park, were seen at a glance from that high hill at the corner of Grand
Street. On the east lay the broad lands of Stuyvesant and Kipp and
their domiciles, and that beautiful sheet of water, Kipp's Bay, and
near at hand were the lands that since formed the east and west Boyard
Farm; and far, far away, and yet before the eye, were the North and
East Rivers and the magnificent bay. and the lands and shores beyond.
It was indeed in its own nature and condition an island of magnificent
scenery. The house on that top-hill was built downward as the hill
from time to time was depressed, until it became a three-storied
building. It was finally removed. Near it was a higher hill, called
Bunker's Hill, from whence the view was also grand.
"
From the latter hill might be seen also Judge Benson's country site,
where now is Bleecker, near Carmine Street; the house is still standing
(1857). His place bounded on the
