Rebecca A Applegate

Other Events:

• Voress Number: 5D4C7B10
• Residence: 1892, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Residence: 1900, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA

Notes:

5D4C7B10 BR1B10 (5D4C7A7 & 5D4C7A9) Rebecca Applegate, b. abt 1880 (1892 NY State Census, Kings Co., Brooklyn, Ward 7, ED 11, p. 14 [age 12]; 1900 US Census, NY, Kings Co., Brooklyn, Ward 7, 2/73, Sheet 1B, 5/16 [March 1885, birthplace NY]), d. ___. She was the youngest child of William R and lived with her sister Ellen Gilligan in the old family home at 164 Skillman, Brooklyn, NY, at the time of the probate of her father’s will. She received a specific bequest of $1,000 in the will. (Probate File of William R. Appelgate, Kings Co. (NY), December 7, 1891 [no file number]). In 1892, he was living with his sister Nellie and her husband Patrick Gilligan in Brooklyn, NY. She was 12. (1892 NY State Census, supra).

In 1900, she was enumerated in the household of her sister, Mary Ellen. The census gives her birthdate as March 1885, which conflicts with her age in the 1892 NY State Census. I tend to prefer the earlier date, based on it being given in documentation created closer to the date of the event.

Residence:
98 Franklin Ave

Other Events:

• Voress Number: 5D4C7B
• Occupation: 1850, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Occupation: 1850, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Residence: 1850, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Occupation: 1855
• Residence: 1855, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Occupation: 1859, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Residence: 1859, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Occupation: 1870, New York, USA
• Residence: 1870, New York, USA
• Residence: 1872, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Occupation: 1875
• Residence: 1875, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Residence: 1875, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Occupation: 1878, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Residence: 1878, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Occupation: 1879, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Residence: 1879, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA

Notes:

BR1B (5D4C7A) William R. Appelgate, b. abt 1920 in Kings Co., NY (1850 US Census, NY, Kings Co., Brooklyn, 17th Ward, 1291/2189 [age 30, birthplace NY]; 1870 US Census, New York, Kings County, 7th Ward, p. 114 [age 50, birthplace NY]; 1875 NY State Census, Kings Co., Brooklyn, Ward 7, p. 55, 368/479 [age 55, birthplace Kings Co., NY]), d. November 12, 1891 at 164 Skillman Street in Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY (Brooklyn Eagle, November 13, 1891, p. 4; Probate File of William R Applegate, December 7, 1891, [no file number]). He married (1) Ellen ____, b. abt. 1824 in NY (1850 US Census, supra [age 26, birthplace NY]) d. bef 1870; and (2) Elizabeth ______, b. abt 1836 in Westchester Co., NY (1870 US Census, supra [age 36, birthplace NY]; 1875 NY Census, supra [age 39, birthplace Westchester Co., NY]; d. December 31, 1889 at 804 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY (Probate File of Elizabeth Appelgate (Kings Co. (NY), January 21, 1890, [no file number]).

In 1850, William was enumerated with his parents Lewis and Eliza in Brooklyn, NY. He was 30, born in NY and a police officer. With him were Ellen, age 26, born in NY (probably his wife); and George L (his son). (1850 US Census, supra). The enumerator provided a helpful additional comment that their house was near Myrtle and Raymond.

In the 1850 city directory for Brooklyn, William R Applegate is listed as a butcher at Myrtle Ave near Raymond. (1850 Brooklyn City Directory, p. 23). William changed careers between the time the directory was printed (probably late 1849) and the time he was enumerated in the census (September 27, 1850). In May of 1850, William was appointed a police marshal by Mayor Smith. (Brooklyn Eagle, May 31, 1850, p. 3).

In 1859, William again listed in the city directory—this time as a policeman. He was probably listed twice: Once under the name William Appelgate, residing at 254 Myrtle Ave., and once under the name William Applegate residing at Myrtle Ave. near Raymond. Also residing at the 254 Myrtle address was Elizabeth Appelgate, widow—probably his mother.

In 1870, William Applegate was enumerated in Brooklyn with his second wife Elizabeth and children. He was 50, born in NY and a policeman. Elizabeth was 34, and born in NY; George L was 23, born in NY, and worked for the fire department; Eliza was 20, and born in NY; William F was 17, and born in NY; Lizzie was 12, and born in NY, Lewis F was 10, and born in NY; Ellen was 3, and born in NY; and Annie born in May 1870 in NY.

On July 6, 1872, daughter Annie died. Her death notice gives her parents’ names as William and Elizabeth Applegate and states the funeral will take place at 306 Franklin Ave.—presumably her parents’ home.

In 1875, William Applegate and family were still residing at 306 Franklin Ave., in Brooklyn. William was 54, and a policeman. Wife Elizabeth was 39, son William F was 21, daughter Eliza was 24, daughter Eliza was 17, daughter [sic, should be son] Lewis was 14, daughter Nellie was 8, and daughter [sic] John was 3.

William’s wife Elizabeth died intestate on December 21, 1889. William Appelgate applied for Letters of Administration on January 16, 1890. This William may be her husband or her step-son—the Petition does not say either way.

The petition identifies the living children and heirs of Elizabeth:
Nellie Gilligan, of full age
John Appelgate, about 18
Harry Appelgate, about 14
Rebecca A Appelgate, about 9

William appears in articles throughout the second half of the 19th Century in the Brooklyn Eagle—mostly arresting criminals on warrants issued by the various courts to which he was assigned.

William Appelget made his will on November 11, 1891 and died the next day. (Probate File of William R Appelgate, Kings Co. (NY), December 7, 1891 [no file number]). His will is not in the probate file.

The Brooklyn Eagle ran several articles about his final illness and death.

OFFICER WILLIAM APPLEGATE VERY ILL
Officer William Applegate of Justice Engle’s court is very ill at his home. The doctors do not hold out much hope of recovery. His is 80 years of age and has been forty-three years on the force.
(Brooklyn Eagle, November 11, 1891)

OFFICER WILLIAM APPLEGATE
---
Brooklyn’s Oldest Policeman said to be Dying.
Officer William Applegate of Justice Engle’s court, whose serious illness was reported in the EAGLE yesterday, will never, it is feared by his friends, do police duty again. He is the oldest man on the force in age and length of service. He is now in his 80th year and was appointed on the force forty-three years ago. “Uncle Bill” he is affectionately termed. His family reunions were notable events. At the last one his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren filled the house. His youngest child is 12 years old and the eldest about 50 years. In feeling and action he was as young as any of his grandchildren. Until recent years he did not wear spectacles. He was taken sick about two months ago. Yesterday his son stated in Justice Engle’s court that he would not live through the week. His residence is at 264 Skillman avenue.
(Brooklyn Eagle, November 12, 1891, p. 3)

THE OLDEST POLICEMAN DEAD
William Applegate, or “Old Uncle Bill,” as he was known in police circles, the oldest member of the force, died yesterday at his home, 164 Skillman street. He was 71 yards old and had been for nearly forty-five years a member of the department. He was attached to Justice Engle’s court for the past ten years.
(Brooklyn Eagle, November 13, 1891, p. 4)

THE LATE OFFICER APPLEGATE
A meeting of officers of the Fifth precinct was held last night to take action on the death of Officer William Applegate. Captain Short presided. Sergeant Bar ford, Detective Sergeant Corcoran and Officers Richard Cleary and Pinkerton reported resolutions touching the demise which were adopted. About a score of carriages have been engaged for the officers to attend the funeral, which takes place at 2 o’clock to-morrow afternoon from 164 Skillman street.
(Brooklyn Eagle, November 14, 1891, p. 6).

The Petition for Probate filed by William’s son William F Appelgate lists his heirs at law:

William F Appelgate, a son of deceased who resides at 903 DeKalb avenue in the City of Brooklyn, of full age.

George L Appelgate, a son of deceased who resides at 324 Livingston street City of Brooklyn of full age.

John Appelgate an infant son of deceased over fourteen years who resides at 164 Skillman street Brooklyn

Harry Appelgate, an infant son of deceased over fourteen years who resides at 164 Skillman street Brooklyn

Eliza M Briggs a daughter of deceased who resides at 638 DeKalb avenue Brooklyn of full age.

Ellen Gilligan a daughter of deceased who resides at CNO 164 Skillman street Brooklyn of full age

Rebecca Appelgate an infant daughter under fourteen who resides at 164 Skillman Street resides with her sister Ellen Gilligan.

James Callahan, Bessie Haden, Beulah Haden and Eliza Haden children of a deceased daughter who reside as follows:
James Hallan resides at Saint Johns Home Brooklyn an infant under 14 years of age
Bessie Haden and Beulah Haden reside at the Industrial Home on South 3d street Brooklyn infants under 14 years of age
Eliza Haden who resides with Moses Engle at Number 80 Oakland street Brooklyn an infant under 14 years of age

While William R’s will is not in his probate file, the Executor’s affidavit is, and that document states the recipients of specific bequests in the will:

William F Appelgate $100
Ellen Gilligan $100
John Appelgate $200
Harry Appelgate $300
Rebecca Appelgate $1000

Occupation:
Butcher, Myrtle Ave. nr. Raymond

Occupation:
Police Officer

Residence:
Myrtle ave n Raymond

Occupation:
Policeman

Occupation:
Policeman

Residence:
254 Myrtle Ave
Same address as Eliza--probably his widowed mother; another entry in the same directory gives his home address as "Myrtle n Raymond"

Occupation:
Policeman

Residence:
306 Franklin Ave.

Occupation:
Police

Residence:
306 Franklin Ave
Near Lafayette

Residence:
306 Franklin Ave

Occupation:
Police

Residence:
306 Franklin Ave

Occupation:
Police

Residence:
284 Classon Ave

Buried:
Plot: Lot 18245, Section 189

Died:
164 Skillman Street

William married Elizabeth Rooney 23 Jul 1866, Old Saint Patrick's Church, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA. Elizabeth was born Abt 1836, Westchester County, New York, USA; died 31 Dec 1889, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA; was buried , Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Residence: 1870, New York, USA
• Residence: 1872, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Residence: 1875, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Residence: 1875, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA

Notes:

Residence:
306 Franklin Ave.

Residence:
306 Franklin Ave

Residence:
306 Franklin Ave
Near Lafayette

Other Events:

• Voress Number: 5D4C7
• Baptism: 16 May 1791, Old Tennent Church, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA
• Occupation: 1823, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Occupation: 1834, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Occupation: 1850, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Occupation: 1850, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Residence: 1850, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Occupation: 1855
• Residence: 1855, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA

Notes:

5D4C7 BR1 (5D4C7) Lewis Appelgate, b. abt 1788 in NJ (1850 US Census, NY, Kings Co., Brooklyn, Ward 11, 1291/2188 [age 62, birthplace NJ] ]; Lewis Applegate War of 1812 Bounty Land and Widow’s Pension Application File [application for bounty land at image 12, gives age of 65 in March 1865]; Id. [application for bounty land at image 32, gives age of 60 in 1850]), d. 4 May 1859 (Gertrude A. Barber, Extracts of Deaths from the New York Evening Post [gives date 4 May 1859, spells name Louis]; 1859 Brooklyn City Directory [Elizabeth Appelgate is listed as a widow]; Lewis Applegate War of 1812 Bounty Land and Widow’s Pension Application File [transcript of death record at image 28]) . He married on 20 December 1817 (Lewis Applegate War of 1812 Bounty Land and Widow’s Pension Application File [Affidavit of Elizabeth Applegate, image 19]) Elizabeth Gildersleeve, b. abt 1796 in Queens Co., NY (1850 US Census, supra [age 50, birthplace NJ]; 1875 NY Census, Kings Co., Brooklyn, Ward 11, Elec. Dist. 4, p. 17, 81/186 [gives birthplace of Queens Co.] Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 23, 1891 [“Entered into rest Elizabeth Gildersleeve, widow of Lewis Appelgate in the 95th year of her age.”]), d. abt. 23 April 1891 at 108 Park Ave., Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY. (Id.).

Lewis served in the War of 1812 in Captain Maxwell’s Company of Col. Dodge’s (1st) Regiment of New York Militia. (Bounty Land and Pension Application File). He volunteered on 2 September, 1814, and served until 2 December, 1814—a three month term.

Also according to his bounty and pension file, he married Elizabeth Gildersleeve on 20 December, 1817. The marriage was performed by Rev. Joseph Crawford of the Sand Street Methodist Episcopal Church. In her pension application, Elizabeth states that the church burned down, taking all records of the marriage with it.

Lewis was enumerated in the 1820 Census in Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY, at 118 Middagh St. [the annotation of the address by the enumerator is very hard to read]. The household consisted of one male between 26 and 40—presumably Lewis; one male under ten—presumably Edward; and one female between 16 and 26—Elizabeth. One person, Lewis, was engaged in manufactures. (1820 US Census, NY, Kings Co., Brooklyn, NARA Roll 64, image 162).

Indexers at familysearch.org say Lewis is listed in the 1830 Census in Kings Co., NY. The only copy I have been able to obtain of the roll is illegible.

In 1840, Lewis and his family were enumerated in the fourth ward of Brooklyn. The household consisted of one male 50-60 (probably Lewis), one male 20-30 (probably Edward), three males 15-20 (probably William, Daniel, and George), one female 40-50 (Elizabeth, wife of Lewis), one female 10-15 (possibly Jane), and one female 5-10 (probably Angeline). One person was engaged in manufacturing or trades. (1840 US Census, NY, Kings Co., Brooklyn, NARA Roll 289, images 218-19).

The 1850 Census entry for Lewis, Elizabeth and family is complicated, but contains valuable clues to assist tracing their descendants. First, a transcript of the actual entry for Dwelling No. 1291:

Family # Name Age Profession Birthplace
2188 Lewis Applegate 63 Market man NJ
Elizabeth “ 50 NY
2189 Wm “ 30 Police Officer “
Ellen “ 26 “
Geo L “ 3 “
2190 Chas Hawxhurst 30 Painter “
Jane “ 26 “
Chas “ 1 “
Angeline Applegate 16 “
Ellen “ 6 “

(Several columns not transcribed)

I believe this entry shows the following family relations, albeit in confusing form:

Lewis and Elizabeth, husband and wife
Their son, William and his (first) wife, Ellen
Their child, George L.
Their daughter, Angeline
Their daughter, Ellen
Charles Hawxhurst and his wife, Jane
Their son, Charles

Jane Hawxhurst is probably a daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth.

The enumerator noted the address of this dwelling in the margin of the sheet “Myrtle ave n Raymond”. This address lets us cross reference entries from the 1850 Brooklyn City directory.

There are two entries in the 1850 city directory for Applegates at this address:

Applegate Lewis, carpenter Myrtle av n Raymond
Applegate William R, butcher Myrtle av n Raymond
(1850 Brooklyn City Directory, pp. 22-23)

On 26 November, 1850, Lewis applied for bounty land for his service in the War of 1812. He claimed to be sixty years old, and a resident of Brooklyn New York. His signature on the application is very clear and he spells his surname “Appelgate”.

A Lewis Applegate is listed as a carpenter in several earlier Brooklyn directories. In 1823, Lewis Applegate is listed as a carpenter at 15 Water in 1823. (1823 Spooner Brooklyn City Directory). In 1833-34, Lewis Applegate is listed as a carpenter at 12 Liberty (1833-34 Brooklyn City Directory reprinted in Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 8, 1934, p. H 26). In 1840, Lewis Applegate is listed as a carpenter at 112 Concord. (Leslie & Chichester Brooklyn, New York General & Business Directory for 1840-41). I believe this is the same Lewis Applegate, and that he changed careers from carpenter to marketman in 1850.

William Applegate also changed careers between the printing of the 1850 city directory and his enumeration in the 1850 Census on September 27, 1850. On May 31, 1850, the Brooklyn Eagle reported that “Mayor Smith has appointed the following police marshals: . . . Wm. Applegate . . ..” (Brooklyn Eagle, May 31, 1850, p. 3).

Lewis was not done changing careers. By 1854, he was the proprietor of a daguerreotype gallery. The Brooklyn Eagle reported on a theft from him:

Yesterday evening, Officer Elias, of the First District Police, arrested an individual named John Carch, on the charge of stealing daguerreotypes from the gallery of Lewis Applegate, in Myrtle avenue.
(Brooklyn Eagle, April 29, 1854, p. 3) (emphasis added).

On 28 March 1855, Lewis applied for another bounty land warrant. He was still living in Brooklyn, NY, aged 65.

Lewis Appelgate died on 6 May, 1859 at 254 Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. A transcript of his death record is in his widow Elizabeth’s pension application file. His age at death was 69. The cause of death was listed as senile gangrene.

By 1859, Elizabeth Appelgate was identified as a widow, residing at 254 Myrtle Ave. in Brooklyn (1859 Brooklyn City Directory, p. 8). A William Appelgate, policeman, resided at the same address (Id.). I believe this is William R Appelgate and his mother Elizabeth (Gildersleeve) Applegate/Appelgate.

In 1870, Elizabeth was living elsewhere—I believe with a different son. An Elizabeth Applegate, age 72 was enumerated in the household of Edw. Applegate in Brooklyn. (1870 US Census, NY, Kings Co., Brooklyn, 11th Ward, p. 8, 22/64).

In 1875, Elizabeth had moved again. An Elizabeth Applegate, age 78 was living at 382 Gold Street with Ella A Applegate, identified as her daughter. (1875 NY State Census, Kings Co., Brooklyn, Ward 11, Elec. Dist. 4, p. 17, 81/186).

In 1879, Elizabeth Applegate, the widow of Louis (sic) was living at 206 Sands in Brooklyn. (1879-08 Lain’s Brooklyn City Directory).

In 1880, Elizabeth applied for and was granted a widow’s pension based on Lewis’s service. The file jacket for her pension application gives her residence at 206 Sands Street, Brooklyn, NJ. One of the witnesses for the claim was Ellen Appelgate, also residing at 206 Sands Street. The application does not state Ellen’s relationship to Elizabeth.

In 1887, an investigation of her pension claim (probably to make sure she was still alive), found she was living at 258 Navy Street, Brooklyn, NY.

Elizabeth died in April of 1891, in Brooklyn, NY.

DIED
APPELGATE—Entered into rest ELIZABETH GILDERSLEEVE, widow of Lewis Appelgate, in the 95th year of her age.

Funeral on Friday, April 24, at 2 o’clock, from her late residence, 108 Park av. Brooklyn. Resident of Brooklyn for ninety-one years.
Brooklyn Eagle, April 23, 1891, p. 5

Occupation:
Carpenter
15 Water

Occupation:
Carpenter
12 Liberty

Occupation:
Marketman

Occupation:
Carpenter, Myrtle Ave nr. Raymond

Residence:
Myrtle ave n Raymond

Occupation:
Carpenter

Lewis married Elizabeth Gildersleeve 20 Dec 1817, Sand Street Methodist Church. Elizabeth was born 1797, Queens County, New York, USA; died Abt 23 Apr 1891, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Residence: 1850, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Residence: 1855, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Residence: 1859, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Residence: 1870, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Residence: 1875, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Residence: 1879, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA

Notes:

Residence:
Myrtle ave n Raymond

Residence:
254 Myrtle av

Residence:
382 Gold St

Residence:
206 Sands

Died:
108 Park Ave.

Other Events:

• Voress Number: 5D4C
• Residence: 1824, South Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey, USA
• Date of Will: 17 Sep 1824

Joseph — Elizabeth Story. [Group Sheet]