As early as the commencement of the eighteenth century, if not sooner, a public brewery was established in the town. The principle of total abstinence from all that can intoxicate was not then known or practiced, and beer or malt liquor was the common beverage of the inhabitants, and continued to be so until the orchards were planted and came into full bearing, when cider became a substitute. The brew-house was situated in the southern part of the town, a little north of the dwelling-house of the late Jacob Duryee and on the same side of the road. It is presumed by some that there was also another public brewery in the north of the town. It is certain, however, that there were two private ones; one on the lot of the late Peter Stryker back of the store now occupied by Messrs. Birdsall & Aldworth, and another on the property of Rem Vanderbilt, the proprietor of the farm now in the tenure of Matthew Clarkson, Esq. The public brewery was divided into fourteen shares, which were subdivided into halves and perchance quarters. These rights were apportioned to the several farms and considered appurtenant to them, and entitled the proprietors to the privilege of brewing in the establishment. These rights were disposed of by deed or testamentary devise. A will is in existence dated as late as 1773, devising the right of the testator in the brewery to his son; and several wills and deeds of early date are to be found, containing provisions relative to the same subject. So important was the right in this establishment at that time deemed by the proprietors. The public brewhouse continued to stand until after the close of the American Revolution. It was then sold, together with all its fixtures, and the proceeds divided among the shareholders.

We may here briefly advert to the style of building, and domestic habits of the early inhabitants of Flatbush. The designs of their houses were probably brought from Faderland. They were chiefly built of wood, but some few of brick, which was manufactured in the place. They were of one story, either with an overshot-roof, both in front and rear forming a piazza—or an overshot in front, and the roof in the rear, extending some distance back until it came within a few feet of the ground. A specimen of this last style of architecture may be seen in the house belonging to the heirs of the late Cornelius Antonides, which is probably the oldest house now standing in the village. The rooms inside were not ceiled, but above were the broad heavy oak beams on which the floor of the upper-part of the house was laid. The fire-places usually were very large, generally extending without jambs in width sufficient to accommodate the whole family with a seat near the fire. The chimneys were very large and spacious, sufficiently so to admit their meat to be hung in them, for the purpose of being smoked, which was the usual practice. When jambs were added to any fireplace, they were generally set round with earthen glazed