History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II, Part 112

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898,
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

USA > New York > Westchester County > History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II > Part 112

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481

SOMERS.

-Carrie, Sallie, James and William. His wife was Mary A. Morrison, a niece of James Libby, of New York.

Thaddeus Barlow came from Vermont to the town, a young man, about 1825. He was a blacksmith by trade, and, until a few years ago, carried on the business in this place. Among the first of his works was the shaping of the iron-work that holds the miniature elephant. This was in April, 1827. Since that date "Barlow's Shop " has never been per- manently closed. Mr. Barlow owns a handsome old- style residence on the main street of the village and has retired from active life. His son Stephen eontin- ues the business at the forge. The Barlow residence was once owned by Micajah Wright, who kept an inn there in 1802. Mr. Barlow was one of the first vestry- men of St. Luke's Church and is still one of the war- dens of that church. He married Mary, daughter of Daniel Quick, of North Salem, and has four living children,-Joseph, Edgar, Stephen and John.

James W. Bedell owns a large farm and handsome residence in the western part of the town overlooking the valley of the Museoot. His house is a large, sub- stantial, partly Gothic building, the diamond-shaped window-panes giving it more of the Gothie character than do the actual proportions of the building. A beautiful lawn extends in front to the highway, down a gentle descent. Inside, the appliances of taste and cultivation are everywhere apparent. Mr. Bedell comes from Yorktown. His great-grandfather, Eph- raim Beadle (as the name was then called), settled there, on the shore of Mohansic Lake, in 1750. After the Revolution, David Bedell and his brother William came across the Museoot River and purchased the present farm of Pierre Van Cortlandt for $6.25 per acre. Together they built a log house, in a lot just southwest of the present residence, and felled the forest trees and fenced the land. David was the grand- father of James, and from him the present owner in- herited the property, the father of James having died before the grandfather and both being only ehildren. James Bedell has been prominent in town affairs, hav- ing held the office of supervisor of the town, and, during the war, a military position under the enroll- ment department. He was also active in furnishing the quota of troops from here under the various ealls of the government. He married a daughter of Eben- ezer White, M.D., and has one son and five daughters living. Mr. Bedell was the originator of Ivandell Cemetery, and carried the idea through to the incor- poration of the association, in 1866. He is the pres- ident of the association at present.

Thaddeus Crane resides in a pleasant, old-style farm-house, roomy and substantial, with low, sloping roof and broad verandah, built very much like all the farm houses of a century ago; situated just west of the village, on the Peekskill road. The property was formerly owned by Nathan Brown, father of Lewis and Stephen Brown. After the death of Nathan

Brown it was left to Stephen and was purchased by Mr. Cranc. Thaddeus Crane is the eldest son of Ger- ard Crane and grandson of the Hon. Thaddeus Crane, who was a major and lieutenant-colonel in the Revo- lution, and Member of Assembly in 1777-79 and 1788-89. Colonel Crane is buried in North Salem, where Girard, the father of Thaddeus, was born, Jan- uary 3, 1791.

He and his brother Thaddeus removed to Somers in 1827, and purchased a large property of the Brown estate. The mansion of Thaddens is standing on the old road to Dean's Bridge, half a mile from the vil- lage, and is owned and occupied by John Dickinson, - who married Lydia, a sister of Thaddeus and Gerard Crane. The latter ereeted a fine large mansion of eut stone by the side of the turnpike, one mile north of the village. It is two stories high, with basement be- neath, and is a square structure covered with a deek roof. The building is finished in the best possible manner, both out and inside, and presents an impos- ing appearance. The approach is by a flagged walk through a yard inclosed with an ornamental iron pal- ing fenee, up several wide stone steps, with iron rail- ings on either side, to a handsomely-carved door, which opens from a broad portieo whose roof is sup- ported by two fluted stone columns. The windows are large, the ceilings high and ornamented with mouldings and casts in plaster. It is a dwelling that would be attractive in any eity in the world, and is doubly so in the country. Near the house is a long, hipped-roofed building, that is now a barn, but was built for, and used as, an animal house during the winter seasons. Mr. Crane was for many years one of the principal proprietors of a large menagerie. The property is now owned and occupied by 'Villiam N. Todd, who purchased it of the Crane estate. Gerard Crane was one of the supervisors of the town, hold- ing that offiee in 1833-37. He died in 1872, aged eighty-one years.

Thaddeus Cranc has been a resident of the town, with the exception of a few years, all his life. He married Clarinda (daughter of Horace) Bailey, and has occupied prominent positions in local and politi- cal affairs. He held the office of supervisor from 1875 to 1879. Thaddeus and Gerard Crane were associated in the show business for a number of years when this business was in its infaney. Many of the old resi- dents of Somers were at times identified with this pc- culiar ealling with various suecess. As showing, to a small extent, the capital invested in animals, we ap- pend an extraet from a bill of sale,-

"State of Virginia, Lunenburg Co., Know all men by these presents that I, John Miller, of Northampton County and State of Pennsylvania, do this day Bargain, Sell and Deliver unto Thaddeus & Gerard Crane, of Westchester County, New York, a Brazilian Tiger and Tigress, an Afri- can Leopard and Leopardess, two English Organs, a Bass Drum, an Italian Symbol, two Monkeys, the Cotamunda, two Wagons and five Horses, with Harness, together with the Signs, Cuts and all the appa- ratus that belongs to said Exhibition of Animals for the Consideration of Three Thousand five llundred Dollars, etc., etc., and do defend the right and title to the same, and I do warrant the Leopards to be living

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482

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

on the Seventh day of the present Instant. Witness my hand and Seal this 14th of February, 1821.

" JOHN MILLER,

SEAL.

" In presence of

" THOMAS BROOKS."

Again, a bill of sale from Marens Sloat, of Carmel, dated the 15th of March, 1825, conveys to,-

"T. & G. Crane, of Somers, Westchester County, the one Equal and undivided third part of a female Elephant, called l'et (formerly l'erry), for and in Consideration of the Sum of Three Thousand Dollars to me in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, etc., etc. Signed in presence of

"HULDAN QUICK.

" MARCUS SLOAT."

Thousands of dollars were invested in these enter- prises, and in many instances very profitable returns were realized. The Wright family are also of the early residents. Daniel Wright, previous to the Rey- olution, owned an estate on Primrose Street, directly opposite the present Mount Zion Churel. At the rear of the farm is a large swamp to which it was cus- tomary in those perilous times to drive the cattle during the day. In the afternoon they would be driven back to the house and fastened in a log in- closure to secure them from the "Cowboys." Here Mieajah Wright attained his manhood, and succeeded to his patrimony. He was the builder of Mount Zion Church, and also of the house now standing on the farm. Afterwards he moved to Somers Plain and kept an inn in the building now owned by Mr. Bar- low. In this house Charles Wright grew to man's es- tate, and from here he entered into the active life of the world. Mieajah Wright, the father of Charles, died November 4, 1811, aged forty-eight years. Charles traveled extensively during his younger days, having been connected with the prevailing "show " business, which at this time seemed to engross general attention. Ile married Elizabeth Smith, of North Castle, and purchased a farm in Lewisboro, where his children at present living were born. He afterwards moved to Somers, bought the James Bailey estate before described, and there resided until his death, in 1862, at the age of seventy years and nine days. He left five sons-James, William H., John, Isaac C. and Samuel P. William owns the homestead, and is well known in political eireles, having been a chairman of the Democratie County Committee, and always active in political campaigns. He has often been offered, but invariably refused, political office, both in the town and district. He was also promi- nent in the construction of the Mutual Union and Baltimore and Ohio telegraph lines, whose wires traverse the town from the southern to the northern extremities. James is a resident of the South, and Isaac resides in Chicago. Jolin has retired from active business, and Samnel owns a fine farm and res- idence on Primrose Street, near Mount Zion Church, a property that was formerly owned by his grand- father, but passed into the hands of the Marshall fam- ily, from whom it again came into the Wright fam-

ily. On the road leading to Peekskill, and a mile east of West Somers depot, on an elevation that over- looks much of the upper valley of the Museoot, stands a neat and attractive home. With its sloping lawn, its sightly location, its thrifty surroundings, it forms a pleasing picture. The house is new, and of mod- ern construction and improvements. The old house stood a few rods west of the present building and under the hill at the intersection of Tomahawk Street and the West road. This has been torn down and removed. This residence is the home of Munson E. Frost, whose father was Ebenezer Frost, a son of John Frost, whose father eame from England some time in 1700, and settled in Massa- ehnsetts. John Frost married a Miss MInnson, of Connecticut, and came to New York State, buying land of the Brown family and settling just over the present line of Putnam County, near Croton Falls. Here Ebenezer was born July 8, 1776. He removed to Somers village in early life with his brother Joel, who subsequently became the judge of Putnam County Court, member of the Legislature and repre- sentative in Congress. Ebenezer entered into mer- eantile business in Somers village, where he remained some time, and then removed to West Somers. He was one of the ten voters in the town who cast a ballot for Thomas Jefferson in 1800, postmaster for over a quarter of a century, captain of the State Militia, one of the organizers of the Westchester County Bank, and a direetor thereof from its organ- ization to the day of his death. He married Mary, daughter of Samnel Green, and had Mary, Elizabeth, Calvin, Munson E. and Samuel. Munson E. has held the office of justice in Somers for many years, and is one of the prominent residents of the town. His brother, the Hon. Calvin Frost, of Peekskill, is one of the leading members of the legal profession. Es- quire Frost has always been active in advancing the interests of Somers, and is an energetic yet careful exponnder of the laws to evil-doers. He owns a handsome estate and is surrounded with all the com- forts of life. At the eastern end of Somers village, near the junction of the Purdy's Station and Croton Falls roads, stands a large two-story frame building with a one-and-a-half-story extension to the south.

It is built in good, substantial style, and stands a little back from the street, in a large yard, well filled with tall shade-trees of oak and loeust, forming a small grove. Directly in front of the residence, but across the street, are two aged, wide-spreading oaks that completely overshadow the highway with their long, leafy branches. Attached to the dwelling is a small, well-eultivated farm. This is the home of Samuel White, the son of Ebenezer White, M.D., who re- moved here from Yorktown in 1800. The White family eame originally from Long Island. In 1800 Samuel's father removed from Yorktown to Somers, and resided here until his death, in 1865, at the age of eighty-five years, nine months and seven days. Dr.

483

SOMERS.

White was a practicing physician of wide reputc. One of his sons followed him in the profession, Dr. Oliver White, of New York City, who also attained eminence in his chosen ealling. Dr. Ebenezer White was also a prominent member and offieer of the Pres- byterian Church. He married the sister of Esquire Frost's mother, and had eight children. Samuel owns and remains on the homestead, leading the easy life of a well-to-do farmer. He has always been, and still continues to be, interested in any measures looking to the welfare of his native town.

Just west of the central part of the town, and on the Peekskill road, are the estates of the members of the Green family. A long, two-story, well-proportioned dwelling, standing some rods back from the highway, with a tree-bordered drive leading to the door, and an upper and lower veranda extending across the entire front of the building, is the residence of the surviving members of the Israel Green branch of the family. Israel Green was the son of Samuel Green, who owned a large property, including the estate now occupied by his descendants, in the western central part of Somers. He died in 1827, at the age of eighty years, three months and five days, as is recorded on his head-stone, which stands in the family burial-ground, on the farm nearly opposite the residence. From him the Greens are deseended, and just west of the home- stead property lie the farms of the late Caleb and Stephen Green, one on each side of the highway, with large, tasteful residences, surrounded with all the evi- dences of thrift. The older male members of the family in Somers are all dead. Israel Green was the supervisor of Somers in 1841-44, and again in 1845. He was also town elerk in 1835-41, and again in 1850, and supervisor in 1854. His surviving son, James, married Ophelia, only daughter and child of Oliver U. Todd, and they reside on the Todd estate, near White- hall Corner. John Green, brother of Israel, was also town clerk in 1841. His farm lay near Somers vil- lage. His daughter Helen married James Hyatt, who is one of the justiees of the town, and resides in the roomy old farin-house and cultivates the farm, as well as discharges impartially and satisfactorily the duties of his office. Esquire Hyatt is also one of the wardens of St. Luke's Church, and a widely-known and highly-respected man. Adjoining the farm of Samuel Green was the land of William Horton, the first town clerk of Somers in 1788. When the British captured White Plains the Hortons eseaped with the small amount of property that could be carried in a pillow-sack laid across the baek of a horse. On horse- back they journeyed to this section, and here settled. They had originally come from Rye, and the father of William was one of the purehasers of the White Plains. William settled on the farm now owned by his grand- son, Charles G. Teed. For many years he was promi- nent in the councils of the town, and pursued the occupations of farmer and store-keeper. He was clerk of the town for the first six years of its existence

as a township. He also beeame the owner of the prop- erty afterward owned by Harvey M. Todd. William Horton's daughter Mary was born here, and married Samuel Teed. This branch of the Horton family afterwards removed to North Salem, where they still reside. Charles G. Teed now owns the estate. It is a large and valuable property. The location was for many years known as Teed's Corners. It is at the in- tersection of Lovell Street with the Peekskill road, two miles from Somers village and one-quarter of a mile from Somers Centre depot. The residence is a fine, large, square, two-story and attic dwelling, sur- rounded on three sides by a broad verandah, situated_ in the centre of an ample, well-shaded lawn, and kept constantly in the best possible condition. The farm is a most excellent one and is highly eultivated. For many years a store and blaeksmith and wheelwright shops were located here, but these have all passed away. The view from the piazza of the residenee is beautiful, embracing the Plum Brook Valley, the village of Somers, two miles away, and the North Salem hills in the eastern distance. Charles Teed is the son of Samuel, whose estate is located nearly a mile farther south, on Primrose Street, now occupied by James P., the present supervisor of the town. Samuel Teed was the father of fifteen ehildren, who, with three excep- tions, are living. He married Mary Horton and brought her to the Teed homestead, where their children were born and brought up, and where the parents died-Samuel in 1857, aged seventy-two years, ten months and seven days.

His wife survived him about a year. Their ehil- dren were all living at the death of the parents. There were seven sons and eight daughters. The residence is pleasantly located on the east side of Primrose Street, fronting south, and although materially changed in appearance within twenty years, the west end of the house is the same frame, etc., as was erected by the father of Samuel some time early in 1700. As the residenee now appears, it is a very attractive home. The low roof has been raised and gabled with dormer windows, in the English style. It is a large, commodious structure and is surrounded on three sides by a wide, pleasant veranda. The view to the west is fine. The large farm is highly cultivated and is one of the best in the county. Charles Teed, the father of Samuel and grandfather of James, the present owner of the estate, was a blacksmith and farmer and built the original house, making all the nails therefor on his forge, which stood a few feet from the site of the present residence. This was some time before the Revolution. He married a Gregory and had ten ehildren. Samuel was the oldest son. There were five daughters older. Charles' father was one of the earliest settlers of the town and from him sprang the family in all its branches. Charles Teed was a mem- ber of the nineteenth session of the Assembly in 1796 and continued a member of that body until and

484

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

including 1800. Samuel directed his attention to his farm and was also interested in the cattle busi- less. At one time, about 1830, he, in connection with his brother-in-law, Lewis Horton, became a proprietor of a "show," but did not continue in the business long. William E. Teed, one of the sons, held the office of supervisor in 1849 to 1850 and also from 1862 to 1868 and 1870 to 1871. He was also clerk of the town five years. James P. is the present supervisor, which office he has held since 1880.

An old family, one of the first, is the Parent family. The homestead house and farm are situated in the western part of the town, the farm lying on the banks of the Muscoot River, directly opposite the James W. Bedell estate. It is a rich and productive estate. The house is built after the prevailing farm-house style. It is owned by the family, but is not occupied by them at present. Levi Parent purchased a large tract of land of the Van Cortlandts at an early day, but was unable to keep the entire tract, retaining at last this portion, which descended to Isaiah, his grand- son, who, in turn, left it to James. James held the office of justice in the town for forty years. He removed from the family estate to the eastern part of the town and kept a store near Whitehall Corner, leasing a large farming property from the Van Cortlandts. This farm property has since been leased by his son James, who has had charge of it since his father's death, in 1880, aged seventy-eight years, seven months and twenty-seven days. During the long term of office held by Esquire Parent none of the many decisions rendered by him were reversed in a higher court. He was a well-known and ac- tive member of town political cireles, as well as a successful farmer. His only surviving son, James, is the owner of and resides on a fine farming prop- erty, formerly owned by the Beadle family and lying on the north and south sides of the highway leading from the Katonah to Amawalk, about one mile west of Whitehall Corner. The dwelling is an old-fash- ioned, sloping-roofed farm-house, ample in dimen- sions and surrounded by large trees and a shady yard. This gentleman also has the charge of and cultivates the two remaining farms of the Van Cortlandt prop- erty, which adjoins his own estate. He married Rosalie Banks, of Lewisboro', and has two children- Isaiah and Mary.

In the northeastern part of the town is situated the neatly-kept and commodious residence of James Owen. It formed, originally, a part of the Brown purchase, but was sold to the Owen family, who gave the name of Owensville to the hamlet that gathered around the vicinity of the excellent water-power of the Croton River at this point, which was utilized by the erection of a paper-mill, clothier's works, etc., under the ownership of the Owens. The names of Joseph Owen and John Owen appear prominently in connection with the organization of the Presby- terian Churches of the town, and also in the records

of the Croton turnpike. In 1810 John Owen was conducting a mercantile business in Somers village, and Fred. J. Coffin had his office in the house of Joseph Owen, Jr., in the same place. Joseph Owen was a supervisor of the town in 1807-15, also in 1817- 18. The family is one of the oldest and most highly respected in the town. The present Mr. Owen is a plain, unassuming gentleman of leisure, is social and intellectual in his tastes, and leads, in the home of his father, a bachelor life of unostentation. The resi- dence is very pleasantly situated on the corner of a broad, shady street, and the grounds are kept scrupu- lously neat and attractive. The property adjoins that formerly owned by Thomas R. Lee, a prominent lawyer, whose handsome estate has passed into the ownership of Mr. Ettinger, a New York business man, who makes it his summer residence.

At the junction of the Purdy's and Dean's Bridge road, and near Somers village, is the residence form- erly owned by John Titus, one of the old residents and prominent in the exhibition business, under the firm-name of June, Titus & Angewine, in 1827 or thereabouts. John Titus was a wealthy farmer and speculator, and descended from Edmund Titus, who was born in England in 1630, and moved from Massa- chusetts to Long Island in 1650. From Long Island the family came to Westchester County. The resi- dence is pleasantly situated in the centre of a fine lawn, and is a neat, roomy mansion, well-filled with valuable artistie objects. It is the home of Ray Tompkins, who married a daughter of John Titus. Mr. Tompkins is a son of New York's noted Governor. Hon. D. D. Tompkins. The Tompkins family were from Scarsdale, where Hon. Daniel D. was born in 1774. Ray Tompkins moved to Somers and purchased the Ammi Pennoyer place on Primrose Street, adjoining the property of Samuel Teed. Here he resided for some years, eventually removing to Somers village. He was a prominent figure in the politics of New York City for many years, holding one of the chief offices in the Tammany Society, with Elijah F. Purdy and others. At this time he resided at Tompkinsville, Staten Island, after which he re- moved a second time to Somers. He was one of the directors of the Croton Turnpike Company, and was a prominent man in the councils of the town. He lives in the enjoyment of affluence, and leads a quiet life, possessing a fund of recollections of early politi- cal and social events. His only living son, Min- thorne, is a resident of San Francisco, and a promi- nent bank official in that city.

The Gerritsens removed from Long Island some time in 1700, and settled near Croton Dam. Captain Wilhelmus Gerritsen married Letty, the fourth daughter of Charles Teed, and settled near Somers Centre, as it is now called. Here he purchased a farm and here his children were born. He was an officer in the War of 1812, and was always known as Captain Gerritsen. The estate is now owned by

Giri 11. Tedd

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SOMERS.

Charles G. Teed, while his son Samuel resides on a farm one mile farther north, on Lovell Street, not far from the line of Putnam County. His son William was the clerk of the town from 1853 to 1861 and from 1862 to 1875, when he died. He married Mary Hal- lock and left no children. Captain Gerritsen was a quiet farmer and took no active part in town affairs. Hedied at an advanced age and is buried at Mount Zion. On the turnpike road, two and a half miles south of Somers village, on a high elevation of ground some distance west of the highway, is an imposing resi- denee, built of wood and consisting of various apart- ments and buildings, seemingly joined together ir- regularly, with a square tower in the southeast eor- ner. It is a handsome structure, and occupies a sightly location, from whenee a view is obtained of the Plum Brook Valley, the undulating farmns of east- ern Somers and the distant hills of Connecticut. Surrounding the mansion is an ample lawn, and the cultivated fields of a rich and extensive farm. Just a few rods to the southeast is the old house, still in a good state of preservation, but which is used as a tenement for the farm hands. This is the property of the late Harvey M. Todd, the brother of Oliver Uel Todd.

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History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II, Part 112

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898, Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898,
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1286