A History of Briarcliff Manor By Rev. Robert B. Pattison I member of the Ossining Historical Society.
Compiled with the assistance of~
ALFRED H. PEARSON MRS. EMERSON KESSLER
MRS. J. H. REED H. B. VALENTINE
CHARLES H. SCHUMAN FLOYD BERNARD
CHARLES H. WHITSON HAR()LD WHITSON
MRS. R. M. HERSEY T. EVERETT BISHOP
Presented to village residents with the
compliments of
THE BRIARCLIFF WEEKLY
and the merchants whose advertisements appear herein.
Published by William Rayburn
Additional copies may be. purch~sed at ,Wittenborg's United Cigar Store or by phoning BriarcWf 1519.
" t WaIter W. Law, Esq. A History of BRIARCLIFF MANO'R From an Indian's campfire to centuries before that from modern heating, from a burning across Behring Strait into what pitchpine stick to electric lights, is now North America from from farm pumps to water fau Asia. So, in long ages, to the cets, such bridge the long gap Atlantic Ocean, lured by hunt between early days.and 9ur own ing, fishing, and safe lodging in our Village, materially. From under rock-shelters, one of a very simple, small Sunday which is to be found on the De:n. School to five well - established Farm nearby. Indian· arro~v Churches, such shows up our heads of age unknown have, gain in ,religion. From dirt been found in it recently. It roads, often knee-deep in mud, would be of great interest to to excellent macadam or cement know what name the Indians roads, such says something may have given to this locality. about the progress in' transpor Then came the era of the Hol tation. landers and the English under It is a far cry from those days both of which Vreddryck Flyp when there was no fire appara sen (Frederick Philipse, late,r tus apart from water carried in name) bought land from the buckets from the farm spring, Indians of our vicinity, his pur when there was no police de chases, being confirmed by Eng. partment and when the country !ish royal patent from overseas, doctor in his horse-drawn buggy January 2, 1689. The Philipse came only for strict emergencies estate finally covered all froln and dealt out home-made pills Spuyten Duyvil to the Croton for most maladies. The auto has River, and from the Hudson to supplanted the ox cart and the the source of the Bronx. One of telephone has taken the place his later purchases was of land of the neighbor's shout across from the Pocantico stream to the acres to announce another the Croton, and from the Hud~ little citizen's arrival a t some' son. to Nepperhan Creek (now farm. Saw Mill River), so that alto Columbus discovered America gether his holdings included some 410 years to a day before land where Briarcliff now Briarcliff Manor was incorpor-. stands. ated October 12, 1902. In those The Sint Sinct Indians may four centuries things happened have occupied land wh€'re our in our land and not the least of village stands, land which Phil them was the beginnings of our ipse bought from them on Aug locality as a farm group and ust 4, 1685, the transfer being later as a recognized political di made, according to tradition, on vision in New York state. the elevated land just east of the The very first inhabitants Scarborough railroad station. were Mohegan Indians, a branch The price was in wampunl; axes, of the powerful tribe of AlgOll guns, blankets, knives, kettles, quins. They came many a cen cloth, shlrts, not to forget rUIn. tury ago from the far west, and If our seetiol1 was included ·ill FOR YOUNG WOMEN FOUNDED IN Briarcliff Manor c this particular purchase, it is in houses; religion but here no teresting to· know that: the price churches, some books but here was much more than the histor no school, hunger enough but ic $24 worth of goods for which here no stores. Manhattan Island was originally With time came a few settlers. sold! (But who would exchange Farms began to supplant for ours for New York City? Perish ests, civilization showed its com the thought!) forting face, convenien.ces such The transfer of land here and as the tin peddler. came through, hereabouts was made more his-' a blacksmith arrived, and IIi toric when the Commission on dians more and more gave way Forfeiture (appointed to seize to "pale faces." and sell land held by the Tor We wonder where the first ies during the Revolutionary house stood, and how many of War) sold,· in 1784-1785, all ·of them there were in that long the Sing Sing tract, among oth ago. In time, however, there ers, to loyal Americans who had were built the three farmhouses, sided against King George Third all still standing, of the three of England; thus all the Philipse Whitson brothers: John, Rich estate passed into other hands ard and Reuben. They occupied and Briar~lifI Manor land was adjoining farms, totaling some of this piece. 400 acres. Their uncle, Joseph, An old map in the possession built the Crossways now comer of Mr. H. B. Valentine shows the of Pleasantville Road near the many tenants on the Philipse Congregational Church in 1820, lands hereabouts at the time'of the date· being plainly visible for the Commission on Forfeiture, years on its exterior; the elms 1784-5. It seems to indicate there are judged to be at least that they bought the very land a century old. .This house came they occupied (for it had been into the possession of his nep the policy of all the Hudson Riv hew, John H. Whitson. Richard er estate owners not to sell land, lived in the house on Pleasant and these tenants were doubt ville Road now occupied by Mr. less glad .of the.. chance a t last Emerson .Kessler, and Reuben to buy). Perhaps there is only lived in the house now owned one name on this map of a cen by Mr. Preston Herbert, near the . tury and a half ago still having Bronx Parkway. local association, that of Thom This last-mentioned house is as BiShop whose father John in probably the oldest in the local 1785: ,bought some '265 acres with ity. An atlas, publiShed in 1867, the Hudson River as its western shows this house with the name boundary. The three Bishop "R. Whitson" and the comment , broth~rs in present-day Briar "'Century Homestead," so that it cliff, Jesse B,. T. Everett, and . must have been built prior to Howard G. Bishop, trace descent 1767. from this family. If. any others Other families of course -were are traceable so far back, it present, but the Whitsons were would be interesting to know it. enough to give to this whole Those were crude but re section their name: ''Whitson's sourceful days! Forest land was Corners," and when the railroad here by the square mile. There came, the depot took the name were many Indians ·and very of Whitson's Station. - few whites, some trails but no The story of early ~ransporta roads, some shelters but· no tion tells much of those times. .., . FOR RADIO REACH FOR 1HE~OFLMNG SALES AND SERVICE BRIARCLIFF CALLS Pleasantville 1176 LESTER WINTEBEB Anderson Radio Co. 395 MANVILLE RD. Charles H. Schuman, Inc. Modern Equipment for Modern Homes Since 1915 TIMKEN OIL HEATING WATER HEATING UNITS Magic Chef Gas Ranges AIR CONDITIONING Refrigerators Water Heaters BR~CLmF MANOR, NFW YORK TELEPHONE BRIARCLIFF 2800 There was a stage-coach, and in Walter W. Law was born an winter a stage - sleigh, between' Englishman in 1837 and came to Pleasantville and Ossining (then America evidently determined called Sing Sing). Would that to grow up with the land and we had a photo of that horse help make the land grow. By dra wn vehicle! So the traveler his industry and good Judgment went' north or south by rail, for he became, in time, Vice-Presi the railroad came to Ossining dent of the W. and J. Sloane in 1849, some thirty years before Carpet Co., and soon was direct it ran to Whitson's; or, by stage ing his energies in this direction still, passengers might travel on so that, in 1895, the Briarclill the old Albany Post Road north Realty Co. was begun with 2,000 or south. When that train ar acres of land. It was incorpor rived, December 1, 1880, (or De a.ted in 1908. cember, 1879?), it was on what The Briarcliff -Manor Farms, was called the New York and one of his concerns, grew to- Northern Railroad, later called 5,000 acres with 300 workers, the Putnam Division of the N. based everywayon scientific Y. C. R. R. If anyone would see principles. It - was considered our first station building, it JS the best of its kind in all- the now the Millwood station, for it United States, specializing in was loaded on a flatcar one day pure-:-bred Jerseys. ... and hauled there. People still New York deliveries ·.. ·of its living remember Ben Fisher, the milk was aff~cted through many first station agent here; and ·he stores and so excellent was its was followed by Charles H. output in milk, cream and but Whitson, who for 25 years held ter that it won the.Gold Medal that position. Mr. Whitson·s at the Paris ExpOsition of .1900. first salary was all of $35 a Besides' cattle,' the farm month, and his hours were from boasted some -500 'pigs, 4,000 7 A. M. "till the milk train came chickens, many thoroughbred through" which was occasional horses, some pheasants, 'afew ly midnight so that some days peacocks and a flock of sheep. were seventeen work-hours long. To carry through to perfection, Transportation improved nat Mr. Law gave prizes at Christ urally. The ox and the h)r3e mas time, 1900, for the best-kept yielded to the motor-driven car, barn, the cleanest room in the cement roads appeared, park dormitory (Dalmeny) and for ways came into being. But let the gentlest handler of his cows. none sneer at the patient ox, for He was insistent that cows do ox.-teams were called into use, better under humane treatment as our oldest citizen, Mrs. Susan and allowed no shouting or D. Ransom, remembers, to haul abuse of any kind. A man whom Out cars stuck fast in the heavy he saw kick a cow soon was told mud of the highways. to seek work elsewhere. Once a' trolley electric line One of his enterprises was the from Ossining to Sherman Park School of Practical Agriculture via Briarcliff was considered and Horticulture, 'in Pocantico (1906) and came near to reali Lodge, Pleasantville Road, with zation' but not quite. Mr. George T. Powell as direc~r This brings us rightfully to th.e and with many young men un Law family and their large and der special instruction. It was valuable contribution to all that in line with Mr. Law's ideal, "I concerns Briarcliff Manor. shall not be satisfied.to stop un- ttl the Briarcliff Farms has his origin. It was not to be a placed itself in the forefront of hotel, but to be "a building any institution of its kind to be which should have about it the found in the whole country." ~tmosphere of a cultivated With the emphasis that came gentleman's home." The fur to be placed on real estate it was nishings were often elabor inevitable that the farmland ate, its Sunday evening musi would have to be used for resi cals were of the best, its Tea dences. ~erefore, in 1907-08, room and Grillroom were well the Briarcliff Farms was moved patronized; and tennis, golf, to Pine Plains, N. Y., and many swimming pools indoors and workers went there at that out, and other specialties ap time. pealed to a society clientele President of the Village Walter W. Law, Jr., presenting Key of Municipal Building' to Fire Company. July 4, 1914. Another of Mr. Law's projects so that guests often ·made it was rose culture. It grew to a summer-long resting plac·e. 75,000 square feet of greenhouse Mr. Law's interests were space and its annual sale of Am wider than' 'mere business. He erican Beauty Roses went up to had a large private library, over $100,000 a year. The com he insisted upon due observ mercial interests were placed in ance of laws in the community~ charge of Mr. Paul M. Pierson his devotion to education of famous name in the rose bus showed itself in the encourage iness. There were also carna ment of Mrs. Dow's School, he tions. AlI-told sometimes as gave land in 1904 for what is many as 2,000 flowers would be now the Park for the use of resi cut in a single day. den t s. The Congregational The Briarcliff Lodge was of Church is readily traceable back · to his emphasis upon religicn; fore its actual incorporation in for he began it, gave very lib 1902. erally to it, and once said of it, Like Tennyson's brook, "Men "My heart is there!" may come and men may go, but There is a characteristic story I go on forever," so the Village told of how once the Premier of once begun, continued. The Canada informed Mr. Law that first election was Dec. 19, 1902, he much wished to see the mod in the old Briarcliff steamer Co. el Briarcliff Farms of which he room, which was west of where had heard such high praise, and the Realty office now stands. By set Sunday at 11 if that time was ballot the following were select convenient to his host. To this ed: President of the Village, Mr. Law replied that he hoped William De· Nyse; Trustees, W. the Premier would make the W. Law, Jr., and J. Sidney Bay visit, but "I have an engage lis. The first Treasurer was ment every Sunday morning at Stanley H. Kidd, who served 11." for a short term and was suc His sons, Mr. Henry W. Law ceeded by T. Everett Bishop and Mr. Walter William Law, whose service in that Capacity Jr., have both held the position extended through 32 years. The of President qf the Village. They first Clerk was William H. Cole: believed in carrying forward the man whose term of office con tradition started by their father, tinued through 1921, or for 20 he who was called by his friend, years. He was succeeded by Andrew Carnegie, "The Laird Alfred H. Pearson, who still re of Briarcliff Manor" and who mains in office. wrote of him an article for the The total official Assessmen t _ Outlook Magazine with that Roll, April 21, 1903' was $610,000; title. In 1924, aged 86, he died and the first Village tax rate, and, with his wife, lie~ buried in June 2, 1903, was $5 per $1,000. Woodland Cemetery. "He rests A budget was adopted: $2,000 for from his labor and his works do streets, $200 for lights, $859, follow him." A very suitable general, a total first budget of memorial window to their par $3,059. ents by the children may be A Board of Health, with three seen in the Congrega tional men headed by Jessie Codding Church. ton, was selected August 7, 1903. It was Mr. Law who chose the In due time came the depart name Briarcliff Manor. In large .ments of Police, Fire, and Water, measure he borrowed it from in addition to Streets and Dr. John Ogilby, who founded Health. All Saints' Church in 1848, des- Street lighting dates from 19riating it as All Saints' Church, 1904, with 29 electric _lights. Brier Cliff, Sing Sing, N. Y. Dr. There was no gas or oil used in , Ogilby adopted the title "Brier this way. Cliff" from his property in Ire How large was that first Vil land. Mr. Law liked the name lage? It was incorporated with and so, combining the two 640 acres, or one square mile, words into one, changing the whereas now, 1939, it. covers five spelling a little, adding the and one-half square miles or word "Manor" he applied it to 3,520 acres. This increase was the Farms and later to the Vil due to two additions. The Scar lage. This was therefore the borough section was added in name given ~he village even be- 1906, and the northern section Noller's HIGH GRADE MARKET Choiee Meats~ Groceries Fr,.its aDtl Vegetables BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N. Y. PHONES: BRIARCLIFF 1740 AND 1741 HOME MADE SAUSAGE A SPECIALTY Have you tried Noller's OLD PLANTATION Pure Pork Sausage? It is made daily from fresh, young, Government Inspected Pork. Its savory southern seasoning strikes a new note in flavor. Noller's OLD PLANTATION SAUSAGE is lowest in price and highest in quality against all comparison. The proof is in the eating. was in 1927 taken over from the the new fire apparatus over to Town. of Mt. Pleasant. Chief F. C. Messinger. . Sidewalks were necessary, and Though far from being its- the first one was laid from the only use, water goes with a fire ' Putnam Bridge to the railroad department. Farm pumps gave station in 1903. A Municipal way to a system with a steam, Building goes with a first rate pump taking water from the Po village, and ours was erected' in cantico Brook Pond at the 1913, costing $20,000, and hous- Dairy. Later, deep wells were ing also the fire department. An driven near the present High official paper is essential, so School. there was a reservoir on "The Briarcliff Outlook" was de- the hill where now is the· Briar clared to be su-ch. (Are there Hills Country Club. Pumping copies of those first issues ex- units, in different places, ·came tant?) "Why; not have a Village later. lbere seems to have al Band? All right, let's, and Edgar ways been plenty of water; one S. Stowell became director with of the oldest inhabitants recalls 22 musicians, in 1908. This how rain or spring water would' Band, if the same one, seems to rush down the hillside opposite have been longwinded, for, De- . the present High School and set cember 1926, there were 42 in- tIe like a marsh where the pres struments. worth $1,000 and . ent lake is. ' some 53 uniforms. And why not Briarcliff has always been have a Choral Club? In 1926 noted for the purity of its wa,o; such was organized to "foster ter. In fact there was a Table and develop the singing talent Water Department, with well~ here" with Alois Havrilla as di- 250 feet deep, whose product was rector. sold in five cities. "There is no How great a matter' a little sulphur or perpetual youth or medical theory about it. Just fire kindleth! Therefore, we find Purity and Safety." (Advertise- a regular fire department made m,ent). part of the Village system Feb- Briarcliff has never had 'a 'se-' . ruary 3, 1903. It was supported rio us crime. The Police Dept~ by voluntary contributions; it has from the first been organ had its first quarters in the old ized to give due protection' to blacksmith shop near Barn A. life and property. It began in Ironically enough, this barn was. an old barn back of the Realt.y burned April 28, 1913. Steamer Co. office when one policeman, 00. No.1 was its title; it was a Edward Cashman, covered hIs handdrawn chemical outfit or- work on foot; later his equi,!.; iginally, but became a horse- ment was augmented by a bi- . drawn express wagon with hose cycle. With the growth of the later on. A steamer followed, community more police were then a hook and ladder. The added, with, today, eight in the steamer blew up at a fire in Os- department, and a radio car in sining. Services of the firemen addition to autos. were volunteered from the first. Doubtless crime was a small On July 4, 1914, in their new item in the worries of those building, Hon. Wa:-lter W. Law, early days; but there is this in Jr., formally presented the key the Clerk's book: "Sept. 3, 1907. to James Fleming, President of Chief of Police Cashman made the Fire CO., and Mr. stewart of a report to the 'Trustees as to· the 'Board of Trustees .. tur.L~ed .. the. advisability.-.of. .pu~chas~ng. a We Offer a Fully Equipped Machine Shop . Acetelyne Cutting and Welding Experimental Work a Specialty Repair Work Called for and Delivered '" . MANOR AUTOMATIC CO. - EARLE F. ALLEN HAROLD WHITSON Proprietors WHITSON GARAGE BLDG. Phone Briarcliff 2200 Briarcliff Heats with MAUE FUEL OIL • Telephones Qssj~jng. 2100 - Wb.tte Plains 7766 - - -- " ._- - ~ -.. . - . ~ ...... -- - - . _. - ~ . r Bloodhound to be used in con Few factors have had so nection With police work in the beneficent an' influence on the Village - and citing results that , whole locality as the Commun-' might have., been accomplished ity Club. It became quickly the in the Village when two young center of village social activi women were recently followed ties, With a gym.nasiu~ a li-' by some men on the streets." brary, a place for public address But there is no record that the es' and lectures, a floor used oc-" _ Bloodhound was acquired. casionally for dances and for . In 1913 the Police Dept. some time for meetings of Boy moved into the Municipal Build Scouts and Girl Scouts. This. ing. There have been three Club numbered as high as 100 - Chiefs: Edward Cashman, Allan members (in 1910). It published O. Keator, and A. W. Johnson, "Community Notes," "in, the in the present Chief of Pollee. terest of the Briarcliff Commun Some long terms of service de ity Club, every other Friday," serve notice, Mr... Keator having and in 1922 through 1925 the served for 31 years, and Floyd "Community Club Bulletin;" Bernard for 29. "To help make Briarcliff a bet How did the Post Office start ter place to live in." and continue? The first was in The Community Club was the railroad station situated housed in the building formerly where the station now is but used as a school house. being with the railroad called New situated on Pleasantville Road York and Northern. This was in where now. is the byroad lead 1881. John H. Whitson was the ing down to Route 404. The cut first Postmaster; then, in order, off wished this land and pur- Walter E. Howard, Charles Whit , chased it, so ,the club ceased to son (who' served for 35 years), be, Octo ber 1, 1927. Its various then Vincent Phelps (1929) and activities were absorbed by oth finally Mrs. Lillian O'Connor. er local institutions. The old Just before the station building Club building burned down in was moved to Millwood'the post 1929, being then the property of office was housed temporarily in the Roadway Commission. But a small edifice a bit southeast its life continues espeCially in of the present station. This the Free Library. There was a. building was moved, in time, to library in the Community Club; Elm Road and is now owned by on September 1, 1922, all its li Mrs. Douglas. brary funds were passed over to At this time a concrete post the Library Committee by the office was erected and stood un Club Board of Directors; so that. til the Briarcliff-Peekskill cut our library of today carries on. off came through and took this one of the finest .elements of: Pleasaintville Road land, after the very useful Club. which: the postoffice was in the "Brookside Inn" (since demol The .swimming· pool has pro ished to make way for the cut vided the majority of outdoor off) on the Old' state Road. life in recent years. It was com Then to the Crossways; then to pleted in July of 1927 at a cost, its present location. The official of $8,641. name Briarcliff Manor Post Of Golf ~ Ugured pr.Qlltin~l1tly fice' wa~ given it, "October 1897; in village sports. Two courses, about the same time as the rail may be.found in the village lim road sta.tion took that name. its. The Briar Hills Country- HUDSON BUILT CARS Sales Service TOWING-DAY AND NIGHT Automotive Repairing Lubrication Tires, Tubes and Accessories MAGEE'S SERVICE STATION ON ROUTE 100 TELEPHONE 2814· NIGHT PHONES: 2874-J-1966-J BRIAR HILLS NURSERY Quality Ornamental Stock Landscaping a Specialty rl.OUTE 100 TELEPHONE BRIARCLIFF MANOR BRIARCLIFF 2134 '. Club Course and that of the Bri- meant a small attendanee. Ma arcliff Lodge. ter.tal seeds out'classed mental camping has long been par ones! ticipated in within the village This school building was although the most of it has been moved to Hawthorne, to act done by outsiders. There are there as the Fire-house and it two national camps of the Girl may be seen to-day. 0 "Thoughts Scouts located 'out beyond the that burn" thus continue. Local Preston Herbert house. Camp education made an advance in Andree, the principal camp of the schoolhouse next erected, in the national organization, and 1896, on the site of the "White Camp Edith Macy for Girl Scout School." More modern, boasting leaders. two teachers now, but still stove Since it has always been one heated, if "heated" is the cor of America's ideals that free rect word. The stove tried to public schools should be insti do its duty in front of the plat tuted for the education of all form, not always with success, concerned, it was natural that as note this newspaper item this locality should have its own (Sing SiIig Register, Feb. 2, school. So the proverbial "Lit 1898) "The school-mistress ()f tle Red Schoolhouse" was erect the free school at Whitson's, in ed (in 1865?) It was on land this town, on Wednesday morn given by Mr. John H. Whitson, ing was, obliged to close the on Pleasantville Road, being school, as 40 degrees above zero that where now is the head of was the - highest temperature the byroad leadiI)g to route No. that could be reached with the 404, just west of the present T. heating apparatus on hand. The Everett Bishop home. It had one attention of the School Commis room and one teacher, Paris sioner is to be called to the af Bowers. Hard wooden benches f~ir." tried to hold up the swelling In 1909, and where it still brains of ambitious youth while stands so usefully, the Grade the old-time wood stove baked School was built. Enlarged en the pupils on one side while they rollment means enlarged build froze on the other. And this in ing. The pupils, in 1905, num spite of all the diligence of the bered 108. going, in 1912, to 176; one School Trustee, Joseph I. to 273 in 1926. The total today Pierce. The official title was (1939) is 350. "Union Free School, District No. It was inevitable that, °in 6, ,Towns of Ossining and Mt. time, a High School must be Pleasant." erected and it was so done in In 1867 and on the same site, 1928. Up to this time the Ossin with the same District 6 num ing High School was used by the ber, was built the "White few Briarcliff High School pu School," probably named from pils, except in the intermittent the paint adorning its exterior. years when there seemed enough Its interior consisted of one local advanced scholars to re room for all grades, being taught ceive High School teaching lo by, one teacher, GeorgeA. ,Todd, cally. But after 1928 all High Jr.- There was an enrollment of School pupils attended the new 35 pupils, but attendance di~fer High School. ed with the season, for, f~rm The roll call of our. School needs kept children home,:' so Principals 'will -be of interest. that planting crops" always The- first in this., capacity was . . :.' . . ~ : George A. Todd, Jr., continuing country; but in time was given till ·1906; then, in order, Edgar up. The Misses Tewksbury con L. Andrews, Charles W. Hunt, J. ducted a school for young boys ; G. Lewis, Horato T. Baum, Rob and girls in the house now the ert A. Plum, Arthur W. Silliman, residence of Mrs. Arthur Ware otto Huddle. Mr. Huddle began on Pleasantville Road; it was his very efficient labors in 1922. taken over by Mrs. Marshall's Certain other names call f ':r Day and Boarding School for special attention. There have Little Girls in the same house; been many excellent school of to be discontinued later on. . ficials' and every president of Miss Knox had a private the local Board of Education de school in. the building kr:town as serves mention. There has !:>een Pocantico Lodge, where previ- Schoolhouse 1867 Students had to make frequent trips to the nearby railroad station to get warm. only one woman President of ously the Agricultural School this Board and here we gladly had been housed, on Pleasant specify Mrs. Susan D. RanSOln. ville. Road. It had, also been Mrs. J. M. Reed also deserves used as a hotel before Miss honorable mention for her 20 Knox's school occupied it. It years' service as Clerk of the burned down February 11, 1912, Board, beginning this in 1919. and the school then moved to Willet J. Nodine gave many Cooperstown, N. Y., where it years of active interest in school still continues. matters, as clerk among other A school of remarkable worth duties; and before him, his fath was started by Mrs. Mary E. Dow er, Ira Nodine, as a Trustee .. and took her name for many Besides the public school, years: The Dow School for there have been six private Girls, being backed by Mr. Law, schools in the Briarcliff section. who built the present scholastic The Holbrook School for Boys appearillg buildings on therr 38 became one of the best in the acres on Elm Road in 1905, ·pro- viding for 150 girls. It is now that year, March 8-13, 1921, in the Briarcliff Junior College, a large renovated room of the Miss Doris L. Flick, president. Community Club. This Club One of the popular traditions is handed over all funds to the li the May Day "Souving" (from brary' September 1, 1922; and in Souvenir) when classes pass 1924 the Village voted $500 for honors to each other. library uses. Thus, by this time, Edgewood Park School for it was well on its worth-while Young Women under the direc way with 1,900 volumes cata tion of a Board of Trustees and logued. This grew to about operating under a Charter fronl 3,000 in 1926; today there are the· University of the State of nearly 6,000 books. New York, started its first year The library moved, July, 1928, in October of 1936. Since its to the Tower Room of the Realty beginning, operating in the Co. and, March 18, 1930, to its Briarcliff Lodge Property, it has present location in the High shown f a steady gTowth both School. educationally, and in numbers Book sources have been many. of students, taking its place The old Sunday School gave its among leading schools of the books to the new library. The country. Its student body is Community Club gave many and composed of young women from did much. A book-party was most of the states and several held March 19, 1926, for dona foreign countries. tions of books from vilJagers Thus, from its earliest years, with the result that 2,100 were for some 75 years now, this lo contributed of which some .600 cality has benefited by excellent were retained after duplicartes public and private schools. had been sold. Rev. John E. The Briarcliff Free Library steen -did much to advance this was started in the old Commun party. On this occasion valuable ity Club by Edward S. Arnold 25 autographs and rare books were years ago this fall. displayed from the collection of In the paper "Com!.t.iunity Barrett Clark. Notes" June 19, 1914, we read, Special mention is due Mrs. "The library is open for the Emerson Kessler (formerly Miss loaning of books. So far six Helen Stowell) whose term of cards have been taken out."· service on the Library Board This was 25 years ago, that be extends from 1923. And certain ing therefore the age of our li ly the librarians come in for brary today. The war delayed high praise: Miss Louise Miller, the library's progress and, in 1921-26; Miss Elizabeth Kelly, 1921, it was revived, Mrs. A. G. 1926-27; Mrs.; R. M. Hersey, 1928 Bookwalter being largely instru to date. mental. At that time the Li brary Board consisted of ladies Our library received recently only and was composed of Mrs. an efficiency rating of 92.84 per William J. Watson, chairm:~n, cent from the Library Division Mrs. Sherman Dean, Mrs. Book of the N. Y. State Education walter, Mrs. Charles Robinson, Dent. We are justly proud of Mrs. Charles H. Schuman, Mrs. those who have made this high Arthur Crandall, Mrs. V. Bon rank possible. nell Tappen, and Mrs. E. F. Closely aiiied with a library Zuydhoeck. The opening of the would naturally be newspapers. Briarcliff Free Library was held "Briarcliff Farms "was the first, GIFTS Distinctive and Moderate STANLEY D. PEARSON Route 100 - 404 BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N. Y. TEL. PLEAS~ 21 (Off.) TEL. BRIAR. 1627 (Home) Visitors Always Welcome Open Evenings crhe Plor:ence Yay 13eauty Salon Briarcliff Realty Bldg.. Pleasantvine Road BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N. Y. PHONE: BRIARCLIFF 2891 being:- a pamphlet dealfug with rectors: Rev. William Creighton, the dairy products from 1900' for Rev. Edward Mead, Rev. A. Ii: several years. "Briarcliff Bul Gesner, Rev. Thomas R. Harris, letin" came in 1901; and "The Rev. Berry O. Baldwin and Rev. Briarcliff Outlook," in 1903, be Charles W. Baldwin, he follc\v ing printed as "the official or ing his brother from 1914 to gan of the Village." A combina date. . tion of business and sentiment The ivy which lends such a was effected by "The Briarcliff graceful dignity to the stone Once a Week," with Arthur W. Gothic edifice was brought from Emerson as editor, the date be Abbotsford, the home of· .Sir . ing approximately 1908. The Walter Scott, by Washington. paper "Community Notes," . Irving, who frequently wor "published in the interests of shipped here. the Briarcliff Community Club Second in order of time canle every other Friday," covered another Episcopal Church, All considerable time and matter Saints' Church, the erection Df (1914 and adjacent years). "The which commenced in 1848 by Briarclllff Forum" followed in Rev. John D. o gilby, Professor 1926, being the most pretentious of Ecclesiastical History in the paper to date. The recently- General Theological Seminary . begun '''Briarcliff Weekly," Wil of New York City. He donated liam Rayburn, editor, is well the building and grounds, and started on its useful way. The its incorporate title (1863), "All Briarcliff Farms and allied con Saints' Church, Brier Cliff, Sing cerns had their own printing Sing, N. Y.," received its local press and office, and especially title from Dr. Ogilby's home in dealt with informa tion of dairy Ireland. Sing Sing has since interest, being well illustrated become Ossining, N. Y. The de..;. and edited. sign of the Church was copied The first church in what is from one a t Bremerton, near now Briarcliff Manor was st. Salisbury, England. The first Mary's Episcopal Church, Scar service was held December 13, borough. The first service was 1854. Due"' to the opening of held, 1839, in a schoolhouse on Briarcliff Lodge and the two the corner of Sleepy Hollow Road young ladies' schools a nlove and the Albany Post Road, Dr. ment was started, in 1910, to ~n William Creighton being Rec large the church, so that it be tor. In this schoolhouse congre came as it now stands, a beauti ga tions met for twelve years till, ful stone edifice, Gothic in ;~ e in . 1851, the present church sign. building was erected, being in The rectors of All Saints' spired by that of st. Mary·s, Church are as follows: Rev. J.' Scarborough, England, and first Breckenridge Gibson, 1869-1878;. used for worship September 1, Rev. A. H. Gesner, 1878-1882; 1851. The stained glass 'windows Rev. A. F. Tenney, 1882-1884; are among the very first of their Rev. A. M. Sherman, 1884-1887; kind to be made in America. The Rev. H. L. Myrick, 1887 -1900; present rectory, adjoining the Rev. James Sheerin, 1900-1901; church, was built in 1931 as a Rev. Thomas Hazzard,. 1902- memorial to the first two rec- 1907; Rev. Alleyne .C. Howell, . tors, Drs. Creighton and Mead. 1908; Rev. John A. Howell, 1908~ There have been, during the 1914. Rev. Henry A. Dexter, century of "itsexistence,only six . 1914-1931; Rev~ George Whit- COAL DUST MOTOR OIL ENGIN,E OIL COMPRESSOIt OIL Briarcliff Coal Service· WILLIAM D. OAKLEY Briarcliff Manor, New York "DAY---Briarcliff 2109 'NIGHT---Ossining 1075 Scranton Coal Cannel Coal Fuel Oil Coke Charcoal There is a branded cof.fee that is advertised "Good to the last drop." • . • I wonder what is wrong with the last drop ? ?? The LAST piece of our coal is as good as the first. Automatic Stokers Kerosene Gasoline Furnace Cleaning CINDERS SAND AND GRA.VEL KINDLING WOOD FIREPLACE WOOD Briarcliff Tailor """"Pleasantville Road BRIARCLIFF MANOR~ N. Y. PHONE 21189 CLEANERS . DYERS FURRIERS VALET SERVICE FUR STORAGE Garments Altered and Made to Order. Work Called for and Delivered. meyer, 1931'-1935; Rev. George the affiliation being based on a Bratt, 1935 to date. vote of those so concerned' in The third church in Briarcliff the community and "if possible, Manor was "The Scarborough a religion selected that ,had' no Presbyterian Church. Erected representation on the farm." to the glory of God and in lov Not only the first building to ing memory of Elliot Fit~h be erected but also the Manse Shepherd' by his wife Margaret (1898) and the addition of the Louisa Vanderbilt' Shepherd." transepts and the Sunday School The year was 1893. It later be room (1902) were gifts from Mr. came also a Memorial to Mrs. Law. Not content with these ex Shepherd herself, donor of not traordinary gifts, Mr. Law also only the church but alsl) the gave the organ and two memorial Manse and the Church House. windows. Mr. George A. Todd, The first services were held in Jr., proved his devotion by giving various houses never far from the stones for the church, while the corner of Revolutionary others contributed lumber and Road and the Old Post Road. labor. The present building was COln This church has had four pleted in 1895, being of Spanish ministers: Rev. Alexander Mc Renaissance architecture, state- Coll, 1897-1907; Rev. Carl H. El ly and worshipful. ' ' more, 1908-1920; Rev . John E. There have been four nlinis steen, 1920-1927; Rev. Stanley ters: Rev. Frank F. Blessing, U. North, 1927 to date. 1895-1900; Rev. Benjamin T. On July 1, 1926, the local Ro Marshall, 1902-1906; Rev. An man Catholic parish was offi thony N. Petersen, 1907 -1938; cially designated "st. Theresa of Rev. E. M. Wylie, 1938 to date. the Child Jesus." It had been Next was built the Briarcliff noticed for some time that those Congregational Church, being of this faith were of consider organized in 1896 and dedica able number, especially as ted January 10, 1897. It was the guests and employees of the outgrowth of a Sunday School Lodge, so that "for several which was held in the school years Mass was said in various house on Pleasantville Road old houses of the Lodge which when the locality was known as were recognized as Chapels;" Whitson's Corner. This Sunday the Dominican Fathers of Pleas School was started in 1889 by antville being for some time in some members of the Sing SUlg charge. The first Sunday of Heights Chapel (now the Ossin July, 1926, Rev. James F. Kelly ing Heights Methodist Church) commended his duties as Pastor the first superintendent being of Briarcliff, and not long after John C. Johnson. When George wards he selected the Stillman A. Todd, Jr., became superin house and adj o,tning property tendent he interested Mr. Wal on Pleasantville Road as the site ter William Law in the possibil for the future Church and Rec ity of a church and Mr. Law re tory. The first Mass was cele spQnded by erecting the present brated in the new Church Mid building as his gift to the. conl night of Christmas Eve, 1927, munity. It w.a~ ,completed by and it has been in use since that Christmas of '1896, dedicated on tinie:,' being dedicated." Sept. 23,- January 10, 1897," and officially 1928.' The Assistallt PastOr, Rev. received into the Congregational Arthur F.Nugent, w~s assigned deilomiliation, 8epte'*lber, 1897, to the, ~!i.sh il~. 1~34. TI~€ 'Sta- , ....,.~., • PAUL E. SCHIJMAN~S Service Station GULFPRIDE GULFLEX Motor Oil Registered Lubrication 100% pure Pennsylvania Makes your car run Lasts longer. better, longer. NO-NOX Gasoline The Knock - proof motor fuel. OPPOSITE THE POSTOFFICE IN BRIARCLIFF ALFREDH. PEARSON • Insurance of All Kinds BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N. Y. TELEPHONE BRIARCLIFF 1627