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The Historical Society of Rockland County

Vol. 41, No. 3 July-September, 1997

Claire K. Tholl (1926-1995)

1997 Historic Preservations Awards

The LaRoue-Ackerman Patent of 1678

Neilly’s Woods

The Blacker Family of Nanuet IN THIS ISSUE

1997 Historic Preservation Merit Awards...... Page 3 A record number of twelve awards were given this year at the seventh annual awards ceremony on May 18.

The LaRoue-Ackerman Patent of 1678 ...... Page 11 The author, Winston C.Perry Jr., is also the architect who designed the histori cal society museum. He is a lifelong resident of Upper Nyack, the village histo rian and a descendant of Hermanus Tallman, believed to be the first white resi dent of Rockland County. This article documents a piece of our early history.

Neilly’s Woods...... Page 17 Anthony X. Sutherland describes a favorite place of his childhood in Stony Point during the 1950’s in an excerpt from his book Call me a Stony Pointer..

The Blacker Family of Nanuet...... Page 19 Robin Lefkovitz, a graduate of Ramapo High School and a freshman at Yale University, recreates the scene of her great-great-grandparents’ farm in Nanuet, in her prize-winning student essay.

COVER PICTURE. Claire Tholl (1926-1995), the posthumous winner of the new Margaret B. and John R. Zehner Award for Historic Contribution..

SOUTH OF THE MOUNTAINS (ISSN 0489-9563) is published quarterly by the Historical Society of Rockland County, 20 Zukor Road, New City, NY 10956; telephone, 914-634-9629; fax, 914-634-8690. Single copy price is $2 plus 75 cents postage and handling.

While all efforts are made to ensure accuracy in the articles, the society assumes no responsibility for opinions and conclusions expressed or implied by contributors.

Executive Director: Sarah E. Henrich Editor: Marjorie H. Bauer Senior Historian: Thomas F.X. Casey Consulting Editor: Marianne B. Leese Senior Historian Emeritus: John Scott

Printing by Ramapo Graphics, Pearl River, New York

2 1997 Historic Preservation Merit Awards

by Erin Martin

The Bogert-Clark-Kuperberg House...The Edward Richardson House... The Knapp-Russell House...The Paul-Jones-Schueler House... The Carson McCullers House...Orangetown Museum and Archives... II Portico Ristorante...01d Pomona Schoolhouse...Friends of the Nyacks... Village of Montebello... John Scott...Claire K. Tholl

he Historical Society of Rock The Bogert-Clark-Kuperberg land County presented the 1997 House, Blauvelt, Melanie and Rockland County Executive’s Irwin Kuperberg THistoric Preservation Merit Awards at a country supper held on society It is said that bread was baked grounds on May 18. Under a colorful here for the patriots during the Ameri tent in front of the historic Jacob can Revolution. This early Dutch sand Blauvelt House, over 100 people stone and frame house was owned dur applauded twelve winners in five ing the 19th century by the award categories, including the new Bogert-Clark family. After a succession Margaret B. and John R. Zehner of owners* and some unseemly modern Award for Historic Contribution. Soci izations, the house was in poor condi ety President Alan Denker, Executive tion when it was bought by the Kuper- Director Sarah E. Henrich and Public bergs in 1980. They undertook a Affairs Director Erin Martin made the fifteen-year restoration, uncovering the presentations. The awards were given exterior sandstone, restoring the front by County Executive C. Scott Vander- porch, reopening the original front door hoef who also spoke on the theme and making the original stone fireplace “preservation begins at home.” operational again. A new bathroom cre Five awards recognized excellence atively incorporates the alleged Revolu in the “preservation or restoration” by tionary-period bake oven into a modern the owner of an historic building or sink and vanity. The Kuperbergs also building component while maintaining made extensive repairs to the roof and or recovering its historic form, appear restored compatible landscaping to ance and materials. their historic property.

^Editor’s Note: The nomination for this award was made by James A. Stefan, whose grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Allan R. Griffith, bought the house shortly after World War I and lived in it for 25 years. He writes, “There was a large barn and some outbuildings behind the house (to the west) and there were orchards to the west and north of the barn. ... In the early 1920’s my grandfa ther built a new barn, in front of the house, which facilitated deliveries from the nearby Blauvelt railroad station for his livestock business. This barn was the location of the first Blauvelt volunteer fire department.”

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The Bogert-Clark Kuperberg House The Edward Richardson House, dow trim and roof slates. James Jones, Nyack, Edward Richardson master mason, hand-filled hundreds of “bullet holes” left in the stucco by nails, This 1875 Mansard-roof house is and George Turrell of AchterCol located in a 19th century neighborhood Restoration stabilized stripped wood in South Nyack. In 1992 owner work with epoxy and reproduced archi Edward Richardson, began restoring tectural elements in cypress. The suc the Victorian building from the ground cessful restoration of this charming to the chimney tops, discarding inap- Second Empire house has contributed propropriate green aluminum siding to the architecturally cohesive neigh and storm doors and taking care to borhood that incorporates the dwelling. accurately replace such important fea tures of the building as the porch, win- The Knapp-Russell House, Tappan, Nancy W. Russell

The Knapp-Russell House, c. 1880, is an exuberant ensemble of gables, bays, porches, bracketed cornices and fish-scale shingles. Owner Nancy W. Russell has restored the splendid Queen Anne style dwelling and fine formal gardens and built a tasteful, sympathetic addition at the rear, designed by architect John Deans. The interiors are all of the period and com plement the owner's collection of inher ited antiques. The carriage house has also been restored in keeping with the main house. The Edward Richardson House

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■ The Knapp-Russell House The Paul-Jones-Schueler House, Turrell of AchterCol for research, Clarkstown, Town of Clarkstown design and woodworking. They uncov ered artifacts and reused original com This early dwelling in Congers was ponents or crafted reproductions in the built in two sections at two very differ restoration process, even as they ent times. The eastern Dutch half, of “solved” the puzzle of how the house’s the late 18th century, has a bisected framing timbers were sawn at an early door and a massive jambless fireplace date—at a nearby saw mill on with a supporting arch. The western Swartout Pond. This restoration repre section was built in the 19th century as senting all of the building’s occu a mirror image of the other and fin pants—the Paul, the Jones and the ished with Georgian, Adam and Greek Schueler families—will now function Revival elements. In the 20th century, as a living history museum for the a saltbox-shed was added. Town of Clarkstown park system, Significant contributions to the through the efforts of the Parks Board high level of historically accurate phys and Recreation Commission. ical restoration were made by James Jones, master mason, and by George The Carson McCullers House, South Nyack, Dr. Mary Mercer

This charming, white clapboard house was home to Carson McCullers, ■ mv, one of America’s most admired authors and dramatists, from 1947 until her death in 1967. Purchased in McCullers’s memory by her longtime friend, Dr. Mary Mercer, the building is notable as an outstanding design of the mid-19th century Second Empire style. Dr. Mercer bought the house hoping to make it a museum, but now The Paul-Jones-Schueler House maintains it as an artists’ refuge for

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The Carson McCullers House the tenants, who are all connected to restoration. Much of the work was the arts. Its slate-covered Mansard done by a very dedicated group of vol roof, bracketed cornices and decorative unteers who helped convert this his friezes are complemented by a delight toric house into a museum belonging ful cascade of porches and balconies. to the people of Orangetown.

One preservation merit award Two preservation merit awards was given for “adaptive use”—the new were given for “continuing use” of a use of the original property while pre well-preserved commercial, industrial serving significant historical, architec or civic structure still used for its orig tural or cultural features. inal or similar function that has retained its architectural integrity The Orangetown Museum and due to continued and sensitive main Archives, Orangetown, Town of tenance over the years. Orangetown

This early structure, known as the Salyer House, was located in the Kakiat Patent and was constructed c. 1790. A transitional mid-18th century Dutch-English style sandstone house, it has a Dutch gambrel roof which drops into flared, overhanging eaves in a graceful manner typical of early Rockland homes. The property was donated to the Town of Orangetown by Corwick Realty Corp. in 1991. Meticulous restoration work has included matching original paint col ors, stenciling and interior woodwork The Orangetown Museum and Archives

6 character of Tappan’s Main Street since the early 19th century. Owners Ann and Peppe Pinton saved and brought back this National Register building with affection, attention to materials and detail, and hard work.

The Old Pomona Schoolhouse, Pomona, Lenore Amir

This old schoolhouse was convert ed to a cozy residence in the 1930’s and subsequently restored, main tained and cherished by its present owner, Lenore Amir, who bought the house in 1984. Situated in the area once known as Pig Knoll, the building II Portico Ristorante served as a local schoolhouse from c. 1850 until attendance fell off and the II Portico Ristorante, Tappan, Ann place was abandoned. In 1933 the and Peppe Pinton structure was remodeled into a home by Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Dorian, who This excellent eatery in the his lived in the house for 50 years. The toric village of Tappan was originally a schoolhouse had stood in the apple hotel and stagecoach stop before it orchard of Mrs. Dudley’s family, the became a bar and restaurant. Sited at Rockland County Browns. the end of the village’s main street, the The original foundation was rein simple late Adamesque-Federal build forced with concrete, and battened pine ing, with its symmetrical facade, siding and slate roofing, reclaimed from received a Gothic Revival moderniza an old carriage barn in Nyack, were tion of a porch, probably about 1865. used to cloak the frame. The old wide This house has helped preserve the boards were used not only for siding

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7 of the society. John Scott headed nine of the society’s historical house tours, 1 q AHKSfhWN’ mk was the chairperson of the publica '■■■V(HMCTnn 'A i! (!|I-K. ^ tions committee and gave numerous slide talks on topics such as the Nyack Turnpike, the Kings Highway and the Erie Railroad. Pi ^ Mr. Scott also inaugurated the historical marker program for the soci ety. Eye-catching bronze-colored plaques erected at historic places, from “Treason Site” in Haverstraw to “Bogertown” in Piermont, now number I 54 in the county. With the late Claire Tholl, John prepared reports of his toric house examinations for the soci ety’s records, and he still responds to calls from residents requesting infor mation about their old houses. He is presently preparing a book on Rock John Scott land’s historic sites. and floors, but also to make some of The Friends of the Nyacks the furniture which is still in use. Mrs. Amir has made careful addi This lively organization, dedicated tions, upgrading plumbing and wiring to maintaining and improving the and adding fresh paint while respect quality of life in the Nyacks, has long ing the charming, personal quality of recognized the richness of the area’s the original conversion. local history and architecture. Since 1974, the friends have influenced pub Three awards were given for lic and private building design, assist- “preservation leadership” to an indi vidual or organization displaying out standing leadership or continuing con tribution to the preservation of historic resources in Rockland County.

John Scott

The senior historian emeritus of the Historical Society of Rockland County, John Scott was honored for preservation leadership, for his long and expert service to Rockland County and to the historical society. Histori an, writer and editor, he also served as a trustee, vice president and, from 1988 until 1992, the senior historian The Friends of the Nyacks on a walking tour

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The Montebello Village Hall ed in community garden, playground The “Margaret B. and John R. and park projects, conducted walking Zehner Award for Historic Contribu tours of the villages, instituted oral tion” is new this year. history projects and generally raised awareness of the historic and commu Claire K. Tholl (1926-1995) nity attributes of the Nyacks. Trustee of the Historical Society of The Village of Montebello Rockland County from 1988-1994, Claire K. Tholl was a respected histori Montebello has shown leadership an and cartographer in both Rockland in the preservation of many village and Bergen counties. Her monumen landmarks and historic properties. tal work is the large Landmarks Map Examples are the adaptive use of the of Rockland County, published in Stanley Morse-Greene Home for the 1975. On this map, she identified all Montebello Village Hall, the retaining of the former colonial roads and every of the beautiful stone walls within the railroad line, as well as highlighted all village and the saving of “Indian of the native sandstone houses and Rock,” which is being incorporated into listed data on hundreds of other build the landscape of a commercial enter ings and historic sites. prise. The village also established the For many years, Claire’s great plea long-lost parameters of the abandoned sure as historian was to examine hun Sherwood Cemetery and has closely dreds of dwellings and bams at owners’ monitored the development of Cobble requests. Her sure knowledge of archi stone Farm, which has a collection of tectural features and construction historic barn buildings on extensive details made it possible for her to date grounds. Mayor Ellsworth and the vil original construction and later alter lage board worked with the builder of ations of a building with uncanny accu the new project to insure that these racy. Claire K. Tholl is the first recipi historic properties were incorporated ent of the Margaret B. and John R. into the subdivision plans. Zehner Award for Historic Contribution.

9 Claire Tholl’s award was accepted by her daughter, Andrea Dente, who read this poem, composed in a flash of inspiration by her husband, Anthony Dente:

In Praise of Mother Tholl

There once was a woman named Claire, Who loved to save homes that were rare. Her passion for history Remains quite a mystery, For such things most people don’t care.

She tried to save buildings from ruin, And asked builders, “What are you doin’? You can’t knock that down. It’s part of this town. I won’t let you put up a new one.”

She refused to let them bulldoze, And stood face to face, nose to nose. “You can’t make me sway, Go ahead, make my day, That’s as far as that back-hoe goes.”

She fought against greedy contractors, Who wanted to roll in their tractors. “I’ll always stand tall, For my name’s Mother Tholl, And I don’t care about financial factors.”

So if you think you can rip up the earth And structures with historical worth, Don’t say you don’t care To this woman named Claire, For you’ll regret the day of your birth.

The historical society gratefully very important to the society and to acknowledges the generous support of the volunteers who contribute to hon our program sponsors for 1997: Frank oring historic preservation in Rock J. Tucek & Son Inc. of Congers, Seth land County. Glasser & Co. of Nyack, La Bozz Design Builders of Nyack and the Members of the 1997 awards com Town of Clarkstown. mittee were Chairperson Alan Denker, The country supper was catered Marjorie Bauer, Robert Burghardt, by Continental Caterers of Nanuet Bert Cross, Greg Huber, Craig Long, and the flowers were donated by Paul Melone, Charles Holbrook, Dan- Cropsey Farms of New City. forth Toan, Jan Davies, Niles Davies, The continued support for this George Turrell, Shirley Young and valuable program by our sponsors is Coordinator Erin Martin.

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The LaRoue-Ackerman Patent of 1678

by Winston C. Perry Jr.

was thrilled to read in the January- the Ramapo Pass, where Grand View March 1997 South of the Mountains and Piermont are now located, there is that Jacques LaRoue was one of the a crucial gap in both George Budke’s Ilandowners of the 1709 “Ramapo Indiand Claire Tholl’s maps of royal an Deed” and that his daughter patents. South of the Nyacks, in Angenetje was one of the first settlers which Claus Jansen van Purmarent of the Ramapo Pass. You may think held the first two patents (April 16 from this that it doesn’t take much to and November 20, 1671), east of the thrill an amateur historian, but new Tappan Patent (1686), and north of understandings about our earliest set the Lockhart Patent (NJ 1685, NY tlers of European ancestry don’t come 1687), the eastern slope of Clausland very often. I have been looking for Mountain and the Hudson River shore information about Jacques LaRoue (or below have been of unknown prove Laroe or Larou) ever since I learned, nance to local historians. several years ago, that he was one of The missing piece extends from two owners of what was probably the “The Bight” at the South Nyack-Grand third royal patent granted for land in View border—where the Thru way now what is now Rockland County. comes ashore and where Michael Cor- Thirteen miles east-southeast of nelison unsuccessfully hid from British

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Section of a map of early patents drawn by Claire Tholl Collection of the Historical Society of Rockland County soldiers in the roof beams of the Cor- patents to the Nyacks also included nelison-Salisbury house—south past Grand View and Piermont. Green’s the Onderdonk House—where in 1783, error is repeated in other histories. for the first time, the British acknowl A chance to help discover the truth edged George Washington and our and my first introduction to Jacques country as an independent nation with LaRoue came to me several years ago, a seventeen-gun salute —to the when the Historical Society of Rockland Sparkill or Tappan Slote—where Theu- County was offered the opportunity to nis Roelofsen acquired property in 1684 purchase a private collection of 17th, and for almost 50 years kept the first 18th and 19th century deeds, referred to store in Orange County, receiving goods as the Smith-Clendenny papers. Since by boat and supplying the few outside the collection included names of people needs of the county’s first settlers. who lived in Upper Nyack, John Scott, This narrow sliver of land has puz the senior historian emeritus of the soci zled those who have attempted to trace ety, consulted me in my capacity as vil its earliest ownership. Even George lage historian. The papers did indeed Budke, the venerable dean of Rockland add much to our documentation of early historians and famous for his great village history, since most of the deeds care, accuracy and insight, guessed had never been filed in public archives. wrong on this one. Budke assumed Unfortunately, however, there were no that Roelofsen himself must have great surprises or dramatic discoveries received a patent. The earlier histori with respect to Upper Nyack. an, Frank B. Green, guessed incorrect My curiosity was piqued, however, ly that Claus Jansen van Purmarent’s by the oldest document, a large tat-

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13 tered piece of parchment dated 5 June, now. “Little Claes” was probably 1678. It reads in part: Tawakhache, whom the settlers named Jan Claes and for whom Clausland By Phillip Carteret Esq. Governor Mountain was named. He signed many of New Jersey and his Councell - Indian deeds to land in the lower Hud son Valley. It is interesting to specu Sir George Carteret Knight & late on the nature of his “plantation” in Baronet Vice Chamberlaine of his Maj- 1678. The writer would like to hear tys Househould One of his Majtys Most from anyone who knows of other refer Honourable Privy Counsell & Lord Pro ences to it. The boundary of the patent prietor of the Province above sd Have continues northward along the shore of given & Granted & by these Presents Grand View to the point of beginning. do give & grant unto Jacques La Roue The acreage of the Ackerman- of Harlemes Weaver & Laurance Ack LaRoue Patent is greatly understated. erman of the sd place & Calling a Tract Perhaps this can be explained by of Land Lying and Being on the W. side “Allowance given for Mountains and of Hudsons River Containing Three Rocks.” The lengths of the boundaries Hundred Acres of upland Allowance and the width of the tract are also sig given for Mountains and Rocks. nificantly understated. One wonders whether they were scaled from an Locating the tract of land along inaccurate map or measured by count the shore of the Hudson was not so ing paces. Or were they misrepresent simple, since the corners were identi ed by the applicants to minimize their fied by wooden stakes or by trees taxes and quitrents? “marked on four sides” more than 300 Another interesting feature of the years ago. The stake at the beginning, patent is the vestige of medieval feu however, was “on a Small hill by a dalism in its terms. The land was Brook that Parts Claes Vanpuynerant granted on condition that three fami [sic] from the said land.” This would lies settle on it within two years. have to be the brook, now mostly LaRoue and Ackerman and their heirs piped, at the south boundary of South were required to pay yearly to the lord Nyack. After running west-northwest proprietor on the “Five and Twentieth up the hill to a black oak, the line runs Day of March according to the English south along the top of the mountains Account one-half penny of lawful to the side of “a Small Creek Coming money of England for every one of the from the Mountains,” which must be said Acres (or the Value thereof in the Sparkill, and thence “running Such Currant pay as the Country doth North East Easterly through the Produce at Merchants price to the Boggy Meadows” to the river at a stake Value of Money Ster g) in Fee and “planted by a Small Island.” This Common Succage.” would be near the end of Paradise There is no indication that LaRoue Avenue in Piermont. The line then or Ackerman ever settled on their patent. runs northerly along the river “Thirty The Smith-Clendenny papers con Six Chains to a place called little Claes tained two other 17th century docu the Indians Plantation.” The measure ments signed by Jacques LaRoue and ment places this point at the north end Laurance Ackerman, but these are of the Piermont business district, even more puzzling to understand. where the Fort Comfort Inn was once They are written in archaic and located and the Tappan Zee Marina is ungrammatical Dutch, perhaps by a

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On the date 11 May 1681 [?] Loirens On the date 6 May 1684 [?] Ackerman and Jacob Lerou from this Loirens Ackerman and Jacob Lerou vicinity, charged, ceded, have ceded and conveyed this land and conveyed (+have) a parcel of this and all it contains above mentioned land, from the boundaries of Claes to Tuenis Roelolofsen their total van Purmerent along the Riverside about 110 Rods, right which they have in then from the Riverside to the top of complete possession as far as Sodanick Hill, then along the [ridge?] through the [Raerlieds] in the neighboring land are [Coopers] and [Scoopers] with marked trees their due with all their shares and and known by these of the above named land rights, and last in the before-named with thanks received and paid in full land specified, and known and in in recognition whereof have the [sellers?] with thanks received and paid in full and their own hands signed below in the [excepting?] the lot of land [sold?] presence of Rienier van Giescen and Minnie previously, in recognition whereof have the [sell Johannis as witnesses. ers?] This is the mark of with their own hands signed below Jacob Larou in the presence of two believable Blittens Loi Kerens Ackerman witnesses. R. Braigiesen Js Reinier van This is the mark of Mynne Johannis Clas Arents tot Sluis Witnesses: Jacob Lerou This is the mark of Arjan Thomassen Loi Kerens Ackerman Johannes van Giescen [?] [?] Claes Arents tot Sluis

Documents attached to the LaRoue-Ackerman Patent and their translations The words in brackets are untranslatable, illegible or guesses.

15 semi-literate settler, and contain Roelofsen. This deed contains no amazing errors and omissions. They description of the land sold, which makes have been translated, insofar as she sense only if it was also appended to the was able, by Miriam Haagens Wexler patent or a copy thereof. of Upper Nyack, a retired librarian and We know from other sources that teacher who was born and received her Roelofsen, the progenitor of the Van early education in Holland. Houten family, settled on the property The two documents are tiny pieces shortly after buying it and owned it for of parchment, each equal in width to 50 years, selling it in 1734 to Lammert the patent when it was folded in (Lambert) Smith, whose son Aury thirds. I believe they were once Smith sold to Andries Onderdonk, who attached to the patent by parchment was George Washington’s host after hinges, which helps to explain some of the famous naval salute. their omissions. Well, Jacques LaRoue may not The first, dated 11 May, 1681,* have been of earth-shaking impor conveys a portion of the “above men tance, but it was interesting to meet tioned land” (the patent tract?) him in the history of both eastern and extending from Claus van Purmarent’s western Rockland. He was apparently boundary about 110 rods along the one of that group of absentee land river and then to the top of “Bergh speculators like Dowe Harmansen Sodanick.” Amazingly the purchaser Tallman and Claus Jensen van Pur is unnamed in this deed. Presumably marent who were reluctant to move it was just given to him with the this far from civilization and left it to patent, or a copy thereof, as proof of their children Harmanus Dowesen ownership! We know from later docu Tallman, Cornelius Claesen Cooper or ments that the purchaser was Dowe Kuyper, and Angenetje Laroe Van Harmansen Tallman, father of Har- Deursen to be the first settlers in the manus Dowesen Tallman, the first wilderness. known white resident of what is now Rockland County, who settled in Nyack in 1675. Author’s Note: The Historical Society of Rockland County did not succeed in acquir In the second small Dutch deed, ing the Smith-Clendenny papers. I would dated 6 May, like to hear from anyone who knows their 1684,** Ackerman and Lerou [sic] con present whereabouts or has other informa vey the balance of their patent to Tuenis tion about Jacques LaRoue (or Laroe).

* Notes on Dutch Document dated 11 May, 1681: It appears that this is a deed but that the writer neglected to include the name of the purchaser! This is certainly the “certain Dutch instrument dated May 11, 1681” referred to in the deed (Budke Collection, BC-69, No. 154) given by Jacob Lerou and Egbert Ackerman to Tunis Dowesen Tallman, this gentleman “supposing the Dutch instrument to be insufficient in law and requesting a further confirmation. . . .” He stated that the Dutch deed was given to his father, Dowe Harmansen (Tallman). We know from the later deed that these documents conveyed the northernmost 204 rods (3,366 feet) of the Ackerman-Larou patent. The patent covered what we now know as Grand View and Piermont. Bergh Sodanick, which marks the southwest corner of the parcel conveyed to Tallman, must be the high point of Clausland Mountain which is about a quarter mile south of Clausland Mountain Road. ** Notes on Dutch Deed dated 6 May, 1684: This deed from Ackerman and Larou, the original patentees of what is now Piermont and Grand View, conveys to Tuenis Roelofsen (Van Houten) the balance of their patent. This deed fills a gap in previously known history which led George Budke to theorize incorrectly that Roelofsen himself received a patent (BC-76, p. 30 ff). Likewise Green in The History of Rockland County guessed incorrectly that Claus Jansen’s patent included Grand View and Piermont (map following p. 16), a mistake that has misled later historians. It is now fully documented that the Onderdonks obtained their land in Grand View from Aury Smith (Cole’s History of Rockland County, p. 206), whose father, Lammert (Lambert) Smith, had bought it in 1734 from Tuenis Van Houten for 250 pounds (Smith-Clendenny Papers No. 3). Tuenis Roelofsen Van Houten owned the land for 50 years. He kept the first store in Orange County at the Slote and “did an active business supplying the other families in Orange County with necessities” (Budke Collection, BC-67, p. 32). The fact that this deed lacks a description of the property being conveyed is explained by the probability that it was attached to the patent. 16 Neilly’s Woods

by Anthony X. Sutherland

f there was one locality that mea It was many years later before I sured high on our list of important discovered how important this place places in Stony Point, it was Neilly’s had been to me. Today I attribute my IWoods, the wooded area around theinterest in nature and my fascination homes of the Neilly family. A precise with trees to walking as a child among description of the location is impossible, the large trees of this woods. but generally it was meant to include Across the swamp was Washburn’s the area between the two Gothic houses Gulch, Tinker’s Pool, one of the favorite owned by the Neilly family, one on Low swimming holes along the Cedar Pond land Hill Road and the other on John Brook, and the area called the “refly,” a Street. It was mainly a hillside bor swampy area where crossing could be dered by the Allison Cemetery and West downright treacherous. Shore Railroad on the east and the wet Following Cedar Pond Brook west lands, or “swamp,” around Cedar Pond ward, one passes through the Stony Brook on the south. It couldn’t have Point ravine where the town park is been more than a square mile, but for now located. Continuing on, one comes many of us it was our wilderness. Since to another wooded area and finally to it was mostly hillside and part of an Flora Falls, which at one time was estate, it was spared the plow and the accessible by a footbridge and a path bulldozer and was in fact the only virgin that took one to the top of the falls. forest in town. To walk through Neilly’s The area around the falls was always Woods was to walk in the same woods known as the Bear Swamp. The origin that the first settlers found two cen of the name is uncertain but it was turies ago. The area had the largest marked by hemlock shrubs and trees trees in Stony Point, such as a tulip tree and swampy ground caused by many measuring fourteen feet in circumfer little streams and springs. ence, an American beech nine feet, and This was our world, from the foot numerous chestnut oaks and other trees bridge and the Bear Swamp to Alli over eight feet around. There was also a son’s Cemetery, where one could play huge white oak of twelve feet in circum in a virgin forest on one end or walk ference, but it died several years ago. through a conifer forest on the other. Neilly’s Woods was always a We could play the role of an explorer, a favorite place for hunting small game, pioneer or big game hunter. The fact picking berries or just strolling along that we could roam these woods with the perimeter with massive trees on out much concern by our parents says one side and a foreboding swamp on much for the safety of the times. the other. My uncle was said to have There were warnings about the dan picked wild ginseng there to sell to gers during hunting season but other New York drug companies. wise it was safe to wander about. ^ Editor’s Note: This excerpt is from Call me a Stony Pointer, a delightful little book of 27 pages with photographs, published by the author in 1996. It is available at Pickwick Book shop in Nyack, or it can be obtained from Mr. Sutherland, 351 Bonnymeade Ave., Harris burg, PA 17111, for $5. 17 37TH ANNUAL STUDENT HISTORY AWARDS

Strawberry Festival and tage Animal Hospital and New City Hudson River Cruise Rotary Club.

On Sunday June 1, the society Clarkstown South, Karl Rosenberg honored 24 county high school seniors and Rebecca Zimmerman. Sponsors: for their academic achievements in the Jim and Pat Cropsey. field of American history with a cruise up the Hudson River on the M/V Com Nanuet, James Molloy and Smitha mander. The cruise was sponsored by Phillip. Sponsor: Nanuet Rotary Club. Provident Savings Bank, F.A., Monte bello and Chestnut Ridge Transporta North Rockland, Liza Kahn and tion, Inc., Chestnut Ridge. Adam Silverman. Sponsors: Mr. and The history award chairperson Mrs. Thomas F.X. Casey. and Rockland County historian, Thomas F.X. Casey, presented each Nyack, Bert Rodriguez and Naomi student with the award, which includ Schoenbaum. Sponsor: Union State ed a year’s membership in the society Bank. provided by Beckerle Lumber in Spring Valley and Joyce DeSousa. Pearl River, Erin Parashkevov and Robin Lefkowitz, the winner of David Reina. Sponsor: Pearl River the student essay, was presented with Rotary Club. a $200 prize donated by the Rockland Council for the Social Studies. Robin Ramapo, Barry Cooper and Robin read her essay, which we are printing Lefkowitz. Sponsors: Albon P. Man in the following pages of South of the and M/V Commander. Mountains. Remarks on the value of cultivat Shaarei Torah, David Goder and ing a knowledge of history were made Aryeh Richman. Sponsors: Allan by program coordinator Erin Martin Eisenkraft and Paul and Sandra and a moving guest address was made Tendler. by Richard Gutwillig, columnist of the Rockland Journal-News. Spring Valley, Roger Myung and Everyone was treated to strawber Priti Vohra. Sponsors: The Milton J. ry shortcake, prepared and served by Grant Agency and Betty and Ira the Women’s Committee. The stu Hedges. dents honored and their sponsors were: Suffern, Kimberly Clement and Steven Pregiato. Sponsor: Suffern Albertus Magnus High School, Gre Rotary Club. gory Mallo and Shawn Thekkekara. Sponsor: Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner Tappan Zee, Azhar Abdul-Quader and Smith. and Kristina Palop. Sponsors: South Orangetown Rotary Club and Dime Clarkstown North, Kristen O’Gara, Savings Bank of New York, Tappan Jay Suchotliff. Sponsors: Valley Cot Branch.

18 The Blacker Family of Nanuet

By Robin Lefkowitz

s I stand in the middle of the always heightened the anticipation. busy parking lot of Service Mer The farm was located on Smith and chandise in Nanuet, it seems Church streets in the hamlet of Aimpossible to comprehend that thisNanuet. It was set back about one- land was once a verdant field filled tenth of a mile from the street, and it with the laughter of children playing. I was accessed by a private road lined am the only one among the busy shop by large trees. To a small city child, pers who can appreciate the secret of the house appeared to be massive, but this shopping center. Many years ago, it was actually quite small and cozy. before the age of retail centers, this The white house with the light blue land belonged to my great-great-grand- trim contained only a few rooms with father. At that time the land support two bedrooms upstairs. The kitchen ed a little house, a barn, a few chicken was always the busiest room and my coops and acres of trees and plants great-great-grandmother, Lena, bearing fruits of the earth. My great- always had delicious freshly baked great-grandfather, Myer Blacker, set bulkis waiting for the grandchildren. tled in Rockland County around 1920 The children would exchange sly with the hopes of raising his children glances as they devoured these sweet in a safe, nurturing environment. Now buns. Plans would later be hatched his great-grandchild (my father) and for a midnight escapade to the kitchen great-great-grandchildren (my brother to steal more delectable bulkis. and I) also call Rockland home. The foods prepared in the kitchen While I daydream in this parking were carefully chosen, especially in the lot, the honk of a car horn reminds me winter. The only source of heat in the of the blast of a train whistle. I can house was from a furnace located in the picture the steam engine pulling into basement. There was a hole covered by the Nanuet station. Jumping off the a grating in the sitting room where the train are my grandmother, Shirley, heat radiated through the house. This and my great-uncle, Howie—two small spot and next to the coal stove in the children, excited about their visit to kitchen were definitely the most popu the farm and stay with their grandpar lar places in the house on those frigid ents. My grandmother and great- winter nights in Rockland. Slow cook uncle were raised in Brooklyn, so the ing stews and roasts were always the frequent extended visits to the farm in choice meal in the winter because of the the summers and throughout the year heat the coal stove generated. were invaluable treats. The farm was There was no indoor plumbing in a haven of luxurious open space, fresh the house, so a trek to the outhouse air and opportunities to learn about was part of farm life that the grand nature. Their memories of the farm children quickly grew accustomed to. are crystal clear because their experi My curious great-uncle, as a small boy, ences were so treasured. could never understand why the loca The walk or horse-and-buggy ride tion of the outhouse changed each time to the farm from the train station he would visit! The farmhouse was

19 mainly the place to eat, sleep and ed on the property. Obviously unsatis spend time with family. The outdoors fied with its usual diet of grass, the was where the adventures began. The cow feasted on fallen apples. Too acres of farmland were a city child’s many apples are poisonous to a cow’s fantasy. The farm mainly raised system and the cow had to be slaugh chickens for their eggs and there were tered. It was not a smart idea to several active chicken coops. Myer become attached to any of the animals and his son, my great-grandfather, on the farm because one could never would travel to New York City several be sure when the creatures would dis times a week to sell the eggs. They appear; however, there were several would take the train from Nanuet on dogs and cats who wandered around the Erie-Lackawanna line to Hobo the farm and could consistently be ken,and then travel by ferry across the relied upon for companionship. Unfor Hudson to the city. The sale of these tunately for the children, Lena’s rule eggs in Manhattan was the family’s was no animals in the house! main source of income. The farm certainly existed in its Not surprisingly, many of the own world, but the infrequent trips chickens were thanked for their hard into town were especially treasured. work with an invitation to dinner in According to Uncle Howie’s recollec the house; these guests of honor, how tion, the town of Nanuet consisted of ever, were seated on the family’s basically farmland, a church and the plates. Before being cooked, each town hall. The courts were located in chicken was brought to the shochet, or New City, a horse-and-buggy ride Jewish ritual slaughter, in order to be away. The unpaved roads rarely felt deemed kosher. For my young great- the power of the new automobiles. uncle, a trip to the shochet was a spe The “Four Corners,” which is now the cial treat. Uncle Howie had the very busy intersection of Middletown Road important job of sitting in the back of and Route 59, was the town’s main the buggy with the burlap bag which thoroughfare. The Blackers rarely held the chickens. The chickens were saw their neighbors since the farms always in a frenzy, as if they knew were spread apart. “Neighborhood their fate. The bag would jump gossip” was exchanged when mer around as the chickens tried to escape. chants would come to the farm looking Uncle Howie quickly solved this prob to sell their wares. This was consid lem by sitting on top of the bag! I can ered a special occasion, and the mer not imagine what happened when the chant was always treated to tea, cake buggy hit a bump in the road! and pleasant conversation. Fields of corn, vegetables and The children were barely interested fruit filled the rest of the farmland. in the conversations between the These crops were mainly raised for adults, but one merchant always caught domestic use rather than for monetary their attention. The tinkling bells car purposes. My great-great-grandmoth ried by the breeze would float over the er always cooked with fresh produce. fields straight to the children’s ears. There was also plenty of fresh dairy Only one wagon had bells like those. A products from the few cows which the visit from the ice cream wagon super family milked. The cows sometimes seded all other activity. Although the caused as much mischief as the chick prices and flavors of the ice cream may ens. One summer day, a cow escaped have changed since the 1920’s, the into the apple orchard that was locat excitement over the simple sweet treat

20 never changes. I can picture the chil played an important role in Rockland’s dren clamoring across the fields to the past and present. music of Rockland’s pied piper. Sadly, in the early 1940’s, my According to family history, Myer great-great-grandfather fell ill and the Blacker was a well-liked and respected family was unable to maintain the member of the Nanuet community. He farm. Lena and Myer were forced to applied for his citizenship papers and move to an apartment in Spring Valley. often attended town meetings. Sup On July 21, 1945 Myer passed away in posedly at one of these meetings there his sleep during his late morning nap. were members of the Ku Klux Klan. Not until 1974 did a descendant of Since my great-great-grandfather was the Blacker family return to Rockland. Jewish he certainly had reasons to fear When my parents purchased a home in the Klan. However, these particular Rockland, they found an actively grow members respected Myer and wanted ing suburb which was very different to help him attain his citizenship from the quiet county my father’s papers so that he could be a true part great-grandparents grew to love. Life of the Nanuet community. They told on the Nanuet farm taught my grand him to see a certain judge who would mother and great-uncle, two city kids, help him obtain his citizenship papers how to milk cows, identify birds and faster. Myer, accompanied by his pick apricots. They learned to be both daughter Nettie, went to see the judge street wise and farm smart. Their ,who agreed to assist him. The only enriched childhood influenced how problem was that, although Myer could they raised their children, and it has speak English well, he could not yet led my parents to give me the most ful write his name in English. The judge filling childhood possible. said that he would turn his chair Now looking across the stark around so that Myer could sign his parking lot, I think I see an apple tree name. Catching on, Nettie grabbed and a laughing child swinging from hold of the pen and quickly signed her its branches. father’s name. Customs and societal rules were quite different in Rockland during the Roaring Twenties. I do not think that any present-day Ku Klux Klan members would appreciate that one of their own had helped a Jew. Prior to immigrating to the United States, Myer had attended rabbinical school in Russia. Although he never practiced as a rabbi, he always held * <,?» strongly to his Jewish identity. There were not many Jews in Rockland dur ing this time. The few Jewish resi I,*i k'. dents would gather several times a week in someone’s house to recite the holy prayers. It was sort of a portable synagogue because the location changed each week. This movable syn : ** W agogue was the forebear of the Nanuet Hebrew Center, an institution that has Lena and Meyer Blacker 21 Dedication of the 53rd and 54th Historical Markers