New Book on West Brighton

From Arcadia Publishing:

Book Description:
In the late 19th century, West Brighton became known as "Factoryville" after several industries set up shop in the vicinity. One of the largest, Barrett, Nephews, and Company, a dyeing and cleaning establishment, employed hundreds of Staten Islanders. Several prominent historical figures have resided in the region as well, including former first lady Julia Gardiner Tyler, who, in 1862, left the Confederacy (but not her Southern sympathies) to rejoin her family in West Brighton upon the death of former U.S. president John Tyler. The neighborhood is also the home of the famed Staten Island Zoo; the idyllic beauty of Silver Lake, Clove Lakes, and Walker Park lie within walking distance. But the most enduring trait of West Brighton is its people--the generations of families that have put down roots in one of the most scenic communities on Staten Island.

Author Bio: Authors Jim Harkins and Cecelia N. Brunner are lifelong Staten Islanders. Harkins has compiled dozens of credits in various writing venues, including feature-length screenplays. Brunner has traced her family back to the 1850s, when they arrived from Ireland and settled in West Brighton.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Farms of the Past on Staten Island

Image
In conjunction with the Museum of the City of New York's Exhibit " From Farm to City: Staten Island, 1661-2012 " we will display some photos  (courtesy of The New York Public Library)  of old  farms on Staten Island   on our Blog . Agriculture played a distinctive and important part of Staten Island's economic growth, from Native Americans who farmed the land to the colonization of the Island by the Huguenots and the English. Farm life was a constant battle with nature, taming the landscape to create farm fields, the cutting of forests and the clearing and draining of the swamps and marshes for pasture for domesticated animals.  Horses were a dominant feature, used for the plowing and transport of produce. Many farms also had fruit orchards growing various types of apples, pears, peaches, and figs. Manhattan was the primary market for the 18th and 19th century Yeoman Farmer of Richmond County. The only remaining working farm on Staten Island is the Decker
Read more

The Scott-Edwards House (Port Richmond/West Brighton)

Image
Along with the lush grounds and gardens lovingly maintained by the owner, this Greek Revival house (renovations c. 1840) was originally built c. 1730 in the Colonial Dutch Farmhouse style.  This is truly a home out of the 18th century. The combined use of diverse building materials, including sandstone on the ground floor and wood clapboard on the upper half-story give this house its enduring charm.  The eyebrow windows under the eaves of the Portico make this an intriguing and mysterious structure.  The house sits on a parcel of land that was originally granted to Governor Dongan in 1677. The property was passed down to the Governor's nephew and then the investigation grows cold for the Revolutionary War period. Judge Ogden Edwards, the nephew of Jonathan Edwards (the famous American theologian noted for his sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"), then took possession of the house in the 1840s.  The Judge was also the cousin of the infamous Aaron Bur
Read more

Remembering Joann

Image
The Preservation League of Staten island and Cityline Dancers present: Remembering Joann A remembrance and celebration of the life of Joann Nelsen (1937-2013) Sunday, October 6, 2013, 2:00 - 5:00 P.M. at The Reformed Church on Staten island 54 Port Richmond Avenue Barnett Shepherd and others will show pictures of Joann, her textile designs, and her historic home, the Scott-Edwards house in West Brighton, a NYC designated Landmark.  Music in Remembrance performed by her friends Charles Sachs, Cellist,  Bill Martin, Pianist and Cityline Dancers led by founders Tom and Ellen Dailey All are welcome to participate in the dance. Refreshments will be served. For reservations please call PLSI at 718-980-1551
Read more