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THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF EAST ROCKAWAY & LYNBROOK, INC.
VOL 11 #1 Sept 2007- Dec 2007
EXTRA, EXTRA ... READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!
History takes time. That most certainly is not only an oxymoron but also an understatement. HSERL has succeeded in making history yet again. Three Lynbrook houses were nominated and accepted on the New York State Register of Historic Places.
On this past September 13th , one year, three local people interested in history, and three Lynbrook homeowners converged on success - recognition by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Recognition.
You have read previously about the work of these three stalwart researchers and one indomitable photographer who put together portfolios of research that was unexcelled.
Rebecca Schimmel, Lynbrook High School Heritage Scholar, Donald Krendel photographer and homeowners Ernest and Matilda Tarmin worked together to prepare and present the documentation necessary to make recognition possible. You’ll recognize this house because it stands out as a well preserved “old” house on Ocean Avenue.
The number two success was accomplished by Art Mattson, HSERL Director and Lynbrook Village Historian, Donald Krendel and Tina Gonzales and David Byrne, homeowners. This house is equally old but it is hidden.. While other houses claim similarity, this one made it to the National Register. David and Tina had a wealth of documents and pictures and Bob Sympson located a map delineating it as Fensky’s property which added to the entire package. It is located on Grove Street.
Bob Sympson, who actually initiated this project several years ago after viewing the Denton House in East Rockaway, wherein Betsy Davison vividly recalled many happy days of her youth visiting Delameter Denton,.said “Why not get recognition for the beautiful old homes which are part. of the history the south shore especially East Rockaway and Lynbrook?” He worked with John and & Cassandra Brannick and Donald Krendel to make it work yet a third time. This home located on Rockaway Avenue probably stands out as part of the footprint of historic Lynbrook.
Thus these three Lynbrook homes proudly join the Haviland Davison Grist Mill, more familiarly known as the East Rockaway Grist Mill Museum on the New York State Register of Historic Places. Perhaps, in the next issue we will be able to inform you that the 3 homes have joined the Grist Mill on the National Register of Historic Places.
Watch for additional information on our WEB site.
SPEND A SUMMER DAY ...
AT OUR THIRD ANNUAL VALENTINE’S TEA... IT MAY BE BRR...
We are fast approaching the harsh days of winter. Why not go south bound to the Lynbrook Library on February 10, 2008? But of course, that is the date of our Valentine’s tea in Palm Beach. It’s a new theme. We are very excited and hope that you will be, too. Don’t be deceived. It will be as grand as we have ever done. There will be a mailing but mark your calendar now February 10th 1:00 3:00 p.m. with our snow date if necessary, February 24th same time, same place. Join Us !!!
SPEAKING OF ... #1
We are about to embark on a brand new adventure. We will not take The Staff of Life ... The Grist That Grinds into the various classrooms this year. Previously this has been done under the auspices of BOCES. It is exciting and informative but there is a good deal more to our picture.
With the cooperation and interest of both Lynbrook and East Rockaway Schools we would like both communities to be able to share, view and enjoy all the information that we have to share, view and make available to you .
The Historical Retrospective of East Rockaway & Lynbrook will take place during the week of June 9th in the Great Room of the Lynbrook Library. It is in the planning stages now.
In the past , The Staff of Life has focused on students in our local schools, this coming event will be have interesting, informative and instructional items for EVERYONE. The planning is extensive and ongoing. In our next issues we will have more detailed information but suffice to say we are going to have a humdinger of a program for all the public to see..
SPEAKING OF ... #2
We have had a number of inquiries seeking information, clarification and illumination. Of course, we share with you and hope you will in turn share with us. More on that in a moment.
Mr. Arthur Tillman, of Mattituck, outreached to us to clarify and perhaps give him some information about ... I will give you a direct quote and maybe you can give us both some informaton.
At the Northeast intersection
of Merrick Rd. and Ocean Ave. was a hotel called Trails End. This would be adjacent to what was the reservoir. My Grandfather John Svarc owned a filling station on the southeast corner of Merrick Rd. and Ocean Avenue from 1922 - 1956 across the street from the hotel. He and his wife Marie were immigrants from Bohemia, now the Czech Republic. They had come to the US in 1905. They lived in Brooklyn prior to coming to this location. They lived in the apartment above the gas station. His gas station was demolished for road expansion in 1956. Their children, Emilie and Marion attended the Malverne Public Schools
The hotel was destroyed by fire sometime during Prohibition. From what he told me it was also a speakeasy. My Grandfather claimed it was arson as he saw a man running from the scene prior to the fire. He said he recognized the man.
After the fire, he went poking around with a stick looking for alcohol. Why? “Grandpa told me he used to meet ships, I believe in Freeport and deliver booze to various locations. I don’t know if the hotel was one of them. I do know he made his own alcohol. My sister has the small still.” I would like any information about the hotel and the area . If you can help me I would be most appreciative. I would assume this fire was reported, but do not know in what newspaper or if archives exist. I have early pictures of the gas station if any are interested. Both my mother and I attended Malverne Public Schools.
SPEAKING OF ... #3
We will be embarking on an Arcadia book about the village of East Rockaway. While HSERL has pictures postcards and other photos, it is our desire to feature as many photos as possible and will credit to all.
As we begin to set this out , we know we will focus on the Davison’s: IE the Gristmill Davison’s and the Boatyard Davison’s. There are other families, other stories which can and should be included. Please contact:
Pat Sympson 887-9094
psympson@optonline.net
SPEAKING OF ... #4
Request/Suggestion from Art Mattson
I have a “really neat” project for two or more interested, non-board, non-student HSERL members. The Historical Collection at the Lynbrook Public Library contains an old album of vintage photos. The photos, which were taken by a Lynbrook resident and professional photographer, Leo Bock, probably around 1917, were shot for Hart's Nursery, which was then located where the Cross Island Fruits shopping center in Lynbrook is today. The nursery used Bock's series of "before and after" shots to show how shrubs and trees could improve a property's appearance. The only problem is that no one knows where a single one of these properties were located. The guess is somewhere in south Nassau County.
.
The Historical Society of East Rockaway and Lynbrook could take on the task of identifying the locations.
Steps:
1) Scan the photos (I can do this. See example attached.
2) E-mail each scanned photo to Mary Malloy of the Herald, along with a request that she publish the vintage series of photos, one at a time, in all the southern Nassau editions, with the hope that the properties can be identified by readers of the Herald. The contact phone number of one of the HSERL project people must be included in the Herald article
3) The HSERL task-force members then visit the "candidate" house to ensure it is the correct one."
Drive-by" is OK, but contact with current owner would be great.
4) They take a digital photo of the house as it looks.
5) Note the address on an index to the Bock photo album.
6) Send Mary Malloy (the Herald) a scan of the "then" and the "now," photos along with the newly discovered location.
7) Move on to the next photo.
8) Report progress at HSERL meeting.
OK, Historic Sleuths, can you help us out?
As was mentioned previously, we are often contacted for informaton, for references and to ascertain if there are people interested in what others have or might have.
Howard Kornsweig, realtor of Prudential Ellman called Bob Sympson to inform him that one of the more beautiful homes in East Rockaway was for sale. He was curious if there was any history involved in the home. To say the least that is quite an understatement. The house is one of the original Davison homes of East Rockaway.
Betsy Davison was contacted because she is in touch with Oliver Davison, of the boatyard Davison’s. Oliver, who had spent time there as a youth, was excited and indicated that indeed, he would like to have the opportunity to see the home as it is today.
The owners, Brenda and Richard Isaacs were most gracious in opening their home to him in order for him to relive the memories of his youth. Oliver said that when he was eight years old he would come into live in this house of his grandfather and grandma Davison during the winter months. During the summer he lived on a boat.
He recalled a square piano in the living room. The living room is a magnificent room for entertaining and living. The Davison’s were many and indeed they did do both. The house had both electricity and oil heat when he was a boy.
He recalled his “Aunt Irene loved to swim in Thixton
Creek and would just go down there to swim, to chase all the naked boys away.”
Oliver had fond memories of the fun he and his brother Rusty had there. When Marion Street flooded they would go floating in their boat. He told of a ghost who haunted the home. “Black Sam had been a steward at the East Rockaway Yacht club and his wife had stabbed him but didn’t kill him because the serrated edge of the knife was turned away from his heart.” Sam became a haunter.
The home is, without doubt, magnificent. There are eight bedrooms, five bathrooms, a library, a two part kitchen, a formal dining room, a dinnette, and an imposing living room. We only tell you this because this house reveals the life style of long ago. Large families, extended families and love of beauty and home were in evidence in both then and now.. One most interesting detail is the staircase hand rail. There are two IE. there is one going up the stairs for adults and one directly below it on which the children can hold. This was most unique. Indeed the house is most unique, a treasure which we in HSERL were invited to view and able to hear some of the memories of Oliver Davison’s youth.
We extend a heartfelt Thank You to Mr. & Mrs. Isaacs.
A Wee Bit of History...
This story is continued because it is fun and seems timely in a way out way. Let’s look back on the early history of Hempstead Town..
History of Long Island, From its first settlement by Europeans to the year 1845, with Special reference to its Ecclesiastical Concerns
By Nathaniel S. Prime
New York, Robert Carter, 85 Canal Street
and Pittsburg, 56 Market Street
1845 p. 279-80.
Ministers.
The name of the Rev. Richard Denton is identified with the first settlement of Hempstead Town. He came over with the first company in 1614, and continued their pastor till 1659. He then returned to England, where he died in 1662 at the age of 76.
In 1660, the Rev. Jonas Fordham became the pastor of this church. How long he continued is not ascertained, but probably till within a short time of the settlement of his successor. He is the same individual who was afterwards employed for a few years at Brookhaven, where he has been previously noticed.
The Rev. Jeremiah Hobart was settled here in 1653. He remained some years, but the precise time of his removal is not known. It appears that his salary was so reluctantly paid, that he was obliged to apply to the Court for relief, and in 1690, it was ordered to be raised by a tax. This probably increased the dissatisfaction, and led to his speedy removal. It has be supposed that he was afterwards minister at Jamaica where his name is written Jeremiah Hubbert. Though the records of Jamaica show that proposals were made for the employment of a minister of that name, it does not appear that he ever accepted them Mr. Hobart moved, near the close of the century, to Connecticut, where he died in 1717 at the advanced age of 87 years.
Who was his immediate successor is not known; nor have we any authentic accounts of a settled ministry in this town for a great number of years. In the beginning of the next century, the severe oppressions of this congregation commenced; and the people being disheartened and divided, a few being gained over to “the church,” and more being driven into Quakerism, so that the Presbyterian church was probably destitute of a regularly settled pastor the great part of the time throughout an entire century. That they were not entirely destitute of preaching, during all that scene of troubles may be inferred from the letter of the Rev. Mr. Jenny, the church missionary, in which he says under the date of June 27, 1728, : The body of the Presbyterians live here in the town spot, but they are so poor and few, that it is with difficulty they can maintain their minister, and we daily expect he will leave them.” This was almost 25 years after they had been deprived of their church and other property; and yet they continued to maintain divine institutions, according to their views of gospel order. But who their minister was at this period is unknown.
At a later date, the Rev. Benjamin Woolsey supplied this congregation half the time for a number of years. He left Southold and removed to his wife’s inheritance in the northwest part of Oysterbay, which he named Dosoris, (the wife’s portion or dowry) in 1736, and he lived till 1756. It is supposed that the latter years of his life were devoted to this people.*
*there is a fact handed down by tradition that attests the punctuality of this good man to his engagements and his unwillingness to disappoint the expectation of the congregation. During his engagement, here he lost a son, whose death took place on a Saturday preceding his turn to preach at Hempstead. Being unable to procure any person to supply his place, he felt it to be his duty to leave his afflicted family, which he did, and performed his usual services on the Sabbath day.
Speaking of 1a. . .
Your Story is History!
Previously y we gave you a soupcon of information about the Historical Retrospective of East Rockaway and Lynbrook which will be presented during the week of June 9, 2008.
Meetings have taken place and will continue to be held. It is important that knowledgeable people come forward and lend their expertise to this new enterprise.
We know that some of you perhaps, all of you, have a little story to share with us. What is so interesting is that when these are told individually they all of a sudden blend into a cohesive tale which can be tied in a bow uniting all stories.
We noted this when we study genealogies. It is amazing how families are intertwined, grow together and even grow apart.
We will have display boards, we will have changing exhibits. There will be Power Point exhibits ie stories of various people, events and stories for all to see. All of the work will be done with the help of experts. We want your story, we want your input and your expertise. Remember each person can contribute to this expansive endeavor. We believe that there is a great treasure trove of history in our midst and we would like to share it. Please join us. Your input is important and very valuable. It is important for you, for us and for our respective villages and constituents.
Thank you.
Historical Retrospective Tentative Schedule
Dates: Proposed Program
June 9, 2008Mill River Tableau Art Mattson
Bob Sympson
June 10, 2008 John Hewlett
June 11, 2008Old Timers Night
June 12, 2008 “Bristol Mexico” Art Mattson
Host: Lynbrook Library
Participation: Lynbrook & East Rockaway 4th grade students; community residents.
All of you!!
New Member:
We extend a warm welcome to
Arthur Tillman
Ed: P. Sympson, PhD.
psympson@optonline.net