Erected about 1808.
Erected about 1808.The homestead we are about to describe interests me for other reasons than that of its age. Its interests are not those which years will dim, but which will draw nearer and dearer to those who make a study of God's noblest work, man. Here, in this house, lived one of those men, who did not wait for death to receive the praise of his fellow men. This house was the home of Judge Nicholas STILLWELL, a man who coped with difficult things and achieved success. IDs he~ was never turned either by honor or flattery. A man of will, of purpose, and of integrity. He was born on June 10th, 1808, and lived until 1885. His life was a life of toil and usefulness, not only for himself, but for his neighbors as well. For thirty-seven years he was Clerk of Gravesend, and for many years Justice of the Peace and Coroner. For fourteen years he was a Justice of the Supreme Court. A strong adherent of General Jackson, his entire life was spent as an active member of the Democratic party. Judge STILLWELL was also interested in militia and served with honor, holding the rank of First Lieutenant, First New York Light Horse Artillery. It is interesting to know that he had and used his grandfather's (Colonel Nicholas STILLWELL) sword. His choice of a helpmate was characteristic of the man; a lady of most honorable and respectable lineage, member of a family as old as his own, Miss Sarah STEVENSE VOORHEES. They were the parents of four children; -Ella J., widow of Peter V. VOORHEES, -George STILLWELL*, owner of this house, -Anna M. STILLWELL, and Ida, wife of Elias Hubbard RYDER. In 1880 Judge STILLWELL lost his wife with whom he had traveled on life's journey for so many years. Mr. George STILLWELL, his son, now owns but does not occupy the old home. I am indebted to him for many interesting facts in relation to this and other works which I have under way. He is a man with a wonderful memory, and a large store of facts which are very interesting. He has spent many years collecting antiques, and his beautiful home is similar to a museum. He was born in the homestead on March 8th, 1838, and has lived all his life in Gravesend. He recieved his education at his home town, which speaks well for the local school. A man of sound judgment, hec made his business career on the farm and elsewhere, emintly successful. He married on November 19th, 1872, Jane E. VOORHEES, a daughter of Lucas J. VOORHEES and Gertrude SUYDAM, his wife. The VOORHEES homestead is described elsewhere in this book. Mrs. STILLWELL died on December 10th, 1908. They were the parents of Sarah Gertrude STILLWELL, who married Herman HAJENGA. Mrs. HAJENGA passed away on December 3rd, 1908, in her 84th year, leaving issue two sons. But to return to the old home, Mr. STILLWELL tells me it was built about 1808 by his grandfather, Nicholas R. STILLWELL, who was the oldesst of a family of nine, having having been born on August 8th, 1768. He died December 25th, 1809 and married Nellie KOENHOVEN (COUWENHOVEN?), of New Utrecht. Their only son was Judge STILLWELL. Nicholas R. STILLWELL was the son of Richard STILLWELL and Mary JOHNSON. his wife. Richard STILLWELL was born September 22nd, 1734. he was the son of Colonel Nicholas STILLWELL, who was born December 2nd, 1709, and marrried December 22nd, 1733, Altie VAN BRUNT; born April 22nd, 1712, died October 1st. 1776. Colonel STILLWELL was with the militia in the Battle of Long Island, but after the battle returned home to protect his property, and, being an old man, did not rejoin the army.. He died before the war was ended. His father, Richard STILLWELL, was born May 11th, 1677; married first, Maria. whose last name I have been unable to find: and second, October 22nd, 1733, Altie DITMARS, who died February 11th, 1758. He is supposed by BERGEN to have owned a farm at Sellers Neck, which in 1880 was owned Cornelius STRYKER. a descendant. In 1702 he was High Sheriff, in 1715 Colone1 of militia, and in 1725-27 a member of the Colonial Assembly. He was a son of Nicholas STILLWELL and Catharine MORGAN, his wife. Nicholas STILLWELL came over with his father in 1638. He was born in 1636, and married the mother of Richard, Noyember 6th, 1671. They had a civil marriage before Justice HUBBARD, Nicholas STILLWELL, the emigrant, settled first on Manhattan Island and died on Staten Island, December 22nd, 1671; married first, Abagail, daughter of Robert HOPTON; and second, Ann VAN DYKE, of Holland. He owned a house and lot on Beaver Street, New Amsterdam. The STILLWELLs are an old and an honorable family both in this country and England. They are said to be related to Charles the first, King of England, who was beheaded. This Nicholas STILLWELL was one of the Englishmen who joined Lady Moody in the settlement of Graoenzande or Gravesend, which they intended to make a city, laying it out in the manner of the cities of England. This, they thought, might become the capital of the English Towns on Long Island. The plan to found the town had to be temporarily abandoned because of an attack by the Indians. During this war he defended the town as an officer of militia, holding the rank of Lieutenant, and was one of the first to return after the war. According to the records he was somewhat of a real estate operator, as he was a party to many conveyances. He appears to have been a man of great wealth. There is still a silver cup in the family (Mr. STILLWELL informs me) which Nicholas brought from England. BERGEN says of him, Nicholas STILLWELL is entitled to credit for never swerving from his allegiance to the Dutch government, which is more than can he said of many of his English neighbors, who, on what they supposed to be the first favorable opportunity, proved themselves to be traitors to the colony to which they were indebted for protection and the enjoyment of religious liberty." He was the founder of a race of men who have followed in his steps. They have been true to principle and honor. * Since these articles were written, :Mr. George STILLWELL has passed away. He was a man of distinguishing characteristics. Honest, brilliant and a true Christian, a man we should strive to emulate. He was an authority on antiques and local history. Mr. STILLWELL's word was always relied upon, and he possessed the virtues and determination bequeathed to him by a long line of noble ancestors, both English and Dutch. All honest men have lost in him a true friend, and all corrupt schemers a powerful enemy. He died June 26th. 1909.
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