Cruser House, West New Brighton
Cornelius Cruser House (1722, additions 1770 and 1836)
1262 Richmond Terr.
Livingston
West New Brighton, Staten Island
The original one-room cottage (at the extreme left) was built for Cornelius Van Santvoord (1696–1752) , a Dutch Reformed minister. He had recently married Annetje Staats (1700–40) in 1721. They sold the house and moved to Schenectady around 1740–42.
Cornelius Cruser (1708–86) bought the property in 1751 and built the central addition. His wife was Belitje de Groot (1727–1815). Later his son John Cruser and his wife Mary Tooker owned the house.
Loyalist General Cortlandt Skinner (1727–99) used the house as his headquarters during the Revolutionary War. The Crusers and their in-laws were divided between revolutionary and loyalist sympathies.
Daniel Pelton (1788–1867) bought the house in 1835. He married Catherine Cortelyou van Arsdale (1788–1862) in 1813. He built the brick addition in 1836. He was an abolitionist and may have used the house as part of the Underground Railroad.
© Matthew X. Kiernan
NYBAI14-2834
Cruser House, West New Brighton
Cornelius Cruser House (1722, additions 1770 and 1836)
1262 Richmond Terr.
Livingston
West New Brighton, Staten Island
The original one-room cottage (at the extreme left) was built for Cornelius Van Santvoord (1696–1752) , a Dutch Reformed minister. He had recently married Annetje Staats (1700–40) in 1721. They sold the house and moved to Schenectady around 1740–42.
Cornelius Cruser (1708–86) bought the property in 1751 and built the central addition. His wife was Belitje de Groot (1727–1815). Later his son John Cruser and his wife Mary Tooker owned the house.
Loyalist General Cortlandt Skinner (1727–99) used the house as his headquarters during the Revolutionary War. The Crusers and their in-laws were divided between revolutionary and loyalist sympathies.
Daniel Pelton (1788–1867) bought the house in 1835. He married Catherine Cortelyou van Arsdale (1788–1862) in 1813. He built the brick addition in 1836. He was an abolitionist and may have used the house as part of the Underground Railroad.
© Matthew X. Kiernan
NYBAI14-2834