Billiou–Stillwell–Perine House

The Billiou–Stillwell–Perine House is a Dutch Colonial structure and the oldest standing building on Staten Island, New York.[2]

Billiou–Stillwell–Perine House
Billiou–Stillwell–Perine House
Billiou–Stillwell–Perine House is located in New York City
Billiou–Stillwell–Perine House
Billiou–Stillwell–Perine House is located in New York
Billiou–Stillwell–Perine House
Billiou–Stillwell–Perine House is located in the United States
Billiou–Stillwell–Perine House
Location1476 Richmond Road, Staten Island, New York
Coordinates40°35′34″N 74°6′3″W / 40.59278°N 74.10083°W / 40.59278; -74.10083
Builtca. 1662
Architectural styleDomestic vernacular
NRHP reference No.76001269[1]
NYCL No.0380
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJanuary 1, 1976
Designated NYCLFebruary 28, 1967

History

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The house was originally built by Pierre Billiou, a Huguenot who arrived at New Amsterdam fleeing religious persecution in Europe in 1661. He founded Oude Dorp (Old Town) in the same year, and subsequently received a land grant on Staten Island, erecting the original stone section of the house around 1662.[3] His daughter Martha (1652–1736) inherited the property and resided there with her husband, Thomas Stillwell (1651–1704/1705), and later with her second husband, Rev. David de Bonrepos (1654–1734), whom she married in 1711.

About 1680, Thomas Stillwell, a well-to-do landowner, enlarged the house. His and Martha's descendants, the Brittons, owned it until the mid-18th century. It was then acquired in 1758 by Edward Perine, whose family owned it until 1913.[3]

The building has a shingled sloping roof, a high jambless fireplace with a large stone hearth, and a ceiling with exceptionally large beams. Owned by Historic Richmond Town, the house is occasionally open to the public on a limited schedule or by appointment.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ Sperr, Percy Loomis (1925). "The Perine House. Dongan Hills. S.I." Lumitone Press. Retrieved November 7, 2018 – via Staten Island Museum.
  3. ^ a b Gold, Kenneth M.; Weintrob, Lori R., eds. (2011). Discovering Staten Island. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press. ISBN 978-1-61423-087-8. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  4. ^ "Billou-Stilwell-Perine House". National Park Service. March 22, 2005. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
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