24 Gotham Street

 

24 Gotham Street, Valley Stream NY (Source: Zillow)

The home at 24 Gotham Street in Valley Stream, NY is a charming Starter Cape built in 1950. The address was part of Enumeration District 30-253 in 1950. At that time of the 1950 Census the following families were living on Gotham (note there is no House #24): 

 

House No. 29 - John & Katie Fell

House No. 22 - William & Constance Fellinger

House No. 21 - Adolph & Elizabeth Schoder

House No. 19 - James & Elsie Ferril

House No. 26 - Mrs. Mae Moors

House No. 30 - Joseph & Genevieve Grady

Based on the above household names, this area was primarily occupied by German families. I am unsure if the McNeils built the home at No. 24, however they are the earliest family I found at the address. Further deed research would be required to learn more and this home and property.

Owner/Resident History:

1969 - Mrs. M. McNeil

1988 - Anthony J. & Mary Bencivenga

1994 - James J. & Victoria Langdon 

1998 - Paul A. Damato

2017 - Salvatore S. Modica 

Prior to 1950 this land was uncleared and mostly Forest. The blue dot below shows you where house would later be built in a newly constructed neighborhood.

1926 Aerial View of 24 Gotham St. before the home was built between Gotham and Mill Rd. After World War II, this land was developed and some of the original homes on Gotham St. date back to 1936. By 1950 the population of Valley Stream was around 25,000. Today it is over 39,000.

Remembering Asa Partridge’s Young Lady’s School in Sag Harbor

Long gone are the days of ladies’ schools—dedicated institutions where women and girls were taught everything from etiquette and elocution to secretarial skills and domestic management. These schools served as vital stepping stones for women seeking refinement, education, and social opportunity in eras when formal schooling options for females were scarce.

In 1791, one of Sag Harbor’s earliest newspapers, Frothingham’s Long Island Journal, featured an advertisement for a “young lady’s school” opened by Asa Partridge in what was then spelled “Sagg-Harbour.” This marked the founding of the first private school in Sag Harbor—a significant milestone in the village’s educational history.

Among the skills taught was elocution, the art of clear and expressive speech, a valuable skill for young women of the time, often tied to social mobility and personal poise.

I often wonder where the hall that housed Asa Partridge’s school once stood. If you have any insight into its location—or better yet, a current photo of the property—I’d love to know!

By 1805, the school had come under the direction of a Mr. Moody, though Asa Partridge continued to serve as a trustee alongside four other men, suggesting he maintained an active role in its operations.

Records indicate that Asa owned land in what was referred to as the "Common" area of Sag Harbor. In 1818, he expanded his lot—located north of the property of Pelletiah Fordham and along what was then known simply as the “highway,” possibly Main Street—by purchasing 14 additional feet of frontage for $29.51.

It’s believed that this site later became home to the Meyer & Sons store, which stood on the property as of 1924. This connection offers a fascinating glimpse into the layered history of Sag Harbor’s built environment.

By 1850, Asa Partridge—then retired—owned property valued at $10,000, equivalent to roughly $400,000 today. Between 1849 and 1851, his land was gradually sold off to Sheriff David R. Rose, Charles Douglas, and E.M. Cooper.

Asa and Betsy on the 1850 Census in [Sag Harbor] Southampton, NY

Asa Partridge was born around 1762 and lived to the age of 92, passing away in Sag Harbor and being laid to rest in the Old Burying Ground. His wife, Betsey Conklin, died just a year before him. One can’t help but wonder—did Betsey help manage the school alongside him?

Old Burying Ground, Sag Harbor - Source: Nancy Remkus

Diners

 What comes to mind when you think about a diner? Eggs? Waffles? A 1950's malt milkshake shared by two? I associate diner history with the latter, however I recently learned that the diner concept actually dates back to 1872 when a man in Providence, Rhode Island decided to bring coffee and breakfast treats (and pie!) to workers via his horse and wagon.

So what was the first diner on Long Island? Rumor has it that it is the Colonial Diner in East Meadow. The earliest reference I found on the diner only dated back to 1968, however it is possible they didn't advertise in the papers. The Oceanside Diner (my hometown!) apparently opened about 1940 and the National Diner in Hempstead was opened by 1941. I really thought I would find a diner older than the 1940's though. Perhaps I am romanticizing the idea as I now am craving a chocolate egg cream. mmmmm.

The National Diner was located next to the fire department and stood at the corner of Jackson and Main St. These buildings no longer exist and definitely were part of a much more charming Hempstead. As you drive through Hempstead today it can be difficult to imagine this town and village as a much more green tapestry with a quaint town square surrounded by farmed land. Hempstead actually dates back to the mid 17th century. Many of its original proprietors left soon after due to the English and Dutch conflict of 1653.

National Diner, Hempstead NY

Do you have a picture to share of an old diner in your town? I would love to see what you have!

The Hoy Family of Brooklyn

The Hoy Family of Brooklyn

I walked into the Long Island Studies Institute at Hofstra University not too long ago to conduct research and you know what they asked me? Is the person famous? Well.... if I was researching someone famous I don't think I had to drive an hour and walk a mile on the Hofstra campus to research in their library, do you? I DO research kind of famous people sometimes. For example, I recently did forensic work for the estate of Sam Pearlman. And let's not forget Theresa Caputo! My 5 minutes of fame. That was pretty cool! But you see, the reason why I love my job as a genealogist is that I get those hard to find, lesser-known families out of the dark and this brings me to the Hoy family of Brooklyn. I also love how each family connects to their own community or neighborhood. This brings me to the Hoy family of Sunset Park.

June Evelyn Hoy

June Evelyn Hoy, daughter of New York native Christian M. Hoy of 74 68th St in Brooklyn, married in 1948, William Christian Drewes Jr. They had 3 children, one of whom would be William Christian Drewes III.

June's father Christian Hoy was born a few days after Christmas in 1894 in Brooklyn to Germany immigrants. Christian was a successful furniture salesman. However, before he married  Evelyn Manns, daughter of Charles and Rose Manns of 75th Street in Brooklyn, he was a very active member of the Bay Ridge Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd where he took up theatre including the church production of "Bargain Day at Bloomstein's" in 1931. Christian and Evelyn raised their children Raymond and June at their home on 68th St.

Christian's parents were Christian C. N. Hoy and Maria Agnes Tiehlke.  Christian Jr was one of at least 4 children born to the couple including Maria, Willie and Agnes (1898). Christian, born in 1848, was a stonecutter who immigrated to New York in 1894 and settled into a German community in Sunset Park. He became very involved with the St. Jacobi Lutheran Church of Sunset Park (then only 5 years old!) at 54th street and it was there that he lead the church orchestra. I would love to hear a recording. My church growing up only had a choir so the thought of an entire orchestra sounds fascinating! Christian and Agnes enjoyed sharing their German cooking with the church and I'm sure the church members loved it too since at its inception, the church was very German and in fact, was organized by German Immigrants. To that point, in the early years, worship was conducted solely in the German language. St. Jacobi today has members that typically speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and English and is another example of how the immigrant neighborhoods of the New York melting pot have changed through the decades. Sunset Park saw much change post World War II.

Flushing Begins

The origins of Flushing, Queens, New York dates back to October 10, 1645 when a company of English immigrants were patented land through letters issued by the Dutch Governor Kaift. This grant was later confirmed by Govenor Nicoll in February, 1666 and again by Govenor Dungan, March 23, 1685. It wasn't until March 7, 1788 that the town was recognized under the State Government.

In 1860, Flushing was described as having its leading farming consisting of gardening, growing fruit and nursery. The town at that time supported its own poor through housing and farming accommodations.

Main St., Flushing c. 1920

Gazetteer of the State of New York, 1860; Page 546.

John Feake and the First Quaker Meeting House

John Feake born 1638 in Matinecock, Oyster Bay, Long Island. It has been presumed that he is the son of Robert Feake and Elizabeth Winthrop Fones, although I have not located this couple on Long Island. We will leave that for future research.

John was a Quaker and he is best known for undertaking the construction of the first Quaker Meeting House on Long Island in 1673 with his friend Samuel Andrews. It was located in Flushing, Queens across from where the North Shore Bank stood in 1940. A new structure was built in 1698 and is the oldest religious structure still standing in Queens today.

John Feake married Elizabeth Prior. They raised their family in Matinecock, Oyster Bay, Long Island (formally Queens).

Fireman Jacob John Metzger

Jacob John Metzger was born July 28, 1851 in New York City to Conrad Philip Metzger and Barbara Langenecker. Jacob married Mary Elizabeth Healy, a daughter of Irish immigrants from Cork County, Ireland.  Through this marriage, Jacob and Mary had eight children. The first three: Mary Elizabeth, Conrad P and Catherine first lived on 437 E 82nd in the Carnarsie section of Brooklyn which is now a commercial area. The family then moved to 648 E 4th St, where children Daniel Aloysius, Barbara D, Margaret and Charles D were born.

Jacob was a fireman for Engine Company No 254 located at the southwest corner of Ocean Parkway and Ave. W. This engine company retired in 1983 and firehouse was demolished.

After Jacob's wife died in 1933, he relocated to 1964 Coleman St in the Marine Park section of Brooklyn. The house was built in 1925 and still stands today (pictured). Jacob remained there until 1942 when he moved in with his daughter Mary Staines and her family.

When Jacob as a young man worked as a varnisher before working for the NYC fire department.