New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-01
COR7ELYOU HOUSE TO GO.
A LANDMARK IN FLATBUSH MARKED
FOR DESTRUCTION.


Flatbush IL about to lose an historic landmark
that has faced wind and weather for century
and n quarter This Is the old Cortelyou home
stead which will soon be torn down. The cause or
its demolition does not lie in any weakness or de-
feet in the house for II was built with unusual
solidlty and would probably defy the elements lot
another century and quarter II allowed TO stand
The reason IL that the property Is valuable. ana
the site which is at Flatbush-ave. and hawthorne
81 will be occupied by a modern four-story brick
and stone apartment house. which IS to be built as
soon possible.
Until recently. when the sale Of the property was
effected the old homestead was owned by Willlam
Kouwenhoven Williamson. who with his sister-ih-
law. Mrs Sarah Townsend Bergen. is the present
occupant. The house and farm OF about one
hundred acres descended from the Lef1erts 10 the
Corteiyou family. and has always been occupied
by n Cortelyou. II was a gift 10 John CorteIyou'
the grandfather of Mrs Bergen and the late Mrs
Williamson. who died In October last and IL was
inherited from him by his son. Isaac Corteiyou
The late Mrs. Williamson was born In the mousse
and lived there during the seventy-seven years OF
her life.
The Cortelyou mansion was at the time OF its
building the finest house anywhere In the neigh
borhood and was noted for the lavish entertain
ments given there. The Corteyous were lohu oil
giving large balls. dinners and card parties ana
the stories OF the Colonial splendor which pre-
vailed IN the old house have been handed down In
Flatbush from father TO The building was
well fitted for large entertainments 1t Is ABOUT
forty feet SQUARE, with extension twenty-five
feet square and contains twenty-five rooms. most
OF which are as large the spacious hall ana par
lor Its frame is Of oak timber. felled, hewn ana
squared in the woods which then existed in that
part Of Brooklyn known as the Ninth ward
The beams which are five feet apart, measure
two feet In thickness. while the shingles, which
have remained on the house TO this day are three
feet long and Of cedar. The outer walls are hed
In with clay that Is packed as nara as mint anu
the frame is as tough and durable as the rest or
the building 1t is expected that the workmen en-
ployed down the mansion VIII nave thelr
hands full
the Interior OF the homestead still presents a
every hand The mantes are OF carved Mahogany.
and winding staircase. reaching from the hrst
as that in Washington's Headquarters at Newburg.
Pieces Of furniture that will please lovers or the
antique tho upholstered mahogany sofa; the
mahogany fddleback chairs and the old brass
andirons all OF which came from England over a
Probably the most interesting relic in the house
hall and Is said to keep good time as when 1t
left the hands Of the maker, two centuries ago.
Corteyou about 1880. and is heirloom that Is
priced even more highly than IL the fine old silver
tea service which still remains In the family II
f. al 1T ten feet high. and has highly polished
mahogany case, and face OF brass and silver
| bearing the name Of Benjamin Lamb the maker.
house at Utrecht. and was hit by bullsts fired
by British soldiers the marks OF which can sun
In the war OF the Revolution the British visited
the homestead and burned the barn, as they did
one or two more In the neighborhoof.
Mrs Bergen will endeavor to get the staircase. a
! door and sill. and the mantes OF the old house.
which she intends to present 10 r dne o s0
| making a painting or the mouse.