The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-27
THE CUYLER SUGAR HOUSE.
Mr.. John Austen Stevens Corrects Some
Errors In New YOrk's History.

To THE EDIroR OF The SUN-Sir. notice
In your Society Notes" OF Sunday last that
a large atten dan ce Ia expected on Wednesday
next at Van Cortlandt House In the Van
Cortlandt Park to witness the unwilling OF
the window. taken from the old Rhinelander
sugar house. and learn from an other source
that the reason Of this ceremony is the beHef
OF the Colon Danes, who are the oustodtans
OF the park buildin &. that this old sugar house
was used as prison house for the detention
OF American patriots by the British authori-
ties during the War OF the Revolution.
II seems rather strange that the Colonial
Danes should overlook the fact that this
was not the "Rhin chandler sugar house" till
after the peace Of 1883. In 1879 prepared
for the New York Historical Society a sketch
Of the Progress of New York in Century.
l778-1s7e," which was printed for the society.
II was written in its rooms. and had the
assistance Of that most emnen Of authorities
on our local history. the late Mr. william
Keby. later the librarian OF the society.
the abun dant literary resources OF which
enabled us to verify every statement there
made. The following extract tells the story
Of the sugar houses Of the Colonial period:
Ofthe four sugar houses three were In the hands OF
persons of Dutch descent. BY whom this lucrative
business then now almost onopolized. Tao
old sugar house in Crown street NOW Liberty street
near the Dutch Church.. built by the Avingstons.
Is best known as the British prson during the Rero'
luton That built by Henry Cuyler. Jr.. for his
heir. Barent Rynders Cuyler. In l7G9 Is still stand
ing. massive structure on the corner OF Rose and
Duane streets. 1t later passed into the hands Of
the Rhnelanders. who continued the same bus'-
ness. The Van Cortlandt sugar house was on the
northwest corner OF Trinity churchysrd The
Roosevelts also had a sugar house. Id SINNERS
street. near the Walton House. The BAyard sugar.
house. which stood In Wall street close TO the old
City Hall from i72a. had been In IT'S turned into
tobacco mandatory. The Bayards introduced
what they termed the mystery Of sugar refining
In New York.
The Cuylers were loyalsts, and their sugar
house. with, their other properties. was con
ascated and sold after the peace by the state tate
se na had
city during the war, purchased the old build
ing; ! well remember visiting the place and
ure i7sa At this time Mr. Kelby and my
ssii made thoIroush search Of AL all the then
house was used as prison. The probab BIZ,
The M M seTe pa tea and Of
Ss that sa Of mr. a' xSo s'
Cortlandts and Cuylers were loyalists, and 1t
Is reasona BILE to suppose until other wise shown
hs asI houses s MERE 9 bs
army did not 90 without sugar. and there
was no want Of raw material for the refneries.
as there was regular supply from the West
Indies by trading vessels under convoy.
II the window Is to commemorate any
special subject let the purpose be correctly
stated. The Rose street STRUCTURE vas the
and Of all persons the Colonial Danes should
and worthy old New York family who built
i and long owned 1t before and during
the war.
And until some evidence be produced
that it was not used for a sugar house during
the war. and that II was used a. Q place Of
detention Of the patriots by the British. It
seems. to me that This sentimental part of
omitted: for 1t is not probable that any
American patriot ever looked out OF the iron
bars OF this window. Such gratinRs are OF
uncommon IN manufactures opening on
am tempted 10 address you thi. cor
recton by an appeal from one OF our best
authorities on local history. who properly
remarks that i is ABOUT time that mani
and as you inform us that il We see Il In
THE Sun it's So" 1t looks to me ss though
history-New York history at least will
soon become record Of events that never
took place JOHN AUSTEN STEVENS.
NEWPORT May rs.