New-York tribune., 1910-02-20
To SAGE the BiIf0pp House
Women of Tottenville Organize to Preserve fics-
uresaue Relic of Revolutionary DAYS

still 10 ne seen. Logs Or tree length coulo
easily have been disposed of within the
aracious depths OF this fireplace, but Ii
would appear that quite as much coid an
must have come in as was driven oui by
the blazing logs since ii was open TO the
heavens above with no obstruction
ouaintest OF all is really. truly dungeon
or masonry built Off from the cellar ne
meath the main entrance of the mouse
Here persistent tradition has II that Co
lonial prisoners were confined and cruelty
treated for the Bilopps were sympathiz-
ers with the crown and for some time
British soldiers were quartered in the
house. It has also been whispered that an
underground passage leo from the dungeon
10 the water and that through this sub
ter-sncsn passage many Colonial prisoners
Invsteriously disappeared. Many attempts
to discover this underground passage have
ur 10 the present time failed. though eX-
cavations have from time to time been
made. The report that some OF Captain
Kidd-s treasures were buried herea bouts
may have occasioned some Of the enthusi-
asr7 for excavation rather than an effort
10 verify tradition.
The house. together with nearly three
hundred acres OF land lying along the
shore front and extending west and north
IS the proDerry Of Charles Leland, retired
banker Of New York. The house vas built
hv CAPTAIN Christopher Billopp, Of the
British nav about 1895. and apropos Of
the ancient Christopher tradition remains
o< how he saved Staten Island to New
York STATE Dv circunnaTisatinE the Eiand
IN 2 small sailing vessel within twenty
four hours. thus proving the island was
sufficiently small to be considered Vfth1n
the Hudson River
From an old family hur=ing ground for
1nerlv in sight o. the house but two relics
have been saved-the toTlbstones of Thomas
Billopp and his wife. Eugenia- OF brown
sandstone, battered and age worn, the Two
stones are propped against the side OF the
house. mute testimonies OF those who lived
and died there so many generations ago
No BilicppS are left in that part OF the
counrry as al the conclusion OF the war
they were attainted by an act OF the AS
se-nbIv and declared traitors; so that the
family moved 10 Canada, the descendants
now living in the vicinity OF Montreal.
A caretaker is in charge OF the house
To-day and brand new baby has Just been
born IN the very room occupied by LORD
Howe and the American congressman on
the occasion OF the famous interview Fre-
Sgr7la bly, not WISHING 70 sSuolS 60 Siiiolt q
141crseI o. humanity with the historical
name Of BiIlopp. the mother failed 10 take
advantage Of an evident opportunity. Be
ing Scotch and sn admiTer Of Sir William
Wallace the BARN vas named fo- him. and
because he 1rst saw light on st, Nalen-
tines Day the latter name is 70 be in
cluded In spite OF the embarra ssment Of
riches IN the matter Of names the lad Is
doing nicely.
The officers Of the Philemon Society that
is working 70 this end are: President. Mrs,
Benjamin Williams; first vice-president,
Mrs Gould J. Jennings: second vice-pTesi-
dent. Mrs. Arthur z Decker: RECORDING
secretary. Mrs. John :. Hopping; -orre-
spending secretary. Miss Anna Van Name.
and rress sure-. Mrs. Jacob Cole The mem
hers Of the committee appointed 10 look
after the interests OF the bill are Mrs.
Nathan !. Lowe, Mrs. George " Sleight
and Mrs Charles Higbee.