New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-27
BUYS HOUSE OF
MISSING BUCKLES
Continued from page l

been cut in decorative fashion quite
unknown in these days and sure sign
OF antiquity.
The Antiquarian Society is remark
ably fortunate in one of its members,
Mrs. Henry F. Taylor, who has kindly
put all her skill in decorating and ex-
act knowledge OF the early architec-
ture periods and furniture at the dis
possl Of her fellow members. Not
only this, but she has furnished the
house throughout from her large col
lection of antique furniture, early pic
lures and rugs, much of which consists
of family heirlooms.
As consequence the place is al
ready an inviting and attractive mu-
scum of antiques, as well as a charm
ing and comfortable home. The en-
trance hall, with its deep embrasured
windows, is, with the exception of a
handsome Colonial sidebOard, fur
nished in the Queen Anne period with
a gate-legged table and appropriate
chairs and settees, while the walls are
graced with old portraits done in oils,
one of these being of a young lady who
went TO the opera in Philadelphia in
low-necked dress, which event became
town scandal. Even that staid viii
lage would not bat an eye to-day
should the lady wear a similar costume
on the street morning or evening.
Then we have Clarissa Claypole,
sster-in-law OF Betsy Ross, while the
Honorable James Trimble, who was an
important figure during the Revolu-
ton, looks out from still another
frame.
The parlor contains SIS rare a piece of
furniture as can we'll be found, barrel
organ, the grandfather of all music
boxes. Roger Frey, the curator of the
South Kensington Museum, when he
saw this, a few years Ego, stated that he
did not know of a single example in
England, and so far as known there is
only one other in this country. It's ten
tunes are interesting as indicative of
the days that are gone. They are
Bethesda" Cambridge "Philadel-
delphia," "Charlestown," "Melchize-
dek," Tooth Psalm" Bedford"
"Stroudwater," "Wandsworth" and "An-
gels Song" The case is the purest
Chippendale in construction, and pre-
sumably the instrument belongs to that
early period. Another interesting piece
is a desk of the Venetian Empire period,
with glass decorations. A real Irish
"a
picture of the Billop House, painted
many years since, sdorns the walls,
with a number of interesting posters
and handbills of the Revolutionary and
Colonial periods, and having to DO with
Staten Island history.
The Beam Room, where are still to be
SCI the great oak rafters that were
regularly polished twice each year by
the Perine slaves, contains one of those
closets with shelves of fancy design,
and it is Immediately over this closet
that the secret cupboard mentioned
elsewhere was constructed for hiding
valusbles.
1t is said that this has not been
opened in one hundred years, and there
- considerable speculation as TO
whether Ann Perine's highly priced
silver shoe buckles and possibly some
of the old family plate may not be
waiting here to reward the efforts of
some explorer. No doubt when the
time comes it will be opened in the
presence Of many interested witnesses
ana amid much eager speculation.
The Tea Room, with its great
cavernous fireplace, where a large tree
trunk makes the only appropriate back
log, is furnished with numerous small
tables adorned with ancient china.
Here tea is to be served to those so
inclined.
Many interesting documents having
70 do with the history of the early
occupants of this ancient dwelling are
in existence. A survey of the land
made in 1856 by V. Phillip Welles, a
noted surveyor of his day; a quaint
petition of Ann Perine, widow, TO
William Pitt, Minister Of England,
praying that she be paid for 900 cords
of wood used for the Notifications at
flag Staff" now Fort Wadsworth, and
for "Garrisons" There are also civil
and military commissions appointing
certain Of the early Perines TO CORE
spending positions
Several of these have been present
ed 10 the society and more have been
promised. These, IL is hoped, will form
a nucleus around which will be collect
&c in the course of time much of value
having to do with the early history of
the island.