Celebrating Staten Island
Five Little Known Facts About New York City's Fifth Borough
New York City. The Big Apple. When most people speak of New York City, they are often talking about Manhattan. Home of the Empire State Building, Times Square and The Statue of Liberty. But actually, New York City consists of five boroughs. These include Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and my home town, Staten Island.
The 102 square mile island, situated between Brooklyn and New Jersey, was settled by the Dutch in 1661. It was then incorporated into New York City in 1898. Since its founding, the population has grown to over 475,000 residents, as of 2019. Staten Island is often called the “Forgotten Borough” by the local population.
Staten Island is often overshadowed by the other boroughs. But the island has been witness to many important events in history and the home of a few celebrities. Here are five things you did not know about New York City's Forgotten Borough.
Staten Island Played a Role in The American Revolution
During the American Revolution, Staten Island was a hot bed of Loyalist activity. It was a major staging ground for troops during the British occupation of New York City. What many people don’t know is that unsuccessful peace talks took place on Staten Island.
In 1776, Lord Howe, met with delegates at the estate of Christopher Billopp. Among the delegates were Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. Lord Howe asked the colonists to withdraw the Declaration of Independence. In exchange British troop would withdraw from New York. They refused and the war raged on for another eight years. The house where the negotiations took place is known as The Conference House. It still stands on Staten Island’s South Shore.
The First Game of Tennis in America
The modern game of lawn tennis can be traced back to England in the 1870s. It eventually made its way to Bermuda where it was discovered by Mary Ewing Outerbridge, first playing the game at her family home in Paget Parish, Bermuda.
In 1874, the Outerbridge family returned to the United States. They settled on Staten Island. Mary brought the game of tennis back with her, setting up the first tennis court in the United States at the Staten Island Cricket and Baseball Club. She played the first match against her sister Laura on an hourglass-shaped court. Mary Ewing Outerbridge died in 1886. She is buried in Silver Mount Cemetary in the New Brighton section of Staten Island.
A Staten Islander Influenced America’s Greatest Ghost Story
Mary Ewing Outerbridge is not the only famous person buried on Staten Island. In 1820, Washington Irving published one of America’s greatest gothic horror stories - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
We all know the story. A schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane, competes with Brom Bones for the hand of Katrin Van Tassel. In his quest he meets the legendary Headless Horseman. But, did you know that Ichabod Crane is buried on Staten Island?
According to the story, Ichabod Crane disappeared from Sleepy Hollow. But the real Ichabod Crane was an army captain who crossed paths with Washington Irving. They met briefly in Sackets Harbor, New York in 1814, six years before the publication of the story. Irving later named one of his most famous creations, after the officer. In 1853, Crane and his wife moved to the New Springville section of Staten Island. They lived there until his death in 1857. His burial site can be found in Asbury Methodist Cemetery, not far from his home’s former site.
Birthplace of a Saint
In 1975 Elizabeth Ann Seton, canonized by Pope Paul VI, became the first saint born in America. She had been born nearly 100 years before on Staten Island.
Raised in the Episcopal Church, Elizabeth converted to Catholicism in 1805. Four years later she moved to Maryland. There, she established the first parochial school. She also founded the first congregation of sisters. They would later be known as the Sisters of Charity. This was the first of its kind in America.
She spent the rest of her life establishing orphanages and schools across the United States. She founded a hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. This was the first hospital, west of the Mississippi River.
Elizabeth Ann Seton died in 1821, at the age of 46. In 1980, Bayley Seton Hospital opened in the Stapleton neighborhood of Staten Island. It is now part of the campus of Richmond University Medical Center.
An Island of Artists
Staten Island has always been a haven for artists. Nineteenth century artist Jasper Cropsey is well-known for his landscape oil paintings. He was born in the Rossville section. Civil War photographer Mathew Brady had a studio in Manhattan, but he lived on Staten Island.
Many writers also made Staten Island home. Paul Zindel, author of The Pigman Trilogy, was born in the Tottenville neighborhood. Frank McCourt, author of Angela’s Ashes, worked as a teacher at McKee Vocational High School. George RR Martin grew up in Bayonne, New Jersey. He is often quoted as saying he could see Staten Island from his bedroom window. He later based Westeros on that view.
Staten Island has always had a thriving music scene. It is the birthplace of folk-singer, Joan Baez. New York Dolls frontman David Johansen is from there. Christina Aguilera and members of Wu- Tang Clan were born on the island.
Many films were also shot on Staten Island. Scenes in The Godfather, Analyze This, Working Girl and School of Rock were all filmed in the borough.
Actors such as Emilio Estevez, Rick Shroeder and Pete Davidson were all born in the borough. As was Vinny Guadagnino of Jersey Shore fame. Betty Aberlin, better known as, Lady Aberlin on Mister Rogers Neighborhood, went to high school on Staten Island.
As you can see, the “forgotten” borough of Staten Island should not be forgotten. It should be celebrated for all its contributions to American culture and history.
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About the Creator
MATTHEW FLICK
I am a disabled fiction and nonfiction writer currently living in New York. My writing is inspired by my life and the odd people in it. I'm passionate about pop culture, obscure trivia and great writing.
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