The First Business Directory of Staten Island^ 



Ira K. Morris 



During the busy years, back in the eighties and nineties, when 

 I was giving much time to the gathering of material for a history 

 of Staten Island, one of the kindest friends I met with was coun- 

 selor David J. H. Willcox, of New Brighton. No one could 

 have taken a more earnest interest in my work than he, and in 

 various ways be aided me. Among my most valued treasures in 

 the line of relics are those which came from his kindly hand, and 

 one of these is a copy of the first edition of Staten Island's first 

 business directory, which was issued in September 1862.^ It is a 

 small pamphlet, almost a vestpocket edition in size, of thirty-two 

 pages. The first page bears the caption To the Public and the 

 following text : 



" Believing that such a little book as this would be found useful 

 to the residents of Richmond County, I am bold enough to pub- 

 lish it ; and if it should prove so, I shall feel fully compensated for 

 my labor. To the advertisers who have so hberally aided me, 

 bearing most of the expense, I return my thanks, and hope that the 

 public will make good the outlay by increased patronage. 



" I am much indebted to Messrs. George J. Greenfield, Frank 

 W. Conner, and. the several Town Clerks for their valuable 

 assistance and the uniform^ kindness they have shown me. 



" I propose to issue another edition after the County Election, 

 and shall continue to do so from time to time, as the alteration of 

 the time tables, &c., &c., may make necessary. I shall use every 

 exertion to make this a valuable advertising medium, and shall 

 endeavor to make the contents reliable and interesting. I shall 

 feel grateful for the correction of any errors that may appear." 

 Yours, very respectfully, 



Castleton, S. I., Sept., 1862. Henry E. Tudor. 



Office, 44 Ann Street, New York. 



1 Presented at the meeting of the Association November 20, 1915. 



2 Richmond County | Register | First Edition | Please Preserve This for 

 Reference | New York | Henry E. Tudor, Publisher | No. 44 Ann Street. 



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