156 Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences 



the publication of this work by one of its members it will have 

 justified its existence; but we are informed, on page 8, of events 

 leading up to the purchase of the house by the society, from 

 which it appears that the first payment on the same, to the 

 amount of $2,200, was made on February 15, 1915, by virtue of 

 which, according to the concluding paragraph on page 88, the 

 title to the property became vested in the society as sole owner. 

 Incidentally it may be pertinent to recall in this connection that 

 about three months later, on May 10, 191 5, our Association came 

 into full possession of the Britton Cottage at New Dorp, and 

 thus two of Staten Island's old colonial houses were secured in 

 the same year by those who appreciate the historic interest at- 

 taching to them and who may be relied upon to do everything 

 possible for their future preservation. 



The volume includes a history of the house and of the region 

 in its vicinity, with copies of patents, deeds, and wills pertaining 

 to them and to the former owners, with numerous annotations 

 by the author, in chronologic sequence. It is, in fact, as the 

 title states, a story and documentary history, in which legends 

 and facts are charmingly blended. 



The subjects selected for illustration are varied and appropriate. 

 A colored plate each of the Stillwell and Ferine coat of arms ; an 

 architect's ground plan of the house and front garden, with 

 sketches showing window and cornice details; photographs of 

 the interior and exterior of the house, and interesting features 

 of its immediate surroundings, including an exquisite winter 

 view of the brook that bounds the property on the northeast, 

 are all exceptionally well executed and artistically arranged. 



A. H. 



Two Articles on the Billopp House^ 

 These two articles, published in sequence in Americana, 

 indicate that there is no lack of sustained general interest in the 



^ The Historic Billopp House on Staten Island, now to be Included in a 

 New Park. [Anonymous.] Americana 10: 961-967, illustrated. Nov. 1915. 



The Peace Conference at the Billopp House, Staten Island, September 11, 

 1776, Mrs. Ralph McKee. Ibid. 968-974, illustrated. 



