88 The Story of The Bronx 



by strong shutters hung on heavy wrought-iron hinges, and 

 kept open by a large catch shaped like the letter " S." A porch, 

 or stoep, extended, if not across the front of the house, at least 

 in front of the doorway. In the kitchen was a huge fire-place 

 which might consume a cord of wood a day, and within whose 

 generous dimensions, in the winter time, the whole family, 

 including the cat and the dog, could find accommodation. The 

 beds were great four-posters, the bottom of sacking, through 

 which stout ropes were drawn and fastened to pegs on the 

 frame, while upon this was piled the mattress or feather beds. 

 In poorer houses, clean straw or hay thrown upon the floor, 

 or in shelves or bunks built for the purpose, answered all the 

 purposes of beds. 



The houses of the manor-lords and the wealthy English 

 and Dutch gentlemen and merchants were substantially built 

 of stone, or of black, yellow, and red bricks especially imported 

 from Holland or England. They usually consisted of two 

 stories and an attic, the latter for the use of the servants. The 

 houses were large, comfortable, and roomy; the last often a 

 necessity in the case of the Dutch, whose families showed they 

 came of a prolific race. Not only the necessities of life aboun- 

 ded, but also many of the luxuries. The furniture was of 

 mahogany, the rooms wainscotted, the fire-places of tiles bear- 

 ing extracts from the Scriptures or pictures illustrating Bibli- 

 cal scenes, while silver and pewter utensils and fine Delft or 

 other china were in constant use. In later times, fine pictures 

 by Allston, Sully, Peale, and other artists hung upon the walls, 

 and some of the best European artists were represented there. 

 The manor-house of the Philipses at Yonkers is a remaining 

 example of many of these homes of the wealthy gentry. The 

 carved oak and ornamental ceilings, doors, and walls, done 

 by workmen imported for the purpose, still show the taste and 



