The Billiou–Stillwell–Perine House is a
Dutch Colonial
Dutch Colonial is a style of domestic architecture, primarily characterized by gambrel roofs having curved eaves along the length of the house. Modern versions built in the early 20th century are more accurately referred to as "Dutch Colonial Rev ...
structure and the oldest standing building on
Staten Island, New York.
History
The house was originally built by
Pierre Billiou Pierre Billiou (c.1632 – c.1708) was a French Huguenot born in Flanders. He was a founder of Old Town, Staten Island, Old Town in 1661, one of the first permanent settlements on Staten Island, shortly before the Dutch colony of New Netherland beca ...
, a
Huguenot
The Huguenots ( , also , ) were a religious group of French Protestants who held to the Reformed, or Calvinist, tradition of Protestantism. The term, which may be derived from the name of a Swiss political leader, the Genevan burgomaster Be ...
who arrived at
New Amsterdam
New Amsterdam ( nl, Nieuw Amsterdam, or ) was a 17th-century Dutch settlement established at the southern tip of Manhattan Island that served as the seat of the colonial government in New Netherland. The initial trading ''factory'' gave rise ...
fleeing religious persecution in Europe in 1661. He founded Oude Dorp (
Old Town
In a city or town, the old town is its historic or original core. Although the city is usually larger in its present form, many cities have redesignated this part of the city to commemorate its origins after thorough renovations. There are ma ...
) in the same year, and subsequently received a land grant on Staten Island, erecting the original stone section of the house around 1662.
His daughter Martha (1652–1736) inherited the property and resided there with her husband, Thomas Stillwell (1651–1704/1705), and later with her second husband, Rev. David de Bonrepos (1654–1734), whom she married in 1711. Also family decedents of the Billiou family are still living in America to this date of 2021 with a modernized name of Bilyeu. Most of the family lives in the state of
Tennessee
Tennessee ( , ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked state in the Southeastern region of the United States. Tennessee is the 36th-largest by area and the 15th-most populous of the 50 states. It is bordered by Kentucky to th ...
.
(edited by a descendent Zachary Bilyeu) There are also descendants in
Kansas
Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the ...
,
Washington state
Washington (), officially the State of Washington, is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. Named for George Washington—the first U.S. president—the state was formed from the western part of the Washington ...
,
Oregon
Oregon () is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of it ...
and a branch in
Ohio
Ohio () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Of the fifty U.S. states, it is the 34th-largest by area, and with a population of nearly 11.8 million, is the seventh-most populous and tenth-most densely populated. The sta ...
.
About 1680, Thomas Stillwell, a well-to-do landowner, enlarged the house. His and Martha's descendants, the Brittons, owned it until the mid-18th century. It was then acquired in 1758 by Edward Perine, whose family owned it until 1913.
The building has a shingled sloping roof, a high jambless fireplace with a large stone hearth, and a ceiling with exceptionally large beams. Owned by
Historic Richmond Town
Historic Richmond Town is an authentic town and farm museum complex in the neighborhood of Richmondtown, Staten Island, in New York City. It is located near the geographical center of the island, at the junction of Richmond Road and Arthur Kill ...
, the house is occasionally open to the public on a limited schedule or by appointment.
See also
*
List of the oldest buildings in the United States
This article lists the oldest buildings in the United States and its territories. The list includes sites in current states and territories which were not part of the original Thirteen Colonies when the United States of America was founded in 1776 ...
*
List of the oldest buildings in New York
This article attempts to list the oldest buildings in the state of New York, including the oldest houses and any other surviving structures. Some dates are approximate and based on architectural studies and historical records; other dates are bas ...
*
List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Staten Island
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), formed in 1965, is the New York City governmental commission that administers the city's Landmarks Preservation Law. Since its founding, it has designated over a thousand landmarks, class ...
*
References
External links
Billiou-Stillwell-Perine House Landmarks Preservation Commission
Billiou-Stillwell-Perine House Historic Richmond Town
The Story and Documentary History of the Perine House Staten Island Antiquarian Society, 1915
{{DEFAULTSORT:Billiou-Stillwell-Perine House
Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Staten Island
Historic house museums in New York City
Huguenot history in the United States
New York City Designated Landmarks in Staten Island
1662 establishments in North America
Establishments in New Netherland
Colonial architecture in New York (state)