THE WAY IT WAS IN FEBRUARY 1879
Brothers Benjamin Moore, an
Episcopal bishop and president of
Columbia University, and Samuel
Moore, a distinguished physician,
were raised here. The Bishop’s son,
Clement Clark Moore, also raised on
the family property, wrote the yuletide
poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,”
better known as “‘Twas the
One of the family homes, which
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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | FEB. 25 - MARCH 3, 2022 13
QUEENSLINE
In conjunction with the Greater
Astoria Historial Society,
TimesLedgerNewspapers presents
noteworthy events in the borough’s
history.
Welcome to February 1879!
The Daily Star brought its readers
on a journey through time. On
Shell Road in Newtown sat a stately,
elegant mansion, one of several
homes in the area once occupied by
the Moore family.
Night before Christmas.”
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still displayed ceiling beams hewn
from the ancient trees that used to
surround the property, made use of
a stone well dug when Native Americans
still lived in the area and hunted
prey in the primeval forests.
The grandest mansion of them
all served as headquarters for General
Sir Henry Clinton, commander
in chief of British forces in North
America during the War for Independence.
The Moore family tolerated the
presence of the Redcoat officers,
who protected their reluctant hosts
from the predations of their own enlisted
soldiers.
One thieving soldier, in fact, was
gunned down by a neighbor just
across the street from the home. Stories
passed down from former slaves
told of old, shady trees on the Moore
land where unruly British soldiers
were hanged. Others were tied to the
trees, their trunks a whipping post
for lesser offences.
Looking back on the story of a
young nation nearly 100 years later,
The Daily Star could not help but
wonder “Do the stately maidens of
1879, in their dresses and plumes,
as they dash past the deserted headquarters,
ever reflect on those trials
endured by their grandmothers,
wending their way through the military
throng surrounding Sir Henry?
Too much of an effort they will
say – but possibly the tradition of
the military music and brilliant
light which of yore streamed from
the windows on the night of a military
ball could even yet turn their
gaze on the old house as they bowl
along in their carriages.”
That’s the way it was in February
1879!
For further info, call the
Greater Astoria Historical
Society at 718-278-0700 or visit
www.astorialic.org.
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