The Hills
read more The Hills refers to the area of Harrison, North Castle and White Plains where the largest concentration of African-Americans in Westchester County lived through 1870. Many of the early settlers were former enslaved people who had been voluntarily emancipated by religious orders such as the Quakers and the Methodist-Episcopalians beginning in the early 1770's. The Hills was a cohesive community with strong family relationships, its own church, school and cemetery. Thirty-six Hills residents fought in the Civil War, contributing to the effort to end slavery and preserve the Union.
This collection is a representation of the history of the Hills community beginning in 1790 through 1925. The documents include census data, area maps, original school records, a church mortgage, land deeds, letters of a civil war soldier, veterans pension claims, and newspaper articles about Hills residents. They reflect the development, stability, and economic viability of the community.
In recognition of its historical importance, Stony Hill Road was designated as one of sixty Westchester County Tricentennial Historic sites in 1983. Stony Hill Cemetery, the resting place for thirteen black Civil War soldiers, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1999.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our appreciation to the following people:
First and foremost we would like to thank Dr. Edythe A. Quinn, Professor of History at Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y. This project is based on her research and her book Freedom Journey. Without these, this endeavor would not have been possible. We relied on her advice and guidance for historical accuracy, which she provided freely. She readily offered additional documents without hesitation. She took time from her busy teaching schedule to steer us in the right direction every step of the way.
Patrick Raftery, librarian at the Westchester County Historical Society, generously imparted professional advice and helped locate many of the documents in this collection. We thank him for his willingness to always provide requested materials so promptly, for his research help, and for his technical expertise.
Our work at the Charles Dawson History Center was enhanced by the vast knowledge of Town Historian Greg Ricci.
We extend our gratitude to all the others who assisted us, including Karen Staub of the Purchase Friends Meetinghouse, John Martin, Ben Himmelfarb, librarian at the White Plains Public Library, Roxanne Beecher, and the staff of the Westchester County Archives.
March 19, 2015
Carole Meehan, Librarian, Harrison Public Library
Jennie Yang, Librarian, Harrison Public Library
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1867 Map of Mamaroneck,…
1867 Map of Mamaroneck, Scarsdale, White Plains,…
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Zing(o) Stout
Dr. Edythe Ann Quinn credits Zingo Stout as being…
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Beginning at the Red Oak Tree:…
This deed shows the purchase of real property by…
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"My Dear Wife..." Letters from…
Sergeant Simeon Anderson Tierce was a Hills…
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"My Dear Wife..." Letters from…
Sergeant Simeon Anderson Tierce was a Hills…
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A Well Deserved Pension At…
This article describes some of the Barker family…
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"We were school boys together"
In support of his friend Solomon Tierce’s…
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Married in 1835
Rev. R. W. Harris was Rector of the Grace…
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Silver Lake Preserve
This annual report shows the acquisition of lands…
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Closeup of The Hills Community…
"Close-up showing Stony Hill Road, the principle…
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Keeping Records: "Teacher's…
This document shows the names of the parents of…
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"...In a Place Commonly Called…
This deed shows the purchase of real property in…
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"My Dear Wife..." Letters from…
Sergeant Simeon Anderson Tierce was a Hills…
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"My Dear Wife..." Letters from…
Sergeant Simeon Anderson Tierce was a Hills…
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Earning an Honest Penny
In her application for a widow’s pension, Sarah…
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Happy Birthday Mr. Seymour!
This article cites one of The Hills residents, Mr.…
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1911 Bromley Map: Part of the…
1911 Close-up showing Stony Hill, the principle…
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Resting Place
This map shows the burial sites of thirteen Civil…
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Portrait of a Town: 1790
This is the first United States Census information…
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"...To Be A Church..."
Five Hills residents acting as trustees of…
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The Peak of the Hills
"In the early 1860s, The Hills was at its peak as…
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"My Dear Wife..." Letters from…
Sergeant Simeon Anderson Tierce was a Hills…
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Changes 1880
"The 1880 census revealed demographic changes that…
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On the Death of Her Husband…
In her application for a widow’s pension, Sarah…
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Farming in the Hills
In support of his wife Jane’s claim for a mother’s…
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Sissy...Sarah Watson
Sarah Watson was the stepdaughter of Civil War…
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National Recognition!
In 1999, the Stony Hill Cemetery, receiving…
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