Billiou-Stillwell-Perine House
1476 Richmond Road | Dongan Hills | built 1900
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The city photographed every building for its tax records around 1940 and again in the 1980s. NYC Municipal Archives.
Written with AI from the source each entry cites, then fact-checked.
- 1662
Huguenot refugee Pierre Billiou builds the first stone section of the house
Pierre Billiou, a Huguenot fleeing religious persecution in Europe, reached New Amsterdam in 1661 and founded Oude Dorp, or Old Town, on Staten Island that same year. After receiving a land grant, he built the original stone part of the house around 1662. It is the oldest building still standing on Staten Island.
“…erecting the original stone section of the house around 1662…”
Source: Wikipedia
- 1677
Governor Edmund Andros grants Captain Thomas Stillwell the patent for the farm
The Landmarks Preservation Commission credits the house to Captain Thomas Stillwell, a prominent Staten Island citizen who died in 1704. Edmund Andros, governor of the province of New York, granted Stillwell a patent for the property on September 29, 1677. The commission dates the oldest wing to about 1679.
“A patent for the property was granted to Stillwell by Edmund Andros, the Governor of the New York Province, on September 29 1677.”
- 1679
Two fieldstone wings overlap oddly, said to spare a giant tree
The oldest wing, of undressed fieldstone in the Dutch manner, has a steep medieval-style roof and a huge Dutch fireplace whose chimney head rests on two wooden posts, a near-unique survival. A second stone house was later added nearer the road for another family. Tradition says a great tree stood at one end of the first house, so the builders set the addition against only part of its side rather than cut it down.
- 1711
Martha Billiou Stillwell, owner of her father's house, marries Rev. David de Bonrepos
Pierre Billiou's daughter Martha (1652-1736) inherited the property and lived there with her husband Thomas Stillwell, who enlarged the house around 1680. Stillwell died in 1704 or 1705, and in 1711 she married the Rev. David de Bonrepos, who also lived in the house with her.
“…later with her second husband, Rev. David de Bonrepos (1654–1734), whom she married in 1711…”
Source: Wikipedia
- 1758
Edward Perine acquires the house, beginning 155 years of Perine family ownership
Edward Perine took over the house in 1758, and his family held it until 1913. The Perines followed the Brittons, descendants of Martha and Thomas Stillwell, who had owned it until the mid-18th century.
“It was then acquired in 1758 by Edward Perine, whose family owned it until 1913.”
Source: Wikipedia
- 1915
The Staten Island Antiquarian Society buys the house to preserve it
The Staten Island Antiquarian Society acquired the house in 1915. After a merger with the Antiquarian Society, the Staten Island Historical Society took over the house in 1922. Today it belongs to Historic Richmond Town and opens to visitors on a limited schedule or by appointment.
“The Staten Island Antiquarian Society obtained the Billiou–Stillwell–Perine House in 1915…”
Source: Wikipedia
- 2025
The Billiou-Stillwell-Perine House receives a $500,000 grant for repairs
In September 2025 the Billiou-Stillwell-Perine House, the oldest standing building on Staten Island, received a $500,000 grant to pay for repairs. Its roof had been restored in 2013.
“In September 2025, the house received a $500,000 grant to pay for repairs.”
Source: Wikipedia
Further reading
- Billiou–Stillwell–Perine HouseWikipedia
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