The Edward M. Fetherstone House - 157 East 80th Street

 

The family who occupied the house at 157 East 80th Street in 1873 made it clear in their advertisement in the New-York Daily Tribune that they were not running a boarding house.  "157 East 80th-St.., between Lexington and 3d Aves.--Well-furnished ROOMS, suitable for single gentlemen or gentlemen and their wives, with or without breakfast; family private; references."  Taking in a boarder or roomer was common, even among affluent families.  This ad spelled out that the prospective renters would be finding their main meals elsewhere.

The family's residence was one of a newly-built row of identical, three-story and basement homes.  Sixteen-feet-wide, their neo-Grec design was on the cutting edge of domestic taste.  The unusual entrance exhibited expected elements of the design--grooved pilasters that simulated fluting and incised lintel carving.  The brackets that upheld the molded cornice, however, were striking.  Three tiers of carved leaves, like breaking waves, made the decoration stand apart from the commonplace.  The upper windows sat within architrave frames and wore crisp molded cornices.  Faceted bosses sat between the brackets of the terminal cornice.

The house was rented furnished in the fall of 1885.  The ad on October 2, read: "The handsome three story brown stone house No. 157 East 80th st.; heavy cabinet trimmed; well furnished; rent low to a good tenant."  Four years later, in August 1889, the owner considered selling.  "For sale or to let--157 East 80th St.  A beautiful three story brown stone House, newly decorated; will be let with carpets, shades and many articles of furniture."

Frances L. Boynton purchased the house and leased it to G. H. Chappel.  Like their neighbors, the Chappels maintained a small staff.  The family's financial status--comfortable but not wealthy--was reflected in an advertisement in the New York Herald on January 9, 1891.  "Wanted--A chambermaid and waitress who can also sew."  In a more affluent household, three servants would have filled those positions.

In May 1894, Frances Boyton sold 157 East 80th Street to Albert Freund.  The Freunds advertised for a maid in November 1898.  "Housework--Wanted neat girl, about 16, for light upstairs work."

Like their predecessors, the Freunds' residency was not especially long.  They sold the house to Edward M. Fetherstone in 1901 and, finally, the residence had a long-term occupant.

The Fetherstones maintained a 13-acre country home in Farmingdale, Long Island.  The house had an "all around porch" and seven rooms.  The estate operated as a working farm, and, according to a description in 1921, had an orchard, cultivated land, and "new barn and chicken house."

Two decades after purchasing 157 East 80th Street, it appears the Fetherstones left New York.  The family's groom was looking for a new position in May 1921, noting he was "single, 35" and "good rider."  The Fetherstones advertised their Long Island property for sale that year and disappeared from the Manhattan directories.

By 1927, the basement level had been converted for business purposes, home to Charles Welsh's catering company.  It remained through 1931, after which the space was remodeled as the George Washington Club, an Irish-American social group.  

Painters were working on the stoop railings when this 1941 photograph was snapped.  via the NYC Dept of Records & Information Services.

Following the death of 84-year-old John Higgins, the father of club member Michael J. Higgins, in 1932, a meeting was held here.  On October 29, The Advocate reported on the "special meeting of the George Washington Club, New York Clan-na-Gael" on October 7.  In florid terms, the club resolved to send "heartfelt sympathies" to the family, explaining "This irreparable loss has brought much suffering and anguish to Brother Higgins, who has been a staunch, consistent and inspiring member of this club for several years, and has never faltered in his fealty in Ireland and America."

Two decades later, in January 1951, Sebastian Vonderbank purchased the house and converted the upper floors to two residences and installed a commercial space in the basement.  A subsequent renovation in 1959 by Dr. Harrison P. Eddy returned the upper floors to a single-family home with the doctor's office in the basement.   

In 1993, Dr. Lawrence Bryskin and his family moved in.  Like Eddy, he operated his practice from the basement office.  Amazingly intact, the former Fetherstone house remains a single-family home with a "home occupant" office in the basement level.

photograph by the author