Some years ago, we happened upon a folder which had a penciled handwritten note on it that said “Uncle Elmer’s House”. In it were a number of photographs – most seem to be from a prospectus for a planned estate sale. We researched what was within and determined that this folder documented the Presentation of Sale of the late Elmer T. Butler’s estate, including Butler Manor, on Staten Island which occurred during the 1940’s.
Elmer Butler died on July 2, 1940. His obituary follows:
ELMER T. BUTLER
Elmer T. Butler, retired farmer and miner, died yesterday afternoon
of a heart attack at his home on Hylan Boulevard, Tottenville,
S.I., after an illness of several days. He was in his ninety-third
year. Born on Staten Island, Mr. Butler at the age of 17 left school
to work on his father’s farm. He succeeded his father at the latter’s
death. In 1876 Mr. Butler gave up farming and for five years had a
stationery store at 168 Reade Street, Manhattan. Later he was
associated with Hofford & Sons, grocers, at 56 Cedar Street. For
twenty years, beginning in 1888, he engaged in silver mining at Austin,
Col. He was the oldest member of the Veterans Association of
the Old Seventh Regiment, New York State National Guard, and a
member of’ the Bankers Club of New York. There are no near relatives
surviving.
Here are many of the items found in this folder:
The folder itself with the handwritten note “Uncle Elmer’s House”:
Front Cover of the Prospectus:
Property Layout:
Butler Manor Floorplan:
Butler Manor (the second residence to be on this site, built 1908):
Terrace View, Butler Manor:
Dining Room:
Living Room:
The Study:
Butler Manor Side Entrance:
View From Butler Manor Terrace:
Front of Residence:
Layout of Property in 1940:
The Guest Cottage:
The Stable & Garage:
Price reduced for Quick Sale! (can you image all this for only $125,000?):
Perhaps the sweetest find of all is this old matted photograph from the early 1900’s showing the Butler Residence, Boathouse & Bathhouse. You can see in the distance the steeple of Mount Loretto.
