John Ferris Seaman1

M, b. 16 March 1801, d. 26 May 1872
FatherDr. Valentine Seaman b. 2 Mar 1770, d. 3 Jul 1817
MotherAnna Ferris b. 8 Dec 1771, d. 5 Nov 1854
     John was born on Monday, 16 March 1801 at the family home at 90 Beekman Street, City, County & State of New York. According to Quaker records, his name was changed from Walter to John Ferris. John married Ann Drake. John, possibly with the help of money that came to him in his marriage, bought a large section of land in the upper part of Manhattan, now known as Inwood, and lying between what is now 215th street and 217th street, a block away from Broadway. The property was on a hill and because of its unique location overlooked both the Hudson River and the East River. There are some accounts that link his brother, Valentine, to this purchase which was transacted in 1851. The records show that in 1855 John Ferris Seaman built a large mansion at the top of the hill, using marble that was native to that part of Manhattan. At the foot of the drive leading up to the house John had a large Arch built that was designed after the Arc de Triomphe in France. The plans for the home had come with John from Italy.2,3 18 August 1850, John and his wife, Ann, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in City, County & State of New York. Enumerated in this household were John F. Seaman [50 New York], his wife: Ann [50 New York], servants: Isabella Wilson [24 Ireland] & Sarah Parler [22 Ireland], & coachman: Thomas Gould [25 New Jersey].4 20 August 1860, John and his wife, Ann, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in City, County & State of New York. Enumerated in this household were John F. Seaman [60 New York-Gentleman], his wife: Ann [56 New York], servants: Mary J. Vandersee [11 New York], Jane Egberts [30 New York], Caroline Kelly [19 Ireland], & coachman: James Steward [26 New York]. The real estate was 100,000 & personal assets 100,000. The Post Office was Manhattanville.5 20 July 1870, John and his wife, Ann, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in City, County & State of New York. Enumerated in this household were John F. Seaman [69 New York], his wife: Ann [69 New York], domestics: Jane Lowrey [21 England], Sarah Rayhey [27 Ireland], & Gabela Wilson [40 Ireland], coachman: Rich Dickson [38 New York].6 John departed this life on Sunday, 26 May 1872 in City, County & State of New York, at his family home west of Kingsbridge Road & northeast of the Isham Estate.7

Family

Ann Drake b. c 1804, d. b 12 Mar 1878

Citations

  1. [S5] William Wade Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Volume III: page 282 - John Ferris Seamn [changed name from Walter], son of Dr. Valentine & Anna, born 3/22/1801, dismissed 5/--/1837.
  2. [S60] Seaman-Drake Arch, The Seaman-Drake Arch on Broadway and 215th Street may be regarded as one of the most unusual structures in northern Manhattan today. It continues to amaze passers-by and nonresidents who are not aware of its significance, history and age.
    The Seaman Family dates back to the colonial times when Captain John Seaman settled Long Island in what is now Hempstead. In 1653 Captain Seaman acquired 12,000 acres in the area.
    Among the Captain's descendants was Dr. Valentine Seaman, who with several colleagues, introduced the Smallpox vaccine to the United States in the early 1800s. The vaccine was developed in England by physician Edward Jenner in 1796. Since then, its introduction to the rest of the world started the control and eventual eradication of the disease.
    In 1851 the sons of Dr. Seaman, John and Valentine the younger, bought 25 acres of land between 214th and 218th Streets, and the Kingsbridge Road (now Broadway) north and west to the Spuyten Duyvil Creek. Their immediate neighbors to the south were the Dyckmans and the Ishams.
    alentine Seaman the younger built a house on top of a hill between what is now Park Terrace East and Park Terrace West. The house was used as a country residence for seasonal use. The original design of the house had a domed tower but was eventually changed to a square format.
    In 1855, the arch was constructed as a gateway to the hilltop estate. Its measurements were 35 feet high, 20 feet deep and 40 feet wide. Iron Pivots for a large gate still exist in the passageway. On the rear of the arch are windows suggesting that there may have been quarters for a gatekeeper.
    Sources indicate that the Seaman house and arch were constructed of local marble from a quarry on Broadway in what is known as Marble Hill. This vein of marble extends up to Tuckahoe, New York and was also used for the construction of Saint Patrick's Cathedral.
    James F. Seaman eventually became the principal occupant of the estate and married Ann Drake. In her will dated 1883, Mrs. Seaman bequeathed her part of the estate to her nephew Lawrence Drake. The extent of the occupancy of the Drake family could not be determined as to who was at the estate at what period of time.
    During this period, the Drakes designed a garden with shrubs, trees, charming walks and statues. The Suburban Riding and Driving Club occupied the estate in 1897. Lawrence Drake, an avid auto enthusiast, was a member of the club.
    In 1905 the estate was sold to Thomas Dwyer. Dwyer was a contractor who was involved with such projects as the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Riverside Drive and 90th Street and part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street.
    Over the next few years the appearance of the property started to change. In 1912 the first of a series of low brick buildings began to surround the archway, forming a kind of compound built by Dwyer. These became auto dealerships. In 1938 Dwyer sold the main house to developers. The only thing that remained of the old estate was the arch.
    Seaman Avenue was opened in 1908 and was named for Henry B. Seaman, a relative of the family. The Avenue runs north from Dyckman Street to 218th Street and runs parallel with the eastern border of Inwood Hill Park through Isham Park to the northern border of the old estate.
    In the 1960s, the area immediately surrounding the arch was occupied by the Jack Gallo Auto Repair shop, which has since changed ownership. In 1970 a fire in the arch left the stairs and plaster walls exposed and can be seen from the tops of the surrounding buildings and was never repaired. The marble facade is slowly decaying from age and exposure of the brick work to pollution and acid rain. Until it collapses or is razed, the Seaman-Drake Arch will act as a gateway to another era of the history of Inwood.
  3. [S61] Park Terrace Gardens

    , For nearly a century, the huge Seaman-Drake estate, constructed in 1855 by John Seaman, stood on the grounds now occupied by Park Terrace Gardens. Famous for its fanciful gate at the bottom of the hill, actually a scale model of the Arc de Triomphe, the home quickly earned the nickname “Seaman's Folly.”
    Walking though Park Terrace today it is easy to imagine the magnificent 19th century estate. While much has changed, the gardens, were, and remain, the soul of this hilltop property. This turn of the century description, written at a time when the mansion still retained the ornate cupolas survives:
    “West of the Kingsbridge Road (Broadway) and northeast of the Isham estate, is the magnificent Seaman-Drake estate. The property contains twenty-six acres, and was formerly owned by Valentine Seaman. Its large white marble entrance arch is said to have cost $30,000.
    The grounds are a specimen of old-time gardening, laid out in the Italian style with statutes, walks and driveways. Scattered about are small pieces of marble statuary on pedestals, representing Europa, Euterpe, and other classical characters. Where the walks lead down a slope there are marble steps, with figures of lions at the sides. The dwelling itself is of marble and has ampelopsis vines trailed over its south side. By those who live within sight of it, it is familiarly called 'the marble house.' This mansion is said to have cost $150,000.”
    But the good life couldn't last forever.
    In 1878, widow Ann Drake Seaman left the home and the rest of her two million dollar estate to her nephew Lawrence Drake. (As an interesting side note, 145 relatives contested her will) Lawrence Drake in turn sold the estate and by 1906 it was purchased and occupied by a prominent local builder named Thomas Dwyer. Dwyer lived in the home, and used the still surviving Seaman-Drake arch as his office and workshop.
  4. [S25] 1850 United States Federal Census, City, County & State of New York - 5th Ward, sheet 103, line 21.
  5. [S24] 1860 United States Federal Census, City, County & State of New York - Sheet 1093, line 37.
  6. [S22] 1870 United States Federal Census, City, County & State of New York - 12th Ward, Enum. Dist. 18, page 606a, line 7.
  7. [S39] Graveyard Inscriptions: St. Paul's Church, Eastchester, New York, John Ferris Seaman 18 March 1803-20 May 1872 son of Dr. Valentine Seaman, 2 April 1770-June 1817 m. 2 July 1794 Anna Ferris, grandson of Willet Seaman, m. Mary Searing, and James Ferris m. Anna Sands, ...