1881; 1922

Brooklyn: 63rd Street (East) - Avenue U

(1) East 63rd Street, east side, between Ave. U, and Strickland Ave., showing the Schenck-Crooke house, which was also known as the Jan Martense Schenck house. The land was at one time known as Mill Island; probably named because of a mill that was built by Elbert Elbertsen Stoothoff about 1664. He sold in 1675 (not 1657) a half interest in the mill and island to Jan Martense Schenck. Bergen states: "The Schenck family built the house", and he gave the purchase year as 1657; hence, it is believed that the house was built about that year. If the Schencks built the house, it would date after 1675. Jan Martense evidently acquired title to the entire island, and mill as he devised both to his son Martin Janse Schenck by his will of 1688 9. This property was sold in 1785 by the heirs of John Schenck to Mrs. Susan Caton, a daughter of Joris Martense. Margaret, a daughter of Mrs. Susan Caton married general Philip Crooke. This mill became known as Crooke's mill and was demolished prior to 1881. The house still stands in 1929. 1922. Eugene L. Armbruster Collection. (2) A view of the front of the house. 1922. Eugene L. Armbruster Collection. (3) The same, showing the rear, viewed westward. 1922. Eugene L. Armbruster Collection. (4) The same, viewed northwestward. 1922. Eugene L. Armbruster Collection.

Photo from the New York Public Library - Milstein Collection