OF old new YORK
 

OLD MANSIONS OF THE WEST BRONX

By Randall Comfort

The Briggs Mansion

The startling plan to fill up the Harlem River in order
to make more space for the city's expansion, was never
fulfilled. It still ebbs and flows. Close to its shores, at
146th Street, rises the white and stately Briggs Mansion,
so styled after Captain Briggs, whose family for thirty-
five years made it their home.

Previous to this it was the residence of Captain Fran¬
cis, inventor of the metallic life-boat. A son of the
captain, visiting the old structure a quarter of a century
ago, told the interesting tale how Queen Victoria offered
his father knighthood in recognition of his services to
the world. As a true American, the Captain refused.
Later, he received a medal expressing the thanks of the
American Congress.

The fine old mansion stands forth a striking landmark
to all, far and near. Its roof is of similar material and
made in the same manner as the life-saving boats. The
old nails used in its construction are all hand-wrought.
Down in the basement, the ancient Dutch oven is still
very much in existence.

Last but not least, the old fence still remains on the
south side which was designed and studied out with
mathematical exactness by Captain Francis himself.
 

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