Anderson and Nostrand families papers and photographs
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
This collection dates from 1844 to 1914 and documents three generations of the Nostrand and Anderson families through photographs, documents, and ephemera.
Biographical note
Lewis Nostrand Anderson (1872-1939) was born in Brooklyn and lived in the Williamsburg neighborhood. He was the son of Samuel Cowdrey Anderson (1849-1908) and the grandson of Peter and Maria Anderson. Peter Anderson was born in New York City and Maria Anderson (nee Nelson) was from Williamsburg. They married on December 20, 1847, moved to Brooklyn circa 1850, and lived on Boerum Street between Broadway and Bushwick Avenue in Williamsburg. Lewis Nostrand Anderson was also the grandson of Lewis Pease Nostrand (1823-1900; born George Lewis Pease Nostrand), a businessman and resident of the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood.
Lewis Nostrand Anderson graduated from Columbia College (now Columbia University) with an M.D. in 1895. He married Laura Chapman and they had (at least) one child, Lewis Nostrand Anderson, Jr. (b. 1904), who also attended Columbia University and graduated in 1926. In 1928, Lewis Nostrand Anderson, Jr. then attended Columbia University School of Architecture and became a landscape architect. He began working for the City of New York in 1934, where he served for many years.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into four series:
Series 1: Photographs, circa 1880
Series 2: Lewis Pease Nostrand memoir, 1897
Series 3: Peter and Maria Anderson papers, 1844 to 1863
Series 4: Miscellaneous family papers, circa 1879 to 1914
Scope and Contents
The Anderson and Nostrand families papers and photographs date from 1844 to 1914 and measure 0.5 linear feet. The collection documents three generations of the Nostrand and Anderson families and includes photographs, tax receipts, a marriage certificate, a wedding invitation, a menu from a caterer, a membership certificate, a diary, and a handwritten memoir.
Subjects
Families
Genres
People
Topics
Places
Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
The items in this collection are in the public domain. While many items at the Center for Brooklyn History are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright, licensing and trademarks. The researcher assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Anderson and Nostrand families papers and photographs, ARC.199, Box number, Folder number (if applicable), Object ID number (if applicable); Center for Brooklyn History, Brooklyn Public Library.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Lewis Nostrand Anderson, Jr., 1960 and 1965.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
If digital surrogates exist, they should be used in place of the originals whenever possible.
Other Finding Aids
Item level description and digital versions of images from the collection are available for searching via the image database in the library. Please consult library staff for more information.
About this Guide
Processing Information note
Minimally processed to the series level, except the photographs which have been fully processed to the item level. The collection was processed by Patricia Glowinski in April 2011. The finding aid was slightly revised by John Zarrillo in May 2016 and again by Diana Bowers in 2023.
This collection combines the accessions V1974.011, 1973.261, and 1977.547, as well as one item from 1977.348.
Sponsor Note
Repository
View Inventory
Series 1: Photographs, circa 1880
Language of Materials
Extent
Scope and Contents
This series consists of 47 items including 36 black-and-white glass plate negatives, 10 black-and-white photographic prints (reproduced from the glass plate negatives), and one postcard. The collection documents the Anderson family and their family home that was located at 149 Taylor Street in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. Included in the collection are numerous photographs showing Lewis Nostrand Anderson, as well as informal group portraits. The home at 149 Taylor Street is well-documented in the collection and includes both front and back views of the house. Views of the Prospect Park lawn tennis courts, as well as images of Lewis Nostrand Anderson, his cousin Albert Wade, Helen Brown, and others in lawn tennis attire are also represented in the collection. The collection also documents Anderson family holidays spent in Sea Cliff, Long Island, N.Y. and in Watkins Glen, N.Y. This series is entirely comprised of the accession V1974.011.
Series 2: Lewis Pease Nostrand memoir, 1897, inclusive
Language of Materials
Extent
Scope and Contents
This series consists of a handwritten memoir of Lewis Pease Nostrand. Written in 1897 when he was 74 years old, the memoir provides reminiscences of his life including descriptions of Brooklyn before it was incorporated into New York City; his Brooklyn Heights neighborhood as experienced as a child; the loss of his father when he was seven years old; his church affiliations and attendance; and how he rose from errand boy to a partner in the cork importing business, Truslow & Nostrand. Nostrand's memoir also includes reminiscences of his marriage and family life including the day he purchased the family home located at 149 Taylor Street in Williamsburg. The memoir is dedicated to his three daughters Heattie, Millie, and Minnie. The series also includes a six-page partial transcription of the 69-page memoir.
Series 3: Peter and Maria Anderson papers, 1844-1863, inclusive
Language of Materials
Scope and Contents
This series consists of tax records, dating from 1844 to 1863, pertaining to real estate located on Boerum Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The tax records name Peter Anderson, Maria Anderson, and Daniel Fish. The series also contains the marriage certificate of Peter and Maria Anderson, issued in 1855, though they were married on December 20, 1847.
Series 4: Miscellaneous family papers, circa 1879 to 1914, inclusive
Language of Materials
Scope and Contents
This series contains a wedding announcement addressed to Lewis P. Nostrand for the wedding of Rev. William H. Hoag and Millie A. Nostrand, 1879; a membership receipt to the Hanover Club in Brooklyn for Dr. Lewis N. Anderson, 1914; and a handwritten menu and cost estimate from Kiefer Caterer, located at 1074 Fulton Street in Brooklyn, to Dr. Lewis Anderson, undated.
