Henry Fowler, Signer of Eastchester Covenant, and His Descendants Are Subject of DAR Lecture October 24
Written by Susan Kathryn Hefti
Nov. 12, 2014: In honor of Eastchester's 350th anniversary celebration, the Anne Hutchinson-Bronxville Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution hosted an October 24 lecture at the Bronxville Public Library on the history of Eastchester's founding families.
DAR member Virginia Kathryn Hefti is a direct descendant of Henry Fowler, who was a signatory to the vaunted Eastchester Covenant. Town historian Richard Forliano built his lecture, "The Fowlers: A Living Legacy," around Hefti's ancestors, who, according to Forliano, remain arguably the most influential family in the history of the town.
Bringing to life the storied history of the Fowler family, the town historian shared with the audience the fact that, in addition to signing the Eastchester Covenant, an historic 17th-century document still held in the town archives, Henry Fowler and his descendants stood up to the tyranny of the British Crown long before the Declaration of Independence was ever written; served bravely in the American Revolution (Moses Fowler and Theodosius Fowler, et al.); served on the judiciary (e.g., Judge Caleb Fowler); and served as town supervisor for a cumulative twenty-four years.
Two other Fowler descendants, Susan Bartlett (DAR treasurer) and Pieter Jacques (husband of Edna Bolling Jacques, a descendent of Mary Hemings and a former DAR regent), were also introduced to the audience prior to the public lecture.
Pictured here: Front row (L to R): DAR Regent Valerie Fine Limekiller, Edna Bolling Jacques, and Virginia Kathryn Hefti; back row (L to R): Eastchester town historian Richard Forliano and Fowler descendant Pieter Jacques.
Photo courtesy the Anne Hutchinson-Bronxville Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
Government & History Directory
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
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