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Historic Pelham Blog Archive
February 9, 2006
350TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
BOOK: "THOMAS PELL
AND THE LEGEND OF THE PELL TREATY OAK" -- $11.95 (PROCEEDS AFTER
PRINTING COSTS WILL GO TO
BARTOW-PELL MANSION MUSEUM).
CLICK HERE TO BROWSE BEFORE YOU BUY!
LEARN MORE.
Thursday, February 9, 2006
Cortlandt W. Starr of Black Starr & Frost
During the 1880s two of the three principal
partners of the internationally renowned jewelry firm Black, Starr &
Frost lived in Pelham Manor: Robert C. Black and Cortlandt W. Starr.
Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting will provide a little information
about Cortlandt W. Starr, known affectionately during his life as
"Colonel".
Cortlandt Starr was born in Sag Harbor, Long Island in 1832. At about
the age of 18 he moved to New York City and got a job as a clerk with
the jewelry firm then known as Ball, Black & Co. By then, the firm
already had a long and illustrious history in New York City. It traced
its origins to a jewelry firm started by Isaac Marquand in 1810 known as
Marquand & Company.
Over the years, the firm evolved as new partnerships developed.
According to a brief history of the firm, "[b]y 1860, Ball, Black &
Company was the most famous jewelry store in New York City, designing
for royal families and dignitaries in both Europe and the United
States".
Mr. Starr's work as a clerk was interrupted briefly in 1863 during the
Civil War. He joined the Thirty-Seventh Regiment as an officer for a few
months' service. He reportedly was present in Carlisle, Pennsylvania on
July 1, 1863. That day Confederate Troops were converging on the little
village of Gettysburg for what became a seminal battle of the War. In
Carlisle that day, Confederate Troops led by Major General J. E. B.
Stuart's Cavalry shelled downtown Carlisle. After his brief military
service, the "Colonel" returned to his position as a clerk with Ball,
Black & Co.
According to one source, Ball, Black & Co. "went out of business" in
1876. See Obituary Notes, N.Y. Times, Oct. 2, 1888, p.
2. That same year, Robert C. Black, Cortlandt W. Starr and Aaron Frost
formed a partnership named "Black Starr & Frost". See id.
During the 1870s, Robert C. Black moved to Pelham Manor and, although it
is not clear exactly when, his partner, Cortlandt Starr, seems to have
followed within the next few years. Messrs. Black and Starr were
significant members and important leaders in the Pelham Manor Protective
Club, a precursor to organized the Village Government that developed
upon incorporation of the Village of Pelham Manor in 1891.
The "Colonel" died suddenly on Sunday, September 30,
1888 in his home. According to his obituary, he died "of congestion of the
lungs" and left a widow and three children.
Please Visit the
Historic Pelham
Web Site
Located at
http://www.historicpelham.com/
Click here to see a
single index of all Historic Pelham Blog Postings to date.
posted by Blake A. Bell @
4:49 AM
Comment
Click Here To View the Actual Blog
Posting for February 9, 2006.
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