Program

Legends & Lore®

Subject

Folklore, Legend

Location

79 Arthur Kill Rd, Staten Island, NY 10306, USA

Lat/Long

40.57138280114, -74.147432697848

Grant Recipient

Staten Island Historical Society

In 1776, the Van Pelt Family lived in this house, now known as the Voorlezer House. At the time, Staten Island was occupied by British forces, and local residents were compelled to provide food and shelter for soldiers, including Hessian mercenaries. A Hessian soldier named Ernest, a drummer, was housed with the Van Pelt family, where he formed a bond with one of the young Van Pelt daughters, ‘Pretty’, who was about 4-5 years old.

The legend says that Ernest would tap his drum, and Pretty would dance by the fireplace. In 1776, Pretty fell ill from fever and Ernest said to the family said, “Pretty will die, and I will be buried with her.” Shortly after, Ernest was called to fight and Pretty died while he was gone. When the morning dawned, Ernst was found dead by the roadside, shot through the heart. They bore them across the road to the family burying ground and laid them side by side.

Over the years, people claim to hear drum beats or see an image of a young girl playing by the tombstone. In recent years, there have been reports of candles blown out, footsteps above in the house, and knocking at the front door with no one outside.