A History of Watson House

James Watson, the first owner of the property at 7 State Street. Courtesy the New York Public Library.

The property that eventually became the Mission was first owned by James Watson, a wealthy New York businessman and member of Congress. He built a house at Number 6 State Street, and owned the empty lot next door at Number 7. Watson lived in the house until 1805, when he sold it to Moses Rogers. Rogers built a house at 7 State Street, and only a year later, in 1806, sold the property at 6 State Street, while continuing to live at Number 7. Rogers was an abolitionist, and a prominent New York City merchant with a sugar refining business.

In 1825, after Rogers’ death, his heirs sold the property to Robert Getty, the first mayor of Yonkers, who then sold it to Isabella Wallace in 1869. Wallace was responsible for the sale of the property to the Mission’s first director, Rev. John J. Riordan on December 4, 1885, for $70,000. Although Riordan purchased the property in his own name, he transferred ownership to the Mission after the purchase.

7 and 8 State Street in 1891.

In 1825, after Rogers’ death, his heirs sold the property to Robert Getty, the first mayor of Yonkers, who then sold it to Isabella Wallace in 1869. Wallace was responsible for the sale of the property to the Mission’s first director, Rev. John J. Riordan on December 4, 1885, for $70,000. Although Riordan purchased the property in his own name, he transferred ownership to the Mission after the purchase.

When Riordan first purchased the property, he had planned to tear down the building and build a different structure when he had raised the funds, but died before this happened. His plan was for a four story building, and on the roof would be a tower with a cross so it would be visible. By the time Riordan died on December 15, 1887, he had paid off $10,000 of the mortgage. Future priests made various repairs and renovations to the building, but it was never replaced entirely.