HICKS FARM
The Hicks farmhouse at 33 Union Avenue was a simple, 2-story wood-frame farmhouse on 6 acres. It was built in 1834 by the DeBaun family and was doubled in size in the 19th century with an addition that was very noticeable to the eye. Victorian bargeboard decoration along the eaves was a later addition. More recently, the house sagged and the raw wood shingles were unpainted. It was close to the road and had a small porch landing facing the street, upper windows visible behind the overgrowth, and a green asphalt roof. The house never had electricity. Water was pumped from a well just off to the side - even into the 1980s. A grape arbor protected the well area.
Charles Follen Hicks, who bought the home in 1906, was born in 1867 in Castleton, Staten Island to a Civil War veteran and successful paper manufacturer, George Frost Hicks. His mother was a descendent of John Proctor - victim of the Salem witch hunt. His family was prominent in the lead industry on Staten Island. Charles, like his brothers, attended Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. Charles’ wife, Eva Jewett Curtis, was born in Geneva, Switzerland in 1872 while her parents were living there. Eva’s father was a businessman and died in Switzerland the year after her birth. After his death Eva’s mother sent her to Passaic, NJ to live with her grandmother.
Charles Hicks and Eva Curtis married in 1900 on Staten Island and their only child, Ruth, was born on January 1, 1903. Charles had health problems and sought a country setting with fresh air. Eva, Charles and Ruth moved to their new home at 33 Union Avenue on October 2, 1906 and became poultry farmers. It was originally very isolated. There was only one other house on the entire length of Union at the time.
Charles died in 1921 and Eva in 1950. Their daughter, Ruth, kept the farm going. Ruth was adored by her neighbors and friends, who helped bring her groceries and sundries when she was elderly. She was deaf from rheumatic fever as a teenager and was largely vision impaired, but drove a car until she was 80. In her later years she learned to count her steps and held a ping pong paddle with the word ‘stop’ on it to cross the street to visit neighbors.
Ruth passed away in 1989 and the home was demolished and replaced with Spruce Hollow Road, a luxury development.
This photo was taken in 1989 by Lori Geiger and shows the side porch of the Hicks house with the door to the cellar to the right. The original clapboard was covered in cedar shingles.
Ruth hicks by the well
This photo was taken in 1906 from the porch of the Hicks house looking south onto the property. The well is at right with a bucket on the pulley. The home never had running water. A grape arbor is overhead.
Ruth in the driveway
This photo was taken the same day as the image above, in 1906, shortly after moving to Upper Saddle River. Ruth is standing in the driveway facing Union Avenue. The barn is visible behind the house.
RUTH HICKS c. 1908
This photo was taken of Ruth Hicks while she was on Staten Island, likely visiting her grandmother.
FRONT FACADE
This view is from Union Avenue looking west to the front facade of the home. It still retained its original white clapboard and the addition can be clearly seen at left. The right portion was a simple, Federal style home.
Ruth’s Egg table
This weathered table was set up alongside Ruth’s home. She sold eggs from it and customers left their payment in a jar on the table. It now belongs to Ruth’s long-time neighbor and friend.
HIcks house from union
This image, taken around 1905-1910, is looking NW on Union Avenue. The side entrance and well can be seen at left. The original clapboard is still visible.
Ruth hicks’ toy
This adorable tin toy kitchen cabinet and miniature bread making tools were owned by Ruth Hicks as a child and were likely a gift from her grandmother.
Ruth hicks c. 1907
This image was taken the year Ruth and her parents moved to Upper Saddle River. It might have been taken to send to her grandmother.
Ruth’s toy teapot
This teapot is part of an enameled tin toy set that Ruth was given as a child. It can be seen in the wonderful studio photograph seen below that was taken of her in 1905 on Staten Island.
Ruth hicks c. 1905
This cabinet photo was taken in New Brighten, Staten Island, near Ruth’s grandmother’s house. It was taken about 1905 and the enameled tin tea set, a portion of which is seen in the above photo, is now in the possession of Ruth’s long-time neighbor and friend. We are so fortunate that they survived.
Ruth, center, decorates the Methodist church for Christmas with her friend Jennie Osborne at left. This photo likely dates to the late 1960s.
Ruth in the 1980s
This lovely photo was taken by a neighbor (a child named Faith) of Ruth’s in the 1980s, who wrote her a letter. Ruth was legally blind at this point.