Willet Titus was born in 1827 and lived until 1911. In 1858 he married Phebe Witson who was born in 1841 and died in 1910. Willett Titus had been in the sheet metal and stove business since at least as early as 1850 as he advertised in the Roslyn Plaindealer during 1850, the paper's first year. His advertisement in the July 12th issue indicates he had a warehouse at Mott & Kirby's Dock (beneath the present overpass on the east side of Hempstead Harbor) and that the public were "respectfully invited to examine a select assortment of tin and japanned wares". He also offered "a complete assortment of stoves, both parlor and cooking". In addition, he offered that "rags , old iron, copper, brass, pewter, etc." were all accepted in exchange.

Neither his house nor his warehouse are indicated on the Walling Map (1859), which suggests that the warehouse at Mott & Kirby's Dock was rented. The Beers-Comstock Map (1873) shows both the house and his store, at the corner of Old Northern Boulevard and Skillman Street, on the site of the present Sixth Precinct, Nassau County Police.

It is reasonable to conjecture the house was built in 1858, the year of his marriage. A building built in that year would probably not have been included on the 1859 Walling Map. By that year he was 31 years old and had been in his own business for at least eight years, possibly longer. It is quite likely he may have had the funds to build a house in keeping with his position as a prominent merchant and a pioneer in the new heating industry. His house was intended to surpass the homes of other local business and professional men, and he probably was successful in this effort. Most of the other houses were either smaller or more old-fashioned. It was not until William M . Valentine enlarged his house, shortly after the Civil War, that a local merchant had a more imposing residence. The Landmark Society Collection includes excellent photographs of both the house and the store as they appeared circa 1875.

Willet and Phebe Titus had two daughters, Ada and Agnes . Ada Titus married Charles Conklin, who was associated with the Roslyn Savings Bank. Agnes Titus married Edward L. Falger and ultimately inherited her parents' home. Sometime during the early years of the present century Mr. Falger moved his plumbing and heating business into part of the house and made certain alterations to accommodate them. The precise year of this move is not known. Willet Titus advertised in the Roslyn News as late as 1902, perhaps later. The Landmark Society owns Edward Falger' s Certificate of Registration as a Master Plumber, issued by the Ne w York City Health Department in 1904, although he had been practicing his trade for many years prior to that date.

While Willet Titus did not die until 1911 . He was incapacitated as a result of an injury for several years before his death and the Falger alterations preceeded it by several years. In any event, they appear to have been made in 1904 as some of the shingles recently removed bear that date. These alterations consisted of substantial changes to the porches, conversion of the basement dining room into a workshop, conversion of the back parlor into a dining room, and the construction of a wing on street level to provide a kitchen. The addition of this new 2-storey wing necessitated demolition of the original back porch which extended across the west facade. Bathrooms probably were installed at the same time, and the entire house shingled over the original clapboard. In addition, a two-storey workshop, with garage or carriage space, was built in the rear. Central heating and electricity probably were installed at this time. Apart from these few changes, the house survived in virtually original condition and retains its original floors, doors, hinges, and porcelain knobbed door and window hardware.

The Falgers continued to reside in this house until 1957. When Mrs . Falger became ill her sister, Ada Titus Conklin, returned to the house to care for her. After her death Ada Conklin stayed on as housekeeper to Mr. Falger who died intestate on September 6 , 1957, at the age of 80. For many years the wing was rented as a separate apartment. Dr. Everett C . Jessup, a well-known Roslyn internist, had his first office there. The wing continued to be occupied as a residence until the early 1960's.

The Willet Titus House was purchased by the County of Nassau in 1962, with the intention of demolishing it to provide parking space for the 6th Precinct building, next door. At that time the Landmark Society attempted to convince the County to restore the house for needed Precinct office space and to use the rear only for parking. In addition, the Society offered to defray the costs of an architectural survey to establish that restoration for use was practical and feasible. The society was unsuccessful in its effort for restoration but did convince the County to defer demolition.

Establishment of a Roslyn Village Parking Area, nearby, removed the need for a special parking area for policemen. Shortly thereafter the County Police Department decided to relocate the 6th Precinct Headquarters in a more central location and the Titus House became excess property. Negotiations between the County and Roslyn Preservation Corporation led to the purchase of the Titus House by that group early in 1969. The purchasers were required to guarantee appropriate restoration of the house and to provide for its proper maintenance for a specified number of years.

Shortly after its purchase by the Roslyn Preservation Corp., it was sold to Bess Roistacher Interiors under the provisions of the carefully covenanted deed, by the terms of which the Roslyn Preservation Corporation retained architectural control of the restoration. The deed also specified that the early 20th century shingles be removed; that the enlarged front (east) porch of the wing be reduced to its original dimensions and that both front porches be restored to their original configurations. Architect Guy Frost's plan for the restoration of the porches is appended to this chapter. The deed also provided for the removal of the badly decayed, early 20th century (west) porchesand for the careful restoration of the front and rear parlors and hall of the street (second) storey of the main block of the house.

All the aforementioned exterior work, as well as the rebuilding of the early 20th century west wing, was accomplished by the Roistachers who also refurbished and operated an antique shop in the early 20th century carriage house. However, they failed to undertake badly needed ma}or structural restorations or to provide the house with utilities. Most important of all, they failed to resolve the problem of surface seepage which had converted much of the ground into a bog. In 1971 the Roistachers sold the house to William Friedle, the present owner, a sculptor. Since his purchase, Mr. Friedle has virtually completed the restoration project.

The Willet Titus house was exhibited in the 1969 Landmark Society house tour, at which time its restoration procedure had barely begun. In all probability, its restoration will be completed in time for the 1972 tour. The Roslyn Landmark Society may take much pride in this accomplishment as without its active intercession the house would not have survived to be restored.

1882 advertising card for the Garland Oil Stove sold at the nearby Willet Titus Store at 1489 Old Northern Boulevard.. Courtesy of Howard Kroplick.

The Willet Titus General Store was adjacent to their residence. Circa 1900.

Photo by Roslyn photographer Ray Jacobs. Circa 1990.