Papers of Bertrand G. Burtnett, 1818 - 1960

Summary

Abstract:
The papers of Bertrand G. Burtnett papers document primarily the history of Bronxville; the life of Bertrand G. Burtnett, including his several careers—as member of the New York State naval national guard, real estate contractor and broker, New York State assemblyman, member and president of the Bronxville Board of Education, business executive, political activist, Mason, member of several hereditary organizations, and Bronxville Village Historian and Eastchester Town Historian; and his family history and the hereditary organizations he belonged to.
Extent:
2.2 linear feet
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The collection includes correspondence, photographs, printed material, reports, newspaper clippings, historical articles, survey forms, memorandums, legal documents, programs, minutes and notes of meetings, speeches, scrapbooks, indentures, a travel journal, and other documents and is arranged in two series, a Subject File, and a Family History File. The Subject File combines material relating to the history of Bronxville and to Burtnett’s life and many careers. The Family History File includes material relating to the family history of Bertrand G. Burtnett and of his wife, Frances Lilly Burtnett, and to the hereditary organizations to which Burtnett belonged. Most of the photographs among Burnett’s papers were long ago transferred to the Bronxville History Center photograph collection. The Burtnett papers were given to the Bronxville Public Library sometimes after Burtnett’s death in late 1955. The collection was transferred to the newly organized Eastchester Historical Society in 1964, and was returned to the Bronxville Public Library, and to the custody of Bronxville Village Historian Jean Bartlett, in 1973. The library placed the collection in the Local History Room (now the Bronxville History Center), which is a department of the Village of Bronxville, in about 1981.

Biographical / historical:

1874, Nov. 10 Born, 339 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, New York. The great grandson of Alexander Masterton. 1896-1898 Served in the 1st Naval Battalion, N. Y., 3rd Division. 1899, Oct. 5 Married Frances Lock Lilly 1902 Ran for supervisor in Mount Vernon’s fourth ward 1907, May 5 Birth of daughter, Elizabeth c. 1912-1920 Building homes for sale in Bronxville. Probably lost this business during the recession of 1920-1921 c. 1913-1941 Active in the Progressive and Republican Parties 1913-1925 Served on the Bronxville Board of Education; was president of the board, c. 1922-1925 1916 Placed on the reserve list for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men by the adjutant general of the State of New York 1917 Appointed chairman of the 1917 Independence Day celebration by the president of the board of trustees, Village of Bronxville 1917 Appointed chief registrar of the Committee on Enrollment for Military Service in Westchester County c. 1917 -1918 Active in the Boy Scouts 1917 Employed by the Gramatan Coal and Supply Company 1917 President of the Union Corners Hose Company 1918 Member of the American Protective League 1917-1919 Member of the New York State Assembly for the district that included Bronxville c. 1917-1955 Active in the Masons 1918-? Employed as Assistant Superintendent for Buildings by the Y. M. C. A. 1919-1929 Lived at the Hillcrest Apartments, Bronxville c. 1928 Joined hereditary organizations including the General Society of the War of 1812, Saint Andrew’s Society, Saint Nicholas Society, the Sons of the Revolution, the Society of Colonial Wars. Withdrew from most of these organizations in 1933, citing personal financial difficulties. 1928-? Employed at J. C. Penney Co., New York City 1928-1933 Lived at Alden Place, Bronxville 1931-? President of Eastchester Court Corporation, owner of Meadow Court in Bronxville 1933-? Worked at Westchester First National Corp., White Plains c. 1934-1943 Lived at Meadow Court, Bronxville c. 1935-1943 Worked as a realtor, with partner Montgomery L. Hart, at Hart & Burtnett, Inc., 65 Pondfield Road; name changed to Burtnett and Associates in 1941 c. 1936-1940 Served as vice president and then president of the Bronxville Realty Board 1936-1955 Served as Bronxville Village Historian and Eastchester Town Historian 1938-1939 Provided advice regarding the subject of mural for the Bronxville Post Office to artist John Sloan 1944-1955 Lived at 96 Kraft Ave., Bronxville 1951, May Accompanied Bronxville School students on a field trip to the Old Marble Schoolhouse in Eastchester; spoke to the students about his student days at the schoolhouse 1952 Death of Frances Lilly Burtnett 1955, Nov. 20 Died, Bronxville

Access and use

Restrictions:

No restrictions on access.

Terms of access:

The collection is open for research by appointment at the Bronxville History Center, Bronxville Public Library, 201 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, NY 10708. Contact the village historian at geselbracht321@gmail.com.

Location of this collection:
201 Pondfield Rd. Bronxville
Bronxville, NY 10708, United States
Contact: