Jackson Heights, Queens: The Lent-Riker-Smith Homestead

The Lent-Riker Homestead is located a footbridge away from Riker’s Island, which was once part of the Riker family estate.

The homestead was built in 1650’s as a modest farmhouse and is the oldest private home in the country. It has had only three owners: the Riker-Lent family, William Gooth, who was a personal secretary to the last Riker to own the house, and the Smiths, the current owners and occupants.

Gysbert Riker was descended from a prominent Dutch family. Two of his progenitors were knights during the Crusades. During the Dutch religious wars with Spain the family suffered and Gysbert and his son Abraham immigrated to New Amsterdam from Holland. They were given large tracts of land by Governors Kieft and Stuyvesant that included the area that are now LaGuardia Airport and Riker's Island.

Abraham Riker married Grietie Harmensen. She was the daughter of Hendrick Harmensen, a neighbor who forged tomahawks for the Natives. Legend has it that he was slain by his own tomahawks. Abraham and Grietie had 9 children; this marks the beginning of the prolific Riker line in America. In the late 1700’s many of the descendants moved westward to Kentucky.

The Smiths, who bought the house in 1980, have both restored and renovated the house making it a living piece of history while retaining its integrity as a historic landmark. They also maintain the large graveyard that has many Revolutionary War patriots. Among those buried here in the 132 graves are the Rikers, the Lents, the exiled Irish Catholic patriot, Dr. William J. MacNeven, who was married to Jane Riker. Also interred is Catherine Ann Tone, wife of Wolfe Tone, leader of the Irish revolt.

One of the oldest gravestone reads, "And in Memory of his grandsire Guysbert Riker, a native of Holland, who came to America in 1630, obtained a patent for his lands at Bowery, L.I., bearing date 1632".

The Smiths open their home to tours once a year in the fall, and visitors can see the original farmhouse with the eclectic renovation and the graveyard.