Shelton Avenue Extension

New York, 1895

Testimony Taken as to the Value of Buildings and Land.

The Commissioners to appraise the value of the land to be taken for the opening of Shelton avenue west, met at the Surrogate's office in Jamaica on Wednesday, and heard the testimony of several witnesses. John J. McLaughlin explained his previous testimony as to the placing of the buildings on the Degrauw property on the map.

Thomas Clary testified as to the value of the buildings on the Judd farm. The woodhouse he valued at $62.50, and the wash-house at $75.00. Daniel Smith testified that the value of the wood-house was $202.00 and the wash-house $295.00. William Scott testified that the damage to the Degrauw property by the improvement would be $2,000.

David L. Hardenbrook valued the strip of land to be taken from Mr. Degrauw at $5,000. The Judd property was worth from $800 to $1,000 an acre for a country residence, and for farm land $2,000 an acre.

On cross examination, witness said that the land on the Judd farm was worth more in building lots than for any other purpose, and in that view the buildings on the property were of little consequence.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, Feb. 1, 1895, p. 1.