As a young boy, I grew up in West Sayville in the 50s, 60s and 70s
One of my favorite spots was an area around a pond. It was called “Clocks” pond by many. The streams and creeks that ran around the pond lead me on many adventures in search of tadpoles, turtles and snakes. However ,my best memories of Clocks pond were the winters.
I, as many kids my age, learned to skate and sled on Clocks pond.
And so as a kid I remember looking up the hill to the scary mansion. The Clock mansion -visions of Transylvania materialized in my head. A Dr. Frankenstein must have lived up there on the hill.
As I got older. I often wondered why this man, Mr. Clock, allowed so many kids and families like mine to skate and sled on his land.
I never knew or met Mr. Clock.
So here is what I found out about this very private man.
Born Roscoe Clinton Clock on November 8,1880. He was born into a family that spanned 7 American generations, settling in New York and New England. His 6th great grandfather Albertus Clock came from the Netherlands in 1695. Albertus’s son Johannes John Clock lived and died in Islip, New York till. 1746.
Roscoe had a large and rich American heritage. His father Dow Clock was born in 1859 in Sayville.
Dow was the LIRR station master and telegraph operator for many years in Sayville. Dow Clock eventually became the first cashier at the Oystermen’s National Bank, founded in 1899, with Isaac Green as its first president. Mr. Clock was also president of the Sayville School board for many years.
When understanding Roscoe Clock you have to realize his dad was the “MAN” in Sayville from 1899 to 1932. As a cashier of Oystermen’s Bank, his dad wasn’t what you think. He ran the bank. For many of his 30 years on the Sayville School board, he was president. Mr. Dow Clock was like a God in Sayville.
Roscoe had exceedingly large and impossible shoes to fill.
Roscoe attended Sayville Union schools and was reported to have graduated in 1894. Hard to confirm since he would have only been 14 and there are accounts of his regents state test scores published in 1899. The circumstances of his high school graduation date like many other facts in his life are hard to establish. I also found information that he attended Wesleyan University, but couldn’t verify the dates.
Roscoe, his dad and mother and four siblings lived on Main St. in Sayville from 1863 to 1943(accounts of actual dates vary).
In1905 Roscoe began his banking career at Washington Saving Bank in New York City.
It was then he married his wife, Anna Hamilton. The marriage seemed to be one of convenience, since they divorced. Anna gave birth to a daughter -Muriel K. Clock within 9 months. Anna and Muriel were never again in Roscoe’s life. It appeared they never existed. But I’m happy to report Muriel grew up an accomplished young woman attending both the Dominican Academy and then graduated from Marymount College. She then married and had children of her own.
By 1917 Roscoe had left the city and was employed by the First National bank of Islip. He worked his way up to head cashier and was an executive officer on its board of directors by 1923.
Sadly, some medical issue also arose in 1923 and it forced Roscoe to step down from his position.
Roscoe was back at work in banking by 1925 at the Oystermen’s bank, where he retired in 1947.
In 1943 Roscoe and his sister, Evelyn, moved into their home on Brook St. The Main St. home was rented, then sold in 1950. It’s still on Main St next to the old dinner, a Sushi restaurant now.
This Brook St home was originally called Brookside. It was designed and build by Isaac Green. The Green family had owned this land for many years. Issac’s father Samuel began the construction of the 100 acre family compound.
Samuel oversaw the construction of a variety of barns, a gatehouse, office, and other buildings. Samuel was also responsible for setting up the pond and stream system on the property. These water features were a part of grand home construction in this time frame of a rising American aristocracy. Sadly Samuel died and his son Isaac set about the design and construction of Brookside. In 1897, Isaac and his wife moved into the Tutor classic home. He added a carriage house and a windmill. In 1937 Isaac Green died and the house was sold to Roscoe Clock.
Mr. Clock and his sister lived there till both their deaths. Roscoe’s death in 1969 and his sister who died in the fire which destroyed the home in 1970.
Roscoe Clock was a private Sayville man. A mysterious man. There is a lot recorded about his life, but there is so much more I guess we’ll never know.
One thing is certain, even being in the shadow of his father, he lived a life with travel, education and business success. Hopefully, he knew love, we will never know.
Through the years he built upon his family’s legacy. He and his family added much to the town we call our hometown.
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