Richmond Valley Road is one of the nine oldest roads on Staten Island.  Its charter was issued by the Duke of New York in 1694.  Richmond Valley is one of the oldest communities on the South Shore.  A post office was established there in 1828.

The Cole-Disosway House, 4927 Arthur Kill Road

The Cole family settled on Staten Island in the Rossville area during the late 1700s.  The Woodrow Methodist Church, the oldest Methodist Episcopal church on Staten Island and one of the oldest in the country, was built on land given by Abram (Abraham) Cole (1736-1815).

Capt. Abraham Cole (1810-1876), a third generation descendant of Abram Cole, married Ann M. Disosway of Richmond Valley.  The Disosway family was among the first to settle on Staten Island in the 17th century.  In 1857, Capt. Cole, a retired oysterman, and his son Cornelius Disosway Cole established the Cole Lumber and Coal Co. at the end of Richmond Valley Road, making use of the mill built there by the Disosways in the late 18th century.

4927 Arthur Kill Road

By 1870, Abraham's son Cornelius had married Harriet Robinson of Tottenville, and they lived in the Cole family homestead at 4927 Arthur Kill Road with their two year old daughter.  Soon afterwards, Cornelius and Harriet purchased land nearby and built their own home overlooking Mill Creek.  This house, later known as 291 Richmond Valley Road, no longer stands.  The area surrounding the intersection of Richmond Valley Road and Arthur Kill Road was known as "Cole's Corners."

291 Richmond Valley Road, ca. 1940

We regret to report that despite support from numerous individuals and organizations, including the D.A.R., the Landmarks Preservation Commission declined to designate the historic Cole-Disosway House, 4927 Arthur Kill Rd., at its Public Meeting on March 24, 2009.  Its fate is uncertain.

What will become of the remaining houses of Richmond Valley?

4924 Arthur Kill Rd.

4934 Arthur Kill Rd.

249 Richmond Valley Rd.

4914 Arthur Kill Rd.