Hendrick Onderdonk (born in New York City 1724) came to live in the hamlet of Roslyn in 1752. He began his business career as owner of a local country general store, and his political career as Overseer of Highways (which consisted of mainly a series of dirt roads) for the Town of Hempstead. His involvement in business and public service expanded within a few years. Soon Onderdonk was owner of a grist mill and bake house, both of which produced grain for local use and for export to the West Indies. In 1769, he was elected Supervisor of the Town. Four years later, Mr. Onderdonk became interested in manufacturing paper and built a paper mill. The mill began making paper in 1773, a most fortunate time in our history! The Onderdonk mill made good paper, as was evidenced by copies extant the Laws of New York Province, William Tryon, Governor, printed in 1774 on paper with the Onderdonk watermark. The operation was so successful and because of the shortage of paper and the extravagant prices from England, he almost immediately began building a second mill, adjoining the first. This he did despite the fact that manufacturing was prohibited in the Colonies at the time by the British Monarch. Manufacturing was mostly restricted to England who could then sell their goods to the Colonists at a great increase in profit. To say the least the Colonists didn't like this.

Local legend has it that at the time of the American Revolution, Onderdonk (a rebel sympathizer) risked his life in smuggling secret messages out of his paper mill to West Point. This was particularly important to George Washington after the disastrous defeat of the Continental Army in the Battle of Long Island. The messages about what the British were doing on Long Island were hidden between stacks of paper. (Many further believe that Onderdonk was a member of the spy ring that George Washington had operating on Long Island--one of its members being Nathan Hale).

Nevertheless, on the morning of April 24th in 1790, Onderdonk and his family received notice that General George Washington would be visiting that very day. A historian wrote the following: "In 1790 when Mr. Onderdonk had now become a wealthy man and lived in corresponding style, word was suddenly brought him early on the morning of April 24th that General George Washington, who was making a tour of the Island, would soon be along to take breakfast with him. The family was already seated at the table and had roasted clams. The women were so startled at the announcement that they sprang up from their seats and in their haste swept off the shells, saucers and cups in an indiscriminate mess into their aprons and soon cleaned off the table for a more formal repast of the President of the United States."

Washington recorded the visit to Roslyn in his journal. He wrote:"Saturday 24th--Left Mr. Young's before seven o'clock and passing Musketoe Cove (now Glen Cove) breakfasted at Mr. Onderdonk's (sic) where we were kindly received and well entertained. This gentleman works a gristmill and two paper mills, the last of which he seems to carry on with spirit and to profit."

According to local legend, the President dipped a mould and deckle into the vat and made a sheet of paper.  He was quite delighted by what he had created.

The years following Washington's visit were difficult. Long Island had been occupied by British and Hessian troops after the defeat of the Americans at the battle of Long Island. Ememy soldiers were quartered at Onderdonk's home for a time. At other times, the home was attacked by whale boat-men from across the sound, and by deserters from the British and American forces.

Decades later, another man brought more attention to the house. In 1872, Daniel Bogart received a degree in medicine and opened an office in his home. Even though the town had grown considerably, for a number of years, Dr. Bogart was Roslyn's only practicing physician.

Today, much of the original house stands intact, although through the centuries some of the structure had been altered to resemble the Federal style popular on Long Island. You will find, however, that once inside the George Washington Manor the atmosphere is still very much what one would experience in a fine colonial inn - or home worthy of a visit from the father of our country.

GW, formerly George Washington Manor, is presently owned and operated by Poll Hospitality Group.