Exploring the Haunted History of John Copcutt Mansion

Located at 239 Nepperhan Avenue in Yonkers, the John Copcutt Mansion stands as a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that defined the late 19 ^th century in New York. As a titan of trade, John Copcutt's journey from a young immigrant to a leader in commerce demonstrates his perseverance during the city's early industrial years. Standing as a symbol of his success, John Copcutt Mansion is also well-known for its history of supernatural sightings.

From immigrants to industrialists

Born in Thame, Oxfordshire, England, on September 25, 1805, Copcutt and his family crossed the Atlantic when he was twelve-years-old. His father was an established merchant dealing in fine imported woods. He settled in New York City to do business with early entrepreneurs who had made fortunes in rail and shipping. Copcutt became immersed in his father's business and laid the foundation for his own future in trade.

In 1824, Copcutt first visited Yonkers when his father was on a business trip to a local mill. That exposure to seeing raw wood sawed by large machines and transformed into building materials ignited Copcutt's passion industry. Over the next several years, and under the guidance of his father, he distinguished himself with his business acumen, honesty, and expertise in exotic wood varieties. By age twenty, he had become one of the region's foremost dealers in mahogany.

Copcutt reached a turning point in his career when he established a mill in West Farms, the Bronx , in 1835. At his mill, exotic hardwoods were sawed into thin layers of veneer. Renowned for his ability to recognize quality with unmatched precision, his business grew quickly. But a devastating fire destroyed the mill and threatened to shutter his business altogether. Intending to expand his mill instead of replacing it, Copcutt committed to make a strategic investment in Yonkers.

A new home

In 1845, Copcutt purchased a tract of land along the Nepperhan River (modern-day Saw Mill River), where it converges with the Hudson. The location provided easy access by both steamer and rail. This allowed Copcutt to expand his business empire to include factories, retail shops, and modest rental cottages for his employees. His wealthy clientele were impressed by his ability to source exotic woods such as rosewood, bird's eye maple, and mahogany. His business grew into one of the largest buzz-saw mills specializing in veneers in the country.

John Copcutt's Mansion was a symbol of his success, standing five bays wide, two and a half stories tall, and featuring a three-story tower at the center. Constructed in 1854 and designed in the elaborate Italianate style, his home was a testament to his wealth and stature. Yet, despite his contributions to the town's development, Copcutt's abrasive demeanor and legal disputes with local authorities cast a shadow over his legacy. While his influence within the community was undeniable, his interactions with village trustees were often contentious.

When the village of Yonkers sought to extend Warburton Avenue in 1862, it annexed a section of one of Copcutt's mill ponds. Although receiving payment for the land, he sued the town for additional compensation and lost. Thirty years later, the trustees asked him to dismantle three of his remaining mill ponds due to cholera concerns. Copcutt refused. So, on a cold December evening in 1892, a mob of Yonkersites destroyed the dams at each of the tailings ponds.

After Copcutt passed away in 1895, Saint Casimir's Roman Catholic Parish purchased his mansion. It was used as a convent for more than fifty years. Then, they converted it into a rectory, as it stands today. But Copcutt's legacy extends beyond the grey stone walls of his mansion and his impact on industry in Yonkers. Stories of his ghost haunting the grounds of his mansion and grave have permeated local folklore, adding a layer of mystique to his story. Legends of his ghost walking around the property or standing beside his statue out front became popular only a few years after his death. In the early 1900s, after numerous reports of supernatural sightings, a group even armed themselves to protect the grounds.

In 1985, the John Copcutt mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places.