While photographing an adjacent headstone, the upside-down text on this one caught my eye. Located near the bottom of the headstone, it reads Dickerman Albany. This portion of the stone would've been most likely hidden by the earth when the stone stood upright.
A search of contemporary city directories shows that a stone-cutter by the name of Joel R. Dickerman had a shop at the corner of Westerlo and Green Streets. His home was at 208 Lydius Street (now a block of Madison Avenue occupied by the New York State Museum).
I've found little information about this Andrew Briare, except that other members of his family were in the confectionery business. In fact, a Mrs. Pearl S. Briare is listed as a confectioner at 124 Greene Street, just a few doors away from Dickerman's stone-cutting shop.
Andrew Briare was a member of the Briare family in Albany who made prize-winning confections. His father was Peter (Pierre) Briare who hailed from France and worked for the House of Bourbon and the Viceroy of Mexico.
ReplyDeleteIf you look further on that entry, you will see that Pearl is not a first name but is a reference to Pearl Street. Among other locations their business was located at 39 No. Pearl, various places on Green St, and on Broadway.
Also, may I ask where in the cemetery you found that? I have been unable to find it. Thanks.
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