History of Van Aken Homestead in Parkston, Town of Rockland, Sullivan County NY |
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| Date | Owners | Description / Comment |
| Chief Nanismos | of the Lenni-Lenapes, a branch of the Delaware Indian tribes | |
| 1707 | Major Johannes Hardenburgh | A merchant of Kingston, Ulster Co., purchased from the Indians for the sum of 60 pounds "the immense tract of land now known as the Hardenburgh Patent," which includes all of what is now known as Sullivan Co. and parts of Delaware and Ulster Counties. |
| 20 Apr 1708 | Major Johannes Hardenburgh six associates August Graham |
The patent was officially granted to Hardenburgh and six associates. By a secret understanding, an additional eighth-share was granted to the Surveyor-General of the Province, Augustus Graham, who could not legally have an interest in a land grant. Over the next 40 years, the make-up of the proprietors changed substantially due to deaths and sales. |
| 1749 | The patent was divided into "Great Lots" apportioned by lot among the proprietors. | These were further subdivided into tracts and divisions of various sizes. |
| Capt George Broadhead, living in Marbletown, Ulster County | He received 3,000 acres, which included a portion of the present town of Liberty including also what was called the Blue Mountain Country. The south line extended nearly east & west through what is now Liberty Village. | |
| Robert Livingston | He appeared on the scene and in less than forty years he acquired title to almost half of the entire patent leaving Johannes with only three-sixteenths. Livingston Manor, Roscoe and Rockland are located in Great Lot #4 containing 94,608 acres of land. | |
| Peter Faneuil | One of the Patenteers of the Hardenburgh Patent | |
| pre 1776 | Elias des Brosses | purchased Great Lot #5 and some of 4 (Debruce) |
| circa 1850 | Henry R. Low | Judge in Monticello and SC Senator Received almost all of Great Lot #5 and parts of great Lot #4 from Robert Livingston and descendants of Elias Des Brosses |
| June 14, 1882 | Henry R. Low | Gave 3/8 acre to Parkston school site |
| June 17, 1882 | Peter Parks - son of Joseph Parks | Purchased 62.5 acres known as the Van Aken Homestead in Great Lot #4, plat 101 and 110 |
| July 25, 1882 | William Parks - son of Joseph Parks | bought from Peter Parks and wife Nancy J. |
| July 2, 1891 | Cynthia Parks wife of William Parks and daughter Lizzie D. Osterhout are listed as owners | William Parks dies |
| April 8, 1901 | heirs: Roxa Ann Roosa, Joseph P. Lewis, Hannah E. Worden - daughter David A. Wordon - husband |
Catherine Parks Sutherland - daughter of Joseph Parks dies |
| April 25, 1903 | Frank Van Aken | buys Van Aken homestead from
heirs Homestead and Boarding House built by Frank |
| July 3, 1911 | Cora E. Parks Van Aken | Deed transferred to wife Cora |
| December 3, 1919 | Harry Berman and wife Deckie | Boarding house sold by Cora Parks Van Aken but holding mortgage - $1500 and $1500 mortgage |
| October 15, 1920 | Israel Eisenberg | Boarding house and contents sold |
| January 17, 1925 | Cora Parks Van Aken | Bank foreclosed and auctioned on Liberty Theater steps. Bought for $600 by Cora |
| May 22, 1939 | Herbert Van Aken | Sold to Son Herbert |
| February 19, 1943 | Herbert Van Aken | Parkston School closed but kept with a 2-year lease for $100/year |
| July 26, 1960 | Harold Van Aken and wife Mae Lacey Van Aken | Transferred to son Harold |
| 1972 | Harold Van Aken and Mae Van Aken | son Harold R. Van Aken tear down the Homestead and is burned |
| 1985 | Mae Lacey Van Aken | Harold Van Aken dies |
| 1990 | Mae Lacey Van Aken | Builds House on site of Homestead |
| 2002 | Harold Van Aken and Barbara Van Aken Ellmauer | Mae Van Aken dies and House and land got to children Harold and Barbara |