1886: Dr. Lucy Virginia Meriwether graduated from New York’s Woman’s Medical College. She was one of the first female doctors in the U.S. Dr. Lucy Meriwether was related to Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition team. Lide Meriwether, Lucy's mother, was a well-known southern suffragist who was a friend of Susan B. Anthony and Lucy Stone, and was instrumental in the ratification of the 19th amendment in 1920. The Meriwethers lived next door to Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy in Memphis Tenn.
In 1891 Arthur B. Davies and Dr. Lucy Meriwether married and purchased what is now the Davies home farm for $6500.00. It consisted of 38 acres, a two-story farmhouse and a barn. The farmhouse was built in 1836 and is of the early frontier federalist style. It has many similarities to President Monroe’s, Ash Lawn home in Charlottesville, Virginia. Arthur B. Davies was a well-known artist and a member of the famous "Eight." He was president of the American Artists and Sculptors that orchestrated the famous Armory Show of 1913, which introduced impressionists Picasso, Rodin, Degas, Matisse and Marcel Duchamp to America. The Nude Descending a Staircase was first shown here. In 1998 the book The Lives, Love and Art of Arthur B. Davies was written by Bennard B. Perlman.
Dr. Lucy Virginia Davies, also known as "Dockie," in addition to having a full time medical practice (delivering over 6,000 babies in Congers, Valley Cottage and Rockland Lake) also became an acclaimed farmer, shipping strawberries to New York City.
Niles Jr. returned home from Cornell in 1952 to run the farm. At this time there are over 500 farms in Rockland County.
Erica Riepe, Niles' mother was from Davenport Iowa and her forebears brought the Montessori School Concept to the United States. Erica and Niles Sr. were dairy farmers until they suffered financial loses during the great depression. Niles Sr. started growing apples and vegetables on the Nelson Farm, which is now the Route 304 farm. This farm was given to Niles Sr. by his parents. Niles Sr. and Erica became well known county wide for their fresh vegetables, especially sweet corn. Erica would deliver fresh vegetables to AT&T in New York City. Famous restaurateur Dinty Moore would often come to the farm for fresh vegetables.
Niles Jr. married Janet Mandell in 1962. They have three children who help on the farm. Niles Meriwether Davies III, Lee Alan Davies and Chris Davies Nevin.
Today we farm about 70 acres. We have 4000 apple trees, 35 acres of vegetables and 2 farm stands. We press cider several times a week, and offer hayrides during the apple-picking season.
The farm has been the site of many Saturday Night Live spoofs, TV commercials and movies such as Stilletto, Joe, Crazy Joe, Hot Rock, Manhattan Project, Network, Badge 373, Earthly Possessions and Riding In Cars With Boys.
In December 2001 Niles received the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award from the New York State Farm Bureau representing 30,000 farm families.
Niles & Jan have the philosophy that you make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.
