Betty Hamilton Buckhout celebrated her 100th birthday on March 23, 2022. Betty was born in Mineola Hospital (Winthrop Hospital) to Alexander J. Hamilton and Bessie Speedling Hamilton. Betty grew up on Warner Avenue in Roslyn Heights with her parents and sister, June. Her family’s roots in Roslyn go back to the nineteenth century. Her great-grandfather Stephen Speedling (1835-1922) and grandfather Benjamin Speedling (1867-1939) were both carpenters who helped build many Roslyn homes and commercial buildings, including many in the Main Street Historic District.
Betty is also the great-granddaughter of Jacob Van Wicklen, a Civil War veteran from Roslyn (pictured with Betty on his lap). The Hamilton Bros. Taxi Company in Roslyn Heights, operated by her father and uncles, grew from the livery business established by their father around 1900 and maintained a fleet of cabs at the Roslyn train station for many years.
On September 30, 1945, Betty married William O. Buckhout of Glen Head. The couple moved to Glen Head in May of 1951, where they raised their three children and where Betty continues to live. Betty’s husband passed away in May 1999. She has nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren with two more on the way.
Betty is the cousin of Stewart W. Donaldson, whose collection of Roslyn historical material forms the foundation of the Bryant Library Local History Collection. Like her cousin, Betty has been a lifelong supporter of the Bryant Library and has graciously donated many photographs and other items to the library over the years.
Happy Birthday, Betty!
The Bryant Library wishes you all the best as you celebrate this milestone.