The earliest record of the Dutch Haughwout family in New York City is the sale, in 1678, of land on Staten Island to Pieter Haeghswolt. His descendant, William M. Haughwout operated a shipyard in Marines Harbor, Staten Island during the latter part of the 19th and the early 20th Centuries. He probably built this pond model for his twelve year old son, George W. Haughwout, circa 1900. When his father died, George Haughwout took over as the head of the largest marine railways and boat-building business on the North Shore. This model was acquired from the estate of Alice Haughwout, George Haughwout's daughter.
The fittings on this model are made of German silver and were available from Boucher, Inc., at the turn of the century.