The grounds surrounding the house were picturesque and beautiful behind their white picket fence, for much had gone into their arrangement. There were the customary trim box-bordered paths and thirteen large box bushes encircling the house - one for each of the original states of the union - with the usual lilacs, roses, weigela, syringe, bridal wreath, Rose of Sharon, etc., which were always parts of gardens those days.

The fragile blooms of grape hyacinths, violates and myrtle were there to greet the spring; heavy-headed daffodils danced in the April breezes; the white Star of Bethlehem gleamed in the brilliant green setting and lilies of the valley and dog lilies filled the air with their sweetness. Cherry, pear and apple trees gave bountiful supplies of delicious fruit, and a thriving vegetable garden at the rear, bordered by blackberry, raspberry and currant bushes had furnished many a prize-winning exhibit for the Horticultural Society that John Stevens had organized and was deeply interested. On the lawn between the house and garden, in the shade of the old elm tree, was the croquet ground, in use from early spring till late autumn, for the game was a favorite with the young people of those days.

At the northwest corner of the house, conveniently near the back door was the well beneath its neat green latticed well house, with stout bucket an shining tin dipper. Fed by a spring that was never known to run dry and of unusual depth, its water was always cold and crystal clear.

A long arbor at the north of the house supported a luxuriant growth of Concord grape vines, in the fall heavily laden with great clusters of juicy fruit, which, on crisp October nights, filled the garden with their rich perfume.

There were many beautiful trees on the place but the crowning glory of it all was the old elm tree (always referred to as "the tree."