Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook Vol. 61-62 1976-1977 MASTER by D C H S

Year Book Dutchess County Historical Society Volume 61 and 62

1976 and 1977

Year Book Dutchess County Historical Society

1976 and 1977

Mary Beatrice d'Este, the only daughter of Alfonso IV, Duke of Modena, was born October 5, 1658, at Modena, Italy. In 1673, she married James Stuart, Duke of York, upon whom his brother, King Charles II, had conferred rights of Proprietor of the Province of New York. She was Dutchess of York for twelve years and for three years Queen of England. When the Protestant revolution overthrew the Stuarts, James II and Mary fled to France. She died at St. Germains, May 7, 1718.

The Colonial Laws of New York, Volume 1, pages 121-122, "AN ACT to divide this province and dependencies into shires and Countyes." Passed November 1, 1683: "The Dutchess's County to bee from the bounds of the County of Westchester, on the South side of the High-lands, along the East side of Hudsons River as farre as Roelof Jansens Creeke, & East-ward into the woods twenty miles." Portrait by William Wissing, National Gallery, London.

L. Gordon Hamersley, Jr., Editor The Year Book is published after the end of the year and includes reports of the activities of the society during the year. Copies are mailed to those members whose dues are paid for the current year. Address: The Dutchess County Historical Society, Box 88, Poughkeepsie, New York.

DUTCHESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETINGS - MEMBERSHIP - DUES

MEETINGS: At least two meetings of the Society are held each year, the annual meeting in the spring and a meeting and pilgrimage in the fall. Other meetings and social gatherings are arranged from time to time. MEMBERSHIP: Anyone with an interest in history is welcome as a member. Membership in the Society may be obtained by making application to the Secretary, Box 88, Poughkeepsie, New York. Upon the payment of dues, members are elected by the Trustees or at a meeting of the Society. DUES: Annual dues, $7.00; Joint membership (husband and wife), $10.00; Life membership, $75.00. Annual dues are payable on January 1st. of each year. These payments carry with them the right to vote, to hold office, and to take part in the proceedings of the Society. YEAR BOOK: Upon the payment of dues at time of election, a new member will be mailed a copy of the last published Year Book. Year Books are mailed only to those members whose dues are paid to date. One copy is mailed to a joint membership.

DUTCHESS COUNTY HISTORICALSOCIETY Incorporated underthe lawsof the State of New York December21.1918 Certificate of Incorporation filed in the office of the Clerk of Dutchess County Book 10 of Corporations page 153

TABLE OF CONTENTS Board of Trustees

Vice Presidents Representing Towns and Cities

Secretary's Minutes

Treasurer's Report

President's Report

Glebe House Report

Curator's Report

In Brief

A Testament to Courage, Louise Tompkins

Constitution's Birth Marked in Kingston Reprinted Courtesy Poughkeepsie Journal

State Inked Constitutions on the Run Reprinted Courtesy Poughkeepsie Journal

May 1775: Area Freeholders Meet to Decide Future Reprinted Courtesy Poughkeepsie Journal

The First Reformed Church of Fishkill

America's Narrow Escape, Louise Tompkins

King George I of America, Louise Tompkins

Town of LaGrange - Revolutionary Period, Nancy Logan

Some Revolutionary War Residences Existing in the Town of LaGrange, Joan Platt *

Brief Biography: William James Vassar, J. Spotts McDowell Saving The Elmendorph (Red Hook) Includes Article Reprinted Courtesy Gazette Advertiser Jacob Willetts' Early Nineteenth Century Textbooks, A. Day Bradley

42 47

Pleasant Valley Pilgrimage Includes Articles Reprinted Courtesy Poughkeepsie Journal

Woodlawns, Clifford M. Smith

The Schenk Mill and Store at Pleasant Valley, William P. McDermott 2

A Wandering Preacher I (Chapter Five on the Flagler Family), Robert Pierce

Jonathan Thorn, Clifford M. Buck

A Trip on the Clove Branch Railroad

Postal Service in Dutchess County, William P. McDermott

106

Happy Days in Deep Hollow, Louise Tompkins

115

The Children's Home of Poughkeepsie - 130 Years, Mrs. David N. Sanford

120

Historical Societies in Towns of Dutchess County

128

Appointed Historians of Dutchess County

130

Town Historians

131

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1976

John M. Jenner Dr. Franklin A. Butts Mrs. Robert Hoe, Jr. Peter Van Kleeck Mrs. Albert E. Powers L. Gordon Hamersley, Jr.

President Vice President at Large Secretary Treasurer Curator Editor

1977 Dr. Franklin A. Butts Felix Scardapane Peter Van Kleeck Mrs. Robert Hoe, Jr. Mrs. Albert E. Powers L. Gordon Hamersley, Jr.

President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Curator Editor

Terms Ending 1976: Mrs. Kenneth R. Briggs Radford Curdy John V. Kane Charles N. de la Vergne

Terms Ending 1977: Clifford M. Buck Arthur C. M. Kelly Mrs. John C. Smith Lewis F. Winne

Terms Ending 1978: Mrs. John Losee Mrs. Fred C. Daniels George B. Bookman The Reverend Herman Harmelink, III

Terms Ending 1979: Herbert S. Roig Kenneth R. Toole Mrs. Ralph E. Van Kleeck Mrs. Arthur F. Wollenhaupt

Terms Ending 1980: Mrs. Kenneth R. Briggs Radford Curdy John V. Kane Mrs. Harold V. Klare

Terms Ending 1981: John Jenner Nathan Dykeman Mrs. Peter Andros Mrs. J. Edward Johnson Ezra R. Benton

VICE PRESIDENTS REPRESENTING TOWNS AND CITIES

Mrs Catherine F. Leigh Ludwig G. Ruf Mrs. Raymond Eaton Miss Helena Van Vliet Thomas Boyce Mrs. Charles Boos Felix Scardapane Mrs. Paul Courtney Miss Hazel Skidmore Mrs. Henry B. Thompson Walter W. Davis Mrs. Howard Smith Henry Grant Mrs. Calvin Case Charles G. Spross Frank V. Mylod Stanley Willig Mrs. Richard Coons Mrs. Craig D. Vogle Mrs. John Geisler Mrs. George T. Hemroth Miss Louise H. Tompkins

Town City Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town City Town Town Town Town Town Town

of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of

Amenia Beacon Beekman Clinton Dover East Fishkill Fishkill Hyde Park LaGrange Milan North East Pawling Pine Plains Pleasant Valley Poughkeepsie Poughkeepsie Stanford Red Hook Rhinebeck Union Vale Wappinger Washington

DUTCHESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY SUMMARY OF 1976 MINUTES January 13, 1976 The secretary was instructed to inform Mr. William Schrauth that he is being given an honorary membership in the Dutchess County Historical Society for this bicentennial year for his contribution of the 1913 film of Poughkeepsie to the National Archives. Mr. Peter Van Kleeck, Treasurer, said bills for membership reflecting the new dues schedule will go out at the end of the month. There was discussion about ways of increasing membership and to eliminate confusion about the method of becoming a member of the Society. Membership is open to anyone who pays the annual dues. Mr. Gordon Hamersley reported that the Year Books will be mailed out within the week, that a new type style will effect a saving of about 30% in printing costs. The price of the Yearbook to non-members will be $7. Mr. Herbert Roig reported that the yearly amounts now given for operating expenses for Glebe House by the Historical Society and the Junior League do not fully cover or reflect current expenses. It is expected that at some point soon the Glebe House committee will have to come back to us, as well as to the Junior League, and ask for an increase in the yearly stipend. Mr. Roig said that the Kiwanis Club is furnishing both the labor and the supplies to paint the outside of Glebe House. "Old Gravestones" has been reprinted by the Society, and the plan is to publicize its being available for purchase. Mr. Hubert C. Spross told the Board that the 1913 film of Poughkeepsie is ready for showing and that he had had many requests to view it. A special viewing will be scheduled for the Board prior to any other public viewing and the Historical Society will sponsor all the viewings. Mr. Franklin Butts read his committee's report having to do with establishing better relations with local historical societies. The report is to be duplicated for the board to study and set priorities. There was interest in having tape recordings made of various speakers talking about local history for future records. February 12, 1976 President John Jenner introduced Marilyn Hatch who did a slide presentation for the board on a project to restore the Rhinebeck Parsonage. The group interested in this restoration call themselves the Quitman Resource Center for Preservation. Diane Rain and Robbie Hoiden of the Glebe House Committee told the Board of their interest in purchasing a tape recorder to use for a slide presentation about Glebe House when the program is presented to local groups. Their wish is for the Historical Society to join with the Junior League in purchasing it. A motion was made that we pay $153 as our share of the cost of purchase. The nominating committee, consisting of Eunice Smith, Clifford Buck and Ralph Van Kleeck presented the following names: Nathan Dykeman to fill the unexpired term of Lewis Winne on our Board;

Mrs. Lemma McGinnis to fill the unexpired term of Miss Annette Young. The Secretary will send a letter of welcome. President Jenner told the Board that one of our priorities is to further the plans to establish a local history center or museum, and that he will work to realize this goal. President Jenner announced that the winter meeting of the Society will be held on March 2, at which time the 1913 film will be shown and Mrs. Sterling Carter will speak about local history. City officials will be invited to attend. Mr. Felix Scardapane attended the meeting in the costume of the Forth Dutchess Group and told the Board about the original play which is being presented around the County by the Fishkill Society. The play depicts some of the history of the area, and is being well received. March 9, 1976 President Jenner and Herbert Roig reported on the March 2 meeting of the Society and said approximately 97 had attended at the Mid-Hudson Libraries. Mr. Jenner announced that the commemorative plates have arrived. Gordon Hamersley and Eunice Smith are preparing a brochure concerning Nine Partners to accompany the plate. The committee will make its own decision regarding details of costing and merchandising the plates. Mr. Jenner said the Cunneen-Hackett Building is now completing its refurbishing and the Civic Center Board have requested from us any Victorian pieces of furniture that we can spare. They will be informed that we hope to respond favorably at some future time. Norma Van Kleeck read the minutes of an ad hoc Library Committee which had been held at her house to discuss what to do about our artifacts, books, other memorabilia, and to set certain goals, such as working toward a possible history or museum center. President Jenner appointed the following committee to meet with him: Rad Curdy, John Kane, Kenneth Toole, Wilhemina Powers and Lemma McGinnis. Mr. Jenner said Melodye Andros and Franklin Butts will have the specifics about issuing a Newsletter at a future meeting. Herbert Roig reported that the interior decorating of Glebe House was being held up by the condition of the roof. He has a bid for $6000 to furnish a new roof. He will meet with Kiwanis President Fred Praeger, Mayor Ahmed and Peter Van Kleeck to work out the funding for this project. April 13, 1976 Mr. Jenner reported that the commemorative plate committee would consist of Rev. Harmelink, Lemma McGinnis and a member of the Society who is not on the Board to keep the records. Mr. Hubert Spross reported that the 1913 film had been shown so far to 10 different groups. He said that IBM is going to make a video tape for us for use with the film. Mr. Franklin Butts and Melodye Andros reported that the proposed Newsletter, titled The Dutchess Historian, would be issued quarterly. The estimated cost of printing and mailing one issue would be around $60. The motion was passed that we have a Newsletter, and that it be distributed as the committee decides. 600 copies are to be made. Mr. Butts stressed the need for cooperation of the local units. 7

Mr. Roig told of the difficulties involved in scheduling the work to be done at Glebe House. The Kiwanis Club is repainting the exterior, but their budget would dictate that the work must be done before June 30. He said that Glebe House is one of 4 city buildings presently being surveyed to determine the remedial work that needs to be done. Mr. Kane, one of our trustees, is currently employed by the City to make such a survey. Mr. Jenner said we would wait until the next meeting to see what the survey indicates, and that Mr. Roig and Mrs. Norma Van Kleeck will work together to expedite the repairs. Mr. Jenner will approach the Beckwiths to see if it is possible to have a display of Riedinger and Caire pottery at some future time in Glebe House. A motion was passed to pay up to a maximum of $500 for 2 air conditioners for the third floor of Adriance Memorial Library. Another motion was passed to supplement the salary of Miss Verona Williamson for 6 months. Miss Williamson has been working with Mrs. Powers at Adriance Library and is partially Federally remunerated. May 11, 1976 Minutes Mrs. Norma Van Kleeck said that Mr. Kane, who has been working on a survey of remedial work to be done at Glebe House, will submit his report to the Community Development Agency for study. The roof is to have top priority. The Nominating committee will be chaired by Gordon Hamersley with Clifford Buck, Eunice Smith as members of the committee. They will report at the annual meeting. President Jenner announced that the Annual Meeting will be on Saturday, June 12, with Dr. Roscoe Balch, of Marist College as speaker. His topic is to be "New Uses for History". Franklin Butts reported on the plans for the June 5 Pilgrimage. The Nine Partners Historical Society in Pine Plains will be our hosts. After some discussion the date of the Annual Meeting may be changed to June 19, so that there would be more time between the Pilgrimage and the Annual Meeting. Franklin Butts reported on the proposed Newsletter and the importance of having a 2-way communication between us and the local societies, so that we can gather information. Mrs. Andros said that they hoped to issue the first Newsletter by June 15, and it will be mailed to the members. 1000 copies will be printed for distribution. Mr. Spross reported that interest in the showing of the 1913 film continues, and that the Dutch Reformed Church has made some copies of a Fact Sheet to be distributed at the showings. A contribution of $10 and a letter of appreciation will be sent to the Church for their assistance. It was announced that Mr. Spross and Mrs. McGinnis will chair a meeting in the next week for the purpose of establishing a city of Poughkeepsie Historical Society. Mrs. Norma Van Kleeck said that the Glebe House Cookbook is ready for sale. June 19, 1976 ANNUAL MEETING President Jenner listed some of the "happenings" of the past year: 1. The beginning of a Spring pilgrimage as well as a Fall trip (Pawling last Fall and Pine Plains 2 weeks ago)

The old Poughkeepsie film of 1913 is being shown around the area by Mr. Hubert Spross under the sponsorship of the Historical Society. It has now been seen by about 2000 people. 3. We have issued another outstanding Year Book and have been able to reduce printing costs substantially. 4. We have reissued the book Old Gravestones which is available for sale. 5. A Newsletter has been started. 6. Work is being done to refurbish Glebe House. 7. The first commemorative plate is on sale. The report of the Nominating Committee was as follows: Trustees for terms expiring 1980: Mrs. Kenneth Briggs Mr. Radford Curdy Mr. John Kane Mrs. Harold V. Klare Vice-Presidents for Towns and Cities: Mr. Ludwig G. Ruf City of Beacon Town of Beekman Mrs. Raymond Eaton Town of Pine Plains Mr. Henry Grant Town of Red Hook Mrs. Richard Coons Town of Rhinebeck Mrs. Craig D. Vogle Town of Wappinger Mrs. George T. Hemroth All were elected. Committee: Gordon Hamersley, Chairman Clifford Buck Eunice Smith Dr. Roscoe Balch, our speaker of the afternoon, was introduced and spoke on "New Uses of History". September 14, 1976 Treasurer Peter Van Kleeck stated that a short-term loan had been made to the Glebe House Committee for the printing of the Cookbook, and that we will be repaid as the cookbooks are sold. Melodye Andros said that the response to the first Newsletter had been very good, that some of the county Historical Societies could be more cooperative about furnishing us with news items. Th'e suggestion was made that the various town vice-presidents could bring news items to the monthly board meetings. Franklin Butts announced the October 16 Pilgrimage to Wappingers Falls. Gordon Hamersley showed the board the brochures which have been printed and which are now ready to be distributed with each of the Glebe House commemorative plates sold. President Jenner made a report on the status of Glebe House and the Community Development Fund. He said John Kane had made a survey for the City on needed repairs. The Common Council has approved the survey and has put it out for bids. Approximate costs for repairs are $25,000 with first priority the roof. President Jenner said that Jesse Effron has worked out a plan for the establishment of a local historical center. Since the plan involves considerable study, Kenneth Toole was asked to chair a committee to study the plan and report 2.

back to the board. Other members of the committee are Felix Scardapane, Trudy Briggs, Radford Curdy and Gordon Hamersley. It was reported that as a result of the Newsletter a collection of old farm and hand tools is now on display at Cary Arboretum, a gift of Peter Knox, a grandson of Mr. C. Beverly Davison of Millbrook. October 12, 1976 Franklin Butts said that the Pilgrimage to Wappingers Falls is now scheduled for October 23. Mrs. Lemma McGinnis reported on her attendance at the dedication of the Flagler family's Greenhaven cemetery on October 9. Norma Van Kleeck reported that the contract for work to be done at Glebe House had been awarded to Roy C. Knapp. She said that it was almost time for us to apply for a third year of Community Development funding. We had received $10,000 the first year, and.$15,000 the second year. President Jenner said that Eunice Smith and Radford Curdy of the Acquisitions Committee are trying to get samples of all of Poughkeepsie's silversmiths. They now have samples of all but 3 of them. Melodye Andros said the Glebe House Committee is having 2 portable display cases made. Norma Van Kleeck stated that the Glebe House Committee is looking for old toys and doll houses for display at the Christmas Open House. They have already sold $800 worth of Cookbooks. November 8, 1976 The resignation of Eunice Smith as our representative on the Arts Council was accepted. Mr. Hubert Spross stated that a meeting to form a City of Poughkeepsie Historical Society had been held, but that the attendance had been so poor that no organization was formed. A motion was passed that Hubert Spross be appointed chairman of a committee that would begin taping older residents of the area about local history for posterity. Clifford Buck said that the Pleasant Valley Historical Society would like us to come to Pleasant Valley for a Pilgrimage in the Spring. Helena Van Vliet commented that her Society is trying to collect pictures of all the old houses in Clinton built before 1900. Favorable comments were made about the renovation of the Mott-Van Kleeck house by the H. W. Guernsey Realty Co. Norma Van Kleeck announced the annual Open House at Glebe House for Sunday, December 12. Felix Scardapane announced that a Black Powder Association is being formed and that anyone interested in joining is welcome. December 14, 1976 Gordon Hamersley said the Year Book is off the press and being mailed to the members. The cover is red, and the book carries a notice of our having a commemorative plate and a cookbook for sale. Printing costs are estimated to be somewhere around $1700. President Jenner said the commemorative plates are now being sold at Adriance Library, De's Jewelers and The Three Arts. The price is now $10, although current orders will be 10

accepted at the old price of $8. Norma Van Kleeck said that work has begun on the roof of Glebe House and also on the kitchen area. Everyone is pleased with the Roy C. Knapp contractors and the quality of their work. There will be a shed-type portico over the front porch. Copies were passed out of the Glebe House budget. President Jenner asked the board to discuss whether or not we are ready to consider a "paid volunteer" for Glebe House, rather than to depend on programs run entirely by volunteers. The board's feeling was that we could not finance such a worker at this time and the matter was tabled. A motion was passed that we accept the budget for Glebe House. Another motion was passed increasing our annual gift to the Glebe House Committee for operating the House from $1600 to $2000.

SUMMARY OF 1977 Minutes January 11, 1977 minutes Even though Peter Van Kleeck was absent from the meeting, his treasurer's report noted that we had had a loss of 19 members of the Society in 1976, and a loss of 27 members during 1975. He recommended the appointing of a membership c - smittee to gain new members. The board concurred with this recommendation. The matter of the repayment of the money advanced to the Glebe House Committee to print the Cookbook is to be discussed with them. A motion was passed to pay Miss Verona Williamson $300 for another six months assistance to Mrs. Powers at Adriance Library, retroactive to the end of October. Melodye Andros is very eager to get more of the members involved in the Society and plans to work out some kind of questionnaire asking the members with what activities they would be interested in helping, or what ideas they have. Herbert Roig mentioned that he would like to see us have an Open House for the members when the restoration work is completed at Glebe House. John Kane said that the target date for the completion of the outside work is April 30, and that the interior structural work would be finished by February 15, so that the restoration work on the inside could begin. Gordon Hamersley reported for Kenneth Toole about progress of the committee which is studying the feasibility of setting up an archival center. They have conferred with William Emerson of the Roosevelt Library, Vincent Toscano of Marist College Library and with Jesse Effron and they will need more time before being able to bring their recommendations to the Board. Louise Tompkins, Town Vice-President for the Town of Washington, has been of great assistance to Melodye Andros in connection with the Newsletter. A motion was passed that Louise Tompkins be the first Society member to be recognized by the Society for her help by the presentation of one of our commemorative plates as a gift. Others will be recognized from time to time with this gift. 11

February 10, 1977 meeting Joyce Armstrong, chairman of City of Poughkeepsie's Bicentennial Committee, was introduced. The committee would like to place a time capsule in the well at Glebe House and is asking our approval. A motion was passed that we approve this project with the stipulation that we are able to place something in the capsule. Details will be worked out as the project proceeds. Mrs. Andros said the next Newsletter will be going out in early March. Peter Van Kleeck said the bill for dues will be going out the end of February. President Jenner clarified for the Board the arrangement which has been set up for the sale of the commemorative plates. They are being sold by De's Jewelers and The Three Arts and retail for $10. Two members of the Glebe House Committee are keeping the records on the sales of the plates. The next Newsletter will confirm the $10 retail price. A motion was passed that a plate be given to the Ulster County Historical Society for display in the museum in New Paltz. Mr. Hasbrouck will be asked if he will sell the plates there. Clara Losee displayed one of her books that she is compiling of pictures of old houses in the town of Milan. She has already finished the town of Red Hook. She has been making use of many old records from the files of the Hatfield Real Estate Company, now in the hands of Eunice Smith. Hubert Spross reported that we now have an additional old film, this one made by Ned Rawson in 1930. It will be shown with the 1913 film to various local groups. Melodye Andros announced the Spring Pilgrimage for May 14, 1977, and an evening meeting of the Hyde Park Historical Society on March 29. She showed the board a rough draft of the questionnaire she hopes to include with the mailing of the bills to the members. March 8, 1977 Radford Curdy gave an extensive report on present and proposed activities of the Acquisition and Discard Committee (Library Committee). The report is divided into 2 main sections: 1. Recommendation that the present Research Library of the Society continue to be housed in the Adriance Library, with some suggestions for improvement, such as the establishment of a Union Catalog. 2. The possibility of establishing a committee dealing with a county museum, or museum network. Mr. Curdy said that his committee plans some additional recommendations. A formal resolution was unanimously approved empowering the A.&D. Committee to sell surplus printed material from the Society's collections. Eunice Smith reported on progress in assembling and documenting the photographic notebooks of early residences in each of the townships. She felt funds should be made available for the purchase of prints and/or negatives from town societies, to fill gaps in the Hatfield Collection. Formal action will be taken at a subsequent meeting. Herbert Roig had a prototype of the time capsule to be placed in the Glebe House Garden in June. Several suggestions were made as to what to place in the capsule, such as the plans of Glebe House, the Bicentennial cook book. Nothing definite was decided upon. 12

April 12, 1977 Norma Van Kleeck reported that the inside structural work on Glebe House would be finished by the end of the month, but that much decorating of the interior would then have to be done. John Kane reported that a landscape architect, Joyce Stanton, is assisting with planning the garden in the front of Glebe House. Three of the fireplaces are now in working order. President Jenner said that the Annual Meeting had been set for June 4. He also announced the Pilgrimage to Pleasant Valley on May 14. Gordon Hamersley has agreed to repeat as Nominating Committee Chairman, and Herbert Roig has agreed to be Membership Chairnan. President Jenner said that they had to date about 30 responses to the questionnaire sent out to members, and each person who responded will be contacted. President Jenner said that Kenneth Toole will report on his committee's activities at the next meeting. It was announced that Glebe House would re-open on June 11, 1977. Since we have many copies of some Year Books, Mr. Spross will give some copies out at the meetings where he shows the films, in the hope of interesting new members. Clara Losee reported that there is a new historical society in Red Hook. She also told the Board that all the Red Hook papers have now been microfilmed. May 10, 1977 Kenneth Toole reported on his committee's work (having to do with whether or not to establish an archival center or museum). He suggests 3 avenues that we might pursue: 1. The Roosevelt Library offer, through Mr. Emerson, of talent and space in establishing a Union catalog. 2. The Museum function. He does not think we are ready at this time to go into a facility. He thinks a committee could investigate the possibilities of various facilities. 3. The possibility of the Vassar Institute as a museum facility. President Jenner feels the archival function and the museum are really quite different, and that perhaps we should now divorce the idea of having a museum with an archival center. This seemed to be the feeling of those present. It was also felt that the archival function should have priority. President Jenner would like us to have a June meeting to discuss our plans for proceeding based on Mr. Toole's report. A motion was passed that a committee be appointed to propose various alternatives for implementing the report of Mr. Toole's committee. Melodye Andros spoke about the difficulty in distributing our Newsletter to the outlying communities. The MidHudson Libraries has now offered to help us by distributing them to various township libraries. A letter of thanks will be written by the secretary. President Jenner announced that the Nominating Committee will be Gordon Hamersley as chairman, and Marilyn Hoe and Clara Losee as members of the committee. Felix Scardapane said they are trying to get a National Landmark Designation for the Van Wyck Homestead and would appreciate any help in obtaining any old documents or letters pertinent to the Fishkill area. 13

June 4, 1977

ANNUAL MEETING

(Held at Daniele's Restaurant, Millbrook)

President Jenner called on Norma Van Kleeck for a Glebe House report. She reported that she has worked with the City to expedite the renovation. The money has come from Community Development Funds. Roy C. Knapp has been the contractor and everyone has been very pleased with the quality of work. She announced that there would be an Open House on June 12 for everyone to see what has been done. Melodye Andros told the group that Mid-Hudson Libraries is now assisting with the distribution of our Newsletters to out-lying communities, and she urged the members to keep them supplied with news for the Newsletter. President Jenner reported briefly on the activities of the year such as: 1. Renovation of Glebe House 2. The Newsletter issued at regular intervals is a 'going' project 3. The 1913 film continues to be shown locally and has now reached approximately 5,000 people 4. We now have 2 Pilgrimages scheduled every year 5. We will regularly hold at least one winter meeting,' hopefully more, and will try to meet in some of the out-lying areas. The report of the Nominating committee was as follows: Trustees for Terms expiring 1981 John Jenner Nathan Dykeman Mrs. Peter Andros Mrs. J. Edward Johnson Mr. Ezra R. Benton Officers for the coming year: Dr. Franklin Butts President Felix Scardapane Vice-President Peter Van Kleeck Treasurer Mrs. Robert Hoe, Jr. Secretary The slate was elected as presented. The speaker, John Winthrop Aldrich, was introduced. He is Town Historian of Red Hook and his topic was "Hudson River Country Seats: Past Perspectives and Future Prospects."

ANNUAL TREASURER'S REPORT 1976

Balance - December 31, 1975 (Checking Account)

Receipts Dues Wells Fund Transfer Adams Fund Transfer General Fund Transfer Pilgrimage Plates

$ 3,765.52 7,143.05 1,753.75 650.00 343.50 1,064.76 $14,720.63

Expenses Transfer to Savings Glebe House Maintenance " Equipment Cookbook Loan " " Restoration " Plates Yearbook Postage Fees Miscellaneous Dues Meetings & Pilgrimage Internal Revenue Accounting Petty Cash Book Binding Office Supplies Newsletter Film Production

1,000.00 1,600.00 150.00 750.00 811.74 4,486.82 1,796.87 119.10 900.00 23.80 129.00 877.41 397.00 475.00 80.00 71.28 172.46 587.42 75.00 14,502.90

Balance December 31, 1976

47.73

14,720.63 $14,768.36

14,502.90 $ 265.46

GENERAL FUND

Balance December 31, 1975 (Savings Account)

261.40

Receipts 28.30 $ 1,000.00 1,028.30

Interest Transfer to checking

Disbursements Transfer to checking account Balance - December 31, 1976 15

1,028.30 $1,289.70

650.00 $

650.00 639.70

HELEN WILKINSON REYNOLDS FUND (Publications)

Balance - December 31, 1975 (Savings Accounts)

$18,424.28

Receipts Interest Sale Publications

$1,217.04 904.90 2,121,94 $20,546.22

Balance December 31, 1976

WILLIAM PLATT ADAMS FUND (Interest for Glebe House Support)

Balance December 31, 1975 (Bonds at Investment Value)

$25,022.18

Receipts Interest

Disbursements Transfer to Checking account Balance December 31, 1976

1,753.75

1,753.75 26,775.93

1,753.75

1,753.75 25,022.18

WELLS FUND (General Purposes)

Balance December 31, 1975 (Bond, stocks at investment value, savings accounts)

$118,618.22

Receipts Interest & Dividends Donations Plates

7,759.36 60.00 145.00 7,964.36 $126,582.58

Disbursements Transfer to checking account Balance December 31, 1976

7,143.05

7,143.05 $119,439.53

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

The year is done and my term of office is completed. It is appropriate to recount the progress that has been made, and also, I feel, to mention those challenges that are, as yet, unfulfilled. The progress has been commendable, and perhaps the major activity relates to the Glebe House. The decoration has moved steadily forward in the direction outlined in the master plan. I believe we now realize, however, that the acquisition of particular items of furnishing is a long term proposition, and the decision to concentrate our efforts on the decor (painting, floors, curtains) is a wise one. The building itself could not be in a better state; we are fortunate that the right combination of Community Development Funds, city interest and Society effort came together to perform a first-class restoration that will ease our concerns and maintenance funds for many years to come. The one concern with the Glebe House that continues unresolved is its operation. The functioning is divided between the decoration committee, responsible for the physical aspects of the interior, the Glebe House Committee, responsible for the operation of the house and its use, and the Poughkeepsie Garden Club, responsible for the grounds. There needs to be a way of organizing that coordinates, directs, and administers this business as a whole. We need to have either a paid director or an overall board or a combination of these two. Perhaps the coming year will see more progress in this area. A second major step forward for the Society is the publication of its Newsletter, The Dutchess Historian. Primarily through the efforts of Franklin Butts and Melodye Andros, this excellent vehicle has found a productive and appreciated spot in the county's historical efforts. It has become the major clearing house for historical matters in Dutchess County. The third step has been the expansion of both the pilgrimage program and the indoor meetings. Pilgrimages will now be held in both the spring and fall. Providing a means to see the County through local historical groups is a fundamentally important role for the County Society. Traditionally we have held one indoor meeting yearly in addition to the annual spring meeting. This year we held two, one in Fishkill, one in Hyde Park. The opportunity exists for further programs of this kind. Two new societies, one in Beacon and one in Pleasant Valley, indicate that interest in local history continues to expand. There are two areas that require the continued attention and resolve of the Society. Although we have sold many dozens of Glebe House plates, we have many dozens more to go. Our original hope for this project was a series of plates, but until we are able to step up our marketing, an expansion of this program will not be forthcoming.

The major focus for the coming months and a resolve that we must continue to pursue is the establishment of a suitable historical museum. The interest, the opportunities, and the backing are available. We must reach out and grasp this major step to fulfill our obligations to our members and to Dutchess County.

Respectfully submitted, John M. Jenner, President June 1975-June 1977

GLEBE HOUSE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 1976-1977 Innumerable months of planning, attending long and sometimes exhausting meetings, plus expended efforts on the part of so many interested persons, made this the year that the Glebe House underwent renovation work. The Knapp Construction Company has succeeded in doing a marvelous job of structural repairs on the house that were so needed. Those who went after, sought and finally succeeded in obtaining the Community Development Funds (now beyond the published $37,800) will be for years to come proud to see their reward in the renewed Glebe House as it stands today--a home representing one of the last links to a period when we were the Revolutionary capital of New York state. In addition to the fine job of construction this year, there has been the accomplishment of the furnishings committee. The results again need to be seen to be truly appreciated. Suffice it to say, the interior of the Glebe House-with new paint, period wallpapering and draperies (to mention but a few areas)--is an excellent example of hard work and much research on this committee's part. The ongoing activities of the house have been curtailed this year due to this renovation and the needed closing of the house to the public during a major portion of the year. Nonetheless, the Glebe House Committee has managed to have a fairly full schedule. The Glebe House slides were shown to area schools and groups. The craft committee was able to provide dollmaking sessions for children. Our new cookbook "The Taste of History" was offered for sale in many of our local stores as well as to all 238 Junior Leagues thereby enabling us to repay a major portion of our loan to both the Historical Society and the Junior League. The rental cost of the house was looked at and revised. The self-support committee had the Girl Scouts in to make hand-dipped candles for us. Self-Support also acquired a Glebe House pen as a new item for sale in the house. A new group was formed this year entitled "Future of the Glebe House." They have been actively looking into our present organizational structure, as well as seeking out sources to help move us towards a more active, self-sufficient museum. Training has been another area of focus new to the Glebe House this year. Believing that a knowledgeable group is one key to success, we have trained our committee members in the history of the house was well as those items in it. John Jenner, President of the Historical Society, spoke at one of our meetings. At another meeting we heard John Kane, consulting architect for the renovation work, and Lloyd Thomas, contract administrator from the city. We also scheduled a visit to the Clinton House to hear from Mrs. Leon Jaminett. The Glebe House Committee put the house temporarily back in order and presented "A Christmas of the Past" on Sunday, December 12. An antique toy display of miniatures, dolls and stuffed bears, were on display. Baked goods(from our new cookbook) were featured items. Upstairs, a spinning demonstration was held. A candlelight hour from 6-7 P.M. followed for the members of the Junior League, the Garden Club and the Historical Society. The Garden Club presented Glebe House with a sundial on this occasion. 19

The Garden Club has been very active not only in doing the physical work of garden housekeeping, but also in planning and designing a new garden arrangement. The implementation of these plans are being carried out now and should add to the overall picture of our "new" Glebe House we can all be so pleased with. This year's Provisional Group from the Junior League was presented with the idea by our committee of doing a research project for the house. The group accepted it and is now working on the research and details of a servant's room for Glebe House visitors to view. The position of Guide/Caretaker always seems to be a need to focus on, and this year was no exception. We lost one such person in July, rehired and lost a second person in December, and have just hired a third person who will start with us the end of April. In addition to this position, we also employed two college students to be in the house for security reasons while workers were there. The House has had built a new display cabinet which we look forward to seeing filled with many fine exhibits. Clean out sessions of many unused items that have cluttered our house so long have also taken place. So, now Glebe House is in excellent shape and we are busily preparing for its grand reopening. We will have two separate functions for this special occasion. One viewing on Saturday, June 11, will be for all those responsible for the Glebe House's renovations. And on Sunday, June 12 there will be an open house for the public. One of the many activities already planned to take place that day will be the planting in the garden of the time capsule--an 80 quart milk pail--by the City of Poughkeepsie American Revolution Bicentennial Committee. It has been a different type of year for the Glebe House Committee, exciting and rewarding and all those who worked so hard, either visibly or behind the scenes, made it so.

Nancy G. Wright Chairman

GLEBE HOUSE COMMITTEE 1976-77 Mrs. Forrest Wright Mrs. Peter Andros Mrs. Richard Flint Mrs. Robert Sprenkle Mrs. John Beaudette Mrs. Joseph Butler Mrs. Edmund Caplicki Mrs. Mrs. Mrs. Mrs. Mrs. Mrs.

Edward Eidle John Hart Edward Kerin Peter Lumb Hugh J. Maurer Charles A. Mitchell

Mrs. David J. Murray Mrs. Eugene Orosz Mrs. David Petrovits Mrs. Owen Potter Mrs. Don Rain Herbert Roig Mrs. Herbert Roig Mrs. A. A. Schoonmaker Mrs. Eric Gillert

Chairman Co-Chairman, House Inventory; Acquisitions Secretary Treasurer Co-Chairman, Craft Workshop Future of Glebe House Co-Chairman, Christmas OpenHouse Acquisitions Self-Support Furnishings Chairman Head, Future of Glebe House Future of Glebe House; Garden Club Rep. Sustaining Rep.; Future of Glebe House Slide Chairman Training Program Co-Chairman, Christmas OpenHouse Rentals and Exhibits House Upkeep; C.D. Funds Future of Glebe House Cookbook Self-Support

Curator's Report

1976-1977

We are making progress in assembling and cataloging the society's collection. We still receive letters from all over the country as well as Scotland and Canada. These letters are not only for genealogy. One wanted the death dates of two baseball players who lived around 1900. Some inquiries are impossible to answer, such as the letter from a man who wanted to know the religious connection of a man (first name unknown) "who lived in Poughkeepsie in the 1840's and 1850's." In 1976 I wrote 104 letters and so far in 1977 (September) 81. We are still selling our publications. During 1976 and 1977 we sold 550 yearbooks, 22 copies of OLD GRAVESTONES OF DUTCHESS COUNTY, 13 RECORD OF MARRIAGES AND DEATHS...and 30 FAMILY VISTA'S. I have sent 80 copies of RECORD OF MARRIAGES AND DEATHS by Reynolds to the bindery in September so we will have a new supply soon. We have Year Books, books and plates for sale. The following items have been received by gift and acquisition: The Acquisitions Committee has purchased several dresses and a hat which belonged to Mrs. Matthew Vassar; A group of early 19th Century papers relating to the Philips family of Fishkill and Wappingers and a print of the plans of the Mid-Hudson bridge; A packet of 18th and 19th Century papers, letters and deeds relating to the Beckwith family of the town of Washington and Red Hook. From Mrs. Eleanor Van Kleeck - some books, periodicals and papers that belonged to Baltus Van Kleeck. Mrs. Van Kleeck also gave the society the copyright forms for the early Year Books. Mrs. Beatrice Ridgeway, Mr. Harry T. Briggs' daughter, gave the Society a scrapbook, a family chart, some maps and four copies of BRIGGS - DE GROFF FAMILY. From the estate of John O. Hamlin, Rhinebeck, the society received a collection of 25 books relating daily happenings and events from 1901-1972. Several old Poughkeepsie photographs and scrapbooks were donated by Mrs. E. Sterling Carter; Mrs. Stuart Tucker of Poughkeepsie gave a child's dress of about 1850 worn by Anna Sibley. The Dutchess County Historical Society collection is housed on the third floor of the Adriance Memorial Library. An air conditioner has been installed and there is a large table in our section of the library which makes it a more comfortable place to work. We welcome any members of the society to come and examine our holdings

Wilhelmina B. Powers Curator Mary Jane Hays Assistant Curator

IN BRIEF We are proud to salute Louise Tompkins, Town of Washington Historian and frequent contributor to the Year Book for receiving an award from the New York Press Association for Bicentennial writing. On the next pages are an account of her career and recognition. *

In the 1974 Year Book, Clifford Buck concludes an article titled Julia Dean with the words, "I have not been able to find any further information on the ancestry of the two Julias." Since then, Mr. Buck has discovered the following in the Commemorative Biographical Record of Dutchess County, published in 1890. "Joseph C. Dean, the grandfather of Mrs. Frances Dean Baright, was a member of the Society of Friends of the town of Pleasant Valley, and was a land owner and merchant. His mother's father was Joseph Castin, one of the 'Nine Partners' of a portion of Dutchess County. Joseph C. Dean married Sarah Mabbett of the town of Washington, and several children were born to them: Jonathan, their eldest son, and the father of Mrs. Baright, married Helen, the daughter of Gen. S. A. Barker, of the town of Lagrange; Edwin, the second son, was engaged in the theatrical profession (he married Julia Drake, of Louisville, KY, and Julia Dean, the celebrated actress, was their daughter)."

A TESTAMENT TO COURAGE

For 29 years Louise Tompkins' bed has been her desk and her brain has become her only "tool." The 70-year old resident of the Dutchess County Infirmary Saturday won the prize that thrilled fellow newsmen most at the annual fall convention of the New York Press Association in Niagara Falls. Bed-ridden and immobilized by arthritis, Miss Tompkins won third place in a contest sponsored by Exxon for Bicentennial writing. Her column, "Out of the past in old Dutchess," has appeared in the Millbrook Round Table, a weekly newspaper. It has been the only copy written in long hand that the paper will accept, Publisher Peter S. Richards told the convention. "Our papers have won lots of prizes, but the whole staff got more excited about this one than any other," he said. Miss Tompkins was stricken with arthritis at the age of 19, while studying to be a physical education teacher in Boston. She has been at the infirmary for 38 years. Her joints have become permanently locked, but it hasn't stopped her from "opening doors." "Thirty-seven years ago I realized I'd never get over this arthritis and decided to make the best of what I have," she explains. "The main thing I had was my brain to use as a tool. "You can do anything you want in life--you can do the impossible--but you can't do it alone. You have to have faith. That's basic to all my success." Part of her success started when a newspaper editor "grabbed" the thesis she wrote for a college correspondence course and hired her to write a column. Using old files, interviews with older residents and her own recollections, she has become a noted historical columnist and the Town of Washington historian. 24

When she first started the job, Miss Tompkins said, a file book came apart. "I thought, oh no, my first job...I'll be fired," she explained. But John Tyldsley, the editor, brought a new file book and "he never said a word about it." The award Saturday "thrilled" her. "I never got a prize before," she said. "I never entered a contest - I said get the oxygen. I was so overwhelmed and delighted, of course." A plaque and the $250 prize money will be awarded in a ceremony at the infirmary Monday. Miss Tompkins said she will probably use the money to clean and repair her hearing aid and, if there is any money left, she wants to have a "little celebration for my friends--perhaps a Halloween party with cookies and sweet apple cider." Those friends include Miss Bilda Bauer, who has purchased supplies, helped with research and even written the column when Miss Tompkins was sick. She also considers Harvey Auster, her editor, "invaluable." "He is the one who sent my columns into this contest," she said. "I wouldn't have known where to send them." Miss Tompkins offered a little advice for those with handicaps. "There's hope for the helpless and the incurable. You can be happy if you trust the Lord," she said. "When he closes one door, he opens another."

CONSTITUTION'S BIRTH MARKED IN KINGSTON

"The Constitution ratified 200 years ago this date was not to prove an iron corset binding the future," State Parts and Recreation Commissioner Orin Lehman told a crowd of 150 at the state Bicentennial program in Kingston. "It was a conservative document," he said, "but one that has well weathered the test of changing times. Of course--many of its clauses would be rewritten even while some of its authors were still alive--and it would be constantly revised from that time to this." Lehman noting that Americans always have been open to change, said, "In everything from the writing of a Constitution to the building of ships--New Yorkers have proven capable of melding the best of the past with new ideas and concepts." He pointed out that in the 1970's New York State's historic sites have been revamped to meet the needs of the Bicentennial decade. The work still is going on. The commissioner spoke on the rear lawn of the historic Senate House where the state's Constitution was adopted on April 20, 1777. He said that through the years the Senate House and Museum have served the people of Kingston area and in return the people have contributed to the site many choice mementoes of the past. Items from the site's collection, he said, now are incorporated into new, permanent exhibits on "The Origins of State Government" and on "Vanderlyn the Artist" to tell stories of statewide significance. Other speakers at the ceremonies were Ugo Lisi, a representative of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, John H.G. Pell, State American Revolution Commission chairman, and member of the State Board for Historic Preservation, and John G. Broughton, associate commissioner for Cultural Education, State Education Department. The event in history that all were marking was the adoption of the first state Constitution by a committee of 13 men who labored to put together a plan under which the new state legally could operate. As a province, New York had no unified system. It had been governed by a complicated maze of charters and laws extending back to Dutch colonial days. After New York voted for and signed the nation's Declaration of Independence, the fledgling state was in legal limbo. Following a winter of insecurity, New Yorkers needed the legal prop of a written constitution which also would legitimize their action in declaring themselves independent. New York's founding fathers were a mix of aristocractic persons such as Robert Livingston, John Jay and Gouverneur Morris, of middle-class lawyers like John Morin Scott, and men of humble origin like Abraham Yates Jr. of Albany.

A full program marking the April 20, 1777, Bicentennial was conducted in Kingston. Lt. Gov. Mary Anne Krupsak, and many state assemblymen and senators were on hand for a full-day program in the Historic part of Kingston, the state's third capital.

Orin Lehman, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation at the Senate House.

Kingston Mayor Francis Koenig and N. Y. State Lieutenant Governor, Mary Anne Krupsak at the Senate House.

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Assembly Speaker Stanley Steingut and Assemblyman Maurice D. Hinchey at Bogardus Tavern, site of the Assembly's first meeting 200 years ago. 28

STATE INKED CONSTITUTION ON THE RUN

When New Yorkers celebrated their state's 200th birthday on Wednesday, they honored the state's first Constitution, a document a group of political representatives approved here on April 20, 1777. According to Orin Lehman, state commissioner of parks and recreation, the work of forming a government in 1777 had been going on for more than eight months. On August 1, 1776, the Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York meeting in White Plains, selected 13 of their members to draw up a plan for a new state. With considerable optimism, the Convention declared the committee should report on its work on August 26th. The committee, however, disregarded that, and subsequent deadlines. The Convention, then New York's only governing authority, conducted the ordinary details of government while, at the same time, confronting frequent emergencies arising from the critical military situation. Important demands on the delegates made it difficult to obtain a quorum. And the Convention was, in fact, a government "on the run." It conducted its first meeting in July in the Westchester County Court House, in White Plains, where it ratified, on July 9, the Declaration of Independence. But, in the following months, British forces occupied New York City and advanced into Westchester County, forcing the Convention to withdraw northward. Early in September, the Convention settled in Fishkill, which, because of its location on a route to and from New England, became a major military center during the Revolution. The Convention first assembled in the frame Fishkill Episcopal Church (Trinity), dating to about 1760. Members soon found it "foul with the dung of doves and other fowl" and without benches or other accommodations. They quickly moved to the First Dutch Reformed Church, which had been organized in 1716, meeting in a building constructed in 1731. In October, Convention participants suffered from cold and dampness in the church so withdrew to the tavern of Isaac Van Wyck. Facilities there were far from satisfactory, but with an improvement in the weather, the Convention returned to the Dutch church. In February, 1777, the Convention again considered moving and agreed to reassemble on the 19th in Kingston, the third oldest community in the Hudson Valley. Their new meeting place, the Ulster County Court House, was hardly an improvement. Then at least 90 years old, the Court House had been, for many years, the subject of discussion about making necessary repairs. A month after their first session in Kingston, delegates voted to allow smoking in order to try to overcome the "disagreeable effluvia" permeating the court room from the jail below.

After the committee appointed to frame a state government finally presented a draft Constitution on March 12, the Convention gave considerable attention to the proposal, examining it daily, paragraph by paragraph, sentence by sentence. A trio of delegates who made numerous comments represented the highest levels of New York's social, cultural, intellectual and financial elite. They were Robert R. Livingston, Gouverneur Morris and John Jay. After frequent readings of the document and the amendments they had made, the delegates late on Sunday, April 20, 1777, voted to approve the Constitution. Only one person, Peter R. Livingston, opposed it. Two days later, Kingston was the scene of a joyous occasion as church bells rang, and Pierre Van Cortlandt, who had been one of the Presidents of the Convention, with one of the secretaries read the Constitution publicly in front of the Court House. The chaotic military situation delayed putting the new government into operation. Elections took place in June, and late in July, George Clinton came to Kingston to take the oath of office as first governor of the state. A quorum of legislators did not arrive here until September. On September 10th, the State Senate met in a room of Abraham Van Gaasbeek's low stone house. Now, 200 years later, it is possible to commemorate New York's beginnings as a state by reliving these historic events in many of the actual places associated with them.

Ulster Detachment of the Marine Corps League in replicas of 1775 U.S.M.C. uniforms.

MAY 1775: AREA FREEHOLDERS MEET TO DECIDE FUTURE A Fishkill storekeeper played an important part in events that took place in Dutchess County 200 years ago this month as the American Revolution began to gather steam. His name was Nathaniel Sackett and although not as well known as his compatriot, Enoch Crosby, was a spy for General George Washington. On May 2, 1775, forty freeholders of Rombout Precinct met at the home of John and Hendrick Wyckoff in Fishkill to consider "such measures as may be thought necessary for the freeholders and inhabitants for their future safety and preservation." They had responded to a call issued by Nathaniel Sackett, a Fishkill storekeeper, who had been in New York City when the news of Lexington had reached that place and was an onlooker when "New York's mob at once seized arms and terrorized the town," according to the late Dr. Henry Noble MacCracken in his book, "Old Dutchess Forever". A document in the archives at Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh, reportedly in Nathaniel Sackett's handwriting, contains the record of the May 2 meeting: "May 2, 1775: Whereas, alarming accounts have been received of the massacre in Boston, and a resolution in Parliament taken, declaring the whole continent rebels, a number of Freeholders in this Precinct, having this day assembled at the house of Messers John and Hendrick Wyckoff, taking the alarming situation of this continent into consideration, agreeable to printed handbills sent up from the county of New York, requesting them to poll such measures as may be thought most necessary for the freeholders and inhabitants for their safety and preservation. "And as it has become absolutely necessary for the future preservation of our Families in this Precinct that a firm union may subsist between us and the other precincts, it is sincerely hoped that all ranks and dominations appear, and their sense be taken at this crisis. "It is therefore requested that none on any account or excuse whatever will keep back but appear at the house of Messrs. John and Hendrick on Friday, the 5th instant, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, there to deliberate on such matters as are necessary to the present occasion." The document also contains the following: "Fishkill Orders. May 5, 1775. "1. That a chairman be chosen. "2. That a clerk be chosen to enter all matters concluded upon. "3. That no person speak only in his turn. "4. That no person call any other person in private. "5. That all matters be debated with candor, without constraint, and with perfect freedom. "6. That all persons be heard, and proper weight be given to their reasons, without any distinction to either rank, quality, or fortune. "7. That all persons shall be heard, and the question being put, every person present is to answer only yes or no, as his judgment may direct, without giving any reason. "8. That no business diversions, stories, histories, or any other matter or thing that may divert or delay the 31

business of the day, be mentioned or encouraged until the whole business is gone through and completed. "9. That every question put shall he carried for or against by a majority of the voices of the people present. 1. Choose a committee of thirty to be a Committee of observation. 2. Their power to be fixed. 3. Some of that number to wait on Col. Brinkerhoff at Poughkeepsie, they to make a report on their return to the other members of the committee to establish their sense. 4. To choose one deputy to the Provincial Congress. 5. The affairs of the Negroes to be considered. 6. What to be done with them in case of a battle. 7. What precautions should be taken now. 8. Enter into some resolution to be published." The names listed on the document are (according to the spelling on the document): Alderman Dirick Brinkerhoff, Capt: Isaac Terboss, Rudolph Schenck, Stephen Duryea, Zachariah Van Voorhis, Jonathan Haights, Jonas Halstead, John Cooper, Everts W. Swart, Doctr Corp Osborn, Henry Schenck, William Van Wyck, Isaac Yoriancy, Peter Montfort Esq., Coll: John Brinkerhoff. Doctr Therodorius Van Wyck, Gisbert Schenck, Rudolph Swartwout, Martin Wiltse, Richard Southhard, Joseph Thurstin, Thomas Storm, Cornelius Van Sickler, Matthew VanBenscouton, James Weeks, Christian Dubois, Richard Van Wyck, Jacobus Degrave (Degroff), Gideon Ver Vailing (VerValen), Elias Vanbenscouten Junr, Abm Brinckerhoff, Nathl. Sackett, John Halstead, Capt Jacob Griffin, Phillip Verplanck, Jacobus Swartwout, Cap Peter Bogardous, John Myer, Peter J. Monfoort, Gorgus Storm, John Teerpennys and Elias Van Bunscoten. Rombout Precinct in 1775 included the present towns of Fishkill, East Fishkill, Wappinger and the western portion of LaGrange. The names of the men who signed are recognizable as men who lived throughout the area. Gideon VerValen and Jacobus Degroff were from the northerly part of the precinct in the present Manchester Bridge area. The military titles of several of the men derived doubtless from their positions in the Colonial Militia. Alderman Dirick Brinckerhoff was a member of the Colonial Assembly "which sat till the 3rd of April, 1775, when it was prorogued to the 3rd of May following, and by successive prorogation, to the 17th of April, 1776, which was the last. It never sat again." This information comes from "History of New York During the Revolution, Vol. 1", Thomas Jones. Theodorus Van Wyck later became a commissioner of sequestration, a person charged with the disposal of the property of loyalists, those loyal to the Crown, for the benefit of the Continental Army. Col. Jacob Griffin was the owner of a tavern, later called the Rendezvous because of its being the meeting place of the Patriot leaders. The building still stands on Route 82 north of Brinckerhoff, and a short distance from the house of John Brinkerhoff, son-in-law of Theodorus Van Wyck.

THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF FISHEILL, N.Y. founded 1716

The historic First Reformed Church of Fishkill dates back to 1716, when a Dutch Reformed congregation was formed in the area known as the Fishkills and when the entire population of all Dutchess County (which then included Putnam County) numbered only 445 inhabitants. Construction of the church building began in 1725, taking seven years to complete. Services before that time were held in people's homes, and were conducted in the Dutch language. Early record books, showing minutes of consistory meetings, treasurers' reports, marriages and baptisms, are all in Dutch until about the time of the Revolutionary War, when notations in the records show a curious mixture of Dutch and English. The first church structure was considerably smaller than the present building. It was constructed of stones hauled by oxcart from neighboring farms, and was one story high. A four-sided roof came to a peak in the center. Rising from this was a cupola where a small bell was hung. Entry was through a door facing the street, the same doorway that fronts on Pain Street today but which is sealed off on the inside. It was to this building that the Provincial Convention came in September, 1776, to draft a constitution for the State of New York. Delegates first met in Trinity Episcopal Church down the street to the east, but that church was not yet completed, lacking pews and window glass. Members of the convention remained in Fishkill until February, 1777, when they adjoined to Kingston. The presence of the Provincial Convention made Fishkill for that brief period of time, the capital of New York State. Much work on the first constitution of the state was done within the walls of this church, and in 1777, that document was printed in Fishkill by Samuel Loudon, Whig printer, who set up shop in this village after fleeing from the Britishoccupied New York City. Men who gathered here for the Convention included such notables as Philip Livingston, to become a signer of the Declaration of Independence; Lewis Morris, to be honored likewise. There was also John Jay, Pierre van Cortlandt, Gen. John Morin Scott, Robert van Rensselaer, James Duane and Robert Livingston, later to be associated with Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and Sherman in drafting the Declaration of Independence. The church was used later during the Revolutionary War as a prison, and it was from here that the spy, Enoch Crosby, was allowed to escape under secret orders of Gen. George Washington. Legend says that Crosby was the real-life model for Harvey Birch, the central figure in James Fenimore Cooper's novel, "The Spy." After the war, the congregation decided a larger building was needed, and so the church was enlarged and remodeled between 1785 and 1795. A second story was added, and balconies held by long iron railings were constructed for the seating of servants, most of whom were freed Negro slaves. Stone walls of the building are 36 to 42 inches thick. Main pillars for the steeple are about 80 feet high, and the spire rises 120 feet. The golden cock on top of the steeple 33

can be seen for miles as one approaches the village of Fishkill from any direction. The cock symbolizes Peter's denial of Jesus. Original pulpit furniture is now in the dining room of Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh. The churchyard just adjacent has many interesting inscriptions on the old gravestones, some of the early markers being inscribed in Dutch.

AMERICA'S NARROW ESCAPE by Louise Tompkins Construction of the fortifications at West Point began on January 20, 1778. When the weather warmed up, two able military engineers, Thaddeus Kosciusko and Rufus Putnam, added their skills to perfecting the fortifications. Farther down the valley an irregular war raged mostly in Westchester County. Robbers were there. Some claimed allegiance to no one; some to the King, called "Cowboys"; others, to the Continental Congress, they were called "Skinners". These robbers harassed and murdered farmers and merchants, besides disrupting the lines of communications of both armies. The violence of these outlaws equaled the violence occurring that year between the Indians and the whites in frontier settlements, such as in Cherry Valley. General George Washington returned to the Hudson Valley with his army in July, 1778, and took up a position north of New York City at White Plains. The British Army at Philadelphia had been forced to leave that city, and return to Manhattan to avoid being captured by the ships and soldiers of France, the patriots' new ally. The next year, on June 1, General Sir Henry Clinton seized two fortifications in the Hudson Highlands just south of West Point: Stony Point and Verplanck's Point. General Washington ordered General Anthony Wayne to retake Stony Point. In a surprise attack on the night of July 15, Wayne and his troops stormed the slopes leading to the fort, broke through the defense, and overwhelmed the British garrison with a bayonet charge. In previous years it had been the British whose bayonet attacks had been feared. Now, the Continental Army proved that it could do equally as well -even better: During the year 1780, the Commander at West Point Fort (the academy was not founded until 1802) was General Benedict Arnold. The population of both England and America were tired of the long, hard war, and General Arnold thought that a dramatic stroke of victory now by either side might turn the tide, ending the war. The patriots were not doing well in the South, and inflated Continental currency had demoralized all the rebel states. Fort Putnam (probably named for Colonel Rufus Putnam, 1738-1824) was constructed on the highest point of land overlooking West Point Fort. Fort Clinton, at the eastern angle of the plain, was originally called Fort Arnold, but it was renamed after Arnold turned traitor to his country. General Benedict Arnold was born at Norwich, Connecticut in 1746. His brilliant strategy at the Battle of Saratoga actually turned the tide of war in favor of the patriots. Also, his brave deeds at Quebec and Valcour Island were not appreciated by the Patriots. His bitter resentment grew until he was more than ready to accept the request of the British to let them take West Point Fort, and end the war in their favor. General Arnold was the commander of the Fort at the time, and the British offer of twenty thousand pounds, or one hundred thousand dollars, if he delivered the Fort into their hands, pleased him. Even if he failed, he was promised ten thousand pounds, or fifty thousand dollars.

This offer seemed good to him in every way, and he accepted it. He acquired documents describing the Fort, and revealing the number of troops stationed there. He also gave the date of the next visit of General Washington to the fort as the best time to attack. The American army would be helpless if their great general were captured! General Arnold knew of no one on the American side whom he could trust to carry this information safely to the British. So he requested the British to send someone to get the information. They chose Major John Andre, 29 years old, a member of Sir Henry Clinton's staff, who was appointed Adjutant General of the British Army. Major Andre met General Arnold about two miles below Haverstraw, New York, one night, and received the information. The Major wore a ragged coat and rode an old farm horse. He was carrying the documents back to General Clinton when he met three American militiamen at Tarrytown, New York. They looked at him and decided that he was a farm hand on business. Then they noticed that he was wearing very expensive riding boots. Their suspicions were aroused, and they stopped him. While searching him, they discovered the documents in his boots, and arrested him as a spy. He was tried and hanged at Tappan on October 2, 1780. As commander of West Point Fort, General Arnold was one of the first to learn that Major Andre had been captured. He lost no time in hurrying down the Hudson River to a waiting British naval vessel, fittingly named the Vulture. As a Brigadier General in the British army, Benedict Arnold led attacks in Virginia and Connecticut. After the war, he became an unhappy exile. He died miserably in London, England in 1801. If Major Andre had worn an old pair of boots, General Arnold's plot might have succeeded. In that case, the British army might have won the war, and America might not have become the home of the brave, and the land of the free.

KING GEORGE I OF AMERICA? by Louise Tompkins At the beginning of the American Revolution, King George III of England thought that he could put down the Rebellion quickly by sending his armies to cut off the Colony of New York from the rest of the colonies. The brilliant General George Washington, commander of the American Army, foiled him in his plans. The war dragged on year after year, and it was not easy for either side to await the end of it. The British troops around New York City lived in log huts, and followed a monotonous daily routine, while the American soldiers at the New Windsor Cantonment led a similar routine. Only fights and petty jealousies interrupted the boredom. There were real tensions on both sides Two groups in New York City viewed the end of the war with apprehension. The Loyalists, who were faithful to King George III, comprised one group. In this group were men, women and children from New York City, and many other parts of the thirteen colonies. They were afraid of losing their homes and property. For many of them, embarkation with the British troops to other parts of the British Empire was the inevitable outcome. The other group was made up of thousands of blacks, former slaves, who had been granted their freedom by the British in return for services to the army as laborers, and in the case of some of the men, as soldiers. Would they be returned to slavery? Among the American soldiers at Newburgh, New York, demands for back pay increased steadily. Many of the soldiers believed that an inept government lay at the base of the problem. In the spring of 1782, Colonel John Louis Nicola seriously proposed that the country's and the soldiers' problems could be solved if General George Washington were crowned King George I of America: General Washington would not consider the proposal for a minute. He rejected the idea as inappropriate to the principles underlying the Revolution. During the winter of 1782-1783, a delegation of soldiers went to Philadelphia, demanding their pay from Congress. Then in March, 1783, some officers proposed a coup d'etat. In a moving speech to his officers on March 15, 1783, General Washington persuaded them not to do such a thing. A trickle of money from Congress helped to calm the soldiers' passions further.. Finally, on the eve of the anniversary of the battle of Lexington on April 18, 1783, the end of the war was announced. On June 13, most of the army went home. Home, too, went hundreds of women who had ably served the army, as nurses, cooks, and laborers. The families of soldiers frequently found it necessary to accompany the troops when the army went into the field. The women served the army in many different kinds of support activities. Their contribution to the war effort was matched by those women who ran households and farms while husbands and kin were away at war.

TOWN OF LAGRANGE - REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD by Nancy Logan During the years of the American Revolution there was no "Town of LaGrange." The area that later became the Town was partially in the Beekman Precinct (Northeastern section of the Town), and partially in the Rombout Precinct (Southwestern section of the Town) (See map). It wasn't until 1821 that the present boundaries formed the new town of Freedom, and in 1829 renamed LaGrange after LaFayette's estate in France. Research has indicated that during the 18th Century this area was primarily agricultural with numerous flour and grist mills, blacksmith shops, and taverns, located by Wappingers Creek in the west and in several settlements in the Eastern section. Some of these buildings are standing today having been carefully preserved by local residents. During the Revolutionary era Quakers held meetings in the Arthursburg section. At that time it was known as Dorlandville, named after a Quaker preacher who resided there. Other places of worship were not built until the 19th Century. There were probably twice as many Patriots as Loyalists and many families were split politically in their feelings during the Revolution. In the Beekman and Rombout Precincts 750 Freeman signed the Articles of Association in July, 1775, while 394 refused to sign. These Articles supported the decisions of the Continental Congress. Many of those who did not sign were Quakers, who later fled to Canada after the War to establish new communities. The location of LaGrange on one of the main roads from Connecticut to the Hudson River assures us that numerous soldiers passed through our town during the War, including perhaps a portion of Burgoyne's captive army enroute to Fishkill. According to local legend these British soldiers spent a night in an area known as CAMP LOT in 1777. (This is located south of Noxon Road and east of Route 82). These soldiers "entered the county at Amenia, passed through Verbank, Arthursburgh and Hopewell, reaching the Hudson at Fishkill Landing."(1) Also in the summer of 1777, a band of Tories formed an encampment on CAMP LOT meadow and lived there temporarily while they gathered recruits. After about 400 Tories were gathered they moved north to Pleasant Valley. There they concentrated on intimidating the local patriots and stealing supplies for the British army.(2) These Tories may have been the same ones that were involved in an incident described by Philip Smith. "In the northeast part of the town is a dense swamp, in the middle of which is a rising knoll of about half an acre in extent... In Revolutionary times the business of horse stealing was extensively practiced in this locality, its proximity to British lines rendering it an easy matter to dispose of the booty. (1)Smith, Philip. General History of Dutchess County from 1609 to 1876, inclusive. 1877. p. 232. (2)Smith, James, History of Dutchess County, New York. 1882. p. 312, 467.

The swamp island was used as a rendezvous to which the stolen property was temporarily conveyed until a convenient opportunity arrived to run the animals within the enemy's line. The rendezvous was discovered by some Whigs, who determined to keep a watch over the movements of the Tories, and at the opportune moment to swoop down upon them, and capture the marauders and their stolen animals, at one blow. Shortly after, a number of horses were taken from the farmers in the vicinity, and were reported to be secreted in the swamp. Accordingly a company was organized and equipped, and preparations made for an attack on the Tory camp. The night was dark, and the thickets of the swamp almost interminable. The Tories were known to be well armed, and many of them desperate characters; and withal were, believed to outnumber the attacking party...It was their intention to take the camp by surprise. They therefore crept with cat-like tread, in the direction of the island. Before they reached it, however, yet while they could get occasional glimpses of the camp fires of the enemy, a low whistle was heard, doubtless the signal of a Tory sentinel to his comrades that danger was approaching through the gloom of the swamp. On arriving at the island, it was found deserted by man and beast, who left their camp fires brightly burning. The Tories had been alarmed in time, and beat a hasty retreat, carrying off their booty with them in their flight."(3) This swamp and island is believed to have been located north of the present Gidley Road. One more story tells of an old Tory who lived on the eastern borders of the Town. He was "caught several times harboring the enemies of his country, and in other ways assisting them. The people finally became exasperated, and caught the old Tory, tied him to a post, and gave him a sound whipping, such as doubtless had a tendency to cure him of his Toryism, or at any rate to persuade him to be more cautious."(4) Of more substantial record were the many Patriots who supported the cause of the Revolution and who served their country in the battlefield. "LaGrange" was well represented in the Regiments from Dutchess County.

(3)smith, Philip, General History of Dutchess County from 1609 to 1876, inclusive. p. 230 (4)Ibid, p. 232.

SOME REVOLUTIONARY WAR RESIDENCES EXISTING IN THE TOWN OF LAGRANGE by Joan Platt Several dwellings still standing in the Town of LaGrange can be traced back to participants in the Revolutionary War. One of the most handsome of the early buildings is the Sleight Homestead in the Manchester section of the town. It has housed eight generations of the Sleight family, and was probably built by Col. James Sleight, who served in the Revolution. Col. Sleight left a record of his service in the form of a diary which is now in the collection of the Archives of the State of New York. From his papers, we learn that he served in 1776 at Fort Montgomery, in 1777 at Fort Constitution, and in 1778 in White Plains.' Sleight was a member of a detachment which followed the British to Kingston, only to witness the destruction of that village of four thousand inhabitants. The experience was especially painful for Sleight, since many of his relatives were among those whose homes were destroyed by British torches.2 After his belated marriage at the age of forty-six to Elsie DeRiemer, aged twenty-two, 3 Col. Sleight settled in his LaGrange home and became prominent in LaGrange affairs. At one time, he was a Justice-of-the-Peace. Another fine residence which still remains in our Town was built by Gilbert R. Livingston of that prominent Hudson Valley family. Gilbert, unlike many of his Poughkeepsie area relatives of the period, was a Loyalist during the Revolution, having held a commission in a regiment of Loyalists. It is quite likely that Gilbert built his "Prospect Hill" home some distance from Poughkeepsie because of political divisiveness and bitter feelings within his family and in general society. Gilbert's marriage to Martha Kane, the daughter of a Loyalist from Pawling enhanced the ideological schism." When Gilbert Livingston left Dutchess County in 1797, "Prospect Hill" was purchased by General Samuel Augustus Barker, who had served with Connecticut troops in the Revolutionary War and later commanded a brigade of Dutchess County militia. General Barker was a colorful and well-known County resident; his political credits included the office of State assemblyman from 1788-1811, and director of the 1790 Census. In his later years, he was a Justice-of-the-Peace

'Beers, J. H. & Co., Commemorative Biography of Dutchess County, 1897, p. 608. 2Smith, James, History of Dutchess County, 1882, p. 122. 3The Glebe House, 1767 "Reynolds,Helen Wilkinson, Dutchess County Doorways, 1931, p. 161.

in Beekman. One anecdote notes that, at an advanced age, Barker was often seen in his fields with a servant digging up daisies. Such stories of his final senility do not, however, diminish his prominence in Dutchess County history. 5

5 Reynolds, p. 163.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY WILLIAM JAMES VASSAR (1827-1910) by J. Spotts McDowell William James Vassar, my grandfather, was the eldest son of James W. Vassar, who was born in England, and Elizabeth Bond, of Jamaica, Queens County, on Long Island, New York. They were married April 15, 1820, in the Dutch Reform Church of Jamaica. William James, the fifth of twelve children, was born July 7, 1827, probably on his father's 90-acre farm in the Township of Hempstead, which was then a part of Queens County. In the consolidation of Greater New York City in 1898, Western Queens became a part of the City. Eastern Queens, including Hempstead, became Nassau County, and did not join the City. On May 25, 1828, James W. Vassar sold his Hempstead farm, and shortly afterward moved to the Town of Poughkeepsie. His home there, which he did not buy, was probably situated a couple of miles south of the limits of the Village of Poughkeepsie, not far from the Albany Post Road. It was about six miles from a small farm occupied later by a retired seacaptain, Edward S. Tobey, who will be mentioned later. While living in Poughkeepsie, James W. Vassar worked as Captain of a Hudson River sloop, probably his own vessel, and carried cargo on the Hudson, and along the nearby coast of the Atlantic. He was still there in early 1837, but by 1840 he had returned to Long Island with his family and was living in the Village of Jamaica. He lived there until his death, June 24, 1859. His wife Elizabeth died May 25, 1880. William James Vassar had three or four years of schooling in Poughkeepsie. Years later, he told some of his children that as a child he sometimes played on the grounds of the brewery owned by Matthew Vassar. He related that, while still a small boy, he became disobedient and incorrigible - a "scrape-grace" and that he wouldn't stay at home. At about the age of 10, he ran away from home, and got as far as Bath, Maine, about 500 miles from Poughkeepsie. The only way he could have gotten there was by means of a sailing vessel. He must have had adult assistance. Bath was then a busy shipping center for wood and wood products, and frequently supplied cargo to vessels from Poughkeepsie. Matthew Vassar, the Poughkeepsie brewer, may have occasionally sent one of his schooners there, to get timbers for his shipyard, and materials for use in making barrels. These were used to bring molasses from the West Indies for the brewery, and for the storage and shipment of ale. Soon after his arrival in Bath, young Vassar was seen and recognized by Captain Edward S. Tobey of Poughkeepsie, Master of a sailing vessel which carried cargo along the northern Atlantic Coast, and up the Hudson River. Tobey took charge of the young runaway, took him aboard, and presumably entered his name in the ship's roster as "cabin-boy". He had no legal right to do this, but in the circumstances, it was the best thing that could have happened to young Vassar. For about 4 years, William worked on Tobey's ship as cabin-boy. On shipboard, his conduct evidently improved, and he seems to have become strongly attached to Captain Tobey. When the vessel was in her home port of Poughkeepsie, he stayed with the Tobeys. 42

On April 5, 1841, Captain Tobey married Miss Hannah B. Sprague, of Boston. He then retired from the sea, and made his home on a 48-acre farm owned by Lewis Tobey (probably a brother), about two miles from the limits of the Village of Poughkeepsie, on the Dutchess Pike. William Vassar lived for about two years with Captain Tobey and his wife. Between 1837 and 1843, he paid several visits to his parents, but would not remain at home very long at a time. On July 7, 1843, he became 16 years old. About that time, he left the farm, went to New York, and signed on as a seaman on an English tea-vessel, under the command of Captain Dietrich Storms. Vassar worked for about two years on this vessel, and made two voyages to Hong Kong. Each of these took nearly a year. On the first trip to Hong Kong, the vessel stopped for several days at Rio de Janiero. In later years, he reported that he had seen the Coronation of the Emperor Dom Pedro II, but this could not have been so. At the time of the Coronation, (July 18, 1841) the port of Hong Kong was still closed to western shipping, and no one knew when, if ever, the port would be opened. Aside from that, a young sailor would not have been admitted to the Coronation ceremonies. Yet William surely saw something which, in his old age, he thought was the Coronation. This was probably the reception following the wedding of the Emperor to the Princess Thereza of Naples, on September 5, 1843. Immediately after the wedding ceremonies in the Royal Chapel, the Emperor and his bride were escorted to the throne room of the adjoining City Palace, where all who wished to see the Royal couple could do so, regardless of rank, if they were properly dressed. After leaving Rio, the ship went directly to Hong Kong, which had been ceded by China to England in 1842, and promptly opened to western trade. On the return trip, Captain Storms presumably took his ship around the Cape of Good Hope, at the southern tip of Africa, to England. After a stop there, he made a cruise on the Mediterranean, to Turkey and Cyprus. After a second stop in England to discharge cargo and take on other cargo for America and the Orient, he again crossed the Atlantic to New York. On her second voyage to Hong Kong, the tea-vessel sailed out of New York Harbor, as before. On her way south, she ran into a storm which damaged the ship and her rigging to such an extent that she had to lay over in Rio several weeks for repairs. On returning from the second trip to the Orient, Captain Storms took his vessel to New Orleans. Part of the cargo was doubtless discharged, and other cargo, probably cotton, was taken aboard. The Captain then sailed for England. But young Vassar had obtained a discharge from the ship's crew, and remained for a time in New Orleans. The date was probably the summer of 1845, and Vassar was 18 years old. It is probable that he soon established contact with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, then a part of the War Department. For the next two years, he worked intermittently for the Bureau. His first assignment, after a short time spent in New Orleans, was a trip to Baton Rouge on business connected with supplies for some Indians. After his work there was completed, he stayed on in Baton Rouge for a month, as the guest of a family named LeVasseur. 43

The Bureau of Indian Affairs had by this time reached the late stages of the government's campaign to move the Seminole Indians of Florida to a reservation in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). William Vassar was a member of a task force which made two such round trips. Starting out from New Orleans, they crossed the Gulf of Mexico by sailing vessel or steamship, to the Everglades of southern Florida. There, they took aboard a party of Indians and the Negroes living with them, who had made their homes in the swamps of the Everglades. The ship took the Indian and Negro passengers across the Gulf to New Orleans, where they were transferred to a river steamboat for the long trip up the Mississippi to the mouth of the Arkansas, and from there up the Arkansas to Fort Scott (later called "Fort Smith") in the northeastern part of Indian Territory. From that point, the Seminoles and Negroes went overland on the last leg of their long journey to the reservation. They had been moved approximately 1500 miles from their homes in Florida. These two round trips, of about 3000 miles each, must have taken several months of young Vassar's time. William Vassar later made a number of short boat trips from New Orleans along the Gulf Coast and up the Mississippi as a crew-member of Gulf ships and river steamboats. He worked for a short time at a lumber camp in the cypress forests of central Mississippi. One of his river trips took him to Cincinnati. After that, he made Cincinnati his home, but continued to work on the river boats until 1847. From 1848 until 1852, William and his parents exchanged letters at irregular intervals. In the late summer of 1847, William entered the employ of Bailey, Langstaff and Company, lumber merchants, for whom he worked for about three years. In the late spring or early summer of 1850, he made a trip east to see his parents, at their home in the Village of Jamaica, Long Island, New York. While in the east, William paid a visit to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he had lived as a small child. In Poughkeepsie, he met and had a chat with either John Guy Vassar, Jr., or with his brother, who went by the name of Matthew Vassar, Jr., nephews of Matthew Vassar, the brewer, who later founded Vassar College. In this conversation, there seems to have been a mutual understanding that William Vassar was related to John Guy and Matthew. In December of 1850, William married Mary Catherine Brickard (who was called Mary Brickett), shortly before her seventeenth birthday. Her parents had come to the United States from Alsace-Lorraine in France, and settled in Cincinnati about 1830. Mary Catherine was born December 25, 1833. In 1851, William Vassar and his young wife left Cincinnati to make their home on an 80-acre tract of land in Southern Indiana, which she and her younger brother Jacob had inherited from their Uncle Jacob Brickard. The property was situated near the Village of Napoleon, a stopping-place for passengers using the stage coach on the highway connecting Cincinnati and Indianapolis. The tract of land owned by the two Brickards was located 2-1/2 miles west of Napoleon, on the Brownstown Road. Much of their land was wooded, and some of it had to be cleared for use in farming. There may have been a house on the property; if not, one had to be built immediately. Farm buildings 44

also, had to be erected immediately, if not already on the ground. In 1848, Mary Catherine Vassar bought the half-interest in the property owned by her brother Jacob, who had just become 21 years old. The following children were born to William and Mary Catherine Vassar: 1. Mary Catherine, born October 12, 1851. 2. William Henry, September 10, 1853. 3. Lydia Ann (Veronica), August 29, 1855. 4. Charles Edward, June 16, 1857; died July 2, 1858. 5. Alvin, January 3, 1859. 6. Melvin, January 9, 1861. 7. Grace Etta, March 13, 1863. 8. John Guy, November 22, 1864 9. Alice, August 2, 1866. 10. Lucy, July 8, 1868. In late 1864, William Vassar was 37 years old and strong Union sympathizer. On September 24, 1864, he enlisted in the United States Army, and served as a private until June 22, 1865, when he was mustered out of service at Nashville, Tennessee. He belonged to Company F, 35th Regiment, Indiana Infantry. This regiment was a part of the U.S. Army of the Cumberland, which operated in that part of Tennessee which lies east of the Tennessee River. In late 1864, the Army of the Cumberland fought two important battles with the Confederate Army of Tennessee. These were the Battle of Franklin, November 30, and the Battle of Nashville, December 15 and 16. The Union forces won a decisive victory in the Battle of Nashville, and destroyed the Confederate Army of Tennessee as an effective fighting force. William Vassar fought in both of these battles, and emerged unharmed. In 1869, the eldest daughter of the family, Mary Catherine, married and left home. On August 22, 1870, Mary Catherine Vassar, wife of William, died of tuberculosis and was buried in the Baptist Cemetery of Napoleon. She left a family of eight children on the farm, ranging in age from 2 to 17 years. Lydia Ann, the eldest girl still at home, was 15 years old when her mother died. She took charge of the house, did most of the housework and took the place of a mother to the younger children. After 1874, she was assisted by her older sister Mary Catherine Gray, who moved back to her father's home after the death of her husband Henry Gray. In 1880, William Vassar married Miss Sarah H. Laughlin, and Lydia Ann then left home. Children of William and Sarah Vassar 1. Rose, born December 3, 1881. 2. Cora, February 8, 1883. 3. Bertha, July 10, 1884. 4. Addison, October 7, 1886. 5. Monta, July 17, 1892. Sarah Laughlin Vassar died December 25, 1892, at the age of 45. Her brother David and his wife Emma then moved to the farm, where they managed the house and took care of the children. In 1895, William Vassar married Mrs. Margaret Showers. His daughter, Rose, left home soon afterward. In 1903, he 45

sold the farm and moved into the Village of Napoleon, with his wife and the other children. With the money received from sale of the farm property, he bought two houses. He rented one of these, and lived in the other. On January 10, 1910, William Vassar passed away at the age of 82 years and 6 months. He was buried in the Lutheran Cemetery of Napoleon.

The handsome building as it once was, and again will be.

SAVING THE ELMENDORPH INN

The determination of citizens of Red Hook and neighboring communities has been severely tested recently in the struggle to save from demolition or other commercial threats a 1750 inn currently decrepit, but architecturally deserving, historically interesting, structurally useful and culturally enriching. Hopes rose and fell during the often frustrating negotiations, but,to the credit of those involved, spirits did not flag, civilities were maintained, and the community was well served when Friends of Elmendorph, initially inspired and led by Rosemary Coons, Village Historian, succeeded in buying the inn which will be maintained as a useful part of the heritage of northern Dutchess County. Announcing this happy event is the following article from the Gazette Advertiser. 'FRIENDS' TO PURCHASE HISTORIC ELMENDORPH by Beth Mead The Elmendorph has been "saved", the Friends of Elmendorph Inc, announced Wednesday. Elmendorph Inn, Red Hook's oldest, most historic building and the object of the Friends' striving for control for more than a year, will finally be sold to them by the Grand Union Co., according to Rosemary Coons, former Friends president. The word "saved" in relation to the building originated with school children who wrote volumes of letters last year asking for its preservation.

No details of the sale agreement have been released as they are still being put into final form, but the Friends received "a commitment in writing" from the food chain "to convey the premises owned by it in Red Hook, New York and commonly known as the 'Elmendorph Inn' to The Friends of Elmendorph", according to a statement prepared by Paul M. Fredricks, Friends publicity chairman. "All that can be said is that both parties are extremely satisfied and pleased with the outcome, with the conditions being best described as advantageous to both," said Fredricks. "We're anxious to get inside," Mrs. Coons commented, about the North Broadway building to decide how to stop deterioration within and without the vacant, boarded up, unheated structure. No plans have been announced as to the exact usages of the building by the Friends. At times, they have mentioned a museum, a craft workshop, a public meeting place and a senior citizen center. The Friends, including president Herman Gorgens, attributed Grand Union's apparently sudden reversal of its stance particularly to the efforts of the Rev. James Elliot Lindsley of the Tivoli Episcopal Church. "Starting in 1975 and months and months of hope and frustration, the Friends of Elmendorph were fortunate in having a blessed emissary in the form of Rev. James Elliot Lindsley meeting with James Wood, the president of Grand Union Company. "Father Lindsley presented the case for the Friends to a receptive James Wood and a meeting of the minds was achieved," the group said. The Friends' statement said the group would like to "thank their many supporters who through the many months remained steadfast. "To the many, including the children who wrote letters to the Grand Union expressing their individual hopes. To the many who committed themselves with financial support and volunteer labor. To organizations from the Senior Citizens to the Girl Scouts. To Harold Fell, our recently elected Mayor, and others. And especially to the Rev. James Elliot Lindsley for being the much needed catalyst. To the members of the Friends of Elmendorph and the many who we hope become members." The group also made another significant announcement, stating it has received a designation of tax exempt status from the Department of the Treasury which means that membership or donations are tax deductible. In the past the Friends have alluded to plans for a fund-raising drive that would be put into action after acquisition of the building. The announcement of the inn's impending sale to the Friends stops speculation that Theodore Deminski would buy the building for restoration as a restaurant. Negotiations between the restauranteur and Grand Union had been alternately off and on for about six months. At one time the Friends had offered Grant Union $6,750 for the property, the exact amount of an appraisal they had commissioned. That offer was countered with a $31,500 price

Friends at work

tag and the imposition of various conditions for restoring the structure. The Friends turned down Grand Union's proposal and concentrated on a letter writing campaign to try and persuade the chain store to lower its terms. Pickets carried placards to that effect in front of the Rhinebeck Grand Union store last April. The Friends waited in the wings, only offering help in the restoration, while Deminski first announced his intention of rehabilitating the building into a good restaurant, then revealed that the building was withdrawn from the market by C,rand Union. Records preserved from earlier times show that plotting against the British prior to the Revoluti,onary War took place at the inn, a major stopping place between New York and Albany. Later, the first town meetings of the emergency local government were held under its roof. Ownership has been traced through a number of local families. The following excerpt from Elmendorph Echoes indicates the vigorous spirit now caring for the inn.

Dean Fk-.ends, Here -.s some Modern H-.stony on the E-&nendorph. On June 7, we closed on the baL d-.ng. Board members c'eaned around the property and -.nside the buU d-.ng to prepare £t bon Handserabb~e Day on June 11. On June 15, three men represent-.ng the State came to Zook at the bu-.-d-.ng and were enthus-.ast-.e about -.t. E!ectn-.c-.ty was hooked up to the buU d-.ng on June 17, and on the 25th, vo~unteeno began to d-.smant~e an okd shed on the property and eieaned brush. Pant-.t-.ons tin the eeUar were d-.smant~ed at th-.s -t-me as we-2. On June 27, Ph-.2 Seymour worked with h-.s equipment. A Large group worked on Judy 2, going earebuU y through the p-ctes ob maten-.a!s (nom the shed, and an -.non Strap h-.nge p!us many othen things were bound.

Haro-ed FeU carted some

od the bunnab~es away. On Jay b, Ray Rage went through the butd-.ng and pointed out some anch-Ltectuna deta-.Lo that we had not been aware od. C-eeanup chews cont-.nued wonk-.ng on week-ends and then on Monday n-.ght, Ju-ey 18, a -eange enew ob vo-anteers worked on one od the hottest days to get r-.d ob the nema-.ns od the shed. Geong-.a Coon then hauled the wrap me-tar away on Jufy 23. At the present ttime, est-.mates are be-.ng gathered bon e-eeetn-.e-.ty, pant, p~umb-.ng, heat, etc. Our. garage -.s gong to be nepa-.red. Sh-.ngkes have been donated bon the garage rood. We are always ook-.ng don a dump truck to use and a p!aee to get r-.d ob nonbunnab!e maten.-.aL . Pease he-ep us -e you can.

JACOB WILLETTS' EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY TEXTBOOKS by A. Day Bradley The Nine Partners School at Mechanic established in 1796 by New York Yearly Meeting continued until 1863. Many writers have attested to the excellence of the instruction and training at Nine Partners, and no account fails to pay tribute to the ability and influence of Jacob Willetts and his wife Deborah Rogers, who were students, later teachers and superintendents at the School. Jacob Willetts (1785-1860) entered Nine Partners when he was eleven and became a teacher there at eighteen. Deborah Rogers (1789-1880) also became a teacher at age eighteen, and became Deborah Willetts in 1812. In the course of a long teaching career Jacob Willetts published texts in geography, bookkeeping and arithmetic. Only Jacob's name appears as author, but undoubtedly these texts were a joint undertaking by a husband and wife team. Deborah Willetts specialized in grammar; Goold Brown, the grammarian, paid tribute to the excellence of her instruction. The interests of Jacob and Deborah were not confined to the traditional three R's or the "common school subjects"; Jacob calculated a sundial for the latitude of Mechanic, which was cast in brass by Jacob Wing; Deborah calculated an eclipse. There are a number of biographical sketches of the Willetts and accounts of the Nine Partners School.l The present article will list as far as possible the editions of the different school texts, and indicate their place in the schools of their day. Jacob Willetts wrote four geography texts, Easy Grammar of Geography, Geography for the Use of Schools, New Improved School Geography, and A_ Compendious System of Geography; these appeared in many editions from 1814 to 1843 or later. Geography texts, adapted to American schools, began in 1784 with Jedediah Morse's Geography Made Easy. Following Morse, texts by eleven different authors appeared between 1804 and 1819. Of these eleven only five, Elijah Parish, J. A. Cummins, Jacob Willetts, Daniel Adams and J. E. Worcester appeared in more than one edition.2 Early geography texts have been aptly described as gazeteers. This kind of geography dating from the time of Strabo, consists of a description of the earth, giving statistics of location, area, population, government, products and social conditions of countries, states and cities. Only the great natural features are mentioned, such as mountains, rivers and arms of the sea.3 This description applies in the main to Willetts' geographies, although he introduced certain innovations to be discussed. The Easy Grammar of Geography, an elementary text, is frankly based "upon Goldsmith's approved plan"; the author states that it is a useful rather than an original work which embraces those facts necessary to be committed to memory by young beginners."4 Willetts introduced "a concise view of Astronomy, a subject not treated in Goldsmith's work at all." The concise view of astronomy lists the diameters, distances from the Sun, and times of revolution of the planets; the minor planets Vesta, Juno, Ceres and Pallas are included. The Easy Grammar, like all of Willetts' geographies, is "illus51

trated with an atlas of seven maps bound separately." A criticism of the Easy Grammar in an article on 19th century textbooks is hardly justified. He (Willetts) approves of review exercises, puts astronomy at the end, and has a separate atlas, thinking it useless to communicate knowledge of the earth without maps. The review questions are as orderly as some questionnaires by wise people of today. They jump from Lapland to Georgia, from Russia to Boston, and from the boundaries of North Carolina to the number of people in Pekin.5 Actually promiscous questions were a standard part not only of geographies but of arithmetics as well. The Geography for the Use of Schools is an expanded version of the Easy Grammar; the 13th edition in 1826 had a "new and correct atlas, revised in view of the many interesting discoveries during the last half dozen years."6 In this book the student is supplied with pictures of the Native Tribes of the Artic, Herdsmen of La Plata, London, Jerusalem and the Great Wall of China. The New Improved School Geography is similar to the Geography for the Use of Schools. His description of Egypt is typical of the style of all his works. Egypt is a narrow valley on each side of the Nile bounded by parallel ranges of mountains. The climate in summer is hot, and the soil is famed for its fertility, particularly the Delta. The principal river is the Nile, which annually overflows its banks and is the reservoir of the country. Rain is hardly known in Egypt. Egypt was once the seat if not the parent of science. Its pyramids are amongst the most wonderful monuments of human art; the largest covers ten acres. Grand Cairo, the capital, on the Nile is the center of eastern commerce of Africa. Alexandria was built by Alexander the Great and next to Rome was formerly considered the first city in the world. System is the most comprehensive of the The Compendious has some features not usual in texts of the geographies and period. Numerous plates are included as well as extensive sets of questions on the terrestrial and celestial globes. Another distinguishing feature is a list of the principal fixed stars. Of more than passing interest are the "Plain Directions for Constructing Maps." The author evidently felt that the student should draw maps using a systematically constructed network of meridians and parallels. A "Table showing the Number of Geographic or Nautical Miles in Each Parallel from the Equator to the Pole" is included. Two methods of constructing the meridians and parallels, using this table, are given, one for a "small country" and another for an area such as Europe. Both methods require that certain parallels be scaled correctly. Perhaps the author was aware that it is 52

impossible for a plane map to represent the surface of the sphere. These two methods were designed to give the student a good idea of the relative size of countries. The Book-Keeping Single Entry in contrast to the geographies and arithmetics saw only two editions, 1822 and 1830. This text consists simply of a typical day book and ledger. The pages are headed 1st month, 2nd month, etc., with January, February, etc., in parentheses; the latter for the "world's people" unfamiliar with Quaker simplicity. The arithmetics like the geographies appear in many editions. The Scholar's Arithmetic was first published in 1816; the copyright is dated the 24th of February in the fortieth year of American Independence. It followed such popular texts as Jess, Waring and Paul, 1791; Nathan Daboll, 1800; Michael Walsh, 1801; and Daniel Adams, 1801. Of these texts Daboll's Schoolmaster's Assistant seems to have been the most popular. An edition improved and enlarged appeared as late as 1841. Adams' Scholar's Arithmetic had passed through nine editions when it was revised in 1815. ...Jacob Willetts' Scholar's Arithmetic passed through more than fifty editions in a few years.7 Perhaps as with other writers, editions were not numbered consecutively; the 45th edition of the Scholar's Arithmetic appeared in 1838; and the 1847 edition of the New and Improved Mental and Practical Arithmetic was called the 55th! The Key to Willetts' Arithmetic first appeared in 1824. There were many subsequent editions of this invaluable aid to the beleaguered teacher. "In Roorbach's Bibliotheca Americana two editions of the text and key were advertised; one of these was revised by Augustus R. McCord."8 The Scholar's Arithmetic was a well written practical book and the problems show that they have been carefully prepared and graded, a practice frequently honored in the breach by writers past and present. Topics such as Barter, Fellowship, Tare and Trett, and Alligation were not without application in the 19th century. The problem of exchange of currencies long remained a practical as well as a vexatious one for author, teacher, scholar and business man. Foreign coins continued to circulate long after Independence as did the currencies of the various states. The State monies in pounds, shillings and pence were divided into four groups, each group having a different value as is shown by the value of the dollar in each group. Needless to say none of the pound notes of the States were equal to the pound sterling. 1. New England & Virginia $1 = 6s. 2. Pa., N.J., Del., & Md. $1 = 7s. 6d. $1 = 8s. 3. N.Y. & N.C. E1 = 4s. 8d. 4. S.C. & Ga. Willetts suggests that exchange be worked by conversion factors given in his table or by the Single Rule of Three as follows: As the value of a dollar is in the currency given, Is to the value of a dollar in the currency required, So is the sum given, To its value required. What is the value of 750 Mass. Currency in New York? Using the Rule of Three: 53

6 . 8 . . 750 . Ans. Ans. = 750 x 8 = 1000 6 The practical problem of exchange also involved the value in the various currencies of some twelve foreign coins. Later editions of the Arithmetic included mental arithmetic which became popular after 1821 due to the influence of Warren Colburn. In the Scholar's Arithmetic the familiar "Thirty Days hath September" is followed by the "plain style" version. The fourth, eleventh, ninth and sixth, Have thirty days to each affix'd, And every other thirty-one, Except the second month alone, Which has but twenty-eight, in fine, Till leap year gives it twenty-nine. Perhaps No. 37 of the Promiscous Questions, which conclude the work was intended to emphasize the Quaker testimony against warfare. At the close of the American war, the British government owed 280,000,000 and the pound sterling contains 3 oz. 17 dwt. 10 gr. of silver; I demand the number of tons Avoirdupois, 7000 grains Troy being equal to one pound Avoirdupois; 1likewise wish to know how long a string of wagons it would take to carry the whole, a ton at a load and 3 rods apart? Should the reader wish to verify the answer of33,178 Tons, 11 hundred weight, 1 quarter and 19 pounds; 311 miles 17 rods, he must pay due attention to the tables of Troy and Avoirdupois weights. Little attention has been paid to the Geographical and Chronological Cards, compiled by Jacob Willetts and designed to make the learning of historical dates and geographical facts a game. Teachers in the first half of the 19th century did not always attempt to make learning pleasant for their students. One card is displayed in view of all the players; this card would show five events, for example, Newspaper first printed at Paris, St. Paul sent in chains to Rome, Battle at Lexington, Order of the Garter instituted, Joseph sold in Egypt. The corresponding dates, 1631, 62, 1775 April 19, 1350 and B. C. 1725 would be listed on the back. The first round is won by the player who finds on his cards the nearest match to the date of the first Parisian newspaper. The 1631 was concealed until all the players had selected their best match or guess. The worth of Willetts' texts is indicated by the length of time they were in print and by comparison with their contemporary competitors. The Dutchess County Historical Society has an extensive collection of the texts. In the following list some library locations are abbreviated: DU - Dutchess County Historical Society HRR - Haviland Record Room of New York Yearly Meeting NN - New York Public Library PL - Plimpton Collection, Columbia University 54

THE TEXTS AN EASY GRAMMAR OF GEOGRAPHY; for the use of Schools, upon Goldsmith's much approved Plan. Illustrated with an Atlas of Seven Maps bound separately. By Jacob Willetts. All editions located were printed by Paraclete Potter, Poughkeepsie. 1st ed. ? 8th ed. 1822, PL 2nd ed. 1815, PL 9th ed. 1823, NN with maps 3rd ed. 1815, NN 10th ed. 1826, NN 4th ed. 1817, Teachers 11th ed. 1828, Library of College, Columbia Congress 5th ed. 1817, DU with maps 12th ed. 1828, Yale 6th ed. 1819, PL 13th ed. 1828, DU, HRR 7th ed. 1820, DU with maps 14th ed. 1831, Harvard GEOGRAPHY FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS; illustrated with an Atlas of Seven Maps, bound separately. By Jacob Willetts. 13th ed. Paraclete Potter, Poughkeepsie, 1826. Sold by all the principal booksellers in the United States. With a new and correct Atlas. DU, HRR, NN with maps. WILLETTS' NEW IMPROVED SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY; accompanied by a New and Correct Atlas, Drawn and Engraved on Steel, expressly for this Work. By Jacob Willetts, author of Scholar's Arithmetic, An Easy Grammar of Geography &c. Poughkeepsie, Potter & Wilson, 1838. Sold by booksellers throughout the United States. DU 5th ed. 1841, Poughkeepsie, William Wilson, NN 5th ed. 1843, Poughkeepsie, William Wilson, HRR COMPENDIOUS SYSTEM OF GEOGRAPHY; being a description of the Earth and of the Manners, Customs, Religions, Government, Manufacturers, Commerce and Curiosities of the various Nations who inhabit It. To which is added plain directions for Constructing Maps, illustrated by Plates, With an Atlas. Intended as a Sequel to Willetts' Easy Grammar of Geography. By Jacob Willetts. Poughkeepsie, New York. Printed and Published by P. Potter for himself and for S. Potter & Co., No. 55 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, 1819, DU. 2nd ed. revised, 1822, Wisconsin State Historical Society, Madison. BOOK-KEEPING BY SINGLE ENTRY; by Jacob Willetts, author of an Easy Grammar of Geography, Scholar's Arithmetic &c. Poughkeepsie, Printed and Published by P. Potter, 1822, Boston Public Library. 2nd ed. revised and Corrected, Poughkeepsie, P. Potter, 1830. DU, PL. THE SCHOLAR'S ARITHMETIC; designed for the Use of Schools in the United States. By Jacob Willetts, Poughkeepsie, Paraclete Potter, 1816, HRR 3rd ed. 1819, PL 2nd ed. 1817, DU, HRR 4th ed. 1822, Corrected and Improved, Printed and Published by Paraclete Potter for himself and for S. Potter & Co., No. 87 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. Sold also by all the principal booksellers in the United States. DU, PL. 1831, the same, DU 1832, the same, HRR; 45th ed. 1838, Poughkeepsie, Potter & Wilson, DU, PL. 55

NEW AND IMPROVED MENTAL AND PRACTICAL ARITHMETIC; designed chiefly for the use of District and Common Schools in United States. By Jacob Willetts. Poughkeepsie, William Wilson, 45th ed., 1841, HRR; 45th ed. 1844, R. P. Bixby & Co., New York, DU; 55th ed. 1846, corrected and improved, Philadelphia, J. Harding, HRR; 1847 same, DU. WILLETTS MENTAL AND PRACTICAL ARITHMETIC; Revised and Principles explained, Edited by Augustus R. McCord, late County Superintendent of Schools, Dutchess County, 1849, Poughkeepsie, William Wilson. DU, HRR. KEY TO WILLETTS' ARITHMETIC wherein every Question is worked out at Full Length, 1824, Poughkeepsie, Paraclete Potter, DU; 1841 Solely designed for the use of Teachers, William Wilson, Poughkeepsie, DU; other editions 1852, 1854, 1857, DU. CARDS INTENDED FOR AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION; compiled by Jacob Willetts, author of a Geography and Arithmetic. The Haviland Record Room has two sets of the Chronological Cards, one of 43 and one of 37, with directions for playing games with either the geographical or chronological cards. A note with these cards says they were published in 1824 and that a copyright was secured; no publisher is given. No geographical cards have been located.

1Smith, Philip H., General History of Dutchess County, Pawling, 1877, 426-7. Benton, Joel, Jacob and Deborah Willetts, Two Famous Teachers In Dutchess County, Reprinted from the Poughkeepsie Enterprise, 1899. Hasbrouck, Frank, History of Dutchess County, Poughkeepsie, 1909, 410, 488-9. McGonegal, Esther L. S., Nine Partners Boarding School, 17961863, Bulletin Friends Historical Society, Vol. 10 (1920) 11 - 15. Merritt, Stephen, Brick Meeting House in Nine Partners, Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook, Vol. 7 (1922), 35 - 26. Reynolds, Helen W., Nine Partners Patent, Nine Partners Meeting, Nine Partners School, Yearbook of the Dutchess County Historical Society, Vol. 20 (1935), 25 - 36. Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography, Vol. 6, 518. 2Nietz, John A., Old Textbooks, University of Pennsylvania Press, 1961, 288. 3Dryer, Charles R., A Century of Geographic Education in the United States, Annals of the Association of American Geographers, Vol. 14 (1924), 130. 4Geographies by the Rev. J. Goldsmith appeared in England and the United States before 1800. Sir Richard Phillips (17671846). Wrote under the pen name Rev. J. Goldsmith. Note in the Rare Book Room of the New York Public Library. SBrigham, A. P., and Dodge, R. E., Nineteenth Century Textbooks of Geography, 32nd Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education, 1933, 9. 6On1y copies of the 13th edition have been located. 7Monroe, W. S., Development of Arithmetic as a School Subject, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1917, 18. Dates have been corrected from Louis C. Karpinski's Bibliography of Mathematical Works printed in America through 1850, University of Michigan Press, 1940. 8Karpinski, op. cit., 208. 9Hasbrouck and Benton mention the Chronological Cards. of the Geographical Cards has been located.

No set

Dutchess Qounty Iistorical Society P. O. BOX BB POUGHKEEPSIE. N. V.

The annual spring pilgrimage of the Dutchess County Historical Society will take place on Saturday, May 14, 1977• A very interesting and beautiful area of our county will be visited, the Town of Pleasant Valley. Buses may be picked up at 9:OO A.M. at the Poughkeepsie Savings Bank branch office at Main Street and Innis Avenue, or at 9:3O at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Pleasant Valley. Pilgrims are also free to drive their own car throughout the day. Coffee will be served at the Episcopal Parish house upon our arrival. Lunch (bring your own) will be at the Presbyterian Church. The ladies of the church will provide the pilgrims with coffee and dessert. This request for reservations received by the membership last spring was the herald for nearly 100 "pilgrims" of an outstanding tour well planned and executed by the Pleasant Valley Historical Society. To June Metrando, President of the Valley's society, Barbara Case and Clifford Buck, who were instrumental in arrangements and itinerary, and to all their helpers, we all owe many thanks. And we were beneficiaries of the hospitality of the Reverends Mills Omaly and Tom Aikman at the Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches, key stops on the tour. We were also treated to a sparklingly beautiful day from start to finish. Those who do not see the local papers will learn from the following two accounts what an interesting and energetic event this was. HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S ROOTS ARE ALONG MAY 14 PILGRIMAGE

The Dutchess County Historical Society had its beginnings 63 years ago in this mid-county hamlet where the society will conduct a pilgrimage on Saturday, May 14. The first days of the society are told in the society's Yearbook for the period May, 1914 through April, 1915, according to Mrs. Melodye Andros of Poughkeepsie. On Tuesday, April 28, 1914, according to the Yearbook, a meeting was held in the Pleasant Valley Free Library (the building is still standing on South Avenue just off Main St.),, and the subject was "Local History...Its Collection and Preservation." Fifty men and women attended (the original account said "ladies and gentlemen") and H. N. W. Magill was chairman. A committee on bylaws was appointed to report on Tuesday, May 26, at 7:30 p.m. at the library.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Pleasant Valley

On this committee were Dr. I. D. LeRoy, Chester Husted, Wright Devine, Walter Farrington, J. Adams Brown and Magill. At the May 26 meeting, a motion to form the Pleasant Valley Historical Society was amended by Dr. J. W. Poucher to read the Dutchess County Historical Society. Bylaws were adopted and officers elected. The officers were: President, H. N. W. Magill; Secretary, John C. Sickley; and Treasurer, Dr. LeRoy. The six Vice Presidents were George S. VanVliet, Staatsburg; Silas Wodell, Millbrook; Thomas Newbold, Hyde Park; Dr. Poucher, Poughkeepsie; Benjamin Hammond, Beacon; and J. Adams Brown, Pleasant Valley. The former library building where the historical society was founded will be one of the points of interest on the pilgrimage this year. Also to be seen will be the new Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church. 59

FORRESTAL HOME FEATURED ON PILGRIMAGE Did you know James V. Forrestal, always associated with Beacon, had a home for four years in this town about two miles from that of his friend, Franklin D. Roosevelt? The nation's first secretary of defense and also a secretary of the navy owned the stately residence, at Netherwood and Marshall Road, from 1940 to 1944, a time when Hyde Park's Roosevelt was President. The Beacon native was in Roosevelt's cabinet and later in Truman's cabinet for a total of nine years. Forrestal's home will be one of the stops on the Dutchess County Historical Society pilgrimage set for Saturday, May 14, in Pleasant Valley. The tour will begin at 9:15 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in the hamlet and wind up there in the afternoon. Forrestal, who died in 1949 in a plunge from a hospital window in Maryland, was born in Beacon, Feb. 15, 1892, lived in Beacon through his graduation from college, a niece who still lives in Beacon recalls. Mrs. Mary Pennybacker, the daughter of Forrestal's brother, Henry, teaches at Beacon High School. Mrs. Pennybacker recalls trips with her family in the 1940-44 period to visit her uncle's place in the country, where he raised horses. She said purchase of the place had nothing to do, however, with its nearness to the well known Roosevelt estate at Hyde Park, two miles west. According to Forrestal's obituary, he worked on several newspapers as a youth and helped Roosevelt in his early campaigns. Clifford Buck of Pleasant Valley, a member of the county historical society, said his research showed that Julia H. Marshall and two daughters sold the place to Josephine Ogden Forrestal, the cabinet member's wife, on March 19, 1940. Mrs. Forrestal sold the property on Dec. 27, 1944 to the Forrestal Foundation. In 1946, the property was sold again to Phyllis Moffert. Buck said the earliest mention of the place was found in the deed. This was March 27, 1827. His opinion, however, is that the building now standing was built about 1860. Some of the places to be visited on the pilgrimage date to the 19th century, and others date back to the 18th century. St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the first stop on the tour, was organized in 1837, but the building was not constructed until 1842. It is at the intersection of Route 44 and Traver Road. Just across Traver Road from the church is the Stewart Budd place, once owned by Peter Flagler. The date 1764 is on the door, but Buck believes the house, resembling Yankee saltbox places, was built in the 1790s. The tour leader for the morning is June Metrando, president of the Pleasant Valley Historical Society. She will introduce Pleasant Valley Supervisor James Geary, and

Former Pleasant Valley home of James V. Forrestal

Town Historian Gail Crotty at a coffee time at the church. Mrs. Crotty will give an introduction to the town's history. A history of Schenck's Mill will be given by Dr. William P. McDermott. At the Budd place, owner Stewart Budd will provide a history of his home and guide a tour there. Those taking the pilgrimage bus (they may use their own cars) will go from the Budd place on an easterly route. The bus will turn around at Neighbors Brick House Farm, Brown Road. Heading west on Route 44, the bus will stop at the mill office near the Wappingers Creek and observe a small stone house near the bridge. On the other side of the bridge over the creek is the former Pleasant Valley Library where the Dutchess County Historical Society founded May 26, 1914. Passing through the Pleasant Valley hamlet, the next stop will be the Presbyterian Church, organized in 1767. The building with the imposing white columns was constructed later, in 1848, according to Buck. Those on the pilgrimage will have a bag lunch in the basement of the Chester Husted Memorial Hall of the Presbyterian Church. After lunch, a film, "The Wappingers Creek, Our Backyard Heritage," will be shown. Joan Traver will give a history of the church and Richard Germiller a history of the Pleasant Valley Free Library. A tour of the church including a story about its windows will be given by June Sherow. Next will be a tour of the current Pleasant Valley library next to the church. This once was the church parsonage. The afternoon tour leader will be Barbara Case. Points of interest will be pointed out by guides as the bus goes up North Avenue, Sherow Road and Smith Road, passing the home of County Legislator Calvin Smith. The next stop will be a stone barn, which is said to have been the home of Nicholas Van Wagner in 1767. The history of the place will be told by Eugene J. Annuziata. The next stop will be the Forrestal Place on Netherwood Road. The bus will continue on Marshall Road and Ring Road to the Netherwood Church. The church, whose history will be related by Mrs. Charles Clay, was organized in 1790. The route will go from the church on Netherwood Road to Salt Point Road, and from there to West Road and Niagara Road, back in the hamlet where a stone barn will be viewed on the Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corp. property. The barn is believed to date back to Pre-Revolutionary war days. A talk will be given by Miss Joyce A. Chatfield of Central Hudson. The bus from there will go back to St. Paul's Church for the tour end.

L~1

•~ ' w

Olin Dows captured the Hyde Park farm that was the site of many Franklin D. Roosevelt homecomings in his

WOODLAWNS - 1787-1975 by Clifford M. Smith To most residents of Dutchess County it was just an old farm house. To President Franklin D. Roosevelt, it was a place to bring his guests, great and not great -- a place to hear what the grassroots people were thinking. To the Moses W. Smith family, it was home. The farm, once called Woo dlawns because of the more than fifty trees on its spacious lawns, was on the west side of Route 9G where the Creek Road intersects, in the town of Hyde Park. Woodlawns had a long history, dating back to the eighteenth century, and its heyday was when it became the scene of Presidential "homecomings" -- with visitors including Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, Princess Martha of Norway -- and more. The first firm record of ownership was 1808, but information obtained from Benjamin Haviland, a local historian for whom Haviland Road and the Haviland Shopping Center were named, and from Budd Bennett, a local resident who was born in the farm house in the early 1870's, indicates that at least a portion of the house dates back to the 1700's. It was indeed a rather gracious house as it passed from Moses and Priscilla Mulliner to Richard and Maria Whiley in 1817; from the Whileys to Dr. John Cooper in 1835; from the Coopers to Richard Pudney in 1846; from Pudney to Thomas Hadden in 1849; from the Haddens to H. A. Nelson (owner of the Nelson House in Poughkeepsie) in 1865; from Nelson to William Bennett, Sr, in 1868; and from Willet Bennett to Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1911. 63

When Franklin D. Roosevelt purchased the house he was a New York State Senator. Though his mother, Sara Delano Roosevelt, owned property to the west of the Route 9G farm, this was the first land that Roosevelt had owned in his own name. Records are vague, but the original purchase included 194 acres. Roosevelt began renting out the property but it was not until April 1, 1920 that Moses Smith and his family became tenants. The rent was three hundred dollars per year. During the late 1920's and early 30's, FDR attended a number of Spanish American War Veteran Clam Bakes held on the Smith farm, while he was Governor of New York and even after he became President. Mrs. Franklin Roosevelt spoke at many of the Democratic Women's Club and League of Women Voters meetings which occurred at Woodlawns. The "Home Comings", as they came to be called, were sponsored by the Roosevelt Home Club, formed in 1929 as a nonpartisan group organized to promote the political interests of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The meetings were first held on August 10, 1934, and continued each year through August, 1941, the last "Home Coming" due to World War II restrictions. Each year the President would arrive, bringing with him anyone at all he happened to be concerned with at the time. The "Home Comings" were in July or August, .in the afternoon, and lasted about an hour or so, with the President speaking about whatever he was pushing at the time.

Last "Home Coming," August, 1941. Judge & Mrs. Edward Conger, Mrs. M. W. Smith & Judge John E. Mack, Gov. Lehman, Moses W. Smith, Secret Service people, President Roosevelt, Mrs. Roosevelt, Princess Martha of Norway, David Gray (Mrs. Roosevelt's uncle), Judge Spratt, Mayor of Poughkeepsie, back of flag pole.

Of course the Secret Service men, led by Colonel Starling, would search the house from the cellar to the attic. The farm guest list is impossible to record. Among the guests were New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, County Judge John E. Mack, who nominated Roosevelt for the Presidency in Chicago in 1932, Judge Edward A. Conger, who later was appointed to the New York State Supreme Court, Poughkeepsie mayors, Judge George Spratt and John Sague, Governor Herbert H. Lehman and Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Morgenthau, Presidential advisor Harry Hopkins, Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins (the first woman Cabinet Member), and U.S. Postmaster General Frank C. Walker, whose appointment was announced along with that of Arthur E. Smith as postmaster of Hyde Park, by President Roosevelt one warm afternoon in 1940. The West Point Cadet Band always attended the "Home Comings," having been transported by bus from West Point.

Band leader and M. W. Smith, 1941.

Spanish American War Veterans' Clambake, August 1939 — President Roosevelt, Mrs. Roosevelt, Mrs. M. W. Smith, guest, Moses W. Smith and Arthur Smith.

On less formal occasions, the President would stop by the farm to chat with his friend Moses, and the family never knew just which national or international figure might be in the car. Once it was the Prime Minister of England; another time it was Princess Juliana and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. Elliot Roosevelt took over the Woodlawns property in 1947 and converted the house into five apartments. Various tenants have lived there, but the house lost its usefulness over the years and has now been taken down by its present owners, the N.R. Corp. of Poughkeepsie. Some people have seen Woodlawns simply as a house at the side of the road. Some people have seen it as a great deal more. At any rate, it merits a place in Dutchess County records as the scene of a good deal of "living history" still retained in the memories of a great number of local residents. Record of Property Transfers, Water Lot #5; map drawn in 1808 by Henry Livingston. 1947 Elliot Roosevelt acquired the property. 1911 Willet and Annie Bennett to Franklin D. Roosevelt, Sr. 1868 Homer A. Nelson to William Bennett (owner of Poughkeepsie Nelson House). 1865 Thomas Madden to H. A. Nelson. 1849 Richard Pudney to Thomas Madden.

"Woodlawns," 1928 66

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Second

oor

1846 Dr. John Cooper to Richard Pudney. 1835 Richard and Maria Whiley to John Cooper. 1817 Moses and Priscilla Mulliner to Richard and Maria Whiley. 1808 Jacob and Charles Manning to Moses and Priscilla Mulliner. 1787 Peter Schyver to Jacob and Charles Manning. With permission from Richard K. Wager, Managing Editor, this information was taken from an article entitled "An Old Farm Beside the Road--And Much More", which was published in the Poughkeepsie Journal on Sunday, January 25, 1975. The author was La Claire T. Wood, Life and Leisure Editor. Mr. Joseph Marshall at the F.D.R. Memorial Library very kindly assisted me in research.

THE SCHENK MILL AND STORE AT PLEASANT VALLEY 1763 - 1770 by William P. McDermott The value of original documents in historical research is undeniable. Of particular value to understanding many aspects of a community's day-to-day living is a local storekeeper's account books. In earlier times the local storekeeper performed a much broader service than simply providing a place to purchase necessities families couldn't supply through their labor. In addition he acted as a hanker and also as an import-export merchant. In many cases he set the local market value of farm and other products. Comparative study of his entries shows the relative value of products and also the relative value of a man's labor. Additionally, his records give clues about the style of living and the affluence of a given community. Because living standards often differed from one narrow geographical area to another it is important when possible to locate precisely where a storekeeper maintained his business. This is especially true in Dutchess County for, during the mid-1700's, many people migrated from New England to this county. During that period the county continued its transition from the early Dutch influence to influence from such new groups as the New England colonist, Quakers, etc. The Schenk investment interests (1) and store (2) have been a matter of interest for a number of years. The purpose of this paper is to document the store's and mill's location in Pleasant Valley,* discuss its ownership, and provide some general information about the business itself. The village of Pleasant Valley is part of Great Lot #8 of the Great Nine Partners Patent. In the center of the village is a good mill site at the bridge which crosses the Wappingers Creek. A review of deeds and mortgages throughout the 18th, 19th, and even 20th centuries indicates that a mill has been present continuously on the westerly side of the Wappingers at the bridge. It is on this site that Hendrick Schenk's mill and store existed from 1763-1770. It appears that the mill and perhaps even a store was actively in business before 1763. Great Lot 8 was part of the holdings of James Emmott, one of the original nine partners. He sold his share to Jacob Dekey on March 1, 1697. The following year Jacob Dekey sold to Lancaster Symes whose family continued ownership after his death (will probated 3/30/1729) (3). Finally, in 1739 the Symes family conveyed the westernmost 600 acres of Lot 8 to four men from Queens, New York City (deeds 3:429; ?arch 15, 1739). William Welling, cooper, John Hegeman, weaver.; Hendricus Hegeman, sadler, were from Jamaica and Hendrick Lott, weaver, was from Newton. One of these men, *My thanks to Barbara Buys who suggested the store's probable existence in Charlotte Precinct based on her knowledge of the early residents of that precinct.

Hendricus Hegeman, conveyed at his death to his son Joseph two of the three properties later owned by the Schenks. The first of these two properties is a two-acre parcel on which existed a "dwelling house and Mill, Milldam and Millhouse". The other is a 31 3/4 acre parcel adjoining the mill site. The first description of the site appears in Deeds 5:416, 3/19/1762 which conveys the property from Joseph Hegeman to Henry Lott, Esq., one of the original four. The deed indicates that Henry Lott was already in possession of the property on the date of transfer but does not indicate for how long. Basically the deed describes two properties in Lot 8 on the west side of the Wappingers Creek beginning near the South post of the "Great Bridge". Lott died prior to February 1763 and his son Abraham Lott, a New York merchant, executing the will dated 3/9/1762 conveyed the two parcels to Abraham Schenk, Esq. of Bushwik, Kings County, New York (Deeds 5:402, 12/1/1763) for the sum of 1200 pounds. On 7/6/1764 (Deed 5:405) Abraham Schenk acquired the third property, a 30 acre parcel adjoining the first two from Sarah Hegeman - spinster. The mill was probably active during Hendrick Lott's ownership for it was referred to as "Hendrick Lott's mill" when Joseph Hegeman, Charlotte Precinct Yeoman, conveyed the 30 acre parcel to his sister Sarah on 9/6/1762. As early as 1757 reference is made to Esqr. Lott's mill when the freeholders of the precinct agreed to raise money through taxes "for to make a Bridge over waping Creek near Esqr. Lott Mill"(4). To complete this picture it was these three properties which were conveyed by Samuel Verplanck on 5/25/1770 (Deeds 5:408) to Peter Come and John Barnes following the period of Schenk ownership. How the property came into the possession of Samuel Verplanck is unclear but the deed o£ transfer to Come and Barnes reads verbatim as 5:402 and 5:405. By the way, it is this Barnes to whose home Governor Clinton's wife fled for safety in 1777 (5). A number of curious factors arose while piecing together the location of the Schenk store in Charlotte. Did Hendrick own the store and mill? Who ran the store upon its opening? Was it Hendrick Schenk then 20 years of age (born in 1743)(6)? Was there an experienced chief storekeeper instead? Perhaps the store was owned by Abraham for a while until his son Hendrick gained enough experience as an apprentice to take title to the store. Remember there was also an active mill to run. How was it the store seemed so ready for business on opening day when there is little evidence that Hendrick Schenk had any experience in that kind of endeavor? Also there is no evidence that the Schenks had any real knowledge of the area. The family lived in Bushwik, New York and Abraham seems to have remained there. These questions and others will be discussed below. While there is little question of Hendrick Schenk's activity in the store and mill, there is no evidence of his ownership at any time. Let's follow this cautiously. With respect to Hendrick's activity at the mill and store, the following evidence exists: a) 2 ledgers - Ledger "A" in the care of the Melzingah Chapter National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution; ledger "B" in the Rare Manuscript Room of the New York Public Library. b) Almost 100 documents in the Ancient Documents file at the Dutchess County Clerk's office dating from 1765 70

to 1777 wherein Hendrick (also referred to as Henry) brought litigation in the Court of Common Pleas to collect debts from individuals listed in his ledger books who had made purchases but who had neglected or refused payment. c) Hendrick's name as a taxpayer on the Charlotte tax tax list from 1765 - 1769 (1764 list is missing), d) Reference to Hendrick on the roads by name 1767, or Scanck's Bridg 1768 or Schancks Mills 1770 (7). e) Reference to the "Mills of Hendrick Schenck" in a transaction involving an adjoining property in 1767 (Mort: 2:128, 5/12/1767). f) Also his presence in the Nine Partners (named Charlotte Precinct after 1762) is referred to in a property transfer from his father-in-law Francis Brett on July 12, 1764 (deed 14:261). Prior to 1764 and from 1770 on, Hendrick Schenk's name appears on the Rombout Tax List only. Between the time of Abraham Schenk's purchases as described above and the subsequent acquisition in 1770 by Peter Coyne and John Barnes two mortgages are recorded on October 5, 1768. The first mortgage dated October 6, 1766 (mort 2:174) through which Abraham Schenk and his wife Elsie "mortgaged unto Hendrick Schenk and Peter Schenk of Milton in the County of Somerset and Province of East New Jersey" for the sum of 2100 pounds. Initially it seemed that the property may have transferred to Hendrick Schenk and maybe also his brother Peter through Abraham's unfulfilled mortgage. But it seemed strange that Abraham's two sons, Hendrick, by then age 23, and Peter A., age 11, would be cast in the role of two moneylenders from New Jersey! Checking further, Hendrick (1714 - 1767) and Peter (1722-1780) Schenk (8) of New Jersey are in fact Abraham's (1720-1790) brothers. When Abraham's brothers moved to Millstone, New Jersey is not clear but their presence there is attested to even twenty years earlier when they both married on the same day, August 14, 1747 (9). By the way, Abraham's brothers seemed to have been successful in New Jersey, Hendrick as a mill owner and Peter as a judge. The mortgage indicates the property was still in Abraham's ownership in 1768 when the second mortgage was obtained between Abraham, his wife Elsie, and Peter and Henry Remsen (mort 2:175, 2/25/1768 recorded 10/5/1768) for the sum of 693 pounds. These Remsens may have been brothers-inlaw for Abraham's older brother John married a Helty or Helen Remsen October 26, 1746 (8). While there is no record of satisfaction of the first mortgage it appears as if it was paid on or before its due date October 5, 1768. The second mortgage was satisfied by Peter Coyne and John Barnes on June 15, 1770 (mort 3:5). Just one other interesting note which reflects the active traffic between New York City and Dutchess County in the financial sphere. On the first mortgage were listed three additional bond holders who seem to have actually put up the 2100 pounds. These three resided in New York City and two of them had provided mortgage money to others in Rombout Precinct and perhaps others in the county. With regard to the second mortgage, both Remsens and a third bond holder also resided in New York City. Also of note, one of the bondholders in each mortgage was a woman investing for her own account. These mortgages indicate that the property continued in Abraham Schenk's ownership 71

the only road which traversed Central Dutchess in the very early years. It connected the eastern part of the county with the Poughkeepsie landing. Reference to the Filkentown Road as it was later called (now Route 44) as a footpath was made as early as 1731 and a bridge over the Wappingers Creek at this point was referred to in 1736 and the road itself was accepted by the Surveyors of the Highways in 1738 (10). Also there were at least four tradesmen in the area as noted above. Any one of them might have considered expanding his outlet for his own trade into a more general store. This is especially true of Hendrick Lott, weaver, who owned the mill site and seems to have operated the mill as early as 1757. Although several aspects about the business remain unclear, there is little doubt about the mill. A man and his family were brought from Rombout to be the head miller at the Schenk mill. This miller, Zebulon Townsend, appears on the Rombout tax list in 1763 and then not again until 1766. During the intervening years he appears on the Charlotte tax list residing on Schenk's property. Also he is referred to in Schenk's Ledgers as the head miller. It would be of interest to know why he left after only two years of service but this information is unavailable. The existing records shed some light on the value of the property and yet leave a number of unanswered questions. The property's value seems to have increased between 1763 and 1771. In 1763 Abraham Schenk paid 1200 pounds for the mill site and the 31 3/4 acre parcel and another 150 pounds for the 30 acre addition purchased later bringing the total investment to 1350 pounds. By October 1766 he was able to obtain a mortgage in the amount of 2100 pounds, a notable increase in value. However, in the interim there may have been another 500 pounds invested. This will be discussed below. At any rate in 1771 after John Barnes and Peter Come took title they were able to secure a mortgage in the amount of 3000 pounds. It would seem from this information that the value of the property increased considerably in less than a decade. One wonders why such an apparently profitable venture is sold after only 6: years of ownership. Let's review the tax lists to determine if the assessed value of the property also increased commensurate with the apparent increased market value of the property. The table below compares the assessed value of the property through three owners. Please note: 1) Henry Lott did not own the third parcel but its assessment consequence would be small since it was the 2 acre parcel with its mill and store which was of real value. 2) John Barnes bought Peter Core's share of the business in 1772. 3) 1764 tax list is missing. 4) Assessments were made twice a year through 1762. The assessments recorded below for 1759 - 1762 are averaged. 17-Lott Schenk Barnes

59 60 6162 6365 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 12 11 7 7 6 12 12 10 6 6 9 12 16 14 14

until the Come and Barnes acquisition in 1770 and further, it would appear that Abraham remained in Bushwik, New York as his address on the mortgages indicate and as had been suggested earlier (1). What then was the relationship between Hendrick and his father with respect to the mill and store? Perhaps Abraham simply saw the opportunity for investment and had his son there to oversee the business on a day-to-day basis. Abraham's absence from an active role in the business is suggested by his continuing residency at Bushwik. At no time does his name appear on any tax list in Dutchess County. The one place his name appears is on ledger book "A", page 145. There are 13 ledger entries between 1764 and 1767 and none later. Onehalf of these entries record Abraham giving sizeable sums of cash to his account or paying for work at the mill. Some expenditures for "sundries" are made, several yards of cloth, some butter and Abraham's sale of some lumber and rum to the store to fill out the relatively inactive account. Or perhaps Hendrick rented the business from his father. While there is no evidence of rent paid in the ledgers, there is evidence of Abraham doing business in that fashion. On 3/21/1778 in the New York Gazette or Weekly Post Boy, Abraham Schenk of Bushwik, New York listed for sale his saw mill "lately built" in the Township of Schrewsbury, Monmouth county, East New Jersey "which now rents for 82,000 feet of good merchantable inch Boards". The information as presently available does not give an accurate picture of the business relationship between Abraham and his son Hendrick. It is clear, however, that Hendrick was active in his operation of the business and the Ancient Documents list him rather than his father as the Claimant of unpaid debts. The best guess is that he rented the mill and store or was given the business by his father. Now let's look at some curious matters with respect to the store and mill. Although the transfer of property from Henry Lott to Abraham Schenk took place on December 1, 1763, the first entry in Ledger Book "A" is dated November 30, 1763. The entries through December 1763 are found to be numerous and varied indicating the store's readiness for business immediately. But perhaps these entries were not from this location at all. On the chance that this Ledger had been brought to Charlotte from another location, the first twelve names in the ledger were examined. Nine of these were found on the Charlotte tax lists of that year. Of these nine, six can be positively identified as living within two to three miles of the store. A similar pattern exists throughout the two Ledgers. From this it is reasonable to conclude that the Ledger had not been brought from another location and in fact from the first day Schenk served the Pleasant Valley area. Two other possibilities exist: 1) There had been an agreed-upon period of preparation between the new owner and former owner even prior to the deed transfer. During this period an experienced storekeeper may have made the appropriate opening preparations such as stocking the store with a variety of items, etc. Perhaps the storekeeper had some knowledge of the needs of the people of the area or maybe had a general sense about businesses of this sort. 2) Perhaps a store was already in existence during Hendrick Lott or Hendricus Hegeman's period of ownership. A number of reasons suggest that location as a feasible place to build a store. It was on a principal road, in fact 73

As the table indicates there was a sharp increase in the property assessment upon Schenk's assumption of the business. There was also a sharp decrease after the fourth year of Schenk's ownership. Why the decrease? No reason is immediately apparent. Generally speaking the tax list showed few fluctuations. No general trend of an assessment reduction is apparent on the tax lists. Was there a disaster at the mill? Ledger book "A" page 145 reflects a 502 pounds 8 shilling expense which was paid on September 10, 1766 to "robe Briggs and sundry other carpenters for work at the grist mill". That kind of entry suggests a major construction cost especially in the light of carpenters wages at 1 pound 5 shillings a week. If a disaster had occurred one might expect to find an assessment decrease in either 1765, 1766 or 1767. This was not the case. Closer inspection of the ledger reveals that Abraham had paid three large sums of cash, two in February 1764 and another in February 1765 to Hendrick. The total 834 pounds exceeds the 502 pounds paid to the carpenters. But another item helps understand this difference in money. It appears that Hendrick had delivered 1462 Bushels of Wheat to Abraham or for Abraham's account in 1763 and 1764 but the entry for this transaction does not appear in the ledger until September 10, 1766. It would appear that the Ledger entry for the carpenters is a final or summary entry regarding earlier transactions and perhaps the dates of the cash received more accurately reflect the actual period of construction at the mill. Also Abraham's delivery of 6185 feet of 3/4 inch boards to Hendrick in 1764 suggest a period of construction that year. Remember this is the year the assessment records are missing so knowledge about the assessed values of the property is missing for that year. The explanation that seems to make most sense is that the mill was improved significantly during the first year of Schenk ownership. This then would also account for the significant increase in assessed value after Abraham Schenk's acquisition. However, this leaves the question of the assessed value decrease during the last two years of Schenk ownership. 1768 is a significant year in other ways. First Hendrick Schenk purchased a 200 acre tract in Rombout near Matteawan and secondly his father Abraham advertised for sale in the New York Gazette and Weekly Post Boy (March 21, 1768) a 1500 acre farm and an active saw mill "lately built" in the Township of Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, East New Jersey which he owned but apparently never inhabited. One wonders if the death of Abraham's brother, Hendrick (11), mortgage holder on the Pleasant Valley store and mill, had any effect on Abraham's investments. Classified listings were placed in the New York Journal or General Advertiser April 23, 1767 and the New York Mercury April 27, 1767 by Peter notifying creditors of the impending settlement of Hendrick's estate. Perhaps Abraham had to cover a mortgage prematurely and finding himself overextended began to consolidate beginning with the New Jersey investments and perhaps gradually withdrawing from the investment at Pleasant Valley. In an earlier discussion of Schenk's store (2) is a good sampling of the kinds of entries found in the Ledger books. Two other samples are given here: a) to show the banker's role of the country storekeeper and b) as an interesting reference to the versatility of teachers during that period. 74

When an individual owed another who was also a customer at the store and the storekeeper was willing to accept the risk, a simple journal entry transferred money and debts between the two customers. For example, Dr. Samuel Cook, Poughkeepsie owed Dr. Cornelius Osborn, Poughkeepsie (later of Fishkill) 83+ pounds. By a simple ledger entry Dr. Osborn's account (Ledger "B", p. 91) was credited with 83+ pounds on April 25, 1767 while Dr. Samuel Cook's account (Ledger "A", p. 206) was charged with that amount. Essentially Hendrick had played the role of banker for these two individuals. Four entries credit the account of Nicholas Harris as a teacher. While two of these refer to the typical teacher's role (4/3/1768-13 shillings, 12/15/1768-16 shillings), two other entries are of interest. The first on 4/3/1768 is payment to the Harris account from Isaac Kukow 12 shillings for receiving instruction in "the act of surveying" and the second on 12/15/1768 is a one shilling credit (from Schenk?) to the Harris account for "writing advertisements". In summary what do we know about the Hendrick Schenk's store. 1) It was located at the Pleasant Valley bridge between 1763 and early 1770 and thereafter owned by John Barnes. 2) There was an active mill before and after the Schenk period. 3) Hendrick's father actually owned the store. 4) Although major construction was performed at the mill, the assessed value of the property decreased while the marketable value increased. This suggested more a change in the value of the business than a decrease in the value of the property. ADDENDA Just a brief note on the Schenk families in Dutchess County. The Schenk's of Dutchess are separate lines with the same name but with a different spelling. Martin (b. 4/18/1718) and Gysbert (b. 5/20/1720) Schenck and probably Roelof (b. 6/1/1725) are the sons of Abraham Schenck (b. 5/20/1689) whose father was Martin Roelofse Schenck (b. about 1630) who came from the Netherlands about 1650 with his brother Jan Martense Schenck. These brothers initially settled in Flatlands, Brooklyn (8, 12). The other Schenk family (note the absence of the second "c" in the spelling) includes in Dutchess County: Hendrick (b. 7/19/1743), Paul (b. 11/3/1741), and Peter A. (b. 11/1/1755). These are all sons of Abraham Schenk (b. 8/6/1720) who married Elsie Vandervoort about 1740. Abraham's father was Johannes Schenk Jr. (b. 4/30/1691) whose father Johannes Schenk (b. 9/19/1656) came from the Netherlands in 1684 (12, 13, 14) to settle in Flatbush after brief periods in New York City and Ulster County. Just for the record there are mentions of two other Abraham's in Dutchess County. Abraham Schenck (d. 11/18/1800) (15) is the son of Gysbert (8). Abraham H. Schenk (17741831) (6, 16) is Hendrick Schenk's son. There is evidence (14) which suggests that Abraham Schenk, Hendrick's father, may have lived in Dutchess County during and after the Revolution. He may be the same Abraham who served as Captain in the Associated Exempts at Rombout 1779 (D.A.R. Lineages, vol. 13, pg. 328). Abraham may also have gone to Millstone New Jersey with his brother (14) in the 1740's, however by 1748 he had returned to Bushwik, Long Island where he held several public offices (representative for King's County in the Colonial Assembly, town supervisor and finally judge) between 1751-1766. 75

REFERENCES 1.

Reynolds, H. W. The Mill-Site by the Bridge at Pleasant Valley D.C.H.S. 1932, v. 17, 70-79

Finkel, C.C. The Store Account Books of Hendrick Schenk D.C.H.S. 1965, v. 50, 36-49

Fernow, B. Calendar of Wills New York, 1896

1626-1836

Roosevelt, F.D. Records of Crum Elbow Precinct Collections, D.C.H.S. v. 7, pg. 29

1940

Public Papers of George Clinton, v. 2, 409-410 State of N.Y. Albany 1900

Poucher, J. W. and Reynolds, H. W. Old Gravestones of Dutchess County Collections, D.C.H.S. v.2, 1924

Roosevelt, F.D. Records of Crum Elbow Precinct Collections, D.C.H.S. V. 7, 69-70, 73

Bergen, T.G.* Early Settlers of Kings County 1881

New Jersey Archives - Marriages Records pg. 342

1940

1665-1800 v.22,

10.

Miscellaneous Records of Dutchess County p. 160, 163

11.

State of New Jersey Index of Wills, Inventories, etc., v. 3, pg. 1270, 1913

12.

Hoffman, Wm. J. Schenck New York Geneological & Biographical Record 1937, v. 68, pg. 114-118

13.

Schenck, P. L. Memoir of Johannes Schenck the progenitor of the Bushwick, L.I. family. Flatbush, LII. 1876

14.

Maires, Margurite Johannes Schenk of Bushwick, L.I. and his descendents. Brooklyn, 1948

*There is at the Long Island Historical Society a file of letters between P. L. Schenck and T. G. Bergen during the 1860's & 1870's which traces some of P. L. Schenck's work uncovering the family's origin.

15.

16.

Reynolds, H. W. Marriages and Deaths Collections, D.C.H.S.

V. 4, 1930

Dutchess County Clerk's Office - Deeds, liber 16, pg. 36, May 24, 1799

Ruth Deyo Smith born 23 April 1797. Isaac Flagler 10 May 1824.

Became second wife of

A WANDERING PREACHER I by Robert Pierce

The idea for the title of this chapter in The History of the Flagler Family of Dutchess County was suggested by the solo, "A Wandering Minstrel I," sung in the opening scene of the Gilbert and Sullivan opera, "The Mikado." The musical episode bears some resemblance to the real life story of a man, the Reverend Isaac Flagler, who for years roamed the countrysides of New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio, preaching and ministering to people wherever he found them, alone or assembled, on farms and in villages-unrewarded save in spiritual returns. Of him, whose earnings, it is said, never exceeded four hundred dollars a year, the National Cyclopedia of American Biography asserts that perhaps more than any other man he put the stamp of God upon the middle West. There is a temptation in writing about this nomadic minister, whose slogan could with no disrespect have been "Have Bible, Will Travel," to portray him as a frontier messiah, an unpersecuted martyr, and a legendary saint-accolades which the evangelist himself probably would have deplored and denied. But before reciting the history of this dedicated man, readers are entitled to an explanation of an unavoidable interruption in the lineage and historical sequence of the narrative. The chronicle, so far, has recounted the itinerary of the family progenitor Zachariah Flegler from his origin in the Province of Franconia, Germany, to his arrival and settlement in America. Along with fellow Palatines, it will be recalled, he crossed the Atlantic in 1710, located at the West Camp in Ulster County, moved over the Hudson River to the East Camp, near Germantown, in Columbia County, and thence into Dutchess County, where he obtained farm lands in Colonel Henry Beekman's "Back Lots," at or near the present hamlet of Green Haven. The last child of the immigrant Zacharia Flegler and his wife, Anna Gertrauda Elizabetha Hoofd, was Zacharias, born posthumously 6 July 1720, who married 28 October 1747 Sarah Barton. Among the thirteen children of this union was Solomon Glagler (Flegler), born 8 May 1760, who married 30 April 1780 Esther Ostrom, born 19 April 1761. Solomon and Esther had eleven children, six girls and five boys, one of whom was Isaac, the subject of this narrative. It will be readily seen that between Zacharia "The First" and Isaac, two generations of Flaglers have been passed over; but not without reason. The time required for a productive lineage research of the children of the immigrant, of the thirteen offspring of Zacharias and Sarah, and of the brothers and sisters of Isaac has not been at the writer's disposal in deference to the publication date for the 1976 Year Book. As has been stated, Solomon Flagler when twenty years of age married Esther Ostrom, then in her nineteenth year, the daughter of John Ostrom and his wife Angelica Storm. Angelica had a brother, Isaac Storm, born 11 November 1765, for whom the future minister may have been named. Flaglers,

Storms, and Ostroms lived in relative propinquity. Their surnames appear on the Clinton Precinct tax list for 1787, and eighty years later as property owners on local maps published by F. W. Beers. The census of 1790 for Dutchess County shows the Zachariah Flagler family living in the town of Clinton and made up of two adults, three males under sixteen and six females under sixteen for a total of eleven persons--a figure in excess of that discovered by the writer, altho allowance should be made for relatives and in-laws sometimes reported as part of a family living together under the same roof. Isaac Flagler was born 22 April 1789 on his father's farm in Clinton Precinct, Dutchess County, New York. The approximate site of Solomon Flagler's homestead, situated about two miles east of Pleasant Valley, was pointed out to the writer as being on Lot number Six of the Great Nine Partners, at the junction of four roads: Hurley, Creek, Scout, and Pine Hill. The spot is, at this writing, a tangle of small trees, underbrush, and weeds. On it years ago stood a house belonging to Zacharias Flagler, Solomon's father; and was obtained by Solomon either thru sale or inheritance. No requirement is there for a dissertation on the history of the churches of Dutchess County or even of the Clinton Precinct (even if the writer were capable of doing so); but a few observations of ecclesiastical affairs may not be out of place. Numerically, in the area where Isaac Flagler was born, Presbyterians, Baptists, and Friends appeared in that order. In Pleasant Valley the Presbytery of Dutchess County in 1765 organized a church, and five years later erected a frame structure on the main street a few rods west of the present building. Still earlier, it appears, the Society of Friends organized and constructed at Arthursburg a place of worship--a plain, square building with no porch standing on the site of the present deteriorating structure, which exhibits two separated entrances facing Pulling Road, one entry being for men and one for women, as was customary. The first Flaglers, as we know, were Lutherans. Their names are to be found among the worshippers in the tiny church at Urphar, Germany, before 1600; and when, after coming to America and settling, along with other Palatines, in the West and East Camps, they are known to have adhered to the faith of their forefathers. Their descendants, however, worshiping in churches and being interred in such disparate places as Fishkill, Green Haven, Poughquag, Washington Hollow, Pleasant Valley, Clinton Corners, Arthursburg, and Germantown, suggest affiliations with other faiths. And indeed that was the case. Persons by the name of Flagler were buried in the grounds of the Dutch Reformed Church in East Fishkill, in the Methodist churchyard in Poughquag, in the Presbyterian years of Pleasant Valley and Washington Hollow, in the Quaker cemeteries of Clinton Corners,Arthursburg, and on Quaker Hill in Pleasant Valley, in the Lutheran yard at Pink's Corners, in the Methodist churchyards at Potter's Corners and on the road

between Pleasant Valley and the Taconic State Parkway and in other burial spots unidentified by name. It may be of interest to note that a son of the first Zachariah was of sufficient local prominence to be among the grantees of land for religious purposes by Colonel Henry Beekman, Junior in 1749. The transfer document from the lordly Rhinebeck landowner to six rustic Dutchmen--one of whom was a Solomon Fluglar--perhaps may warrant a partial transcript: "All that Certain Lott, called Number Eight in Beekman Precinct in Dutchess County, New York containing two acres and Eight Perches, together with Church Yard and Fences for the Use of all Freeholders and Inhabitants of and in Beekman's Precinct...being of the Lutheran Religion to Exercise their worship in said Church According to the Rules and Proscriptions of said Luthern Church and for use of a Cemetery or Burial Yard for the Burial of Christian Corps...." This grant was referred to by Miss Helen W. Reynolds in an article, entitled A Forgotten Church, appearing in the 1924 Year Book of the Dutchess County Historical Society. The aforementioned graveyard and the adjacent church, now outlined only by a low stone wall, is to be found on Hynes Beach Road, leading from Gardner Hollow to the Clove, on a farm formerly owned by John Williams, who as a boy is said to have attended the church, torn down between the years 1815 and 1820. The shifting of allegiance from one religious faith to another among members of a family is a fascinating phenomeon. The abandonement by second and third generation Flaglers of Lutheranism for Presbyterianism may have been owing to the numerical preponderance of the latter in regions into which the families moved. There was definitely a large Presbyterian enclave in the Pleasant Valley area. The religious views of young Isaac Flagler, therefore, were directed toward that faith by home training, youthful associates, and possibly by the proximity of religious schools. His parents and grandparents were Presbyterians, it being of record that in December of 1769 a pew in the newly completed Presbyterian meeting house at Washington Hollow was sold to Zachariah Flagler for the sum of three pounds. Concerning the few members of the Flagler families who were Loyalists to the Crown and who left the Colonies prior to and during the American Revolution, it is known that some removed to Canada and some returned to their homelands in Europe. Of those who remained on this side of the Atlantic, it is impossible to say with certainty what religious views they embraced when in the dependency of the British Empire. A guess might be that they became members of the Church of England or of the Church of Rome. The provenance of formal education in Dutchess County was religious in character. Several churches established academies for young children before the Revolution. In 1760 there seems to have been a school, run by Lutherans, in Rhinebeck. The first public district school, opened in 1812, was in the Clinton Precinct. Teachers were miserably compensated; one in a Beacon school, it is said, being paid $311 a year. Isaac Flagler's earliest training and education, like that of his brothers and sisters, lay, no doubt, in the hands of his parents. Later, he attended a school in the Tinkertown 81

area, founded in 1784, which was situated about two miles from his grandfather Zachariah's farm. When older, Isaac probably went to a school where instruction was of a sectarian nature. Also, not to be overlooked, aside from the influence of parents, friends, and scholastic training, there was the factor of adolescent self-determination. Isaac Flagler may have felt an early call toward the pulpit. From all accounts, he possessed mental and moral principles of a high order. A fellow clergyman in Flagler's later life described him as a man of deep faith, sound judgement, and "assiduous pastoral caring." As a youth he may have considered the possibility of choosing between the "Free Wheeling" doctrine of the episcopate and that of predestinarianism, and, favoring the latter, decided to embrace the Presbyterian faith. Flaglers, from Zachariah on, had a capacity for hard work and tireless energy. Isaac Flagler was no exception. He, like clergymen of today, was charged with many offical duties: to baptize the young, to unite lovers in matrimony, to preside at funerals, and to preach the Gospel. If the minister had an established congregation, he was usually required to supervise the ecumenical councils of church elders and to visit those of his flock who were sick or feeble. In addition, Isaac Flagler found that much of his time and energy was usurped by travel, caring for a domain of vast areas, over wretched roads, and in good weather and foul. His preaching, as with others of his calling, was an exhortation to Godly living and a faithful interpretation of Holy Writ, with no discources on caviling theology or homilies on the welfare state, class strife, and vagaries in the political arena. Pastoral visits were anticipated with eagerness and joy as an opportunity of communicating with an annointed leader in whom confidence might be safely reposed and whose advice and counsel in matters mundane and spiritual could be trusted. He was, moreover, the main channel for transmitting news of and from a distant, outside, and relatively unknown world. In short, Flagler was a religious activist in the hinterlands where he commanded a goodly measure of authority, respect, and obedience. The ancient trilogy "that makes the world go round"-births, marriages and deaths--were events of great interest and importance. Families were large. Infant mortality was high. Marriages were arranged, as today, for reasons of convenience and economic advantage. Having a large number of children assured help on the farm as the siblings grew older or profitable alliances if they married into families of affluence. Altho adultery and fornication were abhorred, illicit unions often took place. Children were born while parents awaited the belated arrival of the man ordained to sanctify the marriage, baptize the offspring, and thus make all well in the sight of God and neighbor. The chance abjuration of moral values gave no serious concern to people who understood and accepted the reasons, dictated by time and distance, for the infrequency of pastoral visits, not uncomnonly spearated by months or even years. Matters of food, clothing, and shelter were more pressing.

A wedding, when once solemnized, gave rise to festivity and rejoicing. Purse permitting, abundance of food and drink was provided for friends, neighbors, and any others who might drop by. Varying stages of intoxication were not uncommon, with bucolic and often tasteless buffonery indulged in, when the bridgegroom was tied up or the bride sequestered for the night. The Talmud asserts that tears are more appropriate at birth, with the trials and woes of the world awaiting the newborn infant, then at the time of death, when the turmoil of life is ended. However valid the precept may be, the fact remains that funerals and the trappings of death have long been curious affairs; odd mixtures of the sacred and the profane and of grief, solemnity and conviviality. So far as early America is concerned, perhaps Harriette Forbes in her Gravestones of Early New England has hit upon a reason: death was a diversion in the monotonous lives of our forefathers. A funeral was a great spectacle for the populace. There were no circuses to come to town. There was no Christmas, no May Day, no Fourth of July. A good funeral was appreciated by every one." At burials, those attending the service went singing behind the corpse. The bodies of grown persons were carried on a bier, and those of children upon the heads of the mourners. When the grave site was reached, the coffin was opened for all to see the occupant. After it was laid in the ground, there was more singing before departure. Coffins for the most part were crude, hexagonal receptacles made of wood, with no interior furnishings save perhaps a quilt or blanket. When in the earth, the box, fitted with a lid, was covered lengthwise with oak planks and then by a layer of stones of sufficient size and weight to prevent disturbance by predatory animals. Mourners, it seems, whether or not related to the deceased, were usually invited to funerals by having a mourning scarf, a pair of gloves, or a ring sent to them. Families often had in their possession great numbers of rings. One minister accumulated in the course of thirty-two years 2940 pairs of gloves and 57 rings which with commendable prudence he finally disposed of for 600 pounds sterling; which, of course, does not signify that venality was an evil common to clergymen, urban or rural. Their besetting fault, like that of their many counterparts in early New England, was the long-winded sermon, habitually two to four hours in duration, delivered to a captive audience discomforted and half-frozen in winter and equally distressed during the heat of summer. Boredom and fatigue--to say nothing of a buildup of immunity to such protracted exposures to verbiage--must have militated against an intelligent comprehension of the scriptual message pouring from the mouth of the man in the pulpit. Small wonder, then, is there that a tavern or inn was frequently found close to the church; for after enduring the rigors of the Sabbath diatribe, with no physical consolation, save a muff for the hands and a heated stone for the feet, the shivering congregation was quick to repair to the contiguous hostelry where warmth and restoratives,both liquid and solid, were available to refresh the body, the soul presumably having been taken care of.

Women, other than the immediate kin of the departed, usually did not attend interments. Female presence and industry were required elsewhere, in the home of the deceased or in that of a relative, where preparations, more or less in keeping with the importance and affluence of the person being laid to rest, had to be made for the delectation of returning mourners. The ensuing reception, enchanced by the necessity of "drowning sorrow" or perhaps by the exhilerating hope of sharing in the legacy of the deceased, not infrequently deteriorated into harmless frolic and conviviality. Food and drink in abundance were freely dispensed, with participants indulging their fill until satiety or the exhaustion of provisions and hospitality terminated the party. There is a maxim, generally accepted, that behind every successful man is a good woman, be she mother, wife, or sweetheart. The story of Isaac Flagler does nothing to disprove it. On 30 September 1813 he married Miss Jane B. Ward, one of the three daughters of a devout Presbyterian family, in a ceremony performed by the Reverend Mr. John Clark in the Pleasant Valley church. Jane was born 17 September 1793, the child of Colonel Joshua Ward and his wife Mary Foreman. The Wards lived on a farm east of the Village of Pleasant Valley in a house built about 1800. It is standing today, presenting,when viewed from the town's main street, a structure one story and a half in height with three dormer windows facing the thoroughfare. The property in time passed into the hands of Isaac's father, Solomon, at whose death in 1839 it was sold 30 April 1840 by the executor. Isaac and Jane Ward Flagler had two children, both girls; Mary Ester, born 31 July 1814 (named for her paternal and maternal grandmothers, Ester Ostrom Flagler and Mary Foreman Ward, respectively), and Jane Augusta, born 29 October 1816, named for her mother. Neither daughter married. Mary Ester Flagler died 6 June 1844 at the age of thirty; Jane Augusta Flagler died 28 April 1849 at the age of thirtythree. The minutes of the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church record that on "August 15, 1819 Isaac Flagler and his wife, Jane B. requested to be dismissed (transferred) to the Presbyterian Church at Marlborough, a hamlet in southern Ulster County on the shore of the Hudson River." The reasons for the removal of Isaac and his family to this particular community can only be guessed--possibly the prospect of a ministerial position, altho Isaac at that date had not been ordained, held an attraction, or, as likely a reason, the presence there of members of his wife's family, Joseph Ward, a blacksmith, living in the locality. Tragedy struck the Flagler household the following year. Jane Ward Flagler died 1 October 1820, leaving, beside her husband, Mary Ester then six and Jane Augusta, four years of age. The destitution, solitude, and helplessness of a man left a widower with two small children evokes universal compassion, sympathy, and pity. Alice Morse Earle, a respected commentator on life in early America, implies that the husband in such distressing circumstances is at the nadir of dispair, urgently "needing that most precious

commodity, an energetic, able woman who could cook, sew, weave, wash, make candles, take care of children, and perhaps do field work." However dejected and saddened Isaac Flagler felt at this trying point in his life, in all probability an overriding faith in the ultimate goodness of Providence sustained him. In any event, he returned to Pleasant Valley and farmed either on his own or on his father's place, where, as one writer puts it, he "wrested a meagre living from a stubborn soil to support his family." In the year 1824 Isaac Flagler was ordained to the Christian ministry. The service was conducted by a moderator, probably the Reverend John Clark, who with the laying on of hands addressed the "charge" for faithful and Godly service to the initiate and to the congregation. The church where this ceremony took place was a plain, wooden structure, simply built; and stood---as heretofore mentioned---on the site of the present handsome edifice, erected in 1848, on the main street of Pleasant Valley. A writer, speaking of the original church, says that there were no pews, the worshippers being required to sit on planks supported on barrels. The pulpit was a high, octagonal platform set directly in front of the congregation. No hymns were sung, only metrical psalms under the direction of a precentor. It was a simple act of dedication and worship with ritual kept to a minimum. The coping stone and some beams from the early church may be seen in the present church today. Ruth Deyo Smith who was to be the second wife of Isaac Flagler, now a full-fledged minister, was born 23 April 1797 at Milton-on-Hudson. From information available, the writer concludes that she was the daughter of the Reverend Thomas Gibson Smith, who held Presbyterian pastorates in Kingston, Little Brittain, and New Windsor---all of which communities are near Ruth's birthplace. When Isaac Flagler and his first wife were sent to his assignment at Marlborough in 1819, he may have become acquainted with the Reverend Smith and his family during the short sojourn there. In any event, Isaac Flagler and Ruth Smith were married 10 May 1824. Her portrait, painted in 1819, when she was twenty-two years of age, hangs in the Nellie Melba room of "Whitehall", the Flagler Museum in Plam Beach, Florida. She is portrayed as a slim young lady, with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a white frock, and holding a mandolin. On 14 May 1826 Ruth Flagler gave birth to a daughter, christened Anna Caroline Flagler. The family was then living at a place called North River, in Otsego County, New York. Seventeen months later the Reverend Isaac Flagler again found himself a widower; for Ruth died 25 September 1827. Her burial took place in the Presbyterian churchyard in West Fayette, near Geneva, Seneca County, New York. The causes of the deaths of Flagler's two wives, one at the age of twenty-seven and one at the age of thirty, are not recorded. The brevity of time which in each case separated the birth of a child from the death of the mother directs

suspicion toward some form of post-natal complication; altho smallpox and a disease then called "galloping consumption" were common killers among persons around thirty years of age. Having again been on the move, the year 1828 found the minister located in the Presbytery of Geneva, as pastor of a church in North Romulus, a community on the north-western tip of Lake Cayuga, Seneca County. While at this post an event took place of considerable importance, as time was to prove. Flagler married for the third time, a woman thirtyfour years of age, already twice a widow, a Mrs. Elizabeth Caldwell-Morrison-Harkness. The ceremony was performed 15 September 1828, a year, less ten days, after the death of Ruth Smith Flagler, the second wife. There is no reason to believe that the thirty-nine year old minister was unduly uxorius; but he may have entertained an abiding conviction in Alice Earle's precept-before cited--of a wife being a most precious commodity. Equally interesting is the question as to why a woman, twice before married, should espouse an individual as indigent, desultory, and unsettled as Isaac Flagler. Like that of an army man, the lifestyle of a minister's wife is by some thought to be singularly unrewarding in terms of materialistic blessings. Burdened with the rearing of young children-Isaac had three--mated to a spouse with a paltry income, and with uncertain or negligible chances of promotion in his chosen life-work, and subject perhaps to the whims of a captious and even hostile congregation, the roles of Elizabeth Caldwell as housewife and Isaac Flagler as the bread-winner must have been motivated and sustained by a spirit of mutual devotion and unselfish sacrifice. To remain, as she did, for thirtythree years in this "kitchen" of her choice, Elizabeth Caldwell Flagler proved that she could "take the heat." Someone has said that a minister's wife sees religion with its seams wide open. Under what circumstances the Reverend Isaac Flagler met his third wife in so unlikely a place as North Romulus is not known to the writer. The parents of Elizabeth remain unidentified by name. However, the Maumee, Ohio, Presbytery records for 1837 show that at a meeting on Wednesday, August second, in the town of Plain, Wood County, Ohio, among the delegates assembled were the Reverend Mr. Flagler of Geneva Presbytery, New York, and one Dennis Caldwell of Perrysberg, Ohio. From this it may be adduced that Dennis and Elizabeth Caldwell were related, and may, moreover, have been father and daughter. Altogether, it may be safe to assume that Isaac and Elizabeth were of the same religious faith, and that each was inspired and impelled by missionary zeal of sufficient force to enable them to accept and endure together the rigors and hardships of frontier evangelism. In 1829 the Flaglers moved to Hopewell, Ontario County, New York---a tiny community three miles east of the town of Canandaigua. When here, serving in his chosen field, he is called "in stated supply", which means that he was serving as an interim minister in a voluntary capacity, without formal mandate, until a permanent assignee would be named. Here

in Hopewell, at least for the time being, the Reverend Isaac Flagler was given a church of his own and a manse---both long ago vanished---adjacent to the Hopewell Presbyterian burying ground on Mumby Road. And here in his new home, on 2 January 1830, was born the only child of Isaac and Elizabeth Flagler. The infant boy was named Henry Morrison Flagler, whose middle name was derived from that of his mother's first husband, Hugh Morrison---a complimentary gesture of sorts rarely encountered today. Still under the aegis of the Geneva Presbytery, the Flaglers remained at Hopewell during the period of 1830 to 1834. Then for the three years following Isaac served still in "stated supply" at places called Chapinsville and Castleton. The Flagler propensity of wanderlust, whether voluntary or not, surfaced again in 1839; for we find him under the Presbytery of Maumee, Ohio, holding a position of "stated supply" at or near Toledo. The History of the Maumee Presbytery states that "in early times the attention of the Godly fathers was turned to the region of north-west Ohio, because of the Indian tribes who lived on the banks of the Maumee." Accordingly, there was organized a missionary society in Pittsburgh---which, it is said, was the axis of a geographical circle two hundred and fifty miles in diameter, "containing the majority of Presbyterians to be found in the United States." This society formally established a mission "after a mature and solemn consideration of facts" among the Ottawa Indians on a tract of six hundred and forty acres on 15 January 1822. As of February 1837 the church at Toledo numbered fifty members. The History states further: "From the period of its organization in 1836 to its dissolution in 1840 the following ministers were in connection with the Presbytery"; the Reverend Isaac Flagler being named among those listed. The History goes on: "The churches which were under its (Maumee Presbytery) care were Milton, Perrysburgh, Maumee, Plain, Waterville, Toledo, and Manhattan." The church at Plain acted as host to several ministers and delegates on Wednesday 2 August 1837, among whom the Reverend Mr. Flagler of Geneva Presbytery, New York, was present and termed a corresponding member. Before adjourning, the assembly agreed to meet "at Toledo on the first Tuesday of November next, eleven o'clock a.m., at the house of Reverend Mr. Flagler." At this meeting Flagler presented a letter of dismission from the Presbytery of Geneva and a recommendation to the Maumee Presbytery with a request to be received a member of this body. "Whereupon- resolved (says the record) his request be granted." Further extracts from the minutes of the meeting show that Flagler was appointed to serve on a committee of Overtures and on a committee of Arrangements, the former connoting a body charged with submitting proposals by the highest church court to the Presbytery. The Reverend Flagler received additional honors when on 21 February 1838 at Perrysburg he was chosen moderator and at the close of a meeting that evening preached to the gathering. At a meeting in May of that year he was named commissioner to the next general assembly and again preached, using for his text the first verse, fifth chapter, of second Corinthians: "For we know that if our

earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." The dissolution of the Maumee Presbytery after four years of existence, caused by a case of discipline involving one of its members, occurred 21 September 1840. It was ordered that that the ministers and churches belonging to that Presbytery hereafter be attached to the Presbytery of Huron, the county by that name being sixty or so miles to the east of Perrysburg. This dissolutive action by the Synod of the Western Reserve apparently did much to affect the future life of Isaac Flagler. After 1840 his name seems to have disappeared from church records and documents. He may again iave moved into the wastelands of western Ohio or Indiana. All we know of him is that he seems to have severed formal connections with his Church for almost a score of years, probably pushing his sphere of services to the west among those most in need of his spiritual ministrations. This we do know; that he reaped few of life's pecuniary rewards, the National Cyclopedia of American Biography --before cited---saying of him that "he had no means with which to send his child (Henry Morrison) to school or college." At length the Flaglers did return to central Ohio, to the town of Bellevue, where Isaac was living at the time of his wife's death on 5 September 1861. Elizabeth Caldwell Flagler predeceased her husband by fifteen years, he dying 23 September 1876. Both were buried in the Hopewell cemetery. Mortuary records show that Elizabeth was placed in an "iron" (metal) casket which was then enclosed in a brick vault. The headstones and bodies of Isaac and Elizabeth were removed in 1976 from Bellevue to the newly renovated Flagler Family Cemetery at Green Haven, Dutchess County, New York. Here the Reverend Isaac Flagler lies near the tombs of his father, mother, and those of other relatives. A photograph by E. Decker of Cleveland, Ohio, portrays the head and shoulders of the Reverend Isaac Flagler in clerical attire with wing collar and wide bow tie. It is that of a man, perhaps a little beyond middle age, of strong but kindly features, with a mustache and heavy beard. On a less somber note, one recalls the celebrated quip of Queen Elizabeth I, who, herself a traveller of repute, on a westward visit to distant Cornwall, avowed that the further west she went the more certain she felt that the Wise Men came from the East. The Wandering Preacher was born in eastern New York.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

The Reverend Tom G. Aikman Gustave Anjou - Ulster County Wills Mrs. Joan P. Balderson The Bellevue, Ohio, Historical Society Mr. Clifford Buck Captain Franklin Ellis - History of Columbia County, N.Y. Federal Census of 1790 for Dutchess County Sidney G. Fisher - Men, Women, & Manners in Colonial Times Frank Hasbrouck - History of Dutchess County Professor Blaise Hospodar Mr. Henry Jackson Charles D. King, Jr. - History of Education in Dutchess County Mrs. Flagler Matthews William S. Pelletreau - History of Putnam County The Presbyterian Historical Society Mrs. Wilhelmina B. Powers Helen W. Reynolds - Dutchess County Doorways Mr. Charles Simmons, Executive Director, The Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, Palm Beach, Florida James Smith - History of Dutchess County Philip Smith - History of Dutchess County William B. Sprague - Annals of the American Pulpit Agnes Strickland - Lives of the Queens of England

JONATHAN THORN by Clifford M. Buck In Book of Deeds, Liber 3, Page 298 dated May 5, 1759 Robert G. Livingston of New York City sold to Jonathan Thorn and his wife Catherine, sister of Robert G. Livingston, a farm of 134 acres in Lot 17, formerly granted to James Weldon and his sons James and Francis. The farm bounds the Rumbout line, Lot 18 line and Aert VanDenBogert. This farm is located near the intersection of Overlook Road and the Pleasant Valley-Freedom Plains road and was for many years occupied by my grandfather, John Lossing Buck, and now occupied by James Dandeneau. The Beekman tax lists first show Jonathan Thorn in June 1753 and the property is last listed as Jonathan Thorn farm in the last list for 1778. In Volume I of Minutes of the Committee for the Detecting of Conspiracies, pages 1-5 dated Fishkill, October 17, 1776 gives a list of prisoners to be sent to Exeter, New Hampshire. This list includes the name of Jonathan Thorn. In an article by Helen Wilkinson Reynolds in the 1943 Yearbook of the Dutchess County Historical Society pages 8385 give a more complete account of Jonathan Thorn. He was born in 1724 and had married Catherine Livingston, daughter of Gilbert Livingston and his wife Cornelia Beekman. They had eight children: Gilbert, Samuel, Cornelia, Jacobus (of James), Johannes Rutsen, Cornelius, Robert and Catharina. Jonathan was a First Lieutenant in 1758 and had sworn allegiance to King George. In 1776 he refused to sign the Articles of Association. So he and a number of others were picked up in October 1776 as "notoriously disaffected and inimical to the measures pursuing for the safety and defense of the United States of America. They were held there until the following February when they were permitted to return to Dutchess County, having given bonds to return to Exeter by May 1, unless they should obtain leave to reside at home. On March 20th they were given six days to consider taking the oath and on the expiration of this interval, announced their determination not to do so. The committee resolved on May 15th that they be confined on the prison ships stationed on the Hudson at Esopus. In the fall, threatened by a British invasion, the Committee for Detecting Conspiracies was charged with the removal of prisoners from Kingston to Connecticut. Jonathan Thorn died at Hartford November 14, 1777 and was buried there as a prisoner of war in the burying ground of Center Church. His wife Catherine died November 3, 1769. Jonathan's will was made out September 30, 1776. Mortgage 6:296 May 2, 1793 indicates that Jonathan Thorn's heirs sold the farm to Israel Titus and later Gilbert Titus obtained 106 acres, the present size of the farm. In that deed description there is a reference to a charcoal pit and to an old garden near the corner where Overlook Road and Pleasant Valley-Freedom Plains Roads meet. This may well be the location of the first house on this farm.

A TRIP ON THE CLOVE BRANCH RAILROAD Mrs. John C. Smith of Poughkeepsie and Mr. Collin Strang of Fishkill discovered and assembled, respectively, a detailed description of a strip of Dutchess County from Fishkill Landing to Pine Plains along one of the region's early railroad lines. The account was written over a number of issues of the Fishkil) Standard in 1870. Curiously, the chronological order of the articles does not match the geographic southnorth progression of the trip, as tho the reporter rode various sections of the line in random order - or, at least, reported the outings randomly. For the sake of clarity for today's reader, we have arranged the articles in the south-north order such a trip would take and have concluded the piece with a separate account of a one-day excursion covering the entire trip from Fishkill to Pine Plains. Please see following pages for this fascinating journey into another time.

THE FISHKILL STANDARD. euotcd to f ocal 3ctus, Iterature, art, ,*ciencc, and cnera1 ntclligcteu.

4 ainilu

TWO DOLLARS A YEAR,

FISH%ILL VOL. LI:-NO, 40,

LANDING,

ourna1,

INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE.

DUTCHESS COUNTY. N. Y., SATURDAY MORNING, MAY 13, 1870. WHOLE N0, 2649.

The FIShkiIi Standard

..A

IS PUBLISRZD EVERY SATURDAY AT

I HK(LL LANDING, DPTCF1

CO., N. Y.,

-BY-

J. W. 9P AIGFHT, Editor and Pablisher.

OFFICE: Is reobet's Large Brick Building, Price of Sabeoript'on to Paper: 52.00 per annum tin adnar.;e; $2.50perannnm if not paid in advance. For advertising rates apply at the emce. Power Press Job Printing, Ot' every kind, in plain and fancy colors, done with neatness and dispatch- Randbiila Posters, Blanka, Cards, Pamphlets, Billbeads. Receipts, etc., of every variety and style, printed at the shortest notice.

....T E COLD SPRING ML'RDRa.—Wtltiam Conroy, of that place, has been arrested as hay. lug been implicated with Trumpbour in the contemplated robbery of Browning, which resulted in the deatb of Jones, the coachman.— Trumpbour is kept under strict guard in the Carmel jail, and none of his friends are permitted to see him. A petition by leading citizens of Cold Spring has been sent to the County Judge of Putnam, asking that Trumpbour be sent to a jail in some adjacent county, where his safety would be more secure. It is believed the petition will not be granted, as a special session of the Board of Supervisors of that county has been called for the purpose of perfecting measures for keeping him secure. It said Trumpbour has made a full written confession, the contents of which have not been made public, except that the wrong man was attacked; the paymaster of the Cold Spring Foundry being the man, instead of Browning.

TRIP O t THR CLOVE BRANCH

RAIL

aoAD.—Tbo Clove Branch Railroad forms a

junction with the Dutchess and Columbia Railroad at a place well known as the Y, 15 miles from the river, and 36 miles from Millbr9ok.— When the road commenced running, there was not a thought of a depot at this place, but the business of the surrounding country and the Clove Branch road, made a call for one, and it was forthcoming, and now I am told there are but few stations on the Dntcbess and Columbia railroad, whose amonpt of business equals that of the Clove Branch. The trains on this road leave the unction after the arrival of the first up passenger train on the Dntchess and Columbia Railroad. returning in season to take the last passenger train down to Fishkill Lanb lug, so that people desirous of spending the dear at the beautiful sylvan lake, can easily do i:tM As we leave the Junction, we traverse a very circuitous route, running around among the hills. It has more the appearance of a serpent (if one rides on the engine) than anything you would imagine. We had scarcely got under way, when I asked the conductor what that long side track and a nice little painted house was for. He told me it was the scale where all the iron ore from the mines was weighed. So we run along; and here I met a genius, (for every place has one), a genial, lively fellow as brakeman, Townsend, who is ready for a joke, but is always on hand when duty calla. I next saw on the left, elevated somewhat, a pretty place. When I appealed to the conductor again for information, he told me a Mr. Harpell, of New York, owned the farm. Running along, curving here and there, through farms of beautiful verdure, we very soon saw on the right, where it seemed as though we were going through the very dooryard, an elegant brick house, owned by W. P. Storm, a farmer, and

The bell rings, the train stops at Silver Lake station, a very pretty place. Here a store is kept by Mr. Isaac Pail, who is prepared to furnish customers with a general supply of dry goods and groceries. Connected with the store, there are extensive coal sheds. About five rods distant is a nice new house, with store and sheds, built by Mr. Brown, and occupied by the conductor. A little farther on, around a sharp curve, is the turn table, and a commodious engine house, built of wood and stylishly painted, situated on the shore of the lake. The water of the lake is pure and clear; the shores dry at all times; good walking all around it; the depth of the water is said to vary from fifty to one hundred and fifty feet. The lake is surrounded by groves, tilled ground, and the ore mines. From this point may be seen, on the opposite shore, the famous grove where so many have held their pie nic parties. In this grove is the spring, better known as the "Ladies Well." The temperature in summer stands at fifty degrees. The railroad boys have a nice little craft, sloop-rigged, on the lake, named Lor two little girls. Belle and Liszie, in which they enjoy, now and then, a sail across the silvery waters. The ore mines are situated on the south side of the lake; one belonging to Mr. G. H. Brown, the other to Beck & Tower, of Ponghkeepsie. Mr. Brown's is very extensive, and they can ship two hundred tons of iron ore daily. There I !found Mr. Abram Storm, superintendent of the mines; Oliver Davidson, agent, both very affable and pleasant to talk with, and who gave me a full account of the mines and their operation. There are at present about fifty miners employed in digging the ore. Mr. Brown has three large steam boilers at work, running a very clean, pretty engine, and two smaller oscillating engines for hoisting ore from the mines over an inclined plane, at an angle of about fifty degrees. The pit is, I think, nearly one hundred feet deep. They employ three steam pumps, one to take the superfluous water from the mines, the other to supply the boilers and furnish water for washing. They have carpenters, blacksmiths, and. painters employed ax their usual avocations, At present they are building flat cars for '$re railroad, which are pat together very nicely.

also a merchant of Pougbqnag. Back of his house we saw fruit trees, loaded with fr uit.— This is a good milk farm, one would say, jndg log by the quantity of milk cans at the springy house near isy. On the left wb saws vet, pretty modern wooden house or houses, We property of George Storm, who must be a forehanded farmer, I should say, by the looks of his buildings and his straw stacks. The whistle blows, down goes the brakes, the train stops at the main stage road, the conductor calls out "Adrianee," a man steps off with a basket in nis hand, who I learned was a Mr. Jackson, from New York, who owns a farm near this place. "All right," is heard again, and off we go. On the right I noticed a very pretty residence, surrounded by shrubbery and evergreens. The owner is Abram

tCuroa Ooldi,0on`h.,BoreThroat Oronp,IpAuen-a, "v/hoopingOourh Bronoldtla►MAdhtne. A •rt•• ire n r Consumption In 11r,t cart,,., oil . vuro r• ❑yr fe r. ivr.neni stages. U.. .t fl ier. You will eee th•, , •r-. •1!"rt rffe.et after taking the Ar.t t'.ou~•. :„~.1 .r.h.Io. Lary. 400U,., 60 cuat..an tLu0.

_a Adrianee, from whom this station was named. A little further I noticed a neat little school house, near which-is located the farm of T, V. W Brinckerhoff; a little further the one of J.

V. Storm. We soon come to the farm of J. P. Adriance, consisting of two hundred acres, more or less. Mr. A. is a man wl likes good horses, and generally has them. Very soon, on the left, we saw the farm of Mr. William Bogardus, a nice farm, too. The next, house on the left is the cottage of Mr. Knapp, situated on a side hill, having a splendid view. Mr. Knapp has a nice orchard below his house, the trees loaded with appre5.

About 10

rods further is the farm of J.V.

Storm, coutaining 275 acres. He does general farming, keeps a drirv, end raises fat cattle and. fast horses, On l s farm is a fine 1 storg pottage, which has been the family homestead for over 80 years. Oh the farm are also extensive 93

barns and out-houses, and a beautiful fish pond. Adjoining this pond are some building hits, which Mr. S. is offering for sale, and near which the Boston, Hartford and Elie Railroad Company have built their road. The scenery is very fine in the neighborhood. Mr. Alfred Storm's farm adjoins that last mentioned, and contains 250 acres. Fatting cattle is his principal business. On this farm is a two-story frame building, which has been the family homestead for over 150 years, and which is surrounded by shrubbery and flowers. The Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad runs threequarters of a mile through this farm. Then is a fine fish-pond' Mr, S. has some building ]ote for sale near the pond. Next is the farm of Isaac Adrianoe, eoutainlug 144 acres. General farming and farting cattle, is the principal business of the owner. On the farm is a snbgtantial frame building, which formerly was known as the Garrett Storm homestead. Passing through the village of Stormville, and thirty rods further on, is the lhrm of Thew dore I Storm, which contains 350 sores. Fatting cattle and general farming is the principal business. On tho farm are two substantial buildings, one occupied by the mother of Mr. S. and one by himself The one occupied by him has been lately rebuilt. It is three atrries high, with French roof, and is built in the most modem style, giving it an imposing appearance.— Between the two buildings is a fine flower garden, greatly enlivening the appearance of the place. All the modem improvements have been introduoed in the new house. Mr. N. C. Goodfellow is the builder, and may well be proud of his aki1L We learn that Mr. 61a very busy, basing just contracted to erect two other bnildings, ehowiug that his skill is well appreciated. ----HorEwELL JUNCTION.—In our last issue, we gave a description of several farms situated on the onth road, and now continue the same. Another proof of the progress of this place, is a livery stable which is attached to the Wortlekill House, and superintended by Mr. Theodore C. Montfort, who will let out horses and buggies at reasonable prices. MARRIED. At Matteawan, Aug. 25th. by Rev. O. Havilaud, Mr. NATHANIF.L W. EARLE, of Highland ]fills, to M,' CARRIE LUTHER, of the former place. ppingera Fall,, Aug 23d, at Zion HpLcopal , €Much, by Itev. Geo. B. Andrews, JOH~i W. BAB COCK, of Haveratraw, Rockland county, to LUCY A., second daughterof John M. GORING, of the former place.

Adjoining Mr. P. Luyster's farm, is that of Mr. E. Luyster, which contains 185 acres, and has a convenient residence 2} stories high.— Mr. L. is principally engaged in fattening cattle ; also has three fine apple orchards, a beautiful grapery, and a young pear orchard just coming in bearing. This farm has been the family homestead for 90 yearn.

TRUTHS roc SICK. For those DEATHLY BILIOUS SPELLS depend PA Sulphuc Bitters; it never fails to cure. DO YOU SUFFER with that tired and all-gone feeling? If so use Sulphur Bittern; It will 'urn you. Dtnt' bo without a hottie. You will not regret it THE of a fair Paco is a beautlSECRET ful skin. k ulpltur ]litters makes both. . If you donot wish to suffer from RHEUMATISM, use a bottle of Sulphur Bitters; it never fails to cure. Are you CS~N8TIPATED7 If so, . Sulphur Bitters is just what you need .Peer, wenit, anti wrar,y Iunl.herN } ItAIS$ PUNY, PINDL.INU cltlldrun. $ulidutr Bitters will make them strong, hearty, and healthy. Cleanse the vitiated blood when , you see its impurities hurstin throughtheskinin PIMPLES, ltcly on Sulphup Bitters and health BLOTCHES AND SORES. will follow.

Abram G. Van Vlack'a farm adjoins, and contains 394 acres. He does general farming, fattens cattle, and keeps a large dairy. The house is 1+ stories high; has been the family homestead for 150 years, and has been in possession of the present owner for 70years. Mr. V. has the finest stock of Devonshire cattle in this county, and also one of the best orchards. He is an experienced farmer, is 70 years of age, and has spent all his lifetime on the farm. He says plowing an orchard is most destructive to

fruit trees, cutting all the life roots of the young trees. Neat to Mr. Pan Vlack's farm is that of Mr. R. C. Horton, on which are two fine mansions; the one used as his family residence, is three stones high, and tastefully decorated. Mr. H. was married some years ago, to one of the most accomplished young ladies in Newburgh, a daughter of Judge Brown. The grounds and carriage road are finely laid out, and the noose is surrounded by a magnificent flower garden. The land on the farm is well cultivated, and in a flourishing condition, and it is considered one of the finest farms in that section. A short distance beyond is the village of Gayhead, which contains a number of cottages, a wagonmaker's shop, one blacksmith shop, one store, and a hotel. The blacksmith shop is occupied by Mr, Warren Horton who does a thriving business, and is a good and industrious mechanic. Opposite the blaoksmith shop is the wagonmaker shop of Mr. John Weeks, two stories high and well ventilisted. He is well supplied with orders, which is sufficient proof of the excellence of his workmanship. About ten rods from the blacksmith shop, is the farm of Mr. John S. Emans, which contains 380 acres. He has built a new and flue 1} story frame house, and is enjoying life, having all home comforts. Mr. E. does general farming, is Supervisor of East Pfahkill, and Justice of the Peace. fl<is larm has been in possession of the family for 100 years. Adjoining is the farm of John P. 3torm, containing 113 acres. He keeps a dAlry, and applies himself partiouJarly to raising gram and fatting steers. The farm has belonged to the family for 60 pears. Leaving Gayhead, about one mile further is the farm of A. B. Meade, which contains 100 acres. He does general farming. The farm belonged formerly to J. W.Tompkirra. Adjoining is the farm of Mr. L. Wickson, consisting of 100 acres. He does general farming. and his farm is known as the Bradley homestead. Returning, adjoining Mr. J. P. Storm's farm, is the blacksmith shop of Mr. John G. Bowne, who is building a fine shop at Hopewell Junction, where he intends removing as soon as it is completed. About one mile from J. P. Storm's farm is that of Mrs. Baldwin, containing 205 acres.— She has the management of the whole farm, and does general farming; also keeps a dairy. The farm belonged formerly to Mr. B. Strong,

and has on it a double building, 1+ story high, which is surronnded by beautiful flowers. Mrs. B. has a magnificent vegetable garden, of which she may well feel proud. Adjoining is Mr. Charles Roger's farm of 150 acres. The building is 1} story high, and has been the family homestead for 110 years. He does general farming, and has a fine orchard of apples of many varieties.

.... LA GES.NGEVILLE.—Tb18 is one of the finest villages situated on the Dutchess and Columbia Railroad. The village proper is about half a mile from the Railroad station. The ,tation-house is a neat building, painted yellow, and is divided into two apartments—one for ladies and one for gentlemen, and between thb two rooms is a ticket and telegraph office, which is superintended by Mr. Richard Powell, who is an intelligent and enterprising young man. There are about tweuty-five houses in the village, among which are some beautiful cotta. ges. Gardening is in a flourishing condition. Thereis a Methodist Episcopal Church, which was built about nine years ago; it is a largr frame building, surmounted by a high steeple, and provided with a clock. It is painted white and furnished with blinds painted ch000lM~ color. Rev. N. S. Tuthill is the pastor. There are also 2 grist mills, 1 sawmill. 1 plaster falll, and l blacksmith shop. The main street in the village runs east and west; the eastern branch runs through Union Vale to Dover, and is called the Dover and Union Vale turnpike. On that road is the blacksmith shop of Mr. John Traver, who has the name of being a first-rate horseshoer, giving satisfaction to his customers. Thirty rods westward is the shoemaker shop of Mr. J. C. Colwell, who furnishes boots and shoes to his neighbors, and is known as firstclass man in his trade. Mr. C. is the oldest inhabitant of the place, and settled there between 30 and 40 years ago. His friends and neighbors have shown him a just tribute by electing him several times Justice of the Peace in the town, nothwithstaudiug the political party he belonged to was in the minority. A few rods from the residence of J. Weeks, !s the grist mill of S. H. Moore. It is a large two-story frame building, provided with firstclass water power. Mr. Moore is doing an extensive business, is a very enterprising gentla. man, and keeps his mill in good repair. He re. ceutly pat a new wheel in his mill, which is a great improvement over the one he Joreserly had. Mr. M. also owns a saw mill and plaster mill, adjoining his grist mill.

About a hundred rods further, on the same road, is the farm of A. W. Storm, formerly Sn• pervisor of the town of Lagrange. He l,tas over 300 acres of land, and it is considered one of the best farms in the town. Mr. Storm has erected on his farm some substantial frame buildings, and his residence is also on the farm. It is a large, substantial frame building, erected about 100 years ago, and was formerly occupied by Isaac Clapp, father-in-law of Mr. Storm. The western branch of the road mentioned, leads by the railroad station to Poughkeepsie, and on it is the grist mill of Mr. George. D. Eighmie. Since the completion of the railroad, several business firms have moved from the village to the vicinity of the depot. Among them are the Upton Brothers, who have moved their store and shed from the village, and bnilt a dwelling house connected with the store. The Upton keep on hand a fine stock of all the necessaries of life, and the store is superintended by Dr. George Upton, one of the most in-' dustrions, entertaining and enterprisiog, nld gentlemen we over met. The Dr. was formerly a farmer and horse raiser. Among the horses he raised, is the famous Country Gentleman, sold to Mr. Thorn, of Washington. Notwithstanding the 59 years spent in this world, the Dr. is s iil hale and hearty. He has traveled extensively, and was for two years Surgeon in the United States Army, during the war with the South, and was until recently, United States Agent among the Indians. Next door to the store of Upton Brothers cL Co., is the restaurant of Mr. William Kelly, 'wbo keeps a fine little candy and segar store in oonneotioa with his restaurant. Mr. K. has made arrangements to accommodate travelers week

can

recommend

those

visiting

the

village, and desiring good entertainment, not to fail to call at Mr. Kelly's restaurant. About ten rods on the Poughkeepsic road is the blacksmith shop of Mr. J. E. Vail. He seems to understand his business thoroughly. A short distance from this shop is Mr. V.'s residence, a neat little cottage, two storied high, and nowly painted. This cottage, and t5c one opposite, wl♦ioh is the reaidrnoy pl Mr. William M. Ackerman, gives the: neighborbood s cheer• ful appearance, both being new and neatly painted. Near the residence of Mr. Ackerman, is his wagon-maker ,.bop. Too much praise cannot be given to Mr. A. fur his industry, enterprise and workmanship, and we can recommend him highly to all needing anything in his line.

Mr. A. Emans, a wealthy farmer in that section, has, a few rods from tlyg shop of Mr. Ackerman, a coal yard, which is superinten,led by Mr. Powe1L Mr. E. Ii wet] known as one of the most enterprising men in the county. He is a jovial, oong gal companion; in business, punctual, honest, and reliable. Following the Poogbkeepsde rued about one hundred rota, we come to ]Fr. James Townsend's farm, oontainlnj abotat 770 acres of laud. It has been the family homestead of the Townsends for about a bundred years. The building is a frame one, and cootalus all the conveuiend es usually found to the bouses of well-to-do farmers; tho side entrance to shaded with fi ne grapevines. Mr. T. bas also a tenant house on his farm, occupied by some of his workmen, and substantial barns, sheds, ont-house.=, xte. Mr, T. gists his atteotlod' Mpecially to grain raising. He has on his farm a beautiful spring of water. Mr. T. has also a great deal of stock, among 'which are two beautiful horses. We can judge of their gealltles, having had a nice ride behind them. tit's take this opportunity to thank Mr. T. for his pteasaat entertainment, information and ride, daring our visit in LaGrangeville. it anybody can feel quite happy, we think Mr. T. oogbt to, having a good share of this world's goods, a fi ne family, among which is ht] two-year old son John, one of the brighteat children we ever met_ Mr. T.'s house is so situated as to overlook all his land. Take it all together, his house is as comfortably and nicely situated as any In this counts-. In our nett issue we will give a further account of this place. ....Moose's Mtacs.—The depot at this place is situated about ten rods trom the Pongir keepsie road, and is a very neat building. COL tam ing one room and a small ticket office. M-. A. H. Moore is the ticket agent: no telegrap' office at that station. l short distance from the depot. on the lets. hand side of the Poughkeepsie road, is the store of Mr. A. H. Moore, who keeps a general coin try store, having always on hand an assort meat of all the necessaries of life, etc., and idoing a fair business. He is well-known i that section for integrity, fair-dealiug and pcliteness. In front of the depot is the lumber and cos: yard of Mr. H. C. Downing, who is doing a thriving business, and is highly spoken of 1 his neighbors. Opposite Mr. M.'s store is the farm of Mrs. Anna M. Congdon. The residence is a fine frame building, two-stories high. The barn and out houses front the depot. It is the intention of Mrs. C. to have them removed.

About 15 rods further is the farm of Mr. Alfred Moore, containing 90 acres of land, and is situated on an eminence, the ground sloping in front of the dwelling house, giving a free and attractive view. In front of the house is a garden, attractively laid out, and planted with flowers; in the rear are fruits of all kinds and varieties, of which the grapes are the most remarkable, some of the vines extending 40 yards, and abounding with fruit. Mr. M. took the premium three years ago at the county fair, for grapes and peaches. The farm-house has been the family formerly to Mr. M.'s father. At the invitation of Mr. M., we accepted of his hospitality, and took, after dinner, a pleasant drive with him through the surrounding country.

o:',,

'1111; .11;1VI:LF lt, .lion Ktrcl't, I" ishkili l uudiug, Sole .\ gnu fur

Victor" & Credeoda" Th '

RIIR Tlll!: TOWN OF FIVIIltll.I..

A full ll n4i of Wheels iu stock. OICVOI E s4UNOUll:N. hells, r.aaturns, Whlslles, Luggngu Carriers, Trouser Guards, O11 Cans, Tool Bags, Alarm Cy clowetere, Wrenches, etc., always in stock.

Tillotson, the Jeweler. Starting eastward, on the road leading to Oswego Village, we passed the mt71 from which the station derives its name; a few rods furhens the blacksmith and wagonmaker shop.— All this is the property of Mr. Moore, but let cot to otber parties. A short distance farther, is the farm of Mrs: Merritt, containing 60 acres. On it are a beau. tiful country residence and a fine orchard; the tatter giving a delightful and cooling shade around the hones, at all times of the day.— There are three springs, on different farms, which form tributaries to the stream which fin'97

._bes the mill, shops, and Dotcbese and Oosmbia Railroad engines with water. It is said aese springs are the most reliable for watering long the line of the railroad. Following the road half a mile farther, we sssed Mr. Stephen Moore's farm, which has ou a fine three-story frame house. The farm nntains 200 acres of land, and the land is contiered to be among the best in the county. Pursuing our way half a mile farther, we teed to the road leading to Verbank, and .ssed the school house of Mrs. A. Drury, $ ,'ge and spacious house with ample grounds 'joining. Mrs. D. keeps a boarding and day hoof, and has the reputation of being a very ,coessfnl teacher, her school; being always ell. attended. The house is built on an emi'nee, and overlooks the surrounding country, e view being unsurpassed. Adjoining Mrs. D's school house, is the Friends' meeting house, built- on the same grounds, since the founding of the Society at that place. On the same side, a short distance farther on the road, are five cottages. giving that neighborhood a thriving appearance.— About 200 rods from the Friends' meeting iiouse, we reached Mr. John W. Spooucr's farm of 180 acres. On this farm is a substantial building, erected for the accommodation of summer boarders. Mr. S. has a number of boarders from the city, among whom are some lively young men, one of whom proposed to play a game of croquet for a pear's subscription to Tae STANDARD. Mr. S. has arranged everything pleasant; the grounds are well laid out, flowers and fruit adorning them; he has also placed a swing, croquet implements, gymnastic. apparatus, etc., for the use of his guests and friends. Mr. S. does general farming. The property formerly belonged to Mr. Joseph L. Merritt. Returning half a mile on the same road, we turned south about 200 rods, and passed Mr. Egbert Peckham's farm of 120 acres. . Mr. P. is giving his attention to hay principally, anu Is very successful. Re has a fine flower garden. and nice shrubbery in front of his house, the latter being 2} stories high, and considered one of the ficest houses in that section. It formerly belonged to the Wilkinson family, and was bought by Mr. P. 20 years ago. Two hundred rods further, we passed Mt, William 0. Spooner's farm of 710 acres. It has a cottage ]} stories nigh, which gives the place a cheerful appearance. Mr. S. has a fine dairy and orchard. The farm belonged formerly to the Potter family.

Turning to the right, we reached the farm of Mr. Edward H. Potter. He has built a new and substantial frame dwelling, and intends to take city boarders the coming season. We do not know of any more desirable place to find shelter during the hot season. Mr. P.'s house is considered the fi uest in Moore's Mills. He has 100 acres of land, a fine dairy, and an orchard with an abundance of frnit. Haifa mile distant, is the farm of Mark H. Wheeler, containing 145 acres. Mr. W. does general farming, keeps a large dairy, and raises long-wooled sheep. We do not think there is any superior in the county. His residence built of brick, 1} stories high, the only brick one in the village, and has belonged to the family for the last eighty years. Adjoining Mr. Campbell's farm, east on the Poughkeepsie road, is the farm of Mr. A. B. Duncan, 241 acres. He keeps a large number of cows, and sends more milk to New York city than anybody in that section. His orchard is young, but very fine, and he has a beantiful eQttage, which ho occupies. YHRBAss is situated on the line of the Dutchess and Columbia Railroad, about one and a half miles from Moore's Mills. The village proper is half a mile from the station. About a hundred rods from the depot is the fine farm of L. B. Sberman, nicely situated, from which may be had s good view of the surrounding country. The house is substantially built, and lately repainted. The farm is well cultivated, and shows signs of industry. Mr. S. is one of the Directors of the Datchess and Columbia Railroad Company. A short distance beyond is the village. The first place of note is the hotel kept by A. D. Davis d; Son. It is a double building, finely painted, two stories high, and nicely fitted up. We learn that these gentlemen keep s first.. class house. The right wing of the building, on the first floor, is occupied as a store Ly the same firm, who keep everything generally found in a good country store. is

On the opposite corner is the boot and shoe shop of A. L. Colwell, who employs three men. He has the reputation of being an industrious and skillful mechanic. About 40 rode distant is the wagon shop of P. C. Vincent, who has more work than he can attend to, sod has tekeep a man to assist him. Opposite is the blacksmith shop of Joseph Colby, who understands blacksmithing thoroughly, and is a first-class horse-shoer.

Two doors beyond is the harness shop of H. J. Havilaud, who does all kinds of repairing. Opposite is the flour and grist mill of T. Wygant. It consists of two large two-story buildings, larger than any other in the village. Mr. W. is a practical miller. The private houses in the village are too numerous to mention, suffice it to say that they all have a neat appearance, some surrounded by fine gardens. Mr. A. M. Lyon is in charge of the railroad station, and is quite an acoommodating gentleman and a good officer. Ten rods from the station is anew etore,kept by G. H. Brownell. It is a new frame building, two stories high. Mr. B, keeps a good assortment of groceries, dry goods, and articles generally kept in country store. On the west side of the station, is a twostory frame building in coarse of erection, belonging to Mr. Lyon, station agent. It is a substantial budding, displaying good workmanhip and built by Mr. Hall, who has a carpenter shop a few steps north of the store. Mr. H. has built quite a number of houses there re cently. On the south side of the store, is the blacksmith shop of S. D. Hadden, who is a young man and doing a thriving business. Next door is a new frame building in course of erection, belonging to Mr. Sherman. Next to that is a frame building nearly completed, belonging to Mr. J. Howe. Near by is the new Rural Cemetery, which contains some very fine monuments; and tho Methodist Episcopal Church, which is quite an old building, of which the Rev. I. Lent is pastor. In s northerly direction, on the Poughkeepsie and Dover road, about half a mile, is the farm of A. Lyon, containing 10 acres. It bass frame house, 1} stories high. About 20 rods further, is the farm of Mrs. M. Ham, containing 240 acres. On the farm is a flue residence, 2} stories high, beautifully ornamented and painted, making, with the substantial out-houses, all, newly painted, s fine qpearance. The house is surrounded by a beautiful flower garden, and in front of it is a fountain. Mrs. H. does general farming. This farm was formerly known as the Trowbridge farm. Adjoining is the farm of G. M. Cronk, consisting of 232 acres. The house is double, 1} stories high. Mr. C. does general farming, tattoning cattle, and stock raising. This farm is well cultivated, and is for sale.

tog, and has a fine dairy, doing all her churning by water power. The building and omit-houses are in fine oondition. The farm was formerly known as the Boxia farm, and is for sale.

A quarter of a mile beyond, is the farm of John YcKevitt, containing 143 acres. He does general farming, cattle raising, and keeps a dairy. The farm is well watered. It was formerly known as the Lawrence farm. One hundred rods farther, turning west, on the Clove road, is the firm of.E. D. Vail, containing 195 acres. He does general farming, keeps a dairy, and has a beautiful house, two stories high. This farm has been the family homestead for over 100 yeara. Adjoining is M. A. Barlow'e farms containing 136 acres He does general farming, raises cattle, and keeps a great deal of poultry. The farm was formerly known as the Vail farm. Adjoiping is the farm of W. J. Simon, containing 15x3 acres. The house is 14 stories high. ear the house is a fine orchard. The farm is worked on shares by A. 8. Beach, who has obtained a lea& of fire years, to commence next spring. Mr. B. does general farming and keeps a dairy. Half a mile Iurtherifl the farm of L. B. Sher• man, containing 142 acres. Mr. S. erected lately a fine 2} story frame building, provided with all modern conveniences. From this building the view is very fine. Itr. S. does general farming and cattle raising. The farm is suitable for dairy purposes, and is for sale. Adjoining is the farm of Mrs. L. Roaell, containing 113 acres. i[rs. B. does general farm-

Matteawan

Savings Bank,

l Iatteawan, h. V. Au Incur toeated lu stltntion for H1tvinga. Ofilee in the Howlund Library liulhllug. Open DAILY rrtnn 8 o'cinnk a, in. to II o'clock p. in. '1'he'J'rastooa of the Institution hereby give Ration that l>tt euuav will b® allowed on all DepueiIa nut natemllu~ ~bleX)

anil all atuns dopnsltml will boggus to draw lliiteree~ on the fiat orevet'.v nutttth. J'ho Itttereat will be trrtwili,otHond Anundly in flue flint (lays ui May and Neveutber and If net withdrawn will ba (uldcw to the Inlitrtltuj, and will also draw lutoresl., 1'residenb-Willard II. Mesa,

First Vloa-Presidont—f,vutau ltohiusun. tleeretatry--'1'broduru you vllut, 'Vrotuturor--Ltthan Orin ben.

lit+rand Vl,,n l'tesldent-..I'hottutn H. Jndnnn. I', 1'uu Vih•.t. Ii. F. (irmui•. ( A. (1.Orutnbra. ( N. li. .lurknutt, .luhu Holuuflcld, Futtdtu5 Coutmlttoe ( liaorutiveConunlliao

H. H. Phillips. 1 Attorney—h. K. I'hillipn. itOARD OF 'ritUST1 ES. W. II. Muse, VV. 11. J),'ew, Lyman ltobinaon,

('l. H. Hoitteoou, Garret Htorm, Win. If. ,raakson, S. H. Phillips, (ion. W. Oweu, Then. Von Vllot,

as. k'ol'eeatnl, John Schniiold, A. G. Ortusboo, U. Whitsotl, Jl,nt•I. ffnlitviut, II. b' Greene, obn 1). IlahIwbt, J. Y.'(lerow, H. D. llevier, T. ,r. Cunningham, Chas. Watson, T. S. Judaon. 99

._Wesnticvros VII.Leos.—Since our last account of this village, we base made another visit, and found a number of improvements going on. Mr. F. C. Tompkins is re painting his store, which improves the appearance considerably. The cottage of Mr. Gn(c is near completion, and is nearly through painting. sir. G. has also erected a barn near by. H. S. Davis has broken grounl for a two-aturr frame building, which be will occrrp). when finished. Mr. D. Is building the residency of Mr. Leonard Carmen, one of tae Lirectnr5 of the D. k C. Railroad, at Bangall, which was recently dertzoyed by fire. It is to be three ate' vies high, with French root, large, and very elegant. Much praise it due Mr. D. for Die superior workmanship We Look a drive o7sr the Union Vale road, south of Washington village, leading to Verbank, and were vary much pleased with the surrounding eountry. About YS rods from the village, we passed the frame building, two stories high, later erected by Mr. Tbeo. Clark. It. makes a fine applaraeea, baring been recently painted, and is finely alt.Wd. A abort distance further, we passed Mr. Joseph Tabors house, a neat little oottags,, white* eannot fail to attract attentloo, being coveted with fresh paint, and neat trimminp in odors, making a fine convast with the other beUdlnp. Following the road in the same d&eotioo, we reached the farm of Dr. John Thorn.. It Its a large and spacious building, with grounds watllald out., The Dr. itaa a fine grape , about two acres, and has about 34 acres of land is cultivation. From our short aoquslntanoe we are not surprised at the popularity of the Doctor In that section of the country; we ware W47 woa rKth his hoe. vitality. sad frank moos*. Z'he a ootbr h as an extensive prsodce, sad bas resided lrifha vil'ags between 30 and 40 wart A gnarter of a m11s raves the Doctor's farm is the Oorfnty Alma Hods.. Superintendent E. Vlwdetburg4, has obarp of the institution.— The farm and bufdInp are in very fine order, the buildings havtng lately been re-painted. Therasre now 100 inmates In the tastitatiou, 25 of the number being mildly deranged; the wort cr}aes are sect to the Willard Asylum. We are informed by the Superintendent that the deranged people are the best farm hands doing thA most wort of any of the inmates of

the house, While discussing the causes which brought so many to the poorhouse, the Superiutendeut insisted that three-fourths of the inmates were compelled to venue there by the excessive use of liquor. Jnst then the janitor announced a man as wishing to see the Superiu tendent. Being a..hered in our presence, herequested to ho admitted in the institution, on account of illness, and being out of employment. The Superintendent examiucd him, and by his judicious and adroit questions, got him to admit that after baring labored for two years in the county, be had got on a Rpree, and spent all the money he had caved. "There," said the Superintendent to us, "is one of the proofs of my theory- the man wishes to be admitted on acoywit of Illness., and turns out to be a drunkard..Aa►ing ape>st his money for liquor, and now demands.sheltee at the expense of the eopnty." From our luterview with the Superintendout we not only discovered him to be one of the most entertaining and genial gentlemen we ever met, but from his theory and judicious management, think him a saperior officer and manager, and very capablo to fill the position, which ho has held for the last fi ve or six years. We wish to eorroot an error in our former issue. Parties Writing to Washington Village. will continue to direct their letters as formerly. This post ol$ce bas no connection with the Millbrook poet office, and is raid to be one of the oldest in the county. ..MitLnaoog.—The headquarters of the Dutchess and Columbia Railroad Company are situated at Milibrook, where they have erected a fine two-story brick building for office purposes, and an elegant depot. The latter is situated between two turnpikes, the Dover and Sharon, which are branches of the Dutchess turnpike. The latter runs about a mile east of Washington Hollow, and there divides into the two named above, the branch on the right being the Dover turnpike, and running in an easterly direction to Dover Plains; the other branch, on the left, being the Sharon turnpike, and runs in a north-easterly direction, through Amenia, to Sharon. We had an opportunity of taking a little ride upon the road leading toward the Sharon turnpike, as well as upon the turnpike itself, and take this opportunity to express our thanks to Mr. T. Carpenter for the courtesies shown us, and the pleasant drive we hat with him. We started in Mr. C.'s turnout, which, by the way, is a very fine one, from the Millbrook House, passing the residence of Mr. Merritt, a fl ue three-story cottage, surrounded by an excellent orchard. Keeping to the left,

we came to the saw and grist mill of Mr. Tompkins, which is near the stream, and is run by a fine water power. A little farther is the condensed milk factory- of Mr. S. W. Campfield, a large and substantial building. They are condensing a large quantity of milk daily. After driving on a short distance, we reached Mr. James Haviland's farm, which is most beautifully situated, and on which a spacious and flue cottage is erected. We learned that Mr. Ilavilaud takes a few boarders during the summer months, and do not know of any place in tide section of the country, where city boarders could enjoy tbemselves more. About twenty rods further, we passed the residence of Mr. Reuben Haight, a newly painted three-story frame building, in front of which a fine flower garden is laid out, and where Mr. Haight, whose mill is opposite, enjoys rest after a long day's toil in his mill. This mill, and in fact all the mills in and around Millbrook, are provided with fine water privileges. Fifty rods from this mill, turning to the right, we turn into the Sharon turnpike, after crossing the Dutchess and Columbia Railroad track. Passing along the turnpike, about 300 rods, we reached the Episcopal Church, Rev. Dr. Miller, pastor. This house of worship was erected a few years ago, and is in fine condition. A short distance from the church, on the opposite side of the street, is the large farm of Mr. Isaao Merritt, containing one hundred and twenty acres of land, on which is erected a largo and commodious dwelling house, barns and outhouses. From four to five acres of the land is set apart for the cultivation of grapes. From this spot, looking in a southerly direction, the view is remarkably beautiful. Next to Mr. Morritt's farm, a short distance further, on the opposite side of the street, is the summer residence of Mr. Alexander White, a wholesale dealer in furs in New York city. This is one of the magnificent country seats of Millbrook. Adjoining is the farm of Mr. Barkley Haviland, brother-in-law of Mr. White. The surroundings of Mr.Ilaviland's house are fully equal to those of his brother-inlaw. Turning in an easterly direction, we pass Mr. A. Swift's manufactory, formerly used for the manufacture of silks. Mr. Swift is now making preparations for the manufacture of spools for thread, and has already purchased his machinery. Mr. S. thinks be will be able to commence operations in a short timo. Opposite the factory is Mr. Swift's residence.— Neat to Mr. S's factory is the grist mat of Mr. Benjamin Anson, which is leased by his son, Mr. P. Anson, a young man who exhibits a 100

great deal of intelligence and enterprise. This mill has a water power of forty-four feet head, the best in this county, and is situated on Millbrook stream. Mr. A. has room enough left on his land, adjoining his mill, for eight other mills, and which be intends to lease for the erection of mills and manufactories, with ample water privileges. From thence we returned to the Millbrook House, recrossing the Dutchess and Columbia Railroad track, passing up Franklin Avenue, a new street just laid out, which is about sixty feet wide, and planted on both sides with maple trees, which are looking splendid. A number of houses and cottages are erected, or in course of erection, on this street. The business firms in Millbrook are as follows: Tompkins & Smith, dealers in groceries. Charles B. Vail, practical architect and builder, proprietor of the sash and blind manufactory. Griffin & Merritt, dealers in lumber and coal. Augustus Hagghsou, tin shop. I. H. Peters, Millbrook 13ouse. J. H. Davis, livery stable keeper. Valentine Rickes, blacksmitbing and horseshoeing. T. J. Rourke, harness maker. N. Sterns, wagon and carriage maker. c.

BANOALL.—ThiS village and station is situated between Shunpike and Stissing, on the Dutchess and Columbia Railroad, and is one of the most thriving villages on the line: It is beautifully situated, and surrounded by a fine farming country; the business transacted is greater than in any other village on the road, above Fishkill, except Pine Plains. It has three churches, two stores, one hotel, two harness shops, a wagonmaker's shop, two blacksmith shops, an undertaker, two physicians, a dentist, a lawyer, two grist, saw, plaster, and cider mills, a confectionery and oyster saloon,' a meat market, a shoemaker's shop, a .liverystable, a Notary Public, a Justice of the Peace, and a Director o£ the Railroad. At the station is a substantial ticket office and waiting rooms for ladies and gentlemen, tact differing materially from the others on the road. The telegraph office is in charge of Mr. Henry Sykes. On Main street, which runs east and west, is the residence of Mr. William Buddt a neat little cottage, 2+ stories high, surrounded by a wellcultivated garden of two acres. Adjoining is that of Robert Hoffman, which is nicely situated, and has a fine vegetable garden. Although Mr. H. is in good circumstances, and comfortably situated, he neglects to read the newspapers novelty in our enlightened age. Opposite is the Methodist Episcopal Church, a substantial and spacious structure, built some 15 years ago. Near by is the meat market of Mr. G. F. Morse, which is kept neat and clean. Adjoining is the residence of Mr. Charles Gregory, a large building 2} stories high and kept in good repair. Mr. G. is quite an old and respected citizen, and is Notary Public. He is making some improvements on his place. To the left, at some distance, is the grist, cider, and saw mill of Mr. A. J. Rogers. The mill is 40 by 50 feet, two stories high, well supplied with water, and doing a good business.

Columbus 'crust Compauy, 82 BROADWAY,

IEWBUROM, N.Y.

-a

EAPITAL (Fully Pall), aioo,000. Open

tin'

bnsinewi fnnn 11 it. m. I,, litre ioelnd,sl,

p, ul„ al In

IIt N. U. Ii, (l1)I l:L, ih'tesidoul' doalil'H VAN CLEFT, Vie, I'rnsid t+al. O. B. WIIITNEV, 2,1 Tice l'rtsidnul. \VAL'I'ERC. ANT1lONV,(:ouasnl (114(). V. B'I't)I)1)AIU), Ne,rotury uud 'I'rtvsnror. Dlr ,cours. ,rnset'n VAN 1:1.6F'I', IIoN. B. B. Onal.t., WALTeR C. AN•rutlxl O. B. WN1nEl, P.M. IiAn( I.AY, A. D. AnA is, C. H. C. BKAKF.N, HoN. J. J. BRATTIR, IIos. T. W. BRAm.Rv, ROBERT CArn'eal.l.,

lsAA4 COI'IIIIAN, I;OttRRT E.CARe, CIIAut.NN 1'. (i OOnlnt'I,, JouS FLANA(IAN, 1)A) nt A. Mn;tlllsON, w. ,r. MARSHALL, HOMER S. RADIHUEI,I., Wil l iAM A. PATRON, (1ASU1NEa VAN NONTIIA' I, It Is a I.e 1 Dopoeitory foe trust, fwuls, arts as Executor, Adutiu strator,'1'I'usleu, l;wutllan, (:our mittee or agent, and to execnto Iluuncial trusts Id' every doseription. Acts as tlnanelal and trtti fcr agent, also register of stocks and bonds. Receives depoelts subject to chock, issues certlfleates of di'• posit and transacts a general bunking buslnuss.— Loans money on Bond and Mortgage, anti on per sansi eeourltyy. Executes orders for sale or purcbaao of stooka, Bonds. otc+., for the usual commis• aloe ; collects Bonds, Coupons, Notes, Checks and other evidences of debt. Issues foruign drnfts pay able In the princlpal cities o(' Eampe.

Forty rods further in the same direction, is the plaster, grist, cider, and saw mills of Mr. George Haight. The main building is 40 by 30 feet; the plaster mill is 24 by 30 feet; and the saw and cider mill is 40 by 20 feet. The land on which the mills are situated consists of four acres, with a good water supply, and they are kept constantly at work. Opposite the mill is Mr. D. Hyatt's beautiful residence, and adjoining it is his undertaker's 101

shop. Mr. H. is general furnishing undertaker, and understands his business thoroughly. All

orders entrusted to him, will be tastefully and neatly executed. In the same building is the wagonmaker shop of Mr. S. Frear. He has two men in his employ, and turns out a great deal of work. Opposite is the blacksmith shop of Mr. A. J. Haviland, who is'considered a first-class workman, and well patronized. Mr. Haviland's residence adjoins his shop. It is three stories high, and surrounded by some fine fruit trees. A short distance from Mr. Haviland's residence is that of Mr. William Phillips. It is a neat little cottage, 2+ stories high, surrounded by a flue grapery and flower garden, giving it a cheerful appearance. Adjoining his house is his harness shop; the front part of which is used for an oyster and confectionery saloon. A few rods from Mr. Phillip's shop, on Main street, is the fine and handsome residence of Mr. J. N. Bullis. It is 2} stories high, and stands on his farm, which contains 80 acres, and is finely cultivated. On the premises is a fine large barn, painted brown. The farm was formerly known as the Sutherland farm. Mr. Bullis is a large property owner, and one of the most enterprising men in the place, keeping at one time a large store, cultivating a farm, and holding the post office. He has sold out his store, but is postmaster yet. He is still a young man. A short distance further is the store of Mr. Charles H. Humphrey; who is doing a large business, and keeps one of the best country stores in Dutchess county. He has the reputation of being an honest, trnstworthy man. He keeps dry goods, crockery, groceries, drags, medicines, &e. Adjoining Mr. Bullis' place, in the other direction, is that of his brother, P. J. Bullis, who has erected a fine residence, 21 stories high, finely and tastefully decorated, the roof being covered with different colored slate, mbking a fine contrast with the colors of the building. Near the depot is Tripp's Hotel, a large threestory building, having on the north side, the whole length of the building, a fine covered verandah, giving the guests of the house, daring the summer, an opportunity to escape the beat of the sun, and still be out doors. Mr. Tripp, the proprietor, keeps a good house, and is a very accommodating gentleman. Opposite the hotel, is a livery stable kept by Mr. H. Mosher. 102

On the opposite side of the depot, is the dental office of Dr. E. D. Seaman, who has just settled in the village, with the intention of practising his profession in all its branches. ....To Putt PL4tlts.—In company with Postmaster Place, we went over the line of the Dutebsu and Columbia Railroad. on Tuesday, from this piaoe to Pine Plains, and back. The tra n was in oharge of Coudoetor Charles Brock, who baa been oa the road from its opening.— After pawing above FYabk71 Tillage, Mr. Place painted oat to its tfse rarinos ftutnres of the landscape, told as the names of the occupants

~'.ir~t Annual Excursion AND COTILLION PARTY OF

EXCELSIOR ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 1, OF FIBIISILL LANDING,

On Thursday To

SLEEPY HOLLOW! Music by the Highland Oor7iet & String Bans. The Company will not spare pains or money to t~rke this thee( the pleasantest excgr,lopq pf the seasop The Committee bays eeeuretr jteemor J. M. DTefh and Barge Wm. H. Mot'top;' W thh will IeaVe .Landisep sq a o'clock, of bcl bSs'burgb at 8.30. 'VJJiklI. 73 cents. Refreshm~up fprnished on board. e intoxicating liquors a)Ibwed' on board. Tickets can be obtained of any me.n .P of'the Company, and al the store. of F. Van Voorbtb'and 0. M. 8ulllyse. Commies of Irranpements : J V. WAL8II, BWEN LEAK. J. A. ROPPER, ENJ. TALBOT, WILLIAM Ii. ROZELL. of the farm houses, showed as the size and the

boundaries of the farm, as far as visible from the cars, and gave us much uther interesting information.' lie was born and brought Up in the town of Union Vale, (then Beckman), and farmed there fur a comber of years_ He pointed out the little.even-by-nine "College," where he received his early education, the farm ho

immense fruit crop this year. The fine showers we have had lately may retrieve, in a measure, the damage which the drought has caused. We noticed that most of the travel was on this end of the line, owing partly to our greater population, and partly to the occupations of our people making them more migratory. The bulk of freight is also on the southern end of the line, although a large amount of freighting is done all along. The building of the railroad has been a vast benefit to the inhabitants of the towns through which ft passes. They fully appreciate this fact, and use the railroad as liberally as possible for freighting purposes and personal travel. Work is being prosecuted on the Poughkeepsie and Eastern road, in view of the Dutchess and Columbia road, in the town of Stanford.— Although Poughkeepsie was not enterprising enough to have a road built until after waiting to see the result of the opening of the Dutchess and Columbia road, they are now going to do their best to divert the traffic of the interior of the County into a channel that will bring it to their doors. While their enterprise is commendable, perhaps, although late in the day, and only entered into when compelled by necessity, yet we doubt if their efiorts will have all the effect intended. The people of the towns through which the D. & C. road passes, will not be likely to desert that road for another, especially when it brings them to just as good and liberal a market; takes their produce nearer to New York city; connects them intimately with the coal yards of the Pennsylvania Company; carries their milk right through to the city; and gives them numerous other advantages which can only be obtained by patronizing the Dutchess and Columbia road, which was built by the joint enterprise of the people of the towns through which the road runs. That they will continue to appreciate the perseverance of President Brown, in pushing the road through under many difficulties, we cannot doubt; and it would be absurd to suppose that they will now abandon this road, for the one which Poughkeepsie is building for the purpose of diverting travel from it, for her own benefit,

tilled, the roads over which be traveled to got to market, etc. IIe Is thoroughly acquainted all along the ilod of the railroad. Pacing through the valley of Dutchess County, the rail road gives the pasaeoger an opportunity to see some of the Bneat farming lands in the State.— In some place. the land is as level as a prairie; in others gently undulatlog ; agaiu, billy; and in places steep, moantaieoua, and rocky. We gaw one place close by the track, a very steep side bill, which has been successfully cultivated for years, and very productive. One would scarcely believe that in this vut country of broad level acres yet unfilled, that such a spot would be pet under a perfect system of cultivation. Tba Tee-sink or Stluing mountains, near Pine Plains, loom up quite grandly, and there are many prominent points along the line which make a ride over this road by the tourist or pleasure-seeker, an interesting one. Years ago a terrible tornado came over the Stissing mountains, and swept everything clean before it; scattering rail-lenosa broadcast as though they were only whispe of straw; demolishing a church, twisting it around and depositing it, a heap of ruins, on its own foundation; destroying a house, and injuring a woman so badly that she did not recover in months; picking up a team of horses attached ID a wegun containing a man and a cask of molasses, and carrying the whole concern over the fence into an adjoining lot; and cntting up other tremendous freaks which the elements alone, in their terrible fury, are capable of. The day we made our excursion, was a pleasant one, a little lowry early in the morning, with more or less light clouds all day. until evening set in, when indications of an approaching thunder storm were prominent. A flue breeze was blowing all day, tempering the heat. Arriving at Pine Plains, and getting our dinner at the hotel, we afterward made a raid upon editor Hoag, of the Herald, who has a very nice, Post Ohce, and took a walk through the village, when we finally bent our steps in the direction of the depot, where we waited until train time. Eight or ten cars loaded with coal were standing at the depot, unloading, and there is an immense quantity of coal lying at the varions depots along the road. Coal and lumber yards have sprung up all along, and a large business is being done in that line. On our return a train of cars loaded with coal, stood at Plum Point, waiting to be taken upi in the country. The dry weather has had a bad effect on veg elation, retarding the growth of corn, fruit, etc. We saw large crops of apples, and there is an

WM. N. VANDERWERKER1 arsaza in

Boots, shoes and Rubbers, No. 9 Furry Street, FISHKILL 103

LANDING.

v](*X

hh A

Hung on Armstrong Springs, which no matter how unevenly loaded, always ride level, and are noted for their easy riding qualities with either one 'or four persons. Changed from all facing forward to a Doe-a-Dos by lowering tail gate. Price quoted on application. SEWELL, JOHN 64-70 MAIN STREET, G / L'E II Y .i.i'

if)

FISIIKILL-ON-HUDSON. Ox O.I U D /XGi 1 T.i1 t3 L E.

and wife; Dr. M. M. Hedges, wife and sister; James Mackin; Thomas Carson; A. R. Mitchell, o£ Boston; W. I. Fox, of Indiana; David Carson; William Carson; R. J. Rankin, jr.; John Boyce and daughter; W. H. Richardson, wife and daughter; Charles Brown and John M. Flood. Among those from Poughkeepsie were Zebulon Rudd, Robert F. Wilkinson and George Tompkins.

....ExcuRSION TRIP OVER TUE BOSTON, HARTFORD d,ND ERIE RAILROAD.—Owing to a severe fit of sickness, wbich confined us to the house on Monday, we were unable to accept the invitation of Mr. E. E. Graves, Division Superintendent of the above road, to go on the excursion trip to Pine Plains on that day. The local editor of the Poughkeepsie Eagle was one of the number, and we take the liberty of making some extracts from his report. He says:

The excursion was arranged by Superintendent E. E. Graves and Mr. R. G. Rankin, of Newburgh, and the train consisted of the Taunton built locomotive "Regulator No. 5," drawing a "Clove Branch Car." and one regular and nicely fitted up passenger car. The locomotive was gaily decorated with flags. Among the excursionists were George H. Brown, President of the Dutchess & Columbia Railroad; 0. W. Barnes, Chief Engineer, wife and daughter ;.R. G. Rankin, of Newburgh, wife and daughter; E. E. Graves, Superintendent; L. C. Rapelje

104

At 10:45 a. m. Conductor Bailey gave the starting signal, there was a rush of tardy voyagers, and then down the Hudson River Road to the junction rattled the train. One or two switches were crossed, a little backing and filling, and then we started `head on." Over the trestle-work, through rock cuts and by Matteawan we went without stopping, and then came Fishkill. Here a number got out of the cars, shook hands with friends, smiled patronizingly at the pretty telegraph operator, jumped aboard again, and in a moment the train was once more off. Hopewoll Junction, and another

No. 35.

Quartorly

R©port

of the condition of the

First National Bank

of Fislikiill Landing,

in Pishkill Landing. in the State of New York. Loans and discounts $190,532 78 Overdrafts 523 86 110,000 00 U. S. Bonds to secure Circulation Other Stocks, Bonds and Mortgages 1.470 19 Due from Redeeming and Reserve Agents 34,414 57 Due from other National Banks. 3,050 67 Current expenses 1,582 82 Taxes paid 2,217 86 3,800 68 3,116 59 Checks and other Cash Items.... Bills of other National Banks 9,852 00 Fractional Currency, Including Nickels 1,815 43 Specie 254 00 Legal Tender Notes, 14,000 W 778 31 U. S. Revenue Stamps Total, Capital Stock paid in Surplus Fund Discount Exchange Interest Profit and Loss Circulation Individual Deposits Due to National Banks, Total,

$373,609 08 $100,000 00 40,000 00 2 363 86 45 74 759 08 1,817 32 4,98600 99.000 00 109,867 71 19,755 37 $373,609 08

I, M. E. Curtiss, Cashier of the First National Bank of Pishkill Laading, do solemnly swear that the above statement is true,to the best of my knowledge and belief M. E. CURTISS, Cashier. State of New York, County of Dntchess. VAN WAOENEN, Notary Public. W. A. WM. TELLER, Correct.—Attest : H. H. HUSTfs, Directors. CHAS. M. WOLCOTT,

brief halt, and then "on to Millbrook." Here another stop. Millbrook is growing finely. Last July there was nothing in the way of a store or dwelling visible about the depot. Now can be seen a three-story brick hotel, a large store 28x62, built by M. F. Carpenter, a 'two story dwelling house, a large machine shop, planing and saw-mill, and six other houses ; also a brick tin shop 24x72, built and occupied by Augustus Hughson, of Fishkill. Here, too, is a fine brick building with French roof, in which is located the main office of the Dutchess d; Columbia Railroad Company. The telegraph operator, Miss Georgie Preston, has an office in the really very pretty little passenger house. The station agent is Mr. A. T. Merritt, formerly of the Poughkeepsie Hotel. After a short delay the train again started, passing Shunpike, Stissing and Attlebury, without stopping, reaching Pine Plains at 12:43 noon. As the excursion was a private one, there was no public reception. The refreshment part, however, had

105

been cared for, as that Newbnrgh caterer; J. H. H. Chapman, had charge of the department. Loaded tables were spread in both rooms of the passenger house, and in a short time boned turkey and turkey unboned, cold tongue and warm tongues were moving lively in hungry mouths, every soul being extremely hungry after the ride, so that when all had finished eating, and had refreshed themselves with good hot coffee and tea, they each and every one declared that it was a good time. Previous to the destruction of the viands, and through the courtesy of ex-Supervisor Rowe, of Pine Plains, and the kindness of Mr. George Loneks, quite a party were shown about the village. Pine Plains contains about five hundred inhabitants, four churches, three hotels, one telegraph office, one newspaper, the Pine Plains Herald, one public school with 50 scholars, four stores, two wagon shops, one blacksmith and one barber shop. The "oldest inhabitant" is Peter D. Knickerbocker, who is 90 years of age. The wealthiest man is said to be Deacon Booth, said to be worth one hundred thousand dollars. The Post Office is a queer, quaint, ancient, dry and dusty looking place, presided over by Richard Peck. The excnrsionists after becoming acquainted with Supervisor Reynolds, left Pine Plains, on the return, at 3:50 p. m., amid the cheers of the people assembled at the depot, responsive cheers from the cars and the screeching of the locomotive whistle. On the way home Miss Boyce and Miss Hedges, of Newburgh, and Miss Monell, daughter of Judge Monell seated themselves upon the locomotive, enjoying the novelty of going over the rails at the rate of forty-five miles the hour hugely. Fishkill Landing was reached in quick time, when those who had not disembarked at stations along the road, left the cars, all gratified with the mid-winter excursion, and the fine condition of the new road. From Millbrook to Pine Plains it is fourteen miles, and the track is ready for the iron four miles beyond the latter point. It is expected the road will be finished to Mfllerton, fifteen miles further, by spring. We were told that the receipts of the new road thus far have doubled every month, and great haste is being made to add to the rolling stook. When completed through to Boston, the demand for coal along the entire route will be 2,000 tona daily, and other supplies will be needed.

POSTAL SERVICE IN DUTCHESS - the first 50 years by William P. McDermott The post colonial growth of Dutchess County can be examined in a variety of ways. The number and location of mills, the development of villages and towns, the number of new roads all give clues which portray growth patterns in newly settled areas. The development of postal service during the period 1782-1832 also reflected this growth. The number of Post Offices in Dutchess increased from 4 prior to 1800 to over 50 in 1832. The Federal Postal System grew from the colonial system developed by England with modifications. While the first postal service appeared in Massachusetts in 1639 and a monthly mail was established between Boston and New York in 1672, postal service did not begin in earnest until 1691. It was in this year that the newly appointed Postmaster General of America, Andrew Hamilton, undertook to visit the various colonies to explain the new venture and gain their trust. He performed his duties quite well for upon his death in 1707, the Crown purchased the good will of the American Post Office and controlled it from London until the Revolution. By the time Benjamin Franklin was appointed Deputy Postmaster at P.hiladel ,phia in 1737, regular weekly service had been established between New York and Williamsburg, Virginia. However, there was plenty of room for Franklin's talents, for significant changes occurred in the speed of service and development of new services during his tenure as Deputy Postmaster General for all the American Colonies (1753-1774)1. At the second session of the Continental Congress, July 26, 1775, Franklin was appointed Postmaster General at an annual salary of $1,000. However, it wasn't until 1782 that the Colonial Congress passed an act which instructed the Postmaster General to establish postal service throughout the colonies. Mail service existed as early as July 1772 between New York and Albany and probably travelled through Poughkeepsie because service was up one side of the Hudson River and down the other.2 Although there was a post office at Washington's headquarters at Fishkill in 1777, the first post office under the new system of 1782 did not open in Dutchess County until 1792 at Rhinebeck (July 1, 1792) and Poughkeepsie (July 31, 1792). The table below lists in chronological order the 57 post offices which were opened until 1832. The year of opening appears next to each town. The number in parenthesis represents the quantity of mail handled by each post office in 1830. Where no parenthesis appears, the number is 600 or lower, but no office handled less than 300 pieces of mail. In some instances an opening of another office reduced the number of pieces handled so that at an earlier time post offices marked with an asterisk handled 800 pieces, but in 1830 were handling 600 or fewer pieces. While three or four post offices closed and reopened during this period, Bengal, Mt. Ross and Slate Quarry remained closed. The dates in the table show this. Before discussing the table below there are several observations which should be made. 1) All the material in the table was gleaned from 3 rolls of microfilm from the National Archives entitled "Record of appointments of Postmasters" covering the first 7 volumes of their appointment ledgers. 106

Post Offices in Dutchess County: 1789-1809 Rhinebeck Poughkeepsie Fishkill Red Hook Fishkill Landing* Staatsburg* Amenia* Paulings

(4000) (1000) (2000)

(1000)

1782-1832

1810-1819 Wappingers Creek* 1810 Dover 1811 Milan* 1811 Hyde Park (1000) 1812 North Amenia 1812 Northeast (800) 1812 Washington 1812 Bengal 1813-18 Pleasant Valley* 1813 Attlebury* 1814 Beckman* 1818 Quaker Hill 1818 Spencers Corners 1819

1792 1792 1793 1793 1801 1802 1807 1807

1820-1824 Upper Red Hook Landing 1820 Red Hook Landing* 1821 Clinton Hollow (700) 1822 Stanfordville (800) 1822 Amenia Union* 1823 Arthursburg 1823 Slate Quarry (700) 1823-24 Federal Store* 1824 Pine Plains (800) 1824 Salt Point 1824

1825-1826 South Amenia Chestnut Ridge Fishkill Plains Freedom Plains Mount Ross South Dover Stormville Verbank Washington Hollow

1827-1828 Lithgow 1827 Shookville 1827 Adriance 1828 City 1828 Dutchess 1828 1828 Leedsville New Hamburg 1826 or 1828 1828 Paulingsville

1829-1832 Clove Pleasant Plains Poughquag Shenandoah Barry town Pulvers Corners Tivoli before Johnsville before Sprout Creek

Note:

1825 1826 1826 1826 1826-30 1826 1826 1826 1826

1829 1829 1829 1829 1830 1830 1831 1832 1832

1832 is the last date included in this report. Post offices open on this date should be assumed to have remained open for a period beyond this date.

Postmasters The postmasters are also of interest. Their period of Some remained in the office for 15 service was quite varied years or more. This was so of the following group: Gilbert Thorne James Ketcham Joseph J. Jackson Stephen Thorn Charles Hurd Levi McKean Athew Akin Henry Emes Joseph Thorn

Attlebury Dover Fishkill Milan Pawling Poughkeepsie Quaker Hill Staatsburg Washington

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1817-32 1815-32 1809-28 1818-32 1807-23 1802-18 1818-32 1809-27 1812-29

2) Volumes 1 and 4 - 7 were reasonably clear and readable. However, some errors in the table may be accounted for through a misreading of faint or unclear records in volumes 2 and 3. 3) Volumes prior to volume 4 covering the period 1789-1825 do not list the county although the state is usually clear. Therefore, the Town of Bengal (note spelling) is included without clear evidence it is the Dutchess County village. Checking through the postmaster's name was attempted but the name Smith presents obvious problems as an item of reference. It is included here because Spafford3 refers to Stanford as a Post-town and notes Bangall as a village. 4) In instances where the early post office name was different, the initial date in the table could be in error. For example, the initial listing which later became Stanfordville was simply Friends Meeting House, New York. Postal routes It is no surprise that almost half of the post offices appeared on the two principal north and south routes, along the Hudson - Route 9 and the Connecticut line - Route 22. Post-roads were enacted into law by the Congress. The first route which applies to Dutchess County was passed by the Second Congress on February 20, 1792. It followed a surprising route to reach Dutchess. As it appears in the Congressional Record the route was "from Bethlehem, Pa., by Easton, Sussex Court House, Goshen, Ward's Bridge and Kingston to Rhinebeck."4 It appears that the Congress simply endorsed the Postmaster General's decision, for the post offices at Poughkeepsie and at other towns were in operation before the Congressional Act establishing the post-road. It wasn't until May 8, 1794 that the road which included Poughkeepsie was enacted by the Congress. This route originated in New York and terminated in Albany as Route 9, where the Post Road now goes.5 But the Poughkeepsie post-office was actually in service July 31, 1792. The Fourth Congress provided service north and south near the Connecticut line. That route originated in New York, through White Plains, Dover and Amenia terminating in Bennington, Vt.6 And in 1801 the Sixth Congress provided service through the middle of the county "from Poughkeepsie by Sharon to Litchfield, Ct."7 Of special interest is the discovery that postal service to the interior of Dutchess before 1825 appeared primarily north of the County's mid-line. The Seventeenth Congress on May 8, 1822 established a new post-road between Poughkeepsie and the Village of Pine Plains along which route post offices at Salt Point, Clinton Hollow, the Friends Meeting House in Stanford and the Federal Store in Stanford were opened by 1824.8 In fact 11 of 13 interior post offices opened prior to 1825,fa11 within the two large tracts called the Great Nine Partners and the Little Nine Partners. This may simply reflect the moderately large population in the northern half of Dutchess as shown in the 1820 census. To add perspective to the quantity of mail handled by each post office as shown in the chart, the following other post offices and their mail handled in 1830 are listed: 6,000 Albany 12,000 New Haven 2,000 Newburgh Boston 20,000 800 Hudson 3,000 New Paltz 30,000 New York City Kingston 1,500 108

I i

However, most postmasters remained for 3 or 4 years. Since these were political appointments there may be some political implications in the change from one postmaster to another. While it was often a local storekeeper who was the postmaster, which by the way may have been the principle reason for appointment rather than political as implied above, postmasters were not limited to storekeepers. Ministers, lawyers, tavern keepers (hotel), physicians and printers were among other groups from which postmasters were selected. Among these the printer derived special benefits from the additional role of postmaster. His business establishment became the place where people congregated while receiving their mail. This afforded him the opportunity to sell books which he often printed but more importantly it allowed him to learn news of the community. Since the printer was primarily a publisher of newspapers this ready source of community news made receiving the appointment to postmaster particularly appealing. Additionally the printer-postmaster, more an entrepeneur than a man of letters as in England, recognized the need for efficient distribution of his newspaper. As postmaster in Philadelphia in 1737 Franklin appreciated this need. Realizing there was no legal provision or restriction on using the mails Franklin simply gave the postriders his newspaper to be delivered along with the mail. Since there was no established mail rates for newspapers they were delivered free. And by the way it is said he forbid the postrider from carrying competing newspapers. No wonder he was able to report that his job as Postmaster "came to afford me a considerable income. 9My old competitor's newspaper declined proportionately". Later in 1758 Franklin as Deputy Postmaster General for all the colonies established postal rates for newspapers. In Dutchess County there was only one parallel to Franklin in the first 50 years of postal history. Nicholas Power, the printer of the first Dutchess newspaper, the Country Journal and Poughkeepsie Advertiser, which later became the current Poughkeepsie Journal, served concurrently as Postmaster-printer. He served in this dual capacity during the years 1792-1802. He had started the paper in 1785 and continued with it until 1806. Occasionally a postmaster moved from one post office to another usually an office of the same size. For example Jacob Hermance served as the postmaster at Attlebury (18141817) before his term at Rhinebeck (1825-1832). One postmaster, Jacob Van Ness appears to have made postal service a career. He seems to have moved from smaller post offices to larger ones. After serving at Red Hook (1807-1813) he moved to Rhinebeck (1814-1815) and finally to Poughkeepsie (18191820) the largest post office in Dutchess County. One interesting note about Jacob Van Ness is his probable affiliation with Aaron Burr. His father was Burr's second in the famous duel with Hamilton.10 Also it was probably to William Van Ness' ruse Burr planned to go "to meditate" at "Statesburgh" immediately after Hamilton's death. In fact Jacob Van Ness is believed to have delivered Burr's challenge to Hamilton.12 Other postmasters of special interest are John Arthur who served as postmaster o£ Freedom for 3 years before the name of the post office was changed to Arthursburg on March 8, 1826. Also Jacob Shook was the first postmaster of the 109

Shookville post office (1827). Occasionally individuals with the same surname served successively at the same post office. Same family? One especially interesting example is the surname Thorne. Gilbert Thorne served at Attlebury (1817-1832). James Thorne served at Clinton Hollow (18221832). Joseph Thorn served at Washington (1812-1829). And finally Stephen Thorn served at Milan (1818-1832). It appears that postmasters served only if they were bonded. The files are replete with faint other names which seem more to be notes than principal items. These are probably the names of individuals who posted bond. There are also specific entries recording the posting of new bonds. In one instance the reference to a bond being posted and the individuals posting the bond is quite clear. Based on this it would appear that in 1825 a $600 bond was required for the newly opened post office at Pine Plains (1824). In this instance it appears that the postmaster Charles B. Bostwick and 2 others posted the bond. Often those who posted bond did not include the postmaster. One final note about postmasters particularly as it relates to postal service. A private citizen on occasion was given permission to transport mail from a larger post office to his town prior to its having a post office. While this is not the same as being a Post Rider one might assume that such a citizen might charge a fee per letter as did the Post Rider. The one known example of this is Amasa Angell, Esqr. of Pleasant Valley who received authorization to do this from Gideon Granger, Postmaster General during Jefferson's Presidency. The letter he received was dated April 17, 1813 through which he was authorized to transport mail between his office and Poughkeepsie every Wednesday using the letter as his permit.13 One other interesting note about this is the speed of the mail service and the efficiency of the Postmaster General's office. Mr. Angell's letter was written on April 8 and the reply was written on April 17. Only ten working days elapsed between the time the letter was written, delivered in Washington, carried through the decision making process in the Postmaster General's office and a reply written ready for mailing back to Poughkeepsie. Apparently the appointment of Postmasters was such an important source of partonage that reform was initiated in 1802. But the reform itself seems to have had a political coloring for one reform removed postmasters who were also printers. Apparently some printers took advantage of their position and gave their newspaper special treatment in the mails. Reduced postal rates and delayed handling of competitors' newspapers were among the concerns the reform settled. Interestingly enough printers of Federalist political persuasion were not permitted to continue as postmasters. However, p nters of opposite persuasion, Republican remained in office. Service and Cost In spite of the penalties for robbing the mails, death until 1794, reduced to flogging in 1799 and finally reduced by a later law to a term of imprisonment, there was concern about the confidentiality of a mailed letter. Postmasters were known to read letters sometimes just to pass the time.

110

Jefferson's remark at a Congressional session in 1792 about the Post Office that he "feared its fidelity" and would "trust it with nothing important" reflected the attitudes of many.15 Nor did his attitude change as the years passed. In a letter to Aaron Burr December 15, 1800 while awaiting his confirmation as President he explained he was sending the letter through a friend which "I should not have ventured through the post office, at this prying season".16 Four days later Jefferson's opening sentence in a letter to Madison reads, "Mrs. Brown's departure for Virginia enables me to write confidentially what I would not have ventured by the post this prying season".17 While there is no evidence of this magnitude in Dutchess County there was an accusation of intential delay of his mail made by New York's Governor George Clinton in 1788 during the Constitutional Convention at Poughkeepsie. While the confidentiality of the mails was a concern to some the increase in number of post offices and the fact that over a million dollars had been spent on postage in 1823 18 attests to the success of the postal service. By the way, even then the Post Office Department operated at a loss, $55,000 in 1823. Of course, at that time the government did not intend to have postal service earn its keep. Paying for postal service was quite different then. The first postage stamp wasn't issued until 1847. Postage was paid in cash directly to the post rider from which his fee came. After a slight change in postal rates in 1816 rates remained the same until 1845. Postage varied from six cents to twenty five cents for a single sheet letter. This rate was multiplied by the number of sheets up to four. The rate itself was determined by mileage. Postage within forty miles was six cents and increased in steps until twenty five cents per page was reached. Therefore, the postage on a two page letter to Albany was twenty cents. Thirty seven cents postage was required to send the same letter to Boston and fifty cents to Williamsburg, Virginia. Compare the cost of mailing a two page letter ijth the average salary per day in 1830 of one to two dollars. Relatively speaking the present postal rates are quite inexpensive. The postmaster's income in 1792 was in commissions only. A percentage of gross receipts followed the formula: 40 per cent of the first $125. postage collected, 30 percent of the next $334., and 20 percent thereafter to a maximum of $1800. Only the postmaster at Philadelphia attained the maximum. However, by 1821 twenty postmasters, less than 1 percent of all the postmasters,were receiving the new maximum of $2000. Office expenses were paid directly from receipts and did not affect the postmasters income. Clerks salaries ranged from $450 to $625 per year.20 Postal service along many of the main Post roads after 1785 was by stage coach. The post rider served the secondary roads or in new territories. The reliability of service on the local level was directly related to the reliability of the post rider. The rider was a mixed phenomenon. His reliability and dedication to his work ranged from outstanding to outlandish. Very specific guidelines were given to contractors employing post riders. When the Louisiana territory opened in 1806 the instructions received by the contractor

111

give us an example about the concern for prompt mail delivery as well as concern about the post rider's performance. Among the expected instructions relating to integrity, perseverance etc. are the following: (a) riders to be furnished with lights to travel at night and (b) "the mail is not to stop except five minutes for breakfast and supper and thirty minutes for dinner".21 The average post rider was a marginal individual moving from one postal route to another staying at each for only a brief period. While the condition of the roads was often a reasonable excuse for delay, more often it was the post rider's casualness which accounted for delays. Paraclete Potter, printer of the Poughkeepsie Journal,complained when the condition of the roads was again used to excuse a delay, "the heavy coach of Messrs. Kelsey & Co., which left New York two or three hours after the mail, arrived here full of passengers and baggage, nearly twentyfour hours before it".22 In some instances outright dishonesty occurred as in the case of two Poughkeepsie post riders who after making their collection for the post and also for the printer left the area.23 The post rider also had his problems with money. Customers didn't pay. At times the post rider had to threaten legal action or discontinuance of service for nonpayment. The forerunner of rural delivery service appeared in 1810 when the post rider was permitted to deliver mail to persons living between post offices along his route. His charge was 2 c ts per letter paid by the individual receiving the letter. In :the 185 year period since the first post office opened in Rhinebeck there have been many changes in postal service. One very apparent change is the demise of the small community post office as a result of the improved methods of transportation. At one time Dutchess County's countryside was dotted with post offices. Over 175 offices existed over the years. Now only thirty six of these remain. Interestingly half of these were opened before 1832 and are still in service. More interesting is the fact that seven of the original eight post offices opened by 1807 are still delivering mail.

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Notes and Bibliography 1.

Boorstin, D.J. 1958.

O'Callaghan, E.B. Documentary History of the State of New York Vol. 4, pg 1059 Albany 1851.

Spafford, H.H. A Gazetteer of the State of New York pg 304-305 Albany 1813.

Public Acts of Congress, 2nd Congress, Session 1, Chap 7, 2/20/1792.

Public Acts of Congress, 3rd Congress, Session 1, Chap 23, 5/8/1794.

Public Acts of Congress, 4th Congress, Session 2, Chap 19, 3/3/1797.

Public Acts of Congress, 6th Congress, Session 2, Chap 35, 3/3/1801.

Public Acts of Congress, 17th Congress, Session 1, Chap 127, 5/8/1882.

Boorstin, op. cit. pg. 338.

10.

Coleman, W. ed. A Collection of the Facts and Documents Relative to the Death of Major-General Alexander Hamilton pg 8-9 N.Y.: as cited in Reed, V.B. & Williams, J.D. The Case of Aaron Burr pg. 15-16 Houghton Mifflin, Boston: 1960.

11.

Davis, M.L. Memoirs of Aaron Burr vol 2, pg 327, N.Y. 1837 as cited in Reed & Williams pg 19.

12.

Van Kleeck, B.B, jr. The Federal Period in Dutchess County 1789-1825. DCHS 1966, vol 51, pg 48.

13.

Sesquicentennial of the Pleasant Valley Post Office 1963, pg 7.

14.

Rich, Wesley E. History of the United States Post Office to the Year 1829 Cambridge: 1924, pg 129.

15.

Annals, 2nd Congress, pg. 232.

16.

Ford, W.C. Some Papers of Aaron Burr American Antiquarian Society Proceedings, 1919, pg 100-101 as cited in Reed & Williams, pg 9.

17.

Davis, M. L. Memoirs of Aaron Burr vol 2 pg 69-70 N.Y. 1837 as cited in Reed & Williams, pg 10.

18.

Spafford, H.G. A Gazetteer of the State of New York pg 619 N.Y. 1924.

19.

Van Wyck, E. "Prices in the Good Old Days" DCHS 1971, vol. 56, pg 105-108. 113

The Americans pg 335-340

Vintage: N.Y.

Notes and Bibliography

1 i

20.

Rich, op. cit. pg. 125

21.

Rich, op. cit. pg. 83.

22.

Poughkeepsie Journal, March 18, 1818.

23.

Dutchess Observer, October 1, 1817.

24.

Rich. op. cit. pg. 104.

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HAPPY DAYS IN DEEP HOLLOW by Louise Tompkins SPRING On a lovely day in the spring of 1911, I came to Cold Springs Farm in Deep Hollow. I was four years old and full of the joy of living. The first thing I did was to run through the tall grass on the lawn to the snowball bush. I had never seen such blooms and could scarcely wait to pick some. My grandfather and grandmother, Mr. and Mrs. William D. Hale, with whom I lived, had purchased the farm known as the John Wolfe place although a man by the name of Ike Waite lived there before we came. Grandma named it Cold Springs Farm because there were several springs on it with clear, cold water bubbling out of them. The house was large and rambling with a veranda three quarters of the way across the front of it. At one time, there probably had been three sets of steps leading up to the three front doors opening out on to the veranda but when we came to the farm there was only one set of steps leading to the door nearest the big elm tree in the yard. The house was trimmed in the style that Edith Wharton referred to as "Hudson River bracketed" and had once been painted white. Three tall Norway spruce trees grew on the lawn in front of the house. Grandma had the middle one cut down because it darkened the living room too much. There was a row of these trees along the stone wall between the house and the chicken house and yard; and a small grove of them near the orchard behind the house. Nearly opposite this grove was a large pile of rocks which had been cleared from the fields. Wild cherry trees, crab apple, plum and pear trees were overgrown with an immense tangle of wild grape vines. Grandpa built a smokehouse here for curing hams and bacon. Grandma named this wild place The Jungle and it was the happy home of many wild birds. Early on spring mornings, I was awakened by the neaventy chorus of fox sparrows and the enchanting song of the hermit thrush. Robins, orioles and song sparrows praised the Good Lord with songs of joy for this pleasant nesting place. Occasionally in the evening, I heard the uncanny notes of the veery thrush. Across the road from the house and down a short distance in the direction of Wassaic stood the barn. It was built on a split-level; the horses lived upstairs at one end and the cows, on the lower level at the other end. Sweet smelling hay filled the mows on the top level. The barn was a weatherbeaten, soft gray color. Apparently, it had never been painted. Wild strawberries grew in the orchard behind the house but it was often hard for me to keep my mind on gathering them. A humming bird dazzled his mate by flying back and forth in a semi-circle as if being swung by an invisible thread. A flicker flew out of a hollow limb of an apple tree

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and I climbed up to drag a baby flicker out of the nest. I looked at it for just a second, thrust it back in the hollow limb and hastily climbed down the tree before the mother bird returned. The most delicious wild strawberries grew on the thick old sod of the Big Meadow on the hill across the valley from the house. One day, as I was picking some there, I felt weary from bending over so long. Looking behind me, I saw a gray rock partly hidden in the long grass. With a sigh of relief, I sat down on it. But not for long: It wasn't a rock. It was a hornet's nest. SUMMER The Fourth of July always inaugurated the summer season on the farm. We had new potatoes and fresh green peas from the garden; and, of course, a fat hen cooked to a turn, served with baking powder biscuits and gravy. For dessert, we had watermelon that Grandpa brought from Poughkeepsie. In the evening, some neighbors came to call. As soon as it was dark, Grandpa brought out the fireworks. My brother Bill and I and our cousin Roland Hale from Plainville, Connecticut, had a glorious time helping him set off the Roman candles, sparklers, pinwheels and firecrackers. After that, Grandpa got out his clarinet and played some lively tunes. Yankee Doodle was our favorite. No matter how late the hour, if Grandpa played it loudly enough, the old red rooster, sleeping with his harem of hens at his summer resort in the spruce trees, would wake up and crow lustily several times. Haying time was a joy to me. I loved to stamp down the fragrant smelling hay on the hay rigging, and again after it had been taken into the barn and pitched into the haymow. Best of all, I loved to ride on top of a hayload coming from the Big Meadow, high on the hill, to the barn. Grandpa chained the rear wheels on the wagon to aid the horses in holding back the load. Even so, the load gained momentum as we came through the narrow lane to the night pasture. At the end of the pasture, there was a gravel bank and then a sharp lefthand turn out on to the road. By the time we reached the bank, the load was rocking and swaying and there was always the danger of toppling over into the gravel pit. Grandpa wasn't worried. "Hang on, Weezie:" he shouted as the hay rigging whizzed safely around the turn. It was all very exciting. One task, I always enjoyed was bugging the potatoes. Cousin Roland and I each took an old milk pail and a short stick with us to the potato patch. Holding the pail under a branch of potato plant, we knocked the bugs down into it with the stick. As soon as we had captured enough to cover the bottom of the pail, we retired to the shade of a nearby maple tree and waited to see whose bug would crawl to the top of the pail first. Usually, our bug-racing was interrupted by loud squeals of hungry pigs. We hastily pulled an armful of the nearest weeds and took them to the pigs before Grandpa appeared on the scene of action.

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FALL The brilliant colors of the autumn foliage always filled my mind with wonder and my heart with joy. I loved to ride my buckskin Shetland pony Jacky to the little yellow schoolhouse at Lithgow. I gazed at the lovely scenes around me and up at the blue sky overhead and wished fervently that the school was at least ten miles away instead of a mile and a quarter. After the weather grew colder I rode to school with Grandpa when he took the two cans of milk - sometimes it was only one - to Lithgow where some farmer picked up the cans and took them to the milk factory at Hart's Village. Grandpa didn't go in for dairying. He kept only enough cows to meet expenses. One large, raw-boned, black cow Grandma had unsuspectingly named Pet when the critter was a dear little frisky calf. It can't be said that Pet ever gave any milk but by the strenuous expedient of fastening her rear legs firmly together with a stout kicking strap, Grandpa managed to take a pail of milk away from her twice a day. He let me milk Old Jersey when I was eight years old. I was thrilled. I felt very grown-up. Farm women did much of the milking in those days and raised the calves. Grandpa showed me how to put my finger into a baby calf's mouth and, as he sucked on my finger, put my hand down into the pail of milk where I slowly withdrew my finger. The delighted calf soon found himself drinking milk. A few introductions in this manner to a pail of milk were sufficient to make the little creature realize he didn't need his mama anymore. My favorite cow was a pretty black and white one with long graceful horns. She was named Belle because Grandpa always hung a cow-bell on her neck in the summertime so he could locate the cows in the bushes of the pasture lot. One afternoon about milking time, a man who lived down the road toward Wassaic came to look at a colt Grandpa hoped to trade for a work horse. The cows were in the stanchions waiting to be milked and I was standing directly behind Belle. Grandpa and the man walked out into the barnyard to discuss the horse trade. The man's son, about my age, impulsively decided to kiss me goodbye and just as he gave me a hearty smack on the cheek, Belle looked around disapprovingly, raised her large hind foot and gave me a hearty smack under the apron strings. To my great relief the man and his family moved away shortly after this. Grandpa put the can of milk on the buckboard drawn by one horse and took them to the springhouse situated east of the valley brook which ran through the culvert under the road. He always covered the cans with a blanket and a heavy piece of canvas in the winter to keep the milk from freezing. In the summer, he put the same covering over them to keep the milk from getting warm: Grandpa's keen business interest was the stage route he operated for many years between Lithgow and Poughkeepsie. The stage had a red body with yellow wheels and three yellow steps on the left side leading to the seat for passengers behind the driver's seat. A gray top covered the vehicle. Dark gray canvas side curtains were kept rolled up along the top of the wagon, ready to be lowered in a storm. The front curtain had an opening in it through which Grandpa passed the reins and drove the horses. A strong spring held up the wagon tongue, 117

taking much weight off the horses' necks. Grandpa was very fond of his horses. His favorite was Topsy, a dark bay western mare with a split ear tip. He drove her on the route for 23 years. It was a great day for me when he let me sit up on the high seat beside him and drive the stage for a few miles. .

WINTER It was always so nice to come home from school through the winter dusk to the warm cozy kitchen where Grandma was making a pork stew for supper. The tea kettle sizzled merrily and a couple of cats lay purring under the stove, enjoying the warmth. I took off my hat and coat, hastily pulling the daily newspaper from my school bag almost at the same time. I could hardly wait to tell Grandma the news. She took a deep interest in politics and was eager to read the latest developments. Soon Grandpa came in with the milk pails, having finished the milking. Grandma took the biscuits out of the oven and dished up the stew while I went to the back kitchen for the apple pie Grandma had made earlier. As we ate, Grandma and I discussed the news - local and national. Poor Grandpa didn't get a chance to put in a word edgewise. But after the last cup of hot tea, he took out his spectacles - purchased for 25 cents at a store in Poughkeepsie - and read the news for himself by the light of the kerosene lamp. The winter winds howled through the spruce trees, sounding like a banshee choir rehearsal. When Grandpa was away in the evening, I closed the green blinds outside the windows early and went inside, locking the door after me. Grandma lit the lamp and pulled the green shades way down. Taking out a book, she read aloud to me until we forgot the ghostly noises outside. Sometimes, there was a sharp knock at the back door. Grandma and I froze in silence, staring at each other. Then a cheerful voice called out, "Hello! It's George!" We gasped with relief. I ran to unlock the door and admit a tall, muscular man of middle age with a ruddy complexion. "Can I come in and have a bite to eat with you?" he asked, smiling broadly. It was George Lovett, a woodsman of the old school. He knew Deep Hollow as well as he knew the back of his hand and he could find his way through woods on the darkest night without a lantern. He said he inherited his remarkable sense of direction from an Indian ancestor. George knew where the last bear had been seen in Deep Hollow in the wilderness years. He knew where to catch the largest trout and shoot the fattest rabbits. I never tired of hearing him talk. When the deep snows came, we did not try to clear the roads much - just drove cross lots. I borrowed Grandma's old dishpan and whizzed down the hill in the orchard behind the house in it. One winter, I made a pair of skis out of two old barrel staves; two small blocks of wood and two short strips of leather. The skis took me down hill faster than even I cared to go. Christmas was always a happy occasion. Grandma was frail and didn't feel able to cope with a tree and its trimmings so I hung my stocking from the mantel behind the living room stove after she finished reading "The Night Before Christmas". 118

There was a sharp bend in the stovepipe just below the place where it came through the ceiling and I feared Santa Claus would get stuck there with his pack of toys. Great was my joy when I arose next morning to find my stocking well filled and several more presents on the table as well. After the holidays Grandpa sharpened the axe and went to the white birch grove on the hill below the Big Meadow where he cut down trees for next year's wood supply. Later on, a neighbor helped him load the small logs on a sled which the horses pulled to the woodpile beyond the chicken yard. Another neighbor came with his buzz saw and sawed the wood into stove lengths. In the late winter, Grandpa made spiles from branches of sumac and tapped the maple trees. I helped him collect the sap which he boiled down into delicious syrup in the arch kettle in one corner of the back kitchen. As the snow melted, I sniffed the softening air and thought happily that the merry-go-round of the seasons was about to begin all over again.

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THE CHILDREN'S HOME OF POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., INC. One Hundred Thirty Years of Service 1847 - 1977 by Mrs. David N. Sanford

The story of the Children's Home begins in 1847, one hundred fifty years after Baltus Van Kleeck built the first substantial house in Poughkeepsie. At that time, Poughkeepsie was a village of approximately 12,000 residents. Some of the streets were paved with cobblestones but many were unpaved. Bricks made in the area were used to pave the walks in front of some of the homes. Since not many owned their own horses, walking was the usual mode of getting about the village. Walking was a very vital part of communication, too, as the telephone had not been invented yet. Among the village residents were a number of ladies who were concerned about the less fortunate people of the community. "To devise a plan to benefit the poor and neglected of the village," a group of ladies met on June 21, 1847, in the Mill Street Baptist Church. Twenty of the ladies enrolled immediately to form the Poughkeepsie Society of Moral Reform, an auxilliary of the Society of Moral Reform in New York City. Later this became known as the American Female Guardian Society and the local group incorporated on April 15, 1852, as the Poughkeepsie Female Guardian Society. The stated purpose of the Poughkeepsie group was "to visit the poor and afflicted of the village and to remedy untoward conditions in so far as the society is able."

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After a few years of feeding and clothing the destitute, and providing employment and protection for the friendless, they decided the future of the community was really dependent upon the welfare of the children, its future citizens. Thus they set out to establish and maintain "The Poughkeepsie Orphan House and Home of the Friendless." These ladies had no cash, no legacies, no endowment, only their own "bank of faith." They sought $12,000. One donation of $1,000 was received from a non-resident and the rest came by hard work, since some of the "substantial gentlemen of the community" thought the organization's plans too ambitious and not sufficiently practical. The money came in small donations. One could buy a brick for one dollar and be nominal owner of as many bricks as he chose and thus have a permanent interest in the Home. It was nearly three years later, in May, 1855, that the Orphan House was able to purchase a large lot for $2,490. It was located on the outskirts of the newly incorporated city, land now bordered by South Hamilton, Franklin and Carroll Streets. On November 15 the appropriate exercises were held for the laying of the cornerstone, with the Honorable James Emott, city mayor, participating. While construction of the building was continuing, the ladies continued to work arduously to raise the necessary funds. By the completion of the building, their efforts had produced contributions sufficient to cover all but $2,000 of the total cost. On February 23, 1857, the new building was ready for the large crowd which attended the dedication ceremonies. To quote a letter written by Helmus W. Barratt, "the day was most beautiful, very warm and the sun shining with exceptional brightness--as if God's blessing was being abundantly poured on our new institution." Unfortunately, however, inside the building the event was somewhat marred by smoke from the newly introduced kerosene lamps which had been a generous donation of a city resident. The problem was so great that an apology followed in the next issue of the "Eagle." The red brick building stood three stories above the basement rooms. The grounds which included both garden and play areas were completely surrounded by a fence and all the gates were kept locked. Apparently, at first, the children pumped and carried water to various locations in the building. Records of a short time later show a contribution of $500 received from Samuel F. B. Morse "to finish the bathing rooms and plumbing to carry water throughout the building." In addition to the orphans, the institution also "furnished temporary refuge for domestics out of employment, also friendless and destitute women of good moral character who were admitted for a few days and aided to obtain employment." This phase of the program was discontinued in 1862 after five years of service. But the orphan population grew from thirty the first year to sixty-two the fourth year. The following is a quote from an agreement for a child's admission in 1889 signed by the Supervisor of the town of Red Hook to "authorize the manager of said institution if child is not removed within five months.. .said institution has permission to apprentice, find or give for adoption under rules of said institution, 121

the above named." Later, parents if any, were required to sign a somewhat similar release. Many children were given up for adoption and some for indenture on farms or as household workers in the Hudson Valley. Others were placed farther away. Some were sent West through the Aid Society of New York. The Home asked that those applying for children would: "be regular attendants at some Protestant place of worship, furnish recom-

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mendations as to their character, circumstances and capabilities for training a child for respectability and usefulness." Those taking a child for indenture were to provide upon release $100 and a suit of clothes for a boy, and $50 and clothing for a girl. From the modern point of view, this sounds rather grim, but it was probably far better for children than the Alms House, the only other place for them. In fact, the founding ladies were a bit ahead of their time because it was not until 1876 that a law was passed making it unlawful to commit a child over three and under sixteen years to a county poorhouse. Money raising was not the only responsibility assumed by the Poughkeepsie Female Guardian Society. At the opening of the Home, funds for operation were insufficient, therefore, "Mrs. Julia A. Killey, Corresponding Secretary, having no household duties of her own, moved in and became matron, superintendent and housekeeper." At the end of the year when the society could hire a superintendent, Mrs. Killey had everything well organized and ready for her. In 1869, the Home's population of 63 children from two to twelve years of age, consisted of 29 orphans and 34 halforphans. Thus, securing permanent homes for the children was an important feature of the work. Annually, approximately 20 were either adopted or indentured and about the same number were claimed by friends. The directoresses felt that since "most of them will take places hereafter as domestics, training so far as possible should be practicable in household matters." Thus, attending classes in one of the two school rooms in the building came only after an hour or more of domestic duties had been completed. In addition to the three R's, the children received instruction in sewing, shoe mending and, later on, basketry and manual training. (After the trolley cars had been installed in the city, some of the boys were able to pay for a ride by the sale of their basketry work.) On the grounds was a small building originally intended Before long an infirmary room was to serve as a hospital. established on the third floor of the main building and the other building was converted to a laundry. The need for the larger infirmary can be easily appreciated by looking at the health records during those years before the various immunizations were developed. The records show one year with 28 cases of measles and 3 deaths. In 1878, 50 of the 60 children had scarlet fever and 1 death occurred. (In 1881, by voluntary contributions, a suitable monument was erected in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.) As late as 1902, the whole Home was quarantined for diptheria for a period of nearly three months - which unfortunately included the Christmas season and thus precluded any holiday visitors and parties. Health was not the only problem. Finances were a constant concern. Beginning in 1861, some financial aid was received from the Benevolence Fund of New York State. This averaged $1,700 per year. Nevertheless, in 1869, the Home was short $1,000 for its operating costs. To quote from the annual report, "The cost of living, as everyone knows, has 123

been greater than ever before, yet the entire expense...has averaged $1.69 per week for each child." Eight years later, in 1877, the county was paying $2.26 per week per child. The problem of 1869 brought about the establishment of a permanent trust fund. Matthew Vassar was the first donor. A total of $10,660 was given from which $300 annual income could be anticipated. This would cover the salary of the Matron. Though funds did not come easily, they continued to keep abreast with the needs. In 1895, a four-story addition was built on the northwest corner of the building. Included was a laundry on the first floor, a new schoolroom on the second and dormitory rooms on the third and fourth floors. Total cost including plumbing and heating was $6,000. In addition to school classes and training for household duties, the children were given religious training. All attended church each Sunday morning and in the afternoon, Sunday School classes were held at the Home with Mr. John I. Platt serving as superintendent for many years. After a number of years, the children attended Sunday School classes at The Presbyterian Church. To quote the annual report of 1867, "The Home children rarely go out, excepting to church, and occasionally one of the most trusty boys is sent on errands, so that to the superficial observer, their life must seem perfectly monotonous. But there are some little ripples on the unvarying surfaces of their lives." These ripples included Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year feasts and nearly every year they attended a money-raising project for the Home. A Strawberry Festival or a big Fair was usually held at the Collingwood Opera House, the City Hall or the Armory. Occasionally, friends of the Home provided special entertainment of various types. In 1890, Professor Tucker showed stereoptican views of different countries followed by a series of temperance views including the first drink, then the downward fall, and last, in prison with delerium tremens. An event of a more cheerful type was given in 1898 by Travis Bros., liverymen, who treated all children and employees to a sleigh ride to Hyde Park. A big event in 1902 was a picnic at Wings' Grove. "Miss Vina and Master Elias Vail, with a party of young friends, were in the grove and did much for the pleasure of the children, giving each a ride in a pony cart and on their wheels, besides treating all to bananas." The institution itself become a notable one and was widely known. Since at that time New York City had the only other such institution in existence in the United States, many philanthropists from other cities visited and studied the system. Thus, the Home of the Friendless, as it was then known, was "one of the show places of Poughkeepsie." By 1905, the community need was changing. Fewer children were being surrendered to the Home, more were received However, the population still remained for temporary care. steady. By 1911, the educational training at the Home began to receive some assistance from the Poughkeepsie public school system. Through Superintendent Shears, some discarded desks, blackboards and roller maps were donated. By 1916, special supervisors from the city schools were making weekly visits 124

to the Home and, in 1917, the first few children were sent to a public school. In 1919, all children of school age were attending the Poughkeepsie public schools. Opportunities for the children were broadened in other ways. From 1912 through 1919, the whole Home population moved to a nearby farm to camp for the months of July and August. By 1920, with the tents and other equipment nearly worn out, and the directoresses' hopes of the Home's permanent move to the country, the camping was discontinued. The big event that summer was a Rotary Club trip on the river to Kingston Point, an amusement park. By the end of World War I, it was felt that the 63-year old building was inadequate and the location very limiting. Thus, in 1919, a committee of members of the Board of Lady Managers and the Board of Counsellors was formed to investigate moving. Miss Jessie P. Pelton served as chairman. In the same year, the decision was made to abandon the old name, and the charter was revised to read "The Children's Home of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Inc." In 1920, after a careful study, it was voted to move to the country. About thirty sites were considered before a selection was made. A friend, Mr. Webb Floyd, of New York City, offered to purchase twenty acres outside of the city in the Fairview area on condition that action would be taken very soon to dispose of the old building and take any other necessary steps for moving. Consequently, in 1921, a drive was conducted for $150,000. Between May 8 and May 18, $77,000 had been raised. By the end of the year the total was $80,000. With a mortgage of $50,000, the work was begun on the new location in Fairview. The cornerstone was laid June 24, 1921, with Dr. Henry Noble MacCracken giving the main address. On May 18, 1922, forty-seven children, dressed in white uniforms and long black stockings, moved to this new home carrying in their arms their dearest possessions, such as dolls or painted toys (probably painted with lead paint). Thirty-five percent were under six years of age, ten of them being under three years. At the new site, many improvements were offered. More extensive gardening was possible and fresh vegetables and eggs and chickens were raised with assistance from the children. Each older child had his own sleeping cubicle separated by half-partitions and including his own dresser and chair beside his bed. The youngest were still housed in one large dormitory room. Separate play rooms were provided for girls and for boys, plus a large parlor for special events. Arrangements were made for attendance at public schools of the Fairview district. Due to crowding in the schools, however, the Home's assembly room continued to be used for a short time with the school district providing the teacher. In 1930, the Home bought its own bus and transported forty children to the Viola School on Violet Avenue, and six attended the Fairview School. Kindergarten age and younger were kept at the Home. Following the arrival of Miss Margaret Garrison as new director in 1937, many changes were made gradually to give the children a broader life. Uniforms were discontinued and each child was dressed as an individual. Each child above nursery age was given a small personal allowance. The 125

summer program was broadened to include trips to places of educational or historical interest outside the city. A "light sedan" was purchased to provide easier access to Poughkeepsie. In 1939, a major policy change was initiated so that girls did not necessarily leave at age twelve. Beginning in 1954, they were permitted to stay long enough to complete high school. Somewhat later, similar plans were adopted for boys. In more recent years, through special scholarship aid, some qualified students have been able to attend college. By 1946, young people were allowed and encouraged to take summer jobs outside the Home; five worked at Lake Minnewaska and others held day jobs. Also in 1946, the first couple was employed for the boys' department to serve as houseparents or mother and father for the boy's. In the same year, a part-time social worker was added to the staff. By 1953, on the advice of the State Board of Social Welfare, twenty-four hour care for children under six years of age was discontinued. At that time, a day-care program was inaugarated for pre-schoolers. This was discontinued after a few years and that section of the building was renovated to better accommodate the growing number of older

In 1976, in celebration the Bi-Centennial, the children erected a special flagpole and flew the Bennington Flag. The following year they decided to create and fly a Children's Home flag. The orange and blue emblem shown above and its slogan conceived by one the 12 year old boys was selected as the best exemplication Children's Home. of

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children. By the 1960's, 70% of the children were twelve years or older and facilities and programs had to be adjusted to meet the needs of this older population. A library room was established for both reference work and reading pleasure, using funds given for various memorials. With funds from the Charles A. Kirk Memorial, the girls' second floor dormitory was remodelled to make several rooms for two or three older girls. Similar changes were made in the boys' wing somewhat later, using funds from the Capital Improvement Campaign conducted in the early 1960's. In 1965, the first off campus cottage for older girls was purchased, and one for boys followed in 1970. Each of these cottages is supervised by houseparents. The residents have an opportunity to live in more typical family size groups and to share normal family responsibilities such as shopping and cooking. This makes it possible to provide better preparation for successful living after leaving the Home. In 1972, the Home's 125th Anniversary year, the physical facilities were enlarged by the addition of the William J. Mair recreational building where indoor-sports plus arts and crafts are offered. In 1977, 130 years after the village ladies met "to devise a plan to benefit the...neglected of the village," the Home .is still serving the same purpose, though community needs have changed. Seldom is there an orphan among today's residents. The children are referred to the Home principally by the Departments of Social Welfare of the City of Poughkeepsie, of Dutchess County, and occasionally of nearby counties. The majority of the children have been subject to abuse or neglect while others come from broken homes. Today's population of 52 ranges from five years to eighteen plus. Most have had multiple rejections before entering Children's Home. To help the children cope with emotional problems, and to supplement and guide the work of the child care workers, the staff now includes a full-time psychologist and four social workers. Attending the modern, departmentalized school system, the children are transported on regular school busses to seven different schools in the Hyde Park School District where they are able to participate also in extra curricular sports and musical activities. At home, under the guidance of a serious, dedicated staff, each child's potential is considered and a wide variety of activities are provided in addition to the day-to-day training. Through Visiting Families, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, individual children are given opportunities to reach out into family and community life--as a step toward their own future citizenship. Throughout the years, both the Board of Managers and the staff have held consistently to the objective of maintaining a real home with loving concern for each child. Attesting to their success are the many former residents who come home to visit each year. Many of the girls have returned to be married or have a wedding reception at the Home. Recently, a number of former residents have organized an Alumni Association and are planning activities to benefit today's residents. Thus, they are helping to carry on the traditions of the past 130 years.

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HISTORICAL SOCIETIES IN THE TOWNS OF DUTCHESS COUNTY

1977

1976 AMEN IA Mr. George Phillips President North Road Amenia, N.Y. 12501

BEACON Mr. Ludwig Ruf, President 14 Montfort Road Wappingers Falls, N.Y. 12590 CLINTON Dr. William McDermott President Clinton Corners, N.Y. 12514 DOVER Mrs. Richard Reichenberg, Jr. President McCarthy Road Dover Plains, N.Y. 12522 EAST FISHKILL Mr. Bob Swearingen, President Tree Top Lane Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12603 FISHKILL Mr. Louis Ahlbach, President 22 Chelsea Ridge Road Beacon, N.Y. 12508 HYDE PARK Miss Beatrice Fredricksen President 43 Circle Drive Hyde Park, N.Y. 12538

Mr. Don McTernan, President Vanderbilt Estate Hyde Park, N.Y. 12538

Virginia Cookingham President Hyde Park, N.Y. 12538 LAGRANGE Mr. Michael Griffin President Lois Lane Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12603

Mr. Franklin G. Knapp President Dogwood Trail LaGrangeville, N.Y. 12540

LITTLE NINE PARTNERS Mr. Harold V. Klare, President Jordan Lane Farm Pine Plains, N.Y. 12567

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1976

1977

NORTHEAST Mrs. Marion Byron, President 32 Dutchess Avenue Millerton, N.Y. 12546

Mr. Stanley Smith, President Center Street Millerton, N.Y. 12546 PLEASANT VALLEY Mrs. June Metrando President Traver Road Pleasant Valley, N.Y. 12569

QUAKER HILL & VICINITY Mr. Edward Mitchell, President Wilkinson Hollow Road Pawling, N.Y. 12564 RHINEBECK Mrs. Arthur Kelly, President Route 308 Rhinebeck, N.Y. 12572 STANFORD Mrs. Archie Lawson, President Stanfordville, N.Y. 12581 UNION VALE Mrs. John Geisler, President Milewood Road Verbank, N.Y. 12585

Mr. James Andrews, President Clove Road LaGrangeville, N.Y. 12540

UPPER RED HOOK Mrs. John Myers, President Albany Post Road Red Hook, N.Y. 12571 WAPPINGERS FALLS Mr. John Ferris, President 65 New Hackensack Road Wappingers Falls, N.Y. 12590 WASHINGTON Mr. David Griggs, President P.O. Box 109 Millbrook, N.Y. 12545

Mrs. Edwin Sutton, President Wheeler Hill Road Wappingers Falls, N.Y. 12590

Mr. Carmin Arpino, President Millbrook, N.Y. 12545

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APPOINTED HISTORIANS OF DUTCHESS COUNTY

COUNTY HISTORIAN Mrs. Wilhelmina B. Powers 19 Grubb Street Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12603

CITY HISTORIAN

POUGHKEEPSIE Mrs. Sterling Carter 40 Randolph Avenue Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12603

BEACON Mr. James V. Mead 34 North Avenue Beacon, N.Y. 12508

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TOWN HISTORIANS 1976 & 1977

Amenia Mrs. Catherine Leigh Amenia, N.Y. 12501

Beekman Mrs. Raymond Eaton Stormville, N.Y. 12582

Clinton Mrs. Francis VanAuken Zipfelbarrack Rd. Rhinebeck, N.Y. 12572

Dover Mrs. Donald Dedrick Nellie Hill Acres Dover Plains, N.Y. 12522

and Miss Helena VanVliet Staatsburg, N.Y. 12580 East Fishkill Mr. Henry Jackson Stormville, N.Y. 12582

Fishkill (Town) Mrs. Willa Skinner Charlotte Road Fishkill, N.Y. 12524

Fishkill (Village) Mrs. Carl Erts 19 Broad St. Fishkill, N.Y. 12524

Hyde Park Miss Beatrice Fredricksen 43 Circle Drive Hyde Park, N.Y. 12538

La Grange Mrs. Emily Johnson Moore Road Pleasant Valley, N.X. 12569

Milan Mrs. John Losee Rt. 199 Red Hook, N.Y. 12571

Northeast Mr. Chester Eisenhuth Simmonds St. Millerton, N.Y. 12546

Pawling Dr. George M. Coulter 36 Coulter Ave. Pawling, N.Y. 12564

Pine Plains Mrs. Beatrice L. Grant Pine Plains, N.Y. 12567

Pleasant Valley Mrs. Gail Crotty Quaker Hill Rd. Pleasant Va11ey,N.Y. 12569

Poughkeepsie Mrs. Ruth Sebeth 22 Stuart Dr. Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12603

Red Hook (Town) Mr. John Winthrop Aldrich "Rokeby" Barrytown,N.Y. 12507

Red Hook (Village) Mrs. Rosemary E. Coons 34 Garden St. Red Hook, N.Y. 12571

Rhinebeck Mr. DeWitt Gurnell 38 Mulberry St. Rhinebeck, N.Y. 12572

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Stanford Mrs. Elinor Beckwith Stanfordville, N.Y. 12581

Tivoli Mrs. Charles J. Navins 2 Friendship St. Tivoli, N.Y. 12582

Union Vale Mrs. Irena Stolarik 18 Smith Rd. LaGrangeville, N.Y.

Wappingers Falls Miss Caroline P. Wixson 86 East Main St. Wappingers Falls, N.Y. 12590

Washington Miss Louise Tompkins Dutchess County Infirmary Millbrook, N.Y. 12545

1977

1976 Wappinger (Town) Mrs. John Ferris 65 New Hackensack Rd. Wappingers Falls, N.Y

Wappinger (Town) Mrs. Vernon Smith Route 376 Wappingers Falls, N.Y. 12590

12590

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