The Annual Pilgrimage

ber 8-10, at the State University College of Education, Potsdam, New York. The latter included a visit to the Upper Canada Village, Ontario's new outdoor museum on the shores of the St. Lawrence, near Morrisburg, and a tour of the Seaway Development, Eisenhower Lock and Moses Power Plant. All of the programs scheduled by the New York State Historical Association have grown in popularity over the years and we recommend membership in the organization and frequent visits to Fenimore House and the Farmers' Museum. There's always something new and always a hearty welcome.

Through the generosity of Mrs. Raymond M. Gunnison, there is now housed at the Akin Memorial Library, Quaker Hill, a marvellous collection of items relating to natural history. The members of our society were invited to the opening of the Quaker Hill Natural History Museum on July 27 and a large assemblage visited the museum on that day and were much impressed with the displays. The collection will prove most helpful to students, especially. We are fortunate to have this museum in Dutchess County.

A delightful late summer day, on September 24, was granted for the occasion of the open house day at the Glebe House, held in conjunction with the Junior League and the Poughkeepsie Garden Club. Much admired was the transformation of the garden, the work of the Garden Club, and lamented was the loss of the large willow tree which had shadowed the yard for many, many years. The Glebe House Committee promises still greater accomplishments in 1962. *

We are pleased to know that "The Grove" has been presented by Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm E. Smith and Mrs. William W. Hoffman to Bard College. It was a matter of great regret that the lack of financial resources of our society prohibited the acceptance of the estate with its responsibilities. We are happy that it will become a part of the Bard campus and that its preservation is thus assured.

A day of real enjoyment was afforded the large group which took advantage of the arrangements made by the East Fishkill Historical Society for the annual pilgrimage of our society, on September 30. The plans were well made and carried out to the last detail, ensuring an excellent opportunity for those present to get a comprehen-

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sive view of that part of the county.

During the year several of our members have shared their interests by giving talks on various subjects of historical record and many of us have taken the opportunity to broaden our knowledge of area history by attending the programs arranged by neighboring societies, in and outside the county. Visits were made to the modest stone houses at Hurley and at New Paltz and to the larger, and entirely different, homes in the vicinity of Litchfield, Connecticut. Many of our members have become museum-conscious, and have visited the smaller museums as well as the larger and more distant enterprises, such as those at Williamsburg, Winterthur, Sturbridge, Shelbourne and the new North Canada Village, in addition to those in New York City, Albany, Smith's Clove and Cooperstown. We believe, with interests tending in these directions, home owners will think twice before casting away furnishings, gadgets and tools of other days. It may be that the day will come when we have a Dutchess County Museum.

For the Civil War Centennial issue of the New York Folklore Quarterly (Volume XVII, Number 1) your president contributed an article with Dutchess County associations, "The Lore of the Monitor." Much of the material for the article was kindly furnished by Mr. Joseph B. Bisbee, our popular trustee.

Your president was one of a team of New York historians at the State University College of Education at Plattsburgh last summer, in a summer seminar on state history. He gave two lectures on the first half-century of the republic.

Two periods of ill-health have persuaded him that it is time to give place to some younger and more worthy member. He has therefore written to the trustees that he will not be a candidate for re-election at the annual meeting next spring. He is most grateful for the friendly support that has been given him during his term of office.

Henry Noble MacCracken

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THE ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE

The 1961 pilgrimage was an unusual experience and a revelation to many members of the Dutchess County Historical Society. It was arranged by the members and officers of the East Fishkill Historical Society and led through parts of the township which had been unknown to many from other sections of the county.

On a handsome fall day the pilgrims gathered at the Wiccopee Community Church and more than fifty cars were escorted through a land of contrasts: along improved county roads, over straight concrete state highways, up and down the steep and rough country roads which wound around the boulders and hollows, and at one spot were led across a super highway, the Taconic State Parkway.

They viewed the richly productive farms with their substantial homes and outbuildings, the smaller, stony farms of the mountain area and the untilled acres which had reverted to thickets and brush, though the houses had been modernized and were occupied by rural residents who pursued their vocations miles away. They visited the attractive and thriving churches and passed some which were temporarily closed, the quiet, well-kept cemeteries and the abandoned family grounds. And, more than one hundred visitors gathered for lunch in the large dining hall of a most modern facility maintained in a group of camps which in the summer season would be teeming with children of all ages.

Mrs. Finkel had arranged a detailed program, indicating the points of interest along the tour. With the cooperation of the officers and members of the East Fishkill Historical Society, the local residents and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the plans for the visit were well carried out. From the start at the Wiccopee Community Church, then the visits to the Herald Tribune Fresh Air Camps and to the Bethel Baptist Church at Shenandoah, to the "high spot" of the occasion, "Looking Rock," far above the parkway, it all added up to a delightful day, long to be remembered.

Because the program was so informative, it is appended in full:

The Forty-first Annual Pilgrimage of THE DUTCHESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Saturday, September 30, 1961 During the pilgrimage we will explore three ways of country life prior to the corning of the automobile and electricity: the big, fertile farms (example, General Abraham Van Wyck's) ;

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the stony farms of the Fishkill Mountains; the hamlets where farmers and mountain families traded, often bartering farm produce, fence posts, etc., for clothing, tea and other items they couldn't make (Wiccopee, Shenandoah, Stormville). Points of interest along the route will be marked by yellow signs with red numbers which will correspond to the paragraphs below. Whether a sign is to be found on the left or right of the route is shown - L or R. 1 Wiccopee Community Church, formerly Johnsville M.E. Church. Organized before 1826. Church built 1825-26 by Gould Smith and Abraham Pulling of Shenandoah. Steeple and entry added 1860. Interior panelled by the Reverend J. P. Carley, 1902-08. Note cross in ceiling, the gloved hand holding the iron chandelier, the early library in the entry. Hear West Hook School bell. 2 Wiccopee Grange, No. 876, P. of H. Founded 1899. First Grange Hall burned February 1, 1929; present hall built the same year. 3-R The house far back in lane was built by Judge Theodore Van Wyck in 1740 on 1,000-acre tract purchased from Madam Catharyna Brett in 1736. The family of John Jay lived here during the first two years of the Revolutionary War and this house is known locally as the John Jay House. It was remodeled by Judge Theodorus' great-grandson, James Van Wyck, in 1870. (See DCHS Year Book, 1924, p. 32) 4--R The General Abraham Van Wyck House. Built by him in 1802. Occupied by his descendants until 1951. General Abraham Van Wyck (1774-1864), served in War of 1812 and in New York State Militia. The DCHS has a large collection of his business papers (some 640 pieces) concerned with the management of this and neighboring farms. (See DCHS Year Book, 1957, p. 22). In 1865 the property included the John Jay Farm, next door, 500 acres of land under cultivation, 100 acres unimproved, and was valued at $47,000, (N. Y. Census, 1865). It was the most valuable and productive farm in the neighborhood. The stock was worth $9,000 and included 12 working oxen, 25 much cows, 72 cows, 10 horses, 3 mules, 26 pigs, etc., 250 fruit trees. Most of the barns and outbuildings are now removed but the beauty of the open fields and meadows is still to be seen. The house is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Roger Rawson, also apple orchard. The John Jay House and fields to the west are owned by Stephen Blodgett and the fields to the east and south by Peter Kahn. 5-R Site of the first Johnsville School, 1794-1847. The second Johnsville school was built in 1847 directly across the road from the first. After the Rombout Presbyterian Church in Brinckerhoff burned in 1866, monthly services were held in this school until the church was dissolved, 1885. We are now entering the hamlet of Wiccopee from the west end. Wiccopee is the original Indian name though all through the 19th century the hamlet was known as Johnsville. In 1904 the name Wiccopee was resumed. 6-L Blacksmith shop located here for over 100 years. Also said to have been a stage stop. In 1865, the shop was operated by William Corbin and his son-in-law, Cyrus Wiltsie. Both families lived in adjoining house. 7-L Small general store and tailor shop. In 1865 the tailor was Henry Phillips. 8-L Shoe shop. In 1865 operated by William R. Travis; he lived in house adjoining on right. 9-L Site of Methodist parsonage since 1836. Many weddings took place here. 10-L Wiccopee General Store. Built by John Bailey about 1800. In continuous operation since. The library of the New York State Historical Association, at Cooperstown, owns the 1859-60 journal of this store. It shows accounts

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with 174 people—mountain families as well as those living nearby. Each account has a debit and credit column, credit being for produce brought in for barter or for services, such as cartage and blacksmith work. Isaac Pierce, the proprietor, even paid his pew rent in trade with the minister. 11-L Birthplace of Nathan Bailey, author of Johnsville in the Olden Times; also of his brother, Henry D. B. Bailey, author of Local Tales and Historical Sketches, who stated that some of the framing timbers in this house came from the Revolutionary War barracks south of Fishkill. 12-L Former location of Johnsville Creamery. 13-R Mt. Honness. Considerable effort has been made to discover for whom this beautiful little mountain was named. With some dismay we record that apparently it is Dutch for Dog's Nose! Dog in Dutch is hond and nose is nests. "Dog's Nose" is written hondenneus. Perhaps you can see a crouching dog with his nose pointing south to Long Island from whence the first Dutch settlers came. Or, what do you see? It's open season for guessing. 14-L This farm bought from Francis Rombout Brett by Peter I. Montfort in 1772. Passed by inheritance to his son Adrian; then to Adrian M. Waldron. Bought by Floyd Quick in 1872; by ex-Supervisor John Anderson, the present owner, in 1910. 15-L Camp Meeting Woods. Site of early church revival meetings; school and Sunday school picnics; political rallies and clam bakes. Once, almost 1,000 people were served at a clam bake here. The woods are now owned by Mr. Henry Morgenthau, Jr. This is an optional stop for anyone who attended picnics here years ago and who would like to see it again. 16 We now turn right on the West Hook Road. On the left is the Wiccopee Fire Company. With the exception of the foundations, it was built entirely by the local men, volunteer. Inspection is invited. It is also the Wiccopee Boy Scout Troop headquarters. 17-R West Hook School House. You heard the bell from this school ringing as we left the church, it being temporarily in the church belfry. Our honorary member, Ai G. Hickman, who passed away this summer, attended school here. Also Charles Ross and many others who remember it affectionately. 18 We now turn right onto Van Wyck Lake Road. Here on the left is the William S. Ladue home. Ladues have lived here since 1740. 19-L The Sharpe Reservation, Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund. The reservation includes 2,000 acres but we will mainly visit the Thomas Cary-John Ross farm of 300 acres. As we enter the reservation, according to Charles Ross of Hopewell who grew up here, the field on the left was known as the Rye Lot. Other field crops were sometimes planted here, too, but that was always its name. Further on the left was an extensive apple orchard; on the right, corn and a grape vineyard. As we make a left turn to the parking area, we pass the site of the 16-room farmhouse and a complex of barns and outbuildings. Down in the ravine, where a small dam may still be seen, was a fruit box factory built by Thomas Cary's son, William, in 1884. At first it was powered by a water wheel but the supply of water was insufficient so a steam engine was installed whose whistle could be heard in Johnsville. In 1865 (New York census), the farm was valued at $9,450; the stock at $1,272 and included 4 working oxen, 11 much cows, 9 cows, 4 horses, 17 pigs, 32 sheep, 26 lambs. Crops included apples, wheat, oats, rye, buckwheat, corn and potatoes. No grapes. However, in the 1875 census, 3,500 lbs. of grapes were harvested. There was a pasture where the lake is now and, as a boy, it was Charles Ross' daily chore to bring the cows home to the barn. He would call them from the rock extending into the lake and we hope he will do

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so today as he did then. We will lunch in the Bliss Dining Hall and Mr. Frederick H. Lewis, Executive Director •of the Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund, will tell us of the splendid way the property is being used today. As we leave the reservation we will pass the new camp, Hidden Valley, for handicapped children. We now leave the Sharpe Reservation and return down Van Wyck Lake Road (you may wish to go in low gear briefly), the West Hook Road to East Hook Road and a right turn onto East Hook. No markers for 1.17 miles. 20-R Home of former Secretary of the Treasury and Mrs. Henry Morgenthau, Jr. House built by Adolph Hupfel in 1884, redesigned by Mr. Morgenthau in 1929. Notice Mr. Morgenthau's beautiful apple orchards as we pass through a portion of them. 21-R Charlock - Stout Family Burying Ground. 22 Early deeds and maps indicate that the chief wigwams, orchards and "feilds" of the last of the Wappinger Indians to live as a tribe in Dutchess County were here in the East Hook. The village, where Dr. Henry MacCracken believes Chief Daniel Nimham was born about 1700, was probably located along the stream below Bill Wright's greenhouses as many artifacts have been found there. We now leave East Hook and go up Long Hill Road. No markers until we reach the top. The Wiccopee Boy Scouts are stopping cars from coming down the hill until we are up, so don't worry. 23-R Joseph Ketcham's homestead, stage stop and tavern. Joseph Ketcham is said to have acquired this land after the Revolutionary War as land bounty. 24-L Cemetery at top of Long Hill. Members of the Ketcham, Odell and Travis families buried here. Many field-stone markers, others stolen. We are briefly in Putnam County. As we go down the hill, road becomes known as Shaw Hill Road because the Shaw family were original settlers. Go in low gear at the Consolidated Edison power towers. Best stay in low gear to foot of hill. No markers for 11/4 miles. 25-L Horton Shop. Here wood-shod sleds, ox yokes and ox-cart bodies were made during the winter months by the grandfather of the late Mrs. Milton Van Tassell. 26-R Turn left on Hortontown Road. Hortontown was once a busy hamlet; now only the Calvary Methodist Church is to be seen and it is closed. 27-L Site of David Horton's grist and saw mill, as shown on 1868 map. Turn left onto Shenandoah Road. 28-R Peddler's Rock. Tradition is that a peddler was killed on or by this rock years ago when his horse ran away. 29-L Former Shenandoah School House. One of the last one-room schoolhouses in Dutchess County. Closed June 1957. The first Shenandoah school was a little further north on right. 30-L Site of Rickey's tavern and store; there during Revolutionary War. 31-R Bethel Baptist Church and cemetery. Founded 1835 and built shortly thereafter. Recently redecorated. Note horse sheds. We will stop briefly in Shenandoah and hear Wright Jackson and Smith Townsend tell about the area. On 18th century maps and deeds it is shown as "Shanadore," apparently an Indian word. As we leave Shenandoah, continue on Shenandoah Road briefly, then make a right turn onto Jackson Road. Then another right turn, though you are still on Jackson Road. Note the stake and rider fences. We are now passing through the Wright Jackson and Sons farm. Contoured fields, crop rotation practiced, owner operated.

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