Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook Vol 050 1965

THE ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE On Saturday, October 23, 1965, members of the Dutchess County Historical Society were guests of The Little Nine Partners Historical Society at Pine Plains, New York.

A most interesting program had been arranged and members of both organizations assembled at the Harris-Husted House at Hammertown. This house was rescued when plans were made for the rebuilding of Route 199 and the erection of a new bridge over the Shekomeko Creek. The house, which had formerly stood in the path of the new road, has been moved to a nearby location, overlooking the creek, cn land donated for the project, and the local historical society is rehabilitating the old building for use as a headquarters. The society is making of it an excellent example of an old farm house of the early nineteenth century.

The land about the house has been graded and, on the occasion of this visit, four Commemorative Trees were planted by representatives of the four sponsors, with the expressed hopes that they will thrive and continue their benign influence on their new surroundings.

Mrs. Charlotte Slingerland Tuttle Kester, a former resident, told about the neighborhood, the scythe works and the tannery, which formed the nucleus of a settlement at Hammertown and gave it its name. She read an old poem, written by Charles Knickerbocker, son of Jonas, describing Hammertown as he remembered it, as a boy in the 1850's, when it was really a hammering place.

Mrs. Klare showed a scythe, made in the old factory and bearing the trademark "S.H." inscribed in a heart, which had been handed down in the family from the first John Harris in Hammertown, her great-great-great-grandfather.

The members of The Little Nine Partners Historical Society answered many questions. The visitors, guided by Girl Scouts, were permitted to go through the house, which is being restored and gives promise of an attractive home for the "Partners."

At lunch-time, the group gathered in the social room of the Pine Plains Methodist Church, where basket lunches were disposed of and coffee and cookies were served by the local committee, with the assistance of the Girl Scouts.

Following lunch, Mrs. William B. Jordan, a member and officer of both societies, spoke on the history of Pine Plains. Mr. Richard Bliss told of the history and the work of The Little Nine Partners Historical Society.

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