Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook Vol 050 1965

THE PASSING OF THE DUTCHESS COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY At a meeting of the Dutchess County Bible Society, held in June of 1964, at the Bangall Methodist Church, the organization celebrated its sesquicentennial anniversary. A year later, having served its one hundred and fifty years in good measure, the Council meeting was held in May at the home of Mrs. Arthur James and, after prayerful consideration and much sadness of heart, it was voted that the society become inactive.

The Reverend Eli Hyde came to the town of Amenia as pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Smithfield in 1812. His wife, Mrs. Sally Hyde, was much concerned with the fact that many families in the neighborhood did not possess a Bible and, in January of 1814, she called together several of her friends and neighbors and they organized a society for the distribution of the Scriptures in their immediate vicinity. The group was called "The First Female Bible Society of Dutchess County and Vicinity." They drew up and signed a constitution to be circulated among neighbors and friends to recruit members.

At a second meeting, held March 1, at the home of Mrs. Hyde, forty-one members were present. They came from miles around, some on horseback, and one of them came a distance of twelve miles. They elected officers: Mrs. Sally Hyde, president; Miss Elizabeth Reynolds, secretary; Mrs. Sally Wilson, treasurer and seven others to complete a board of managers: Mrs. Mary Thompson, Mrs. Rachel Barton, Miss Cornelia M. Thompson, Mrs. Sally Boyd, Miss Susan Goodrich, Mrs. Sally Sanford and Miss Susan D. Nye. Disregarding the inconveniences of travel, the group met regularly in increasing numbers at the homes of the members. Two meetings were held each year, in May and October, and the members paid fifty cents each as annual dues. (Later any sum was accepted in payment.)

The members were urged to send out letters to ministers and female societies and individuals in outlying districts, urging them to form similar organizations. The announced primary object of the society was to lay out its funds in the purchase of Bibles to be distributed under its immediate direction.

Within six months the membership had increased to more than one hundred and contributions amounting to $77.66 had been made.

The first Bibles were purchased from the Connecticut Bible Society, 104 of them at 62Y2 cents each (the price charged to booksellers), 28