Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook Vol 052 1967

A PILGRIMAGE TO SOUTHERN DUTCHESS COUNTY On Saturday, October 14, 1967, over two hundred members of the Dutchess County Historical Society and their guests greatly enjoyed a pilgrimage to historic southern Dutchess County. Frederic A. Smith, general chairman of the event, was assisted by Mrs. Peter R. Mund, Mrs. Charles A. Mitchell, Miss Valere Voorhees, Joseph W. Emsley, Kenneth E. Pearce, Samuel A. Moore, Richard A. Dwelley, William A. Gekle, and Walter Averill. The enjoyment of the day was due in a large measure to the careful planning by our committee and to the warm greeting our members received by our hosts at every stop. We were privileged to view houses of historic importance, to meet their owners, and to learn from them and from others of the area a great deal of histor'c interest.

The trip started at the International Business Machines plant at East Fishkill, and led by escorts from the Sheriff's office, moved west on Route 52 to a side road which led to the Van Wyck-John Jay House. This landmark is threatened with demolition due to the plan of a new highway.

The cavalcade countermarched after passing the Van Wyck-Jay property and proceeded to the Lomala section near Route 82, passing the Colonel John Brinkerhoff house now owned by Mrs. Pony Bouche.

A veteran officer of the French and Indian Wars and the early years of the Revolution, Colonel Brinkerhoff was a close friend and associate of both General Washington and General George Clinton. Both men frequently stayed at the Colonel's house when they were in that part of the country.

On the way to the first stop of the morning, Griffin Tavern was passed. The tavern was known in Revolutionary times as "The Rendezvous," and is said to have been a frequent stopping place for Washington and his aides. The Griffin Tavern is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Troiano.

At the Swartwout House on All Angles Hill Road the pilgrims were cordially greeted by the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Edward V. K. Cunningham, and were invited to inspect this beautiful residence. Mr. Theron Van Scoter, president of the East Fishkill H'storical Society, spoke briefly about the Van Wyck-John Jay House. He outlined the efforts of the East Fishkill Society to preserve it and the problems the Society was facing in the endeavor. He also gave a short history and some interesting stories about the Griffin Tavern. In presenting Mrs. Cunningham, Mr. Van Scoter said "All of us in East Fishkill are equally proud of this place, and in some ways we think of it as ours, partly because the Cunninghams are so generous in sharing it with us exactly as they are sharing it with you today."

Mrs. Cunningham welcomed the members of the Dutchess County Society to East Fishk:11 and called attention to two articles that have in the Year Books on the life of Brig. General Jacobus Swartwow:, one by Dr. J. Wison Poucher in the 1928 book, one by Joseph W. 18