REMINISCENCES OF CUNNETT HOUSE ON HACKETT HILL AND THE HACKETT FAMILY 1868-1969 Charlotte Cunneen Hacket
The house was built by my husband's father John Hackett, whom I have never known. There are encircling trees planted by him, now fully grown, which give restful, needed shade on this sultry June day when not a leaf stirs. Sitting on the veranda, looking out over the broad fields, I wonder, "Where were you when you dreamed a dream fulfilled in this well-planned home to which you and your mother came a hundred years ago, a friendly tall white house upon a man-made rock constructed hill?" Hackett Hill is located on the north side of the East Park road a mile east of the Village of Hyde Park. Crossing Crum Elbow Creek bridge, glancing to the right, you see the white house with green blinds smiling down at you over the heart shaped lawn, encircled by a drive leading to the road. John Hackett, the builder of Curmett House, was born June 8, 1845, and came to America with his parents in 1852, settling at Hyde Park. Frank Hasbrouck who was a close friend and associate of Mr. Hackett, wrote in his The County of Dutchess, published in 1909, the following paragraphs: "His early education was such as he could obtain in the district schools of his town, and he also attended Eastman Business College from which he graduated in 1863. He then read law in the office of Charles Brundage at Poughkeepsie and was admitted to the bar in 1866, and at once began the practice of his profession. He served as Assistant District Attorney in 1873 under the late James L. Williams; in 1884 he was elected District Attorney of Dutchess County and was re-elected to that office in 1887. In 1876 the firm of Hackett and Williams was formed and was continued until the death of Mr. Williams in 1908. "The career of John Hackett offers to young lawyers an example worthy of their emulation. With absolutely no advantages of birth, position, wealth or education to start with, he is a self-made, better still a self-educated man, and is living example of the opportunities presented in this country to all youths possessed of character and intelligence, who are willing to work, to study and to persevere. "As District Attorney, Mr. Hackett was an unrelenting prosecutor of crime and did his full duty always, conscientiously, without regard to any consideration of policy or of popularity. He lives in the summer time at his home in Hyde Park; he passes his winters at his residence in Poughkeepsie." 55
