The Annual Pilgrimage

OUR PRESIDENT SAYS:

When the time comes for me to address the membership of our society through the year book, I am always glad to go over those pleasant things which have happened to us as residents, in fact or in spirit, of "The Dutchess's County." Often as I ride over its roads, stopping now and again to enjoy some particularly beautiful sight—a tree in new leaf or in the splendor of fall coloring, a tiny stream with a fringe of ice on its sides, an orchard in full bloom or heavy with fruit, a field of grain rippling in the summer breeze, or the same field with a fresh blanket of snow, dazzling in the winter sunshine—I recall Miss Helen W. Reynolds' fervent expression, "It's a good land !"

We were pleased to have as speakers at our spring and fall meetings two young men who have done considerable work and who are authorities in their own separate fields. Mr. Ralph T. Waterman, at a meeting held in May, told of our native birds and showed slides which pictured many of them in color. At the meeting held in October, Mr. Godfrey Olsen told of the archaeological work he had done and showed many slides illustrating the search for artifacts and told much about the Indians of this area, especially the Schaghticokes. The talks were interesting and informative and were much appreciated by all who attended these meetings.

Those members who had the good fortune to take part in the joint pilgrimage in Putnam County, arranged by Mr Frazier, had a most enjoyable treat. Only those persons who have arranged such a tour can appreciate the tremendous amount of work done by our neighbor. The trip was planned to help raise funds for the restoration of Boscobel. Since that time we have read of a single gift of $50,000 toward this objective. We sincerely congratulate Mr. Frazier on a well-arranged tour and on the recent contribution to his restoration fund.

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We were pleased to endorse the request that the Clinton House in Poughkeepsie be continued as one of the historic houses maintained by the state of New York. This house is in good repair, its background has been authenticated and it is the only state-supported museum on the east side of the Hudson between Yonkers and Albany. In the care of the D. A. R. for more than fifty years, it has survived and it is the hope of the Dutchess County Historical Society that it will continue for many years longer.

We were pleased to be able to find in the register of the Reformed Dutch Church of Poughkeepsie that Sally, the daughter of Peter Myers and Hepsibeth Event, was born February 16, 1799, and was baptized April 14, 1799. Her descendants in England were happy to learn the names of her parents.

We are glad to note that our affectionately esteemed "Uncle Ben" Haviland has been honored in that the new junior high school of Hyde Park has been named the Haviland School. Mr. Haviland is a vice-president of this society, representing his township, and is well deserving the honor bestowed upon him

I am reminded again to entreat you to set down those old sayings that you've heard all your life and have never seen in print. And, write out the versions you have heard of those stories of your neighborhood which have developed into real folk tales. They would be an invaluable addition to Dutchess County folklore and should be preserved.

Edmund Van Wyck

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