Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook Vol 056 1971

Year Book Dutchess County Historical Society Volume

56

1971

Baltus B. Van Kleeck, Editor The Year Book is published after the end of the year and includes reports of the activities of the society during the year. Copies are mailed to those members whose dues are paid for the current year. Address: The Dutchess County Historical Society, Box 88, Poughkeepsie, New York.

Copyright 1972 by the Dutchess County Historical Society

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DUTCHESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETINGS—MEMBERSHIP—DUES

MEETINGS: At least two meetings of the Society are held each year, the annual meeting in the spring and a meeting and pilgrimage in the fall.

Other meetings and social gatherings are arranged from time to time.

MEMBERSHIP: Anyone with an interest in history is welcome as a, member. Membership in the Society may be obtained by making application to the Secretary, Box 88, Poughkeepsie, New York. Upon the payment of dues, members are elected by the Trustees or at a meeting of the Society.

DUES: Annual dues, $3.00; Joint membership (husband and wife), $5.00; Life membership, $75.00. Annual dues are payable on January 1st. of each year. These payments carry with them the right to vote, to hold office, and to take part in the proceedings of the Society.

YEAR BOOK: Upon the payment of dues at time of election, a new member will be mailed a copy of the last published Year Book. Year Books are mailed only to those members whose dues are paid to date. One copy is mailed to a joint membership.

DUTCHESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Incorporated under the laws of the State of New York December 21, 1918 Certificate of Incorporation filed in the office of the Clerk of Dutchess County Book 10 of Corporations page 153

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OCCASIONAL PUBLICATIONS OF THE DUTCHESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 1916—PAMPHLET, Troutbeck, A Dutchess County Homestead; by Charles E. Benton. Out of print.

1924—COLLECTIONS, VOL. I; Poughkeepsie, The Origin and Meaning of the Word; by Helen Wilkinson Reynolds. (Price $5.00) 1924—COLLECTIONS, VOL. II; Old Gravestones of Dutchess County, New York; collected and edited by J. Wilson Poucher, M.D., and Helen Wilkinson Reynolds. (Price $20.00) 1928—COLLECTIONS, VOL. III; Records of the Town of Hyde Park, Dutchess County, New York; edited by Franklin D. Roosevelt. Edition exhausted.

1930—COLLECTIONS, VOL. IV; Notices of Marriages and Deaths in Newspapers printed at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 1778-1825; compiled and edited by Helen Wilkinson Reynolds. (Price $5.00) 1932—COLLECTIONS, VOL. V; Records of the Reformed Dutch Church of New Hackensack, Dutchess County, New York; edited by Maria Bockee Carpenter Tower. Edition exhausted.

1938—COLLECTIONS, VOL. VI; Eighteenth Century Records of the portion of Dutchess County, New York that was included in Rombout Precinct and the original Town of Fishkill. Collected by William Willis Reese. Edited by Helen Wilkinson Reynolds. Edition exhausted.

1940—COLLECTIONS, VOL. VII; Records of Crum Elbow Precinct, Dutchess County. Edited by Franklin D. Roosevelt. (Price $10.00) 1958—COLLECTIONS, VOL. VIII; Family Vista, the Memoirs of Margaret Chanler Aldrich. (Price 50¢ ) 1967—PAMPHLET, illustrated, VOL. IX; The Glebe House, Poughkeepsie, New York, 1767. Edited by a committee of the Junior League of Poughkeepsie. (Price 50¢ ) Historical Society Year Books, Vol. 1 through Vol. 55 (Price: $1.75) each Vol. 56 (Price: $3.00) Dutchess County Historical Society Mrs. Albert E. Powers, Curator c/o Adriance Memorial Library Poughkeepsie, New York

CONTENTS Secretary's Minutes Treasurer's Report President's Report Glebe House Report Curator's Report In Memoriam: Balms Van Kleeck In Brief The Clinton Historical Society Ulster County Pilgrimage Walter Averill, 2nd.

What Does the County Historian Do? Dorothy B. Alsdorf The Names of Streets of Poughkeepsie The Village of Wappingers Falls Celebrates Its Centennial Dorothy B. Alsdorf, County Historian Pleasant Valley Celebrates Its Sesquicentennial Elizabethann Albertson The Friends Meeting House Mrs. N. Edward Mitchell Abel Peters of Clinton Corners Clifford M. Buck Poughkeepsie's Union Street (Preface: The Quixotic Plan) Cornelia Brooks The Poughkeepsie, Hartford & Boston Rail Road Edmund Van Wyck Harvey G. Eastman Fire at the Old Dutch Church The Stone Barn at Pleasant Valley by Clifford Buck The Central Baptist Church of Clinton Corners Clifford Buck Recalls by Karen Jones A Creamery and the Blacksmith Shops in La Grange Edmund Van Wyck The Amazing Chanlers and How They Grew — A Book Review John Winthrop Aldrich, Boston, Massachusetts "A Copy of an afidafit of the actions and behaviours of Thomas Vorce Since the year AD 1758 June" Transcribed by Brigid Allen Dr. John Bard and Dr. Samuel Bard of Hyde Park Joseph W. Emsley Faith Chapel at Titusville The Old Ladies Home — 100 Years of Service The Van Wyck Family of Dutchess County Joseph W. Emsley Prices in the Good Old Days Edmund Van Wyck Matthew Vassar, Junior

By Laws, Dutchess County Historical Society Dutchess County Historical Society Membership List 4

6 17 20 21 23 24 26 28 29 30 34 41 46 48 53 65 75 75 78 79 82 84 88 91 94 97 100 100 102 105 109 112 117

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Herbert S. Roig President Walter Averill, 2nd Vice President at Large Edward V. K. Cunningham Secretary Baltus B. Van Kleeck Treasurer Mrs. Albert E. Powers Curator Terms ending 1972 Mrs. Mary Bogardus Mrs. Paul M. Courtney

Joseph W. Emsley John M. Jenner

Terms ending 1973 Mrs. John C. Smith Thomas J. Boyce

Clifford M. Buck DeWitt Gurnell

Terms ending 1974 Mrs. Lawrence M. McGinnis Robert B. Breed

Franklin A. Butts H. Wilson Guernsey

Terms ending 1975 Ralph E. Van Kleeck Mrs. Albert E. P'owers

Roscoe A. Balch, Ph.D. Edmund Van Wyck

VICE PRESIDENTS REPRESENTING TOWNS AND CITIES Town of Amenia Mrs. J. E. Spingarn City of Beacon Mrs. Irving Picard Town of Beekman Mrs. F. Philip Hoag Town of Clinton James Budd Rymph Town of Dover George Whalen Town of East Fishkill Mrs. Charles Boos Town of Fishkill Miss Edith Van Wyck Town of Hyde Park Mrs. John Mulford Hackett Town of LaGrange Miss Hazel Skidmore Town of Milan Baltus B. Van Kleeck, Jr. Town of North East Walter W. Davis Town of Pawling Mrs. Fred Daniels Town of Pine Plains Mrs. William B. Jordan Town of Pleasant Valley Miss Agnes K. Bower Town of Poughkeepsie Miss Annette I. Young City of Poughkeepsie Frank V. Mylod Town of Stanford Mrs. Charles E. Robinton Town of Red Hook Mrs. Donald E. Norton Town of Rhinebeck Mrs. Silas Frazer Town of Wappinger Mrs. Roland F. Bogle Town of Washington Miss Louise H. Tompkins 5

SECRETARY'S MINUTES ANNUAL MEETING, MAY 22, 1971 The annual meeting of the Dutchess County Historical Society was held at Camelot Inn, Poughkeepsie at 12:00 noon on Saturday, May 22, 1971, 112 members attending.

After a buffet luncheon, the business meeting was called to order by the President of the Society, Ralph E. Van Kleeck. The minutes of the last annual meeting, having been published in the 1970 Year Book, were not read upon motion, seconded and carried.

The Treasurer, Baltus B. Van Kleeck, gave a, brief report for the first four and one half months of 1971. He stated there were no accounts payable and accounts receivable amounted to $153, representing unpaid dues for 1971. The Treasurer reported the total assets of the Society amounted to $149,651.71. Of investments, bonds amounted to 77% of the portfolio, 7% was in common stocks, 15% was in interest bearing bank accounts and 1% was in non-interest bearing bank accounts. Upon motion by Mr. Edmund Van Wyck, seconded by Dr. Balch, the Treasurer's report was accepted and ordered placed on file.

Mrs. Albert Powers, Curator, reported that no additional gifts had been received since her last report. She stated that with aid from the Assistant Curator, Miss Mary Jane Hays, the card file was nearing completion, but the catalogue is now a workable file.

Mrs. Paul M. Courtney, Glebe House Chairman, reported that Mr. Robert Burnham had been engaged as custodian of Glebe House. Sunday, June 6th had been chosen for the annual Craft Day. She urged everyone to visit Glebe House on that day to witness candle making, weaving and other interesting crafts. Mrs. Courtney thanked the Glebe House Committee for their continued support and interest in the museum. She especially thanked Mrs. Lauren Straub, co-chairman representing the Junior League, for her able leadership. Mrs. Straub is also a member of the Historical Society.

President Ralph Van Kleeck thanked Walter Averill, our Vice-President for his work as Chairman of the Program Committee in arranging the several very interesting meetings of the Society. President Van Kleeck also expressed his appreciation to Balms Van Kleeck, the editor of the Society Year Book.

The President announced that the 1971 Pilgrimage would take place in October and probably would take place in Usher County. Buses will be used as in past years. Mr. Kenneth Hasbrouck of New Paltz is aiding in making plans for the Pilgrimage.

Mrs. Peter R. Mund, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, was 6

unable to be present and the report was rendered by a member of the committee, Dr. Franklin Butts, as follows: For a term of two years, the following officers: President, Herbert S. Roig Vice-President, Walter Averill II Secretary, Edward V. K. Cunningham Treasurer, Balms B. Van Kleeck Curator, Mrs. Albert Powers For Trustees, four-year term: Dr. Roscoe Balch Mrs. Albert E. Powers Ralph E. Van Kleeck Edmund Van Wyck.

Trustee, one-year term to fill a vacancy: John M. Jenner For a two-year term: Vice-President representing the City of Poughkeepsie.

Frank V. Mylod For a two-year term: The reelection of the Vice-Presidents now representing the Towns of Dutchess County.

The President thanked the committee for the report and, upon motion which was seconded and carried, the report was adopted and those nominated were declared elected. The President thanked the nominating committee, Mrs. Mund, Dr. Butts and Mr. Robert Breed.

Mr. Ralph Van Kleeck asked Dr. Roscoe Balch to introduce the speaker of the day, Mr. Joseph Norton of the faculty of Marist College. Mr. Norton is an Instructor in the History Department of Marist College. He holds an M.A. Degree from Providence College and is engaged in dissertation research at St. John's University where he is a candidate for Ph.D. His specialty is American Colonial History, and he is interested in New Left ideas, particularly as these suggest new avenues for historical research.

Mr. Norton gave the members of the Historical Society a very interesting account of a seminar he is conducting at Marist College in colonial history. His students utilized many kinds of Dutchess County records and he stated that members of the Dutchess County Historical Society, especially Mrs. Powers and Mr. Clifford Buck of Salt Point, had greatly aided them. He explained that the research project included the leadership in Dutchess County prior to the American Revolution.

The problem which the research project dealt with was the leadership in Dutchess County prior to the American Revolution. Historians hold different views on this subject of colonial leadership. Robert Brown maintains that "middle-class democracy" was in operation in the colonies whereas Jackson Turner Main states that it was evident the social structure was ruled by the top 10% of the population which controlled great amounts of wealth. An attempt was made to test the validity of the various theses in relation to Dutchess County.

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Using an IBM 1401 Computer and the tax records from 1720, 1730, 1735 and 1770, it was discovered that greater amounts of wealth were found to lie in the hands of a few as time went on. Social stratification based on economics was in operation. A further test of this was the examination of the offices of Assessor and Supervisor in the County from 1738-1787. The information obtained on approximately 76% of the men who held office revealed that 56% of the supervisors and 51% of the assessors were members of the highest income group. An additional indication of the dominance of the upperclass was found in connection with Staughton Lynd's claim that "men of property and rank did not control the militia in Dutchess." The lists of the militia were studied and it was proven that all of the colonels and lieutenant colonels were members of the highest income group.

In looking at Pre-Revolutionary Dutchess therefore, it would seem that a "middle-class democracy" did not exist as it did in other areas of the colonies. The dominance of the upperdass seems evident. Results such as these seem to pose questions concerning the cause of the Revolution and its reasons for being fought in Dutchess County. It is hoped that a continuation of the research project will be able to answer such questions.

At the conclusion of Mr. Norton's address, President Ralph Van Kleeck thanked him for giving the Society such an interesting discourse and expressed hope that he would meet again with the Society when his class had completed its work.

There was no further business and the Annual Meeting of the Society stood adjourned.

Wilhelmina B. Powers Acting Secretary TRUSTEE MEETING JANUARY 28, 1971 A meeting of the Trustees of the Dutchess County Historical Society was held at the Glebe House at 3:30 p.m. on January 28, 1971. The following were present: Trustees Breed, Butts, Mund, McGinnis, Powers, Smith, B. Van Kleeck, R. Van Kleeck. President Ralph Van Kleeck presided, Baltus B. Van Kleeck acted as Secretary, in the absence of Frank V. Mylod.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as published.

The Treasurer, Balms Van Kleeck, reported a bill had been received in the amount of $50.00, the annual dues of the Hudson River Valley Association. Upon motion, seconded and passed, the Treasurer was authorized to pay the annual dues. The Treasurer reported 1971 dues in the amount of $1073.00 had been received from members of the Historical Society thus far in 1971. He stated that at the end of December, there were 5 joint members and 14 single members who had failed to pay dues for 1970 and that these members had been dropped from the Society. The following resignations were presented: 8

Charles T. Brose, Miss Louise Hardenburg, and Mrs. John Tataro.

Upon motion, seconded and carried the resignations were accepted with regret.

The following having been nominated for membership and their dues having been paid, were elected to membership in the Historical Society: Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Wilken, Pleasant Valley John Winthrop Aldrich, Barrytown Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Giorando, Poughkeepsie Mr. Robert Wunderly, Poughkeepsie Mrs. Arthur Manselello, Hyde Park Mr. and Mrs. Jack Nusbaum, Pine Plains Mr. and Mrs. Frank French, Pine Plains Mr. and Mrs. Carl J. Erts, Fishkill William J. Ketchin, Jr., Wingdale Charles H. Fraleigh, Bloomfield, Ontario Mrs. Blanche E. Greene, Staatsburg Miss Betty Montgomery, Poughkeepsie Mrs. George A. Nevers, Poughkeepsie Mrs. J. B. Owen, Carp, Ontario Mr. James Sprat, Hyde Park Mrs. Henry Glasstetter, Poughkeepsie Mr. and Mrs. David Stairs, Beacon Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Wilhelm, Pleasant Valley Mr. Lawrence M. McGinnis, Poughkeepsie Mr. John C. Smith, Poughkeepsie Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Arnold, Poughkeepsie The following have been nominated for membership and upon motion were elected subject to the payment of the annual dues: Mrs. Mary Smith, Hyde Park, by Helen Hill Schoonmaker Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Skinner, Fishkill, by Mrs. Alsdorf Mr. and Mrs. Raymon Oberley, Rhinebeck, by Helen Harden Mr. and Mrs. S. Chapman, Poughkeepsie, by Miss Elise Kinkead Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Walsh, Clinton Corners, by Mr. & Mrs. T. Mead Mr. Charles E. Freebern, Poughkeepsie, by Mrs. John C. Smith The Treasurer reported that the Society held memberships in the following town historical societies: Fishkill, Hyde Park, Quaker Hill and Union Vale. Upon motion which was seconded and carried, applications were to be made for membership in the historical societies of East Fishkill, Amenia, Rhinebeck and Wappingers at annual dues not in excess of $5.00 each. It was reported that our historical society was not eligible for membership in the Historical Society of LaGrange since that organization did not accept membership of organizations.

The President stated that Mr. Frank V. Mylod's illness prevented him from attending meetings of the Society and suggested a replacement in the post of Secretary. Edward V. K. Cunningham was nominated and elected Secretary to fill Mr. Mylod's unexpired term. Several members paid tribute to Mr. Mylad for the long and splendid service he has given to the Society

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as its Secretary. Upon motion seconded and carried, Mr. Mylod was elected Vice-President of the Dutchess County Historical Society, representing the City of Poughkeepsie.

The President announced that Walter Averill, chairman of the entertainment committee, had arranged a meeting to be held at the Mid-Hudson Libraries auditorium on February 18th at 8:30 p.m. Colonel Frederick P. Todd, retired Director of the West Point Museum, will be the speaker. His subject will be "Loyalist New York Regiments during the Revolution".

The President appointed Mrs. Mund, Mr. Breed and Mr. Butts to the nominating committee to report at the annual meeting of the Society.

Mrs. Powers, Historical Society representative to the Dutchess County Historians Association, reported on two meetings of that organization.

Mrs. Mund, for Glebe House Committee, stated that a dining room table had been purchased and would be installed within a short time. She also stated the 1971 budget for Glebe House had been completed and that the Historical Society would share with the Junior League the total budget of $3200.00. Our share, $1600.00, was approximately the same as in 1970.

Reporting for the Finance Committee, the Treasurer stated that the committee recommended purchasing $5,000.00 in 71/ 2%, seven-year notes of the Empire National Bank for the Wells Fund of the Society. Upon motion the recommendation was approved.

The annual fall pilgrimage of the Society was discussed and the pilgrimage committee will report at a subsequent meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

Baltus B. Van Kleeck Acting Secretary TRUSTEE MEETING APRIL 22, 1971 At a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Dutchess County Historical Society held at the Glebe House, Main Street, Poughkeepsie, New York, on April 22, 1971, at 3:30 p.m., there were present: Ralph Van Kleeck, Balms Van Kleeck, Walter Averill, Joseph Emsley, Edmund Van Wyck, Lemma McGinnis, Wyn Mund, Frank Butts, Robert Breed, Eunice M. Smith, Jean Courtney, Clifford Buck, being the majority of the members of the Board.

The president opened the meeting by the introduction of Edward V. K. Cunningham, Jr. who has been elected secretary of the Historical Society to succeed Frank V. Mylod. Mr. Cunningham then assumed his duties as secretary.

The president then announced that, due to a minor coronary incident which he had suffered prior to the meeting, he must regretfully decline to stand for re-election as president at the election to be held at the annual meeting. However, he stated that he would be very pleased to accept a position as a trustee, if so elected.

The treasurer presented his report and on motion duly made, seconded and carried it was 10

RESOLVED that the report be annexed to the minutes as if spread thereon in its entirety.

After discussion of the report, and on motion duly made, seconded and carried, it was RESOLVED that the treasurer's report be accepted as filed.

During the course of his report, the treasurer suggested that the applications for membership to the society be updated, and the president appointed Eunice Smith to redesign and redraft the applications for membership.

The treasurer then exhibited to the Board a bound copy of the year books of the society, Volumes 49 through 54 for the years 1964 through 1969, stating that the copy was to be presented to the Glebe House, for their permanent library collection. The presentation of this copy was approved by the Board.

The treasurer then discussed with the Board the question of the insurance policies covering the structure and contents of the Glebe House.

He had received a letter from the Insurance Company of North America stating that the insurance premiums were in default, and he had proceeded to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the letter. After extensive investigation he determined that the insurance premiums were in fact paid and the policies were in force according to their terms. From his investigation, he learned that the Poughkeepsie Junior League has a blanket policy on the Glebe House and its contents, and he suggested that the extent of the coverage should be investigated. The president then directed the secretary to check on the status of the policies and report his findings at the earliest possible time.

The president requested the report of the nominating committee, and the nominating committee reported that no slate of officers had been prepared as yet. It had been their intention to report that the proposed slate would include Ralph Van Kleeck, but in view of his inability to stand for re-election, other candidates would have to be considered prior to the annual meeting. The nominating committee would be prepared to present a slate at that time.

Mrs. Courtney reported on behalf of the Glebe House committee that the new table was to arrive momentarily, this table to be placed in the dining room. A crafts day was planned for Sunday, June 6, 1971. Mr. O'Kane would be resigning as custodian of the Glebe House as of May 31, 1971, and the committee was looking for a suitable replacement. Mrs. Courtney requested that any members of the Board submit any names of possible custodians.

A discussion then ensued concerning items of the Victorian Period which had been received from the Victorian room maintained by the Junior League in the Arts Center. The question was raised whether items 11

of this period were appropriate for being kept in the Glebe House, and, at the suggestion of Balms Van Kleeck, it was decided by the Board that the materials should be taken to the Adriance Library and deposited in the custody of Mrs. Powers. At the request of Mr. Gurnell, Mrs. Powers will contact the president of the Rhinebeck Historical Society, Mr. Peter Troy, Jr., to discuss with him the possible use of any of these items by the Rhinebeck Historical Society.

Mr. Gurnell reported that the Rhinebeck Historical Society is in vigorous operation, and has acquired two cannons which would be made available if requested.

Mr. Buck reported that the Town of Clinton has formed an historical society, having twenty-three members and the appropriate officers. On April 24, 1971, he was to deliver a lecture on "Researching your Old House" at the Little Nine Partner Historical Society. He also reported that the Lions Club was planning a Clinton Corners Committee Day in September.

The discussion turned to the various anniversary dates for the founding of Townships in the County of Dutchess, and Mr. Buck advised the Board as follows: the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Town of Pleasant Valley was to be celebrated on September 3rd; the 150th Anniversary of the founding of the Town of LaGrange was in the planning stages; and the Town of Hyde Park was also considering a celebration of its anniversary.

The president then reported concerning the water color entitled "Mill at Poughkeepsie Landing" which was being examined by the Board for possible acquisition. He advised the Board that the Poughkeepsie Junior League had decided that it was in favor of the acquisition of the painting at the sum of $300.00; this decision was made at the regular meeting of the Junior League and Historical Society Glebe House Committee held on April 21, 1971. On motion duly made, seconded and carried, it was RESOLVED that the check in the amount of $300.00 should be directed to Arthur H. Phillips to acquire the painting, and that the Board should discuss with the Junior League the Possibility of being reimbursed by the Junior League for a portion of the funds expended to acquire the painting.

Mrs. Mund announced that the Planned Parenthood League of Poughkeepsie was going to conduct a tour of historical houses in the northwestern part of the County, the most southerly point being the Anderson School and proceeding northerly to the Town of Red Hook. The tour was to be conducted on May 8, 1971 and tickets were available at various locations.

The president then brought to the attention of the Board the program for the fall pilgrimage, and the matter was discussed in detail. The 12

president stated that he had been in contact with Kenneth Hasbrouck, the president of the Huguenot Society and vice-president of the Ulster County Historical Society, to discuss with him a tour as follows: a tour of the Kingston stockade in the morning followed by a luncheon and followed by a tour of some of stone houses in New Paltz. Guides would be provided by the Ulster County Historical Society. A map of the Kingston stockade was reviewed, and transportation arrangements were discussed. On motion duly made, seconded and carried, it was RESOLVED that the society should continue discussions with the Huguenot Society and the Ulster County Historical Society to further investigate and complete tentative plans for the tour to be returned to the liktrard for its further consideration.

The president appointed a, committee to complete these negotiations as follows: Robert Breed, Walter Averill, Franklin Butts, Wyn Mund, Edmund Van Wyck and Lemma McGinnis.

A discussion then followed concerning the date and place of the annual meeting. The president stated that he had considered various sites including Vassar College, Dutchess Community College, and Ma,rist College.

The date would be Saturday, May 20, 1971. The speaker was also discussed.

The president then appointed a committee to consist of Mr. Van Wyck, Mr. Gurnell, Mr. Buck, and Mrs. Courtney to fix the place and time of the annual meeting and to choose a speaker.

The president then reported that he had received communication from the New York State Historian concerning Assembly Bill 4982, a bill designed to amend the Not For Profit Corporation Law and the Real Property Tax Law in favor of historical properties. The president stated that he had written a letter to Emeel Betros, Assemblyman, requesting him to support this legislation.

Mr. Averill then requested a report of the secretary concerning the operation of historical sites by the Taconic State Park Commission relative to the recent cuts made in the New York State budget. Mr. Cunningham, as a commissioner of the Taconic State Park Commission, then reported the fact that, due to budget cuts, there was serious question concerning whether certain sites would be opened, and the schedule of operation of those sites which would be opened had not as yet been fixed by the commission. A full report would be made at the next meeting concerning the sites which would be opened and the exact schedule of operation.

A discussion then ensued concerning the position of the Board and the Society concerning the operation of historical sites, and on motion duly made, seconded and carried, it was 13

RESOLVED, that the Dutchess County Historical Society, as a matter of record, urge that all historical sites in the Hudson River Valley be kept open to the greatest extent possible, and that the secretary be directed to advise the Taconic State Park Commission of this resolution.

There being no further business, and on motion duly made, seconded and carried, the meeting was adjourned.

Edward V. K. Cunningham Secretary

TRUSTEE MEETING SEPTEMBER 13, 1971 MINUTES of the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Dutchess County Historical Society held at the Glebe House on September 13, 1971, at 4:30 P.M. Treasurer's report was read and accepted, and a copy of the report was directed to be annexed to the minutes of the meeting.

Mr. Baltus Van Kleeck reported that the following named individuals have been proposed for membership, their dues have been paid, and on motion duly made, seconded and carried, they were elected to membership: Morna Moore, Robert Pierce, Rhinebeck Historical Society, Amenia Historical Society, George S. Flowers, James V. Forster, Ruth M. Hoyt, Mrs. Harry Huneke, Roland Vern Jackson, H. L. Jaycox, James L. Lumb, Mrs. John Losee, Marist College Library, Peter B. Van Kleeck, Nelson M. Tyrrel, Mildred B. Streeter, Leon L. Scott, Helena G. VanVliet, Mr. and Mrs. Alan McCornac, Dr. and Mrs. Sherman Hirst, Mr. and Mrs. George D. White, Mr. and Mrs. William R. Shirley, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Salvato, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Jones, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Connor F. Haugh, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn George, Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Fountain, Dr. and Mrs. Guy Cavallaro, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Buckhoupt, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Loren Straub, and Mr. and Mrs. David Hinkley.

The President appointed the Finance Committee as follows: Balms Van Kleeck, George Gill, and Edward V. K. Cunningham, Jr. A discussion then ensued concerning the establishment of a regular meeting date. On motion duly made, seconded and carried, it was RESOLVED that the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Dutchess County Historical Society shall be held on the first Monday of each Monday of each month at 3:30 P.M., at the Glebe House, Poughkeepsie, New York.

Mr. Ralph Van Kleeck then brought to the attention of the Board the matter of the items on display in the Adriance Library which have been donated by the Estate of Mrs. Carey. He noted that the trustees of the estate had examined the display and were somewhat displeased with the condition of the room. There was a need for additional display cases, cabinets and air-conditioning, and there were inadequate funds to make the necessary improvements to the display. He expected that the trustees would inspect the display again in the near future, and he felt that the 14

Society should request additional money from the trust to upgrade the display and continue the maintenance of the area in an appropriate style.

There was presented to the Board the request by the Little Nine Partners Historical Society of Pine Plains, New York to be listed in the year book as an honorary member of our Society. It was agreed that our Society would apply for membership in their Society and offer to them in return a membership in our Society.

Mr. Ralph Van Kleeck reported on the plans for the outing and the discussion ensued concerning the scheduled date, method of transportation, the program, and the various items which must be attended to in order to properly plan the event.

Mr. Balms Van Kleeck reported that the year book was proceeding in good order.

Mr. Roig brought to the attention of the Board a letter received from Mrs. Daniel Takacs relating to the preservation of the Oak Grove School on the Old Post Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie. It was decided that the President would call her and direct her to other possible organizations that could assist her in the restoration.

A discussion then occured concerning the various celebrations of townships in Dutchess County marking their 150th year. It was noted that the Town of Pleasant Valley and the Town of LaGrange were planning celebrations, and it could be expected that other townships would participate in these various programs.

There being no further business, on motion duly made, seconded and carried, the meeting was adjourned.

Edward V. K. Cunningham Secretary

TRUSTEE MEETING DECEMBER 6, 1971 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Dutchess County Historical Society held at the Glebe House on December 6, 1971.

The president reported that due to inclement weather, a quorum was not present. He also advised the meeting that the treasurer was absent due to illness and that the treasurer's report would be presented at the next regular meeting.

The president presented to the meeting communications which he had received. First communication concerned the appointment by the County Executive of a member of the Historical Society to serve on the Dutchess County Bicentennial Committee. The president advised the meeting that he had appointed Mr. John Jenner to serve in that capacity, and the secretary was directed to advise the County Executive accordingly.

The president had received a letter from Charles R. Dietz of the Adriance Memorial Library requesting that the Society consider donating 15

$125.00 to the Library for the acquisition of a cassette tape recorder. The president directed that this matter would be discussed at the regular January meeting.

The president then presented a second letter from Charles R. Dietz giving thanks to the Society for a donation of $2,600.00 to the Adriance Memorial Library for the renovation of the Dutchess County Historical Society quarters in the Library.

The president then presented to the meeting a report submitted by Baltus Van Kleeck, treasurer, on the pilgrimage held by the Society during the fall of the year. This report covered the costs and charges incurred by the Society in the conduct of the pilgrimage. The report further covered the estimated cost of renovation of the Historical Room at the Adriance Library and recommended an expenditure of $2,310.00 for the calendar year 1972.

Mrs. Powers made a report of the inventory as of November 1971 of the Dutchess County Historical Publications. A discussion ensued concerning the cost for reprints of certain of the books which were out of print. The president directed that an investigation be made of comparative costs by selected publishers for reprinting.

The president then discussed the prospect of preserving the City Hall in the City of Poughkeepsie. He advised that the building could be bought for $1.00 but the estimated cost for removing the building from the site would be approximately $250,000.00. In addition, it would be necessary to acquire land to receive the building and prepare plans and specifications for the removal and reconstruction of the building. It was his opinion and the concensus of the meeting that there was very little chance of saving City Hall.

The president also advised the meeting that WKIP had offered to put on from time to time 60-second spots relative to the historical significance of the County of Dutchess in general and certain specific sites in particular. It was the responsibility of the society to prepare them and transmit them to WKIP. The president appointed a committee consisting of Joseph Emsley, Baltus Van Kleeck, and Walter Averill to edit the material to be presented on the radio, and he advised the meeting that he intended to send a letter to all trustees asking for vignettes relative to Dutchess County not to exceed 60 seconds.

Mrs. Powers suggested that a quarterly news letter setting forth interesting matters from the minutes and other matters of historical significance be published by the Society and a discussion concerning this program followed.

There being no further business, on motion duly made, seconded and carried the meeting was adjourned.

Edward V. K. Cunningham Secretary

16

TREASURER'S REPO. T Year Ending December 31, 1971.

Checking Account, Dutchess Bank & Trust Company Balance January 1, 1971 Receipts $ 1,742.00 Dues Annual Meeting Luncheon 166.50 4,965.21 Wells Fund Transfer Adams Fund Transfer 1,753.76 $ 8,627.47

$ 3,253.92

8,627.47 $11,881.39

Disbursements Glebe House Maintenance Glebe House Furnishings Year Book Postage Fees Box Rents Dues Office Supplies Meetings Donations History Room Improvements inding Books Petty Cash Securities Purchased Miscellaneous Expense

$ 1,675.00 877.60 1,648.55 71.20 525.00 26.90 69.00 93.85 1,057.13 250.00 350.00 29.33 21.00 5,000.00 15.70 $11,710.26

Balance December 31, 1970

$11,710.26 171.13 $11,881.39

GENERAL FUND Balance January 1, 1971 ( Savings Bank Account) Receipts Interest

$ 4,884.40 $

248.80

248.80 $ 5,133.20

Disbursements None Balance December 31, 1971

$ 5,133.20 17

$ 5,133.20

HELEN WILKINSON REYNOLDS FUND (Publications) $14,307.56

Balance January 1, 1971 (Savings Bank Accounts) Receipts Interest Sale of Publications

$

839.83 523.87

$ 1,363.70 1,363.70 $15,671.26 Disbursements None Balance December 31, 1971

$15,671.26 $15,671.26

WILLIAM PLATT ADAMS FUND (Interest for Glebe House Support) Balance January 1, 1971 (Bonds at Investment Value) Receipts Interest

$25,022.18

$ 1,753.76

1,753.76 $26,775.94

Disbursements Transfer to Checking Account Balance December 31, 1971

$ 1,753.76 25,022.18 $26,775.94

18

$26,775.94

WELLS FUND (General Purposes) Balance January 1, 1971 Bonds, Stocks at Investment Value, Savings Accounts)

$100,220.68

Receipts $

Interest & Dividends

6,871.33 11.50

Sale of Rights Transfer from Checking Account

886.79 $

7,769.62

7,769.62 $107,990.30

Disbursements Transfer to Checking Account

$

Balance (Bonds, Stocks, Savings Accounts)

852.00 107,138.30

$107,990.30

19

$107,990.30

PRESIDENT'S REPORT During 1971, the Society has increased by 36 memberships. There have been 70 new memberships, and a decrease of 34, mostly due to death and transfer. With increases such as this the Society shows good health.

The pilgrimage, while a success for the people enjoying it, was unsuccessful financially. Next year other arrangements will have to be made; the indication being a modest fee to cover transportation and the noontime repast. It seems too bad that highly enjoyable events for the members have to take so much out of our treasury.

Speaking of the treasury, we are in reasonably sound financial being as of the close of 1971.

The Glebe House committee has been active in purchasing new furniture and trying to acquire antiques that will justly fit their home.

As we all know, "Landmarks" have been very active this past year and, while many good things have come from their activities, I think we have to watch that they don't become a super zoning agency. Their work locally, such as the "Union Street Project", while very commendable, has historic value that may be somewhat dubious. However, their interest in private development of this area should be helped in all ways by the private sector of the community. The building up of deteriorated old sections of a city, town or county cannot but help all of us, and make it easier for all to function as useful participants in today's community.

This year the Society spent $350.00 in renovating the History Room at Adriance Memorial Library and for 1972 has budgeted $2,800 for further improvements. This, I am sure, will be appreciated by the people who are employed there and the hundreds of researchers who use it for reference. For reasons that are not obvious, the City of Poughkeepsie failed to help as was promised. An educational program is evidently needed for our Board of Aldermen. Preserving our history and heritage so long as it does not impede our future is very important business, but some take it lightly and this shows a complete lack of understanding. We must all try to reverse this condition, needless to say.

I must conclude on a sad note. As this Year Book was just about to be completed, we were shocked to learn of the death of our editor, Baltus Van Kleeck. We have lost a valued friend and member and I wish to extend the sympathies of all of us to the Van Kleeck family. Please see on pages 24 and 25 our Memoriam for Baltus.

We sincerely appreciate the assistance of his son-in-law, Gordon Hamersley, who graciously stepped in to put the Year Book to press. We plan to create an official title of Year Book Editor and invite him to accept the post for the coming year.

Herbert S. Roig President 20

GLEBE HOUSE REPORT Glebe House has had another busy year with hundreds of students and friends visiting and enjoying its history.

In May, Jeremiah O'Kane, custodian, left for Ireland. We acquired the services of Robert Burnham, but were saddened at his death in October.

Theodore Rich joined us in November and, although he does not give tours, he is doing a fine job keeping the house clean and in order.

On June 6, 1971, the Glebe House Committee held a Craft Day from 1:00 to 5:00 P.M. Sixteen exhibitors took part and refreshments of lemonade and sugar cookies were served. About 500 people attended this event.

In the fall of 1971, a new Committee took over Glebe House duties and planned the annual Christmas Open House. This year, however, the Open House was held in conjunction with the Junior League Christmas Sale on December 4 and 5 and Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol was its theme. The house was visited by 882 people in those two days and the Glebe House Committee made nearly $400 in an "early attic" sale held in conjunction with the Christmas event.

With the fine cooperation of Mr. Nelson and Mr. George Pascoe, the following maintenance work has been completed during the year.

1. Painting the front hall, the master bedroom and the ceiling in Reynolds Room.

2. Repairing the window at the head of the stairs.

3. Erecting a fence along the east border of the property.

The Glebe House was very pleased to receive a cradle given by the family of Balms B. Van Kleeck. A complete record of the babies rocked in this cradle accompanied this gift.

Respectfully submitted, Nancy P. Straub Junior League Chairman and Jean B. Courtney Historical Society Co-Chairman

21

GLEBE HOUSE COMMITTEE 1971 Mrs. Lauren C. Straub, Junior League Co-Chairman Mrs. Paul M. Courtney, Historical Society Co-Chairman Mrs. C. B. Schmidt II, Secretary Miss Monica Gosse, Treasurer Mrs. Richard Temple, Special Events Mrs. Davison Moore, Public Relations and Publicity Mrs. H. Sherman Hirst, Ga,rden Club Representative Miss Valere Voorhees, Garden Club Representative Mrs. Edward J. Holden III, Restoration Mrs. David Petrovits Mrs. Albert J. Blodgett, Jr. Mrs. Herbert Van Benthuysen Mrs. Thomas Pelish Mrs. Robert M. Lawatsch Miss Judy Pierpont Mrs. Melvin Landis Mrs. Joseph A. Butler, Jr.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY REPRESENTATIVES Mrs. Warren Partridge, Jr. Mr. Herbert Roig Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Van Kleeck Mr. Balms Van Kleeck Mr. Edmund Van Wyck Mrs. Peter Mund

22

CURATOR'S REPORT The Curator has received letters requesting genealogical data from 31 states and Canada.

The portion of the third floor of the Adriance Memorial Library in which the Dutchess County Historical Society holdings are housed has been painted a lovely blue and new fluorescent lights have been installed.

This year the Curator has sold many publications including yearbooks as well as bound volumes. The supply of several volumes originally published by the society are exhausted. The Society has been investigating various companies that are qualified to reprint our books, but no decision has been reached.

Our holdings are at your disposal and we welcome any members who care to use the material stored there.

Wilhelmina B. Powers Curator Dutchess County Historical Society

23

IN MEMORIAM

Baltus Barentszen Van Kleeck 1901-1972

24

With profound regret, we announce the sudden death on January 27, 1972, of our good friend, Baltus B. Van Kleeck. He had been a member of the Dutchess County Historical Society since 1926 and had been a trustee for 25 years; vice president, 1959-1962; president, 19621967; and, at his death, was trustee, treasurer and editor of the Year Book.

Baltus Van Kleeck was not only interested in the history of Dutchess County, but he represented a significant portion of it. His family was among the earliest settlers in this region and the first stone house in Poughkeepsie was built in 1702 by Baltus Barentszen Van Kleeck who had been born in 1645 in Haarlem, the Netherlands. In the 1790's, his great, great grandson, Tunis, was purchasing from the Indians beaver skins which he converted into hats and sold. Thus established, the Van Kleeck's Men Shop was operated continuously by the family until 1960.

Baltus was also a descendant of the De Reimer family which purchased the now Glebe House in 1797, and he worked for its acquisition by the City of Poughkeepsie in 1929.

A life-time resident of Poughkeepsie and an outstanding member of its community, Baltus Van Kleeck had been trustee and president of the Poughkeepsie Savings Bank, president of the board of Vassar Brothers Hospital, trustee of the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, the second president of the board of the Poughkeepsie Day School, an elder and deacon of The Reformed Church, a member of Poughkeepsie's Planning Board and a member of the city's Bankers Financial Advisory Board. He was a member of the Holland Society in New York, a trustee of the Museum Village of Smith's Cove, Monroe, New York, and, at his death, had just been reappointed board member and vice president of the Adriance Memorial Library.

We will remember Baltus Van Kleeck as a man of depth, understanding, humor and unfailing dedication to his many interests and duties.

The Dutchess County Historical Society was fortunate, indeed, to be a part of Baltus' life and it will be ever the beneficiary of his energy, imagination and devotion.

25

IN BRIEF Point, New York, a Trustee of the Salt M. Buck of Mr. Clifford Dutchess County Historical Society, has completed a summary of Deeds and Mortgages of the original Beekman Patentor Precinct. A copy of the document has been placed in the Adriance Memorial Library, the Pawling Library and the New York State Library of Albany. The information contained in this very valuable summary includes the dates and prices of each transaction, the names of the persons making the transactions as well as others mentioned in the documents, names of witnesses, places mentioned and location by lot number when given. Each transaction is numbered and the entire work is indexed by number. Mr. Buck has made a very valuable contribution to the records of the County. * * * * * "Near Fishkill Landing, on the Hudson, the Cataba (grape) is raised with almost entire certainty every year on lands not distant from the river, and at a low level. At Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, S. B. Trowbridge produced $1,000 worth of grapes on one acre: Isaac Merritt and others in the same district, obtained results equally as good." Year Book of the Department of Agriculture for the year 1866, page 151. "Fruit Regions oic the United States. The Valley of the Hudson River." * * * * * Mr. Robert F. Burnhan, custodian of the Glebe House, died at Vassar Hospital on October 3, 1971 after a short illness. The members of the Historical Society extend deep sympathy to the members of Mr. Burnhan's family. He will be greatly missed by the many friends he made during his short custodianship at Glebe House. Mr. Burnhan's funeral was held at his former home in Greenfield, Massachusetts. * * * * * Did you ever stop to think that the names of diseases and the names of flowers are very similar? For instance, I might say: "Do come and see my garden. It is at its best now, and the double pneumonias are really wonderful. I suppose the mild winter had something to do with that. I'm very proud of my trailing phlebitis, too, and the laryngitises and deep purple quinsies that I put in last year are a joy to behold. The bed of asthmas and malarias that you used to admire is finer than ever this summer, and the dear little dropsies are all in bloom down by the lake, and make such a pretty showing with the blue of the anthrax border behind them." From the late Dr. J. Wilson Poucher's file "Gardens". * * * * * At the close of 1971, the Dutchess County Historical Society membership totaled 634 individuals and 17 organizations as Active Members, 35 Life Members, and 2 Honorary Members, a total membership of 688, a net gain in the year of 36 members. * * * * The History Room at the Adriance Memorial Library is undergoing renovation and improvements due to action taken by the Trustees of the Historical Society. During the year the Society had the History Room painted at a cost of $350.00 and have agreed to pay for new lighting as well as outlets for two window air conditioning machines. The cost of 26

this work is estimated at about $2,750.00. The History Room is used constantly by those doing research work. It contains a great many items of important historic value and it is important that this area is improved and made more comfortable for those working there. It is the opinion of the Society Trustees that air conditioning units are of great importance not only for the comfort of those working in he History Room during the summer months but also for the proper preservation of the many treasures on the shelves. * * * * * Three of the Publications of the Society are no longer available, namely: Vol. 3, "Records of the Town of Hyde Park, Dutchess County, New York"; edited by Franklin D. Roosevelt; Vol. 5, "Records of the Reformed Dutch Church of New Hackensack, Dutchess County, New York"; edited Maria Bockee Carpenter Tower; Vol. 6, "Eighteenth Century Records of the portion of Dutchess County, New York that was included in the Rombout Precinct and the original Town of Fishkill" collected by William Willis Reese, edited by Helen W. Reynolds. The Society is investigating the possibility of having reprints made of these three publications. * * * * * The City of Poughkeepsie has a total of 305.65 acres devoted to fifteen parks, 192.95 acres within the City limits and 112.70 acres in the Town of Poughkeepsie. The fifteen parks are as follows: Acreage Bartlett 4.37 Clinton Square .13 College Hill 97.63 Dongan 1.50 Eastman 10.85 Hulme .96 King Street 5.

Lincoln Center 6.00 Mansion Square 2.66 Pulaski 6.70 1.00 Reservoir Square River Front 9.40 Soldiers Fountain .40 Spratt (City) 42.50 (Town) 112.70 Wheaton 3.85 305.65 acres *

*

*

*

The Historical Society records with deep regret the deaths of the following members: Miss Ruth E. Barlow, Miss Anna S. Haight, Mrs. John Mulford Hackett, Mr. Carroll Rikert, Mr. Dominic P. Rinaldi, Mr. Theodore V. K. Swift, the Reverend Horace E. Hillery who was an Honorary Member of the Society, Mr. J. P. Jeanneney, Mr. Varick W. Stringham and Mr. Joseph A. Cassidy.

27

THE CLINTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY Organized March 16, 1971 During 1971, another Dutchess County Township formed an Historical Society making a total of eleven Town societies in the County. For several years, residents of the Town of Clinton had discussed the formation of an historical society and it is said the decision to organize took roots at a delightful old fashioned "Game Night" which took place at the home of Clifford Buck in October, 1970.

The organization of the Town of Clinton Historical Society occurred on March 16, 1971, when a good number of the residents of the Town met, adopted a Constitution and By-Laws and elected officers and trustees.

Mr. Francis Van Auken was elected president of the new Historical Society, Mr. John Adriance, vice president, Mr. George White, treasurer, Mrs. H. Fountain, recording secretary, and Mrs. W. Kershow, corresponding secretary. Mr. Howard Adriance, Mrs. C. Barker, Miss Ruth Hoyt, and Mr. Leonard Kinney were elected trustees of the Society.

It was explained by a member of the Clinton Historical Society that the main purpose of the Society will be the preservation and dissemination of historical information about the Township. The start of the projects came a few years ago when the Clinton Library started the collection of old papers, letters, clippings, maps and pictures which were donated by residents of the Town of Clinton. The members of the Dutchess County Historical Society were priviledged to learn about this porject when the Clinton Library was one of the stops during the 1970 Pilgrimage of the Society members.

Since its formation, the members of the Clinton Historical Society have participated in the Rhinebeck Historical Day celebration by supplying horses, buggies and drivers for tours of the Town. In September, at the annual Clinton Community Day, members of the Clinton Historical Society prepared a generous display of horse drawn vehicles and antique automobiles.

The Dutchess County Historical Society congratulates the founders of the Clinton Historical Society and stands ready to give support and encouragement to this latest addition to our historical group.

28

ULSTER COUNTY PILGRIMAGE OCTOBER 16, 1971

by Walter Averill

Just under 100 members of the Dutchess County Historical Society and their guests set forth on a pilgrimage in Ulster County on Saturday, October 16, 1971. This was the first pilgrimage held by our Society in Ulster County, and from comments of members, it was well enjoyed by all.

The first stop was at Huguenot Street in New Paltz. Here the group was divided into smaller numbers and at each house on the "oldest street in America with its original houses", guides led us through, telling of its history, architecture and furniture. Kenneth E. Hasbrouck, president of the Huguenot Historical Society, was everywhere to be sure all members of our Society enjoyed their visit. The excellent condition of each structure certainly warrants its distinction as a National Historic Landmark.

From New Paltz, the motor coaches took this group to the Old Dutch Church in Kingston. Highlights of the history of this church, which dates back to 1659, were reviewed. The "new" church was built in 1852, but the burial ground around the church testifies that the congregation has been there continuously for a much longer period. Here is the grave of George Clinton, first Governor of New York State. There is a unique monument at one corner of the property. Erected by General Sharpe in memory of his men, the deed for the land on which the monument stands was made out to the monument. Thus, it is not possible to transfer title and then move the monument.

Members then took their picnic luncheons to the Church's Sunday school where the Ladies Auxiliary served dessert and coffee.

The next stop was at the nearby Senate House and Museum, where we were cordially greeted by the Curator, Mr. Herbert Cutler. The stone building where our New York State Senate held its first meeting in 1777 was 101 years at that time. Built by Colonel Wessel Ten Broeck in 1676, it remained in that family until acquired by the State in 1888. The adjacent museum, built in 1930, contains many paintings by John Vanderlyn, an artist of the famed "Hudson River School."

From Kingston, the tour followed the "Old Mine Road," said to be the first inland road in New York. The first village was Hurley, another beautiful locality with pre-Revolutionary houses on both sides of the street.

The State government fled here when the British burned Kingston in 1777, but did not stay long and chose Poughkeepsie as its next Capital.

John Remensnyder, president of the Ulster County Historical Society, welcomed our group at the Bevier House in Marbletown, headquarters and museum of that Society. Here is a Victorian room and an early Federal room, as well as many Indian artifacts and other material. Of particular interest is the excellent collection of early farm tools.

The tour then led through Stone Ridge where there are also many early stone houses. At High Falls, the route crossed the once busy D & H canal. Remnants of the canal and cement mines and kilns were noticed along the road as the tour headed homeward. Adding to the pleasure of a very successful day was the excellent foliage seen everywhere.

29

WHAT DOES THE COUNTY HISTORIAN DO?

by Dorothy B. Alsdorf

Since I became Dutchess County's Historian, numerous people have asked me, "What does a County Historian do?" The answer is, "The County Historian does a myriad of tasks". The first official act on the part of your present historian was to notify the New York State Department of Transportation of a broken mile stone on Route 9 near the entrance to Norrie State Park. In passing the area several days later, I observed that the damage had been most effectively repaired. This was most encouraging to your historian, for, although it is the duty of the person in cha,rge of any road, town, county or state, to make such repairs, it is not always done.

Our thanks go out to Mr. Hart. It is essential that the County Historian be alert to the needs of the Appointed Historians within her jurisdiction.

It was discovered that one of the greatest needs of this group was to be instructed in a better working knowledge of the use of the records in the County Clerk's Record Room. Arrangements were made with Mr. Hautman and his secretary, Miss Helen Harden, most graciously gave an afternoon of instruction in location of documents, maps and other records kept in the Record Room. This has proven most helpful to all of us making the searches for information so often requested of us.

The formation of the Dutchess County Historians' Association has been of the greatest help in improving the communications among historians. Incidentally, the DCHA welcomes associate members from among the people of the County who are interested in history but are not Appointed Historians. A quarterly newsletter put out by DCHA Publicity Chairman Bea Fredriksen of Hyde Park, and also group meetings help the members of the organization a great deal.

Assistance from the Department of History by Dr. Lewis Tucker and Mr. Edmund J. Winslow is always available to those who seek it. At the annual meeting in May, held at Wappingers Falls, Mr. Winslow was a guest of the group. He spoke on several subjects, among which was the problem of old cemeteries. Questions were addressed to Mr. Winslow regarding more or less routine subjects which sometimes have a tendency to pose problems. These he answered most graciously. This assistance from the State Department of History is deeply appreciated.

Much of the historians' time is spent in research. With the Bicentennial of the American Revolution foremost, this historian has been spending a large portion of her research time studying the activities of such persons as the counter-spy Alexander Bryan, Abraham, Paul and Peter Schenck, Zephaniah Platt and many others having a Dutchess County background.

A favorite activity in which your historian indulges is the sorting and indexing of ancient documents belonging to Dutchess County. Although this work is fascinating, it is most tedious and demands much patience.

The handwriting of the people of the eighteenth century is anything but legible.

30

All Appointed Historians are the recipients of many requests for information pertaining to ancestors or places. Most of these come from out of the State. Some are intriguing and some are amusing. The majority are just plain matter of fact inquiries as to specific facts regarding ancestors of the inquirer. Some historians do not answer inquiries which do not enclose a stamp for reply. I try to do a, little better than that and, whenever possible, I find the answers. One person went so far as to remind me that I am a public servant and she expected an answer! She was sent an answer which included not only her requested information but a full explanation of the extent of an historian's responsibility as a public servant!

Well-kept files are an essential part of the historian's program. The historian often must improvise. In this case I find a wine carton makes an adequate, if not elegant, file holder. Wine cartons are of the correct size to hold file folders. For the County Historian, there must be a folder for each town, each city and each village within the County. In addition, there are folders for the State of New York, each County Historian within the State, each history affiliated society or organization with whom the historian corresponds, and endless other categories. Brochures and research sources occupy much space. It is a fond dream of this historian that some time in the near future a space in the county properties will be available for an Historian's office.

During the school year many requests for help come to the historian from the students at our local colleges. At least three of these institutions give a course in Hudson Valley or Dutchess County architecture. Fortunately my years as a class-room teacher are of assistance in guiding these young people to sources of reference on these two subjects. My dining room table is often the scene of a capsule course of one or two hours, showing pictures of building illustrating architectural types found locally and noting the identifying points of each architectural type. I offer unlimited use of my personal library in my home.

Among the speaking engagements which I have enjoyed was one at a local historical society which had requested "something on Strawberries if you can". The challenge was accepted and it proved to be one of the most fascinating assignments ever undertaken by this historian. Requests for talks on the subject of local history from scout troops and civic organizations are a routine matter. Scheduled for the winter months are a meeting with the Mahwenawsigh Chapter DAR and the local chapter of New England Women.

To keep informed on what is being done in the office of other County Historians, one must belong to the State Association of County Historians.

This requires attendance at two meetings per year. Due to poor communication between the Office of the Historian and other departments of County government, this historian did not attend these meetings. The County Historian is a member of the County Governing Board as is any other appointed officer and, as such, is entitled to the same considerations for traveling as any other member of the County board.

31

While the office of County Historian is not mandated by laws of the State of New York, the duties are so mandated! The County Historian is advised in a book, "A Quiz for Local Historians", which is distributed by the State Department of History, that "the County Historian must supervise and coordinate the work of Town and Village and City Historians within the county. There should be cooperation between all historians, including City Historians". To further this cooperation and to promote communication the DCHA was formed. In Dutchess County there are twenty townships. With the exception of Dover and Poughkeepsie, each town has an Appointed Historian. Dover was unfortunate in that its historian was forced to resign because of ill health. It is hoped that Dover will soon have a new appointment to that office. Sad to report there seems to be no encouragement at this writing that Poughkeepsie will ever have a Town Historian. Of the eighteen Towns having historians, sixteen of them cooperate to some degree. Fortunately, fourteen of those sixteen attended a representative number of our meetings. The two of the fourteen who do not get to the meetings make contact by telephone or letter and thus participate in projects. Your County Historian will be overcome with joy to see the day when we have one hundred percent participation in the History Program in Dutchess County. In spite of this reluctance to participate on the part of some, Dutchess, an original County replete with historical fact and lore, is going forward in the fields of research and in recording and preservation of her history. The Appointed Historians have just about completed short, up-to-date histories of their respective townships, and some of the Village historians have done the same. It will be the task of the County Historian to do this work for the non-participating historians and for the townships that are without historians. Are there any volunteers?

The same group that has written the histories of their areas has also indexed the material available in their local libraries on the subject of local history. You may well ask, "Will this work be available to the public?

The answer is, "Yes, indeed."

History in the closet is as good as no history. It is hoped that the histories of the towns shall be assembled in a book to be printed by the County. If this fails, we shall have to improvise. Historians are well experienced in making the best of what they have at hand, so I am sure that we shall have our book. The index of materials on local history can be done by mimeograph or possibly by a duplicator. When completed, each set of work will be placed in an area easily accessible to any interested persons. These places would include schools, libraries and Town Clerks' offices.

Two of our towns and one of our villages have this year celebrated anniversaries of the founding of their departments of government. These were the Towns of Pleasant Valley and LaGrange. The Village of Wappingers Falls was the only village having a celebration of its birthday this year.

The Office of the Historian of Dutchess County has a paucity of historian's records in that none beyond those of my immediate predecessor 32

have been turned in to the Historian's office. The blue book to which I referred earlier clearly directs that all items collected by the historian pertinent to the department of government and area which she serves must be carefully preserved and turned over to the succeeding officer. These items should be listed in an accession book and kept secure. At the close of each yea,r, the County Historian must submit a report to the appointing officer and the County Board of Representatives. A copy must also be directed to Dr. Leonard Tucker, the State Education Department, Office of State History in Albany.

Ideally, the County Historian will travel about the county visiting the historians within her jurisdiction, giving assistance and helping with any problem that the Town Historian may have. This first year has been an extremely busy one attempting to do first things first and has not permitted these visits. Should I continue in office next year, this visiting will be one of the firsts.

To conclude this report to my fellow historians and members of the Dutchess County Historical Society, I would like to leave the thought that this is a, great county, this Dutchess County. Let us continue to research, record and dispense the historic facts and lore of our County which is second to none.

33

THE NAMES OF THE STREETS OF POUGHKEEPSIE NOTE: The listing of the streets of Poughkeepsie in this issue of the Year Book is not complete. In many cases the Editor could find no reason for the name.

In some instances several opinions have been offered but none could be verified. The Editor hopes that the readers of the Year Book will help in completing the listing of the streets and the origin of the names.

Academy Street: Formerly Ragged Lane, Ludlow Street, Charles Street.

Changed to Academy Street when Poughkeepsie's first private school, The Dutchess Academy, was established at the corner of Academy and Cannon Streets in 1792.

Adriance Avenue: Peter Adriance built one of the first houses on the street shortly after it was accepted as a City street.

Albany Street: Originally designed as the road north to Albany.

Arnold Blvd.: Named for Judge Charles W. H. Arnold, one of the developers of the section.

Balding Avenue: Isaac Balding was the owner of the Northern Hotel in the area.

Bancroft Road: Honoring Dr. William Bancroft Hill of Vassar College.

Barnard Avenue: Honoring Joseph F. Barnard, Justice of the Supreme Court.

Bartlett Street: Honoring Charles Bartlett, Principal of College Hill School.

Beekman Place: Part of the Tower development. Mr. A. E. Tower had iron mines in the Town of Beekman, Dutchess County.

Bellevue Avenue: First known as Belle View Street, a beautiful view of the Hudson River.

Bement Avenues Bement was a brother-in-law of John and William Lent, the men who developed the area. They honored their brother-in-law by naming a street for him.

Boberick Road: The road was developed by Lois Rector and derives its name from members of her family, Bob and Rick.

Bridge Streets: There has been a bridge over the Fallkill for many years.

Brookside Avenue: The Fallkill flows along the thoroughfare.

Buckingham Avenue: Samuel A. Buckingham was a prominent member of the City, closely associated with Matthew Vassar in many projects.

Cannon Street: During the Revolutionary War cannon and other arms were at the present corner of Market and Cannon Streets.

Catharine Street: Named for Catharine Livingston, wife of Gilbert Livingston.

Charles Street: Early Poughkeepsie maps show that Charles W. Swift owned many acres of land in the area. When the street was made it was named in his honor.

Cherry Streets: There were extensive cherry orchards on South Cherry Street.

Church Street: Site of the original Christ Episcopal Church at the corner of Church and Market Streets. Church Street originally ran from Market Street east to the junction of Main Street.

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Circular Road: The street shape is an arc of a circle.

Clark Street: A very trusted employee of Mr. A. E. Tower who developed the section was named Clark.

Clinton Streets: Honoring the first Governor of New York State, George Clinton.

Clover Streets: At the time these streets were made it was popular to name streets after trees and flowers.

College Avenue: The road that led from South Cherry Street to Vassar College.

Columbia Street: This was a popular name for streets throughout the eastern area.

Conklin Street: Named for the Conklin family, prominent in Poughkeepsie's early days.

Conies Avenue: Named for Jacob Conies, land developer, banker and a prominent resident of Poughkeepsie.

Cottage Street: Cottage Hill School was located here.

Crannell Street: Bartholomew Crannell, a lawyer and owner of a large amount of Poughkeepsie property, left Poughkeepsie in 1776 and after the Revolution moved to Canada. He was an early settler at presentday St. John's, New Brunswick.

Crescent Road: It is crescent shaped.

Daniels Court: Robert Daniels built many of the houses on this street.

Davies Place: William A. Davies and his brother William L. Davies lived in this area. They were active in the establishing of the Church of the Holy Comforter and the street on which the church is built was named for the two gentlemen.

DeGarmo Place: Smith L. DeGarmo was a prominent merchant, the president of Luckey, Platt and Company.

Delafield Street: John Delafield, a manufacturer of carpets, was an owner of a large tract of land in present First Ward, Poughkeepsie.

Delano Street: Named for Jethro Delano who was a property owner in the area.

Dongan Place: Honored Governor Dongan of New York.

Dutchess Avenue: Honoring the Duchess of York.

Dutcher Place: Honored John B. Dutcher, Member of the Assembly from Poughkeepsie in 1861.

Dwight Street: Professor Dwight was a prominent member of the faculty of Vassar College.

Eastman Terrace: Harvey G. Eastman, Mayor of Poughkeepsie, was the President of Eastman Business College.

Elm Street: There were beautiful elm trees on the street and in the area.

Emott Place: Honored James Emott, Poughkeepsie's first Mayor.

Fallkill Avenue: Near the Fallkill.

Fitchett Street: The street was named in honor of a Poughkeepsian by that name who lost his life during the First World War. 35

Flannery Avenue: Named for Robert Joseph Flannery, one of the first Poughkeepsie men to lose their lives in the Second World War. Forbus Street: John Forbus was a prominent member of the Community.

Foster Street: David B. Foster, a prominent citizen, probably was the first dealer in coal in Poughkeepsie.

Fountain Brook: A small stream flowed in a south-easterly direction from the junction of Main and Church Streets and emptied in Vassar Lake.

Fountain Place: For a great many years a horse trough fed by water from the spring, the source of Fountain Brook, stood at the junction of Main and Church Streets.

Fox Street: Alcander Fox was one of the early land owners in the area.

Lots on present-day Fox Street were sold at public auction on September 1, 1894. Thirty five foot lots sold from $110 to $135.

Fox Terrace: Named for the developer of a large parcel of land between South Cherry Street and Lexington Avenue. He lived on Church Street near May Street. It is believed May, Edgar and Gray Streets were named for those Associated with Mr. Fox in the development.

Franklin Street: Honored Benjamin Franklin.

Front Street: Originally called West Street, then Navigation Street, and finally Front Street because of its proximity to the Hudson River.

Fulton Street: Named for Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steam boat.

Garden Street: The street or lane led to Postmaster McKeean's garden which was located between present-day Mill and Mansion Streets.

Garfield Place: Originally known as South Liberty Street, the name was changed to honor James A. Garfield, 18th President of the United States.

Gate Street: It was a lane which was entered through a large gate. Because of the unusually large size of the gate, the lane became known as Gate Street.

Gifford Avenue: The street was named for Nathan Gifford, a prominent citizen. He was a pioneer in cutting dyewood in the area.

Glenwood Avenue: Formerly Gregory Avenue named for Theodorus Gregory, a prominent member of the community in the middle 1800's.

Grand Avenue: The street was wider and "grander" than most of the streets of Poughkeepsie.

Grand Street: In early days of Poughkeepsie, Grand Street had a "grand view of the River and the hills beyond".

Grant Street: Honored Ulysses S. Grant, the 20th President of the United States.

Grove Street: The hillside was noted for its fine stand of large trees.

Grubb Street: John Grubb was a very prominent member of the community.

Hamilton Street: Named for Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury.

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Hammersley Avenue: A part of the James Hooker property, the street was named Hamersley Avenue honoring Mr. Hooker's son-in-law John W. Hamersley. The original and correct spelling of Hamersley is with one M. Hanscom Avenue: Joseph Hanscom was a developer of real estate.

Harris Street: Named for Joseph Harris who was the owner of the property known as Union Landing.

Harrison Street: Honored the 23rd President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison.

Henderson Street: A Mr. Henderson was a valued employee of Mr. Tower at the Tower Furnace, and Mr. Tower honored him when the street was planned.

High Street: This street crosses a relatively prominent hill with the land sloping downward to Mansion, Garden and North Hamilton Street and the Fallkill.

Hoffman Street: The street lead to Hoffman's Landing on the Hudson River. Martin Hoffman came to Poughkeepsie in 1755. The family had lived in Rhinebeck for many years.

Holmes Street: Obadiah Holmes was the owner of a large tract of land in the present-day South Hamilton Street, Dwight Street, and Holmes Street section of Poughkeepsie.

Hooker Avenue: James Hooker, a prominent attorney, owned and developed much of the property of the Hooker Avenue, Hammersley Avenue areas. Hooker Avenue was known as "Back Road to Fishkill", "Hudson Avenue" and the "Plank Road".

Hudson Avenue: Named for Henry Hudson, the explorer.

Jefferson Street: Honored Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United States.

Jewett Avenue: Dr. Milo P. Jewett was the first President of Vassar College.

John Street: It originally was known as "John's Lane" because it led to the residence of a man whose first name was John.

Kimball Road: Dr. Grace N. Kimball was a prominent physician of the City.

King Street: Andrew King was an owner of property in this section of the City.

Kingston Avenue: Honored Walter W. Kingston, prominent builder and contractor. Mr. Kingston was one of the developers of the Ruppert Park residential area of Poughkeepsie.

LaFayette Place: Honored General LaFayette.

Lansing Street: Named in honor of a prominent Poughkeepsian, Wallace Lansing.

Laurel Street: This section of Poughkeepsie was noted for its fine trees.

Lawrence Road: First called Hingman Street, it was changed to honor Clayton R. Lawrence, a Poughkeepsian who lost his life during the First World War. 37

Lent Street: The Lent families were owners of many acres of land in the present Fifth Ward.

Liberty Street: A popular name for a street in most of the eastern cities.

Lincoln Avenue: Old maps indicate this street was called Washington Street, later Jefferson Street, and finally Lincoln Avenue.

Linden Road: Linden trees grew in abundance.

Livingston Street: Henry Livingston was the owner of a large amount of land in the southwestern section of present-day Poughkeepsie.

Lown Court: Frank B. Lown was a very prominent attorney and banker in Poughkeepsie.

Mack Road: Named for John E. Mack, Justice of the Supreme Court.

Main Street: Originally called the Filkintown Road, Main Street commenced at Washington Street and ran, as it does today, eastward through the center of Poughkeepsie.

Mansion Street: The name came to the street because it contained many houses of "high quality".

Maple Street: As there are today, beautiful maple trees decorated the street.

Marian Avenue: John B. Marian was a developer of this area.

Market Street: A farmer's ma,rket was established in the early days of Poughkeepsie at the present-day corner of Main and Markets Streets.

Marshall Street: John Marshall was the owner of a residence and land in the vicinity of the present-day Post Office.

Mill Street: There were many mills along the Fallkill, especially at the head of Mill Street at Clinton Square.

Miller Road: Named for Harold Miller who started the development known as Cedar View Estates.

Mitchell Avenue: Charles S. Mitchell, a prominent citizen, merchant and one of the developers of Ruppert Park.

Monell Avenue: Robert Monell was a civil engineer who mapped the streets in growing Poughkeepsie.

Montgomery Street: Honored General Richard Montgomery who was a resident of Dutchess County.

Morgan Avenue: Mr. Morgan was a relative of the Lent family, the developers of the section.

Morton Street: Levi P. Morton, Vice-President of the United States, 18891893, under President Benjamin Harrison, and Governor of New York State, 1895-1896, was a resident of Dutchess County.

Mt. Carmel Place: Formerly Cataract Square, the name was changed when Mt. Carmel Church and School were built.

Muldowney Circle: Named for a resident of Poughkeepsie who lost his life in the early days of World War II, Frank Muldowney.

New Market Street: When authorized, it was designated as North Market Street. Perhaps it is too new to assume its proper name.

Noxon Street: Named for B. Da,vis Noxon who lived on the south side of Noxon Street near Market Street. He was a prominent attorney.

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Oak Crescent: The shape of the street, as well as the trees, gave the street its name.

Oak Street: As many other streets in Poughkeepsie, the handsome trees were recognized and the streets named for them.

Oakley Street: George P. Oakley was a mill owner and a man of many ventures in the early days of Poughkeepsie.

Oakwood Blvd.: The oak trees.

Palmer Avenue: Named for the Palmer family, owners of the land in the area.

Park Place: Near Mansion Square Park.

Parker Avenue: In former years, North Street. A prominent citizen, George Parker, owned land and lived in the vicinity.

Perry Street (north): Originally known as Long Row, then East Mansion Street and Bayeaux after a family who owned land in the vicinity, it finally became North Perry Street.

Pershing Avenue: Formerly East Mansion Street, it was renamed to honor General John Pershing.

Phoenix Street: The Phoenix Horseshoe Works.

Pine Street: The Pine family, Pine Hall.

Platt Street: Howard Platt was a prominent Poughkeepsian, President of Luckey Platt and Company.

Reade Place: The street was formerly Lafayette Street and renamed Reade Place for a family living in the area.

Reservoir Place: The City Reservoir is nearby.

Reynolds Avenue: Named for Thomas Reynolds who developed streets in this part of Poughkeepsie.

Roosevelt Avenue: Honored Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States.

Rosalind Road: Named for Rosalind Hasbrouck, daughter of the developer of the section, Ross Hasbrouck. She was the granddaughter of Frank Hasbrouck, prominent attorney and City Judge.

Ruppert Road: Jacob Ruppert was the former owner of the Ruppert Farms.

Smith Street: Gerardus Smith was the owner of a mill at Clinton Square.

South Avenue: The road to the south.

Spoor Avenue: Named for Lloyd Spoor prominent in the development of the Ruppert Park section of the 8th Ward.

Spruce Street: Many spruce trees were growing throughout the area of Spruce Street.

State Street: Most cities had a street named State.

Talmadge Street: William H. Talmadge was the owner of real estate in the area.

Taylor Avenue: Old maps of Poughkeepsie indicate this street was once called Prospect Street. Robert E. Taylor, attorney in Poughkeepsie, was honored by having the street named for him.

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Thompson Street: Judge Smith Thompson was a prominent attorney.

Tulip Street: It is said that the residents of this street grew the finest tulips in the City.

Underhill Avenue: E. A. Underhill developed and built in this section of the City.

Union Street: The street was the direct road to George B. Evertsen's Union Landing from Market Street.

Vassar Street: The home of Matthew Vassar was situated on the east side of the street where the Vassar Home now stands.

Verazzano Blvd.: Named for the explorer.

Virginia Avenue: Virginia Field was the owner of land in this section of Poughkeepsie.

Washington Street: Named to honor George Washington. Originally Washington Street ended at Parker Avenue. Beyond that corner, the street was known as The Road to Hyde Park, Albany Post Road and North Avenue.

Water Streets (North & South): Near the Hudson River.

West Winding: The street winds west from Loockerman Avenue.

Whinfield Street: The name of an early map maker and surveyor of Poughkeepsie.

Whitehouse Avenue: John 0. Whitehouse was a prominent manufacturer of shoes and lived on Hooker Avenue. The section known as Whitehouse Knolls was part of his farm.

Wilbur Blvd.: Daniel W. Wilbur, a Mayor of Poughkeepsie, was one of the developers of this area. He also planned the development which includes Wilbur Court.

William Street: In 1933 William H. Frank was Mayor of Poughkeepsie.

The residents of Jay Street petitioned for a change of name and suggested Frank Street. The Mayor did not approve of the idea, but finally agreed to using his given name William.

Willow Bend: Large willow trees are found on this street.

Wilmot Terrace: Named for Wilmot Shafer, the contractor who developed the section from Linden Avenue to Thornwood Drive.

Wilson Blvd.: Probably named honoring Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States.

Winnikee Avenue: At one time called Hudson Avenue. The Winnikee Mills were supplied with power from the Fallkill. Records indicate the Fallkill was called Winnikee by the Indians.

Wood Lane: James Wood owned a drug store at the corner of Main Street and Wood Lane. The narrow street was once called Slee's Alley, then Mechanic Street.

Worrall Avnue: The Worrall family was a prominent Poughkeepsie family. George Worrall was a well known attorney.

Zimmer Avenue: Nicholas Zimmer was the owner of property along the Fallkill east of Garden Street.

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THE VILLAGE OF WAPPINGERS FALLS CELEBRATES ITS CENTENNIAL

by Dorothy B. Alsdorf Dutchess County Historian

Early in 1968, a representative group of citizens of the Village of Wappingers Falls met for the purpose of considering the question "Shall we plan a centennial celebration in 1971?" An affirmative decision was reached and a committee was duly set up. This committee brought the celebration of the village's birthday through a glorious year. The first event was held in January of 1971. It was an evening of ballet presented by the Estelle and Alphonso School of the Dance. The presentation of the ballet was made in the Wappingers Central Junior High on Remsen Avenue.

An old-fashioned skating party was the next event. This was planned and given by Sister M. Patricia of St. Mary's School. Local firemen prepared the ice so that it would be in fine condition for those taking part in the skating. Students from St. Mary's prepared and served hot chocolate, coffee and other refreshments. This event was particularly pleasing to the long time residents of the village for it brought to mind the skating parties of olden days.

In May, a monument was erected and dedicated to the memory of Dan Brouthers, Wappingers Falls contribution to the world of baseball.

The speaker for that day was no less than the Curator of the Doubleday Baseball Museum of Cooperstown, New York. Relatives of Mr. Brouthers came from their homes far removed from Wappingers Falls. The Brouthers Memorial is in Veterans Park near the Little League ball diamond.

It has been customary for some years for the Lions Club to present musical and other cultural programs in the village park during the summer months. As their contribution to the Centennial, that organization erected a redwood and concrete band shell for the village which is placed in Mesier Park in front of the natural amphitheater. This is a most welcomed facility as it improves the acoustics of the place.

Our local firemen are always to be depended upon to do their share in making any project a success. As their contribution to the Centennial, they purchased and erected a fine granite monument embraced by a low brick wall to the memory of the firemen of Wappingers Falls who have served voluntarily to keep fires of the village under control.

This writer cannot refrain from expressing her personal opinion that the most meaningful project of all was that of the small group of ten to twelve year old boys who, through their own efforts, were able to have a new pump put into the well in Mesier Park. When this was accomplished, the water was tested for purity and now one is able to get a drink of most excellent, chlorine-free water while enjoying the other park facilities. These children really have a good feeling for their village, and have shown that, when permitted, the younger generation can truly act constructively.

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The "Big Day" was scheduled for August twenty-eighth. It was to be a Picnic in the Park, preceeded by a big parade. When the plans were laid, no one counted on a visit the night before from Dora. That tempestuous lady came and left behind tons of water in homes and in storm sewers.

All plans were cancelled for the day while firemen and home owners did some mopping up. The following day, floats which were to have been in the parade assembled in the park and prizes were awarded. The Wappingers Historical Society won the second prize while the first prize went to the local Campers Club.

Organizations which were to have prepared the food for Saturday came to the park on Sunday and set up their stands. One of the features was a Lost and Found booth manned by members of the Wappingers Historical Society. It was really a busy group!

Brewer-Mesier House was open for the purpose of showing the room recently restored by the Historical Society. More than one third of those visiting the Centennial viewed the restoration. It is regrettable that no more were able to see the house, but rescheduling meant that about half of the committee planning to help in the house that day were unable to be there.

Hopefully, with the coming of spring, a regular schedule for showing the house will be put into operation. Authorities estimate that over ten thousand people were in Mesier Park on the day of "A Picnic in the Park". A hearty thanks to all who made the Centennial a success!

Perhaps you are wondering about the background of this Village of Wappingers Falls. To try to tell the complete story of Wappingers Falls would be too much for our present purposes; therefore I shall touch only upon what seems to me to be most revealing of how we became a village and some of the factors which caused the village to develop.

Wappingers Falls had its beginnings as a community when it was used as a summer home for the Wappinges Indians. These people spent their winters in Massachusetts near Stockbridge. They came to the bluff above the Creek in summer where they planted their crops in the fertile fields extending for several miles along the creek. They harvested their crops in the fall, returning to Massachusetts just before the winter snows.

Tradition tells us that the first white man to settle here was a Dutchman by the name of Hoffman. He reportedly lived in a mud and stone house on the west side of the creek. When the Rondout Survey was made it included the land now covered by the Village of Wappingers Falk Today this village lies in two townships. The west side or Channingville is in the Town of Poughkeepsie and the east side in the Town of Wappinger.

Thus the east-siders vote in town elections in the Town of Wappinger and the west-siders vote in town elections in the Town of Poughkeepsie.

Through acquisition by inheritance, Elizabeth Skinner, wife of Rev. William Skinner, came into possession of a large tract of the Rombout Patent through her relationship to the Van Cortlands. The Skinners came to the Wappinger area intending to develop the land but for some reason they did not carry the project through.

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In 1738, the Skinners sold several hundred acres to Adolphus Brewer and his son Nicholas. Poor Adolphus did not have a very happy time while he lived in Wappingers Falls. His young daughter was bitten to death by rattle snakes in June of 1739, and a few weeks later, in early July, Adolphus was hit by a bolt of lightening and died. Adolphus Brewer was the first person to be buried in the cemetery behind the Zion Episcopal Church.

His father's death left Nicholas chief heir and in charge of the Brewer affairs. The Yellow Mill and a small stone house were already built at the time of Adolphus' death. It was left for Nicholas to build the Red Mill, the Yellow House, the Old Red House and the Brewer-Mesier House. This last was built, according to Clinton Clapp, in 1741. Helen Wilkinson Reynolds believe it was built 1740-1745. It is the one house of that vintage still standing and occupied. Nicholas Brewer was a successful miller, and he later became a builder of sloops. His shipyard was on the lower Wappingers Creek. He was commissioned by George Clinton to have seventeen ships ready for the Continental Forces. On one occasion Nicholas Brewer was rated as a Captain in the Militia. He served his country well as a spy for General Washington.

In 1775, the Mesier family purchased the Brewer house in Mesier Park and several hundred acres of land including the Yellow Mill. The Mesiers added to their holdings, acquiring the Red Mill which continued to operate long after the Yellow Mill. Benjamin Clapp came to Wappingers Falls from New York City, rented the Yellow House from the Mesier family as a dwelling and opened a factory where he manufactured mahogany veneer.

He later opened a textile factory when cotton was the raw product from which the cloth was made.

Elias Brown, with others, owned and operated a Comb Shop. Combs were made from horns of buffalo and steel, but with the lowering of tariffs on foreign imports, the Comb Factory was forced out of business.

The one enterprise which had its origin in Wappingers Falls and is still in business, although not now in Wappingers Falls, is the Sweet-Orr Company. In 1871, James Orr returned to Wappingers Falls from California whence he had gone to make and sell gentlemen's clothing. There he had found that his product was not in demand, for the men in California wanted working clothes. In Wappingers Falls, Mr. Orr persuaded his nephews, Clinton and Clayton Sweet, to enter into a partnership with him in the manufacture of a work garment that would cover the whole body and keep the soil of work from staining the clothing worn underneath. The Sweets were agreeable and the Sweet-Orr Company was formed. The first pair of coveralls, as they were called, was made on a home type sewing machine.

Mr. Orr took the samples to New York City, showed them to several business houses, and he was in business! The orders were so numerous that the new company had trouble filling them. The first factory rooms were in the building now occupied by the Popper Electric Company. This space soon became insufficient so the factory was moved to Mill Street where a new factory had been built for the purpose of housing the Sweet-Orr Company.

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The home of Sweet-Orr remained in Wappingers Falls until 1958 when the doors were closed. A few years later, the company moved its Newburgh plant to the south where the company had been located for several years.

Presently, the company has several factories operating in the United States.

The newest one was opened in Alabama last summer. There is much more to the history of Wappingers Falls, but space is not available for its publication. This article is only a brief review of some of the more significant bits of its history.

A brief look at Wappingers Falls today reveals that it is a modern village in spite of its old, well-kept houses. The streets are paved, the sidewalks are good and modern lights illuminate the streets at night. Residences are generally owned by their occupants and most of the home owners keep

A well-maintained, stylish old house in Wappingers Falls their properties in good repair. The sanitary conditions are good. Free garbage pick-up is maintained by the local government and fire protection has been well provided by the Johnson and the Garner Engine Companies. Fire hydrants located at specified distances from buildings provide a reasonable rate of fire insurance. Postal delivery is provided. There are four churches 44

within the village: the Roman Catholic Church is on the west side and on the east side we find the Zion Protestant Episcopal, Baptist, Presbyterian and United Methodist churches. Although there are no public schools in the village, there are three private schools. They are the Wappingers Falls Play School, St. George's School and St. Mary's. Children from the village who do not attend private school attend the Wappinger Central School System.

A police force of four full time and six part-time policemen gives protection to our citizens and guards their possessions. Grinnell Library provides the local readers with a wide variety of material, both fiction and nonfiction. Membership in the Mid-Hudson Inter-Library Loan System augments the supply of reading material when necessary.

At last census, the population of the Village of Wappingers Falls approximated 5,500. Several apartment complexes provide housing for many of these people. One complex includes two six-story apartment buildings.

In 1830, James Ingham came to Wappingers Falls and opened a mill in which cotton cloth was printed with patterns. This enterprise became a very big business. It changed hands several times, and with a change in ownership came the inevitable change in name. With the ownership of the Garner and Johnson families came the name Garner Print Works. The name of Garner is perpetuated by the Garner Engine Company and Mr. Johnson's name is carried by the S. W. Johnson Engine Company. These engine companies make up the firemen of the village. They are volunteers, but the equipment is purchased and maintained by the village government.

After being called the Garner Print Works, the mill's name became the Dutchess Bleachery. This company, in addition to bleaching fabrics, manufactured large quantities of sheets and pillowcases. In 1955, the Dutchess Bleachery, owned by Deering Milliken, closed its doors because of the failure of labor and management to reach a working agreement.

Presently, the former Bleachery grounds are known as the Industrial Park of Wappingers Falls and numerous smaller plants are in operation there. The Three Star Anodizing Company and the Kemp-Beatly are among the largest. The first of these above mentioned companies is self-explanatory in its name. The second company manufactures table cloths, luncheon sets, aprons and similar products.

Over the years, many changes in the customs of her people have evolved.

Standards have changed, but still Wappingers Falls remains, loved by those of us who have passed through the hard years of the Depression, two World Wars, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, sharing our needs and our sorrows, laughing together, crying together, knowing our neighbors as only people in a small village are privileged to do.

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PLEASANT VALLEY CELEBRATES ITS SESQUICENTENNIAL

by Elizabethann Albertson

Pleasant Valley's Sesquicentennial Celebration enveloped three evenings and two days with a unique mixture of history and hoop-la that could have only come to Dutchess County at Pleasant Valley. While 150th Birthday Parties were relatively common this year, the townspeople of Pleasant Valley set out early in the year to make theirs something special.

Some forty Town organizations as well as independent citizens banded together through a Chamber of Commerce coordinating committee. What they put together ran from 4 p.m. Friday, September 17, to 10 p.m. Sunday, September 19.

Better than thirty booths and displays opened Friday along with a children's carnival of mechanical rides. The main event of that evening was a free Teen Dance held in a huge tent on North Avenue in the center of Town. A group called the Stockade provided the music from 8 to 11 p.m.

Saturday's events opened at 10 a.m. with a Fair at St. Paul's Episcopal Church joining the festivities. One p.m. saw the highlight of the day, a Rededication Ceremony on Main Street honoring the Town. Speakers included Town Supervisor John Stewart, Congressman Hamilton Fish, State Senator Jay Rolison, State Assemblyman Emil Betros, County Executive David Schoentag, County Representative Calvin Smith and County Sheriff Lawrence Quinlan. Other guests included the Pleasant Valley Town Board and the supervisors of the Towns of Clinton and LaGrange.

General Chairman of the Celebration, Herb Redl, unveiled a monument to the Town, five feet of marble with the seal of Pleasant Valley engraved on it. John Reed, Jr., president of the Chamber of Commerce, hosted the event.

The remainder of the days festivities included the annual Pleasant Valley-Salt Point Day of field events for children and adults at the Pleasant Valley Recreation Park, a saw mill demonstration by Don Robison at his local mill, a Masons' dinner and a chicken barbecue at St. Paul's Church.

Little Miss (ages 5 to 8) Pleasant Valley was also selected. Local baton twirlers, the Valleyettes, entertained in the evening, followed later by the teenage New Frontier singing group. The evening ended with a free adult Tent Dance on North Avenue with music provided by the Russ Gilmore Band.

Sunday was marked by an All Faiths Service conducted under the tent on North Avenue. Pastors of all the churches in Pleasant Valley participated. The Reverend Marlin Stewart of the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, the oldest congregation in the Town, gave the sermon. An interfaith choir inspired all who attended.

At 1:30 p.m., the longest Parade in Pleasant Valley's history moved down Main Street from the Traver Road School to the Recreation Park,

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passing in review before some 3000 spectators. Six trophies were awarded: Best Adult Float, the Salt Point Ladies Auxiliary; Best Youth Float, the Pleasant Valley Cub Scouts; Best Adult Marching Group, the Pleasant Valley-Salt Point Firemen; Best Youth Marching Group, De Malay (Mason Youth); Best Horse-drawn Float, Debby Baldwin; and Best Color Guard, V.F.W. Judges were Mr, Denise Fecketter and Mrs. Jan Hooser of the Dutchess County Art Association, for the Floats and Sgt. Fitzpatrick and Sgt. Hutton, local Army recruiters, for the marchers and the color guard.

After the Parade the West Point Band and Frivolous Sal's Banjo Band gave performances, leading to the Beauty Contest for Miss Pleasant Valley.

Miss Nancy Cniger was selected the Town's beauty queen. The afternoon's events closed with a concert by the Connecticut Rebels band.

The celebration itself boomed to a close with massive Fireworks at 8:30 p.m.

The main committees behind the celebration included Herb Redl, general chairman; co-chairmen of Friday night, Andy Adinolfi and Mrs. Marian Drewes; Saturday night co-chairmen: Jack Moorehead and Andy Pink; Sunday co-chairmen: John Reed and Jim Moran. Cliff Andrews and the Pleasant Valley Jaycees coordinated Booths and Displays. Mrs. Pat Holt and Mrs. Marian Drewes co-chaired the Parade. Ken White was chairman of Fireworks, Haig Babian and Holly Panessa, the Beauty Contest, and Nick Freisitzer, the Saturday night dance.

Miss Dorothy Albertson and Joseph d'Aquanni coordinated school children participation. Art Levin coordinated publicity and event publications. John De Groodt took care of banners and much of the building of displays and booths.

Clifford Buck was historical advisor for the Sesquicentennial.

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THE. OBLONG MEETING HOUSE Quaker Hill, Pawling, N. Y.

by Mrs. N. Edward Mitchell* * Mrs. N. Edward Mitchell, the President of the Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Vicinity, was educated in Canada and France in Interior Design. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell live in an 1800 farm house near Pawling, New York, during the summer months and in New York City in the winter. Mrs. Mitchell does a great deal of volunteer work in New York, especially at the Brick Presbyterian Church, Bellevue Hospital and the Junior League of New York.

Almost everyone in Dutchess County knows that the Pawling vicinity is a historic neighborhood with many fine early American homes and sites where important events in colonial history took place. Not• many people, however, are familiar with the work of the Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Vicinity in preserving and maintaining these landmarks. The Society, which was incorporated 60 years ago on March 6th, 1912, owns the Oblong Meeting House on Quaker Hill and, with an extremely modest budget, exhibits and maintains this building, the Historical Museum in the Akin Library and historic site markers in this area.

Built in 1764 by the Quakers, the Oblong Meeting House is deeply interwoven with the history of the whole community. Before there was a Village of Pawling, there was a thriving and prosperous settlement on the Hill.

At the beginning of the eighteenth century, this area, known as "the Oblong", a scenic plateau approximately six miles long and two miles wide, was a part of no-mans land between New York and Connecticut. It was claimed by the Dutch in New York and also by the English in New England. The entire Oblong extended from Ridgefield, Connecticut to the Massachusetts border and when the dispute was finally settled, Connecticut gave this property to New York State. Three men from each colony were assigned as the surveyors and one of them, Nathan Birdsall, a young Quaker 48

came to the Hill with his wife and baby and became the first settler. Their second child was the first white person to be born on Quaker Hill.

When it was announced that the area had been given to New York, the Birdsalls were followed by several other Quaker families from the Purchase (N. Y.) meeting. This locality was ideal for these people, who wished to live apart that they might practice their own religion and follow their customs. As more families came in, and they prospered, the need for a Meeting House became apparent.

The first Meeting House was soon over-crowded and permission was granted by the parent meeting in Purchase, for the erection of the present edifice in 1764. The thrifty Quakers had wanted to build their Meeting House of brick, but such was the discipline of the Quakers that word was received that it should be built of lumber and the dimensions were to be "45 feet long, 40 feet wide and 15 foot stud to admit of gallerys". The actual cost was listed as £697.9s ( a considerable sum for those times).

There were seats for two hundred and fifty people on the ground floor and 150 more in the gallery.

The interior of the Meeting House followed the custom of many early English Meeting houses. The men and women sat apart, the men on one side of the middle aisle and the women on the other. The mens' side was separated from the womens' side by wooden curtains, which could be raised or lowered, so that the whole building could be one auditorium, with galleries; or the curtains could be so lowered that no man on the ground floor could see any women, unless she was a speaker on the "facing seats". The galleries were used for the young people and they also were separated so that no person in the gallery could see any one of the opposite sex; yet a speaker would be heard in all parts. The curtains could be pulled enabling two independent meetings to be held, each in its own auditorium.

It was the custom for the women to have delegated to them certain religious functions, at Monthly Meetings and Quarterly and Yearly Meetings, on which they deliberated before submitting them to the whole meeting.

It is interesting to note that the Quaker women were considered "equal" to the men, and great emphasis was put on their education. Although their main role was that of the housekeeper, as with other settlers, each family had a special room for the "teacher" and often it would be the eldest daughter of the family. This also is the explanation of the fine speakers at the women's meetings, although there was little intellectual exchange of ideas between men and women in the social sense and the exchange of ideas were usually confined to one sex.

In 1767, just three years after the building of the present Meeting House, the Oblong Meeting took a positive position in regard to slavery — One hundred years before Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, it was the first action on this continent for the abolition of slavery. The significance of this action by the people on Quaker Hill has gone unnoticed by many historians of the slavery question. It is recorded that the population of Dutchess County in 1731 was 1727 of whom 262 were colored slaves. By 49

1777 the last slave owned by a member of the Meeting was freed and the influence of this action was carried to the Friends Meeting in Flushing, N. Y. When the American Revolution broke out, the Quakers took a stand against the war. The Quakers as a sect strongly disapproved of war and physical force. Philosophically, they were pledged to a policy of passive resistance and most were Tory in sentiment. Therefore, when Washington's Continential Army took over the Quaker Meeting House for a hospital, the Quakers were reluctant to be of any assistance. They continued their worship at the home of a nearby Quaker and refused to permit the bodies of soldiers to be buried in the Quaker cemetery, but rather on the other side of the house.

The Quakers rule of simplicity and plainness was evident also in their cemeteries where no headstones were used to mark their graves. Thus we do not have positive proof of the number of soldiers buried in the cemetery which is across from the present Meeting House. However, in Washington's records there are several mentions of soldiers being buried on the Hill.

The records of those years on the Quaker Clerk's Minute Book are a disappointment. There is no mention of troops using the Meeting House, nor is there a record of the presence in the Meeting House of the "Tories" or guerrillas of the Revolution. There is a legend that suggests the Tories used the garret as a hiding place for men and supplies which may be the explanation of the "rifle ports" in the gables.

The Quakers had an excellent relationship with the local Indians and managed to live in peace with them. Thus the Quakers were stunned to be plunged into the very action of this Revolution and to be closely involved in the bloodshed, deprivation and horrors of a, war in which they had no desire to participate. They felt that this was a forcible invasion of the Hill and their privacy. However, one of the characteristics of the Quakers was their sense of hospitality and when Washington arrived in September of 1778, he was entertained as an honored guest and every courtesy was shown to him. His letters, written during his residence here, were all dated from "Frederickburgh", the name at that time of the western and older part of the Town of Patterson. His general officers were housed in the homes of various residents of the neighborhood, and his headquarters were at different times in the Reed Ferris House and the John Kane house.

This latter is on a site now within the borders of the Village of Pawling.

That Washington and Lafayette were also entertained in several other Quaker homes on the Hill is very likely.

It should be noted that the reason for the Meeting House being appropriated by the Army officers for a hospital was because it was the largest building in the vicinity.

The only official record is that of Washington's order, October 20th, that "No more sick to be sent to the Hospital at Quaker Hill without first inquiring of the Chief Surgeon there, whether they can be received, as it is already full".

50

The use of the building for a hospital continued three and perhaps five months. The Meeting House had not been voluntarily surrendered; its use was given grudgingly and not a matter to be recorded in the meeting.

It was characteristic of the Friends that they ignored it.

Many of those who at first were not interested in the Revolution later changed their minds and, after the War, life in the community returned to all of the normal pursuits. A few, who had felt strongly about their Tory ideals, went to Canada to live.

Each farm had to be as nearly self supporting as possible. New homes were built to house the married sons and daughters. Large families were customary. The Meeting House was the focal point of the community. Two services were held each week — one on Sunday or "First Day" and one on Wednesday or "Fourth Day". It was customary for the Quakers to dress in their "visiting" clothes for the services on "First Day". On the mid-week "Fourth Day", everyone wore their clean work clothes and hurried away as soon as the service was over. 'The Friends settled all problems of "well fare", business and government at these meetings. The rules of conduct were strict and violation was punished by expelling the offenders. The "First Day" was the social event of the week.

Eventually, stores opened in the neighborhood and, in 1838, a Post Office was opened nearby. The mail was delivered twice weekly on a route from Poughkeepsie to New Milford, Conn.

Although the settlers were all landowners and farmers, they also carried on other businesses successfully in their desire to be a self-contained community. There were hatters, tanners, pottery makers, millers, harness makers, a wagonmaker who also made coffins, a blacksmith and even a butcher who had no store but killed once a week and loaded his wagon and made the rounds along the Hill.

Of course, when the Harlem Division of the New York Central Railroad was completed in 1848 and the Village of Pawling developed seven miles away in the Valley, many changes were to take place on Quaker Hill.

The Quakers turned from farming to dairying and Pawling soon became one of the largest milk shipping stations in the State. With the increased interest in the village and the discontinuance of most of the stores on the Hill, the people went to the Valley for their supplies and the young Quaker girls were exposed to the young gallants in Pawling. The results, of course, were that many young Quaker girls married men of the Village and vice versa. Non-Quakers for the most part were "read out of the Meeting".

At about this time there was a growing discontent with the strict regulations and principles of Quakerism all around the country. In the Meetings in New York and Philadelphia a new movement was developing to liberalize these precepts. Elias Hicks became the leader of this new movement. He travelled around to all the Friends Meetings protesting against the strict dogma of the Quakers. Gradually, the schism widened between the thinking of the Orthodox and the more liberal minded and, in 1828, the Orthodox Friends left the Oblong Meeting and started a second meeting in another 51

building around the corner. The Hicksite Quakers continued their reformed meetings in the Oblong Meeting House. For some time, the two sections carried on and feelings were bitter. Actually, their differences were not to be resolved by the Quakers until the late 1950's. Eventually, the "Orthodox Friends", which was composed mostly of elderly people, disbanded when their members were too depleted by deaths to carry on. The Hicksites carried on for half a century until the 1880s when their meeting was "laid down".

It is almost a century now that the Meeting House has stood alone and unused except for a yearly meeting on the third Sunday in July. It is a dramatic monument to the early life of this community, beloved and treasured by all who live in the area and revered by the vast number of visitors, not only from other parts of this country, but many times from all corners of the world, who sign its guest book. Everyone asks the same question, "Why did it die out?" Perhaps the best answer was given by James Wood, who was quoted in an article in the Pawling Chronicle of July 14, 1933 — "As a church the Quakers here missed their great opportunity. As settlers came among them in increasing numbers, the Friends became very solicitous to preserve the strictest moral observances among their members. They withdrew from contact and association with the world about them and confined their religious influence and effort to themselves. The strictest watch was maintained over the deportment of old and young. Members were dismissed for comparatively trivial offences. Immigration further reduced their numbers. Hypercriticism produced disagreements among themselves. Finally, doctrinal differences arose which resulted in a disastrous separation into two bodies in 1828. They felt that a peculiar combination of circumstances placed in their hands was lost and their moral influence, high and pure and strong, was all that remained for them to give to the communities about them".

The people of Quaker Hill shared with the Friends the care of this ancient landmark until the 1930s when the Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Vicinity became its sole owner.

It is dramatically obvious that a building of such age has required many repairs over the years and the present Board of Trustees of the Historical Society has been conducting a "save the Meeting House" campaign for the last six months. As soon as the thaw begins in the spring of 1972, we anticipate that the work will begin. Major repairs are needed if this structure is to survive. Foundations, supporting members, window frames, shingles and roof are all "weary with the years". We are dedicated to preserving this shrine for the future families who may live in this lovely section of Dutchess County and for all those who come to visit on this charming Hill "mid-way between the Valley and the Stars".

Bibliography "Quaker Hill" by Warren H. Wilson "History and Traditions of Pawling, N. Y." by Jennie T. Green "Pawling Chronicle-Supplement" Friday July 14, 1933 Mrs. Fred Daniels, Historian of Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Vicinity for her help and encouragement.

52

ABEL PETERS OF CLINTON CORNERS

by Clifford M. Buck

In the Dutchess County Surrogates Office at Poughkeepsie, New York in file Box #263, there are fifty pages of documents in connection with the settlement of the estate of Abel Peters.

The first page starts out as follows: "Know all men by these presents that we, Sarah Peters, widow of Abel Peters, late of the Town of Clinton in Dutchess County, merchant, deceased, Smith Peters and James Marshall, all of the same place, farmers, and Abel Smith of the Town of Poughkeepsie, in said County, shipper, are held and firmly bound unto the People of the State of New York, in the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars."

The date is December 26, 1799 and of our Independence, the twentyfourth. The document is signed by the above four and witnessed by Samuel Starr and Gilbert Livingston.

The last page reads as follows: "Dutchess County LS. Be it remembered that on the first day of September 1803, personally appeared before me, Gilbert Livingston, Surrogate of the County, aforesaid Sarah Peters and Smith Peters, administrators of Abel Peters deceased, and being duly sworn on their respective oaths declared that the preceeding writing contained in twenty-four half sheets pieced together, and paged to 31 pages and figured at the foot of the thirty-first page by them the deponents, contains a true and perfect and just account of all their receipts, payments and disbursements for or respecting the estate of said Abel Peters, and of their administration of Said estate."

Gilbert Livingston, Surrogate From several sources we were able to learn some facts about Abel Peters. There is a book on the Peters Family by Martha Bockee Flint. From its Pages 7, 82, and 83: Dr. Charles Peters married Mary Hewlett and his Will was proved 1733. They had a son, George, who married Sarah Smith. She married for her second husband, Ahasuerus Ellsworth. George and Sarah had the following children: Abel, Mary, Richard, Jerusha Charles, Maurice Smith, Hewlett, George, Ruth, Sarah, Samuel and Jemima.

Abel Peters was born March 26, 1750 in Queens County, Long Island and died November 26, 1799 at Clinton Corners, New York. He married in 1770 Sarah Welling, born September 25, 1751, died December 16, 1823.

He was an inn-keeper, farmer and trader. He built a brick house in 1792 known as his mansion house. Their children were: Smith, William, Richard, George, Mary, Jerusha, Jemima and Abel Smith.

Sarah Peters' Will is at Dutchess County Surrogates Office in Liber G, page 99. It is made out June 3, 1821 and proved November 18, 1824. Her residence is Town of Stanford. She lists following heirs: Jerusha Haight, wife of Jonathan Haight; Sarah Bedford, wife of Jonathan Bedford; Jemima 53

Badgley, wife of Jonathan Badgley; Abel S. Peters; Smith Peters deceased.

She names Jonathan Haight executor.

In the Crum Elbow tax lists for 1771, page 50, there is a George Peters. There are no deeds to record how Abel Peters obtained property, but in the Surrogates documents there is reference to at least five farms: Mansion or Homestead Farm; the Sawmill or Mill Farm; the Pond Farm; the Scott and Nelson Farm; the Johnston Farm. The first recorded deed that mentions Abel Peters is Liber 14, page 519, April 15, 1776: Abel Peters to Jonathan Hoag and Paul Upton for ten pounds in Lot 4 of Great Lot 5, two acres.

Liber 158, page 400, May 21, 1870 refers to this same transaction, apparently to clear the title for the Trustees of the Creek Meeting or Stone Meeting House.

Another deed Liber 14, page 517, June 15, 1781: Abel Peters to Paul Upton and William Carpenter, £15 in Lot 5, one acre. Presumably this covers the property now occupied by Upton Lake Grange and by the Clinton Corners Friends Cemetery Association. The Peters Cemetery Plot is located in this cemetery, northwest of the Grange Hall, immediately west of four large oak trees. It is surrounded by an iron railing.

Four of the five farms can be located from the following deeds and mortgages: Mortgage Liber 10, page 129, October 9, 1804 Smith Peters to George Badgley, £10,000.

1. The Mill or Sawmill farm of 150 acres: This farm now owned by Joseph Sinnott and is about one mile Northwest of Clinton Corners on Schultzville Road. In Mortgage 10:573 August 1, 1805 this was mortgaged to Hewlett Peters.

2. The 189 acres east of Upton Pond: Very likely this is the Pond Farm and would be about one mile north of Clinton Corners. In deed 24:298 May 1, 1801 it was sold by Smith Peters and Phebe to Jeremiah Sherrill for £756.

3. The Homestead Farm of 106 acres, where the Mansion House stands, is adjacent to and north of the Meeting House and Cemetery. At one time it was known as the Musicians Home and now is a two story apartment house. In deed 19:464 April 16, 1806, it was sold by Smith Peters, Executor to Jonathan Haight for £2700.

The Johnston Farm is probably halfway between Clinton Corners and Salt Point near the present intersection of Hollow Road and Salt Point Turnpike. Mortgage Liber 10:133, October 8, 1804: Smith Peters and Phebe to George Badgley, one parcel of 100 acres and one of three roods where Smith Peters House now stands. Mortgage 11:406, September 25, 1806: George Badgley and Elizabeth and Smith Peters and Phebe to Catherine Van Vranken of Fishkill. Mortgage 11:410, September 25, 1806: Smith Peters and Phebe and George Badgley and Elizabeth to Matthew and 54

Jacob Van Benschoten. These two mortgages include the 100 acres and the three roods and also two other parcels located farther west. Mortgage 13:93, June 5, 1808: William Johnston and Hannah to Matthew and Jacob VanBunschoten. This is the parcel of 48 acres next to the above 100 acres and three roods, and mentions being next to the house of Smith Peters.

To return to the fifty page document, the first few pages I have numbered 0; 0.1; 0.1a; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4. These pages appear to deal with continued operation of a store. There is reference to paying taxes on his different farms. There are dealings with a number of business firms, such as 9 barrels of pork and 9 barrels of beef from I. Parsons and Sons for £85 10s; Brent and Burn; Lyde Rogers and Company; Gain and Ten Eyck; Thomas Pearsall and Son; Andrew Cock and Company.

Freight and expenses 66 barrels Beef in New York 2 Bushels clover seed 1 Tierce of flax seed (A tierce is 42 gal. cask, larger than a barrel smaller than a hogshead) 14 Firkins of lard (A firkin is lA bbl.)

3 Firkins butter 45 hogs 10 Cheeses 198 Gammons (A gammon is a salted or dried ham or side of bacon) 180 Bushels of wheat 220 Bushels of wheat 5 Tierces tallow in the cake

£145, 12's. £8.

6's.

£35.

9's. £75, 16's.

10's. £31, 6's. £31, 15's. £5, 10's. £210.

After the above pages there are thirteen pages labeled: "The Estate of Abel Peters" with a companion page "Per Contra" which I have labeled "A". These transactions are with many people for various items: Cash Cash Cash Cash Cash Cash Cash Cash Cash Cash Cash Cash

paid for a search warrant for stolen hams paid Joel Adsitt for brick in year 1799 Nov. 10 paid John Rainous for mason work paid for expenses when collecting debts paid Mattias Spencer weaving and sawing paid for thrashing rye for harvest work paid Joshua Badgley going northward and westward and expenses paid Palen for freight on board sloop President paid Thomas White for carting a load of wheat to Poughkeepsie in settlement with Jacob Smith, hatter paid Haywood Tompkins for grinding wheat 55

1's-6'd.

7's-6'd. £1, 10's-3'cl. £11, 6's-3'd.

El, 4's.

1's. £3, £20. £10. £10. £34, 0-6'd. £24, 15's.

Cash for pork barrels, flour barrels, firkins, cooper work 10 days Anthony G. Badgley and horse, collecting debts £4.

Cash paid John M. Thurston as auctioneer These were some of the items that were paid in cash.

7's-2'd.

There were also many notes and some loan office payments. Pages 14 and 15 were for Notes Desparate dating from 1782 to 1802.

Pages 16, 17, 18 were for Sealed Obligations dating from 1787 to 1803. Pages 19-30 are Book Accounts Desparate. Page 31 are Notes in suit.

In the accounting there are several sets of figures. On page 0.2 there is a set of figures that indicates paid out £2,300, 13's-7'd. and the accounts due of £3,565, 17's. There follows a number of pages, one is labeled "The Estate of Abel Peters Dec'd." The opposite page is labeled "Per Contra."

When summed up at the end the Estate page totals £5,064, 14's-10'd. This page seems to be expenses, the Per Contra page probably income and totals £3,816, 12's.

There follow several pages of notes and sealed obligations disparate which total £2,975, 0's-1112/ 'd, and another page of notes in suit which total £1,174, 5's-9'd.

As the names on these pages probably represent many or most of the people living in the Clinton Corners area around the 1800 period, I have made an alphabetical list of these names with the number of the page on which they appear.

The 1800 census was published in Volume 67 of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. I arranged the towns of Clinton, Washington and Stanford alphabetically and compared them with the Peters list. Whenever I found a name in the Census I have placed the initial c, w, or s in front of the name. Hence the names without an initial would be of additional individuals not found in the census, some of whom may have lived beyond the radius of these three towns.

INDEX ABEL PETERS ESTATE These documents contained five pages which I have numbered 0; 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4 and also pages 1-31.

I have placed a small c, w, or s in front of a name if it also appears in the census of Clinton, Stanford or Washington.

Ackert, Adam Ackley, John Acord, Andrew s Adsitt, Joel Alger, Jonathan

Page 14, 23 17 25 5 21

Allen, Allen, Allen, c Allen, Allen, 56

Esq. Guideon John D. Walter Wilson

Page 5, 8, 10, 10a 31 8 10 2

c c

w

c c c

c

c c

c s

Page 21 Arne, Philip 23 Asten, Oliver 28 Ayres, Samuel 22 Ayres, Richard 22 Ayres, Thomas 0.1; 12 Badgley, Anthony Badgley, Joshua 8 Baldwin, Murray L. 16,26 Baldwin and 16 Sutherland 21 Banks, Thomas 26 Barber, Mary 26 Barber, Moses 24 Barker, Francis 15 Barlow, Daniel 20 Barnet, Unis 26 Barnhart, Nicholas 31 Barton, Amos A. 24 Barton, James 19 Batte, Robert Beadle, Joseph 2,29 27 Beam, George 31 Bedford, Jonathan 7 Bedle, Daniel 27 Bell, Abraham 11 Bell, Jesse Esq. 27 Bell, Jesse 15 Bell, Robert 29 Benia, Peter 20 Bennet, General 26 Berrian, Peter 21 Bishop, Daniel 23 Bishop, John 26 Bishop, Joshua 14 Blackman, Cain 14, 23 Blakely, Jesse Bloom, Isaac 5 10 Bloom, Judge 29 Bloom, Silvester 6 Bogardus 13 Bogardus, William 22 Bonker, James 0.1a Brett & Burn 4,11 Briggs, Benjamin 29 Briggs, Jonathan 24 Briggs, Lydia 22 Briggs, Mary

c c s

c

s c c s

57

Brooks, William Brown, Ransford Brown, John Bucknum, Amasa Bucknum, Rupert Bud, Daniel Bugbee, Jeremiah Bugby, George Bullock, Coomer Bundy, William Burger, Jacob Burger, Martinus Burley, Joseph Burn & Brett Burtis, Joseph Burtis, William Bush, Jacob Buyse, Aurie

Page 29 25 24 3,31 21 20 4 24 4,7 25 8,20 19 23 0.1a 28 20 26 11

Cain, Yoast 24 Camp, 11 Camp, Aaron 8 16,20 Cane, Isaac Canfield, William 27 Cantillon, Richard D. 0.1a Carman, Joshua 16,20 Carman, Lott 30 22 Carpenter, Mary Carpenter, Samuel 5 Carpenter, William 27 24 Carroll, Jacob Carsca,dden, Wm. 8 22 Case, Sarah 19 Case, William Cashow, John 27 Cashow, Ramson 19 Chambers, Joshua 16 26 Chapman, David 27 Chatterton, James 20 Cheak, Christian 21 Clapp, Henry Jr. 20 Clapp, John 15 Clapp, Josiah Jr. 23 Clark, Benona 28 Clark, Samuel 19 Clearwater, Philip Clinger, Philip 24

s w w c

c

Page 25 Coate, John 26 Coate, William 0.1a Cock, Andrew Cock, Andrew & Co. 0.1a, 9 21 Cocks, Simon 5 Coleman, Elihu 4 Coleman, Jethro Conklin, Timothy 31 19 Cooly, James 22 C(x)nly, John 8 Come, ,Gideon 4,11 Cornelius, Sam 27 Cornell, Aspinwall 16 Cornell, Benjamin 24 Coslin, Martha Cotgreave, William W. 15,19 20 Crandal, Israel 8 Crapser, Bosteon 23 Cronkhart, Peter 4 Cronkhite, Anthony 23 Cross, Amoss 16 Cross, Joshua 23 Cuff, Seamans 26 Curtis, Tertus 19 Cuthburt, Benjamin 14 Cuthbert, John

s c

c c c c c s c

c s c c

23 Daggot, Thomas 20 Darren, Francis Darren, Luke 14,23 24 Darrin, John 26 Davis, James 0.1 Davis, John 26 Davis, Mary Davis, Ric'd 11 16 Davis, William 0.1 Dean, Alexander 21 Dean, Robert Deck, Sarah, widow 6 Delboras, Humphrey 6 DeLaVergne, Benj 7 Demott, John 21 Dennison, James 26 0.1a Deuell, I s, w Deuel, Jonathan 7 Devine, Abrm 13,0.2

Page 21 Dewitt, Exekiel Deyo, Peter 27 26 Dibble, Hutton 31 Doherty, Gilbert 22 Doil, John 30 Donaldson, Robert Donolson, John 31 10, 12 Doty, 14,25 Doty, Abraham Doty, Elias 2,29 Doty, Isaac 5 Doty, Jacob 27 20 Doty, Joseph 12 Doty, Ric'd 0.1, 4, 7 Doty, Samuel Doty, Solomon 17, 19 22 Doughty, George 13,20 Doughty, Joseph Doughty, Stephen 14, 20, 31 Doughty, 29 William Sr 29 Drake, Joseph 17 Drake, William W. 14 Dubois, Lewis 21 Dunham, Ephraim 4 Dunham, John Dunkin, Solomon 7, 8, 29 15 Dusinberry, Henry Dusenbury, Totton 2 Easter, Pots Easton, John Ellsworth, Ahas & Ahashuorus

25 23

Falls, James Filkins, Henry Filkins, Langdon Filkins, William Finch, Joseph Fitch, Peter Finkel, John

21 23 19 25 14 27 18

0, 0.1a, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13 28 Esopus, Bennet 2 Event, Nehemiah Everson, George B. 0.2, 13 0.1 c Everson, Jacob

58

Finkle, Mary Finkle, William Fitch, James Ford, Fuller Forman, Jacob Forman, Joseph c Forman, Paul Frank, negro Free, John Freligh, Henry c Frost, Zophar Gage, Joseph Gain & TenEyck Gardner, Henry Gardner, James Gardner, Jeremiah Gardner, William Garner, Thomas Gazely, Benjamin Gazely, John J. Gazely, Moses Gauze, John Gerald, Jacob F. Germond, Isaac w, c Germond, Peter I. Germond, John I. Germond, Silas Glasher, Garhard Gowers, John Gozlin, Elisabeth Gozlin, James Gozlin, John Grant, John Grant, Joseph Grant, Thomas Grant, William Green, Timothy Griffin, Edward Griffin, Isaiah Griffin, Jacob Griffin, James Griffin, Joseph Gritman, Thomas Gross, George

Page 24 24 25 21 25 4,5 21 25 17 24 28

w

s w c w

14 0.1a 26 24 24 5 20 30 8 19 19 21 0.1a, 6, 8, 11, 12 29 21 28 7 17 25 17 17 26 26 22 19 22 19 5 25 17 22 27 20

c, s w w

w

s

c 59

Page 10 Haddock, Henry 24 Hagadon, George Haight, Benjamin 23 Haight, Daniel 16 Haight, Henry 19 Haight, Isaac 28 Haight, Jesse 26 Haight, Jonathan 31 14 Haight, Samuel 23 Haight, Stephen Hallock, Edward 5 Hallock, Gershom 5 Hallock, Isaac 4, 11, 29 Hallock, Joshua 11 Hallock, Moses 7 Hallock, Peter 0.1a, 5,31 11 Hallock & Johnston 29 Hambleton, John 14, 22 Hammill, Robert 4 Hammon, Coziah 20 Harris, Jacob 26 Hart, Jack 2 Hart, Philip Hart, Samuel 23 22 Harven, Thomas 7 Haul, Benjamin Haul, Uriah 3,4 Hauver, Frederick Jr. 9, 27 19 Hauver, Isaac 28 Hauver, Jacob 20 Hauver, Zachariah 20 Hawkins, William 19 Hays, Moses 20 Haysworth, George Haydock, Henny & 0.1a Henry deed.

Head, George 25 25 Henion, Seamans 22 Henry, negro 15 Herby, John 22 Herrick, Ezekiel 29 Herrick, Israel 3, 17, 29, Herrick, Josiah 30 27 Hiatt, Stephen 29 Hicks, Joseph 7 Hicks, Samuel

s s s

s s s

Page 25 Jackson, John 14,24 Jackson, Peter 0.1,3,8 Jackson, Samuel 24 Jeacock, Benjamin 15 Jersey, John 17 Jersey, Henry 12 Johnson, David 16 Johnson, Sampson 5,7 Johnson, William 7 Johnston Johnston farm 0.1,9 5,8 Johnston, David 28 Johnston, Jacob 21 s, c Johnston, John 8,10 Johnston, Wm. 11 Johnston & Hallock 8 Johnston & Tarbell 25 Joseph & Anders 25 Joslin, Thurston

Page 29 Hildreth, David 17 Hildrerh, Noah 19 Hill, Bartholomew 22 Hinion, Mulford 19 Hirrom, Adonijah 29 Hix, Abraham 15 Hix, Stephen 17 Hix, Mordecai Hoag, Abraham 3 24 Hoag, Benjamin 8,15 Hoag, David 0.2 Hoag, Elijah Hoag, Henry 3 27 Hoag, Sara Hoag, William 17 20 Hoag, William Jr. 26 Hogebome, Jacob 21 Hoagtaling, Isaac 22 Hoghtaling, Peter Hollander, 21 John Seamans Homestead Farm 9 19 Hopi, Thomas Horver or Houver, 0.1 Frederick ( See Hauver) 19, 31 Hoskins, Shadrack 8 Hull, Henry 0.1,8 Hull, John 7 Hull, Tideman Huddlestone, John 19 Huddlestone, Nicholas 27 Humphrey, Henry 16,23 Humphrey, John 23 Humphrey, Sarah 28 23 Humphrey, Thomas Husted, Peter 27 20 Husted, Stephen Hutchinson, William 26 Huxafor, Thomas 6 Huxford, Thomas 18

c Ingham, Samuel

9,29

Jack, negro Jaaa, David Jackson,

19, 25, 26 25 7 60

Keese, Sarah Kinne, Didymus w Knapp, Isaac Knapp, Silas Knickerbocker, —

23 16 17,23 26 1

Lake, Abraham Lake, James Lake, John Lake, John Jr. Lake, Wm. Landers, Eliphalet Lane, Josias Lane, William Langdon, Silvester s Lapham, David Lapham, John Lason, Micage Lasson, James Lawrence, Joseph Lawrence, John Lawrence, John son of John c Lawrence, Richard Lester, Catherine Lester, Enoch Lester, Mary

24 23 25,27 16 10,30 22 14,26 20 19 28 14 4,17 29 30 26 23 10 24 24 5

Lewis, Jabish Liscum, Abigail Liscum, Samuel Livingston, Gilbert Loan Office, Old Loan Office, New Losee, Elizabeth c Losee, John Lott, Isaac Lounsberry, Isaac Luther, James Lyde & Rogers c Lyon, Elnathan

Page 14 Miller, Za,dock 30 Minard, Stephen Minihard, Michael 20 Mitchel's Ricd negro 27 c Mitchel, Thomas 7 Montgomery, John 16,28 22,24 Moore, John 15 More, John 23 More, Thomas 20 Morgan, William 20 Moriquot, Jacob 0.1a Morris, Jacob est Mosher, Absolom 6 Mosher, John 0.1 29 Mosher, Richard Mosher, Thomas 5 Mountain farm 8 27 Murfv, Thomas

Page 25 27 31 0, 0.4, 32 0.1a 0.1a 19 15 22 19 4 8,9 29

w Macomber, John 7 28 Mahan, Patrick 26 Mansfield, Michael 15, 16,21, c Marshall, Charles 29 0,21 c Marshall, James 28 c Marshall, Nehemiah 26 Martin, Charles 21 Martinus, Robert 31 Marvin, Joseph 28 Marvin, John 29 Mastin, Elisha 25 c Mastin, Samuel 25 McCarte, Nicholas 10 McCord, — 10a McCord, Frederick 26 s McDonald, John 26 McDowel, John 4,7 McDowel, Wm. 23 s Mead, Daniel 25 Mead, Elisha 24 Mead, William 29 Melona, Briant 21 Merritt, William 24 Miller, Adonijah 26 Miller, Benjamin 26 Miller, Eleazer 19,30 Miller, Gorden 30 Miller, Jacon 31 Miller, Jason 19 Miller, John 17 Miller, Nathan 22 Miller, Samuel

Nelson farm 9 Nelson & Scott farm 4, 5, 9 Nickerson, James 20 North, Thomas 20 Noxon, Thomas 23 Oakley, Jesse 0.1a, 11, 13 c Ostrum, Henry 7 11 c Ostrom, Jacob 25 c Ostrom, John Ostrom, John D. 7 Paddock, Benjamin Paddock, John Palen, — Palen, James Palen, John Palmer, Joel Palmer, Joseph Parkinson, John Parks, Jonathan Parsons, James Parsons, J & Sons Parsons, James & Sons Parsons, Jeremiah w Paton, John Peak, Daniel 61

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Page 10, 12, 13 c Radcliff, Peter Radcliff, Wm. 10, 13 14, 23 Randall, Abel c Rainous, Ranous, John 6,29 21 Rhodes, Benjamin 26 Richmond, Eleanor 3, 14, 17 Richmond, John Rider, David 3 4 Rider, Thomas Rider, Thurstone 3 Rider, William 31 Rikert, David 2 Rikert, Elisabeth 26 Rikert, Henry Jr. 7,29 Rikert, Mary 27 c Robinson, John 20 Rockwell, Nehemiah 17 30 Rogers, Edward Rogers, Lyde & Co. 0.1a, 8, 9 Rone, Ricd, Richard 28,29 24 Roswell, John Rowland, Bloom 29 Rowland, Robert 23 Rutte, Martha 24

Page 21 Peak, Henry T. 16 Peak, William 21 Pearsall, Elizabeth 20 Pearsall, Joseph 26 Pearsall, Mott.

10 Pearsall, Nancy 29 Pearsall, Samuel 8 Pearsall, Thomas Pearsall, Thos & Son 0.1a 27 Pearse, Jonathan 27 Penbroke, Thomas 27 Penbroke, William 24 Pepper, William Perry, Andrew 31 31 Perry, Henry 15 Perry, Paul 0 Peters, Abel 5,7 Peters, George 0.1a Peters, Harry 0.1,7 Peters, Hewlett 0, 0.4, 31, Peters, Sarah 32 0, 0.1a, 0.2, Peters, Smith 0.4, 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 10a, 31, 32 17, 19 Pettit, Jacob 28 Phantine, John 24 Platt, Coziah 7 Pond farm 0.1a Post, John & Son 29 Postrider, Andrews Powel, Israel 31 7 Powell, Nathaniel 27 Powel, Stephen 6 Powers, Nicholas President ( sloop ) 9 8 Preston, Amos A. 28 Price, Earls Price, Samuel 31 15 Pulford, Elisha 17 Purdy, Josiah

c Quick, Quick, Quick, c Quick,

c Sarles, Abner 9 Sawmill Farm 9 Schemerhorn, Simon 0.1a 0.1 Schenck, Paul 15 Scott, James Scott, John Jr. 20,27 Scott & Nelson farm 4,5,9 Scouten, Aran 29 Seamans, Benjamins 20,27 Seamans, Caleb 23 Seamans, Insley 23 18 Seamans, Jacob Seamans, John 21, 23 Seamans, Nathaniel 6 Seamans, Peleg 18, 21 Seamans, Richard 17,28 Seamans, Samuel 31 Seamans, Silvenus 3 Sedar, John 28 w Sharpstone, Jacob 18 Sharpstone, Christopher 19

31 Gerardus Gera,rdus Jr. 31 22 Jacob Peter 6, 12, 29 62

Page 28 Staples, Jonathan 0 Starr, Samuel 23 Stephens, Nathaniel c Stoutenburgh, 23 Abraham c Stoutenburgh, 28 Benjamin 26 c Stoutenburgh, James Stoutenburgh, Luke P. 21 28 Strait, George 27 Stratton, Lidia 19 Stright, Henry 19,23 Stright, John Sr. 29 w, c Stringha,m, James 20 w Stringham, Owen 30 Stringham, William 24 Sutherling, David 25 s Sutherland, David 27 s, w Sutherland, William Sutherland & 16 Baldwin 23 Sweet, Barton

Page 21 w Sharpstone, John I. Shaw, Albertson 23 Shaw, Elizabeth, widow 23 Sheak, Christian 18 ( See Cheak ) c Sheak, John 3 25 Shear, Lewis 25 Shear, Uriah 15 c Shearer, John B. 23 Shearman, Deborah 6 s Sherrill, Jeremiah Jr. 22 Shierman, Mary Simmons, Deborah 26 Simpson, Jacob 27 19 c Simpson, James c Simson, Robert 9,29 17 c Skinner, Matthew 22 Slater, James 20 Slater, William T. 24 c Sleight, Daniel c Sleight, Daniel H. 7 28 c Sleight, Jacob Sleight, John 23 Sleight, Simson 0.1,9 25 Slocum, Isaac 0, 12 Smith, Abel 4, 30 w, c Smith, Absolom Smith, Elizabeth, 22 widow 11 c Smith, Jacob, hatter 6 c Smith, James W. 14, 21 Smith, Jehiel 3 s, w Smith, John 26 Smith, Joseph 26 Smith, Marcy 30 Smith, Moses 25 Smith, Nehemiah 28 Smith, Sampson 22 Smith, Sarah 22 Smith, Susannah 12 s, c Smith, Steven 27 Soles, Jeremiah 10 Southard, Obadiah 0.1 c Southwick, Edward 19 Sparling, Henry Spencer, Matthias 5 27 Staces, Joseph

c c w c

c

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Tarbell & Johnson 8 28 Teal, Charles 28 Tederick, John 0.1a TenEyck & Gain 29 Terbush, Levi 28 Terry, Robert 11 Tilyou, Wm. 25 Tim, negro 14 Titus, Samuel 24 Thompson, David 0.1 Thompson, Elias Thompson, John 25 19 Thompson, Sophia 14,26 Thorn, Joseph 17 Thorn, Nathaniel Thurston, John M. 13 Auctioneer 26 Tomkin, Henry 23 Tomkins, Joshua 27 Tompkins, William 23 Tompkins, Elijah 11 Tompkins, Haywood 28 Traver, Cornelius 28 Traver, John I.

Traver, Joseph c Traver, Peter c Travis, Isaac Travis, Jacob Travis, Jna c Travis, John Travis, Martha Travis, Thomas dec.

Travis, Thomas est Trip, William Turner, John

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Underhill, Isaac w, c Underhill, Nathaniel Upton, Paul Utter, Zebulon

21 11a 4 19

Page s West, Elisha 3 20 West, Lattin 27 White, Abraham 27 White, John 27 White, Peter 30 White, Robert White, Thomas 9 28 s Wickham, Elias 21 s Wickum, Elias 17 Wicks, Amos 16, 21, 29 Wiecks, George 28 Wiecks, Nicholas 19 Wiecks, Robert 19 Wiecks, Silas 16, 31 Wiecks, Zophar c Wilbor, Thomas 7 0.1 c Wilbur, Thomas 29 s Wildey, James 2,4 Wildey, James F. 28 c Wildey, John 5 Wildey, Ric'd 27 Wiley, Isaac 3,7 c Wiley, Reuben 11 Williams, Robert 2 Wilson, Allen 20 Wilson, George 17 Wilson, Joseph Wilson, Williams W. 31 28 Windover, Thomas 0.2, ha Wing, Thomas 25 Winslow, John 2,4 Winters, David Winters, Davis 3 w Waddell, Silas 9 29 c Wood, Daniel 5,20 Wood, John 29 c Wood, Joseph 6 c Wood, Samuel 25 Worden, Joseph 21 Warden, Mary 28 Worden, Samuel 28 Worden, William Wright, Isaac 25 s Wright, James 17,22

19 Vail, Isaac 25 Vail, Jacob 29 Vail, Nathan 30 Vail, Solomon Valentine, Isaac 19, 3 / 28 Valentine, John 25 VanAnden, Joseph VanBenschoten, Egnes 30 28 VanCamp, John Van D Waters, James 27 25 Vannatte, David 13 VanNess, Garret 11 VanVoorhis, John 24 Vermiller, Peter 17,20 Vincent, Leve Wait, George Warner, Richard Warren, William Washburn, Jonathan Waters — c Waters, Anthony Waters, Benjamin Weddel, William Weldon, Simon Wellen, John Wells, Joshua West, David

24 24 25 16 8 0.1 23 21 17 22 14 31

64

POUGHKEEPSIE'S UNION STREET An Historical Study of a Community

by Cornelia Brooks* * Miss Brooks, a native of Leonx, Mass., now lives at Loudonville, N. Y. She was graduated from Vassar College in 1971, having spent her Junior year at Cambridge, England. Miss Brooks' paper, "Poughkeepsie's Union Street", was started for Landmarks submission to the New York State Historic Trust and, after rework was conplete, it was used for an Urban History Class. At present Miss Brooks is a Research Assistant with the New York State Historic Trust, Albany, N. Y.

PREFACE — THE QUIXOTIC PLAN The Union Street area of Poughkeepsie, New York, would never have been drawn to my attention if it had not been for Mrs. Opdycke and the Dutchess County Landmarks Association. This group of concerned men and women — lawyers, architects, and city planners — are trying to rebut the plans for wide-spread demolition of old Poughkeepsie. They have a creative and more economical approach to solving the city's housing problems without obliterating the atmosphere, intimacy and characteristic architecture of 19th century Poughkeepsie. Their goal to rehabilitate the old houses will minimize the relocation of families and make improvements on salvageable residences, which have become marginal only in recent years. Their proposals would only cost a fraction of the expense of razing the old houses and building new blocks of apartments. Not every section of Poughkeepsie would be suitable for this scheme. Some areas are clearly beyond repair and would really benefit by complete rebuilding, but Union Street and its side streets — Grand, South Bridge, South Perry and South Clover — are lined predominantly with brick structures which are still structurally sound. Most of the wooden houses there would be too expensive to bring up to standard and therefore would be replaced with "in-fill housing" of modern construction but in character with the older houses.

Such a logical scheme of "renewal", in the truest sense of the word, apparently does not appeal to municipal authorities of the 1970's. The anti-historic vision of a sleek, updated city is devoid of any creative sense of the value of working with what is already there. In our wasteful age of disposable packaging and built-in obsolescence, it is more effort for the mid-20th Century mentality to repair than to replace completely. The heartening new interest in recycling of tin cans, newspapers and old cars is just gaining popularity. Perhaps it is a serious change of heart in America.

In a decade, who knows, maybe the idea of recycling cities may have taken hold too. But by then it will be too late for Union Street. There will be nothing recognizable left. The whole area has been condemned. Just this week, a late Victorian corner grocery store with apartments above, abandoned but structurally sound, was reduced to a pathetic heap of brick and dust. The house-of-cards process has begun.

It has been conjectured that Poughkeepsie's unusual name is derived from the Indian word for a safe harbor, "apokeepsing." Certainly, proximity 65

to the Hudson River has been one of the salient features of the city. However, surprising as it may seem, Poughkeepsie did not grow out from the river bank. Instead, in the early 18th century, the County Court House and the jail joined a small cluster of houses on a plateau about a mile away from the river at the present day intersection of Market and Main Streets, later to become the hub of Poughkeepsie's business section. This early village was located there to be along the King's Highway from New York to Albany.' Two steep, winding footpaths connected the village to the harbor. At the foot of each path was a storehouse, Richard Davis' Store established in 1761 and Union Store built a few years later.2 Here local agricultural produce waited to be carried down the river, and readymade goods in exchange same up the river from New York and beyond.

As the river trade increased, the village authorities received a petition for a road to the storehouses and in 1767, Union Store Road3 was laid out with its bends, twists and drops which characterize what is left of it today.4 Main Street was not extended to the river until 1800, and thus the Union Landing took an early lead. For 47 years after the Revolution, it was the chief shipping point of Dutchess County wheat and other produce.5 As an old man, Captain Abraham Chatterton, who began his boating career in 1806, reminisced about Poughkeepsie during its shipping hey-day before the opening of the Erie Canal: The first freighting establishment of any note was established at Union Landing when Union Street leading into it was the principal thoroughfare in the village. In 1811, two sloops, the "Duchess" and "Anna Maria," plied between this landing and New York . . . About the year 1816, the firm had a new vessel, the "Robt. North," built at their landing and put her on the route in place of the "Anna Maria," and a few years subsequently both the sloops were sold and an old steamer called the "Lady Richmond" bought.6 It was expensive to keep up in the latest developments of ship design. In the 1820's, barges were in use and one of the first on the river was the "Union", built at the landing. But with the opening of the Erie Canal in 1826, Dutchess County wheat and other produce came into direct competition with that of the West, and the Poughkeepsie freight business inevitably contracted. Due to their timely conversion from sloops to steamboats, the Reynolds family at the Upper Landing outdid their competitors, including Union Landing, and won the reputation of being the most reliable firm in the community.7 Thus by the early 1830's, Union Store Road ended its first phase as a trade connection between the town and the river. In spite of its economic importance to Poughkeepsie in this period, Union Street developed least in the first thirty years of the 19th century than it would at any other time in that century. It was still just a steep, unpaved country road dotted with houses at random. A map dated 18008 shows nineteen buildings from top to bottom of Union Street, most of which were concentrated at the top near Market Street. A map made 34 years later9 only shows twenty-eight

66

buildings, and yet, throughout, the holdings were always of more or less equal size. There was never one predominant landowner in the road's history, in contrast to Pine Street which began as Richard Davis' private road.

By 1830 there were already some signs of change along Union Street.

The lots along the road were too small for practical farming, foreshadowing the urban future for the street. Another sign of the incorporation of this country road into the town was the addition of side streets, Perry, South Clover and Jefferson. linking Union Street with Main Street."

A map of the division of the homestead lot of the late Ebenezer Badger in 1826" introduces the new phase Union Street was to undergo in the '30's — a real estate boom. Ebenezer Badger's land was located at the top of the street. Adjacent to the heart of the business section of the town and to the courthouse and jail, it was one of the most desirable lots in Poughkeepsie, with over 100-yard frontage on both Main and Union Streets. Badger's lot was divided into ten roughly equal lots, and each of his five heirs was given one lot on Union Street and one on Main. These lots were never destined for residential use. By the end of the century, Ebenezer Badger's homestead was now the location of the new jail, the Municipal Building, the News Office, the Auction Rooms, the Hook and Ladder Co., a restaurant, a florist, and a tailor's shop.

The commercial development of the upper block and a half of Union Street was coupled with a residential building boom along the rest of the street. Practically overnight the face of Union Street was changed from the handful of homestead lots, shown on the 1834 map, to a town residential street: the address for seventy-one heads of households in the earliest available Poughkeepsie Directory, 1843. Probably most of these houses12 were built before the panic of 1837, during the active years of the Poughkeepsie Improvement Party.

The Poughkeepsie Improvement Party, an enterprising (in all senses of the word) group of local businessmen, included the newspaper editor, Paradete Potter. Obviously a shrewd real estate speculator from the start, Potter bought a lot in 1826 from Elizabeth Morgan, one of Ebenezer Badger's heirs, before the survey of the property had even been made. On that land the Press Office was built, and Potter and the other Poughkeepsie "improvers" inaugurated a systematic program for developing the town.

Acres of land were sold in lots for residences, particularly around Mansion Square and south of present day Christ Church, but all areas of the town were affected.13 They undertook the paving of the central streets with cobblestones and the sidewalks with brick, without which steep winding Union Street must have been practically impassable in bad weather. Even at this early date, the Improvement Party also took an interest in encouraging industries, but probably due to the steep terrain on Union Street neither industry nor large commercial establishments have ever impringed on its residential character or that of its side streets.

The panic of 1837 ruined all the "improvers," except Vassar, who bought the others' shares. Many of the broken leaders went west, including 67

Paraclete Potter, who lived out his life in Milwaukee. The collapse of the real estate boom however was only temporary, and in the next few years, building barely kept up with demand. In 1835, Poughkeepsie had forty streets, and by 1841 there were seventy-nine.14 Property values were high, and historian James Smith asserts that there was not a single unoccupied house; yet demand was only to multiply in the next decade as German, Scotch, English and Irish immigrants made their way to Poughkeepsie, first by boat and then, in even larger numbers, by the Hudson River Railroad, which was completed as far as Poughkeepsie in 1849. By 1850, Poughkeepsie's population had doubled and would double again by 1870.

Union Street's history is often told as if it had never been more than an immigrant section or ghetto of Poughkeepsie;15 however, much of the character of the street, as I hope to have shown here, predates the arrival of the immigrants. Over half the houses) the winding layout of the street, and the storehouse reflect the street's first ninety years, which should not be obscured by later developments.

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the immigrant population began to outnumber the native born on Union Street. Judging by the names in the 1843 Directory, the transition occurred after this date.16 There is little material to indicate whether the newly arrived immigrants found their first dwellings in the Union Street area or whether they moved there gradually after a few years of adjustment, when they could afford to buy a house. Quite likely, single men boarded in the spare rooms of native-born families at first, and as they worked and saved, they may have decided to settle in the area permanently.

Clyde Griffen's studies of 19th Century Poughkeepsiel7 show that immigrants did not settle down to a home and job immediately. Throughout the 1850's, a transient nature still characterized the immigrant population.

Some only stayed a year or two; many left when work on constructing the railroad ended and probably followed their job further up the Hudson. It was primarily those who succeeded that stayed and formed a stable core for the next decade, during which immigrant "persistence" rates equalled those of the native-born, and in 1873, after the panic, a higher percentage of immigrants than native-born retained their same jobs.

The prosperity of the Germans was noticeable in Poughkeepsie. Their comparatively easy assimilation, despite the language barrier, was not only due to their willingness to work for longer hours at lower wages, but more important due to local tolerance. Poughkeepsie already had a history of ethnic diversity, and the common origin between Dutch and German contributed to the acceptance of the latter in the mid-19th century.'8 The high esteem for the Germans in Poughkeepsie is shown in the following excerpt from an article in the Poaghkeepsie Daily Eagle in 1868: The Germans record themselves all over the world as industrious, lawloving, and law-abiding. As a class, they are as intellectual and as wellposted in the history of foreign government as any other people who come from the other side of the Atlantic.19 68

Union Street was clearly a nucleus of German immigrants by the 1850's, when German churches began to appear in the area. The German Methodist Church on South Bridge Street was built in 1853, and about that time, the St. Michael's Society collected $991.00 to buy land on Union Street for a German Catholic Church. The first building, a frame one, was already inadequate for the needs and numbers in the community in 1859, when a second, larger and more substantial church was built. Other additions made as the church prospered were a schoolhouse in the 1860's and a rectory in the '70's, and the German Catholic Church became known as "one of the most influential and attractive ecclesiastical edifices in Poughkeepsie."2° A third German church, the Lutheran Church, was built on the corner of Grand Street and Union in 1866. In all these churches, the services were said in German until the end of the century.

The '60's and '70's saw the permanent establishment of the German, Irish, Scotch and English in the Union Street area. Certain side streets may have become enclaves of one nationality or another, but a multi-national atmosphere prevailed, in contrast to the early 20th Century immigration of the Italians and Slays. Certain trades in the community were taken over by the immigrants, for instance, the Irish in construction, the Germans in apparel trades ( tailors, shoemakers, etc.), and both in trades connected to the brewing, "kegging", and selling of beer. In the 1871 Directory, on Union Street there were four coopers, all living within a block of each other on the lower end of the street, three lager beer saloons, and one brewer. This is quite a contrast to 1843, when there was not a single saloon keeper, brewer or cooper on the street.

Other comparisons can be made between the 1843 and 1871 Directories. One of the striking facts is the population concentration in the area during these thirty years. There were three times as many heads of households on Union Street listed in 1871 as in 1843. About one-eighth of those listed were boarders, but Union Street was by no means a tenement area.

A closer look at the individual's name or trade shows that, in most cases, the boarders were relatives or apprentices to the family from whom they rented their room. The impulse among immigrants to own a house was just as strong in Poughkeepsie as in any other large town or city.22 Griffen's statistics record the significant rise in homeowners among the Germans and Irish as compared to the natives between 1860 and 1870.23 Natives Germans Irish 1860 43% 26% 22% 1870 45% 42% 35% The two Directories of 1843 and 1871 illustrate the further urbanization that occurred in the Union Street area. In 1854, Poughkeepsie had been incorporated into a city. About that time, street numbers began to be used for Union Street in the directory. Gone were the days that "farmer" was listed among the occupations of Union Street inhabitants (there was still one listed in 1843). Also the range of occupations diminished by 1871. In 1843, the majority of Union Street residents may have been small tradesmen or craftsmen, but in addition, some were listed merely as "laborer" and some, in contrast, were professional people: a lawyer, a justice of 69

the peace, a printer, and an educator named Lydia Booth, who ran a Seminary for Young Women. However, by 1852, Lydia Booth had moved her residence to Garden Street, and in the 1871 Directory lawyers still had their offices at the top of Union Street, but lived elsewhere. Almost every Union Street resident either worked at a local store: the candy store, one of the many groceries or bakeries, a butcher shop or variety store; or worked in a skilled job: carpentry, tailoring, shoemaking, silver-plating, or sash and blind-making. All these jobs were going to be threatened by the late 19th century industrialism and would be practically choked into obscurity in the 20th century. Some other residents had jobs connected to industry: machinists and mechanics, and probably many wives, worked at the new Whitehouse Shoe Factory established in 1870. Although no professional families still lived on Union Street, a new elite emerged among the immigrant population, and hence the multi-economic character of the cornmuity was maintained.

The Sutcliffe family is illustrative of this new Union Street elite. Eli Sutcliffe emigrated from England and came to Poughkeepsie in 1840 with his family, including his three-year-old son, John. Sutcliffe's first purchase on Union Street was in 1848, when he bought a lot at the Clover Street corner and built a grocery store which became a family enterprise. Residents of South Clover Street to this day talk about Sutty's grocery store.24 In 1850, Eli Sutcliffe bought the adjacent lot and built a brick butcher shop: in 1854, he bought the lot next to that for his own house, and the following year he built a barbershop on the next lot up the street.25 In seven years he had bought almost the whole block, and later he embarked on a soap-manufacturing business. Meanwhile his son, John, attended the local schools and went on to the Dutchess Academy. His talents and interests in iron manufacturing temporarily led him away from Union Street and Poughkeepsie. In 1861, he was assistant manager of a Peekskill blast furnace and, soon after, he designed a new furnace in Cold Spring, New York.

Although at this point John returned to his birthplace, England, to learn more about latest techniques in iron manufacture, in 1865 he was back in Poughkeepsie with his family on Union Street to start a woolen business with his uncle. But John Sutcliffe was by no means provincial in his middle age. He spent ten years as the director of some silver mines in Mexico. He always, however, returned to Poughkeepsie and the family. block on Union Street.26 A map dated 192027 tells of another family enterprise there: a block of Sutcliffe apartments behind the grocery store.

The Sutcliffes were unusual but not unique. Other immigrant families acquired more than one lot in the area: the Krieger brothers, the Gillens, and Mrs. Eggensperger. Nevertheless the majority of buildings were oneor-two family houses which were privately owned. Those houses or apartments which were rented belonged to people in the neighborhood. Absentee landlords were a 20th century development.

The gradual decline of Union Street in the 20th century occurred at two levels: locally, with the break-up of ethnic communities, and nationally, with changing life styles throughout America.

70

Throughout this country the insularity of communities was shattered with the introduction of automobiles at popular prices. Cars first became a family item and then became the possession of an individual within the family, thereby weakening old ties of interdependence. The car extended the radius of accessible institutions immeasurably. Formerly one's everyday world had been defined by the shops, churches, clubs, and schools located within a convenient walking distance. Now local shops came into competition with big, centrally located department stores, and groceries with supermarkets. Industries threatened craftsmen. One of the first trades to suffer was shoemaking. At the turn of the century many of the Union Street shoemakers had to give up their business, while others specialized in shoe repairs, being unable to compete with the prices of ready-made shoes. New jobs located in remote parts of the city or the suburbs took people for work out of their community in the old part of Poughkeepsie.

Some naturally began to move out nearer their jobs.

The churches, too, suffered from new 20th century trends. The German Lutheran Church stopped celebrating the services in German, when it began to lose second generation members of its congregation to other English-speaking churches. As early as 1903, the Grand Street Church was given up entirely, and the English Lutheran Church superseded it on Church Street. The German Methodist and the Nativity Church kept on despite dwindling congregations, as the old people died and their children went to the bigger, central churches. In an effort to centralize the Roman Catholic Church in Poughkeepsie, Mt. Carmel, the Italian Catholic Church, is now a gymnasium., and the Nativity was torn down a few years ago.28 Parish priests, formerly strong community figures, are now rotated after a fixed number of years. Never again will there be another Rev. Asfalg, who came to the Nativity Church in 1917 and stayed there until the day he died at the age of 85, just before they tore down the church!

As work, shopping, church and social activities drew the second and third generation, fully assimilated, and in many cases prosperous, Scotch, Irish, German, and English away from a community-centered life, still another blow came to Union Street. With the completion of the MidHudson Bridge in 1930, this street and Church Street became the two most convenient approaches to the bridge. Heavy through-traffic made Union Street noisy, dirty and dangerous for families with small children.

The North-South Arterial completed in 1965, has now alleviated much of this traffic, but at the same time, took with it the lower half of Union Street. Old residents have moved away, or, if they resolutely stayed on to die in their own homes, their children have retreated to the suburbs. They may keep the family house but only to rent it or sell it to a real estate speculator who rents apartments all over the city.29 Meanwhile the treelined side streets remain attractive as ever and have tended to retain their more stable home-owning character of the previous century.

The one exception to this disintegration of community in the 20th century is found on the side streets where later immigrant groups have 71

settled: the Poles and the Italians, particularly on Clover Street and up Mill Street. But their story is just one of a later postponement of the same process.

The arrival of the Italians and Slays in Poughkeepsie in the 1920's was more than a generation later than the Germans, Irish, Scotch and English. In the face of a greater language barrier, and perhaps with less tolerance than the 19th century immigrants met, the Italians and Poles lived in very tightly knit groups. The Italians have shown tenacious persistence in living out their lives in the same house or at least on the same street. On South Clover, the majority of owners have lived there for at least thirty to forty years. They came from the same area in Southern Italy, Calabria, and still speak Italian among themselves. Italian activities have petered out in recent years, but celebrations, such as Carnival, a four-day fiesta before Lent, and Passion Plays, used to be the highpoints of the year for the Italian population. The significant fact is, however, that the strong impetus to continue the Italian tradition comes from a dying generation. They still feel they are part of a special enclave in Poughkeepsie, but readily admit that the community sense is only a shadow of what it was in the past. Those who came to this country as young men and women are now in their seventies and eighties. They are grandparents now and have seen their children and, even more, their grandchildren intermingle and shed, consciously or unconsciously, their Italian identity and familycentered values. The recurrent pattern of children failing to maintain the family home, as most of their poorer parents had, and often renting it or selling it, alarms the surviving old-timers. It is the same basic sequence that happened to the Germans fifty years before.

One pauses here to wonder: is a community possible in 1971? Today's cosmopolitan attitudes are based largely on technological changes: cars, washing-machines, T.V., all of which make domestic work and entertainment available to the individual in his own home, thus severing ties of interdependence with his neighbors. Our attitudes are also based on economic developments — supermarkets instead of local stores of the past, industries rather than crafts or local employment, centralized schools with expanded curriculum rather than smaller community schools. These are forces against which the human desire for community must combat. Within a city a community once was naturally or spontaneously created, not manipulated. The bond between ethnic minorities held the Union Street area together in the past. Now can some artificial single-mindedness unite the residents there today? A negative reference group, such as the Poughkeepsie Urban Renewal Agency, is undoubtedly a unifying force among homeowners, but these are primarily older people remembering the past. In ten years' time, their houses, if still standing, will be rented or sold. For the commusity to live and grow, younger families must be encouraged to stay and attract their friends. With a loan system these young families could buy houses and improve them. But Urban Renewal is consciously trying to prevent people from moving into the area. There are stipulations on the relocation compensations given to families, whose homes have been 72

demolished elsewhere in the city, that they cannot be spent on a house in the neighborhood of Union Street. On the one hand, new families are not moving in as permanent homeowners and, on the other, the morale among residents is understandably low. The spectre of demolition hangs over the area. It takes grim determination for a homeowner to spend hundreds of dollars painting his house this spring if he has no guarantee it will be standing next spring. The forces of Urban Renewal are achieving their own goals by creating an aura of uncertainty which is giving the area its coup de grace. But the problem is much larger than Poughkeepsie, and its battle over what kind of renewal is most beneficial; The Union Street situation embodies a basic conflict in 20th century values and dreams.

FOOTNOTES 1. Dutchess County, American Guide Series, sponsored by Women's City and County Club of Dutchess County, William Penn Association, 1937, P. 31.

2. Frank Hasbrouck, ed., The History of Dutchess County, Poughkeepsie, 1909, 2 vols., Vol. 1, p. 203.

3. The other approach to the river made at this time, Richard Davis' road (later Pine Street) was a private road. By 1799 Upper Landing Road appears on maps.

4. In 1971 only the upper half of the original Union Street is recognizable, since the lower half was razed for the construction of the North-South Arterial in the early 1960's.

5. Dutchess County, American Guide Series, P. 44.

6. The Sunday Courier of Poughkeepsie, March 29, 1874, as cited in James H. Smith, The History of Dutchess County, Syracuse, 1882, p. 385.

7. Ibid., p. 386.

8. "Survey of Balthus Van Kleeck's Farm" by Henry Livingston, 1800." Hanging on the wall outside the County Clerk's Record Room, County Building, 22 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, New York.

9. "Map of the Incorporated Village of Poughkeepsie by Henry Whinfield, 1834."

Local History Room, Adriance Memorial Library, 93 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, New York.

10. Ibid.

11. "Homestead lot of the late Ebenezer Badger, Surveyed by Henry Livingston, June 23, 1826." Map #59, County Clerk's Record Room.

12. Looking at the houses on Union Street, it is conjectured that many of the wooden two-story dwellings were put up during this boom, since wood is more suitable for quick construction than brick. (Talk with Mrs. Albert Mauri of Dutchess County Landmarks Association.)

13. Hasbrouck, p. 220.

14. Smith, p. 378.

15. See Poughkeepsie Journal, Sunday, February 28, 1971, p. 191.

16. C. P. Luyster's Directory, July 1843, Adriance Memorial Library, Local History Room.

17. Clyde Griffen, "The Effect of Craft and Ethnic Differences in Poughkeepsie 1850-1800" in Stephen Thernstrom, 19th Century Cities, Yale, 1969, pp. 53-92.

18. Ibid., p. 57.

19. Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, July 27, 1868, as cited in Griffen article, p. 57.

20. Hasbrouck, Vol. II, p. 632. The original name of this Roman Catholic Church is a bit obscure. An 1887 map calls it St. Michael's Church, presumably after the society that financed it. On an 1891 map, however, it is marked St. Joseph's.

In the memory of most local residents, it was always called the Church of the Nativity.

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21. This tripling of the number of heads of families in Union Street should not be interpreted necessarily as a sign that former one-family houses were being subdivided and over-crowded with swarming immigrant families. There was another burst of building and rebuilding at this time. Here I am indebted to Mrs. Mauri, who pointed out to me a rough guideline for dating the buildings by construction of their lintels: Before 1840's, simple stone slab over window.

Civil War Period, brick arch, more complicated building technique.

Late Victorian, cast iron with flower motif, typical of the architectural embellishments of the period.

22. Stephen Thernstrom, Poverty and Progress: Social Mobility in a 19th Century City, Harvard, 1964, Chapter 5.

23. Griffen, p. 58.

24. Talk with Mrs. Joseph Massa and Mrs. Philip Cavalier, her mother who came to this country at the age of seventeen. They both live at 14 South Clover Street.

25. "Map of the Estate of Eli Sutcliffe, September 1, 1904," County Clerk's Record Room, Map #1/106.

26. Edmund Platt, History of Poughkeepsie, Poughkeepsie, p. 293.

27. Map 1/356, County Clerk's Record Room.

28. The Church of the Nativity was torn down for several reasons. Basically it was an anachronism for the Diocess. The congregation, still of German extraction, was mostly old people and dwindling in numbers. Another Catholic Church, St. John the Baptist, was only two blocks away at Three Grand Street (the old German Lutheran Church), and finally due to population shifts, the demand for a new church was in the suburbs at Red Oaks Mills. (Father Fred Rothlauf at the Union Street Community Center.)

29. Lower Union is almost completely owned by the absentee landlords now, but most of the upper street and the side streets have privately owned houses. (Mrs. Leonard Opdycke of Landmarks.)

BIBLIOGRAPHY American Guide Series, Dutchess County, sponsored by the Women's City and County Club of Dutchess County, William Penn Association, 1937.

Griffen, Clyde, "The Effect of Craft and Ethnic Differences in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 1850-1880", Stephen Thernstrom, ed., 19th Century Cities, Yale, 1969. Having now made this meager attempt into Poughkeepsie's urban history, I now fully appreciate the depth of research that has gone into Dr. Griffen's very helpful article.

Hasbrouck, Frank, ed., The History of Dutchess County, S. A. Mattiev, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 1909. 2 Vols. Both Hasbrouck and his predecessor, Smith, go into meticulous detail in their studies of the city and provided me with most of the material for the early history of Union Street.

Platt, Edmund, History of Poughkeepsie, Platt and Platt, Poughkeepsie, 1905.

Poughkeepsie City Directories. The earliest directory in the Vassar Library is 1871, and the earliest one I could find anywhere was the 1843, C. P. Luyster's Directory of the Village of Poughkeepsie in the Local History Room at the Adriance Memorial Library. These directories are organized alphabetically, and thus it takes an incredible amount of sorting out of names to get a profile of a single street to work from. There is a lot of potential material in them about persistence and occupation, but the process of bringing it to the surface is painful!

Smith, James H., History of Dutchess County, D. Mason and Company, Syracuse, 1882.

Thernstrom, Stephen, Poverty and Progress: Social Mobility in a 19th Century City, Harvard University Press, 1964.

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THE POUGHKEEPSIE, HARTFORD & BOSTON RAIL ROAD

by Edmund Van Wyck In the 1969 Year Book of the Dutchess County Historical Society, there appeared a short piece I wrote about Dutchess County railroads. In mentioning the Poughkeepsie, Hartford and Boston R. R., I stated that it never had gotton off the drawing boards. I had not done my homework before I began my recitation and, as a result, I owe the poor old "Push Hard or Bust" an apology.

On page 1 of "The Dutchess Farmer", dated September 25, 1877, (printed in Poughkeepsie and published every Tuesday at 283 Main Street

by Mrs. E. S. Killey, proprietor) a complete time table of the P. H. & B. between Poughkeepsie and Millerton appears. There were three trains daily each way between these two stations. Trains left Poughkeepsie, east bound, at 8:10 A.M., 11:25 A.M. and 5:30 P.M. and from Millerton, west bound, at 5:55 A.M., 1:55 A.M. and 2:13 P.M. Let's go to the station on Cottage Street in Poughkeepsie and board the 8:10 train for Millerton. It is a combination freight and passenger train, and time has to be allowed to cut out or pick up an occasional car along the route, and to load or unload "less car lots" and express matter at the stations. Perhaps you will pass places you never have seen from your carriage on the road and, I assure you, will see a great expanse of our beautiful Dutchess County.

8:10 A.M., Poughkeepsie. "All aboard!" Van Wagner's Crossing, 8:22; Pleasant Valley, 8:34; Russel's, 8:41; Salt Point, 8:45; Clinton Corners, 9:08; Willow Brook, 9:21; Stanfordville, 9:36; McIntyre, 9:45; Stissing, 9:53; Pine Plains, 10:19; Ancram Lead Mines, 10:42; Boston Corners, 11:25; Mt. Riga, 11:37; Connecticut Western R. R. Junction, 11:55; arrive Millerton, 12:00.

We made the trip in three hours and fifty minutes, Poughkeepsie to Millerton!

HARVEY G. EASTMAN 1832 - 1878 Harvey G. Eastman was born at Marshall, Oneida County, New York, in 1832. He taught at a commercial school conducted by an uncle at Rochester, New York, and later founded a commercial school in Oswego, New York, and also in St. Louis, Missouri.

Poughkeepsie, for many years, had a reputation for being a center of learning in southern New York State because of an unusually large number of successful private schools for both boys and girls.

The first record of Mr. Eastman's decision to establish a commercial or business school in Poughkeepsie was a one column, four inch advertisement in the local papers in October, 1859, which stated that Harvey G. 75

Eastman intended to open a "Commercial College" in Poughkeepsie for both "ladies and gentlemen as a permanent school of instruction in the practical and useful arts of life". The advertisement goes on to say that Mr. Eastman himself will give his attention to the instruction and cites some of his published works on bookkeeping, "Success in Business", "Money and Life", etc., etc.

The enterprise started on a small scale in the fall of 1859. The first student was named Andrew Houston of Bellevale, Orange County, New York. A month later the college numbered about twenty students, all from Poughkeepsie or from neighboring counties. There were two teachers, Professors Eastman and Davies.

Mr. Eastman was the man of great energy and ability and, according to Platt's History of Poughkeepsie, he had "an enthusiasm that was contagious".

He was ahead of his time in advertising his business college, for it is said he inserted small advertisements in all Hudson Valley newspapers as well as in newspapers in New York City. His scheme of teaching included actual business operations. In teaching banking, the students set up a bank within the college, occupying the several positions, using Eastman College bills, notes and currency. Mr. Eastman believed in "Learning by Doing".

He brought to Poughkeepsie visiting lecturers, college men of the highest reputation. Courses offered were in the various business courses of the time and included penmanship, commercial arithmetic, business correspondence, and as the years added business machines, those machines always appea,red at Eastman College.

During the Civil War days, Mr. Eastman covered a wide area with advertising urging soldiers who were being mustered out of service to come to his college to prepare themselves for the post war business.

Horace Greeley gave his famous lecture, "The Self-Made Man," to the Eastman student body and a large audience of people from the area. Rev. Samuel D. Burchard, the man whose "Rum, Romanism and Rebellion" created such a sensation in the 1884 Blaine campaign, Joseph H. Jackson, Allard Anthony and the Rev. J. L. Corning were brought to Poughkeepsie

by Harvey G. Eastman. The post war years were years of great growth and prosperity for Eastman College.

The Eastman College Brass Band was known throughout the east as one of the finest bands to be had. In fact, at the second inauguration of President Lincoln the band immediately preceded the President's carriage down Pennsylvania Avenue and a few weeks later, when the murdered President's body was carried from Washington to its final resting place in Illinois, the Eastman College Band formed the escort in the parade up Broadway through New York City, journeyed to Albany on the funeral train and again played the funeral dirge as the body was borne to the State Capitol. Mr Eastman managed to have Eastman College known far and wide. It is said that during the last quarter of the nineteenth century and the first of this century over one thousand students attended Eastman yearly, some for a few weeks for special instructions or refresher courses, others for many months.

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In 1871, Mr. Eastman was elected mayor of Poughkeepsie and served until 1874. Again in 1877, he was elected mayor. His death came a year later. Mr. Eastman's brother-in-law, Mr. Ezra White, succeeded him as president of Eastman Business College.

During the final years of his life, the founder of the Business College suffered severe financial losses. From the college he was able to take large profits for years and these monies he used in various endeavors in his city.

He invested in a proposed railroad bridge over the Hudson, a railroad into the County toward Connecticut, the building of large New York type brown stone, attached, multiple dwelling units, Eastman Terrace, and other real estate ventures. Eastman was a better teacher than he was a railroader or real estate developer, and the panic of 1.873 left him a relatively poor man. His college, however, continued to prosper and during his political career and his years of many interests, he brought the same fine teaching and direction to Eastman College as it had enjoyed during Mr. Eastman's career as a teacher in Poughkeepsie.

Dr. Clement C. Gaines, in 1884, assumed ownership and the presidency of Eastman College. A descendant of an old Virginia family, he was a graduate of Hampden Sidney College and then taught Latin and Mathematics at the Finecastle (Virginia) High School. After he had saved enough money, he entered the Law School of the University of Virginia, graduating in 1882. He immediately came to Poughkeepsie and completed a business course at Eastman College. After practicing Law in Chicago for a few years, Dr. Gaines returned to Eastman and taught banking. His marriage to the widow of the late Harvey Eastman led to his becoming president and, with Mrs. Gaines, the owner of the college in 1884. During his many years as President of Eastman Business College he was an outstanding figure in his work, not only in Poughkeepsie, but also in New York City where in 1892 he established the New York Business Institute.

Platt's History of Poughkeepsie, published in 1905, comments on Eastman College as follows: "on its membership rolls are pupils from thirtyseven states and territories and from seventeen foreign countries."

Probably Eastman College reached its most successful years from the late 1890's until World War I when, from our southern states, Cuba, Mexico, and South America, men came for special business training. Eastman College was a Day College and the students lived in furnished rooms or boarding houses throughout the city. Eastman's teams competed in football, baseball, basketball and track with small colleges and high schools and City of Poughkeepsie residents enjoyed a good income from residency of the "Eastman Students".

Dr. Gaines maintained homes in Poughkeepsie and in New York, and in Poughkeepsie he was a leader in all sorts of community projects, including the directorship and headmaster of Riverview Military Academy.

After the death of Dr. Gaines, a group of citizens endeavored to carry on Eastman College but, during the depression years of the 1930's, Eastman College ceased to exist.

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FIRE AT THE OLD DUTCH CHURCH At ten minutes past twelve o'clock on the afternoon of Sunday, January 18th, 1857, our Fire Department was called out by the City Hall bell.

At this hour, the wood work at the base of the steeple of the First Reformed Dutch Church, was discovered to be on fire.

Our engine was immediately run to the hydrant at the North West Corner of Main and Washington Streets and within five minutes after the alarm was given we had a stream on the fire, taking water through the connector and throwing through feet of hose.

The whole Department was promptly on the ground, and were thus stationed by the Chief Engineer. Engine No. Two took the hydrant in front of George Clerk's Grocery and played on the fire.

No. Three wa,s supplied by the hydrant on the corner of Main and Market Streets.

No. Six took the hydrant in front of Doty's Hotel (Forbus House) and played into No. Four, which laid in Union Street alongside of the Surrogate's Office. No. Four had her stream on the fire.

No. Five was run up to the hydrant on the corner of Washington and Lafayette Streets, but the hydrant was found to be frozen.

About half an hour after the alarm was given, the steeple fell on the roof of the church. The Department was dismissed after some three or four hours of hard work, but was again called out about half past five o'clock as the fire had broken out afresh. Our Engine was not called into service at the second alarm. No's. Two and Five were at work until about ten o'clock, with a stream each on the fire. The other Engines were not used. This fire will long be remembered by the firemen of Poughkeepsie on account of the intense cold.

At the time the alarm was given the thermometer was twelve degrees below zero and the wind blowing from the North almost a gale. A large number of our firemen suffered from the effects of the severe cold, and frozen feet, frozen ears and frozen fingers were plenty for some time after.

A violent snow storm commenced shortly after the second alarm which added much to the labours of our friends who were on duty at that time.

The loss is estimated at from $10,000. to $15,000. The insurance was $6,000., of which $3,000. was in the Poughkeepsie Mutual and $3,000. in, the Continental Insurance Company of New York.

Augustus T. Williams, Secretary, Protection Engine Co. No. One. Minute Book.

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Photo by Tony Mark, butchess Suburban Newspapers, Inc.

THE STONE BARN AT PLEASANT VALLEY

by Clifford M. Buck

In the Year Book for 1931, pages 19-20, there is a brief account of the Stone Barn in Pleasant Valley. At that time the ownership had been traced back to Daniel Brown in 1841, and since then some additional information has been gained.

Mortgage Liber 19, page 386, dated May 6, 1813, indicates the property was sold by George D. and Martha Vail of Stanford to Solomon Vail for $2,300, an undivided equal half of two certain lots and was part of the farm of Pearsall Brown at his decease. The description is as follows: "Begins by edge of road that formerly ran from Poughkeepsie to Fishkill town, North 4 degrees West 50 chains to Muddy Brook mentioned in deed April 1, 1783 by Joseph Casten to Pearsall Brown and Martha . . ." It continues to give complete measurements of the two parcels which total 200 acres and is similar to the Stone Barn farm. It excepts several small parcels such as one-half to Jonathan Dean farm on the east, opposite the place most convenient, running down to the Great Wappingers Creek for watering place, and also excepts small parcels to Henry Ostrom, Elisha Masten, Calvin Wood, Samuel Belden, Jedediah Breed, and Dutchess Turnpike Cornpany.

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From the old Northwest Quarterly, page 119, we learn that Pearsall, born July 28, 1741, was the son of Nathaniel and Eliza Brown, and on page 173, that he married, October 24, 1771, Martha Crayton. His Will appears at Dutchess County Surrogates Office, Liber D, page 176, made November 3, 1812, and proved January 4, 1813. Here he has a wife Sarah and children Daniel, Abigail Fowler deceased, with Betsy and Martha Vail.

The executors are his son-in-law Solomon Vail, and son Daniel, and witnesses are Peter A. Hard, J. C. Dean, Robert Haight.

Daniel Brown died September 30, 1841, age 56, and was buried in the Friends Cemetery, Pleasant Valley. He married, according to the Dutchess Observer of October 15, 1815, Jane Ann Rowe of Pleasant Valley.

The manner by which Joseph Caston or Causton obtained this property is explained in deed Liber 4, page 397, January 21, 1744. Catherine Symes of New York City, Adolphse Phillipse of New York City and Lancaster Green of New York City were executors of Lancaster Symes to Joseph Causton.

The deed explains the patent of May 27th in the Ninth year of King William to nine men and names them. These we know as the Nine Partners.

James Emmott was one of these nine men and on March 1st of the Eleventh year of King William, he sold his one-ninth share to Jacob Dekey of New York City, merchant. In the Eleventh year of King William, and in 1698, Jacob Dekey and Sarah sold one-ninth share to Lancaster Symes.

On March 30, 1713 Lancaster Symes made out his will and names as executors his wife, Adolphse Phillipse and his eldest son Hendrick. The eldest son died and he made a codicil naming his grandchild, Lancaster Green, as replacement.

In making this sale to Joseph Causton, reference is made to a map made by Richard Edsall on May 29, 1734, and that two sales had already been made by the executors, namely Lot 8 to William Welling and three others, and Lot 11 to Ezekiel Halstead and John Gedney. A "statement" granted to Joseph Causton forevermore yielding and paying therefor to our Lord and King his heirs and successors his proportionate part of the quit rent reserved in and by the letters patent aforesaid.

The Stone Barm farm lies in Lot 15 which is a lot located east of the Water Lots and West of the Great Lots. This lot is described in a document made of George S. VanVliet and is on file in the Adriance Memorial Library, Poughkeepsie.

In tracing the ownership of the farm west of the Stone Barn farm, we found deed Liber 10, page 72, April 9, 1780: John Ostrom of Kinderhook to Cornelius Humphrey of Kinderhook for 700 pounds. It is described as follows: Land in Nine Partners beginning at Northwest corner of John Bahrite; West 17 chains by Wood and by Peter Storms to East bounds of Water Lot; South to Swamp Oak at Southeast corner of Water Lot; East 17 chains by Joseph Causton; North by Joseph Causton and quit rent lands so-called (this last measurement would be along Stone Barn farm) 177 80

acres 12/ rood, 14 perches, including houses, edifices etc., except 70 acres sold by Henry Van Gelder to Abraham Wood. The above farm is where the New West Road School is now located and the Wood farm is next south.

This same property is described in three additional records: Deed 7:158 June 11, 1774: Joseph Hegeman and Elizabeth to Henry Van Gelder for 965 pounds. Mortgage 3:381 June 13, 1774: Henry Van Gelder Hegeman. Mortgage 4L157 April 6, 1778: Henry Van Gelder to Leonard Van Kleeck. All of them mention the so-called "quit rent land" It would thus appear that the first person to own and live on the land of the Stone Barn farm would be Pearsall Brown in 1783.

However, as the barn seems to be older than 1783, it is probable that Joseph Causton leased the land to someone who may have built a barn.

One of the early maps of the Nine Partners patent shows Lot 15 in name of J. Ostrom.

The following was given to Helen Wilkinson Reynolds by George S. VanVliet: 1740 "Jacobus TerBos, his return of the last division of eighteen lots all the residue of the undivided land except the 700 acres laid out for Berrian. Lot 15 begins at the S.W. Corner of a lot now in the possession of John Ostrom by a marked tree, thence runs eastward along the several courses of Ostrom's land, to the west bounds of the thirty six lots, thence south along the said west bounds to the division line between the land of Henry Beekman and our parent, thence west along said division line to Wappingers Creek thence westerly till it comes at 17 chains distance east of the S.E. corner of the 9 water lots, thence north on a parole' line at 17 chains distance east from the water lots to the said S.W. Corner of Ostroms land, being the place of beginning.

The lot No. 15 is not closed to the southwest because the boundary between our patent and that of Rombout is not settled. Two hundred acres are reserved for the right of Mayrtie Saunders which she or her heirs may take anywhere in Lot 15 if they see not fit to keep the house and farm of Widow Allen, it was this agreed before the division."

The west bounds of the Great Lots is near Pleasant Valley Garage and looking south the line can be seen as a stonewall running up the hill on the west bounds of Travers farm.

The line between Great Lot 8 and 9 is a short distance south of the Pleasant Valley garage and runs eastward a little south of the Great Bridge over the Great Wappingers Creek.

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THE CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH OF CLINTON CORNERS During the September 1970 Pilgrimage of the Dutchess County Historical Society a visit was made to the Central Baptist Church of Clinton Corners which is situated on Route 82, north of Washington Hollow. A charter member of the Church, Mr. Harry Braddock, spoke briefly to the members of the Society, outlining the Church history. He read a portion of an article written by Rosa L. Willis which had been published in a booklet at the time of the Pleasant Valley Post Office celebration in 1963 and which is reprinted herein. Mr. Braddock, who serves as Trustee and Treasurer of the Central Baptist Church, stated that the Church building was purchased for $500.00 and moved to its present location. At that time the basement was renovated and made into a kitchen and dining room.

Later, many other repairs and improvements were made to the building; electricity installed, a furnace, a new well dug, modern pews. A 30 foot addition provided a nursery room, a meeting room and new rest rooms. A new roof, painting, storm windows and a black-top driveway have also been accomplished to put the Church in an attractive condition.

Following is the history of the Central Baptist Church written by Rosa L. Willis.

"In 1915, several families moved from the Southland and settled around Clinton Corners, Salt Point and Washington Hollow. There being no Colored Church in this District, the people were not satisfied to live here without a church. They, being church-going people, put forth every effort to get a church started.

A few of them got together and consulted officials of the Friends Church at Clinton Corners. They gave them permission to hold services in their church on Sunday afternoons. With the assistance of Rev. A. W. Farmer of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., they formed a Mission under the name of New Hope Baptist Mission and services were held at the Friends Church for a while. During this time the present church building was standing idle, filled with farm implements and hay. So the members of the Mission decided that they would see Mr. E. C. Sweeney, owner of the church building, about holding services in the building. They were given permission to do so. In the Spring of 1916, the Mission moved into the present building, with a very small membership, but the people had a mind to work. Sunday School was held every Sunday morning, Prayer and Preaching Services were held in the afternoon. During the year of 1916, the Mission held its first Revival. The Rev. W. E. Jones of Harrisburg, Pa., conducted this revival: Fifteen souls were converted, Baptized and joined the Mission. From then on, Revivals were held and the Mission increased in membership large enough to be organized into a church.

In May 1919, with the assistance of Rev. E. W. Ellis of Poughkeepsie, the Mission called Council from the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Poughkeepsie. On this Council were: Rev. F. B. Brown, Pastor of Ebenezer; Deacons: Norman Williams, William Toles, William Green, Otha Twyrna,n, 82

Rev. A. W. Farmer. Under this Council the New Hope Baptist Mission was organized into a full-fledged Baptist Church, taking the name Central Baptist Church. In 1919, the church called its first Pastor, Rev. F. W. Wiggins of Beacon, N. Y. In 1920, under the leadership of Rev. Wiggins, the church was recognized by the Rev. Duers of Ossining, N. Y. The church joined the State Convention October 1920 at Buffalo. Rev. Wiggins and C. C. Hancock were delegates to the convention. In February 1921 the church was incorporated.

The Central Baptist Church has been organized 51 years. During this period the church has called four pastors. Rev. F. H. Wiggins was called in 1919, served 21 years. Under his leadership, the present site was purchased. Rev. Charles E. Byrd was called in 1939, and served eight years.

The church accomplished much good under his leadership. Rev. Robert L. Douglas was called in 1947, and served ten years. On December 31, 1957, Rev. Robert Dixon was called to the church, after serving two months as supply pastor, and is showing great progress in his field."

"Through many dangers, toils, and snares, we have already come. It was grace that led us safe thus far, and grace will lead us on."

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CLIFFORD BUCK RECALLS . . .

Karen Jones The following article was published in the September, 1971, issue of Pleasant Valley Life, the 150th Anniversary Souvenir Edition. The Year Book is very grateful to the author, Karen Jones, and to Dutchess Suburban Newspapers, Inc. for permission to print this excellent article about a member of our Trustees who is one of the County's outstanding historians. Karen Jones is the Managing Editor of the Dutchess Suburban Newspaper, Inc.

He wears black and white sneakers; sports suspenders attached to teal blue trousers. A recent growth of chin whiskers highlights a full-usually smiling-face. His eyes twinkle as he scans his memory for recollections of his past. He's Clifford Buck . . . and his age is seventy.

He's a casual, relaxed man who nearly bounces from room to room in search of information to answer and illustrate my many inquiries.

Once again I'm confronted with the realization of how meaningless age is . . . you can be thirty and dead of life or seventy and full of it!

Buck is obviously a man of the latter category.

Born in the Town of LaGrange on December 4, 1900, Buck traces his Dutchess County ancestry back to about 1710. Genealogy is his forte, and his expertise in the field is well known not only in this country, but throughout the country. "Mormons", says Buck, "are known for their interest in tracing back their ancestry." He noted that an organization in Utah has his name and from time to time requests that he trace a particular family thought to have lived in this area.

Buck's interest in tracing genealogies began back in 1930 when he was overcome with curiosity about his ancestry. And if you've ever taken a look at the county tax records and early census, it's easy to understand that one has to be extremely curious to read, not to mention decipher, the early handwritten records. "Most of my ancestors lived in Dutchess County," says Buck. "They came in the 1710 immigration from Germany, and the first Buck appeared on the 1718 county tax list."

Clifford explains that once he was interested in genealogy, it was not long before he quite naturally became involved in the history of the county. "You start finding out about the people and can't help but get interested in where they live and the history of these places."

FAMILY FARMING Cliff Buck's early years were spent in assisting with the family farming, which he describes as pretty much the same everywhere. "Farms were mostly on a small scale. We had about a dozen cows and sold cream to the Creamery. Most of the farms, including ours, frequently hired a man, besides the boys in the family, to do the work. We raised corn, oats, hay and got our power from horses.

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"Hay was gotten loose, and handled that way with a pitchfork. There was no telephone, no electricity, and no running water. In fact, I walked about a, tenth of a mile to get drinking water. It was also my duty to tell the neighbors when it was time to thrash, and since there were no phones I would go a quarter to a half mile to inform them."

If we balk at the problems with mail delivery today, at least we should keep in mind that it's much more frequent than it was in the early 1900's. According to Buck, mail was delivered semi-weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays — the same day the Poughkeepsie Eagle came out, and not everyone received farm delivery. "It was my job." said Buck, "to take mail to the neighbors where there was no drop. I also delivered the Eagle, and for that received ten cents a month."

EARLY EDUCATION Buck remembers attending a one room country school house of about 15 to 20 students. In order for him to attend high school, his family paid a tuition fee, and each day he travelled to Poughkeepsie. "You had to get there yourself," Buck recalls, "either by horse and wagon, sleigh or bicyle, depending on the weather. The high school was seven miles from where I lived then. People from this a,rea had it a little easier," he recalled. "They could go by train from Salt Point and Pleasant Valley to Poughkeepsie."

Buck received his B.S. degree in Agriculture in 1922 from Cornell, returned home and worked on his father's farm for a year, and "decided I should get married." With the $1000 his grandfather had left him plus an additional loa,n he was able to purchase the 105 acre farm in Salt Point which he still occupies. Since that time he has sold off several plots of the land and figures he now owns eighty to eighty-five acres in the town.

POTENTIAL GROWTH Clifford says that in the past few years several older couples have decided to buy land from him and move away from the city. He recalls that it started with one couple who couldn't get over looking out at the beauty of the open land with all the trees and amount of spaces. Buck said they told him he should always try and keep it that way. "Since that time they have convinced several other couples to purchase property from me and move into the adjoining areas. What they don't seem to realize," Clifford remarked, "is that if they continue to encourage people to move in around them, they will no longer have all the open space and trees that once made them move to the area."

All this moving from the city to the country and picking Salt Point to settle in couldn't bother Buck in the least. Clifford Buck is a realist.

"I have no question that Salt Point will go the way of the cities."

But you couldn't pay this man to return to the "good ole days", "As far as I'm concerned," Clifford replied, "I don't want to go back. It's 85

nice to think about those days, and I am sure we enjoyed them. It's much better today with the health and living standards that exist . . . there's more time for recreation. Besides, human nature is still the same.

"I'm not particularly concerned that the world is going to the dogs any more today than it was then. It just took longer to hear about things then."

FIRST MOVE On March 1, 1923 Buck moved into his house in Salt Point."We raised 1000 hens to sell eggs . . . not many cows . . . about 15 or 20 . . . for milking and we sold the milk to Borden's in Salt Point. We also raised three acres of potatoes and grew corn, oats, wheat and hay. We kept on with the cows, but we gave up the potatoes and poultry by 1945 because more years than not it was unprofitable.

"By then we had pure bred Guernsey. We kept that up until 1957 or '58, at which time I had thirty milking and about twenty young animals."

Buck recalls those early years of his marriage when he and his wife had decided that they wanted five children. He chuckled as he remembered the gossiping neighbors upset over the fact that his wife no sooner delivered a child than she was pregnant again. "And, I am certain," he said, "that they were convinced that we wouldn't stop till I had a boy. Our fifth child was our first boy."

Cliff Buck's wife kept boarders during those years of their marriage to help supplement their income.

SLOW TO CHANGE "The town of Salt Point hasn't changed much since then. There are approximately a dozen new houses . . . there were about 25 then. Some of the men must have worked as day laborers, but I really don't remember. About 1929, I do recall going into Salt Point and finding about ten men to dig potatoes . . . today you couldn't find one."

Buck remembers that a couple of men in the town worked on the railroad. "There was a feed store where Williams Lumber now stands . . . looked about the same though. The father and uncle of the present owner of DeLavergne's owned the same store. One of them was the postmaster, too. Joe Galvin was the mail carrier and did garage work on the side in the afternoons and evenings. There was also another small store at the south end of town.

"Salt Point had one blacksmith when I moved there; at one time there were two. You could get most everything you needed in town, but a lot of people would go once a week to Poughkeepsie to get clothing. I can remember selling eggs to a store there for a while. Mother would go into 86

a music store and listen to records for her Victrola . . . but you could get most things in Salt Point.

"Harry Ostrander had a meat market and he peddled meat throughout the county. I took his bobsled one winter and helped him peddle.

"I can remember the first few years when I was farming, said Buck.

"You would put your car up in the winter because they didn't bother to try and keep the roads open. Then I remember one year some politician remarked that he planned to keep the roads open all year round . . . and that's how it started."

Buck's children are grown and no longer living in the immediate area. Three of his daughters are married and live in the state: Rochester, Albion and Cortland. A fourth daughter is "doing a type of missionary work in Mexico learning some unwritten languages of still existing Indian tribes, at the Institute of Linguistics. She recently translated the New Testament in their language." His son is teaching at a Boston university in the political education field.

Since 1945 Clifford has a very lucrative job selling insurance from his home office.

By previous agreement, a friend and former partner took over the business when he reached seventy last year.

Buck's wife died of cancer in 1955. She had been active in 4-H activities for many years.

Cliff Buck's life continues to be extremely active. His mind is keenly alert and he is one of the few persons in the county who has the patience and knowhow to read old county records for information about people and places. He says that for many years he worked on it in "hit or miss" fashion . . . an hour or two at a time whenever he would get into Poughkeepsie. "Any more than that and you get too tired . . . but I learned how to do it and do it rapidly." Buck now has more than a dozen file drawers in his home filled with records and cross references of the many histories of people and places which he has traced.

He is active in the Dutchess County Historical Society. A trustee and treasurer of the Dutchess County Library Association, he remains a member of the Upton Lake Grange for which he has held numerous offices in the past.

Clifford Buck is obviously a man geared to bounce through another seventy years, as full and exciting as the past.

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A CREAMERY AND THE BLACKSMITH SHOPS IN LAGRANGE Edmund Van Wyck

A creamery is a place where cream is churned into butter. By definition, cream is the yellowish, fatty component of unhomogenized milk that tends to accumulate at the surface. ( Cream has nothing in common with "peep" or "pream" or any other concoction presently being sold to put in your morning coffee.) The cream is agitated in a churn (there are dozens of different kinds of churns) until the particles of butterfat separate from the milk and "gather" in a mass. Then we have butter.

"The LaGrange Creamery" was a co-operative organization and the creamery, or factory, was the brick building which still stands on the west side of Todd Hill Road about a quarter of a mile from Route 55 at "Apple Valley". The head of the company was Henry Hoyt, a member of the firm of "Cheney and Hoyt, Grocers". Their store stood on the north side of Main Street a few doors east of Catharine Street in Poughkeepsie. It was at this store that most of LaGrange butter was sold. The butter was packed at the creamery in crocks holding two, five or ten pounds each, or in wooden firkins which held about 50 pounds each.

From the firkins the butter was sold in any quantity the housewife might want.

The cream was produced by the Co-op members of dairy farms all around the area, and collected daily by gatherers who visited each farm to pick up and deliver it to the creamery. Three gatherers whom I remember were William Cramer, Robert McConaghy and Peter Cornell.

Each producer had what was called a "Cooley Creamer" which was a big water tight tank. It had a metal rack inside the tank that could be raised and lowered by a crank. The creamer cans were placed on the rack, the tank was filled with water and cooled with ice. Morning and night, batches of milk were put in the cans and the next day the collectors raised the cans from the tank, drew off the milk through a spiggot at the bottom of the can, measured the amount of cream by means of a narrow graduated window on the side of the can. After the cream had been registered on a talley sheet, it was dumped into an ordinary milk can and transferred to the factory. The skimmed milk was left on the farm.

At the creamery, the cream was held at near 70°F. and allowed to sour, then it was placed in the churn. The churn was a cradle type, oval in shape, mounted on grooved wheels which fitted a track of circular form, low in the middle and raised at each end so that the churn rode back and forth. It had a vertical motion at each end. After the butter "came", the buttermilk was drawn off to an outside tank and the butter was lifted out and placed on the "working table" where the remaining buttermilk was worked out by rolling and folding. Salt was added and the butter packed in crocks or firkins. It was ready for sale. The farmers usually kept the buttermilk which was fed to the pigs.

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The blacksmith shops, three in number, which I knew best were one at Manchester Bridge and two at Freedom Plains. Blacksmiths were the repairmen of the times. In addition to horseshoeing, most of them could fa about anything made of iron, patch an iron fry pan, put a new handle on a pail, weld a new link in a broken trace chain or make a whole set of irons for a new wagon.

Horseshoeing was, and still is, an art. In addition to knowing how to trim the outer shell of the hoof ( it grows just like your nails), fit and nail on a, shoe, it was necessary to know something about the horse's habits as well as the work wanted of him. A team used on a farm where the ground was soft would need a shoe of medium weight and not much calk. A heavy draft horse, used on hard roads and city streets, needed heavy shoes and calks to get good footing and pulling power.

On the other hand, a light "road horse" required light shoes and calks, and right here is where the smith has to know what the animal does with his feet when called upon to "show a little speed". If he "interferes", that is, clips the inside of his ankle as the other foot passes, it called for the outside of the front shoe to be a little heavier than the inside, pulling the foot out and away from the ankle. If he "reached", that is, hit the heel of the opposite front foot with toe of the hind foot as it came forward, then the toe of the hind shoes were made a little heavier so that the hoof came ahead tipped down a bit and missed the front foot. If you had a "stumbler", the toe of the front shoe was made lighter and weight added to the heel to make the hzel strike first, lessening the chance of stumbling.

The shop at Manchester Bridge stood just where the abutment of the present railroad arches up from the east bank of the Wappingers Creek. It was destroyed in 1911 when the railroad was double-tracked. Who started a shop there I do not know, but it probably was not long after Moses DeGroff put his gristmill nearby. "Billy" Donnally operated it from before my time until he died just after 1900, and it was run after that by one or another "journeymen", most of whom fell far short of being good blacksmiths.

"Bill Hen" Baker had a blacksmith and carriage shop just over the fence from the "Little Red Schoolhouse" at Freedom Plains. Paul Berger maintained a similar shop at about where the "Diamond Horseshoe" is now.

These, as with all shops, were busy places, especially after a sudden freezeup or an ice storm when every horse used on the road would have to be "sharp shod", that is, have sharp calks all around. Deep snow called for no calks as an animal might easily cut himself floundering around in deep snow or drifts.

Shoeing oxen was something else again! They are too "low slung" for the smith to get under to hold a hoof between his knees to work on it and oxen are obstinate when it comes to picking up a foot! Ox shoes are entirely different from horse shoes. They are made in two pieces to 89.

fit the two halves of the cloven hoof and, of course, a right and left half for each.

They were shod in an "ox rack", a sort of "crib" or "cradle" hung on gimbals so that they could be turned 90 0 either side to get the hoof up where it could be worked on. The ox was held in a stanchion and each leg secured before the rack was rotated. Very few shops would shoe oxen as it was a time consuming and often dangerous. After about one experience, Mr. Ox objected strenuously to the whole process, and demonstrated disapproval with well-swung, wide spread horns!

Blacksmith shops were interesting places: forges blazing, sparks flying, hammers clanging, anvils ringing, the "clack-clack-clack" hammer nailing on shoes, the smell of hoof, sweaty horses, men working and last, but not least, conversation!

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BOOK REVIEW THE AMAZING CHANLERS AND HOW THEY GREW All who take pleasure in rummaging in our regional history and who enjoy a good story that is written with spirit and style and a high regard for factual accuracy, will be grateful for the publication of A PRIDE OF LIONS: The Astor Orphans by Lately Thomas (Wm. Morrow & Co., N. Y. 1971). For this is the volume which inaugurates the chronicle of the Chanlers of Rokeby, at Barrytown. It is at one and the same time a multiple biography of eight extraordinarily vital brothers and sisters during their first 35 years, and a study of life on one of Dutchess County's notable Hudson River estates as the surviving influences of 18th Century manorial society, the oppressive pieties of the Victorian era, and the realities of the dawning 20th Century catch these eight orphans in cross-currents that set them spinning.

Mr. Thomas is a leading biographer and social historian. He has written superbly on New York's Mayor W. J. Gaynor and on that city's greatest restaurant, Delmonico's, and has recounted the lives of figures as far removed from each other as Andrew Johnson and Aimee Semple McPherson; but perhaps more significantly, in 1965, he was acclaimed for Sam Ward: King of the Lobby. That endearing, scintillating man of parts was the grandfather of the eight Chanlers, and thus introtuced to the family, Mr. Thomas found the grandchildren an irresistible subject for biography. Admirably qualified for the task, he has written a wholly admirable book which covers the years 1862 to 1901.

The Chanlers became the orphaned young proprietors of Rokeby in 1875 after the deaths of the former owner, their great-grandfather, William B. Astor, and of their mother, Margaret Astor Ward Chanler. Astor, known as the "Landlord of New York" and the nation's richest citizen, was the son-in-law of Rokeby's builders, General John Armstrong and his wife Alicia, who in turn was a sister of Chancellor Livingston and a granddaughter of Col. Henry Beekman. The orphans' father, Congressman John Winthrop Chanler, died soon after his wife, and the children (three of the original eleven died in childhood) were reared at Rokeby under the tutelage of a spinster cousin. Strong roots deep in the ancestral home soil, a rambunctious childhood spent mainly in the company of servants and each other, erratic education at home and abroad, formed the environment which produced young adults possessed of undoubted ability, means, good looks, charm, pugnacity and a certain maverick strain that occasionally flowered as eccentricity. The author remarks on this family's penchant for "monumental disputes and fantastic reconciliations," which prove to enliven the narrative as much as the family's international derring-do and the extraordinary range of their acquaintanceship with the famous (or notorious) of their time. Although they disparaged it, they were members of the "400," whose leader, Mrs. Astor, was their great-aunt.

John Armstrong Chanler married a beautiful but scandalous novelist who was probably a dope-addict. Subsequently, his friend Stanford White 91

arranged his incarceration in a madhouse — allegedly without cause — and after three long years he escaped. Winthrop Chanler, an intimate of Theodore Roosevelt, was wounded while on a commando mission for the Cuban insurrectionists early in the Spanish-American War. Elizabeth Chanler was painted by Sargent, traveled in imperial India, and married the essayist and reformer, John Jay Chapman. William Astor Chanler had, by the age of 25, led the first two large American exploring and scientific expeditions into East Africa, discovered Chanler Falls and circled Mt. Kenya.

He later ran guns to the Cubans, attempted to raise a, regiment of infantry when war was declared, and eventually won a seat in Congress. Lewis Stuyvesant Chanler became a celebrated criminal lawyer, perhaps the first "people's attorney" who limited his clientele to indigent defendants whom he represented without fee. He also campaigned in Ireland on behalf of Redmond and Home Rule and, during the first decade of this country, became a successful Democratic politician, serving as Lieut. Governor and campaigning from Rokeby in his nearly successful bid to unseat Charles Evans Hughes as Governor in 1908. Thereafter, he helped start the political career of his cousin, F.D.R. Margaret Livingston Chanler, under the tutelage of her great-aunt Julia Ward Howe, campaigned for women's suffrage and civic reform and founded the Women's Municipal League, a precursor of the League of Women Voters. She was known in the press as "the Angel of Puerto Rico" for her hospital field work during the Spanish-American War. After inspecting Army nursing arrangements in the Philippines during the insurrection, and being in Japan and Peking at the time of the Boxer Rebellion, she was instrumental in the successful lobbying for the establishment of the Women's Army Nursing Corps. In 1958, by then the widow of Richard Aldrich, eminent N. Y. Times music critic, and lifelong chatelaine of Rokeby, her memoirs were distributed under the title Family Vista as an occasional publication of this Society. Alida Beekman Chanler, who once tripped Czar Nicholas while dancing in London, married Christopher Temple Emmet at a Rokeby wedding stage-managed by Stanford White.

Robert Winthrop Chanler was to become a celebrated painter, muralist and exponent of the Bohemian life, but first, as "Sheriff Bob," he would serve as an immensely popular and colorful Democratic sheriff of Dutchess County, spending huge sums in order to insure that everyone enjoyed his campaigns as much as he did himself.

Of course this period of "Chanlerism," as the Poughkeepsie papers styled the political fortunes of Bob and Lewis, in not covered in this present volume; nor is mentioned here Willie's fantastic later career as a professional soldier of fortune, political agent and counter-revolutionary; nor John Armstrong Chanler's renowned 1910 telegram to Bob, who had just married — and then been bilked and repudiated by — a famous opera singer: "Who's loony now?" All this and much else is contained in the sequel volume, which the publisher is expected to bring out if Volume 1 sells in satisfactory quantities. All who relish preservation and dissemination of our full-flavored regional history, as well as good story92

telling (in recent reviews the Chanler chronicle has been justly compared with The Forsyte Saga — the principal distinction between them being that the latter is mere fiction), will be anxious to see publication of the succeeding volume or volumes, which bring the chronicle down to the death of the last of the "eight" in 1969.

Meanwhile, we can take delight in the volume in hand, and marvel at the author's stunning technical achievement in weaving together so smoothly and compellingly the entertaining record of eight very divergent lives. As Mr. Thomas does not intrude to belabor the social significance at every turn, but rather allows it to demonstrate itself as the narrative unfolds, this is social history at its most palatable. Starting with the marvelously detailed description of a Victorian childhood and household on a great Hudson River estate, and ending with a family Christmas dinner there as described in John Jay Chapman's unforgettable verse, Dutchess County throughout provides the unifying home focus. A PRIDE OF LIONS is illustrated with 42 photographs and is based almost entirely on hitherto unpublished family papers, handled with the most scrupulous accuracy and impeccable workmanship. Mr. Thomas writes with uncommon cla,riry and a style that is both brisk and literate. The palpable pleasure he takes in his subjects is infectious.

John Winthrop Aldrich Boston, Massachusetts.

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855 West End Avenue, Apt. 1B New York, N. Y. 10025 Dutchess County Historical Society, c/o Mr. Frank V. Mylod, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Dear Sir: I am sending you the enclosed MS in case you would be interested in publishing it in the Yearbook of the Dutchess County Historical Society.

I transcribed it while cataloguing the papers of the Mayor's Court of New York City, which at the moment are deposited in the Historical Documents Collection at Queens College of the City University of New York at Flushing, New York. I have not annotated it, since its interest seems to be self-evident.

Yours truly, (Sgnd.) Brigid Allen The following document, which properly belongs to the papers of the court of Common Pleas of Dutchess County, was found among the papers of the Mayor's Court of New York City. Its presence there is clearly accidential, since it deals with a matter outside the jurisdiction of the Mayor's Court. It has been transcribed with its original spelling and capitalization.

Brigid Allen.

A COPY OF AN AFVIDAFIT OF THE ACTIONS AND BEHAVIOUR OF THOMAS VORCE SINCE THE YEAR AD 1758 JUNE. He told me that he was first griped under one of his apple trees and that there Kept about 20 flying person about his Barn Which gave him wisdom and Knowledge above all other persons and he Told me that there was three or four Rounds of the world one above the other which he could preceive to grow Day after Day and he has taken me to the Door for to Look and I Told him I could not see it and he said he could see them grow as plain as the Sun Shines and afterwards Told me that he had about 20 powers within him Which he oftencaled them young Thomases and Kept in his Synews and caused that he could not work Because they had Not got their growth they were very young and Growing Very fast and caused a pain But when they had their growth he would be well and them powers Learnt him to Speak twenty four Languages and to Sing 21 Hymes which No other person could Speak Nor Sing but him and has often Sung them in my hearing but I could Not understand them and has Stood and acted and kept his Body Very Strangely and Held his Breath and Burst out with a Strange Noise and asked me what it was I Told him it was his Breath But he Said it was Not but that it were them powers or young Thomases with in him And that his Son John has Been Struck with many a Stroke and that he is Never to Die and said that I Shall Never Die and has Mentioned Several other persons that are Never to Die and that he has More Knowledge and wisdom than all the Lawyers 94

and Ministers in the world and Now he said you Know More then Ever you Did and I can tell you a Great Deal More but you must Say Nothing for that Reason I was put in Irons if they Knew it they would put me in again for am the Benjamin and that is more then Ever you Knew as I was Standing by my crackel Light came and Spoke to me and Said Look in the Bible and another time comeing from Poughkeepsie upon the hill by palies by the side of a black oak Tree Light Spoke to me and told me I was the Benjamin but you must say Nothing for that Reason I was put in Irons and told me there is a River acomeing from the Southwest from the City of Manassah and from the City of Benjamin and from Shatarah where all the Brick Housen are and has told me to make him about 100 plow Sheirs to take with me for there is None in about Eight Days or a fortinet the River will be here for I can perceive it a coming Nearer Every Day there is a very fine Land where we Sow but once and then it grows always . . . And he Said that that River will Take away his farm and Turn Down to the North River where Hoffmans Mills Stand and Take them away and pretend that he is Equal with God that he can condemn whom he will of Save them and Say that he is as young in years as My child of about Eight years Old and he told me I was unwise for Building and clearing ground for the River will Take part of my farm away and Says that his father was the King But had done Some crime and then joined Capt. Kidd and came up the North River by the twalf kill and Buried Seven Vessels Loaded with money which them powers Told him and his father Being Dead and he Being his fathers olde Son the Title of the King belonged to him and that there is No other King and I Live Near him and See him often and have Much Conversation with him and that he always has Such Discourse and if any person came in he would Drop his Discourse and talk Reasonal for a Short Space and Shewing how them power work his Body and what Voice they make and then he would Look Smiling and Look upwards and whispering and he would pretend that them powers Told him What to Say and then he would Say Do you See Now they tell me what I must Say and I very often Seen him alone but Never otherwise then in Strange actions by Griping and pointing with his hands and flinging his head Backward and forward and Taking his hat of and Bowing Down to the ground and very often cursing I was once at his house helping John Crandull with a coal Kiln Thomas Being about three or four hundred yards from Me and I heard a very Strang Noise and I asked John Crandul what it was he said it was uncle Thos. I Said Let us go and See and We went when we Saw him we Stept out of the way and he comeing along Griping and Snorting and making a very Strange Noise and Cursing at a Dredful Rate and as Soon as I Spoke to him it was all over and I asked him what was the Matter he Said if I knew what was Round me I would Not ask him and then I walked with him to the House and he Seemed to be well and Reasonal and Since he gave his farm to John Crandull I asked him what Made him wrong his children so for his children were poor and one a cripple that he would have Done better to have it to his childn. he told 95

me he could Do better by them and Said he Did Not count that farm worth Six pence For in about Eight Days the River from the Southwest will be here and take away my farm and part of yburs and you had Better to go with me to them cities what Do I count that Land Since I have Money Enough to Bury you and my children a Thousand times under it and that will be better for them than that Land if it was Not So Do you think that I would be Such a fool as to give it to John Crandul and he Said you Must Let Bill and Betsey Live with Helmas and Molley in that house of yours about Eight Days and then the River will be here and then we will all go to them cities Let John Crandull Stay here He was at my house 25 Day of December 1767 he Said he had Rather his children Should Live on that farm and he with them if it could be So but it could Not be So Now But he Did Not chuse them to Live there there was too Much hard work on that Land Since he had So Much money as to Bury Me and his children that was Better for them and I Told him his Daughter Molly Suffered he Said it will be but for a Short Time I Expected we Should have been gone before Now Do you think that I Should been Such a fool as to Let John Crandull have that place if I had Not So much No that I would Not But he Said that I understood that the people was agoing to put france Laroyon on my place and therefore I thought to Secure it I Should Have liked to have Helmas & Money to have Lived with me But then his Mother would have Been there too and flys from your house to mine and from Mine to yours and all over but you Must provid for Molley and I will give you for Every Shilling five and for Every pound five after a while I am very Rich and So are my Childn if they Did but Know it and he has often told me that he Had as Live gave me a Deed of his farm as John Crandull for he Did Not Value it for he had Enough — and I Look on him to a man Deprived of his Reason from Date of this and that he is yet so Deprived of his Reason that he is Not capable to take care of his Business May ye 26th 1769 Dutchess County Personally appeared before me Peter Harris Esqe., One of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for Said County John Tearpeny who was duly Sworn that the Contents of the within Written, Actions, Discours, & behaviour of Thomas Vorse is a full & true account there of from ye 27 May 1769 time to time to the best of his Peter Harris

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DR. JOHN BARD AND DR. SAMUEL BARD OF HYDE PARK Joseph W. Emsley

Hyde Park's Vanderbilt estate has become so well known in Dutchess County, together with the Franklin D. Roosevelt historic home site, that we are indined to forget another famous Hyde Park resident, Dr. Samuel Bard. His father, Dr. John Bard, was famous, too, although his son became more prominent in New York City's early medical and initial hosipal life. Both Dr. Samuel and his father will be remembered in Dutchess for their country residence activities at Hyde Park. To be sure, they were related to the original patentee of Hyde Park, Peter Fauconier, and Dr. John established the Bard residence on the site of the present Vanderbilt mansion. The Bard family was outstanding, too, in the building of historic St. James Church at Hyde Park, and Bard College of Annandale-on-Hudson was named in honor of the famous medical pioneers.

Dr. Samuel Bard Dr. Samuel Bard was the inspirational force behind the founding of New York Hospital in New York City. The present decade celebration of bicentennial events related to the establishment of the federal government in this country points to developments in New York City, the seat of the first capital. A charter was granted to New York Hospital on June 13, 1771. Dr. Bard was the first attending physician at the New York City hospital. He gave it his daily supervision for 23 years.

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Dr. Samuel Bard was the leader, in 1768, in the founding of the first medical school in New York City. The school was affiliated with King's College which became Columbia College. He became Professor of Theory and Practice of Physics. He later resigned to accept the professorship of Philosophy and Astronomy, and subsequently was appointed Dean of the college. Popular and successful as a physician, Dr. Bard specialized in obstetrics, and wrote a manuel on midwifery in 1807.

Dr. John Bard was a leader in New York City in combating communicable diseases. He established on Bedloe Island its first quarantine station and became the first health officer of the city. He wrote on such subjects as yellow fever and malignant pleurisy. He became the first president of the New York Medical Society.

Practicing medicine day and night, Dr. Samuel Bard became a familiar figure riding his phaeton, with servant, in New York's streets.

He was saddened during his career, however, by the unexpected loss of his children from scarlet fever. This misfortune was lightened some time later, however, when his wife, Polly gave birth to a daughter.

Dr. Samuel Bard was long remembered as the physician who saved the life of George Washington. His father, the family photographers pointed out, credited Dr. John Bard with encouraging the new federal government to make New York City the first capital of the United States. This decision was influenced to some extent by Dr. Bard's exposition of the healthful qualities of the location.

On April 6, 1789, Washington was inaugurated as President of the American Republic at a ceremony at Federal Hall. State Chancellor Robert R. Livingston of Clermont, Columbia County, and member of the famous branch of the Livingston family, administered the oath of office.

But Washington was in ill health. He became sick with a fever on June 13, 1787. Dr. Samuel Bard was called and found his noted patient in a run-down condition. Washington became seriously ill from a carbuncle on his right thigh. An operation was decided upon because a gangrenous condition might otherwise set in. Washington was 73 years old.

Dr. Samuel asked his father to assist with the operation. A deep incision was required. While the operation was successful, President Washington himself reporting 16 days later that his health was restored, the famous patient was feeble. He was treated sometime later by the Bard father and son team for colds and pneumonia. He lived for another 10 years.

On March 24, 1791, the State Legislature authorized the Regents of Columbia University to establish a College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. Dr. Samuel Bard accepted the presidency of the college.

Dr. David Hosack, a younger associate of Dr. Samuel Bard, became Professor of Botany at Columbia, and famous as the principal developer of the Elgin Botanical Gardens, predecessor of Rockefeller Center in

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Photos from John Brett Langstaff's "Doctor Bard of Hyde Park"

"Hyde Park" Mansion. Residence built by Samuel Bard on site where Vanderbilt Mansion now stands.

New York City. He was reported to have invested $100,000 of his own funds on the gardens, and much of his pioneering in horticulture was reflected in the development of the Bard estate at Hyde Park.

Dr. Samuel Bard and Dr. Hosack became leading backers of horticulture in Dutchess County. Dr. Bard was active in the formation of a horticultural society in the County. Another objective of Dr. Bard was the care and breeding of sheep. Chancellor Robert Livingston was associated with him in the introduction of Marino sheep into the United States.

Dr. Hosack acquired the major part of the Bard estate, or the present Vanderbilt property, from the Bard family estate. Hosack died in 1835.

St. James Church was consecrated October 10, 1811. Congratulated as the church founder, Dr. Samuel Bard was elected senior warden of the church. Morgan Lewis, Staatsburg, a governor of New York, was chosen junior warden.

Dr. Bard died May 24, 1821, and his wife died one day before him.

He was 79 and she 75 at their deaths.

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FAITH CHAPEL AT TITUSVILLE On several occasions recently it has been stated that the schoolhouse at Titusville was also used as a chapel for religious services. Mr. Edmund Van Wyck, Vice-President of the Historical Society representing the Town of LaGrange, has called attention to the error of these statements.

There was a chapel at Titusville built by a member of the Titus family and it was called "Faith Chapel". It was at Faith Chapel that religious services were held and not at the Schoolhouse. Faith Chapel stood at the south end of the lawn and flower garden of the present day Rothenburg home, the end of the building toward the roadway. Mr. Van Wyck has been unable to discover what religious group held services there, but states that in his memory the chapel was not in use until about 1900, or perhaps a year or two later. At that time, a social group of young ladies undertook the task of having the chapel moved to Manchester Bridge.

A foundation was built for the chapel at the east end of the Mill lot and, with the help of many people of the community, the chapel was picked up and moved to the new location. For many years thereafter, services were held at Faith Chapel each Sunday afternoon by a Methodist group from Poughkeepsie, and later the Reverend Doctor Edwards of St. Paul's Church of Pleasant Valley established a Mission Church. Services were conducted regularly until Dr. Edward's death in the 1920's, and a few years later Faith Chapel was sold and the building was demolished.

THE OLD LADIES HOME 100 Years or Service

One of Poughkeepsie's important institutions, the Old Ladies Home, celebrated its one hundredth birthday in 1971. The imposing three story brick building on South Hamilton Street at Trinity Square was purchased at auction by Jonathan Rowland Warner from the trustees of the Dutchess County Academy for $16,000 in 1871, and he turned the property over to a Board of Managers to be converted into a home for elderly ladies of the community. At that time, the building consisted of the present center portion, the north and south wings forming the letter "T" were added at a later date.

The handsome brick structure has high ceilings, wide corridors and very pleasant living rooms and bed rooms. On the third floor there is a ten bed infirmary in charge of a registered nurse. There are twenty employees under the direction of Mrs. Delmar Cooper, the Administrator, and a dedicated Board of Lady Managers is actively engaged in the over-all management of the property and is responsible for the care and comfort of the forty-eight residents of the Home.

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The building and grounds of the Old Ladies Home are carefully maintained and are in excellent taste. Poughkeepsie is proud indeed of the Old Ladies Home and the Dutchess County Historical Society adds its "Many Happy Returns" to the Board of Managers, to the Administrator and to the residents of the Home.

Jonathan Rowland Warner was able to purchase the property in 1871 because the Trustees of the Dutchess County Academy, a private boys school in Poughkeepsie, decided to close the school and to turn the money it received from the sale to the Board of Education of Poughkeepsie to aid in the establishment of a High School and Library. Dutchess County Academy had been incorporated by an act of the Legislature of the State of New York on March 17, 1792, and soon thereafter the first building of the new school was built on the south west corner of Academy and Cannon Streets, and adjoined the Presbyterian Church property on Cannon Street about 150 feet east of Academy Street.

The first Dutchess County Acedemy building was a two story frame structure containing four rooms, two on each floor. A tower containing a bell surmounted the building, completing its resemblence to the typical country schoolhouse of that period. Established as a day school, the Dutchess Academy outgrew the two story building on Academy Street and, with a demand for boarding students, the trustees voted to offer the Academy property for sale and to purchase for $1,000 the land where the Old Ladies Home now stands. The Academy property was sold for $5,000, Henry A. Livingston, Senior Trustee, and A. G. Storm, Treasurer, conveying the title for the Dutchess County Academy. The frame building was picked up and moved to the north east corner of North Clinton Street and Thompson Street, the bell tower was removed, and the first floor changed to a grocery store, the second floor a residence.

The deed conveying the vacant land on South Hamilton Street to the Dutchess County Academy in 1834 ( the present Old Ladies Home property) describes the lot in part as follows: ". . . on Hamilton Street as agreed to be widened and the intended continuation of Montgomery Street, 200 feet along Hamilton and 200 feet easterly". Montgomery Street had its eastern boundary at Hamilton Street in 1834, but its extension was planned. The Dutchess County Academy completed the building that year and occupied it until 1871 when Mr. Warner became the owner and created the Old Ladies Home.

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THE VAN WYCK FAMILY OF DUTCHESS COUNTY Joseph W. Emsley

Edmund Van Wyck, well known resident of Manchester Bridge, Route 55, Town of LaGrange, doesn't often tell about his ancestry in New York State, or in Dutchess County, but it is fascinating for the onlooker at his prominent Dutch lineage to tell a few facts about the Van Wycks.

Many county residents, driving back and forth to the John F. Kennedy Airport, probably have wondered in their travels over part of that route about the Van Wyck Expressway. To be sure, that route was named after one Edmund Van Wyck's ancestors.

The original family settler in the early New Amsterdam area was Cornelius Barentse Van Wyck who came here from Holland about 1650.

Cornelius, coming to this country as Edmund Van Wyck a man, bought some 450 acres of land in the Flatbush area of New York. One of his descendants, James, was quite prominent in the Brooklyn area. He was an engineer on a highway project when the Van Wyck name was first applied to a part of the present Van Wyck Boulevard.

Edmund Van Wyck is a great, great grandson of Judge Theodorus Van Wyck, a grandson of the first settler, and son of the first Theodorus Van Wyck in the family line of early settlers in this country. Judge Theodorus and Cornelius 2nd were among the early settlers in Dutchess County.

Theodorus came to Dutchess County about 1720 to survey the southern Dutchess Rombout Patent for Madame Catharyn Brett. This extensive area of some 85,000 acres of land was among the early grants of land in the colonial period of the State.

Cornelius and Theodorus Van Wyck each acquired more than 400 acres of land in southern Dutchess, the former in the Fishkill area and the latter in East Fiskill, along what is now Route 52. Judge Theodorus, Edmund Van Wyck's ancestor, was born in Hempstead, Long Island October 15, 1697. He moved to Dutchess in 1736. He and his brother, Cornelius, split an original tract of some 900 acres for the extensive Van Wyck family holdings in southern Dutchess.

Cornelius was the owner of the lands in the Route 9 area of Fishkill which included the site of the present Van Wyck house which became popularly known as the "Wharton" house, so known as the scene of action in James Fenimore Cooper's novel, "The Spy". The late County 102

Historian, Helen Wilkinson Reynolds, said in her book, "Dutch Houses in the Hudson Va,lley", that the eastern, smaller part of this historic Van Wyck family house was, in all probability the original dwelling.

The equally prominent early Van Wyck house of Cornelius' brother, Theodorus, is the one still standing and tenanted in Route 52 in East Fishkill. There is a long driveway into the property and the original house faced the south, not north to Route 52. Miss Reynolds, probably Dutchess County's most thorough and accurate historian, wrote that this house, east of Wiccopee, is bounded on the south by the Fishkill mountains and an "arable flat called Fishkill Hook, a name which is a hybrid form or Vis Kil Hoeck (Fish Creek Corner )".

The Van IXTycks, with a growing number of family branches, became one of the most prominent among the early settlers. Theodorus Van Wyck served as a delegate from the county to the second Provincial Congress in New York City.

During the War of the Revolution, John Jay, the famous resident of Westchester County, moved his family into Theodorus's house after the British occupied New York City. As Miss Reynolds described the Jay family tenancy of the house, "from 1776 to 1781, the house at Wiccopee was a haven for Mr. Jay's elderly parents, his children and brother."

Some members of the Jay family stayed for a time in the Colonel John Brinckerhoff stone house in Lomola Road, Fishkill, off the present Route 82 near Swartoutville. John Jay, for whom the present-day Fishkill Plains School was named, became the first Chief Justice of the United States, 1789-1795, and was Governor of New York thereafter.

Judge Theodorus Van Wyck and Colonel John Brinckerhoff were appointed among the first judges of the Court of Common Pleas, February 24, 1750, by Governor George Clinton. Judge Van Wyck was a man of fixed decisions and promptness. So well did he live up to his motto, "Owe no man a cent", that, at his death, it was said this was literally true.

Edmund Van Wyck's ancestry included a third Theodorus, Dr. Theodorus Van Wyck of the Revolutionary War period, who cared for the wounded and ill during the war. He was popularly called "Dorus", Ed Van Wyck noted.

Miss Ida Van Wyck, Poughkeepsie resident, a descendant of the original member of the family, was a member of the Cornelius Van Wyck family line. Captain Cornelius, of her line, was killed at the battle of White Plains. A member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, she was employed for many years in Poughkeepsie as secretary to the late attorney, Edward K. Haas.

Miss Van Wyck's father was DeWitt S. Van Wyck, Green Haven, and later of the Town of Union Vale. Her grandfather, John S., lived in Beekman township. Her great grandfather, Robert, also lived in Dutchess County.

Edmund Van Wyck's relatives include Miss Edith Van Wyck of Fishkill, a cousin, and like Ed, a descendant from the original settler through 103

the Theodorus family line. Edith Van Wyck also numbers Judge Theodorus and Dr. Theodorus in her line of descent.

Mrs. Varick Stringham of the Fishkill Plains, Stringham Mill area of the town of East Fishkill, is the widow of Varick Van Wyck Stringham who died last year. Varick and his father, Edward B., were owners of the 400-acre place, known for some 100 years as Crystal Springs Farm. This property, on Sprout Creek, was purchased by Colonel Richard Van Wyck in 1835. There is no vestige left of importance of the Stringham mill, but the Stringham house remains almost intact as an outstanding example of colonial times. This house, as evidenced by the black brick letters, three feet high, on the west end of the property, dates back to 1768 — one of the oldest in the county.

Historian Helen Reynolds, who included this Verplanck-Van Wyck house in her "Dutch Houses of the Hudson Valley", said of the present-day Stringham house, "It has lost some of its original details, but its brick walls, in good proportion, its gambrel roof and its roof-balustrade give it lasting distinction." She noted that Richard Van Wyck purchased the place from the heirs of William Beekman Verplanck. Miss Reynolds added that the house was "simply a well preserved example of a gentleman's home in the pre-Revolutionary period".

Getting back to Edmund Van Wyck, his community activities have been so ramified, but self-sacrificing as any citizens might expect. His family connections include his daughter, Edna Ruth Floyd, Clinton, New Jersey, ninth generation of the Van Wyck family in this country.

The LaGrange house and acreage included over a period of many years an apple orchard, Edmund's father having had also an interest in the farm. The former 30-acre orchard was well known for its production of McIntosh, Cortland and Rome Beauty apples. The sloping property was well adapted to apple growth.

Edmund Van Wyck was active for many years in the County Farm Bureau, later known as the Cooperative Extension Service. Active also in the Grange, he served as master of Poughkeepsie Grange, and the county Pomona Grange. He was master of Triune Lodge, FAM, and a district deputy of the Masonic Order, having become a 32nd degree Mason.

Active in the Arlington Reformed Church, he has served as deacon and elder of that religious body. Van Wyck, of diversified interests, has been a trustee of the Poughkeepsie Savings Bank for many years. He has long been a member of the LaGrange Fire Department and continues as a fire fighter. His numerous affiliations include membership in the Dutchess County Historical Society, having served as its president and, at present, as a trustee. He is a member of the Holland Society of New York State.

Edmund Van Wyck was one of six grandsons of Edmund Van Wyck.

Five of the grandsons moved west, three remaining there and two returning to the New York area. The line of ancestry included John Brinckerhoff, Ed's great grandfather, who was a general in the New York Militia.

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Dr. David B., an uncle of the Manchester Bridge resident, studied medicine at Omaha Medical College, Omaha, Nebraska, and Columbia Medical School in New York City. He returned to Dutchess County to practice medicine from the Route 55 family homestead until his death in 1926.

Edmund's late brother, Paul, a graduate of Eastman Business College, worked for the New Haven Railroad. He lived in Hartford during most of his working career. He died in 1955.

PRICES IN THE "GOOD OLD DAYS"

by Edmund Van Wyck*

Here are some items taken from an old account book in which the very first line reads "Peter Cornwell's Act. Book, 1830". Some of the price columns are headed "$-C" and some S D", indicating that the influence of the English monetary system had not entirely died out. Our shilling equaled 1212/ cents and were known as "bits"; 2 bits equaled 25 cents, 6 bits equaled 75 cents, and so on. The Cornwell farm was situated on today's Smith Crossing Road between Maloney and Didell Roads and the family was there until about 1920.

The book itself is 612/ " x 8" and contains about forty pages crowded with entries dated 1830 through 1832, and in addition is literally stuffed with memoranda on loose slips of paper of all shapes and sizes. These carry dates to 1861. The 1861 entry reads: Received of Peter Cornwell four Dollars for visit to his Brother in consultation with Dr. Underhill September 12, 1861 ( signed) John Cooper Most entries of the first three pages consist of butter sales, amounts ranging from 112/ to 34 pounds, but no prices are recorded. Other items: 20 bu oats at 30 cents 4 bu Rie at 5S bu corn at 45 15 gees at 16 turkeys at Pork at $5-s3 2 pigs sold Roe 1 pig sold Stant

6.00 2.50 2.1212/ 26.00 8.00 33.20 02.00 3.1212/

In 1831 the price of oats was a little better, ranging from 2/8 to 3/7 and pork was sold for $4.75 per cwt. Flax, a rare commodity for this area, sold for 8 to 812/ cents a pound. Another entry: 3 hogs sold to Harvey E. Everitt valued 18.00 7 Turkeys sold to Harvey E. Everitt for 4.3712/

In 1833 he recorded twenty sales of butter and this time he entered the prices. The prices vary from a low of twelve and a half to eighteen cents a pound, and quantities from eleven to thirty-three pounds. But the man's arithmetic was atrocious! Checking at random, I only found one 105

sale where there was an over charge, 5 1bs.g.8 equal .93. Here are samples: Weight 15 lbs.

32 18 25 1/ 2 12 3/4

His record $1.61 4.68 3.19 3.62 1.47

Price $.15 .15 .18 .15 .12 1/ 2

Should be $1.65 4.80 3.24 382½ 1.59 3/ 8

He short-changed himself every time! * Edmund Van Wyck, Trustee and former President of the Dutchess County Historical Society, continues to contribute to the Year Book interesting and valuable records of Dutchess County.

Also in 1833 he sold a sow and pigs for $11.00 and five calves at prices from two to four dollars each, and quantities of oats in two to twenty-five bushel lots at prices ranging from 30 to 40 cents per bushel.

And in another case of depression arithmetic, he again lists flaxseed, 51/4 bu.0.19-a total of $9.18, nearly eighty cents short. He lists also 3 geese for $1.31 and a very unusual item, clover seed, at $7.00 a bushel and 2 of potatoes for $.871/ 2.

By far the most numerous entries are those recording days labor at many jobs for neighbors; all of these are in pounds, shillings and pence. With some, it is impossible to know after a hundred and thirty years, whether the sums are owed or owing. Here is a page headed Jan. 17, 1830 Philander Seward Dr. by 2 days thrashing Jan. 30 by 6 days thrashing

£- S -D 0- 4 -0 0 - 12 - 0

and so on for 10 similar enries: - S -D 5 - 18 - 0

Received payment in full

This is followed by a list of days spent at laying walls, hoeing corn, digging celler, mowing clover, making hay, harvesting oats and, on September 25, by 3 days work in Aples 0 12 0. Summer work brought better wages. Threshing was worth 2 shillings a day, but various summer days were worth 6 in haying and 8 in harvest. In September, he noted that he was paid in full but did not put down the amount. Later, he worked in corn and the last item on that page is "riding Stalks" on November 8.

They were getting set for the winter. The Philander Seward farm-house is owned at present by New Hackensack Reformed Church and used as a Parsonage.

During 1830, he worked two days for John "Diddle" laying wall at the rate of three Shillings a day. Likewise, he put in two "half months" for John Luyster, and for one half he received one pound 10 shillings and for the other, 1 pound 12 shillings, but doesn't say what he was doing. In March, 1831, he records 21 days for Luyster at 2 pounds 11 shillings and in October 31 he has a half month at 2 pounds. In 1832, again Luyster, the account shows: April 28 by months work and half day June 16 by 6 days work at wall

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E - S -D 4- 2 -0 1 - 4 -0

and in 1833: June 27 by 41/ 2 days work at hoeing corn July 14 by 6 days work at wall & hay Sept. 30 by 11 days work at wall

£0 1 1 -

S 16 5 4

-D - 0 - 0 - 0

Wages were going up a little, maybe two "bits" a day over the rates in 1830.

Other employers mentioned, besides Diddell, Seward and Luyster, include Harvey E. Everitt, William Roe, William Brower, Stephen Hicks, Mrs. Jane Dates and others. The Diddell place, east of New Hackensack, is still owned and operated by that family, and the Roe place adjoined it on the west. One James Luyster lived in New Hackensack years ago and was employed by Luckey, Platt and Company.

Many pages are filled with what appear to be family records of transactions between members of the household, but one person appearing as "Cr" and "Dr" perhaps on the same page or on several pages. However, the prices paid for "trade goods" are interesting and cover a wide range of subjects between 1830 and 1835. The actual dates are not important the items are: by by by by by

1 pair mittens 1 pair hare combs 1 paper tobaco muslin & trimming for shirts 1 horse blanket & 1 lb. salts

by by by by by by by by by by by by by

21/ 2 yds. of Canton Flannel 11 2/ yds. of Irish linen potash 1 Read Bandanah Habdkerchief muslin for shirts & trimmings 2 yds Cloth for Coat @ $2 per yd.

Trimmings for coat buttons for coat 1 summer hat Pantaloons lining for same cash paid for watch sweet potatoes

E O O 0

-

00000 0O 1 O 00 0 000-

S 2 0 0 8 7 S 5 2 0 6 8 12 9 0 2 13 0 6 1

-D -6 - 3 - 9 -0 -0 -D -0 -0 - 3 -0 -2 - 0 - 6 -8 -0 - 3 -9 -0 -0

I like the "hare combs" at 3'd and the ''tobaco" at 9'd but the "Read Bandanah" at 6 bits must have been quite all right as the 1/ 2 yard of Irish linen only cost two!

The loose papers are of all shapes and sizes. Many are receipts for money and lots of them appear to be shopping lists on the back or even across the front. Here is one: "Received of Mr. John Cornwell two Dollars in full for the Poughkeepsie Telegraph up to No. 442 Dated October 15th 1834. Samuel Van Dyne." Then there is a receipt signed for the executors of the estate of Matthew Van Benschoten by Alex Forbus in the amount of $20.31 on a book account and $38.50 interest the two 107

bonds and mortgages of Clement and John. In July of 1831, Peter ( John's Father? Brother? Son?) bought some groceries of Robinson and Graham: 7 — Sugar — 14 — Rice 2 — Coffee 12 — Mackrel 1/4 — Y. H. Tea

$0.50 .50 .25 .48 .28

Recd Paymt

$2.01 .75 1.25

He probably traded eggs or butter amounting to $.75 and R 8z G knocked off the odd penny! There are no less than twenty-two Steamboat Company receipts for tubs of butter in lots of one to three tubs, each sold at prices ranging from 13 to 28 cents per pound. One, two or three hogs were shipped and on one occasion, a bushel of walnuts which brought Two Dollars. The freight charges ran from eleven to thirty-eight cents, which included the trip to New York, selling the stuff and returning the container, if any. Fancy that today!

During 1832-33 Peter seems to have done considerable building as there are two or more pages filled with building supply items. He never specifies sizes of anything, simply "Bot of Mr. Pierce 52 bards 16 cents — 8.32"; Bot of Mr. Hodges 32 joice 6 cents — 4.66"; "Bot of Mr. Waldron 17 lbs nails — 1.02"; "Bot of Mr. Pierce 2 thousand shingles — 9.80"; Bot of Woolley 26 bords — 2.60"; "4 clear plank $1.41"; "2 bunch shingles $4.75"; "Arnold bill for stoop post $0.53"; Storms bill for nails $0.65". Sizes of "joice" are not given and sometimes "bords" are set down as "wide", "Pine", "clear", "Hemlock", "narrow siding" etc. And once, nails were specified as 5'd, otherwise "cut", "large", "lath", "small", "floor" and so on. It is rather difficult to compare, but they seem to be low in price by today's reckoning.

The very last page of the book has two very sobering notations: "Phebe Cornwell Departed this life Monday Morning April 15th 1833 — Aged 54 years — 9 months and 3 days About."

"Clement Cornwell Departed this life Tuesday morning April 23rd 1833 — Aged 85 years — 2 Months and 27 days".

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MATTHEW VASSAR, JUNIOR 1809 - 1881 Matthew Vassar, Junior, was born 1809 and died 1881. He was the son of John Guy and Margaret Van Kleeck Vassar, nephew of Matthew Vassar, the founder of Vassar College. This prominent Poughkeepsian of the nineteenth century was born in the first substantial house built in Poughkeepsie, the 1702 Van Kleeck house which stood on the south side of present day Mill Street, between Vassar and Washington Streets. Mr. Vassar's father was John Guy Vassar, a brother of Matthew Vassar, founder of Vassar College. His mother, Margaret Van Kleeck, was the granddaughter of Poughkeepsie's first settlers, Baltus Barentszen and Tryntje Buys Van Kleeck. His birthplace was demolished in 1835 and he built near the site a modern frame house which was his home until his death forty-six years later. Mr. Vassar preserved however several pieces of furniture and the lintel stone which bears the initials of the first occupants; BVK-TVK-1702. The lintel is carefully preserved in Poughkeepsie by a descendent of the builder of Poughkeepsie's first house.

Matthew Vassar, Jr., first married Mary Parker whose death occurred in 1851, and nineteen years later he married Irene Beach, the daughter of Edward and Louisa Van Kleeck Beach. Mrs. Beach was a direct descendent of Poughkeepsie's first residents, Baltus and Tryntje Van Kleeck.

There were no children by either marriage and, at Mr. Vassar's death, he was survived by Mrs. Vassar and his brother, John Guy Vassar. Matthew received his education at the Lancaster School which later became Public School Number 2 on lower Church Street, near the present approach to the Mid-Hudson Bridge, and will be remembered as the home of the Lindmark Book Store until the structure was demolished several years ago. In 1826, at the age of seventeen, he entered the employ of his uncle, Matthew Vassar, and was joined by his brother, John Guy, a few years later. The Vassar brothers were admitted to partnership in the very successful brewing business of the elder Matthew Vassar and continued until the latter's death which occurred in 1861. The brewery was sold and Matthew Vassar, Jr., devoted his time to Vassar College.

He was one of Vassar's original trustees and, at the particular request of the founder, he became Treasurer from the beginning, continuing in that capacity until his death. Although he served without pay, he was at his office at Vassar College daily, and a newspaper article of August 11, 1881 reporting Mr. Vassar's death states: "He attended personally to every detail, and it is largely due to this fact and to his judicious investt• ment of the funds entrusted to him that the College owes much of its financial prosperity."

Mr. Vassar amassed a large personal fortune and during his later years he contributed much of it to various charitable institutions of Poughkeepsie. It is said that he was firmly opposed to "borrowing funds or dipping into principal". He strongly opposed the building of a new Baptist Church although he realized that the church building was not 109

adequate for the needs of the time. He found himself overruled in the case, but subscribed $1,000 to the original building fund, added several donations for a year or two and finally made a gift of $5,000 to pay the balance of the debt. At another time, the trustees of Vassar College decided to build a new laboratory for the Departments of Chemistry and Physics. The subject of a debt was debated at length, Mr. Vassar taking a very strong negative stand in this connection. A day or two before the meeting of Trustees, Mr. Vassar learned that a motion would be offered authorizing the Treasurer to borrow sufficient funds to build the new buildings and that enough affirmative votes would be available to pass the resolution. When the Trustees convened and before the expected motion was offered, Mr. Vassar arose and again stated his strong opposition to borrowing funds. He said a new laboratory was badly needed and therefore he and his brother, John Guy, had decided to pay the entire cost of construction, and also that they would meet the expenses of the equipment. When the Chemistry and Physics building was completed, it was considered one of the finest in the country, and Vassar College did not have to dip into principal or go into debt due to the generosity of the brothers Vassar.

Matthew and John Guy Vassar provided funds to establish and build Vassar Home for Aged Men and the elder brother in particular gave his attention to the planning and construction of the fine building for the Home at the corner of Main and Vassar Streets. Shortly before his death, Matthew had the idea for providing the community with an organization for scientific, literary and artistic purposes. He secured a site, perfected the plans, and after gaining the interest and aid of his brother, started the project shortly before he became seriously ill. In his Will, however, provision was made to complete and endow Vassar Brothers Institute. Mr. Vassar's Will created and endowed Vassar Hospital, since the entire residue was left for that purpose. He directed his executors to obtain a site and to erect a building, furnish it, the total cost not to exceed $85,000. The balance of his residual estate was ordered invested "on Bond and Mortgage, being the first lien on a good title to realty in this state and in the registered Scrip, Stocks, Bonds or securities issued by the Government of the United States of America and in Registered Bonds of any of said United States lying north of the 36th parallel of North Latitude, and in the registered 1st Mortgage Bonds of any good sound completed Rail Road lying north of said parallel of Latitude".

When the hospital was completed and ready for use, his executors were instructed to turn over the property and securities to a Board of Trustees or Managers. Further, Mr. Vassar's will stated that if his brother, John Guy Vassar, would join in the building and endowment, then the hospital would be named Vassar Brothers Hospital. John Guy immediately agreed to make a very ample addition to the hospital fund and so, by the generosity of these two men, Poughkeepsie's Vassar Brothers Hospital came into being.

Mr. Vassar never held public office although he often was urged to run for Mayor. He was a Trustee of the Village of Poughkeepsie and 110

served several terms as a Member of the Board of Education where he was very active in promoting the developing public school system as the community grew. He was a director for forty years of the Farmers and Manufacturers National Bank, now the Empire National Bank, a director and one of the active managers of the Commercial Insurance Company of New York, a Trustee of the Lyceum, president of the Board of Trade, president and one of the founders of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Poughkeepsie and an active advisor to the Board of Managers of the Old Ladies Home of Poughkeepsie.

Perhaps his wide spread interests and his generosity can be best appraised by listing the institutions that benefited under the terms of Mr. Vassar's Will: The Poughkeepsie Orphans Home, The Old Ladies Home, Baptist Minister Widows Fund, Baptist Home Missionary Society, Poughkeepsie Associated Fire Department, Vassar College, the Young Men's Christian Association, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, American Seaman Friend Society, House of Industry, St. Barnabas Hospital, Vassar Brothers Home for Aged Men; and the following Poughkeepsie Churches: Hedding Mission, Congregational, German Lutheran, German Methodist, Baptist, Holy Comforter and Orthodox Friends Society.

Dutchess County has had many very generous men and women over the years who contributed their talents and time, as well as their money, very generously to our hospitals, churches, colleges and to other organizations very important in our community. The Vassar family of Poughkeepsie, Matthew the founder of Vassar College, Matthew Jr. and Irene Beach Vassar, as well as John Guy Vassar, gave bountifully not only their money but also their time and sound management talents to a vast number of organizations that through the years have been very important to Poughkeepsie and Dutchess County.

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BYLAWS DUTCHESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Revised May 15, 1969 Name The name of this organization is: The Dutchess County Historical Society.

Objective The object of the society shall be to discover, procure and preserve whatever may relate to American history in its several phases — social, economic, military, political, literary, artistic, etc., but particularly material regarding Dutchess County in the State of New York; To encourage the writing of papers and the delivery of addresses on subjects of historical interest; To collect objects of historical value and arrange for their preservation.

In pursuing its purpose the Society shall not engage in propaganda or political activity; shall not be operated for profit and all income and earnings shall be used exclusively for the purpose of the Society; no part of the net income, earnings or assets shall inure to the benefit or profit of any member and in event of dissolution, all of the assets of the Society, after the payment of making provision for the payment of all liabilities shall be distributed to the Historical Society or Societies of Dutchess County which at the time shall qualify as exempt organizations, all to be in accordance with Section 501 (c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Members There shall be four classes of members: 1. Active members: individuals, societies and organizations 2. Active family members: husband and wife 3. Life members, any member who shall pay at one time at least seventyfive dollars to the society 4. Honorary members: any person who, in the judgement of the trustees, has attained distinction in historic work of research.

Dues The dues for active members shall be three dollars, payable at the time of election and thereafter annually on the first of January.

The dues for active family members shall be five dollars, payable at the time of election and thereafter annually on the first of January.

Life members and honorary members shall be exempt from the payment of dues.

Any member in arrears for dues for six months shall be considered as having resigned from the society.

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Officers The officers of the Dutchess County Historical Society shall be: A president A vice-president at large A vice-president representing each town in Dutchess County A vice-president representing the City of Poughkeepsie A vice-president representing the City of Beacon A secretary A treasurer A curator Sixteen trustees Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees shall consist of: The president, ex-officio The vice-president at large, exofficio The secretary, ex-officio The treasurer, ex-officio and sixteen trustees There shall not be duplication on the Board of Trustees. No one person may serve at the same time as an executive officer and a trustee.

Election of Officers and Trustees Officers and trustees shall be elected at the annual meeting of the society.

Terms of Officers and Trustees A president and a vice-president at large shall be elected for a term of two years, and each shall be eligible to succeed himself but once after having served one full term.

Vice-president representing the towns and cities of Dutchess County, a secretary, a treasurer and a curator shall be elected for a term of two years.

Sixteen trustees shall be elected in four classes, each to serve four years, but no trustee shall be eligible to succeed himself after having served one full term of four years.

Duties of Officers and Trustees President: The president shall preside at meetings of the society and of the Board of Trustees. He shall initiate and direct the activities of the society in conjunction with the Board of Trustees.

Vice-President at Large: The vice president at large shall act in the absence of the president as need occasions.

Vice-Presidents for Towns and Cities of Dutchess County: It shall be the duty of the vice-presidents for the towns and cities to stimulate interest in the objects of the society in their several localities.

Secretary: The secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the society and of the Board of Trustees; shall notify all persons elected to membership; 113

shall notify members of the time and place of meetings; and shall perform all the duties of the secretary of the society.

Treasurer: The treasurer shall collect and disburse all moneys of the society under the direction of the Board of Trustees.

Curator: The curator shall be responsible for the safekeeping of all possessions of the society, other than securities or bank deposits. He shall keep an inventory of the possessions and shall notify the secreary in writ. ing of all new acquisitions of the society, whether by purchase or by gift.

Trustees: The Board of Trustees shall transact any business of the society and have general management of its affairs, including the election of members.

Meetings There shall be at least two meetings of the society each year: an annual meeting during the month of May, and a semi-annual meeting during the month of October. In addition to the annual and semi-annual meetings, a meeting of the society may be called by the president, or by the vice-president at large, or by the secretary, or upon request of five members of the society. The day and place of all meetings shall be chosen by the officers and all members shall be notified of a meeting by the secretary at least two weeks in advance.

Meetings of the Board of Trustees may be held at any time on the call of the president, or the vice-president at large, or the secretary, or of three members of the Board of Trustees.

Ten members shall constitute a quorum of the society.

Five trustees shall constitute a quorum of the Board of Trustees.

Reports The officers of the society and the communities shall report to the society at the meetings in May and October upon such matters as are in their charge, and shall inform the members of the condition of the society.

Order of Business The order of business at any meeting of the society, or of the Board of Trustees, shall be as follows: Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting Reports of officers Reports of committees Election of members Unfinished business New business Adjournment Amendments These bylaws may be amended at any regular, or special, meeting of the society by a majority vote of those present, provided a notice of the proposed amendment shall have accompanied the notice of the meeting at which it shall be acted upon.

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APPOINTED HISTORIANS OF DUTCHESS COUNTY County Historian Mrs. Dorothy B. Alsdorf 107 East Main Street Wappingers Falls, N. Y. 12590 Milan City Historians Mrs. Barbara Thompson Beacon Box 311, RD #2 Mrs. James V. Mead Red Hook, N. Y. 12571 34 North Avenue Beacon, N. Y. 12508 North East Chester F. Eisenhuth Poughkeepsie Simmons Street Frank V. Mylod Millerton, N. Y. 12546 10 Grand Street Pawling Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 12601 Mrs. Helen G. Daniels Town Historians Pawling, N. Y. Amenia 12564 Mrs. Catherine Leigh Pine Plains Amenia, N. Y. Mrs. Helen Netter 12501 Pine Plains, N. Y. Beekman 12567 Mrs. Mary B. Hoag Pleasant Valley Pleasant Ridge Road Mrs. Gail Crotty Poughquag, N. Y. 12570 Quaker Hill Road Clinton Pleasant Valley, N. Y. 12569 Miss Helena Van Vleit Red Hook Staatsburg, N. Y. 12580 Maynard Ham Frank Van Auken 30 Fraleigh Street Clinton Corners, N. Y. 12514 Red Hook, N. Y. 12571 East Fiskill Rhimbeck Theron Van Scoter De Witt Gurnell Hopewell Junction, N. Y. 38 Mulberry Street 12523 Rhinebeck, N. Y. 12572 Fishkill Stanford Mrs. Willa Skinner Mrs. Elinor Beckwith Charlotte Road Stanfordville, N. Y. Fishkill, N. Y. 12524 12581 Hyde Park Wappinger Miss Beatrice Fredriksen Mrs. Dorothy B. Alsdorf 43 Circle Drive 107 East Main Street Hyde Park, N. Y. 12538 Wappingers Falls, N. Y. 12590 Washington LaGrange Mrs. C. W. O'Brien Mrs. J. Edward Johnson Sharon Turnpike Moores Mills Millbrook, N. Y. 12545 Pleasant Valley, N. Y. 12569 115

Rhinebeck Village Historians Fishkill De Witt Gurnell Mrs. Willa Skinner 38 Mulberry Street Charlotte Road Rhinebeck, N. Y. 12572 Fishkill, N. Y. 12524 Tivoli Millerton Mrs. Joan Navins Chester F. Eisenhuth 2 Friendship Street Simmons Street Tivoli, N. Y. 12583 Millerton, N. Y. 12546 Wappingers Falls Carolyn P. Wixson 86 East Main Street Wappingers Falls, N. Y. 12590 HISTORICAL SOCIETIES IN THE TOWNS OF DUTCHESS COUNTY QUAKER HILL & VICINITY AMENIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mrs. Edward Mitchell, President Mrs. Frances Bly, President Wilkinson Hollow Road Benson Hill Road Pawling, N. Y. 12564 Wassaic, N. Y. 12592 RHINEBECK EAST FISHKILL HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mr. John Hatch, President Mrs. William Hauptman, Rhinebeck, N. Y. 12572 President STANFORD Stormville, N. Y. 12582 FISHKILL HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mrs. Gordon Budd, President Felix Scardapane, President Hicks Lane Fishkill, N. Y. 12524 Clinton Corners, N. Y. 12514 HYDE PARK TOWN OF CLINTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Miss Beatrice Fredriksen, Mr. Frank Van Auken, President President Hyde Park, N. Y. 12538 Clinton Corners, N. Y. 12514 LaGRANGE UNION VALE HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mr. William Ziegler, President Mrs. James Andrews, President LaGrangeville, N. Y. 12540 37 Pine Ridge Road UPPER RED HOOK Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 12603 HISTORICAL SOCIETY LITTLE NINE PARTNERS Mrs. John H. Myers, President HISTORICAL SOCIETY Albany Post Road Mr. Frank J. French, President Red Hook, N. Y. 12571 Pine Plains, N. Y. 12567 WAPPINGERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mr. Joseph McCloskey, President West Main Street Wappingers Falls, N. Y. 12590 116

DUTCHESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP LIST December 31, 1971 Honorary Members Tompkins, Louise Ver Nooy, Mrs. Amy P. Life Members Anderson, Mrs. Edgar V. Arnold, Elting Asher, Mrs. Robert W. Badgley, George A. Bogert, Mrs. A. Curtis Bullenkamp, Mrs. Grace Dows, Stephen Olin DuRocher, Mrs. Linus F. Ellis, Mrs. Walter J. Francke, Mrs. Spraher Gill, George M. Hoag, Mrs. F. Philip Lynn, Mrs. C. L. McCormick, Mrs. Cyrus Moore, Mrs. Samuel A. Nestler, Harold R. Osborn, Mrs. William H. Poucher, John L. Reese, Willis L. M. Ridgeway, Mrs. Robert F. Rodenburg, Mrs. Carl A. Rymph, Mr. & Mrs. Carlton Rymph, Mr. & Mrs. Ernest A. Rymph, Mrs. Harvey J. Rymph, James B. Scott, Henry L. Traver, Albertina A. Van Kleeck, Peter Van Wyck, Edmund Zabriskie, Christian F. Annual Members Acker, Mrs. Ernest R. Adriance, Marguerite P. Ahearn, Mrs. Thomas J. Ainsley, Mr. & Mrs. J. J., Jr. Albanese, Mr. & Mrs. Rudolph Aldeborg, David H. Aldeborg, Mrs. Erik H.

Aldrich, John Winthrop Aldrich, Mrs. Russell Aldridge, Louise R. Allen, Mr. & Mrs. Edward C. Allen, Sinclair T. Alsdorf, Mr. & Mrs. I. L. Amodeom, Mrs. James B. Anderson, Mr. & Mrs. Chris Anderson, Mr. & Mrs. David E. Anderson, Mrs. Rupert W. K. Anderson, Mrs. V. V. Archibald Archibald, Mrs. Wilbur Arnold, Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Austin, Mrs. Vera H. Averill, Mrs. Walter Averill, Mr. & Mrs. Walter Balch, Dr. Roscoe A. Bastian, Dr. & Mrs. Edward H. Bates, Mrs. Joseph M. Baumbusch, Mr. & Mrs. Raymond G. Baylis, Roger Beck, Mr. & Mrs. William C. Becker, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen P. Behrens, Mr. & Mrs. Manley L. Beneway, Almon B. Benton, Erza R. Bergles, Mrs. Edward H. Bevier, Mrs. Monroe Bisbee, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph B. Bliss, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bogardus, Mrs. Mary Bogle, Mrs. Ronald F. Bollinger, Mrs. Henry R. Bookman, Mr. & Mrs. George B. Boos, Mrs. Charles Booth, Dr. Russell B. Bower, Agnes K. Boyse, Thomas J. Bradley, A. Day Braig, Mrs. Louis J. Breed, Mrs. James R. Breed, Mrs. R. Huntington Breed, Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. 117

Briggs, Mrs. Anthony J. Briggs, Frank Briggs, Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth R. Bruns, Mrs. John H. Buck, Clifford M. Buckhout, Mr. & Mrs. Frank B. Burford, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Butler, Mrs. Joseph A. Butler, Mrs. Robert E., Sr. Butts, Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Butts, Mrs. Charles A. Butts, Mr. & Mrs. Franklin A. Buys, Mrs. Douglas C. Caldwell, Brent B. Cameron, Mrs. Donald, Sr. Capers, Mr. & Mrs. Ellison H. Carman, Mrs. William Carroll, Mr. & Mrs. William Carter, Mrs. Norman Case, Calvin C. Case, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Cassidy, Mrs. Joseph A. Cavallaro, Dr. & Mrs. Guy Caven, Mrs. Alexander Child, Mrs. Roland S. Christ, Mr. 8z Mrs. Joseph G. Chypre, Louis J. Close, C. Fred Coleman, Mr. & Mrs. Eugene J. Cole, Helen C. Colvin, Mrs. George A. Connelly, Raymond J. Connevey, Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Conrad. Mrs. Anne D. Conway, Mrs. Claire Cook, Charles J. Cook, Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Coate, Mrs. James W. Costello, Mrs. Hazel M. Coulter, Mrs. John M. Courtney, Mrs. Jean B. Covert, Mrs. Albert C. Crowley, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Crum, Mrs. Raymond Cunningham, Mrs. Edward V. K. Cunningham, Mr. & Mrs. Edward V. K., Jr. Daniels, Mrs. Fred G.

Darlington, Mr. & Mrs. George A. Darrow, Mrs. John H. Davies, Mrs. Hugh R. Davis, Mrs. Elsie 0.

Davis, Mr. & Mrs. Putnam Davis, Walter W. Decker, Mrs. Harry DeGroff, Elizabeth Proter Delafield, Mr. & Mrs. John White de la Vergne, Charles Detjen, Gustav, Jr. DePuy, Mr. & Mrs. Lyman Deuel, Mr. & Mrs. Newton D. Dickson, Mrs. Chauncey C. Diddell, Mildred Diane Dietz, Charles R. DiMaso, Mrs. James Dodge, Bernice F. Donato, Mrs. Narale J. Drewry, Dr. Elizabeth B. Dutcher, Mrs. George N. Dwelley, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Dyson, John S. Eastwood, Robert Edmunds, Vincent E. Effron, Mr. & Mrs. David Effron, Jesse Eggert, Mrs. Betty Blair Ehleider, Dr. & Mrs. Austin Eidle, Mr. & Mrs. Edward A. Eidle, Mrs. M. Kenneth Eisner, Lester M. Emsley, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph W. Erck, Mr. & Mrs. Theodore H. Erts, Mr. 8z Mrs. Carl J. Fairbairn, Mrs. Helen L. Felter, Mrs. Emma K. Ferens, Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Ficken, Marie L. Fink, Mrs. Mapledorm Finkel, Mrs. J. M. Fisher, Mr. & Mrs. Philip Flowers, George S. Forster, James V. Fortington, Mrs. H. A. Foster, Esty 118

Fouhy, Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Fountain, Mr. & Mrs. H. R. Fraleigh, Charles H. Frazer, Mr. & Mrs. Silas Fredericksen, Beatrice Freebern, Charles E. French, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Frooats, Mr. & Mrs. Leon A. Frost, Barbara V. Frost, Benson R., Jr. Furlong, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Gardner, Mrs. James E. Gardner, Mr. & Mrs. John R. Gartland, John J., Jr. Gay, Mrs. Robert C. Gekle, Mr. & Mrs. William F. George, Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Geisler, Mr. & Mrs. John Gellert, Mr. & Mrs. Arthur L. Germiller, Estelle M. Gindele, Herbert H. Glastetter, Mr. & Mrs. Henry A. Glover, Mr. & Mrs. Frederick I. Glover, Maria A. Gray, Mrs. Kenneth R. Greene, Mrs. Blanche E. Greene, Mr. & Mrs. Francis M. Grey, Mrs. Edward Griffen, Charles C. Grissy, Mrs. John E. Grover, Victor E. Grubb, John B. Guernsey, Mr. & Mrs. H. Wilson Gurnell, DeWitt Hadden, William M. Haida, Fred H. Haight, Lyndon A. Haight, Mrs. Paul J. Hall, Mrs. Florence Halstead, George D. Halstead, Ruth Ham, Mrs. J. Frederick Hambleton, Mrs. William H. Hamersley, Mr. & Mrs. L. Gordon, Jr. Hamlin, John 0.

Hammond, Wilbert John

Hanley, Dr. & Mrs. Harry Harden, Helen Harrington, Mrs. James T. Hart, Frank A. Hart, Mrs. Herbert F. Hasbrouck, Alfred Hasbrouck, Mrs. Louise P. Hasbrouck, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Haslam, Mrs. Peter Haugh, Mr. & Mrs. Conner F. Hayward, Mr. & Mrs. Harold Hayden, Dr. Benjamin Hayden, Mrs. Catherine V. Hays, Mary Jane Heaney, Frederick W. Heaton, Mrs. Lawrence A. Heidgerd, William Hemroth, Mrs. George Herles, Valeria C. Hicks, Mary C. Hill, Mrs. Harry H. Hinkley, Mr. & Mrs. David R. Hirst, Dr. & Mrs. H. Sherman Hoch, Mrs. Adolphus Hoe, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hoe, Mr. 8z Mrs. Edward L. Hoskins, Mr. & Mrs. Douglas G. Howard, Mr. 8z Mrs. Edward Van A. Howe, Mr. 8z Mrs. Clarence K. Hoyt, Ruth M. Hubbard, Mrs. E. Stuart, Jr. Huneke, Mrs. Henry Hunt, Mrs. A. Seaman Hunt, Mr. 8z Mrs. Hobart D. Jackson, Roland Vern Jackson, Mr. & Mrs. Wright W. Jaminet, Mrs. Leon Jermel, Mrs. Benedict Jaycox, H. L. Jeanneney, Dr. & Mrs. John Jenner, John M. Johnson, Mr. & Mrs. J. Edward Johnson, Mrs. Emil L. Jones, Mr. & Mrs. Carroll, Jr. Jones, Mrs. Theodore I., Sr. Jordon, Mrs. Julia S. Kelley, Arthur C. M. 119

Kenealy, Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Kennedy, Mrs. Alexander M. Kester, Charlotte Tuttle Ketchin, Mrs. William G. Ketchin, William G., Jr. King, Mrs. Margaret DeGroff Kinkead, Elise H. Knauss, Mr. & Mrs. William D. Knickerbocker, Mrs. William Labrinos,Mr. & Mrs. Louis F. LaMotte, Mr. & Mrs. Louis H., 3rd.

Lane, M. Donald Lane, Mrs. Margaret T. Lass, Dr. & Mrs. Paul M. LaSusa, Mrs. Josephine B. Lawlor, Denise M. Lawson, Mabel V. Leahey, Mary A. Leigh, Mrs. Catherine F. Liesenbein, Dr. & Mrs. William H. Lippman, Jack Logan, Mrs. Joseph S. Losee, Mrs. John Love, Mr. & Mrs. Donald P. Ludlam, Mr. & Mrs. Henry A. Ludolph, Mrs. Helen Lumb, Mrs. George J. Ltunb, James L. Lyons, Mrs. Philip A. Madden, Mr. & Mrs. John C. Madsen, Mr. & Mrs. Alfred M. MacGuinness, Mrs. Robert B. MacKenzie, Mrs. E. Gordon Mangold, Harold Mans°lillo, Mrs. Arthur Mansfield, Mrs. G. Smart Martin, Mrs. Robert W. Mastmann, Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Mather, Mrs. Frank D. Maxwell, Clarence William McCabe, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph McClay, Mrs. Harold McComb, Mr. & Mrs. Arthur B. McCornac, Mr. & Mrs. Allen D. McDonald, Dr. & Mrs. Charles F. McDowerll, J. Sports

McCullough, Mrs. David G. McGinnis, Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence M. McGowan, Mr. & Mrs. J. Joseph McPartlin, Mr. & Mrs. Eugene F. Meyer, Mr. & Mrs. Richmond F. Mead, Mr. & Mrs. Richard T. Millett, Stephen C. Miller, Mr. & Mrs. John MacD. Mills, Mrs. Harold S. Millspaugh, Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Mitchell, Mrs. Charles A. Montgomery, Betty Moore, Albert C. Moore, Mr. & Mrs. Davisson F. Moore, Morna Moore, Lt. Col. Samuel A. Morgan, Mrs. Frederick N. Morganteen, James F. Morey, C. Allerton Moser, Mrs. Clifford M. Mosher, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Mosher, Mrs. Charles F. Mund, Dr. & Mrs. Andrew L. Mund, Dr. & Mrs. Peter R. Murphy, Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Murphy, Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Murtaugh, Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Mylod, Mr. & Mrs. Charles J. Mylod, Frank V. Mylod, Mary V. Nalle, Mrs. John N. Nelson, Mr. & Mrs. Victor E. Nevers, Mrs. George A. Nichols, Mr. 8z Mrs. William J. Niessen, Harold T. Norris, Mr. & Mrs. Stanley J. Norton, Mrs. Donald E. Opperman, Mr. & Mrs. Martin Owen, Mrs. William J. Parker, Julia A. Parker, Mrs. Thomas E. Partridge, Mrs. Warren Pearce, Edith Pearce, Kenneth E. Pete, Catherine Picard, Mrs. Irving Pierce, Madelene E. 120

Pierce, Mrs. Richard T. Pierce, Robert Place, Mr. & Mrs. Hermann G. Phillips, Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence S. Podmaniczky, Mr. & Mrs. Charles B. Polhemus, Norman H. Polhill, Mrs. Milton Pollock, Paul Peckmann, Pamela B. Pomeroy, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Watson Poucher, E. Graeme Powers, Mrs. Albert Pross, Mrs. Albert Potter, Mrs. John N. Pultz, Mrs. Frank H. Quigley, Mr. & Mrs. Allen, Jr. Quimby, Margaret D. Rawson, Mr. & Mrs. Edmund G. Rees, Mrs. William D. Reichert, Henry Reifler, Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Richards, Mrs. Keene Richardson, Mrs. Fred MacD. Rinaldi, Mrs. Tinina Robinson, Mr. & Mrs. Charles D. Robinton, Mrs. Charles E. Roig, Mr. & Mrs. Herbert S. Rosenbaum, Mr. & Mrs. Jack Rovere, Richard H. Rubin, Nathaniel Rockerfeller, Warren W. Saltford, Herbert Salvato, Mr. & Mrs. Donald Sanford, Mrs. David N. Sator, Mr. & Mrs. Ferdinand Sattenthwaite, Mrs. J. Sheafe Saye, Mrs. William F. Schmalz, Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. Schmidt, Mrs. C. B. Schmidt, Mr. & Mrs. C. B. 2nd.

Schoentag, David C. Schoonmaker, Mrs. Helen H. Schwartz, Edward A. Scott, Mrs. Crandall Scott, Leon L. Seegar, Mr. & Mrs. Peter

Sheldon, Mrs. Obed W. Shelby, Dr. & Mrs. David S. Sherman, Joseph A. Shirley, Mr. & Mrs. William R. Shultz, Herbert L. Simpson, Albert A. Simpson, Mr. 8z Mrs. Alan Skidmore, Hazel Smith, Dorothy E. Smith, Elliott W. Smith, Frederic A. Smith, Mr. & Mrs. John C. Smith, Mrs. Malcolm E. Smith, Mr. & Mrs. William M. Smithers, Mr. & Mrs. John A. Snyder, Mr. & Mrs. John H. Sobel, Dr. Aaron Somers, William C. Southworth, Dr. & Mrs. C. Robert Speirs, Hugh Spencer, Mr. & Mrs. Harold Spencer, Mr. & Mrs. Jack E. Spingarn, Mrs. Joel E. Spratt, Mr. & Mrs. James, Jr. Spross, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Gilbert Stairs, Mr. & Mrs. David S. Steeholm, Mrs. Hardy Steppacher, Mr. & Mrs. Walter M., 3rd.

Strang, Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Straub, Mr. & Mrs. Loren Streeter, Mildred D. Stevens, Dr. & Mrs. Walter W. Stone, Mr. & Mrs. Fred R. Stone, Mrs. Marion L. Strain, Mrs. Chalmers L. Strain, Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. Suckley, Margaret L. Supple, Mrs. Leonard J. Stringham, Mrs. Varick V. W. Takas, Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Terhune, Mr. & Mrs. Myron, Jr. Thomes, Mr. & Mrs. Augustus J. Thompson, Mrs. Alfred R. Thystrup, Marion E. Toole, Kenneth R. 121

Traver, Mrs. Allan R. Traver, Mr. & Mrs. Donald F. Travis, Mrs. Sheldon Tschudin, Mr. 8z Mrs. Emil, Jr. Tyrrel, Nelson M. Ulrich, Edwin A. Upton, Dell T. Van Benschoten, Mr. 8z Mrs. John, Jr. Van Kleeck, Mr. & Mrs. Balms B. Van Kleeck, Baltus B., Jr. Van Kleeck, Mrs. Edwin R. Van Kleeck, Mrs. Dudley N. Van Kleeck, Peter B. Van Kleeck, Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Van Scoter, Theron Van Vliet, Helena G. Velletri, Mrs. Louis J. Vinall, Mrs. Henry E. Vincent, Mrs. C. Kenneth Voorhees, Dr. Earle W. Voorhees, Valere Wagar, Howard C. Waggoner, Mr. & Mrs. Elwood Walsh, Mrs. James E. Washburn, Mr. & Mrs. Orlin G. Webster, Mrs. Allen Weg, Mrs. Nathaniel Whalen, George E. Whalen, Mrs. Olive Wheaton, Mr. & Mrs. Scott R. White, Mr. & Mrs. George F. White, Mr. & Mrs. William R. Wilkinson, Mrs. Robert, Jr. Whilhem, Mr. & Mrs. Frederick C.

Winans, Mr. & Mrs. Hunttington C. Wodell, Katherine Wolf, John A. Wood, Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. N. Wood, Mr. & Mrs. William Robert Wooden, Mrs. Isabelle Wright, Mrs. Robert J. B. Wunderly, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Young, Annette I. Young, Mrs. Paul M. Organization Members Adriance Memorial Library Amenia Historical Society Bard College Library Bennett College Library Columbia University Libraries Dutchess Community College Fishkill Historical Society Genealogical Society Salt Lake City Green County Historical Society Grinnell Library Association Howland Circulating Library Hyde Park Free Library Hyde Park Historical Association Marist College Library Millbrook Free Library Pleasant Valley Free Library Rhinebeck Historical Society Rutgers University Library Union Vale Historical Society Vassar College Library

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