Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook Vol. 068 1983

DUTCHESS

COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

YEAR BOOK ~

1983 VOLUME 68

BOAF0 0F TRIJSTEES

©DYE KAITZ

President Past President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Editor-Yearbook Director

Term Fnding 1984:

Tern mding 1985:

Iou lfflis

Edward Howard

FRANK H.

ANDREW

FELIX A. SCARDAPANE

EIIEN M. HAYDEN TIMcyrHy s. AI.I.RED FRANK VAN ZANTEN

DR. WIILIAM MC DERIcylT

Richard Birch

Nathaniel Rut)in

George N. Wilson

Frederick Stutz Mrs. Barbara Peters

Term mding 1986:

Term Finding 1987:

Fadford ctrdy

Dr. charles L. Hill

Mrs. Clifford Smith Dr. Jean Stevenson

Mrs. Coristance 0. Smith

stanley Willig

I.ouis chhich Alfred Hasbrouck

Vice Presidents Rfpresenting Thins and Cities Mrs. Catherine I.eigh Joan Van Vcx)rhis

Kathl© Spross Mrs. Caroline Reichenberg Elton V. V. Bailey Jr.

Collin Strang DDnald Mc Teman Dr. Etwin Himger Mrs. Clara Ij3see

thester Eisenhuth Mrs. Mae Greene

Mrs. Harold Klare Mrs. Judy M)ran

jThur Gellert Mrs. I.arence Mc' Ginnis Mrs. Richard Cbons Mrs. Craig Vcxple

Willard ArbucD

Irena Stolarik urs. George Henroth toulse TOItipkus

zmnda Beacx)n City

clinton hover

East Fishkill Fishkill Hyde Park I,aGrange Milan

N3rtheast Pavling pine plains Pleasant Valley Poughkeepsie City Pougrkeepsie Tcrm Red Hcok Fthinebeck

Stanford Union Vale Wappinger Washington

DUTCHESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY YEAR BOOK

1983

Volume 68

Clinton House Museurn - Box 88 Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12602

William P. Mc Dermott Ph.D.

Editor

The Dutchess Cbunty Historical Society YEAREOOK (ISSN 0739-8565)

has been published almually since 1915 by the Dutchess Cbunty Historical Society, Clinton House lfuseun -Box 88 , Poughkeepsie, New York, 12602.

It is distributed without charge to mEfroers of the Society.

Individual copies may be purchased for $4.50, pestage and shipping are included. Selected earlier Year Books are also available. Requests for copies should be sent to the above address. The Society encourages accuraey but carmot assure responsibilii=y for statements of fact or opinion made by Contributors.

L

Manuscripts , bocke for review and other Correspondence relevant to this publication should be addressed: to: \ <

i

William P. Mc Dermott, Editor

Dutchess Cbunty Historical Society Clinton House lfuseun - Box 88 Poughkeepsie, Nail York 12602

The Cover and title page were designed by S. Ve]ma Fugsley.

The view of the Clinton House mrseuni ca. 1765 on the title page is reprodrced from a line drawing by A. S. Ffagargee, nch7 in the possession of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Mahwenawasigh chapter.

Cbpyright 1983 by the Dutchess County Historical Society

All rights reserved.

TABIE oF coNmHs

Helen Wilkinson Reynolds , FDR, and Hudson VAlley Architecture William 8. REoads

Franklin D. Roosevelt: His Develo_frment and Accxxplislments as

a Iocal Historian

]Oha c. F±is

17

Munsee and Mahican: Indians of Dutchess County Julian H. Salomon

41

Nineteenth Century Manufacturing Eiterprise in Dutchess county Andrea Zjrmerman

55

An Account of the Nen7 Halfourg Railroad Disaster of 1871

John Perillo

75

The Fading Veneer of Equality: The Afro-American Egrience in Poughkeepsie BetIveen 1840 and 1860 .,

Joshua G. IIinerfeld

83

Iocal Burial Places of Prominent Dutchess County Flesidents Itotxat Fisch

101

Sybil Ludington: Heroine of the Revolution

Iou-a J. Elya

121 \

Poughkeepsie's rm]sical Heritage (1683-1865) .,

Ba±bara Biszick

129

t..

Dutchess Cbunty During Its Earli:st Period Fadford Curdy

153

\

The 1714 Dutchess Cc)unty Census : Measure of Household Size William P. Mc De]rmott

161

Boc]k Review - Dutchess County: A Pictorial History

178

Zrmual Reports

'

'

181

Iist of Hisi=orians and Historical Societies

197

Index

207

John J. Mylcd, Helen W. Reynolds, William P. Adans with

Eleanor and Frarklin D. Roosevelt at the Roosevelt home, Hyde Park, on the 1927 pilgrhage of the Dutchess Cbunty Historical Society. Photo courtesy of the Duthcess County

Historical Society.

IHEN VIIKINSON REYNO[DS , FDR, AND IItjDScIN VAIIE¥ zrmcHIRECTURE

William B. RIoads

a

.

*,

HeLen W. ReynoLds cnd Frank:kin Ro8sevet±

shctted a bang assoekati6n through their.

`

bn±er.esb Ln Dur±chess Cowri:ty hksbory. Although both ccmsLdeTed themsetves local hksbo]edarLs ,

their. Lnder.eat Ln crpehktecbune I.anged beyond. tf ae bprders of: Putchess couri:dy.

whT1_£qu

,

Hhocids, Assockcrfee Pr.ofessor of A:ut ELsbo]ey cle Sbcdee Undversbbg of Nee Yorpk3 IVen Palb233 .

dLknsdckuvstsdeusal5sheanLdnd±etg tb#fobuee#ceeenonthteos6ealtw a cmchkbe cb:ure.

.

` t

Franklin roosevelt and Helen REpr}olds met NOucher LIT 1923, to.`:talk about local history. The ne2d= day she wrote hid: 'We had s%cfe a good tine yesterday!. The mrfeer of those who `speak I

our language' is small and I .find it a great help tarard renewed

efforts to talk matters over with a synpathetic spirit. It stin]lated understanding , enthusiasHn and energy and broadened one ' s outlcok . " It was from a study of Dutchess County history,. as well as 1

genealogy, that FDR.and Miss Reynolds became .interested in the `-.

early architecture of the county and the Hudson Valley.,. I She ` _ ,

.

traced her absorption in falily history to the influence of her grandrrother, S`ophia Wilkinson, and she recalled that in 1892, at the age of 17,. she and her nesrfeTdoor neighbor, rm... I. Wilson

Poucher, became "coThforkers" in ,the field of local history. As a bay, FDR had been encouraged by ,.his family to record his: .

Delano and roosevelt forebears. In 1939 , he` renfroered drives in rmtchess County fifty years before when. his parents had told hin .the his.tories of the old stone houses they passed. Proud of his early Dutch ancestry, roosevelt joined the Holland Society in 1910,. and became a mehoer of the butchess County Historical Society in 1914, the year of its founding. Miss Reynolds, whose 5

William 8. Fthoads

6

colonial forebears were originally New Fhglanders , had family ties with Dutchess Cbunty e2d[ending back to 1754-55.

Although

she had been one of the initial suppo]±ers of the Historical Society, not until 1923 is there evidence of friendship between FDR a]rd Miss Reynolds.

The historical interests of both were rooted in Hudscm Valley farily tradition, and they had other things in cottlron.

Ebth were Episcopalians, and Miss Reyrolds was an ardent supper+er of FDR's Democratic politics. Both had physical disabilities: he had been crippled by pelio in 1921,` she was

afflicted with a spinal difficulty which caused her to withdraw ',.

from ;chcol at about 15. . Efrotionally, however, FDR in the 1920s exud=d a rugged dete:rmination to walk again, while Miss Reyn- '

olds, as she said; on occasion 'hent all to pieces nervously."

Still, she.'wjiete hid in 1925 that "your courage and cheerfulmess under handicap have been an inspiration to me to surlrount what' minor difficulties might arise in ny cREi path .... " fy 1923 she had established herself as Dutches; Cbunty`s leading historian, for she had ptolished too volune`: of records of CEList Church, Poug]rfeepsie, and had been rianed editor of the Historical Society's rear. Book. But her Irost successful frok, ` Dutch Houses in the Hndson` ValLey be for.e 1776 {"en York, T929,

reprinted 1965) was pul3lished as a result of her association with FDR.

Of its genesis she wrote that Rc}osevelt, Dr. Pouches,

and she were 'hont to talk together of the old homes of 'the mtchess's Cbunty' and of our wish that some of then might be pla€ed on record before the march of modermisHn destroyed- then. " In april-1923, FDR undertcfok to convince the Holland Society to

publi.sh one or Irore bocks ooviering the houses of the lrrders I Hudson Valley ancestors. Like Miss Reynolds, Frm saw the hoks, illustrated with photographs by Margaret DeM. BrCh7n, as a means of preserving the i.mages of rapidly vanishing landrarks. He ron over the Society, which named him Chairman and Dr. Poucher a rrmfoer of its Special Cc)rmittee on Old Dutch Houses. The ti^7o

Helen W. Reynolds, FOR, & Hudson Valley Architecture

Dr. Jchn Bard`s "Red House" vi7as draVIi by Ealrard Braman

ahourt 1875, shortlv before its demolition.

Photo courtesy: Fr-anklin D. roosevelt Library.

"th#%rfeffediRE#th%.

Helen Reynolds and Henry Hackett suggested to FDR that the "Red House" be the model for the new Hyde Park Post Office. Photo courteey: William 8. REoads.

William 8. Thoads

apparently had no difficulty in having Miss Reynolds assigned the volurne covering the northern. and central Hudson Valley, for which she was to be paid $2,000 plus $333 for expenses.

At the outset it appeared that Roosevelt and Miss Reylrolds would collaborate in producing her bdek. He wrote from Key West in March 1925 that "this summer I hope to be sufficiently long at Hyde Park for us to undertake the actual writing up of the books together"-t the moment he thought her one beck should become two, one for each side of the Hudson River.

He was wary

of advice from architects wirich he feared would be too "techT nical"|he hook was sponsored by the Holland Society, and so the lives of the houses I occupants were given far greater expha-

sis than structural details. In the end, the only architect to advise Miss Reynolds, and that in a very i:mited way, was ftyron Teller of Kingston, a Holland Society mcher.I

Rcosevelt himself contributed little to her research and writing.

Miss Reynolds had hoped "you will have the tine and

inclination to join in some of our fieldrork, hunting by car for houses," but FDR's first priority was regaining the use of his legs through grercise treatments which he undertcok at Marion, Massachusett:. Apparently Fcosevelt never accompanied Miss Reyno~|ds on, h€± trips with `her photographer, Margaret Brown. i.` ``-, J The Irrfudscript was successfully cxxpleted in beceITber 1926 : Fin told Mis`s Reynolds he was "proud to know the author of such •.i

^'

T'

+`,-`

a splendid picture of the days of our ancestors." He hurriedly dictated the "Introduction" before leaving fori the South in June 1928. In it he larrented that the project had not been undertaken fifty years before, but the bock "now placed on record perI[rmently" man:y houses which would surely be destroyed in the

next fifty years. He admitted that his interests lay not so Imch in "the collection of architectural data" (the bcxjk has no plarrs or measured drawings) but rather in gathering "information as to the Iralmers and customs of the settlers of the valley of the Hudson" through a study of their houses. He stressed that

Helen W. Reynolds, FDR, & Hudson Valley Architecture i,

the Dutch in the Hudson Valley lived not in great mansions, but in rmall houses, rarely with more than four roans. "The mode of life" of both srmall landowner and wealthier patentee was "edrcnely sjxple. " Thus wrote the Denocratic politician. Miss Reynolds, whose ancestors for th7o centuries had belonged to the merchant and

professional class, looked back wistfully on the "oulture and refinerrrmt" which she believed characterized the lives of the leading colonial families of the region. Therefore she was disturbed, but not angered, by the influx of aliens and their occxpation of the venerable stone houses which had been abandoned by the descendants of their builders: the Jacobus De PLry house in Ulster Cbunty had been crmed by his descendants until about 1914 when the property was bought by "a R]ssian Jen, nalred Sandak, and when the photograph was Irmde of the house the camera was surrounded by a throng of youthful summer-boarders front the east side of Nair York City. All of which is a bit of modern

history, sad to those of native stock but full of meaning to be faced and understood. " while Governor of New York (1929-1933) , FDR had less tine

for history and architecture. Miss Reynolds nevertheless wrote hin July 28, 1930: ``It is [an] Exposition for me to ask ques-

tions regarding local history when you are making history in the state! . . . [But] I art counting upon that warm oormer of your heaJ± where Dutchess lies to help you squeeze out a minute scrme

da:y from cares and responsibility to play a little over our old pastine." And he did Continue to correspond and invite her and Dr. Poucher to Sunday teas at Hyde Park.

That FDR called their "historical afternoons" were maintained after he became President, as was their correspondence. She reminded him in 1936 '`that you promised me in January, 1933, that when you were in Washington you would play with Du±chess Cbunty

history when you needed relaxation. " The President arranged "for Helen Reynolds to Come dcNIi when I can talk genealogy alrd

William 8. RAoads

10

history with her for an evening." Usually they met at Hyde Park, but on Easter 1937 she came to stay at the Thite House, which FOR had prarised to "explain. . .architecturally. " It was on this visit that he let her know his plans for a library in Hyde Park to contain his bocks and papers-including a room dewoted to Dutchess Cbunty material. She was one of the very first to be consulted about the library: no ptolic almouncenent was made until beceHfoer 1938. His intention was, of course, to place her in charge of the Dutchess County Room, for, as he told a press conference on July 5, 1940, he believed she "kncws more about the County than an:ybody else. "

Zts President, FDR meticulously reviewed the plans for sev-

eral new federal buildings in Washington, but he played a still rrore active role in the creation of post offices near Hyde Park.

He did not hesitate to make suggestions and send directives to the architects of the Treasury Depa]rfuent ' s Procurement Division when pest offices were being designed for Dutchess and Ulster counties , while the Procurement Division was probably relieved that the President did not ask to be consulted on pest office LI

designs elsewhere.

FDR singlemindedly sought to have these pest

of fices in mtchess and Ulster be recreations in fieldstone of long-destroyed local landmarks , and, with somewhat less zeal,

encouraged the painters of post office Iurals to depict accurately events from the history of the vicinity. In this work, he often sought the advice of Helen Reynolds.

Roosevelt hjlinself originated the idea of Irodeling the new Poughkeepsie Post Office after the demolished Dutchess Cbunty cout House of 1809, but he had no good picture of iE to show the Procurement Division. So, in Angust 1936, he had it approach Miss Reynolds, who provided a photostat of an old photograph which Inet the architect's needs. MDre influential was her paJ± in refining FDR's list of subjects for the Post Office's

historical rurals, and her role as critic and advisor of the artistsuterald Foster, Georgina Klitgaard, and Charles Rosen-

Helen W. Reynolds, FDR, & Hudson Valley Architecture

tasks she assured at FDR`s request.

t

11

Gerald Fc)ster, who painted.

three Irmrals in the second-floor gallery dealing with Poughkeepsie in the 17th and l8th centuries, consulted her frequently to achieve _historical accuraey. Miss Reynolds reperfed to FDR that she all.d Foster had "plarmed out the details of the court rcom [a scene showing the ratification of the U.S. constitutioh dy New York in 1788] as based upon known local details-uch as panelling for the wall and windcw-frames, seats for the delegates, tables, chairs, etc."

In Decenfoer 1937, Fin was shown

Foster's designs , which had been enthijsiastically approved by Miss Reynolds. Hcwever, the President was dototful whether horses should be shcREi in a panel depicting settlers in 1692, and he advised that Miss Reynolds be consulted againo She

agreed with FDR that it was unlikely that the early settlers had had horses; the horses were eljlnirrated.

The designs by Georgina Klitgaard and CIt.aries FDsen in 1939

for lobby lurals portraying Poughkeepsie from the river about 1840 and in recent tilnes, were disliked by both Miss Reynolds and FDP., who fourrd the a]±ists little concerned with topographical |Ti.d architectural accuracy. _Miss Reyrrolds hoped Foster could be assigned these nurals as well, but in May 1939 FDR told her he had approved i]re s\]bmissions of Klitgaard and Rosen,

'twith the proviso. . .that Cbllege Hill be put in and that the heats on the River and the bridges be ITade more accurate.

They

are rot prfect but I 'fear we shall have to take then. " The design of ` the exterior of the Rhinebeck Post Office was also deterined by the President, wh.o had Mrs. Henry nforgenthau inform the Procurement Division on Septefroer 23, 1937, that the new building was to be based on the ruinous KipTBee]enan house near Rhinedeck vinich had burned in 1900. The next day the PrcourenRIit Division wrote Miss Reynolds for early photos of the

house.

In her reply, she frankly stated her dotots about the

wisdom of FDR's idea: she knew of no clear photos of the house

before the fire, and, in addition, it had been so altered in the

William 8. RIoads

Helen Wiltinson Reynolds (1875 - 1943)

18th and. 19th centuries as to be uncharacteristic of early Dutch architecture. Cbnsequently, she advised that Ire+Jfs from various houses ri.ear Hinnebeck be cahoined in designing the new building. Finally, she wondered whether "a domestic stricture" could ''be ITmde useful for ptolic building purpeses." But the Procurenrmt Divisic>n had its orders , and the President hinself had found lrore evidence of the original design of the Kipr Eieek© house in the hands of the Suckley family. The exterior

of the RIinebeck Post Office stands today as a replica of the earliest portion (ca. 1700) of the KiprBee]man house. Inside are rurals by Olin Dowsrscenes from RAinebeck history selected with the help of Helen Reysolds and approved by the President.

In July 1938 FDR ITrade it k]i.own. that the new Wappingers Falls

Post Office was to be a fieldstone version of the frame Mesier house in the village. There was no ri.eed to search for old photos since the house, although given Victorian trim, still stcxrd, and early houses near-by could provide prototypes for the I[usorny.

But i]re President did seek Miss Reyrolds' wisdom on

the too lobby Iurals, eventually painted by Henry Billings. She peersuaded FDR to drc)p his original suggestion for the first prel, the Wappinger Indians about 1650, in favor of her plfopesal, the _Marquis de Chastellux stopping to adrire the Falls in 1780. The second panel, po]±raying the Falls and adjacent '

Helen W. Reynolds, FDR, & Hudson VAlley Architecture

President Rcosevelt modelled the design of the Poughkeepsie Post Office after the Dutchess County Cc>urt House of 18-09.

Photo courtesy: Adriance Library. te2dEile mills in 1880, reflected FDR's desire to record the early water-powered industries of i=he region (ancestors of his oun tremendous hydroelectric projects in the South and West. ) It was FDR's hope in July 1939 to recreate the first stone house in Hyde Park, built by Jacobus Stoutenburgh about 1745 and fallen to ruin in the 1860s, for the new Hyde Park Post Office.

He sought the help of Helen Reynolds and Maud Stoutenburgh Eliot

in find.ing accurate evidence of the form of the house, but nothing win discovered. As an alternative, Miss Reynolds and Henry Hackett, Poughiceepsie attorney and mefroer of the Historical Society, proposed that the John Bard or RE±d House (which 'had stood no]Th of St. James' CThurch from about 1772 to 1875) be reproduced on the basis of a drawing mad.e about 1875 by the an-

tiquarian Edward Braman. The President was delighted with the idea, and reported Dtovehoer i that the architect, R. StanleyBrewn, v\7as "thrilled by it" and was creating plans following its elevation and ground plan. FDR's beloved fieldstone was again

to be slfostituted for the clapboards of the prototype.

In a letter of Febri]ary 11, 1940, Miss Beynolds let FDR know

her wish that Olin Dons be given the job of painting an historical frieze in the Hyde Park lobby, as his Iurals at RIinebeck were Irmch admired.

Cbnsulting _roR and Miss Reynolds, RE^7s did

ooniplete Imrals at Hyde Park.

She saw then in rmvs' studio in

William 8. Rhoads

TE:=g::€g£!Egia|¥cr£:gl8j:hiisim:¥t#:tFf:E!!gF#:E35I:o±E!5=: Constitution by New York State in 1788.

Photo courtesv: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library.

may 1941, and she wrote the President that she 'Lwas so pleased

with the feeling and understanding with which he has interpreted the local background. " Framtlin Roosevelt, as we have seeen, respected Heleri Reyn• olds' knowledge of Dutchess Couni¥. For her, Roosevelt lcomed as a central figure. In Eunc)pe in 1934 she jourmeyed to the Netherlands and sent him a postcard from Tholen, 'Lwhere the

foosevelts first calire from, " picturing "the 14th century church where we found a ltoosevelt buried under iin- e floor .... " After the 1940 election, she suffered a nervous brealrdown, for, as she told FDP. in May 1941, "I could not 'i=ake' the election campaign. I was so anxious for your success and so beset and

corn by the fanatical rock-ribs of .this conrmmity that ny nerves snapped again .... " while the President had planned to have her take charge of tire Dutchess Cbunty Room in his ljbraJry, her

health did not permit it.

Miss Reynolds died January 3, 1943, at the Hover sanitariiim in Poughkeepsie. Five days later the President wrote Maude Stoutehourgh Eliot: "It is a real tragedy about Helen Rei7nolds.

She was a grand friend and we had Trorked together so Irmch on

ihings relating to Dutchess County that I shall greatly miss her.

And so Irmch remains to be do.TiLe-with nobody to take her

place." Still, this friendship between a world leader and a

Helen W® Reynolds, FDR, & Hudson VAlley Architecture

The President overcalne the dc)ubts of Helen Revnolds

and had the Rhinebeck Post Office built as a ieDlica

of-the ruinous Kip-Bee]enan House. Photo courtesy: Franklin D. FtooseJelt Library.

local historian resulted in historical publications and historically inspired architecture and painting which will endure.

(I wish to acknowledge the assistance of a grant frcm the Eleanor ltoosevelt Institute. The Correspondence bei=reen Frm and Helen Reynolds is preserved at the Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, and Adriance Library, Poughkeepsie, NY.

A fuller account of FDR's local

interests can be found in Olin lrmirs, Fz.cz7tkz477 I?c>oseuezt . czt jzgrde Pczr.k, [New York,1949], ny "Franklin D. foosevelt alrd Dutch Colonial Architecture, " Ivew Yor.k ZZ4stc>z3gr ,

Oct. 1978, pp. 430-464, and "The Artistic Patronage of Franklin D. Roosevelt," Pz.c>Zc)g%e, Spring 1983, pp. 4-21.

For a list of the publications of Miss Reynolds, see Joseph W. Ensley, "In Memory of Miss Helen Wi]kinson Reynolds, 1875-1943," YeczT Bc>c>k of the Dutchess Cbunty

Historical Society, 1968, pp. 73-75.)

This a]±icle appeared earlier in "Hudson Valley Studies" , June, 1983, 18-22, and is reprinted with permission from the author alrd Richard C. Wiles, Director, Hudson Valley Studies, Bard college.

15

FRZENKLIN D. IsoOsEVHjT: Hls DEVHOpimIT AND

Accenljlsmmms As A IocAL HlsTORIAN

Joha C. Ferris FI)R's "fo]rm'ial" eoneer ae a tocal histoedan began Ln 1910, conoumend7;g v)Lth his for.st eLection bo pubtto office. Fr>on tha± time unbht his_ deckh3 35 years Lcdeer.3 his Lnderesb i;n Local hisborg : z v)as Lndense cmd his accorriptkshmen±s 7Jer.e marty.

John Fez.rbs , ar.c;hi,vbsb cle the FDR Ijderory 3

dbsou8ses the scope of FDR's histor.Lcal in±eresb ac bt inae manifest cte the tocal, I.egbonal cFiLd nctekonal 7,eveL.

As Itoosevelt scholars are well aware, there is bilt a slnattering of published information concerning FTanklin Roosevelt `s interest in and contributions to the study of local history.

1

The works of Dr. William RIoads which detail foosevelt's passion for architecture and relationship with Helen Wilkinson Reynolds

are by far the richest source. In addition there are: a reprinting of FDR's correspondence as historian for the tcam of Hyde

Park, a short chapter in Lilliamwall's biography of her father Alexander J. Wall of the New York Historical Society, and bits and snatches of reminiscence in Oljm Inns I Fr.cz7rakz477 I). I?ocJsezJezt cle IIyde Pork.

If one were to read all of the above, find some native Hyde Parker old enough to remefroer FOR, and then convince hin or her to spin a fen of the well-knCh7n yarrs which tint FOR with local color, e.g. , the tale of the aim E]bow feud, one would have a fair sense of FDR in tire rea]m of local history. However, one could not yet have the whole story. In the manuscripts, bcxjks and photographs housed at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library is contained a Irore caxplete understanding of FOR, local historian.

In searching for that thing which stirrmlated FDR's interest in local history, I was led to a young man`s pride in the heritage of his family. FOR began his career as a local historian 17

18

foha C. Felfis

in the guise of the genealogist. During his sophorrore year at Harvard., FDR's history professor instructed the class to write a well-researched and doci]mented thesis on a sul3ject of their own chcosing. FDR took ad:vantage of this assigrment to display his talent for genealogical research. His thesis written in 1901 and entitled "The Ftosevelt Family in New Amsterdam Before the Fiev-

olution" was saved by Franklin's Irother, and is on display inthe FDR Museum. It illustrates FDR's skill as a genealogist, the wealth of information in i]re Roosevelt`s family library, and perhaps Irost interestingly of all, it includes young Fracklin's pride as a descendent of a distinguished fatily background. In the conclusion of the thesis the scholar ocxpares the RAsevelt farily with other New York families of Dutch descent. He con-

cluded other falrilies retained little or nothing of their heritage but the farily nalne. Hcrvever, the R]osewelt's retained "virility" and a strong "democratic spirit". Young Franklin

prceived these qulities as dynamic, preventing his family from resting on the laurels of its fortunate birth. He further observed that the Ecosevelts were an afroitious family, obligated by its social pesition to serve the corm]nity.

FOR could easily have passed his adult life in quiet crmfor+ as a gentlerrm farmer on the family estate in Hyde Park. Py the sarre token, his interest in genealogical research could have

pesed entirely in the rea]m of personal pleasure as an absorbing and distracting hobby.

However, FDR's perceived debt to his

farily heritage dqranded that he serve his cormmity as a civic leader, rather than cloistering hinself at IIyde Park. This decision led hid front the New York State Senate to the white House. Father than pursue his genealogical interests as apleasant pastjne, he chose to shaE3e his research and his pleasurewith his neighbors. Its a result he expanded the scope of his research frc>m the narrow linits of family genealogy to the Irore expanded djJnensions of local history. Thereafter, as FOR evolved as a civic leader and an historian, the demands of noblesse oblige

FDRliocal Historian

19

and the curiosity about i=hings historical Inerged. FOR finally saw history as a tool to serve his ever expanding cormmity and

to serve it by reninding his neighbor of the strengths and accxxplishments of their forebears which he believed should be preserved. He sought to make his personal feelings of pride in cormmity, infectuous. Perhaps this is the dream of every local historian.

FDR's entrance on the political stage in 1910 was as a candidate for the Nen7 York State Senate. Travelling the back roads of Dutchess ZJounty, meeting and speaking to his neighbors both near and far, heighti=ned FDR`s sense of corrm]nity.

IIis kncRTl-

edge of the people and the land which lay outside i=he bev]ders of his beloved Hyde Park was expanded, and so too the borders of his

historical curiosity. In a speech delivered at Vassar .Cbllege in August, 1933, just months after beginning his first term as President of the Uhited States, FDR told the audience of his entrance

into political life.

Ib bs I think3 just 25 yectts ago thde I chcmced bo be bn Poughkeepsbe on a Sc[b:urdey mo]enkng in Augusb3 a very hob Sde'urdey rro][rlrl;kng. In fr.out of the

Court House3 I ran across a gr.oap of friends of rnd;rLe. As I renender they

vJere Judge Morchouser?, George Sprdeb, John Mach and Judge fr:r¥noLd. I had only Lndended bo sbey i;n boribrL for a fen rnd;nudes to do some err.alrLde3 but

they kkchapped me-ne of the for.sb

cases of deti;her.die kkchappi;mg on I.ecor.d±:nd bock me out bo a poLbeenen's pLc:Indc Ln FainvLen.

On thcrd joyous

occasion of cZ,arrls3 of scue;r'kraut and real beer. I made Tny first speech3 cnd, I hone been apozogLedng for Lb ever. since. frmd also on thai same o.ccar sLon I sbcttted bo mccke the acqucknda:nee Qf that ponb of Dutchess Coun;try

that I+es oulsbde the tourn of ldyde Par.k. And I corleLnued bo rriake thai

acqual;ndanee citt throughout the ccanpchg'n thde year ....

FDR`s victory in 1910 was no enall surprise to a good many of his

John C. Felfis

20

friends.

Ftral mtchess Couni=y at that tine was, and eventoday,

a Reptolican stronghold.

Indeed, FOR carried DUEchess coulrty

very fen trfes in his long political career.2 respite his local losses, FDR's love for and curiousity about the c"nty grew stronger. Find when, in later years, President Roosevelt was visited at IIyde Park by scime jxportant dignitary or Hrder of the European aristocracy, he would IrDtor thorn into the Dutchess Cbunty countryside to view sore site or building of local interest. The visitor then would receive a lecture on sore fact of county history.

Ftosevelt I s historical interests greatly benefited from his passion for collecting. If FOR had never entered pelitical life, he would frost certainly have been recognized as one of the nation's great collectors. His urge to col±ect began in his

youth with an interest in postage staps and bird watching. AIthough probably best remefroered as a philatelist, FDR also collasted itenrs of local interest. His collection of Hudson River Valley objects includes: 720 bound volunes (many of these

unique) , over 25 linear feet of Inanuscript Ira+erial, a stostan-

tial map collection, pertraits of the Fiver Valley aristocraey, paintings frcm the Hudson River School, and artifacts unique ±o

the area. A fen specific itens of interest from this collection include: the pepers of the Depeyster family 1719-1905 , manuscript peges concerning an exploration of the Hudson River by French pioneers in 1540, Sautier's I[xp of the Hudson River ptolished in Iondon in 1776 , copies of local periodicals±e Pc>z4gfokeepsde Cczsket 1838-1840, and the I?arczz I?eposztorig ptolished in Hudson

1828-1848, a lrrap of Poughkeepsie dated 1770, the unptolished WPA

inventory of Dutchess Cbunty records , an illiminated journal of John Watts Depeyster`s land holdings, photographs of I]yde Park and Staatsburg from the late nineteenth century, writings by the "mad poet" of the Hudson Valley, and a chin used for the draft

lottery during the Civil War. ray tales have grcrm from FDR's experiences as a collector.

FDR+|iocal Historian

21

MDst allude to the tightness of the,Itoosevelt purse strings. On his honeylroon in Europe in 1905, FDR decided to exploit his new

bride 's talent for foreign languages during their numerous excursions to rare bdek stores and curio shops. Eleanor, entrusted with the jxportant duty of serving as her husband`s foreign interpreter, was instructed to bully the shopkeepers to reduce their prices. Although she excelled as a linguist, FDR quickly discharged her. It seerns she wasn't i]p to the bullying Of the dickering. Dismissing her with loving praises for her ki-ndheait and innocent nature, FDR, with the instincts of a born horse trader, bought at greatly reduced prices , despite the language barrier. Indeed, most of the items purchased for his co.llections, and many are quite rare, cost him less than ten dollars. rmien i=ro lots of Livingston family manuscripts , described as rare and dating from the Colonial era, were offered at auction, FDR,

quick to realize their value to his local historical research, instructed his secffetary, touis Hove, to post a bid C>f four dollars a lot. Incredibly, FDR won both lots.

W. G. Elliott, a dealer in items of New Yolfk State history, alerted FDR to the availability of a cony bock of the original minutes of .the Nine Partners meetings (1730-1749} .

Ftosevelt,

elated by this i.xportant historical find, exclained to his prtr tege, Helen Wilkirson Reynolds, it irould be "an Invaluable"

addition to the local history collection of Adriance Pfrorial Iijbrary in foughkeepsie. The $10,000 price was a great stirfu ling block to its acquisition. Undaunted, FDR devised a plan.

believing the bdek could be had for half the alrount, he instructed Ms. Reynolds to "put a bug in the ear" of in. Poucher, Presidebt of the Dutchess County Historical Society, to kick off a f`nd raising caxpaign for its purchase. He suggested Poucher contact "the rich Inen in the CbuntyLThe Thorns' , the Mills' .... U His cREl rrme, Franklin roosevelt, was noticeably excluded fluri

this list.3 Perhaps the Irost telling incident involves FDR's purchase of

John C. Felfis his own writings as President of the United States, Salmrel Fbsermran's ndti-volume edition, rfoe Pzzbzzc Pcapez.a cr7'zd Addresses of

Fzocz7ckz47t I). j3c)c)set)ezt.

FOR, having established the first Presi-

dential Library to facilitate scholarly research, plarmed to add Ftoserrman's editions to his collection.

He wouldn't pay. full

price even for these volumes, instead he waited until the first five volurnes were remaindered for $4.95.

The urge to collect

endured throughout Roosevelt.'s lifetrfe. Indeed the ever increasing bulk of his collections was a contributing factor inhis decision to build a library. Even on the eve of the Yalta conference with Wilrston Churchill and Josef Stalin, the conference which was to largely decide the fate of the pesti"ar world, FDR was arranging for the acquisition of a rare map of local interesL en±i:tied Panorana of the IIndson Rhvep fr.om Nee rock to Pokg7zkeeps4e. FDR was eventhen thinking of the day he could

. settle down in Hyde Park with his bdeks and historical curios-

ities .

Thus far, FOR, the collegiate genealogist, the budding politician itching the acquaintance of his neigThors, and the shrewd collector has been introduced to the reader.` Each of these esqpriences chanced his involver[rmt in local historical pursuits... before FDR`.s many contributions to the study of the Hudson River Valley are described, FDR's interest in architec+ tune Trust be discussed. This phase of FDR's byzantine career as a public servant is developed in depth in recent ptolications by 1

Dr. William Thoads. According to RIoads, FDR's curiosity about architecture emerged in 1903, when, influenced by the grand .

Georgian Reviwh design of Groton and Harvard, FOR began to contexplate the redesign of the- family hare "Springwood" in Hyde

Park. ny the the his oonteITplation becarre a reality ,in 1915, FDR's jrmgination was hopelessly tainted by his studies of family

genealogy and local history. He insisted the reITrdelling include

local fieldstone, the traditional building material used ky the early Dutch settlers. Then the home was ccxpleted in the fol-

FDR+local Historian

23..

lcwing year, "Springwcod" had been transformed from the original Victorian style to the Georgian with a dash of Hudson Valley Dutch .

Pleased with the redesign, FDR fancied himself as somewhat of

an amateur architect. Thereafter he efroarked on a self appointed mission to preserve and. to ptolicize exaxples of Cblonial Dutch architect:ure throughout the Hudson Valley, and to influence the architectural design of as many buildings plalmed for construction in the Hudson Valley. to realize his objective, FDR Conceived of and directed a project to inventory and ptolish an illustrated catalog of Dutch Colonial buildings in New York and New Jersey. At the sane time he appointed himself as the architect/contractor for his wife 's Cottage at Val-Kill. Completed in 1926, the cottage recalls the old Dutch Colonial farm hc)uses indigenous to the Valley. From Vat-Kill, he proceeded to design the Jalnes Rcosewelt Memorial Library in the Village of Hyde park.

Chce again, native fieldstone was used.

FDR used his influence as Chief Executive to influence ar-

chitectural decisions. He exploited the pch7er of his office to Control the design of all federal buildings in Dutchess and Ulster counties. The results of his edict, that all federal building in these counties should reflect the local heritage, and that all architectural planning for the region should be cleared through his office, are the many fieldstone post offices which dot both sides of the Hudson. The bra post offices most dear to his heart were those in REinebeck and, of course, in IIyde Park.

The building in RIinebeck is Irodelled after the KippTBedrman. home.

FDR was descended from the Fhinebeck Beedrman's, and noted

that his kinship i=o that tchm was second only to the Tbun of Hyde Park. FDR Convinced the federal architects to employ the Kippr Beelanan design by claining that the original building was the homre of the first white settler in Dutchess Cbunty, that it was George Washington I s military headquar+ers erring the War for Independence, and that it was the site 'where Washington took the

Joha C. Ferris

24

oath of office as his nation's first President. Each of these interesting bits of inforlnation strains the truth. According to RIoads' research the home had often been visited by falrous peo-

ple, including Ccheral Washington, hcwever little Irore of historical inperthce took place there. Neveriineless, the President had his way.5 The Post Office in Hyde Park was modelled on the

hone of Joha Bard, the grandson of the original patent holder of tire land north of Crun E]bcIV Creek.

whereas FDR irrsisted that i]re exteriors of these buildings reflect the Dutch heritage of .the Valley, he was sonenhat less concerned with i±re interior design. He did, however, exer+ his irrfluence at Heasury regarding the subject matter of the Irmral peintings which would adorn these buildings. The Iural painters were also on the federal payroll, cou]±esy of the Federal Ar+s Project, and FDR irrsisted that those painted in Dutchess and Ulster depict themes of local history. On the suggestion of Helen Reynolds, the murals at REinebeck and Hyde Park were ent±ted to FDR`s friend and neighbor, 0lin RE^7s of RIinedeck. In his remhiscence, FZ)i? czt jzgrde Pczz.k, mws recalls the painstaking care with which FDR approached the murals for the IIyde Park Post

Office. FDR irrsisted that the scenes depicted had to be histor-

ically accurate in every detail-right dcrm to the rigging of the ice heats.

Following FDR's suggestions, Dons ' Ifyde Park murals

include: the Bard family, the Stoutenburghs, the Union Corners face Track, the Dickinson Mill, and the arm Elbeir ifeetingHouse.

FDR, the architect, is i-rtalized in one of these rmrals. It depicts the President at the field site of the new Hyde ParkHigh Schcol discussing plans wii=h the contractors.

The Hyde Park High

Schcol is yet another local field stone building. FDR's ar+ chitectural career fuelled alrd was fuelled by his local history interests. AId the buildings which bear his infhence stand today as tributes both to the heritage of the region and to FDR

the historian. and ncw, having discussed FDR's intrduction to local hi-story

FDR-Iocal Historian

25

via genealogy; politics , collecting and architecture, his "formal" career as an historian will be described. FDR began this "formal" career in 1910 v\hen he joined the Holland Society of New York, a gglealogical/historical organization, whose merrbers

celebrate, study and record the lives and deeds of their ancestral stock in America. Dc) qualify as a mfroer, the candidate has to prove his paternal descent `from`a Dutch settler in New York, or another of the original colonies dating frown before 1675. His association with this society of fellchir genealogists a]aparently influenced FDR to research the original inhabitants of his native Dutchess County.

Therefore, in 1912, FDR began to

research the genealogical , topographical and historical aspects of the Great Nine Partners Patent. This patent, awarded inl697, includes the present tarns of Amenia, Clinton, Hyde Park, Pleasant valley, Stanford and Washington. FDR's particular interest was in the ''Water Iots": the nine parcels of land which bordered on the Hudson River.

Water Iot lto. 6.

His family home and lands are located on

IIis notes on the Water lots, which he collected and edited

for the next fifteen years reveal not only a good bit of useful historical information, but also much of the man's perschal research technique. one finds in these notes and the correspondr once which is filed with them, that in his historical research, FDR refused to be stoject to his own linitations as a scholar.

He did not work in isolation, nor did he jealously guard the topic of his rese:rch. He chose rather to progress beyond hinself by seeking out and enlisting tire aid of knowledgeable individuals throughout tire county. He discovered the ITRIrories, the ljbraries, and the talents of many of his neighbors were quite houn±iful, and that all he needed to do was to tap i=he right expel+and his research would be advanced considerably.6 FDR, as President, had surrounded hj.mself with alrd depended on experts and expert infoHrmtion. He called tliem the ``Brains Trust." In local history he exployed the same technique. He found Helen Wiltinson

John C. Felfis

26

Reynolds to be a valuable source on local history and their association flourished until her death in 1943.

FDR joined ike Dutchess County Historical Society in 1914 , the year of its founding. His article "MDntca]m's Victory and Its tesE5ous" apJp©ed ±]n +due Pr.oceedings of the Nee rock Stdee #ts±ozricczz Assc7cZcztzo7c.

This shor+ piece concerning the battle

of Oswego in 1756 is rather Ilnore didactic than scholarly.

It

begins with a criticism that historians and teachers of history dwell too Im]ch on the trivialTThe dates and bare hones of

history-rd spend tco little tine investigating the causes and results of historical occurrences. It concludes with a rather sober message for the reader: warning hit to learn from the battie of Oswego, and to let ike lessons of the battle inspire him to stpper+ rilitary preparedness-to maintain a strong arny and a strong navy.7 At the tine Fin was the alTbiEious Assistant Secretary of the Navy. once again his politics entwined withhis career as a local hisi=orian.

In 1921 FDR was stricken wii=h polio.

His Irother hc)ped that

he would retire from ptolic life to indulge his historical interest from the home in I]yde Park. For FDR it wasn`t either/or, it was both, ptolic career cz7td local history. In 1923, FOR was offered the presideney of the Holland Society of New York. He declined the offer but agreed to sit on the Board of Trustees. confident in the supper+ of his fellow genealogists, he propesed in an essay which appeared in the Society publication, Tfee Z7czzf #c>c>77, that the Society ptolish a i]ro volume study detailing Dutch colonial architecture in New York and New Jersey.8 The plan for such a work was conceived during a conversation bei"een FDR, Helen Reynolds, and Dr. I. Wilson Poucher at the RAsevelt home.

FDR dated the true genesis of the idea to the day, when as a

small hey, he wiimessed the destruction of "sore delightful old house in Dutchess Cbunty. " He continued: . . .many year.s tct±er. in sear.c!qimg pa±nd_g

i-hou§e3 or. sJmiI photogr.aph -cc{]:rie -to -r]ecdize or_ draping thcrdofsuch .th.cnd deeL-

FDRiocal Historian

27

ti;ngs of the colonial period in New For.k3 ac stood until the 20th Cenb:Wry,

toere fact disappeoning be for.e the march of mode]en civbtkzabkon, cnd^,^ 5hcle

;;;n-ir;st--;i then uould be jane.9 Although Judge Frank Hasbrouck, a Society trustee and fellch7

Dutchess County historian initially opposed the idea, it was eventually accepted, and FDR was appointed to head the ocrmission. He began by assefroling his team of experts, Helen Reynolds was hired to write the volunte for A]ban:y, Dutchess, Ulster alrd Westchester Counties; Ms. Helen Henry was hired to do the voluine covering Sout:hem New York and ltorthern Nen7 Jersey. Mar-

garet Brown was to photograph the buildings.

The project appealed to a variety of FDR's interests. The volumes contained infoHnation on the genealogy, architecture and customs of the local people, and included chapters on: "Building Materials" and "architectural Details. " Inforlra±ion on slavery,

land titles , plantings , forestry, traditions, and other historical lrEtters were also included.

In his introduction to M§.

Reynold's volulne, FDR noted: Thcle v)hkch has Lnderesbed me Ln this

survey even more than the coLLection of onc;hi,beci;ural dclea has been the Lnfo]pmation as bo the marmers and ousboms of the settlers of the ValLey of the Hndsonrrfuhi,ch has been affor'ded by an eeecwi;nation of the houses the peapLe tbved Ln.

It is apparent from his correspondence with Helen lieynolds

that FDR's original intention was to collaborate with her in the writing of Volu[ire I. His struggle with polio, which required long stays at the treatlrrmt center in Warm Springs , Georgia, prevented him from carrying out his wish.

He did, however, take an active role in the preparation of the cork. Although he could not acooxpany Ms. Reynolds on her field research, he did Correspond and meet with her frquently, sharing his knowledge of llyde Park and points of architecture.

Toha C. Ferris

28

He also served as her copy-editor, although there is no evidence he changed a single word of Ms. Reynolds' text.

His Irost iHper-

tant role in the creation of these volumes can be characterized as that of the paternalistic editor/producer. He chided his workers when he found then lacking, praised then when they needed

it ro:t, Irmde sure they were paid, and even offered ndical advice. The following is edracted from a letter wri+ten ky FOR to a despairing and ill Helen Henry in February, 1927: . . .here goes the orders fr.on Dr. Rooseverb : 1. Obeg not ciinost but a±±P=|_gf±_?t!±L

the DoctJr.'s orders to I.est alt ecacept 4 or 5 hours d:uitng the rndddle of the drgr

2. Get the thoughi thde this bpck i,a hanging over gou our the of y.our V3. -Tny to -take point h~ead.. of .vben thde gob; one going to zbork .on_ bb Teg.u=

tar.tif for a vier'g choTt pert,od e_ace den as if ft wer.e as rrmch a pqr'+ of Hour curt;Lcul:urri as ecding breakfast or. going bo steep. . .

respite the gee doctor's sound advice, Ms. Henry never finished the volunre on Soui]rern New York and Northern New Jersey.

Serrsing that she had been defeated ky the task, FDR relieved her of the respensjbility. The bdek was cxxpleted in 1936 byfosalie Fellows Efailey , a Vassar graduate and professional genealogist.L° Helen Reynolds fared much better.

Her volume was completed and

ptolished in 1928. Reynolds receiv-ed full credit for the work; FDR noted only his "slight assistance" .to her.

In his introductory remarks for these volumes, FDR sounded thenes which echo throughout his historical endeavors : the need

to preserve and to learn from the past. In the intrduction to the Henry/Bailey work he wrote: We cme concer.'ned tobth the trtstorr!d of coLonkal New Fork. cnd New Jersey not meretg as ardiquon_Lane. _The_ one.i rotec-

bare,-the decoictebons , the funri;itur._e of ;ur eenz,g settter.s have a very _clefindbe I.etcdi,onship to the oats today.

FDR--Iocal Historian

29

Ib bs true thcle our mode]en tkfe calls for. corroendences wri:thought of Ln Seven±eenbh Cenb:Wry New Aneber.dan3 but the cha:rm of tLne3 the judgenenb of 7,oca-

tion and the spLrib of si;rrrptkcbby of the homes of our cmcestors ar.e all a good in{l;uence on a civLZLzqiton u)hick

bo some of us seens bo be Fever.ting bo the nor.e hurbLe and honest bdecids .

In 1923, FDR made an jlTpeftant coup as a Collector.

He pur-

chased at auction for the sim of $85, a rather e2deravagant sun for the Roosevelt pocketbdek, the original "Minutes of the Cbuncil of Appointments of New York at foughkeepsie, April 4, 1778 to Ma:y 3, 1779`'.

FDR's trained eye recognized this as a unique

prize. Shor+ly thereafter, FDR was contacted by Alexander J. Wall, Librarian of the Nen7 York Historical Society, who had been outbid for the Minutes by FDR. At first Wall questioned the authenticity of FDR's find., but Roosevelt was steadfast. Heknev

kyy the different handwritings and authentic signatures , including Governor Clinton`s, that he indeed possessed the original Minutes. Wall was eventually convinced, and suggested that the Society ptolish the Minutes along with their "Minutes for the Cbuncil of Detecting and Defeating Cbnspiracies']. FDR was delighted. At this tine Nen7 York State Hisi=orian, Dr. Alexander Flick, who had read of FDR's find jn iine Yecmz)ook of the DutchT

ess County Historical Society, corresponded with roosevelt suggesting that the State ptolish the Minutes separately with an introduction permed by himself . FDR agreed with Flick's design reasoning .that i=he State's ptolication would have a wider circulation than that of the New York Historical Society. In 1925 i±re Minutes were ptolished dy the New York Historical- Society as plarmed. IIowever, Flick lost interest in the project. Undaunted, FDR and the Dutchess Courfey Historical Society underwrote the

ptolishing of fifty separates. A Copy was duly sent to Dr. Flick.1l FDR's contact wii±i Iijbrarian Wall and the Nen7 York Hi-storical

Society led to several joint historical ventures. Wall provided

John c. F±is

30

FDR with info-tion for his study of the Water Iots; FDR ledthe Society to the acquisition of a Revolutionary War uniform, and joined with the Society to establish a Naval and Marine rm]seun in rainattan. In recognition-of his work with the Society, FDR was offered a seat on tire Erecutive Committee in 1923. FDR declined in a letter to Society President, John Abeel Weeks: . . .I arrl stiLL on crutches, cnd cc[Irmob go bo arty bulLding ecacepb my office, c[nd

I should not be able to cletend any of

the meeti;ngs3 second:ly I tLave pr'ondse4 Trry doctor bhak for. another. yectt. I 7)ould nob go om an;gthi;ng new.

rming his first term as President of the United States, the New York Historical Society expressed their appreciation by hanging a 12 small exhibit entitled "Franklin D. Roosevelt, The Historian".

In 1925, FDR Irmde his first contribution to the Yeczz9bc>c)k of

the Dutchess County Historical Society. "The Vessels at Fishkill rming the Revolution, " which FDR edited frm:i the original Iranu-

script, cafroined his interests in naval and local history. That salire year, FDR began a biography of Alexander Hamilton, and reviefned CLanfte f3aner' s Jet i er.son and HarndLbon-The SLr.uggLe i or.

I)e77zc>c3rczcgr Z7t A777ericcz, at Bower 's request for the New York Ez;e77+7tg

Voz]Zd.L3 The follcwing year, FDR was appointed historian forthe

Tcrm of Hyde Parkrd true feather in any historian`s cap! His tenure as historian was rather ambitious. He accepted no pa:y for what he sac as his civic duly. He Cxxpleted lrork on the World War I repert, which detailed the Tcrm's contributions to the war effort. He also purchased a rare i=ro volume set: "Proceedings of the New York I]egislative Cbuncil 1700-1776", and "Tourmal of the Nen7 York Provincial Convention and Provincial congress 1776-

1777".

He plalmed to extract from these volumes all references

to Dutchess, and to ptolish them in the yeczz7book.

HCh^7ever, the

extracts were judged to be too voluminous for the periodical. In 1927, FDR led the Dutchess Cbunty Historical Society on a pilgrhage to IIyde Park. At the family home, he lectured the pilgri.ms on the history of the Water tots.

31

John c. F±is fry far his Irost significant accaxplishment as mm Historian was tfue ptohiica+i!on Of the Recor.ds of the Taim of Hgde Parks

J82Z-J875 in 1928.

In his forelrord to this Dutchess Cbunty

Historical Society ptolicati6n, Frm wrote : The pthtfshing of these I.eeor'qs of_ the .-Town of Hgde€ Pork. toac undertaken Ior i;]}o reasons. Ffr.st, to pr'eser've for

futur.e goner.cdions the Local hi,sto_ey chhch e-ccksts for. the most par.t ondg Ln Lbs or:bgi,nat rairi;uscndpt forzm and prcay de o[:ray bLme be destr.oged. Seconds to

eneour.age other. toans Ln our. CounEg of Durbchess to ccl;I?ry out sLndLon tasks.

Years later as `President, FDR 'encouraged the entire nation to

preserve the records of its past..by creating the National Archives and Records S:rvice, the federally funded WPA Historical Strvey of Cbunty and Municipal Records, and. the first Presidential Library. FDR resigned as Tbun Historian in 1931,. His reason was that his duties as Governor of New York prevented hin 14

from carrying out his duties as local historian.

FDR tcok the oath of office as President of the Unitedstates on Ptrch 4, 1933. Shortly thereafter his name appeared on the front pages of the New York press. Press coverage, as one might }

A

±ct, discussed his controversial New Peal programs, but the press also detailed his interest in local history. 1± included the story of a gcod old-fashioned feud, a no holds barred quarrel that was to go on for the next seven years, the notorious "Crun E]bow Dispute. "

The dispute focused on the official ownership of the geCi]raphical nana "an]m Ethow. " tine of the protagonists was the President, who clajJined the name was given to the bend in the

river on the East side of the Hudson, the site of the Rcosevelt Estate in Hyde Park. The other protagonist was Howland Spencer, a rock-rifebed Reptolican neighbor who claimed the name for his cRTi estate which was directly opposite the Roosevelts on thewest side of the Hudson. Spencer referred to Frm as "Slippery Frank," and described him as a man who was inapssjble to get

FDR+-local Historian

33

along with, a man who was "always talking and flapping his arms

like a great bird, and thereby preventing anyone from getting in a cord edgewise." Spencer, not willing to concede ownership of the rmllne "Crum E]bcw" to the President or anyone else, used an

ancient map to support his clain. The dispute was of par+icular

jxprtance to the President, not only in the interest of local history, but also because if he conceded ownership of the name`to Spencer, he would be forced to accept a second name for his fa[r ily's estate. This name which also appeared on some ancient maps was an anathema to FDR, especially in his newly acquired office as Chief Executive of the Nation. The second nalne was "Crcok 's Paradise. "

The contest betlreen Spencer and Roosevelt was quite uneven.

The President had the entire federal bureaucraey at his disposal. Secretary of the Interior Harold Iakes settled the dispute ''officially" in 1937, when on April 29 in the Depa]rfuent`s ptoLirca:fuon, DecLSLons of the US Boar.a on Geogr.aphical Nanes , Ire

fixed the rralne Cnm E]bair to the land on the East side of the Hudson about four miles above Poughkeepsie. Dtot surprisingly, the President had iron. The victory was not entirely sweet, however. In the follcwing year, Spencer gave his estate and lands to the infalrous Fal]rer Divine, a New York City evangelist who cofroined the demagoguery of a Huey Iong and the flartryance of a Reverend Ike.

Hcwever, FDR had the final word.

In 1940 his

editiJon Of ldne Recor.ds of the Cr.urri EZ;boo PrecLnct3 1738-1761 was

ptolished by the Dutchess County Historical Society, and in his introduction, he set dcrmi for posterity the exact and only lcxHLtion which could claim title to the narie enm E]hav.L5 FDR's interest in local history did rot fade during hisyears as President. He Continued his genealogical pursuits, his col1eetion of Hudson River Valley a]±ifacts , and occasionally contributed essays or statements for 27ze ZJczzf „oc)7t and the Yeczzo-

book of the mtchess Cc>unty Historical Society.

These included a

pi© on his `'fireside chats, " donments frori British and Cana-

Toha C. Felfis

dian archives relating to the British fleet's raid up the Hudson River in 1777, and infoHration for the story of "Leaf Smith", an expatriated MilThrcoker who prevented the retreat of Texan forces

at the battle of San Tacinto by blcwing up the bridges to their rear. During this period he also saw to the ptolication of Volunre 11 of "Dutch Houses", arid the I?ecoz.ds c7f t7ze Crzt7H EZ,I?co Pre-

crincb .

Dutchess County also benefitted from FDR's WPA program.

Un-

der the Federal Writer`s Project and Historical RE2cords Survey

Project unexployed local writers , teachers , historians , and oth`er "white collar" workers produced a guide to sites in the county9f historical inner+ance. Also an unptolished irventory of the county, rrulcipal, and church records was ccxpiled. Although Djtchess Cbunty was not unique in receiving such cxIverage under the meA projects, it was as a rule unusual for a county as small

as Dutchess to be covered in a special, separate guide, or to have its records surveyed beyond the County level. Cne can reasonably assure that FDR's well-kncrm interest in local history accounted for the special treatrmen±. Then the Historical Eecords Survey Project was established in 1935, the envisioned prcxfuct was a published gride for each county's record holdings.

Unfortunately the mjority of the guides were as yet unptolished dy the tine the project ceased to exist during the War. In 1941 New York State had ptolished inventories for only six of her 57 xpstate counties, and with the press of world events, it appeared that the renainder irould remain unptolished.

In toverrber of that year Fred Shipran, Director of the Frank1in D. Fcosevelt Libraryf met with George foach, then Supervisor of the WPA Flecords Survey in New York State and contributor to

the pdelished guide to Ulster county's records, one of the finest guides prduced in the state. Seven months later the inventory ItEterial of the Fiecord Survey Project for Dutchess were transferred fHomThite Plains to the Roosevelt Library. Three weeks later Mr. Itoach was also transferred to the Library to act as 8

FDR+-Iocal IIistorian .`,

Assistant Archivist, and one month follcwing foach was assigned •,

to edit the survey material for ptolication. foach worked feverishly on the project through the Spring of 1943, and armounced that the material Thrould be ready for ptolication that Winter.

Unfortunately he was drafted that Ma:y, and the material was never ptolished. This special trearien:t, the "kidnapping" of George foach, and borrowing of Survey material points to the personal manipulations of FDR, the..meddling local historian.L6 Dto article on FDR and local history would be cxplete with-

out an investigation of his relationship with Dutchess County historian, Helen Wilkinson Reynolds.

The Correspondence beth7een

these i]ro travellers on the road of local history bulks large in the files of the FDR Library. It Contains a wealth of information not only on the personal relationship, but also on FDR's true feelings for his historical endeavors. It reveals a man who felt an unbounded youthful enth:usiasmi for local history.

He

Could totally forget the heavy cares of his of fice w.ith each `breath of fDesh air fricm the Hudson River."

Scrmehcxir he couldbe

rejuvenated with each ITrmtion of a local historical puzzle.

Irideed, sensing this:I rejuvenation, MS. Reynolds ' oorrespendence with hin erpleys a certain '`childish" idicm. Then his* I?ecor.ds of the Toiia:n of Hgde Pack were at3oiNI± to be released -cx3irmcur-

r]eritly wiTh `her ann OndgLn of the Narrie df PoughkeepsLe , anid Dr. Fxrmch!er`s OLd GTaDestones of Dutchess Couri;ty , srfue wrorde.. " . . .me

are liJse tso children, you and I. . .and tr. Poucher, a third."

And her letters to him as President constantly renind him of his parmise to her in 1933, that after he was in Washington, ithen he got tired or fart ovemrorked, he irould take time to rest and i=o "play" with local history. His responses to her literally gush with en:thusiasoL for his stoject.

Follch7ing are a fen. .examples

e=ftrac±ed frern his letters : I)

Oc3tober 29.1955-

.:.Here £8 cmother.

bcdech of papers fr.an Andcrssader. ELngharri

. . .The Zasb despcdech, givbmg the t4sb of pToperdy destroyed bs beemendousz;g

A

John C. Feffis

36

Lnder.estLng , espectaltg_ th_e Lbens chouchg 8dr smart _vessets a.e_s_trove.a, and aiso ba:rna, houses, mietts. ete.

I count on seeing you chen I ari at home this ccwi;mg zbeek.

2)

Deeerfoer. 12, 1939 -... I an sendknc{

gou -dinc[;ttg dy register.ed -in±er.esting _malt_ Let an of e_ctr.a.oroL4

deedsineortg aLL of then Dutchess Ce°rozapn#.BorTrhee:tgedmesedasr.e..ther2d7o°n9,tcaktmh=w of c[ny ectttfer. d;eieds Lp I).C.. thc[rt

ihesi ctnd they are per.haps i:rripor.tc[yi;i

enough for. you to use Ln the neat year book.

5)Jo#2zze'tt2e9r4°fE;.rfrrs.e.nNCoLb°Lsee..aTcff3Ls

ieally thabuLng.

I faave_ asked her.

to send the MSS of Edscmd Brarrian to Hgde Pcnd< about Julg 4th.

¢)

November.1231942~ ...I alri thittLed about the Smith-Thorr{psQrL maberi,al. . .

I do hape the I)..C. Historical Socbetg can acquire bb. . .

Aside from the enthusiasm with which he approached local history, the correspondence also hints at FDR's trme expertise with-the subject, and the high degree at which he valued his relationship with Pta. Reynolds. He trusted her with the valua-

tion of iterus to be acquired for his collections, with the research for his personal history projects, with the designs for local fost Offices and the proposed mtchess County Rc" for the Library at Hyde Park. This last plan was Irost dear to hisheaJ±.

He saw the Library as a Ii[rmunent to history, and believed that

the history of his native county rust have a place there. His plan was to have a Hudson River Valley foon in which would be

displayed paintings , prints, rare bods, manuscripts, and artifacts from his personal collections, a separate Dutchess county Fcom which could house anything which the Dutchess county Histor-

ical Society chose to put there, and rmild also serve as their rreeting rcom. He proposed to hire Ms. Reynolds to assist his wife's cousin, Ms. Margaret "Daisy" Suckley, in collecting and

FDR+local Historian

37

arranging the local history materials. Helen Reynolds died in 1943. FDR wrote of her to one of his neighbors in Dutchesscbuni¥. He said: "She was such a grand friend, and we workedtogeth-

er so Irmch on things relating to Dutchess Cbunty that I shall miss her greatly. So Irmch renains to be done with no one totake her place. "17 With the death of RE. Reynolds, I will Conclude this. piece.

M§. Iieyrolds' death was an jxportant loss to FDR.

Although his

interest in local history survived her, he accxxplished little IrDre.

It see¥ns she was his M]se, his Clio, and without herpB]es-

ence, her oontinunus flch7 of historical puzzles and historical propesals to spark his ingination, his enthusiasm slcRTly slipped

any.

The following irords of Archjbald Macleish, FDR's Iijbrarian of congress, written in April 1946, sums xp FDR's oommiiment to history= Mr. RooseveLb approached the cult:ure of Americcms as he approached their

potktical ttfe and thebr? econondc and

soctal Lmstibuthons, as c[n hksboria:n>

or, rc[ther3 as a political Leader chose LndeLLecbual preocc:apation vac hasborry. . . The sense of hksbo]ay bin a .

potttical Leader ks a sense of the past. as the past has meeniikng for? the fwtwe. The sense of posberytby fs a presence bn the eclrth. Arid bo allay man who feeLs ±t3 Lean;kng cnd, the cttbs

ctte conitnui;mg I.ealki;kes.

EENCHrs

LA]bert 8. Cbifey, "Franklin D. foosewelt+Iiocal Historian. " Zyezt7 York fffstozz/ 28 (Oct. ,1947) : 506-511; Olin Irm7s, Fz9o:7,zkzz7c I).

I?oosez7ezt clt Egrde Pczz* (Nair York: Am=rican A]±ists Groap, 1949) ;

"illiarn 8.. REoads, '`F±anklj.n D. Itoosevelt and Dutch Cblonial Architecture," jyez{7 Poz.k jzfs±o2?2/ 59 (Oct. ,1978) , 428-464; William

8. RIoads, "Helen "i]kinson RE=apolds, Franklin D. foosevelt, and Hudson Valley Architecture, " ff2¢czlsc)7t Vczzzeg Stzzczzes (June, 1983) , 18-22, and 6; Illlian a. mall, E7e±zle jvo2ts, A7e T77±477zczte Po2o±2pcz4t

John C. Felfis

38

of 4Zefcz7zdez. J. WczZZ (New York: New York Historical Society, 1949) , 53-64.

2FDR carried Dutchess County in the State Senatorial elections of 1910 and 1912, and in the primary of 1914. The only other tine he won his home County was in the 1930 Gubermatorial

race. His corst defeat as a presidential candidate was in the

1944 election. He lost to Devey by over 10,000 votes in mltchess.

3For FDR's early collecting correspendence, see: Cbllectiors correspondence, Dutchess County and Hyde Park Matters correspendence in i]re Roosevelt Family, Business and Personal Papers, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library. (The collection of papers

will hereafter be cited as F, 8 and P -FEEL) .

4A gel overview of FDR's collecting is provided in William J. StenaJ± and Charyl C. Pollard, "Franklin D. Roosevelt, Cbl1ector."

PrcJZogtte 1 ("inter,1969) ,13-28.

5See Thoads c>p. c4t. , and Copies of Materials from Other

Repositoriesrdiinebeck Post Office , FDR Library.

6FDR`s correspondence and notes on the Water tots are in "IIyde Park Matters,1912-1927."

F, 8 and P -FDEL.

7vo|une xlll (1914) , 138-142.

8For FDR's official proposal see Franklin D. Roosevelt, "Preserve the Pictures of Old Ijandra±ks," I)e ffczztJe #ae7t i (AE+ ril, 1923) .

9Ectracted from FDR`s inE]]c)duction to Helen W. Iieynolds , Dutch Houses bn the Hudson Valzey Bet or.e 1776 ("BII Yoirk-. Pary: sgon

and Clarke Ltd. , 1929) . [°See "Holland Scx=iety Cbrrespondence,1910-1928. "

F, 8 and

P -FDRI. LLcona|d S. carmichael, ''A Thriller of Years Ago," Tfee Frcz7?kz{7} I). I?c7c>setJez± Cozzectoz., 11 (Ma:y, 1950) , 3-25; see als6,

FDR as Editor, Correspondence in re Minutes of Cbuncil Of Appeintlnents of N.Y.,1778-1779.

F, 8 and P -FDEL.

12wall, c,p. cat.

L3For draft of Hamilton biography (8 pp.) , and drafts of review, `Writings of FOR" (arranged chronologically) . F, 8 and P -FDEL.

FDR-cal Historian L4See cbrey, c>p. czt.

1927."

39

See also "IIyde Park Matters, 1912-

F, 8 and P -FDRE.

L5Correspondence, news clippings , menDranda, etc. in President's Personal File: Spencer, Hcwland. FDR Library.

L6fty notes and unptolished ardcle on the WPA Historical Rfcords Survey in Dutchess Cbunty are available on request at the FDR iferary.

[7RIoads (1983) , op. c4t. See also President's Personal File: Helen Wilkinson Reynolds , FDRE, and Reynolds correspendenc`e in F, 8 and P -FDEL, pczss£77z.

FDR meets his neighbors in Dutchess County during his caxpaign for the State Senate in 1910. Photo courtesy: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library.

A typical Algonquian village of arched roof bark wigwams. Fields of corm, beans and squash are guarded by a boy "scarecrow" in a dorre-shaped shelter on an elevated platform. P\xpkins, tobacco and sunfloners are growing separately. A cergrony is in progress

in the council ring in the lctwer corner of the picture. The river from which the torn gets its water is shcNIi at top center.

Thgraved by Theedor De Bry in 1585 from a water color by John

thte.

rmjNSH AND MAIIIczIN: INDIENs oF DUTclHss cOuNTy

Julian H. SalcmDn The hisbol[rg of the Munsee and the Mahican Ls di,soussed i;ogether vJbth

descri;ption5 of thefp customs and ini;,er.action , often disappoinitng , zb,hth the white sebtzer. Thi,a cadeLcle i,a eeece]apted c[nd adapted fr?on JTitkco'L Sakcrman' a recen±Z;g pzbpIfira:had bock enBheT,ed IItdkcms

±

tE!|± I±gi±sr H:nd;sqn R_eg±grL_: ` T]|s qu:i!!:Lsee .

Dutchess and Putnam Cbun:ties stood on what was roughly the boundary bedrreen i]ro large Indian tribes, tlle rmmsee and the Mahican. Bcrfu "aEEe q¥iite slHri±aE=ur in their way of life but their languages differed front one ancrfueH fin about the: sEHne` nzE¥y as db

Dutch and German. There is some evidence that the Mahican descended from the Munsee, to wiram they referred as `'Grandfatriers. `` The Mimsee were long considered to be the northern

branch of a very large groxp of bands or tribes that came to be knchm as +Jhe Delaware or I.enni-IIenape.

Florn the beginning of

settlenent and through the colonial period the MLmsee, or Mirmi-

sink, as they were first called, were considered a tribe sepr arate and distinct from the Delaware. This Confusion of tribal names began with the first explorers and settlers who scnetj.mes considered each band or village as a separate political entity.

That came about because the Indian political organization was so lcose, vague and different frcm the European ichich the white Inan tock for granted, existed also in the New frorld. Thus a village sachem was often called a king and his daughter a princess. Ac-

tually he was a partially hereditary leader with very limited powers which derived mainly from his personal ability and

prestige. tthen the wliite men arrived the Indians of the region were

part of a great cultural and linguistic groi]p of tribes that has Come to be knffim as the Algonquian.

Those that lived in the 41

Julian H. Salomn

eastern wedlands follcrmed a somewhat sirilar way of life and speke related languages. They were hunters , fishermen, gatherers and farmers who cultivated corn, beans, squash, sunflowers , gourds and tobacco. They occupied the northeastern part of the continent frcm soutlrern Canada to torch Carolina and west to the Ohio and the Great Ijakes. Their villages were made up of a number of dwellings which came to be knch7n by the New Eigland nana, ``wigwan''. These varied in shape from the one-family dome or con-

ical shape covered with bark or rush mats, to lop.g, rmlti-falily houses with arched or gabled roofs and round or squared ends.

Sons villages were surrounded with palisades designed to keep out anjluls and enemies. Gardens surrounded the villages orwere on nearby terraces. Then the soil became depleted, as it might

in eight or ten years, the store of accessible firencnd e2thausted and the village, itself, infested with vermin and otherwise unsanitary, the whole village moved to a new and generally nearly location. The old sites could be and were reroccupied, but only after a twenty or thirty-year interval. Thus large alrounts of land were required and all suitable sites , particularly along strearus, were occupied at one tine or another. These are the places where, over the years, farmers and archeologists have found thousands of arrcwheads, spear points and otJ-her stone jm plerrmts .

The largest tribe of eastern Algonquians was the lienni-Ienape which occupied weste]=n Iong Island, the lower Hudson, NeviTersey, southeastern Pennsylvania and northerm Delaware and Maryland.

Their nacre may be translated "real.Men" or "cormrm people" but it i=

was probably used with the same feeling and pride as is the term "chosen people".

To us they are now known as the Delaware, the

only tribe with an English name (bestowed by an early Finglish explorer who named the bay and river where he found that tribe in

honor of the first governor of Virginia, Iord de la Warr) .

The Delaware were loosely grouped in three divisions and each speke a different dialect. In the south, from Delaware Bay and

Munsee and Mahican: Indians of Dutchess Cbunty

43

into Delaware and. Ma]ryland were the Unalichtago, whose toteln was

the turkey; in the center along the river and into New Jersey were the Unami, or tu]±1es; vwhile in the north and along the Hudson were the Munsee of the wolf totem.

Cme of the earliest records of the name is on a mapptolished in 1656 where it is spelled Mirmessinck. Then in 1693 Peter Stnyvesant sent. Captain Arent SchLryler on a special mission to them, who in his report, spelled their nalre Minnisink. Fromthat tine their name has been spelled in man:y ways, including: Minsi, Minnessinke, tonsey, Muncie, Muney, ifenssy, and Mimsi. Spelling became a matter of hch7 a pa]±ioular Dutchman, Frenchman or Eng-

lishman wrote what he thought an Indian was saying. As there are no exact equivalents in English for some of the sounds used in Indian languages, there was no way to accurately record thenl until a eystem of notation had been devised by students of \

linguistics.

In the #cr77cZZ7c7c)k of A77zericcz77 T#dzcz77s Dr. Ives God-

dard says: "Munsee means 'person from Minisink` .... As a linguis-

tic term Munsee includes all groxps of any period that spoke dialects of the language spoken by the Mmsee group even though not all such groups were or are Munsees in the political sense.`` There were man:y Munsee villa.ges, each with a population of a fen7 hundred peqple, located along streams and in places where tributaries flcm7ed into the Hudson. Cia the east bank of the Hudson were the Wappinger, Kitchavanc, Sint-Sinck, Siwanoy and

Wiechquaeskeck while on the opposite side from the Catskills to Sandy Hook were the Esopus, Warranawonkongs , Fhmachenanks or Haverstraws, ltyacks, Tappans, Hackensacks and Navasinks. On Manhattan Island were Rechgawairanks , called by the Dutch Man-

hates; while on western Iong Island were Canarsies, Rfchcwacks or fockaways, Matin.ecocks and Massapequas. Other Munsee bands were Ackquackanonks, near Passaic, Paxptors , Raritans , whippany

and M]scenetcongs in Nen7 Jersey. Still others were in Orange Cbunty and along the upper Delaware River. All were Munsee speaking or Munsee related peqples.

Julian H. Salomon

44

The various names are generally those to which_ bar`.ds of Indians residing within a geographical area becalne kncNIi to the colonists, and rna:y also be the names Indians applied to the

place where they lived. Like other Indian names they are spelled in colonial records in a mhoer of different ways.

The Munsee, like the rest of the IIenni-Ijenape, were not politically united® They recngnized their kinship and relationship in language and a]stom, but there was no overall government, council or chief when vthite Inen first knew them. Each village or band formed a social or POJ.itical unit under its own leaders, knch7n as sczc72e777s or sczk477zczs , who inherited their positions

through their Irothers. Their powers were lilTited and derived mainly through personal ability and personality. Sometines their power eatended beyond their Cwm villages so they might speak and

act for pa]± of the larger tribe. Such leaders rose and gained prer under the pressure of colonial officials and traders who conferred prestige on leaders they sought to att as spokesmen and interpretors. The salne pressure brought changes in tribal goverrmrent as bands were forced to work together.

The Munsee lived on friendly terms with their neighbors to the north, the Mahican, who were made farrous by cOoper`s novel Tfee I,c2st c>f t7ze 44o7z7:ccz7'zs.

These were the people who lived in

northern Dutchess County, weste]m. Massachusetts and Connecticut , on both sides of the Hudson and west to the Schc)harie Valley.

Their territory edended north to rake Chaxplain and central Vermont® Their neighbors and enemies to the west were the M]hawks, the easterlrmost of the Six Nations or Iroquois. During the colonial period they were joined by refugee groLxps of coast-al tribes, and by those who lived. along the Housatc2nic alrd sonre of

the Munsee. All had previously been allied in wars against the Afohawk.

They knew the Hudson as the 4424fefeeczkcz7zt2tck and consid-

ered it very Irmch their river. The Dutch and Finglish calledthem "the River Indians". Many of their villages were on hilltops.

Pictures on early maps shcIV them surrounded with palisades but

Munsee and Mahican: Indians of Dutchess county

-45

all rna:y not have been protected in that way. Each village, like those of the M]nsee, was divided into matrilineal clan§'. Polit-

ical and social organization in both tribes was also sinilar.

They have scnetimes been confused with the MDhegans of eastern Cbrmecticut to whom they were not related but by whom they were

joined at Stockbridge and in their `westward migration.

In all aspects of their lives and history the Mahican were influchced by the Iroquois, first known as .the Five Nations and later as Six Nations who were the most pch7erful group of tribes in the northeast. Their language belonged to an entirely different stock from that of their Algonquian neighbors, Iinost of whom they eventually conquered or dominated. Their war and trading pa]±ies. ranged from :Maine to G±orgia and west to Illit`

Irois and the Ohio Valley. Much has -been written of their wa:y of

life and history so it is touched here only briefly. originally they had been five separate tribes that warred with one another until their great prophet, Degenavida, with the help of his friend, Hiawatha, proclained a great peace and brought theni together under a central representativie gover]rment.

Under .the plan, each tribe mintained its ant Council to handle

tribal affairs and sent representatives to the central "council fire" that dealt with matters affecting the IIeaque of the Irc+ quois as a whole. Other tribes might become mefroers by invitation or as they were conquered.

They called thermselves Hcrde-no-sau-nee , "the peple of the

long-house", likening their organization to one of the long, rmlti-family bilk houses in which they lived. At its eastern end, touching the Hudson, were the rmhawks, "keepers of the eastern door''. Next was the fire of the Cmeidas, while in the center were the keepers of the central fire, the Cinondagas. The ne2d= groups were the Cayugas, while in the end were the Senecas who guarded the western door. These five became six in the early

part of the eighteenth century when the Tuscarora, an Iroquoian speaking tribe living in Dto]Th Carolina, were harrassed and

rulian H. Salcmn

46

driven from their hones by Finglish and German settlers. They were invited to settle on Cmeida lands and so cane north in a

series of rigratious. rventrally, tco, the mtchess Cbunty Munsee and nfahican also caliRe to settle on Cheida lands, a story to

be told later.

'The villages of the nfahican and rmmsee were to be foundalong

strearrs wherever there was land suitable for gardens. Each viliage crmsisted of a groxp of wigwams that might be spread along a EJ

river terrace or grouped rather tightly together. Early accounts arid pictures indica+e most villages were small, with sir to . tIvelve wigwarrs but they apparently were larger in colonial tilfes when land available to the Indians became strictly limited.

The houses were erected on a framenrork of peles covered with bark or rush mats. Sndl, temporary, dome-shaped shelters were t`

scuetilnes erected close to the fields, or in hunting caps, that were occxpied by single families. The village houses which were cocupied by related families, might be as large as twenty feet wide and a hundred feet long. The following description is of a house at ftyack, on the western end of tang Island by Jasper rmckaerts, the Ijabadist preacher,ofwho 1680 : -We acme to the ptc[:IiL±chon the wrote Nigick in _In9±an.? which.. uas ptanfed. tD;..bh mcri23e. W_e founq The phote tr.oap bogedher> eonsbstLng of sbee ±o eLgh± farn=

i,ti,is arid isoen+ey to twenty-tiDo perscms ,_ I ch.puld think.. Their home zbae bow c[nd -about skdeg fee+, ton.g cnd i ou]['teen or' ftfleeIT pfde. Th.e bo_ttom v)a; ear.wi3 the sides cmd I.oof tder.e red;e of I.e_ed and bc[r.k of chestrait tr.ees3 c[nd posts and cfJZ?pryls zber.e bLmbs of trees stack in bfae gr.ound and a.1L fastened together.

Thea tap nddge the end r'_oof -zDas apen airout half footor. u±de3 fromofone .bo ,

the Jbher., in or.der. to Zeb the smoke escc[pe, ;,n place -house: of -the a chi;rrrney. roof uas so Ontoo the gou si,de> could o_I._¥alL_s_ haond:dy ofstand the.

under. Lt.

The entr.an.ces or doors. u]h±ch zbere cl;i

both ends, b)ere so smelt and ton thcde they had to stoap doan a:nd squeeze themse7Lves bo get_ through thewi.

The doors zber.e mcide of I.eed or ftcde bctrk.

In the chote butLdi;ng ther.e uas no tLme3 stone. +I.on or. Lead.

lbeee alrd Mahican: Indians of Dutchess Cb`mty

47

They buhtd thefr. foTes Ln tfee rndd41_e o.I_ .the

-whbewi rLJor.. according tbve tn it.bosothe I:hah mrfeer. franof onefcnd_tbes end bo the others each bofts his ourn pob cm,a ecles tofeen bt ti;kes, not ofiii,Lg the fandtfes, but each Im_-_ dkan alcme, according as he fs harLgray3 q± g.Il hours3 mori]iivng3 rioon and ndghi._

F! eacfa fore

one the cooking utensL7,a, consbsttng of_ a bcot3 or Calabash cnd a spoon, citso made of a ealdeash. They one till thai I.etclee bo eook-

Lb##j#gdz#:fq##o:#fsodro%n##.rmpuffhffbabrty_ apowi the gr.ound3 oT squat _on their. ayi,kles_. inefr! other househoLd cmbLCLes consLsb of a

ealchach of v)a±er:, out of which they dri;nd3 a smalvl basket, Lm tohich they ccttrrg cnd, keep their. mchz3e, smart becms and a knife. ` Thei,r i;nstrurriends for tiLzage clre a smcitz sha:rlrp stone and nothing mar.e3 fo_I. h:]Mrte+ng, a gun -fishing a:nd aa ccmoe. pouch for ubthout pcodeT mast c[ndo_I. Leads. saSt _for' apd

-vi,tho2;i a ncrfet ch arty port; of bt3 though bt

bs a fult for.dy feet Ln tength3 fish-h_ocks_ c[nd Lines o[:nd scoops bo peddle zbbth3 i;n pLace of oars. I do nob kmorib whether. there ar.e_

sore other. things of bri{ttng nde:ure.

AIL

v)ho tfroe Ln one house one goner.altg of one stoeh. or. deseerle3 ac the fdeher. c[nd motfaer

cnd their. offspri;ng.

Their br.eel fs malz_e

pounded -Tlnds bs inrndaced a bLocfe, vobth u]L5h tocrder sbope c[nd mcide br± .nob Ln±o fome: a cake

7bhich they` bcke; Ln the ashes.

All the houses were constructed in the-same way. Poles of ash or hickory were set firmly in holes in the ground and bent to form an arch, or if a gabled rcof was desired, the peles

were cut off evenly at the eaves line. Horizontal peles, or purlins, were then lashed to the uprights as supperts for the wall covering and for braces. In a gable roof other peles were used as rafters and ridge. The roofing and sides were made of large sheets of chestnut or e]m bark that had been peeled when the sap was rundng and flattened by being laid on the ground and weighted down by heavy logs. Then they had dried flat, they were lashed to the frame through holes Irmde in their edges with

Julian H. Salorron

48

stone or hone awls.

The lashing was made from the irmer bark of

bassvrd or strips of hickory outer bark. The sane lashing was used to fasten the pieces of the frame together.

House building and clearing the fields were cormmity enterprises in which men and iromen worked together. noted this in 1643:

Roger Willians

When a foetd bs to be br'cken lap, they fa_awe g very tdvchg, soc3babte, speedg zbey to despach bt3 alt the neLgfubors, Tnen c[nd z)onen _forty . ftftry h:u]iLdrled, joine set andor. come i,n to he_tp -fr.eedg.

The toomen ptartee, ueed_ or tL_ktt3 -and gckher. and ba:)ene alL the cor'ne apr}_a fr'_wfbes

of the Fbetd, yb sometimes the Tnc[n 7tinsez,i_

(ei,thor. out of Love of his chfe, or' cclre for. his a,hitdren3 or. bechg c[n otd marl.) biett hez;p the vJomo[:n3 uJhich3 by ouston of the eoun;beg,

theg ore not bound to do.

Trees were felled by building controlled f ires around their t± and the felled trees had their brancines rerroved and tnmks cut to length, also by burning. Stxps were left in place to be gradually burned or rotted out and corn was planted around and betw© then.

In the spring and fall the iroods were set af ire to keep places open and get rid of brush and accirm]lated organic matter.

Sprouts and seeds that sprang xp after the f ires had high nutritional value for wildlife and so ip.creased the arDunt of galne.

Here is an account of that practice written by Adriaen van der tonck in 1655: The India:ns have a year.7;y custom (`zbhich some of c]ui. ChrfstLans hcme also edapbed) of bw:rrri;in.g the tooods3 pLcrins cmd mecidcos Ln the falL of the year, chen the Lecroes hcroe falLen3 c[nd when the gr.ass and vegebchLe sthstcmces one dry. _ Th?a_e

ptaces chhch one then passed over. ar'e fired Ln i;he spr.ing i;n April. This pracbi,ce Ls narried by us o{:nd the Indians 'bush-biu!rrikng, ' uhich ts done for several I.easori,s : First, to I.endeT h:untiitng easier., as the brush cmd vegebdeLe growth I.enders the udihing difftculb for I;he 7unrteer, and the cr.ac;kling of the dry si!ibstc[nces betrays hin cmd frightens cony the garrie. Secondly, to thin ow± o[:nd cLear. the zboods of al7v dead subsbcmces and

Munsee and Mahican: Indians of Dutchess Cbuni=r

49

gr.ass, u)high gpou better the enswi;mg spr.cog.

Thor.dig, bo cLpcunscri;be and enc.Lose the game

ulbthin the ti;nee of the ffre3 chen Lt Ls more easkdy tracked over the bunrted pcmbs of +,:he. u)oods .

Deer might be taken by individual hunters , vtho by covering themselves with deerskin Could stalk the deer very closely. They were also caught in spring snares made by bending over hickory and oich-er saplings that when triggered Could suspend the aninal by a hind leg. The principal wa:y of taking therm was in well organized, cormunal hunts. Cne of these methods was to set sj.Irmltaneously, a ring of small fires and then by driving; gradually close in on then. Zinother and similar method wit t6 drive deer into a V-shaped pound made of long fences of trees and brush. At the apexJwas a soall and narrow opening where bow and spearmien dispatched the galne. Also, a mfroer of snares were set to snare deer which passed beyond the barrier.

A great variety of animals in addition to deer iiere taken for food, including bear, beaver, raccoon, oppossun, iroodchuck, hobcat, rabbits, mice, tortoise, squirrel, frogs and snakes.

Also from the rivers came oysters, rmssels and a great'variety

of fish. In addition there were birds, such as turkeys, partridge, herons and especially pigeons which in their` migrations blackened the skies.

Sometj.mes when the passenger pigeons were

making their spring migrations, the Indians irould Irove into the "oods and feast on the young pigeons which were knocked fran

their nests with long poles. Early accounts also tell that trees sometines fell under the weight of the birds and the Indians gathered those killed jm the fall.

Fish were caught in the winter through holes cut in the ice and in nets and weirs when the great schcols of herring, striped bass and shad came swarming lip the river and side streams in the <

apring.

Fish and Ireat was dried and sHrcked as were m]ssels,

oysters and other shellfish. These were strung and hung frornthe rafters or with corm and other vegetables, stored in bark-lined

Julian H. Saloron

50

pits in and out of i]re wigwams.

These stores would generally

carry the peple through the winter. Then the days were getting a bit warm and nights were still freezing, it was tine formaking Iraple sugar.

The sap was gathered in wcoden troughs and boiled

in large clay pots until the white+man`s brass and iron kettles carre along. All other Cooking was done with a fen utensils made of wood, stone, bark, bone, gourds or clay.

The principal weapon was the bow, generally from five to six feet long. Arrows were tipped with points of stone or hone.

Stone was chipped and halrmered to form projectile prints , .hanr rrers, a2&es, adzes and other tcols. War cltos were made opf hardirod sometines tipped with stone or bone. veeden shields and aH[pr woven of harchrood small diameter branches was sometimes used.

Canoes were made by hollcwi.ng out logs and shaping therm by using sHall controlled fires and removing the charred wcod with stone and shell gouges and scrapers. They ranged from fifteen to forty feet long. Canoes were also IImde of e]m bark with

ronded ends and high center gul"ales but the graceful white birch bark cance existed only further north and west of Mahican country.

The scanty accounts we have of Henry Hudson's voyage

often mention the Indians coming out in their canoes but unfortunately do not describe then.. There is, hch7ever, in the existing fraglnent of Hudson's journal this record of what Imay have been his visitonwith Mahicans: -`1 scriLed the the chore Ln one of their. ccmoes, tofth t

an otd man uho uas chief of a Ttri;be consfstchg of for.by men cmd seventeen u)omen.

These I sapb in a

house, uett constructed of ock back cnd cfrcular' bn shape, so thcle Lb had the appecuncmee of hevin_g

been toett bulvtt;, ufth c[n cmched roof .

It condchned

a Zar.ge qu.anitby of corm c[nd beans of Last yecRTs gr.coth a:nd there try neon the 7Louse, for_ piu!rrpese of dryLng3 enough i;o toad three shape. bee_bdes iLDhq± zbas gr.owing i;n the fteLds. On our coTndng bo i;he house, two mdes zber.e spr.eel out bo sit apon, cnd soTrie food i;rrmedicrdetg ser.ved Ln v)eLL red;e tooode:n botiLs. Tul]o neon tier.e citso dispcrdched, cde cmce, zDLbh

Munsee and Mahican: Indians of Dutchess Cbunty

51

bows and en[.rcros, i;n quest of game who soap brow.ghi i;n a podi,I. of -pLgeonis -vihich they h;ad

shot.

They Li;k.enLse lriLlbed a fde dog and

skLrmed a.ub `.in_ gre3crd haste zbivi;h sheLLs they hod i,i.,

gotten out of bh6 todeer.

In 1614 Dutch traders established Fort Orange on the Hudson near Albany and friom that tine on there were wars bethreen the Mahican and Mohaivk over access to the trading post..-The Dutch

also fought a war with the Esopus, across the river and drove those Indians back into the Irountains.. They also ihtreduced diseases, such as smallpox which became epidemics that greatly reduced the Mahican pepulation. Settlers began to crowd in and drive the Indians from the rrDst desirable agricultural lands`.

This was the begirming of their gradual migration to the north =r`

and west. Iiefugees from Dutchess and New Fingland gathered.< at Scighticoke, N. Y. and Scatekook, Massachusetts. Other Wap-

pinger and Mahikan, under the influence of the French, joined the Abenaki on the St. IIawrence in Quebec.

~-

Dforavian (United Brethren) missionaries established a setLi EI=

tlenent of Mahican, Munsee and some Nair Fhgland Indians near Pine Plains which was called Shehomeko in 1740. They livedunder

a strict code of total abstinence from liquor. They also occupied some valuable and highly desirable farmland. The.. traders saw therm as a threat to the profitable rLm trade and the settlers were determjmed to obtain their land. The missionaries were accused of traitorous activities and Conspiring with the Frencri` so they were taken to court and forced to leave the County. They and their f lock went to the nforavian headquarters in bethlehem., .

Pennsylvania, where they joined other Munsee Converts. That, hch7ever, was but the begirming of a long series of migrations.

Another and rare successful missionap; effort was that begun in 1735 at Stoc]foridge, Massachusetts. The state had set aside a tract six miles square for rermants of New Fhgland tribes.

This tract was one of the earliest Indian reservations. Mahican and Munsee fruri Scatecook and Schaghticoke and other areas came to Stoc]toridge where, despite the turlroil of the French and `,

Julian H. Salorrm.

52

Indian wars, they established hones and farms. In time, and as always, white settlers began to take the Indian lands. Before the Revolution the Stockbridges began to trove to the Oneida country in New York. They had hardly settled there when the fighting began and so they returned to Massachusetts. After the Revolution they returned and in 1786 the entire Colony cane back to found the settlermat of New Stcx=kbridge in Madison Cbunty.

From that tine on the fortune of rm]nsee, Mahican, Cineida and the Pfohegan and other New England rermants is quite intermingled and cxxplicated. one of the leaders who arose during the French and Indian wars was rariel Njlmham. He and his ocxpanions were described as follous: "For core than a century past they have been in firm t

1.

alliance with Great Britain, and distinguished in their loyalty, their steady friendship and cheerful si]bjection to the Crown of i

Fhgland.

They have been eminently serviceable in the defense of

Fhglish frontiers . " On their return from the wars they found their lands in Dutchess County were cla±.ned by three of the great patentees, Fnger Pforris, Beverly Itobinson and Philip Philipse, who sought to evict the Wappinger. The claim of Philipse was based on a grant rmde in 1697 of over 200,000 acres.

This was one of the very

large grants made dy Governor Fletcher, who was later recailed tecause he granted i]re King's land too generously to his friends. frother deed, presented by Philipse to suppor+ his claim, was signed dy only eight or ten trjbesnen, who had no authority to dispose of tribal property. `

Under their sachem, Daniel Njrfuam, and. with the help of able

attorneys, the tribe brought suit, presenting their case to coverror Colderi and his Council jm 1765.

The council menfoers were

all large landholders, wlro saw a threat to their own holdings in \ the Indian's suit, so after a hearing, it was dismissed. Then, on the advice of the royal Indian agent, Sir William .ohnson, Njlmham and his counsellors jourmied to England to appeal to the

Munsee alrd Mahican: Indians of Dutchess ' Cbunty

King and his privy Council.

53

The government received them in

friendly fashion, paid their traveling expenses and told them their claim could be referred to the neir goverlror who could be told "to see that strict justice be done tch7ard the Indians."

In 1767 Njwham and his attorneys appeared before the new

governor and his council, which like the previous one, was made i]p of large landcrmers. Again the deed made in 1702 was produced as evidence the Indians had sold their land. The attorney for the Wappinger argued that the eight or ten who signed could, at best, only have conveyed their personal share: "a very small and .

inconsiderate part of the whole land in controversy, as the tribe then Consisted of man:y proprietors, all holding equal shares as tenants in conlron." He also proved that the tribe had long been in quiet and continuous possession of the land. He said: "Iong possession beyond the Irrmlory of man establishes right. " He then proved the purchase had been made without first Obtaining licenses from the goverlment, which were requrired before land could be bought frern Indians. ithile his argLments were sound andvalid there was nothing in therm that irould not apply to most Indian deeds made over the years. It was no great surprise thedeci.sion iras against the Wappinger. They were forced from their hcrmes and some went to Stockbridge virile others crossed the river to .<

find homes with the Porlptons and other Munsee.

During the Revolution Daniel Njrdam was oormissioned a cap-

tain and led a colrpry of Stockbridge scouts. They rendered distinguished service aE the siege of 13oston, with I]afayette in the fighting around Philadelphia alrd in battles in Nail Jersey and New York.

General Washington wrote a letter to Congress in

which he praised their brave and meritorious service.

In a

skirmish near white Plains, Daniel Nrfuam and six of his oor[pan-

ions gave their lives for the patriot cause.

After the war and well into the nineteenth century the lfunsee and Mahican of Imtchess Cbunty became refugees in their Ch7n

country.

Scattered and in small groups they were driven by war,

Julian H. Salerrm

54

pressure from those wlro wanted their land, and by religious or

pelitical dissesion within their crm ranks, to various lacatiors in the united States and Carmda. today their descendants IrEy be found in Wisconsin, KEusas, Oklahcm, ifexas and in ontar-

io and Qu±. On their tjray +Jbey gathered new nerfers from other trjJ3es as well as whites and blacks. A fahr tri-racial

peple who still reside in isol;ted areas of mtchess and nearby counties and k- by such unooxplj.nentary names as Bushwackers, Jckes and rondshiners, are all that are left in their harelands. They have lost their once highly developed culture

and religion and in the past fen years the traces of their highly developed hand skills which had survived in their tnt and basket cork.

The nbeee and Mahican are gone but their

spirit will live on forever.

Broiling shad on a green stick grill. The man on the right is bringing a fresh catch in a pack basket made of sticks and twigs.

From an engraving by Theodore be Bry.

NINII±±Erml enFTtjRy MANUFACHjRING EINTEFPRISE IN D{JFCIIESS C"JNTY

Andrea Zj.rrmerman

Dined;n.g tlrl.e rrf unLeteentlrL a_entwrg_ Due_e?Le_ss

Co-ant]cu mc[mfaetu!ri;ng tf feed ±tse|f _I.Tom crafts to Led:uf5b:r'y. A.fter the djecLi;ne of cr.a.fts induetryu grev ]Dut as _the cent.:Wry. -+tih; ?-_ysJg-pessed L]ndiLLstri,al th.ereco:rmrunnddy.

I)er.e _mcrri;7g f rndrea chq:Lges ZL:rme_ra.£thin

man dksczAsses these Ln her. senior. thesis ccirrozeted Ln 1983 de Bar.a Conege.

Fbcm Crafts to Industry

in analyzing the industrialization of any given region, in this case, Dutchess Cbunty, attention rust first be focussed on the tJnited States as a whole which can then serve as a standardized hacha±k for caxparison. The transformation fran craft to industry in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centur`ies cxrsurred gradully as a result of ecorrmic, pelitical.` and sacial changes that tcok place during this period. External forces such as restrictive EDglish and Frelwh legislatiori as these countriesorlpeted for rrercantile sxprenaey in Zkerica, as well as ihterml conflicts within the United States resulting in dclnestic wars crfuined with per aHHTh]nicHtion and transpertation, contrifeuted to lirit industrialization. Zts a result its progress was sporadic and uneven.

The developrrmt of the manufacturing sector in the United Stairs in the rfuet©th century has been stodivided ky econcmic historians into fro perids, 1800-1850 and 1850-1900. For the first half of the crmtury, Williari Parker, an analyst of early Zinerican irdstry, defines the size `of operation dy the mrferof perErmrs apleyed dy and i]re capital investlTrmt of a firm. n]r+

ing the s©r€ half of the nineteenth century a different set of lil

mesures are needed because Parker's estinates ro longer apply.

For the pried betweni 1850-1900 Willard H. Thorp uses criteria 55

56

Andrea Zjrmerlran

sinilar to .those used ky Parker for the earlier decades but only applies them to textile mills and transportation equipment menufacture. During the first half of the nineteenth century Parker used the total mfroer of spindles used per establishment nationally. In the later pail of the century the size of operation for manufacturers of transportation equipment was measured by rmrfeer of workers per fi]m for the years 1879 and 1889.

Prior to and after the American Revolution settlenrent pat-

terns tended to be sinilar throughout the United States. Farmers syHtolized the origin and consequent development of handicrafts.

This was evident in their capacities as butcher, blacksmiiin, mason, miller, potter, tarmer, shoemaker and wheelwright. Their families, in turn, served as productive units with each mefroer

assigned various tasks to enable then to renain self-sufficient.

As cormmities developed, the versatility of the farmer declined . as specialization increased. Areas which in 1780 were mainly clearings in the woods, by 1810 were established "tcrms" with a church, courthouse, tavern. and schooThouse. The single Irost jm

poftant factor in the development of Irore centralized areas were jxprovements in corm]nication and. transportation. Many tch7ns had several mills which ground grains for domestic and foreign mar-

kets as well as tarmeries which tanned hides for local use.

Evolving friom the curing of leather was the developrnent of boot and shoe production on a local scale. ocher industries that began to appear were te2diles, raw materials and beverage and tobacco production. The transition from craft to industry took hold especially during the period of the Napoleonic Wars, which gave an ilrportant boost to. domestic.Inanufactures in the United States .

L=

ifethedolcry In describing the process of industrialization in Dutchess Cbunty, it was necessary to use mainly prj.ma]ey sources such as the Federal Census of Products of Industry for Dutciness county for the years 1820, 1850, 1860 and 1880, as well as the Business

19th Century Manufacturing mterprise

57

Directories for Dutchess Cbunty and the City of Poughkeepsie. It mist be pointed out i=hat there are ITrmy clef iciencies in hath the census; alrd the directories. The directories do not include such infoHTation as capital investlrrmt, mrfuer of enployees , wages or output as provided ky the census. On the other hand, the directories are useful in categorizing the variety and mrfeer of man-

ufacturing firms and their proprietors. {

The drawhcks in exclusively dealing with sources as i=he directories are evident in Professor Mabel Nah7ccmrer 's jJaprtant essay.i Fieliance on this source was necessary since the census was unavailable at that tine. In her irIvestigation, Newconer used the pepulation of tire City o,f Poughkeepsie apd four surrounding tcrms (Ilyde Park, I.a Grange, Poughkeepsie and Pleasant Valley) to establish the total rmnd3er of irorkers per firm. This is an inaccurate treasure since it includes men, women and children rrot actually ellployed in business enterprises. In addition, she I[casured i]re duration of fi]±ns by changes in proprietors.

This is also misleading because many f jrms were still in operaL

tion long after the original proprietors had died or sold out..in short, the census shcws longevity of 'fzr77zs, not longevity 6f pr'aprtetor.a .

The amclusious drarm ky Prof=sor Nevcrmer are very interesting because they coincide with findings derived later fronthe cerrsus: mmely, that firlns during the first half 6f the' nineteenth century were in their "infant" stages, with a larger nul[+

ir of establislrments operating than in the second half of the centny. Petweni 1850-60 ihe total mrfeer of fiHris reached it: peak and then steadily declined, while the size of operation exprded. Nevou[er calculated i.n 1844 there were- 402 manufacturing firms in Poughkeepsie conpared to. 263 in 1873.

NGA7enner's

aralysis was an irmovative one but was linited because of the data avilable to her. The present intends to explain the rise and decline of fiHus in the entire county during the nineteenth -. century in far IrDre detail.

Andrea Zjrme]rman

58

Dutchess County industry was still undergoing transformation from the craft form of manufactures to industry during the pericxi`1800 to 1820.

In the early l800's firms tended to scatter

tha'oughout `the entire county, finally concentrating in the southern pertions where water power was abundant from Wappinger 's Creek and the Hudson River. MDst fi]rms in the first half of the century were labor intensive as te2deiles dominated the scene; but by .the mid to late 1800 's establishments began to shift to lrore

capital intensity. This was the case in the extractive indust±y.

This trend, as well as other facets of the manufacturing sector, will be analyzed later by using the e2d]ensive data provided by thee Census of Products of Industry.

Dutchess Cbunty Industry

1800-1850

The status of early industry in Ditchess County carmot accurately be evaluated with respect to size, capital inve:tment and

output unless measured relative to conditions of industrialization in the United States at that .tirre. Since so many firmswere ``one man" operations in. the early period of the nineteenth cent

tury, enumeration 6f every such firm was ilrpessjble. Therefore a benchma±k for size of operation established by William Parkei based on U.S. industrial data bei]reen 1800 and 1850 was used. It

is as foil-= i) "Sinall" = i to 2 ellployees and less than Sl,000 capital

invesi-t; 2) "Medium" = under ten enplc>yees and from Sl,000 to $10,000

capital investlrrmt ; 3) "I.arge" = 11 erplc>yees and over, with Irore than Slo,000.

capital invesirment.

In using these criteria, an approxj.nation can be made to determine whether Dutchess Cbunty firms were industrially backward or advanced with reapect to the remainder of the country.

As has been stressed abonge, the Census of Products of Industry

for the first half of the nineteenth century in addition to the

19th Century Manufacturing Eiterprise

59

Business Directories for the City of Pou8hkeepsie begiming in the year 1844 were used. The census was the first successful atter[pt by the U.S. Govermlinent to collect data to rreasure indus-

trialization. Yet many proprietors were ofteri hesitant or vague in answering questions and in sore cases did not answer questions at all. For a salrple of tire i=xpe of survey taken, queriesranged from the kind, quantity and cost of raw rna+erials consumed to the number of persons exployed, expenditures incurred and output

produced. Often personal renarks regariding conditions in the establishirrmt were included. These renarks were observations rREide by the cans.us taker.

According to the survey of 1820, the

rrajority of the ``established" firms gravitated.. toward the southern pertion of the county, although a sifostantial number of "infant'' industries sca+tered throughout the county in the northern. and less populated areas. Since so many of these srmaller establishHrmts were single person operations_ prior to 1820 , it

was jJrpessible to include them in the process of enneration. twenty-tro firmrs operated in Dutchess County according to the 1820 cerrsus. In all probability there were Irore firms in. oper?tion irian thcrse reporting but, given the deficiencies of the collection of data, this is only an assulption. In any case there were a '`7ariety of industries in existence at this tine.

They have been arranged into ten categories, textiles being the daHdnant one during the first half of the century. The remaining nine were the lrrmufacturers of agricultural jlaplerrents (ITENers, plows) , beverages and tobacco, extractive industries (niping) , raw IrBterials (utilization of-natural resources) , leather, r...

>

prducer and cc>ns`]Iner goods (corrbs, pins) , machinery and equipr

Irmt, furniture, and transportation equipment (sleighs , wagons , carriages) . Within these dren classifications only five ind:ustries were represented in 1820 i=otalling the 22 firms in opera.tion: textiles 14, beverages and .tQbacoo 3, extractive indusilies i, rap HEterials 2, and machinery and equiExrrmt 2. Since textiles was the dominant industry at the tjlne, with Irore firms

Andrea Zjrmerman

60

than 'other categories oafroined, it will be focussed on for this period... This is not to say that the other industries were not significant, for they provide a model for the growth, decline and eventual disappearance of other i]apes of manufactures. Theywill be discussed core entensively when their relative jJTpertance increases by raid-crmtLny, as industrial transformation began to take place.

Textile mills represented 35% of all manufacturing operations in Dutchess County bedreen 1800 and 1850.

Using Pirker`s scale,

the Irajority of these mills ranged from medium to large. Textiles, as a category, were divided into wcolen and cotton operati'6n.

The 1820 census noted 11 iroolen firms and 3 producing

cotton goods. Tiro of the three cotton mills were large in size, the remaining mill did not repoft enough information to fit to the criteria. The largest cotton mill in Dutchess was located in .the Cii¥r of Poughkeepsie. Iarmm as the Eagle-Cbtton Manufactory and crmred by Raymond Clapp, the operation began in 1814 with a capital invesi]ment of $40 , 000 arid continued to manufacture Cotton goods until 1819. There were 150 enployees, of whom 40 weremen, 50 women and 60 boys and girls. This work force, when fully err

played, received $21,000 in wages armHally. At the time the Gensus was taken, 4000 spindles were in existence in the mill, none of which were operating. The plant formerly manufactured drapes,

plaids, sheetings and shifts valued at $33,000 per armum. The operation was closed due to a reported lack of demand for its

prducts .

Analysis of the iroolen mills is Irore caxplex. Sore of the. data provided about the mrfeer of exployees and capital investment is incomplete and consequently carmot be coxpared with any of Parker's benchmarks.

Of i=he 11 iroolen mills, 6 were mediumin

size and 2 were large. There iras not enough data to judge the remaining three mills. The largest of the medium sized millswas located in the T]ouni of Stanford and began its operations in l812.

The first coxpany at that location aimed at a capacity of i,060

19th Century Manufacturing ELterprise

61

spindles but failed and res schsequently sold to Jereniah Sherrill who r± it tire Stanford Manufacturing Company. He persondly saved $20,000 to start the firm but Only used $9,000 in capital investHrmt. The oc]xpany consumed 3000 pounds of wcol armually valued at Sl,000 and exployed 9 men, i woman and 3

children, paying tbe[n $2,300 in wages per year. Broadcloth, narroncloth and sattinet were this firm`s products valued at $3.,000.

Eventully the operation went bankrupt be`cause prices of wcolen products were too low for profit.

The largest rill in Dutchess County was the Pine Groveifelen Mill located in the tlren T]Chm of Clinton (Pleasant Valley) . It oprrd with a capital investment of $30,000 crmsuling 12,000

peunds of nrerino wool. Pta data is available which establishes iine value of the input. The cork force, when fully exployed, included 40 Inen and when at partial operating capacity 5 iran, 2 ma[rm and 4 bays and girls. Products manufach]red included broadclotbe, flarmels and sattinets for domestic and European nurkets. Firally, due to poor marmgement the machinery and

quiprrrmt fell into disrepair, but at the tine the census was takeri was undergoing renovation. Products manufactured fell 67% during the period 1813-1816. Frcm 1816 to 1820, due to an in-

crease in demand, jxports a].Irost elimirmted profitability as cx3nsLHmers preferred .to purchase cheaper ilTperted cloth to the

Irore exprisive domestically ITrmufactured products.

In the 1820 cerrsus there was no Irrmtion of the source of

'`

Fower used by such mills since presumably for economic and practical reasons water was a sufficient source. However, with the inwention and adoption of i±re steam engine and the application of

nrsharizaEion, a firm was no longer required to locate nearwater sources. Therefore a new question appeared in the 1850 census

irrfeing info-tion about the tape of power source used. frother nethed of establishing size of operation other than the measure used by Parker, but applicable only to textiles, is to calculate the nut3er of apindles per firm. Victor S. Clark

Andrea Zjrmerman ..I.,:

62

estj.mates the average mfroer df spindles used in this country in 1815 to be less than 500 per firm; in 1825 less than 700; inl83l t, IlnDre than i,500 and by 1840, 2,000 spindles per establishment.2 Betwei=n 1825 and 1831, the nunfoer of spindles per firm increased 114% as a result of steam power. In Dutchess Cbunty in 1820, of

tile 14 mills (both soolen and cotton due to the interchangeabilii=r of te2atile machjme]=y) 9 establishments reported the mrfeerof spindles used. The ave]=age iras 650 per firm which is sj.milar to Clark's estimates for the country as a whole. Thus, Dutchess

Cbunty appears to have been technologically equivalent to the rest of the country.

The nesit industrial category, though not of great commercial significance, to be discussed is the beverage ,and tobacco industries. According to the 1820 list, there was no tobaccoproduced in the county. HCRTever, there were thro distilleries and one brewery located in the. City of Poughkeepsie. Of the b^ro distilleries, one Inet Parker's category of "sHrall, " the other presented inccxplete data:. The brewery was considered large. This was i=he firm owned and operated by Matthew Vassar, established in 1813 with a capital investment of $35,000. Each year it consunt..ed i,800 bales of barley, i,600 bales of hops. Sixteen men were enployed who were paid S14,000 in wages armually.

They produced

4,500 barrels of porter, ale and beer although the consulTptionof domestic po]ter was declining as a result of Exportation of for-

eign stostitutes. The operation was listed as being in the "best condition. " Matthew Vassar and Cb. Continued its operation until the late l880`s.

The second lowest mrfeer of firms listed in the 1820 enurieration were those categorized under machinery .and equipment and raw materials. Tiro nail factories were recorded in the former category. tine of these was located in the Tt3twm of Clinton, probably in..the present tcHm of Hyde Park. It was Considered srmall ac-

cording to Parker's criteria, whereas the other was a large operation located in the City of Poughkeepsie. This was crmed

63

19th Century Manufacturing Elterprise

and operated by Cforge Oakley who began building the factory in 1816.

It was completed in 1817 and was consid&ed the Irost

eat-ive of any in the state. It coneuned 400 tons of iron armually valued at $40,000.

There were 55 mer} expleyed along

with 12 boys who served as stfostitutes for th`e-nan.

It was not

facing well at the the of the census, having had t"o years of losses and prducing little in 1820 due to depressed demand for its finished product.

In the ran materials category, paper, stone and linemaninactuners were listed, all operating in the City of toughkeepsie.

El

J

ro conclusions can be dramai regarding size of `operation because

info-tion supplied by the census is inccxplete. respite the \ lack of data, it is evident and highly probable that many firms `€.

between 1800 and 1820 ceased to operate as did the cotton and

vcolen rills and the nail factory because denand for their products were low as a result of the jxpo]±ation of highly cxxpti-

tive cheaper gcds. The rerining five industrial categories are rot included in the 1820 census. t

According to the data total capital invesinent for all 22 finns listed for the county was $348,450 and the average capital investlrrmt per firm was S15,838. The total wage inditur6 was $78,200 with a per firm average of $6,516, while the worker

earned an average of $250 alrmally. The total value of county marmfacturing output was $179,300 giving a per firm value of $14,941. Cbpital investment per corker, or the capital/1fror ratio, totalled $632.62. Of the 22 firms, 54% reper+ed hath unges and value of output, whereas 45% reper+ed no wages norout-

put at all. fry rid-century as the 1850 census will shcw, the n± of firms grew 300%. The 22 firms in 1820 grew to 96 in 1850 and 9 of the 10 industiial categories were represented.

During the interin years 1820-1850 , attapts to collect data on the status of Irrmufactures by the Federal Cbverrment were lmde. In 1830 a cerrsus was unsuccessfully recorded and later abandoned. Zinother was taken in 1840. Although it was an

Andrea Zj.rrmerman

64

inprovenE=nt over the 1820 listings, it was still plagued by incoxplete data because sore firms only iepofted quantity of out.I.. put. The census of 18£0 recorded 51 firms in the county, an increase of 132% from 1820. It has already been noted that the major concentration of firms was in the southern portion of Dutchess Cbunty. to supplement missing census data betlreen the years 1840-1850 , the City of Poughkeepsie Business Directories begirming with the year 1844 were used. The directories listed +

only 17 firms for the year 1844.

Py 1345, firms in the City of

lbughkeepsie iricreased by 141% to a total of 41. Frc>rn 1845-1848,

the nuter of firms decreased by 51% to a lav of 20. Therefore,

for the years for which the directories are available, the total number of firms in the City of foughkeepsie appear to have increased only 7 per cent.

As mentioned, the 1850 Census of Products of Industry contains data for `rmtciness County for 9 of the 10 industrial classifications. Peculiarly enough, it provides no info]=nation regarding the mfroer of children errployed in the county establishments. Che possible explanation for this is that children were begirming to be displaced by mechanization as well as cheaper jrmigrant labor, and subsequently remained in school for longer periods than before. Another aspect of the 1850 data which differs from that of 1820 relates to sources of power.

Although the 1820 census provided np information about prer sources, the 1850 census lists 11 county firms of a total of 96 used steam power. Twenty-nine firms continued to use water Fewer. The greatest mrfeer of firms, 46, still relied on ha]rd

newer mainly in the extractive, leather and transportation industries. The remainder were still using horse power in 1850.

As mechanization began to displace labor by mid-century, Fishkill and Poughkeepsie alone contained 60 firms out of the 96 firms in the entire county. The year 1850 was a high point for in that year Dutchess had more firms than at any other tine in

the nineteenth century.

19th Century Manufacturing Eiterprise

65

\ once again, as in 1820, tire dominant industry during this

peried was textiles. The largest textile mill in the county, according to Parker's bendrma±k, located in Fishkill, was called the Matteavan Cbnpany. It Iranufactured Cotton goods and te2dile machinery. Its total capital invesinent was $475,000, andarmual constxption of raw Iraterials including cotton, iron and coal was $216,804.

The firm eaployed 620 workers, 120 of whom were fe-

nde. The average monthly cost of labor for nan was S16fooo, in contrast to the wonen's monthly wages of $1,200. The totalvalue

of output for this large scale operation was $262,103 for the I[rmufacture of flarmels , pantaloons , and machinery.

Although textiles were the leading industry in 1850, leather flrrmufacfure was the second Irost jxportant industry. There were no leather prcxfucers noted in 1820, but 18 were listed in 1850.

Their products ranged from boots and shoes, tarmed and. curried leather to harness manufacture. unlike textiles, these firms were Irore scattered throughout the county in such tcrms as Pine Plairrs, Milan, Fishkill, Amenia, Washington, minedeck, and

foughkeepsie. Such oprations averaged tiro per tori at this trfe. The largest leather goods IIrmufacturer was located in the City of foughkeepsie. It was a tarmery owned by David royd.

Cprating with a capital invesirment of $12,000 he consumed 21,.000 hides valued at Sll,500 armually. Ijike ITrmy others his sources of power were horse and hand labor. total eaployment nurfered 12 I[rm earing $240 Ironthly. The finished products were valued at $25'000.

Tto find categories are the agricultural jxplerrrmt industri7 and prducer and corsuner goods. Of the total of 96 firms inthe county, ire manufactured agricultural equipment. They were locrated in Pine Plains and jHrrmia.

P]]oducer and consumer gcxrds

firms numbered 11 of the total 96 firms. Their products ranged from dyed wds, bedsteads, and pianos to chairs and rope. All

such fi± were located in the City of Poughieepeie. The largest prducer in this category was a firm Py the nacre of Gifford,

Andrea Zjrmerman

66

Sherman and Irmis.

This establishment began with a capital in-

vestment of $47,000 and used 200 tons of dye woods valued at $75,000.

Steam was its source of pcwer.

Thirty men were en+

played and their wages were $700 per month.

The final product,

dye stuffs, was vEilued at S115,000 armually.

Overall capital invesirment varied among firms , depending i]pon vwhich source of power they used. Cn average, capital investment per firm in 1850 was Slo,544. The total industrial workforcewas 2,675 which gives a per fi]m expleylnent average of 27 workers.

Of the total mrfeer explc>yed, men accounted for 71% of the total; v\manen accounted for the remaining 29%. Total wages in Dutchess in 1850 was $31,497 or an average of $328 per firm. Theccrmty's

armual value of output was $3,185,140 or an average output value per establishment of $33,178.

Thus bei]reen 1820 and 1850, capital investment per firm increased by 190% and exployment in the County rose by 366%, whereas wages as a total declined by 21%. This decrease inwages

is peculiar; the only reasonable explanation is that, although the census of 1850 asked for the average monthly cost of male and female workers, wages were not so reported in Irany cases. Many firms obviously only reported weekly as opposed to rronthly totals.

This Could account for the wage decrease which, if anything, should have risen by 1850. The total value of output per firm also increased over the period by scrme twenty tines.

J Dutchess County Indust]ry 1860-1880 `Ihe decade beiIveen 1850 and 1860 showed a marked decline in

_____--__________

the overall mhoer of fi]rms listed as manufacturing enterprises in Dutchess County. Though establishments decreased by 13% in rmfroer, capital invesirment increased by 111%. ETployment also increased by 24%, while the mhoer of exployees per firmremained stable. Capital investment per worker rose from $565 in 1850 to

$639 in 1860.

These trends, i.e., the fall in the overallmrfeer

of firms in the county, the increase in the capital/labor ratio continued steadily throughout the entire second half of the

19th Century Marmfacturing Enterprise

67

nineteenth century.

Intra-structural changes were tak.ing place within the labor force in the oc>unty. I.abor participation rates increased for (

unmeri betIveeri 1850 and 1860.

In 1850 the tc>tal mrfeer of wcrmEm

exployed in Dutchess was 980, while ky 1860 their expleynent level rose to 1,055. At the time of the 1860 census there was a

diversification in the types of firms hiring imanen. tezdeiles were no longer their major exployer as was the case in the first half of the century; rather they now worked in larger rmrfeers in candy, chair, paper and tobacco factories.

Although there was a decline in the nunfoer of f irms in the county during this decade, this was not the case for all 10 industrial categories as the chaff in the appendix shows. A1though the total number of textile firms fell from 26 in 1850 to 14 in 1860, the size of these firms in many cases increased in

ulue of capital invesinent and output. Three out of the four largest textile mills in the county were located in Fishkill.

The largest in mtchess Cbunty was Still operating in Pleasant Valley. Though not named in the census, this presunchly was the old Pine Grove froolen Mill, now specializing in calico prints.

This firm had a capital invesirment of Sloo,000 and cousuned 520,000 yards of cloth ulued at Sl,000,000. The factory oprated on steam purer and its irork force consisted of 270 men and 350 ma[uri. Their earrings totalled $6,900 armually for nan and $5,200 for lronrm. Th: total value of output of dyed cloth vras Sl,860,000-.

The y© 1860 marks ike period of irfustrial transformatichs taking place in the county. Textiles ale no longer the leading form of industry but rather the raw materials category increased significantly as textiles declined. In 1860 there were 14 textile rills (the same n± as in 1820) cxpared to 19 producers of ran Iraterials. These shifts resulted, in the overall county decline from 96 manufacturing operations in 1850 to 83 in 1860, a 15% decrease in one decade.

Andrea Zjrmerman

68

The largest manufacturer of raw materials , located in PoughJ

keepsie, was owned and operated by Aaron Irmis. He began his fi]rm with a capital investment of $20,000 and cDnsuned in the operation 300 tons of crnde copper valued at $50,000. He en+-

played 10 men wlro manufactured 300 tons of charcoal valued at $80,000 in the steam pchrered plant.

Another indrsi=rial category , marmfacturers in the edractive i.ndustries, although bonly cxprising 10 out of the total of 83 firms, showed enormous capital investment on a per firm basis.

The Poughkeepsie Iron forks was ky far the largest in` this indrstrial category. Established with an investrment of $300 ,000 it consirmed Coal and stone valued at S177,000 armually.

Another

steam operated plait, the forks exployed 75 men and Irrmufactured 12,000 tors of pig iron valued at $250,000. Even though the extractive firms on the whole were the IrDst capital intensive,

the largest firm in the county in terms of capital investmentand output (but not expleyment) was the Vassar Brewery in Poughkeepr

sie, still opei=ating in 1860 after forty years. .

The final census of manufac±ure5 that is available for Dutchess is that for the year 1880. Because of the twenty year gap between 1860 and 1880, the Business Directories for Dutchess

County will again be used for analysis of the status of manufactures. According to the Cbunty Business Directories issued in the year 1860-61, i=he total mrfeer of firms was..twenty-seven. Of

the ten industrial categories only transportation equipment, beverage and tobacco, extractive industries and testiles were recorded. These Directories are even Irore inoonplete than the census. The census listed 83 establishments, a].rest 60 Irore than the Cbunty Directory!

A nav standalfd mist be used for size of firm for the second half of the century since Parker's scale of firm was only applicable for the first half of the nineteenth century. Willard H. Thorp set another benchmark for the variety of manufactures being

produced for this later period.3 With respect to textile mills,

19t:h Century Manufacturing ELterprise

69

he established a criterion of 14 ,000 spindles per establisrment nationally while the total nunfoer of workers per textile firmwas set at 228 in 1879 and 242 in 1889. In the transportationequipr I[rmt category Thorp sets the per firm workforce at 12 per estab1isrHent in both 1879 and 1889.

In Dutchess county the overall number of manufacturing firms tcok a further dip, from 83 in 1860 to the 1880 total of 60, a decline of approximately 25%.

The 1880 census shows that raw

Iraterials as the leading industrial category with a total of 27 firmrs. The edractive industry, which contained 10 firms in l860 disappears cxxpletely by 1880.

Thtolen tedile rills still had 9 firms in operation in 1880.

These establishrrents in Dutchess, however, do not meet any of

Thorp's criteria. froolen textile mills declined in mrfeer as well as size betweri 1860 and 1880.

It is clear that cottonman-

utactures increased to displace irool in the latter part of the centny. Cmly one cotton mill existed in mtchess which exceeds Thorp's estimates regarding size of firm. This was the Dutches.s Bleachery in the tcrm. of Wappingers Falls, operating with a caEr ital riivesi©t of $750,000 and exploying 841 persons. The re-

rmirtry rills in Wappingers Falls and foughkeepsie did not rreet the new standards for large scale.

The largest firm in the industrial category of raw materials appearing in the 1880 census was located in the tcrm of Fishkill.

It was established with a capital investment of -$300,000 and erployed 119 persons, both Iinen and women. Tbtal e2qxpditures on wages was $37,130, Ira earning $2 per day, cxxpared to worrm`s.

wages of only Sl..25 a day. The value of raw materials consind was $180,000, and the firm Iinanufactured rchber gcods valued at

$350,000 -ually.

The find industrial category was the rrrmufacturers of prducer and crmsurer goods. It was a stable industry in Dutchr.

ess between 1860 and 1880, neither shcIving grcuth nor decline. A

familiar coxpalry, still in operation today, was Sweet-Orr, the

Andrea Zjrmerman

Inanufacturers 6f jeans and overalls established in 1871 in the tcrm of Wappingers Falls. The establishment began.with a cape ital invesi]nent of $350,000 alrd erployed 243 persons, 30 of ithoni were men, 198 vromen and 13 children. The total materials oonsuned were valued at S145,000 with an output of $222,000.

For the remainder of the nineteenth century the Dutchess Cbunty Business Directories for the years 1880-1892 were used to determine change in mfroer and size of industries. According to i=his source, there were 173 firms listed for 1879-80. Man:y of .

these were srmall in relation to capital invested, output and the size of the work force. The directories, as the census, do shcw a decline in the mrfeer of firms from 107 in the years 1883-84 to 38 in 1892. The City of Poughkeepsie Directories show an in- t creas= in the iiLfroer of firms in the city from 50 to 115 bei=nreen the years 1892 and 1900. During the last decade of the century;

it is clear that the manufacturing activity in the City' of Fbughkeepsie was growing in spite 'of the decline in mrfuer of firms as refl`ecked in the directories. i `,-

Sunny

During the ninet:enth centhry there were tiro periods of transforms+ion in the manufacturing sector of the Dutchess county econany. The first took place in the early years of~ the century. (1800-1820) when the process of movement from Crafts to a

more settled Irmufacturing industry was ;ccurring:. Firms in l820 ranged f]±om rm=1l in the northern poriioii of the o6unty-tomediun and large scale in the south. The average mfroer of persons err `,

played, in 1820 per firm was 26, a mrfuer which remained relatively stable throughout the century. By .mid-century, an increase 1

is evident not only in the mhoer of firms, but also in the amount of capital invested, the total wage bill and value of manufacturing output. In addition, there was more diversification in the types of products manufactured. An jxporiant change in exployment took place during this period. There was a significant increase in the mrfeer of women erployed in these fiHhs.

71

19th Century Manufacturing E]:terprise

The second transformation took place within the industrial seder after 1860; textiles were no longer the leading industry in the county as they had been in the first half of the century.

The extractive industry increased to displace textiles in iraprtance to the economny of i=he County.

This shift from a relatively

labor interrsive process to more capital intensity in the secxmd half of the century can be attributed to irproved and expanded nrfuarization in the 1870's a]rd an increase jn derrLand for raw

Iraterials. Textiles during this later period were iraprted in increasing arounts. As a result the textile industry in Dutchess declined in the later decades of the nineteenth centny.

Its the nurfer of firms declined the capital/1ahor .ratio per firm increased. At the end of the century it is evident that a nunbe of fi- were more specialized and also were concentrated in the ndan areas of Fishkill, Poughkeepsie and Wappingers Falls. Also in these years i±re extractive industry disappeared from the industrial scene. Manufacturers of raw material rose drarratically in Dutchess Cc)unty during the nineteenth ceritury. in 1820 there were only {RED I[rm:ufacturers of raw lmaterial.

In

the later decades the nul3er had increased i=o 12 in 1850, 19 in 1860 and 27 in 1860.

Thile IiRany other marmfacturing industries

were decliing during the nineteenth century, this irfustry was assdrg grea+er inportance in the overall ecormny of the county.

RENIus LR. G. and A. R. Hu±chinson and Mabel Nevionner, "Study in

Edsiness rorfality: Ijength of rife of Business Eiterprises in foughkeepeie, N.Y. 1843-1936, '' A77!ezTfccz7e Eco7eo7ndc I?euze2J, 27

(Sept.1938).

,

2vi!derr S. CLark, H±storrtl of Ma:raf act:i!res Ln .the .United_

S±cz±es', 3 Vols. (Washington, D.C. : Carnegie Institution,1929) .

3T]. S. CbNerrmEat, The Ihiegraiton of Imdus£TfaI Open_a_±hons

ky Willard Thorp (Washington, D.C. Cbvermment Printing Office, 1924) .

Andrea Zjrme]rman

ZPPFnelx

NLrfeer of Dutchess Ooun;ty Firms in Each

Industrial Category 1820 - 1880

Category

1820

Tdiles

1850

1426

Agricultural ilrplements

03

Beverage & tobacco

34

FELac±ive Fgiv mterials IJeather ,

19

Producer & consumer Machinery & equipment

Oil

212 013

20

FLrfuture Transpo]±ation equipnent

05

012

Totals :

E=¥-I.-__i:-:--

--

2296

-::_

Hi-

-_ -

:-: ---------¥

-

i..:-:: v:.-:;.::

,'``:

...:,.-¥: ,-,-I .,,.

?..

` .,....,--.,.,.....,-..-

&

._..

The Matteawan Caroany in the present day Beacon lmanufactured

textiles in the early to mid l9th century. Photo of the mill is from an engraving on a stock certificate issued ly the

conpany on Fdruary. 22, 1822 when it was incorooratea.

Photo courtesy: Joan Van Voorhis

73

The Adriance Platt CcHnapny of Poughkeepsie became a successful manufacturer of Iinowers and reapers during the second half of the l9th century. Photo courtesy: Adriance Library.

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AN ACCC)tJNT OF HE NEW IIAMBtJRC-

RAIIROAD DlsAsrm oF 1871

Jorm Perillo The train toreek. Ln 1871 a± Hen Harribur.g res7Albed i;n 22 a;eabhs and rcrised marry

quuestions ctoout the sat_edy of br:a.i;ns 3 i.Lsk of hatr!!an er.I.or. cnd th_e quqltby_ of equi;pmend. John. Pepftto fs_ a .Zp.cal, hisior.karl. who I.esecmches sLglrl;kfocan;I

events Ln the hbsbony of sowkhaester¥n Dutcchess Counkg . i

Fchruary of 1871 began amidst a i]ro weck record breaking cold wave. i Sijb zero teg:i[ipera{=u]res continu.ed throughout the night of the 6th as a tREenty-five car freight train kncRTi as "Ektra NLHTbe Three" left Cireehoush, New York, bound along the Hudson

River Railroad, for prints south. The wh.eels all.d axles were

inspected prior Lo departure. The extrene weight of a train laden with oil filled tack cars and the fact that iron wheels

beans brittle in the bitter cold, meant that the pessjbility of an accident could be ever present.

Edgar Underwcod, the conduc-

tor, tcok the usual precautions, but being a practical man, he didn`± feel that it was necessary to follow the new. safety rule of stringing a bell rope through the cars to signal +Jhe engineer in an ©geney. The train was,in his opinion, "tco long" for a bell rope to be effective. Being a routine run and an extrertely cold right, tJnderwrd`s brother, Charles, the middle brakenan, rude in the cafrose with i±re conductor and rear brakernan. It was customary for the brakemen to take alternate turns in the

±e on cold nigiv, but on an oil train, there just isn'E Imch roam to move safely frurIL car i=o car.

At the 30th street depot in New York City, the "Second Pacific Express`' , pulled dy an engine named the "Cbnstitution" , cas leaving for A]bany, Buffalo and points west. Although due to leave aE eight PM, it was six milmtes behind tjlre. John

toucey, iine railroad superintendent, told the engineer to take 75

John Perillo

76

it easy and not to try and make up art.y lost time. Ifost of the

road ncw had steel rails, but a fev sections were still of iron and would surely be biil€1e on a night ljJse this. Both trains headed for their destinations. The Express was running further behind tine because as the fireman had put it, "she just wasn't steaming right". He blamed the cold night and perhaps bad coal.

The oil train exited the tunnel just north of the New Has+ bung station. It was 10:17 PM. Dan Carroll, the station switchman, noticed sparks flying out from under one of the oil cars near the middle of the train. It was a broken axle. Carroll did not see a middle brakeman to warn about the damage, so he signalled the men in the caboose. As the damaged car passed the switch just south of the station, the axle parted. The c;Lr bo`mced up and dam as the train went along. The men in the

caboose tried to signal the engineer, but there was no bell rope. They tried to signal the front brakeman with lanterns.

He was supposed to be watching the rear of the train for signals, but he was busy shoveling coal for the fireman who Trould let him do this on cold nights to keep warm. The conductor and brakerten

`rorked frantically at the brakes in an effor+ to stop the train, but it continued toward. the drawhridge ov5r the Wappinger Creek.

The car struck a bridge piling, pa]±ing violently from the car

in front of it. It flipped over and came to rest at an angle across the northbound track.

The engineer who had been slcIving dch7n to stop for water

felt the jolt and the load lighten. He told the brakeman not to apply the brakes because he believed that the rear pa]I of the train would run Lap on hin.

He didn't kp.Ciir then that the remain-

der of the rear of the train had already cone to a stc)p on the bridge. Dan Carroll knew that another freight Trould probably be on the heels of this one, so he ran back to stop it. Mearrdile, the engineer, realizing that the rear of the Eraili. was not ccing up on hin, brought the train to a stop. Knowing that something was wrong and that the express could be i=here any minute, he

New Harfourg Railroad Disaster-1871

77

grabrd a red light and yelled to the flagman at the tcwer to do the sarre. They ran doui the track to signal the danger.

The express was seve]rfeeen minutes late by now and arfut a

rile south. The nan at the tcner could see the Cbnstitution's big headlight approaching as they tried to warn her. Passengers on the express were begiming to settle dori for the night. On the Buffalo sleeper, Reverend Fouler and his wife had put their three children to bed. Arthur and Julia Peace were in the parlor chattin.g with George Benedict and A]ber+ Gillett, all of whom were acquainted.

The engin© of the express could faintly see tro red lights and a white light, but he coulch't be sure, because the headlight af the oil trailn over-powered the lanterns. Besides, he knew that train usually stopped at the Old Troy tcRTer forwater, so he thought it to be just a precaution. He asked the firerrm if he could see, but after staring into a glowing furnace all right, he wasn't of rmch help.

The engineer tcx]k no chances. He

signalled the brakenen with three blasts of the whistle. He ordered the firerrm to apply the patent brakes, but they dich't seen to hold. He ttrev the engine into reverse. The firerrm,

realizing that the train couldn'± stop in trfe, leaped to safei¥. Brakgrrm and crmdrctors al:ke were applying brakes throughoilt the express. Patent brakes, which were designed for c"ches, were no rrBtch for the large sleepers. The train's speed slackened, but it didn't stop.

The locomotive plurxped into the derailed tank car. There was an explosion upen inprct. A blazing inferno ensued which -. cndd be seen throughout the countryside. The baggage and

express cars, tr-from the track, were destroyed in the

;

explosion. The B`iffalo sleeper was laying on its side on the

bridge and b±g. The ned trmo sleepers were also ablaze, but the passengers were evacuated. All of the tank cars and the

bridge ± engulfed in flernes. The passengers and crew uncoxpled the last three cars and pushed then. of f of the bridge to

John Perillo safety , a feat which would have been jxpossible had the patents taken hold. Within seconds, the bu]ming bridge Collapsed, sending the Buffalo sleeper and the other burning cars to the iey waters below. No one escaped. Only the crackling of the flames Could be heard. Within seconds, the Pacific Express was reduced to a pile of rubble.

William T.`. Ga]mer Eingine Ccxpany sped to the scene from

nearby Wappingers Falls. RE3scuers were begirming to arrive frcm all over New Hafrourg. Conductors from other freight trains began the gruesome task of recovering bodies, while the local

peqple dpened their doors to survivors. The superintendent of the railroad went to the scene to take personal charge of the recovery operations. A cork train with a crane was dispatched from Poughkeepsie,± while a baggage car was placed on a side track to be used as a ter[porary. Irorgue.

Telegraph lines from New York to Chicago echoed with irord of the disaster. The newspapers were filled with rumors. Many of

the state's legislators were on the train. Although none were involved, Tallman:y Hall feared a loss of a D-cratic majority in the Ijegislature.

"PASSENCRES FO.ASTED ALIVE" exclained the Jvezi7

Yoz.k T4777es. \

Death tolls ranged as high as seventy.

mctors

were sent to the scene by the railroad to aid the injured. A special train was also sent to carry the survivors on to their destinations. By noon, nineteen bodies had been recovered, while grapplers searched for more. The telegraph inquiries became so numerous that the railroad had to establish an information bureau in New York to deal with them. Bodies were sent to Poughkeepsie by rail, put on sleigE}rs and taken to Mal-

lory 's undertaking parlor, where relatives were beginning to arrive to clain their dead loved ones.

Dr. Charles Andrms, the Dutchess County Coroner, along with

Tristram Coffin, the District Attorney, began to enpanel a jury for a Cbroners Inquest. Mealwhile, the Railroad Gom[ri.ttee of the State ILegislatTure armounced that they vrould begin hearing

New Hand3urg Railroad Disaster--187l

79

testinony about the accident.

NDrthoound trains were dypassing the area via the Dutchess and CblulTbia Railroad to. points north. The sleeper was raised on February 9th, and the bridge reopened. The 3:10 out of New York, and bound for MDntreal, was the first train to pass. Pas-

sengers strained for a glirpse as the train slowed.

Many who were reported killed were now being heard frcm.. A Irore accurate acoc)unt of the names of the victims was being cxpiled. Three people remained unaocoun±ed for: doc SjlTrons, the engineer, I.avrence MDoney, the brakentan, and an unkrm]wn man

said .to have been riding on the engine. A iroman named Sarah Bennett arrived at New Hafrourg saying that she was looking for her husband who was believed to have been on the express. She was taken to Poughkeepsie i=o identify sore clothing. She claimed +

to have seen his hat but the name on the inside proved to be different. Managing to evoke the syHpathies of the local citizens, a collection iris taken for her and her child. She spr]t the Ironey on aloQhol, and after becoming quite drunk, was proclained an jxposter. She took a soutribChmd train, but was arrested by rai-lroad detectives at Thrrytcnm and returned to foughkeepsie. She iris later released and son:t on her way.

At the maeck, chains were being attached to the engine in

order for it to be raised by a crane. The attap proved unsuccessful. Under the direction of the railroad's master mechanic, they raised the engine about six feet tfrough the use of kydraullc puni[ps and screw levers. They then had to reinforce i]re scaffolding. The engine remained suspended on chains, swinging in the tide while all coB=k had to be stopped because of the severe snqp storm. On Fchruary 13, the 16arotive was raised, but no bodies mere found aboard. A diver sent down to

probe ihe dlebris discovered ifeney's body. Sinrms and the other I[rm were later fonmd.

He turned out to be TarBs ELHgivey, an

dr of irork engineer. He was receiving a courtesy ride toAlbany to loc)k for coB=k.

In his pocket were tiro watches, one was

John Perillo stopped at 10:22, the other three minutes later.

The jury at the Coroners inquest continued to hear testfrony and was e2{pected i]6 soon deliberate. They were told to consider

the following facts: did the crew of the oil train faithfully perform their duties? Ttould the broken axle have been discdvered had the middle brakeman been at his proper post? Would he have been able to signal th.e engineer? mould the forward brakeman have been able to see the signals from the rear of thetrain had he not been shoveling coal? Was the conductor of the oil train guilty of allowing the brakemen to be at places other than their assigned posts? Was he guilty of not stringing the bell rope? Were proper procedures used? Should the men on theground have rLm down .the track with the signals or to the tower? hoes the: rmle that the tower lights only be changed when the bridge is open apply in an emergendy? Was roc SjlmDns wrong in signa+

ling for brakes prior to reversing iul-e engine (a rule of the railroad) ?

The jurors heard ten days of testinrry, rian:y tjrmes conflicting. who then was wrong? Was it the crew of the oil train who were not at their proper posts? Was the ground crew i:^7rong in

not giving adequate signalling? Was it the engineer on the express for not recognizing the signals and using the 'by the hoc}k`` procedure to stop the train? On Fchruary 22, the jury

arrived at a verdict. They placed full blame on the engineer of the express for not signalling for brakes and reversing the engine in the exact order as prescribed by the railroad rmledock.

It seemed to be an easy way out, blaming a dead man.

That

about the oil train? Was it i=he fact that of the seven men on i=he jury, one was a ptolic official, thro others were officers of. railroads, and the others were all well-tordo citizens and perhaps even stockholders of railroads? The testjrony continued in A]ban:y, but was so conflicting that blare could not be placed.

It was decided .that a report would be prepared for both houses of the Iiegisla±ure in order for thorn to draw their own conclu-

New Halfourg Railroad Disaster--187l

81

sion. The reper+ was, hctwever, "accidently" destroyed in a fire at the printeH's office. This made the Imatter too late to be acted upen by the I]egislature and therefore dropped from discussion®

The jvezJ Yoz.k Fj7Hes of April 15, 1871, in reporting the out-

come of the Iiegislative bearings, sLrmed up rather sarcastically in saying "The great railroad Legislature of 1871 has made

another clain to the title". *****

The configuration of each train is listed below: Ectra Nunbar Three one engine and tender

six express oil cars tro hex cars ire tack cars one stock car

The Second Pacific Express one engine arid tender one express car one baggage car

five Wagner sleepir.g cars one coach car

seven tank cars*

four cattle cars iltro hex cELs

*The car with the broken axle .was the lead tank dan in this group.

one cahose \

Killed in the collision: Iovell, R. H. Capt.

Benedict, George S. CLny, William C. Forbush, Walter H.

Mooney, Lawrence E.

Fowler, Agli_es S.

Pease, ZThur W.

Fcrfer, Mtry p.

Fowler, MDrell J. Rev.

Pease, Julia T. Itot, Lucias A.

Fouler, iferell W.

SiHrmrrs , Edra]]d

FCREler, Ftotrd H.

Stafford, T±

Nancrede, Sarmrel I. G. Dr.

Germin, follin

Thcxpson, George R.

GilleEt, A]beri A.

Vosburgh , Itoberi Vosburgh, Peter H.

Hixphrey , Tarres

John Perillo BIBHcx=EaeRT

This article was cxxpiled from the information contained in "e Poughkeapsbe Dch7;y Eagle an!d un!e Nee Yogivk Ti;mes during th!e

period February 7 through April 15, 1871.

In addition, the follcIving other periodicals provided ifeormnfitiion.. Thee Bu.ffalo Dalz,y Courier.3 Febrmary 8 , L871.,

Haxper'-.a MarthLg Magaetne , Eprr+ Tg]L., Haxper' s `meck:ly Magaeche ,

Fedrmary 25, 1871.

Cifiswold, Wesly, rrcz£7? WrJecz`

The Stephen. Greene Press , Brattle-

hero, VT,1969.

Hunger ford, Edwa]=id #e7c .cr7?d Tpc)% Thomas Y. Crcwell Cb. , New York, 1938 .

SkefEN, RCJber± 8.

Doun Br.akes3 A ELstony of_ Rae?r_o_ap Accbden±8 tin

tfee I/74tted Stcl±es

Macnaillan Co. , Iondon,1961.

Note: A lengthier version of this work is available at the Dutchess County Historical Society and Adriance MErorial LibraryLlocal History Room.

In it are brief biographies of the peple involved in the accident arid subsequent

activities .

Scene of the disaster - the morning after, Tuesday 2/7/1871 Drawing from Harpers Weekly AV(#739) , 2/25/1871, page 164.

HH FADING VENER OF EQUAlilTY:

The Afro-American Experience in Poughke.epsie Bet=^reen 1840 and 1860.

Joshua Gordon Hinerfeld I)urLng the peedod, 1840 I;o 1860 th_e bta_ck

papula.iton of Pougfukeepsbe _eaper.fence_a a sbg']ndfaccnite decti;me Ln a:rr[pzoymen_i ,_ ech_ca-

tional and residential apporb:u]ri;kties Lm condrasb bo the decades i;rmriediclee7;ey ppecedi;ng 1840. Reasons for _this chan_ge clre dksoussed Lm this siurrlfricnedzed TJersLon

of Joshaa Hcherfezd's 1983 send,or. thesis corxpzebed de Vasson CoLLege.

Irish jrmnigrants who settled in Poughkeepsie, New York, during the 1840's and 1850's rust have wondered if their long

boat ride over the Atlantic Ocean was worthwhile. Iocal res-

idents in the predominantly Protestant ccrmmity bitterly disliked these destitute Catholic refugees. In retrospect, one might s\]ppose that the rapidly grcrfug presence of the Irish posed a formidable threat to the economic livelihood of Poughkeepsie 's established citizenry, which in turn alarmed local

residents. Justifiably, Ii.ative ithites probably feared that the poor ilTrigrants could both depress local wage scales and make jobs difficult to come by.

Cc>nversely, the established presence of the conrmmity 's

small black papulation meant that this group posed little threat to the wliite papulati-on`s well-being. Although the black pepulation grenr at a IIrmch faster rate during the 1850's than the rest of the city 's pepula±ion, their nuHibers were relatively insignificant.

The 440 blacks who lived in Poughkeepsie in 1860 colrL

prised less than three percent of the city's pepulation. Not surprisingly, native whites were Irore favorably disposed ton7ards the blacks than tcftrards -the Irish jrmigrants. In fact, before 1860 , Irish jmnigrants. experienced even "less rrobility up^7ard from serri-skilled to non-manual expleyments" than the persist83

Joshua Cordon Hinerfeld

ently discrininated against local black pepulation. 1 Dissatisfaction with their plight in Poughkeepsie resulted in altercations between the Irish jrmigrants and the local blacks, frequently leading to bloodshed. During the course of a cold, wintry fright in late January, 1850, a group of Irish and black tcRErmnen fought wii=h each other at the foot of Church Street in Poughkeepsie. The night constable on duty "tcok no

notice of the affair," even as the Irishmen retreated wounded, "some of then ter±jbly mang.led with clubs and slingshots. " Two

nights later, a gang of fifteen or twenty Irishmen collected in Union Street seeking revenge. This tine, three or four of the individuals were armed wii=h guns.

After the gang chased and

slightly injured a black woman, the sheriff intervened and ordered the raucous groxp to disperse. Instead, the miscreants chased him away. Dfeanwhile, curious bystanders approached to •observe the ''excitenent. " Amid this confusion, one innocent on-

lcoker was shot in the chest by an Irishman. As word of this shcoting spread quickly throughout the city, terrpers flared and

a riot ±ued.

According to the local nevspaper's account of the affair, the Irish, not the blacks, bore the brunt of the riot. A bell, sounding an alarm throughout .the tcrm, brought people rurming in all directions. Within a short tine, riflenen arrived on the scene and arrested all the Irish pa]±icipants involved in the

•brav|.

In their train came armed guards, i=^7o military ccxpanies,

and between two hundred and three hundred citizens , who brandished `'pistols, slug shois, pickets, sword-canes, etc .... " + Finding nobody to arrest at the scene of the crine, the Irob went on a vigilante raid. They proceeded into town and dragged IrishInen '`irmocenEly" out of their beds and homes, beat then on their heads with cltos and. marched them ]'barefoot" and "bleediri_g" in

the snow to the hall of justice. A fen days later, the editorof T77.e Jc)aryzczz cz7td Po%gfekeeps4e Eczgze cxxplained that i=he targets of

this IrDb suffered the injustice of false arrests only 'becailse

The Fading Veneer of Equality:

85

they were Irish. "2 After 1860, matters changed in Poughkeepsie. Children of the Irish inmigrants enjoyed more "respectful treairment" by the oonrm]nity than that accorded to their forchears in the 1840 's and 1850 's. Th.ese second generation Irishmen al.so had access to "better jobs. " Blacks, hcwever, suffered from the oppesite tre]rd. Thatever modictm of freedom they on_ce had to pursue the "American Dream " disappeared before the start of the Civil War.

Even the sappori given to the blacks in Poughkeepsie by local philanthropists in the past, becalre a fading memory. A bizarre paradox thus resulted: as local philanthropic attention focused \xpon the victins of Southern slavery, +Jhe relative status of blacks in Poughkeepsie underwent a rapid and irreversifele decline.3 The purpose of this article is to analyze how the seeds of this socioeoonomic retrogression actually took root in i=he tiro antebellunL decades. A thorough study of the trends in educational , econcrmic and residential opportunities made available to local blacks bei]treen 1840 and 1860 doctrments how this

veneer of racial equality rchbed thin during this period.

Attitudes tcRTard blacks to mid 1840 :

Attitudes i=award the black residents of Poughkeepsie and perhaps tcward. blacks in general during the 1830 fs and early 1840 's were syl[pathetic and. supportive. Both a Iroral belief in

the basic equality of all men and a serge of christian duty apparently Irotivated the work of philanthrropists , who helped local blacks in Pough]seepsie in the la.Ee 1830's and earlyl840's.

Pnttren a group of these highminded individuals formed a local

chapter of the AnEi-Slavery Society, .they strove to: • . .effect the `?nitr.e abotktion of szaverry3 also bo encourage and .proTrobe i;he i;n±eLlec±ual, mc;I.al and pettgivous drr[provene.nhs of the cozor.ed peapLe ther.eby endeevori;ng bo renove a.Il that, pr.ejwdi,ce which in.cke;a

Cc°#breraLmod#no°fbcLhna±reaLctteecr+Ou#d.armefspme°crbaakb:#Lrttgh.4the

For years, the local organ of the An:ti-Slavery Society concentrated. most of its ef forts on jxproving the condition of

86

roshna Cordon ' Hinerfeld

blacks, rather than seeking the end of slavery. Each week,` for exaxple , the anti-Slavery Society sponsored lectures , "for ..the sole purpose of jxproving (blacks) intellectually. "5 Considering a large nufroer of ih-e city's "oooperages, carriage shops, and foundries depended heavily" upon tfade with the South, the

unpepularity of local abolitionist activity should cone as no surprise.6 Matthelp Vassar, Tr. , perhaps fearing that the enancifation of slaves would undermine the financial security of his Souther.n beer customers , personally broke up i]nro meetili_gs at

which abolitionists speke Sore philanthropists , who were not associated with the AntiSlavery Society, believed that christian duty obligated then to help local blacks.

In a notice placed in the Pottgfekeepsfe

Jc>ar7zcZZ back in 1839, local reformers called on the "friends of

education" to congregate at the Methodist Episcopal Church for the purpese of `'devising means for the more general and thorough education of the CoroRED FEE PEOPIE. " After pledging no cormec-

tion with the un.popular abolitionist society, the meeting 's spensors stated that the "wretched condition of the colored people`` clearly derolnstrated i=heir p.eed for instruction. They added that regardless of what a person's feelings were for blacks, he 8 had a "airistian duty to enlighten their minds Towards the latter half of the 1850's, concern of philanthropists drifted awa:y from matters. concerning the condition of local blacks , as .i._t concentrated more upon issues surrounding slavery.9 The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, designed to end the

trafficking of runaway slaves , particularly disturbed Poughkeepr sie citizens. For years, the city had been a station stc)p on the un.de]rground railroadaL° Sore runaways,\ in fact, settled in i±re Inountairs just south of the city in a place appropriately called Freemarville.LL Over trfe, therefore, the citizens of Poughkeepsie clearly understood that slavery assaulted the basic h\]man dignity of these fugitives. After Cbngress enacted the Fugitive Slave Act, both the local papers and the citizens of

The Fading Veneer of Equality:

87

Poughkeepsie actively suppo]±ed and assisted the fugitive slaves.

The I)czzzgr EGgze , which became the Reptolicali_ party 's Irouth.-

piece Lxpn its inception in 1860, took delight in armouncing the successful passages of fugitive slaves. Cormrm.ting on the travels of one surul'|i individual who recently stopped in Poughkeepsie, tire paper remarked " (he) is probably now enjoying freedrn in Canada under the protection of the British Queen.! "L2 on anotheroccasion,whenidr-Jiree"intelligen.t-looking"fugitivesfron.

Pgiv Orleans st;pped in the city '`destitute and with hardly any clothing, " the paper reported one "kind hearied gentlernan" who noticed then, tcxjk i:horn to a clothing store and fitted then 'Lwith. gcrd warm clothing. "L3 Poughkeepsie 's lrDst famous fugitive slave

case witnessed the enthusiastic support of a large part of the

CXH-ty.

To]m Bolding, born a slave in South Carolina, fled his crmier in 1846 and "scrmehcw" arrived later in Poughkeepsie. Within four years, tire 'timlatTro- `` established himself in the cormmity as a 14 hardTh7orking individual, with a tailor shop located on Main st.

Distance and tine, hcRTever, did not help him to escape the shackles of slavery. Apparently, a young southern woman who lived for

a tj]me in his house diviilged, without solicitation, his whereabouts to his fo]zner Iraster, Robert C. Anderson of colunfoia,

South Cfrolim.

Qre afternoon as the recent newlywed corked in his shc)p, a carriage pulled i]p to the door. Within minutes, its occupants seized tire unsuspecting Bolding, whisked him away to the train station and placed him aboard a New York City bound train. The

peculiar circumstances surrounding the arrest outraged the crmndty IrDre i±ran the arrest itself .15 The I)crdzgr Eczgze tcok

exception to the nature of the apprehension, finding it "unnecessarily harsh in a cormmity where he might have been detained for a week without the least danger of disturbance to rrcke parting arrangerrrmts . »L6

The "great deal, of syxpathy" expressed by the caHmnlty on

Joshua Gordon Hinerfeld

Itolding's behalf rna:y have been in pa]± due to the fact that he was "as white as a great H{:ny white men." Althou.gh there is no

direct evidence airailable to sijbsi=antiate this claim, 1anyers defending his rigrfe to freedom in the U. S. Circuit Cburt in Nen7 York City based i]reir case on just those grounds. They called on several witnesses to prove the tailor's innocence by der[r

orstrating his lack of African blcod. tine "distinguished phreno].ogist" testified that Etolding had the "strong rmrks" of an "Indian" arid that "he was no more than tro-iIventieths. . .Afri-.

can. " The commissioner presiding over this trial ruled in favor of the plaintiff . He in-formed the tailor, with apparent coxpas' sion and regret, that his former master, Anderson, still owned

hid lawfully. Despite the outcome of the trial, Bolding's supper+ers refused to allow him to be forced back into slavery.

They agreed to raise funds to pay the slave comer $2,000 in ex17

change for Bolding 's freedcm.

Within thro weeks follcwing his arrest, Bolding was legally a free I[rm. John 8. Grubb of Poughkeepsie took charge of the fundraising drive which bought Bolding's manunission. Grubb collected Sl,000 in Poughkeepsie, $150 in A]bany, and the rest .from New York City. Hundreds of peqple contr:buted Ironey in

denaITinations ranging from a fraction of a dollar up to fifty dollars. MDst of Poughkeepsie's leading citiz€±ms supper+ed the cause. Among the most reknown contributors were the i]^7o Luckey brothers, Mr. Nelson, owner of the successful Nelson House, E. K. Ohetead, Daniel and Isaac Platt, Matthew Vassar, 8. J. Iossing, and the powerful barker, Joseph Hooker.L8 respite i=he ezrorlnous philanthropy and Concern derronstrated by

the conrmmity in the Bolding affair, the condition of local blacks rarely attracted rmch ooncerm in the years immediately preceding i]re Civil War. A thorough consideration of the stotle factors which affected the material and social well being of blacks there suggests a great deal about the Ii.ature and effects of wiiite racial attitudes in the oormmity. The declining mrfeer

The Fading Veneer of Equality:

89

of educational, econcric, and residential opportunities lmde ,a available to Poughkeepsie`s blacks between 1840 and 1860 under-

scores a bitterly ironic fact; "freedcm" did not necessarily corrstitute freedom of choice for Afro-J±mericans living in antebellim Poughkeepsie.

Educational opportuni.ties : As already notedr during the height of the himanitarian reform IrovenRIlt in the late 1830's and 1840 's, charitable philanEhropists presented both moral and religious ji]stifications for assisting blacks.L9 Although reform activity was pepular in Poughkeepsie, tire activities did not carry on without dissent.

The Po24gfekeeps4e Te zegz.ap77„ plfobably reflecting the hashed i]p

opinions of a sLfostantial mrfeer of the city`s whites, complained in 1837 that educating blacks would make them "insolent" and as a result they might forget "common Consent" made then "hewers of vrd and dral„e]=s of water.''2° The spirit of the tines prevail.ed, nonetheless , and for tire following decade PougH€eepsie citizerrs involved thernselves directly in the education. of blacks.

Until 1844, when fougifeeepsie adopted a new unified ptolic schcol systa[n, black children received their education at the I]ancaster Sociei¥'s aiarity School for blacks. Fthding for this privately stosidized scfrool came from benevolent whites and the local municipal goverl]ment. For exallple, a young, white Quaker who taught aE one of the tcrm's allThrfeite, private normal schcols, raised funds for tire Ijancaster Society`s School by lectuning at Ironey-raising events.

Even the Pot+.g7zZ`T`eepsfe Tezegz.ap,fe

supperted the school `s quest for private donations because the schcx3l helped to pB]cxiuce a IinDral and intellectual ilbrovenrmt in "21 ifie black population which it found "degraded indeed.

Childreri who attended the I.ancaster Schcol had the oppertim-

ity to learn from both politically and socially active blacks.

The schcol 's trustees apparently had ro misgivings about maintailing a flexible hiring polity. Ads in i=he local peper, which searched for qualified teaching candidates , made no specifica-

Joshua Cordon Hinerfeld

tions about a race requirement for the job.22 As a result the former slave and abolitionist Samuel R. Ward taught at the schcol.23 Before long, hcIvever, the progressive nature of black education in Poughkeepsie suffered an interminable loss. Acitywide referendum prcxpted the establishment of a public school eystem in the city. This action in turn forced the closing of the privately run I.ancaster School.

A "one room" black, pul3lic school opened up, vthich forever remained uapqpular among blacks in general and wh.ite taxpayers.

Attendence averaged only 20 students a day in 1843, and the rate failed to jxprove over the years. In 1871, for exalrple, only 40

percent of the students attended. on a typical da:y. consequently the schcol, vwhich drew black children from all sections of the city, was uneconomical to operate® Nevertheless , school hoard officials arid wiiite parents successfully fought to keep the racially segregated building open until the 1870 's, to ensure that white and black children would not mix together in the classrcom.

24

`Fo what extent, the segregated school system fostered racial

segregation at the rorkplace, is a question which deserves further attention by local historians. Cme is led to believe, howl ever, that racial discrinination in the schools pre-enpted blacks from Inany skilled and semi-skilled jobs. haigrant children, conversely, who were able to attend the allithite schcx)ls , received superior educations in comparison to their black peers.

Logically, one would expect that the children of jrmigrants were able to displace blacks from the latter group's traditional seniskilled and skilled enploylnents. +

Empleyment apportunities : In 1860 females outmrfeered males ill. the bladc papulation 242

to 198® But t:he latter group grew at a faster rate in the last antebellum decade. Over that ten year span, the mrfeer of black males grew 32 percent, while the nirfeer of black fenales increased by 22 percent in Poughkeepsie. This difference suggests

The Fading Veneer of Equalii=r:

91

that prospective black male residents of the city vested crmsiderable faith in the economic outlook of the "City on theHi3^dson. " If that was the case, disappoinirmen± awaited then. Salrples drarm.

from individual census sheets and city directories indicate as trfe progressed blacks found fever opportimities to perform seniskilled jobs, and otlrer jobs which allowed scme degree of indeErmdence. The Irost serious deterioration in their employment 25 opportunities occurred betireen the decade of 1860 and 1870.

At mid-century, foreign jrmigrants increasingly sought and displaced the Poughkeepsie black irorker in skilled and semiskilled work. rming the 1850's and 1860's, more than 40percent of the blacks who started each decade in semi-skilled jobs, such

as tailors , carpenters and sash-blind Ira.ufacturers slipped into Luskilled labor ten years later. Even the Irish jrmigrants, who had little to look forward to in Poughkeepsie did not suffer such esd]ensive doVInmard Irobilit¥.

26

Individual exalrples clearly illustrate this trend towards dcrmmard economic Irchility for blacks in Poughkeepsie.

John Wil-

liars rose from the generic classification. of laborer in 1850 i=o a hairman in 1855-56, and finally to +Jhe pilotsh.ip of the stearL ship Sfeez"cz77. in 1860.

After the war, the city directory once

again listed hin as a laborer. William Francis, Tr. , likewise experienced declining fortunes in the job market. I[isted as a silversrmii=h in the 1860 census, he slipped to the pesition` of

porter in a hotel by 1870. Fortunately, in his case, his job prospects ixproved in later years.

By 1890, he cRTred his own

jewelry store on Main Street.

PeiRTeen 1840 alrd 1860, Poughkeepsie's blacks Irost often

corked as laborers of one so]± or another.

Of the men sal[pled,

at l©t 30 percent were classified as laborers in each of the three cerrsus listings. In 1850, a significant rmrfeer of black I[RIi corked as coac]rmen, waiters and carters, too. Py the follcIVing decade, less desirable jobs opened xp to then, such as sweat labor cork on neighooring farms and on the Hudson River heats.

Joshua Cordon Hinerfeld

Tto exaITples dennustrate the black 's loss of their Irore preferred place in the work force to the never jndgrant groups. In 1850 43 percent of the coac]rmen were black while 3 percent were cerrrm. In 1880 the nulfoer of blacks declined to 18 percent while the nLrfer of Germans increased to 19 percent. Also in 1850, 55 percent of the waiter's jobs were held by blacks as cxxpared to. 25 percent held by Irish. In 1880 97 percent of these jobs were held by blacks. Irish were listed as waiters in 1880. (See Table I) . A list of the kinds of occxpaEions in which blacks were enployed during the period of 1850 to 1870 is found in ~

Tchle 11

27

Perhaps because black men worked at the Irost menial and low-

paying of jobs, a rmch higher proportion of their speuses worked than those of their white counterpa]ts. Prcbably intending to supplenrent their husbands ' meager incomes, 32 percent of the black wives reper+edly worked in 1860. Overall, Irore than onehalf of the black fenales were exployed in 1860, and at least 90 28 percent of them toiled as domestics. \,1

Table 1*

NL±±t±±ty qf workers in five service occxptipns at four_ q_gls}]=±=

white of native

cecupa+ion

Barber

Census

18 5 0

NImfoer

parentageBlack

(%)

(%)

Irish German British (%)

(%)

(%)

36

Gardener 1870 1880

Te±ter ,

1850

carter ,

18 60

or

c-

1870

1880

27

(Cbntinued)

*Reprinted by permission (see footnote 34)

of Cases

The Fading Veneer of Equality:

Continued, Table I: Rite occupa-

tion

Census

Black

( %)

(%)

93

N-

Irish Ge]rman British ( %)I

(%)

( %)

of

Cases

Cbachillrm

Or

driver

Waiter

Table 11

Black RIpleylrent in Poughkeepsie, 1850-1870

Based on papulation saples.

1850

Nuter %

REber

2_

Blacksmith REtman Butche.r

i

i 3

Clothes Cleaner Coachman (driver) Cook Domestic

7 -

dyer a

FarHEr

Gardener Harness Maker

(continued)

6.57

1

ClergyHClerk

Hos tier

3

1870 NIrfeer % 6.5

1

Ca-ter

mgineer

1860 NI]ITber %

1

6.5

Joshua Gordon Hinerfeld

94

Cbntinued, Table 11: 1870

1850

Nuter %

Ifrorer

Nurber

%

3730

1738

laundress

7

Ddson

hulk Peddler

PaEbrteT

Pot Baker

2

Servant

Shoecker Silversmith

I_

Sash & Blind Maker

Tailor Tealuster (ca]±er) Waiter or Steward Thitewasher NO Listing

-ratJ'-o

4.5

5

3

6.7

6.5

7

4

9

9

10

4591

45/150' 30

91/138 46

-11

Total females Males per job ratio:

-total job tpes

6.7

4.55

Total males with jobs

of ffle pep. rep.

3

1321 45/13 3.5 . 91/25

23

4.33

123/23

5.3

Residential patterning : Ijconard Curry, an historian wh.o studied the Conditions of blacks in antebellun, urban America, indicated increased popula-

tion density alone did not precipitate the rise of crowded black housing in the largest no]Thern cities of the mid-nineteenth century.

He concluded that other factors "perhaps economic and

perhaps culti]ral doubtless" had an effect, too.29 Blacks in Poughkeepsie, faced with sinilarly worsening job prospects and a declining relative share of the region's wealth, rapidly Con-

The Fading Veneer of Equality:

95

verged i]pon the same streets, and in Irrm:y cases, i]pon the salre houses. (See Table Ill).

In 1850, the six streets lrost heavily papulated by black residents accounted for 55 percent of the total black papulation saxpled. Ten years later, this figure jixped to a staggering 71 percent.30 Main Street, the hto of corrmercial activity, and. coincidenEly the street most pepulated by blacks in 1850 , placed fifth alrrmg black residents salxpled in 1860. In its stead rose Pfansion Street, which alone contained 19 percent of the saxpled blacks in 1860. That the black population in Poughkeepsiebecalne residenEially more concentrated beiHreen 1850 and 1860 , is fur-

ther confirmed by the ratio of the total black population salrpled to the total number of streets on which at least one black resident lived. The ratio rose from 2.0 people per street in 1850 to 5.8 pecple in 1860. Unquestionably, part of this phenamelron is explained by the crowding of malay blacks into Irmlti-family

houses. CLmry noted similar results for the period just after 1850 alrong the blacks he studied in the nation's fifteen largest

cities . 31 Tchle Ill Residences There Blacks Li`red jn Poughkeepsie, 1850-1870

Based on population saxples.

1850

NIrfeer

Acadey Bridge

-n

1

1860

%

NIrfeer

1

Catharine

3

church_

4

Cbllque Hill Cbtta9e Fast Avenue Gate (continued)

%

1

1715

i

Joshua Gordon Hinerfeld

96

Continued, Table Ill: 1870

1850

Nuter %

i

HamilTro-ron

Harrison Hohes Jay

Nuter % 1 1

1

1610

Jefferson

1

rain

96

4630

Mms=ioln-

rmket Mechanic

EL|| ifentgonery

forth Clinton Pine Prospect

Srith South Avenue

Tall-dge Union Washington Water West

white Wirmekee

Total salTpled

40

Streets in salTple

20

Blacks per Street

Represented Ratio

2.0

6.5

Conclusion:

Through the subtle wor.kings of institutionalized racisHn, an underlying phenoneron in whites denigrated and segregated bl.acks , PougHceepsie developed a definable underclass in the years jrme-

The Fading Veneer of Equality:

97

diately preceding the Civil War. As we have seen, blacks becarre victims of a vicious cycle which began at childhood. As young-

sters, black children were denied access to the city's secondary schools. These uneducated youths grew to raise their own farm ilies, while they remained trapped in the rrDst menial and unskilled jobs. The poor blacks congregated in. ghetto-like neighhorh±., where i=hese individuals gradually learned that they needed to rely upon theruselves to ef fect social ap_d political ch.ange. No longer did tire local black cormmity have the generous financial and moral support of ichite philanthrc)pists. By 1860, many of the city's blacks resolved to irork together to oc)un±er their I[mtually shared problems.

In 1837, after blacks separated from the predominantly white Washington Street congregation of the Methodist Church, they built their own structure on Catharine Street bei=^7een Mansion arid

Cbttage Streets. Fen at that time could have foreseen the role this Irove would have in solidifying Afro-American unity in the region in the years to ccne.32 Their nen7 church, the African ifethodist Episcopal Zion Church (A.M.E.Z.) served as both the

religious I[eeting hall of Pougtkeepsie's blacks and their commrity hall, tco. Often, Isaac Deyo, a longtine Poughkeepsie resident and carman dy trade, pressed his fellow black citizens ill. to action from the pulpit there.

During the 1860 's, when local whites either harassed or axpletely ignored local blacks, Deyo and other vocal leaders in the black oo[rmmity strove to make the city's blacks Irore selfreliant. Standing alone outside the election pell in 1860, Ixpxp hjuself helped to usher in the decade of increased black social

±ieness and action. As the allithite voters passed in and out of the voting chafroer, Deyo handed thean. leaflets regarding black

suffrage. 33 ERENcus Lclyde Cfriffen and Sally Griffen, Jycz±Z2;es cc7id jvezt7come2.s (CamT

bridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1978) , pp. 24-25, 214.

Joshua Cordon Hinerfeld

98

2Jou;nat c[:nd Pourfukeepsbe Eagte , 2 Fed;r`]ary L850.

E|

3Griffen and Griffen, JVclfft;es cz7£d _7Vezjc3o77zez.s , p. 31; Ijconard

P. Qmcy , The Fr.ee Btack in Ur3ban Ame]edca 1800-1850 (Chi!c3a!go..

University of Chicago Press, 1981) , p. xix.

4Alm/ Pearce Ver Nooy, "The Anti-Slavery Dfovenent in Dutchess county, 1835-1850, " Dutchess County Historical Society Jreczz. BCJok 28

(1943): 64.

Ver Nooy reprinted the charter of the local chapter of the Anti-Slavery Society in her article.

5Griffen an.d Griffen, jvcztfues ar'zd jvezt)cc>77zez's , p.12.

6Frark Hasbir:c"ck, ed. , .The ELsbony of Dw+L,chess County 3 New Yc>z.k (Poughkeepsie: S. A. MaLtthieu, 1909) , p. 246.

7Ver Nooy, "Anti-Slavery Movement," pp. 58-61, pczsst7#.

8pottgfekeepsze Jc7zrmczz,10 April 1839.

9Ei5mrmi PLa:+i, The Eaglve 's H+stor.y of PougfukeepsLe (-Pongke=

keepsie: Platt & Platt, 1905) , pp. 133, 172; I)cr+Zgr P_7.ess (Poughkeepsie) , 3 May 1852; Tfee I)cz4Zgr Eczgze (Poughkeepsie) , 4 Decefroer 1860 .

Abolitionist activity won little pc)pular support in foughkeepsie until 'war fever' consumed the minds and passions of the tc)wn's citizens around 1860. Until that tilne, abolitionists found difficulty in conveying their message, for, those who vocally called for the end of slavery 'kyere generally denounced by the party pepers. `' The city I s newspapers prudently avoided the controversy over slavery for many. years. Nc)t until the late 1850's did they begin taking strong political and moral stands on iThe issue. The _77cztzgr Pz.ess , a polemical and Indslinging supporter of the Derro-

crats in the 1860's, claimed that it irould "have nothing to do with politics" in its inaugural issue in 1852.

The Pc>kgz7,keeps7;e Tezegz.apfo eventually took up the cause of the Free Soilers, while the Z)cz+Zgr Eogze became a strong exponent of the Re.ptolican

party's positions. The latter paper vcRTed upon its inception in 1860, to pursue a liberal course "in regard to everything except tyralmy and oppression. " L°IjaNIence Mamiya and Patricia Kaurourra, eds. , For Tfeedr Coiur.age and Their. Str.uggzes : The Btack Or.al ELstor'y Pr'oiect of Po%g7zkeepsde, Ivez{7 York (Poughkeepsie: Vassar College, 1978) , p.3-.

I:LPELL||±p 8. Smith, General Hbstovy of Du±chess Courl;dy..1609-

J876 (Pawling, New York: Phillip 8. Smith, 1877) , p. 135.

The Fading Veneer of Equality:

99

L2poughkeeps;ve Eagte , 5 Sepiderfeer 1_85] -, TprLe Dalz;g EagLe ,

4 Decefroer 1860.

L3po#gfekeepsfe Eczgze, 29 Decefroer 1860.

L4''Toha A. Eb|ding, 'fugitive Slave, I '' Dutchess County Historical Society Yecrrboc7k 20 (1935) : 51.

L5poughkeepsie I)cr.£Zgr Eczgze , 30 August 1851.

16Ibid.

L7|bid. ; I)czzzgr Ec[gze, 6 Septefroer 1851.

LBZ)a£Zg Ecrgze, 13 Septenfoer 1851; "Bolding, 'Fugitive

Slave, " Dutchess Cbunty Historical Society _yeczzpbook, 20 (1935) : pp. 53-55.

T9". E. 8. D\i BOLs, Btack Reconsbructfon ch Ameitca (men

York: Atheneun, 1973) , p. 22.

2!°CarLebon MEIoee, Btack Edueabhon ch Nee ¥or?k. Stclee (SEra=

cuse: Syracuse Uhiversity Press, 1979) , p. 30.

Mat>ee cquorded The Pow.ghkeepsLe TeLegr.aph.

2L|bid., pp. 30, 75.

Z2.pougfukeepsbe Jourrmal , 3 AprLi T839.

2:3Malcee, Btack Edueadion Ln Nee rock Stclee , p. 33.

24cfr|eton Mabee, "Separate Black Education in Dutchess Cbunty, " Dutchess Cbuni=y Historical Society Yeczr:bc7cJk, 65 (1980) : 6-I-, Mat3ee, BZ,ace Edueaiton i;n Nczan York, p. 79.

25Griffen and Griffen, IVotdzjes cz7td Ivearco77zezos, pp® 12, 217.

The Griffens utilized malay useful chaJ±s in this bdek. In one of them, they noted that the percentage of male, black unskilled

workers jixped from 65 percent in 1850 to 80 percent (of the total black male population) by 1860.

26ifeid., pp. 172, 2og. j

27Much of the info-tion studied for the preparation of this article cones from census materials and city directories sal[ipled at fiv5 year intervals between 1845 and 1870. Pc)pulation salrples for 1860 and 1870, for exalrple, yielded infoHnation

for about 46 percent of the black males in Poughkeepsie, while they provided data for only an average of 10 percent of the city`s black females.

This lack of randormess in i=he data

Joshua Cordon Hinerfeld

loo

cannot help but ccxpromise its usefuiness. However, the samples did provide excellent information about the occupations and residences of the city's black household heads.

In many cases, the local city directories and the census docunrents gave tiro different job listings for a particular person. Then this occurred, iud-e entry which seened erroneousbased on the person's past and future enpleylnent experiences was excluded. Of course, there were man:y cases where this distinction could not be made. For these individuals, I credited onehalf point for each of the i]ro jobs they were listed. For example, the census of 1870 and the city directo]=y for that year listed Ed Sanders as boi=h a milk peddler all.d a boairman, respec-

tively. Each of these jobs were credited with one-half point.

Specific job listings were chosen when .available over a non-specific listing. For example, the census listed Elzay Potter as a laborer while the directory described hid. as a coachman. I chose the latter title for analysis purposes.

1then I cxxpiled the six Irost corm]on expleylnents for a given year, (Table 11) , I divided Iny total salxple pool (minus females and those who had no job listings) by the mrfuer of men

irorking in each of the listed job categories. For example, there were 6.5 waiters in Ivy 1860 saxple. This constituted seven percent of Ivy population salTple.

28Griffen and Griffen, IVcztzz;es cz77d jvez4?c3o777e_7's , P. 30.

2:Scurry, The Fr>ee Blvack., p. 53.

3°see Table Ill (Residences) .

5LQ]]cry, The Fr.ee Btack, P. 53.

32p|att, Eczgze 's jzfstc>r3g, p.147; TalTEs H. Smith, #?:Stoz'g of I)7jftc77.ess Cc>zz77tgr, Ivezj Yciz.k (Syra.cuse: P. Mason and CC)rrpry,1882) ,

pp. 426-427.

33Mdsee, BLack Educcdskon, P. L]3.

34Tab|e I is reprinted with permission from the authors and ptolisher from Clyde Griffen and Sally Griffen, IVczt4zJes cz7'zd IvezJcc)777ez.s (Cafroridge, RA: Harvard Uhiversity Press, 1978) .

1~ BurEL PI]ZhicHS oF pRc]pmmFT DtjTCIHSS couNT¥ RESIDENTS

Rated Fisch •.

Mc[ny pr:o"inent Lndivbdra|s_ ar.e.buri,e_a.in

Duriciress county.

I,ocal histoitan3 Robe.r_t

.

Fb.f3ch3 bden±bftes th.e Lndivbdhial3 p_ro_vbdes brief bLogr.c[phical notes _a:nd i_dendk_i_bee

the buinal pzace.

The first Lmstaltmeat

of a two-par.b wock ;rncLudes cL?I.gy_,

imovcdeor.s , phita:ndhaapi,sts , pkysbchan8 and tionen.

The Ronfrout Patent, granted in 1685 to Francis Rorfrout and

Gulian Verplanck, was the first land granted in the county of Dutchess which had been formed along with eleven other counties in New York P_rowhce in 1683.

The earliest peqple in Dutchess

Cbunty settled in this area and in the other reyal patents granted in the neke twenty years. fry 1775 the county had a rich mixture of Dutch, Cierman, English and other nationalities. Since then Dutchess Cc)unty has had more` than its share of proninent

people, those whose contributions greatly affected the lives of others on local, state, and national levels.

The purpese of this project is to select many of these outstanding citizerrs , identify sore of their rmjor contrjrfutions , and trace their burial places, all of which are in Dutchess Cbunty. The selectiori, purely subjective, includes people representing different periods in history , geographic locations , and fields of endea:vor.

^`

ELy§iciPrcinent physicians have played a significant role in Dutchess Cbunty history. Those lrrmtioned here didn't merely terri to the sick; they also contributed to the general grmnrth and

prosperity of i±reir respective armmmities.

The Bards, father and son, carved deep irpression= in the ITedical corld during the colonial period. Dr. John Bard (17161799) , first president of the New York State ifedical Society, 101

Fbberi Fisch

1795, was one of the earliest physicians to conduct dissections for educational purposes. He was also the first to recordesatrauterine pregnaney in 1759. \

His son, Dr. Salmrel Bard (1742-1821) , had the distinction of being George Washington's personal physician in New York City after the _Revolution. He fourrded the City Library in New York and St. James Protestant Fpisoopal Church in Hyde Park. It is in i=he St. James Cemetery th-at both are buried. *

Psychotherapist Dr. Jacob L. MDreno (1889-1974) was respon-

sible for the first group psychotherapy Conference in Philadelphia, 1931. He invented radio film, for the electromagnetic recording of sourrd on discs for radio tranenission and reception.

The MDreno Sanitorium in Beacon provided a haven Twhere errotion-

ally disturbed people Could go to "act out" their problens through a technique for treatment developed.by Dr. Dforeno.

Dr. George Huntington (1850-1916) was the first to describe a rare and peculiar hereditary disease now referred to. as '`Huntington's Chorea". This condition, for which there is no known

treairment, is a degenerative brain disease that leads to cxxplete Irmtal deterioration. Dr. Huntington and his wife are buried in the Ijagrangeville Methodist Cenretery.

Poughkeepsie`s outstanding veterinary surgeon, Dr. John .

Faust (1835-1901) , served as cattle -inspector for ti]berculosis in New York State. A leading mefroer of the U. S. Veterinary Medical Society, he was the first to vaccinate successfully against Anthrax fever. ..

Dr. Benjamin De la ;7ergne (1743-1830) w:s a delegate to the

3rd Provincial Congress in 1776, and presided at the Ineeting which organized the Dutchess Cbunty Medical Society. : He served

as its second president.

1

Dr. Ebenezer CaJ]r (1745-1815) , ,a founder of the county med-

ical society, served 8n the Bedenan precinct committee, the state legislature, and participated in the Battle of Thite Plains. His son, Dr. Egberi Cary (1789-1862) , was a state legislator aswell,

Iocal Burial Places

103

ITrmy-time Bedennan sapervisor, and surgeon of the 4th New York

Sird-te cavalry reginent in 1812.

Poughkeepsie medical professor Dr. Alfred Hasbrouck (18211903) was president of i=he Dutchess County Medical Society in 1883, medical examiner for this district under the U.. S. P.§nsion Bureau, alrd an original mefroer of the Reptolican Party.

Rhindedk's Dr. Thomas Tillotson (1750-1832) was surgeon-

general in the Continental A]qur in 1780. In politics, he held the offices of council of appointment, N.Y. Secretary of .State, state senator, assefrolyman from Red Hook, and U. S. `represen:tative from Near York.

B=ekman's Dr. Theeler Gi]be]± (179i-1847) was a Dutchess County judge, assend3lpran, and president of the county medical society in 1826. inothe±= past medical society president, ` Dr. Desault Gueimsey (1830-1885) of Amenia wis a volunteer surgeon t

1

with General MCclellan during the Battle of Antietam.

The earliest physician in Fishkill, Dr. Theodorus Van rtyck r3

•2

(1731-1789) was a delegate to i=he 2nd and 3rd Provincial Con-

gresses. Another of tire early Fishkill physicians was Bartcm7 Thite (1776-1862) , wire in 1840 was a Thig presidential elector and in 1825 a U. S. representative from New York in the 19th congress .

Armng Hudson. River State Psychiatric Hospital ' s most prominert aper+intendents were Joseph tleaveland (1824-1907) and Clarence 0. Cheney (1887-1947) . Dr: Cleavelain was the first medical sxperintendent of the hospital and served from 1871 to 1893. Dr. theney was president of the American Psychiatric Association and state hospital sxperintendent in 1926. He made significant contributions to i=he scientific developr[rm± of J

i

€

1`

)

peychiatry.

.

Dr. John Wilson Poucher (1859-1.948) was an assistant surgeon t

in the 20lst New .York volunteer reginent during the Spanishjinerican War, and one of the founders of the Dutchess Cbunty IIistorical Society.

His bdek ozd G_79czz;es±c)77es c7f Z]24tc3feess Cc)"7t±gr

Ro± Fisch in which he collaborated wii=h Helen Wilkinson Reynolds continues

to be used as an jxporiant historical reference.

Dr. Edrrard Hazen Parker {1823-1896) , president of the Na^7 York State afedial Sociei]/r in 1862, founded St. Barmal3as Hos.-

pital, Poughkeepsie, in 1871.

It closed when Vassar Brothers

Hospital opened. Dr. Clarence Jonathan Slocun (1873-1950) founded the Craig House Sanitariun in Beacon in 1915.

NJtable Wa© Dutchess County women have distinguished themselves in many

fields over the years. Tto in particular, Eleanor roosevelt (1884-1962) and Margaret Sanger (1884-1966) , touched the lives

of peple throughout the world. Their legacies will long endure.

Eleanor Roosevelt, devoted wife of Franklin, dedicated herself to the welfare of working women, blacks, youth, arid tenant farmers. She poured her energies unselfishly into numerous corthy projects. Eleanor's renown ill. many ways equaled that of her husband. She travelled extensively to prolrote the cause of human rights. After FDR's death in 1945, she was appointedAmerican delegate to i]re U. N. Cormission on Human Rights by President Tnrman. Eleanor and Franklin ltoosevelt are buried in the Ftose Garden at their Hyde Park estate.

Margaret Sanger believed that birth control would ultintely end child labor, jxprove health, Control poverty, and give wc>men freedom to develop their lives Irore fully. This belief committed her to promote contraception in the U. S. She founded the American Birth Contrc)i I]eague and the International Planned Parenthood Federationo Margaret Sanger and her second husband, J. N5ah H. Slee, are buried in the Fishkill FhJral Cerietery.

Ma:y Friend Bermett (1863-1924) , a ptolic school teacher in New Jersey and. Massachusetts , started her cNIi institution of learning at IrvingtonTon-Hudson in 1890. She removed the school to Haleyon Hall, Mil]brcok, in 1907, and thus Bermett Cbllege was horn.

Another Mil]brook resident, Helen Thorne (1866-1952) , was a

105

local Burial Places

founder a]rd only honorary vice-president of the Garden Club of jharica. She landscaped Mil]brook's Tribute Garden and village green which her husband, financier Oakleigh Thorne, gave as a IrrmDrial to the local Inen who lost their lives in the worldwars.

Herlfietta Nesbitt's (1874-1963) recipe for whole. wheat bread,

a loaf of which was bought by Eleanor roosevelt, led to her pesition as executive housekeeper in the Thite House during the years FDR and Truman served. She met Mrs. roosevelt when they worked together for .the IIeague of Women Voters. Her husband, Henry,

was i]re murite House custodian.

The Nesbitts are buried in St.

James Cemetery, Hyde Park. .

New York Cbvermor Thomas Devey appointed Marjorie Macormack Hogan (1905-1968) , of Pavling, to the sira-rate correction commission in 1942. tthen Devey ran for President ill.1948, Mrs. Hogan was

the National Women`s chairman in the campaign. one of Pawling`s most civic-rminded and beloved citizens was Maryr Field Taber (1883-1980) . During her 97 years she held a variety of positions, iHro of which were Pawling P.T.A. president and head of Poughkeepsie's Lincoln Center. Mary's crowning achievimen+ was organizing the Pawling Caxp F.i_re Girls ill.1912.

New. :York Governor Charles tthitman dedicated her group ' s clLfo-

house. It was significant locally and nationally as the first cliJbhouse ever to be earned and crmed by a groi]p of Carp Fire

Girls .

Mary Brcoks Picken Sumer (1887-1981) wrote 96 bdeks on

fashion and sewing.

She helped found iine Fashion Group, an

international organization, and was one of the five original directors of the Cbstune Institute, N. Y. Metropolitan rm]seun. of Art.

In 1951, Governor DeF..7ey appointed her the first woman

trustee of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

The Dutchess County Professional and Business Wonen's Clto

± charlotte Crmeen Hackett (1884-1971) "citizen of the year" in 1968. She was instrumental in promoting boy and girl scouting. in the county, and donated land. for use by local

Robert Fisch

106

scouting orgalrizations .

Anna G. W. Dayley (1868-1945), the first woman native of

foughkeepsie to be achitted to the Bar (1905) , was also the first vroman ill. the county to be appointed reporter of the Special Terms of the Suprenie Cou]±.

During the Revolutionary War, Sybil Ludington (1762-1839) , knch7n as the "female Paul Revere," rode to Danbury to warn her

father, Col. Henry Lndington, that British troops were coming to burn the city.

Her famous

ride was oormnemorated on a U. S.

postage starp.

The Ludingtons are buried in Maple Avenue Gemetery, in Patter.son, Putnam Cbunty, which at that tine was Considered part of Dutchess.

Poughkeepsie RI]ral Cemete]=y is the resting place of a young heroine named Dina Gill. Dina was an African slave purchased by Theophilus Anthony of Poughkeepsie. She was responsifele for • caring for his infant, Wi]he].mina. 1then the British sailed up

the Hudson in 1777, the family fled into the woods for safety.

Dina stayed in the house to guard it. After the soldiers calne ashore, the Anthony house was spared when Dina bribed the sol-

diers with a good real. The courage and life-long faithful service of Dina Gill qualify her as a most notable woman.

In the field of painting, Beacon`s Alice Judson (1870-1948) , an acccxplished watercolorist, was iRTice represented at inter-

national art exhibitions in Pittsburgh.

Pawling town historian and civic worker Helen Daniels (1899-

1975) wrote several books of great interest to local history buffs, alrong thorn "Quaker Hill at the Turn of the Century" and,"History of Christ Church on Quaker Hill" (written wii=h Margaret Afonahan) . Helen was a Pawling: Board of Education president and a lori.g-tine mcher of the Dutchess County Health Committee, a

service ageney for the irrdigent.

.

louise Pleasanton Benson (1888-1973) lectured on the si]bject of children's bocks at CblLhoia University. She wrote C72ZzdI.en's BthLe Sbondes

an!d

Fchri]jLand of Oper.a,

wihich ErEbeFTpbed

Local Burial Places

107

to sunHiarize the great operas in a form children could easily iunderstand. It was translated into seven languages and printed throughout the world. .i

Poughkeepsie historian Helen Wilkinson Reynolds (1875-1943)

was a diligent researcher who wrote crmsiderable material 6n Dutchess Cbunty.

i

Her bocks have been e2dremely beneficial-'~over a

the years in genealogical and historical research. Helen's works +-`

in!cfroded Reeorde of arLrfst Char>ch3 Poughkeepsfa, the opbgi,n cnd Mecnd;r!..g of the Wor.d3 Dutch Houses in the Hndsori. Valzey Before

17763 an!d Ozd GTcwestones of D2i±chess County.

'Th!e Lather book

she cc+authored with Dr. JQrm Wilson Poucher.

Madame Catharyna Brett ( (1687-1764) , a wealthy southern Dutchess landowner, was the daughter of Francis Itofroout, an orig-

inal grail.tee of the Rofroout Patent. She was quite a philanthropic woman who contributed generously to the Dutch Reformed Church in Fishk.ill. She was buried in the church cemetery in 1764. The later extension of the building to the tl7est covered her grave, which ncx*7 rests beneath the pulpit.

Th.e Madalne Brett

Hcrmestead, in Beacon, is a much-visited tourist attraction of

historical interest.

The generosity of Irene Wilcox w.as displayed when she built and donated the Milan `ItHm Hall.; she also gave land for the creation of Wilcox Park, a pppular simner recreation area.

A disciple and coirorker of social services pioneer Lillian Wild, Dr. Sera Hirsdansky (1882-1972) served her carmmity well

in her irork with mentally retarded children. During her lou.g and dedicated career, she was a psychiatrist at the Little Red School of Dutchess Cbunty (in Poughkeepsie) and at the Anderson School, Staatsburgh. Dr. Sara and her husband, educator and

innovator Sjron Hirsdans]ey, are buried in Taple Beth-EI Cert etery , Poughkeepsie.

<

Inlrovators Thrc)ugh the years Dutchess Cbunty has had an abundance of IrDvers and shakers in nearly every field of en_deavor. Irmovators

Ftobert Fisch

108

Margaret Sanger (1884-1966) ,

advocate of birth control , founder of Plalmed Parenthood

is buried jm Fishkill Rural Cemetery.

* .\

charles P. Luckey (1833-1896) and Edlund P. Platt (1843-1913)

opened their Poughkeepsie departmfnt store in 1872 ® Luckey, Platt & Oonpany established Irany area "firsts", including a "set

price polity" , telephone customer service, and passenger elevators .

A local family business, crmed by horticulturist William G. Salt ford (1850-1938) , thrived in Poughkeepsie and gain.ed a great

deal of publicity. The Salt ford Flower Shop specialized in the cultivation of violets. As a matter of fact, +Jie blooms raised by the Salt fords were so rare, federal gove_rmnermt authorities \ often sent for salrples of the soil. The family also raised the finest collection of orchids bei=reen New York and A]bany. William Arthur Salt ford (1878-1971) succeeded his father in the

business and pioneered as the first director of the Florist Transitorld Delivery Association.

Andrew (1836-1894) and William Wallace Smiiin (1830-1913) were

medicinal manufacturers in Poughkeepsie. William's outside interests were quite diverse, and he was one of the most civic\

minded businessmen in the county. He erected the Y.M.C.A. bul`lding jn 1863, the Y.W.C.A. building in 1904, and the Old fadies' Hone in 1905. The Smith. Brothers were famous as the developers

of a nationally pepular cough drrop.

local Burial Places

log

James Orr (1820-1899) , pioneer of the "overall" business,

opened his first factory in Wappingers Falls in 1871 together with his nephews, Clayton (1834-1909} arid Clinton Sv\reet.

He

Irmufactured a "never rip" overall , hand-Irmde button holes that \ irouldn't wear out., and buttons that wouldn't come off . By 1900 the coxpany errployed i,800 people and had offices in Nefrourgh,

New York, and chicago; factories later opened in Philadelphia, ' NCIV Orleans, Joliet, Brooklyn, and Port Jervis, NY.

Sweet, Orr

& Company revolutionized the clothing trade of this country by offering neat, well-Irmde and serviceable garments at a lcw cost.

Mil]brook's Ftoger Corbetta (1897-1974) , pioneer in jxproving

Concrete arid its uses in construction, was the developer of Poughkeepsie 's Rip Van Winkle House and River Terrace Apartments. His conpany built Dry [bck 3 of the Brooklyn Naval Yard, anchorage for the Trjboro and Thitestone Bridges , New York City,

and the Dulles International Airport terminal building outside Washington, D.C. Benjamin Halrmc>nd (1850-1931) established the „±. Adsc.o Veekzgr

and served as New Castle justice of the peace and later Beacon village president. He was one of +Jhe pioneers in themanufacture of economic insecticides in the United States.

In 1948 F. Earl Ijaffin (1907-1980) founded the Arlington Rescue Squad; he also founded the Dutchess Cbunty Ahoulance

Association and was its first president. The paramedic services of this county owe a great deal to Iiaffin`s coxpassion and dedication.

The well-]inc]qm Tho_rndale estate in Mil]brook was the home of Oakleigh (1867-1948) and Helen Thorme. Zis a cattle breeder,

Oakleigh made Dutchess Cbunty famous thrbughout the world for his Anqus foundation stock. As a banker, he established the ` first night-day bank in New York City. In 1946 he turmed over

the Cn.ancellor estate in Mil]brook to the archdiocese of NewYork as a Inemorial to his friend, Patrick Cardinal Hayes, to be used for the establishment of a Convalescent home for children. For

Ftoberr± Fisch

ilo

his generosity to the Catholic Church, he received a citation from pope pius XII.

,

Pawling's S. Raylrond Thormburg (1892-1981) was one of the

cDunty's Irost rencrmed irmovators. At one tine he served as firmncial advisor to the governor of China's Shansi Province, Marshall Yeri Ksi Sham. In 1945 he and Srith Johnson formed the Pawling Fed±ber Ccxpany. He married Pherbia Thomas, Iowell 's

sister, and they persuaded their close friend, Dr. Dtormanvincent Peale, to Trove to Pawling. Shortly thereafter, Thormburg

proposed the idea of pthlishing the religious experiences and beliefs of well-known people, and with Dr. Peale he esi=ablished the magazine G24z.-depc>s±s in the 1940 's.

Poughkeepsie resident Thomas Miirphy (1877-1967) , falrous har-

ness driver alrd thoroughbred trainer, was the first driver to rfu over Sloo,000 in one year, 1914. He trained "twenty Grand", winne±= of the 1931 Kentuc]ey Derdy, as well as harness racer "Kj]mberly Kid", named "horse of the year" in 1955.

Cne of the earliest auto dealers in the country, John Van Benschoten (1870-1965) sold Stanley stealrers in i=he l890 's in Poughkeepsie. IIis Dodge dealership lasted front 1913-`to 1965. In

1946 he was one of tiro pioneer auto dealers honored at the auto---

Irotive industry 's Golden Jtoilee celebration in Detroit.

Edward ElsmDrth Perkins (1863-1952) helped launch FDR's

political career in 1910 when he persuaded roosevelt to run for the state senate. A city attorney, Perkins was an organizer of i=he West Dallas Railroad, i±le Fo]± itorth & Rio Grande Railroad, the Poughkeepsie & Southeastern. Railroad Cb. , and the Hudson Gas & Electric co. t

The first industrialist in Beacon, Peter H. Schenck (17791852) sta]±ed a local iroolen mill in the early l800's. The factory grew ill.to the Glenham Ccxpany, which later furnished the blue uniforms for the thion ArmEr in the Civil War. The Dutchess indigo blue thus became a national herii-rdge.

John Sutcliffe (1838-1910) was respeusible for-building the

Iocal Burial Places

111

Phillips Iron forks in Cold Spring and the Hudson River Iron Works in Poughkeepsie. He made a significant contribution to the city of Poughkeepsie by building its sewers and laying its water pipes.

Benjalmin W. Van "/ck (1835-1912) , a successful Poughkeepsie

marble cutter, was the first dealer in this part of ih=e state to introduce granite work to supersede marble.

`

Irish jJrmigrant Daniel David Delaney (1802-1880) injected

life and prosperity into the torn of Beelenan. He discovered iron in the Syivan Iiake area and star+ed the mining industry there in the 1850's, bringing in other Irish to work his mines. He also built the first St. Denis Church and is buried in its cerretery.

Wappingers I businesEHran and politician Edward torris Goring (1828-1909) seemingly had more irons in the fire than was phys-

ically possible. His businesses included calico printing, coal and iron, insurance, pharmaceuticals, and real estate. He built Goring Hall in Wappingers.

An organizer of the Republican party,

he served as Fishkill town collector, Wappingers Falls village presiden.t, posirmaster, southern Dutchess coroner, pelice justice , E=

and New York assefrolyman. Goring was a chief promoter in creating i]re tcrmi of Wappingers from the torn of Fishkill, and he

helped incorporate Wappingers Falls as a village.

'- Fishkill`s adventurous Henry Du Bois Van ftyck (1823-1901) led

a party that started i=he Idaho City gold strike, ran the Bonaparte Gold & Silver Coxpany, ran a Wells Fargo express to Fed Bluff, and developed the opera house in ltorfolk, Virginia. He

was a Peekskill village president and built the KIinckerbocker Iedge in Fishkill.

Stephen Galatti (1888-1964) , of RIinebeck, was cormnand cap-

tain of the U.S. Army Amfoulance Service in 1917.

He reorganized

the AID-icari Field Service in 1939 and became its directorgeneral.

For his work he was decorated the French Cz.ofa; de

C!2zezpre and Chevalier Z}egfo7t of #o73oz., and the United Sta.tes Medal of Freedom in T94_6.

Itoberi Fisch

112

Elbridge T. Gerry (1837-1927) , descendent of the falrous Dec-

laration of Independence signer, served adrirably as president of the New York Society for i=he Prevention of Crmelty to Children and vice president of the A.S.P.C.A. He was governor of New York Hospital, commander of the New York Yacht Cfub, and chairInan of the state Commission on Capital Punishment in 1886, wh.ice

siJbstituted electrocution for hanging.

Many notable inventors resided in the county.

J. Noah H.

Slee (1861-1943) fou]rded the Ttlfee-In-Cme Oil Cor[pany, and in

1921 was treasi]rer of the American Bi]ch Control lieague founded by his wife, Margaret Sanger. Poughkeepsie carpenter and coal dealer George W. Cannon (1835-1911) patented the New York safety

dirfe waiter and the Diamond Point nail set.

Clove Valley resi-

dent Hamilton Pray (1844-1932) invented the ice plow in 1870,

ithich revolutionized the ice trade in Dutchess Cbunty. Frank Ecinomd (1863-1928) , president of the Fishkill Ianding lt]Irfer cb. ,

invented a wire spring si]ppori for upholstered chairs and car seats. Millbrook's Beriah Swift (1785-1855) invented a cuttjmg Irachine for the dye wcod industry.

Adriral William Har]mess (1836-1902) , a surgeon in the 2nd

Battle of Bull RLm, invented the spherineter caliper for calculating the figure of a pivot. In 1879 he discovered thetheory of the focal curve of the achrc)matic telescope. He Observed the solar eclipse at Des ifeines, Iowa, in 1869, when he discovered corona line K i,474. Adriral Harkness mounted all the instruments in the Naval coservatory, Washington, in 1892, and was

president of the American Association for the Advancenent of Science, 1893.

Clergy Many clergymen of note have resided in the county during its brief hisi=ory. None had Irore of an jxpact on modern theology than French Jesuit priest Pierre TeiThard de Chardin (1881-1955)..

Father Chardin had a doctorate in paleontology, and founded a French paleontological mission in China. Ch one historic esxpedi-

local Burial Places

113

tion to Iamer MDngolia he discovered the first evidence that ` -Paleolithic man had lived in northern enina. Theologically, his thinking was a bridge bedreen religion and science, and he believed in "cosHngenesis , " that everything in the un..verse, including rum, was bound togei=her in conplete organic interconnection and ulty. He ranks as one of the most decisive inffuences in conterrperary Christian theology. Father Chardin is buried in the Jesuit cemetery behind the Oulinary Institute in Poughkeepsie.

Reverend Alexalrder Griswold C`rmins (1868-1946) , the rector of Christ Episcopal Ch:urch, Poughkeepsie, was a nationally known

leader of the ljjberal (Icw) E?iscopal Church. He fought against

all ritul and practices that he thought jxpinged on the "Protestant" character of the church. He was opposed to i) dropping of the 39 articles from the Bock of Common Prayer in 1928, 2) use

of the Zmerican missal as a stostitute for holy cormmion service in 1931, 3) dropping of the word "Protestant" from the title of the Episcopal church in England in 1934 (successfully) . Reverend Orrrins preached in Wesirminster Abbey, St. Paul 's Cathedral, Canterbury Caiul-edral, and St. Patrick`s Cathedral, Dublin. He was best known for his militant churchmanship, and the founderof the Protestant Episcopal Church IIeague.

Reverend Thorns Staughton Savage (1804-1880) , rector of the Church of Ztscerrsion in RIinecliff , was the first missionary sent

to Africa by the Protestant Episcopal church.

There he estab-

1ished a rission in Cape PaJ]mas, Liberia in 1836, and wrote L

pepers and articles on the gorilla, a previously unknori subject in the U. S.

He also wrote on the habits of chixpanzees, which

was pnib;Li:srfued in true Boston Journal of Nde:ural H+stony.

Father Joseph Sheahan (1861-1934) , elevated to Irousignor in 1924 by Pope Benedict, was the dean of Roman Catholic clergy of Dutchess and Putham Counties. He was a vital force in theestablishrrent of Poughkeepsie's Catholic Charities in 1920 , and he led

in the caxpaign to bring about construction of the Mid-Hudson

Robert Fisch Bridge; dedicated in 1930. The largest cross in Dutchess cbunt¥, donated as a Iinemori:i to ifensignor Sheahan, overlocks his grave in St. Peter's Cemetery, Poughkeepsie® Isaac Holzer (1873-1951) was a conservative rabbi and spiritual leader of the famus synagogue in WoHTis, Germany, froml9ll

ap to Hitler's rise to power in 1931. Built in the 12thcentury, it was the oldest surviving simagoque in Germany until the Nazis destroyed it in 1938. Holzer served as rabbi of Texple Beth-El in Poughkeepsie from 1942 to 1946. He brought stability to his congregation during the war years, when ifie ter[ple was small and struggling.

Methodism spread into Dutchess County largely due to the efforts of i]ro energetic clergymen. Rev. Csrmelius cook was one of the first preachers in the Methodist Episcopal Ch:urch in this part of i=he country. He is buried in the ce¥netery at fotter's Corners, IIa Grange, site of the Methodist Church which was removed to Cross Ftoad, Iiagrangeville, in 1866.

-. Rev. FTeedorn Garretson (1752-1827) plfeached the first Meth-

cxiist serlron in Poughkeepsie at the Dutch Church in 1796, andwas a member of the New York Assefroly in 1838. He is buried in the lthinebeck Methodist Cemetery.

The first pastor at Fir.st Baptist church of lbver, organized in 1757, was Elder Sarmrel Thldo (1731-1793) , -whose gravestone

bears an inscription reminding us of our own Irorfality. It reads: A dyLng preacher. I hccoe been ..

To dyi;ng hearer.s swch as iyou Thoiugh deed,, a preache.I. si;LIZ I arr!.

To such. as come rrry gpcroe bo vken.

Iiet this bo lyou a. zbarr]ri;i;ng be Thcde quickly you rrrus+v I.p7,Zoo me.

Philanthropists Ogden Mills (1857-1929) inherited his great wealth from his father, Darius Mills. With his wife, Fhath, he built the fabul.ous Mills Man.sion in Staatsburgh. The architectural firm of MCKjm, Mead, and white, builders of the Vanderbilt Mansion arid other

115

Iocal Burial Places

farous structures, received the Mills' contract. apden was a philanthropist vino donated money to the ifetropelitan Cpera and New York Metropelitan rmseun, and built hotels for indigent nan in the Efroery.

Pavling pbilanthropist AThert To]m Akin (1804-1903) was one of tro I[rm who raised $100,000 to extend the Harlen Division of the New York Central Railroad from Croton Falls to cover Plains in 1848. He built the Mizzentop Hotel in 1878 and organized the Pawling Back in 1849. The Akin Hall Association (1`882) ,

nana for A]ber+ J. Akin, promoted charity, literature, and science.

Akin left a $100,000 endcxAItrmt to be used after his

death for the upkeep of the Association's buildings and grounds, and $50,000 for completion of the library. `A]ber+ J. Akin died

in 1903, ahost loo years of age, and is buried in the Pawling Ftral Cerretery.

Pine Plairrs' Seylrour Smith (1779-1863) left funds to be uti-

1ized after his death for the creation of the Seylrour Smith Ins.titute, an acadenry for the promotion of science and knowledge.

Sarunel Verplanck (1740-1820) , mefroer of the Cbrmittee of

Safety during the Revolution, turned his home, Mt. Gulian, over to the Cbntinental Arny for use as Baron Von Stetoen's head-

quarters.

, BtJ- INDEX

Tcrmi

Cemetery

N-

Date of neath

Age

Zkenia

Arrnda

Guernsey, Dr. besault

12/9/1885

REcson

Dutch

Schenck, Peter H.

9 / 8 /Tf f!ffI;2

T3

toreno

ifereno, Dr. Jacob L. t

5/14,/19 7 4

85

Judsonj Alice Slocrm, Dr. Clarence J.

4/3,/Y94_:_fi

I/2:fi/YffF!fJ

78 77

Carp, Dr. Ebenezer

5/|8/i815

70

Gilbert, Dr. Theeler

6/Iff)/31oAI.ti

56

1

55

Island

Churchyard

Sanitariun St.. Lcke's Bee]enan Apoquague

Friends ELptist

Ftoted_ Fisch

116

Dchm

Cemetery

Date of

'N-

Iteath

Age

Pedin St. Denis

Delaney, Daniel David

2/8/1880

78

hover

B-on, toulse

7 / 4/yf IT3

grF>

Vat ley

Plains -. View

Fishkill Dutch

Brett , Cathaxpa

Cflurchyard Th.ite, Dr. Bartow Edmond, Frank M. ' Fishkill REal

1764

T2/T2/Tfyffyf;2

11/13/1928 t

2/Yf3/TSP;fL

Harkness , Adr. William Slee, I. Noah II. Slee, Margaret Sanger

3/3/Yffff2 6/T3/Tf3ae

Halrmond, Benjamin

9/6/3:frf!is

Van rtyck, Henry Du Bois

3/T|/Tf:f!fffl

Presbyterian Van vyck, Dr. Theodorus

T2/7/TJ#fJ

- irinity

Verplanck , Sarmel

I/T|/TffJfflffJ

ltos evelt Estate

Roosevelt , Eleanor

T|/6/TS:Sf;2

St. J-s

Bard, Dr. Toha

4/I/TITff3 5/eyA/Tfr!frifi

church

llyde Park

Bard, Dr. Sermiel Cier_ty, E.Thridge T.

hills , arden Nesbitt, Henrietta

2/Iffi/YS%| 2/2/Yfflff3 6/T]/Tf!flf;f>

IjaGrange ifethcxfist

Huntington, Dr. George

Patter-` maple

Ludington, Sybil

2/2!f./Txfx#J3

Alth, A- J.

i/13/1903

son

Rural i

±els, Helen G. SLrmer, Mtry

Taker, Mrty Fieri Quaker Hill St. Tohn's

Plains

77

Avenue

Pawling Pavling

Pine

1916

E`7ergreen

Pleasant Washington Valley HollcRT

Bough-Culinary

keepsie Irrstitute

Tho]mburg, S. Ra:ymDnd Hogan, Marjorie M.

1/5/|_Srrs 3/3'1335

1/17/1981 4/TA/Tf!flffR>

Smith , Seymour

11/26/1863

De IIa Vergne, Dr. Benj.

1/ T5 /uf f#f j

Chardin, Pierre TeiThard 4/10/1955

om

74

Iocal Burial Places TChm

Cemetery

Poughkeep-

sie Ftral

mte 'of neath

NEne

2/15/1911 5/I/U%f;2 Ti/4/uf3prn

Carmon, George W.

Cary, Dr. Egber+

aieney, Dr. Clarence 0.

Cleaveland, Dr. Joseph

I/Tl/Tf!ffn

CLrmins , Rev. Alexander

9/2:2:/Tf:f34!f.

Faust, Dr. John Hackett, Charlotte C. Hasbrouck, Dr. Alfred

7/31/1901

uf.rrfi/yfITi 5/9/YfyffR

1/31/1896 3/2!fj/ysf;n 11/10/1896 Perkius , Edward Elsworth 7/T3/YSF;2 T2/T5/YSA:3 Platt, Rfrod P. 2Nf./uf3ae, Poucher, Dr. I. Wilson Reynolds , Helen Wilkinson 1/3/1943

LHckey, Charles P. Mxphy, Thomas Parker, Dr. Edward H.

Salt ford, William Arthur 7 / yf J Nsrlt 2/4/Yff#R> Salt ford, William G.

10/21/1894 11/15/1913 7/T3ri!ffi]!fj

Smith, Zindrev

Smith, William Wallace

Sutcliffe , John

Van Benschoten, John

'

6Nf./Tf!flfJF>

1/prfi/TffA:2

Van nyck, Benjamin W.

St. Peter's Dayley, Jtrm G. W. Texple Beth-EI Ithine-

bek

Methodi s t

church Refornd

I/T2/|_fJ4!F] Sheahan, MDnsignor Joseph 11/2/1934 Tl/2A/YfIT2.

Hirsdans]ey, Dr. Sara

Holzer, Rabbi Isaac

,

7/2/YSF;A

Garretson, P.ev. -Freeborn

9/26/1827

75

Tillotson, Dr. Thomas

5 / 5 /Ifi fx2

gr2

Galatti , Stephen

7/13/19 64 12/29/18 80

76 76

haffin, F. Earl Pray , Harilton

6/5/Yf!%fJ

73 88

Cbrip.g, Edward M.

1/8/YfrNf3

off , Jerres utweet, Clayton E.

1899 1909

Dutch

Thindeck Assn,

Union Vale

Clove

Wappin- Wappingers

gets

Ftral

Washing- Nine

ton

Partners

Savage, Rev. Thomas S.

3/Tl/Tf:ff%2

Bennett, Ma:y Friend

3/YfJ/|_ffHA

Swift, Beriah

4/4/YffFJF]

Thorme , Helen Thorme , Cckleigh

11/11/1952 5/T3/Tfjae,

81 79 75

REbeat Fisch Uchm

Cemetery

Nalne

Date of REth

Age

Washing-St. Joseph 's cbrbetta, Roger

5/28/1974

77

Wingdale south Dc>ver Waldo, Elder sarnrel

9/10/1793

62

ton

REEF.EREcrs Beers , I. H. , Corrirriemor:clebve Bbogr.aphical Recor.a of Du:±chess County, New rock Hash;rr]i"ck, Frark, The ELsbor.y c]f Dutchess Coiuri:beg 3 New Yor2k

T±url:E±il.!q , I_saja!c, ELsboeyi.J of IikbtLe NLne: Partner.s of Nor?th East

Ppecchct cnd pine Ptal;ns3 Nee Tor.k

Maccracken, Heriry INdble, Bttthe Dutchess : the FLoueri;ng of an Amer.bean County Fr.on 1812

Ma!ccracken, Ffenry TfobLe, 07,a Dutchess For.ever: the Stor¥y of c[n frmer.£can County

PLa:E±, Ei5m]nd., The EagLe's ELsf;o]ey of Pougftkeeepsfe: Fr.on the EcurLLest SebbLenen±s

foucher, Dr. J. Wilson and Reynolds, Helen Wi]Jcinson, Ozd Gr]czzJeSbone`s of Dutchess Courtey Reed, NIE5Iit!an, thsbory of Amenda Reynolds , Helen Wi]Jcinson, #czz]rr£Gges cz7+ZCZ I)eczz;fes, I)zftc3feess Coundy3 N. I.31778-1825

Swi:th, JanE¥s F±. , ELsbony of Dw±chess Couriky, New York.

li7ho 's Wh.o bn Ameitca, variiorus VOL:iines

Pozfgfekeepsze Jo2Ar.7`aczz obituaries , Adriance Memorial Ijjbrary,

Poughkeepsie , microfilms and various nen7spapers

syBIL LUDINGTON: IEroINE OF HE REvoLUTION

Iou-a J. Elya StlbLt I;udington' s 40 Tndte _I.bde thaough stourbhern Du;±chess Coun;dy Ln 1777 tocuned

the populace of the Br.btish mono_h_ fr'om I)anbuiey. This vet.sbon of the itde_, deser.i;bed as SybLt Tndghi hcroe toLd i,i_3

bs presented by Louarma Elyq, a thc3higan I.esLdenb i;n±erested Ln .Dutchess Couri:ty hksbor.y .

fybil stroked the nose of i±re colt. Her horse, Star, stcod nearby, keeping a watchful eye on her offspring. Sybil loved horses. She would rather be around then than anything else.

She heard her Irother call for the third time. Reluctantly, she wrenched herself away and wa]ked slowly to the house. Sybil, the oldest of twelve children, always had sonething to do.

In that year, 1777, things were very uneasy and manywondered

what would happri next. itould the colonies renain a part of Ehgland, or would the new j±merica seek her freedom? Thinking these

thoughts, she entered the house, picked up the butter churn paddie and began working it.

Her thoughts were with her father, Henry Lndington, and the rilitia. As a colonel he had many jxportant duties. These thoughts were Irore :inportant to Sybil than keeping house. She wasn't interested in making candles , churning butter, or baking bread. She tco was in favor of breaking away„ from Britain. Her hone and country was America. After the butter churning cane candle making. This she disliked intensely. Even with her

sister Bdecca to help, it was a chore. Her brothers helped -in the fields. In addition to doing her share of household duties she kept a watchful eye on ike younger children, especially baby Martha, who was an active i=ro year old.

Her Irother's concern for

her father heightened Sybil 's responsibilities. The dangers associated with rilitia duty were well-known to the colonists.

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Because of her father's many duties he was only home for short

periods of time. She ]mew he loved then all, but it was her rrDther who held the family together.

The crocus were in bloom and the breeze was warm and fresh.

There were rain clouds overhead, but perhaps they would pass.

Sybil had just finished removing the last loaf of bread from the fireplace oven wiien her brother Jchn came running to tell her that their fai=her needed help in the fields before it started to rain. Her mother was at the river irashing clothes. Sybil ]enew mother would return shortly, so she left the four year old i=nrins, Abby and Arm, to take charge of baby Martha, who was still

asleep. Taking RIbecca's hand, they hurried to the field with John. They were soon finished. As they walked from the field to the house, her fai=her told her that with the British soclose, he could leave at a Irrmren±'s notice with the militia. The Ludington farm was the drillground. Then the call canre to march, tire men of the militia irould assefrole at the farm prepared to fight to make the new Zfroerica a free nation.

On the evening of April 26, 1777, the family had just finished i=heir ewening meal when a persistent knock was heard at the door. Sybil's father hurriedly opened the dcor. A horsenan, totally echausted, staggered into the room barely able to speak betlreen his gasps for air. "The British have raided the stores at Danbury and are marching tcHrard Ridgefield! " Cblonel fudr ington could not leave to sirmnon the mEfroers of the militia to meet. Someone else had to go. The oldest boy in the family, not

yet ten years of age, res too young. Sybil felt it was xp toher to rouse the mehoers of the militia to meet for an assault onthe Redcoats and keep them from marching any farfuer west.

"I wi.11

ride in your place, Father," she said. Ill am a good rider, and Star is a fast ho]=se. I ]mch7 the route. I have traveled itwith you marry Ejrmes.

If I leave at once, perhaps I can get back

before it rains."

She saw the look in the faces of both her parents. Yet she

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Sybil Ludington: Heroine of the Revolution

knew it was something she had to do. Had she been a boy she could have been old enough, although only three weeks beyond her

sixteenth birthday, to join her father in the militia. Perhaps this was one way she cxuld chow her appreciation for her country. She saw her father gathering his belongings and John loading the I[usket. Had he been a fen years older he would have begged to go along. Her father and the rider were ready to leave. After kissing her Irother, and hugging all the children,

her father disappeared into the night with the rider.

The sourrd of the horses ' hooves cantering dour the path that led to the road seeITrd like the beat of distant drums. Shestcxrd with her back to the closed door, facing her Irother, sisters, and brothers. Her thoughts wandered to a similar situation tsoyears earlier when Paul Revere had ridden to warn the settlers of the caring British. He had gone only ten miles when he had b© captured. Would the salre thing happen to her? Dienissing the thought, she gave her Inother a big smile and reaching up, tcok her cloak off the hcok. "Iton't worry,tether," she said. "Iwill be back as scon as I can. I know the roads, and if the rain holds off, it won't take long." "I know you do, Sybil," replied -

+

her rother.

"Be on your way now, and. rna:y God rids with you."

Wrapping her cloak around her, Sybil hurried to the barn.

Quickly she slipped the bit in Star's Irouth, tightened the saddie, and was ready. Siar'.s colt whinnied as Lis Irother prepared to leave hjm alone. He could be lonesone without her and probably..hungry by the tine she returned. After leading Star out of the barn, she rrDunted and made her way tcREard the road. Ducking under a low branch she`-.sac -.broken and hanging lcose, she grabbed

it to take along.

It might come in handy, she thought. Black

heavy clouds hung low overhead withT.`the promise of rain.

She

patted Star's Iure gently, and with a quick jerk of the reins, begari her journey. After reaching the main road, she turned south towards the village of Ca]nel. The first stop was close to hone. She quickly rode ap to the dcx]r, pounded several tines

Iou-a I. Elya

124

with the branch she carried, and called in her loudest voice, '`The Redcoats are in Daltry. Hurry, the militia is ready to ITurch . „

Hurridly, she was again on her way to the nesde house.

She

galloped down the road and through the village of Carmel. There she slowed Iinc]mentarily so Star Could rest, while she shouted the

warning `to all tire residents. After reaching the outskirts of Garmel, she looked back.

She knew when she;saw the lights in

several houses her urgent message had been received. She quickened her pace again, and urged Star to a gallop doun the Horse Pond Fbad tcwards Iia]se Mahopac. It had begun to rain and the dusi=y road was turning to red. This did nc)t slow her pace,. hcIV-

ever, but rather urged her even more quickly from one house to the next. Wet and cold, she tried not to slip from Star's back as i=he horse and rider pressed on, for the mid had made the going treacherous.

There was no way of kncwing how long she had been

riding, but it seemed ljJse hours. She cane to a stretch of barren land. It was ahost jxpossjble t6 see the road. Strange rroises came to fybil above the sound of the rain, and she knew

she had i=o be alert to any and all ,dangers. It was difficult to see the terrain in the darkness, but she knew triere was a stream nearby, and that it frequently overflowed during a hard rain.

In spite of the need for haste, she pulled rein on Star and halted jm order to be sure of her direction. It was then she heard the sound, of the rushing water which seened Irore like a dist:ant roar than a quiet stream. Sybil suddenly knew it Would not be safe to continue on the rmrddy road.

She renefroered a

grassy path she and her father had taken in the past. Dislrounting, she led Star while she searched for the path. Suddenly a flash of lightning revealed the path in the darkness. M)unting Star, she again continued her jourmey on the grassy path. founding on the doors and shouting her warning, she continued tcREard lake Mahopac. Cmce in a flash of lightning she saw water in the distance and knew she was on the right tra`ck. Her horse was

Sybil Ludington: Heroine of the Revolution

125

bedinning to tire. Ijeaning forward, Sybil urged, ''Cbme on, Star, we are on an jxportant mission. The night will scon be over and your little son will be hi]ngry and raiting." The mare 2*

quickened her pace as if understanding the irpertance of the ride .

Skirting the lake, dybil continued her journey. Her cloak and clothes were wet through to her skin. Clinging to Star, she urged the horse to quicken the pace again. A light in the distance kept her attention. Galloping towards it, she scon recr ogrized Captain Jo]m Crane's house.

Captain Crane, good friend

of her father, was one of i=he best officers in the militia. She stopped long enough to disrrount and pound on the dcor with her stick. Crane answered the door hinself . "That are you doingout this time of night, and in all this rain?" he asked. Breathlessly, she shouted her Inessage. Then before he had time to conHrmt, she was on Star and riding again into the night. Her ned destination was Red rfulls. Zifter making several rare stops, she knew her journey was about half over. founding a corner in the road, Sybil saw the village of Peekskill Hollow in the distance.

The rain continued to pour down, and the muddy road was

glass sl[coth in many places. Yet, Sybil knew the militia had to be aler+ed so the Redcoats could be stopped before they penetrated irdand any farther. Pressing on, she shouted her Inessage through the village of Peekskill Hollow. Then turning north she headed up the pike to Horientcx^7n.

Canopus Creek on the north side of Hortentcrm was ahead. She

had crossed the covered bridge over that creek many tines in the pet. It was a falriliar landmark. With a jerk of the reins she started across the bridge. A sudden sound made her cone to an abrxpt halt. The fariliar rhytlrm of marching feet. Was it the British Redcoats, or the American militia? She patted Star and listened. It was then she heard the sound of bagpipes. It was the British! !

That was she to do? That was her next Irove? Suddenly she

Lou-a I . Elya

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felt as young as her sister, Ma]Tha. She choked back tears.

Cbuld she go on, or would they find her and learn of her father's jJper+ance? She straightened in the saddle. She could not let this happen. There were still otheEs to aler+. Gripping the reins, she turned Star off the road and guided the mare through the brush as quickly as possible. The sound of bagpipes still echoed in her ears. They seemed closer. She tried to urge Star

into a gallop, but the brush was tco thick, and instead thehorse slowed to a walk. Frantically, she `tried to renerfoer if there were other houses nearby.

It was theri she heard in the distance a rmn's voice, andrecr cgivzed the words, "Halt, or 1'11 shcx]t!" Stunned, she cane to an abrupt halt. That should she do? There should she go? A1Irost before she had t±Jne to think she heard a shot. FTightened, Siar tcx)k off at a gallop. There was nothing fybil could do but hang on and follow the horse's lead. Finally, e2thausted, and back on the road, Star began to slow his pace. Sybil stopped Star and listened. She no longer heard the sound of bagpipes and mEIfching feet. She also noticed, with relief , the rain had stopped. Continuing i]p the pike tcwards Pecksville, she stopped I

at every house and passed the words of warming.

DaVli was ape

preaching. There was a pink streak in the eastern sky. Yet, iE

s©ed like hours before she saw Pecksville in the distance.

Ttotting her Iinare through the tcrm, Sybil's voice was hoarse and her soaked clothing weighed heavily as it clung tp her. She shouted her irarmj]ng for the last tine. People were already awake and doing Irorning chores. The message spread quickly.

Slcwly she and Star made their way hche. Both were totally echausted.

HCh7 glad stre was that this night was over.

She knen7

her fatlrer in calrmand. of the militia would Irarch to confront the British before the da:y was over. Sybil led Star to the barn.

The colt whirmied when he saw his mother, and jrmediately began nuzzling her. Star rmnched .the hay. q7bil put in the manger and seened content wii=h her baby. The weary girl went to the hc>use.

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Sybil Ludington: Heroine of the Revolution

Then she opened the door, all eyes were on her as she flew into her Irother's arl[is.

How good it was to be home again! +-

rmy tines in the weeks and I[rmths that followed, as'` shewent

about her daily tasks, Sybil recalled the exciting forty mile ride she arid Star had taken on that eventful spring night. It gave her a sense of pride to know, that even though just a girl, she had helped her Country. As a result of her ride the militia and papple had been warned. I.ater the British were soundly trounced at tbe battle of Ridgefield. Sybil Ludington's daring

ride contributed significantly to the safety of the people and the success of the militia on that day.

BIBLICX=RApflf

C±, C:±l, ed.

A Cci2JczZcczde of Pc>2z7'zg 47nez]£ccz7£s, (Iothrop, Ijee

& Shepard Publishing Co. Inc.) , pp. 68-74.

Ephlin, Domld L.

Tfee Gfpz hr#o Oz4±rc)de Pczz4Z I?euez.e, coronet

Magazine, Novehoer, 1949.

Hagstrom's Street and Road Map of Eutnam County, New York, Map ro. 3025.

,

Johason, Willis F.

CoZo7cez±-.Z}2zd£7igto7t, A 44e777c>£z.,

(privately

printed by Charles H. and I.avinia C. Ludington) , pp. 44, 45, 90,

92,

93,

132.

ENacrEtlckifan, ELenry T§.

Ota Dubchess For.ever.: the Stony of an Amer.-

4ccz7t Cc)ap'ztgr (New York, 1956) ,-pp. 386-88.

Poucher, I. Wilson and Cbr-liss, Barbara. "Dutchess Cbunty Men of the Revolutionary E;riod: Cblonel Henry Ludington and His Daughter Sybil, " Jreczr]Z7oc)k, Dutchess Cbunty Historical Soci+ ety, Volume 30 (1945) , pp. 75-82. This article includes a

lengthy peerri written by Berton Braley ca. 1940 in which he

•€ descrjj)es Sybil's ride in verse. It begins: Z}£ste7t, 77ny + ChkLdren, drmd tlou sh;alt heon/Of a tovety fend;yrine Pc[ul Revere....

Wical, Noel.

1,

r7ze Gfz.Z Wfoo Ozt±rode Pcz%Z I?etje2.G, American ifercury

Magazine, February, 1958.

Abel Gunn, Jro (1800-1875) , organist at CThrist

Church in Poughkeepsie for over fifty years and Imisical ccxpsition for piano (below) .

Portrait is in private collection.

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poucaHCEEpslE 's i"slcAL IIEIRITAH (1683-1865)

Barbara Biszick Thaowgh the use of dic[.nde,s, ear.7;g _mcm.i us3cri;pbs , nerospaper.s and other_ pprxpa:rry sources fr.om the pe>ndod3 Ms BLszbck, a

Local hksbor:Lan, has tr.aced the eaity history of rri:usLc Ln Pougfukeepste a:urLpg a peri,od w]hich has been uri;tit her zbor.k3 ob a eure .

Poughkeepsie's rmsical legaey during the period 1683 to 1865

is not large. Presently, there are fewer than twenty itens whose origins can be directly attributed to Poughkeepsie residents. Consequently, it has been necessary to use secondary material to fill in the missing dimensions and provide the chronological continuity lost over time. In this way, speculation about the function and ixpact of these rmsiaal items on the lives of local residents can be made. This study uses this nether to trace the develc>prnent of rmsic in Poughkeepsie from 1683 to 1865.i The period from 1865 to the early twentieth century was discussed fully by Helen Andrus.

From the tj]me of its settlement in 1683,3 Poughieepsie served as the hLib of Mid-Hudson Valley trade for EHnall inland

settlernents. It developed because of its central location on the river and its easy access from the interior. The settlenent grew slcwly during the colonial period, boasting of only eleven dwellings, bra streets and one church in 1736.4 Because of the

gradual growth of Poughkeepsie, it is only in the late 18th century that Poughkeepsie began to emerge as an entity which was culturally separate from iud-e surrounding county settlenents. rming the earliest period one rna:y surmise the inhabitants had little tine for leisure, so great were the demands of their liveljhcx]ds. MDst of their tine was probably spent preparing. for the hard winters, i.ending to the harvest, trapping and trading. Aside from its mininal use in public worship, the pursuit 129

±a Biszick

130

of rm]sic as an organized leisure tina activity was plfobably

quite rare.

Even well into i]re l8i=h century there are fen7 references to I[usic outside of its use in the church. Michel Guillalne S±. John de a=evecoeur, a farmer from a nearly County, describes secular arusenents which are likely i=o be similar in all the mid-Hudson

area.5 St. Johli.'s letters, written to friends and relatives in his native France, describe the crudities of the colonist's life with wa]rfu and comfort: The ri.alrie I fr.otbc' ndghb perhaps sccmdal£ze you and make you i;magine i;hde zbe meet and ndot together._.

L#juf°.umrksp#adL%gs+Vkg:£moefgn?eotmheer7Ve?#urpe?bm°pein#cLhal.:ns I pealt]g l<mon of no other ciusbon 7rdhich _Ls so wseftit> a:n bends so rri:iAch bo esbchti,sh +,he uri;ken o[:Ill.a Zi.-bbLe sock,eby 7jJhich s2bsbsbs arriong us. Poor

as coe ctte3 tie have riob the gorgeo.us balks, the ha:]on'iorrtous concerts crnd the shaedLL horln of Eurape3 yet u)e dkLccke our hear.bs v}Lth a si,:rr[pLe _N?gr'o ftddie, and w]£5h, our rwm_and wdeer. ac yo7A do vJbth your

dettcbows zbines.6

ntote: St. John refers to the instrument as a Negro fiddle.

IE seems that secular m]sic was for a long tine associated with tire black slaves. Many households had slaves to help with oca]pational and dcnestic drties. Newspaper notices describing runawa:y slaves provide some of the earliest references to rm]sic in foughaeepsie.

Francis Filkin was a oouritry storekeeper and kept as many as sewen slaves between 1736-46, iHro of which were said to have fled his hone. According to Maccracken, these i]ro were Irmsical and enjoyed gathering in social places.7 "Rbber+, a runaway,

took his fiddle with hin.

Zack played the fife and flute."

_unceracken gives Ii.o reference to his soLirces and may have been mistaken because the names of lteberi and Zack are not found alnong Filkin's slave roster.8 HCREever, these names appear in tso slave runaway _Trotices later in the centny.9 In each case,

the rm]sicality of these slaves was clearly described.

Then blacks were called into the service during the War for

Poughkeepsie ` s Musical Heritage (1683-1865)

131

Independence, th.ere was little Irotivation for then to fight.

They had b© born and bred slaves, and at the end of the war they would be returmed to slave status. HCIvever, for sore, wartrfe service was their first taste of i=he broader world. Then it was over, Irany did not return home. The June 17, 1779 issue of the New York Packet and Am Advertiser reads: One 7undred dotton rerocttd:

A Negiro man narried

Caesctt. . .served Ln the amay and then never petu:rned home. Scied man b8 about 28 year.a of age and ;:,s stender. made. He p_t_eye zbett on the vbo7,i;n and bs a corr[pLacen± feLLco.

Thiis notice represents the earliest reference to any individual in the county who was involved in the making of music as a

leisure activity.

The plethora of newspaper advertisenents concerning the Iusicality of blacks oonpared to whites Imrst be seen in proper perspective. 1qren evaluating these exalTples , one rust renefroer that blacks were encouraged to learn. rmsic and were often supplied wi.th I[[usic and instruments by their masters. This brought prestige to the slave comer, as well as increasing the value and I[urketability of the slave. Then the slave ran away, often this property also disappeared with then, an added loss for the slave owner. Thites rna:y have been as rmsically active, but fen had occasion to appear in newspaper notices.

During the 1760 's tension built bedreen the trade crmtrolling Eiglish colonists and the Eingland of George Ill. The well-to-do families of Ner7 York City fled northward up the Hudson and settied in the uppr counties to escape the sxpression.L° With then cane genteel manners and lifestyle, including refined leisure tine activities. Since this ~was a far cry from the rustic groghouse gossip, cockfights and horseraces common alrong the

lower class irthabitants , the elite Confined their armsenents to 11 their parlors and. private halls.

A letter dated January 13, 1785 tffiLten by 19 year old Silas _nfarsh while he was studying law in Poughkeepsie gives strong

Barbara Biszick

132

indication of just how highly regarded the art of dancing was as an earlrark of. refinement and proper breeding. The letter also provides an arm]sing list of who's who on the fedale social list: I thi;yck` I mertekoned Mr.. Iionr.once to you.

HLs

per'son fs ve]ey tall3 his faces homez;y. As bo his m&atal quad;htbes hoe bs a person of good rror.ale, sense c[nd iwdgenen±3 though I think nob of Genius. His educctebon bs goods and he has consLder2abze kncozedge of the zbor.Ld3 by being Ln the orrray, e+,a. 3 but he bs sonething sbLf I a:nd forrrial.

I totd tlou Mr.. KJend had a gpecde

apt;ndon of hi,m3 cnd so I fc[nc!j he has of himself:Lnde does not dance rnor.e than Mr.. Kent.

How unfortunate this was for Btr. Kent and Dtr. IIalFTence.

Dto

matter hc]w irorldly one was, the art of dali.cing told the whole

story. Luckily, within a year, Poughkeepsie hosted its first dancing school and undoubtedly, Mr. Kent and Mr. I.anTence were

arng. the pupils. 11 Social dance was undototed]y popular and common to the par1ors of the elite. But hcIV were such arrmsements regarded by the general public? In the April 21, 1789 edition of the Cc)247'zt2r¥/ Joz4r.7+zczZ, there appears a very serious warming from Sheriff Herlran

Hoffinan to the Ijadies and Gentleman of Poughkeepsie, who he believed had scheduled a dance at the Poughkeepsie Court House: ``1 do therefore, as Sheriff of Dutchess Cbunty, give pchlic

notice against making use of said room for such purpose, as the Iranagers of such dance hall answer the same peril".

This pi]blic statenrent by the Sheriff , seems to have been

proI[pted by the considerable inappropriate use of the hall. The strength of his warming indicates a strong conviction against conducting social armsements in ptolic halls , d6nfining them instead to Irore priva+e establishments. Facing serious aonsgr quences, the young peppl= responded tersely that they had never intended to dance in a prison and that another room, presumably a private one, had been procured for that purpose and the dance irould go on.

Our only actual Iusical source for the period 1683-1795 is

.

Poughkeepsie ' s Musical Heritage (1683-1865)

133

the Henry Livingsi=on, Tr. manuscript. Henry Livingston, Jr® , horn in 1748 and died in 1828, resided at Locust Grove, nCi^7 the

Youlng-torse IIistoric Site in Ponghkeepsie. He was an extrenely versatile Inan and has been the stoject of local and regional interest for many years. He was a mapmaker, painter and also

able in both the violin and flute. He was also an excellentpeet and is believed to be i=he original penman of our most falrous folk

peen, "The Night Before airistmas". Henry's sizable folio contains 204 pages of handwritten vocal and instrumental pieces.

The selections reflect a broad Irmsical interest which includes fo]k alrd fiddle tunes , selections from ballad operas , Irarches , patriotic songs, psa]ms and hyrms. But what can these sheets of handwritten m]sic tell us of its author? That did this manuScript. neat to Heny?L2 Because one quarter of the selections have been found to exist elsewhere in ptolished sources, it is suspected that this Iinanuscript was a repository for Henry 's favorite tunes rather than an exercise book for original coxpositions. Still theremay be a fen original Livingston pieces alrong the leaves and by cxxpleting source identification of the tunes , these pieces rna:y cone to light. ife are encouraged by the fact that Henry washoth a prolific poet and a ooxpetent rmsician, and a merger of these arts in such a creative individual seers natural. The size of the copry:bedk indicates it probably covers a long period in his youth or midlife. Tunes such as "God Save the King" where "King" is crossed out and "Cbngress" has been added, suggest a copydate

sonetjme after i=he Revolution. Indeed these pieces are surrounded by Irony tunes which bear ptolishing dates in the 1780 's and 1790 's. Positive dating of the manuscript renairs specula-

tive until all of the pieces can be identified in published sources .

Another outstanding feature of the collection is the large n± of secular Irmsic. The rmsic instruction manuals from the period indicate a conservative view tchrard rmsic.13 In fact, as

Barbara Biszick

late as 1830, string instruments were still Considered the 'twiles of the devil", with one church elder threatening to put

his foot through a cello if it were brought into the choir loft.14 Cia Fchruary 24, 1789, AbsalcHn Ai"ell ptolished a short, but poignant a]±icle on "Musical Instnrment Makers" in the Co247`ztr¥/ Jc)L4r.7'zczZ. In it he extols the virtue of Iusic throughout ancient and. modern tj.mes and goes on in the follcwing manner: . . .There one three ki;nds of c[rivmals zbhkch hcrde rr[uf3bc-hogo c[n ass3 and the devLL. Th;ks uJe see in pcttb ver.Lfoed i;in oujp ourn ch:un[.ches.. For.3

u]hen good Trrusbc3 7j)hether vocal orp Lnstrumenbal

TrrusLc, Ls ;intr.odueed into a church3 i;here crre afroeys a rurriber of peapze who c[re possessed of one of the chove and;male bo s7Ach a degree thcrd they i;rmriedicidez;g , cte the sound 5her.eof, go cacatl 3

just; as the evLt sp£]edt did fr.om Saul3 zjJhen Dcrobd pLeyed be for.e him.

in short, kb 7j)LZZ

drive the devbz out of them3 or: drive then out of the church.

It's not difficult to i.magine Henry as the secret perman of Mr. Ailurell's little sermrm..

For Henry was the epitome of the

Renaissance man and his interest in art went far beyond the art of ptolic worship. Sore of the m]sical exaples such as "Iiivingston's March" show irmocent pride in his family heritage,

foughkeepsie I s Musical Heritage (1683-1865)

135

while others are dcrm:]right .risque. Cme piece is entitled, "Dams Votre Lit", which, translated, means, "In Your Bed". The verse

•`iedds as follows :

`

e soft confessbon` make rrry fchr a z[]bth Lt gted Trr!d rap+v:ur>ed e.ap

a Ln retu]en I'tt sw`eon I;o thee h thousand uorde I'd gfroe to be your bed, ch `your bed, Ln your bed, Ln tlour bed.

Titles with feHule nalinE±s are prevalent, with one nana reappearing often, the nape "Nancy".

There seerns to be sons

greater than rusical interest in one Nanny Crooke, a local beauty for whom Henry wrote a Rebus, in 1786.

Of the young lady he

unites : •The Lnbtbal-s of these bf aedusted _with a_one Wbtt chow you -the fad,I.isb cher.e thouegmds ?re fat,r The sb]eeb -pr.ettg _g_race:s .stiz,I f a.over .PPout. Pep3L4

And Capbd -would die with veca.cndon tobthout her.

The Irmuscript titles include some extraneous ones such as "Nanny thting's Frisk" and "Nanny Davison". But also included are "Iovely Nanny", "Variatio to Lovely Nancy", "Minuet in Nanny", and "How Can You Iovely Nancy" .

rmsic coeybcxjks such as this were not uncommon during the

latter half of the eighteeni=h century. Francis Hopkinson, a noted early JHnerican I[usician and amateur caxpser, conpiled one in 1759.15 usical diaries were not necessarily inspired by unavailability or excessive cost of ptolished music manuals and collections. These were freely available in the larger urban centers. Father, they were regarded as a piece of useful Irmr orabilia, an acceptable Ii[teans of dabbling in rmsic, of practicing the art of notation, and perhaps even of pursuing some amateur

atteapts at ccxpsition. Still, iE is paJ±icularly unusual to find an eighteenth century gentleman so thoroughly lrmersed in the a]ts, at a trfe when the appellation, "rmsical enthusiast" , meant nothing less than "crac]xpot".16 It was sacially acceptable, even fashiorwhle,to practice rmsic in ones spare tine, as long as one retained a firln grip on practical lrratters. Living-

Barbara Biszick

136

ston's productivity during the period bed^7een 1784-1794 is astounding. NIrmerous pieces of prose and peetry were ptolished in +ifue Nee Fork Mbpr.or. a:nd L+terany Reposbto]ey befafleen L]9L94.

The magazine even used several of his sketches as frontpieces for its issues. Of his 44 kromi pieces of peetry, all but one originated during .this ten year period. Therefore, one might conclude Herlfy de\7oted hilriself as diligently to his rmjsic during this sarre period.

The cause for Henry's near total jrmersion in the arts during this period need Irot remain a nystery. For it is exactly these years that Henry remained alone after the death of his first wife, Sarah, in 1783.

muren he once again married in 1793, his

creative output decreased considerably. Apparently Henry turned

his attention to the Irore practical matters of rearing and supperting a large family.

The eristence of this e2qquisite rmsical diary has delivered the historian from the nighi±e of speculating about the developrrrmt of Imrsic and its place in the life of the county. Although both its size and crmten:t are notable, fen conclusions can be draVli with certainty. Rather the rmaterial should be used with other inforlnation about the development of the arts such as, local poetry, painting, drawing and dancing. Perhaps from these the meanj]ng of Imsic in the lives of local residents may become

clearer a]rd its place with other leisure activities can be defined. Musical instnrments frcm the period, rarely ar7ailable in small places like Poughkeepsie, add to the understanding of the use of leisure tine. Cme such instrument, ncIV jn a private Collection, is a clarinet originally Ch7ned by leland Tewett. It win believed to have played in a militia band in 1775. It also rna:y have been played in the band which escorfed General IIafayette from the river to his hotel Tthen he visited Poughkeepsie in l824.

Its maker or distrifeutor was E. Riley but the location of his

studio or shop is not clear.

The period bei=reen 1795-1830 was one of tremendous g]rmrfeh and

Poughkeepsie ' s Musical Heritage (1683-1865)

development for Poughkeepsie.

137

The newly chaJ±ered village became

a center for developing industries. Although shipping betIveen foughkeepsie and New York City had been active during the 18th century, the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 stirmlated increases in shipping and trade. This period was characterized by great secularization. Mentions of concerts , private instructich and rm]sical instruction as a pa]± of school curriculum, as well as notices of instrumental rmsic became-rare frequent.

The first reference to music in a ooncer+ setting occurs in i

the Po24gfekeepsze Jo2A2r.7'zczZ, Ma:y 13,1800.

A jourmalist who attend-

ed the concert spoke highly of its professionalism and added that "vocal rmsic is a very proper pa]± of ptolic worship, anornarrenal acccxplis]rmelTt and Irore than an:y of i=he fine arts, tends to Civilize and harmonize society. "L7 The Irmsic history of Poughkeepsie during this period is based 1

prjJurily on the Sacred rmsic developed at christ Church.18 This English church was a powerful force in the cormmity, and following the liberal practices of the IrDther country, the choir developed as an ixportant par+ of the service. The rendering of organized. and tuneful sacred rmsic was a concern as early as 1773, whorl the church cha]±er conferred upon the rector the prh7er to appeint a clerk to assist him in performing divine services. And until 1800, it was tire function of this clerk to lead thecongregation in responses. Thus evolved the layman's function of the choirmaster. In fact, i=renty. years after 1808 Christ Church crmed i]re only organ in Poughkeepsie. nfost residents involved with n[usic professionally were associated with enrist enurch.

Jereriah Se]kriggs , chorister in 1807 , conducted a singing schcol for beih vocal and instnrmental music. Notice of his instnnentat conceit, perhaps the first by his Fusileer Band, appears in |8og.L9 He was followed by Gideon Mosely who assured the pest in

1811, and has been called Poughkeepsie's first vocal teacher.2° I]ed by these choristers, Christ Church developed a volunteer

choir, often very. large but as often of dtoious skill. Spectac-

Ba±bara Biszick

ular Christmas services attracting residents of all dencminations were oomnon, often augmented by the pupils and teachers of the College Hill School. The tradition was discontinued in the 1860 's because of complaints of regular parishioners and risk of fire in the overflowing church.2L In the 1820 's, ng„spapers were vehenently paJ±isan and the charges made, whether true or false, were made with the fiercest. convictiolrs. In 1826, there were bra major parties, and tl^ro major newspapers.

The Pc>ztg72keepsfe Joz4r.7'zczZ reflected the Repto-

lican attitude, which supported inamfoent governor ltewitt Clinton and ldne Poughkeepsi,e TeLegr.aph and Obser.ver. fzTNored the

Regeney Party, also called the Bucktails which were influenced

by Martin Van Buren. The strong party unity errong local H±rs and lacal ca:mpaigning resulted in a heated race. On Noverrber 9, a fen days after the narrow Repchlican victory, Dr. Robert RExon of foughkeepsie wrote a letter to his son, David Dto2son, in Onondago County to recount the exciter[rmt.22 The Reptolican Party a]nsisted of some very ahoitious local residents, including one Richard D. ravis and a Mr. T. Van Kleek.

Dr. nto2son tras reminded

ky the latter to mention a song oc)xposed on the night of the election as a promotional scherre to keep ap the party spirit in the eleventh hour. Although nto=ron clains that this "New kepto1ican Song from Milan" was the ccalposition of EL. Davis, the

verses are set to a tune Irmde pepular by the well-]q"m Scottish caxposer, Rc]bert Burns. As for the eight verses, each apear with the initials apparently of party mEfroers, probfoly indicating that rm=. Davis iras resporsjble for collecting, arranging and engineering the performance by Harry R]uers, infro is said to have Jt.sung it with rmch glee". The melocly dated to a piece urittenas early as 1578. Three verses frcHn the pelitical version appear below. The second verse refers to the BLidstail candidates, Benjamen "Dodmard, the senate nominee; Steve refers either to assefroly delegate Stejhen whom or else StEphen D-. VanvG7ck. John refe]=s to Jchn Dodge-, assefroly delegate,--as .des caadich~ HLi=]s.

Poughkeepsie 's Musical Heritage (1683-1865)

139

A NEW REPUBLICAN SONG FROM MILAN

i

John And;er.son rrry jo John Im tr.wbh zbe c[re cidL citi,vd

The eLeetion now Ls condng on,.

And Lther.dy shall, thr.Lve Wer.ever. heonb and hc[nd Tray John

Our bLood begins to gLon We'ZL meet then cnd toe'LL becrfe them John A:mderson ny jo John Amderson Tray jo John Ther.e's Woodear.a Ben to spLbe us And u)ood;en Steve and toooden John And zbo6den Oby TLtus

.``

And then for.sooth Tray honest John Comes Pendlebon the Becun We'LZ meet him c[nd toe'LL becde him 'Johm Amber.son ny jo

John Amder.son Tray jo John We'LL shew them nobLe spor.t Success bo Hem[ry H:unrat;ngbon And Bet:hag:p toe 'ZL sappor.t Tom Oalckey bs our. mc[n John

To Congr.ess he shalt go ` We'LZ meet them and v)e'LL becit them John Ander.son rrry jo

The only other Im]sic related iten orignating from PoughkeeE+ sie during this period is called 4¢ztsdcczz #£scezzcz7zgr; a collec-

tion of lyrics from 65 songs which were papular in foughkeepsie in 1816. They are of Patriotic, Yankee, Irish and Scottish origin but are Irot set to lusic.23 Such songsters were cx]ITIron,

and by pairing these lyrics to local Iusic of the period, we can recreate these pieces. Although it has been ascertained that Henry Livingston I s manuscript was probably coxpiled about tventy

years earlier, patriotic tunes such as "Yankee Itodle" renained virtually unchanged for rrrmy years. Pairing the lyrics contained in this songster to the Irmsic in the Livingston manuscript provides a reconstruction of the version of "Yankee Itoodle" which Iina:y have been pc)pular locally around the tine of the Revolution.

The period bei=reen 1830 and 1850 is characterized by grave

instability. The grclth and expansion of the earlier period continued until the late 1830 's, when a great depression swept

140

±a Biszick

the nation and many local industrialists with the exception of Matthew Vassar were ruined. But early in that decade, we have reason to believe that Poughkeepsie ranked arrong the first cities ) in our rration. Ptoted journalist Freeman Hunt called attention to

this picture perfect town in several ar+icles he wrote for a mtional travel magazine from 1835 to 1837.24 He painted a fairy

tale picture of the city, with level streets, tastefully designed residences , handsome and sprightly businesses and noble educational irrstitutious. In this category, toughkeepsie ranked alrong the very best. RTMrm as the "City of Schcols", it drev students 25 f]=iom every pair of the nation.

The f±e schools, called seninaries, are especially pertinent to our study'. Py this tine, the fenale education had become a Irajor concern, and Matthew Vassar had already canter+

plated his fete college. In the meantine, the other institutions provided a well-rc)unded background which included instruc-

tion in domestic skills, literature, language, and science.

Iustrmction in the female seminaries included rm]sic as paid of the curriculum, along with other polite arts, such as French, dicing, draping, and all forms of ormanental needlehrork long

before any evidence of such instruction in male institutions.

Tto voluTes of sheet rmsic which belonged to Sarah .andAletta Ward, Irv in possession of the Du±chess County Historical Society, provide a good saxple of rmsic fran the period. The Wards mere probably..an xpper middl.e cl.ass family who resided in Pleasant Valley. The father owned a mill there and was assisted by his son, Alson. A diary kept by Alson describes the falily's

weekly participation in the village choir. The sheet music collected here was undoubtedly purchased at one of lbughkeepr sie's fine boc)k and music stores. Since the finer educational institutions were `1ocated at Poughkeepsie, one can conclude hath of the sisters boarded there during the school year.

Aletta Zion, born in 1819, was twelve years older than Sarah.

There are 104 selections of sheet Imsic, rmlry of theni with their

Poughkeepsie I s lfusical Heritage (1683-1865)

141

"Springside Mazurka" corxposed

by Charles Grube for piano.

'The music was dedicated to lfatthew Vassar' s surmrer residence in Poughkeepsie.

Courtesv: Harold REowlton.

title pages missing.

It is likely that this was done for econ-

orny's sake, although sore of the florid titles remain. Hcwever,

the absence of title pages makes it dif fioult to determine ptolishing and edition dates of many of these pieces. The factthat both volumes appear with the sisters ' maiden names indicates that the pieces were purchased and bound sornetine prior to their marriages. Indeed, those dated items in Aletta Ann's bdek reflect the Irmsic of the 1830's; she was married in 1840.

Aletta's vol-

ume reflects a serious and sentimental nature. Selections include excerpts from European ballad operas , American Ballad aperas , religious , and sentimental pieces concerning seafaring.

Pieces such as "Pilot on the Deep" reflect the local interest in our thriving though shor±lived whaling industry in the 1830 's.

Sarah was married in 1850, and her volunie deals with musicof the 1840's. It is niore frivolous and whimsical than her sis-

ter's, containing many ethnic oriented pieces such as Irish jigs and reels, Swiss 'Iyrolian waltzes and black minstrel tunes, rer flecting the great surge of jrmigration which took place in the 1840's. A fen items are for thra performers, including one piece

by Oliver Shaw called, appropriately, "The Sisters". Music and

inforlination about rmsic in Poughkeepsie is also referred to in other sources.

EELbea Biszick

142

rming the schcol year 1848-1849, George Seylrour, a 15 year

old student of the Cbllege Hill schcx)1, kept a diary in which he I{rmtions rusical events.26 Among these are an entry describing a soiree given at the school on January 12,1849.

Mr.. Bapttet had the two pfc[nos put on the Stage ` i;n the schoolr'o_om upon ch_bah.Mr. .Gr.ipe

and sore of the schoLar.a tier.e bo pzey _in th_e eov,eentboncgif.T]hechco°uzd%hibmek9atnhetr°ecw°emreechch°ouw±±8i5o per.sons -pcrny as;embz,ed present. LnAfter' thp _p_on?or' a _shor.t±o±Lme hec_I the in:I:fbc. .Com-Fbirst5 Mr.. Gr.the and his br.other pteye9 a the -on the laDo pbo[:mos. Then3 Mr. G.rthe tobth h;hs br.other. on the vboLLn c[nd Mr. SL:rrrpson on

a br.ass chstr.w:rieat pLeyed on a beouitful bane.

The Grde brothers were important figures in foughkeepsie `s history. both taught and performed here. Charles organized "Cbncordia", foughkeepsie's first orchestra. He also cxxpsed "The Springside mzurka" , a fine piano piece dedicated to Matthew Vassar's summer residence in Poughieepsie.27 It appears to have

± written several years after the Seylrour diary.28 Another I[usical piece featuring the piano which predates the Seylrour diary is a set of four short figured dances entitled `'The toughkeepsie Quadrilles". Their coxposer, William Srith, and arranger, a. A. Burditt, remain a nystery. They do not seeri to have

± foughkeepsie residents , but they rust have been intimate with the area since the four pieces bear the names of four local cx)unties: Dutchess, Putnam, Orange and Ulster. lished in 1843 by Charles H. Keith in Ebston.

They were pLfr

Mr. Seylrour also outlines some local event ky transient perforners. Traveling rmsic groaps became pepular erring this pericxl. It res a kind of l9th century va:ndeville featuring edraordinary ensermbles in the celebrated style of P. T. Barm]m. child prdigies , family acts , and pP;ysically handicapErd performers au fond an enthusiastic audience himgry for sensai tianalism. But it was the minstrel chch7 which dren7 the greatest attention. These blackfaced white perfomers inrere the rage

.,`

Poughkeepsie ' s Musical Heritage (1683-1865)

143

throughout the 1840 's and Seymour recounts hcw on Christmas night, 1848, sore school boys dressed as colored gentry, marched

about the play hall alrd sang songs. r,, Minstrel songs are abundant in Sarah Ward`s collection.

Several itens by Stephen Foster appear, made pqpular by Edward Cfrisi=r of the falrous Christy Minstrels. The aft of minstrel has been called the first thoroughly American Irmsical theatre phenor[+ enon. It`s purpose was that of ha]mless entertainment. Blacks were generally portrayed as innocent, hihole and sentimental souls, full of joy and song and dance. Many performers endcwed their characters with a great deal of insight and cormion sense, bringing to light the truth of a good many oontelTperary issue through coined:y. The t]pical minstrel was plagued by consistent tJ

-^.

malapropiEHns vthich added to his comic demeanor.

This "stump

speech" as it was called is apparent in several Stephen Foster oonpositions such as "Nelly Bly", "0 Susalmah" and "De Blue Tail , Fly" v\inich appear in the Ward Collection.

A ccxpsition found in Aletta Ward's Collection by a local oorxposer may well be the earliest piece published by a Poughkequ sie resident. "IIet Us Iove Cne Another" was written by a local oonposer, Abel Gunn, Jr. , Aletta's piano teacher. Abel was responsible for marry Poughkeepsie music firsts. He is reputed to be Poughkeepsie's first instrument builder.29 He was Poughkeepr sie's first perlranent organ teacher, and Poughkeepsie's first professional musician, playing organ at Christ Church.

And he

was the first, and undoubtedly the last, person to hold thatpost for 53 consecutive years! From 1809, at the age of 9, untill862 Abel performed thunder and lightning every Sunday from the cfirist Church Gallery.30 `'Iiet Us Iove Cme Another" was published by Firth and Hall of New York sanetine before 1840.3L Because of

his longstanding Irmsical activity, one irould think that Abel would have been a prolific ccxpser. HCIvever, to date only one other piece has been found.

"The Arabella Waltz" was published

by Cleveland and Rfed in New York in 1855.

Cleveland and Reed

Barbara Biszick

144

had a local armex in Poughkeepsie which probably distrjbutedmany

pieces of rusic.

The cork is now preserved at Adriance Library,

I.ocal History foam. `Ihe pried between 1850 and 1865 provides rmch in the way of

rusic.

Poughkeepsie e:xpanded into a thriving city of some l2,000

residents. Prordrent educational institutions took rcot, such as Harvey Ftst© Business College, which educated sorre of the IrosE successful businessmen in our country's history. Also, Vassar Ferale college was incorporated in 1861. Business activity had increased and generally the period was one of growtht Interest in music pralleled these expansions and became extrerrely prolific. In 1857 there was a thriving rmsical airosphere. Several frok binderies, including the Cleveland and Reed armex, advertised sheet rm]sic, pianos and melodeons. Also, a brass band foundry is cited in the City Directory, along with seven pian6 builders. There were four professors of rmsic, one music teachE=

er, and three individuals listed as musicians.

Vassar Cbllege created a great surge in rmsic edrcationwhich had an inprct locally and in man:y parts of the country. Incorperated in 1861, it opened its doors in 1864. Before long it enjoyed conservatory status , attracting rmsic students from all over the country. These young imanen were sought out as teachers by nurmerous institutions both in the east and midwest. Thermsic

faculty consisted of one professor and seven assistants during early fen years. Edward Wiebe was the principle teacher and apprently was a cc>xposer. A solerm vocal piece called "Cbnsolation", published in a set in 1857, by Davis and Cb. in New York,

predates his association with the college. It is in the possession of Vassar college.

In the field of ptolic education, rmsic was added to the schcol curriculum.

Dfusic instrmction boc}ks prior to 1855 cx)n-

tained only cords and were called "songsters". Each student crmed a Inanual and were taught the tunes by ear or on a blacktxard in class. nco of these songsters are extant.32 The first

Poughkeepsie I s rmsical Heritage (1683-1865)

was ptolished by G. W. King in Poughkeepsie in 1854.

145

King is

said to have been Poughkeepsie 's first pthlic school rmsic teacher.

He was succeeded by Fhos C. Andrus who replaced the King

bock with his own ptolication, entitled the "Fh]ral Songster".

But within a year, he became dissatisfied with .the words without rmsic method and adopted a nonlocal ptolication called Tfee j3oZ747t I?edz7zoeczst S47tg477g Book.33

This edition provided both words and

rmsic, as well as an 'extensive preface providing the rudinents of rusic .

Music societies began to appear during the 1850's. The Poughkeepsie Union Musical Society was organized along with the Germania Singing Society. Fred Reichardt led the Germania Singing Society and was known to have conposed at least three rm]T sical pieces. one of these, "The Poughkeepsie Polka", preserved at Adriance's focal History foam, was pi]blished in Nen7 York by Horace Waters in 1853. However, it is the Beethoven Society

which gives the best Expression of corm]nity interest in rmsic.

It was organized as an interdemminational , nonprofit institution dedicated to the encouragenient of the study and performance of sacred rmsic by both arm±eurs and professionals. The Society was shorElived, disbanding after only three years. A typical concert program furnished hr Vassar College rna:y provide a clue to explain its demise. Although claiming pa]±iality to sacred music, a]rd advertising "amateurs welcone'' , their program consisted of sore of the most highly virtuosic secular music available at the time.

Pieces include the `'Finale to Lucia di Ijalrmerlrcore" ,

and selections from "Atilla", by Verdi. The lighter pieces include "Hazel Dell and Old Josey", and "Pop Goes the Weasel", both a far cry from "Nearer Dry God to Thee". This seems to have been

` tire trend at the tine; sacred music being pushed into the background except in the churches.

But to at least one Porighkeepsie resident, sacred music was a vital pert of daily life. Harmah Morgan's handwritten rmsic I[uriuscript dated 1853 and now in possession of Adriance Afrorial

Barbara Biszick

146

Library contains 142 exaxples depicting a devoted Christian and rusic erithusiast. Although the recorded date on the front binding is 1853, the manuscript covers a 29-year period, representing a lifetime endeavor and a treasury of Harmah's Irost falrous and useful tunes.34

Selections such as `'Nearer nqr God to Thee",

"Stand tJP for Jesus", and "Waiting by the River" are attributed

to several available local collections, such as Isaac V±ury's Zhazcz77zez., Icwell Mason 's Vc)cczZ+st, The Methodist Episcopal

Church's j7czz"o7zzst, and George Kingsley's Tfee Sczcz.ed C7zofr. Sev-

eral publications by Virgil C. Taylor are also cited. Taylorwas

s±at of a celebrity here. He resided in ft)ughkeepsie for several years and directed the choir at the First Refornd Church, and his publications were nationally knchm.

They in-

cLxrdie, Sacr.ed Mtnstret , The Gotden Iiyr.e , an!d The Pr'ahse Offeitng.

All provided detai.led instructions for the teaching of sacredrmsic.

TwentyLone of the 142 exaxples in the Harmah nforgan manu-

script have been identified in these sources, and the other pieces bear sjlnilar notes as to their origin. Therefore, it is ulikely that any of these are Hannah's own orlpesitions. Hchr ever, one piece is an original foughkeepsie ccxpsition by one Fiev. G. Cbles.

It is a funeral kylm written in IrrmDry of Cath-

erine Reylrolds, a devout parishioner, and is entitled "toughkeepsie" . tine could suspet that the Civil War which broke out in 1861

right have had a devastating effect on this healthy rmsical enviromTrmt. Indeed, r the enlistlnent drive drained toughkeepsie of ITrmy of its instnmental rmsicians whose talents were sought for the rilitary bands. And the econcrdc pressures ended "frivolous"

spending causing many instrument building establis±ts in foughkeepsie to fail. But rmsic could still be heard in the concert halls and schcols as frequently as ever.

Fiesidents

haded tcxpether to stage fairs and benefits for the Patriotic Fund. Soirees mere hosted by the ladies of the fenale seninaries, and ahost any neslof a northerm success proxpteda parade.

Poughkeepsie 's Musical Heritage (1683-1865)

147

All of these events elTployed rmsic abundantly. The best record we have of rmsic activity during the Civil War years are the diaries of Matthew Vassar, t Jr.35 Nephew of the founder of Vassar College, he was a nefroer of the Lyceum of Iiterature and ifechanic Arts which ptolished the Po2{gfekeeps.+e Cczsket, a local

literary periodical. He was an eloquent spokesperson, an astute businessman and a civic-minded citizen. He attended every benefit event' and even provided his fast sailing schooner to the governmen't to aid in the war effort. His diaries are peppered with red5rds of flag raisings, parades and benefits.

E=

i=t

V

``r On,april 25,1865, Vassar wrote sadly of rincgln's funeral train which passed through Poughkeepsie on .its way to A]bany.

The Eas':{]man College Band. of Poughkeepsie acooxpanied this train.

Having achieved national rencrm., it had also been featured at Lincoln`s second inaugural parade. .A pair pf drumsticks which were played to roll the dirge as the funeral trail? passed this `t city are now in possession of Adriance Library. Vasser also mentions several songs which were papular at the tj.me. 'Then ` Johlmy Cbnes Marching Home", "Victory at I.ast", and "Red, .white and Blue" are mentioned. "Traxp, Traxp, Traxp", said to be.the

Irost favored patriotic piece alrong Poughkeepsiars , is also nantioned. Indeed, it even appears in the pages of Harmah M)rgan's manuscript and is one of the fen secular.pieces included.+ It is one thing to ta]J{ about this l9th century rusic, but e2ractly what did it seund like? The^ principles of vocal technique have not changed rmch in the last 150 years. The sane ,, . problelins and concerns are reflected in a local literary ,jo+]rnal, the Po2tgfekeepsde Cczsket, ptolished bedreen 1836-1841. . The June

1838 edition refers to the sloppy enunciation of words rendered by singers, which gives more sound than sense to their perform ances. ''Thus", the article asserts, "a phrase such as, 'With reverence let the saints appear and bow before the Iord' , ergs up ^` sounding like 'With rever-ence let the say-ay-aints hopThere, and barflllwclrfimir before the Iord I " .

Edrbara Biszick

i48

But fpiano building was a fairly new occupation.

Pianos were

considered elegarfe pieces of fumitureapretty, but often of dtoious lrmsidal north.

Second-hand itens were acquired for econ-.

cny's sake, falling victin to age and ill repair until they becarre either too useless to play or tco painful to listen to. foughkeepsie had an active instnrment building industry throughout the l9th century. There were several piano and organ Irmufactories, the Iinost irpo]±ant of which was the Wiethan Piano rrrmufactory which operated on the present site of Adriance Men+ orial Library. Iouis Wiethan built pianos in Poughkeepsie from 1837 to 1878 when the business passed to his sons.

Wiethan

pianos enjoyed a reputation far beyond the foughkeepsie area.

Cme of his fine upright pianos survives in the Vassar college music dstrument collection.36 It has a small keyboard of only 74 keys and its Construction is generally Irore antiquated than that found in later 19th century instruments. The wound bass strings extend over the <bridge sorrrdat reminiscent of harpsichord construction. The bridge is in remarkable condition,

attesting to the fine quality of the materials used and the care with which it was constructed.

In the field of stringed instnments, Sarunel and Joseph G]nn, hath broth.ers of Z±bel, Jf . , were active as instnment builders

for at least thirty years. Of the twenty-tso instnments available in 1875, only four remain in the possession of descendents.

The 1820 exali[iple made by Sal"el at age 42 probably represents a

practice or student model. The back is the only area with a clear finish. It is of light coustrmction and the fretboard is i joined to the body with a nail. Notable, hch7ever, is the ornate inlaid Iinother-of-pearl tailpiece. It seers incongruous with the instruneht as a whole, as if scmeone tried to dress Lp a notvery gc>od instrument in order to make ap for its shoriconings. The 1848 exali[ple, also by Salrmel Gunn, has a lovely cherry stain and

is of a Irore professional constrmction with better care taken to the joints and fretboard. The finest example is the 1853violin.

149

Poughkeepsie `s Musical Heritage (1683-1865)

It carries Salmiel Gurm's signature and date. The top is sprmce and the back and sides are a good grade of maple. This instru]ment has been studied by both arra±eurs and professionals over

the years. Generally, they agree that it can stand on its own merits, wii=h one New Haven syxphony player renarking in 1954 it

had better tone than his French-made Irodel.

Wi±±ini the past twenty years, there has been a great awakening to the American rmsic heritage. A great deal of research has been done in the larger urban centers. As the research in larger cities such as New York, Boston and Philadelphia nears coli[pletion, historians are researching rmsic in the smaller

cities in rural settings. This irork is painfully slcw because •,

sources are Consistently obscured, and the work seers unrevardT ing. If the difficult task of reconstructing the American Mu-

sical Heritage is to succeed, it will require a great deal of patience and perseverance. The smaller rural cities rust be placed in a class by themselves, and the futile coxparisons with the larger urban centers lmist be abandoned.

A standard will eventually errerge as Irore and Irore srmall

cities are studied. There is little reason to doubt Poughkeepsie will be seen as a model of Irmsical evolution, much in the same way as it is ncw regarded as a Irodel of gra^7th and prosper-

ity in business arid education during the early part of the l9th century. Although its musical output was small, its evolution proceeded virtually uninterri]pted. It is this consistent develapment which makes Poughkeepsie 's history a significant crmEribution to the study of the Zmfrican Cultural Heritage.

REDLREI YouTlreRENT Division: AV-20020-81-0809 ; May, 1981-Dec.

1981, "The Local Music History of Poughkeepsie, NY (1628-1865) ".

See: Adriance Memorial Ijjbrary, Local History R]om, under

author .

2Pndr\rss, Heheg[„ A Cenbu:I.:y of Music Ln Pougfuk.eepsfe3 NY..190_2-

j9ZZ (Poughkeepsie: Frank a. HCIvard, 1911) .

Although a careful

Barbara Biszick

150

researcher, Ms. Andrus dismisses the first half of the century in 43 pages. The remaining 202 pages are wellndocunented either by items reproduced in the bchk or through newspapers and pto-

lications of the time.

3Sm:LJdn, James H. , ELsto][r!j of Dw±chess Country3 N.Y.1685-1882,

{Interlaken, NY: Heart of the IIakes PLfolishirig, 1980) , p. 374.

4Smi:]ch, James H. , ELsto][r!} of Du±chess Country, N.I. , p. 3]4.

5Reynolds, Helen W. , "The Negro in Dutchess Cbunty in the 18th Century" , Dutchess Cc)unty Historical Society Yeczr?book, Vol. 26 {1941), p. 95. .

6St. John de Creveooeur, Michel Guillarie, in Ske±cfees of Edg72tee7ttfe Ce77tztlr:2/ A777ez.Zcc[, Ed. Henri L. Bourdin, Ralph H.

Gabriel, Stanley Willians, (New Haven, CT: Yale University press, 1925) , pp. 95-96. These letters were written during the 1760's a few miles southwest of Ndfourgh, N.Y. , 7Maccracken, Henry, Ozd I)24±cfeess For.etJer, (Nev York: Hastings House,1956), p.125.

I

8Reyrolds, Helen W. , '`The Negro in Dutchess Cbunty.', Yeclfbook, p. 96.

9Pokg%keepsfe Joarmczz, Ptoverrber 24, 1791, p. 4, col. 2.

Notice submitted by Godfrey Walwin, Oswego, Bedman lt]tm, Octckff 29,1791: "Iannama:y negro, R]beri, 23 years old...is a \

fiddler and took his fiddle with hid. ``

Poztgfekeepsfe Jc)zdr.7'zc±Z, Decerrber 23, 1795, p. 4, col. 4.

Sulmitted by Samuel Agustus Barker, Franklin, Dutchess Cbunty, October 17, 1795:

Cbnnecticut. rid. „

"Fh]navay Negro, Zack, 30 years frurn

Plays the fife and German Flute. Has flute with

T°REng, CfuarLes D. Jr. , H±sto]ay of Edueedon Ln Dwbchess Coz47'ztgr, (Cape May, NJ: Ey author,1959) , p. 32.

`

LLE||is, David M. , Ftost, .ames A. , grett, Harold C. , Carman, Harry I., A H4stcJz?z/ of jvezJ Yoz7k Stczte, (Ithaca, NY: cormell Uni-

versity Press, 1957) , p. 69.

Marsh's letter is on file in Nav York State Library, A]bany,

N.Y.; a note about the first dancing school is in Po2tgfekeepsze c7o2zz27'zczZ Ma:y 2, 1797, p. 3, col. i.

L2Thoq:nas, Dr. William S„ ``Henry I±vingstcmt', Dutchess cOLmty IIistorical Society Peczz?Z>ook, Vol. 5 (1919) , p. 32.

direct descendent of Iiivingston.

ThcHras is a

Poughkeepsie 's Musical Heritage (1683-1865)

151

\

L3 coatny lou:][Inal ot:nd I)zitchess and Utsber Co_rrL_±p Fc[r.met.' s

I?egzstezi, becenber 27,1786, p. 3, col. 4, and fbfd., Januaryl6,

1788, p. 2, col. 4 are the only references to the sale of music Irmuals prior to 1789. They are concerned with ptolications by Daniel Read and Isaac Watt and advertise the availability of Sacred Psa].in and Hylm bodks.

[4Andrus, Helen, 4 C'e7tt%2r]z/ of "ttsfc, pp. 11-12; Reynolds, Helen W. , I)z4tcfeess Coat77tgr I)c>c>z"czgrs,

(foughkeepsie, N.Y. ,1931) ,

p. 203.

L5chase, Gilbert, A777er.4ccz 's „2ts4c, (New York, Mctraw-Hill Book Company, 1955) , p. 100.

L6|bzd. , p. 98.

According to Mary Grace, who is ccxpleting a Ph.D. dissertation on rm]sical instrument makers in Nav York City during

the 19th centny.

L7po"gfekeeps4e Jc7zrmczz, May 21, 1800, p. 3, Col. i.

L8zindrms, Helen, A Ce7tt%rig of 44ttstc, pp. 2-3; Reynolds, Helen

W. , The Records of Chris-t Chach, (Po"qtheepsi!e.. Frarfe 8. Hcfuiard, 1911) , Vol. I, p. 199.

L9The political Barometer, August 23, 1809, p. 3, col. 3; Reynolds, Helen W. , rfoe I?ec3oz.ds of Cfer3Zs± Cfezzircfe, Vol.11, p. 310.

2°Andrus, Helen, A Ce7ctzzz.g c>f "2zsZc, P. 3.

2LE¢equchds, tfeleg[i w. , The Records of Christ Chaff ch, Vol. I, pp. 200-202.

22Cbutesy of Dutchess Cbunty Historical Society at Clinton HOuse ®

23Ffee "2zsfcaz "tscezzcz7tg, being a choice selection of fa-

vorite Patriotic, Yankee, Irish and Scottish Songs , (Poughkeepr sie: Printed by P&S Potter, 1816) .

24Hun±, Freescian, Ijetter.s about the Hudson RLver , (NIell York-.

Freenran Hunt and Co.,1837) , pp.11-15,154-155, 223-227.

25Kinq, crLarLes Tx]ndd, Ir. , H+stony of EdapcdeLon ch D_ulchese Cc>2z7q±gr, p. 50; College Hill School, Poughkeepsie, New York

PalTphlets and Catalogs dating from 1837-1864. Cburiesy of Adriance Memorial Library, Local History Rcrm.

26"poughkeepsie Collegiate Schcol,1848-49 : Diary of a Hudson

Student on Cbllege Hill , " Dutchess County Historical Society

Barbara Biszick

152 yeczz3boc7k, Vol. 36 (1951) .

27coutesy of Harold Kncrdton.

28According to Arthur Charing Dcrmfj, Tr. , whc is preparing

a publication on Andrew Tackson Inning, the falrous architect responsible for the Springside design, the Mazurka was probably published betireen Ma:y, 1856, (the date at ithich the lithography

firm, Sa]]ony, Major and REapp, is founded) and 1859 (the date at which the publishers, Cleveland, Reed and Cb. , was dissolved) .

29According to Mrs. Frances Nevers , great-grandniece of

Abel, Jr. , her great uncle built, as well as played, the organ.

Itone of his instruments have been located for study.

3°Fky€peLds, FI!eLf¥\ VI. , The Records of Chr'bst Ch:ur.ch3 VoL. I,

pp. 149-150, 204-5.

3LThe poetry used for the setting appears under the col`rm title "Original Poetry" in Tfee I?2ffczz I?epc>sttc>ru , a literary magazine published in Hudson, NY, on July 21,1838. (Vol. AV-VINew

Series, actually Vol. 2IV, #3, p. 24) . The author is not cited.

Hcwever, Abel, Tr., refers to himself as the "arranger" jm the title page of the sheet Irmsic. Therefore it appears that he was only respeneible for the music.

32King, G. w. , songs zAsed in the Poughkeepsfe Schoozs ,

(Poughkeepsie: Osborne & Cb. , pencilim=itten date 1854) ; Andrms, ffuos C. , The R:oral Songster or Lays of the SchooLroom, (:Pouqtrr

keepsie: Osborne & Killey, ca. 1855) . Both in possession of Adriance Memorial Library, focal IIistory foam.

33FdeseLi, 8. A. , ar.!d Sand!ers, The RobLn Redbreast JWDenkLe SZ77gz72g Bc)c>k,

(Nen7 York: Ivison and Phirmey, 1856) .

34|n the latter pages of the manuscript, the handwriting is shakey and an inscription appears "Jam. 30, 1882. . .in Ivy 88th year". This ThRInan.I.s abrupt turn to Christian Irmsic may havebeen

a result of the fact that on April 17, 1851, she lost her 17 yr.-

old son to tirhoid fever (Pc)24gfekeepsze Eczgze, April 19, 1851) .

Adriance MErorial Library is presently in possession of the man-

uscript.

35The diaries are peserved at Adriance MenDrial Library.

36sinith, Ta|res H., HZs±o]r¥/ of Zhe±c7zess Co2ffl±gr, p. 393; PlatE;

Edrm!d, Eagte's ELst;oey of Pougfukeepsfe , p. L58.

Platt suggests that Wiathan's sales were largely in the south. Insights courteey of Milk Dforiarty, piano technician, Vassar Cbllqe.

DUTclHss cOuNTy DURING Ire EARLlrsT PERIOD

Fadford Ctrdy `The civLZ, I.ettgLous a:nd eaitg settz,enend of Dutchess Cou]rLtry cire detcitLed.

Sever.al

fcnd,tte§ ztho settLed neon FLstikkLL Ln the

rndd-1680 's bet or.e the Rombout Pcteeut zbas

apened for. sebtLenen± clre dkscwssed. Bad-

for.d Curds Ls a tocal historian and former.

Dutchess Courtey HLsboric[n.

Dutchess County 300 years ago, by the descriptions of allwho saw it, was a serenely magnificent stretch of land. From the rmgged, tregraIvered mountains on the south, to the peaks on the

northeast, were rolling hills and fdrile, untilled plains.

There were virgin streams and untouched forests , abundant with all varieties of wild life. As if not enough, on the west, the majestic Dtorth River crowned its beauty. Yet, "The nichess' ,.

Cbunty, " as was: its original, correct designation, aeon its founding, Dfovefroer i,1683 , was undototedly uninhabited by an:yone

save native Americans. It is perhaps,, a corthy honor that onthe day of its birth as a geo+political entity, Dutchess was the only one of Narf York's original counties to have a name, but no non-

native residents. mtchess was one of the 12 original counties of Nav York created by act of the New York Assefroly on ltovefroer i, 1683 when

a law dividing the colony into counties was passed. Mention of the division of the colony had been made tiro da:ys earlier, October 30, 1683, when the Asseholy passed the charier of Ijj.beriies and Privile.ges. However, there is no mention in the charter of a county to be named Dutchess. For the first 30 year-`s of its existence, Dutchess was void of any civil or military administration of its cam. Rfligious practices were solely up to the

individual settlers, there being, as well, no e:tablished religious body within the county during the period. Until October 18, 1701, there appears to have been no governmental administra153

154

Fadford Curdy

tion of any kind within i±re county, even though there had been

settlerint in several areas for over ten years. On that date mtchess was provisionally armexed to her sister, Ulster county, and so remained for ahost 20 years. The reason for the neces-

sity to adnhister goverrmental and ecclesiastical af fairs frcm Kingston was the sparse settle¥Irmt within the county.

Py 1714,

the date of the first cesus, there still were only 445 persons, irreluding 29 slaves , living within Dutchess.

It auld be said civil goverrment oormenced for Dutchess when the New York jtsserfoly passed a law Octcber 23, 1713, providing

for division of the county into wards and calling for elections.

HCRTever, there was no apparent follow through and it was sons

five years before the wards were ever actually laid out and even

longer before the first election. It is possible also to clain that the county commenced as a separate entity with the appointIunt of officials solely representing nltchess. The honor of

being the first ptolic official of Dutchess county rust be given to Joharies Ttr 13os, of Fishkill, who on June 19, 1703 was nand

a Crmissioner for Dutchess aount]r in the act for laying out and regulating ptolic highways throughout the colony. The first representative of the county in the Assedly was IIconard Ifflis in 1713-1714. The first County Clerk was Richard Sackett, who tcok office in 171-5. The first Dutchess Cbunty High Sheriff was I. Vandelifer+ in 1721. The first Judge of the Cc>unty Cburi was Ieonard hais in 1716. In the same year John Johnson was appeinted to represent Dutchess on the Cbuncil of the colony of Nah7York.

The first political divisions of the county were legalizedby the Assefroly on June 24, 1719, with the formal acceptance of the

ward. eysten as laid out. For several years Dutchess had ± divided into three wards: the South Ward, extending frorr` below. the Highlands, (the north-border of Westchester county) , north to the Wappingers a]eek; the Middle Ward, from the-Wappingers to F=opus Island, (central lfyde Pack) , and the Dtorth Ward, front F=opus Island to the Roelof Jansen Kill, (in present CblLmfoia

155

Dutchess County. During its Earliest Period Cbunty) . Putnam County, on the` south, was until 1812 part of Dutchess Cbunty. The first recorded Supervisors were Joharmes Ttr Ebs, South Ward, 17-20; Henry Van der Burgh, Middle Ward,

1720; and William Traphagen, forth Ward,1720.

The Ward systen

was in effect until becenber 16,1737 when Dutchess was divided

into seven precincts.

The first church within Dutchess undototedly was the First Dutch Flefornd Church of Poughkeepsie, founded in 1716. There is sons reason to thick, hcwever, that the German Reformed Church at RIindeck Imay have preceded this founding by one year. These

were not the earliest religious services held within the county hcwever. There is no doubt t:hat the earliest settlers held services of sore type within their hones and it is known that rinisters from the New York Lutheran Church held missionary services within the county from tine to time before 1715.

The first rilitary coxpany or unit within Dutchess countywas a ccxpany attached to Beednan's Ulster Cbunty Militia. The earliest known Iuster of this company is dated NI)vehoer 21, 1715 and shows 63 privates under the cormland of Captain Barent Van Kleeck arid Lieutenant Johannes Tier Bos. The Asselfoly of New York authorized a Cbur+ House for Dutch-

ess by act of July 21, 1715, but county residents took no action to carry out the provisions of the lan. As a result, a secx)nd act, providing that the county house and jail should be completed within three years, was passed Ma:y 27, 1717, and there is every

reason to believe that the county's first Court House and goal aE foughkeepsie, designated as the shire-tcrm, was cxxpleted within the specified period.

Although Poughkeepsie has been the seat of the county since

its begirring, Fishkill is probably the oldest settled corm]nity within the county. Fishkill was first. settled by at least 1688

by Joharmes Per sos who was quickly followed by other Dutch set-

tiers, costly from Ulster Cbunty. But the settlenents at Poughkeepsie and Fthinebeck are nearly conterrperary with Fishkill and

Fchdford Curdy

156

the three are usually given the distinction of being the oldest in the county. The land mass of Dutchess was a]rost totally swallowed ap by a series of patents granted during the county's first 25 years. Nearly all land titles in the County descendout

of one of the original patents.

The first grant after purchase within Dutchess Cbunty was the 85 ,000 acre REfroout Patent, which covered Irost of so.utherm Dutchess Cbunty, belowr the Wappingers Creek. Although purchased from the Indiarrs August 8, 1683 (and thus a second 300th armiversary in 1983) , it was not confirmEd dy patent from the goverrment until October 17, 1685. This was follch7ed swiftly ky the fober+ Sanders and nqudert Harlnense Patent, Octcher 24,1686. Then in

order: the Scrtyler Patent, June 2, 1688; the Aertsen Patent, June 2, 1688; Great Nine Partners Patent, May 27, 1697; the RIinchedk Patent, June 25, 1703; the Bee]rman Patent, June 25,

1703; and the I±ttle Nine Partners Patent, April 10, 1706.

Just who should be given the distinction of being the f irst Iron-native settler of Dutchess County has been a matter of corrsiderable interest and sharp dchate for over loo years. RE one really kmrms for sure and perhaps never will.

There is an

old fanciful story, taken as gospel for generations, that the first settler was a German-speaking Palatine named Nicholas Enigh. He was si]pposed to have set xp housekeeping at the Irouth

of the Fishkill and to have been the father of the first ichite child to be born within the county. The tale is just that, hch7L ever, sinc= it has now been proven that Nicholas Enigh did not aHre to Jinerica until 1710, a gcod 20 years after kncREi settlement within the county.

The search for that settler in recent ti.mes has centered ona brewer from A]bany named Peter I.assing, who took title to a tract of land at tire lrouth of the Casperkill by deed from the Indians May 5, 1683, (yet another 300th armiversary) .

How soon he Iroved

to take \]p resideney in Dutchess is not knclm and it probablywas not for a nunfoer of years. That we do ]mcRT is that he was cer-

Dutchess Cbunty During its Earliest Period

157

taildy living on his land in 1688. And then there is mention in 1689 of`one "ye Frendrmran," at the mouth of the Wappingers and in

1688 of a certain "Peche Dewall" at the mouth of the Fishkill.

Neither are heard of again, although "Peche" Could perhaps have been Peter I.assing the brewer. Py the early 1690's there were other families living in Dutchess: the Bi]ys, Kipp, Cbstrom, Van Kleeck, Schouten, and Nostrand families.

There was one other person knam to have been living in Dutchess in 1688 alrd it is the ramifications of his presence, through recent research, which gives rise to scHne interesting new

speculations with regard to the county 's first settlenent.

JohErmes Ter 13oS, first settler of Fishkill, was born in Harlen, Manhattan Island, in 1665.

His father died in-1678 and the rmrfu

year his mother married a Dirck Wessels. Shortly after this marriage the family promptly disappeared from New York records and does not surface again until Johannes Ter Bos turns up in a fen scant Kingston records in the mid-1680's. He was certainly a resident at Fishkill when he married in 1688. In fact, it is this Irarriage which hints at a larger, untold story regarding this `settlement. Historians have continually misidentified ` Toharmes Ter Bos` wife as Elizabeth Van Wagenen.

She was in fact

Ijysbeth Hendrickse Van Ahourgh, daughter of Hendrick Arends Van

frourgh.

It could seem inconceivable that Ter Bos, as a bachelor, would have settled all alone, by hinself , in the wilde of an uninhabited Dutchess Cbunty. He did have brothers and sisters, but there has never been even a hint of their having alry Dutchess Cbunty association. His father-in-law, Hendrick Arends, was an educated, prominent citizen of Kingston, in the years i.rmediately following the English takeover in 1664. He was a man of his crmi mind, sttoborn and independent. He also, with his farily, seems to have disappeared from Kingston in the rrid-1680 's

and the family does not again turn xp until five years later, in the 1688/1690 period, south of the Fishkill in Dutchess Cbunty.

REdford Cundy

158

At least one historian has made the clain that Joharmes Ter tos settled in mtchess County bethreen 1680 and 1685. while not

ixpssible, it does not seem conceivable. But if he care out in the cxxpany of others, Hendrick Arends and his children, between 1685 and 1688, rmch could be explained; his presence, his mar-T

riage and the presence of ihe Van Afrourghs cx)nterperary with Ter tos®

It could not have been un:usual for Hendrick Arenas to have

purchased land from the Indians without a govermrrmtal license a Irove cerfeinly not out of character with the man. This could explain the source of the sizeable tracts of land crmed by the Van frourghs north of Brea]meck MDuntain and south of the Fishkill; that area since kncREi as the disputed "gore," not included

in the Rcfrout Patent nor in the later PhilipseTHighland Patent.

It rust be added that no one has ever been able to give an explanation as to exactly when or hchr the Van Zfrourghs cane into

possession of this large tract.

It would seeni they had "alREys

chid it.'` The matter rna:y seem further Confused by the fact that a sjm ilar situation exists with Johannes Ter Bos arid his landholdings at Fishkill. Oddly, a search of land transfers in Dutchess Cbuni¥, Ulster County and in other repositories gives no hint of how he cRIre into possession of land suppesedly in the Ronhout t

Patent. In fact the earliest land transfers out of the` pa±entby the Bretts, which Irmtion Tier Bos, trould seem to hint a± indeErmdent cmrrership. It is a fact that for many years the cafroined Per Bos+7an Z±nhurgh holdings, as shcRTi by assessment

figures, sur'passed that of Madame Catharina Brett. Add to this still arrother curiosity. The family.. of T]er Bos I step-father, Dirck Wessels, included a sister-in-law who was the second wife of Francx)is Ronbouts and a close relative, Henrica Wessels, who mas I[urried to Gulyn Verplanck. Thus there was a relationshipto hath original Romrbout patentees. mrther research rna:y unravel mnore of the story and perhaps prcof may be added at sorre future

Dutchess Cbunty During its Earliest Period

159

print. But as for now the sea]=ch still goes on for that elusive

first settler. tine thing does stand out, and that is that there are some fascinating tales surrounding those who might have been.

There is a curious footnote to the story of Johannes Ter Bos and that involves his wife ljysbeth Hendrickse. For many years historians have paid hcrmge to the business talents of Madarre

Catharina Brett, who managed the real estate affairs of the font bout Patent for years after her husband died. There was at this tine yet another feminine real estate entrepreneur in Fishkill.

Ijysbeth Hendrickse Ter Bos ' holdings about equalled Madame

Brett's at the trfe of the death of her husband Joharmes. Forl2 years, until her death, she Irunaged, sold off and passed on to

filly ITrders, tracts of land she inherited from her husband, and did so with the same apparent enterprising capabi|.ity as rmdarre Brett. ` Find thus was the begirming, the heritage we toast: g "Old Dutchess Forever. "

tote :

`

in earlier version of this paper appeared in the Po%gfekeepsde

c7-o2tr.7'zczZ, June 7, 1983.

HE 1714 DUTclHSS couNT¥ CFINSuS: nfiASuRE oF HOuSHom SlzE

William P. Mc Dermott

The ever.age household Ln Du;±chess County in 1714 uns a urrtb of appr.ori;matety sbee members 7j)ho LLved Ln the sL:rr[pLe or. nucLeor fandty consbeLLcleLon. Evbdence fran other New For.k cormrurndties and also foon tourns Ln New EmgLand and EmgLand Lndiccrde

the si;rripLe fcllndtg teas the typf cat stryLe of Living

d:Wring the period.

WbLttarri P. Mc De]pmobb bs

editor. of the YeapboQk.

The first official tally of Dutchess Cbunty inhabitants, pa]t of the census of colonial Nair York, was taken in.1714.

Although

earlier accountings of inhabitants had been ordered by Governor congan in 1686 and 1687, no records of mtchess Cbunty returns exist.i The counting of "freeholders and inhabitants" in 1686

represented the first attelrpt to take a full census in New York.2 In the follcwing year, 1687, an assessnrm± list 6f the entire colony was ordered by Governor Dc)ngan. Interestingly, the unnamed assessor appointed in mtchess County may` have been its

first ptolic official.3 Early records such as the 1714 census are valuable sources of inforlra±ion, despite the limitations in the inforlra±ion they provide. They lead to a fuller understanding of patterns of settlement, the size and cor[position of families and in some instances, may shed light on the economic strength of a +

conmmity, based on the mfroer of slaves Ch7ned.

Population counts in Neir York before 1714

Earlier lists of residents in colonial Nail York have survived, but few of them purport to be formal coLmts of CZZZ inhabitants,

adults and children. An exanple of one list, not intended to be a census, tis the "Names of the Male Inhabitants of Ulster Cbunty, 1689".4 This is sixply a list of men who took the oath of alle161

162

Willierli P. Mc Denrott

giance to King William 11, newly elevated to the throne. Another

esaple of a valuable list is the tax listing of rfuabitants of Pfro York City during the pried 1695-1699.5 ifeither in the ulster

Cbunty list rror in the leo York City list are any H±rs of the housefrold mid other than its head. This also applies to tax lists taken as early as 1675 in several tang Island tcrms. Although these listed the taxpeyer, and in sexre cases the mrfer of horses and cows he crmed in addition to his real and personal estate, the names of his wife and children or other nerfers of his housdrld were rot included.6 The first reference to a census aEpeared in 1686 when a count of all the peple living in Neinr York Province was requested by the

British RErd of Trade. A fen of the cc-mities in the province responded to coverror Dongan's order in 1686 but an actual count

of the pqulation of Pgiv York for that year does rrot exist.7 ever, in 1697, a cxplete census of A]bany households was undertaken to deterrine the effect of King Willian's War on the pepr]la-

tion of A]try. Particharly valuable at]out this Cirmsus is its listing of the rmes of the head of each household, tngether with 8 rF

the actul cx)unE of nan, inmen and children in each household.

Although there is sane indication that children were undercounted,

jndividuls and farilies vere onitted and slaves and soldiers were Irot counted, the effort was an jxportant one and continues to yield jxprfant data about AHDany.9 The following year Cbverror REler[rmt ordered a census of the entire NaA7 York colony. Thile

the total nu± of inhabitants for each county in 1698 is available in ptolished sources, only the coLm±ies of Kings, Ridmnd, ifetchester and seve]=al tcrms in long Island and ifestchester list the nar[es of irinabitants in each household.L° there are a fen other pepulaEion oouats which qualify, in the broad sense of the cord, as cxasuses before the tine when the ca]sus was `taken in lmtchess county. They are: Onnge Cbunty, 1702; New York City; 1703; Pfro R]chelle,1710 and Eastchester,1710.LL It is interest-

ing to Irate the counts taken after 1703 may have been affeded by

163

1714 Dutchess County Census

the sHallpex epidedc which swept Nev York City in the spring of

that y©. rote coverror Hunter's reper± to the tords of Trade, June 23, 1712.

Th it, referring to the epidemic, he indicatedthe

peple rright be "deterr'd [fron oooperating] by a single siperstition and Observation, that the sickness follcw'd upon the last

n±ing of the peple. "L2 although this saperstition may have affected the results in sa[re counties, the 1714 census appears to be a reasondly full and accurate account of the iinabitants in Dutchess Cbunty for that year. Data fran other sources gath:red in the course of this study suppor+ this conclusion.

The 1714

census - Dutchess county

The origjrd ±t listing the inhabitants in Dutchess Cbunty in 1714 was recx]rded in three different handritings which suggests there were three separate census takers. Each c-insus taker was reapnsjble for a separate pertion of the county. Cme

cxasus taker r©rded individuals klHm frcm other reliable sources to have lived in the area fr`orn the Wappingers Creek south to the southerrmDst boundary of n]:±chess Cbunty. Another recorded names living in the Aertson-Boosa Patent, near the presentvillage of Fhinchedk, and from there he travelled south to the Wapr pingers creek. And the third census taker recorded all those

individuls wh resided in the area begirming with Schnyler's rortherm or Red Hcok petent to the northern line of mtchess county which was at that ±j.me the foeloff Jansen Kill.

This

particular division of the county rna:y have been the result of the legislature's act pessed on Octcher 23, 1713, which directed Dutchess Cbunty to elect a freeholder as si]pervisor and also to eled a treasurer, assessors and collectors.13 The plural used in reference to assessors and, collectors ilTplies a division of respeusjbility and it rrEy have been the assessors who tcok the C-uS ®

It is also interesting to rote that these divisions in the county reschle the ward system which, by 1718, was a functioning

eysEen.

In fact, this may have been the first ward systen which

164

William P. Mc De-tt

was then only slightly revised when IIeonard IIevis and REber+ Livingston rmde the I.political deal which allowed the unpepular Iiiv-

ingston to take his seat in the asselfoly. Livingston`s part in the deal was to assure Ifwis he would vote in favor of locating the Dutchess County a)urthouse and jail in Poughkeepsie.14 How-

ever, in the process the crafty Livingston also was able to change the northern boundary of nitchess Cbunty. As a result, a triangular tract of land south of the Roelof f Jansen Kill becare part \ I

of A]barry County, new CblLrfeia Cbunty, and all of LivingstonManor

was then located in one county, A]bany.

Previously the southerm 15

portion of his malror had been paft of Dutchess Cbunty The 1714 cerrsus lists 67 nalres, undototedly meant to be heads of households. Next to each name is, where applicable, themfroer in each household of males over 60 years, males 16-60, males under 16, females over 60 years, females 16-60, fenales under 16, male slaves 16 years and older, male slaves under 16, fchale slaves 16

years and older and female slaves under 16 years.

Although 67 families were listed as residents in Dutchess in 1714, approxinately 18 of these families or about 27% lived between the present north line of Dutchess Cbunty and the earlier

north line at foeloff Jansen Kill. Therefore, of the 446 residents of Dutchess, about 116 persons including 8 slaves lived in this s]ma.Il tract. Of course after the northern line was changed these 18 families were not listed in the first assessHnent roll oonlpiled in Dutchess in 1718. In the years after 1717 they were listed in A]bany Cbunty. The remaining 330 individuals resided in the larger area which esdtended from the new line to the northern line of Westchester County. This group formed the nucleus of far+ ilies from which Dutchess grew during the years which followed.

A peculiar fact about this census is the absence of a mrfeer of Palatine families who resided in the portion of the IIivingston Manor purchased for their settlement from Livingston by Cbvermor Hunter. In 1718 they were listed on the assessHnent rolls of Dutchess Cbunty, having Iroved there beginning in the year 1715.

165

1714 Dutchess Cbunty Census

Thy they were not listed on the 1714 census is not kncrm. Were

they considered separate flon the rest of the inhabitants because of the cx)nditions which brought then to New York from their honpr land? The failure of the tar industry, which was to haveprovided sustenance for tire Palatines and a service to E]gland, brought about their abrii]pt release in 1712 from their contract with covermor Hunter and Queen Anne. Based on their apparent independence after 1712 one would expect theni to have been counted in 1714.

Although there is no record indicating the Palatines owned propr erty or paid rent i=o a landowner, they should have been included in the Count as inhabitants of the province. The absence of Palatine names may cast sore dotot about the accuraey of the 1714 census but other info-tion such as the 1718 assessHnent roll of Dutchess indicates a reasonably careful accounting had taken place.

For e2cafl[i[ple, the 1718 list of heads of household oulpares

very well with the 1714 census. Fu]ther, much of the genealogical

data gathered in the course. of the present study corroborates a reasonable degree of accuraey of the census data.

In aon[iparing the original of the 1714 census on file at the Archives of New York State with the printed sources-, several errors were noted in the printed oc)pies. Although none of these errors affect i±re substance of the information, they are noted in the interest of accuracy. 16 Household size jm Dutchess - 1714

The prjJmary reason for studying the census taken in Dutchess county in 1714 is to understand the size and oorrpesition of houser holds during that early period when mtchess was one of the newly settled areas of New York Provincre. The structure of households

will be described in the present research follcwing the system devised by faslett.17 Four of his six categories apply. "Soliiffies" is a category assigned to the widowed(male or fenale) or single individuls. "Sj]ng>1e family households" , often referred to as the nuclear family, describes married couples with or without children, and the widowed with children.

The "extended family

William P. Mc De]rmott

166

household" Irny include, in addition to the conjugal unit, any one

or Irore relatives of the current, previous or next generation, fo.r exaITple -grandchildren. The ''ndtiple family household" includes i]ro or Inore cxplete conjugal units related by marriage or other form of kinship.

- How large was the household in Dutchess County in 1714?

The

mrfer of .households in each size category are summarized in the follcwing tchle.

TaslE i Size of Households

# of lnerfers in eacHi household

# of

families

per-

` cent 3.0%

1.5 7.5 7.5 10.5 28.4 16.4

# of rr-s in each hous eho ld

# of fami 1 ies

prcent 11.9%

7.5 4.5 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.0

As the table indicates the most conmon white household size contained five, six or seven merfoers. These three categories account for 55% of all households. Although there were eight or more mend3ers in one of every four households, the large household often thought to be oonmon during the Colonial period was by no means the rule during the earliest period of Dutchess county history. In fact, there were a]most as many households with four or

fever nE±s .

The average household contained 6.22 mEfroers (median = 6.71) .

This suggests that households fit the "sjxple family" or nuclear family arrangement described above. Also evidence for the "extended family household" , which might have contained grandparents or somE other close relative, is absent. The limited size of the average household together with the genealogical data sLxpperts this Conclusion. Also, a family by family oorlparison of the cen-

1714 Dutchess Cc)unt=r Census

167

sue with the genealogical data collected in the course of this study confiHus the existence of one conjugal unit per household.

The n± of HEillfoers recorded on the census for each age category in each farily cxxpare well with the expected mrfers from the genealogical data.

Also the "nulEiple family household" seems to have been an in-

frequent style of faHdly living. It is apparent frcm the earlier discussion that each of the three census takers Iroved in an orderly fashion from one household to the next. ` Che would expect families with the same name living in the sane household to appear one below the other on the census taker's record. This did not occur. Of the sixty-seven nalnes recorded, fouteen were repeated accounting for iIventy-nine families. These represented families who had raised children to adulthood and who were living independr en±1y with their cam farilies. In sore cases the repeated nare was a brother living independently with his owl family. In only three instances do the nalnes of any of these twenty-nine households aEpear on the census above or below each other. Hcwever, it is ulikely the 34 yearLold Peter Pa]mater or the 32 yearLold Peter keirk, hath of wlroq[n were married with five and four child-

Fen respetively,lived with their parents. On the other handthe newly I[urried 24 yearLold Abram Beuys rna:y have brought his 19

yearold bride hare to live with his parents. A less clearcondition is the case of a married nrm and his wife living with inlaws. Cince again infoHrfltion from the family reconstitution approach is needed to determine who in-laws were, and if sons nan

arid their farilies chose to live with in-laws. only 3% of the households fit the category "solitaries". .tore specifically, Only tso individuals, hath men, appear to have lived alone. William Outen(Scouten) , a nrm over 60 years, lived sorre distance from alrother farily with the same nana. Hendrick Bret-

sier+ also a©s to have lived alone but it is pessible he may have rented rcxml in the Pieterse or Dutcher households. These nEnes were recorded above and below his nana. It is evident no

168

William P. Mc De]rmott

more than 10% of the families lived in households other than the "sjxple family" household. Therefore, the overall conclusion

which can be drawn is sjlTply that the principle family unit was the Conjugal unit living with children in a separate home independent frc>m parents or other mefroers of family.

The absence of support for the existence of the eatended and/ or rmltiple family raises an jxporiant question. Was the "sixple family" unit found during this early period in Dutchess County only a local phenonenon? The answer is clearly, no. A mrfeer of censuses taken in colonial New York between 1697 and 1703 confirm

the finding in Dutchess Cbunty. For exalTple, the average size of the white household in Nen7 York City as recorded in the 1703 census was 4.5 merrbers.L8 while the sHnall size of the householdcan,

in itself , be Considered evidence for the sjxple familyL unit, it is conceivable there were a mfroer of very small family units which depressed the overall average. An inspection of the census returns indicates that was not the case. And further, checking the prox:miry of sinilar names on the New York City census record following the procedure applied to the Dutchess county census confirms the "sjlTple family" unit as the predominant and a]rost exclusive si¥le of family living in Neir York City in 1703. Sjm ilarly, in A]bany in 1697 the average white household size was 4.6 ITEfroers and they too were primarily sjlTple family units.

The marked difference bebreen the average household size in Dutchess and the average in Neir York City and A]bany should be noted. Urban centers had srmaller families and because of this it rna:y not be considered appropriate to oonpare these centers with a

rural oc)rm]nity such as mtchess County. In fact, tradition associates the esd:ended and rmltiple family with ocrmmities heavily dependent on farming. Evidence from other sources sixppori the findings in Dutchess Cbunty. A ocrmmity sinilar to Dutchess was orange Cbunty which had, in 1702, approxinately 45 families.

The average size of household was 5.22 mehoers.L9 As was thecase in Dutchess and Nen7 York City, similar names were not found listed

1714 Dutchess Cbuni]r Census

169

adjacent to each other. This indicates again, families who were undoubtedly related lived in separate households. Also, the 1698 cerrsus of rural Flushing provides a parficularky valuable caxparison with mtchess Cc)unty. The 95 white families included 514 20 individuals with an average household size of 5.41 persons.

E±pecially useful about this census are the notations made by the cerrsus taker. Every mefroer in the household was nand and his status noted, such as wife, son, daughter or servant. In addition, the total number of individuals in each household was recorded in the margin, clearly defining the size of each household.

Cmce again, it is evident ike sinple family unit was a]rost the exclusive style of farily living in Flushing. A similar census taken in New Utrecht in 1698 yields an average white household size of 5.19 rmhas.21 Again, the sjxple family unit was the overwhe]mingly predominant style of .family living. And finally, the 800 individuals residing in Southold in 1698 were divided into

132 farilies prcducing an average household size of 6.06 ±rs

22

The phermnenon of the sjxple family household was not peculiar to the New York colony. The seventy fainily households in the town of Bristol, REode Island, had in 1689 an average household sizeof 5.99 nerfers.23 Cmce again evidence from sources other than the

cerrsus indicates that the prinary and a]rost exclusive style of family living in Bristol was limited to the conjugal unit with children. Multiple family households were fe=^7 and, further, there

was little evidence of in±ergenerational presence in these seventy households. Sinilar findings for the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century are found in other New Thgland towns such as Andover, bedham, and Hinghan, Massachusettes.24 while it is clear the sinple farily household style of living was predominant inNev York and New Eingland, one might wonder if it were the renoval from

the Old torld and its traditions which af fected a change in family living in the New frorld.

Fividence to the contrary abounds.

jig the seventenith century closed and the eighteenth century progressed, core of the never settlers in Na^7 York carre fran Ehg-

William P. Mc De]rmott

170

land. Of course the New England region was from the very first settlgrrmt, H}glish. Was the silrple family a New. World phenoneron or were the roc>.ts of this style of family living found in Europe,

particularly in England? A study of 46 separate ELglish parishes for which census information was gathered during the period 15741705 indicates the size of households was in fact sndaller thanthe size found in the New ELgland-New York region.

The average house-

hold size for that period was 4.8 mefroers. Interestingly, there were only three instances from the entire period where the average household size exceeded five mefroers.25 The sHnall size of these

households supports the conclusion offered by IIaslett and others that the household must have been predoninen±1y of the silTple falrr ily type.26 while fen of the Finglish salTples provide specifics about the menbers living in a household, there are nine samples from the period 1599 to 1695 which can be used as a measure.

In

only nine percent of these hous:holds was there evidence for the extended and/or the rmltiple-household categories cofroined. 27 This again indicates the consisteney of the sinple family unit as the preferred style of living. Although the evidence prior to the 17th century is understandably scarce and when present difficult .`

.

to ..interpret, one study of three 13th century Thglish Irmors shclth7s srrall households were usual even during that early period. Three censuses taken during the period 1253 to 1274 were recorded especially well. The average size of these 252 households ccfroined was 4.68 mendDers.28

Therefore, even as early as the 13th century

evidence supports the existence of the sixple household unit, usually much smaller than had been irmgined. In fact, 91% of the households in these Finglish manors were limited to the conjugal

unit alrd their children.

The conclusion that the ''sinple family" was almost the exclusive style of living in Dutchess in 1714 is further corroborated by the number of children recorded in each household. Dfore than 68% of the mendDers of the Dutchess cormmity were children. Of the 417 mend3ers in the 67 white families, 286 were children. The

171

1714 Dutchess Cbunty Census

16-60 year age category used in the census obviously included pan ents and children over 16 years. The method used to acorndate

this r©rding lrfutation was sirply to stotrac±, where appror priate, one nude and one fenale from each of the 16-60 age catgories and assure the renainder were children. whorl there WFF a

± in the household over 60 years, he was assind to be the prent, in which case all those in the 16-60 age category were assimed to be children.

The results are recorded in Table 2. The average nurfer of, children in each household was 4.27 (median = 4.75) .

A].Irost half

(45%) of the households Contained either four or five children. "enty households or 30% had three Qr fever children, while seventeni households or 25% had six or rnDre childrfu. , TRERE 2

children in Each Household

# of children in each household

# Of

fami i ies 3

per-

cent 4.5%

57.5 57.5 7 10.5 18 26.9 12 17.9

# of children in each household

#of

fatlies

Trer-

cent 11.9%

9.0

i.5 1.5 0.0

i.5

Always a concerm in census data are the issues of accuraey and cxpleteness. For example, the 121 male children under 16 years

recorded in this census is stostantially higher than the 98 fenale under 16 years. A variety of explanations could be considered.

Perhaps fgrale children were under-recorded. Or perhaps male apprentices resided in a number of households while learning their trades. However for this explanation to be plausible one would have to assure these boys calre from families who lived outside the Dutchess cormulty. On the other hand it Tray sirply be the birth distrjbu.tion and/or survival rates favored the male child during

William P. Mc De-tt that period. Greater mnd3ers of male births is a consistent finding over several centuries. However, the size of the rfealance in the 1714 census is greater than irould be expected statistically and ful±her, differences in survival rates often balance early descrepancies by the time males and females reach their third or fou]Th year. A m5re precise conclusidn about t this difference awaits a Irore ccxple`te study of each famil-y, s:.milar to the family reconstitution techniques used by derrographers in the recent years.29 Hcm7 did the mfroer of children in the Ditchess household cor[+ I

pare with the rest of New York Province during this period? In the 1697 A]bany census and the 1703 census of New York City the

average mrfeer of children recorded per household was 2.5 and 2.2

respectively.

Sorrwhat larger mfroers of children were noted in

several long Island and Westchester County censuses in 1698. The average rmfoer of children per household in those a]]eas was 3.2.30 Nearby orange County recorded an average of 3.33 children per household in 1702. These findings are sifostantially lower than the 4.27 average found in the Dutchess Cbunty household. Even in

rural Flushing, where children can be identified with more confidence, the average of 3.5 children per household is Considerably lcwer than the Dutchess household. At present the explanation for these differences eludes current understanding. Tiro factors are of interest as possible clues to be considered. The distinctively lcwer mhoers in the rrore densely populated Neir York City and Albany suggest factors related to density, such as later Irarriages or intended control of fertility. Also, corm]nities in Iong Island and Westchester were txpically older and more settled than was the case in Dutchess. ropulations in never aorrmmities appear \

to increase at a faster rate in the period of early settlement due in part to in migration but also due to higher rates of natural increase.31 Hcwever, Orange Cbunty does Trot oapare well in

spite of the fact its period of settlenent was very similar to mtchess Cbunty. Furfuer research is needed to account for the

173

1714 Dutchess Cc)unty Census

differences in the several oormmities Inentioned. Family reconstitution studies , when they become available, will contribute considerably to understanding this interesting question.

The final oc)mrponent of the Dutchess County household is the

iIventy-nine slaves who were part of fouteen households. Little

info-tion about slaves is available from the census except the numbers recorded in each of the age categories described earlier.

Briefly, 10 slaves were children under 16 years; 19 slaves (12 rrale, 7 fenale) were over 16 years. Their relationship to each other carmot be determined. However, the statistics suggest there Ira:y have been three coxplete households (conjugal units with or without children) , one each living in the Michael Palrmtier, Rcxper Brett and Dirck Wessels (Ten Broeck) households.

Table 3

belcw records the mrfuer of slaves in each household.

TABIE 3

Slaves in Each Household

Nnder of slaves NIrfeer of households

Percent of total

0

I

2

3

53

8

i

3

79.1%

11.9

i.5

4.5

4

5

02 0.0 3.0

As is evident in Table 3 only one of five households owned slaves. In fact nineteen or a]most 70% of the tIventy-nine slaves labored :in the six households who amed Irore than one slave.

Slavery in Dutchess Cbunty during the early eighteenth century was a srraller coniponent of i=he total population than it was in the rest of New York.

Bei=reen the years 1698 and 1731 slaves com-

prised about 15% of the total population in New York while in mtchess the number of slaves never exceeded. 7%.32 Although their

presence undothtedly contributed to the overall economic condition of the county, it appears to have played a notably smaller role , than in Irost if not all other New York corm]niEies. This is not to suggest a dilninished interest in coming slaves in Dutchess Cbunty. The pc>pulation statistics alone do not permit such a

William P. Mc De]rmott

174

conclusion. In fact, it may have sixply been that slaves weretco exprrsive to purchase. Their increasing value in the early 18th century is reflected in the marked increase in the purchase price. }

AI ableThodied male slave could be purchased in 1700 for li40 but by 1720 the price had increased to L60.33 Perhaps only a few of the newly-settled Dutchess Cbunty farmers and merchants had accuulated enough wealth to make such a large purchase. Hcwever, the

petential for using i]re size of the slave pc>pulation as an economic indicator in. Dutchess remains as an jlTapr+ant area of research yet to be undertaken. conclusiorrs In 1714 Dutchess Cbunty was inhabited by 67 families, 18 of which occupied a small area soon to becone part of Albany county.

The average household contained 6.22 mefroers, 4.27 of whom were

children.

The size of the family was smaller than expected; fam-

ilies during the colonial period were believed to be rmch larger.

A Inore definitive understanding of family size will rquire knowledge of the coxpzete family, that is, the family when all of its children reach 21 years.

The principle style of family living was the conjugal unit or sinple family household. The extended family and the rmltiple family household accounted for ro Irore than 10% of the households in Dutchess Couni=y in 1714. The sjJrple family seers to

have been a familiar style of living in Fhgland before the 16th century, and therefore cannot be Considered a phenonenen unique to the New frorld. The mrfeer of families coming slaves in Dutchess County in 1714 was relatively sHnall conpared to the renainder of New York. Family reoonstitution studies, when oulpleted, will

broaden our understanding of the size and oonposition of families during the colonial period.

175

1714 Dutchess Cbunty Census

FENcus LFrack:1in 8. ttongke, Census of the Stclee of New York for 1855, (Zifeany, 1857) , v.

A brief histor:y of the early censuses of New York can be

fourrd on pages iii -viii. The full list of adults, children and slaves recorded in the 1714 census is found in Ivezj roz.k CoZc>7ezczz 44ss., vol.

59,17(1-2).

2Cbvermor Dongan`s order is recorded in IvezJ York Cc)Zq7tdczz

Mss., sol_. 34, 8L., tfangh, Census of the Stab.e of New York3 iv..

3on SepteITber 14, 1687, JQhn Kinght, secretary to Cfovemor

Itongan, directed. the assessors in eight counties including mtchess Cbunty and `s:veral tcrms on long Island to take their oaths of office from those individuals errprered by the govermor in this order to admjrister the oath of office. Rbbert Livingston was enprered to administer the oath to the Dutchess County assessor.

Ndro rock Coune£Z MLnules, 1668-1783, vol. 6(reversed side) ..LO-L2.

Prior to this tire Governor a]rd his Cbuncil passed+a bill on Angust 19 & 20, 1687 to raise a permy a pound "out of ye Estates of

ye freeholders and Inhabitants" to defray the cost of defending

the "Seneckas" near Niagara frc)in the attacking French from canada.

New rock CouncbL Mi;nutes31668-1783, VOL. 5, T98-T99.

'The perm¥

assessed was in addition to the previously ordered regular assess-

ment of `'one half peny per Pound of all persons Estates, Reall and Personal throughout the province. "

jvezj Poz.k Cozt7tczz "Z7z2{fes,

Z668-Z783, vol. 6(reversed side) : i. Dutchess Cbunty had at that

tine (1687) fen inhabitants, perhaps no more than a dozen families to assess. Hcwewer, there was one large land grant, Itofrout Patent, which was probably inhabited, and one or too smaller ones which could be assessed. Also the inhabitants in the land south of the Fbeloff Jarrsen Kill, now a pa]± of Cbltrfeia county but at that tine included in Dutchess, could have been assessed.

4E. 8. o`CAIIa!qkean, Docun'ienta:I.'g Htsto][rg of the Sta_te of .New_ ~-

Yc>z.k (4 vels., A]bany,1849-1851) ,I, 279-282.

Hereafter citedas

Doc. hi,st;. N.Y.

5"Tee Lists of the City of New York, 1695-1699", Cozzectzo7?s,

New York Historical Society, (2 vols., New York,1911 & 1912) , vel. I & 11.

6z)oc.

j7£s±.

IV.Y.,11,

441-542.

7 Nee Fork Cotondal ManIAscr.i;pta , 2nnEN , 81, hereef±f=r .ci:bed as N.I. Cot. Mss.., tbongh, Cenf3us Jf the Stake of New York.3 iv.

8jv.p. CoZ. 44ss. , 2flll, 34(2) .

William P. Mc De]rott

176

9Stefan Bielinski, "The People of Cblcrial A]bany,1650-1800."

Papr read at New York Historical Society conference, May 20, Tof83., F¢chkat V. VIeLls , The Papuldebon of the B]pLtish CoLondes in America Be for.e 1776.. A Survey of Census Dcita (Briri!Beton, ".5. , 1975) , 112-113. ]°Z)oc. fffst. jv.r., vol.I, 661-65; vel.Ill,133-38; jFeav Pork CoZo72ZczZ „ss. , vol. 4, 58(Bedford} , 60a(New Iaochelle) , 60b(West-

chester) , 60b(Ricfrond) , 6l (Southhallpton) 62 (Southold) . Also rote in velure 42, 34 (A]bany) , 52a(Kings) , 52b(Narfeam) , 53{Fluching} , 54 (Manraroneck) , 56 (Fordham) ; B-Arm Moorhouse, "A 1698 Census: Nchr T]trediEn , Joun[.rnal of Long IsLand Hkstorry 3 RTJ(T9]7} , 54-5] .

LLIV.y.

cc>Z.

Nss.,

45,148;

48,

47;

54,

78;

42,

57.

L2IV.y. CoZ. I)oc., vol. V, 339, "Cbverlror Hunter to the Iords

of Trade", June 23, 1712.

L3|ou][.ry.al of the General Assernbz;g of Nee Fork., 1691-1765, 2

vels. (New York, 1764-1765) , 344.

L4±enc>e H. Tiedfar , Rober.b Iidvingston 1654-1728 cmd the PoL£tfcs of CoZo7zfczz IvezJ YCJz]k (Chapel Hill, N.C.) , 239.

T5The Cotedal Lcaj]s of Nee York fran the rear. 1664 to the I?etJozattfo7t (5 vols. Albany, 1894) , vol. I, 915-916.

L6The errors in the 1714 census of mtchess coulrty are as follows: i.) The three slaves recorded to "Frans Iie fey" should be r-rded to "Barent Van Kleck". IIe Ftoy had no slaves. 2.) A feT male slave over 16 years of age- was recorded to "Henry Van Per Burgh" in error. Hcwever, the three other slaves recorded to Van Der 13ur9h are correct. 3.) The total mrfeer of mles (tchite) under 16 years should be 121 rather than the 120 which appears in the printed sources. Both mrfeers appear in the original document,

one is a correction of the other. As a result the total mrfeerof

persons in Dutchess Cbunty in 1714 appears to be 446 rather than the 445 which is recorded in the printed sources. 4.) Also inthe original document there rna:y be a recording error. Ne2d= to "Catrine I.asink Wedo:" is noted one male over 60 years. Hclrever, there

is no notation in either the female over 60 years or the fenale 16-60 category. Perhaps her status as head of the housdrld resuited in her being recorded erroneously on the male side of the record. For the purposes of this research Catherine has been placed in the over 60 years category the notation for •t=he male hasfenale been deleted.

Her husband wasand deceased at that time and Catherine was about 60 years of age.

L7peter |]as|ett, "Mean Household Size in Fhgland Since the Sird=eenth Century]` in Peter IIaslett and Tall Richard ed. ffo%sehoLd and FandLy in Past Time (Cafroriidqe Thin. Press, T972) , 3L.

177

1714 Dutchess Couni]r Census

TBRdbed v. VIeLLs, papulatfon of the Br.btLsh Cotondes ch Ame]edca Be for.e 1776, L24.

L9The exact nul3er of families is difficult to determine because of the intermingling of unmarried boys above 16 years, not yet heads of households , with those individuals who `were clearly heads of households.

2°jv.P. CoZ. 44ss., vol. 42, 53.

Seventeen "freeman" were lrot

included in these statistics because other mentoers of the family were not nalTed. or included in the list.

2L-rm Mrorhouse, "A 1698 Census: New Utrecht", 54-57.

2:2.N.I. cot. Mss.3 VOL. 42., 62.-

`

23Toha -s, "Fa|rilies in Colonial Bristol, REode Island: An Fkercise in Historical Demography, " Ivtzzfcp# & #czr3gr Gz4czz.ter]Zgr, 2ex\7 (1968)., 40-57.

24phi|ip Greven, "Farily Structure in Seventeenth Century

.,

Andover, Pfassachusettes, " XIII (1966) , 234-256; Kermeth A. tockridge, "The Population of Dedham, Massachusettes , 1636-1736 , " Eco7zcJ7ric Z7£stor¥ I?euzezj, XIX(1966) , 318-344; Daniel S. Srith, "The

-graphic History of Cblonial New Fhgland, " Joazr>7'zc[Z of Eco7?o77?£c #tsto2.g,

32(1972) ,166-174.

25peter fas|ett, "Pfean Household Size in Eingland Since the Sixteenth Century, " 130.

26peter |jas|ett, "Afean Household Size in Ehgland Since the Sixteenth Century, " 144.

27peter |jas|ett & Richard Wall ed. , ZJo2{sefeozd cz7td Fcz#zdzgr +77

Pczst P£77ze (Calforidge university Press, 1972) , 61.

28H. E. Ha||an, "Sons Thirteenth-Century Censuses , " Ec.o7?o777£c jzfs±c>zey I?etj+eu, X(1958) , 340-361.

Z9E. pL. TNrLqLey , eil. , An In±roduetfon to Eapgtfeh at,sb.or'Lcg_1

Demograp7ay faowi twie Sbcteenth Eo the N±neteenth ?en5urg_ !"e: Y`ock,

1966) ch. 4; Philip Greven, "Historical Denngraphy in Cblonial jtrnerica," „tzzfcz7H a 44ar]gr Gzzczz.fez.Zg, 2E{IV(1967) , 438-454.

3°Rclbdr V. "eLls, The PapuldeLon of the Br.i,LLsh Cotonhee ch America Befor'e 17763 L24.

3Lranie| S. Smith, "A Perspective on Demographic Methods and Effects in Social History, " Vjzzfap'77 & /4czrny G2zczz.fez.Zgr, 2exlx(1982) , 453.

Bcok Fgiviev

178

32REed on the tables in the appendix of Edgar J. nto Marms' txx5k:, A HLstory of Negr.o Staveny ch New York (S[rac\]se, rl.I., 1966) .

'33Fkfuqar I. yk3 llunus, A H+stony of Negro Staveny ch New York.343. ***

Ecok Review: DUTqESS CongNTY: A PlcoRIAL HIsroRI.

fry John & Mary L. Jeanneney

(RErfolk, Va. : The ltonring Cb. ,1983. Pp.192, illustrations, bib-

licgraphy, index. )

I?etJzezt7ed by Ecinmd J. Winslow, Senior Historian, Div. of Historical and AIthrc>polapical Services , The State Education nept. , .A]bany , NY+.

A Pictorial History is one of a number of county Dutchess Cbun

histories that have appeared this past year in respense to various armiversary cormemoratiors.

Pfost conform to. a prescribed format

established by the several ptolishers specializing in the printing of County or local histories. Sore are poorly organized and are reminiscent of medium quality high school yearfroks. The Dutchess Cbunty History is a superior exarrple of what a pictorial.history can be because it shows evidence of good plarming, design and organiza-

tion. Each of the six chapters begin with a short essay describing the trends and events of an era. The very first chapter is a gcod exa:iinple of the strength of the bdek when it uses graphi`Gs to illus-

trate early settlement patterns. Early settlenent in Dutchess Cbunty is rather cxplex with its mingling of Dutch, Fhglish, German and French. The bock gets off to a conderfully charmingbegirmingwith photos of early buildings. The 1734 gravestone at the Old Stone Lutheran Church has to be rated as one of the Irost unique anywhere.

Unlike the county histories of the 1870's,1880's and 1920's it is not a massive reference tool that family history researchers deT light in. no aid the researcher the authors have indexed the bcxjk a]rd included a manageable bibliography. It is amazing to see the nun83er of histories that appear each year without the basic index.

A good hisi=ory has to be utilitarian. It can be entertaining but

unless it has the obvious organizational features it runs the risk of being just a picture boc)k.

rok Reviev

179

John and Mary Jeanneney have written and ou[piled an intimate view of the history of Dutchess County. The real test of a pictorial history is whether the photos came together with the captions to

tell the story. Too often the captions are brief and leave the reader with a feeling of frustration. The strength of this history is the narratives describing the over three hundred photos, maps , prints arid diagralins. The pictures were selected from the several depesitory collections within the county. They cerne together harmDniously to illustrate the development of a unique par+ of New York State. being a Hudson Valley county there is the Dutch origins, followed by the English, the Revolution and the stosequent changes to the high tech phenomena of I.B.M. Many photos successfullyportray life on the land and waters of the county. Iong gone industries such as glass making, the foundries and sturgeon fishing create a serrse of dralra which is no more but which is not forgotten.

The Tearmeney's walk well and effectively on the tightrope be-

tween irrstitutional history and the personal contributions of individul citizens. Cne of the unique qualities of Dutchess county is the fact that it has served as homf to national pelitical leaders, farmers, educators and factory workers. It is truly a place of diverse contrasts with strong urban and rural; industrial and agricultural; as well as tChm and gcNIi sentrfents.

Dutchess county has developed and changed very gracefully and Dutchess Cbun : A Pictorial History documents those patterns beautifully. It is a book that will be enjoyed by all who examine

it.

ANNUAL REPORTS of the Dutchess County Historical Society

froual Reports LI

The President 's Projected Plan for D.C.H.S. 1983-1984 Season

Continue to upgrade and advance the Dutchess county Historical Society staff in both ability and performance.

FIIrther promote the use of the Clinton House as a research and educational center for local history, by making the Franklin

Butts Library a reality.

It is plarmed that most of the work of the Society will be done in committee. The status of committee work will be reported at the monthly Ineetings. The committees will work closely with and take direction from the President and the Director.

'Ihe program has been planned and work delegated, so the

forthccrming season can be enjoyable and productive for all concerned mehoers of th;` Dutcriess Cbunty Historical Society.

Respectfully subritted (signed) `.

" >.

Frank H. Andrav

President

Capital Caxpaign Fund Repo]± Since the Wine & Cheese Reception on March 21, 1982 at the

Clinton House to Irark the kickroff of the Society's Capital Car+ paign, approxinately Sloo,000 has been raised to date. Due to pressure on Dr. Connolly's tine as president of New York Medical Cbllege, Eileen ftylod Hayden assimed co-chairmanship of the Car+ paign in April 1983.

Assisting her as mefroers of the Executive

Corrmittee are Ned Howard, Frank Andrew, and Fred Stutz. Wade Associates of Hyde Park, New York, was engaged to provide profes-

sional fund-raising counsel to the Caxpaign.

Major gifts of $25,000 each were received in 1983 from the

183

froual Reports MC:Carm Foundation and the IBM Cbrporation.

Solicitation is

continuing in the Corporate, financial and insurance divisions of the Campaign.

In May,1983, a successful phonathon program to our merrbership and friends raised $9,552. Tb date, 37% of the melfoership

has respended positively to the Society's caxpaign. This effor+ was Irmde possible by 26 volunteers from the Society.

After IIahor Day, a leadership gift program to secure endow-

rent funding will be initiated by merrbers and friends of the Society. The endou[nent fund will assist the Society in meeting increase operating expenses as it assures full responsibility for the Clinton House in 1989.

A special thank you to Melodye Kaltz for her untiring efforts to make the Calrpaign a success. \

Eileen ftylod Hayden

CbThai-

Capital Carpeign

Director ' s Repert

The last year has been an exciting and productive year for the Dutchess Cbunty Historical Society. Thile great enphasis has been placed on the developent 6f the Clinton House, the Boardof Ttstees has also been actively wc>rking to expand its menbership services .

The Society is currently entering its fourth year at the Clinton House.

With the help of the Taconic Region of the New

York State Office of Parks , Recreation and Historic Preservation,

there has ± notable jxprovement at the site. Within the last year, perches have been rehabilitated, a sideva]k was replaced and new dcRErspeuts were installed.

Special eITphasis has been

placed on cking the Clinton House as energy ef ficient as pessjble. Tb that end, new heating units were placed on the s©nd

rmual Fieperts flcor, several experjlinental storm windows were installed and

portions of the house were insulated. Plans are underway. to Cxplete the insulation work, and add storm windows to the

entire building.

The Scx=iety was the recipient of three special grants in 1983. A $25,000 gift from the Mccarm Foundation will provide for new landscaping and a parking area, and a $25,000 gift from IBM will help to fiuther modify and jJTprove the Clinton House. The

Clinton House was also the recipient of $27,923 for the replacerrrmt of its rcof . {iierk on the rcof will probably extend into 1984 .

Prngra±g during the 1982-1983 year included at least one rrmnbership activity per month. The pepular winter slide series continued, as did the pilgrj.mages and annual meeting.

NCI^7

activities included bus trips outside the area. The four preservation workshops at Mills Mansion were well attended and will , undoLfotedly , be repeated.

The Tercentenary Year has af forded the Society a unique oEr pertulty to reach out to the ocarmmity-at-large. Numerous Irrm+ bers of the Board have served on plarming armittees hath for County celebrations as well as those sponsored by local canmr nities. The Society has also contracted with the Cbunty Historian to produce a slide show focusing on county history. CTher

Tercentenary activities included Society participation.in the Dercentenary Parade and par+icipa±ion in the developlRIit of

historic driving tours.

IIistorical oc)llections are the badfoone of any historical society or Iuseun. This past year the value and petential useof i=hese Collections was underscored` ky the ptolication of Dutchess A Pictorial IIistory. The bobk's authors, John and Mary Iou Tearmeney, are mEfroers of the mtchess cOLmty Historical

Society and used many of the Sociei¥'s original PotgraEins in

the prepration of the bock. "e are grateful to then for their sensitive use of original Ira:terials, and to rm who graciously

185

froual Reperts

underwrote the cost of the ptolication. Proceeds from the hok were returmed to the Dutchess County Historical Society and the mtchess Cbunty ara]mbers of Cbrmerce.

This effor+ ordy re-

inforced the need to develop secure storage facilities for these valuable collections. future activities will elTphasize this great need.

Zis director, I have been encouraged and assisted by persons tco numerous to I[erition. I wc>uld especially like to thank the of ficers and trustees of the Society who are always supper+ive and helpful. Their Continued involvement assures many rrDre years

as successful as the last. ifelcxlye Kaltz

Accessiorrs Fiepert Septehoer 1982 - July 1983

During the last year, the Society has been the recipient of rmrerous gifts that help to expand our knowledge of Dutchess Cbunty history. The Ebard of Trustees gratefully ackncwledges the donations of the follch7ing: HCIvard Zdriance

Harry AIlred Tim AIlred George fadgley Ezra Ermton Clifford M. & Ijenora V. Buck

Ebrald S. Ctoley urs. Earle S. Cby RAdford Ctrdy NIs. J. E. Depny

mtchess Cbunty Genealogical Society

mtchess Philatelic Society mtchess county Plarming DepartlTient

Tesse Ef fron John R. Garcia

Ros- Cieiger William F. Gekle

Eileen Mylod Hayden

Hudson fiver Sloop Clearwater Mrs. A. Seaman Hunt

ifelcxiye Kaltz Eietty Klare

(cont . )

Zrmual Repods

186

Mr. & Mrs. Donald I.arose

Joha J. Perillo

ftyron V. Iosee

William J. Itm7ers Tr. Ned Fmson William 8. Fthoads

Clara tosee John Francis ltfro

Joseph Siepietowski Peter Van Kleeck Stanley Willig

Stepharie muri William P. MCDeHrott

Mid-Hudson Iijbrary Systeni

Marty rmhach ____

±v_¥ Historic:ql Socie_ty_ Hosts Fall gil_grjprage Caroline Reichelfoerg

The TChm of Dover Historical Society hosted the Fall Pilgrirmge on Saturday, October 16, 1982, for the Dutchess county

IIistorical Society.

The day's activities began at 10 A.M. with the arrival of 95 people on i=h)D buses at the Dc>ver Elenentary School.

The group

was greeted by Donald Dedrick, after which George Thalen, as

guest speaker, gave a warm and entertaining talk on lbver.

Coffee and coffeecake were served to the visitors under the chairmanship of Luella Arvisais and her oormittee, consisting of Alice Orton, Margaret Faulkner, Bette Anderson and Mr. and ltrs.

Echrard Cardinale.

The tour guides, Canoline Reichenberg and Richard folhenn]s, accoxpanied the group to the Tabor-Wing House. Here corma Bof-

felli and Amanda Shufelt awaited the visitors and each spoke and provided historical information on the house. Thanks are

extended to Bette Shufelt for making the attractive dcor decoration for the Tabor-Wing House for this occasion and to Btr. and

Mrs. Ieslie ritony for arranging the Joan Williams lfrorial Era. The visitors tlren took .the buses to the Second Baptistthurfu of Dover where Mrs. Doris Dedrick apoke and gave a detailed and infoHrative talk on the bacEeground of the ch:urch.

froual Reperts

187

After touring in tire Railroad Square area, the buses went to the old electric plant and the forlner Hoa]±ion Baine Farm. From here the group went to the Dover Jthior-Senior High Schcol where the visitors had their bag lunches and enjoyed the coffee and dessert provided by the local Historical Society. Special gratitude is given to Dorma Hearn for making and decorating abeautiful cake with a replica of The Stone Cfiurch on the top, for this occasion.

2(

Follcwing lunch, historical boc}ks , medallions and ITHps were

offered for sale under the chairlranship of Helen Vincent and Harlan Chapin. The visii=ors then went to the library at the high schcol where they vieued an art echjbit, including thecorks of REell, Walirman and Neuell, with ntrs. coris nedrick as speaker.

Eiveryone again boarded the buses which tcok then to the Sharparcon Fun]ace where Bob Tacopins , caretaker, escor+ed then in to the site. From here they traveled to the South rover (Wingdale) Ceretery where they sac the tcfrostone of Elder Salmrel

Waldo, the first Irinister of the First Baptist Ch:urch. The ressage on his gravestone dated Septehoer 10, 1798 is as follch7s:

A dying preacher I have been To dying hearers such as you Though dead, a preacher still I am T\o such as Come Ivy grave to vieIA7.

IIet this to you a waning be That quickly you Iust follcw Ire. It was noted that this epitaph is included in Ralph Waldo Eberson's Cblleetion of Pc>ems and in Epitaphs in Barilett`s Fariliar Quotations. The pilgrinage outing then ended.

The visitors were a war]m and friendly group and the nHTbers of the lbver Historical Society enjeyed meeting then and showing _

_

_

____

__

_

theni these historical sites in the tcrm.

Zhaual Reperts D.C.H.S. Spring Pilgrrmage to the Cbld Spring and Garrison Area Saturday, Ma:y 31, 1983 Frank Andrew, Pilgrj.mage chairman

The 1983 Spring Pilgrjrmge of the Dutchess County Historical

Socie.ty got off to an inauspicious start. The buses did not arrive, due to a i=apographical error.

They cane the ne2d= da:y,

Sunday.

This very Cooperative group of pilgrims car-pooled it. We arrived at the Putnam County Historical Society Headquarters in

Cold Spring a little late.

We received a very kind and warm greeting from the Society President, Itosernary Clark.

The Putnam County IIistorical Society HeadquaJ±ers is the Foundry Schcol Museum.

We were served Coffee and cookies. A slide shch7 of Cbld Spring, past arid present, was shown. We ex-

plored the Foundry School Museum+so named because the building,

built in 1838, provided schooling for the children of the iron irorkers at the West Point Foundry, located just below this site.

The Foundry win the largest and most prosperous one in the 19th century and provided the famed Parrott. `gun (carmon) so helpful to wirming the Civil War. Things we sawn+ -`'The Gun Foundry", a large painting by John Ferguson Weir,

1866, was originally crmed by Rc2beri Parrott, inventor of the gun and Si]perintendent of the Foundry, 1836-1867;

-e blue and white china fran which President lincoln dined when here to inspect the Foundry; |he slant-top desk, ca. 1750`, was a gift of Emily Warren, daughter of General Warren, whose statue stands on Iiittle found Top at Gettysburg. The Warrens are an early GaHison family;

-all paintings of the manner of Hudson River; +he model of the "Mary Powell"rtyreen of the Hudson River stealrboats+res mEide in 1861;

portraits of Henry W. Belcher and Martha GaHison, the

froual Reports

189

farily for whom Garrison was named;

-± FL±± Beg:=± is a Permanent e2chjbit of aj±icles either rude at or associated with the West feint Foundry; -The Ethjbit Hall contains an excellent reference library for local and Hudson Valley history and genealogy. Ethibits are changed frequently. Revolutionary War ar+if acts are in the glass case.

Note: cannon bed, 1839; and

-The Jean Saudders Gallery contains a colonial kitchen,

Indian artifacts , and the Ludingtonville Store, 1806 , derrolished `by the construction of Interstate-84.

The groap left The Museu[n for a tour of Main Street with its antiques and gift shops, ihe railroad station and George Washington plaque, the bandstand at the river, the Hudson House recently restored, The Chapel of Our Ijady.

The chapel of Cur Ijady is situated on a promontory overlcoking the Hudson near corrstitution Island. We were seated in the chapel while our guide reviewed its history. The Chapel of Our hidy was the first fo[[rm Catholic thurch in the Hudson Valley and the first such church in the New York Archdiocese to be erected beyond Manhattan Island. The Greek revival chapel, designed by Tho[us Kellah Tharton, then only 16 years old, was built on land donated for that purpose by cOuvermeur Kerfole, to

provide a place of worship for the Foundry workers.

The chapel was corrsecrated by the Bight Reverend Bishop Duhois on Sept± 21, 1834. The congregation and visitors, ITrmy of whom had cone by rcwl3oat and sai]hoa±, overflowed the

chapel .

Scon the pepulation of the village increased rapidly, and shifted eastward. .In 1848 the railroad was constructed and its` road bed separated the chapel from a rmjor part of the village.

In 1906 a new, larger, and Irore centrally located church was built on Fair Street, and the chapel was closed. Neglected over the years, the chapel was gutted by fire in the 1930's. The

restoration efforts were first spirited ky Father Joha A. Grace,

Zhaual Repods

190

assistant pastor at Our lady of toretto from 1966 to 1970. A large group of pLfolic minded citizens of the area began their effor+ by raising the funds necessary to purchase the site from the archdiocese. The painstaking process of restoration then began, and tire chapel was dedicated as a Restored Chapel for People of AIL Falids on Septehoer 18, 1977. The chapel is a favorite place for weddings.

The groxp returned to the Foundry rmrseun and enjeyed a picnic lunch on the lawn.

--

At 2:15 P.M. we left for a wa]king tour of historic Garrison. The historical aspects were presented ky a rrrder of the Putnan Cbunty IIistorical Society. He also told of the occasion of fi]ring the movie, "Hello colly", in Garrison. The sets used are, for i=he Ilnost part, still intact and are maintained by the

village.

The Fish I.jbrary, bedreen Cbld Spring and Garrison, was the last stop of the tour. We were greeted by Ms. Jerry Mahoney, Director for the Alice and Hamilton Fish Library. After a tour of the library, we were seated and Mr. Hamilton Fish, Sr. rerL

irisced on his days in college as a great football star, and Lxpn the part i=hat he played as an active congressrman.

After giving rm=. Fish a standing ovation, we bid adieu to Putnam County and returned to Poughkeepsie. i-r1

Arm:ual Meeting - Mt. Gulian, Beacon June 11, 1983

In the absence of President Scardapane, ViceTpresident FTack Zindrev called the I[eeting to order at 2:00 P.M. at historic Mt. Gulian. A Irrmlent of silence was offered to honor deceased Irrmr

hers of the Society, particularly those who died during the past year.

Motion to waive i=he reading of the minutes of the June, 1982 I[eeting was Iinade/passed. A sinilar motion to waive reading of

rmual Flepeds

191

the TTeasurer ' s reper± was I[`ade/passed. Finance committee cfiairIuri Frank Van Zanten carmended the work of Treasurer Sheila New-

I[rm. Her effods to streamline financial procedures has resulted in greater efficieney.

Capital Fund Repert: Cc+chairman Eileen Hayden reperted the success of the seven-night Phonathon in Ma:y. In addition to talking with Hre±s near and far, over $9,600 was pledged. frork is continuing in cor'porate, insurance and barking divisions. The MCcin Foundation has responded with a $25,000 gift to cover the enhancenrmt of the grounds of the Clinton House. A proposal was sent to IBM and the results should be kncREi shor+ly. As a merro-

rial to the late Dr. Franklin Butts, a past president of the Society, the board has voted that the library in the Clinton House be designated the Dr. Franklin Butts Ijjbrary. conatians to the Capital Fed can be rrrade in his honor. Tb date, the Fund total from all divisions is $68,875.

Director's Report: uring the past year, Director ifelodye Kaltz has dedicated her efforts to the Capital Fund Campaign, expalrsion of programs for mefroers/ptolic , overseeing Clinton House renovations such as plumbing, rei7iring, heating. The Society speusored Sunday slide shows as well as. bus trips. both have proved pqpular. The Society, to mark the Tercentenary, is involved in preparation of a slide series on Dutchess Cbunty history for use in the schools. Also, work has been done on prducing a set of driving tours of the county. Both of these efforts have been done in Cooperation with County Historian Joyce Cthee ,

Put]licatiorrs : thairluri William Mc De]rmoEt reper±ed that the

pepers presented at the Tercentenary Conference will be ptolished by the Society.

RErfuating condttee: collin Strang presented the following slate of officers arid tmstees: President, Frank Andrew; Vicar President, Eileen nyled Hayden; Secretary, Tfrothy AIlred; Treasurer, Frank Van Zanten; Trustees: Cbnstance Smith, Charles Hill,

rmraE Ftaprts

192

Iou A]bach and Ba±bara Peters.

There were no nominations from

line flcor. The Secretary cast one vote for the slate aspresented.

The Nciminating Committee consisted of William Wolf son,

esrge Wilson, Collin Strang and Radford Curdy. Trustee Frederick Stutz formally installed the new officers in a shor+ cereIrony.

Dr. Scardapane: Dr. Mc Dermott commended the outgoing Presi-

dent Felix Scardapane wlro has been involved in work for the Society for i=renty years. Notable was his leadership in saving the Van tryck Homestead in Fishkill and twelve years of service as an officer and trustee of the Dutchess Cbunty Historical Sociei¥.

On behalf of the menfoers, Dr. Mc Dermott thanked Dr. Scardapane

for his fine effort.

A suggestion was made that thought be given to a pest on the Board of Society Historian to keep us in touch with our past.

There was no i+]rther business. The new President entertain-

ed a ration to adjourn so that those present might be entertained by guest rmgician, Rbbe]± Olson, in the role of Richard

Potter, early l9th century magician.

Respectfully si]haitted , )

Eil:=en M. Hayden, Secretary ..

Yearhok Vtr. P. Mc Derlrott, Editor

The 1982 Yearbook continued to reflect the balanced approach initiated three vears earlier. Research by Dr. F. Kennon Moody on FDR and Dr. John T. Reilly discussing the sale of loyalist estates and social change represent the work of thro scholars.

Armual Reperts

193

These were balanced by fine works of local historians Chester Ei-senhuth on a 19th century robbery in rfullerton, a review of Dutchess Cc)unty's response to the Civil War dy David Lund and the discussion

by George Wilson of Poughkeepsie's contribution to naval hisi=ory during the American Revolution. Nineteenth century art received

attention through Jeffrey Arons I discussion of the painting entitled Poughkeepsie Iron Works' and Tesse Effron traced the growth of the Cc)llingwood Theatre from its begirmings to the present Bardavon

Theatre. Agricultural fairs have long been a topic of pleasure and interest. Louise Tc)xpkins discussed the background of the earliest fairs in Dutchess Couni=y. Early settlene±n± was a prominent feature in tire 1982 Yearbook through the a]=chaeological discussion of Charles Fisher, a review of an early family wed:i-researched by 8. Buchanan alrd a discussion of land grants by rm. P. Mc DeHrott. while the array of articles in the 1982 Yearbock covered the entire 300 year period of Dutchess Cc>unty history, there renains many

areas of hisi=orical interest which deserve attention. Our ethnic heritage, particularly the native American, is an area rmch in need of research. The arts have received rrmch too little attention and could be represented well by articles treating each of the a]±s independently. The commercial and agricultural developr[ient of Dutchess is an area of researcin ithicin is a]rost untapped. A suri7ey article in each would provide the overview necessary to provoke thought and research on more specific periods of developrnent and phases of

growth as the County Iroved from its agricultural phase to its industrial phase. And finally, the 20th century, only 17 years from its close, is rich with change. The early decades of this century could be studied alrd recorded in interesting and insightful work by local historians through their observation and interviews. Scholars who wish to analyze and discuss a county in the midst of significant chage will not want for ideas i=o in:vestigate if they look aE the 20i=h century.

work on i=he 1984 Yearbock is already in progress.

Authors are encouraged to remefroer the July 31, 1984, deadlinewhile they are preparing manuscripts for I;7tolication in the 1984 Yearfrok.

Armual Reports

194

ptBLlcaTloNs rm. P. Mc De]rmott

The Irost recent pul3lication of the Society, a reprint of Volume IV of the Collections, Marriages and Deaths 1778-1825 by Helen W. Reynolds has received the anticipated response. In the year since

its availability sales have recovered approxinately half of the reprinting costs. Thile sales will be a bit slower in the future the recovery of the reprinting costs in a reasonable period is highly probable. But the business of ptolishing, althoug]p an ixpr±ant aspect, is not the only consideration in meeting the educational program of the Society. Its charier encourages dissemination of historical info]=ma:tion through a variety of Inethods.

Cloth bound publications ,

such as the Oc)llections series, make available to historical researches and genealogists information not found as readily in other forms. Nevertheless, inoone is jxporiant and in making decisions about publications a balance between income and service to the cormmity is considered.

The ptolication highlight of the year was the publishing of a 1

pictorial history of Dutchess County by John and Mary Teanneney entitled Dutchess County: A Pictorial History. Although this fine ptolication was funded by IBM, the Society, one of thebock's distrjJ3-

utors, will share in the profits of the limited printing. This is alrother approach to pLfolication which the Society is ljJcely to consider in cases where the Reynolds Pifolication Fund is not the appro-

priate vehicle.

Consideration is being given to ptolishing smaller-frorks on selected si]bjects which could appeal to the general public as well as the elenentary and high school local history programs. The feasibility of this approach is currently being studied. The Society continues to search for other irorks which, after careful screening, irould meet the criteria which guides the Society ' S publication program.

Cbllections Volime I , Old Gravestones of Dutchess Cbunty and .Volime

X, Eighteenth Century toarments of the Nine Partners Patent continue to provide income, although at a slower pace.

195

rmual Reperts

ANNUAL TREAsuRE's FueoRT 1982

(See Thclosure)

I

197

pFuslDRE; or HlsTORICAL scx=IFTIFs IN HE TtihINs OF DUTtiHss couNT¥ Ju4ENIA •_

NOR-T

George E. Phillips

ELs, "illian

317 Folan Itoad AHala, N.Y. 12501

hillerton, N.Y. 12546

BEEalcnN

W±en Res©ir Fbad

PIEASAnIT VAIIE¥

Joan K. Van Voorhis 82 NorHi Walnut St. REcx)n, N.Y. 12508

BEE-

Mrs. Doroth:y MJntgrery Walker Fbad Hopenell Junction, N.Y. 12533

ChlNTON

Julia Buglion Hollcw Itoad Clinton Corners, N.Y. 12514

IX)rna

ups. Caroline Reichehoerg Mc Carthy Ftoad cover Plains, N.Y. 12522 EasT FlsERIEL

Joseph 8. Wells

Vuncrest ELive Hop€±rell Junction, N.Y. 12533

FISRIIL Carl Frts 19 Broad St. Fishkill, N.Y. 12524 IrmE PABK assaclATION

Icon Froats

3 Watson Place Hyde Park, N.Y. 12538 IIyDE PARK saclETy

Kathrpr SteaHrs Hollow Ridge Fbad Staatsburg, N.Y. 12580 IiA GENGE

Dr. Ekfuin Hunger Didell Fbad, RE #2 Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12603

LIHE NnH pAREuHs fry. Edrard Schweikardt Farviev Avenue Pine Plaj]rs, N..Y. 12567

Frark H. Zindrev 227 Nei=herwood ltoad Hyde Park, N.Y. 12538

PCxpCREensIE (Bcndoin Park

Historical

ife. John "nd 4 Mesier Aven:ue, South Wappingers Falls, N.Y. 12590 POUGIKEEPSIE CITY

Tirrothy AIlred 3 Easi:man Terrace Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601

Qur€ HIEL & VICINITY rms® N,

Eivard hitchell

Wilkinson Hollcw Road Pavling, N.Y. 12564

Fun HcOK (Eg± Eeeon Histori-cal Society of Fed Hcx]k) fox 1776 Red Hcok, ".Y. 12571 REINEBFKK

urilyn Hatch RE 2, Etox 150A

Fthindeck, N.y. i2572 sTzrmRE Mrs. W. I. Arbuco sox 154, Sout:h Anson Itoad

Stanfordville, N.Y. 12581

ENION Mrs. Helen Manson p.O. sox 100 Verback, N.Y. 12585

uepINGR urs, Katherine Ijyorrs 15 W. Acadeny St.

Wappingers Falls, N.Y. 12590

usHINIroN Charles Tripp P.O. Ebx 592 rfulThrcok, N®¥. 12545

198

AppOINTED HlsroRIANs OF DtJTCIHSS COUNTY

COUNTY HISTORIAN

Joyce Ghee County Of f ice Building Poughkeepsie, New York 12,601

clny HlsroRIANs POUGillKHPSIE

BEmcoN

Elizabeth I. Ca]±er

Alexander D. Itogers 12 W. Willcw

40 RAdolph Avenue

Eieacx]n, N.Y. 12508

Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12603

Tchmt HlsroRIANs AIVIEENIA

Catherine lieigh Flint Hill Fbad Arrnda,\ N.Y. 12501

BEHHLee Baton

Clove Valley toad Hopevell junction, N.Y. 12533 cLINroN

William Benson Jr. HollcRT toad Salt Point, N.Y. 12578

IX)RE Mrs. Dc>nald 8. Dedridc

Nellie Hill Itoad rover Plains, N.Y. 12522

EAST FISRIEL

H_ Cassidy

REhore ltoad

Sto~ille, N.Y`. 12582 FISERIEL

Willa Skirmer Charlotte Fbad Fishkill, N.Y. 12524 FISELIEL (Village)

Pfargaret Sonffs Rapalje toad Fishkill, N.Y. 12524 IrmE PjRE

uri-e Girace

Mill toad, P.O. Box 554 IIyde Park, N.Y. 12538

199

Tormt HISTORIANS (Oc>ntinued)

IA -ca

RE HcOK (Village)

Emily Toheon

Ros€ E. Ctons

Pleasant Valley, N.Y. 12569

Red Hcx)k, N.Y. 12571

34 Garden Street

ifere Fbad

REINEBFKK

NIEN Clara W. Iosee RE #2, Box 171 Red Hcok, N.Y. 12571

NOB-T

Chester Eisechuth

Sjrmons St. , Box 64 rfullerton, N.Y. 12546

Thindeck, N.¥. 12572

sTjrmRE ELs. Elinor Bectwith

Stissing toad

Stanfordville, N.Y. 12581 TIVOH (Village)

PZEdLIRE

Joan Nads

Itondd Peck Soui]i Quaker Hill Road Pavling, N.Y. 12564

PINE P-S

2 Friendship Street

Tiveli, N.Y. 12582 ENION VRE

Dr. Byrne R. D. Fone

Mt. toss Fbad Pine Plains, N.Y. 12567

Irena SEolar]J€ N. Srrith Fbad IjaGrangeville, N.Y. 12540

vueplNex urs. constance Srith

PIEASAnIT VAIIEY

Gall Grotty Quaker Hill Road Pleasant Valley, N.Y. 12569 PoucalKEEPSIE T"nIN

urs Virginia

Dewitt Gurmell 38 ItuHberry Street

F-is

6 Kingsway Circle CaHalot Village

FD #3, Route 376

Wappingers Falls, N.Y`. 12590 {VAPPINCERS FAIIis (Village)

Miss Cfroline P Wixson

86 East tin St.

Wappingers Falls, N.Y. 12590

Ponghkeepsie, N.Y. 12601 RE HcOK

John Winthrop Aldrich

„Rokeby" Barrytaun, N.Y. 12508

usHINcmN louise H. toxpkius Dutchess County Inf irmary thltorcok, N.Y. 12545

200

DUTclEss cOuNTy HlsroRICAL saclETy

Membership -Septefroer 1983 HonoraJry

B::kt: ,C::=f:=d±±n A. Ca]±er, urs. E. Sterling

E:y°ber==:=Dr. william p.

Pcwers, rms. A]ber+ Thxpkins , toulse

Adams, Jon & Annon

Beacon Historical Society

Adriance Memorial Library AIem, Itorothy W.

Bealnan, Mr. & Mrs. David W.

Ahlbach, Mr. & Mrs. Iouis

AIquist, Itoy T. Alddergh , David Alden Place Elementary School Aldrich, John Winthrop Aldrich, Mrs. Russell `

Peck, Mr. & Mrs. William C. Eiecker, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen P. Bec]owith, Mr. & Mrs. Asa T.

Beelenan Elementary School

Beekman Historical Society Bdr, Betty M. Behrens, Mr. & Mrs. Manley L.

Allen, Mr. & Mrs. Edward C.

Bell, Mrs. Claude R.

Allen, Theodora D.

Eiell, Mr. & Mrs. Ha]=old L.

Anderson, Edgar A. Anderson, Mrs. Rupeft W. K.

Berry, June

AIlred, Tin Zinenia Historical Society Andrew, Mr. & Mrs. Frank

Alrson, Shirley V.

Arlington Elementary School Armstrong, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Arnold, Mr. & Mrs. Dennis R.

*Zinold, Elting

*Asher, Mrs. Rbbe]± W.

Auser, Dr. Corilarrd Pell

Averill , Walter

*Badgley, George A. Bailey, Elton V. V., Tr.

Baker, rmurell Balch, Dr. Itosooe A.

Balogh, Sara

Baltuch, term

Benton, Mr. & Mrs. Ezra R. Berglnarm, Mr. & Dtrs. Eric A.

Eieust, Charles E. Bierce, Zhae E.

Birch, Richard Biszick, 8. A.

Blakley, ELs. E± Bloomer, Mrs. F. Irving Bogie, William F. Tr. REs, C., Inc.

Bondoin Park Historical Assoc.

Bounan, Mr. & Mrs. donald

Braig, Mrs. Iouis I. Breed, Mrs. James R.

Breed, Mrs. R. Huntington Breed, Mr. & Mrs. Itobe]± 8.

Bresee, rm=. & Mrs. Ijaurence A. *Briggs, Mr. & Mrs. Kermeth R.

Banta, Mr. & Mrs. George E. Banta, Mr. & Mrs. S. I. Edward

Brinkerhoff , David W.

Bard Cbllege hibrary Bartholf , Elizabeth 8.

Brcmi, Mr. & Mrs. Edward G.

Bastian, Dr. & Mrs. Edward H. Ba±eman, Betty 8. *Life Merrfoer

oFriend +Patron

a-, Zthgela C.

Brcrmell, Daphne M.

Buchanan, Beatrice S. Buck, Ijenora V.

201

Buglion, Juli-e

*Bullenkarp , Grace

Burke, Wiha I. Bushnell , Elizabeth Buthinerm , Eleanor

Butts, alfred M. Butts, Mr. & Mrs. Charles A.

Bays , Barbara Srith Carpbell, Harlan R. Cantor, Lea Etta Carl, rmold G. Carman, Mrs. William

Carroll, William Ca]±er, Mrs. George 0.

Ca]±er, Mrs. Norman

Carter, Itober+ P. Carver, ZThur H. case, Barbara A. Case, Itobert Cashdollar, Miss Marguerite P. Cassidy, Heny < Cassidy, Mrs. roseph A. Cavalier, Dorothy H. Celtruda, rm=s. Catherine

aiancellor Livingston

El-tary Schcol

Chaput , Tacques Chiaramonte , Arlene Cio]ko, Mr. & Mrs. William

Clark County Genealogical Soc. Cbrmolly, Dr. `& Mrs. John I.

Colmolly, Itoberi & Isabella

Clinton Historical Sociei]r Clinton Library Center Cbapman, David Cole, Helen C. Cbcklin, Toha R.

Cbrmelly, Mr. & Mrs. Raymond I. Connevey, Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Conrad, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Cook, Mr. & Mrs. Rbbe]± H.

*Cook, Mrs. Turmer Coc)kingham, George E.

Cross, Raxpnd G. Crun, Mrs. Raymond P. Cunningham, Dtrs. Edward

Cundy , Fbdford

±s , Pfargaret Davies, Mrs. Hugh R. Davis, Mr. & Mrs. Putnan Dean, Mr. & Mrs. G. V., Tr.

DeBold, Cc)nstance R.

Decker, Mrs. Harry Decordova, Noel, Tr.

nIan, Gail

De Graff, Mr. & Mrs. John G.

Dellavergne, Mr. & Mrs. charles

de Paur, Merlin Marie

beiner, REpend

Dickson, Chauncey C.

Diddell, Mildred D.

Edge, Bernice F. Itoherty, Frank J. Itosio, MaJry J.

toty' Olive HDover Historical Society Droege, Susan Jane Dunton, Anna Mary *DUFbciner, Mrs. Ilnus F.

Dutchess Corm]nity College

Library

Dutchess County Genealogical Society

ftyk-, Nathan

East Fishkill Historical Soc. Easi=rood, Itobert S. Eaton, Mrs. Raymond Effron, Mr. & Mrs. David

Effron, Tesse Egger±, Betty 8.

Eidle, Mrs. M. Kenneth

Eisenhuth, Chester F. Elting Memorial Ijjbrary

*Ersley, Ptrs. Joseph W.

Emsley, Mr. & Mrs. J. W., Tr.

Erickson, Mr. & Mrs. Newton Fairbairn, Helen L. Coc>kinham, Virginia Fairbanks, Dtr. & Mrs. John M. cute, Tames W. Feldran, Rc>be]± IIee, 10 Cbrring, rms. E5win F-er, Leah P. Costello, Hazel M. Fetler, Daniel Covert, Mrs. A]bert C. *Fink, Mrs. Mapledoram Crapser, Kay M. Crites-Mcore, Mr. & Mrs. Ibuglas Fishkill Historical Society

202

Fishkill Plains Commity Library Fitchett , Bernice Fitchett, Carlton 8.

Flowers, George S.

*Floyd, Rut=h Van rtyck Fone, ftyme R. S.

Forster, James V. Foiiny, Mr. & Mrs. Robert C.

Fraleigh, Charles H. Francke, totris J.

*Francke, Mrs. Spraker Frazer, Mr. & Mrs. Silas Freer , Marguerite FtylTph French, Mrs. Frank J. Friedland, Dr. & Mrs. S. L.

*Frincke, Dfuriel E.

Froats, Mr. & Mrs. Ijeon A.

Frost, Barbara V. Frost, Benson R.., Jr. furlong, Mr. & Pars. Joseph

Gallet, Eon. Jeffry H. Gallo, Paul A. Gardner, Mr. & Mrs. James E. Garcher, Mr. & Mrs. John R.

Hager, William D. Haggerty , `Ibm

,

Haha, rm=. & Mrs. Thomas G„Sr.

Haight, Lyndon A.

Halpin, J-s H.

Halstead, Mrs. Purdy A. Ham, Mrs. I. Frederick Hambleton, Mrs. William H. Harursley, Mr. & Mrs. L. cordon Hane, rms. ELlton J. Hansen, Dtrs. 8. G.

Harden, Helen Hare, Carolee

*HaHnelink, Rev. & Mrs . H. H. ,Ill

Hart, Mrs. Herbe]± F.

Hasbrouck , Alfred Hasbrouck, Kenneth E. , Jr. Hasbrouck , Martha Haslam, Mrs. Peter Hatch, Vermon D. Haugh, Mr. & Mrs. Corner F. Hauser, Mr. & Mrs. Arthur E. Hawkins, Mr. & rm=s. "illiam H. Hayden, Dr. & Mrs. Benjamin,III

Hayden, Catherine V. icartland, Mr. & Mrs. John J.,Jr. Heaton, Mrs. IjEurence Gay, Mr. & Mrs. Rc)bert C.

Hedges, Mr. & Ptrs. James S.,11

Gleisler, Mr. & Mrs. John

Heidgerd, William

Gekle, William F. Cielleri, Mr. & Mrs. Arthur L.

Hevenor, Itobert 8.

Gennel, rm=. & Mrs. Alton

Genealogical SocietyLialt I]ake George, Mr. & Mrs. Glenn

Ge]rmond, Florence Chee, Joyce C. *Gill, Cforge M. Glower, Jenny H. Glower, fyELia A.

toetz, Diane M. Cbldin,` Mr. & rm=s. Irving H. Grant, Mr. & Mrs. Henry A.

Hemroth, Mrs. George

hicks, try c.

IIill, Dr. Charles L.

Hill, Mr. & Mrs. Grant 8.

Hill, Mrs. Harry H. Hinkley, Mr. & Mrs. David R. Hirst, Mrs. H. Sherman *Hoag, Mrs. F. Philip Hoe, Mr. & Mrs. Edward L.

*Hcre, ltrs. Itoted

Hoecker, Alice M.

Hoeeker, hita

Green, Mrs. J. Sam, Jr.

Ho ff , Mr. & Mrs. Frederick

Ciriffeth, Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan

Grinnell Library Association

Holden, Mr. & Mrs. Arthur E. Hoskins, Mr. & Mrs. Itouglas G.

Grover, Victor E.

HCIvard, Mr. & Mrs. Edward VanA

CheHrsey, Mr. & Mrs. H. Wilson

HCIvley, John

°Greene, Mr. & Mrs. F. Cb]man

Gumell , Iiewitt Gurma]ro, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph

Gustafson, Julia 8.

Hoffrun, Edith

Hoyt, ruth M. Hdyt, Mrs. William V. Hdebard, Mr. Mrs. E. S.,Ill

203

Hlinbard, Mr. & Dtrs. E. Stua]±, Tr. LeRc3y, Mrs. Howard I. IJevy, Ijpr Hunger, Dr. & Mrs. Edwin L. *Iewis, Mr. & Dtrs. Iou Hunt, Mrs. A. Seaman

Hunter, E± R.

IIewittes, Mr. & Mrs. David J.

Tacc)b, Mrs. Thcmas F.

Iogan, Nancy A.

Lindsley, Rev. James Elliot Hunter, Mtry Alice LippHun, Jack I. IIyde Park Association ftyde Park Free Library Association Iltt, Dtr. & Dtrs. Solomon Little Nine Partners Historical Hyde Park Historical Society *Ingersoll , Iona Barton Society Tacobs , Claudia James, Spencer C. , Tr.

|amineE, Ioretta T.

Tanson, Mr. & Mrs. William H.

Ichardi, Joseph I.

*Iosee , Byron Vincent Iosee, Mr. & Mrs. John

tossing, rmgaret

Taycox, Herbert L.

tossing, Mtry s.

Jeanneney, Dr. & Dtrs. John

Iove, Mr. & Mrs. conald P.

Teffries, Mrs. John F.

J-er, John M.

Johnson, Dr. & Atrs. C. Cblton *Tohnson, Mr. & Mrs. J. Edward

Jones, Hack

Jordan, Mrs. Vivian Hill

*Kaltz, Mr. & Mrs. Dieter H. Kane, Mr. & Mrs. John V.,Ill Kane, Linda L.

Lucas, Mr. & Dtrs. Lucas J..

Ludwig, charlotte E. Lunfo, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen P. Lund, Mr. & Mrs. David

*Ijynn, Mrs. Clara L. Lyon, Lucinda S. nfacGuinness, Mrs. Itobert 8.

Madsen, Mr. & Mrs. Alfred M.

ifeguire, L-I-. RE±

Kelly, Arthur C. M.

Mansfield, Mrs. G. Stuart

Kendall, Mr. & Mrs. Rc>beri

Maranto, Mr. & Mrs. Frank, Tr.

Kester, Charlotte T.

Marist College Library

Key, Mtry C.

Masirmann, Mr. & Mrs. Herbert

K-edy, Helen I.

Key, J-s W.

Kirkead, Elise H. *Kirby, Helen Cornell Klare, Mrs. Harold V. REpp' Craig P. Ithauss, Mr. & Mrs. HCIvard C.

Maroonette , Marguerite M.

Marshall, Joseph N. Mather , Cbnstance Mauri , Stephanie W.

*Mavadones, Zinas M. Maxwell, Clarence W. Mccabe, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph

Khickerbocker, Mrs. William

Mccalley, Adrienne A.

Koloski, Dr. & Mrs. Ra:ymond

McCc)rrb, Mr. & Mrs. Arthur 8.

Kranz, MaJry M.

*Krulewitch, E. Peter IiaGrange Elementary School I.aGrange Historical Society I+aljbe]±e , IIawrence

hue, Margaret L. I.ane, rmgaret T. IIarrabee, Marshal, Ill

Mcoullough, Mrs. David G.

*Mc Derlinott, Mrs. William P. MCEIfoe, Jack A. MCGinnis, Mr. & Mrs. IIawrence MCGirmis, Peter C. MC:Gurk, Patricia H. MCKee, Jean MCKirmon, Sandra T.

fattin, Mr. & Mrs. Clifford M. , Sr. Mdilernan, Ibnald H. Meadows , Elizabeth M. I.awlor, hise M. Meads, Mrs. Manson fawson, Aifel V. Meagher, Raymond E. , Tr. I]eigh, Mrs. Catherine F. Ijelmox, Gail M.

Meserve, Helen M.

204

ifesler, Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth.B. Meyer, Mr. & Mrs. Richmond F.

Olivett, Frank Tr.

0llivett , Audrey

O'Neill, Ellen Marie Milthrcx)k Central Schcol District qaperman, Mrs. Martin Orton, rm=s. Horace V. rfulthrcok LjJ]rary *ELller, Ellio€ O'Shea, Mr. & Mrs. E. Richard *Miller, Mr. & Mrs. John M. Ostrander, Cbllin E. °oujlnette , Itoberi A. tiller, Marfua S. Overlook Elementary School Millett, Stephen C. Partridge, Mr. & Mrs. Ftoberi A. Mill Road School Library Meyers, Esther G.

Parker, Mrs. Thomas E. Mills, Mrs. Harold S. Millspaugh, Mr. & Mrs. Stanley C. Pattison, Ijaurie D. Pearce, James E. Minturn, Mrs. Gerald

Mitchell, Mrs. charles A. *Mitchell, Grayson a.

Mitchell, Mrs. N. Edward Moerschell, Mr. & Mrs. Gerald E. MDger, Itoy & Elizabeth MDngoven, Mr. & Mrs. Edward R.

Peters , Barbara Peterson , thldred

Petz, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph E.

Picard, Mrs. Irving Pierce, Madelene E.

Pierce, R]beit

MDntgomery, Mr. & ltrs. Itoberi

Piconka, Ruth

toran, Judith

Society Pleasant Valley Torn History Item

*Mcore, EL=s. Samuel A.

torey, C. AIlerton Morrissey, Mr. & ntrs. Jarres Moser, Mrs. Clifford M. MDsher, Mr. & Mrs. Charles MDtes, Mr. & Mrs. J. H.

Mulvey, Mrs. Edward A. rmmd, Dr. & Mrs. Andreir L.

Munderback, Mr. & Mrs. C. Fbberi

Murphy, Brian Mtryhy, rms. I. A. Mut±augh, Edward J. ftylod, Mr. & Mrs. Charles I. Nalle, Mrs. John M. Naramore, Bruce E. Navins, Mrs. Charles J. Nelson, D. Peter *Nestler, Harold R. Netter, Mrs. Matthew Nevers, Frances G.

Nafourgh Free Library

*Nermnan, Dr. & Mrs. Edward

Nichols, Mr. & Mrs. William J. Norris, Mr. & Mrs. Stanley J.

Northeast Historical Society Norton, Mrs. Donald E.

Nexon toad Elementary School O'Brien, coris J. O'Donnell, Mr. & Mrs. Raylrond V.

O 'Donoghue, George

Pleasant Valley Historical

Podmaniczky, charles 8.

Po]Jrermis , Mrs. Norman Pomeroy, Mr. & Dtrs. Robert W. Potter, Mr. & Mrs. Ch7en W.

*toucher, Joha L. Poughkeepsie Historical Society Prutting, Mrs. William C.

Psaltis , Peter

Pugsley, S. Veha Pultz, Mrs. Frank H. Pulver, Mr. & Mrs. 8. Jordan

Quaker Hill Historical Society Rack, Mrs. I.awrence L. Radovsky, Mrs. David A.

Randolph School Inc. Rawson, Mr. Edrmmd G., Jr.

Red Hook Historical Society Reese, Mrs. James E.

*Reese, Mr. & Mrs. Willis L. M.

Reichenberg, Mrs.. Richard, Jr. Reicheit, Henry C.

°Reifler, Mr. & Mrs. Aaron

Reilly, M=. & Mrs. Edward R. Renshaw, Mr. & Mrs. Itobert E.

Ithinebeck Historical Society ltoberts, Fr. Kennedy K. *fodenburg, Mrs. Carl A.

205

*Roig, Mr. & Mrs. Herbert S.

Space, Margaret N.

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano High Schcol

Spingler , rmgaret

RE, Ludwig

Steinhaus , Williern R. Stenberg, France W. Steppacher , Margery Stevens, Mrs. Waiter W. Stevenson, EIf . Jean K. Stock, Paul & ifenique Stolarik, Mrs. Karel Strain, Mrs. cha].mer L.

Spratt, Mr. & Mrs. James, Jr.

roosevelt, Franklin D. , Ijjbrary *Spross, M=. & Mrs. thas. G.,11 Spross, Mr. & Mrs. Hlfoeri C. Rosenblatt, ltrs. A]ber± Stache, Arthur P. Rothwell, William F. , Tr. Stairs, Mr. & Mrs. David S. Rtoin, Nathaniel Stanford Historical Sociei]r REesch, Alida E. *Fylrph, Mr. & Mrs. Carlton L. *Ftiprph, Mr. & Mrs. Ernest A. *Ftyxph, Mr. & Mrs. Harvey I.

Sadlier, Mrs. William I.

Salt ford, Her±

Salvato, rm=. & Mrs. Itonald *Salrmis, C. Theodora *Salrmis, Mrs. Iiloyd Sanford, Mr. & Mrs. David N.

Satterthoaite, Mrs. J. Sheafe

Strain, Mr® & rm:s. Richard C.

*Strang, Cbllin

Strang, Mr. & Mrs. Rbber+ M.

Saye, rmian V. A.

*Stringham, Mr. & Mrs. Varick

Scardapane, Dr. & Mrs. Felix,Jr.

Stutz, Mr. & Mrs. Frederick L. Suckley, Margaret L. Supple, Mrs. IIeonard J. Swenson, Christine M. Swift, Georgia E.

Schalherger, Ijpr

Schenjman, Beatrice E. Schmidt, Mr. & Dtrs. C. 8.,11

Schmidt, Mrs. C. 8.

Schoonmaker, Mr. & ELs. Allen,Ill soift, Fdrth p.

Take, David S. Schoonma]ser, Mrs. Helen H. Takacs, Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Schweizer, Eleanor N.

Scott, Charles T. *scDtt, Heny L. Seeger, Mr. & Mrs. Peter

Seylrour, Barbara I. Seymour Sinith Elementa]ry School

SheThy, Charlotte Sherman, Mr. & Mrs. Jonah

Shields, David S. Siepietoski, Mr. & Mrs. roseph Sjxpson, Alanson G.

Sinott, Mr. & Mrs. roseph SkidrrDre , Hazel

Skirmer, Willa Slocrm, Dr. & Mrs. Jonathan Srith, Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Sinith, Cbnstance 0.

Smith, Mrs. Earl E. Smith, Mrs. Edwin A. Smith, Elizabeth M.

Smith, Eulce H. Smithers, Mr. & rm=s. John A. Somers, Mr. & prlfs. Arthur

*south, Paul

Taylor, cO-

Telfer, Florine D. Thayer, Tag Thormton, Mrs. Archie Thormton, Mr. & Mrs. I. Stanley

Thystrap, union E; Tin, Ruth M.

Ttole, Kermeth R. T±akel, Nevell 8.

°Traver, Mr. & Mrs. Theodore H. Tschudin, Mr. & Mrs. Enil, Tr. Thceling, M=. & Mrs. William

Tunold, rmjorie S. Tynan, John F. °ryrrel, Mr. & Mrs. Nelson M.

ulrich, Efro A.

Union Vale Historical Society

°Van Benschoten, Mr. & Dtrs.

John, Jr. Van Benschoten, Mr. & Dtrs. W.

Van Kleeck, Mrs. Baltus 8.

Van Kleeck, Baltus 8. , Jr. *Van Kleeck, Peter

206

zmDITloNAL raw imBERS

Van Kleeck, Mrs. Ralph E. Van Kleeck, Col. R. Thomas Van Kleeck, William T. Van Vliet, Mr. H. Richard Van Voorhis, Joan K. Van Wagner, Alson D.

AVIes, Richard G. Biscome, W. Fad ford Jr. Courad, Helen EDstien, Claude & Linda

Van Zanten, Mr. & Mrs. FTank Varian, Ffuth W. 8.

Phillips, Peter & Chri-;tina

Fiori , r-iov-a r-avin, John

*Van Wagner Genealogical & Histor- lossing, Dr. John H. New York Public Librarv ical Resource I[ibrary

Vassar College Library Velletri, Dtrs. 'Iouis J. Verven, Mr. & Mrs. Angelo

Vinall, Mrs. Harry E. Vcxpel, rms. Craig Voorhees, Dr. Earle W.

Voorhees, Valere S. Wade, William 8.

Wager, Howard C. Wagoner, Nancy K.

Wappingers Falls Historical Society Washburn, Mrs. Orlin G. Washburm, Mr. & Mrs. William F.

Washington Historical Society Wasserman, Dr. Gall A.

Watson, ltrs. E. Vail Weber, Patricia W. r Webster, Mrs. Allen Welsh, Dr. & ltrs. John I. Wenck , Frances-Haight

Werder, Catherine West ltoad Inte]rmediate School

Thalen, Olive lthite, Mr. & Mrs. William R.

Williams , rorothy Williamson, Mr. & lts. George D. Willig, Mr. & Mrs. Stanley 8.

Wilson, Cforge N. Wilson, Ijcom V.

wi2rson, carolys p. itohlbac±c, Mrs. James itolfson, M=. & Mrs. William itood, Mr. & Mrs. William R.

tor]rmaster, Wallace F. Wunderly, ltrs. Itoberi E. Yellen, Mr. & Mrs. Paul M.

Zuccarello, Iouis C.

Plunkett, quthia E.

Wiles, Dr. Richard C. Winsor , Kathleen Zamierow±ki, prT. & Mrs. John

Zirme-, jindrea

Index Adriance Library, 144 , 145' 147

associations, (oont'd.) census ; Dutchess County (1714) , Planned Parenthood ,

AfroTAmericans , 83f AirENell, Absalom, 134 Akin Hall Assoc. , 115

Akin, A]beri J. , 115

207

104;

itomen`s Business, 105; YMCA, log; YWCA, 108

16lf ; Dutchess Cbunty (1800) , 59f , 154; New

York Province, 16lf ;

automobiles , Stanley ,ilo industry, 55f Chancellor estate, 109 168,Bailey, fosalie F„ 28 Cheney, Clarence 0. Dr. ,

A]bany, NY, 27, 51, 75, 79, 172

80,

156,

162,

103 Bard family, 24; Christy, Edward, 143 John Dr.,13, 24,10lf churches , AfricanMeth. 97; American Revolution, 52 , Balm:urn, P. T.,142 Ascension, 113; Christ Barilett, ltr. ,142 53, 106, 121f, 130, Fpisc., 6,113,137,143; 139; Cbnm. of Safety, beacon, NI, 102, 104,

Amenia, Tbtm of , 63, 103

106, 107, 109' ilo;

115

Mt. Gulian, 115 Anderson, John, 139 Andrus, Dr. Charles, 78; Bee]rman's, 23; Militia, 155; Itmm of Beelenan,

Fhos. C.,145;

Helen, 129 102' 103, lil Anthc)ny, Theophilus , 106; Belknap, -, 139 Thi]he]mina,106 Bellomont, Gov. ,162

Dutch Reformed, 107, 114,

146, 155; First Baptist, 114; German Reformed, 155; Im7 Episcopal, 113; Meth. Episc., 86,114, 146; Pr-6t. Episc.,113;

Quaker, 24; St. Denis,

Anti-Slavery Society, 85f Benedict, George, 77, 81 lil; St. Jalnes, 13, 102; architecture, 5, 9,10, Bermett, Ma:y Friend,104;Ter[ple Beth-El, 114; Washington Methodist , 97 13; Springwood, 22, 23; Sarah, 79 Dutch,12, 23; Georgian, Benson, Iouise P.,106Civil War, 85, 88, 97,146, 147; Antietam, 103; uni22, 23; Mills home,114; Belays, Abram, 167 Red House, 13; Vnder- Bolding, John, 87, 88 Clapp, Rayrond, 60 bilt, 114; Victorian, Boyd, David, 65 12, 23 Braman, Edward, 13, 36 Cleaveland, Joseph Dr. ,103

fo-' ilo

Bretsier±, Hendrick,167clergy, 10|f Brett family, 158, 159; Clinton, Gov. Devitt, 138; -Of , 61' 62 Catherine (Barrett) , a]± & artists, 106; 36, 107; Roger, 173 Coffin, Tristram, 78 Cbld Spring, NY, lil Barmen, P. T., 142; Brcrm, Margaret, 27; Golden, Governor, 52 Billings, Henry, 12; R. Stanley, 13 Coles, Rev. G.,146 Qiristy Minstrels, 143; Bucktail Party, 138 College Hill School, 138, thristy, Edward,143; Burditt, 8. A.,142

Arends family,157f; Hendrick, 157f Armold, Judge,19

Dons, 01in, 12, 13;

Bays family, 157

142

Cblihoia Cbunty, 154, 164 Carmon, George W.,112 Cook, Rev. Cbrnelius, 114 Gorbetta, Roger, 109 Cardinal Hayes, 109 Crane, Capt. John, 125 Carmel, NY, 123, 124 Car]roll, Dan, 76 crcoke, N-iney, 135 Cary, Ebenezer, 102; Crurn Eltw, 17; dispute, 32, 33 Egber± Dr. ,102

Foster, Gerald, 10, 11; Foster, Stephen,143; Hudson R. School, 20; RTitgaard, 10;

"Mad bet", 20; rrmrals, 10, 12, 24; Itosen, Charles,10

associations ;

Akin Hall,115; ahoulance, 109;

American Birth,104; . American Field,lil; AIti-Slavery, 85f; Arlington Rescue,109;

Catlrolic Charities, 113; florist, 108; Knickerbbker, lil; I]eague of itomen Voters,

certeteries ,10lf ;

Culinary Institute, 113

Amenia,115; Beacon, Cirmins, Rev. Alexander G., 113 115; Bee]enan, 115f;

Cuny, Iiconard, 94; tower Plains,116; William C. ' 81 Fishkill,116; Hyde Park, 116; I.aGrange, 116; Pa±terson,116;

Pavling, 116; Pine Plains, 116; Pleasant Valley, 116; Poughkeepsie, 116f; RAine-

Danbury, Or, 106, 124

Danckaer+s, Jasper, 46 Daniels, Helen, 106 Davis, Richard D.,138 Dayley, Anna G. W.,106

De chardin, Pierre T. Fr., 112 I]iterature, 147 ; Vale, 117 ; WappingOld Indies,108; Pawling ers,117; Washington, De Chastellux, Marmis , 12 Calrpfire Girls ,105 117f; I..Jingdale,118 105; I;yceunl of

beck,117; Union

Index

208

De I.a Vergne, Benjamin Dr.' 102

Francis, William Tr. , 91Hudson River Psychiatric Hospital' 103 Freerunville , 86 French & Indian War, 52 Hudson River, British, 34,

De Peyster family, 20 35; Indian name, 44 be Puy, Jacobus, 9 Delaney, Daniel D. ,lil Galatti, Stephen, lil Hudson, Henry (Journal) , 50, 51 Garmer, wh. Eigine Co. , belano family, 5 Hudson, NI, 20 78 Derail, Peche, 157 Darey, Gov. Thomas, 105

Iteyo, Isaac, 97

Dickiuson hill, 24 Divine, Father, 33 rmge, John, 138

Garretson, Rev. Freeborn, 114

Germain, fbllin, 81 Gerly, Elbridge T. ,112

Hunphrey, James, 79, 81 Hunt, Freenun, 140 Hunter, Gov. Robert, 163, 164, 165

Huntington, George in. , Gifford, Sherlran & 102; Heny, 139 Dongan, Gov. Thomas, 16lf Inds' 65 Dover, TtHm of, 114, 115 Gi]beri, Theeler Dr. ,103 Hyde Park, Tt]un of , 8f , 17f, 23, 57, 62, 102,104 Gill' Dina, 106 mtcher, -, 167 Gillett, A]ber+, 77, 81 Dutchess Bleachery, 69 jrmigrants, Irish, 83f Glechan Cb. , ilo Dutchess Cbunty Court House, 10, 154, 155,

caring Hall, lil

Indian, agriculture, 48;

calabash, 47; canoes, 50; Goring, Edward M. ,lil Degenawida (prophet) , 45 ; Dutchess Cbunty Histor- Grutb, John a. , 88 fishing & hunting, 49, Grdee, charles, 142 ical Society, 5, 6, 13, 50; Hiawatha, 45; housGuernsey, Desault, 103 21, 29' 103' 140 Dutchess Cbunty Medical Gunn, Abel Jr.,143,148; ing, wigwam, 42, 46f; reservations, 51; and Joseph, 148; Scoiety, 102, 103 sachen, 52 S-el, 148, 149 Dutchess Cbunty; bJ..ogIndians, 4lf; & French, War raphies, 10lf; busiof , 52; & missionaries, ne-ss, 56; clergy, 113; Hackett, charlotte C. , 164

household size, 16lf;

105; H-' 13

ice trade,112; indians, Harlrond, Benjamin,109 156; industry, 55f; Harkness, William Adr. sheriff,154; wards, 112 154, 163f; WPA inven-

Harmtense, lqapder+, 156

tory, 20

Hasbrouck, Alfred Dr. , 102; Judge Frank, 27

(

Edrrond, F±ank, 112

Eliot, Maude Stoutenburgh, 13, 14 Emigh, Nicholas, 156

Hayes, Patrick, Cardind' 110

51; Algonquian, 41, 42; Cayugas, 45; Delaware, 41, 42; Esopus, 43, 51; Iro-

quois , 44-5 ; IIenni-I.enape , 41, 42; long house, 45; Iong Island, 43; Mahican, 41f; Manhates, 43; Minnessinck, 43 ; Minnisink, 41, 43; M)hark, 44, 45,

Hendrickse, Ijycheth, 157 , 51; Mc2hegans, 45; rmmsee,

4lf ; Neir Fhgland, 51; Nen7 159 Jersey, 43; Oneidas, 45; Henry, Helen, 27, 28 Blacks, 83f,130; Freer Hirdans]ry, Sara Dr.,107; Chondagas, 45; Orange cb., 43; purchases from, 156, manville, 86; Germans, Sjrmn, 107 sachems, 44; Sene145, 156, 157; Indians, Hoffman, Herman, Sheriff 158; ,

ethic groups;

43f; Irish, 83f , lil, 139' 141

family, size of Dutchess

132 Hogan, Marjorie MEicc)rmac]dy l05

Holzer, Isaac,114 Cb.,163f; New York, 168f ; New Fingland, 169f Hooker, Joseph, 88

Faust, .ohn Dr.,102

Filkin, Francis, 130 Fishkill I.ending Lunber Cb.,112

Fishkill ; manufacturing ,

Ifopkinson, Francis,135 hospitals; Craig House, 104; Hudson River Pep-

Ftwler farily, 77f

mscarora, 45; Ulster cb., 43; Wappinger,12; West-

chester Cb. , 43

Industry - see 'hanufacturing'`; cotton mill, 60; in Dutchess co. , 55f; ice trade, 112

chiatric, 103; St. Bar-innovators in Dutchess cO. , nabas,104; Vassar,104

64f; Tcrm of, 30, 103, Hover Sanitariun, 14

107' lil, 154f Fletcher, Govermor, 52 Flick, Alexander, 29 Fbrbush, Waiter H. , 81 Foster, Stephen, 143

Gas, 45; tri-racial, 54;

10lf

inns, Mizzentop Hotel, 115

Hudson Gas & Electric Cc>. ,Ilo Jen7ett, Ijeland,136 Hudson River, 11, 20, 32, Johnson, John, 154;

43, 57, 9i, i3i

srith, ilo;

Hudson River Iron ltorks, William Sir, 52 lil Judson, Alice,106

DUTCHESS

COUNTY

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Clinton House Museum -Box 88 Poughkeepsie, New York 12602

The Dutchess County Historical Society was organized in 1914

to preserve and dissemlnate information about the history of Dutchess Cbunty. Since that time it has Conducted its educational program through invited speakers at meetings, field trips and an active publication program.

This prngran was extended when the Clinton House lfuseurn was opened in 1980.

Publications - The Society has published ten bound volumes about Dutchess County history through its ptolication program entitled oc>llections of the mtchess Cbunty Historical Socie The Yearbook, published annually since 1915, has been a prim-

ciple vehicle for disseminating information about the history of the County. Additionally, the Dutchess Historian, a news-

letter published quarterly since 1976 , brings .ul-e mefroers news

about the Society and news fron\ twenty-too tan historical soc.ieties in Dutchess County.

Museim - 'The Clinton House, a statermmed historic landmark, is operated as the rruse\m, library and headquar+ers of the Society. It houses the Society's manuscript collection and resource linrary both of vinich are available to merTbers and individuals oonducting research. The mtc.hess Cbunty Histor-

ical Society has provided space in its headquarters for tiro related organizations: i) Daughters of the American Fievolution, Mahwenawasigh aiapter, and 2) Dutc`hess Cbunty I.andmarks

Association .

Societ Activities - The Society conducts two all day pil-

grimages each year, spring and fall, to visit various historical areas in Dutchess County. Additionally, the winter dinner meeting and the late spring armual dinner meeting include historical programs.

Support - Programs, public.ations and Societ.y activities are suppo]ted f inancially fron\ mehoership dues , contributlons , income from endo`rments and an active acxluisition program.

Tax and Cc>ntributions - Contributions, gifts and bquests are tax deductible because the Society qualifies as an educational institution. The Society will provide guidelines for appraisal for iten`s of historical value presented as gifts.

Merfoers receive the Yearbook, the Dutchess tykrfership Historian , invitations to pilgrirnges and meetings, free admssion to the Clinton House Museim and Library, and disoc)unts on Society pholicatioris

PUBLICATIONS COLLECTIONS.

VOL.

I

DUTCHESS

0td

COUNTY

Gravestones

of.

HISTORICAL

Dutohess

SOCIETY:

County.

New

Yor.k,

J. Wilson Poucher and Helen W. Reynolds, editors (1924, reprint 1976) . Inscriptions on 19,000 gravestones 17501916.

Pp. xl, 427, illus., index.

Cloth $30.00 VoZ,.

IV

Noti,ce,s

of.

Mar.ri,ages

and

Deaths>

1778-1825,

Helen W. Reynolds, (1930, reprint 1982) . Cxpilation from Poughkeepsie newspapers of 2,500 marriages and 1,500 deaths. Inc.ludes wives ' maiden name (separate

list) , husband's occupation, relationships to others and names of clergymen.

VoZ.

yTJT Fczmdz9

V4stcz,

Pp. XII, 140.

Cloth S15.00

Margaret Cnanler Aldrich,

(1958).

.MEroirs of the author and her contacts with twentieth century notables.

VoZ,.

X

Pp. 233, illus.

Cloth

Eighteenth Centuriy Doc}unents ner.s Patent. Dutc.hess Cc>unty,

P. Mc Derrrott, editor, (1979) .

$6.00

of the Nine Par.tNeu rorl<. William

The Proceedings of the

Nine Partners,1730-1749 , together with abstracts of land transactions , estate transfers and 30 , 000 name references ccxpiled by Clifford Buck & William P. Mc Derrrott.

Pp. XXVIII, 735, maps, index.

Cloth $35.00

Other books available : Hi,stol.y

cjf.

Dutchess

Cclunty.1leto

¥clr.k.1683-1882,

James H. Smith, (1882, reprint 1980) . General history of Dutchess County and each of its tcnms. Pp. 562, illus., biographies, index.

Cloth $35.00 Pcjrltrlai,ts

of

Dutchess

1680-1807, S. Ve:lma.P`i!qsLey,

(1976) . Portraits of eighteenth century Dutchess County residents with background information on each. Pp. 47, 40 illus., index.

Paper

Ni,neteenth Century

Art i,n Dutchess.

$3.50

S. Ve:1maL

Pugsley, (1982) . Portraits and landscapes of l9th century Dutch`ess County with background information on each.

Pp. 44, 35 illus., index.

Dutchess

County..

Paper

$3.50

A Pi,ctortaz, Hi,stor`y. Jdan and Mary

L. Jeanneney, (1983) .

Civer 300 carefully chosen and well

captiorfed photographs supplenented with other illustrative material f ron\ the period prior to photography recount the 300 year history of Dutchess Oc)unty.

Pp.192, illus., index.

Purchases may be made f rcm

Dutchess Cbunty Historical Society Clinton House - Box 88 Poughkeepsie, N. ¥.

12602

Cloth $29.95