Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook Vol. 075 1990

¥

The Dutchess County IIistorical Society a is seThg the

poE5kreye;:1e ®

by

Edmund Platt and

Dutchess County: A Pictorial History by

John Jeanneney

and

Mary L. Jeanneney For more information contact the Dutchess County Hstorical Society, P.O. Box 88, Poughkeepsie, New York n602, or call (914) 471-1630

104

830 pages of authentic 18th Century history Of the torms or Beelman, Pawling, Dover, Unionvale, and part of I.aGrange. The book is fully indexed, indudes early maps and is case bound.

See your local bookstore+ or send $85.00 plus tax to:

Frank J. Doherty 231 Freedom Road Pleasant Valley, NY n569

1 9

DUTCHESS C OUNTY

i HISTORICAL SOCIETY 103

Dutchess County Historical Society YearBook Volume 75 1990

®

C

:1,.

I,

I.i

The Dutchess County Historical Society Year Book (ISSN 0739-8565) has been publishedannuallysince1915bytheDutchessCountyHistoricalSociety,Box88, Poughkeepsie, New York 12602.

Individual copies may be purchased through the Society. Selected earlier Year+ books are also available.

Manuscripts, books for review and other correspondence relevant to this publication should be addressed to:

Dutchess County Historical Society Publications Committee P.O. Box 88 Poughkeepsie, New York 12602

Editors: William N. Richardson and Jane D. Begos Edifor].clz Committee : Elizabeth Daniels, Joyce Ghee

and Mary Lou Jeanneney Indexer: Eileen M. Hayden

The Society encourages accuracy but cannot assume responsibility for statements of fact or opinion made by contributors.

© 1991 by the Dutchess County Historical Society All rights reserved.

The Dutchess County Historical Society was organized in 1914 to preserve and share the county's rich history and tradition. The only county~wide organization ofitskind,thesocietyistheactiveleaderandpromoteroflocalhistoryinDutchess County. Principal endeavors include the publishing of historical works, and the collection and safekeeping of manuscripts, artifacts and other priceless treasures from the past. The Society has also been instrumental in the preservation of two pre+Revolutionary landmarks, the Clinton House and the Glebe House, both in Poughkeepsie.

TheSocietyoffersitsmembersavarietyofactivitiesandspecialeventsthrough~ out the year. For further informat:ion or to join, please contact the Society at P.O. Box 88, Poughkeepsie, New York 12602, or (914) 471~1630.

Table of Contents Andrew Jackson Downing and Picturesque Tourism at Matthew Vassar's "Springside" John F. Sears ............................................................................... 5

Hamilton Pray.-Inventor of the Horse-Drawn Ice Plow Kathy Welsh ............................................................................ 15

Records of Marriages Mary Lou and Jim Davison ..................................................... 19

The History of the Clove Valley 1697-1740 Frank J. Doherty ...................................................................... 28

Stanford Union Free School District No. 2, 1922-1957 Donald C. Spiers ...................................................................... 40

The West Mountain Mission: A Mission for Its Tlme Myna J. Hubert ....................................................................... 55

With Prosperity All Around: Urban Issues in Poughkeepsie, New York, 1950-1980 Sandra opdycke ....................................................................... 62

Tator Hill Elma williamson

................................................ 8 1

Sponsors..................................,....................................................85

Officers and Trustees, Staff, Local Society Delegates .............. 86 Municipal Historians of Dutchess County ................................ 87 Historical Societies of Dutchess County ................................... 88 Index.............................................................89

Andrew Tackson Downing and Picturesque Tourism at Matthew Vassar's ``Springside" John F. Sears Frankl.in a:nd Eleanor Roosevelt Institute

ThemralcemeterymovementwhichbeganwiththeconstructionofMountAuburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1831 reached Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1850. As in the case of larger cities, like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, the churchyards in which Poughkeepsie had traditionally buried its dead were filling up. They were also located along increasingly busy streets which interfered with those wishing to mourn their dead in peaceful and private surroundings. The constmction of a rural cemetery in a suburban location would relieve these problems and provide a setting more in keeping with the Romantic view of nature] and amoreoptimisticviewofdeath.Therewerealsocivicmotivesatwork.Poughkeepsie was prospering and growing (its population had reached 11,000 in 1850, and it wouldbeincorporatedasamunicipalityinl854).Aruralcemeterywouldfunction as a monument for the community as a whole and at the same time allow its prominent citizens to display their status within it. Rural cemeteries were nondenominational, burial was by family plot, and the plots could be ornamented in suchawayastoindicatetheimportanceofthepersonorfamilyburiedthere.Asthe Pong7zkeapsz.e fngJe argued: ``Is it not desirable for all our citizens, of every creed to

unite in one common place of sepulture, that thus by their union the locality itself mightbebeautifiedasa`RuralCemetery,'andthegraveyardberegardedasaregion where no sectional partitions are discovered. Such a spot would be an invaluable ornament to our village, attracting both the resident and the stranger .... "2 A meeting was held to discuss the need for a cemetery and a committee was formed to seek a suitable site. The chairman of the committee was Matthew Vassar, a man who had made his fortune brewing ale, been active in civic affairs, and who would, a decade later, become the founder of Vassar College. The committee soon identified a tract of forty-four acres, part of the "Allen Farm" at Eden Hill, about a mile from the Center of town. The locations chosen for rural cemeteries were typicany in suburban locations with varied terrain and springs or brooks from which ponds could be formed. They were to be quiet refuges from the noise and bustleofthecity.Thepropertyidentifiedbythecommitteemettheserequirements: ``Its noble trees, its variety of surface, and its retired situation renders it eminently suitable" for a cemetery, noted the Po#gfekecpsz.e fczgJe. ``[T]he grounds are undulat-

ing on the surface, a portion of which is quite precipitous and picturesque, susceptibleoftastefulembellishment."3Despitetheurgingsofthe£¢gJcandthePongfrkeepsz.e TeJcgr¢z7Jz, however, Matthew Vassar's fellow citizens failed to organize an

I-

associationtobuytheproperty.Fearingthatitwouldbesoldtosomeoneelse,Vassar bought it himself, apparently with the intention of holding it until subscriptions couldbesoldandacemeteryassociationformedtopurchasetheproperty.TheEngJc and the TeJcgr¢z7Jz continued to urge Poughkeepsie residents to join with Vassar to secure the property, the TCJegrflpJz noting that ``Persons who have been upon it, and havealsovisitedGreenwood,nearNew-York,thinkitcan,ineveryrespect,bemade equal to that fine resting place of the departed.''4

While waiting for an association to form, or perhaps with the intention of persuading his fellow citizens of the virtues of the property, Vassar hired Andrew Jackson Downing, the leading landscape architect of the day, to design and landscape the grounds. He appears to have had in mind from early on the idea of convertingthepropertyintoanestateifthecemeteryschemedidnotworkout,and the newspaper accounts published in 1850 and 1851 indicate that the landscaping was carried on in such a manner as to be entirely compatible with the use of the property either as a cemetery or a private residence.

ItremainsunclearwhytheopportunitytobuythepropertyacquiredbyMatthew Vassar for the purpose of a rural cemetery failed to generate sufficient enthusiasm among his fellow citizens. The tract's most striking feature is the seven or eight knolls at its western end. These often steep and ledgy protuberances are grouped in close proximity to each other and vary in height. It is possible that this picturesque, even Gothic, topography did not appeal to all of those interested in establishing a rural cemetery in Poughkeepsie. When a cemetery association was finally formed in December of 1852, the group acquired a new site, across the highway from the Vassar property, whose topography was smooth and undulating, more beautiful than picturesque. The Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery was dedicated on November 2, 1853. In the meantime, Vassar had gone ahead with his alternative plan of developing the property he had purchased as his private residence. He employed Downing to design a porter's lodge, a cottage, a barn, a stable and carriage house, a gardener's cottage, and other structures as well as the grounds. By the fall of 1852, when Downing was drowned in a tragic steamboat accident on the Hudson, the cottage, stable and carriage house, and porter's lodge had all been built, the roads and paths, ponds and fountains constructed, and hundreds of trees planted. The work of transforming the property into a private estate was essentially complete.

Vassardidnoten.tirelyrelinquishthepublicpurposewithwhichhefirstacquired the property, however. He kept it open to his fellow citizens and it became Poughkeepsie's first public park. The need for public space, which was keenly felt inmanyAmericancitiesduringthisperiod,wasexpressedbythePong7zkeepsz.cfngJe in the spring of 1851 at the very time when Vassar was offering his property to the citizens of Poughkeepsie for a new cemetery: ``Perhaps nothing would add more to the beauty of Poughkeepsie," the fngJe asserted, ``than one or two public parks handsomely laid out and properly beautified in a convenient location.''5 In many mid-nineteenth century American communities, the rural cemetery functioned as the first public park; in Poughkeepsie Springside played this role.

But Springside was something more than a park. It became a minor tourist attractionthatwassometimesvisitedbytravelerspassingthroughpoughkeepsieas well as by local residents. As a tourist attraction its cultural production paralleled, on a local and simpler level, the cultural production of such national sites as Yosemite. In 1852, Matthew Vassar commissioned four paintings of Springside by the English landscape painter Henry Gritten, providing a comprehensive view of

6

thepropertyfromdifferentdirections.Thepropertyinspiredan``Odetospringside" whichappearedinthepongJzkepsz.efngJe,andapieceofmusicentitledthe``Springside Mazurka" composed by Charles Grube and published in Poughkeepsie. Accounts of tours of Springside appeared in the local papers, in B¢JJo#'s Pz.cfor!.¢Z Dr¢zoz.7€gRoo77t Co77tp¢7iz.o7£, and in Benson J. Lossing's biography of Matthew Vassar, V¢ssflr CoZzcge fl7zd Jfs Fo#7zder (1867). These artistic, musical, and literary productions not

onlyreflectedtheculturalsignificanceattributedtoSpringsidebyVassar'scontemporariesbuthelpedcreateitsculturalsignificance,justasonanationallevelThomas Cole's paintings conferred cultural status on the Catskill Mountain House.

Matthew Vassar himself, like many of his well-to-do compatriots, had reached a point in his development at which he deliberately and self-consciously sought to express himself in cultural forms that would mark him as a man of ``taste," ``refinement," and `1]enevolence" (the words frequently applied during the period

tomenandwomenwithpretensionstobeingcultivatedpeople).Hisentryintocivic enterprises, his involvement in the search for a site for a rural cemetery, his choice of the fashionable Downing to design the grounds of the site he purchased, his creation of Springside, his decision to leave it open to visitors, and his founding of Vassarcollegeallbespeakadesiretodefinehimselfasagentleman.Wedonotknow whether he read the criticisms of the crudeness of American society and its harddriving preoccupation with business by European and American writers, but he behaved like a man who had and who was intent on correcting such cultural shortcomings.

Matthew Vassar had been born on a farm in England and emigrated with his familytoNewYork.Atfourteenheranawayfromhometoavoidbeingapprenticed byhisfathertoatanner,rosetofirstclerkinastoreinNewburghandfinallyretumed four years later to work in his father's brewing business. When the uninsured brewery burned and his older brother was killed in an accident, he rebuilt the business from scratch and eventually expanded it. His story, as told by Lossing, by John H. Raymond in the periodical, the GczJ¢x!/ (1869), and by James Parton in Triumphs of Enterprise, Ingenuity, and Public Spirit (1.871),6 is the classie story Of the

self-made man of this period, the man who after a series of setbacks accumulates a large fortune through energy, determination, and hard work.

When Vassar felt his fortune had reached a sufficient level, he turned to cultural and civic pursuits. In 1845, he turned over the operation of his brewery business to his nephews, and traveled in Europe for a year with his wife and secretary. As a tourist, he visited many of the monuments of Europe including Sir Walter Scott's estate, Abbotsford, but he also visited factories and benevolent institutions. His HbraLry lnchaded BlaLck:s Picturesque TTourist of England and Wales aLnd Picturesque

Tlouristofscotland,GreatBritainlllustrated,aLndotherg\iidebockswhichwouldhawe encouraged a taste for landscape and for architectural monuments. His visit to Guy's Hospital in London, which had been established and endowed in 1721 by

Thomas Guy, a childless man of wealth like himself, inspired a determination to establish a similar institution in Poughkeepsie as an enduring expression of his benevolence and a means of pe.rpetuating his family name. This determination would lead to the establishment of Vassar Conege in 1861.

Matthew Vassar's trip to Europe drew him into the cultural life of his time in which tourism played an important role, especially for Americans. He would later develop ties with several men who were involved in the celebration of American scenery and the development of America's tourist landscape, particularly in the

Hudson Valley: Samuel F.B. Morse, an early landscape painter who owned a home justsouthofspringside;E.L.Magoon,theauthorofTheHo77!eBocko/#zcPz.c£#resq#c

(1852), whose collection of Hudson River School paintings Matthew Vassar would acquire for his new college's art gallery; and Benson J. Lossing, his official biographer, who was also a writer of books on American scenery and history, includingtheHudsonRIverValley.Allthreeofthesemenwereamongtheoriginal trustees of Vassar College.

ButthemostinterestingtiesMatthewVassarhadwiththosewhowerecelebratingandshapingAmericanscenery,werethoseheestablishedwithAndrewJackson Downing through the development of Springside. Downing had noted in the prefaLcetohisTreatiseontheTheoryandpracticeofLandscapeGardening(18EL)thattha.

growing wealth of the eastern United States was leading to the construction of elegant homes with landscaped grounds but that the work was being undertaken with insufficient guidance. His book was intended to provide some ``leading principles" of landscape gardening applied to the soil and climate of the United States and to its social and political conditions. ``As a people descended from the English stock," he wrote, ``we inherit much of the ardent love of rural life and its pursuitswhichbelongstothatnation;butourpeculiarposition,inanewworldthat required a population full of enterprise and energy to subdue and improve its vast territory, has until lately, left but little time to cultivate a taste for Rural Embellishment." He now perceived that in the more settled areas of the country his fenow citizenswereeagertoattachthemselvestoaparticularplaceandtopursuealifeof ruralleisure.Hesawinthisimpulse``acounterpoisetothegreattendencytowards constant change, and the restless spirit of emigration, which form part of our national character."7

It is likely that Matthew Vassar read these words and found in them a reflection of his own personal situation as he turned from his long preoccupation with businessenterprisetothepursuitsofagentlemanofleisure.Downing'swordswere flattering to a wealthy man who contemplated the investment of funds in the construction of landscaped grounds. Such a project, according to Downing, would contributetosocialstabilityinacountryundergoingrapidchange,rootapersonin his comlnunity, make him more patriotic, and express his religious yearning to return to the garden first made by God. Downing provided a reassuring bridge of virtue between wealth and its display in the form of a fine home and landscaped grounds.

Landscape gardening, Downing assured his readers could be indulged, ``unlike many other amusements," without ``the after recollection of pain or injury inflicted on others, or the loss of moral rectitude." In fact, he argued, it not only increasestheenjoymentofthegentleman'sfamily,but``improvesthetaste,andadds loveliness to the country at large." The art of landscape gardening was also less exclusive, more democratic than other forms of art, Downing asserted. Unlike a private collection of paintings, a landscaped estate was visible for everyone in the neighborhoodtoenjoy.Itsinfluence,hesaid,wouldbefelt"inthepotofflowersin thewindowortheluxuriant,blossomingvineswhichclamberovertheporchofthe humblest cottage by the way side."8 Downing praised Mr. Pratt, the ``liberal proprietor"ofLemonHillinphiladelphia,who,`1]yopening[hisestate]freelytothe public, greatly increased the popular taste in the neighborhood of that city.''9 Downing also wrote enthusiastically, in a letter from England published in the Horfz.c#J£#7i#Jz.sf in December 1850, about the Derby Arboretum established by a silk

manufacturer as a public garden with the intention of instructing the public in

8

arboriculture.Likewise,inkeepingSpringsideopentothepublic,Vassarmayhave felt he was contributing to the education of his fellow citizens both in methods of horticultureandagricultureandintasteforruralarchitecfureandlandscapedesign.

When Vassar finally did close Springside to the public in 1864, an item in the PongJzkeapsz.e £¢gze asserted that Springside ``has been of untold service in elevating and refining the public taste.'']°

In more general terms, Downing's belief in the social benefits of landscape gardening may well have had a special appeal to Matthew Vassar because of Vassar's desire to contribute to the improvement of his community and to create enduring monuments that would fittingly express the virtues he felt had guided him in business and led to his success. In regard to the establishment of Vassar College, Matthew Vassar said, ``This last act of mine is the result of industry, perseveranceandself-reliance.''JohncaweltiwritesinAposfJcsofI/7eseJ/-M¢cJGMcz7t

that the self-help books of the mid-nineteenth century indicate that Americans ``wanted to be reassured that they had not departed from the traditional syrithesis of religious and secular callings"; the ``real purpose of industry was not wealth but moralmerit."]]AndBensonLossinghimselfattributesMatthewVassar'ssuccessin business to a religious sense of his calling. ``Mr. Vassar had faith in the assertion of •the Sacred Proverbialist," Lossing writes, ``that he who is `diligent in his business

shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men;' and he showed his faith by his works.''12

The fact that Matthew Vassar kept Springside open to the public is appropriate from another point of view as well. The landscape gardening of the period and Downing's design principles in particular carried picturesque tourism to its most sophisticated level. Daniel Boorstin's disparaging remarks in T7ze J77?ngc about the

passive nature of ``tourism" and ``sightseeing"-words, as he points out, which cameintousageduringthefirsthalfofthenineteenthcentury-ignorethericlmess of the picturesque as a visual experience, although he is correct in recognizing a connection between these activities and the role of the tourist as consumer]3. The picturesque,whichhadbeendefinedandpopularizedbywilliamGilpininEngland at the end of the eighteenth century, provided a means of organizing the tourist's visual experience of the landscape, and thus an impetus to sz.gJzf scez.77g. It identified

models (notably the paintings of Claude Lorrain and Salvator Rosa) and provided principles for recognizing scenic landscapes and composing them into pictures. It enco.uraged the replication of landscape paintings in the form of prints, a passion amongtouristsforsketchinglandscapes,andtheorganizationoftouristattractions them.selves into a series of vantage points from wliich scenic views could be obtained. The canal boat, the steamboat, the railroad and the popular nineteenthcentury art forms, the diorama and the panorama, all allowed spectators to experience a series of scenes unfolding before them.14 But picturesque tourism was expressed in its most refined form in the fine art of landscape gardening in which thelandscapewasnotmerelycomposedbytheeyeofthepainterorthetourist,but physically rearranged to fit the picturesque ideal.

The.word picturesque had two meanings during this period. In its more general sense, the word was used to describe a landscape that was appealing because it could easily be composed by the eye of the tourist into a landscape painting (a Claude Lorrain, Salvator Rosa, or Thomas Cole, for instance). But ``picturesque" wasalsousedinoppositiontothesublimeandthebeautifultodistinguishdifferent forms of landscape beauty. Downing makes a careful distinction in his Trcflfz.sc o7t

9

L¢7zdscflpc G¢7'dc7£z.7tg, for example, between the picturesque and the beautiful. The

picturesque, he says, is ``expressed by striking, irregular, spirited forms," the beautiful is "characterized by simple and flowing forms." The picturesque is a ``manifestation of power," the beautiful is tranquil. Downing believed in making one of these styles the dominant or ``leading" characteristic in a landscape, but the inclusion of both picturesque and beautiful elements helped insure the variety he sought. As in painting, to which Downing recognized landscape gardening was closely allied, the aim was "unity, harmony, variety."15 His design for Springside would include both picturesque and beautiful landscape design features: smooth lawns,fountains,circularponds,ontheonehand,androckyoutcroppings,mounds covered with evergreens, on the other.

Asacompositioninthemoregeneralsenseoftheword``picturesque,"Downing designedSpringsideasaseriesofpicturesthatwouldunfoldbeforethevisitorashe passed through the landscape. Professor Russell Comstock described the effect of this strategy in 1852 : ``There is combined within these precincts every variety of park-like and pictorial landscape that is to be found in any part of our countrymeadows, woodlands, water-courses, jets and fountains, elevated summits gently sloping into valleys, forming the natural openings for the roads to girdle the hills andknolls,andthenceagainreachingupwardtothehighestpeaks,fromwhencethe eyeatoneglancecansurveyalmosteveryspotoftheentireenclosure."]6Downing's plan featured a series of curving carriage roads and paths along which vegetation and buildings were planted and sited. The roads and paths followed the natural contoursofthelandandopenedupaseriesofchangingviewsofdifferingdepthand scope. On a smaller scale, it is the same plan as the pattern of roads at Greenwood Cemetery called ``The Tour." If ``Springside" had become a cemetery, these roads would have provided access to the burial plots and monuments. Instead, they took visitors past lawns, forested mounds and outcroppings of rock, ponds, fountains, porter's lodge, cottages, barn, stable and carriage house, and other features. All of the buildings, which were designed by Downing in the picturesque board-andbatten, Gothic Revival style that he referred to as ``rustic pointed," were unobtrusively sited and tied by their irregular form and rustic construction to the trees, shrubs,rocks,andunevenfeaturesofthenatural1andscape.Theexperiencecreated bythearrangementofroads,paths,vegetation,andbuildingsinthelandscapewas continuous, ever changing, and higlily controlled. Downing's landscape was as artificial in a way as the nineteenth-century panoramas on canvas that were unrolled before the spectator, but, unlike them, appeared natural and spontaneous.

As ``Neutral Tint" described the Springside landscape in BflJJoi!'s magazine: ``Two

miles of carriage drive conducts you through, around, and over these manifold beauties, and the eye never tires of beholding the ever varying scenes."17 As a fine art, Downing's landscape designs depended not only on the strategic placementofvegetation,thecarefulsitingofbuildings,andtheharmonizingofbuilt andnaturalforms,butalsoontheeasewithwhichthespectatorcouldmovethrough the landscape: ``How pleasant is this broad, gravelly road, leading to the right into the most welcome shades!" says Lossing in describing Springside.18 Gravel walks and roads along which the visitor could move unimpeded on foot or in a carriage were an essential element of Downing's art, making it possible to take in the ``ever changing" scenes,. the ``pictures" he had created.

In his T7'cflfz.sc oJ7 L#77dscopc

G¢7'dc"I.7cg, Downing notes the importance of well-laid out roads and walks. He

praises Beaverwyck, the estate of William P. Van Rensselaer near Albany, for its ``sz.x

10

orsczJc77777z7csofwindinggravelledroadsandwalks...theirboundariesnowleading

over level meadows, and now winding through woody dells. The drives thus afforded, are almost unrivalled in extent and variety, and give the stranger or guest, an opportunity of seeing the near and distant views to the best advantage."" The rude condition of many roads during the period must have increased the novelty andpleasureoftouringsuchafinishedlandscapeandtheslowpaceofthecarriage (a sensation lost in the age of the automobile) must have been well attuned to enjoying its beauties.

In V¢ssflr Cozzege ¢77d Jfs Fol£7zcJer, Lossing conducts his readers on a detailed tour

of Springside in its fully developed state. His description occupies twenty-one pagesandisillustratedwithengravings,indicatingtheimportanceofSpringsideto Vassar as an expression of his taste and benevolence and reflecting Lossing's assessment of the significance of Springside as a work of landscape art. To Lossing, Springside is a gallery of views: ``Visitors agree that those acres, beautified and cultivated,arenotsurpassedbyanyspotinourcountry,ofequalarea,invarietyof surface, pleasant views and vistas, near and remote, and picturesque effects everywhere.Letusgoinandlookatthepicturesfromeverypointofvision.''2°Bythetime of Lossing's account, the Springside landscape was highiy articulated. Each walk, drive, and feature had been given a name much in the manner of the rural cemeteries, but also like the points of interest into which Niagara Falls, Mammoth Cave,andothertouristattractionsweredividedfortheconsumptionoftourists.We pass along gravel roads named ``Cottage Avenue," ``Chestnut Drive," and ``Poplar Sumrfut Drive"; and past small hills and hollows called ``Rock Roost," ``Meadow Girt," ``Scraggy Knoll," ``Woody Glen," and ``Center Circle" (names, Vassar indicates in a letter, which the owner supplied himself). Lossing's description gives the impression of great density and variety in the landscape: a profusion of trees of many species, and the alternation of open and wooded space, smooth and rough textures, small hills and valleys, all within a sman area of roughly fifty acres.

In its design Springside came the closest of any American landscape to the American perception of European levels of refinement, but it was also distinctly American in the informal, unostentatious, rustic air conferred on it by bowning's

architecture and landscape design. Although enormous scale-sublimity-was something many nineteenth-century Americans boasted of in their country's scenery, the domestic landscapes conceived by Downing embodied another American ideal. Springside's small scale and rustic architecture were an expression of republicanvirfuesandofthemoremodestpretensionsofAmericangentlemen.Downing emphasized in his books that the Gothic style could be applied equally well to the farmer's cottage and the gentleman's home, and at Springside he displayed its application to a variety of structures from Matthew Vassar's cottage to the porter's lodge and the stable. Although a site was reserved for a mansion and a design for a brick and stone villa for the site was published in Calvert Vaux's 1857 edition of VI7Zfls ¢7td Coffngcs and listed as a Downing and Vaux design, this more pretentious

structurewasneverbuilt.2]ThismayhavebeenbecauseMatthewVassarwishedto devote liis resources to the establishment of Vassar College or because his domestic needs and what Lossing calls his ``indisposition for mere display" did not require a more elaborate home than the cottage at Springside which he used as a summer residence. Even when he moved to Springside full-time in 1864 and finally closed the grounds to the public after fourteen years, Vassar did not choose to construct a more elaborate dwelling.

11

`r,, 3 dr_fit T a:

EaliEZE±

brlii-_¥S,£¥ ch£*

cfuethLqE:¥~-~` h=fr.q

_:a+3

±± q±r I LRERE= - --ii--t±¥`±f±:=== i _gLJ_

Map of the area of Springside lenown as the Pleasun'e Grounds. Courtesy of the Adriance Memorial Library, Local History Collection, Greater Poughkeepsie Library District.

Henry Gritten, ``View of Springside, View East from South Avemte of west facade of cottage, " 1852. Courtesy of the Vassar College Library.

12

AtspringsidenatureinAmericadidnotmeanthewilderness,nordiditmeanthe pastoral, working landscape of farms celebrated by Timothy Dwight in T7.¢t)cJs I.7£ Nczu £77gJ¢77d fl77cZ Nczu Yo7'/c (1821-22). Although a working farm was a part of

Vassar's estate and was part of Downing's total design of the landscape, it was carefully marked off from the ornamental or ``pleasure grounds" by an arched opening through the stable which provided access to it. The pleasure grounds themselveswere,1iketheruralcemeteries,highlyartificialdespitetheirnaturalness, as words like ``park-like" and ``pictorial" in the descriptions of Springside suggest.

The landscape of Springside was an intentional composition rather than one discovered or created by the eye of the painter or the tourist. Such landscapes are rare in America and, unlike the sublime landscapes of Niagara Falls or Yosemite have not tended to survive. It has been more difficult to get Americans to recognize theimportanceofsuchfragile,domesticlandscapes,notordybecausetheyaresuch temptingsitesfordevelopment,butbecauseAmericanstendtoidentifythesublime and the wild as the distinguishing characteristics of America as a place. The best preserved examples of domesticated landscapes are in the rural cemeteries, although some of these have deteriorated as well. The landscaped grounds of estates have often been lost as the property changed hands, the grounds became too expensive to maintain, or the land was bought for development.

The history of Springside has been fortunate in some respects, unfortunate in others. In March,1990, after a twenty year effort to prevent their development, the ornamental grounds of Springside became the property of Springside Landscape Restoration, a non-profit group.

Although much deteriorated, they are still restorable, using the existing historical records, to their original state. During the fight to preserve Springside, however, all its structures except the gatehouse were vandalized, burned, or torn down. The plans for these buildings are preserved in the Vassar College Library and, given sufficient resources, the structures could be rebuilt.Springsideistheordylargelyunaltered,majorcommissionofDowningstill in existence. When the work of restoring its landscape is eventually completed, it will once again become a tourist attraction. Springside remains an important expression of the picturesque, tourist aesthetic that played such an important role in nineteenth-century culture. As Ada Louise Huxtable wrote in 1969, ``The Downing landscape, one of the most enchanting art forms this country ever originated, is worth the same attention as that given the sequoias.''22

13

Endnotes I

For a fuller discussion of the rural cemetery movement and its relation to the Romantic ideals of scenic beauty, see the chapter `'Prisons, Asylums, Cemeteries, Parks" in John F. Sears, Sflc!'ed PJ¢ces.. A7Jzcj.!.call

TouristAttractionsintheNineteenthcentunyINewYock..OxfordThiverskypress,1989),especlanypages 100 and 104.

2

PozfgJ7keapsz.c £¢gJc, June 14,1851. Special thanks to Timothy Allred who, in his efforts to document the

history of ``Springside" during the campaign to secure its preservation, tracked down much of the material cited in this paper and generously shared it with me. Harvey Flad's essay, ". . . the hand of Art, when guided by Taste': Matthew Vassar's `Springside," also provided helpful background for my interpretation of Springside.

3

Poughkeepsie Eagle,June 1,1850.

4

Poughkeepsie Telegraph, July 3,1850.

5

Pouglckeepsie Eagle, May 24,1851.

6

la.mes paLlton, Triumphs of Enterprise, Ingemiity, and public spirit (INew York.. Virtue &Yorston,1:87I).

7

Andrew Talc:I<sonDowring, Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening (1875, rpt. Little

Compton, R.I.: Theophiastus Publishers,1977), p. vi.

8

Downing, p. vii-viii.

9

Downing, p.27.

10 Poughkeepsie Eagle, June 1,1864.

11 John Cawelti, AposfJcs a/ i/?a ScJ/-Mflde Mflrz (Chicago: University of Chicago Press,1965), pp. 74, 54.

12 Benson I. Lossing, V¢ssoj. CoJJegc fllzd Jfs Foif i]dc). (New York: C.A. Alvord, 1867), p. 28.

`3 DaLriel Boorstin, The Image, or What Happened to the American Dream (New York.. Atheneun,1962), p. 85.

]4 For a fuller discussion of the way the picturesque shaped tourist experience, see Sears, SflcJ`ed PJ„ces,

particularly Chapter Three.

15 Downing, T].cflf!.se, pp. 48, 64.

16 PougJckeepsie Eagle,June 12,1852.

T7 Ballou's Pictorial Drawing-Room Coinpanion,13 (Amgiist 2:9,1857), p.137.

" Lossing, Vassar College, p. 65.

I.' Dowriing, Tj.cflfj.sc , p.35.

2tl Lossing, V„ssH7' Col/cgr, pp. 63-64.

2' Calvert Vaux, VI7/fls „/]d Coffngcs (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1857), pp. 276-80.

22 Ada Louise Huxtable, Nczo yoi* T].77zcs, September 28,1969.

14

Hamilton Pray Inventor of the Horse-Drawn Ice Plow Kathy Welsh Hamilton pray (1844-1932) started his early life and schooling in Amenia. He then moved and settled in the Clove, New York, in the Town of Union Vale. Hamilton Pray married Sarah Elizabeth Gregory. They had six children, two girls and four

boys-Mary, Lucy, Albert, William, Andrew, and David. The latter two boys died in infancy. Pray's first occupation was as a farmer, but later his interests turned to blacksmithing.HehadasawmillandmachineshopintheClovepoweredbywater from a man-made pond he created on his property.

By 1800, ice was cut and sold commercially in towns and cities. Farmers cut ice from ponds and stored it with sawdust in special outbuildings. As the story is told, Pray used to watch men cut ice on ponds and rivers with hand saws. He tried to imagine how he might make the job easier and cost efficient. One day he had an accident and hurt his leg. Wlule he was recuperating he had time to draw up plans I for an ice plow.

The plow was designed to be horse-drawn with two cutter beams, each with a marker and cutter combined.1 The horse pulled this sleigh-like plow. It had a seat for riding and handles, if one chose to walk behind. On each side of the plow were markers which scored while the blades cut the ice. When an area was cut, the icewouldlooklikeagianttic-tac-toeboard.Iniceharvesting,thedepthofthepond orriverwasnotasimportantasthesurfaceareabecauseonewouldonlyusethetop eight inches for the blocks.

When Pray built his first model plow in 1889 it was too late in the spring to use the plow on his own pond, so he packed up the ice plow and brought it to Poughkeepsie to be sent by train or boat to Lake Champlain to test it, where the weather was still cold. He made a few adjustments on the plow after testing it.

Pray made a scale model of the ice plow, approximate size 4" high by 14" long, packed it up, and sent it to Washington, D.C., to apply for a patent. The model was hand made of steel and wood like the full-size plow itself. He was granted a patent in 1889.2 A few years later he took out other patents to improve the ice plow.3 Ice was an important part of life in the nineteenth century. People virtually depended on a cold winter for their ice harvest. By inventing his ice plow, Pray ``revolutionized" the ice trade in the United States. He also lessened the cost of ice

plows throughout the country.4 After using the ice plow, ice harvesters used saws and picks to separate the ice. Workers then used ice tongs. to gather the floating ice cakes.

One of Pray's sons, William, stayed on at the saw mill and machine shop after his father died in 1932 to run the business.5 He was talented as liis father had been in running the business and in his knowledge of blacksmithing. William used forged steel from a foundry in Poughkeepsie to make blades for the ice plows. He would repair almost anything you brought to his shop such as washing machines 15

ICE PLOWS AND ICE TOOLS

Pray's Ice Plbws ARE THE oR[G]NAL DoUBLErRoW ICE PLoWS. ALL OTHERS ARE IMITATIONS. Establi8bed 1889 ®,

BEST QUAuTY.

.

MOST ECONoxpcAL

Cover of the original Pray equipment catalog. Courtesy of |aines E. Andrews.

16

and lawn mowers. In an invoice written by William Pray in 1919, his labor charges were twenty- five cents an hour.

The Prays also published an eight-page booklet where one could order ice plows andH. tools. theSir, lastThe pages ofused which ``Mr. Pray,On Dear Ice were Plow testimonials, came all right.some I have it, read: and am much pleased with it. A man and one horse can cut from 100 to 200 tons of ice in.a day easily. (The ice anywliere from six to ten inches thick. Blocks 22 inches square.) It is the best marker I ever saw. A man can lay out his ice complete. Yours, G.A. Post, Westbrook, Conn. Feb. 1,1892."

``Mr. H. Pray, Dear Sir, The Ice Plow I purchased of you two years ago I have

given a fair trial of two winters, and am well pleased with it. It cuts very fast. The draught is light, and itis simple in construction. Very Respectfully, C.M. Couch, Poughquag, N.Y., June 1, 1892." ``Mr. H. Pray, Dear Sir, The Ice Plow I bought of you is a grand success; rightly

adjusteditdoesthebestofwork.Aftercuttingmyownicelearnedover$50cutting for others last winter. Tuly Yours, C.J. Decker, Ashley Falls, Mass. Sept. 21,1891."

ThefollowingwaswrittenbyFloraM.Whitford,agedl0years,daughterofc.D. Whitford, of Oneca, Connecticut, who purchased an ice plow from W.E. Barrett & Co., Providence, Rhode Island.

C.D. Whitford, as they say Bought a plow that's made by Pray.

For cutting ice it is so neat For on the plow there is a seat.

For in the seat now he can sit And keep his feet out of the wet, And plow the ice both to and fro It plows two furrows I'd have you know.

The horse can walk, or trot or run; A mile in length cuts forty ton.

Of any plow that you can find, It beats all plows of any kind.

When Sunday came it was his pride Hitch to his plow and take a ride And he thinks it is complete Sleighing in a ice plow seat.

When Monday came it was the same, He hitched into his plow again, To deliver freight as you may say Upon an ice plow he calls his sleigh.

17

This patent plow was made by Pray, The best of all the people say, Endorsed by Kendall, Fisk & Potter, I'm sure there's none that can be better."

In 1928, rural electrification came to the Clove and with it came refrigeration.

Ice plows and cutters disappeared as quickly as they came into existence. Pray's simple idea developed into an important part of life not only for Dutchess County, but for the country.

OneofPray'siceplowsisondisplayattheFarmer'sMuseuminCooperstown, New York.

Endnotes 1 2

Pra.y' s plow was the first with marker and cutter combined, making it unique.

Theplow owned by|ames E. Andrews bears the U.S. patent date ``1889". Andrews used to own the

original model sent for patent application, but gave it to the Pray descendants..

3

Commeinorative Biographical Reco].d of Dutchess County, New York (Chicago.. I. H. Bears & Co.,1897).

4

Ibid.

5

Handton Pray is buried in the Clove Cemetery, Clove, New York, with his wife and two infant sons.

James E. Andrews (b.1921), Town of Union Vale, was interviewed in the fall of 1987 at his home in Clove, New York. A neighbor of the Prays he recounted visiting William Pray's (Hamilton Pray's son) machine shop on the Pray farm where Hamilton built his first plow. James E. Andrews still owns one of Pray's ice plows.

Mary Hamm Alley ( 1893-1988) wasbom in Clove,NewYork. She was interviewed at the home of her daughter, Ruth Hogan, in poughquag, New York, where she resided until her death. Mary Alley was a niece of Hamilton Pray by marriage. Her mother and Sarah Elizabeth Gregory were sisters.

18

Records of Marriages 1763-1797 The book from which these marriage records were taken was donated to the Dutchess County Historical Society by Mrs. Elizabeth 8. Crawford of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Roswell Hopkins is Mrs. Crawford's great-, great-, great- grandfather.

Theleatherboundbookmeasuresl91/2x71/2inches.Onesidereads:``Records of Actions of Five Pounds or under 1763 and kept by Roswell Hopkins Esq. one of hisMajestysJusticesofthepeaceforthecountyofDutchesstokeepassignedbegan Dec. 3,1763."

Turnedendoverend,theothersidereads-``Recognizances,Marriages,Sessions, Forfitures,Pooretc.1763."Convictionsinthissideofthebookvaryfromswearing, drunkenness, breaking the Sabbath, assault, and stealing, to illegitimate children.

transcribed by Mary Lou and Jim Davison

Adams, Thomas & Unice Wheeler Feb. 3,1793 Akley, Abel & Hannah Shavileer Jam.16,1766 Allen, James & Hannah Rundel Jam 20,1780 Allen, Jonathan & Louis[e] Lamb Sept. 12,1771 Allerton, Reuben & Louis[e] Autherton Sept.1,1778 Andrus, Winiam & Hannah Burres June 30,1785 Anson, Abraham & Eunice Taylor April 20, 1787 Antherton, Jonathan & Bathsheba Mead Sept. 17,1772 Atwill, Paul & Ruth Lamb Mar. 14, 1764 Avery, Joseph & Deborah King May 31,1772 Backus, Joseph & Olive Park Nov. 11, 1773 Baker, Benjamin Jun. & Mary Shavileer May 5,1768 Barnes, Thomas Jun. & Polly Tyler Aug. 8, 1794 Bebins, Samuel & Deborah Cleavland Jam. 12, 1766 Benedict, John & Susannah Allen May 13,1771 Benjamin, Bela E. & Luvisa Park March 8,1795 Bennet, William & Annah Buck Feb. 2,1768 Benson, William & Hannah Fills May 27, 1794 Bentley, William & Abelaney Shepherd Nov. 27,1788 Besee, Phillip & Sarah Dunham Jam. 2,1764 Bradley, William & Lucretia Gates Dec. 12,1764 Brown, Solomon & Hannah Olmsted May 1,1781 Bryant, David & Elisabeth Lownsbury Mar. 28,1790 Buck, Israel Jun. & Rebecah Eldridge Dec. 30, 1785 Bugbee, John & Elisabeth Lockwood Oct. 7, 1779

19

Bull, James & Anne Steward Oct. 23, 1766 Buttolph, David & Anne Holmes Nov. 5,1772 Butts, William & Rachel Lockwood Oct. 5, 1779

Carter, Ebenezer & Lydia Holmes Feb. 23,1769 Carter, Ebenezer Jun. & Rachel Ginet Mar. 15, 1795 Case, Ebenezer, Joannah Phillips May 16,1765 Chamberlain, Courad & Sarah Beardslee Feb. 18,1787 Chichester, Samuel & Zerviah Osb`orn April 18,1776 Cleavland, Josiah & Ruth Jolmson Apr. 22,1765 Colin, David & Lucey Smith Feb. 19,1764 Conner, William & Lucey Edwards Feb. 4, 1793 Cook, Benjamin & Deborah Goodrich Oct.18,1781 Cook, Simeon Jun. & Faith Barker Jam. 18,1780 Cornwall, Levi & Lucy Ormsby Sept 30,1779 Cornwell, Gilbert & Rhoda Baflis Oct. 25,1795 Cotton, Samuel & Sarah Crouch Dec. 8,1763 Crandal, William & Jerusha Ackley Sept. 6,1795 Crippen, Elisha & Mary Goodrich July 5, 1786 Crosman, Dan & Eunice Garnsey July 29, 1779 Culver, Joshua & Ruth Cook Sept. 6, 1767

Davis, Squire & Mary Helme June 30, 1774 DeLavergne, Henry & Salome Dunham Oct. 20, 1785 Delavergne, Joseph & Sarah Gillet Sept. 8, 1774 Dibble, Zachariah & Elisabeth Spencer Mar 16,1773 Dillino, Fredrick & Joanna Doty Nov. 26, 1787 Dunham, Jonathan & Elisabeth Holmes Jam. 25, 1776 Dutcher, Jolm & Matilda Lake Dec. 29, 1787 Eldridge, Benedict & Rhoda Shavileer May 10,1787 Evens, Amos & Anna Thurston Dec. 18,1781 Evens, William & Abigal Beebee Jam. 27, 1782 Fillemore, Henry & Mary Gillet Sept. 30,1765 Fitch, Joseph & Elisabeth Harris April 26, 1789 Folliot, Eliphalet & Elisabeth Dewey Mar. 8, 1764 Freeman, Nathan & Cynthia Shepherd Nov. 28,1784 Frinck, Jolm & Hannah Hammond Dec. 6, 1787 Gale, Josiah & Rachel Mead Dec. 25, 1766 Gale, Samuel & Lydia Skinner Feb. 11,1773 Garnsey, Ebenezer & Silca Shavileer Nov. 20, 1787 Gates, Jared & Sarah Pike Sept. 17,1772 Gegory, Ezra & Mary Mygatt Mar. 3,1789 Gilbert, Thadeus & Patience Whipple July 25,1775 Gillet, David & Freelove Muxsom Nov.19,1772 Golding, Isaiah & Betsey Davis April 24,1777 Goodell, Fredrick & RIioda Garnsey Dec. 23, 1788

20

Goodrich, Benjamin & Elisabeth Dunham Dec. 31, 1777 Goodrich, Elijah, & Rachel Lloyd Sept. 17,1783 Goreham, James & Esther Anjevine Oct. 5, 1794 Grummond, Joseph & Phebe Elderkin July 6,1766 Hall, John & Polly Butts Jam. 17,1788 Hanchet, Tolm & Finey Hamlin Jam. 24,1788 Hebard, Daniel & Betsey Chamberlain Sept. 2,1787 Hebard, Robert Jun. & Mary Beardslee Sept. 18,1794 Hebbard, Daniel & Mercy Pike Aug. 6,1772 Henderson, James & Martha J[un?]e April 26,1781 Herrick, Nathan & Mary Kidder Oct. 29,1765 Herrick, Rufus Jun. & Lydia Newman June 2,1775 Herrick, William & Anna Goodrich Feb. 8,1773 Hide, Eliakim & Lois Bates Mar. 16,1777 (listed between 1778 & 1779) Hill, John & Betty Bates Dec.16,1788 Hill, Origen & Abigail Smith Apr. 23, 1796 Holmes, Jehosaphat Jun. & Patty Wells June 22,1786 Holmes, Nathan & Mary Paine Mar. 17,1785 Holmes, Samuel & Abigal Spalding March 17,1776 Hopkins, Benjamin & Zaresh Rudd Apr. 10,1766 Howard, Abiram & Olive Ransom Mar. 5,1786 Howard, Levet & Deborah Carter Jam. 1,1789 Hunt, Daniel Jun. & Hannah Miller Aug. 9, 1779

Huntt, Daniel Jun. & Hannah Miller (written between) Jam 20 & Nov. 2,1780

Ingersoll, Alpheus & Sibel Adams May 7,1781 Ingersoll, Joseph & Huldah Fisk Feb.13,1781 Johns, Aaron & Elisabeth Barnes July 17,1792 Johnson, Samuel & Mary Penoyer June 13, 1765 Jones, John & Sarah Patterson Dec. 23, 1773

King, Samuel Jun. & Lydia Hopkins Nov. 3,1774 Lamb, Caleb & Anne Baliss Dec. 11,1765 Lamb, Isaac Jun. & Abigal Fryal Dec. 27,1772

Landon, James & Freelove Briant Nov. 2, 1768 Lloyd, Anthony & Betsey Slasson July 26, 1790 Lloyd, James & Lucy Goodrich Jam. 26,1783

Mackwethy, Nathan & Rachel Handy July [8?],1764 Mason, Thomas & Sylvia Knapp July 10,1784 Mayo, Reuben & Sarah Atwill Oct. 7, 1789 MCFarlin, Andrew & Sally Lord June 20,1795 MCGee, Michael & Prudence Cammeron Mar. 8, 1773 MCKay, Michael & Sarah Rowlee Jam. 31, 1774

21

MCMurphy, Jolm & Anne Wenn Nov. 10,1788 Mead, King & Anne Burris Dec. 13, 1781 Merritt, Daniel & Phebe Akins Feb. 1, 1787 Miller, Ezra & Mary Green Dec. 29, 1788 Miller, Thomas & Anne Sanford Oct. 13, 1795 More, Jonah & Marsha Paine Mar. 12, 1788 Morey, Thomas & Mercy Allen Nov. 10,1774 Morgan, Jolm & Fanny Baker April 3,1791 Moulton, Gordon & Deborah Weeks Oct. 11,1787 Murray, Ezra & Hannah Gould Aug. 21,1766 Mygatt, Isaac & Sarah Smith May 5,1789 0llivett, John & Elisabeth Crouch May 16,1765 0wen, Ebenezer & Mary Paine July 11,1790

Paine, Elihu & Mary Park April 3,1777 Paine, Ichabod Jun. & [Tryphene?] Barker June 6, 1782 Paine, William & Polly Smith May 15,1794 Palmer, Edmond & Anne Lloyd Aug.10,1784 Palmer, James & Deborah Spencer Jam. 12, 1764 Park, Elijah & Olive Brown Dec. 26, 1768 Parker, Amos & Lucy Culver Feb. 18,1773 Parker, David & Susannah Teed April 23, 1794 Parks, Robert & Lydia Herrick July 11, 1793 Pearl, John & Sarah Sepherd Feb. 15,1772 Perry, George Talbut & Philomelia Holmes Jan. 1,1789 Pettibone, Oliver & Martha Paine Dec. 21, 1783 Pettigrove, Thomas & Anne Willis Jam.16,1782 Pike, Jarvis & Anne Mayo Nov. 11,1784 Pinney, Joseph & Lydia Hebard July 29,1787 Pinney, Nathaniel & Anne Eslestine Mar. 3, 1784 Powers, Fredrick & Ruth Penoyer Jam. 15, 1788 Pudney, Thorn & Azubah Alger Dec. 18,1769

Raymond, Caleb & Hannah Whipple Nov. 4, 1783 Reed, Issac & Hannah Pitcher Oct. 9, 1791 Rowley, Nathan & Eunice Buck Feb. 21,1782 Rundel, David & Catharine Power Dec. 30,1778 Russel, James & Sarah Wells July 26,1772 Seeger, Joseph & Olive Calender May 7,1772 Seton, Jolm & Leaneau Sorenbergh Nov. 26,1765 Shavileer, Abner & Deborah Wood Oct. 23,1765 Shavileer, Elias Jun. & Sarah Akley Oct. 17,1765 Shepherd, Daniel & Mary Rudd Nov. 20,1766 Sherman, George & Eunice Brown Nov. 7,1764 Simons, David & Alice Abel June 18,1764 Smith, Ebenezer & Susannah Delamater Jan. 5,1797 Smith, Ephaaim & Meriam Thurston April 10,1783

22

Smith, James & Ursilla Adams Jam. 26,1786 Smith, Joel & Esther Benham July 26,1789 Smith, Moses & Waitstin Lassel June 4, 1789 Spalding, Philip & Sylvia Dunham Dec. 18,1788 Spencer, Gideon & Zerviah Buck Nov. 4,1764 Spencer, Plulip & Sarah Hopkins Aug. 20,1788 Spicer, Nathan & Abigal Mayhew Jam. 10, 1765 St. Jolm, Silas & Louis[e] Fuller May 30, 1793 Standish, Jonas & Sarah Stedman June 13,1771 Stevens, Charles & Anne Ifill Nov. 21, 1791

Thurston, Ezra & Prudence Helme April 20,1777 Tidd, Plulip & Anne Freeman Aug. 26,1790 Tilson, Tinothy & Anne Adams Feb.15,1776 Tooley, John & Rhoda Egleston Sept 14,1768 Tryon, David & Mary Persons Sept. 91784 Wadhams, Caleb & Eunice Farr Feb. 28,1782 Warmer, Ebenezer & Polly Enos alias Anne Smith May 7,1795 Waters, David & Phebe Thurston April 2,1778 Webb, Benjamin & Sarah Holmes Jam. 30,1775 Welch, John & Susannah Spicer Dec.1.1771 Wheeler, Edward & Thankful Crippen Feb. 51766 Wheeler, Samuel & Chloe Kidder Feb. 5, 1766 Willis, Isaac & Martha Chapman Sept. 13,1768 Wood, Abner & Elisabeth Lathrop Sept. 7,1793 Wood, Benjamin & Thankful Holand Nov. ,1786 Wood, Consider & Mary Adams Jam. 26, 1785 Wood, Robert & Abigal Rudd Nov. 2, 1780

Wood, Sampson & Jude _ Feb. 2,1793 MARRIAGES ARRANGED BY WOMEN'S NAMES Jude & Sampson Wood Feb. 2,1793 Abel, Alice & David Simons June 18,1764 Ackley, Jerusha & William Crandal Sept. 6,1795 Adams, Anne & Timothy Tilson Feb.15,1776 Adams, Mary & Consider Wood Jan. 26,1785 Adams, Sibel & Alpheus lngersoll May 7,1781 Adams, Ursilla & James Smith Jam. 26, 1786 Akins, Phebe & Daniel Merritt Feb. 1, 1787 Akley, Sarah & Elias Shavileer Jun. Oct. 17,1765 Alger, Azubah & Thorn Pudney Dec. 18,1769 Allen, Mercy & Thomas Morey Nov. 10,1774 Allen, Susannah & John Benedict May 13, 1771 Anjevine, Esther & James Goreham Oct. 5,1794 Atwill, Sarah & Reuben Mayo Oct. 7,1789 Autherton, Louis[e] & Reuben Allerton Sept. 1,1778

23

Bailis, Rhoda & Gilbert Cornwell Oct. 25, 1795 Baker, Fanny & Jolm Morgan April 3,1791 Baliss, Anne & Caleb Lamb Dec. 11, 1765 Barker, Faith & Simeon Cook Jun. Jam.18,.1780 Barker, [Tryphene?] & Ichabod Paine Jun. June 6, 1782 Barnes, Elisabeth & Aaron Johns July 17,1792 Bates, Betty & John Hill Dec. 16, 1788 Bates, Lois & Eliakim Hide Mar.16,1777 (this entry was listedbetween 1778 & 1779) Beardslee, Mary & Robert Hebard Jun. Sept. 18,1794 Beardslee, Sarah & Courad Chamberlain Feb. 18,1787 Beebee, Abigal & William Evens Jan. 27,1782 Benham, Esther & Joel Smith July 26,1789 Briant, Freelove & James Landon Nov. 2, 1768 Brown, Eunice & George Sherman Nov. 7,1764 Brown, Olive & Elijah Park Dec. 26,1768 Buck, Annah & William Bennet Feb. 2,1768 Buck, Eunice & Nathan Rowley Feb. 21,1782 Buck, Zerviah & Gideon Spencer Nov. 4. 1764

Burres, Hannah & William Andrus June 30, 1785 Burris, Anne & King Mead Dec. 13, 1781 Butts, Polly & John Hall Jam. 17, 1788

Calender, Olive & Joseph Seeger May 7,1772 Cammeron, Prudence & Michael MCGee Mar. 8,1773 Carter, Deborah & Levet Howard Jam. 1,1789 Chamberlain, Betsey & Daniel Hebard Sept. 2,1787 Chapman, Martha & Isaac Willis Sept.13,1768 Cleavland, Deborah & Samuel Bebins Jan 12, 1766 Cook, Ruth & Joshua Culver Sept. 6,1767 Crippen, Thankful & Edward Wheeler Feb. 5,1766 Crouch, Elisabeth & John Ollivett May 16,1765 Crouch, Sarah & Samuel Cotton Dec. 8, 1763 Culver, Lucy & Amos Parker Feb. 18,1773 Davis, Betsey & Isaiah Golding April 24,1777 Delamater, Susannah & Ebenezer Smith Jam. 5,1797 Dewey, Elisabeth & Eliphalet Folliot Mar. 8,1764 Doty, Joanna & Fredrick Dillino Nov. 26,1787 Dunham, Elisabeth & Benjamin Goodrich Dec. 31,1777 Dunham, Salome & Henry DeLavergne Oct. 20. 1785 Dunham, Sarah & Phillip Besee Jam. 2,1764 Dunham, Sylvia & Philip Spalding Dec. 18,1788

Edwards, Lucey & William Comer Feb. 4,1793 Egleston, Rhoda & Jolm Tooley Sept. 14, 1768 Elderkin, Phebe & Joseph Grummond July 6, 1766 Eldridge, Rebecah & Israel Buck Jun. Dec. 30, 1785 Enos, Polly alias Anne Smith & Ebenezer Warner May 7,1795 Eslestine, Anne & Nathaniel Pinney Mar. 3,1784

24

Farr, Eunice & Caleb Wadhams Feb. 28, 1782 Fills, Harmah & William Benson May 27, 1794 Fisk, Huldah & Joseph Ingersoll Feb.13,1781 Freeman, Arme & Philip Tidd Aug. 26, 1790 Fryal, Abigal & Isaac Lamb Jun. Dec. 27, 1772 Fuller, Louis[e] & Silas St. John May 30, 1793

Garnsey, Eunice & Dan Crosman July 29, 1779 Garnsey, Rhoda & Fredrick Goodell Dec. 23, 1788 Gates, Lucretia & William Bradley Dec. 12, 1764 Gillet, Mary & Henry Fillemore Sept. 30, 1765 Gillet, Rachel & Ebenezer Carter Jun. March 15, 1795 Gillet, Sarah & Joseph Delavergne Sept. 8,1774 Goodrich, Arma & William Herrick Feb. 8,1773 Goodrich, Deborah & Benjamin Cook Oct. 18,1781 Goodrich, Lucy & James Lloyd Jam. 26, 1783 Goodrich, Mary & Elisha Crippen July 5,1786 Could, Hannah & Ezra Murray Aug. 21,1766 Green, Mary & Ezra Miller Dec. 29,1788 Hamlin, Finey & John Hanchet Jan. 24, 1788 Hammond, Hannah & John Frinck Dec. 6, 1787 Handy, Rachel & Nathan Mackwethy July [8?I,1764 Harris, Elisabeth & Joseph Fitch April 26, 1789 Hebard, Lydia & Joseph Pinney July 29,1787 Helme, Mary & Squire Davis June 30,1774 Helme, Prudence & Ezra Thurston April 20, 1777 Herrick, Lydia & Robert Parks July 11, 1793 Hill, Anne & Charles Stevens Nov. 21, 1791 Holand, Thankful & Benjamin Wood Nov. , 1786 Holmes, Anne & David Buttolph Nov. 5, 1772 Holmes, Elisabeth & Jonathan Dunham Jam. 25, 1776 Holmes, Lydia & Ebenezer Carter Feb. 23, 1769 Holmes, Philomelia & George Talbut Perry Jam. 1, 1789 Holmes, Sarah & Benjamin Webb Jam. 30,1775 Hopkins, Lydia & Samuel King run. Nov. 3,1774 Hopkins, Sarah & Philip Spencer Aug. 20, 1788 Jolmson, Ruth & Josiah Cleavland Apr. 22, 1765 ][un?]e, Martha & James Henderson April 26,1781 Kidder, Chloe & Samuel Wheeler Feb. 5, 1766 Kidder, Mary & Nathan Herrick Oct. 29, 1765 King, Deborah & Joseph Avery May 31, 1772 Knapp, Sylvia & Thomas Mason July 10,1784 Lake, Matilda & John Dutcher Dec. 29, 1787 Lamb, Louis[e] & Jonathan Allen Sept. 12, 1771 Lamb, Ruth & Paul Atwill Mar. 14, 1764

25

Lassel, Waitstill & Moses Smith June 4, 1789 Latluop, Elisabeth & Abner Wood Sept 7, 1793 .

Lloyd, Anne & Edmond Palmer Aug.10,1784 Lloyd, Rachel & Elijah Goodrich Sept. 17,1783 Lockwood, Elisabeth & Jolm Bugbee Oct. 7, 1779 Lockwood, Rachel & William Butts Oct. 5,1779 Lord, Sally & Andrew MCFarlin June 20, 1795 Lownsbury, Elisabeth & David Bryant Mar. 28,1790 Mayhew, Abigal & Nathan Spicer Jam. 10,1765 Mayo, Anne & Jarvis Pike Nov. 11,1784 Mead, Bathsheba & Jonathan Antherton Sept. 17, 1772 Mead, Rachel & Josiah Gale Dec. 25,1766

Miller, Hannah & Daniel Huntt Jun. (written bet.)

Jam. 20 & Nov. 2, 1780

Miller, Hannah & Daniel Hunt Jun. Aug. 9, 1779 Muxsom, Freelove & David Gillet Nov.19,1772 Mygatt, Mary & Ezra Gegory Mar. 3, 1789

Newman, Lydia & Rufus Herrick Jun. June 2,1775 01msted, Hannah & Solomon Brown May 1,1781 0rmsby, Lucy & Levi Cornwall Sept. 30,1779 0sborn, Zerviah & Samuel Chichester April 18,1776 Paine, Marsha & Jonah More Mar. 12, 1788 Paine, Martha & Oliver Pettibone Dec. 21, 1783 Paine, Mary & Nathan Holmes Mar. 17,1785 Paine, Mary & Ebenezer Owen July 11,1790 Park, Luvisa & Bela E. Benjamin March 8, 1795 Park, Mary & Elihu Paine April 3,1777 Park, Olive & Joseph Backus Nov. 11, 1773 Patterson, Sarah & Jolm Jones Dec. 23,1773 Penoyer, Mary & Samuel Johnson June 13,1765 Penoyer, Ruth & Fredrick Powers Jam. 15,1788 Persons, Mary & David Tryon Sep. 9,1784 Phillips, Joannah & Ebenezer Case May 16,1765 Pike, Mercy & Daniel Hebbard Aug. 6,1772 Pike, Sarah & Jared Gates Sept. 17,1772 Pitcher, Hannah & Isaac Reed Oct. 9, 1791 Power, Catharine & David Rundel Dec. 30, 1778

Ransom, Olive & Abiram Howard Mar. 5,1786 Rowlee, Sarah & Michae`1 MCKay Jam 31, 1774

Rudd, Abigal & Robert Wood Nov. 2,1780 Rudd, Mary & Daniel Shepherd Nov. 20,1766 Rudd, Zaresh & Benjamin Hopkins Apr.10,1766 Rundel, Hannah & James Allen Jan. 20,1780 Sanford, Anne & Thomas Miller Oct. 13, 1795 Shavileer, Hannah & Abel Akley Jam. 16,1766

26

Shavileer, Mary & Benjamin Baker Jun. May 5, 1768 Shavileer, RIioda & Benedict Eldridge.May 10,1787 Shavileer, Silca & Ebenezer Gamsey Nov. 20. 1787 Shepherd, Abelaney & William Bentley Nov. 27,1788 Shepherd, Cynthia & Nathan Freeman Nov. 28, 1784 Shepherd, Sarah & Jolm Pearl Feb. 15, 1772 Skinner, Lydia & Samuel Gale Feb. 11, 1773 Slasson, Betsey & Anthony Lloyd July 26, 1790 Smith, Abigail & Origen Hill Apr. 23, 1796 Smith, Anne see Polly Enos Smith, Lucey & David Colin Feb. 19, 1764 Smith, Polly & William Paine May 15,1794 Smith, Sarah & Isaac Mygatt May 5, 1789 Sorenbergh, Leaneau & John Seton Nov. 26, 1765 Spalding, Abigal & Samuel Holmes March 17,1776 Spencer, Deborah & James Palmer Jam. 12, 1764 Spencer, Elisabeth & Zachariah Dibble Mar. 16, 1773 Spicer, Susannah & John Welch Dec.1,1771 Stedman, Sarah & Jonas Standish June 13,1771 Steward, Anne & James Bull Oct. 23, 1766

Taylor, Eunice & Abraham Anson April 20,1787 Teed, Susannah & David Parker April 23, 1794 Thurston, Anna & Amos Evens Dec. 18, 1781 Thurston, Meriam & Ephraim Smith April 10,1783 Thurston, Phebe & David Waters April 2, 1778 Tyler, Polly & Thomas Barnes Jun. Aug. 8,1794 Weeks, Deborah & Gordon Moulton Oct. 11,1787 Wells, Patty & Jehosaphat Holmes Jun. June 22,1786 Wells, Sarah & James Russel July 26,1772 i Wenn, Anne & Jolm MCMurphy Nov. 10,1788 Wheeler, Unice & Thomas Adams Feb. 3, 1793 Whipple, Hannali & Caleb Raymond Nov. 4,1783 Whipple, Patience & Thadeus Gilbert July 25, 1775 Willis, Anne & Thomas Pettigrove Jam. 16,1782 Wood, Deborah & Abner Shavileer Oct. 23, 1765

27

The History of the Clove Valley 1697-1740 Frank J. Doherty Cine of the most beautiful spots in Dutchess County is the Clove Valley in the town of Union Vale. This area was part of the Beekman Patent [land grant] issued to Colonel Henry Beekman 15 April 1697 by King William the Third of England. The Beekm.an Patent included the area that today is the towns of Beekman, Dover, Pawling,UnionValeandtheeasternpartofLaGrange.]TheBeekmansleasedmost of the land and the resulting lack of deeds has made it difficult to document the settlementofthisarea.Recentdiscoveriesofearlymanuscriptsnowmakeitpossible to trace the early settlement.

On 6 May 1713 Colonel Henry Beekman conveyed by gift to his son Heury a parcel of land in the patent which comprised all of the Clove valley. The deed containedotherparcelsoflandaswellbutthepartthatpertainstotheclovefollows: ``... And also all that certain tract or parcel of land Scituate lying and being in

Dutchess County aforesaid to the Eastward of the land formerly granted to Francis Rombout and compy behind Poclckepsinck Beginning fifteen chains to the Southward of a certain marsh meadow or fly called or known by the Indian name of Seapons Haghkie from thence Running upon a Straight Line to the South end of a certain hill called & known by the Indian name of Memkatinck Including said hill then along said hill including the same northwesterly to the utmost bounds of the land of the Coll. Henr Beekman then with an Easterly Line to a certain hill called & Known by the Indian name of Tathepennesinck then along the same southerly so farr to run a line on the same course of the first line that runs from the first station toMemkatinckthenalongsaidlinefromsaidhillcalledTathepennesincktothefirst station the principall meadow ground in the said conveyance is known by the Indian name of Teaghpackinck." Dated 6 May 1713 at Kingston, New York.2 ColonelHenryBeekmanhadevidentlybargainedwiththelndiansforthisland but we have not found a clear record of this transaction. In March 1701/2 he and several other men petitioned the Colonial Council for permission to purchase land from the Native Indians in Dutchess County but we are not sure of the areas described in the petition, which follows: ``To the honorable John Nansen, Esq. Lieut. Governor and Commander in chief of the Province of New York in America & the Territories thereunto belonging etc. and the honorable Council of the same Province; The Humble Petition of Captain William Caldwell, Abraham Gouverneur Esq., John Depeyster Esq., David Provoost Esq., Isaac Gouverneur, Robert Sanders and Henry Beekman, Esq. SHEWETH That there is a certain tract of unappropriated land in the hands of the nativelndianproprietorslyinginDutchessCountytothewestwardofWestenholk

28

CreekandtotheeastwardofPoghkepsiinDutchessCountyaforesaidcalledbythe Indians by the name of Wayannagtonack who are willing to sell the said tract to your petitioners Therefore your said petitioners humbly pray your Honour's license to purchase the said lands of the Indians in order to obtain a grant & confirmation of the Same.

And your petitioners are in duty bound shall ever pray."

12 March 1701/2.3

Whether Henry Beekman Sr. was successful or not in negotiating with the Indians, and whether the above was for the Clove area, is unknown, but his son Henry Beekman Jr. found it necessary to purchase the Clove from them again in 1727, as the following deed shows: ``This indenture made the nineteenth day of April in the thirteenth year of the reignofourSovereignLordGeorgebytheGraceofGodofGreatBritain,France,and IrelandKing,DefenderoftheFaith,&c,betweenNimham;Neckarent,Woretchepo's son; Amequaneet; Vous, his wife; Jumems, [his?I daughter; Kaghanapawe; Soewaghtok; Cusiewin; Nimham's son [Asloeghaweg of] Seek; one other son of Nimham, Katoloxseet & in behalf of all other their relations & kindred of the one

part and Henry Beekman of Dutchess County of the other part WITNESSETH that the said [Indians], for and in consideration of the sum [of] three kettles, three firelocks,threeblankets,three[shaoud?]blankets,threeshirts,threeduffleblankets, nine hoes, twelve pound[s] of powder twelve staves of lead, nine hatchets, nine knives,twelvegallonsofrum,andtwobaITelsofbeer,totheminhandpaidbythe saidHenryBeekman,thereceiptwhereoftheythebeforementionedproprietorsor Indianinhabitantsacknowledgebythesepresents.Theydogrant,bargain,andsell by these presents & they do clearly and absolutely grant, bargain, and sell unto the said Heury Beekman,'his heirs and assigns for ever all that certain tract of land situate, lying, and being in Dutchess County and is in comprehended in a certain patentgranted to [Colonel] Henry Beekman in his lifetime by Coil. Benjamin Fletcher (then Governor of this Province) the 22[nd] day of April in the ninth year of King William, 1697, relation thereunto had may more fully at large appear [possible intended wording: as may more fully appear by relation at large thereunto], [a] parcel of which tract being the hereby released premises, which was conveyedandmadeoverbythesaidColI.HenryBeekmaninliislifetimebyadeed ofgifttohisonlysonHenryBeekman(underthenameofJunior)andtheprincipal land of which conveyance is known by the Indian name of Togh Paksink & by the DutchinhabitantsFontaineVlakte,andwhereasthesaidlandscalledbythenatives Togh Paksink and all the lands & appurtenances thereunto belonging as shall be hereafter expressed was amongst other lands so patented by the sd. Coll. Henry Beekman and purchased from the then inhabitants (for the sum or quantity of one hundred beaver skins) by name Paghquanowat and Koghkeglckomeek, neverthe1esstoavoidallmalversationsanddisputessinceithathslippedthememoryofthe hereabove-named inhabiting Indians what their forefathers had done, the said Henry Beekman is now again fully agreed for all that certain tract of land situating in Dutchess County aforesd. eastward from the place called Poglckeepsie, by computations about fourteen miles from Hudson's River be it more or less, in comprehended in the abovesaid patent so obtained by the said Co.Ilo. Henry Beekmanasabovesaidlayingonthebackorrearlineofthelandsformerlygranted

29

to Coll. Stefanus Van Cortlant & Compy [i.e., Co.I: The lands intended to be hereby

granted do begin by the end of ten chains to be run from a certain meadow called Seepon's Haghkie due south, from thence to run one mile east and two miles west, which being three miles in breadth with which breadth to extend north twenty degrees east ten miles with all buildings, woods ,... [etc] .... or concerning the same lands and premises, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said tract of land and premises beforementioned, with all and ever the appurtenances unto the said Heury Beekman, his heirs and assigns, to the use and behoof of him the said Henry Beekman, his heirs and assigns for ever-and the said Indians as above named do promise for themselves and their several heirs to warrant and keep harmless the said Henry Beekman, his heirs and assigns, against themselves severally & against their several heirs & assigns or and against all other natives that shall or might pretend to have any right to any part or the whole of the abovesaid tract, and shall & will defend the same for ever hereafter. IN WITNESS whereof the parties first abovenamed have here interchangeably set their hand and seals [the] day and year first above written."

Signed, Sealed and Delivered Nimham [in the] Presence of-Nekarent Amequaneet Matys Sleght Kaghkanapawe Isaac Kip Soewaghtok Tapighklaren his mark Casiewyn Krambeekham Asloeghaweg of Seek Mawarein

his mark his mark his mark his mark his mark his mark

Katoloxseet [seal]

his mark [seal]

[seal] [seal] [seal] [seal] [seal] [seal]

his mark his mark [seal]

his mark

Justice of the Peace Jacob Kip certified the signatures.4 This deed expanded the original Taghpacksinck purchase somewhat by including more of the hills on both sides. The bounds of the Clove purchase are roughly delineated by Shaughnessy Road on the south and County Road 90 on the north.

WaterburyHillRoadispartoftheborderonthewestandtheeasternlineispartway up the hill on East Mountain.

JusteightyearsaftertheabovetransactionHenryBeekmanwasagaindefending histitleandthefollowingdraftofhisquestions,entitled``MemoforNewYork-1735, Questions posed of Ninham:" to Chief Ninham dated 11 May 1735 expresses his frustrations with the ``Indian Givers." ``Mr. Ninham - What use is it to buy land of the Indians, for if we buy you will still claim for ever. Nobody knows whether you are the right[ful] owners for you lay claim to what your fathers have sold. You deny what you have done and you areaconqueredpeople,youhavenorights,ourforefathersindulgedyouwhenyou were mere brutes, & you still grow worse, so that there is no use in us being complacent and therefore your boasting tlITeats must be stopped before you grow too insolent. [A phrase in Dutch follows: ``Om na het wild bookie te (svetse??)"

Possible literal sense: ``From time to time the wild goat gives up," which in this context might mean figuratively: ``Everything has its limits."] ``For [an] instance of what I myself know, my father bought Topacksinck land; afterwardsyouclaimeditbecauseyouthought1hadnotknown[about]it,buteven

`

30 . ¢h.*t. '

+z*.

when you were convinced you quibbled that I had it not from under your hand & because I would not buy twice I bought the hills adjacent as Memkating & Tathepennesinck & made you to confirm Taghpacksinck. For I refused to buy that again. Now I find you lay claim to the above mentioned hills, so that nothing is to be done with you, but you must be forever our lords, [fo11owing interline: I and you yourself are a greater stranger than I for I am here born and you in New England. Besides, it is a question to me who have been the true owners; but you pretend to be heir to all, which I deny, for I know sundry owners who have left no relations, & if they had then they [i.e., the relations] should have paid their debts, but that not being done their lands are forfeited as of, viz., to the King. You sold my father all the land between the lake & Fislikill to the falls & on both sides of the Fishkill,whichistakenfromusbythepatentofRombout&Companytowhomyou solditbeforeyouhadsoldtomyfather,&whoshallmakethatgoodtome,forwhich we honestly paid you a great deal when goods were scarce & land plenty? You are like wolves, never satiated.''5 Henry Beekman, Sr. died in 1716 and probably was not involved in any other Beekman land transactions than the gift to his son. (The concept of the `gift' was challenged by Henry Beekman's sisters and their husbands in 1736).6 By the early 1720s, however, Henry Beekman, Jr. was selling and leasing land to some of his tenants and friends from Rhinebeck, at first in the Dover area, but by 1728, in the Clove. By February 1732/3, Henry Beekman had sold two farms and responded to an inquiry from a prospective purchaser as follows:

New York, 19 febry 1732/3

Mr. Robert Archbold Sir:

I have this day rec'd your letter. The land I then spoke about, by the sudden settinginofthiswinter,thedivisionwasnotperfectedbutshallinthespringearly begin again so that it may run till midsummer before all is [xed out: the whole be] finished. I think I told you then I hada property of land laying in the middle of the main body of the patent, conveyed to me by my father before his death, of about 4000 acres. The land is well watered & there good [illeg. wd xed out] meadow ground & [marshes?] in it & well-timbered [inserted: lays] about 12 miles from Hudson's RIver & the town of Pouglckeepsie. There is a good wagon roadtosd.1and1havealreadyletto2Germanfamiliessome7yearsagothatthey have already lived there. The remainder is 3000 acres & upwards. I will sell at £35 the hundred. If but one thousand acres (which is the least quantity I design to sell) [that] must be £40 the 100. The payment in a 12-month. Else interest & the [principal?] made sure. This is all the information I can give you~at the [present?] Sir, remain Your friend to co[mmand] [no signature]7 By the year 1740, Beekman had sold or leased sixteen farms in the Clove valley and surrounding hills. Most of the leased farms were numbered and ran from the southeast corner to the northern end of the valley. From early leases and deed

31

informationwecanidentifymostoftheseearlysettlersandwheretheirfarmswere.

Nicholas Emigh is usually credited with being the first settler in the Clove [and in the whole county; see footnote 17, below] but the records would seem to indicate that Hendrick Uhle probably settled at the same time. Nicholas Emigh was a Palatineemigrantandwasbornca.1680-85inDennenfels,Germany,thesonofHans Veltin Emigh.8

Nicholas Emigh arrived in this country with the Palatine emigrants in 1710 and was taxed in the North Ward of Dutchess County from 1717 through 1727 (assessed on property valued at £9 in Aug.1722), when he came to the Clove and was taxed in the South Ward. He had taken a lease on a farm in Rhinebeck from Henry Beekman on 2 January 1719 of 52 acres. His rent of one peck of wheat for each acre Of land leased was to begin after a grace period of six years. By 1727, after paying two years rent, he had given up the Rhinebeck farm.9 EmighhadcometotheCloveby1728andhisdaughterCatherine,whowasborn in July 1729, was baptized near Wappingers ``at Lossing's." On 15 June 1735, the Lutheran Church minister recorded two baptisms that took place at ``Niclaas Emich'satBagway.'']°ThenextyeartheministerwasatEmigh'sinJulyandoctober and in both 1737 and 1738, he was there in June. He was again in the Clove in April and October of 1739, in June and September of 1740, etc. At each visit he baptized more children as the population grew, with fourteen baptisms in 1740. By 1746, the CloveareawassubjectedtoareligiousscandalcausedbyJohnLudowickHoffgood, a pretending minister who preached there. Twenty-nine local Lutherans, mostly from the Clove, petitioned the Governor in protest in July 1749.11 We have conflicting information about the amount of land Nicholas Emigh purchased when he came to the Clove in 1727-8. There is no doubt that he was quite wealthy, being assessed at £28 in February 1741/42, and at £36 in February 1753, the highest of anyone in the Beekman Patent in both years. He probably had over 600, and perhaps as many as 803, acres of land. He built a stone house in 1740 that has the year it was built noted on the building. This house survives and is a monument to the early settlers of the Clove Valley.

Hemy Beekman maintained a ledger-in which he noted most of his early land transactions. Notes regarding Emigh follow: ``NICHOLAS EMIGH, 600 acres; Nicholas Emigh by Convayance for his farm at Toghpacksink received for quit[rent] 3/ [shillings] per annum since 1735, to 1740 is 5 years received £0.00. Anno 1742 the 7 0ct. conveyed him another tract of 203 acresSoutherlyjoiningthefirstabovetractunderthereservedquitof1/Sothathe is to pay now for the whole two pieces of land four shillings per annum, is four shillings for both tracts 7 0ct.1742. ``4 0ct. 1745 then received from Capt. Nicholas Emigh the sum of eighteen

shillings in ful[l] for quit rent 7 October this Instant now coming for the above land.„12

Beekman noted in another ledger ``June 1737,1738 and 1739, by your bond now

payableforfiftypounds."In1739,henotedthathehadreceivedfullsatisfactionof this accotint. He also noted: ``10ct.1742 To two hundred & three acres of land at 60. per 100 acres." He further noted that £120 had been received in full that day."

By October 1765 Lawrence Emigh was paying the quit rent, £2/4 being due at that date. On 3 February 1800, 300 acres was sold by Lawrence Emigh to his son George L. Emigh for $250. The land was described as ``the land that Col. Henry Beekman the father conveyed 6 May 1713 to his son Heury Beekman and by him,

32

with two deeds of 11 June 1735 and 7 0ct. 1745 [sic] to my father Nicholas Emigh and to me [Lawrence] conveyed by my brother Philip 18 Jam.1781. Land known by

thelndiansasToghpaiksingbetweenthemountainsofMamkatingtothewestand TathpennisinktotheeastandbytheDutchnameoftheKloof.Beginsbythehouse of Stephen Van Voorhis, east side of the road: Clements and Jury Sickler to south.

Also John Hall." 14

This land included the famed Clove Spring and most of the farm seems to have been to the south of the spring and east and west of the Clove Road. A description of the farm of Hendrick Uhle provides more detail of the location: ``DutchessCountysurveyedforHendrickUhleaparceloflow&uplandnowin his possession this 17th day of April 1734 it being a tract of land conveyed by Coll.

Henry Beekman Dec'd to his son Henry Beekman called Toghpacksinck (& leterly the Clove) scituate on the North east of the land of Nicholas Emigh's farm, begirming about eleven chains from the large pond in the said Emigh's land near a Fountaining Brook by the said Hendrick Uhle's fence where there is a stone put up, from thence running East Eight Degrees thirty minutes South Eight Chains to a waggon road then East fifty four chains along the bounds of the said Nicolas Emigh's land to a heap of stones, about three chains Southerly of said brook; then to begin again by the above first station thence to run west Eight Degrees thirty minutes north, two chains & thirty five links (to the south corner of the said Uhle's land)thennortheightdegreeswest,sixchainselevenlinkstothenorthsideofsaid brook where there is a stone sett & marked with the letters IK and NE, 1728. Then north twelve degrees east ... [etc] .... Farm contains 326 acres." 15

The stone set and marked IK NE 1728 seems to refer to a marker for Nicholas Emigh and Jacob Kip but there is no further evidence of Kip living in the Clove valley. Uhle's farm was generally to the east and north of that of Nicholas Emigh and was roughiy in the shape of a trapezoid with the North Clove Road being its northern border. The farm extended east of the Clove Road about 3450 feet at its south-east corner and included parts of Mack Road and Seeley Road. The western edge of the farm ran 4500 feet from north to south. 232 acres was sold to Uhle on 7 October 1742, the same day Emigh bought some of his land. Uhle paid quitrents in 1740 on his `old' farln before buying the larger piece.16 Hendrick Uhle was also a Palatine emigrant and was baptised 7 March 1693 at Nauborn, Germany, the son of Carol Uhle. Hendrick Uhie married Maria Wenner andwasintheCloveValleyby1727.]7WhenlivingintheNorthWardhewastaxed at £8 and was listed next to Nicholas Emigh. He was taxed on property valued at £20 in Beekman in February 1741/42 and was again next to Emigh. In February 1753 Ulile was only listed at £6 but his son Johannes was taxed at £24.

Both Emigh and Uhle purchased their farms and they do not seem to have been numbered by Henry Beekman. These two farms were located in the heart of the Clove Valley and the Clove Road went through the middle of them. Most of the remaining farms were leased and were numbered but several have been hard to place. The settlers and farm descriptions, as well as they are known, follow: The FIRST and SECOND FARMS: Jacob Dewald Scherer took a lease with Peter Lossing in Beekman Precinct in the Toghpacksink Conveyance ca. 1735. This was the first farm in the Conveyance and the rent was due 1745 [changed from 1742 or 3]. Before 1745, the rent book adds: .``Now Peter Lossing Junr; lie is also to have the next farm, number 2 which contains as it is surveyed 93 acres. The original farm being 116 the total is now 209 acres with 20 bushels, 2 fowls and 1 days riding."18

33

It appears that Scherer never lived on this farm bub` removed to the area east of the present Taconic State Parkway and north of Noxon Road.

The FIRST Lossing farm was in the southernmost part of the Clove, being generally southeast of the intersection of present County Roads 9 and 21. The SECOND farm appears to have been northwest of these two roads.

Peter Lossing's first written lease was dated 1 May 1741. Lives were Peter Lossing, Anna Marie [Emigh], his wife and Nicholas, his son. Yearly rent was 20 bushels, 2 fowls and 1 days riding. The farm acreage was 266 acres, fifty-five more than noted above.

Peter Lossing was the grand-son of Pieterse Lossing, brewer of Albany who was born in Amsterdam, Holland ca. 1620, and was probably the first permanent white settler in Dutchess County. Peter, the Clove settler, was born ca. 1705 and married Anna Maria Emigh, daughter of Nicholas Emigh.19 The THIRD FARM in the Clove was just to the north of the first farm and was north of county road 21 and east of County Road 9. The farm was originally 122 acres and was settled by Johannes Scherer in 1729 with first rents of 2 fowls and 1 day riding due in 1737. There is no record that Scherer paid any rent for this farm and in 1745, Johannes Emigh, son of Nicholas, was on it. At that time lie surveyed and leased another 150 acres and again in 1757 he added 128 acres more for a total of 300.20

Johannes Dewald Scherer was a Palatine emigrant and married 7August 1709 in London, Justina Magdalena Weigand. Johannes Scherer was taxed in the South Ward from 1717, unlike most Palatines who were first in the North Ward, but we don't think he was in the Clove until the 1729 date. 21 His tax assessments were £5 in the South Ward in 1722.

AlatermapoftheTHIRDfarminClovementionsthefarmtotheeastbelonging to Peter Lossing, Nicholas Emigh to west, Lewis Shere [Scherer], Thomas Clements andJurysicklertosouth,alsoJolmHall.Thiswasoriginallysurveyed20Apri11735

by Henry Beekman.22

The FOURTH FARM in the Clove was settled by [prob.I another Palatine, Hans Jurysmithinl734.Thisfarmwasl30acreswithfirstrentsofl21/2bushels,2fowls and 1 days riding due 1741. The rent book notes: ``shall ad to the west side of this farm 21 acres, and up hill in lot 10 shall take and add also to this farm for the use of wood now adjoining said farm, 50 acres, all for the wheat rent of 12 bushels per annum." The credit side reads: ``he has paid sum payment-lett him acc't upon his word he is an honest man-" Hans Migle Wegler and Hans Jury Overocker paid 24 bushels of the rents for Smith before 1744. Stephen Van Voorhis was on this farm by 1754 and a map shows the layout of the farm.23 This FOURTH farm was in the area north and north-east of Christie's pond and extended into the tenth lot in the Beekman Patent proper.

Hans George Smith has not been positively identified inpflJz.£z.7tcF¢777z.Zz.cs o/ Nezu

yo7'/c but we suspect he may be the `lost' son of Henrich Schmidt Junior o/ Hackensack and Somerset, New Jersey. 24 The Hans Jury Smith in the Clove married Anna Dorothy Smeden and had children's baptisms recorded at the Fishkill Reformed Church and in the New York Lutheran Church when the Lutheran minister made his rounds in the Clove. Smith was taxed in Beekman from 1738 through June 1754. In February 1741/2 he was on the tax list next to Nicholas Emigh with an assessment of £7. In February 1746/7 he was at £6 and in February 1759 at £9.

34

The FIFTH FARM was settled by Richard Cook in May 1737 with first rent payment due May 1744. The farm was 125 acres with rents of 121 /2 bushels, two fowls and 1 days riding. By 1742 the farm had been taken over by James Dayley.

This farm was to the west of County Road 9 and north of County Road 21 and the East Clove Mountain Road went through the northern part of it. By 1748 James Mosher, a Quaker from Dartmouth, Massachusetts, was the tenant.

Henry Beekman wrote a description of this farm in 1742: ``James Dayley, 5th farm; the bounds of the land I did intend for one Richard Cook who settled 1 May 1738, [sic] now James Dayleylayeth in Beekman precinct in Toghpack conveyance Commonly called the Clove on the east side of the mountain called Mamkat by the south west angle of the land of Nicholas Emigh thence to run south .„ [etc.I... There shall be laid out for this farm 125 acres in such shape & form as the said Hen: Beekman shall devise only that it shall not take any part of the meadow called Seapons Haghkie which layeth southward from this intended granted farm but is joining to the same. Surveyed 19 April 1735, but now dated 6 July 1742. To pay 1 May 1744121 /2 bushels per annum.''25 RichardCookwasprobablyEnglishandwasbornatNewCastle,Pennsylvania.

He married 25 September 1715 Margareta Van Orden, the widow of Johan Lossing, livingatHackensack.26RichardcookandhiswiferemovedtoRomboutorBeekman

by October 1718 where a child was born and he received Communion in the Highlands , 21 June 1719. His descendants remained in Beekman through 1770 or so. He was taxed in Beekman at £3 in February 1739/40.

The SIXTH FARM was first settled by George Cook but Charles Stevenson was onitbyabout1737.Thefarmwas137acreswithrentsof121/2bushels,2fowlsand 1 days riding, first rents due in 1745. By 1747 Johannes Sickenhoner was to pay £12 for the privelege of settling on the farm. In 1752 the rent book notes: ``Johan Sickler.''27 This farm was southwest of County Roads 9 and 21 and its southerly border was Shaughnessey Road, the Clove Purchase boundary.

George Cook was the son of Richard Cook and was born 1716 in Hackensack, New Jersey. He lived in Beekman and Pouglckeepsie most of his life but removed toRensselaerCountyby1771.Hewasassessedat£3inBeekmaninFebruary1740/ 41. His second wife was Catherine, daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Buys) Lossing.

The SEVENTH FARM was settled by Nathaniel (Nathaniel crossed out) or Edward Walker in 1735 with first rents due 1741. The farm was 147 acres with 14 bushels rent wheat, 2 fowls and 1 days riding. Peter Hogaboom was on the farm within four years, according to Beekman's notes in another ledger:28 ``Peter Hogoboom, Clove. (Folio `8' 21). This lease bears date the lst of May 1739.

Lives are said Hogoboom (died 1783) and his sons Joharmes & Jacob. The farm

contains147acres-Theyearlyrentsare14bushelsofwheat,2fowlesahd1days riding. The rent to begin five years after the date of the lease."29 TheEIGHTHFARMwassettledbyMathewWalkerin1735andtheacreagewas 150 with 14 bushels, 2 fowls and 1 days riding for rent, first rents due 1742. John Ferguson was on this farm by 1749. Walker paid 7 bushels and 4 quarts in May 1746 and also 2 young swine worth 16/ for the equivalent of 17 bushels. On 110ctober 1746 Beekman noted ``have given a note of leave to said Walker to sell to one Jolm Padge [Page] (& to non else) only.''3° HenryBeekman'snotesread:``MATHEWWALKER,intheconveyance.(folio`8' 22) The lease bears date 1 May 1739 and lives are said Walker and John and Edward his sons. The farm contains 150 acres and yearly rents are 14 bushels, 2 fowls and 1 days riding."3[

35

The Walkers were almost certainly brothers yet Edward was born in Ulster County and Mathew on Long Island. They both were married in the Fishkill Reformed Church, Edward in 1735 to Elizabeth Young and Mathew in 1737 to Cornelia Davidts. They were probably an English family but we have not traced them. They lived in Rombout (Fislikill area) after leaving Beekman. Farms Seven and Eight were most likely both on the west side of the Clove Valley and extended up into the Waterbury Hill area. A Bartholomew Hogaboom's farm was noted as being on Mamkating Hill ``called Oswego."32

We have no data on the NINTH FARM. The TENTH IARM was settled by Johannes Dolson in 1735. The first survey of the farm showed 180 acres with settlement in 1735 and first rents of 18 bushels of wheat, 2 fowls and 1 days riding due in 1742. Beekman noted ``27 March 1747 then gave leave to sell within 6 months paying all back rents & £10." Dolson finally sold hisleasetothefarminMay1751toNathanielYeomans.Yeomansaddedanother47 acres to the farm in 1754 and when his son Eliab Yeomans assumed the lease in 1760 he must have added more because when Henry Beekman sold the farm to him 28 April 1761 the total acreage was 280.33

JohannesDolsonwasdescendedfromcaptainJanGerritsenvanDalson(Devries) who was in Manhattan by 1648. Johannes was born ca.1702 and married Elizabeth Buys, the sister of Johannes Buys who led the settlement of Oswego.34 Johannes Dolson was taxed in the South Ward from 1729-35 and in the Middle Ward and Beekman from 1735 through 1748. In February 1741 /42 he was assessed at £8.

This land was in the area called ``New Oswego" and was in the northwest part of the Clove, the westerri bounds of the farm being County Road 89 and about one-half mile south of Hoxsie Corners. The Mid-County Rod and Gun Club owns most of this property today.

The ELEVENTH FARM was first settled by Mathew Buys and consisted of 120 acres and called for 12 bushels wheat rent, 2 fowls and 1 day riding. The farm was settled in 1735 with first rents due 1741. Beekman noted ``April 1743, permitted [him] to sell paying to me £10 out of the purchase together with one years rent in arrears." By 1740 John Paddock was on tli.e farm.

This is probably the farm just north of Dolson's. Henry Beekman noted ``there layeth eight chains land in the breadth between the farms of John Paddock & that ofcapt.Dollsonwhichneitherinl740wouldhavenodesigntojoinintopaddock's farm, also half a chain to remain along the farm of Dollson for a road & out drift."35 MathewBuyswasbaptized21Marchl710inthesleepyHollowchurc}iandwas the son of Johannes Buys noted above as the prime mover in the settlement of the Oswego area. The emigrant ancestor of this family was Jam Cornelis Buys, known as the soldier, who was born ca. 1629 and emigrated in 1648 to NewAmsterdam. He Was also known in the records as Jan ]ansen Damen.36 Mathew Buys married 16 July 1736 [bans] Catherine, baptized 7 June 1721, daughter of William Lossing. She was a cousin to Peter Lossing who settled in the lower Clove area. Mathew Buys was taxed in Beekman tlirough 1753 with an assessment of £4 in Feb. 1738/9.

The TWELFTH FARM was settled in 1737 by William Ellsworth and contained 120 acres with rents of 12 bushels of wheat, 2 fowls and 1 days riding first due 1743.

Henry Beekman noted: ``Permitted him to sell paying £10 out of the purchase money." By 1750 Samuel Adsit had paid the back rents. The farm was most likely

36

onchestnutRidgeneartheintersectionofcountyRoads90and24,inthenortheast corner of the Clove. The rent book notes that Samuel Adsit was also in lot 14 which adjoins this area. 37

William Ellsworth was probably the man baptized 17 April 1711 ``in the home of Saderland in the German Colony at Quassick Creek" the son of Benjamin and Femmetje (Van Veld) Ellsworth.38 He was taxed in Beekman in 1741 /2 at £4. He was married to Mary _.

The emigrant ancestor of this family was Theophilus Elsworth who was born in Bristol, England ca. 1625 and married Annatje Jams.39

The THIRTEENTH FARM was settled by David Dutcher in 1739 with first rents payablein1745.Therewasnoacreagenotedintheoriginallisting.4°By1741George

Ellsworth was on this farm and a grist mill and 200 acres were mentioned.

This farm was probably in the north end of the Clove Valley and it appears that someofthelandwasinlotl6andnotintheclove.4]Byl748TolmandJosephsmith, probably from Salisbury, Connecticut, were operating the mill.42 David Dutcher was born at Hurley and married at Lower Rhinebeck, 12 June 1735, Petrenella (Nelly) Van Vredenburgh. David was taxed in Beekman from 1738/9 through February 1761 and `estate' to 1769. His assessments were £14 in February 1746/7 and February 1753, £11 inJune 1758, £10 in 1760 and his estate was listed at £6 in 1763.

The emigrant ancestor of the Dutcher family was probably Wilhelm Dutcher.43 We have no data on the FOURTEENTH IIARM. TheFIFTEENTHFARMwassettledbyJacobuswestfallinl739andwasl50acres with first rents due 1745. Westfall does not seem to have remained on the farm long and by 20 July 1748 God fried Whaley was there.44 The farm was probably in the northern end of the Clove.

The emigrant ancestor of this family was Juriaen Westvael who arrived from Holland ca. 1642.45 ]acobus Westfall was baptized in Kingston, New York, 8 February 1713 and married Sophia Van Aaken at Kingston, 7 May 1738. They had a cluld baptized in Kingston as late as June 1740 (perhaps on a return trip there) but the next child was baptized on 13 February 1743 at the Poughkeepsie Reformed ChurchwithCloveValleyneighborJohannisDolsonassponsor.Westfallwastaxed at £4 in Beekman in 1741 /42.

The SIXTEENTH FARM was leased by Samuel Knight in 1739. It was 150 acres butwasreducedto134in1750.46Knightremainedonthisfarmatleastthrough1758 when Thomas Gardner was noted on it. On a rent list of 1 May 1759 Henry Beekman noted Samuel Knight on a 134 acre farm in lot 16, evidently a result of a lot-line change.47

Samuel Knight was born in Brooklyn, New York ca. 1700 and married Alida Berry of Hackensack, New Jersey , July 1723. He lived in Kingston until he came to the Clove. He was assessed in Beekman at£2 in February 1744/45 and at£6 in 1753.

His father, Thomas Knight of England, was the emigrant ancestor of this family.48 One other man, Michael Vandebogart, was noted as being in the Conveyance in 1739 but there are no details on his farm.49 In 1786 there were a total of twenty-three farms still under lease in the Clove.

They totaled 4694.5 acres and were appraised at £6830. All of them were rated as to quality of land and a few of them were further described at this time. Ten were considered `good,' another ten were deemed `rough' and six were noted as `mid-

37

dling.' Some of the comments were: ``this farm is damaged by the mill dam."

Another was ``a snug farm, much wood & much meadow." Lastly, another was ``a young orchard, poor house and no barn."

Endnotes `

Berthold Femow, Calendar Of Council Mimites ,1668-1783 (Albany,New York,1902), Vcr. VH, pp.

234, 235. See also Franl<J. Doherty, The Settlers of the Beekinan Patent, Volume I, Historical Records

(Pleasant Valley, New York,1990) for more detail on the Patent pp.1-4. The Patentcalled for a payment of quitrent of 20 shillings per year and Beekman immediately requested a reduction in therents.TheCounciloftheColonyofNewYorkgrantedtherequest22April1697byabatingtherents for the first seven years. The Patent was reissued by Queen Anne after a request by Beekman of 25 June 1703 but the only changes were more precise descriptions of the bounds of the Rhinebeck Patent which had been granted at the same time.

2 3

Deeds (Ulster county, New York) BB, p. 280.

Calendar of New York, Colonial Mamiscripts, Indorsed Land papers 1643-1803 (Ori8imally pub:1istned

Albany, New York,1864, reprinted by Harbor Hill Books 1987). Referenceis to vol. III,p. 38. (See James H. Smith, Hz.sfoji/ a/ Dzffchcss Co!!]zf/1/,1882, footnote on p. 20). Since the Patent was granted in 1697 it is somewliat doubtful that Beekman would be purchasing from the Indians after that date.

4

Edward Livingston Papers, Delafield Couection, Rare Books and Manuscripts Division, Firestone

Library, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey. Box 128, folder 10. Published with permission of Princeton University Library. My thanks t o William P. MCDermott, Ph.D. for his help in locating this material and my thanks to Edward W. Bennett for help on this and the next letter.

5

Edward Livingston Papers, Box 128, folder 10. Henry Beekman Sr.'s 1697 Patent area seems to have been included in the original Rombout Patent of 1683. t

6

The settlers of the Beekiiran patent,Vcr.I,pp.Z2;24.

7

Edward Livingston papers, Box 128, folder 5.

8

Henry Z. |or\es |r., Palatine Families of New York, (Ur\iversal Cky, Ca.,1985), p. 2023.

9

Edward Livingston papers, Box 157.

`° New York Genealogical and Biographical Record,1967,p.109 ``Ba8way" was a corruption of the word

Poughquag. "

Settlers of the Beelcman patei.i,Vof.1, p.94. Original doc:\ilr\entatton at Docuiirentary History of New

Yoi*, Vol. Ill, pp. 975ff.

12 Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p.105.

13 Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A.

14 Deeds, Dutchess County, New York, Vol. 18, p. 328.

15 New-York Historical Society, Gilbert Livingston Papers. Courtesy of the New-York Historical Society, New York City.

1`' Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p.105. `7 Pnlatine Families of New Yol.k,p.logo.

'* See New York Genealogical and Biogi.iiphical Record,1939, pp. 224£f for excellent dataL on ez\r\y Ein8l\ cz\ncl

Lossing families.

38

19 Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p. 88.

•~t] Palatine Families of New York, p. &54.

21 Edward Livingston Papers, Box 157, folder 7; Surveys in Dutchess County.

22 Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p. 90. Map is in Box 157. `-3 Palatine Faiirilies of Now York, p. 8:77.

2J Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p. 71.

•25 Lutheran C1\ulch Records, Yearbook of the Holland Society of New York, 1903, p. 6.

26 Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p. 69.

27 Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p. 94.

28 Edward Livingston Papers, Box 124, Vol. C, p. 53.

29 Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p. 95.

30 Edward Livingston Papers, Box 124, Vol. C, p. 38.

31 Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol.'A, p. 94.

32 Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p. 96 and Dutchess County Deeds Vol. 18, p. 604 which

contains a map.

33 See article by the compiler in Tm]!s/oHj!„f!.o}zs a/ flH A7i]ei.I.caH Coif 7zty (Dutchess County Historical

Society, 1986), pp. 41-45.

3J Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p. 97.

35 New York Genealogical and Biographical Record,1935, pp. ZZ5££.

36 Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p. 98. gJ Walter A. Kriiltle, Early Eighteenth Century Palatine Einigration,1965, p.18.

38 New York Genealogical and Biographical Record,1933 , pp.154££. This aLccount does not ir\alnde this

Benjamin or his children but because of sponsorships of baptisms and other connections we are convinced they are of this same family.

•" Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p. 99.

4`' Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p. 60.

4' See T7}e AJJ}cJ`z.caJz GCJIcflJog!.sf, Vol. 30, pp.112-114 for Jolln Smith ``the miller" and family.

1.- New York Genealogical and Biographical Record,1909, pp.189.

J3 Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p. 91. `* New York Genealogical aild Biogi.aphicill Record,1902, pp.loft.

J5 Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p. 91.

Jt`

Set[lel.s of the Becklnan patent,Vof.1, p. 80.

W The American Geiicalogis[,Vof. 30,p.177.

lit Edward Livingston Papers, Box 129, Vol. A, p. 92.

39

Stan ford Union Free School District No. 2 1922-1957 Donald C. Spiers Introduction Democracy: A government that is run by the people who live under it. In a democracy, the people rule either directly through meetings that all attend or indirectlythroughtheelectionofcertainrepresentativestoattendtothebusinessof running the government.

The school districts operated using both methods. The Annual school Meeting wasanexampleofpeoplerulingdirecthy.Specialschoolmeetingswerecalledwhen business could not wait for the annual meeting. The people functioned in a democratic manner to decide important issues. Boards of Education were elected officials who attended to the business of running the school.

The armual school meeting for the most part has deteriorated to a voting date held after a hearing. In that way more people tend to vote, but they may not be as well informed, since more people vote than attend the hearings. In the recent past the hearing and the voting were held on the same date in the same room. Those peoplewhoattendedthemeetingvoted.ThiswaspatternedaftertheNewEngland townmeetingsandcanberecognizedastruedemocracyaccordingtothedefinition.

The following account is an example of democracy in action. The story of the Stanford School Building (now the Stanford Town Hall) tells of the struggles of the residents in choosing a site, building the building, paying the costs,.losing control, and then paying for the building a second time.

The account, however, is not unique to Stanford, which was one of many communities in New York State and in the United States that struggled to maintain local control of its school system. Population and economic factors were too powerful and the changes were inevitable, although not necessarily positive.

For accuracy in relating the tale, tlie information was taken directly from the minute books of the school district. Those entries are dated. Several entries preceded by the word ``COMMENT" are offered by the author based on his knowledge of the events. Some comments may not be historically correct.

40

There was a meeting called for consolidation of Common school Districts #10 and #2 on March 2, 1922. The consolidation was to be known as the Union Free School District #2, Town of Stanford. This order was to take effect on the 20th day of March 1922. Records of this meeting were not available. District #10 was the ``Bangall District," while District #2 was the ``Stanfordville District." The Bangall schoolwaslocatedonDeuelRoadsouthoftheintersectionwiththeBangal1-Amenia Road. The Stanfordville school was located on what is now Route 82 south of the intersection with Bull's Head Road. The United Church of Christ Sunday School Building currently occupies the site.

April 18, 1922

A meeting was held in the Grange Hall. Mrs. Rundall (District Superintendent of Schools) explained the three-fold purpose of the meeting: 1. to disband the school board of District #10 2. to elect a board for the consolidated districts 3. to determine the number of members to constitute the new board Mr. John Wright was appointed chairman of the meeting: A motion was made and carried that the board would consist of seven members.

2 members-three year terms each (one member from each of the districts)

2 members-two year terms each 3 members-one year terms each W.B. Ogden and Hiram W Vandewater were elected to three year terms, Vandewater unopposed.

Jolm Wright and Tristam Coffin were elected to two year terms, Coffin unOpposed.

R.H. Hillman, Mrs. Frank (Grace) Davis and George Feroe were elected to one year terms, Feroe after a tie vote with Fred Case.

April 20, 1922

The first meeting of the Board of Education was held at the home of Mrs. Davis.

COMMENT The Davis home was on the current Donnelly property between the firehouse and the town hall.

The following officers were elected:

President

John wright

Clerk Treasurer Collector

Grace Davis Patience Germond Eula Haight

It was decided that the Annual School Meeting would be held on the first Tuesday in August. Regular meetings would be held on the first Monday of each month.

April 27, 1922 Mrs. Eula Haight was found ineligible to serve as officer of the school district and Mr. William Haight was appointed collector in her place.

41

A committee of the whole was appointed to secure information about proposed sites for a school building in order to frame notices for a special meeting.

May 1, 1922

All members present. The committee on sites reported progress.

May 5, 1922

A committee of four (Wright, Vandewater, Hillman, Coffin) was sent to Albany to inspect plans for a prospective school building and gather any other necessary information.

COMMENT It must be assumed the committee visited the State Education Deparinent. The minutes note that $5.66 was paid to Vandewater for expenses for the trip.

May 11, 1922

ThecommitteesenttoAlbanyreportedprogress.AtthismeetingMessrs.Smithand Polhemus, architects from Pouglckeepsie, gave valuable information relative to the proposed school building. The board listened with interest. Sites were discussed at length.

May 19, 1922

It was decided the $33,000 would be the maximum cost of the new school building.

The board vote: FOR: Vandewater, Feroe, Hillman, Davis AGAINST: Wright, Coffin, Ogden The board agreed the following sites would be considered: Mrs. Isaac Travis's Field (subject to condemnation) Hendrickson's Lot $500 Charles post Lot

$1100

RESOILVED: That the Board of Education of Union Free School District #2, Town of Stanford, Dutchess County, New York, call a special meeting of the qualified electors of such district to be held at the Grange Hall in the Town of Stanford, on the 19th day of June 1922 at 7:30 o'clock, Standard Time, in the evening, for the purpose of deciding by a vote of the qualified electors of said district whether said district shall be authorized to erect a new school building and raise therefor by a tax upon the taxable property of the district, the sum of $33,000, to be collected in annual installments as provided by Section 467 of the Education Law. June 12, 1922

The clerk was instructed to gather information relative to the number of pupils qualified to enter lst and 2nd year liigh school living in the town.

COMMENT Other matters were discussed and acted upon at all these meetings. I have chosen to report only those matters that pertain to the building of the school.

June 19, 1922

SPECIAL SCHOOL MEETING to vote on the following questions: I. Shall the district authorize the erection of a new school building and raise therefor by tax upon the taxable property of the district the sum of $33,000 to be

42

collected in annual installments as provided by the Education Law? 11. Shall the district designate as a site for the school building the following piece or parcel of land, to wit: 1. Mrs. Isaac Travis's Field 2. Hendrickson's Lot 3. Charles Post Lot

COMMENT Mrs. Isaac Travis's field was the former ball field which lies west of John Orton's house on Route 82 across from Juchem's Flower Shop. Hendrickson's lot is now occupiedbyMiller'sAgway.TheCharlesPostLotistheStissingBankpropertyplus part of what is now Route 82 (Mid-County Highway). It must be observed that Route 82 from Hunn's Lake Road to Millis Road did not exist in 1922. The main road in those days ran from Stanfordville to Bangall and then north to what is now Jim's Iam.

John Wright was appointed chairman of the Special Meeting. A motion was maderegardingQuestionl.Discussionfollowed.ProfessorReaganoftheoakwood School and Mr. Hall from the State Education Department gave ``able and helpful" addresses. It was decided that the voting would be by ``ayes" and ``noes." The total vote was 110. There were 91 in favor, 19 opposed.

Question Il. Amotion was made that a vote be taken on all three sites at once. The motion was amended to eliminate Ms. Travis's Field, Site #1. It was eliminated by a total vote of 70; 50 in favor, 20 opposed. A vote was taken on the two remaining sites. The total vote was 95. Hendrickson's Lot, 29 votes; Charles Post Lot, 66 votes.

COMMENT The board members voted as follows: Hendrickson's Lot - Vandewater, Coffin, Davis Charles Post Lot - Feroe, Hillman, Wriglit, Ogden

The following resolutions were adopted: Resolution: Resolved, That the Board of Education of Union Free School District No. 2, Town of Stanford, County of Dutchess, is hereby authorized and directed to cause plans and specifications to be prepared for the erection of a new school building subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Education, and in accordancewiththeprovisionsofSec.451and452oftheEducationLaw,andtoerectsuch new building in accordance with such plans and specifications and to expend for such purpose the sum of not more than Thirty-three Thousand Dollars ($33,000) which sum shall be raised by tax on the taxable property of the district, to be collected in thirty-three (33) armual installments of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1000) each; and that the said Board of Education of said district is hereby authorized and directed to borrow on the credit of said district the sum of Thirtythree Thousand Dollars or so much thereof as may be necessary and issue bonds or other evidences of indebtedness binding upon such district in the denomination of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1000) each, bearing interest at a rate not exceeding 697o, payable annually, to be dated Aug.1,1922, and one of such bonds of indebtedness to mature on the lst day of November 1923, and one to mature annually thereafter on the first day of November until all of them mature and are paid; and the said district is hereby authorized and directed to raise by tax upon the taxable property of the district the sum as shall be necessary to pay each of such bonds as they mature and also to pay any and all interest thereon as the same shall become due.

43

Resolution: Resolved, That the Board of Education of Union Free School District No. 2 of the Town of Stanford, County of Dutchess, is hereby authorized to acquirebypurchasethefollowingdescribedpieceorparcelofland,towit:(SiteNo. 3)Chas.PostLotdescribedasfollows:210ft.front,500ft.deep.Boundedasfollows: North by Chas. Post, East by private road to Hillman, South by Highway, West by Chas. Post. Price $1100. As a new site and the said Board of Education is hereby authorizedtoexpendthereforasumnotexceedingElevenHundredDollars($1100) for the acquisition of the said lands. The said lands as here in before described are hereby designated as the site of the school house in the said district.

The total vote on the Resolution 71: 63 in favor, 8 opposed.

A rising vote of thanks was extended Professor Reagan for his presence and appropriate address.

COMMENT The voters of the new district had agreed to erect a $33,000 school building on the Charles Post Lot. July 1, 1922

AmapoftheuniteddistrictswastobepreparedasrequestedbytheStateEducation Department. The district will keep said map until representatives from the department visit Stanford. The clerk was instmcted to notify the department.

COMMENT Unfortunately files containing correspondence are not available. Only the minute books could be found. References to reports and correspondence in the minutes cannot be verified because the files cannot be located, if they still exist.

July 15, 1922

A petition signed by ten residents of District #2 was presented to the Board of Education: ``We, the undersigned legal voters of Union Free School Dist. No. 2, do hereby petition the Honorable Board of Education of said district to take no further action as to selection of Site for the proposed new School Building, pending an appeal to : the Department of Education relative to the condemnation decision rendered by representativeofsaiddepartmentonthePostsitechosenbythevotersoftheabove named district."

The following letters were read: 1. Report of Committee from Albany for inspections of sites for the proposed new school building. Letter on file.

2. Affidavits as to unsanitary condition of the Charles Post Site from: Dr. V.V. Mccabe, Health Officer, Town of Stanford E.D. Ritchie, Sanitary Supervisor S.M. Strong, Medical Doctor, Stanfordville 3. Edward C. Smith, architect, enclosing contract blanks to be used at the board's discretion in connection with the new school operation.

4. Ward C. Moon, Superintendent of Schools, Poughkeepsie, stating that the Poughkeepsie Board of Education has fixed tuition for non-resident pupils in PHS at $130 each beginning Sept.1,1922. The state would pay $50 leaving $80 to be paid by the district.

44

August 1, 1922 The Annual School Meeting was held at the Grange Hall. John wright was chosen chairman. The district had a balance of $778 on hand. A motion was made and

passedtoraise$1800fortheschoolyearl922-23.Themeetingthenadjourneduntil August 10,1922.

August 7, 1922 The meeting scheduled for August 10 was to be cancelled on information received from Albany.

August 10, 1922

The Annual school Meeting adjourned on August 1, was called to order by Tristam Coffin. Lewis Post was appointed chairman. He called for open discussion as to the purpose of the meeting. There was a motion to adjourn-not a representative meeting, there being no voters from Bangall present--motion lost. Motion to transact business-carried. Motion to raise $1000 for academic (high school)

department at school-carried. Motion to adjourn-carried.

August 21, 1922

MeetingheldatthehomeofJohnwright(currentlysamBailey'sonRoute82).There was a prolonged discussion relative to an academic department. L`etters of application for the principalship were received. Mrs. Rundall was authorized: 1. to ascertain in Albany relative to estabhishing an agriculture course at Stanford Union School; 2. to find out if dissolution of district is possible when decided action has been taken in view of selecting and voting for new sites; academic department established; principal engaged.

COMMENT It should be noted that pupils 1-8 were attending the schoolhouses in Bangall and Stanfordville. Enrollment figures are not available. High school pupils went to Pouglckeepsie or Millbrook by train daily. f August 24, 1922 Mrs. Rundall reported Dr. Gilbert and Dr. Wheeler from the State Education Department advised the board not to establish an academic department under existing circumstances. A wami discussion followed. The board decided to await direct communication with the State Education Department. Millbrook High School will accommodate any students from Stanford, tuition being $85, the state paying $50 leaving $35 cost to the district.

COMMENT Dutchess County was divided into three supervisory districts. The supervisory district lines crossed the county from east to west and divided the county into thirds. Each supervisory district had a superintendent who served the schools inhis/herdistrictunless,asinpoughkeepsie,adistricthaditsownsuperintendent.

Mrs. Maude Rundall was the superintendent for Dutchess Supervisory District #3, the northernmost district in the county, which included Stanford Union School.

45

August 31, 1922 At the Davis home. Ogden and Hillman absent. Letters from the State Education Department were read and discussed.

Resolution: Upon advice from Albany, the Board of Education resolved not to establish an academic department this year.

Motion: A Special Meeting of the qualified voters is to be called to appropriate moneytopaytransportationontherailroadforallpupilsfromthedistrictattending Millbrook High School.

September 23, 1922 Davis home. Ogden absent. There was no action taken.

September 25, 1922 Special School Meeting. Grange Hall. The meeting was called to vote on paying for transportation on the railroad to Millbrook High School. The motion carried, 19 votingyesandl6votingno.Amotiontoraise$600topayforthetransportationwas carried-21 yes, 14 no.

October 2, 1922 All present. The clerk of the board was directed to write directly to the Commissioner of Education (Dr. Graves) for a decision on the Post site.

October 21, 1922

All present. Letters from the State Education Department were read. No progress was reported.

November 13, 1922 Davis home. Vandewater absent. Mrs. Rundall discussed a letter sent to her from the State Education Department. The board requested Mrs. Rundall to secure a

personal reply from Dr. Graves to the question under discussion and inform the board immediately of the result of her interview.

COMMENT Although the minutes do not say and the correspondence is not available, the question under discussion must be the petition concerning the Charles Post site presented to the board on July 15.

December 4, 1922 Davis home. Coffin absent. The clerk gave the results of Mrs. Rundall's efforts to secure a personal reply from Dr. Graves. Dr. Gilbert, acting for Dr. Graves, said the question could be settled only: 1. by rescinding the action taken at the school meeting on June 19 by voting such action out, OR 2. by the parties considering themselves aggrieved to appeal to the Commissioner of Education.

The following appeal was served on the board: ``The undersigned trustees of and residents in District #2, Town of Stanford,

CountyofDutchess,StateofNewYork,appealtothecommissionerofEducation from the action of the meeting held in said town and district on the 19th day of June 1922,invotingtoacquirethePostpropertyasaschoolsiteandlocationforbuilding

46

and ask that such decision and action be set aside.

1st-On the ground that such site so chosen is not in accordance with the understanding between Dist. #10 and Dist. #2 in the said town in relation of building when said districts were consolidated.

2nd-That the location so chosen does not meet the requirements laid down as standards by the State Department of Education to govern the selection of sites for schools, viz.:

(A) The site must be sanitary. It should therefore not be ``made" land, or lowlyingdampground.Itshouldbefreefromallsewage.Itshouldbedry,well-drained and preferably above, certainly not below, the level of the road on which it fronts.

(8) It should be large and commodious. It is particularly important that there should be ample level area to minister to all out-door activities that may be asked forbypupilsnoworintheyearstocome.Itshouldbesufficientalsotogiveaproper setting to the building and to leave adequate space for lawn.

(C) Centrality of location both geographical and residential is another factor tobeconsideredthoughitismanifestlyofmuchmoreimportanceinthelocationof an elementary school than of an advanced school. In this connection population trends must be carefully studied."

Three members of the board (Davis, Coffin, Vandewater) along with fifteen other residents signed the appeal.

The following petition was brought before the board: ``To the Honorable Board of Education-Union Free School District No.2, Town of Stanford: We the undersigned qualified voters of Union Free School District No. 2, Town

of Stanford, do hereby petition your honorable board to proceedin thematter of purchase of site and erection thereon of a schoolbuilding as officially authorized by the voters of said district at a meeting called for such purpose and held at the Grange Hall on June 19, 1922.

We demand action, or official reasons for delay."

The petition was signed by thirty-four residents of the district. The petition was accepted by the board. The board noted that no action on the petition was possible on account of the pending appeal before the Commissioner of Education.

December 8, 1922

Davis home. None absent. In response to the appeal sent to the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Graves, by the aggrieved voters, a verbal statement (made in the presence of Mr. Wright and Mrs. Davis) was made by Mrs. Rundall to this effect: That the Board of Education must call a special meeting to vote to rescind the action taken by the school meeting held June 19,1922. A motion was made to that effect.

The motion lost 4 to 3.

In favor: Vandewater, Coffin, Davis Against: Wright, Feroe, Hillman, Ogden March 22, 1923 AdecisionandorderfiledMarch17,1923fromtheStateEducationDepartmentwas readandfiled.Theordertoactimmediatelywasdulynotedandamotionwasmade andcarriedthatacommitteebeappointedtoselectnewsites,securemeasurements, etc., and report at the regular monthly meeting.

COMMENT The December 4, 1922 appeal to the Commissioner had been answered. The

47

purchase of the Charles Post Lot was rescinded.

The following petition was presented: "We, the undersigned legal voters and tax payers of Union Free School District

No. 2, Town of Stanford, petition your Honorable Board to call a special meeting ofsaiddistrictfortliepurposeofvotingonadissolutionofsaidUnionFreeSchool Dist. No. 2, Town of Stanford.

Further we petition that you call the said meeting in the afternoon from 1 o'clockp.in.to8o'clockp.in.forpurposeofgivingallvotersanopportunitytocast their ballots. Dated March 20, 1923."

The petition was signed by eighteen residents.

Motion: That the petition be laid on the table until the preceding motion can be acted upon. The petition was placed on file.

April 2, 1923 Feroe's house. Davis absent. The committee on sites reported progress and re-

quested more time. The petition for dissolution of the district presented by Stanfordville people and signed by eighteen residents was discussed. A motion to call a meeting to vote on dissolution was lost. A motion to reconsider a vote on caningameetingtodissolvethedistrictpassed.Amotionthatameetingbecalled todissolvethedistrictcarried.Amotionprovidingfornoticesforaspecialmeeting to vote on dissolution etc. passed.

May 4, 1923

Special Meeting. Grange Hall. Friday evening. John Wright chosen chairman. A notice was read as follows: ``NoticeisherebygiventhataSpecialMeetingofthequalifiedelectorsof Union

Free School Dist. No. 2 of the Town of Stanford will be held at the Grange Hall on the 4th day of May 1923 at 7:30 p.in. to vote upon the question of dissolving said district."

Amotionwasmadeandsecondedthatvotebetakenonquestionasstatedinthe notice. By way of suggestion Mrs. Frank Davis remarked that perhaps it might be welltorecognizeourSuperiorsbeforeproceedingwiththevoting.inasmuchaswe hadbeenrequestedtoadjournthemeetinguntilMay9wlienMr.Wingatefromthe Departmentcouldbewithustocounseloradvise-Mr.WrightandMrs.Davisboth having received telephone messages from Mrs. Rundall to this effect.

A motionwas made to adjourn the meeting until May 9th. A previous motion being before the meeting, the motion was over ruled.

President Wright called for remarks, Father Ross and R.H. Hillman responding-both making able remarks in favor of consolidation. A motion to banot on questioninnoticewascarried.Theballotwastakenbyayesandnoes.Thetotalvote cast was 70. There were thirty-three votes in favor of dissolving the district. There were 37 votes against.

COMMENT The Stanford Union Free District was saved by four votes.

May 4, 1923

Following a report from the site committee a motion was made and carried that a special district meeting be called to vote upon the Ada Traver site.

DescriptionofSite:BeginningatapointonsouthsideofBangallLaneattheN.W. corner of Frank Davis's lot running 688 ft. in a westerly direction a locust tree, 48

then100ft.inasoutherlydirectiontoastake,then70ft.inawesterlydirection.Then followingthefencelineasoutherlydirection443ft.toathornappletree,theninan easterlydirectionalongfenceline623ft.,theninanortherlydirectionalongthe fence line next to property owned by Enoch Moody, Town, and Frank Davis 673 ft. to the point or place of beginning. The lot comprises 9 acres (more or less). Price $1200.

COMMENT

TheTraversiteisthesiteofthepresentTownHall-formerlystanfordunionschool.

June 14, 1923 Special School Meeting. Grange Hall.

Resolved,thattheBoardofEducationofUnionFreeDistrictNo.2oftheTownof

Stanford, etc. is here by authorized to acquireby purchase the following described piece or parcel of land, to wit; Mrs. Ada Traver's lot (as described above) as a new school site and the said Board of Education is hereby authorized to expend a sum not exceeding $1200 for the acquisition of said lands. The said lands are hereby designatedasthesiteoftheschoolhouseinthesaiddistrict.Therewasamotionthat the vote be taken by ayes and noes. The resolution passed: 28 ayes,17 noes.

June 25, 1923

Davis home. All present. The meeting was given over to architect Smith who discussed at length the ways and means for the new school building.

July 6, 1923

Davis home. Feroe absent. Mr. Smith was authorized to proceed with plans and specifications to be submitted to the State Education Department for criticism or approval. The committee on purchasing the site reported progress.

July 30, 1923

Davis home. All present. Architect Smith presented plans for the new building.

Blue prints-rough estimates of costs will be sent before the annual meeting on August 7.

August 7, 1923 Annual District Meeting. Grange Hall.

Mrs. Grace Davis was elected to a three-year term.

Archie Brown replaced R.H. Hillman.

Lewis Post replaced George Feroe. $3400 is to be raised by tax for the school year 1923-24. The blueprints for the new building were displayed for inspection.

August 16, 1923 Reorganization meeting: Jolm H. Wright, President. Grace Davis, Clerk. A motion

was made authorizing the president and clerk to sign the order to pay for the site.

After a prolonged discussion, plans for the building, contracting, etc., were laid on the table indefinitely.

September 3, 1923

0gden and Brown absent. A motion was made and carried that a committee be appointed by the president to close the deal with Mrs. Traver for the school site.

49

September 18, 1923

0gden and Brown absent. The site committee reported no progress-Mrs. Traver requiring that the deed or contract read that if the site or land in question was not used for school purposes (i.e. no school building erected theron) said site or land to revert to her at the same price of sale. Mrs. Traver also required the district to maintain the fence. The committee was authorized to re-visit Mrs. Traver and state to her the result of communication from Albany. The committee is to proceed with the deal if the owner will give good title to be free of all conditions for reversion or otherwise. The board agreed to maintain one-half of the fence along Mrs. Traver's property. A motion was made and carried that the title be searched after a satisfactory interview with Mrs. Traver.

September 21, 1923

0gden absent. The committee on site reported further delay. Open discussion followed. A motion was made that President Wright be appointed to take counsel and cause to have drawn up by a lawyer a written agreement concerning the purchase of the school site known as Ada Traver's lot.

October 1, 1923

0gden absent. Brown late. The agreement concerning the purchase of the site as drawnupbyLawyerButtswasreadandapprovedbytheboard.Thesitecommittee is to deliver same to Mrs. Traver for approval.

October 11, 1923

0gden and Brown absent. The site committee presented an amendment for consideration proposed by Mrs. Traver which was unacceptable to the board. The site committee was discharged with thanks.

December 3, 1923

0gden absent. PTA representatives were present to ascertain the facts concerning progress of the proposed new school. The Board gave the desired information.

Prolonged discussion followed. R.H. Hillman was appointed as member of the school board to fill the vacancy made by Mr. Ogden's refusal to serve.

Site status: I. In answer to the clerk's letter to Mrs. Traver relative to conditions of the

contract concerning the site, Mrs. Traver refused to sell said site under any conditions save those included in the contract and amended thereto.

11. In consequence thereof, the board refuses to accept the contract, having been advised by representatives form the State Education Department ``that school districts should own their school sites in fee simple without conditions or other limitations as to title."

December 14, 1923 The clerk read Mr. Hillman's declination to serve on the board. Percy Deuel was appointed to serve until tlie next election.

December 22, 1923 Mr. Brown and Mrs. Davis absent. The resignation of Mr. Brown was accepted. The board acted on three motions: 1. That Ralph Butts, lawyer, be authorized to confer with Mrs. Traver relative

50

to procuring the site.

2. Messrs. Wriglit and Post be authorized to transact business and close up the deal with Mrs. Traver, provided the deed is satisfactory.

3. That an order of $1200 be drawn to be paid to Mrs. Traver.

January 7, 1924 Thecommitteeonsitetransactionreportedhavingsecuredasatisfactorydeedfrom Mrs. Traver. (Negotiations had continued since May 7, 1923.)

January 12, 1924 Edward Knickerbocker was appointed to serve on the board until the next election in place of Mr. Brown. A committee was appointed to engage the architects to

submit plans for the new school building.

April 7, 1924

The building committee reported the building plans would be ready by April 15.

April 16, 1924

The building committee reported that plans and specifications were not complete.

June 7, 1924

After a prolonged discussion a motion was made that plans submitted to the board on June 2 be returned to the architect to be put out for bids.

July 3, 1924

Abuildingcommitteewasappointedandgivenauthoritytoenterintocontractsfor the erection of the building at a cost not to exceed $33,000.

August 4, 1924 The building committee reported the following signed contracts: Mason, carpenter, mill, metal, roofing, paint and electrical to: L.H. Swenson, Pouglckeepsie $24,171.00 Plumbing to A.C. Smith, Pougheepsie $ 1,225.00 Heating and Ventilating to E.P. Burns, Poughkeepsie $ 3,495.00 Total $28,891.00 The committee action was approved.

December 29, 1924

John Wright resigns as president. John Wright resigns from the board.

March 7, 1925 A special meeting of the board is held at the new building. The position as janitor of the new school building is opened for bids. Anyone desiring information as to work required may find specifications at the clerk's office. Sealed bids are to be left withtheclerktobeopenedMarch23rd.Theboardreservestherighttorejectallbids.

Notices of the position were posted as follows: Couse's General Store, Bangall Post Office, Knickerbocker Garage, on tree in front of school building, Harrison's General Store, and Stanfordville Post Office.

51

JOB SPECIFICATIONS: The care of two furnaces, keeping rooms comfortably warm. Empty ashes, cut kindling. Care of water pump, electric motors and fan.

Keep floors,furniture,blackboards,andtoiletsclean.Washwindowsonceamonth.

Oil floors when needed. Have room at least 65 degrees at 9 a.in. Remain until work is finished at night. Shovel paths when necessary. Allow no .children in the basement. Always lock the door behind you. Do all other work about the building to keep it clean and in good condition.

COMMENT There is no mention of tlie date the school opened. It can only be surmised that the opening occurred on April 1, 1925, which coincides with the hiring of the janitor.

There was no need for a janitor unless the school was open.

August 4, 1925 Annual Meeting. The board decided to sell the school buildings in Bangall District #10 and Stanfordville District #2. There was a reversionary clause in the deed given

by Amos Knapp in 1852 for the Stanforville property-to Marshall Knapp for $60.

Alfred Dillinger purchased the building for $176.50. There was an auction of the Bangall District #10 property. The building and site went to Allison Hicks for $80.

The deed to the property went to Bessie Hicks for $80.

April 30, 1931

Mrs. Rundall discussed with the board the possibility of organizing a Central Rural School District with Pine Plains.

May 4, 1931

The board expressed sentiment that ``we are not in favor of joining with the proposed central rural school in Pine Plains." A resolution was sent to all adjoining Common School Districts in Stanford to be adopted at their annual meetings. If in thefutureitseemsadvisabletojoinacentralruralschool,wedesiretojoinwithother districts of the Town of Stanford.

October 16, 1931

Saturday evening. There was a further discussion of organizing a central rural school district. The board agreed to consider the advisability of forming such a district. It planned to invite trustees of several districts to attend a meeting and be informed of the benefits by a representative from the State Education Department..

(There is no record that such a meeting was held.)

April 12, 1932

AmeetingwascalledbyMrs.Rundalltodiscussmatterspertainingtocentralization of schools of the Town of Stanford. No decision was made.

April 25, 1932

A committee was appointed to arrange to rent rooms in the Grange Hall for classrooms. Eurollment: 104 pupils (in four rooms).

August 2, 1932 Annual meeting. The board reported the school was overcrowded and tlITee

proposals were suggested: 1. Renting the Grange Hall at $1450 per year.

52

2. Building an additional room on the school building at $4000.

3. Let things stay as they are.

There was a lengthy discussion. It was decided to call a special meeting to consider an additional room on the building.

August 26, 1932 The State Education Department recommends two additional rooms be built. An architect is to draft plans.

September 16, 1932

Plans are approved for a two-room addition to the building.

COMMENT Enrollment figures have not been available until now. In September 1932 the enrollment was: GRADES PUPILS

1&2 34

3&4 33

5&6 31

7&8 27

9&10 24 (2 teachers)

TOTAL 149 pupils

One room for Grades 7&8 was rented in the Grange Hall. Pupils from surrounding contract districts came to Stanford School, paying tuition for each pupil. Grades 11 & 12 went to Millbrook by train.

October 10, 1932

The residents of the district voted 70 to 1 to build a two room addition on the school building.

November 9, 1932 Bids for the erection of additional rooms to the present school building were reviewed: Alfred Dillinger Kingston & Co. (Poughkeepsie) Swanson (Pouglckeepsie) Almadore clark

$4,579.50 $5,216.00 $5,779.00 $4,574.00 plus $350 for extra stucco

and interior work.

The contract was awarded to A.M. Clark. The addition was financed by registeredbondsintheamountof$5,500datedNovemberl,1932,indenominations of $500 at 5% interest payable semi-annually on May 1, and November 1, in each of the years 1933 to 1943.

May 29, 1933

The State Education Department was notified that the construction has been completed.

December 10, 1955

Thedistrict'sbondedindebtednessontheoriginalbuildinghasbeencleared.Afinal payment was made on October 24, 1955. The district is debt free.

53

June 6, 1956

The board accepted the invitation of Pine Plains Central School to meet on June 13, 1956, to discuss centralization.

COMMENT The need to consider centralization was financial. Pupils in grades 9-12 were already attending classes in Pine Plains under a contract for tuition. The State EducationDepartmentmandatedthatpupilsinGrades7&8wouldhaveinstruction in homemaking, shop, art, music, library, and physical education. The Stanford School had neither facilities nor staff to meet this mandate. State aid for pupils in grades 7-12was atone and one half times the aid for elementary pupils.

Failure to meet the mandate would result in the loss of aid. In addition, several of the surrounding Common School Districts had already joined the central school district in Pine Plains and the local enrollment was decreasing resulting in further loss of state aid. For these reasons, the school board had little choice but to investigate the possibility of centralization.

January 28, 1957 Notification to Pine Plains Central School of the possible desire to centralize was approved without opposition.

February 6, 1957 The clerk was instructed to inform Pine Plains Central School advising that a petition, circulated and signed, seeking annexation to Pine Plains Central School had been forwarded to the District Superintendent to be presented to the State Education Department.

March 25, 1957

An order from the State Education Department was read to the effect that Stanford Union Free District No.2 will become part of the Pine Plains Central School District No.1 as of June 30, 1957.

June 24, 1957 The bills were paid; the minutes were read and approved.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED. COMMENT After centralization in 1957, the building was used as an elementary school by the Pine Plains Central School District until June 1970. The Cold Spring Elementary School opened in January 1970. The Seymour Smith Elementary School in Pine Plains was available to house the rest of tlie elementary pupils after the Stissing Mountain Jr.~Sr. High School was opened in September 1970. The Stanford School was closed. From September 1970 until the building was sold to the Town of Stanfordfor$50,000foruseasaTownHall,thebuildingwasusedforstoragebythe central school district.

54

The West Mountain Mission: A Mission For Its Time Myma J. Hubert To visit The West Mountain Mission Neighborhood House today, is to step into the pastandrememberatimethatwillneverbeagain.Theexteriorofthehouseremains original. The interior, however, has been completely remodeled to suit the present owners. The former gardens are overgrown and hide the prominent position of the Neighborhood House. Visible from the road are the seven stone steps leading up to the walk and the outline of stained glass memorial windows on the east side.

Intheearlyl890s,thepeople,1ivinginwestpawling,Stonehousearea,werepoor and uneducated. Cattle were disappearing from farmers in neighboring Beekman, and there was pillaging of properties of estate owners on Quaker Hill. Dr. Henry Pearce, a local physician, brought the deplorable conditions of the area to the attention of the residents on Quaker Hill and visitors at the Mizzentop Hotel.

Some of the ladies on Quaker Hill formed a committee to aid the people of Stonehouseandtosecureamissionarywhowouldbeateacher,friendandspiritual leader.AttheurgingofReverendPrescottEvartsofZionChurch,WappingersFalls, and Dr. Henry Ziegenfuss of CIITist Church, Pouglckeepsie, Albert C. Burdick was hired and an Episcopal Mission was established.

AlbertBurdickwasborninGouverneur,NewYork,wherehehadbeenorganist and choirmaster. Then only 25 years old, Burdick accepted the position because of hisloveofpeopleandteaching.LifeinwestpawlingwasquiteachangeforBurdick.

Hestartedhismissioninasmallhousejustwestofthestonehouse,aboutahalfmile from the Pawling-Beekman Turnpike Tollgate. The rent was eight dollars a month, and water had to be drawn from the well or from the stream across the road. At home in Gouverneur he had enjoyed the luxury of running water. Albert began his work by meeting the people of the neighborhood. He conducted a day school for the childrenandheldprayerservicesonSundayandmid-weekwithlotsofsinging.The women were taught to mend, sew and to improve their housekeeping skills. Later, the men were taught to repair and make new furniture.

Inl900,duetoproblemswithhisneighbor,JohnB.Whittickwhowasauthorized topreachtheMethodistReligion,andhislandlady,whowassuspiciousofBurdick's activities, Albert moved the mission. He moved to the home of Louis Conti, his friend and foreign language tutor. Burdick purchased the house and three and one third acres for $300 and payed for it in installments. When his mother became aware of his debt, she gave him the remainder or the money.

Burdick purchased property surrounding the Mission including a 34.61 acre woodlot across the road for one hundred forty dollars in 1901; two acres plus a spring across the road and east up the mountain in 1911; 15.9 acres to the north of the Mission; and 22.18 acres to the east of the Mission: In 1907, he deeded the

property east of the Mission House to the Directors. In 1913, and 1915, he deeded the rest of the properties to the Directors with the exception of the 34.61 acre woodlot.

55

Albert C . Burdick ( 1867+ 1951 ) , the f>ersoriftcedon of the VJ:est Mountain Mission (top) , and John 8 . V[Jlrittick, his adrersary (bottom) . IrLk drawings by George A. M.

Alexander from the Vliest Mountain Mission Guest Bock, Courtesy of the Directors of the Vl:est Mountain Mission.

56

Attendance at the religious services, school, and clubs continued to grow and new activities were added, including gardening and music lessons.

Help continued to come from the people on Quaker Hill who held parties and fairs to support the Mission. Word of the fine work being done spread throughout the county, and many people volunteered their time, clothing, and money to support the activities. Cornelia Akin Taylor and Arthur Hatch met with Harry Lynke, a draftsman with the firm of MCKim, Mead and White of New York City, to drawupplanstoenlargetheMission.MissTaylorlaidthecornerstonein1905,with the same silver trowel used by her Uncle Albert Akin for the Quaker Hill Akin Free Library Comerstone. The new Neighborhood House, as it was called, was built around Burdick's house and included a schoolroom and chapel.

TheWestMountainMissionwasincorporatedNovember23,1906,withLeliaR. Martin, Florence De Noyan Gray, Comelia Akin Taylor, Harriet Rachael Swan and Arthur M. Hatch as Directors.

Throughtheyears,severalpeoplecontributedtotheworkattheMission.George A. M. Alexander, an artist, was one of Burdick's assistants. He left some very fine ink drawings in the original journal and guest book of the Mission. Garibed Parnossian and his brother Dicron also helped Burdick. Garibed built a small greenhouse to the east of the Neighborhood House from lumber left over from the new building. He was so successful with his plants and flowers that he soon built a larger greenhouse. Garibed taught the children how to garden and also how to dance.Dr.FrederickL.Gamage,founderandheadmasterofthePawlingSchoolFor Boys, was a loyal supporter of the Mission and conducted Easter Services there for over thirty-five years. The Pawling School Choir also participated. Dr. Gamage served as a Director of the Mission from 1909 until his death in 1947. Patsy Sartino first came to the Mission as a young boy and helped with general work, especially withthegrounds.FranciscodelCantofirstattendedtheMissionasayoungSpanish boy. Madame Enders, a summer resident in the area, was so impressed with his voice that she came to the Mission often to train his singing voice. Frank sang at Sundayandweeknightservices.JohnTartarostartedattheMissionasayoungboy attending school. He bought the greenhouses from Garibed Parnossian and conductedafloristbusinesswellaftertheMissionclosed.Healsoactedasageneral handyman, making repairs, and transporting people to services. He was Burdick's companion in later years. Cornelia Akin Taylor, an original Director, left $25,000 in her will for the Mission. This was invested and became it's major source of income.

The Mission was important in the life of the community and several prominent members were memorialized there. Memorial tablets were given in honor of Mrs. Hatch, Cornelia Akin Taylor, and Mrs. Frances Gould. Miss Lelia Martin gave a trio ofstainedglasswindowsinhonorofher father,WilliamC.Martin,1811-1891.They featurethewordsIIAITHandHOPE,andthecenterwindowcontainsalargegolden cross.ThesehavebeenmovedfromthefrontoftheNeighborhoodHousetotherear.

Mrs. Gilder gave a large set of stained glass windows in honor of her daughter, Marion Howard Gilder. The beautiful windows still remain on the east end of the house.

For ten consecutive years from 1931 to 1941, an art exhibit was held at the Mission. Albert Burdick used the shows to encourage the appreciation of art in the

areaandtofurnishlocalartistswithopportunitiestodisplaytheirart.Abouteighty pieces of art and sculpture were displayed annually. A fee of twenty-five to thirty-

57

CartoorL (top) and " Going Home Ouer VJiest Mountain" (bottom) . Ink drawings by George A. M. AlexandeT from the `W:est Mountain Mission Guest Book. Courtesy of the Directors of the Vl:est Mountain Mission.

58

five cents was charged, and one hundred or more people visited the exhibits. On opening day, several prominent people spoke. The art shows were discontinued in 1942 due to the gasoline and rubber shortages of World War 11. An art center was established during the 1930s at the Mission with classes in painting, drawing and sculpture for children and adults.

The biggest events of the year were the Easter, Cluristmas and Harvest Home (Thanksgiving) Celebrations. Baptisms were often performed at Easter by Reverend Meldrum, and after services, everyone was given a plant to take home. At Christmas, a party was held for the children with a tree and gifts for all. The ClinedinstsandothersalwayscontributedtotheCIITistmasgifts.AtHarvestHome, tables were adorned with fall colors and decorations, and a free supper was served to everyone.

During the life of the Mission, clothing and food were distributed to the needy.

After Sunday Services in the winter, soup was available, and light refreshments were served after mid-week services. Burdick always welcomed people to share a meal at the Mission.

Albert Burdick served more than just the community of Stonehouse. He played the organ for many years in Dover and Beekman and held services regularly in Woodinville, Green Haven and other locations throughout the area. For fifty~nine years Burdick was the Mission. He continued to hold Sunday and mid-week servicesuntilhisfinalillness,eventhoughtheMissionhadbeenofficiallyclosedby the directors, eight months prior to his death.

The Board of Directors administered the operation of the Mission. There were five directors until 1933, then the Articles of Incorporation were amended to increase the number to nine. Mr. Harry C. Barker, Poughkeepsie, served many years as president, treasurer, and legal advisor. Upon the death of Mr. Barker in 1941, Wendel W. Clinedinst became the president and treasurer.

In 1941, a committee, including Wendel Clinedinst, Dr. Frederick Gamage, and Ralph Reinhold, reviewed the books which revealed a balance of $239.31. They decidedtosellcertainstocksandbonds,payanyoutstandingdebts,andreinvestin new securities. It was also decided to maintain a cash reserve of $500 in the bank.

The actual worth of the securities in 1941 was $16,727.25 with an expected return of $900 per year. In the fall of 1941, the Mission House showed signs of age. Some painting, roof repairs and other general repairs were done at a cost of $274.40.

Burdick,inhismid-70's,didsomeoftheworkhimselfandwasabletoengageothers at a nominal fee or no cost at all.

During the 1940s, the Mission's income averaged around the expected $900 a year while expenses rose from $1,100 to $1,500 a year. A sale of some stock made it possible to replace the furnace in 1943, at a cost of $179.40. Jolm Tartaro did all the installation work.

Coal prices rose quickly and was of poor quality during World War 11. The

Directors urged Burdick and Tartaro to reduce the number of tons of coal used and to supplement with wood. Even though they said the temperature was kept low at theMission,theamountofcoalusedwasnotreducedsignificantlyenoughtoshow a savings.

Because of the amount of work he did and the amount of responsibility he assumed, the Directors agreed to pay Jolm Tartaro a salary of $25 a month in 1944.

BeforetheDepression,JolmhadbeenpaidforhisworkattheMission,buthissalary was discontinued during the 1930s.

59

Florence De Noyan Gray, one of the original Directors, died in 1947. The Directors received two checks of $2,000 each in 1948 in memory of Miss Martin and Mrs. Gray from her estate. This was added to the principal, making the total assets $18,417.29. Burdick's salary was raised to $100 a month.

ThefinancialfuturewasbleakaccordingtotheDirectors.Thereforein1944,they agreed to seek legal consel to investigate what would happen to the funds if the Mission was disbanded. Questions arose as to the responsibility to Mr. Burdick and whether or not an agency could be set up to serve the community. In 1949, the total assets were $15,096.31. It was decided, at the annual meeting, to study the idea of closing the Mission before the end of the fiscal year. Special meetings were held by the Board of Directors in August of 1950. (It should be noted that all the early supporters of the Mission were no longer living. In fact, after the death of Dr. Gamage, Burdick was no longer invited to take part in Board Meetings. He was expected to make his report and leave.) They decided to officially close the Mission on October 1, 1950, and seek appraisals of the property preparatory to semng. Burdick and Tartaro were notified that all appropriations would cease, including their salaries. However, the Directors would consider some form of retirement for Burdick. They finally agreed on $60 a month.

Duringthistime,Burdick,age82,remainedhopeful.In1949,hereportedthatthe Happy Hearts Girls Club was at its zenith. The girls were making quilts and weaving rugs on the Mission loom. The choir was also going strong with several new singers. Burdick was calling on the sick, elderly, and destitute. Baptisms were

performed by the Reverend Wamsley. Burdick still considered the Mission the beauty spot of Dutchess County.

While researching the title to the property, Mr. William Mc Laughlin found one deed missing. The Mission property was offered to John Tartaro, who already had his greenhouses there, and he agreed to purchase it for $7,000. He made a down~ payment of $1,500 and the Board of Directors held the mortgage of $5,500. Tartaro took title to the Mission property in January 1952, sixty years after its founding.

During the winter of 1949-50, Albert Burdick suffered from pneumonia. He was physically weakened but continued to carry on activities at the Mission despite the official closing in 1950. In the spring of 1951, the Directors requested that he receive medical attention at their expense. Burdick's condition continued to worsen, requiring hospitalization in May. He requested to return home and passed away on June 12,1951. His funeral was held at the Mission with the Reverends Wamsley, Clark and Case officiating. Missing were several of the Directors. Burial was in the Beekman Cemetery where his grave in now marked with a tall memorial cross.

People who attended services and activities as children at the Mission have pleasant memories. Grace Coe Clark said, ``It was a WONDERFUL place. I loved being there." Frank Green remembers it as a respite from chores. He said, `` We would sing for two or three hours at a time. And that Frank del Canto- Oh God, what a voice!" Phyllis Woodin Lockwood said, ``We never went to church there, but we always went to the activities. What fun! They even have my picture in the booklet, T77e Mz.ssr.o77." With the Mission officially closed, the responsibility of what

to do with the assets was left to the Board of Directors. They were polled for ideas as to the future use of the funds. In November 1951, The West Mountain Mission petitioned the court to sell all its real property. The court decision 1 permitted the Directors to sell the property to John Tartaro.

TheWestMountainMissionFundcontinuestogiveassistancetothecommunity to promote educational, charitable and religious programs. Funds are distributed

60

primarily to organizations for special projects, rather than on a continuing basis.

The emphasis is. on providing for the greater community.

Endnote 1

``ORDERED: that the proceeds of the sale aforesaid shall be set up in the form ofa trust fund, the income

from which will be disbursed for scholarships, churches or other charities in accordance with the terms of the certificate of Incorporation, and the objects of said corporation ther in set forth, or in the discretion of the officers and directors of the corporation that the same be credited to the general funds of the corporation to be used generally in accordance with the purposes set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation."

Bibliography Tartato, John, I/7c M!.ssr.oJz, (Pawling, New York,1966).

Files of The West Mountain Mission: Articles of Incorporation Albert C. Burdick, Annual Reports Correspondence

Ledger-West Mountain rmssion-1940 -1951 Minutes-Prior to 1941-incomplete / 1941 -1988Homplete West Mountain Mission-Journal, Guest Book and Attendance Register.

Personal Interviews

61

With Prosperity All Around: Urban Issues in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 1950-1980

by Sandra Opdycke Pouglckeepsie, New York, seldom sees itself mentioned in the national news, so the headline on the first page of the Nezu York Tz.77zes one moming in the early fifties was all the more striking:

INDUSTRY BOOMS IN POUGHKEEPSIE WITH NEW PLANTS FLOCKING TO AREA

The upbeat tone of the story matched the headline: The Queen City of the Hudson, observing its centennial this year, is enjoying a `foorn-again" feeling .... World War 11 and the arrival of a single industrial giant-

the International Business Machines Corporation- have transformed the communityintoapotentialmetropolisoftheMid-HudsonValley....Theentirevalley appears to be in a ferment of economic revolution.1 Intheyearsahead,muchoftheTi.77?cs'predictionwouldcometrue.Between1950 and 1980, the population of Dutchess County, in which Poughkeepsie is located, would nearly double, its real estate values would soar, and its economy would expand dramatically. But the description of Poughkeepsie as a ``potential metropolis" was seriously off the mark. While the surrounding county flourished, Poughkeepsie entered a period of decline which was not anticipated by its politicians, its businessleaders,itsresidentsnorthemanyplannersitconsulted.Between1950and 1980, the city's population would drop by 27%, while its social and economic problems would multiply.

Many of Pouglckeepsie's troubles were shared by cities all over the country, particularly those in the Northeast. National trends of the period, such as suburban development, highway construction, racial tensions and urban deterioration all played their part in the story. But Poughkeepsie's response to these trends was shapedbyitsownhistoryandcharacteristics,anditistheinterplayoftheseinternal and external factors which in the end determined the outcome.

Poughkeepsie's B ackground Poughkeepsie was founded by the Dutch in 1687, on the east bank of the Hudson River, halfway between Albany and Nieuw Amsterdam. While the earliest settlementwasprobablyrightontheriverbank,thecommunityearlymoveduptheslope to the ridge above, and it was along here that the Post Road to Albany Was built in

62

1703. The point where the road up from the river met the Post Road became the town's principal intersection, and it remains so today. When Dutchess County was established in 1717, Poughkeepsie became the county seat.

Throughoutpouglckeepsie'shistory,transportationhasbeencriticaltoitsgrowth.

In 1814, the city became the first steamboat terminal between New York City and Albany.TheopeningoftheErieCanalin1825,withitsexpansionoftrafficalopgthe Hudson, brought new opportunities for trade and the first begirmings of industry; inthe1830s,Poughkeepsieevenmadeabriefforayintothewlialingbusiness.Next cametherailroads,withamajorstopatpoughkeepsie,andafterl920,asautomobile traffic multiplied, Poughkeepsie kept its dominant role because of its location wheretheprincipalnorth/southandeast/westhighwaysintersected.Whenplans were being developed in the 1930s for the Mid-Hudson Bridge-then the only crossingbetweenAlbanyandNewYork-localbusinessmenpersuadedthestateto move the projected site four miles downstream so that it would be placed right at Poughkeepsie, keeping their city at the heart of regional traffic.2 Duringtheseyears,Poughkeepsie'spopulationgrewsteadilybutslpwly,reaching10,000in1850,24,000in1900and41,000in1950.Andasitgrew,itbegantomove

away from the river. The commercial center remained focused on the intersection of Main Street (running eastward up from the river) and Market Street (the northsouth Post Road), while poorer residents lived along the slope between Market Street and the river. But the newer houses now pushed out into the surrounding farmland. By 1920, the Jewish community was debating whether to build its new temple on the slope west of Market where most of its members still lived, or to put it in the newer area ``uptown" where many of them were moving.3 This time they chose downtown, but a few decades later, they would join the outward migration.

This expansionist period in the city's history climaxed in 1928, with the annexation of a large tract of land to the southeast, acquired from the adjacent Town of Poughkeepsie; this transaction increased the city's acreage by nearly a third.

Growth slowed during the Depression and the war years, but by 1950, it was assumed that Poughkeepsie would soon be expanding again, especially in light of thepromisingeconomicsignsinthesurroundingcounty.RespondingtoaRegional PlanAssociationrecommendationin1948,agroupoflocalbusinessmenestablished the Poughkeepsie Area Development Association (PADA), a ``non-profit, nonpartisan, fact-finding organization devoted to the development of the Poughkeepsiearea."4Simultaneously,astudyoftheCity'sadministrativestructurebyagroup ofchicagoconsultantspointedtotheneedforsweepingchangesinthewaythecity governmentwasorganized5.WithstrongadvocacyfromthePoughkeepsieTaxpayers and Rentpayers Association-though with little support from local politicians, politicalparties,organizedlabororthelocalnewspaper-anewCityManagerform of government was approved by referendum in November 1949, to take effect in January 1952.6 And so Poughkeepsie ended the forties, looking forward to a • prosperous future.

Poughkeepsie in 1950 In his annual welcome to the City Council in January 1950, Mayor Graham summed up the year just past and shared his view of the municipal challenges ahead: First,thedailyservicestowllicheverycitizenisentitled...arenowaboutasgood as they could be .... Never in the history of Poughkeepsie has there been a year of

63

such civic progress. But the greatest improvement of all? That is the fact that not one dollar of interest will be incurred. You and I must never forget, for one moment, that every dollar that reaches the City treasury comes from the blood and sweat of every taxpayer, and that it is money held in sacred trust, every

penny of which is only to be released after time and thought.

And now let us turn to what I feel certain is the most important item of the future.Actually,therearetwoitems.Thefirstisthesewagetreatmentplant....As totheotheritem,thisisofevengreaterimportance....Theproblemofdrainagein the 8th Ward is absolutely unbelievable.7 A little later in his speech, the Mayor addressed the future again: The line between the City and the Town is no longer existent .... Our interests are identical. Without the city, there would never be the Town, for in most cases the Town is composed of people who either work in the City, or have interests so entwined in the City, that City and Town are names ordy.... The fact remains that the day will come when there will be only the City, and we must begin now to foster the spirit of feeling to that end.8

This speech-praising the city's accomplishments, defining sewage treatment and 8th Ward drainage as its greatest future challenges, and anticipating painless consolidation with the Town-captures well Poughkeepsie's strengths and its weaknesses in 1950: civic pride and fiscal caution, combined with a conviction that the city would continue to grow, easily and naturally, without any unusual investment of money, energy or vision. Over the next few years PADA would churn out dozensofreportsonthecity'sadministration,finances,housing,schools,highways,

parking, population patterns, traffic-flow, tax structure and zoning. Projects to improve the city would be discussed, debated and sometimes approved. But throughout this period a sense of complacency predominated, a lack of urgency about the city's problems which is striking when we view it in retrospect.

For the problems were there, even in 1950. One was traffic. What had once been a beneficial steady flow, bringing business on its way through, had become a nightmare, as cars and trucks from all over New England backed up at Main and Marketontheirwaywest,whileanotherstreamwaitedtogonorthandsouthonthe intersecting highway. In the turmoil, it was increasingly difficult for local residents to come downtown for work and shopping. A member of the Chamber of Commerce said: ``If the city is to grow and prosper, something must be done to relievepresenttrafficconditions....Ourmerchantsmustdependonpatronagefrom residents within a twenty-five mile radius of the city. If traffic conditions leading into the city are favorable and parking good, merchants will get more business.''9 TheStatehadbeentalkingforsometimeaboutconstructingarterialhighwayseastwest and north-south through the city to speed traffic, but residents were ambivalent about the property destruction involved. Perhaps, they hoped, there would be. some other solution.

Another issue was the schools. Several of the elementary school buildings were more than forty years old, and the highschoolwas so overcrowded that students weredispersedamongthreedifferentlocations.]`'Foryears,variouspossibilitiesfor a new high school had been debated, but so far no agreement had been reached.

Then there were the slums. Residents complained of the growing blight along

64

lower Main Street. ``Bums" congregated there, they said, as well as ``a lot of smartaleck kids causing disturbances." One Alderman said the neighborhood reminded him of Skid Row: ``this mess should be cleaned up.''T] Even in better-behaved parts of town, there was a good deal of deteriorated housing, fully occupied because of the lack of alternatives; the Mayor expressed his concern over '`seeing our families,

particularly those with young children, grow up in surroundings which are very bad, due to the housing shortage."12 A summary of housing conditions released by PADA in 1949 projected that Poughkeepsie would need to produce 600 new units a year over the next ten years to catch up with the backlog of need, keep up within risingdemandandeliminatethecity'ssub-standardunits.``Thereareblightedareas within the city," said one report, ``that are so run-down that their rehabilitation would be uneconomical. Clearance of these areas, with state and federal aid, will rid the city of its worst slums and make available well located land that is needed for medium-priced housing."13 In spite of these concerns, however, the mood in Poughkeepsie at the beginning of 1950 was extraordinarily positive. With a third of the County's population, Poughkeepsie was the prosperous center of a growing community. Its median family income was the highest around, as was the average value of its homes.14 An old-time resident, asked what she remembers from those years, says: ``Pride! Main Streetwasjustbustling.Wealwayssaidwallace'swasthebiggestdepartmentstore between New York and Albany."15 Problems might exist but they would be addressed, change would come at a manageable pace, and Poughkeepsie would always be the Queen City of the Hudson.

Poughkeepsie, 1950-1960

But already in the early fifties, Poughkeepsie was beginning to be left behind. From 1950-60, new dwelling-units were constructed in the city, not at the rate of 600 units per year recommended by PADA, but at an annual average of 87, while the surrounding Town averaged 327 new units a year]6. And while the Town was building primarily single-family houses, Poughkeepsie was taking a dramatic step inadifferentdirection;seekingtoeradicateitsslums,itwasbuildingitsfirstpublic housing. Poughkeepsie's path would diverge further from the surrounding communities in the years ahead.

One early clue was the immediate and negative response from the Tow.n to Mayor Graham's trial balloon in January 1950, about possible annexation of Town land by the City. Within days of the Mayor's speech, the Town Supervisor and a number of residents were vociferously expressing their opposition. One Town businessman told a reporter that high taxes had driven him to leave the city. He observed that, nationwide, more and more people were doing the same ``with an inevitable increase in taxes in the cities to take up the slack." It would be a mistake, he said, for the Town to be drawn into the city's problems.17 Other responses drove home the same message. The days were over when a cooperative State Legislature might agree to force annexation on a city's surrounding communities; now, annexation would not occur unless the Town was willing, and the Town-who could perhaps read the future more clearly than Poughkeepsie's city fathers-was not willing.

As the fifties progressed, Pouglckeepsie wrestled with some of its problems and delayed on others. The new City Charter took effect in 1952, with the former head of PADA becoming the first City Manager. In 1953, the City Planning Board hired

65

its first professional staff, and later that year a major revision of the city's zoning ordinancewaspassed.Afteryearsofdebate,anewhighschoolwasfinallyopened in 1956. A piece of land near the Central Business District was acquired and cleared-in a sense, Poughkeepsie's first urban renewal project-to create some much-needed offstreet parking.18 Debate with the State over the proposed arterial highways dragged on through most of the decade; finally in 1959, property acquisitionstartedforthenorth/southarterial,thoughitwouldbefourmoreyears before construction began.

The revitalization of the Central Business District was also discussed, though no decisions were made. In 1959, the country's first urban pedestrian malls openedone in Kalamazoo, Michigan, tlie other in Toledo, Ohio-and a committee was formed with representation from the Common Council and the Chamber of Commerce to explore the possibility of creating a mall in downtown Poughkeepsie.

Committee members visited Kalamazoo and came back enthusiastic. But the fall elections brought a new Mayor who opposed the idea and by the following year a consensus seemed to have developed in the business community that a full pedestrian mall would be too drastic a change, more than was needed. Discussion of the project lapsed, not to be revived until a decade later.19 An important event in the late fifties was the retention of Candeub & Fleissig to prepare the city's first Master Plan. When the consultants presented their reports in 1960, their most striking findings related to the city's housing-stock. One-third of the dwelling-units in Poughkeepsie, they said, needed major repairs; 14% of the city(excludingitsstreets)heldbuildingsinwhichmorethan60%oftheunitswere deteriorated. The largest concentrations of substandard buildings were found between Market Street and the river, and for this area they recommended massive demolition. Two small rehabilitation projects were suggested for other neighborhoods, while the rest of the city could be brought to standard through a vigorous program of code enforcement. In other sections of the report, they urged that downtown shopping be enhanced (though they made no specific reference to the idea of a pedestrian mall); they also recommended that the two proposed arterial highways be completed and that the city construct a new City Hall and Civic Center.20 In spite of the major problems they had identified, the consultants struck a generally positive tone about the city's future, describing Poughkeepsie as ``the strongest downtown area between Albany and White Plains.''2] Their report was readcloselybythecity'spoliticalandbusinessleaders,anditsetthegeneralpattern for much of Poughkeepsie's physical development over the next twenty years.

Poughkeepsie, 1960-70 Between 1960 and 1970, the pace of Poughkeepsie's redevelopment efforts

picked up, spurred by a growing sense of urgency among its business leaders and paid for by huge new federal grants. Looking back, we can see events in the surrounding community beginning to pick up speed as well, drawing population and economic resources away faster than Poughkeepsie could build them up. But at the time it must truly have seemed that an aggressive campaign of urban revitalization could turn the tide, and that is the expectation which predominated as Pouglckeepsie entered the sixties.

WithinayearofreceivingtheCandeub&FleissigMasterPlan,thecitysubmitted a General Neighborhood Renewal Plan to the federal government under the 1956 Housing Act. Like Candeub & Fleissig, this proposal focused on the 500 acres

66

between the Central Business District and the river, and like them, it identified this part of town as containing ``most of our serious land and human problems. Most of our low income families live here. Almost 30 per cent of our senior citizens live in this area. The lower part of Main Street has become a Negro ghetto."22 Included in the submission were proposals, again echoing Candeub & Fleissig, for a new City Hallandciviccenter,aswellasanewcountyofficeBuilding.Overthenextseveral years, with the help of a procession of consultants, Pouglckeepsie expanded and refined its requests. Throughout, there was consensus that demolition was the only answer for the blighted sections of the city. As one consultant wrote: ``The greatest percentage of building inventory is either physically or environmentally substandard,orinsuchlocationthatitsdemolitionisnecessaryifthemosteconomic use is to be made of cleared land.''23 A year later, another report concurred: ``With the exception of the neighborhood to the north of the railroad bridge...there is no area in the West View area that is not excessively blighted by deteriorating and dilapidated buildings."24 Still these planners assured the city, there was nothing wrong with Poughkeepsie that some aggressive development could not fix.

The City of Poughkeepsie's role as a retail trade center is very significant, and it is the Hudson Valley's principal shopping center. Its Central Business District is the strongest downtown area between Albany and white plains. No major trendtowardsextensiveregionalshoppingcentersontheoutskirtsoftheCityof Poughkeepsie was noted.25 The city's urban renewal efforts got a new lease on life in 1965, with the creation of the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington and the establishment of the Poughkeepsie Urban Renewal Agency (PURA) locally. An editorial in the local paper written about this time captures the mood of the city at itsmostoptimistic:``Ifeverythinggoesasitissupposedtointhenexttwentyyears, the City of Poughkeepsie will lead Dutchess County and the Mid-Hudson Valley region into an age of unprecedented growth, wealth and importance."26 Soon a dramaticplanforthewaterfront,entitled``PoughkeepsielsAwake,"wasdrawnup by a local developer, including a high- rise office building, a 300-boat marina, a 1000-unithigh-riseapartmentbuilding,a200-roomhotelandaconventionfacility.

The developer even suggested that the city demolish everything between the CentralBusinessDistrictandtheriver,andbuildaplatformoutfromMarketStreet all the way to the water.for shopping.27 Elements of this proposal (though not the shopping platform) appeared in subsequent PURA submissions. Money started to flow,andthecitybeganbuildingastafftotakeadvantageoffundingopportunities as quickly as they developed. The enthusiastic support of Pouglikeepsie's Congressman, Senator Joseph Resnick, made an important contribution as well. In April 1966, the city received approval for land acquisition along the river, and in July the first building was demolished.

Norwasurbanrenewaltheonlysourceoffunds.InNovember1967,Pouglckeepsie learned that it was one of sixty-three communities nation wide to be selected as a Model City. This designation made Poughkeepsie eligible for an extraordinary array of social, educational and health funding; the program goal was to do for the city residents' human-service needs what urban renewal was intended to do for their physical surroundings. The designated Model Neighborhood covered nearly half the city (the poorer half north of Main Street), so virtually any social program

67

could be justified under the terms of the grant. The Board began letting contracts within a few months, and soon Model City money began flowing to nearly every local service agency, plus a variety of new programs as well. By the end of the decade,itwasfrequentlysaidthatPoughkeepsiewasreceivingmorefederalmoney per capita than any other community in the country.28 Perhaps the most hopeful moment in Poughkeepsie's revitalization efforts was onAugust15,1968,thedayofgroundbreakingforthefirstphaseofthe$25,000,000 riverfront urban renewal project. One sentence from the developer's brocliure for the occasion conveys the scope of the aspirations involved: ``It is planned to phase out poverty and misery."29 Symbolically, one building in the project was to be named Rip Van Winkle, in celebration of Poughkeepsie's awakening from a long sleep. The PURA Annual Report that year expressed a hope that still seemed realistic; the Agency was determined, the report said, ``that Poughkeepsie's role in the future should be that of a regional city.''3° Someotherprojects,longstalled,werealsoinmotion.TheNorth/Southarterial wasfinallycompletedinl966,andplanningwasinitiatedfortheEast/Westarterial.

Even the pedestrian mall was revived; a Poughkeepsie resident, vacationing in Kalamazoo, had taken pictures of the mall there. When he returned home, he showed his slides to the Chamber of Commerce and persuaded them to retain two consultants to study the feasibility of a downtown Poughkeepsie mall.31 The consultant returned in the spring of 1969 with a relatively modest outline of downtown improvements which could be funded by the merchants themselves,` while additional public funds were sought for the full project.32 The Chamber of Commerceformedacommitteecalledoperationspeeduptoendorsetheconsultant's recommendations. Their report back to the Chamber called for a much more ambitiousplan,involvingtheconversionoftwoblocksalongMainStreetintoafull pedestrian mall, financed by special taxes. It concluded: ``Changes must be made on Main Street, if the city is to survive and remain as the urban center of Dutchess County." Expressing the general sense of optimism, one committee member told a reporter: ``Sometimes it takes a little guts and a little courage to institute change; this is probably the most critical point in Poughkeepsie's history."33 There was strong interest in the project among members of the Common Council, and in November, forty-two city officials and businessmen flew to Kalamazoo; meanwhile, a survey by local students reported support for the mall among two-thirds of the local businessmen.34 As the sixties ended, it looked as if Poughkeepsie's mall, first proposed fifteen years earlier, miglit finally be born.

Yet, even as these ebullient plans proceeded, other forces were at work which suggested a less hopeful future. The most significant-and one shared by most communities in the country-was the move to the suburbs. The sixties had begun withtroublingnewsfromtheCensus:forthefirsttimeinitshistory,thecityhadlost

population. In the early years of the century, the push out from the center of town had moved eastward along Main Street; in the thirties and forties, it had filled the landannexedin1928;nowthesamepushhadbeguntomovebeyondthecitylimits.

After tiny increases in the Depression and war years, Pouglckeepsie's population haddroppedbynearly3000inthefifties,bringingitlowerin1960thanithadbeen in1930.Now,duringthesixties,thistrendwasaccelerating.Atthesametime,while an average of fifty-five new dwelling-units was constructed each year in the city, the Town of Pouglckeepsie was averaging over 400 peryear;35in fact, throughout the County new houses were mushrooming. In 1950, 59% of Dutchess County had

68

been farmland; by 1969, the percentage had fallen to 31 %.36

Highwayconstructionplayedapartinthesechanges.Thecompletionin1964of Interstate 84 along Dutchess County's southern border-15 nudes away from Poughkeepsier-linked up with the new Newburgh-Beacon Bridge to provide a strongcompetingfocusfortrafficcrossingthecountyeasttowest.EventheNorth/ South arterial running through Poughkeepsie along the river had failed to fulfill expectations; instead of lielping people come downtown, it seemed primarily to serve as a way of bypassing the city altogether, as shoppers, workers and travelers shuttled between growing suburbs to the north and the south.

In addition to the more generalized issues of suburbanization and highway development which affected many cities in these years, Poughkeepsie faced one special problem: IBM. What had seemed like a blessing in 1950 had proved to be something very different, at least from the city's point of view. When IBM established its first munitions plant just south of the city line in the early 1940s, the prospectofnewjobswaswelcomed.Evenafterthewar,asthefactoryconvertedto civilianuseandasoneplantbecameseveral,Poughkeepsiewasexpectedtobenefit fromIBM'sgrowth(ascanbeseeninthe1954Nezuyo7'kTz.777csarticlequotedearlier).

ButIBM'sexpansionmovedsteadilysouthwardawayfromthecity,culminatingin the creation in 1963 of a huge plant in East Fishkill, twenty miles southeast of Pouglckeepsie.Simultaneously,itsworkforcerequirementsbecamemoretechnical; many of the manufacturing jobs which had provided unskilled employment for Poughkeepsie's less educated residents were gradually phased out.37 By 1964, the Nezu Yo7.7c Tz.777es had a new view of Poughkeepsie's relationship to IBM:

IBM EXPANSION STRAINS DUTCHESS GROWTH OF CORPORATION IIAS CONTRIBUTED TO PROBLEMS OF CITIES AND SUBURBS Whilenotingsomedifficultiesinthesurroundingtownships,thearticlefocusedon Poughkeepsie. `The city," it said, `foacked up against the Hudson with no place or waytogrow,hasbeenalmostgarrottedbytheexpandingtowns....Awalkdownthe mainstreetofPoughkeepsiecanbeadepressingexperience."YettheTz.777esstressed that ``those who try to look at the county as a unit see its salvation in the revival of

Pouglckeepsie."Itdescribedtheambitiousurbanrenewalplansunderway,particularly those along the river ``where the views are best and the slums worst," and it noted that the Save-Poughkeepsie drive was being led by IBM's resident VicePresident.38 It did not mention the fact that IBM itself-by far the largest employer in the County-had created virtually no jobs in the city, and it failed to make clear that Poughkeepsie's most immediate problem was not finding room to grow but trying to attract residents and jobs to fill the space it already had. For this effort, IBM's leadership might provide moral support, but the effect of its daily activities was powerfully detrimental.

IBM was not, of course, alone in looking to the suburbs. Other employers chose locationsoutsidethecityaswell,andthosealreadythereexpanded.So,throughout the sixties, population grew nearly everywhere in Dutchess County except in Pouglckeepsie. And as people followed the jobs to the suburbs, so additional jobs followed the people. And where the new communities grew, there grew the new shopping.Betweenl960andl970,sixmajorshoppingmallswereconstructedtothe east,northandsouthofthecity,withnearlydoublethefloor-spaceofpouglckeepsie's downtown area.39 Pouglckeepsie's share of the County's retail sales fell from 54% in

69

1948 to 30% in 1972.40

Therewasanotherfactoratwork,too,andthatwasdemography.Asthecitylost middle-class residents, its proportion of poor and minority population grew. To some extent, this pattern was predictable; the opportunities for home ownership and corporate employment were designed to attract, the middle class most strongly. But even Pouglckeepsie's effort to care for its poorer citizens may have helped accentuate the trend. More than 500 units of public housing were constructedduringthisperiod,andwhileothertypesofhousingexperiencedgrowing vacancy-rates, the construction of public housing probably maintained and even added to the city's number of poor people.41 Many families were dislocated by the urban renewal and highway projects of this era, of course, but the lower their income, the more likely they were to remain in the city. For those who needed subsidized housing, Poughkeepsie was still the only option.

Among tlie city's poorer residents, a growing number were black. For years, most of the few hundred blacks in Dutchess County had lived in Pouglckeepsie.

Whiletheirstatuswasbynomeansequal,42racerelationsinthecitywerereasonably peaceful;inthoseyears,asonewhiteresidentsaidlater,``theywerefewenoughin numbersowecouldallbeproudofhowgoodtheintegrationwas."43Morethanone black person, looking back on those years, echoed the words of this long-time resident: ``There was discrinination here, but I never ran into it because practically any place I walked into, somebody knew me."44 During the fifties and sixties, the in-migration of blacks to Pouglckeepsie quadrupled, coming now from the rural South. Some came as migrant workers to pick apples in the Hudson Valley and stayed when the season was over; others simply headed north looking for a better chance.By1970,Poughkeepsie'sblacksstillonlytotaled5,876,butitwasamarked increase over the 1800 who had lived there in 1950, and as a group the new arrivals were needier and less settled than those who had come before. One of the groups most ambivalent about the change was Poughkeepsie's existing black community.

As one long-time resident observed: ``The only trouble started when the people began coming from the South. For a long time a lot of the northern colored people didn'tacceptthembecausetheirwaysweredifferent,youknow,thanourways.''45 Meanwhile, in the suburbs, a new black middle class was developing, principally employed by IBM, but this had little impact on the growing issues of race and class within the city.

Racial balance in Pouglckeepsie schools became an issue, partly because of the growing number of blacks in the city and partly because of increasing national concern for the subject. In an effort to achieve better racial integration, a city-wide Middle School was built in 1969. In the past, most white students in Poughkeepsie had encountered few blacks throughout their school careers; now the system was fully integrated from sixth grade up, with busing initiated between two of the neighborhood elementary schools. Not all Pouglckeepsie residents welcomed the change. Racial issues simmered elsewhere as well. In the summer of 1967, Poughkeepsieexperiencedthreenightsofunrest,whenabout150youngblacksran noisily through the downtown streets. In most urban settings Poughkeepsie's ``riot" would seem minor: damage was limited to some broken windows, there were only about thirty arrests and no looting occurred.46 But the incident raised anxietiesinthecommunity(astateofemergencywasdeclared),anditreinforcedthe impression that Poughkeepsie was no place for the middle class. The next year, a boycott of the Model City Program led by the United Black Council managed to

70

obstruct Agency operations for nearly six months, and again focused community attention on racial problems in Poughkeepsie.47 The black community had plenty ofreasonstocomplain;discriminationinbothhousingandemploymentcontinued to exist, and the rising expectations of the Great Society years made second best seem increasingly unsatisfactory. Their protests focused, naturally enough, on the governmenttheysaw,whichwasPoughkeepsie;themorerestrictivepoliciesofthe surrounding towns were harder to see and more difficult to address. Furthermore, the knowledge that millions of dollars of federal money were coming into Poughkeepsiemadetheirownlivingconditionsallthemorefrustrating.Yetprobablynot onesuburbancitizeninahundred(andperhapsnotevenmanywhitecityresidents) sawPouglckeepsie'sracialtensionsasaproblemtobeaddressedbythecommunity as a whole. Much more often, news 6f racial discontent downtown was interpreted as a simple indicator of Poughkeepsie's declining quality of life-not a community challenge, but a good reason to live somewhere else.

The 1970 census underlined wliat had happened to Pouglckeepsie in the sixties.

While Dutchess County's population had increased by 50,000 and neighboring townships had grown at rates from 25% to 130%, Poughkeepsie had lost 6,000 people-16% of its 1960 population. In 1950, Poughkeepsie had represented 34% of the County's population; now its share was 14%. The statistics led to troubled debateintheCommonCouncilanddemandsforarecount,butthefinalreportwas no improvement.48 And so the sixties ended, with one pervading question: Could theseriousnessofPoughkeepsie'sproblemsbeturnedaroundbytheachievements of its redevelopment effort?

Poughkeepsie, 1970-1980 Theanswerwasno.Duringthetenyearsfrom1970to1980,theforcesweakening

Poughkeepsie continued unabated, while those designed to revitalize the city gradually lost momentum.

In spite of the evident problems, a succession of planners in the early seventies counseled optimism. S.M. Dix Associates in 1973 advised that the ``highest and best use" for the cleared urban renewal land west of Market Street would be an ``upper level residential community." Wlule acknowledging that a good school and improved shopping would be needed to attract residents-and that they were unlikely to develop unless the new residents were already there-the consultants stillweregenerallyoptimistic.49Twoyearslater,thecity'snewcomprehensiveplan developed by Llewellyn Davies Associates struck the same note: ``There are many reasons to believe that factors contributing to the sharp decline in population from 1960to1970willnotcontinuetohavesuchinfluenceontheCity'spopulationinthe future."5o

Indeed, several of the city's longest-awaited projects were completed in the seventies. After many delays and the expenditure of $4,000,000 (all federal), the Main Mall finally opened in the summer of 1973. Demolition for the East/West arterial proceeded throughout most of the decade, and the highway was at last completedin1979,thirtyyearsafteritwasinitiallyproposed.Severalhundredmore units of housing were constructed, virtually all apartment houses, many of them subsidized. A new City Hall opened in 1972, and the Civic Center in 1977.

Thecompletionoftheseprojectsdidnot,however,bringthetransformationthat had been hoped. The East/West arterial, like its North/South predecessor, did speed through traffic, but it was difficult for city residents to balance that benefit

71

againsttheinsertionoftwomulti-lanehighwaysthroughthemiddleofresidential neighborhoods. The Civic Center was not as busy as had been anticipated, and severe engineering problems developed in the new city Hall. (These ultimately led to its evacuation in the 1980s. As for the new apartments, S.M. Dix Associates observed that only those in public housing had been rapidly filled.51 During these years the social programs of the Great Society-Model Cities and thesmalleranti-povertyeffort-rantheircourseaswell,finallyfoldedintosmaller revenue-sharing grants in the mid-seventies. Their funds had made ,possible some excellentprojects,someofwhichsurviveinreducedformtoday.Forpouglckeepsie, oneofthegreatestcontributionswasthecareeropporfunitieswhichtheseprograms provided to a whole generation of low-income city residents, many of them black.

The city continues to benefit today from the presence of these people in the professional work-force, and certainly it is the Great Society programs wliich gave them their start. But compared to the hopeful rhetoric with which these progra.ms began, their accomplishments must inevitably be seen as disappointing.

Another disappointment of the seventies was the downtown Mall. Within months of its opening in 1973, arguments developed between the City and the business community about how it was to be maintained; customers complained of crime,andofreleasedmentalpatientscongregatingontheMall.Businessimproved onlyslightly.By1975,aconsultantcommentedthat,overall,theMallhadnot``made a major change in the economic environment of the city. It represents a comparativelyminorlevelofinvestmentandnobasicchangesinthebusinessoftheCentral Business District.''52 In June 1975, the Director of Urban Renewal proudly pointed out to a reporter that there were only three vacant stores on the Mall; the reporter, however,notedinhisstorythatofthetwomajordepartmentstores,onewasdueto closeinafewdaysandtheotherwasinbankmptcy.53Thefive-yeardelaybetween theopeningoftheMallandcompletionoftheEast/Westarterial-whichhadbeen intended to absorb the diverted traffic-created difficulties, and the national economic downturn in the late seventies made matters much worse. But the fundamental problem was that the attraction of shopping in downtown Poughkeepsie was not strong enough to offset the scale, convenience and variety of the suburbanmalls.Lookingbacklater,oneofthedowntownbusinessleaderswhohad led the effort said ruefully: ``The Mall was expected to help save everything, the wliolecity,bysavingtheretailoutlets."54Measuredagainstthatambitiousgoal,the Mall could only be said to have failed.

Astheseeventsproceeded,theUrbanRenewalAgencycontinuedtoacquireand clear land, but gradually the political environment changed; 1iuge-scale development was no longer the style. The city was not alone in this transformation.

Nationally,urbanrenewalwasbeingfundedlessgenerously,andatthesametime, disenchantment with wholesale demolition had begun to set in. For Pouglckeepsie, the milestone marking this change was the fight over Union Street. Initially slated for nearly total clearance, this nineteenth-century neighborhood attracted the interest and stubborn defense of the Dutchess County Landmarks Society. Mobilizing technical skills and neighborhood support, they managed to have the core blocks designated a Historic District and added to the National Register. Several more years of bureaucratic infighting were required, but the neighborhood was saved. With the Tax Reform Act of 1976, rehabilitation became more commercially attractive,andthisapproachrepresentedthenextphaseinPoughkeepsie'sredevelopment. Throughout the late 1970s, one developer-subsidized by the new

72

Community

Development funds-rehabilitated more than one hundred of

Union Street's brick row-houses. The outcome was an attractive ``gentrified'' neighborhood, which drew young professionals but generally did not meet the needsofthepoorerfamilieswhohadlivedintheneighborhoodbefore.55Inthesense thatPoughkeepsieneededanimprovedtax-baseandanappealtothemiddleclass, the city gained by the change; in the sense that it also needed to maintain stable working-classneighborhoods,itlost.Buthoweveroneweighsthecostbenefits,this project marked the end of mass demolition as a method of urban improvement in Poughkeepsie. The combination of declining federal support for huge clearance projectsandgrowinglocaloppositionhadbroughtasignificantchapterinthecity's history to an end.

The period of broad-brush clearance had, of course,left its mark. Between 1960 and 1974, about 1300 dwelling-units were destroyed, either for urban renewal or the two arterial highways.56 In the same period, 3000 new units were created, nearly half of them subsidized in some way.57 The dislocation involved in moving so many families necessarily carried a social cost which carmot be measured,

but the falling population figures suggest that many families-in particular, probably, those with higher incomes and more options-chose to leave the city rather than resettle in Poughkeepsie. In the sections of town where urban renewal efforts were most active, there are today many large tracts of open land. Some replaced demoralized slums which were probably beyond help, others replaced streets and neighborhoods which had contributed significantly to the County's welfare cases.

Now in 1980, with only 12% of the County's population, Poughkeepsie still accounted for 57% of the individuals on public assistance, as well as 30% of the familiesinpoverty,47%oftheCounty'sMedicaidrecipients,37%ofitschild-abuse cases, and 79% of its black families in poverty.58 ButthechangesinPoughkeepsieaffectedmorethanhuman-serviceneeds.What does it mean for a city of 41,000 to lose 11,000 people while the County around it gains 110,000? Here are some of the ways in which the change expressed itself in Poughkeepsie: In1950,90%oftheadvertisementsinthelocalnewspaperwereforbusinessesin the city; by 1980, the percentage had fallen to 24%.

In 1950, 76% of the County's attorneys lived in the city; in 1980, 40% did.

Between 1950 and 1980, the percentage of CPA's living in the city fell from 77% to 25%.59

0n May 20,1980, when the City government sponsored a special lunch of business leaders to discuss the prospects of the Central Business District, only six of the seventeen invited were city residents.60 Of twenty-six downtown churches in 1950, eleven had moved out of town or to the city's newer residential neighborhoods by 1980.

In 1967 dollars, the city's real property assessment fell between 1950 and 1974 from $77 million to $50 million. Meanwhile, to make ends meet, the city raised

73

propertytaxes23q7oandmaintainedasalestax2%abovethatinthesurrounding county.61

Between 1958 and 1973, the number of manufacturing firms in the city fell from 81 to 55.

Between 1967 and 1977, Poughkeepsie lost 14.697o of its retail trade jobs, 9% of its service jobs, and 37.3% of its wholesale trade jobs.62

The effect of the changes in Poughkeepsie's economic life can be seen in the following chart, which compares the number of City Directory listings in various business categories for 1950 and 1980: Type of Firm

Inl980

In 1950

¥:¥E;r T:tear)CLe±::£fgs

Accountants Architects Attorneys Auto Dealers Bakeries Banks Barbers Beauty Shops Delicatessens

Department Stores Druggists Florists Funeral Directors Furniture Stores Grocery Stores Hotels Jewelers Movie Theaters Physicians Printers KitchenRanges Real Estate Restaurants Sporting Goods

Women's clothes

¥:¥E;I T:tearicLei::£fgs

Difference '50-'80

L)Pst::FSE:rc£; -8

14

+6

6 79

+118 -11

19

-14

17 8 10

+2 +1 -19

45

-5

10

13

26 12 17 12 35

7

15

-10

30 102 9

-56 -8 -20

31

As tlie chart makes clear, the city suffered two kinds of economic losses between 1950 and 1980; in absolute numbers, it experienced decreases in nearly every category,whileintermsofitsshareofCountybusiness,itspercentagefellinevery single category, dropping from an overall average of 7397o to 309ro. Only two categoriesstandoutashavingincreasednumbers:physiciansandattorneys.Tliese are explained, of course, by the continued presence in Pouglckeepsie of the two

74

hospitals63 and the County Courthouse. Otherwise there are decreases virtually across the board.

Why should these changes matter? In abstract terms, it seems reasonable to assume that a smaller city needs fewer services. So why should a city of 29,000 consideritalossifsomeofthefirmswhichwereneededforacityof41,000disappear asthepopulationdecreases?Theproblemisthatwiththenumbersgoesthevariety, andwiththevarietygoestherangeofchoiceswhichmorethananythingelsemakes urban life distinctive. What defines a city, says Jane Jacobs, is ``a most intricate and close-grained diversity of uses that give each other constant mutual support, both economically and socially''64 Although she is speaking of much larger cities, her words apply to Poughkeepsie as well. Even in a place as small as Poughkeepsie, it was possible in 1950 for the community to support three kosher butchers, small dress-stores that could never survive in the malls, dozens of specialty food stores, five movie-theaters and seven hotels. There were reasons to go downtown in the eveningaswellasduringtheday,ontheweekendsaswellasduringtheweek,and because people were there, more businesses grew up to serve them. Losing 11,000

peoples-many of them active leaders, consumers and community participantshas weakened Poughkeepsie's ability to support urban variety, particularly when competing services have mushroomed throughout the surrounding County. The city's changing role in comparison to the rest of the County can be seen in the table below.65 Indicator

Family median income Median value, single-family house Median gross rent Unemployment Percent w/incomes below $15,000 Percent w / incomes below $30,000 Persons in poverty Families with children in poverty Blacks in poverty Whites in poverty

In 1950

In 1980

City

County

City

3150 12741 45.97 5.6%

2892 12444 45.67 4.2%

16586 40200 231 9.6% 45% 20% 17%

24% 27% 13%

Now, more than ever, with an increasingly needy population and a declining economic base, Pouglckeepsie would have welcomed financial assistance. But by 1980, the availability of outside help to address these problems was diminisling rapidly. Urban renewal was virtually inactive, Model Cities and the anti-poverty moneyweregone,andtheCommunityDevelopmentprogramwasinitsnexttolast year.Eventhemostrecentfundingpossibilily,thenewUrbanDevelopmentAction Grants, had not worked out. After receiving one million dollars towards the construction of a long-sought downtown hotel in 1978, local developers had been unable to put together the rest of the financing; a year later the city had to give the money back to the federal government.t'`' AndsothecityManageropenedthefirstcommoncouncilmeetingofl980with a sober message:

75

If Poughkeepsie decides to maintain current programs, then existing revenues mustbeexpandedand/ornewrevenuesourcesfound.IfPoughkeepsiedecides to reduce program levels, tlien an educated effort must be made to determine what areas to roll back .... Let's not fool ourselves, the elimination of a few unpopularorcontroversialpositionswillnotmeetthefiscalneedsofthefuture....The task will not be an easy one; the process itself should question the city's very reason for existence.67

The Mayor's effort to strike a more optimistic note, urging people to ``spread the word that Poughkeepsie is a good place to live," brought a prompt rebuke from the local paper: ``We would advise against this positive approach unsupported by practical results.''68 A few weeks later, the Common Council met-not to approve major new applications for federal grants-but to decide how to allocate $1.45 million in Community Development money among programs which had received $4milliontheyearbeforeandayearfromnowwouldbereceivingnothingatall.``1 hope the public realizes that this is the end of an era," said the Mayor. ``The days of the ten million dollar grants are over."69

Poughkeepsie is still a County center. The doctors and lawyers form a core, and there are other focuses as well-the County government offices, a restored historic theater,theCivicCenter,theMid-HudsonBridge,twosmallartmuseums,thelocal newspaper, head offices of many of the banks, the main Post Office, the railroad station. But at present, the city offers neither its own residents nor those of the surrounding towns the kind of urban vitality which enriches and enlivens the life of the community.

Nor, of course, could the Poughkeepsie of 1950 do so, if it were recreated today.

The city of the ``good old days," if we saw it now, would undoubtedly strike many of us as limited and provincial. But thirty years ago, it provided Dutchess County with a busy economic, social and political urban center. It is that role, rather than the particulars of the city's characteristics in those days, which one could hope someday to see revived.

Could lt Have Turned Out Differently?

BecausePoughkeepsie'surbanrenewalprogram,thecreationoftheMainMalland theconstructionofthetwoarterialhighwaysweresoconspicuous,itisnotunusual to hear them blamed for everything that has gone wrong in Poughkeepsie since 1950. But it is important to remember that events here were part of a national phenomenon which would probably have played itself out even if poughkeepsie had made no effort s at all along the lines of redevelopment. In one sense, the move to the suburbs began the first time one of the city's early settlers decided to buildhishousealittlefurtlierawayfromtheriverthanhisneighbor's.Certairdyby the fifties, the only thing that would have kept the city's population growing wouldhavebeentoannexmoreland,anditisclearthatwasnotpoliticanyfeasible.

The expansion of IBM has had great significance for Poughkeepsie, as I have shown, but primarily because a single employer accomplished here what a variety of smaller employers did in other communities. IBM did not invent the trend away from the city. Because of its size and influence, the corporation might have chosen to make a special investment in Pouglckeepsie, but that would have been an act of publicservice;therewasnogoodeconomicreasonfornotpursuingthecoursethey did.

76

And, of course, if Pouglckeepsie had made no effort to enhance its urban

environment-no clearance, no construction, no Main Mall-we might be blaming them now for their sins of omission. Something had to be done to address the central-city traffic-if not the two arterials, then probably something more elaborate.AnddowntownPoughkeepsiewaslosingbusinessbeforetheMallwasputin; the Mall failed to stem the tide, but it did not originate the tide. In terms of housing,whatpoughkeepsiedidinthesixtiesandseventieswastoconstructagood numberofunitsofnewhousing-mostofitaestheticallyundistinguishedbutmuch of it decently built-in place of older neighborhoods which ranged from worn to deteriorated. Would a rehabilitation effort have been preferable? Probably, if it could have been carried out effectively. The fact is that, given the overwhelming distastefortenementdistrictsintheplanningyearsofthefiftiesandsixties-shared not only by politicians and business leaders, but also by planners and many social reformers-the old neighborhoods could not have survived. We must also remember that the only area in which extensive rehabilitation was undertaken-Union Street-wound up as too expensive for those who used to live there. Aesthetically and economically, it has made a useful contribution to the city, but it has not provided the shelter for low-income families which the less attractive new public housinghas.Onecontinuestofeelthatitshouldbepossibletodomodestupgrades of older houses to serve poorer families, but so far few communities have achieved this goal.

During the years from 1950 to 1980, Poughkeepsie used all the resources at its

disposal-talent, energy and a considerable number of public dollars-trying to reverse a trend which was probably irreversible. Today, as in 1980, the city is dininishedbutsurviving,hopingthatfutureyearswfllbringitalargershareofthe prosperity which the towns around it enjoy, and that once again Poughkeepsie can take its place as Queen City of the Hudson.

TOTAL POPULATION, 1950-1980

YEAR

POUGHKEEPSIE

1950 1960 1970 1980

DUTCHESS COUNTY

Non-1^7hite

TOTAL

l^rhite

No n-l^7hite

39,194 34,629 26,018 21.,890

1,829 3,701 6,011 7,867

41,023 38,330

131,167 165,692

5,614 10,316

136,781 176,008

32,029 29,757

206,202 224,150

16,093 20,095

222,295 245,055

-17,304

+6,038

-11,266

+92,983

+14,481

+108,274

1^rhite

TOTAL

CHANGE 50-80

PERCENT 1950 1 g8o

96% 749ro

4%

96% 91%

26 87o

77

4% 9%

Endnotes t 2

NewYorkTimes, Feb. 22,1954,p.1.

Deborah Whitman, ``East-West Arterial," in Christiane Citron, ed., A Scflrc/I /o]. SoJifj!.oj!s.. Pozfg/7kecps!.c's

MocJcj Cz.fry Progr"H (Poughkeepsie: Privately printed,1969 (Vassar College Project)), p. 3.

3

Eva Effron Acker Goldin, T77c /czo!.s/I Coi7ij7z{I7zi.ty a/Poi!gJlkeaps!.c (Poughkeepsie: Privately printed, 1982), p. 40.

4

Poughkeepsie Area Development Association, Inc., Pha!s fl]]d Acf!.oJz.. A semi-Monthly Bulletin, February 1,1949, p.1.

5

Pubhic Adm±nistra.tine Services, Report on an Administrative Survey of the City

Government

of

Poughkeepsie (1950).

6

Poughkeepsie New Yorker,Jai"ary 1,1950, p.1.

7

Poughkeepsie common council, O#!.c!.flJ M!.]Iwfcs, January 2,1950, pp. 2-4.

8

Ibid.,p.5.

9

Pouglckeepsie New Yorker, Ja:ouEny 13,1950, p.1.

10 See, for instance, Dutchess County League of Women Voters, K]Iozo Yoiir Tozo7z fli7d a.ty, p. 26, andTADA Plans and Actions, June 3,1949.

11 Poughkeepsie Common Council, O#i.cj.¢! M!.Jz.£fes, February 6,1950, p. 147.

12 |bid., July 17,1950, p. 529.

13 PADA, PJq7zs fl77cJ Acf!.o7t, #13, October 28, 1949.

" United States Bureau of the Census, Ce71sl!s a/Popz/hafi.oj!.. 1950,11, Part 32 (New York) (Washington: U.

S. Government Printing Office,1952); Ce]7sz/s of Hozfs!.i]g..1980,I, General Characteristics , Part 4

(Washington: U. S. Government Printing Office,1952). ]5 Interview, Valerie Famswor[h, March 11,1989. \b S.M. Db< Associates, Inc., Economic and Market Analysis Study for Pouglckeepsie,N.Y.,Queen Ctry

Projects, January 29,1973, Exhibit 3.

17 Po"g/tkecpsz.c Nczo Yo)'kej., January 6,1950, p.1. See also articles on January 3, p.1; January 4, p. 6; Jan-

uary 5, p. 1; and January 8, p. 2-C.

" Harvey K. Flad, `'A Time of Readjustment: Urban Renewal in Poughkeepsie 1955-75," in Clyde Griffen, ed., Nczo Pci.spccf!.z7cs oH Po!igJtkeaps!.c's P#sf (Poughkeepsie: Dutchess County Historical Society,1987)

p.155. Flad's is the best description ofpoughkeepsie's entire urban renewal process. Much of the information on that topic presented here is discussed in greater detail in his article. `q Ha.ray Lynch, Poughkeepsie's Main Mall.. Turning the Tide? (Pougl+keepsie,1980 (8. A. Thesis)), pp.1821.

2`' Candeub & Fleissig, Gcj!cm/ Dcz7c/apjl!cjrf Phaiz.. City of Poughkeepsie, New York, December 1960.

2'

Candeub & Fleissig, MHsfL>]. Pha/z.. City of Poughkeepsie Report #1, November 1958, p.17.

22 Quoted in Flcid, "A Time of Readjustment," p.159. This submission was preceded by an initial request

in 1958 [o the Federal Housing & Home Finance Agency, but the earlier proposal was not implemented.

•~* |ackN. Oppenhe±m, Consult2int, Ii]nd Use aiid Mnrketability Stiidy, West View NI'ighboi.hood ReiiL'!wal P/fl/! Ai.L'#, December 1963, p. 28.

78

2` a. Wayne Noble, Associates, West View General Neighboi.hood Reiiewal Plan, la:mary 1964, p.1.7.

25 Ibid.'p. 20.

2b Poughkeepsie |ourml, Septemtoel 19,1965.

27 lynch, Poughkeepsie's Main Mall, p.16.

28 Quoted, for instance, in Flad, `'A Time of Readjustment," p. 158.

29 Flad, ``A Time of Readjustment," p.161. See also Nczt) york Tz.j]zcs , August 18,1968, p. 34.

`"` Poughkeepsie Urban Renewal Agency, A]zJii/¢J Raporf,1968.

31 Lynch, Po!tg/!kecpsi.e's MHz.7z MHJj, p. 25. This Bachelor's Thesis provides a valuable summary of how the

Mall was developed. *2 V±ctor G"en, Assoc±a.tes, Pougldeepsie Downtown Interim Improvements Prograin,1969.

3:3 Poughkeepsie |ouriral,Feb.17,1969, pp.1, 50.

31 tynd:i, Poughkeepsie's Main Mall, pp. 25-28.

35. Dix, £colzoi7z!.c flizd Mflrkef Ar!¢J!/sr.s Sf!fdy, p. 31; see also New York State Department of Transportation, ` Draft Eirvii.onmelital Impact|Section 4(f). Statement for East/West Arterial, [1972:79|, App. C,pp.T314.

•% Dutchess County Department of Planning, D!!fchess Co!fJifr/ Daffl Bock, 1973, p. 38.

37 Llewellyn-Davies, Associates, ComprcJ!e/zsiz;c PJ"]c /or Po"gJ?kecpsr.c, [1974],I, p. 144. This study notes,

p. 142, that when East Fishkill opened, Pouglckeepsie's IBM employment went within a few years from 12,000 to 9,000, while East Fislckill's went from 0 to 7000.

38 PoilgJikccps!.c /oit7.j!¢J, July 28,1967, p.1; July 29,1967, p.1; July 30,1967, p.1. NczcJ Yoi* Ti.]77es, February

10, 1964, p. 29.

39 Dlx, Economic and Market Analysis, Exhibits #18,19.

J° Pouglckeepsie City Planning Board, CcJ7jmJ B!/s!.]]css D!.s£J.I.cf Raporf #1.. P¢J*!.Jig, July 1966, p. 3; Dutchess

County Deptartment of planning, Diifchess Colfizfy DHfa Book,1985, p.1178.

4' Flad, ``A Time of Readjustment," p.168.

12 See, for instance, Martha Bayne, Co!!/!ty qf lj]j.gr (Poughkeepsie: Women's City & County Club,1937), pp. 71-73.

4.` Nczt7 yoi* Ti.j7ics, February 10, 1964, p.53.

4+ L2\wrence H. Mz[mlya aind Patrieia Maviroulm, eds., For Their Coui.age and For Their Struggles: The Black

Oi.al History pi.oject of poughkeepsie, N. Y.,1978 Nassar cohege project), p. 86.

J5 Ibid., p.59.

J`' Nczt) yoJ.k T!./7ics, July 28,1967, p. 12; July 30, 1967, p. 43.

17 `'Chronology," by Christiane Citron in A Son).ch /oi. So/!ifi.oj]s, (pages urmumbered), provides a useful

chronology of the boycott.

4* Poilghkeepsie |oiiriial, June 16,1970; August 9,1970. +" D±x, Ecoiiomic and Mai.ket Aiialysis, p. 35.

79

sO lie:wetryn-Davies, Coinprelrensive Plan f or Poughkeepsie,11, p. 9.

5` D.|x, Econoiiric and Market A]talysis, p. 33.

5'~ lynch, Poughkeepsie's Main Mall, p. 42.

53

Ncto yoj`k rz.j7]cs, June 15,1975, p. 27.

51 L:yi:\ct+, Poughkeepsie's Main Mall, p. 26.

55

Flad, `'A Tine for Readjustment," pp.163-165.

56 Lhewenyr\-Davies, Comprehensive Plan for Poughkeepsie, H, p.12.

•57 F|ad, ``A Time for Readjustment," p.162.

58

Poiig/tkeaps].e Nczo yo].her, January 1,1950, p. A-2; Hudson Valley Health systems Agency, Health Planning Council of Dutchess County, D!!fchcss Co]!Jzty Med].car.d Sfi!dy, May 1985, pp. 5, 7, 43; Hudson Valley Healtl\ Systems A8ency,1nc. Demographic Data Base Hudson Valley Region (Tuxedo, New York), Tables I.2 and J.2.

59 Information on attomeys' and a ccountants' residences, and on church locations described below, a.re taken from PoJk's Po!fg/7keapsz.c a.f/1/ Dz.].ccfon/, (Boston: R. L. Polk & Co., Inc.,1950,1980).

60

Pouglckeepsie colnmon council, O#.cz.flJ M].Jiiffes, May 20,1980, p. 760.

61 These data and the information on manufacturing firms below are from Llewellyn-Davies,11, p.131.

62 Dutchess County Department of Planning, D!!fchcss Coz!Jtft/ D"f¢ Book, p.1177.

636neofthetwoisactuallyjustoverthecityline,butphysicians'officesandotherhealthservicestendto

cluster between this hospital and the other one which is located in the city.

64 Jane |acobs, I/Ie Dc¢#z qild I.I./e o/A77!cj.I.co]z Cz.f!.cs (New York: Random House,1961), p.14.

65 United States Bureau of the Census, Ce)]siis a/ Popzfhafj.oJ}.. 1950; United States Bureau of the Census, CeJ!sl!s a/ PopilJ#fz.oj{.. 1980,I, C, Part 34; Dutchess County Department of Planning, Dci7?ogi'#p/i!.c Daffl BHsc, Tables I.2 and J.2.

66 Poughkeepsie Journal, JE\"any 30,1980, P.1.

67

Poughkeepsie Common Council, O#.cr.flJ M].Jz[!fcs, January 1,1980, p. 84.

tin Poughkeepsie Journal, January 4,1980, p. 4.

cO Poughkeepsie |ournal, |a"ary 16,1980, p.13.

80

Tator Hill Elma Williamson Old maps of Dutchess County show numbers of small hamlets and sub-hamlets whosenamesarenowlargelyunknowntotheirpresentinhabitants,exceptperhaps as road names. How many people who travel on the Old Bull's Head Road to the Taconic Parkway know where Bull's Head itself was? Or Cedar Hill or Shookville?

The buildings may remain, swallowed up by development or their community identity forgotten as property changes hands. Seldom have all traces been obliterated.

OneneighborhoodthathascompletelyvanishedisTatorHillinRhinebeck.This was on a road about a mile long between the Old Post Road and the River Road a mile and a quarter north of Rhinebeck center. Now ordy the very short portion between the Old Post Road and the Mt. Rutsen Road survives as a public road. The rest, once the site of a lively little neighborhood, is a private road, with only two houses (recently built) and a cable television tower at the Mt. Rutsen end. Beyond them the road peters out into a rough lane used only by farm tractors, hikers and snowmobiles. Only a few straggling lilacs, patches of day lilies and traces of stone walls recall the homes and gardens of the people who once lived there.

Fortunately, Henry Staley, who spent the early years of his life on ``The Hill" and lived the rest of it on the triangle formed by the fork of the Mt. Rutsen and Old Post RoadsandTatorHillRoad,madeasketchmapofthecommunityasitwaswhenhe was a boy around the turn of the century and some notes on the people who lived there. These were based not only on memory but on explorations of the old foundations, collecting old bricks and bottles, etc. From this and other sources comes this memoir of the brief life of Tator Hill, which sprang up in the expansion daysafterthecivilwar,anddisappearedagainaroundl906,wlienJohnJacobAstor began expanding his estate to include a hunting preserve.

TheroadappearsontheDutchessCountywallmapof1858.Atthattimetheonly houses noted were shown as those of J. Day on the north side near the Mt. Rutsen Road and Sagendorf on the north side near the River Road. E. Tator is shown on the triangle, but if this is valid, it was as a tenant of the Suckley estate as that family owned the property until 1906 when it was sold to Charles Staley, father of Henry, when he moved from Tator Hill. The 1876 Afhas of D#fc7zess co#7zfty shows two Tator

houses, both on the Hill proper. (As an example of the discrepancies that can occur in the preparation of such maps, the property of F. Cotting appears on the east side of the River Road on the 1858 map and on the west side of the A£Jczs.)

By the time the A£J#s was prepared, eight houses were located on the Hill, all on

the north side of the road. I list the houses shown, with the names from the sketch map in parentheses, from east to west: J. Gay (Charles Weaver), J. Tator (Maggie Tator), J. Cook(Charles Denu), J. Seamon (Frank Seaman), E. Tator (Charles Tator), F. Cotting (Win. Gay), and at the junction with the River Road, W. Astor (Mike Drum). The sketch map shows three more houses, Maggie Simmons (followed by Charles Shaffer), Simon Schryver, setback in a lane, and Charles (Chuck) Simmons, in that order, west of William Gay. The properties were not farms but, as a 1959

81

Map by Mary M. Brt)ckwiy

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Astordriveway Stone gatehouse DickTator Charles Rowe Ironorepit Muckhole Charles staley, Road Superintendent 8. Duckpond 9. DaveDay,an Astor shepherd 10. Charles (Chuck)

Simmons 11. Simon Schryver 12. Maggie Simmons, later Shaffer

13. Well

14. Gay's barn 15. Long Swamp, great

for trapping mink 16.

17.

18.

19.

Well William Gay Charles Tator Frank Seaman

20. Charles D21. Maggie Tator 22. Comelius

Rhynders's sheep, fruit farm.

Later Charles Shaffer. Tom down by I. J. Astor

82

23. Charles weaver 24. Old colonial house

(Morey)-tom down to make home of S. Schryver on Tator Hill 25. Jeff Davis 26. Suckley 27. Rhinebeck Kill (Hogbridge Creek) 28. CNE Railroad ``The Hucklebush"

inventory of the Astor Estate shows, were homes built on lots of three-fourths to three acres for workmen who earned their livelihood elsewhere.

South of the road, working from west to east, were a pond, and an abandoned iron ore pit at a junction with a well-trodden path leading to Charles Rowe's on the River Road. Just east of this another path which went farther south, to the home of DickTator,alsoontheRiverRoad,thenthehouseofCharlesStaleyandthatofDave Day, who was Astor's shepherd. Opposite Maggie Simmons was a well, with another well shown farther south, at the north end of the ``Long Swamp." Across from Will Gay was the ball field. This shows the brief life span of some of these houses, built after 1876, torn down by 1906.

AlsoshownonthesketchmapisahouseadjoiningJeffDavis'sontheMt.Rutsen Road, described as ``Cornelius Rhynders's sheep and fruit farm, with Cliarles Shaffer as the last tenant. Torn down by J. J. Astor," and a house farther south on a lanegoingwestalongthenorthbankofHogBridgeCreek(RhinebeckorKip'sKi]l) which led to a house near the old railroad trestle. This is labeled ``Morey Place. Old Colonial house torn down by Simon Schryver to make his home on Tator Hill." In the Atlas this is shown as ``Cramer's tenant house." In those days houses moved as well as people!

When John Jacob Astor bought the property, he evidently gave inducements to encourage people to move. When Charles Staley moved to the triangle, he was granted pasturage rights in ``Davis's Yard" and ``Shaffer's Yard" which continued inforceuntiltheAstorestatewassold,andHenryStaleypasturedcowsthereuntil World War 11. Since Astor was planning to clear away all buildings, others were allowedtomovethem.HermButler,forinstance,dismantledsomeofthebuildings andmovedatleastoneofthemtothetriangle.ThiswastheRhynders'sbarn,which survivesasthenucleusoftheYaddowhousebythe100-milemarkerontheOldPost Road.

The family of Will Gay moved to the property on the east side of the Old Post Road at its junction with the Mt. Rutsen Road. The house they built there was constructed from parts of two others moved from the hill. ``Taking the Tator Hill Road private" was not accomplished without acrimony asletterstotheEditoroftheRhinebeckGflzeffeinFebruary1908,fromLouisEhiers, ``Fair Play," and ``Tax Payer Veritas," reveal. Louis Ehiers, owner of ``Marienmh,"

which adjoined theAstor property to the north, and Douglas Merritt, of ``Leacote," still farther north, complained that to reach the village of Rlinebeck they would have to go either north around Mt. Rutsen or south to the Rhinecliff Road at Flat Rock.Eitherroutewouldaddseveralmilestotheirjoumeying,amatterofconcern in an urmotorized age.

Ehlers, whose property eventually passed to the Astors and was later the home of Jolm Jacob's daughter, Alice, lamented ``the closing of this charming road with all the variety of beautiful views." He wrote that this was ``catering to the mandate of a party who has bought up all the little homesteads along said road and who for a long time has exposed to this neighborhood and the people at large a spectacle of dismantled homes," and added, ``A warning! What misapplied wealth may do to the poor who have to retreat to the ravages of their wealthy neighbors."

ManyoftheresidentsoftheHillwereemployedattheAstorestateorconnected with it in some way. Charles Staley, for eighteen years Road Comrfussioner of RIiinebeck,alsobuiltroadsontheestate.Hisnearneighbor,DaveDay,wasAstor's shepherd. When a large house party was ensconced at Ferncliff, Hill housewives

83

were called on for temporary help, either in the kitchen or laundering and ironing linens and clothing.

The children attended the Hook School near the junction of the River and Mt. Rutsen Roads, often following trails through what is now Ferncliff Forest on Mt. Rutsen or catching rides on the drays of Williams & Traver, as they delivered groceries to the Delano estate. One of Henry's favorite memories was of Astor's chauffeur, in one of (if not the) first automobiles in Rhinebeck, coming to the school to pick up him, Roy Gay and Ed Tator to caddie for Astor's guests. Then, after the game,Mrs.Astor,agreatfavoritewiththechildren,wouldsendthemtothekitchen for homemade ice cream and, perhaps, even a ride on the dumbwaiter.

The residents of Tator Hill were a closeknit group with ties that held even after the exodus. Everyone knew everyone else's business. Entertainment was largely home get-togethers. The young ones played baseball on the field across from Will Gay's. Halloween was boisterously celebrated with ``tic-tacs" on windows and hay piled on porches or doors taken off privies.

When sickness occurred, they looked after themselves and their neighbors, with homemade poultices and doses of ipecac and applications of a popular liniment ``Pain King," One of the women, of whose name I could find no record, acted as midwife for the birth of babies, which, of course, took place at home.

Now all that life is gone. Will the advancing tide of development create a new neighborhood? If so, it is certain there will never be another as closely knit in these times of five- acre zoning and modern mobility.

Note: This was based on Henry Staley's map and notes and my recollections, as his daughter, of his stories of his childliood. Phyllis Gay, daughter-in-law of Will, had some memories of stories the Gay family had told. The maps used were Tfee Map a/ D#fc7zcss Co. Nezo Yo7.7c ( Philadelphia: John E. Gillette,1858), and T7zc Nczo Hz.sforz.cczJ

A£J¢s o/D#fchcss Co. Nezo yo7`k JJzt{sfrflfed (Reading, Pa: Reading Publishing House, 1876). Also consulted was Hz.sforz.c Old RJ7z.7€ebcck by Howard Morse (Rhinebeck,

N.Y.,1908), reprinted by Arthur C.M. Kelly.

Sponsors Edward C. Allen Tim Allred Mrs. Charles Andola Steele Cameron Robert P. Carter Huntington & Margaret Curtis Roland Dusault Joseph Emsley, Jr. Helen Fairbairn Katie & Michael Feeks Theron & Leah Fenner Stephen & Arme Friedland John & Catherine Gartland Clare Graham Sally Griffen Martin & Bea Gross Alfred Hasbrouck Kenneth Hasbrouck Eileen & Benjamin Hayden Mrs. Frederick Heaney Marilyn Hoe E. V. Howard Iona 8. Ingersoll Mary L. Jeanneney Robert & Joan Kinkade Lou Lewis Stephen P. Lumb

Arthur Mccomb Jack MCEnroe

Helen Meserve Mrs. Gerard E. Moerschell Charles & Elizabeth Podmaniczky Clifford M. Snrith Norma Van Kleeck Mrs. Harry Vinall

85

Dutchess County Historical Society 1990 Officers and Trustees John A. Wolf, Pres!.c{ent David Greenwood, vice PTesjden£ Katherine M. Feeks, Secrecciry Larry Diker, T7.easor€r

Class of 1992

Class of 1990 Timothy Allred

Ruth Ackert Sam Finnerman

Elizabeth Daniels Sally Griffen William Reilly

H. Wilson Guernsey Lou Lewis

Class of 1991

Class of 1993

0wen T. Clarke, Jr. Glare Graham Sheila N ewman Dorothy Watson

Mary Ann Bruno Eileen M. Hayden E. Peter Krulewitch Barbara Murphy

Staff Neil Larson, Acting Dzrecfor cind Cwrcifor

William N. Richardson, Director Barbara Adams/Cathleen Kinn, PR/M€mbeTshjp Mary Heinz, Bookkeeper L±ndaL L. BeaLtty, PTogram|MembershiE> and Boolckeeper

Local Society Delegates Pine Plains, Vacant Pleasant Valley, Alfred Hasbrouck Poughkeepsie-City, Arthur Gellert

Amenia, Catherine Leigh Beacon, Joan Van Voorhis Clinton, Kathleen Spross Dover, Caroline Reichenberg East Fishkill, Kenneth Walpuck Fishkill, Collin Strang Hyde Park, Edith Parker LaGrange, Frank Doherty Milan, Vacant North East, Chester Eisenhuth Pawling, Myrna Hubert

Poughkeepsie-Town, Lemma MCGinnis Red Hook, Rosemary Coons Rhinebeck, Patsy Vogel Stanford, Eunice Langa Union Vale, Irena Stolarik Wappingers , Vacant Washington, Louise Tompkins

86

Municipal Historians of Dutchess County County Historian Joyce Ghee, 22 Market Street, County Office Building, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

City Historians Beacon, Joan Vanvoorhis, 82 North Walnut Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Poughkeepsie, Herbert Saltford, 27 Bancroft Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Town Historians Amenia (None) Beekman, Lee Baton, Clove Valley Road, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 Clinton, Bill MCDermott, Clinton Comers, NY 12514 Dover, Mrs. Donald Dedrick, Nellie Hill Road, Dover Plains, NY 12522 East Fishkill, Everett Lee, Rushmore Road, Stormville, NY 12582 Fishkill, Willa Skinner, Charlotte Road, Fishkill, NY 12534 Fishkill (village), Rodney Koopmans,17 Rapalje Road, Fishkill, NY 12524 Hyde Park, Diane Boyce, 22 Russett Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 LaGrange,EmilyJohnson,MooreRoad,MooresMill4,Pleasantvalley,NY12569 Milan, Norma lngles, R.D.1, Box 408, Rhinebeck, NY 12572 Millbrook (village), David Greenwood, R.R.1, Box 227, Millbrook, NY 12545 North East, Chester F. Eisenhuth, Box 64, Millerton, NY 12546 Pawling, Myna Hubert, Old Route 55, Pawling, NY 12564 Pine Plains, Mrs. Helen Netter, Little Nine Partners Historical Society, P.O. Box 243, Pine Plains, N.Y.12567

Pleasant Valley, Olive Doty, R.D. 2, Wigsten Road, Pleasant Valley, NY 12569 Poughkeepsie (town), Mona Vaeth, 24 Maclntosh Drive, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Red Hook, John Winthrop Aldrich, "Rokeby," Barrytown, NY 12508 Red Hook (village) , Rosemary E. Coons, 34 Garden street, Red Hook, NY 12571 Rhinebeck, Richard Crowley, Rt. 9G, Rhinebeck, NY 12572 Stanford, Dot Burdick, Rt. 82, Stanfordville, NY 12581 Tivoli (village), Richard Wiles, 29 Montgomery St., Tivoli, NY 12583 Unionvale, Irena Stolarik, N. Smith Road, LaGrangeville, NY 12540 WappingersFalls,BrendavonBerg,34ProspectAve.,WappingersFalls,NY12390 WappingersFalls(village),VickiKolb,31LissRoad,WappingersFalls,NY12590 Washington, Carmine DiArpino, Dover Road, Millbrook, NY 12545

87

Historical Societies of

Dutchess County Amenia Historical Society

Little Nine Partners

P.O. Box 22 Amenia, NY 12501

Historical Society P.O. Box 243 Pine Plains, NY 12567

Bowdoin Park Historical and Archaeological Association

North East Historical Society Millerton, NY 12546

85 Sheafe Road Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 Beacon.Historical Society

Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Pawling, Inc.

P.O. Box 89 Beacon, NY 12508

P.O. Box 99 Pawling, NY 12564

Beekman Historical Society

Pleasant Valley Historical Society

P.O. Box 165

Poughquag, NY 12570

P.O. Box 309 Pleasant Valley, NY 12569

Clinton Historical Society

Egbert Benson Historical Society

Clinton Corners, NY 12514

of Red Hook

The Town of Dover

Red Hook, NY 12571

P.O. Box 1776

Historical Society Dover Plains, NY 12522

Rhinebeck Historical Society

East Fishkill Historical Society

Rhinebeck, NY 12572

P.O. Box 291

P.O. Box 245 Fishkill, NY 12524

Stanford Historical Society Stanfordville, NY 12581

Fishkill Historical Society

Union Vale Historical Society

P.O. Box 133 Fishkill, NY 12524

P.O. Box 100

Verbank, NY 12585

Hyde Park Historical Association Wappingers Historical Society

Bellefield, Route 9 Hyde Park, NY 12538

P.O. Box 974 Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

LaGrange Historical Society P.O. Box 412

Washington Historical Society

LaGrangeville, NY 12540

Millbrook, NY 12545

88

Index Abel, Alice, 22 Ackley, Jerusha, 20 Adams Ursilla, 23 Adams, Anne, 23 Adams, Sibel, 21 Adams, Mary, 23 Adams, Thomas,19 Adsit, Samuel, 36 Akin Free Library, 57 Akin, Albert, 57 Akins, Phebe, 22 Akley, Abel,19 Akley, Sarah, 22 Albany, (N. Y.), 34, 46, 62, 63, 65, 66

Alexander, George A.M., 55, 57, 58

Alger, Azubah, 22 Allen, James, 19 Allen, Susarmah, 19

Barrett, W.E.& Co., 17 Bates, Betty, 21 Bates, Lois, 21 Beardslee, Sarah, 20 Beardslee, Mary, 21

Allen, Mercy, 22 Allen Farm, 5 Allen, Jonathan, 19 Allerton, Reuben,19 Alley, Mary Hamm, 18 Allred, Timothy, 14

Beavenyck, 10 Bebins, Samuel, 19 Beebee, Abigail, 20 Beekman, 35 Beekman Patent, 32 Beekman, Col.Henry,Sr., 29, 20, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37 Beekman, 56, 59 Beekman, Henry Jr., 29, 31, 32 Benedict, John,19 Benjamin, Bela, 19 Bermet, Wihiam, 19 Benson, William, 19 Benthem, Esther, 23 Bentley, William,19

Amenia,N.Y., 15 Amequaneet, 29, 30

Amsterdam, Holland, 34 Andrews, James E., 18 Andrus, William,19 Anjevine, Esther, 21 Anson, Abraham,19 Antherton, Jonathan,19 Apostles of the Self-Made Man, 9 Archbold, Robert, 31 Ashley Falls, Mass.,17 Asloeghaweg of Seek, 30 Astor, Alice, 84 Astor, W., 83 Astor Estate, 83 Astor, John Jacob, 81, 83

Backus, Joseph, 19 Bailey, Sam, 45 Baker, Farmy, 22 Baker, Benjamin Jun., 19 Balis, Rhoda, 20 Baliss, Arme, 21 Ballou's Pictorial Drawing Room Companion, 7,10,14 Bangall District, 41, 52 Bangall, 43 Bangall Lane, 48 Barker, (Tryphene), 22 Barker, Faith, 20 Barker, Mr. Harry C.,59 Bames, Elisabeth, 21 Bames, Thomas, 19

`

Beny, Alida, 37 Besee, Philip,19 Boorstin, Daniel, 9 Boston, Mass., 5 Bradley, William,19 Briant, .Freelove, 21 Bristol, Eng., 37

Atlas of Dutchess County, 81

Atwill, Sarah, 21 Atwill, Paul,19 Autherton, Louise,19 Avery, Joseph, 19

Brown, Eunice, 22 Brown, Solomon, 19 Brown, Olive, 22 Bryant, David,19 Buck, Eunice, 22 89

S

Clark, Reverend, 60 Clark, Grace Coe, 60 Cleavland, Josiah, 20 Cleavland, Deborah, 19 Clements, Thomas, 34 Clinedinst, Wendel W., 59 Clinedinsts, 59 Clove Cemetery,18

Buck, Armah,19 Buck, Zerviah, 23 Buck, Israel Jun.,19 Bugbee, John,19 Bull, James, 20 Burdick, Albert C., 56, 59, 60, 61 Burns, E.P., 51

Burres, Hannah,19 Burris, Anne, 22 Butler, Herm, 83 Buttolph, David, 20 Butts, Ralph, 50 Butts, Polly, 21 Butts, William, 20 Buys, Catherine Lossing, 36 Buys, Elizabeth, 36 Buys, Mathew, 36 Buys, Jan Cornelius, 36

Clove, N.Y.,15,18

Caldwell, Capt. William, 28 Calender, Olive, 22 Cambridge, Mass., 5 Cammeron, Prudence, 21 Candueb & Fleissig, 66 Carter, Ebenezer, 20 Carter, Ebenezer Jun., 20 Carter, Deborah, 21 Case, Fred, 41 Case, Ebenezer, 20 Case, Reverend, 60 Catskill Mountain House, 7 Cawleti, John, 9 Cedar Hill, 81 Central Rural School District, 52 Central Business District, 66, 67, 72, 73 Century, 14 Chamber of Commerce, 64, 68 Chamberlain, Betsey, 21 Chamberlain, Conrad, 20 Chapman, Martha, 23 Charles Post Lot, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47 Chestnut RIdge, 37 Chichester, Samuel, 20 Cluistie's Pond, 34 City Charter, 65 City Directory, 74 City Plarming Board, 66 City Hall, 66, 67, 71, 72 Civic Center, 66, 67, 71, 72, 76

Clark, Almadore M., 53

90

Clove Valley, 28, 37 CNE Railroad, 82 Coffin, Tristam, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47 Cold Spring Elementary School, 54 Cole, Thomas, 9 Colin, David, 20 Common Council, 66, 75, 76 Community Development, 75, 76 Comstock, Professor Russell, 9 Connor, William, 20 Conti, Louis, 56 Cook, Benjamin, 20

Cook, Margareta Van Orden Lossing, 35 Cook, Ruth, 20 Cook, Simeon Jun., 20 Cook, Richard, 35 Cook, Catherine Lossing, 35 Cook,George, 35 Cooperstown, N.Y.,18 Comwall, Levi, 20 Cornwell, Gilbert, 20 Cotting, F., 81 Cotton, Samuel, 86 Couch, C. M., 17

County Road, 9, 35 County Medicaid, 73 County Road 90, 37 County Office Building, 67 County Courthouse, 75 County Road 90, 30 County Road 21, 35 County Road 89, 36 County Road 24, 37 Couse's General Store, 51 Crandal, William, 20 Crippen, Thankful, 23 Crippen, Elisha, 20 Crosman, Dan, 20 Crouch, Elisabeth, 22 Crouch, Sarah, 20

Dwight, Timothy, 13 East Fishkill [New York], 69 East/West Arterial, 71, 72 East Clove Mountain Road, 35 East Mountain, 30 Damen, Jan Jansen, 36 Eden Hill, 5 Dartmouth, Mass., 35 Edwards, Lucey, 20 Davidts, Cornelia, 36 Egleston, Rhoda, 23 IDavis, Jeff, 82, 83 Eighth Ward, 64 Davis, Mrs. Frank (Grace), 41, 42, 43, 46,Elderkin, Phebe, 21 47, 48, 49 Eldridge, Rebecah, 19 Davis, Betsy, 20 Eldridge, Benedict, 20 Davis, Frank, 48, 49 Ellsworth, Benjamin, 37 Davis, Squire, 20 Ellsworth, Mary, 37 Day, Dave, 84 Ellsworth, Theophilus, 37 Dayley, James, 35 Ellsworth, Femmeje Van Veld, 37 Decker, C. J., 17 Ellsworth, Annaje Jams, 37 del Canto, Francisco (Frank), 57 Ellsworth, George, 37 Delamater, Susanah, 22 Ellsworth, William, 36 Delavergne, Joseph, 20 Emigh, Lawrence, 33 Delavergne, Heny, 20 Emigh, Philip, 33 Dennenfels, Germany, 32 Emigh, Nicholas, 32, 33, 34 Denu, Charles, 81 Emigh, Hans Veltin, 32 Department of Housing and Urban Emigh, George L. , 32 Development, 67 Emigh, Arma Marie, 34 Depeyster, John, 28 .

Ehigh, Catherine, 32 Depression, 63, 68 Emigh, Joharmes, 34 Depression, 59 Enders, Madame, 57 Derby Arboretun, 8 Enos, Polly, 23 Deuel, Percy, 50 Episcopal Mission, 56 Dewey, Elisabeth, 20 Erie Canal, 63 Dibble, Zachariah, 20 Eslestine, Arme, 22 Dillenger, Alfred, 52, 53 Evarts, Dr. Prescott, 56 Dillino, Fredrick, 20 Evens, Williams, 20 Director of Urban Renewal, 72 Evens, Amos, 20 Dolson, Johannes, 36, 37 Dolson, Elizabeth Buys, 36 Farmer's Museum, 18 Dover, N. Y., 28, 31 Farr, Eunice, 23 Downing, Andrew Jackson, 5, 6, 7, 13 Femcliff Forest, 85 Dunham, Jonathan, 20 Fernow, Berthold, 38 Dunham, Sylvia, 23 Feroe, George, 41, 42, 43, 47, 49 Dunham, Sarah, 19 Fillemore, Henry, 20 Dunham, Salome, 20 Fills, Harmah, 19 Dunham, Elisabeth, 21 Fishkill Reformed Church, 35, 36 Dutcher, Petrenella Van Vredenburgh, Fishkill, N. Y., 31 37 Fisk, Huldah, 21 Dutcher, Wilhelm, 37 Fitch, Joseph, 20 Dutcher, David, 37 Flad, Harvey, 14 Dutchess County Landmark Society, 72 Fletcher, Col. Benjamin, 29 Dutchess County,18, 32, 45, 62, 63, 67,Folliot, Eliphalet, 20 Culver, Joshua, 20 Culver, Lucy, 22 Culver, Joshua, 20 Cusiewin, 29

69, 70, 83 91

Freeman, Arme, 23 Freeman, Nathan, 20 Frinck, John, 20 Fryal, Abigal, 21 Fuller, Louis[e], 23

Great Britain Illustrated, 7

Green, Mary, 22 Green, Frank, 60 Greenwood Cemetery, 9 Gregory, Sarah Elizabeth, 15

Gritten, Heny, 12 Galaxy' 7 Gale, Josiah, 86 Gamage, Dr. Frederick L., 57,59,60 Gardner, Thomas, 37 Garnsey, Rhoda, 20 Garnsey, Eunice, 20 Gamsey, Ebenezer, 20 Gates, Lucretia, 19 Gates, Jared, 20 Gay' J.' 81

Gay, Roy, 84 Gay, William,81, 82, 83, 84, Gay, Phyllis, 84 Gegory, Ezra, 20

General Neighborhood Renewal Plan, 66 George (11, King of England), 29 Germond, Patience, 41 Gilbert, Dr., 45, 46

Gilbert, Thadeus, 20 Gilder, Marion Howard, 57 Gillet, Sarah, 20 Gillet, Mary, 20 Gillet, Rachel, 20 Gillet, David, 20 Gilpin, William, 7 Golding, Isaiah, 20 Goodell, Fredrick, 20 Goodrich, Benjamin, 21 Goodrich, Elijah, 21 Goodrich, Lucy, 21 Goodrich, Deborah, 20 Goodrich, Mary, 20 Goodrich, Arma, 21 Goreham, James, 21

Grube, Charles, 7 Grummond, Joseph, 21 Guy, Thomas, 7 Guy's Hospital, 7 Hackensack, N. J., 34, 35, 37 Haight, William, 41 Haight, Eula, 41 Ham, John, 34 Hall, John, 21 Hall, Mr., 43

Hamlin, Finey, 21 Hammond, Hannah, 20 Hanchet, John, 21 Handy, Rachel, 21 Happy Hearts Girls Club, 60 Harris, Elisabeth, 20 Harrison's General Store, 51 Hatch, Arthur, 57 Hebard, Lydia, 22 Heberd, Daniel, 21 Heberd, Robert Jun., 21 Helme, Prudence, 23 Helme, Mary, 20 Henderson, James, 21 Hendrickson's Lot, 42, 43 Herrick, Lydia, 22 Herrick, Rufus Jun., 21 Herrick, Nathan, 21 Herrick, Wimam, 21 Hicks, Allison, 52 Hide, Eliakim, 21 Hill, Anne, 23 Hill, John, 21 ``Hill, The'', 81

Gould, Hannah, 22 Gould, Mrs. Frances, 57 Gouverneur, Abraham, 28

Hill, Origen, 21

Gouverneur, N. Y.,56 Gouverneur, Isaac, 28 Graham, Mayor, 63, 65 Graves, Dr., 46, 47 Gray, Florence DeNoyan, 57, 60 Great Society, 72

Historic District, 72 Hog Bridge Creek, 82, 83 Hogaboom, Peter, 35 Hogaboom, Bartholomew, 36 Hogaboom, Jacob, 35 Hogan, Ruth, 18

Hillman,R.H.,41,42,43,46,47,48,49,50

Hillman, 44

92

Holand, Thankful, 23 Holmes, Lydia, 20

King, Samuel run., 21 Ffugston & Co., 53 Kingston, N. Y., 28

Holmes, Elisabeth, 20 Holmes, Jehosephat Jun., 21 Holmes, Sarah, 23 Holmes, Philomerm, 22 Holmes, Arme, 20 Hohaes, Samuel, 21 Holmes, Nathan, 21 Home Book of the Picturesque, 8 Hook School, 84 Hopkins, Lydia, 21 Hopkins, Sarah, 23 Hopkius, Benjamin, 21

Kingston, (N. Y.), 37 Kip, Jacob, 33 Kip, Jacob, 30 Kloof, 33

Knapp, Amos, 52 Kinapp, Marshall, 52 Kinapp, Sylvia, 21

REckerbocker Garage, 51 Knickerbocker, Edward, 51 Knight, Alida Beny, 37 Khight, Thomas, 37 Fdight, Samuel, 37 Koghkeghkomeek, 29 Krambeekham, 30 LaGrange, 28 Lake Champlain,16

Horticulturist , 8 Housing Act, 1956, 67

Howard, Abiram, 21 Howard, Level, 21 Hoxie Comers, 36 Hudson River, 62 Hudson Valley, 70 Hudson's River, 31 Hurm`s Lake Road, 43 Hunt, Daniel Jun., 21 Huntt, Daniel Jun., 21

Lamb, Caleb, 21 Lamb, Louis[e], 19 Lamb, Isaac, Jun., 21 Lamb, Ruth, 19 Landon, James, 21 Lassel, WaltstiH, 23 Lathrop, Elisabeth, 23

Hurley, (N.Y.), 37 Huxtable, Ada Louise, 13 Image, The, 9 Ingersoll, Alpheus, 21 Ingersoll, Joseph, 21 International Business Machines Corporation, 62, 69 Interstate 84, 69 J(un?)e, Martha, 21 Jacobs, Jane, 75

Lemon Hill, 8 Livingston, Edward Livingston, 38 Llewellyn-Davies Associates, 71 Lloyd, James, 21 Lloyd, Anthony, 21 Lloyd, Arme, 22 Lockwood, Elisabeth, 19 Lockwood, Rachel, 20 Lockwood, Phyllis Woodin, 60 Lord, Sally, 21 Lorraine, Claude, 9 Lossing, Nicholas, 34 Lossing, Peter Jr., 33, 34

Jams, Armatje, 37 Jim's Inn, 43 Johns, Aaron, 21 Jolmson, Ruth, 20 Johnson, Samuel, 21 Jones, Jolm, 21 Juchem's Flower Shop, 43 Jumens, 29

Lossing, Benson I., 7, 8, 9, 11 Lossing, 32 Lossing, Catherine, 36 Lossing, Sarah (Buys), 35 Lossing, William, 36 Lossing, Pieterse, 34 Lossing, Margareta Van Orden, 35 Lossing, Isaac, 35 Lossing, Catherine, 35 Lossing, Anna Marie Emigli, 34

Kaghanapwe, 29 Kalamazoo, Michigan, 66, 68 Kendall, Fisk & Potter,18 Kidder, Mary, 21 Kidder, Chioe, 23 King, Deborah, 19

93

Lower Rhinebeck, 37 Lownsbury, Elisabeth,19 Lynke, Harry, 57

More, Jonah, 22 Morey, Thomas, 22 Morgan, John, 22 Morse, Samuel F. 8., 8 Mosher, James, 35 Moulton, Gordon, 22

Mack Road, 33 Mackwethy, Nathan, 21

Mount Auburn Cemetery, 5

Magoon, E. L., 8 Main Mall 71, 72, 76 Main Street, 63, 64, 65, 68 Mamkating, 31, 33, 35

Mrs. Isaac Travis's Field, 42, 43 Mt. Rutsen Road, 81, 83,

Murray, Ezra, 22 Muxsom, Freelove, 20 Mygatt, Mary, 20

Mamkating Hill, 36 Mammoth Cave, 9

Mygatt, Isaac, 22

Market Street, 63, 64, 66 Martin, Lelia R., 57, 60 Martin, William C., 57 Mason, Thomas, 21

Nansen, John, 28 National Register, 72 Nauborn, Germany, 33 Neckarent, 29, 30 Neighborhood House, 56, 57 New Amsterdam, 36 New Castle, Pa., 35 New England, 64 ``New Oswego", 36

Mawarein, 30 Mayhew, Abigal, 23 Mayo, Reuben, 21 Mayo, Anne, 22 Mccabe, Dr. V. V., 44 MCLaughlin, Wihiam, 60 MCFarlin, Andrew, 21

New York City, 57 New York Times, 62 New York Lutheran Church, 34 New York, N. Y., 5 Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, 69 Newman, Lydia, 21 Niagra Falls, 13 Nieuw Amsterdam, 62 Ninham, 29, 30 North/South Arterial, 68, 69, 71 Noxon Road, 34

MCGee, Michael, 21 MCKay, Michael, 21

MCKim, Mead & White, 57 MCMurphy, John, 22 Mead, Bathsheba,19 Mead, King, 22 Memkatinck, 28 Merrit, Daniel, 22 Methodist Religion, 56 Mid-County Rod and Gun Club, 36 Mid-Hudson Valley, 62, 67 Mid-Hudson Bridge, 63, 76 Middle School, 70 Millbrook, (N.Y.), 45, 53 Millbrook High School, 45 Miller, Thomas, 22 Miller, Ezra, 22 Miller, Harmah, 21 Miller's Agway, 43 Millis Road, 43 Mission House, 59 Mission, The, 60 Mizzentop Hotel, 56 Model Neighborhood, 67, 68

0akwood School, 43 ``Ode to Springside'', 7 0gden, W. 8., 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 49, 50 Old Bull's Head Road, 81 Old Post Road, 83 01livett, John, 22 01msted, Harmah, 19 0neca, Corm.,17

0rmsby, Lucy, 20 0rton, John, 43 0sbom, Zerviah, 20 "Oswego", 36

0verocker, Hans Jury, 34 0wen, Ebenezer, 22

Model City, 67, 68, 71, 72, 75

Moody, Enoch, 49 Moon, Ward, 44

94

Paddock, John, 36 Paghquanowat, 29 ``Pain King", 84

Pochkepsinck, 28 Poghkeepsie, 29 Poghkepsi, 29

Paine, Elihu, 22 Paine, William, 22 Paine, Ichabod, 22 Paine, Marsha, 22

Post Road, 62, 63 Post, Lewis, 45, 49, 51 Post, Charles, 44 Post, G. A.,17

Pal:ne, MExrthiaL, 2:2.

Poughkeapsie Tlelegraph, 6

Paine, Mary, 22 Paine, Mary, 21 Palitine Families of New York, 34 Palmer, Edmond, 22 Palmer, James, 22 Park, Elijah, 22 Park, Mary, 22 Park, Olive,19 Park, Luvisa,19 Parker, Amos, 22 Parker, David, 22 Parks, Robert, 22 Parnossian, Garibed, 57 Parnossian, Dicron, 57

``Poughkeepsie, Awake", 67 Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 5 Poughkeepsie, 31, 44, 56, 59 Poughkeepsie Reformed church, 37 Poughkeepsie Eagle, 6, 9 Poughkeepsie Board of Education, 44 Poughkeepsie urban Renewal Agency (PURA), 67 Poughkeepsie, Town of, 64, 65, 68 Poughkeepsie Area Taxpayers and Renapayers Association, 63 Poughkeepsie Area Development Association (PADA), 63, 64, 65, 66 Poughkeepsie, New York, 62, 64, 65, 66,

Parton, James, 7 Patterson, Sarah, 21

67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 73, 75; 76, 77 Poughquag, N. Y.,18 Power, Catherine, 22 Powers, Fredrick, 22 Pratt, 8 Pray, Sarah Elizabeth,15 Pray, Lucy,15 Pray, Albert,15 Pray, Mary,15 Pray, William,15,17 Pray, David,15 Pray, Hamilton,15,17,18 Pray, Andrew,15 Professor Reagan, 43, 44 Providence, R. I.,17 Provoost, David, 28 Pudney, Thorn, 22

Pawling school for Boys, 57 Pawling school choir, 57 Pawling, N. Y., 28 Pawling-Beekman Turnpike, 56 Pearce, Dr. Henry, 56 Pearl, John, 22 Penoyer, Mary, 21 Penoyer, Ruth, 22 Perry, George Talbut, 22 Persons, Mary, 23 Pettibone, Oliver, 22 Pettigrove, Thomas, 22 Pluladelphia, (Pa.), 5 Phillips, Johanna, 20 PHS, 44 PicturesqueTouristofEnglandandwales,7 Picturesque Tourist of scotland, 7

Pike, Sarah, 20 Pike, Jarvis, 22 Pike, Mercy, 21 Pine plains central school District, 54 Pine plains central school, 53, 54 Pine plains, (N.Y.), 52 Pinney, Joseph, 22 Pinney, Nathaniel, 22 Pitcher, Hannah, 22

QuaLker HILL, 56, 57

Quassick creek, 37 Queen city, 62 Ransom, Olive, 21 Raymond, Jolm H., 7 Raymond, Caleb, 22 Reed, Issac, 22 Regional plan Association, 63 Reinhold, Ralph, 59

95

Shavileer, Mary, 19 Shavileer, Abner, 22 Shavileer, Silca, 20 Shavileer, Hannah, 19 Shavileer, RIioda, 20 Shepherd, Abelaney, 19 Shepherd, Daniel, 22 Shepherd, Cynthia, 20 Sherman, George, 22 Shookville, 81 Sickenhoner, Johannes, 35 Sickler, Johan, 35 Sickler, Jury, 34 Simmons, Charles, 81, 82, Simmons, Maggie, 81, 82, 83 Simons, David, 22 Skirmer, Lydia, 20

Renssalaer County, 35 Resnick, Senator Joseph, 67 Rhinebeck, 81 Rhinebeck Gazette, 83 Rhinebeck, N. Y., 31, 32

Rhynder, Cornelius, 82, 83 Rip Van Winkle, 68 Ritchie, E. D., 44 River Road, 81, 83,

Rombout, Francis, 28 Rombout & Co., 31 Rombout, 35 Rosa, Salvator, 9 Ross, Father, 48 Rowe, Charles, 82, 83 Rowlee, Sarah, 21 Rowley, Nathan, 22 Rudd, Mary, 22 Slasson, Betsey, 21 Rudd, Zaresh, 21 Sleepy Honow Church, 36 Rudd, Abigal, 23 Smeden, Anna Dorothy, 34 Rundall, Mrs. Maude, 41, 45, 46, 48, 52Smith, Moses, 23 Rundel, Hannah, 19 Smith, Ebenezer, 22 Rundel, David, 22 Smith, James, 23 Russel, James, 22 Smith, A. C., 51 Smith, Ephraim, 22 S. M. Dix Associates, 71, 72 Smith and Polhemus, 42 Sagendorph, 81 Smith, Arme, 23 Smith, Sarah, 22 Salisbury, Corm., 37 Sanders, Robert, 28 Smith, Polly, 22 Sanford, Anne, 22 Smith, Joseph, 37 Sartino, Patsy, 57 Smith, John, 37 Save Poughkeepsie, 69 Smith, Anna Dorothy Smeden, 34 Scherer, Lewis, 34 Smith, Joel, 23 Smith, Abigail, 21 Scherer, Johannes Dewald, 34 Scherer, ]ustina M. W., 34 Smith, Hans Jury, 34 Scherer, Jacob Dewald, 33, 34 Smith, Edward C., 44 Schmidt, Henrich Jr., 34 Smith, Lucy, 20 Schryver, Simon, 81, 82 Soewaghtok, 29 Scott, Sir Walter, 7 Soewaghtok, Isaac Kipp, 30 Seaman, Frank, 82, 83 Somerset, N. J., 34 Seapons Haghkie, 28, 30, 35 Sorenburgh, Leaneau, 22 Sears, John, 5 Spalding, Philip, 23 Seeger, Joseph, 22 Spaulding, Abigal, 21 Seeley Road, 33

Spencer, Pldip, 23

Sepherd, Sarah, 22 Seton, Jolm, 22 Seymour Smith Elementary School, 54 Shaffer's Yard, 83 Shaughnessy Road, 30, 35 Shavileer, Elias, Jun., 22

Spencer, Deborah, 22 Spencer, Gideon, 23 Spencer, Elisabeth, 20 Spicer, Susannah, 23 Spicer, Nathan, 23 Springside, 5, 7

96

Springside Landscape Restoration, 13 ``Springside Mazurka", `7

Togin Paksink, 29, .32, 33

Toghpack Conveyance, 35

St.John, Silas, 23 Staley, Charles, 81, 82, 83

Toledo, Ohio, ,66 Tooley, John, 23 Topacksinck, 30, 31

Staley, Henry, 81 Standish, Jonas, 23 Travels in New England and New Stanford School Building, 40 York, 13 Stanford Town Hall, 40 Traver, Ada, 48, 49, 50, 51 Stanford, 44 Travis, Mrs. Isaac, 42, 43 Stanford, Town of, 41, 42, 44, 46, 52 Treatise on ±]ee Theory and Practice of Stanford Union Free School No.2, 40 Landscape Gardening, ro Stanfordville, 43 Triumphs of Eutexprise , Ingenuity and Stanfordville District, 41 public spirit, 7 Stanfordville Post Office, 51 Tryon, David, 23 State Education Department, 42, 45, 46, Tyler, Polly, 19 47,- 50, 52, 53, 54

Stedman, Sarah, 23 Stevens, Charles, 23 Stevenson, Charles, 35 StewaTrd, Anne, 20 StissingMountainTr.-Sr.ffighschool,54 Stissing Bank, 42 Stonehouse, 59 Strong, S. M., 44 Suckley, 81, 82

Uhl, Maria Wermer, 33 Uhl, Johames, 33 Uhle, Hendrick, 32, 33 Ulster, County of, 38 Union Street, 73 Union Free School District No.2, 41 Union Vale, 28 Union Vale, Town of, 15 United Black Council, 71

Swah, Harriet Rachael, 57 Swanson, 53

Urban Development Action Grant, 75

Swenson, L. H., 51

Van Vredenburgh, Petrenella, 37 Van Dolson, Capt. Jan Gerritson, 36 Van Aaken, Sophie, 37 Van Renssalaer, William P., 9 Van Veld, Femmetje, 37 Van Cortland, Col. Stefanus, 30 Van Voorhis, Stephen, 34 Vandebogart, Michael, 37 Vandewater, Hiram W., 41, 42, 43, 46, 47 Vassar, Matthew, 5 Vassar College Library, 13

Taconic State Parkway, 34 Taconic Parkway, 81 Tapigliklaren, 30 Tartaro, John, 57, 59, 60 Tathepermesinck, 28, 31 Tator, Dick, 82, 83 Tator, Maggie, 81, 82 Tator Hill Road, 81 Tator Hill, 81 Tator, J., 81

Vassar College and Its Founder, 7 , 11 Vassar College, 5, 7, 9, 11 Vaux, Calvert, 11

Tax Reform Act, 72 Taylor, Cornelia Akin, 57 Taylor, Eunice, 19 Teaghpackinck, 28, 31

Villas and Cottages, +1

Teed, Sussanah,..t22

Vlakte, Fontaine, 29 Vous, 29

Thurston, Ezra, 23 Thurston, Phebe, 23 Thurston, Meriam, 22 Thurston, Anna, 20 Tidd, Philip, 23 Tillson, Tinothy, 23

Wadhams, Caleb, 23 Walker, John, 35 Walker, Mathew, 35 Walker, Comelia Davidts, 36 Walker, Edward or Nathaniel, 35

97

Walker, Elizabeth Young, 36 Wallace's, 65 Wamsley, Reverend, 60 Wappingers, 32 Wappingers Falls, (N. Y.), 56 Warmer, Ebenezer, 23 Warner, David, 23 Waslington, D. C., 15, 67 Waterbury Hill Road, 30 Wayannagtonack, 29 Weaver, Charles, 81, 82 Webb, Benjamin, 23 Weeks, Deborah, 22 Wegler, Hans Migle, 34 Welch, John, 23 Wells, Patty, 21 Wells, Sarah, 22 Welsh, Kathy,16

Whipple, Patience,20 Whipple, Hannah, 22

Wem, Anne, 22

World War 11, 62 Wright, Mr. John, 41, 42, 43, 45, 47, 48,

White Plains, (N. Y.), 66 Whitford, Flora M.,17 Whittick, Jolm 8., 55, 56 William Ill, 28, 29

Williams & Traver, 84 Willis, Arme, 22 Willis, Isaac, 23 Wingate, Mr., 48 Wood, Sampson, 23 Wood, Benjamin, 23 Wood, Robert, 23 Wood, Deborah, 22 Wood, Abner, 23 Wood, Consider, 23 Woodinville, 59 Woretchepo, 29

Wermer, Maria, 33 West View, 67 West Mountain Mission Fund, 60 West Mountain Mission, 55, 56, 60, 61 Westbrook, Corm., 17 Westenholk Creek, 29 Westfall, Jacobus, 37 Westvael, ]uriaen, 37 Westvael, Sophie Von Aaken, 37 Whaley, Godfried, 37 Wheeler, Dr., 45 Wheeler, Edward, 23 Wheeler, Samuel, 23 Wheeler, Unice, 19

50, 51

Yaddow, 83 Yeomans, Eliab, 36 Yeomans, Nathaniel, 36 Yosemite, 6

Ziegenfuss, Dr. Henry, 56 Zion Church, 56

98

Finnco Development Corp.

7J 7f= ife 3 COLLEGEVIEW AVENUE POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12603

Specialists in Design/Build Real Estate Development

(914) 471-3640

Books-Records Old Prints Art Appraisals Old Issues of

mtchess County

313 Mill Street Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601

Historical Society Yearbook Dutchess County Histories

914 454-1444

MECHflNIcflL

CONS"UCTI0N ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS SINCE 1928

In Memory

Heating Air Conditioning Process Piping Plumbing Refrigeration

of V.H.P.W.

North Water Street Poughkeepsie, NI 12602 P.O. Box (914) 752-6700 Fax (914) 452-2033

99

U

•rsha;I1 WAPPINGERS HISTORICAL

i,

71J£'„g

SOCIETY Our People Are Your Best {r.sulamc£.

P.O. Ebx 1 74

Wappingers Falls, New York 12590 Marsl.all 81 Sterling. IrlcL

Monthly-1stThursday

PO¥5rfu4"%#

V!.P20:#g#]aJts

M¥a3[.egif#

N5g¥%8%

uS Virgln Islands St CroLrt. SI Thomas

®R&D W.*Ing th. t\tt\Ir. h.pp.n

TEXACO RESEARcl1 a DEVELOPNERT

frowE oF svsT"® a^soLiNEs

|ames|.Heaphy

AND H^VOLJNE WOTof) OILJ3

'-

General ^1anager

BEACON N.Y.

Residerice lm by Marriott FishL'II

Rt. 9 & I-84 Fishkill. ,`'Y ]252J 914-896-5=10

Reser`alions ]-800-33]-3131

Cbnd .~ . .~a-. .I- I-a- . .nn t* A.-in ut

100

101

"The past is a kind - of screen upon ®

:VuhricvTsroenporf°#:t future..."

-

Carl Becker =-== = i- _ I ----

==_==== _-,-

fr & ggr-' 9P ff ..

9fro# ed ez2» 11 RAYMONI) AVENUE

POUGHHEEPSIE, NEW YORK 12©03

(914) 454-1200 FAZE 914-454-3315

102