Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook Vol 058 1973

Year Book Dutchess County Historical Society

1973

Mary Beatrice d'Este, the only daughter of Alfonso IV, Duke of Modena, was born October 5, 1658, at Modena, Italy. In 1673, she married James Stuart, Duke of York, upon whom his brother, King Charles II, had conferred rights of Proprietor pf the Province of New York. She was Dutchess of York for twelve years and for three years Queen of England. When the Protestant revolution overthrew the Stuarts, James II and Mary fled to France. She died at St. Germains, May 7, 1718.

The Colonial Laws of New York, Volume 1, pages 121-122, "AN ACT to divide this province and dependencies into shires and Countyes." Passed November 1, 1683: "The Dutchess's County to bee from the bounds of the County of Westchester, on the South side of the High-lands, along the East side of Hudsons River as farre as Roelof Jansens Creeke, & East-ward into the woods twenty miles."

Portrait by William Wissing, National Gallery, London.

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

Copyright 1974 by the Dutchess County Historical Society

DUTCHESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETINGS — MEMBERSHIP — DUES

MEETINGS: At least two meetings of the Society are held each year, the annual meeting in the spring and a meeting and pilgrimage in the fall. Other meetings and social gatherings are arranged from time to time.

MEMBERSHIP: Anyone with an interest in history is welcome as a member. Membership in the Society may be obtained by making application to the Secretary, Box 88, Poughkeepsie, New York.

Upon the payment of dues, members are elected by the Trustees or at a meeting of the Society.

DUES: Annual dues, $4.00; Joint membership (husband and wife), $6.00; Life membership, $75.00. Annual dues are payable on January 1st. of each year. These payments carry with them the right to vote, to hold office, and to take part in the proceedings of the Society.

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

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

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OCCASIONAL PUBLICATIONS OF THE

DUTCHESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

1916 —PAMPHLET, Troutbeck, A Dutchess County Homestead; by Charles E. Benton. Out of print.

1924— COLLECTIONS , VOL. I; Poughkeepsie, The Origin and Meaning of the Word; by Helen Wilkinson Reynolds. (Price $5.00) 1924 —COLLECTIONS, VOL. II; Old Gravestones of Dutchess County, New York; collected and edited by J. Wilson Poucher, M.D., and Helen Wilkinson Reynolds. (Price $20.00). Out of print.

1928—COLLECTIONS, VOL. III; Records of the Town of Hyde Park, Dutchess County, New York; edited by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Edition exhausted.

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

1938—COLLECTIONS, VOL. VI; Eighteenth Century Records of the portion of Dutchess County, York that was included in Rombout Precinct and the original Town of Fishkill. Collected

by William Willis Reese. Edited by Helen Wilkinson Reynolds.

Edition exhausted.

1940 —COLLECTIONS, VOL. VII; Records of Crum Elbow Precinct, Dutchess County. Edited by Franklin D. Roosevelt. (Price $10.00) 1958—COLLECTIONS, VOL. VIII; Family Vista, the Memoirs of Margaret Chanter Aldrich. (Price 500) 1967 —PAMPHLET, illustrated, VOL. IX; The Glebe House, Poughkeepsie, New York, 1767. Edited by a committee of the Junior League of Poughkeepsie, (Price 500) Historical Society Year Books, VOL. 1 through VOL. 56 (Price $2.00) VOL. 57 (Price $4.00)

Dutchess County Historical Society Mrs. Albert E. Powers, Curator c/o Adriance Memorial Library Poughkeepsie, New York

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CONTENTS Secretary's Minutes

6

Treasurer's Report

21

President's Report

24

Glebe House Report

25

Curator's Report

26

In Brief.

27

Mrs. Amy VerNoy

28

Milan's Immigrations, Old and New Barbara Thompson

29

Illustration by Ozzi Stippa

32

Milan Pathmasters and Other Things Barbara Thompson

33

The Palatines Wilhelmina B. Powers

35

The Voyage Robert Pierce

40

Garfield Place Day: Victorian Ambience Revived Dr. Susan Luskin Puretz

51

Beson J. Lossing — Patriot Joseph Emsley

59

Report of the 1973-1974 Glebe House Bicentennial Auction John M. Jenner

71

The Barn Museum at Millbrook Pheasant Farm Editor

75

The Story of Lithgow Louise Tompkins

82

Evolution of the Fallkill National Bank Raymond J. Baumbusch

87

Century Farms in Dutchess County as of 1972 Chfford M. Buck

93

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CONTENTS

Historical Societies in the Towns of Dutchess County

125

Appointed Historians of Dutchess County

127

The Society can not be responsible for statements made by contributors, although an effort is made for historical accuracy in the publication.

PHOTO CREDITS Page 53, taken by Donald Puretz Pages 58 and 59 supplied by Joseph Emslie Pages 28 and 70 reproduced from Poughkeepsie Journal All other photos taken by the Editor

BOARD OF TRUSTEES President Vice President at Large Secretary Treasurer Curator Editor

Herbert S. Roig John M. Jenner Mrs. Robert Hoe, Jr. Peter Van Kleeck Mrs. Albert E. Powers L. Gordon Hamersley, Jr Terms ending 1973 Mrs. John C. Smith Thomas J. Boyce Clifford M. Buck DeWitt Gurnell

Terms ending 1975 Ralph E. Van Kleeck Mrs. Albert E. Powers Roscoe A. Balch, Ph.D. Edmund Van Wyck

Terms ending 1974 Mrs. Lawrence M. McGinnis Robert B. Breed Franklin A. Butts H. Wilson Guernsey

Terms ending 1976 John M. Jenner Mrs. Peter Mund L. Gordon Hamersley, Jr. Charles N. de la Vergne

VICE PRESIDENTS REPRESENTING TOWNS AND CITIES Mrs. Catherine F. Leigh Mrs. Irving Picard Mrs. F. Philip Hoag Miss Helena Van Vliet Thomas Boyce Mrs. Charles Boos Felix Scardapane Mrs. Paul Courtney Miss Hazel Skidmore Mrs. John Losee Walter W. Davis Mrs. Fred Daniels Mrs. William B. Jordan Mrs. Calvin Case Charles G. Spross Frank V. Mylod Stanley Willig Mrs. Donald E. Norton DeWitt Gurnell Mrs. John Geisler Mrs. Roland F. Bogle Miss Louise H. Tompkins

Town of Amenia City of Beacon Town of Beekman Town of Clinton Town of Dover Town of East Fishkill Town of Fishkill Town of Hyde Park Town of LaGrange Town of Milan Town of North East Town of Pawling Town of Pine Plains Town of Pleasant Valley Town of Poughkeepsie City of Poughkeepsie Town of Stanford Town of Red Hook Town of Rhinebeck Town of Union Vale Town of Wappinger Town of Washington

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SECRETARY'S MINUTES MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MARCH 13, 1973 A meeting of the Trustees of the Dutchess County Historical Society was held Tuesday, March 13, at the Glebe House. Herbert Roig presided.

The minutes of the previous meeting were not read.

Mr. Roig requested that the Vice-president at large, Walter Averill look into a speaker for the annual meeting.

There will be several constitutional changes proposed; they are that the position of legal counsel be added to the board of trustees, the position of editor in chief be added to the board of trustees, the dues be changed from $3 to $4 and from $5 to $6. Mr. Cunningham will draw up these changes.

The treasurer's report was presented with the following notes. It appears we shall have tax expenses on the income from investments whether spent or not, also considerable accounting expense in this regard. Mrs. R. Emmet O'Hern and Mr. and Mrs. Herman Harmelink III having been nominated for membership and their dues having been paid were duly elected. In the Annual Report "History Room Improve.ments" includes Glebe House Furnishings, alarm system ($1,775.00), and improvements at the Library.

The treasurer's report was accepted as presented.

Mr. Roig reported that the Glebe House Joint Committee has raised the money advanced for the alarm system. Ralph Van Kleeck moved and it was seconded and approved that the money be increased to $2,000.00 and be made available for furnishings or other improvements to the house.

Mrs. Mund asked if the Society has a sales tax exemption number.

Peter Van Kleeck will look into it.

The Treasurer reported receiving a dues bill of $50.00 for the Hudson River Valley Association. It was moved by Peter Van Kleeck, seconded and approved to continue this membership.

Curator, Mrs. Powers, reported that after some time our books are being returned from a possible publisher with estimates for reprinting.

Mrs. John C. Smith gave a preliminary report for the nominating committee (Mrs. Lawrence M. McGinnis, Clifford M. Buck, and Mrs. Smith, members.) The slate is not yet complete.

It was moved, seconded, and approved that Frank Mylod be made an honorary member of the Society. This will be announced at the annual meeting.

Peter Van Kleeck reported receiving a card from a South Carolina member regretting that she would miss the March evening meeting. The card will be published in the Year Book. Mr. Roig will thank Raymond A. Ruge and Peter R. Mund who spoke and showed pictures of Ice Boating and its history.

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Mr. Roig reported talking with Richard K. Goring a young man from Hyde Park whp has been working on the Fishkill digs. Mr. Goring has written a preliminary article concerning the area and seeks the Society's help in obtaining a $2,500.00 matching grant for publication. It was decided that Mr. Goring's article be published in the Year Book but with out any request or suggestion for donating funds.

Several members asked about the status of the Fishkill project and the projected plan for publication by Temple University. Mr. Averill reported that the New York State Council on the Arts will not fund the project for a third year. Mrs. Mund will get a report from Landmarks or the Fishkill society by the next trustees meeting.

Mr. Roig reported that the deeds of William Worrall's purchase of the Glebe House property in 1835 have been given to the Society. Mrs. Petrovitz of the Joint Glebe House Committee will investigate having them repaired and displayed at the house.

Peter Van Kleeck asked anyone who knows the slate of officers and trustees from the May 1972 Annual Meeting to contact him.

Mr. Roig reported that the Society has been asked to act as sponsor for the moving and restoration of the Old City Hall.

John Jenner reported on the project. Several committees have worked on this and several organizations have expressed interest in using the facilities. The cost has been estimated at $100,000.00 to move it, $150,000.00 to restore it. Some federal funding is available for this. The building will probably be used as a museum. A solid, established organization of stature must own the building. The tenants would maintain the building. The proposed site is the corner of Washington and Lafayette streets, west of the new City Hall complex. This area would develop as the nucleus of a proposed cultural center.

It was moved, seconded and approved that the Society act as sponsor of this project.

The next meeting of the Trustees will be Tuesday, April 10, 1973.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted, Winifred L. Mund Acting Secretary Attending were: H. Roig P. Van Kleeck E. Smith C. Buck J. Jenner W. Averill R. Van Kleeck W. Mund W. Powers

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MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES April 10, 1973 Present: President Herbert Roig, presiding; Trustees Jenner, Butts, R. Van Kleeck, Van Vliet, Smith, Buck, Balch, Averill, Powers, Hamersley, and McGinnis.

In the absence of Secretary E.V. Cunningham, the President read the minutes of the March meeting, which were approved as read.

The President reported that the following had been proposed for membership in the Society: Barbara K. Rose, Mr. and Mrs. Felix Scardapane, Jr., Murrell Baker, Alan B. Crotty, Wendy Polakoff, Mr. and Mrs. James L. Nichols, Jr., Byron Losee, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ackerman, B.K. Seeley, Ludwig G. Ruf, and Florence Michaels. Upon motion, they were elected, subject to the payment of annual dues.

The Treasurer's report on transactions from March 9 to April 1, 1973, was submitted, and upon motion duly presented and passed, was accepted and ordered filed.

Mr. Roig reported that a joint committee of the Historical Society and the Junior League has been set up to explore the possibility of purchasing Mr. Charles Chlanda's furniture, now on loan to the Glebe House. Total appraised value of the furnishings in the House stands at $34,000., with those loaned by Mr. Chlanda set at $11,000. These Mr. Chlanda has offered to sell to the Glebe House at a discount (10%).

The suggestion has been made that instead of the annual pilgrimage this fall, the Society and the Junior League might jointly sponsor an auction, placing on sale those items which are not suitable to the period of furnishings in the Glebe House, supplemented by donations from members of both organizations, and thus raise money to pay Mr. Chlanda. This was received very favorably by the Board, and upon motion, it was decided to proceed with plans for same.

The President reported that arrangements have not as yet been completed for the Annual Meeting. Several possible meeting places have been considered, and it appears that the price of the luncheon will be substantially higher than in previous years. After some discussion, it was decided that the Society cannot increase its per capita contribution towards the cost of the luncheon, but that everyone understands that the price of restaurant meals has increased. The date of the meeting has been tentatively set as the third Saturday in May, with arrangements for a speaker in the hands of Mr. Averill.

The Curator, Mrs. Powers, reported that no answer has as yet been received from the Syracuse firm in regard to reprints of the Society's publications.

No date was set for the next meeting, as one, may not be necessary prior to the Annual Meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted, Lemma B. McGinnis Acting Secretary

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MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES June 12, 1973 A meeting of the Trustees of the DCHS was held 12 June 1973 at Glebe House. The reading of the minutes was dispensed with as they were not available.

Treasurer, Peter Van Kleeck, presented his report (attached). The 1972 taxes are as yet unpaid. This is a most involved tax report totaling 18 pages. There are 26 new members. Mr. Van Kleeck felt that the treasurers job was growing and that help or the reorganization of duties was needed.

Mr. Butts suggested that a committee be appointed to look into this.

The executive committee will do so.

Mr. Jenner asked about a tax exempt number. This has not yet been obtained but is in the works.

Mr. Jenner reported for the Glebe House Committee. Letters concerning the current furnishings and auction project have been sent to the membership with return cards. A sub committee will analyze the returns and will have detailed plans for the fall.

Mr. Butts mentioned a speaker who talked on the inaccuracies in the State historical markers as being a possibility for the DCHS. President Roig reported that a letter from the Fishkill Historical Society has been received inviting the DCHS to participate in a brunch meeting June 16 to plan for the bicentennial. John Jenner, Walter Averill, and Ralph Van Kleeck will attend. Mr. Jenner will report at the next Trustees meeting.

Walter Averill reported that the State Bicentennial Commission will match up to $7,000 what ever is raised for the Fishkill digs. With the help of IBM it seems possible that Fishkill will be able to raise $14,000 in all.

Regional planning has been proposed for the bicentennial. Roscoe Balch reported that an ad hoc committee is meeting at Vassar to investigate ways of tapping these federal funds. Mr. Averill added that these requests will probably go through the State Commission.

Mr. Roig reported that a letter has been received from Mr. Tucker inviting the DCHS to join the American Association for State and Local History at a cost of $8.00. It was moved, seconded, and approved that we join.

The Board authorized the President to write a letter to our two honorary members awarding the designation.

Eunice Smith has data Concerning county iron furnaces which Mrs. Powers will take to Emily Johnson who is working in this area.

Mrs. Powers asked about a bulk mailing permit. Mrs. Smith felt that, as a member, the DCHS was entitled to the use of the Dutchess County Arts Association permit.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted, Winifred Mund Secretary Pro Tern.

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Attending were: H. Roig P. Van Kleeck R. Van Kleeck C. Buck F. Butts W. Averill

J. Jenner R. Balch W. Powers W. Mund G. Hamersley E. Smith

New Members: Robert K. McEwen Ernest Arico, Jr. Mrs. A. Leslie Ross Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Berger Mrs. Margaret Olsen Mr. and Mrs. Albert Rosenblatt Mr. and Mrs. William H. Meyer, Jr. Kenneth E. Branch Mr. and Mrs. E. Richard O'Shea Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Lumb Lawrence A. Heaton Jack J. Rosenbaum Mr. and Mrs. Jack A. McEnroe Ludwig Ruf Mr. and Mr. Burt Bliss Mrs. B. Jordan Pulver Bryon V. Losee Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rockwell Jehanne Collette Potter Kar'anne Potter Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Koloski Thomas Mahoney Mrs. Harold V. Klare Richard Jenrette Rev. James Elliott Lindsley Gary Werner Town of Dover, Historical Society Mrs. Claude R. Bell Mr. and Mrs. David Radouski Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ackerman Mrs. Charles Navins

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Balance — checking account — April 1, 1973 Deposits Dues Adams Fund

$ 690.62 $ 776.00 526.88 1,302.88 1,993.50

Expenses Hudson River Valley Assoc.

LaGrangeville Historical Soc. Lewittes & Co. Rhinebeck Historical Soc. General Bookbinding Junior League of Poughkeepsie Forbes-Postage/Meeting Notices H. Roig, Postage Annual Meeting J. Ceroni, Postage Hamilton Repro-stationery J. Potter-yearbook Forbes-Annual Meeting R. Petrovits Postmaster

50.00 2.00 163.00 3.00 68.20 400.00 94.82 44.20 15.00 170.60 28.50 65.60 24.00 7.00 1,135.97 $ 857.53

Balance —June 1, 1973 Savings Accounts General Fund— Balance— April 1, 1973 June 1, 1973 Wells Fund — Balance — April 1, 1973 Income from Investments Balance — June 1, 1973 Reynolds Fund— Balance— April 1, 1973 Income from Investments Income — sale of publications

3,289.61 3,289.61 10,180.82 1,587.45 11,768.27 6,265.76 153.25 20.25 $ 6,439.26

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES September 18, 1973 A meeting of the Trustees of the Dutchess County Historical Society was held Tuesday, September 18, 1973, at Glebe House. Herbert Roig presided.

Present were Messrs. Roig, R. Butts, R. Van Kleeck, Buck, Guernsey, Kelley, Averill, Jenner, Balch, and Mrs. Mund, Mrs. J. Smith, Mrs. McGinnis, Mrs. Powers, Mrs. Hoe.

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Mr. Van Kleeck reported on a meeting which he had attended with the Junior League Glebe House Committee. The custodian, Mrs. Nagel, has completed a year of working at Glebe House, and the committee would like to hear the Society's thinking with regard to a raise for Mrs. Nagel. She is now receiving $2.25 an hour. The feeling of those present was that she might be raised to $2.50 an hour.

Mr. Van Kleeck further reported from the Glebe House Committee that Dutchess County Federation of Republican Clubs has asked the Junior League if Glebe House could be included in their tour. Mr. Van Kleeck indicated that the League approves if the Society approves. Mr. Roig indicated that the Federation of Republican Clubs might have to be billed for hostesses if the house were to be opened at a time when it was not normally open to the public.

Mr. Van Kleeck also reported that attorneys for the Glebe House Committee feel that the committee should be incorporated. The committee, he says, is mostly made up of Junior League members, and the Junior League by its charter is not allowed to raise money for a going organization. This is perhaps the reason for the attorneys' recommendation. After a short discussion Mr. Roig suggested that a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Society be arranged with the two lawyers to discuss the matter and arrive at a decision. Mr. Van Kleeck is to arrange such a meeting.

Mr. Roig mentioned that he had received bills for the maintenance of the alarm system, and that we were to maintain it.

Mr. Van Kleeck told about receiving a letter from Isabel K. Jordan saying that she would like to give several things to the Society, among tham a brass door plate and some pictures. He is to write her thanking her for her generosity and offering to pay the postage.

Mr. Averill mentioned that the Fishkill Historical Society had raised altogether about $4200, and that they would get matching funds from the State. Mr. Roig stated that we had authorized giving $1,000 to them, and he assumed that they had received the money.

A lengthy discussion was held on the status of the City Hall project.

Mr. Jenner outlined the early projected plans of moving City Hall from its present location to the Vassar Place area and of refurbishing it. He said the projected costs were prohibitive for such a project, since the estimates were in the neighborhood of $250,000. Now the future of the City Hall is uncertain, and he and Mr. Balch are in favor of our reaffirming by letter to the County Board of Representatives our interest in saving it. There was discussion about what should be stated in the letter, and there was general agreement about the following points:

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1. That if City Hall is kept at the present location and saved, that we would assume ownership in name only without any responsibility for maintenance.

2. That our $35,000 from the Cary Fund would be given with the proviso that there would be space to display the Cary papers and that the remaining moneys would be raised elsewhere.

Mrs. McGinnis suggested that Mr. Cunningham assist Mr. Roig in drawing up the letter to be sent.

A motion that the letter be sent was approved by 9 affirmative votes with 3 abstentions.

In view of the late hour, it was decided to hold a special meeting on October 2 at 7 p.m. for the purpose of discussing plans for the auction.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:55.

Respectively submitted, Marilyn C. Hoe Secretary MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES October 2, 1973 Minutes of a special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Dutchess County Historical Society, held at the Glebe House, on October 2, 1973, at 7 P.M. Present were Herbert Roig, Walter Averill, Eunice Smith, John Jenner, Gordon Hamersley, Clifford Buck, Frank Butts, Wilhelmina Powers, H. Wilson Guernsey, Peter Van Kleeck, Ralph Van Kleeck, Edward V. K. Cunningham, Lemma McGinnis, and, ex officio, Mary Roig, a member of the Auction Committee.

After calling the meeting to order, President Roig designated Mrs. McGinnis as acting secretary, in the absence of Mrs. Hoe. At the President's suggestion, the reading of the minutes of the last meeting, and of the treasurer's report, was deferred until the next regular meeting.

President Roig called upon John Jenner, Chairman of the Auction project, to detail progress thereon. Mr. Jenner reported that of the 495 cards sent out in the spring, requesting donations of furniture or other items for the auction, 73 people, or 15% of the total had responded, either with the promise of auction items, or with cash contributions.

While this is a normal response to such a solicitation, there is some doubt that the number of items promised, coupled with those selected from the Chlanda collection, would suffice for an independent auction.

Two possible courses of further action were suggested. First, it was felt that many potential contributors may have believed that the Committee was interested only in large items for the auction; in actuality, small items such as antique tools, kitchen items, prints and other bibelots are also desired. It was felt that a second post-card solicitation, explaining this, should be made. Secondly, items from several sources are frequently combined in one large auction. Mr. Jenner planned to

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discuss the possibility of a joint auction with Calvin Smith, who has been selected as auctioneer, and also to settle with Mr. Smith on a definite date.

Mr. Jenner reported that a full Auction Committee has been set up, in cooperation with the Glebe House Committee, and the Junior League.

It was reported to the Board that a number of members have received inquiries as to when the next Pilgrimage is to take place, this having been an annual fall event for many years. Last spring it was decided that the Auction was to take the place of the Pilgrimage for this year; however, from the number of inquiries, it was evident that many members would still like to make such a trip this autumn.

Mr. Butts reported that the Town of Stanford has a very active historical society, and that one of their members, Mrs. Beckwith, has recently published a pamphlet detailing historical points in that area. It was felt that on the basis of this recent work, a tour in the Stanfordville area could be organized on relatively short notice. After considerable discussion, it was decided that it was too late in the season to undertake such a trip, and that plans for a Pilgrimage should be deferred until spring. It was decided to so notify the membership either on the solicitation cards or in a newsletter. Mr. Butts was appointed Chairman of a committee to work with the Stanford Historical Society in the organization of a spring tour.

Mr. Ralph Van Kleeck raised the question of the incorporation of a managing committee for the Glebe House, which had been under discussion since the last Board meeting. Mr. Cunningham said that he would look into the advisability of such a measure, and would report back.

It .was unanimously voted by the Board — a vote which was joined in by the Glebe House Committee — that Edmund Van Wyck, who has recently moved from the area, be made an Honorary Life Member of the Society. Mr. Van Wyck is past-President, and many times a Board member of the Society. His articles in the Year Books have been many, and enlightening. In addition, from time to time, he has donated a wealth of valuable manuscript material to the Society Collection in the Adriance Library, where it will be readily available to all historians.

As a person, he will be greatly missed at our meetings, and in the area.

President Roig directed that the Secretary send a letter of appreciation to Mr. Van Wyck.

There being no further business at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 9 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Lemma B. McGinnis Acting Secretary

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MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES October 16, 1973 A meeting of the Trustees of the Dutchess County Historical Society was held Tuesday, October 16, 1973 at 4 p.m. at the Glebe House.

Since Mr. Herbert Roig expected to be late, Mr. John Jenner called the meeting to order.

Present were Messrs. Peter Van Kleeck, Averill, Jenner, Franklin R. Butts, Buck, Kelley, Hamersley, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Hoe. The minutes were read and approved.

Mr. Jenner reported that there had been a Glebe House committee meeting on this day and that the increase in pay for Mrs. Nagel had been approved. He also reported that the Dutchess County Federation of Women's Clubs had decided to wait until spring to put Glebe House on its tour. He also stated that Mr. Roig's letter to the County Board of Representatives, which had been authorized at the last meeting, had been given to Mr. Balch to be presented in a package to the County Board.

Mr. R. Butts reported that he had talked to Mr. Joseph Lamb about a Stanfordville pilgrimage proposed for the spring. A meeting is to be held soon to decide the details.

Mr. Jenner asked the members present if they felt we should send a letter to the State asking them to buy the land in the Fishkill Digs. Mr. P. Van Kleeck moved that Mr. Jenner be empowered to act if he feels it is needed. The motion passed.

Mr. Jenner summarized the plans for the auction. He said Mr. Cal Smith had been contacted and that he is to sell our items at one of his regular auctions in late November. About 600 items are usually sold at one of Mr. Smith's auctions, and our items to be put on sale would probably number about 100. He said that a letter had been sent to the members bringing them up-to-date and also telling them that they can donate things to the Society for sale and donation. Also, the letter told of plans for a spring pilgrimage.

Mr. P. Van Kleeck made a treasurer's report and the board acknowledged such report as it was read and a copy is made part of these minutes.

Mr. Roig arrived and took over the conducting of the meeting. A discussion was held on the question of our needing legal services and whether or not we could ask Van Cunningham to help us because of his being so very busy. There is the question of whether or not to incorporate the Glebe House Committee; and, also, it is felt that we should have some legal work done to see that our endowment funds are properly classified with the hope that we might have more favorable status with the Internal Revenue Service. The conclusion of the discussion was that Messrs. Roig, Jenner and VanKleeck would get together with Mr. Cunningham to discuss the matter.

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The board also felt that Mrs. Hoe should get together with Mrs. Joyce Ceroni before the next board meeting to talk over with her about where to keep the files of the Society. Mrs. Hoe was asked to see that Mrs. Ceroni receives a copy of the minutes to keep abreast of the activities of the Society.

Mr. Roig read a letter from Landmarks expressing their appreciation of our support of the Fishkill Excavations.

Mr. Roig also read a letter from the Smithsonian Institution inviting us to become a member of the society. A motion was made that we join.

The meeting adjourned at 5:10.

Respectfully Submitted Marilyn Hoe, Secretary Balance — checking account — October 1, 1973 Deposits Dues $ 75.00 Wells Fund 828.85 Adams Fund 342.50

$ 377.87

1,246.35 $ 1,624.22 Expenses Lewittes & Co. (1969 revised) Petty Cash — Mrs. Powers N. Helmig (GP) Murphy Florist Junior League McCombs (GP) Artist & advertisers (GP)

175.00 10.00 38.50 13.25 400.00 12.45 20.50

Balance — checking account — November 1, 1973 Savings Accounts General Fund— balance— 10/1/73 Interest balance— 11/1/73 Wells fund — balance — 10/1/73 Donations (GP) Interest balance — 11/1/73 Reynolds Fund — balance — 10/1/73 Interest Publications sold Income from investments Balance — 11/1/73 New members:

$

669.70 954.52

$ 2,331.55 31.22 $ 2,362.77 $ 5,368.24 40.00 71.65 $ 5,479.89 $ 6,694.22 89.69 83.50 153.25 $ 7,020.66

Mrs. Henry Thompson Mr. John C. Hicks Dutchess County Genealogical Society Bills to approve: Dutchess County Arts Council— Membership —$25.00 16

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES November 13, 1973 A meeting of the Dutchess County Historical Society Board of Trustees was held at Glebe House on November 13, 1973, at 4 p.m. Present were Messrs. Averill, Buck, Robert Breed, J. Jenner, Roig, Mrs. McGinnis and Mrs. Hoe. Mr. Roig called the meeting to order and introduced Mr. Andrew Mihans of the Dutchess County chapter of the American Legion, who had requested to speak with the Trustees for a few minutes. He stated that his organization is trying to get various groups interested in sending representatives to a planning group that would coordinate the various plans for the Bicentennial celebration. He would like our group to be represented. After his departure from the meeting, the matter was discussed. Mr. Jenner and Mr. Averill are already on the Bicentennial Committee, but Mr. Roig did say that he would try to get two other Trustees to participate, since Mr. Jenner and Mr. Averill are serving in an individual capacity and not as representatives of the Society on the Bicentennial Committee.

Mr. Roig passed around copies of the Treasurer's report, and the report was made a part of the minutes. A motion was passed that the new members be accepted, and a motion was passed that the current bills be paid.

Mr. Roig read a letter of resignation from Mrs. Robert E. Butler Sr. There was some discussion about the price of the Year Book. Every member of the Society gets a Year Book as part of their membership, and extra copies to them are $3.00. Non-members pay $4.00, which is the cost of a membership. Extra copies left over from previous years are still purchasable at a reduced rate.

Mr. Jenner repotted that he did send a letter to the State on behalf of the Society urging the purchase of the land of the Fishkill digs.

He also reported on the progress of the proposed auction. He said the second appeal letter had been sent to the members, that all the committees are functioning. As of this moment no date has been set for the auction, and it is most probable that the auction will not be held before the first of the year, probably in February. He now has about 79 items for sale, and there have been some cash donations. Mr. Jenner stated that there were a few items which he felt should not be sold but should be put in the rchives, such as copies of early newspapers, some photographic albums. Members donating items are given the appraised value of their gift for tax purposes.

Mr. Buck told the Trustees that he has been asked to research the 1800 acres of land of the Cary Arboretum.

Mrs. Hoe reported that she had spoken to Mrs. Ceroni who now sends out the monthly notices for meetings. Mrs. Ceroni is very willing to continue to do this. She also said that she does not have any letters or records belonging to the Society. Mr. Roig will discuss. with her whether or not she should continue to send out the mailings.

17

Mr. Jenner brought up the fact that Mrs. Reynolds' book called Dutchess County Doorways is almost off copyright. The Society should see that the copyright is renewed.

Mr. Jenner told of a work done by a friend concerning all the railroads that have ever run in Dutchess County. The research has been extensive and he felt that there might be interest in it among the members of the Society. Mr. Roig said that James Lumb is very interested in this subject, has also done much research and has had articles published in the Year Book. Mr. Jenner is to discuss this with Mr. Lumb.

Respectfully Submitted Marilyn Hoe, Secretary Balance — checking account — November 1, 1973 Deposits Wells Fund $ 1,080.50 Adams Fund 184.38 Dues 10.00

954.52

1,274.88 $ 2,229.40

Expenses Postmaster — Yearbook 36.85 Rehabilitation Program — Yearbook 27.75 Magfile Co. — Supplies 14.78 D.C. Arts Council — Dues 25.00 L.G. Hamersley — Fee Yearbook 200.00 Balance — checking account — December 1, 1973

304.38 $ 1,925.02

Savings Accounts General Fund — balance — 11/1/73 balance— 12/1/73 Wells Fund — balance — 11/1/73 Donations (GP) balance— 12/1/73 Reynolds fund— balance — 11/1/73 Sale publications balance— 12/1/73

$ 2,362.77 2,362.77 5,479.89 55.00 $ 5,534.89 7,020.64 135.00 $ 7,155.64

New Members: Mrs. Henry Thompson Mr. and Mrs. C. Beverly Davison Hugo Clearwater Theodore H. Traver Unpaid Dues: 23 single members 16 joint members

18

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES December 11, 1973 A meeting of the Trustees of the Dutchess County Historical Society was held on December 11, 1973, at Glebe House at 4 p.m. Present were Messrs. Hamersley, R. Van Kleeck, P. Van Kleeck, Kelley, Averill, Buck, F. Butts, Roig, Breed, Jenner, and Mrs. Hoe. The minutes of the last meeting were .read and approved.

Mr. P. VanKleeck gave the treasurer's report, a copy of which is a part of these minutes. He said that the unpaid members of . the Society had been sent second notices. He also stated that a review had been made of the portfolio of the Society, and that it was felt that there was no need to make any changes at this time. He stated that he was resigning as of March 1, due to a lack of time.

Mr. Roig stated that he had had a talk with Joyce Ceroni, and she is amenable to assisting the secretary and the treasurer with some of the tasks that she performed when she was in the employ of Frank Mylod.

Mr. Hamersley reported that he had reviewed the bill for this year's Year Book, since the cost was considerably higher than last year. He stated that the cost of paper has increased tremendously, by as much as 300%, labor costs by 7%. Other costs, such as those of plates, film, and increased size of the book, explain why the bill is so much higher this year. There followed a discussion about whether or not to guarantee postage on Year Books that are returned. It was also brought out that under the present policy anyone paying dues in 1972 is entitled to a 1973 Year Book. Thus, sometimes there is a lapse of 20 months from the time a member joins until the Year Book is sent out, and the difficulty of keeping the membership list up-to-date results in many books being returned. Mr. Averill made a motion that the Year Book be sent only to those active members as of the date of mailing. The motion passed. A motion was also passed that the bills for the Year Books be paid.

Mr. Roig said that he felt the cost of printing the Year Book should be brought up at the Annual Meeting, since the $2200 allocated for next year will not cover the cost. Discussion followed about concentrating on a membership drive. Mr. Roig suggested that Mr. Butts mention a membership drive in the letter about the spring pilgrimage. Mr. Buck suggested contacting the newspaper about an article in the newspaper, and Mr. Hamersley will check with the Sunday editor relative to such an article. Mr. Roig asked where the new membership forms were, and Mrs. Smith is to be called about them.

Mr. Jenner asked about his friend's work on the early railroads of Dutchess County. Mr. Roig said Mr. James Lumb is proofreading it and that it will be made part of next year's Year Book. Mr. Hamersley is interested in getting an article about the Garfield Place dedication for next year's Year Book, since he already has pictures. Mr. Jenner is to see if he can find someone to do an article.

Mr. Butts reported that the Stanfordville Society will host the spring pilgrimage, and will make all the arrangements. Mr. Butts will investigate the hiring of buses.

19

Mr. Van Kleeck reported that Glebe House had been open for tea on December 1 and 2 for its annual event, with the Society and the Junior League being joint hosts. Attendance was not as good as last year, and it was felt that the publicity was not as good as previously.

Mr. Jenner reported on the progress of the Civic Center project. Mr. Balch indicated that our Cary money is still committed to the old City Hall, although Mr. Roig says we are relieved of that commitment now.

Mr. Balch says that there is still a possibility that the old City Hall will survive. Mr. Roig talked with Mr. McEnroe about what he would like us to do so far as a contribution to the Civic Center project. He said Mr. McEnroe tentatively mentioned a figure of $10,000. Mr. Roig will get together with Mr. McEnroe for further discussion, and to find out what our commitment would be so far as upkeep of a museum afterwards. A resolution was passed unanimously that since we have been relieved of our commitment to the City Hall that Mr. Roig be supported_ in his dealing with Mr. McEnroe. Mr. Roig mentioned that at the next monthly meeting there can be some discussion of what we would have in our museum.

Mr. Roig read a letter from Landmarks, thanking us for space on the second floor of Glebe House for an office, and asking that they be permitted to continue with this arrangement on a month to month basis.

Mr. Roig reported that a resolution is being drawn up to form a Glebe House Committee as a separate committee. This is being done for legal purposes, although in actuality it will not change the association of the Historical Society and the Junior League. The League will pay us rent, and Glebe House will be maintained by the Historical Society and the Glebe House committee jointly.

The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted, Marilyn Hoe„ Secretary Vice Presidents Representing towns and cities Mrs. Catherine Flint Leigh Town of Amenia Mrs. Irving Picard City of Beacon Mrs. F. Philip Hoag Town of Beekman Town of Clinton Miss Helena Van Vliet Town of Dover Thomas Boyce Town of East Fishkill Mrs. Charles Boos Town of Fishkill Felix Scardapane Town of Hyde Park Miss Beatrice Fredericksen Town of LaGrange Miss Hazel Skidmore Mrs. John Losee Town of Milan Walter W. Davis Town of North East Mrs. Fred Daniels Town of Pawling Mrs. William B. Jordan Town of Pine Plains Mrs. Calvin Case Town of Pleasant Valley Miss Annette I. Young Town of Poughkeepsie Hubert C. Spross City of Poughkeepsie Stanley Willig Town of Stanford Mrs. Donald E. Norton Town of Red Hook DeWitt Gurnell Town of Rhinebeck Mrs. Ronald F. Bogle Town of Wappingers Miss Louise H. Tompkins Town of Washington Mrs. John Geisler Town of Unionvale 20

TREASURER'S REPORT Balance—December 31, 1972 Receipts Dues Wells Fund Transfer Adams Fund Transfer General Fund Transfer

S

42.43

$ 1,761.00 11,775.55 1,753.76 1,000.00 16,290.31

16,290.31 16,332.74

Disbursements Glebe House Maintenance Gleb.e House —Purchase Furniture. . .

Year Book Postage Fees Box Rents Dues Office Supplies Meetings Donations Internal Revenue (1971 Assessment) . .

Internal Revenue (1972 Assessment) . .

Accounting Petty Cash Bookbinding Miscellaneous

1,600.00 7,661.38 3,262.40 30.00 250.00 26.90 109.50 185.38 232.17 1,000.00 376.81 381.04 688.00 10.00 68.20 122.24 $16,004.02

Balance —December 31. 1973

16,004.02 S

21

328.72

GENERAL FUND $ 2,131.70

Balance —December 31, 1972 (Savings Account) Receipts Interest Junior League Poughkeepsie

$ 131.07 1,100.00 1,231.07

1,231.07 3,362.77

Disbursements Transfer to checking account

$1,000.00

1,000.00 $ 2,362.77

Balance —December 31, 1973

HELEN WILKINSON REYNOLDS FUND (Publications) Balance —December 31, 1972 (Savings Accounts) Receipts Interest Sale of Publications

$15,875.75

$1,001.14 326.75 $1,327.89

Balance —December 31, 1973

1,327.89 $17,203.64

22

WILLIAM PLATT ADAMS FUND (Interest for Glebe House Support) $ 25,022.18

Balance —December 31, 1972 (Bonds at Investment Value) Receipts Interest

$ 1,753.76

1,753.76 26,775.94

Disbursements Transfer to checking account

5 1,753.76

1,753.76

5 25,022.18

Balance —December 31, 1973

WELLS FUND (General Purposes) Balance —December 31, 1972 (Bonds, stocks at investment value, savings account) Receipts Interest and Dividends Donations

$110,606.64

5

7,211.28 427.00 7,638.28

7,638.28 118,244.92

Disbursements Transfer to checking account Transfer Glebe House Furniture Balance —December 31, 1973

4,275.55 7,500.00 11,775.55

11,775.55 $106,469.37

23

PRESIDENT'S REPORT The Society will he interested to know that Edwin A. Ulrich offered to donate to the Society his unusual and very valuable collection of seascapes and rare impressionistic paintings by Frederick Judd Waugh, as well as his estate on the Hudson River north of Hyde Park. Proposed was a center for the display of the paintings, facilities for revolving exhibits, our permanent collections and a DCHS headquarters. This was contingent on our producing an approximately $400,000 building fund. After exploring every apparent means, we determined regretfully that the project was economically unfeasible. Mr. Ulrich recently donated his collection to Wichita State University in Kansas.

You will note on following pages that the Glebe House Committee of the Junior League and John Jenner and his Auction Committee have applied, as have the Trustees, strong efforts toward completing the Glebe House refurbishing program without having the Society incur the cost of borrowing. We realize now that our funding resources need the support of the membership for contributions of either furnishings or money.

There is a formal Master Plan under the guidance of John Jenner and Mary Partridge and those interested are urged to contact them about specific needs.

Finances are a high order of business this year. The Trustees have been considering how we can continue to underwrite annual Pilgrimages and Year Books without creating deficits as has been recent experience. We conclude that there are several possibly corrective courses, some or all of which may be needed. They are: 1) Restructuring the dues schedule, 2) Increasing the dues, 3) Requiring self liquidating Pilgrimages, 4) Substantially increasing the size of the membership, perhaps doubling it.

The subject is under active consideration and I would appreciate members' suggestions.

I am glad to announce a plan, depending on successful completion of the Mid-Hudson Civic Center complex in Poughkeepsie, to create museum, storage and office space on the third floor of the present Vassar Brothers' Home for Aged Men which is due to be transformed into the Cunneen-Hackett Cultural Center. This would give the Society its own home and would free for the use of Adriance Memorial Library the space we are now fortunate to have there.

As you can see by the lists of new members in the Secretary's Minutes and by the foregoing account, we are an active, expanding organization, not without challenges, but equally not without interesting potential for the future.

Herbert S. Roig President

24

GLEBE HOUSE REPORT The Glebe House Committee is bustling with plans for the Bicentennial.

The Future Planning Committee is drawing up plans for the redecoration of each room.

Along with the Planning Committee our regular committee has been very active. In September we discussed the ideas for an Auction, and with the help and hard work of a few members, items from League Members, Historical Society Members and a few pieces from Glebe House were included in a general auction held by Cal and Bob Smith in Pleasant Valley on January 26, 1974. Well over $3000 was realized.

Our Annual Open House was held on December 1 and 2. A bake sale by the Provisionals proved successful as always.

A Resolution was drawn up jointly by members of the Junior League and Historical Society whereas all financial reporting for the Glebe House shall be done by the Dutchess County Historical Society. This will make it less complicated for our League Treasurer.

An Appreciation Dinner was held at Glebe House for the "City Fathers" on March 20, 1974. The Mayor and many of the Aldermen attended.

Many plans are in progress for the Bicentennial and with the enthusiasm of the entire Glebe House Committee the future looks exciting.

Joan Kilmer, Chairman GLEBE HOUSE COMMITTEE 1973-74 Mrs. Peter Killmer, Chairman Mrs. Dennis Arnold Mrs. Joseph Butler Mrs. Vincent Dean Mrs. Richard Gustafson Mrs. Warren Hall Mr. John Jenner Mrs. Melvin Landis Mrs. David Page Mrs. Margaret Partridge Mrs. Owen Potter Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Roig Mrs. C. B. Schmidt II Miss Rose Marie Southworth Mrs. Richard Strain Mrs. Herbert Van Benthuysen Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Van Kleeck PROVISIONALS Mrs. Peter D'Luhosch Mrs. James Ricketts

25

CURATOR'S REPORT A big activity this past year has been helping ioeople trace their families.

I received and responded to 105 inquiries which came from 26 states, Canada and India. Starting from nearly no information in most cases, this kind of research takes a great deal of concentration and time. If anyone is interested in genealogical research, I would welcome their assistance and will call them for help if they would give me their phone numbers.

Those who wish to complete their sets of Year Books should know that the library of the Society includes many such books from previous years, as well as other books noted on page 2. Last year we sold 100 Year Books at $2.00 and 14 other books for various amounts.

The Society's holdings are at your disposal and we welcome any members who wish to use the material stored on the third floor of the Adriance Memorial Library.

(Mrs.) Wilhelmina Powers Curator

26

IN BRIEF You have noted by now that while the color of the cover of the 1972 Year Book was a mild departure from the past — gray to blue, this year's color of yellow represents a radical change. It was suggested by Louise Tompkins, Historian for the Town of Washington. Specifically, she praised the blue and requested that it be followed by yellow and a different color each year thereafter for ease in locating specific editions in a solidly packed book case. The Board felt this to be an excellent idea and thought that it might be orderly for the future to settle on five colors to be repeated in a regular cycle. We have used blue and yellow and are considering other "county" colors such as orange, green and earthen. We would be glad to consider members' reactions and suggestions. *

*

*

The Society plans a special publication for 1976 to reflect Dutchess County during the period of the revolution. Contributions on military or other activities of that time will be gratefully received at the Society's Poughkeepsie Post Office Box #88, N.Y. 12602 *

*

We record with sorrow the death of Mrs. Amy Vernooy who had been editor of the Year Book and active in the Society for many years. For the interest of all, the obituary article of the Poughkeepsie Journal is reproduced on page 28 * * * This Year Book contains less than half the number of articles printed in the 1972 Edition. This does not reflect on the response of contributors; on the contrary, we have articles to spare and to enjoy in the future.

However, we are adding printed words to the other items everyone is currently trying to conserve. The cost of producing the Year Book has risen threefold in about two years and one answer is to discipline the size of the publication. *

*

*

The Editor is grateful to the contributing authors and wishes to pay his respects to the painstaking research obviously required to assemble some of their work.

L. Gordon Hamersley Jr. Editor

27

From the Poughkeepsie Journal of July 26, 1973, and reprinted with appreciation to the newspaper.

Mrs. Amy VerNooy, of 15 Hammersley Ave., died July 12 in a hospital in Tulsa, Okla.

Graveside services are scheduled Friday at 11 a.m. at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. The Rev. Gordon L. Kidd will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schoonmaker Chapel Inc., 73 S. Hamilton St. Mrs. VerNooy, a well-known historian, had been editor of the Yearbook of the Dutchess County Historical Society for many years.

She frequently visited President Roosevelt at Hyde Park and aided in the compilation of data concerning the Dutchess County history. Mrs. VerNooy assisted Dr. Henry Noble MacCracken and Miss Helen Wilkinson Reynolds with their publication of the history of the county.

She also assisted with the compilation of the records of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, and contributed many articles to magazines and historical societies.

For many years, Mrs. VerNooy had been the official Dutchess County historian, appointed by the then Board of Supervisors. In 1958, she retired as history librarian .and assistant director of the Adriance Memorial Library, where she had been associated since 1927.

A native of the Town of Poughkeepsie, she was the daughter of George T. and Sarah Jane (Burton) Pearce. She attended the former Eastman Business College and took courses at Simmons College.

Mrs. VerNooy was a member of the New York Library Association, New York State Historical Society, the Hyde Park and East Fishkill historical societies, Antique Study Club and Christ Church. She also was a former secretary and trustee of the Dutchess County Historical Society.

Surviving Mrs. VerNooy are her son, Burton VerNooy, Tulsa; two granddaughters and a great granddaughter; two brothers, Allan Pearce, Pine Plains, and Kenneth E. Pearce, Poughkeepsie; two sisters, Miss Edith Pearce, Poughkeepsie, and Mrs. Charles A. Speidel, Albany, four nieces and two nephews.

28

MILAN'S IMMIGRATIONS, OLD AND NEW

by Barbara Thompson

Local history for many begins and ends with the founding of our churches, sawmills, schools and the development of the hamlets with their accompanying P.O.; all usually organized or financed by the "mainline" families who immigrated to Milan over 170 years ago. We get so hung up on the eras (Revolution and before), easily romanticized that we isolate them, giving origins and ends, tending to ignore the fact that our local history is the result of men's actions in many areas of the world over periods of decades.

The time was 1789. It was a period of extensive agricultural development following the Revolution. Charles Near (Neher) purchased 130 acres of land on the line between Milan and Red Hook. In later years he expanded the acreage and the farm was inherited by his son George who worked it until he died in 1813. The land was divided into lots between the heirs and sold out of the family. Most of it went to a John Wilson who for lack of a better name, was a wealthy landowner and land speculator.

One of Milan's mainline sons, Daniel G. Cookingham (Kuckenheim) bought five of the dispersed lots of the Near farm in 1836. His family held the farm until 1853 when it was sold to a Benjamin Brothwell.

Less than ten years later it was transferred to another land broker and resold to David Coopernail. The Coopernail family had owned a farm about a half mile away on Saw Mill Road. The time was 1882. Coopernails and Cookinghams had been in Milan almost 100 years but events over which they had no control were making their way of life obsolete.

Coopernail farmed his 151 acres for almost twenty years but by the time of his death in 1882 and his son Philip having sold the farm, the old guard had changed.

The days when a man could sustain himself and his family by general farming in Dutchess were ebbing. The swing of population from the rural areas to the cities, centers of increasing industrialization, was beginning to show serious effects. What was more obvious to men like Philip Coopernail was that it took more cash to operate a farm in 1882 than it had even twenty years before. Much of the land was marginal to begin with. Increasing dependence on machinery meant the need for more cash and the credit- terms available were hardly favorable to the farmer. His supply store usually granted him credit until the next harvest. If the prices were low then, it was the farmer who lost and the store owner who gained. You couldn't barter butter for reapers and rakes. To make matters worse, a general depression followed the Panic of 1873 and farm prices didn't recover in the following upswing; competition was too stiff from the western growers, especially when they were favored by advantageous railroad rates. Small wonder that Philip Coopernail sold the farm.

29

This time the old place went to an absentee landlord from Columbia County and then to another and finally in 1899 it was taken over by the bank. For a period of seventeen years between 1882 and 1909 it was leased by its owners to tenants. And for seventeen years plus, the land was soil mined for everything that could be gained from it. Tenant farmers had no patience with the new fangled ideas of conservation put forth by the newly established agricultural extension groups; the three year average tenures made such plans unprofitable. So the landlords, what remained of the "mainline," and the tenants bewailed the bad times, the new depressions and the increasing number of vacant farms in the area.

A new vitality was coming and the way had been slowly prepared, ° even without notice. The time was 1900. Efforts by the railroads and others were accelerated to develop the far western lands that were now open. The impact of full industrialization was just being realized.

Railroads were king and their agents and those of the new industrial barons went searching for settlers and laborers. They succeeded far beyond their dreams when their salesmanship brough 13 million people to the United States between the years 1900 and 1913. History books tell about the numbers of immigrants and give graphs of points of origin, but they don't tell the stories of the men and women.

Like the families of Zic (Zich, Zitz) who lived on an island in the Adriatic off the coast of Yugoslavia. They were farm families who raised grapes and olives on the mountainous island. They were large families with many sons and not enough land to go around. Hearing of the opportunities in America, 17 young men came from that island, arrived in New York City with very little money, no English, but possessed of strong backs and dreams that were more real to them than life. They settled in a Slovenian neighborhood in New York City and got jobs as longshoremen.

It wasn't very long before they learned the new language, got smarter, so to speak, saved their earnings and began to think about something better than the docks. It was about this time that Charlie Riddleburg, who had a farm on Battenfeld Road, met up with the young Slays. He used to ride the dayliner down to the city fairly often and somehow the aquaintance was made; he listened to them and told them about the old farms in his town. Shortly afterwards he brought two of them to Milan, Peter Zic and George Zitz. They went into partnership and bought the Nick Orhlich farm whose mortgage was held by the Shelleys.

In 1909 the partnership ended when George married Frances Meckolic (she had come from Yugoslavia in 1902) and bought the Coopernail farm over the hill.

The house that George Zitz, Sr., brought his new wife to was no humble farmhouse. It is not the usual 1 'A story, but a full two-story frame, similar in style to those of the Rowes and Ferrises, including the Palladian window in front, decorative dentils around the eaves and

30

pilastered windows. Its individuality lies in the fact that it is extremely narrow, only one room on either side of the center hallway. There were fireplaces in each room, and Adam style mantels downstairs. At one time there were paneling and chair rails in all the rooms, but the years of tenancy in the late 1900's have disguised much of its detail.

The Zitz, Zic, and Zich families were a part of the tremendous immigration story as were the Juranics, Odaks, Babiches and Orlichs.

They came and revitalized a whole area, tenaciously pulling the farms together, rebuilding the land and adapting themselves quickly to new methods and specialization. They turned to dairying and were all charter members of the Orchard Valley Dairymen's Co-Op. Association when it was formed in 1921 and have served as officers and members of the board ever since.

31

7.

r _-

-14c-

32

._.-- ...e-

MILAN PATHMASTERS AND OTHER THINGS

by Barbara Thompson

In the earlier days most of the main roads in Dutchess County ran east to west, the river being the north-south artery. In the Northern part of the county, the eastern departure point for the Barrytown and Rhinebeck landings was Salisbury, Conn. Milan had two roads and part of a third that were called the "Salisbury Road." Strictly speaking, the first was the Pike and so it remains today.

Early deeds refer to Academy Hill Road as the "Salisbury Road" and 1771 deeds and leases refer to County Road 56 or Turkey Hill as the Salisbury Road. In 1855 it was known as the Ancram Road and by 1900 it became the Cokertown Road.

Funny thing about names of roads in country towns, they will have one name at one end and another at the opposite end. But it made perfect sense to the folks who lived here. A road in those days went to a specific place or someone's house. Thus the South end of one road is Shookville Road because that was the first important place on it; the North end is known as Zitz Road as that was the first farm coming from that direction. The eastern end of County Road 56 is called Turkey Hill from the Clinton Gallagher farm on down to Jackson Corners for the earlier area farmers who raised turkeys. The Western end of the road, near the bridge is the Cokertown Road.

What is surprising (to this newcomer) is that all the town roads in Milan were still dirt as late as the early 1950's and it wasn't until about 1956 that oil and stone were used to top them.

The system of working the roads was quite different years ago. The election of a highway commissioner was the same, but the town board divided the roads into workable sections. In 1876 there were 53 road districts. The Highway Commissioner appointed overseers or pathmasters for each district who was responsible for maintainance of the roads and bridges in summer, hired the labor, kept a record of hours and cleared the roads of "obstacles" caused by snow in the winter. Each landowner was assessed a certain amount of days to work, probably in proportion to his acreage. One of his responsibilities was to keep the brush cleared from the waysides.

In November of 1901, the Town Board met to decide if the present system of overseers should be changed over to the "money system pursuant to Sections 50, 51, and 53 of the highway laws." The vote for yes was 95 and the no's had it at 109. It wasn't until 1906 that the system was changed and citizens were taxed for the maintenance of highways.

However, during the winter months the old system prevailed. Roads were shoveled at 100 an hour per man. The overseer would start out with his team and sleigh, breaking a narrow track, picking up the men in his district as he went along. The road was shoveled just wide enough for a team and enough snow left, usually about a shovel's depth, for a

33

sleigh. The track didn't always follow the bends in the road, especially in a spot like the crook in Battenfeld Road where the snow drifted down into the hollow. The track was taken across the field, fairly straight, coming back to the road about a half mile away. (The roads were probably straighter in the winter than they were in the spring.) They were a lot easier to travel at any rate. When automobiles became more common, it was still the horse and sleigh that carried the load in winter, while the car was put away in the barn.

Springtime was another story. When you travel the roads now and complain about potholes in the pavement and ripples where it has been heaved by frost, think what it was when sink holes could be twenty feet long and a foot and a half deep. Notice the absence of the stone walls lining some of these areas. They were thrown into the bottom of the road and remain today.

The first road machine bought by the town was in 1888 on a motion

by Ezra Morehouse. The Town Minutes don't say what kind it was or how much it cost, but it was probably a rut scraper. The highway crews only worked about eight months of the year. They were finished by the first of December. Most of the work was rebuilding and repairing the wooden bridges throughout the town. Total disbursements for the year 1884 in the Highway Account was $1064.36.

As late as ten years ago 5,000 feet of planking was ordered every spring to rebuild and repair the wooden bridges. The planks and timbers rotted and stone abutments had to be replaced. Some of the small courses of water that cross the roads were channeled between two very low rock walls under the road with flat stones laying across the top.

These "bridges" can still be seen up on the abandoned part of Mitchell Lane. On the roads now in use, pipe has been laid between the rock.

The last big wooden bridge to be replaced by a steel culvert was the one on Rowe Lane near the site of the old Bromiley house just three years ago.

There are undoubtedly many tales spun about the old roads; wintertime packing snow instead of plowing or the use of a two horse plow attached to the side of a bob sled as the first "snow blower" but the best one is the story of Spook Bridge.

Down between the high rock cliffs, roofed and shadowed by ancient hemlocks on Zitz Road between Turkey Hill Road and the Zitz Farm lay an old wooden bridge deep in the hollow. A half mile in the lonely woods away from any house, an old woman used to spend mornings doing laundry in the clear stream under the bridge. She was a common sight and known to all. Then one day, she was no more, having gone to her reward. Soon afterwards a resident of the community was passing through late one misty night. As the team trod over the bridge and the sounds of hoofs and wheels echoed up among the cliffs, the old woman appeared by the bank with her basket in her arms. From that time on the name was handed down from one generation to the next and I would guess that it was a fully lathered team that made it home that shrouded night.

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THE PALATINES

by Wilhelmina B. Powers

The doors of the Palatinate seemed to be set wide open and through them poured for forty years an almost continous stream of emigrants, their faces set steadfastly towards America. There was nothing else like it in the Colonial period for numbers and steadiness of inflow. Nearly 3,000 of these people landed in New York in June and July 1710. Their number was inconsiderable compared with the enormous crowds who have come to America in our day, but at the beginning of the 18th century such an influx was notable indeed. The communities set to questioning the meaning of such an immigration. Where did they come from? Why in such great numbers? What shall be done with them? How can they be provided for?

The questions were many. There was even the question as to the wisdom of introducing so large a foreign element into these English colonies.

In those days travel by land or sea was difficult and with many hardships.

The voyage across the Atlantic took 3-5 months and was made in ships devoid of all the comforts which the modern traveler considers necessities.

The name Palatinate, as a political division, disappeared from the map of Europe at the end of the 18th century. The boundaries were changeable with the shifting fortunes of diplomacy and war. Situated between France and Germany, its soil was the frequent path of armies and field of battle.

Every great city on the Rhine above Cologne was taken and sacked.

Villages without number were given to the flames and many innocent inhabitants perished. The crumbling castles fell to ruin, the isolated towers, ivy covered, which today interest the traveler on the Rhine, are the marks of the wrath of Louis, and the rapacity of his army.

There were, in fact, two Palatinates. The Upper or Bavarian Palatinate and the Lower or the Palatinate of the Rhine. It is the latter one with which this story is concerned. Its lands lay on both sides of the Rhine, containing about 3500 square miles.

The origin of the name Palatinate is notable. The ruler of a Palatinate did not receive his title from the land he governed but his title gave the name to his dominions. For many years all Germans coming to this country, whether from the Palatinate or other provinces, were called Palatines.

In addition to this experience of affliction in the Palatinate which was the expelling cause of the migration, there were other elements of the story which gave it a singular interest and a unique place in Colonial annals. Perhaps never were a people the object of such kindly treatment and such lavish generosity as the first few thousands of the Palatines who were received into the hands of the English. That chapter is unexampled in history. Equally enexampled is the story of the privation, distress, fraud and cruel disappointment to which was subjected that large immigration to New York in 1710.

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This is a strange statement descriptive of any community in the Colonial period. Of that period the popular conception is that the oppressed of the old world found without fail an unrestrained freedom on American shores. It is the unlikeness of this description to the early fate of these Palatines in New York which makes their experience during the first decade and a half so remarkable an episode in the history of the Colonies.

As to the permanent influence of this Palatine immigration, it goes without saying that it was impossible for such sturdiness of stock, such patient and firm persistence in the right, such capacity for endurance and such buoyancy of hope, together with such addiction to religion, to be absorbed into American life without a deep impress on the character of later generations.

They brought quality of industry, thrift, steadiness and piety to Pennsylvania and made it one of the most flourishing colonies in British America. In like manner a similar monument is left in New York in many towns in the Hudson and Mohawk valleys and on the banks of the Schoharie, where are still found many names of families in direct descent of that early immigration of Palatines.

There is no record of the starting of these people from their homes on the Rhine. Indeed this was impossible, for their beginnings in the Palatinate had to be in quietness and stealth. The Elector Palatine was determined not to lose any of his subjects and made vigorous protests against their emigration. Among other deterrents, he published an edict threatening death to all who should attempt to leave his domains.

There is a tale that a small group arrived in New Jersey as early as 1707. In 1708, a group of 45 arrived in London and asked the Board of Trade to send them to America. They were provided passage and sent to "Hudson's River where they can be made useful in the production of Naval Stores and as a frontier against the French and Indians". It was further provided that "they be transported in the Man-of-War and Transport ships to go with Lord Lovelace" who had been recently appointed Governor of New York, that they "should be supplied with necessary tools of agriculture and must be supported for awhile by the Queen's bounty. . . and she would be able to grant the usual number of acres" which was 40 acres.

Naval Stores meant pine trees for masts of ships and tar and pitch and the raising of hemp to be sent to England. The idea of Naval Stores never worked out satisfactorily in the Hudson Valley because although there were many pine trees here, they were the wrong kind. They were white pine and did not produce enough pitch to make the project pay.

Another problem was that the people who were delegated to teach the Palatines how to extract the sap either did not understand the process themselves or did not instruct them properly. At any rate the whole plan fell through.

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The Palatines were first sent to Livingston Manor where they were given neither tools nor money nor land. They had to build huts and keep warm over the winter the best they could. If it had not been for Governor Robert Hunter they would have frozen and starved to death. He financed the Palatines from his own pocket. When he went to England to be reimbursed by the Government it ignored him.

The Palatines dwelt on the thought of going to the lands on the Schoharie which "the Queen had given them" and considered that any action was oppressive which hindered entrance into that land. They looked upon their detention on Livingston Manor as a virtual bondage and their obligation to work under the orders of the authorities as little short of slavery. This feeling was intensified by the treatment received from the Governor's agents who carried themselves as masters among serfs, an attitude not easily tolerable by men who had resisted oppression and tyranny in the old world, and for the sake of freedom, had come to the new.

These Palatines were mainly Lutherans and Calvinists. There were very few Roman Catholics. They were settled in five villages on the east shore of the Hudson and two on the west. The ones on the east shore were eventually absorbed in the present town of Germantown and those on the west shore were absorbed into Saugerties. Two names that still survive —both in Ulster County —are West Camp and Kaatsban. The old stone church in Kaatsban, built in 1732, has bequeathed to its successor of the present day its rear wall, a standing witness to the settlement and piety of the Palatines.

Beside these, another settlement, Rhinebeck, on the east shore, owes its origin to Palatines who, after breaking up East Camp, looked a little southward for their homes. Rhinebeck was part of the Beekman Patent and was originally called Ryn-Beek and later variously spelled Reinebaik, Rhynebeek, and finally Rhinebeck. These Palatines were called "High Dutchers" while the Hollanders were designated as "Low Dutchers." The lands laid out for them lay north of Hog Bridge at Pink's Corner.

The first church in Rhinebeck was the High Dutch Reformed Church which until 1800 stood on the Post Road north of the village at Pink's Corner. It was founded by the German Palatines as early as 1715. They were both Lutherans and Calvinists and built the first church together and remained joint owners until 1729 when they thought it best that they separate and each have a church to themselves. The Lutherans sold out to the Reformed part in December, 1729, receiving for their interest in the church four acres of land and 25 pounds current money of New York.

After the separation, the Lutherans asked Gilbert Livingston for a piece of land for a church and cemetery. He gave them 5 acres of land in 1729.

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The Wurtenburgh Lutheran church had a little different history. Two farmers residing in the part of the precinct of Rhinebeck called at that time "Whitabergerland" asked Henry Beekman for some land on which to build a church and bury their dead. Mr. Beekman agreed willingly and gave them 19 3/4 acres September 2, 1774.

To construct a church in those days required a government license and a special charter was needed to collect subscriptions for the erection of a church edifice. The new church was erected in 1802 and in 1807 the church sold the 19 3/4 acres to help pay for the new church.

It was thoroughly repaired in 1832 and in 1861 it was enlarged and remodeled and was put in the shape and condition in which it is found today. It was not until 1807 that the name St. Paul's Lutheran Church was used officially. Before that date it was referred to in deeds and other official papers as the "Protestant church. . . erected on . . . Whitaberger land".

Thousands of Palatines came to America the first 20 years of the 18th century. They settled in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. There is little doubt that the change of direction on the part of a group that came in 1717 from New York to Pennsylvania was due to the report of tribulations sent home by the Palatines of Livingston Manor and Schoharie. The treatment they had received, the harsh service and the unrelenting persistence which denied them a foothold, convinced the newcomers that New York would not afford them hospitable welcome or happy homes. So they accepted the invitation sent to the oppressed in Europe, thirty years before by William Penn.

Notwithstanding the alarm at first felt in the province because of so great an importation of foreigners, the value of it to the community was not long in coming in an official statement. In 1738 Lieutenant Governor Thomas (of Pennsylvania) making an address to the Council said the following: "This Province has been for some years the asylum of the distressed Protestants of the Palatinate and other parts of Germany, and I believe it may with truth be said, that the present flourishing condition of it is in a great measure owing to the Industry of these people; and should any discouragement divert them from coming thither, it may well be apprehended that the value of your lands will fall, and your advance to wealth be much slower".

By their steadiness, industry, frugality, religious habits and patriotic devotion to their new country, they not only established their own prosperity, but also won their way to the regard of the province.

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The story of these Palatine folk in Pennsylvania and New York is in itself evidence that, when they came over the sea, they brought with them qualities and virtues which any land might be glad to welcome, and that, like men of other stock — Puritans, Dutch, Huguenot — they conferred upon their new country blessings which it could not afford to lose.

References: Cobb, Sanford H. Story of the Palatines, N.Y. Putnam, 1897 Smith, Edward M. Documentary History of Rhinebeck, in Dutchess County, N Y. Rhinebeck, 1881 Pennsylvania Colonial Records Vol. 3 p. 315

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THE VOYAGE

by Robert Pierce

A document of 1709, relating to the Palatines, in the British Records Office, says of Zacharius Flegler that he was a carpenter, that he was a Lutheran, and that his age was thirty six. Under what conditions he and his family lived while in London, how they fared, and what hardships they endured are matters which must be left to speculation and probably will never be known with certainty. Let it suffice that, hopefully, their sojourn in the English capital was no worse than that of their fellow exiles, whose miserable existence at best is almost without parallel in history, although alleviated to some degree by a beneficent monarch and a populace largely sympathetic to their plight.

The Reverend Sanford Cobb in his Story of the Palatines writes: "Perhaps never were a people the objects of such kindly treatment and so lavish generosity as the Palatines experienced at the hands of the English; the Queen and her subjects vying in the effort to provide for their necessities. Hordes of men, women, and children thronged the streets of London, most of them without a penny to pay for food and lodging and many in rags and tatters. The city was entirely unprovided with ready means to meet the demands thrust upon it by the teeming Palatines."

Nevertheless, the people of London (not all of them, in truth, happy at this foreign invasion) did the best they could to relieve the immediate needs of the distressed mendicants. One thousand tents, taken from army stores, gave shelter to great numbers. Fourteen hundred were lodged for months in the warehouses of Sir Charles Cox. Many occupied barns, and others found lodgement in empty dwellings, often twenty to thirty men, women, and children housed in one small room. A few, possessing the means, obtained quarters in hostels and inns. The Queen gave of her own purse, allowed each person ninepence a day for subsistence, and issued calls throughout the kingdom for the collection of alms. It is estimated that sums expended for the support of the Palatines before their departure for America exceeded the enormous sum of 135,000 pounds.

In any event, Lord Macaulay in his History of England pays tribute to these homeless, indigent, and careworn refugees from the Rhineland with the comment that they were "honest, laborious men, who had once been thriving burghers of Manheim and Heidelberg, or who had cultivated the vine of the banks of the Neckar and Rhine. Their ingenuity and their diligence could not fail to enrich any land which should afford them an asylum."

The woman who at the age of thirty-seven inherited the throne of England deserves attention in this narrative. Anne Stuart, the daughter of the deposed James the Second, became Queen-Regnant of Great

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Britain and Ireland in 1702 after the death of William of Orange, joint sovereign with Mary the Second, the elder daughter of James. In the perspective of history Anne appears to have been a woman unexceptional in character, totally bereft of ambition, and not particularly cultured. Jonathan Swift said of her that she was a person of few words and of still fewer ideas, and that her usual theme of conversation concerned observations about local weather conditions. But then, Swift, as the foremost satirist of his day, was somewhat addicted to the use of hyperbole.

Anne's life was never for long free of personal miseries and public predicaments. She ruled the land for twelve years, dying at the age of forty-nine. Agnes Strickland in her Lives of the Queens of England says of her that "She was infirm and unwieldy in person from a complication of dropsical maladies." She married Prince George of Denmark, a consort described as unassuming, morose, and as having no interest in politics, being obsessed with the pursuit of horticulture, of exotic foods and the bottle. By him she conceived eighteen children, of whom only five were live-born, and all, save one, died in infancy. A son, Prince William (1689-1700), the Duke of Gloucester, survived to the age of eleven years and six days.

The people of England called her their "good Queen Anne" for her admirable domestic qualities, perhaps for her fecundity, for her success in annexing Scotland, for her kindness to the working classes, and possibly for her dislike of seeing men employed in household positions which those of her own sex could perform with greater dexterity and effectiveness.

It is said that Her Majesty had a soul that nothing could so readily move as flattery or fear. Characteristic of her nature was her quixotic attachment for her friend and subject Sarah Jennings, the Duchess of Marlborough. This petulant and troublesome woman, as First Lady of the Bedchamber, exerted an influence on the feeble mind of Anne, first as Princess and later as Queen, which found expression for twenty years in a mass of correspondence between the two women in which the Queen referred to herself, childishly, as "Mrs Morley," and the Duchess used the equally frivolous pseudonym of "Mrs Freeman." More impressed by what appealed to the emotions than that addressed to reason, Anne indulged a romantic fondness for her friend Sarah to the detriment of filial duty to her father, the King, an ardent adherent to the Church of Rome. The idolatrous affection for the Duchess, herself a Protestant, at length prevailed, and Anne became, as Queen, an important partisan of the Protestant League in continental Europe of which William of Orange was the leader.

Sarah Jennings in the days when Anne was a girl had ingratiated herself with the young Princess by resorting first to servility and flattery and then in later years, when Anne reached the throne, to the introduction of fear in Her Majesty's mind by hints of dire consequences to the

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stability of the kingdom if honors and favors were withheld from her warrior-husband, Sir John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough. The haughty and defiant Duchess intimated that failure to celebrate his victories on the battlefields of Blenheim, Ramillies, and Oudenarde might incur public resentment and perhaps foment open hostility toward the Crown. The timorous Anne, accordingly, saw fit to humor the ecstasy of a grateful and proud people at the triumphant return of their national hero by authorizing the erection of a costly and magnificent residence, presently known as Blenheim Palace, the abode now and for over two-hundred years of the Churchill family.

As time passed; the already strained relationship between the Queen and the Duchess resulted in a complete severance of their friendship.

Aiding and abetting the breakup were factional jealousies and party intrigues which undermined the Duke's position and popularity at home and abroad. The Duchess, sharing her husband's political decline, was dismissed from her offices in the royal household; and until her death in 1744, lived in relative obscurity amid the grandeurs of Blenheim, cut off from court and Queen.

In summary, whatever else may be said of Anne Stuart's character, she was generous to favorites and hospitable to strangers. Of these qualities, Blenheim is an example of the first, and her reception of German refugees an example of the second.

As for the stranded Palatines in London the inevitable question arose as to the disposition of what Conrad Weiser, himself one of their number, called "an immense slide of humanity washed along the shores of England" — estimated to be in excess of thirty-thousand souls. Among the Palatines themselves there was no definite plan for ultimate settlement anywhere, altho for many, America seemed to be the land of promise and the object of their desires. Of the many ideas suggested, some are worthy of notice.

One was for a parcelling out of the migrants in small companies to various districts in England; but a committee headed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord High Chancellor deemed the scheme impracticable because of restrictions imposed by local parish laws.

Another plan considered was the shipment of people to parts of Ireland; still another to locations in Virginia and the Carolinas. The last two proposals were, in fact, carried out and great numbers of Palatines were sent to the southern American colonies and. a lesser number to Ireland. At this point a delegation from the Province of New York, headed by Peter Schuyler, the Mayor of Albany, and by Colonel Francis Nicholson, one of Her Majesty's officers in America, offered yet another possible solution to the predicament of the perplexed authorities of London. The proposal from America, sent to Queen Anne by the British Lords of Trade and Plantations is shown below in abbreviated form. The document is entitled: Order of Councill for Naturalizing and Sending Certain Palatines to New York.

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"May it please your Majesty: "Having in obedience to your Majesty's commands signified to us (we have) considered the petitions of Joseph Kockerthal, the Evangelical Minister, in behalf of himself and the poor Lutherans come hither from the Lower Palitinat in Germany, praying to be transported to some of your Majesty's plantations in America; we humbly take leave to represent to your Majesty that they are very necessitous and in the utmost want not having at present any thing (but what they get by charity) to subsist themselves, that they have been reduced to this miserable condition by the ravages committed by the French in the Lower Palitinat, where they lost all they had . . . .

"By the assistance of the ministers of the Lutheran Church here we have examined and find that they give a good character of the said minister (Kockerthal) and the others with him. Whereupon we would have offered that these people might be settled in Jamaica or Antego; but in regard that the climate of these islands is so much hotter than that part of Germany from whence they came it is to be feared it may not be agreeable to their constitutions, and therefore we humbly propose that they be sent to settle upon Hudson's River in the Province of New York, where they may be useful to this kingdom particularly in the production of naval stores and as a frontier against the French and their Indians And in case your Majesty shall approve of their going to New York we further offer that before their departure they may be made denizens of this kingdom for their greater encouragement in the enjoyment of the priviledges accruing by such letters of denization."

Queen Anne, approving the request of the Trade and Plantations Lords, ordered that the "poor" Lutherans be made denizens of the kingdom, and sent to New York at her own expense.

Poor Lutherans indeed they might be, but they were enobled by a hope of liberty and a desire for freedom transcending collective traumas and distressing surroundings. A seventeenth century New England preacher expressed it well when he said in his election sermon: "God sifted a whole nation that He might send choice grain into the wilderness." And in his History of Herkimer County Judge Benton wrote that the Palatine migration to America is "quite as legitimate a subject of American history as the oft-repeated experiences of the Pilgrim Fathers."

Lord Francis Lovelace, the Royal Governor of New York, died in 1709, and was succeeded by Robert Hunter. Hunter, born in Scotland of humble parentage, was self-educated, ambitious, and the possessor of those qualities of leadership and command that quickly advanced him to positions of authority in the British government. His favoritism with the Under-Secretary of State, Joseph Addison, resulted in the appointment to the Governorship of the Colony of New York, a position which he assumed September 9, 1709, under the awesome title of "His Excellency Robert Hunter Esquire Captain General and Governor in Chief of the Provinces of New York and New Jersey and Territories

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depending thereon in America and Vice Admiral of the same." He was in London at the time of the Palatine influx and made a thorough study of the conditions of the hapless immigrants. In an appeal to the Lords of Trade and Plantations on November 30, 1709, he requested permission to lead a contingent of three thousand Palatines to America, where, he said, "Great numbers of Pines fit for production of Turpentine and Tarr, out of which Rozin and Pitch are made" were to be found in New York.

Particularly timely was this suggestion by the new Colonial Governor, which, of course, supported the plea made previously by the British Lords of Trade and Plantations in their "Order of Councill" to the Queen.

England, after the close of the War of the Spanish Succession, was fast becoming the undisputed "mistress of the seas." As such, she was increasingly dependent upon a reliable source for supplying naval stores, which included masts and timber as well as tar, pitch, rosin, hemp, and iron. A Swedish monopoly largely controlled the source of these materials and dictated prices. The venerable law of supply and demand was a formula so congenial to the avarice of Scandinavian agents that the costs of naval stores of all kinds were driven up to a point where the British government was forced to look elsewhere for its navy's vitally needed supplies. The logical direction for the quest pointed to the American colonies.

The choice of the New York Colony appeared to be a happy one; for in addition to the availability there of maritime requirements, the New York frontier was strategically weak in defense against encroachments by the French and their Indian allies on the north. Any determined thrust from this direction, if successful, would serve to cut the English colonies in two. Frontenac, the Governor of Canada, was completely aware of this possibility, and indeed had written in 1697 that "The capture of New York would contribute more to the security of my domain . . . . and would be much more easily effected than the capture of Boston." Thus, a frontier line between contentious nations reinforced on the English side by the presences of a sturdy, courageous, and determined people, inured to hardships and weathered and tested in the crucible of ancient conflicts, might well be counted on to deter and possibly repel a French invasion. "Far better," says Cobb. "than most of the people of the colonies (the Palatines) knew what it was to suffer under the hand of the oppressor, and by contrast how desirable were the blessings of liberty. Whole companies of theria went to the front, brave and loyal always, first against the French and Indians, and afterwards against the British."

Preparations for the emigration of three thousand Palatines from London to New York, as requested by Governor Robert Hunter, began in the late months of 1709 — an exodus in which the Flegler family was to be a part.

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The flotilla for transporting the Palatines to America was made up of ten merchant ships, sometimes referred to as cogs, snows, or galleons.

They were to be accompanied by a convoy for protection against French warships, privateers, and marauding pirates. Top-heavy crafts they were, built not for speed or for sensitive handling in rough seas, but for their capacity for the stowage of maximum amounts of cargo.

Seldom over one hundred feet in length, with a beam of twenty-five feet, these vessels were of three hundred tons burden. They carried three masts, the tallest being at the bow. Sails were usually squarerigged. High rise structures, called castles, were superimposed on the hull fore and aft. The forecastle was single-decked and projected out forward of the bow. On either side were narrow galleries, hanging over the water, to provide primitive lavatories for passengers and crew.

These water closets (if such they could be called) consisted of a few holes cut in a plank fixed knee-high, and totally unusable in heavy seas.

The castle at the stern was more pretentious, as it housed the captain and the chief officers. Between castles was a deck area, called the waist, a space wholly exposed to the weather, where the crew ate and slept — quarters so miserable and generally uninhabitable that ships destined for voyages to distant lands carried a crew more numerous than was necessary in expectation of a high death rate from epidemics and exposure. Beneath the waist deck was the hold, used during the voyage as stowage for cargo or passengers. Unlighted, except when the hatches were removed, the hold was hot, smelly, and confining, with but headroom of five feet, thus making it impossible for a person of average height to stand erect.

The following account of a typical transatlantic voyage was written in 1697. "The poor people," it says, "stowed in the holds of the galleon endured no less hardships than did the Children of Israel. There is hunger, thirst, sickness, cold, and other sufferings besides the terrible shocks from side to side caused by the furious beating of the waves." With the great weight of the sails and the windage surface aloft the vessels, during high winds, were blown down on their beam ends and lay at a sixty degree angle until the gale abated, sometimes remaining for two days in this perilous and comfortless position."

The report of 1697 continued: "The galleon is never clear of a universal raging itch; the ship swarms with little vermin bred in the biscuit, so swift that they not only run over the cabin, beds, and the very dishes we eat on, but insensibly fasten upon the body. Abundance of flies fall into the dishes of broth, in which also swim worms of several sorts.

On fish days the common diet was old rank fish boiled in fair water and salt; at noon we had kidney beans, in which there were so many maggots that they swam at top of the broth and the quantity was so great that I doubted whether the dinner was fish or flesh. An infinite number of rats we were glad to make our prey to feed on; and as they were ensnared and taken, a well grown rat was sold for sixteen shillings as a market rate. Before the voyage did end a woman great with child offered twenty shillings for a rat, which the proprietor refusing, the woman died."

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We are told that on the 1710 Palatine voyage to America typhus, sometimes called "gaol" or "ships fever," raged on board with harrowing effects. The disease is described as infectious, highly contagious, transmitted by germs found on lice, and occurring usually after conditions where numbers of people were herded together, wearing the same clothing for prolonged periods, and lacking the means of ensuring bodily cleanliness — certainly a syndrome endemic on the ships carrying the Palatines.

Three stages of the disease appeared: the incubative, the invasive, and the eruptive. During the last, the presence of delirium, sometimes wild and maniacal, or a conditon termed "coma vigil" in which the sufferer, altho unconscious, lay with widely open eyes, were usually terminal. Mortality was generally eighteen percent of those afflicted, higher among the middle-age adults than among children.

Typhus fever decimated the armies of Napoleon during the Russian winter campaign of 1812; and the ubiquitous Samuel Pepys in his diary of 1669 wrote: (my) "wife finds that I am lousy, having found in my head and body above twenty lice little and great." Pepys forthwith changed all his clothes and cut his hair to be rid of the vermin. No country remained entirely free of the scourge. Even in the late years of the last century typhus was not unknown to the coasts of America. A woman, living on the Shore Road of Brooklyn in 1890, told the writer that she can remember when men, assigned to the task, regularly gathered and promptly burned driftwood from incoming shipping to the New York harbor for fear that the pestilence be spread in the city from timbers washed ashore on the beaches.

Equally deadly on the seas in the eighteenth century was the plague of scurvy, brought on by the lack of fresh foods. Years later it was discovered that the daily use of lemon or lime juices was a preventative. Sailors at one time were required to carry at sea a small bottle of these liquids — hence the slang word "limey" was applied to British tars. A contemporary account said that scurvy "attended all long voyages and has particularly destructive symptoms which are inconstant and irregular; for scarcely any two persons have the same complaints. The common appearances are large discolored spots dispersed over the whole surface of the body, swelled legs, putrid gums, and above all, an extraordinary lassitude of the whole body. The disease is likewise attended with a strange dejection of the spirits, and with shiverings, tremblings, and a disposition to be seized with the most dreadful terrors on the slightest accident The effects were in almost every instance wonderful; for many of our people tho confined to their hammocks, appeared to have no inconsiderable share of health; for they ate and drank heartily, were cheerful, and talked with much seeming vigor and with a loud strong tone of voice, and yet on their being the least moved, tho it was only from one part of the ship to the other, and that in their hammocks, they have immediately expired; and others, who have confided in their seeming strength, and have resolved to get out of their hammocks, have died before they could reach the deck."

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The New York bound Palatines boarded their transports between December 25 and December 29, 1709, at a point on the north side of the Thames River known as St. Katherine's Docks, lying just east of the Tower Bridge. Arrangements made on December 17 called for a charge to the Lords of Trade and Plantations of five pounds ten shillings a head for three thousand persons. The ten merchant ships, each filled to capacity with three hundred passengers aboard, were ordered to be at the "buoy of the Nore", fifty miles from London, on or before January 2, 1710. Weiser and Luttrell, contemporary writers, differ slightly as to the exact sailing time. The former gives the date as Christmas Day; the latter as the "next week after December 29" — which would have made it in early January. In any event, the royal instructions for the departure bear the date of January 20, 1710 — a point of time which may be considered as authentic. In consideration of the large sums advanced for transporting and maintaining the German emigres the Government Redemptioner System set forth the requirement that the Palatines contract in writing to settle on lands assigned to them in the colonies and that they continue to reside upon these lands until profits from the American venture reimburse in full the nation for its philanthropy and the Queen for her own largess. Following such compensation, each household for a period of seven years would be granted forty acres free of taxes, quit-rents, or other services.

The convoy, which was to accompany and protect the merchant ships across the Atlantic, had agreed to rendezvous with the flotilla at the Nore on January second, but collusion between ship owners and commanders, motivated by avarice, conspired to delay the convoy's sailing orders until demurrage in the form of additional compensation had been agreed upon. During this dalliance the ships with their miserable human cargos aboard were obliged to ride at anchor along the southern coast of England for a period of almost three months. Finally, the convoy and merchant ships left Plymouth on April 10, 1710, heading westward into the Atlantic.

Great care was needed to take advantage of the direction from which the trade winds blew. A ship leaving England would try to use the prevailing westerlies of the north Atlantic to reach southward to the Azores, where it could pick up the north-east trades to carry her to the West Indies. An attempt would then be made to work up the coast of Florida, thru the treacherous seas off Cape Hatteras and thence northward. A Dutch mariner, logging his ship's course in 1621, followed closely the sea lanes described above. "The country now called the New Netherlands", he wrote, "is usually reached in seven or eight weeks from here (Amsterdam, Holland). The course lies toward the Canary Islands, thence to the Indian Islands (West Indies) steering straight across, leaving in fourteen days the Bahamas on the left and the Bermudas on the right hand where the winds are variable with which land is made."

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Fickle elements of weather and chance were always present. And it would seem that a beneficent providence and supreme nautical skill were required in equal portions to bring a ship into her destined port.

Small wonder then is it that before starting a voyage the captain not infrequently would consult an astrologer or conjurer (as the seers of the time were called) to ascertain the days and even the hour when his ship must sail in order to have the kindly influences of heavenly bodies in his favor.

Even before leaving the sight of land at Cornwall the Palatines were subjected to the most appalling miseries. High transportation rates had necessitated their being confined in spaces designed only for freight and baggage. Many could neither breathe fresh air nor see the light of day.

Their children died in great numbers. Letters written in April told of eighty deaths in one vessel and one hundred sick in another. Thomas Benson, a surgeon, stated that in his ship three hundred and thirty persons had been sick at one time — a figure which may have included the crew.

For the ailing or injured the sick-bays and surgical quarters were a nightmare and a horror. Space for hospitalization was allotted at the fore end of the waist-deck, where, enveloped in rancid steam from nearby pots of boiling salt beef and pork and the effluvia from overhanging toilets, the patient who survived was sturdy indeed. Surgery at sea aroused in the stoutest heart the most dreadful terror. The churgeon (surgeon), inefficient and overworked, brandished an array of operating instruments listed as "dismembering knives and saws, trepans for skull boring, mallets and chisels, cauterizing irons, incision shears, teeth pullicans, forcers, and punches."

For the wretched Palatines for whom greed and instransigence ended on the British shores, the furious storms of early spring began on the ocean. Lashing gales and mountainous waves tossed their tiny crafts from bow to stern and from side to side. No imagination is required to conjure up a picture of panic-stricken families and their fellow-mates pressed together in semi-darkness, so closely packed that they could scarcely stand or sit. They lay, one body touching another, amid the wail of hungry infants, feeding at the breasts of emaciated mothers, equally hungry; and all tossed about on rancid straw, soaked with vomit, urine, and excrement. For subsistence once a day they were handed down a thin, watery gruel by a crew little better provided for than their charges below. The death-rate was frightfully high, and as each passing day saw the incessant sluicing of the dead into the deep, how welcome indeed must have been the first cry of sighted land.

With no reluctance is closed the recital of a spectacle, nauseating and woeful, of what remained of three thousand human beings, at once the most miserable and the most hopeful ever to set foot upon the shores of America. And somewhere in their midst was the little Flegler family.

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LIST OF AUTHORITIES CONSULTED Benton's History of Herkimer County Camden's Britannia Cartwright's Disease and History Cobb's The Story of the Palatines Encyclopedia Britannica Francis' London Historic and Social Knittle's Early 18th Century Palatine Emigration Macaulay's History of England Macentyre's The Adventure of Sail 1520-1914 MacWethy's The Book of Names Nicholson's Great Houses of Britain O'Callaghan's Documentary History of New York Strickland's Lives of the Queens of England

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4,fti You ate cotdiatty invited to the cekemoniez matking

az a Nationat Histonic Disttict The dedication witt take pace on Satutday, Octobet 13, 1973 (kain\date, Octoben 14) .

The a6teknoonsz activitiez witt begin at 3:30 p.m. at the coknek o6 Montgomety Stkeet and Gaqietd Pace with tight kgkezhmentz in a Victotian zetting.

Theke witt be houze toukz, convekzationz with kezidentz o6 the hiztokic houzez about the histoty o6 theit homes, dizptayz, Victokian music and dance.

The unveiting o6 the coknekztonez and dedication o6 the ztkeet witt ma/Liz the end o6 the ,6eztivitie4.

Pteaze join us.

-61.16 A.E4i61vt,6s oficapleccet

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GARFIELD PLACE DAY: VICTORIAN AMBIANCE REVIVED

by Dr. Susan Luskin Puretz

It was a bright, clear, crisp fall day. The residents could be seen raking leaves, sweeping sidewalks, weeding among the flowers, tasks which homeowners throughout Dutchess County were also doing, to be sure.

But on this October 13, 1973, the residents of Garfield Place, Poughkeepsie, had an additional incentive to perform these household tasks.

For this day marked the formal ceremonies celebrating Garfield Place's inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places as an Historic District.

By 3:00 in the afternoon lawn tools had been replaced by croquet sets and work clothes exchanged for clothes circa Victoriana, some improvised and some authentic. Traffic ceased and since there were no cars on the length of the street (people had kindly consented not to park on the street that day) the ambiance was of the Victorian era, some one hundred years ago.

The day's activities began at the corner of Montgomery Street and Garfield Place with light refreshments in Tom Adair's handsomely restored red brick Victorian home, complete with gas lights, Victorian kitchen and authentic elegant decor. Mr. Adair, the Director of the Poughkeepsie Ballet Theatre, had also kindly provided the music and dance which were taking place several houses down the street; and he had taken care of all arrangements for Garfield Place Day. Visitors, proceeding from that gentle introduction to another age, slowly promenaded down the street participating in conversations with residents of the houses about the history of these nineteenth century homes. To visually aid these visitors and all future visitors to Garfield Place, each house in the Historic District had prominently and permanently displayed a specially designed plaque with the address and year the house was built. Many of the houses were open to visitors and people were amazed at the diversity, spaciousness and elegance of the interiors of Victorian homes, attributes almost never available in this modern era.

Diversions, in addition to the house tours, were provided along the route. A Landmarks Inc. display, arranged by Jeanne Opdyke, of old photographs of the area and of Poughkeepsie was hung on a garden wall.

Music was provided by Kirk Monteux who graciously played a guitar while seated in the 1860's Gazebo of Mr. and Mrs. John Kennedy. In other parts of the street Dutchess County artists set up their easels and painted the scenery. Every twenty minutes four lovely Poughkeepsie Ballet Theatre ballerinas performed a "Grande Pas de Quatre" on the lawn which, alas, is all that remains of the former residence of the doctors Frank and Nellie Starpoli, whose home was destroyed by fire on January 16, 1971. The beauty and grace of the Victorian age had reappeared briefly again in the twentieth century, resurrected by the residents by dint of much work and love of history.

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The day concluded, after appropriate speeches, including greetings from Mayor Jack Economou and Alderman Stark, with the unveiling of the cornerstones and the dedication of the street. The cornerstones, one at each of the entrances to Garfield Place, contain a Landmarks, Inc. plaque commemorating Garfield Place an a National Historic District.

The festivities are over, but Garfield Place still remains a street where through a walk one can be transported from 1974 back to the "good old days."

PLAC" f41.42TOP,Ir.

(,A %kilo

Markers placed at entrances to Garfield Place.

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Residents turned out with enthusiasm.

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Ballet was a lovely contribution.

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Dress up day for children, too.

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Congratulations from Poughkeepsie's Mayor Economou.

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Susan Puretz, Mistress of Ceremonies.

This account of Garfield Place Day would not be complete without acknowledging the enthusiasm and hard work Susan Puretz put into the official authentication required for the area's designation as an Historic District. And the Puretzes contributed significantly to the success of this celebration, Susan as an organizer and the mistress of ceremonies and her husband, Donald, as the initial speaker.

Editor.

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Benson J. Lossing — Patriot

by Joseph Emsley

Time is catching up on the bicentennial of the American Revolution; and Dutchess County, two years hence, will be recalling the part played in memorializing the events of that war by Benson J. Lossing, 19th century historian.

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The little remembered patriotism of Benson Lossing, a Dutchess county resident, is probably best highlighted by his pictorial field history of the Revolution. Lossing's quite massive record of that war has been frequently praised as an outstanding source work of the struggle for independence.

The historian travelled some 8,000 miles to gather material for his intimate story of the war. And his sketches of battlefields and other historic sites accompanied his own woodcut engravings for the voluminous illustrated works. He not only was one of the most prolific writers of his time but he combined an artist's comprehension of his field work with illustrations in color as well as black and white drawings. He had an-indefatigable zest to search out families or other associates of the war times in order to relate stories of the battlefields.

This article is primarily concerned with recalling the place of Benson Lossing in Dutchess County history. However, two fellow members of his family tree are also included in the chronicle as outstanding residents of the county. They are Clifford M. Buck, Salt Point, and Dr. J. Lossing Buck, Poughkeepsie. The former is a well known county historian, and Dr. Buck played an outstanding role as an agriculturist economist during the greater part of his working career in China. The two Buck family members are great grand-nephews of historian Lossing.

Clifford Buck, a prominent genealogist as well as historian of Dutchess County, not long ago disclosed that his own researches indicate conclusively that a member of the Lossing family was the first known white child of Dutchess County. Buck thus confirmed and went one step farther than George Olin Zabriskie, genealogist of Washington, D.C., who exploded a long held local historical conclusion that Nicholas Emigh was the first white settler in Dutchess. There is not an iota of evidence to support that position, Zabriskie wrote. Buck's continued search of old church records in Ulster county showed that Martie Lassing, baptized in 1687, was the first Dutchess County white child of known records. Family names of five other children, not going back quite as far as Martie were two Kips, Buys Oostrom and TerBos. A happy turn of genealogist Buck's search was that his find made him as well as historian Benson J. Lossing a member of the first known recorded oldest white family in the county. However, Mr. Buck added in his modest way, "All of these six children were born before William Lassing and perhaps there were many more." William was the first child cited by Mr. Zabriskie.

Genealogist Zabriskie's chief accomplishment was that of correcting the long held belief that Nicholas Emigh was the first white settler in Dutchess County. A Poughkeepsie Eagle article of May 6, 1854, was the first known source to set forth the Emigh settler story, Zabriskie reported in his article, "Nicholas Emigh and Peter Lossing of Dutchess County" for the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Volume 70, 1939. There was a mistake of about 100 years in the tracing back of the Emigh report, Zabriskie said. And the mistaken belief was

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copied by two one-time prominent histories of Dutchess county, first in the Philip H. Smith history, published in 1877, and also in the James H. Smith county history, in 1882.

The Zabriskie challenge of the frequent references to Nicholas Emigh as the first white settler need not deprecate Emigh's known residence in the county. Attention has often been drawn to the Emigh stone house in the Clove Valley and his respected position in that charming section of Dutchess.

Historian Benson Lossing was born in the Town of Beekman Feb. 12, 1813, the son of John and Marian Dorland Lossing. As a youth Lossing worked on his father's farm. Benson was self educated but he lost no opportunity, after beginning his chosen pursuits in Poughkeepsie, to advance his ultimate career. His first job in the city was an apprentice to Adam Henderson, watchmaker and silversmith. He thereafter perfected his talent for wood engraving and painting. He also worked for the Poughkeepsie Telegraph and edited the Poughkeepsie Casket, a semimonthly journal of "polite literature and the arts." Apparently an avid reader, he often frequented Paraclete Potter's bookstore in Poughkeepsie.

He advanced schooling in painting during later years in New York City.

Lossing during these years established a large wood engraving branch in New York. And he broadened his writing ability. He wrote for the Family magazine and in 1847 began his preparation for his major field study work on the Revolutionary War with his "Seventeen Hundred and Seventy-Six Publication." His two volume book on the Revolution followed serial publication of his field studies about the war.

The late Mrs. Amy Pearce VerNooy, a city librarian and for many years editor of the Year Book of the County Historical Society wrote in the 1945 edition that Lossing announced in 1838 he was spending the winter in New York City for the "prosecution of the beautiful art of wood engraving." He became editor of the Family Magazine and did the illustrations for that weekly publication. William Barritt was associated with him in "the largest wood engraving business in New York."

Writing an interesting article about Lossing for Antiques magazine as recently as 1968, Mrs. VerNooy said of the historian, "He did more than any other person to foster an interest and pride in history of the United States." Similarly, the late Dr. Henry Noble MacCracken, local historian as well as Vassar College's modern day president, said Lossing was " . . . the most productive of Dutchess penmen, who achieved through his writing the eminence of American historian, completing more than 40 volumes concerning important historical events."

Benson Lossing's formal education was probably limited to three years in an elementary district school, but he became a strong supporter of higher education for both young women and men. Thus did he become a lively supporter of Matthew Vassar when the Poughkeepsie brewer decided to leave the greater part of his fortune toward founding Vassar College.

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Lossing, who wrote "Vassar College and Its Founder," told some of the facts about Vassar's life, his gradual development of the Vassar brewery and the growth of the initial plant in Poughkeepsie's Vassar Steet into the much larger ale distillery at the city's riverfront. . The historian wrote that Vassar was a man of "gentle and cheerful disposition," had a voice "low and flexible, always musical with kindly cadences." An early development of the brewing of the famous ale was its sale at the Courthouse, among the city's central gathering places. An oyster bar added to the enjoyment of the ale. Lossing, seemingly unabashed, noted that the ale was at first dispensed in three rooms in the basement of the Courthouse. Thereafter Vassar's dispensers took a floor above the basement. "There," the historian wrote, "judges and jurors, lawyers and their clients dined and supped during the (court) sessions."

Lossing included his own sketches of Main Building and other famous structures and the original landscape of Vassar's beautiful campus in the Town of Poughkeepsie.

Matthew Vassar and Lossing were close friends and associates during the 1860's and the historian became a trustee of the college serving in that capacity the remainder of his life.

Among sketches of Poughkeepsie area landmarks from the pen of Benson Lossing were those of Matthew Vassar's summer cottage and grounds at "Springside," of lower Academy Street, in the city. Also notable among his sketches was the quite valuable one of the Van Kleeck house, oldest substantial dwelling in the city, a few weeks before the historic structure was demolished. Built in 1700, it stood at the present intersection of Mill and Vassar streets.

Benson Lossing was married in 1833 to Alice Henderson, daughter of Adam Henderson, the watchmaker and silversmith with whom he had formed a business partnership in Poughkeepsie. His wife died in 1855 and in 1856 he married Helen Sweet, daughter of Nehemiah Sweet, member of a well-known county family.

Lossing's life works were often identified with his residence at "the Ridge," or the northern end of Chestnut Ridge, Town of Dover, in the present Hulsapple Road. Still standing is the Lossing house and adjoining two-story stone library building. Fred Proctor was a 1974 listed owner of the property.

Benson Lossing's will, filed at the Dutchess County Courthouse, set forth that he died June 3, 1891, at "the Ridge." Helen S. Lossing, his widow, was made sole executrix of the estate. Children of age were listed as Edwin John Lossing, Helen Ross Mureen Lossing, Alice Casey Lossing, and Thomas Sweet Lossing. The widow died at Dover April 18, 1911. Surviving at the time of her death were Helen Lossing Johnson, Yonkers. Mrs. Johnson studied at the Academy of Design, and was especially interested in painting landscapes and horses. She married in 1892 Frank Edgar Johnson, lecturer on natural history. With her daughter, Margaret Sweet Johnson (whose married name also was Johnson) Helen Lossing Johnson wrote animal stories for children.

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Benson Lossing was buried in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.

County Courthouse documents set forth that a transfer tax proceeding noted that the estate included net receipts from the sale of library and other manuscripts totaling $21,704.83.

After various auctions the Henry E. Huntington Library at San Marino, Calif. acquired a large part of the manuscripts, and other memorabilia from the Lossing estate. The Huntington family member was an American financier, born at Oneonta, N.Y. and prominent in railroad and other enterprises.

The Huntington library was reported to have included some 1,000 of Lossing's original drawings and water colors. Of New York interest were Lossing's 1866 "The Hudson — Wilderness to the Sea," which was published by the London Art Journal. His war volumes included writings on the War of 1812. There were a recorded 625 pages in three volumes of his Civil War history with some 400 illustrations, including his own and some other sketches.

The Huntington library collection was reported recently to include some of Lossing's writings about prominent southerners, presumably developed as a result of his travels in the South. Among them were Lewis (Lew) Wallace, American soldier and novelist, who was a veteran of the Mexican and Civil Wars and because of his part in the capture of Fort Donelson (1862) was promoted to major general of volunteers.

The Huntington Library material included a listing of all the books and manuscripts ever published by Lossing from the Library of Congress — six or seven pages.

The two most prominent of present-day family line descendants of Benson Lossing are the Dutchess County brothers, Clifford M. and Dr. J. Lossing Buck, the former a lifelong resident here and the latter a Poughkeepsie resident after retirement from his chief lifetime work in China.

The brothers Clifford and Dr. Buck are sons of the late Vincent Morgan and Grace Ten Hagen Buck, the father having conducted a farm in the Town of La Grange.

Clifford Buck, Salt Point, town of Pleasant Valley, for many years active in the Dutchess County Historical Society, is widely known for his genealogist researches in the county. He conducted a dairy farm in the Town of Clinton for more than 20 years and also has maintained an insurance business in the county for many years. He was graduated from Cornell University's College of Agriculture as was Dr. Buck. The Salt Point resident is a veteran member of the historical society, having served a number of terms as trustee of the society and written numerous articles for its Year Book.

Clifford Buck's love of the land and wide acquaintances among Dutchess residents prompted his early interest in local history and genealogy. In the latter field, he has made extensive studies of area families in county official records as well as in church and related

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sources, having done much professional work for persons interested in tracing their forebears. Buck has served many years as a trustee of the County Historical society, and contributed numerous articles to the organization's Year Book.

Clifford Buck's zest for tracing family lines prompted his voyage to the Province of Ontario, upper Canada, resulting in his article in the historical society Year Book of 1967.

Buck noted that during the Revolutionary period there were a number of Loyalists in Dutchess and Putnam counties whose properties, numbering those of 264 families, by 1780, had been confiscated. There also were a number of Quakers and some misjudged as Loyalists who faced similar disposition of their properties. In all, by 1783, he wrote, properties taken were valued at 99,771 pounds. Loyalists and Quakers sailed for Adolphustown township on the north shore of Lake Ontario, where they settled 11,459 acres of land.

These settlers in Canada included Thomas and Philip Dorland, the former becoming an officer in the Canadian militia. He fought against the United States in the War of 1812.

Clifford Buck, during a visit to Adlolphustown, in 1950, interviewed members of the Dorland family. Miriam Dorland married John Lossing and they became the parents of Benson J. Lossing. Buck wrote in his article for the 1967 Year Book of the County Historical Society that Peter Lossing was among the early settlers in Canada. The people he visited with in Norwich, Canada, the writer said, were "of the opinion that the Lossings went to Canada because of a long feud between small farmers and large land owners." Working farmers, he said, strongly objected to fuedal dues exacted by the wealthy. Nicholas Emigh, he noted, had persistently opposed paying dues "for land that was stony and hard to work." "Consequently," said historian Buck, "when the American Revolution was over and the great families were adding to their possessions from confiscated estates, it was easy for Peter Lossing to persuade 50 families to go to a new fertile country where land could be bought outright."

Clifford Buck was cordially received duringbhis visit to Adolphustown.

He was told that the last New York visitor .to the particular area was Benson J. Lossing, the historian, in 1869.

John Lossing Buck, like his brother, Clifford, was educated at Cornell University. He performed distinguished service in China as an agricultural economist during the years, 1920-46.

Dr. Buck obtained his training at Cornell, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in 1914, Master's degree in 1925 and his Doctorate degree in 1933. He began his teaching work in China as an American Presbyterian missionary, during a three-year period.

Dr. Buck was married in 1941 to Lomay Chang, in China. The Buck couple have a son and daughter, like their father, graduates of Cornell

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University. The daughter, Rosalind, is employed in the Research Department of a New York City bank. Son Paul Lossing Buck is a licensed architect, like his sister, employed in New York.

Dr. and Mrs. Buck now live in their modern, pleasant home at 9 Osborne Road, Poughkeepsie. Mrs. Buck is a happy housewife, and finds time to paint, among her pastimes. A number of her bright and cheerful watercolors grace the walls of the Buck living room.

Dr. Buck, although getting along in years, is an amiable host. He undoubtedly misses his prized associations in China, but there are compensations in the job he did for many supporters and friends. And although he now is in his 80's he never stops trying to add to the record of what it takes to advance agricultural economics.

While on leave on a part-time basis from the department, starting in 1935, he was a monetary adviser to the United States Treasury Department, and thus Dutchess County's own Henry Morgenthau Jr., the Department's Secretary. Thus Dr. Buck became United States Treasury representative in China from June, 1935 to March, 1939. This protracted service was brought on by a rising value of silver in the early thirties.

During the period, Dr. Buck, on being called to the Treasury Department to advise on the silver problem, explained the Chinese situation in a meeting with President Roosevelt and some members of his cabinet. Because of this situation, a temporary appointment from Washington developed into a full-time capacity for Dr. Buck. He continued as a part-time adviser to the Treasury Department when he resumed his duties with the land utilization project.

This appointment lasted until April, 1939, almost two years after the war between China and Japan. During the Japanese attack on the Marco Polo Bridge, in July, 1937, Dr. Buck advised Secretary Morgenthau this meant real war, and Morgenthau thus urged Buck to return to China.

In December, the University of Nanking fled to Changtu, Szechwan Province, just in time to avoid the Japanese take-over of Nanking.

There followed a period when Dr. Buck from May, 1939, to September, 1940, became an adviser to the Ministry of Finance at China. Between September and March, 1944, he was a professor at the displaced University of Nanking at Chengtu. He was an editor of Economic Facts and conducted student seminars and student projects.

In April, 1944, Dr. Buck went on furlough and leave. Thereafter, in 1948, he headed the Land and Water Use branch of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.

Dr. Buck, in reviewing the success realized in the development of agricultural economics in China, said, in part, that the degree of accomplishments was possible "only within the framework of a college of agriculture where the students were encouraged to conduct research, do extension work and to undertake practical projects as part of their education."

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He added that; "The employment of well-trained young Ph D's from abroad proved to be an excellent part of the department's program in training because of their ability, energy and their understanding of students."

During the period 1920-42 the faculty of the Department of Agricultural Economics taught 15,732 college student credit hours. Student hours of instruction by the department in short courses and institutes numbered 15,252. Department members also taught 902 students in various other training groups organized by the government and private bodies. They frequently lectured to government groups.

A significant aspect of the Department of Agricultural Economics was the development of an institution that gained the confidence and cooperation of the national and provincial governments, as well as non-government agencies such as the Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank. These agencies used the results of the published research, granted funds to department projects and enlisted aid of the department in cooperative projects. Members of the department served on government committees and with national non-governmental organizations.

The importance of institution-building in assistance abroad was illustrated also by the government committee on establishment of an agricultural research bureau. Dr. H. H. Love and Dr. Buck were appointed members of the committee in 1931, with Dean P. W. Tsou of the College of Agriculture of Southeastern University, Nanking, as chairman. The purpose was to establish an institution within the government framework that would have continuity of tenure of able personnel.

Before the bureau was established, research personnel were changed with each incoming minister of agriculture. The names of the committee were placed in the cornerstone of the new bureau building in 1934. Dr. Buck said that the bureau became well established with effective programs in research.

"As for the programs of development," Dr. Buck pointed out, "much greater attention should be given to creating farmers' organizations such as associations and cooperatives similar to the cotton marketing cooperative, and the establishment of government marketing regulatory services, including the grading of products and improving storage and handling."

At the 25th anniversary of the Department of Agricultural Economics, plans were advanced by the Chinese faculty for the construction of an agricultural economics building to be called Buck Hall, at Nanking, in honor of Dr. Buck's part in the development of agricultural economics in China. Unfortunately, continued inflation, unsettled conditions and finally, the Communist confiscation of the university, at the end of December, 1950, prevented accomplishment of this goal.

However, at the end of World War II, the university and most of the senior staff moved back to Nanking — this in the late spring of 1945.

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Dr. Buck said he was again in Nanking from June to October, 1946, as a member of the 1946 China-United States Agricultural mission, which he had helped to organize in Washington, D. C. He visited the Department of Agricultural Economics, where, he said, W. Y. Swen, who then headed the department, had reserved Buck's office for his return.

As to accomplishments of the agricultural mission, statistics probably will never tell the whole story of the eager response of Chinese agriculturists and their supporters to the professional aid which was made possible through the Cornell groups.

The chief unit of study — the farm and farm family — amounted to 90,000 units in 22 provinces. Publications supplied 12,000 pages. In agricultural history, including the period of 1922-31, before it was part of the department, 21 million words had been collected and filed by subjects from 870 works of historical literature pertaining to agriculture.

Four main divisions of the committee in which Dr. Buck was affiliated were: social, production, economy, and education. The social division promoted, organized, and supervised farmers' associations. By 1942, there were 5,811 farmers in 16 associations which comprised a farmers federation.

The education division assisted farmers groups in promoting vocational and night schools in cooperation with local primary schools and other institutions.

A production division introduced improved seeds developed by the college. A group of farmer-members was supervised in operating a paper factory with a beginning capital of NC $1,500 producing 1,000 sheets of paper a day.

The economic division was primarily concerned with the organization of cooperatives.

An initial grant of $400,000 from the Szechwan Provincial Cooperative Bank was made available by the department in 1938 for loans to cooperatives at Wenkiang.

By 1943 there were 169 registered cooperative credit societies with a membership of 8,913 farmers. In 1942 there were two cooperative marketing societies and five cooperative federations. A loan of $289,410 was granted by the Wenkiang Cooperative Bank in 1942, which in turn had been borrowed from the Farmers Bank of China. This was used for 1,579 member families.

Reference to historian Benson Lossing as a gatherer of source material on the Revolutionary war is a reminder of how valuable the genealogical material on Dutchess County families collected by his great grandnephew, Clifford Buck became to present-day people. A similar value may be identified for present-day residents of China from data collected

by J. Lossing Buck-taught students who benefitted by his agricultural economic pursuits. During one period of Dr. Buck's service in China, nearly 17,000 farms in 168 localities of 22 provinces were visited by

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students of agricultural universities in which he was associated. He called attention to three volumes of land utilization studies of this kind which were compiled during his services in the foreign country.

Mrs. VerNooy characterized Lossing as predominantly a serious person. To be sure, he was serious although not overly solemn. His style was at times stiff and inclined to be ornamental and reading his histories today suggests that he worked too hard. His persistent application to his writing and engravings many hours of each working day stamped him as obsessed with his efforts. While doing the field studies for his work on the Revolutionary War he would latch onto whatever travelling conveyance was available to move from one area to another.

His daylight hours were spent interviewing and sketching subject material. At night he would do much of his writing and illustrative work. He apparently also spent many hours on official calls and during some periods lectured widely. His war reports were widely read, either in magazine or book form.

Benson Lossing's literary accomplishments were so highly regarded that he was awarded a Master of Arts degree by both Hamilton and Columbia Colleges and a doctorate degree by the University of Michigan.

Mrs. Regina D. Fitzpatrick, an English teacher at, Arlington Junior High School, called attention to Dr. MacCracken's recognition of Benson Lossing's interest in education. An article she wrote for the 1966 edition of the County Historical Society Year Book, said in part that Dr. MacCracken paid tribute to Lossing in his own history, "Blithe Dutchess," when he commented that the Paraclete Potter bookstore in Poughkeepsie, which Lossing frequented, became a "very good substitute for a school of adult education."

Mrs. Fitzpatrick wrote that Lossing became a booster for public schools during the period when he edited The Casket and also wrote for the daily Telegraph in Poughkeepsie. for the Daily Telegraph in Poughkeepsie.

Mrs. Fitzpatrick wrote a warm and friendly article entitled "Education: a Moral Duty," containing Lossing's views on education. The Arlington school teacher emphasized that Lossing "pleaded with young people to apply themselves to books and mental effort" for greater attainment.

She added that he was a consistent battler for conventions of teachers at which they might band together to advance the cause of government support of education.

Among the more recent articles that have been written about historian Lossing was that appearing in a 1968 American Heritage magazine, entitled "Historian on the Double." Recounting sotrie of Lossing's experiences involving his prodigious efforts on histories of both the Revolutionary and Civil wars, John T. Cunningham recalled the historian's search for relatives or others to obtain intimate accounts of the fighting. Detailing Lossing's accomplishments as an artist as well as writer, Cunningham noted that many water colors were included among the Historian's original drawings and praised the attractive quality of the sketches and paintings.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY The writer is indebted to the following individuals and published sources for material referred to in the foregoing article to round out the story about Benson J. Lossing.

Mrs. Albert E. Powers, county historian, and supervisor of the local history collection of Poughkeepsie's Adriance Memorial library; The Columbia Encyclopedia; Special Collections of Vassar College Library for portrait of Lossing and a photograph of the Lossing family at Lossing's Chestnut Ridge home; June, 1968 American Heritage magazine article, "Historian on the Double," about Lossing by John T. Cunningham; loan of Adriance Library article, "Vassar College and Its FOunder," by Benson Lossing; Attorney Frank V. Mylod, for assistance in obtaining facts about the will of Lossing; the late Mrs. Amy Pearce VerNooy, for references to Lossing in her articles about him in the 1945 Year Book of the County Historical society and the April, 1968 edition of Antiques magazine; the Adriance library New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. 70, 1939 article, "Nicholas Emigh and Peter Lossing of Dutchess County," by George Olin Zabriskie, Washington, D.C.; Clifford Buck's article. "The First White Child Born in Dutchess County," 1969 Year Book, County Historical Society, and historian Buck's 1967 Year Book article, about Dutchess County people who settled in Ontario Canada; and Mrs. Regina D. Fitzpatrick's article, about Lossing, "A Moral Duty," historical society Year Book of 1966.

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40 U 13

B

ISMTT H 4'44

CAL SMITH, d/b/a BOB SMITH PLEASANT VALLEY, NY 12569 BONDED. AUCTIONEER

Office (914) 635-3169 or HALL 635-9965 To Partially Settle Estates of Hortense Hadley, Executive Towers, Poughkeepsie &Ursula Fraleigh, Robinson Lane, Pleasant Vatter Also From Dutchoss County Historical Society, Plus Others, Will Sell At

DAV SALE * * * Y SALE PUDLPC AUCTION * PLEASAM VALLEY MORIN HALL -A . SHARP SAT., JAN. 26 , tawning Preview Fri., Jan. 2Sgh 3 PoRA. 4o 9 RA. Sde VICTORIAN ANTIQUE FURNITURE — GOLD COINS —6 GUNS — FINE COVERLETS — PRINTS & PAINTINGS — CUTTER SLEIGH — CHINA — COLLECTOR'S ITEMS — BRIC-A-BRAC, ETC. PARTIAL LIST, FURNITURE: French fruitwood D-whape ormolu mounted marble top sideboard-Mah. Empire 4 drawer chest w/butler's drawer & birdseye maple interior-18th C. single door chimney cupboard-9 pine lift top blanket chests inc. half size & shoe foot-Vict. rosewood wing back settee-2 Vict. finger carved upholstered lady's chairs-Unusual gear fed yarn winder-Early wooden child's express wagrin (dog pulled?)-Lg. mah. Icnee l• roll top deskSigned #7 Shaker acorn finial straight arm chair-2 drawer pedestal base sewing 5tand-6 various style parlor stoves inc. extremely small Franklin Marble galleried top black walnut washstand-2 Empire slant front writing desksCupboarci base pine hutch cupboard-Vict. pedestal base marble top shaving mirror-Old pie saf•-Vict. beds inc. 2 brass beds-Pin. 3 drawer chest-Early farm bell-Ouan. of trunks & contents-Bentwood chairs-Golden oak crystal case-6 ft. dis y case-Sm. manual cash register-Old cutter sleigh complete w/S.B. Sago, Catekill, N.Y. maker's label-10 COVERLETS, inc. blue & white homespun, fancy tchwork, some signed, many in like now condition, also 6 new quilt tops all found in rittk packed in rnothballs-Homespun sheets, some signed & dated-Milk cans- k bairels-Set rattan parch lurniture-Misc. chairs, stands, etc. inc. old wooden wbeel rrow. / E), 1914 2,/aD, Two 1856 COINS: SELL AT 11:30 A.M.: GOA Coins inc. 1935 212 31A 5852 51 &Mod plus 6 ,:s8ly worn merican coins.

GUNS: SELL AT 11 AM.: 1678 TraOcar Springfield-Commercial River gun, 8 go. w/4D" surra-12 / stoed Itontucky rills, Mk plate marked Wm. Henry Jr. 1853-Lca adl. Winchostor marlicd JNJ-1898 Mousor-Dbl. barrel Belgium marks4 Lac° Un8od Arrns-Sef taadims 351 cal Wnchoster-One of 1st made Sheridan air rilbs-Marlin taval rno E.arral-5 Winchesters inc. 1892, 1879 & 1894, 2 w/button m .-C A CI Trade Musho, lath plate marked "Blunt A Sines, N.Y." ORIENTAL RUGS: 4 Oriental ream si.a rugs incl. 116" x 8'9' & 9'10" x 14'6" sigrcl in border medallion & 2 acoNars.

PRONTS A PAINTINGS: 2 Ircir 3 rural land:soap° watordolors-00 on canvas, portrait lady or/Spanish inflisonco4 IIigUICI Japanese watercolors well done-6 Japanos• prints-2 Iramad CU/M.0,7a 0e:33-Pointing of Japanese dancing girt signed or/03"day on back hem nakst-9 Ilvarnpd ladialdwal Dutchess Co. town maps inc. Rod Hack, Pawling, Rhinebeck, aziel frames & prier inc. 1900 print at mumbers of Bench A Bow at OviOe ss Ca. CHINA, BRIC-A-BRAC & COLLECTOR'S (ITEMS: Pr. W' Ca Many Studio candlesticks-Tiffany Studio 912 / " card tray-Set at 6 cranberry, onamol dec., finger bowls-3 ornate opalescent bowls-Oil lamps inc. CCM° in color-Amber pattern pitcher-Francy cups & saucers inc. sets domitasso- t parlor shall desserts-Pr. cranberry salts & peppers-Lg. cloisonno jordincre-CaBod microscope w/Thornas Jones maker's label in case-Early tdpscoping cpy Fi koas marked day & night glass in original box marked Hugh Hart, oaWn-Tcle si*a ratSm. pan scale-Town crier's bell-Wooden howl dec. 5 dated 1 2-SILVER inc.

34 pcs. sterling flatware set 12 sterling hollow handle knives 6: matching spoons, sterling serving pa., silver tea trays-Labeled Hughsonv11:10 buggy whip-Berry stained baskets-4 postcard albums-Daguerreotypes-Sat Aetna early child's building blocks-Telephone mill coffee grinder-3 old place dovo icetea dispensers-Planter's peanut jar-2 jars jewelry-4 pocket watcher-6 pc.

Roseville-VanBriggle, Rockwood & Weller pieces-Bowl signed ArnOarpiPr. early wines-Pr. wine decanters-4 mulberry tea plates-Pickard susar A cr( amer-Open salts-Fancy Limoges tea set, etc NOTE: This is first sal* of year. Due to energy crisis, will tel hays so you may return home before dark. In case of extreme weather conditions, call 04lwr telephone number for information. C

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REPORT OF THE 1973-1974 GLEBE HOUSE BICENTENNIAL AUCTION

By John M. Jenner

In the spring of 1973 at an informal meeting at the home of Mrs. Peter Mund a plan was initiated to investigate the purchase of the Charles Chlanda Collection which had been loaned to, and was on exhibit at, the Glebe House. John Jenner, with the assistance of Edward Holden, III, subsequently made a conservative estimate of the market value of the collection, and compared it to the 1971 insurance appraisal. The estimated market value of $9791 compared favorably with 80% of the insurance appraisal of $9014, an amount for which Mr. Chlanda had previously offered the items for sale. With the approval of the Trustees, the offer to discuss the purchase of the entire collection was extended to Mr. Chlanda. He made a counter offer to sell the collection, with the exception of 7 items, for $7500. The purchase of 61 items at a cost of $7500 was agreed upon. The final sales agreement was signed on July 16, 1973. The 7 items not purchased were retained on loan at the Glebe House and insured under the same conditions as previously agreed with Mr. Chlanda.

It was felt that several items from the collection, along with some other items at Glebe House, which would not be needed in a final furnishing/decorating plan, could form the base, along with donated items, for an antique auction. If such a project were highly sucessful, it might not only defray the cost of the recently purchased Collection, but might launch a program to complete the furnishing and decorating of the Glebe House in conjunction with the Dutchess County Bicentennial Celebration. At the Annual Meeting, held on May 19, items from the Chlanda Collection were exhibited, and the idea of an auction was put before the members present. Later in the month, an appeal was sent to the entire membership, to test the support for this Bicentennial Auction project. The response, which was enthusiastic, included pledges of $450 cash donations, but a disappointink pledge of only an estimated $330 worth of items. Thus, the original idea of an exclusively Historical Society/Glebe House auction gave way to a more modest approach of including the items we could get in one of Calvin Smith's regular auctions. Mr. Smith was agreeable. Mr. Jenner agreed to chair the committee, and the following were enlisted from the Glebe House Committee: Nancy Helmig — Appeal correspondence Wynne Mund & Nancy Arnold — Antique collection Diana Butler — Collection of cash pledges Norma Van Kleeck — Follow-up correspondence.

A second appeal was sent to the Historical Society membership, and a special appeal to the Junior League membership, on October 12, 1973.

The collection started.

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The original plan of a late 1973 auction was changed to January 26, 1974, at the request of the auctioneer. The outcome of the auction and money pledged was as follows:

Net auction sale Junior League Bargain Box Pledged cash collected Appraised value of items donated but keep at Glebe House Appraised value of items donated but kept by Historical Society Total Return to date Outstanding pledges Additional items at Glebe House, to be sold in conjunction with the final Glebe House plan Estimated additional return Grand Total

$1,182.40 15.00 487.00 250.00 175.00 2109.40 187.00 1,470.00 1,657.00 $3,766.40

In addition to the items donated and auctioned, several items were considered worthy of preservation as a part of the permanent Glebe House Collection and the Dutchess County Historical Society Collection.

A Furnishing/Decorating Committee has been formed by the Glebe House Committee, and chaired by Mrs. Margaret Partridge. With the purchase of the Chlanda Collection, the money raised at the auction and the active support of the Historical Society, the plan for the Glebe House Bicentennial Celebration moves resolutely forward.

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73

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THE BARN MUSEUM AT MILLBROOK PHEASANT FARM by the Editor It was the nation's first paid shooting preserve. Birds were raised and released, dogs were bred and trained, fields were planted and harvested, shooting lands were maintained, many a hunter was guided through the preserve to try his skill against the evasive pheasant and many a diner at a fine metropolitan restaurant owed his repast to the product of this farm. All this was due to the efforts and direction of C. Beverly Davison and his wife Mildred, who also found time to raise four attractive daughters and to participate fully in the life of the Millbrook community.

For the most part, Bev and Millie have now put aside the business of the farm in favor of quieter pursuits, and one of these may be of particular interest to the Historical Society. The main barn, while still clearly a former working farm building outside and in, has become a museum of equipment much of which was utterly common at the turn of the century, but is rarely seen today. And many pieces which farms still use are in the museum in a form or material which has not been manufactured for years. The technological explosion which took us in about 70 years from a largely rural nation to one exploring the moon has equipped today's major farms with powerful automatic machinery.

To stand in the museum and examine a sixteen-foot, man-propelled, hand grass-seed planter creates in one great respect for the individuals who sowed many acres that way. The museum also contains some extremely diverse family items which have their own rare interests. For example, Bev not only admits to having gone to Yale, but displays a class of 1918 reunion helmet which later was adapted to rainy weather safety gear for guiding shooting parties. There are mementos of Bev's artillery service in Mexico and World War I, some marbles used in a championship match in Baltimore in 1877 (not by Bev), and what must be unique for any barn— a snap-shut silk opera hat in perfect condition.

The contents of this museum are neatly displayed on walls., in lofts or on convenient parts of the floor, and the place is in impeccable order.

Bev is a fascinating guide as he has stories to tell about so many of the items. The museum is a "living" situation, too, as new things are added from time to time sent in by people who want old or unusual possessions to find a good home.

It must be emphasized that this is a strictly private collection, one man's hobby, and not open to uninvited visitors. However, if the Society had a Pilgrimage in that direction, I bet we'd be allowed to visit the museum with the welcome of its founder/curator.

We record with sorrow the death on December 6, 1974, of our .fellow member, C. Beverly Davison.

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BARN MUSEUM CATALOG 1. Sleigh bells (silver) 2. Snow shovel 3. Shovel 4. Shovel 5. Spade 6. Beetle (wood) 7. Reel (wood) 8. Grain cradle with four fingers (see 95 below) 9. Corn knife 10. Bush hook blade

33. 4' one man saw (complete) 34. Bellows 35. Clamp (wood and steel) 36. Wrench 37. Wrench (open end) 38. Wrench (open end) 39. Wrench (monkey) 40. Wrench (monkey) 41. Wrench 42. Wrench (machine) 43. Sheep shears (hand) 44. Staple puller 45. Wrench (light wagon wheel) 46. Clamp (wood) 47. Frying pan 48. Steel strap 49. Meat hook 50. Meat hook 51. Meat hook 52. Meat hook 53. Meat hook 54. Hook (swivel) 55. Pulley (wood) 56. Pulley (steel) 57. Hog hook 58. Pulley (steel) 59. Pulley (steel) 60. Pulley (wood) 61. Hinge (barn door) 62. Hinge (barn door) 63. Pea scales or beam scales (with two peas) 64. Hog candles (4) (for scraping hair off butchered pigs) 65. Gamble sticks (4) 66. Steel and canvas seat 67. Dog holding pole and rope (snare) 68. Valve openers

11. Ice cake cutter (see 16 below) Axe 12.

14. Root cutter 15. Double bit axe-Eric Sloan calls it "the double bitted American designed Yankee axe of 1850 (page 51 16. Ice tongs and ice pick (see 11 above) 17. Animal tether 18. Hay knife 19. Wire stretcher 20. Tire chain opener 21. Light metal block and tackle 22. Wire stretcher 23. Nail puller 24. Dry gas gun 25. Buzz saw blade 26. Buck saw-Notice Price $1.95 27. Buck saw 28. Scythe blade (grass) 29. Bush hook (complete) 30. Scythe (complete) 31. 5' two man saw (complete) 32. 4 1/2' two man saw (blade)

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96. Steel traps 97. Reaper and binder shoe (see 193 below) 98. Machine part 99. Evergreen tree spade (planter) 100. Machine part 101. Valve handle (lake) (Converse pond) (see 68, 69, 70, 79 and 91 above) 102. Nail keg 103. Flare 104. Double tree or Wiffle tree or Two horse wiffle tree 105. Double tree or Wiffle tree or Two horse wiffle tree 106. Single tree or One horse wiffle tree 107. Foot warmer 108. Single tree (see 106 above) 109. Long awl (5' and 8') 110. Long awl 111. Single tree 112. Neck yoke 113. Single tree 114. Drag shoe (wagon) (called a Ruggle) 115. Drop weight (8 lb.) (see 117 below) 116. Spittoon 117. Drop weight (horse 88 lb.) (see 115 above) 118. Fruit jars (3) 119. Corn planter (hand) 120. Butter ladle 121. Hay rake seat (horse) 122. Auger 123. Wood clamp - Chicken killer - Hog ringer - Level Boot hook - Box

69. Valve openers 70. Valve openers (see also 79, 91, and 101) 71. Ball and collar (dog training) 72. Helmet (1919-first year reunion of Yale 1918 Sheff, painted red for guiding shooting parties when raining) 73. Hook for wooden horse drawn V-snow plow 74. Chain and hook 75. Grain sling rope holder 76. Chain (2) 77. Poker (furnace) 78. Ox leg chain 79. Valve opener (two ponds) (see 91 and 101 also 68, 69 and 70) 80. Steel rod with ring 81. Artillery map case, Artillery binoculars in case, Army mess kit (see also 196) -World War I 82. Canvas puttees 83. Hunting knife and case 84. Cloth apron (carpenter) 85. Barn door hinges (2) 86. Clevis 87. Clevis 88. Clevis (see 90 below) 89. Steel pin 90. Clevis (see 86, 87 and 88 above) 91. Valve opener (see 68, 69, and 79 above also 101 below for Converse pond) 92. Tree and brush puller 93. Ring 94. Screw hook 95. Grain cradle with four fingers (see 8 above)

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124. Measure-Plane-Wedge Pins - R.R. spikes - 4 telephone pole glass insulators Measure reads-"1 quart measure for household use only" 125. Candle holder - Shaving brush in silver case for travelling - Razors - Scoop Button hook - Stone 126. Light bob sled (one horse) 127. Wagon dirt box (pole dump wagon box) 128. Heavy bob sled ( two horse) (Consists of two bobs, the reach, the pole, the wiffle or double tree and the neck yoke) 129. Cutter (with bells) 130. Spike tooth harrow 131. Dirt scoop (horse) 132. Land plow 133. Horse cultivator 134. Side hill plow 135. Wheelbarrow sower (16') 136. Potato hiller 137. Mangle beet cutter 138. Grind stone (grinding stone) 139. Cornstalk cutter 140. Root cutter 141. Milk can 142. Button (hand made) 143. Head figure (General Grant - hand carved) 144. Oil lamp 145. Box (inlaid) 146. Hand heaters (3) 147. Agates (5) (Used by Walter Bayne when he was a champion marble shooter in Baltimore about 1877) 148. Tobacco tins (5)

149. Sears Roebuck catalogue (1908) 150. Almanac (1919) 151. Flasks (2) 152. 1 penny post card 153. Horse blanket safety pin 154. Bone corn husker (see 195 below) 155. Sewing machine 156. Box - gun - dice - cards matches 157. Silk hat brush 158. Canes (3) 159. Silk hat 160. Opera hat (collapsible) 161. Harness 162. Iron kettle 163. Corn sheller 164. Milk pail 165. One-half bushel measure 166. Dish pan 167. Iron hand pump 168. Iron sink 169. Coal pail and shovel 170. Wash tub 171. Five gallon jug in box 172. Two gallon jug in box 173. House moving Winch 174. Box (wooden varnished) 175. Box (cigar) 176. Stone boat (hand hewn) 177. Horse and ox shoes East of Cow Station 178. Hogs head barrel 179. Rocker 180. Spinning wheel (large) 181. Spinning wheel (small) 182. Trunks (4) - Saddle, army, Innovation wardrobe and ordinary trunk with trays

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183. Hog scalding board 184. Crock (25 gallons) 185. Incubator (kerosene) 186. Pheasant crate 187. Dog crate 188. Pheasant nets 189. Lanterns (2) 190. Pheasant coop and shutter 191. Dog bells, dog training balls, etc.

192. Shooting party guiding belt and equipment 193. Reaper and binder move (to change from reaping position to hauling position or vice versa. See 97) 194. Three horse wiffle tree (also used as an "evener" if one horse of a team travelled faster than the other one) 195. Three corn huskers (see 154 above) 196. Army mess kit used during Mexican trouble of 1916 and World War I (see also 81)

197. Overhead track and hay fork 198. Heavy home made horse drawn toboggan with "Body

by Brewster" (aluminum front) (under shed) 199. Hand hewn top of saw horse with slanted holes for legs 200. Hand hewn yoke for a yoke (pair) of oxen - vintage of 1900 or before hanging on outside of building over museum door.

201. Hand cranked sewing machine - has a metal plate which reads, "New National, Manufactured in U.S. of America by the Home Sewing Machine Co., Orange, Mass. Serial #3893675."

202. Wooden cow stanchions 203. Wooden rolling pin 204. Ox shoe

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81

THE STORY OF LITHGOW

by Louise Tompkins

The beauty of Dutchess County is enhanced by houses of all styles of architecture from the dignified New England colonial houses right on down to the pretty, little, pink, modern houses which remind one of bricks of strawberry ice cream. It has been said that the history of a country can be read in the styles of architecture of the buildings on it. And isn't that true?

The early New Englanders built almost square, box-like houses without porches or dormers. They specialized in those of which the second story slightly overhung the first.

The Dutch colonial houses were low, broad and home-like. The Dutch used the gambrel roof, adding dormers to the second part of the slope. They extended the lower edge Of the roof some distance beyond the side of the house and put square posts under it, inventing the porch. The southern colonial houses featured the verandas, often on both stories. And so it went.

People came to America from England, Holland, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden and other countries. Each group added something new and different to the architectural beauty of this country.

As one looks at the houses around him, he likes to think of the people who built them and how they came to do it. One house of interest is on Route 44 from Millbrook to Amenia, the David Johnstone house. It is situated on the right of the road a short distance to the east side of the driveway to the Millbrook School for Boys, which is on the opposite side of the road. Just to gaze at this house, set on a spacious lawn well back from the road, fills one with a sense of peace and contentment.

The story of how this lovely house happened to be built where it is, began in Linlithgow, Scotland, in the 1680's. This village was famous because the Palace of Linlithgow was situated near it. The palace was the birthplace of one of the most fascinating women in history, Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, It was accidentally burned over two hundred years ago but, even so, it has been called the noblest ruin in Europe.

At Linlithgow, which is about twenty miles west from Edinburgh, there lived a young man of great faith, courage and intelligence. His name was David Jamison and he became associated with a Scottish religous sect known at the "Sweet Singers." This group of people renounced the use of firearms and advocated the settlement of all argument by prayer. Before long, its members clashed with the authorities, both civil and ecclesiastical.

Mr. Jamison was forced to leave Scotland as a political exile. In 1685, he came to America and went to New Jersey to serve four years as a bondservant to pay for his passage across the ocean. He was sold to George Lockhart of Woodbridge and assigned to Rev. George Clark,

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chaplain of the Port of New York. Several prominent New York businessmen became interested in him; purchased his remaining time and employed him as a Latin teacher. Soon after, he was appointed Deputy Clerk of the Governor's Council and, in 1691, became Chief Clerk and Secretary of the Council. He entered the office of the Secretary of the Province and studied law. In 1711, he became Chief Justice of New Jersey and finally Secretary and Attorney General of the Province of New York in 1720. A member of Trinity Church, New York City, he served as a Warden. Governor Hunter wrote of him, saying that he was a "man of unblemished life and conversation."

On May 7, 1695, David Jamison married Mary Hardenbrook. Two years later, he established his connection with Dutchess County when he joined eight other men in forming the Great Nine Partners who purchased a large tract of land in Dutchess County. (Incidentally, Mr. Jamison outlived all the other partners).

His daughter, Elizabeth, was married to John Johnstone of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, about 1723. She named her son, David, after her father. He was born at the farm Scottihopton, New Jersey, on January 3, 1724. This little boy grew up and became the husband of Magdalen Walton — the daughter of a family of great wealth and position in New York City. They were married May 27, 1753, and for many years maintained a residence in New York City where Mr. Johnstone identified himself with business and social life.

In the course of time, Mrs. Elizabeth Jamison Johnstone, inherited some lands in Dutchess County from her father, David Jamison, the last of the Great Nine Partners. One particular parcel of four hundred thirty-four acres she passed on to her son, David.

Not long after his marriage, David Johnstone decided to lay out a country seat on this parcel of land. He sent a trusted Negro slave on ahead of him to look over the land to select a site for the future Johnstone mansion. The slave chose the site he considered most suitable and when Mr. and Mrs. Johnstone arrived in the county in 1754, they agreed that his choice was an excellent one. Their mansion was completed about 1760 and it still stands, although additions have been made to it.

Following the custom of those early days, David Johnstone named his estate after his family's old home town, Linlithgow in Scotland. However, he shortened the name, calling his country seat simply Lithgow, and it is still called that to this day.

Mr. Johnstone owned thirty Negro slaves and built living quarters resembling stalls for them in the cellar of his new house.

It is thought that in the 1790's, Mr. Johnstone altered the original enclosed staircase in his house to the present open stairwell and partitioned off four bedrooms on the top floor. His need for more bedrooms must have been acute by that time since he and Mrs. Johnstone became the parents of ten children between the years 1754 and 1774. They enjoyed the pleasant, leisurely life at Lithgow so much that they finally

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gave up their New York City residence and remained permanently in Dutchess County. But they kept in touch with city life and when General George Washington made his formal entry into the city after its evacuation by the British, Mr. Johnstone was on the committee of the Chamber of Commerce to welcome him. Mr. Johnstone was also the president of the St. Andrew's Society in 1774-1775 and in 1784-1785.

The Johnstone's eldest son, John, was married to Susannah Bard, the daughter of Dr. Samuel Bard, a prominent physician in New York City. The young couple established their country seat on the Hudson River and called it Bellefield, and John Johnstone became Judge of Dutchess County. Soon after this, Dr. Bard moved to the same neighborhood and purchased an estate which he called Hyde Park. The present village of Hyde Park received its name from his estate.

John was the only son of David Johnstone who left descendants. Of the other nine children, Mary, the eldest daughter, married John Allen; Elizabeth married a Captain Elliot Salter of the British Navy and made her home in Sussex, England; Cornelia married Gulian Verplanck of New York City. Two daughters, Magdalen and Euphremia, and two sons, David Jr. and Jacob, all lived at home. Magdalen died at the age of seventeen with tuberculosis. She was buried in the kitchen garden at Lithgow near the old cooking-pear tree. One or two of the sons were very lively and reckless, a trial to their father. For many years there stood about one-quarter of a mile north of the old Presbyterian church at the site now called Smithfield on the road to the square, an old tavern. Here the Johnstone boys loved to go and carouse. On one occasion one of the boys was feeling rather high and a friend in a similar mood bet him that he would not eat the tavern cat. Young Johnstone took him up on it, ate the cat and won the bet. It would be interesting to know if he had it fried or fricasseed!

About 1806 the road commissioners constructing the road through to Amenia, changed the route of the highway. They straightened the road out so that it ran further away from the Johnstone mansion. David Johnstone was bitterly opposed to this change and never used the new road. Instead he built the Shunpike on his own land to the west and journeyed to Poughkeepsie making a detour over the Shunpike.

David Johnstone died in January, 1809, in the southwest room or study on the ground floor at Lithgow house. It is said that the coffin had to be taken out through the window because the width of this "Pantry Bedroom" door did not admit of its passage to the hall.

Judge Isaac Smith was an influential man in Dutchess County. He served as a member of the State Assembly and as Justice of the County Court. On April 15, 1813, he purchased Lithgow, the estate of the late David Johnstone. At that time, the buildings on the estate consisted of the mansion, two convenient farmhouses and a variety of outbuildings such as a coach house, stables and barns.

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One of the farmhouses is standing in 1974 and is in excellent condition.

It is situated on Route 44 a short distance beyond the Johnstone-Wheaton house on the opposite side of the road in the Amenia direction. Painted a pale yellow with white trim, it is built on a split-level. The living room has a fireplace and is located on the second floor. It may be entered from the ground level at the back. The dining room and kitchen are on the first floor. In all, there are eight rooms in the house with three small unfinished rooms on the third floor.

Since the farmhouse was built in 1775, no doubt some of David Johnstone's thirty Negro slaves did much of the hard work in the construction.

It is interesting to note that the ceiling in the living room varies in height from eight feet to eight feet, four inches in places. The ceiling in the dining room varies from six feet, eleven inches to seven feet, four inches in some places. There is also a fireplace in the dining room. The partition between the old part of the house and the new kitchen is twentyseven inches thick. Evidently the walls were put up to stay — and they have —for 181 years.

Judge Smith took up residence at his new estate, Lithgow, in 1814. He, too, was a slave owner, having inherited a number of slaves from his father. One improvement he made at Lithgow was the long, north veranda. He is also credited with having had the window lights put above the main door.

Judge Smith's daughter, Margaret, was married to Stephen I. Brinckerhoff on October 25, 1815. Mr. Brinckerhoff was the owner of Maisefield at Red Hook.

In 1821, a young .man recently graduated from Hamilton College came to Lithgow as a tutor for the judge's other children. His name was Homer Wheaton of Pompey in Onondaga County, and his family had been well acquainted with the Smith family for many years. Mr. Wheaton was interested in studying the law and later became a lawyer at Syracuse, New York.

On July 10, 1825, Judge Isaac Smith passed away. He was in his fiftyninth year. His daughter, Louisa, then inherited Lithgow. Another daughter, Abigail, was the wife of Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, a member of the Improvement Party and a trustee of the old College Hill School at Poughkeepsie.

The friendship between Louisa Smith and Homer Wheaton grew into a romance and they were married in 1830. They made their home at Lithgow and Mr. Wheaton took a great interest in the estate. But he was a man with a brilliant, versatile mind and he soon turned to the study of the ministry. In 1841, he was ordained a priest of the Episcopal Church. A very earnest worker, he succeeded in building churches at Amenia Union and Beekman. Later he became a Roman Catholic and worked faithfully for that church, also. He died in 1894 and Lithgow passed to his grandson, Isaac Smith Wheaton.

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The county did not look as prosperous then as it did later. Many of the houses and barns had not been painted for years and there were only a few good roads. Farmers did not have the labor-saving machinery they do now and life for them was a hard struggle. Isaac Wheaton took a deep interest in farming and its problems. He improved his estate and built up an excellent dairy herd. In 1910, he had a large wing built on the Johnstone-Wheaton house, giving it an irregularly rambling appearance which is invitingly hospitable.

The neighboring farmers regarded Lithgow as a model farm and carefully observed the agricultural procedures used on its eight hundred acres, the mumber of which had been increased since the days of David Johnstone.

Mr. Wheaton was interested in the farmers, too, and often visited them, inquiring about the condition of their cattle and crops. Mr. Wheaton drove a gray roadster with the top down. As soon as a farmer saw that car coming down the Deep Hollow road, he hurried to the house to prepare for his guest. Mr. Wheaton would come into the kitchen and would chat for an hour or two with the farmer and his family.

(People didn't rush then as they do now). There wasn't a topic he couldn't discuss exhaustively. It seemed that he knew all there was to know about farming, cattle, politics, local history and even about the Indians who used to roam in old Dutchess. His wide knowledge of these things and his friendly, courteous manner made him an ideal country gentleman.

When he died a number of years ago, people in all walks of life were sincerely and deeply grieved.

Another old house on the Lithgow estate is known as the Southerland house. This house was built some time before the Revolutionary War, probably by Captain Roger Southerland. Anyway, he owned it in those early days. The house stood near the main road (Route 44) on the opposite• of the road, a short distance in the Amenia direction, beyond the present home of William B. Baldwin. It was once a tavern famous for its hospitality. That explains why it had a kitchen of such tremendous size, extending at least half way across the front of the house. It must have served as a dining room for weary travelers who stopped there to replenish their strength on its good food and warm themselves at its fires. In 1933, Mr. Wheaton had the house moved quite a bit back from the road and up to within a quarter of a mile of the Johnson-Wheaton house.

Lithgow was one of the few estates in Dutchess County that was laid out as a country seat and remained that way for two hundred years except for modern improvements. Isaac S. Wheaton left it to his five children.

In the present year, 1974, it is now the property of Mr. and Mrs. Eliot Clark. Originally, there were about 15,000 acres in the estate which David Johnstone inherited from his grandfather, David Jamison. But he built his mansion on the part of this land which he inherited from his mother.

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EVOLUTION OF THE FALLKILL NATIONAL BANK FROM 1910

By Raymond J. Baumbusch

Although a previous employee started without pay, I started at $5 a week as a typist, messenger and draft clerk. On cold days I had to start a cannel coal fire in the fireplace back of the President's chair. The Fallkill was the only local bank with an active President & Cashier. I had to be in at 8 a.m. to open the mail. An early job was to cut apart sheets of Bank Notes from the Treasury Department and fix the president's and cashier's signature.

Then were handled checking accounts only; no savings accounts.

Checking accounts were almost a luxury as they were used by business and by persons with good balances. An exception was made for Vassar students who were not expected to maintain large balances.

In those days there was much activity in sight drafts, some with bills of lading to be surrendered on payment. They were drawn by out-oftown creditors against local individuals and businesses. These I had to record and present to the debtors, and if paid, make remittance by N.Y. draft to the sender. We also had our customers' drafts on firms through the country. (Smith Brothers and Dutchess Manufacturing Co. brought in many.) I had to look up a bank nearest to the debtor, and after recording and endorsing, send the drafts for collection. There was other messenger work including making exchanges with the other banks in the city. I had to make up the lists of checks to each bank in pencil with a carbon although we had the first adding machine. (The arm was attached to a treadle so it could be activated by your foot.)

There were many other errands including exchanging currency and coin with other banks.

I also wrote letters listing the checks to N.Y. City, Chicago, Philadelphia and Albany banks, as well as "way banks" (certain Hudson Valley banks with whom we had accounts). Settlement was made weekly or monthly. These letters were written in a special ink, which through a moistening process were copied on thin paper in a copy book by a letter press. The out of town items were handled as above until the Federal Reserve System, after which they were sent to the F.R.B. in New York and some to N.Y. correspondents.

Being a national bank, Fallkill had become a member of the Federal Reserve System when it was established in 1913. I had charge of the mail and delivered it to the post office.

We had two bookkeepers; one for A to K accounts and the other to Z. After "on us" checks were examined for dates and endorsements they were listed on cash books (two others for deposits) with about 30 lines to a page. For proof purposes these were added and the bookkeeper would be most displeased if the clerk made a mistake in addition.

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The next step was to become a bookkeeper. To qualify, one was expected to learn to chew tobacco — there was a cuspidor at each desk.

Before electricity was in general use the desks were lighted by Welsbach mantles.

The bookkeepers posted in pen and ink on loose-leaf ledgers which were proved weekly to the general ledger account. If in error, the listing of balances was compared, additions and subtractions were checked, and if still in disagreement, all items for the week were checked back against the cash books. Friday night you stayed until books proved. In spare time the individual bookkeepers balanced passbooks and enclosed the paid vouchers which had been perforated.

The general bookkeeper had a cash book and a very large bound ledger (about 6" thick) and handled general capital and expense accounts as well as "due to" and "due from" banks. He handled settlements with correspondent banks, and he also balanced the ledger weekly. All accounts were balanced semiannually and some times errors kept us to midnight or after on June 30th and New Year's Eve. He also provided access to safe deposit boxes' as the vault was at his back. He rode his bike in ten miles from Salt Point. In rainy weather he might take the train on the P. & E. Railroad; sometimes taking the bike on the train for the return trip. During the winter months he lived in the Hasbrouck home on Cannon St. in the city.

There were two tellers windows (the partition was about seven feet high) with grilled windows but only one cash drawer between the two of them. Cash was proven daily, and in case of differences all items had to be checked out as deposits were not broken down between cash and checks. There was a gun at each window. Once a "summer" clerk was examining one and it went off and just missed his foot. — No more guns.

I also had to tie up packages of currency for shipment to N.Y. and pick up such shipments as came to the post office across the street.

All work was done standing up although the bookkeepers sat on stools when balancing the books.

Waste paper went into a piano box in the back yard of the bank so that if a difference could not be located we had to go over the paper.

Loans were made by the cashier or assistant cashier and recorded on bound books; a discount book, a tickler (listed on maturity dates) and a liability ledger, called bills receivable. Later we had collateral cards to record investments left to secure loans.

Bank drafts and travelers checks were sold, and safe deposit renters had access to the vault, but there was no record of entries.

The bank also acted in a fiduciary capacity for Upper Hudson Electric Co., Poughkeepsie Ferry Co. and Central Hudson Steamboat Co. bonds.

The first break into modern methods came after a visit to the Business Show in N.Y. City, after which the bank purchased two Burroughs Bookkeeping Machines. One of the bookkeepers went to a Westchester bank where they were using a machine to run statements, and we were told that a Buffalo bank used them for ledgers. Our bank was the first

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in the state to use machines for both purposes. It did away with hand posting and balancing of passbooks.

Controls had to be set up with little to rely upon. Such controls had to distinguish between totals of "black balances," "red balances," (overdraft) and the net. Four ledgers were set up and they were balanced daily, by running up old balances and then the new balances of changed accounts arriving with the net change for the day. After removing "bugs" there was little overtime in the department. Later new machines gave the net change in each ledger.

Soon all checks were pictured front and back, and at the same time "on us" checks were stamp cancelled and the others endorsed. In the meantime deposits coming from the tellers were broken down between cash and checks•so that cash could be proved independently.

Later an IBM proof machine was rented, which proved all deposits, sorted the checks and furnished lists of cash for the tellers and for the general ledger items.

The tellers machines separated cash from checks on the deposits and furnished "cash in" and "cash out" for each teller to balance his cash without waiting figures from "proof".

Personal Loans came next. Ledger cards and monthly coupon payment books were used. The same type of records were used for Direct Auto Loans. This latter effort was requested by local insurance men in order to offset the loss of issuing policies to outside firms when dealer loans were made. Our bank was advised that direct and indirect Auto Loans did not work together, and that the installment loans should be separate from the commercial loans in the banking room. The volume is greater with dealer loans, but direct loans were less costly to the borrower and more profitable to the bank.

Since 1910, several changes were made from time to time in the banking rooms and the second floor taken over. The most important was when a new large vault was built on the back end of the property and the old one demolished.

In the 20's the bank was granted the privilege of having a trust department.

The bank and its officers always maintained excellent relations with other banks in the city, county and elsewhere in the state. It was a member of the Poughkeepsie Clearing House, the Dutchess-Putnam Bankers Assn., the N.Y. State Bankers Assn. and the American Bankers Assn. The writer was a chairman of the Dut-Put. Assn. and a chairman of Group VI of the N.Y. State Assn., and attended many meetings and conventions including three of the A. B. A: There wasn't much change after World War II until the start of branch banking. Ours was the second bank in the area to have a branch, the first new building for that purpose. The writer was the first manager and there were two tellers.

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More branches came into being and then a series of mergers. No bank in the city except the Poughkeepsie Savings Bank has the same name as it had in 1910. Then the machine work was transferred to computers in New York City.

At the time I retired as vice-president and cashier in 1967 the bank had been merged with a Kingston bank and an Albany bank in conjunction with the Bankers Trust Co. of New York City. Later it was absorbed by the Bankers Trust Co. and now all locations are branches of that bank.

Memories In the early days the bank was open on Saturdays until noon and after balancing there was brought in a real meal — often sauerkraut, a fresh ham, baked noodles, mashed potatoes, bread and coffee; occasionally fried oysters. A few times we cooked a clam bake in the celler.

At one time during an epidemic of "flu" those in contact with the public wore masks at work.

There were many interesting experiences such as our force being supplied by the Fiat Company with the use of a seven-passenger open car for a day's outing for three summers. That was a treat as none of us had a car.

Christmas was big time in the old days. The force received many gifts from depositors; gold pieces, currency, candy, cigars, fruit, books, neckties, etc. The bank gave out diaries and calendars to the customers and annual bonuses to the employees. The winter time also brought snows and many times the best way to get to work was the path of the trolley sweeper.

1917. During the First World War overtime hours were spent handling war stamps and war bonds which had been ordered at street rallies.

There was a shortage of certain foods, and we were glad merchant customers helped us to get sugar, flour, etc. as well as coal.

1933. The "Bank Holiday" provided quite an experience. As all banks were closed a few of us went down each day and received large business deposits of checks, only to be sent for collection when the bank opened again. At the time the bank had a substantial surplus and undivided profits so there was no question of opening on notice. Also, with the Poughkeepsie Savings Bank, it stood ready to stand back of the other banks. In Dutchess County only a bank in Wappingers Falls failed to open. When we were advised that we could open the day following, we were up until about 3 a.m. processing the checks. The officers believed we had adequate cash for probable demands and could help other banks, but it was felt the bank needed small bills and silver. That day, the president and two directors, with city police officers, drove to the Federal Reserve Bank escorted both ways by State Troopers and New York City Police using devious ways through the City. Occasionally part of the escort would leave and take another route. After getting the

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money they drove at top speed with New York City Police to the city line where the State Troopers took over. The vice president driving had difficulty keeping up with the motor cycles on the turns, but after a thrilling ride they made it back in good time.

1941. During the Second World War much overtime was due to the handling of food stamps, which were issued to fairly distribute short supplies as much food was being shipped overseas. The stamps were deposited by the merchants and handled similarly to other deposits. We were also kept busy issuing War Bonds. Certain preparations had to be made for the bank, its people and its assets in case of an air raid by the Germans. In case of a warning we had sand buckets in the attic and we were instructed to close the vault and go down to the basement. Several employees did volunteer duty as wardens in the streets during night blackouts. It was fun getting people to turn off their lights, and to cover by foot an assigned district.

There was an incident during the installation of the present vault. I believe the walls and ceilings were three feet of concrete reinforced by one-inch bars on five-inch centers. A round opening was left in the front to take the 17-ton door and the south end on the main floor level was left open to bring the door in from the back. Everything was fine until the door was brought in, when it was realized that they had not figured on the extra size of the door flange. It took a couple of men two days and three nights with drills and torches to enlarge the opening five or six inches all around.

Another time we were faced with quite a job. At first all deposited checks on out of town banks were mailed to New York City and later were shipped by armored truck. That was a better method until one day when the truck was below Newburgh and caught fire. Many checks were burned or charred. After several days of going over the wet and charred mess many checks were found acceptable to paying banks . . .

We had them all over the Directors Room table and floor drying out.

Inasmuch as the checks had been pictured before sending, prints of those lost were also accepted for payment. In some cases we had to ask depositors to obtain duplicate checks. It was some time before everything was cleared up.

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CENTURY FARMS IN DUTCHESS COUNTY AS OF 1972

by Clifford M. Buck.

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111 1937 the New York Telephone Company began a program of selecting and honoring farms in New York State that had been in the family for 100 years or more and met certain other qualifications. After being selected, these farms were recognized and honored at the Annual Meeting of the New York Agricultural Society usually held in Albany in January.

Farms in Dutchess County selected in the past were: 1937: Sleight Farm on Overlook Road, LaGrange 1941: Fowler Farm on Fowler Road, Washington 1952: Taber Farm on Quaker Hill, Pawling Factors for Selection: a. The farm shall have been owned and operated by the same family for at least 100 years. Ownership may descend through either the male or female side. Length of tenure is not, however, to be the controlling factor in selection. b. The family must be good farmers now. c. The family can be engaged in any type of farming. d. There should be a record in the present two generations of volunteer effort to good causes. Some of these contributions should be in the neighborhood. Holding of paid positions in public service is honorable but should count for less than unpaid efforts in community activities. e. Recognition should be given for military service. f. There should be evidence of likely continuation by the family of the farm business. g. No discrimination shall be practiced because of race, color, creed or political affiliation.

The Special County Committee: a. The Cooperative Extension agent — agriculture in each of the selected counties is asked to arrange for his Executive Committee to consider the appointment of a special Century Farm Selection Committee. b. The County Executive committee appoints the Special Committee of three to five experienced older individuals who have time to make a search at their own expense. c. The Special Committee reviews and visits the eligible farms in the county, selects the one that seems to be the best qualified and makes a nomination to the district members of the State Century Farms Committee.

In Dutchess County such a committee was appointed to select one farm from Dutchess County to be recognized at the January, 1973, Annual Meeting of the New York State Agricultural Society. The members of the committee were: Clifford M. Buck, historian, Salt Point, Chairman John Porter, S.C.S. Farm and Home Center, Millbrook Albert B. Cole, fruit farmer, Red Hook

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Craig D. Vogel, dairy farmer, Rhinebeck Alson D. VanWagner, poultry farmer, Hyde Park Ralph Westlake, Eastern Representative of Century Farm Committee of the N.Y. State Agricultural Society, Middlehope Don R. Rogers, Cooperative Extension Agent Advisor, Millbrook The committee met several times and reviewed some twenty farms in Dutchess that had been in one family at least 100 years and were still being farmed. The final selection was the Vail brothers farm in the Town of Union Vale, LaGrangeville, N.Y., near Potters Corners. This farm was located in the original Beekman Patent and had been leased January 9, 1974, by Philip Schuyler and wife Sarah, and Catherine Rutsen to Daniel Haight. On May 1, 1868, Rutsen Suckley, Mary Suckley, Edward Livingston and wife Sarah, Thomas H. Suckley and George Suckley, sold 150 acres to Henry B. Noxon. At his death, in 1883, the farm passed to his daughter Phebe H. and her husband George I. Vail. George I. Vail left the farm to his son John Vail. At that time exception is made for school district #6 and for the Methodist Episcopal Church. John Vail died by accidental contact with a buzz saw in 1939. His widow, Clara K. Vail, sold the farm on March 9, 1950 to her sons Kenneth N. and Raymond G. Vail who are the present owners and operators, with the help of their wives and 11 children.

The committee was cognizant of the fact that it had been Twenty One years since Dutchess County had been offered a chance to select a Century Farm and that it might be a long time before another chance came this way. They were aware that suburbia was gradually replacing farms and they were aware that the new tax appraisal might force other farms out of business. Therefore it was thought it would be a nice gesture to recognize all the known farms that had been continuously in the same family over 100 years. This recognition was accomplished by giving a certificate to each such farm at the 1972 Annual Extension Service Meeting at the Farm and Home Center.

The Certificate Read: "Dutchess County Century Farm Award In recognition to the (Name of Farm owner) family as owners and operators of their parent farm for over a century, November 30, 1972. Signed by M. T. Griffin, President, Dutchess Cooperative Extension Association."

Following are brief descriptions of each farm. While many of these farms meet part or all of the qualifications of a Century farm, their inclusion is based only on the first qualification of being in the family 100 years or more. They are in the order in which the first ancestor bought the farm in Dutchess County. This information was obtained from deeds and mortgages at the County Clerk's office and from wills in the Surrogate's office in Poughkeepsie.

The Benson Farm. 1740.

The Benson farm is located northeast of Dover Plains, east of the Ten Mile River, on Benson Hill road at south end of Town of Amenia next to the Dover line. It is now owned by Lawrence Benson and

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operated by his son Norman Benson. The part of the farm that has been longest in the family is the western part which did consist of two parcels of sixty acres each, but only one parcel of sixty acres has been in the family continuously. The larger part of the farm was out of the family for twenty years and came back in 1896 when Emanuel the father of Lawrence bought same.

The family history states that Jacob Benson of Gloucester, Rhode Island, settled in Dutchess County in 1742. They think he settled on this farm, but there is no recorded proof. Jacob died in 1800. There is a deed, dated March 14, 1765, in which Jacob Benson sells 150 acres to Joseph Benson. This is witnessed by Jacob Benson 3rd and was recorded June 24, 1801.

Joseph Benson died in 1812, having several children including a Joseph Benson. On Dec. 1, 1880, David E. Benson and wife Adeline L. and Ellen Benson, widow of Joseph, sold 60 acres to Samuel K. Benson.

On same date Charles Benson and Ellen, the widow, sold the other 60 acres to Samuel K. Benson.

The first Jacob had a son Samuel who in turn had a son Samuel, who had a son Samuel K. Benson born June 13, 1817, and died February 10, 1888. In his will, item 5, he left two parcels of 60 acres each for life use of Thomas his son. At the death of Thomas the farm was to be divided equally between his two sons, brothers of Thomas, but they both died before Thomas. One of these brothers was Emanuel C. Benson, father of Lawrence Benson the present owner.

Homestead Farms, Inc. — Tucker-Jackson. 1737.

In 1737, Thomas Storm of Sleepy Hollow bought 409 acres from Catherine Brett. This was located on Phillips Road, East Fishkill, and did not remain in the family to the present time. On May 17, 1743, Catherine Brett sold 313 acres to Thomas Storm. This is located west of Stormville on route 216 just east of the Stormville road that comes off the Taconic Parkway. More extensive information on the Storm family and their farms can be found in Old Dirck's Book by Raymond W. Storm.

Thomas Storm died in 1769 and left his Dutchess County lands; his first purchase to sons Garret and Gores and his second purchase to Abraham. Abraham sold same to Isaac Storm.

Isaac Storm died 1813 and left to son John 74 acres; 2/4 acre, 13 acres, and 6 acres and a pond. The rest of the farm where "I now live" he left to his son Isaac.

Isaac Storm died March 20, 1838, and in his will he left use of the land to sons Alfred and Isaac and in a codicil he changed the name of Alfred to Thomas. Alfred eventually obtained the farm.

The will of Alfred Storm was probated Feb 14, 1873. He had a son Abram Adriance Storm and a daughter Susan Ida. She released her share for $6000 to her brother Abram Adriance Storm.

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As result of court action this was sold April 9, 1900, to Henry H. Jackson.

Abram Adriance Storm's daughter Diana married Henry H. Jackson.

Their three children were Diana A. Jackson who married Charles F. Tucker and had son Charles F. Tucker Jr. (Diana died April 13, 1967) Henry Hull Jackson and C. Tremain Jackson.

On March 2, 1932, Diana A. Jackson, Diana Adriana Tucker, Henry Hull Jackson, and C. Tramain Jackson sold same to Homestead Farms Inc. The Sleight Farm. 1765.

This farm is located on Overlook Road in the Town of LaGrange about one mile east of the Wappingers Creek. This had been cited as a Century Farm in 1937.

On October 8, 1765, James Livingston, High Sheriff, sold this farm at auction for 550 pounds to Abraham Sleight of Kingston. The farm consisted of 240 acres and was located in Lot 10 of the Rumbout Precinct. (This is the same farm that Stephen Van Renselaer of Albany sold to Gideon Vervalin, May 20, 1740, and he in turn sold same Oct. 24, 1740 to John Rugar.) Abraham Sleight was on the tax list for Rumbout from 1755 to 1757, but apparently did not stay. He built a stone house on the farm in 1798 and he died on October 21, 1800. The farm then went to his son James Sleight, born April 19, 1773, died Sept. 2, 1833, who married Elsey de Reimer. On March 21, 1839, Elsey Sleight and Henry A. Sleight sold same to Peter R. Sleight. Peter R. Sleight died during the great Blizzard, March 15, 1888, leaving the farm to his son Alexander Sleight, after whose death it was sold by Peter R. Sleight to David B. Sleight, June 29, 1925, they being only sons of Alexander Sleight. It is mentioned that it was 280 acres and that it was the homestead of their grandfather Peter R. Sleight. David B. Sleight died Feb. 26, 1958, and his widow, Mary Elizabeth, was given life use of the house and furniture and she, on May 16, 1958, sold same to her sons David S. and Francis E. Sleight. On August 24, 1973, David S. Sleight died.

The Hahn Farm. 1774.

This farm is located one mile southwest of Salt Point, on the Salt Point Tpk. It is operated by Thomas Hahn Jr., son of the owners, Thomas G. and Edna H. Hahn. On April 18, 1774, Stephen Tompkins and wife Hannah sold 104 acres to Isaac Lamoree. On December 29, 1813, Isaac Lamoree sold same to his son, Timothy. On September 20, 1845, Timothy Lamoree sold it to Benjamin Howell whose wife Mary was daughter of Timothy Lamoree. Benjamin died November 16, 1896, and on April 6, 1897, George W. Howell and Emily D. Budd sold same to Augustus J. Howell. Augustus Howell had a son Walter whose daughter Edna married Thomas G. Hahn. Augustus Howell died August 18, 1941 but, before he died, Augustus J. and Emily E. Howell, on Dec. 8, 1938, sold the farm to Thomas G. and Edna H. Hahn.

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99 Present Haht

The Morgan Culver Farm. 1780.

From family records and from page 20 of the book on the Bockee family; Abraham Bockee on January 3, 1698, bought lots 5, 16, 27, and 36 of the Great Nine Partners. Lot 36 consisted of 5000 acres in Stanford and Northeast. In 1760, Abraham Bockee sold 443 acres to Isaac Thompson and he in turn, in 1780, sold same to Benjamin Carpenter. When Benjamin died in 1837, he left the homestead farm of 500 acres in Stanford and Northeast to his son Morgan Carpenter.

On June 24, 1853, Morgan Carpenter sold to Isaac Carpenter 443 acres.

Morgan Carpenter died in 1871 leaving the homestead farm of 443 acres in Northeast and Stanford to son Isaac. Morgan's wife was Virginia Bartlett and they had a daughter Virginia. She married Arthur Culver and had a son, Morgan, and a grandson, Morgan Culver, Jr. Isaac Carpenter died 1898. His widow who had been Sarah Rebecca Wilson sold the same 443 acres to Wilson Carpenter on April 19, 1898. He died June 30, 1930 and his only surviving heir Henry Clark Carpenter and his wife Florence A. sold the same 443 acres to Morgan C. and Della B. Culver on March 23, 1965. On July 10, 1971 Morgan Culver, Sr. and Della B. sold same to Morgan Culver, Jr. and Sarah E. This deed includes a number of farms. The Culvers live at the foot of the hill about half way between Carpenter Hill Road and Route 82A at the "Square."

The farm of 443 acres in Northeast and Stanford that has been in the family the longest is located on Carpenter Hill Road some distance north of the Carpenter Cemetery (about 2 miles northeast of Hunns Lake). It is bounded by Henry Pulver, Abraham Bockee, Ward Bryan, Amos, David and Samuel Deuel, Morris Gray, John Titus, Lewis Dibble, Abraham Dibble and Isaac S. Carpenter.

The Van Vliet Farm. 1785.

This farm is in the Town of Clinton, on Hollow Road, one fourth mile east of the Pleasant Plains Presbyterian Church.

A mortgage dated April 30, 1785, was given by Cornelius VanVliet of Charlotte Precinct to Richard Alsop Esq. of Queens for $500; Lot 4, 120 acres.

On April 24, 1850, Levi and Platt VanVliet, executors of Cornelius VanVliet, conveyed it to Lewis U. VanVliet and on May 1, 1850, Lewis U. VanVliet sold to Levi VanVliet the homestead farm of Cornelius Van Vliet of 120 acres.

Levi Van Vliet died in 1860 leaving the farm to sons Henry and Lewis.

Henry VanVliet died in 1914 and on March 9, 1915, George S. VanVliet as executor of Henry R. VanVliet sold the farm to George S. VanVliet (himself). Mr. VanVliet was well versed on local history and local families and wrote several articles for the Dutchess County Historical Society Year Book.

On April . 22, 1937, George S. and Mercedes T. VanVliet sold the farm to their son H. Richard VanVliet who is the present owner and operator of the farm.

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Cornell Farm House

The Thorn Farm. 1787.

The present farm consists of over 500 acres located west of Millbrook, north of Route 44 and east of the Millbrook By-Pass. Some time before 1787, William and Isaac Thorn operated a store near the Nine Partners Friends Meeting House. It is said that one Solomon Barton became indebted to them and to settle same, sold a piece of land that is now part of the Thorn Farm. The earliest record is a mortgage dated May 1, 1787, Solomon Barton of Washington, merchant to William Thorn; 102 acres, The obligation was 800 pounds. This was cancelled on May 17, 1791. William Thorn bought 105 more acres from Samuel Mosher June 15, 1799.

William Thorn died in 1815 leaving all lands to his sons, Samuel, William and Nicholas. On July 27, 1815, William Thorn and Maria (wife) and Nicholas Thorn and wife Eliza sold to Samuel Thorn for $8166.66 two unequal undivided third parts of the homestead farm on which their father had died.

On May 1, 1.814, Samuel Thorn bought another 110 acres from Tripp Mosher for $6750.

Samuel Thorne died in 1849 and left all his real and personal property to his son Jonathan Thorne. On April 30, 1853, John Hoag sold 146 acres to Jonathan Thorne and on May 1, 1856, the heirs of Beriah Swift sold 180 acres to Jonathan Thorne.

On March 14, 1873, Jonathan Thorne and Lydia sold 537 acres to Edwin Thorne. An account of the farming activities of Jonathan and of Edwin can be found in Smith's History of Dutchess County pp. 330333. In the 1850's they were known as the best breeders of Shorthorn cattle and in the 1860's they were noted for their trotting horses and Jersey cattle. Edwin Thorne was President of the New York State Agricultural Society in 1876.

Edwin Thorne died in 1889 leaving a farm of 550 acres worth $50,000 to his son Oakleigh Thorne. This was confirmed by a deed from the executors dated September 12, 1899.

Oakleigh Thorne died on May 23, 1948, leaving one half of the farm to his grandson Oakleigh Lewis Thorne and life use of one half to his daughter Margaret Thorne Parshall which at her death goes to the grandson Oakleigh Lewis Thorne. These are the present owners.

The farm is being ably operated by Paul Beck raising Aberdeen Angus Beef Cattle and growing field crops on the contour in strips under the best of soil conservation practices.

Cornell Farm. 1788.

Peter Martense Cornell came to Dutchess County and purchased in 1788 from a Van Kleeck a farm of 400 acres on Titusville Road in Town of LaGrange about a half-mile south of Manchester Bridge. Part of this later became the Halstead farm and 175 acres became the present Cornell Farm.

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Peter Martense Cornell died in 1816 and on November 5, 1816, the farm went to his son Isaac Martense Cornell.

Isaac died on November 12, 1870, and on March 8, 1971, the farm went to his son Peter Martense Cornell (II). This Peter had a brother Frederick who had moved to Kansas. Frederick had a son, Frederick who had moved to Kansas. Frederick had a son, Peter Martense Cornell (III) who came back to work for his Uncle Peter and who purchased the farm on September 16, 1890. After his death on August 21, 1946, the farm went to his three daughters, Helen Cornell Kirby, Theodora Cornell Sammis and Katharine Cornell VanDeWater, who now own and operate it.

Fraleigh Farm. 1798.

The Fraleigh Farm is located on Fraleigh Lane, off of Echo Valley Road, about 1 mile northeast of Red Hook.

May 1, 1798, Nicholas I. Stickle and Hannah sold to Peter P. Fraleigh several parcels totaling 123 acres and on May 4, 1.818, Jacob I. Cole and Elizabeth and Simon Cole sold him another 16 acres. He made a will in 1847 leaving the farm to his wife Helen. However, she died in 1852, so he made a codicil leaving the farm to his son George William Fraleigh. Peter P. died October 8, 1853.

George W. Fraleigh died July 15, 1866. In his will he gave his wife Regina possession of the farm and then to go to one of his sons. She died December 28, 1870, and interest in the farm was released and given to John A. and Monroe Fraleigh on May 3, 1870, (before her death). On June 16, 1870, the Fraleigh family released to John A. Fraleigh, son of George W., all rights to a parcel consisting of 132 acres.

John Alfred Fraleigh died May 19, 1914, and his wife, Lucy I., died October 19, 1913, and on May 25, 1914, their heirs released the farm to Curtis Fraleigh, son of John.

Curtis Fraleigh died January 1, 1945, and his wife, Fannie Elmore Fraleigh, died June 22, 1958. On March 1, 1944, Fannie transferred title to the farm to her son, Elmore Fraleigh. A number of small parcels had been sold off, most of them from the 16 acre parcel bought in 1818, leaving total acreage now of 117.98 acres. The present farm is a fruit farm (apples). In the 1865 Census there were 400 apple trees with harvest of 337 bushels of apples and 50 barrels of cider. At that time there were also hay, pasture, wheat, oats, rye, buckwheat, corn, potatoes, flax, tobacco, cows (500 lbs. butter sold) pigs (2200 lbs. pork sold) and sheep-(30 lbs. wool sold).

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Hoffman Farm. 1801.

The Hoffman farm is located northeast of Pine Plains on Hoffman Road about a half-mile east of Patchin Mills, next to the Columbia County Line.

In mortgage 8:530, April 21, 1801, Matthais Hoffman and Elizabeth and Henry Hoffman and Catherine mortgaged to Arabella Graham 189 acres in Lot 48 of Little Nine Partners, bounded by Manor line, VanRanst, Benjamin Williams, top of 'Snake Hill, Edward Thomas and Cheromus Brook.

And in mortgage 8:460, April 2, 1801, they mortgaged to Cornelius Willet VanRanst another 105 acres which bordered the Manor line.

In will L 507 which Henry Hoffman made out July 11, 1833, and was proved December 3, 1840, he left the farm known as the Arabella farm to his son Anthony for life and then to his two sons Leonard and Henry.

April 17, 1873, Anthony Hoffman and Sally sold the east part of a farm of 343 acres, consisting of 100 acres to Henry Hoffman. It was stated that Leonard had died. On January 14, 1875, they sold to Henry another 53 acres adjoining the 100 acres.

On March 17, 1894, Mary A. Hoffman, widow of Henry, sold 153 acres to Leonard Hoffman who was born October 7, 1867, and died January 16, 1943.

The heirs of Leonard Hoffman, on June 13, 1944, sold the farm to Leonard's son Ira L. Hoffman. He was born March 23, 1893, and died July 11, 1959, leaving the farm to his widow, Edith, who now owns the farm which is operated by her son, John L. Hoffman, and his wife, Emily, who in turn have a son, John L. Jr., born June 8, 1957.

Jackson-Tucker Farm. 1805..

This farm is located on Seaman Road, formerly Back Road about one mile east of Stormville and is now owned by Homestead Farms, Inc. On May 3, 1805, Zebulon Homan and Phebe sold 386 acres to Stephen Jackson of Redding, Connecticut, and Henry Hull who had married the daughter of Stephen Jackson.

On April 8, 1829, Stephen Hull and Sarah sold to Abigail and Ezekiel Hull 250 acres formerly owned by Henry Hull who had died. Abigail and Ezekiel had a daughter, Esther Hull, who married Peter A.H. Jackson. She inherited the farm and in her will left it to her husband.

Esther and Peter had one son, Henry Hull Jackson, who inherited the farm and who married Diana Storm and the ownership of this farm continues in the family, the same as described in Homestead Farms, Inc., described previously.

Bryan-Moore Farm. 1807.

This farm, on which the Bryan cemetery is located, is a short distance north of Shekomeko. In deed 1079: 706, May 28, 1962, in which the executors of Elihu Bryan sell several farms to Thomas J. Moore, Jr.,

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this is parcel 4C consisting of 154 Acres. It is difficult to get an exact date for this. On page 496 of the Commemorative Biographical record, it states that Ezra Bryan came to Northeast from Newton, Conn., in the 1760's and purchased 400 acres which he lost during the Revolution.

His son, Amos Bryan, was born January 31, 1779, and, on reaching manhood, purchased 150 acres of the old homestead.

The earliest recorded deed is one from Ezra Bryan to Amos Bryan for 160 acres dated February 17, 1807. We do not know how early Ezra Bryan made his purchase. He died in 1825 and had one son, Amos. That Amos died in 1863 and had several children including Ward Bryan who had a wife Elizabeth.

A deed, dated February 13, 1868, is from Amos Bryan to Elizabeth Bryan and describes the same 154 acres.

Elizabeth Bryan and the other heirs of Ward W. Bryan sold same to Calvin C. Bryan, February 11, 1871.

Calvin C. Bryan, in his will which was proved April 23, 1901, left all his real estate to Elihu Bryan.

Elihu Bryan died on April 26, 1961. He gave his grandson, Thomas J. Moore, Jr., an option to buy the farm. Elihu's daughter, Helen Bryan, married Thomas J. Moore and had a son, Thomas J. Moore, Jr., who bought the farm on May 28, 1962.

George Culver Farm. 1816.

This farm is located about two miles south of Millerton at the corner of Downey Road and Lake Road directly west of Indian Pond and includes part of same.

In the book "Martyrs of the Oblong and Little Nine," by DeCost Smith, pp 103-4; 109-112, we learn that it was on this farm that the Moravian Mission, Wachquatnach, was located. It was also called Gnadensee, or Sichem, or Sichem-in-the-Oblong. It was here that the Moravian Missionary Joseph Powell died, in 1774, and was buried. On October 6, 1859, a memorial was dedicated at Powell's gravesite in the orchard to Joseph Powell and David Bruce.

On May 21, 1816, Philip Spencer and wife, Sukey, of Poughkeepsie and Ambrose Spencer and wife, Catharine, of Albany sold to Douglas Clark for $23,760 a farm of 427 3/4 acres located in the Oblong at the 44 mile monument, west of Indian pond and including the pond and also a woodlot of 61 acres in Connecticut. This latter parcel reserves the Spencer mines and mentions a Stone Saw Mill.

On January 1, 1858, Douglas Clark sold 488 acres to Hiram Clark.

Hiram died intestate in 1892 and his only heir was his son, Henry D. Clark, who died intestate in 1921. 1-Es only heir was John D. Clark who died intestate in 1931 and his only heir was Emma C. Culver. In her will she left one third of the farm to her husband, George R. Culver, Sr., two thirds to the present owner and operator, George R. Culver Jr., who on December 17, 1954, purchased his father's interest.

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Germond Farm. 1827.

This farm is located one mile northwest of Clinton Corners adjacent to the Taconic Parkway. Tradition is that this was part of the Underground Railway in slavery days and that there is a secret stairway leading to a small room in the peak where a small window on the west side can be seen from the Parkway.

On January 26, 1827, Joshua Carhart of Clinton sold to Daniel Griffin of North Castle 150 acres in Great Lot 4 of the Nine Partners for $5000.

Daniel Griffin died on August 26, 1858, and left life use of the farm to his wife, Phebe. The executors sold it to their son Jacob Griffin on May 1, 1875.

Jacob Griffin's will was proved January 2, 1912. He left three daughters: Catherine G. who married a Hester, Anna D. who married Benjamin Germond and Frances who married a Bowman. On December 31, 1923, Catherine Hester sold her share to Benjamin and Anna Germond and, in 1934, Frances Bowman did the same. Benjamin Germond has since died and Anna Germond at the age of 86 continues to own and operate the farm with her sons John and Leroy Germond.

The Bailey Farm. 1834 This farm is located in the Town of East Fishkill on Hosner Mountain Road a short distance east of the Taconic Parkway. On March 31, 1824, Annannias Wiltsie and Catherine VanVleck were married in the Hopewell Reformed Church. On May 1, 1834, Moriche Berry, widow of Nathaniel Berry and the other heirs sold to Annannias Wiltsie 4 parcels of land amounting to 74 acres.

Annannias Wiltsie died in 1868 leaving 55000 and a lumber wagon to his daughter Jane, wife of Wright Knapp, and the balance of his estate to son Albert. May 3, 1870, Albert Wiltsie sold to Wright Knapp a farm of 230 acres owned by Annannias Wiltsie at time of his death. There were no recorded deeds to show how Annannias Wiltsie built the farm up to 230 acres.

Wright Knapp died April 12, 1892, leaving a daughter, Kate Eliza Knapp Sprague, who died November 26, 1912, and a daughter, Minnie Knapp Bailey. On February 2, 1931, Minnie Bailey appointed Wiltsie K. Bailey her attorney and on December 28, 1935, Wiltsie K. Bailey sold same to Charles A. and Elton V. Bailey. On June 20, 1938, Charles Bailey sold his interest to Elton V. Bailey reserving life use. Elton V. Bailey still owns the farm and operates same with his son Elton. The acreage has been reduced to 180 acres because of land taken by route 84 and by the Taconic Parkway.

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108 Germond Farm House

Davis Farm. 1836.

This farm is located on Butts Hollow Road in Town of Washington about four miles east of Millbrook and one mile northeast of Little Rest.

On April 27, 1836, David Elsbree and Dinah sold 34 acres to Leonard Davis of The Town of Washington.

On August 26, 1836, Charles Myrick and Caroline sold to Leonard Davis, 140 acres which were part of the homestead of John Myrick.

On August 15, 1922, Joseph H. and Frances G. Davis sold to Eliza A. and Dwight L. Davis one quarter of the homestead farm of 414 acres where Leonard died on December 27, 1866. Dwight Davis was son of a Leonard Davis who died on February 26, 1922, leaving wife Eliza and son Dwight L. Dwight L. Davis died on August 16, 1949, leaving wife, Hulda, and son Frederick.

In 1950, an agreement was made between Frederick and his mother that after her death the farm would go to Frederick. Hulda is still living and Frederick is operating the farm.

Bull Farm. 1837.

This farm is about two miles northeast of Amenia on Sharon Station Road. It probably goes back in the family further than 1837. Joseph Mygatt came from England, in 1633, and settled near Hartford, Connecticut. A descendant, Thomas Mygatt, with wife, Christian Fairchild, located in the Amenia area and both are buried in the Amenia cemetery; he having died in 1799 and she in 1800. They had 12. children including one, Thomas, who mairied Anna Waterhouse, their issue being two sons, Ambrose, born September 2, 1809, and Abram, born May 20; 1811.

On April 20, 1837, Ambrose Mygatt and Mary sold to Abram P. Mygatt "land of our honored father, Thomas Mygatt." Actually, Ambrose took the south half of the farm and Abram the north half, but on April 1, 1852, Abram sold his half of 229 acres to Ambrose. The family state that the present tenant house was the original house on the farm and was built in 1834.

Ambrose Mygatt had one son and four daughters. His wife, son and daughter died of typhoid fever the same year. In his will which was proved September 4, 1884, he left to his daughter Harriet J., wife of Walter B. Culver, the privilege of buying his 300 acre farm which she did, August 3, 1885.

Walter Culver, in his will proved June 20, 1922, refers to the farm owned by his deceased wife. She had left the farm to her daughters Laura B. Culver, and Harriet Elizabeth Culver, wife of Harry Bull of Cambell Hall, Orange County. After Laura died, Harriet Elizabeth Culver Bull inherited the farm. She and Harry Bull sold their farm in Orange County and moved to Dutchess. She is now 87 and is living on the farm which is operated by her son, Harry Culver Bull.

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The Hoag Farm. 1837.

This farm is located about one mile west of Wingdale on the road to Blueberry Hill at Hoags Corners.

On March 11, 1837, Elihu Hoag and John Jewett sold land to Philip Hoag. On April 11, 1863, John B. Dutcher sold 105 acres to Philip Hoag.

Philip left the farm by will to Frank Hoag.

Frank left the farm by will to his son, Philip, and his daughter, Mary Hill, each of whom had a half interest in the farm.

Mary Hill had no children and left her share to Philip Hoag's five sons. One of these sons is Frank Hoag who is the present owner and operator.

After Mary Hill died, there was a period during which the farm was rented and so, for a period of time, none of the Hoag family was actually farming it; however, the ownership of the farm remained in the Hoag family.

The Fowler Farm. 1837.

This farm is located in the Town of Washington at the corner of Fowler Road and Canoe Hill Road about two miles north of Cottonwood Inn at Washington Hollow and close to the Hibernia Flats.

On April 29, 1837, Peter Sharpsteen and Deborah sold to Jacob I. Fowler 139 acres which were part of the Homestead Farm of Captain Jacob Sharpsteen.

Jacob I. Fowler died on January 19, 1880, leaving wife, Maria, and children, Elbert, Milton, and Mary. Apparently the farm went to Milton and Elbert.

Milton Fowler died August 16, 1887, leaving wife, Cornelia A., and children, Newton, Minnie J., Byron M., Willard H., and Nellie M. In deed 258:281, dated March 21, 1891, Elbert settled the interest of Milton's heirs in the farm. Elbert Fowler died on August 25, 1891, leaving wife, Phebe L., and children, Jacob V., Egbert M., Jennie May and Phebe L. In deed 333:168, April 22, 1904, the heirs sold this farm to J. Virgil Fowler (Jacob V.), son of Elbert.

J. Virgil Fowler and wife Rosalie had three children. They were Irene Croft and Margaret Budd and their brother, Wendell, to whom they sold the farm on November 22, 1960. Wendell Fowler still owns and operates . the farm.

This farm was cited as a Century Farm in 1941.

The Bird Farm. 1839.

This farm is located on Hunn's Lake Road between Hunn's Lake and Carpenter Hill Road about five miles northeast of Bangall.

On April 1, 1839, Covell Case and Minerva sold to Henry Pulver a farm that Joel and Betsey Sackett had sold to Isaac Sackett on May 1, 1820.

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On March 15, 1881, Henry Pulver sold same to his daughter, Ruhamer Bird, with the provision that he be supported for life.

Ruhamer Bird died intestate November 27, 1915, and her heirs sold the farm to Isaac B. Bird, also one of the heirs, at which time it consisted of 207 acres.

Isaac B. Bird died July 5, 1955, leaving a wife, Catherine, a sister, Jennie P., and children, W. Pulver Bird, Mary E. and Marguerite Bird.

Isaac left his property equally to his three children. On August 15, 1957, W. Pulver Bird sold the farm to his sisters Mary and Marguerite, the present owners and operators.

The Kinney Farm. 1839.

This farm is located in the Town of Stanford on the Bangall-Amenia Road about four miles east of Bangall and one mile north of Route 44.

On May 1, 1839, Abraham Barton and Celia sold to Howard Tripp 189 acres in Stanford and 35 acres in Amenia for $1500.

On May 1, 1867, the heirs of Howard Tripp sold that property to George B. Kinney who had married Elma, the daughter of Howard Tripp.

On June 30, 1904, the heirs of Elma Kinney sold her share of the farm to her husband George B. Kinney.

March 27, 1906, Roswell B. Kinney sold the farm to George H. Kinney with provision of life support. He died on November 26, 1935. In his will he gave the equipment and stock to his nephew, Roswell Kinney, and life use of remainder of estate which was to be divided at death among his heirs.

On April 2, 1961, Roswell P. Kinney was given permission to sell this 189 acres and on May 5, 1961, he sold same to Roswell P. Kinney Jr., the present owner and operator. Since then Roswell P. Kinney has died.

The Patchin Farm. 1842.

The Patchin farm is located about one mile north of Pine Plains at Patchin Mills at corner of Silvernails Road and Hoffman Road. Mark Patchin, son of Abijah Patchin, was born in 1818 in Dover Plains. He became a mill wright and in 1840 leased the mill at Pine Plains from the Hoffmans. He met Catherine Ham, and married her the next year and bought two acres and built a house in 1841. As much of his pay for grinding grain was a portion of the grain, he later bought 35 acres on which to keep animals to use up the grain, thus becoming one of our early part time farmers.

On June 5, 1842, Anthony Hoffman sold a parcel of land to Mark Patchin. The acreage is not given, but it is stated that it is a short distance northwest of the Hoffman Grist Mill. It is also mentioned that a one quarter acre portion is part of Clark leased land, leased for two lives and twenty years.

On May 12, 1873, Anthony and Sally Hoffman sold a parcel north of the Grist Mill dwelling house. Again, the acreage is not given. Patchin has the privilege of water east of the Patchin line into his door yard.

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114 Ross way Farm House

On April 1, 1878, Anthony Hoffman, Jr., sold for $5000 the Grist Mill Farm consisting of 19 acres.

On May 21, 1894, Milton A. Fowler sold another 19 acres on Silvernails Road to Frank Patchin.

Frank Patchin had ten children, the youngest being Gould Patchin.

Frank died on June 14, 1925, leaving all his property to his wife Mary C. She died on June 1, 1929, leaving the real estate, stock, and farming implements to her children, Gould and Agnes. Gould Patchin is now the present owner and the land is farmed by his son Gould Jr., who also farms 400 acres in Columbia County where he lives.

The Rossway Farm. 1849.

This farm is located in the towns of Pleasant Valley and La Grange about four miles southeast of Pleasant Valley, east of the Taconic Parkway on Rossway Road.

On April 7, 1846, Joseph Bull and Lucinda sold to John C. Ingraham 70 acres mostly in LaGrange and partly in Pleasant Valley and 22 1/2 acres in Pleasant Valley, both for 53500.

Ingraham bought from John Laird and Sarah 5 1/2 acre woodlot on January 26, 1849, and another 5 1/2 acre woodlot from Underhill Chatterton and Timothy Gidley.

On May 1, 1866, Edward Drake sold Ingraham the 48 acres in Pleasant Valley which were north of his original purchase.

In May 1897, the heirs of John C. Ingraham sold the farm to Mary E. Devine, wife of Reuben Devine.

On January 9, 1909, Mary E. Devine, now widow of Reuben, sold the farm to J. Christopher Rossway and his wife, Edna R., the daughter of Reuben and Mary E. Devine.

On January 25, 1965, Otto C. Rossway as executor of J. Christopher Rossway, sold the farm to Otto C. and Virginia Rossway, the present owners and operators.

The Coon Farm. 1846.

The Coon farm is located in the Town of Red Hook on Shookville Road about two miles north of Rock City.

On May 16, 1846, Jeremiah Niles and his wife, Laura, of Gallatin, sold 25 acres to William H. Coon of Milan.

On April 19, 1847, John Shook sold Coon 10 acres.

On February 21, 1850, Coon purchased 22 acres from Peter Shook.

On May 2, 1853, George Shears sold Coon another 44 acres.

And on April 30, 1862, David Coopernail and Electe sold Coon 35 acres, finally bringing together a farm of 138 acres.

William H. Coon and his wife Catherine Mink had nine children, eight of whom died as did his wife Catherine. He married a second time Mary Barker and they had a girl who died in infancy and a son Burton B. to whom they sold the farm on March 1, 1894.

In 1927 Burton sold the farm to his son Webster Coon who is the present owner and operator.

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The Hall Farm 1850.

This farm is located about four miles east of Verbank on Chestnut Ridge a short distance south of the Town of Washington line at the edge of Union Vale and Dover. The farmhouse is located on the east side of the road directly opposite where the East Branch Meeting House of the Oswego Friends stood. The grandfather of the present owner worked for a man named Samuel Taber. Mr. Taber told Mr. Hall that if he would name a son Samuel Taber Hall he would give that boy the farm, but he never did so after the boy was so named.

The present deed consisted of 11 parcels. The farm land does not date back 100 years in the family. The earliest deed is for 9 acres November 15, 1850, Peter Strongarms and Catherine to Dennis Southworth. The following is an accounting of the parcels: Parcel 2: May 1, 1852, 100 acres sold by Samuel Mabbett and wife to Phebe Mabbett, did not come into Hall family till much later.

Parcel 7: May 9, 1856, Dennis Southworth and Mariah to Helen and Sarah Southworth; 22 square rods.

Parcel 9: April 27, 1857, Daniel A. Hall to John W. Russell; 3 acres, 3 roods, 70 perches.

Parcel 10: April 27, 1857, Daniel Hall to John W. Russell; 2 acres 29 rods.

Parcel 6: July 6, 1864, Elizabeth T. Underhill and Aaron C. to Helen Southworth; 1 acre, 2 roods.

Parcel 4: July 19, 1867, Margaret R. Allerton and George W. to Helen Davis; 8 acres on road from Friends Meeting house to Little Rest.

Parcel 3: April 22, 1874, Peter Nehrab and Aurelia and Jacob Nehrab and Anna to Sarah E. Hall. This is house and lot of 1 1/2 acres opposite the Friends Meeting house and is the present farm house, being in the family just under 100 years.

Parcel 5: April 22, 1874, parcel of 3 2/4 acres by the Nehrabs to Sarah E. Hall.

Parcel 1: November 2, 1876, Edwin Thorne to Edmund Butler; a 10 acre woodlot came into family at a later date. Parcel 11: May 2, 1878, Jane Elizabeth Mabbett to Isaac H. Dunkin; 137 acres known as the Mabbett farm on the road from Vincent's store to Little Rest, and on May 2, 1878, Jacob Senk and Barbara to Isaac H. Dunkin; 105 acres.

Isaac Duncan died May 18, 1895 having a nephew Samuel T. Hall.

To go back to parcel 8, which Dennis Southworth obtained in 1850, Dennis and his wife, Mariah, sold same to William and Sarah Southworth on May 9, 1855.

On February 15, 1882, Helen Cronkright sold same to Sarah E. Hall, Helen and Sarah being daughters of Dennis Southworth.

On February 25, 1903, Sarah E. Hall sold same to Frederick L. Hall and, on same day, Fred Hall and Hattie sold same to Samuel T. Hall and Cornelia. Fred Hall had also obtained a number of the other 11 parcels which he sold at the same time.

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Samuel T. Hall died on April 19, 1908, leaving his widow, Cornelia, and son and daughter, Samuel T. and Alice.

On December 24, 1935, Cornelia Hall Arnold (remarried) also known as Nellie sold 11 parcels as listed before to Samuel T. and Margaret N. Hall, the present owners and operators.'

The Hewlett Farm. 1855.

This farm is located in the town of Pleasant Valley on Gretna Road about two miles northwest of Pleasant Valley.

On May 3, 1855, Moses Halstead and Anna sold to Isaac S. Hewlett 75 acres and a 5 acre woodlot. On January 24, 1856, Edward S. Hicks and Emily sold 25 acres to Isaac S. Hewlett. On May 8, 1875, John C. Travis sold 68 acres to Isaac S. Hewlett.

Isaac sold this 68 acres to Samuel D. Hewlett on May 1, 1876 and Samuel also bought 21 acres from Charles W. Cole on April 28, 1876.

Isaac S. Hewlett died on April 30, 1903, leaving the farm to his wife, Letitia. He had two sons, Samuel D. and Irving, who inherited the farm when Letitia died on July 8, 1908.

Samuel D. and wife, Augusta, and Irving, widower, sold the farm to Marshall I. Hewlett May 1, 1922. He died on April 26, 1956, leaving a wife, Abigail, and ten children.

On November 20, 1964, Widow Abigail, Howard Hewlett, Robert W. Hewlett, Ella Hampson, J. Samuel Hewlett, Jean Berryann, Betty Underhill, Eleanor Benson, Donald Hewlett and Allen Hewlett sold the farm consisting of 75 acres, 5 acres, 25 acres and 68 acres to Robert W. Hewlett and his wife, Gertrude.

And on March 18, 1965, Barbara Hewlett released her share to Robert W. and Gertrude Hewlett, the present owners and operators of the farm.

The Daley Farm. 1858.

This farm is located in the Town of LaGrange on Daley Road about a mile south of Titusville Road and 3 miles south of Manchester Bridge.

On April 2, 1858, Elijah Russell and Margaret sold to Daniel M. Daley 116 acres and on April 1, 1864, Abraham Dates sold Daniel M. Daley an additional 3 acres.

Daniel M. Daley's will was proved September 14, 1887, and on February 19, 1889, widow Ellen Daley and son Ogden Daley, executors sold same.to Edward B. Stringham and he in turn on May 1, 1889, sold same to Dena R. Daley.

On May 31, 1892, Dena R. Daley sold to Eugene D. Daley who was a son of Daniel M. Daley.

Eugene D. Daley died on May 17, 1943, but on January 22, 1943, he and his wife, Mary F. had sold the farm to his son, Eugene D. Daley Jr., and Mary F. October 15, 1943, widow Mary F. and the executors of Eugene D. Daley sold the farm to Eugene D. Daley and wife Lulu K. who are the present owners and operators of the farm of 120 acres.

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The Hasbrouck Farm. 1865.

This farm is located in the town of Pleasant Valley at Salt Point on the corner of Salt Point Tpk and North Avenue. The Salt Point Turnpike milestone 9 PC stands in front of the house. 9 PC means 9 miles to Poughkeepsie Corporation. The first settler of Salt Point, John Gazley, probably settled on this farm as he shows in this probable location in the tax lists and book of roads in 1750. The son, Joseph F. gave mortgage to his father, John Gazley, for this farm in 1801. On May 5, 1824, heirs of Joseph Gazley sold same to John and Charles Brown.

On March 4, 1865, Thomas Alley, executor for Charles Brown, sold to William Herrick 80 acres east of the Salt Point Turnpike and North Road. Charles Brown was related to Hasbroucks only by marriage. His daughter, Elizabeth, married William Herrick, but she died and William Herrick married second Mary Harris by whom he had a daughter, Mary Elizabeth, who married Louis Hasbrouck. She died at the age of 101 in 1972.

On April 10, 1875, The Children of William Herrick and his first wife who had inherited 105 acres on west side of the road sold same to William Herrick.

William Herrick died intestate on January 6, 1901, and on July 2, 1909, his heirs sold the acreage to his daughter, Elizabeth H. Hasbrouck, the owner until her death in 1972, the same being operated by her son Alfred Hasbrouck.

Farm of Theodore Traver. 1867.

This farm is located two miles south of Pleasant Valley in the Town of LaGrange on the Pleasant Valley-Freedom Plains Road.

On February 27, 1867, Charles DeGroff and wife, Jennie, sold to Theodore Traver 141 acres which had been obtained from Daniel Cronkhite in 1862.

Theodore Traver died on February 11, 1921, leaving the farm to his wife Mary H. and at her death to his sons Luman W. and Charles E. Traver.

On March 31, 1930, Luman W. Traver, widower and Charles E. Traver and his wife, Helen, sold the farm of 141 acres to Luman Traver's son, Theodore H. Traver, who is the present owner and operator.

The Keaver Farm. 1869.

This farm is located on Keller Hill Road in the Town of Stanford about two miles northwest of Smithfield near the "Square."

On March 28, 1869, John S. Thompson sold to Patrick Shannon 167 acres in Stanford for $11,356.

Patrick Shannon died on March 3, 1894, leaving as his only heir Mafy Shannon. She married William Keaver and she died August 19, 1908, leaving four sons, William Shannon Keaver, John Suydam Keaver, Paul Lacey Keaver and Neuton Davis Keaver.

In a deed dated November 10, 1938, Neuton Davis Shannon sold the farm to William Shannon Keaver and John Suydam Keaver, who are the present owners and operators.

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The Tabor Farm. 1874.

The Tabor farm that was a century farm in 1952 was located in the Town of Pawling and is no longer operated as a farm.

The Tabor farm described herein is located in the Town of Dover on Benson Hill Road about one mile northeast of Dover Plains.

On April 1, 1874, Rachel J. Case sold to George D. Hufcut, Jr. and Horace D. Hufcut 250 acres known as the "Johnston farm".

George Hufcut and Jennie A. sold one half interest in 125, 240, 9 and 30 acres to Horace Hufcut.

On June 1, 1894, Horace D. Hufcut and Alice sold 30 acres and 9 acres to Edwin Vincent.

On June 1, 1904, Horace D. Hufcut and Alice M.G. sold 125 acres, 240 acres and 112 acres to Edwin Vincent.

On April 1, 1904, Edwin Vincent and Ann H. sold to Wright P. Tabor four parcels: Parcel 1, 146 acres in Amenia bounded by the Bensons; parcel 2, 240 acres in Dover bounds the Bensons, under perpetual lease from Henry Livingston to Thaddeus Barnum dated April 1, 1793; Parcel 3, a woodlot of 30 acres on East Mountain; and Parcel 4, Stevens woodlot of 9 acres on East Mountain. On April 28, 1925, Wright P. Tabor sold same to Ida H. Tabor and on May 22, 1950, Ida sold to Wright H. and Jennie C. Tabor, the present owners who operate the farm together with their son, Philip Tabor.

I have not been able to establish the relationship of the Hufcuts and the Vincents to the Tabors. The earliest deed that I have found is dated 1874, making the farm slightly under 100 years in recorded age.

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HISTORICAL SOCIETIES IN THE TOWNS OF DUTCHESS COUNTY AMENIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mrs. Frances, Bly, President Benson Hill Road Wassaic, N.Y. 12592 TOWN OF CLINTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mr. Francis Van Auken, President Zipfelbarrack Road Rhinebeck, N.Y. 12572 DOVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mrs. Donald Dedrick, President Nellie Hill Acres Dover Plains, N.Y. 12522 EAST FISHKILL HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mrs. William Hauptman, President Stormville, N.Y. 12582 FISHKILL HISTORICAL SOCIETY Felix Scardapane, President Fishkill, N.Y. 12524 HYDE PARK HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION Miss Beatrice Fredriksen, President Hyde Park, N.Y. 12538 HYDE PARK HISTORY STUDY GROUP Virginia Cookingham, President Hyde Park, N.Y. 12538 LAGRANGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mrs. Arthur Gellert, President Pine Ridge Road Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12603 LITTLE NINE PARTNERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mr. Frank French, President Pine Plains, N.Y. 12567

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NORTHEAST HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mrs. Mary Smith, President Center Street Millerton, N.Y. 12546 HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF QUAKER HILL & VICINITY Mrs. Edward Mitchell, President Pawling, N.Y. 12564 UPPER RED HOOK HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mrs. John H. Myers, President Albany Post Road Red Hook, N.Y. 12571 RHINEBECK HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mr. John Hatch, President Rhinebeck, N.Y. 12572 STANFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mr. Joseph Lamb, President Stanfordville, N.Y. 12581 UNION VALE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mrs. James Andrews, President LaGrangeville, N.Y. 12540 WAPPINGERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mr. John Ferris, President New Hackensack Road Wappingers Falls, N.Y. 12590 TOWN OF WASHINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mr. David H. Griggs, President P.O. Box 109 Millbrook, N.Y. 12545

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APPOINTED HISTORIANS OF DUTCHESS COUNTY _

COUNTY HISTORIAN Mrs. Wilhelmina B. Powers 19 Grubb Street Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12603

CITY HISTORIANS BEACON Mrs. James V. Mead 34 North Avenue Beacon, N.Y. 12508

POUGHKEEPSIE Mr. Benjamin Kohl 59 So. Grand Avenue Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12603

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TOWN HISTORIANS AMENIA Miss Catherine Leigh Amenia, N.Y. 12501 BEEKMAN Mrs. Mary B. Hoag Pleasant Ridge Road Poughquag, N.Y. 12570 CLINTON Mr. Francis Van Auken Zipfelbarrack Road Rhinebeck, N.Y. 12572 Miss Helena Van Vliet Staatsburg, N.Y. 12580 DOVER Mrs. Donald Dedrick Nellie Hill Acres Dover Plains, N.Y. 12522 EAST FISHKILL Mr. Henry Jackson Stormville, N.Y. 12582 FISHKILL Mrs. Willa Skinner Charlotte Road Fishkill, N.Y. 12524 HYDE PARK Miss Beatrice Fredriksen 43 Circle Drive Hyde Park, N.Y. 12538 LAGRANGE Mrs. J. Edward Johnson Moores Mills Pleasant Valley, N.Y. 12569 MILAN Mrs. Barbara Thompson Box 311, R.D. #2 Red Hook, N.Y. 12571

PAWLING Mrs. Helen C. Daniels Pawling, N.Y. 12564 PINE PLAINS Mrs. Bernice L. Grant Pine Plains, N.Y. 12567 PLEASANT VALLEY Mrs. Gail Crotty Quaker Hill Road Pleasant Valley, N.Y. 12569 RED HOOK Mr. Maynard Ham, Jr. 30 Fraleigh Street Red Hook, N.Y. 12571 RHINEBECK Mr. De Witt Gurnell 38 Mulberry Street Rhinebeck, N.Y. 12572 STANFORD Mrs. Elinor Beckwith Stanfordville, N.Y. 12581 TIVOLI Mrs. Charles J. Navins 2 Friendship Street Tivoli, N.Y. 12582 UNION VALE Mrs. Karel Stolarik 18 Smith Rbad LaGrangeville, N.Y. 12540 WAPPINGER (TOWN) Mrs. John R. Ferris 65 New Hackensack Road Wappingers Falls, N.Y. 12590 WAPPINGERS FALLS Miss Caroline P. Wixson 86 East Main Street Wappingers Falls, N.Y. 12590 WASHINGTON Miss Louise Tompkins Dutchess County Infirmary Millbrook, N.Y. 12545

NORTHEAST Mr. Chester F. Eisenhuth Simmons Street Millerton, N.Y. 12546

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NOTES

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