The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-06
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

. =
Onicers for the Ensuing Year-Bioaraphica
sketch Of Sir william Johnson-Social Life
at Johnson Hall In tho EARLY Tlmes-Thc
Baronet and the Indiana.
stated meeting OF the New York Historical
Society was held last evening at the sooietys nall,
Second avenue and Eleventh street. Erastus q
Benedict presiding.
After the reading Of the minutes Of the last meet
ing the Nominating Committee presented the fol-
lowing list OF ofaoers for the ensuing year:-Pres
dent Augustus Schell; Vice Presidents, Erastus q
Benedict and James w. Beeckman; Treasurer,
BENJAMIN II. Field; Foreign Corresponding Secrc-
tary, William Q. Bryant; Domestic Corresponding
secretary; William ]. Hoppin; Recording secretary,
Andrew Warner; Librarian. George II. Moore.
The committee regretted that Dr. Dewitt had re-
FUSED again to accept the office Of President which
he held during last year. The report was referred
as usual.
The paper OF the evening was read by Mr.. e. De
LANcEY, the subject being
'sIR WILLIAM JOHNSON AND SOCIAL LIFE AT JOHN
SON HAIL. III -
Neither by novelist nor by historian said Mr.. De-
lancey, had justice ever been done to Sir william
johnson. The recent publication OF hts papers
threw new ltght however, on his life. William
Johnson was born In the county OF Meath.
Ireland, In 1715. His mother was daughter of
Anne Warren, daughter OF the English Admiral OF
that name, distinguished in the annals Of British
naval history. The johnson family held high
place among the families Of Meath aud werc landed
proprietors. II is presumed that william Warren
was educated In Dublin. He was proficient ct an
early age In French and German, and from his
papers 1t must be inferred that when still
. young man he was good English scholar.
His library in America Judging from lists Of
books, music and paintings ordered from England
show him 10 have been man Of culture When
-
In his native country, but his parents absolutely
refused to sanction the marriage, and as he was
Obliged 70 desist in his purpose. But his uncle
having about this time returned from cruise, and,
management Of his large estates in America,
which oner William accepted. He >. came
home on The Mohavk at place M sc called S %Srrens
burg or Warrensbush, as some writer's term 1t.
After the close OF the French war; IN ,7so, ne re.
name OF his first dwcllIng) and built Johnson Hail.
Here ne lived as an English country gentleman OF
one that chose to visit him, and sup.
plying az his guests with plentiful
their own inclLnauons FOR domestic comfort or out.
door sports Though when ne nrst settled here It
about Sim and he ous one Of the Hsatess Epssco
al % De seen n the county, out Of New
children-a son, John. afterward educated IN
Gpsanna ana there mS.e
daughters, Anne and Mary, both OF whom married
happily at an early age These two girls were edu-
Gated under the supervision OF Sir William himself
by Q g0verness who was the widow OF an English
Ofcer. the eldest was sixteen years Of age before
she saw lady except her mother, sister
and g0verness, so lonely and remote was
Johnson Han Ct that time: Long after bis
him q princess OF the MohawK tribe Of
, even Increased his influence over the Indians. No
man ever before or since has mad 50 much influence
over all the tribes OF the Indiana He was q sachem
OF the Mohawk tribe. Often 1900 Indians assem-
bed around him at the hall. He died IN l774, after
0verexerLng himself in addressing an Indian
council. His death occurred while rest
ing himself In Q chair In his own house
Immediately after the council was over,
and was not the result Of poison, as some writers
contend His remains were followed 10 their rest-
ing place IN the Episcopal church Of the town by
cOrtege Of 1000 persons the Indian tribes following
separately. the church having been burned down
one, ana u was not known for years where the re-
mains Of Sir William rested In 1862 however, the
Rev. Mr. kellogg discovered the vault. and, within,
the comm containing the frame Of the deceased,
with . gold nng-whch was mis- wife's wedding
rlng-bearlng date June l3, 1889, which was the
date OF his marriage. The remains were again In
tered, With imposing ceremony, presided over By
The speaker, in the course Of his paper stretched
the various military engagements IN W hich SIR VIII
liam had been engaged. The King bestowed seve-
raj hoDors up0n him and made him munincent
presents for his 1delitv and galaniry the honor OF
the baronetcy being given at the close OF the war
with the French, which began In 1853.