The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-09-23
A HISTORICAL HOMESTEAD.
REVOLUTIONARY "REMINISCENCES OF
THE VERPLANCK MANSION ON
THE HUDSON

WE'RE WONT 10 ASSEMBLE IN THE TIM
THAT TRIED MEMS SOULS
The following Interesting sketch is fror
the pen of Mrs. Martha ]. Lamb
and appears in Appleton's: About tw
miles northeast of the railway STE
ton at Fisbkiu. on the Hudson, stands
the old Verplsnck homestead, one Of tb
precious land marks of our history. 7
stands some half mile from the river
edge, and is surrounded By extensive car
dans, handsome lawns, and broad. gree,
fields dotted with clumps OF stately trees
me whole has the appearance of an Eng
llsh park. To the south is patch o
primevel forest. dense enough tn ambush I
wnoie tribe OF the original lords of tn,
property, and so silent withal that the leas
sound has a startling ring, and ia easil,
| magnihed by the imagination into a savage
| war whoop. The house is of the Dutct
style OF architecture, built of stone anC
wood, one and half story high, with dor
| h1er windows. 1t has 3 broad, shelterine
| Diazza on both the east and west fronts
(which are fashioned to matchl. covered by
a continuation of the house-roof. 1t is APP
prosched by aprivate avenue from the man
road on the east.
1T Is ONE OF THE OLDEST HoMEsTEADs
probably the oldest-in the state of New
York. In 1852 Gulisn Verplanck and Francis
Rombouts obtained deed from the Indians
OF 10000 acres of land in this vicinity. II
was described as extending back into the
woods from the river -four hours going,''
or Is miles. A patent was issued by Cover
nor Dongan, but, Mr.. Verplanck dying in
the meantime, the Hon. Stephanus Van
Cortlandt was joined with Rombouts and
Jacob Ship as the represent atiyes of
the Verplsnck heirs. In the subseuuens
division or the estate the homestead fell to
the children of Mr.. VerpIanck, and has ever
since been in the family. The house has
been carefully preserved, with all IFS an
tlque peculiarities. During the revolution
1t was the scene of many an interesting
episode. In 177S General Lafayette was
for some time dangerously sick there with
lever, and was attended by DIR. John Coch-
ran. During his convalescence he was
visited by DIR. Thatcher, who says in his
journal that he was received. by the mar
quis "in polite and affable Manner
Long before then wheat had been shipped
from this place to France and exchanged
for pure wine, with which the vaults OF the
mansion were well stocked, and it was
cordially bestowed upon the young noble
man and his friends. DIR. Thatcher de-
scribss Lafayette as elegant in figure,
with an
INTERESTING FACE OF PERFECT SYMMETRY,
and fine, animated, hazel eye". 1t was the
headquarters of Baron Steuben, the cele-
brated disciplinarisn, at the same that
Washington was at Newburg, on the OPP
posite side Of the Hudson. II was during
that most trying period of the revolution,
the year OF inactivity Of congress, of the
distress all over the country, and OF COM
plant, discomfort, and almost revolt. among
officers and soldiers throughout the army.
Barracks extended along the line of the road
south OF Fishkill village for 8 mile and a
half, beyond which there were a few log
houses, where it is said the soldiers were
sent to hide when their clothes could be
mended no longeran actually fell off them
There is cozy room opening from the |
great dining-room of the Verplanck home |
stead, which the baron used for his library. |
The antique shelves remain, and the decora- |
tons are all OF century gone. One day |
Washington, Knox, Hamilton and Morris, |
had been dining with the baron, and retired |
to his apartment for a confidential wall |
over the miserable state of the treasury. |
Morris was complaining bitterly. Are you |
not hnancier? why do you not
CONTINUE To CREATE FUNDs?"
said the baron. 81 have done all can; 1t |
s impossible to do more" replied Morris. |
eBut you still remain financier without |
1h"hSOS' DC. fCAiy tuou, L no 0OB
hink you are so honest man as my cook.
BE came to me one day and said: Baron,
Tou have nothing to cook but piece of
can beef which is hung up by string before
he fire. Your negro WAGNER can turn the
string as well as L +; you have promised me
10 month, but, as you have nothing to
'ook, wish to be discharged and no longer
Do chargeable to you That was an honest
elbow Morris" Marquis de Chastellux,
! member of the French Academy, who
anne to America as major-general with
)ount de Rochambeau, spent some days
With the baron at the Verplanck home
teac. MabCis, the distinguished secretary
# legation from France, was also for a short
ime the baron's guest at this place, and
poke In his letters of the military precision
With which every dish was served at table.
t was under this slanting roof that the idea
rst found expression which was proposed
y Colonial Nicola, on behalf of himself and
theirs, to Washington at NewbuTg,
hat he,
WASHINGTON SHOULD BIB MADE KING
the United States, for the national ad-
antagei" 1t is said that Washington was
stonished and grieved, and severely repri-
landed Nicola for entertaining such a
bought for an instant. Here, too, the cele- !
rated Society of the Cincinnati was organ
led. The meeting took place of the 18th of
Lay, 1888, in the square room to the north
T the broad hall which runs through the
ouse. Baron SteubeD, as the senior officer,
resided, and his chair was placed between 5
ne two windows which appear at the lett ]
and of the door in the sketch. The So z
ETY. originated In the mind of Ger. Knox, :
$ object being to cement and l
the friendship OF its !
'unders, and transmit the same sentiment i
, their descendants. Washington was s
lade its first president, and oficiated until
Is death. The chairs used on this memoir q
Die occasion are still preserved. Some of Q
lem are of wood, and may be seen upon c
10 veranda of the house. Other articles OF a
Irniture, rendered priceless through contact Q
18th illustrious men, are cherished with p
nder reverence. A mahogany side-board, u
Irk as ebony from years, stands in the
me corner Of the dining room which it has d
it'll tongues, and harrows the visitors g
ind with the eloquence, wit, learning, q