The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-29
no pREsERpE AN OLD LANDMARK.
Mrs. stronE's Plan of RehnbiiitRtinE the
Yankee Doodle House,

1hukCB DOOutt
Mrs. Susan De Lancey Van Rensselae
Strong of Inwood. n. j., writes TO The Sun II
behalf OF n project for the preservation OF For
Crailo. the Yankee Doodle House," other
wise the old Greenbush Manor House, oppo
site the city OF Albany. The building wa
erected In 1912 and was known as the Pat
rooms Fort, Crailo. named after an old coun
try estate Of the PATRON Van Rensselaer,. un
I'll 17US. since which time II has been called
the Greenbush Manor House. or, within the
last century. the Yankee Doodle House. be-
cause it is recorded that the lines Of that ma
tional song were COMPOSED there. 1t Is q
three story building. the cellar joists Of which
are hewn logs. and the wall OF which is In parts
twenty inches thick and pierced with port
holes.
Gen. James Abercrombie. on his way to the
defeat Montcalm was TO give him at Ticon-
deroga, made the Manor House his headduar-
ters. Says Mrs. Strong:
The British officers were the guests OF Jo-
names Van Rensselaer, and his lovely wife. An
gelica Livingston. daughter OF Robert Liv-
%ingston. Jr.. for nine years Mayor Of Albany.
On Abercrombies stan was a young surgeon
whose derlslon was excited one day by the
sight OF the raw American recruits struggling
IN from the countryside clad in all kinds of
motley gdrb.. Sitting on the edge of the well
IN the rear OF the, house, he, scrubbed the few
lines of doRgerel which alone preserve his
name, and were destined to be adopted and
proudly sung to the stirring quickstep which
led so many of those despised country lads to
victory when the spirit Of rs called and found
their glad response. The authors, name Is
given variopsly us Schuckberg. Shackberg.
and StacRl Ne"
The can Inment of the Continental Army
was held in the manor gardens in 17I5. when
the army was on its way to Ticonderoga. Col.
Van Rensselaer,. his three sons. aud his Younger
brother. all born in the house, served In the
army, as did eight nepho VS.. of tho Colonel.
Washington, Lafayette and Webster dined at
the Manor House. The property passed by
beuuest from the last owner in direct de-
widow. who sold IT TO real estate dealers. and 1t
was purchased n few years ago by "A firm of Ice
iealerS who intended to build ice houses there.
The house was occupied until four years ago.
Mrs. Strong. "A descendant of the manor fami-
ly. obtained from the ice dealers las: autumn
sition OF the property. got an option upon it
and a statement of terms under which the
owners would sell. Her aim was to enlist the
interest of the family connection and she now
asks public aid also toward the purchase of
the property. the restoration of the house and
The sum needed is $4,000. One-third Of
tho purchase price of the property must be
paid on May !, and most Of that sum has been
guaranteed. Mrs. Strong saws: THE writer
has no desire but to transfer it ne speedily as
may be into the bands of those who will nobly
and faithfully labor to support IL in a fitting
amer She holds the Option and will make
the purchase at the time appointed. hoping for
continued assistance in raising the remainder
Of the fund"
Mrs. Schuyler Van Rensselaer,. at 9 West
Ninth street, or Mrs. Howard Townsend. at 2
East Fifteenth street. this city, IS well AZ. Mrs.
Strong, will receive subscriptions.