THE BULLETIN

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

MRS. OTIS HOWARD BRADLEY, *Editor*

MISS CATHARINE SOMMER

MISS LOUISE HARDENBROOK

GERALD BLISS

MRS. FRANK BURR WILES

COLUMBIA COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Promotes a wider and a better understanding of Columbia County History. Has a fine early Federal type house as its headquarters in Kinderhook, containing a library and museum. Publishes *THE BULLETIN*, a quarterly journal of historical articles, book reviews and the news of the activities of the Society. Holds meetings in the county and in New York City. Cooperates with historical societies, libraries and patriotic groups. Has over 700 members.

MEMBERSHIP

<table><tr><td>ANNUAL</td><td>$ 2.00</td><td>SUSTAINING</td><td>$ 10.00</td></tr><tr><td>CONTRIBUTING</td><td>4.00</td><td>MEMORIAL</td><td>10.00</td></tr><tr><td>SUPPORTING</td><td>6.00</td><td>LIFE</td><td>100.00</td></tr></table>

History is made up of stories of men, their lives and deeds, and of events in which they acted or which they brought to pass.

—J. RIDER CADY.

ALIDA SCHUYLER LIVINGSTON (1915-1940)
GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER OF JOHN LIVINGSTON,
THE BUILDER OF OAK HILL.

JULY, 1941

AN APPRECIATION OF
ALIDA SCHUYLER LIVINGSTON

Alida Schuyler Livingston was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Herman
Livingston, present owners of Oak Hill. She was the ninth generation in
the direct line living on the Livingston Manor lands, of which Oak Hill
is a part, and the sixth generation to occupy the beautiful old house built
by her great-great-great-grandfather in 1794. She was often at Oak
Hill, especially during the summer. Sometimes a friend living in more
fashionably active surroundings would ask a little inquisitively how she
spent her time on the banks of the Hudson. Alida, with that deep, quiet,
unforgettable laugh of hers, would reply that she never did anything at
all when in the country, knowing that the care of her grandmother's
roses, or watching the Catskills endlessly disappearing into the haze
(inevitably upon the arrival of guests!), or running to the window to
catch a glimpse of a river steamer distantly poised for a miraculous
moment in the branches of a vast oak, did not constitute "activities"
acceptable to Newport or Southampton. But all these things made poetry
in her soul,--these, and the sturdy old house, wearing its Mansard roof
with easy defiance, like an old lady in a daring bonnet, and the Hudson,
always impeturbable, and even very humble citizens, like a lettuce
growing in the vegetable garden, which, she oddly observed, contained
a heart within its head, instead of a brain. Sometimes she made verses
about these things, for herself, being perhaps too shy to show them
to her friends; and many of them are sad verses, such as the very
young and very happy often write:

Tell me, tell me where to find
Peace for sorrow of the mind—
Where fresh winds from mountains blow?
Where the soothing rivers flow?—
Seek and seek with senses blind.

Her character was strong, and perfectly mature. At the same time,
you were arrested by her child-like simplicity,—a trait which fascinated
children as well. She saw into life with a child's eyes. She loved all the
great nursery classics: "Little Black Sambo," "The Tale of the Flopsy-
Bunnies," "The Roly-Poly Pudding;" and almost my last recollection
is of her reading aloud with evident enjoyment from Gertrude Stein,
that most subtly juvenile of all living writers. She wished indeed to
dedicate her life to young people, but only a year as teacher at Horace
Mann and another at the Chapin School in New York were allowed to

JULY, 1941

11

THE STORY OF OAK HILL

In 1790, when Robert, the third Lord of Livingston Manor died, busy sloops, laden with produce of farm and merchandise, were plying up and down the blue waters of the Hudson River, and rumbling stage-coaches were carrying mail and passengers over the old Post Road. As yet there had been few changes in the colonies, though the Revolution had been fought and won; and the Livingstons, having cast in their lot with the new republic, still held the manor lands. But now that Robert, the Lord of the Manor, was dead, the entire estate of one hundred and sixty thousand acres was not to pass to his eldest son by the old law of primogeniture. This had been repealed, as one of the results of the Revolution, so that instead, the manor lands were to be divided among Robert's five sons, and there came into being "Teviotdale," "The Hermitage," "The Hill," and "Oak Hill" in addition to the original manor-house itself.

John of Oak Hill, the fifth son of Robert the last Lord of the Manor, was born in New York City, February 21, 1750. His early days were spent in the old manor-house, and later he divided his time between New York and the manor. In Columbia County, a short distance south of Johnstown, which later was named after him, he built himself the mansion, which was afterwards owned by Peter L. Hoffman and also became the home of General Henry Livingston, John's brother. John and his brother engaged in many enterprises. They purchased large tracts of land in western New York, and also land in Ohio. They had saw-mills, flour-mills, and at Ancram, New York, valuable iron works. All the Livingstons were ship-owners. They established a line of packets for coast and ocean voyages, and their sloops went back and forth from the manor docks to New York, carrying merry parties of Livingston cousins quite as often as merchandise. The account books now in the House of History show that John operated among others the sloop Mary and the sloop Cornelia.

Even across the River, in what was later Greene County, the Livingstons extended their ownership and influence, and everywhere, as William Livingston, the Governor of New Jersey, once wrote to his brother, "by their industry and capacity for business they made a fortune out of their extended tracts." Foremost among the names in the charter of the Susquehanna Turnpike, which was incorporated in 1800, was that of John Livingston. The road ran from the town of Salisbury in Connecticut to the Susquehanna River, passing near John's store by the ferry in the Town of Livingston.

A large part of the tract in Greene County, known as "Korst Veloren" passed into the possession of John. Here, about 1796, he built the Livingston house still standing on the River at Athens, which he later sold or gave to his son, Anthony.

HERMAN LIVINGSTON
(1856-1936)
FOURTH OWNER OF
OAK HILL

HERMAN LIVINGSTON
PRESENT OWNER
AND GREAT-GREAT-
GRANDSON OF
JOHN, THE BUILDER OF
OAK HILL

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Many of the Livingstons were ardent supporters of the young American republic and served it in many ways. In the Clinton papers we find that John was commissioned aide-de-camp to Governor George Clinton in April 1778, and is reported to have accompanied him in pursuit of Sir John Johnson and his raiders in 1780, when Sir John, at the head of a marauding party of some British regulars and Brant's savages, laid waste the Mohawk Valley.

On May 11, 1775, John married Mary Ann LeRoy, daughter of Jacob LeRoy and Cornelia Rutgers. The baptisms of some of their children are to be found in the records of the old Claverack Church; the others in New York. Little has been written about Mary Ann LeRoy, John's first wife, though she was the mother of at least seven of the children: but who has not heard of lovely Kitty Livingston, his second wife? Mrs. Lamb records their marriage for us: "The newspapers in November 1796 chronicle a marriage and reception at the Governor's mansion as follows: 'Married on the third, at his Excellency's John Jay, Governor, Government House, John Livingston of Livingston Manor, to Mrs. Catherine Ridley, daughter of the late Governor William Livingston. The bride was Mrs. Jay's accomplished and piquant sister, Kitty Livingston, who in 1787 became the wife of Matthew Ridley of Baltimore, and after a brief wedded happiness was left a widow.'"

It was about this time that John built the house at Oak Hill, a lovely wooded knoll in the north-western corner of the Manor close to the boundary creek, Wachankassik. The walls of the house were very thick, of brick made on the estate, and the woodwork was carved from trees cut down on the manor lands. The exterior of the house has been somewhat changed by a mansard roof in place of gables; but inside are the original deep window-recesses, tall mantels decorated with "curious putty-work figures," and broad staircases with old-fashioned landings. The "kaus," a huge press, or wardrobe, elaborately carved, still stands in the hall where John Livingston himself undoubtedly placed it. Old Chippendale and many rare pieces of furniture made expressly for John by Duncan Phyfe, and rare china, inherited from the first Robert, create an atmosphere of refinement and wealth and hospitality. Here may also be seen the old fire-back from the manor-house, marked "R.M.L.," the initials of Robert and Mary Livingston, third Lord and Lady of the Manor. Here are also the original portraits of Robert the first Lord, (bearing the date of 1718) and of Alida Schuyler, his wife, as well as many pieces of family silver.

It has been said by many that John resembled George Washington. "He had a high forehead, a straight nose, beautiful blue eyes and a determined mouth. His style of dress was that worn by all the courtly gentlemen of the olden time—a black dress coat with knee breeches

JULY, 1941

13

fastened over his black silk stockings with silver buckles; similar buckles of a larger size were in his shoes."

John died at Oak Hill, October 24, 1822, and the estate was left to Herman, one of his younger sons. Herman had married the year previous, December 8, 1821, Sarah Laurence Hallett, who was as quiet as her husband was excitable. She belonged to the old Long Island family from which Hallett's Cove derives its name, and her wedding is said to have been a very brilliant affair. John and Sarah had three children: John Henry (who died unmarried in 1846), Cornelia, and Herman Thong. Cornelia married Clermont Livingston who had inherited Clermont, and this estate at Cornelia's death passed to her son, John Henry Livingston. Herman Thong married Susan Bard Rogers of Dutchess County, and on the death of his father, May 9, 1872, inherited Oak Hill. Herman's and Susan's oldest son was also a Herman, born in 1856, and there were four other children—John Callendar Livingston of New York, Archiband R. Livingston of Oregon, Anna P. Livingston of Oregon and Mrs. George H. Williams of Haverford, Pa. This third Herman Livingston graduated from Yale in 1879. Like all his early ancestors his life was bound up with his home on the Hudson River, and he was intensely interested in boating and yachting. For many years he owned the schooner, "Amarille," which he kept at New York. He passed away in 1937. His wife was the former Emmeline Cornell Hopkins, a member of another distinguished family who lived across the River. There are three sons—Herman, the present owner of Oak Hill, Henry and Edmund P.

The fields and woods surrounding Oak Hill, the house and all its treasures are a rare heritage. The portraits and furniture, now on exhibition in the House of History, lent in memory of the lovely Alida Schuyler Livingston, who died in the summer of 1940, vividly remind us of the charm and dignity of cultured living a century and more ago.

LOUISE HARDENBROOK.

## ANNUAL MEETING

There was a large attendance at the annual meeting of the Columbia County Historical Society which was held on Saturday, May 10, at the House of History in Kinderhook. James E. Leath, of Kinderhook, president of the Society, presided, and before proceeding to the business meeting, spoke of the serious illness of William Wait, of Peekskill, Historian of the Society, and said that it was the first time within his memory that Mr. Wait had not been present at the annual meeting.

The secretary's report was presented by Gerald S. Bliss, of Hudson, and the report of the Corresponding Secretary, Edward Risedorph, of Valatie, was read by Harry R. Ganzenmuller, executive secretary. Mr.

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Risedorph's report showed that 4,566 pieces of mail had gone out from the office, consisting of the following: Quarterly Bulletins, quarterly notices of directors' meetings, notices to exhibition committee "Life in Columbia County," paperweight catalogues, invitations to public schools to attend summer-fall exhibitions, notices of annual meeting to board of trustees, notices of annual meeting to members, miscellaneous correspondence, inquiries, etc.

Edwin R. Stupplebeen, of Kinderhook, treasurer, was confined to his home with a severe cold, and his report from January 1, 1941, to May 1, 1941, was read by Mr. Bliss. Mr. Stupplebeen's annual report had been presented at the January meeting of the directors and had been printed in the January issue of the Bulletin.

Mr. Leath read Mr. Stupplebeen's report as chairman of the membership committee. This report showed the total membership in the society, in the different classes of membership, annual, contributing, supporting, sustaining, memorial and life, to be 704.

Mr. Leath spoke of the valuable and faithful services of Mr. Wait to the society, saying that it was Mr. Wait who first suggested a library for the House of History, and that it is due to his efforts and those of Miss Louise Hardenbrook, of Valatie, librarian, that the library is one of the best reference libraries in the state outside of those in larger cities.

Mr. Leath read the report of Dr. Harriet V. B. Peckham, of Brooklyn, registrar, and that of Mrs. Arthur Dexheimer, chairman of juniors, and stated that excellent work had been done by Mrs. Frederick J. Cook, Miss Carrie Winslow and Dr. Peckham, of the press relations committee. Mr. Risedorph reported that the accounts had been audited and had been found in satisfactory condition, and Mrs. O. H. Bradley, of the publications committee, stated briefly that the work on the Bulletin had gone forward smoothly and that she regretted the lateness of the April issue.

Mrs. Charles P. Frisbee, of Stuyvesant Falls, gave a detailed report of the accessions, and also reported as curator, stating among other interesting facts, that there had been 3,000 visitors last year at the House of History.

The report of Mrs. Spencer W. Hindes, treasurer of the Museum Auxiliary committee, showed that over $400 had been turned over to the Society treasury during the year.

Miss Hardenbrook's comprehensive and interesting report as librarian was received with enthusiasm. This report is published in full in the July issue of the Bulletin.

Miss Adaline V. Beekman, of Kinderhook, took the chair during the report of Mr. Leath as chairman of the Museum Auxiliary committee, and as president of the Society. For the Museum Auxiliary committee, Mr. Leath reported that during the year there had been only one perform-

JULY, 1941

15

ance by the Clare Tree Major Children's Theatre, and that that took place at the Hudson High school on May 9, before an audience composed of children from practically all of the schools of the county. He felt that more should be done for the children, the future members of the Society, and stated that he expected shortly to map out a program for the year which would include presentations in the larger schools by the Clare Tree Major Children's Theatre, which are instructive as well as delightfully entertaining, and showings, in some of the smaller schools, of the Sue Hastings' Marionettes.

As president, Mr. Leath stated that as the activities of the Society had been covered by The Bulletin, and by the reports just given by the chairmen of the various committees, he would omit references to them. He expressed his appreciation to the officers, committee chairmen and members for their loyalty and service to the Society. He also expressed his gratitude to the press of the City and county, to the New York Sun, to the National Broadcasting Company and to the Mutual Broadcasting Company for their support. He spoke in particular of the fine broadcasts, pertaining to the activities of the Society, given by "Ed" Fitzgerald over station WOR, and by "Ed" Mitchell over station WGY.

Mr. Leath spoke of the generosity of Mrs. J. H. Sinclair, of New York City, who not only lent the House of History for its summer-fall exhibition, her famous collection of paperweights, but also had made two charming cabinets for their display, and paid the insurance charges on the collection and all expenses connected with the transportation of the collection. At the close of Mr. Leath's report, all of the reports were accepted and ordered placed on file.

The report of the nominating committee, Mrs. Charles B. Thompson, Mrs. Clark G. Rossman and Mrs. Walter S. Crandell, was presented by Mrs. Rossman, and the following officers were elected:

James Edward Leath, Kinderhook, president; Frank R. Hathaway, Hudson, First Vice-President; Mrs. Francis R. Masters, Jr., Copake Falls and New York City, Second Vice President; Mrs. Walter S. Crandell, Chatham and Bronxville, Third Vice-President; Gerald S. Bliss, Hudson, Recording Secretary; Edward Risedorph, Valatie, Corresponding Secretary; Edwin R. Stupplebeen, Kinderhook, Treasurer; William Wait, Peekskill, Historian; Dr. Harriet V. B. Peckham, Brooklyn, Registrar; Mrs. Charles P. Frisbee, Stuyvesant Falls, Curator; Miss Louise Hardenbrook, Valatie, Librarian.

The following directors were elected to serve until May, 1943: Mrs. Charles B. Benson, Gerald S. Bliss, Wendover Neefus, Edwin R. Stupplebeen, Mrs. Dana H. Taggart, Mrs. Frank Burr Wiles, Mrs. Ray L. Wilson, John S. Williams, Mrs. Edwin Greene.

Following the election, Mr. Leath took the chair and spoke briefly.

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stressing the need for increased membership, if the House of History is to function properly. The property must be kept up, and it is important that the Society be in a position, from time to time, to purchase books for the library, which is one of the most outstanding features of the organization.

Mr. Leath announced that there will be a meeting of the Society on Saturday, June 7, in the Martin Van Buren High School in Kinderhook, when George H. Simmons will give a demonstration of rope making.

At the close of the meeting coffee and sandwiches were served by the hospitality committee: Miss Carrie Allin, Mrs. Charles P. Frisbee, Mrs. Spencer W. Hindes, Miss Adaline V. Beekman, Miss Jane L. Wilson, Mrs. Wendover Neefus, Mrs. Dana H. Taggart, and Mrs. Walter S. Crandell.

Prior to the annual meeting the trustees held a meeting at which were present James E. Leath, James L. Freeborn, Mrs. Charles James Come, Walter S. Crandell and Wendover Neefus.

SARAH GUERNSEY BRADLEY.

## ANNUAL REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN

Following is the Library report from May 1940 to May 1941. Accessions were not so many as heretofore, but their value for reference is greater. The totals are given for the first time, as everything is now catalogued to date. The books added this year number sixty-five, making a total of two thousand eighty-nine. Thirty of the sixty-five were given by Henry W. George, who has given in all one hundred forty-four volumes to the Library. Two volumes and one manuscript volume were given by the Daughters of Columbia County Historical Society, and six volumes by the Hon. Lewis K. Rockefeller. Three volumes were purchased. The number of pamphlets added was one hundred nineteen, bringing the total to eight hundred ninety. Nine newspapers were given, eleven bought; the total in the library seven hundred thirty-five, in addition to fifteen bound volumes.

The Library has received twenty-four manuscripts this year, bringing the total to two hundred twenty-six. The most valuable were the parchment documents given by Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Pruyn and Miss Julie Pruyn. They were described in the October Bulletin. Miscellaneous items numbered seventeen, in a total of one hundred seventy-two. Four hundred eighty-six newspaper clippings have been mounted.

The accessions have been fully listed and described in the Bulletins. Equally important are the inquiries that have come in, and the information sought and acquired. The inquiries indicate not only what the library lacks, but the value and worth of what it has. About a dozen volumes and papers were lent to those doing special work, and this last year more than the usual number have visited the library for reference work.

JULY, 1941

17

It is hoped that the Society can continue to acquire genealogies of county families and local church and cemetery records. Some of the latter can be purchased for from $5. to $10, a copy, but if sectional groups would only take up the work of copying, a complete collection could be secured without cost. The entire list of inquiries for the year numbers about forty. Three or four have been selected as having unusual interest.

One of the inquiries came through Mr. Henry M. James from Mr. Clifford Miller, who had been asked by the Nettie Fowler-McCormick Biographical Association of Chicago to establish a Fowler-Esselstyn relationship that traced back to Maj. Richard Esselstyn of Claverack about 1760. From the Claverack Church records, of which the library now has a copy, the county history and the file of marriage records the desired information was secured.

The Hudson River Dayline Steamboat Company employs several young college students on their boats to announce and describe the places of interest along the River. A resident of Columbia County, who happened to be travelling on one of the boats was able to correct one of these announcers as to the site of Lindenwald, which he had located much too far south. The announcer was not only grateful for the correction, but went on to ask what could be told of interest between Catskill and Albany. An account was written out for him, including "announcements" about Hudson as a whaling-port, the site of Hudson's landing, the wreck of the "Swallow" near Athens, and a legend about Captain Kidd on Beeren Island.

Another inquiry came from a Mrs. Whitton of Brooklyn, who is writing a book on the wives of the Presidents. She sent up a questionnaire on Hannah Hoes. Mrs. Whitton is seeking to verify and add to the earlier accounts, one of which we have in "Ladies of the White House" given to us by Mrs. F. Livingston Pell. Information for all but one of the questions was obtained.

If the Librarian could collaborate more closely with the Historical Research Committee of the Society, the work could be widened and much more historical information could be gathered and given out.

LOUISE HARDENBROOK.

## QUARTERLY REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN

Accessions to the Library since April include the following:

From Mrs. Wilson M. Powell, sixty-four volumes of the Collections of the New York Historical Society.

Seven volumes, including three of Sylvester's "Indian Wars" and "Johnson of the Mohawks" by Arthur Pound, from Mr. Henry Waterman George.

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From Mr. Edward Carolyn, two volumes of the History of the American Revolution by John Lendrum, published in Exeter, England, 1836.

From Mrs. L. C. French, a photograph of the Senators from New York.

"A Century of Progress, 1814-1914", an account of the old Columbia Furnace, later known as the Hudson Foundry and Machine Shop, and now as the Gifford-Wood Company, who gave the pamphlet.

From Dr. H. B. Yoshpe, State Manuscripts Editor, the Library has received a pamphlet of his "Record of Slave Manumissions in New York;" and from the Historical Records Survey of the Works Projects Administration of New York State, volume two of the "Records of the Road Commissioners of Ulster County 1769-1795."

Two letters, written from Kinderhook about 1865 to William R. Pulver, have been given by Mrs. Paul Merriman.

Miss Grace P. Bower of Averill Park, who has access to the books and papers of the Library, has given a copy of her "Investigation of the Whale Fishery of Hudson."

A manuscript copy of the Genealogy of the Van Valkenburgh family has been given by the compiler. Mr. H. J. Quilhot of Detroit.

Miss Edith W. Shaw has given the genealogical line of David Frayer of Linlithgo, which was compiled by her with the assistance of Miss Elizabeth Janet MacCormick.

Mr. Charles A. Tough has given a document appointing Abraham A. Van Buren as Surrogate of Columbia County, April 6, 1836.

The Library has also received two very important collections of documents. One, the gift of Mr. John M. Van Buren, is a collection of deeds and field notes that record the various changes in ownership of Lindenwald from the time of William and Lambert Van Alstyne, 1787, to 1875. The other collection is one of over five hundred items relating to the Columbia Turnpike Company, and was acquired through the courtesy and kindness of former Supervisor Frank M. Briwa of Greenport.

The History of St. Peter's Presbyterian Church of Spencertown has been given by the author, Rev. A. C. McMillan, D. D.

A Latin Dictionary from the library of Dr. Nathan D. Garnsey has been given by Mrs. Garnsey.

The Work Projects Administration of New York State has included the manuscripts owned by the Columbia County Historical Society in the Historical Record Survey's "Guide to Manuscript Depositories." The Historical Society's collection has also been selected among ten outstanding depositories, whose holdings will be published in the July Proceedings of the Middle States Association of History and Social Science Teachers.

LOUISE HARDENBROOK.

JULY, 1941

19

## GENEALOGICAL ASSISTANCE DESIRED

Has any reader of THE BULLETIN access to sources which would establish the parentage of Gilbert Daniel Mead who, by his own statement, was a native of Kinderhook, born in or near the town in 1824, and spent his youth there? He had distinct recollections of President Van Buren. As a young man he removed to western Pennsylvania, participated in the early oil excitement there about 1857, married Miss Caroline Cole of Yarmouth, England, and settled in Erie, Pa., where he died in 1900.

Was he a son of Daniel Mead of Columbia County or nearby Connecticut (1798-1827), or connected directly with Daniel Mead (born 1768) and Gilbert Mead (born 1761), both of whom appear in the Kinderhook tax list of 1809, according to Dr. Collier?

Gilbert Daniel Mead had a nephew—possibly two—in Columbia County as late as 1905-10.

Assistance in this matter is earnestly desired.

Gilbert W. Mead,
Washington College,
Chestertown, Maryland.

## THE PRESIDENT EMERITUS REMINISCES

As I wandered through the House of History at the Annual Meeting it occurred to me that the twentieth anniversary of the first meeting of the Society* in the County, was due on July 6th of this year. It started a flood of memories of that event which I asked the privilege of sharing with you. Always I wish that the newer members of the Society knew more of the early days and of the fine women who were responsible for laying the foundations of its later success.

On July 6th, 1916, the society was four months old with a membership of twenty, all but two of whom were Columbia County women living in or near New York. The exceptions were Mrs. Ford Williams of Chatham Center and Miss Minerva Mickle of Chatham. Seven of the first twenty members are still active in the society. Besides myself, they are Mrs. Homer E. Fraser, New Lebanon, Mrs. Harry H. Dill and Mrs. Frederick C. Haacker of New York, all of whom were signers of the Constitution; and Mrs. Wilson E. Tipple, a former member of the Board of Directors, and Mrs. George W. Sterling of Chatham Center.

The times were just such troublous ones as we are now experiencing,

* The Society was first called the Columbia County Women's Society; second, the Daughters of Columbia County, Inc.; later, at the suggestion of Dr. Alexander Flick, the Daughters of Columbia County Historical Society, and finally, the Columbia County Historical Society, Inc.

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with the United States on the end of a springboard toward war and everyone working in Red Cross. The society was formed in the atmosphere of serious living. Because many New York Columbians spent their summers in Columbia County, we wished to interest women living there permanently, for their cooperation and friendly intercourse. We had been advised to approach the late Rev. Edward A. Collier, D. D., of Kinderhook for his endorsement of the aims of the new society as outlined in the Constitution almost word for word as they stand today. He did so wholeheartedly and offered the Chapel of the Dutch Reformed Church for a meeting. He referred us to Mrs. Nathan D. Garnsey as one sure to be interested and to her we went next. Conferring with her, she approved and consented to act as hostess at the meeting of July 6th. Little was anyone aware that Kinderhook would one day be the home of a House of History, a shrine of beauty for Columbians and all lovers of art and fine handiwork, to enjoy.

The day proved to be an eventful one, for besides gaining a foothold of interest in the County we also gained five new members. They were Mrs. Garnsey and her sister Mrs. Spencer W. Hindes of Kinderhook; Mrs. George N. Howell and Miss Mary A. Leonard of North Chatham and Miss Ida Fraser of New Lebanon. The meeting not only fostered the feeling of friendliness so greatly desired but cemented it with the result that it lasts to this day.

From this small beginning the society has grown and prospered through a quarter of a century without a backward step, gaining in membership by a hundred a year for a time until it reached a thousand members, where the President, James Edward Leath, hopes, with your help, to put it again. The list of early members dwindles each year as one after another passes through the gateway to a fuller life beyond.

In closing I wish to pay high tribute to the newer members who are so valiantly carrying on the work entrusted to them. For myself, after twenty-five years of loyal interest, I am as always,

Yours in sincerity,

CARRIE LEONARD COME.

## QUARTERLY MEETING

The quarterly meeting of the board of directors of the Columbia County Historical Society was held on Saturday, May 5, at the House of History in Kinderhook.

There were present, James E. Leath of Kinderhook, president, who presided, Frank E. Bradley, Mrs. Ray L. Wilson and Mrs. Robert P. Leavitt of Kinderhook; Mrs. Walter S. Crandell of Bronxville and Chatham, Franklin J. Peterson of Jamaica, L. I., and Valatie, Mrs.

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JULY, 1941

Dana H. Taggart of Columbiaville, and Frank R. Hathaway, Mrs. O. H. Bradley, Mrs. Charles B. Benson and Wendover Neefus of Hudson.

In the absence of Gerald S. Bliss, secretary, Mr. Neefus who was appointed secretary pro-tem presented the minutes of the previous meeting.

In the absence of Edwin R. Stupplebeen, of Kinderhook, treasurer, his report which was read by Mr. Leath, and was accepted as read.

Mr. Leath announced, with deep regret the death of the following members of the society: John A. Sorg of Kinderhook, Frank J. Kolb of Schenectady, Dr. George D. Luetscher of Richmond Hill, L. I., and William Wait, historian of the Society, of Peekskill.

Mr. Leath stated that the death of Mr. Wait is a great blow to the Society. He felt that Mr. Wait had done more than any one person for the organization. At the suggestion of Mr. Leath, the board voted to postpone the election of Mr. Wait's successor, as historian, until the annual meeting in May, 1942. Mr. Leath read the following excerpt from a letter received recently from Jack W. Tinkle, District Supervisor, Historical Records Survey, Federal Works Agency, WPA, of New York State: "You may be interested to learn that the Columbia County Historical Soc.'s manuscript collection has been selected among ten outstanding depositories whose holdings will be published in the July proceedings of the Middle States Association of History and Social Science Teachers." Mr. Leath stated that this was one evidence of Mr. Wait's value to the Society. Mr. Leath appointed Mr. Bliss and Mrs. Bradley a committee to confer with him as to resolutions on the death of Mr. Wait.

The following were elected to membership in the Society: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Patchin, Miss Janet Patchin, Miss Evelyn Patchin, Mr. and Mrs. Allen J. Thomas, Jr., Miss Jane Mills and Miss Emily Mills of Kinderhook, Mrs. Herman Livingston of New York City and Greendale, W. Warren of Jamaica, L. I., and Mrs. William J. Brandon of Hudson.

Mr. Leath stated that the summer exhibition at the House of History had opened one month earlier than usual because the members of one family, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Livingston, were willing to lend sufficient furniture to fill two rooms. The Hillsdale Garden Club was willing to stage at the same time, a flower show, consisting of arrangements, in period containers, which he agreed to provide. Mr. Leath explained that for years Hillsdale has had an active branch of the Columbia County Chapter, American Red Cross, but that because the village was small, a second war relief organization, Bundles for Britain, has never been set up. So, when it was decided that, contrary to the usual custom, an admission fee to the opening days of the exhibit would be charged,

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the Hillsdale Garden Club had asked that the money so realized be sent to the Hudson headquarters of Bundles for Britain in memory of Alida Schuyler Livingston, in whose memory the summer exhibition, itself, is being held. Mr. and Mrs. Herman Livingston who were consulted by a committee of the Hillsdale Garden Club, were very happy to have the flower arrangements displayed on the furniture which they had lent. The net proceeds of the two opening days were $188.50, and this sum was sent to Hudson headquarters of Bundles for Britain by the Hillsdale Garden Club.

Mr. Leath stated that on Saturday, June 28, members of the New York State Bankers Association and of the Philip Livingston Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution, Albany, visited the House of History, which was very lovely that day by flower arrangements made by the Garden Club of Kinderhook. The guests were received that day by members, in ancestral costume, of the Garden Club of Kinderhook. Mr. Leath said that a letter had been received from the Schenectady Historical Society, asking the hours of the exhibition, and stating that the members wished to make a pilgrimage to the House of History.

Mr. Neefus reported that he had been endeavoring to make some arrangement whereby the postage bill on the Bulletin might be materially lessened, and handed the President a questionnaire which had been given him by the Postoffice Department.

Mrs. Bradley displayed an exceedingly pretty lap-robe (reminiscent of "horse and buggy days") which had been brought to her that day for the Society, by Miss Elizabeth Lahr of Hudson. The board was most enthusiastic about this gift and most appreciative of Miss Lahr's generosity.

Mr. Leath displayed a book of poems "A Cluster of Verses" by Helen Winne Mesick of Delmar, which had recently been sent to the society by the author.

On motion the meeting adjourned.

SARAH GUERNSEY BRADLEY.

## OBITUARIES

Edited by ANNA BEATTIE COOK

MRS. LUELLA DOWD SMITH

Mrs. Luella Dowd Smith, author, educator and social worker, died July 4, 1941, at her home in Hudson, N. Y. She was born in Sheffield, Mass., the daughter of Almeron and Emily Curtiss Dowd. Following her graduation from Massachusetts State College, she taught high school for ten years. She married the late Dr. Henry Hadley Smith, of Hudson, N. Y.

JULY, 1941

23

Mrs. Smith was an active worker for the cause of woman suffrage and was interested in temperance and peace movements. She was a member of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Children, Hendrick Hudson Chapter, D. A. R., and the Columbia County Historical Society.

Mrs. Smith was the author of many books and poems. She wrote for magazines and her poems have been published in several anthologies. Some of her books are "Wayside Leaves," "Wind Flowers," "Flowers From Foreign Lands," "Ways to Win," and "Daily Ideas and Ideals." In collaboration with her sister, Miss Alice Dowd, she published a volume of poetry called "Along the Way, 1938."

Her sister, Miss Alice M. Dowd, is the only survivor.

## WILLIAM WAIT

William Wait, an expert on the history of New York State, died Wednesday, June 25, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lester B. Dunning, at 280 Garfield Place, Brooklyn. He was 77 years old and lived at 226 Smith Street, Peekskill, N. Y.

Mr. Wait was born at Kinderhook, N. Y., on November 22, 1863, the son of William and Caroline Van Alen Wait. He was educated at Johnston, N. Y., Claverack College and Hudson River Institute at Claverack, N. Y., and at Yale University.

Mr. Wait was at one time a trustee of the New York State Historical Association and he was also a trustee of the Columbia County Historical Society, of which organization he had been Historian since its formation, the Westchester County Historical Society at White Plains and the Field Library at Peekskill. He was a member of the Columbia County Association in the City of New York. Mr. Wait supervised the preparation of various books for the Baker Voorhis Company, law publishers.

Surviving are his daughter, Mrs. Lester B. Dunning, and two sons, Arthur and William Wait.

## FRANK J. KOLB

Frank J. Kolb, a contractor, formerly of Kinderhook, N. Y., died June 8, 1941, at Schenectady.

Mr. Kolb was born in Kinderhook and moved to Schenectady 35 years ago. He married Laura A. Norton, of Rensselaer. He was a member of the Reformed church and the Columbia County Historical Society.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Laura Norton Kolb; a daughter, Mrs. W. T. Eveleth, and two grandsons, all of Schenectady.

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THE BULLETIN

MRS. ELIZABETH TREMAINE FIELD

Mrs. Elizabeth Tremaine Field died May 28, 1941, at her home, 981 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, Conn. She was the widow of Charles Henry Field, for several years cashier of the old Mercantile National Bank of Hartford. She was born in Valatie, N. Y., July 22, 1851, a daughter of the late Charles Ives and Elizabeth Allen Tremaine.

Mrs. Field was one of the founders and secretary for 20 years of the McAll Mission, an organization for the assistance of Protestants in France. She was a former member of the board of managers of the Connecticut Institute for the Blind, and was a member of the Columbia County Historical Society.

She is survived by two sons, Edward B. Field and Francis E. Field, both of Hartford, four grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

DR. GEORGE D. LUETSCHER

Dr. George D. Luetscher, of Richmond Hill, Queens County, New York, died June 20, 1941. He was the son of Martin and Elizabeth Martin Luetscher and was born in Wisconsin 68 years ago. He was graduated from the University of Wisconsin and held a fellowship in American history at the University of Pennsylvania from which he received a Ph. D. degree in 1902. He married Miss Anna Ringwood Garrity, of Chatham.

Dr. Luetscher was head of the department of history at Jamaica High School. Due to illness he retired last December. He had also taught history and economics for the extension department of Hunter College. He wrote several books, including "Early Political Machinery in the United States," "Early Industries in Pennsylvania" and "Methods of Making Political Nominations." He was for years a member of the Columbia County Historical Society in which he was deeply interested and at the time of his death was working on a paper for the society, entitled "Town Meetings."

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Anna Garrity Luetscher, of Richmond Hill, and a brother, Dr. John Luetscher, of Baltimore, Md.

JULY, 1941

25

JOHN A. SORG

John A. Sorg, of Kinderhook, died May 2, 1941, at the Albany City Hospital. He was born January 8, 1875, at Schneldorf, Bayerin, Germany, the son of Heinrich and Frederika Ramsberger Sorg. He had lived in this country for 50 years. He was a former resident of Poughkeepsie where he conducted a confectionery store. Twenty-two years ago he moved to Kinderhook and he was engaged in a similar business with his son.

Mr. Sorg was a past commander of Major John K. Sague Camp, Spanish American War Veterans; he was a member of the Redmen, Odd Fellows and Masonic Lodges; he was a member of Palmer Hose Company and was also a member of the Columbia County Historical Society. In Poughkeepsie he was a police commissioner under Mayor Sague and in Kinderhook had served as a Justice of the Peace and as village trustee.

Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Lillian Sorg; a son, Harold J. Sorg, both of Kinderhook; a brother, Henry J. Sorg, of Dumont, New Jersey; a sister, Mrs. Paul Fleischhauer, of New York City, and by several nieces and nephews.

OLD TIME ADS

Edited by CATHERINE SOMMER

THE BEE

Vol. VI

Hudson, Tuesday, December 19, 1815
Doct. Geo. Tobey
Botonic Physician,
Has Removed his
Druggist Establishment
To No. 181 Warren St.

No. 281

And as the impression has been general, that his practice as a Physician, in the City of Hudson, and its vicinity would be discontinued this fall; he takes this mode of assuring his clients, and friends, that he shall continue at his present residence till the ensuing Spring. As he has no reason to doubt the sincerity of that numerous class of citizens, who have been pleased to compliment him upon his professional success, he trusts he shall not be reproached for vanity or presumption, in again requesting of the public a share of their patronage. He has received a large supply of the choicest

INDIAN MEDICINES

26

THE BULLETIN

from the Westward and Eastward, and elsewhere, suitable for all complaints incident to the human system, and as his means of cure are so much increased, he flatters himself that his success will be even greater than heretofore, when it surpassed his most sanguine expectations. His claims are before the public—his practice has been observed and passed upon by his fellow-citizens—and it only remains to add, that he is ready and willing, at all hours, to wait on the calls of the diseased, and afflicted.

Hudson, October 31, 1815.

### THE BEE

Vol VI Hudson, Tuesday, January 9, 1816 No. 284

A few quintals of excellent Large, Black, Dumb Fish.

For sale, by the subscriber, Front Street, Hudson, opposite Younglove & Weffler's Store.

R. C. Folger

January 2, 1816

### THE BEE

Vol VI Hudson, Tuesday, December 19, 1815 No. 281

Wanted, Two Boys,
about 14 years of age as apprentices
to the
Printing Business

Those from the Country will be preferred.

Bee Office, Dec. 12

### THE BEE

### SOLDIERS

All Soldiers having claims against the United States, for Bounty Lands, and those who have received Honorable Discharges from the Army of the United States, are requested to make immediate application respecting their Land Warrants at No. 146 Warren Street.

T. E. Beekman

Late of the U. S. Army.

Hudson, October 31, 1815.

### THE BEE

Vol VI Hudson, March 5, 1816 No. 292

Doctor S. White,

Invites his customers, without distinction, to a speedy settlement of their accounts.

Hudson, March 1, 1816.

JULY, 1941

27

### THE BEE

Hudson, N. Y., Tuesday, June 18, 1816

Alas! What a poor city is Hudson! The "Whig" of last week contains the following sentence:

"I do not exaggerate in the least, when I say throughout this city, we see nothing but the humiliating spectacle of poverty, and that, too, increasing."

According to the adage, it is no disgrace to a person to be poor, but it is a very great inconvenience, and we can see no necessity of the poor unnecessarily exposing their poverty, were they in reality as poor as they represent themselves to be. Nor can we conceive why any sane citizen should attempt to depreciate the character of the city—to hold out discouraging prospects to those who might wish to migrate hither. The sad and gloomy picture drawn of this flourishing city, we apprehend, will frighten none but federalists—and the Lord knows our city is sufficiently stocked with them at present, and the federal writer might have been jealous of an increase. Should a few of the fault-finding, discontented lounging gentry remove to a clime more congenial to them, the city would not suffer by their absence and their places might be supplied by industrious republicans. In fact, we do not discover the wretched scene of poverty which the federal writer paints—we are inclined to think it must be partly imaginary; or exclusively in the federal neighborhood of the writer—and for the benefit of all concerned we recommend the publication of the following notice in the next "Whig."

### "TEETH FOR SALE

"For sale a set of TEETH, partly worn: the owner having devoured his estate, offers his teeth for sale, as they may possibly be of service to some one who has the good fortune to possess more property than teeth. Enquire at No. ______."

### THE BEE

Hudson, Tuesday, July 9, 1816

Strayed

From the Commons, in the City of Hudson, a year old horse colt, very dark grey about the head and feet; his body a light grey with a dark streak down his back and a docked tail. Whoever will give information where said colt may be, or return him to the subscriber in this city, shall be satisfactorily rewarded.

LUKE POWER.

Hudson, June 8, 1816.

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THE BULLETIN

## THE PRESIDENT'S PAGE

The Messrs. Frank E. Bradley and Paul Patchin, in charge of the Grounds Committee, are determined that the acreage belonging to us at the rear of the House of History shall be a pleasant spot to gaze upon. The roar of huge tractors with plows attached behind may be heard as they ply back and forth across the field, tearing out the undergrowth and plowing under the stubble, so that the soil may later be disked, limed, levelled and seeded down with orchard grass and sweet clover.

After an adequate parking space has been completed, it is planned to restore the old carriage drive that originally circled the Vanderpoel mansion, now Columbia County's House of History, so that there may be a separate entrance and exit. Come next spring, we want to plant trees along the driveway, thereby causing it to present somewhat the lovely appearance it did in the days of Judge and Mrs. Vanderpoel.

Kinderhook Village authorities have recently put in a new sidewalk, which was so badly needed at the entrance to the House of History grounds, and the Grounds Committee hope to complete the driveway and parking space in time to plow up, level off and seed down the present front lawn before autumn. If this can be accomplished this year, we shall be ready next spring to undertake the creation of an old-fashioned garden at the rear of the building, planting only such shrubs, flowers and bulbs as were used in gardens at the time James Vanderpoel built his mansion in the early nineteenth century.

We are grateful to our neighbors who have assisted by either sending men or machines to do this work, which will eventually enhance the beauty of our property.

JULY, 1941

29

## THE EDITOR'S DESK

The series of interesting articles by Miss Ruth Sickles was unavoidably interrupted, but the third article in the series will appear in the October *Bulletin*.

The "story" of the current exhibition at the House of History was charmingly told by Charles Messer Stow, editor of the Antiques Department of the *New York Sun*, in the issue of *The Sun* of June 28. Through the courtesy of Mr. Stow and of *The Sun*, the story was reprinted in the *Hudson Daily Star* of July 21. Copies of the article are being given out at the House of History.

The President and three other members of the Society attended the annual meeting of the Hudson River Conservation Society which, on an ideal June day, was held at Sunnyside, the former home of Washington Irving, at Irvington-on-the-Hudson. The President, incidentally, is a director of the Conservation Society.

An interesting event of last month was the meeting of the Society, at the Martin Van Buren High School in Kinderhook, when George Simmons of Richmondville, widely known collector, gave a talk on "The Flaxworker." Mr. Simmons has a collection of over 5,000 items of early hand-forged tools, jugs and crocks, pots and skillets—primitives of one kind and another in endless array.

Very lovely were the flower arrangements by the Hillsdale Garden Club, which, in period containers, were placed in the House of History for the opening of the summer exhibition. Charming also were the flower arrangements of the Garden Club of Kinderhook which were placed in the House of History for the visit on June 28, of the New York State Bankers' Association and the Philip Livingston Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, of Albany. The work of the members of the two garden clubs was a definite addition to the beauty of the scene.

One of the delightful affairs of the month was the lecture on "Charleston Gardens" given by the President of the Society July 8, before the Garden Club of Kinderhook, and a few guests. The Board of Directors has asked the President to repeat the lecture on the afternoon of July 26.

SARAH GUERNSEY BRADLEY.

Committees for the Year

ACCESSIONS

Mrs. Charles P. Frisbee

Miss Jane L. Wilson

Mrs. Edwin D. Greene

AUDITING

Edward Risedorph

Mrs. Ray L. Wilson

Mrs. Dana H. Taggart

GENEALOGY

Mrs. Frank Burr Wiles

Miss Edith Van Hoesen
Miss Louise Hardenbrook

HISTORICAL RESEARCH

Miss Maytie D. Crane

Mrs. William B. Van Alstyne

Mrs. John A. Stoner

William Wait

JUNIOR

Mrs. Arthur Dexheimer

MANIKIN

Mrs. William B. Van Alstyne

Mrs. Lester B. Dunning
Mrs. Charles P. Lent

GROUNDS

Frank E. Bradley

Paul Patchin

MUSEUM AUXILIARY

James Edward Leath

Mrs. Nathan D. Garnsey

Miss Maytie D. Crane

Mrs. Spencer W. Hindes
Mrs. Frederick K. Lane
Gerald Bliss
Mrs. Francis R. Masters, Jr.

NECROLOGY

Mrs. Frederick J. Cook

Mrs. Frank Burr Wiles

PUBLICATION

Mrs. Otis Howard Bradley

Miss Louise Hardenbrook

Miss Catharine Sommer
Gerald Bliss
Mrs. Frank Burr Wiles

PRESS RELATIONS

Mrs. Frederick J. Cook

Dr. Harriet V. B. Peckham
Miss Carrie Winslow