Deerpark Diary Town of Deerpark 1863 Schoolhouse Museum Deerpark Historian, 25 Grange Rd., Huguenot, NY 12746 (845) 856-2702 www.1863schoolhouse.org

March 2018 Vol. 15 No. 1

 The Capote Canadian garment. These wool blan- corner. There is a debate between ket coats replaced furs as the typical those who claim the number and size  The Huguenot Singing winter clothing for both the native and of the stripes determined the cost in School French trappers and traders. pelts and those who claim it denoted the size of the blanket. It was no  Vinegar Valentines In 1779, it was suggested to the doubt a combination of the two. Hudson’s Bay Company that the man- ufacture and trade of these blankets would be a lucrative proposition. The Story of the Capote Though they never manufactured these blankets themselves, they con- tracted with woolen mills in England, Recently, the museum’s favorite a practice which continues to this day. lecturer and expert on Colonial Indian The blankets soon became a staple Affairs, Frank Salvati, presented His- trade good. By 1780, the first “point torian Norma Schadt with the gift of a blankets” were shipped to Fort full length, striking-red capote. Most Albany on James Bay. people would recognize the garment as one of those Canadian blanket The word point derives from the coats, but would not be familiar with French word empointer which means the term capote. The investigation “to make threaded stitches on cloth.” into the genesis and evolution of the Hudson’s Bay blankets have the capote revealed an interesting story distinctive black stripes in the lower which dates back to the earliest contact between Europeans and the native people of North America.

The term “capote” comes from the French word for cloak. In the early 1600s, French sailors traded their Many capotes were handmade from coats and wool blankets with the very simplistic patterns having MicMac on the Atlantic coast. Wool various cuts. The coats might be dec- blankets were sought by the native orated with contrasting seam binding, people in exchange for beaver pelts, small shells, sequins, calico strips, buffalo robes, moccasins and pemmi- beadwork or hawk bells. However, can (a food prepared from dried most had nothing more than a large meat). Wool was desirable for its pointed hood, fringe on the shoulders, ability to hold heat even when wet for wicking away water and a sash to and was certainly easier to sew than tie shut. An essential fire bag was animal hides. placed inside the folds of the sash or hung around the neck by a shoulder The widespread harvesting of furs strap. A fire bag was used for carrying for European markets coincided with flints, steel and tinder to start a fire as the development of this uniquely well as tobacco, pipe, knife and other essentials, as most capotes did not have pockets. In later years, buttons boatyard. However, most families Cuddebackville, Sparrowbush, Port and toggles were added. lived and worked on farms both Jervis, and the vicinity. Prof. Sweezy large and small. They now had a was in good trim and his violin also. In the latter half of the 19th century, solid brick structure to be proud of Miss Jemima Swartout presided at the cut and construction of the coat for the education of their children the organ. Miss Mary Swartout also started to follow changing American and to indicate their growing played successfully several pieces. and European fashions, the coats be- affluence. The schoolhouse became came widely used. Through time the the focus for community functions “One feature in the Huguenot capote or Hudson’s Bay coat has and social gatherings. school was that all were there on become looked upon as the Canadian time, all sang, there was no lagging National Dress. Newspaper evidence has shown behind.” the school building hosted gospel preaching ministers who presided over communion, and several obitu- aries listed funeral services being held here as well. Certainly, town fathers gathered to discuss communi- ty issues. By 1869, there was already an active singing school on the premises. One gets the impression from the old newspaper articles that the singing school was a real source of community pride.

The Evening Gazette of April 19, 1870, printed a front page article describing the 1869-70 singing sea- son’s closing exercises. “The little village of Huguenot is wide awake in musical matters; in fact she sets an example which we should be glad to Later this spring, a new display see Port Jervis imitate. For seven will be unveiled at the Deerpark months in the year they have main- “The Flag of the Free was a good Schoolhouse Museum featuring our tained a Musical Association, during piece and was well sung by Estelle capote with its leggings, muslin shirt which time they have neither lacked Masten, Ada Van Etten and and moccasins, plus items from funds nor singers, which is due to the Mandane Bidwell.” Frank Salvati’s vast collection of public spirit of Mr. Peter P. native artifacts. Swartout, and other gentlemen in The article listed a number of stu- that neighborhood. The association dents and praised their performanc- was conducted by Prof. I. B. es; Misses Hattie Swartout, Jennie Sweezy, of Middletown, whose Swartout, and Kate Cuddeback. The efforts as an instructor were so suc- juvenile class included Alvah Van The Huguenot Singing cessful in our village, some time ago. Etten, Clement Cuddeback, Ella Swartout, and Delia Bidwell. School “On Friday evening last we had the pleasure of attending the closing The evening concluded with Mr. Our one room schoolhouse was exercises of the school for the Gustavus Baume, who gave a history built in 1863 at the peak of the Civil season, and a more pleasant gather- of the Huguenot singing-school done War. Huguenot was a bustling vil- ing, or better singing we never in verse. lage with the D&H Canal running at enjoyed. The schoolhouse in which full-speed through the center of town the singing was conducted is of brick The article went on to sum up the passing by the school’s front doors. and is roomy, well ventilated, high evening saying, “It was a capital Many of our citizens were employed ceiling, and well adapted for both production and created much fun and in occupations that were connected school and singing purposes. merriment, a better school than that with the canal; locktenders, watch- of Huguenot is not to be found, nor men, boatmen and as well as boat “The attendance was large, many finer voices heard.” builders and repairmen in the visitors being present from In November of 1881, the papers where a Mr. Marvin had taken over as reported that the trustees met at the the singing instructor. That was over Flag of the Free sung to the tune school house to plan the next season’s 128 years ago. The little red school of of the Wedding March singing school agenda. They agreed to call the organization the “Huguenot Musical Association. ” Tickets for Hu- admission to the school were placed in three grades: youths, 50 cents: ladies, $1 and gentlemen, $2. People not purchasing regular tickets were admitted by paying an advance fee of 15 cents each evening. A number of neighboring villages had their own singing schools. In February, 1871, The Evening Gazette noted, “A party of about thirty singers passed up Pike St. last evening in the Sparrowbush stage, on their way to visit the Huguenot singing school.” Again, in the February, 1883, Tri- State Union, there appeared an article that stated, “Two large sleigh loads of members of the Carpenter’s Point singing school, visited the Huguenot school Tuesday evening. The parties were cordially received and the visit was very enjoyable. The Huguenot Hints from an Old Household of each room where the baby vis- school resolved to return the visit Guide its - - including the porch for Wednesday at the Point. Fine singing Children’s Section summer. Keeps baby “sitting is anticipated.” tight.” Children in the Home Baby may be saved from a fall if In the spirit of the friendly rivalry that existed then as well as now smooth soles on new shoes are Never let your father or mother sandpapered before wearing. between Huguenot and Port Jervis, bring you a chair or get one for this editorial from the Tri-State Union themselves. Wait on them instead Line the pockets of children’s of January 19, 1883, is included. The of being waited on. editor responded to an earlier report- sweaters with cotton cloth of the same color. Pockets will not wear er’s lament about the lack of good Always rise to a standing singers in Port Jervis and also in its through or stretch. position when visitors enter, and churches. The editor wrote, “I see in greet them after your elders. your column that a correspondent in- Keep youngsters from losing money on the way to school by quires what has become of the Social Talk in a low, even voice. It and Literary Union of the Reformed fastening coins with transparent denotes refinement. tape to inside of the lunch pail lid Church which favored us with so many good musical and literary enter- or book case. Never retire without bidding the tainments. I would also enquire what members of your family good has become of the singing school we With rainy days ahead, the chil- night. dren will be tracking mud into had last winter which the small pox broke up? I don’t hear of its revival the home. You can make an effi- A child’s sleigh can be made out cient mud scraper by nailing old this winter. If such places as Carpen- of an ordinary sled by cutting off ter’s Point, Huguenot and Cuddeback- bottle caps, crimp side up, to a the legs of an old high chair just scrap of lumber. Use roofing ville can keep up singing schools I below the seat and fastening the should think Port Jervis at least might. nails. seat to the sled. Port Jervis ought not only to keep up a good singing school but a large asso- Old nylon stockings make a good Baby Can’t Tip His High Chair stuffing for children’s toys. ciation where the singers from all Over: Put a large screen door churches can improve in singing.” When washed the toys will dry hook on the back of the chair, quickly. The last mention of Huguenot’s and screw eye in the woodwork singing school was in the December 11, 1890 issue of the Evening Gazette, Orange County Facts

Of the eight counties named Orange in the U.S., Orange County, New York is the oldest. (1683)

It is 206 years older than Orange County, California (1889)

It is 169 years older than Orange Vinegar Valentines (and unfortunately the majority) were County, Texas (1852) caricatures, too horrid to look at.” It is 162 years older than Orange In researching the customs of The practice of sending such cards faded out by the 1940s. County, Florida (1824) Valentine’s Day, an odd and unknown tradition came to light. Around the It is 133 years older than Orange 1840s and for the next one hundred County, Indiana (1816) years, not only was it a day to send out expressions of love but an oppor- It is 98 years older than Orange tunity to hurl hate, insults and abuses County, Vermont (1781) at those we did not love. These were known as vinegar valentines. Penny It is 69 years older than Orange cards displayed caricatures and County, North Carolina (1752) satirical rhymes intending to mock and hurt the recipient. They were It is 51 years older than Orange available in stores in America and County, Virginia (1734) Europe, right alongside the cards adorned with hearts and lace. These insult cards made up half of the valentine greetings sent. By Victorian standards these cards were considered th distasteful, vulgar and morally 150 Anniversary depraving. Sparrowbush The Evening Gazette, of February Methodist Church 6, 1877, pondered this peculiar trend and printed, “Of late years, however, In 2018, the Sparrowbush comic valentines are more popular Methodist Church will commem- with the purchasing class than the orate its 150th Anniversary. The sentimental kind, and the receipt of a historian’s office is helping to caricature of this sort by some sensi- compile information covering the tive body from an unknown source church’s contribution as an has engendered feelings of anger in important focal point in its many hearts unused to such passion- community’s history. If you have ate exhibitions. photos, memorabilia or info “Still there are many specimens that will help us tell the church’s suspended in the windows and story, please contact the museum decorating the show cases of our at 856-2702. stores which are designed for the Thank You mischief-loving or sarcastically- inclined youth as well as the sentimental biped or moon-struck maiden.” A headline in the February 15, 1887 Evening Gazette, read “Postmaster Ryall Handles 1,500 of the tender missives.” Ryall reported, “Some were beautiful and breathed tender words of love, while others