The St. Lawrence County HistoricalAssociation OUARTERLY Volume XL - Number 2 - Spring, 1995
The Bicentennial of Governor Wright The St.. Lawrence County Historical Association at the Silas Wright Museum
a constitution, by-laws, and Board of Trustees. The elect its officers and trustees.
OfSicers: President: Patricia Tocatlian, 0 Vice-President: David Sw Treasurer: Clarke Gage Becky Harblin, Norwood 5 E. Jane Layo, Waddington 8 Ellen Magee, Morristown 8 Cornel Reinhart, Canton $ Charles Rornigh, Massena # ~tew9d:Wilson Carl Stickney, Norwood $ Tiday..::.. A. Wright J. Rebecca Thompson, ~ahawaFalls '4, Peter Van de Water, canto4 *\. 'ZI. Y Robert Wells, Canton $ ",> ",> %.. "., Cay Zabriskie, ~~densburd.<. %h<, 3 .+>\, "h,a. Our Mission g The St. Lawrence County ~is\&icalAssociation is an educational resource center and museum tht researches, collects, preserves, and interprets 'Sk~awrenceCounty history through collections developmeng publication, exhibition, and programming; whose pu''.se is to help establish the intellectual and cultural connectiobs that expand awareness and place St. Lawrence County '?hcQs state and national context, while revealing its uniqueiidentity. The Association examines different aspects of life 'ib+$t.Lawrence County from multiple and diverse rqdurces through community partnerships and collaboration. SLCPA
St. Lawrence County Historical Association at the Silas Wright Museum P. 0.Box 8,3 East Main Street Canton, New York 13617 (315) 386-8133 The St. Lawrence County Historical Association
Publication of The SLCHA Q OUARTERLY tetly is also made possible in with public funds from the York State Council on the Arts. Volume XL - Number 2 - Spring 1995 I ISSN: 0558-1931
CONTENTS
Editorial Board: Honoring Wright's Memory: An Introduction 1 Melissa A. Barker Stewart J. Wilson Don Butters Dennis E. Eickhoff George Gibson Silas Wright: "Illustrious American" 3 Stanley M. Holberg Thomas E. Price Jan Shideler
Copyright O 1995 by the A Silver Tribute: A Study of the St. Lawrence County Historical Silas Wright Silver Set I Association. All rights reserved. Heather J. Pamenter Except for brief excerpts, no part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the express The Wright Counties written permission of the author and Stewart J. Wilson the Historical Association. The St. Lawrence County Historical Association is not responsible for The Silas Wright $50 Gold Certificate the statements, interpretations, and Thomas E. Price opinions of contributors to The The Silas Wright Custom House Stamps Paul Schumacher each year by the St. Lawren County Historical Association fo Silas Wright Grange No. 427 Shannon Scherer
ton, NY 13617 at $4.00 each ($2.00 Issue Editors: I for members), plus $1 .00for postage. Thomas E. Price and Stewart J. Wilson Contribotio Production Assistance: The SLCHA contributions. To s C. J. Tramontana script, or for furthe Timothy A. Wright please contact the the St. Lawrence County Hi cat Association. Please ad Cover Illustration: communications to: Detail of the engraving of Governor Silas Wright, Jr. from Editor, The SLCHA the 1882 @fry dollar United States gold certificate. P.O. Box 8, Canton, (From the SLCHA Collections) Honoring Wright's Memory: An Introduction by Stewart J. Wilson
Govenzor Silas Wright, Jr., 1795-1845.
his issue of The SLCHA is only fitting to examine these top- Wright's legacy to the North Q~tarterlycontains six short ics as we mark the bicentennial of Country remains profound today. In articles with a common Wright's birth throughout this year. his various public posts, most nota- theme. Each explores a topic that in Indeed, the Historical Association bly New York Governor and United some way was a tribute or honor to has celebrated the Wright bicenten- States Senator, Silas Wright laid the Governor Silas Wright, Jr., the high- nial in 1995 with a variety of events, foundations of political discourse for est ranking elected official ever to programs, tours, and other publi- northern New York. His party loy- come from St. Lawrence County. It cations. alty, fiscal conservatism, and rela-
1 St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly tive liberalism on social issues are then Senator Wright in 1841, fully ernor Wright has changed over the currents still present in today's po- six years before he died, while the last 150years. For instance, after the litical waters. But Wright's influ- other two Wright counties were Civil War, Wright was viewed as a ence went beyond the intellectual or named after his death. Other Wright political hero by the Republicans philosophical. He was a mentor and honors covered here are perhaps and Democrats alike, whereas to- icon to following generations of more appropriately tributes, since day, we celebrate Wright less for his North Country leaders in a wide va- they occurred after 1847. These political leanings than for his integ- riety of fields. Contemporaries,such subjects include the Silas Wright rity, loyalty and honesty as the as Senator Preston King of Grange in Canton (named in 1879), "Farmer Statesman." Perhaps, the Ogdensburg, John Leslie Russell of the Wright gold certificate (1882), memorials and tributes have less to Canton, and Azariah Flagg of and the custom house stamps tell us about Silas Wright, than what Plattsburgh, looked to Wright for (1887). the people of a particular time find leadership. A later generation of Many other tributes and memori- admirable or worthy in a leader. As leaders, men such as A. Barton als to Silas Wright await further in- we explore how Silas Wright has Hepburn and Irving Bachellor, grew vestigation. They include other been honored over the years, we up with the myth and legend of Silas places named for Governor Wright, need to ask more questions about Wright, "The Farmer Statesman." such as Wrightsburgh, Wright Road, Wright's continuing role as "ideal It is not our task here to recount and Wright School in St. Lawrence citizen" and "political hero." Has the story of Silas Wright. Numer- County; Wright Peak, the sixteenth the view of Silas Wright changed ous biographies, especially of his highest mountain in the Adirondacks; over time? What different aspects political career, have been written. and theTown of Wright in Schoharie of Wright's life and career have For background on Wright's life County, New York. Literary Wright been most meaningful to people in and career, William Mallam's Silas tributes worthy of attention include different eras? What does the life Wright - The Farmer Statesman numerous posthumous poems, such and spirit of Governor Wright have (recently published by the Histori- as the well-known poem, The Lost to tell us today? By looking at the cal Association); John Garraty's Statesman, by John Greenleaf tributes and honors to Silas Wright Silas Wright; and Ransom Gillet's Whittier; Irving Bachellor's novel, fifty or hundred years after his two volume work, The Life and The Light in the Clearing; and 19th death, we may, in fact, come to a Times of Silas Wright, are recom- century Wright biographies, notably deeper appreciation of both Silas mended. those by Hammond, Jenkins, and Wright the man, and our ancestor's Rather than biographical mate- Gillet. Additional memorials de- wishes and aspirations for leader- rial, the articles in this Quarterly serving further research are the large ship and community. explore the history of how Wright Silas Wright monument in was honored by both his contempo- Weybridge, Vermont, and the raries and following generations. smaller obelisk on his grave in About the Author Some of these honors occurred be- Canton; the numerous political din- fore Wright's death in 1847. Obvi- ners and events held in Wright's Stewart J. Wilson has served as ously, the Mathew Brady daguerreo- honor; the Silas Wright pumper the Public Information Coordinator type of Wright was done prior to his operated by the Canton fire depart- of the Historical Association for the death, although Brady's collection ment; the S.S. Silas Wright, a Mis- past three years, and is currently the of lithographsof famous Americans, sissippi paddleboat; other portraits production editor of The SLCHA including Wright, was published and photographs of Wright; and Quarterly. posthumously. The silver set for the creation and development of Governor Wright was begun before the Silas Wright house as a mu- his death, but was completed and seum in Canton. presented to Mrs. Wright after the Perhaps of equal interest to the Governor was deceased. Wright exploration of each of these subjects County, Missouri, was named for is how the memorialization of Gov-
St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly Silas Wright: "Illustrious American" by Thomas E. Price
magine a large open room brightly illuminated by the rays I of the sun, radiating from the large skylight in the ceiling. One comer of the room is particularly scant of furniture except for a single chair with a menacing iron clamp attached to the back. A light gray curtain is stretched behind the chair and against the wall. The pungent odor of iodine and burning candles fills the room. Approximately four feet in front of the chair is a large wooden box on four legs standing nearly three feet in height. A large lens, aimed directly at the chair, pro- trudes from the box like a muzzle of a small cannon. A table is set up beside the box which is covered with rectangular sheets of metal. Such was the setting as Silas Wright walked intoMathew Brady's studio in the mid-1840s. Wright, a Frances D'Avignon engraving of Silas Wright, based on a Mathew prominent figure in state and na- Brady daguerreotype. The engraving appeared in Brady 's Gallery tional politics, was probably asked of Illustrious Americans, published in 1850. on several occasions to sit for Brady. Finally conceding to the young position behind the camera and stud- ments were to Brady's satisfaction, daguerreotypist's wishes, Wright sat ied the upside down image of Wright heexposed the plate, and Silas Wright in the lone chair as Brady or an on the ground glass. He probably became a prominent part of Ameri- assistant positioned Wright and tight- noticed the gentle yet determined can photographic history. ened the head clamp, immobilizing look of Wright, accented by his tired Modem photography saw its be- him. Brady may have tried to put eyes, large nose, and strong jaw. ginnings in France. For years inven- Wright at ease by explaining the Wright looked rather worn from his tors experimented with recording a need for total immobilization so that years in public office and the many visual image. Many were successful a clear image could be captured. miles travelled from northern New in temporarily securing an image, After Wright was positioned, the York to all parts of the country. His but Louis Daguerre finally met with shade, partially covering the over- attire consisted of a plain black suit complete success in 1837. Daguerre head skylight, was fixed in position with a white shirt. The collar, a bit permanently secured an image by to allow the optimal amount of light askew, was held tightly in place by a using a piece of copper, coated with to strike the subject. Brady took his black neck stock. When all adjust- silver and sensitized with chemicals,
3 St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly and then exposing the plate to light lation, "Professor of Photography" for a number of seconds or minutes. at Harrington's Museum in Boston The French government, greatly in 1841. Known as an excellent por- pleased with Daguerre's discovery, trait photographer, it was said of him awarded him an annual pension of in the Bay State Democrat that six thousand dollars in return for a Plumbe, "takes the very life from a complete disclosure of his process. man, and transfers it to his silver Daguerre published his work in Au- plate. We saw one of KRANZ the gust, 1839, and practical photogra- other day, taken by the Professor's phy was born. Daguerreotype so faithfully that he It is unclear who first brought the has not looked well since." daguerreotype process to America, Plumbe soon expanded his enter- but certainly much credit goes to prise to not only the taking of da- Samuel F. B. Morse, a young artist guerreotypes, but also the sale of and scholar. Morse, better known photographic materials. William today for his invention of the tele- Shew of Ogdensburg made photo- Three etlgra~itlgsof IVrigllt. graph and Morse code, was one of graphic cases for Plumbe. John The engraving above was based on a John Plumbe daguerreohpe the earliest photographers in Plumbe's business thrived and he and was doneforpublication in America. Morse met Daguerre in expanded rapidly. He sent Trueman 1846. The two engravings Europe while giving lectures on his Shew to run a gallery in Philadel- below were done for publica- newly developed telegraph. Morse phia, and Jacob Shew was sent by tions in the 1870s and appear first envisioned Daguerre's inven- Plumbe to open a gallery in Balti- based either on Plumbe's tion as a way of streamlining his more. By 1845, Plumbe had four- daguerreoqpe or the earlier portrait painting business. By taking teen galleries spread throughout the engraving. a photograph first, Morse's subjects United States. His was the first of would no longer have to sit for hours many chains of galleries. Plumbe until the painting was complete. was also the first to collect portraits Morse had many students of of celebrities. He photographed daguerreotypy in the late 1830s and Governor Silas Wright for publica- early 1840s, and today several are tion in the United States Magazine considered "fathers" of modem pho- and Democratic Review in 1846. tography in America. However, Plumbe's success was Seemingly everyone wanted to short-lived. He sold his New York attempt Daguerre's process, and gallery in 1847. Later, threatened by many tried to improve it as well. financial failure, Plumbe committed Daguerreotypists appeared in St. suicide in 1857. After Plumbe's Lawrence County as early as 1840. demise, the Shew brothers eventu- The Shew brothers, Jacob, Myron, ally moved west and continued to Trueman, and William are credited work in photography. with being the first daguerreotypists Mathew Brady was another stu- in Ogdensburg. They were taught dent of Samuel Morse. Born in the dauguerreotype process by Warren County, New York in 1823, Samuel Morse, but by 1841 they Brady began studying art at the age were in the employ of John Plumbe, of fifteenunderthe tutelage of Ameri- another photographt:r of Silas can painter, William Page. Also a Wright. Plumbe, a young entrepre- former student of Morse, Page saw neur, saw a financial opportunity in great promise in young Brady's work. daguerreotypy. A man of many tal- Page took him to New York City to ents and titles, he took on the appel- further his studies at the National
St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly Academy of Design, of which Morse The other notables in Brady's War has left an indelible mark on the was then president. During Brady's book consist of Wright's political American psyche, and ushered in a time at the Academy, Morse intduced contemporaries: Daniel Webster, new chapter in photography. him to the daguerreotype proms. John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, Because of inventors like Louis Brady became very skilled in the Millard Fillmore, and Lewis Cass. Daguerre and Samuel F.B. Morse, process and excelled at portraits. Like The remainder are a mix of men who and practitioners like John Plumbe Plumbe, Brady captured many great were known for a variety of endeav- and Mathew Brady, a visual under- American personages on the copper ors. They are: William H. Prescott, standing of the middle part of the last plate. He opened his first gallery in American historian; John J. century was preserved. Today, their 1844 on the comer of Broadway and Audubon, artist and naturalist; efforts bring history to life by match- Fulton Streets in New York City. Winfield Scott, military hero of two ing deeds with faces. Who can hear The newspapers hailed him as the wars; William E. Channing, Univer- the "Gettysburg Address" without greatest photographer among the salist minister and reformer; Zachary picturing the care-worn image of thousands then in business. Many Taylor, military leader and later Abraham Lincoln, or read a speech nationally and internationally known President of the United States; and delivered by Daniel Webster with- celebrities sat for Brady over the John C. Fremont, explorer. Brady out thinking about the deep set eyes next few years. Nearly all of the had photographed them over thepre- and cold determination on his face as great political figures of the time, vious decade, but for the purposes of captured by several early photogra- including all of the Presidents start- publication, he employed a lithogra- phers? Brady, and his contemporar- ing with John Quincy Adams, sat for phertocreate stone plates from which ies in photography, have preserved an Brady. It is probably during his to print the images. He chose litho- important visual record of the people tenure as New York Governor, in graphic expert Frances D'Avignon and events of the 19th century. 1845 or 1846, that Silas Wright sat to complete this task. He then em- for Brady. ployed the well-known dramatist and Brady's business soared, and he author, John Howard Payne, to write About the Author was tireless in the advancement of biographies of each of those fea- Thomas E. Price has been the daguemeotypy. His ambition soon tured. However, Payne was unable Collections Manager at the St. went beyond the simple act of creat- to finish the work because of his Lawrence County Historical Asso- ing photographs. Brady saw an op- appointment as Consul to Tunisia. ciation for the past three years. portunity to publish a book contain- Brady then hired C. Edwards Lester ing the images of celebrated person- to complete the historical sketches. alities. Brady's idea was to feature Thecompleted volume sold for twenty For Further Reading engravings of twenty-four of dollars, or one could purchase single Hobart, George. Mathew Brady. Lon- don: Macdonald & Co., 1984. America's most notable people and portraits for one dollar each. The Hoobler, Dorothy, and Hoobler, Tho- accompany each image with a short publication was hailed by the press mas. Photographing History: The Career of Mathew Brady. New York: G.P. Putnam's biography. This venture took sev- and public as a masterpiece of photo- Sons, 1977. eral years to create. The final prod- graphic history. One admirer dubbed Jensen, Oliver; Joan Paterson Kerr; and uct was probably America's first the Gallery of Illustrious Americans, Murray Belsky. American Album. New York: American Heritage Publishing Co., book of photographic history. Pub- the "Valhalla of America." Inc., 1968. lished in 1850, it had the flattering Though widely acclaimed, the Meredith, Roy. Mr. Lincoln S Camera Man: Mathew B.Brady. New York: Dover title, Gallery of lllusrriousAmericans, Gallery of Illustrious Americans was Publications, 1974. and it featured only twelve images a financial failure, due, at least in Newhall, Beaumont. The Daguerreo~pe instead of the intended twenty-four. part, to the rather high price of the in America. New York: New York Graphic Society, 1961. GovernorWrightwas oneof the twelve work. However, the book helped Pollack, P. The Picture History of Pho- men chosen by Brady to grace the further Brady's photographic career. tography. New York: Hany Abrams, 1970 pages of this ambitious volume. For Taft, Robert. PhotographyandtheAmeri- Mathew Brady expanded his photo- can Scene, A Social History, 1839-1889. the first time, Silas Wright, a person graphic endeavors over the next fifty New York: Dover Publications, 1964. known in name and action across the years, becoming one of the most Weinstein, Robert and Larry Booth. Collection, Use, and Care of Historical Pho- continent, had a "real" face to ac- famous photographers in American tographs. Nashville: American Association company his accomplishments. history. His chronicling of the Civil for State and Local History, 1977.
St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly A Silver Tribute: A Study of the Silas Wright Silver Set by Heather J. Parrnenter
"This valuable token of esteem for Governor Wright will ever be prized as a momento of the great statesman, and is likely, in time, to pass into as many hands as there are pieces, to be prized more than gold or rubies. " -Ransom Gillet, 1874
n 1847, arrangements were However, the untimely death of this tered. In light of the bicentennial of made to honor the recently re- esteemed resident of Canton came the birth of Silas Wright in 1995, it I tired folrmer Governor and before the gift could be bestowed on seemed appropriate to address the United States Senator, Silas Wright, him. Nevertheless, he was not for- fate of the silver set that stood in who had devoted most of his life to gotten, and the set of silver was pre- testimony to his life. the affairs of New York State. Silver sented to his wife, Clarissa Moody With this in mind, I have concen- manufacturer, Gerardus Boyce of Wright, later that year. Nearly 150 trated on discovering more about the New York City, was commissioned years have passed since this gift was Silas Wright silver set. To gain a to create a set of silver to commemo- presented and the individual pieces better understanding of the reason- rate the life and work of Silas Wright. of the set of silver have been scat- ing behind this gift, I consider here
A spoon and fork from the Silas Wright silver set. These two pieces are in the SLCHA collections. The whereabouts of only three other pieces from the set are currently known. The set was made by well-known silversmith Gerardus Boyce in 1847 and presented to Clarissa Wright in 1848, after Governor Wright's death in the fall of 1847.
St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly 6 the arrangements for the presenta- In recognition of his devotion to There is some question as to when tion of the gift and the circumstances agriculture, the New York State these "mercantile friends" intended surrounding it. In order to place the Agricultural Society invited Silas to bestow this honor. While July 4th gift in the larger context of Ameri- Wright to deliver an address at their is inscribed on the set, it is known can culture, I discuss the signifi- annual meeting held in Saratoga that Silas Wright's death occurred cance of presentation silver to both Springs on September 16,1847. Silas before the gift was presented to him. the donor and the recipient. I also agreed and prepared his address, According to Gillet's Life and Times have attempted to discover more stressing the importance of agricul- of Silas Wright, the set was said to about its manufacturer, Gerardus ture as a connection to "the wants, have been nearly ready at the time of Boyce. By examining other works comforts, and interests of every Wright's death. If this is the case, by Boyce, a description of one of the man."' His words were deeply seated these "mercantile friends" may have set's pieces, and the actual pieces of in the traditions of Jeffersonian de- intended to present the set at the flatware owned by the St. Lawrence mocracy as he saw the importance of Agricultural Society meeting. Historical Association and St. improving agriculture as critical to Gillet's biography indicates that these Lawrence University, I speculate on the economic well-being of New men had arranged to present the set the style of the entire set. I also YorkState. Ironically, Silas Wright's to Silas Wright through General John briefly discuss the different items in devotion to agriculture may have A. Dix, who subsequently read the set, and their uses, in order to prevented him from delivering his Wright's address at the meeting.5 provide a clear explanation of the address. On August 27,1847, Wright Regardless of the initial presen- size and character of the set. The died of complications probably due tation date, the fact remains that Silas initial goal of my research was to to a heart attack related to his hard Wright never lived to receive this attempt to locate additional pieces of labor in the fields. At the meeting of tribute. However, his mercantile the silver set. Thus, I also address the New York State Agricultural So- friends remained committed to rec- the descent of the silver set since the ciety in September, General John A. ognizing the work of their late es- death of Clarissa Wright. Dix, a personal friend of Wright's teemed friend. On November 18, who had worked with him exten- 1847, General John A. Dix was in- Presentation of the sively at different levels of govern- vited to a meeting in New York City Wright Silver Set ment, delivered the speech on his to receive the set of silver on behalf behalf.3 of Clarissa Wright, as a lasting re- With his gubernatorial defeat in During the summer of 1847, a membrance of her husband. Acting 1846, Silas Wright seemed deter- circle of friends and supporters ar- as representative of the men who mined to retire from the political ranged to honor Silas Wright for the wished to bestow this gift, John D. arena, although many of his col- accomplishments in his life and ca- Van Buren stated that "We hoped to leagues in the Democratic Party en- reer. They commissioned a silver tell [Silas Wright ofJ our high esti- couraged him to accept anomination manufacturer, Gerardus Boyce, to mate of his public services, and that to run for the presidency in 1848. He produce a set of silver that was to be we shared in the confidence and pride returned to Canton to join his wife inscribed: with which the people of this state Clarissaand renew work on his farm. regarded him; that in this busy mart Prior to his election to the Governor's Presented to Silas Wright, of commerce, devoted to gain, his office, he purchased approximately By his Mercantile Friends of simple, earnest, truly republican char- one hundred acres of land.' Al- the City of New York, acter was known and appre~iated."~ though he had little time for farming in testimony of their respect Clarissa did not receive the set of during his political career, he main- and regard for his Public silver until the following January tained considerable interest in agri- and Private Character when her brother, Horace Moody, culture throughout his life. In his 4th July 1 847.4 delivered the set to her. On its deliv- retirement which began in early 1847, ery, she sent a letter of gratitude to Silas Wright hoped to take over the One of these mercantile friends was Gerardus Boyce, the manufacturer, to work of the hired hands who previ- John D. Van Buren, the son of Presi- compliment the beauty and skill with ously ran the farm in his absence. dent Martin Van Buren, Silas Wright's political mentor. which the set had been completed.'
Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly Detail of the handle of silver set fork in the SLCHA collections showing the engraving of Silas and Clarissa Wright's intials, "S & C Wright. "
The Tradition of Silver industrialization in America created The set included two pitchers that as a Gift the themes of progress and economic each held four quarts and one pint, The gift of a set of silver was development in presentation silver. and a silver tea kettle that held three highly symbolic in a time period For example, in New York, DeWitt quarts, as well as a coffeepot, teapot, focused on progress and industry. Clinton was awarded two silver vases sugar dish, cream pot, and slop bowl. Traditionally, silver was an appro- in 1825 to honor him after the comple- In flatware, it contained a soup-ladle, priate material for presentation pieces tion of the Erie Canal.9 In this light, fish-knife, crumb-knife, ice-cream made to honor an individual for acts it is not surprising that the merchants slicer, a pair of sugar tongs, four who made arrangements to pay trib- of civic importance. Because it is butter knives, and nine dozen table remarkably flexible, silver can be ute to Silas Wright chose to present and dessert spoons and forks.'O Af- worked easily to form a wide variety him with silver. At the same time, ter the death of Clarissa Wright on of objects and styles. Its high mon- their choice reflects the high esteem August 15,1870, the set was divided etary value and its durability further with which they regarded him. among her three brothers and the enriches the quality of such a gift.R children of adeceased brother. Since Presentation silver first became The Wright Silver Set then, the set has been scattered. As popular in America with the birth of The set of silver that was pre- a result, the location of only five the republic. At that time, precious sented toclarissacontained one hun- pieces of flatware of the one hundred metals became more readily avail- dred and twenty-five pieces and was and twenty-five piece set are cur- able, allowing the uses and styles of valued at $1,900. This price demon- rently known. Thus, one can only silver to become quite diverse. Fol- strates the substantial worth of the speculate on the appearance of the lowing the War of 1812, presenta- set considering that the two most larger pieces in the set. tion silver reached a new height in valuable household goods listed on Generalizations can be made con- achievement as silversmiths were an inventory of SilasWright's pos- cerning the style of the set by study- commissioned to produce com- sessions at the time of his death were ing other known works of the manu- memorative pieces for heroes of the a Brussels carpet appraised at $75 facturer, Gerardus Boyce. Also, a war. At the same time, the birth of and a sideboard listed at $45. detailed description of one of the
St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly 8 Wright pitchers survives which of- fers some insight on the style. Lastly, the five surviving pieces of flatware owned by the St. Lawrence Histori- cal Association and St. Lawrence University are crucial in determin- ing the flatware style of the remain- der of the set.
Gerardus Boyce's Style Gerardus Boyce was born in 1797 and began his business in New York City as early as 1820. He worked under the firm Boyce and Jones from The back side of the Wright silver set spoon and fork in the SLCHA collections. Note the silversmith's mark in the center of the handles. 1825 to 1828. He continued his business until as late as 1857." Boyce died in 1880. When Boyce was At sixteen inches tall, the size of handles. The majority of his silver commissioned to produce the set for the pitcher gives an indication of the contains handles in the C-scroll or S- Silas Wright in 1847, he had been importance of the set. The repoussC scroll style where, as suggested by working in his profession for nearly design was just becoming popular in the name, the handle is shaped in the thirty years. During his years as a American silver in the 1840s and form of a large "C" or "S." silversmith, he produced many fine was accomplished by hammering Another form of repoussC work pieces including a five piece tea set from the reverse side of the piece to that may have occurred in the Silas currently on display at the Charles- create a raised decorative pattern, Wright set is reeding. Several pieces ton Museum in South Carolina, and usually portraying naturalistic or sen- in other sets produced by Gerardus unusual items such as dish crosses timental scenes.14 A creamer pro- Boyce exhibit this style, particularly and a boatswain's whistle.I2 duced by Gerardus Boyce, currently in the form of melon-reeding. Named In developing an idea of what the in a private collection, has a combi- for its resulting shape, melon-reeding Wright silver set may have looked nation of repoussC and engraving appears in a tea set that is located at the like, a description that appeared in that could be comparable to the sil- Charleston Museum. It also appears the Commercial Advertiser in 1889 ver pitcher described in the article.I5 in a set originally made for Beech of one of the pitchers, serves as an Although no other piece located in and Susan Vanderpool, currently in excellent indication of the style of this study has a smooth shield motif a private c~llection.'~A tea-kettle- the set. The pitcher, purchased by as exhibited in the pitcher belonging on-stand produced by Boyce that New York State Governor David B. to the Wright set, a pair of pitchers belongs to a private collection in Hill in 1887, is described as being made by Boyce, belonging to an- Pennsylvania also exhibits melon- sixteen inches in height, small at the other private collection, do portray a reeding and may be comparable to base, and swelling to its fullest pro- smooth oval on the side of the pitch- the tea kettle in the Silas Wright portions about one-fifth from the ers engraved with the owner's ini- set.19 These sets are of high quality mouth. The surface is beautifully tials.16 and their beauty causes one to hope decorated in repoussC work and is The arabesque style is defined in that additional pieces of Wright's set also partly engraved and ham- McClinton's Collecting American have survived. mered. A smooth shield appears Nineteenth Century Silver as an "in- When considering the flatware on the center on either side of the terwoven design of the Italian Re- that complemented the larger pieces pitcher with one side bearing the nai~sance."'~How this definition of the set, there is less need for specu- inscription that honors Silas translates into the form of the handle lation, as five pieces are available for Wright. The article described the of apitcher can be left to speculation. study. Two pieces, a spoon and fork, handle as bold and strong, ara- None of Boyce's work seems to ex- were donated to the St. Lawrence besque in style.I3 hibit an interwoven design in the County Historical Association in
9 St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly 1983, and three pieces are currently crumbs from a tablecloth. Ice cream versity in 1965 by the wife of Guy owned by St. Lawrence University. slicers, or knives, are shaped sirni- ~owirdwho received them from his They exhibit the French threaded larly to the fish knife and are used for parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles pattern and are engraved "S and C slicing blocks of ice cream. Lastly, Howard. They were residents of Wright." On the back of each, "G. sugar tongs are used for serving sugar Canton at one time and had some- BOYCE" is stamped into-the stem. and have various sizes and shapes. how acquired the pieces during their The threaded pattern of flatware Larger tongs are used for hors stay.25 At this time, the forks have became popular in the beginning of d'oe~vres.~~ not been located. the nineteenth century where a According to Gillet, Clarissa double-thread outlined the fiddle- Wright gave one of the pieces to a shaped handle.20 Two butter knives What Happened to the personal friend of her husband who and a mustard spoon produced by Wright Silver Set? had helped manage her affairs.26 Gerardus Boyce that exhibit an iden- With the nearly one hundred and From an article in the Commercial tical pattern to the SilasWright pieces fifty years that have passed since Advertiser, we know that this piece are owned by the New-York Histori- Clarissa Moody Wright received the was one of the silver pitchers. Al- cal Society. Similar threaded pat- set of silver in remembrance and though the article does not name the terns were manufactured by other tribute to her husband, the set sepa- owner, it reports that the pitcher had companies during the same time pe- rated and scattered among several been purchased by Governor David riod. In 1847, the year that Boyce hands. With no children of her own, B. Hill for one hundred and fifty produced the Wright silver set, Roger Clarissa Wright directed in her last dollars. The article predicts that the Bros. Company of Hartford, Con- will and testament that both her real Governor wouldultimately leave the necticut advertised flatware that was and personal estate be divided among pitcher to the State of New Y~rk.~' nearly identical in style.2' This flat- her three brothers, Simeon D., Governor Hill mentioned in his will ware design remained popular until Lucius, and Horace Moody, along that he had purchased the silver after the Civil War. with the three children of her de- pitcher from the heirs of Silas In Silas Wright's set, there were ceased brother, Luman Moody. Ac- Wright's executor in 1887.28 Con- many different pieces of flatware. cording to Gillet, the set was divided trary to the newspaper prediction, in All the flatware in Wright's set un- among her brothers, nieces, and his will Governor Hill directed that doubtedly exhibited the French- nephew in accordance to the the piece, which he referred to as the threaded pattern and each piece was Apparently the silver pieces did "Silas Wright Silver Pitcher," be engraved with "S and C Wright." descend through the lines of the given to Alton B. Parker, one of his The other flatware in the set included Moody family, at least to an extent. executors. Parker, had worked with a soup-ladle, fishknife, crumb-knife, In 1973, Mary A. Bogue donated a Hill as a campaign manager, and had ice-cream slicer, apairof sugar tongs, spoon, fork, and mustard ladle to St. served at different levels in the New four butter knives, and nine dozen Lawrence University. In a letter York State court system, including table and dessert spoons and forks. accompanying her donation, Bogue Associate Judge of the Court of Ap- While soup-ladles, butterknives, and mentioned that her father, Warren peal~.~~Governor Hill's high regard table and dessert spoons are fairly Curtis Bogue, had received the flat- for the historical significance of the self-explanatory, the other types of ware from his mother, Mary Strong pitcher is illustrated in his own will flatware are not as frequently used Bogue, who was a niece of Clarissa in the direct reference to Gillet's today. Afish knifehasalarge blunted Wright and one of the children of the narrative of the occasion for this gift. blade and is similar to a spatula. It is deceased brother, Luman Moody. Unfortunately, the descent of this often accompanied by a large fork Some pieces, as suggested by a silver pitcher has not been traced and is used for serving casseroles as scrapbook kept by Mrs. Jessie Weed, further. well as fish. Crumb knives are simi- reached the hands of friends of lar in shape to fish knives and have a Clarissa Wright, while others sadly Conclusion long straight edge with the opposite landed in pawn shops.24Some forks While only five pieces of flat- edge curved upward. They serve that may have been a part of the set ware of the one hundred and twenty- almost as a dust pan for brushing the were donated to St. Lawrence Uni- five piece set of silver presented in
St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly 10 1847 to honor the life and accom- the assistant curator at the New-York His- University. May 25. 1965. Hartford. 0'. plishments of Silas Wright have been torical Society; and Barry R. Harwood, the 26Gillet, 1834. associate Curator at the Brooklyn Museum. 27"A Relic of Silas Wright," Commer- located, it is likely that otherpieces A. Bruce MacLeish of the New York State cial Advertiser. of this set still exist and will be Historical Association at Cooperstown, and 28David B. Hill, "Last Will and Testa- ment." Albany, NY, January 24,1906. Susan Jackson Karp, a graduate intern at the identified eventually. Whether the 29Edgar A. Werner, Civil List and Con- larger pieces of the set exhibited the Albany Instituteof History and Art werealso stitutional History of the Colony and State of repoussk, or the melon-reeding, style very helpful. New York (Albany, NY: Weed,Parsons,and that was prevalent in Boyce's work, Co., 1889), 326. we can only speculate. From study- Footnotes ing the pieces of flatware of the set IJohn ArthurGarraty, Silas Wright (New York: Columbia University Press, 1949). References and the other works of silver manu- 392. Bogue, Mary A. 23 May 1973 Letter of 2R.H. Gillet, The Life and Times of Silas Correspondence to Dr. Frank P. Piskor of St. facturer Gerardus Boyce, it can be Lawrence University. Denver, CO. assumed that the pieces of this set are Wright (Albany, NY: The Argus Company, 1874). 1950. Garraty, John Arthur. Silas Wright. New of significant value, and were of the York: Columbia University Press, 1949. 3Gillet, 1949. Gillet, R. H. The Life and Times of Silas high style of the period. In any case, 4Gillet, 1826. Wright. 2 Vols. Albany, NY: The Argus Silas Wright's contributions to the 5Gillet, 1826. Company, 1874. 6Gillet, 1827. Hill, David B. "Last Will and Testa- State of New York were appropri- 7Gillet, 1833. ment." Albany, NY, January 24, 1906. ately paid tribute in this fine gift of %erald W.R. Ward, "Introduction," in Hill, David B. "A True and Faithful In- silver. Marks of Achievement: Four Centuries of ventory." Albany, NY, March 6, 191 1. Presentation Silver (New York: Harry N. Hough, Dr. Franklin B. "Honorable Silas Abrams, 1987). 17. Wright." in History of St. Lawrence CO., About the Author yDavid B. Warren, "From the New Re- New York. Philadelphia: L.H. Evert and public to the Centennial," in Marks of Company, 1878. p. 232. Heather J. Parmenter conducted Achievement: Four Centuries of Presenta- Howard, Mrs. Guy. Letter of Correspon- her research on the Wright silver set tion Silver (New York: Harry N. Abrams, dence to the President of St. Lawrence Uni- while working as an intern at the 1987), 75.77. versity. May 25, 1965. Hartford, CT. loDr. Franklin B. Hough, "Honorable McClinton, Katharine Morrison. Col- Historical Association and complet- Silas Wright." in History of St. Lawrence lecting American Nineteenth Century Silver. ing a degree in Anthropology at CO., New York. (Philadelphia: L.H. Evert New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1968. and Company, 1878). 232. Osterberg, Richard F. and Betty Smith. SUNY-Potsdam. She is currently a Silver Flatware Dictionary. New York: A. "Paul Von Khrum, Silversmiths of New graduate student in museum studies S. Barnes and Co., 198 1. York Cih 1684-1850 (1978). 18. "A Relic of Silas Wright: Rescued From at the University of Delaware. IZDecorativeArts Photographic Collec- Oblivion By Governor Hill." Commercial tion. The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Advertiser, July 3, 1889. Museum, Newark, Delaware, 1967and 1936. Snell, Doris. American Silverplated Flat- Acknowledgements (Hereafter, D.A.P.C.) ware Patterns. Des Moines, IA: Wallace In order to ascertain whether pieces of 13''~ Relic of Silas Wright: Rescued Homestead Book Co., 1980. theSilas Wright set had beenacquiredby any From Oblivion By Governor Hill." Com- Von Khrum, Paul. Silversmiths of New major museums or other institutions in New mercial Advertiser, July 3, 1889. York cih 1684-1850. 1978. p. 18. York State or elsewhere, numerous inquiries I4Katharine M. McClinton, Collecting Ward, Gerald W. R. "Introduction," in were made. Although none could report that American Nineteenth Century Silver (New Marks of Achievement: Four Centuries of York:Charles Scribner's Sons, 1968). 46. Presentation Silver. New York: Harry N. they knew the whereabouts of these pieces, ISD.A.P.C., 1976. Abrams, 1987. p. 17. the curators were very helpful in providing %.A.P.C., 1977. Warren, David B. "From the New Re- information concerning Gerardus Boyceand I7~cClinton,273. public to the Centennial," in Marks of his other works. I received guidance from lRD.A.P.C., 1971. Achievement: Four Centuries of Presenta- both Ken Hafertepe, the Academic Programs I9D.A.P.C., 1974. tion Silver. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Director, and Amanda Lang, the Ceramics 'OMcClinton, 27. 1987. pp. 75-80. and Silver Curator at Historic Deerfield in 2'Doris Snell, American Silverplated Weed, Mrs. Jessie. 1955 scrapbook. St. Lawrence Historical Association archives. Flatware Patterns (Des Moines, IA: Wallace Massachusetts who directed me to several Werner, Edgar A. Civil List and Consti- sources. 1also received assistance from Don Homestead Book Co., 1980). 96. tutional History of the Colony and State of Fennimore at the Winterthur Museum in 22RichardF. Osterberg and Betty Smith, New York. Albany, NY: Weed, Parsons, Newark, Delaware, along with Bert Denker, Silver Flatware Dictionary (New York: A. and Co., 1889. the librarian of the Decorative Arts Photo- S. Barnes and Co., 1981). Wright, Clarissa Moody, "Last Will and graphic Collection at Winterthur. I received 23Gillet, 1834. Testament." Recorded in Will Book 11, pp. 24Mrs.Jessie Weed, 1955 scrapbook, St. information from Deborah D. Waters, the 402 and 403. Canton, NY, August 4, 1870. Lawrence Historical Association archives. Wright, Silas, Jr. "A True and Faithful Decorative Arts Curator at the Museum of 25Mrs. Guy Howard, Letter of Corre- Inventory." March 29, 1848. (Copy in the the City of New York; Margaret K. Hofer, spondence to the President of St. Lawrence SLCHA archives. Canton, NY.)
11 St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly The Wright Counties by Stewart J. Wilson
'early 150 years after his anti-slavery stand; his reputation for for Andrew Jackson. The leading death, Silas Wright, Jr. is honesty, loyalty, and integrity; and political figure in the state was Tho- still fondly remembered in his humble rural roots had made him mas Hart Benton, who served in the his home area of St. Lawrence a revered figure among abolitionist Senate from 1821until 1851. Benton County, and in Weybridge, Vermont, frontiersmen. Is it any wonder then and Wright, both staunch where Wright spent his childhood. that pioneers would choose to name Jacksonians, became close friends Wright also remains an important their new settlements after Silas and allies in the Senate. figure for historians of the Jacksonian Wright, "The Farmer Statesman?' Although heavily favoring the period, both because of his promi- Three counties in Iowa, Minnesota, Democrats, it still seems puzzling nence in New York and the nation, and Missouri do indeed bear Silas that a county in a slave holding state and his important stands on major Wright's name. would be named for Wright, who issues of the day, such as Andrew clearly opposed the expansion of sla- Jackson's war on the U.S. Bank. Missouri very to new states. However, most However, Silas Wright is a forgot- Wright County, Missouri, was of the newly settled areas of Mis- ten figure throughout most of the the first of the three counties named souri tended to be opposed to sla- country today. But his fame did in his honor. The county was cre- very. The older Missouri counties spread beyond his home states, and ated, and named for Silas Wright, on along the two rivers, including the his memory lives on in the names of January 29, 1841. Missouri was St. Louis area, were the pro-slavery three rural counties in the midwest. admitted to the union in 1821 as a centers in the 1830s and 1840s. Silas Wright, Jr. built a solid na- slave state under the Missouri Com- Adefinitiveanswerisnot known, tional following throughout the promise. Most of the population of but it is seems reasonable that Silas 1830s and 1840s while serving as a the new state developed along the Wright was chosen as the namesake United States SenatorandNew York Missouri and Mississippi rivers. The for the county simply because he Governor. As a Jacksonian Demo- Ozark borderlands in the southeast was a leader in the Democratic party crat and protege of Martin Van Buren, portion of the state, where Wright at the time. Many of the counties Wright became a leader of the Demo- County is located, remained sparsely near Wright County, Missouri, bear cratic party, especially the northern populated for decades. Thus, the the names of other famous figures of branch of the party. His standing county was not created until two the time, including Polk, Webster, was such that he had been offered decades after the admission of the Dallas, and Benton, as well as refer- posts on the Supreme Court and in state to the union. ences to important issues, such as the cabinet as Secretary of the Trea- Little is known about the reasons Oregon and Texas counties. sury. He was also the Democratic for the naming of Wright County, Wright County, Missouri, lies party's initial nominee for Vice- Missouri. However, examining Mis- about thirty miles east of Spring- President in 1844, which Wright souri state politics during its first field, and about forty miles north of turned down in favor of running for two decades provides some clues. the Arkansas border. The county Governor.' In 1847, shortly before At the time, Wright was in his eighth seat is Hartville and the current popu- his death, Wright was frequently year as aUnited States Senator. Since lation is just under 17,000. Rectan- mentioned as a leading contender for 1828 Missouri had been a solidly gular in shape, the county contains the Democratic Presidential nomi- Democratic state. In the election of about one fourth the land area of St. nation in 1848. Wright's moderate 1828, every county in the state voted Lawrence County, New York.
St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly Iowa -1 since the county's name preceded Unlike Wright County, Missouri, settlement. the two Wright counties in Iowa and Although created in 1851 and Minnesota were named after Silas settled in 1854,Wright County, Iowa Wright's death. Wright County, Iowa really began to function as a govern- is located approximately 80 miles mental entity in 1855. In that year, straight north of Des Moines and 40 the settlersbecame disenchanted with miles south of the Minnesota border. being under the tax jurisdiction of The county is close to the samepopu- neighboring Webster County, and lation (14,000), and at twenty-four decided to create their own govern- miles square, also similar in size to ment. This momentous occasion Wright County, Missouri. The was recorded in poetic form by N.B. county seat is Clarion. Paine: Wright County, Iowa was estab- I saw Wright county born alive, lished by an act of the Iowa General August 5 of eighteenfifl-jive. Assembly in 1851. It was named for When Webster county levied tar both Silas Wright, and for Governor Governor Joseph Wright That made us hump up our backs, Joseph A. Wright of Indiana, al- of Indiana. We took legal steps to claim though no specific reason was given a franchise under our own name, for honoring the two governor^.^ 1846, with the Democrats leading And all our voters on the Boone Joseph and Silas Wright sharedmany the call for statehood. Since 1840, Flocked to our ranch thatAugust noon. A tent was raised of carpets made, the Whigs had opposed statehood, traits valued by the settlers of Iowa. That we might labor in the shade; Both Wrights were of humble ori- fearing that it would cause a rise in Judge and clerks were duly sworn, gins. Silas' father had been a farmer taxes. The Democrats controlled the To see no bogus votes were thrown, and shoemaker, while Joseph's fa- state forthe first eight years, until the For all agreed, without debate, ther ran a brick yard. As politicians, creation of the Republican party in Wrightcountymustbe legitimate...." both were Democrats, both spoke 1854, and once again it seems logi- eloquently on tariff issues, and both cal that Wright County was simply Thus, Wright County was set on were strong advocates of "scientific named for Democratic "heros," in solid footing, and remains today as a agriculture." this case, the two Wright~.~As in tribute to the two Governors. Joseph A. Wright was still Gov- Missouri, many other Iowa coun- ernor of Indiana when Wright ties are named for famous figures Minnesota County, Iowa, was named. He served of Silas Wright's era, including Of the three Wright counties, as the tenth Governor of the state, Webster, Calhoun, Clay, Polk, Dal- Minnesota was the last named, but from 1849 to 1857. During the Civil las, Harrison, Woodbury, and of the three, the most detailed ac- War, Joseph Wright switched to the Benton. count of the naming of the Minne- Republican party, and was appointed Although Iowa had become a sota county survives. It was named and briefly served as a United States state in 1846, and Wright County in 1855 while Minnesota was still a Senator in 1862-63. He also filled an was established and named in 1851, temtory. Statehood followed three important international post as min- it appears that the earliest white years later in 1858. Although ex- ister to Prussia and Germany under settler in the county did not arrive plored years earlier, the county had Presidents Buchanan, Lincoln and until 1854. Major Anson Brassfield received its first white settlers in Johnson. Joseph Wright died in was the first recorded settler, fol- 1852. The earliest pioneers took up Berlin in 1867.3 lowed by S.B. Hewett, Sr. and Jr., residence in the eastern part of the As with Missouri, one is left to and N. B. Paine, all of Massachu- county, named Otsego township af- speculate as to the reasoning behind sett~.~Although Silas Wright was ter the New York village.' the naming of the Wright County in born in Massachusetts, no connec- Early in 1855, three men, out of a Iowa, and theconclusions drawn are tion between the early settlers and total of only ninety-two in thecounty, comparable. Iowa became a state in Wright is mentioned, or is likely, were chosen to form a committee,
13 St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly travel to the state legislature in St. Location of the Wright Counties Paul, and advocate for the creation of what would shortly become Manitoba Wright County. The three men were Onario W. G. McCrory, S. T. Creighton and Samuel M. McManus. The three crossed the Mississippi into Sherburne County, and then picked up a stage to St. Paul. The History of Wright County Minnesota provides an account of how the county was MINNESOTA named. After getting aboard the stage, Mr. McCrory said: Well, gentlemen, our people failed to suggest a new name for the county last night; now, I have in New York state a very particu- Wisconsin larpolitical friend whom I would much like to see honored by nam- ing our county after him; it is true that he is a Whig and you are both Suutk Democrats, but I hope that at this moca time you will lay aside all politi- cal animosities and agree to name the proposed new county Seward, in honor of Hon. William H. Se~ard.~
However, his companions would not agree to that proposition, and McCrory proposed a second choice: There is aman in Orange county, my native county in New York, a personal friend of mine; you Illinois would probably have no objec- tion to naming the county after him, and thus giving him lasting fame. He is a Democrat, not it is true, my political friend, but a man whom I greatly respect. He is the Hon. Silas W~ight.~
Kansas The other two gentlemen were will- ing, and thus the name of the county was chosen. McCrory was mistaken about Silas Wright's native county, and he I - z speaks about Wright as though he c; were still alive, when in fact he had rn Okhhomo died eight years earlier. The other ox i! i! , early histories of Wright county1° do
St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly 14 not give this exact account of the Stateman," remain largely rural and he would have become a Republican after naming of the county, although they agricultural today. the formation of that party in 1854. Wright's mentor, Martin Van Buren, broke with the do mention that the discussion about Although the three counties Democrats in 1848 and ran for President on the name was animated. Either named for Governor Wright bear his the Free Soil ticket, and Wright's own pro- McCrory made amistake at the time, name proudly, none of the counties tege, Preston King of Ogdensburg, was a or perhaps more likely, his story was are particularly famous or well- leader in the formation of the Republican mistold and embellished when re- known. However, if history had party. Thus, Wright was definitely "in tune" with the politics of Iowa, as it has been a counted at alater date. With McCrory taken a slightly different turn, Wright predominantly Republican state since 1854. being from New York, it is difficult might have become the namesake of 5Gue, vol. 3. to believe he would not have known a well-known city. During the Demo- 6B. P. Birdsall, ed. History of Wright that Wright was no longer living and cratic convention of 1844, Wright County Iowa. (Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1915), 77. that he was from the northern part of was overwhelmingly chosen as the 'D.R.Famham, History of Wright County the state. running mate for James K. Polk, but Illustrated (1880). 23. In any case, by an act approved he turned down the nomination for a 8Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. History of February 20, 1855, the Minnesota variety of complicated political rea- Wright County Minnesota, 1: 117. (Chi- cago:H.C.Cooper,Jr.,&Co.,1915),117. territorial legislature created and sons. In Wright's stead, George M. In 1855, William Seward had served two terms named a number of counties, includ- Dallas of Pennsylvania was nomi- as Governor of New York (1 839-1 843) and ing Wright County. At that time, the nated and elected Vice President. was serving as United States Senator from borders of the county were also set, Less than a year later, a small village New York. An abolitionist, Seward was with the Mississippi and Clearwater in the brand new state of Texas was soon to switch his allegiance from the Whigs to the new Republican party. His greatest Rivers forming the northern bound- named for the Vice President. One fame came as Secretary of State under Lin- ary, and the Crow River providing has to ask, if Silas had accepted the coln and Johnson, and he is best remembered most of the eastern boundary. The Vice-presidential nomination, would today for the purchase of Alaska in 1867. southern and western boundary lines we be spending Sunday afternoons 'Curtiss-Wedge, 1: 117. were set arbitrarily by the legisla- watching the "Wright Cowboys," or '"The twootherhistoriesconsulted were: D.R. Famham's History of Wright County ture. Irregular in shape, the county the "Silas Cowboy Cheerleaders?" Illustrated, and the History of Wright County, is nonetheless approximately the MN (reprinted from the History of the Upper same size as the other Wright coun- Mississippi Valley, by Prof. N.H. Winchell, ties, and is located about twenty-five Acknowledgements Rev. EdwardD. Neill, andCharles S. Bryant). miles northwest of Minneapolis. The A number of people provided important county seat is Buffalo, and the cur- background information for this article. References Thank you to the following individuals and rent population is just under 70,000. Birdsall, B.P., ed. History of Wright organizations for their assistance: David N. County Iowa. Indianapolis: B.F. Bowen and Although primarily rural, in recent Barker, Mrs. Kenneth Baule, Betty Dircks at Company, 1915. years the county has seen a great the Wright County Historical Society (Min- Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. History of nesota), Bruce Fehn at the University of influx of people from the neighbor- Wright County Minnesota. Volume I. Chi- Iowa, Veilene McOllough at the Clarion, ing Twin Cities. cago: H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1915. Iowa Public Library, and the Wright County Farnham, D. R. D. R. Farnham's His- Library in Hartville, Missouri. tory of Wright County Illustrated. 1880. Conclusion Gue, Benjamin F. History of Iowa. Of the three Wright counties, the Volume 111. one in Minnesota is perhaps most Footnotes The National Cyclopedia of American similar to Silas Wright's home, St. 'After Wright turned down the nomina- Biography. New York, 1906. tion for Vice-President, theconvention chose Pratt, LeRoy E. The Countiesand Court- Lawrence County, New York. Both George Dallas of Pennsylvania as James K. houses of Iowa. Mason City, IA: Klipto have boundaries on major rivers. Polk's running mate. In running for New Printing, 1977. Both have histories of extensive lum- York Governor, Wright helped carry the Thorson, Carl E. Wright County, Iowa: bering industries. And, both have state for the PolklDallas ticket. A History. Eagle Grove Junior College, deep roots in agriculture, particu- 2BenjaminF. Cue, History ofIowa, vol. 3. 1980. 3The National Cyclopedia of American Winchell, N.H.; Neill, Rev. Edward D.; larly dairy production. However, it Biography (New York, 1906), 269-270. and Bryant, Charles S. History of Wright is fitting that all three countiesnamed 41t is interesting to note that although County, MN. 1881 (Reprinted from The for Silas Wright, "The Farmer Silas Wright was a Democrat, it is likely that History of the Upper Mississippi Valley).
St., Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly The Silas Wright $50 Gold Certificate by Thomas E. Price
--~anrwr*I 9em:t ,mrltrL9 Y,d.J'.
Tile $50 Unrted States gold certificate bearing the irnage of Silas Wright. The actual bill measlires 7 1/2 inches by 3 118 inches. The front is printed in black and gold inks, with the Treasury seal in red.
s one of the leading figures politics: "But I have entered too early would some thirty-five years fol- in his day, Silas Wright, Jr. upon this field. No man ought to lowing his death, appear on a piece A was among society's elite. attempt it until his means of living of United States currency, let alone a He stood alongside figures such as are secured. This ought to be not the gold certificate. the great orators, Webster, Calhoun, dependence for a livelihood, but the As the result of an act of Con- and Clay, and aligned himself with expenditure of time after that living gress, Silas Wright became one of such prominent men as Presidents is secured."' the few non-presidents to be pic- Jackson, Van Buren, and Polk. These In another letter, this time written tured on a piece of U. S. currency. men exemplified the refined nine- to his mother Eleanor on December Section 12 of the Act of July 12, teenth century American. They were 1,1844, the newly elected Governor 1882, states: men of power, prestige, and wealth. Wright penned, "My business to That the Secretary of the Trea- Albany was partly to make arrange- Although Wright had his share of sury is authorized and directed power and prestige, wealth was an- ments about a house for us to live in to receive deposits of gold coin other matter. Wright did not come at that place, and my object was to with the Treasurer or assistant from a particularly wealthy back- hire one with the furniture, so as to treasurers of the United States, ground and his lack of financial re- save myself from the necessity of in sums not less than $20, and to sources was an ongoing source of purchasing furniture, which would issue certificates therefor in de- worry throughout his life. In a letter cost more money than I have or could nominations of not less than $20 postmarked, "Washington, 15 Feby. well get."2 With words like these, it each, correspondingwith the de- 1828," Silas, then a young Congress- seems ironic that a man plagued by nominations of United States man, wrote to his brotherpliney about troublesome financial standing, notes. The coin deposited for or
St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly 16 representing the certificates of its Resumption Act, in an attempt to hoarded gold in the form of these deposit shall be retained in the stabilize the fluctuating dollar. The certificates. This response came Treasury for the payment of the gold certificate re-emerged seven about because the public knew that same on demand. Said certifi- years later, this time in another act of the dollar was historically unstable cates shall be receivable for cus- Congress. As previously stated, in in comparison to gold. It was the toms, taxes, and all public dues, and when so received may be the act of July 12, 1882, which also eventual drying up of this stream of reissued; and such certificates, extended the charters of national gold, and the substitution of silver as also silver certificates, when banks, provision was made for the certificates, that led to the law against held by any national - banking issuance of gold certificates against the issuance of gold certificates. association, shall be a member deposits of gold coin in the U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's of any clearing-house in which Treasury. "Provision was also made Gold Reserve Act of March 9,1933 such certificates shall not be re- that the issue of these certificates stated that individuals were to ex- ceivable in the settlement of would be suspended whenever the change gold certificates immediately, clearing-house balances: Pro- gold, heldagainst outstanding United and that after May 1, 1933, they vided, That the Secretary of the States notes, should fall below would have no value. The fall of the Treasury shall suspend the issue gold standard meant the death of the of such gold certificates when- $1 00,000,000."4 In compliance with ever the amount of gold coin and this act, the U.S. Treasury printed gold certificate. Yet, in total, there gold bullion in the Treasury re- gold certificates in $20, $50, $100, were nine series of gold certificates served for the redemption of $500, $1000, $5000, and $10,000 issued between 1863 and their de- United States notes falls below denominations. The lower denomi- mise in the 1930~.~It was not until $100,000,000; and the provi- nations, the $20, $50, and $1 00 cer- 1964 that the restriction on gold cer- sions of section 5207 of the Re- tificates, were circulated for use by tificates was lifted, restoring their vised Statutes shall be applicable the general public. face value in modem currency, al- to the certificates herein autho- Gold certificates were unique though they remain irredeemable in rized and directed to be i~sued.~ forms of currency. These certifi- gold. It is this act of Congress that called cates had inherent value, as they The gold certificate is still legal for the issuance of gold certificates were readily backed and redeemable tender today, although its real value with something of immediate worth. and which ultimately honored Silas is not monetary, but rather numis- Wright by placing his image on the In the early 19th century, the U.S. matic. Gold certificates are consid- $50 gold certificate. economy was not backed by a specie ered some of the most beautiful pieces standard, the idea that the gold or of currency ever issued by the United silver dollar be the "standard unit of States. They are generally collected What is a Gold Certificate? value." Thus there were great fluc- for their beauty and history rather Before focusing on Silas Wright tuations in the value of the U.S. dol- than their worth as currency. and his connections to the gold cer- lar. Gold certificates strengthened tificate, we should examine the gold the economy of the late 19th and Why Silas' Image? certificate itself. Gold certificates early 20th centuries by boosting and There is much speculation as to have a long history, and were often stabilizing the value of the dollar by why Silas Wright's image was cho- the subject of controversy. backing it with gold. This economic sen to grace the 1882 series $50 gold A gold certificate is a type of success eventually led to the Gold certificate, some thirty-five years paper currency, issued by the federal Standard Act of 1900, which stated after his death. It is the sole decision government, redeemable in gold for that all U.S. currency would be of the Secretary of the Treasury to the amount printed on the bill. Gold backed by gold. choose whose image will appear on certificates find their roots in 1863, Gold certificate issues increased the currency. The year 1882 was a issued for internal use by banks and steadily in the early 1900s. "From tumultuous year in politics. The clearing houses for the easy exchange 1900 to 1910, issues of gold certifi- previous year, President Garfield was and transfer of gold. However, the cates increased from $201 million to assassinated, leaving Vice President government stopped issuance of $803 milli~n."~This fact also sug- Chester Arthur in the chief these certificates in 1875 as part of gests that the American public executive's office. Arthur appointed
17 St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly a political tacclc to nelp put nimselr in the Governor's seat? It is pos- sible, but it had little effect on the outcome of the election. The use of proxies in the state committee led to allegations of fraud. These allega- tions swept over the political con- vention and incited a "popular re- volt" leading to Folger's loss to Grover Cleveland by a wide margin of 192,854 vote^.^ These events The reverse side of the Silas Wright gold certificate, shown here considerably created the impetus for Cleveland's reduced in size. This side is printed in only one color, a golden orange. political good fortunes, which ulti- mately put him in the White House Charles J. Folger, former New York sides Wright's popularity to justify in 1884 and again in 1892.9 It is State Senator and Chief Justice of his presence on a piece of currency. ironic that if Folger did indeed try to the Court of Appeals, to the post of Although Silas Wright was apow- use the memory of Silas Wright to Secretary of the Treasury. It was erful political figure in his time, his his own advantage, that his subse- during his short stint as Secretary in early death made him something of quent political downfall would be 1882 that Folger chose Silas Wright an icon of democracy. The idea of caused by a fraudulent election. to grace the $50 gold certificate. "Silas Wright" was synonymouswith There are other alternatives to There are a couple of interesting the "common man" and the "good of this somewhat melodramatic specu- hypotheses as to why Folger may the people." In a time of great politi- lation about the choice of Governor have made his decision. cal scandal and distrust, such as that Wright for the gold certificate. It is In the late 1800s, Silas Wright witnessed in the administrations of a custom of the Treasury to feature was still fondly remembered and re- Presidents Grant, Hayes, and an equal number of representatives vered by the American people. A Garfield, the average voter wanted of the various political parties on correspondent forthe Brooklyn Eagle their government representative to currency. If one examines the cur- on December 15,1891 wrote, "New be someone who would evoke the rency of today, there are about the York state has, fortunately, had very political morals and standards that same number of Democrats and Re- many brilliant men who have sewed Silas Wright had stood for some publicans pictured. It is possible that her faithfully in official positions, thirty-five years earlier: simple hon- Secretary Folger followed this cus- men who have stood high in national esty and common sense. The politi- tom by honoring one of the party politics, but there have been few cians of the later part of the century "saints." Who better to honor than whose memory has been more fondly clearly understood this. A politician fellow New Yorker and political ally, cherished than Silas Wright. He needed to use the memory of a "Silas Silas Wright, "The Great Com- died in 1847, but his fame becomes Wright" to add leverage to a political moner." Although a Democrat in greater as the years go on.. . No man career marred by corruption. Be- life, it is relatively safe to surmise was ever so loved in the state of New cause of this, Silas Wright became a that Silas Wright would have joined York as Silas Wright."' It is possible rallying point for many politicians the faction that became the Republi- that the popularity of the late Gover- seeking election. This may have can party in 1854. In addition, as a nor Wright prompted Folger's deci- rung true for the very man who was politician, Wright had strong ties to sion. However, upon examination responsible for placing Wright's im- the financial dealings of the United of the other gold certificates printed age on the $50 gold certificate. States. During his career, Wright in 1882, we see that Wright is in the Just four months after the act of served as New YorkStateComptrol- company of such notables as Presi- 1882, Folger became a candidate for ler, and was at the center of the dents George Washington and Governor of New York. Was his United States Bank controversy of Abraham Lincoln. It seems there decision to "resurrect" Silas Wright the 1830s which brought about the must have been other motives be- by placing him back in the public eye elimination of the Second Bank of
St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly 18 the United States, the largest finan- Conclusion tives. However, because of his cia1 monopoly in American history It may never be known what decision, Wright will always be up to that time. With Wright's politi- the true reason was for featuring remembered. A man of meager cal and financial connections. it may the image of silas wright on the financial means in life, his history have been simply a logical decision $50 gold certificate. N~ legisla- is as rich as any the North Country for Folger to place Wright's image tion or written notes have been and the State of New York has ever on the currency. found concerning Folger's mo- produced. Only a handful of indi- viduals have apeared on U.S. cur- L rency, and the $50 gold certificate has helped insure the memory and 1 legacy of Silas Wright.
cal 'ulationw The bner newspaper article reprinted below presents a rather Acknowledgements unusual use of the {ght golcl certifica ~te. Theli imited print Information for this article was graciously provided by the office of United States Rep- run of th e bill, the ly high dc mornination, and Ithe fact that .' . . .. resentative John McHugh. tne cenlficate could be redeemed for gold- meant that the Wright Thank you to Mary Ruth Judd for bring- certificate was ne ver wide ly knownI orused. As evidenced by; he ing the newspaper clipping on the local use printing of this anticle in th e local ne :wspaper,, the existence of the of the gold certificate to our attention. --- . - . - fit ..,011 1r-fi..,.. .* +L, ,,A :- 101 Wnght certtflcate was ~WLWGII-NIWWII III. LIIG alca .,. 111 1713. Although not cor~firmed, Ithe "Wrij ght fount ain" refe rred to vv'as probabl!1 a fountain either.near the t:,ridge acr -ossthe Girasse riv~er , Footnotes ..:11.-.------^* C L- ----. - -r 1 a-:- . ---In-- 1- C1,.._ _I_ or in the VIII~~ZC~;IGGII LIIC GUIIICI UI lvlalrl mu rarK atreets in 'Letter from Silas Wright to Pliney Canton. rom the ( urg Weelkly Wright, February 15, 1828 (in the SLCHA Advance archives). 2Letter from Silas Wright to Eleanor bill Wright, December 1, 1844 (in the SLCHA A $50 beanng the portrait oj Silas Wright, archives). er Governor of New York, was given in payment 3A. Barton Hepbum, Histon of Coinage Tuesday, by Charles Pfafi ofBoston, for damanes and Currency in the United States and the done! to the S,ilas Wrigrht fo;nL zin in Canton. Cc Perennial Contest for Sound Money. (New and party in two calrs were touring.from Bo York: The Macmillan Company, 1903), 243. *. - - - 4Hepbum, 243. A lnv y"...+a.. +L-9 L"A +,La -:mL.. nbcrrl CUILLUILrriev ruulrtr: IIlLJIUIlUILC LU andna Bay. In 'B. Krause, Collecting Paper Moneyfor run i'nto the S'ilas Wrij:ht fount, gin, somt mag ing Pleasure & Profit, (Cincinnati, Ohio: it. J. Fred Hal nmond, J ,resident ofthe vil, fled the Bettenvay Books, 1992), 34. n-2 ---L -- 1- I-- 1- --.* I-.. J 1 vgu1eriJuurg authoritia ro LUUK our JUT- rnem ana wnen hFor more information on gold certifi- they arrived l iere they were stopped. C01. Pfajf3got into cates and the gold standard, see Hepbum and Krause. M nunicaticm with t 'resident Hammo nd and rras told 'Brooklyn Eagle, December 15, 1891. IflFll . t ,- 1 . . - rnar ,wu woula payjor rne aamage to tnefountarn. I he 'C.A. Conant, The Progress of the Em- Col. pulled oz ~ta roll ofbills, took offa Y!YO note ibearing pire State (New York: The Progress of the the I;picture oj Gov. W:right, handed it o'ver to Rc ?corder Empire State Company, 1913), 38. - -. .- - . . l." r l." ""I1 ".."h+ " 9J.B. Bishop, A. Barton Hepburn His Corc:oran, askinn ifth !at woulhL ue ULL I LKIll. He was V" Life and Service to His Time (New York: assu red that ,it would be and ti he two ci zrs depairted for Charles Scribner's Sons, 1923), 102. Alex andria B aye
19 St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly The Silas Wright Custom House Stamps by Paul Schumacher, with Stewart J. Wilson
t arecent stamp show where sive postage stamps were a new idea. privileges. Numerous examples of my exhibit, "Not Quite Wright had a number of connections Wright's free frank are known, al- President of the United to the history of stamps and post of- though the American Stampless States," was on display, I was ap- fices. One of the earliest political Cover Catalog lists, but does not proached by a judge who seemed offices held by Wright was postmaster price, Wright's Senatorial frank. impressed with some of the histori- of Canton, New York. He served as Other items related to Wright and cal trivia in the exhibit. The display Canton's third postmaster, from 1821 philately are special cancellations deals with people who were in some to 1827. As a U.S. Senator from 1833 and cachets. A special cachet enve- way associated with the Presidency, to 1844, Wright served on a comrnit- lope was created for Governor but never attained the office. tee dealing with the postal system, and Wright's 140th birthday in 1935. "Where do you find these was the leading force behind reducing Similar cachets, with slight alter- people?' the judge asked. " I have the cost of mailing a letter in the early ations, were also used for his 150th never heard of this guy," she said, 1840s. The new railroads and steam- birthday and recent bicentennial cel- pointing to the page on Governor ships hadmade it much cheaperforthe ebrations. Silas Wright, Jr. post office to transport the mail, and Perhaps the highest honor in phi- Though not nationally known Wright pushed through legislation to lately is to be pictured on a stamp. today, Silas Wright was one of the reduce the cost of postage. Silas Wright's one appearance on a best known politicians in the United As a member of the Senate, set of stamps came in 1887, when he States back in the days when adhe- Wright was entitled to free franking was pictured on a set of eight issued
The 50 cent Silas Wright custom house stamp, shown enlarged to the lefr, and actual size above. The stamps were issued in eight denominations ranging from 20 cents to 90 cents, with each denomination printed in a different color. The 50 cent stamp shown here was navy blue.
St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly 20 for the New York customs house. They are listed in the revenue sec- tion of Scott 'sspecialized Catalogue of UnitedStatesStamps, even though they are not revenues. The stamps yarehowiby LESHER, WHITMA~N & CO which was imp,rtsd -IS: were used to indicate that payment tHITMAN a CO., in had been made for services, not for Waster. fiscal levies. Each stamp has a slightly dif- ferent background, and there are a number of perforation and roulette varieties. The stamps are very rare in mint condition, and only the twenty cent low value has been found on a document. The document, from Lesher, Whitman & Co., measures 14by 8 112 inches and the stamp indicates payment of a fee for issuing a withdrawal bond on a case of worsted dry goods. According to the Annual Reports of the Director of the Bureau of En- graving and Printing, the custom house stamps were printed in seven years, 1887 through 1890, 1903, 1914, and 1916. The Report for 1887indicated that eight plates were Document from Lesher, Whitrnan and Co., with a Silas Wright custom house made, one for,each stamp, and each stamp afixed. This is the only known document with a Wright stamp attached. plate cost $65. The stamps were printed in sheets of fifty and bound Ogdensburg, and Wright was a lead- About the Author in volumes of 100 sheets for a total of ing figure on tariff issues. Perhaps 5,000 stamps in each book. Wright's ties to New York City mer- Paul Schumacher is a financial The rarest items in the Wright set chants played a role, even thirty-five analyst and stamp collector from are the top three values: the seventy years after his death. More likely, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. One of his cent violet brown, the eighty cent Wright was selected because he was philatelic interests is collecting items brown, and the ninety cent black. a Democratic party hero. The stamps depicting or related to figures who Quantities printed were 20,000, were issued during the Presidency of almost became President. 15,000, and 10,000, respectively. Grover Cleveland, the first Demo- The stamps remained in use until crat to occupy the White House since 1918, although only at one site, the the Civil War. For Further Reading Port of New York. Alfano, Louis S. "The Customs Fee The reason why Governor Wright Stamps," American Revenuer, Vol. 30, No. was selected to appear on the set of 3, March 1976. pp. 65-70. custom house stamps remains specu- Note Hotchner. JohnM. "Customs fees; Silas Sections of this article originally ap Wright on stamps," Linn's Stamp News, lative. He seems to have had no August 27, 1990. particular connection to the customs peared in, "Wright on N.Y. Custom House stamps," in Stamp Collector, January 14, Schumacher, Paul. "Wright on N.Y. house, although a customs house is 1995, page 11. Custom House stamps," Stamp Collector, located in his home county at January 14,1995, p. 1 1.
21 St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly Silas Wright Grange No. 427 by Shannon Scherer
n February, 1879, the Silas farmers and the agrarian classes. theless, it is recorded that William Wright Grange, number 427, The national grange, the Patrons Perry, a charter member, suggested Iwas established in the Village of Husbandry, was organized in the grange be named after Silas of Canton,New York. It wascreated 1867 as an association of farmers Wright since his own ancestors were, "to promote independence, hard dedicated to their mutual advance- "honored friends of Governor work, fairness, self-discipline and ment and welfare. Wright." Peny also contributed a cooperation." Grange organiza- The first grange meeting in Can- Bible, and was given the position of tions, like the Silas Wright Grange, ton consisted of thirteen men. The Overseer. Other charter members were established throughout the precise date and the minutes from and their positions in the grange were United States to bring together this original meeting are lost. None- as follows: Horace J. Hamngton, 1st
The current home of Silas Wright Grange No. 427, located just off Route 68, near Canton, New York.
St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly 22 Many aspects of the members' Canton Opera House. In 1881, the lives were incorporated into the second floor of the fireman's hall grange. The farming community housed the needs of the grange. In pulled together to help out each other 1941, meetings were held at the and work for common causes. Hamngton Hotel, the present site of Grange members were taught fru- the Family Dollar store. The up- gality, and compassion, for their fel- stairs of Kaplin's Store housed the low farmers. The grange pledge was, grange meetings in 1947. Two of the "United by the strong and faithful tie grange's meeting places have en- of agriculture, mutually resolved to countered fires. The Jameson Block labor for the good of our Order, our meeting place was damaged prima- country and mankind." rily by smoke, but was spared from The standard grange meeting con- the flames. The second fire was sisted of the presentation of the flag, more disastrous, but fortunately no regular business, initiation of candi- lives were lost. dates, educational programs and sing- Silas Wright Grange No. 427 re- William Perry, charter member of ing. Differing degrees of member- mains vitally important in the lives Silas Wright Grange No. 427. ship could be attained. Regalia was of its members, who assemble today Perry suggested naming the worn to meetings: sashes and aprons at a small former schoolhouse lo- grange after Silas Wright, and he for the sisters, sashes and pouches cated just off Route 68. Paralleling held numerous posts in the grange for the brothers. Drinking was not national trends, the membership and before his death in 1903. permitted at any of the grange meet- participation has decreased, but the ings. At one point, fees for member- current members remain dedicated Master; Sandford Barnes, Lecture; ship were a dollar a meeting and to the principals and goals of the Elliot Healy, Steward; James Smith, thirty dollars per year. Frequently grange movement. Assistant Steward; E. D. Gray, there were potluck feasts in which Chaplin; Byron Healy, Treasure; members would come together- to James A. Clark, Secretary; E. unite and celebrate. About the Author Sanderson, Gate Keeper; and Mrs. The Silas Wright Grange has Shannon Scherer is originally H.H. Harrington, Ceres. There were played an active role in the broader from Manhasset, New York. She a total of twenty-two charter mem- Canton community. For example, recently graduated from St. Lawrence bers. The growth of membership in the grange donated twenty-five dol- University with a double major in the early years was steady. lars to the Silas Wright Memorial Government and History. She sewed One goal of the grange move- Fund in 1905. Members were greatly as an intern at the SLCHA during ment was cooperative buying. In concerned with children's welfare spring term, 1995. many cases, farmers were not re- issues in the 1920s. Fund-raisers for ceiving sufficient prices for their own food and clothing were set up as an products in order to meet the retail effort to provide for needy local chil- cost of merchandise. However, the dren. The grange showed concern For Further Reading grange represented more than just a for the environment by buying land The Grange Initiate & Declaration of buying cooperative or a social meet- for reforestation with Scotch pines, Purpose. The National Grange, 1950. ing place for its members. It also in cooperation with the Canton Newby, Stella E. History of the Silas Wright Grange. sewed as a school, a lecture hall, a Adirondack Water System. The Rural News, April 8, 1975, Vol. 1, store, as well as a place to meet and The Silas Wright Grange has met No. 22. discuss politics. The overall pur- in various locations over the years. Taylor, Bernice. Grange History. 1973. pose of the grange was to educate Early meetings were held in the Welcome to the Grange. (pamphlet in the SLcHA archives). and elevate the American farmer. Matthew's Block, and later in the
23 St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly n February, 1882 Harper's Weekly magazine published an Tuesday. July 30, 1907 illustration of a twenty-one "Blowing like hell-and quite year old New Yorker, Frederic tiresome. I to day [sic] Remington. And so began the career of Indian Raid an artist who would be celebrated for finished and generations as an artist who captured the work I had laid out for the Old West. ~emingto~wouldgo on to summer. Intend to sketch create hundreds of imag&i: as diverse as for study now and loaf-a i 11 sort of vacation. Mrs. Up San Juan Hill to th pickingking her last peas. Our the Day. During his carc garden is so poor it hardly the age of forty-eight, he repays our pains but could
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