Hamilton Biographer Chernow Receives Irving Medal
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No. 65 Published by The Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York SPRING 2006 HAMILTON BIOGRAPHER CHERNOW RECEIVES IRVING MEDAL he fall stated meeting held on Thurs- co-authored The Federalist Papers, found- President William R. Follett led the pro- day, October 13, 2005 at the Racquet ed the Bank of New York, led the Federal- ceedings attired in the traditional style: T& Tennis Club, at 52nd Street and ist Party, and became the Republic’s first white tie and tails, historic tricorne hat, and Park Avenue, was distinguished by the Secretary of the Treasury. gold medal of office suspended from his award of the Society’s Washington Irving neck. Regular attendees of Stated Meetings The French might describe Hamilton’s life, Medal for Literary Excellence to Ron Cher- know to expect a gracious speech featuring passions and affairs as mouvementé. From now, for his book Alexander Hamilton a few “new” jokes, a state of the Society re- his shame about his birth to his fiery aspi- (Penguin Books, 2004), which tells the port, and a pleasing yet dignified expedi- rations, from his intimate relationships extraordinary story of a man who overcame tiousness in dispatching business matters with childhood friends to his feuds with all the odds to shape, inspire—and occa- so that all may enjoy the food and drink. In Jefferson, Madison, Adams, Monroe, and sionally scandalize—the newborn America. this regard, the fare at the Racquet Club did Burr, and from his high-profile affair with not disappoint. Hamilton, of course, became a New Yorker Maria Reynolds to his marriage to Eliza by adoption and is therefore of particular Livingston—we may infer that life with Admissions Committee Chairman George interest to members of The Saint Nicholas Hamilton was seldom dull. Nor was his McNeely IV displayed his flawless tech- Society, a goodly number of whom assem- departure from this world, in the famous, nique of introducing one new member, bled to hear the author’s take on the states- but also mysterious duel with Aaron Burr David F. Smith, who was then inducted by man whose face adorns the ten-dollar bill in July of 1804. President Follett. of our national currency. Mr. Chernow proclaims that America’s The Fall Stated Meeting more than satis- As he was an illegitimate, mostly self- current political and economic primacy is fied the objectives of the Society: to collect taught orphan from the Caribbean, Hamil- the result of Hamilton’s ardent advocacy of and preserve knowledge about New York, ton’s brilliant future was difficult to divine. economic ideas that were often controver- and to promote social intercourse among But after he made his way to North Amer- sial during his time. “To repudiate his the members. ica, he rose to become George Washing- legacy,” he writes, “is, in many ways, to ton’s aide de camp in the Continental army, repudiate the modern world.” Brian A. Blake, Steward, with Joseph vanB. David and Marguerite Platt with David F. Smith Wittmann III, Chief Steward M. P. and Bob Naud David Church and guest The Rev. Dr. Thomas F. Pike, a guest and Eugene L. Church and Stewart R. Manville Adam Van Doren Author Ron Chernow concisely described the legacy of Alexander Hamilton. “To repudiate his legacy is, in many ways, to repudiate the John Mauk Hilliard, Courtney Haff and modern world.” Barry C. Howard with President William R. Follett Malin Cedarquist Society Sponsors Tulip Bulbs for St. Mark’s Church s part of the citywide celebration “5 York. I can think of no better way to sup- Dutch Days—5 Boroughs: Dutch Art port that mission than with our participa- Aand Culture Past and Present” (No- tion in this event. Surely there can be no vember 16-21, 2005) The Saint Nicholas So- more attractive charge than to create a ciety joined with other organizations at 11:00 beautiful garden on Peter Stuyvesant’s a.m. on Wednesday, farm. I offer my thanks to Mr. Van Waar- November 16, in a ceremonial planting of denburg, to the Dutch Consulate in New bulbs in the churchyard at St. Mark’s Church York, and to the Five Dutch Days creators in-the-Bowery, 10th Street and Second Av- for their gifts—gifts of time, talent, and vi- enue. We were fortunate to have unusually sion. Many years ago St. Mark’s Church mild, springlike weather for the day. The bulbs in-the-Bowery celebrated spring with a were donated by Mr. Hans van Waardenburg, tulip festival. It is very gratifying to be part owner of B&K Flowerbulbs of Holland; in re- of the effort to return that tradition to this cent years, especially since 9/11/01, he has do- historic neighborhood. Thank you.” nated literally millions of bulbs for planting in After remarks by the speakers, and intro- and around NewYork. For example, in Central ductions of various dignitaries—such as Park, in the springtime, the brilliant yellow our host for the event, the Reverend Julio daffodils arise from bulbs generously given by President William R. Follett (in foreground) with Hans van Waardenburg, Theodore Prudon and Torres, Rector of St. Mark’s—the partici- Mr. Van Waardenburg. The Honorable Cora Dutch Consul General Cora Minderhoud pants, led by Mr. Van Waardenburg, began Minderhoud, Consul General of the Nether- digging and carefully planting bulbs at a lands, spoke at the ceremony, as did Mr. spot near the bust of Peter Stuyvesant, who Theodore Prudon, of the Netherland-America sternly overlooked the entire proceeding, Foundation. Nicholas Fish, Esq., a direct de- we trust with warm approval. After the scendant of Peter Stuyvesant, was master of principal events were over, Mr. Van Waar- ceremonies for the event. His forebear, Lt. Col. denburg returned to the plot and gently Nicholas Fish (an original member of the New brushed some leaves over the new plant- York State ings, to cover and protect them until spring. Society of the Cincinnati), married Elizabeth Stuyvesant at St Mark’s Church, April 30, President Follett with the Rev. Julio Torres, Priest- A few weeks after this event, St. Mark’s 1803. The couple moved into the handsome in-Charge of St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery held a special church service in honor of St. brick federal-style house built for them as a cluding: Courtney Haff; Sandy Sanford; Nicholas, Bishop of Myra. Several mem- wedding present, at 21 Stuvesant Street. The John McC. Shannon, First Vice President; bers of The Saint Nicholas Society partici- house is still standing, just down the street from and Frank Sypher. Following are words pated, including President William R. St. Mark’s. spoken for the occasion by William R. Follett. This event is scheduled to be an Follett, President of The Saint Nicholas annual occurrence in future years, with In his comments, Mr. Fish noted that Society: particular reference to participation by our the church location is the oldest site of Society, which has a long history of close continuous worship in Manhattan. The “Thank you for inviting me to be here and cordial connection with St. Mark’s. Stuyvesant family chapel stood there over today and for having me be a part of this (See article on “Saint Nicholas Society 350 years ago, when the area was part of celebration. It has been an honor, and a Sunday.”) Peter Stuyvesant’s bouwerie (or farm), and pleasure, for The Saint Nicholas Society to in 1799 the present St. Mark’s Church was work with Hans van Waardenburg, owner In response to the Society’s participation in erected on the same grounds. Our presi- of B&K Flower Bulbs of Holland. For Five Dutch Days, we received from the dent, William R. Follett came as an hon- years to come, his bulbs will bring a beau- organizers, Susan De Vries, Felicia Mayro, ored participant in the ceremonies; our tiful Dutch spring to this historic soil. The and Sean Sawyer, a card of thanks, and a executive director, Jill Spiller joined in, Saint Nicholas Society was founded 170 beautiful poster, which can be seen at our wearing a cheerful hat; several others rep- years ago to preserve and promote the office, handsomely framed. resented The Saint Nicholas Society, in- history of old New Amsterdam and New served on the Speakers and Medals Com- Christmas. His superb collection formed Obituary: mittee, bringing many prominent New the basis of his delightful volume Inventing JOHN ELLIOTT, JR. Yorkers into our midst. Christmas: How Our Holiday Came to Be (Harry N. Abrams, 2002), an illustrated his- ohn Elliott, Jr. died Jock was born on January 25, 1921, in tory of the celebration of Christmas. He was at the age of 84 on Manhattan, son of John and Audrey Osborn a member of the Century Association, and Saturday, October Elliott. He attended the Browning School in J of the Grolier Club, as well as of other or- 29, 2005, of a cerebral Manhattan, and St. Paul’s in Concord, New ganizations. hemorrhage. Jock Elliott Hampshire, and he graduated from Har- was elected to member- vard, A.B. 1942. During World War II he Our sincere condolences to his wife, ship in The Saint was a major in the U.S. Marine Corps. Jock Eleanor Thomas Elliott, recipient of the So- Nicholas Society on had a distinguished career in advertising, ciety’s Medal of Merit in 2002. A funeral May 8, 2000, in right of becoming chairman of Ogilvy & Mather In- service was held at Saint Thomas Church, descent from Stephen ternational, and retiring in 1982. Jock was Fifth Avenue and 53rd Street, on Wednes- Coerte Van Voorhes.