NEWSLETTER OF THE BERGEN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
WInINTER / SPRING Bergen 2018 ’s Attic chair, Deborah Powell and committee, have worked diligently to restore and prepare the artifacts for display. e museum will attract thousands of visitors to Historic New Bridge President’s Message Landing and provide a center of in uence for Welcome to Historic New Bridge Landing future generations. e Society has enlisted where Americans fought and died for the right the services of an attorney to oversee the legal of self government. Walk in the footsteps of our issues involved during museum construction. Founding Fathers and witness where history Fundraising has always been a priority at the was made 241 years ago. Society. We are a 501 (c) 3 non-pro t volunteer e Bergen County Historical Society is organization. We are not a government agency. growing at a fantastic rate with memberships We do not seek public operating grants, instead and donations exceeding expectations. As the we rely on public donations, memberships and largest historical society in the state of New sponsorships for support. American Legion Jersey, we o er lectures, reenactments and Post 226, River Edge, N. J. voted unanimously events each and every month throughoutBergen the Countyto donate Historical a substantial Society amount Proposedof money to our Museum Building year. We welcome you to join us with family and friends and learn about history in your own backyard. Your We have a dedicated sta of volunteers name who devote their time as docents, here. ! fundraisers, speakers, historians and Photo: D. Powell behind the scene support. We are a successful organization because we try harder and we go the extra mile to get things right. e construction of our new museum is a priority. Harvest Moon, a Artist rendering of museum by Campbell- Christie House a Museum construction rm in Connecticut, has ild & L Bu ib S ra H r contracted with the BCHS to erect C a society.y We are grateful for their benevolence. B Historic New Bridge Landing has been our headquarters since 1939. lp museum in the vicinity of the Campbell-e e American Legion Post 272, Norwood, N.J.
H BCHS is the main repository for the material culture of the county. Christie House. also contributes to our museum fund each year. Each object gives meaning to a memorable moment in Bergen County’s Over 4,000 artifacts from our collection eremarkable Society istransition looking from forward colonial frontierto a successful to one of the America’s most diverse will be on display for public viewing and 2018. andWe prosperous are fortunate suburban to counties. have a great support Won’t you contribute? have safe storage. Our museum collectionsBCHS: Founded 1902 sta willing and able to confront the obstacles ? IN THIS ISSUE before us, namely, building the MuseumWe own thethat property at New Bridge. President’s Letter ...... 1 meant so much to Kevin Wright, our pastBCHS: non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization BCHS Volunteers ...... 2-3 president who passed away in October, 2016. Interview - Mary Donohue . . . . . 4-5,12-13,14-15 Check out our website: bergencountyhistory.org A Ride to New Bridge...... 6-7 Come join us at the Bergen County Historical Pfc. Anthonie Wendel ...... 8-9 Society. God bless all of you and God bless this Mary Parish vs the Lager sellers . . . . .10-11,17-19 great country of ours. Memorials ...... 12-13 ank You, Collections ...... 20 James Purcell, Volunteer President Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society 1 BCHS Volunteers Eagle Scouts Refurbish Historic Blue Markers Volunteerism has been part of the the heart and soul of the Bergen County Historical Society since 1902. Join us at one of our monthly School of Interpretation meetings and nd out what it’s all about. Cleaning the gounds.
ere is always something good Welcome to the 18th century with Patty Sayer and Kate Reilly. cooking in the Out Kitchen. Every event is an opportunity to research authentic old recipes and prepare them with the methods and tools used by early Bergen Co. Dutch in our kitchen. Our menus re ect the season and holiday celebrations. You‘ll nd Andrea Jenner and Patty Daurizio making whig cakes, breads, olie bollen, pies, fried chicken, stews, breadpudding, Jim Smith gives an evening lantern tour. hand made noodles and Dutch wafers as well as demonstrations of food preservation, natural dyed eggs and candle making.
Our Out Kitchen table with SinterKlaas speculaas and meringue cookies, Andrea Jenner in the Out Kitchen. chocolate letters, shortbread, candied nuts, duivekater bread, and fresh pears.
Joe Restivo demonstrates broom making to vistors Sue Braisted, Janet King and in the historic 1889 Quilt exhibit with Manfred Wagner, Cindy Piano, Anthoney Parisi, Beverly Hashimoto greet visitors. Heather Miller, Deborah Powell, Patty Daurizio and Peggy Norris. Westervelt- omas Barn.
Linda He ernan sells her wares.
Jim Purcell runs the annual BCHS members create traditional Bergen 50/50 fundraising Ra e: County Dutch holiday decorations for the Annual BCHS Christmas Concerts. Roger Yaden at the ”We raised $9,500.” Steuben House.
2 Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society 3 Interview with University. en I went to Cathedral High returned to the island on our 50th wedding MD: We moved into this home in River Mary Bustillo Donohue School. To get there I had to take three anniversary, and we took our daughter so Edge on December 8th, 1952. On trains—from 116th Street to 42nd Street, that she could see the land where she was December 9th, the mayor came to the Janet King then the 42nd Street Crosstown, and nally born. It was a beautiful journey back in door and said, “I’ve come to register you up the East Side to 50th Street—all for ve time. We have had a very happy, interesting to vote and to welcome you to River Edge.” Mary Donohue has played an active role in cents! A er I graduated from Cathedral, life. We were blessed. I thought, “What a wonderful town this is Bergen County, in the Historic New Bridge I went to Manhattanville College of the Landing Park Commission, as well as in BCHS JK: Can you tell me about the rest of the family? where the mayor himself takes the interest Sacred Heart, then in Manhattan, on a full MD: We had eight children, six boys of coming to the home of new residents to for many, many years. She has long supported scholarship. the activities of the historical society. and two girls—Kathy, Jerry, Steve, David, register them to vote!” We lled out the I met my husband Jerry on a blind date Mimi, Billy, Eddy and Jim. And there are applications and then he whispered to my JK: Let’s start with your early years, Mary. when I was sixteen, on April 19, 1942—my now 17 grandchildren, husband, “Anybody Where were you born? rst date! I was still in high school, then and 17 great grands! who is anybody in this MD: I was born in Havana, Cuba. My dad began college, and for about four years we I am just so sad that town is a Republican,” was an attorney. My brother and I went to were just very good friends. He was a junior my husband isn’t here and my husband said an American school. It wasn’t too far from at Fordham and turned 19 on December to share this joy. He to him, “We have our home. 8th, the day a er Pearl Harbor. He passed away in 2003. It terrible news for you— immediately enlisted in the Marine Corps, JK: So you were already learning English? was a terrible blow. I we’re Democrats!” then transferred to the Navy Reserve. He still miss himA terribly.family dining in a Lustron home e next day was MD: Yes. My father and mother were very began a beautiful career in the Navy. He But all the grandkids are Sunday and we told insistent that my brother and I become was discharged as a lieutenant commander. great. I have a beautiful Father Collins what bilingual, and trilingual--we also studied A er his discharge, he obtained a master’s relationship with all of had happened and my French when we were youngsters. degree in business administration from them, and the grand- husband asked, “How One morning, while we were having NYU. ank you, GI Bill! babies—you’ve never many Democrats are breakfast, there was a huge explosion. We were married when I was a junior at seen smarter little kids. there in River Edge?” My father went to the door, and the Manhattanville. My father was distraught JK: Eight children must and he said, “Jerry, houseHess across family photo the streetin front ofthat their belonged Lustron home to that I was leaving in my third year of have really kept you there are only 14 of us.” a colonel in the Cuban Army was gone. college, but Jerry promised him that I hopping. But that’s how My brother and I were very frightened, would nish someday. We moved to Palo MD: Eight children. we started. We and I remember that my father said to my Alto because Jerry was going to the School weren’t interested in mother, “We cannot bring our children up ey were wonderful. of Naval Administration at Stanford. As a matter of fact, MARY DONOHUE politics, but in good in this atmosphere.” We used to visit up is was before the end of World War II, government and North, El Norte, and my father said, “We we had wanted twelve but our government knew that military children, but we stopped at eight. service. at was our goal. While I was are moving to the United States.” at was government of the occupied islands in the at Manhattanville, I had taken a course the beginning. And, true to Jerry’s promise to my dad, Paci c would soon become a necessity and I nished college. I nished at Fairleigh in geopolitics, and I became interested We lived in Palm Beach for about two was preparing o cers. In September 1946 in governance. I learned that all good years. e year was 1933, the height of Dickinson, because it was so convenient Jerry was assigned to go to Ponape in the to our home. I started a PhD at NYU and government begins at the local level. I e Depression, and my father decided Eastern Caroline Islands. Wives of o cers served as District Four Committeewoman that New York would have better business came within ten credits of receiving it but were to be allowed to join their husbands had to stop, because we had ve children in for the Democrats of River Edge for over opportunities for him. He could no once proper housing was available. It took 50 years—until about four years ago. longer practice law because he didn’t go college at the same time and our education four months to nd housing. It was a bills were very, very high. By this time I was Eventually, both Jerry and I became River to law school here, but he became a well- Quonset hut! Our rst daughter was born Edge Council members, and Jerry was known executive in advertising. e the chairwoman of the Modern Languages overseas--the rst American child to be Department at Paramus Catholic, and I didn’t elected to the rst River Dell High School pharmaceutical companies were just born in the Trust Territory of the Paci c. Board of Education. beginning to do important business with require a PhD for my work. e PhD was a She was a ward of the United Nations until matter of achievement and personal pride. Latin America, so we arrived in New York she was 21 years of age. JK: So, as a woman, as an immigrant, as a at the right time for his new career. I have had a very blessed and happy life. Hispanic, what other positions did you hold? JK: How long were you there? I wentHess to family grammar kitchen school, Ascension I’ve had a wonderful marriage, beautiful MD: I was the rst woman elected to School, which was near our home in New MD: We were there two and a half years. children, and I loved my teaching career. the Council in River Edge. at was in York City. We lived right opposite Columbia It was paradise. It was so beautiful. We JK: How did you get started in local politics? November 1983. Our town was rst settled continued on page 14 4 Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society 5 A Ride to New Bridge aforesaid commanded by Captain John It’s a great story! Alexander Hamilton of this by a letter written to him the Stryker. That said company was raised to in a British uniform scouting the British following day by General Israel Putnam in Todd Braisted serve as long as they should be needed near New Bridge, a place where he would Westchester. Perhaps Washington believed in said war, and that he continued to be one of General Washington’s confidants the British were out in force in Bergen History is full of great stories that get serve in said company until the close of three years later. But, is any of it true? County and wanted to investigate? Ten Eick passed down from generation to generation. the war. That although not all the time Some yes, some no, much we do not does not mention that they actually saw any Sometimes the stories can change, get in active service yet said company was know. First, we can say that the unit he British. And who was “Witherspoon?” A embellished, fit the current times, or just required to keep themselves and horses belonged to, Stryker’s troop of light horse, James Witherspoon, son of a signer of the completely made up. What historians try in constant readiness to mount and move was a militia unit that did exist at the time. Declaration of Independence, was a major- and do is find documentary evidence with wherever directed at a moments warning. Ten Eick confusingly says the Battle of of-brigade in the New Jersey Continental corroboration. Trust, but verify. Without That from the time of said enlistment until Springfield (fought on June 23, 1780) when Line, but there was no aid to Washington by proof, some real proof, history basically the close of the war he well recollects he almost certainly meant the Battle of that name. This gentleman was killed at the becomes rumor. But a story can still the following incidents that occured and Short Hills, fought on 26 June 1777. It is Battle of Germantown in October 1777 and be a great story, and perhaps someday services rendered and where rendered. after that that things become dicey. From there is no evidence he ever worked with additional proof will allow us to definitively That at the time of the battle of Springfield, Ten Eick’s description, it appears his troop Alexander Hamilton. And most damaging, say it is or is not true. Allow me to introduce in the afternoon the British had retired to is galloping up Kinderkamack Road through there is no correspondence from Coenrad Ten Eick and his story. Elizabethtown. That said Captain Stryker River Edge into Oradell to what is about Hamilton himself, or anyone else including Born in 1758, Coenrad was eighteen on the next day with his troop was sent now Oradell Avenue. Presumably Hamilton Washington, discussing the fanciful British- years old and a resident of the town of out to reconoiter the enemy’s lines, that and his party are above on the ridge, all clad reconnaissance. At least that has been Hillsborough in the County of Somerset, said company rode through Elizabethtown through the area then known as Steenrapie, found yet. New Jersey when he enlisted in Colonel and returned without any encounter with where Washington, Hamilton and 14,000 So: did Alexander Hamilton visit New Philip Johnson’s Battalion of New Jersey State them. That afterwards the British made men of the Continental Army would be Bridge in that summer of 1777, dressed in Troops, one of five battalions making up an excursion into the neighbourhood encamped in September 1780. One major an enemy uniform? Who is to say, other Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard’s Brigade. of Hackensack when said company was problem with the story is that there were than Coenrad Ten Eick? Chalk it up as With his corps he briefly garrisoned Bergen sent out to obtain information as to the no British incursions around New Bridge another great Revolutionary War mystery. Point (modern Bayonne) before taking part situation of the enemys lines and having or Hackensack at that time. Some British Coenrad Ten Eick’s full pension application in the disastrous Battle of Long Island on 27 passed through the village of Hackensack or Loyalist troops did move out from their may be found in the National Archives and August 1776, in which his colonel was killed. near to what was called the new bridge base at Paulus Hook on or about June Records Administration, Collection M-804, After taking part in the retreat to New York, when casting their eyes to the left on a 27th to engage a force of 300 New York Pension and Bounty Land Application Files, he was left sick in Fort Washington where height of land running a parallel with the Continentals and militia who were raiding No. S14667, Coanrad Ten Eick, New Jersey. he was eventually discharged and returned road they espied a number of horsemen Bergen Neck. Washington was informed home, almost certainly crossing over New dressed in British uniform and immediately Bridge to get there. endeavoured to make good their retreat. On his return home he was liable for That after a rapid retreat of about three militia duty and served various terms of miles the two parties met and recognized service, his home being within ten miles of each other – the party in British uniform the main British Army in New Jersey, then proved to be an american party sent out located at New Brunswick. It is at this point in disguise to reconoiter the British lines, we let young Mr. Ten Eick tell his story, as two of them were aids to Gen. Washington, Hamilton’s signature, above he wrote it in Cayuga County, New York to wit Alexander Hamilton & another named Witherspoon. They at the same on the letter he wrote while at on 25 September 1832, fifty-five years New Bridge Landing. after the event, as part of his application time supposing us to be British troops in disguise until the meeting and recognition Visit bergencountyhistory.org for a pension from Congress for his Scroll under our Home page Revolutionary War service: as aforesaid. That afterwards and when to Hamilton at New Bridge the British were in Philadelphia as he to read the entire letter. “He further declares that about the month believes he was stationed at Hackensack, “Discovered” by Deborah Powell of June AD 1777 he enlisted into a company as a guard against the Refugees & Torys a and translated by Kevin Wright. of Light horse at the town of Hillsborough term of one month.”
6 Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society 7 Pfc. Anthonie Wendels Andrew Schaaf, a grocer, and Sadie Stienstra, Eventually, two opposing assault lines met “concentration” cemetery. is cemetery no both of whom immigrated from Holland and individual American units exercised longer exists, replaced by the large Meuse- 40,363 about 1891. initiative and continued ghting despite Argonne Cemetery. Wendels may have been Company K In the interim he was apparently in Syracuse, being nominally behind enemy lines. Wendels repatriated to Holland. 9th Infantry 2d Division New York and attended the Furman Street earned the Distinguished Service Cross that Elizabeth Schaaf wrote the War Department American Expeditionary Forces Methodist Church. Known as the “Hollander rst day. e citation reads: “ e President in March of 1919 letting them know that “a man is not dead until he is forgotten” who didn’t wait to gain American citizenship of the United States of America, authorized by Anthonie had not been married and that his before he enlisted”, he committed to the Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure nearest relative was his mother. Lena Wendels army while the “Fighting Ninth” was in the in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross in Holland began the long process of getting We remember Anthonia Wendels – or is it to Private Anthonie Wendels (ASN: 40363), Anthonie Wendels? A woman who died in city at Camp Syracuse, situated on the state the details of Anthonie’s death and burial and fairgrounds and in nearby Lakeland. On June United States Army, for extraordinary heroism received his medals. Widowed before she was World War I from Ridgewood? A man who in action while serving with Company K, 9th died in World War I and was from Syracuse? 5, 1917, Anthonie, now known as Anthony, married, Elizabeth eventually married LeRoy formally enlisted at Fort Slocum, New Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, A.E.F., near Hawthorne about 1922. Or something else. Soissons, France, 18 July, 1918. Private Wendels Rochelle, New York, and three months later Wendels’ death was one week before the Stanley Kober, a friend and supporter of on September 18, 1917, le New York for went forward ahead of his company against a Chris Stout’s research on Ridgewood soldiers, machine-gun that was checking the advance, Armistice. Although all the questions are not Europe aboard the Carmania with Company answered and many military records were pointed out a “new” name on the list of WWI K, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division of killed the crew, and captured the gun.” casualties from Ridgewood as documented destroyed in a re at the National Personnel the American Expeditionary Force. ey e Distinguished Service Cross is the second Records Center in St. Louis in 1973, we have by the New Jersey State Archives - a certain were soon involved in the major o ensives at highest military award that can be given to Anthonia Wendels. As unlikely as it seemed, it pieced together the story of a patriot, who Verdun, the Marne, and Soissons. a member of the United States Army “for was not a citizen, who showed great bravery, appeared that we had a female killed in action extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual during WWI. Further research revealed that From France he wrote to his friends at the and who lived in Ridgewood in an apartment Furman Street Methodist Church in early combat with an armed enemy force.” Actions above a store on Ridgewood Avenue for a there was a typo in the NJ Archives le. e that merit the Distinguished Service Cross proper spelling of the rst name is Anthonie summer of 1918: “I received your lovely letter time. Although he was remembered and long ago and know you are looking for one must be of such a high degree that they are honored in Syracuse at the time of his death, (or Americanized as Anthony) - Mr. Pfc. above those required for all other U.S. combat Anthonie Wendels. Telling Anthonie’s every day, but please don’t blame me as we he is not on the roll of honor for Onandaga have had no chance to write a letter home in decorations but do not meet the criteria for County, NY, and is not on the memorial story begins here, but the index card also the Medal of Honor. Wendels also received obscured the story. His name was spelled a long time. I hope everybody is feeling ne plaque in Ridgewood, nor on Fair Lawn’s and dandy. I am the same as always, and hope the French Medaille Militaire (France’s second honor roll. A man who was born in the wrong. e name of his friend to be noti ed highest honor). at citation provides more in case of death is spelled wrong. Despite to be back soon. I am saving some souvenirs Netherlands, traveled the seas working on for you, and I surely have some of the nest detail: “During the action on July 18,1918, to board ship, and who spent time in New Jersey these handicaps, we were able to reveal the the south of Soissons, he displayed brilliant fascinating story of Anthonie Wendels. from Kaiser Bill’s soldiers straight from the and New York, and gave his life as a U.S. ring line. e boys of the Ninth infantry qualities of coolness and audacity in attacking soldier, should be remembered. Ridgewood Anthonie Wendels was born November 25, are doing splendid and bear a name of good a machine gun which prevented our advance. will claim him as a son. 1895 in Rotterdam to a large family (which soldiership all along the front line. I also have He killed the gunners and captured the gun.” included his sister Anthonia!). As a young had an eight days pass down to South France Apparently always in the thick of the ghting, man he was a seaman and had visited the and had a swell time.” Wendels was wounded on July 18, gassed in United States. On December 17, 1915, he early August, and shot in the leg on October Chris Stout, Joe Suplicki, A na Broekman arrived in New York, working as an Assistant On July 18, 1918, Anthonie Wendels was one and Peggy Norris soldier among the 24 French divisions and 1. On November 4, 1918, Anthony Wendels Steward aboard the SS Vestris on the New Sources - Wendels, Anthonie, records at National two U.S. divisions under French command, was killed in action in the Meuse-Argonne York to River Plate (Argentina) service. e o ensive in the Aire Valley. He was shot Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO ship’s manifest indicated that he had signed supported by approximately 478 tanks that launched the Aisne-Marne o ensive. is through the heart by a machine gun bullet Wendels, Anthonia, World War I Casualties: on in La Plata and was signed up for the return and died instantly. Descriptive Cards, NJ State Archives trip, but he apparently changed his mind. engagement, which lasted for four days, (https://wwwnet1.state.nj.us/DOS/Admin/ attempted to eliminate the German salient Wendels was buried on November 13 in ArchivesDBPortal/WWICards.aspx) Sometime, somehow, Wendels made his that was aimed at Paris. e allied forces took a cemetery near where he was killed. As way to Bergen County, got an apartment Syracuse (NY) Herald, 6/4/1918, 9/4/1918, the Germans by surprise when the troops the Graves Registration Service of the 12/14/1918 in Ridgewood and had a ancé, Elizabeth went “Over the Top” without a preparatory Quartermasters Department of the Army Wendels, Anthonie, birth record, 26 Nov 1895, Schaaf, in Fair Lawn (oen given as his artillery bombardment. e men followed began moving bodies from temporary hometown). Elizabeth was about the same Netherlands, Zuid-Holland Province, Civil closely behind a rolling mortar barrage which graves into permanent cemeteries, Wendels Registration, familysearch.org age as Anthonie and was the daughter of began with great synchronized precision. was reburied on March 7, 1919 in a
8 Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society 9 Mary Parish versus Park, Taylorsville and Irishtown. Dr. omas e Bergen County Democrat of August down to a drunkard’s grave. She has made Dunn English, a poet, lawyer and physician 24, 1877 reported that Mrs. Nieser of Fort intemperance disgraceful.” the Lager sellers in who lived in Fort Lee during this period, Lee had died and that she had been a victim e Hackensack Republican of December 19th Century Fort Lee wrote about the place in two-part article that of Mrs. Parish’s accusations. at newspaper 12, 1877 reported that Mrs. Parish objected to appeared in Appletons’ Journal December 9 also reported that Mrs. Parish and Mrs. the application of Charles Dingle for a tavern Lucille Bertram and December 16,1871. English described Harriman who had been a “good Samaritan” license. She complained the application On September 26, 1879, the body of Mary Fort Lee as “a great resort for excursionists to Mary had a falling out and Mrs. Harriman was signed by persons who signed other Parish was discovered inside her Fort Lee during the summer… reached by means of had been held on $500, which was posted. applications, that Dingle’s place was open on home by John Sweeney who lived nearby steamboats running from Spring Street and e Democrat appears to have had a more Sunday, that women in the neighborhood on the property of Mary’s former and late Summer Street docks.” Four boats would negative view of Mrs. Parish and her activities went there and got drunk and that it was a husband Daniel Parish. Mary’s home was come up the Hudson and could bring as then did the public nuisance. e newspaper sided with formerly a barn that had been divided into many as three thousand people on a holiday Hackensack Mrs. Parish who the paper declared “gave “two comfortless rooms.” Mary was about 60 or Sunday. Republican. indubitable evidence that the place was a years old according to newspaper accounts. e New York Herald of September 5, e public nuisance.” e court, however, granted She had not been seen in almost a week. 1870 noted that Germans like good lager but Hackensack Dingle’s application. e New York Times of e local Justice Maurice Fitzgerald along cannot get it at Fort Lee. “ e most beastly Republican May 10, 1878 reported that Charles Dinkle with Constable Mannix entered her house lager that ever was known is dispensed at of August 28, (sic) had been arrested four times because of through a window. Fitzgerald called for an some of the places in this section.” e same 1878 printed Mrs. Parish but had been let o each time. inquest to be held that same day at 2pm at newspaper in an earlier article mentioned a facetious Mrs. Parish, Mrs. Dempsey , Miss Dempsey, Martin Neiser’s hotel. Hugh Brosnahan, other interests that brought people to the piece about Master Dempsey and omas Roche objected a local grocer, testi ed at the inquest that town, namely picnicking, billiards, bowling, Mrs. Parish to Alzonzo Taylor’s license application. ey Mrs. Parish came to his store about 6 days target shooting and of course the view. and her enemies: NIESERHOUSE all testi ed to previous complaining of a pain in her chest SCHLOSSER’S CLUB HOUSE CIRCA 1880 “Fort Lee has swings – but they also swung at Telephone. “general disorder, and cramps. She had also complained to lager, alcohol, that indoctrinating agent A scene at Fort Lee early Sunday morning. rioting and law- Mrs. Sarah Deighen of cramps several days pursuing the blood to the surface of one’s breaking which before her death. e verdict of the inquest cheeks and to the very tip of one’s nose.” Glass-ore-“hi! ere, Man-ax! I see characterized jury was natural causes due to in ammation “ e plain hard, indisputable fact is this, ‘friend Parish’ ve miles down the road, Taylor’s place.” of the heart based on the report of Dr. I. P. men sometimes get drunk at Fort Lee…” com-in’ this way, shut up shop, quick; Justice Fitzgerald Latour who examined Mary’s body. What brought Mary Parish notoriety was her watch ‘er and report to me.” and others Mary was poor but not she was not an aversion to the sellers of lager-beer. When Great stampede on Saturday night of testi ed on unknown who died without much public describing the Sunday excursions of New loafers from “Blu .” e slamming of Taylor’s behalf. notice. She was well-known in Fort Lee and Yorkers to the shores of Fort Lee, the New doors and shutter heard. ey stated that Bergen County and o en made news worthy York Times referred to the presence of the Man-ax,-“Oh! He! Glassy, how did the characters of of the New York City press. Her activities numerous Lager-beer establishments. In she ever discover that we had a telephone at Mrs. Parish and Mrs. Dempsey were “bad, were covered in local papers, as well as the the local newspapers of the mid-1870s to work here? at will spoil this little game. You very bad.” e court granted the application New York Times, the New York Herald and almost the end of the decade Mary Parish watch who comes from Hackensack, and I’ll but warned Taylor to be careful and suggested the New York Sun among others. (sometimes called the widow Parish) is see who goes over to Court. Keep it going until that some of the people who frequent his What brought Mary to the attention of the reported frequently at the Bergen County a er Court. No strange constable shall serve place should be discouraged from doing so. press was her war on local liquor merchants courthouse in Hackensack objecting to the subpoenas here, we want that business kept On June 11, 1877 the New York Times and violators of New Jersey’s Sunday blue licensing of one or more of Fort Lee’s saloon in the ring, known as the ‘Good Tiplers,” the reported that Fort Lee, through Mrs. Parish’s laws. Mary made many enemies in the ten keepers. Very seldom does she appear to valiant knight of ‘the tower, (the last two words e orts was now a strictly total abstinence years or so she resided in Fort Lee. have been supported by the local temperance translated from the French) President. Lark place on Sunday and almost so on weekdays. Fort Lee in the 1870s was a small village organizations which were also active in Mrs. Parish did have her admirers. e How had she accomplished this? e Times or set of villages. ere were about 400 Bergen county. Some of the men and women Bergen Index, July 17, 1878, quoted its reported that “Mrs. Parish’s rst step was to dwellings in the various parts of the village she raised objections to were well-known Fort Lee correspondent “She has saved study the temperance laws of New Jersey, in areas designated as Coytesville, Pond Fort Lee names. some of our leading men from going which it would seem she has completely continued on page 17 10 Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society 11 Kevin W. Wright passed away October Historic Preservation Specialist John Mills Kevin didn’t think or want every building 13, 2016 surrounded by his family. He had was observant when he said “Kevin was to be saved but he did think that historic kidney cancer that had spread to his lung, a great researcher and constant promoter sites gave people a sense of place and liver and spine, followed by a stroke. and defender of New Jersey’s heritage and should be valued in our landscape. New Jersey historic sites. As he was usually Kevin was a passionate historian, lecturer at the forefront he also took the animosity Survived by his wife of 40 years, Deborah and author, championing the history of NJ, from those who would demolish our history. Powell, and their children, Ivan, Benjamin, particularly Bergen and Sussex Counties. Historic sites on the whole are better o due and Anna, as well as his siblings, Colleen, His 30 years of writing included Hudson’s to his dedication. He was a witty, humorous, Patrick, and Pegeen Wright and his mother, encounter with the New World inhabitants, and just plain nice guy.” Teresa Mullen Wright. the Morris Canal, the iron industry, histories of Newton, NJ, Bergen County artifacts, Books by Kevin W. Wright: interpretive, marketing and tourism issues, 1609: A Country at Was Never Lost - e 400th Tree of Life: Selections from Bergen County Folk numerous articles and presentations and Anniversary of Henry Hudson’s Visit with North Art, 1983. Researched and wrote three scholarly planning and visioning documents. He He visioned and named the Spirit of the Americans of the Middle Atlantic Coast articles on chip-carved spoon boards, Hackensack retired in 2008 as a Regional Historic pottery, and local weaving for this 47-page exhibit Jerseys, a DEP state-wide parks event. A History of the Andover Ironworks: Come Penny, Go Pound catalogue (which won two awards for excellence). Preservation Specialist for the Park Service With attention to detail, he found two e Morris Canal and the Age of Ingenuity: Climbing e Bergen Dutch Folk Art Exhibit was rst in the DEP. His leadership at Historic New talented seamstresses to sew all by hand Mountains to Solve America’s First Energy Crisis mounted at New Bridge Landing in June 1983 and Bridge Landing transformed the site into a at the State Museum in Trenton between November two Hopkinson Flags for display in 2012. Around the Green, Newton, New Jersey heritage destination. As volunteer President He also served as president of the Sussex 3, 1984 and January 3, 1985. of the Bergen County Historical Society, County Historical Society. In 1985, he found High Point of the Blue Mountains, 1990. Co-wrote 54- History of the Hackensack Meadowlands. In 1989, page book on the environmental and cultural history Researched and prepared layout for large ve-panel he advocated for a new museum building a document in the state archives on the of High Point State Park with Ron Dupont. at Historic New Bridge Landing, which in boundary dispute between NY & NJ in time exhibit on natural and cultural history for the the nal planning stages. He pushed for Newton Historic Preservation Advisory Commission, Hackensack Meadowlands Environment Center, for the Statue of Liberty’s 100 year birthday 1987 to present. Prepared successful 1990 nomination DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst, New Jersey. is was the the inclusion of Bergen County into the and connected NJ to a very positive image, of Newton Historic Town Plot to the NJ and National rst time people understood the historical beauty of Crossroads of the American organization all for the price of a quarter. Well-connected Registers of Historic Places, encompassing sixty-six the area. e document was the basis for numerous when it was originally excluded. marketing directors were envious. buildings, sites and objects. books to follow by other authors.
David Whieldon Up until shortly at this location, honoring Lafayette who had Scoutmaster bombers. He was awarded the Air Medal before he passed away, Dave chaired the his headquarters nearby in 1780. of Troop 305, for ying combat missions from Okinawa popular American Revolutionary War Dave is remembered as “A Great man”, Fort Lee, NJ, to North Korea with the 19th Bomb Wing. Roundtable, a monthly dinner-history “a true gentleman in every way”, “a lovely and he was On his return to the U.S., he was assigned to lecture program that meets in Westwood. gentleman”, “A true gentleman and tireless a recipient intelligence duties in a B-36 bomber wing He was active in the Roundtable for 50 promoter of history”, “Dave was indeed a of the Silver based in El Paso, Tex. years and was able to nd interesting gentleman and certainly kind hearted, He B e a v e r A native of Greenville, Pa., he graduated speakers month a er month. He was a did much to keep the round table going, as Award and from Penn High School in that town, member of the West Point Chapter of the well as promote the BCHS. I will miss him the Order of later earning a baccalaureate degree from Company of Military Historians and a very much.” “He was a truly kind person, the Arrow’s Grove City College, Grove City, PA, and a BCHS Trustee Emeritus. generous person and will be missed.” Vigil Honor. master’s degree in journalism from Syracuse rough the 1980s and 90s, he worked Dave died March 22, 2017, 88 years old. He was active in three professional societies University. His father, Harold Dodds on restoring some of the BCHS Blue Retired since 1996 from Medical Economics and was a Life Member of Mensa. An avid Whieldon, operated a hardware store in Markers that are located throughout the Co., then located in Montvale, NJ, he had cyclist, he pedaled more than 50,000 miles in Greenville for more than 30 years.Divorced county. e BCHS marker near the corner worked as a writer and senior editor for recent years. Whieldon donated more than since 1992, Whieldon is survived by a of Soldier Hill Rd and Kinderkamack in several magazines circulated to physicians 80 pints of blood. brother, omas W. Whieldon, and sister- Oradell commemorates the September and to data-processing managers. During the Korean War, he was commissioned in-law, Roseann, of Cedar Park, Tex., and 1780 Steenrapie Encampment. Dave liked Whieldon served for 18 years as an adult as a U.S. Air Force o cer and later became a by two nephews: omas Whieldon, Jr., and to maintain a French and an American ag Boy Scout leader, including a stint as radar operator-navigator-bombardier in B-29 John Whieldon, and their families.
12 Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society 13 . - M D endorsed both Steve and Tony, but not When rst proposed, many school districts now we have a very happy home at Ciarco in 1683, so it took 300 years for a woman to me, they printed that photo, but sliced me and their superintendents feared that the Learning Center. be elected in River Edge! It was a wonderful right out of it, leaving just my hand resting Academies would be an elitist, divisive MD: Again, it was made through a experience. I served two terms. on Steve’s shoulder. I think that many program. A er much controversy, it was connection with an attorney I knew en in 1992 a very dear friend, Kevin Rigby, women, recognizing the photo and seeing accepted. I am very happy to say that my who happened to be the Chairman of who was the mayor in River Edge at the time this slight, cast votes for me! When the name is on the plaque at the entrance of Bergen Community College. It seems and who had been my 8th grade student at results came in on Election Day, I was the the school. is is one of my proudest proper and right that the Bergen County St. Peter, suggested that I run for the o ce only Democrat elected Freeholder, and I achievements. Today Bergen County Historical Society’s extensive library of of Freeholder. I was doubtful, because I received the highest number of votes cast Academies is reputed to be one of the best Bergen County history is housed at Bergen knew nothing about County government. for candidates from either party! high schools in the country. County’s community college. I had a very interesting tenure. At the time, I was also concerned about nancing the JK: What did you do during your 13 years JK: Another thing that Kevin o en there were four women on the Freeholder campaign, but Jerry stepped in and said that mentioned was your involvement in Board—Barbara Chadwick, Charlotte working in Steve Rothman’s Congressional o ce? he would contribute $10,000 to the e ort. naming the site “Historic New Bridge Vandervalk, Linda Baer and myself, MD: When Steve Rothman was elected to He volunteered to be my campaign manager Landing.” Can you tell about that? and decided on a rather unconventional which was unusual—four out of the seven the House of Representatives in 2002, he campaign. He purchased $10,000 worth Freeholders were women. We became very asked me to work on the immigration and MD: Adding the word historic seemed to of US postage stamps and decided that good friends, to the chagrin of the Democratic naturalization cases that came to his o ce make sense. At the time, I had suggested we should write a because I was bilingual and there were so that Historic New Bridge Landing should personal letter to many clients. Steve’s o ce handled more also become a National Park like the Great every student I ever than 1,300 immigration cases. irteen Falls in Paterson, but this was not to be. taught. (I had kept hundred! I called another congressman’s However, the US Post O ce at the southern every grade book o ce to ask about a constituent’s case and corner of River Edge was renamed “ e since my days at St. o and I asked, “How many cases do you United States Post O ce at Historic New Peter.) As the rst have?” “Nineteen,” was the response. Bridge Landing.” And New Jersey Transit was persuaded to change the name of Hispanic to run JK: Wow. Quite a di erence. for Freeholder in one of its two stations in River Edge from MD: Congressman Rothman’s o ce was “North Hackensack Station” to “Historic Bergen County, we located in Hackensack. And we welcomed. would write, both in New Bridge Landing at River Edge.” is I’m happy to say that we were able to help was another memorable day! Spanish and English, many, many people. We were able to reunite to every Hispanic many families. We were able to bring many JK: Why do you think it was important to voter in the county. students to study here and send many of change the names? And we wrote to MARY DONOHUE JOINS SEN. LORETTA WEINBERG, ASW. CHARLOTTE ours to study abroad. I still receive letters MD: New Bridge Landing is a historic our alumni friends VANDERVALK AND VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT and Christmas cards from people we helped. site, important in the history of the from Cathedral OF THE ACQUISITION AND CLEAN UP OF THE AUTO-PARTS JUNK YARD. American Revolution. Here George High School, from JK: When I was a new volunteer at BCHS Washington, Alexander Hamilton, the Regis High School where Jerry attended, Chairman and the Republican Chairman. and started hearing your name, it was Marquis de Lafayette, omas Paine, from Manhattanville, Fairleigh, Fordham— We were able to do so many things together. always in the context of, “Maybe Mary Baron von Steuben, Nathaniel Greene, everyone from Bergen County who attended e Learning in Retirement program at Donohue will have some ideas on how to General Poor and many others worked our high schools and colleges received a Bergen Community College was the result do that,” or “Maybe Mary Donohue will for our independence. I think it has been letter. We used every single stamp! of our collaboration. When the idea was write a letter for us.” It’s clear that you are a lost opportunity for the United States seen as the helper, the supportive person, My running mates were Steve Rothman, rst proposed to the Freeholders, there and the State of New Jersey not to feature the one who can accomplish things. who later became a US Congressman, was much opposition. Today several New Bridge Landing as an important and Tony Luna, Mayor of Lodi. We were hundred Seniors avail themselves of this MD: I enjoy helping people. I think, just as tourist attraction. One of our most urgent called “ e Dream Team,” because Tony excellent program, at a cost of $200 each. you say, that sometimes it takes just a voice, objectives is to get children excited about was Italian, I was Hispanic, and Steve e program is self-supporting, and it is a phone call to do so. our history. Our goal is to resume children’s was Jewish. e County Democratic an excellent opportunity for continuing JK: And one of the times you helped BCHS school tours, as in years past. Every one of Committee had a beautiful campaign education for Bergen County Seniors. was when we needed a place for the library my children visited New Bridge Landing photo taken of us that was distributed I was also very instrumental in obtaining and archives. You made the connection as a Boy Scout or Girl Scout. We hope to far and wide. When e Bergen Record approval for Bergen County Academies. with Bergen Community College, and have this happen again, to have Historic CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 14 Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society 15 - M D new citizens have taken their oaths, the . - M P drove Hanlon away. Mrs. Parish was badly New Bridge Landing recognized as the LWV registers them to vote. We always mastered; for it is said at Fort Lee that no injured in the attack: “her face is one mass important historic site that it is. schedule the ceremony in September close lawyer has yet been able to prevent her from of contusions, and deep and ugly scratches Fortunately, today we have a mayor in River to Baron von Steuben’s birthday, but in shutting up every saloon she has attacked. in her neck.” Hanlon escaped and was being Edge, Ed Mignone, who is very interested time for the new citizens to vote for the She found that an old State law of 1836, hunted by the police. It was later reported in history and who is working with us. rst time in November. It is truly a very which con nes the sale of intoxicating drinks that Mary appeared in court bruised and Recognition of the historic importance of moving event! to inns, and prohibits any inn within one battered and testi ed against her assailant. New Bridge could be an economic engine JK: And it’s great that the event is run by mile of any other to sell intoxicating drinks, for the area. I understand that Morristown On July 8, 1877 a letter from Joseph you, a naturalized citizen yourself. It must remains on the statute books unrepealed. Schlosser, Fort Lee innkeeper, appeared in makes een million dollars a year from be very satisfying to know you have helped en Mrs. Parish studied the Sunday liquor visitors and businesses that pro t from the New York Times. Schlosser denied so many people in your various roles. law of New Jersey…Violations of the Jersey any involvement with Mary’s beating and the fact that Morristown promotes their MD: I have been enriched by the work Sunday law generally get the perpetrators historic buildings. We could do the same stated that he believed Hanlon was one of that I’ve been able to do in government, in jail for two or three months with a ne of thing here. Imagine all the restaurants and Mrs. Parish’s spies who was oen drunk at teaching, in the family. Every one of my $300 or $500.” Schlosser’s place and was turned out because local businesses that would pro t. And kids is involved in something. I’ve just e Widow Parish also threatened to sue of it. He also accused Mrs. Parish of malice the railroad station is a short walk from been very, very blessed. our site. It’s a natural. It’s beyond me that her neighbors for not doing anything to assist towards many in Fort Lee. e Times had the economic possibilities of this tourism her in her campaign against liquor dealers. earlier reported that inn keepers claimed haven’t been picked up by the State. F “According to the laws of New Jersey that Mrs. Parish went aer them because T R E T C e proposed museum at New Bridge the property owners in any region may they refused her free room and board in their Landing is the next project of the Bergen F H be sued civilly for allowing nuisances establishments. County Historical Society. We are proud T B C B to be maintained…I am determined to Schlosser’s tavern was a target of those that we have raised the funding needed to C F have the Sunday law enforced in this who objected to bad behavior on the part begin construction of the museum through neighborhood.”(Bergen Index, August 7, 1878) M NJ D , of drinkers in his place. One newspaper private sources. We have not received From the Hackensack Republican October reported in 1874, that “the ladies of Fort federal, state or county funding for the D N C , 2, 1879: “Regularly as the Court House Lee…would assemble at his salon on Sunday building of the museum. We look forward bell rang on the rst day of the term, Mrs. to “shovels in the ground” in the near C ’ Evening and try what e ect their exhortation Parish was found at the reporters’ table in future. I hope we have a real barn-raising! V C would have on him.” e ladies didn’t , the court room; neither weather nor want show. In 1878, Henry Ebbes, “being sworn JK: at will be a very ne day, a truly of conveyance kept her away – day aer day testi ed that he saw Mr. Schlosser on the historic day. Another event, of a quieter H N B L S P C , she has trudged back and forth over the ve Blu some time in the summer, but he was nature, is the naturalization event you run miles of hilly road between her home and the not intoxicated; he is in the habit of drinking, each fall. Of all the events held at New V C county seat, braving the jibes and taunts that but never saw him intoxicated; there was no Bridge, that’s my personal favorite. T R E H C were heaped upon her from every side, and ght in the house on the 22nd of February; MD: I nd it such a touching ceremony. always with ready answer for her assailants.” the ght was outside the house; they were JK: I’m a retired ESL teacher, and I always A ’ : Mrs. Parish su ered dearly for her cause. outside parties; did not belong to the party tear up to see people get sworn in as citizens T R W On the fourth of July 1877 she was attacked that were in the house; don’t know anything and then walk right over and register to vote. N B L and beaten outside her home by Edward of any disturbance growing out of anything MD: Working at Congressman Rothman’s Hanlon. According to a newspaper account in the house; in April I heard that Riley was oce, I knew that the United States Citizen Hanlon told Mrs. Parish during the beating engaged in a ght with a man named Hunt: and Immigration Services held these that he had been hired to kill her. Also riley was drunk, but think he was drunk naturalization ceremonies at schools or at according to the account Hanlon told her when he came there; never saw any jurymen their oces in Newark, and I said, “Why the names of those who wanted her dead: drunk at Schlosser’s while I was constable; I not at a historic site?” When I suggested Note: For the full text of the Mary Donohue John Glosser, Joseph Schlosser, Charles was there last Monday, when young Otto was the idea to the director of USCIS, he was Buckheister, Charles Dingle, John Burns there; heard he struck Mrs.______; it was very enthusiastic. It is also very tting that interview, go to and Edward Macdonald. Luckily for Mrs. outside the house; can’t remember what sign the League of Women Voters of Bergen bergencountyhistory.org Parish Mathias Hawes was passing by and Mr. Schlosser has out.” County attend the ceremony and, aer the CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 16 Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society 17 . - M P Parish swore that Mary lied to him before On June 20, 1864 the Cleveland Leader further appears in reference to Jenny Parish e Court granted the license. the marriage. According to his petition She reported that Mary had won her alimony case, or Henrietta Berry. On July 16 of 1877 the New York Times told him that she was an orphan. Parish the Ohio court awarded her $1500. It is not When the probate was concluded Mary reported under the headline Sunday swears in the petition that her mother was clear whether she ever collected her money. did receive money from the estate. Mary Excursions to Fort Lee: “ ere was no accident alive and keeping a “house of ill-fame” in Daniel Parish, Counselor at law, died in bought property in Fort Lee soon aer the during the day, and very little intoxication or Oswego, New York. He also claims that Fort Lee on April 17, 1868. It was reported in estate was settled. rowdyism. Lager beer was sold on the boats, Mary had an illegitimate child in Brookville the New York Times. He le a will but Mary but none could be obtained on the grounds. Canada. e child’s name according to contended that the will was a fraud. Daniel Mary Parish’s death and burial. Mrs. Parish, who has been instrumental in Parish was Henrietta Philips. Was it a le only one dollar to each of his children, by When Justice Fitzgerald and Constable preventing the sale of liquor at Fort Lee, says coincidence that Philips was the name Jerusha, who were living and to the children Mannix entered Mary’s house they found her there has been a great improvement in the Parish’s rst wife, Jerusha took aer she of his deceased daughter. dead on her bed. ey also found a small character of the excursion parties…” divorced Daniel? Other claims by Parish in It should be noted that Daniel’s will was white dog of Mary’s who was starving and Mrs. Parish gave the names of the following the divorce petition were that Mary beat him written in1867. Mary came to the Fort Lee weak. Fitzgerald ordered the dog taken out as persons who have been cited to appear at several times, attacked him with a hatchet area soon aer Daniel’s death to contest and shot. Hackensack to-day on the charge of keeping and scalded him with boiling water. Parish the will reportedly made by Daniel but Mary was buried in Edgewater Cemetery disorderly houses: Alonzo Taylor, Charles led his divorce petition in Brown County which she called fraudulent. She fought the same day her body was found. She Bucheister, Charles Dingle, Joseph Schlosser, Ohio claiming that he lived there. Mary had the administrator, Joseph Coyte, for several was interred in plot 136 with her late ex- John Glasser, Hugh Brosnahan and Mrs. Neizer. no knowledge of the divorce until aer the years before the probate was nally settled. husband and some others. In October, 1879 In the New York Sun August 1878 she alleged fact. e required newspaper notice was One of Mary’s objections to Coyte: “Daniel the County of Bergen reimbursed Doctor I. there were nine liquor sellers in the vicinity put into Brown county newspapers. When Parish was a native of Massachusetts and P. Latour for his services at Mary’s inquest, who were selling without a license: Martin Mary appealed the divorce decree it came out a New York lawyer. Joseph Coyte is an $5. Justice Fitzgerald was paid $35.28 for the Neiser, Wm. H. Carlock, John Van Gilder, that Daniel was not a resident of the county Englishman and an old cobbler in no way inquest he held. Robert Annett, Isaac Truax, Philip Hook, and had lied about many if not all of his connected to said Parish deceased.” His e Hackensack Republican article on John Burns, Henry Stewart and John Manix, allegations against his wife. will did not provide for an executor which Mary’s death concludes “It is anything but noting that Manix was a constable. Parish also stated that Mary told him seems a strange omission for an attorney. creditable to a certain element of Fort Lee that someone he accused her of having He le his personal and real property to his society that the death of this poor woman What drove Mary Parish? intercourse with was named Rickaby, which adopted daughter Jenny Maria Parish. Aer was made the cause of great rejoicing.” Mary Ricaby was married to Daniel Parish, is very close to Mary’s maiden name. his death his alleged daughter was claimed In 1898 in an article recounting Fort a lawyer, on April 18, 1849 in Cleveland, Mary was relentless in her appeals to by her mother who according to the probate Lee History of the 1870s, Mrs. Parish was Ohio. Mary was in her mid to late twenties. overturn the divorce decree. First to have record was a relative. Henrietta Berry, the remembered as “an eccentric but energetic Daniel was a three times married and twice the divorce nulli ed on the grounds that woman who claimed to be the mother of and shrewd widow.” divorced man in his mid- ies. it was obtained fraudulently and that the Jenny Parish petitioned the Bergen County (Paterson Morning Call, December 14, 1898) Daniel and Mary were apparently living accusations Daniel Parish made in his Court to have her husband, Alexander apart by 1850 when Daniel is recorded as statements were false. In Mary’s appeal to have A. Berry of St. Louis, Missouri made the e Bergen Index published a poem about living in the 1st ward of Cleveland without the divorce struck down her attorneys stated guardian of Jenny until she is fourteen Mary (Sept. 30, 1879). e last stanza reads: Mary. His age is given as 43, born in that Daniel Parish admitted that his charges at which time she could choose her own y dauntless heart beats o’er Connecticut and with a personal wealth against her in the divorce petition were false. guardian. e petition was made in July of of $3000. Mary could not be found in the e chief justice of the Supreme Court of 1868. e only mention of Jenny aerwards Who singly dared defy 1850 census. She appears, as Maria Parish, Ohio opined, however, that “a decree from in the probate record occurs in 1875 as e force of evil ‘gainst the Law— in the 1860 census in Cleveland’s 3rd ward the bonds of matrimony, though obtained by Joseph Coyte answers the exceptions made And all alone didn’t die? running a boarding house. e census states false testimony cannot be set aside…” to the disposition of the estate by Mary she is 38 years old, was born in Ohio and had According to the Cleveland Leader of Parish. Mary says there was no adopted a personal wealth of $800. is is the only December 17, 1862 Mary was pursuing child and her name does not appear in the census that Mary has been found in. Daniel for alimony. But by 1856 Daniel was accounts provided by Coyte on the settling Daniel Parish’s divorce petition was led in living in Fort Lee and practicing law in New of the probate. In fact while there was an Brown County Ohio, the 28th day of March, 1853. York City. Alexander A. Berry in St. Louis nothing
18 Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society 19 BCHS Collections Committee We continue to inventory and exhibit pieces from the Museum’s Collection, meeting every week to photograph and inventory new aquisitions as well as restored pieces. BCHS has received some major donations since our last newsletter. These are just four outstanding pieces that tell the story of our Bergen County History. Collections Committee: Deborah Powell, Manfred Wagner, Cindy Piano and Patty Daurizio.
This iconic painting of Washington’s November 1776 Retreat at New Bridge was acquired and donated to the BCHS in November 2017 by Deborah Powell in Kevin Wright’s memory. Artist B. Spencer Newman served in WW1, was an architect and painted many local scenes. He was an active member of the Bergen County Artist’s Guild, serving several times as president in 1950-1960s. Raoul Mallalieu provided the connection to purchase the painting.
Portrait of Mary Robinson Blair (1814-1893) Wife of William Blair, River Edge. William was a sail maker and supplier of tents and cover to the US army, served as Judge of Elections and Commissioner when the Bergen County poorhouse was built. They had eight children. Portrait is donated by her descendants Sarah Blair Brown and daughter Kristen Brown, who also provided the restoration funds. Conservator Gary McGowan, CPR, generously contributed conservation hours.
Portrait of Grietje (Peggy) Ackerman Westervelt Peggy was born in Paramus, Dec 25,1756 (portrait circa 1810) and married John Westervelt on May 10,1778. We received four other portraits from the David Ackerman Descendants (DAD); William Kelly Ackerman, Cynthia Ben Robertson Ackerman, Lawrence Ackerman (William’s father). The Ackermans are long associated with New Bridge Landing and Bergen County. DAD made a generous financial donation to BCHS.
Demoray Scrimshaw Powder Horn Inscribed: SAMUEL DEMORAY HIS HORN MADE AT FORT EDWARD NOVEMBER y 1 1776 A fort, row of houses, a masted sailing ship and tulip “vines” are carved around the horn. Samuel Demoray served in the 14th & 6th Regiments of the Albany County Militia. He was baptized in the Dutch Reformed Church, Schraalenburgh, June 9, 1754 and died 1819 in Upper Canada. This horn came down through the Demaray family and was donated by Cherith Davenport, Elyse Demaray and Mark Demaray to BCHS. We have other powder horns in the collections but this is the first one with scrimshaw carving. They were used for safe storage of gun powder. The horn is currently on Exhibit. N BCHS B C H S C P.O. B , R E, NJ .BC H . P BCHS D P P D : BCHS@ .
20 Winter/Spring 2018 Bergen County Historical Society