•South o(the Iflfjountaind

published by

The Historical Society of Rockland County Orangeburg, New York

Vol. 16, No. 1 January - March, 1972 ROCKLAND COUNTY IN WASHINGTON’S DAY From an address by the late Dr. LcRoy E. Kimball of Tomkins Cove at the Washington Bi-Centennial Celebration at West Haverstraw on June 14, 1932 as reported in the Rockland County Evening Journal. Dr. Kimball was comptroller of New Yor\ University until his retirement. He also served as president of the New Yorl{ Historical Society and of The American Scenic and Historical Preserva­ tion Society. We are gathered here today as friends and residents of the Haverstraw com­ munity, in this beautiful setting of the Highlands of the Hudson, to celebrate, if only for a brief moment, the memory of that man whose achievements and life will be a perpetual inspiration to Americans, George Washington. You are all familiar with the events of this great and good man’s career and the brief references which we have time for at this time will allude largely to Revolutionary happenings in this section of the Hudson Valley. It is fitting indeed that we should celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of George Washington’s birth and his service to our country in this particular spot. Whether it was in the minds of the Committee or not when they chose this location, the historical records show that we are standing within what we might call a stone’s throw of the corners where the Military Highway leading from King’s Ferry split, one road wending easterly down through West Haverstraw, Haverstraw, the old Long Clove, Tappan and to New Jersey, and the other westerly through what is now Garnerville, Ladentown, Kakiat and Suffern, to northwestern New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. These historic West Haverstraw corners where the traffic light is now located frequently saw Washington, his staff, and his army, during the eight years of the Revolutionary War, marching determinedly to and from King’s Ferry, which was the principle means of communication between the Southern and Middle States and New England, because the British held New York City and therefore made crossing below impossible. The first record we find of Washington’s actual presence in this vicinity was after the Battle of White Plains, which took place October 28, 1776. There is re­ corded a dispatch from Peekskill, dated November 11, 1776, which says: “The Commander-in-Chief and five of his generals made an inspection tour of the High­ lands this day, examining Forts Constitution and Montgomery. From Constitution Island they viewed West Point which was not yet taken possession of. Today’s attention to the Highlands is in preparation for next summer’s campaign for the enemy army in Canada will assuredly advance into the Hudson Valley as soon as the spring season permits.” At this time Washington shifted his army to the west side of the river, and in so doing he must have turned either east or west through these West Haverstraw corners which are plainly shown on the military maps made for George Washington by his official geographer, Robert Erskine. Again early in 1777, we find Washington officially located at Smith’s Clove, over the mountains to our west, and also at Galloway’s in the Clove. In July, 1778, Washington journeyed with the troops from Monmouth, New Jersey, to White Plains, New York, and spent a night and issued headquarters orders in the Haver­ straw country before he crossed the ferry to Verplank’s Point. We must remember that when Washington dated his dispatches from Haverstraw his stopping point 2 may have been located anywhere from the present Bear Mountain Bridge to the Long Clove, for all of the Doodletown, Tomkins Cove, Stony Point, West Haver- straw, Garnerville and Haverstraw sections were known generally and collectively as Haverstraw. The name Stony Point was only used as it applied to the crude fort at the Point. We do know, however, that in Washington’s expense account books which have been made available, there appears to have been distributed to Mrs. Provost’s servants, near Haverstraw, on July 14, 1778, four pounds and ten shillings for services, and also at Haverstraw, on July 15, 1778, Jacob Hardin’s bill amounted to three pounds, eight shillings. A boatman who took the Commander-in-Chief from King’s Ferry to West Point, the following day, received two pounds eight shillings. The following July, on the 17th, in 1779, the day after Wayne and his American Light Infantry captured the fortress at Stony Point by his midnight surprise attack, General Washington came down from his headquarters at Moore’s House, West Point, and established for the day, the official headquarters of the Continental Army, at the fort at Stony Point. Shortly after his return to West Point he wrote a rare description of a dinner at his West Point Headquarters in a letter to Surgeon General John Cochran. In this letter Washington says: “I have asked Mrs. Cochran and Mrs. Livingston to dine with me tomorrow; but am I not in honor bound to apprize them of their fare? As I hate deception even where the imagination only is concerned; I will. It is needless to premise that my table is large enough to hold the ladies. Of this they had ocular proof yesterday. To say how it is usually covered is more essential; and this is the happy purport of my letter. Since our arrival at this happy spot, we have had a ham (sometimes a shoulder of bacon, to grace the head of the table; a piece of roast beef adorns the foot; and a dish of beans, or greens (almost imperceptible) decorate the center. When the cook had a mind to cut a figure (which I presume will be the case tomorrow) we have two beef-steak pyes, or dishes of crabs, in addition, one on each side the center dish, dividing the space and reducing the distance between dish and dish to about 6 feet, which would without them be near 12 feet apart. Of late he has had the surprising sagacity to discover that apples will make pyes; and it is a question, if, in the violence of his effort, we do not get one of apples, instead of having both of beef-steaks. If the ladies can put up with such entertainment, and will submit to partake of it on plates, once Tin but now Iron—(not become so by scouring), I shall be happy to see them. I remain your most obedient and humble servant, George Washington.” In the campaign of 1780, during July, the Commander-in-Chief had his head­ quarters at Kakiat, again at Stony Point, and at the DeWint House in Tappan. In August, 1781, General George Washington was in the town of Haverstraw for nearly a week, supervising the crossing of the French and American armies at King’s Ferry. The Allied Forces were on their way from Westchester to Yorktown, Virginia, and the crossing of troops and equipment took the Continental Army August 20th and 21st, and the French Army the four following days, August 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th. The last of the French troops moved southwestward from King’s Ferry, down the lowland hill, past the home of the British sympathizer, Smith, who lived in what is familiarly known as Treason House, and turned west at West Haverstraw corners on the 26th on their way to Kakiat, Suffern, Pompton, Pennsylvania and Yorktown in Virginia. There were some 3000 French troops in this crossing and during these days of supervision Washington is known to have stayed at a neighboring house, possibly with the family of Colonel Ann Hawk Hay, 3 who commanded the Haverstraw defense troops, and lived on the land approxi­ mately across from Treason House. Again at the very close of the war, in November, 1783, Washington went through these corners to West Point and from there with about 1000 troops marched into New York City on the 25th of November, the nation’s hero. History records a number of interesting naval incidents which took place in Haverstraw Bay. On August 18, 1776 there appeared a dispatch in a New York paper which testified to the hot time the naval defense units in the neighborhood of Haverstraw gave the enemy ships. It says: “The British warships Phoenix and Rose, which five weeks ago passed the American batteries and sailed up Hudson’s River to Haverstraw Bay returned this day and joined their fleet off Staten Island. They came back because our people made it too hot for them up the river. They did not find the Highlands of the Hudson a pleasant summer resort. “On the night of the sixteenth two fire vessels, commanded by Captain Fosdyke and Thomas, tried to set fire to the two Britishers. Fosdyke grappled with the Phoenix, but the fire did not spread to the warship as soon as expected and she disentangled herself after twenty minutes, with some damage to her rigging. Captain Thomas did no damage to the Rose, but burned her tender. He has been missing since engagement, and it is feared that he was either burned to death or drowned. “The attempt was bravely made and the enemy was badly frightened. Not wishing to repeat the experience, the Phoenix and Rose decided to go away. The Phoenix was three times hulled by shot from Fort Washington, and one of her tenders was hit once. The Rose was hit by a shot from Burdett’s Ferry. Riflemen along the river gave proper attention to the ships as they passed by, but the sailors were kept so close under cover that it is not known how many rifle shots took effect. In acknowledgment of these attention, the King’s navy was very generous with its grapeshot, with the result that they completely demolished one tent.” Another interesting Haverstraw item is the leter sent by the Colonel in charge of the Haverstraw troops when he wrote on January 26, 1779 to Governor Clinton as follows: “Dear Sir, It is my duty to report to your Excellency that almost every house in this neighborhood is a dramshop, and the consequence is likely to be the ruin of the troops. When they are under such temptations they will drink, and when their money is out they will rob and steal. I do not know what or whether a military officer has any authority to correct such abuses, nor do I know what Laws the state hath made concerning them, but I am sure if there are none as yet it is time to set about it. So many of them are the source of many of the evils that prevail in the country and the morals of the inhabitants as well as soldiery are corrupted thereby. I pray your Excellency will be pleased to inform me what I can do in the present case.” In closing, let us salute Washington on this two hundredth anniversary of his birth with quoting the deep tribute paid his memory by that other great and loved American, Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln said: “Washington is the mightiest name of earth—long since mightiest in the cause of civil liberty, still mightiest in moral reformation. On that name no eulogy is expected. It cannot be. To add brightness to the sun, or glory to the name of Washington is alike impossible. Let none attempt it. In solemn awe we pronounce the name, and in its naked deathless splendor, leave it shining on!” 4 One of Washington’s visits to Rockland County which Dr. Kimball did not mention occurred on May 6, 1783, when he met with Sir Guy Carleton at the De- Wint House in Tappan to discuss the evacuation of the British troops. (See Bedell’s “Now and Then and Long Ago in Rockland County”, pp. 155-157.) A “sumptous dinner” was served by Samuel Faunces, who operated Fraunces’ Tavern in New York City. On the following day Washington went aboard HMS Perseverance which was probably anchored off what is now Sneden’s Landing to be entertained by Sir Guy. Upon boarding and leaving the vessel he received a 17-gun salute, the first salute of the British to the Americans. This section of the Tappan Zee was also referred to in some dispatches as “Dobbs Ferry on the West Bank”. On May 3, 1958 the historical society sponsored a 175th anniversary ceremony with a program at the Tappan Reformed Church. Dr. Kimball, Carl Carmer of Irvington and Daniel P. Moynihan (representing Governor Averill Harriman) spoke. The guest of honor was Sir Hugh Stephenson, British Consul General, New York, who was the recipient of a 17-gun salute returned by the destroyer USS Meredith, anchored off Piermont. The dedication of the monument at the Onder- donk House, River Road, Piermont, took place at the same day. TRAVELS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON (. . . from a map compiled and drawn by the National Geographic for the 71st Congress and the U.S. Commission for the Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the birth of George Washington) NEW YORK Key: ■ —-- ...•... „ colonial highways THE LOWER' miD.SON I surveying and French-Indian campaign (1732-1758) II travels to the west (1759-1774) A** • 7./.. . III Revolutionary War (1775-1783)

\ ■ * IV travels after the war (1784-1799) i / ■ "^0 rtf' ejitfefegf-) .a ;u? V7

y i / ^ MTiwi ■ ■ ----Ai;-is;

ATLANTIC OCEAN

5 MEMORIES OF THIELES by ANNE E. McCABE (excerpts from Miss McCabe’s dedicatory speech at the new Thiels school, Sunday, February 6,1972. Reprinted from material in The Rochjand County Times edition of February 10,1972. Miss McCabe is a retired principal of the Haver straw Elemen­ tary School and former teacher of history and economics at Haverstraw High School.) My first memory of Thiells is of a beautiful white pillared house on Route 202 at the corner of Rosman Rd. It was the Felter homestead and was later occupied by the Rosman family who gave their name to the road on which this school is located. In the late 18th Century Jacob Thiell came from Denmark and erected a forge on the Minisceongo and in 1793 built a grist mill probably about where the Lang- schur Flour and Feed Mill was located at the corner of Rosman Rd. and the Thiells- Mt. Ivy Rd. His name was given to this section which developed into a prosperous farming area where farm produce, grain, some cattle and fruit were raised. The N.Y. and N. J. Railroad, commonly known as the Erie, built a station here. The railroad served not only the local people but also the summer boarders who came to stay at the large farmhouses. The Methodist church, built as a mission to the Indians in 1784, gave spiritual guidance to the residents and the one room school educated the children. Having gotten my ideas of cattle ear marks from Western movies, I was surprised to read several years ago in a book in the Haverstraw Town Hall the earmarks of the cattle which grazed in the fields here. Unfortunately somebody borrowed the book and failed to return it or appropriated it. At least it has dis­ appeared. Then in 1907 the state legislature passed a law which changed the pastoral life of Thiells. William Pryor Letchworth, a philanthropist and president of the State Board of Charities, was deeply interested in the care and education of epilep­ tics and urged the state to provide an institution for people so afflicted. An act establishing an institution for the care and education of epileptics and retarded per­ sons in the southeastern section of the state was signed by Governor Hughes who appointed a committee consisting of William Rhinelander Stewart, Alexander Proudfit, Franklin Kirkbride to pick a site. Several locations in Westchester «nd Putnam Counties were proposed, but the committee chose Thiells as the ideal spot because of its isolation and ideal transportation facilities. One factor was that patients could be brought from New York City to Haverstraw by boat and privately driven to Thiells, and another advantage was that there were two railroads on which visitors could travel to visit their relatives. And so the farms of the Springsteads, the Secors, the Jones, the Coes, the Bed­ fords, the Knapps, the Christies, and so on, were bought and the Haverstraw State Colony was established. Altogether 1980.85 acres were purchased at a cost of $19,422.25(1 don’t know what the 25c was for) or an average of $97 or $98 an acre with the houses, barns and outbuildings on them. One property contained a brick­ yard and clay pit. One woman who signed a deed was unable to sign her name and made her mark. At that time the population of the Town of Haverstraw was 10,500 people. Now it seems sometimes as if there are 10,000 cars on 9W— particularly on a Friday afternoon. In July 1911 the first group of 63 men arrived. They needed doctors, nurses, and staff all supervised by the esteemed and beloved Dr. Charles Sherman Little. 6 This brought more children to the Thiells School. In the meantime the name of the institution being built on a wholly new plan and design in a cottage style was changed from Haverstraw State Colony to Letchworth Village. During the 19th Century the children of the western part of the township attended the one room Thiells School and learned to read, to write, to spell, to do the arithmetic they needed on the farms. The older ones helped the younger ones. They walked distances in all kinds of weather and tramped through snow up to their knees to get to school. There were no buses; no snow days. But a school is for learning and they learned much in addition to the required skills. They were taught about the world around them, about nature and flowers and animals, probably some science, some poetry, the history of their country and their responsibility to it. They learned to get along with one another in their games and to help one another in their work. Some of them dropped out along the way to work on the farms or were absent at planting or harvesting time, but many of them finished the eighth grade. From their grandfathers who had heard tales from their grandfathers they heard stories of the past. They could have been about LaFayette’s camping at Camp Hill or Washington’s crossing the Hudson at King’s Ferry or maybe even about some relative or neighbor who had gone to California in the Gold Rush. In the present Century those who continued on to high school walked to Hav­ erstraw in the morning and took the 3:30 Erie back to Thiells. If they had to report after school, they made the return trip on foot unless they were lucky enough to catch a ride. All through the years people who received their early training here have gone on to successful careers as physicians, lawyers, bankers, professors and business men of all kinds. One of the most distinguished professors in the State of New York received his first schooling here. They must have been most fortunate in their teachers. What greater benfit to a school district can there be than good teachers? Due to changing conditions the school was closed about 1943 and the children were sent to Haverstraw. In 1963 the Board of Education purchased the site upon which this school stands. When 34 temporary classrooms were in use the people of the district voted for the erection of two elementary schools with a capacity of 1091 pupils We dedicate this school today and pray the students, in the tradition of the children who preceded them here, will become loyal citizens of this nation.

In granting permission to quote from her tal\, Miss McCabe noted that the career of Miss feanette Hedges Knapp, who died in Florida February 9 in her 91st year proved in her lifetime Miss McCabe’s statement, “all through the years people who received their early training here have gone to successful careers.” Miss Knapp, after her graduation from Cooper Union became secretary to Elihu Root, Secretary of War under President Theodore Roosevelt and later author of the Root Formula fo rthe World Court. Miss Knapp was born in Thiells March 30, 1881, the daughter of Duane F. Knapp and Emma Louise Disbrow Knapp. Christian Herald Rd., Valley Cottage, rising from the Six Corners and con­ necting with Old Mountain Rd., Upper Nyack, at the crossing of Rt. 9W was named from the Christian Herald Children’s Home, known as Mont Lawn and now the center for Camp Ramah. The home occupied the site west of 9W following its 1894 organization and 1899 incorporation until 1960 and was supported by funds raised by Christian Herald Magazine. 7 MARTINUS HOGENKAMP CEMETERY

-—Photo by fames P. Celentano of Blauvelt

by NORMAN BAKER It must be there were early settlers in central Rockland County as well as along the Hudson River and along the southern border at Tappan and elsewhere. The evidence is plain in the Martinus Hogenkamp Cemetery at New City—two rough sandstone grave markers, one with just the date 1723 chiseled on it and the other with the initials L K and C K and the same 1723. The cemetery at the Reformed Church in Tappan may go hack further by a few years but there are not many gravestones in the county antedating 1723. And who L K and C K were is a mystery unsolved by the present generation. Burials were more frequent in the years following 1723. There’s the inscription on a piece of roughly cut limestone—a fragment of the sort where limestone splits into several flat pieces—reading “Ano 1739 Fe de 12 9E den 30 Sep MDR.” Then there was S H interred in 1755. A better cut sandstone marker is at the grave of “Urian Hoff October ye 7, 1755.” Also 1739 is “I S Oc. 22.” A small piece of tough sandstone carries the “M 1742” inscription and requiring a hit of interpretation is the sandstone marked “Ano ’55 Fe de 9 A S ONT 68.” Better known as Martinus Cemetery, the burying ground on Little Tor Road, at the head of Collyer Avenue, New City, is among the best kept of the old ceme­ teries in the county. It has been little used since the end of the 19th Century but a small organization of old Rockland County family members and neighbors keeps it in condition. A few scattered plots remain unused. The property has recently been fenced in, the front of it a concrete retaining wall built in the last decade when Little Tor Road was widened. To the south of the cemetery proper is a smaller area referred to as the “slave burying ground,” the few markers going back to the last century. One story also has it that sailors who died on a ship quarantined in New York harbor when it was swept by bubonic plague were brought to that plot for burial. When Little Tor Road was widened, 8 a skeleton identified as that of an Indian was uncovered outside the cemetery proper. And perhaps it was the Jacob Blauvelt whose house north of New City is now headquarters of the Historical Society of Rockland County who lies interred in Martinus Cemetery. Certainly there is a well preserved broad sandstone marker inscribed “Jacob Blauvelt died the 25 November 1774.” Right alongside it is the marker for Isaac Blauvelt, who died on the same date the same year. Members of the Blauvelt family are legion in the cemetery, one whole section of it with stones bearing the Blauvelt name. There are records, too, on the stones of Blauvelts who married into families well known in county annals. One, for instance, carries the sandstone legend “Maria Blauvelt, wife of Resalvert VanHouten, de­ parted this life Nov. 6, 1791, 45 year of her age.” Only one marker, a heavy piece of sandstone, carries an inscription in Dutch. It reads “Hier leyt begraven het Lichaam van Cornelia DeLanoy Brouwer ges- torven den 31 Augustus, 1780, in ’t 68 laar van haer Ouderdom. En haar dogter P. Nette Brouwer buys vrouw van Hendrick Sickels gestorven den 29 Augustus, 1780, in’t 38 laar van haer Ouderdom.” It might be noted that Rockland County has a greater Dutch background than English. Where or when the cemetery originated is clouded in antiquity. It was dis­ covered in 1927, when the present Association started its incorporation program, that getting clear title to the acre or so of ground would be too complicated and involved to attempt. The property goes back to the early 1800s when Martinus Hogenkamp and a W. B. Smith were involved in an assignment of the property, the heirs scattered and unknown. There are many of the Hogenkamp (or Hogen- camp) family buried in the cemetery. Old names in Rockland County’s past are many. There are Blauvelts, Dema- rests, VanHoutens, Depews, Coles, Doremus, Eckersons, EickhofTs, Stephens, Vanderbilts, Howards, Trempers, Jerseys, Tallmans and many more. Here and there are the graves of two or three members of families but little known in county annals. Infant mortality of years gone by has a clear record. One small stone carries only the inscription “Our Baby.” Another reads “Lizzie’s Grave, 1855, 8 months 16 days.” Next to the graves of John Howard and his wife Hannah Depew is that of their daughter Irena, 2 years, 5 months and 6 days old. Another is the infant daughter of Richard and Johanna VanHouten, only 7 weeks and 1 day old when she died in 1859. Abraham and Marie Smith lost their 6-year-old son in 1828, their 7-year-old daughter Sarah Ann in 1841. There are few big monuments in the cemetery, the largest those of the Charles Root, Tremper-Howard and Jersey families. An odd marker of cast gunmetal is that of Jacob Halstead Smith who died in 1878. There’s also the geologic note in the markers themselves. Some of the old sandstone pieces going back two centuries and more are as solid as the day they were put in, only a lichen growth here and there. Other sandstone, quarried and cut, has scaled off badly. Marble, which was favored in the mid and later 1800’s has slowly weathered away so inscriptions are dim and a few stones have split and toppled. Granite, from more recent years, stands weathering best. Martinus Cemetery is at least an exception to the general rule of what happens to the older burying grounds that so often fall into neglect, disrepair and brush lots. Keeping it in condition is the particular purpose of the Association (organized a half-century ago) and its work is evident in the appearance of the property.

9 THE GYPSY QUEEN by CAROLINE VENTURINI Each Spring during the 1900’s, and I dare say before then, the gypsies would pass through the county on their way to the fairs—most likely the Danbury Fair in Connecticut, the Springfield Fair and our own Orangeburg Fair—where the Volkswagen Corporation is now located. They would camp for the night, before crossing the Nyack Ferry, on the land between Monsey and Spring Valley where we now hold our Yankee Peddler Day. Some years they would camp on Levison’s Hill, corner Greenbush Road and Nyack Turnpike—just east of what is now the NE loop of the 303-59 cloverleaf. It was about the early 20’s when their queen was brought to the Nyack Hos­ pital, dying of pneumonia. It was my honor to be with her and my good luck to have witnessed the follow­ ing crowning of the new queen. We knew the queen was dying and her attendants were called to be with her. Reverence and sorrow was expressed by each and every one of them, but no tears. As the end was near, they asked if they might place her gold-trimmed purple velvet robe about her and place her mace at her side. It was granted. The queen was dead! Reverently at her bedside, her robe and crown were transferred to the new queen with only a low chant and prayers by all in the room. We moved the group to a room by themselves until the necessary procedures were taken for the queen’s removal with them. I assure you we watched that proud little band go on their way and it was our turn to be reverent, and I am not ashamed to say I shed a few tears.

This photo, taken at the Antrim Play­ house, Suffern, during the December 1971 run of Enid Bagnold’s “The Chalk Garden”, recaptures lor our membership one of the tense moments in the Rockland County Flistorical Society’s attendance at the annual Antrim Playhouse benefit per­ formance. Shown from the superb cast, under the suave direction of Mildred MacPherson, are John Lorimer as Mait­ land and Katharine Brimer in a minor role. The society’s theatre parties are among the many opportunities ofTered members for their social enjoyment.

10 “COLONIAL” CRAFTSMAN SOUGHT

Under the Rediscover America Program an allocation has been ofTered to the Society to arrange for instruction in early American crafts such as basket making, spinning, weaving, blacksmithing, sketching of early farm implements and innum­ erable other crafts, based on the availability of qualified instructors and interested members of the Society who would like to join some particular group. Experienced persons who desire to be considered for teaching assignments are requested to write to the Secretary of the Society, Box 587, Nyack, N.Y. 10960 en­ closing a resume of their qualifications in some field. While the program is primarily directed towards younger people, all ages will be welcomed to classes which tenta­ tively might be held on Saturdays for several weeks starting after April 1, 1972.

HISTORIC HIKING TO COVER NEW TRAILS

The eighteenth year of historic hiking, starting March 5, is again under the direction of Gardner F. Watts, Village of Suffern Historian, 15 Beech Road, Suf- fern, telephone 914—357-3667. There will be at least eight Sunday afternoon hikes along trails in the Ramapo Mountains and the Hudson Highlands. Currently sponsored as an adult education course by eight public school systems of Rockland and Bergen Counties, the hiking course has a fee of eight dollars for the series or of $1.75 for a single outing. Five of the walks will cover areas where British or American soldiers marched or fought 195 years ago.

FOR INTERESTING READING

“Four Days in July” by Cornel Lengyel. Hour by hour, minute by minute story of the first four days of July 1776. “A Company of Heroes”—The American Frontier (1775-1783). Some of the lesser sung but no less heroic figures who played important parts in our destiny. “The Musket and the Cross” by Walter D. Edmonds. An historical chronicle of Colonial America from its earliest settlement to the early 18th century. Refer­ ences to the Haverstraw, Nyack and Tappan Indian Tribes. “Narratives of New Netherlands 1609-1664” by J. F. Jamesons with major historic events of the Dutch period.

When the 30th annual convention of the Rockland County Sunday School Association was held at the Stony Point Presbyterian Church May 14, 1896, special arrangements with the West Shore Railroad made it possible for convention pas­ sengers to board the Albany express at Tappan, Orangeburg, Blauvelt, West Nyack, Congers, Haverstraw and West Haverstraw. Those attending from Nyack reached the West Nyack station of the West Shore by connecting stages, operated by Matthews. 11 WHY THE DE WINT HOUSE IS A MASONIC SHRINE

In “The Washington Masonic Shrine at Tappan, N.Y.”, published for the Washington Masonic Shrine Committee, Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., New York, then Grand Master Charles H. Johnson says in “Dedication . . . May 1, 1932”: If any reader chances to wonder why the Freemasonry of New York, rather than some patriotic society, or the State itself, came to purchase this Shrine, the matter can be best explained by an account of the incidents which led me, as Grand Master, to make to the Craft my recommendation for its purchase. Subesequently to Brg. George Washington’s last visit to it in 1783, and after the DeWint desecendants themselves no longer used it, the house passed through many hands, but always in the form of private ownership and for private use. During this century and a half patriotic societies have now and again contemplated its purchase, but always have been prevented for one reason or another. From 1879 to 1921 the New York State Assembly entertained bills to take possession but in each instance the project, so wise and so right, was smothered in the convolutions of politics. And various wealthy and patriotic individuals who at times have considered its purchase have for various reasons been prevented. Such abortive attemps to preserve in perpetuity a property belonging to the same class of Revolutionary monuments as Mount Vernon itself might have been continued indefinitely had not recent developments brought the matter to a crisis and given to the preservation of the house a “now-or-never” urgency. When in 1931 a new highway was begun between the great new George Washington Bridge and Nyack, to pass near the house, it became common knowledge in Rockland County that certain private interests were planning to purchase the house for use as a “tea shoppe” or even a roadhouse. The last-mentioned possiblity sent a shudder through every sincere American citizen. The mere thought that the oldest still-standing authentic Washington Headquarters might some day be padlocked led myself and my colleagues in the Grand Lodge to declare that “this will never be.” We took prompt action. A check was sent as a binder on the property and on November 21 the purchase contract was signed. ... in the name of all my Brethren . . .1 . . . sincerely and whole-heartedly dedicate the Wint House to all the people for their use and enjoyment. Let no person upon entering that historic structure feel himself an intruder, as if he had wandered into a region to which he is not entitled. All are welcome, women and children as well as men, those of all faiths or none, from any race, from any land or any section of this land. Nothing is asked of them except that they may remain long enough within the rooms where Washington lived for weeks at a time to recapture the sense of his presence, to feel the mood in which he lived and fought for this nation and mayhap to dedicate themselves anew to those mighty hopes which make us Americans. In the name of the Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Mason, State of New York, and as its Grand Master for the present year, I herewith dedicate to the American people the use of the DeWint House, in the expectation that so long as it stands it will serve at once as a shrine of patriotism, an altar of citizenship, and a memorial to him who was the first, and still remains the chief, American. 12 LETTER FROM ENGLAND A letter was received last month from The Keep, Dorchester, Dorset. Written by Lt. Col. D. V. W. Wakely, M. C. (Retd.), Secretary of the Dorset Regiment Association and Curator of the Dorset Museum, it expressed great interest in the Rockland County historical society’s July-September 1971 issue of “South of the Mountains” with its feature story on Major John Andre and the 150th anniversary commemoration of the disinterment of Major Andre at Tappan for reinterment in Westminster Abbey. Col. Wakely writes in part, “At the time of his death Andre was in the 54th Regiment. In 1881 the 54th was amalgamated with the 39th Regiment to form the Dorset Regiment. Although the Dorset Regiment no longer exists, having been amalgamated with the Devonshire Regiment in 1958, relices of the Regiment are preserved in this museum. A display window is devoted to Major Andre and con­ tains, amongst other things, a shoe buckle, his tankard and a lock of his hair. We have also constructed a small diorma depicting his execution. A snuff box,-which we though was made from cherry (you say cedar) is on loan from the British Army National Museum . . . Your countrymen, quite a lot of whom visit this museum, are always very interested in the Andre display window.”

The address of Colonel C. H. M. Toye printed in the Oct.-Dec. ’71 issue was given at the Tappan Reformed Church, August 15, 1971.

For further study of William Smith (Dobbin in the Oct.-Dec. ’71 issue) refer to Smith’s “Historical Memoirs”, tran­ scribed by William H. W. Sabine of Hollis, N.Y., from a manuscript owned by the New York Public Library for Arno Press, New York. Also recom­ mended by Historian Sabine as bearing on Smith’s life are L. F. S. Upton’s “The Loyal Whig” and W. A. Benton’s “Whig —Loyalism”, both recent publications (1969).

13 MUSEUM FUND RAISING The first general meeting of the committee to organize this work was held on February 23rd. An enlarged county wide committee of volunteers is needed. You can help right now by encouraging non-members to join the Society and enjoy participating in the History Center project.

GENEALOGY Daniel deNoyelles reports that 21 persons have filed genealogies with the society and that he has corresponded with 51 families interested in genealogical material. Mr. deNoyelles will glady forward genealogy forms to those members desiring to use them.

RECENT ACCESSIONS TO THE LIBRARY Becker: “The Spirit of 76” with introduction by L. L. Tucker. Durie:. “The Kakiat Patent in Bergen County, N. J.” Leonard: The memoir of Moses Gage Leonard (1809-1899) with reference to his service as Alderman in New York City, Congressman, Commissioner of Alms Houses (N.Y.C.), experiences in California (1849) and director of the Knicker­ bocker Ice Company (1885).

The memoir of Moses Gage Leonard was presented by his granddaughter, Mrs. Adrian C. (Clara) Groves, to whose father, Dr. Algernon Sidney Leonard, it was dictated. Moses Gage Leonard was born in Stafford, Conn, and was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Nyack. He came to Rockland County at the age of 19 and taught school in Clarkstown for four years. In 1832, at the age of 23, he married Catherine Bar- more, the daughter of Nathaniel and Effie Onderdonk Barmore of Rockland County and moved to New York City the same year. Mr. Leonard was one of a group of men who formed a company in 1835 to supply New York City with ice cut from Rockland Lake. By 1855 this developed into the famous Knickerbocker Ice Company of which he was a director. In 1841 he became an alderman of New York City serving three years. In 1844 he was elected to Congress and from 1846-1849 he served as Commissioner of Alms House (prisons etc.) in the city. He was also Chairman of the Cretan Aque­ duct Committee. In 1849 he went to San Francisco to investigate business opportunities in Cali­ fornia. ^His experiences and hardships are told in some detail.) Mr. Leonard was called to the office of Provost Marshal in 1861. The memoir mentions his having a farm near Rockland Lake after 1850. The 90th annual fair and horse show of the Rockland County Agricultural and Horticultural Association, a real old-fashioned country fair held Aug. 31 through Sept. 3, 1934, was described in the ads as being located at “the most beautiful fair grounds in America”. The grounds are those mentioned in “The Gypsy Queen”. 14 IN MEMORIAM Milton DeBaun Mrs. G. Prescott Fuller George Mitchell Mrs. C. V. Neubert John L. Sullivan

THE FREMONT HOUSE IN TUCSON

Five years of intensive work by the Arizona Historical Society and the Tucson Heritage Foundation have culminated in the acquisition of the historic Fremont House, located in the center of the Tucson urban renewal area. The City Council voted unanimously to turn over the house to the Arizona Historical Society a state agency. This dwelling was rented by the fifth governor of the Territory of Arizona, John Charles Fremont, and used as a home for him and his daughter Elizabeth Benton Fremont in 1881. Fremont, the great western explorer known as “The Pathfinder”, first Governor and first Senator of California, Civil War general and unsuccessful Presidential candidate in ISSfi, buried in Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, brought his daughter to Tucson for her health. Restoration of the property will be under the direct supervision of the Tucson Heritage Foundation. Final use of the building will include a room housing dis­ plays of the territorial government in Arizona and at least one room will be fur­ nished and decorated as it would have been in 1881 during Fremont’s residency. The Fremont House has been nominated for inclusion in the National Register of Historical Places.

Information of the Fremont House has been forwarded to the Rockland County Historical Society by fames E. Serven, Rt. 5, Box 945, Tucson, Arizona. A former Pearl River resident, Mr. Serven has long been interested in peeping the name of Fremont fresh in the minds of his fellow Americans. 15 MUSEUM HOURS

Orangeburg, King’s Highway 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays New City, 20 Zukor Road 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays

DATES TO REMEMBER March 13 (Monday) 8:15 p.m. at Orange & Rockland Auditorium, Rt. 59, Spring Valley, Charles Pales pre­ sents “History of Rockland County Fire Departments”. A special welcome is extended to all county firemen and their families. April 10 (Monday) 8:15 p.m. at Spring Valley Senior High School, Rt. 59, annual meeting and election of officers and trustees. (Charles Myneder, NE 4-3228, has been appointed chair­ man of the nominating committee for this meeting.) Special music program, including early American songs, by the County Choral Society, Philip Hage- mann, director. May 21 (Sunday) 2 p.m. at Jacob Blauvelt Homestead History Center, Zukor Rd., New City, Springtime Open House. June 11 (Sunday) 2 p.m. at the society's Orangeburg Museum, strawberry festival and award program. July 22 (Saturday) 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on grounds of Spring Valley Senior High School, Rt. 59, 13th annual YAN­ KEE PEDDLER DAY.

We are pleased to welcome Mrs. Robert B. Hiatt of Palisades to Life Member­ ship in the society.

Compliments of

YOUR ENERGY PEOPLE ORANGE and ROCKLAND