90 County Route 42 ISSN 0894-8135 Volume 42 Number 4 Coxsackie, NY 12051 Winter 2018 The Roberts Hill Family on Roberts Hill Road New Baltimore, NY by Jean Bush Roberts' Hill is located in the southern area of New Although the Grange members had decided that no Baltimore, slightly west of NYS Rt. 9W. For over 240 road would be given a family name, due to the con - years, at least seven generations of the Roberts family stant moving around, and departures from the town, have put down roots on the eastern slope of "their" an exception was made in this case, in deference to the hill. When Greene County was formed in 1800, this area became part of the town of Coxsackie. It became part of New Baltimore when that town was formed in 1811 – although the area is often referred to as West Coxsackie. But this is due to the postal route, not its legal delineation. On August 23 1794, Edward Roberts entered into an Indenture with Isaac D. Ver Plank. The land on which the agreement is based, was situated in General Allotment No. Ten, Lot No. 1 of the Coeymans Patent, which was granted to Barent Pietersen Coeymans on April 7, 1673. The Patent map clearly displays the Deep Kill as the division between Lot No. 1 in the Tenth Allotment, and The Houghtaling Patent to its west. From this area, later generations radiated out - ward in many directions. The 1794 agreement surfaces in the probate records of Edward's son, Elias. On March 11, 1854, Elias agreed to pay off the $400, plus interest still due, to the then-owner of the debt, Benjamin B. Fredenburgh. For many years, the thoroughfare passing through the Roberts' property was known as the Stanton Hill Road. It officially became Roberts Hill Road during Here we see the Indenture that Edward Roberts the 1950s, when the New Baltimore Grange took on entered into with Isaac D. Ver Plank. The document is the task of naming the roads in the town. dated August 23 1794. SAVE THE DATE! The Annual Meeting of the Greene County Historical Society will be held at 12pm on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at the Washington Irving Inn at 6629 Route 23, Tannersville, NY. A brunch will be served for $15 per person. Please RSVP by calling 518-731-1033. If you do not wish to attend the brunch you are as a member invited to attend the meeting afterwards beginning around 1pm. Hope to see you there!

Article continued bottom of pg 32 The Editor's Desk: winning, and awarded two scholar - William Plimley, and Jessie Rachel Twice Blessed ships rather than one! Van Vechten Vedder. Working alphabetically, the Fall This edition also contains Jean edition contained the work of Bush's research on New Baltimore's As mentioned in the last edi - Hanna Boehm, one of the two win - Roberts family, of Roberts Hill. tion, the Society was extremely ners. This edition presents the Though the Town of New happy to find that the Beecher research of Arley Liberti, our other Baltimore had a rule against nam - Scholarship judges found them - winning writer. For her subject, ing any road after a family, they selves with two entries worthy of Miss Liberti chose the Catskill made an exception in the case of Greene County History Town , nee Jefferson Rural the Roberts family. The reason for Published Quarterly by Cemetery, and three of its most this, as well as other information Greene County Historical Society, Inc. P.O. Box 44, Coxsackie, NY 12051 illustrious residents: the Reverend regarding this interesting family, is Johannes Schuneman, Major waiting for you in her article! Robert D’Agostino, Journal Editor Roberts Hill continued Jennifer Barnhart, Designer family that had occupied the area Roberts, purchased forty-two acres Publications Committee Members: for such an extended period. on the west side of the road, across Robert D’Agostino, Chairman David Dorpfeld Born in 1748, Edward Roberts, from his father and uncle on the Robert Hallock and his wife Jannitje/Jannette east side. The property deeds Jim Planck Schetter, are believed to have come describe Isaiah's acreage as being Thomas Satterlee to Coxsackie/New Baltimore from south of the road to widow Millers. Contributors New Rochelle, Westchester County, This is the present day Reservoir Jean Bush, Robert D’Agostino, . The closeness of their Road. Arley Liberti settlement to the established area The 1850 United States Census Subscription to Greene County History is only of Coxsackie led to their intermin - for New Baltimore contains an one of the member benefits of the Greene gling with early Coxsackie families, Agricultural Table which states County Historical Society. including the Houghtalings, that Elias was farming fifty-two Memberships are available as follows: Bronks and Conynes. acres that year. Other family mem - Student/Senior (65 & up) $20 Individual $25-$39 During 1777 Edward Roberts bers – Edward, James Jr, and Peter Dual/Family $40-$74 was in the Coxsackie Militia. He Roberts, three of at least ten chil - Supporter $75-$124 was one of the men in Captain dren born to James and Dorothy Patron $125-$249 Benefactor $250-$499 Henry Van Bergen's Company. It [Houghtaling] Roberts – were Silver Benefactor $500-$999 appears that Edward died some - farming a total of seventy-nine Gold Benefactor $1000 and up time prior to 1813, since he is not acres.

Library $25 on the New Baltimore Assessment In 1854 Elias and his second Business Basic $25 Roll for that year. However, two of wife, Sarah, sold all their remain - Business Friend $50 his sons, Elias and James, are listed ing acreage in New Baltimore to Business Supporter $100 and up as the owners or possessors of his nephew, Edward Roberts. Elias Membership inquiries and change of address sixty-eight acres of land. and Sarah then moved to should be directed to: In 1839 Elias' oldest son, Isaiah Coxsackie. Thomas Satterlee After the 1857 death of Financial Secretary, GCHS 164 High Hill Road Dorothy, James's widow, her Catskill, NY 12414 acreage, with a dwelling house and other buildings located on the east GCHS is headquartered at the Bronck Museum side of the road, were deeded to her 90 County Route 42 sons, Edward and James Jr. Coxsackie, NY 12051 Dorothy's southern boundary was

The Bronck Museum : 518.731.6490 referred to simply as a “lane.” It is Vedder Research Library: 518.731.1033 now officially named School House http://www.gchistory.org/ Lane. Copyright 2019 1858 saw several property Greene County Historical Society, Inc. Here we see the 1813 Tax Roll for transactions by family members. A New Baltimore, New York.

JOURNAL VOL 42 PAGE 32 -WINTER 2018 notable one was the sale of a small Whether the Roberts Hill Church plot, measuring 60' by 60', deeded was affiliated with the Christian to the Trustees of School District church, or no particular religion at No. 1 of the joint district of the all, was not determined during this town of New Baltimore and research. It's possible that it was Coxsackie. Apparently, the school started to accommodate the board - house had been on the Roberts' ers coming to the Roberts' Hill property for some time prior, since House. it is annotated on the Map of The boarding house, which Greene County, N.Y. From Actual stood on the west side of the road, Surveys, by Samuel Geil , which was on property still owned by the published in 1856. Roberts family, was demolished in 2011. A corked wine bottle, found in the stone foundation of the southern section of the house, con - tained a note dated May 24, 1875. The note identified Edward R. Hotaling and William C. Roberts as the masons, with Charles Roberts and James Roberts as the carpen - ters and builders. Although no states that "the annual meeting of Roberts family member listed their It is interesting to note that in the inhabitants of School District occupation as boarding house oper - the 1860 United States census, No 1, Town of New Baltimore ator or hotel keeper in the various Jacob T. Roberts (1840-1889), lists qualified to vote at school meetings censuses, it is known that at least his occupation as school teacher. At in said district, will be held at the two of the women ran the boarding age twenty, he was living with his school-house in said district, on house called "Roberts' Hill House." parents, Edward Roberts (1808- Tuesday, May 3, 1949." Jacob T. Robert's sister, Sarah Jane 1886) and Phoebe (maiden name In 1892 Erastus H. Greene sold Jadwin) Roberts. Unless Jacob was a small parcel, measuring 119.50 traveling to another school district, feet by 50 feet, to the trustees of he was teaching three of his the Roberts Hill Sunday School younger siblings, as well as various Association of New Baltimore. cousins, etc. This small parcel was taken from a During 1924 Edwin Collier, one larger parcel that was formerly of the school's trustees, applied for, owned by the Roberts family. The and received, an "apparatus" for trustees of the Sunday School the school, which he itemized as Association sold their small parcel "The Silent Instructor". Mr. in 1928. Collier's request does not give a In 1899 and 1900, a local news - description of the item, but there is paper reported that Mrs. Leander an 1876 publication by that title. Yeomans preached at Roberts Hill. (An original, for sale on the inter - A biography of the Reverend Mrs. net today, displays a price of Yeomans states that she was $2.00.) If this was Mr. Collier's ordained according to the rites of requested item, he must have the Christian church, and during ordered multiple copies, since his 1902 was in charge of the Christian order totaled $15.00. church at Medusa. Prior to this her That district school, in fact, charge was at Medway. At the Here we see the note found in the existed into the early 1950s. A Roberts Hill church during 1902, a stone foundation of the boarding notice from the late 1940s, from donation event was held for the house, now hanging in Paul’s Pizza the office of the District Clerk, benefit of a Reverend Price. in Coxsackie, NY.

JOURNAL VOL 42 PAGE 33 -WINTER 2018 Roberts, was the first who can be positively identified rently living on Roberts Hill, Elsie ran the boarding as such. Elsie Stellges-Roberts, the wife of her nephew house while Jacob farmed the land. There are many Jacob T. Roberts, is the second. happy family memories of gatherings on the farm! Sarah Jane, at age fifty-five, acquired the boarding Jacob and Elsie's oldest son, Jacob T. ("Jake"), house and farm property at a June 2nd 1893 tax sale. married Helen A. Dumary. Though their early mar - It is unclear who at that time was running the family riage years were spent on Roberts Hill, they moved to farm, or who had been the proprietor of the boarding Catskill with their young family. There Jake started a house prior to her purchase. The Referee's deed does trucking firm, "Roberts Motor Express Company." state that the sale was ordered due to an action pend - Jake's daughter, Anna Katharine ("Sis") Roberts, ing in Supreme Court. It listed several Roberts family says she doesn't remember many boarders when her members as defendants, and seems to be due to the set - family lived there, but does recollect a movie star, Alice tling of an estate. Faye, staying with them. During Anna's youth, her Sarah Jane advertised the boarding house in an grandparents ran a chicken and egg business, trans - 1899 newspaper, giving its location as West porting their saleable products with their own truck. Coxsackie, Greene County, 121 miles from New York. Charles Everett Roberts Sr., the second child of She provided no rates, simply posted "Apply." In Jacob T. and Elsie, married Helen Rauh. He remained on the land, inheriting the farm land, house, tools, equipment and livestock. Rather than become a farmer or a boarding house proprietor, Charles' profes - sion was that of electrician, and he had his own house on Roberts Hill. Their son Charles Jr. "Chuckie" cur - rently owns a great deal of the boarding house/farm property. Meeting the property of Charles Jr. on the south, is a part of the family farm which is now owned by his cousin William C. (“Billy”) Roberts, brother of Anna Katherine Roberts. William also currently owns the land where the school house stood, that being just a small portion of the original family ownership on the This postcard courtesy of Stanley Whitbeck. east side of the road. Anna Katherine's land, on the east side of the road, another newspaper, she advertised the Roberts Hill adjoins William's south line. The family cemetery, House as being unsurpassed in location, with no which dates back to at least 1847, is on her property. malaria, and being very healthy. In that ad, rates were posted as $6 to $8 per week. Here’s the Answer to Last Edition’s During 1900, the "Roberts' Hill House" was adver - History Quiz! tised as having accommodations for twenty-five guests, being two and one-half miles from the West Last time, the History Quiz asked which year our Coxsackie railroad depot, and three miles from the current Vedder Research Library building was dedi - nearest water. This time Sarah Jane advertised her cated. It's a question that's easy and difficult at the rates as being $5.00 to $7.00. She also claimed they same time. The easy part is the fact that the Library had pure water, milk, eggs and vegetables. Nine years building sports a plaque that identifies not only the later, the "Roberts Hill House" was again advertised, year, but the names of the Society Trustees that with Sarah Jane still listed as proprietor. That same year! And specifically, the building was dedicated on year, at age seventy-one, she conveyed the property April 29, 1995. and boarding house, to Jacob T. and Elsie. Now for the bonus points: before the Society Elsie also advertised the boarding house. She built the current Library building, where was the described “Roberts Hill House” as an “excellent farm Library housed? The answer is the current Visitor house, with farmer's table and shady lawns. For par - Center Gallery Building, located between the ticulars contact Mrs. J. T. Roberts, West Coxsackie, Caretaker's House and the Victorian Horse Barn on N.Y.” From recent conversations with Jacob and the north side of the parking lot. Elsie's grandchildren, who have returned and are cur -

JOURNAL VOL 42 PAGE 34 - WINTER 2018 Dorothy Houghtaling-Roberts and Although the location of the three of her grandchildren are original settlers' remains was not interred in the family cemetery. discovered during this research, it is Additional family members may certain that Edward Roberts and rest there as well; but if so, it's his wife, Jannitje/Jannette, left without a stone. quite a legacy on Roberts Hill.

This October 15, 1916 photo shows Elsie's summer kitchen, which was added for boarders. It's located behind the unidentified young girl.

This photo shows Jacob T. Sr. and Elsie Roberts’ grandchildren, Anna Katherine and Jacob T. Roberts III. From left to right we see Lillie A., wife of Edward Stellges; Mamie, Elsie's sister; Edward Stellges, Elsie's brother; and Elsie Stellges- As can be seen in this photo, an Roberts and her husband, enclosed porch was added to the Jacob T. Roberts Sr. house in later years.

Sources

• The Brooklyn Daily Eagle , Sunday edition, “Catskill Summer Resorts” section, June 18, 1899 Jacob's barn can be seen in the • The Brooklyn Daily Eagle , “Summer Resort Guide and Directory” background of this photo. Shown section “Catskill Resorts”, 1900 in the back row are a family friend; • The Brooklyn Daily Eagle , “Catskill Resorts”, 1909 Lillie, wife of Elsie's brother • The Brooklyn Daily Eagle , “Select Your Vacation Grounds From Any Eddie; and Helen Dumary- of These Places”, July 21, 1912 Roberts. In the middle row we see • Greene County Deeds: book 28 page 292 Elsie Stellges-Roberts sitting on • Greene County Deeds: book 49 page 195 the left, next to her sister Mamie. Greene County Deeds: book 54 page 483 And the front row shows Elsie's • granddaughters, Sarah Jane and • Greene County Deeds: book 54 page 486 Anna Katharine. • Greene County Deeds: book 131 page 54 • Greene County Deeds: book 132 page 315-317 • Greene County Deeds: book 249 page 114 • Coeymans Herald newspaper , January 24,1900 • Coeymans Herald newspaper , New Baltimore Station column. March 5, 1902 • Coeymans Herald newspaper , “Pen Sketches. No. 21 Rev. Mrs. Youmans” July 9, 1902 • Coeymans Herald newspaper , Medway column March 10, October 11, & November 1, 1902 • Coeymans Herald newspaper , April 22, 1949 Hallock, Robert, conversation with this life-long resident of the vicinity Here we see Jacob T. III and Anna • Katharine; Helen and Jacob T. in New Baltimore Roberts Jr.; and Sarah Jane and • The New York Times , June-July 1899 William C. • Various unpublished genealogies of the Roberts Family

J O U R NA L VO L 4 2 PA G E 3 5 - W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 The Jefferson : Its Significance & Most Important Inhabitants by Arley Liberti Co-Winner, 2018 Beecher Scholarship Award Rural hold a special place in American Today the original iron entrance gate to the Jefferson history. Prior to 1831 the United States did not have Rural Cemetery still stands, in what is now known as any official cemeteries. This is not because Americans the Town of Catskill Cemetery. didn't bury their deceased loved ones before that time – In the 19th century when these new cemeteries were it's just that large graveyards didn't exist like they do on the rise, there were no popular places for public today. recreation such as parks or museums. Essentially, these During the 18th and early 19th centuries in rural cemeteries became the first public parks, with America, rapidly-growing cities faced burial crises at monumentous amounts of foot traffic. Filled with the heart of their communities. Small urban graveyards sculptures and horticultural art, these large pieces of were struggling, filling up beyond capacity as the popu - land became a place where people flocked to partake in lations of these industrial cities continued to rise. Many a number of outdoor activities. Such outdoor spaces urban burial grounds had to be closed to new burials became so popular amongst people that guidebooks due to their lack of room. In Boston, unkept graves were distributed, and rules posted throughout. began to deteriorate, causing fears regarding the public These same principles currently apply to the ceme - health. tery in Catskill. On any given day with beautiful weath - In 1825 a botanist, Dr Jacob Bigelow, put together er, one can find someone jogging or walking with friends a team of important Bostonians in order to create a or their dog. Families can be seen biking the twisting new type of burial ground. A variety of concepts would roads and playing football. influence and shape America's rural cemeteries. Such concepts consisted of religious, cultural, practical, and The Reverend Johannes Schuneman design influences. Bigelow presented a burial ground Since the founding of the cemetery in Jefferson concept that included family burial lots that were sepa - Heights in the 19th century, numerous significant rated by trees, flowers, and other landscape pieces. Greene County residents have been laid to rest there. In 1831 Bigelow gained the support of the The first was the Reverend Johannes Schuneman. He Massachusetts Horticultural Society to purchase 72 was born to German parents in East Camp, New York, acres of forest in Cambridge to develop his new type of on August 18th 1712. During his youth Schuneman was burial ground. The burial ground was named Mount inclined to a career in the ministry, and was taken under Auburn, and was officially dedicated as a rural ceme - the wing of Theodore Frelinghuysen II. Frelinghuysen tery. was among the most well-known Dutch Reformed min - The building of Mount Auburn Cemetery gained isters within Albany and the Hudson Valley. national attention and sparked a movement in other In November 1751 the Elders and Deacons of the cities to adopt this new model. In 1847 the New York Dutch Reformed Churches of Catskill and Coxsackie Legislature passed the Rural Cemetery Act, to spur the met in Albany to fashion a formal invitation to creation of large-scale cemeteries within New York Schuneman, offering him the opportunity to become State. Twenty-five years later, on March 27, 1872, the their permanent pastor. At this Albany meeting, the Jefferson Rural Cemetery Association was organized. appointed representatives developed a set of conditions Located in Catskill, New York, the Jefferson Rural Schuneman would need to meet. Cemetery follows in the footsteps of the original ceme - The first condition was that he set sail for Holland tery in Cambridge. The design of that first rural ceme - to visit the Classis in Amsterdam, in order to present tery had been inspired by English landscape gardens himself. The second condition was that upon his return, and the Parisian Cemetery of Père Lachaise, including he would have to perform all of the duties of the Sacred a circulation system of uneven topography, picturesque Ministry, such as preaching, administering sacraments, structures and vistas, and iron fencing. One of the most exercising church discipline, and guiding youth. He notable features was the large and lavish entrance gate. would be required to alternate his preaching between

JOURNAL VOL 42 PAGE 36 - WINTER 2018 and a well.” This residence granted Saratoga during the War, as well as to him was his primary one, located letting his house serve as a hospital in Catskill. for American troops, the latter due After being overseas for a year, to the fact that he was also a trained Reverend Schuneman returned to physician. He was so dedicated to The tombstones of Johannes New York, preaching his first ser - the cause of American Schuneman and his wife. A plaque mon in August 1753. The following Independence that he threw his dedicated to them sits between the headstones. year he married Ana Marie Van whole reputation behind it. Bergen; the couple would have four Schuneman was the voice and children. idea of his congregates, seeing how Reverend Schuneman went on during this time period American to have a career that lasted forty colonists depended on local minis - years. He spent these decades being ters to keep them up-to-date on a dedicated minister, working tire - public affairs through their ser - lessly and taking his pastoral duties mons. very seriously. His congregates of Towards the end of his life, Catskill and Coxsackie were devoted Schuneman lived in Jefferson and admired the Reverend, describ - Heights, in a brick building that he ing him as having enthusiasm that had built himself using a large The tombstone of Johannes was “great and contagious.” inheritance left by his father-in-law, Schuneman – note that his first name has been spelled with an “I” Schuneman was an effective preach - who had passed away in 1769. It rather than an “E” here. er, with a voice so powerful it could was in this home that the Reverend be heard well beyond the church passed away at the age of 81 on May walls! 16, 1794. He left $300 in his will to In the 1750s a movement the churches, which he believed spurred within the Dutch colonial would have future ministers who church, for them to be granted more would preach the doctrines that freedom in Christian affairs. coincided with the principles out - Schuneman, who had always shown lined in the Synod of Dort in 1619. The left column of the original a will for independence and resist - Historians now recognize that Jefferson Rural Cemetery entrance, ance of centralized authority, the American Revolution was not contains a memorial to the worked endlessly to garner support only initiated and driven by big Reverend Schuneman. Here again, for the cause within the Hudson names like Washington, but by ordi - his first name has been inscribed with an “I” rather than an “E”. Valley. The Reverend always nary colonists such as Johannes demonstrated a willingness to resist Schuneman, who displayed a strong the status quo if it meant protect - resistance and help spark move - ing his congregation or was for their ments throughout the colonies. betterment. At the start of the Major William Plimley Revolutionary War, Schuneman was Major William Plimley of the one of Coxsackie's leading patriots Union Army is another historic res - against Britain's imperialistic poli - ident of Greene County buried in cies. He would remain armed with the cemetery found in Jefferson Sign located outside the former his gun, which he would refer to as Heights. Born on August 12 1839, home of the Reverend Johannes “Old Peg.” The Reverend was the Plimley is the first and only resident Schuneman in Jefferson Heights. first to sign a document written by of Greene County to have been Catskill and Coxsackie, with him the citizens of Coxsackie. This was awarded the Congressional Medal of preaching twice every Sunday. known as the “Plan of Association,” Honor. For his work, the Reverend created to express the citizens' At the start of the Civil War, Schuneman was to receive eighty opposition to the oppressive acts of Plimley was working as a printer in pounds annually, as well as a “suit - the British Parliament. Catskill. At Cairo, on his 23rd birth - able dwelling, with a barn, a garden, The Reverend opened his home day, he enrolled in the Army as a to soldiers travelling north towards private. Ten days later he was put

JOURNAL VOL 42 PAGE 37 - WINTER 2018 into Company K of the 120th New held a 28-year career with the Post York State Volunteers in Kingston. Office, as well as being Many of these men, in fact, were Commissioner of Jurors for the City residents of Greene County. and chief clerk of the City's Board Plimley was eventually promot - of Elections. ed to first lieutenant, on October 27, Before his death on October 2nd 1864. Captain Plimley, along with 1913, William Plimley was a the other members of the 120th founder and former president of the infantry, participated in what were Greene County Society, which was described as some of the fiercest based in New York City. This organ - battles alongside the Army of the ization was designed to bring Potomac. They were also at the together those native to Greene This is the tombstone of Major Appomattox Courthouse at the County who had relocated to New William Plimley and his wife, time of Lee's surrender. York City. Catherine Wolford. It was Plimley's actions at Today's Highway 23B that Hatcher's Run in Virginia, on April stretches through Catskill and 2nd 1865, that would result in his Leeds, was named after Major being awarded the Medal of Honor. William Plimley in his honor. That night, General McAllister received orders to regain ground Jessie Rachel Van Vechten Vedder that the Confederates had taken the Jessie Rachel Van Vechten previous night. McAllister struggled Vedder, born September 29th 1859, Here we see Major Plimley's foot - to find a volunteer to take command was Greene County's first official stone. of the regiment's left wing. historian. She was also a founder of Lieutenant Plimley volunteered to the Greene County Historical take command after struggling to Society, which was established on sleep that night. February 7th, 1929. She was born in Plimley led the regiment of the Leeds on her family's homestead, 8th New Jersey Volunteers to victo - which was known as “Toll Gate ry by taking back the lost ground – Farm.” as well as capturing 118 prisoners! Jessie attended private classes of While leading the prisoners back Gertrude DuBois, then attended the toward Union lines under heavy Leeds Public School, and completed fire, a tree was hit and a falling limb her schooling at the old Catskill drove Lieutenant Plimley to the Academy. In 1884 she married H. This is a sign on today's Highway 23B, dedicating the road to Major ground. His troops who witnessed Fiero Vedder of Leeds, and they William Plimley. the incident, vouched for him, say - resided on the Vedder homestead Catskill Village Historian as well. ing that he should be recognized for until his death in 1915. The home She gathered the names and his actions. where they lived near Leeds had service details of all the men who Such actions were cited later, been built in 1782 by Marten had enlisted or were drafted in The stating “While acting as an aide to a Garretsen Van Bergen Jr. Great War – World War One. Vedder general officer, voluntarily accom - In 1919, at the age of 60, Vedder accomplished this task through panied a regiment in an assault on set out to begin a second career. questionnaires and records that the enemy's works, and acted as That year, New York State issued a were turned over to her. She was leader of the movement which law making Town Historians obliga - able to fill out over 400 question - resulted in the rout of the enemy tory, along with an outline of their naires. This task took her months to and the capture of large numbers of duties. It was through this law and complete. For her duties she prisoners.” This would later lead to Howard Wilbur, the Supervisor of received $50 a year, until she added his becoming a brevet captain and, the Town of Catskill at the time, County Historian to her list of eventually, a major. that Jessie Vedder was appointed titles. After the War, Plimley and his Catskill Town Historian in 1921. An address made by her grand - wife moved to New York City, where Through the Catskill Village son notes that Jessie was appointed he would work in numerous jobs. He trustees, she was later appointed as

JOURNAL VOL 42 PAGE 38 - WINTER 2018 Greene County Historian in 1925, Board of Supervisors voted to elim - Bibliography but different articles stated that she inate the position of County was appointed in 1922; still others, Historian. Although the position • Barnhart, William C., “Johannes Schuneman: The Fighting Dominie of the in 1920. When she did become a was being abolished, the need for it Catskills” Greene County History 39 (4): County Official, the first job given was not, and eventually the Board 31-40. 2015. to her by Albany was to compile a decided to take action. A bill was • Beecher, Raymond, “Governor's Commission Honoring Achievements of list of all the marked and unmarked introduced to the New York State Women” - Coxsackie NY, April 6 1998. historical sites within Greene Assembly, and from there reached • “Ceremony to Honor Jessie V. V. County. She was also to inspect pub - the desk of then-Governor Franklin Vedder Saturday at Vedder Research lic records, begin/complete writing D. Roosevelt. Library” Daily Mail , 1. 1998. • D'Agostino, Robert A., “The Stone up local history, and make it her Roosevelt eventually vetoed the Bridge at Leeds: Still Going Strong After duty to put on a celebration in vari - bill, claiming that the position Battling Fire, Flood, & New York ous parts of the County to mark the should not be done for monetary Bureaucrats” Greene County Historical Journal 35. 1998. 150th anniversary of the American compensation, but instead for “local • Danylchak, Erika, “Grave Revolution. With these new respon - historical pride.” It was not until Landscapes: Documenting America's Rural sibilities regarding the County, Mrs. 1943 that the position of County Cemeteries” The Cultural Landscape Vedder was granted a salary of $700 Historian would be restored. Foundation 1-8. 2018. • Daughters of the American a year to help with the expenses of Around the time of the demise Revolution, On-Te-Ora Chapter - “In living in Catskill. Around this time of the position of Greene County Memoriam” 1952. she published the first of her many Historian, Leonard Bronck • Dorpfeld, David & Wanda, Legendary Locals of Greene County publications, Historic Catskill . Lampman was attempting to sell Arcadia Publishing. 2014. Jessie also worked to preserve the Bronck House along with the • Greene County Historical Society, the history of the old Leeds Church, farm, but was struggling due to the Inc., “Greene County Historian” 1929. • Greenfield, Rebecca, “Our First but one of her most prominent Great Depression. Mrs. Vedder, Public Parks: the Forgotten History of accomplishments was saving the along with the Greene County Cemeteries” The Atlantic 1-4. 2011. Leeds Stone Bridge. In 1926, she Historical Society, hoped to be able • Holt, Sam E., White Plains June wrote a letter mentioning how the to convince him to donate the com - 19, 1941. • Morfe, Don, Find A Grave – bridge was in danger of destruction plex to them, to finally form a head - accessed April 28, 2018: https://www.finda - due to the upcoming state highway quarters for the group. The Society grave.com/memorial/8228759/william-plim - project. She enlisted the help of the eventually took title to the property ley • New York State Military Museum Chamber of Commerce, Rotary in 1939 when Lampman died unex - and Veterans Research Center – accessed Club, the Supervisors, and the Town pectedly. April 28, 2018: https://dmna.ny.gov/his - Board to stand with her in opposi - In 1935 Mrs. Vedder became the toric/reghist/civil/infantry/120thInf/120thI tion to the destruction of the his - Curator of the Bronck House and nfMain.htm • Parks, Kenneth V. V. October 3, toric bridge. began doing research, giving tours, 1998. She sought the opinions of engi - and replying to inquiries. She spent • Parks, Mabel N., “Rachel Jessie” neers, who suggested that the bridge six months out of each year there 1963. • Parks, Stewart, “Jessie R. Vedder be strengthened and the roadway until 1942, when her arthritis start - Rites Held Today” - Daily Mail March lowered. Taking these actions, along ed to take its toll. (Her hearing had 6,1952. with some added cement and stones, begun to deteriorate the previous • Roosevelt, Franklin D., of New the engineers stated, the bridge year.) York Executive Chamber Albany” Memorandum filed with Senate Bill would last another hundred years. By August 1951 Mrs. Vedder Introductory Number 841 – Albany: Today the historic bridge still was bedridden and almost com - Guernsey T. Cross, March 26, 1932. stands, and is now the oldest span in pletely blind. Less than a year later, • Smith, Mabel Parker, “In Memoriam” – Greene County Historical Region One of New York State. on March 3rd 1952, at the age of 92, Society, Inc. June 14, 1952. The following year Mrs. Vedder Jessie Rachel Van Vechten Vedder • Van Vechten, Linda, “Preserve Past published another important book, passed away at the home of her for Future Generations” – Voice of the Greene County History: Volume I daughter Mabel Vedder Parks, on People 1. 1998. • Vedder, Jessie, Vedder Research 1651-1800 . Grandview Avenue in Catskill. Library [n.d.] By 1932 the United States was Greene County Historian • Vedder Research Library, Epidemics- in the depths of the Great Raymond Beecher wrote a letter in Diseases-Localities 143. [n.d.] • Wilbur, Howard, Catskill: Catskill Depression. Due to the need to cut 1998, nominating Jessie Vedder to Recorder June 11, 1920. costs, in 1932 the Greene County be recognized in the Governor's

JOURNAL VOL 42 PAGE 39 - WINTER 2018 History Quiz Since this edition's primary article deals with the Catskill Town Cemetery, this History Quiz question also deals with that cemetery. Born in 1918 in the Netherlands, Jaap Penraat lived there until 1958, when he emigrated to the United States, settling in Catskill. He died in 2006 at the age of 88, and was laid to rest in the Catskill Cemetery. He was an important man for a number of reasons. What were they? You'll find the answer in the next edition!

Non-Profit Organization US Postage Paid Newburgh, NY 12550 Permit No. 1491 Winter 2018 The original iron entrance gate to the Jefferson Rural Cemetery still Greene County Historical Society, Inc. Return Service Requested c/o T. Satterlee stands in its original location on 164 High Hill Road what is now North Jefferson Avenue Catskill, NY 12414-6411 in Catskill. The cemetery itself is now known as the Town of Catskill Cemetery.

unveiling of Jessie's New York State career at an age when most would historic marker given by Governor consider retirement, and thrived in Pataki. her new-found position. The Reverend Johannes Where these three lie eternally, Schuneman, Major William Plimley, our Jefferson Rural Cemetery is a and Jessie Van Vechten Vedder are fundamental element of Greene Here we see Jessie Rachel Van three prominent Greene County his - County's history. And that land Vechten Vedder's tombstone, along torical figures who are all currently where generations of fellow-local with a memorial marker placed by laid to rest in the Town of Catskill families have been laid to rest, today the Daughters of the American Cemetery, previously known as the many community members still Revolution. Jefferson Rural Cemetery. These come to partake in a variety of Commission Honoring departed Greene County residents recreational and social activities. Achievements of Women. Vedder's truly displayed what it means to be Jessie Vedder would love to see that nomination was found to meet all of a resident of this close-knit county this burial ground is still treasured the criteria for approval, and a his - and community: and used by locals for their enjoy - torical marker was created in her Reverend Schuneman worked ment. honor. On October 3rd 1998, mem - tirelessly to preach his sermons and One of the first – and main – bers of the Daughters of the fight for the communities' right to features of rural cemeteries, were American Revolution, the Greene be free from British Imperialism. the main entrance gates with their County Historical Society, and Major Plimley fought for the use of iron detailing. The original County Historian Raymond Union Army during the Civil War entrance gate to the Jefferson Rural Beecher gathered at the Vedder and heroically stepped up when no Cemetery still stands and, in the left Research Library on the grounds of one else would. stone post can be found a dedication the Bronck Museum complex in Jessie Vedder dove into a second to the Reverend Johannes Coxsackie, for the dedication and Schuneman.

JOURNAL VOL 42 PAGE 40 - WINTER 2018