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HISTORICAL NOTES
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HYDE PARK-ON -HUDSON
^XKW YORK
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IN COMMEMORATION OF THE BELATED
CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
CONSE( RATION OF THE FIRST PARISH CHURCH
OCTOBER, 10, 1811
I'lVIVATELY lTBLISIIKD
:'lll..V. V.-H.Virj^f COMPANY
POCGHKEEPSIE, N. Y.
1913
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FOREWORD
SO very many persons have willingly aided in this com- pilation that it seems best to omit all names of those to whom our thanks are due, except those of Dr. Ashton, who prepared most of the historical sketch of the par- ish in anticipation of the Centenary, and of Mrs. George Crapser Briggs, who served many hours as amanuensis.
Also as this booklet is but a compilation for the preserving in convenient form of historical data of interest, sources of such data have been freely drawn upon without acknowledg- ment, or the use of quotation marks.
E. P. Newton. Hyde Park
February, 1913.
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THE! -EW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AS10:\ LENOX AND T1LD N FOUNDATIONS.
HISTORICAL NOTES OF SAINT JAMES PARISH
HYDE PARK-ON-HUDSON NEW YORK
FOR its first foundation the parish is indebted to the zeal and liberality of Samuel Hani, MIX, LL.D., Presi- dent of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, seconded by the efforts <>f General Morgan Lewis, sometime Governor of the State, and a son of Francis Lewis, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, with the cooperation of Judge Nathaniel Pendleton, of Judge
John Johnston, and others. Dr. Bard's biographer says: "In the >ear 1811, circumstances favoring its establishment, the
church of Saint James at Hyde Park \va- erected, of which Dr. Hard was the founder, a term of distinction, not perhaps, strictly applicable, l>ut morally just, as being the individual to whose unwearied exertions, and superior liberality, its suc- cess is to be attributed." Of his <,dfts for this enterprise he was wont to say "No equal expenditure of money has ever yielded me SO la rue an interest."
Historical Notes of
The names of the contributors to the building fund are herewith given.
SUBSCRIPTION LIST
(See plates following page 16 for reproduction of original paper.) THE NAMES HAVE BEEX REORDERED ALPHABETICALLY
We, the Subscribers, promise to contribute towards Building an Episcopal Church at Hyde Park, in Duchess County, the sums of money, services, etc., annexed to our names.
Ames, Henry Bard, William Bard, Samuel Bard, Sarah
Barton, Sarah (de Normandie) Aunt to Mrs. Samuel Bard Brahman, Cyrus Broome, William Bush, Jacob Cruger, Henry De Cantillon, Richard De Cantillon, Tobias Duer, William, Alexander Dutton, Titus
Gillespie, George de Normandie Gillies, David G. Hedding, Samuel Hughes, Christopher, 2d Hutehins, Baron Steuben Hyde, Christopher Hyde, Lemuel Johnston, John Lewis, Morgan* Livingston, James Duane
McClelland, Alexander
McViekar, John
Mead, Samuel
Muirson, Magdalena (Bard)
Sister to Dr. Samuel Bard Mulford, David Pendleton, Nathaniel Phillips, Andrew Post, Jotham Progue, George Ring, Louis Robinson, Samuel Russell, Isaac Rymph, John Selkrigg, John Sherrill, Hunting Spencer, Reuben Stevenson, Timothy Stoutenburgh, Isaac Stoutenburgh, Tobias L. Whiley, R. Wickes, Silas Wright, L.
These persons contributed a sum total of $L2,57(5.75, which left a deficit of about $125.00 on the bills for construction. This was promptly raised and the building was clear of in- cumbrance, ready for Consecration.
The first building was of brick and stone, stuccoed and paint- ed yellow, with a short square battlemented tower at the west
•General Lewis, in addition to his cash subscription conveyed the title to a j>ew in eld Saint Pauls Church, New York.
CONSECRATED MAY 29, 1811, ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP 01
\l \\ YORK.
S. James Church 5
end. The walls within were whitewashed, and there were three windows on either side of the church, filled with small diamond panes of clear glass, no stained glass having been used in this old building. Two of these windows remain in the present church near the door. There was one aisle, six feet wide, marbled in blocks. Sometime later through the influence of Dr. Hosack, who bought "Hyde Park" in 18-26, the pews were rearranged and two aisles made, which is shown in our cut, reproducing a paper dated 1837.* The chancel was one step higher than the floor, and was furnished, after the manner of that day, now happily forgotten except by some older mem- bers of this generation, with "the triple decker," a high pulpit reached by stairways on either side, a reading desk in front below it on the second level, and still below, the communion table. The kneeling cushions, hangings and altar cloth were all of crimson damask. The west end organ toft, where was a small melodeon loaned by Bliss Johnston, who herself volun- teered to serve as organist, was reached by a stairway from the vestibule to the tower.
The church was heated by two wood stoves at cither end of the building, the pipes of which ran into huge drums supported on iron rods fastened upon the tops of the pews.
Such is the quaint picture of Saint James Church as it st 1
when consecrated, and as it appears in our photograph taken years later with the changes of time apparent in the growth of trees and other features of the surroundings.
On Thursday, October 10, 1811, t TheRt. Rev. John Henry Hobart, D.D., Bishop of New York, consecrated the church
♦See among plates following page 16.
fNoTE — On assuming duty as Rector of the parish I read the article in the Poughkcepsie Courier of October 8, 1912, which States thai the Consecration took place on Oct. 1-2, 1811, and Dr. M< \ ickar's Ordination on the 13. This statement, I learn, was based on some notes of 1870, or thereabouts, and I accepted it as fact, and the Anniversary was observed on those dates October 12, and 13, 191-2 — happily so observed as it gave a Saturday and Sunday for the celebration. Delving over parish archives in preparation for this book, Bishop Hobart 's letter of Consecration, which follows, was brought to light and the first intimation of an error gained.
6 // i 8 tori c a I N o t e s of
building, and upon the following day, Friday, the eleventh, he Ordered Deacon, in the new church, John MeVickar, son-in- law of Dr. Bard, who became the first ministerof the congrega- tion. His salary of two hundred and fifty dollars was appar- ently paidin a lump sum on January first.
"Be it known that I, John Henry Hobart, D.D., Bishop Assistant of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the State of New York, bave, on this tenth day of October, m the
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eleven, duly consecrated a building erected at Hyde Park, in the town of Clinton and County of Dutchess, by the name of S James Church; separating it henceforth from all un- hallowed, ordinary and common uses, and dedicating it to the service of Almighty God. for reading His holy word, for celebrating His holy sacraments, for offering to His glorious majesty the sacrifices of prayer and thanksgiving, for blessing the people in His name, and for the perform- ance of all other holy offices; according to the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.
In witness whereof, I have hereunder subscribed my hand this 10th day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eleven."
John Henry Hobart, Bishop Assistant of the Protestant Episcopal Church
in the State of New York.
The following contemporary evidence from The Church- man's Magazine for October, 1811, p 337, confirms the letter:
"On Thursday, the tenth of October, the Church lately erect- ed at Byde-Park, near Poughkeepsie, the residence of Dr. Sam- uel Bard, was consecrated by the name of Saint James Church. The service of consecration was performed by the Right ttev. Bishop Hobart; after which morning prayer was read by the Rev Mr Prentis, of At liens, and a sermon preached by the Rev! Mr. Reed, of Poughkeepsie. This Church is a stone edifice fifty by thirty feet on the inside; it is unusually neat and simple in its appearance, and does great credit to the taste and zeal of the families at whose expense it has been erected. The succeeding day, October eleventh, there was divine ser-
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FA< SIMILE OF BISHOP HOBART'S LETTER OF CONSECRATION.
S. J a m e s (' h u rch 7
Prior to this time those who formed the new congregation were communicants in old Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, and at the date of its organization it was the only parish on the east hank of the Hudson for a considerable distance above Poughkeepsie. There were sixteen resident communicants before the establishment of the parish, to wit:
Samuel Bard Mary (Bard) Hani
John Johnston Magdalena (Bard) Muirson
William Hani Catharine Cruger) Bard
Patrick Macartney Susan Bard Pendleton
Sarah de Normandie) Barton Nancy Hani Pierce
Susan 'Hani1 Johnston Betsy Macartney
Sarah Hani Gertrude Livingston) Lewis
Eliza (Bard) McVickar Margarel Lewis Livingston
These formed a considerable nucleus for the development of parochial life.
On Wednesday, September ?, 181 t. Bishop Hobart, Insti- tuted as Rector, the Rev. John McVickar, and confirmed twen- ty-eight persons. In 1817 thirty-one were confirmed, and in 1819 thirty-three, so increasing the roll of communicants in the parish. Parochial growth was steady and wholesome.
The fir-t steps were taken before any formal parochial or- ganization was made. Upon Easter Monday, March 30, 18H, the first official meeting of the congregation was held, when "It was unanimously resolved thai Saint James Church at Hyde Park should be the name by which the said church or Congregation should in future be known in law". The ques- tion has sometimes been raised whether the dedication were to
Saint .lames, the m>ii of Zebedee, or to Saint James the Le>>; whether the artist who designed the chancel window, ami gave to the figured saint a club, which is the symbol of the latter,
vice and a sermon in the Church, and an ordination, when Mr. John McVickar, juii., was admitted by the Bishop to the holy order of Deacons."
In the "Life of John McVickar" the error in the date of the consecration is also found, and to this source may possibly be traced the mistake of 1870, which we unwittingly continued.
E. P. Newton.
8 // is to r ical Notes of
did so under instruction or of his own artistic choice. The following statement seems conclusive "He (Dr. Bard) looked upon Christianity as a living fountain of good works, and se- lected the name of Saint James for that of the church he found- ed, in reference to the great practical principle that Evange- lic lays down, that 'faith without words is dead'."
At this meeting the following persons were unanimously elected as Church Wardens and Vestrymen.
Samuel Bard |Wardens Morgan Lewis J John Johnston Nathaniel Pendleton William Broome
William Bard Vestrymen
Christopher Hughes, 2d
James Duane Livingston
Titus Dutton
William Alexander Duer
The parish was admitted into union with the Convention of the Diocese of New York on October 0, 1812; Dr. Samuel Bard and Nathaniel Pendleton being its first lay delegates.
Dr. MeViekar resigned November 10, 1817, to accept a Professorship in Columbia College.
On June 5, 1818, the Rev. David Brown was elected to suc- ceed Dr. MeViekar as rector. He was instituted October 14, 1819, and resigned in February 1823. In 1820 the flagon, chalice and patten, which are still in use for the Holy Commu- nion, were presented by the women of the parish, and in 1826 the congregation gave the silver alms basin.
On February 2, 1824, the Rev. Samuel Roosevelt Johnson, then a deacon, was elected to minister to the congregation, and by this act of its vestry Saint James became the first parish of one of the saints of the American Church. He was ordained priest by Bishop Hobart in Saint James Church, August 1, 1S27, and thereupon became rector. He resigned the rector- ship on October 10, 1833.
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S. J ante s C h u rch 9
The first Sunday school records which have been preserved are of this period, and show an interest and activity which may well quicken the spirit of emulation in parishioners today. (See Appendix.)
The following account of the Sunday school is given during those years of Dr. Johnson's administration:
"The Sunday school was kept from May to November, com- mencing at 3 p. m., continuing until 5 p. in., when it was fol- lowed by the afternoon service and sermon."
About this time Dr. Hosack presented to the church a silver baptismal bowl, which it was the custom to stand upon the altar rail. When a marble font was presented to the church in 1840, this silver bowl was converted into ;i second chalice to correspond with the one given in 1820.
About the year 1838, Dr. Johnson caused a school house to be erected in the village, aboul three-fourths of a mile from the parish church, and in April, 1834, he presented the building and the lot on which it stood to the parish, and t hi-. as we shall see, became the site of the present chapel. Miss Susan Mary Bard, who died in 1831, left in trust two thousand dollars, the interest of which was to be paid to the rector towards the maintenance of an infanl school which was held here for many years.
In June, 183,3, the first rectory of S. James was built, ad- joining the church.
Dr. McVickar made his home on his private estate on the river bank. Inning built a home tor hi- bride, Eliza Bard, which was styled "Inwood" (now the home of Hon. P. 6. Landon, which he has called "Mansewood" in commemoration of the fact that it was the residence of the first rector). Later he occupied a cottage opposite the church.
Dr. Brown, during his rectorship, was also a professor at Dr. Benjamin Allen's Classical School, which stood south of the village, on ground now owned by Mr. Archibald Rogers, and made his home there.
Dr. Johnson lived at Red House, which was built by Dr. John Bard, father of Samuel, and stood in the meadow just north of the church. This house was recently torn down.
10
// i a tori cat Notes of
The rectory was built for the Rev. Reuben Sherwood, D.D., who entered upon his duties as rector on Easter Sunday, 1835, and remained in that office until his death, Whitsunday, 1856. It stood north of and facing the church, with the gable end towards Albany avenue, or Broadway.
In 1839 Judge John Johnston gave the parish a folio edition of the Prayer Book "Printed by Hugh Gaine, at the Bible, Hanover Square, by direction of the General Convention of 1789"; and a folio Lectern Bible which has been in use until the present date, and from it future rectors, yet unborn, may read in years to come, as it shows today very few signs of age. The Prayer Book is brought out and used on notable occa- sions.
In 1840 the parish received a gift of the marble font which bears the inscription, "The Eighth National Guard of the City of New York, H. C. Shumway, Commanding, to the Con- gregation of Saint James Church, Hyde Park, in Commemora- tion of their visit July 4th, 1840", and in notes to a sermon preached from 1 Tim. 6:12, by Dr. Sherwood before the com- pany on Sunday, July 5, is found the statement "Mr. R. E. Launitz, the artist, preceded with the font one day the com- pany, and with a zeal surpassed only by his skill set it himself in its present place." In the archives of the parish is preserved this letter:
New York, June 30th, 1840.
To the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of S. James Church, Hyde Park.
Gentlemen: The members of the 8th National Guard of this city, ever mindful of past favors, and who are as ready to give as they are to receive, have unanimously agreed to pre- sent, through you, to the congregation of S. James Church a Baptismal Font, as a slight testimonial of their esteem for the inhabitants of your place generally, and in commemoration of their third visit to your hospitable town, on the anniversary of our nation's birthday. The undersigned therefore, being
THE «>i.D RECTORY.
SAINT MARGARETS CHURCH, STAATSBURGH.
PUBLIC LIBRAE
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S. James Church 11
constituted a committee, on behalf of the company, to carry out their design, respectfully tender to your congregation the accompanying Baptismal Font to be placed in S. James Church, Hyde Park, and ask your acceptance of the same.
Yours respectfully,
H. C. Shumway John Ormxjnd Wm. A. Darling Henry Beers Horatio N. Squire Robt. E. Launitz P. Crerab
Mr. B. B. Dobba remembers as a boy attending a target contest during the encampment, and seeing Dr. Sherwood present to the winner a new musket.
Colonel Daniel Appleton in ;i letter dated New York, No- vember 20, 1912, states thai "Company II. or the Eighth Company (7th Regimenl X. (J. N. V.) has had a continuous existence since 1826, and became the Eighth Company when mustered in the 27th Regimenl now the Seventh". From the records of the 7lh Regimenl he quotes: "In 1887 the Eighth Company visited Hyde Park on July 15 and spenl a pleas- ant week in thai delightful locality. During thai time it visited Poughkeepsie by invitation, and was hospitably enter- tained by the military and citizens of thai place; and in 1840 on the afternoon of July I, the Eighth Company visited Hyde Park for pleasure ami military improvement. With a daily drill, occasional target practice, rides and rambles through the surrounding country, and an interchange of hospitalities with the people of the vicinity, the week passed pleasantly at Hyde Park. The company presented to the church at that place an elegant marble font, as a token of its appreciation of the uniform kindness which the people of that delightful locality had extended to its officers and members on this and on for- mer occasions."
In 1843 it was found that tin' church needed a new roof and
] -2 // i a t o r i c a 1 X u t e s of
other repairs. Upon examination, it was discovered that the walla were unsafe, and a committee, appointed to report, ad- vised taking the building down and erecting a new one.
Therefore, a new and enlarged church was built on the site of the old one in 1844, half of the expense being borne by Mr. Augustus Thomas Cowman, who therefore, at this time, ser- ved the parish much as Dr. Bard did at its founding, with de- voted zeal and liberality, personally superintending the work. Mr. ( lowman made a trip to Europe, which was not the simple matter in 1843 that it is today, to study church architecture in preparation for the contemplated work.
During the process of building, services were held in the rectory.
It was at this time (1844) that the Gothic revival was at its height in this country, and the black walnut ceiling with open timbered roof, is one of the finest specimens extant of that work in America.
Mrs. Curtis gave two stained glass windows, not memorials, at the time of this rebuilding, and the plain red, yellow and purple stained glass, which was used for the other window-, was some left over from the windows of the Church of the As- cension, New York city, and was given by that church to S. James. Two of these now remain, the others having been displaced by memorial windows.
The new edifice, barring some of its furnishings and deco- rations, was completed as we see it today, and services held in it the last of November, 1844. It was said at this time that there were twenty more families in the parish than the church could hold. It was consecrated by Bishop DeLan- cey, of Western New York, on the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels, September 29, 1846.
The striking feature of Dr. Sherwood's rectorhip is the mis- sionary spirit. It was manifested in the organization of the church of the Holy Apostles, Clinton, ten miles northeast of Hyde Park, and his labours there brought into the ministry of the Church the Rev. Albert D. Traver, who was successively Assistant Minister in All Saints Church, New York; Mission- ary at Esopus, Ulster County; and at Clinton, Duchess Coun-
[NTERIOR OF S. JAMES ( HIKCI!. 191«.
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ty, and from 1846 to 1866 a devoted and beloved Rector of S. Pauls Church, Poughkeepsie. Dr. Sherwood also conduct- ed evening services in Staatsburgh, four miles north of Hyde Park, in the home of Isaac Russell, the postmaster. Later the waiting-room of the railway station was used.
In 1858 the frame chapel in Staatsburg, originally used by any body of Christians, was built through the liberality of Mrs. Margaret (Lewis) Livingston, and others.
On Thursday, February 10, 1848, by invitation of Dr. Sher- wood, there met in the old rectory seven of the clergy, who "did then and there, taking into consideration the state of the Church in Duchess County, resolve themselves into a meeting for extending the influence of the Church", and the Archdea- conry of Duchess was born.
The Rev. Horace Stringfcllow succeeded Dr. Sherwood in 18.56. His rectorship covered a period of less than four years; but in that time Saint James Chapel was built on the school lot given by Dr. Johnson, adjoining the school building. One writes: "I remember that my mother was much interested in the Chapel in Hyde Park to which she regularly walked every Sunday afternoon, with her three children ahead of her, and this after attending the morning service at the church. Those were good old days, when the Sundays were not kept as they are now, and I look back on them with affection."
The school building became a Sunday school and guild room, and a free reading room, in which is quartered a circula- ting library free to all village folk. The reading room was sup- ported for many years by Mr. Walter Langdon, Jr., and is now maintained by Mrs. Frederick W. Vanderbilt, while the library has Mrs. James Roosevelt for its patron.
On August 1, 1860, the Rev. James S. Purdy, D.D., became rector. His first wife was Miss Susan Bard Johnson, the daughter of a former rector, connected by blood with the early families, which made the choice doubly a happy one. He re- signed September 30, 1876, because of ill health. In 1871 the stone font was set up in the chapel, and in 1874 the brass eagle lectern was given to the church and, presumably, also at this time the white marble altar, gifts of Mr. and Mrs. Walter
14 Hi 8 tori c a I N o t e s of
Langdon, Jr., who also bore the expense of redecorating the church, and recarpeted church and vestry room on the occasion of the wedding of a niece Miss Emily A. Kane to Augustus Jay, October 3, 1870. One volume of vestry records has been lost which makes accurate statement difficult. It is interesting to note that the carpets served for thirty-six years, until Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Rogers laid new ones for the wedding of a daughter Miss Ellen Habersham Rogers to Kenneth Baker Schley, June 8, 1912.
Another item of interest is the following note from vestry records of April 14, 1896 "Thanks of the Vestry were extended to the Rev. Dr. Greer for his donation of hassocks for the church." S. Bartholomews was doubtless getting new ones. They are still in use and serviceable.
The Rev. Philander Kinney Cady followed Dr. Purdy, having been instituted as rector October 1, 1876, and serving the parish until 1887.
The work in Staatsburgh having grown, it became necessary to have a curate in charge thereof, and the Rev. Charles Lancas- ter Short was the first, serving from June, 1876, to June, 1880. He was followed by the Rev. Francis J. Clayton, July, 1880, until December, 1881, wdien the Rev. George W. Sinclair Ayres (now Archdeacon of Buffalo), took up the work on January 1, 1882, continuing therein until January, 1884. It was during Mr. Ayres' ministry that the mission was organized as a parish on April lo, 1882, and called Saint Margarets Church.
The frame chapel built in 1858 was consecrated April 24, 1882, by the Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese, Dr. Cady preaching the sermon; and the parish was admitted into union with the Diocesan Convention in Septem- ber of that year.
The rectors of this flourishing daughter of Saint James have been.
The Rev. Thomas Lafayette Cole, 1884-89 and 1898-1902.
The Rev. Pierre McDonald Bleecker, 1889-1897.
The Rev. Charles Henry Duncan, 1902, and still incumbent.
The cornerstone of the new stone church was laid by the Rt. Rev. Henry Codman Potter, D.D., on May 27, 1891; and
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the frame building has been converted into a reading room for general use of the village. The new church was consecrated October 4, 1898, by Bishop Potter.
During Dr. Cady's rectorate the beautiful Lych Gate, copied from one at Saint Marys Church near Torquay, England, was erected atthe entrance to the grounds of Saint James Chapel.
In 1885 organs were given by Mr. Walter Langdon for both chapel and church, the latter being in memory of his wife, Catherine Livingston.
In 1887 the Rev. Richmond Herbert Gesner became rector and after a ministry of three years he was succeeded by the Rev. Amos Turner Ashton, who remained in office from August 2, 1891, till the time of his death, Epiphany, 1911.
The "old rectory," as it is always familiarly called, was in such serious condition at the time of Dr. Ashton's election, that the new rector took up his residence in the Livingston house on Park Place — a fine old colonial house with extensive grounds.
This house was bought chiefly through the generosity of Messrs. Archibald Rogers and Elbridge T. Gerry, vestrymen, in 1895, and is the present rectory, the old one having been torn down in April, 1893.
In 1894 cellars were dug under both chapel and reading room proper foundations laid, and the property generally renovated at considerable expense. Dr. Ashton took an active part in missionary and diocesan affairs, so that the influence of his ability and character were far reaching. No mention has been made of the good done by the wives and families of the rectors, and yet the part played in the homes of the village in kind ministry of cheer and comfort and help of such women as Mrs. Ashton, Miss Purdy, the second Mrs Purdy, Miss Sherwood and others has been a large factor in parish life
SOME STATISTICS
from October, 1811, to October, 1911.
Baptisms 1605
Confirmations 7^9
Marriages 189
Burials 944
16 // i s tori c a I X o t c 8 of
The first Baptism is that of Sarah Barton,* infant daughter of .John de Normandie and Susan Maria (Bedford) Gillespie.
Among the early records it is interesting to note the number of slaves baptized, most of the old families in 1811 and the following years owning slaves, and (heir emancipation coming gradually. f These freedmen have all moved away.
It is exceedingly difficult to gauge spiritual forces. How- great a part the church, its ministries and Sacraments played in the moulding of life and character during the hundred years past, and what influence those lives and characters exerted in the affairs of town, and county, and state and nation we may not specifically and confidently affirm, but our confidence that they were manifold and great is none the less sure. It would be an interesting study to follow the lives of those bap- tized and given Christian nurture in Saint James parish, and to note their fruits. This work the angels of God have done, and we must rest in the hope of knowing something of it after death.
*She was an elder sister of the Rt. Rev. George de Norman- die Gillespie, the first Bishop of the diocese of Western Michi- gan. The Bard and de Normandie families in the genera- tion of the parents of Dr. Samuel and Mrs. Bard were doubly related a brother and sister marrying sister and brother. The babe was named for a great-great aunt Sarah de Normandie who married the Rev. Mr. Barton, who in later life lived with Dr. Bard. She married Oswald Cammann of New York.
fNoTE — In looking up the question of slavery in the State of New York I find that slaves were recognized by law in New York in 1050, and that along about the time of the Revolution societies were formed for the purpose of improving the con- dition of the slaves. New York had such a society, with John Jay as its first president, and Alexander Hamilton was its sec- ond president. These societies succeeded in suppressing the slave trade from 1808, but New York had started a gradual abolition of slavery as early as 1799.
Prior to 1078 there were very few slaves in the State of New York. In 1098 there were 293, in Kings County alone. In 1723 there were 0,171; in 1790 there were 21,324, from which time they commenced to decrease. In 1820 there were only 10,088; in 1830—75; in 1840—4.
Edward H. Wales.
S. JAMES RECTORY, from tin- street.
S. JAMES RECTORY, from the Garden.
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S. James Church 17
THE RECTORS
1. The Reverend John MeYiekar, D.D. 1811 to 1817.
2. The Reverend David Brown. 1818 to 1828.
3. The Reverend Samuel Roosevelt Johnson, D.D. lsM to 1833.
4. The Reverend Reuben Sherwood, D.D. 1835 to 1856.
5. The Reverend Horace Stringfellow, D.D. 1856 to 1860.
6. The Reverend James Sotiveraine Purdy, D.D. 1860 to 1876.
7. The Reverend Philander Kinney Cady, D.D. ls?6to 1887.
8. The Reverend Richmond Herbert Gesner, B.D. 1887 to 1800.
9. The Reverend Amos Turner Ashton,D.D. 1891 tol911. 10. The Reverend Edward IVarxms NVwton, MA. 1912-
18 // i 8 tor i c a I N ot e s of
THE REVEREND JOHN McVICKAR, Jr.
1811—1817
John McVickar, son of John and Anna (Moore), McVickar was l>orn in the city of New York, on the tenth of August, 1787. His father was a wealthy merchant of New York and a vestry- man of old Trinity 1801-1812. He graduated from Columbia College as valedictorian of the class of 1804. In 1807 he be- came a candidate for Holy Orders, in preparation for which he read theology under the guidance of the Rev. John Henry Hobart, who later, having been chosen assistant Bishop of the Diocese, ordained him. On Sunday evening, November 12, 1809, he married Miss Eliza Bard at Hyde Park, and the first year of their married life was spent in the home of Dr. Bard, while he continued his studies. These circumstances gave shape to Dr. Bard's desire to build a church. McVickar was something of an architect, so that the planning of his own home called Inwood, and that of the church and the erection of both went on together. On the day following the Consecration of the church, Friday, October 11, 1811, he was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Hobart, and was given charge of the new parish. Immediately following the opening services of the Dioceasn Convention in 1812, he was ordained priest in Trini- ty Church, New Y'ork. On November 13, 1817, he was elected Professor of Moral Philosophy, Rhetoric and Belles Lett res in Columbia College, and the following year at his own request, without increase of salary, Intellectual Philosophy and Polit- ical Economy were added to his department. This was the first introduction into an American College of a chair of politi- cal economy. In 1829 he was an aspirant for the Presidency of the College, being the natural choice on many accounts, and urged by persons of influence, but on December 9, when the election took place, Dr. Win. Alexander Duer, formerly one of his vestrymen in Hyde Park, was elected by a majority of one vote. Though disappointed he gave Dr. Duer loyal support. While engaged in academic duties, he often preaclu d in Grace Church and Trinity, and shared in the general public duties of the Church in the metropolis. In 1820 he was ap-
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S. J a me s C h u r eh 19
pointed to the missionary committee having the care of the Oneida Indians. In 1826 he was elected a trustee of the Gen- eral Theological Seminary, serving as member of the standing committee. At the same time he was chosen Vice-President of the N. Y. Bible and Prayer Book Society, and of the X. Y. Tract Society. In 1828 he was made a trustee of Trinity School, and in 18-40 Yice-President of the City Mission Society. From 1834 to 1868 he was a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, and from 186-2 to 1868 president thereof. From 1844 to 1862 he was Chaplain at Fort Columbus, Governor's Island. At this time it was the recruiting depot for the Army and its Chaplain had opportunity for wide spiritual usefulness, missionary work of the highest character and value. Then- was no place provided for public worship, but with his accus- tomed energy and perseverance and the kind aid of General -< Ott, the Government was led to set apart a plot of ground and a frame chapel was erected after Dr. McYickar'sown plan-. It cost $2,500. He says: '"What I can raise by the help of friends I will; what I cannot I must bear, and hold it a con- secrated gift, laid <m God's altar, a trespass-offering for years of over-devotion to the acquisition of wealth." He wasdeeply interested in the sending of Colonel Stephenson's regiment to California in 1849. Looking upon them as colonists, and realizing the importance of their own religious life and habits upon the future of the new territory, he labored among them untiringly and before they -ailed he had persuaded them to elect a chaplain, determine on daily prayers on shipboard, and a that they were provided with Bibles and Prayer Books. His sermons and addresses are filled with earnest interest and solicitude for their future, and counsels of the soundest com- mon sense. He fully believed, as he said, that "The virtue of the people is our only political security, and the institutions of Christianity our only sufficient safeguard for the existence of that virtue". In 1851 in Trinity Church he preached the sermon at the celebrating of the Third Semi-Centennial of the venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and in 18.51 after the death of Bishop Wainwright he preached the sermon before the Diocesan Council, which smoothed the
20 // i .s' to r i c a I N ote s of
way for the immediate election of a successor. In 1851 his college duties were lightened, four professorships being made from his department, of which he retained the chair of Evi- dences of Natural and Revealed Religion. In 1804 he retired from active college duty and became Professor Emeritus. He then made Irvington-on-Hudson his home, where he died October 20, 1868, and his body was brought to rest in the yard of his own first parish church. A short while before his death Bishop Horatio Potter had said in his convention address, "One venerable and honored presbyter of this diocese, op- pressed with the weight of years, but not chilled in his love for the Church or in his devotion to duty, retires from the official station which he has so long and ably filled as President of the Standing Committee — the Rev. John McVickar, D.D., for half a century a professor in Columbia College — what a historical name in this diocese! How steadfast in his princi- ples, how far reaching in his views, and how elevated in all his thoughts and sentiments! May the rays of that sun which never sets to the Christian heart shine brightly and cheerily along his path, and in his chamber, until faith, hope and love change into the bliss and glory of the perfect day."
THE REVEREND DAVID BROWN
1818—1823
Rev. David Brown wras born at Hopkinstown, Rhode Island, October 3, 1780. In 1807 he began to study law, but abandon- ed it and studied theology in New York City in 1816 with the Rev. Thomas Lyell, D.D. He was ordained deacon by Bishop Hobart, October 23, 1817, and priest October 23, 1818. His first ministerial labor was, while still a deacon, at Saint James Church, Hyde Park, New York, although he had assisted Rev. Thomas Lyell, rector of Christ Church, New York, while study- ing with him. In February, 1823, he became missionary at Fredonia, Chautauqua County, and parts adjacent, remaining there until 1826. In 1828 he was principal of a Female Aca- demy in Albany. From 1831-34 he was missionary at Lock- port, New York, leaving there to enter the service of the
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S. J a m es Church 21
Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society at S. Augustine and later Jacksonville, Florida. In 1844 he became rector at Florence, Alabama, and returned in 1848 to New York to be- come the missionary at Cold Spring Harbor. In 1851 he was instituted rector of Saint Andrews Church, Lambertville, New Jersey, a position which he held until August, 1867. He then retired from the rectorship because of old age, but con- tinued to live in Lambertville until his death, December 7, 1875. A few years before his death he mentions in his annual report- to his Bishop a "'little work of great labor on infant baptism" which he has ready for the pros, but it seems never to have been published. Thefollowing are the closing senten- ces of an obituary of Mr. Brown which appeared in the Church- man for January 8, 1876: "Mr. Brown possessed a mind of more than ordinary power and clearness, and was gifted with an unusually retentive memory. This great gifl added to his long, studious and varied life, made him a mosl interesting and instructive companion to those who came in contact with him, especially his younger brethren of the clergy. Of lad' years he lived much apart from the stirring center-, of life, but in his retirement he always retained his intelligent apprecia- tion of ;!11 that interested younger ami more active men."
Till: REVEREND SAMUEL ROOSEVELT
JOHNSON, D.I).
1824— 1833
Samuel Roosevell Johnson was born at Newton, Long [s- land, November 18, 18<>2. He graduated from Columbia in 1820 and from the General Theological Seminary in 1823. In 18-24 he was called as rector of Saint James Church, Hyde Park, where he remained ten years. While there he was or- dained priest in his own parish church by Bishop Hobart, August 1, 18-27, having been previously ordained deacon in 1824 by Bishop Croes. While at Hyde Bark he married Eliza- beth Johnston, a granddaughter of Dr. Samuel Bard, Septem- ber 6, 18*26, and his three elder children were born there. In 1834 he accepted a call to Flushing, Long Island, where he re-
22 II i 8 torical X ot e s of
maincd nearly a year. In 1835 the general Church aroused herself to the great missionary work which lay before her and sent out Bishop Kemper to take charge of what was then known as "The Northwest", a district which now comprises the ter- ritory of several dioceses. Johnson felt moved to give up his flourishing parish at Flushing and the comforts of life in the East and to volunteer at his own expense to become the travel- ing companion of the Bishop. For nearly a year he traveled with him. In 1837, having previously officiated four months at Jeffersonville, he brought his family to Lafayette, Indiana, there to remain about ten years. In this place he organized a parish, giving the site for a church building and a large portion of the money necessary for its construction, as well as serving as its rector without salary. He aided also, by personal ex- ertions and gifts, in establishing the Church in many other lo- calities in Indiana. He was regarded as the man for the Bis- hopric when the Diocese of Indiana was organized, but he an- ticipated the wish and assured his friends that under no cir- cumstances would he consent to take the position. In 1847 he returned to the East and became rector of Saint Johns Church, Brooklyn, a position which he gave up upon his elec- tion in 1850 as Professor of Systematic Divinity in the General Theological Seminary. He served as professor for twenty years, resigning the position in June, 18G9, but consenting to remain another year at the urgent request of the Trustees. During this period he was one of the most influential professors at the Seminary and the testimony of his many students bears witness to the great love and veneration in which he was held while there. On leaving the Seminary he rested for a brief interval from active work and then accepted the rectorship of Saint Thomas Church, Amenia, a missionary station in the eastern part of Duchess County, New York. In this retired and beautiful spot he passed the few remaining days of his life, devoting himself with diligence not only to the care of his flock but to the welfare and best interests of the entire com- munity. He died on August 13, 1873, and his body was buried in the church-yard of Saint James Church, Hyde Park.
i:i:i BEN -n I i;\\omi>
S. J ames Church 23
THE REVEREND REUBEN SHERWOOD, S. T. D.
1835—1856
Dr. Sherwood was born in 1789 and graduated from Yale University in 1813, receiving the degree from the same insti- tution in 1817 of A.M. He was ordained deacon by Bishop Griswold, May 5, 1815, and priest by Bishop Hobart, November 4, 1816. From 1816-20 he was the acting rector at Saint Pauls Church, Norwalk, Connecticut, being formally institu- ted rector of the same church in 1820, where he remained till 1830. For one year he became rector of the Hartford Acad- emy, Hartford, Connecticut, leaving there in 1831 to become the missionary at Ulster, New York. He organized Saint Johns Church, Kingston, soon after removing to Ulster. At Easter, 1835, he became rector of Saint James Church, Hyde Park, where he remained until his death, May 11, 1856. In 1840 Hobart College conferred upon him the honorary degree of S.T.D. From the notice of his death, which appeared in the Church Journal of New York City of May 15, 1856, the fol- lowing sentences are taken: "Dr. Sherwood's departure re- moves a landmark from among the clergy of this diocese. His position of simple, straightforward performance of what he believed to be his duty, on principle, gained him the highest respect of all, even of those who most widely differed from him. All will grieve that the upright vigor of his hoary head, the firm Roman energy of his manly profile, the gentle strength of his calm blue eye shall no more be seen among us, and that tin- tones of his voice, — slow, distinct, deliberate, yet tremulous with intense earnestness of emotion, shall no longer be heard in the councils of the Church. Few have passed as scathless as he through the most exciting controversies of our day. Few retire to rest crowned with a higher honor in the hearts of all whom he leaves behind him." Dr. Sherwood published the following works:
The Christian Soldier, a sermon preached in S. James Church the third Sunday after Trinity, 1840.
A Pastoral address to the members of S. James Church .... on the observance of Lent.
2 i II i a tori c a I X o t e s of
< 'hun-h offerings a sermon at the anniversary of
the Prot. Episc. Tract Soc. (etc.) in the Church of the As- cension, City of. New York Sept. 28, 184^.
The workmen, and their work, in God's building. Sermon at the Opening of the Annual Convention .... in the Diocese of New York .... in S. Johns Chapel, N. Y.,Sept. 24, 1845.
THE VENERABLE HORACE STR1NGFELLOW, D.D.
1856—1860
Dr. Stringfellow was born August 6, 1827, at Madison Court- house, Virginia. He was ordained deacon July 12, 1850, by Bishop Meade, and priest August 6, 1851, by Bishop Johns. After attending the theological seminary in Alexandria and leaving there in 1850, he became rector of S. Johns Church, Harper's Ferry, and later assistant at S. Pauls, Baltimore, and rector of S. Andrews, Baltimore. In 1856 he became rector of S. James Church, Hyde Park, where the birth of several of his children and the kindness of the people created life-long attachments. He left S. James in 1860 and became rector of Christ Church, Indianapolis, one of the largest par- ishes there. During the Civil War he left his parish to serve as a chaplain in the Southern Army, going through many battles in charge of a hospital corps. Toward the close of the war he ran the blockade and went to Canada and held a small parish there for a time, returning almost immediately to In- dianapolis, however, and becoming rector of S. Pauls parish there, which shortly became the cathedral of the diocese. Fully a dozen buildings, churches, chapels, and hospitals, owe their existence to his energy. The urgings of Bishop Wilmer led him to leave his large parish in Indiana to go to Alabama where prospects were poor and dreary. He became rector of S. Johns Church, Montgomery, in 1869 and remained there until his death. Besides fulfilling all the duties of his large parish he was Archdeacon of Alabama, carrying the in- fluence of his attractive personality and force of character into various parishes and towns throughout the diocese. He
I. OK \< I STRINGFELLOW.
S. James Church 25
died on November 6, 1893. Dr. Stringfellow's body was a type of his soul. It was said of him that "from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of his people."
THE REVEREND JAMES S. PURDY, D.D.
1860—1876
The Rev. James Souverainc Purely was born in Rye, New York, Sept. 1, 1825. He was graduated from Trinity College in the class of 1849 and from the General Theological Seminary in the class of 1852, after which he served for one year as tutor of Latin and Greek in Trinity College, when he became rector of Trinity Church, Sonthport. Conn., 1854 to 1858. On May 16, 1854, he was married to Miss Susan Bard Johnson, daugh- ter of Dr. Samuel Roosevelt Johnson, D.D. In 1858 he be- came Vicar of Calvary Ch;ipel, New York, under Dr. Hawks, which post he resigned that he might live in the country in the hope of restoring the failing health of his wife, and accepted the call to S. James Church, Hyde Park, in 1860. Mrs. Purdy died the same year, leaving a young daughter, Elizabeth John- son (Sister Elisa Monica of the Order of Saint John Baptist,
at this date (1913) Sister in charge of S. Helens Hall, Tort- land, Oregon).
On December 17, 1862, he married Miss Frances Hannah Carter, daughter of the Rev. Lawson ( larter, who bore to him a son, Mr. Lawson Purdy of New York City.
\)r. Purdy was through life a most diligent student. In Trinity College he distinguished himself in the classical lan- guages. One recalls thai during his Seminary course he made
an extended abstract of Bingham's Voluminous work on Chris- tian Antiquities and another copious one of a standard work on Dogmatic Theology by a Roman Catholic writer. When Frederick Denison Maurice became a power in the Church he purchased and read all his works, "and when he unfolded and criticised his theology, ethics and philosophy to my wondering ear, I was astounded by his exposition, its clearness, fullness and satisfactoriness. I remember on another occasion his in- forming me that he had just finished reading in the original,
26 Historical N o t c b of
eight or ten volumes of St. Simon's Memoirs". His sermons were invariably striking. They were full of matter, vivid in style and arresting in interest. One could not help listening absorbingly to them. And his conversation, when he was in the vein of talking, was most delightful. His affections were strong. He made the warmest of friends. And his sympathy with the destitute and suffering was extreme. Supplicants for aid preyed on him. He gave indiscriminately, without investigation, and necessarily was constantly imposed upon and robbed. At Saint James Dr. Purdy served sixteen years, the best years of his ministry, a vigorous patient, devoted ministry. The memories of his Bible classes are still fresh. After his retirement he gratuitously tutored numbers of young men, helping them to enter college. Dr. Purdy died on March 21, 1883.
THE REVEREND PHILANDER KINNEY CADY, D.D.*
1876—1887 The Rev. P. K. Cady, D.D., was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 23, 1826. He graduated in 1843 from Woodward College, Cincinnati, from the General Theological Seminary in 18,50, and received the degree of A. M. from Trinity College, Hartford, in 1856. He was ordained deacon June 30, 1850, by Bishop Whittingham, and priest June 29, 1851, by Bishop DeLancey. In 1851 he became rector of Trinity Church, West Troy, New York. From 1856-1860 he was rector of Grace Church, Newark, where he did much to make the work of that parish permanent and effective. His other parishes have been Grace Church, Albany, 1861-65; Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, 1866-75; Saint James Church, Hyde Park, 1876 -87. In 1871, 1874 and 1877 he was Clerical Deputy of the Diocese of New York to the meetings of the General Conven- tions held in those years. In 1889 Dr. Cady was elected to the Professorship of the Evidences of Natural and Revealed Religion in the General Theological Seminary. This position he held until 1902, when he was made Professor Emeritus. He was Acting Dean of the Seminary from the death of Dean
♦See plate facing page 66.
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S. James C h it r c h 27
Hoffman in June 1902, to the installation of Dean Robbins in September, 1903. Columbia University conferred upon him in 1876 the degree of S. T. D., and in 1895 the Seminary did the same. On June 11, 1863, Dr. Cady married Miss Helen S. Hamilton, who died in 1868. Dr. Cady now lives at Ridgefield, Connecticut.
THEREYERENDRICHMONDHERBERTGESNER,B.D.*
1887—1890
Richmond Herbert Gesner was born in Kingston, N. Y., while his father the Rev. A. H. Gesner was rector of the Church of the Holy Spirit. He prepared for college at the Holbrook School, Ossining, X. Y., and entering S. Stephens College, Annandale in 1877, and graduated with honors in 1883.
He graduated from the General Theological Seminary in 1886 and the following February, while minister in charge of S. Johns Church. Yonkers, was advanced to the priesthood by Bishop Potter. The General Seminary in the following June conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. Bishop Potter commended Mr. Gesner to the rectorate of this parish and he entered upon his duties in July, 1887, serving the parish until June, 1890, when he became the first rector of S. Marys Church, Tower, Minn. After a year's service there, he was recommended by Bishop Gilbert to the parish of his boyhood, Zion Church, Morris, N. Y. Thence after four years he went to old Christ Church, West Haven, the most historic parish in Connecticut. In 1899 he accepted the call of Trinity Church, Lime Rock. After seven years of work there he went to Christ Church, Oswego, one of the leading parishes of Cen- tral New York. Mr Gesner is a member of three very impor- tant committees in the diocese. In 1890 he married Miss Virginia I. Brett of Albany, N. Y. They have four children. Mr. Gesner has been for many years a contributor of verse to the Boston Evening Transcript and has in preparation a little book on the Evidences of the Christian Faith.
The Rev. Authon T. Gesner, Professor of Ethics and Apolo- getics in the Berkeley Divinity School, is his brother. ♦Sec plate facing page 72.
J s // l 8 t n r i c a I X ot e s of
THE REVEREND AMOS TURNER ASHTON, D.D.
1891—1911
Dr. Ashton was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 3, 1849. He was the son of Job and Abby Stacy (Turner) Ashton. On his mother's side he was descended from one of the earliest New England families; Hugh Stacy, her great- great-grandfather, having settled in the colony of Plymouth, in the year 16c2l2.
The public schools of Providence, and Brown University, supplied the classical education, which was to bear the fruit of a faithful ministry of thirty-six years. Dr. Ashton was graduated from Brown in the class of 1872, and the next year entered the General Theological Seminary in New York. He was ordained Deacon in 1875 and Priest in Advent of the same year by Bishop Horatio Potter.
On June 30, 1875, he married Amelia Huntington Sill, younger daughter of Rev. Ferderick and Margaret (Cocks) Sill, of New York City, and entered upon the duties of his first cure: S. Thomas Church, Amenia Union, New York. Two daughters were born to him at Amenia, Margaret Abby, and Leonora Sill.
In 1878 Mr. Ashton accepted the rectorship of Trinity Church, West Haverstraw New York; and in addition to his parochial duties, assumed the missionary charge of the neigh- boring village of Haverstraw, and the mountain missions of Rockland County.
Two sons were born at West Haverstraw, Mortimer Stacy, the present rector of Zion Church, Morris, New York; and Frederick Turner, the present rector of S. Pauls Church, Salem, New York.
After a service of thirteen years, devoted to these labors, he was elected rector of S. James Church, Hyde Park, N. Y., and continued in this parish until the day of his death.
He was appointed Archdeacon of Duchess by Bishop Henry C. Potter in 1901, and under his direction an active mis- sionary work was carried on in the central and eastern sections of the county.
\M<)S TURNER VSHTON.
S. James Church 29
In 1903 Brown University awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity with these prophetic words: "Amos Turner Ashton, a 'Workman that needethnot to be ashamed.' " (2 Tim. 2:15.) Prophetic, because as a country missionary at Amenia and West HaverstraWj as rector of his two parishes, as Archdeacon and as a clerical member of the Standing Committee of the Dioceses of New York, to which body he was elected in 1904, and on which he served until his death, he proved himself a 'Faithful dispenser of the Word of GOD, and of His Holy Sacraments."
Dr. Ashton was a keen classical scholar, his chief pleasure. apart from the discharge of his official duties, being historical research. II< was a recognized authority on Church History and Canon Law.
Too keen an observer of the complexity of human nature to be concerned with the partisan feelings which from time to time are asserted by the various schools of thought in Un- church, Dr. Ashton manifested in his public and private life that: "In Chrisl Jesus, neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." And this breadth of sympathy for all mankind was the basis of Ms success in the private counsel of a Shepherd of Souls, as well as in the weightier deliberations of a ( lunch | tfgnitary.
On Christinas Day, 1910, Dr. Ashton celebrated the Holy Communion in S. James Chapel, Hyde Park. This was the
last public service at which he officiated. For many months he had suffered from an affection of the heart which finally ended his ministry of thirty-six years.
In perfect consciousness, he entered into life eternal, on January 10, 1911.
THE REVEREND EDWARD PEARSONS NEWTON*
1912—
The Rev. Edward Pearsons Newton, son of the Rev. Ben- jamin Hall and Adeline iPriehard) Newton, was born in Saint Albans, Vermont, August 28, 1859. The family moving to Brooklyn, New York, he was educated in Holy Trinity Parish *See plate facing page 70.
30 // istorical Notes of
School, and Saint Johns School, Manlius, New York, graduat- ing from Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, in the class of 1881. Having some doubts as to his vocation to the minis- try he taught for two years, entering Berkeley Divinity School, Middlctown, Connecticut, in 1883. He was ordained Deacon by the Rt. Rev. John Williams, D.D., on June 2, 1886, and Priest by the Rt. Rev. John Franklin Spalding, D.D., in Den- ver, Colorado, on December 18, of the same year. He was rector of Holy Trinity Church, Pueblo, Colorado, from 188G until May, 1902, when he became Senior Curate of Calvary Church, New York, under the Rev. J. Lewis Parks, D.D., which post he resigned in November, 1907, having offered himself to the Rt. Rev. Peter Trimble Rowe, D.D., for missionary service in Alaska. He was stationed in Valdez, on Prince William Sound, having charge as well of the Church's missions in Cor- dova, Seward and Katalla, which duties he resigned in August, 1911. He was elected rector of Saint James Church, Hyde Park, January 8, 1912. On February 8, 1912, in Calvary Church, New York, he was married to Miss Carolina Burton Hart, only daughter of Dr. Charles Alfred and Virginia (Bur- ton) Hart, and came into residence February 16, 1912.
AK< IIIBAI.I) ROGERS
S. James C h it r eh SI
THE FIRST VESTRYMEN
Samuel Bard ) ... . ., , M\ aniens.
Morgan Lewis I John Johnston Nathaniel Pendleton William Broome William Bard Christofhkr III oheb, 2d James Duane Li\ ingston Titus Dutton William A.LEXANDEB Dueb
32 Historical X ot e s of
SAMUEL BARD, M.D.
Senior Warden 1812-1821
The earliest Bard colonists settled in Delaware. Samuel, the son of Doctor John and Susanne (Valleau) Bard, was born in Philadelphia, April 1, 1742. The family removed to New York City when Samuel was four years old.
His mother was a descendant of Peter Fauconnier, a French refugee, who was Receiver General and Treasurer to Lord Cornbury (Edward Hyde), Queen Anne's favorite cousin, when he was Royal Governor. Fauconnier received from his patron several grants of land, one of which, styled in his honor "Hyde Park", ultimately fell by inheritance to Mrs. Bard, the claims of other heirs having been settled by cash payments. Hyde Park was originally the name of this country estate (now owned by Mr. Frederick W. Vanderbilt), and the Bards were at first annoyed when it was applied to the local inn and to the village.
Samuel was educated in the schools of New York City, and pursued the study of medicine under the guidance of his father. He sailed for London in November, 1761, where he enjoyed some practical hospital experience under eminent men of the time, and went to Edinburgh in September, 1762, taking a three years' course in medicine and receiving his diploma on September 6, 1765. He was married in Christ Church, Phila- delphia, on May 14, 1770, to his cousin, Mary Bard, a daughter of Peter and Marie (de Normandie) Bard. In the Edin- burgh University there were quite a number of American stu- dents in medicine. They often discussed the need for Medical Colleges in the new land. Those from Philadelphia were first successful in a move in this direction, but within a year of his return to New York, Doctor Bard had so stirred the medical profession in the city that the first Medical School was organ- ized and united to Kings College (now Columbia University), and he was given the Professorship of "The Practice of Physic".
When the first degrees were conferred in 1769, to Doctor Bard was assigned the honorable task of addressing the stu-
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SAMUEL BARD.
After a portrait painted !>> Samuel Waldo, owned by tin- New York Hospital
itpam Throi
ikIi tin- courtesy i>r the Moaid of Directors.
S. James Church 33
dents. In his discourse upon "The Duties of a Physician", he took occasion to enforce the necessity for a public hospital in New York City. The suggestion was welcomed.
The Governor, trustees of the College, and others subscribed to a fund at once, which later received more general donations. A site for the New York Hospital was bought, and a building erected, which burned before it was used. This blow, to- gether with the political dissensions of the time, delayed fur- ther work until 1791. When the hospital was finally opened Doctor Bard became the first Attending Physician, visiting its wards daily until his retirement from active practise in 1798.
In 1813 when a separation took place between Columbia College and its Medical School, upon the remodelling of the latter, Doctor Bard became the President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, which position he held until his death.
A man of Doctor Bard's character and activity could not re- tire from the active practise of liis profession to a life of idle ease. The picture of his life at Hyde Park presented by his biographer is a charming one. He was an early riser, and he regularly devoted a part of his early morning to religious read- ing and reflection, by which, as he himself expressed it, he en- deavored to "set his mind to a right edge for the business of the day".
The morning was devoted to reading and study, guiding the studies of his family, and to the care of the estate, which he greatly improved and beautified, importing and planting trer> which are greatly admired today. The strength and charm of the personality of this remarkable man is evidenced by the way in which relatives and friends were drawn to make their coun- try homes in Hyde Park, and the social life of those days, from all accounts, musl have been most delightful.
A friend in writing to him shortly after the consecration of the Church says: "God has been pleased, my dear friend, to afford you the ability, and to give you the heart, to make great ex- ertions in his service, and has shown you His favor in permit- ting you to accomplish a work of so much present usefulness, and of such future promise. I trust that the same dispensa-
34 Historical Xotes of
tions in which your children partake with you, will be contin- ued to their descendants; and that if the inhabitants of a better world be spectators of the employments of this, you may be privileged to behold your descendants from generation to gen- eration offering up the sacrifice of humble and contrite hearts in that house which God has enabled you to erect for His wor- ship and service."
A man who was prime mover in the establishment of three institutions, a medical school, a hospital, and a parish church, needs no eulogium. His works do follow him and speak his praise.
He died at Hyde Park, May 24, 1821, within twenty-four hours of the death of his wife on May 23, which had been a desire long cherished, and their bodies rest in the same grave in the churchyard. On May 28, Sarah (de Normandie) Barton died, aged eighty-eight.
MORGAN LEWIS
Junior Warden 1812-1827. Senior Warden 1827-1836
Morgan Lewis was born in New York on October 16, 1754, being the second son of Francis Lewis, a signer of the Declara- tion of Independence, and of Elizabeth Annesley. He owed his early education to his mother, later being placed at a gram- mar school in Elizabethtown, whence he entered Princeton College. There his favorite companion was James Madison. Lewis graduated from Princeton with honor in 1773.
He had chosen the Church as his profession, but complied with the wishes of his father in adopting law, and was about to commence his legal studies in London when the War of the Rev- olution began. In 1775 Lewis joined as a volunteer the Ameri- can forces before Boston.
In August of the same year Lewis took command, with the title of Major, of a company of volunteers. Almost immediate- ly he was ordered to prevent the "Asia", an English vessel, from interfering with a small party of citizens who at night- fall were removing military equipments from the Arsenal on the Battery. This task he accomplished successfully.
In June, 1776, Major Lewis, with the rank of Colonel, ac-
M()|{(. \\ LEWIS. From ;i portrait by Trumbull, In the New York Citj Hull.
S. James Church 35
companied General Gates as chief of staff when the latter took command of the army in Canada. In August, 1777, when the battle of Ticonderoga was fought, Colonel Lewis was stationed on the heights with a few mounted men to act as messengers to report to General Gates the movements of the enemy. So well did he accomplish this that the next day the enemy were invited to stack their arms on the plains, and were led out through a double line of American troops.
At the close of the Revolution, Lewis, as colonel of a regiment, had the honor of escorting General Washington at his first inauguration as President.
When the war was ended Colonel Lewis took up the study and practise of law, and represented Duchess County, to which he had removed, in the Assembly. In 1791 he was ap- pointed Attorney-General of State. In 1792 he was raised to the bench of the Supreme Court, and the next year lie became Chief Justice, and finally. Governor of the state of New York in 1804.
In the War of 1812 Lewis was made, first. Brigadier, and then Major-General. At tin- conclusion of this war he retired to private life. In l?7i» li<- had married Gertrude, daughter of Robert Livingston, and sister of Robert R. and Edward Living- ston, who were successively ministers to the Court of Prance.
For many years lie presided over the Historical Society and the Order of the Cincinnati. He died in is [ I in hi- ninetieth year, and his body rests in the churchyard.
JUDGE JOHN JOHNSTON
Vestryman 1812. Junior Warden 1S29-1836. Senior Warden
18:56-1850
Judge John Johnston was born June 13, 1762. lie was a descendant of Dr. John Johnston, who was Mayor of the City of New York in 1712. He married on May 26, 1792, Susannah, eldest child of Dr. Samuel and Mary Bard. About 1798 Judge Johnston, together with his friends, Dr. Samuel Bard, and General Morgan Lewis, settled at Hyde Park. For a
36 Historical Notes of
time Judge Johnston was a vestryman and clerk of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, until he joined with others in found- ing Saint James Church, Hyde Park. For some years he was Supervisor of the town. On June 5, 1807, he was made Presiding Judge of the court of Common Pleas of Duchess County, and on February 4, 1820, he became clerk of the county. He died August 29, 1850.
NATHANIEL PENDLETON
Vestryman 1812
Nathaniel Pendleton, son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Clayton) Pendleton was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, 1756.
His brother Edmund Pendleton was famous as a patriot in the days prior to the Revolution, presiding over the Virginia convention, and himself drew up the instructions for the dele- gates to the colonial convention wherein they were bidden to propose that the convention declare "the United States free and independent states, absolved from all allegiance or de- pendence upon the crown or parliament of Great Britain." Nathaniel studied law, and in 1796 opened law offices in New York City, and there married Susannah, a sister of Dr. Samuel Bard. Washington suggested his name for Secretary of State, but the suggestion was opposed by Alexander Hamilton, who feared that he was "somewhat tainted with the prejudices of Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Madison." Later he became a close personal friend to Hamilton and was his second in the famous duel, Hamilton dying in his arms. He was a delegate to the convention of 1787, which framed the Constitution of the United States, though being absent on the last day of its ses- sions, he failed to sign the document. He attained eminence at the bar in New York. In consequence of the strong affections of the Bard family, he, too, naturally made Hyde Park his country home, and became Judge of Duchess County. Some of his descendants of the fifth generation are still resident here, and it is the burial place of the family. He died in Hyde Park October 20, 1821.
WILLIAM HARD After a portrail owned bj his gran Idaughter, Mr* Charles A. Moran.
S. J a me s C hur ch 37
WILLIAM BROOM
Vestryman 1812
William Broom (born in Bristol, England, Nov. 27, 1769), whose wife was Annike Crooke, widow of Colonel William Barber, lived at Bellefield, the present residence of Mr. Thomas Newbold. He was a merchant in New York City. Charles Crooke, the father of Mrs. Broom, owned eighteen hundred acres along the Hudson south of the village, and it was he who set out the trees, for a mile upon the public highway, which are so great an adornment of the road to Poughkeepsie, and so great a comfort to summer travelers.
A tradition in the Crooke family has it that the timbers for old Christ Church in Poughkeepsie were cut upon the Crooke place, and brought to town by his oxen, being a gift for the erection of the church in which he was deeply interested. William Broom and Ann (Crooke) Barber were married by the Rev. Philander Chase, later the famous pioneer Bishop, on July 8, 1801. Broom's eldesl child Mary was the wife first of Edward P. Livingston and second of Judge Charles Ruggles. He left two sons Charles and John. He died in Albany, January 17, 1830, in his sixty-second year. The in- scription upon his wife's tombstone reads as follows. "Sacred to the memory of Ann Broom, daughter of Charles Crooke. born at Crum Elbow, April 14, 1765, died at Brookside, Pough- keepsie, April 27, 1856, in the NOtli year of her age".
WILLIAM BARD
Vestryman 1812. Senior Warden 1822-1827. Junior War- den 1827-1829
William Bard, son of Dr. Samuel and Mary Bard was born in Philadelphia April 4, 1778. He was graduated from Columbia College in the class of 1798, and directly be- gan the study of law under Judge Maturin Livingston. On October 7, 1802, in Trinity Church, New York, he was married to Miss Catharine Cruger, daughter of Nicholas and Anna
38 // i 8 t o r i c a I N 0 t e s of
(de Nully) Cruger. Dr. Bard made over to him an estate, from a portion of Hyde Park, and his wife inheriting a large fortune from her grandmother, Madame de Xully of the Island of San Croix, W. I., they built a house and set up an establish- ment and named the place "de Nully". Upon the death of his father and mother William Bard took possession of the paternal home and there kept up the same extended hospitali- ties as did his father. Bishop Moore had officiated at William Bard's wedding, and his son, the Rev. Clement Moore, was very intimate in the family at Hyde Park, and he read to the chil- dren his much beloved poem "The Night Before Christmas" from the manuscript before it ever was published. After the Revolution, the old families, long seated on domains on the Hudson began to be regarded with no friendly eye. Those of them who were members of the Cincinnati were looked upon as aristocrats not to be tolerated. William Bard saw that the day of his ancestors and their traditional life was passing. Again, a large family of children had grown up, and they pressed him to remove to the city. With "a heavy heart" he sold Hyde Park to Dr. David Hosack, and about 1826 removed to New York. He was pressed to take the presidency of Columbia College, but he knew he had not the dominating character for such leadership. His influence was great, but from example, and a singular perfection of the religious side of his nature. He was preeminently a scholar, Five o'clock every morning found him at his studies and reading. He founded the New York Life Insurance and Trust Co., and was its president. He was active in the benevolent doings of his day. He never began his business duties until he had attended Morning Prayer in Trinity Church. He died October 17, 1853, in his home at Staten Island and his body lies buried in a family vault in Saint Marks churchyard on the Bowery. It is evident from the dates above that the parish would not listen to his resig- nation as Senior Warden immediately upon his moving from Hyde Park.
I Will- Dl \\K LIVINGSTON
After a miniature painted bj Carlsenin 1809. Through the courtesy of the family of the late Charles James Livingston.
WILLIAM ALEXANDER DUER. After a portrait by Benry Inman, In the possession of Columbia Universitj N *>
/\
S. James Church 39
CHRISTOPHER HUGHES, 2d Vestryman 1812
Christopher Hughes, 2d, was the son of Captain Christopher Hughes (b. Sept. 17, 1745; d. May 22, 1805), the first of the name in these parts. Captain Christopher was engaged in trading with the West Indies, and made New Haven his home port, where his son was horn August 14, I??--'. He married as his second wife Abigail Mulford of Staatsburgh, and made that town hi.s home. There is a tradition that upon his settlement here he brought all his wealth in Continental paper money. that in some manner it was water soaked, that he and his mate hired a room in a home north of the church, in which to spread out and dry the hills. He bought land north of Staats- burgh.
For his son he boughl a farm between S. James and Staats- burgh. Christopher, -2d. was married December 12, lS;}-2,to Rachel Pawling, who died November 22, 1850, while he died May 30, 1856.
JAMES DC \\i: 1,1 \ [NGSTON Vestryman 1812
James Duane Livingston, of "The Locusts*', Staatsburgh-on-
Hudson, X. Y., and a member of the firsl Vestry of S. June-. Church, Hyde Park, was bom in the City of New York, on Sept em her 1,1786. He was the youngest son of Robert "( lam- bridge" Livingston and Alice Swift, his wife, and a grandson of
Robert Livingston, third and last) Lord of the Manor of
Livingston. lie was graduated from Columbia College in the Class of 1804, studied law in the office of Peter Van Schaaek, of Kinderhook with the son of Alexander Hamilton and other sons of prominent New York families, and was admitted to the Bar, by Chancellor Kent, in 1810. On October 9, 1809, he was married by Bp. White, of Pennsylvania, to his cousin, Sarah Swift, of Philadelphia, at the country residence of her father, Charles Swift, "Croyden Lodge", Bucks Co., Pa. Mr. Livingston made his home in Staatsburgh for about twenty-
40 Historical X otes of
five years, and all but one of his ten children were born there. They are all (but one) buried with their parents, in S. James churchyard.
After the death of his wife, in 1835, Mr. Livingston decided to move to New York, and sold "The Locusts" to Robert Emmet, Esq. His own death followed shortly after, on June 25, 1837. He left but one son, the late Charles James Living- ston of New York, and daughters, Alice, who married Howard Tillotson, Esq.; Julia, wife of Hon. Charles A. Peabody; and Louisa, wife of Oliver H. Jones, Esq, of New York and Long Island. The others died unmarried, in early life.
WILLIAM ALEXANDER DUER
Vestryman 1812
William Alexander Duer, son of William and Catherine (Alexander) Duer was born in Rhinebeck on September 8, 1780. He served as a midshipman under Decatur in 1798, and stu- died law in Philadelphia, and later in the office of Nathaniel Pendleton in New York, being admitted to the bar in 1802. He married Hannah Maria, daughter of William Denning, a merchant of New York on September 11, 1806, and soon after they removed to New Orleans, where he was in the law office of Edward Livingston, and familiarized himself with Spanish civil law. As his wife disliked living so far from her kin he re- turned to the north and settled in Rhinebeck, practising law until he was raised to the Supreme Bench of the State in 1822, when he removed to Albany. He was elected President of Columbia College, December 9, 1829, and thereupon resigned his judgeship. In 1843, owing to ill health, he resigned the presidency of Columbia and removed to Morristown, N. J. There, and in the neighborhood, he lived until his death which occurred in New York City, May 30, 1858, while he was visiting a married daughter. During his years of leisure he contribu- ted to various magazines many papers and sketches of old New York and its history, writing, also, at the request of Wash- ington Irving, recollections of Washington and his family with whom he was intimate while a boy,
II I I - DUTTON.
After a portrait. Through the courtesy <>f Mr-, s. p. Form an, of New York.
S. James Church 41
He could remember seeing General Washington at the time he gave his farewell address, though but nineteen at the time of Washington's death.
TITUS DUTTON
Vestryman 1815
Titus Dntton (son of Sir William Dutton of England) was born in Middletown, Conn., in 1747. He served through the Revolutionary War as Lieutenant of the Connecticut Conti- nental Line. He married Elizabeth Scott and had four children when they removed to Hyde Park in 17!)7. He learned the work of a carpenter and cabinetmaker, and some of the rush- bottom chairs that he made for his children, and which have been in daily use for a hundred years, are as strong and good as ever.
Ilis oldest child Mary (Polly) married William Stoutcnburgh and had eight children. Two of her boys went to California, two others were physicians. Two daughters died unmarried and Mary married Rev. Mr. Quinn. The descendants of at least one of her sons have readied the fourth generation of Stoutenburghs.
His third child Charles was thought to have been losl al sea.
The fourth child, Samuel Beldon Dntton, horn July is, 1795, married in S. James Church, Oct.-, 1820, Catherine Vander- burgh and had three children- The eldesl <>f these, Charles Titus Dntton. ninety-one years old, and a greal grandfather is living in Wilkinsburgh a suburb of Pittsburg, Pa.
Five years after the death of his wife. S. B. Dutton married her youngest sister Eliza DeWitt Vanderburgh in S. James Church, Oct. 22, 1829, and after a tally-ho ride to Poughkeepsie and a wedding journey to New York City (via a sloop winch took longer than it does to go to Europe today) they settled in Poughkeepsie. They had one daughter who married S. P. Forman. She is 80 years old and now living in New York City with her daughter Grace Forman.
The bodies of Titus Dutton and his wife and daughter-in- law, Catherine V. Dutton, lie buried in S. James churchyard.
42
Historical N u t e $ of
SENIOR WARDENS
Samuel Hard, William Bard,
Morgan Lewis, John Johnston, James Russell, Elias Butler, Christopher Hughes 3d, James Roosevelt, Archibald Rogers,
1812 — 1822
1822—1827
1827— 1830
1836—1850
1850—1807*
1807—1878
1879—1894
1894—1901
1901—
(See page 32) (See page 37) (See page 34) (See page 35)
JUNIOR WARDENS
Morgan Lewis, 1812—1827
William Bard, 1827—1829
John Johnston, 1829—1830
Edmund Henry Pendleton, 1830—1837
James Russell, 1837—1850
David Johnston, 1850—1858
Edmund Henry Pendleton, 1858— 1807*
Christopher Hughes 3d, 1807—1879
Nathaniel Pendleton Rogers, 1879—1892
James Roosevelt, 1892—1894
Archibald Rogers, 1894—1901
Samuel Braman Sexton, 1901 — 1903
S. Nicholson Kane, 1903—1900
John Hopkins, 1900—
(See page 34) (See page 37) (See page 35)
♦There are no records of elections from 1861 to 1SG7. tinued, so far as anything was done during war times.
Presumably the old vestry con-
ELIAS BUTLER.
S. James Church 43
JAMES RUSSELL
Vestryman 1828. Junior Warden 1837-1850. Senior Warden
1850-1857
James Russell was the son of Isaac Russell who was elected to the vestry in 1815. The son, born in Staatsburgh, Septem- ber 24, 1779, soon followed the father as vestryman and for thirty years served as a member of that body. He was deeply interested in the early beginnings of the mission in Staatsburgh the first services being held in his house, while postmaster, which office he filled for many years. On December 19, 182--\ he was married to Sally Gibbs. Their descendants are still residents of Staatsburgh.
ELIAS BUTLER
Vestryman 1845-1878. Senior Warden 1867-1878
Elias Butler, born January 13, lsoi;, was a Dative of tin- Slate of New York and earlyentered upon ;i business career. In 1842 he retired from active business and purchased the place in Hyde Park called Crumwold. Here he spent the re- mainder of his life, enjoying his library ;md the oversight of the farm and the garden with it- greenhouses and vinery, lb- took great interest in politics, though he never would accept any office. He was always a devoted and energetic member of the parish. He died April 29, 1878.
CHRISTOPHER HUGHES, 3d*
Vestryman 1850. Junior Warden 1867-1879. Senior Warden 1879-1894
Christopher Hughes, :>d. was the son of Christopher and Rachel (Pawling) Hughes. He was born July 31, 1805, married Dee. 12, 1832, Sarah Lamoree, and died May 28, 1903. He was a farmer and good citizen of the type wliich have made this nation and have been the backbone of its liberties and institutions. In 18S3 Governor Wm. L. Marcy
plate lacing pag'
44 // i a t o r i c a I X ot e s of
appointed him Junior Cornet in the 23d Regiment of Cavalry, and the following year he was made a Captain therein. He served for many years as a School Trustee, and also as Super- visor of the town. He was regularly at the services in S. James with his family, and when Sunday evening came would get his lantern, and hitch up his horses to drive to Staatsburgh to attend the service there, thus helping the beginnings of the mission there, which have resulted in S. Margarets parish, in which his descendants are still loyal workers.
JAMES ROOSEVELT
Vestryman 1858. Junior Warden 1892-1894 Senior Warden 1894-1901
James Roosevelt, a descendant of Isaac Roosevelt, one of the first senators from this state was born on July 16, 1828.
He was graduated from Union College in the class of 1847 and thereafter studied and traveled in Europe for two years. Subsequently he studied law in the Harvard Law School, and entered the office of Benjamin D. Silliman in New York. He was called from his profession into the management of impor- tant corporations, holding offices as president, trustee, and director of railway, transportation and trust companies. He was a manager of the Hudson River State Hospital, and a member of the Board of State Charities and of many charitable institutions in various parts of the State. He spent as much of his time each year as his manifold duties would permit, at his country place, in Hyde Park, which he dearly loved, and took an active interest in the local affairs of the town, having been for years especially devoted to the welfare of the public school. As vestryman and warden he served Saint James parish with constant zeal. Actively useful as a business man, a philan- thropic and public spirited citizen, he was the very ideal of a gentleman of the old school, witnessing by his kindliness and charm of manner to the nobility and honor of his inner Chris- tian character.
He died December 8, 1900.
•I \MKS ROOSEVELT
S. James Church 45
He married first Rebecca Rowland in 185-2. He married as his second wife Sara Delano, 1880. Each of whom bore to him a son, James Roosevelt Roosevelt and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, both of whom are serving upon the present parish vestry.
At a Vestry meeting on January 13, 1901, the following "minute" was voted to be placed upon the records of the parish :
"It is our sad but heartfelt privilege to offer our sincere tri- bute of respect to the memory of our late associate, the Senior Warden of the parish, Mr. James Roosevelt. Xo long and elaborate eulogy would be suitable for him, who in such a modest and retiring way, gave much of his time to the interests of this parish, but a brief expression of loving appreciation may not seem inappropriate.
Born of honorable lineage, he wrought out with singular fidelity those traits of character which constitute a useful and dignified life. Mr. Roosevelt was one of the first lay members of the Duchess Convocation, now the Archdeaconry of Duch- ess, and always afterwards continued to act as representative of this parish in that body. He was for more than forty years a Vestryman and Warden of Saint James Church, and at the time of his death was one of its delegates to the Dioce-an ( !on- vention.
An upright Christian man, full of kindness and helpfulness he adorned the doctrine of Christ our Saviour, by n consistent walk and holy life.
He is sadly missed in the church which lie so faithfully served but our sore trial of separation is mingled with the comforting assurance that he rests in Paradise."
"Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord".
ARCHIBALD ROGERS*
Vestryman 188-2. Junior Warden 1891-1001 Senior Warden 1901-
Archibald Rogers, son of Edmund Pendleton and Virginia (Dummer) Rogers was born in Jersey City, on February 22, 1852. He is a grandson of Archibald and Anna Pierce (Pen- *See plate facing page 30.
46 // i s t 0 r i c a I N o t c s of
tlleton) Rogers, his grandmother being the daughter of Nathan- iel and Susannah (Bard) Pendleton, the latter a sister of Dr. Samuel Bard, therefore church building and fostering is a natural inheritance of his blood. He was educated as a Mechanical Engineer in the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University in the class of 1873.
Before graduation, for practical experience he served an ap- prenticeship in the Rogers Locomotive Works in Patersou, N. J., and the following year went around the Horn to China and return as Assistant Engineer on the City of Tokio. He was engaged in constructive engineering on the D., L. and W. tunnel, and later also on railway construction in Wisconsin, where the first year of his married life was spent, making a home and headquarters in Milwaukee. He was married May 11, 1880, in Saint Bartholomews church, New York, to Anne Caroline Coleman, only daughter of William and Susan Ellen (Habersham) Coleman of Cornwall, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Archi- bald Rogers rented Drayton House, a property south of the old Pendleton place, Placentia, where they lived until May, 1889, when they moved into Crumwold Hall, south of the vil- lage. They purchased several adjoining places which were thrown together as Crumwold Farm.
In partnership with a cousin Edmund Pendleton Livingston, he ran a ranch in Wyoming, which took him often West, and being a keen sportsman he had many a bear hunt in the Rocky Mountains.
Mr. Rogers has been greatly interested in scientific forestry, a goodly part of the broad acres of Crumwold being wooded, and many tens of thousands of young trees having been set out on the place. He has been a leader in ice boating on the Hudson, his engineering skill coming into play, as all his boats are constructed from his own designs, and he has won a great number of trophies. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers keep an ever open house at Crumwold Hall, entertaining with most gracious and charming hospitality. As Senior Warden, Mr. Rogers has given a great deal of time and thought and money to the care of the church properties, and the beauty of the surroundings of the church in largely due to his thought and labor.
/.
V.
/.
25
v.
s.
Z
^
S. James Church 47
EDMUND HENRY PENDLETON
Junior Warden 1836-37, 1858-62
Edmund Henry Pendleton was the eldest son of Nathaniel Pendleton. He lived at Hyde Park, Duchess County, New York, and eventually filled his father's place as an attorney at the bar in Poughkeepsie. On January 16, 1830, he was elected County Judge of Duchess County, and he held that position ten years. He was a Represent at ive in Congress for New York State 1831-1833. He married Frances Maria Jones, daughter of John Jones of New York. In the year 1836 he went to Europe and after his return spent the remainder of his life principally at Hyde Park and in New York City. He died on February 25, 1862, without issue.
DAVID JOHNSTON
Vestryman 1845. Junior Warden 1850-1858
David Johnston, a son of Judge John and Susannah i Hard) Johnston, was born in Hyde Park at "Bellefield," now owned by Mr. Thomas Newbold, on August 20, 1812. In early child- hood he had a severe fall, which crippled one side of his body. This unfitted him for active life, consequently he occupied himself with the care of the place having at one time a nursery of young trees. He also developed quite an artistic taste, cutting cameos with great success. He died, unmarried, January 23, 187-2.
NATHANIEL PENDLETON ROGERS
Nathaniel Pendleton Rogers, late of Hyde Park, Duchess County, New York, was born April 29, 1822, at the house of his grandfather, Moses Rogers, Number 7 State Street, New York City. In his early life he practised law in New York, and in 1849 he married Miss Emily Moulton. After a number of years he retired from the active practice of the law in New York and spent his summers at his country place at Hyde Park on Hudson, which had been purchased by Mr. Rogers' grand- father, Nathaniel Pendleton, who named it "Placentia". Mr. Rogers' father, Archibald Rogers, married in the year 1820
48 // i 8 tori c a I N 0 i e a of
Anna Pierce Pendleton, a daughter of Nathaniel, and Susan (Hani) Pendleton. The latter was a daughter of Dr. John Hard, Nathaniel Pendleton Rogers was the eldest son, and his brothers and sisters were Julia Ann; Archibald, who died in 1831; Edmund Pendleton; Philip Clayton; Archibald, who died in 183G; and Susan Hard Rogers, who became the wife of Herman T. Livingston. Mr. Rogers was a grandson of Moses Rogers, an old time merchant of New York, who was born in 1750 and died in 1825. Moses Rogers was one of the founders of Grace Church, New York. He married Sarah Woolsey and had four children, one of whom was Archibald Rogers, the father of Nathaniel Pendleton Rogers. Mr. Rogers' maternal grandfather was Nathaniel Pendleton. (See page 36.)
Nathaniel Pendleton Rogers died on April 22, 1892, leaving him surviving his eldest son, Henry Pendleton Rogers, who married Mary Shillito of Cincinnati, Ohio; his daughters Anna Pendleton Fuller, the wife of Charles D. Fuller of New York; and Elizabeth M. Rawson, the wife of Edward Stephen Raw- son of Cincinnati, Ohio; and two other sons, Nathaniel P. Rogers, who married Katharine Witherspoon; and John Bard Rogers, who married Daisy F. Wells. There are numerous grandchildren and also several great grandchildren. A daugh- ter of Nathaniel Pendleton Rogers, Frances Maria Rogers, predeceased her father, having died at the age of eleven years, on the third day of May, 18G7.
SAMUEL BRAMAN SEXTON
Yestryman 1893. Warden 1901-1903
Samuel Braman Sexton, son of Samuel John Mills and Caro- line (Braman) Sexton was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., July 19, 1869. The family removed to Hyde Park in 1870, where he was educated by private tutors and at Colonel Lester's School in Poughkeepsie. He entered Columbia Law School in 1886, but was forced by reason of ill health to leave after completing the second year of the course. He traveled extensively in Europe hoping to regain his health. He died in Augusta, Georgia, April 19, 1903.
AMI EL BKAMAN SEXTON
S. James Church 49
S. NICHOLSON KANE*
Vestryman 1890. Junior Warden 1903-1906
S. Nicholson Kane, son of DeLancey and Louisa (Langdon) Kane, grandson of Walter and Dorothea (Astor) Langdon, and nephew of Walter Langdon, Jr., owners of "Hyde Park," whose graves are in S. James churchyard, lived at c23 West 47th Street, New York, but he spent much of his time with his uncle at Hyde Park during the last eight years of the hitter's life, so naturally becoming interested in the old parish church, and a member of its vestry. He was born on July v2, 1840, and died November 15, 1900. He entered the U. S. Naval Academy in 1862 and graduated at the head of his class, being also Adjutant of the Academy. After a cruise in the West Indies, he became personal aide to Admiral Parragllt on the Flagship Franklin, visiting European courts with him. Re- signing from the navy, he went to England and entered Cam- bridge University. After graduation he returned home and en- tered the Albany Law School, from which he graduated in 1s7 I as valedictorian of the class and was admitted to the bar. Soon afterwards his old taste for the navy showed itself in his in- teresl in yachting, and ;i> owner of the yacht Restless he be- came Commodore of the New York Yacht Club. For many years he was chairman of the Regatta Committee, which car- pied to success so many of the international competitions lor the American Cup. At the breaking out of the Spanish War he offered himself to the government and was assigned to duty on the Saint Paul, and was highly commended in official des- patches. He was always greatly interested in the affairs of the Church, serving many years as a vestryman of S. Clements Parish, New York, serving also for many years ;is a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, and also as Vice- President of The ( lunch Club. He was particularly intereste I in the National Geographical Society, and in the various polar expeditions. Mr. Kane's intellectual equipment tor life had been broad, which added to personal qualities of character,
plate facing pngi- 82,
50
II j 8 t 0 r i c a I Notes of
naturally gave to his career a broad and varied usefulness. To him nothing was alien that concerned the well being of his country, his state, or his city, and he was unfaltering in his devotion to his church.
JOHN HOPKINS
Vestryman 1891. Junior Warden 1906-
John Hopkins, son of Dr. William Harrison and Jemima (Van Bcnschoten) Hopkins was born July 8, 1845, in the town of La Grange of old Duchess county stock. His mother was a descendant of that Thcunis Eliasen Van Benschoten, who is found at Esopus in 1671, being the head of the family in this country. His father was village doctor from 1870 to 1890, during which years he also conducted the village drug store, which business the son today continues.
Mr. Hopkins has been postmaster since 1897 under four administrations. He has been treasurer of the parish for twenty-two years and has represented the parish in the diocesan council with continued regularity. He is one of the men who quitely do a large share of the world's work without the fact being realized by half of their neighbors.
THE PRESENT VESTRY
Archibald Rogers, Senior Warden John Hopkins, Junior Warden In Order of Seniority of Election
James Roosevelt Roosevelt. Elbridge T. Gerry.
James Henry Ilorrocks. Gerald Livingston Hoyt.
Henry Myers. Ellsworth Martin Crapser. Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Edmund Pendleton Rogers.
.K»ll\ linl'MN-
<S. James Church
51
VESTRYMEN
The dates of first election only are given, as many served broken terms, a few years of service, an interval (probably of absence in New York) and again years of service.
For convenience names are ordered alphabetically rather than in chronological order.
Allen, Benjamin, 1819
Allen, Theodore, 1838
Bard, Samuel, 181-2
Bard, William, 1812
Broome, William, 1812
Butler, Elias, 184.5
Carter, Israel M., 1855
Collins, David Jr., 1835
Cowman, Augustus Thomas, 1837 Crapser, Ellsworth Martin. 1904 I)ul)lis, Benjamin Burroughs 1875 Duer, William Alexander, 1812
1812 ism;
1813 ism is:; j is:.' 183(i 1828 1829 1891
Dutton, Titus, Emmet, William C, Fuller, Dudley B., (Jerry, Elbridge T.,
Hale, Elisha Henderson, John,
Ilincliman. John,
Him •liman. William, Holbrook, Ephraim,
Hopkins, John, Hopkins, William Harrison, 1ST8 Horrocks, James Henry, 1900 Hosack, David, 1835
Howard, Thomas Howard, 1899
Iloyt, Gerald Livingston, L901
Hoy t, Henry Sheaff, 1889
Hughes, Brooks, 1852
Hughes, Christopher 2d, 1812
Hughes, Christopher 3d, 1850
Hughes, Miles, 1871
Johnston, David, 1845
Johnston, John, 1812
Johnston, Francis Upton, 18G7
Jones, James I., 1850
Kane, S. Xieholson, IS! u
kmrland. Henry, 183G
Laight, William E., 1830'
Langdon, Walter Jr.. 1847
Livingston, James Duane, L812
Livingstqin, MalMrin. ls.n
Livingston, Maturin, 18G7
Low ades, Raw lins, 1875
Blosher, Nathan H., 1855
Myers, Henry, L901
Newbold, Thomas N., 1878
Northrup, Charles W.. 1875
Pendleton, Edmund H., 1822
Pendleton, Edmund II.. 1857
Pendleton, Nathaniel, 1812
Rogers, Archibald, 1st, 1839
Rogers, Archibald, 2d, L882
Rogers, Edmund Pendleton, 1906
Rogers, Henry Pendleton, 1892
Rogers, James, 1813
Rogers, Nathaniel Pendleton 18(i8
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1906
Roosevelt, James, 1858
Roosevelt, James Roosevelt, 1879
Roosevelt, John A., 1889
Russell, Isaac, 1815
Russell, James, 1828
Sexton, Samuel B., 1893
Sherrill. Hunting, 1820
Spencer, Reuben, 1815
Yanwart, H., 1856
Van Vliet, Cornelius Jr., 1845
Van Vliet, James R., 1856
Woodworth, William W., 1837
52 // i star i cal N ote s of
AUGUSTUS THOMAS COWMAN
Vestryman 1837 Born 1814; died September lc2, 1854
The following notices give estimate of the labors and gifts of this devoted servant of the parish, whom we have styled the second Dr. Bard.
For a long time a member of Christ's Mystical Body, Mr. Cowman was a thorough churchman of the old school, sound, intelligent, and devoted. He showed his faith by his works. For many years a prominent member of the Vestry of S. James Church, he was ever forward and active in all measures adopted for the welfare and prosperity of the Parish. He was noble and generous in all acts of benevolence, — and blessed, at the time of rebuilding our little church, a few years since, with, as he supposed, abundance of means, he liberally applied them to this holy purpose. He bore at least one-half of the expense of this beautiful and church-like edifice. In his death the Parish has lost one of its most willing and liberal supporters — while the poor, the sick, and the afflicted will long and grate- fully remember his many acts of kindness, his ever-willing heart and outstretched hand, to help, cheer, and comfort them in their distress. Strong in the true faith, and relying entire- ly on the mercies of God, through Jesus Christ, he dies in peace; and he rests, we trust, in the paradise of God, where in joy and felicity he waits the consummation of his bliss, at the general resurrection at the last day.
"At a meeting of the Wardens and Vestrymen of S. James Church, Hyde Park, on September 3, 1846, the following pre- amble and resolutions offered by Elias Butler, Esq., were unan- imously adopted:
Whereas, at a meeting of the W7ardens and Vestrymen of S. James Church, Hyde Park, on the 8th day of August, 1844, James Russell, Augustus T. Cowman and William E. Laight, Esq., were appointed a committee, with full powers, to repair the church edifice, and to borrow, on the bond of the corpora- tion, whatever money might be necessary for that purpose. —
/
/
At (.1 ST1 S THOMAS COW MAN.
S. J antes C h u r c h 53
Whereas, the said committee, on examining the building and after obtaining the opinions of experienced mechanics, as may be seen by their report on the minutes of the Vestry, thought it inexpedient to attempt any repairs on the old church and resolved to erect a new one.
Whereas, the said committee have, by the voluntary and generous subscriptions of members and other friends of the Parish, rendered sufficient by their own exemplary liberality erected and completed the new church edifice; therefore
Resolved, That the Vestry of S. James Church do ap- prove of the course pursued by their committee, in rebuilding the Church.
Resolved, That the thanks of the Vestry ;ire due, and are hereby given said committee, for the energy, liberality and good taste, with which they have discharged the trust committed to them.
Resolved, Thai the Rector be requested to present a copy of the foregoing resolutions to each member of the committee.
Resolved, That the Rector be requested to procure some suitable architectural work, to be presented by him in the name
and behalf of the Vestry of S. James Church, to A. T. Cow- man, Esq., as a testimonial of the sense entertained by this
corporation, of his great kindness, unremitted exertions, and singular liberality, in drawing the plans, superintending the
erection and bringing to BO happy a completion our beautiful Church.
Resolved, That the Hector be authorized to draw on the Treasurer for the money aecessary to carry the above resolu- tion into effect.
Ami now. My dear Sir, entirely sympathizing with the Ves- try, in the above expression of their gratitude to you, and for the reasons there stated, I have great pleasure in complying with their direction and requesting your acceptance of this work* which, it is hoped, will prove interesting to you, as an amateur architect, and serve, as a keepsake, occasionally to remind you, and yours, of past scenes, of the good will of the
♦Weale's Papers on Architecture.
54 Historical Notes of
Vestry of S. James Church, and especially of your friend, the Rector.
Augustus T. Cowman, Esq. R. Sherwood.
Advent Season, 1840.
THE ORGANISTS
The first organist of the parish was a daughter of Judge John Johnston who volunteered her services. We have no record of others who gave their services during succeeding years until it became the custom of the parish to employ an organist on salary.
Tradition reports that Miss Sherwood played for some years, and also that the Misses Eliza Matilda and Susan Maria Cowman served in the same capacity.
On May 9, 1840, the vestry by resolution thank"Miss Parker for the aid she had so long afforded in leading our choir", and in 1840 they also thank Mr. James Van Vliet for forming and leading the choir, and make him the grant of a pew.
ELIZABETH A. DROM, Organist 1859-1874, was born in Rhinebeck, N. Y.,in the year 1831. Her parents were Luther- ans and she was brought up in that church. In 1830 the fami- ly moved to Poughkeepsie where she was educated, and where she sang in the choir of S. Pauls Church. Later the family removed to Albany where she studied both piano and organ, having several engagements as organist before the family came to Hyde Park in 1859, occupying the house which is now the parish rectory. She was confirmed by Bishop Whittingham, acting for the Bishop of the Diocese in the class of 1859. Dur- ing most of her life in Hyde Park she was organist at both church and chapel. She also taught in the parish school, and there are many now living in the village who were her pupils. On June 20, 1874, she married Mr. George Van Voorihas, and moved to Castleton-on-Hudson where her husband died in 1900.
In 1907 she entered S. Lukes Home for the Aged in New York City, where she died August 9, 1912. Though infirm, she retained her faculties to the last, and had been much in- terested in the Centennial Anniversary and was full of remin- iscences of the parish which she loved.
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S. J ame s C hurch 55
JOHN FRANCIS GERMOND, Organist 1874-1909, was born in Hyde Park, August 17, 1856.
His musical talent developed very early, so that in the year 1874, at the age of nineteen, he was chosen organist of the par- ish. In October, 1891, he entered the Metropolitan College of Music and graduated with honors in June, 1893, with the de- gree of M. C. M.
As a pupil of Dr. Wm. Mason, Dudley Buck, and Albert Ross Parsons, Mr. Germond represented the best in the musi- cal culture of America. As a teacher of music he was most thorough striving to stimulate a high ambition and musical taste in the minds of his pupils.
During the years 1897-1898 he was Vice-President of the New York State Music Teachers Association. In his tran- scriptions and original compositions which were chiefly for church use he showed a scholarly intelligence and fine musical sensibility. He fulfilled many commissions which added to his reputation.
He was not only zealous in his professional duties as organist and choirmaster, but was a devoted son of the church, deeply interested In parish activities. It was his great pleasure to gather and arrange (lowers for the altar. lie was always to the fore in connection with the Christmas tree, Sunday School picnics and the like. He gave much Lime to the management of a boys' club. By his death, on October 16, 1909, the parish lost a most devoted servant and a true interpreter of the ritual of the church.
Mr. Percy Barnes served as organist in the interval after Mr. Germond's death.
SAMUEL PRI'YN FLAGLER, the present organist, is a son of Dr. John Ostrom and Christina ( Van YIeck) Flagler. His father was City Physician of Albany for fourteen years, and having a fine tenor voice he was for many years leader of the choir of Saint Peters Church, Albany, while Dr. Horatio Potter, later Bishop of New York, was rector. Samuel Flagler was born in Albany September 22, 1846. His musical training was received from his elder brothers, Edgar Ostrom Flagler,
56 // i * t u r i c a I N o t e s of
and Isaac Van Vleck Flagler, the latter a composer of consider- able note. His first position as organist was at Saint Pauls, Poughkeepsie, from which church he went to the Holy Com- forter, playing there for twenty -six years, while Dr. Crary was rector of the parish. He came to Saint James in October, 1910.
THE SEXTONS
RICHARD JENKINS, Sexton 1822-1857, according to the entry in the parish register at the time of his Baptism, Decem- ber 20, 1829, was born about "1783".
He married Nancy Lewis of whom were born twelve chil- dren. The youngest, and last surviving Mrs. Catherine (Jenkins) Carl is still living in the parish and was confirmed at the centennial anniversary.
Richard died on September 14, 1857, and Dr. String-fellow has a note in the parish register "Forty years Sexton of St. James Church," though a note in the treasurer's book states that he began work May 1, 1822. It is quite possible that prior to that date he had done the duties, though not employed by the year. Nancy, his wife, laundered the surplices and linen.
HARRY ANTHONY became sexton in 1857 and served until 1866.
CHARLES RICCO became sexton in 1866 and served until
1872.
JOHN McCURDY became sexton in 1872 and served until
1878
BENJAMIN BURROUGHS DOBBS, Sexton 1878, and still Emeritus, son of Peter Zachariah and Ruth (Burroughs) Dobbs, was born in the town of Hyde Park, two miles east of the village on November 23, 1824. When a lad of eleven he made his first essay at farm work under Dr. Benjamin Allen, from whom he learned some valuable lessons. His father wished him to have the trade of a shoemaker, which he learned against his taste and inclination. In January, 1847, he enlisted
Kl< IIAKI) JENKINS.
S. James Church 57
in the army and followed General Scott throughout the Mexi- can war.
On October 18, 1849, he married Mary Clarissa Edwards, who died in 1884 without children.
On March 2, 1854, he enlisted in the First Cavalry Dragoons, following Lieutenant Colonel Steptoe across the Continent, and he had five years of frontier service in Oregon and Wash- ington. After the death of his wife, his sister kept house for him in Hyde Park, and they adopted a girl, Bertha Lawrence Dobbs, who married and went to California.
In 1878 he became sexton of the church and continued in that duty until advancing years led him to retire, in 1900, though lie still now and again delights to ring the church bell. lie is a venerable and interesting figure in the parish, and seated by the open fire in the reading room, charms the younger generation with tales of army and frontier life.
FREDERICK PERCY BARKER became sexton upon
Mr. Dobbs' retirement from active duty in 1900 and served until 190S.
JOHN DELANCEY WICKER, the presen! sexton, entered upon his duties in 1903. Be is a son of John Peter and Adeline (Baker) Wicker, having been born July ,'■'•, 1867, He wras trained as a Borisl and practical gardener, bu1 considerations of health made it necessary for him t<> give up greenhouse and all inside work, and he took lhi> position as so large a pari of lii> duties is the care <>t' the churchyard. He married Septem- ber 1, 1SSS, Antoinette Pultz Schry ver.
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BENJAMIN HI l{H«)l(;HS i>omh>.
S. James C h u r c h 59
THE
CHURCHYARD
AND
GOD'S ACRE
the
MEMORIAL TABLETS
AND
WINDOWS
Dr. Samuel Hani gave the ground for the Church which in- cluded a knoll where were buried the bodies of sonic of his kin. Dr. Hosack later gave ground north of the Church for the rec- tory. The acreage has been still further increased by gifts
of land from Mr. Walter Langdon, and Mr. Frederick \Y. Vanderbilt, and in 1910 a fine stonewall was built at a cost of >ix thousand dollars, on three sides of the God's Acre, leaving the roadway frontage without fencing.
The bodies of many men and women, notable in days past for Christlike traits of personal character, for usefulness in public service, and some of them illustrious in civil and social life, lie in the hallowed ground of this beautiful spot, while the walls of the church within are so covered with memorial tablets, that one has called Saint James, the Westminster Abbey of this section of the State.
00 Historical Xotes of
In addition to the tablets reproduced in plates following, there are on the walls of the church memorial tablets to the following persons, some of which it was impossible to photograph clearly.
e^aturfn Livingston
17G8-1847
Margaret
WIFE OF MATURIN LIVINGSTON ONLY CHILD OF MORGAN LEWIS
1780-1800
atcfn&alD Rogers— anna pierce pentileton
1793-18.50 1797-1883
MARRIED MAY 18, 1820
Eatolius £otonDes-®ertruOe Livingston
1801-1897 180.5-1883
3fulia Livingston LotonDes
WIFE OF WILLIAM JAMES
1829-1875
jfrances £$arfa penMeton
DAUGHTER OF JOHN JONES WIFE OF EDMUND HENRY PENDLETON
1800-1870
Q^aturin Livingston
GRANDSON OF MORGAN LEWIS
1810-1888
£©arp Livingston LotonDes
1831-1893
l^enrp ^fceaff jj>opt
18.53-1900
THE I III RCHYARD I,<u>KIN<; SOUTHWEST
THK (III U( HYAKI) LOOKING SOUTHEAST.
S. James Church CI
IN MEMORY OF
raillmm BarO
BORX APRIL 4, 1778 DIED OCTOBER 17, 1833
THIS TABLET IS ERECTED AS A TRIBUTE
OF
FILIAL REVERENCE TO A FATHER,
WHO FAITHFUL TO DUTY, WARM AND CONSTANT
IN FRIENDSHIP AM) DISTINGUISHED
FOR
LOVING KINDNESS AND GENTLE COURTESY, SUSTAINED HIMSELF AMIDST THE URGENCIES
OF
MANHOOD WITH INTEGRITY UNSHAKEN
AND
WITH HONOR UNBLEMISHED, DYING AS HE HAD
LIVED IN THE COMMUNION OF THE CHURCH
AND IN THE FAITH AND LOVE OF CHRIST.
FIDETE YIRTUTI
Note — It was found impossible to photograph the Wm. Bard Tablet. The inscription is given above.
62 II i s t o r i e a I X ote s o
THE MEMORIAL WINDOWS
The six memorial windows bear the following inscriptions:
IN HONOR OF GOD
AND TO THE
PIOUS MEMORY
OP
George IftucclanO
WHO DEPARTED IN THE FAITH
ANNO DOM. 1850. AGED 3G
MAY GOD HAVE MERCY
Fanny his wife caused this window to be set up.
IN MEMORY OF
©Itoer fy. TButler, $p3D.
ERECTED BY THE MEMBERS
OF
ST. JAMES CHURCH
TO THE MEMORY
OF
Reuben ^fcertoooD. D.SD.
WHO WAS FOR 21 YEARS THEIR RECTOR
S. NICHOLSON KANE
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miiiU la i .»i
n i im i 1 1 »■ it Su i i i!.t> I Ills Hill I I
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Ilii ii l>i i ..,«,•,! I fulfil pn
«» I if., ii J'ni»
i Ii i « I tin 1 1 h
. I., i i » l>. .1 \w i Im-i i / mil f
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I\ 1 »#■/% f »!/ M
• *, loving mrmor-V/™*r *C T>
FRANCIS UPTON JOHNSTON M. D
of New York,
,0„ „f Judge .Tol.nHton ol Br'.l- field. Hyde Park, urnl frandien <>) SlUQuel lUrd, >». D. AWu of hi »0)i *
I KANU5 U.JOHNSTON, M.D.
n;nr year* vestryman ofthii ttuupch, dird Nom ini.rr 20*!' HJ82, i»£,»-«i Bfi yvurs<
Physician tclovr.i. and honeurad through hi, »n4wl««i,4.ioth«^idrtaf their devoted work'.
I' > Mil- siljj. .-,,,£
"iii //„ i j,, ujt,t:
T^O- *
*^°
VF'. '.'
THIS MOMME^T i« Erected to the Hrmor* of
I1VATHAXIEL PEVDLt I 0\ ...
a .Nati-re of V/HC/.V/A .
who •ei-'red hi* Country
in hi* youth
■with fidelity »nd courng? o» u *»u.";.i\cr,
tuui in hi* riper »c
Iwith intejrrity and learning u» u M atriatrator j
Having retire<! from «h» rare* ot' life
•ynd in the full poaMMMiaa vi In- ;t«aiUWji»<w'uc>»|
Hi-* tit'i- wu terminated
* by a fatal accident
at ilyde Parn. .
O.tobrr 20,k lH2t\
In the «:j'.'* ye*»r <.»' l»i» u-e.
f » '
■»*
* —
_
TNO '■/■ EZAAWttL ■
~* *HC
ROBERT-JAMES LIVINGSTON
GRANDSGNOFMORCaNLI
BORN DECEMBER II •«
ATRUSTEEGF -THE -CHILD?. OFTHEHOME-FO; AND PRESIDENTOF
LOVEDHG . FTERAUFEDEVQTEDTO • HE-ENTERED-:
1ILDREN
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, L^NOX AND MIONS
SS
Rfc
S ^
kN0
ONS.
S. James Church 63
TO THE MEMORY
OF
3fame$ 3. Jones
DIED AT BASLE, SWITZERLAND SEPT. 3d, 1858
IX MEMORY
OF
EDmunO It). pcnDIcton
DIED FEB. r>, 180* AGED 74 YEARS
GIVING THANKS TO GOD FOR THE BELOVED MEMORY
OF
James Roosetielt
JULY 10, 18-28 DEC. 8, 1900
64 // t 8 torieal Notes of
THE CENTENARY SERVICES
October, 1911, was allowed to pass without notice of the Cen- tenary other than the printing of an article, prepared by Miss Leonora Sill Ashton from her father's historical notes, in the Poughkeepsie Sunday Courier of October 8. This was due to Dr. Ashton's death, and the fact that the vestry did not wish to undertake a celebration while the parish had no rector.
At the vestry meeting on March 11, 1912, it was determined to observe a belated centenary on October 12, and 13, 1912, and committees were appointed to carry out the proposals. (See Note page 5.)
On Saturday, October 12, at six a.m., the Rector celebrated the Holy Communion, fourteen persons being present and re- ceiving the Sacrament. At eight-thirty a.m., the Rev. Frederick Turner Ashton, son of the late Rector, was celebrant at a sec- ond service when fifteen persons made their communions.
At ten-thirty a.m., parishioners and friends and descend- ants of families connected with the parish in 1811 and later, gathered to the number of one hundred and fifty.
Of clergy there were present the Reverend Edwin E. Butler of Morristown, N. J. (son of Elias Butler, Esq., and son-in- law of Dudley B. Fuller Esq., both vestrymen for many years), the Reverend Frederick Turner Ashton, the Reverend George Bailey Hopson, D.D. (whose wife was a granddaughter of Judge John Johnston of the first vestry), the Reverend Frank Heartfield, who had officiated frequently after Dr. Ashton's death; the Reverend Edward Clowes Chorley, of Garrison; the Reverend Richard Clinton Searing, of West Park; the Reverend James C. Elliott, of Newburgh; the Reverend Frederick Ernest Whitney, of Newburgh; the Rev- erend H. Curtis Fichen, Pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church of Hyde Park; and the Reverend Joseph White Naramore, Pastor of the Methodist Church of Hyde Park, with the rector.
A procession was formed at the vestry room door led by the clergy, the present vestrymen following, behind whom came the choir with Mr. Harold Stambaugh, of Poughkeepsie cornet-
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St James Church
65
ist, who led the singing, the congregation following. Beside the marching column were boys bearing baskets of flowers which were used for the decoration of graves. Messrs. Elmer Oakley Wigg and Cecil Hugh Halpin acted as ushers. The choir at this and other services of the Festival consisted of the following persons, Mr. Samuel Pruyn Flagler being organist who had been assisted in the preparation of the music by Mr. Harry Schoudel Bock of Poughkeepsie.
THE CHOIR
THE MISSKS
Laura Baker Blanche Elisabeth Bilyou Alice Trent Brij Lillian Frampton Anna Belle Jones Alice Kniina Kidney Grace Maud k'illmer Aduella Elvira Killmer Maud Briggs Murphy Clara Denny T raver
THE MESSRS.
Douglas Martyn Crapser
Arthur Sterling Halpin Samuel Wood Hover
Levi Sterling Hover Ernest Thomas Killmer Irving Peter Killmer I [orace Freeman Masten Henry M\ era
( 'liarles ( 'lenient Ward
Henry Albert Wicker
The hymns sung were number US, "O God OUT help in ages
past, our hope for years to come"; Dumber S91, "Lei Saints on Earth in concert sing with those whose work i- done"; number .">!)!», "Lights abode, celestial Salem"; Dumber H4, "Guide me. () Thou great Jehovah"; Dumber 397, "Oh, what the joy and the glory musl be, those endless Sabbat hs l lie bless- ed ouo see"; Dumber 248, "On the resurrection morning -<>nl
and body meet again"; and number 893, "Lo, what a cloud of witnesses encompass US around".
Halts were made at the group of graves surrounding that of Dr. Samuel Hard and Mary Hard his wife, near which lies the body of Dr. McVickar the first rector, where prayers were said, and at the grave of General Morgan Lewis near which lie the bodies of Samuel Roosevelt Johnson, Reuben Sherwood and Amos Turner Ashton, former rectors, where concluding prayers and the benediction were said.
G6 Historical Notes of
By this time the morning train from New York had arrived bringing the Rt. Rev. the Bishop of the Diocese, the Venerable Win. II. Pott, Archdeacon of Westchester, the Rev. Sturges Allen, Father Superior of the Order of the Holy Cross (a de- scendant of both the Allen and Fuller families), the Reverend Samuel Smith Mitchell of Trinity Parish, New York, and many more friends and descendants of former parishioners, making a congregation of two hundred and twenty-six persons, of whom forty received the Blessed Sacrament.
Bishop Greer celebrated the Holy Communion, with the Rev. Edwin E. Butler serving as Gospeler, and the Rev. Frederick Turner Ashton as Epistoler. Adlam's Service in F was sung, with Gounod's "Praise ye the Father" as the anthem, and the hymns were numbers 491, "The Church's one foundation," 417, "O God of Bethel, by Whose hand Thy people still are fed", 453, "Praise to the Holiest in the height", 484, "We love the place, O God, wherein Thine honor dwells", and Stephen's Te Deum in C was sung as a hymn of praise in place of the Gloria in Excelsis.
At the conclusion of the Service, Bishop Greer took a seat at the chancel steps, and the rector made announcement that no historical sermon had been preached because of the volume of material which would appear in this book, and because of the desire to make the celebration chiefly a devotional function of praise and thanksgiving. He then read the following letter from Dr. Cady, who by reason of the infirmities of his eighty- five years was not present.
Ridgefield, Conn. September 25, 1912.
My Dear Mr. Newton:
I am much obliged to you for your letter of recent date, and
for the renewed kind invitation you extend to me, asking me to
be present at the interesting services in commemoration of the
Consecration, one hundred years ago, of the Church in Hyde
Park.
I do wish I could be with you and with your parishioners on
that occasion: but my physical infirmities will not permit me
to follow my inclination. As to my writing a paper of reminiscences, I have given the
matter a good deal of thought, and find that if I once begin I
Mill. \\l>l I! MWK'S CADY.
-HE HEW YORK PUCUC LIBRARY
AS^Of, LFNOX ANO •TILO n fQ^OM'QNS.
S. James Church 67
could not escape writing in extenso. I should begin of course, with the Father of the Rev. Mr. Butler. He was one of the noblest men I have ever met, a man of the highest principles, a devoted Churchman and a devout Christian, of fine presence and courtly manners, in whose hospitable home I was entertain- ed for at least a fortnight upon my coming to Hyde Park as Rector. Then, I should have to dilate upon the names of the other members of the Vestry, such as Mr. James Roosevelt, Mr. N. P. Rogers, and others, of Mr. and Mrs. Langdon, of the Lowndes family, of Mrs. Hoyt and of Mr. Hughes, Senior War- den. I would also have to mention the names of later friends, Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Rogers, Mrs. Newbold and her chil- dren, of Dr. Hopkins, and many others. Among these latter I might name Mr. Dobbs, a man for whom I have the highest respect, and great gratitude for his services as a faithful work- man for a term of years both as Sexton of the Church and in my employment on the Rectory grounds. The organist, during my incumbency, was Mr. John Germond, known, I surmise, to most of those who will be present at your commemorative celebration. He was a very accomplished musician, and so de- voted to his work that I repeatedly failed to induce hiin to spend a Sunday in New York, that he might hear the music in Trinity Church, and in other churches with highly trained choirs. And, Further, he Boon became an intimate personal friend, and I got to love him dearly. May bis soul rot in peace!
Besides these whom I have named, there were in the parish three or four individuals, men ami women, now deceased, who, to use the familiar term, were "characters" — oddities in speech, in manner ami in actions, who while never annoying me. were sources of great ami constant amusement. What anecdotes i.f their amazing peculiarities I could relate! As you will per- ceive, my paper would run to an inordinate length.
And now, I ask of you, my dear Mr. Newton, to explain to your assembled people and gaestswhyl am not with them, and uhy I cannot prepare such a sketch of my rectorate, as I would have to write if I once began its composition.
My years, as Hector of the Parish, were very happy ones. I did not have a solitary bit of trouble with the Vestry or with any members of the Congregation. All soon got to trust me and to cooperate with me, to put in my hands all the funds I asked for, or was supposed to need without my soliciting them, for the work of the parish and for external charitable
68 Historical Xotes of
and religious objects. I hail ha<l larger parishes, but not one when- everything moved so smoothly and efficiently. I could narrate a curious story about my election as Rector of your parish; but I must forbear.
I shall very gladly comply with your request for my poor prayers in behalf of the Class for Confirmation. I may add that in a table of Intercessory Prayer I have prepared for daily private use, on Mondays I always pray for S. James, as well as for the other parishes, I have served.
Believe me very faithfully and appreciatively, your brother priest in the Great High-Priest,
P. K. Cady.
Portions of a letter from the Reverend George B. Johnson, son of the Reverend Samuel Roosevelt Johnson, D.D., who was unable to be present were read, as follows:
"From my earliest childhood I have had associations with Hyde Park. I vividly remember my grandfather Judge Johnston, though I was not three years old when he died. After my uncle removed from Hyde Park, I used still to be there often when my brother-in-law Dr. Purdy, was Rector. It was a special pleasure to have spent the first summer of my diaconate at Hyde Park with Dr. Cady. Once a few year; before my brother Allen's death we spent a day together at Hyde Park, went through the churchyard, noting the many graves of relatives, and said Evensong together in the Church."
The following minute was read from the officers of the Dutch Reformed Church of Hyde Park, whose organization antedated the establishment of S. James parish some twenty odd years, and with whom our people worshipped when they did not drive to Poughkeepsie to old Christ Church.
To the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of Saiiit James Parish, Hyde Park:
At the regular monthly meeting of the Consistory, of the Reformed Church of Hyde Park, it was unanimously.
Resolved, That we, as Pastor. Elders and Deacons mani- fest our fraternal affection and convey to you our sincerest congratulations upon the occasion of your hundredth Anni- versary.
We rejoice with you in your long existence under the guid- ance o[' the Holy Spirit. Honor with you the Grace of Cod,
CHRISTOPHER HUGHES, 3d.
S. James Church 69
in making such a unique Centennial possible. Our prayer is, that your church may thrive in the future as it has in the past ; prosper in everything pertaining to the Kingdom of God; and be blessed of the Only Wise God, our Father's God, our God, Who will be our Guide even unto death.
Done in Consistory this 4th day of October, 19H.
H. Curtis Ficken, Benjamin H. Haviland, President.
Clerk.
The rector then read a cablegram from one of the vestrymen James Roosevelt Roosevelt, Esq., who was in Scotland, "Much regret absence. Best wishes."
After the singing of hymn 472, "0 Come, loud anthems let us sing," Mr. Edwin Barnes Hughes of Staatsburgh read the following sketch:
It gives me great pleasure to say ;i few words at this time regarding the early history of S. Margarets of Staatsburgh, which as you all know is a child of S. James. Your fatherly care in our infancy led US along, and as we grew stronger, en- abled us to stand alone and become a parish.
In the forties, Dr. Sherwood conducted evening services at the home of Isaac Russell, the Staatsburgh Postmaster, and later used the waiting-room of the railway station.
In 1858 the frame chapel was built through the interest and liberality of Mr-. Margaret Lewis Livingston and others. At that time it was just the village chapel for any one desiring to
hold services, and was also used lor entertainments. Mr. Hoyt,
the Presbyterian clergyman from Pleasant Plains, served in the winter, and Dr. Purdy in summer. Dr. Purdy also came for the Christmas service lor the children, and was said to be one of the few men who could speak to children and interest them. The Methodists also had their weekly prayer meetings in the Chapel.
Dr. Ziegenfuss from Rhinebeck served for some time while still in the Lutheran Church, and he was followed by Dr. Parks, now of S. Bartholomews, New York. Then came seminary students, and one winter a regular clergyman.
70 Historical Notes of
The mission had been steadily growing, and the Methodists had built their own church, when Rev. Chas. L. Short was called as Curate to Dr. Cady and given charge of the work.
Parish organization was effected April 15, 1S812, and the Chapel was consecrated by Bishop Horatio Potter the same year. The cornerstone of the new stone church was laid in May, 1891, and it was consecrated by Bishop Henry C. Potter in October, 18D8. The frame chapel is now the village library.
I might say that my family has been very closely associated with S. James Parish from its beginning. My Great Grand- father, Christopher Hughes the second, being one of the origi- nal vestrymen, and my grandfather, Christopher Hughes, 3d, a vestryman for 44 years and warden 27 years.
The bodies of most of my family, including my three pater- nal grandfathers and my father, lie here in the churchyard. I am the last man of our line and I hope there may be room for me also.
I think this celebration on the completion of your first cen- tury is most fitting and appropriate, and your Rector is de- serving of great credit for its successful carrying out.
Let us hope that your two hundredth anniversary may be marked in this same auspicious manner.
Bishop Greer then spoke words of counsel and congratula- tions to the congregation.
At the conclusion of these exercises the congregation ad- journed to the churchyard, where upon a table were displayed some of the archives of the parish; the original subscription paper, which is reproduced after page 16, the deed to the prop- erty from Dr. Samuel Bard and Mary Bard, the Bible used prior to 1839, the folio Prayer Book and Bible of 1839, the Communion silver etc. Upon the table were also laid circular letters of greeting to Dr. Cady and Mrs. Amos Turner Ashton, which were signed by an hundred and fifty or more people, and for which letters of appreciation were received from Mrs. Ash- ton and Dr. Cady. The letter said in part, "I was completely overcome by the receipt of the paper sent to me. I cannot express my feelings of pleasure — my dissolving emotions — when I read the opening lines of it, and next, the names ap-
INWOOD THE FIRST RECTOR'S lloMK.
I',I)\YAK1> PEARSONS NEWTON.
4 ►*4°
S. J ame s C hurch 71
pended to them. What memories these last evoked! What kindnesses they recalled, and what enduring impressions! Will you be good enough to convey my very sincere thanks for it".
Later a memorial oak was planted on the site of the old rectory, Bishop Greer, the clergy, vestrymen, friends, great- grandchildren of first parishioners (including those of Dr. McVickar who set out an hundred years ago trees now of mas- sive size which adorn the lawn), all casting in a spadeful of earth.
Open house was kept by all parishioners, and visiting friends were taken home to luncheon.
During the afternoon a ball game was played on the village field between the Crumwold Hall and Vanderbilt nines, in which the latter were the victors.
The Hon. Francis G. and Mrs. Landon held an afternoon tea from four to six at "Mansewood", originally "Inwood", the home of Dr. McVickar, built at the same time as the church and thus the first day of the celebration closed most auspiciously.
Sunday again we were blessed with fine weather. Many of the clergy and friends had left, some remained. The Rev. Win. Thomas Manning, D.D., Elector of Trinity Church, New York, and the Rev. Richmond Herbert Gesner of Oswego, N. Y., rector from 1887 to 1890 had arrived to spend the second day with US. Morning Prayer was said at eight o'clock, fol- lowed by the Holy Communion, the Rev. R. H. Gesner being celebrant, nine persons receiving the Sacrament.
At eleven o'clock a congregation of two hundred and ninety- five persons crowded the church to its utmost capacity, addi- tional seats being brought in and the vestry room also being utilized. There were present in the chancel with the Bishop of the Diocese, Dr. Manning, the Reverend R. H. Gesner, the Reverend F. T. Ashton, the Reverend Frank Heartfield and the rector, and the Reverend Roland Cotton Smith, D.D., rector of S. Johns Church, Washington, D. C, was seated with the congregation. Dr. Manning said the opening office of collects, after which Bishop Greer preached the sermon from Saint Matthew 22:32, "God is not the God of the dead but of
7i
II i a tori c a I Notes of
the living," a convincing sermon on immortality, expressing faith in the present state of life of our blessed dead, developing the evolutionary hypothesis beyond the limits of the grave and pointing the train of thought with special reference to this Centenary Anniversary. The hymns used at this service were numbers 509, "Soldiers of Christ arise"; 416, "A tower of strength our God doth stand;" 378, "Come, Thou Holy Spirit, Come"; 289, "Come Holy Ghost our souls inspire"; 505, "Fight the good fight with all thy might"; and 395, "Those Eternal bowers man hath never trod."
The anthem was "If ye love Me, keep My commandments" by James Coleman.
The rector presented forty-seven persons to receive the Lay- ing on of Hands, a large class as there had been no Confirma- tion in the parish since November 15, 1908. As the class of this Centenary Anniversary will be an historic one their names are here given.
Aldrich, Elting Victor Baker, Laura Barrett, Daniel
Archibald Raymond Blakely, Anna Louise (De Groff) Carl, Catherine (Jenkins) Cudner, Estella
Ethel \De Groff, Arthur Sleight
Grace Emelia(M'Cord) Henry Sleight Theodore Hopkins Deyo, Allen Ronald
William Henry Foster, Edward Staring
Percy Golden, John Watson
Thomas Halpin, Arthur Sterling
Cecil Hugh Horrocks, Gertrude May Laura Deyo Percival Samuel
Hover, Levi Sterling
Linwood Bond Howard, Elisabeth Stuyvesant
Thomas Howard Jackson, Herbert Ensign Jones, Anna Belle
Ralph Lyman Kipp, Carlton George McCord, Mary Sleight (Wigg) Murphy, Genevieve
Maud Briggs Myers, Ralph Willard Plain, Joseph Plog, Frank Edward
Lawrence Theodore Riley, Archibald Rogers Schaffer, Mildred Claire Schryver, Henry Brown Stoutenburgh, George Rutherford Tillou, Edwin Braman
Julia Ethel Ward, Charles Clement Wigg, James Albert
RICHMOND HKRMKRT GESNER.
S. James C h u r c h 73
Bishop Greer used on behalf of the rector, a portion of the "Office of Institution of Ministers into Parishes or Churches", as it had been the usual custom in Saint James parish to have its clergy "Instituted".
At eight o'clock Evening Prayer was said in Saint James Chapel by the Reverend Frederick Turner Ashton, the rector reading the lessons. The Reverend Richmond Herbert Ges- ner preached to a very large congregation, the doors into the reading-room being thrown open and a portion of the congre- gation seated therein. He closed the service with prayers and the Benediction. The hymns used were numbers 491, 391, 417 and 418.
After the service the congregation passed out through the reading-room in order to greet their former rector and other friends. Thus closed a very happy celebration of the hundred years passed, filled with hallowed memories, and with spiritual joy and stimulus for days to conic.
It had been made the occasion for certain gifts to the parish, to wit ;
Sedilia of black walnut, to which is attached a plate bearing the following inscription:
"1811—1011"
Made from a tree grown on the Germond place; tin' gift of James Roosevelt Roosevelt, commemorative of the Cente- nary Anniversary of the Consecration of the Firsl Parish Church."
Eucharistic Candlesticks, bearing the inscription; "Cen- tennial St. James Church, Hyde Park-on-Hudson, Octo- ber 12, 1911, presented by Louisa Matilda Gerry in loving memory of her late father, Robert James Livingston. Inter- nal rest grant him O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him".
And of white altar hangings from Mrs. Frederick W. Yan- derbilt.
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S. James C h u r c h 75
APPENDIX
The Sunday School records cover the years 18-23 to 1833 only, pre- senting the following figures:
1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833
As the names of that period are of interest to many the list of teachers and scholars is herewith given in alphabetical order without specifying the years during which each one served.
TEACHERS
I A young man teaming a trade, who changed his plan of life, and entered the mini
f First wife of Jared Sparks, the his- Allell. I' ranees 1 torian and essayist, who left a I daughter, who died young.
•John
•Sons and daughters of William and *Julia / jIaATied,tl}ooSev' Wm' H' Chan"ln«' Maria (Verplanck) both of John- i d. Dec. 7. 1889.
ston descent. Mary
♦William
Bard, *Arm Married Edward Prime.
♦Daughters of Wm. and Catharine*Caroline Died unmarried. 1883.
(Cruger). *Eliza Married Rufus King Delafield.
*Susan Married Ferdinand Sands.
Daughter of Dr. Samuel Bard, who madcc » .
her home after her parents death with&USan Alary her cousin, Judge Pendleton.
(Son of Cyrus B. and Mary (Fenno) Braman. merchant in New York. b. 1815. d. 1876
Collins, Mary Elisabeth ( g^wK"™ Br°Wn' Montgomery
Sons and daughter of Squire Patrick B. t He wa3 many years
and Catharine (de Cantillon). D at r» i one of the leaders in
Perry McDonoilgh the Pacific R.R. enter- ( prise.
7G Historical Xotes of
Congdon, Alary Married Isaac L. Carpenter.
f Daughter of Henry A. I and Magdalena Coster.
Mr, Coster, her mother n, „_ AJ„l:„„ ^^ : ^SSTfgSSSSSi
window in Grace Church, N. Y., is erected to her memory.
irs. coster, ner motner m. /-. . \ i r. T? M
2d Dr. David Hosack. Coster, Adeline Lmilv
Dyer, Catharine Married Rev. Cornish.
Fenno, Mary
GJKKo GolK. / Daughter of Uriah and Lucy (Townsend) 1DDS, Sail^ y Gibbs. Married James Russell.
Hale, Augustus
f Married Dr. Henry D. Paine, of New- Eliza { burgh. Later of Albany, b. 1816. d. 1855.
Sons and daughters of Elisha and Chloe- Henry Elisha
Evelina
Henry
Julius
Hinchman, John Son of William.
TT^lk-^^l, 'C^V,_„:»^. / Retired merchant, of New
Holbrook, Ephraim [ York who owned Belfield Holmes, Catharine
Alary Maid to Susan Mary Bard.
[ Daughter of David by his first wife. Hosack, Emily \ Married Dr. John Kearney Rodgers. I d. April 12, 1893.
Hubbell, William S. Johnston, David
Flisihpth / Married Rev. Samuel
JMlsaDein | Roosevelt Johnson.
Euphemia Died unmarried. John Became a sea captain.
S°Susaand(Bard)hterS ^ ^^ ^^ ^ Magdalena m. Wm. M. Jenner.
Alary E. Died unmarried. Samuel Bard
Daughters of Josiahand Mar- T t,,.
garet who owned the prop- L-awrenee, .Lliza
1 chaypeUlPn°onw ^^ *"" Euphemia Married Wm. B. Cutwater.
Lent, Catharine
THE (MI) FRAME CHAPEL, STAATSBURGH. Converted into Reading Room.
•
1
0^
S. J am e s Church 77
Levins, Stephen McClelland, Thomas { 5?5 of tAle*anc*"- an artist
, ^ j.cio 1 ^j portrait painter.
Cl -M r» u / ^PJ1 ?f Dr- Hunting and Margaret onernll, Kusll • (Mulford). Later a merchant in New I York.
Smith, Julia Married Jacob W. Nelson. Daughters of Stephen Smith. Lucy Married Samue, ^
f Married her cousin, Ward, Deidamia Belinda EHtfSft»0?frl£
I 83d year.
Williams, Ehenezer Son of William Prince Williams. Walter
SCHOLARS
Allen, Ann John Margaret Mary Rachae] Robert
Anns, Lydia
Anderson, William
Atkins, Abram R.
Bacchus, Charlotte Blectra
Badgeley, Alethea I irnelia
Baker, Eminelinc Sarah
Banker, Ellen Daughters of William. Sarah C.
Bard, Eliza John Sons and daughters of William. Marv
Susan
William Henry { gf£ at Santa Cruz> Apri1,
78
// i 8 tori c (I I .V 0 t (' 8 of
Probably daughters of Elisha, a wheelwright.
Barnes, Cornelia Jane Hester .Maria
Bates, Martha
Bayley Betsey Ann ( 'ntliarine Philip
Beach, Caroline Charles
Beardsley, Cornelia Jane Diana
Besimere Ezekiel Guernsey Milton William
Bills, Catharine
Bird, John W.
Loran Grant Sally Ann
Blake, John Hinehman
Probably daughter and son of Boganlus, Caroline Philip, who managed a hotel „
where the post office now is. Lieorge
Daughters and son of Cyrus.
raman, Catharine ( 1890 aged 8L Phoebe William
Broadhead, Mrs.
Children of Henry B.
Bush, Commodore Decatur Commodore Perry
#■¥-* / m. Chas. R. Macy. Removed to
fcmnla I Michigan.
♦Twins. Margaret
*MarV rn. Chas. Spoor, of Michigan.
Robert Sarah
Butler, Ann Eliza Jane Mary
Cable, Eliza
INTKUIOK OK S. MARGARETS CHURCH, STAATSBURGH.
S. James Church
79
Carman, Joel B.
Theodore
Carter, Anna M. Hiram Josiah Marshall William
Case, Catharine
Casey, Eliza Ann
Chew, Butler
Churchill, Anna .Maria
Possibly sisters. If so Ann was a favorite t „„ «_ familv name. OSilU . Villi
family name
Sarah Ann
m. Dakin. When a
widow "Mrs. Dakin" was the most fashionable milliner in Poughkeepsie, on Liberty St. Her father was a miller, the mill being below the last dam on Crum Elbow creek.
Clarke, Ann Eliza Mary
Collins, JacohllS Son of Patrick B.
James
Montgomery Terry McDonough
Congdon, Alvah
Jane Mary
Connover, Harriet
Conklin, Elizabeth
Copeman, Margaret Ann
Cox, Cyrus
Margaret
Daughter of Stephen and Esther \r.,t;i,lo / m. John H. Miller. Removed to Sara-
(Holbrook). IViaillcia j toga Co
Susan
Craft, Eliza Crocker, George
588781
80 Historical Notes of
Crofoot, Cordelia Ann
Stephen Edward
Cronkhite, John
Rensellaer Smith
Niece of Mrs. Wm. Bard. Cruger, Henrietta
Culver, Abram Alonzo Catharine Nathaniel Green William A.
Cummings, Tobias
Davis, Eliza
Julianna
Dayton, George
DeBoise, Frank
DeCantillon, John
Richard d. 1888 at Nyack, aged 78. Mary
DeGroff, Betsey
Jane Ann Margaret Sr. Margaret Jr. Polly
Delamater, Belden
Catharine Louise
Son and daughters of Benjamin. Perry
Susan Caroline
Daughters of Matthew. Denyke, Delia { m^ eh'a Ten Eyck) " m- Harvev c-
Eliza
Devoe, Ann Daughter of David.
Augustus
Caroline Daughter of David. Catharine Ann Charles Son of David. Cornelius
THE LYCH GATE. RE \l>l\(. ROOM. Siiini James < 'hapel.
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INTKMIOK OF SAINT JAMES CHAPEL
S. J ame s C hurch 81
Dickinson, Mary
Dobbs, Benjamin Burroughs See p. 58 David E. John Henry Tailor in Poughkeepsie.
Donaldson, Eliza Ann
Downing, Magdalena
Edwards, Clarissa Married B. B. Dobbs. George Progue Henry D. Julia Content Lydia Bobert Theodore { ciwornkf0rtUne in
Ellison, Jane
Martha William Dewall
Grandson of Cyrus Braman. Ellsworth, Cyrus
Filkins, George
William Henry
Daughterof John, who kept Forman> Mary Augusta
Fowler, Sarah Jane m. Rev. Lewis Lansing. Baptist.
Fret-man. Tobias
Fiinnan. Abigail Phoebe
Gallagher, Catharine
Garrison Adelaide
( lharlea Henry
< liristina
n;„„„ / rn. Harry Anthony, sexton of S. ISiana [ James.
Henrietta
Jane Ann
Glauton, Bracchy Bridget
Maria
Gr_-
:
j> - ' ■ r y *rwF?wjrvur» t*j
■mh
^m
jS. James Church
Dickinson, Mary
Dobbs, Benjamin Burroughs See p. 58 David E.
John Henry Tailor in Poughkeepsie.
Donaldson, Eliza Ann Downing, Magdalena Edwards, Clarissa Married B. B. Dobbs.
George Progue
Henry D.
Julia Content
Lvdia
Robert Theodore { £^eorn*a fortune
Ellison, Jane
Martha William Dewall
81
in
Grandson of Cyrus Braman. Ellsu < >rt It, ( '\ ru>
Filkins, George
William Henry
Daughter of John, who kept F„rl|1;1I| M;|rv AugUSta
Fowler, Sarah Jane m. Rev. Lewis Lansing, Baptist.
Freeman, Tobias
Fiirnian. Abigail Phoebe
Gallagher, Catharine
Garrison Adelaide
( lharles Henry ( Ihristina
T^.'r,,^ / m- Harry Anthony, sexton of S. ,"ana James.
I [enrietta
Jane Ann
Glauton, Bracchy Bridget
Maria
82
Historical N otes of
Godkin, Washington Golden, Jane H.
Son of shipbuilder at mouth #1— _J_:_1, C.,,,...l
of Crura Elbow Creek. Goodrich, Samuel
Green, Christina
Flora Sarah Susan Mary
"Griffen Griffen" was long sex- ton of the Dutch Reformed Church. He was several times married. These are his children:
Griffen, Allan David Elizabeth Emma Hiram Jamima Jane Phylissa Susan Mary
Hadley, Jane
Hannah Sally Ann
Hale, Augustin Eliza
Harper, Jeremiah E. William
Harrison, Jane Ann
Hendrickson, William
Hewett, Mary
Hinchman, Mary Ann m. Gilbert Brewster.
Holmes, Catharine Mary
Son of John R. and grandson U11(Tl,#>s. \,,Hi<niv ft of Capt. Christopher (1st). nuglies, AnttlOIiy 13.
Hutchins, Caroline Maria
S°Capt. Lemuel'. grandS°n °f Hyde, James L. d. 1836, aged 29.
Daughter of Wm.
X.
•n
— « /
/
S. James Church 83
|
Jaoacks, |
John W. Mary Sarah Ann William Henry |
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Jackson, |
Abram Ephraim Hannah Maria Jacob |
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Jenkins, |
*Charles |
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ildren of Richard and Nancy. |
*Griffin |
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*Henry |
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*Mary |
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Nancv Wife of Richard |
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Richard Sr. Sexton. |
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*Richard Jr. |
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Johnson |
, Cornelia Henrietta Louise |
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of Rev. Samuel R. |
Peter Roosevelt Susan Mary |
Johnston, David
Sons of Judge John. William Bard. | igyg" aged 6™*'
^judie John°iS Upt°n' and grandson of John Wil liamson
Jones, Blisha C. Eliza Elizabeth
drnrU'- W.
I >a belle
Jacob James II.
Jane Son of James M.. hotelkeeper. John B.
Biaigaret
Marian Mary Nancey Rachael
Smith
Eaton, Isaac
Tobias
Keefer, John II.
84 Historical Xotes of
Kipp, Jane Eliza
Kramer, George D.
Lane, Angelina Sally
Lattimore, Ellen
f m. Samuel Knox. b. 1817. d. (Latimer?) Eineline • 1N.VJ. Prominent in Christ I Church, Poughkeepsie. Daughters of Jehial and Abigail. Jane Ann
Children of Josiah. Lawrenee, Edgar
Euphemia
Lent, Catharine
Levins, Stephen
Lewis, Charles C.
Lynch, Phoebe
Mansfield, Hannah
Marshall, Bart let t Julia Ann Maria
Martin, Benjamin
Children of Prime or Primus Martin. Eliza
Mary Ann Sally Sarah Ann
Montgomery Frank
McAuley, Mary Ann
McCurdy, Daniel Hiram John
McNamy, Mary E.
Daughter of Rev. John. McVickar, Fanny m. George Kneeland.
Ni-lxnn Flivi [ m. Chas. D. Jacobs, 1829. Lived at iMl.SOn, JUlza jsaugerties.
Probably children of George. Samuel
!Long bookkeeper for the old shipping house of N. L. Mc- Cready & Co.. N. Y. d. in Brooklyn, June 21, 1875, aged 62.
35
/.
x.
S. James Church 85
Odell, Elizabeth
Ogden, Andrew
Oliver, Isaac
Ormuch, Margaret
Parker, Eliza Belinda m. Augustus Beadle. Helen Maria m. A. D. Lent. John d. 1892.
Mary Cordelia { ™ttRev- Benj" C' LirPin- Thomas E.
Parsons, Catharine Maria Paulding, Alfred D.
Daughter of Nathaniel Greene
Nate MU8BhowresJUd8e *******»*> Susan L.
Daughter of Andrew.
Son of Andrew.
Philips, Abigail Asa M. Eliza Ezra
Henry Jolm Y.
Prague, George
Henry
Purdy, Alexander
Quackenbush, Artemas {Seton"" f°r Judge Pen" Lucy
Rapilyea, Maria
Ray, Edward
Relyea, Ruby
Riddles, Frederick Jane Peter Pliylissa
Ring, diaries Rolinian, Alphonso G.
86
Historical Note a of
Rose, Highland Luanda Philip Oscar
RT . :„„ / Her father established a silk mill ouniage, Louisa { on Crum Elbow Creek.
f m. Virgil Angevine,
Rowland, Frances Teleboshei long postmaster at
{ Hyde Park.
Sons and daughter of John Rviliph, George and Lavinia. John
Racliael William
Salters, Betsey
Sarles, Mary Elizabeth
Schaeffer, Mary Ann C.
Schryver, Hannah
Seaman, Nelson Sarah
on- tt -i / Cousin of Rev. J. A. Spencer, m.
Selkrigg, Emily ( Horace J. Haviland.
Shaw, Sukey
r,, . tt, i if Had finest peach orchard in the
Shernger, Edmund { COUnty.
Mrs. Ursula (Meyers)
Daughter of Capt. John.
Son of Mrs. U.
Daughter of John Myers.
Sherrill, Maria Sons and daughter of Dr. Hunting. Mary
Piatt d. in N. Y., March 18. 1893, aged 73.
Rush
Probably children of Stephen, Ch.>rW(Ulfl F.nVnr cooper, at the landing. OntrWOOCl, rxigar
Cyrus Lavina Ann Lorenzo
Shepherd, Frances Sophia
oi l T if Probably Jacob T. Sleight, who di black, Jacob [ N- y., March 26. 1893. aged 83.
Sleight, Caleb
Jane Ann Man-
died in
Slowder, Alfred
S. James Church 87
Smith, Agnes
Annie C. Hannah Daughter of Levi. Olive
Samuel L.
_, _, T m. Rev. Mr. Benton, missionary
bpencer, Caroline to Greece, afterwards of Rock- „ [ fish, N. C.
Daughter and sons of Capt. Reuben and t-, , . Mary (Eames) she being daughter of Ilidwin Capt. Jesse Eames, a soldier of the trorlr,.
Revolution. rienry
Jesse Ames {^icR^.];A-s--D-D-'of Reuben
Stiles, William H.
Stoutenburgh, Anna { ^f 25?" StUrges" d' 1845>
Son and daughter of Wm. L. and Mary rp, j^ m'.. , 10-- j i*
(Dutton). 1 nomas DeWltt d. ISoo. aged 36.
Teller, Ann Eliza Probably all children of Theodoras, of r> 1 • "Teller's Hill." Caroline
Jaminia
William
Thompson, Christina
Traver, Abram
< aniline
Lansing Lydia
Margaret Robert
William
Travis, Abram
Susan Ann
William
Tut tie, Aaron Ada
Aniaziah Betsey Ann
James Francis Sarah J. William S.
Van Antwerp, John
Van Waggener, Maria Patty
88 Historical Xotes of S. J ames Church
Yickar, Martin Probably Wicker
Wall, Jane Amanda
Weaver, John
Weed, Pendleton Became a Methodist minister.
Westfall, Catharine Edwin Harvey Lucinda
Whitcomb, Lucinda
White, Ann
James Henry
Wiest, Hiram
Wigg, Daniel Blacksmith.
Williams, George (Staatsburg) George (Hyde Park) Son of Wm. P. Henry Walter
James Marian Mary Ann Susan W7illiams
Wood, Richard
Wooden, Barbara
Woolheiser, Henry
Wright, Hannah Elizabeth
Cl?Hyde)0f JameS L" 3nd FranC6S ^mes Harvey
John Vail Martha Mary
?JS