Schenectady County
Historical Society
Calendar: Saturday, November
8 1:30 Refreshments 2:00 Program: Grant's
Cottage Beth Pfaffenbach
Saturday, December 13 1:30 Annual Holiday Celebration
The previous owners of our home in
And then
there were the yellow tulips that appeared in former flower beds. These
we got
to enjoy for several years before they disappeared. At least the
flowers no
longer bloomed to welcome the spring.
Although for centuries tulip bulb production
has been
associated with the
In the mid
16th century Ogrer de Busbeq was an Austrian diplomat in
It was a time of great wealth for the Dutch due
to
flourishing world trade. The general population of
The tulips flourished in the rich Dutch
soil, and so did the demand to obtain new varieties. The demand for
tulips got
so out of control (tulipomania) that the government had to intervene
and
control the trading. 400 years later and the
Since a medicine I (still) take is derived from
the bulb
of the autumn crocus, I wondered if a tulip bulb had any medicinal
application. Nope. No mention in any of my
herbal medicine
books. But Johanna Woldring, the Society's office manager, informs us
that
during the food shortages of the second
World War, the
Dutch did resort to supplementing their diet by eating the bulbs.
Think I'll
leave that one up to the squirrels that frequent my backyard.
Ettore
Mancuso's World War I Experiences
A year or so
ago three cardboard boxes of papers left by
Ettore Mancuso were donated to the Grems-Doolittle library. Ettore
Mancuso was
a
Ettore
writes: I'm going to try to keep my
promise and write
a long letter, although I hardly know where to begin. . . . You knew
that I was
attending law school before we entered the war. . . . I wanted to
enlist
immediately after the mid-year exams, but I could not get the
permission of the
draft board because they expected my turn to come from day to day, and
then
they would have had to look for a substitute in my place. At any rate,
I went
to Spartansburg, SC on May 24, 1918. I never had believed in a Hell in
the
hereafter, but after going to Spartansburg, and ever since, I have
actually
known that there is plenty of Hell here on earth.
After a short
month of
training under slave-driving officers, we went to
Our convoy
consisted of
17 troopships including submarine chasers and destroyers for our
protection.
Every man was near his raft ready to jump in the water, and everyone
was
searching the waters for a torpedo traveling toward his own ship, just
as
though we could have sidestepped it if we HAD seen it coming out way.
Suddenly
all the war vessels opened fire simultaneously, and such fireworks I
have never
seen, before or since, on [the] Fourth of July. All the guns were
spitting
fire, and the depth-bombs created those beautiful temporary geysers one
so
often sees in moving pictures showing the fleet in maneuvers.
I was sent to
sick-bay for
the last three days of our voyage. We did land and I went to a hospital
for a
week. In the meantime my regiment had landed and its several companies
had been
assigned to different ports of France, my own company going to St.
Nazaire, which
was the base of supplies. It was at this port that most of our food and
ammunition from America was unloaded; and here worked several thousand
colored
stevedores, Chinese coolies, and some German war prisoners who had been
loaned to us by the French. . . at so much per day for each.
When I was released from the hospital I had lost track of my company
because all troop movements were kept secret, and so I was sent to the
classification camp in St. Aignon.. .about the 18th of July1918.... I
and another soldier from my company who had almost been put in a
regiment which was to go to the relief of the boys who were fighting at
Chatieau- Thierry, when the Adjutant of the Camp received a telegram
advising him of the whereabouts of our company . . . [so] . . .we were
called out and ordered back to our company at St. Nazaire doing guard
duty. Thus we lost our opportunity to earn wound stripes and perhaps a
grave in Flanders Fields, in the Argonne, or some other place in France.
During these travels we had been close enough to the front to hear big
guns and little ones, and being in the gas zone we had even been issued
gas masks, so that when we got back to the company we were the only
ones who had gas masks and overseas caps, and everyone, including our
officers, envied us our adventure ever so much. We had to put on our
gas masks so many, many times to demonstrate how it was done in six
seconds. . . . We had drilled with a company of marines for two weeks,
and had had bayonet drill, so that we were experts, while the rest of
the company had barely learned how to "fix bayonets."
The days just followed one another until September came, and with it
the rainy season and the "flu." I was taken sick at that time due to
exposure. I had done my six hours of guard duty and I was awaiting the
buddy who was to relieve like an angel from heaven, when the corporal
of the guard notified me that no relief had come for my post and that I
must stand guard for another six hours. I stood it and I got worse and
then I got off my post at the end of twelve hours in a pouring rain, I
was fit for only one of two places, a hospital or a morgue. Fortunately
I was taken to a hospital where for a period of two months I had in
quick succession, if not simultaneously, broncihtis, pneumonia
,the"flu" and pleurisy.
Late in October I was sent to a convalescent camp and there I learned
that my company was preparing to go to the front. . . by the 20th of
November 1915. I pleaded with the medical officer. .. and I was marked
fit for duty during the first week of November and so I was once more
on a train to rejoin my company for the great adventure of life in the
trenches. But for a second time I was deprived of the great privilege.
I was still en route when the armistice was signed on the 11 th of
November . . .. There was no longer any need for troops for the front,
and my company. . . had proceeded to Marseilles, on the Mediterranean.
. .. I started a chase, or rather, a search, during which I saw quite a
bit of F rance, until I landed in Dijon, where I found the Headquarters
Company of my Regiment.
[Continued in later issues ]
AROUND
THE
COUNTY
Princetown
-Irma
Mastrean, Town Historian
A portion of
the land
comprising what is now known as the
In March 26,
1798, an Act
was passed to establish Corry's Bush, together with the Church land
adjoining
the patent of
In "A History
of Glenville"
by Percy M. Van Epps, an early Glenville historian, there is a
well-researched
chapter of the Indian tribes who lived in the ScotiaGlenville area
from the
earliest times. They include the Mahicins, an Algonkian nation, and the
Mohawks
of the Iroquois. Present day reminders of these early tribes are a few
historical markers. They may be found in "Historical Markers Past and
Present of the Town of
On
Museum Activity - Jo Mordecai
The Walkabout - 2003
The Walkabout went off very well on a practically perfect day-no rain,
lots of sunshine. Our dining room was busy serving refreshments from 11
AM to 4 PM, according to our society tradition of the last 20 years.
The Historical Society's Women's Auxiliary was always in charge of this
presentation, busy in the kitchen preparing tea and coffee and making
the cookies. They are sadly missed. Today most of the organizing and
cleaning up is supervised by our Ann Karl, who works tirelessly all
day; punch and cookies have been added to the menu and goodies are
donated by Society members.
We were fortunate to have interesting docents in out rooms, explaining
the many treasures we have. The Hugh Plat Garden Club as usual made the
house look charming with their flower arrangements. Thank you to the
following people for their help in making that day special.
Docents: Elsie Maddaus, Dr. Derek Sayers, Irma Mastrean, Ann Ross,
Scott Haefner, Olive Berner, Yvonne and Richard Matthews, Barbara
Weinheimer, Fern Lee, Larry Rainey, Elliess and Wolf Riemer, Beryl
Grant, Vincent Versaci, Bill Milton, Bill Dimpelfeld, Vance Mordecai,
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Cozine, Peter Marquis, Jack Maybee, Anne
Coggeshall, Jeff Parry, Richard Lewis, Rose Dixon, Gioia Ottaviano,
Carol Kochis, Caroline Veeder, Ann Karl, Cheryl Pollock, Marie Rose,
Lucy Nolan, Dot Valachovic.
Cookie Givers: Sylvia Hosgood, Ann Ross, Ann Karl, Elliess Riemer, Kim
Mabee, Carol Lewis, Ann Eignor, Anne Coggeshall, Irma Mastrean, and
Linda Lewis.
You were all GREAT! Thanks. Jo Mordecai
THE STOCKADE QUILT
You have to see the quilt! Shirley Hedman, Sandy Henne!, Pat Kedick,
Karen Kirstein, Sheila Slater, and Marilyn Smith have made a quilt by a
unique process involving each one of them in the production of 1/7th of
the quilt. The result is a disjointed but quite recognizable view of
one of the Stockade Streets - Church Street as seen from the corner of
Front Street. They have presented it to us on a sort of permanent loan
as long as it is always on display and they are able to borrow it back
for quilt shows. It hangs in the entrance off the parking lot and is a
really creative gem.
ROSE, WE MISS YOU ALREADY
Rose Fetter who had been working in the Grems-Doolittle Library from
its first day is leaving us to live in Boulder, Colorado, where her son
has his family. We understand the need for families to stick together,
but we wish her son had decided to move his family here instead so we
could keep Rose with us. We have marked this event with a celebration
of Rose's 95th birthday, and wish her happiness
GEORGE FRANCHERE'S BIRTHDAY
We don't get to see George Franchere very often and we hope he enjoys
these reports of how his gift of the Mabee Farm is flourishing. We
celebrated his recent birthday by sharing with you a picture of our
benefactor, taken in Point 0' Woods, South Lyme, Connecticut on June
25, 1937.
DID YOU KNOW? -Elsie Maddaus
Did you know that an early student of Union College wrote the Christmas
carol "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear"? His name was Edmund Hamilton
Sears. He was born in Sandisfield, MA on April 6, 1819. Beside Union
College, he attended Harvard Divinity School. Later he was ordained in
the Unitarian ministry and chose to serve in small towns in
Massachusetts where he could study, think and write. At the age
of 24, he wrote a Christmas carol, "Calm on the Listening Ear." Fifteen
years later, in 1849, he wrote "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." He
became well-known because of his hymns and books. In 1871, he was
awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree, after which he took a preaching
tour of England. He died in Weston, MA on January 16, 1876.
THE MABEE FARM
At this writing we are about to close for the successful 2003 season.
All our Special Events were well received, well attended and
financially successful. Teachers expressed ever increasing interest in
our school p.r;ogram as word of mouth spread from school to school.
This fall we will have had five days of school programs with
approximately 600 students. Even more are expected in the spring. It
seems that there is no end to the activities at the Farm as one event
runs into the next!
The Fall Festival was bigger
and better than ever. With the increase in attendance we almost doubled
last year's profits. A new feature, "The Kid's Corner," organized and
supervised by Andrea Becker was a real hit. Thank you, Andrea.
The Stockade Walkabout was
well represented by the Farm's volunteers and demonstrators who took an
active part this year. I hope you had the opportunity to see our bateau
"The "'DeSager" in the water at the Riverfront festival. Kim Mabee had
just finished the sail and it was the first time it had been used.
"Sundae on the Farm," held on
September 21st, was an unbelievable day. Working harmoniously together,
the Montgomery County Farm Bureau and many other organizations joined
in guaranteeing the success of this even. The weather was perfect. The
people came and came and came! Expected attendance was 1,000-1,500.
Over 3,000 people actually attended! 475 toured the House in a never
ending line. (Thank you to the docents for service above and 'beyond
the call of duty). 67 gallons of ice cream were used for free ice cream
sundaes. There were cows, horses, oxen, goats, sheep, pigs, llamas,
chickens and rabbits. A 400 bale hay maze was the centerpiece of the
many children's' activities. There were craft displays, farm and
colonial demonstrations, tractors large and small, farm.equipment and a
farmer's market. The chicken barbecue sold out before 3 PM. Although we
were only the host site for this event, we were able to make almost $1
,400 for the Mabee Farm.
The one of a kind Hand Hooked Rug by Jennifer Parslow was another
moneymaker. This beautiful rug featured the Mabee House and Dutch Barn.
Jennifer donated this run to be raffled off as a fund raiser. The
drawing was held during "Sundae on the Farm.. It netted $1,346 for the
Mabee Farm. (Geri Patenaude of Apple Junction in Rotterdam J unction
was the happy winner.) Thank you, Jennifer, for this creative and very
generous donation.
Inn Restoration progress
continues on the Inn. The foundation work is finished. New sills,
floor joists and hand planed wide board flooring have been installed.
The missing siding has been replaced, closing in the building for the
winter. The interior work, plastering and restoration of the hearth
remain to be finished along with the restoration of the stairwell and
chimney cupboard.
Archaeology around the Inn
has been completed for 2003. Highlights of the findings were two silver
spoons with JEM monogram. These initials are believed to be Jacob and
Eva Mabee's who lived atthe house in 1800. The silversmith was Hutton,
whose firm was very prominent in the City of Albany during that period.
Also found was a thin silver disk with markings stamped on both sides.
Archaeologists are researching whether this is a coin, token, or seal
for goods. During the summer, Louise Basa and SCCC held a course for
middle school aged children. They explored the foundation of the
Methodist Church which stood on the western edge of the property in the
1890s. The building was moved to Rotterdam Junction approximately 1910.
Although regular hours ended on September 27th, the Mabee Farm Historic
Site continues to be open by appointment. Call 887-5073 for more
information.
WE GET LETTERS. . . (From Timothy C. Sager of 6032 Chetwind
Drive, Cicero, NY 13039.)
I was with much sadness and regret that I learned of the death of Mr.
Bob Sager. If I may, I would like to tell you my remembrances of this
remarkable individual and my distant relative. Some years ago while on
business in Schenectady I opened the phone book as I often do when
traveling and started calling Sager listings. By pure chance I talked
with Claire who said "You want to talk to my ex as he is the president
of the Schenectady Historical Society. " Well, I couldn't believe my
ears. My next call was to Bob who invited me over to his house in the
trees. We talked for most of the afternoon and evening, closing his
eyes often as he recited from memory the Sager history. I was
spellbound as I listened to someone who knew our history with
authority. I never noticed when the long afternoon shadows turned to
night.
After Bob decided we were related, he brought out many documents,
telling me stories about his study of Genealogy, his local adventures
and the Dutch Society. Th one document that stands out in my memory was
what he called a "Wheel Genealogy chart." On this document there was a
common starting point ancestor, and, like spikes from a wheel, the many
succeeding generations were charted. As I remember, it was rolled up
like a map, showing much wear and tear, and when put on this dining
room table the corners needed to be held down. From this document done
in pencil you could easily see our lineage and common ancestor. I have
access to large copy machines and would like to copy this document if
it's in the Society's collection.
Later
that evening we went for a ride in his pea-green Rolls downtown to the
Society and later to his church. He said he needed to take the Rolls to
a local mechanic soon as it was time to put on new brakes. Bob invited
me back and of course I never found time. I will never forget my
afternoon with Mr. Robert Sager.
-Sincerely,
Tim Sager
(We hope Mr. Sager gets a chance to copy the "Wheel Genealogy.")
2004 Calendar Here
Schenectady Historical Society's 2004 calendar, with the theme
"Industries of Schenectady," is available at the Schenectady County
Historical Society. The calendar covers early mills of the Colonial
period to Schenectady International of the 21st century. It is
available to members for $8; nonmembers for $10; postage and handling
$2.
CONTRIBUTORS DURING AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER
2003
FOUNDATIONS
Ayco Charitable Foundation
W. G. Broughton Charitable Foundation
Golub Foundation
Rotary Club of Schenectady Foundation
Schenectady Foundation
Wright Family Foundation, Inc.
SPONSORS
Ms. Dianne J. Gade
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Hickmott
Mr. & Mrs. John A. Maybee
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth S. Sheldon Jr.
Pattersonville Telephone Company
DONORS
Mr. & Mrs. John F. Boyer
Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Cheesman
Mrs. Gladys M. Craven
Mrs. Jocelyn F. Creech
Mr. & Mrs. Edward R. Curley
Mr. & Mrs. Burton B. Delack
Mrs. Roberta Hambleton
Mr. Richard J. Huether
Dr. Stanley L. Jones
Ms. Sharon A. Jordan
Mr. & Mrs. Leonard J. Josefiak
Mrs. Florence LaMontagne
Mr. Douglass M. Mabee
Mr. &' Mrs. Gerry S. Pierce
Mrs. Caroline Roberts
Mr. & Mrs. Eugene A. Rowland
Mr. Clinton W. Sager 2nd
Dr. & Mrs. L. R. Schmidt
Mr. & Mrs. Van der Bogert Shanklin
Mr. Martin L. Storm
Mr. & Mrs. Maynard J . Toll Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Emile Walraven
Mr. & Mrs. Robert V. Wells
Mrs. Mary Jane Whitcomb
Mr. & Mrs. Ralph & Pauline Wood
Mr. & Mrs. Richard E. Yager
FAMILY
Mr. & Mrs. Elwin C. Bigelow
Mr. & Mrs. Bart M. Bisgrove
Dr. & Mrs. Lawrence A. Cioffi
Mr. & Mrs. John A. Collins
Mr. & Mrs. William R. Collins
Mr. & Mrs. James F. Dalby Jr.
The Rev. & Mrs. Wendell H. Elmendorf Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Edward N. Gifford
Mr. & Mrs. Norman S. Gittinger
Mr. & Mrs. David R. Gould
Mr. & Mrs. Gontran J. Kenwood
Mr. & Mrs. Richard N. Matthews
Mr. & Mrs. Richard G. O'Connor
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph W. Poupard
Mr. & Mrs. Reuben A PowelL
Mr. & Mrs. David D. Raycroft
Mr. Robert L. Smith Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. James R. Stewart
Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Van Flue
Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Veino
Mr. & Mrs. John P. Walden
Lt. Col.& Mrs. William T. Yates
Synthesis Architects
Ms. Louise M. Lowe
INDIVIDUALS
Mrs. Josephine R. Aker
Mr. Donald F. Ardell
Ms. Mary E. Maybee Austin
Dr. Janis L. Best
Mrs. Annette M. Billmeyer
Mr. Patrick J. Bingham
Ms. Ann Bish
Mr. Kenneth H. Bradt
Ms. Anne H. Brown
Mr. Robert A. Butsch
Mrs. Allene J. Carbin
Mrs. Shirley H. Clark
Ms. Evalyn K. Conklin
Mr. Peter DeGraff Cross
Ms. June Cummings
Mrs. Charleen DeLorenzo
Mr. William A. Dimpelfeld
Ms. Wilma Dimpelfeld
Mrs. Maynard A. Dixon
Ms. Patricia Dwyer
Mrs. Charles A. Ehrcke
Ms. Jean P. Emery
Mrs. Joy P. Favretti
Mrs. Betry Hershkowitz
Mrs. Linda Holub
Mrs. Agnes G. Ingraham
Mrs. Sylvia M. Lange
Mrs. Robert E. Lehman
Mr. Robert J. Mabie
Mrs. Betry J. Maclachlan
Mr. William M. Massoth
Mrs. Irma Mastrean
Mrs. George J. McGettrick
Mrs. Ruth H. Metzler
Mr. Robert J. Mielke
Mr. Timothy M. Nace
Mr. Robert G. Nevulis
Ms. Christie A. Noble
Dr. Sheila O'Connor
Mrs. Marilyn M. Pfaltz
Ms. Teresa V. Pistolessi
Mrs. Margaret J. Reich
Mr. Don Rittner
Ms. Pamela Robarge
Dr. Jack Ruthberg
Mrs. Margaret A. Sager
Mrs. Mary B. Scheible
Mrs. Elinore Schumacher
Dr. Jon Tobiessen
Mr. Eugene F. Van Dyke Jr.
Dr. Elizabeth Veeder
Mrs. Abbie S. Verner
Mrs. Shirley Weihing
Mr. Dale Wellman
Mrs. Elizabeth M. Writer
Mr. George Yager