USA > New York > Dutchess County > Hyde Park > Historical notes of Saint James Parish, Hyde Park-on-Hudson, New York, in commemoration of the belated centenary anniversary of the consecration of the first parish church, October 10, 1811 > Part 4
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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 which 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 Notes of
SENIOR WAARDENS
Samuel Bard,
1812-1822
(See page 32)
William Bard,
1822-1827
(Sce page 37)
Morgan Lewis,
1827-1896
(See page 34)
John Johnston,
1836-1850
(See page 35)
James Russell,
1850-1867*
Elias Butler,
1867 -- 1878
Christopher Hughes 3d,
1879 -- 1894
James Roosevelt,
1894-1901
Archibald Rogers,
1901-
JUNIOR WARDENS
Morgan Lewis,
1812-1827
(See page 34)
William Bard,
1827-1829
(See page 37)
John Johnston,
1829-1836
(See page 35)
Edmund Henry Pendleton,
1836-1837
James Russell,
1857-1850
David Johnston,
1850-1858
Edmund Henry Pendleton,
1858-1867*
Christopher Hughes 3d,
1867-1879
Nathaniel Pendleton Rogers,
1879-1892
James Roosevelt,
1892-1894
Archibald Rogers,
1894-1901
Samuel Braman Sexton,
1901-1903
S. Nicholson Kane,
1903-1906
John Hopkins,
1906 --
*There are no records of elections from 1861 to 1867. Presumably the old vestry con- tinued, so far as anything was done during war times.
ELIAS BUTLER.
43
S. James Church
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, 1822, 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, 1806, was a native of the State of New York and early entered upon a 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 and the oversight of the farm and the garden with its greenhouses and vinery. He 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, 3d, was the son of Christopher and Rachel (Pawling) Hughes. He was born July 31, 1805, married Dec. 12, 1832, Sarah Lamoree, and died May 28, 1903. He was a farmer and good citizen of the type which have made this nation and have been the backbone of its liberties and institutions. In 1833 Governor Win. L. Marcy
*See plate facing page 68.
44
Historical Notes 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 Trustec, 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 bitch 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.
JAMES ROOSEVELT.
45
S. James Church
He married first Rebecca Howland in 1852. 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" wasvoted 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. No 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 Diocesan Con- ยท vention.
An upright Christian man, full of kindness and helpfulness he adorned the doctrine of Christ our Saviour, by a consistent walk and holy life.
He is sadly missed in the church which he 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 1882. Junior Warden 1894-1901 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
Historical Notes of
dleton) 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 Paterson, 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.
EDMUND HENRY PENDLETON.
NATHANIEL PENDLETON ROGERS.
47
S. James Church
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 Representative 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 (Bard) 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 placo 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, 1872.
NATHANIEL PENDLETON ROGERS
Nathaniel Pendleton Rogers, late of Hyde Park, Duchess County, New York, was born April 20, 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
Historical Notes of
Anna Pierce Pendleton, a daughter of Nathaniel, and Susan (Bard) Pendleton. The latter was a daughter of Dr. John Bard, 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 1836; and Susan Bard 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. IIc 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, 1867.
SAMUEL BRAMAN SEXTON Vestryman 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.
-
SAMUEL BRAMAN SEXTON.
49
S. James Church
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 23 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 latter's life, so naturally becoming interested in the old parish church, and a member of its vestry. He was born on July 2, 1846, and died November 15, 1906. 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 Farragut 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 1874 as valedictorian of the class and was admitted to the bar. Soon afterwards his old taste for the navy showed itself in his in- terest in yachting, and as 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- ried to success so many of the international competitions for 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 as a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, and also as Vice- President of The Church Club. He was particularly interested in the National Geographical Society, and in the various polar expeditions. Mr. Kane's intellectual equipment for life had been broad, which added to personal qualities of character,
*See plate facing page 62,
50
Historical 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 Benschoten) Hopkins was born July 8, 1845, in the town of La Grange of old Duchess county stock. His mother was a descendant of that Theunis 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 Horrocks. Gerald Livingston Hoyt.
Henry Myers. Ellsworth Martin Crapser. Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Edmund Pendleton Rogers.
JOHN HOPKINS.
51
S. James Church
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
Jones, James I., 1856
Allen, Theodore,
1838
Kane, S. Nicholson, 1800
Bard, Samuel, 1812
Kneeland, Henry, 1836
Bard, William,
1812
Laight, William E., 1836
Broome, William,
1812
Langdon, Walter Jr.,
1847
Butler, Elias,
1845
Livingston, James Duane,
1812
Carter, Israel M.,
1855
Livingston, Maturin,
1839
Collins, David Jr.,
1835
Livingston, Maturin, 1867
Cowman, Augustus Thomas, 1837
Lowndes, Rawlins,
1875
Crapser, Ellsworth Martin, 1901
Mosher, Nathan R.,
1855
Dobbs, Benjamin Burroughs 1875
Myers, Henry,
1901
Duer, William Alexander,
1812
Newbold, Thomas N.,
1878
Dutton, Titus,
1812
Northrup, Charles W.,
1875
Emmet, William C.,
1846
Pendleton, Edmund H.,
1822
Fuller, Dudley B.,
1843
Pendleton, Edmund II., 1857
Gerry, Elbridge T.,
1894
Pendleton, Nathaniel, 1812
Hale, Elisha
1832
Rogers, Archibald, Ist,
1839
Henderson, John,
1822
Rogers, Archibald, 2d,
ISS2
Hinchman, John,
1836
Rogers, Edmund Pendleton, 1906
Hinchman, William,
1828
Rogers, Henry Pendleton,
1892
Holbrook, Ephraim,
1829
Rogers, James, 1813
Hopkins, John,
1891
Rogers, Nathaniel Pendleton 1868
Hopkins, William Harrison,
1878
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1906
Horrocks, James Henry,
1900
Roosevelt, James,
1858
Hosack, David,
1835 Roosevelt, James Roosevelt, 1879
Howard, Thomas Howard,
1899
Roosevelt, John A.,
1889
Hoyt, Gerald Livingston,
1901
Russell, Isaac,
1813
Hoyt, Henry Sheaff,
1889
Russell, James,
1828
Hughes, Brooks,
1852
Sexton, Samuel B.,
1893
Hughes, Christopher 2d,
IS12
Sherrill, Hunting, 1820
Hughes, Christopher 3d,
1850
Spencer, Reuben,
1813
Hughes, Miles,
1871
Vanwart, HI., 1856
Johnston, David,
1845 Van Vliet, Cornelius Jr., 1845
Johnston, John,
1812 Van Vliet, James R., 1850
Johnston, Francis Upton,
1867 Woodworth, William W.,
1837
52
Historical Notes of
AUGUSTUS THOMAS COWMAN
Vestryman 1837 Born 1814; died September 12, 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 Wardens 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 .--
AUGUSTUS THOMAS COWMAN.
53
S. James Church
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 are 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, That 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 so happy a completion our beautiful Church.
Resolved, That the Rector be authorized to draw on the Treasurer for the money necessary to carry the above resolu- tion into effect.
And 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, 1846.
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 1846 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 1836 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 26, 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.
ELIZABETH A. DROM.
JOHN FRANCIS GERMOND.
55
S. James Church
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.
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