USA > New York > Montgomery County > St Johnsville > Mohawk Valley genealogy and history : [a compilation of clippings, 1942-1945] > Part 34
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
Quoting again from the History of Wayne, by Geo. W. Walton:
Page 22. "From the History of Monmouth, we quote, 'Ichabod Bil- lington, one of the first settlers Wayne.' "
to 1882. Register, 3 vols. Arr. chron. 1882-1907 der,, Town Clerk, Carlisle, N. Y. and deaths Indexed alph. by children. Includes Page 30 "Willlam Frost came Wayne not far from 1800, He mar- rled Betsy Billington." Their sons were Samuel W., Sewald, Willlard, |marriages Isaac, William, David B., Sears, Jair- 1882 -. Custodian, Mrs. Allce Bau- Cobleskill es nd Nathaniel Billington, Constant Dexter, Ichabod Billigton, Jr., Joseph Lawrence, David Perry and Joanna
Lawrence. In April of the same year Ichabod Billington was added to the list.
Page 74. "Old residents remember
Alpheus Lane, Ebenezer Besse, James Churchill and Isaac Billing- ton as soldiers of the Revolution." Chapter 7. First town meeting of there is a record, Nov. 3, 1811.
Page 76. War of 1812. In the year 1814. .
Seth Billington, Sergeant. Seth Billington, 2nd., Private. Nathaniel Billington, Private. Page 96. Second School
district. Norris. In 1811. Seth Billington has 2 scholars. Isaac Billington has 2 scholars. Seth Billington has 4 scholars. Nathaniel Billington has 5 schol- ars.
Page 101. The Wing district. Dec. 14, 1814, of May last. Isaac Billingtou, Jr. has 1 scholar. Page 185. Isaac Billington was a very early settler, also a signer of the Petition for Incorporation.
home not far from Hiram Norris by children.
place, near the Wilson Pond. History of Wayne, by George W ..
Page 218. 1810 Census, shows Bil- lington, Isaac, Seth, Seth, Nathanlel. 1882 -. Register, 4 vol. Arr. chron. History of Kennebeck Co., Maine, 1882-1913, no Index; 1914-indexed
1625-1892.
Chapter 30. Town of Monmouth was originally part of the Plymouth patent; when Incorporated It includ- ed territory that is now Wales (set aside in 1781). In 1789, petition to call the town Monmouth.
Note the Worcester Co., Mass.,
todian, Norman H. Meagley, Regis- trar of Vital Statistics, " "Jefferson, N. Y. - land records show Seth Billington |1883-1907, and deaths, 1883 -- " Cus- selling the last of his land in Brook- field In 1779. Did he move to Wayne, Maine ? Samuel Horton sold the last in Brookfield Feb. 21, Middleburg
of his land Awwun_to_Wayne.
Genealogical Sources in the Mohawk Valley
AND NEARBY
BIRTH, DEATH AND MARRIAGE RECORDS
(From WPA Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State, Vol. 1, 1942)
(Continued from last week) SCHOHARIE COUNTY
Town of Blenheim
1882 Register, 2 vols. 1882-1913, arr. alph .; 1914, arr. chron. 18821- 1913, no index; 1914, indexed alph. by children. Includes marriages, 1882-1 1907 and deaths, 1882. Custodian, E. William Moxham, Town Cerk, North Blenhelm, N. Y.
Broome
1882 . Register, 3 vols. Arr. chron. 1882-1913, no index; 1914, indexed alph. by children. Includes marriag- es 1882-1907, and deaths 1882. Cus- todian, Mrs. Nellie A. Estes, Town Clerk, Livingstonville, N. Y.
Carlisle
1848. Reports, 1 bdl. Arr. chron. No index. Includes marriages and
deaths. Custodian, Mrs. Alice Bau- der, Town Clerk, Carlisle, N. Y.
1882 -. Register, 10 vols. Arr. chron. 1882-1914, no index; 1914-, Harris indexed alph. by children. Includes marriages, 1882-1908, and deaths, 1882 -. Custodian, June Town Clerk, Cobleskill, N. Y.
1925 -. Record, 4 vols. Arr. chron. Indexed alph. by children. Includes deaths. Custodian, June Harris, Town Clerk, Cobleskill, N. Y.
Conesville
1882 -. Register, 3 vols. Arr. chron. 1882-1913, no index; 1914, in- dexed alph. by children. Includes marriages, 1882-1907, and deaths, 1882 -. Custodian, Clifford H. Case, Town Clerk, Gilboa, N. Y.
Esperance
1883 -. Register, 4 vols. Arr.
chron. Indexed alph. by children. In- cludes marriages and deaths. Custo- dian, Tarl H. Baxter, Town Clerk, Sloansville, N. Y.
. Fulton
1882-97. Register, 5 vols. 1882-97, 1899-1914, arr. alph. 1914-arr. chron. 1882-07, 1899-
Nathaniel Billington made his 1914, no index; 1914-Indexed alph.' Includes marriages, 1882-97, 1899-1907 and deaths 1882- 97, 1899 -. Custodian, Anna Zeh, Town Clerk, Middleburg. Gilboa
alph. by children. Includes marriages, 1882-1907, and deaths, 1882 -. Cus- todian, Hazee Baker, Town Clerk, Gilboa, N. Y.
Jefferson /
1883 -. Record, 3 vols. Arr chron. 1883-1913, no index; 1914-, Indexed alph. by children. Includes marriages,
1882 -. Register,
7 vols. Arr
of
Many facts come to light through indirect researches. This Is true In court records, land records, pension applications, and histories. The pen- sion application of John Smith may be supported by a statement by the Revolutionary ancestor belng sought. Since no general index is available, the only method to follow is to make a complete search for the ancestor and for all the men who resided near him or served with him. Land reports often tell of other individu- als who lived on adjoining farms. Both wills and deeds may refer to individuals who were relatives or
not adequately indexed. To make a complete search it is often necessary !to cover an entire county in Penn- sylvania for the period involved or it may be necessary to search all the records in the state for a particular surname. This is long and laborious, but in the end gives good results. Often all the pieces must be recog- nized and put together before con- clusions can be made. As an exxam- ple, the writer cites his own exper- ience. In looking up his ancestors in Mifflin County, some data were found. Upon looking up the pension, land, and tax records for the' entire county, additional data were obtain- ed belonging to his own family which otherwise woul not have been found. Similarly, the search of all
the records pertaining to the name } Walton.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER - 27, 1945
In searching through eighteenth century records, one must continually
ly eleven counties. Today there are individuals who were relatives or Page 76. War of 1812. in the year
67. The best reference is the "Gen- neighbors. Even county histories are ealogical Map of the Counties" pub- not adequately indexed. To make a lished by the Department of Inter- complete search it is often necessary nal Affairs at Harrisburg, Pennsyl- ! to cover an entire county in Penn- vania. All legal records are to be sylvania for the period involved or it may be necessary to search all the records in the state for a particular surname. This is long and laborious, but in the end gives good results. Often all the pieces must be recog- nized and put together before con- clusions can be made. As an exxam- found at the 67 county seats, altho all records dealing with the Revolu- tionary period will be found at one of the 11 county seats in existence in 1775. In addition, southwestern Pennsyvania was a part of Virginia until 1781, in so far as court' re- cords are concerned. Washington ple, the writer cites his own exper- county was formed in 1781.
When a new county was formed, no records were transferred from the parent county. For example, the re- cords of what is now Blair county are to be found at the courthouses of Blair, Huntington, Bedford and Cumberland counties. An individual may have lived all his life on the same farm, but the records may be Bell in Pennsylvania gave additional found in several parts of Pennsyl- facts concerning his ow branch of the family. vania. The first thing that the in- vestigator must do is to get a clear
(To be continued).
GAZETTEER, BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF MONTGOMERY AND FULTON COUNTIES
(Continued from last week.)
Thompson, A. A., Gloversville, ladies' furnishing ygoods and agent for the Empire sewing machine, 88 Main.
Thompson, Andrew J., Johnstown, (Thompson and Argersinger.)
Thompson and Argersinger, Johns- town (Andrew J. Thompson and Hi- ram Argersinger,) manufs. of gloves and mittens.
. Thompson, George M. Gloversville, editor of Intelligenceh.
Thompson, Jacob B., Gloversville, skin , dresser.
Thompson, James, Gloversville, barber and hair dresser,-125 Main. Thompson, Joseph, Rockwood, far- mer 100. -
Thompson, Nathaniel, Johnstown, carpenter and joiner.
Thompson, William J., Johnstown, farmer leases 145.
Thornburn, W. G., Gloversville, agent for Grover and Baker Sewing Machines, corner Fulton and Main, over Miller's drug store.
Thyne, John, Johnstown, carpen- ter and joiner.
Timmins, Michael, Johnstown, far- mer 68.
Tooker, John, Gloversville, manuf. of gloves and mittens, 181 North Main.
Traver, Charles, Johnstown. black- smith.
Turney, Benjamin, Johnstown, far- mer 60.
Tuttle, John W., Bleecker, 'far- mer 5.
Tye, Ichabod H., Johnstov, fore- man of J. Heacock's skin mill.
Thlinger, Philip ,Johnstor. n. cabi- net maker and undertaker, south side of Main.
Uline, Jacob, Johnstown, farmer 100.
Ullman, Solomon, Johnston, dry goods, clothing, boots, sho , hats, caps, gent's furnishing goods, etc. 1 Kennedy block.
Vaissiere, Ferdinand, Johnstown, manuf. of gloves and mittens, Hoos- ick.
Valentine, James . C., Gloversville, manuf. of goves, 5 Mill.
Valone, Nicholas, Gloversville, retir- ed farmer.
Van Allen, Wm. E., Johnstown,
stone mason and farmer 100.
Van Alstine, Barney, Keck Center farmer-117.
Van Alstine, John, Sammonsville, farmer.
Van Antwerp, Charles, Sammons- ville, dairyman and farmer leases of Jay Schuyler 100. .
Van Antwerp, James, Keck Cen- ter, teamster.
.Van. Antwerp, John, Sammonsville, shoe maker.
Van Atter, James, Johnstown, prop. of skin mill.
Van Auken, Seymour, Goversville, staker.
Van Auken, Henry, Johnstown. farmer leases of Mrs. David Miller 100.\
Van Dreser, D., Mrs., Gloversville, millinery, 17 School. Van Dusen, Amos, Gloversville, prop. of express wagon.
Van Dusen, Henry, Sammonsville. carpenter and joiner.
Van Dusen, Joseph, Sammonsvile, carpeixer.
Van Dusen, Mathew, Sammons- ville, teamster.
Van Dusen, Wm., Rockwood, far- mer leases 80. Van Lone, Daniel, Gloversville, glove cutter. Van Natter, James, Gloversville. boss skin dresser.
Van Ness, J. F., Gloversville, sec- retary of Gloversville Athletic As- sociation.
Van Nell, L. R. and Co., Glovers- ville, dry and fancy goods, 108 Futon. Van Ness, William H., Glovers- ville, justice of the peace, 121 Main. Van Ness, Johnstown (Earl and Van Ness.)
Van Ness, Miss, Gloversville (C. J. Mills and Co.) (To be continued)
GRACIOUS HOSTESS
You'll earn top hospitality honors if you serve dry Utica Club Ale and Beer, because they're preferred by millions .- Adv.
1814. .. Seth Billington, Sergeant.
Seth Billington, 2nd., Private. Nathaniel . Billington, Private. Page 96. Second School
district. Norris. In 1811.
Seth Billington has 2 scholars. Isaac Billington has 2 scholars. Seth Billington has 4 scholars. Nathaniel Billington has 5 schol- ars.
Page 101. The Wing district. Dec. 14, 1814, of May last.
Isaac'Billingtou, Jr. has 1 scholar. Page 185. Isaac Billington was a very early settler, also a signer of the Petition for Incorporation.
Page 218. 1810 Census, shows Bil- lington, Isaac, Seth, Seth, Nathaniel. History of Kennebeck Co., Maine, 1625-1892.
Chapter 30. Town of Monmouth was originally part of the Plymouth patent; when incorporated it includ- Gilboa, N. Y.
ed territory that is now Wales (set aside in 1781). In 1789, petition to call the town Monmouth.
Note the Worcester ., Co., Mass., land records show Seth Billington selling the last of his land in Brook-
Maine ? Samuel Horton sold the last of his land in Brookfield Feb. 21, 1797 but he did not move to Wayne. There are no Hortons on the Wayne land records.
There are several Hortons record- ed in land records of Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y. A Samuel Horton was in Canandaigua before Dec. 3, 1812. :** **** ) %. **
There are many Hortons in Monroe and Genesee counties, N. Y., and it was in these counties that our Bil- dingtons and Whelans lived before coming to Michigan. They also lived in Oneida Co., N. Y. but whether
Hortons lived in Oneida Co. or not I, chron. Indexed have not learned.
There were Hortons in Niagara
Co., N. Y., 1825 and before, also Hitchcock several of them, in Gene- see Co. " (To be continued)
DATA AVAILABLE ON BLAKES-
lee, Van Cott, Bentley and re- lated families. Inquire Emilie Sarter, 268 Newbury St., Bos- ton 16, Mass. 11-13-5t
Send in your queries. .
Enterprise & News An ABC Newspaper
.
St. JOHNSVILLE, N. Y. S. K. IVERSON PUBLISHER
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Montgomery, Fulton and Herkimer Counties-One-Year $2.50. All others $3 except Canada $4. Six Months $2.00
Conesville
1882 -. Register, 3 vols. Arr.
ohron. 1882-1913, no index; 1914, in- dexed alph. by children. Includes marriages, 1882-1907, and deaths, 1882 --. Custodian, Clifford H. Case, Town Clerk, Gilboa, N. Y:
Esperance
1883 --. Register, 4 vols.' Arr
chron. Indexed alph. by children. In; cludes marriages and deaths. Custo- dian, 7arl. H. Baxter, Town Clerk, Sloansville, N. Y.
Fuiton
1882-97. Register, 5 vols. 1882-97, 1899-1914, arr. alph.
1914-arr. chron. 1882-07," 1899-
Nathaniel Billington made his 1914, no index; 1914-indexed alph.
home not far from Hiram Norris by children. Includes marriages, place, near the Wilson Pond. 1882-97, 1899-1907 and deaths 1882- 97, 1899 -. Custodian, Anna Zeh, Town Clerk, Middleburg. History of Wayne, by George W .. Gilboa
. 1882 --. Register, 4 vol. Arr. chron. 1882-1913, no index; 1914-indexed alph. by children. Includes marriages, 1882-1907, and deaths, 1882 -. Cus- todian, Hazee Baker,' Town Clerk,
Jefferson /
1883 -. Record, 3 vols. Arr chron. 1883-1913, no index; 1914-, indexed alph. by children. Includes marriages, 1883-1907, and deaths, 1883 -. Cus- todian, Norman H. Meagley, Regis-
N. Y.
Middleburg®
1882 -. Register, 7 vols. Arr chron. 1882-1908, no index; 1908 and deaths, 1882 -. Custodian, Per- ry Shoemaker, Town Clerk, Middle- burg, N. Y.
Richmondville
1882,-Register, 4 vols. Arr. chron. 1882-1913, no index; 1914-, indexed alph. by children. Includes marriag- es 1882-1907, and deaths, 1882-1 Custodian, "Nicholas ' G. Moot, Town Clerk, Richmondville, N. Y.
Schoharie
1898 -. Register, 4 vols. Arr
alph. 'by children. Includes marriages 1898-1907 and. deaths, 1898 -. Custodian. Vernon Becker, Registrar of Vital Statistics, Schoharie, N. Y.
Seward
1882 --. Registrar, 4 vols. . Arr. chron. Indexed alph. by children. In- cludes marriages 1882-1907 and deaths, 1882 -. Custodian, Leland M. France, Town Clerk, Seward, N. Y. Sharon
1882. Register, 5 vols. Arr. chron. Indexed alph. by children. Includes marriages and deaths, 1882-1905. Custodian, May J. Hiller, Town Clerk, Sharon Springs, N. Y. Summit '
1883, Record, 4 vols. Arr, chron. Indexed alph. by children. Includes marriages and deaths, 1883-1907. Custodian, Harold Hinklepaugh, Clerk, Charlotteville, N. Y.
Wright
1882-1913. Entered at the st. Johnsville Post- Record, 1 vol. Arr. chron. Indexed alph. by children. In- office, St. Johnsville, N. Y. as second cludes marriages and deaths. Custo- class matter. Published every Thurs. dian, Mrs. Minnie Barrett, Town Clerk, Schoharie, N. Y.
1913. Register, 2 vols. Arr. ; chron. Indexed alph. by children. Includes deaths. Custodian Mrs. Minnie Bar- rett, Town Clerk, Schoharie, N. Y.
(To be contnued)
ience. In looking up his ancestors in Mifflin County, some data were found. Upon looking up the pension, land, and tax records for the' entire county, additional data were obtain- ed belonging to his , own family which otherwise woul not have been found. Similarly, the search of all the records pertaining to the name , Walton.
field in 1779. Did he move to" Wayne, trar of Vital Statistics," Jefferson,
St. Johnsville Enterprise and News, St. Johnsville, N. Y.
Washington's Reception in the Van Veghten House Dec. 24, 1778
By W. N. P. Dailey
The. Van Veghten house stands to- day midway between Bourd Brook and Somerville in New Jersey, on the banks of the Raritan river. Built ot brick, brought from Holland, around 1700, its walls are still aolidy stand- ing upon a firm foundation of 'stone, while its casement, doors and sills are "well preserved.
by Spain. Called ,on to surrender their reply was "We are short of pro- visions, but after we have eaten our left arms, we will still fight you with our right. 'Surrender ? Never."
Originally the name was spelled "Veghten," but other spelling has been Vehten, Veighton, Victor, Vack- ten, etc. Pearson's "First Settlers of Albany" traces the descendants of Teunis (son of Derrick) an Veghten, down, to 1720 but the list needs cor- rections as shown in the ancient Van Vechten Bibles still in existence as in the American Bible Society and the New York Historical Society. Chron- ologically the Van. Vechten family descends from Dirck Teunise to Dirck, son of Teunis and Cathlyntie' Va 'Patten to Teunis . Teunissen, ot Judge Abraham (Albany), to Cor- nelius Teunise' (Albany), Benjamin and Anthony, " the latter married Margaret Fonda (1770) daughter of Jelles Fonda,-to Teunis and Caro- ine Knickerbocker (1744), to Gerrit Teunese of . Rensselaerwyck, who married Antie > Janse and their son, Johannes who married Maria Bogar- dus (1699), thus 1. nking the . Van Vechtens with' Anneke . Janse-to Gerrit Teunis," to Michiel Pietertie.
Christmas Eve Reception
It was the early morn of Decem-
ber 24, 1778, when the old Van Vechten mansion, with Its snow cov- ering, began to bestir Itself for & brilliant party to be held that night. Two officers, handsomely mounted and equipped, halted their steeds at the Van Vechten house and delivered a square billet to his superlor offi- cer, which read, "Gen. and Mrs. Greene beg that Gen. and Lady Washington honor their poor quar- ters with their presence this eve- ning at eight. An informal affair in honor of Miss Elizabeth Schuyler." The answer was quickly forthcoming, "Deliver to Mrs. Green the compli- ments of Mrs. Washington and my- self with the assurance, that will do ourselves the pleasure of be- ing .present 'at Van Veghten house this ! evening." With
votes himself to Mrs. Washington- and the others pair off.
Col. Hamilton and Miss Schuyler,
Capt. Livingston and Miss Lott, manuf. and (with Samuel,) farmer Capt. Colfax and Lady Kitty Stir-1 ling, Lord Stirling and Mrs. Knox, 130. Baron Steuben and Lady Stirling, we Maj. Lee and Miss Livingston-did ever a more graceful or distinguish- ed company honor the ancient Van a miltary Veghten mansion ? Echoes of the mu- sic having died away, the good cheer of the house is now placed before the guests. The fire on the hearth is a mass of glowing. embers, that give.
Genealogical Sources in the Mohawk Valley
1 AND NEARBY
SCHOHARIE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
(Continued from last week)
I. Fritcher collection 1780-1831, 30 Items, Including deeds, leases, bonds, and other papers relating to the real estate transactions of the Hanes, Chrysler and Fritcher families in Schoharle and Otsego counties.
J. Miscellaneous materials, includ- inge record of irganization of the Seward Valley Temperance Soclety, May 1, 1842; extract of court pro- ceedings in the trial of "Indians" in the antirent war In Schoharie coun- ty, 1842; old stage mail time .bill, listing stations at Albany, Knowers- ville (now Altamont), Schoharie, Richmondville, and Charlotteville, 1850; minute book of the Lime Kiln Farmers Club 1890-92, 1 v .; minute book of the Lasell Park Association, village of Schoharie, 1884-97, 1 v .; Chauncey Rickard's . journal (1934- 35, 2 v.) and articles on the "Gen- eral Character of the Five aNtlons," "Slaves in the Valley," "An Anti- Rent Episode," and other matters; typewritten record of old newspa- pers on file in the Old Stone Fort; and other data.
There are approximately 100 vol- umes and 5,000pieces of which 30 per cent have been arranged, and 15 per cent catalogued by pieces. Plans are now under way to arrange and catalogue all the manuscript hold- ! ings and provide more adequate fa- cilities for their care. There Is no photostat or other copy, service.
See: The Old Stone Church and Fortress-Catalogue and historical notes, compiled by Chauncey Rick- ard, Schoharie, 1933, The Yo-Sko- Ha-Ro Quarterly April, 1937-Jan. 1941 and The Quarterly Bulletin Apr. 1941, all published by the Schoharie Historical Society.
GAZETTEER, BUSINESS
DIRECTORY OF MONTGOMERY AND FULTON COUNTIES
(Continued from last week.)
Sturm, Michael, Gloversville, car- penter and farmer 14.
the Sturn, L. Mrs., Gloversville, owns 2. the Styer, John, Johnstown, kid dress- er.
Suits, Eliezer, Keck Center, far- mer. 1.
"Suits, Rufus, , Johnstown, farmer .. .25. >
Sunderland, ' Rev., D. D., Johns-
town, pastor of Lutheran Church. Surderlin, John, · Gloversville, manuf. of gloves and mittens, Main. Sutlief, John H., Johnstown, gno-
. Sutliff, Danlel E., Gloversville,
hostess through the stately figures brick maker, master builder and
of the dance while Gen. Greene de- farmer 145.
Sutliff, Edward, Kingsborough.
farmer 150. Sutliff, James, Johnstown, „glove
Sutliff, James and Co., Johnstown, (Freeman Wilbur,) manufs. gloves and mittens, Clinton.
Sutliff, Samuel, Johnstown (with James,) farmer 130. Sutliff, Samuel, Jr., Johnstown, farmer 33 and leases Sutliff estate, 10.
Sutliff, W. M., Johnstown (B. M. and J. Grant & Co.,) prop. of skin mill, Hoosick.
Sutts, Lewis, Johnstown, farmer 80. ", Sweet, W. P. and C. E., Glovers- ville, patent medicines, grocerles, provisions and notlons, 90 Main. Tappe, Augustus, Johnstown, clocks, watches, jewelry, etc., South side Main.
Taylor, James H.,, Gloversville, hair glove manuf. and farmer 4. Terrel, Hezekiah, Gloversville, far- mer 49.
Thomas, Elliot, Kingsborough (J. W. and E. Thomas).
Thomas, H. C., Gloversville, · har- ness, trunks, etc., 73 Main. .
Thomas, James W.,Ki. ngsborough, (J. W. and E. Thomas.)
Thomas, J. W. and E., Kingsbor- ough, (James W. and Elliot,) glove and mitten manufs.
(To be contnued)
Send in your queries.
salute ' Gen. Washington rode tow- ard Middlebrook and Capt. Living- ston, aide-de-camp "to Gen. Greene, toward Pluckamin.
Philip Schuyler, Elizabeth, a petite brunette with lively dark eyes, that beaml with good temper and kind- ness on' her countenance. She wears a handsome toilet of yellow and sil- ver brocade. Mrs. Washington, attir- ed in a court costume of blue and gold brocade, is at the left.
Other. guests are Lord and Lady Stirling, and Lady Kittie Stirling, Mrs. and Miss Lott, wife and daugh- ter of Albbraham Lott of nearby Morristown, and Gen. and Mrs .. Knox. Also Major Harry Lee, who was the, pet of the army, a handsome:dark- complexioned young Virginian who was known at headquarters as Light Horse Harry. In ¡ vivacity of nature and in merriness of heart, Harry Lee and Mrs. Greene prove mutual- ly attractive. It was at this recep- tion, where these two met .for. the first time, that a romantic friend- ship. was formed which lasted thru life-and at death, not so far apart, they lie interred in the little co- quina walled graveyard, hidden in
· The origin of the Van Veghtens in America goes back to Teunls Van Vechten, who came in 1638 from Hol- land to New Netherland in the ship "Arms of Norway" with wife and child, two black slaves and settled in Greenbush, opposite Fort Orange (Albany). The family's home in Hol- land was at Vechte two miles from Utrecht, on the river Vechte and the name Is prominent 'in Roman and Church records from 1200 down. In 1572-73, when Don , Frederick of Spain besieged Haarlan the Dutch women fought side by side with their men as they did in the siege of Ley- den (1573-74) when again attacked the depths of olive groves, sur- rounded iby the flowers of a Georgia sea island. Five years prior to this Christmas Eve reception, Harry. Lee had graduated from Princeton at 17 and at 20 was made captain of a cavalry regiment. Commander of three companies of light horse, Maj. Lee was chosen by Washington to be his. personal guard at the Battle of Germantown. With him at the Van Vechten house party is Col. Alekan- der Hamilton. He is soon introduced to Miss Schuyler and during most of the evening manages to keep close to her side and in the end, Elizabeth becomes his life partner. Here bits of Yuletide Eve conversation are in order. Lady Stirling inquires of. Maj. Lee how he likes his headquarters at Phil's Hill, and Lee tells of the five well bred daughters of his host. Lady Stirling expresses the thought that Lee's heart will not long be his own, to which Lee replies, that even now his heart is no longer his own.
Another guest is Gen., Wayne-the "Mad Anthony""" of another day,
speaks for his " regiment, inviting Gen. Washington ,i to aid in Christmas morning service at Mount Pleasant. Mrs. Greene asks if ladies will be allowed to be present to which Washington replies, ' that their presence will be esteemed the highest favor. The hostess then asks all to attend and selects hymns ap- propriate to. the occasion and press- es the book into Washington's hands to be used by him on the morrow. Col. Tilgman now takes his place at the spinnet and the first minuet is in progress. Gracefully the Com- cer. mander-in-Chief walks with the fair
and . Anthony, "> the latter married Margaret Fonda ' (1770) daughter of Jelles Fonda,-to Teunis and Caro- ine Knickerbocker (1744), to Gerrit Teunese of : Rensselaerwyck, who married Antie Janse and their son, , Johannes who married Maria Bogar- dus (1699), thus 1.nking the . Van Vechtens with' Anneke Janse-to Gerrit Teunis, to Michiel Pietertie.
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