USA > New York > Dutchess County > The history of Dutchess County, New York > Part 54
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John Hamlin,
Elias G. Hopkins,
George Lyon
Edward B. Parker,
Thomas S. Parker,
Samuel H. Paulding,
James Smith
John Schickle, 66 66
Edward Blankenhorn, Hudson River, No. 35.
John C. Chatterton,
66
"
Herman King,
John H. Lindley
605
MASONIC FRATERNITY.
The commandery has appeared in public on many occasions and has made a number of notable pilgrimages.
On the 24th of June, 1871, it participated in the ceremonies of laying the corner stone of the State Capitol at Albany.
It also acted as escort to the Grand Lodge at the laying of the corner stone of the Poughkeepsie Bridge on the 17th of December, 1873, and at the laying of the corner stone of Eastman College in July, 1883.
Perhaps the most memorable pilgrimage of the commandery was that to Washington in 1889, on the occasion of the conclave of the Grand Encampment in that city.
The Grand Commandery of New York met in Poughkeepsie in October, 1881, and was entertained by the local commandery.
The membership at the close of the year 1908 was 171.
POUGHKEEPSIE LODGE, No. 266, was organized at Poughkeepsie May 12, 1852, with nine charter members. The first officers were: A. M. Sweet, W. M .; John Broas, S. W .; Samuel Chichester, J. W .; John E. Eisel, Treasurer ; Isaac F. Russell, Secretary. The lodge, January 1, 1909, reported 321 members.
BEACON LODGE, No. 283. This lodge is located at Fishkill-on- Hudson, and was opened under dispensation October 12, 1852, and was consecrated and officers elected March 8, 1853, Rev. Isaac Fran- cis being the first W. M. About 460 persons have been members of this lodge by initiation and affiliation. July 1, 1909, there were 170 members. The semi-centennial anniversary of the lodge was cele- brated in October, 1903.
MONUMENTAL LODGE, No. 374. This lodge is located at Tivoli, and was organized July 8, 1855. The charter bears date of July 6, and contains the following names as charter officers: Rev. John A. Edmonds, Master ; Simon Van Namee, S. W .; Benjamin F. Gedney, J. W. Charter members: Samuel Nelson, William Whitting, N. P. Tylar. The lodge was incorporated in 1878.
RHINEBECK LODGE, No. 432, was organized on the 9th day of July, 1857. The charter members were: Smith Quick, James Hogan, De Witt C. Marshall, Richard R. Sylands, Ambrose Wager and Henry M. Taylor.
The lodge celebrated its fiftieth anniversary July 9, 1907, and its first W. M., Smith Quick, then over eighty years of age, presided.
606
THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
SHEKOMEKO LODGE, No. 458, was organized at Mabbettsville. The charter is dated June 20, 1858, and its semi-centennial was observed with fitting ceremonies. John S. Parker was chosen the first W. M. David Tallman, of South Millbrook, is the only living charter member.
The lodge was removed to Washington Hollow in 1868. January 1, 1909, there were 111 members.
WEBOTUCK LODGE, No. 480, was instituted at Millerton in 1859, and received its charter June 19, 1860. The officers at that time were as follows: L. P. Woods, W. M .; S. L. Bagley, S. W .; I. C. Smith, J. W .; Wm. Kelsey, Treasurer ; C. Patterson, Secretary ; P. C. Trowbridge, J. D .; W. N. Knight, S. D .; I. S. Colgrove and John Scutt, Masters of Ceremony; Horace Jenks, Tyler. The lodge in 1909 has a membership of 80.
STISSING LODGE, No. 615, was organized at Pine Plains in 1866, and held its first meeting under a dispensation, July 2d of that year, in the hotel then kept by Mrs. Jones. The room set apart for the meeting was formerly utilized by old Warren Lodge. The first officers were: Lewis D. Huntting, W. M .; William H. Scutt, S. W .; Clark Guernsey, J. W .; Isaiah Dibble, Secretary ; Mulford Conklin, Treasurer ; Cornelius Pitcher, S. D .; Fred Dibble, J. D .; William Carskaddan, Tyler. The lodge moved to their room over the harness shop of the late R. D. Hicks in 1868.
WAPPINGER'S LODGE, No. 671, was instituted September 25, 1867, the first W. M. being Mr. John Hunter, who was also a charter mem- ber. All the other charter members are dead, with the exception of Mr. Thomas W. Goring, now living in Chicago. There have been twenty-six Masters of the lodge, eight of whom have passed away. This lodge in 1909 has a membership of 90. The elective officers for 1909 are as follows: James Hunter, W. M .; Myatt E. Goring, S. W .; I. Raymond Macaulay, J. W .; J. W. Cornell, Treasurer ; Jos. D. Thompson, Secretary ; John Bogle, John Hunter, William Halli- well, Trustees.
DOVER PLAINS LODGE, No. 666, was organized August 13, 1867. The charter officers were: Andrew B. Hammond, W. M .; Andris Brant, S. W .; Isaac G. Sherman, J. W .; George Hufcut, Treasurer ; Horace D. Hufcut, Secretary ; Thomas Hammond, Jr., S. D .; Robert C. Swift, J. D .; Rev. A. P. Lyon, Chaplain ; Isaac A. Morse, Tyler. It has a membership, according to the last report, of 116.
607
MASONIC FRATERNITY.
AMENIA LODGE, No. 672. This lodge is located in Amenia village. and was organized January 11, 1868, with the following charter members: John H. Thompson, Isaac N. Mead, James T. Upington, W. C. Payne, William Reed, A. B. Vedder, J. G. Husted, E. H. N. Warner, Henry S. Chapman, John J. Capron, Peter W. Husted, Ros- well B. Taylor, Abiah W. Palmer, Allen Wiley.
TRIUNE LODGE, No. 782, was organized at Poughkeepsie Febru- ary 6, 1879, with thirteen charter members. The charter is dated June 7, 1879. The first officers were: William Morgan Lee, W. M .; Henry Hasbrouck, S. W .; Charles D. Johnson, J. W .; Oliver S. At- kins, Treasurer ; Samuel K. Rupley, Secretary. The lodge, January 1, 1909, had 347 members.
HARLEM VALLEY LODGE, No. 827, was organized at Pawling April 4, 1898, with twenty-four charter members. The membership in 1909 is 103. C. L. Fletcher was the first W. M.
HALCYON LODGE, No. 832, was instituted at Millbrook, May 9, 1900, with twenty-one charter members. There are, in 1909, 63 members. John H. Allen held the office of W. M. for the first three years.
HENDRICK HUDSON LODGE. This lodge is located at Red Hook and is the youngest in the county. It was instituted W. D. June 22, 1909, by Right Worthy George H. Sherman of Poughkeepsie. The thirty-one charter members were nearly all affiliated with Monumental Lodge of Tivoli. The dispensation was granted to Frank E. Bur- nett, W. M.
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THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
CHAPTER XXXVIII. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.1
T HE first Catholic missionary who came to Manhattan Island and who traveled through the State of New York, was the Rev. Isaac Jogues, a member of the Society of Jesus. On one of his missionary trips among the Indians, in 1642, he was taken prisoner and during his captivity they tore off his finger-nails and cut off the thumb of his right hand. Four years later, in 1646, he was again captured and killed by the Indians.
In 1786, St. Peter's Church-the first Catholic Church in the dio- cese of New York-was erected in New York City, on the corner of Barclay and Church streets. In 1809 the corner stone of St. Pat- rick's Cathedral, on Mott street, was laid, and the church consecrated in 1815 by Right Rev. Bishop Cheverus, of Boston.
The priest principally connected with the early missions in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey was Ferdinand Farmer. He was born in South Germany in 1720, and having entered the Society of Jesus, was sent to Maryland in 1752. His real name was Steenmeyer, but on coming to this country he changed it to one more easily pro- nounced by the English speaking people. He was learned and zealous and for many years performed priestly duties in Pennsylvania and in New Jersey, and seems to have been the first priest to visit Dutchess County. This visit appears to have been about October 5, 6 and 7,
1. For the interesting historical matter with reference to the presence and settle- ment in the County of Dutchess of Catholics, as well as for the account of St. Peter's Church, the Marista Brothers, St. Andrew's Novitiate, and other general information, the editor wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to John J. Mylod, Esq., of Poughkeepsie, whose careful researches have unearthed much new and interesting material not gen- erally known.
Acknowledgment ia also made to the Very Rev. Patrick Daly, V. F., for the account of St. Mary's Church, as well as for his interest and assistance in the preparation of this chapter.
Other acknowledgments of obligation are specifically made under the different headings, with reference to the various churches mentioned in the chapter.
VERY REV. PATRICK DALY, V. F.
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ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
1781, as appears from the records of The American Catholic His- torical Society, Vol. 11, page 305.
In Shea's "Life and Times of Archbishop Carroll," at page 202, there appears an account of one of Father Farmer's missionary trips and of a visit by him to Dutchess County:
"In June and July he was again at Philadelphia and in lower Jersey; then in September, crossing to Greenwich, N. J., he made his way to Mount Hope, Green- wood Lake, Ringwood, and hearing of Canadian and Acadian Catholics at Fishkill, passed through the valley by a well-known route. We can conceive the joy of these forlorn Catholics at the sudden appearance of a priest. He records the bap- tism of fourteen near Fishkill, in New York, with names like Monly, Merlet, Por- teau, Ferriole, Bouvet, Lafleur, Pollin, Constantin, Feniole, Varley, Guilmet. Carry- ing his chapel service as he did, we may infer that he said mass, at this time, October, 1781, in the Canadian camp near Fishkill."
In "Catholics and the American Revolution," by Martin I. J. Griffin, published by the author in 1907, Volume Ist, pages 114, et seq., we find some interesting and valuable information as to the presence in Dutchess County during the Revolutionary War of Catholics in the military service :
"When in the fall of 1775, the Americans under Generals Schuyler, Montgomery and Arnold invaded Canada with the purpose of holding it by conquest or to insure its neutrality, the great body of the Canadian people, undoubtedly, welcomed the 'Rebels,' aided by the ready sale of supplies, though of course, all increased prices as a more active demand had arisen, and also co-operated in various ways in helpfulness to those who had, though as an armed body, come to their country. This spirit of good will was in a short time destroyed by the course of conduct of the Americans and by the Canadians, the expected failure of the expeditions.
"However while the good will spirit existed and many were joining the several corps as volunteers, Congress resolved, on January 20, 1776, to organize two regi- ments of Canadians. As they were not to be attached to any of the States they became known as CONOaEss' OWN regiments. The First was organized by Colonel James Livingston. Though one of the well-known Livingston family of New York he was by birth a Canadian. He was born in 1747 and died at Saratoga, New York, November 20, 1832. * * * *
"General Richard Montgomery had married into the Livingston family of New York. When he was preparing for the invasion of Canada, James Livingston, then at Montreal, succeeded in enlisting the services of over three hundred Canadians in and about Montreal. These he hurried to New York, when they joined Montgomery's army.
"This band of refugee recruits greatly aided Montgomery in the capture of Montreal, St. John and other points along the St. Lawrence River, and were with Montgomery in the assault on Quebec. December 31, 1775.
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THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
"General Montgomery appointed Livingston a COLONEL. On August 15, 1775, Congress confirmed the appointment and directed that a commission should be given him as COLONEL, with authority to enlist as many Canadians as desired to engage in the service. * * * *
"On November 7, 1775, Congress ordered commissions to be sent General Schny- ler for all officers of Livingston's regiment who served in Canada.
"Major Henry Livingston enlisted a company at or near Rhinebeck, New York, and on August 8, 1775, reported the completion of his quota to the New York Congress, where it was on August 12, 1775, read. Here are a few Irish names among those he enlisted-possibly some were Catholics or ought to be so: John Rogers (corporal), John Moody, M. M'Donnell (drummer), John Rogers, Jr., Ephraim Welsh, James Sullivan, John Flinn, John Casey, Thomas Quinn, Michael W. Carter, David Burns, John Bradie, William Kearney. * * * *
"The Major did so well in Canada that on December 11, 1775, the Continental Congress ordered 'a Sword, of the value of one hundred dollars be presented to Captain Henry B. Livingston as a testimony of their sense of his services to this country and that they will embrace the first opportunity of promoting him in the Army.'
"On April 15, 1776, the time of about two hundred of Livingston's Canadians expired. 'Few if any will reengage,' wrote Colonel Hazen to General Schuyler, April 1.
"Congress, August 21, 1776. A Petition from Preudhomme La Jeunesse was pre- sented and read and referred to the Board of War. It is in Papers of Congress No. 41, IV, p. 376.
"The Board reported That the Petition be granted and a Commission be given him to be a Captain of a Company of Canadians, Acadians and French to belong to Colonel Livingston's Regiment and to join the army at Ticonderoga as soon as may be. * * * *
"At this time also had Colonel Moses Hazen, Commander of the Second Canadian Regiment, as well as Colonel Livingston, authority of Congress to enlist men in any of the States. Livingston and Hazen, endeavoring to recruit in New York, inter- ferred with the filling of the five Battalions at Albany and neighborhood so that the Provincial Congress informed Washington that it was owing to this that the delay in completing New York's quota was due.
"Colonel Livingston and his Canadians were at this time in service under Gen- eral Montgomery.
"On September 28, 1775, General Montgomery wrote General Schuyler: 'Livings- ton has a considerable body of Canadians in arms; is very active and they have great confidence in him, I believe. I wish to have him taken notice of by Congress, in a manner suitable to his services and the risk he runs.'
"After the defeat of Montgomery, Congress on January 20, 1776, resolved to raise two regiments of Canadians. That appears to have meant that all the Canadians now in the service should be the nucleus of two regiments under Liv- ingston and Hazen, who already were Colonels, and that endeavors should be made to fill up the quota of four battalions in each regiment.
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ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
"Colonel Livingston and his Canadians retreated from Canada with the American forces. So many of the Canadians seeing that their country was being abandoned deserted and remained at home.
"Livingston, and such Canadians as remained, came to Northern New York. New recruits were obtained wherever possible.
"In August, 1780, Livingston's regiment was on duty along the Hudson, pro- tecting the passes of King's Ferry and Verplanck's Point. Washington from Peekskill on August 3, 1780, directed 'Colonel James Livingston to garrison the redoubts at Stony and Verplanck's Point.' * * * *
"The Second Regiment of Canadians was commanded by Colonel Moses Hazen. It was formed in pursuance of the authority of Congress, January 20th, 1776, though under way prior to that date. On January 22nd, 1776, Congress elected Hazen Colonel and Edward Antill Lieutenant Colonel.
"Nearly five hundred Canadians had enlisted under Hazen and did good service at Chambly and St. John's, at which many Canadians were taken prisoners. On the evacuation of Canada the regiment had so much decreased that on its arrival at Albany, in August, 1776, it had been reduced to about one hundred men-yet 'calling it a regiment,' Hazen and Antill came to Congress, sitting at Philadel- phia, and reported the condition of the command. It was agreed to continue the 'regiment' on its old foundation, but to enlist recruits from any State. Colonel Hazen theron engaged in recruiting service in New York State, while Lieutenant Colonel Antill did like duty throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.
"Colonel Moses Hazen, April 1, 1776, wrote General Schuyler:
'On 15th April the Soldiers who wintered in this Country will be free and in my opinion, neither art, craft or money will prevail on many to reenlist to serve in Canada.'
'Colonel Livingston's regiment consisting of about two hundred Canadians will be free on the same day. Very few of them will reengage.'
"Hazen wrote: 'Of my intended regiment I have about 250.'"
The two Canadian regiments, known as "Congress' Own"1-those of Colonel James Livingston and Colonel Moses Hazen-after the re- treat of the Americans from Canada, operated in New York, along the Hudson River. The battle of White Plains was fought October 29, 1776. On November 12, 1776, the Canadian Corps is noted as being at Fishkill, N. Y., where a priest, whose name is not given,
1. "The soldiers of 'Congress' Own,' the two Canadian regiments and their familles, were left at the close of the war in great distress. Many of them, with other Canadian refugees, gathered near Fishkill till the State of New York set apart lands for them near Lake Champlain. The general government provided transportation, and in the summer of 1786 two hundred and fifty were conveyed to their new homes in Chazy and Coopers- ville. They were thus within access of the Cathelle clergy in Canada, but In that prov- ince the ban of excommunication reated on them. Hence they were long without a priest, and though they assembled to say mass, prayers and sing their old hymns, many in time were lost to the faith" (pp. 268-269, "Life of Archbishop Carroll").
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THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
attended the wounded and dying Maryland and Pennsylvania Catholic soldiers. This had been no other than Fr. Lotbinier. Congress on August 10th, 1776, had confirmed his appointment as Chaplain, made January 26th, 1776, by General Arnold at Montreal.
From Martin I. J. Griffin's "Catholics and the American Revolu- tion," Vol. 1, page 67:
"Undoubtedly many of these French Canadian and Acadian soldiers remained in the army and were encamped at Fishkill Landing during the long period of inactivity in the Continental armies after campaigning had ceased and while nego- tiations for peace were going on."
As proof of this assertion we quote again from "Catholics and the American Revolution" at pages 125 and 126:
"On October 5, 6 and 7, 1781, Father Ferdinand Farmer, of Philadelphia, was at Fishkill, New York. During these days he baptized fourteen 'children and infants.' He also blessed the marriages of 'a son of Joseph and Mary Ursula (Enbair) Chartier and Mary, daughter of James and Mary Frances (Chandron) Robinet, and Francis Guilmet and Mary Frances Chandron.' (Registers at St. Joseph's Records, A. C. H. S., p. 305.)
"These were undoubtedly Canadians of the encampment of 'Congress' Own.' The Marquis de Chastellux visited Fishkill, December 21, 1780. He relates that four or five miles away in the woods was a camp of 'some hundreds of invalid soldiers'- but 'it was their clothes were truly invalid. These honest fellows were not covered even with rags; but their steady countenances and their arms in good order seemed to supply the defects of clothes and to display nothing but their courage and their patience.'"
In the autumn of 1783 Fr. Farmer again made his way to Fishkill Landing where he remained from the last day of October to the 4th of November. (Page 202, "Life of Archbishop Carroll.") Fr. Far- mer died at Philadelphia, August 17, 1786.
The following is taken from a Souvenir of the 36th Anniversary of the Solemn Dedication of St. Joachim's Church, Matteawan, New York, August 22, 1907:
"According to the earliest and most authentic records, the first mass in this vicinity was celebrated in Fishkill Landing some time during the Revolutionary War by a French clergyman from Rhode Island. He visited the Continental Troops then stationed at New Windsor, Orange County, N. Y., having admin- istered to the spiritual wants of the Catholic soldiers, he crossed the river to pay a visit of courtesy to Baron Steuben, who occupied the well-known Verplanck mansion, and it was on this occasion that the Holy Sacrifice was offered for the first time. At the successful termination of the war, the troops returned to their
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ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
homes and a few Catholics remaining in this neighborhood were subjected to many and grave inconveniences in order that they might comply with their religious obligations."
In a note-book kept by Bishop Connolly of the date of October 22, 1817, is the following note: "I addressed a letter to Rev. Arthur Lang- dill at New Burg, empowering him to celebrate mass, administer the sacraments and perform all priestly duties that do not require the Episcopal character throughout this diocese of New York (excepting the Districts of New York and Albany, unless with the consent of the clergy serving those two districts), until further orders or until I consider it necessary to recall said power."
Again, on January 29, 1818, he notes: "I answered the Rev Ar- thur Langdill's three letters and sent him said indult (for the ensu- ing Lent) and addressed the letters to the care of Mr. M'Intire, New Burg."
While no record is found of Rev. Arthur Langdill having visited Dutchess County, there can be but little doubt that he did so, as at that time it was the custom for the priests to visit many sections of the country in their vicinity, and as he was stationed at New Burg from 1817 to 1818, it is fair to assume that he did visit Dutchess County.
In the Catholic Almanac for 1822, the following is a list of the clergy of the diocese:
Rev. Dr. John Connolly, St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York.
Rev. Michael O'Gorman, St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York.
Rev. Charles French, St. Peter's, New York.
Rev. John Power, St. Peter's, New York.
Rev. Mr. Bulger, Patterson.
Rev. Michael Carroll, Albany and vicinity.
Rev. John Farnan, Utica and vicinity.
Rev. Patrick Kelly, Auburn, Rochester and other districts in the western part of the State.
Rev. Philip Larissy, attends regularly at Staten Island and different other con- gregations along the Hudson River.
Fr. Philip Larissy is said to have said the first mass in Patterson, N. J., and in 1822 was commissioned to look after the missions on the Hudson River. He was a native of Cork, Ireland, and was a member of the Augustinian Order and was said to have been a man of abun- dant energy, zealous and untiring. He built St. Augustine's Church
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THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
in Boston. He died April 6, 1824, at the house of his order, the Augustinian, in Philadelphia, Pa.
The Rev. Philip O'Rielly, a member of the Order of St. Dominick, was in 1830, authorized by Right Rev. John Du Bois, Bishop of New York, to form missions and build churches on the banks of the Hudson River. He was born in Scab 1, County Cavan, Ireland, and was edu- cated in Bologna, Italy. It : 'said he had come to New York about 1818. Father O'Rielly was for some years Chaplain to the Duke of Norfolk, a position of ease and honor. The duties of this office were, however, not enough for the restless and untiring spirit of Fr. O'Rielly and so, when less than thirty years of age he left Europe to seek sterner duties in this country.
He first erected at Cold Spring, on a rock overlooking the Hudson River, the romantic church of "Our Lady of Loretto," which was dedi- cated September, 1834, by Bishop Du Bois. At this time Fr. O'Rielly was doing missionary work along the river, holding religious ser- vices in various private dwellings, and we find in the Poughkeepsie Telegraph of July 2, 1834, that a letter was advertised for Rev. Fr. O'Rielly, this being some evidence that he visited Poughkeepsie during this time.
He was pastor of St. John's Church, Patterson, N. J., from 1837 to 1844, from which place he went to West Troy, finally becoming pastor of St. Bridget's Church in New York, and remained as such until the 7th of December, 1854, when he died in his sixty-second year His remains were interred on the 9th day of the same month in St. Patrick's Cathedral, the funeral being attended by a large concourse of admiring and sorrowing friends, both clergy and laity.
In the year 1832 and during Fr. O'Rielly's time there were a num- ber of Catholic families in the City of Poughkeepsie, and they had been here for some time prior to that. In the book No. 1 of the Declaration of Intention of persons intending to become citizens of this country, on file in the Dutchess County Clerk's office, it would appear that, commencing perhaps about the year 1820, the Irish Catholic people were beginning to settle in Dutchess County, as a reference to said book will more fully disclose. A number of Catho- lics, many of them residing in the City of Poughkeepsie, on October 14th, 1832, organized themselves into what was called the Catholic Association. The object of this Association was to raise a fund to
JOHN J. MYLOD.
615
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
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