USA > New York > Twenty-fifth anniversary of the New York genealogical and biographical society, February 27th, 1894 > Part 2
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Dr. David Parsons Holton and his wife, Mrs. Frances K. Holton, natives of Massachusetts, but long residents of New York City, were undoubtedly the parents of this Society. The call for its existence came from them. They were largely engaged in extended genealogical investigations, and had felt the need of that aid and comfort which comes in all literary and scientific work from association with those of similar tastes and pursuits. And, being members of the New England Historic-Genealogical Society of Boston, they conceived the idea of securing the advantages of a similar organization for their adopted city and State. I remember that this first meeting-although we all met as absolute strangers and were but a handful in number-was enthusiastic, unanimous and practical in its sentiment and action. The child was born, and its first drawn breath gave evidence of good vitality. As regards the Society's "heredity," I may further say that, as Dr. and Mrs. Holton and myself (and possibly Dr. Holcombe) had long been corresponding members, and as the Rev. Mr. Slafter was then an active member of the New England Historic-Genealogical Society of Boston (and, indeed, was present with us on that evening as its representative) our Society may well claim to be the "direct issue" of that venerable and excellent organization.
Then the scene changes. At its second and third meeting the infant organiza- tion finds itself "at home" with Dr. Holcombe, No. 54 East 25th Street, a position more convenient of general access than its original birth-place. Dr. William Frederic Holcombe, who will probably be with you on this evening, was par excellence, the FOSTER FATHER of this Society. In the genial atmosphere of his helpful presence and in his spacious consulting-room, the Society's education and the formation of its character was begun. Here came to us, I think, at a very early date, Dr. Samuel S. Purple, Gen. George S. Greene, Rev. Edward C. Marshall, S. Hastings Grant, Charles B. Moore, and many others whose names I cannot now recall; and here, week after week, we held eager and busy sessions over the formation of Constitution, By-Laws, etc., which being duly set in type, we discussed
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Letter from Dr. Stiles.
leisurely from the frequently corrected proof-sheets. These, our organic foundations, were largely based upon those of the Long Island Historical and the New England Historic-Genealogical Societies-if 1 remember aright. And I firmly believe that not even the Constitution of the United States received from its framers more loving care and overwhelming wisdom than did these documents, which -with the aid of a Certificate of Incorporation, duly filed in the office of the Secretary of State-gave us official recognition in the World of Letters and of Action.
I think it was while we were here gathered, also, that we inaugurated the "Bulletin" (which after two years developed into the "Record") and of which, also, S. Hastings Grant and myself were the first editors; much of the real work being done at Mr. Grant's office in lower Broadway. I have never regretted that we made this early start in this direction ; it has proved to be the mainstay of, and best apology for the Society's existence thus far. The Board of Trustees, whatever may have been the fluctuating fortunes of the Society, at times, has always stood manfully by the "Record"; and the Publishing Committee, whatever changes of personnel it may have undergone, has always been wise, earnest and persevering in the conduct of its finances and character. Those of you who are old members will, I am sure, join with me to-night in honoring Dr. Samuel S. Purple, to whose unwearied interest and ability for over a score of years, the "Record" is so greatly indebted for its value.
Then, having gotten our baby Society so that it could "toddle" upon its constitutional legs; and having outgrown Dr. Holcombe's nursery-room, we betook ourselves to that weird and depressing mausoleum at No. 64 Madison Avenue, known as The Mott Memorial Hall. Here, cramped for room in which to stretch our growing limbs; limited to one or two evenings a month in which to meet our friends ; chilled to the bone by the musty atmosphere of dead and decaying medical literature, we were-for some years-in danger of growing prematurely old, and ultimately dying of "dry rot." But, after all, the blood of youth was stronger in us than we thought; we recklessly bought ourselves an expensive book-case for our library beginnings; and, when, speedily, that became over-full, we hired a little hall-room off the lecture-room; and, finally, we boxed up our least needed literary treasurers and hired storage for them up in the attic. And our membership increased apace. Among them John Stagg Gautier, whose early and lamented death deprived the Society of a model Recording Secretary; Edward F. De Lancey, Gerrit H1. Van Wagenen, Martin II. Stafford, Evelyn Bartow, Henry T. Drowne- yourself, Mr. President, and many others -- most of whom are still with you-but some of whom have "fallen asleep." The first who held the office of Register of Pedigrees was Dr. S. Edward Stiles, who, I may mention en passant, was the designer of the Society's official seal.
We had very pleasant times in old Memorial Hall, although we did protest, especially at each recurring "quarter-day," that we must and would find some livelier and more attractive home. But the curse of Poverty and the ban of Conservatism were heavy upon us; and we lingered along, keeping our altar fires burning as best we could, until you, Mr. President, became our Moses to lead us out into the wider and fairer land which we now occupy-the Berkeley Lyceum.
And now the Society has reached its majority; and to-night will receive the congratulations of its many friends. I need scarcely assure you, Mr. President, that among those who will listen to these words of mine, as they are read to them to-night, there will be not one whose heart contains a truer love for the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society than mine. The recollections of my own official connection with it; of the work I have been permitted to do for it; of the
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The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society.
intimate relations I have enjoyed, in time past, with its members, I shall ever treasure as the greatest personal privilege and honor of my life. And so, with heartiest good wishes for the Society and its membership, I remain, Mr. President,
Your and their sincere friend,
HENRY R. STILES, A. M., M. D.
ADDRESS BY MR. EDWARD F. DE LANCEY.
I congratulate the Society upon its arrival at the age of twenty-five years. It is a long period in the life of an individual, but it is not a long period in the life of a society-a successful society-particularly of a society of this kind.
There has been somewhat of a misapprehension as to the object of this Society, and others of the same nature in other cities, in the view of the general public. That object is not for the mere purpose of a hunt for ancestors to gratify personal or family pride, as often charged. It is for the purpose, primarily, in my opinion, of forming a true and firm foundation on which those who are to come after us can establish the fact that they are the descendants of the original settlers and founders of civil- ized life upon this continent, not of the hordes of the foreigners of all kinds who are coming over here year after year, the vast majority of whom are of the lowest classes of all the nations of Europe, to say nothing of the Chinese, and those from other Asiatic countries.
None can tell what the result of all this irruption of old nations will be upon our people and institutions. As soon as a hundred years hence, the former will become a race of wonder- fully mixed origin, and the latter may be in progress of disin- tegration, utterly changed, or perhaps destroyed. Whatever happens hereafter, this Society, and other cognate societies, are doing a noble work in searching out, recording and pre- serving for all time, the evidence of the ancestry of those who were, historically, and actually, the founders of our country as a civilized Christian land, and of the descent from them of those who are living here to-day. I claim that these descendants, vastly numerous as they now are, and those atlili-
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Edward "'de January.
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Address by Mr. De Lancey.
ated with them by blood, are they who are primarily entitled to rule this country. [Applause. ] I do say, that though we have received foreigners from all quarters of the world with open arms, and subsequently, and in some States, immediately, made them citizens, these facts give them no right to rule the land and control the destinies of the American nation. But they and the demagogues who move them claim that they do. And I am sorry to say that such has been the effect, to a great extent, in many places, owing mainly to these same political demagogues, mis- leading them for party or personal purposes.
Now, the formation and existence of this and similar societies in the different States, and also the formation and existence of the various patriotic societies of a different character all over the. country-the Cincinnati, the Sons of the Revolution, the Society of Colonial Wars, the Colonial Dames of America, the Daughters of the Revolution, the Society of the Soldiers of the War of 1812, and other organizations of a like nature-are all practically pro- tests, and very strong ones, against that idea. Why ! ladies and gentlemen, do you know that there are now in this country-have come here within the last five-and-twenty years-about a million of French Canadians, more than eight-tenths of them "habitans" of Lower Canada ? And of the other two-tenths, very few of them are from the upper classes of the Canadian Dominion. So great has been the influx, that they are actually changing the character and population of the six New England States, personally as well as politically, and, to a less extent, ecclesiastically.
If the foreigners who come here would settle down and become really Americans in their new home, it would be perfectly right, and as desirable as right. Very many of them do so, particularly among the Germans, and the thrifty Irish. All honor and respect to them for it. But the great mass do not; they continue to be Irish, Italians, Germans, French Canadians, and other foreigners, go back to their old homes as soon as they can, and while here form clans, societies, organizations and other bodies of their various nationalities among themselves, for their own purposes, and for no American purpose whatever, except to vote against. Americans for office, to sell their votes to any party that has the money to buy them, or to prevent, by force, willing men from getting willing wages.
All who become true Americans and continue in the country should be treated as such always, and have their just and fair
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The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society.
proportion of political action and political honors. They who do so and become genuine Americans are often found among our best men and most patriotic citizens, and as such are justly and highly honored and esteemed. Such were Peter S. du Poncean of Pennsylvania, Albert Gallatin and Robert Emmett of New York, Du Pont de Nemours of Delaware, the late Professor Agassiz of Massachusetts, and other similar examples in all classes of our people who may easily be recalled to mind.
But there is one fact, Mr. President, to which, at the close of the few minutes allotted to me, I must allude; and that is the striking effect of this Society on the longevity of its members. All its five Presidents are alive and well, and all are here this evening except the first, Dr. Stiles, distingnished for his historical works, who is in Europe. To say naught of the elderly gentle- man who succeeded Dr. Stiles, we have with us a youthful gentle- man, erect, vigorons, though his hair is a trifle gray, who has been distinguished in peace and distinguished in war, the third President of the Society, who, now in his ninety-third year, will next address you-General George Sears Greene. [Applause. ]
On your right and left, Mr. President, sit two of the original founders, both of whose names shine among the brightest on the roll of the older and illustrious physicians of New York, Doctors Purple and Eliot; the one uniting the blood of the Dutch and the Puritans, and wielding a graceful pen, the other descended from the great divine, Eliot, who first translated the Bible into the language of the Indians, and who, although he possesses his ancestor's book, I regret to say, never reads and never quotes it.
As to yourself, sir, we all feel that you will be here to preside at the centennial of the Society-if not at that of your own elec- tion to the presidency many years later-bright, vigorous, and ever ready to take the chair.
ADDRESS BY GEN. GEORGE S. GREENE.
I shall say but a few words to you, and instead of giving my own sentiments I shall adopt those of a distinguished statesman and scholar, whose words I read to you :
"Of all the affections of mankind, those which connect him
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Address by Mr. Drowne.
with his ancestry are among the most natural and generous. They enlarge the sphere of his interests, multiply his motives to virtue, and give intensity to his sense of duty to give to genera- tions to come by the perception of obligation to those that are past."
These are the words of the Hon. Josiah Quincy, a man dis- tinguished in literature and in statesmanship.
In hearing Dr. Purple's account of the "Record" it occurs to me that, while these sentiments in relation to the value of that work are before you, you should be advised that these volumes are packed up in boxes, ready to be distributed among you for the benefit of your families, and for the benefit, also, of our fund. We hope that this will strike deep into your hearts and that you will seek this means of enriching yourselves and promoting our prosperity.
ADDRESS BY HENRY T. DROWNE.
When, not many years ago, the lamented Stephen Whitney Phoenix left a legacy of $15, 000 to the New York Historical Soci- ety, the income of which was to be devoted to securing books relating to genealogy, it was thought by certain persons to be a chimerical purpose, though he added to it all the books he had been life-long collecting on that subject, and also upon heraldry. That collection, together with the volumes of this Society, con- stitutes the most complete library of genealogy existing at pres- ent in New York, and he, with singular forecast, anticipated the result; as the time has already arrived when much is sought from these sources in the way of personal biographies, national events, and, in fact, all the materials of history.
Were you to ask the respective librarians, Mr. Greene and Mr. Kelby, of these societies, it would be found that frequent inquiry arises from persons who wish to become Daughters or
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The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society.
Sons of the Revolution or members of other kindred Societies, and have no resource to fall back upon except local and family histories gathered in archives like ours.
The utility of genealogy is certainly obvious, and its contribn- tion to the history of a country is indispensable. I need mention but a few names, notably those of Gen. George Sears Greene, Col. Chester, Mr. Anstin, Dr. Purple, Mr. Paterson, Dr. Stiles, Mr. Waters, Col. Gardiner, Mr. John Ward Dean, Mr. Moore, Mr. Latting and Col. Ward, who have rendered valuable services in this department of history.
The pedigrees of the leading families of almost every locality are the foundation stones of its history. To be sure, as has been objected by some, it was the fashion among the wits and philos- ophers of the last century to throw ridicule on the subject of pedi- gree; but the sarcasm of Voltaire, Walpole and Chesterfield may in a measure be excused when we take into account the mixture of pedantry, fiction and flattery which, in their day, so largely usurped the place of historical truth. Since that time, however, genealogieal studies have entered on a new phase. A race of learned and accurate investigators has sprung up, who, ap- proaching genealogy in a critical spirit, have brought entirely new resources to bear on it. Rejecting all that is not borne out by authentic evidence, they have applied themselves to the patient examination of the national records and the archives of historical and genealogical societies. Each source has yielded its quota of facts, and these facts have been woven into genealogical biog- raphies.
Mr. Phoenix was but briefly a working member of this Society. His failing health soon obliged him to retire from active service; but mindful for the best interests of posterity, he wished to add to the copying of the Dutch Church records, for the expense of which he had amply provided, those of the English (Trinity) Church and the French (Huguenot) Church.
His personal contribution of three sumptuous volumes to the "Genealogy of the Whitney Family of Connortient and its Affili- ations," is at once a scholarly and beneficent example of a true- hearted genealogist. Col. Chester placed this work in the fore- most rank of American biography.
"Leny " Proune
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Address by Judge Clearwater.
ADDRESS BY HON. A. T. CLEARWATER.
When I was invited by the Secretary of this Society to make a five-minute address upon the debt of gratitude this town owes to the Dutch and Huguenot emigrants from Holland and France, I felt much as did a distinguished divine who was asked to make a ten minute speech upon the advance of Christianity since the dawn of civilization. But leaving a grand jury in Ulster County, investigating the misdeeds of members of that horde of Italian, Russian and Polish noblemen to whom Mr. De Lancey has so delicately alluded, and crossing the North River on the ice, I am here to do the best I can, in that time, upon so great a theme.
With a long line of Dutch and Huguenot ancestors behind me, I have often thought of the response of Charles O'Connor to the toast, "The Founders of New Amsterdam," at one of the first dinners of the St. Nicholas Society I ever attended. It was, I think, the last public dinner he was at. " I have lived," said he, "here in New York, among the old New Yorkers, for over seventy years. I am an alien to their race and an opponent to their religion, and yet I must add that I never knew one of them who was a coward, never one of them who did a mean action."
Old New Yorkers were so largely of Dutch and Huguenot de- scent that the illustrions Irishman's tribute may be justly taken as an epitome of their character. They were a brave, truthful, honest, industrions, magnanimous and simple race. Freedom was with them a passion; liberty, both civil and religious, a condition of existence. They were broad and tolerant in a bigoted and intolerant age. They founded this community upon the great and fundamental principles of an open Bible and public schools. [Applause.] Every place where the Dutchman and Huguenot made their homes, educated their children and worshipped their Maker, still bears in its best life the strong impress of their ster- ling and lofty character. And it is because we had so large an immigration of Dutchmen and Huguenots that we still find in the best life of New York that conservatism, that tolerance, that love of civil and religious liberty which has been so marked a feature of this municipality from the earliest times. [Applanse. ]
It is for all this, and for a just pride of ancestry, that we are indebted to the Dutchmen and the Huguenots.
When the great dining clubs of this gilded metropolis meet in their banqueting halls, the followers of St. George. of St. Denis,
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The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society.
of St. Andrew, and, above all, of St. Patrick, celebrate them- selves. But when the St. Nicholas and Holland Societies dine, they modestly speak of the deeds of those who preceded them, and who have handed down to them a stainless name. [Applause. ] Therefore, it is well for the Genealogical and Biographical Society of New York to cultivate the memory of the Dutchman and the Huguenot.
If, following the example of the Dutch dominies who thun- dered from the pulpits of New Amsterdam, I may be permitted to treat my subject as in some respects a point of departure, it will not be amiss to speak of a matter which is attracting the attention not only of the residents of New York, but of the State and Nation. There is a movement on foot, having the sanction of the men who create and unmake the government of this town, to de- stroy one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in this country. The City Hall belongs not only to you, but to this Republic. It is connected with some of the greatest names in American history, particularly with those of our formative period-Lafayette, Clinton, Seward, Marcy and Van Buren- and it has been for a brief time the resting place of the remains of some of the nation's heroes and martyrs. It would be eminently fitting for the descendants of the Dutchmen, Hugue- nots, Englishmen and Scotchmen who are gathered here to place on record their protest against this act of desecrating vandalism. [Continued applause. ]
It was justly said by a brilliant English essayist that no people will achieve that which will be remembered with pride by remote posterity, who do not cherish with pride the deeds of an heroic ancestry; and while it is the particular province of this Society to recall the deeds and the memory of their ancestors, it is quite within its sphere to do anything which will intensify the historic sense in a country in which that sentiment is none too strong. [Applause. ]
I fear that should I return to my original theme after this digression I might exceed the ample time allotted me by your Secretary, who seems inspired by a just ambition to cultivate com- pression in a diffusive age.
But after all, I can add nothing to the force of what I have already said. I have simply reminded you of what you already knew, that the Dutchman and the Huguenot were fine exemplars of a simple, noble and heroic life. [Applause. ]
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Anniversary Address by Gen. Greely.
ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS BY GEN. A. W. GREELY.
As regard the development of the human race and its envi- romnent, which we call modern civilization, the most remarkable transitions during the past century have been coincident with the building up of great centers of population. Until a century since, the growth of cities was almost entirely dependent on interna- tional commerce, and so limited was the scope of this influence, that in 1800 there was only one city in the United Kingdom of Great Britain with a population of 100,000, and none in the United States. The conditions and industrial pursuits here in America were such that, between 1765 and 1790, the growth of Boston was proportionately slower than that of the rural popu- lation of Massachusetts.
About that time, however, a new era dawned on the world, an era due, in my opinion, to the successful initiation and gradual development of the idea that man, individual man, is the true social, political and religions unit. The forceful examples of American aggregation, energy and application growing out of this idea were not lost either on the old mother country, or on the Napoleonic confederacy that then dominated greater Europe. England and America were especially quick to note, and swift to apply to industrial employments, Watts' improvements in the steam engine, and close on this advance swelled the wonderful changes that science has wrought in the methods of production and trade. With these changed conditions grew up the absolute necessity of association-in order to carry out the audacious and magnificent enterprises of the modern Hercules of industry-asso- ciation not alone of capital and leaders, but of the rank and file, whose dextrous fingers should wring the utmost product from the eunning machines entrusted to their manipulation.
From changed industrial methods, then, have come the great cities of to-day, and so efficacious have been these causes that there are now in the United States no less than twenty-eight cities of 100,000 inhabitants, four more than in Great Britain, and three cities of a million, while no other nation has more than one. Under association and its stimulating inthiences, the progress of the material world has surpassed the wildest dreams of the old romancers ; from the tallow candle to the electric lamp, and from the snail-paced wagon to the Empire State express. While in the outer universe the waves of the spectroscope bring within man's
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The New York Gencalogical and Biographical Society.
recognizable sight the constituent elements of the remotest fixed stars, here on earth the waves of the telephone catch the human voice, that, unaided, sinks into silence in a hundred yards, and sends it with startling clearness and unimpaired timbre a distance of a thousand miles.
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