“We Came like Shadows and so Depart” by Mary Belle Duvivier

Photograph of home taken in 1939

I have lived in this house since 1962 when I was 6 years old.  But the shadows of those before have often entered my thoughts.  As I sit in the kitchen that I find so comfortable and welcoming and I use this laptop; (an instrument of this time)  I think of the many others who have sat in this room over the last two and a half centuries.  How they lived and the instrument from their times they used to make a life and a home in this house.

From all accounts the builders and first owner of this house was Christian DuBois.  He came from Ulster County about 1736.  Therefore, the oldest part of this house was built around that time.  This would have included the kitchen, and what we now use as a dining room and the room above that dining room.  While we may think of that as a small house, in that time it was a mansion.  Under the kitchen is a large cistern and there is a foundation wall in front of where the fireplace now sites.  In that foundation wall is the base of another fireplace that was even bigger than the one we now use.  The modern fireplace was probably a later addition in the 1840′s.

Christian Dubois’ son Christian Jr. was born about 1746, probably in this house.  There is little record of Christian Sr’s wife and she died before Christian Jr’s wedding.  Christian Jr. married Helena (Hellenah, Magdalena) Van Voorhis about 1768 and they made their life in this house.

I have imagined the discussions that took place in this kitchen over the next years.  A new idea was emerging and a new county was forming.  Both Christian Sr. and Jr. were in the Dutchess County militia.   http://dunhamwilcox.net/ny/ny_rev_levies_charlotte.htm   And because of this involvement one can only imagine the discussions and the visitors who sat in this house.

During this time Christian Jr. and Helena were raising their family.  I have found evidence of at least 7 children who were probably born in this house…

Gerrit b. 1769, married Hannah Cooper (daughter of Obediah Cooper)

Catrina b. 1771, married Jacob Griffin

Koert b. 1774,  married Mary Thorn

Abraham b. 1776, never married

Hendrick b. 1778, never married

Elizabeth b. 1780, married John Bailey

John b.?, married Gertrude Broadhead

The house was still owned by the Dubois family on a 1798 map.  Christian Jr. died in 1807 and Helena in 1826.  Probably one of the children inherited the house.  Apparently the house was owned by the Van Voorhis family in the 1830-40s when the main addition was built, and Andrew Jackson was president.  For more information on Greek Revivals check out

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/architecture-and-design/greek-revival-1820-1850.shtml

Check back soon for more information on Mary Belle’s home.

http://ferrisre.com/hudval/listing-historic-treasure-382.html

www.inman.com/news/2010/07/1/tax-credit-closing-deadline-extension-passes-congress

Why not start by dropping by our office tonight for a cup of coffee and to sit down and take a few minutes to listen to Alice Tenuto of Rhinebeck Savings Bank and learn a little about how you might be able to use the First-Time Home-buyer tax credit.  Time is running out to take advantage of the tax credit and in certain instances it can be used for the down payment of closing costs.

It’s free.  It may help bring you closer to being a homeowner.

For more information call 454-7800.

Stop by tonight, January 27th at 7pm.

Ferris Real Estate

1177 Route 55.

Live in a different part of Dutchess County?  There is certainly a holiday celebration going on in your neck of the woods.  Just check out    http://www.dutchesstourism.com/spotlight-Holiday%20Lighting%20Ceremonies%202009.asp

Local Education Advancement Foundation, LEAF, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit founded in 1999 by community members to raise funds for the Pawling Central School District.  Through fundraising events, corporate support, private grants and donations LEAF generates resources to enhance and expand academic and extra-curricular activities. 

LEAF supports 2 major programs: the after-school hours at Pawling High School Library and the Mini-Grant Program.

High School Library:  Funding after-school hours three days a week for students staying late to do research and work.

Mini-Grant Program: Providing small grants to encourage innovative, collaborative and creative classroom projects that support high learning standards and creativity in the learning process.

A major part of LEAF’s funding comes through contributions from the community during our two annual appeals and through major events such as participation in the Annual Garage Sale.

LEAF is volunteer led and staffed.  There is no overhead or administrative costs.  If you would like to be a part of the good work we do our meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the District offices, 515 Route 22, Pawling, New York.

 Please stop by the LEAF table at the Annual Garage Sale, make a purchase or a donation.  As a non-profit, 510(c)3 all donations are tax-deductible.  Donations to LEAF directly support programming.

We look forward to seeing you all!

http://www.pawlingschools.org/community.cfm?subpage=303096

Today is no different…Bring the kids, bring your friends and stop by the Town of Beekman Community Day, Saturday July 18th from noon until 11pm at the Recreation Park off of Rec Road!  This years theme is Treasures of Beekman and there will be booths and activities from noon until 6pm with all kinds of entertainment in the Talent Tent.  Kids activites include lego building, face painting, a water slide, and for the grown-ups many local business have booths!  Fireworks after dark, so bring a blanket or chair to sit on.

R. Ferris Real Estate will be there with free give-aways and a free raffle.  Not to mention information for the first-time home buyer.  We will also have experienced agents who are all Town of Beekman residents on hand to assist and answer any question you may have.  Sign up for our “Beekman real estate Newsletter” and automatically be entered in a raffle for an ipod shuffle!  You can find us under the white tent in front of the ball fields next to the Lego table!

For more information please go to…

 http://www.townofbeekman.com/reccontent/CommunityDay.pdf

The Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck

Friday July 3rd the gates open at 4pm and there is everything from carnival rides to a petting zoo.  7 PM there will be a demolition derby followed by fireworks.

Saturday July 4th the gates open at 11am.  Come hungry there is a pie and watermelon eating contest in addition to all the rides.  The Hudson Valley Philharmonic will be performing at 7:30 pm  featuring the Tri-Arts singers and 1812 Overture synchronized with fireworks display.  Carload admission is $40 at the gate and $30 advance.  Walk up admission is $11/person at the gate and $7 advance.

www.dutchessfair.com

At Warays Park in Poughkeepsie on Saturday the 4th the Michael Dell band will perfrom from 6-9 pm  followed by fireworks and a laser show.  For information call 845-463-4000

Amenia

The Amenia Fire Company parade and carnival has fireworks on July 4th at 10 pm.

Call 845-373-8467 for information.

 Take a leisurely drive down Frog Hollow Road in the Town of Beekman, just off Route 216, directly across from the gently rolling fields of Sugar Maple Farm.  History on Frog Hollow extends from the early days of the 1700s to present day Florida.

  A short distance down Frog Hollow, on a knoll overlooking a valley to the south you find the Flagler Family Burying Ground, which is near the location of the original home site of the Flagler family.  Zechariah Flagler came to the area around 1710 from Wertheim, Franconia.  It is believed Zechariah and his tree sons are the ancestors of all Flaglers in the United States.

  The early history fo Beekman area includes discussion of Native Americans, the Beekman Patent, New Englanders passing through on their way west as well as those remaining to build mills, hotels and to farm.  However, the Flagler influence extends far beyond the meadows and farmlands now visible in the Green Haven area of Beekman.

   Some have said that without the Florida East Coast Railroad (Flagler Railroad) Florida would never have been developed.  Henry Flagler had a couple of business ventures prior to tackling the swamps and inland oceans of Florida.  After a few buisness successes as well as failures in the mid 1800s, John D. Rockfeller, Henry Flagler and others formed Standard Oil.  Rockefeller has been quoted as saying Henry was the brains behind Standard Oils success.

Two conditions turned Henry Flagler towards Florida.  A family physician advised him to try the Florida panhandle as a place for his ailing wife to find respite.  Second, Floida was a vast wasteland of untapped potential.  Beginning in northern Florida, St. Augustine Flagler built one grandiose hotel after another, moving ever futher south.  In addition he built not only grand hotels, he formed entire communities.   Miami was almost named Flagler in his honor.

 The major challenge to the development of Florida was the lack of a coordinated rail system.  Flagler seized the challenge.  He refused to listen to those who said it was impossible to build a rail road over 156 miles of ocean on the way to Key West.  It took him millions of dollars, hundreds of deaths, and five long years.

Ever the visionary, he recognized the financial opportunity presented by the completion fo the Panama Canal.  He rushed to complete the rail system to the very tip of the Flordai Keys to coincide with the canals’ completeion.  Both engineering marvels were deemed foolish.  The Florida East Coat Railroad was completed two years ahead of the canal.  He died of complications after a fall in 1913 so he never saw th commerce develop between the canal and the rail system.

 So, if you have some time to spare, sit a few minutes on the side of Frog Hollow Road.  An American success story begins here.  Think of Zecharias Flagler as he contemplates the future for his sons and beyond.  What was in his heart, what was in the ground, what did he teach his family?  It is said that there are the remains of the original foundation of the house Zecharias built near by, some foundation stones.

  As you look over the same field as did the original Flagler, can you ‘see’ the other foundations of the house Zecharias built near by, some foundations stones.

As you look over the same field as did the original Flagler, can you ‘see’ the other foundations? What about vision? How about willingness to work even when it is hard?  How do we respond when we are told, “That’s crazy, no one could…(you fill in the blank).”  Henry Flagler had a vision, perhaps many more then we know.  He failed in some enterprises, succeeded in others.

I’d like to think that hard work, vision, enterprising spirit don’t end here on Frog Hollow Road, but extend where ever we can imagine, not only in the 1710s but also today.  What do you think?