About 1707 Pierre Dubois crossed the Hudson River into Dutchess County and bought a tract of land on both banks of Sprout Creek. On the west bank he built his homestead. That house still stands on the corner of Old Hopewell Road and All Angels Road.

By his will, dated March 6th, 1735, Peter gave to his son Jonathan a farm on the east side of Sprout Creek; and to Abraham and John lands on the west side, including the “Old Homestead.” His other sons were provided with farms during his lifetime. In 1739 the old homestead, with the adjacent farm of 272 acres, was purchased from the other heirs for £330 by his son Christian.

Therefore, the oldest part of this house was probably built about 1736. This would have been the kitchen. Under the kitchen is a large cistern and there is a foundation wall in front of where the fireplace now sits. 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.

The original house was probably added onto almost immediately. The basement appears to be one continuous structure. While the family lived in the kitchen, they began to build the rest of the house. It is highly likely that the floor plan for the first floor which now exists was very similar to the original floor plan of the house, which probably was completed by the early 1740’s. My family has made alterations to the floor plan and I am sure that the earlier owners also made alterations to suit their lifestyle. (Discuss on known alterations will appear later in this discourse)

Jonathan and his wife Ariantje had 9 children, 7 of whom were born after he inherited this land on the east side of Sprout Creek. However, only four of his nine children lived to adulthood. Only two of his children outlived him and both appear to be living in other areas at the time of his death or soon after. According to Heidgerd, William, comp., The American Descendants of Chretien DuBois of Wicres France (DuBois Family Assoc., New Paltz, NY, 1969) (vol 1 page 60) “Jonathan DuBois lived and died on his inherited lands, respected and esteemed. He died in 1787.

Jonathan’s oldest son Petrus married Maria Van Voorhees. Petrus died in 1773 when he was thrown from a horse.

I have imagined the discussions that took place in this kitchen over the next years. A new idea was emerging and a new country was forming. Cornelius DuBois, Jonathan’s youngest son served in the Revolutionary War; 6th Dutchess Co. Militia, Col., Morris Graham’s regiment http://www.fortklock.com/nyrevdut-6.pdf . Because of this involvement one can only imagine the discussions and the visitors who sat in this house.

1798 map

According to a 1798 map the house was still owned by the DuBois family, but by 1830 it belonged to Henry Van Voorhees. Was Henry a relative of Jonathan DuBois? His son married a Van Voorhees, but their children would have been DuBois’.

According to the document in liber 45 page 395 available at the Dutchess County Record Room. Henry Van Voorhees was insolvent in 1830 and the property went to Garret Van Voorhees. The house was remodeled sometime between 1825 and 1840. Did Henry go broke putting up the columns or did Garret do the remodeling after he got the house?

The changes made in the 1800 have not only included the columns, but also raising the ceiling, fancier moldings and possibly the room we call the parlor. Probably the kitchen, the room we use as an office and the current bathroom were the servant’s area. We have speculated that there was a door under the stairs that allowed access to the main hall. My parents removed a door from the office into the living room and the office into the dining room. They also removed a door from the top of the basement stairs into the dining room. These doors would have allowed the servants to move around without being seen. However they made it very difficult to put furniture in the room. We also speculate that the van Voorhees family planned to raise the roof over the parlor in the future, so as to have another room. The crawl space that is there now has tongue and groove flooring and not just a sub floor.

Garret kept the property until his death in 1871.

According to the deed (liber 45 Page 395) the Property was then sold to Jacob V.B. Teller by Eliza Van Voorhis, Samuel Van Voorhis, and Mary Eliza his wife, and Albina and Samuel Dearin; the heirs of Garret Van Voorhees.

1876 map – J.B. Teller owner

Jacob V. B. Teller is listed as the owner in 1876. He was born in 1818 and died in June of 1899. The house remained his until March 1, 1899, when the records say it was sold to Amelia Myers, Sarah G. Montfort, Ann Van Wyck and Melissa Vanderbilt. I suspect these were his daughters, but I have found nothing to prove this. In August of the same year Amelia, Sarah and Ann sold their shares of the house to Melissa. Melissa Vanderbilt kept the property until 1911 when she sold it to Sarah Montfort (back to her sister or is this another Sarah Montfort). Sarah kept the land until 1930, her death.

At some point the land became a dairy farm. On the picture below with the cow, you can see a larger barn on the right. The picture with the entrance to the house shows another barn behind the house to the left.

In 1930 the farm was sold to Estelle Montfort, Florence Stevens and J Ralph Montfort.
In 1944 Estelle, Florence and J Ralph’s widow Runelia Montfort sold the farm to Earl Ketcham.
Earl Ketcham sold the farm in 1954 to Wayne and Olive Ireland.
In the early 1960’2 IBM was relocating many families to Dutchess County and houses were be built everywhere. The Irelands sold the property to the company Sidchar in 1962 for development. In November of 1962 Robert and Adeline “Nan” Cross (my parents) came from Tennessee and bought the house and two lots around it. Robert Cross died in 1994 and Nan Cross died in May 1999. With their death I inherited the house and property. My husband; Marc Duvivier and I held our wedding reception (for 300 guests) in the field and have resided here since 1999. We sell with plans to retire to Tennessee and be closer to my family.

Many of the names are of those who have made an impact on this area. Beside Dubois, Van Voorhis and Teller, the names are Vanderbilt, Van Wyck, Montfort Ketcham and Ireland. The Nan Cross room at the East Fishkill Library is name for Adeline “Nan” Cross who lived here from 1962 until her death in 1999. The road this house is on is named for the Ireland Family who lived here from 1954 to 1962. And Ketcham High School is named for Roy C. Ketcham, it was his brother Earl who lived here.

Come home and live the history!

“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?