ANNOUNCEMENTS - Delaware County NY Genealogy and History Site

Bovina Town Historian Ray LaFever has written a history of the Town of Bovina and it has been published by Purple Mountain Press. Here's how to get your copy:

1) Order it through Purple Mountain Press. You can phone orders to 800-325-2665 on weekday mornings from 9 to 11, or leave a message giving the best time to call back. You also can fax them to 845-254-4476. To order by mail, send your request to Purple Mountain Press, PO Box 309, Fleischmanns, NY 12430. Checks and credit cards accepted (but not debit cards). $25 plus NYS tax ($2) if from NY, plus $3.50 shipping.

2) The history also will be available for sale at the Delaware County Historical Association at 46549 State Hwy 10 in Delhi, New York (across from Curtis Lumber). DCHA's hours are Tues through Saturday, 11 to 4 until Columbus Day Weekend. After October 14th, winter hours are Monday through Friday, 11 to 4. Payment by cash or check only. If you want me to sign it, I'm at DCHA on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 to 3.

Note: The book will be available on Amazon but not until November. If possible, please order it directly through Purple Mountain Press or at DCHA and support this wonderful local business. The Press does not make a lot of money going through Amazon. Thanks.

I am clerk of session for the DeLancey United Presbyterian Church and would like to announce that we are participating in the Sacred Sites tour on May 18 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

West Delhi United Presbyterian Church is also participating in the Sacred Sites tour on May 19 from noon to 3 p.m., with worship at 11 a.m. For further information you may contact Vicky Klukkert at: vklukkert@gmail.com

Mark your calendars and plan on a visit to the Delaware County Historical Association (DCHA) over the weekend of June 23 and 24. Please join us then in celebrating the return of the 144th New York State Volunteers as they form together once more to recognize, remember and reenact three battles of the Civil War.

The 144th Regiment was the largest and best known regiment mustered in Delaware County during the Civil War, composed almost entirely of Delaware County residents. The regiment was formed during the summer of 1862 and was stationed at different locations throughout the war. The bloodiest battle in which it was involved was fought in South Carolina at the end of 1864 – Honey Hill.

Co-hosted by DCHA and the 144th New York Reenactment Group, the weekend events will include: three Civil War battlefield reenactments, living history demonstrations, cannon fire, military horses, drills, military surgeon, blacksmith, sutlers and much more. Participants will include re-enactors representing both Union and Confederate troops, some of the latter traveling to Delaware County from former Confederate States.

An additional attraction in 2018, and brought to you courtesy of our generous sponsors, is the traveling exhibit of the replica Confederate Submarine, the H.L. Hunley. Because of our sponsors, there is no extra charge to view this wonderful piece of Civil War history!

The event takes place at the Delaware County Historical Association on Saturday and Sunday, June 23 and June 24. Lunch and other refreshments available on both Saturday and Sunday.

Schedule of the days’ events:

Saturday June 23 (9 AM – 5 PM)
9:00 Military Camps Open to Public
10:00 Battlefield Narrative (Honey Hill)
10:30 Battle of Honey Hill
11:00 Surgeon Demo from Wounded
12:00 Diary of Edward Hoyt readings
12:30 Kid’s Drill
1:00 Blacksmith/Farrier Demo
2:00 Battlefield Narrative (Manassas)
2:30 Battle of Manassas
5:00 Camps Closed to Public

Sunday June 24 (9 AM - 3 PM)
9:00 Military Camps Open to Public
9:15 Church Service (all welcome)
10:00 Women in the Civil War Talk
10:30 Artillery Demo
11:30 Kid’s Drill
12:00 Cavalry Demo (weather permitting)
1:00 Diary of Edward Hoyt readings
1:30 Battlefield Narrative (Culp’s Hill)
2:00 Battle of Culp’s Hill
3:00 Camps Closed to Public

Admission: Adults $8.00; Military (retired or active) $5.00; Children 12 and under free. Lunch available on both Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, please call DCHA at (607) 746-3849; email: dcha@delhi.net; website: www.dcha-ny.org.
DCHA is located at 46549 State Hwy. 10, Delhi, NY. We are 2.5 miles north of the village of Delhi.

This event is sponsored by the following local companies. Please support them with your business:

Major
Allison Oil, Inc., Andes
Catskill Landscaping Corp, DeLancey
Curtis Lumber, Delhi
Delhi Historical Society
Fran’s Fuel Service, Downsville

Sergeant
Catskill Craftsmen, Inc., Stamford
D & D of Walton, Inc. – NAPA Auto Parts
Franklin Stage Company, Franklin
The Robert O. Mable Agency, Inc., Delhi

Corporal
Delhi Liquor Store
Grateful Ink Tattooing, Stamford
Mondovi Dental, Delhi
Titan Drilling Corp

Soldier
Brookside Hardware Ltd.
C & C Feeds, Walton
Delaware Bulldozing Corp., Bloomville
Early Owego Antique Center, Owego
Harry W. Hawley, Inc., Delhi
The Mattress Barn, Pine Hill
Tuna III Japanese Restaurant, Delhi
Vly Creek Maple Farm, Fleischmanns

Update on Braehead Cemetery, Marianne Greenfield of Grave Stone Art will be doing a one day workshop on the proper procedure and materials to clean gravestones. We will hold this Saturday, June 2, at the Braehead location. In the days prior to the workshop I will be doing more cleanup and locating fallen gravestones. --Alan Anderson

Preservation League Offers Free Workshop in Delhi on Incentives for Historic Preservation

Delaware County homeowners, commercial property owners, realtors, contractors, and community leaders are invited to attend a meeting to find out how preservation plays a key role in economic development, job creation, community revitalization and smart, sustainable growth.

The Preservation League of New York State and the Delaware County Historical Association will present a free workshop on Thursday, April 12, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Delaware County Historical Association, 46549 State Highway 10 in Delhi, in the main exhibit gallery.

Additional support for the workshop is provided by the Hanford Mills Museum, Catskill Center, Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and the office of New York State Senator John J. Bonacic.

The workshop will focus on the economic benefits of historic preservation, success stories of historic districts around the state, and the Preservation League's programs and services, including grants and loans. New York State Historic Tax Credits will also be discussed, as well as ways in which property owners can take advantage of such incentives.

"The League is the statewide clearinghouse for the latest information, training, and techniques that illustrate the role preservation plays in making our communities better places to live and work," said Jay DiLorenzo, president of the Preservation League of New York State. "We're delighted to have been invited to Delaware County to discuss programs that can help homeowners provide safer and healthier homes for their families, support nonprofit organizations' efforts to enhance local cultural resources, and business owners protect their commercial investments for years to come."

The workshops are free and open to the public and refreshments will be served. Reservations are required as seating is limited. To RSVP, visit the League's website at www.preservenys.org/delhi-2018 or contact Janna Rudler at 607-296-0329 or jrudler@preservenys.org.

The Preservation League invests in people and projects that champion the essential role of preservation in community revitalization, sustainable economic growth, and the protection of our historic buildings and landscapes. It leads advocacy, economic development and education programs across New York State.

A new exhibit will open March 16, 2018 at the Delaware County Historical Association (DCHA).

This exhibit displays a sampling of DCHA’s historic map collection from c.1800 through the 1960s. Also on display are some surveyor’s tools.

Maps are powerful and engaging forms of visual communication. They show us our world, and the myriad smaller places within it. Maps fulfill a multitude of functions, and are used for a variety of purposes. Political maps, railroad maps, geological survey maps, waterway maps; maps are irresistible and invaluable resources for learning about our environment.

Admission to the opening reception and to the exhibit is free. On display in the Elijah Thomas Gallery until May 11, 2018. Open Monday – Friday from 10am to 4pm.

For more information call DCHA at (607) 746-3849, e-mail dcha@delhi.net , or on the web at: www.dcha-ny.org.

A Strange Sort of Being: The Life of Lucy/Joseph Lobdell – Presentation and Book Signing
Delaware County Historical Association - Saturday, April 8 @ 2pm.

Join the Delaware County Historical Association at 2pm on Saturday afternoon, April 8 for a presentation and book signing delivered by Dr. Bambi Lobdell. Dr. Lobdell’s topic is one close to her heart, her ancestor Lucy Ann/Joseph Israel Lobdell. Lucy/Joseph can be described today as being transgender, leading a life during the nineteenth century that caused her to be persecuted and eventually incarcerated by authorities here in Delaware County.

Dr. Lobdell begins her talk with an introduction to transgender identities and issues and challenges to help people better understand the difficulties experienced by Lucy/Joseph and wife, Marie. The talk will focus on the timeline of Lucy/Joe's life, moving from childhood to adulthood and transformation into manhood. The talk will discuss the several times Joe succeeded in successfully integrating into communities before having his female body discovered, which resulted in his expulsion from those communities. Dr. Lobdell’s talk will also cover Joe's marriage to Marie Louise Perry and their life in the woods in an attempt to escape persecution. The talk will end with coverage of Joe's incarceration in insane asylums, false obituaries, and Marie's return to Massachusetts.

Bambi Lobdell (Ph.D., Binghamton), received her Bachelor's in Secondary English Education from SUNY Oneonta and a Masters and PhD in English from Binghamton University. Bambi has taught in the Women's and Gender Studies and English departments for over 16 years, and has developed classes that have expanded the catalogue for that department. Her research on her ancestor, Lucy Ann/Joseph Israel Lobdell resulted in the book A Strange Sort of Being (MacFarland, 2012), the detailed biography of Lucy/Joe Lobdell’s life, analyzed with gender and queer theories and embedded in historical discussions. She has presented on Lucy/Joe at numerous conferences and has been interviewed by The Advocate magazine, Philadelphia Gay News, Women4Women radio station, and The Washington Post.

Dr. Lobdell’s talk will begin at 2pm and there is no admission fee for this event. For more information, please call (607) 746-3849, or email: dcha@delhi.net

Visit the Delaware County Historical Association (DCHA) in Delhi on Saturday, December 10 at 2 pm as the museum hosts the launch of its latest book. Authors Mary Jane Henderson and Barbara Coleman will be on hand to sign copies of Hats Off: Notable Women of Delaware County, NY.

Hats Off is a compilation of stories highlighting thirty different women spanning four centuries. Learn about the connection to Delaware County of two women who became First Ladies of the United States, women who campaigned for their right to vote, “The Female Hunter,” and many more. Hats Off features many images and, at almost 200 pages, provides a slightly different angle from which to view Delaware County’s history. This volume is intended as specific recognition of the centennial of women winning the right to vote in New York in 1917.

Mary Jane and Barbara will be happy to answer questions about the book. Others who contributed their expertise and knowledge will also be on hand that afternoon.

Hats Off retail price is only $15.00; DCHA members receive a 10% discount on all books! All book sale proceeds benefit DCHA.

DCHA is located at 46549 State Hwy. 10 in Delhi. For more information call DCHA at 746-3849, e-mail dcha@delhi.net , or on the web at: www.dcha-ny.org .

The Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today. All images in this volume are drawn from the DCHA's extensive photographic archives showing the history of Delaware County. $21.99

The Delaware County Historical Association will present “Finding Your Delaware County Roots” on Saturday, February 27th from 2 to 4 pm. The workshop will be held at DCHA on Route 10 north of Delhi. DCHA archivist Ray LaFever will discuss recommended approaches to researching your ancestors in Delaware County, using DCHA’s resources, other resources in Delaware County and resources beyond the county, including in print and on-line.

Ray’s early genealogical experiences were shepherded by the late H. Fletcher Davidson, for whom the DCHA archives and library are named. Davidson, the Bovina and Delaware County Historian, had spent years researching the genealogy of local families. When Ray began exploring his roots, he went to Fletcher for some information. Fletcher supplied ten handwritten sheets with information about some of Ray’s Bovina ancestors. Ray plotted the names on a genealogical chart and he was hooked!

As well as an amateur genealogist, Ray has been a professional archivist since graduating from SUNY Albany in 1985. After spending five years working for local governments in Albany and Dutchess counties, he spent 20 years working for the New York State Archives, providing advisory services on archives and records management to local governments and local historical societies.

Ray will share lessons he has learned as a professional archivist and as an amateur genealogist, including those learned from some of his early missteps in genealogical research. He also will discuss tips for keeping your collected information organized, and how to analyze the veracity of a resource. While some people can be dismissive of anything on the Internet, there is important information to be found there. Whether the information is on-line or in a book, you have to learn how to analyze it to determine its value. There will be time for questions and sharing of experiences.

Registration required by February 22. Cost: $10 per person. Call 607-746-3849 or e-mail dcha@delhi.net to register.

HSM SEEKS CIVIL WAR PHOTOS, INFORMATION

The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM) needs the public's help in documenting the Civil War experience of people from Middletown and adjoining areas.

HSM is collecting photographs, letters and material about veterans, their families and local residents for an exhibit to be mounted next summer. The Delaware County Historical Association will loan its exhibit, "Delaware County in the Civil War," and HSM will augment the show with local images and information, in observance of the War's sesquicentennial.

"By 'local' we mean Margaretville, Fleischmanns, New Kingston, Arkville, Halcottsville, Dunraven, Kelly Corners, Dry Brook, Halcott, Denver-Vega, Hardenburgh, Weaver and Canada Hollows, Redkill, Clovesville and the farms and crossroads in between," explained HSM President Diane Galusha.

"We are hoping there may be photographs of soldiers in uniform or of elderly veterans, and portraits of their families tucked away in attics and dresser drawers that we might scan for this exhibit. We can also copy letters, discharge papers or other memorabilia and return them quickly."

The exhibit will be on display in HSM's hall on Cemetery Rd., Margaretville from July 4 through Labor Day. It will be complemented by several Civil War related talks and programs, including a reading from wartime letters to and from local soldiers. If you have letters you would be willing to make available for this program, please email HSM, history@catskill.net.

In addition to putting together the exhibit, the Society has been collecting the service records of more than 300 veterans who were reported as living in Middletown in 1866, the year after the War ended. Research volunteers are needed to help flesh out the personal lives of these men: Did they have families? What did they do before and after the war? Did they have farms or businesses? Did they go West? How did their wives and children manage while they were away?

If you would like to help with this fascinating exploration, please contact Galusha at cybercat@history.com, or 845-586-4973. Much of the research can be done online.

For details on programs and activities of the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown, and to contribute toward the preservation of local history, please visit www.mtownhistory.org.

THESE HILLS ARE NOT BARREN The Story of a Century Farm by George D. Taylor
In my further attempts to publicize that our Geo. D Taylor book is now accessible to them free-of-charge through this website, I have posted the following announcement on the STAMFORD Flickr Site: http://www.flickr.com/groups/stamfordny/discuss/72157625735549455/
--Donald A Danald 43783 Park Grove Court Northville MI 48167 - 9 March 2011

Book is on this website at: index.html/taylor_george_d-book.html

THE WAY IT WAS Grand Gorge, New York Mid 1940s-Mid 1970s

My name is Helen TEPFER Eckman. I was born and grew up in Grand Gorge. My dad was Dr. G.A. Tepfer and my mom Evelyn Burns Tepfer. They lived in Grand Gorge for more than thirty years. Recently I completed a book on Grand Gorge writing about the years mid 1940s to mid 1970s. I didn't have it officially published as that would have been very expensive and I knew there was a limited market for it. However I did attend the Grand Gorge Central School alumni banquet on 16 Aug 08 and took a limited number of books which sold out very quickly and since then have received and sent out about another 50 copies. The book was printed out by Kinkos with a nice cover with a picture of GG on it and is spiral bound and 8" X 11." The 44 pages with many photos recontructs the town as it was with pictures and includes a lot of memories about the special town that GG was: the school and its activities, the homes, the traditions, the businesses, etc etc etc. There are lots of pictures thoughout. I thought GG was such a special place as I look back now and wanted to record for history what was so unique about this small village. I have received a lot of notes from people who have purchased the book about the memories it has brought back and they were glad that I wrote it.

The name of the book is: THE WAY IT WAS Grand Gorge, New York Mid 1940s-Mid 1970s The cost is $15 and $4 for shipping. My contact information is: Helen Tepfer Eckman, 107 Magothy Lane, Chocowinity, NC 27817, 252-946-3044, eckmanh1@suddenlink.net

BENNETT FAMILY REUNION

On September 27, 2008 descendants of Tim and Lill Bennett, their daughter Nancy and sons William Ward, Almon and Amos and Ire (born in Connecticut), returned to their ancestral roots in Delaware County, NY, specifically in Delhi, NY.

Tim and Lill were freed from slavery by their master, Captain Joseph Bennett of Westport, Fairfield County, Connecticut. With the exception of Nancy (about whom there is no information), the family migrated to Delhi, where Tim leased land in the Hardenburgh Patent – Great Lot 40, Lot 13. Three additional children were born there – Abner, Alfred and Patience.

The Bennett descendants met at the Delaware County Historical Association at 10:00am, then moved to Maple Shade Farm and finally to the Bennett Family Cemetery on its lands before returning to the Historical Association. Call Shirley Houck at (607) 746-2857 for more information

ARCHIVAL PHOTOGRAPHER NEEDED

The County Historian for Delaware County, Patrick Grimes, is looking for some help in a Photo Project that will cover all the towns of Delaware County.

The background needed is a knowledge of Digitizing, Scanning and captioning . Possibly someone who is attending such College courses might like to assist as an intern.

NEW BOOK TRACES HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY Book Cover

A new book written by Delaware County Historical Association Director Tim Duerden, is set to appear on store shelves this holiday season. The book, entitled: A History of Delaware County, New York, 1797 – 2007, is the first general history of the county since 1949.

Published by Purple Mountain Press, A History of Delaware County attempts to unravel the numerous strands of the region's past over the last 200 and more years and in so doing creates a general synopsis of those characters, issues and events that so affect our present. The land, and how it has been used, is at the fore of this tale of remote, upland Delaware County. Once the haunt of Native Americans, the county became home to hardy pioneer families, farmers and trades people - each group with its own particular needs to be derived from the land. Eventually, as Duerden shows, land-use issues come to dominate the local scene, as documented by the stories of the Anti-Rent War, the construction of railroads and highways and eventually the creation of the protected watershed for New York City's thirsty millions.

Exactly how our land is to be best utilized is still, of course, very much a part of our present and our future. As Duerden states, "It is my hope that a more thorough understanding of our county and our region's past will enable current generations to more completely understand some of those issues that affect us all today, such as water resources and the need to generate ever-more power for the urban northeast." Duerden also said, " Aside from this important aspect of needing to know about the past, I hope my book is just a plain good read. I do hope readers will enjoy our fascinating past as a story, too!"

In addition, the book also includes over 100 photographs, maps and other images, most from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association. The retail price of A History of Delaware County is $20.00. For more information, contact the publisher at 1-800-325-2665.

Tim Duerden will be available to sign copies of his new book on Saturday, December 15, 2007 from 2pm to 4pm at the Delaware County Historical Association in Delhi.

FLOOD DAMAGED LIBRARY

Friends,

The library in Walton suffered extensive damage during the flood this summer, to the tune of about $380,000. Much of the damage was to the basement area, where the genealogy collection, microfilm collection, and microfilm readers were located. There is no FEMA assistance, and only a $5000 grant from NYS and another $1000 grant from the NY Library Association. I recently contacted the staff there to see if I could donate something. Below is their reply. I understand that they are relocating the genealogy collection to the attic area of the building, and that some of the collecton was saved by the staff before the flood waters reached the building. --Best wishes, Carolee Inskeep, October 2006

Sally Cranston, Director of the Ogden Library writes, "We had the most complete collection of Walton Reporters, Blade and Chronicle going back to the 1800s. The company we worked with, Proquest, has copies of what we lost. The cost of replacing these would be $26,235. What we really need is money ... If you find out any information about putting old copies of the Reporter etc. on CDs (as oppposed to microfilm) that would be useful ... Annie Sulger, who works in the Historical Room is going to e-mail you with more info. about specific books etc. that were lost."

Annie Sulger wrote, "At the present time I'm not sure what all we have and what we need to replace ... Any family genealogies are welcome ... For the last three months I've been WORKING on drying books, copying what we had saved and now we are collecting as much as possible .... We can get dates of deaths and some of the stats up to 1996 from our indexes that some of us have compiled but not many obits ... We had a card file, but that was in the basement too and is gone."

If you would like to make a cash or genealogical donation, you can send it to:

William B. Ogden Free Library
42 Gardiner Place
Walton, New York 13856-1399
t: 607.865.5929

DELAWARE COUNTY, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, MINUTES
OF THE ANNUAL MEETINGS FROM 1798 THRU 1812
from Delaware County Historian, Patrick Grimes

When I took over as Delaware County Historian, they told me that they were missing the minutes of the Board of Supervisors annual meeting. Some think they might have been destroyed in the 1922 jail fire but it's only a guess.

I've tried the Town Clerks of those towns that were part of Delaware County prior to 1813 but no luck.

Surprisingly they do have minutes of the first annual meeting in 1792 and every year from 1813 to the present. Maybe one of you had an ancestor who was a member of the Board of Supervisors during the missing 15 year period. ....maybe an ancestor with a historical collection. Please find that "Needle in the Hay Stack" so that our records will be complete.

Contact me via e-mail at: pat.grimes@co.delaware.us or my office address: Patrick Grimes, Delaware County Historian, 111 Main St., Delhi, NY 13740.