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A. J. Schenkman

A.J. Schenkman teaches history in the Lower Hudson Valley and writes about the history of Ulster and Orange counties. He is the town of Gardiner Historian. A.J. has appeared on WAMC, and WDST. He is the author of several books. A.J. most recent book,Patriots and Spies in Revolutionary New York, will be released by Rowman and Littlefield’s Pequot-Globe Press in February 1, 2021.

Eli Hasbrouck of Hasbrouck House (Part II)

April 18, 2017 by A. J. Schenkman 1 Comment

In 1850, after the State of New York took possession of the Hasbrouck House for back taxes. Eli Hasbrouck appeared in various publications directly related to his cultivation of grapes. He grew what he called the Anna Grape in his garden. It was prized as a variety because it was free from rot. Eli was drawn to the grape because of it color. A.J. Downing thought highly of it. It was said about the grape, “the raisins had the sweet rich flavor and aroma of those from the Muscat of Alexandria.”

Eli married again in 1855; the same year his brother Jonathan died. He married Margaret Van Wyck, of Fishkill, on February 13. The same time period he re-married, Eli was listed in the census as being worth $18,000. His occupation recorded as “gentleman.” Eli was in fact a merchant and farmer. Where Eli lived during this time was listed in business directories as 167 Liberty Street in Newburgh. In addition to his large family, his sister Mary also lived with the family until her death in 1856. [Read more…] about Eli Hasbrouck of Hasbrouck House (Part II)

Filed Under: History, Hudson Valley - Catskills Tagged With: Hasbrouck House, Historic Preservation, Newburgh, Washington's Headquarters

Hasbrouck House: The Book of Eli

April 12, 2017 by A. J. Schenkman 1 Comment

When people visit Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh, New York  they are also visiting a Hasbrouck house. This home and farm, from the 18th to mid -19th centuries, belonged to the Hasbrouck Family until it was acquired by New York State.

Some of what we know about the Hasbrouck’s life there came by way of Eli Hasbrouck. [Read more…] about Hasbrouck House: The Book of Eli

Filed Under: History, Hudson Valley - Catskills Tagged With: Col. Jonathan Hasbrouck, E.M. Ruttenber, Eli Hasbrouck, Francis Crawford, Hasbrouck House, Isaac Hasbrouck, Jonathan Hasbrouck III, New York, Newburgh, Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site

American Revolution Tory Partisan William Caldwell

April 6, 2017 by A. J. Schenkman 2 Comments

Butlers Rangers in the American RevolutionThe name William Caldwell first caught my attention while researching the August 12, 1781, raid in Wawarsing, in Ulster County, NY. His name was mentioned again in Governor George Clinton’s public papers. It was also in connection to the August raid which, it was believed, was lead by Caldwell (then a Captain).  During this raid he led other Tories and Native American allies.

William Caldwell was born around 1750 in Northern Ireland. Prior to the American Revolution, Caldwell came to England’s North American Colonies first settling in Pennsylvania. [Read more…] about American Revolution Tory Partisan William Caldwell

Filed Under: History Tagged With: American Revolution, AmRev, Butler’s Rangers, Indigenous History, Military History, Native American History, Old Fort Niagara, War of 1812

Newburgh’s Tower of Victory Needs Restoration

January 14, 2016 by A. J. Schenkman 4 Comments

Tower of Victory 1906-Library of CongressJonathan Hasbrouck III will forever be known as the Hasbrouck who lost the “Old-Headquarters” home (Washington’s Headquarters in 1782-1783) in Newburgh by foreclosure. The State of New York took control of the home and in 1850 made it the first publicly owned historic site in the nation.

Jonathan Hasbrouck III hoped to save it the home from foreclosure, and even proposed a monument on the grounds over four decades before the current Tower of Victory was erected. Today, that tower is in desperate need of restoration. [Read more…] about Newburgh’s Tower of Victory Needs Restoration

Filed Under: History, Hudson Valley - Catskills Tagged With: American Revolution, Historic Preservation, Military History, Newburgh, Washington's Headquarters

NYS History Resource: Old Newspapers Online

October 22, 2015 by A. J. Schenkman 5 Comments

Historic NY NewspapersRecently, while researching the Old Huguenot Burying Ground in New Paltz, I consulted two excellent online resources, the New York State Historic Newspaper Project and Fulton History. [Read more…] about NYS History Resource: Old Newspapers Online

Filed Under: History Tagged With: Genealogy, Historic Huguenot Street, Historic Preservation, Online Resources

Moses Terwilliger: Criminally Insane In Ulster Co

October 15, 2015 by A. J. Schenkman 3 Comments

Auburn-State-Prison-NYSAThe Terwilliger farm was located near Bruynswick in the town of Shawangunk in Ulster County. It was there that Sarah Terwilliger age 87, widow of J.L. Terwilliger, lived with her son Moses, age 57. According to neighbors, the two argued frequently, and her son made threats that he intended to kill his mother. One thing was for sure, Sarah was not going to see her 88th birthday. [Read more…] about Moses Terwilliger: Criminally Insane In Ulster Co

Filed Under: History Tagged With: Crime and Justice, Ulster County

Historic Treasures: Ulster County’s Locust Lawn

October 8, 2015 by A. J. Schenkman 1 Comment

Locust-Lawn HABS/HAER Library of CongressGardiner, New York, located in south-central Ulster County has some real historical gems within its borders. One of those gems is Locust Lawn which is situated on what used to be known as the Newburgh-New Paltz Road (now Route 32).

This frequently overlooked Federal style mansion, constructed by Josiah Hasbrouck, is a must-see, not only the magnificent federal-style mansion, but also the property’s scenic beauty. There is also the Evert Terwilliger house, perched on the banks of the Plattekill Creek which cuts through the property. Built in the 1730s, it’s an example of an early stone house, and is also connected to the history of the mansion. [Read more…] about Historic Treasures: Ulster County’s Locust Lawn

Filed Under: History Tagged With: Architecture, Historic Huguenot Street, Historic Preservation, New Paltz, Ulster County

Classroom Resources: Hudson River Valley Heritage

September 28, 2015 by A. J. Schenkman 1 Comment

Hudson River Valley HeritageAs the school year approaches, history teachers are looking for new classroom resources, especially primary sources for inquiry based lessons.

Many teachers want to make that local connection with their students who are sometimes unaware of the importance their area might have played in larger American History. There are a plethora of local sites and museums that are terrific jumping-off points for dynamic lessons, but I’d like to focus attention on a very useful site for educators, Hudson River Valley Heritage (HRVH). [Read more…] about Classroom Resources: Hudson River Valley Heritage

Filed Under: History Tagged With: Education, Hudson River, Hudson River Valley Heritage, Online Resources

Washington’s Headquarters: The Death of Jonathan Hasbrouck

August 12, 2014 by A. J. Schenkman 1 Comment

George Washington-Library of CongressThere are many stories circulating about Newburgh’s Colonel Jonathan Hasbrouck (better known today as Washington’s Headquarters). Some are believed true, such as Tryntje Hasbrouck sitting in “sullen silence” when told that her home was chosen as Washington’s Headquarters, and some are simply made-up. One such story involves Washington’s stay at the house from 1782-1783.

General Washington loved horses. In fact he loved to go for rides on his favorite mount whenever possible. The story told to me, after a lecture, involved General Washington, Col. Hasbrouck and Hasbrouck’s sons. They would sometimes go horseback riding together. A favorite stop was the vast Hasbrouck family orchards. Washington, the story goes, loved peaches. Hasbrouck, his sons, and Washington spent hours picking peaches. When enough peaches were picked the Hasbroucks and Washington delighted in feasting on them. This story is obviously false for one simple reason; Colonel Jonathan Hasbrouck had died in 1780. [Read more…] about Washington’s Headquarters: The Death of Jonathan Hasbrouck

Filed Under: History, Hudson Valley - Catskills Tagged With: American Revolution, Cemeteries, George Washington, Hasbrouck House, Medical History, Military History, Newburgh, Washington's Headquarters

Ulster County: The Borden Family of Wallkill

July 14, 2014 by A. J. Schenkman 12 Comments

John G. Borden House-Clay County ArchivesI have worked across from the old Borden Estate for over 10 years. Only recently have I started to gain a real appreciation of the role of the Borden Family not only in the history of Wallkill, NY, but also the education of its children.

The Borden Family used their fortune to make the lives of those less fortunate a little better. Nowhere is this made more evident than with Penelope Borden. Her many accomplishments are often overshadowed by her sister Marion as well as her father John G. Borden. [Read more…] about Ulster County: The Borden Family of Wallkill

Filed Under: Food, History Tagged With: Culinary History, Dairy, Ulster County, womens history

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