DHS News

The Official Newsletter of the Deposit Historical Society July 2014: Vol XI, Issue II

The Deposit Historical Society 145 Second Street Deposit, New York 13754 (607) 467-4422 Website: www.deposithistoricalsociety.org

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Bringing the Antique Business Up to Date In the Eyes of an Old Beholder By Doris S. Axtell In 30 years the whole picture of the antique business has changed. It has mushroomed to a multibillion dollar industry. As we know, change is inevitable, and the evolution of the antique business has led to significant developments.

In the old days, Antiques Magazine existed as a beacon, along with a few mild competitors, publishing articles and ads involving only the dealers and collectors of prime quality antiques and artifacts. Today the publishing field is flooded with weekly trade magazines, both general and very specialized. If you deal in marbles, coins, toys, or art, you can subscribe to the publication that fits your need. The decorator magazines always feature antiques in their homes and room settings, so the increased interest in antiques has spread to the media, including television as well as publishing.

As people became aware of our past and our history, which necessarily encompasses antiques, the need to re-learn old skills, which counted for the individual production of beautiful things, becomes evident. Apprentices now attempt to learn quilting, weaving, making of samplers, stenciling of floors and walls, tinsmithing and blacksmithing. Our current craftsmen are now creating the antiques of the future. For about 100 years we let lapse our knowledge and pride in the handmade products of our ancestors, made without benefit of modern electric equipment or power tools. College Programs Available Now, if interested, you can take college programs and obtain advanced degrees in antique-related fields. N.Y.U., Hamilton, and Williams College offer great stepping stones to such degrees and work programs affiliated with Winterthur and other museums. These educational pursuits insure our knowledge of our historic legacy will be perpetuated. Now museums are springing up in small towns and local counties. Each state expands the inventory of its museums, and bequests increase to bulge the seams of existing museums.

Many old civic and municipal buildings, such as railroad depots, courthouses and bank buildings are being properly conserved and restored, each involving the uncovering of many

interesting antique objects. Never have the attics, barns, and cellars of our old homes been so explored in attempting to find items that would enhance a local historical restoration of some kind. There remains the deep-seated acquisitive nature of man which will preserve in some nook or cranny and many interesting collectibles associated with fond memories of our own younger years. Flea Markets Emerge Thousands of flea markets have emerged to display and sell memorabilia, which may or may not be valuable, but certainly give pleasure to collectors of what are now classified as later antiques. Baseball cards, Mickey Mouse watches, advertising signs, all such things now constitute a viable and large percent of the antique trade. That is a big change from 30 years ago. So there eventuates the sound philosophy of not throwing away items from the 1920’s to the 1940’s. Even photographs of those periods are now valuable, as are the cameras that took them.

Summer vacations this year will include visiting some of the fine established museums. In our area, Cooperstown, with its Farmer’s Museum and Fenimore House are always worth even a re-visit. The Doll Museum in the Rochester area appeals to both young and old. Train displays and exhibits in the Scranton area attract the railroad buffs. Sherburne Museum, in Vermont offers a two-day education unequalled. Deansboro, New York is an area where you can find both a music museum and lamps unlimited. People traveling on four-lane highways with cars and good appetites build up our economy with travel related to antique interests. When you think of it, America is only 215 years old, and the antiques of all kinds can only number so many. That explains why, as interest grows and magnifies among the young people, as well as the nostalgic oldsters, the value of Americana, accessories and furniture will continue to escalate.

On the other hand, the European market has not escalated in like manner. Their antiques are more abundant on all levels because they stem from more than 1,000 years of civilization. Perhaps they have the edge on us, but we love the challenge of such things as uncovering the Declaration of Independence behind a four dollar picture.

The antique business will flourish and, in the final analysis, the continued expansion and development of the antique business has at best increased our pride in the past and our confidence in the future. The Walton Reporter

Original article published on 6/26/1991

FUNDRAISING AUCTION Attention Bargain Hunters!! Don’t miss this opportunity to buy antiques, collectables, and every-

thing in between as DHS holds its big fundraising auction on August 16. Preview is at 9 am and the auction begins at 10 am. Those wishing to donate items to be sold may do so by contacting DHS at 607-467-4422. No clothing please. Arrangements will be made for drop-off or pick-up. Note: No items from museum collections will be sold -- 2 --

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014: Grandma’s Attic Appraisal Night Treasures were brought to the Museum for an interesting program and evening of fun as antiques expert Richard Axtell shared his extensive knowledge of antiques. Over 30 items were presented for evaluation by Smitty. A few of the treasures presented by interested participants were:

1) A 1950 cast iron toy of a horse drawn “ice” wagon: $50.00

2) An 1890 leather cigarette case with fighting cock spurs inside. a.

b.

Case: $5.00.

Spurs:$75.00

3) A 1906 NYC stone bridge kerosene folding lantern with mica windows:$125.00

4) An 1840 fan in a shadow box with mother of pearl with a lithograph of a hand painting:$250.00 5) A first edition autographed book Story of My Life by Helen Keller: $1200.00 6) An 1866 sword from the Spanish American War made by G. Roby: $350.00 7)

A 1920 blue glass pendant necklace: $25.00

8) WWI German skull crusher bayonet for a long rifle: $150.00

9) A child’s sewing machine made in Germany after WWII:$450.00

11) An 1890 steel cork screw with deer antler handle, missing end cap and brush:$75.00

12) An 1820 wooden pine document box made by Joseph Hess of Masonville with gilding and a lock but no key: a. b.

10) A 1905 woman’s watch in 10K gold case, missing crystal, diamond chip in back: $200.00

c.

Jack knife: $50.00 Tin container with tobacco, train uniform buttons, prayer book, poetry book:$10.00 Box: $650.00

A fun and educational time was had by all as Smitty evaluated items, told of their history, added stories and background to the manufacture or use of the items, and then gave a dollar value. Refreshments were served afterwards and the time was further spent by people closely inspecting the items described and asking more questions. Thank you everyone for bringing such interesting items and thank you Smitty for giving such interesting evaluations. -- 3 --

Abolitionists Involvement in the Underground Railroad On May 21, 2014, Brenda Cave-James presented a program on the Underground Railroad and Abolitionism at the Deposit Historical Museum. She presents of African American life and culture through stories and songs of history. She is also a co-founder of Trav’ling Road, which is an ensemble of African Americans who, since 1997, have created and performed drama, poetry, and song to reflect and preserve Afro- American experiences of the past and present. Cave-James’ writings are comprised of 10 short stories, 64 poems and five plays, some of which have been published and performed. Cave-James’ great- great grandparents were slaves in New Jersey. In 1816, they migrated to Pennsylvania as freemen and became involved in the anti-slavery movement. During their time, blacks were not allowed to be buried in a church cemetery, nor could they take sacraments. They had no freedom to sing, teach or pray. In the mid 1790’s, the black Methodists broke from the white Methodists. In 1800 the first African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, or AME Zion Church, was built, but it was not until 1821 that the AMEZ was officially formed in New York City. A year later, in 1822, the first black minister was allowed to preach and James Varick was ordained the first bishop of the AME Zion Church. Since its inception, The Freedom Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, has played a critical role as a center of religious, cultural, and political life of the African-American community. During the period of slavery in America, the church produced a network of activists and places of safety for persons escaping to freedom. Many of the key activists of the Underground Railroad in the US and Canada were affiliated with this church, including Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth and the Reverend Jermain Wesley Loguen, who ultimately became a bishop. Many of the AMEZ church services were held in shacks, under a tree or in a family’s living room. Deposit had a church located behind the present People’s Bank.

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One of the leading bishops of the early AMEZ church was Jermain Wesley Loguen. His mother Jane lived as a free black in Ohio until she was kidnapped and hoisted into a wagon filled with many terrified children. Jane, who was renamed Cherry when she became a slave, was sold to three very rough and crude men: David, Manasseth, and Carnes Logue. Initially, she lived on a rundown plantation and distillery with them and their mother. After the other two brothers sold their shares to David, Cherry worked only for him. At the age of 15, she became his mistress. Her oldest child,“Jarm,” began life as a slave born to Cherry and Tennessee plantation owner David Logue on February 5, 1813, near Nashville, Tennessee, on his plantation/distillery. He, his mother, and her other children were placed with Manasseth Logue even though Dave had promised that he would not sell them. When he was about to lose the family plantation, Dave failed to stand by that promise. Soon all of the black Logues were living at Manasseth’s plantation and distillery. Manasseth’s slaves, including Cherry and her children, were constantly subjected to beatings and torture as a result of his liquor-induced rages. Manasseth’s property consisted of a plantation and distillery. Soon after the black Logues arrived at Manasseth Plantation, the distillery burned to the ground, leaving the white Logues short on cash. Manasseth began to feel his losses after the distillery burned and, determined to turn a profit, he arranged for the sale of Jarm’s three younger siblings to traders. The events that followed the sale and the breakup of the family ushered in the worst of times for both Cherry and Jarm. Cherry was beaten when she tried to prevent her children from being taken. She was tied to a weeping willow and whipped for several days. Jarm was nearly beaten to death. It was when Jarm was mortgaged to another that he began to plot his escape from Manasseth and slavery. In 1934, Jarm decided to leave the plantation with

aiding a runaway slave, he or she could lose his or her property. There were 3 routes out of Montrose going north: 1) to Owego, Elmira and Ithaca, 2) to Endicott, Union (on Route 26) to Whitney Point, and 3) to Greene (past Spot Restaurant), Whitney Point, and Willet. Emergency routes to Ithaca or Elmira, which were used when racial tensions were high in Whitney Point, were over Smith Hill to Fredericks Road, from Maine to Newark Valley, or to Gates House in Nanticoke.

a few others and reached Canada nearly starved, frostbiten, and lost. Under his new name of Jermain Wesley Loguen, he farmed, logged and became educated. In 1837, he traveled to New York State where he entered Utica’s Oneida Institute which enrolled both white and black students. He later became a preacher in 1939 and a bishop in 1868. In 1840 he married Caroline Storum, a woman of mixed heritage, whom he met while teaching a class of Sunday scholars. In 1848 he purchased land in Syracuse to build a school for fugitive slave children and built an apartment/bunker in his own house for runaway slaves. Runaways were received at all hours of the day and night, and many were sick and injured. Jermain and Caroline were able to take in 5 at a time and often had to nurse and feed the sick and injured. He was one of the first circuit preachers in the UticaBinghamton- Montrose circuit and he ushered slaves through these areas as part of the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad is believed to have led over 1500 slaves to freedom. If Jermain got 3 people together in a shack, he would teach and pray. He lectured against slavery and alcohol and provided food and clothing for fugitives. He died of exhaustion and TB at Saratoga Springs, NY in 1872. After the Fugitive Save law, which allowed the capture and return of runaway slaves, was passed in 1850, bounty hunting brccame big business. Harsher penalties were imposed on those who helped slaves seek freedom. If a person was caught

While lecturing against slavery, Gerrit Smith, an abolitionist, had to flee for his life when the pro-slavers used a log to knock down the door and egg him. This incident caused Frederick Douglas to delay his lectures in Owego and Binghamton. Lewis Douglas, Frederick’s son, was one of the first African-Americans to enlist in the Civil War. He later married Ameilia Loguen, the daughter of Jermain Loguen, and they helped families reunite that were sold and separated before the Civil War. Harriet Tubman was born Araminta “Minty” Ross to slave parents, Harriet (“Rit”) Green and Ben Ross, who came from West Africa. Ben taught Harriet how to survive from the land. When she was five or six years old, Harriet was ordered to keep watch on a sleeping baby; when it woke and cried, Tubman was whipped. On one particular day she was lashed five times before breakfast, and she carried those scars for the rest of her life. Another of her jobs was to check muskrat traps, but that ended when she contracted pneumonia and almost died. During the Civil War she was a Union spy and a nurse. Her father’s herbal knowledge, which she learned as a child, helped save many soldiers. Her first husband did not want her to work in the Underground Railroad, so she left him to help slaves get to freedom. When she left the Underground Railroad and asked her husband to join her in NYS, he refused as he had met another woman. Her second husband, Nelson Davis, was a Civil War veteran. After the war, she sold sarsaparilla, wrote her autobiography, took in boarders, bought a home in Auburn, NY and became active in women’s suffrage.

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Brenda Caves- James ended with a stirring recitation of a poem and singing of a spiritual hymn commemorating Cherry’s life. The following is some information resulting from the questions answered after the initial presentation: 1) The KKK was active in Lisle, NY as well as in Deposit. 2) A “slave stick” was found in a barn in Willett, N.Y. A “slave stick” is a walking stick carved as a “thank you” by a runaway slave who was allowed to hide in the barn. 3) Deposit had a safe house on River Road that was built by the Alexander’s. 4) Early music of blacks in churches were spirituals. 5) Spirituals were born out of misery and were coded for the Underground Railroad. 6) Safe houses were known by raccoon skins nailed to trees, a cardinal on a door, or by certain

Quilt Raffle at Museum On Saturday, August 16, DHS will raffle off a beautiful handmade quilt to some lucky winner. This single size quilt is pieced from just two fabrics, a plain pale pink and a coordinating pink floral print. The small pieces are sewn together resulting in an eight pointed star and square pattern alternating across the quilt top. The top is beautifully hand quilted with some machine quilting around the outer edge. The quilt can be viewed at the museum during regular museum hours, Saturdays and Sundays from 2 PM until 4 PM and tickets can be purchased at the museum, and from any DHS board member. The quilt will also be displayed at The Irish Peddler(formerly The Apothecary Gift Shop on Front Street) during Deposit Days Lumberjack Festival, and tickets can be purchased there. The raffle drawing will take place on Saturday, August 16 at noon, during the DHS fundraising auction. Those with tickets need not be present to win.

pieces in quilts. 7) The Brown family always had kettle water boiling so that it could be thrown on the slave bounty hunters. 8) The Drinking Gourd (The Big Dipper) guided slaves north. 9) Families in Deposit/Stilesville in the 1830’s had slaves. The Deans came in 1790 and brought blacks and whites (the census lists some as free blacks) to work the farms. 10) Many Civil War soldiers survived, and their graves are in the southwest corner of Pine Grove Cemetery. 11) Cherry’s trauma and horror left her “not right” for the rest of her life. Cherry was reunited with her family. She lived with her daughter and met her son Jermain later in life. 12) Frederick Douglas spoke in Deposit.

UPCOMING EVENTS: July 16 – David Clutz presents “ The 137th NY at Gettysburg,” the story of an extraordinary regiment whose ranks included men from Broome County towns. July 19 – Annual Brown Bread and Baked Bean Sale during the Lumberjack Festival. Look for us on Front St. and come early for these traditional favorites. August 13 – Hank Loftus, curator of Dorflinger Glass, discusses the development of the Dorflinger brand. Tips on identifying fine cut glass will be shared. Those wishing to bring pieces for identification (one or two pieces only) are encouraged to do so. August 16 – Fundraising Auction. 9:00 am preview. 10:00 am auction begins. September 17 – John Darrow returns with another living history program about Civil War general, Edward F. Jones.

IMAGE FROM THE PAST Charlie Wies, formerly from Deposit, donated six school photos to DHS. What can you tell use about this photograph? Do you recognize anyone the this class group?

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ARE YOU CLEANING YOUR CLOSETS, BASEMENTS, ATTICS, OR GARAGES? The Deposit Historical Society is now accepting donations for its fundraising auction and could use your help. The auction will be held on August 16 at 10 am, and proceeds will be used to support the many ongoing museum projects. Please consider giving DHS any unused or unwanted items. (No clothing please.) Donations will be accepted on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 to 12:30 at the back of the Bundy building at 142 Second Street. For other drop-off times or for pick-ups, please call the museum at 607-467-4422. If no one answers? please leave a message. The last issue of the DHS News had the second What is it? Where is it? photos. What is it? #4

Textured Concrete Block Wall

#5

Contruction Date

The answers are:



Where is it? Wilson Childrens Center

Cornice of the Building Occupied by Brown’s Pharmacy

Contact the DHS News editors for information, suggestions, or address changes... If you have information to share with us about our mysteries, historical events, or suggestions for new articles or projects at the Museum, or if you have moved, mail it to DHS Newsletter editors Michael and Gail Musante at 199 Front Street, Deposit, NY 13754, or email it to one of us at [email protected] We will be delighted to hear from you! Thanks!! Website: www.deposithistoricalsociety.org Would you like to receive a paperless copy of future DHS Newsltters? Please send your email address to [email protected]

The Deposit Historical Society Newsletter 199 Front Street Deposit, NY 13754

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