RAVENA COEYMANS HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

The Hitching Post Vol. 12 No. 1

THE PRESERVATION OF FARMERS’ RIGHTS

Winter 2014

By Harry A. Sturges

On October 18, 1909, The Farmers’ Mutual Protective Association of Indian Fields, New York adopted to resolve itself into “a band of minute men, to prosecute the pursuit of, and apprehension and conviction of any person committing a crime against another member.”

According to the constitution, members of the association sought “to protect and promote the interests of farmers by concerted action for the abatement of the hunting nuisance and the unduly trespassing on premises to the injury of their property, and for the

protection of members against personal violence, also against horse stealing and thieving of any property of members, by earnest and persevering effort for the apprehension and conviction of offenders of such cases.” Initial membership was one dollar as were annual dues. Any farmer who was a resident of the Town of Coeymans could join. Farmers from adjoining towns could also become members if they received a majority vote of the membership.

Each member pledged to post his property with warning notices provided by the New York Forest and Fish and Game Laws, and not give permission to hunt on his premises without the written consent of all adjoining property owners. A provision called for the state to appoint one or two game protectors for the Town of Coeymans, at least one of which, if possible, would be a member of the association. (Continued on page 3)

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R A V E N A C O E Y M A N S H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y 2013 - 2014 Officers/Trustees President Ralph Biance 2014 V. President David Ross 2015 Treasurer William Meyer 2016 Recording Secretary Linda Peterman 2014 Corresponding Secretary Suzanne Celella 2016 Trustees Joseph Boehlke 2015 John Bonafide 2016 Nancy Bruno 2016 Paul Lawler 2014 Dennis Whalen 2016 Committee chairs Cemetery/Conservation Ralph Biance Collections Suzanne Celella Fundraising Nancy Bruno

P R E S I D E N T ’ S

L E T T E R

Friends of the Society, With the advent of 2014, we celebrate the growth of our membership, the donations of community members and the tireless volunteerism of trustees and committee chairs. It is also time to reflect about the original group of women and men who spearheaded the society. We laud their shared vision to collect and preserve artifacts from Ravena and Coeymans. Thank you Mary Driscoll, Mary Farinelli, Anthony Lento, Mary McCabe, Bonnie Ruso, Harry Sturges and Dennis Whalen. Sincerely, Ralph Biance CURATOR’S NEWS By Joe Boehlke

Our December 2013 Open House was pleasingly well attended, with several people commenting about the wonderful exhibits celebrating village, church and political anniversaries. Our thanks to all the museum volunteers who helped prepare exhibits and the museum for our annual open house. We now begin preparations for events in 2014. Since the Village of Ravena is celebrating its centennial year, the Historical Society will participate in several important events: creating an exhibit for the first floor of the municipal building, planning participation in the 100th Anniversary Parade in May, and collaborating throughout the year with the Centennial Planning Committee. We are still looking for any materials related to the history of the village that can be put on display this year. If anyone has old photographs of the village and/or village residents, please let us know so that we might copy them for our displays. If you are interested in working on these projects, please let us know,.

Grants Paul Lawler Historian/Museum Curator Joe Boehlke

2014 Programs (2-4 pm) January 12

Membership/Webpage William Meyer

Orphanages of the Past - Paul Grondahl

Newsletter Marie Sturges

The 1827 Murder at Cherry Hill - Sharon Kielty & Barbara Baciewicz

Programs/Publicity Mary Farinelli

Underground Railroad Along the Hudson - Paul & Mary Stewart

Refreshments Linda Peterman

Tin Smithing in America - Bill McMillen

Research David Ross

History of the Onesquethau Watershed Area - Roy Lamberton

February 9 March 9 April 13 May 18 Location: Village of Ravena Municipal Building (first floor) 15 Mountain Road, Ravena, NY 12143 M u s e u m

h o u r s

The Historical Society Museum is open every Thursday (except holidays) from 1 - 3 p.m., or call for an appointment at 756-9395 or 756-6536. Visit us at www.coeymanshistory.org

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(Continued from page 1)

Any member could call out all the members of the association for pursuit of those trespassing, horse stealing, or for any act of violence or harm to any other members. Each member promised to respond instantly to such call of service. There was a standing reward for apprehension and convictions of offenders amounting to $50 for horse stealing, $25 for poultry stealing. The reward monies and cost of prosecution were to be paid by an assessment to each member. The Ravena Coeymans Historical Society has a copy of the constitution and by-laws, certificates of memberships, notices of meetings, secretary’s minutes and stationery. The last communication of the association that I have in my collection is a notice of a November 1940 meeting at the home of Mrs. Elmer Shear in Aquetuck. Most farmers were men; however, Article IV, Sec 6 of the Constitution states: Any person interested in the welfare of farmers and the advancement of agriculture (including

ladies) may become an honorary member by a majority vote at any regular meeting.

(Continued on page 4)

Continued on page 4

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(Continued from page 3)

Most attendance records were recorded on scrap paper and backs of envelopes. In fact, minutes of one year were written on the back of a German’s Sweet Chocolate label (Baker & Co.) and those of another on the back of an advertisement for the Little Giant Tack Hammer (“a combination puller, holder and hammer, all-in-one”). The attendance sheets for 1912 and 1913 were recorded over the manuscript of a letter written to whoever was taking the minutes for those years. The records were written vertically, a common practice in the late nineteenth century when writing in both directions was a way to reduce the weight of a letter and, thus, the cost of postage. The first paragraph of that letter reads: Your letter received yes most assuredly I will look after the interests of Eastern New York Bee Keepers Association and will let you know as soon as I have made arrangement for hall and hotel and invitations. I don’t think it best to look for a high priced Hotel, one that is good and decent that will furnish meals for say 25 cents or at least 35 cents is good enough.”

The 1909 attendance record appears to be that of the first organizational meeting. Present were Elmer Shear, Henry Trenchard, J.V. Cowan, S. Davenport, M.Y. McCarty, Charles Friend, N.R. Cunningham, Loren Sutton, K. Stewart, A.C. Koonz, E.B. Spence, Clifton Bedell, A.R. Parson, L.G. Bedell, Charles Hudson, G. E. Ward, Willard Blenis, Charles Fisher, Fred Halstead, Fred Baldwin, Charles Court and W.C. Springsted. These names include men from Coeymans, Ravena, Hannacroix, Aquetuck, Alcove, Coeymans Hollow, as well as Indian Fields. Other prominent family names which appear in membership roles of the association include Collins, Griffen, Greene, Stephens, Nodine, Blaisdell, Peck, Van Hoesen, Blodget, Snider, Elmendorf, Gedney, Flansburg, Lindskoog, Norris, Ahlhof, Vanderzee. In perusing The News-Herald over a period of years, I found no mention of membership callouts because of violence or trespassing, or any legal proceeding originating from the association. But that, of course, does not mean none occurred.

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Although the name Ravena was used as early as 1893, the Village of Ravena did not become an incorporated village until September 1914. 1903 was the first time incorporation seemed a possibility. In 1912, votes were cast to incorporate—108 against to 48 in favor. Between 1912 and 1913 talks continued about another vote. There were even discussions that both the hamlet of Coeymans and Ravena could incorporate as one village. Finally, in September 1914 an overwhelming vote to incorporate passed— 130 in favor to 58 opposed.

100th Anniversary Events Calendar April 27, 2014 RCS Community Library 20th Anniversary Celebration May 17, 2014 Village Centennial Parade Antique Car Show June 7, 2014 Village –wide Garage Sale July 19, 2014 Peanuts, Popcorn and Crackerjacks: Take me out to the Old Ballgame (Baseball Game at Mosher Park) August 30, 2014 Train Festival September (Pending) October 11, 2014 Village Centennial Celebration Village Municipal Building Grounds

In October 1914, elections were held, with John Phillips taking office as the first “President” of the Village of Ravena. It has been 100 years since that vote took place which created the Village of Ravena. To celebrate the anniversary, the Centennial Planning Committee is busy organizing a number of exciting events to take place throughout the year.

October 12, 2014 Village Centennial Gala November 29, 2014 Small Business Saturday December 5, 2014 Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting

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fundraiser Ravena Coeymans Historical Society Cookbook To raise funds for the Historical Society, we are planning a cookbook with recipes handed down from one generation to another, those considered fail-safe and others enhanced through trial and error . The cookbook will be arranged in six categories: Breakfast/Brunch, Appetizers, Main Dishes, Side Dishes, Desserts and Beverages. Secretary Linda Peterman, who is organizing this fundraiser and compiling the recipes, enthusiastically offers her thanks. Entry deadline is June 30, 2014. Each recipe should include      

category and title, brief history of its origin (e.g., family, country, specific holiday), ingredients with exact measurements, preparation and cooking directions (cooking tips/short–cuts), type and dimensions of cookware and number of servings.

Please send your name and recipe(s) to Ravena Coeymans Historical Society c/o Linda Peterman 15 Mountain Road, Ravena, NY 12143 or [email protected] For questions, contact Linda at 518-265-6644.

LINDA’S SAMPLE RECIPE Category: Main Dish Title: Momma’s Sunshine Skillet Supper History: My mother made this when we were children in Alaska, but she used SPAM! Ingredients: 1 14-oz. link Polska kielbasa, cut into ¼” thick slices 1 29-oz. can of yams, drained 1 20-oz can of pineapple chunks, drained; reserve juice ¼ cup brown sugar ¼ stick butter or margarine In a heavy skillet, sauté the kielbasa in ½ cup of pineapple juice at medium heat, stirring often. Cut the yams into ½ ” to 1” slices. Add the pineapple chunks to the kielbasa and continue heating. When the pineapple and kielbasa are heated through, add the yams and stir gently. Sprinkle brown sugar over the mixture and then scatter slices of butter/margarine over all. Cover and simmer on low for about ten minutes or until the yams are heated through. Add more pineapple juice, if too dry. Serve with a green salad. Serves 6.

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2014 MEMBER SPONSORS

2014 BUSINESS SPONSORS

BENEFACTORS ($250+) Anonymous Joe & Gail Boehlke Bob & Ann Hallock Sylvia & Paul Lawler Harry & Marie Sturges Dennis & Alice Whalen PATRONS ($100+) William Bailey & Penny Gould Ralph Biance John & Anna Marie Bonafide Clesson & Jean Bush Tom & Mi-Lyn Dolan Lucy & Jim Margiasso

BENEFACTORS ($1000+) Village of Ravena PATRONS ($250+) Babcock Funeral Home Lafarge Port of Coeymans State Telephone Company Town of Coeymans SUSTAINING ($100+ annually) Bullock Utilities C.A. Albright & Sons LLC Coeymans Landing Marina Collins & Son Inc. Crossroads Ford Mid-Hudson Cable National Bank of Coxsackie Ravena News-Herald Ravena Shop’n Save Robbie’s Cookies LLC Silver Spoon Café Van Etten Excavating

SUPPORTING/FAMILY ($50 annually) John & Rita Ablett Debbie & John Bartle Harry & Lynn Vanderzee Christie Keith & Lynda Geraldsen William & Judith McMillen Robert & Laraine Misuraca Jay W. & Connelly-Anne Ragley Tony & Cathy Ricciardi Linda & Edgar Roosa David & Starr Ross Gordon & Linda Stanton

BUSINESS SUPPORTER ($50 annually) John T. Biscone, Esq. Boomer’s Garage Fori’s Variety Store Mueller’s Automotive LLC Persico Oil Company Stanton Farms LLC

SUPPORTING/INDIVIDUAL ($25 annually) Karol Beck Marcia Blakesley Elaine Christopher Charles F. Coons Mary Farinelli Roni Fori Joseph Ganley Maria Gardell Greene County Historical Society Henry Hamilton Winthrop M. Irwin Cynthia Julian Rev. James J. Kane Mary E. Lee Peggy Matheny Toni McNaughton William R. Meyer Louise Pape

IN MEMORIAM Sharon Sagendorph Woolford

MEMBERSHIP GENERAL MEMBERSHIP Member Family Supporting/Individual Supporting/Family Patron Benefactor Individual Life

BUSINESS SPONSORS $10 annually $15 annually $25 annually $50 annually $100+ $250+ $100 (55 or older)

Supporter Sustaining Patron Benefactor

$50 annually $100+ annually $250+ $1000+

The Society welcomes new members, businesses and contributions. Checks are payable to The Ravena Coeymans Historical Society c/o William Meyer P.O. Box 324, Ravena, NY 12143

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CELEBRATE RAVENA’S CENTENNIAL 1914 - 2014

The Hitching Post Ravena Coeymans Historical Society P. O. Box 324 Ravena, New York 12143 www.coeymanshistory.org Published semi-annually by the Ravena Coeymans Historical Society

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