For everyone

This section is incomplete and under construction, part of a major relaunch of all our finding aids to be more searchable and accessible to the public.

This video (just under 12 minutes) is designed to be used with the education guide (below) developed for 4th, 7th, and 11th grades. The video depicts a young Dutchess County couple who feel hopeful when Lafayette visits Poughkeepsie in 1824 and they come to understand his values. This is part of a series of articles, programs, and exhibitions published by the Dutchess County Historical Society in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, celebrating the varied paths to freedom and equality that comprise the American Dream. Educational Guide: Or click using full screen icon below:

Profiles of the American Revolution Since 1914 We are pleased to announce the third Encore Edition of the Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook. Published since DCHS’s founding in 1914, the DCHS Yearbook is New York State’s longest-serving historical journal. Known for its thorough research and interesting narratives, the DCHS Yearbook is meant to be more broadly accessible than an academic journal, although contemporary issues are footnoted for accuracy and to help prompt further inquiry. DCHS Yearbook Encore Editions republish articles bundled around a single topic. They are republished with no changes to simply and directly reflect the priorities, perspectives, and language of a certain time. Profiles of the American Revolution Since 1914 helps us better under-stand how the people of Dutchess County both shaped and were shaped by the American Revolution as we approach the 250th anniversary of the official signing of the Declaration of Independence. Bill Jeffway & Melodye Moore Contents Foreword by Bill Jeffway Introduction by Willaim P. Tatum III, Ph.D., Dutchess County Historian Bartholomew Crannell a Twentieth Century Plea for Anglo-American Good Will by Helen Wilkinson Reynolds Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: John Jay by J. Wilson Poucher Dedication of Monument, Chambly, P.Q. (Province of Quebec) by Mrs. Theodore de Laporte Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: Melanchthon Smith by J. Wilson Poucher Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: Udny Hay by Helen Wilkinson Reynolds Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: Captain Israel Smith by J. Wilson Poucher Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: General Jacobus Swartwout by J. Wilson Poucher Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: Philip Schuyler by J. Wilson Poucher Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: Dr. Peter Tappen by J. Wilson Poucher Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: Colonel Lewis DuBois; Captain Henry DuBois by J. Wilson Poucher Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: Major Elias Van Bunschoten by J. Wilson Poucher Monument to Chief Daniel Nimham by J. Wilson Poucher Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: Henry Livingston by J. Wilson Poucher Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: Major Andrew Billings by J. Wilson Poucher Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: Colonel Frederick Weissenfels by J. Wilson Poucher Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: James Livingston and Some of His Descendants by J. Wilson Poucher Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: Zephaniah Platt by J. Wilson Poucher Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: Judge Robert R. Livingston, His Sons and Sons-in-Law by J. Wilson Poucher Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: Colonel Henry Ludington and His Daughter Sybil by Barbara Corliss and J. Wilson Poucher Dutchess County Men of the Revolutionary Period: Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben by J. Wilson Poucher Elizabeth Crannell, Wife of Dr. Peter Tappen by Amy Ver Noy Jacobus Swartwout: Resident of Rombout Precinct by Joseph W. Emsley Sybil Ludington: Heroine of the Revolution by Louanna J. Elya Alexander Hamilton, Melancton Smith, and the Ratification of the Constitution in Poughkeepsie, New York by Robin Brooks

DCHS Collections Documents of Enslavement A Fishkill man named Dick is sold by James Slight to Thomas Parker October 30, 1801 Witnessed by John Beckwith.

Gilder Lehrman Documents Related to Locsl Enslavement June 30, 1783 Rhinebeck’s renowned medical doctor Ananias Cooper, writes to Robert Livingston at Livingston Manor about the condition of his enslaved man “Jack”

2025 Historic Preservation & Awards CelebrationSunday, June 1 DCHS has a long tradition of spotlighting people and organizations that inspire local history best practices. Here are some of 2025’s awards and recipients: 2025 Historic Preservation Award Recipient It is a great pleasure to honor Mr. Dick Lahey as the recipient of this year’s prestigious Historic Preservation Award. His stewardship of an unparalleled collection of carriages and subject expertise is commendable. He generously opens both his historic home and vast carriage collection, and will personally take us on a tour of both. Learn more about the various awards and honored recipients: Become a sponsor of this year’s Preservation Awards and Celebration event to gain enhanced visibility for your business while supporting the preservation of our community’s rich history. Partner with us today! The sponsorship cost of $500 includes two tickets to the event!

By Bill Jeffway, Executive Director We are proud to report a banner year on all fronts at DCHS. Our first full year in our new location has raised our visibility and improved access to the entire dynamic and varied “society” of our members, donors, business sponsors, collections donors, and growing paid staff and volunteers. Finances Regarding the $103,000 operating budget for 2024: We expect our 2024 breakeven operating expense goal will be met on December 31. We do tend to have some very last minute gifts which can make all the difference! We have nearly doubled our income from endowments. Through the generosity and leadership of Rob and Sue Doyle, and those they inspired to give, DCHS has almost doubled the amount of income we can rely on annually from endowments. The Doyle Endowment Fund, in excess of $200,000 at the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, now supports DCHS in addition to the longstanding Denise M. Lawlor Fund, also at the Community Foundations. Our online auction, in its third year, broke prior records by generating in excess of $25,000 after expenses. This is roughly double what we had come to expect from our annual gala dinners before COVID. Through the generosity of item donors (there were 155 lots) 124 bidders turned into 64 winners. We are grateful for the generosity of AAR Auctions who donate their platform, time, expertise and buyer’s fees. Our spring Historic Preservation Celebration and Awards income broke any prior event income by a factor of two. Over 150 tickets were sold and a record number of businesses were sponsors. Above all, we had the opportunity to celebrate and thank three generations of the Hill family who continue to support DCHS, and who hosted us at their extraordinarily historic home. Firefighting Has Been a Big Focus Among our most visible work this year has been telling the stories of those involved in the essential service of firefighting. Prompted by a significant collections gift from the Rhinebeck Fire Department, combined with existing collections, and a great deal of interest from the local DCHS Vice Presidents representing the cities and towns of the county, firefighting is the topic of the forum section of the DCHS 2024 Yearbook (expected to be published in March 2025). We developed the traveling exhibition, Firefighting in Dutchess County: a Greater Calling, in partnership with the Rhinebeck Fire Department and the Firefighting Museum of Dutchess County. The exhibition was featured at the inaugural opening of the museum at the Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck. Please let us know if you would like to borrow the exhibition for a school, library, firehouse, or other public space. Above: Inset shows the exhibition opening at DCHS Rhinebeck among images and stories presented on banners and digital presentations. The exhibition is designed to travel. Public Engagement Another high-profile exhibition and series of programs was related to the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Revolutionary War Major General Lafayette’s local visit. In 1824, as the United States approached its 50th anniversary (the way we approach the 250th anniversary today) Lafayette’s progressive views on the abolition of slavery, the role of women in society, and attitudes toward Indigenous peoples and the impoverished, among other views, gave us the chance to use Lafayette as a kind of litmus test of progress of the realization of American ideals. This turned into our coming to understand the extraordinary story of local persons, like the free Black couple Tom & Jane Williams of the town of Washington. They named their son, Lafayette Williams, shortly after the visit in 1827. The Bard College playwright, DN Bashir, turned this story into a short play performed at the FDR Presidential Library & Museum in September. In addition to the background talk given at the FDR Presidential Library & Museum, the narrative Why Lafayette Endures was presented as four classes at both Bard and Vassar College Lifetime Learning Institutes. Above: Inset shows, left to right, Chuck Schwam, American Friends of Lafayette Executive Director; Aaron Morton who performed as Tom Williams; Bill Jeffway, Executive Director, DCHS; Alexis Braxton as Jane Williams; DN Bashir, lead artist; Michael Halbert as Lafayette; Patti Maclay, National Co-Chair, AFL Farewell Tour Bicentennial Committee. At the anniversary performance September 16 at FDR Presidential Library & Museum. DCHS Trustee and Civil War specialist Dr. Michael Boden continued his series of Civil War talks, A Long & Fatiguing Campaign: The 150th New York Regiment in the Atlanta Campaign can be viewed at DCHS Virtual Event Space. DCHS Trustee David Turner drew from his own vast image collection to present How the Automobile Changed the Hudson Valley Landscape through Vintage Postcards, also available online. The Executive Director’s series for Black history month continued with Free Black Communities and Maritime Adventure Before the Civil War. Collections There is nothing as fundamental as our responsibility to be stewards of thousands of important documents, photographs, clothing and textiles, and objects. Our new location with its open bigger and environmentally controlled space, has allowed for better management and access. The greatest contribution comes from the appointment of Collections & Archives Manager Aidan Chisamore, who will move to a full time position in the New Year. In terms of items themselves, some highlights of new acquisitions include a DeLaval separator, a new-found Caroline Clowes painting, photos of Poughkeepsie in the 1888 blizzard, and a 1706 deed important to the settlement of Rhinebeck. Above left to right: Aidan Chisamore, Collections & Archives Manager, is responsible for the care, preservation, and management of collections. Cosette Veeder-Shave volunteers in collections data entry and management. Charlotte Hampton, Vassar ’25 (Art History), is a volunteer this semester through Vassar’s Office of Community Engaged Learning which has grown into a reliable and important source of talent for DCHS. Publications & Publishing We expect to publish the DCHS 2024 Yearbook in March of 2025 and continue to expand print on demand through Amazon books. We are grateful to the Northern/Southern Dutchess News / Beacon Free Press which hosts our

We use such balms as have no strife, With Nature nor the Laws of Life; With blood our hands we never stain, Nor poison men to ease their pain. The Poughkeepsie Thomsonian [1842] Now mostly forgotten, this motto once represented one of the most prominent health crazes of the 19th century. The poem advertised the Thomsonian (or “Botanic”) system of medicine in which doctors challenged conventional medical practice, instead recommending natural plant-based cures. While largely ineffective, these remedies captivated public attention, something we are all too familiar with in an age of health influencers and digital cures. Dutchess County, particularly Poughkeepsie, had a strong voice in the Thomsonian movement. This philosophy created a vibrant sub-culture within the County’s medical community for more than two decades, receiving state and national attention. Dr. Samuel Thomson (1769-1843), the movements founder, worked as an herbalist and botanist in rural New Hampshire. In the summer of 1790, Thomson’s wife Susanna suffered a life-threatening illness that conventional medicine was unable to cure. Turing to a plant-based remedy, Susanna eventually recovered. The following decades, Thomson developed his new medical system, testing various cures on his neighbors and children. In 1822 he released the New Guide to Health, or, Botanic Family Physician, which outlined natural remedies to common alignments. Above: Portrait of Dr. Samuel Thomson, Founder of the Botanical Health Movement. The image appears in the 1835 edition of his New Guide to Health. Thomson and his followers cultivated a personal system of bodily health in which medicine targeted the root of the problem rather than treat its symptoms. These “cures” ranged from specific activities such as the famous Thomsonian steam bath in which a patient drank a mix of cayenne pepper and laxatives while sitting in a sauna, to common herbal medicines. Ardent Thomsonianists publicly denounced doctors who practiced blood-letting and used harmful or toxic drugs such as Opium, Laudanum, and the mercury solution Calomel. These cures purported to solve illness without invasive procedures. Through natural substances—only compounds easily derived from plants—they promoted a holistic view of the human body, targeting both physical and emotional unwellness. The historic News Paper Collection in the Dutchess County Historical Society’s archive, replete with signs of this system, shows the range of these Thomsonian remedies. One notice, included in an 1836 issue of Poughkeepsie Journal advertised “syrup of Liverwort,” “Cephalic Snuff,” and “Concentrated Syrup of Sarsaparilla” all made in Thomsonian fashion with “medicinal herbs, extracts, and ointments.” Another, published in an 1841 issue of the Poughkeepsie Telegraph, claimed that all-natural vegetable pills sold in every town in Dutchess would cure any fever, “Bilious Cholic, Dypensia, heart burn, and Female Weakness.” These local examples aptly demonstrates both the range of uses and the variety of material claimed by the Thomsonianist. Through cures like this, the movement attempted to empower individual health. Under the Thomsonian system, patients had full control over the administration of treatments. Informally trained practitioners and local Thomsonian publications could recommend cures that could be purchased at Thomsonian stores, but nothing was prescribed. Thus, easily applied and widely applicable cures had the greatest appeal. The movement grew as stories of miraculous cures spread throughout the county. Outside of New England, New York had the largest community of Thomsonianists, and Poughkeepsie functioned as a locus for the state’s Thomsonian movement during its formative years. Indeed, as the Poughkeepsie Eagle noted in 1837, the city was quickly becoming the meeting place of Thomsonian medical conferences and the State’s Thomsonian Medical Society. The most prominent local Thomsonian was Thomas Lapham (b. c.1780). Lapham ran a clinic, store, and school for the new systems treatments on the North end Catherine Street in Poughkeepsie. In May of 1838 Lapham along with local businessman A. H. Platt printed the inaugural issue of the Poughkeepsie Thomsonian a bi-monthly newspaper that detailed, remedies, clinics, and testimonies. Each issue of the Poughkeepsie Thomsonian offered to “Let a knowledge of the healing art be diffused among the people,” a nod to the broader movement’s desire to make medical knowledge public. The publication’s readership rapidly expanded, distributing thousands of papers, reflecting the movement’s success in the county with dozens of practicing offices and several Thomsonian societies. The zenith of Dutchess Thomsoniansm can be seen in medical publications where the Thomsonians of Dutchess County gain national attention. In 1840, the editors of the Poughkeepsie Thomsonian—facing harsh criticism over the validity of the medical system—called for the creation of an informative almanac. Originally used as a tool to chart stellar movements and weather, by the 19th century almanacs were full of informative articles that often looked at personal health, farming, and history. Their reputation for credibility made them the most popular serial publication after newspapers. Lapham and Platt called for a national publication based in Poughkeepsie titled the United States Thomsonian Almanac (or Poughkeepsie Thomsonian Almanac). In his appeal, Lapham described almanacs as “powerful auxiliaries [for] advancing the Thomsonian system.” During a meeting of notable practitioners later that year Poughkeepsie’s request was accepted. While several other communities already had established and successful almanacs, Thomsonianists in Poughkeepsie distinguished their book by adding several new cures that existed outside of Thomson’s system. They even provided a detailed history of several. In doing this, they promoted unapproved herbs which they claimed better regulated the body’s blood and had a wider historical use. Left: Title page of the United States Thomson Almanac published in Poughkeepsie, 1840. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions. The movement’s founder declared the United States Thomsonian Almanac dangerous, claiming the additions would harm any who used them and had no place in the medical system. However, the damage had already been done as Lapham and Platt shipped thousands of copies throughout New York and the country. Amongst practicing Thomsonists the book received high praise. The Botanico-Medical Recorder in Cincinnati, Ohio deemed it “admirably well calculated” and called for all Thomsonians in the West to “exert himself to circulate this almanac.” Despite its success, issues with nonconformity prevented further publications of the almanac. However,