In His Own Words!

During the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Open House at KDH, I fielded a number of questions of who Henry Delord was and how did he come to be in Plattsburgh. Due to time and people’s attention spans, I give the short version of his history, that is: Henry immigrated to the U.S. from France by way of the Caribbean; settled first near the Quaker Union in Peru; bought this house (now museum) and moved to Plattsburgh where his business interests were flourishing. Then the story usually focuses on his part in the Battle of Plattsburgh—how he and his partner William Bailey allowed the troops to buy supplies on credit in their business, the Red Store. Then we sort of skip over to the part where he went bankrupt due to the U.S. Government not making good on those I.O.U.s and consequently Henry’s house and household items being sold in a sheriff’s auction.

 

The longer story is fascinating especially since we can read it in his own words!

 

Since he left Nimes , France in 1784 at age twenty to seek his fortune in the Caribbean, Henry had no contact with his family. The following is an excerpt from a letter Henry wrote on May 14, 1820, to his sister after finally finding that she was the last of his family surviving in his homeland.   This part of the letter, written in French (Henry’s native language), documents those early events of his life as Henry saw them.   The original letters are in SUNY Plattsburgh Special Collections. The translation of the letters was done sometime in the 1990s by a dedicated Museum Volunteer, Denise Debevec. Even though Henry’s penmanship was precise, age and deterioration of paper and ink made some words unreadable/illegible.

 

My dear sister,

To inform you of all what happened to me at Ste. Lucie and of the causes of these events, I start with the year 1789; the troubles and misfortunes/calamities of the revolution [French Revolution] started to be felt in the island because of the (illegible) of the National Assembly—a Colonial Assembly was elected by the inhabitants—to which Assembly I was elected every year until 1794. The island had been spared the (illegible) which were threatening it. To tell you all the (illegible), horrors and (illegible) that were perpetrated would make you blood freeze from fright and would renew for me that (illegible). It is better to pass over it in silence/to ignore them.

 

The island was conquered by the English in April of the same year [1794]—a few days after several inhabitants who were considered dangerous or (illegible) were arrested and sent to London. At that time I was chosen against my will Commissar for the district of the Old Fort, where I lived—after 6 months of peaceful possession by the British, a general rebellion occurred in the island, caused by the (illegible) of a certain Victor Hughes who had already taken over the island of Guadeloupe. At that time everything was in an appalling condition and I cannot describe you the terror and dismay which were (illegible). Arson (illegible) in the streets everywhere, the farms burning. Under these terrible calamities I was caught by those cannibals who invented (illegible) unknown to (illegible)—my properties were confiscated; I lost everything which was dear to me and was reduced to the most miserable condition—and every moment expecting to be murdered. They took the island from the English and organized it according to their ferocious system. A certain (illegible) was dispatched, from Guadeloupe to administer the island—their treasurer being sick, I was then taken away from the (illegible) of slavery I was in and put in charge of the Treasure [Treasury?].

 

In May 1796 the English under the Generals Albercromby and John Moor took the island back from these murderers. I was again detained and forced to act under General Moor.   My health being at that time very poor because of the miseries, cruelties and sufferings I had sustained—exhausted by fatigue and pain I decided to leave the island forever—which was difficult—nevertheless I was lucky enough to be granted permission upon my word of honour—that I would remain in the United States during the war which was prevailing between England and France and having accepted these conditions I left this fateful island in September 1796 and landed/docked in New York the following October.

 

Bored by the confusion which prevails in big towns, after recovering, I came to the location where I now reside there after learning about the people and the language I rented a store and in less that 16 years I was able to earn enough to look forward to returning home with at least 500,000 pounds in gold.

 

In June 1812 unfortunately a war was declared between England and this country–Plattsburgh was invaded by the English in July 1813 [Murray’s Raid]—everything was (illegible). The loss of that day was only 30,000 pounds. The English retreated. Our American government had the place fortified and garrisoned. The members in the Congress did not agree concerning the war expenses, the government had financial difficulties and was short of money. The large army we had here did not receive their pay and became (illegible). The Generals told me their difficulties and fears and I felt it my duty under so (illegible) circumstances to help them providing for the troop what was necessary. On September 11, 1814 Plattsburgh was again attacked by the English (with their hordes of savages) by land and by the waters of that Lake Champlain on which shore the city is located. The English took a part of Plattsburgh, they commandeered the house in which I am now. My loses that second time were heavier that the first time. The English were [illegible] to retreat with the loss of their fleet and the land army was [illegible]. You cannot [illegible] my dear Julie the awful events I eye-witnessed and so often, that I believe it is astonishing that I am still alive.

 

On February 10, 1815 I had [illegible] an attack of rheumatism that they feared for my life, I suffered a great deal, I was 18 months weak and convalescent to the point that I could not take care of my businesses. Thanks to God it is the only malady I suffered since in this country—since then my health has always been good. Unluckily for me during my sickness, of the troops to which I had lent so much money, half was discharged without pay—the other half was kept in service but in New Orleans. My losses during the war amount of 4000,000 pounds—what I own here is in real estate land and houses (in this town) the interest is enough, so that without being rich, we live comfortably if we are thrifty. The house we live in is ours, it is large and eminent, the garden covers about 5 acres. How happy we would be to have you and my Aunt Catherine here with us.

 

In July 1817 the President of the United States came to visit Plattsburgh. He stayed 2 days here and spent most of his time in my home. He is well learned and has an excellent heart. He is esteemed and respected like a good King. My letter is already so long. My dear Julie, that I am afraid to annoy you but let me ask you to send me a memorandum with the age of our father, mother, brothers, sisters as well as our Aunt Susan Delord—that will give me great satisfaction—would make my wife and my dear Francoise [Frances Henrietta] very happy too.

              President James Monroe’s invitation to dine with “Judge de Lord” 

Henry’s correspondence to France began in 1819 with a letter to a judge in Nimes requesting information on his family. Early the next year, Henry was thrilled to get a letter from his sister, Julie. Over the next four years the siblings exchanged letters detailing their lives. Even Betsey wrote to her newly discovered sister-in-law, which Henry translated into French. After Henry died in 1825, Betsey continued the correspondence, when she could find someone to translate for her, with the last letter we have dated 1830. Julie died in 1832, which necessitated Frances Henrietta to hasten her wedding date in order to go to Nimes, France and collect her inheritance, as she was the last of the Delord family.

Portrait of Henry Delord

by Abraham G.D. Tuthill

c.1818

 

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Odds & Ends

What’s In A Name – The Final Episode!

I counted over 500 roadways on a current map of the greater Plattsburgh Area (available at the Chamber of Commerce and other locations!) Comparing this to the 1877 and 1899 maps, you can see the tremendous expansion of our city. I’ve given you some of the history of the street names, but here’s some other little bits of street trivia that I call Odds & Ends.

1907 postcard of Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY

Some streets are named for what or where they are

Bridge Street was called that because the main feature is the bridge. The street was first constructed on March 24, 1800. The bridge has been replaced several times.

When the new Bridge Street Bridge opened on Nov. 11, 1930, a crowd of around 5,000 spectators turned out for a military and civic parade led by the 26^th Infantry Band and 26^th Infantry color Guard. A dedication ceremony featured an address by the New York State Historical Society President. A plaque was placed on the bridge to commemorate the event and the fact that the bridge was built by local artisans using local stone.

 

The stone construction replaced the old steel truss bridge.  The Wonderland Theatre, the first movie house in Plattsburgh, was demolished to make way for a stone staircase leading down to a park alongside the Saranac River toward the Macdonough Monument..

Division Street got it’s name from a division of the New York Stock Exchange that set up a ticker in the late 1920s in the rear of the Witherill Hotel.

Protection Avenue was first called Church Alley (because it connected Margaret St. to the Churches on Oak St.) It was renamed because the village police station and a number of the early volunteer Fire Companies were located there.

Broad St was, well, broad (wide). Nathaniel Platt owned a number of lots in the vicinity of Broad Street and was responsible for the extra width of that street. His exact reason for that has been lost to history.

Oak Street was originally named Boynton Lane in 1805, but shortly after it was called Lover’s Lane. At this time the street only extended from Broad St. to Cornelia. By the 1820s the street had been extended to Boynton Ave. and was named Oak Street for the “magnificent” old oak tree that stood in front of the Oak Tree Inn (now where Stafford Middle School is located). There were no other oak trees on the street and now there isn’t even that one!

I’ll let you guess the origin of Court Street! (Hint: look at the building on the corner at Margaret St.)

The old Court House and the Cumberland Hotel across the street.  Notice the plank  sidewalk!!

Then there was the street that wasn’t

On some very early city maps you might find Gold Street. It was never completed. The plan was to connect Brinkerhoff St. to Court St., but that would have removed some valuable business real estate. So plans were abandoned. Today you can see where it was started with the alley on Brinkerhoff St. next to the State Bank of Albany.

See the entire 1852 map of the city in the Plattsburgh Public Library

And then there was the misspelled street name

The early settlers in the vicinity of Main Mill Street were from the state of Maine. Some how the “e” was lost!

The Rattlesnake Den and The Dog Kennel Corner

At the corner of Margaret and Bridge streets stood the 2-story stone Clinton County Bank owned and occupied in 1846 by Amos Prescott as a jewelry, stationery, and book store. After the fire of 1849, Prescott rebuilt and continued his business. He was a “soft shell” Democrat but after the Fremont campaign became a Republican, and his store was a headquarters for the Republicans. In derision it was called the “rattlesnake den,” and the corner was “Rattlesnake corner,” a favorite loafing spot. The Democratic headquarters was the store of William Reed across the street, and this was known as the “dog kennel.” It is said that from morning till evening when the church bell rang at nine o’clock, Samuel Couch, Tarleton, and others talked politics in the Prescott store.*

*Old Plattsburgh by Marjorie Lansing Porter, 1944.

The Rattlesnake Den and Dog Kennel Corner became more commonly known in the early 1900s as Cady’s Corner.  The Cady Drug Store was a local landmark.

Early streets were just dirt roads. Streets were either dusty or muddy. One 19^th century resident told about the “good old days” when crossing Bridge Street meant slogging through deep mud and driving with mud to the hubs of the carriage wheels. In 1849, the Plattsburgh-Saranac plank road was built. Hemlock planks were used through the Plattsburgh section.  Street paving didn’t happen until the 20^th century.

Street Firsts!

Richard Yates erected the first lamppost at the corner of Broad and Margaret Streets in 1836. His intent was to promote street lighting. He must have been successful as a few years later Jonas Maurice was elected by the Village Board to light the street lamps in the city.

The first street number was posted on a Bridge St. business in December 1850. William K. Dana erected a 7 ft. long oval white porcelain sign on which a large number 1 was painted in black.

Plattsburgh’s first sidewalk was laid on Durkee St. in July 1851. Made of hemlock planks 1½ inch thick, it was a fashionable promenade at the time. Early each evening villagers gravitated in that direction to stroll and exchange pleasantries of the day.

Now one last tidbit of street lore:

The street now called Cumberland Avenue was formerly know as Bellevue Avenue, and before that it was called Chemin du Roi – a nod to the early French influence in our region.  Nuns from Montreal rented a frame building (near where the Elk’s building is today) from Henry Delord. The nuns provided it as a hospital during the Battle of Plattsburgh in the War of 1812.

A c.1915 view of the Delord House on Cumberland Avenue

You are invited to visit the Kent-Delord House Museum at 17 Cumberland Avenue. Our tours will give you more information about the history of Plattsburgh and the fascinating role that three generations of the Delord family played in its growth!

Thanks for stopping by.  More nuggets of Plattsburgh history will be coming your way soon!!

Founding Fathers, Local Heroes, and National Leaders

What’s In A Name  part III

In 1785 the founding fathers of the small hamlet of Plattsburgh gathered to create a government and lay out the main roads of the village. By 1798 Plattsburgh’s population was around 250 people. There were four main thoroughfares that led from the surrounding countryside to the mills along the river in the hamlet. They consisted of Cumberland Head Road, another connected to Beekman’s Patent (Beekmantown), South Street that led past the blacksmith shop to the west and southwest area of the township, and the last was the Peru Road.

As the village of Plattsburgh grew so did the number of roads. Not having GPS or Google maps to aid in giving directions, the founding fathers used the houses of prominent citizens or local landmarks to identify and name those roads. Thus we find a significant number of our city streets today are named for early settlers, local and national heroes and what was on or near the road.

So, examining the names of many of Plattsburgh’s streets has become quite a history lesson! Let’s continue…

Plattsburgh’s Illustrious Leaders

South Platt Street

While it was Zephaniah Platt who secured title to 33,000 acres along Lake Champlain, it was his brother Charles who was the first to actually build a home on that land in 1785. Even though there were 32 other individuals who invested in the land venture, it was the Platt family who organized and led the venture. Thus, the new community was called Plattsburgh. The members of the family were respected leaders and businessmen, so they were also honored with a street named after the family. Earlier I told you that Platt Street in the French Quarter was renamed in 1909 to Montcalm Avenue, but there was another road in the southern area designated as S. Platt Street. So the family didn’t lose out on having their name on a street too.

This Platt family tree shows the descendants of Zephaniah Platt. Hand-drawn by Charles Platt in 1761. Located in the Plattsburgh Public Library.

Bailey Avenue

William Bailey was a prominent businessman, landowner, judge, and civic leader in the early 1800s. He was a partner with Henry Delord in the Red Store. Bailey owned a large tract of land in the north end of the village. His son John named a street after him as neighborhoods began to develop in that area. The Bailey home still sits on a portion of that land off Cornelia Street today.

The original 1795 Bailey house burned down in 1822, but was rebuilt in 1825 into the current stone house.

Boynton Avenue

Captain Joseph Boynton built and sailed vessels on Lake Champlain as early as 1805. During the War of 1812 hostilities, two of his boats were seized (and then purchased) by the American government and added to Macdonough’s fleet.

Beekman Street

William Beekman of New York City held the patent (ownership) on what is now Beekmantown. The street now named for him was originally a road that ran more or less directly into the settlement of Beekmantown.

Palmer Street

This street was named for Judge John Palmer, one of the first trustees when the Village was incorporated in 1815. He was also on the first Board of Trustees of Plattsburgh Academy and served as the village District Attorney in 1818. He married Peter Sailly’s daughter, Charlotte and was the father of Peter Sailly Palmer, an historian and author of comprehensive histories of Plattsburgh and Lake Champlain (from which I got some of this information!)

Miller Street

Dr. John Miller came to Plattsburgh in 1795. He was considered a “pioneer physician,” making his calls on horseback with his saddlebags as his medical bag. He was one of the founding members of Plattsburgh’s first medical society in 1807. By then the number of doctors in Plattsburgh had risen to four!

Durkee Street

Once called Mill Alley, the road from Broad to Bridge Streets was renamed to honor Sheldon Durkee. This road was the first street formally laid out in the settlement. The Durkee family house was located at the south end of the street. Durkee was considered one of the heroes of the Battle of Plattsburgh as he, with two other Americans, were shooting at the advancing enemy when they suddenly surprised three British soldiers. As one of the Americans was wounded and the other went for help, Durkee marched the prisoners by himself into camp. Asked how he managed to bring them in, Durkee is said to have replied, “I surrounded them.”

Brinkerhoff Street

Abraham Brinkerhoff owned a large tract of land in the center of the settlement. In 1811, a committee established to build a school purchased land from Brinkerhoff for $100. It was on the corner of Oak Street and, at that time, a “contemplated” street that became Brinkerhoff Street. Abraham gave much of the land around the street to his daughter, who then donated some of it for the building of the First Presbyterian Church. Hiram Walworth, a reporter for the Plattsburgh Republican, wrote that the street was named in honor of Abraham’s wife, Mary Platt Brinkerhoff, daughter of Zephaniah Platt.

The original First Presbyterian Church was under construction when the Battle of Plattsburgh was fought. British used the church as a cavalry barracks. American forces fired on the Church during the battle. Construction was completed in 1816. However, during the fire of 1867, the church along with 70 other buildings in the city were destroyed.

 

 

Green Street

Green street connects Bridge Street to the Saranac River. The inn on the corner, built on the foundation of the first building in a prior settlement, was owned by Isaac Green and his wife. For a long time this place was the community center of Plattsburgh. A victory celebration for Thomas Macdonough was held there and in 1817 President James Monroe was entertained there by the village’s citizenry.  Formal dance parties were held there regularly and civic group held meetings in the upstairs rooms of the tavern.

1852 Map of Plattsburgh. Located in the Plattsburgh Public Library

Count Charles de Fredenburg, a Captain in the British Army received a English land grant to settle the area along Lake Champlain in 1767. A small community had started when the Revolution forced the families back to safety in Canada. De Fredenburg returned to find everything in the settlement burned to the ground. He stayed for a while, but eventually it is said that he became mentally unbalanced and was never seen again. When his heirs tried to claim the land, their title proved worthless.

 Weed Street

Smith Mead Weed, a graduate of Harvard Law School, was an influential businessman and politician. During the second half of the 19^th century, Weed served multiple terms representing Clinton County in the NY Assembly and was a delegate to the 1876 and 1884 Democratic Nation Conventions. Through his political influence, the Delaware and Hudson Railroad extended their tracks all the way from New York City through Plattsburgh to Montreal.

Weed also developed a park with a fountain and gazebo on the banks of the Saranac River across from his home on Cumberland Avenue.

 Couch Street

Named for Samuel Couch, a fervent Republican who was usually found on “Rattlesnake Corner”. (I’ll tell you about this in the next episode!)  He was the city coroner during the first part of the 1800s.   Anne Gilliland, early City Historian, related an amusing story: “A letter was once addressed to some person on Sofa Street, which of course, puzzled the post office personnel, until a quick-witted young lady solved the problem and the letter reached its destination.”

The City Fathers had seen fit through the years to also honor military heroes, Macdonough and Macomb, Civil War Generals Sheridan and Sherman with street names, as well as numerous U.S. Presidents, Grant, Lincoln, Monroe, Roosevelt, Truman, and McKinley. In fact, Hotel Champlain on Bluff Point served as the summer White House in both 1897 and 1899 for President McKinley and staff. The McKinleys believed that the hotel’s water had beneficial effects on their health. Subsequent historians question the wisdom of this decision. A document provided to the Assembly of New York later attributed a typhoid outbreak amongst hotel staff to the unsanitary properties of the water.

President McKinley and staff at Champlain Hotel.

 I know I haven’t described all the streets named after important and not-so-important citizens and others, but I have given you the highlights…

However, there is one more episode in this series to come! Stay tuned!!

Another source:

Plattsburgh, New York – A City’s First Century, Richard Frost, 2002.

The French Connection

What’s In A Name?  Part II

In 1785 a group of men established a settlement on Lake Champlain at the mouth of the Saranac River. Led by Zephaniah Platt, Melancton Smith, Ezara l’Hommediey, Thomas Treadwell, and joined in short time by Peter Sailly, the new village of Plattsburgh was created.

Drawn by the abundance of natural resources and new opportunities, more settlers began to make this area home including many French and French Canadians. What better way to acknowledge their impact on Plattsburgh than to name streets after some of the more illustrious persons.

Delord Street

Our own Henry (née Henri) Delord was one of the “movers & shakers” in the early growth of Plattsburgh. An immigrant from Nimes, France by way of the Caribbean, Henry embraced his adopted land becoming a landowner, businessman, judge, and community leader. During the Battle of Plattsburgh, he risked his business for the American forces, only to see that patriotism lead to his bankruptcy. (It’s a fascinating story folks! Visit the Kent-Delord House Museum to find out more!!)

Sailly Avenue

Delord’s friend and neighbor Peter Sailly was born in the Lorraine region of France. As a young man he had served in a corps of soldiers who were bodyguards for King Louis XVI. Having inherited heavy family debts in France, Sailly with his wife and children immigrated to the US for a new start in 1784. Traveling throughout New York State, he was taken with what he saw as unlimited possibilities in the Lake Champlain region. The next year the Saillys joined the Platt group settling in Plattsburgh. He began to prosper trading in potash, timber, and furs. He was active in community affairs and elected to numerous political positions including serving in the House of Representatives (1805-1807). In 1809, Sailly was appointed Collector of Customs by Pres. Jefferson and served in that capacity until his death in 1826.

(btw: According to one of Peter’s descendants, the correct pronunciation of the name is “Sul-lee”!)

The French Quarter

In the mid-19^th century a large number of Quebecois had settled in this area seeking industrial jobs. St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church was started by the Oblate Fathers of Mary Immaculate Missionaries from Canada in 1853 to meet the spiritual needs of those French-speaking residents in Plattsburgh. The neighborhood near the Church became known as the “French Quarter” and the streets named accordingly.

St. Charles Place

Father Sallz, an early priest of St. Peter’s, named the street in honor of Charles Auguste, Bishop of Nancy, France.

Montcalm Avenue

Originally this street was called “Stove Pipe Street” since all its houses didn’t have chimneys, just stovepipes sticking out.  It was later named Platt St.   In 1909 as part of the City’s 300^th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s entrance to the lake that bears his name, the street was re-named in honor of the French general Louis Joseph Montcalm commander of French forces during the French and Indian Wars. Montcalm died defending Quebec in the 1759 Battle of the Plains of Abraham.

Champlain Street

Come on—I think the name Samuel de Champlain is imprinted on the brains of everyone who lives in the North Country!! There had to be a street named in his honor!! Did you know we don’t really know what Champlain looked like? All the images we have are just artist representations of how they think he might have appeared. The only real image we have is a drawing by Champlain in his 1609 journal, depicting a battle between Iroquois and Algonquian tribes near Lake Champlain.

Lafayette Street

Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, known simply as Lafayette, was a key figure in both the American and French Revolutions.

For his leadership and bravery during the Revolution, Maryland made Lafayette a “natural born citizen” of that state in 1784. This made him a natural born citizen of the United States when the Constitution was adopted in 1789!

Frances Henrietta Delord Webb met Lafayette during her honeymoon trip through Europe in 1833. Her journal describes the visit: “Tuesday, April 8, Attended a Soiree at Madame Curtis’. Met with a host of Americans. Lafayette with three granddaughters were there. I conversed for a long time with him. He expressed to me his strong attachment to America. He appears to retain the faculties of his mind most remarkably [age76]. He invited us to visit La Grange [Lafayette’s home]. Both Frances Henrietta and Lafayette died the next year.

Two other city streets with a French connection are:

Lorraine Street

No, it is not a woman’s name! Peter Sailly came from this region in France.

Durand Street

Named in honor of Marinus Durand a French immigrant (also from Nimes!) who married Peter Sailly’s daughter. He served as deputy Collector of Customs and was a Quartermaster during the War of 1812.

!899 Bird’s Eye View map of Plattsburgh

The naming of our city streets is proving to be quite a lesson in the history of Plattsburgh!! 

Keep checking this blog—there’s more to come!!

 

Thank You!

THANK YOU to Mayor Read, Mr. Farrington, and all the other City staff responsible for the quick response to correcting the street sign honoring Lucretia Davidson!

Why Is Lucretia Davidson important in Plattsburgh’s history?

Lucretia Maria Davidson was born Sept. 27, 1808 to Dr. Oliver Davidson and his wife, Margaret Miller Davidson. Her father was one of the first four physicians in the young settlement of Plattsburg. The family struggled not only financially but also personally.  Of the ten children born to the couple, only four survived to adolescence and only two of those lived to adulthood.

Here’s an interesting aside: Dr. Davidson designed the weather vane that capped the newly built Plattsburg Academy in 1811. It depicted an angel blowing the trumpet of fame. Unfortunately, the Academy was completely destroyed by fire in Nov. 1871 and the weather vane lost.

When Plattsburg Academy opened in 1811, Lucretia, then 4 years old, attended to learn to read and write Roman letters (today this is printed letters in all caps). This is when her family discovered her first poetic attempts. Lucretia, mortified that others were seeing her work, burned all of them. She had learned script by the time she was seven and then began almost a decade of prolific writing. Encouraged by her mother, also a writer, she was continually composing poetry, often stopping all other activity to steal away and write the thoughts spilling into her head.

When Lucretia was 15, she received a scholarship to attend the Willard School in Troy, NY.  However, too much attention to her studies and not enough to her health force Lucretia to return to Plattsburgh a short time later.   After her recovery, she went to Miss Gilbert’s school in Albany, but three short months later she returned home gravely ill. Lucretia died at age 16 years and 11 months from consumption, now called tuberculosis.

Although Lucretia was prone to destroying the poems she decided didn’t meet her standards (estimated to be about 1/3^rd of all her writing), she left behind 278 completed works – an amazing amount of poetry for such a young person. These works were praised by a number of notable writers of that time period including Edgar Allan Poe. Samuel F. B. Morse wrote a glowing biographical sketch of her which was published in 1829.

Other interesting asides: The youngest Davidson, Margaret, was only 2 yrs. old when Lucretia died. She also began to write poetry at a young age and by ten years old had written a drama (in two days) which she and some friends performed. Sadly, like her sister, Margaret succumbed to consumption shortly before her 16^th birthday. The family had moved to Ballston Spa in 1833 in hopes that environment would be beneficial to the health of both mother and daughter. Margaret’s writing had caught the attention of Washington Irving, of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” fame, who wrote a glowing biography/eulogy of the young poet.

The Davidson house in Plattsburgh was next door to the Delord house on Cumberland Avenue. Frances Henrietta Delord and both Davidson girls knew each other and, although not in the same grade, attended Plattsburg Academy.  When Frances Henrietta died in 1834, Margaret wrote a 13-verse tribute to her and sent it to Betsey Delord.  Margaret had just move from Plattsburgh the previous year.

The complete works of the Davidson sisters were published together in 1850

What’s In A Name?!

Quick question: What is the most common street name in the United States?

No-don’t Google it!! Just give the first answer that comes into your head!

Asking this question in my small (not very scientific) survey, I found that the majority of people gave “Main” as the #1 answer.

WRONG!

According to the top websites on this question the answer is either “Second” or “Park.”  While the City of Plattsburgh does have a Park Avenue, there is no street named Second. It is also interesting to note that in New York State “Park” leads the list of most common names, but “Second” is not even in the top ten.

Why am I talking about street names? Well, the other day I was driving on N. Catherine St., turned onto Cornelia St. and then onto Margaret St., when it popped into my mind that quite a few of the city’s streets are named for women! Mind you these are not little side streets, these are some of the main thoroughfares in the city. This led to the larger questions: 1. How did all the streets in Plattsburgh come to be named, and 2. Why are the main ones named for women?

On June 16, 1785, Plattsburgh’s first town meeting was held at the home of Judge Charles Platt. Three men were elected commissioners of Highway and they soon laid out the principal roads of the town (city) that remain today.

Let’s start our “walk-about” with the streets named for women.

The main road through early Plattsburgh was named in honor of the “bright little Quaker” mother of Col. Melancton Smith (U.S. Army) and Capt. Sidney Smith (U.S. Navy), Margaret Mott Smith. Margaret’s husband Jude Melancton Smith was an officer during the American Revolution. He represented Duchess County in the first provincial congress as well as in the convention meeting in 1778 to consider the Constitution of the U.S.   Smith along with the Platts were the original proprietors of Plattsburgh.

Margaret Street circa 1895

Col. Melancton Smith named a new street, then hardly more than a lane running west, for his young wife, Cornelia. He also named Elizabeth Street for his sister, Elizabeth Gilman. She was married to Henry S. Johnson, one of the up-and-coming lawyers in early Plattsburgh.

Grave of Cornelia Smith wife of Col. Melancton Smith in Riverside Cemetery

When Gilead Sperry gave the village of Plattsburgh a portion of land for a street to run to the south, his wife was given the honor of it being named for her, Catherine Kilburn Marsh. In an1822 newspaper article it was stated that she spelled her name with a “K” and the road was originally referred to as Katherine Street.

The Hon. J. Douglas Woodward was renowned for his efforts in laying out and improving the city’s streets as well as “living a pure life.”   The city honored him by naming a street after his daughter Helen, who was a long-time principal of Plattsburgh High School. It is interesting that the part of what is now Brinkerhoff north of Helen was named after Woodward himself, but later it was decided to extend the Brinkerhoff name the entire length of the street.  Also the northern part of Couch Street was named after Woodward’s wife, Matilda, but again the name Couch was extended for the entire street.

Charlotte Street was named for the wife of Rev. Hiram Safford who had been a Major of the 7^th regiment of the Reg. N.Y. Volunteers. Charlotte was a granddaughter of Israel Green, proprietor of the renowned tavern in Plattsburgh. Charlotte St. ran from Bridge St to the Old Roman Catholic Cemetery where it then became Peru St.  Let me warn you before you go looking for this street on the city map – it’s not there any more!   At some time after the late 1970s, the entire street became  Peru St.

Bird’sEye View Map showing location of Charlotte St. in 1899

Marion Street was named for the wife of Judge William P. Mooers who owned the land adjacent to the road.

Grace Avenue was a relatively new street addition in the 1930s. It was named after Grace Healey, wife of Samuel Healey, one of the developers of that area of the city.

One last interesting street named after a Plattsburgh female is Lucretia-Davi(d)son Dr.** This is a 20^th century addition to our street names. There are no houses along it since it is a very short connector from Byrne Lane going north around the U.S. Oval.   One might think that length mirrors Lucretia’s life.   She began writing poetry at age four and died just short of her 17^th birthday. Her poetry caught the attention of notable writers including Edgar Allan Poe…but that’s a story for another time.

**You probably notice the misspelling in Lucretia’s name. After calling this to the attention of City officials, they said the sign would be corrected.

It is a testament to the early leaders of Plattsburgh that they wanted to immortalize their mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters by naming the city’s streets after them.

(This is part I of a series on the names of Plattsburgh’s city streets)

Keep checking this blog—there’s more to come!!

Sources:

Three Centuries in the Champlain Valley, Mrs. Geo. F. Tuttle 1909

Press Republican,        Jan. 7, 1935 & Mar. 1-5, 1982

Old Plattsburgh, Marjorie Lansing Porter 1944

Commemorating Veterans Day 2016

In commemorating this year’s Veterans Day, I’d like to reprint an article from the Summer 1986 Quarterly Newsletter of the Kent-Delord House Museum .

Reverend Hall and the Medal of Honor

By James J. Reh

The Reverend Francis Bloodgood Hall (1827-1903), husband of Fannie Delord Hall, was the second chaplain in the history of the United States to be awarded the Medal of Honor. The medal is on display in the Kent-Delord House Museum.

 

“He who possesses the Medal of Honor is the holder of the highest military award for bravery that can be given to any individual in the United States of America.” (From the official publication of the Department of the Army, The Medal of Honor.)

 

The Medal of Honor was first authorized by Congress and approved by President Abraham Lincoln on December 21, 1861 for enlisted men of the United States Navy. The authorization was later amended to include officers as well as enlisted men of the army and navy, with eligibility for award retroactive to the beginning of the Civil War. The medal was to be awarded only to those who most distinguished themselves by their gallantry in action. This first official badge of honor authorized in the United States eventually became fixed at the apex of a “Pyramid of Honor,” after additional medals were authorized to be awarded in ascending degrees of service or valor. Because the medal is presented in the name of the Congress of the United States, it is often referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor.

“Voluntarily exposed himself to a heavy fire during the thickest of the fight and carried wounded men to the rear for treatment and attendance.

Salem Heights, Virginia, 3 May 1863.”

 

So reads the formal citation for Reverend Hall’s Medal of Honor. He was 36 years of age when he performed his heroic feat in the Civil War during the Chancellorsville Campaign, and was serving the last few weeks of his brief service as Chaplain of the 16^th New York volunteer Regiment. In fact, the Battle of Salem Heights was the Regiment’s last battle. Organized soon after the outbreak of the Civil War, the 16^th New York, composed of men from Clinton, Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties, was officially activated in May, 1861 for a two year tour of duty. It became part of General McClellan’s Army of the Potomac. The Regiment saw a great deal of action during the war, including the battles of 1^st Bull Run, West Point, Gaines’ Mill, Glendale, Crampton’s Pass, Antietam and Salem Heights.

Reverend Hall was actually the Regiment’s third chaplain. He was preceded by Royal B. Stratton and Andrew M. Millar, both of whom resigned due to ill health. Nominated as a replacement in October, 1862 by his friend, Lt. Colonel Franklin Palmer of C Company, Hall reported for duty at White Oak Church, Virginia in early December,1862. At the time of his nomination, he was pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Luzerne, New York. The Battle of Salem Heights represented his only engagement under fire; he was mustered out of service along with the regiment on May 22, 1863. His brief but distinguished service made a lasting impression on many of his comrades for in addition to his gallantry inaction, he was an outdoorsman who did not mind sharing the privations of military camp live with them. He also won their respect by his sincere and tireless efforts in the administration of his duties, and he refused all pay for his services. Reverend Hall especially impressed the man who recommended him for the Medal of Honor 33 years after the battle.

John C. Gilmore was a major in F Company, 16^th New York volunteers. Later promoted to Lt. Colonel of the 93^rd New York, he was mustered out of service in 1866. Gilmore re-entered the regular army as a 2^nd Lieutenant and after a long and distinguished career, he retired as a Brigadier General. During the late fall of 1896, he was a lt. Colonel, serving in Washington, D.C., as Assistant Adjutant General. In his letter of recommendation to Colonel Frederick Grayton Ainsworth, Record and Pension Division, War Department, Washington, D.C., dated December 15, 1896, Gilmore chronicled Reverend Hall’s actions during the Battle of Salem Heights and explained the reason for his belated recommendation:

Sir:

I have the honor to recommend that Reverend Hall, late Chaplain, 16^th New York Volunteers Infantry, be granted a Medal of Honor for his brave conduct at the Battle of Salem Heights, Virginia, May 3, 1863. Chaplain Hall did voluntarily come, during the hardest fighting with his horse, to the left of the regiment and carried wounded men upon his horse to the rear for proper care and attendance. I saw him do this several times during the engagement, and it is possible that he did more than I noticed for I was busy with other matters.

Major Gilmore was indeed “busy with other matters.” The citation for his Medal of Honor, awarded for his actions during the same battle reads, “seized the colors of his regiment and gallantly rallied his men under a very severe fire.”

After documenting the severity of the battle that cost the 16^th New York 154 casualties, Gilmore concluded his letter by stating:

I therefore earnestly recommend him for a Medal of Honor and trust that it will meet with approval. This only occurred to me a few days since as I read in a newspaper that a chaplain had been awarded a Medal [of Honor] for service in battle. I have never mentioned this matter to chaplain Hall in any way whatsoever, and knowing him as I do, he is the last man in the world who would ever think of being rewarded for his act.

 

                                                                     Very respectfully,

                                                                      J.C. Gilmore

                                                                       Late Major, 16^th New York

                                                                       Volunteers Infantry

                                                                        Now Lt. Colonel, A.A.G.

 

Before he read the newspaper article, it apparently had not occurred to Gilmore that persons designated as non-combatants might be eligible to receive the Medal of Honor. The chaplain Lt. Colonel Gilmore read about was the Reverend Milton L. Haney of the 55^th Illinois Infantry, who “voluntarily carried a musket in the ranks of his regiment and rendered heroic service in retaking the Federal works…”at Atlanta, Georgia on July 22, 1864. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on November 3, 1896.

A third army chaplain was also awarded the Medal of Honor during the Civil War. The Reverend John M. Whitehead of the 15^th Indiana Infantry rescued wounded comrades under fire at Stone River, Tennessee on December 31, 1862. His medal was awarded on April 4, 1898.

On February 16, 1897, Reverend Hall received the following letter from the Record and Pension Office, War Department, Washington, D.C.:

Sir:

I have the honor to inform you that, by direction of the President and in accordance with the Act of Congress approved March 3, 1863 providing for the presentation of Medals of Honor…the Assistant Secretary of War has awarded you a Medal of Honor for distinguished gallantry in action at the Battle of Salem Heights, Virginia, May 3, 1863…The Medal has been forwarded to you today by registered mail. Upon the receipt of it, please advise this office thereof.

                                                                 Very respectfully,

                                                                  F.G.Ainsworth,                                                                                                

                                                                   Colonel U.S. Army

                                                                    Chief, Record and Pension

After his military service, Reverend Hall and his wife Fannie made their home in Plattsburgh in the Delord house. He founded the Peristrome Presbyterian Church in 1864 and served as its only pastor until his death in 1903. He was also unofficial chaplain of the local army barracks for a time, and, along with Fannie, performed various social services for the community. As a minister and civic leader, he served his community well in peace time, but amid the carnage of battle one spring day in 1863, Reverend Francis Bloodgood Hall also served his country well and richly deserved “the highest award for bravery that can be given to any individual in the United States of America.”

If the Walls Could Talk

Tags

Betsey Delord, Henry Delord, History, Plattsburgh (NY), war of 1812

 The past couple years have produced a flurry of renovations (restoration of the signature fence and a fresh coat of paint covering the house– so far) as the Kent-Delord House Museum gets ready to commemorate a momentous occasion—the Bicentennial of the Battle of Plattsburgh (1814-2014). The house and its residents had played significant roles in the history of Plattsburgh throughout the 19^th century.   In his book, Henry Delord and His Family, Allan S. Everest describes the house as “one of the most imposing dwellings in town.” In many of the newspaper articles of the time, the house is referred to as the Delord Mansion.

It was in this house that Henry and Betsey Delord hosted many dinner parties for family, friends, and prominent people of the day. Just after moving into the newly expanded house in 1811, the Delords hosted the wedding of Betsey’s niece, Maria Averill, to Reuben Walworth who would later be elected to the House of Representatives and then become a prominent judge in northern New York. From this time on the Delord Mansion became the “social center” of Plattsburgh. During the War of 1812, with the strong military presence in the region, the military leaders (and their wives) were frequently entertained at the house.  

            “…their hospitality became proverbial. Among the acquaintances, and sometimes lasting friendships, that they made were the military engineers, Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Totten and Colonel Josiah Snelling, naval commander Lieutenant Thomas Macdonough, military commanders Colonel Zebulon Pike and Generals George Izard and Alexander Macomb, and the President, James Monroe, whom they entertained for tea in 1817.”*                                                                                         *(Everest p.26)

 

 Dining table set as it might have been for Pres. Monroe’s visit 

The hospitality in the Delord house continued even after Henry Delord’s death in 1825. Betsey’s marriage to William Swetland in 1829 brought in the financial resources to repair the long neglected structure. The merging of the two families also introduced a new flurry of social activity, as Swetland was a prominent lawyer and civic leader. Betsey not only made the house the center of family gatherings, but also assumed the role of community hostess for many visiting politicians and dignitaries.   One of Betsey’s letters to her granddaughter Fannie in 1851 describes her efforts to entertain the visiting N.Y. Governor and wife who had arrived in Plattsburgh on short notice.

                                                                                             Plattsburgh Saturday August 30 [1851]

My dear Frances,

“I have only a few moments to inform you what has transpired since you left. Just as I was about getting into bed Mr. Swetland came home and said Gov. [Washington] Hunt & lady arrived in the evening boat, that some gentlemen called, and they were to accompany them to next day to the state prison [at Dannemora]. Quite a party of ladies were to go and we must invite them to tea. I felt as if I could not undertake it on so short a notice. It lay between Mr. Myers and us, the only prominent Whigs. I found I must do it. So Lucy Ann turned in to help me. Mrs. Kirkland came over and Mrs. Myers offered to make ice cream. We wished you was here to help us. We sent out invitations and we had quite a large number and every one seemed to enjoy themselves very much. Gov. Hunt and lady were very pleasant. I introduced all the ladies to Mrs. Hunt. Capt Wallen sang for us. Hetty and Cousin Caleb Averill gave us music with flute and piano. I was glad I had consented. Both the gov. and lady seemed pleased…”

 

The pianoforte in the Gold Parlor

Throughout the letters Betsey wrote to her beloved granddaughter, Fannie, are the descriptions of many family gatherings at the Delord house. Betsey’s details of the people, food, and entertainment were to ensure that Fannie would feel that she was also a part of the festivities.  

                                                                                                                      Plattsburgh Dec. 11, 1855

My beloved child,

“Thanksgiving Day I had all Mr. Coit’s (the minister of Trinity Episcopal Church) family but Henry Coit and Lucy Ann’s family to dinner, ten besides your grand father and myself. We had a large roast turkey, a boiled turkey with oyster sauce, fricassee chicken with toast and white gravy, a variety of vegetables, apple and pumpkin pie. Snow Ball apples & grapes; to finish off, a strong cup of coffee. I wish you had been here. They seemed to enjoy it…”

 Fannie and husband, Frank had moved to Plattsburgh for good in 1863 and settled in the house to care for her ailing grandparents. With Betsey’s death in 1870, the Delord house now belonged solely to Fannie.   While there still were the social activities for family and friends that her grandmother cultivated, the focus of the house changed. Fannie became more involved in temperance activities and medical causes as well as other social activism. The addition on the back of the house became the Cumberland Bay Works where Fannie’s patented ointment Fanoline was produced. Fannie conducted her medical practice for the poor from the house and periodically soups and stews were prepared for the poor from the kitchen.

In 1969 Mrs. John B. Kelley wrote an account of pleasant evenings spent in Fannie’s home during the early part of the century:

“Catherine helped serve and Mrs. Hall told her to set the tea tray and silver service which had been buried in the garden before the British arrived. After the main course was served, the table was crumbed and two kinds of pie brought in. We were urged to take a piece of each! Then those plates were removed, and the table crumbed again and a mound of ice cream brought in! It was flavored by vanilla beans, not extract. Needless to say we suffered and warned our guest of the desserts each time we were invited for dinner.”

 

The Delord silver tea set

 After Fannie’s death in 1913, the house was bequeathed to Physician’s Hospital. However the hospital didn’t have the means to maintain the property nor a buyer to take it off their hands. Luckily for Plattsburgh, several women carefully cared for the property until they could convince someone to recognize it’s historic value.

 First there was Fannie’s faithful housekeeper, Catherine Dowling, who would continue to take care of the house for the next decade. Some say she would charge curious visitors 25¢ to show them the historic artifacts!

 Then there was Ada Beers, the executrix of Fannie’s will. Aware of the historical significance of the contents of Fannie’s estate, she went to court and succeeded in getting many of the provisions of the will overturned. Fannie had stated she wanted all the portraits, except that of her grandfather, and all the documents to be burned. Also all the “relics and curios” in the house were to be placed in the museum in Albany if Plattsburgh had not established a local museum within three years of her death.

 Finally there was Jeannette Brookings Tuttle. The Regent of the Saranac Chapter of the D.A.R. and historian, Jeannette worked tirelessly to alert the community of the value of the Delord house. She brought visiting doctors from the local hospitals to see Fannie’s medical books (especially a valuable copy of Dr. William Beaumont’s Medical Journal) and evidence of her medical practice. Local college and high school students were brought to the house to “see” the history of the area, including the officer’s mess chest from the Battle of Plattsburgh. Jeannette was dogged in her quest to get philanthropist, William Miner, to purchase the house and invest money in its restoration. Miner set up a Board of Trustees who then received a charter from the New York State Board of Regents. The Delord Mansion became the Kent-Delord House Museum in 1928.

 Thanks to these far-sighted individuals, the Delord house continues to be a centerpiece in Plattsburgh today. The hospitality and social awareness continues with the Museum’s mission to preserve and promote the historic and cultural contributions of the structure and the three generations of Delords, as well as the myriad of friends and visitors who passed through the front (and back) door. The stories are fascinating, funny, and sometimes tragic. I’m sure there are still more that we haven’t uncovered yet.

 Ahh, if only the walls could talk!!

 

The Kent-Delord House Museum – 2014

 

Brrr!

Tags

Betsey Delord, History, Plattsburgh

“If you don’t like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.”               ― Mark Twain

 Well, Mr. Twain, I’ve been waiting but we seem to be stuck in a rut!  But then I guess I could say that going from cold to colder is a change.  You would think that people living in the North Country would come to expect, even embrace the cold winters.  Most do!  The others either head south for the next few months or hunker down and gripe about it.  After all it is a great topic for conversation!

We all have heard the stories from our parents and grandparents about having to walk to school/work in a blinding snowstorm through four (six, eight…) feet of snow uphill both ways.  We walk away laughing at their expanding exaggeration of the past.  But how exaggerated is it?

After her granddaughter, Fannie, went to live with her father’s family in Hartford, CT, Betsey wrote often to keep her updated on what was happening in Plattsburgh.  These letters give us a detailed description of the lives of family, friends and neighbors, and the community.  Also, we see how the weather impacted those events.

Betsey loved her plants.  Her house and garden was always full of them.  You can feel her desolation when she writes to Fannie about losing many of them in the winter of 1851:

Feb. 11, 1851

My beloved Child,

This being your birthday, your mother and you, my Frances, have been much on my mind, all the trying scenes of 17 years ago.  Both of us have been spared while many that are near and dear have been taken and only God knows why.  Last Saturday was by far the coldest this winter.  In the night the wind blew from the south a freezing gale and for the first time in twenty years has Frost touched my flowers.  It entered the hall upstairs and the adjoining room and cut down all plants I had been saving with so much care for years.  I had some which I kept in the front room [downstairs] that did not get hurt.  How sad it made me to see my pets so cut down.  I shall no longer try plants that take so long to arrive at perfection.  I hope you will write me all the particulars of Mr. Matson’s very suddend death.  How sad one so young cut off so soon. Goodnight, my dear child.  May God bless and keep you.

                                            Your affectionate g.mother, E.S.

 A letter in 1857 finds Betsey griping that the winter in too mild!  It almost seems like nothing satisfied her.

Plattsburgh Dec. 8, 1857

My beloved child,

We have an open winter.  So far the weather has been like September, only an occasional cold day. Our little bay was only frozen over Thanksgiving Day.  It was black with boys and girls skating, a fine sport. Next day all open and still continues open and raining today. I had rather have cold weather and snow…

We are all fixed for winter, but killing our pigs and making sausage. With the poor help I had and not being well enough, I gave up asking Rev. Coit’s family for dinner Thanksgiving, as we always had them. I told Mr. Coit so, but as the time approached, I felt so bad about it I finally concluded to have them and do the best I could.  We had a room full and made out a very nice dinner and all seemed to enjoy it.  Since you left many friends calling and enquiring after you.

Your own loveing g.mother, E. Swetland

 In 1862, Betsey writes to tell Fannie about a major snow storm in the North Country.  It makes me start to think that those stories I heard as a child may not have been so exaggerated!

Plattsburgh Feb. 27 [1862] Thursday eve

My beloved child

Oh! What a storm of wind and snow since I wrote you on Monday. It was snowing hard while writing. About 4 o’clock it Commenced blowing a perfect gale. It continued all night. I never in my long life experienced such an awful storm. I mentioned the rehearsal [for an upcoming concert] was to meet here that night. I did not think it possible any could come, but many did.  We had work to keep comfortable. Had a great fire in the Hall stove and my bedroom with the door open in the parlor. Dared not keep much fire in the Front room. It seemed as if the Chimney must blow down and the fire board forced out. It smoked grandfather out of his room into mine.  The Company left about ten and g.father returned to bed. Wrapt him up in hot blankets. But poor I was going from one place to another to try and keep comfortable. We found the plants must freeze in the green room, the wind north west and cold.  Hatty Coit was obliged to stay all night, and she with Ellen [a servant] helped me bring all the flowers out of the green house in this room. Those trained we covered up with sheets.  And thankful was I in the morning to find them saved. I sat up very late and just took off my outer dress and lay down, but I could not sleep—such a rattling and shakeing. I was fearful we should be blown down and hearing such noises I was up and down until nearly day light. It never ceased until morning.  It was a curiosity to look out, such banks and piles of snow in every direction. Perfectly Blockaded, no Comeing in nor getting out of the village.  No southern mail yet, but Burlington paper by stage. No cars [train] since Saturday.  Our cars are perfectly dammed up.  They have drifts 15 feet high to cut through.  We had hoped they might get in tonight but I fear not.  It is getting late and I must go in and see to Grandpa.  With love to all.

Your devoted G.mother, E.S.

 

Well, no matter what time period, we can see that Mother Nature will do what she pleases. All we can do is deal with it.  So either put on those skis/skates or snuggle up with a good book/video and in a few months it will be Spring!!

A 179 Year-Old Secret Revealed!

Tags

art restoration, Betsey Delord, Henry Webb

Impressions of Visits to the Williamstown Art Conservation Center.

by Sally Booth

My first trip to the elegant Stone Hill Center, new home of the Williamstown Art Conservation Center in Williamstown, Mass. last May, was courtesy of the Alice T. Miner Museum and my good friend Amanda Palmer.  In Amanda’s van, we were delivering artifacts in need of conservation: KDHM’s paintings of Betsey Delord and Henry Webb and a 19th century settee from the Miner Museum.

On that clear, blue-sky spring day, we chatted happily all the way down the Northway and across the Mohawk Trail to Massachusetts and back.  I was excited and curious about our destination having seen the older conservation center nearly 20 years earlier. 

I remembered a short walk behind the Sterling and Francine Clark Institute to a house with rooms filled with paintings, sculpture and furniture.  I still see, in my minds eye, a technician gently brushing clear liquid on a painting with a very tiny brush and wonder, “will that really do anything?”  We were given a brief introduction to this meticulous, painstaking work and left with more questions than there was time to ask.

The new facility is also near the Clark, set into a steep slope; a massive grey building with large expanses of glass.

To deliver the settee, we entered the loading dock entrance.  Inside we were warmly greeted by several members of the staff and given a brief tour of the spacious painting, furniture and object studios with the floor to ceiling windows and carefully patterned duct work throughout where no toxic fumes could linger.  The Painting Studio is large enough to accomodate several conservators and every type and size of artwork.

We were taken to a smaller room where KDHM’s paintings were laid out on a table and the bubble wrap carefully cut away.  Conservators noted the age of both paintings and frames, but it was the over-painting on Betsey Delord’s portrait that held their attention.  “Did we want it taken back to the original?”  I wasn’t sure, but would ask my colleagues.

The answer was to keep the overpainting because it is so much a part of Betsey Delord’s story.

At the KDHM, the void of the missing paintings had everyone; staff, volunteers and visitors, asking if the work had started and when the paintings would return.  There was no answer until a November call to the Center revealed removal of grime and varnish had just begun and that this would be a perfect time to visit.

I was even more excited on this journey down the Northway, this time with my husband Kit.

Painting Conservator MC Betz welcomed us and ushered us into the large painting studio. There, on two of the easels, were our beloved Betsey and her son-in law Henry Webb. 

In front of Betsey’s portrait, I was speechless for a few moments at the freshness of it and then began to notice other things:  a very delicate lace at the edge of the dress, the skin tones were richer, more detailed and the ugly yellow blotch on her left breast was gone! 

MC pointed out other campaigns of previous retouching, some higher up near the neckline.  The lace around the top of the dress was barely visible before.  Do we want to keep it?  Again I say I will ask my colleagues.

And then we looked at Henry!  Could this be the one I remembered? Now, comparing the before photograph, we could see that over the years, the accumulation of grime had blurred the artist’s fine brushwork and the details of Henry’s handsome face.

And finally, we are shown the x-radiograph revealing the original painting and design of Betsey’s dress!  Here at last was the answer to all our wonderings about what was underneath that red shawl.

 

When the money has been raised and we can bring the paintings home, we’ll be able to show everyone what has been a secret for 179 years!