Author: clermontstatehistoricsite
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CAKE TREES AND CLERMONT
“Can we plant a cake tree?” The question caught me off guard. “You know, like a cake tree. Or a cheese tree.” It’s a chilly afternoon in mid-April several years ago, one of those sunny days that invites you out into the garden, but then leaves you shivering. It had been warm standing next to…
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"An Insidious Foe": General John Armstrong Jr.
General John Armstrong Jr. lived long enough to be the only member of the Continental Congress to be photographed. The dog however seems indifferent to the idea. John Armstrong Jr. was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania to Scots-Irishman John Armstrong Sr. (obviously) John Armstrong Sr. and his wife Rebecca Lyon Armstrong (her maiden and married name…
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Belsnickel: The Furry Palatine Giftgiver
Today we have Santa Claus. The English had St. Nicholas and the Dutch had Sinterklaas. But what did the Palatine children of the Hudson Valley believe in during the 18th and 19th century? The answer in a word, Belsnickel. The answer in a photo: There are several variations of the spelling including Pelznickel, which would…
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Warts and All: How "That" Uncle At Your Holiday Dinner Is More Like A Livingston Than You Might Think
The upcoming holidays have me thinking a lot about the complicated relationships we have with other people. Most people love their families, but we can all think of that one cousin or uncle who always says something weird that makes us uncomfortable during dinner, the…
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Honneur Aux Armes: A Livingston\'s Skill With the Sword
Usually when we talk about swashbuckling sword wielding adventures on this blog we are talking about Henry Beekman Livingston or Richard Montgomery in the Revolutionary War or Captain William Kidd the pirate. But none of them could hold a candle to the greatest swordsman, or should I say swordswoman, the family ever had. She will cut…
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Edward Livingston and the Alien and Sedition Acts
John Adams’ term as President is not a high point of American history. In fact, with the Alien and Sedition Acts, he and the Federalists managed to pass some of the most un-American legislation in history. Forget four score and seven years, the Federalists could not wait twenty years before they tried to create a…
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Eleanor Roosevelt’s Livingston Connection
The former historian of the town of Hyde Park The Livingstons and the Roosevelts had various connections through blood and marriage. They also have much in common with regards to our nation’s history. Both families had ventured over from the Netherlands in the 17th century and formed a life in the colony’s early beginnings. They…
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Richard Montgomery and His "Disagreeable Companion"
Just to be upfront, this particular post is not going to have a lot of pictures. You’ll see why. Richard Montgomery is best known as a hero of the Revolutionary War. The former British army officer who gave his life leading his men in a heroic charge against the walls of Quebec. His wife, Janet…
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The Rebel Livingston: St. George Croghan in the Confederate Army
Long time readers will no doubt remember the story of Serena Livingston (If you need to refresh your memory you can read about her here ). To make a long story short though, Serena, the daughter of Serena Livingston Croghan John R. Livingston, married George Croghan. George was a hero of the War of 1812 but alcoholism…
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Poetry She Made Herself
100 years ago this summer, a little girl received a lovely present from her grandmother. A leather-bound notebook, perfectly sized for small hands. The paper was heavy, to thwart ink from pooling and bleeding through. The pages were lined, to keep unsteady handwriting neat. The gilded edges indicate the importance and timeless elegance of its…
Clermont State Historic Site 