Local History by Dede Terns-Thorpe - J. Van Vechten Vedder’s Tidbits

Today we’ll continue with the 1927 Greene County Historian, J. Van Vechten Vedder, and a few of her tidbits.

On April 11, 1919, New York State was the first of the 48 states to legislate a law requiring each municipality to appoint a public historian. Called “The Historians Law” it was signed by then Governor Al Smith. Today, historical information is available in ways not possible to past historians. There is a pleasant increase in the numbers of full and part-time residents interested in local events. History showed the lack of Civil War records which became apparent after WW I. (By 1895 a State Historian had been appointed, but it took another 24 years to broaden the law).

But let us go back to Historian Vedder and her in-depth historical writings.

“When the first pioneer came to what is now Greene County, whether along Indian trails, on horseback through the forest, by canoe or sloop, looking for furs, mills-sites or a home, he found it all a wilderness, its streams well stocked with fish, the forest filled with fur-bearing animals, and the soil of the valleys only waiting to be cleared of trees to produce, with little cultivation, large crops of corn and grain.

Here and there along the streams, he found a village of peaceful Indians of the Mohican tribe, willing to trade rich furs for trinkets and beads.”

Vedder said, “settlements were first made along the Hudson, for the mountain region was practically an impassable wilderness, with only here and there the log cabin pf some adventurous trader or settler until after the Revolution, “when emigration from Connecticut and other eastern states began.” The Dutch had taken possession of the lowland of the valley by right of purchase from the Indians. Grist and sawmills were built on nearly every stream as fast as trails opened, the Dutchmen securing and utilizing the many water privileges; for Greene County abounds in streams and specializes in natural dams, falls, and cascades. “

Vedder said after the opening of King’s Highway (1703) and the Susquehanna Turnpike (1893), settlements grew rapidly in Greene County

Mrs. Vedder also said, “The scenic wealth of the Catskill Mountains lies within the borders of the Town of Hunter. It has been more richly endowed in this respect than any other town in Greene County, and three cloves with their streams, ravines, cliffs, and trails, smaller replicas of those found in the Rockies, and the Klondike, here have a common meeting place. It is also from the Hunter town that the door unexpectedly opens to that most impressive of all views, that of the Hudson Valley and portions of the Eastern states.”

Next week we will cover Vedder’s tidbits on both villages and the 3 cloves in town.

Thanks for reading and have a Safe and Happy Labor Day. Be well.

Dede Terns-Thorpe

Hunterhistorian@gmail.com