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Hold'er Newt

~ Old Northern Dutchess Life

Hold'er Newt

Tag Archives: Hermans

The 1903 Jackson Corners Signature Quilt Book

16 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by SKH in 20th Century, Books, Fiber Arts, Genealogy

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books, genealogy, Hermans, jackson corners, quilt, signature quilt

Oh hey I forgot to post here as well…

I finished the book! You can buy it! It’s real!

Go to Oblong Books in Millerton or Rhinebeck to get a copy, or order it from their online store! I also have a separate blog for the book which you can check out here: jc.44parkave.com

I posted back in 2011 that I had gotten the quilt and was thinking that I should write a book about it. Took a decade, but it’s done. I’m speaking about it in various places and if I remember I’ll post about them. The first talk is tonight. I’m super nervous. If it doesn’t stink and they record it, I’ll try to remember to post a link here.

Frank C Heermans in the Civil War

10 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by SKH in 19th Century, 19th Century Letters, Civil War

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20th ny, andersonville, civil war, Heermans, Hermans

153 years ago today, Frank C Heermans died 10 Jul 1864 at Andersonville prison. He was born born c. 1842 to of Abraham, son of William (my ancestor), son of Abraham Heermans of Kingston, a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The below letter to his cousin William G Hall was written a month before his regiment would fight in Gettysburg. I do not know if that’s when he was captured. The scans were sent to me by my distant cousin Peggy Duff, who I believe got them from the Dutchess County Historical Society.

Headquarters 20th Regt N.Y.S.M.

Camp A Halls landing at the mouth of the Potomic Crick Vir. June the 5, 1863

Dear Cousin

I take this opportunity to answer your last letter wich I received last night it found me as well as can be expected for a souldier hoping that these few lines will find you and all the rest of the friends at home the same, you wrote your letter the same day that we was fighting the battle of Fredericksburg (December 1862) I presume that you saw the full particulars of the fight in the papers, but for all that I’ll try to give you a little discription of the fun that I passed through. We crossed the river on Friday at one O’ck and at three O’ck we had the most of our troops acrossed then the rebils commenced to shell us, the first one that they shot bursted over our heads the second one come very near killing the colonel of the 23rd Regt he was siting on his horse behind me some three ro…(?) it just passed his head and bursted it wounded two men in his regt by this time our battaryes open upon them and silenced them, then we was marched some two miles farther down the river, they did not trouble us eny more that night. The nex morning we packed up redy for a fight, at nine O’ck the ball commenced we was under constant fire untill after dark, at three O’ck in the afternoon there was three Co of our Regt was ordered out to a road as fi…(?) the Companies was A. R. J. we was on the left and just before we reached the road John R. Margas and Nickle Gilroy got shot John R. got shot in the arm and Gilroy in the cheek we laid three days and three nights in front of the enemy and it seemed like three weeks to us, we lost only some thirty men in our Regt, but thank God I never want to see another such a fight for I can’t begin to discribe it to you, a Saturday night we laid in a ditch and you could hear the wounded boy groaning and hollowing for help, but the nex morning we took care of them a Monday night we crossed the river and cheeted rebs, we have bin here I believe ten days. To day we are doing extry duty at present unloading boats with army supplies such as hay, Oats, Corn Be (?) but the word is now that we are agoing back to General Burnsides headquarters to do guard duty to wich is only six miles from here so now I must draw my scribling to a close for I don’t believe that you can read half of it

Please wright soon and oblige your sincere friend and Cousin

F C Heermans to William G Hall



The below information about the 20th NY is from the New York State Military Museum.

(The 80th Infantry Regiment of the Twentieth New York State Militia; Ulster Guard) was active at South mountain and Antietam, encamped at Sharpsburg for one week and marched through Crampton’s gap, Leesburg, Warrenton and Stafford Court House to Fredericksburg, where it participated in the battle. Winter quarters were established soon after near Hall’s landing and occupied until Jan. 7, 1863, when the 80th was assigned, to the provost guard brigade, with headquarters at Brooks’ station and remained on duty at army headquarters until after the battle of Chancellorsville. In June, 1863, the regiment was assigned to the 1st brigade, 3d division, 1st corps, and was closely engaged at Gettysburg, where it lost 170 killed, wounded or missing out of 287 engaged. It suffered most severely in the repulse of Pickett’s charge on the last day. After the battle of Gettysburg, the 80th was again ordered to headquarters for provost guard duty and continued in this service until the end of the siege of Petersburg, when it shared in the final assault, April 2, 1865.

Hermans & Husted

08 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by SKH in 19th Century Photos, Genealogy

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genealogy, Hermans, Husted, Link, milan, Olivette

James W -Jim- HermansAnne Olivette Mrs Jim Hermans

James William Hermans was born in June of 1834 in the Town of Milan to Henry Hermans and Gertrude “Gitty” Link (the author’s 3rd great-grandparents). He, like his father and numerous siblings, was a farmer. He married c. 1863 Anna W Olivett, daughter of Isaac Olivett and Maria Kipp. They had two children, but only one (daughter Emily) is known to have lived to adulthood. James was known as Jim to his family and died 17 Jul 1920 in Staasburg. Anna died 6 Jul 1927 and they are both buried at Wurtemburg cemetery.

Charles and Emma Hermans HustedEmily A Hermans (or Hermance) was born in 1865. She married c. 1889 Charles H Husted. In 1900 they were living with her parents and had no children. Emily died 7 Mar 1928 in the Town of Clinton. She was an invalid and mostly helpless for several years before her death. She and Charles are buried at the Schultzville cemetery. Charles was born May of 1857 son of Orin and Harriet of Hyde Park. He died in 1930. His daughter from a prior marriage, Mabel (who married Harry W Johnson of Poughkeepsie), inherited over $1,300 from him when he died on 3 Sep, 1930. His funeral was on 5 Sep 1930 at the Schultzville Church. They are pictured at right.

Honorable Discharge

05 Saturday Nov 2011

Posted by SKH in 20th Century, Genealogy

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20th Century, Hermans, milan, WWII

When I went away to school I was given my grandfather’s WWII pea-coat to wear. It was and is quite honestly one of my prize possessions. I wore it for many years until I noticed it was getting quite a bit threadbare. Too anxious that it should be ruined beyond repair, I stopped wearing it and it has hung in my closet ever since.

Shirt and Peacoat – note Walter’s name and serial number bleached into the lining, which has been repaired at the top by my grandmother Losee

After he passed away, I also came into possession of one of his navy shirts (behind the coat, above). Though, probably not the one he’s wearing below, it does have his name and serial number in it. I wore it to work just the other day!

Bertha M. Kilmer Hermans and son Walter C. Hermans in 1945

Honorable Discharge, 1 Apr 1946
Seaman Second Class, Walter Clayton Hermans
Post Office, Copake Falls, Columbia Co NY
Occupation, Park Superintendant, Taconic State Park Commission.

Walter C. Hermans Honorable Discharge, April 1st, 1946

Good night little Punky

02 Wednesday Nov 2011

Posted by SKH in Genealogy

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20th Century, croton, Hermans, taconic state park, WWII

Below is a transcription of an undated letter from my grandfather, Walter Hermans to his wife Helen Pulver Hermans. The letter is written on a scrap paper labeled “Taconic State Park Commission Weekly Record of Telephone Calls”. He was the superintendent at Rudd Pond in Millerton in the 1940’s.

This was written when Walter was in the Navy. He never went overseas, but was stationed domestically. His job was to guard the bridge he mentions in the letter as being only 5 minutes away: the Taconic Parkway bridge that runs over the Croton reservoir.  Today there are two bridges for each direction of the parkway. Pleasantville, NY is about 5 miles from Millwood. The ‘Puddy’ he refers to is his first child, my aunt Linda. He calls Helen ‘Punky’ and signs the letter ‘Punky’ as well.

Judy Snedeker (Walter’s neice), Helen Pulver Hermans and Walter Hermans

Dear Punky,
Well I got settled here this morning about 7:30 and got in bed at 8:15, slept until 5:30 this afternoon. Now I feel like a million dollars. It is plenty warm down here in the building.
The post office is Millwood, NY c/o T.S.P.C. The phone number is Briarcliff 2185.
It seems quite a relief not to have to drive all the way up to Rudd Pond as it only takes about five minutes to get to the bridge. They are going to put in a phone at the bridge and I will give you the number as soon as it is put in.
I got my radio hooked up and so far it plays good.
I me most of the fellows here this morning and they seem to be a pretty good lot, mostly Sweeds and Dutchmen.
I hope you don’t miss me too much but if I get as much rest the next few nights I may take a run up early in the week. But I will be home Wednesday a m anyway.
The night man just came in and is going to take me over to Pleasantville to show me a good place to eat. I’ll follow him over and then hope I can find my way back. I’ll mail this over there.
I broke a shoe lace tonight so I’ll have to invest 5$ for a new pair.
Well darling you take good care of Puddy and tell her that her daddy will be home soon. Good night Punky be a good punky cause I love you
Good night little Punky.
Punky.

Walter and daughter Linda Hermans in 1943

“One Beautiful Dream”

01 Tuesday Nov 2011

Posted by SKH in Genealogy

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20th Century, farming, Hermans, milan

The below poem, written sometime between 1924 and 1942, is an ode to my grandfather’s family and the family farm on Academy Hill Rd. in Jackson Corners, Town of Milan, Dutchess County NY. I’ve transcribed it from the hand-written copy in my possession.

The author, William K Munro was born c. 1880 in Australia. He immigrated to New York State in 1874 and married Florence Kilmer, half-sister to Bertha Mae Kilmer, my great-grandmother. (1930 census Albany, Albany Co NY page #5A, ed. #1-51, fam. #88 & 1920 same location page #6B, ed #94, fam. #120)

Bertha is ‘Mom’ in this poem. She married Clayton Hermans (‘Pop’), son of Jacob Luther Hermans 1841-1924, the ‘Grampy’ and ‘Uncle Jake’ of the poem. William and Florence did not have any children of their own (1920 & 1930 census) as did many of Florence’s siblings, which might explain why he doted on his nieces and nephew so much.

My grandfather Walter Clayton Hermans 1915-1994 and his sisters Madge Julia Hermans Snedeker Petty and Louise Hermans Johnson Weiss are the ‘cute little tots’.

One Beautiful Dream

I am dreaming of a homestead upon a little hill
Where I visited very often, but seldom against my will
A mother standing by the door and shading eyes with hands
Peering up and down the sunny roads and across the woody lands

Those actions as I saw her, knew they were a mother’s love
Always a prayer upon her lips to one who is above
Ever anxious to see or hear the pattering of small feet
All the time worrying that an accident they should meet

Walter, Madge and Louise

And when the twilight’s ended and those shadows come again
I can hear those childish chatters, just before the sandman came
When suddenly as if by magic you couldn’t hear a peep
Then Mom’s cares are over, as they all are fast asleep

When the dawn did come at last with cloudy skies once more
Again was heard the pattering feet upon the bed-room floor
Not dreaming of the outside world, which sure was a sight
When looking out upon the ground, it was their great delight

Nature’s mantle so fine and soft lay there, yes, ’tis but a dream
Spreading oe’r the woody lands and that hilly road did screen
Oh Mom, where’s our rubbers and our sleds we cannot find
Oh dear, please hurry Mom this weather is divine

In Mom’s haste to find those things in nooks and places galore
Some squeals or childish laughter were coming thru the door
When looking out into the snow, goodness, lo and behold
Stood Louise in snow up to her knees and Madge and Walt as bold

Walt was out without his hat, Madge without her rubbers
Louise was stunting in the snow which that night did cause some blubbers
Mom was getting desperate, she didn’t know what to say
So took a chance upon them once and outside they did play

Great fun they were having scampering to and fro with glee
Not thinking of the night of sniffles and coughs that would surely be
What a busy night for Mom and Dad, including Grampy too.
Rubbing goose-oil and mustard on some chests and praying they’d pull thru

Jacob Luther “Jake” Hermans 1841-1924 with Louise and Madge c. 1914

After their troubles were over and the doctor went his way
Once more Mom’s heart beats quieted down as in the house they play
Cutting funny pictures from books and placing blocks in stacks
Dressing dolls, scribbling in books and mauling those poor cats

The days were getting longer now and outside they again did roam
Traveling over the woods and fields, but at meal-time sure came home
Pestering the chickens and turkeys, poking at a pig
If they saw a ground-hog, boy, wouldn’t he have to dig

Climbing rickety old fences, tearing stockings and shoes
Rushing around that farm at anything they choose
Teasing the fat old gobbler, making him puff and swell
Raising the dickens all over till Mom gave her famous yell

Madge you come right in this house, you also Louise
Now Walter’s crying, is it right of you girls to tease
Oh Mom, we didn’t bother him, just wanted him to play
But he had to go and beller because he slipped from off the hay

Helping Grampy feed the chickens, then those eggs they’d steal
Mooing to the pig pen when those pigs let out a squeal
Shooing pigeons from the roof, as they take their rest
But keeping their distance from hornets, which they knew was best

Wading in the creek, coming home with wet feet
Doing the most impossible stunts, most people wouldn’t seek
Chasing grass-hoppers and butterflies, sliding down the cellar door
Going to Mom with splintered fingers, next day they’d have some more

Finding of old dead sparrows, burying them with pomp
Crying over an old rag-doll that a picker wouldn’t want
Leaving carts and dolly carriages out in the path
Along comes Pop, hits one, then shows a little wrath

Walter, Madge and Louise (with cat in lower left)

Riding horses down the road just for their usual drink
Making guinea-fowls noisy and things you wouldn’t think
Hugging and pinching the puppy’s tails until they set up wails
Doing everything imaginable, probably cans attached to tails

Playing hide and seek around the house, shed and barn
Stepping on the kitten’s tails and didn’t give a darn
Leaving the screen door open, throwing sand in each others eyes
When Mom comes down from the up-stairs, the house was full of flies

Romping around the homestead, just doing as they please
Running close to hives out front, then getting stung by bees
Climbing that old apple-tree, skinning a few shins
The crawling home again at night with all but broken limbs

Chasing chickens from the road, sliding down the hay
Punching holes in screen-doors so flies could have their say
Tramping over to the woods, gathering nuts and flowers
Sneaking upon setting hens and getting soak in showers

No they didn’t hunt for snakes, but they might have stoned some frogs
Then coming home with sloppy clothes, in trying to cross those bogs
Twisting the calves’ tails so as to hear them bawl
They were afraid of nothing, these kids sure had gall

I know there were a bunch of sheep down on that farm
And I think they were the only ones that didn’t come to harm
The reason no harm came to them was on account of their lope
But if they couldn’t get a sheep they’d surely get your goat

Now remember folks some of this, ‘tis not a dream
I used to go there sometimes and this is what I’d seen
You see at that time they were such cute little tots
You couldn’t help but like them and I did lots

When I used to visit them, mornings I’d lay late in bed
They used to come like crazy Indians and leap upon your head
Sleep then was a thing of the past, you sure would get your digs
And then on top of all of that, Uncle Jake would feed the pigs

And when I speak of Uncle Jake, who long has passed away
And his love he had for others, I remember to this day
We are all slipping just like he, we’ll have no used for skids
He was devoted to you all, when you were little kids

My thoughts are often about him, I can see him on his farm
That good old soul was as fine as gold and with a certain charm
If you got into trouble, some scrape or some jams
No matter how it came out, you were his blessed little lambs

The Hermans farm in 1925

Now Mom and Pop are getting along, Mom’s hair retains its hue
While Pop’s is getting silvery, no doubt t’will happen to you
Time changes everything, but nothing really to cause any alarm
But did change three pair of pattering feet that echoed on that farm

– William K Munro

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