Tag Archives: tivoli

Poughkeepsie Female Academy – 2

03 Saturday Jun 2017

Posted by in 19th Century, Education

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , ,

Back in 2015 I published letters to my 2nd great-grandmother Mary Elizabeth Knickerbocker of Madalin (Tivoli), Dutchess County, NY from her classmates at the Poughkeepsie Female Academy sent between 1853 and 1855.

The first article about the school is here.

Recently, I found a brochure and a sort of program tucked in with things belonging to her (then future) husband Dr. John E Losee of Upper Red Hook.  Below are the pages from the “program”, and below that are three pages from the “brochure” which is undated, but is definitely of the same period.

From Mollie Harris of Stanford, NY, 24 Oct 1855

12 Thursday Mar 2015

Posted by in 19th Century Letters, Education, Genealogy

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

Envelope addressed to “Miss Mary E Knickerbocker Tivoli, Dutchess Co. NY.

Envelope addressed to “Miss Mary E Knickerbocker Tivoli, Dutchess Co. NY.

This is the last letter in this series of posts. I do not know why my great-great-grandmother kept just these six, surely she received many more if the contents (and jibing for more frequent communication as in this example are any indication!). Perhaps each had a special sentiment that she treasured in some way. I have two favorite odd things about this letter, myself – the catty comments about the “Pine Plains make believe” and the bit about the stolen night gown. I would love to know the context!

Attempts to figure out who Mollie Harris from Town of Stanford, Dutchess County NY in 1855 was have been fruitless. It is likely that she married before 1860 and that “Mollie” is short for something like Margaret. If anyone has any clues, please comment!

Stanford Oct 24th 1855

My dear Mary Libbie

The apparent neglect of your kind and most welcome letter received nearly three weeks since, I assume my dear friend has not been intentional. You have to I admit had reason to think me another of your pretend friends, but I assure you my silence was not caused by forgetfulness of my promise much less from indifference, but now that I have an opportunity of writing I will not fill the sheet with excuses, ‘tho I might and reasonable ones too. When I received yours I was very busy making over my minno[?] dress. On Friday of the same week I went to North east, Cousin Mary Pulver closed her school on that day, that evening we were invited to the Edgar Clarks you recolect[sic] the new house we passed Mr. C’s Daughters have a Piano and we had the pleasure of having Miss Louisa play. Saturday evening Cousin Mary Clark invited company. Sabbath day attended Church and spent Monday evening with Louisa. Tuesday went home with Mary to Hillsdale and spent several days we went to Hudson and had our hats trimmed for fall, every day which I was there I thought I would write to you for Mary wished to write with me she wished to send many kind messages, she “hoped you would consider her a true friend not one of the Pine Plains make believe and would like very much to correspond with you” I went from there to Amenia, and returned here last Saturday. Sunday it rained and it is raining very hard today if it had been pleasant I should have went to Cousin Jordan’s I do want to see Cousin Libbie so much to have not seen her in three weeks she was expecting your Pa & Ma* out that week, did they come? I regretted not seeing them I have heard so much of your Ma I know I should love her.

I have not seen Laura yet nor none of the Pine Plains Ladies Laura’s youngest Brother died while I was away, her sister is very felle[?] the fever has left with a cough I am informed they are fearful she will not recover I would like very much to call there and I intend to the first opportunity.

I have heard Mary Eno studies at home and recites to Miss Allerton.

And now to answering the charge of taking your night-gown it is rather a severe charge but as the said article was found in my possession I must plead guilty I presume you would not have suspected me if I had not previously taken articles such as shoes etc., if your Ma has been out I supposed the property is restored and I am clear.

You were very kind to send me the pattern so I will write you when I get a hand worked like it.

How are those eyes? have you been to New York if not when do you expect to? I suppose you are enjoying the society of your friends Jennie & Mahallia? [Mahala Clarke, see her letter] Do forgive this time and set me an example of promptness.

[written upside down on top of page 1 very tight spacing] Friday afternoon, I came to Cousin Jordan’s last night found them all very well, we are going to the village as soon as we can get ready – how we wish you were here to go with us, Cousin Libbie sends her love to you all. Do write very soon my dear girl to your sincere friend Mollie

[written on top of page 4 upside down] It is such a dark rainy day I am almost homesick. Do write very soon to your Affectionate friend Mollie Harris

*this is MEK’s father Edwin Knickerbocker 1808-1875 and step-mother Catherine Sharpe 1821-1893. Her own mother, Eliza Ann Beckwith died in 1843.

Click each thumbnail to see the full page.

From Mahala Clarke, Tivoli, 22 Jun 1853

05 Thursday Feb 2015

Posted by in 19th Century Letters, 19th Century Photos, Education, Genealogy

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , ,

Embossed envelope stamped “TIVOLI N.Y. JUN” and “22” written by hand inside the stamp. Also stamped “PAID” addressed to Miss Mary E Knickerbocker Care of Jacob C Tooker Po’keepsie N.Y.

Embossed envelope stamped “TIVOLI N.Y. JUN” and “22” written by hand inside the stamp. Also stamped “PAID” addressed to Miss Mary E Knickerbocker Care of Jacob C Tooker Po’keepsie N.Y.

Mahala Clarke b. c. 1835 was daughter of Consider (b. c. 1808 in MA) and Mahala (b. c. 1806 in MA) Clarke. Pa lived to at least 1880 and Ma died 26 Mar 1879. The girl who wrote this letter died 17 Jul 1856 at 21 years old. Her sister Sarah (b. c. 1842) married Rev. Edward Tompkins (1830-1905) and did not have any children that survived to adulthood. They are buried at the Old Red Church cemetery in Tivoli. She was about 18 years old when she wrote this letter.

Tivoli June   /53 [seems there’s a space for the date, envelope is marked 22]

My dear Mary,

You must excuse my writing and everything else, for my pen is very poor, and the weather very warm; It is Sunday afternoon and I have just returned from the Methodist church, and thought that I would employ my time in writing to you. I can not think of anything that will be very interesting to you notwithstanding I suppose I must fulfil my promise to you. On Thursday evening I had a call from Henry Arthur, Sarah & Jane Nelson together with two ladies from Po’keepsie Mrs. Moore & Nicholas. I returned with them to Mrs. Moore’s and partook of ice cream and when we were coming home we discovered a small snake in the road.

We went to Po’keepsie according to our intentions when you were home but as Pa’ was with us and had to returned with the 11 o’clock train and we had accomplished our shopping Ma’ chose to return with him and of course I had nothing to do but submit and come home. I was very sorry, for I had intended to have called and seen you and Mrs. Blum[?]

Probably I may be down again in the course of the summer and if I should again have that pleasure, intend calling to see you

Will you be home on the fourth of July or not? I suppose you have given up the idea of being homesick and perhaps nearly forgotten Tivoli friends by this time, your time being occupied with studies and law students across the way.

Your Aunt Emeline and Miss Amanda Lasher called here yesterday afternoon and your Aunt was saying that they had heard from Elizabeth Chapman and she expected Sarah and her uncle & Aunt there Saturday that was yesterday and home Wednesday.

Obituary of Mrs. Mahala Clarke, this girl's mother

Obituary of Mrs. Mahala Clarke, this girl’s mother – click to enlarge

I had to hear your Tuesday letter Sunday afternoon and prepare for evening service. Mr. Thompson preached for us yesterday and today has been uncomfortably warm so much so that we hardly knew what to do with ourselves. How has it been with you?

Ma’ was over to your house yesterday and your Ma’* wished me to say to you that they were all well and that she should omit writing to you for a day or two as I was writing to you, Libby & Emily called here a few moments last evening and Libby said that she should write you as soon as Sarah returned and then she might have more interesting reason[?]

We have a Ticket master from Barrytown a Mr. De Groot, Mr. Roose has left.

I think I have exhausted my budget of news tonight as Sarah would say

Pray excuse all imperfections (for they are many) and destroy it as soon as possible

I remain yours faithfully

Mahala Clarke

To Mary E Knickerbacker

PS Please answer as soon as convenient M Clarke

*This is MEK’s step-mother Catherine Sharpe 1821-1893. Her own mother, Eliza Ann Beckwith died in 1843.

Poughkeepsie Female Academy

29 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by in 19th Century Photos, 20th Century, Education, Genealogy, Urban Renewal

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , ,

My great-great grandmother Mary Elizabeth Knickerbocker of Madelin (Tivoli) NY (later Mrs. Dr. John E Losee of Upper Red Hook) attended the Poughkeepsie Female Academy, graduating probably in 1855 at 18. At the time, most children received an “8th grade education” which was not something to look down upon. Those who cared to and could afford to would send their children on to academies and colleges which were often also boarding schools.

I have a half-dozen letters sent to her from her academy friends Mahala Clarke, Emma Robinson, Almira Culver, Kate Roosa, and Mollie Harris that I have transcribed and will begin a series of posts for each in February and March, but thought a little context and background might be handy, first.

Poughkeepsie Female Academy

Poughkeepsie Female Academy (New York Public Library)

When Mary Elizabeth Knickerbocker attended the Poughkeepsie Female Academy, the principal was Jacob C. Tooker. He was born c. 1800 and when he died in 1856 his widow Caroline Warring ran the Academy in his stead until 1859. They may have had two daughters, Sarah b. c. 1836 who appears in the 1850 census with them, and Ada b. c. 1851 who married John Warnick (they are buried in the same plot with her parents). Caroline died in 1891.

Jacob got a Masters from Union College in 1826. He was from Goshen and resided Montgomery, Orange Co in 1830 and 1840. In the early 1840’s he was a superintendent of Orange County public schools. From 1846-48 he was principal of Brockport Collegiate Institute, an academy west of Rochester (today, SUNY Brockport) where he…

“…was the outsider who was hired as the permanent principal. …There are contradictory remarks about the type of man he was, ranging from “fussy and difficult” to “jovial and well liked.” Principal Tooker and Mrs. Bates, who still ran the boarding establishment after her husband’s death, did not get along. The Trustee Board had to step in on several occasions to settle their battles. Principal Tooker also clashed with the students and was a strong disciplinarian. By the end of the school term in 1848, the board of Trustees had tired of Principal Tooker’s demands and complaints and terminated his relationship with the Institution.” – College at Brockport website

In the 1850 census he was the principal of the Female Academy in Poughkeepsie.  He, along with 60 men like Vassar, Hooker, and Adriance, loaned $300 each in 1853 to the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery Association and “were given the option of either being paid back once the cemetery began to sell plots, or using the investment to pay for a family plot.” “A Brief History of The Cemetery”

The Female Academy building was a “fine brick structure on Cannon street, near Market” with “heavy Doric columns” built when the school opened in 1837 per The History of Duchess Co NY, J. H. Smith. It does not exist today, not having survived urban renewal (search this blog/use the tags for posts regarding this topic).

Illustrated Poughkeepsie p.37

Building used as “Women’s Christian Temperance Union” in 1906