The Hitching Post
Vol. 9 No. 2
The Newsletter of the Ravena Coeymans Historical Society
Summer 2011
The Story of Peter Van Hoesen
By Harry A. Sturges
Mr. Donald Morfe, a member of the Medal of Honor
Historical Society, contacted me asking my assistance
in locating the burial site of a veteran of the Civil War
and possible MOH recipient named Peter Van Hoesen.
It was believed that Peter may have been buried in the
Coeymans Hollow cemetery, but the society had no
actual proof that this was true. Morfe’s organization, a
non-for-profit volunteer group, devotes its time locating the burial sites of recipients of the Medal of
Honor, and thereafter, if it had
not previously been done,
making sure that an appropriate marker is placed on the
graves honoring such heroes.
It reads,
Coeymans, including 12 who were in the U.S. Navy,
11 who died from disease (mostly in Louisiana), 5
who died from combat wounds, 2 deserters, and 1 who
had hired a replacement.
Van Hoesen’s gravestone contains the following information: “Peter Van Hoesen, Co. H, Regiment 7, Connecticut Volunteers, Died May 10, 1918, aged 86
years.” His wife is buried just to the right of Peter.
Her stone reads: “Charlotte Mansfield, wife of Peter
Van Hoesen, 1849-1908.” The information on his and
his wife’s gravestone seemed
to verify that we had found the
correct Peter Van Hoesen, as
his military record almost perfectly matched the information
on his stone. I say almost because the military has his
death as May 9, 1918 instead
of May 10.
“The Department of Veterans
I took several pictures of the
Affairs, upon proper application
gravestones
and e-mailed them
and with ample proof of idento Mr. Morfe. He felt positive
tity, after themselves doing due
enough about the identity that
diligence to ascertain the inforhe sent me a copy of the VA’s
mation as accurate, will furnish at no cost to the cemeapplication for a MOH marker. The application was
tery a marker to be placed on the grave commemorating completed with the help of Town Clerk Diane Milthe serviceman’s designation as a MOH recipient.”
lious and her staff, and with additional assistance from
A map of the Coeymans Hollow Cemetery, prepared
by the American Legion Post #114 of Ravena, identifies the gravesites of veterans from various wars. Peter
Van Hoesen’s site was clearly marked, as well as the
graves of 23 other Civil War veterans. The Record of
Enlistments prepared by Town Clerk John Whitbeck
in 1865 lists 137 Civil War veterans from the Town of
Richard Houghtaling, a town employee working in the
Parks Department.
One piece of information missing from Peter Van
Hoesen’s stone is the fact that, besides serving in the
Grand Army of the Republic, he had also served in the
U.S. Navy as an ordinary seaman. It was during his
naval service that he earned the MOH.
Continued on pg. 3
http://www.coeymanshistory.org
R A V E N A
C O E Y M A N S
H I S T O R I C A L
S O C I E T Y
OFFICERS 2010-2011
P r e s i d e n t ’ s
L e t t e r
Summer greetings,
Again I wish to thank all the trustees, and the committees for their continued hard work and
dedication.
President ~ Ralph Biance
Vice President ~ David Ross
Secretary ~ Linda Peterman
Treasurer ~ William Meyer
We recently had our picnic at Paul and Sylvia Lawler’s historic home in Coeymans. We all
had a wonderful time. We were given a tour of the stone house in which they have dedicated themselves to its restoration and to keeping it as original as possible. It was quite a
treat for us. Many thanks go out to them for their hospitality.
TRUSTEES
Lynn Christie, who has been our program director, has announced that she will be stepping
down from the position. We will miss her tremendously. She has been a great asset. If anyone is interested in this position, please contact me for more information.
Ralph Biance
Dave Ross
William Meyer
Linda Peterman
Nancy Bruno
Suzanne Celella
Robert Halley
Joe Boehlke
Lucy Margiasso
2011
2012
2013
2011
2013
2013
2012
2012
2012
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Membership
A special thank you goes out to Joe Boehlke, his staff, and all those who loaned items for
the Civil War exhibit on the main floor of the Village Offices. Please stop by and see it. It
will be on display for the remainder of the year.
Have a fantastic and safe summer.
Respectfully yours,
Ralph Biance
President
William Meyer
Historian
Museum News
Robert Halley
Collections
Suzanne Celella
by Joe Boehlke
Research
David Ross
Publicity
TBA
Programs
TBA
Fundraising
Nancy Bruno
Conservation
Suzanne Celella
Museum
Joe Boehlke, Curator
Calendar
Linda Peterman
Refreshments
Robert Halley
Cemetery
Ralph Biance
Newsletter Committee
Mary Farinelli
Joe Boehlke
In recognition of this years start of the sesquicentennial celebration of the Civil
War, the museum staff created a special display in our first floor Exhibit space in
the Village Offices highlighting “Coeymans and the Civil War”. If you have not
had a chance to see this wonderful display and artifacts, please do so. The display
will remain up until the end of this year. An updated school display has been
placed in the upstairs
hallway, thanks to the
work of Mary Farinelli.
We are currently working on a new display
for the South Museum
Room on the history of
businesses of the past
for Ravena and Coeymans.
Anyone who
may have special pictures or materials to
loan for this project
would be greatly appreCivil War Exhibit
ciated.
MUSEUM HOURS
The Historical Society Museum is open every Thursday (except holidays) from 1pm to 3pm
or you may call for an appointment: 756-9395 or 756-6536
Vol. 9 No. 2
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The Story of Peter Van Hoesen - from page 1
Van Hoesen served aboard the U.S.S. Agawan, which
was a wooden, double ended side-wheel gunboat with
a complement of 145 officers and men under command of Commander Alexander Rhind. She was commissioned on March 9, 1864, left port on May 6, two
days after the Army of the Potomac crossed the Rapidan River to begin General Grant’s offensive against
Richmond. This action was designed to place unrelenting pressure on General Robert E. Lee’s Army of
Northern Virginia until it was bottled up in the siege
of Richmond and possibly forced to surrender. The
Agawan performed most of her Civil War service in
support of that mission.
place aboard the Agawan off New Bern, North Carolina.
There are many web sites dedicated to the MOH, including one that lists the names of all MOH recipients.
You will not find Peter’s name on that list. There is
also a site naming all the seamen who served aboard
the U.S.S Agawan. You will not find Peter’s name on
that list, either. His military record lists his name as
James Sullivan, aka Peter Van Hoesen, with a notation
“deserted.” There were a million reasons why men
from both sides deserted, and there were thousands
and thousands listed as deserters who in fact never did
so. But that is another story. It appears that after
Early in July, Lt. George Dewey (later Admiral James Sullivan completed his military enlistments he
Dewey, the hero of Manila Bay) temporarily relieved adopted the named Peter Van Hoesen and lived with
the command of the Agawan. It was Lt. Dewey’s first that name until his death.
command. Commander Rhind left the Agawan for a
short time to take command of the Louisiana, a I have no personal information of Peter Van Hoesen or
steamer selected to perform an unusual and seemingly his wife, Charlotte. I do not know exactly where his
important task. Rhind took with him a carefully se- home was when he died, what he did for a living, if he
lected small group of volunteers, including Peter, to had children, or know why he and his wife were burman this vessel. The Louisiana was towed to Wil- ied in the Coeymans Hollow Cemetery. * (see editors
mington, North Carolina for use as a giant bomb note below)
against the fortification at Fort Fisher. I can’t imagine
walking atop that steamer’s deck lighting fires and I do know that he was an infantry soldier in the Grand
fuses knowing that any malfunction, one short fuse or Army of the Republic, an ordinary seaman in the U.S.
one slip, would blow me to kingdom come. The pur- Navy, and a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the highpose of this dangerous mission was to cause a concus- est award for valor in action against an enemy our
sion and/or fire severe enough to detonate the fort’s country bestows. For that, I honor him.
powder magazine, causing mass damage to the fort
and heavy casualties to the enemy. Although fires The MOH Society recently informed me that the VA is
were reported burning at the fort for several days after reviewing a new policy, because of budgetary rethe blast, the mission failed in its attempt to cause the straints, that would end the program of decorating
more desired results. (The above information was MOH gravesites with VA markers. To the best of my
knowledge no final decision has been made.
taken from various sources located on the web).
For Peter Van Hoesen’s act of bravery on that day, * Editor’s note: If anyone has further knowledge of Peter Van
Hoesen or his wife Charlotte please contact Harry Sturges or Joe
December 22, 1864, he was awarded the MOH. On Boehlke.
May 12, 1865 the medal presentation ceremony took
Notice to all members in good standing:
The annual meeting of the Ravena Coeymans Historical Society will be held on Thursday the 8th of September 2011 at 7 pm. Two 3-year terms will be expiring this year. Members interested in being placed on the ballot or nominating someone for one of the trustee position should contact a member of the nominating committee: Joe Boehlke at 756-9395, or Bill Meyer at 756-4617, no later than September 1, 2011.
The election of trustees will be held at the annual meeting on September 8th.
Vol. 9 No. 2
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Researching Family History
By Mary Farinelli
Lynn Van derzee Christie, the Historical Society’s program director,
will be fondly remembered for the interesting and timely programs and
speakers that she arranged over the past five years for our Society’s meetings. She has also been a role model for everyone who would like to learn
more about their ancestry.
Lynn is descended from Cornelius Van derzee, who married Mayke
Coeymans, daughter of Pieter B. Coeymans. She has searched for and recorded over three centuries of Van derzee history. She has used many
sources of information to help her trace this history. While Lynn agrees
that her ancestor’s life-long residency in the same area has made her research easier, she stresses the importance of using documents such as
deeds, survey maps, census records, church records and cemetery records
to confirm information. Also important are diaries, ledgers, family stories
and photographs. Lynn’s genealogical records were used in the Tompkins
Family Exhibit at the State Museum in Albany. Part of this Exhibit is now
on display in the hallway outside the Historical Society’s rooms.
Lynn Van derzee Christie
You may want to begin your research at our local Society’s Research Room. Lynn suggests that anyone needing
more help in researching their ancestry should go to the
New York State Library and to the Archives. The Hall of
Records is another place to start your search. Who knows
what you might discover!
Thank you, Lynn, for your inspiration.
Many thanks to Hillary Hawke for allowing me to use her photos
and her article on Lynn’s presentation.
Van derzee farm heritage
“ I claim to have controlled events, but confess plainly that
events have controlled me.”
- Abraham
Vol. 9 No. 2
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U.S. Sanitary Commission
Sanitary Fairs
By Roger A. Wilber
Sanitary fairs offered ways local communities could
further assist the nation in raising funds and goods for
the troops. The first sanitary fair
was held in Chicago (called the
Northwestern Soldiers’ Fair) in
1863 and raised almost $100,000
for the war effort. It often included
parades, speeches, music and a host
of people who presented a large variety of items for sale, with the proceeds going toward the fair. The
fairs usually involved exhibitions,
mechanical technology, period
rooms, and displays of art. The displays often recalled America’s past,
which were things that Americans
had in common. The U.S. Sanitary
Commission did not approve of all
the lavishness and excitement of the fairs, but felt it
was important to encourage sacrifice toward the nation. It did not want the fairs to become the focus of
their work.
Gerritt Smith, had won a raffle where the prize was
the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation that was
donated by Abraham Lincoln.
Gerritt Smith later would offer
this “prize” to New York State
for the sum of $5,000. The legislature agreed to purchase this
item, and it was given in trust to
the New York State Library
where it is housed to this very
day.
On March 10, 1864 the Albany
Relief Bazaar closed, having
taken in $111,493.49 in receipts.
After $29,584.99 in expenses, a
balance of $81,908.50 was sent
to the United States Sanitary
Commission. Needless to say, besides this funding, a
large amount of goods were also donated.
Further Reading:
On February 22, 1863 the Albany Relief Bazaar
opened in Academy Park. Since there were no suitUnited States Sanitary Commission, Wikipedia
able structures to hold the bazaar, one was built, in the
shape of a double Greek cross. The objects housed
Tribute Book: a Record of the Munificence, Selfwithin were all for sale to support the war effort.
sacrifice
Each department (or area) was based on a theme, with
and patriotism… by Frank Boott Goodrich
the items within based on that theme.
The Department of Military Trophies contained a
musket-stock used and broken at Bunker Hill; the
sword of Aaron Burr; Lafayette’s camp-kettle; Washington’s razor and fire-shovel; a pistol said to have
belonged to Cornwallis, a coat worn by Colonel Ellsworth from Mechanicsville (first officer killed in the
war); the last letter written by him to his parents; a
flag of the Marshall House (where he was killed), as
well as other items. In addition, there were booths for
American Indians, Scottish, Shakers, Hollanders,
Irish, Italians, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Swiss.
Also various items were on sale from the citizens of
Schenectady, Troy and Kinderhook.
Vol. 9 No. 2
Bi-Centennial History of Albany: History of the
County
of Albany, V.4 by George Rogers Howell
Heroes of Albany: A memorial of the patriotmartyrs… by Rufus W. Clark
U.S. Sanitary Commission Bulletin (Google books
result)
http://www.coeymanshistory.org
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2011 Historical Society Picnic
The Annual Historical Society picnic
was held on Saturday June 25th at the
Historic Ariaantje Coeymans House.
Paul and Sylvia Lawler opened the
grounds of their beautiful historic home
and newly constructed Dutch barn for
over 40 attendees. The Dutch barn was
moved from a site in Schoharie County
to the current site. Tours were given of
the barn, grounds and house.
Photos: (clockwise from top right)
East front view of the stone house
Paul Lawyer chatting with Lynn & Harry Christie and
Frank Sorell
Picnickers enjoying sitting around tables in the Dutch
barn
Roy Lamberton of the Onesquethaw-Coeymans watershed council speaking to a group at the Coeymans
creek overlook.
(Photo’s by Joe Boehlke)
We Need Your Help
The museum staff is seeking photographs, memorabilia or artifacts from businesses that once
were located in the area, for an upcoming exhibit. We are especially looking for photographs
of local citizens at work in those businesses. Anyone who may have items and are willing to
loan them to us please contact Joe Boehlke at 756-9395.
Vol. 9 No. 2
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2 0 1 1
M e m b e r
Sylvia & Paul Lawler
S p o n s o r s
Benefactors
Robert Halley
Harry Sturges
Patron
Bob & Ann Hallock
Joseph & Gail Boehlke
Robert & Laraine Misuraca
Gordon & Linda Stanton James & Lucy Margiasso
Curtis & Denise Wilsey
Supporting Family
Tony & Cathy Ricciardi Tom & Mi-Lyn Dolan Clesson & Jean Bush Keith & Lynda Geraldsen
Harry & Lynn Van derzee Christie Ralph & Linda Biance Karen & Andy Hess William Bailey
Supporting Individual
William R. Meyer
Charles F. Coons
The Rev. James J. Kane
Town of Coeymans
Elaine Christopher
Tom Boehm
Clifton S. Baldwin
Peggy Matheny
Business Benefactor
Flach Development & Realty
Village of Ravena
Business Patron
Lafarge
Business Sustaining
State Telephone Company
Babcock Funeral Home
Mid Hudson Cable
Bullock Utilities
Collins & Sons Inc.
Crossroad’s Ford/Mercury Van Etten Excavating National Bank of Coxsackie
Business Supporter
Boomer’s Garage Coeymans Landing Marina Fori’s Variety Store Persico True Value
Persico Oil Co
Ravena Shop ‘n Save
Stanton Farms
Muellers Automotive LLC
Southgate Market & Deli
Ravena Auto Supply/Napa Auto Parts
RCHS Membership
General Member
$10/annually
If you have not sent in your dues for 2011, please do so .This will ensure
Family
$15/annually
that you continue to receive future Ravena Coeymans Historical Society
Supporting/individual $25/annually
newsletters.
Supporting/family
$50/annually
Patron
$100 & up
Benefactor
$250 & up
Individual Life $100/per individual (must be 55 or above)
New memberships and contributions are welcome at any time.
You may mail them to:
Ravena Coeymans Historical Society
P. O. Box 324
Ravena, NY 12143
c/o Bill Meyer
Business Sponsorship:
Business Supporter
Business Sustaining
Business Patron
Business Benefactor
Vol. 9 No. 2
$50/annually
$100 & up /annually
$250 & up /
$1000 & above
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M a r k
y o u r
C a l e n d a r s
Thursday, September 8 2011 – 7:00 PM - annual Meeting, election of trustees and program
Thursday, October 13 2011
– 7:00 PM - Program to be announced
Thursday, November 10, 2011 – 7:00 PM - Program to be announced
Sunday, December 11 - 1:00 - 4PM - Museum Holiday Open House and Exhibit Opening
All Meetings are held at the Village Hall on Mountain Road in Ravena
Look for us Thursdays during July & August
at the Coeymans Landing farmers market !
Check out the Ravena Coeymans Historical Society Website:
http://www.coeymanshistory.org
Special Civil War Events 2011
Visit the New York State Civil War Sesquicentennial Website for the latest on Events happening
throughout the area.
http://www.nycivilwar150.org/events.html
The Hitching Post
Ravena Coeymans Historical Society
P. O. Box 324
Ravena, New York 12143
http://www.coeymanshistory.org
Published semi-annually by the Ravena Coeymans Historical Society
PLEASE
PLACE
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