by David Flint
On a beautiful pre-Fall day the Annual Stephentown Fireman’s Muster & Community Day got under way last Saturday morning, September 17, at 11 am with the Muster Parade. The Best Appearing Fire Company was judged to be the Hancock Fire Department. The Best Appearing Muster Team was the team from Florida, MA. The Stephentown Youth Commission took first prize with their float “Under the Sea.” Second prize went to the Church of the Crossroads for their “Fishers of Men” float.
[Read more…] about Stephentown 2011 Muster Results
Stephentown
Stephentown Democrats Endorse Goodermote Jennings, Caton And Whitman
submitted by Andrew C. White
The Stephentown Democrats caucused Thursday night, September 15, at the Fire Hall to select their local candidates for the November 8 election.
“Democrats are enthusiastic and feeling positive about the direction of Stephentown since gaining a majority on the Town Board in last year’s election,” said Andrew White, Chair of the Stephentown Democratic Committee. “Stephentown residents have voted strongly for change, and we are delivering. We are proud to present a strong, qualified and experienced slate of candidates to deliver on our promise to move Stephentown forward.”
[Read more…] about Stephentown Democrats Endorse Goodermote Jennings, Caton And Whitman
Stephentown Memorial Library Events – Late September and Early October
• Family Movie Night – Enjoy a showing of the recently released family film, “Rio,” on Friday, September 23, at 7 pm. This fun family film tells the tale of Blu, a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, who meets the fiercely independent Jewel and takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro with this bird of his dreams. This movie is rated G. Popcorn and drinks will be served. This event is free and all are welcome!
• Grant Seeking Basics for Individuals in the Arts – Tuesday, September 27, at 7 pm. [Read more…] about Stephentown Memorial Library Events – Late September and Early October
Commemorating The 150th Anniversary Of The Civil War – Letters From A Stephentown Navy Man
compiled by David Flint
During the Civil War, Stephentown resident Charles F. Chapel was a Landsman, a seaman recruit, aboard the USS Wabash, Flagship of Admiral Samuel F. du Pont, Commander of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Port Royal
Oct. the 4th, 1862
Dear Mother,
In answer to yours I thought I would write to you. I don’t see as I can spend my time any better. I don’t know hardly what to write. [Read more…] about Commemorating The 150th Anniversary Of The Civil War – Letters From A Stephentown Navy Man
Stephentown Teens Get the Facts At Enforcement Of Underage Drinking Laws Conference
Anna Prescott (Berlin High School) and Libby Cass (Tech Valley HIgh School), both of Stephentown, traveled to Florida this summer along with four other TRACs members to attend a national leadership conference on enforcement of underage drinking laws. The teens attended plenary sessions and workshops with 1500 law enforcement and prevention professionals, community coalition members and teens from across the country.
[Read more…] about Stephentown Teens Get the Facts At Enforcement Of Underage Drinking Laws Conference
Scout David Kirsimagi Honored By Historical Society
Stephentown Republicans Select Candidates
by David Flint
The Stephentown Republicans met in Caucus Monday evening to select their candidates for the November election of Town officials. With Tammy Madden presiding and Susan Gardner acting as Secretary, the group of 31 party members chose Larry Eckhardt to run for reelection for the Town Supervisor post. Eckhardt’s was the only name placed in nomination from the floor.
[Read more…] about Stephentown Republicans Select Candidates
Stephentown Texas Hold’em Tournament
The Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department will hold a Texas Hold’em Tournament on Saturday September 24 in the Stephentown Fire Hall, located on Grange Hall Road in Stephentown. The doors will open at 5 pm and close at 6 pm. Play begins at 6:15 sharp.
[Read more…] about Stephentown Texas Hold’em Tournament
Commemorating The 150th Anniversary Of The Civil War – Letters From Stephentown
compiled by David Flint
During the Civil War, Stephentown resident Charles F. Chapel was a Landsman, a seaman recruit, aboard the USS Wabash, Flagship of Admiral Samuel F. du Pont, Commander of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
On board Steam Frigate Wabash September the 4th, 1862
Dear Mother and friends,
Having this afternoon to myself I thought I would write to you. There is not much news to write about. There is nothing doing here and not like to be as I see the Southerners are doing all the fighting. By what I can hear they are driving our armys North again Well, I don’t know how this war is coming out. I think this winter will decide it one way or the other.
Why don’t you write, I haven’t heard from you since we came back. I wrote to you just last Sunday and spoke of sending you some money but I can’t get it before the first of the month. It is more work to get money here than it is worth. As soon as I can get it I will send it by Adams Express.
I can’t write much more for the reason why I can’t think of anything. I would like to be at home this winter. I would eate apples and drink sider the whole winter. I have forgotten how thay taste. Ask Jarime how many trout he has caught this summer, and Jonathan how does he get on? I want James to go to school this winter. Do you hear anything from Stephen? I think I have writen anough so I will close. Write as soon as you get this.
Yours resp.
Charles F Chapel
Port Royal Soth Ca
Chapel sounds dismayed about the way things were going in the War, and well he might. In early August the Union army was defeated in the battle of Cedar Mountain which resulted in shifting the fighting from the Virginia Peninsula into Northern Virginia. And in late August the Union suffered another disastrous defeat in the second battle of Bull Run. In the aftermath, Confederate forces chased the Union Army back to Washington, two Union generals were killed and the Army of Northern Virginia crossed the Potomac River to invade Maryland.
The Adams Express Company, which still exists as an equity fund company, was during the 19th century a transportation company delivering freight, cargo, small parcels, mail, currency and other things. One of those other things included an ingenious Virginia slave by the name of Henry Box Brown who in 1849 had himself shipped in a crate to freedom in Philadelphia via Adams Express. The company, along with its secret subsidiary, Southern Express, actually functioned as sort of a paymaster for both sides during the Civil War and soldiers and sailors depended on it for communicating with the folks at home.
James is Charles’ younger brother. He died in Missouri in 1932. Stephen was an older brother.
