250 Years Ago (January 1776)

The Continental Congress said that Queens County appeared unwilling to support the Revolution because it refused to send deputies to a convention there. They declared the residents to be unprotected against the British and that no one should do business or communicate with them.

A 47-page pamphlet called Common Sense, written by an anonymous patriot, was published on Jan. 10 and widely distributed. Its author (Thomas Paine) argued that there were two major flaws in British governance: monarchy and hereditary rule. "We have it in our power to begin the world anew," he wrote. "America shall make a stand, not for herself alone, but for the world." (After the war, the New York Legislature gave Paine a 100-acre farm in New Rochelle.)

Col. Henry Knox reported that his train of 59 cannon and mortars seized from the British had reached Albany from Fort Ticonderoga and that residents helped to drag the heavy artillery across the frozen Hudson River. From there, Knox and his troops marched south to Columbia County before turning east toward Boston.

Alexander Hamilton, 21, formed a provincial artillery company in New York City.

Gen. Philip Schuyler led a force of 3,000 patriots to Johnstown, northwest of Albany, where they forced Sir John Johnson and 700 Loyalists to surrender their weapons.

150 Years Ago (January 1876)

The Cold Spring Recorder reported that Dennis McCarty, a brother of James McCarty of the village, had been aboard a steamer that struck a submerged log about 20 miles from Memphis, overturned and sank within minutes. The seven crew members and 16 passengers managed to escape by riding the detached pilot house to shore. The Minneola had been going at full speed with 900 tons of freight, mostly furniture.

It was 47 degrees on New Year's Day.

Although a horse owned by William Ladue survived a tumble from the railroad bridge over the Foundry Cove and was able to swim ashore, it died the next day.

Abner Merritt, the milkman, said he was attempting to break up a dogfight at the corner of Pine and Parrott streets when a man rushed from a nearby home and punched him, apparently because he wanted to see which dog would win.

Nichols exhibited at his store a beautifully handwritten Family Register and the Lord's Prayer done on Bristol board with pens of various colors. It was the work of a young blacksmith who roomed with Morgan Putter.

Levi Bailey showed the editor of The Recorder a turnip that resembled a small boy, with its roots as the arms.

Charley Merritt, charged with assault, had to be "ironed" [handcuffed] by Officer McAndrew after his arrest on Garden Street to get him to the cells at Town Hall. The next day, Merritt escaped but was chased down. Justice Ferris sentenced him to four months in the Albany Penitentiary.

The Cold Spring Library Association hosted a debate at the Reformed Church on the question: Resolved, that capital punishment ought to be abolished.

Addison Merrick rented the store in Goodsell's building to open a grocery. "The addition of two grocery stores to our former number at this decreased season for business is, to say the least, a bold attempt," said The Recorder.

After receiving a letter from his father in Cuba, Vincent Louise sailed for the island to address "political troubles." Louise was a naturalized U.S. citizen.

J.A. Tait had a rough Wednesday, according to The Recorder. In the morning, he fell from his wagon and hurt his arm. In the evening, his horse ran away. He returned home to find the doors locked, because the ladies had gone on a visit. He propped a ladder to reach an upper window, but it broke and sent him tumbling.

Milt Lawrence complained that a list published in The Recorder that said he had received assistance from the poor master was in error. The Recorder investigated and concluded Lawrence was correct: He had not requested aid. Instead, according to a "credible informant," Mrs. Lawrence had needed to see a doctor, but her husband was drunk and r...