Page 56
History of Orange County
Town of Newburgh
Page 56
We relate an anecdote of Washington while at Head Quarters at this place, in which one of our townsmen was an actor. Mr. John Phillips, father of Robert Phillips of this village, was one of Washington’s Life Guards, and a part of his duty was to provide for the General’s table. If there was one eatable he preferred to all others it was eggs, and the army consumed all found and produced in the neighborhood of the village. The eggs ran out, and Phillips informed the General of the desperate state of affairs in that department of the provisions. Washington deliberately made him an order on the proper department for a butt of salt, which he carried and presented to the Quarter-master, who honored the draft. They could not imagine the purpose for which the General wanted so much salt. It was conveyed to its proper destination by two pair of oxen, and Phillips instructed to give out notice to the country people that salt would be exchanged for eggs at the camp. This had the desired effect, in a few days, and eggs were as plenty as blackberries. When the army left Newburgh, there was a cask or two on hand, unconsumed.
If we were to conjecture, this mode of supplying the table was not original with the General, but the hint taken from his Irish landlady while quartered in New Jersey in 1779-80, as will appear from the following narrative. The scarcity of salt during the war made it a good currency.
Thatcher, in his military journal, gives a description of the sufferings of the troops during the winter of 1779-80.
Morristown, January 1, 1780.—A new year commences, but brings no relief to the sufferings and privations of our army. Our canvass affords but a miserable security from storms of rain and snow, and a great scarcity of provisions still prevails, and its effects are felt even at Head Quarters, as appears by the following anecdote:
“We have nothing but the rations to cook, sir.” said Mrs. Thompson, a very worthy Irish woman, and housekeeper to General Washington.
“Well, Mrs. Thompson, you must then cook the rations for I have not a farthing to give you.”
“If you please, sir, let one of the gentleman give me an order for six bushels of salt”
“Six bushels of salt for what?“
“To preserve the fresh meat, sir.”
One of the aids gave the order, and the next day his Excellency's table was amply provided. Mrs. Thompson was sent for and told that she had done very wrong to expend her own money, for it was not known when she I would be repaid.
“I owe you,” said his Excellency, “too much already to permit the debt being increased, and our situation is not at this moment such as to induce very sanguine hopes.”
“Dear sire” said the good lady, “ it is always darkest just before daylight, and I hope your Excellency will forgive me for bartering the salt for other necessaries which are now on the table.”
Salt was $8 per bushel, and it might always be exchanged in the country for articles of provision.
GLEBE FAIR.
But what has become of this Fair, mentioned in the Charter of the Glebe, and why is it not held as formerly. Though not obligatory on the trustees or inhabitants to hold, why has it fallen into disuse? In old times it was regularly held, and for many years in succession. We are acquainted with a lady, born on the 14th of October, 1766, now 80 years old, who was born on a day the fair was held under the provisions of this charter, and in allusion to this fact was called the fair baby. Why cannot this good old custom be renewed, and made not only beneficial to the county hut profitable to the village and vicinity? The county has its exhibition of the various products of the earth with numerous specimens of domestic manufactures. Newburgh has, or is about to establish an annual Horticultural Society, one meeting of which has been held, and why cannot the old Glebe Fair be reanimated and brought to life in union with one of these? The suggestion is thrown out for the future consideration and action of this and the towns adjoining, it would seem from the following notice taken from an old newspaper, that it was occasionally kept up till 1805, at which time it had degenerated into a mere exhibition of race horses upon a race course, and the affair in the hands of a jockey club, conducted under the guise of the Newburgh Fair, by virtue of the venerable Glebe Charter.
SPORTSMEN, TAKE. NOTICE!—Newburgh Fair will commence on Tuesday, the fourteenth of October next, agreeable to charter. A premium of one hundred and twenty five dollars will be given to the jockey riding the best borne on the course of Benjamin Cane, on that day: The horses to be shown at the hotel of Phineas June at 11 o’clock the day preceding.
A premium of fifty dollars will be given to the jockey riding the best horse on the day following, except the winning horse of the first day. And a further premium of twenty-five dollars will be given to the jockey riding the best filly on the third day. The horses to carry weight for age. No jostling, croping or other foul play allowed.
Newburgh September 24, 1805.
83. N. B. The distance to be rode the first day will be three mile heat.—the second day two mile heats—the third day one mile heats:—the riders will be dressed in jockey caps and jackets, or not allowed to ride.