Post Script to Glen-Sanders Mansion
The Glen Sanders Mansion in Soctia, NY as it called today, is one of the most beautiful, prosperous and expensive dining and wedding reception halls in the Central New York area, on a par with the fabulous trappings afforded diners in the Spa City of Saratoga. Not wanting to sound too much like the brochure for the Mansion, I am adding this little script because I think it is sooo neat that we can still eat breakfast in Grandpa Alexander Glen's kitchen. Although the Mansion is no longer owned by the Glen- Sanders family, family members lived in the original home until 1961 when it was sold. Sadly, our claim (Rasmussen) to the original home site was lost due to the marriage of our cousin Deborah Glen (1713-1786) only child of Col. Jacob Glen, brother of Major John's who inheirted the land site and mansion after Grandpa John died.(1731.) When Uncle Jacob died, Deborah, now Mrs. John Sanders, was sole heir (but female) and the property was turned over to her husband John Sanders according to the law.
The most thrilling news about the Mansion that I just read last week was an article online regarding "Legends Surrounding the Mansion" and if you are interested in paranormal activity...a must read!! I really have never passed on a "link" but I will try. OK now. The name of the site is "Explore the Ultimate Mind Frontier" and this pops up..Unexplained Mysteries::ISIS investigates the Glen Sanders Mansion.
http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/column.php?id=143825
Love The WG
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
The Widow Grady Rules
The Widow Grady has only one rule for you to follow when reading these little stories about your ancestors. A reference to a grandfather can be a grandfather (grandmother, cousin, aunt, etc.) from any generation and will be designated according to the years in which he or she lived. For example: "Grandpa Alexander Lindsey Glen (1610-1685) and the Mansion" or "Cousin Peter Lasher (1822-1844) and the Civil War." It grieves me to start a story that begins, Your 36th great-great grandfather was, or worse yet, your 2nd cousin 5 times removed was. I have ten fingers and ten toes to count with, which get me "only to the 20th generation"...after that, I am reduced to using some weird math calculations that tax my thinking ability and would in any event, confuse you no end so..... remember, a time line will give you a clue to where you are in the gene pool...are you ready...one, two, three...JUMP
A little background imagery before the story of "Major Glen and the Pickle Barrel."
Grandpa Alexander Lindsey Glen (1610-1685) had this stone house...well let's say, mansion that he built on the northern side of the Mohawk River on land that actually belonged to the Native Americans of the Mohawk Tribe. Grandpa Glen, being a Scotsman named his land and homestead Nova Scotia (literally meaning New Scotland) and proceeded to start up a thriving business. Everybody loved Grandpa Glen...the whole countryside gathered at the mansion at one time or another. Grandpa was an agent for the Dutch India Co. so naturally, being only 100 feet away from the river, his stone house was used as a trading post....evidently he was well regarded by all as an honest and fair trader and in appreciation for everyone's business at the post, Grandpa built the settlers their very own Dutch Reformed Church (1682) in Schenectady the city just across the river from Scotia. As I said before, everybody loved Grandpa Glen...and most of all the .....the Mohawk Indians loved Grandpa, or was it a particular grassy knoll they had a fondness for? On a certain hill between the river and the stone house was a spot that the Indians had previously used in the "gladsome pastime of burning their prisoners at the stake!" All I can say as a grandaughter (1924-) is "if there was such a thing as an Indian mafia, Grandpa Glen allowed this depravity to continue in payment for protection , for it was well known our family most often remained safe when Indian raids took place upon the white settlers in the region...But I have nightmares that I can hear Grandma Catherine calling out the kitchen door ...all you kids...get in the house NOW!
Major John and the Pickle Barrel
Grandpa Major John Glen (1648-1731) made some improvments in his father's mansion and added the east wing...super for entertaining. At one point in time, the Mohawks brought a Jesuit priest to Grandpa's house so that the priest could be tortured and killed on the knoll used for this purpose. The Indians wanted John to lock the priest in his cellar until it was time to kill him. John, a very fast thinker, and Grandma Anna(1651-1690) asked for time to think about it because priests had magical powers, and no cellar with an ordinary lock such as his, would be able to confine him. However, Grandpa John said yes, gave the Indians a single key, warned them that they would have to get the priest out themselves the next day because he was too afraid of priestly magical powers and he would have no part in it! Having locked the priest in the cellar, the Indians went dancing out into the yard with the key swinging on a chain and became significantly drunk on the rum graciously supplied to them by Grandpa John. With a plan in mind and before the Indians became completely zonked, John told them he was sending a wagon into town for supplies and not to be concerned if they heard noises. With the Indians now "out cold", Grandpa John opened the cellar door with a second key, popped the priest in a large pickle barrel and sent him off to freedom. It took some swift talking by John to reassert the story of magical powers when the next morning found the priest gone missing. The Indians more than a little disgruntled nevertheless left in complete puzzlement. Because of many instances of kindness to the French whose lives were saved from torture and death, Grandpa Major John Glen and our family were protected by French commanders as well as the Native Americans during the French and Indian wars.
Everbody loves a great party and our family was no exception. The Glen mansion was the gathering place of all the Scotia- Schenectady hoi-polloi and I am sure Grandma and Grandpa Glen were thrilled to have the honor of housing the future King of France, Louis Philippe, who was their guest for a few days during his time of exile in America. Can't you just imagine the hustle and bustle in the mansion that Saturday night when our family went dancing with the stars...not to mention the bedding down of everybody's favorite General,who had the reputation of "kinda sleeping around" when he paid them a visit? Though I see no evidence of a sign on the mansion that states "Washington Slept Here" the powers that be say it is so...hey..believe!
O.K. everyone ...out of the pool and remember that the cheapest way to have your family tree traced is to run for public office.....The Widow Grady
A little background imagery before the story of "Major Glen and the Pickle Barrel."
Grandpa Alexander Lindsey Glen (1610-1685) had this stone house...well let's say, mansion that he built on the northern side of the Mohawk River on land that actually belonged to the Native Americans of the Mohawk Tribe. Grandpa Glen, being a Scotsman named his land and homestead Nova Scotia (literally meaning New Scotland) and proceeded to start up a thriving business. Everybody loved Grandpa Glen...the whole countryside gathered at the mansion at one time or another. Grandpa was an agent for the Dutch India Co. so naturally, being only 100 feet away from the river, his stone house was used as a trading post....evidently he was well regarded by all as an honest and fair trader and in appreciation for everyone's business at the post, Grandpa built the settlers their very own Dutch Reformed Church (1682) in Schenectady the city just across the river from Scotia. As I said before, everybody loved Grandpa Glen...and most of all the .....the Mohawk Indians loved Grandpa, or was it a particular grassy knoll they had a fondness for? On a certain hill between the river and the stone house was a spot that the Indians had previously used in the "gladsome pastime of burning their prisoners at the stake!" All I can say as a grandaughter (1924-) is "if there was such a thing as an Indian mafia, Grandpa Glen allowed this depravity to continue in payment for protection , for it was well known our family most often remained safe when Indian raids took place upon the white settlers in the region...But I have nightmares that I can hear Grandma Catherine calling out the kitchen door ...all you kids...get in the house NOW!
Major John and the Pickle Barrel
Grandpa Major John Glen (1648-1731) made some improvments in his father's mansion and added the east wing...super for entertaining. At one point in time, the Mohawks brought a Jesuit priest to Grandpa's house so that the priest could be tortured and killed on the knoll used for this purpose. The Indians wanted John to lock the priest in his cellar until it was time to kill him. John, a very fast thinker, and Grandma Anna(1651-1690) asked for time to think about it because priests had magical powers, and no cellar with an ordinary lock such as his, would be able to confine him. However, Grandpa John said yes, gave the Indians a single key, warned them that they would have to get the priest out themselves the next day because he was too afraid of priestly magical powers and he would have no part in it! Having locked the priest in the cellar, the Indians went dancing out into the yard with the key swinging on a chain and became significantly drunk on the rum graciously supplied to them by Grandpa John. With a plan in mind and before the Indians became completely zonked, John told them he was sending a wagon into town for supplies and not to be concerned if they heard noises. With the Indians now "out cold", Grandpa John opened the cellar door with a second key, popped the priest in a large pickle barrel and sent him off to freedom. It took some swift talking by John to reassert the story of magical powers when the next morning found the priest gone missing. The Indians more than a little disgruntled nevertheless left in complete puzzlement. Because of many instances of kindness to the French whose lives were saved from torture and death, Grandpa Major John Glen and our family were protected by French commanders as well as the Native Americans during the French and Indian wars.
Everbody loves a great party and our family was no exception. The Glen mansion was the gathering place of all the Scotia- Schenectady hoi-polloi and I am sure Grandma and Grandpa Glen were thrilled to have the honor of housing the future King of France, Louis Philippe, who was their guest for a few days during his time of exile in America. Can't you just imagine the hustle and bustle in the mansion that Saturday night when our family went dancing with the stars...not to mention the bedding down of everybody's favorite General,who had the reputation of "kinda sleeping around" when he paid them a visit? Though I see no evidence of a sign on the mansion that states "Washington Slept Here" the powers that be say it is so...hey..believe!
O.K. everyone ...out of the pool and remember that the cheapest way to have your family tree traced is to run for public office.....The Widow Grady
Monday, March 16, 2009
Happy St. Patricks Day!
Greetings from the city that dyes their river a brighter shade of green than it is the rest of the year, for this festive O'cassion!!!! This weekend (as every year) we are treated with 2 separate parades. Saturday's parade is tied to the dying of the river (or as some may call it, the North Side parade, and then Sunday is the South Side Irish parade. Both are celebrated by all, but the craziest bunch is definitely from the South side, where many of us were born and raised!
About 6 months ago, we hired a new person to our group at work, and she is actually from the South Side, and has deep family ties to Evergreen Park! I also found out that Vicki plays in the "Stockyard Kilty Band" ...her and her brother are part of the 60+ members in this "Irish" band, and they play the bag pipes.... As I planned my annual St. Patty's Day Party (this year was actually the 7th consecutive party I have hosted), I thought BAG PIPES! Vicki and her brother Mike, were happy to fit me into their VERY hectic schedule this weekend, and I SURPRISED my party goers with live bag pipe players!!! What a fun time, they just walked right into the house playing authentic Irish music! They played three additional songs, and stayed for an informative question and answering session for everyone. This is a deep family tradition for Vicki and Mike, and really love what they do, and how much it means to their family and ancestors.
Here is a picture taken from the party. Also, I TRIED uploading a video of Vicki and Mike playing Amazing Grace, and their encore song for the evening, but I am doing something wrong. I will try and figure out how to upoad the video, it's pretty cool!!! Til then! I hope everyone has a very Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Saying hello!
Just saying hello to everyone from sunny Florida!! Thank you Aunt Irene for sending me this link. Great way to stay up to date on everyone's lives! Hope all is well with everyone and make sure to have a great St Patrick's Day!
Love,
Danielle, Tommy, and Noah
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Iditarod 2009
The 2009 Iditard starts in about an hour. It's less than 1 mile from my house. Pictures to follow later.
Ed
Ed
Saturday, March 7, 2009
From Grandma Dorothy Brady
Dear Kin and Countrymen,
Greetings from the great Northeast! My house is surrounded by snow and despite the sun, it is frigid. It has been a long season.
Recently, Irene and Kathy visited me. What a joy to have them here. We relived old times and made new memories. I love company so each of you are welcome at any time. Please make a plan.
How nice it is to have a family newsletter. I look forward to each issue to hear the latest news. It amazes me to see how big our group has become. Jim would have been so proud of our brood. I am anxiously waiting to hear of the birthday of my 23rd great-grandchild. Thank you for bringing me a great genealogy.
I hope the spring and summer will bring a nicer forecast and some more exciting news. Till then, love and osculations, from Grandma Brady
Thursday, March 5, 2009
A weekend at the Chase's
Hello Family,
Thanks for all the nice comments on Facebook. We have found through all these crazy happenings of lately that we are much loved by neighbors, friends and family and we feel very grateful to everyone for their love and support. Love to you all, Mae
Thanks for all the nice comments on Facebook. We have found through all these crazy happenings of lately that we are much loved by neighbors, friends and family and we feel very grateful to everyone for their love and support. Love to you all, Mae
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Welcome to the Gene Pool
Ancestors come in all shapes and sizes. All have different temperments, mental acuity and moral values. Some are famous and others infamous but none the less they all are part of "who we are".
We constantly make comparisons within the family as each new child is born. R. Biagioni wrote the perfect formula for a new baby. "1 tsp. of grandma's eyes; 2 shakes of Uncle Fred's blond hair; a pinch of great-grandpa's smile". And such it is--a blend of all who have come before us--we are!
So...let us all...Moms, Dads, Kids, Grandchildren, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews Cousins anyone who is related to Dorothy Rasmussen Brady, Harriet Rasmussen Grady or Lois Rasmussen Berger Koplin, hold hands and jump into the Rasmussen Gene Pool and together find out some FUN things about your heritage. As family historian, I have found many interesting stories, both funny and touchingly sad that I would love to share with you...they are your stories, too! I have run across things that will both thrill and chill you. We have danced equally with royalty and with the skeletons we have pulled from the closet. We have applauded the honest man and sat in the stocks with dissidents.We have tilled the soil and sailed the oceans. We have fought in every war since the Crusades and beyond. We have loved all passionatly and hated some with vengeance. We are all connected with the common bond of family and we are who we are!
I hope to send a story every month and as added fun some quip or quote pertaining to genealogy. I am sending this one today.
A family historian who was writing his family history was dismayed
to find that an ancestor had been publicly hanged. In a moment of
inspiration he wrote "He died during a public ceremony, when the
platform upon which he was standing collapsed beneath him".
Goodbye, and remember we can't choose our ancestors, but that's fair enough. They probably wouldn't have chosen us! The Widow Grady
We constantly make comparisons within the family as each new child is born. R. Biagioni wrote the perfect formula for a new baby. "1 tsp. of grandma's eyes; 2 shakes of Uncle Fred's blond hair; a pinch of great-grandpa's smile". And such it is--a blend of all who have come before us--we are!
So...let us all...Moms, Dads, Kids, Grandchildren, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews Cousins anyone who is related to Dorothy Rasmussen Brady, Harriet Rasmussen Grady or Lois Rasmussen Berger Koplin, hold hands and jump into the Rasmussen Gene Pool and together find out some FUN things about your heritage. As family historian, I have found many interesting stories, both funny and touchingly sad that I would love to share with you...they are your stories, too! I have run across things that will both thrill and chill you. We have danced equally with royalty and with the skeletons we have pulled from the closet. We have applauded the honest man and sat in the stocks with dissidents.We have tilled the soil and sailed the oceans. We have fought in every war since the Crusades and beyond. We have loved all passionatly and hated some with vengeance. We are all connected with the common bond of family and we are who we are!
I hope to send a story every month and as added fun some quip or quote pertaining to genealogy. I am sending this one today.
A family historian who was writing his family history was dismayed
to find that an ancestor had been publicly hanged. In a moment of
inspiration he wrote "He died during a public ceremony, when the
platform upon which he was standing collapsed beneath him".
Goodbye, and remember we can't choose our ancestors, but that's fair enough. They probably wouldn't have chosen us! The Widow Grady
Its Snowing - In Atlanta!!
After living in Atlanta for 8 years I thought I would be used to the crazy winters we have, cold raining, and yes occasionally, like today snow.
Before we know it it will be Hotlanta once again but just for a few hours we get a little bit of home in our own backyard.
Happy 30th Birthday Emily.
You have grown up to be a sweet and loving and hard working young women.
You are an awesome wife and a true friend. You are a mother's dream!!
I'm so glad you loved the aprons I made, more are on the way.
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