This year the United States is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the War in Viet Nam, to thank and honor all those men and women who served our nation as well as their families. Listed on the Cayuga County Government website in the Veteran Service area are 27 brave Cayuga County servicemen who gave their lives for us in Viet Nam. Many more Cayuga County residents than that represented us. While I was looking for more information about those who served, I found some information on a Cutter ship named for Owasco Lake, that also served in Viet Nam and thought it was interesting.
The Cutter Owasco was named for Owasco Lake, Cayuga County, NY and was built for the Coast Guard by the Western Pipe and Steel Company in San Pedro, California. She was launched on 18 June 1944 and was commissioned on 18 May 1945. She was the very first of the 255-foot cutters to enter service.
While at sea on Friday, 13 October 1967, Owasco was notified of her new assignment to Coast Guard Squadron Three in Vietnam. From 10 August 1968 to 6 March 1969, Owasco served with that Squadron. Her crew numbered 160 men.
While in Vietnam she participated in Operation Market Time, the attempt to interdict communist supply lines by sea. Owasco began her first Market Time patrol on 10 August 1968 just south of the Demilitarized Zone in the South China Sea. Per the Coast Guard, Market Time units were assigned primarily to keep the Communists from getting men, arms and other supplies into the Republic of Vietnam. They include U.S. Navy aircraft, destroyer escort radar picket ships, ocean minesweepers and swift boats and Vietnamese Navy Junk Force craft, as well as 82 foot and high endurance Coast Guard cutters.
Six Owasco crew members were cited for their meritorious service as a result of direct action with the enemy, while the Owasco was on a Market Time patrol on 6 November, 1968.
These six men had just completed a mission ashore in Phoucthan (Phouc Thanh was a Province in South Viet Nam from 1959 to 1965, when it was dissolved into Phước Long Province). They went in aid of a Navy Swift boat; this action is detailed in the official cutter scrapbook of her deployment to
Vietnam, entitled: "USCGC Owasco (WHEC-39): A Pictorial History of Its Deployment to Southeast Asia-Viet Nam During 1968-1969".
By the end of her tour overseas, the Owasco had supplied logistical support to 86 Navy Swift boats and 47 Coast Guard 82-foot patrol boats. She was decommissioned on 27 June 1973 and sold for scrap on 7 October 1974, after almost 30 years of service, a record to be proud of.
Photos of the Owasco and a more complete story can be found online in US Coast Guard histories.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Monday, March 31, 2014
Scipio Talbot Jacquard Coverlet
This blog attracts many viewers from across the USA (and a few overseas!) and this week I heard from someone without personal ties to our town, but with an interesting story.
Carol is an antiques dealer and recently purchased a jacquard coverlet from a Talbot family estate. It has "Scipio 1835" in one corner. The blue and cream colors are the same as others I have seen, but the patterns are different. You may recall from past blog posts that the coverlets were generally made by itinerants or as a supplemental source of income by farmers or other seasonally busy folks, using a large loom and punch card system.
In her search for details, Carol found this website and sent me an email with some wonderful photos.
She states that this coverlet was purchased from a Talbot family estate. It was discovered wrapped in tissue paper in an old trunk and is in amazing condition. This coverlet came with a note with a little bit of family history. The note said the coverlet was owned by Mrs. J. D. Freer of Cortland, NY, who was noted as "My Father's Mother" by the last owner of the coverlet. It also stated that is was said to have been presented as a wedding gift by the family of Henry Ward Beecher. Henry (1813-1887), a minister like his six brothers, was a brother to Harriett Beecher Stowe, author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin."
I am hoping that a Talbot family member from our neck of the woods can shed some light on the family's relationship to Mrs. Freer and to Henry Ward Beecher to their family before Carol has sold the coverlet. I'd be glad to share her email with anyone interested in speaking with her directly.
Carol is an antiques dealer and recently purchased a jacquard coverlet from a Talbot family estate. It has "Scipio 1835" in one corner. The blue and cream colors are the same as others I have seen, but the patterns are different. You may recall from past blog posts that the coverlets were generally made by itinerants or as a supplemental source of income by farmers or other seasonally busy folks, using a large loom and punch card system.
In her search for details, Carol found this website and sent me an email with some wonderful photos.
She states that this coverlet was purchased from a Talbot family estate. It was discovered wrapped in tissue paper in an old trunk and is in amazing condition. This coverlet came with a note with a little bit of family history. The note said the coverlet was owned by Mrs. J. D. Freer of Cortland, NY, who was noted as "My Father's Mother" by the last owner of the coverlet. It also stated that is was said to have been presented as a wedding gift by the family of Henry Ward Beecher. Henry (1813-1887), a minister like his six brothers, was a brother to Harriett Beecher Stowe, author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin."
I am hoping that a Talbot family member from our neck of the woods can shed some light on the family's relationship to Mrs. Freer and to Henry Ward Beecher to their family before Carol has sold the coverlet. I'd be glad to share her email with anyone interested in speaking with her directly.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
William Seward's Westfield Years
Today I was idly browsing NYS wineries information, as a friend had recommended a visit to a winery on Lake Erie. Their website recommended places to shop, dine and stay. The William Seward Inn caught my eye.
When I visited their website at http://www.williamsewardinn.net/I found a wonderful narrative about William Seward and his years working for the Holland Land Company while living in Westfield, NY.
The Inn was built in 1832, and in 1837 it was purchased by William Seward. He made many improvements but sold it in 1841 to a George Patterson who shortly became NYS Lieutenant Governor.
In the 1960's, this 35-foot high Greek revival mansion was nearly demolished but in 1966 a small group of dedicated individuals were able to have it dismantled and reassembled in another location. In 1981, the building had been neglected and had again fallen into serious disrepair, then was purchased and restored as a bed & breakfast.
This story is one of so many that document the ability of small but determined groups of people to make a difference and save an important piece of New York history. I can't wait to visit!
When I visited their website at http://www.williamsewardinn.net/I found a wonderful narrative about William Seward and his years working for the Holland Land Company while living in Westfield, NY.
The Inn was built in 1832, and in 1837 it was purchased by William Seward. He made many improvements but sold it in 1841 to a George Patterson who shortly became NYS Lieutenant Governor.
In the 1960's, this 35-foot high Greek revival mansion was nearly demolished but in 1966 a small group of dedicated individuals were able to have it dismantled and reassembled in another location. In 1981, the building had been neglected and had again fallen into serious disrepair, then was purchased and restored as a bed & breakfast.
This story is one of so many that document the ability of small but determined groups of people to make a difference and save an important piece of New York history. I can't wait to visit!
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Comstock's History of Scipio
In 1940, Austin Comstock's "Some of the Early History of the Town of Scipio" was published. I have a mimeographed typescript that I've read many times.
The publication is filled with names and relationships of our early settlers. I didn't find an electronic copy but it looks like the Finger Lakes Library System has it with OCLC #503217088.
This winter, I decided to build an index of the names in this 30-page document. The names include Hoxie, Chase, Sherwood, Gould, Heffron,Bennett, Wyant, Buckhout, Mosher, Bancroft and many more.I am almost done, and will be posting a copy to the blog so stay tuned!
The publication is filled with names and relationships of our early settlers. I didn't find an electronic copy but it looks like the Finger Lakes Library System has it with OCLC #503217088.
This winter, I decided to build an index of the names in this 30-page document. The names include Hoxie, Chase, Sherwood, Gould, Heffron,Bennett, Wyant, Buckhout, Mosher, Bancroft and many more.I am almost done, and will be posting a copy to the blog so stay tuned!
Sunday, December 8, 2013
2014 Suffrage Calendar
I am happy to pass along the news that the 2014 Woman's Suffrage Calendar is now available for sale. The format is similar to last year's calendar, but the content is new. The inside front and back covers focus this year on Miss Isabel Howland, niece of Miss Emily, and some of her activities in local, county, state and national woman's rights movements as well as her commitment to the hamlet of Sherwood. There is a poster image for each month, all different from last year. The birth dates of famous suffragist are listed, along with events occurring each month.
As you know if you saw last year's calendar, these are much more than just a calendar. They are a collector's item, a work of art, an important historic story, and a wonderful gift item.I will be adding my 2013 calendar to the Scipio History Room collection for future viewing. This calendar sold out last year, making it a real collector's item!
The calendar can be obtained online at the Howland Stone Store Museum website www.howlandstonestore.org or locally by contacting Patricia White at 315-364-5587 (or pwhite2299@aol.com). The calendars cost $16.00 (plus postage added for all online orders (@ $3.50).
As you know if you saw last year's calendar, these are much more than just a calendar. They are a collector's item, a work of art, an important historic story, and a wonderful gift item.I will be adding my 2013 calendar to the Scipio History Room collection for future viewing. This calendar sold out last year, making it a real collector's item!
The calendar can be obtained online at the Howland Stone Store Museum website www.howlandstonestore.org or locally by contacting Patricia White at 315-364-5587 (or pwhite2299@aol.com). The calendars cost $16.00 (plus postage added for all online orders (@ $3.50).
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Local Daughters of the American Revolution attend 2013 Continental Congress
Our local newspaper, the Citizen, published an article I wrote about a recent trip to historic Washington DC.
Local Daughters of the American Revolution attend 2013 Continental Congress
Local Daughters of the American Revolution attend 2013 Continental Congress
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Honored at last : Schuyler Cemetery Honors Civil War Veterans
I happened across this article, and was pleasantly surprised to find a Cayuga County man among those honored - James R. Clark. Hope you enjoy the article too.
Honored at last : Schuyler
Honored at last : Schuyler
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