Rnnk ■ M r M 5" 
 
fiec'd. nAg'97 
 
 Port Jervis, 
 New York. 
 1897, 
 
Addresses ©eDn^ered 
 ^fflnnd Paipers Mead 
 
 A BEFORE THE A: 
 
 X AT THEIR X 
 
 HmmonaD amd Senmn= 
 
 FEBRUARY 22nd, and JULY 22nd, 1896, 
 
 Gazette Book & Job Print, 
 
 Port Jervis. N. Y. 
 
 1897. 
 
OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY. 
 
 ItEV. l»i;. S. W. MIM.S. I'hksidknt. 
 LEVI VAN ETTEN, Vick President. 
 FRANCIS MARVIN, Vke Pkesident. 
 JOHN I. WESTBROOK. Vice President. 
 ELTING CrDDEBACK, Vice President. 
 DR. W. L. CUDDEBACK. REroRDiNo Secretary. 
 , \V. H. NEARPASS. C'orrespondino Secretary. 
 ('. F. VAN INWEfJEN. Treasurer. 
 
 Executive Committee : 
 
 BEN.I. VAN FLEET. O. P. HOWELL. 
 
 C. E. CUDDEBACK. J. J. MILLS. 
 
 WITH OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY. 
 
a: description of a: 
 
 MdDmMimemil amd TateDeHo 
 
 0*C>0<C:yO 
 
 The monument is a solid block of blue stone, with i-ou,iih 
 cut edg^es and smooth dressed front, the dimensions beingf 
 three feet and seven inches hii^h, sixteen inches in thick- 
 ness, and four feet and six inches in width, The tablet, 
 which is affixed to the dressed surface of the stone by four 
 expansion bolts, is of bronze, three-sixteenths of an inch 
 thick, with raised letters and is tliree feet wide and twenty- 
 one inches high. The whole monument rests on a stone 
 foundation of masonry five feet deep, below the frost line 
 The tablet bears the following inscription in raised letters : 
 
 »- . • 
 
 I 
 
 TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF 
 
 BENJAMIN EATON, 
 
 WHO SERVED IN THE CONTINENTAL ARMY 
 
 AS A MEMBER OF THE BODY GUARD OF 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 1780-1783. 
 
 " CONQUER OR DIE. " 
 
 PLACED HERE BY THE MINISINK VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 Si 
 
^*^ ADDRESSES ^ 
 
 a; delivered at x 
 THE SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING, 
 
 At the eiji'hth sciiii-aiiiiual iiiectin^- of the Minisiuk 
 \'alU\v Historical Society JH'hl at (Muldebackville, 
 July 22(1, 18'.)(), a tablet erected by the Society to the 
 nieinory of Benjaiiiin Eaton, one of Washington's 
 Life (tuanl, who had been bnricMl tifty-three years be- 
 fore in the cemetery at Ciiddebackville, was unveiled 
 with ai>i>r<>])riate exercises. 
 
 After biief intr.xluctory remarks by the President 
 of the Soci<^ty, an address connected with the nnveil- 
 inji' of the tablet was made by John W. Lyon, Esq., 
 of P«,rt Jervis. The Tier. Robert Bruce (^lark, of 
 (rdslicn, f()ll(»w<Ml \Aith an address on Liberty and 
 rati iotism. These, toiictlier with a sketch of the life 
 of I'enjamin Eaton, i)rei)are(l by the Hon, Francis 
 Marvin, an<l read at the annual meetinji of the So- 
 ciety in l''ebi'uary, ISIXJ, and ]>apers relating to the 
 Town of Caudebec in I'^rance and to the daudebec 
 family, prepared by Dr. W. L. ('ud<leback and read 
 at the July meetini;-, have been defined worthy of 
 puhlication and are contained in this ]»ami)lilet, ac- 
 com])anied by a cut of the tablet. 
 
 Introductoiy icmaiks in part by the President of 
 the Societv: 
 
After ;illii«lin(; !<► tlu^ ;issi'iiiblin<;- of the Society nt 
 the phice of its tirst iiiidsuiniiHM* uieetiiiji" and where 
 it met for five STiC(e**siv<^ years, and extending; a cor- 
 dial ^reetinj^- to all who were inesent, he stated that 
 the object of the Society was patriotic as well as his- 
 toric. It is expressly stated in its constitntion that 
 one of its objects will be " to enconraoe a patriotic 
 sentiment.'' The times fixed for the two stated meet- 
 in<»s of the Society are Avell ada])ted to promote this 
 cbject. The aiinnal meeting is on the 22d of Febrnar\% 
 the birthday of the immortal Washinoton, and can 
 never be observed withont bringing before the mind 
 of every trne American the name of one who stands 
 ont in all history as an example of all that is best 
 and noblest in patriotic virtue. 
 
 Our semi-annnal m<^eting on July 22(1 reminds ns 
 of the heroic deeds of the ])(M)])le of this valley and of 
 the snrroiinding conntry, who on this day, 117 years 
 ago, ins])ired by loftiest ])atriotism, r(>se up in defence 
 of their homes and liberties, which had been ruthless- 
 ly invaded by a savage foe, and sacrificed all tha.t 
 was dear to them that themselves, their wives and 
 (diildren might dwell in peace and security. In this 
 deadly conflict, in which one-half of the patnot band 
 fell before a foe far sur])assing them in number, were 
 pel-formed deeds of valor and heroism which should 
 cause tiieir names to be held in grateful rpmembranee 
 by coming ge'nerati<ms. 
 
 Our Society has just rendered a ])atriotic service in 
 placing a tablet to mark the resting-])lace of one who 
 served well his day and geuiM-ation in the great strug- 
 gle for American IndepcMidcuce. 
 
 Of this you will hear uiore fully from one well 
 known to most of those ])reseut, born and reared in 
 
this vjillev, Mud whom I t;ikr j)I<^jisni-<' in now ])i'esent- 
 iiiii to you. 
 
 AddivSvS ill pjiit of .]oliii \V. Lyon, 10s(].: 
 Tlie veil Avhicli has just hccn I'fMiioved by reverent 
 hands disi loses forever to luihlic view a tablet to per- 
 petuate a. reeord phiced over the tinal restiiiji-i>lace 
 of l^enjainiii Eaton, 'i'lie cereniony which brin<»'s us 
 together on this (K-casion is therefore frau«ilit with 
 both seiitinieut and r(ner(Miee, It is indeed a or and 
 spectacle to witness here the renieiiibrance and jirati- 
 tude a])])arent from y(»ur presenct^ Upwards of half 
 a century aii(> our j^ood and patriotic ancestors jijatli- 
 ered at the bier of one whose life and stmooles for 
 the liberty enjoyed by them were terminated by the 
 ins<rntable hand, and here ainoni>' these hills and at 
 the threshold of the historic valley (►f the Neversink, 
 ]5ointiniLi- towaids our beautiful villajic of Port Jervis, 
 jiood men, ami women too, ])aid tinal tribute to him 
 whose life and dee<ls we are to-day reviving with our 
 presence and the |)lacin_«» of a record which will de- 
 claie to cominji' venerations the ])atriotism, reverence 
 and liratitude of the jjeneration immediately sncceed- 
 ini: that of the one for whom this appropriate tablet 
 is pla( cd. Our < liiidren, nid childreirs children, we 
 may safely and naturally assuiiu\ will vie^w with 
 pride and recoonize by events similar to this, their 
 full appreciation, not only of the snbject of this oatli- 
 erinii, but also the motives and sentiments which 
 Iiroin]»t<Ml us to meet here this (^-entful 22d day of 
 July, 180fi. 
 
 But little can be learned of the ]»lace of birth and 
 the direct ancestry of Benjamin Eaton. However, 
 from data an<l information at hand, it se(Miis that he 
 was boin at Salem, in Massaihusetts. I^rom the best 
 
records obtainable it ai)peais that he eiilistcMl in the 
 Continental army from the State of New Jersey, and 
 information from the War Department at Washinj;- 
 ton states that he served as a private in the Coni- 
 mander-in-Cliief's (riiards, Tontinental troops. His 
 naine appears on the rolls from Ai)ril 1st, 1780, to 
 A])i'il, 1783. After the war he probably lived near 
 Newburo-h nntil old aj^e led him and his wife to make 
 their home Avith a son, Benjamin W. Eatim, abont 
 midway between Cuddebackville and Otisville, J2,'en- 
 erally known as the Dilly place, in a log honse eigh- 
 teen or twenty feet sqnare. Here he died Oct. lOth, 
 1843, and was buried with military lumors. Hon. 
 Lewis (^nddeback, Avhom most of ns remember as a 
 hiohly honored and respected citizen of this town and 
 afterwards of Goshen, assumed charoe of the funeral 
 arranoements. Cai)tain I'eter P. Swartwout had 
 command of the ])rocession. Peter L. (Inniaer and 
 his brother, Jacob (\ K., were titers on the occasion, 
 and Peter states his recollection of the whole affair 
 as distinctly as thoujih it occurred hut a short time 
 ago — the long, tiresome march and the tunes that 
 Avere played. The music was " Hoyne Water," some 
 times called the 'M)ead March." J'eter was at the 
 time about 17 years of age, and with his brother, en- 
 rolled as musicians in the militia. 
 
 Such was the life and sunouudings of the subject 
 of this gathering. It is tlu^refore exceedingly appro- 
 priate, as well as commendable, that the event of 
 1843, when his remains weie placed here, that to-day, 
 we, the descendants of that generation, should gather 
 under the aus])ices of this occasion an<l unveil and 
 give to itostei'ity a fitting r<M-ord of the life of one 
 illustrious because of his associjiTious with the great 
 
men who si i'iii;;Lil<Ml loi* (iiii- indciK'ndcncc. To his 
 iiu'iiioi-v and the iiiciiKd'y of" those \\'h(» part i ciliated 
 in his burial, as well as in vonr behalf, 1 tender to the 
 world and i>ost(M'ity the record of Henjaniiii Eaton as 
 inscribed njxin this apjMopriate tablet, and may it be 
 preserv(Ml as a tittini; emblem expressinj*- the senti- 
 nn'nt and reverence of this "feneration. 
 
 Addri^ss in substance of the Kev. Kobei't Bruce 
 Hark: 
 
 The President of your Society o;ave me in his invi- 
 tation to address yon at this time my option of a sub- 
 ject either hist(H'ic or jiatriotie. As I do not feel 
 competent to speak to yon of the " Minisink Rattle '' 
 1 have availed myself of this option and will talk to 
 you on the subject of " Liberty and Patriotism." 
 
 The air is redolent Avith the memory of thin«>s gone. 
 The place is historic. Xo longer does blood flow in 
 these valleys. The mountain streams rush on in 
 their purity to the sea. We have gathered to-day to 
 whet our memories of things past, and to stimulate 
 our energies for future action. 1 saw in a cemetery 
 in lOdinburgh, Scotland, a great Scotch granite monu- 
 m(Mit erected to the memory of those of Scottish birth 
 who died in our late civil war. Surmounting the ped- 
 estal is a bronze ligure of Abraham Lincoln and at 
 I'.is feet the bending ligure of a colored man with out- 
 stretched arms and upturned face. At the base are 
 the words " Emancipation, education, suffrage," and 
 also these ininioi-tal words, " To pi-esei've the j(nv(d of 
 liberty in the framework of freedom." To ])reserve 
 this jeAvel has been the effort of mankind since the 
 world began. It shows plainly in Biblical history. 
 AbimehM-h made himself king and debased the liber- 
 ty of the jteople. In evei-y gi'eat nation in the 
 
world's liistory man's hirtliii^ht of lihiM-ty has beeu 
 »lel)as<'(l l»_v the scltislmcss of nilcrs and di])loniats. 
 Tlit'i'c has been a ^radnal pvolntion in tlie direction 
 of lihoi'ty, but the process has been slow and is still 
 slow in many countries. The greatest foe to liberty 
 in all asies has been dishonest diplonuuy. This na- 
 tion was born fi-om a trinity of intltiences that pro- 
 dn(<'<l the frnit of individual liberty. We are frinn 
 the sh)W, determiiKMl, steady-j^oiuL!,- jtions Ibdlander, 
 froii! :bemercnrial and enthusiastic l-^renchman, and 
 from the an«»les of England; makinji; a people better 
 tlian the Hollander, sti''<m<2,er than the Kriton, and 
 nioi-e enthusiastic than the l^^rench. 
 
 I'reedoni is of three kinds. I'irst conies ]»hysical 
 liberty, which consists of the riL;ht to the free use of 
 our facnlti(^s. Tt took centuries of strn_ii<>ie to estab- 
 lish the fact that a man's body is inviolate. Now all 
 the resources of s<-itMice ami ait are (Milisted to ])re- 
 serve it from diseasi- and accident. Next comes 
 libeity of mind, full freethjm of intellect and o])i!iion. 
 Only in modern times has such liberty existed. Men 
 of science hav<^ heen crucitied for ])roclaimin,i>; the 
 truth, but now all the w(udd pays ti-ilnite to the ex- 
 ]»ressed o])inion of t lie man whose rc^search or wisdom 
 i>ives value to that o])inion. In this libeity of mind 
 is inclnded reliii,ious freedom. Xow-a-days a man is 
 accei)ted for the ])urity of his life J-ather than con- 
 formity to a. creed, but it has taken a_iies f(»r the world 
 to attain that altitude. Next is civil liberty. It has 
 recpiiied centui'it^s of sti-uuiile ro hxatc the sover- 
 eignty of the state. Not until 1TS7 did our ancestors 
 locate it with the ])eo]de. Eniilaml established her 
 soverei<>nty in the House of Commons in the ii'reat 
 suffrage reform measures of \S'.V2. 
 
The \;iTi(iiis Uiiids of liberty .mIxinc iikmiI ioncd iiinkc 
 the fullest ;iii(l (oiiiplct est libcriy. We enjoy all llie 
 libeity (»f iKHJy, iiiiml, relinioii niid civil coiulitioii, 
 jiiul in (Ills res|KMi we are urcatly hlc^ssed, far more 
 so t lian an\" ol her nation. 
 
 Tlie speaker then (Mumieraled th" varions canses 
 which had hindered t he dev(do])nient of civil libi'iMy. 
 The conspiracy of Catalint^ in Konie, the dissininla- 
 linn diplomacy of Machiavelli durin**' the middle 
 aties, the malijin inlinence of l\obes])ierre and his 
 fellow-t(Mrorists of tlie I'^rench Kevohiticm, the rise of 
 Xajxdeoii, the cold, calcnlat iiiji;, meicenary and licen- 
 tious Talh^vrand. 
 
 lie reviewed the circnmstances preceding, the Rev- 
 olntionary \var, showiiiii how loyal the people were 
 (lis)K)sed toward the Bi-itish Crown and how their 
 loyalty was destroyed by lonii'-contintied exactions 
 and tyianny. We did n t rebid against r]n,<iiaiid un- 
 til fni'ced bv the bitterest o])])ression and nej^hn't. 
 The Lifeat success on tlu^ ]>art of our ancestors was 
 dtie to their inteurity and tiieii- tenacity in Inddinij; 
 ainainst the dissimnlation of tories and enemies. 
 They had a luM-oism fixed in jninciple and snnctitied 
 bv faith and a vision of a ^^i-eat futni-e. 
 
 The stiiiin.u, (do(jnence of James Otis and Patrick 
 Henry were descriircMl, and that of America's defeii- 
 <lers in the Ibitisli Ilonse of ( 'ommons, Chatham and 
 I'.nrke. 
 
 lie i)aid a tribute to the constructive^ statesman- 
 slii|» ami political wis(b)m exhibited in devisin«i' a 
 fraim^work of uovernmcMil so ex(inisit(dy adapti^l to 
 the needs of tlie fi'ee ]KM)])le of this contiiuMit. He 
 ]>raised also the work of reconstruction after oui' civil 
 war and «-on( luded with an ebxpient descri])tion of 
 the future possibilities of this country umler its free 
 institutions. 
 
THE STORY OF BENJ, EATON. 
 
 HE WAS A SOLDIER OF WASHINGTON'S 
 BODY GUARD. 
 
 An Interesting Paper Read Before the Minisink 
 
 Valley Historical Society by Hon, Francis 
 
 Marvin. Memorials of the Old Soldier. 
 
 •^t ^t> ^t 
 
 The followiii£f payor was read by Hon. Francis Marvin before 
 the Minisink Valley Historical Society at its meeting on February 
 22 last, relative to F.enjamin Eaton. 
 
 At a recent session of the executive committee of the Minisink 
 Valley Historical Society the Avish was generally expressed that 
 such facts and incidents in the life of Ben.ianuu Eaton, the soldier 
 of tiie Revolution wlu.se remains repose in au unmarked grave in a 
 nearliy cemetery in this town, so far as possible at this late day. 
 miglit lie collected and preserved by the society, and one of the 
 umnber be cliarged witli the duty. The result has been disap- 
 pointiup-. in so far a^^ the writer by brevity of time for extended 
 correspondence, and want of experience, has come far short of 
 what was reasonably exjiected. But in the hope that the search 
 will be renewed by one better equipped, the few incidents collect- 
 ed, trifling in themselves, are recorded. 
 
 Absolutely nolldng of the i>arentage of F.en.ianiiu Eaton has 
 been .iis<-()vcn'(1. ncr of Ills iiistory Ix'forc the beginning of army 
 life. There is .-m iniin-ession tliat lie tirsi saw the light at Salem, 
 Massachusetts. His enlistment is credited among the troops con- 
 tributed to the Cf)ntinental army from the state of New Jersey. 
 The name of his wife, tlie mother of three or fcmr children, can- 
 not be recalled. N(tt unlikely, at the conclusiim of his nnlitary 
 life, he took residence at or near Xewburgh. until old age com- 
 
I'elled tlH" couple to make tlx'ir homo with a son at or noar CuiMo- 
 backvillo. bi-forc doiiij: which, liowcvcr. lu> made several visits 
 there of h>iii:er or siiorter duration: in such jM-riods he is not 
 known to have done any manual labor, lie had two brothers. 
 Samuel and Ephraim. and perhaps a third. The closing years of 
 the old soldier and liis wife were serenely pas.sed in the home of 
 Ben.iannn W.. his son: tlicre was anf)ther son. Samuel, and per- 
 haps anotlier still wjiose n.inic is forjrotte'n. and a daughter. 
 Abigail, or now conunonly cMlled .\l)l)y. who married a Kelly, and 
 is thouirht to liavc lived in Xewl)nrgh. 
 
 Uen.iamin W. came to Cuddcliackville in tlie cnmpany of en- 
 gint'ors then engagi'd in the construction of the Delaware & Hud- 
 son Canal, upon the completion of which he was given the place 
 of locktender at lock .").'{. dwelling in the house close by erected 
 for that pun>ose, where he piu-sued his occupation of cordwainer. 
 and later on added to his income the profits arising from the sale 
 of small stores to boatmen. A few years later the family removed 
 to a log house on the road leading from Cuddebackville to Otls- 
 ville. nearly midway between these villages, then generally known 
 as the Dilly place. The house, a small one. some sixteen or eigh- 
 teen by twenty feet stitiare. stood in the field just opposite the 
 point made by the intersection of tlie road from Port Orange with 
 the old Turnpike, distant .">(• yards, and some 300 yards south of 
 the toll gate. It lias l)cen siiid. but erroneously. ■ that the old 
 soldier was gatekeeper. Oidy the slightest indications of the site 
 of this, one the last log lioiises of the region, remain. 
 
 The wife of the aged soldier died here some years Ivefore his 
 deeense. and a few still live who remember the hou.sehold and the 
 incident of the funer;il. and the fact that it was accompanied by 
 military Inniors. 
 
 He posses.sed the form and features calculated to arrest atten- 
 tion, of medium height, strongly built, and though somewhat 
 stooping from age and assisted bv his staff, was still hah' ami 
 hearty: his eye was clear and bright, and he was an intelligiMit 
 and fluent talker. The father was usually alluded to or addressed 
 as "Mister." and the smi .-is "lien" Katon. The late (Jeorge 
 Eaton. wh<) will be recalled by many of us. is said by a grand- 
 daughter to have had a suii>rising resemblance to the scddier. lH)th 
 in form and feature: she is also impres!<ed with the belief that he 
 was in the enjoynuMit of a pension, having a small income which 
 ctmld have l>een possibly derived from no other source. On one 
 occasion he brought home a cow. i)urchased with iH'usion money, 
 and i)resented her soniew li;it ceremoniously to his wife. It is not 
 
known that he \v;is ;i n'li.cions in.-m, Init iinidni;- liis cffofTs was a 
 copy of the b(M)k of Conunon Pra.viM-. whicli Ikhh' cviiltMice of lon,^- 
 and constant ns«". 
 
 Till' incidents of his (h'.itli and funeral have usually been placed 
 at a date earliei* than is true. In the family record of Benjamin 
 W.. now in possesi^ion of Mrs. Oliver Stidd. a coi-y of whicli she 
 lias kindly permitted to appear herein, will I»e oT)scrv('il the record 
 of his decease, October Ifi. 1843. 
 
 FAMILY RECOKD OF BENJAMIN W. EATON. 
 Ben.iamin Eaton, fatlicr. died Oct. IC. 1.S4:'.. 
 
 Benjamin W. Eaton, son. boi-n l>ec. '!(». ITtll; married Marijaret 
 Dnvall; died Jan. 13. Isr.T. 
 
 Margaret Duvall. v.\U\ born Antr. S. 17;»r>. dieil Aiiril 4. ISTd. 
 C'lIILDUEN. 
 
 Elizabeth C. born Jan. 13. lSir>. married Emery Thompkins. 
 died Dec. 20, ISlft. 
 
 ?^Iary Jane, born Feb. ."i. 1S17. died :Marcli 10. ISIJ). 
 
 Sanmel. )>oni Marcli 23. 1S19. dieil April 4. ISIJ). 
 
 SauJiicl. Ixirn .Vn-..;. 20. ISi'U. died Sept. 4. 1S2(). 
 
 Sarah K(inyi. Iiorn Nov. Ki. 1S21. UKin'icd Caton Stiild. died 
 Sept. 2<;. l.S(n. 
 
 William S.. born .Marcli 24. 1S24. married Evans. 
 
 Uachael Ann. lioin 0<-t. l."i. 182(i, died Oct. :Ul. 1S2(;. 
 
 Mara-aret born Feb. 14. 182S, died Mar<-h 12. 183.". 
 
 Henry ('.. born Ma.A '.», 1831, married Kebecca Booth. 
 
 Harmaniis 0(uddel>acki. born ^Mav 3. 1834. married ('atlierine 
 Miracle. 
 
 Hannah Jane, born June 20. l.s:',!). iiiairied Oliver Stidd. 
 
 'I'-ie vol Idly csl.-.tc (d' the family was of the most modest 
 character, as an incident r( lated by one of those wlio watched l)y 
 th" coriise of tile soldi( r shows. " Ouring the night we were served 
 with refreshments. t\ calce liaked of buckwheat meal and molas- 
 ses." The late Lewis Cuddeback assumed charge of the funeral: 
 it is not known by whom the religious exercises were conducted. 
 Dominie Elting died the week following and not milikely Rev. 
 .Mr. Edgar, pastor of the Mount Hop(> church, olticiated. On the 
 childish mind of an eye-witness, then very young, is impressed 
 the sight of a. great throng of people in the yard, soldiers being 
 the main part, the procession moved off, the music, waving plumes 
 and the vanishing comjiany of friends and neiglibors. The cottin 
 
(tf the (U\-iil sitlditM-. covt'rctl witli the tl:ii,- t'oi- wliicli he iiuirclicl 
 and fiiui:iit. wms rt'sjicct fully lowcicd inii> iis rcsliiij; jilacc in the 
 .srravt'.vanl at i'liddchacUvillc. and Ihc rt-^Milalion vollt'.vs tired by 
 the military. A mnuli frauiiieiit ol' sIoih' indicates the place, well- 
 known to many. TIh- rcvcicnci- we tCfl for him and his conn-ades 
 shcndd inciic ns to jiul i'\'l' no Ionizer Iho oroclion of a stoin> to 
 pei'iietuate Ins mmioi-y. 
 
 In responsi' to the riMiucsl for an anlJH'ntic <-oi»y of any i)nl»lic 
 reronl re.na rd i n :.; liif military soi-viccs of I lie s(ddit'r. the f(dlo\v 
 ini; was tiivcn: 
 Kt'cord and I'onsion Olticc. Wav I>t"i>t., Waslunyton City. 
 
 Fehniary 4. ISOG. 
 
 — ^ : I lieir to inform yon that the records of this office 
 
 show that Benjamin Katoii serviMl as a private in the Commander- 
 in-Chief s (inard. Continental Tn^ops. Kevolntionary War. 
 
 His name appears en the rolls from April 1. 1780. to April. 178:'.. 
 witli till' remark. ".loined 1 .\i.ril. ITSd." 
 
 .\'o furtlu'r iitorn'ation i-elative To his service has been ionnd 
 on record. 
 
 \'ery respect f\dly. 
 
 1'. c. Ai.xswou'rii. 
 
 Colonel r. S. Aney. Chief of IJecord and Tension Ottiee. 
 The identity of him whose remains repose in the nnmarke.l .urave 
 at Cnddebackville with the one whose services aiv recorded above 
 can be proved only by the nmniesticvned tradition which for half a 
 century has lH>en accepted as dii-ect from tlie lips uf the soldier lo 
 his children and graiuh-hihlren. 
 
 The caution and i)recision wliicli characterized tlie tnuisactions 
 of Lewis Cuddeback will lead all who knew him to the conclusion 
 that no ndstake was made on this occasion. 
 
 .MiDiil the \ e;ir l.s-!!;-.">0 a gentleman visited tlie family iiiakini; 
 many iniiniries jii'd collected ;ill the incidents which they v,ere 
 aide i(, fmnisli. it w.-is s.-iid with the view to aid tlie .-inthor in tin- 
 prepai-.-ilioii of .•! liivtory of AN'ashin.uton and llie war. jiossibly 
 Heii-.ou .1. I.ossiiiu. whose "Field Hook of tlie Kevolntion ' ii.ade 
 its appcjirance soon ■•iftt'r. 
 
 Ben.ianiin W. was <ommonly rath«>r reticent rt'gardiuu his fath- 
 er, but on mie occasi<in st.ated to my infonnant that he coll.vied 
 a eonij'any of infantry in Newbnr^rh and vicinity for service in the 
 last war with Croat liritain under the promise of bein.ir c<Mn- 
 missioned its captain. l>m on arrivinu at the jilace of beinj; mns- 
 
tered iu the proiuiso was not fiilfilleil: the iiKist of them, however, 
 enlisted, and he among llie number. This statement is not eon- 
 tiruied l>y any otlier of liis deseendents. but no reason to doubt It 
 exists, but rather to accept it. upon the supposition that his h)ve 
 for campaigning revived witli busy preparations for a new conflict 
 with the old enemy. 
 
 In connection with the subjecit a few incidents recorded by the 
 historians In-ing, Lossing and Martha Lamb of the Commander- 
 in-Ol'ief's Guard may have some interest, and from tlicm 
 the reader may infer what \vere the duties, services and suiTound- 
 ings of the (Guardsman. 
 
 THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S GUARD. 
 
 That soon after the appointment of Washington as Commander 
 in Chief of the Continental army there can be no question of the 
 formation of a corps wiio.se especial duty would be to guard the 
 person, papers, baggage and effects of tlie Chief. It may very 
 well be that Philip Schuyler and George Washington, active mem- 
 bers of the committee "* to prepaiv rules and regulations for the 
 army " of the " old " Congress, provided for a body guard. The 
 eminent character of both men for their methodical, business at- 
 tention to details warrants the belief. Loosing says, " history is 
 almost silent respec-ting this corps, few or no living witnesses re- 
 main "' (1850), and further "the Commander-in-Chief's Guard." 
 commonly called the Life Guard, was a distinct coiijs of superior 
 men. attached to «the person of the General, but never spared iu 
 battle. It was organized in 177fi. while the army was encamped 
 on Manhattan Island, composed of 180 men— a Major's command. 
 <^aleb (Tibbs. of Rliode Island, was the first Chief, umler the title 
 of Captain Commandant, and retained that commission until the 
 close of ITTD. wlien he was suceeded by William Colfax, of New 
 .lersey. who remained in command until the army was disbanded 
 in 1783. Excepting in the feature of qualitication the terms of en- 
 listment were the same as into any other coi-ps' of the regular 
 army. Col. Alexander Spcjtswood had the selection of the men 
 from each regiment and was cliarged to be extremely cautious, 
 because, waMtes Washington. •' it is more than probable that in the 
 course of the campaign my baggage, papers and other matters of 
 great public importance may be committed to the sole care of 
 these men." The privates were carefully selected with special 
 refei-ence to their moral, physical and intellectual capacity. None 
 were to be over five feet and ten inches, nor under five feet nine 
 inches ii. height, young .-uid well made and proud of appearing 
 clean and soldier-lilve. Spotswood was further charged to send 
 
nom- liUt iiiili\('s .nid il possible iiicu of sdinc iiroixTly. 'I'lio luutin 
 inscrilu'd u|m)Ii tlic colctrs wjis " ("oikhum- or Die." i\\u\ the ibi:,'. .-is 
 late as alHUit IS.'O. was still in t^xistencc in the eolUftion of similar 
 relics at Alexandria. \a. Tlie uiiifonn consisted of blue coats, 
 white facinps. Avhiic waistcoats and breeches, black half pralters. 
 black c(H-ked hats, blue and white feathers, bayonet and body belts 
 Avhite: tli«\v carrie<l muskets and sometimes side arms. The eonis 
 varied in iiunilH'rs at different perio<ls. at first 180. During the 
 winici of ITT'.'^'i. when the army was cantone<l at Morristown 
 in dose proximity to the enemy, it was increased to 2.^»0: the 
 followinsr sprintr it was reduced to the original number. an<l in 
 17.S.'3. the la.st year of service, the strenj?th was only i'A. At Morris 
 town Washinjrton o<H-upie<l the " Ford " mansion, from whence he 
 wrote: " Eijrhteen of my family aud all of Mrs. Ford's are crowd- 
 ed topether in lier kitclien. and scarce one of them able to speak 
 for the colds tlicy have." The utmost precaution ajjjainst sur]-.ri.<e 
 was maintained: pickets were thrown out far upon the roads lead- 
 ing: to the Hudson, and the tiring of a gun at a distance would be 
 repeated along the line of sentinels to camp and headquarters. On 
 such r.ccasions the "MJuard" would rush from the huts n»>ai'l)y to 
 the mansion, liarricade the doors, throw up the sash, five with 
 muskets ready generally stationed at each window l>ehind drawn 
 curtains, until the troops could be mustered, and tlie cause of 
 alarm l>e ascertained, and they were frequent. Mrs. Washington 
 and the other ladies were obliged to lie in bed. sometimes for 
 hours, with tlieir rooms tilled witii guards, and the keen wintry 
 blasts sweeping through the liouse. Notwithstanding the precau- 
 tion taken, treidiery invaded the corps througii the efforts of those 
 engaged witli <;(iv. Tryon and the Tories in the plot of 177G, 'n 
 which Washington was to be kilhsl or delivered up to the enemy. 
 Thomas Mickey, one of tlie (iuard. was not only engaged in tln' 
 p'.ot but assisted in corrupting his conu-ades. among others. Greene, 
 the drummer, and .Fohnson. the titer. He was tried by a court 
 maitial, w h. n it.\^ as sliown that he was a deserter from the British 
 army, was found guilty of niutiny. sedition aud treacherous corre- 
 .sj)ondence with the enem.v and sentenced to execution. The sen- 
 teiice was api)roved by the Commander-in-Chief and promptly car 
 rie.l into effect in the most solemn and impressive manner. On the 
 morning of the 2Sth of .Tun<' all the otticers and men off duty l>e- 
 longing to the brigades of Heath. SiKMicer. Sterling aud St-ott 
 m.i'stered under arms and marched to the grouml. a. field near the 
 R:iwery. twenty men from each l)riga(le. with bayonets fixed 
 guarding the prisoner. Tliere he w.-is luinged in the i>resence. we 
 are told, of near L'(i.(i(i(i i jile. In liis orderly i.ook Wasliiiigtou 
 
I'xpre^ist^l tlic •• liojic tlml the uiiliMppy fate of Thoniiis Hickey. 
 executtHl that day for nuiTiny, sedition and treaeht»ry, would be a 
 warning to every soldier in the line, to avoid the.crinies for which 
 he suffered." 
 
 This wais th(> Hrsr militai'y execution of the Revolution. One of 
 the last returns, if not tlu' last, dated June 4, ITSH, sif>-ned by Wil- 
 liam Colfax, with his certiticate that " the above list includes the 
 whole of the guard" is still among the military archives of the 
 nation, and the name of Hen.jamin Eaton appears among the ten 
 credited to New Jersey. 
 
 It has been said that the militafy escort at the funei-al of tlie 
 old gt:ardsman Avas comiK)se<l of a company of cadets from the 
 Militaiy Academy at AVest Point, but upou search being made, Mr. 
 William Ward, keeper of the records at that post, rex)ort,s " nothing 
 either in orders or otherwise makes it appear that the corjis of 
 cadets, or any of them participated in the funeral ceremonies of 
 Benjamin Eaton." 
 
 That feature of the occasion was the company raised in the 
 vicinity some years l>efore. of which William A. Cmhleback was 
 Captain; Abram Westbrook Cuddeback. Lieutenant. George H. 
 Brown, Ensign, and comiwsed of some sixty or seventy rank and 
 lile. attache<l to Col. Westbrook's lU)th Hegt. Infantry. 2:h-d Bri- 
 gade, and ()th Division of the State Militia. The regimental mus- 
 ters and general training were usually made at Wtu'tsboro and 
 Bloomingburgh. The late Lewis Cuddeba<-k was much interestel 
 in the organi7,atiou and was the bass drummer. Caleb IMttsley beat 
 the tenor drum and Amos Baker was lifer, who also made m.iny 
 of the uniforms worn by them, viz.: blue coats, black military 
 hatsamd feathers, white pantaloons, shoulder and body belts. 
 
 Lieut. Abner AA'estbrook Cuddeback. noAV hale and hearty .-it 
 more than foui- s<'ore, was next in command at the funeral, and the 
 facts in regard to the comi>any were related by him while leaning 
 on a bushhook, the intiuirer liaving interrupted liim in its active 
 use a few days since. 
 
 Stoddard Van Inwegen. Esq., Stpiire William Rankin .ind my 
 aged friend, Harry (Quarters, distinctly recollect the incident of 
 the funeral, as<loalso Mrs. Stidd. a grandilaughter, ;nid Harm.-inns 
 C, a grands(m. e;icli of wliom lias contril)Uted sonu'wliat to the 
 small sum of information on tiiis interesting sub.je( t whicli is here 
 recorded. 
 
CAUDEBEC IN HISTORY. 
 
 SKETCH OF THE CUDDEBACK ANCESTRY 
 A AND CAUDEBEC. /•: 
 
 A Thrifty Old Province and Town in France 
 
 From Which the Cuddebacks Sprang and 
 
 Derived Their Name, Jacques Caud/- 
 
 ebec, the Emigrant Ancestor. 
 
 a; a: a; 
 
 'I'lic fcilluwiuti- iiilcnstiii.t;- sUctcli (if llic liomc of tlic Cnddchar-k 
 ;iiHTSlry mikI Ilic liisldi-y (if the f.-uiiily in this (•(uiiitry. the facts 
 i-i>iitaiiii 1 ill which were uallicrcd w iih iinich trouble and expense 
 by ]tr. ^\■. I.. CuddfliMck. were read at tlic Inisiness meeting of the 
 Minii*ink Valley Historical Society: 
 
 At the first niid-sunmier meeting of tlie Minisink Valley Histori- 
 cal Society, held on tliis sjiot July •Jlid. 18S!). you honored oui- host, 
 ar.d you houoied youist hcs liy naming this si.ot •' Caudebec Park." 
 It is in-oiirr now that one of the Caoidebecs should trace the 
 Candelicc line of descent, place l>efore you a few fact** concerning 
 Uie aiicieiil town of ("audelM'c. France, and relate something of 
 llie family to wliicli we ludoiig. 
 
 This grove, tliis part of the valley is true historic ground. On 
 yonder hill we are within siglit and almost withhi hearing of the 
 knoll where the tirst s(>ttlers in this region i)itclied their tents, 
 and later erectel their log houses. 
 
 Here, to the east, to the Udrth. an<l to the south of us. at shoi't 
 distances are the idaces wliere the stone houses and forts of the 
 second and third generations were built, where many stirring and 
 eventful scenes occurred during revolutinnMrv davs. 
 
Bt'Iow us a few miles Col Tiisten with The Oranse Comity 
 Militia crossed the valley on that most unfortunate expedition to 
 intercept Brant, which ended in diaster at Lakawaxen. July 22l1, 
 the annual recurrence of which we now commemorate. 
 
 Here were the military headquarters and business centre of the 
 town dirrinii' the last and the early years of this century. On lliis 
 mountain, near us. cannon have for years given voice to the i)a- 
 triotism of our people. 
 
 In this fiTove oiir mid-summer meetings have been }j:atheri i<>"s 
 of ac<iiiaintances. old and new — of people from all over and be- 
 yond the borders of the Minisink region— where gifted speakers 
 have entertained us with the recital of events and tradititms of 
 our valley. 
 
 AYhat pleasure there has been at each meeting to see and to 
 listen to the greetings of those gray haired boys and girls, who 
 iiM-liaps have not met each otlier for .1. 10 or 20 years, as tluy 
 eagerly and earnestly recount their varied experiences in life. 
 
 This grove, this portion of our valley has been in the possession 
 of the '• Caiidebecs " since its very first settlement and occupation 
 by white people. 
 
 Our Host, Mr. Levi Cuddeback. "is of the bluest of llie blue 
 blood." his t.iTlu'V and mother, each being direct lineal <'t's- 
 ceudauts of the French Huguenot refugee, Jacques Cau'.lebec. 
 The paternal line running backward being James. William A.. 
 Abram, William, then Jacob Caudebec. The maternal line being 
 Catherine. Benj.. Benj.. William, then .Tacob. while succeeiling 
 geiH>rations have been associated with and related on the mater- 
 nal side to the Eltings. Oumaers. Xnu Inwegens, Van Fleets, Van 
 Ettens. Is it any wonder that the name Cuddeback was generally 
 thought to be of Dutch origin V 
 
 Jacques Caudeliec was l)orn about the year l(!()(i in ('audelx'c. 
 France, where his people were i)rosi)er<>us merchants of consider- 
 able wealth. The family Avere zealous protestants and suff;>re 1 
 much because of religious i)ersecution. The revocation of the 
 i:dict of .Xantes caused tliem to become liomeless wanderers. Witli 
 other refugees J;i<-'jiies Caudeliec an<l Pierre (Jumar. ;icc.i;"ding 
 to their own statements. tle<l to Holland, thence after a time to 
 England, where they searched in vain for two sisters of Caudebec, 
 From thence the^y took passage with other Huguenots for .Ameri- 
 ca landing in Maryland, without either friends or money. They 
 soon after came to New York where Caudebec obtained emiiloy- 
 
nuMit from KoiiJ.-iniiii Pnivost. .-i nirnti.-iiit rcsidiii;,' ■•illrniat.'ly ;it 
 Kintfstoii aiul New York. cnuai^fH in trading: and dealing in liirs, 
 etc. 
 
 At Kingston Caudebec and (liiinarr were wclconicd by (.fliers 
 of their countrymen, fujritivcs liUc tliciusclvcs. Aitoul l(i!»<i ass(( 
 oiated with these and the sons of Uoelof Swartwout they explored 
 and settled in the Minisink or Meckhin-kameck valley. 
 
 Satisfied with their surronndinjrs Candehec and Company de 
 termined to make this locality their permanent home. They erect- 
 ed suitable houses and became settled in life. They purchased the 
 fertile lands in the valley from the Indians and lived among and 
 at peace with tliem. being the oidy white settlei-s in this region 
 for several years. In 1(H>." Caudebec returned to New York and 
 on Oct. 21st in the old Reformed Church married Margareta I'ro 
 vost. daughter of his old employer, whence tlH>y retunieil io ihe 
 pioneer life at IVenpack 
 
 Repeated encroachments upon tlH^r lands by others i ladc 
 it necessary that Ih.ey shtmld secure patent from the (Joverameat 
 detinitely locating their possessions. At the solicitation of ('aude- 
 hec tlus was granled Oct. 14th. 1(>97, when the IVenpack p.-itent 
 covering l.lldo ju-res of the level, fertile land of the v.alley was 
 granted to tlieni. In May. 172.^. Caudebec apju-ars ;is one of the 
 adiniiiislrators o!' llie esT.ate of his fatlier-in-law. Heu.jamin I'l-o- 
 vust. of Kingston. 
 
 In jiersonal apix^arance .Tac(d> Caudebec was tall and muscular. 
 \if fair skin, blue eyes, and black curly hair. It is said that he 
 was .easy and not exacting iti his business transactions, was most 
 tender toward his family, and regretted that his children were de- 
 prived of educational advantages. He instructed them in moral 
 and religious <luties ami was very tenacious of their characters. 
 He died in l>e(>rpark in 17<i(i. decrepit and blind, but of vigorous 
 mind to the List. Tliere were eleven children. His son, William 
 Caudebec was born in i'eenpack. baptize<l June 21st, 1704. mar- 
 ried .Feiiiiiiia Kiting. May L'd. 17:«. at Kingston. He died in 1778. 
 lie W.MS over six feet ill st.iture. coarse boned, muscidar, lean, of 
 gre-r ciidiir.-iiice. talkative, witty, and was cluir.acteri/.ed as a wise 
 ni.Mii of his time. 
 
 He was one of the sigri«'rs of " Articles of Association " in 1775 
 and with three of his sons signed the Revolutionary Pledge, .luly 
 2fith in that year. He was an enthusiastic sujiporter of The Con- 
 tinental Army during tlie Itevobuion. 
 
 There were six children, .\nioiig tiiem in this line we are trac- 
 ing were, first. Alirahani. born ;it I'lH'iip.ack. bapti/.ed .Minisink, 
 
Oct. nist. IT.'iS. married Ester Cuinaer. He was strong, arhletie. 
 six feet tall, weighed ovei- l^do iMHinds, and greatly distinguished 
 himself by his prndeuce and valor. (Jumaer characterizes him as 
 a man, bold, sagacicms, prudent, and tenaciovis of his Ikhkh-. He 
 was commissioned a Captain l»efore the Revolution, and with his 
 (•omj)aiiy rendered service at Fort ^[(mtgoniery. guarding llic 
 iron chain across the Hudson at that point. 
 
 In 1777 he was instnunental in saving lives and property at 
 Cochccton. In 17'.>\ at the time of the Indian raid tlii-ouuii iliis 
 valley he commanded Fort (Juniaer. In 1770 lie was on.' of tlie 
 few survivors of the battle of Minisinlc. 
 
 Second, Benjamin Codebeck. liorn .'ind l)apti/ed in .Minisiidc. 
 June Ulst, 1747. married. 17(;7. Catrina \'an Fleet. He was :i 
 farmer, was a soldier in the company of the Orange ('ouity 
 Militia, commanded by his brother. Captain Abram, particiuated 
 in nearly all the battles this militia was in din-lng the Kevolurion. 
 He served at Fort Dewitt during the Indian raid of 1778 and su<-- 
 ceeded in protecting lives and property at that point. 
 
 Tile fonrtli geue'.'ation in the male lim^ — the son of Capt. .'Iiraiu 
 —was Col. William A. Cnddebaik, who married Charlotte \'an 
 Inwegen. These were the parents of .lames Cnddeback and tlie 
 paternal graiidpareiits of our host. Levi Cnddeback. 
 CAIDFBFC 0\ THE SPLINE. 
 
 " Tlie valley of tlie Seine tlirougli Normandy is one of the most 
 lieaiitirul 111 I'laiici. It is most sacred because of tlie uiiscison- 
 able and unreasonable loss of life tlirougliout its entire liisTury; 
 it is rich in memories, and is in scenery a veritalile parailise for 
 the artist and archaeologist." 
 
 "Ascending the Seine from Havre, one passes tlirougli tlie 
 province of Yvetot, where on every side are relics of past occu- 
 pancy by different nationalities, of cominest and destruction, of 
 people and of places. St. (iertrude, with its stone tabernacle; 
 -Matilerer, Avith its licmian villa; Calidee, with its Gallic medals; 
 Belzinac, under Avhose alluvial fields are the ruins of villages aid 
 three churches; Lotum. with its Kouian ruins, now under tlie 
 waters of the Seine, and liere and there ruins of ramparts, debris 
 of fortitications. ancient (Jallic walls. Celtic money. Koiuaii im- 
 plements of war." 
 
 " At the very threshold of Normandy, entering the land from 
 the sea. is the land of Caux, containing many of the above an- 
 tiquities and of its ghn-ies." Havre is its capital to-day. For cen- 
 turies Caudebec was its capital. "Here illustrious and toudiing 
 memories record the existence of a sturdy, vigorous people, of six 
 Barons of great following, of tliree iMikt's. and of a King. ' 
 
('an(l«'l»»'c (Ml ('.•mx. (he cMpiliil of ('.•iiix. is situntod on Uic ri.ulit 
 Itjuik of tlir Sciiu". iiiidw.'iy bt'iwt'cii Uoiicn and II:ivr»', at tlic foot 
 of two small niountaiiis. .Ml. ("alidci' and Mt. NMyncttc. (Viiic^ar 
 Hill), (■.•icli aliout ."i(lO fet't hifrli. lu'twtHMi which the livcr St. (Jer- 
 tnidf Hows. It is in loii>;iludt', cast froiu (JnHMiwicli, al>out 2-3 
 of a detrrcc and in lalitudc I'.l 1 'J iioiMli. Tiic town foi-nis a tri- 
 anfrh' whost' base is on \\w Seine and w liose aiiex is lielween the 
 nunintains. Its wharf is -\A'.\Tt meters above sea level. It is locat- 
 ed on (Jovei-meni roads. .\d. 1 and -1. while Xo. SI extends ffom 
 Caudebe.- to Havre. 
 
 It lias a soft, mild lemiieralnre. and is vei-y health.v. and has a 
 litzht alluvial prodnctive soil. 
 
 As to Ilie ori.uin of llie name Candeltec autliorilies diffei-. It is 
 thoujiiit. however, that 1 he nanu' is of Norse or of Icelandic oriKin. 
 coined by the Norma n>. The Icelandic adjective Kaldr-Kalt-Kold- 
 ('(dd and Mekl<. nicaninii- a rivulet. brook-Kaltdiekk, (("ondeDec). 
 nu'ainn- Coldbrook. 
 
 .\bout i.-is. .V I'.. Si. \'audrille. a Knight at the Court of Kin.ir 
 Dajrobert. fouiul this sjiot in its primeval beauty, and founded a 
 nu»nastery of I'ontanelle here, nt-ar a sparkliu);- stream in the 
 forest, ruder the intlneiices af ( 'liarlemaujini> and the educa- 
 tional tendency of I lie limes tiiis monastery lirew rapi<lly and 
 attracted many students. .More tlian .".(td wiM-e in attendance at 
 one time durin.i;- the Nth ("enlury. The villa.ue of ("audebec was 
 formed lielow it. In >."l!i. by act of the Kiuf;. (Louis Debonnaire). 
 it was attaclicil to the monastery, with the rl>rht to tax it and its 
 re\i'iuis. as I'ci'iy iuu across tlie Seine, tax on wines, oils, shipiti.ii;'. 
 weijrliin,u-. etc.. as a means of sujiiiorl. Tiie town ;;i-ew rapidly in 
 population and in imiiortance. 
 
 Traces of former occupation and <'ivilizati(ni were abundant 
 about ('audebec. The remnants of the walls of the ancient Celtic 
 villa;re of Calete or Caledum liav«> been made out on the hills 
 surrounding;, and <d" liOtnm. on the flat lands below, on the exact 
 site of ('audebec. .lulius Caesar ((UKpn'red the iieojjle of Caletus, 
 and constituted a Homan colony there, namiiii;- it " Julian Bonuni," 
 afterwards corrtipted into Hie Konum. It is ditticult to deteruune 
 wliat liec'ime of iliese jilaces. Nomiau records do not nuMition 
 Ihes" for several cenluries. nor is ("audebec menlioiu'd. The 
 country is mentioned as the abode of ;i few stray heatlu'ii. 
 
 In the Sth and '.Hli <-cnlurics the .Normans, i Norsc-meni. out- 
 ^'I'owin^' in iioindalion the resources of their own country, colon- 
 ized northern I'r.-iiice. t<.ok i>ossessi(m of the fertile valley of the 
 Seine, wiiidi was afterward )j:rante<l to lliem liy Charles the Sim- 
 
Itlc. 'I'licy were sticiiu, \v;ii-iii-lH';irt('(l. p.-Uriolic, iuTclli.iiout jird 
 of noble enerfietie cliiU'acter. Thoy rapidly adopted more eivilized 
 mauiiers. hui.nnaRi'. et<-., and soon became the best agriculturists, 
 gardeners and maniifacturers. etc., in all France, as they were 
 already the liest saih^rs and most slvillfid tishermeu. Norman 
 Barons soon became tlie l(»cal sovereigns, wliose combined in- 
 fluence was very great. 
 
 During the 11th century Caudebec became the commercial town 
 and Jie central market of the land of Caux and northern b'l-auce. 
 The Seine was navigable for sea-going vessels to that point. In 
 the 12th century the harbor was constructed, and from that time 
 it ruled on the sea and was the northern French sea-port. In 1260 
 King Douis IX spent a week at Caudebec. In 1477 Count War- 
 wick, the Ambassador to France, landed there. About 1(500 the 
 port is described as being frequented by Frencli, Englisli, Dutch 
 and other nationalities for the export of grain. 
 
 During the 17th century Caudebec began to decline in naval 
 supremacy. This was primarily due to the vagaries of the river 
 Seine and of the sea. The tide which comes up this river as a 
 solid wall of water with great deep rumbling sounds, heard idles 
 away, has gradually widened and sliallowed it. and completely 
 changed the river bed. This is a very curious and unusual i»lie- 
 nomena, and at this day attracts much attention. Tlie solid per- 
 pendicular rolling and pUniging wall of water, several feet liigii. 
 cari-jMng everything up stream before it. 
 
 The very elements of strengtli inherent in the Norman ract-. 
 industi-y, perseiwance, economy, resulting in thrift and sell re 
 liance was noticeable in Caudebec. Uncontrollal)le inlluences lost 
 to it the s»^a power and commerce. Other industi-ies continued to 
 keep up its fortunes. The land of Caux was favorable to stock 
 raising. In the Itith and 17th centuries tanneries were established 
 and a great deal of leather was manufactured. Many gloves were 
 made at Caudeltec. Tlie manufacture of ])eaver liats was uu<lt'i'- 
 talveu. The black liat of (;audel)ec. witli tlie lnrg(> l)lack fenllier. 
 is then first seen on the heads of the Huguenots. Later, almost 
 all the headgear worn in France, was made at Caudeliec. Tlie 
 Court adopted the Caudebec hat. 
 
 The fourth generatioi' on maternal side— tlie son of Ben.j.iiiiin. 
 was Benjamin Cuddeback. who married Blaiidina Van I'^rtcn. 
 These were the parents of Catherine CnddcbacU and tlu' maternal 
 grandpari'uts of our host. 
 
 In olden times (.-audebec had as lis eiiibleiu or coal of arms a 
 shield, sky blue in color, with tlire(> smelts (an e.\(Hiisite salt water 
 lish), in silver across its face. In the 17tli century as the town 
 
 NOTE The paragraph next to the last one on this page, coniniencmg 
 with the wordH : ''The I'onrth generation," etc., should appear on the 
 laHt page of the preceding leaf juHt over the caption : "* Caudebec on the 
 Seine." 
 
lnH-anie an industrial ratluT tliaii a ooniinoroial ccntor <>ITnrt was 
 made to cliaii^'*' its ensif^n. Ht'sulliiiK from this. Kin^ Louis XIV 
 proflainu'd "that in tlie futuiv the tish of Caudc'lu'c shoiihl l)e 
 regarded as Salmons and not as smelts." A (•al)inet order of Jan. 
 2(lth, 172S. specially eontirmed this i»rivilege. 
 
 Tlie clinrcii at ( 'audeltec is one of the oldest and one of the 
 finest in Normandy. Many otliers tiiron>rhotit France have been 
 moilelled after it. Hnilt originally in the llth century it has suf- 
 feretl rei)eatedly as a result of the sectional wars that have de- 
 vasted the country. It has been repeatedly repaired and remodel- 
 led and enlarged. Its splendid tower was completed in 1491. The 
 reliuious wars (I -he Kith and 17th centuries again devasted it. 
 
 A curious custom prevailed at Caudebeo. By their law of in- 
 heritance the eldest son inherited the homestead and two-thirds 
 of *hi' i»ropei'ty and continued tlie liusiness of tiie father after the 
 father's death. a\ hile the otlier sous were titted for otlier callings 
 in life. 
 
 On Aug. ir.th. 141".. H«'nry V. of England caused the land of 
 Caux to be the seat of war. which lasted several years. In May, 
 1418, the English (ienerals, Warwick and Talbot besiegt^l Caude- 
 bec. The town made a heroic defense but surrendered in tlie fol- 
 lowing September. In 14.3ri the peasantrj^ of Caux rebelled against 
 Phiglisli rule. The English retirwl to the fortress at Caudebec and 
 subs.'(iiicniiy anniliilated the peasants. The province remained 
 the s^'at of war until 1449, when Charles VII tooJc Koueu by storm, 
 (^audebec and all other strategetic points were then abandoned 
 by the English. Charles VII at the head of 12.000 men made a 
 triumphal entry into Caudebec. He left a garrison of 200 soldiers* 
 there. 
 
 In 14<iT ("audel)ec received a number of English refugees. Af- 
 ter this it enjoyed a long period of rest until the religious troubles 
 of the middle of the lOth century. 
 
 The Reformation, the great religious awakening of the 16th 
 century, had developed great sympathy in Caudebeo. The Protes- 
 tani.-: (i rotestants ( i' April 2r>th, 1529), the Huguenots (the Egue. 
 nots-Eidganossen— bound together by (»ath), were already quite 
 numcious. In ir.(>0 ther^ were two Protestant churches in Caude- 
 bec and the Reformation was making extraordinary progress in 
 France. Religious wars followed. Rival dukes and princes took 
 advantage of this to advance their own fortunes. 
 
 In 1562 there was a ••ontlict in Caudebec between the Hugue- 
 nots and the Catholics. This was followed by pillage, incendiarism 
 and general destructicm of property. 
 
At the format idii of the Koyalist party Caudeht'c- .joined it with 
 aidor. Oil April 24th. 1592, the Prince of Parma of Spain besieged 
 it. 'i'wo days later the town eapitnlated and was jjiven over to 
 pillage. King Henry IV of France came to its relief, and entered 
 it on May inth. 15J)2, amid the cheers of the populace. Because 
 of its l'o.\alist tendciicics, the committee of public safety ih'rn'cd 
 that the government of the district l)e transfered to Yvetot. There- 
 after Caudebec was only a countiy seat. 
 
 On April 15th, 1598 Hem-y IV issued the "edict of Nantes," 
 establishing universal liberty and ecpiality as to religious profes- 
 si(ms and worshij). (ieneral prosperity followed in manul'ac- 
 furies, agriculture and in all branches. In 1(;24 the "plague" 
 devasted Caudebec and surrounding country. 
 
 On Oct. 17th, 1685, Louis XIV signed tlie decree " The revoca- 
 tion of the Edict of Nantes," annulling all pnvileges extended to 
 the HiigUvMiots. itroliibiting the exercise of their religion, n'dering 
 their churches destroyed and their ministers to quit France within 
 fifteen days, forbade reformers to follow their pastors into exile, 
 requiring their children to be baptized and educated as Catholics. 
 
 Frightful cruelties followed. l>m-ing tlie succeeding years 
 more than 200,000 persons, mostly of the industrial and manu 
 factiu'iiig classes, tied from Fram c. 
 
 In 1()49 about one-fourtli of tlic town was destroyed by tire, ami 
 in eighteen months more tlian onc-tliird the i>opulation had died 
 of epidemic diseases. 
 
 In 17ti2 Mr. P^bram Marin was m;uU- trustee at <"atidel)ec of 
 the property of fugitive Protestants. 
 
 On Sept. 19th, 1749, Louis XV visited Caudebec Avitli all the 
 splendor of the Court. The Royalist spirit was still very strong. 
 In their enthusiasm the citizens unharnessed the horses and drew 
 the royal carriage. The spirit Avas again strengthened an<l dis- 
 played in 1837 when the Duke of Orleans visited Caudebec. 
 
 In 1870, during the Fi'anco-Prussian war, the Prussians threat- 
 ened to bombai-d Caudebec. On Sept. 15th tliei-e was a slight 
 encounter between 150 Prussians soldiers and some French 
 
 Now Caudebec is liecoming a great sumniei- resort with modern 
 improved hotels. Its population, now about 2,200, is increasing. 
 Principal industries, agricultural, with tanneries, saw mills, mus^ 
 tard factory. It has fairs three times per year. Navigation 1» 
 restricted to annual boat regattas. 
 
 Most of the houses date back to the 15th century, with few 
 modern transformations in them, as new windows or doors or 
 
newly itlasltMvd wmUs. TIhmh* still i-cinniii some did wonii-calfii 
 \v(»(Mlt'ii iralh'rit's suspfudiMl oviT liic river and the stiUH-ts, and to 
 day ill Caudehec one l>featlies tile ail' of the iniddU' aj^es. 
 
 Of itersons naine.l Caiidehee we tiiid the foHowiiij,' i-ecord: 
 Fnii'i years lost; to IJil.", A. D. Wilhelinus ('oldehet-CaiKU-bec In 
 a Latin inanuscriiit at the lieninninj; of the 13th century is riM-ord- 
 ed that ^^■illianl Caudehec. son of \an(Hi<'lin de ('audebec. sohl \i\ 
 his eldest son his share iu a tannery. 
 
 In nj)S Juniel de C'atidebec is mentioned. 
 
 From \2^2~^ to 1227, Jean de Caudehec was mayor of Rouen. In 
 \'2'.\'2 Emaline de Caudi'bec is mentioned. In the 13th century 
 there is mentioned KeiriiiaM de Caudehec. also Giiudfrideus de 
 Caudehec. 
 
 In l.'iCd Jean de Caudebec of near Rouen. 
 
 In 131»! there was a suit pending in Paris regarding the sue 
 (('•<s:oi! of .li'aii dc Caudebec. whose sou, Matthiew de Caudebec 
 was a physician who owned and occupied a house on Marmousets 
 Street. Paris.