Memories of Augusta: A Family History in Van Cortlandtville

Supported by a PowerPoint program of vintage pictures from the James Robertson family, members of the VanCortlandtville Historical Society will recite portions of a book compiled by Andres Calandria of New Orleans, the great grandson of Augusta Robertson Morse Waters, from her hand-written notes about her family who resided in the Upper Manor House  on Oregon Road in Cortlandt from 1853 to 1889. Then known as Locust Grove, the home was purchased in 1851 from General Pierre Van Cortlandt by Augusta’s father, James, a prominent inventor and businessman. The youngest of 10 children, Augusta was born in the home in 1853.

  The program will be introduced by Bob Foley, program director/producer, with a video by Mr. Calandria, a retired radio/television broadcaster, who will explain the origin of his book and how he acquired and assembled the family materials over a three-year period. Offering amusing anecdotes and interesting insights about the hamlet of VanCortlandtville as seen by young Augusta Robertson, the members of the Society who will present the readings (each playing a different family role) will be: Mary Foley and Dan Maldonado of Cortlandt Manor, and Carol Reif, Arlene Goodenough and Joy Chiulli of Peekskill. Anne de Neuville, of the Society’s Board, is technical director.

  The ensemble of readers will take the audience through a Foreword written in 1964 by a granddaughter of Augusta; then a description of Early Life at Locust Grove; followed by the Story of Early School Days in The Little Red Schoolhouse. The dilapidated condition of Old Saint Peter’s Church at the time and the origin of the new Methodist Church on Locust Avenue will be explained; followed by more interesting information with pictures about Life at Locust Grove, including tales of childhood adventures inside and throughout the acres of the grounds of the old farmstead and down to the Hollowbrook at the Old Pump House.

  A segment on the exciting life of Augusta’s only child, Edna Morse Walker Jackson--- a real pioneer for women and a leading activist and artist--- will be related with many photographs of her era, including her wedding in 1904 in Lake Mohegan (Yorktown) to Roberts Walker, an accomplished attorney and prominent railroad company executive. The presentation will conclude with Augusta’s final resting place.

Mr. Foley points out that Augusta only started writing her historic notes on her fond memories of Locust Grove and Van Cortlandtville later in her life, from March 1933 to May 1934. She died on June 1, 1943 at the age of 90.

  In his thoughts about the trials and tribulations of his great grandmother’s long life, the book’s publisher Andres Calandria has said: “She conducted her life without complaint and with a graciousness that can only be defined in Southern terms as an “Iron Magnolia”---the same way our Magnolia Grandiflora here in the deep South produces its magnificent, yet delicate and graceful blossom from our iron-rich soil---hence, the Iron Magnolia. That was our Augusta!” He further reflected that in the waning years of her life, she was able to tell her story with love for all and with an almost child-like freshness that would have been easy to lose through her difficult times. “Augusta was a great--if not famous--woman and I am pleased as her great grandson to be able to preserve her writings for future generations, especially for those in the Van Cortlandtville area,” he concluded.

The Little Red Schoolhouse (the venue for the June 20th program and where Augusta and her siblings attended classes in the mid) is located at the north end of Locust Avenue, next to Old Saint Peter’s Church and cemetery, on the hill just south of Oregon Road in the Town of Cortlandt. For more information, visit: www.vancort.net; or, call (914) 736-7868.

*George Washington used the Upper Manor House as his headquarters when he was commanding his forces in the area during part of the Revolutionary War. Located on Oregon Road at Pump House Road, the stately mansion is on the New York State and National Registry of Historic Places.