Copake History and Big Thunder Day

I liked your suggestion about something to do in the center of Copake. I have often thought it might be fun to do a reenactment of what happened in 1844 at what was then Sweets Tavern when papers were taken from Sheriff Miller and burned in the Square. It was all part of the Anti-Rent War and is included in by book. The day should be remembered by a state marker as well. While the event took place in December, a warmer month would be better for the reenactment. I am enclosing a copy of a open letter I sent to the Historical Society concerning the History on the Copake web site. It was mailed yesterday and I expect it will not be read until the next meeting Grant Dinehart Langdon August 26, 2009 Roeliff Jansen Historical Society P.O. Box 172 Copake Falls, N.Y. 12517 Dear Fellow Members. I remember going to one of the first meetings of the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society meeting when Ray Burch commented, “There must be something important around here, The place is so dam old.” Indeed Ray was right. The place is old and indeed something of importance did happen here. First, thanks to Ruth Piwonka the first leas on the great flat at Taconic on Livingston Manor was discovered. Ruth gave a copy of her notes to Eleanor Mettler who gave it to my mother, the town historian. It is positive proof of settlement in 1687. A second event was in the literature all along. I found it in the Documentary History of the State of New York, vol 3 published by Weed, Parsons & Co. in 1850. It provided copies of documents and letters about the border problems and the resulting conflict When I go into the history of Copake on the Copake web site I find a fine history of Copake written for the Independent by Eleanor based on what was then known about the history of Copake. In view of the new discoveries I feel it should be updated. I have written something I feel might be appropriately added to what is there. Sincerely, Grant Langdon