MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL RE-UNIONS
The first meeting of the Shufelt Family Association was held August 3, 1929 at the Claverack College Grounds, Claverack, New York.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Frederick D. Bidwell. At the request of the chairman, Rev. A. E. Clapper offered the invocation.
It was moved, seconded and voted unanimously that the following members be the staff of officers for the ensuing year:
President Mrs. A. E. Clapper,
Hudson, New York
First Vice-President Rev. J. Ernest Shufelt,
Rockwell, North Carolina.
Second Vice-President Judge Augustus Shufeldt,
Kingston, New York.
Third Vice-President Adam Van Vranken,
Vischers Ferry, New York
Secretary Laura M. Shufelt,
Ghent, New York
Treasurer Rev. A. E. Clapper,
Hudson, New York
Genealogist Henry B. Shufelt,
1433 Queen Mary Road,
Montreal, Canada.
Counsellors :
Mervin J. Spaid, Everett Esselstyn,
New York City. Claverack, New York.
Stanton Shufelt, John Lampman,
Rensselaerville, New York. Claverack, New York.
Mrs. Mary Shufelt Damms, Cora Shufelt,
Great Barrington, Mass. Albany, New York.
Frederick D. Bidwell, Thomas Cookingham,
Albany, New York. Mellenville, New York.
Harriet Shufelt, William C. Miller,
Kingston, New York. Amenia, New York.A motion was made, seconded, discussed and carried that the 1930 meeting of the Association be held at Kingston, New York, on the first Saturday in August. Mrs. Shultis was appointed to arrange with a church to serve a lunch at that time.
A motion was made, seconded and carried to send a letter of thanks to Mr. B. B. Bradley of Chatham for allowing the Association to use the former Claverack College grounds for their meeting.
Mr. Henry B. Shufelt of Montreal was then introduced by Mr. Bidwell. Mr. Shufelt gave a very interesting report on some of the work he had done in looking up and organizing the records of the Shufelt family. He brought out the fact that there are no Shufelts listed among the Palatines and explained the migrations of some of the Shufelts to Schoharie County and to Canada at an early period. Of special interest was the first record found -- that of a baptism at Esopus in 1727.
At the request of the speaker, several members present gave some facts and traditions of their own branches of the family. All members were urged to send to the genealogist any records that might prove valuable for his work.
A rising vote of thanks was given to Rev. and Mrs. A. E. Clapper for their work in organizing and calling together the first meeting of the Shufelt family.
Mr. Bidwell appealed for support for Mr. Henry Shufelt in his work.
The meeting was then adjourned.
(Sgd) Laura Shufelt, Secretary.
SECOND RE-UNION August 2, 1930
The second annual reunion of the Shufelt Family Association was held at Forsythe Park, Kingston, New York, August 2, 1930.
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Shultis met and welcomed the people as they entered the park. A social time was enjoyed by all and this was followed by a picnic lunch. Ice cream was on sale and was much appreciated as it was a very warm day.
At 2:30 the meeting was called to order by the President, Mrs. A. E. Clapper. The Rev. J. D. Fields was a guest of honor and led the singing which opened with the "Battle Hymn of the Republic." This was followed by a prayer by Rev. J. D. Fields.
Welcome was given by Judge Augustus Shufeldt of Kingston and a response by Rev. A. E. Clapper. "America" was then sung.
The minutes of the first meeting were read by Miss Sara E. Groff in the absence of the Secretary, Laura M. Shufelt. Roll call was followed by the treasurer's report which brought applause from those present. A report from the chairman of the Councillors, Mervin J. Spaid, was read by Adam Van Vranken. After this report "Faith of Our Fathers" was sung.
At this point there was an open discussion of the work before the Association and plans for the furthering of the work.
Mr. Shufelt then gave a talk urging the people to do all they can to help the President in completing the records of each branch. He told of some historic facts about the Shufelt family and asked for facts and stories of the ancestors of the families to make the book interesting He also asked for copies of pictures of grandfathers or great grandfathers or old homes of ancestors.
A resolution was made and passed to give a rising vote of thanks to the City of Kingston, the Shufelts of Kingston and to Rev. J. D. Fields.
A committee was appointed to nominate the officers for the coming year. The committee consisted of: Mr. Henry B. Shufelt, Mr. Earle R. Shufelt, Mrs. Estella Winne, Miss Carrie E. Spaid, and Miss Harriet Shufelt.
The following officers were nominated and elected:
President Mrs. A. E. Clapper,
Nassau, New York
First Vice-President Rev. J. Ernest Shufelt,
High Point, North Carolina
Second Vice-President Judge Augustus Shufeldt,
Kingston, New York
Third Vice-President Adam Van Vranken,
Vischers Ferry, New York
Secretary Laura M. Shufelt,
Ghent, New York
Treasurer Rev. A. E. Clapper,
Nassau, New York.
Counsellors:Mervin J. Spaid, Mrs. George W. Shultis,
New York City. Kingston, New York.
Stanton Shufelt, Kenneth S. Shufelt,
Rensselaerville, New York. Delmar, New York.
Mrs. Mary Shufelt Damms, Cora Shufelt,
Great Barrington, Mass. Albany, New York.
Frederick D. Bidwell, Thomas Cookingham,
Albany, New York. Mellenville, New York.
Harriet Shufelt, William C. Miller,
Kingston, New York. Amenia, New York.
In regard to the question of where the next meeting was to be held, Albany was suggested and Mrs. Mary Shufelt Damms gave an invitation to come to Great Barrington. It was voted to go to Albany as it seemed more centrally located and it was voted to hold the meeting the first Saturday in August.
All joined hands and sang "God Be With You 'Till We Meet Again." The benediction was given by Rev. J. D. Fields and the meeting was adjourned.
Recorded by: Sara E. Groff,
Secretary Pro Tem.
Submitted by: Laura M. Shufelt,
Secretary.
THIRD RE-UNION August 8, 1931
The third meeting of the Shufelt Family Association was held August 8, 1931, at McKown's Grove, Albany, New York.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Frederick D. Bidwell, acting chairman. The chairman suggested sending out post cards to encourage attendance at the meetings and to increase interest in the work of the Association. Mr. Stanton Shufelt proposed that each region be left to a local member of a publicity committee. This suggestion was approved.
The following staff of officers was nominated and elected for the next year:
President Mrs. A. E. Clapper,
Nassau, New York.
First Vice-President Rev. J. Emest Shufelt,
High Point, North Carolina.
Second Vice-President Judge Augustus Shufeldt,
Kingston, New York.
Third Vice-President Adam Van Vranken,
Rexford, New York.
Secretary Laura M. Shufelt,
Ghent, New York.
Treasurer Stanton Shufelt,
Westerlo, New York.
Counsellors:
Mervin J. Spaid, Kenneth S. Shufelt,
New York City. Delmar, New York.
Frank Shufelt, Cora Shufelt,
Albany, New York. Albany. New York.
Mrs. Mary Shufelt Damms, Thomas Cookingham,
Great Barrington, Mass. Mellenville, New York.
Frederick D. Bidwell, William C. Miller,
Albany, New York. Amenia, New York.
Harriet Shufelt, William Shufelt,
Kingston, New York. Catskill, New York.
Mrs. George W. Shultis, Kingston, New York.It was voted to hold the 1932 meeting in Central Park, Schenectady, the second Saturday of August, at 12 Noon Daylight Saving Time. It was decided to bring a basket lunch.
A collection to cover the cost of the use of the grove and of the post cards amounted to $8.40.
The chairman then appointed the publicity committee as follows:
Mr. Stanton Shufelt,
Westerloo, New York Helderberg region
Mr. Harvey Shufelt,
Middleburgh, New York Schoharie Valley
Mr. Henry B. Shufelt,
Montreal, Canada Canada
Mrs. Truman Howard,
Pittsfield, Mass. Massachusetts
Miss Carrie Spaid,
Martindale Depot, New York Columbia County
Mrs. George W. Shultis,
Kingston, New York Ulster and Greene Counties
Mr. Harvey Shufelt,
Lyons, New York Western New York
Mr. Frank Shufelt,
Nassau, New York Rensselaer County (From Schodack East)
Mrs. Beulah Van Hoesen,
Niverille, New York Rensselaer County (From Schodack West)
Mr. Adam Van Vranken,
Rexford, New York Schenectady and Saratoga CountiesEach member of this committee was asked to send to the Secretary the names of all in his district to whom cards should be sent and to urge all to attend the reunion.
The meeting was then adjourned.
Laura M. Shufelt, Secretary.
FOURTH RE-UNION July 29, 1933
The fourth annual meeting of the Shufelt Family Association planned for August, 1932 was deferred until the following year because of the illness of the genealogist of the family. The reunion was held July 29, 1933 in Central Park, Schenectady, at 12 o'clock. After a basket lunch and a social hour the meeting, was called to order by the President, Mrs. A. E. Clapper, Albany. After the singing of "America" the reports of Secretary and Treasurer were given and approved. A song "The Sweet By and By" was followed by the report of the historian, Mr. Henry B. Shufelt, of Montreal.
Mr. Shufelt greeted his American relatives and expressed sympathy for families that had experienced: losses of members since the last meeting. Then Mr. Shufelt outlined the work done and planned for the history of the family. He pointed out the necessity of distinguishing carefully between records authenticated from government documents and other official origins and mere tradition gathered from uncertain sources.
As planned the book is to include a chapter on the history prior to the settlement in America. Communications from the Dutch Archives in Holland, indicate that the name Shufelt, of which the oldest form in America is Zuveld, or Zufeld, is of German origin. Mr. Shufelt indicated the necessity for further researches at La Hague, Washington, D. C., and in the British Museum to secure the necessary information from the old world.
The earliest record of any Shufelt in America dates from the year 1711 when we find John George Shufelt living in the vicinity of Red Hook. Another record indicates that George Shufelt, who may have been the same individual, and his wife Anna Catharina, were in New York State as early as 1712.
From 1711 to 1740 the records are very vague and incomplete and after 1740 there are also many facts missing and the task of writing a history complete in every line would be beyond the possibility and purpose of this present effort. It has been thought best to try to limit the work and place the facts already collected into printed form in order that they may form the basis for later research.
Mr. Shufelt then explained the original scheme used in recording the lineage in each branch. He indicated that the book would include blank pages for further records and photographs and a complete index. So far about one hundred typewritten pages are complete in spite of several handicaps including the one of distance from the locality in which most of the branches settled.
Continuing the account of the records Mr. Shufelt said he had learned that by 1723 George Shufelt of Red Hook had acquired enough property to pay a tax of pounds 17 and that he was the owner of one slave. Records show that the Shufelts have participated in all our wars. In fact, they fought on both the British and American sides in the War of 1812. Several Canadian members were in the Union army in the Civil War.
Mr. Shufelt expressed gratitude to Mrs. Clapper, the late Rev. A. E. Clapper, and Miss Sarah Groff for their work in collecting and organizing information.
At the conclusion of the report Mrs. Clapper thanked Mr. Shufelt for his report and for his work in helping to make the members of the family better acquainted with one another. She appealed to the members of the Association to try to stimulate local interest and to urge people to send the information asked for to complete the records.
The following slate of officers was unanimously approved:
President Mrs. Allen E. Clapper,
Albany, New York.
First Vice-President Rev. J. Ernest Shufelt,
High Point, North Carolina.
Second Vice-President A. R. Van Vranken,
Rexford, New York.
Secretary Miss Laura Shufelt,
Ghent, New York.
Treasurer Stanton Shufelt,
Westerlo, New York.
Counsellors:
Mervin J. Spaid, Mrs. George W. Shultis,
New York City. Kingston, New York.
Mrs. Mary Shufelt Damms, Miss Cora Shufelt
Great Barrington, Mass. Albany, New York.
Frederick D. Bidwell, Kenneth S. Shufelt,
Albany, New York. Delmar, New York
Mrs. John Loutfian, William C. Miller,
Coxsackie, New York. Amenia, New York.
Mrs. Harriet Shufeldt, Frank Shufelt,
Kingston, New York. Albany, New York,Mrs. Frank Shufelt moved a rising vote of thanks to Mr. Shufelt for his work.
"God Be With You Till We Meet Again" was sung and the meeting was then adjourned.
Laura M. Shufelt, Secretary.
FIFTH RE-UNION September l, 1934
The fifth annual meeting of the Shufelt Family Association was held September l, 1934 at the Spaid Grove, Martindale, New York, at eleven o'clock. After a period of visiting, Rev. F. E. Hartmann asked grace and the party enjoyed a basket lunch.
A very interesting program followed, with Mr. M. J. Spaid acting as toastmaster. Mr. Spaid gave a short speech of welcome in which he told some of the facts about Martindale and Vicinity.
He then introduced Rev. Edgar H. Peterson, who gave an inspirational talk containing interesting personal reminiscences, a statement of his own aims and ideals and two poems called "Our Strength" and "Greetings to the Shufelt Reunion." The second poem was handed to our genealogist in order that it might be included in the history of the family.
Mr. Spaid then introduced Mrs. George Hellfeld of Martindale, who gave several interesting numbers. They were three poems, "The Daffodils" by Wordsworth, "The Gypsy Month" by Mrs. Margaret Sangster and "This Is She" by Arthur Guiterman; and a humorous dramatization of Back Seat Driving. The toastmaster introduced next Dr. F. E. Hartmann, who paid tribute to the Shufelt family by giving an account of his contacts with members of the family that he met in his parish work in Ghent and Chatham. He paid special tribute to Mr. John Shufelt and to Mrs. Estella Shufelt Winn. Dr. Hartmann expressed his conviction that if the members with whom he has had contact are typical, the nation will be benefited by a continuation of the Shufelt blood.
Mr. Spaid then presented Mrs. George Come, President of the Columbia County Historical Society, who gave a most interesting and inspired address. She emphasized the importance of publishing just such family histories as the one planned by the Shufelts, by saying that no week goes by without bringing to the Historical Society several requests about Columbia County ancestries. She also told the group that it is just such groups as the one assembled that will preserve real American ideas and ideals.
Mrs. Come then told of the nature and work of the Historical Society -- that it contains about 1000 members scattered about the world and in many states of the union. A cordial invitation was extended to those present to visit the House of History in Kinderhook, dedicated to the preservation of history and historical treasures of Columbia County. The speaker asserted that no other county had a right to be more proud of its history having produced Robert Livingston, who administered the oath of office to Washington; Philip Livingston, signer of the Declaration of Independence; Martin Van Buren, governor of New York State and President of the United States; Samuel J. Tilden, governor of New York State and elected President but excluded on a technicality; and Theodore Roosevelt, one of whose ancestors came from Columbia County; as well as Martin Glynn, governor of New York State. She also showed the appropriateness of locating the House of History in the beautiful village of Kinderhook that was named by Henry Hudson and that was Kinderhook when New York was called Mannahatta and Albany was Nassau.
Mrs. Come then passed on to the assembly a baccalaureate message given at her 50th anniversary, in which the speaker made 5 points: 1. Know yourself. 2. Accept yourself. 3. Develop yourself. 4. Discipline yourself. 5. Dedicate yourself. Then these 5 points were to be bound together by a general statement that there is no substitute for religion.
Mrs. Come's address was concluded by an account of the Bassett family, who came with William the Conqueror to Wales, where their castle still exists in ruins. They came to America in the ship Fortune in 1621. Then final emphasis was laid by the speaker on the need for records for such purposes as membership in the D. A. R. or the S. A. R.
A 15 minute recess was followed by a Business Meeting under the leadership of the President, Mrs. A. E. Clapper.
The Invocation by Rev. Edgar H. Peterson was followed by the singing of “America." At Mrs. Clapper's request, Mrs. Frank Shufelt acted as chairman of the business meeting. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. No treasurer's report was given because of the absence of the treasurer. A collection to cover incidental expenses amounted to $6.00.
Mr. Henry B Shufelt of Montreal then gave a brief address. He greeted his American associates in true French Canadian manner 'Bonjour, mesdames et messieurs, comment ca va." He pointed out that many Canadians are familiar with Claverack and vicinity since their ancestors migrated from that locality, Mr. Shufelt's own people having gone from Livingston Manor to the Province of Quebec.
Mr. Shufelt said he had planned to have the book completed sooner but that research had revealed such extremely extensive records and a family with members from Mexico to Alaska, in every state in the union and in the Provinces of Canada. He pointed out that some records are illegible and that in other cases extensive research shows records to be of no value. However, Mr. Shufelt feels that it would be wise to close the records as of December 31, 1934, and put the facts so far collected in permanent book form. Therefore, he proposed the following resolution. "It is proposed that the Shufelt family history manuscript be closed December 31, 1934, and that the book be published after that date without delay and that each one desiring copies of same, sign for as many copies as he can take and that cards be sent to those not present to sign."
Mr. Shufelt went on to say that the idea of the picnic was suggested by Mr. Bidwell and this idea was made a reality by Rev. and Mrs. A. E. Clapper, who managed the first reunion at Claverack in 1929. To Rev. and Mrs. Clapper and Miss Sarah Groff, Mr. Shufelt paid tribute for their tireless energy in working to make the book a reality.
Mr. Shufelt thanked our hosts, Miss Carrie E. Spaid and Mr. Mervin J. Spaid for contributing the grove and for their work toward making the picnic a success. He also extended a cordial invitation to those present to come to Canada to visit him. Mr. Shufelt thanked Mr. Peterson for the poem to be published in the book; he also thanked Mrs. Hellfeld and Dr. Hartmann for their part in the program. He added to the tributes to Uncle John and his family by reading a poem dedicated to Aunt Sarah.
The Chairman thanked Mr. Shufelt for his work and for coming so far to attend the reunion. Registration was taken by Miss Sara Groff. Orders for books were taken by Mr. Shufelt.
Mrs. A. E. Clapper introduced Mrs. Lafayette Winn, and Miss Harriet Shufelt, who read interesting letters from distant members of the Shufelt family. One of these members formerly owned a farm in Cook County, Illinois, part of the site of Chicago.
Mrs. Clapper then stated that the work planned was completed and that this marked the last meeting of the Association unless the members wished to organize to continue picnics.
Mr. E. A. Vignas moved that the Association be continued with the same officers. This motion was seconded, discussed and carried.
Mr. M. J. Spaid then moved that the Resolution proposed by Mr. Shufelt be accepted and then amended his motion to include the statement that the book be published as soon as finances and other circumstances would permit. This motion was carried.
The meeting was then adjourned.
Laura M. Shufelt, Secretary.
GREETINGS
The Shufelt Reunion, greetings,
Greetings of glad good cheer,
In the name of the dear Saviour,
To help you through the year.Face to face today you're meeting
Kinship's ties to renew,
May you have the Master's blessing
On all you say and do.Beloved faces may be missing
When you shall meet next year,
So let strong words of helpfulness
Be spoken while you're here.May the year that lies before you
Abound with peace and love,
As you seek the Father's blessing
From His Heavens above."Bear ye one another's burdens"
This is the Master's way,
And thus we follow as He leads
Unto the perfect day.When in that land of light and song
Your reunion shall be,
O what joy it will be then
The Lord of Life to see.Dedicated to Rev. Edgar H. Peterson,
The Friends of the Shufelt, Martindale Depot, N. Y.
Reunion, held at Miss Carrie Spaid's
Sept. 1, 1934.
SIXTH RE-UNION Shufelt Re-Union At Martindale August 31, 1935
(Sixth Annual Gathering Enjoyed Day of Family Reunion with Program)The sixth annual reunion of members of the Shufelt family of the United States and Canada was held in the private grove at the Spaid homestead in Martindale Saturday.
Members of the family began to assemble before 11 o'clock in the morning and it was not until about 1 o'clock in the afternoon that the last ones departed.
The places represented were Hunter's Land, Albany, Brookview, Nassau. Hudson, Claverack, Mellenville, West Ghent, Ghent, Amenia, Hillsdale and New York City, in New York Stale; Great Barrington, Mass., and Torrington, Conn. The grove had been made ready for the occasion, with ample tables, chairs, settees, etc., and adorned with flags and an abundance of flowers.
Lunch was served from 12:30 to 1:30 o'clock, followed by an interesting entertainment provided especially for the occasion as follows:
Words of welcome were by Rev. Edgar H. Peterson, pastor of the Baptist church at Martindale, accompanied by a poem written for the occasion, extending greetings to members of the Shufelt family.
Mervin J. Spaid presided and, following the address of welcome, introduced a song called "The Shufelt Chorus," composed by himself, the words of which are as follows:
Shufelt, Shufelt, name we love to hear,
Shufelt, Shufelt, name to us most dear;
It has been with us since birth,
It will be with us 'til death,
And we'll always cherish the family name of Shufelt.Mrs. DeWitt V. Jordan spoke briefly of Martindale and the Shufelts and gave in verse a story of the longings of a little boy.
Dr. Frank P. Hartmann, pastor of the Lutheran churches of Ghent and Chatham, from 1880 to 1888, gave a brief account of his work and of his association with various members of the Shufelt family, with special reference to the late Mr. and Mrs. John Shufelt, both of wham passed away since the meeting in 1934.
Mrs. George C. Hellfield, a resident of Martindale, who participated in the exercises of last year, recited from memory an interesting poem.
Then followed an address by the Rev. Herman Hageman, pastor emeritus of the Reformed Church of Claverack, illustrating the characters of former days who did so much for religion and education in the settlement and development of the communities where we now live, bringing out the question that, in view of the sacrifices of our ancestors, are we worth what we cost?
After the address by Rev. Hageman, Mr. Spaid gave a talk on dahlias, beginning with the discovery in Mexico in the 18th century, and continuing with their early development and the approved modern methods now in use for their propagation and care.
A letter was read from Henry R. Shufelt, of Montreal, Canada, author of the book now in preparation, on the geneology of the Shufelt family, stating that 200 pages had been completed and the remainder, consisting of approximately 50 pages, would be ready soon. It is now expected that the book will be published in the immediate future. vFollowing the reading of the letter and a few announcements, the meeting closed with the singing of the "Shufelt Chorus" and a benediction by the Rev. Hageman, after which visits were made to the Spaid gardens to view the 450 dahlias now growing and the numerous varieties of shrubs and evergreens.
No election of officers having been held, it is understood that all officers of the Association will serve until the next annual meeting, or until their successors are elected and have qualified.
Mervin J. Spaid, Secretary Pro Tem.
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