Sunday, December 19, 2010

A Colonial Christmas with the Ellisons

Each year Knox's Headquarters in New Windsor, N.Y. features a candlelight Christmas evening with the Ellison's.
The Christmas dinner fare.

Preparations in the lower kitchen

The lovely hostesses in period dress.


Firing of the cannon.

A Bit of History
On several occasions during the Revolutionary War, Major General Henry Knox, Commander of the America artillery, established his military headquarters at John Ellison's 1754 Georgian-style house in Vails Gate. From October 1782 until the spring of 1783, as 7,000 soldiers and 500 "camp followers" were establishing winter quarters at the New Windsor Cantonment, and General Washington was lodged at Jonathan Hasbrouck's house in Newburgh, New York, Major General Horatio Gates occupied the elegant home from which he commanded the cantonment. Here the army awaited the end of the Revolutionary War that became effective when Washington issued the cease fire orders on April 19, 1783.
For most of the 18th and into the 19th century, the Ellison family had important commercial dealings in milling and trade. From their mill, flour was shipped down the Hudson River to New York City and the West Indies. At present, remains of the mill, with traces of the underground raceway may be visited. Explore how the Ellisons and other families of the mid-Hudson Valley lived 200 years ago.

No comments: