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Archiver > NYDELAWA > 2002-08 > 1028860505


From: "jeremiah palmer" <>
Subject: Re: [NYDELAWA-L] Campbell Auction/Anti rent war
Date: Thu, 8 Aug 2002 22:35:46 -0400
References: <000801c23e64$a7fd1cf0$250fda42@yourze8cxvr8tt>


First, thanks to Vesti for bringing this auction to the attention of all of
us Delaware County folks no matter where we live. Like Janet, if I had a
lot of money, I would be there and be bidding, with a hint that my bidding
skills though rusty have done very well in the past. Instead the hope is
that the coverlet will find a good home but will be available for exibition
to the public.

The small farm of Moses Earle was on Upper Dingle Hill about 1/2 mile from
the Tremperskill road, the map calls it Tremper Kill. Campbell Road where
the auction will be held is the shorter dead end road closer to Andes.
Upper Dingle Hill runs over top of the mountain, becomes Lower Dingle Hill
road and joins the Reservoir road (Route 30 below Dunraven)
It is indeed very close to this auction that finally changed the way of life
of thousands of poor farmers that were being abused, cheated and treated
like serfs. Many were Revolutionary soldiers or their sons and daughters who
had sacrificed much to obtain Liberty for this new country. While the
undersheriff Steele and others were selling Mr. Earle's possessions for back
rent, Steele and others fired at the "Indians" who had gathered to stop or
prevent the sale. The Anti-Renters fired back to shoot the horses and one
bullet went too high, fatally wounding Steele. In the books and in family
tradition, Osman had been drinking beforhand at the Hunting Tavern in Andes
with his pals and said "Lead can not penetrate Steele". This was on August
7, 1845......very appropriate to talk about an event from yesterday and
yesteryear.

There are two small pamphlets that were available at the DCHA, one called
Delhi, 1976 Jacquard Coverlets and the other The Delhi Jacquard Coverlets.
In these two short but informative booklets, it shows that a loom was
designed and being built, the design by Bill Stalter, and the actual
woodworking by Lloyd Hinrichs. Having been gone for many years no status of
the loom is found other than what this text portrays.

The other pamphlet mentions about 83 coverlets are known to exist, the DCHA
has at least a few of these and there are many private owners mentioned.

The mention is made of John Holmes being the first weaver known in that area
and he made at least three coverlets in 1833, 34 and 35. About 1828 Asahel
Amora Phelps began making these coverlets and produced several. After his
death, his son John Benjamin Phelps did some weaving and produced about
eight coverlets. It was found interesting to note that Asahel did weave for
himself as an appraisal after his death had four coverlets, 12 yards of
bedroom carpet, 28 yards of parlor carpet, 20 yards of sitting room carpet
and 20 yards of rag carpet shown in the inventory. However some of this
might have been stock to be sold at some point in time.

The Campbell coverlet looks quite close to those in the booklets made by
Asahel Phelps and has the same eagle design and the year mark being changed
as the years progressed.


The auction site is: www.mcintoshauction.com

Hope others find this as interesting as I did.

Jeremiah Palmer
originally Palmer Hill, Meridale
now Raleigh NC


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