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From: "Wilmer L. Kerns" <>
Subject: [WVHAMPSH-L] James Caudy
Date: Tue, 03 Jun 2003 10:02:38 -0500
In-Reply-To: <4.3.2.7.2.20030523081817.00b69100@postoffice.worldnet.att.net>


Dear Jane,

Roberta told me that you are writing the chapter on James Caudy. I wrote the
story of "Capon Bridge" for the publication. The reason I'm getting in touch
is that I mentioned his name as being a first settler on the land that is
now the Town. My custom is to give the dates for the names mentioned, which
was given as ca 1706-1783. There are no official records of his vital dates
that I know of. In case you made estimates, I just wanted to compare notes
so that we will be consistent. If you have better estimates, please share.

William Ansel and I used to joke that if Caudy was such an Indian fighter,
why wasn't he listed on any of the militia records of that era. Neither of
us doubted the Caudy's Castle story, but we felt that was probably a
one-time event. We thought maybe he owned the land upon which it stood, but
that was not the case.

I always enjoyed my visits with Mr. Ansel. He was a gentleman and a scholar.
I recall the times when we went to lunch at the restaurant on Main Street
(memory blank). Members of the power elite ate in a reserved section in the
rear-- Ralph Haines, John Ailes, et al

When I was doing inventories in the Handley Archives several years ago I
came across a receipt where George Washington had bought a large supply of
grass seed from James Caudy. I don't remember the exact amount, except that
it was huge-- like almost 100 pounds. I went back later to retrieve and
photograph that receipt but couldn't find it.

My question was, "Did Caudy import grass seed as a dealer?" Or did he grow
it? I suspect the latter, because I have seen so many historical references
to "Caudy's Meadow."

Best wishes to you,

Wilmer L. Kerns



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