Looking Back in Philipstown 250 Years Ago (July 1776) 150 Years Ago (July 1876) 100 Years Ago (July 1926) Lost & Found 50 Years Ago (July 1976) 25 Years Ago (July 2001)

The Continental Congress voted unanimously in Philadelphia on July 2 to adopt a resolution dissolving ties with Great Britain — except for New York, whose four delegates (William Floyd, Francis Lewis, Philip Livingston and Lewis Morris) abstained because they had not received instructions from the provincial Congress.

On July 3, Congress fine-tuned the wording of the Declaration of Independence, voting the next day to approve it. John Hancock, the president of the Congress, signed the document, along with the secretary, Charles Thompson. (A parchment copy was signed by the delegates on Aug. 2.)

On July 8, the declaration was read to the public in White Plains and many other cities. Gen. George Washington, in New York City, ordered officers to read the document to their troops. On July 9, the New York Congress adopted a resolution in support of the declaration; in response, its delegates added their "yes" votes on July 15.

In New York City, patriots pulled down an equestrian statue of King George III to melt it for ammunition.

The British sent two frigates, HMS Phoenix (44 guns) and HMS Rose (20 guns), up the Hudson River to test its defenses.

British Gen. William Howe arrived at Staten Island with 130 ships and 10,000 troops. The next day, his brother, Vice Adm. Richard Howe, arrived with 150 ships and 11,000 troops. They sent a message to Washington, who forwarded it to Congress, offering reconciliation and pardon. The Americans felt they had done nothing that required pardon and, besides, they had already declared independence.

On July 21, Washington hired two engineers to assess the condition of the forts in the Highlands.

On July 26, general orders in New York City noted that "complaints have been made that some of the soldiers ill treat the country people who come to market [to sell vegetables]. The general most positively forbids this behavior."

A man driving on the Albany Post Road past Mekeel's Corner [Route 301] at 1 p.m. on a Friday spotted a fire at a tenement house near the chapel. He raised the alarm, and Thomas Mekeel and his sons ran to the site. The front door was locked, so they assumed it was vacant. But during a search, they found Mrs. Samuel Lecount napping in her bed in the attic. She was a heavy woman, so it was with difficulty that they brought her downstairs. The house was a total loss.

Two travelers appeared on a Friday at 6 p.m. near the post office in Cold Spring offering to swallow a 13-inch blade for 5 cents [about $1.50 today], or whatever could be offered.

The Cold Spring Recorder reported that the water in the cistern at the corner of Main and Chestnut had a woody flavor. The editor said it appeared to contain filaments worn from the wood by the motion of the pump.

The Baptist Church hosted a community celebration of the centennial. The program was as follows: "My Country, Tis of Thee"; a prayer by the rector at St. Mary's; "Hold the Fort"; the Declaration of Independence, read by Isaac Vanwinkle; "The Centennial Hymn"; a sermon by the Rev. C.J. Page; "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow"; and a benediction by the rector.

The Village Board ordered signs posted at the public pumps noting that the water was to be used only for domestic purposes.

Henry Birdsall, so infirm that he had to be helped home after a visit to Dykeman's store in Nelsonville, was found dead in the stall where he lived in the old Davenport place. It was said that he bought a vial of laudanum [tincture of opium] at Dykeman's for his swollen limbs, and that the vial was found empty, but a coroner's jury did not find any evidence of narcotic poisoning.

A dog belonging to Benjamin Hughson bit Mr. Nichols of Nelsonville on the leg as he was passing Town Hall. The animal was shot the next day.

Due to the failure of Congress to make appropriations, a large number of workmen were dismissed at West Point.

John McGurk hung a sign from his Main Street store with a "well-drawn eagle and shaded in good taste," according to The Rec...