'278 THE HORSE OF AMERICA. 



day, not even excepting her near relation, old Topgallant. This 

 mare illustrates a point of very great importance. She was got 

 by a son of Messenger that was a running horse of merit and able 

 to beat some of the best of his day, and her dam was a daughter 

 of Messenger. The trotting action of neither sire nor dam had 

 ever been developed, but when these two Messengers came to- 

 gether, the clean, open, unmistakable trotting gait was the result. 

 Right at this point and in this mare, One Eye, we have the in- 

 cipient cause of all Hambletonian's greatness. This mare was 

 bred by Jonas Seely, Sr. ; given to his son Charles, who sold her 

 to his brother-in-law, Josiah Jackson, of Oxford in Orange 

 County. According the recollection of Mr. Rysdyk, who was 

 entirely familiar with the Seely family and their affairs, she pro- 

 duced as follows: 



1829. Bay gelding Crabstick, by Seagull. 



1830. Bay gelding Pray Colt, by Seagull. 



1331. Bay filly Young One Eye, by Edmund Seely's horse Orphan Boy. 



1833. Bay filly Kent Mare, by imp. Bellfounder. Sold to Mr. Pray. 



1834. Bay filly; sold also to Mr. Pray, by imp. Bellfounder. Perhaps there 



was another foal that died. 



The first of her foals, Crabstick, appears to have been well- 

 named. His temper was anything but smooth and pleasant. He 

 was sold early to Mr. Ebenezer Pray, of New York, and he soon 

 evinced two traits of character that did not elevate him in the 

 estimation of his owner. He would throw every one off that 

 dared to mount him, and when they did get him under motion 

 he was determined to pace and not trot. On a certain occasion 

 Mr. Rysdyk visited Mr. Pray, and he was urged to try his skill 

 in riding Crabstick and see if he could make him trot. The at- 

 tempt was long-continued, and embraced up hill, down hill, and 

 level work, but all to no purpose, as pace he would. At last Mr. 

 Pray proposed to put him over rails and stakes, placed on the 

 road at intervals of a good trotting stride, and see if that would 

 make him quit moving one side at a time. Mr. Rysdyk went up 

 the road and got under good headway, but just before he reached 

 the rails the horse threw him. He was not much hurt, mounted 

 again, and then commenced in earnest the fight for the mastery 

 between the horse and his rider. The value of a neck was noth- 

 ing when compared with the great question of who should con- 

 quer. The next attempt was successful, and he went over the 

 rails flying. The intervals between them were then extended, and 



