April, 1914 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
125 
One of the old bedrooms 
slept in the old four-poster. “Grandma’s” room is a 
museum of relics. Large paintings of the most noted mem- 
bers of the family hang from the walls. I here is a full- 
length portrait of Deborah Glen, the greatest personality in 
the family. Nearby is the smiling face of John Sanders, her 
playmate, who later became her husband and merged the 
Glen name into that of Sanders. Opposite hangs a picture 
of an old man. 
Each article in this old home has a history and it is sad 
that it cannot all be written. One room contains the furni- 
ture and outfit of Robert Fulton, who was a relative, by 
marriage, in the family. In one corner of the room ticks 
one of the best tall clocks in the country. In the upper hall 
is a spinet: a pianoforte made in England by Astor stands 
nearby. These were among the many things from this 
house which were exhibited at the World's hair. 
Perhaps the most valuable memory of these bygone days 
in the whole building is the flag of the Sons of Liberty. 
Faded by sun and storms and torn with Indian and English 
bullets, as I saw it, still from the weather-stained ashen 
staff proudly floats the torn silk of faded green, bearing in 
letters of white the word “Liberty." The flag was made by 
the women of Schenectady, carefully handsewed, and pre- 
sented to the boys in buff and blue soon after Capt. Van 
Schoick organized the first company of Continental soldiers 
in July, 1775. For seven long years the flag waved above 
the company until the regiment came back home again with 
the ragged remant of its strength, leaving the word Liberty 
engraved in letters of fire and blood on the pages of history. 
Most of the furniture, as well as the mahogany for the 
interior finish, was imported for the house. Side by side 
on the mantel above the fireplace stand the old tallow dips, 
the silver candlesticks, the first oil lamps and a switch to 
turn on the electric light; an innovation amid old relics. 
Alexander Lindsey Glen dieil in 16H5, and the estate 
passed to the youngest of his three sons, John .\lexander 
(den, better known to his French and Indian neighbors as 
“.Major Coudre." He married .\nna Peek, who was the 
daughter of the settler from whom Peekskill takes its name. 
'Pwenty-elght years after liis father’s death John Alexander 
was forced to move the house on account ol the ri\’er. 
"Major Coudre" died in 1731, ami tlie estate passetl into 
the hands of Col. Jacob (ilen. It was then the mansion be- 
gan to be used as a storehouse of public documents foi 
their safekeeping. 'I'he military recortls of the colony, con- 
taining the rosters of the men engagetl, were stored there; 
Old Dutch and British grants, patents ami commissions, 
bearing the signature of every governor from and including 
Governor Dongan, lay for years stored in the attic. Later 
all the public and private papers of Sir William Johnson, 
who was Indian Commissioner for the entire British pos- 
sessions in .America, were storetl there after his flight to 
Canada. 'I'he collection included treaties with the various 
tribes, signed with the tribal totem aiul in human blood and 
countersigned by the go\ ernor of the colonies. Letters and 
public documents of tlie Revolutionary ilays, commissions, 
diaries kept by officers of both armies, the minutes of the 
Sons of Liberty, ami hundreds of bills, receipts, notes, 
orders, and other papers, filial large trunks about the house. 
Twice the red horde from the west and north swept down 
upon the manor house and massacred the settlers at Schenec- 
tady. d he first time, in 1690, the building was spared at 
the special request of the French commander and the last 
time it was ably defemled. Its portals have welcomed many 
guests, from Washington to more modern heroes. 
A movement is now on foot to have the state purchase 
this historical building together with its valuable contents so 
that they may be preserved for future generations. 
