Nicholas Quackenbush - Continental Army Assistant Quartermaster General, 1775-1783

A member of a powerful Dutch family in the Hudson River Valley, Nicholas Quackenbush (1734-1813) sided with the Revolutionary cause in the 1760s through 1780s, serving as Assistant Deputy Quartermaster to the Continental forces in Albany with rank as Major. A major trade and transport route linking British-held New York City with the Iroquois country, Canada, and to the settlements along the Mohawk River, the Hudson was a strategic keystone for both Patriot and Redcoat, and it was the focus of particularly bitter contestation. From the fight for Fort Ticonderoga and invasion of Quebec at the start of the armed struggle, to Benedict Arnold’s West Point plot, to the final evacuation of British troops in 1783, control of the Hudson was viewed as critical to military success.

While the position of Quartermaster (Quartermaster meant that basically he was in charge of all supplies) may seem less than glorious, it is one of those posts on which the success of any army hangs. Concerned with the details of provisions, tents, wood for fire, shoes, and shipping, the records of the Quartermaster army reveals much about the inner workings of the Continental Army as it sought to avoid destruction by their superior British foes, and about relations with the populace of upstate New York. The 50 letters written to Maj. Quackenbush during the Revolutionary years also provide a sense for how the American forces learned from their experiences, improving in their operations, and how their periodic successes at arms buoyed their effort and sustained them, ultimately, toward victory.

Cowan's Auctions, held a Fall Americana Auction on November 16 & 17 in 2006. One of the lots presented was No. 818, Major Quackenbush Revolutionary War Archive &

Business Archive consisting of 194 items and was sold for $17,825.00.

The earliest letters in the collection suggest just how vital efficient communications were to the military effort, and how procedures were still being worked out two years into the war. In a fit of exasperation in one letter, Hugh Hughes, the Deputy Quartermaster for the district and the most frequent correspondent in the collection scolded Quackenbush: “Why don’t you let me have a Line every Day? Tyson can easily give me a little Narrative of the preceeding Day, and so from Day to Day. Let me know what Militia are come in & What Continental Troops? What Regmts & What Numbers are stop’d & who, and what & who are gone on to Hdqrs.?” (April 16, 1777). Hughes had a great deal on his plate to be concerned with, and knowing how precarious the position of American forces was that spring, he advised caution for Quackenbush as the better part of valor. From Fishkill, he wrote: “I am very glad you are so well stock’d with Cash, but don’t be unnecessarily lavish of it, as perhaps the Enemy may throw themselves between Hdqrs and us for some Time. I want to see you greatly, but am waiting General Washington’s Orders, which you’l be please to acquaint the General with. I am to go up this side, as high as Esopus, cross, & meet General Clinton the other Side, in order to fix on Places for the Commissary’s Stores &c.” (May 22, 1777)

Important information on military affairs, however, did flow from all points to the Albany district, where Quackenbush and his comrades eagerly followed the events of the Jersey Campaign and other struggles. Abraham B. Bancker, for example, reported “Since closing my Letter, General G. Clinton brings the acct. of General Miflin having taken 300 of the Enemy Prisoners near Paramas, which may be depended upon. Another Acct. from the Eastward says 500 of the Enemy are made Prisoners at Rhode Island, brave news for all Honest Americans…” (Jan. 4, 1777)

The thickest documentation in the collection is reserved for the seminal events of the summer 1777, events much closer to Quackenbush’s home that arguably shaped the outcome of the war. Early in the summer, the situation of the Continental Army looked precarious. With John Burgoyne’s army rampaging through northern New York and Sir Henry Clinton occupying New York City, however, the third commander of British forces, William Howe, made the famous and fateful decision to take his forces by sea to attack Philadelphia from the Chesapeake. Burgoyne -- and perhaps Clinton himself -- were left exposed. It was not long before word of Howe’s blunder spread to Albany. Writing from the “Continental Village” (an army encampment), his friend John Tyson reported: “We have heard reports here, that our people have killed & taken a number of the Enemy. If it be true you will be easy at Albany.” With Washington moving southward, Tyson added, “Most of our Troops are marching towards Philadelphia, as the Enemy are moving that way…” (July 10, 1777). Another letter from Charles Tillinghast added much more detail. After duly reporting that the buildings at Continental Village were being erected “as fast as possible,” Tillinghast added, “all the news that we have at present is that the British Army is gone towards Philadelphia, the fleet is sailed out of the Hook, to the amount of 200 Sail… Genl. Washington’s Army are moving southward, he has ordered Gen. Stirlings & Sullivans divisions over the river again -- and Col. Cranes Artillery over…” (July 26, 1777)

For Quackenbush and the Continental regulars and militia in Albany, Burgoyne was still a force to be feared. In late July, Hughes reported from Fishkill, implying that Burgoyne was not far from Albany (and mentioning that “General Washington was two Days ago near the

Delaware. -- No Acct. of the Enemy yet.” -- July 30, 1777). Three weeks later, an urgent request came from Horatio Gates for “all the Boards that can be Collected & Spared in the Northern department…” (Aug. 21, 1777), a letter presumably written as Gates was preparing for one of the war’s most significant battles, Saratoga, the battle that devastated the British, resulting in the surrender of Burgoyne’s entire army. Although New York remained safely in British hands, this crushing defeat shifted the momentum toward the revolutionary side, raising morale all across the revolutionary lines, and it did as much as anything to prevent the British from using the Hudson to supply their forces from Canada.

The elation of Saratoga was still palpable the following spring. Writing from Fishkill, John Keese overflowed with optimisism about what 1778 would hold for the American army:

I have only to tell you that I am well, and in high Spirits at the prospect of shortly, seeing New York -- You cannot conceive the joy visible in every honest countenance here; -- I hope we may not be disappointed.

A French Fleet has, certainly, stop’d the Passage at Sandy Hook, and it is currently Reported, & Believed, that the sound Passage is also stop’d, or rendered very hazardous by two or three large French men laying in it -- This is somewhat, confirmed by the report of a Deserter who says, that, a few days ago, a Frigate was sent from New York to carry Despatches to Rhode Island that after being away three days she return’d & the Capt. being call’d upon to Account for not performing his Business declar’d that the French had block’d the Channel.

Major Dobbs rec’d a Letter written, and sign’d by General Washington, desiring him without delay, to repair to him in order to go on Board the Fleet and Pilot them into New York Harbor… (July 22, 1778)

From Red Hook that summer, John W. Vredenburgh passed news of the further success of American arms at the Battle of Monmouth, one of Washington’s most extraordinary victories: “Their has bin an Action on Sunday Last in Jersey,” Vredenburgh reported, “the particulars is not yet Come here, but from Report it is greatly in favour as Genl. Washington Incamped on the field…” (July 4, 1778)

There are relatively few letters in the collection for the period 1779 and 1780, however in 1781, Quackenbush preserved several important items documenting what may be the most famous battle of the Revolution, Yorktown. Although Quackenbush was far from the scene of action, news of the American success reached him in relatively short order. On October 27, with his typical sense of good humor and military perspective, Hughes wrote a remarkable letter:

“The General will let you have a Party to cut Wood as soon as the Alarm is over, & that will be very shortly, you may rely, as those Rascals are sent out only to keep this Army from making an Attack on N. York in Sir Harry’s [Henry Clinton] Absence. He having sail’d last Wednesday… with 25 ships of the Line, Frigates, &c. and troops on board to relieve his Ldship, who was a Prisoner before Sir Harry could get to his assistance. -- I desired Major Keefe to inclose you an Extract of Col. M[?] Letter to me on that Subject, same when General Heath writes me that a Person directly from Philadelphia says he saw a printed Handbill there giving the same Acct. Some Deserters from N. York confirmed it also, so that an official one may be hourly expected. Mine came with so much Dispatch that many who knew Nothing of the Writers Character were staggered, as they were at Hdqrs. in 77

when I gave them the first acct. of Burgoyne’s Fate. You see I am lucky at News, tho I deal but little in it…” (Oct. 27, 1781)

More exciting, perhaps, is a contemporary copy of a letter from the French Col. Gauvion to Maj. Campbell (probably the letter mentioned by Hughes) which provides a fabulous first hand analysis of French naval strategy off Yorktown, suggesting how it was the French who won the American Revolution.

there is only thirty seven French Ships of the Line on the Bay, not Frigates included… The Count de Grasse has brought with him one ship of 110 Guns, four of 84 Guns, nineteen of 74 Guns, 4 of 64 Guns, two of 50 Guns, to 44 Gun Frigates, two 32 Gun Frigates, and one Cutter of 18 Guns, which have made their Junction with the Fleet from Rhode Island. We have in the Bay twenty british Vessels, two of them are the Iris and Richmond Frigates, and twelve others are armed, from Sixteen to twenty Guns.

General Washington will have ten thousand french Troops, five thousand Continentals, and as many militia as he will call for, a large train of brass Artillery, with an imense quantity of Ammunition, so I am confident that we shall be able to give a good account of his Lordship.

The British Squadron has presented itself at the entrance of the Bay, it did consist of twenty two ships of the Line, at that time the Count de Grasse had all his Boats with 150 Sailors employed in landing the Troops, but without waiting for them he cut his Cables and put under sail, he engaged the British who kept the wind all the while, but from the moment the wind shifted, the Enemy crouded all their Sail, and the Count did not chuse to follow them for fear of going too far from the Bay, which at that moment was the main Object. He had left four ships to block Cornwallis in the Bay, and since that time he has been joined by the Fleet from Rhode Island… (Sept. 23, 1781)

The bulk of the remaining correspondence deals with the essential details of a quartermaster’s business, including securing and transporting forage, supplies, and equipment, and miscellaneous military matters. In a particularly interesting letter, D. Lyman wrote for Quackenbush’s assistance: “The General has received information from his Excellency General Washington, that a number of soldiers have deserted from the regiments under his Command as it is probably some under this description may attempt to cross the ferry at Albany, you will please to order the strictest examination to be made and send all such as are of suspicious Character to the Head Quarters of Genl. Heath…” (Sept. 10, 1781)

Several of these so-called "routine" letters were written by illustrious Revolutionary figures, including two from William Alexander Lord Stirling (LS from Saratoga, Nov. 1, 1781, regarding sending off grindstones, and an ALS, Sept. 3, 1782, regarding his horses and wagons), one from William Popham (aide de camp to Gen. James Clinton); and a contemporary LS Cy from George Washington, May 1, 1782 (signature mimicking Washington’s) requesting provisions for the troops. Also of note is a pass issued for a dispatch messenger Thomas Clump, signed by famed soldier Marinus Willett, Jan. 30, 1783; an ALS from General and later Governor of NY, George Clinton, May 20, 1777; a Joshua Mersereau ALS, May 30, 1777 (regarding debts: Mersereau was a deputy commissary of prisoners); and an ALS from George Reed, Lt. Col. 2nd New Hampshire Regiment. An important ALS from Continental Army Gen. John Stark, July 10, 1778,

reveals another dimension to a Quartermaster’s duties during the Revolution. Almost a year after Burgoyne’s defeat at Saratoga, Stark writes: “You are hereby Authorized to make search for the Goods and stores of all kinds whatsoever, left by Genl. Burgoyne, on his Retreat from Behmus Heights to Saratoga and Wherever, or Whosoever, such Stores of Effects, shall be found with you are hereby Impowered to Sieze said Affects for the use & Benefit of these United States, & all officers, both Civil & Military…”

In a different vein, the language of the oath of office taken by Quackenbush as Assistant Deputy QM, Oct. 10, 1780 (signed twice by Gen. Daniel Tucker), is redolent with the language of revolution and gives an excellent flavor of the high feelings surrounding the fight for the cause of independence: “I… do acknowledge the UNITED STATES of AMERICA to be Free, Independent, and Sovereign States,” it reads, “and declare that the People thereof owe no allegiance or Obedience to George the Third, King of Great-Britain; and I renounce, refuse, and abjure any Allegiance of Obedience to him…” Also signed by Pierre van Cortlandt.

Revolutionary War collections of this size and historical value seldom appear, and particularly those with such fine content. The rich details these letters and documents provide and the insight into the operations of the Quartermasters Department in the vital Hudson River Valley alone make the Quackenbush Papers an important collection for Revolutionary historians, but the presence of letters written by Continental Army generals and officers such as Clinton, Stark, Stirling, Willett, and Mersereau, and interesting reports on Saratoga and Yorktown made this a rare opportunity. Some fold separations on a few of the accounts, and some ink fading, but generally excellent condition.

Two-thirds of the Quackenbush collection consists not of correspondence, but of receipts, returns, invoices, and accounts documenting the "nitty gritty" of his work with the Quartermaster`s Department. These include an account and memorandum book, 1777-1782 (a leather-bound pocket volume); the Continental Quartermaster General Accounts (27p. -- and itemized record of money owed to Continental Army figures, including Philip and Henry Van Rensselaer, Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler, Anthony Wayne). Among the subtle items are returns for distribution of entrenching tools dated New York, March 1776, a time when British troops were evacuating for Boston and bound for New York. Presumably, the picks, shovels, and axes being distributed were intended for entrenching positions to prepare for the British onslaught. Among a large number of loose items:

Accounts (3): blacksmith’s accounts, 1782 (2pp., for shoeing horses, mending wiffletrees, making axes, etc.); board and plank accounts, 1781 (13p.); forage accounts, 1782 (2 folio pp.)

Certificates documenting uncompensated transactions, 1779-1783 (12 items). Includes two attesting that Quackenbush has purchased horses branded CA [Continental Army], documenting transport of troops of 1st New York Regiment and 7 prisoners of war to West Point (one other documenting several occasions for transport of supplies and soldiers of the regiment); for supply of wood and forage.

Promissory notes, 1775-1783 (7 items).

Receipts, 1775-1783 (32 items). Receipts for payment for miscellaneous goods and services, several signed by the soldier receiving the payment, often with a mark rather than signature. E.g. $15 for riding express to Saratoga and $80 to Poughkeepsie (ten

receipts for riding express to various points); receipts for coal, lime, chisels, tent poles, tarred rope, and miscellaneous goods.

Returns. Persons employed in the QM General Dept., Oct. 24, 1781 (Quackenbush listed as ADQM); Inventory of entrenching tools, March 1776 (7 items, detailed records of entrenching tools issued, by company, to Continental Army troops in New York)

Vouchers, Jan.-July 1783 (62 items) for small amounts of goods purchased from Albany merchants (one pound of tea, four shillings of goods)

Folio documents (3): List of claims against the government for performance of duties, 1783 (6pp., mostly for transport services, wood, oar making); “Account of sundries Received in the Quartermaster General’s Department at Albany…,” 1781 (5pp.); “Account of articles delivered by Nicholas Quackenbush…,” 1782 (2pp., blank).

Misc. items include a list of persons in Schenectady having boards, 1776.; testimony of witness regarding wood allegedly sent to Maj. Gen. Schuyler, 1781; copy of congressional resolutions regarding payment of accounts, 1781; “Proposal for supplying the American Army with Smith work by Jacob Reader,” ca.1781; estimates (2) of articles and labor hired by QM, 1781; 3 special orders; notification of outstanding accounts against Hugh Hughes, ca.1783. Two documents from the end of the war are rather unusual, to say the least, notifying that the barracks and guardhouse at Schenectady were to be sold at public auction, 1783.

Source: Cowan's Auctions

Edward Quackenbush - Successful Financier and Community Leader, Portland, Oregon

Edward Quackenbush was a successful financier and community leader in Portland, Oregon during the second half of the 1800's, but in his youth he lived an exciting and varied life. Edward arrived in Portland as a well-educated New Yorker, who studied political history, composition, philosophy, English, and advanced math before dropping out of school at the age of 15. Before Portland he lived in Iowa with his brother Alfred and campaigned for Abraham Lincoln and was a member of the Lincoln Wide Awakes, a paramilitary campaign organization affiliated with the Republican Party during the United States presidential election of 1860. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Edward tried to enlist at age 21 but was denied due to a heart condition. He worked at various times as a cowboy, cashier, and bookkeeper. He arrived in Portland in 1865, got a job as a bookkeeper and worked in the hardwood lumber business. As a young man, Edward was a member of the newly organized Portland Pioneer Base Ball Club (June 2, 1866), the first baseball team formed in the state of Oregon. During the second season (1867) the Pioneers infield had Edward playing shortstop (he also played relief catcher and pitcher). In their second game of the season the Pioneers played against the Clackamas Base Ball Club of Oregon City and defeated them 78-37. Quackenbush, Steele, Cook, DeHuff and Shepard all hitting home runs in the game. Through hard work, the right social contacts, and shrewed investment, Edward became the wise investor and community leader Portland came to know. His business interests were varied and made him quite successful. They were:

• Knapp, Burrell & Company. Sold agricultural implements.

• Ladd & Tilton Bank. The largest cast iron bank on the west coast.

• Sibson, Quackenbush and Company. A shipping, commission, insurance firm, and investments company.

• Oregon Steam Navigation Company. Steamships that ran between San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle.

• Oregon Railway & Navigation Company (OR&N). It was was a railroad that operated a rail network of 1,143 miles (1,839 km) of track running east from Portland to northeastern Oregon, northeastern Washington, and northern Idaho. The railroad operated from 1896 as a consolidation of several smaller railroads.

OR&N was initially operated as an independent carrier, but Union Pacific (UP) purchased a majority stake of the line in 1898. The line became a subsidiary of UP titled the Oregon–Washington Railroad and Navigation Company in 1910. In 1936, Union Pacific formally absorbed the system, which became UP's gateway to the Pacific Northwest.

• Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company. He helped found the company.

• Board of Trade.

• Chamber of Commerce

In 1889 Edward platted (mapped a plan) a subdivision neighborhood in the north and northeast

sections of Portland called Piedmont. The Piedmont subdivision was promoted in an early flyer as "The Emerald, Portland's Evergreen Suburb, Devoted Exclusively to Dwellings, A Place of Homes." It was also touted as "The Emerald Neighborhood" because of all the evergreens in the area. The original subdivision, now known as "Historic Piedmont," includes parts of the Humboldt and King neighborhoods, as well as the modern Piedmont neighborhood south of Rosa Parks Way. Edward Quackenbush, the founder of Piedmont, also banned bars. Social Interests:

Glee Club.

• Young Men's Christian Association YMCA The Portland, Oregon YMCA was established on March 31, 1868 by EdwardQuackenbush and William Wadhams. The initial focus of the organization was Evangelical Christianity and Bible instruction with Sunday school classes, lectures, library and reading rooms being provided. After the turn of the century, the Portland branch of the organization expanded to offer a technical training school for young men as well. Edward was the first president of the Portland YMCA.

• Portland's Seamen's Friend Society. By the 1870s Portland, Oregon was an emerging seaport, with Astoria taking on the cargoes when the rivers were too low for vessels to load, or load fully in

Portland. Seaman’s Friend Chaplains were assigned to both ports: the Rev. R.S. Stubbs in Portland , and the Rev. Johnston McCormac in Astoria. In Portland a group of religious city fathers: Henry Corbett, William S. Ladd, Simeon Reed, John McCracken, Edward Quackenbush, and James Laidlaw formed a chapter of the society, with the aim of building a Bethel, and a facility with boardinghouse, dining hall, and library. The chief aim was to remove the poor sailors from the clutches of the ruthless boarding masters, Jim Turk being the major problem at the time (shanghaiier, swindler, drunkard, millionaire). The first structure, a chapel, reading room, kitchen, and chaplain’s quarters was a wood frame building on the corner of 3rd and Davis. In 1882, at the same location, the society built their vision, a building with sleeping rooms, and all the other accommodations. They christened the place the “Mariner’s Home,” and dreamed about putting the evil crimps out of business. The structure remains to this day.

• Oregon Anti-Saloon League.

Edward was notable enough that the Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries has a collection of correspondence belonging to him. Most of the letters are from his brother, Alfred, who was a farm implement and hardware dealer in Lewiston, Idaho. A few letters from various church officials in Oregon concern Presbyterian Church matters. Alfred Quackenbush's letters are usually on business news of opportunities, requests for supplies, or requests for credit. He seems to have had an eye for real estate opportunities as well as for implement sales.

The handstamps on the 10 and 4 cent stamps differ. See the last letters in the name Quackenbush. These stamps were likely used on equity transactions of some kind.

Abraham Quackinbush - The Battle of Plattsburgh

The Battle of Plattsburgh, also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain, ended the final invasion of the northern states of the United States during the War of 1812. A British army under Lieutenant General Sir George Prévost and a naval squadron under Captain George Downie converged on the lakeside town of Plattsburgh, which was defended by New York and Vermont militia and detachments of regular troops of the United States Army, all under the command of Brigadier General Alexander Macomb, and ships commanded by Master Commandant Thomas Macdonough. Downie's squadron attacked shortly after dawn on 11 September 1814, but was defeated after a hard fight in which Downie was killed. Prévost then abandoned the attack by land against Macomb's defences and retreated to Canada, stating that even if Plattsburgh was captured, any British troops there could not be supplied without control of the lake.

From the rank of ensign Abraham Quackinbush was rapidly advanced until he reached the grade of First Lieutenant, the official record of his service, as communicated by the War Department being as follows:

* * * WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE. * * * 

Abraham Quackinbush was appointed Ensign, 6th Infantry, January 13, 1813 ; promoted 3rd Lieutenant, 6th Infantry, March 12, 1813; 2nd Lieutenant, April 1, 1813; 1st Lieutenant, June 30, 1814. He served with his regiment in the defense of New York Harbor February, 1813, to June, 1814; in the right wing of the Northern Army, on the Canadian Frontier, to January, 1815; and at Plattsburgh, New York, to June 15, 1815, when he was discharged upon the reduction of the Army to the peace establishment, under the act of March 3, 1815.

* * * (signed) W. P. Hall, Assistant Adjutant General.***

Abraham Quackinbush was assigned to Captain Woolworth's Company of the 6th U. S. Infantry, and joined the army at the Northern Frontier, where he figured in the memorable Battle of Plattsburgh, fought September 11, 1814, when, after an hour's furious fighting, the British vessels, although vastly superior to Commodore McDonough's fleet in number and quality, were forced to strike their colors. Abraham Quackinbush, witnessing this action from the shore, first drew the attention of General Macomb to the British surrender. Concerning the engagement of the land forces in this battle, Captain Walter Bicker, a fellow officer of Lieutenant Quackinbush's, has written:

Battle of Plattsburgh

"In the afternoon of September 11, 1814, the veteran troops of Waterloo, the flower of the British Army, quailed, 10,000 strong, before the American army of 1,500 regular troops and some 3,000 raw militia recruits, and marched back to Canada, whence they came in great pomp, threatening wonders."

Lieutenant Quackinbush remained in the military service until the end of the war, when he was honorably discharged.

He was married March 25, 1818, by the Rev. Christian Bork, pastor of the Franklin Street Reformed Dutch Church, to Sarah McLaren, daughter of Daniel McLaren and Sarah Stowe. Sarah McLaren was born at 163 Broadway, New York City, June 27, 1792. Her father was a native of Comrie, Perthshire, in Scotland, and a descendant of the Clan Mac-Lauren. According to a family tradition, he arrived in New York City on Evacuation Day, having passed the retiring British troops in the harbor, but it has not been possible to verify this tradition, as all of the marine records of that time were destroyed by fire when the British captured Washington in 1814. It is known, however, that Daniel McLaren was in New York in 1784, as on June 15 of that year he acquired a half interest in a plot of ground, 25x100 feet, on lower Broadway, paying 400 American pounds ($1,000) for his share. This property, still a part of the family estate, is now known as No. 163. Later he built a residence in Chatham Square, which is now standing. He died at 108 Bleecker Street in 1826, leaving three children, Vashti (or Vestal, Daniel and Sarah.

For a short time after his marriage Abraham Quackinbush was engaged in the dry goods business in Greenwich street, but retired in 1826, and moved to Bleecker street, which was then "up town." After his father's death in 1843, the farm on Murray Hill was divided into lots and sold, and Abraham purchased four lots fronting on 41st street, paying in the aggregate $600 for the property. Some years later, however, fearing he might never realize more than he gave for it, he sold it at auction for the amount originally paid, and considered himself fortunate in not having to sacrifice any more than the amount of the taxes and the interest on the investment. In 1851 he purchased, and occupied during the remainder of his life, a large house surrounded by land which extended from 86th to 87th streets, between Second and Third avenues. In the immediate neighborhood were the country seats of the Fanshaws, Rutters, Astors, Rhinelanders and other families of prominence.

While never taking an active part in politics, Abraham Quackinbush was, in his earlier

years, an ardent Andrew Jackson Democrat, but afterwards became a Republican, and his last vote was cast for Hayes and Wheeler in 1876. He was always proud of his connection with the army, and was one of the original members of the Military Society of the War of 1812. During the Civil War he read the news with great interest, and frequently expressed the regret that he was not young enough to join the Union Army himself. About the year 1867 Abraham Quackinbush became a member of the Prospect Hill Reformed Church, in Yorkville, of which his son Daniel was the pastor. He died March 12th, 1877, and the funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Dr.Ten Eyck of Astoria, L. I., and the Rev. Mr. Latimer, pastor of the Presbyterian Church on 86th street.

The remains were placed in the family vault at Greenwood Cemetery. Sarah McLaren, the wife of Abraham Quackinbush, died at No. 231 East 86th Street, July 21, 1869.

Bill Quackenbush - Canadian Professional Ice Hockey Defense

George "Bill" Quackenbush (March 2, 1922 – September 12, 1999) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League. During his 14 year career, he was the first defense man to win the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. He won the award after playing the entire 1948–49 season without recording a penalty. The penalty-less season was part of a total of 131 consecutive games he played without being assessed a penalty. Quackenbush, considered to be an elite offensive defense man during his career, was named to the NHL All-Star Team five times, played in eight NHL All-Star games and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976.

Following his retirement from professional ice hockey, he spent 18 years as head coach of various teams at Princeton University. Quackenbush coached men's golf, and both the men's and women's ice hockey teams, at various times. He won eight Ivy League Championships with the men's golf team and three with the women's ice hockey team.

Early Life

Quackenbush was born on March 2, 1922, in Toronto, Ontario. He was born Hubert George Quackenbush but was given the nickname Bill by his aunt who disliked his given name. He played hockey on outdoor rinks around Toronto during the Great Depression as a youth, and was one of the top high school athletes in Canada as a teenager. In addition to hockey, he was a renowned football and soccer player. Quackenbush had an opportunity to play football professionally, but he decided to pursue a career in hockey.

Quackenbush began his junior career playing for the Toronto Native Sons of the Ontario Hockey Association. He scored 13 points in 13 games during the 1940–41 season. The following season, he played for the Brantford Lions, scoring 34 points in 23 games, and caught the attention of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League.

Professional Career

Quackenbush signed as a free-agent with the Red Wings on October 19, 1942, and played 10 games during the 1942–43 season before breaking his wrist. After recovering from the injury, Detroit assigned him to the American Hockey League where he joined the Indianapolis Capitals. He earned a regular position with the Red Wings during the 1943–44 season, scoring 4 goals and 18 points. In the next two seasons he averaged 21 points while only being assessed an average of 8 penalty minutes and scored a career high 11 goals in 1945–46. The following season he earned his first post-season honor, when he was named a Second Team NHL All-Star. He was also named the Red Wings team MVP. He registered a career high 17 penalty minutes in 1947–48 and was named a First Team All-Star. The season also saw the start of a streak of 131 consecutive games where

Quackenbush was not assessed a penalty.It began with the final 5 regular season and 10 playoff games that year, continued through the entire 60 regular season and 11 playoff games during the 1948–49 season, and ended after 45 games of the 1949–50 season. At the conclusion of the 1948–49 season, he was awarded the Lady Byng Trophy, the NHL's annual award for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct. He was the first defenceman to win the award, and remains one of only two in NHL history to capture the trophy. Detroit General Manager Jack Adams detested the award and felt that any player who won it did not belong to his team, so he promptly traded Quackenbush. He was sent to the Boston Bruins with Pete Horeck for Pete Babando, Lloyd Durham, Clare Martin and Jimmy Peters, Sr.

Quackenbush became a fan favorite upon his arrival in Boston, where his offensive style of play was compared to former Bruin (and fellow Hall of Famer) Eddie Shore. In his first season in Boston, Quackenbush scored 8 goals and 25 points. He continued to stay out of the penalty box, registering only 4 penalty minutes. However, it marked the first time in three seasons that he was not named to the NHL All-Star Team. The Bruins defense core was depleted by injury in 1950–51, forcing the team to use several first year players. While this resulted in Quackenbush having to play more minutes, including a game where he played 55 minutes, it also gave him the opportunity to play with his brother Max. It was the only time the two played professionally together. He also set a career high in points with 29 and was again named a First Team NHL All-Star. Over the next five seasons Quackenbush hovered around the 20 point mark and was never assessed more than 8 penalty minutes in a year.

Quackenbush retired following the 1955–56 season, having accumulated only 95 penalty minutes over 774 games. This averaged out to seven seconds a game, one of the lowest in NHL history for a player at any position. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976.

Personal

Following his NHL career, Quackenbush worked as a manufacturer's agent while attending night school at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. At Northeastern, he earned an Associate's degree in engineering. Quackenbush also became an assistant coach at Northeastern.

In 1967, he became the head coach for Princeton University's men's ice hockey team, a position he would hold for six seasons. His best season was his first in 1967–68, when the Tigers posted a 13–10–0 record. It was the highest win total for Princeton since 1935–36.[12] However, his success with the men's ice hockey team would not last; Priceton won no more than five games for their next five seasons. His worst campaign was in 1970–71, when Princeton had two 11 game losing streaks and a 1–22–0 overall record. Because of this, Quackenbush stepped down as the head coach in 1973.In 1969 he began coaching the Princeton Men's golf team. He enjoyed much greater success with the golf team leading them to eight Ivy League championships.In 1978 Princeton started a Women's Ice Hockey team, and Quackenbush was asked to coach them. He was still coaching the golf team but decided to accept the additional position and led them to three consecutive Ivy League championships between 1982 and 1984.Quackenbush retired from coaching in 1985, after which he moved to Orlando, Florida, where he lived for several years before moving to New Jersey in 1997.

He married Joan Kalloch and the couple had three sons, Bruce, Scott and Todd. At the time of his passing, Quackenbush also had seven grandchildren. He died of pneumonia and complications from Alzheimer's disease on September 12, 1999, at Chandler Hall Hospice in Newtown, Pennsylvania, at the age of 77.

Playing Style

Quackenbush was an offensive defense man who carried the puck up the ice, making use of his stick handling, passing skills and ability to read the play. Over the course of his career, he was considered one of the elite rushing defense man in the NHL.He was a solid checker, but relied more on positioning and discipline than physical play. This is evident by his low yearly average of penalty minutes and the fact that he was assessed only one major penalty throughout his NHL career.

Defensively he made use of poke checks to take the puck from his opponents and excelled at getting to lose pucks and clearing them out of the defensive zone. He was adept at keeping opposing forwards from creating offense from behind the net.

Awards and honors

• Lady Byng Trophy (1949)
• Three time NHL First Team All-Star (1948, 1949, 1951)
• Two time NHL Second Team All-Star (1947, 1953)
• Eight time NHL all-star game participant (1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954)
• Honored Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame (1976)

Source: Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia.

Quackenbush Square and Quackenbush House, Albany, New York

No matter where you live in North America this is home. This peaceful urban oasis is one of the most historic corners of Albany, New York. Pieter Quackenbosch, a native of Holland came to Albany about 1660. In 1668, he purchased an established brickyard on land which to this day bears his name.

The Quackenbush House sits on the southwest corner of the square where Clinton Avenue and Broadway cross. The foundations of the house date from the late seventeenth century. The brick house with its gable end facing the street in the Dutch manner, was built in two stages: the western section at the end of the seventeenth century or the beginning of the eighteenth century and the eastern end during this late eighteenth century. It is believed that the house was built with bricks fired in the Quackenbush kilns. While Pieter built this house for his family, in the following years it was also the home of Colonel Hendrick (Henry) Quackenbush who served in both the French Indian War and the Revolutionary War. Generations of Quackenbushes were born and lived in the house until 1865 when the house was leased as a bakery. In 1868, the family sold the house to an attorney. During the ensuing years, the house has been an antique shop, a bar, and a restaurant.

The pedestrian way that runs through Quackenbush Square was once Quackenbush Street with

sidewalks abutting the street; all were demolished in 1895 except for number 25 which remains on the north side of the square. In the 1870's, the Albany Water Department began acquiring land along Quackenbush Street and Montgomery Street (which ran parallel to Broadway). The complex grew as necessity dictated with many additions during the late nineteenth century. The city engaged the architectural firm of Edward Ogden and Son who built new structures and altered older ones between 1895 and 1897. The most prominent structures are the two handsome brick with stone trim industrial buildings which occupy the corner of Quackenbush Square and old Montgomery Street. These structures date from the last quarter of the nineteenth century and originally house steam pumping engines which pumped water from the Hudson (river) to the Bleecker and Prospect Hill reservoirs. These pumps were replaced in the first decade of twentieth century with two Holly engines.

In 1897, the facade of the original townhouse of 1852 was altered with orange brick and terracotta detailings and a stable was constructed behind it. In 1897, a link building united the old townhouse and the stable. In 1970s, several fires severely damaged 25 Quackenbush Square. In 1976, number 25 was rehabilitated, the street was closed, a pedestrian walkway created, and the area was named Quackenbush Square.

Quackenbush House in 1920's

Don't Mess With His Whiskey! Justin Lowe Quackenbush

Justin Lowe Quackenbush (born 1929) is a United States federal judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.

Quackenbush was born in Spokane, Washington. His father, Carl Quackenbush, was a law student who eventually became a Superior Court judge in Spokane. Quackenbush received a B.A. from the University of Idaho in 1951. He received an LL.B. from Gonzaga University School of Law, his father's alma mater, in 1957. He was in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1954. He was a deputy prosecuting attorney in Spokane County, Washington from 1957 to 1959. He was in private practice in Spokane from 1959 until his judicial nomination. He was active in Democratic Party politics, regularly serving as the campaign manager for Tom Foley's successful Congressional election campaigns starting in 1964 for over a decade.

Quackenbush also taught at Gonzaga University School of Law from 1961 to 1967, and was an active Mason.

On May 9, 1980, President Jimmy Carter nominated Quackenbush to the seat vacated by Marshall A. Neill. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 18, 1980, and received his commission the same day. Because Neill was the only judge in the district, and had died in October 1979, Quackenbush and fellow appointee Robert J. McNichols immediately faced a tremendous backlog of cases.

He served as chief judge from 1989 to June 27, 1995, when he assumed senior status.

In 1991, Quackenbush was accused of illegally bringing whiskey into a Spanish restaurant that did not have a liquor license, and threatening to have the restaurant owner deported when she complained; Quackenbush paid a $100 fine for the misdemeanor liquor violation and apologized, saying that his immigration remark was a joke. The Judicial Council for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declined to discipline Quackenbush, citing his "exemplary" record.