I remember nothing about living in the old house in which I was born, for soon after that event, we moved to another house only a short distance away, to a place called the "Hollow" and in the house we left, a family moved by the name of Whitman. This family consisted of four persons. The father, a widower, perhaps 75 years old. His name was Tredwell. Then there were 2 sons, Tredwell and Platt, and a daughter named Hannah. These comprised the family. The father only lived a short time, and none of those left, ever married. I knew the Whitmans very well years after. Tredwell worked the farm, while Hannah kept house. Platt worked away from home much of the time, but was home with his brother and sister on various occasions. The Whitmans were peculiar and did not associate with their neighbors much. Platt, unfortunately became addicted to strong drink and was not reliable. He would work until he had gotten a little money together and then, perhaps without warning, would quit work and go on a spree and then drink until his money was used up, after which he would secure another job and perhaps remain steady until more money had been earned, and then he would quit work again and go on another spree. One day Platt was missing and could not be found. Days and weeks passed away and nothing was heard from him, so his brother Tredwell offered a reward of $5.00 to any one who might find him. This was in the winter or early spring, as I remember. One day there was the body of a man seen floating in the water of the Nissequogue River. This proved to be the body of poor Platt. It was supposed, he was drowned one night, while on one of his sprees. The most reliable information that was obtained, was from a colored man named Green. He too, was a drinking man. It is supposed that he in company with Platt attempted to cross the river at night, in a boat, and that Platt fell overboard, and Green being under the influence of the miserable drink too, was not able to save him. The drink curse has claimed many a man that I have known. The reward of $5.00 was paid to a party named Thomas Adams, I believe, who first discovered the body floating in the river. As a young boy, I recall seeing the body lying on the shore near the home where the brother and sister lived. Tredwell and Hannah, after Platt's sad death still occupied the house, living to a certain extent, secluded lives, associating very little with other people. Many years after Platt's death, Tredwell died, at the age of about 80 years. After his death, Hannah moved away to live with people in another town. She too, soon passed away. They had lived in the old house in which I was born for more than 40 years. It was supposed that Tredwell was quite wealthy, but it seems it was not so, as he left only a few thousand dollars. The old place, as stated, is now in ruins, and never will be occupied again. The illustration on another page, is from a recent photograph. In regard to the Whitmans, Tredwell and Hannah, I want to say here, though very peculiar people, they were good neighbors, strickly honest and reliable. The Birth Place of J. E. Handshaw. Portions of the Old Home, may be seen among the briars and bushes. From a recent photo. Chapter II. MY EARLY CHILDHOOD. "Backward, turn backward, oh Time in your flight, Y parents were not wealthy, and it could not be said I was born with a silver spoon Μ in my mouth. Oh no! far from it. We remained in the house in the "Hollow" about 2 years, and while living there another baby boy was born. This was on September 28th., 1857. He was named John Phillip. After this event, we moved again; this time, only a few rods from the house we were then living in. We moved out of the "Hollow" just a little way up the hill. The house we moved into, was a great big old fashioned affair, built perhaps 75 years before. It was unpainted, and far from pretty. There was a great big chimney, a brick oven and a fireplace in the house. |