Photo: Isaac Harvey’s gravestone was recently discovered in Woodlawn Cemetery and thanks to Margaret Kastler a War of 1812 flag and holder was placed marking his grave. Harvey served in the War of 1812 and enlisted in Hebron, NY (Washington County) where he was born and served under McCleary's 50th regiment, Captain Robert Archibald's Co of NY Artillery attached to the 16th Brigade, NY Militia. He and his second wife, Elizabeth, came to Sandy Creek and are buried here.

Three important historic events occurred in November; on November 19, 1863 the Gettysburg address by Abraham Lincoln; on November 12, 1954 Ellis Island closed and Veterans Day on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I and is a tribute to all American veterans–living or dead–.

On November 19, 1863, at the dedication of a military cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln delivers one of the most memorable speeches in American history. In just 272 words, Lincoln brilliantly and movingly reminded a war-weary public why the Union had to fight, and win, the Civil War. Lincoln's address lasted just two or three minutes. The speech reflected his redefined belief that the Civil War was not just a fight to save the Union, but a struggle for freedom and equality for all, an idea Lincoln had not championed in the years leading up to the war.

November 12, 1954 Ellis Island closed. Ellis Island, the gateway to America, shut its doors after processing more than 12 million immigrants since it opened in 1892. Today, an estimated 40 percent of all Americans can trace their roots through Ellis Island, located in New York Harbor off the New Jersey coast and named for merchant Samuel Ellis, who owned the land in the 1770s.

Immigration to Ellis Island peaked between 1892 and 1924, during which time the 3.3-acre island was enlarged with landfill and by the 1930s it reached 27.5-acres and additional buildings were constructed to handle the massive influx of immigrants. During the busiest year of operation, 1907, over 1 million people were processed at Ellis Island.

With America's entrance into World War I, immigration declined and Ellis Island was used as a detention center for suspected enemies. Following the war, Congress passed quota laws and the Immigration Act of 1924, which sharply reduced the number of people allowed into the country and also enabled immigrants to be processed at U.S. consulates abroad. After 1924, Ellis Island switched from a processing center to serving other purposes, such as a detention and deportation center for illegal immigrants, a hospital for wounded soldiers during World War II and a Coast Guard training center. In November 1954, the last detainee, a Norwegian merchant seaman, was released and Ellis Island officially closed.

Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938 which pays tribute to all American veterans–living or dead–but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

Town of Sandy Creek - Villages of Sandy Creek and Lacona – Doctors – Optometrists - Dentists - has been published and is available through the Town Clerk’s/Village Clerk’s office or Historians Office.

Charlene Cole
Historians Corner
November 20, 2015

Photo: Girl Scout Christmas Trees

The Girl Scout Christmas Tree event, a community service project which began in 2003, is in its 12th year. The artificial trees have been decorated and are on display at the Soup Kitchen on Salisbury Street. The community is invited to stop by and vote for your “favorite tree”.

These children are having fun while working for the neediest of our community. Each tree will be given to a needy family or elderly person in time for Christmas Day. Contact Rae Allen for more information 387-3666 to suggest a person or family for one of these unique trees.

Town of Sandy Creek - Villages of Sandy Creek and Lacona – Doctors – Optometrists - Dentists - has been published and is available through the Town Clerk’s/Village Clerk’s office or Historians Office.