In honor of Memorial Day and the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, the Delaware County Historical Association (DCHA) in Delhi celebrated their opening weekend with a living history cemetery tour that highlighted the stories of Revolutionary War veterans. The event featured presentations by costumed actors on the life stories of veterans and their family members who are interred in the Frisbee Family Cemetery at the museum.
Due to rain, the event was held in the Frisbee House Tavern. The presentations began with Gary Petagine, a performer from Drama from the Past LLC, who played Judge Gideon Frisbee. Frisbee was enlisted in the 17th Regiment of the Albany County Militia and fought in the Battle of Saratoga. After the war, he settled in Delhi and in 1797 built the Federal-style home that still stands on DCHA’s museum campus. Reverend Dr. Lisa Mays played Frisbee’s first wife, Huldah, who died in 1804. Frisbee’s second wife, Freelove, was portrayed by Bonnie Dailey of Jefferson. Bill Mayer of Davenport portrayed Joseph Fiske, Freelove’s father, who also fought at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777.
Eli Taylor, board member of the Middletown Historical Society, brought to life the story of the Unknown Soldier, a militia fighter who was wounded in a skirmish at Unadilla and died near Elk Creek when his unit was attempting to make their way back to Middle Fort in Schoharie. His exact burial place is also unknown.
Other veterans highlighted that day included March Farrington, played by Jay Goldman of Davenport. Farrington joined the Continental Army as a drummer when he was 13 years old and witnessed the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775 and later the escape of traitor Benedict Arnold. When he was older, Farrington served in the War of 1812. Ron Galley of Walton told the story of another War of 1812 veteran, George Howland, who served as a Private in the New York State militia. Ray Pucci of the Delaware County Business Alliance capped off the presentations with the story of Frisbee Beardsley, son-in-law of veteran George Howland, who died at age 39 in 1856 after being kicked by a horse.
Audience members also enjoyed historic food, including shilling cookies and colonial brown bread. Some of the more adventurous visitors sampled the hard tack, a Revolutionary War staple made from flour and water. DCHA staff reported that the event was a success, and were pleased that the program helped in their ongoing goal of bringing to life the stories of local veterans.
Anyone interested in reading more about the stories of those buried in the Frisbee Family Cemetery can contact DCHA at dchadelhi@gmail.com
