Mrs. Harriet Maxwell Converse

Comment by Carl Anderton on November 9, 2012 at 10:23am

Beautiful lady, wonderful picture.  Joel, I'll wait and let you link the newspaper article that tells about how Frank and Harriet eloped.

Comment by Joel Hooks on November 9, 2012 at 8:12pm

As promised, this took place in February of 1860.  The first article is easy to read.

Comment by Joel Hooks on November 9, 2012 at 8:13pm

Sorry this one is not so easy--third generation micro film.  It is from the Daily Courier, February 3, 1860.

Comment by Carl Anderton on November 9, 2012 at 11:54pm

What I cannot understand about this article is that it says "the 'widder' declared she was her own mistress, even if her majority was not yet attained...".  Harriet was born in 1836, she would have been 24 or 25 when this article was written.  When did a young lady attain her majority then, 18 or 21?  24 seems old enough.

Comment by Paul Draper on November 10, 2012 at 11:51am

This is a wonderful story!  Thanks for sharing Joel and Carl.  I live very close to Troy, and in the summer months I play outside at the Troy Farmers Market where I'm usually seated two steps from where the Troy House used to stand.  The Henrick Hudson Hotel now occupies the spot, tho I don't know if it still functions as a hotel today.

Comment by Paul Draper on November 10, 2012 at 1:13pm

oops typo -- "Hendrick Hudson Hotel"

Comment by Carl Anderton on November 10, 2012 at 2:21pm

That's very cool, Paul.  Ain't it a gas playing street music at Farmers Markets?  Paid practice.  And you play where the great man honeymooned, in a style he taught you through the mists of time.

Comment by Paul Draper on November 10, 2012 at 3:28pm

Indeed.  I particularly like the Troy Market - the people are receptive and for the most part generous.  Alas I play there with my Old Time buddies (with whom I play regularly), so the repertoire is strictly OT... To date I haven't converted anybody to the 19th century...

Comment by Joel Hooks on November 10, 2012 at 4:24pm

Cool!  Troy, NY is where the "silver rim" (clad or spun over) banjos started being built in 1855.  You might be able to track one down.

Next time you play, play the Wedding March for old Frank and Hattie.

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