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the Century and I hung them on my walls. I also began a drawing from my Academy picture for Kurtzs Academy notes. Downing came in just before dinner time. Went with Julia, Calvert and Cousin Nannie who is in town to a concert given by a Mrs. Andersen at Chickering hall. She sings in the choir of the church which the Donaldsons attend I think. It rained and the streets were in a most disagreeable state. A letter came from Mary Gifford in answer to my telegram saying she is threatened with one of her headaches and will come to Rondout next Saturday if convenient.

Friday Feb. 8" 1884. Still raining and every body complaining about the dismal weather. Too dark to paint. Spent a couple of hours at the Water Color Exhibition. Saw only a few things I would care to own. Am rewriting my visit to Togue Lake for the Art Union Journal. Mrs. Anderson came in about 5 and remained until I went over to dinner where she walked with me to 3" Av. where she took her car home. Called on Aunt Christina, Annie and Nannie and afterwards went up to see Mrs. Gray. Stopped at the club. There was a most foolish letter from Clarence Cook in the times and a biting notice of it in the Post.

Saturday 9" Still raining dismally. Breakfasted in my room as I did yesterday. Fuller came in and staid while I had my lunch. He seems much pleased with the picture. I dont care much if he should give it up for I feel very sure I could sell it for all he is to give. I went home by the 3.40 N.S. train from 42" St. I noticed an increase in the number of passengers from that Station. The fog was very thick. When I reached Kingston Tom met me with the sleigh and the sleighing was good. Calvert was at the house and Mrs. Swan.

Sunday 10. Wrote to Mary Gifford to come down Saturday and also a letter to Uncle Maurice to explain why he had no notice of my mothers funeral. Calvert and I took a walk out towards the Roatina across by the Alms house road and home through Ludlums woods in time for dinner. It was a mild, pleasant winter day with the sun somewhat

[[newspaper clipping]]
Correspondence.

MRS. JAMES S. MCENTEE.

Died Nov. 2nd in Rondout-on-the-Hudson, Sarah Jane Goetchius, wife of James S. McEntee, Esq., in the 76th year of her age.

In this simple announcement is recorded the death of a lady of the rarest and noblest character; one beloved by countless friends for her unselfish devotion to every duty, for her wide and never-ceasing charities and for her most sweet and loving nature which made her the idol of her family, and the admiration of all who shared her friendship or enjoyed the privilege of her acquaintance.

Sarah Jane Goetchius was born in the town of New Paltz, Ulster Co., New York, Jan. 24, 1809. She was the direct descendant of a long line of Holland divines, four successive generations of whom preached in this country; and was indirectly allied to John Sobieski of Poland, the most illustrious of the elected kings of the unfortunate country. Of her different ancestors, the first Dominie Goetchius who crossed the ocean was educated at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, and was sent by the Reformed Dutch Church to Long Island to aid in the establishment of that church in this country. He was a man of strong intellect and determined character, always ready to act as his conscience dictated, however high in wealth or station one might be, if his life was corrupt he found little mercy at the hands of the intrepid dominie. It is little surprising therefore that the time came when certain of his society rose in rebellion and determined to be rid of him, intimating in no doubtful terms that he would no longer be tolerated in their pulpit. But he, equally determined to remain at his post, walked into the pulpit on the following Sunday with his sword buckled to his side, and from this “coign of vantage” thundered his anathemas against their sins with a vigor which must have somewhat appalled the transgressors. How long the resolute dominie remained, after this open rupture is not stated. The breach could not have been easily mended and we find him afterwards in New Jersey, pastor of a society in Schraalenberg near Hackensack, where he probably ended his days. The last Dominie Goetchius was settled at New Paltz and labored from New Jersey through Ulster Co., as far north as Herkimer in the Mohawk valley, establishing churches and preaching in both Dutch and English. With him the fourth generation of the Dominies Goetchius came to a close, and it is perhaps not too much to say that few families of divines in this country have left a more enduring mark than this on the Reformed Dutch Church, now so wealthy and extended.

The father of the subject of this notice was a farmer, a man of education and unusual culture, possessing those refined and generous qualities which were so conspicuous in his daughter and which distinguish his latest descendants.

Sarah Jane Goetchius was married to James S. McEntee, Aug. 4, 1827, at Kingston, Ulster Co., N.Y. in the eighteenth year of her age; their married life thus stretching over a period of more than fifty-six years. At the time of her death they were the only survivors of the earliest settlers of Rondout which at their marriage was a small settlement of four families, but now a populous city. From first to last this was a most happy union, each succeeding year bringing some new tie to sweeten the daily lives of the loving pair.

Mrs. McEntee had ten children, three of whom died in their infancy. Of the seven who lived to reach maturity——three sons and four daughters——one long since won an enviable fame as an artist; another, educated for and serving many years in the navy, after the close of the war found a more congenial vocation in letters and became an able editor of a daily newspaper; while all have proved worthy of the distinction of being children of such a mother.

Her illness was a protracted one, but watched by her family and husband and tended by the most faithful of daughters, life to the last was sweet to her. Cheerful and interested in every person and everything about her, no one supposed her end was near when she suddenly passed painlessly and peacefully away, and her beautiful home on the Weinberg, where the loving partner of so many years still awaits the hour when he shall rejoin her, had lost its light. Her mortal part sleeps in the cemetery of Montrepose near the beloved daughter-in-law who died five years ago and the son who preceded her only a few months since, but her spirit has, we trust, rejoined them in that world where there is no more parting, and “where those long parted meet again.” C. M. S.
College Hill.
[[/newspaper clipping]]

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-04-25 21:49:37 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-04-26 11:14:42 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-04-26 14:19:55 found several mistakes in the transcription of both the letter and the newspaper clip. Be sure to re-review :-) ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-04-26 22:23:20 .