Newton REED

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Name:
Newton succeeded to the farm according to his father's wish, and spent his life there, though he at first planned to study for the ministry. He married Ann Van Dyck, and they had eight children, all of whom grew to maturity. He lost one son, Albert B., in the civil war, and there is a brief sketch of Albert's life and character in the regimental history, "The Dutchess County regiment," etc. At the age of twenty Newton was made an Elder in the South Amenia Presbyterian Church, and as Elder and Deacon he honorably served that church for seventy-nine years; a most unusual record of service.

He was much interested in genealogical and antiquarian researches, and it is largely due to his untiring efforts that so many of the family records have been preserved, though others have continued the work, building on the foundation he had laid. Throughout his life he was a frequent contributor to periodical publications, and it is doubtless true that he was the best informed of anyone on subjects pertaining to the early settlement of this valley, and it is he who should have written this sketch. In his later years he wrote and published "Early History of Amenia," and a great part of the early history of the town would have been irrecoverably lost to us except for this little book, which has now become a standard for reference.

In lived in a part of his father's house while Polly kept house for their parents in the other rooms. After the death of his parents Newton moved into the main part, remodeling it somewhat, having, as already stated, purchased the farm of the estate.

Family/Spouse: Ann VAN DYCK. Ann was born on 5 Oct 1812; died on 21 Mar 1878; was buried in South Amenia Cemetery, Amenia, Dutchess Co., New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]