Week of January 2
January 1, 1836 – 190 YEARS AGO
North River Times
PETER TAULMAN
We last week inserted a brief notice of the death of the late Peter Taulman of Tappan, since which a friend has favored us with a few facts concerning his revolutionary services, which may not be uninteresting to his numerous friends.
Prompted by that spirit of patriotism and love of country which have so strikingly characterized his after life, Mr. Taulman caught that glow of freedom, which animated the breasts of our fathers; and though but twenty years of age, we find him in 1770, attached to the Continental Army, as a Sergeant, in Col. Malcolm’s Regiment, and fighting to defend the standard of his country, to establish her freedom, and to avenge her long endured wrongs.
His activity, skill, and courage, gained him the confidence of his superiors, and placed him in the path of promotion. At the battle of Monmouth, after performing a distinguished part, he was unfortunately severely wounded; but a short time found him again in the tented field, animating his countrymen, and urging them on to victory. At Springfield, N.J., he again signalized himself; and, in fact, throughout the whole contest, amid all those scenes “that tried men’s souls,” he was ever found at his post—his post the front rank of danger.
Faithful to his task, we find his name enrolled in that valiant and immortal band, who followed Washington to the gates of Yorktown, and there maintained the bloody siege which eventually crowned our arms with glorious success, and proclaimed to the world, in language which cannot be misunderstood, that these then Colonies “were, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.” Lord Cornwallace [sic] had encased himself in a strong hold at Yorktown, from whence he could send forth his pillaging parties, to rob and murder the inhabitants, offering, at the same time, pardon and protection to those who forsook the American, and joined the British standard. In this manner, his name became a terror to the surrounding country, and Washington plainly saw, that a successful, and, perhaps, final termination of the struggle, depended upon a dislodgment and overthrow of Cornwallace [sic].
It was, therefore, the freedom of his country that led him to attempt so disparaging a siege; the result has shown that, in this case, the end justified the means. With the surrender of Lord Cornwallace [sic], died the last hope of Great Britain in America; and while her conquered and disheartened warriors sought refuge from the stigma of defeat, beyond the pathless ocean, the heroes of Yorktown laid down their arms and returned to their homes, to cultivate the blessings of peace, and to enjoy that fireside happiness, quietude, and content, which they had so dearly bought.
We are by no means attempting to do justice to the memory of Maj. Taulman; nor would we venture an eulogy upon the heroes of Yorktown—the latter task has already been performed by abler hands; and while the memorable siege of Yorktown and surrender of Lord Cornwallace [sic]; 1781, holds a place in the bright escutcheon of our country, the memory of Peter Taulman cannot die. In 1783, at the general disbandonment [sic] of the Continental Army, Maj. Taulman resigned his commission, and returned to the pursuits of a private, though active, enterprising, and useful life, which was protracted by indulgent Providence to Wednesday the 17th day of December last, when the soldier, the citizen, the father, and the man, yielded up his breath, in the 79th year of his age.
January 2, 1926 – 100 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Times
RECLUSE HAS NARROW ESCAPE — 95-Year-Old Veteran of Many Police Escapades and Once Known as the “Confidence Queen’’ in Hospital
[Image: Ellen Peck, 1925, International Newsreel Photo. Courtesy of Fine Art Storehouse.]
As the result of a fire that developed in her home in Sparkill Sunday, Mrs. Ellen Peck, 95 years of age, according to the police of two score years ago, “the most dangerous woman criminal in the United States” and popularly known as the “Confidence Queen,” narrowly escaped with her life, the fire starting in the old lady’s residence from an unknown cause consuming numerous relics, some of them of great value.
Among these were the Bible once said to have been used by Noah Webster and the chair in which Samuel Morse, famous telegraph inventor, occupied at his initial demonstration of successful telegraphy.
In her activities of swindling operations, the “Queen” netted more than $1,000,000. For fleecing B. T. Babbitt, one-time famous soap maker, she went to prison for a long term of years, but was pardoned in 1912 by Governor Dix, since when she has lived in Sparkill.
Shock, exposure and excitement, together with slight burns caused the old woman to be sent to the Nyack Hospital by her adopted foster great grandson, Dr. Leitner, who besides looking after the woman professionally, has guarded her in later years from inquisitive annoyance.
January 2, 1976 – 50 YEARS AGO
The Journal News
WHEELCHAIR CURB CUTS NOW A MUST
One of the most obvious and formidable barriers to people in wheelchairs—sidewalk curbs—will begin to disappear as a result of a state regulation that took effect Thursday.
The mandate from the state Department of Transportation requires that all newly constructed and rebuilt curbs at public intersections be equipped with gently sloping ramps that can accommodate wheelchairs.
The regulation results from a law passed in the last session of the state Legislature after a number of handicapped persons lobbied for it.
The law is being hailed as “a 1976 Declaration of Independence for persons with disabilities” by Noel MacCarry, director of the county Commission on Human Rights, which has long favored such legislation.
“This is a bicentennial contribution toward overcoming both architectural and attitudinal barriers faced daily by the physically impaired of our society,” MacCarry said.
The regulation applies not only to public roads built or rebuilt by all levels of government, but also to private intersections which require municipal approval.
A spokesman for the state transportation department said the cost of installing ramps at all intersections at one time would be too prohibitive. He said though, that curbs continually need to be rebuilt and that eventually most intersections will be accessible to persons confined to wheelchairs.
“Actually, the cost should be very little because the ramps will be incorporated construction plans,” said Bob Day of the transportation department.
This view was shared by George Conklin, the Ramapo highway superintendent, who said the regulation would neither be costly nor cause construction problems.
The state has issued specifications for the ramps which must be followed by all levels of government.
“If you and I stand at the bottom of a mountain, that’s what it can be like for a wheelchair person crossing the street,” said Pauline Brogan, executive director of the Mid-Hudson chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The local chapter was another of the groups that support legislation that would prohibit various architectural barriers to the handicapped.
This Week in Rockland (#FBF Flashback Friday) is prepared by Clare Sheridan for the Historical Society of Rockland County. © 2026 by The Historical Society of Rockland County. #FBF Flashback Friday may be reprinted only with written permission from the HSRC. To learn about the HSRC’s mission, upcoming events or programs, visit www.RocklandHistory.org or call (845) 634-9629.
