I got this message from Jay Simpson recently. Read on:
"Paul Misko sent me a photo of a painting of the Synder Tannery that operated in Woodland. This got me thinking that I had seen some information (copy below) that was published in the Windham Journal on one of the genealogy sites I monitor.
Not only does the article describe the tannery, but other activities taking place in Woodland in 1859. I though you might be interested. I'm sure Paul can furnish a copy of the photo and the detail surrounding the painting. Woodland was a much different place in 1859."
- Jay
Paul Mikso sent me a copy of the painting and had this interesting history to share. The article Jay is talking about is below Paul's message.
"Brownie Gillespie from Woodland Valley, let me take a photo of a print he had of the Colonel H. Snyder Tannery. This industrial complex was located on Woodland road, above the Pantherkill confluence, across from Grand View acres. I read that there was no smoking allowed near the tannery, not only because of the buildings made of dry hemlock, but the air was often filled with hemlock bark dust, which could explode if the air got saturated with it. Strips of hemlock bark were brought down from the mountainsides, was pulverized, then steeped in water to make the tanning solution. Even wheat flour can be explosive; and more than one flour mill has blown up because the air became saturated with airborne flour. Real flour power."
- Paul
July 21, 1859
“Through the Notch”
Perhaps all who have ever had the pleasure of a visit, however brief, through this section of country, will admit that its residents have one of the most sublime and pleasant places that can fall to the allotment of man. Within a short drive of the noblest of rivers, surrounded by the grandest mountains – and looking upon the most magnificent scenery, with the healthiest mountain air to breathe, the purest crystal springs to drink from, and a generous and hospitable people to live amongst, surely we must be a happy and grateful people. Let those croakers who grumble and doubt, and think they have been placed in unpleasant spheres think of their situations, and sympathize with those who hunger nad thirst, who have not the wherewith to supply the commonest necessities of life, and thank heaven that they have been permitted to “drop their lines” among these beautiful hills.
With this little prelude of thoughts rapidly suggested, we will state that on Thursday last, we left Windham for a visit among old friends in and about Westkill. Accompanied by our friend Dr. E. Colburn, we passed through Jewett and Lexington to Westkill, making several calls by the way, and drinking in through the eyelids the waving fields of grain – just yellowing to ripeness – on either side as far as sight could reach. In the town of Lexington, near the Flats, we noticed two of the largest and finest fields of oats we remember ever to have seen. The first belonged to Lucas VanValkenburg, Esq., and the other to George Wheeler, Esq. And here, en passant, let us remind George that Mr. Lorenzo Burrows is not now a candidate for Governor and advise him to scrape off the huge “poster” that graces the upper door of his grist mill.
Arriving at Westkill, we learned that the popular host of the Westkill House, D. C. Deyoe, Esq., had gone to Canada to purchase horses. Whether he took the “underground railroad” to get there, we are not advised, but as Dan always makes capital selections, we are satisfied that an improvement in the stock of his neighborhood will be the result of his visit. During his absence, a substitute had been left who “knows how to keep a hotel” about as well as the proprietor; and, the visitors who had taken up their quarters there, were, of course, well taken care of. A wedding took place in the evening; and, as a matter of course, the parties were saluted with music from all the tin horns, circular saws, cannons and fire-crackers that could be procured.
The next morning, the Doctor, having to make a visit of business and pleasure combined into the town of Halcott, we knew no better way of “killing time” than to visit the tannery of Col. H. D. H. Snyder, fourteen miles distant from Westkill. Procuring a conveyance, therefore, we took an early start on Friday morning, and had a pleasant ride through that magnificent natural road “the Notch.”
Here the mountains tower up almost perpendicularly to a great height on either side, and the road, through sadly in need of repairs, leads by gentle grade to the Kingston turnpike, seven miles from Westkill. Five miles over the planks, with here and there a short patch of solid old “mother earth” to relieve the traveler from too much “sure cure for dyspepsia,” we turned to the right and were on the road to Woodland. A very good road winds through the mountains to the little village, and the residence of Col. Snyder.
The Woodland tannery is situated on the Bushkill stream, and is one of the largest in the State. Col. Snyder purchased a tract of 7,000 acres of land in the fall of 1849, removed his family from Prattsville in the spring of 1850, and built the tannery during the same summer. Since that time, he has made additional purchases of about 3,000 acres. This land is nearly all thickly covered with hemlock timber, from which a sufficient quantity of bark may be taken to last the Colonel for the next fifteen or twenty years. In 1849, there was no road within a mile of the present location of the tannery, and the first tree was cut down, on the ground where the tannery now stands, by the Colonel himself. He now employs, during bark peeling time, over 200 men, and has tanned 44,000 sides of hemlock sole-leather yearly, and will this year turn out over 50,000 sides. He was called hasty and unwise in purchasing so largely, but his judgment has proved “not so unsound after all.”
Colonel Snyder has also a tannery in Delaware County, and his two sons, Henry and Augustus, now own tanneries in Fulton and Lewis counties, respectively, in which they are doing nearly as large a business as the Colonel himself. The Snyder family, including the firm of Snyder & Dimmick, are now doing as extensive a business as any sole-leather tanner in this state.
Colonel Snyder is a practical man, in every sense of the word. He rises early, breakfasts at six precisely, and visits the tannery soon after. He has a pleasant smile and a kind word for all who meet with him, and thus he has endeared himself to every heart in the neighborhood. His residence is situated on the hill in view of the tannery, and externally presents as neat and cozy an appearance as any one could wish for. Internally, the arrangements are perfect. It is furnished in the most elegant and comfortable style, and with plenty of good society about him, he enjoys himself better than any gentleman we know of. Having reared this little paradise among the mountains and surrounded himself by hosts of friends, he loves it dearly, and nowhere feels half so contented and happy as “at home.”
A neat and thriving little village embracing a population of nearly 500 inhabitants, surrounds the tannery and the school district is the largest in the town of Shandaken. Just above the village is the school house, which is used every Sabbath as a place of worship. It is the only place in the town where services are regularly held, a state of things which would not exist but for the Colonel’s liberality in contributing to its support.
On the same stream, still farther up, are located several extensive mills and factories, prominent among which is the wire sieve factory of Ezekiel Edwards, Esq., formerly of Hunter in this county. Also, two large mills belonging to Messrs. Beach & Woodworth. The names of the proprietors of other mills we cannot now call to mind.
Soon after our arrival, a rain storm commenced; which, but for pleasant society, would have dampened the pleasures of the whole excursion. We remained there until Saturday morning, and returned to Windham, bringing a fine little box of trout packed in ice, which were taken from the brook the evening before by the Colonel.
Thanks to Jay for providing the information and to Paul Misko for providing additional history and a photo of the painting.
