Samuel Edmonds

The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, October 19, 1781, John Trumbull, Trumbull Collection, University of Yale Art Gallery

After fighting in consequential battles in the War of Independence, Edmonds went north and ended up employed as a clerk in the Claverack Landing store of Colonel John Van Alen, with whom he remained until the colonel’s death. The founders of Hudson hired Samuel as a bookkeeper and spy. He spoke both Dutch and English and could inform them if the local Dutch planned any moves against them. Later, Samuel established his own business and became very successful. He was also sheriff of Columbia County, paymaster during the War of 1812 and a member of the New York State Assembly.

Edmonds married Lydia Worth, daughter of Thomas Worth who was the brother of Shubael Worth, a Proprietor who had a store on the northwest corner of Warren and Second Street, which included the Hudson Public Library “circulating to all who paid $4 per year”. Thomas and Shubael are related to the renowned General William J. Worth, after whom Fort Worth, Texas as well as the former General Worth Hotel of Hudson were named.

The Worths were a prominent Quaker family and according to family lore, when Lydia married Samuel in 1784 she was “read out” of the Quaker meeting because she married a soldier, but was readmitted upon her promise never to do it again.

A Quaker meeting house was established in Hudson in 1784 but purchase of the land and construction of a building at 343 Union Street did not occur until 1832.