Announcements

Passing Down the Ways

 With deep regret, the Round Table must report the death of one of our founding members, Samuel Puner. His dedication to the Round Table was matched only by his enthusiasm for reading and writing about, and discussing and elucidating the greatness of George Washington. His personal library of books on Washington was second to none in the country. Most colleges would have trouble matching it. Sam was a success at everything he did, from music critic to educational publisher. His generousity to the Round Table over the years was unique. More than once he enabled us to bring outstanding speakers to our meetings. In death, he has been even more generous. In his will he has left the Round Table a bequest of $5000. Chairman Dave Jacobs and the editors of the newsletter are sure they are speaking for all of our members when we say one last time: ``Thank you, Sam.''

Tom Fleming

Notes from Landmarks Maven

 If you paid a visit to the site mentioned in the last edition: the Brooklyn bridge masonry which sits on top of where George Washington's executive mansion once stood, then you were about a five minute walk from the site of this edition's landmark. At the time of the British landings in Manhattan in 1776, it was less than half a mile from the beachhead and it was fortified by the patriots.

Today, although most of the area has been landscaped, built up and the hill leveled, one plot of the high ground stands unchanged, with the current street level about six feet below the old hilltop ground level. the remains lie on what is now just off the intersection of St. James Place and Oliver Street. The real estate looks not too much different from the time of the revolution.

Standing there you can look down hill and south and appreciate the view that several dozen of our colonial militia had as several thousand British and Hessian regulars came to town.

This part of the hill was not obliterated because it is the last remains of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of Congregation Chearith Israel, which was consecrated in 1656 and remained in active use until 1833.

Sitting on high ground just outside of the ever expanding limits of New York City, it was the perfect site for a redoubt, the Revolutionary War's version of a firebase. Besides the area's only residents were in no position to complain about servicemen or having the army as a neighbor.

Books

Another request to members who may have books at home on the Revolutionary Era which they no longer wish to keep in their private library. A donation of these books to the Round Table for auction would be greatly appreciated. The Round Table uses the money raised for its speaker's fund and other expenses. And just as important, a fellow member gets the benefit of enjoying a book which otherwise would remain unread.

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