Following are other glimpses into the past of Melbourne Farm.

"Let us look over the years. The beautiful acreage on which stands the farmhouse, has a background dating into the middle of the eighteenth century (1744). This property is only a section of the vast allotment that the original title covered. First, there was a grant from the King of England on which was placed the Royal Seal. Parcels of the land were sold to relatives and acquaintances but the most cherished never changed hands.

"On one part of these spacious grounds stood the log cabin in which Captain Henry Strang of the American Revolution lived as a farmer (in the section of York Hill directly across from the John Kibbe home). He (Henry) was born in 1739.... Later, his son (John Hazzard) in 1812 built a fine home known as the Strang Homestead (Kibbe Home). It is still standing across the road from which once was his father. Henry's, dwelling. This parcel, too, was in the original grant.

"A grist mill, at the pond, below the present home - The Elementary Curriculum Center - was in full operation for many years. To the grist mill, farmers for miles around brought their grain to be ground.

"During these days, the first house on the land, later called Melbourne Farm, was small. It was passed on from father to son, and to his daughter and then to her son, the late John Adriance Barnes. However, in 1895 a fine home - the present house - was planned. On the west side of the original building there were added four spacious rooms and a long hall from the entrance to the back. A two-story cupola crowned the front of the house, the lower part of which nestled between the old and the new sections. A small observation space was protected by a little railing. Thus, the whole structure had a dignity all its own (see picture)."A record of these changes at that time and the marriage of the youngest descendant were printed in the Highland Democrat in 1896 (defunct Peekskill newspaper). He (John Barnes) and his bride (Laura Strang) started in the new home, a happy life. Soon afterwards, the property was named Melbourne Farm.

"Then, as time marches on, a few years later, the footsteps and, voices of six merry children could be heard. They chattered, skipped, sang and ran back and forth throughout the dear homestead and over nearly every inch of the beautiful, fertile acres of the farm. The writer's memory still holds these delightful sounds so clear and familiar. 'The orchards, the meadows, the deep tangled wild wood/ And every loved spot, which my infancy knew.' Was true on this worthy place. These were blessings sent from God through sunshine and soft rain. Steadfast work and long patient hours made the thriving farm an important one. A dairy farm of many fine heads of cattle was operated by John A. Barnes for a number of years. The cattle, horses and their fodder were housed and stored in a 90-foot barn erected by him.

"Bess, the faithful white mare seemed to know each stop where her master delivered the wholesome products from the farm. These were carried daily on the milk route to the village.

"The gentle horses, with their master to guide them, played a vital part. The farmer, not too many years ago, depended upon these intelligent animals in preparing the tillable soil for growth and for reaping the harvest. Very capable workers here were (horses) Nell and Kitty (a team), Peggy, the bay, Bess, Jerry and Bill, Florence and Rhodney, white Bess, also Fannie and Bud. Peggy in her later years: Nelly and the Shetland pony were the children's pets for riding and driving.

"...Real young children, older ones and adults of all ages were always welcome at the lovely farmhouse. The very walls echoes with their laughter. Several times grief came to hearts of the occupants (one of these was sister Ada's death in 1921). The family knew that the will of God was not to be questioned. Comfort and understanding from their pastors were the answers. These ministers preached in the First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown. The original building was erected in 1739 on what was later call Crompond Road.

"The loving mother and her devoted sister (Miss Mary Hannah Strang) always made plans to give each of the children a happy childhood. Joyful birthday parties wonderful picnics and gay Christmas holidays were celebrated with the young folks of the countryside attending. In Alfred Tennyson's poem "The Old Home," one reads:

We love the well-loved place
Where first we gazed upon the sky.
The roofs that heard our earliest cry
Will shelter one of stranger race.'

"District #4 was the name of the little gray school house that the children of Yorktown attended...Traveling west it stood just over the hill from the farm. The teacher taught pupils from the first grade through the eighth in the one room...So, today, as progress is made in education upon this acreage full of history, may the memory of the original owners and their descendants be ever sacred. The many young feet of our nation must not be denied that straight path of the better things of this life. For as Jesus said: Suffer the little children and forbid them not to come unto me: for such is the kingdom of Heaven..."

"This essay is lovingly devoted to our precious parents (John and Laura Barnes) and to our beloved aunt (Mary Strang). They devoted themselves to bring love and happiness to their dear ones and all people inside and outside the home. Through their goodness, this is a better world in which we live.

"And it is signed: Mrs. Lucille Barnes Orth - October 1960.

Thus Lucille Barnes gave her blessing on the educational plans for her beloved home and farm land and for the future success of those plans.

And her words sentimental and emotional? Perhaps - one editor thought so apparently. But in the days of our innocence things were like that. Old-fashioned and square? Perhaps. But just what have we given in place of that serenity and childish joy to those young people, who figuratively, walk on the same soil as the Barnes kids? (I won't answer that here.) Anyway, who reads Tennyson, Goldsmith, Longfellow, Eugene Field or vent Walt Whitman - anymore?

A Daughter's Daughter Carried On

Lucille and William Orth had a little girl, Laura Marie - in the days of our friendship, which developed on their visits home to Melbourne Farm. In 1960, I was reminded, by Lucille, that I had made a little girl's dress with gathered sleeves for 4-year Laura Marie, at my home, Greenlawn Farms in Amawalk. Now, in 1960, that little girl, whom I had not seen since, was a young lady going to business. Nevertheless, no years have passed that I had not received an October birthday card from her mother, Lucille. And to may surprise, the daughter continued the practice. Laura Marie' great grief was the loss of her parents only a few years ago.

Laura Marie is now Mrs. Jacob Reichert and although it was a late marriage, she has a little girl of her own. They live in lower New Jersey and pictures of little Laura Lucille's development arrive periodically.

The Reicherts enjoy The Yorktowner, especially the historical articles. For the Strang story (The Yorktowner August 20, 1975 SHE SENT SEVERAL RECIPES AND THE ONE PRINTED HERE IS A BISCUIT FROM Mary Hannah Strang - my great aunt, courtesy of our friend Laura Marie, daughter of my friend Lucille.