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Cairo Historical Society

The Cairo Historical Society has partnered with Tracing your Roots in Greene County, who will be hosting their web pages. For membership information, meeting dates and project highlights click here.

Portrait of the Past

Back in print and available for purchase! Cost is $15.00 plus $2.00 shipping and handling and all proceeds support the projects of the Cairo Historical Society. Send a cheque to Tara Rumph, Town Clerk, 512 Main St., P.O. Box 261, Cairo, NY 12413.

Town of Cairo Blanket Throw

Available for purchase! A beautiful 50 inch by 70 inch blanket throw. Ideal for covering up while watching TV or reading. This item is offered by the Cairo Historical Society. Manufactured in the USA. Depicted on the throw are iconic scenes from the Town of Cairo - the WW 1 Memorial fountain in Town, the Almshouse, the Greene County Fairgrounds, Shingle Kill Falls and Grist mill and many others. A must have! Cost is $45 plus shipping. Contact Sylvia Hasenkopf for more information.

Greene County Historical Quiz #21

Earliest settlers in the Cairo area were the Strope family, who lived near Round Top. They were Loyalists, and friendly with the Indians. They are remembered in the locality for one unusual fact:
1) Was it because Strope was a wealthy landowner?
2) Was it because he was a close friend of Dominie Schuneman?
3) Was it because of his treatment by the Indians?
4) Was it because the Governor bestowed on him an honor?
5) or was it because he was one of the First Families?

Frederick Schermerhorn was one of the few young men of our region who was captured by the Indians in 1780 and lived to tell the tale. He reported that all but one of the following befell him:
1) His arms were bound, and he was forced to walk.
2) He was taken over mountain trails, and by canoe, to Fort Niagara.
3) The Indians received a bounty for his capture from the British.
4) He was forced to enlist with the British where he remained for years.
5) Finally, watching his chance, he escaped and came back to his home.

Robert R. Livingston, son of the owner of "Clermont House" and the patron of Robert Fulton was one of American's most famous statesmen. He did all but one of the following things:
1) He was a member of both the Provincial and Continental Congresses.
2) Though one of the Committee of Five to draft the Declaration of Independence, he was away and unable to sign it. 
3) He was in charge of the defense of New Jersey during the Revolutionary War.
4) In association with James Monroe, he effected the purchase of Louisiana from the French.
5) As chancellor of New York, he administered the Oath of Office to our first President, George Washington.

Henry Brockholst Livingston, great-grandson of the First Lord of the Livingston Manor was born in 1757, and had an exciting time during the Revolution. He did all but one of the following things. Which one?
1)At the outbreak of the war he enlisted and was made captain. 
2) In the year 1779, he accompanied John Jay, his brother-in-law, on an important mission to Spain.
3) While returning from Spain, their ship was captured by the British.
4) He rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel, before the end of hostilities.
5) He studied law in 1783, after the war, and remained a lawyer the rest of his life.

Even before the end of hostilities, settlers were drifting into the region now known as Greene County. The largest population of these new settlers came from one of the following regions. Which one?
1) New Jersey
2) Connecticut
3) New Hampshire
4) England
5) New York City

Answers next upload! 
Questions for previous quizzes
Answers to previous quizzes