The first Cuddeback Family Reunion was held in 1999. Thanks to Robert Cuddeback, Glen Cove, New York, who masterminded the event and the many, many relatives, friends, neighbors and others who were involved in making this reunion a true family event.
In June of 1998, my Uncle Bob (Robert Cuddeback of Glen Cove, NY) said “I want to have a family reunion.” My husband Chuck (Charles L. Robitaille, Jr. of South Burlington, Vermont) said “We’ll do the mailings!” So, the dates were chosen, July 30, 31, August 1, 1999, and the Best Western in Matamoras, PA was selected as the site for the event! Peter Osborne, Director, and Charles H. Swartwout, President, of the Minisink Valley Historical Society agreed to assist in this endeavor. An event like no other I’ve been to was about to happen.
Who would ever have known when we agreed to do the mailings that we would in the span of 48 hours, meet and register 185 plus new relatives, incorporate the family into the Cuddeback Family, Inc., have the weekend declared Cuddeback Family Weekend in Port Jervis, New York, tour family historical sites, dedicate and honor Jacques Caudebec (Cuddeback) with plaque/rock and enjoy a fabulous banquet dinner and ceremony! Perhaps the most powerful experience of the weekend was climbing up to Pioneer Knoll and seeing the gravesite of Jacques and Margaretta Caudebec.
The following will be a chronological summary of the weekend event. Friday, July 30, registration began in historic Ft. Decker, Port Jervis, New York. About two thirds of the family registered and I felt like books, tee shirts and tote bags were flying out of the fort into the heat! Friday night we had the first Cuddeback Family meeting to become incorporated and elect the board of directors and officers. The meeting was held in the Port Jervis Municipal Building with 67 people in attendance. We voted to become the Cuddeback Family, Inc. and were registered as such March 16, 1999, with the Secretary of the State of New York. The Board of Directors appointed were:
President: |
Robert Cuddeback, Glen Cove, NY |
Vice Presidents: |
Warren Cuddeback, Cuddebackville, NY Charles H. Swartwout, Jr., Huguenot, NY |
Secretary: |
Charles L. Robitaille, Jr., So. Burlington, VT |
Treasurer: |
Elizabeth Cuddeback Robitaille, So. Burlington, VT |
Directors: |
Nancy S. Swartwout, Huguenot, NY Kenneth Mills Cuddeback, So. Deerfield, MA |
Saturday we registered the remainder of the attendees and started the bus tour of the family historical sites. There were 2 buses of 94 people in total and 15 cars following the buses. Peter Osborne and Charles H. Swarwout Jr. set up the tour. Peter and Bill Clark were our guides. First stop was the Jacques Caudebec (see annotated topographic map) stone house rumored to have been built in the 1720’s, located in Godeffroy, New York. Second stop was the Delaware and Hudson Canal Park in Cuddebackville, New York. Bag lunches were available and a walking tour of the area was lead by Donna Steffans, Director of the Neversink Valley Area Museum. Third stop was the Levi Cuddeback House, Cuddebackville Schoolhouse and the Cuddebackville Reformed Church. The house was built in 1790 and was currently owned by Margaret and Jerry Peill who were our hosts. It was here on the front lawn that a Cuddeback Memorial Dedication (see annotated topographic map) took place as a remembrance of Jacques Caudebec and the first National Cuddeback Family Reunion. Warren Cuddeback (Cuddebackville, New York) organized and conducted the dedication ceremony. Edna Cuddeback Patterson (Cuddebackville, New York) and Robert Cuddeback (Glen Cove, New York) officially unveiled the plaque on the memorial. Cuddebackville is the official home of the Cuddeback Family, Inc. The fourth stop was the Huguenot Schoolhouse built in 1863 and currently being renovated. Norma Schadt was our host. The fifth and final stop was at the Swartwout Farm (see annotated topographic map) which was located in the heart of the Neversink Valley. The land was acquired in 1690 and the current farmhouse was built in 1844-5. The host was Charles (ninth generation Swartwout to live on the farm) and Nancy Swartwout and a wonderful reception helped refresh family from the scorching heat. We returned to the hotel at 4:30 P.M.
Saturday evening the banquet started at 6:00. There was 200 feet of computerized family tree information in the back of the banquet hall (courtesy of Mike Gabler, San Jose, California). Memorabilia was on several tables as well as 2 genealogy computer stations, a printer and Alec Cuddeback selling CDs. Charles H. Swartwout, Jr. was the master of ceremony. Dinner was served (chicken or roast beef, reportedly 184 dinners). Matthew Cuddeback from Front Royal, VA explained the Cuddeback name and its origins. Caudebec was Germanic in origin and means cold stream. Norma Schadt gave historical perspective of the area. Awards were given to the following:
First to register: |
Joan Sheil, Cuddebackville, NY Glenda Sandoe Teabo, Middletown, NY John Cuddeback, Palo Alto, CA Betty Van Orden, Cary, NC |
Closest: |
Helen Cuddeback, Port Jervis, NY Betty Nolan, Port Jervis, NY Sally Hawkins, Port Jervis, NY |
Farthest: |
Ken, Patty and Tyler Cour, Germany |
Youngest: |
Mary Sherman, Walden, NY Marc Cuddeback Broderick, No. Andover, MA Adam Cuddeback, Hilton, NY Jason William Cuddeback |
First Cudaback to register: |
Curtis Cudaback, Bennett, NE |
Most chronologically challenged: |
William Cuddeback, Binghamton, NY whose grandfather wrote the Cuddeback in America book which was republished for the reunion. |
There were Cuddebacks from 22 states and one other country. We had 6 John and 6 Robert Cuddebacks present they all stood up to greet each other! After dinner people mingled, took pictures, looked at memorabilia and searched for family on the computers or by talking to other family.
Sunday we toured Laurel Grove Cemetery, Tri State Rock and bridge and then we were off to Godeffroy and the Pioneer Knoll (see annotated topographic map) where Jacques Caudebec was buried. It was here that our legacy was brought home to our souls and this was a very uplifting and powerful experience. The meaning was very individual and several reflections were included in the archives.
This reunion, the first of many to come, was historic, powerful and bonding for the many Cuddebacks that attended. Deepest appreciation was extended to all involved in its organization and participating in this event.
| Alec Cuddeback's Reunion Reminices |
Reunion Photos | Other Photos |