1840 visit to Thomas Paine Monument on Steamboat "American Eagle"

Editor's Note: The text is an announcement for an 1840 excursion on the steamer American Eagle to the dedication of the Thomas Paine Monument in New Rochelle, NY erected the previous fall on 28  November (Thanksgiving Day) of 1839. The monument was organized and raised through the efforts of Gilbert Vale (1789-1866) of New York City, a teacher of navigation, equal rights reformer, printer, publisher, author and Thomas Paine biographer. Well over 200 persons, mostly in NYC but throughout the country, donated towards the monument's creation. Vale and the New York Assemblyman Job Haskell were the keynote speakers for the 1840 event and the banquet following was held at the Mansion House in New Rochelle aka Captain Pelor's Hotel and The Cross Keys. ​

View of the Neptune House, New Rochelle, West Chester Ct. NY Engraved by Edward Williams Clay. Lithography: James S. Bailliem, NY. 1842.

​NEW-YORK, SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 1840,
VISIT TO ROCHELLE AND THE PAINE MONUMENT ON THE 4th JULY, 1840. The steamboat American Eagle will leave the slip east of but adjoining the Fulton ferry, at precisely 9 A. M on the 4th of July and will return from Rochelle at 6. P. M. on the same day, at their usual prices 50 cents each way. Light waggons will convey passengers, who may not choose to walk, from the landing to the Monument, at 25 cents; as we are informed by a friend who has made the arrangement: and as the distance is at least two miles, we do not recommend any to walk, at least without an umbrella, if it should be a clear day. The waggons will stop at the Mansion House in the village, for a few minutes, and any person wishing to dine there at 50 cents, can leave their names. It is expected that several short addresses not exceeding twenty minutes each will be delivered at the monument or in the nearest shade. N. B. - The Captain will advertise the trip in the Sun two or three days previous to the excursion, and will there name other particulars, and as the party may possibly be large, we advise our friends to be on board the steamboat in time. Several private conveyances will go by land: these will leave the city between 7 and 8 A. M., and cali at Bradford's ("Here she goes," &c.) Harlem. No public land conveyance is engaged, but a stage runs daily at 2 P. M. from the Bowery, near Bayard street.
The Beacon. 1:32 New Series. 27 June 1840. p. 256

View of the Neptune House, New Rochelle, West Chester Ct. NY Engraved by Edward Williams Clay. Lithography: James S. Bailliem, NY. 1842.

Author

Kenneth W. (Ken) Burchell, Ph.D is an historian, author/editor of Thomas Paine in America, 1776-1809 (London: Pickerin/Chatto, 2009), and other works. The material for this entry was developed as part of his forthcoming biography of Gilbert Vale. Inquiries or collaborative research are always welcome. 

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