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George W. Fraleigh
Born June 7, 1816 Died July 15, 1866
Red Hook Methodist Cemetery, Red Hook. Eroded marble tablet topped with rose garland on a two-step tiered base, north eastern side of the cemetery.
Born into a line of Palatine farmers, George W. Fraleigh operated the farm that is still known today as Rose Hill just south of Upper Red Hook. He inherited it from his father Peter P. Fraleigh after his passing in 1853. Only 13 years later, George passed at the relatively young age of 50, but, before he did, he advised his sons on what to do with the family farm.
Regina and George W. Fraleigh
Sons Peter and John had previously purchased the “Homestead” farm that adjoined Rose Hill and that had belonged to their great-uncle, but they were, in George’s words, “largely in debt.” George suggested they sell it “at a fair price if they can” to their mother and younger siblings Philip and Rosalie. John A. Fraleigh took over Rose Hill, and his son, grandson, and great grandson would helm it into the 21st century, until it was sold out of the family in 2015. It is a thriving enterprise today, and it is protected from development by the Scenic Hudson Land Trust.
George W. Fraleigh was born June 7, 1816, to Peter P. Fraleigh and his second wife Lana Coon. The Commemorative Biographical Record of Dutchess County states that...“In the old training days George was a member of a company of cavalry; in early life held a number of township offices, and he was a stalwart Republican in politics.” On November 28, 1838, he married Regina Waldorf, daughter of William Waldorf and Ann Martin who are also buried in this cemetery. Together they had five children–Peter W. (1840–1881 married Helen Crandall), John A. (1841–1914 married Lucy Irene Curtis), Monroe (1843–1921 married Gertrude Martin), Rosalie M. (also known as “Aunt Rose” and “Rosella” 1848–1911), and Philip E. (1851–1939 married Phoebe K. Conklin). Rosalie and John and his wife are also buried in this cemetery. Peter and John would continue the farming tradition, while Philip and Monroe operated a hardware store together. Aunt Rose never married and succumbed to tuberculosis at 63 years of age. Like their father, their mother Regina also lived only to age 50, passing away in 1870.
For more information on and photos of this family, visit Bard’s website for research they did in conjunction with Historic Red Hook at projects.eh.bard.edu/hvapples/families/fraleigh-family/