Deaths. In this town, Jan. 16th, Thacher Hopkins Theall, in the 76th year of his age.
"This is my Friend." Solomon's Song, 6:16.
FUNERAL DISCOURSE BY THE REV. V.W. BENEDICT AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH, CROTON FALLS, JAN. 20, 1886.
Thacher Hopkins Theall was born in Croton Falls, in the dwelling now known as "the farm house," August 11th, 1810, and was therefore in the 76th year of his age.
He was one of the family of seven children born to Hackaliah and Huldah Theall, and until the time of his death the oldest surviving member of that family.
The brothers Arvah and Orville and two sisters residing in Connecticut are still living.
When Thacher was a lad eight years of age his father moved from Croton Falls and located on a farm just beyond the boundary line in the town of Southeast.
On that farm he lived until he fell quietly asleep early last Saturday morning.
When he was twelve years of age his father died, and for two years the farm work was managed by a man employed for that purpose.
Two years later, at a time when most boys feel that they are entirely dependent, he assumed the management of the farm and the general care of the family — of course under the care of his mother who survived the father for a number of years.
His love for his mother was strong and devotional.
As the years came on and the infirmities incident to them laid their hold upon him, he put aside the more active and laborious duties of farm life, and in consequence had more leisure.
In these days it was my privilege to see him often, and to enjoy many long and pleasant talks with him.
In these conversations he again and again spoke of his mother — of her sympathy with him in those early years of struggle — and always in the spirit of highest veneration.
It was largely due to his love for his mother, and his respect for her religious faith, that he became deeply interested in the welfare of our church.
She was a Baptist and in the ripe years of his noble manhood be felt a strong desire to do what he could to promote the principles so dear to her heart.
From fourteen years of age, in company with his brother Arvah who is two years his senior, he worked on steadily, laboriously, persistently; rising early and working late, until the home farm was owned free of all encumbrances, and in time other estates, the Travis farm and the Adams farm, were added; also, a farm in Connecticut, until our friend became widely known as one of the best and most successful farmers in all this vicinity.
His success as a farmer was not due solely to his hard work, though this was not an unimportant factor, but to his excellent judgment and rare business qualifications.
One of the most prosperous farmers of our community, who began his work after Mr. Theall was well along in years, has often told me that whenever he wanted advice he went to Mr. Theall, and that he very frequently wanted to see what he would do regarding certain farm work, then he would go and do likewise.
All business transactions were characterized by sterling integrity.
Doubtless in the bargains that are necessary to such a life he did that which it is everyone's duty to do — he did the best possible for his own interest.
He was careful about the price he agreed to pay, but when the terms were made and his word pledged the contract was always carried out to the letter.
Among the lessons suggested by this view of the life of our friend is the importance of industry.
He did not lay acre to acre and add success to success by indolence, or by spending the early hours of the day in sleep, and the later hours in pleasure.
His life was a demonstration of the truth of the couplet.
"He who by the plow would thrive Must himself, either hold or drive."
It would be wisdom on the part of the young men who expect to follow farming to ponder thoroughly this lesson: that along the road success is attained only by hard work.
The results of this life show the possibilities to be attained in the pursuit of agriculture, when pursued with diligence and wisdom.
But this life was not confined exclusively to the routine of the farm.
His recognized excellent judgment soon brought to him appointments requiring the discharge of duties in a broader sphere.
His opinion and advice were sought throughout the neighborhood, and the circle of his influence continued to widen until, us an arbitrator or appraiser he was considered the peer if not the superior among the men of his day, and so fair and just were his decisions that few appeals were taken.
His services on the Brewster storage reservoir commission with Hon. Homer A. Nelson, of Poughkeepsie, and Hon. Calvin Frost, of Peekskill; on the Lake Mahopac an Muscoot commissions with Messrs. Odie Close and Isaac Hart Purdy, of North Salem; and on the New England railway commission for the appraisal of lands in Patterson, with the late Chief Justice Origen Storrs Seymour, of Connecticut, are well remembered.
That in these important and responsible positions he discharged his duties with wisdom and fidelity is a matter of record.
Early in life he was chosen Justice of the Peace of the town of Southwest, which office he held for sixteen years.
He was also, in 1843, one of the Common Pleas Judges of Putnam county, and he was ever afterward familiarly called Judge Theall.
Later on he was appointed County Treasurer and served in that capacity for some time.
I am not in possession of the exact length of time, but for many years he was one of the directors of the Farmers' and Drovers' National Bank, of Somers.
He was also President of the Protective Association of Northern Westchester.
He has often been the custodian of trust funds; in fact very few men have held so many and varied positions of trust.
And in this age the marvelous thing is that not one word can be said against his honesty and faithfulness.
Carping critics may find in this life something with which to find fault, but I pronounce to-day, without fear of contradiction, the highest eulogy possible when I say that Thacher H. Theall was an honest, upright, noble man.
But I have yet to speak of him in other relations of life, relations that to many of us are more intimate and tender.
I have chosen as the motto of this address the words of scripture:
"This is my friend."
These words may be taken as the expression of the feelings of many who are here to-day, and of many who are not here.
How many as they look back on their lives can see where again and again this man has befriended them.
I am familiar with a number of cases, some of them full of deep interest, where the kindness of this man's heart has nobly responded to the appeal for aid.
But those are personal matters and I cannot speak of them to-day.
Yet each knows his own experience and responds unasked in the words of the text: "This is my friend."
Among others who come to the front and claim the right to pronounce this sentence, and one that does pronounce it with fullest emphasis and with deepest affection, and with sad heart as we look on the face of the dead, is the Croton Falls Baptist Church.
When the grave closes over this body we shall have buried out of our sight one of our best and truest friends.
As I have before stated his love for his mother and his respect for her religious faith inclined him in his sympathies toward our church.
As the years went on his interest deepened and we began to feel more and more the help of his judgment, and of his large heart, and of his plentiful purse.
For the first five years of our church history we were without a legal organization.
Having no church property an organization was not necessary.
When however, we began to think and to talk about building a church, the necessity for a legally organized and incorporated society was felt, and accordingly a meeting was held March 18, 1875, for that purpose.
An organization was completed, the corporate name of the society being, "The Croton Falls Baptist Church."
The board of trustees elected included Joel B. Purdy, Thacher H. Theall, Israel Pinckney, David Adams and Gilbert F. Bailey.
At a meeting of the trustees Mr. Theall was elected president of the board, which position he has since held.
He was also chosen chairman of the building committee.
In both these positions he served the society with great energy and helpfulness.
While in the enterprise of building all worked with a will, none gave to it more time, more thought, or more help than Mr. Theall.
As a member of the building committee and having the general oversight of the work I was brought into frequent and intimate association with him, and I want to say this, which to me is one of the more priceful things in connection with his memory, that I not only found him a valuable helper in every way, but also a most cheerful one.
Often when a person, not a member of the church, gives largely toward its support the question is asked, "How did you manage?"
In this case I am glad to be able to say, "I never managed."
Our friend never gave a dollar to the building fund, or to the payment of the debt of the church, or an hour's work, that the proposition did not come from himself.
He was the moving spirit and the leader in his own contributions.
People who may have thought that the pastor or other members of the church solicited the giving of his time and money are mistaken.
What he did and what he gave was done and given of his own will and pleasure, and done and given cheerfully and nobly.
He was interested and helpful in everything connected with the material welfare of the church.
His teams and men helped in digging the cellar and in hauling the stone for the masonry work.
Under his supervision and by his help the grounds were graded.
The hedge that divides our property from our neighbor was his purchase and his planting.
It was largely through his instrumentality that the church debt was paid.
He not only considered the needs of the past but looked into the possibilities of future.
There was left at the dedication of the church, unprovided for by subscription, the sum of $3,500.
This to us was a great burden.
I remember well the day when he drove up before the parsonage, us he had done hundreds of times, and called me out and said to me:
"Mr. Benedict, I have been thinking about the debt on our church. There are two or three of us who are getting along in years and if we should die and leave the debt unpaid the church would be in a bad condition."
He then told me that under certain conditions he would give $1,000 toward the debt.
Those conditions were met and one of the happiest days in my ministry was the day when he, together with Brother Purdy and Brother Adams gave me their checks, each for $l,000.
He was a regular and liberal contributor to the current expenses of the church.
One of the last acts of his life was to hand me a sum of money, saying:
"I have not been able to attend church lately and I want to give something to make up for that I would have put upon the plate had I been present."
I do not want to pay the tribute of the church to Mr. Theall solely for what he has done, but also for the spirit in which he did it.
He was generous, and he was noble in his generosity.
There are men who if you have business with them, especially business involving benevolence, you must consider the best way of approaching them.
There was but one way to approach our friend, and that was by the way of straightforward manliness.
Our church as a body are mourners at this funeral, and us we look for the last time on the face of the dead each will say for himself, or herself, as I say for the church, "This is my friend."
For the nearer circle of relatives — for brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces — it is not necessary for me to speak.
You, each for yourself, know what he has been to you.
He has been a brother and a father.
You will cherish his memory as a thing that is precious and freighted with the fragrance of benefactions.
There is yet one other application that I must make of these words.
I wish I could so command myself that I might be able to speak as I feel and as he deserves.
The words of the text voice my feelings personally.
With a full heart I say to-day in the presence of this death, and before this assembled company, "This is my friend."
Few things in this life, in human relationship, are more priceful than a true and faithful friend.
This Thacher H. Theall was to me.
I never had a better or truer friend than he.
I know that a narrow and unkind spirit often says, "Oh, ministers always eulogize the rich."
Rich or poor has nothing to do with this.
This man was my friend, tried and proven, and I would be false to every principle of gratitude, nay!
I would be recreant to my own heart, did I neglect to offer to his memory the best tribute I could give.
His personal benefactions to me have been without number.
He never seemed more happy than when stopping at our gate to leave some substantial token of his regard.
In the dark hours of my work here as pastor, and there have been some dark ones, he has said to me again and again:
"Elder, don't be discouraged, I will stand by you."
I tell you that meant a great deal, it meant more than I can tell you to-day.
His was a many-sided life, and not all who knew him knew him as he really was.
To those who knew him as a man of the world, as a man of business, he may have appeared austere, but it was my privilege to know him in his inner life, to know him intimately, and knowing him thus I know he was tender, kind and gentle.
Our friend has gone from us.
How we shall miss him.
Peace to his soul.
Honor, gratitude and love to his memory.
Amen.
THE BREWSTER STANDARD, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 22, 1880.
+++++++++++++++++
from original creator
Judge Thatcher H. Theall
He was my several times GREAT-UNCLE
He never married.
He and his brother owned a
Coal Mine in New York,
which has since been closed down.
He had the following siblings:
1. Lydia L. Theall b. 29 May 1804
2. Nancy G. Theall b. 3 Sept 1806
3. Nellie A. Theall b. 22 Feb 1808
4. Arvah Theall b. 26 Nov 1812
5. Orwin Theall b. 26 Nov 1815
6. Susan Theall b. 31 Dec 1819
"This is my Friend." Solomon's Song, 6:16.
FUNERAL DISCOURSE BY THE REV. V.W. BENEDICT AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH, CROTON FALLS, JAN. 20, 1886.
Thacher Hopkins Theall was born in Croton Falls, in the dwelling now known as "the farm house," August 11th, 1810, and was therefore in the 76th year of his age.
He was one of the family of seven children born to Hackaliah and Huldah Theall, and until the time of his death the oldest surviving member of that family.
The brothers Arvah and Orville and two sisters residing in Connecticut are still living.
When Thacher was a lad eight years of age his father moved from Croton Falls and located on a farm just beyond the boundary line in the town of Southeast.
On that farm he lived until he fell quietly asleep early last Saturday morning.
When he was twelve years of age his father died, and for two years the farm work was managed by a man employed for that purpose.
Two years later, at a time when most boys feel that they are entirely dependent, he assumed the management of the farm and the general care of the family — of course under the care of his mother who survived the father for a number of years.
His love for his mother was strong and devotional.
As the years came on and the infirmities incident to them laid their hold upon him, he put aside the more active and laborious duties of farm life, and in consequence had more leisure.
In these days it was my privilege to see him often, and to enjoy many long and pleasant talks with him.
In these conversations he again and again spoke of his mother — of her sympathy with him in those early years of struggle — and always in the spirit of highest veneration.
It was largely due to his love for his mother, and his respect for her religious faith, that he became deeply interested in the welfare of our church.
She was a Baptist and in the ripe years of his noble manhood be felt a strong desire to do what he could to promote the principles so dear to her heart.
From fourteen years of age, in company with his brother Arvah who is two years his senior, he worked on steadily, laboriously, persistently; rising early and working late, until the home farm was owned free of all encumbrances, and in time other estates, the Travis farm and the Adams farm, were added; also, a farm in Connecticut, until our friend became widely known as one of the best and most successful farmers in all this vicinity.
His success as a farmer was not due solely to his hard work, though this was not an unimportant factor, but to his excellent judgment and rare business qualifications.
One of the most prosperous farmers of our community, who began his work after Mr. Theall was well along in years, has often told me that whenever he wanted advice he went to Mr. Theall, and that he very frequently wanted to see what he would do regarding certain farm work, then he would go and do likewise.
All business transactions were characterized by sterling integrity.
Doubtless in the bargains that are necessary to such a life he did that which it is everyone's duty to do — he did the best possible for his own interest.
He was careful about the price he agreed to pay, but when the terms were made and his word pledged the contract was always carried out to the letter.
Among the lessons suggested by this view of the life of our friend is the importance of industry.
He did not lay acre to acre and add success to success by indolence, or by spending the early hours of the day in sleep, and the later hours in pleasure.
His life was a demonstration of the truth of the couplet.
"He who by the plow would thrive Must himself, either hold or drive."
It would be wisdom on the part of the young men who expect to follow farming to ponder thoroughly this lesson: that along the road success is attained only by hard work.
The results of this life show the possibilities to be attained in the pursuit of agriculture, when pursued with diligence and wisdom.
But this life was not confined exclusively to the routine of the farm.
His recognized excellent judgment soon brought to him appointments requiring the discharge of duties in a broader sphere.
His opinion and advice were sought throughout the neighborhood, and the circle of his influence continued to widen until, us an arbitrator or appraiser he was considered the peer if not the superior among the men of his day, and so fair and just were his decisions that few appeals were taken.
His services on the Brewster storage reservoir commission with Hon. Homer A. Nelson, of Poughkeepsie, and Hon. Calvin Frost, of Peekskill; on the Lake Mahopac an Muscoot commissions with Messrs. Odie Close and Isaac Hart Purdy, of North Salem; and on the New England railway commission for the appraisal of lands in Patterson, with the late Chief Justice Origen Storrs Seymour, of Connecticut, are well remembered.
That in these important and responsible positions he discharged his duties with wisdom and fidelity is a matter of record.
Early in life he was chosen Justice of the Peace of the town of Southwest, which office he held for sixteen years.
He was also, in 1843, one of the Common Pleas Judges of Putnam county, and he was ever afterward familiarly called Judge Theall.
Later on he was appointed County Treasurer and served in that capacity for some time.
I am not in possession of the exact length of time, but for many years he was one of the directors of the Farmers' and Drovers' National Bank, of Somers.
He was also President of the Protective Association of Northern Westchester.
He has often been the custodian of trust funds; in fact very few men have held so many and varied positions of trust.
And in this age the marvelous thing is that not one word can be said against his honesty and faithfulness.
Carping critics may find in this life something with which to find fault, but I pronounce to-day, without fear of contradiction, the highest eulogy possible when I say that Thacher H. Theall was an honest, upright, noble man.
But I have yet to speak of him in other relations of life, relations that to many of us are more intimate and tender.
I have chosen as the motto of this address the words of scripture:
"This is my friend."
These words may be taken as the expression of the feelings of many who are here to-day, and of many who are not here.
How many as they look back on their lives can see where again and again this man has befriended them.
I am familiar with a number of cases, some of them full of deep interest, where the kindness of this man's heart has nobly responded to the appeal for aid.
But those are personal matters and I cannot speak of them to-day.
Yet each knows his own experience and responds unasked in the words of the text: "This is my friend."
Among others who come to the front and claim the right to pronounce this sentence, and one that does pronounce it with fullest emphasis and with deepest affection, and with sad heart as we look on the face of the dead, is the Croton Falls Baptist Church.
When the grave closes over this body we shall have buried out of our sight one of our best and truest friends.
As I have before stated his love for his mother and his respect for her religious faith inclined him in his sympathies toward our church.
As the years went on his interest deepened and we began to feel more and more the help of his judgment, and of his large heart, and of his plentiful purse.
For the first five years of our church history we were without a legal organization.
Having no church property an organization was not necessary.
When however, we began to think and to talk about building a church, the necessity for a legally organized and incorporated society was felt, and accordingly a meeting was held March 18, 1875, for that purpose.
An organization was completed, the corporate name of the society being, "The Croton Falls Baptist Church."
The board of trustees elected included Joel B. Purdy, Thacher H. Theall, Israel Pinckney, David Adams and Gilbert F. Bailey.
At a meeting of the trustees Mr. Theall was elected president of the board, which position he has since held.
He was also chosen chairman of the building committee.
In both these positions he served the society with great energy and helpfulness.
While in the enterprise of building all worked with a will, none gave to it more time, more thought, or more help than Mr. Theall.
As a member of the building committee and having the general oversight of the work I was brought into frequent and intimate association with him, and I want to say this, which to me is one of the more priceful things in connection with his memory, that I not only found him a valuable helper in every way, but also a most cheerful one.
Often when a person, not a member of the church, gives largely toward its support the question is asked, "How did you manage?"
In this case I am glad to be able to say, "I never managed."
Our friend never gave a dollar to the building fund, or to the payment of the debt of the church, or an hour's work, that the proposition did not come from himself.
He was the moving spirit and the leader in his own contributions.
People who may have thought that the pastor or other members of the church solicited the giving of his time and money are mistaken.
What he did and what he gave was done and given of his own will and pleasure, and done and given cheerfully and nobly.
He was interested and helpful in everything connected with the material welfare of the church.
His teams and men helped in digging the cellar and in hauling the stone for the masonry work.
Under his supervision and by his help the grounds were graded.
The hedge that divides our property from our neighbor was his purchase and his planting.
It was largely through his instrumentality that the church debt was paid.
He not only considered the needs of the past but looked into the possibilities of future.
There was left at the dedication of the church, unprovided for by subscription, the sum of $3,500.
This to us was a great burden.
I remember well the day when he drove up before the parsonage, us he had done hundreds of times, and called me out and said to me:
"Mr. Benedict, I have been thinking about the debt on our church. There are two or three of us who are getting along in years and if we should die and leave the debt unpaid the church would be in a bad condition."
He then told me that under certain conditions he would give $1,000 toward the debt.
Those conditions were met and one of the happiest days in my ministry was the day when he, together with Brother Purdy and Brother Adams gave me their checks, each for $l,000.
He was a regular and liberal contributor to the current expenses of the church.
One of the last acts of his life was to hand me a sum of money, saying:
"I have not been able to attend church lately and I want to give something to make up for that I would have put upon the plate had I been present."
I do not want to pay the tribute of the church to Mr. Theall solely for what he has done, but also for the spirit in which he did it.
He was generous, and he was noble in his generosity.
There are men who if you have business with them, especially business involving benevolence, you must consider the best way of approaching them.
There was but one way to approach our friend, and that was by the way of straightforward manliness.
Our church as a body are mourners at this funeral, and us we look for the last time on the face of the dead each will say for himself, or herself, as I say for the church, "This is my friend."
For the nearer circle of relatives — for brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces — it is not necessary for me to speak.
You, each for yourself, know what he has been to you.
He has been a brother and a father.
You will cherish his memory as a thing that is precious and freighted with the fragrance of benefactions.
There is yet one other application that I must make of these words.
I wish I could so command myself that I might be able to speak as I feel and as he deserves.
The words of the text voice my feelings personally.
With a full heart I say to-day in the presence of this death, and before this assembled company, "This is my friend."
Few things in this life, in human relationship, are more priceful than a true and faithful friend.
This Thacher H. Theall was to me.
I never had a better or truer friend than he.
I know that a narrow and unkind spirit often says, "Oh, ministers always eulogize the rich."
Rich or poor has nothing to do with this.
This man was my friend, tried and proven, and I would be false to every principle of gratitude, nay!
I would be recreant to my own heart, did I neglect to offer to his memory the best tribute I could give.
His personal benefactions to me have been without number.
He never seemed more happy than when stopping at our gate to leave some substantial token of his regard.
In the dark hours of my work here as pastor, and there have been some dark ones, he has said to me again and again:
"Elder, don't be discouraged, I will stand by you."
I tell you that meant a great deal, it meant more than I can tell you to-day.
His was a many-sided life, and not all who knew him knew him as he really was.
To those who knew him as a man of the world, as a man of business, he may have appeared austere, but it was my privilege to know him in his inner life, to know him intimately, and knowing him thus I know he was tender, kind and gentle.
Our friend has gone from us.
How we shall miss him.
Peace to his soul.
Honor, gratitude and love to his memory.
Amen.
THE BREWSTER STANDARD, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 22, 1880.
+++++++++++++++++
from original creator
Judge Thatcher H. Theall
He was my several times GREAT-UNCLE
He never married.
He and his brother owned a
Coal Mine in New York,
which has since been closed down.
He had the following siblings:
1. Lydia L. Theall b. 29 May 1804
2. Nancy G. Theall b. 3 Sept 1806
3. Nellie A. Theall b. 22 Feb 1808
4. Arvah Theall b. 26 Nov 1812
5. Orwin Theall b. 26 Nov 1815
6. Susan Theall b. 31 Dec 1819
Deaths. In this town, Jan. 16th, Thacher Hopkins Theall, in the 76th year of his age.
"This is my Friend." Solomon's Song, 6:16.
FUNERAL DISCOURSE BY THE REV. V.W. BENEDICT AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH, CROTON FALLS, JAN. 20, 1886.
Thacher Hopkins Theall was born in Croton Falls, in the dwelling now known as "the farm house," August 11th, 1810, and was therefore in the 76th year of his age.
He was one of the family of seven children born to Hackaliah and Huldah Theall, and until the time of his death the oldest surviving member of that family.
The brothers Arvah and Orville and two sisters residing in Connecticut are still living.
When Thacher was a lad eight years of age his father moved from Croton Falls and located on a farm just beyond the boundary line in the town of Southeast.
On that farm he lived until he fell quietly asleep early last Saturday morning.
When he was twelve years of age his father died, and for two years the farm work was managed by a man employed for that purpose.
Two years later, at a time when most boys feel that they are entirely dependent, he assumed the management of the farm and the general care of the family — of course under the care of his mother who survived the father for a number of years.
His love for his mother was strong and devotional.
As the years came on and the infirmities incident to them laid their hold upon him, he put aside the more active and laborious duties of farm life, and in consequence had more leisure.
In these days it was my privilege to see him often, and to enjoy many long and pleasant talks with him.
In these conversations he again and again spoke of his mother — of her sympathy with him in those early years of struggle — and always in the spirit of highest veneration.
It was largely due to his love for his mother, and his respect for her religious faith, that he became deeply interested in the welfare of our church.
She was a Baptist and in the ripe years of his noble manhood be felt a strong desire to do what he could to promote the principles so dear to her heart.
From fourteen years of age, in company with his brother Arvah who is two years his senior, he worked on steadily, laboriously, persistently; rising early and working late, until the home farm was owned free of all encumbrances, and in time other estates, the Travis farm and the Adams farm, were added; also, a farm in Connecticut, until our friend became widely known as one of the best and most successful farmers in all this vicinity.
His success as a farmer was not due solely to his hard work, though this was not an unimportant factor, but to his excellent judgment and rare business qualifications.
One of the most prosperous farmers of our community, who began his work after Mr. Theall was well along in years, has often told me that whenever he wanted advice he went to Mr. Theall, and that he very frequently wanted to see what he would do regarding certain farm work, then he would go and do likewise.
All business transactions were characterized by sterling integrity.
Doubtless in the bargains that are necessary to such a life he did that which it is everyone's duty to do — he did the best possible for his own interest.
He was careful about the price he agreed to pay, but when the terms were made and his word pledged the contract was always carried out to the letter.
Among the lessons suggested by this view of the life of our friend is the importance of industry.
He did not lay acre to acre and add success to success by indolence, or by spending the early hours of the day in sleep, and the later hours in pleasure.
His life was a demonstration of the truth of the couplet.
"He who by the plow would thrive Must himself, either hold or drive."
It would be wisdom on the part of the young men who expect to follow farming to ponder thoroughly this lesson: that along the road success is attained only by hard work.
The results of this life show the possibilities to be attained in the pursuit of agriculture, when pursued with diligence and wisdom.
But this life was not confined exclusively to the routine of the farm.
His recognized excellent judgment soon brought to him appointments requiring the discharge of duties in a broader sphere.
His opinion and advice were sought throughout the neighborhood, and the circle of his influence continued to widen until, us an arbitrator or appraiser he was considered the peer if not the superior among the men of his day, and so fair and just were his decisions that few appeals were taken.
His services on the Brewster storage reservoir commission with Hon. Homer A. Nelson, of Poughkeepsie, and Hon. Calvin Frost, of Peekskill; on the Lake Mahopac an Muscoot commissions with Messrs. Odie Close and Isaac Hart Purdy, of North Salem; and on the New England railway commission for the appraisal of lands in Patterson, with the late Chief Justice Origen Storrs Seymour, of Connecticut, are well remembered.
That in these important and responsible positions he discharged his duties with wisdom and fidelity is a matter of record.
Early in life he was chosen Justice of the Peace of the town of Southwest, which office he held for sixteen years.
He was also, in 1843, one of the Common Pleas Judges of Putnam county, and he was ever afterward familiarly called Judge Theall.
Later on he was appointed County Treasurer and served in that capacity for some time.
I am not in possession of the exact length of time, but for many years he was one of the directors of the Farmers' and Drovers' National Bank, of Somers.
He was also President of the Protective Association of Northern Westchester.
He has often been the custodian of trust funds; in fact very few men have held so many and varied positions of trust.
And in this age the marvelous thing is that not one word can be said against his honesty and faithfulness.
Carping critics may find in this life something with which to find fault, but I pronounce to-day, without fear of contradiction, the highest eulogy possible when I say that Thacher H. Theall was an honest, upright, noble man.
But I have yet to speak of him in other relations of life, relations that to many of us are more intimate and tender.
I have chosen as the motto of this address the words of scripture:
"This is my friend."
These words may be taken as the expression of the feelings of many who are here to-day, and of many who are not here.
How many as they look back on their lives can see where again and again this man has befriended them.
I am familiar with a number of cases, some of them full of deep interest, where the kindness of this man's heart has nobly responded to the appeal for aid.
But those are personal matters and I cannot speak of them to-day.
Yet each knows his own experience and responds unasked in the words of the text: "This is my friend."
Among others who come to the front and claim the right to pronounce this sentence, and one that does pronounce it with fullest emphasis and with deepest affection, and with sad heart as we look on the face of the dead, is the Croton Falls Baptist Church.
When the grave closes over this body we shall have buried out of our sight one of our best and truest friends.
As I have before stated his love for his mother and his respect for her religious faith inclined him in his sympathies toward our church.
As the years went on his interest deepened and we began to feel more and more the help of his judgment, and of his large heart, and of his plentiful purse.
For the first five years of our church history we were without a legal organization.
Having no church property an organization was not necessary.
When however, we began to think and to talk about building a church, the necessity for a legally organized and incorporated society was felt, and accordingly a meeting was held March 18, 1875, for that purpose.
An organization was completed, the corporate name of the society being, "The Croton Falls Baptist Church."
The board of trustees elected included Joel B. Purdy, Thacher H. Theall, Israel Pinckney, David Adams and Gilbert F. Bailey.
At a meeting of the trustees Mr. Theall was elected president of the board, which position he has since held.
He was also chosen chairman of the building committee.
In both these positions he served the society with great energy and helpfulness.
While in the enterprise of building all worked with a will, none gave to it more time, more thought, or more help than Mr. Theall.
As a member of the building committee and having the general oversight of the work I was brought into frequent and intimate association with him, and I want to say this, which to me is one of the more priceful things in connection with his memory, that I not only found him a valuable helper in every way, but also a most cheerful one.
Often when a person, not a member of the church, gives largely toward its support the question is asked, "How did you manage?"
In this case I am glad to be able to say, "I never managed."
Our friend never gave a dollar to the building fund, or to the payment of the debt of the church, or an hour's work, that the proposition did not come from himself.
He was the moving spirit and the leader in his own contributions.
People who may have thought that the pastor or other members of the church solicited the giving of his time and money are mistaken.
What he did and what he gave was done and given of his own will and pleasure, and done and given cheerfully and nobly.
He was interested and helpful in everything connected with the material welfare of the church.
His teams and men helped in digging the cellar and in hauling the stone for the masonry work.
Under his supervision and by his help the grounds were graded.
The hedge that divides our property from our neighbor was his purchase and his planting.
It was largely through his instrumentality that the church debt was paid.
He not only considered the needs of the past but looked into the possibilities of future.
There was left at the dedication of the church, unprovided for by subscription, the sum of $3,500.
This to us was a great burden.
I remember well the day when he drove up before the parsonage, us he had done hundreds of times, and called me out and said to me:
"Mr. Benedict, I have been thinking about the debt on our church. There are two or three of us who are getting along in years and if we should die and leave the debt unpaid the church would be in a bad condition."
He then told me that under certain conditions he would give $1,000 toward the debt.
Those conditions were met and one of the happiest days in my ministry was the day when he, together with Brother Purdy and Brother Adams gave me their checks, each for $l,000.
He was a regular and liberal contributor to the current expenses of the church.
One of the last acts of his life was to hand me a sum of money, saying:
"I have not been able to attend church lately and I want to give something to make up for that I would have put upon the plate had I been present."
I do not want to pay the tribute of the church to Mr. Theall solely for what he has done, but also for the spirit in which he did it.
He was generous, and he was noble in his generosity.
There are men who if you have business with them, especially business involving benevolence, you must consider the best way of approaching them.
There was but one way to approach our friend, and that was by the way of straightforward manliness.
Our church as a body are mourners at this funeral, and us we look for the last time on the face of the dead each will say for himself, or herself, as I say for the church, "This is my friend."
For the nearer circle of relatives — for brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces — it is not necessary for me to speak.
You, each for yourself, know what he has been to you.
He has been a brother and a father.
You will cherish his memory as a thing that is precious and freighted with the fragrance of benefactions.
There is yet one other application that I must make of these words.
I wish I could so command myself that I might be able to speak as I feel and as he deserves.
The words of the text voice my feelings personally.
With a full heart I say to-day in the presence of this death, and before this assembled company, "This is my friend."
Few things in this life, in human relationship, are more priceful than a true and faithful friend.
This Thacher H. Theall was to me.
I never had a better or truer friend than he.
I know that a narrow and unkind spirit often says, "Oh, ministers always eulogize the rich."
Rich or poor has nothing to do with this.
This man was my friend, tried and proven, and I would be false to every principle of gratitude, nay!
I would be recreant to my own heart, did I neglect to offer to his memory the best tribute I could give.
His personal benefactions to me have been without number.
He never seemed more happy than when stopping at our gate to leave some substantial token of his regard.
In the dark hours of my work here as pastor, and there have been some dark ones, he has said to me again and again:
"Elder, don't be discouraged, I will stand by you."
I tell you that meant a great deal, it meant more than I can tell you to-day.
His was a many-sided life, and not all who knew him knew him as he really was.
To those who knew him as a man of the world, as a man of business, he may have appeared austere, but it was my privilege to know him in his inner life, to know him intimately, and knowing him thus I know he was tender, kind and gentle.
Our friend has gone from us.
How we shall miss him.
Peace to his soul.
Honor, gratitude and love to his memory.
Amen.
THE BREWSTER STANDARD, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 22, 1880.
+++++++++++++++++
from original creator
Judge Thatcher H. Theall
He was my several times GREAT-UNCLE
He never married.
He and his brother owned a
Coal Mine in New York,
which has since been closed down.
He had the following siblings:
1. Lydia L. Theall b. 29 May 1804
2. Nancy G. Theall b. 3 Sept 1806
3. Nellie A. Theall b. 22 Feb 1808
4. Arvah Theall b. 26 Nov 1812
5. Orwin Theall b. 26 Nov 1815
6. Susan Theall b. 31 Dec 1819
"This is my Friend." Solomon's Song, 6:16.
FUNERAL DISCOURSE BY THE REV. V.W. BENEDICT AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH, CROTON FALLS, JAN. 20, 1886.
Thacher Hopkins Theall was born in Croton Falls, in the dwelling now known as "the farm house," August 11th, 1810, and was therefore in the 76th year of his age.
He was one of the family of seven children born to Hackaliah and Huldah Theall, and until the time of his death the oldest surviving member of that family.
The brothers Arvah and Orville and two sisters residing in Connecticut are still living.
When Thacher was a lad eight years of age his father moved from Croton Falls and located on a farm just beyond the boundary line in the town of Southeast.
On that farm he lived until he fell quietly asleep early last Saturday morning.
When he was twelve years of age his father died, and for two years the farm work was managed by a man employed for that purpose.
Two years later, at a time when most boys feel that they are entirely dependent, he assumed the management of the farm and the general care of the family — of course under the care of his mother who survived the father for a number of years.
His love for his mother was strong and devotional.
As the years came on and the infirmities incident to them laid their hold upon him, he put aside the more active and laborious duties of farm life, and in consequence had more leisure.
In these days it was my privilege to see him often, and to enjoy many long and pleasant talks with him.
In these conversations he again and again spoke of his mother — of her sympathy with him in those early years of struggle — and always in the spirit of highest veneration.
It was largely due to his love for his mother, and his respect for her religious faith, that he became deeply interested in the welfare of our church.
She was a Baptist and in the ripe years of his noble manhood be felt a strong desire to do what he could to promote the principles so dear to her heart.
From fourteen years of age, in company with his brother Arvah who is two years his senior, he worked on steadily, laboriously, persistently; rising early and working late, until the home farm was owned free of all encumbrances, and in time other estates, the Travis farm and the Adams farm, were added; also, a farm in Connecticut, until our friend became widely known as one of the best and most successful farmers in all this vicinity.
His success as a farmer was not due solely to his hard work, though this was not an unimportant factor, but to his excellent judgment and rare business qualifications.
One of the most prosperous farmers of our community, who began his work after Mr. Theall was well along in years, has often told me that whenever he wanted advice he went to Mr. Theall, and that he very frequently wanted to see what he would do regarding certain farm work, then he would go and do likewise.
All business transactions were characterized by sterling integrity.
Doubtless in the bargains that are necessary to such a life he did that which it is everyone's duty to do — he did the best possible for his own interest.
He was careful about the price he agreed to pay, but when the terms were made and his word pledged the contract was always carried out to the letter.
Among the lessons suggested by this view of the life of our friend is the importance of industry.
He did not lay acre to acre and add success to success by indolence, or by spending the early hours of the day in sleep, and the later hours in pleasure.
His life was a demonstration of the truth of the couplet.
"He who by the plow would thrive Must himself, either hold or drive."
It would be wisdom on the part of the young men who expect to follow farming to ponder thoroughly this lesson: that along the road success is attained only by hard work.
The results of this life show the possibilities to be attained in the pursuit of agriculture, when pursued with diligence and wisdom.
But this life was not confined exclusively to the routine of the farm.
His recognized excellent judgment soon brought to him appointments requiring the discharge of duties in a broader sphere.
His opinion and advice were sought throughout the neighborhood, and the circle of his influence continued to widen until, us an arbitrator or appraiser he was considered the peer if not the superior among the men of his day, and so fair and just were his decisions that few appeals were taken.
His services on the Brewster storage reservoir commission with Hon. Homer A. Nelson, of Poughkeepsie, and Hon. Calvin Frost, of Peekskill; on the Lake Mahopac an Muscoot commissions with Messrs. Odie Close and Isaac Hart Purdy, of North Salem; and on the New England railway commission for the appraisal of lands in Patterson, with the late Chief Justice Origen Storrs Seymour, of Connecticut, are well remembered.
That in these important and responsible positions he discharged his duties with wisdom and fidelity is a matter of record.
Early in life he was chosen Justice of the Peace of the town of Southwest, which office he held for sixteen years.
He was also, in 1843, one of the Common Pleas Judges of Putnam county, and he was ever afterward familiarly called Judge Theall.
Later on he was appointed County Treasurer and served in that capacity for some time.
I am not in possession of the exact length of time, but for many years he was one of the directors of the Farmers' and Drovers' National Bank, of Somers.
He was also President of the Protective Association of Northern Westchester.
He has often been the custodian of trust funds; in fact very few men have held so many and varied positions of trust.
And in this age the marvelous thing is that not one word can be said against his honesty and faithfulness.
Carping critics may find in this life something with which to find fault, but I pronounce to-day, without fear of contradiction, the highest eulogy possible when I say that Thacher H. Theall was an honest, upright, noble man.
But I have yet to speak of him in other relations of life, relations that to many of us are more intimate and tender.
I have chosen as the motto of this address the words of scripture:
"This is my friend."
These words may be taken as the expression of the feelings of many who are here to-day, and of many who are not here.
How many as they look back on their lives can see where again and again this man has befriended them.
I am familiar with a number of cases, some of them full of deep interest, where the kindness of this man's heart has nobly responded to the appeal for aid.
But those are personal matters and I cannot speak of them to-day.
Yet each knows his own experience and responds unasked in the words of the text: "This is my friend."
Among others who come to the front and claim the right to pronounce this sentence, and one that does pronounce it with fullest emphasis and with deepest affection, and with sad heart as we look on the face of the dead, is the Croton Falls Baptist Church.
When the grave closes over this body we shall have buried out of our sight one of our best and truest friends.
As I have before stated his love for his mother and his respect for her religious faith inclined him in his sympathies toward our church.
As the years went on his interest deepened and we began to feel more and more the help of his judgment, and of his large heart, and of his plentiful purse.
For the first five years of our church history we were without a legal organization.
Having no church property an organization was not necessary.
When however, we began to think and to talk about building a church, the necessity for a legally organized and incorporated society was felt, and accordingly a meeting was held March 18, 1875, for that purpose.
An organization was completed, the corporate name of the society being, "The Croton Falls Baptist Church."
The board of trustees elected included Joel B. Purdy, Thacher H. Theall, Israel Pinckney, David Adams and Gilbert F. Bailey.
At a meeting of the trustees Mr. Theall was elected president of the board, which position he has since held.
He was also chosen chairman of the building committee.
In both these positions he served the society with great energy and helpfulness.
While in the enterprise of building all worked with a will, none gave to it more time, more thought, or more help than Mr. Theall.
As a member of the building committee and having the general oversight of the work I was brought into frequent and intimate association with him, and I want to say this, which to me is one of the more priceful things in connection with his memory, that I not only found him a valuable helper in every way, but also a most cheerful one.
Often when a person, not a member of the church, gives largely toward its support the question is asked, "How did you manage?"
In this case I am glad to be able to say, "I never managed."
Our friend never gave a dollar to the building fund, or to the payment of the debt of the church, or an hour's work, that the proposition did not come from himself.
He was the moving spirit and the leader in his own contributions.
People who may have thought that the pastor or other members of the church solicited the giving of his time and money are mistaken.
What he did and what he gave was done and given of his own will and pleasure, and done and given cheerfully and nobly.
He was interested and helpful in everything connected with the material welfare of the church.
His teams and men helped in digging the cellar and in hauling the stone for the masonry work.
Under his supervision and by his help the grounds were graded.
The hedge that divides our property from our neighbor was his purchase and his planting.
It was largely through his instrumentality that the church debt was paid.
He not only considered the needs of the past but looked into the possibilities of future.
There was left at the dedication of the church, unprovided for by subscription, the sum of $3,500.
This to us was a great burden.
I remember well the day when he drove up before the parsonage, us he had done hundreds of times, and called me out and said to me:
"Mr. Benedict, I have been thinking about the debt on our church. There are two or three of us who are getting along in years and if we should die and leave the debt unpaid the church would be in a bad condition."
He then told me that under certain conditions he would give $1,000 toward the debt.
Those conditions were met and one of the happiest days in my ministry was the day when he, together with Brother Purdy and Brother Adams gave me their checks, each for $l,000.
He was a regular and liberal contributor to the current expenses of the church.
One of the last acts of his life was to hand me a sum of money, saying:
"I have not been able to attend church lately and I want to give something to make up for that I would have put upon the plate had I been present."
I do not want to pay the tribute of the church to Mr. Theall solely for what he has done, but also for the spirit in which he did it.
He was generous, and he was noble in his generosity.
There are men who if you have business with them, especially business involving benevolence, you must consider the best way of approaching them.
There was but one way to approach our friend, and that was by the way of straightforward manliness.
Our church as a body are mourners at this funeral, and us we look for the last time on the face of the dead each will say for himself, or herself, as I say for the church, "This is my friend."
For the nearer circle of relatives — for brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces — it is not necessary for me to speak.
You, each for yourself, know what he has been to you.
He has been a brother and a father.
You will cherish his memory as a thing that is precious and freighted with the fragrance of benefactions.
There is yet one other application that I must make of these words.
I wish I could so command myself that I might be able to speak as I feel and as he deserves.
The words of the text voice my feelings personally.
With a full heart I say to-day in the presence of this death, and before this assembled company, "This is my friend."
Few things in this life, in human relationship, are more priceful than a true and faithful friend.
This Thacher H. Theall was to me.
I never had a better or truer friend than he.
I know that a narrow and unkind spirit often says, "Oh, ministers always eulogize the rich."
Rich or poor has nothing to do with this.
This man was my friend, tried and proven, and I would be false to every principle of gratitude, nay!
I would be recreant to my own heart, did I neglect to offer to his memory the best tribute I could give.
His personal benefactions to me have been without number.
He never seemed more happy than when stopping at our gate to leave some substantial token of his regard.
In the dark hours of my work here as pastor, and there have been some dark ones, he has said to me again and again:
"Elder, don't be discouraged, I will stand by you."
I tell you that meant a great deal, it meant more than I can tell you to-day.
His was a many-sided life, and not all who knew him knew him as he really was.
To those who knew him as a man of the world, as a man of business, he may have appeared austere, but it was my privilege to know him in his inner life, to know him intimately, and knowing him thus I know he was tender, kind and gentle.
Our friend has gone from us.
How we shall miss him.
Peace to his soul.
Honor, gratitude and love to his memory.
Amen.
THE BREWSTER STANDARD, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 22, 1880.
+++++++++++++++++
from original creator
Judge Thatcher H. Theall
He was my several times GREAT-UNCLE
He never married.
He and his brother owned a
Coal Mine in New York,
which has since been closed down.
He had the following siblings:
1. Lydia L. Theall b. 29 May 1804
2. Nancy G. Theall b. 3 Sept 1806
3. Nellie A. Theall b. 22 Feb 1808
4. Arvah Theall b. 26 Nov 1812
5. Orwin Theall b. 26 Nov 1815
6. Susan Theall b. 31 Dec 1819
Family Members
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