Let’s start off with a bang. This sketch from the New York Mirror in 1837 is the most detailed contemporary account I’ve found of Snedecor’s Tavern, the inn on the Connetquot River that eventually became the South Side Sportsmens Club. There are earlier pieces that offer glimpses of Snedecor’s, and there are accounts written later than 1837 that look back to earlier years but this sketch is clearly written in the moment. It was published over three editions of the weekly Mirror, from November 25th through December 9th, and it describes a fall deer hunting party that must have taken place just weeks before.
A few things before you start reading:
- Spelling varies wildly in the published accounts I’ve found. This is not the only spelling of Sneideker or Connetquut we’ll see. And as an aside, I’m transcribing these as I find them; no modernization of spelling.
- This is the only mention I’ve ever seen to the tavern sign at Snedecor’s.
- Note the African American and Native American presence. I’m doing more digging to shed light on who some of these people might have been, so stay tuned.
- Who is I.V.W.? We know that the author lives in New York, has been to England and probably the European continent (Mt. Blanc), and also to Mobile. There are additional clues from other sketches I.V.W. wrote for the Mirror and I’ll put it together in another post.
- For that matter, who is their mysterious bachelor friend with the 19th-century man cave, complete with deerskin rugs and rifles in the dining room?
- Note the flashes of the Good Fellow lifestyle: champagne, Cuban cigars and (unfortunately) too many cracks at the Native American guide John Murray.
- I’ve added footnotes so click on the little numbers for more info
My transcription is made from the scanned microfilm copy available through the wild and wonderful site Old Fulton History. Check them out if you’re doing any historical research related to New York.