Digital Archive

All photos and documents taken or digitized by Julia McGaugh and Shannon Curley in Fall 2018 at Blair’s Hardware Store and the Alden Historical Society.

Secession & Reunion - It is believed that the residents of Town Line, NY met at the schoolhouse near the marker followign the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 and voted 80-45 to secede from the Union. The story is undocumented and their reasons are unknown. With encouragement from President Harry S. Truman, Town Line residents gathered again in Janyary of 1946 at the schoolhouse, which had become a blacksmith shop, and voted 90-23 to officially return to the Union. -Alden Historical Society (2013)

Secession & Reunion - It is believed that the residents of Town Line, NY met at the schoolhouse near the marker following the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 and voted 80-45 to secede from the Union. The story is undocumented and their reasons are unknown. With encouragement from President Harry S. Truman, Town Line residents gathered again in January of 1946 at the schoolhouse, which had become a blacksmith shop, and voted 90-23 to officially return to the Union. -Alden Historical Society (2013)

Secession & Reunion - It is believed that the residents of Town Line, NY met at the schoolhouse near the marker followign the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 and voted 80-45 to secede from the Union. The story is undocumented and their reasons are unknown. With encouragement from President Harry S. Truman, Town Line residents gathered again in Janyary of 1946 at the schoolhouse, which had become a blacksmith shop, and voted 90-23 to officially return to the Union. -Alden Historical Society (2013)

Secession & Reunion - It is believed that the residents of Town Line, NY met at the schoolhouse near the marker followign the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 and voted 80-45 to secede from the Union. The story is undocumented and their reasons are unknown. With encouragement from President Harry S. Truman, Town Line residents gathered again in Janyary of 1946 at the schoolhouse, which had become a blacksmith shop, and voted 90-23 to officially return to the Union. -Alden Historical Society (2013)

Inquiries from other states regarding the reunion

Letters from Congressmen

Dear Mr. Weber, Many thanks for your letter of January 3rd and for your kind invitation to come to Town Line on January 24th. It would give me great pleasure indeed to visit you in Town Line on the 24th if it were possible. Unfortunately, however, I have previous engagements for that date and it is therefore impossible for me to be with you. With appreciation of your courtesy and kindest regards, Sincerely yours, Thomas A. Dewey

Dear Mr. Weber: Many thanks for your letter inviting me to attend your program in connection with your vote on January 24. I regret exceedingly that press of official duties makes it impossible for me to be present. However, I extend to you, the members of your committee and the people of you community my very best wishes for a successful day. Most cordially, Hadwen C. Fuller

My dear Mr. Weber: Thank you for inviting me to be present at your balloting January 24th. I regret that I will not be able to attend. I take it that the result of the balloting will be to bring your township back into the Union, thus removing what many of us seemed an absurdity. Welcome back to the Union. Sincerely yours, D.K. Hoch

Dear Mr. Weber, It was very thoughtful of you to extend an invitation to be present at the celebration attendant upon the return of your municipality to the Union. I regret very much that I was not on hand, but I was certain that right would prevail even in my absence. I have noted with interest the result of the ballotting and commend your fellow townsmen and their ancestors on their antagonism towards hasty legislation. With best wishes to all, Sincerely, John B. Sullivan

Dear Sir: I have your letter of January 7 stating that on January 24 your town will ballot to determine whether or not it will go back into the union. As one"unreconstructed rebel" to another, let me say that I find much comfort int he fact that you good people so far up in yankee land have held out during the years. However, I suppose we grow soft as we grow older. I find, therefore, no resentment but indeed a feeling of pride in the assurance that public opinion there indicates a likely vote of returning to the union. Congratulations upon the tenacity displayed by you people but at the same time best wishes for a safe and harmonious return to the flag of us all. Sincerely, John Sparkman

Dear Mr. Weber, Thanks for your letter of January 7th. I note that your town contemplates rejoining the United States. I hope you don't have too much trouble in finding it, and that you don't get the USA confused with UNRA or with UNO. With very best wishes, I remain Sincerely yours, J.E. Rankin

Photos of Collection in Blair’s Hardware Store

Step Back into Town Line's History

Step Back into Town Line's History

Last of the Rebels (1865-1946) - Town Line, N.Y. Fire Dept.

Last of the Rebels (1865-1946) - Town Line, N.Y. Fire Dept.

Blair's - Established 1944 (6518)

Telegrams

Town Line Fire Department

Last of the Rebels (1865-1946) - Town Line, N.Y. Fire Dept.

Last of the Rebels (1865-1946) - Town Line, N.Y. Fire Dept.

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