I recommend that Jon Olson contact the East Hampton Historical Society 
(631 324-6850) about finding re-enactors. I know that the Society has 
used out of town re-enactors at some of its fund raising events. Have 
no idea if they are limited to a specific time period in history but 
feel certain that they might know of other groups who could be closer 
to you. The Society's director is brand new so, be patient. However, I 
also suggest that he contact the Long Island Collection of the East 
Hampton Library. It too may have information on re-enactors. Its number 
is 631 324-0222 and simply ask for the LI Collection.
Nancy Hyden Woodward

On Feb 17, 2006, at 4:27 PM, Travis, John wrote:

>  
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jon Olson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 4:17 PM
> To: Jon Olson
> Subject: Civil War Heritage Day at Albany Rural Cemetery: 9/23/06
>
> .
> Greetings, Civil War Enthusiast:
>
>    I'm on a committee working on the Civil War Heritage Day at Albany 
> Rural Cemetery to be held on 9/23/06. I've have been assigned to see 
> if I can line up reenactors to portray some local Civil War personages 
> at the event, viz. Ira Harris, his wife Pauline, their daughter 
> Clara, and her husband Henry Rathbone. I don't have a clue as to where 
> to begin to find folks who might be interested in doing this. So, I 
> need your help.
>
>     By way of introduction, here's a brief bio on Ira Harris:
>
> Ira Harris was born in Charleston, Montgomery County, on May 31, 1802. 
> He graduated from Union College in 1824 and after studying law in 
> Albany was admitted to the bar in 1827 and began his law practice in 
> Albany.  Harris served in the State Assembly (1845-1846) and State 
> Senate (1847-1850). A member of the Republican Party, Harris was 
> elected to the U.S. Senate (1861-1867). Harris was a family friend of 
> Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln. He was among Lincoln's 
> "most frequent evening visitors". Harris's daughter and stepson, Clara 
> Harris, and Henry Rathbone, were with Lincoln when he was assassinated 
> at the Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. Harris was defeated in 1866 
> and after his retirement from politics became a professor at the 
> Albany Law School (1867-1875). Harris died in Albany on December 2, 
> 1875. He is interred at Albany Rural Cemetery, as his is wife, 
> Pauline.
>
>      Here's a brief bio on Clara Harris and Henry Rathbone:
>
> Clara Harris was born in 1845. When her mother died her father 
> remarried the mother of Major Henry Rathbone. Rathbone was born in 
> Albany in 1837, the son of the mayor of Albany, Jarid Rathbone, who is 
> buried in Albany Rural.  He attended Union College.  He joined the 
> Union Army in 1861 and during the Civil War reached the rank of major. 
> After his father's death, his mother married Ira Harris. In 1865 he 
> became engaged to his step-sister, Clara. On April 14, 1865 the 
> Lincolns invited Clara Harris and her fiancée to the Ford Theatre to 
> see the play Our American Cousin. John Parked, a constable in the 
> Washington Metropolitan Police Force, was detailed to sit on the chair 
> outside the presidential box. During the 3rd act Parker left to get a 
> drink. Soon afterwards, John Wilkes Booth entered Lincoln's box and 
> shot the president in the back of the head. Rathbone grabbed Booth but 
> he was slashed with a hunting knife. Despite a bad wound in his left 
> arm, Rathbone continued to struggle with Booth and as a result he was 
> unable to jump cleanly from the box. Booth landed on the stage eleven 
> feet below at an awkward angle and as a result fractured his ankle. 
> However, he was able to hobble out and get on his horse and escape. In 
> 1867 Rathbone married Clara and over the next few years the couple had 
> three children. When Grover Cleveland became president he appointed 
> Rathbone as his consul to Germany. Rathbone's behavior became more 
> erratic and he appeared to become jealous of his wife's attentions to 
> the children. On December 23, 1883, Rathbone shot and killed Clara and 
> attempted to commit suicide by stabbing himself six times.  He 
> survived and after being found guilty of murder was committed to an 
> asylum for the criminally insane. Rathbone died in the asylum in 
> 1911. Henry and Clara were both buried in Germany.
>
>       To have reenactors portray the Harrises and the Rathbones at the 
> event would be an historically correct and  good addition to our 
> program. This is all in the thinking stage at this point, so I don't 
> know if they would even have to speak. They could simply "work the 
> room" in period grab and the M.C. could introduce them at the 
> dedication ceremony. But if someone was interested in taking on the 
> persona of these folks and preparing some remarks, all the better. 
>
>     Sorry to be so long-winded, but as I said above I have no idea 
> where to begin. Do you have any suggestions as to who I could contact 
> locally to portray the Harrises and the Rathbones? Is there a local 
> association of reenactors/living historians I could contact? I would 
> appreciate any suggestions/leads you might be able to give me.
>
>      Thanks for your attention to this matter.
>
>                 Jon
>  <><><><><><><><><><><><>
> Jon A. Olson
> PO Box 671
> Newtonville, NY 12128-0671
> (518) 785-1700
> <><><><><><><><><><><><>
>
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