Cocoa-Colden Cache Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

New York Admin: I regret to report that the cache owner has not responded to the prior note about this disabled cache. I'm archiving it opening the area up to others. Of course, the owner may respond at any time to get this cache back online providing it meets the current guidelines.

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Hidden : 12/4/2007
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:


I only give this a 2.5 difficulty due the lack of trails. That may soon change. Rumor has it that this land will soon be a park. I hope so. It's so hard watching history disappear and this historic site is so buried in trees I only track it's change in winter.

Parking is available thanks to whats left of the old interchange between Stone Castle Road and 17K.

Take time to read the historic marker. (A photo can be seen in 3bunts' log entry) Please do not disturb the ruins. Of the history I've been able to peice together. Cadwallader Colden Sr., born 1687 in England, was appointed surveyor general of the Province of New York. He was in his life also member of the New York Council, lieutenant governor, and often acting governor between governors. In 1718 he applied for a land grant and received 2000 acres in Ulster County in the present townships of New Windsor and Montgomery, and another 2000 acres north of the first grant. He began to clear land, plant, and build. In his journal of 1727 he wrote "On the 15th of August we sow’d four and a tenth bushels of rye upon a summer fallow after Indian corn. At the same time sowed some spinage in the garden. On the 13th of September we pull’d our seed hemp. The same day I throw’d small quantities of hop clover seed behind the house." The 3000 acres of woods were giving way to civilization. In 1728 he moved his growing family to Coldengham to escape the high cost of living in the city, to live the life of a country gentleman, and to have more time for study. He wrote, "I have made a small spot of the world which when I first entered upon it was the habitation only of wolves and bears and other wild animals, now no unfit habitation for a civilized family." Four sites are claimed for his house. It is not the Colden house on the Turnpike, now nearly a complete ruin. That was built by Cadwallader Colden Jr. in 1767. Jane Colden, daughter of Colden Sr., perhaps lived in this house or nearby as well. She is a famous American botanist, she would have grown many plants of study around here. By the time she was only 34 years old, in 1758, she had described over 400 plants using the "new" Linnaean methods.

If you come up with more history notes please post them in your logs.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

N ubyybj gerr cebivqrf furygre.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)

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