The Underhill Society of America is a non-profit family genealogical society that was organized in Brooklyn, New York, on June 16, 1892. The Society was incorporated in 1903. The purpose of the Underhill Society of America is to perpetuate the memory of

Captain John Underhill John Underhill (7 October 1597 – 21 July 1672) was an early English settler and soldier in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Province of New Hampshire, where he also served as governor; the New Haven Colony, New Netherland, and later the Pro ...

and his descendants. Captain John Underhill was an important figure in

Colonial America The colonial history of the United States covers the history of European colonization of North America from the early 17th century until the incorporation of the Thirteen Colonies into the United States after the Revolutionary War. In the ...

, having arrived from England in 1630 to form the colonial militia of the

Massachusetts Bay Colony The Massachusetts Bay Colony (1630–1691), more formally the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, was an English settlement on the east coast of North America around the Massachusetts Bay, the northernmost of the several colonies later reorganized as the ...

. He and his descendants served in important roles in American life from the military, to politics, business, finance, and industry.

Myron Charles Taylor Myron Charles Taylor (January 18, 1874 – May 5, 1959) was an American business magnate, industrialist, and later a diplomat involved in many of the most important geopolitics, geopolitical events during and after World War II. In addition h ...

, an Underhill descendant and one time Chairman and CEO of

U.S. Steel United States Steel Corporation, more commonly known as U.S. Steel, is an American integrated steel producer headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with production operations primarily in the United States of America and in severa ...

, made a major bequest to support the work of the Underhill Society of America and related organizations, including the Underhill Burying Ground and the

New York Genealogical and Biographical Society The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B or NYGBS) is a non-profit institution located at 36 West 44th Street in New York City. Founded in 1869, it is the second-oldest genealogical society in the United States, and the only state ...

. The Underhill Society of America collected and makes available information on genealogy, biography, and history, particularly as it relates to Captain John Underhill and his descendants. Their extensive archive is available to view by appointment at 30 West Main Street in

Oyster Bay, New York The Town of Oyster Bay is the easternmost of the three towns which make up Nassau County, New York, United States. Part of the New York metropolitan area, it is the only town in Nassau County to extend from the North Shore to the South Shore o ...

. The Society also publishes periodicals and books, holds an Annual Meeting at different locations throughout the United States, and maintains an archive for the benefit of those seeking to conduct research and learn more about the Underhill family.

History

John Underhill (7 October 1597 – 21 July 1672) was an early English settler and soldier in the

, the

Province of New Hampshire The Province of New Hampshire was a colony of England and later a British province in North America. The name was first given in 1629 to the territory between the Merrimack and Piscataqua rivers on the eastern coast of North America, and was nam ...

, the New Haven Colony,

New Netherland New Netherland ( nl, Nieuw Nederland; la, Novum Belgium or ) was a 17th-century colonial province of the Dutch Republic that was located on the East Coast of the United States, east coast of what is now the United States. The claimed territor ...

, and later the

Province of New York The Province of New York (1664–1776) was a British proprietary colony and later royal colony on the northeast coast of North America. As one of the Middle Colonies, New York achieved independence and worked with the others to found the Uni ...

. From Baginton, Captain John Underhill died on 21 July 1672 and was buried on his own land in the Underhill Burying Ground in Locust Valley, New York. Over time nearly 300 of his descendants were buried in the family cemetery. Thomas Stewardson, Jr., made a pilgrimage on October 22, 1868 to discover the burial site of Captain John Underhill. During this visit he made a sketch of the site, a copy of which he later conveyed to William Underhill, Esq. of Wimbledon, England. In it Stewardson referred to "This pretty, but neglected graveyard" and how he "heard whilst there, of an intention to erect a Monument over the remains of 'Fighting John.'" The Underhill Society of America was founded in Brooklyn, New York, in 1892 by

David Harris Underhill David Harris Underhill was an American librarian and author. He was a librarian for the St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church in Williamsburgh and the Astor Library. He was librarian in charge of the newspaper room at the New York Public Library ...

and other descendants of Captain John Underhill. The purpose of the Underhill Society of America initially was to establish a monument at the gravesite of the immigrant ancestor.

William Wilson Underhill William Wilson Underhill (13 September 1839 – 11 June 1935) was an American businessman who was president of the United States Fire Insurance Company of New York. He was educated at Burlington College and the University of Pennsylvania. In ...

was selected as the first President of the Underhill Society of America and also Chairman of the Monument Committee. By the time of their third meeting in 1893, discussion centered on "erecting a monument to the memory of the Captain at his resting place near Glen Cove." Descendants of Captain John Underhill occupied some important stations in American life. Notable descendants included John Torboss Underhill, who distinguished himself in service during the Civil War and was elected Colonel of the 27th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment in 1873.

Estelle Skidmore Doremus Estelle Emma Doremus ( Skidmore; May 6, 1830 May 21, 1905) was the daughter of Hubbard Skidmore, who served in the American Revolutionary War, and became a charter member and honorary vice president general of the National Society of the Daughter ...

was a Charter member of the

Daughters of the American Revolution The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a lineage-based membership service organization for women who are directly descended from a person involved in the United States' efforts towards independence. A non-profit group, they promote ...

and a leading figure in the American colony in Paris during the reign of Napoleon III.

was a leading American industrialist and a key diplomatic figure at the hub of many of the most important geopolitical events before, during, and after World War II. In its early years, the Underhill Society held numerous events, ranging from family reunions, to the Annual Meeting, and a February Meeting usually at the Friends' Seminary or Friends' Meeting House in New York City. These meetings attracted significant figures in society at the time. One of these was Alexander van Alstyne and his wife

Fanny Crosby Frances Jane van Alstyne (née Crosby; March 24, 1820 – February 12, 1915), more commonly known as Fanny J. Crosby, was an American mission worker, poet, lyricist, and composer. She was a prolific hymnist, writing more than 8,000 hymns ...

. At the third annual reunion of the Underhill Society in 1902, Alexander van Alstyne played piano and Fanny Crosby read an ode to Captain John Underhill. They later lived with David Harris Underhill, who organized the Underhill Society of America. His connection with Van Alstyne shows that he was part of a network. Having failed to raise sufficient funds toward the $6,000 needed for the monument,

resigned as President of the Underhill Society and as Chairman of the Monument Committee.

took his place as the second President, serving from 1898 to 1905. Doremus also recruited a new Chairman for the Monument Committee. She selected Colonel John Torboss Underhill to take on that role. Following Mrs. Doremus' death in 1905, Underhill succeeded her as President of the family Society. He carried out fundraising to proceed with work on the monument. Names on a plaque at the base of the monument recognize the role of Mrs. Robert Ogden Doremus as one of two "Patrons" who supported erection of the monument. Theodore Roosevelt at Underhill Burying Ground

Theodore Roosevelt at Underhill Burying Ground

The monument was subsequently built in 1907 at the Underhill Burying Ground and dedicated by President

Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Jr. ( ; October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), often referred to as Teddy or by his initials, T. R., was an American politician, statesman, soldier, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer who served as the 26t ...

on July 11, 1908. Over 500 people attended the dedication ceremonies. At the ceremony, President Roosevelt said:

The founder of the family here was a good soldier and a good citizen, and the Underhills have to-day furnished their full quota of good soldiers and good citizens in their time. If they had not, I would not have been here.

Roosevelt noted that family members served in important roles in American life, including as capitalists and wage workers, farmers, mechanics, professional men, and others. Roosevelt said that "each one is entitled to the fullest and heartiest respect if he does his duty well in the position in life in which he happens to find himself." He also said:

I have known any number of Underhills in every walk of life, men who made their living in many different ways - men belonging to the professions, men who followed the sea, men who tilled the soil, men of means, men who made each day's living by that days work with their hands - and all of them decent citizens. I won't say that there are not some Underhills who are not decent, but fortunately I have not met them.

The Society continued to hold regular meetings and family reunions. After 1907 an Underhill Society Library, with offices and meeting space, was maintained at 198 Rutledge Street in Brooklyn, New York. An Annual Report was published annually from 1893 to 1937. Subsequently a Bulletin was published annually since 1954. A semi-annual newsletter called "News and Views" also has been published semi-annually since 1970. The Underhill Burying Ground was the destination of the Colonial Daughters of the Seventeenth Century on November 4, 1929. About forty members, their guests, and members of other patriotic sites were present. David Harris Underhill welcomed the group and talked about Captain John Underhill's life. Among those present were President General, Mrs. J. Morton Halstead; First vice-President General, Mrs. Wilson W. Thompson; Second Vice-President General, Mrs. I. Sherwood Coffin; Registrar General, Mrs. James M. Edsall; and Genealogist Mrs. Samuel K. Frost. The Underhill Society of America has published or supported several works of history. ''Newes from America,'' an account of the

Pequot War The Pequot War was an armed conflict that took place between 1636 and 1638 in New England between the Pequot tribe and an alliance of the colonists from the Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and Saybrook colonies and their allies from the Narragans ...

in 1641, was re-printed by the Society in 1902, 1951, and 1972. David Harris Underhill and Francis Jay Underhill published an extensive work titled ''Underhill Burying Ground'' that recounted the history of the family and notable people buried in the family cemetery in Lattingtown. Two general interest books on the Underhill family, '' Underhills of Warwickshire'' by John H. Morrison, and ''John Underhill Captain of New England and New Netherland,'' by Henry C. Shelley, were published in 1932. The Underhill Society of America has worked to publish and refine an ''Underhill Genealogy.'' This is a comprehensive and authoritative resource identifying thousands of Underhill descendants. Volumes I-IV, edited by Josephine C. Frost, were originally published in 1932. These were followed by Vols. V-VI by Edwin R. Deats and Harry Macy, Jr., which were published in 1980. Finally, Vols. VII-VIII by Carl J. Underhill were published in 2002. David Harris Underhill amassed a sizable collection of material on Underhill history and genealogy, maintaining it in his home until his death in 1936. The collection was stored elsewhere for 45 years. In 1981 the Underhill Society of America and the Townsend Society of America leased space for this material on East Main Street in Oyster Bay. They continued to operate from this location through the 1990s, when the Underhill Society and Townsend Society sought separate offices for their collections. The Underhill Society of America presently has offices at 30 West Main Street in Oyster Bay, New York.

Publications

The Underhill Society of America has published the following: * ''Annual Report,'' published annually from 1893 through 1937 * ''Bulletin,'' published annually since 1954 * "News and Views", semi-annual newsletter since 1970 The following books have been published by or for the Society, either as original documents or reprints: * ''Newes from America'' by Capt. John Underhill (reprint) 1902, 1951, 1972 * ''Underhill Burying Ground'' by David Harris Underhill and Francis Jay Underhill, 1926 * ''Underhills of Warwickshire'' by John H. Morrison, 1932 * ''John Underhill Captain of New England and New Netherland'' by Henry C. Shelley, 1932 * ''Underhill Genealogy,'' Vols. I-IV edited by Josephine C. Frost, 1932, * Underhill Genealogy, Vols. V-VI by Edwin R. Deats and Harry Macy, Jr., 1980 * Underhill Genealogy, Vols. VII-VIII compiled by Carl J. Underhill, 2002

Past presidents

Past presidents of the Underhill Society of America include: *

(1892–1898) *

(1898–1905) * Col. John Torboss Underhill (1905–1924) * Francis Jay Underhill (1924–1932) *

Willard Underhill Taylor Willard Underhill Taylor (1868–1940) was a lawyer, New York City real estate investor, and brother of Myron Charles Taylor. Willard was also a member of the Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York and the President of the Underhill Soci ...

(1932–1940) * John Garrett Underhill, Sr. (1940–1946) *

Irving Underhill Irving Underhill (1872–1960) was one of the most notable commercial photographers in New York City during the first half of the 20th century. He produced work that was featured in postcards and numerous publications while he was still alive, an ...

(1946–1950) * Robert Feeks Underhill (1950–1954) * John Garrett Underhill, Jr. (1954–1956) * Charles Alonzo Underhill (1956–1968) * George Townsend Underhill, Sr. (1968–1973) * Le Grand Underhill (1974–1975) * Thelma Weeks Powell (1975–1979) * Hary Macy, Jr. (1979–1985) * Andrew Mitchell Underhill, Jr. (1985–1987) * Robert G. Pope (1987–1995) * Richard W. Decker (1995–1996) * N. Robert Underhill (1996–1998) * George Townsend Underhill, Jr. (1998–2003) * Carl J. Underhill (2003–2010) * Robert L. Underhill (2010–2011) * Jay B. Tucker (2011–present)

Membership

Membership consists of descendants of

. Members receive invitations to the Annual Meeting and to other events. Membership runs from January 1 through December 31 each year. Once members exceed the age of 80, they were named honorary members. This title was also reserved for those who have performed special services to the Society. Names of Honorary members were recorded in the Annual report of the secretary for many years. *

, President of the United States who was on hand to dedicate the Underhill monument at the Underhill Burying Ground in 1908. *

Robert Ogden Doremus Robert Ogden Doremus (11 January 1824 – 22 March 1906) was a United States chemist and physician. Biography Doremus was the son of philanthropist Sarah Platt Doremus and her merchant husband Thomas. He studied at Columbia, and graduated from Ne ...

, for his services to the Society * Thomas P. Peters, former editor of the ''Brooklyn Daily Tribune.'' * Gilbert Pell Underhill * Aaron T. Underhill, died September 18, 1908. * Mrs. Edward Trimble, daughter of Walter Underhill and granddaughter of Joshua Underhill. * Anna C. Underhill, Locust Valley, New York * Eliza J. Underhill, New York City * Eliza S. Underhill, Ossining, New York * George W.L. Underhill, New Rochelle, New York * Hannah Emery, Washington, Vermont, died July 1905 * Adeline deForest Underhill, Poughkeepsie, New York * Lucinda C. Underhill, mother of David Harris Underhill, died February 24, 1913.

References

External links

* {{Authority control 1892 establishments in the United States Family associations Genealogical societies in the United States American genealogy websites Lineage societies Long Island Non-profit organizations based in New York (state)