Part of the skyline of our nation's capital, Washington, D.C., is adorned with the Washington Monument. The 555-foot obelisk has been standing at the west end of the National Mall since its completion in 1884.
Some may not be aware that New Berlin has a miniature Washington Monument of its own. It is just behind the cemetery fence along Main Street in the village. It doesn't stand specifically for George Washington, known affectionately as the Father of Our Country. It actually stands to honor George's mother, Mary Washington.
Neither Mary nor George ever lived in New Berlin. Neither probably ever heard of it, although it is possible George may have quietly passed through it during the Revolutionary War. So one might wonder what the significance of the monument is, having stood in the village since 1897.
The monument was a gift to the village by an admirer of the first president and his family. Caleb G. Hall was a farmer from the hills of nearby Pittsfield.
Hall was born in Pittsfield in July 1824 and lived there until his death in March 1901. Hall came to New Berlin to do his banking and buy provisions, but was described as someone who pretty much kept to himself. At home, when not doing the chores, he was an avid reader of history books. He read biographies of the great leaders and their families.
By looking at this 30-foot shaft made of white granite by Dauley & Wright of Oneonta, one might also wonder how a simple farmer could spring for such an expensive item. To this day, it remains a mystery, but Hall was obviously well-to-do, despite being a farmer.
How Hall came by his money isn't certain, but he shared it with the community. He sponsored prizes for essays by school students in the area that focused on the heroes of the country. After he died it was found that Hall had left a considerable sum of money to continue this project for a very long time.
The monument was erected in 1897. Facing Main Street, about halfway up the monument is a carved face of Mary Washington. Under the face are chiseled four paragraphs. The first reads, "Washington, says the eloquent Edward Everett, is unquestionably to be added to the list of eminent men whose characters were molded by a mother's influence."
A second inscription says, "Noblest type of womanhood; the women of America to do thee honor "" Ella M. Hall."
Below is another, "I have seen the only Roman woman living this day "" Lafayette, 1784."
The last reads, "Women's education is the life of American Liberty "" Caleb G. Hall."
The back of the monument is without any inscription, but halfway up is a sculptured face of Abraham Lincoln.
Hall's monument is unique, as there is no other known place in the U.S. dedicated to the memory of the first president's mother.
What prompted Hall to place the monument isn't known. Some have speculated he was eccentric, a fanatic or hero-worshipper. Whatever the answer might have been, Hall left a bit of history that has outlived a few generations and will likely continue to be around for several more.
On Monday: A comic strip debuted 50 years ago by a local artist from Nineveh.
City Historian Mark Simonson's column appears twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column focuses on the area during the Depression and before. His Monday columns address local history after the Depression. If you have feedback or ideas about the column, write to him at The Daily Star, or e-mail him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His website is www.oneontahistorian.com.
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