RIP VAN WINKLE'S NEIGHBORS
The Transformation of Rural Society in the Hudson River Valley, 1720-1850

Thomas S. Wermuth

Explores the social and economic transformations of the mid-Hudson River Valley during the key expansionist period in American history.

Although Rip Van Winkle was a fictional character, his community in the mid-Hudson Valley of New York State was very real. Thomas S. Wermuth's book shows that
the popular view of Hudson Valley farmers as self-sufficient, independent, and free of governmental authority is as fictional as the character of Rip Van Winkle himself.
In fact these mid-Hudson farmers lived in villages where economic practices and behavior were regulated by civil authorities as well as neighborhood concerns, and
where acquisitive practices that were believed to endanger the public good were forbidden.

Based on extensive research into previously unused town records and commercial accounts, this book challenges the belief that the early valley was a capitalist society,
arguing that the beliefs and practices associated with modern capitalism developed slowly and unevenly, and were not always welcomed by valley families.

"Thomas Wermuth presents a fine instance of the importance of studying large questions in small places. Though I have worked many of the same sources I learned a
great deal worth knowing from this book. " -- Edward Countryman, author of The American Revolution

"Wermuth's analysis of economic and social relations in the Hudson Valley is excellent." -- George Rappaport, Wagner College

Thomas S. Wermuth is Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Director of the Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College. He is also Associate Editor of the
Encyclopedia of New York State.

A volume in the SUNY series,
An American Region-Studies in the Hudson Valley
Thomas S. Wermuth, editor

September 2001 / 192 pages
paperback ISBN 0-7914-5084-8
hardcover ISBN 0-7914-5083-X
Illustrated: 28 tables

August 12, 2001