Description
This map was created by Robert J. Seymour and Merritt L. Ryder. Both gentlemen were local to Putnam County, New York, growing up in the town of Carmel, New York. Carmel is on the southern border of Putnam County, abutting Westchester County, north of New York City. Little biographical information has been located about Ryder. Based on the research posted online by the self-named “Putnam Historian,” Seymour designed a similar pictorial map titled “Historical Map of Putnam County.” The Putnam Historian provided the following details in connection with Seymour’s production of the Putnam County map, which quite likely are also germane to his work on the offered Westchester County map:
Robert Seymour, the artist, served in World War I and lived most his life in Carmel, NY. He was passionate about old homes, barns, cemeteries, and notable sights in the area. An interesting fact about this map is that all of the information and data put forth in creating it was obtained by Seymour via word of mouth. For 5 years he interviewed the oldest residents within the county taking notes of their stories, saved news clippings, family photo albums and family bibles, all of which came together to create this wonderful treasure.
Condition: Generally very good, with the usual overall light toning, wear, handling, soft creases. Colors well preserved and overall the map presents very well.
References
“Hudson Valley Native History.” Westchester Magazine. https://westchestermagazine.com/life-style/hudson-valley-native-history/ (14 August 2024).
“Putnam Historian.” Facebook (Jan 6 2020). https://www.facebook.com/putnam.historian/posts/3330786990329514/ (14 August 2024).
