MICHAEL RIGHTER

Inscription

MICHAEL RIGHTER
1718-1804 BURIED HERE
FIRST PERMANENT SETTLER OF
DUANESBURG WHO LIVED IN
SMALL CAVE NEAR HERE CA 1765
BEFORE BUILDING A LOG CABIN
NEW YORK FOLKLORE SOCIETY
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2016

Michael Righter was Duanesburg’s first resident, purchasing Lot # 84 in 1757 from James Duane, founder of the Town of Duanesburg. Lore suggests that before building a log cabin, he first lived in a limestone cave on this lot which gave him protection from the elements and from activity during the American Revolution. James Duane wrote in his diary of visiting Righter in 1765 and staying the night with him in the cave. Righter bought his land for 40 pounds payable over four years, but didn’t complete payment until nearly three decades later. He is buried in the Duanesburg Village Cemetery.