Van Benthuysen - Elms Mansion

Built 1869 for "Yankee in Grey," Capt. Watson Van Benthuysen II, CSA. Relative by marriage of Jefferson Davis and Quartermaster of presidential convoy that fled Richmond in April 1865, Van B. became merchant and industrialist with interests in St. Charles streetcar line, telephone company and firm that bridged Hudson at Poughkeepsie. Born NY 1833, Van B. died here 1901. House served as German Consulate General 1931-1941. From here, Adolf Karl Georg Edgar Baron Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim, novelist and U-boat kapitan, informed Axis submarines of ship departures. Became John Elms family residence 1951.