author
Philip H. (Philip Henry) Smith
b. 1842
A 19th-century American local historian, he is best known for richly detailed books on New York’s Hudson Valley and nearby regions. His work gathers together county history, folklore, and biographical sketches in a way that still appeals to readers interested in place and the past.
1 Audiobook
The Green Mountain Boys : or, Vermont and the New York land jobbers
by Philip H. (Philip Henry) Smith
About the author
Born in 1842, Philip H. Smith wrote substantial historical works focused on New York State. Records for his books identify him as Philip Henry Smith, and his best-known titles include General History of Duchess County, from 1609 to 1876, Inclusive (published in Pawling, New York, in 1877) and Legends of the Shawangunk (Shon-Gum) and Its Environs (1887).
His books blend careful local history with a storytelling style. In General History of Duchess County, he surveyed the history of Dutchess and Putnam counties, while Legends of the Shawangunk explored the Shawangunk region across parts of Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan counties, mixing historical sketches, biographical notices, and regional lore.
Although easily overlooked today outside local-history circles, his writing remains useful for readers interested in 19th-century approaches to American regional history. Smith’s work preserves names, places, and traditions that might otherwise have faded from memory.