Step back into the early 19th century, where the Hudson Valley of New York was ruled by formidable landowners known as patroons. These powerful figures, including the Van Rensselaers, Livingstons, and Schuylers, controlled vast estates that overshadowed the lives of countless farmers and townspeople. Even Albany, the state capital, lay within their private dominion. On July 4, 1839, the small mountain town of Berne became a pivotal stage for tenant farmers who boldly proclaimed their independence, declaring, We will take up the ball of the Revolution where our fathers stopped it and roll it to the final consummation of freedom and independence of the masses. The Anti-Rent War surged through the Catskill Mountains in the 1840s, ultimately dismantling the patroon system and paving the way for a new era of land ownership and democracy in New York State. Join Maria Kasper as she recounts this compelling chapter in American history.

This episode includes AI-generated content.