Historic Family of Putnam County Award

The 2011 PCHS Gala will honor the Hamilton Fish family, whose history in the Highlands dates back 150 years, with the Historic Family of Putnam County Award. The first Hamilton Fish (1808–1893) served as governor of New York, United States senator, and secretary of state during the Ulysses S. Grant administration. Descendants include Stuyvesant Fish (1851–1923) president of the Illinois Central Railroad; nephew Hamilton Fish Kean (1862–1941), United States senator from New Jersey; and great-grandnephew Thomas Kean (b. 1935), former governor of New Jersey. Several Fish descendants have served in Congress, including Julia and Hamilton’s son and grandson, each of whom represented Garrison. Great-great grandson Hamilton “Ham” Fish (b. 1951) will accept the award on behalf of the Fish family.