Awards ceremony held for Elmire Conklin and Jennie Sweetman

WARWICK — On Thursday, September 24, in a brief ceremony held at the Warwick Town Hall, Supervisor Michael Sweeton and Historian Dr. Richard Hull presented special awards to Elmire Conklin and Jennie Sweetman.

"I'm honored to introduce to you two long-time Warwick resident," Hull said, "who through more than five decades of genealogical research have quite literally done more than anyone today and through the deep past to identify and exhaustively research many dozens of Warwick families, many of whom were distinguished citizens of our community and some of them with roots going back many generations."

Hull noted that Conklin and Sweetman had catalogued dozens of graveyards and cemeteries and, through their critical research into history and genealogy, had brought attention to many aspects of Warwick's past that were unknown or misunderstood.

He also praised their record of active service to local historical and genealogical societies.

Author of numerous articlesIn addition to occasionally writing articles for The Warwick Advertiser and The Warwick Dispatch, Sweetman has also written numerous articles on the histories of Vernon and Warwick for the New Jersey Herald.

"And," added Hull, "for more than a decade she co-edited with me 'Warwick Roots,' the journal of the Warwick Historical Society."

Land preservationistConklin, who is a professional horticulturist and botanist, has been a leader in the fields of preservation of land and the environment.

Hull praised her for providing strong and visionary leadership as president of the Orange County Citizens Foundation and as a founding member of Orange Environment.

Conklin is a charter member of the Orange County Land Trust and has served on their board for many years contributing to its goal of preserving historic farmlands, wetlands and woodlands. She also donated a portion of her historic woodland property in Warwick to the Land Trust.

"I can confidentially say that there is no one who knows the history of our region's families and institutions, landmarks, cemeteries, key events, and major landforms as these two distinguished citizens," said Hull. "They are not only the experts but they generously have shared their broad and deep knowledge with their fellow citizens and thus have contributed mightily to our rich heritage. Can you think of a better legacy to leave to us and to future generations?"

- Roger Gavan