LUCE

Previously my business was named Luce Lakeside​ Images

~ in loving memory of Luce Dutton, who wondered Madison County, New York during the mid 1800's; I named my business.   From the moment I learned of this poor women who had  been rejected on her wedding day - by her betrothed - I have felt such empathy and sadness.   According to the limited documentation,  Luce Dutton was 17 when she began to prepare for her upcoming marriage to the man she loved. She left her teaching job in Morrisville, New York where she met her fiance; and went home to New Woodstock to get ready.  While Luce was away,  her sister became teacher. On the joyous day, Luce and her family waited and waited. Later that evening the drunken fiance finally arrived and announced that he couldn't marry Luce because he had already married her sister. Distraught, Luce collapsed. The story goes on to say that she awoke from a faint and wondered the area for 30 years. It is said that she wore a patchwork dress, would put flowers in her long hair, had a set of keys, a bible, and fabric bundles of her belongings tied to her waist.  A few reports point out that Luce sometimes stayed on the porches of friends' houses.   Witnesses have even relayed that she would jump over a fence to run away from any male. I have no way of knowing much about Luce other than the couple of articles written during her time. Some accounts say that she was very polite. Sadly I also read that she was picked on by some children.  By Cazenovia Lake that had been a historical marker for Luce Dutton and a couple years ago it seemed to suddenly disappear.  From what I understand the family had it removed.