There's been some little theorizing aboutin Melville studies the most prominent example of a fascinatingly mistaken attribution is the book-length argument by Jeanne Chretien Howes for Melville's authorship of the 1845 poem Redburn: or the Schoolmaster of a Morning. Howes herself discovered, but would not accept, solid evidence for the anonymous author's being Geneva poet George Megrath.Norsworthy, Scott. "1850 review of Æsop's Fables: by Herman Melville?." Melvilliana: the world and writings of Herman Melville. December 22, 2015. http://melvilliana.blogspot.com/2015/12/1850-review-of-sops-fables-by-herman.html
I am greatly mistaken if Jack Redburn and myself were not by many degrees the most impatient of the party."The Wellers Revived." Troy Daily Whig. June 2, 1840: 2 col 2.it formed the subject of a conversation between me and my friend Jack Redburn the next morning"Master Humphrey from His Clock Side in the Chimney Corner." Troy Daily Whig. August 4, 1840: 2 col 1.
The Geneva Lyceum catalogs for 1838-39 and 1839-40 listed a D. Staats, a resident of Geneva as a classical student. […]All available census records and other documents concerning the Staats family and residents of Geneva did not include a D. Staats. Such a person did not appear in any Geneva records. A check of Geneva history books and of newspapers of the period were no help.Howes, Jeanne C. Poet of a Morning: Herman Melville and the "Redburn" Poem. San Francisco: Cadmus Editions, 2001. 109.Deposition of Duryee Staats.Duryee Staats, a witness produced, sworn and examined, on the part of the State, upon his oath, deposes as follows: I reside in Geneva, and have there resided about 14 years. I am second clerk in the office of the collector of canal tolls, at Geneva, in which business I have been engaged during this season, and was about a month at the close of last season. The office room has no connection or inside communication with a grocery and ware-rooms in the same building. My business is to examine the shipping bills, and ascertain by inquiry of the captains of boats, whether all lading on the boats be on the bill; to make out the amount of the toll to be paid, and make the clearances. I also keep the check accounts and statistical sheets. […]Documents of the Assembly of the State of New-York, Seventieth Session. Vol 3. Albany, NY: Charles Van Benthuysen, 1847. 590-582.https://books.google.com/books?id=E2EbAQAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA580&lpg=RA1-PA580For Sale.THAT desirable property, the residence of the Subscriber, situated a short distance north of the Rail Road, in the village of Geneva, containing about four acres of land. On the premises are a large Brick House, with a good cellar, a small frame house, a never failing well of first rate water, a choice variety of grafted fruit trees, and a very rich and highly cultivated garden. The land is divided into building lots, which will soon command a high price, as business is rapidly increasing in the vicinity of the Rail Road and Canal.Further description is deemed unnecessary, as no one it is presumed, will purchase without first viewing the premises. The property will be sold low, or exchanged for a good farm.DURYEE STAATS.Geneva, May 10th, 1848.Geneva Gazette. August 19, 1848: 1 col 1. [and many other issues]http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/Geneva%20NY%20Gazette/Geneva%20NY%20Gazette%201837-1849%20Grayscale/Geneva%20NY%20Gazette%201837-1849%20Grayscale%20-%200708.pdfDemocratic Senatorial and Congressional Convention.—TWENTY-NINTH DISTRICT.At a Convention of delegates from the counties of Ontario and Livingston, composing the TWENTY-NINTH Congressional District, held at the American Hotel, at Lima, on Thursday the 5th day of October inst., pursuant to previous notice, the Hon. PETER MITCHELL was called to the chair, and HENRY D. CLARK and GEORGE R. PARBURT, appointed Secretaries.—The following named gentlemen presented their credentials and took seats as members of the Convention:— […]Duryee Staats […]Geneva Gazette. October 7, 1848: 2 col 6.http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/Geneva%20NY%20Gazette/Geneva%20NY%20Gazette%201837-1849%20Grayscale/Geneva%20NY%20Gazette%201837-1849%20Grayscale%20-%200735.pdfCALIFORNIA.—We would reckon the gold fever was pretty considerable in these diggins [sic], from the way the boys are leaving for the Sacremento [sic]. Week before last Messrs. Duryee Staats, Champlin H. Spencer, David B. Hodges, Sylvester Staats and James Stewart, of this village, took their departure for the golden sands. By the 3 o’clock train of cars on Monday morning last, Messrs. John White, Alfred Young, H. C. Prouty and Thomas White left, we understand to take the Texas land route. By the 1 1/2 o’clock P.M. run of cars, the late political editor of this paper, Chief of the Ontario Trojan Band—which association we believe numbers 27 individuals—with his fellow bond-men commenced their pilgrimage to the golden Mecca. A large concourse of friends and acquaintances assembled at the depot to see the latter off. As the cars started, three hearty cheers were given which made the welkin ring again; in response, the Chief swung out a small Cass & Butler flag, which used to fly from the window of the Gazete Office, and discharged his rifle. Boys, one and all – here’s luck to you; may you get riches, and may wealth make you happy, if it can.Geneva Gazette. March 16, 1849: 2 col 6.http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/Geneva%20NY%20Gazette/Geneva%20NY%20Gazette%201837-1849%20Grayscale/Geneva%20NY%20Gazette%201837-1849%20Grayscale%20-%200821.pdf